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Chapter 155: The Semi-Finals Begin
🕑 Added 2025-08-23 12:49:21 +0000 UTCChapter 155: The Semi-Finals Begin
The El Mutun Mega-Mine truly lived up to its name as a sanctuary for Steel-type training. The energy was not only abundant but also incredibly pure, allowing Steel-type Pokémon to train with twice the results in half the time.
Although five days was a short period, both Bronzor and Excadrill had made significant progress. Bronzor, the battle prodigy, had once again exceeded Basalt's expectations. In just five days, it had mastered a new move: Flash Cannon.
Flash Cannon was a Steel-type move where the user gathered and focused the light from its body into a single, powerful beam. It also had a chance of lowering the opponent's Special Defense.
But that wasn't Basalt's biggest gain from the trip. His greatest reward was earning the favor of Master Martel. As a result, whenever the Master was training his son, Mason, Basalt was allowed to observe. If he had any questions, Martel was more than willing to offer his guidance.
A Master-level trainer was truly on a different plane. A few simple words from him were often enough to trigger an epiphany for Basalt and his Pokémon, leading to immense growth. In fact, after spending a few days with him, Basalt was almost tempted to switch his focus to a Steel-type team, with Sandstorm as a secondary strategy. Fortunately, his resolve was strong. The thought of the Larvitar he would receive after winning the tournament was enough to keep him on his path.
But all good things must come to an end. The five days were up, and it was time for Basalt to return.
"Basalt, good luck in your matches," Mason said, shaking his hand, reluctant to see him go. He then whispered, "As long as Brendan or Orville don't win, I'll be happy. If you or Iris win, I'll be thrilled. Of course," he added under his breath, "it would be best if Iris won."
Though they had only known each other for a short time, Basalt and Mason had become fast friends. They were both talented trainers and had sparred daily, developing a mutual respect for each other's skills. Unfortunately for Mason, his unevolved Riolu was no match for Basalt's new Excadrill.
"Don't worry, I'll give it my all," Basalt said with a grin.
Beside them, Agent Zhou shuddered. He was happy about Basalt's rapid growth, of course. As the one responsible for scouting weather-related talent in the region, Basalt's success reflected well on him. But he was also a little worried. He had promised Basalt that if he won the tournament, he would do everything in his power to get him a Larvitar.
In reality, that had just been a bluff. The Weather Bureau was divided into several competing regional branches. To be eligible for a pseudo-legendary like Larvitar, being the best in the region wasn't enough. Basalt would have to be the best in the entire nation. And the competition at that level was fierce. Zhou knew of at least one other prodigy, a "Hail" specialist training under a Master-level trainer in the northern mountains, who was said to be terrifyingly strong.
"I'll just have to beg, borrow, and steal to make it happen," Zhou thought grimly. Damn it, I shouldn't have made such a big promise.
"Agent Zhou, are you not feeling well? Are you airsick?" Basalt asked on the plane, noticing his strange mood.
"I'm fine, don't worry about it," Zhou said, turning his head away, not wanting to look at him.
Five hours later, the plane landed in Centralis City. After five days away, Basalt was finally back.
"Get some rest for the next two days, and good luck in your matches. Try to... win the whole thing," Zhou said, dropping him off at the Poseidon Grand Hotel before hurrying away. He needed to start pulling some strings, to feel out the higher-ups about the Larvitar situation.
When they heard Basalt was back, Mr. Shane, Supervisor Hoffman, and the others rushed to see him. They were all immensely relieved to hear that his Drilbur had successfully evolved. An unevolved Drilbur would have been at a disadvantage against Orville's Pelipper. But an Excadrill? That was a different story. Although Rain usually had a slight edge in a weather war against Sand, in a real battle, the outcome was anyone's guess.
The only downside was that in Basalt's absence, the Metro City team, lacking its ace, had been crushed in the Relay Battle. They had been eliminated from that portion of the tournament.
Seeing Basalt's guilty expression, Mr. Shane quickly interjected, "Alright, everyone, Basalt has a semi-final match tomorrow. He needs to rest and prepare. Let's not disturb him. We can talk after the match."
With that, everyone reluctantly left, though they were all dying to see the new Excadrill's power.
Alone in his room, Basalt released his Pokémon. "Excadrill," he said, stroking its head, "because of your evolution, our team was eliminated from the Relay Battle. That's why... we have to win tomorrow." He clenched his fist. He had to make up for it.
"Excaaa!" The Sandstorm Sovereign raised its metal claws and nodded seriously. Don't worry. I won't let you down.
The next morning at nine o'clock, the Centralis City Olympic Stadium was packed with tens of thousands of cheering spectators.
"Welcome, everyone, to the semi-finals of the Jiangnan Region High School Elite Tournament!" a well-dressed host announced from the center stage. "After two weeks of fierce competition, our four finalists have emerged. They are Brendan and Iris from Centralis City, Orville from Olivine City, and Basalt from Metro City! Let's give them a huge round of applause!"
The crowd roared as the photos of the four finalists appeared on the giant screen. Three of them were the expected favorites. But Basalt, the dark horse from Metro City, had been a huge surprise. The controller of Sandstorms, who had defeated a Speed Boost Combusken to get here, had also captured the hearts of many with his good looks. Though he had been gone for five days, the legend of Basalt had only grown in his absence.
Jack was already scouting locations to open a new branch of his clothing store in the city. He had also sent Basalt his prize money, though with his new fortune, Basalt was no longer as excited about a "small" sum of a few million.
"And now, let's welcome the competitors for our first semi-final match! From Olivine City, Orville! And from Metro City, Basalt!"
As their names were called, the two trainers emerged from the tunnels, their timing perfect. Amid the cheers and applause, they walked onto the field and locked eyes.
"Both trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"
At the referee's signal, they both threw a Poké Ball into the air.
"Pelipp!" With a sharp cry, a Pelipper appeared, its massive yellow beak the most prominent feature. It circled the stadium once before hovering in the air. The moment it appeared, the clear sky above the stadium began to darken with storm clouds.
"Excaaaadrill!" In contrast to the Pelipper's cry, Excadrill's roar was deep and powerful. The crowd gasped as the steel-clad mole Pokémon appeared on the field.
"It's an Excadrill! An Excadrill!" the host shouted, his voice filled with excitement. "Basalt's Drilbur has evolved into an Excadrill!"
An evolution was always a high point in any battle. It was just a shame it hadn't happened mid-match.
"So it evolved," Orville noted with mild surprise, but that was all. At that moment, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky. Pelipper's Drizzle ability had activated.
"When it comes to controlling the weather," Orville said, a confident smirk on his face, "you're no match for me."
