The venue was ready. The late-morning sun shone through the glass dome of the Ever Grande Conference water stadium, making the surface of the pool glisten like a sea of tiny mirrors. The audience roared in anticipation, their cheers echoing against the high ceiling.
In the center platform, the referee raised his flag and looked at the two Trainers facing each other from opposite ends of the arena.
"You two, are you ready?" the referee called out, his voice carrying over the hum of excitement.
"Yes!" Gary Oak replied firmly, his eyes sharp and focused.
"Yes," Yui answered, just as determined.
Both nodded, gripping their Poké Balls tightly.
The referee swept his gaze between them and, satisfied with their resolve, announced loudly:
"The first half of the battle between Gary Oak and Yui will now begin! Each Trainer will use three Pokémon. When one Pokémon is defeated, the halftime break will start. Pokémon may be switched between the two halves if Trainers wish. Now—release your Pokémon at the same time!"
With synchronized motion, both Trainers hurled their Poké Balls forward.
"Go! Sharpedo!" Yui commanded.
"Swampert, you're up!" Gary called.
Two flashes of light erupted, forming their Pokémon in the center pool.
"Shaaarpedo!" the brutal water predator snarled, its torpedo-like body cutting through the water in a sleek arc.
"Swamp-pert!" Gary's powerhouse growled, slamming its fists together and staring its opponent down.
The stadium's electronic display lit up with their levels and Trainer credentials:
[Lv. 48 Sharpedo / Gym]
[Lv. 50 Swampert / Champion]
The announcer's voice boomed from the commentary booth:
"Both Trainers open with Water-type Pokémon! Yui has sent out Sharpedo, the Brutal Pokémon, known for its incredible speed and vicious attacks! Gary's choice is Swampert, the Mud Fish Pokémon, a solid mix of power and endurance! Both are physical attackers—this could be a straight-up brawl!"
The referee dropped his arm.
"Battle, begin!"
"Sharpedo, Night Slash!" Yui ordered instantly.
"Shar!" Sharpedo dived beneath the surface, leaving only its dorsal fin cutting through the water like a knife. Dark, sinister energy gathered around the fin, forming a jagged blade of shadow that gleamed ominously. As it sped forward, the water hissed and parted.
"Swampert, meet it head-on! Power-Up Punch!" Gary countered.
"Swam-pert!" Golden energy enveloped Swampert's fist. It planted its feet on the underwater floor, bracing for the strike.
Sharpedo broke from the surface, aiming its Night Slash at Swampert's head—
BAM!
The two collided mid-surge. The water exploded upward, showering both sides of the arena. Sharpedo reeled backward from the impact, a growl bubbling from its throat.
Gary's eyes narrowed. "So… Rough Skin, huh?"
He glanced at Swampert's hand. Tiny scratches and welts were already forming from brushing Sharpedo's abrasive hide.
Yui smirked. "Keep pressing! Night Slash again!"
"Shar-PE-do!" The predator lunged once more, fin blade crackling with evil aura.
Gary saw through it instantly. She's trying to keep the fight close-range, where Rough Skin chips away at Swampert every time.
"Swampert, Dynamic Punch!"
"Swamp!" Swampert's fist glowed with chaotic fighting energy. Sharpedo came in fast—
WHAM!
The blow connected square with Sharpedo's jaw. The shark spun wildly through the air before splashing down hard.
When Sharpedo resurfaced, its eyes were swirling. The confused predator thrashed in place, struggling to right itself.
"End it—Muddy Water!" Gary commanded.
"Swam!" Swampert dove in, churning the pool into a muddy torrent that surged straight into Sharpedo. The wave slammed it against the arena wall with a resounding thud.
Sharpedo's body went limp.
"Sharpedo is unable to battle! Swampert wins!" the referee declared, raising his green flag toward Gary's side.
Gary exhaled through his nose, but his expression shifted to curiosity. Yui hadn't recalled Sharpedo even when she had the chance. Did she sacrifice it on purpose?
Up in the stands, his ears caught a sudden burst of familiar voices:
"Good job, Gary! Keep it up!"
"One more win and you've got the first half!"
"Gary! Gary! You're so cool!!"
Gary blinked and glanced toward the noise. A wave of pom-poms and synchronized chanting met his eyes. His cheerleading squad—yes, that cheerleading squad—was here again.
"What the—? Why is there one here too?" he muttered under his breath. They had first appeared during his Indigo Plateau Conference run, later at the Silver Conference in Johto… and now here, at the Ever Grande Conference in Hoenn. And they hadn't been in the stands yesterday.
On the other side, Yui quietly returned Sharpedo to its Poké Ball. She gave it a small smile. "Your sacrifice was worth it."
Then, without missing a beat:
"Tropius, I choose you!"
"Tropius!" A massive, leafy figure emerged from the Poké Ball, flapping its wing-like leaves and soaring above the pool. Sunlight glinted off the ripe, golden bananas hanging from its chin.
Gary's eyes lit up for a split second. "Those bananas look fresh… but focus, Oak."
The announcer cut in:
"Yui sends out Tropius! A Grass- and Flying-type—an excellent choice for countering Water-types in this kind of environment!"
"Tropius, Solar Beam!" Yui commanded.
The broad leaves on Tropius' back began glowing as they drank in sunlight, energy gathering in its throat before firing in a blinding green-white beam.
"Dive underwater, now!" Gary barked.
Swampert plunged beneath the surface just before the beam struck.
BOOM!
The Solar Beam blasted a crater in the pool's surface, sending steam curling upward. Water rushed in to fill the gap, sloshing violently.
Gary's mind worked quickly. If she keeps firing like that, she might boil the whole top layer of the water.
"Swampert, return!" He recalled the Mud Fish Pokémon before it surfaced again.
"Oh! Gary is switching out!" the announcer noted. "He must feel Swampert is at a disadvantage here—smart move!"
Gary pulled a new Poké Ball from his belt. "Salamence, let's go!"
"Salamence!" The mighty Dragon Pokémon burst forth, wings unfurling as it let out a deep, rumbling roar.
"Woo…" Tropius faltered mid-air. The primal aura Salamence gave off was unmistakable—the king of the skies in Hoenn.
Gary wasted no time. "Flamethrower!"
"Salamence!" The dragon surged forward, unleashing a roaring stream of flames.
"Tropius, Razor Leaf!" Yui countered.
Two enormous, razor-sharp leaves spun toward Salamence, but the Flamethrower burned them to cinders before searing into Tropius' side.
"Tropius!!" The large Grass-type cried out in pain, banking hard to avoid the attack.
Gary's eyes stayed locked on the target. "Don't let it escape—Fire Blast!"