101. Isn't that better than Groudon?

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[Defeated Arcanine LV42, gained 4235 experience points.]

[Defeated Lavaridge Gym Leader Flannery and received a bonus of 10,300 Pokédollars.]

[Flannery: How could this happen?!]

[Flannery: I have no choice but to give this to you. You've earned the "Heat Badge," proof of victory at the Lavaridge Gym. Now that you have it, your Strength will evolve into an "Secret Strength."]

[Flannery: Hmph, even though I really don't want to hand it over, as a Gym Leader, I have to stick to my duty! Along with the badge, I'm also reluctantly giving you the "Overheat" TM and some Fire-type Pokémon Breeder experience. You'd better treasure it—this was a gift from my grandfather.]

[Flannery: Don't think it's over between us! I look forward to a real battle with you at the Pokémon Championship, where I'll give it my all!]

Chris watched Flannery, unbothered by her challenging tone.

But there was something interesting.

Chris noticed that the four Gym trainers he defeated all mentioned the Pokémon Championship at the end.

Does that mean I'll need to join the Pokémon Tournament to battle them again someday?

There could be many possibilities, but it wasn't something he needed to think about just yet.

Instead, he turned his attention to his current rewards.

[Heat Badge: Boosts the power of all Fire-type moves of Pokémon in the team by 10%. Strength has been upgraded to "Secret Strength."]

The badge itself is a symbol of recognition.

And the "Overheat" TM… 

With a power of 130, the move comes with the drawback of lowering the user's Special Attack by two stages after each use. (In the Arceus version, it's rated at 100, which feels like an extreme adjustment.)

With its severe after effects, "Overheat" was clearly meant as a finishing move.

Then there was Strength's transformation into an Secret Strength.

Secret Strength: Base power 110; when its strength exceeds that of its opponent, it gains an additional 20% physical damage boost.

With Secret Strength, the power is increased by 30 points from its base of 80, along with the extra effect that increases its damage.

Chris thought this skill would suit Steelix perfectly. Its Sturdy ability would negate the additional effect, boosting the move's power by 30%.

A 110-power move on Strength becomes a 143-power strike.

In contrast, the Overheat TM would still lower Special Attack by two stages after use, despite its 130 power.

So, what could Secret Strength bring to Steelix?

Chris smirked—his powerful move compared to Flannery's!

A true knockout move!

As for Flannery's Breeder plan...

Chris reviewed it. Blaziken didn't perform as well as expected in Flannery's battle, so he wondered what insights this Breeder plan might offer.

Opening the document, Chris noticed that it wasn't signed by Flannery, but by someone named Moore.

He recalled that Flannery had mentioned this was a Breeder plan from her grandfather.

Chris still remembered the Lavaridge Gym episode from the anime. Moore was Flannery's grandfather and a former Elite Four member in the Hoenn region!

"So, this is an Elite-level Pokémon Breeder guide?!" Chris felt a thrill of excitement.

He quickly opened it and began reading.

Torkoal Section: This part covered training strategies for weather setters. For other types of weather setters, simply substitute the relevant elemental materials as needed. Skills include Sunny Day and Lava Plume, with comprehensive learning methods for both.

**Arcanine Chapter**: Focuses on refining Arcanine's speed, and includes a detailed progression from "Flame Charge" to "Flare Blitz."

**Blaziken Chapter**: Contains a leg strength training plan, instructions on controlling Fire- and Flying-type energy, and advanced Fighting-type move training. Based on Double Kick and Blaze Kick, Moore developed an exclusive move, "Flame Double Kick," and theorized an additional technique called the Flame Chain Kick.

"Wow… I've really hit the jackpot!" Chris's eyes lit up.

While Torkoal and Arcanine were intriguing, it was the Blaziken Breeder plan that captured his attention most. This document recorded Moore's elite-level training methods for Blaziken and even included his unique move, "Flame Double Kick!"

With this Breeder plan, Chris was confident his Blaziken could reach a whole new level.

Coincidentally, his next Gym challenge would be against a Normal-type Leader, and Blaziken would be the perfect choice for the battle!

After placing the Breeder plan beside his bed for a thorough review later, Chris turned his focus to an important task.

Following his earlier plan, Chris went to a secluded area outside Dragon University's walls and called out his Pokémon team.

He applied the flame-patterned Metal Coat onto Onix's body.

Immediately, Onix began to evolve.

Its body expanded dramatically—from over 30 meters to more than 50 meters. The rocks forming its body increased from around two meters to three meters wide. As for the head… Chris estimated it now measured five meters across.

However, its color was unique. Though the Metal Coat had been silver, Steelix's body retained its diamond-like structure but with a shift from translucent to an intense black, lined faintly with red streaks.

The red lines reminded Chris of the "flame-pattern" prefix on his rare Metal Coat.

From a distance, Steelix now looked like a menacing creature forged for destruction!

Chris was pleased with its appearance, but he wondered how its new abilities measured up.

He opened Steelix's stats panel.

**Steelix (Steel, Ground)** (Shiny)

- **Level**: 41

- **Abilities**: Sheer Force (increases the power of moves with additional effects by 30%, but removes the effects), Waterproof (grants immunity to water-type moves)

- **Individual Values**: HP (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (25), Defense (31), Special Defense (31), Speed (27)

- **Moves**: Rock Throw, Tackle, Harden, Bind, Smack Down, Rock Polish, Dragon Breath, Curse, Rock Slide, Screech, Sand Tomb, Dig, Stealth Rock, Slam, Iron Defense, Sandstorm, Autotomize, Earthquake, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Fire Fang, Crunch

- **Held Item**: Smooth Rock

Chris exhaled with relief upon seeing its Ability.

Sheer Force—perfect!

Without the Weak Armor Ability, Steelix's durability was preserved.

Yes, it would be slower, but that was a fair trade-off.

Would it be possible to make this massive Steelix faster than its rivals?

Maybe even a Groudon?

It was worth attempting to teach Steelix "Magnet Rise."

Steelix and Onix both use magnetism for orientation. They might not have Nosepass's strength in magnetism, but theoretically, Steelix could still learn electromagnetic levitation.

If it mastered Magnet Rise, Steelix would be able to soar into the sky!

Wouldn't that put it a step ahead of Groudon?

**Groudon**: How about you come flying in front of me and see what happens?