"Both Trainers entering the field today are formidable competitors in this Ever Grande Conference!
From Johto Region, we have Yoji — a Trainer who placed runner-up in the Silver Conference three years ago! He's the dark horse of this year's competition!"
The announcer's voice boomed through the packed stadium, hyping the crowd.
"Runner-up?" Gary muttered under his breath, raising an eyebrow. That explained Yoji's cocky attitude. Winning second place in the Silver Conference was no small feat, and anyone who reached that far had the skill to back up their confidence.
In Gary's mind, this meant Yoji's previous Pokémon team must have been quite powerful. And if his partners had continued to grow for the past three years, they'd be at least quasi-Elite level by now.
The announcer continued, "And representing the Kanto Region — a Trainer whose résumé speaks for itself — Champion of both the Indigo Plateau Conference and last year's Silver Conference, Gary Oak! This battle promises fireworks!"
Yoji gave a knowing smirk. Of course he remembered watching the Silver Conference last year, even if he didn't know Gary personally.
Gary wasn't overly concerned. Yes, Yoji had a strong background — but if he were truly that powerful, why had he failed to win it all three years ago?
In fact, Gary recalled that Ash had made it to the finals using Pokémon he caught only in Hoenn, and even then, Tyson had barely managed to win. If Yoji had lost to that level of competition, he wasn't invincible.
"Gary," Yoji called across the field, his tone dripping with confidence, "I know your pride won't let you use the Pokémon you raised before. But I'm bringing back my strongest partners from past battles. You're going to see why I made it to runner-up."
Gary gave a smirk of his own. "Talk is cheap, Yoji. Let's see who walks away the winner."
Both Trainers reached for their Poké Balls.
"That's exactly what I was hoping for," Yoji replied, unclipping two Poké Balls from his belt.
The referee stepped forward, raising his flag. "This will be a two-on-two Double Battle! Trainers, release your Pokémon!"
"Let's show them our full power! Go, Feraligatr! Heracross!" Yoji shouted, hurling his Poké Balls high.
Psshht!
"Feraaallligatr!" roared the towering blue alligator, its eyes gleaming as it stomped forward.
"Heraaacross!" bellowed the muscular Bug/Fighting-type, flexing its arms and lowering its horn.
[Lv. 54 Feraligatr – Quasi-Elite]
[Lv. 52 Heracross – Quasi-Elite]
Gary's eyes widened slightly. Those were strong levels — no doubt about it. But still within reach.
"My turn. Go, Salamence! Aggron!"
Bwooosh! Salamence erupted from its Poké Ball in a burst of light, spreading its massive crimson wings and letting out a deep, intimidating roar.
"Salameeence!!"
Aggron followed with a thunderous stomp, its metallic armor gleaming in the sunlight.
"Aggrroooon!!"
[Lv. 50 Salamence – Elite]
[Lv. 53 Aggron – Elite]
Salamence's Ex-Intimidate ability immediately took effect, a wave of oppressive dragon aura rippling across the field. Both Feraligatr and Heracross instinctively tensed, their offensive power dropping a stage.
Even Yoji looked momentarily startled. He knew about Intimidate, but seeing his two trump cards visibly flinch at Salamence's presence was another matter entirely.
"The battle begins!" the referee declared, dropping his arms.
"Heracross, Lunge on Aggron! Feraligatr, Ice Fang on Salamence!" Yoji called instantly.
"Hera!!" Heracross lunged forward, wings buzzing as it charged toward Aggron.
"Feraa!!" Feraligatr's jaws crackled with icy energy as it bounded toward Salamence.
"Aggron, Autotomize!" Gary countered. "Salamence, whip up a Hurricane!"
"Aggrron!!" The Iron Armor Pokémon's body glowed briefly as it shed excess weight, moving more freely.
High above, Salamence beat its wings in a rapid, powerful rhythm. "Salaaa—mence!!" The wind howled, forming into a raging Hurricane that blasted across the battlefield, halting both incoming attackers.
Heracross was hurled backward, spinning helplessly in the air, while Feraligatr pushed forward against the gale with gritted teeth.
"Again!" Gary ordered.
By now, Aggron's movement had improved dramatically thanks to Autotomize.
"Aggron, Heavy Slam on Feraligatr!"
"Groooon!" Aggron's body became cloaked in shining steel energy as it thundered toward its target, each footstep leaving cracks in the arena floor.
"Feraligatr, Hydro Pump!" Yoji countered quickly.
"Feraaa!" The water-type unleashed a powerful torrent from its jaws, striking Aggron squarely — but the Steel-type's armor and momentum plowed through it, barely slowing.
"What—?!" Yoji's eyes widened.
"Heracross, Pin Missile!" Yoji barked.
"Heraa!!" The beetle's horn glowed before launching a flurry of shining white projectiles.
"Flamethrower!" Gary called.
Salamence descended like a predator, spewing an intense stream of fire. "Salaaa—MENNNCE!!" The flames incinerated the Pin Missiles mid-air and engulfed Heracross entirely.
"Heracross, get out of there!" Yoji shouted.
The Bug/Fighting-type burst through the flames — only for the ground to quake beneath them.
BAM! Aggron slammed into Feraligatr with tremendous force, sending the water-type skidding over ten meters before it crashed onto its back.
The sheer weight difference amplified Heavy Slam's power beyond standard battle calculations.
"Heracross, save Feraligatr! High Horsepower!"
Heracross charged forward, body cloaked in earthen energy.
"Stone Edge!" Gary ordered sharply.
Aggron spun, smashing its tail into the ground. Jagged stone pillars erupted in a line toward Heracross.
"Heracross!!" The beetle roared, smashing through several stone spikes, but lost momentum and failed to reach Aggron.
"Fire Blast!" Gary seized the opening.
"Sala—MENCE!!" Salamence unleashed a massive fireball shaped like the kanji for 'big,' the flames swirling into a blazing net.
"Hydro Pump!" Yoji countered.
"Feraaa!" Feraligatr, already back on its feet, blasted a high-pressure stream of water upward. Steam exploded across the battlefield as the two attacks collided.
"Salamence, another Hurricane!" Gary's voice cut through the haze.