8:55 a.m.
The Hulbury Gym flung open its doors. The cameramen, company staff, and League officials who had been waiting outside streamed in.
In just over three minutes, they rushed through the entrance, down the hall, and into the massive battle arena, setting up all their equipment in record time.
This arena was a standard land battlefield without artificial pools. The ground was covered in lush green grass, just like in the Champion Cup.
On both sides, the spectator stands were already filled with challengers. Raihan and Leon sat together in the front row, with Marvin and others behind them.
The host, Ryan, stood on the referee's platform suspended in midair, looking like he was trapped in a small cage of railings. He gripped a communicator tightly in one hand as a voice flowed through his earphones and straight into his mind.
"One minute until the match begins… prepare to start."
Ryan didn't hesitate. He raised the microphone and shouted, "Dear audience, challengers, and staff! Welcome to today's much-anticipated Gym Challenge! We are now here in Hulbury. The two competitors are, Gym Leader Nathan and Challenger Shiro!"
The words had barely fallen when a large man strode out from one of the trainer tunnels. It was Nathan himself. Wearing a broad grin, he waved at the cameras as he walked into the arena.
"Very good! It seems Gym Leader Nathan has full confidence in this battle! Next…" Ryan paused for effect before raising his voice again. "The challenger from Spikemuth, Shiro!"
As soon as he finished, Shiro walked out at an easy pace from another tunnel. He gave a polite nod and smile toward the camera before stepping into the battlefield.
"Both trainers are present… please release your Pokémon! Gym Leader Nathan will now announce the battle rules!"
After Ryan spoke, one staff member passed a microphone to the gym leader, and the camera turned toward him.
"The rules here at Hulbury Gym are simple," Nathan said, still smiling as he looked at Shiro. "Each side will use three Gym-level Pokémon in a rotation battle. Three versus three."
"Oh, so Hulbury Gym follows a three-on-three format, but with a restriction! The Pokémon must be Gym-level only!" Ryan added in explanation.
Shiro frowned slightly, but couldn't figure out what the man was plotting.
Three versus three. That must mean they want the battle finished quickly. Limiting it to Gym-level Pokémon was really just a way of blocking his Drakloak from joining in. As a Gym Leader, Nathan shouldn't have anything beyond that level either.
So if he wasn't planning to make things hard with the rules, then how exactly did he expect to win? Could it be that the company handed him three peak Gym-level Water-types?
But if those Pokémon weren't his, they wouldn't obey his commands as if they were part of him.
As Shiro considered this, Nathan had already sent out his first Pokémon.
* * *
In the stands.
Raihan tilted his head slightly toward Leon. The other boy's face remained steady, staring straight ahead without expression.
"How do you think Macro Cosmos expects Nathan to beat him?" Raihan finally asked the question in his mind.
But Leon only closed his eyes and shook his head, saying nothing.
From a row behind them, Sonia leaned forward and said, "Hey, Raihan, I'm still here, and you're openly asking about company research secrets?"
"Research secrets?" He turned toward her, flashing a healthy smile that showed his white teeth.
She froze for a moment, realizing she had misspoken, but brushed it off with ease. Adjusting her posture, she continued casually, "Anyway, the battle's already started. You'll find out soon enough."
Her words drew the attention of Marvin and Nessa nearby. Unable to hold back, the latter asked, "Can't you just tell us now?"
Sonia smiled faintly and leaned close to whisper in her ear, "Are you trying to get me to slip so you can pass the info to Shiro? Nessa…"
Nessa quickly leaned back and said nothing more.
All she knew was that Shiro seemed to have obtained something and hadn't handed it over to the company. The plan was to strike at him during the Gym Challenge and the upcoming matches.
At the very back, Granny Shae and Edgar sat quietly, watching the younger ones in front while wondering what moves and preparations the company was hiding. Even they had no clue what Nathan's trump card was.
Although the company forces and the research institute were under different branches, information usually flowed between them. Yet this time, nothing had been revealed.
"Just wait and see. This is Galar's secret weapon." Sonia lowered her glasses.
* * *
On the field.
Nathan was the first to throw his Poké Ball. "Come out, Toxapex!"
The creature resembled a dome-shaped tent covered in spikes, curled up in a posture that used its tentacles to shield itself. To peer outside, it raised two front tentacles, revealing its yellow eyes and the sharp teeth of its purple body.
Each of its small tentacle sacs was filled with deadly poison, potent enough to make a Wailord suffer for three days and nights.
Shiro focused his gaze, and the data of the Pokémon appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Toxapex
Type: Poison/Water
Level: 46 (Gym)
Ability: Merciless
Held Item: None
Moves: Baneful Bunker, Poison Sting, Bite, Peck, Wide Guard, Venoshock, Recover, Pin Missile, Toxic Spikes, Liquidation, Acid Spray, Poison Jab, Water Pulse, Protect, Chilling Water…]
Its Merciless ability ensured that any poisoned target would always be struck with a critical hit, but against his Corviknight, it was useless. Steel-type Pokémon were immune to poison damage, and also to being poisoned in any form.
"Go, Corviknight!"
He too released his Poké Ball, and the great black bird soared high into the air in an instant.
It was a solid counter to Toxapex. Nathan's Pokémon might be strong, but still not enough to take it down.
Ryan's voice sounded once more. "The two trainers are ready! The Hulbury Gym Challenge officially begins!"
At once, Nathan raised his right hand. On his wrist gleamed a white band.
The black core set into it flared with a bright red light, which quickly turned into a dazzling white. The glow spread, engulfing Toxapex in the same radiant shine.
Shiro's eyes widened. The band looked all too familiar.
That was…
"Corviknight, Air Cutter!"
The alarm rang in his mind. Almost at the same moment the blue light erupted, he gave the command.
Several blades of compressed wind slashed toward Toxapex, striking its body. But the creature stood firm, enduring every strike without moving.
Nathan bellowed in return, "Toxapex, Dynamax!"
**
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