Chapter 147: Wallace's Arrival
"Combusken, Flame Charge!" Sapphire called out.
"Grovyle, use Leaf Blade," Ryan said.
Facing the charging Combusken, Grovyle's blades instantly glowed green and extended, like two scimitars. Grovyle didn't attack aggressively, merely wielding its Leaf Blades to parry the strikes, essentially sparring with Sapphire's Combusken.
After a brief clash, Combusken, exhausted, sat on the ground, panting heavily. Looking at Grovyle, which still had energy left, Sapphire said helplessly, "What a huge gap! Combusken tried so hard, but it's still difficult to match Grovyle."
Ryan smiled and was about to say something when Grovyle radiated with light. When the light faded, a Sceptile stood on the field.
"Oh, it evolved already?" Ryan asked, pulling a wristband from his backpack and handing it to Sceptile. Embedded in it was Sceptilite.
Ryan hadn't had much to spend his resources on lately, so he'd used his savings to buy Mega Stones for his Pokémon. Of course, he didn't dare buy them all at once; he had to be strategic about it. Helping his Pokémon master their abilities would be another significant expense, so for now, he could only save as much as he could.
Sceptile put the wristband on its wrist and walked to the side to get accustomed to its new body. Ryan then said, "Sapphire, your current battle style is a bit similar to my friend Ash—very aggressive, relying heavily on instinct. You could ask Ruby for some tips from Pokémon Contests. I mainly use a speed-based attack style, which might not be right for you. You're definitely lacking some technical skills right now, so ask Ruby about them."
"Oh, I see," Sapphire said thoughtfully.
"Of course, you can learn from all kinds of battle styles. But you have to find a path that suits you, not just blindly imitate others. Your style isn't set yet, so you can develop it," Ryan said.
"Yes, I understand," Sapphire said.
"Clap, clap, clap." A round of applause echoed, followed by a gentle voice: "Excellent analysis! As expected of Ryan, who has reached Elite Four level at just 15."
Ryan and Sapphire turned to look. A man in an elegant white cape, clapping and smiling at them from the cliffside, was standing there.
Surprised, Ryan asked, "Wallace! Why are you in Slateport City so early?"
"I heard my student is also participating in this Pokémon Contest, and since I have some time off, I decided to come see them early," Wallace said. "And I'm also very interested in you. Steven also told me you're a very talented trainer, and you'll definitely reach Champion level within three years. I thought he was exaggerating, but seeing you, I think he was being conservative."
With an elegant leap, Wallace jumped from the twenty-foot cliff, landing effortlessly without any discomfort. Ryan was stunned. He hadn't expected Wallace's physical prowess.
Wallace walked over, looked at Ryan, then at Sapphire, and said, "You must be the Sapphire that Ruby keeps mentioning, right? Hello, I'm Wallace."
"Hello," Sapphire said confidently. She was quite bold and open-minded, fearless.
"How about a sparring match? Let Sapphire see a high-level battle. It's the most direct form of instruction," Wallace said.
Ryan smiled, thinking: It seems Ruby is really concerned about Sapphire's development, asking the Champion to teach her.
However, this was also a good learning opportunity for Ryan, so of course he wouldn't refuse and agreed to the sparring match.
Ryan and Sapphire's training spot was a very remote location. After two weeks of training, there were almost no people coming. Here, there was no need to worry about Wallace being discovered and surrounded by fans.
"Take the stage, Clamperl." Wallace sent out his Clamperl.
Ryan smiled and said, "Do we need to be so serious? Go, Sceptile."
Sceptile approached, looking warily at the small Clamperl. Yet, Sceptile sensed a deep threat from it.
Sceptile was not mistaken. Clamperl was a Pokémon that had challenged the Hoenn League alongside Wallace in the past and had been instrumental in helping Wallace win the title of Champion. While no longer considered Wallace's main team, its power was certainly not to be underestimated!
"Then, let's try Mega Evolution, Sceptile!" Ryan said.
Sceptile nodded. Ryan pressed the Key Stone on his wrist, and Sceptile instantly completed Mega Evolution. Mega Sceptile appeared!
"Low Kick!" Ryan went all out!
Mega Sceptile instantly charged forward at high speed, gliding towards Clamperl, its tail blade erected, ready to deliver a decisive blow.
"That's a bit too hasty. Clamperl, cool it down with Whirlpool," Wallace said with a smile.
Clamperl cried out, and a massive whirlpool formed on the beach. Mega Sceptile was caught in it, unable to attack effectively.
"Blizzard," Wallace said.
Clamperl instantly unleashed a Blizzard, and the massive whirlpool instantly froze into an ice sculpture, which then shattered into pieces, inflicting immense damage to Mega Sceptile. The scattered tiny ice fragments, illuminated by the sunlight, created a breathtaking scene.
"Beautiful!" Sapphire exclaimed as she watched the scene unfold.
Ryan pursed his lips. Wallace's battle style was a blend of competitive battling and Contest performance, resulting in stunning combat displays.
Mega Sceptile recovered instantly through photosynthesis, but Wallace would not let Mega Sceptile recover freely. He directly had Clamperl use Surf from the sea towards Mega Sceptile.
Ryan laughed, "Checkmate!"
"What?" Wallace said, stunned, but then a thought struck him, and he shouted, "Clamperl, stop!"
But the waves had already crashed over Mega Sceptile. The next second, Mega Sceptile vanished—it was a Substitute, and countless vines instantly sprouted from the beach through Frenzy Plant, tightly binding Clamperl.
Mega Sceptile burst through the sand, leaping high into the air. Then, with both hands together, a massive Energy Ball struck the immobilized Clamperl, instantly knocking it out.
"Ah, I was careless," Wallace said helplessly, recalling Clamperl.
Ryan smiled, and Sceptile returned to its normal form. The trainer and Pokémon high-fived in celebration. Sceptile had become familiar with its evolved body after the battle.
Sapphire, watching the match end, also felt inspired. In the distance, Ruby ran towards Ryan and the others and said, "Oh no! The Oceanic Museum has been attacked by Team Magma. Ryan, Master, let's go check it out. Lillie is still inside!"
"Return, everyone. Metagross, let's go!" Ryan was alarmed when he heard this, jumped on Metagross and immediately flew towards the Oceanic Museum!
(End of Chapter)
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