The result was not what Aoki expected.
Koler was beheaded halfway through the confrontation!
Perhaps he had never encountered a Trainer with psychic abilities capable of manipulating space.
Most psychic abilities encountered in daily life were elementary—simple telekinesis being the upper limit of what an average psychic could achieve.
Even when facing psychics, Koler, as a seasoned fighter, could still hold his own.
Thus, he had dismissed Aoki as nothing more than a beginner psychic.
But no one could have anticipated that Aoki possessed the rare ability to manipulate spatial fractures—a technique only those with exceptional spatial mastery could wield.
There was no defense against it.
No physical form could withstand such an attack.
Had Koler dodged the moment Aoki initiated his strike, he might have survived.
But he didn't.
His overconfidence in his physical prowess, a common flaw among fighters, sealed his fate.
Koler collapsed to the ground.
This battle was not about strategy or positioning—it was a straightforward clash of interests.
Aoki sought the family's Key Stone and Mega Evolution Stone, while Koler was determined to protect them.
A fundamental conflict, uncomplicated by external factors.
Had Aoki lost, families like Koler's would not have spared him.
In such confrontations, only one outcome was possible—total victory or complete annihilation.
Initially, Aoki had only intended to repel Koler and retreat swiftly, but as the battle unfolded, it became clear his opponent's goal was to stall him.
The result was inevitable.
Without Koler's commands, his Pokémon fell one after another.
To his credit, his Pokémon were exceptionally well-trained.
Perhaps his own background as a fighter granted him insight into training Fighting-types effectively.
Had he inherited Lucario's Mega Evolution, his strength would have been formidable.
With each defeated Pokémon, Honchkrow and Gengar grew stronger, their experience culminating in a level increase—both reaching level 57.
Their prolonged training and accumulated battles had prepared them for this moment.
Facing opponents of equal strength allowed their growth to proceed smoothly.
Though Weavile's level remained unchanged, the battle had been a harsh lesson in the dangers of type disadvantage.
Had Koler not fallen so abruptly, Weavile might have been the first to fall.
A quadruple weakness to Fighting-type moves was simply too severe.
Aoki summoned the power of the Unown once more, tearing open a dimensional rift within the hollow of a massive tree.
He deposited Koler and his Pokémon inside.
While his Pokémon were valuable, they were also liabilities.
Aoki, no longer in need of funds, saw no reason to invite further trouble.
Surveying the battlefield, the aftermath of their clash was evident—upturned earth, shattered trees, and deep gashes in the terrain.
Cleaning up would be tedious.
Better to erase it entirely.
Aoki released Blaziken.
"Blaziken, use Flamethrower! Burn this forest to the ground!" he commanded.
Obediently, Blaziken unleashed a torrent of flames, the fire snaking through the trees with terrifying speed.
From left to right, the inferno spread, consuming the forest in an ever-growing blaze.
Protected by his Pokémon, Aoki remained untouched by the flames.
Once the forest was reduced to smoldering ruins, Aoki recalled Blaziken's flames.
Then, summoning Ralts, he teleported away.
After a series of rapid, successive teleportations, he reappeared in his room at the Pokémon Center.
These were the psychic coordinates Ralts had left before they left.
Returning to his room, Aoki didn't rest immediately.
Instead, he stepped back out into the hallway.
The best way to avoid suspicion was to establish an alibi.
No one knew the exact time he had infiltrated the Tower of Mastery, nor the precise moment Koler had vanished or the forest fire had begun.
Only an approximate timeframe existed.
By ensuring he was seen by Nurse Joy within that window, he eliminated any potential suspicion.
Of course, this was merely precautionary—it was unlikely anyone would suspect him in the first place.
He lingered near the night-shift Nurse Joy, claiming hunger as an excuse for being awake.
Then, he returned to his room.
First, he examined the haul—twenty Key Stones and two Mega Evolution Stones.
The identity of the two Mega Stones remained unknown, but they likely weren't for Lucario.
Aoki could only hope one would be usable for his team.
The Key Stones, however, were the true prize.
Though more common than Mega Stones, their value was still immense.
With Mega Evolution still undiscovered, their significance went unrecognized.
Twenty Key Stones—a hidden fortune.
Once Mega Evolution became public knowledge, their worth would skyrocket.
Colaer's family had guarded them jealously, unaware that revealing Mega Evolution would have restored their former glory.
But this was the way of powerful families in the Pokémon world—hoarding secrets to maintain their edge.
The dragon taming clans guarded methods to enhance Dragon-type potential.
The Stone family controlled Steel-type breeding techniques.
These were the foundations of their power.
Releasing such knowledge might bring short-term gains, but it would erode their long-standing dominance.
Thus, even in decline, Koler's family had clung to their Mega Evolution.
For Aoki, this windfall solved a pressing issue—he now had enough Key Stones to match his growing collection of Mega Stones.
The two unknown Mega Stones and the Lucario training manual were invaluable additions.
Proper Pokémon training required the right methods and resources.
Now, with ample resources and a proven training regimen, Aoki was prepared for the day his Riolu egg hatched.
A family specializing in Lucario for centuries undoubtedly possessed unparalleled expertise.
Their accumulated knowledge would ensure his future Lucario's growth was nothing short of extraordinary.