Norman's Level 28 Vigoroth was nothing like Slakoth.
It didn't have Truant dragging it down, and its level was two higher than Grovyle—and a full five higher than Pidgeotto.
This was an opponent Aiden couldn't afford to underestimate.
This round was guaranteed to be hard.
Still… Vigoroth's potential was only Blue, while Aiden's two Pokémon—Grovyle and Pidgeotto—were both Purple.
That meant they could absolutely fight.
"Vigoroth—Flamethrower!" Norman ordered.
Vigoroth moved like a hyperactive beast, springing and darting around the field—an extreme contrast to Slakoth's laziness.
The moment Norman gave the command, Vigoroth opened its mouth and unleashed a scorching stream of fire.
Grovyle's expression changed instantly.
"Quick Attack—dodge!" Aiden snapped.
Just before the flames could swallow Grovyle, white light flared behind it—Quick Attack triggered, and Grovyle shot sideways, escaping the blast by a hair.
Flamethrower wasn't Vigoroth's same-type move…
But against a Grass-type like Grovyle, even a non-STAB Fire move would still hurt badly.
Grovyle couldn't take that head-on.
"Now close the distance—use that speed!" Aiden shouted.
"Charge in and use Double Kick!"
Normal-types were famously checked by Fighting-type moves, and Grovyle had learned a few.
Grovyle became a streak of white light again, racing straight at Vigoroth—Fighting-type energy already gathering in its legs.
A simple chain.
A basic combo.
But effective.
Norman laughed, clearly enjoying it.
"Fast, huh? But not fast enough."
"Vigoroth—stop it! Fury Swipes!"
At Norman's command, Vigoroth instantly calmed—its claws glowing faintly as they extended, turning sharper and longer.
The moment Grovyle leapt in—
Fury Swipes met Double Kick head-on.
Both attacks landed.
Grovyle winced and was knocked down hard.
Vigoroth recoiled too, teeth clenched, staggering backward with a pained growl.
They traded blows.
But Grovyle's Fighting-type move still carried an advantage—
Vigoroth took the heavier damage.
"Vigoroth—Slash!" Norman barked.
"Grovyle—Leaf Blade!" Aiden fired back.
Both Pokémon surged forward again, their fighting spirit rising.
The battle turned into a brutal exchange—fast footwork, sharp feints, and clean counters.
Norman's impression of Aiden climbed steadily.
A rookie who could walk into Petalburg Gym and fight him like this…
Aiden wasn't ordinary.
And Grovyle had already shown the beginnings of combo play.
That alone proved Aiden's talent as a Trainer.
Then Norman's eyes narrowed.
"Vigoroth—now! Flamethrower!"
This time, Grovyle couldn't escape in time.
Aiden reacted instantly.
"Grovyle—Energy Ball, block it!"
Grovyle inhaled, Grass-type energy condensing rapidly—
A green sphere shot out.
Energy Ball met Flamethrower—
BOOM!
The collision exploded into smoke and sparks, filling the field with a thick cloud.
And that was exactly what Aiden wanted.
Using the smoke as cover, Grovyle vanished into the haze, then burst out at close range—
Leaf Blade sliced through and sent Vigoroth flying.
Vigoroth snarled, twisting midair and correcting its posture.
Then it charged—
Body Slam!
"Grovyle—dodge!" Aiden shouted.
But this time…
The dodge failed.
Vigoroth crashed down and pinned Grovyle beneath its weight.
Norman's voice came cold and decisive.
"Got you."
"Vigoroth—Flamethrower! Finish it!"
Pinned and unable to move, Grovyle could only watch as the flames poured over it.
The fire engulfed its body.
Its stamina plummeted.
Even so—
Grovyle didn't drop.
Not yet.
Norman's admiration was clear even as he praised it.
"Tough Pokémon. Still standing after that…"
At last, Aiden recalled Grovyle. It was hanging on by a thread.
He sent it into the System Space to rest.
But Grovyle's struggle hadn't been wasted.
Vigoroth's stamina had dropped to below half.
That opened the door for Aiden's next Pokémon.
He held the Poké Ball tightly.
"You did great, Grovyle," he said quietly.
"Now rest. We'll take it from here."
Then he threw his next Poké Ball.
A red flash—
Pidgeotto appeared in midair, eyes locked on Vigoroth.
"A Flying-type, huh?" Norman said approvingly. "Well-trained."
"Vigoroth—Flamethrower!"
"Pidgeotto—Air Slash!" Aiden shot back.
Pidgeotto gathered Flying-type energy high above the field and released razor-sharp blades of air.
With Flying-types, speed and mobility were everything.
Vigoroth was fast—fast enough to trade with Grovyle—
But against Pidgeotto in open space?
It was still a step slower.
Air Slash struck cleanly.
And Vigoroth's Flamethrower missed as Pidgeotto beat its wings and slipped away.
"Nice!" Aiden's eyes flashed.
"Pidgeotto—Twister!"
The scattered Flying-type energy converged again, blending with a Dragon-type vortex.
A larger, more violent tornado formed—swallowing Vigoroth whole.
After countless rotations, Vigoroth crashed down hard, battered and dizzy.
"Finish it!"
"Quick Attack—then Wing Attack!"
A clean combo.
Quick Attack provided the speed.
Wing Attack delivered the force.
With Vigoroth stunned, the hit landed perfectly.
Pidgeotto's wings slammed down—
Vigoroth couldn't hold on any longer.
It collapsed.
"Ding! Pidgeotto defeated Vigoroth."
"Experience gained: 281."
"Level up. Current level: 24."
Now Norman had only one Pokémon left.
He recalled Vigoroth and didn't hide his approval.
"For a rookie, you're already using combo techniques with both Pokémon."
"That's impressive, Aiden. You've surprised me."
"I acknowledge you."
"Even if you can't defeat my final Pokémon… the Balance Badge is still yours."
"A Trainer like you—this is the kind of talent I like seeing."
"I'm starting to look forward to how brightly you'll shine in this year's Ever Grande Conference."
Then Norman released his final Pokémon.
A heavy presence hit the battlefield like a wave.
Slaking.
Pokémon: Slaking
Level: 36
Ability: Truant
Type: Normal
Potential: Purple
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Available (unlockable)
Moves: Fury Swipes, Slash, Throat Chop, Body Slam, Counter, Mega Punch…
A Level 36 Slaking.
Even with Truant—
This was a monster.
And now—
The true test began.
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