Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Angel took out two items. He tossed one of them to Beedrill—a crystal with black and yellow spiral patterns. The other was a brooch embedded with a stone radiating a rainbow glow.
They were a Mega Stone and a Key Stone! Angie recognized the two items at a glance.
Edward chuckled warmly and said, "Our Kalos region has a unique phenomenon as well. Let the two professors see it today."
"Beedrill, let the power of our bond resonate—Mega Evolve!"
As Angel's words fell, the Key Stone in his hand and the Mega Stone held by Beedrill simultaneously erupted in dazzling light.
Wrapped in the brilliance, Beedrill's form underwent a dramatic transformation. Its body grew larger, the stingers on its arms and tail became sharper, and even its legs transformed into stingers.
Seeing this, not only did the Naranja Academy students exclaim in awe, but even the Azoth Kingdom's people couldn't hide their astonishment.
Nate: "Bellibolt, Rain Dance!"
Angel: "Beedrill, Fury Cutter!"
With their trump cards revealed, the two Trainers issued commands to their Pokémon simultaneously.
Bellibolt fired a blue orb of light into the sky, summoning clouds that quickly covered the field. Soon, raindrops began to fall steadily.
Meanwhile, Beedrill vanished in a flash and reappeared close to Bellibolt, raising its twin stingers to strike. Its speed had significantly increased.
After Mega Evolution, Beedrill's ability changed to Adaptability, doubling the power of its same-type moves. Combined with Fury Cutter's stacking effect from consecutive hits, the attack's power was now immense.
There was no way Bellibolt could withstand this strike!
Luckily, Nate wasn't reckless and had prepared beforehand. Though Bellibolt was sent flying and heavily injured, it hadn't lost its ability to fight.
At the critical moment, it had used Endure.
Nate: "Bellibolt, Thunder!"
Angel: "Beedrill, Pin Missile!"
The voices of the two Trainers overlapped.
Boom!
As the rain continued to fall, accompanied by a thunderous roar, a golden lightning bolt crashed down from the sky, striking Beedrill directly.
In rainy weather, Thunder has perfect accuracy. No matter how fast Beedrill was, it couldn't evade.
As Beedrill was struck, a barrage of green needles shot out, enveloping Bellibolt.
When the steam cleared, both Beedrill and Bellibolt lay unconscious in the field.
The referee announced, "Both Beedrill and Bellibolt are unable to battle. This match is a tie!"
Nate and Angel simultaneously snorted and withdrew their Pokémon.
After the match between Nate and Angel concluded, more battles were held between Naranja Academy and Azoth representatives. Angie even spotted a familiar face among the participants.
It was a young woman whom Angie remembered from when he sold buns at Nikola Park. She would come by every morning to buy buns and steamed buns from him.
After moving to Munchlax's Home, he hadn't seen her again.
Not because she stopped coming, but because Angie stayed in the kitchen and no longer interacted with customers. As a result, he never noticed whether she still came by.
Through Kimia's introduction, Angie learned her name was Mephisto, the daughter of the Minister of Agriculture and a top student at the Royal Trainers Academy.
Mephisto's strength was indeed impressive. She used her Vaporeon to defeat her opponent effortlessly. Even though her opponent utilized Terastallization, it didn't change the outcome.
What Angie didn't realize was that because he glanced at Mephisto a few times, he unknowingly provoked Angel's displeasure.
While Angie was engrossed in watching the match, a bald middle-aged man walked over with a cheerful smile.
"Prince Angie, we meet again."
"You are…" Angie pondered for a moment, "You're the one who…" The one who suggested marrying his daughter to him.
Kimia whispered a reminder in Angie's ear, "He's the Minister of Agriculture, Mephisto's father."
Angie was slightly taken aback. What a coincidence.
"Does Your Highness remember me?" The Minister of Agriculture's smile grew even wider. He glanced toward the field where Mephisto was battling and said, "Your Highness, my daughter is quite capable, isn't she?"
Angie nodded his head, "Indeed, she's quite impressive."
"Is she also beautiful?" the Minister of Agriculture asked again.
"She's very beautiful," Angie answered honestly.
"Then about my previous suggestion..." The Minister of Agriculture chuckled, rubbing his hands nervously.
"I refuse," Angie replied without hesitation.
"Eh? Why's that?" The Minister of Agriculture looked disappointed.
Kimia covered her mouth and snickered at the situation.
Professor Sada, Professor Turo, and Nasir were confused, so Kimia leaned in and whispered a few words to them, causing everyone to stifle their laughter.
Angie shot Kimia a glare, which only made her laugh even more.
Not far off, Angel noticed Angie and the Minister of Agriculture laughing and chatting, which made his face darken. He couldn't help but recall a rumor his father had told him.
The Minister of Agriculture intended to marry his daughter off to Prince Angie!
Soon, the battle demonstration came to an end. Edward stepped forward and said loudly, "Although the battle demonstration has ended, young trainers, if you'd like to continue exchanging and battling, feel free."
After saying that, Edward and the professors planned to leave, and they invited Angie and Diancie to join them. They were eager to learn more about Diancie, the legendary Pokémon.
The young trainers gathered in small groups, either exchanging experiences or continuing to battle, creating a lively atmosphere.
At that moment, Angel suddenly blocked Angie's path.
"Your Highness, may I ask you for some advice?"
Angie didn't understand at first. What kind of advice? Cooking advice?
Seeing Angie remain silent, Angel said again, "Your Highness, may I invite you to a battle?"
Now Angie finally understood.
Not far away, the Minister of Finance saw his son being so rude in front of the prince and quickly rushed over to apologize, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. Angel is being thoughtless. I apologize on his behalf!"
He reached out to pull his son, but Angel was very stubborn and wouldn't budge.
"Your Highness, are you afraid?" Angel stared at Angie.
"But I'm not a trainer!" Angie said helplessly.
He noticed that Angel kept glancing toward Mephisto, and he immediately understood that this was a young boy's innocent crush. Combined with the Minister of Agriculture's earlier words, he now understood why Angel was behaving like this.
It's a misunderstanding!
As someone who had lived for five hundred years, Angie felt that he shouldn't get upset with a young boy who had just discovering his feelings, so he wasn't angry.
"Are you saying Your Highness is a coward?" Angel used provocative words, making his father beside him turn pale. In front of foreign guests, what nonsense was he spouting?!
When Munchlax dragging Arven while squeezed through the crowd, it overheard Angel's words.
Just as Angie was about to refuse Angel's challenge, Diancie tugged at his sleeve, and a pop-up window appeared before him.
...
[ Temporary Task ]
[ Description: Munchlax overheard his master being belittled and was furious. He swore to teach the opponent a lesson. Please help Munchlax fulfill his wish. Do you accept the task? ]
[ Yes ] or [ No ]
...
Angie looked around and he indeed saw Munchlax nearby, his cheeks puffed up in anger.
This guy! Angie couldn't help but smile.
Angie casually accepted the task and waved at Munchlax, who immediately scurried over to his side, not forgetting to glare at Angel as he did so.
"Alright, let's have a little battle, but I've never fought before, so if I lose, don't laugh at me." With that, Angie pinched Munchlax's soft, chubby ear. "Munchlax, could you help me out?"
"Munchlax~~"
Munchlax who is full of battle spirit, puffed up its chest and stared at Angel, its eyes full of challenge.
So, you're the one calling my master a coward? Just you wait!
Surrounded by the crowd, Angie and Angel took their positions on opposite sides of the battle arena, while Munchlax eagerly entered the ring, rubbing its paws together.
Angel pulled out a Poké Ball, and with a flash of light, a Heracross appeared on the field.
Angie was slightly surprised. Was Angel a specialist in Bug-type Pokémon?
As he thought this, he used his Eye of Observe skill to take a closer look at Heracross.
...
[ Heracross ]
Type: Bug, Fighting
Ability: Swarm
Gender: Male
Level: 40
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Close Combat, Fury Attack, Endure, Aerial Ace, Brick Break, Pin Missile, Iron Defense, Rock Slide, Reversal.
...
[ Individual Values (IVs) ]
HP: 20
Attack: 21
Defense: 18
Special Attack: 11
Special Defense: 27
Speed: 13
...
This Heracross was a decent one.
Now, let's take a look at our Munchlax. Though it was slightly lower in level and hadn't evolved, its stats were far superior.
...
[ Munchlax ]
Type: Normal
Ability: Thick Fat
Gender: Male
Level: 38
Moves: Tackle, Lick, Defense Curl, Recycle, Covet, Bite, Stockpile, Swallow, Body Slam, Fling, Amnesia, Take Down, Charm, Seed Bomb, Brick Break, Counter.
...
[ Individual Values (IVs) ]
HP: 29
Attack: 25
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 10
Speed: 31
...
Angie thought to himself: Even though I don't have much battle experience, I shouldn't lose, right?
With the referee announcing, "The battle begins!" Angel was the first one to command Heracross into action.
"Heracross, use Brick Break!"
Heracross spread its wings and lunged at Munchlax, with one arm glowing white.
Not one to back down, Angie also commanded Munchlax, "Munchlax, Seed Bomb!"
Hearing Angie's command, Angel couldn't help but scoff internally. Using a Grass-type move against a Bug-type Pokémon? This prince really doesn't know anything. It's clear I'm the better trainer here!
With this in mind, Angel took a quick glance at Mephisto.
Munchlax opened its mouth and shot out a barrage of green seeds, which hit Heracross like a machine gun. Although the damage was minimal, it effectively disrupted Heracross, who was in mid-pounce.
Heracross raised its arms to block the Seed Bombs, its body swaying in the air. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Angie called out to Munchlax, "Munchlax, use Body Slam!"
Munchlax stomped its foot, and in a swift motion, it leaped into the air, spreading its arms and legs in a wide "X" shape as it came crashing down onto Heracross from above.
"Heracross, move quickly!" Angel shouted.
But it was too late. With a deafening thud, Munchlax slammed down on Heracross, who screamed in pain, a heart-wrenching sound that made anyone who heard it feel sorrowful.
"Munchlax~~"
Munchlax swiftly got up and, not forgetting to stick its tongue out at the downed Heracross, made a cheeky face. Meanwhile, Heracross's body began to crackle with golden electricity.
Angel's face turned pale.
Munchlax's Body Slam had fortunately triggered its secondary effect, paralyzing Heracross.
Of course, Angie wasn't about to let this opportunity slip. He quickly shouted to Munchlax, "Munchlax, Covet!"
Upon hearing this command, Munchlax immediately put on a cute expression, raising its sparkling fists and swinging them toward Heracross.
One punch, two punches, three punches.
Heracross was struck so hard it became dizzy and disoriented.
After regaining its balance, Heracross finally shook off the paralysis, only to see Munchlax grinning at it, showing all of its teeth in a playful smile.
For some reason, Heracross shuddered violently.
Just as Angel was about to issue a command for a counterattack, he was taken aback when he saw Munchlax extend its soft, pink tongue and begin licking Heracross fiercely.
Heracross immediately started shaking uncontrollably from the force of the licks.
Munchlax was using the Ghost-type move "Lick," which not only dealt damage but also had a chance to paralyze the opponent.
Unfortunately for Heracross, it became paralyzed once again.
Taking advantage of Heracross's immobility, Munchlax continued its assault, licking it five or six times until Heracross was twitching on the ground, unable to move.
Angel's face looked absolutely grim. He hadn't even had the chance to properly fight back before the battle was over.
The referee's voice rang out: "Heracross is unable to continue the battle. Munchlax wins, so the winner is His Highness Angie!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
No one had expected Prince Angie to be so powerful, defeating even Angel so easily!
Angel silently recalled Heracross and glanced at Angie, then at Mephisto who is watching from the sidelines. His face was bright red, a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness.
The feeling of making a fool of himself in front of someone he cared about was just too humiliating!
After the victory, Munchlax trotted over to Angie, happily jumping into his arms to snuggle and act cute.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Master, I won! I taught that guy a lesson for you.
Munchlax buried its head into Angie's chest, continuing to act adorably.
"Munchlaxx is amazing. You won your first battle, and I'm so proud of you!" Angie kept showering Munchlax with praise.
Munchlax became shy from all the compliments, covering its face with its hands and peeking out from between its fingers at Angie.
Afterward, Angie brought Munchlax to the center of the field and extended a hand for a friendly handshake with Angel.
As their hands met, Angie spoke to Angel, "If you like someone, you should pursue them boldly. Holding onto a secret crush will never get you anywhere."
He paused for a moment, then added, "And don't misunderstand, I don't have any romantic interest in Mephisto."
Realizing that his feelings had been exposed, Angel's face turned crimson, like a boiled lobster.
After a long pause, he softly said to Angie, "Thank you... Your Highness."
The two of them then exchanged a smile, putting their rivalry to rest.