The boy who suddenly jumped out wasn't very tall. Hands planted on his hips, he stood wearing a pair of trainer shorts and a T-shirt.
He couldn't be more than fourteen.
'How much money did the League take to let a kid like this become a roadblock trainer?' Shiro sized him up and made his guess.
These so-called roadblock trainers, hiding in ambush, crouched on roadsides, or boldly standing in the middle of League-approved routes, were part of the Gym Challenge itself. Their purpose was to stop challengers from marching straight ahead. It was meant to be an added trial, a bit of fun for the journey. Normally, though, they were pretty weak.
"Hey! Shiro!" the boy called out, pulling a Poké Ball from his belt and thrusting it forward.
Adjusting the white cap on his head, he grinned wide in the sunlight, flashing a row of healthy, gleaming teeth.
"My name's Timmy! I'm here to challenge you!"
"..."
Shiro didn't answer. Without a word, he slowly reached for a Poké Ball.
From behind, several cameramen who had already prepared their equipment moved in, raising their lenses to catch every angle. The host, Ryan, raised his microphone and stepped to the side, temporarily assuming the role of referee.
"All right! We have a match between registered League roadblock trainer Timmy, and challenger Shiro! Battle rules are two-on-two with rotation. Both sides, release your Pokémon!"
As Ryan announced the rules, Timmy tilted his head back dramatically. With all the strength in his arm, he swung his Poké Ball in a wide arc before hurling it forward.
The ball traveled no more than two meters before dipping downward into a clumsy parabola. It struck the ground once, then popped open in a flash of light.
"Sooobble!"
A Sobble appeared. its watery eyes large and round, its small head glistening under the sun. Its whole body shimmered with a blue sheen. Long, thin limbs supported its fragile frame, and a curled tail twitched nervously behind it. A yellow fin resembling a feather jutted out from its head.
Its strength…
[Name: Sobble
Type: Water
Level: 12 (Beginner)
Ability: Torrent
Held Item: None
Moves: Pound, Growl, Water Gun, Bind, Water Pulse, Tearful Look]
A Beginner-level Sobble!
Shiro paused his right hand that was about to reach for a Poké Ball, unsure of which Pokémon to send out.
If he used Corviknight, he'd to have to beg the opposing Sobble not to die from a single wingbeat… this was a live broadcast.
To be fair, this Sobble wasn't half bad. Level twelve, and it had Water Pulse, a decent Water-type attack. It even knew Tearful Look, a move that lowered both offensive stats.
It was almost certainly one of the League's issued starters.
While he hesitated, Timmy lifted his chin and said, "What's the matter? Afraid of my Sobble? You can't even bring yourself to send out a Pokémon?"
"..."
Shiro frowned slightly, then choose a Poké Ball and tossed it forward.
"Go, Vibrava."
"Viiib…"
Vibrava cautiously emerged from the ball, scanned the area, and locked its gaze on Timmy.
There weren't any dangerous Pokémon around, so the one it would probably have to fight was this kid... it flexed its claws, ready to charge out at any moment.
Across the field, Timmy rubbed his nose, then commanded with a clenched fist.
"Sobble, use Pound!"
Sobble crouched, its big eyes first turning to look at its trainer, then toward Vibrava hovering in the air not far away.
"…Soobbble." 'I can't even fly. How am I supposed to hit it?'
"Pound! Come on, hurry up!" Timmy urged frantically, his voice cracking with impatience.
Sobble closed its eyes, bent its legs, and leapt upward with all its might.
"Sooob!"
And immediately landed back where it started, a look of helplessness in its eyes.
"Hmm… it seems trainer Timmy's Sobble can't reach Vibrava with Pound. It can only jump in place, unable to attack properly," Ryan explained into the microphone, pressing his lips together.
This was his first time commentating a battle of such a young, Beginner-level Pokémon.
Give it a couple more months, and if Sobble evolved into Drizzile, it would easily reach Intermediate-level strength. That would have been something worth watching. But now? It was hopeless.
A rookie League trainer, and still a child. He really didn't belong in this roadblock program. Was he just here to "experience life"?
Ryan sighed inwardly, then glanced at Shiro, silently signaling him to end it quickly. They still needed to make it to Hammerlocke Gym today.
Shiro gave a faint nod.
"Use Tackle. End this."
In an instant, Vibrava vanished, its body leaving only a phantom trail of green light that zigzagged through the air before it dove straight for its target, the confused boy behind Sobble.
"Target Sobble!" Shiro ordered in time.
Timmy barely saw it. All he registered was a flash of movement, a rush of wind across his face, and a lingering image of Vibrava's cold, compound eyes.
"Soobb…"
Sobble let out a weak cry as it was struck. Its small body spun once in midair before crashing to the ground, knocked out cold.
"Okay! Sobble is unable to battle! Trainer Timmy, release your next Pokémon!" Ryan announced loudly.
"Ugh…" Timmy froze. Staring at the impassive Shiro and the calm, unflinching Vibrava, he felt a wave of fear crawl up his spine. Hastily, he recalled Sobble and took out his next Poké Ball.
"Go! Rillaboom!"
The ball burst open, releasing a towering figure. A massive green gorilla appeared, hefting a pair of wooden drumsticks strapped to its back along with a large drum. Its sharp eyes radiated a pressure completely unlike Sobble's.
"Oh?" For the first time, Shiro's interest was piqued. He checked the data.
[Name: Rillaboom
Type: Grass
Level: 38 (Advanced)
Ability: Overgrow
Held Item: None
Moves: Drum Beating, Scratch, Growl, Taunt, Double Hit, Noble Roar, Grassy Terrain, Branch Poke, Razor Leaf, Screech, Knock Off…]
An Advanced-level Rillaboom, another Galar starter. It was clearly older, with strong power, but its growth had long since stalled.
'Did his parents lend him this one? There's no way a kid like him trained it himself….' Shiro considered quietly.
But Timmy was already pointing forward, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Rillaboom, use Razor Leaf!"
"Rillaboom!"
Green light surged behind the Grass-type. The branches of the tree growing from its back shimmered, leaves loosening and lifting into the air. Like blades, they spun and darted forward, flying at Vibrava in sharp arcs.
"Dodge." Shiro's command was short and firm.
Vibrava twisted its body, shifting just enough each time. One by one, the leaves sailed past, slashing empty air. Not a single one connected.
"Ahh!" Timmy stomped his foot in frustration.
Rillaboom chuckled, scratching the back of its head sheepishly.
It had been far too long since it had battled seriously. Its aim with Razor Leaf had become sloppy, its spread far too wide.
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