As Morrison sent out Girafarig, Aiden Flint instinctively checked its status panel.
"Ding! Girafarig's current data is as follows:"
Pokémon: Girafarig
Level: 54
Ability: Inner Focus
Type: Normal / Psychic
Potential: Purple
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Confusion, Pursuit, Psybeam, Double Hit, Twin Beam, Stomp, Nasty Plot, Baton Pass…
"Girafarig, huh? Then this round is yours—Shelgon!"
After recalling the heavily exhausted Arcanine, Aiden Flint tossed a Luxury Ball.
A flash of red light burst forth, and a sturdy Shelgon appeared on the battlefield.
As the Pokémon changed, Morrison's Arcanine icon on the big screen dimmed instantly. Girafarig's image lit up in the second slot of his lineup, while Arcanine's icon on Aiden's side turned gray, indicating it had been recalled rather than defeated.
At the same time, Shelgon's avatar appeared in Aiden's second slot.
"Girafarig, use Psychic!"
At Morrison's command, Girafarig let out a sharp cry. A powerful psychic force surged forward in an instant.
"Shelgon, Dragon Breath!"
Shelgon locked its gaze on Girafarig and unleashed a devastating stream of draconic energy.
The sheer impact of the attack made Dragon Breath strike first, overpowering Psychic before it could fully take effect.
Hit by the corrosive draconic power, Girafarig cried out in pain, and the psychic force binding Shelgon dissipated instantly.
"That's it! Dragon Rush! Defeat it, and you'll finally evolve—soar into the sky!"
Without hesitation, Shelgon roared. Dense blue energy wrapped around its body, gradually forming the phantom silhouette of a massive dragon.
It understood clearly—once this opponent was defeated, it would finally complete its evolution.
Its long-held dream of flying freely through the skies was within reach.
With a furious roar, the spectral dragon surged forward, and Shelgon's charge smashed directly into Girafarig.
After taking consecutive hits, Girafarig could no longer hold on.
At that point, even sheer willpower was no longer enough to sustain it.
Moments later, engulfed by scorching flames, Girafarig collapsed completely.
"Ding! Shelgon defeated Girafarig. Experience gained: 997. Level increased. Current level: Lv.56!"
As Shelgon leveled up, a dazzling evolutionary light erupted around it.
Inside the massive stadium capable of holding over a hundred thousand spectators, cheers exploded through the air as Shelgon's body expanded within the brilliant glow.
Then—
A pair of blood-red wings emerged.
As the light gradually faded, a dragon overflowing with dominance and majesty finally revealed its true form.
"Roar!"
A thunderous dragon's roar shook the entire arena, making countless spectators hold their breath.
Aiden Flint immediately checked its status.
"Ding! Salamence's current data is as follows:"
Pokémon: Salamence
Divinity: None
Level: 56
Ability: Moxie
Type: Dragon / Flying
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Dragon Rush, Twister, Dragon Breath, Dragon Claw, Headbutt, Crunch, Flamethrower…
Affinity: 251
Experience: An outstanding member of the Bagon lineage. After completing its final evolution, it finally gained the power to soar through the skies, undergoing a complete transformation in strength.
Preferences: Delicious food, free flight through the skies.
Watching Salamence finally reach its complete form, Aiden Flint couldn't hide his joy.
"Congratulations, Salamence. You finally evolved."
Hearing his trainer's words, Salamence flapped its wings and soared into the air, letting out an exhilarated roar.
Thanks to its Moxie ability, after defeating Girafarig, its attack power rose even further.
Naturally, Aiden had no intention of recalling it. He let Salamence continue fighting.
The commentator's voice echoed with excitement.
"This is unbelievable! After defeating Morrison's Girafarig, Aiden Flint's Shelgon actually evolved!"
"Now, let's see how Morrison will respond to Aiden Flint's Salamence!"
Seeing this scene, Ash and the others felt conflicted.
They believed Aiden would definitely win, but watching Morrison fall completely into disadvantage still made Ash feel uneasy.
Facing Salamence's overwhelming presence, Morrison clenched his teeth and sent out his third Pokémon.
"Go, Metagross!"
Metagross—Level 56, also a pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
Compared to Aiden's Metagross, it was still noticeably weaker, but its golden potential was impressive.
The commentator grew even more excited.
"What a surprise! Facing Aiden Flint's Salamence, Morrison has also sent out a pseudo-legendary Pokémon!"
"A battle between two pseudo-legendaries is about to begin—this is absolutely thrilling!"
In Hoenn, the most famous pseudo-legendary Pokémon were Metagross and Salamence.
Thanks to the events at the scientist town, Morrison's Metang had successfully evolved, and his Growlithe had become Arcanine.
Compared to his past self, Morrison had truly grown much stronger.
And anyone who could command a pseudo-legendary Pokémon was never weak.
"Metagross, use Psychic!"
At Morrison's command, Metagross took the initiative. A deep blue light enveloped Salamence in an instant.
Feeling the oppressive restraint, Salamence roared angrily.
"Salamence, use Crunch! Break through the Psychic!"
Dark-type energy surged within Salamence's jaws.
Although Salamence wasn't a Dark-type Pokémon, the condensed dark energy was enough to weaken Psychic's effect.
The restraints around Salamence rapidly loosened.
"That's it! Flamethrower!"
With a thunderous roar, a torrent of scorching flames surged toward Metagross.
In the next instant, the grass battlefield was swallowed by fire.
Trapped in the sea of flames, Metagross looked like a helpless figure engulfed by an inferno.
And the battle—
was only just beginning.
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