Join my p@treon for more chapters
[email protected]/Tempest_29
"The Ferrum League Challenge now begins!"
"In today's battle, we have Trainer Chris from the Hoenn Region! His opponent is Keith, a familiar face we haven't seen in the Ferrum League for quite some time! Let's give them a warm welcome!" The referee acted more like an enthusiastic announcer, working to energize the crowd.
Chris and Keith emerged from the competitor tunnels simultaneously, stepping onto the battlefield with purpose.
"Go Keith!"
"Come on, Keith! We believe in you!"
"Show them what you've got, Keith! Straight to the championship!"
The spectator stands erupted with excitement.
The Ferrum League's battlefield resembled those found in the Galar Region - massive in scale with an equally impressive stadium. The audience's enthusiasm was infectious, and even for routine daily competitions, the five-to-six-thousand-seat venue maintained over fifty percent attendance!
"He has this many supporters?" Chris wondered, surprised by the continuous cheers echoing around him. He felt like he was facing a celebrity trainer complete with a fan club. Several girls dressed in colorful outfits held banners and cheered enthusiastically, some even dancing.
This reminds me of Gary Oak's fan following.
Keith waved to the crowd with a bright smile, acknowledging his hometown supporters and showing appreciation for their unwavering loyalty.
The referee glanced at both competitors, confirmed they were in position, and announced loudly, "The battle between these two trainers is about to commence. I will now explain the battle rules."
"In this duel, each side may use one primary battle Pokémon and two support Pokémon. Support Pokémon may only be deployed twice total during the entire match."
"When either side's main battle Pokémon loses its ability to fight, or if an unregistered Pokémon is sent to assist, or if multiple Pokémon are deployed simultaneously for assistance, that trainer will be immediately declared the loser. Please keep these rules in mind."
The referee directed this explanation primarily toward Chris, a trainer from another region participating in an Ferrum Region competition for the first time.
Both Chris and Keith nodded, indicating their clear understanding of the regulations.
"Excellent! The match officially begins - please release your main battle Pokémon!" The referee raised red and green flags as the starting signal.
Chris and Keith simultaneously drew Poké Balls and launched them skyward.
"Flash!" Silver light erupted as two Pokémon materialized on the battlefield.
Chris's choice was Kubfu.
The small Fighting-type stood with gray fur covering its body and white cloth strips tied around its head. Its fists rested confidently at its sides, radiating fighting spirit that had already reached peak intensity.
Although Chris hadn't focused extensively on leveling this particular Pokémon, Kubfu had trained regularly with Blaziken and learned from more experienced team members. While its raw power hadn't fully developed, its fighting technique and spirit were impressive. What it needed now was time to accumulate experience and await its evolutionary breakthrough.
Keith's selection was Scizor. The Bug/Steel-type's red metallic armor gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, and its pristine appearance immediately revealed the care and training Keith had invested in this Pokémon.
Chris could assess the situation more directly thanks to his ability to perceive Pokémon levels.
Scizor - Level 82
"Level 82? I accidentally ran into a celebrity trainer," Chris realized. A Pokémon exceeding level 80 represented champion-tier combat capability in the Hoenn Region.
Meeting such an opponent in his first Ferrum League Challenge match was unexpected.
Is this the standard level for this hardcore region? Or did I just get unlucky and face a former champion contender?
Chris suspected the latter.
While Chris processed this surprise, Keith felt relieved. The staff member's earlier expression had concerned him, making him wonder if he'd encounter an extremely powerful opponent in his comeback battle.
Instead, his opponent had sent out Kubfu.
While this rare Pokémon's appearance was certainly surprising, in terms of raw strength... before evolving into Urshifu, it didn't pose a serious threat. After all, Keith had battled champions and held his own until the final moments.
Combined with three years of intensive training, his abilities had undergone a complete transformation.
Not just against Kubfu - even against a fully evolved Urshifu, he was confident of victory!
It's almost disappointing that it's only an unevolved Kubfu.
This battle is already won!
The referee confirmed both Pokémon were ready and immediately dropped both flags.
"Battle begin!"
"Quick Attack!" Keith immediately seized the initiative as combat commenced.
Facing what appeared to be a weaker opponent, Keith intended to demonstrate his growth with a decisive victory, crushing his rival with overwhelming force to show his hometown supporters how much he'd improved.
Scizor surged forward instantly. Its red steel armor produced rhythmic "thump, thump, thump" sounds with each advancing step, reminiscent of train wheels grinding against railway tracks.
Within mere seconds, Scizor had closed the distance to Kubfu. Its twin pincers moved like deadly blades, creating red afterimages as they sliced toward their target with devastating intent.
Recognizing his disadvantage, Chris didn't hesitate. Almost as the referee's voice faded, he grabbed his second Poké Ball and released it.
With nearly double the level difference, conventional battle tactics would be useless. If Kubfu attempted to fight normally, Scizor would defeat it instantly. Time for the nuclear option.
Let's give the Ferrum Region folks a little shock.
"Garchomp, Precipice Blades!" Chris called out calmly.
The Poké Ball burst open mid-air as Garchomp made its dramatic entrance, landing protectively in front of Kubfu.
Garchomp: "Little brother, I've got you covered!"
Kubfu: "Big brother, I'll follow your lead!"
Garchomp raised both Dragon Claws toward the sky, and before even touching down, terrifying Ground-type energy concentrated within its claws. Using the momentum of its descent, it slammed both claws into the battlefield with devastating force.
"BOOM!!!"
Before Scizor's Quick Attack could connect, the entire battlefield erupted into chaos!
The tens of thousands of square meters of ground instantly fractured into dense spider-web patterns. Countless rock pillars, sharp as swords, burst from the earth across the battlefield, immediately engulfing and overwhelming Scizor before shooting skyward like spears threatening to pierce the heavens themselves.