Ethan Cross walked off the command platform, feeling utterly defeated, while the audience erupted in chatter.
"That's it? The match ended before I even got comfortable!"
"Carl only sent out one professional-level Pokémon, looks like there was just one match scheduled for today."
"Not worth the ticket price."
"I'm worse off, bought mine at a premium from a scalper just to watch... nothing."
"But Carl's debut was so crisp and decisive, it was quite satisfying."
"All Ethan Cross's fault for being too weak."
"That 'dual pride' talk was just hype, they're not in the same league."
The crowd started to disperse, surprised at how abruptly the battle concluded. Although they couldn't blame Carl, many felt shortchanged, having neither witnessed an exciting match nor learned any new strategies. The scene of Gyarados being knocked out by Blaziken left them bemused.
"Please wait, everyone."
Carl's voice suddenly echoed, halting those about to leave.
"Is Hop, the trainer, present?"
Hop, sitting in the front row, stood up and waved, "Carl, I'm here!"
Carl scanned the young man with golden eyes and spiky blue hair, confirming his identity.
"Interested in a battle now?"
Now? Hop was taken aback, "I don't mind, but do you mean...?"
To move tomorrow's challenge to today. Carl explained, "The last battle ended too quickly, and the audience didn't get their fill. Since you're here, why not have our match today?"
Carl was calculating—one battle a day was inefficient. If he could wrap up ten matches in a single day, he could focus more on training his Pokémon.
"An earlier battle?"
In the rest area, Serena watched Carl's back with a sense of guilt. A man who actively asked for additional matches couldn't possibly be lazy. She resolved to improve her cooking as a way to make up for her misunderstanding.
"Did I hear that right? Carl's inviting Hop for an earlier match?"
"Yes, right now."
"Does that mean we get another professional-level match?"
"Hop is the younger brother of the champion, Leon. He's bound to be good; this match is going to be thrilling."
"Someone mentioned fortune and favor earlier, let's hope that's not jinxed."
"Did you hear Carl? He wants to give the audience their money's worth."
"This gym leader knows how to win hearts. I'll support him from now on."
"Ethan Cross's match was a letdown, but Carl's move here is perfect."
"Not surprising, being the grandson of the renowned old gym leader. Bold moves."
"We're getting our money's worth today, two high-level matches back-to-back."
"Better brag about this on social media."
"Easy there, Hop hasn't agreed yet."
The entire audience buzzed with excitement, those who had been leaving returned to their seats, all eyes on Hop.
I don't mind, Hop scratched his head, pointing at Blaziken in the arena, "But it just battled, isn't it unfair to continue immediately?"
Unfair? Carl chuckled, tossing an Oran Berry to Blaziken, "It wasn't really hit, just used some skills that cost it energy. A berry will restore it."
Hop was still hesitant. Even though Blaziken won easily, battling back-to-back felt like an advantage.
Don't overthink it, Carl said earnestly, "This is a gym challenge. The gym leader's role is to test challengers, and you'll earn a badge win or lose."
"Winning and losing is routine for us, the key is how well you perform. As long as the battle is exciting, the audience will appreciate it."
Carl spoke with such conviction, there was no room for argument.
In the years that followed, Carl remained undefeated, becoming the only gym leader with such a record. People recalled his words fondly, but right now, both the audience and Hop were fired up by his challenge.
Alright! Hop clenched his fists in excitement, "I'm ready to challenge now."
Please. Carl gestured toward the distant command platform with a smile.
He was inwardly pleased, having a second challenger so soon. If only he had more Pokémon, he could accept even more challenges.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Hop walked through the aisle, entering the challenger's tunnel, and bumped into Ethan Cross, who was just leaving.
Hello! Hop nodded politely.
Hello. Ethan Cross forced a smile.
Hop noticed his pale complexion and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
I'm fine. Ethan Cross shook his head quickly, then turned to the woman beside him, "Help me, please."
Of course. She quickly supported him.
Seeing Ethan Cross was taken care of, Hop proceeded down the tunnel.
"Hey, Woolly, what's up?"
A few steps in, Hop almost tripped over his trusty Wooloo, who had been with him since childhood.
Baa~ Wooloo bleated, directing his attention to the wall.
What's this? Hop leaned in to find red marks on the gray wall.
Outside the tunnel, Ethan Cross's face paled further, glaring at the woman as if blaming her for negligence. She immediately tensed up.
Hop's voice echoed again, "Something that caught your attention, Woolly? Is it ketchup? In a place like this, I should mention to Carl that the cleaning isn't thorough enough."
Ketch! Up! Ethan Cross was completely stunned by those words.
He felt a wave of humiliation wash over him.
Suddenly, he coughed up blood and collapsed.
The woman hurriedly supported him.
Unaware of the drama outside, Hop continued along the tunnel.
Wooloo watched his owner's back, its mouth twitching. That wasn't ketchup; it was clearly blood. Could he not tell the difference?
Unbelievable.
"Challenger, please send out your Pokémon." The referee robot, Trolom, reminded Hop to make his move.
Like Ethan Cross before him, Hop opted for a one-on-one battle.
Carl, this is my partner. Hop stood on the command platform, gracefully tossing a Pokéball.
A flash of red light, and a Pokémon resembling a rabbit appeared in the arena. Its red eyes and lower half looked like it was wearing sports shorts and sneakers.
[Species: Cinderace]
[Type: Fire]
[Nature: Adamant (boosts physical attack, reduces special attack)]
[Ability: Blaze (inactive)]
[Hidden Ability: Libero (active)]
[Level: Elite (45)]
[Potential: Champion]
[Bond: Unknown]
[Moves: Pyro Ball, Feint, Tackle, Growl, Ember, Quick Attack, Double Kick, Flame Charge, Agility, Counter, Bounce, High Jump Kick (inherited), Electro Ball (taught)]
This Cinderace, one of the fire-type starters, might lack the diverse evolutions of Charizard, but it surpasses Emboar with its Gigantamax potential.
No surprise, being Leon's brother. Carl mused over the impressive stats of Cinderace: its adamant nature, rare hidden ability, champion potential, and extensive move set, all indicative of a trainer with a remarkable background.
The match begins! Trolom waved the flag.
The audience buzzed with excitement, "A showdown between fire-type starters!"
Cinderace, greet them with a Pyro Ball! Hop passionately commanded. Despite having challenged many gym leaders, Carl was the one he most wanted to face.
Battles between geniuses are always thrilling. Cinderace! It responded with determination.
Cinderace tapped the ground, skillfully flicking a small burning stone, which quickly swelled to basketball size.
Carl promptly ordered, "Use Flamethrower!"
Blaziken inhaled deeply, forming a blazing fireball in its mouth.
Boom!
As Cinderace kicked its fireball, Blaziken unleashed its flames. The two fiery attacks collided mid-air, erupting in a deafening explosion.
Evenly matched. Both Hop and Carl narrowed their eyes.
With smoke billowing, Hop seized the moment, "Quick Attack!"
Cinderace darted through the haze, closing in on Blaziken in a blink.
Carl reacted swiftly, "Detect!"
Blaziken's eyes gleamed, instantly reading Cinderace's movements, dodging in the nick of time.
Feint Attack! Hop suddenly commanded.
Carl's heart skipped a beat as Cinderace halted abruptly, delivering a spinning kick to Blaziken's back.
Ember! Carl retaliated immediately.
Blaziken spun mid-air, releasing a burst of embers at Cinderace.
Cinderace couldn't evade, taking the hit head-on.
Crash!
Blaziken was sent flying, crashing into the wall, while Cinderace shook off the embers and quickly regained its stance.
The audience erupted with cheers.
"So fast!"
"Now this is a professional-level battle."
"That last match was a joke compared to this."
"Neither side got the upper hand."
"Record this quick!"
In the corner, Ethan Cross had just regained consciousness, only to faint again upon hearing the crowd's chatter.
The woman sighed in exasperation.
Meanwhile, Serena diligently took notes in the rest area.
"The duel of fire-type starters offers great insight. Though Blaziken's flames are stronger, Cinderace resists fire, making this clash a stalemate."