Over the next few days, Ace generally didn't have much to do. Aside from necessary training, he spent his time wandering around Slateport City with Zinnia.
Zinnia followed Ace for four days straight. It's safe to say they explored every corner of Slateport City.
By the fifth day, Zinnia couldn't hold back and asked Ace, "Lord Ace, we've been in Slateport City for so long, what's our next move?"
"Just follow me."
Ace told Zinnia, then led her out of the hotel. He walked straight ahead, bringing Zinnia to a building.
"A Pokémon Contest?"
Zinnia looked at the familiar building and was momentarily stunned.
Ace said nothing, simply leading Zinnia inside. After buying tickets, he brought her into the Contest Hall.
After the two were seated in the audience, the Pokémon Contest officially began half an hour later.
Trainer after trainer took the stage with their respective Pokémon, performing skills and showcasing their Pokémon's appeal.
Ace and Zinnia were yawning throughout. To them, this kind of event wasn't their cup of tea.
Compared to a competition that was purely about showcasing a Pokémon's appeal, both Ace and Zinnia valued a Pokémon's practical combat ability more.
But just as the competition was nearing its end, the announcer called out loudly: "Let's welcome our most beloved, most popular, superstar contestant with a round of thunderous applause: Wallace!!!"
Accompanied by flashing stage lights, Wallace, in a white outfit and a beret, made a dazzling entrance!
As Wallace threw his Poké Ball, a Whiscash appeared amidst an explosion of water, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Very strong."
Zinnia, who had been half-asleep, instantly perked up upon seeing Wallace's Whiscash. She looked at the Whiscash with bright eyes and exclaimed.
"Indeed, very strong."
Ace nodded. Wallace's Whiscash not only lacked any signs of foolishness in its eyes, but its strength, honed by Wallace's training, was also immense.
Watching the judge immediately give the Whiscash a perfect score, Ace knew the competition was over.
At this time, Contests were not like later versions that required Pokémon battles; the process was purely a display of the Pokémon's beauty and appeal.
So, after the Whiscash received a perfect score, Ace knew the contest had ended.
Soon, the announcer began to announce the rankings. The Whiscash, having earned a perfect score, deservedly took first place.
Seeing this, Ace tugged on Zinnia's sleeve. The two left the audience seating and quickly went to wait by the main entrance of the Contest Hall.
"Is Lord Ace's target that person named Wallace?"
Zinnia asked, somewhat confused why Ace was waiting for Wallace for so long.
Ace shook his head gently and didn't explain much to Zinnia, simply waiting patiently.
Before long, the Contest dispersed. The audience left. Wallace, perhaps worried about being swarmed by fans, slowly walked out of the building after most people had gone.
"Hello."
Seeing him, Ace walked up and said, "You must be Wallace."
"Looking for an autograph?"
Wallace glanced at Ace and Zinnia, slightly resigned, and secretly sighed about his overwhelming charm.
"No."
Ace said flatly, "I'd like to have a Pokémon battle with you."
"Not interested."
Hearing that it wasn't for an autograph, Wallace immediately lost interest.
"What if I was challenging the Sootopolis Gym?"
Ace smiled slightly and pressed the question.
"Then you should come challenge me at the Sootopolis Gym," Wallace still didn't care and prepared to leave.
He had taken over his master's gym and become the Gym Leader, which wasn't a secret, so Wallace thought it was normal for Ace to mention his identity.
"No, we won't be able to battle in the Gym."
Ace said to Wallace, "Because I want to have a no-rules battle."
Wallace's departing footsteps instantly froze.
He turned around and looked at Ace with some disbelief. "Kid, do you know what you're saying? No rules? People can get hurt in that!"
"Are you scared?"
Ace narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Or have you become so obsessed with Contests that you've forgotten how to battle?"
"You bastard..."
Wallace was provoked by Ace's words, but he quickly suppressed the rising anger.
"Three-on-three. If you have the guts, then come."
Wallace took a deep breath, pointed his thumb toward the outskirts of Slateport City, and said to Ace, "I don't have much time. I'll finish you off in ten minutes."
Ace smiled and walked in the direction Wallace pointed.
Wallace watched Ace's retreating figure, vigorously rubbed his forehead, and said with some frustration, "Ugh, I got carried away again. Why did I agree to a battle so easily?"
However, thinking of the promise he had made, Wallace could only brace himself.
The three walked to the outskirts of Slateport City. Wallace stopped when they found a relatively flat area.
"Right here will do," Wallace said. "The sooner we finish, the sooner I can get back."
Ace nodded at Wallace's words. He thought the same way, though in Ace's view, he was the one who was going to win!
"Clap, clap, clap."
Ace threw three Poké Balls onto the ground, signaling to Wallace with his hand.
Wallace sighed, then took out three Great Balls and placed them on the ground.
Wallace and Ace both took three steps back, then looked toward Zinnia.
"Me?"
Zinnia smiled, then suddenly raised her arm and shouted loudly, "Begin!"
The instant Zinnia's voice dropped, Ace and Wallace simultaneously lunged forward, grabbing a Poké Ball on the ground almost at the same time.
"Whoosh!"
In the blink of an eye, as Ace threw his Poké Ball, a black shadow shot out, trailing streaks in the air as it lunged toward Wallace.
"Elisabeth, Water Pulse."
Wallace's Luvdisc was released as well, but just as the Water Pulse began to form, the black shadow violently struck the Luvdisc, instantly knocking it away.
"Hyper Beam!"
The Aerodactyl paused, then opened its mouth. A purplish-black ray shot rapidly toward the Luvdisc.
"Charlie, Ice Ball!"
Losing the initiative, Wallace frowned slightly and quickly tossed out his second Poké Ball. His Sealeo erupted in a block of ice, rushing forward to intercept the Hyper Beam, taking the hit for the Luvdisc.
"It looks like this won't be over in ten minutes..."
Watching the ice shatter, Wallace murmured, his eyes slowly hardening with focus...
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