Chapter 392: Battle Factory!
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Nighttime, Battle Frontier – Battle Tower]
The cause of his public spectacle, a short, sharply dressed man named Scott, was now several yards ahead, gesturing wildly toward the massive gates of the Battle Frontier complex. Scott had been searching for a volunteer to challenge the Frontier Brains early, a publicity stunt to launch the season.
Azure, seeing the chance, had not so much volunteered as crashed the stage, and immediately became the center of Kanto and Hoenn media attention. Now, inside the cool, sterile environment of the Battle Tower's briefing room, the mood was decidedly less welcoming.
The seven Elite Trainers known as the Frontier Brains—the pillars of regional competitive integrity—were lined up, staring daggers at the 16-year-old boy who had dared to reduce their opening ceremony to a sideshow.
Scott, however, was beaming as he spoke excitedly, "Isn't he a catch, folks? Three-time League winner, the Hero of Hoenn! Azure, these are the Brains. They're thrilled to meet you, absolutely thrilled!"
Tucker, the flamboyant Dome Ace, sneered, adjusting his ridiculously feathered collar, "Thrilled is one way to put it…"
His voice was sharp with indignation, with his arms crossed, bluntly stated, "This boy should be punished for his egregious lack of decorum. Are we to allow any loudmouth to interrupt an official event?"
Greta, the fiery Tycoon Head, stroked the sleek head of her Umbreon as she suggested, "He certainly has spirit, Tucker, but I wonder how we should discipline him. A triple battle against three of us, perhaps?"
Azure, ignoring the palpable tension, shifted Pikachu to a more comfortable spot, adjusted Eevee, and turned directly to Scott, stating, "So, hey Scott. When do I get to battle first? I've got some daylight burning."
Green sighed, a dramatic, audible sound of exasperation as she says knowingly, "Honestly, Azure, must you be so blunt? These are the strongest trainers in the region, and you're treating them like League fodder."
Brandon, the stern Pyramid King, frowned deeply. His arms crossed, retorted, "Young man, earning the chance to challenge us does not mean you are entitled to dictate terms or disrespect the sanctity of the Frontier."
Before Azure could offer a characteristically flippant reply, Spenser, the Palace Maven, held up a hand and nodded toward a large monitor on the wall, where a news report was broadcasting live. This got the Frontier Brains to look.
The news anchor, breathless with excitement, displayed a montage of Azure's stage crash, "...and sources say that the audacious arrival of Azure Sky, far from being an accident, was a meticulously planned statement! The three-time League Champion is here not to simply challenge, but to conquer the Battle Frontier!"
The Frontier Brains collectively winced. This wasn't planned.
Lucy, the Pike Queen, spoke, her voice precise and cold, stating, "The rules of the Battle Frontier clearly state that challenges must be made through the usual channels. He should be barred from participation."
Brandon conceded, rubbing his temples, but ultimately couldn't, as he said in a stern voice, "Normally, yes, but the media has already painted this as an epic event. If we deny him now, the public backlash will be significant. They will view it as the Frontier Brains fearing competition."
Spenser nodded solemnly, helplessly shaking his head, "The narrative has been set. We cannot turn back the tide."
Lucy's eyes narrowed, a calculating gleam replacing her annoyance as she suggested her plan, "Then let us comply with the press's misconception, but on our terms. The Battle Frontier officially opens in seven days. If Azure Sky is indeed here to conquer, he must clear all seven facilities and defeat all seven of us within that timeframe. If he fails to beat even one before the doors open to the public, the challenge expires."
Anabel, the Salon Maiden, a quiet but imposing presence, muttered, "It is a tight constraint, but fair given the circumstance. Though Scott, I would have appreciated being informed of this… plan of time."
Scott clapped his hands together, entirely unbothered by the chastisement, as he said excitedly, "Plan? Oh, Anabel, my dear, it was all spur of the moment! Divine inspiration! But isn't it marvelous? Lucy, your idea is brilliant! A hero's marathon! I must inform the press immediately!"
With that, Scott zipped out of the room, leaving the Frontier Brains seething. They could only deadpan at Scott's antics as Green pities them as she thought, 'So they got a Red and Azure that does this. I feel ya…'
Tucker stomped forward, his face flushed with fury, and declared, "You, boy! You will pay for this mockery! I, the Dome Ace, will be your first opponent, and I will show you the meaning of true showmanship and strategy!"
Noland, the Factory Head, intervened, stepping forward with a calm, analytical glare, and interrupted, "Hold it, Tucker…"
He wore the utilitarian uniform of his facility, focused and sharp as he continued, "He insulted the Frontier, yes, but he also insulted all of us. I will take him first. I need to know what we are dealing with. I sense no discernible knowledge of competitive team dynamics in him. He seems to rely entirely on raw power, a simple code I can easily break."
Azure chuckled, sinking back into his chair, casual as if he were waiting for a takeout order, replied, "Alright, Noland. If you insist. Just wishing you luck for when I win."
Green threw her hands up in defeat, exasperated by Azure's antics, "You are truly unbelievable! You just further enraged seven of the most powerful trainers in the world! You should be apologizing at the very least!"
Azure said calmly, waving a hand dismissively, "Relax, Green. I would have had to face them anyway. Besides…"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, getting her attention, "Scott promised to cover everything we spend here. Every meal, every accommodation. Since he's using me for publicity, I feel like going for some midnight shopping. We need to capitalize on this."
Whatever parental scolding Green had been preparing instantly vanished. Her expression morphed from frustration to predatory delight.
She slid to his side, her arm linking with his. She purred, her eyes glistening, "Midnight shopping? Oh, Azure, you are a genius! I know this discreet little shop near the Marina that sells some incredibly rare, specific battle items. We could grab a few Choice items, perhaps a new Assault Vest… and they have the cutest matching Eevee and Pikachu clothing line! If Scott is using you, we must be thankful and use his wallet to get him this exposure!"
Azure offered a helpless chuckle. This was the Leaf Green he knew and, admittedly, somewhat adored—a charming, powerful trainer with a tendency to lighten the wallets of anyone unfortunate enough to be responsible for funding her.
*Buzz*
Just then, Azure's Arc Phone vibrated. It was a message from Scott as he read internally, 'Azure, my man! I saw you brought the lovely Green for a date! Consider this whole trip, hotel, food, everything—a gift! Think of it as compensation for keeping up the hype! Just bring the incredible battles!'
Azure whispered, standing up as he stated, "See? Free vacation, free shopping, and seven legendary opponents. My kind of date."
As the two left the Battle Tower briefing room—Pikachu yawning on Azure's shoulder and Eevee preening herself from Azure's hair—Tucker let out a guttural growl, "Arrogant child! He dismisses us as if we are nothing!"
*Wiggle*
But an unusual tremor ran through the room. Anabel's Poké Balls, containing the powerful Legendary Beast Raikou, rattled faintly at her waist.
*Riggle*
Spenser's own Poké Ball, holding Suicune, vibrated in his palm. Spenser murmured, holding his gaze on the door Azure had just walked through, "Perhaps not so arrogant, Tucker. My Pokémon are restless. Anabel?"
Anabel, the Salon Maiden, possessed a deep, empathic psychic connection with living beings, allowing her to communicate telepathically and sense emotions. She had a particularly strong bond with her own Pokémon.
She nodded slowly, a look of focused intensity on her face as she shared what she knew, "Raikou isn't nervous. It is… acknowledging him. The three Legendary Beasts were once saved by him, long ago in Johto. Celebi broke their cages, and they were greeted by Ho-Oh, becoming its sanctioned partner. Azure Sky is not merely a powerful trainer; he has the favor of the tower's guardian."
Spenser, who prided himself on being in tune with the natural world and his own Pokémon, agreed with a light smile and stated, "His past achievements speak for themselves. He is used to facing the impossible. Noland, be careful."
Noland merely grinned, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the challenge as he declared, "Special or not, powerful or not, every trainer has patterns. Once I learn his tactics, he'll merely be a puzzle to be unlocked, decoded, and defeated by superior knowledge. And besides…"
He paused, clutching a specific Poké Ball that emitted a faint, icy aura as he added boldly, "… he isn't the only one with high-level creatures on his team that the press doesn't know about."
/////
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Battle Frontier – Battle Factory]
The following morning, the Battle Factory was swarming with reporters, all focused on the central stadium. Green sat ringside, enjoying a triple-shot latte (compliments of Scott's expense account) while Pikachu and Eevee sat beside her, waving small, custom-made pennants.
Noland appeared on the podium, greeted by enthusiastic applause. He gave a concise introduction to the rules of the Battle Factory—a place dedicated to knowledge, adaptation, and strategy, where trainers rent Pokémon to level the playing field.
Then Azure arrived, looking surprisingly well-rested despite the late-night shopping spree. Azure announced, stepping into the challenger's box, "The format will be Single Battle. I'm aiming for the Gold."
*BEEP*
A high-tech machine with six slots appeared on the podium. Noland stated, "Excellent. As is standard for the Battle Frontier challenge, you'll be choosing a pool of six Pokémon you own. You will use only these six throughout your entire run inside the Factory. They will be rotated and exchanged, testing your strategic depth."
Azure nodded, already having made his selections based on type synergy and coverage: Skarmory, Quagsire, Tyranitar, Scizor, Metagross, and Charizard. He placed the Poké Balls, and the panels on the side of the Podium displayed the pictures of his powerful, diverse team.
With his six locked in, Azure then chose the three Pokémon he would carry into the first round. He selected Skarmory, Quagsire, and Tyranitar. Noland's grin tightened as he explained, "Very well, Challenger. But you do not face me first. Before you earn the right to challenge the Factory Head, you must prove your adaptability by defeating six sets of seven battles. Forty-two trainers stand between you and me. Lose once, and you start the entire series over."
Green gasped from the stands. Forty-two battles in one day were grueling, even for a champion to keep up.
*VOOOP*
The first holographic Trainer materialized across the field, sending out an Illumise. Noland spoke into the microphone, "The factory randomly selects opponents based on prior contestant data. Let the first battle commence!"
The holographic Trainer ordered the first move, "Illumise, use Flatter!"
*Zooom*
Illumise zipped forward, showering Skarmory with sparkling dust, successfully confusing the Steel/Flying-type. Azure muttered, a glint of his competitive fire in his eyes, "Classic lead strategy."
He knew Illumise's role was to stall and confuse. Skarmory, holding the passive healing item Leftovers, was now swinging its head wildly. Azure yelled, prioritizing quick recovery over safety, "Skarmory, slam your head onto the ground! Now!"
*BONK*
Skarmory immediately followed the counter-intuitive command, the violent impact snapping it out of confusion—a harsh but effective method to self-cure. Noland commented, typing furiously on his laptop, "Excellent counter-play, risking damage to cleanse confusion."
Azure commanded, capitalizing on the temporary clarity, "Tailwind, set up!"
*FWP*
Tailwind is activated, doubling Skarmory's speed, giving it priority as it flapped its wings as a gush of wind slipped past behind them. The HT (Hologram Trainer) shouted, "Illumise use Flatter!"
Illumise tried to use Flatter again, but Azure's enhanced speed allowed him to intercept the move, countered, "Taunt! Now!"
Skarmory sliced through the air, silencing Illumise's support moves as it screeched, "Skarrii!! (Hey! Bug face! I pegged ya, daddy!!)"
Illumise yelped in shock as Taunt was successfully taken down and took full exception. The little Bug-type was now forced only to use damaging attacks.
Azure grinned as he declared, "Finish it! Agile Style Aerial Ace!"
*Zoooom*
The steel bird streaked across the battlefield, leaving no room for evasion, and Aerial Ace knocked Illumise out in one precise hit. The HT recalled Illumise declaring, "Return! Go! Nidoqueen!"
*Pop*
The holographic Trainer sent out a Nidoqueen. Azure immediately recalled Skarmory, preserving its health, and Tailwind boost declared, "Good work, Skarmory! Now… Quagsire, let's go!"
*Pop*
Quagsire, another defensive Pokémon holding [Leftovers], lumbered onto the field. Nidoqueen, a Ground/Poison-type, instantly had its STAB attacks neutralized by Quagsire's Water/Ground typing, and its Water Absorb Ability negated the danger of a potential water attack.
But with Tailwind active, Azure gained the first hit priority. He declared, "Strong Style Earthquake, Quagsire!"
*RMBL*
The ground shook violently; Nidoqueen, lacking the ability to deal effective damage back, fainted in a single, devastating blow. The HT recalled Nidoqueen switching to its last Pokémon, "Return! Go! Dusclops!"
*Pop*
The final Pokémon was a Dusclops. Azure seized the moment for a free switch-in, "Thanks for the help, Quagsire! Return! Go, Tyranitar!"
*Pop*
The massive Rock/Dark-type thundered onto the field, its arrival triggering a Sand Stream, immediately putting pressure on Dusclops's health. Tyranitar held [Tyranitarite], but Azure chose not to Mega Evolve as he thought, 'No use wasting stamina for later rounds when this is easily winnable.'
Azure ordered swiftly, "End it! Crunch!"
*CRUNCH*
Tyranitar clamped down with overwhelming force, and Dusclops, unable to withstand the assault, fell. Noland's eyes narrowed as the data scrolled across his screen.
Azure's team was incredibly potent, each Pokémon tailored with specific held items and movesets to maximize coverage. Azure had successfully defeated all three of his opponent's Pokémon with ease.
He was acquiring data, but the data showed not recklessness, but calculated, overwhelming destruction. Noland's eyes narrowed, his fingers flying across his keyboard as he recorded data as he thought calmly, 'Even without Mega Evolution, Azure's team was brutally effective and offensively focused.'
Green exhaled slowly, her sharp mind already running the calculations, and muttered, "Forty-two battles… he just won one. He must repeat this process 41 more times, adjusting his team after almost every win."
Noland stated, his voice devoid of emotion, purely analytical, "Remarkable efficiency, Challenger. You have completed your first set of three battles. You may now heal your Pokémon."
Green squeezed the pen in her hand, realizing the true challenge. Azure had won three, but more lay ahead before he could even face the man analyzing him. Noland continued, "Now for the unique mechanism of the Factory. After every set you defeat, you are permitted to switch out one of your active Pokémon for one of the three you currently have in reserve. The idea is to constantly adapt your strategy, maintaining coverage against the randomized pool."
Azure looked at his reserves: Scizor, Metagross, and Charizard. His active team was solid, but the next set might feature heavy Grass or Psychic types. Skarmory had done its job setting Tailwind and Taunt, but its type coverage wasn't needed right now.
However, Azure grinned as he thought, 'But where's the fun in that?'
Azure stated, "I'll switch Skarmory for Scizor."
Noland praised, a hint of respect in his tone as he stated, "A brilliant judgment call. Skarmory has served its utility in the first round, but Scizor presents superior offensive pressure, especially if the next opponent features Fairy or Ice types. You chose wisely. Your team now consists of Quagsire, Tyranitar, and Scizor."
Green, watching how easily Azure adapted to the restrictive rules, felt a fresh surge of confidence. The Battle Frontier was tricky, but Azure was built for tricks.
Pikachu and Eevee cheered wildly as the second holographic Trainer materialized, and Azure stepped forward, ready to begin the long climb to a forty-two-win streak. The challenge had just begun.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!