Because of the Meteor Swarm accident, the two Pokémon's battle completely shifted into a contest of footwork.
Popplio and little Machop kept striking all sorts of strange poses in the ring, dodging the falling meteors.
And on top of that, the heavy rain caused by the collision between Infernape's fire moves and the blizzard…
Right now Axel really wanted to shout, "Stop fighting already!"
Fortunately his self-control was strong, and he forced himself not to blurt out the meme.
———
A few minutes later.
Little Machop got struck by a meteor, dumbfounded, and collapsed on the spot.
For everyone present, this result felt about right.
In weather similar to Rain Dance, Popplio's agility was clearly much better than at the start.
Though… not by much.
After seeing Machop fall, Popplio triumphantly put hands on hips and looked at its trainer.
"Popplio~"
'Mission accomplished, master!'
The next moment, a meteor landed precisely on Popplio's head and took him out too.
"Platinum, here's your badge!"
As the battle ended, Maylene quickly handed the badge to Platinum and recalled all her Pokémon.
Right now she truly didn't have a single Pokémon left, and badly needed to run over to a Pokémon Center.
But before closing up and leaving, she still turned back to look seriously at Axel and Flint, "Excuse me, is there anything I can do to help the two of you?"
Axel pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
After a day's observation, he already understood Sinnoh's current situation.
Dialga and Palkia had fought due to a misunderstanding, and Team Galactic was pushing ahead with their plan to control them.
Now that the Galactic Bomb plan had been wrecked by Axel, and since Team Galactic would definitely seek him out again when they went for the lake trio, he had the advantage there.
As for Darkrai and the battle of the time-space gods in that little town, Gym Leader–level strength wouldn't really affect the outcome after getting involved.
Unless they had unreasonable power on the scale of Arceus…
So for now, it was more reasonable to leave that matter to Flint.
At the moment they really didn't need Maylene's help.
After some thought, Axel said, "Gym Leader Maylene, all you need to do is not mention what happened between me and Flint."
They had to move in secret; exposing themselves to too many eyes could trigger some nasty chain reactions.
If they caused too big a commotion and Dialga sent them back to the time before they crossed over, that'd be a joke.
"Alright, I'll definitely keep it safe!"
"And one more thing," Axel turned to Flint, "According to the timing now, Cynthia should already be in that little town where Darkrai appeared."
"Before long, the time-space gods might show up there. When the time comes, I'll leave it to you!"
Watching Axel and Flint leave the gym, heading off in two different directions, Maylene pulled out her phone and opened the familiar group chat.
Though Axel had said he didn't need her help, she had her own way.
Thinking this, Maylene casually tagged the next Gym Leader.
[Gym Leader Crasher, listen, I've got something to tell you…]
———
Far away in Pastoria City, Crasher saw the message and nodded silently.
"The challenger isn't easy to deal with, but the challenger's bodyguard is actually easy to handle?"
"In that case, I get it…"
"Defeat the opponent's bodyguard first, crush their fighting spirit."
"Trying to clear all gyms in three days, such an insult to us eight leaders."
"I, Crasher, will stop you hard!"
———
That night, Axel and Platinum arrived at the grandest hotel in Veilstone City.
The hotel gleamed in gold and jade, with statues of Dialga and Palkia standing at the entrance.
On each side of the entrance stood doormen and squads of uniformed security with their Pokémon.
Its grandeur even outstripped Maylene's gym.
"Whew, finally I can rest a bit!"
Though it was only a single day, Platinum felt like she'd lived through many.
She had just started her journey, yet already cleared three gyms, clashed with Team Galactic, and met one of the Elite Four, Flint.
Even more importantly, her heart had gone through a massive change.
From doubting Axel's abilities, to developing feelings for him.
And finally, learning Axel's true purpose in Sinnoh… Platinum felt she really needed to calm down and process it all.
"Axel."
"Mm?"
"Um…", The young lady bit her lip, hands clasped behind her back, unconsciously pinching at her coat hem, her voice timid, "Thank you for today. Can I buy you a drink?"
Axel instinctively took a step back, looking at Platinum warily.
'What?'
'We just met today and you're asking me to drink?'
'You're crossing the line, young lady!'
"I'm just a bodyguard…"
"Alright then…", Platinum cut off Axel's unsaid words with a soft sigh, tugged at his sleeve, and led him toward the entrance, "Call the butler out, have him arrange the two best rooms for us."
"Yes, young lady!"
Axel: "..."
No wonder Platinum seemed so odd.
'This level of wealth rivals Caitlin's.'
The two entered the hotel and, under the butler's guidance, went to the top floor.
That entire floor held only two supreme luxury suites.
As they were about to part ways, Axel thought for a moment, then patted Platinum's shoulder, "Um… could you leave your door open later?"
"What for?", Platinum, remembering how she'd just asked him for a drink, couldn't help blushing.
"I… I meant drinking in the private room."
"You're already with Cynthia, so we… we…"
Seeing her face redden, looking drunk before even drinking, Axel instinctively flicked her forehead.
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm planning to make some food for the Pokémon, and also send some over to your Ponyta and Popplio."
"Tomorrow's the fourth gym challenge, and the opponent's Pokémon will only get stronger."
"I feel your Popplio is close to evolving. If it eats my special food tonight, it might evolve, and we'll push through together."
"Ah?", Platinum's face grew even redder. She dashed back into her room and slammed the door shut.
She'd wanted Axel not to misunderstand her, but clearly she had misunderstood herself.
"Damn, this is so embarrassing!"
"How am I supposed to face Axel tomorrow!"
Just then, Axel's voice came again at the door.
"Don't forget to leave your door open, young lady!"
"O-okay!", Platinum pressed her burning face hard, taking a deep breath.
"Call the people next door, ask what ingredients and food they need, send it all over."
"Also, bring me some sake…"
Platinum felt that if she didn't drink tonight, she definitely wouldn't be able to sleep.
This misunderstanding was just too mortifying.
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