In the current World Championship, aside from the Elite Four and Regional Champions, only League Conference Champions and Gym Leaders were eligible to participate. Even then, the total number of qualified competitors never exceeded one hundred.
The organizers felt that was too few participants, so they began planning a new ranking system that would allow broader entry. The challenge, however, was accuracy—how could they fairly rank such a wide range of Trainers?
That question eventually led them to the invention of the Rotom Referee: mechanical officiators powered by Rotom to oversee matches objectively.
The technology had only recently entered testing—but quickly evolved. Once researchers discovered Rotom's ability to integrate with various electronics, the original ground-based referees were replaced by sleek, flying drone models: Aerial Rotom Referees.
"Now…" the Referee announced in its clear, slightly mechanical voice, "the Frontier Battle between challenger Gary Oak and the Palace Maven Spenser will begin! Each Trainer may use three Pokémon. The match concludes when all of one Trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle!"
[Ding! Mission Activated: Earn the Spirit Symbol]
Rewards: Advanced Rare Candies ×6, Ability Enhancement Stone ×1, Silver Bottle Cap ×1, Permanent TM Learning Device ×1!
Gary's internal system chimed. Lately, it had grown more intelligent—waiting until official battle rules were confirmed before issuing new tasks.
"Then the first Pokémon I'll use is…" Spenser announced, his weathered face brightening with enthusiasm. "Venusaur, go!"
Whoosh!
From the crimson burst of light emerged a massive, four-legged Pokémon—its thick, emerald body resembling a cross between a reptile and a bullfrog, crowned with a huge pink flower blooming on its back.
[Lv. 65 Venusaur ♂ / Elite]
Spenser's Venusaur clearly wasn't new to battle—it was one of his main Pokémon, the same one that had once clashed fiercely with Ash Ketchum's team.
Gary narrowed his eyes. "A Venusaur, huh? Then I'll count on you—go, Scizor!"
The second Poké Ball burst open, and—
Clang!Clang!
A scarlet steel mantis appeared, bladed wings glinting in the sunlight, claws snapping with metallic precision.
[Lv. 65 Scizor ♂ / Pseudo-Legendary]
"Gary actually brought a Scizor," Scott muttered from the sideline, adjusting his sunglasses. "That's a huge typing advantage. Steel resists Grass, and Poison moves can't even touch it."
The Rotom Referee drifted forward and flashed its signal lights.
"Get ready… Battle Start!"
"Venusaur, Razor Leaf!"
"Scizor, charge in!"
Both spoke almost simultaneously.
Spenser's plan was careful: test Gary's power first.
"Razor Leaf!" Spenser barked again.
"Venusaaaur!"
Venusaur roared mightily, shaking its flower. A storm of slicing leaves erupted from its body, spinning rapidly toward Scizor.
Gary didn't flinch. "Scizor—full throttle!"
Shkkk!
Scizor crouched. His muscles tensed—then boom! —he shot forward like a red bullet. The Razor Leafs shredded against his metallic shell, harmless as paper against armor.
"SCIZORR!!" he cried, charging through effortlessly.
Venusaur braced himself—but Scizor struck head-on, the full brunt of his Superpower slamming into Venusaur's skull.
"Banaaa!!" roared Venusaur in pain, sliding backward, leaving deep furrows in the sand.
"What!?" Spenser's eyes widened. "That Scizor's physical strength—unbelievable! He just forced Venusaur back!"
Even Scott leaned forward in disbelief. "That impact was monstrous. He could break stone with that."
"Now! Bullet Punch!" Gary commanded sharply.
Scizor's claws gleamed silver, blurring as they moved faster than the eye could follow.
Swish—swish—swish—!
His pincers pummeled Venusaur's forehead with a barrage of rapid-fire strikes.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"Bana…naaa!!" Venusaur cried, eyes squeezed shut, struggling under the relentless assault. Each blow landed like an eighty-kilogram hammer, heavy and punishing.
"Venusaur! Stun Spore, now!" Spenser called.
Through sheer will, Venusaur forced energy through his petals, releasing a thick golden cloud of paralyzing spores.
The glittering dust cascaded around Scizor like pollen in sunlight.
"Scizor, dodge and—change to Aerial Ace!" Gary reacted instantly.
"Aerial Ace!"
Scizor's body spun, his wings slicing open a gust of cutting wind that lifted sand and spores alike. Cloaked in wind energy, he zigzagged forward, then drove shoulder-first into Venusaur's chest.
Whoom!
Venusaur's massive body flew backward several meters before crashing onto the beach with a resounding THUD. The flower on its back trembled; its eyes spiraled in defeat.
"Venusaur is unable to battle! Scizor wins!" the Rotom Referee declared in its cheerful monotone.
Spenser inhaled deeply, eyes solemn but appreciative.
Scott exhaled slowly, stunned.
Scizor had completely dominated the fight—an unbroken chain of attacks that left Venusaur no room to respond. If not for that last Stun Spore, Venusaur wouldn't have managed even a single action. It was a decisive blowout.
But the victory came at a cost.
Scizor's metallic limbs twitched faintly, sparks crackling across his body—he was paralyzed, his movements now sluggish.
Gary frowned. It wasn't ideal, but trading Scizor's freedom for a sure victory was worth it.
Across the sand, Spenser smiled slightly. So this is the level of Gary Oak… Not bad. I'll have to take this seriously.
He recalled Venusaur and stooped to pick up his next Poké Ball.
"Come out… Arcanine!"
Whoosh!
A pillar of flame erupted, parting the swirling sandstorm. The majestic Arcanine landed with the grace of a tiger and the presence of a lion. Its glowing fur rippled in the salty breeze; heat shimmered around its body.
[Lv. 66 Arcanine ♂ / Elite]
"Arrrooooo!" Arcanine howled fiercely, exuding a wave of intimidating aura that rippled across the battlefield like flame. Scizor stiffened, his wings faltering for a moment.
He knew.
He couldn't match this opponent—not when paralyzed, not with such a glaring Fire-type weakness.
Gary acted immediately.
"Scizor, return!"
The beam of red light enveloped his partner before Arcanine could strike.
Scott chuckled softly from the sidelines. "Smart move. Not reckless—he knows when to withdraw."
Privately, though, Scott had hoped Gary would push Scizor further, just for the spectacle. If Gary knew that, he'd probably throw Scott into the ocean.
Gary flipped another Poké Ball in his hand, calm and confident. "Been a while since I used you… Show them your power! Go, Tyranitar!"
The heavy ball burst open with a deep, echoing roar.
Baaaaanzgh!!
The ground shook as a massive green Pokémon, armored in jagged scales, stomped onto the sand. Its crimson eyes glowed, and the beach seemed to darken as the atmosphere shifted.
[Lv. 71 Tyranitar ♂ / Pseudo-Legendary]
"Baaaanrrgh!!" Tyranitar bellowed, its cry guttural and furious—an ancient beast unbound. Instantly, the calm coastal wind whipped into a spiral of flying sand and grit.
Within seconds, a Sandstorm consumed the entire battlefield. Waves of dust and salt lashed across the dunes, turning sky and sea alike to muted amber.
Even though Tyranitar wasn't using his full strength, the effect was already monstrous. Had he gone all out, the entire coastline would vanish under the maelstrom.
Arcanine dug its claws into the ground, mane streaming sideways in the harsh wind.
"Awoo!" It growled, defiant, flames flickering faintly along its fangs.
"Such power…" Spenser muttered, shielding his eyes with one hand. "That's not a simple Sandstorm—it's more like a desert tempest!"
Scott's mouth hung slightly agape. "That Tyranitar… I knew Gary's team was strong, but this is insane. Even the sand is stinging!"
The Rotom Referee bobbed uncertainly, sensors flickering red.