Shiro and Rylan stood on opposite ends of the battlefield, ready to release their Pokémon at any moment.
The rules had been explained in detail. Both trainers would use two Pokémon each. They had to send out one large and powerful Pokémon onto the steel walkway at the edge of the field to engage in a strength contest.
Whichever side had both Pokémon lose their fighting ability first, or whichever was pushed out of the walkway first, would be declared the loser.
Ryan, the host, had already stepped up to the referee's stand. He gripped the microphone tightly while his eyes stayed fixed on the countdown displayed on his communication device.
This entire Gym Challenge was set up as a separate broadcast. Part of the reason was because some people still used radios. Another was that many challengers disliked traveling long distances on foot, and the TV station didn't have enough staff to split their broadcast across multiple channels. For all kinds of reasons, it was better to keep things on one stream.
But to start the battle, everything had to align perfectly. They needed to wait until the previous program had ended, then for the transition segment to finish before the match could be aired live.
'Five, four, three…'
Ryan counted silently in his heart. When it reached zero, he shouted into the microphone:
"Dear viewers, the Gym Challenge continues! This match is coming from Hammerlocke Gym, where challenger Shiro faces the Gym Leader, Rylan! The battle rules are…"
He went on, then called out again with even more energy.
"Now, let both sides release their Pokémon… The battle begins!"
At that, the trainers hurled their Poké Balls forward.
"Go, Bewear!"
"You too, Kommo-o!"
Two huge Pokémon appeared. Both were heavyweights, and as soon as they entered the steel walkway, they began to march toward each other.
"Push it out of the field!" Shiro ordered.
Bewear nodded, raised its arms high, and lunged forward, crashing head-on against the charging Kommo-o.
There wasn't much difference in their levels. Each had sturdy builds and strong physiques. When they collided, a shockwave burst out, forcing them to stop in place.
Kommo-o clamped its claws tightly around Bewear's raised arms. Its fangs clenched as it tried to shove the bear off balance and push it down.
But Bewear stayed calm. It only stared silently at its foe, then took a step forward. It looked almost like a toy bear taking a stroll, except every step carried overwhelming force.
"Kommoo!"
Kommo-o's pupils widened. Its powerful lower body, which had been holding steady, stumbled backward a step. Muscles trembled across its frame.
This bear's strength was terrifying!
Rylan's eyes widened as well. For a moment, he even forgot to send out his second Pokémon.
Shiro wasted no time. "Come out, Corviknight!"
The massive steel bird burst from its Poké Ball with a shriek, soaring high above. Only then did Rylan snap back to his senses. He focused and threw his own ball.
"Haxxxxoruuus!"
He knew very well that his Haxorus couldn't win against Corviknight. His strategy had always relied on Kommo-o holding the line. Never once had he imagined Shiro would also have a Bewear this strong.
"Corviknight! Quick Attack, then Aerial Ace!"
The steel bird beat its wings once and vanished, becoming a streak of gray light. Haxorus narrowed its eyes, but Corviknight disappeared before it could react.
"Haxorus!" Rylan's mind spun in confusion. He didn't even know what command to give.
Corviknight could fly, its speed was incredible, and he wasn't sure Haxorus could even keep track of it. If he tried lowering its stats, the bird's attacks were so strong that just a few blows might end it. How was he supposed to fight?
But he had no time to think. The storm winds from Corviknight's wings already lashed across the field, sweeping toward him.
"Use Breaking Swipe!" he yelled.
Breaking Swipe. The move swept a tough tail at the opponent, capable of lowering their attack power. Compared to Dragon Tail, its damage was lower but its range was wider.
Haxorus crouched low without hesitation, swinging its tail like an iron whip against the storm pressing in from behind.
But just before impact, Corviknight arched its body upward, flipping gracefully in the air. It traced a crescent-shaped arc and avoided the tail sweep, then came crashing down from the front.
Boom!
A heavy crack shook the field as Haxorus's head slammed into the ground.
"Steel Wing!" Shiro called sharply.
Corviknight's wings flared with bluish steel light. With a sweeping motion, it battered Haxorus's body up into the air before smashing it back into the ground.
"Use Protect!" Rylan roared in desperation.
Shiro countered instantly. "Corviknight, Hone Claws!"
The bird halted its assault and sharpened its talons, its strength rising.
Haxorus pulled its head free from the ground with a grunt. But instead of putting up a barrier, it suddenly crouched and leapt high.
"Close Combat!" Rylan's shout echoed across the field.
Close Combat?
Shiro's mind clicked. It was a high-power Fighting move that sacrificed defense for sheer damage. Strong against Steel, but resisted by Flying. Against Corviknight, the typing balance canceled out.
"Use Quick Attack to dodge!" Shiro ordered at once.
Corviknight, seasoned from numerous battles, reacted the moment Haxorus pushed off the ground. It abandoned Hone Claws mid-motion and launched itself away.
Haxorus's lunge hit nothing. Its body, cloaked in blazing orange energy, plummeted back down and crashed into the ground, leaving a crater three meters wide.
"Damn…" Rylan muttered, brow furrowed. His chest felt heavy.
This was their third battle. He had always been weaker than Shiro, but this time he had even tried to bait with a feint. It still failed. He was as good as finished.
Close Combat had missed, but its side effect was already active. Both of Haxorus's defenses dropped sharply.
"Corviknight! Air Cutter!" Shiro's voice rang out.
The steel bird's wings sliced the air, sending several razor-sharp blades of wind straight at the dragon.
Boom!
Before the attack could land, a deafening crash came from the side of the battlefield.
On the steel walkway, Kommo-o and Bewear had reached the edge. The pink bear still pushed forward tirelessly, shoving Kommo-o clean off the walkway and into the alloy wall.
"Stop!"
Ryan's voice boomed through the speakers. Haxorus vanished back into its Poké Ball before the Air Cutter could hit, withdrawn by Rylan at the last second.
"Bewear!" Shiro raised his hand and called.
The bear turned its head, tilting slightly as if puzzled, but stopped pressing forward.
With Bewear gone, Kommo-o finally managed to scramble up the wall. Claws scraping, it crawled back to its trainer's side in a mess.
Rylan crouched and calmed it with a few soft words, then returned it to its Poké Ball.
"The strength contest is over! The winner is challenger Shiro!"
Ryan's voice sounded loud and clear, carrying across the field.
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!