Mid-month, at the gym of Ironvale City Pokémon University.
Today was the university team's monthly battle day.
At the two ends of the field, ten people formed two teams. Each held a Poké Ball and stood on their respective side.
"Now, both teams, prepare your Pokémon for battle," announced Professor Langford, watching with interest from the judges' table.
"Let's go!" they responded in unison.
At the order, everyone released their Pokémon.
Ethan Black's team sent out Sandslash, Metagross, Salamence, Scyther, and Onix.
Patrick Mills' team responded with Arcanine, Charizard, Poliwrath, Quagsire, and Aggron.
Without exception, Ethan Black's team members chose their strongest Pokémon, and the rivals did the same.
"In the end, as always, the strongest cards face each other," someone commented upon seeing the lineups, and the atmosphere grew serious.
"In this type of battle, beyond resources, the most important thing is to secure an official spot on the university team. Here, only winning matters!" said Lucas Silver, taking a deep breath and narrowing his eyes.
"Begin the battle!" declared Professor Langford.
The Pokémon on both sides sprang into action.
On Ethan Black's team, two would take damage from Sandstorm: Salamence and Scyther. Additionally, on the opposing side, Quagsire and Aggron were immune to the weather. So Sandslash opted to use Dig, becoming a hidden assassin underground.
Meanwhile, Metagross and Salamence took to the air, charging toward Charizard to leverage the aerial advantage and try to take it out.
Charizard, however, was prepared. It didn't climb higher but hovered over Quagsire and Arcanine, ready so that if the enemies approached, both could cover it with ranged attacks.
Boom, boom, boom!
On the ground, Scyther and Poliwrath had already clashed.
Both were close-range fighters, so they charged immediately, exchanging strikes and blades in constant collision.
"Sandslash, use Metal Claw on Poliwrath!" ordered Ethan Black.
At that instant, Sandslash emerged from the ground, its claws gleaming with metallic shine and covered with Ground-type energy, slashing swiftly toward Poliwrath.
"Quagsire, stop it with Hydro Pump!" the rival countered.
"Rapid Spin!" Ethan Black overruled.
Boom!
As Hydro Pump was about to hit, Sandslash began spinning rapidly, deflecting the attack and accelerating toward Poliwrath. In an instant, he and Scyther had surrounded it.
But just before reaching it, Arcanine, enveloped in flames, leaped and rammed Sandslash, sending it spinning aside like a top.
"Now! Metagross, Salamence, take out Charizard," Lucas Silver and Marcus Foster ordered, seeing two opponents on the ground distracted.
"Aggron, Flash Cannon!" replied Olivia Reed.
But before Aggron could fire, Onix appeared beside it after digging, charging and interrupting its attack.
Boom, boom, boom!
The scene turned chaotic: attacks everywhere with no clear result. The battle had become total mayhem.
Amid it all, it was clear that Ethan Black, Patrick Mills, Lucas Silver, Claire Dawson, and Marcus Foster were on a higher level than the other five.
The three-on-two fight gradually began to tilt in favor of Ethan Black and his team. After a tough struggle, several Pokémon fell one by one, and even Sandslash was eventually knocked down by combined attacks from Poliwrath and Quagsire.
However, the pseudo-legendary duo—Metagross and Salamence—maintained the advantage, especially thanks to their mastery of the air. They were ultimately the last standing in this attrition battle.
"Battle over," announced Professor Langford calmly after scanning the field with his eyes.
"Damn it!" Patrick Mills and his companions growled, clenching their teeth in frustration as they glanced at Lucas Silver and Marcus Foster.
Although they also came from wealthy families, they couldn't compare to the prominent houses of Lucas Silver and Marcus Foster, a difference clearly reflected in the outcome.
A team with two pseudo-legendaries was simply too strong. In the final moments, their innate physical endurance was overwhelming.
"Pseudo-legendaries are truly exceptional. In terms of natural potential, maybe only a singular Pokémon like Meltan could surpass them," Ethan Black thought with some admiration.
If Sandslash hadn't mastered the combination of moves, the gap with Metagross and Salamence would have been even larger.
After the battle, Professor Langford moved on to the orientation phase.
He analyzed each Pokémon's performance and pointed out weaknesses and areas for improvement, leaving everyone with valuable lessons.
"We're done for today. The next battle will be in one month."
"But... I'm adding a new rule: the same Pokémon can only participate once."
"So go back and train your other Pokémon well. In the next battle, you'll need a different lineup. After all, for a trainer, the depth of their Pokémon reserve is just as important."
Professor Langford gave a meaningful look to both teams and then left the gym. His words changed the expression on more than one face.
For Ethan Black's team, the news was not good.
Patrick Mills and his team, on the other hand, began to smile. As veterans, their greatest advantage over the first-years was experience and time.
They already had a consolidated main team, and thanks to years of training, their other Pokémon had also reached a high level.
In comparison, Ethan Black and his team had barely formed a main group of two or three Pokémon, concentrating all their resources on them. The rest of their team, with limited supplies, had not grown at the same pace.
(End of chapter)