As the local gym leader, Carl couldn't afford to be absent.
"No worries," Ray Blitz shrugged nonchalantly. "If you think you're not up to the challenge, you can just stay home and relax."
Carl was taken aback for a moment.
Was this a backhanded comment? This champion certainly had a way with words.
Daniel and the others exchanged knowing glances.
"Hey, that's not what I meant!" Ray quickly realized his blunder and tried to backtrack. "I meant that we're enough here; you don't need to trouble yourself by coming all this way."
Carl narrowed his eyes. "Do you have an issue with me, Ray?"
Daniel and the group couldn't bear to watch.
"I really didn't mean it like that!" Ray scratched his head in frustration. "I was trying to say... with me here, there's nothing to worry about."
"Ray, are you saying I'm not good enough?" Carl teased, a slight grin playing on his lips.
The group collectively facepalmed.
Ray wished he could just smack himself.
Carl observed their reactions. With his keen eye, he could tell Ray was just a bit awkward with words. But he pretended not to understand, keeping a straight face. "If you have something to say, just say it. No need for the passive-aggressive remarks."
"I'm really not trying to be confrontational!" Ray was practically hopping with anxiety.
But trying to explain only seemed to make things worse.
Duke City quickly pulled him aside while Wayne Ryder tried to smooth things over. "Don't take it to heart, Carl. Ray just has no filter."
Ray got the hint and mimed zipping his lips shut.
"Ray's just trying to say that we can handle these issues, and you can take it easy at home," Wayne elaborated.
That sounded much better.
Ray nodded furiously, indicating that this was indeed what he meant.
Knowing that Carl was the mastermind behind XY, Ray felt a bit nervous. Even as a member of the regional elite four, he was nothing compared to someone who could casually produce billions in resources, not to mention Carl's formidable Dragonite.
"So, you just wanted a friendly match? I thought you had a bone to pick with me," Carl's expression softened. The group's reactions told him they knew not only his identity but also his exploits in Kanto. His reputation, backed by both wealth and his legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo, was well-known.
"Absolutely no trouble intended!" Ray waved his hands vigorously. "I just wanted to see how strong your Dragonite is."
Daniel and the others breathed a sigh of relief now that things were clarified.
"A match, huh..." Carl sized up this straightforward champion, an idea forming in his mind. If he could persuade this honest fellow to run some errands, it would make things much easier.
"Sure," Carl agreed, a sly glint in his eyes.
"Great! After we deal with the secret realm?" Ray rubbed his hands in excitement.
Carl was about to deflect when he sensed something strange. Turning, he saw an energy storm swirling around the stone monument.
"The secret realm's trial has begun!" Ray shouted excitedly. This was a standard event after the emergence of a secret realm. To stabilize the realm, one had to defeat the guardian Pokémon formed from concentrated energy.
If no one could complete the challenge in time, the stone monument would vanish, and a new entrance would appear elsewhere.
Suddenly, a Sandaconda materialized before them, its crimson eyes exuding a menacing aura.
A powerful pressure engulfed the area.
"Champion level," Daniel murmured.
The four regional elites exchanged glances, and Duke City stepped forward. "Let me try."
According to tradition, the challenge could be tackled individually or as a team. However, experience showed that solo attempts often yielded additional rewards.
These rewards varied, from special abilities and blessings from mythical Pokémon to rare items or even Pokémon eggs. Their value usually matched the challenge's difficulty, and the Pokémon's type often hinted at the realm's nature.
The Ground-type Sandaconda suggested that the realm might be related to the Ground attribute, offering challengers the chance for Ground-type rewards.
Among the five present, aside from Carl, Duke City specialized in Ground types and was eager to seize this opportunity.
"Carl, do you want to give it a go?" Duke City asked, respecting Carl's right to try first, as was customary for a gym leader.
Carl responded calmly, "Go ahead, Duke."
Had he not sensed potential changes ahead, he might have been at home enjoying a nice cup of tea, as Ray suggested.
He had no interest in the realm's prizes; secret realms held no secrets for him. Once it settled in his district, he could visit anytime.
"Thank you," Duke City nodded earnestly.
While unsure if Carl had the strength to pass the trial, the presence of his champion-level Dragonite indicated a strong possibility of victory.
Duke City seized the chance to attack.
"Swampert, go!"
He released his water-type partner, Swampert, now fully evolved. As a Water-type, Swampert had the advantage over Ground-types, putting the battle in his favor.
"Use Hydro Pump!"
Swampert gathered energy for the attack. Just then, the previously aggressive Sandaconda regained clarity, its gaze sharp.
"Bang!"
The clash between the two champion-level Pokémon caused a massive tremor, forcing Carl and the others to retreat a hundred meters. The onlookers watched with bated breath, and the live stream chat went wild.
The intense battle raged for five minutes. As Duke City began to gain the upper hand, the Sandaconda suddenly activated its Gigantamax form. Reacting swiftly, Duke City had Swampert undergo a MEGA Evolution, ultimately securing a decisive victory.
With a resounding crash, the Gigantamax Sandaconda vanished, leaving behind only a teapot.
Seeing this, Carl thought of his soon-to-mature Gigantamax Mushrooms at home. "If it had been a Gigantamax Sandaconda, Duke might not have won so easily."
After consuming the Gigantamax Soup, Sandaconda could evolve into its Gigantamax form, wielding the powerful G-Max Sandblast move. But for now, it was just speculation.
"What did you get?" Ray asked eagerly as Duke City returned.
"Just a useless teapot," Duke City shrugged helplessly.
The teapot, a Ground-type item, was only useful for evolving a counterfeit Sinistea into a Polteageist, holding no value for Duke. At best, he could sell it for some cash. Receiving such a reward for a champion-level trial was incredibly unlucky.
"You sure have some rotten luck," Ray couldn't help but tease. "If it were me, I'd at least get a Pokémon egg."