Gallade was an Ace level Pokémon. After using Swords Dance once, it could basically one-shot any Elite Pokémon; utterly savage.
Sato was the only one who didn't send out an Ace Pokémon, but Cacturne's recovery ability still left the kids in despair.
By the later rounds, no one even tried challenging Joseph or Mark anymore. They knew they couldn't win and didn't want to get wiped.
Meanwhile, a long line had formed in front of Sato.
All Elite Pokémon: 'Why was it so strong? Why could it beat all of them?'
'Its Defense wasn't high, nor was its Speed fast, but it just wouldn't go down!'
Some of the kids had pretty strong Pokémon. The most dangerous moment for Cacturne was when it took a direct hit from Infernape's Fire Blast.
But what didn't knock Cacturne down… only made it stronger!
After pushing through the flames of Fire Blast, Cacturne took advantage of the brief opening caused by Infernape's energy drain and used Drain Punch to recover a big chunk of health/stamina, then turned the battle around completely!
Compared to Gallade and Spiritomb's overpowering Ace level suppression, Cacturne's same-level dominance truly earned the kids' respect.
Mark wanted to follow the Boss's lead, but then remembered his only two non-Ace Pokémon: Reuniclus and Phione.
The latter hadn't even reached Elite level, and the former definitely didn't have Cacturne's insane recovery.
Reuniclus was still just a powerful Elite Pokémon, but it couldn't steamroll opponents in a gauntlet battle.
Not wanting to ruin the "badass" impression he had built earlier, Mark decided to play it safe and not overdo it.
Once everyone who wanted to challenge had finished, Cacturne returned to Sato's side panting heavily, still wearing its usual cold expression. The kids were visibly in awe.
'So strong… Someone like that traveling with Cynthia… maybe they were worthy after all.'
In the end, they just weren't strong enough. Otherwise, they'd be the ones standing beside Cynthia!
"Hmph! We admit you're strong… but there's a lot of us… and someday, we'll beat you all!"
Veran, the chūnibyō boy, delivered his parting speech, then shyly glanced at Cynthia before dashing off with the other kids.
"They're a lively bunch. Celestic Town may be small, but it's definitely full of talent," Joseph said with a smile.
"Joseph's right on point! I was just starting to worry I'd get taken down in a gauntlet match!" Mark nodded furiously in agreement.
"TOOOOMB-"
Spiritomb was not happy. It started circling around Mark, screeching sharply with what sounded like a trace of grievance?
The three of them shivered!
'…So that's the kind of Spiritomb you are… clingy and weird.'
"Everyone's probably hungry. Let's have lunch first~" Cynthia said with a smile, shifting their attention.
"Wh-where are we eating?" Mark asked cautiously, the meaning clear: he was afraid Cynthia's grandmother might show up again.
"Don't worry, there are restaurants in town. And they're quite good."
"AWESOME! Let's go, let's go! I'm so hungry I could eat a whole Tauros!" Mark shouted as he rushed ahead, though he didn't look the least bit hungry.
After lunch, Cynthia took Sato and the others to visit some other sites around Celestic Town. Since the place wasn't very big, a single day was more than enough.
Along the way, Sato casually shared their travel plans with Cynthia, and naturally learned that she also intended to make Lake Acuity their final stop.
"Then… let's head out tomorrow!" In front of the inn, Sato said seriously to Cynthia.
"Alright!"
---
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, Cynthia arrived at the inn to meet up with Sato and the others, and the group set off together out of town.
"Are we really not going to say goodbye to your grandmother?" Mark asked hesitantly along the way.
"Aren't you afraid of her?" Sato gave him a sideways glance, a little amused.
"That's not fear… it's respect and reverence for our seniors!" Mark replied righteously.
"Don't worry, Grandma's waiting for us at the edge of town. You'll still get to see her~" Cynthia chuckled, and Mark stumbled in panic at her words.
"Haha… ha… Is there another exit in Celestic Town? I think slipping away without a word might help avoid the sadness of parting." Mark was in full damage-control mode.
"I come back here all the time~ It's not sad for me," Cynthia said with a blink and an unchanged smile.
Mark stared at her in shock. "You've changed… You've really changed…"
"…My granddaughter has changed?"
"YIKES!"
Mark leapt sideways behind Sato, turning around to find Cynthia's grandmother staring at him expressionlessly.
"I… w-what I meant was… Cynthia's changed… she's getting stronger and stronger! Y-yup… that's exactly what I meant!"
Cynthia's grandmother's face didn't change. She didn't even blink as she kept staring at Mark… until Cynthia stepped forward and blocked her line of sight.
"Grandmother, we're ready to go."
"…Come back early when it's over." She gave Cynthia her instructions first, then turned to Sato and the others. "Be careful on the road."
"Got it, Grandma." The three of them nodded obediently, looking like model children.
Then, the grandmother turned and walked away, ending the farewell without hesitation.
Only after her figure vanished did the four of them finally lower their gazes.
From a distance, she looked like just an ordinary old woman… needing a cane, even walking a bit slowly.
Mark grumbled to himself. 'Why do I get so nervous around her?'
"Alright then, let's head for Lake Acuity!" Joseph said with a smile, holding the map.
"Aye!" the group responded in unison.
---
Three days later, the group stared at the endless snowy landscape in front of them, suddenly realizing that reaching Lake Acuity might not be so easy.
"Glaceon, help us find a safe place sheltered from the wind. We're counting on you." Cynthia sent out her Glaceon to scout for a good camping spot.
"Glaaa~"
Glaceon nuzzled Cynthia, then darted off, disappearing into the snowy scenery as if it were part of it.
"It's freezing out here… I heard there's a city even further north past Lake Acuity? And there's a Gym there too? Those people must have it rough."
Mark rubbed his hands together, shivering nonstop while also complaining.
Then he took in two deep breaths of cold air… and got even colder!
Sato, Joseph, and Cynthia: …
Before long, Glaceon returned and led them to an open space with almost no wind.
Naturally, it was Joseph's time to shine at camp. Once the pot was set up, mouthwatering aromas began to waft through the air.
Sato sent out Weavile, who clearly got excited in the icy environment. With a leap, it landed in a nearby pine tree and started exploring the surroundings on its own.
Over ten minutes later, Joseph's call of "Food's ready~" brought everyone back.
Sato suddenly thought, if only times like this could last forever.
How nice that would be…