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The move to the Battle Frontier is exactly the kind of "Final Boss" energy the Titans need. Gyms are great, but the Frontier is where legends go to be humbled—or crowned.
We took the S.S. Tidal from Lilycove, the sea breeze carrying the scent of potential victory. As we docked, the island loomed like a fortress of competition. Scott was there to meet us, flashing that grin of his. "The kids who took down the Primal gods? Welcome to the big leagues. Don't expect any mercy here."
🔬 The Choice: The Battle Factory
Since you mentioned clearing things we missed, the Battle Factory is the ultimate "Knowledge" test. It's run by Factory Head Noland, a guy who treats battling like a lab experiment.
The Catch: You can't use your own team. You have to rent Pokémon and swap them as you win. It's the only place where the Titans have to watch from the sidelines... except for Cobra. Because Poipole is an Ultra Beast and "technically" unclassified by standard Hoenn rental data, Noland has made a special exception for your "Scientific Sample."
⚔️ Challenge Start: The Rental Gauntlet
We walked into the yellow-and-white facility. A scientist adjusted his glasses. "We've been studying your 'Slayer' training. Let's see if it holds up when you aren't using your veterans."
The Rental Draft: You were presented with three options to round out a team with Cobra.
Metagross (The "Scientific" Heavyweight): High IVs, Meteor Mash, and Clear Body.
Starmie (The "Tactical" Sweeper): Natural Cure, Surf, and Thunderbolt.
Breloom (The "Technical" Stunner): Spore and Mach Punch.
You chose the Metagross and Starmie. A team of pure calculation to back up Cobra's raw venom.
The Streak:
Battles 1-6: You tore through them. Cobra's Crimson Lotus Poison Drill (that pressurized beam we practiced) was catching everyone off guard.
The Swap: After Battle 7, you swapped your Starmie for a Latios you defeated. The power surge was immense.
🧠 The Boss: Factory Head Noland
By the 21st battle, the air in the Factory turned cold. Noland stepped out, wearing his signature goggles and green jumpsuit. "Data is one thing. Instinct is another. Let's see which one blinks first."
The Matchup: Noland's team was randomized, but the "Science" was on his side. He led with a Gengar.
The Lead: Your Metagross took a Shadow Ball to the face but countered with a massive Meteor Mash, boosting its attack.
The Pivot: Noland switched to a Manectric. You swapped to Cobra.
The Slayer's Moment: The Manectric tried to use Thunderbolt, but Cobra used the "Flicker-Step" Jerry taught him, dodging between the sparks.
"Now, Cobra! The Roar!" * Cobra let out a screech that resonated with the Stamina Band, firing a Poison Dragon's Roar so concentrated it pierced through Manectric's Substitute.
The Finish: Noland's final Pokémon was a Glalie. It went for an Explosion to take you both out, but your Latios used Protect at the last microsecond.
🏅 The Reward: The Silver Knowledge Symbol
Noland laughed, wiping soot off his goggles. "I stood corrected. Your Poipole... it's an anomaly. It doesn't follow the data; it creates it."
He handed you the Silver Knowledge Symbol. It glowed with a cold, blue light.
[Chat Log: FRONTIER_FANS]
Hoenn_Hustler: Did he just clear the Factory Brain using a Poipole? That's illegal.
GymBro_Chuck: It's not illegal if you call it 'Science.' Look at that symbol!