Azumarill

The light of evolution, blossomed out.

Marill's petite body rapidly changed under the radiant light.

A steady stream of power gushed out from within its body, gradually filling its empty limbs and bones.

Marill gradually stood up straight against Poliwrath's fist under the support of this power.

"Guu?"

Noticing the force coming from above his fist, gradually changing, Poliwrath also revealed a look of surprise.

It knew that Marill had a lot of potential, but potential was still just potential in the end, and a future that had not been realized had no meaning to the status quo.

Perhaps, the future Marill could surpass itself.

However, it was definitely not now.

However... along with Marill's petite figure gradually expanding, lengthening, and changing its stance under the shroud of the light of evolution, the power of this little water bear also increased rapidly, like a large tank that was constantly being filled with water, becoming as heavy as a small mountain.

"Lu!"

The change in the body finally came to an end, and Marill's cry was reintroduced into Poliwrath's ears.

That cry was no longer the soft, light and gentle sound of the past, but now had an extra sense of toughness and hard power.

The light of evolution also dissipated, revealing its current appearance.

Marill's body had lengthened by a factor of two, and its blue and white skin was glistening like water.

Originally, when it had not evolved, its small and short arms had finally lengthened quite a bit, seemingly slender, but actually containing unimaginable strength.

The tail was still as slender, with a blue orb linked to the end... however, nowadays, it could certainly use it as a powerful weapon.

The biggest change was probably its head.

A pair of slender bunny ears replaced the original rounded bear ears, and between the swaying movements, it was full of animated and lively vigor, and its cuteness even increased instead of decreasing.

The little water bear turned into a big water rabbit.

"Guu?"

"Lu!"

Marill... no, a confident smile appeared on Azumarill's face.

New strength surged above its arm that beckoned Poliwrath's fist, supporting it as it braced itself against the fist that carried 10,000 pounds of power.

"Lu!"

Unconsciously using the martial arts' Upaniṣad, Azumarill unloaded the force that Poliwrath had exerted on it in a current-like gesture, and then, without hesitation, blasted out a punch with the deep blue light of a current cracking and the clear current flickering above the Azumarill's fist, smashing it on top of Poliwrath's belly.

"Guu!"

Following a muffled sound, Poliwrath took two steps back.

Without waiting for Poliwrath to be surprised, Azumarill fought its way up and swung another punch at its face.

"Lu!"

Poliwrath frowned and raised its fist in defense.

The deep blue and pure white fists collided, and a powerful force erupted out, sweeping away the frost covering the nearby ground.

"Lu!"

Azumarill swung its fists like a wild storm as if it was full of bravado and in desperate need of venting.

The martial arts fundamentals and martial arts axioms it had learned while in Marill's stance were magically engraved into its body after evolving into Azumarill.

The martial arts that were originally only denizens could be said to be proficient nowadays.

It was doing more than simply swinging its fists.

Azumarill carried the shadow of Upaniṣad of Stiffness within every single move and attack.

Each of its punches was also fierce to the extreme, and its terrifying power was intimidating.

The ghostly, ethereal figure also flickered nimbly across the battlefield, not only occupying a position that was favorable to itself, but also blocking the opponent's path.

"Guu..."

Poliwrath retreated as it fought, gradually switching from offense to defense.

The severity of Azumarill's attack was beyond its expectations.

Even though it was known that a Pokémon's strength would take a terrifying leap after evolving into its final form.

However, Azumarill's progression...

When it didn't evolve, it was powerless under its own hand.

Once it evolved, it actually caught itself off guard.

Such a gap was clearly a bit outrageous...

Poliwrath naturally didn't know that Azumarill's evolution was the most perfect evolution that came naturally after all preparations were completed.

When it was still Marill, or even Azurill, Aisha's exercise and cultivation of it was strict to the extreme.

The resources it used were also the top of the top, and there was no shortage of high-quality secret treasures produced by the system.

Its natural strange power had been fully developed, and under Azurill's posture, it possessed remarkable strength, with an excellent foundation.

After evolving into Marill, it had a long journey of intense battles, and then it even practiced martial arts and was Instructor by three Swords of Justice.

Now, under the pressure of Poliwrath, Marill's potential was completely awakened, and the foundation that it had built in its first two forms was finally showing its promise.

"Lu!"

Azumarill shouted out impassionedly, taking another step closer to Poliwrath, a dream-like shimmering pink light bursting out above its fists.

Play Rough!

Poliwrath's pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks.

It detected an aura of danger above Azumarill's punch.

Poliwrath subconsciously wanted to dodge this attack, however, it realized that it had been unknowingly forced by Azumarill to a rock wall, with no way to retreat behind it, and no way out to the left and right because of Azumarill's position.

"Guu!"

In anxiety, Poliwrath raised its fist and crossed its arms to block in front of its body.

Azumarill's fist grazed its crossed arms and imprinted on top of Poliwrath's belly in one breath.

"Lu!"

"Guu!"

The punch hit Poliwrath solidly.

The large, blue-skinned frog's eyes widened at the tremendous force that erupted above its belly, and, unsteady on its feet, Azumarill punched it into the rock wall behind it.

"Boom!"

There was a muffled thud, and debris flew.

Poliwrath imprinted a half frog outline hole on top of the rear rock wall.

"Lu~"

Azumarill, at this time, on the other hand, stood up straight and didn't pursue.

It exhaled as if it had finally gotten off a good fight, smiled towards Poliwrath, and took a few steps back.

"Guu..."

Poliwrath shook its slightly dazed head and pulled itself from within the rock wall.

It then surveyed the Azumarill before it with eyes like it had seen a ghost.

"Guu?"

A question mark popped up on Poliwrath's head.

It was a bit taken aback.

It was clearly just Azumarill, but this child's size was almost catching up with its own, clearly an overdeveloped look.

Moreover, looking like a small arm and leg, the force of the fist and the speed of the maneuver were tricky even for himself.

"Guu..."

Poliwrath looked at Azumarill, and again looked down at itself.

It could see clearly that just now, when Azumarill counterattacked towards itself, it had clearly used the technique of Upaniṣad of Stiffness.

If not for that, it was unlikely that its fist would have left itself with only a passive defense.

The Strong Power characteristics, as well as Azumarill's innate monstrous strength, combined with the denouement of the Upaniṣad of Stiffness...

With multiple buffs stacked on top of each other, its power had been strengthened to a terrifying degree.

On top of that, if it was stacked with Belly Drum full of Physical Attack... That picture was just too beautiful.

"Guu."

Poliwrath sighed and patted Azumarill's shoulder.

You've completed school.

"Lu?"

Azumarill showed a puzzled expression instead.

What the hell?

You're completed?

But haven't I only been learning for a day?

"Guu..."

Poliwrath suddenly covered its heart and almost lost its breath.

That's why it hated geniuses the most!

Back when Poliwrath was still a Poliwhirl, it had suffered an unknown amount of hardship in order to follow Bruno and learn the Upaniṣad of Stiffness.

Even so, it had only mastered the essence of the Upaniṣad of Stiffness after several months of bitter training.

However, today's Azumarill was able to easily grasp the doorway of the Upaniṣad of Stiffness, and I'm afraid that it wouldn't take long for him to master the essence of this martial art...

When compared to this, the huge contrast made Poliwrath feel the urge to vomit blood.

"Lu~"

Looking at Poliwrath's appearance, Azumarill scratched his head in embarrassment.

So, he's that good, huh?

"Guu!"

Poliwrath got annoyed.

"Guuu!"

With a slap to Azumarill's head, Poliwrath assumes a fighting stance again.

Idiot, if you've evolved and mastered a new power, then you might as well keep exercising while you can, just so you can take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with your new body.

"Lu~"

Azumarill also immediately showed a serious expression.

Fine, continue exercising!

It twisted its head and glanced at the distant figure that had been watching itself.

If, if the party had been in the past, its own self, whose strength had leapt dramatically, would have been unable to hold back the joy in its heart, and would have darted to congratulate him.

However, today's Azumarill's mindset was a lot more mature...

Although he still wanted to stay in his master's arms and laugh.

However, the current Azumarill was more interested in giving the fruits of its practical exercises to that person as a gift!

"Lu..."

As if it had come to a realization, Azumarill closed its eyes lightly.

It knew that it wasn't a genius.

At least, within Instructor Ai's team alone, Azumarill's innate capital was considered very weak...

Azumarill was not a child of the Champion or Professor, nor was it a rare and precious Pokémon of a different color, and its own racial value was not even close to being "powerful".

Azumarill is just a kid that Instructor picked up from the wild...

However, it was this wild child, who could not catch up with his pals in every aspect, who had been carrying the team's weight, and was now ahead of all his pals, completing his final evolution.

Although the racial value of this final evolved form is not much higher than Charmeleon and Haunter, who are still in their second stage forms.

However, it possessed a strength that was so powerful that it could even be appreciated by the main Pokémon of an Elite Four class trainer.

This, of course, could not be separated from Aisha's nurturing and love.

Azurill was a child that grew up inside a honey pot.

Aisha's love filled its life during the time of Azurill and Marill.

Now, bursting forth...

Turned into true power!

"Lu!"

Azumarill opened its eyes as the clear current wrapped around its body.

It moved like a raging river, rushing and elusive.

This was the pace taught to it by the Swords of Justice.

Its fists weighed ten thousand pounds, like waterfalls that fell with a roar.

This was the Upaniṣad of Stiffness.

"Lu... lu!"

"Guu!"

The two streams of water collided once more with a monstrous sound.

In the distance, two lines of sight watched their encounter.

"That child is well nurtured by you."

Bruno smiled, looking at Azumarill, who was tangling with his own Poliwrath, and couldn't help but show an expression of approval.

His vision was naturally unquestionable.

Bruno could see that Aisha had poured countless efforts into Azumarill's body.

It wasn't a degree that could be piled up by taking money and piling up resources.

Only with heart and affection could a Pokémon be nurtured to such a degree.

That Azumarill... the future is unlimited.

"Thank you."

"It's not a compliment." In response to Aisha's modesty, Bruno laughed and patted his shoulder, saying, "Ai-kun, do you know what kind of person is the most suitable for practicing martial arts?"

"Hm?"

Aisha froze.

Suddenly asking this kind of question...

It wasn't like Instructor Ai was a serious science student who had studied martial arts in a systematic manner, and it was only natural that he had never heard of those philosophical questions.

However, thinking about such a question, he knew how he should answer it.

"Talent, or effort?"

"That's right, but, only half right." Bruno wrapped his arms around his chest and shook his head in a pretentious manner.

As a martial artist, he was inferior to Aisha in terms of fighting.

According to Lance, I'm afraid that this kid is still a hidden champion-level trainer... in that case, he was again no match for him in terms of trainers.

In that case, the only thing Bruno could find comfort in was Aisha's experience in the world.

"...Don't sell yourself short."

"Well, well, well, haha!" Bruno, who was very happy after having made up his mind for a while, finally spoke the answer to that question seriously, saying, "Having talent is nothing, having talent and working hard at the same time is the right thing to do, but if, on top of that, there is still the goal and belief of becoming stronger in one's heart, then that's really the most suitable candidate for practicing martial arts! "

"..."

Aisha did not respond.

He had definitely heard it and, realizing that Bruno must have meant it, had spoken such a sentence.

"Martial arts, too, is the power of the heart."

Bruno's fist hammered onto his chest as he looked at Aisha and said, "Perhaps, it's a bit metaphysical to say so, but if a person's heart holds a good obsession, his martial arts can also inevitably utilize an unusual amount of power, and this applies just as much to Pokémon as it does to Pokémon."

"I see."

"So..."

Bruno crossed his arms and laughed with a cheerful "hahahahahahahaha" before giving a thumbs up to Azumarill in the distance.

"Ai-kun, you've raised an especially great Pokémon."

"Of course."

Looking out at Azumarill's petite figure that was different from that of the past, Aisha revealed a faint smile.

"That child is my pride."

...

Hoenn region , Route 111.

Wind and sand filled the sky, which was the norm of the desert.

However, it would be abnormal to maintain a high intensity sandstorm for an extremely long period of time, to the extent that it would be unsuitable for living creatures, or even some low-grade rock and ground attribute Pokémon, to survive.

It was at the center of this area where the sandstorm was blowing so hard that it was hard to open one's eyes, that stood an ancient, massive ruin.

This was Desert Ruins, the place where one of the 'Eternal Pokémon', the Rock Pillar Regirock, slept.

Within the ruins, a man wearing a specialized protective suit wandered between the crumbling steps.

Although the goggles and mask that warded off the wind and sand blocked his face, the short silver-blue hair was still indicative of his identity.

He was Steven Steven.

A long time had passed since the Hoenn League and Devon discovered the remains of the Three Pillars.

Although they did not have the means to awaken the Pokémon sleeping here, Steven, who had been in love with rocks and legends since he was a child, still liked to walk around the three ruins in his spare time to see if he could find anything valuable.

Among them, Desert Ruins of the Rock Pillar was his favorite place.

The Stone Fiend truly lived up to his name.

Although it was said that there was nothing special within this relic other than some murals.

However, Steven still liked to wander around here.

Today, Steven had struck lucky.

"Eh?"

At the core of the ruins, Steven picked up an orange-colored stone from a hidden corner.

"This is..." Examining the stone, Steven's veteran eyesight was able to tell in a single glance that it was special.

There seemed to be a special energy flowing inside the stone.

The aura of this power did not belong to any Pokémon Steven had ever seen.

Since that was the case, the identity of that Pokémon was needless to say...

"This is the stone that contains Regirock's power?"

The surprise and delight on Steven's face was completely undisguised.

The stoner had been opening treasure chests all day long and finally opened something.

"A level like this, if it's a veteran breeder, it's perfectly fine to use for your own Pokémon... for a Rock-typee Pokémon, it's a great tonic." Steven contemplated the usefulness of the rock.

Given that Regirock was a proper god, this thing might have some special purpose.

Steven weighed the stone.

Though, not reluctantly.

However, he also knew that this thing was of little use to him.

Good things shouldn't be collected, but should be taken for something more meaningful.

"Ai-kun seems to have gotten his hands on a Larvitar, which is just about right."