The matchup table for the preliminary round of the Hoenn League's Ever Grande Conference was finally posted.
Gary Oak was placed in Group B.
Brendan, Professor Birch's son and a native of Hoenn, ended up in Group A.
Both Ash Ketchum and Morrison were assigned to Group C, meaning they might face each other during the three scheduled doubles matches in their group.
Gary smirked to himself. Good. At least I won't run into Ash or Morrison until the final tournament stage.
"All players, please report to your assigned battle arenas before 9:00 AM sharp," Nurse Joy announced cheerfully over the PA system. "Best of luck to everyone!"
With the brackets now determined, Trainers left the Pokémon Center and headed to their respective venues.
Gary arrived early at Arena B.
The preliminary doubles venue was far larger than the small hall used for the qualification round. The stands were packed with spectators, and the battlefield itself had been reinforced to withstand powerful attacks. However, there was no separate lounge for Trainers this time—only reserved seating sections inside the main arena.
Gary sighed as he took a glance around.
"Three doubles matches in this cramped setup… what a pain."
He wasn't particularly fond of doubles battles in real life. While the format was fun in the games, coordinating strategies in person was far more tedious. Worse still, most of Gary's Hoenn-caught Pokémon weren't optimized for doubles synergy.
"If I were building a proper doubles team," he muttered under his breath, "I'd have picked up a Pelipper or something to copy Drizzle-Kyogre strats."
At exactly 9:00 AM, the referee signaled the official start of the tournament.
"Now entering the battlefield—Obara versus Eiji!" the announcer called.
The first competitors stepped up as the referee raised his flags.
Ludicolo (Lv. 43)Zangoose (Lv. 42)
Swellow (Lv. 40)Ninjask (Lv. 42)
At first glance, Eiji seemed to have the advantage—his speedy Flying-types countered Ludicolo's Grass/Water typing. But once the match began, Ludicolo immediately used Rain Dance, doubling its speed under the heavy downpour. The soaked wings of Swellow and Ninjask slowed them down considerably, allowing Ludicolo to evade their aerial strikes with ease.
After a fierce three-minute battle, Obara managed to claim victory, though his Zangoose fainted in the process.
The crowd applauded as the arena staff quickly repaired the field before the next battle. Match after match continued until the twelfth round was announced.
"Now entering the battlefield—Gary Oak versus Shiraki!"
The audience murmured with excitement. Many of them had heard about Gary's reputation as a two-time Conference Champion.
Gary stepped confidently into the command zone. On the opposite side stood Shiraki, a sharp-eyed young man radiating arrogance.
"What is this, a kid's competition?" Shiraki sneered. "You should just forfeit now and save your Pokémon from getting hurt."
Gary offered only a smirk in response.
"Don't get cocky, brat," Shiraki snapped. "I'll teach you to respect your seniors."
The referee raised his arm. "Both Trainers, release your Pokémon!"
"Let's go—Hariyama! Ursaring!" Shiraki shouted, tossing two Poké Balls.
"Haaahhrrr!!" Ursaring roared, pounding its chest.
"Hari… YAMA!!" the bulky sumo Pokémon stomped heavily as it entered the field.
Ursaring (Lv. 47)Hariyama (Lv. 48)
The crowd reacted at the sight of Shiraki's powerful, fully trained Pokémon. Though their levels weren't exceptional, it was clear they had been raised with care.
Gary responded in kind. "Your turn—Breloom! Salamence!"
Salamence swooped in with a deafening roar. The instant she appeared, an overwhelming aura pulsed from her wings—EX Intimidate. Ursaring and Hariyama both flinched as their Attack and Defense sharply dropped.
"Salamence?!" Shiraki's eyes widened. As a Hoenn native, he knew just how dangerous a fully evolved pseudo-legendary Dragon could be.
"Battle—start!" the referee declared.
"Breloom, Poison Powder! Salamence, Hurricane!" Gary commanded instantly.
"Breloom!!" The Mushroom Pokémon released clouds of toxic spores that floated upward.
"RROOOAAARR!!" Salamence beat her crimson wings, creating a raging Hurricane that carried the Poison Powder straight toward the opposing side like a venomous storm.
"What kind of combo is that?!" the announcer shouted in awe. "Poison Powder carried by Hurricane—what an incredible strategy!"
"Hariyama, knock it away with Force Palm!"
"Ursaring, use Scary Face on Breloom!" Shiraki barked.
"Hari!" Hariyama slammed its palms forward, creating shockwaves to push back some of the cutting wind.
"Rrraaaaghhh!!" Ursaring twisted its face into a horrifying glare, trying to slow Breloom.
But it wasn't enough. The toxic storm engulfed both Pokémon, poisoning them as wind blades tore at their defenses.
"Grrraaahhh!!" Ursaring suddenly roared, a red aura flaring around its body—the Guts Ability had activated, boosting its Attack to dangerous levels.
"Ah, crap," Gary muttered. "I forgot Ursaring had Guts."
Shiraki smirked. "Both of you—Fire Punch on Breloom!"
The two Pokémon charged forward, fists wreathed in flame.
Gary didn't even flinch. "Breloom, Dig!"
"Breloooom!" In an instant, Breloom burrowed underground, dodging both attacks completely.
"What?!" Shiraki exclaimed. "You taught Breloom Dig?!"
"Salamence, Hurricane—again!" Gary followed up immediately.
"RRRAAAHHHH!!" Salamence rose into the air, summoning another violent tempest. Wind blades slammed into both poisoned Pokémon, ripping through their stamina.
Hariyama staggered first, its massive frame swaying helplessly under the pressure. The poison was sapping its energy, and the relentless wind finally toppled it. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩