Chapter 393: Straight Wins! [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Battle Frontier – Battle Factory]
Time advanced, marked by the steady click of victories on the scoreboard. Azure sliced through opponents with Scizor's technician-boosted Bullet Punches, tanked hits with Quagsire, and unleashed devastating assaults with Tyranitar.
He made it to the third set, racking up an impressive seventeen straight wins without a single loss. However, the sheer volume of battles began to take its toll, not on Azure but on the impatient press.
A reporter droned, stifling a yawn as he argued, "Another win for Azure Sky… When will this end? Each battle takes ages!"
Green sighed, watching the growing restlessness of the media. She, however, remained captivated, observing Azure's nuanced decisions.
Just then, Pikachu, ever the considerate partner, hopped onto the table beside her, offering a small, pre-packaged bag of popcorn. Eevee, equally thoughtful, nudged a cool can of soda towards her, "Pika! Bui! (For you!)"
Green smiled, accepting the treats as she replied, "Oh, you two, you're the best. Thanks for being so considerate."
She took a sip of her drink, her gaze returning to Azure, whose focus never wavered. In the arena, Azure faced an opponent's agile Hitmonlee.
His Charizard, a powerful presence, stood ready, its held item, a [Charizardite X], gleaming faintly. Azure, however, chose not to Mega Evolve as he thought, 'No need to waste stamina just yet, he thought. Save it for when it truly matters.'
*Zoooom*
The Hitmonlee launched a furious High Jump Kick, a blur of motion. Charizard met it with a quick dodge, but its opponent was relentless, landing a powerful kick.
*SMASH*
Azure, anticipating the follow-up, issued a calm command, "Charizard, Roost!"
*Shiii*
With a graceful flap of its wings, Charizard landed, glowing faintly as the healing move restored some of its energy. The Hitmonlee, momentarily caught off guard, hesitated. That was all Azure needed to order, "Now, Aerial Ace!"
*SHINNG*
Charizard soared, disappearing and reappearing in a flash, delivering a precision strike that left Hitmonlee reeling. A second Aerial Ace finished the job, and the Hitmonlee collapsed, defeated.
*Thud*
Azure returned to the lounge, his mind already calculating the next move. He informed the attendant, "I'll switch Charizard for Metagross."
Green, who had been watching closely, frowned. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She wondered aloud, "He's switching Charizard? That Charizard is a powerhouse! Why would he take it out for Metagross?"
Coincidentally, Azure decided to take a quick break to use the bathroom. Green, still pondering his puzzling decision, seized the opportunity.
She waited patiently outside the men's room, and as Azure emerged, she immediately cornered him. She demanded, getting straight to the point, "Azure, what was that? Why would you switch out your Charizard? It's incredibly powerful, and you just used it to win a battle!"
Azure chuckled, running a hand through his hair. He leaned against the wall, Pikachu and Eevee looking up at him expectantly as he explained, "It's not about how 'powerful' a Pokémon is on its own, Green. It's about 'order and role' strategy."
Green said, intrigued, "Okay, I'm listening."
Azure began, carefully explaining his plan to her in a clear tone, "Think of it this way. Every Pokémon in a team has a specific job. The first Pokémon in my party, the 'lead,' needs to be fast, capable of setting up conditions, or dealing quick, repeated damage to disrupt the opponent's initial strategy."
He continued as he raised his hand showing two fingers, "Then comes the 'main force.' This Pokémon needs versatility, able to use multiple skills to deal with opponents that might have special abilities or tricky setups. It's the core damage dealer, the one that can adapt to different situations."
Raising his third finger, Azure explained, "And finally, the third Pokémon is the 'rear guard.' This one needs high defense, capable of taking hits, stalling, or serving as backup when the other two have been worn down. It's the anchor, designed to finish strong or absorb pressure."
He paused, letting the information sink in as he continued casually, "My Charizard, especially without Mega Evolution, is a fantastic offensive Pokémon. But right now, it didn't fit the 'rear guard' role I needed for the next phase, and I already have Scizor handling a more direct offensive 'lead' role. Metagross, with its immense defense and balanced attacks, is perfect for that 'rear guard' position."
Green's eyes widened. She understood his team composition as she asked, "So you're building your team not just on individual strength, but on how they complement each other in specific positions?"
Azure grinned as he nodded his head. He confirmed, explaining, "Exactly! It's about having the right tool for the right job at the right time. Charizard will have its moment, but Metagross is what my team needs now to continue its balance."
Satisfied with his explanation, Azure gave her a quick smile, finishing up, "Now, if you'll excuse me, the Battle Frontier awaits!"
He sent out his team, Pikachu and Eevee leaping back to their usual spots, and with newfound determination, Azure walked back into the arena. Set five.
Azure was a machine, a calculating strategist who moved through the Battle Factory with methodical precision. With Metagross now in his roster, equipped with an [Expert Belt] to boost its already formidable attacks.
Azure continued his relentless ascent. The Steel/Psychic-type powerhouse proved to be an impenetrable wall, shrugging off attacks with its high defenses and retaliating with powerful Meteor Mashes and Zen Headbutts.
By the end of battle number 34, a long and arduous slog against a particularly stubborn Walrein, Green found herself nodding slowly. Although the battles continued, Azure never once changed his team when battling.
She watched Metagross return to its Poké Ball, still looking ready for more. She murmured to herself, a genuine smile gracing her lips, "He was right. Metagross really is the perfect rear guard. It just takes everything."
From his podium, Noland observed Azure's continued success, his pen scratching furiously across his notepad. He had been meticulously recording data, analyzing every switch, every command, every decision Azure made.
Noland mused aloud, a thoughtful hum escaping his lips, "So this is his strategy."
He reviewed his notes as he murmured to himself, calmly stating, "Metagross and Quagsire – indeed, his primary rear guards. Designed to absorb damage and provide defensive stability. Then Tyranitar and Skarmory… his vanguard, deployed first against most threats, capitalizing on their immediate presence or disruptive abilities."
Noland's gaze drifted to the holographic screen displaying Azure's full six, uttering calmly, "And Charizard alongside Scizor… his lead fighters. High offensive pressure, designed to initiate and dictate the pace. A well-constructed team, each Pokémon with a clear, defined role."
What truly impressed Noland, however, was something else entirely. He glanced at another section of his notes.
Noland muttered, a slight tremor of admiration in his voice as he said calmly, "No Mega Evolution… no Z-Moves yet. He's relying solely on the raw skill of his Pokémon and his own tactical genius."
The young man wasn't just winning; he was demonstrating a profound understanding of Pokémon battles, a level of mastery that transcended simple power. He was dissecting opponents, exploiting weaknesses, and building momentum through pure strategy and trust in his partners.
Noland leaned back in his chair, a rare, genuine smile spreading across his face. He declared softly, almost to himself, "He possesses far more knowledge and strategic depth than I initially assumed. This challenge is proving to be most stimulating indeed."
The Frontier Brain looked forward to their eventual showdown, knowing it would be a battle for the ages. Azure, oblivious to Noland's praise, simply readied himself for the next fight, his gaze unwavering, his journey through the Battle Factory far from over.
The Battle Factory arena shifted, lights dimming as a new group of VIPs arrived. Scott, ever the grinning ringleader, was accompanied by Lucy, Brandon, Greta, and Tucker – fellow Frontier Brains.
They had come to witness what they expected to be the slow, agonizing defeat of another overconfident challenger. Instead, their jaws collectively dropped.
The scoreboard blared: "Azure Sky: 34 Wins – 0 Losses."
Tucker exclaimed, his maintained hair practically sparking, "Only a few more battles before he's eligible to challenge Noland?!"
Brandon, usually stoic, raised an eyebrow with crossed arms, stated, "He's made it this far without a single loss? Incredible."
Scott, however, merely grinned wider, his eyes twinkling. He had known.
He had always known. This was why he had picked Azure.
Internally, he thought with an excited tone, with his arms crossed, 'This is it. This is the challenger we needed. Someone to push the Brains to go further beyond their limits. And who else than the man who surpasses his limits in each battle?'
His internal monologue was a whirlwind of calculated anticipation. He saw his Frontier Brains as the strongest, but he also recognized that even the strongest could grow stagnant without worthy challenges.
And he found one. Azure Sky.
But Scott wasn't interested in just maintaining a reputation; he wanted to elevate it. Azure, with his improbable tale, was the catalyst.
He was the perfect storm, a challenger who could push his Frontier Brains beyond their perceived limits, force them to evolve. The results spoke for themselves, how Red, Blue, Green, and the Dex Holders who battled him grew a desire to surpass their past limits into something more.
While a part of him hoped his Brains would win, thereby knocking Azure off his pedestal and boosting the Battle Frontier's already Elite status, another part yearned for Azure to push them to their absolute breaking point.
This spectacle, this genuine test of skill, would undoubtedly draw legions of other Trainers, eager to test their might against the best. Azure was the key to his next grand design.
Meanwhile, Noland, having completed his meticulous observations, pulled a blindfold from his pocket. With a confident flourish, he tied it around his eyes.
He announced over the stadium's loudspeakers, his voice booming, "I shall not observe Azure's final battles or his team trades. To ensure our battle is fair, I shall rely solely on my knowledge and my Pokémon's abilities."
Despite this dramatic gesture, a smirk played on his lips as he uttered, "Though it won't change the outcome. I will still win."
Azure, on the field, managed a tired chuckle under his breath. Physically, he was fine; the occasional breaks and the healing mechanics of the Battle Factory had kept his Pokémon fresh. But mentally, he was exhausted.
Formulating unique strategies for each holographic opponent, predicting their rental Pokémon, and constantly re-evaluating his team composition had taken a toll. He felt the mental strain of 40-plus consecutive battles, the sheer mental gymnastics required to maintain this winning streak.
But quitting wasn't an option. With a final, decisive sweep, Azure's Metagross delivered a finishing blow, securing win number 41.
The scoreboard flashed, a triumphant green, signaling his eligibility to face the Factory Head. He had done it.
A roar erupted from the crowd as Azure and Noland finally stepped onto the main battlefield, the air crackling with anticipation. Noland, his blindfold adding an enigmatic aura, extended a hand.
Taking off his blindfold, Noland began, his voice surprisingly warm, "Azure Sky, it is truly an honor to face you. Your performance in the Battle Factory has been nothing short of exceptional. Few Trainers make it this far, let alone with a perfect record."
Azure, though weary, managed a casual shrug as he replied, "It was tough, I won't lie. Had to really keep my head in the game."
He met Noland's unseen gaze with a determined look as he stated, "But if it means challenging a strong Trainer, then I'll beat every single one of them until I reach you. And now that I'm here, I intend to beat you too."
Noland's grin widened, a genuine, challenging smile. He held up three Poké Balls, their surfaces gleaming under the arena lights as he replied, "Such confidence. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone who's about to conquer the Factory. But you still have to get through me first."
Azure nodded, reaching for his own belt. He had carefully mulled over his final team choices, reviewing his six available Pokémon, and before winning the battles, carefully selected which three would be best suited to face Noland.
He trusted his partners, and now, it was time to prove that trust. Pikachu and Eevee, from the podium where Green sat, let out encouraging cries, "Pika! Evoi!! (You can do this! Kick that guy's butt!!)"
With a final, shared glance, both trainers returned to their respective sides of the battlefield. The energy in the arena was palpable, the silence deafening. The battle against Noland was about to begin!
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 300 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!