Mega Stone

"Wash Rotom..."

Gazing at the washing machine floating above the sky, Brock narrowed his eyes.

"Wash Rotom's attribute is a compound of electricity and water, the only attributes that restrain it are ground and grass." Xiao Gang glanced at the Steelix coiled above the field, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart, thinking : "Unfortunately, Wash Rotom's attribute is immune to ground type moves due to levitate, and Steelix's excellent ground type moves are completely useless against it, so that means that there is only the path of a hard encounter that can be taken right now."

Brock looked across to Aisha.

Aisha's Pokémon choices were completely targeting his team within the invisible.

"You even guessed what Pokémon I was going to use?"

Aisha had created a very powerful image in Brock's heart.

"Worthy of being Instructor Ai, too powerful."

Brock couldn't help but marvel at Aisha's power in his heart.

"Wash Rotom, Hydro Pump!"

"Steelix, Gyro Ball!"

Wash Rotom opened the lid of its washing machine under Aisha's command. The thick and clear water showed a spiral shape under the rotation of the washing machine drum, and water poured out of the washing machine in one breath, churning and hitting the ground. Steelix on top showed a look of pain due to the burns from Will-o-Wisp.

The Steelix quickly coiled up its huge body, and its shiny steel body began to rotate at a high speed after a flash of metallic light.

"Lo~"

"Roar-!!!"

Wash Rotom's Hydro Pump smashed on top of the high-speed rotating body of the Steelix.

Even though it was disguised as utilizing the special features of the Gyro Ball with the steel type energy boost, it resisted some of the damage from Hydro Pump.

After all, the water type was still restraining Steelix's ground type.

That was why Steelix still took some damage.

"Eh?"

Aisha's eyes at one end of the field stared at Steelix's face.

After the burns from Will-o-Wisp and the attack from Hydro Pump, Steelix's face changed for a while, and although it took a good amount of damage, the follow-up was slightly redder.

"Carrying any props?"

Aisha judged that the props carried by Steelix should be recovery-type props.

"Wash Rotom, Trick!"

"Lo~"

The light of psychic fluctuations bloomed above Wash Rotom's body.

"What?"

Watching Wash Rotom's psychic ability fluctuations rapidly cover Steelix, Brock was instantly startled.

"Roar!"

An apple core flew out from between the cracks of the Steelix's body and fell within Wash Rotom's washing machine drum.

Wash Rotom's Heavy-Duty Boots served as a replacement, hanging on top of the Steelix's spikes.

"Leftovers?"

Aisha narrowed his eyes.

The eyes that looked towards Brock were also colored with a touch of dissimilarity.

Wasn't it agreed that Brock was a trainer who specialized in frontal combat and defense?

"Hey..."

Watching Steelix's Leftovers turn into a boost for Wash Rotom, Brock also sighed very helplessly and said, "Not good."

"Steelix, Heavy Slam!"

Even though Brock had already predicted the end of his defeat.

However, as a man who was known to be rock-solid, it was impossible for Brock to choose to give up, admit defeat, or get discouraged.

He and his Pokémon still had to fight to the end.

"Roar-!!!"

Enduring the torment of the burns, Steelix glared its ferocious eyes undder Brock's command, its already bright red pupils becoming even more violent.

The color of steel flashed above its massive body.

The steel-colored body lunged at the Wash Rotom floating above the sky at once.

"Wash Rotom, Reflext."

Aisha then calmly gave the order.

"Lo~"

Wash Rotom's eyes widened, and a transparent wall that shimmered with light emerged before its body, blocking the heavy charge of Steelix.

"Roar!"

After an explosion, Steelix and Wash Rotom retreated a distance together.

Wash Rotom did not dodge or counterattack.

However, the physical damage weakening of Reflext was paired with the effect of the burn effect decreased Steelix's physical attacks.

Even though Wash Rotom took a heavy charge from Steelix head-on, its physical strength was still maintained.

"That's enough already, Wash Rotom."

Aisha, however, pulled out the Poké Ball at this time and retrieved Wash Rotom.

"Hmm?"

Brock showed a puzzled expression from across the room.

If the confrontation between Wash Rotom and Steelix continued, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Steelix would fall under the firepower and control of Wash Rotom.

Now, Aisha took the initiative to replace Pokémon...

Why?

Similar doubts arose from the water users watching the live broadcast as well.

"Instructor Ai is confused?"

"What's going on?"

"This... Wash Rotom's Heavy-Duty Boots has been exchanged to Steelix, the next Pokémon to go on the field needs to eat a round of Invisible Rock's damage, if that can't beat Steelix, Wash Rotom once again goes on the field still needs to eat a round of Invisible Rock's damage, it was originally a sure win situation, Instructor Ai is unstable once he exchanges the Pokémon."

"Instructor Ai drifted?"

"Wave when the wind is blowing, worthy of being Instructor Ai!"

The water users agreed that replacing the Pokémon at this time was unreasonable behavior.

Aisha himself knew this.

However, his goal in challenging the Gym was never simply to win.

If he wanted to win, he could just go straight to the field and play Rayquaza.

Aisha's most central goal in challenging the Gym was to exercise his Pokémon...

"Charmander, please!"

Taking out the new Poké ball, Aisha threw it, and the Pokémon landed on the field between the flames - its legs were wrapped in Heavy-Duty Boots, and it lurked on the field to snipe at the Stealth Rock that Aisha replaced without causing any damage.

Because there was no prop restriction in the Gym Challenge.

Therefore, Aisha did not hesitate to pair up two pairs of Heavy-Duty Boots for the subsequent battle of Wash Rotom and Charmander after realizing that Brock had Stealth Rock.

Moreover, Heavy-Duty Boots were just as important a prop for Charmander, and even for Charizard.

After all, Charizard with the Fire and Flying attributes had half of its stamina disappear when it stepped on Stealth Rock, so it had to be guarded against it.

"Ow!"

Charmander gazed at the large steel snake in front of him, which seemed to be as tall as the sky, and not only did it not have any trepidation, but instead revealed an expression of excitement.

The flames burning at the end of its tail scurried up into the sky, symbolizing the Charmander's wariness.

"Roar!"

Steelix lowered its head and looked at the little guy who was watching him.

"The fire-type Charmander against the ground and steel-type Steelix, although it is said that the fire-type has a twofold restraining effect on the Steelix, however, the ground-type moves that the Steelix specializes in restrains Charmander just as much, and this little body of Charmander can really beat Steelix?"

"What does Instructor Ai want to do?"

"It's too big."

"That's bad, Instructor Ai, don't waste this great situation!"

"Instructor Ai's choice must have its own deep meaning..."

The barrage were still mixed about Aisha's choice.

Of course, although the situation had changed a bit, the advantage was still tilted in Aisha's favor.

Steelix wasn't exactly healthy, with burns hanging above its torso.

Charmander, on the other hand, was intact, protected by a reflective wall above the field.

The result of the battle was covered in mist.

However, Aisha still had the advantage.

"...I see!"

After a moment of silence, Brock revealed a smile.

"Instructor Ai, our sparring match can finally ignite!"

"Hmph!"

Aisha also looked towards the Charmander standing above the field, revealing a smirk of confidence as he said, "Gym Leader Brock, this child is one I'm proud of!"

"Steelix, Earthquake!"

Clenching his fists, Brock shouted out the command to attack.

"Charmander, Fire Blast!"

Aisha also revealed a maniacal smile and proudly gave the order to attack.

"Roar-!!!"

"Ow!"

Steelix roared out aggressively, and the thick steel tail raised above mid-air, after which, wrapped in earth-colored energy slammed down on top of the sparring ground in a single breath, triggering the ground attribute energies to surge and stir, and it was as if the ground was whistling with raging waves.

Charmander, on the other hand, hardened itself against the damage of Earthquake, and with a single mouthful, spewed out a hot flame.

The flames quickly rose under the agitation of the earth, and blasted head-on on top of the shiny steel torso of the Steelix.

"Roar!"

Steelix roared in pain.

The steel tail struck the ground with even more vigor.

The field of battle blossomed with deep cracks under the tail of Steelix, and the cracks quickly spread to all corners of the field along with the sound of shattering under the flying dust.

"Roar!"

Charmander started running on top of the field.

The little dragon with flames burning on its tail crossed the shattered cracks on top of the turbulent earth, jumped over the chasm as deep as a cliff, and brewed hot flames inside its mouth, while its eyes were always on the lookout for the enemy's movements and the direction of the attack.

"Charmander, towards the tail of the Steelix, Flamethrower!"

"Ow!"

Charmander, who had already accumulated enough flames, sprayed hot flames as soon as he heard Aisha's command and attacked Steelix's tail.

"Steelix, Iron Tail!"

Brock didn't have the slightest intention of defending or evading.

Steelix, under the command of its Leader, did not hesitate to whip its tail, which was rendered in the color of steel, to meet the flames and lash out at Charmander.

"Roar!"

Flames scorched the Steelix's tail.

"Ow!"

The iron tail passed through the flames and struck Charmander's body.

Charmander's petite body flew into the sky under the impact of Iron Tail.

"Charmander, Fire Blast!"

Aisha gazed at Charmander, who was now in free fall in the sky, and gave his final command.

"Ow-!!!"

Even though the sound of the wind was filling his ears, Charmander still accurately captured Aisha's command.

Charmander glared above the sky and spewed out a ball of flame.

Hot flames blasted onto the head of the Steelix, causing a violent burst of flames.

"Roar!"

The wail of Steelix reached Aisha and Brock's ears the flames.

"It's over..."

Aisha revealed a confident smile.

"..."

Brock was silent for a while and finally revealed a relieved smile.

"Ow!"

Charmander managed to stabilize himself above the sky by using the recoil of Fire Blast, and stumbled to stand above the ground.

"Roar..."

The huge body of Steelix, on the other hand, collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, losing its ability to fight.

"Steelix has lost its ability to fight, the winner is challenger Aisha!"

Seeing Steelix's defeat, although he was reluctant to accept his elder brother's defeat, as the referee, his little brother still dutifully declared Aisha's victory.

"Ow!"

Hearing the referee's announcement, Charmander, whose body was covered in scars and dust, also proudly raised its chest.

"Won... Charmander, you won."

Aisha also smiled and looked at Charmander.

"Ow!"

Charmander ignored the dirtiness of his body and instantly jumped into Aisha's arms smiling and rubbing up against his chest.

"Ha~"

Aisha didn't blame Charmander's recklessness and put it down after praising it.

"You won, Aisha-kun."

Brock was also already retrieving the defeated Steelix at this time, and helplessly revealed a headache smile, saying, "You and your Pokémon are too powerful, I feel like I'm completely battling within your rhythm, and all my efforts are just accelerating towards that ending of defeat."

"Gym Leader Brock is too kind."

Aisha smiled and shook Brock's hand.

In fact, the only thing that Brock had miscalculated on was underestimating Marill's strength.

This mistake was such that Golem, which should have shone within the sparring match, turned into cannon fodder.

This in turn led to the overexertion of Drednaw.

Wash Rotom had quite a bit of time to unleash Will-o-Wisp, Trick, and Reflect, infinitely weakening the output of Steelix, so much so that Charmander was able to go head-to-head against Steelix.

"Oops, lost."

Brock bitterly smiled as he pulled out a rock-shaped badge and handed it to Aisha.

"This is the gray badge of the Pewter Gym."

"Hmm."

Aisha took Brock's badge.

[Ding!]

"Hmm?"

Hearing the system's voice after a long time, Aisha's heart beat a minute faster.

[System Quest: Collect the badges of the eight major gyms in the Kanto region.]

[Mission Progress: 1/8.]

[Quest Reward: Key Stone, any Mega Evolution Stone of your choice.]

"..."

Aisha's eyes bloomed with a brilliant light.

Key Stone and Mega Evolution Stone...

The attraction of this reward was too fatal for him.

It was no longer necessary to say what level of reinforcement Mega Evolution was.

The main thing was that the difficulty of this quest was not high at all.

If Gym Leader did choose the team that would fight based on the strength of the challenger's Pokémon, apart from some of the more juggling guys, the pressure to deal with it on his own was indeed not high.

Aisha was perfectly capable of completing it.

The quest rewards of the Key Stone and Mega Evolution Stone were a completely wasted gift.

The awesome effects of Mega Evolution were already beckoning towards themselves.

Awesome...

The system finally did something human.

"Thanks a lot, Gym Leader Brock!"

Aisha looked towards Brock with a touch of eagerness colored within his eyes.

Nowadays, there were three Pokémon that could undergo Mega Evolution within his team.

The future Rayquaza, Charizard, and Metagross.

Rayquaza belonged to a special case.

That's why the choice of Mega Evolution Stones is narrowed down to Charizard and Metagross...

Mega Charizard Y and Metagross are both undoubtedly powerful.

Aisha possessed either of them before the Indigo Plateau Conference, and the Indigo Plateau Conference Champion was almost assured.

"It's nothing."

Brock waved a hand and smiled helplessly.

"You..."

"Ow!"

While Brock was speaking, next to him, Charmander, who had been silent for some time, suddenly let out a somewhat strange roar.

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

Aisha and Brock looked at Charmander together.

Charmander stood still, and a brilliant light bloomed above its petite body.

"Evolution?"

Aisha froze.

"...Understood."

Aisha also reacted, the level of Charmander had already surpassed the evolution level of many normal Charmanders, it was already on the verge of evolution when it was in Pallet Town, and after experiencing intense monster brushing within the Viridian Forest during this period of time, and facing off against such a formidable foe as the Steelix today, it had already met all the conditions for evolution.

"Ow... Roar!"

Under the covering of light, Charmander's roar gradually became thicker.

The petite and rounded body also gradually enlarged, growing angular and thick muscles.

"Roar!"

After the light dissipated, a robust Charmeleon stood in front of Aisha.

"Charmander... No, now Charmeleon."

Looking at Charmeleon whose height was already close to his own after completing its evolution, Aisha also revealed an expression of happiness mixed with emotion.

The child has grown up and is no longer much shorter than himself...

"Roar!"

Charmeleon revealed a naive smile, quite similar to that of when it was a Charmander.

After that, it picked up Aisha in one go and stood in place spinning in circles.

"Eh, eh, don't, Charmeleon!"

The scene of Instructor Ai being hugged and spun around by his own child was fed back within the live broadcast by the drone.

"This Charmeleon is one meter seventy centimeter, what size it will be after it evolves into a Charizard, I can't even dare to imagine!"

"Instructor Ai is only one meter seventy-five centimeter, now this little fire dragon can beat the top."

"A little exciting..."

"Odd."

"It's too combustible, really Pokémon vs. Pokémon still need to fight hard, what's the point of dirty sets all day long?"

"Instructor Ai said I'm the god of dirty sets, what's with your opinion?"

Aisha and Brock's sparring match was only ten minutes long, thrilling hookups mixed with exciting and combustible frontal battles, the water friends gathered in the live broadcasting room called out for their enjoyment.

The Gym Challenge, the first battle, the live broadcast was excessively good.

"Aisha-kun, if you don't mind, why don't you have lunch within the Gym today?"

"Ah."

Aisha struggled out of Charmeleon's embrace and said, "Good, it just so happens that I'm studying some cuisine myself, so I can get down to it."

At noon, Aisha made a plate of Mapo Tofu according to Chef Kotomine's menu.

On that day, Brock suspended the Pewter Gym's Gym Challenge.