Outside the museum, the remaining Team Aqua members were still putting up a desperate struggle, but against Brawly, their resistance seemed pale and weak.
Brawly's Hariyama was a true Gym-level mainstay; its battle-hardened muscles and aura were incomparable to these small fry.
Hariyama sank into a horse stance and struck out with Force Palm. The wind from the palm howled, and the two Team Aqua members at the front, along with their pokémon, were sent flying like kites with broken strings, instantly losing their ability to fight.
One move—just one move—cleared the obstacles at the entrance.
"Let's go!"
Brawly let out a low shout and was the first to charge through the wide-open doors of the museum.
Ariel followed closely behind, with Sandile and Inkay guarding him on either side, their eyes alertly scanning the surroundings.
As soon as they entered the first-floor lobby of the museum, the sight before them made Ariel gasp.
This place had completely turned into a battlefield.
The once solemn and dignified exhibition hall was now a mess.
A massive Wailord model hung halfway from the ceiling, its body covered in scorch marks left by energy attacks.
The glass display cases around them were shattered on the floor, with various precious fossils and marine specimens scattered everywhere.
A pungent smell permeated the air, mixed with the salty moisture brought by pokémon moves.
Over a dozen Trainers were immediately engaged in a fierce melee with the Team Aqua members. The light from skills flickered continuously in the dim hall, illuminating the terrified or grimacing faces of the people.
"Gym Leader Brawly, I've visited this place before!"
Ariel leaned in close to Brawly and lowered his voice, though his tone sounded unusually urgent.
"Team Aqua's target is likely that giant Damp Rock in the top-floor exhibition hall known as the heart of the tides!"
Of course, this was the truth, but not the whole truth.
Ariel's real goal was to have Brawly, a top-tier fighter, safely escort him to the top floor.
Because he clearly remembered that next to the "heart of the tides," several other equally precious weather rocks were on display, including the one he had been longing for—the smooth rock!
This item was priceless and unavailable on the market, a true strategic-grade resource. Breaking in on his own would be too risky.
But now, with a partner of justice like Brawly around, the situation was completely different.
"Alright! Ariel, you're familiar with this place, lead the way!"
As expected, Brawly didn't doubt him. He glanced at the chaotic scene and immediately made a judgment.
"Leave this to them; we'll head straight for the objective!"
"Understood!" Ariel was delighted and immediately agreed.
With Ariel leading the way, the two of them moved one after the other, avoiding the entanglement of the main battlefield and speeding up the side emergency exit stairs.
The shouts and explosions from downstairs gradually faded away, leaving only the sound of their hurried footsteps and heavy breathing in the narrow stairwell, making the atmosphere even more tense.
Finally, they reached the top floor.
Kicking open the door to the exhibition hall, the sight before them caused Brawly's expression to darken instantly.
The core exhibition hall on the top floor was in an even more wretched state than the floor below.
In the center of the hall, the massive pedestal that once held the "heart of the tides" was now empty, with only a few violently severed energy cables still fruitlessly sparking.
A man wearing a Team Aqua Senior Cadre uniform stood before a row of smashed display cases, a greedy and sinister smile on his face.
Behind him, a massive Swampert was swinging its thick arms, smashing repeatedly against the last intact reinforced glass protective cover.
"Stop!"
Brawly shouted angrily, his voice like a booming bell.
The executive was startled. Seeing Brawly and Ariel, he was momentarily stunned before breaking into a disdainful sneer.
"I wondered who it was. So it's that muscle-brained brute from Dewford Town."
He patted Swampert's body and spoke arrogantly.
"Brawly, the heart of the tides has already been taken by Team Aqua; you're too late! But that's fine. Once I take these treasures and finish you off while I'm at it, it'll be a great achievement!"
Ariel's gaze, however, was fixed intently on the smashed display cases.
His heart pounded wildly.
Among the shattered glass shards, several rocks emitting strange energy fluctuations were scattered on the floor.
One was icy blue all over, emitting a faint chill; it was clearly an Icy Rock that could extend the duration of hail.
Another was crimson in color, as if fire was burning inside, causing the surrounding air to distort slightly; it was a Heat Rock that could extend the duration of a Sunny Day.
There was also a Damp Rock, similar in origin to the stolen "heart of the tides" but much smaller.
And one that looked unremarkable, earthy yellow with a rough surface covered in sand, but it made Ariel's breath catch—the smooth rock!
I've hit the jackpot! I've really hit the jackpot this time!
These are all top-tier items that money can't buy!
Ariel's eyes were practically glued to them; he could even feel a hint of longing coming from Sandile.
He forcibly suppressed the wild joy and greed in his heart, maintaining an indignant expression on the surface as he glared at the executive.
"Enough talk!"
Brawly was already fuming. He directly opened his pokédex and scanned the opponent's Swampert.
"Swampert, level 55, ability Torrent (powers up Water-type moves when HP is low)..."
His Hariyama was level 58 and a carefully nurtured Gym ace.
"Hariyama, Bulk Up!"
Following Brawly's command, Hariyama's muscles instantly bulged, and a powerful aura erupted, significantly increasing its Attack and Defense.
"Courting death! Swampert, Muddy Water!"
The Team Aqua Executive sneered.
Swampert opened its large mouth, and a wave of murky water instantly swept through the entire exhibition hall!
"Brick Break!"
Brawly didn't dodge or evade.
Hariyama's legs exerted sudden force, ignoring the impact of the Muddy Water. Its massive body actually leapt high into the air, delivering a powerful hand-chop to Swampert!
"Bang!"
With a thud, Swampert's massive body was knocked backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
The aftershocks of the battle kicked up a massive air current, sending shattered glass and debris flying in all directions.
Ariel's pupils constricted suddenly.
An opportunity!
He saw the smooth rock he had been longing for being swept up by a gust of air and flying towards him!
Ariel didn't even need to speak; he gave Inkay a look.
Inkay returned a look that said "I got you."
Its small body floated up silently. Under the cover of the chaotic debris, it precisely extended its tentacles and steadily caught the smooth rock in mid-air.
Then, it silently floated back into the shadow at Ariel's feet and tucked the rock into his pocket.
The entire process was seamless and lightning-fast. Against the backdrop of the intense battle between Hariyama and Swampert, no one noticed at all.
Ariel pressed his hand against his pocket. Feeling the rough and solid texture of the rock, his heart finally settled back into his chest.
"Sweet!"
"This is just too good!"
On the other side, the battle was nearing its end.
Brawly's Hariyama was simply too strong. After one Bulk Up, it crushed the opponent in both power and endurance.
After several powerful Close Combat strikes, the level 55 Swampert was covered in wounds and collapsed on the ground, losing its ability to fight.
The Team Aqua Executive turned pale. Before he could release a second pokémon, he was lifted by the neck by one of Hariyama's large hands.
The battle ended too quickly.
Looking at the other scattered rocks on the ground, Ariel couldn't help but feel a small twinge of regret.
What a pity. This Brawly guy is too fierce; he finished the job in no time.
If they had fought a bit longer and the situation had been a bit more chaotic, maybe he could have swiped that Damp Rock too... but one shouldn't be too greedy. Being able to get the most crucial smooth rock was already a massive windfall.
Ariel composed himself, put on a relieved expression as if the battle was over and the situation settled, and walked toward Brawly.
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