Reggie knew very well what kind of Pokémon the Veilstone Gym Leader used.
From his perspective, challenging that gym with Paul's main team was nothing short of bullying. The gap in strength was simply too large.
"That kind of third-rate Gym is nothing more than a formality," Paul said coldly as he selected several Poké Balls. "I have a real battle this afternoon."
"A real battle?" Reggie asked, surprised. "With who?"
There were very few Trainers Paul considered worth remembering. If Paul had taken the initiative to mention it, then the opponent was undoubtedly strong.
"I traveled to the Kanto region," Paul replied indifferently, "and challenged the Viridian Gym. I defeated its Gym Leader."
Reggie froze.
"Viridian Gym?" he repeated. "But isn't Giovanni the Gym Leader there? Or was it a substitute?"
"It was a substitute," Paul said. "But that substitute Gym Leader—Gary—was strong. He's currently traveling in the Sinnoh region and will likely participate in the Sinnoh League."
Reggie's eyes lit up with interest.
"That sounds impressive. Then I'll come with you this afternoon. I want to see this battle for myself."
Paul glanced at him. "What about the breeding house? Doesn't someone need to look after it?"
After failing his challenge in the Battle Frontier, Reggie had returned to Veilstone City and invested everything into managing the Pokémon Breeding House. It was practically his life's work.
Reggie waved his hand dismissively.
"It'll be fine. The staff can handle things for a few hours. Besides, I'm just watching a battle. Nothing will go wrong."
Paul shrugged. "Whatever."
With that, he headed toward the kitchen to grab something to eat.
That afternoon, Paul and Reggie arrived at the public battlefield near the Pokémon Center fifteen minutes early.
Gary was already there.
After finishing lunch, he had come directly to the venue and waited calmly. His posture was relaxed, his expression composed.
When he saw Reggie walking alongside Paul, Gary raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.
"Paul," Gary said lightly, "since when did Pokémon battles allow spectators you personally bring along?"
Reggie stepped forward immediately.
"Hello, my name is Reggie. I'm Paul's older brother," he said politely. "I heard Paul made an appointment to battle you. I just wanted to watch—strictly as a spectator. I won't interfere."
Gary glanced at him, then nodded.
"No problem," Gary replied calmly. "I know you. You used to be a Trainer too."
Reggie smiled awkwardly, clearly surprised.
"Then," Reggie added, "how about I act as the referee? That way the match will be fair."
Paul shrugged. "Doesn't matter."
Gary nodded as well. "Fine."
The two Trainers walked toward their respective command platforms.
Reggie moved to the center of the battlefield, visibly excited.
"Alright," he announced loudly, "this will be a Pokémon battle between Paul and Gary! The format is three versus three! Each Trainer may freely switch Pokémon. Both sides—please release your Pokémon!"
"Gyarados, go!"
"Weavile, it's your turn!"
Both Poké Balls flew through the air and burst open in flashes of light.
"Great!!"
A massive serpentine Pokémon emerged, its body twisting as it let out a thunderous roar.
Gyarados.
[LV52 Gyarados | Champion]
Compared to before, Paul's Gyarados had grown significantly stronger. After months of training and constant battles, it had stepped firmly into quasi-Elite level territory. Its aura alone was enough to make weaker Pokémon tremble.
Opposite it, a much smaller but equally dangerous figure landed lightly on the ground.
Weavile.
Paul's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed it.
Dark and Ice-type… extremely fast… high physical attack…
He had already analyzed Weavile's strengths and weaknesses in his mind.
Reggie raised his hand.
"Battle—begin!"
Gary spoke immediately.
"Weavile, use Hail."
Weavile lifted its head and let out a sharp cry.
"Wea—vile!"
Dark clouds gathered overhead, and shards of ice began to fall from the sky. The battlefield temperature dropped rapidly as the snowstorm took shape.
Seeing that Gary had no intention of attacking right away, Paul didn't rush either.
"Dragon Dance."
"ROOOAR!"
Gyarados twisted its massive body through the air, performing a powerful, mysterious dance. Its muscles tightened, its movements grew sharper, and its momentum increased.
Attack up. Speed up.
Once the boost was complete, Paul gave the next order without hesitation.
"Aqua Tail!"
Gyarados swung its massive tail, water energy surging around it like a tidal wave as it smashed toward Weavile.
"Night Slash."
Weavile darted forward instead of retreating. Dark energy wrapped around its claws as it slashed directly at the incoming Aqua Tail.
CRASH!
The water coating the tail was torn apart. Gyarados's tail was knocked aside by the sheer sharpness of the attack.
Paul's eyes flickered slightly.
"Close combat, then? Fine. Ice Fang!"
Frost gathered around Gyarados's jaws as it lunged forward, fangs formed from ice snapping shut toward Weavile.
Weavile struck first, smashing the Ice Fang apart with a powerful punch. But that wasn't enough to stop Gyarados's momentum.
The massive head continued forward.
BANG!
Weavile was sent flying backward, skidding across the ground.
"Don't let it escape," Paul said coldly. "Wrap it up."
Gyarados surged upward, then coiled downward in a spiraling motion, its enormous body attempting to bind Weavile completely.
"Protect."
A translucent barrier formed instantly around Weavile.
Gyarados's body slammed against the barrier again and again, but couldn't break through in time.
When the barrier faded, Weavile landed cleanly on the ground, having narrowly escaped.
Paul clicked his tongue softly.
"So close."
"Weavile," Gary said calmly, "use Swords Dance, then follow up with Ice Shard."
"Wea!"
Weavile crossed its claws and began a sharp, aggressive battle dance. Its aura surged, murderous intent radiating outward.
Paul didn't wait.
"Hydro Pump."
Gyarados opened its mouth wide.
WHOOSH!!
A massive torrent of water blasted forward.
Weavile attempted to counter by spinning through its Swords Dance, trying to deflect the stream with rotational force.
It failed.
Water was still water.
The Hydro Pump struck Weavile directly, blasting it backward.
However—
The damage was limited.
Gyarados's Special Attack was not its strength.
Weavile shook itself off and counterattacked instantly.
"Weavile!"
Sharp chunks of ice formed midair and launched forward from multiple directions.
"Ice Shard!"
"Aqua Tail—destroy them!"
Gyarados swung its tail violently, shattering the incoming Ice Shards one after another.
But in that instant—
Weavile vanished from sight.
It burst through the broken ice and closed the distance to just a few meters.
Paul's pupils shrank.
"At this distance—Fly!"
Gyarados tried to soar upward.
Too late.
Weavile leapt, grabbing onto Gyarados's body midair.
"Dynamic Punch!"
"WEAVILE!"
The fist slammed into Gyarados's abdomen.
BOOM!!
"ROOOOAR!!"
Gyarados let out a pained scream. Its massive body convulsed, eyes spinning as it entered confusion.
Reggie clenched his fists.
"Dynamic Punch… and it confused Gyarados."
Paul frowned slightly but didn't hesitate.
"Even confused—Hurricane!"