Tucker leaped down from the elevated stage, with spotlights illuminating his every move.
"Welcome, my beautiful audience, to the Battle Dome!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Without prompting, Johan's Poké Ball opened on its own, and Kubfu stood in front of him, its expression serious and fists flying.
Johan facepalmed, recalling Kubfu.
"It's not your turn yet."
Amid the roaring applause, Tucker landed on the battlefield, arms outstretched, and exclaimed with unabashed self-admiration:
"Tonight, my friends, I invite you all to bask in the beauty of battle!"
The audience responded with even louder cheers.
Much of the cheering came from middle-aged women, to Johan's amusement.
Sitting in the audience, Flannery and the others exchanged surprised glances.
"Wait... so not everyone's here just to see Johan battle?"
"Of course not," Steven replied. "Tucker is a popular star in his own right."
Before Johan arrived, the Battle Frontier's revenue depended heavily on Tucker's popularity. This was why Scott was confident he could pack the arena overnight—Tucker had his own fanbase.
"I just don't get it," Roxanne muttered, blushing slightly at Tucker's flamboyant movements.
Even Steven and Flannery couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Meanwhile, Jirachi's eyes sparkled with excitement as it floated around Johan.
Tucker struck another exaggerated pose, signaling the start of the battle.
"Now, prepare for tonight's main event—a fusion of fire and water!"
With a flourish, he released two Poké Balls.
Out came Swampert and Arcanine.
"Swampert, the Mud Fish Pokémon, a Water/Ground type and the final evolution of Mudkip!"
"Arcanine, the Legendary Pokémon, a Fire type and the evolved form of Growlithe!"
Johan recognized this duo as Tucker's signature combination. His infamous "Fusion of Fire and Water" strategy was on full display.
Johan avoided meeting Tucker's gaze. Something about Tucker's over-the-top behavior made him secondhand embarrassed.
Instead, he focused on countering.
"Swampert and Arcanine, huh? Water and fire..." Johan smirked as he tossed two Poké Balls of his own.
Out came Dragonair and Charcadet!
While Swampert and Arcanine had excellent synergy, Johan opted to rely on pure firepower and teamwork, confident in his partners' abilities.
Charcadet was making its formal battle debut, and Johan had high hopes.
As for Dragonair, it was the picture of reliability.
"Let the battle... begin!"
With a thunderous roar, Arcanine unleashed its Intimidate ability, lowering Charcadet and Dragonair's attack power.
The referee's signal echoed across the arena, officially starting the fight.
"Dragon Dance, Dragonair!" Johan called out.
Dragonair's delicate wings extended, shimmering as it gracefully spun through the air, increasing its attack and speed.
Tucker, however, wasted no time.
"Arcanine, Extreme Speed! Swampert, Earthquake!"
Arcanine became a blur of motion, targeting Dragonair, while Swampert slammed its fists into the ground, triggering a massive tremor aimed at Charcadet.
"Charcadet, grab Dragonair's tail!"
Johan's tone was calm, but his body was tense.
Unbeknownst to the others, Charcadet's fiery determination was resonating with Johan's aura, amplifying his connection to the battle.
Charcadet followed his command without hesitation, latching onto Dragonair's tail as the serpent Pokémon deftly avoided the tremors.
Its fiery crest glowed brighter, its flames responding to its own growing excitement.
"Flamethrower, Charcadet!"
With a deep breath, Charcadet unleashed a powerful stream of flames, aimed at the oncoming Arcanine.
The fire collided midair with Arcanine's charge, forcing the Legendary Pokémon to retreat momentarily.
"Such intensity! That's no ordinary Flamethrower!"
"Johan's Charcadet must be running on pure adrenaline!"
"Who needs strategy when you can have this much firepower?"
The battle raged on. Swampert attempted to support with Water Pulse, while Arcanine launched a ferocious Flare Blitz, each attack clashing against Dragonair and Charcadet's coordinated counters.
Eventually, both sides paused, eyeing each other across the battlefield.
"Arcanine, Overheat! Swampert, Hydro Pump!"
"This is it! Fire and water, united!"
Johan met Tucker's enthusiasm with a grin of his own.
"Dragonair, Helping Hand! Charcadet, Overheat!"
Dragonair glowed, channeling energy into Charcadet.
Charcadet's flames roared to life, engulfing its body as it braced for its strongest attack yet.
Both sides unleashed their attacks simultaneously.
The arena was bathed in blinding light as fire and water collided, creating a superheated steam explosion that enveloped the battlefield.
When the dust settled, Swampert and Arcanine lay unconscious amidst the smoldering remains of the arena.
Charcadet stood victorious, its charred body still radiating faint embers.
The audience erupted into applause.
"Burn it all, Charcadet!"
"That was a battle for the ages!"
Tucker, though scorched and disheveled, laughed heartily.
"Well done, Johan! Take this Tactics Symbol as proof of your victory!"
The battle ended with both trainers exchanging a nod of respect, as the crowd roared in approval.
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates