Gourmet master of the Pokemon world

Both of the challenger's Pokémon have fallen. Robert #3 stepped forward and announced, "Abomasnow and Cloyster are unable to battle, the challenger has failed!"

Upon hearing this, the arena fell silent.

Wasn't this challenge too difficult? Who could possibly succeed?

Of course, there was also a significant portion of trainers eager to try. The greater the challenge, the more it stirred their competitive spirit.

Lance, one of the Elite Four who hadn't spoken much, said, "Drake, you're clearly trying to prevent anyone from earning a badge!"

Drake nodded matter-of-factly. "That's right. But to be precise, I don't want just anyone entering Nibel Plateau! If everyone could just waltz in, this place would become a marketplace!"

The crowd then remembered that part of the reason Drake established the Gym was to avoid being bothered by trainers wanting to enter Nibel Plateau.

"Next challenger, please come forward!" Robert #3 announced loudly.

However, the arena remained silent, and for a moment, no one dared to step forward.

Just then, Drake's friend, Ayaka, rode onto the stage on her Aegislash.

As Drake's friend, how could she not support the opening of his Gym!

"I'll go!" she shouted.

Seeing someone step up to challenge, the atmosphere below became lively again. The trainers cheered Ayaka on, hoping she would be the first to earn the Everyman Badge.

Robert said, "The third challenge begins. Trainers, please release your Pokémon."

Ayaka nodded and took out a Poké Ball. With a flash of light, her ace Pokémon, Absol, appeared on the field.

Then, the Aegislash beside her flew into the center of the arena.

Her Aegislash and Drake's Aegislash were caught together in the ruins, but Drake's was a Shiny, while hers was ordinary.

As her words fell, the Key Stone on her earring erupted with a rainbow glow.

"Absol!" Absol roared, and the Absolite on its body also erupted with a rainbow glow.

The two beams of light intertwined, and before long, the evolution was complete. Mega Absol appeared.

Seeing another Mega Evolved Pokémon, the audience erupted in cheers, and the atmosphere reached its peak.

What a feast for the eyes today! They usually don't get to see so many Mega Evolutions.

Seeing Absol Mega Evolve, Gardevoir and Gallade exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces simultaneously.

The next second, their bodies erupted with rainbow light at the same time.

Mega Gardevoir and Mega Gallade appeared.

Now the audience was dumbfounded, and the Elite Four, Champions, and Professors in the VIP seats were also dumbfounded.

There's... there's more?

Everyone looked at Drake.

"Hehe~" Drake smiled mysteriously, radiating an air of superiority, "Nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning!"

At this moment, the battle in the arena had already begun.

"Absol, Dark Pulse!"

Under Ayaka's command, Absol took the initiative to attack Gardevoir and Gallade.

"Absol!" Absol leaped forward, and a black energy ring swept out under its control.

"Gallade!" Gallade used Quick Attack to block in front of Gardevoir. Leaf Blade was activated, and green blades grew from its arms. The two blades were slashed out simultaneously, instantly shattering Dark Pulse.

At the same time, Gardevoir also launched an attack. A silver Moonblast appeared behind it, and a silver beam of light was controlled to strike Absol.

It was Moonblast, Absol was weak to Fairy-type moves.

Without Ayaka's instructions, Aegislash immediately blocked in front of Absol, using its shield form to take the Moonblast head-on.

The Steel-type Aegislash resists Fairy-type moves, and in its Shield Forme, its Special Defense stat is as high as 140, so even without using any defensive moves, Gardevoir's attack didn't cause much damage.

With the opportunity created by Aegislash, Absol first used Swords Dance to boost its attack, then leaped forward and used Night Slash to pounce on Gardevoir.

But how could Gallade allow his wife to be attacked? It flashed in front of Gardevoir, activated Leaf Blade, and the two blades collided with Absol's claws. The two Pokémon were sent flying back at the same time.

At this time, Gardevoir launched Hyper Voice, and waves of sound spread forward under its control.

After Mega Evolving, Gardevoir's ability became Pixilate, the same as Sylveon's, converting Normal-type moves into Fairy-type moves.

Compared to Moonblast, the advantage of Hyper Voice is that it has a wide range of attack, capable of hitting both Absol and Aegislash simultaneously.

As expected, Absol and Aegislash were both blown away.

Of course, Fairy-type moves have limited damage to Aegislash.

With the opportunity created by his wife, Gallade used Quick Attack to come behind Aegislash, activated Knock Off, and slashed down hard.

However, Aegislash reacted quickly. As soon as Gallade approached, it immediately activated King's Shield.

With a loud bang, Gallade's blade struck the shield, causing no damage.

After forcing Gallade back, Aegislash drew its sword, the blade shimmering with cold light. Knock Off was activated, and it slashed at Gallade.

Gallade wasn't afraid at all. It pushed forward with its legs, rushing towards Aegislash again, and also activated Knock Off.

On the other side, Absol saw that Gallade, who was protecting Gardevoir, was restrained, and felt that the opportunity had come. So, it leaped forward and used Night Slash to attack the opponent.

Gardevoir wasn't afraid. The moment Absol attacked, it used Quick Attack to dodge, flashed behind the opponent, and unleashed a Moonblast, immediately sending Absol tumbling.

Little punk, did you think you could deal with me easily without Gallade?

In fact, Gardevoir is stronger than Gallade in terms of combat power. On the one hand, its individual values are better than Gallade's; on the other hand, it can be influenced by Xerneas and has received guidance from Xerneas.

Gallade didn't have such good treatment.

Gardevoir is willing to accept Gallade's protection because it loves Gallade, not because it can't do without Gallade.

Absol is a glass cannon, with low defenses and HP, and is weak to Fairy-type moves. After taking a Moonblast, it was panting heavily, as if it would fall at any moment.

But Gardevoir wouldn't accommodate it, controlling Moonblast to continue sweeping, forcing Absol to dodge in a panic, with no chance to counterattack.

At this time, Gardevoir launched Hyper Voice again, and circles of sound waves spread towards Absol.

Hyper Voice had a wide range of attack. Even with Absol's speed, it couldn't dodge in time and was immediately hit, tumbling and rolling, losing consciousness and reverting from its Mega Evolved form.

After dealing with Absol, Gardevoir and Gallade teamed up against Aegislash, who was no match for them and quickly fell.

Seeing this, Shauna sighed and said, "I knew I'd lose!"

With that, she took out a Poké Ball and recalled her two Pokémon.

The audience also felt disappointed.

Shauna was already very strong, an elite among trainers, but she still lost.

"Hooray~ Hooray~" At that moment, Floette descended from the sky, signaling Shauna to follow it.

Robert 3 explained, "Floette will take you to the treatment room to heal your injured Pokémon."

The previous two challengers had also gone to the treatment room, guided by Floette and Florges.

Shauna nodded and followed Floette off the battlefield. As soon as she left, Gardevoir and Gallade also withdrew.

Robert 3 looked out at the audience. "The third challenge is over. Next is the fourth. Any trainers who wish to challenge, please come up on stage."

Everyone looked at each other, hesitating whether to go up.

Just then, a black-haired young man slowly walked onto the stage.

"I'll challenge!"

Seeing him, Ash exclaimed in surprise, "Alain?"

Malamar asked, "Ash, do you know him?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah, he's a friend I met when I was traveling in the Kalos region."

Clemont, who was sitting with Ash, exclaimed, "I didn't expect Alain to come. I didn't even notice him before."

Serena nodded. "Me neither."

Bonnie asked curiously, "Ash, Clemont, do you think Alain can win?"

Ash thought for a moment and replied, "Probably. Alain is very strong."

Clemont pondered for a moment and then said, "I think it'll be difficult. Mr. Angelo clearly doesn't want anyone to get a badge!"

Lillie asked in confusion, "Why? Isn't a Gym supposed to be a place where challengers can get badges?"

The Alola region didn't have Gyms, so Lillie and the others weren't very familiar with them.

Mallow, Lana, and Kiawe all looked at Clemont with puzzled expressions.

Clemont smiled and explained, "Because Mr. Angelo's Gym is quite special."

Then he told them about Angelo's original intention for establishing the Gym.

"If Mr. Angelo allows a challenger to succeed, it would mean that the Nibel Plateau would be open to others. Clearly, Mr. Angelo isn't too happy about strangers freely entering his private space."

Lana was puzzled. "Then why did Mr. Angelo set the rule that 'successful challengers can visit the Nibel Plateau'?"

Clemont explained, "Because if there's no chance at all, then some people who are particularly eager to see Legendary and Mythical Pokémon might resort to unorthodox methods to sneak into the Nibel Plateau!"

Everyone understood upon hearing this.

Many trainers had already recognized Alain as the champion of the previous Lumiose Conference, so they couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, hoping that he could successfully obtain the Everything Badge from the Gym.

On the stage, Alain had already released his two Pokémon, one being his ace Charizard and the other being the pseudo-legendary Tyranitar.

As Charizard and Tyranitar appeared, the Gym's two Pokémon also appeared in quick succession.

"Roar!!!!" Facing Charizard in the sky was Salamence.

"Roar!!!!" Standing on the ground and facing Tyranitar was Aggron.

Seeing these two Pokémon, everyone couldn't help but be shocked. Could they also Mega Evolve?

Salamence and Aggron were prominently listed on Professor Sycamore's list of Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.

The facts proved that everyone was right.

Following the precedents of Gardevoir, Gallade, Beedrill, and Lucario, Salamence and Aggron didn't hold back and Mega Evolved at the start of the battle.

As two beams of rainbow light flashed, Mega Salamence and Mega Aggron appeared.

So they really can! A thought of 'as expected' flashed through everyone's minds.

If the Mega Evolutions of Altaria, Gardevoir, Gallade, Beedrill, and Lucario had shocked everyone, no, had utterly shocked everyone, then after Salamence and Aggron, they had already begun to get used to it, instead feeling that it would be strange if they couldn't Mega Evolve.

Professor Oak tugged at Angelo's sleeve and asked mysteriously, "Angelo, tell me secretly, did you dig up some kind of treasure related to Mega Evolution?"

Angelo said with a wry smile, "No, Professor, why would you have such a thought?"

Professor Oak gave him a "don't even think about lying to me" expression. "Otherwise, where would you get so many Mega Stones?"

The others had actually heard Professor Oak and Angelo's conversation and pricked up their ears upon hearing this.

However, Angelo only replied, "I can't tell you that."

Professor Oak looked hurt. "You can't even tell me with our friendship?"

Angelo shook his head. "No."

Professor Oak playfully pushed Angelo and said, "You heartless kid!"

On the field, after Salamence and Aggron Mega Evolved, Robert 3 looked at Alain and said, "Challenger, if your two Pokémon can also Mega Evolve, you can use them at any time. The Everything Gym challenge allows the simultaneous use of two Mega Evolved Pokémon!"

In a normal battle, a Mega Evolved Pokémon can only be used once.

Alain smiled wryly upon hearing this. Where would he find two Pokémon that can Mega Evolve? It's not like everyone is like the Everything Gym…

But while he didn't have two, he did have one. His Charizard could Mega Evolve.

Thinking this, he revealed his Mega Ring with the Keystone embedded in it.

Alain's first Keystone and Mega Stone were originally given to him by Lysandre. After Lysandre was imprisoned, he returned the Keystone and Mega Stone to him.

The ones he's using now were found for him by Professor Sycamore later.

As the Keystone and Charizard's Mega Stone emitted a dazzling light, Mega Charizard X appeared.

Looking at the Mega Salamence and Mega Aggron opposite him, feeling the powerful aura emanating from them, Alain's heart surged.

After losing to Angelo earlier, he had always looked forward to being able to compete with Angelo again, and now he finally had the opportunity.

Although Angelo wouldn't participate in the Gym battle himself, as long as he could win, he would find an opportunity to propose a real duel to Angelo again.