The announcer's voice echoed with great enthusiasm through the packed Battle Dome. The booming speakers made the crowd's anticipation reach a fever pitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we welcome a challenger whose name carries weight across every region! This young man has taken the Pokémon world by storm, competing in League Conferences and emerging victorious—not once, not twice, but three times in succession! A trainer with incredible tactical knowledge, flawless execution, and even the companionship of Legendary Pokémon! Put your hands together for… GARY OAK!!!"
Bang!!!
A thunderous explosion of smoke filled the arena floor. Instantly, a brilliant spotlight cut through the haze, revealing a tall, confident figure standing proudly in the challenger's command zone.
His brown hair caught the light, his lab coat swayed behind him, and his sharp eyes gleamed with determination.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
"Oh my Arceus! That's really Gary Oak!!"
"No way! The grandson of Professor Oak, here at the Battle Frontier?!"
"Gary!! Gary!!"
One overexcited fan screamed, "If Gary's here, I'm betting everything on him!"
Another voice shot back, "Tch, don't you dare underestimate Tucker! Gary might be famous, but Tucker is the Dome Ace—he's unbeatable here!"
The noise shook the very foundations of the Dome. Though many fans were loyal followers of Tucker, even they couldn't deny the aura surrounding Gary. After all, he wasn't just some passing trainer—he was a prodigy, someone who had stood on the biggest stages and triumphed.
For the staff of the Battle Dome, Gary's reputation was a surprise. They had expected the crowd to be wholly Tucker's, but clearly, Gary's fame had spread further than anticipated.
Then, the announcer's voice thundered once again, hyping up the Ace everyone came to see.
"Pokémon battles are not just fights—they are art! The Contest Dome celebrates creativity, tactics, and performance. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves! The artist of the Battle Frontier, the Dome's Mega Star… TUCKER!!!"
A deafening scream from the audience—especially from the female fans—nearly blew the roof off.
"KYAAAAA!!! TUCKER!!!"
"You're so handsome, Tucker!!"
"I'll marry you, Tucker!!"
The arena shook with their shrieks.
And then—out of nowhere—a cloaked figure descended from the ceiling. He plummeted from twenty meters above the battlefield, body twisting in the air. His cloak flared dramatically, giving him the appearance of a soaring hawk.
Just before his body would have crashed into the arena floor, his descent halted midair. His body flipped with unnatural grace, and he landed softly, standing tall in the command area opposite Gary.
Gary's sharp eyes immediately darted upward.
Hovering above was a metallic giant—Metagross. Its glowing eyes burned like molten steel.
"Metagross, huh?" Gary muttered with a smirk. "I should have known."
The truth was clear—Metagross had caught Tucker with Confusion, saving him from what would have been a deadly fall. To leap so fearlessly from such a height, trusting your Pokémon completely… Gary couldn't help but be impressed.
"This Tucker isn't simple," Gary thought. "Anyone who can do something that reckless with such confidence is dangerous. His trust in Metagross says everything."
The crowd was in awe.
"Tucker-sama!! So cool!!"
"I swear, he's like a superstar from the movies!"
"I want him to notice me!!"
"Get in line, sister!"
Even men in the audience joined the frenzy, one boldly shouting, "Tucker, I'll have your baby!"
Another retorted in disbelief, "Dude, you're a guy!"
The fan smirked proudly, "Gender won't stop me—I'll redefine it if I must!"
The stadium erupted in laughter.
Tucker extended his hand toward Gary, his voice smooth yet filled with conviction.
"Gary Oak… today, you face the Dome Ace of tactics. Show me that spirit of yours! Of course…" His smirk widened. "…I'll defeat you."
Gary crossed his arms, his tone sharp but calm. "That's fine with me. Just don't regret underestimating me."
Tucker's cloak swirled as he raised two Poké Balls. "Good! You're like a bold wind sweeping through the Battle Frontier! Then let me respond with a storm worthy of your challenge. Feel the raging gale that defines me!"
With a dramatic flourish, Tucker hurled both Poké Balls high into the air.
"Go! Charizard! Salamence!!"
"Charizard!! Raaaaargh!!!"
"Salamence!!! Roooooar!!!"
The crowd gasped as two majestic dragons emerged. Their wings stretched wide, filling the stadium with dominance. The red scales of Charizard shimmered against the lights, while Salamence's blue form radiated raw power. Both were fierce, battle-hardened Pokémon, their cries shaking the Dome.
"An airborne duo!" the announcer shouted. "Charizard and Salamence—two Flying-type powerhouses! Truly fitting for the 'Raging Wind' strategy Tucker has declared!"
Both dragons were of Elite-level strength, a testament to Tucker's power.
Gary's eyes narrowed. This wouldn't be easy. He placed his hand on his belt, pulling out two Poké Balls of his own.
"Perfect. If you want to fight with dragons, then I'll bring the perfect storm to counter them."
The referee raised his hand. "Trainers, this will be a double battle! Each side will use two Pokémon. Substitutions are not allowed. The match ends when both Pokémon on either side are unable to continue. Are you ready?"
Gary gave a confident nod. "I'm ready."
"Then show us, Gary Oak! Send out your Pokémon!!"
Gary tossed both Poké Balls with precision.
"Rhyperior, let's go!!"
"Magnezone, I choose you!!"
[Lv. 62 Rhyperior / Champion]
[Lv. 58 Magnezone / Champion]
"Rhyperioooor!!!"
"Zooooone!!"
The ground trembled as the massive Rhyperior emerged, slamming its fists together. Beside it, the floating steel orb Magnezone crackled with electricity, its magnets humming ominously.
"A combination of Rock and Electric!" Tucker grinned. "Very interesting, Gary. But can you handle the storm?"
The referee slashed his arm downward. "Battle… begin!!!"
Gary's voice rang out first. "Rhyperior—Rock Slide!!"
"Rhyperiorrr!!!"
Rhyperior stomped the ground, summoning jagged boulders that launched skyward before crashing down toward the airborne dragons.
Tucker raised his arm with style. "Charizard, Salamence—Dual Wingbeat! Whip up a Hurricane and smash those rocks!!"
"Charizard!! FWOOOSH!!!"
"Salamence!!! Rooooargh!!!"
Both dragons flapped their mighty wings in perfect unison. Winds surged violently, spiraling into a colossal Hurricane that tore through the falling boulders, shattering them into rubble before they could reach their targets.
The crowd roared in awe.
But Gary's calm voice cut through the storm.
"Now, Magnezone—use Gravity!"
"Zooooone!!"
Magnezone's magnets pulsed brightly, unleashing a blue electromagnetic aura that blanketed the entire battlefield. Suddenly, the air grew heavy—an invisible weight dragging everything down.
Charizard and Salamence's wings faltered. Their majestic flight staggered, their bodies sinking rapidly toward the ground.
BANG! BANG!
Both dragons crashed onto the arena floor with thunderous force.
The rocks launched by Rhyperior were also affected by Gravity and crashed to the ground, failing to hit the opponent.