The entire Hearthome City was engulfed in a frenzy of tournament atmosphere.
Gym Leader Volkner reopening his challenges was already a major event in itself.
Now, the gym challenge matches were even being opened to the general public.
For spectators, this was nothing short of an audio-visual battle feast!
"Volkner is our city's gym leader, and also the strongest eighth gym leader in Sinnoh!"
"Isn't this basically Elite Four level already? I heard his strength rivals Flint of the Elite Four!"
"Teacher Lu came to Hearthome City too, didn't you see? He was competing in the Baby Cup just yesterday."
"He probably came specifically for the Baby Cup...though it's possible he might challenge the gym while he's here."
The Hearthome Gym was constructed with numerous electric-powered mechanisms. Now, all four walls had retracted backward, transforming it into an open-air mega gymnasium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Hearthome Gym Open Tournament!"
The female announcer stood on a hovering helicopter, dutifully explaining:
"Reportedly, this marks Gym Leader Volkner's first public battle in several months, and is also seen as his declaration to advance toward the Elite Four position!"
"Who will emerge victorious to claim this gym challenge's Beacon Badge and move recording? Let's wait and see!"
Lu Ye sat in the spectator stands, deep in thought.
He'd already obtained the Beacon Badge long ago...as for these so-called move recordings, they weren't as practical as renting the venue.
Coincidentally, Larvitar needed a place to practice Dragon Dance...he could negotiate with Volkner after the match.
Ash sitting beside him excitedly said: "Gym Leader Volkner is making his entrance!"
Amidst waves of screams, a handsome blond man walked unhurriedly onto the battlefield.
Volkner wore a blue jacket with a cool expression, his appearance strikingly similar to the Fourth Hokage.
Though slightly embarrassing to admit, his official Game Freak designation was "The Shocking Star Who Makes Hearts Race."
According to the settings, this handsome, self-confident trainer's popularity rivaled even supermodel Elesa's.
"Both being Electric-type gym leaders," Lu Ye murmured, "how come Marshal's popularity is so much worse?"
Flint sat beside Lu Ye, arms crossed, smirking as he said:
"Tch, this guy...still gets crushed by me."
Lu Ye gave Flint a strange look.
"Don't misunderstand," Flint hurriedly waved his hands, "I mean in terms of strength, strength!"
Aunt Lorelei would probably know about this...since she frequents those fanfiction sites.
Lu Ye coughed dryly and focused on observing Volkner's battling style.
Needing to fight consecutively, Volkner had to adopt a lightning-fast style that resolved matches quickly without dragging things out.
And he indeed demonstrated astonishing dominance, instantly defeating the first challenger.
"Jolteon, Thunderbolt!" Volkner commanded.
The high-speed Jolteon with its bristling fur flashed by like lightning, its yellow-white spikes glowing with dazzling electricity.
In an instant, the unleashed Thunderbolt enveloped the carnivorous dinosaur-like Rampardos, instantly knocking it out!
The audience unconsciously gasped in amazement.
"This is Gym Leader Volkner going all out..."
"No wonder he avoided battles before - he couldn't find opponents of matching strength!"
Volkner frowned slightly; this battle couldn't excite him at all.
In preparation for this 3v3 gym challenge, he'd prepared six Poké Balls in advance.
But...the previous challengers hadn't even managed to inflict a single point of damage...
Volkner unconsciously let his gaze drift toward several challengers he'd been paying attention to outside the arena.
Ash in his blue vest, the cold-cloaked Darkrai, and Teacher Lu currently giving Darkrai an autograph—
"Huh?" Volkner's eyes suddenly widened with disbelief.
Teacher Lu was giving Darkrai an autograph?!
The commentator announced: "Ah, the attack from contestant Yusei's Tangrowth has landed effectively!"
Tangrowth's Power Whip smashed viciously into Jolteon, raising clouds of dust that drew applause from the audience.
Yusei adjusted his glasses, snorting: "I told you, I'm no minor character either!"
Volkner snapped his fingers: "Thunder."
Without holding back, a massive thunderbolt mercilessly struck Tangrowth, overcoming type disadvantage to instantly knock it out!
The audience looked on in shock as Yusei stood dumbfounded.
"This...this is Gym Leader Volkner's full power?"
"Too terrifying, nearly all instant knockouts!"
"Damn, these challengers are just becoming background props."
Darkrai with his flowing long hair leaned closer to Teacher Lu, glancing briefly at Volkner.
Then he calmly lowered his head again, pointing at the card:
"Right here, Teacher Lu, just sign here please."
"Teacher Lu..." Ash whispered near his ear, "how do you know him?"
Darkrai tucked the signed card into his robe, sweeping aside the hair covering his eyes as he calmly said:
"I am the champion of the first PTCG regional league tournament. It's an honor to meet Mr. Lu Ye, developer of PTCG, hence I specially came to seek his advice."
Teacher Lu was equally surprised.
"So it really was you, Darkrai Boy, who won using the Darkrai deck."
Lu Ye said: "I thought it might be someone else with the same name."
"None other than this humble one."
Darkrai brushed back his hair, slowly saying: "Actually, becoming a trainer was accidental."
"My true goal became clear the moment I saw the PTCG you developed..."
Teacher Lu looked up at the sky.
Darkrai's character prototype was the PTCG World Champion.
Combined with this flowing hairstyle, it made perfect sense he'd be a card game enthusiast...
Lu Ye asked: "So are you still participating in the Lily of the Valley Conference?"
Darkrai replied: "Yes, I need the prize money to buy more card packs."
Lu Ye shook his hand amiably.
"Then prepare to get crushed by me."
Darkrai looked utterly confused: ???
Flint looked at Darkrai, then at Teacher Lu, rubbing his chin.
Darkrai was also quite famous in the Sinnoh region.
His gym challenges were practically clean sweeps to earn badges.
Who would have thought...he was actually one of Teacher Lu's fans too.
Flint's expression turned odd.
"So the Lily of the Valley Conference...is really going to become his personal fan tournament?!"
On the battlefield, Volkner swiftly eliminated two challengers, his cool gaze shifting to Teacher Lu outside the arena.
Then, flames of battle desire blazed fiercely in his eyes.
Challenge stronger trainers...then climb to greater heights.
This was the fighting spirit awakened by that Pallet Town boy...and now, Volkner eagerly anticipated his match against Teacher Lu!
"Next challenger, from Modu City, contestant Lu Ye!!"
As the commentator's voice rang out, the entire stadium erupted.
"Teacher Lu actually entered the competition!"
"Holy crap, this is a clash of titans!"
"Even Elite Four Bruno lost to Teacher Lu - isn't this just bullying..."
The screen showed the extraordinarily handsome trainer slowly walking toward the battlefield.
Though Hearthome City was Volkner's home turf, the crowd cheered in unison for this "unknown" trainer.
Stepping onto the field, Lu Ye pondered briefly before negotiating with Volkner:
"If I win...could I borrow your venue afterward?"
Volkner laughed brightly, his eyes gradually sharpening: "But...you'll have to defeat me first."
"As the strongest gym leader in Sinnoh, I look forward to our battle!"
Lu Ye nodded slightly.
Coincidentally, your name was already in my little notebook...time to let Larvitar enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet!
At the same moment, both threw their Poké Balls.
"I choose you, Arcanine!"