Who exactly are these people standing up?
Two Gym Leaders, one of whom is also the granddaughter of a former Hoenn Elite Four member, and perhaps a future Gym Leader herself.
Besides them, there were at least two Trainers with Champion League qualifications. Such an impressive lineup left onlookers and the media in awe.
“So many well-known Trainers from all over Hoenn have gathered here. This Terrance, who was previously unknown, might become one of the most dazzling figures among Hoenn’s younger generation after this event, especially with his new Gym Leader identity.”
Many members of the media could smell that something big was going to happen. The dozen or so Trainers who had stood up quietly watched Terrance, while the surrounding crowd quietly watched them, causing the atmosphere to grow tense.
“Even though the number has significantly reduced…” Scarlet said helplessly, “there are still so many people!”
Terrance grinned. There were indeed many people left, and they were all more formidable opponents. But this also meant more exciting battles and less pointless waste of energy.
“Everyone, it would be best if you could decide among yourselves who would go first. But judging by the situation, that might be difficult. How about we arrange the order of battle once again based on your numbers?”
…
Indeed, the dozen or so Trainers who stood up were all eager to battle, and none could convince the others to go first. As a result, they had no choice but to arrange the order once again based on their numbers.
Terrance’s first opponent turned out to be none other than Dewford Gym’s Gym Leader, Brawly!
Meanwhile, the Trainers who had stood up were quickly surrounded by others due to their status. Strong Trainers like them always become the center of attention wherever they go.
“Miss Roxanne, I didn’t expect you to come too! Do you remember me? I once challenged Rustboro Gym.” A Trainer approached Roxanne, looking at her dressed-up appearance in surprise.
“Hmm… I remember. Fai, it’s been a while,” Roxanne said after thinking for a moment.
Thrilled that Roxanne still remembered him, Fai eagerly continued, “Miss Roxanne, do you know Terrance? Who do you think is stronger, Brawly or Terrance?”
“It’s hard to say. They’re both very strong,” Roxanne replied with a smile. Brawly was hailed as “a big wave in fighting” and was considered a rising star in the fighting world. As for Terrance, all she knew was that he is a Coordinator…
Even Roxanne, the “The Rock-Loving Honors Student,” couldn’t make an early prediction about the outcome of this battle.
Especially after… Terrance demonstrated strength on par with her own.
Such discussions kept surfacing in various conversations. As is customary, Terrance was expected to take the lead in this battle. Facing Dewford Gym’s Gym Leader Brawly, Terrance had no intention of recalling his Arcanine.
“You’re not planning to switch Pokémon?”
Brawly adjusted his sunglasses. It wasn’t clear why he was wearing them here—perhaps it was just a habit. He then grinned and said, “Your Arcanine excels at close combat, right? Coincidentally, that’s my battling style too. Nothing beats a straightforward fight—it’s the most enjoyable.”
“I’m honored to battle a fellow Gym Leader,” Terrance said with a slight smile. Brawly gave off an intensely aggressive vibe, as though he were about to unleash a big wave upon the world—that must be a reflection of his battle style.
The opponent is a Gym Leader of a Fighting-type Gym, a rising star in the fighting world. Unlike Terrance, who might use types as a mere reference, Fighting-type is undoubtedly the type that the opponent is most proficient at. Terrance chose not to recall Arcanine simply because it hadn’t had many battles yet. To call it back now, before it had fully enjoyed itself, would be even more painful than letting it be defeated.
“One-on-one? If my opponent is Arcanine, then come on out, partner!”
Having observed Arcanine’s battle style earlier, Brawly pondered thoughtfully. The opponent’s explosive power was impressive, excelling in close combat. However, as long as he could counter with sufficient strength, there was nothing to fear.
The glow of the Poké Ball faded, and a massive Hariyama appeared on the battlefield. As it made its entrance, it immediately performed a palm thrust, creating a gust of wind pressure that whistled with a “whooshing” sound!
“What terrifying strength!” Many Trainers, upon hearing the sound of Hariyama’s palm thrust, stared in awe at its massive palms. They had no doubt that a single casual strike from those palms could shatter a boulder!
“Hariyama, a Pokémon that loves strength contests. So that’s how it is,” Terrance murmured as he looked at Arcanine, then at Hariyama. He felt a slight headache coming on. He didn’t want to engage in a strength contest. With many more opponents awaiting him, wasting stamina here would be unwise. If he had known it would turn out like this, he would have sent out Mismagius instead—it could have ended the battle quickly.
“Oh well, I might as well take this chance to assess the strength of a fellow young Gym Leader in an area where he excels.”
The battle began. In an instant, both sides sprang into action!
Hariyama started by stomping the ground to gather power. The muscles in its bulky body became fully visible at that moment, giving off a solid feeling as if made of steel!
Boom!!
Despite its bulky frame, the Hariyama wasn’t slow. As it completed its power buildup, it suddenly launched forward, both palms full of power like bullets!
Bullet Punch!
“Pfft~~” Arcanine was struck by Hariyama, who had closed the distance in an instant. Gritting its teeth through the pain, it spat out a burst of flames to create some distance between itself and Hariyama.
“What incredible speed!” Trainers who had previously challenged Dewford Gym watched in shock at the display of Hariyama’s power…..The speed of that Bullet Punch, from the buildup to the strike, was executed so seamlessly that it seemed flawless. It perfectly combined explosiveness with raw strength. Was this Brawly’s true power?
“Interesting. Using a move like Bullet Punch right from the start to test us… It looks like he’s quite confident in himself.” Seeing Arcanine take the first hit, Terrance didn’t show any signs of panic. The damage from the move wasn’t severe, as Arcanine had quickly countered the moment the attack landed, mitigating the full impact of the attack. Additionally, since Bullet Punch sacrificed power for speed, despite having Hariyama’s inherent strength supporting it, Arcanine has excellent resistance to Steel-type moves. Instead, the attack seemed to have only fueled Arcanine’s ferocity, as it revealed a more ferocious expression.
It became excited at encountering an evenly matched opponent.
So, it’s an inherited move… This Hariyama isn’t ordinary. It seems this must be Brawly’s hidden ace or true mainstay, the one he’s never revealed in Gym Battles.
Terrance grinned. Bullet Punch is indeed fast, but one test of speed is enough. If it dared try it a second time, Arcanine’s Extreme Speed would absolutely ensure Hariyama wouldn’t have a chance to escape!
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