"OOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"
When the League Chairman stood atop the Sacred Flame Platform and gave the final declaration of the tournament, the entire stadium erupted into a thunderous tidal wave of cheers.
"This most anticipated Indigo Conference Final will be fought between Logan of Pallet Town and Red of Pallet Town! Let's look forward to a spectacular showdown unlike any other! Now, let's welcome the Trainers into the arena!"
With the announcer's roar and the rise of triumphant orchestral music, Logan walked the tunnel with his hands in his pockets. The instant his foot stepped onto the battlefield, he was engulfed in an overwhelming ocean of cheers.
He knew—this was his first and last time competing in the League in such an official capacity. For every Trainer, the Indigo Conference was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How far one could go depended only on talent and hard work.
The battlefield was massive. Even walking to the center took a long time. Across from him, he could already see Red making his way forward, the crowd roaring for both competitors.
When they reached opposite ends of the central line, both men stopped. Each pulled out a Poké Ball, crossing hands and pressing ball against palm toward one another. This was the League's battle etiquette: no matter whether a Gym challenge or a tournament match, both Trainers must salute one another before the fight begins—representing respect and fairness.
Here, on the Indigo Conference Final stage, that gesture carried extraordinary weight.
In front of billions watching worldwide, both men saluted solemnly. Logan smiled at Red and said,
"…Back in Pallet Town, we promised we'd settle things here at the Indigo League. Even though we had so many chances to battle before, we held back, didn't we, Red?"
"…I never expected our very first match to be the Finals of the Indigo Conference! Logan, I won't lose to you!"
Red grabbed his cap and flipped it backward, tugging the brim tight. At the same time, he adjusted his gloves. Logan recognized the habit immediately—Red was deadly serious now.
"Likewise," Logan replied with a calm grin. "I've got Garchomp, Dragonair, and Eevee left at my side. You've got Poliwrath, Venusaur, Pikachu, and Snorlax still able to fight. That's a pretty fair balance, don't you think?"
"Hah… and you're not planning to use Mewtwo or the Legendary Birds this time?" Red pressed.
"No," Logan shook his head firmly. "This time, I'll prove my own strength—that I am the Trainer who can command them—not just rely on raw Legendary power."
With that, they withdrew their Poké Balls, shared one last smile, and turned toward their command platforms.
Meanwhile, the referee began reciting the rules and prohibitions. It was identical to every other match before. By the time the referee finished, Logan and Red had climbed onto their platforms, ready.
"Then… the Indigo Conference Finals—BEGIN!"
The crowd erupted in deafening cheers once more. Every eye in the world was locked onto the battlefield, waiting for a champion to rise.
"What do you think, which Pokémon will Logan and Red send out first?"
From the stands, Professor Oak leaned forward eagerly, craning his neck.
"If it's Red… with his aggressive style, he'll definitely lead with Venusaur," Blue Oak said coolly beside him.
"Hehe, if it's Logan, he'll definitely go for the most stable opener," Green giggled behind her hand. "Sure, any Dragon he sends out is powerful, but they don't cover enough types. To secure an advantage from the start, he'll send out Eevee."
"Wow! You two nailed it—Venusaur and Eevee!!" Tracey shouted excitedly, pumping his fists and cheering with the crowd.
On the field, Red's Venusaur faced Logan's Eevee. Logan was the first to command:
"…Eevee, evolve into Flareon!"
The words had barely left his lips when Eevee's small, cute body transformed—becoming a majestic, flame-maned Flareon, its fur blazing like living fire.
"Is this Logan's trump card?! Keeping Eevee unevolved until now, then evolving it only after seeing his opponent's lead—choosing the type that counters it! Fire versus Grass—Red is already at a disadvantage from the very start!"
The announcer's voice trembled with excitement, explaining to the crowd.
"By saving Eevee's evolution for the Finals, Logan catches his opponent completely off guard! What incredible preparation!"
The announcer did not know the truth—that Logan's Eevee could evolve endlessly. To him, it was just a brilliant tactical choice.
As Flareon appeared, an overwhelming wave of heat surged across the battlefield. The temperature warped the air, and even though psychic barriers had been set up by over a hundred Psychic-type Pokémon to shield the crowd, spectators near the stage could feel the searing heat wash over them.
"Flareon's body contains flame sacs. With a single breath, it can superheat them to over 1,700 degrees Celsius. That's just the average. Under an elite Trainer's command, those flames can double in intensity. Right now, the temperature on the battlefield may have already soared past 3,000 degrees!"
This time, the voice was not the announcer's—but Professor Oak himself, standing at the VIP section with a microphone, giving a scientific breakdown of the battle. His presence electrified the crowd even more.
Even Agatha, in her private booth, rose to her feet when Oak began to explain, joining Lance to watch the fight unfold.
"When Flareon gathers flames, its body temperature itself rises above 1,000 degrees. Aside from its Trainer, anyone who touches it risks catastrophic burns. Even a simple body slam at that temperature counts as a Fire-type strike. Look—its neck fur is flaring out. That means it's releasing heat. The battlefield temperature is climbing higher and higher—!"
Just as Oak explained, Flareon lunged at Venusaur, its flames burning so hot the fire itself was shifting color. If Venusaur was caught in that inferno, it would be obliterated in an instant!
"Poliwrath!!"
Red reacted immediately, recalling Venusaur and sending in Poliwrath. He knew Logan too well—if he let himself be forced into Logan's rhythm, he'd be crushed before even mounting a counterattack. Unlike Green, who had frozen before Logan, Red adapted quickly, swapping in his Water-type to resist Flareon's assault.
But Logan only smiled.
"Do you know why I chose Flareon instead of Espeon—another Grass counter?"
He raised a Poké Ball, eyes gleaming.
"It was to lure you into sending out Poliwrath. Now—go, Garchomp! Crush that Poliwrath!"
At the same instant, Logan unleashed his ace: his mighty Garchomp, jaws bared for battle.
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