"Venusaur, come back and rest," Noland called, recalling the frostbitten Pokémon with a flick of his wrist. The once-mighty Venusaur rose into its Poké Ball with a low rumble, leaving the battlefield empty for its next challenger.
Gary blinked for a moment, then realized the difference. This isn't a Gym battle… it's the Battle Frontier.
He had been so accustomed to Gym matches that he momentarily forgot that the Battle Frontier allowed Trainers to switch Pokémon without restriction. Strategic substitutions were not only allowed—they were expected.
"Articuno, it's your turn," Noland announced, releasing a Poké Ball into the air.
A brilliant flash of light revealed the majestic Legendary bird, wings outstretched, feathers glimmering like ice in the sunlight.
[Level 60 Articuno ♂ / Champion-Class Potential]
Gary studied Articuno carefully, then glanced at the sky above. The snow that drifted gently through the chimney arena seemed almost to serve as Articuno's cloak, its presence prolonging the wintry weather. This Legendary could command the skies and manipulate the battlefield itself—a terrifying prospect for any opponent.
"Articuno, use Water Pulse!" Noland ordered sharply.
"Ahhh!" Articuno's cry echoed as a sphere of rippling water condensed before it, shooting forward in a concentrated beam.
"Icy Wind!" Gary countered.
Glaceon exhaled a frigid gust of air. The Water Pulse instantly froze midair, solidifying into a chunk of ice. Using the distraction, Articuno swooped low, aiming for a surprise strike.
"Steel Wing!"
The Legendary bird flapped its wings, each feather gleaming with metallic sheen. Steel energy radiated from its wings as it barreled toward Glaceon.
"Iron Tail!" Gary shouted.
Glaceon's tail surged with electricity as it rolled forward, slamming its charged tail into Articuno's Steel Wing.
Bang!
The collision sent Glaceon skidding back across the frost-laden arena. Its momentum wasn't enough to overpower Articuno, and the Legendary itself was flung several meters upward from the force.
"Air Slash!" Noland commanded.
Articuno flapped fiercely, cutting arcs of razor-sharp wind down toward Glaceon.
"…Hrrgh!" Glaceon braced against the air blades, gritting its teeth. It managed to withstand most of the force, but the Elite-level power of Articuno was overwhelming.
"Glaceon, return!" Gary called. Recognizing that the battle had tilted, he quickly recalled his Pokémon.
"Electivire, go!" Gary shouted, releasing a Poké Ball.
A brilliant flash revealed the imposing Electivire, its twin tails crackling with golden electricity.
[Level 62 Electivire ♂ / Champion Potential]
Electivire's eyes widened as it took in Articuno, hesitating for a brief moment before recognizing the difference. This isn't our Articuno, it seemed to realize, bristling with readiness.
Noland studied Gary's new Pokémon carefully. "Interesting… it seems the three Pokémon you've selected are specifically chosen to counter mine."
Gary smirked. "Since I know what Pokémon Mr. Noland will use, there's no need to send a Pokémon with a disadvantage."
Noland laughed softly. "Very well, let's see how this plays out. Articuno, use Ice Beam!"
"Ahhh!" Articuno exhaled a frigid, concentrated beam of icy energy toward the advancing Electivire.
"Thunderbolt!" Gary countered.
Electivire's body surged with electricity as it released a golden bolt toward the incoming Ice Beam. The two attacks collided midair, a crackling storm of ice and lightning shattering the energy around them. The force tore the Ice Beam apart, and the residual electric current struck Articuno.
"Ahhh!" Articuno cried out, staggering slightly from the impact.
Noland's eyes widened. "Impossible… Electivire is holding its own against Articuno?"
Articuno and Electivire were evenly matched in special attack potential. However, Electivire carries the Top-Magnet, allowing it to enhance its Electric-type moves, and its stored electricity was immense. In contrast, Articuno lacked a comparable skill to amplify its Ice attacks to the same level.
Gary's strategic foresight gave him an advantage: Electivire could continuously release electricity, keeping Articuno on the defensive. Unless Articuno's Ice Beam had shattered the Thunderbolt instantly, the edge belonged to Electivire.
"Thunder!" Gary commanded, pointing toward the clouds above the chimney arena.
"Wow!!" Electivire released a massive bolt of lightning toward the dense, gray clouds.
Noland blinked in surprise. "Even on a snowy day…?"
Thunder's accuracy was enhanced by the presence of clouds, not just rain. The thick cloud cover allowed Electric-type Pokémon to target their opponent with near-perfect precision.
Electivire raised its arms, golden arcs of electricity dancing across its body. With a dramatic swing of its fists, it unleashed a colossal bolt.
BOOM!
The lightning struck Articuno with overwhelming force, bathing the Legendary in a blinding golden glow. The snow dissipated instantly as Articuno, reacting instinctively, lifted the weather effect itself, dispersing the wintry layer above the chimney.
Despite being hit by Electivire's Thunder and the prior Ice Beam, Articuno remained standing. Spreading its wings for a Dual Wingbeat, it soared toward the upper levels of the arena.
"Don't let Articuno escape! Discharge!" Gary yelled.
Electivire emitted a surge of electricity, sending arcs shooting through the air, blocking all paths Articuno could take.
"Roost!" Noland countered, and Articuno descended to the ground, recovering energy with its wings folded. The Legendary bird's injuries slowly mended, but it was temporarily immobilized during the recovery.
The electric current continued to strike Articuno. "Ahhh…!" it cried, enduring Electivire's relentless assault.
Electivire's ability to store electricity made it terrifying in extended battles. It could release controlled bursts to maximize damage while remaining ready to absorb further energy from the storm above. Yet Articuno, famed for its incredible special defense, withstood the assault without collapsing.
"Good opportunity… Thunder Punch!" Gary commanded.
Electivire surged forward, fists crackling with electricity, and charged Articuno.
"Ice Beam!" Noland fired his counterattack.
Though partially paralyzed from the earlier shock, Articuno attempted to mobilize its ice energy. Pale blue light began forming at its beak, but the condensation was slow, giving Electivire the perfect window to strike.
"Wow!!"
In the blink of an eye, Electivire reached Articuno and slammed a lightning-charged punch into its chest.
Huh!!
The impact sent Articuno flying backward ten meters, its ice energy dissipating instantly. The Legendary hit the ground hard, eyes spinning from the force.
"Articuno has lost its ability to fight. Electivire wins!" the referee announced.
Noland retrieved his Poké Ball with a solemn expression. "What… a strong Electivire," he muttered, shaking his head. The Pokémon's raw power and timing had exceeded his expectations.
Without hesitation, Noland threw another Poké Ball. "Venusaur, I'm counting on you again."
A familiar roar heralded Venusaur's return, still bearing frost marks from the previous battle.