Standing across from Aaron was a handsome young man with tousled hair, an earring, and a flashy gold outfit that made him look more like a streetwear model than a Trainer.
Galen of Imperial Elite Pokémon University.
The Steel Family was one of Hualis's most prestigious families, though it had largely withdrawn from the public eye in recent years.
Its most famous member was Galen's grandfather, Honorary League Commander Steelbone.
In his prime, Steelbone had commanded Hualis's League forces along the border, defending the country against attacks from three neighboring nations and driving them back time and time again.
At the height of the conflict, his leadership had helped turn a disastrous situation around almost single-handedly. For his service, he was eventually granted the permanent title of Honorary Commander of the Hualis Pokémon League.
Steelbone was already advanced in years and had long since stepped away from public life, but his name still carried enormous weight.
Stories about him even appeared in school textbooks.
And his title held even more prestige than Aaron's position.
...
Galen stood across the battlefield with a Poké Ball in hand, looking Aaron up and down.
"So you're Aaron?"
He frowned.
"You don't exactly have three heads and six arms."
Aaron smiled.
"You look pretty normal yourself."
He gave Galen another once-over.
"Two arms, one head... maybe half a brain."
Galen froze.
A second later, his expression darkened.
"Did you just call me an idiot?"
Aaron looked genuinely innocent.
"Hey, you're the one who said it."
Galen's face somehow got even darker.
"I hope you can battle as well as you run your mouth."
"Heh."
Aaron grinned.
"You're about to find out."
"Ahem!"
The referee cleared his throat before the two of them could keep going.
"Match Three: Aaron of Pokémon League University versus Galen of Imperial Elite Pokémon University!"
"This will be a full six-on-six battle!"
"The match ends when all six Pokémon on one side are unable to battle!"
He raised his flag.
"Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
Aaron and Galen reached for their Poké Balls at the same time.
"Come out, Tinkaton!"
"Frog Boss, you're up!"
Two flashes of light burst across the battlefield.
Aaron's first Pokémon was none other than Greninja.
Frog Boss.
"Gren..."
Greninja landed lightly on the field with its usual deadpan expression, looking as though none of this had anything to do with it.
Across from it appeared a Pokémon rarely seen in Hualis.
Tinkaton.
The little Fairy/Steel-type stood only around 0.7 meters tall, yet carried an enormous hammer several times larger than its own body.
Aaron's eyes sharpened slightly.
The System panel appeared.
[Name: Tinkaton]
[Gender: Female]
[Nature: Docile]
[Type: Fairy/Steel]
[Ability: Mold Breaker — Allows Tinkaton to use moves without being hindered by the target's Ability.]
[Base Stats Total: 506]
[Level: Gym (Mid Stage)]
[Potential: Champion]
[Known Moves: Gigaton Hammer (Perfect), Ice Hammer (Perfect), Draining Kiss (Perfect), Fake Out (Perfect), Swords Dance (Master), Taunt (Master), Light Screen (Master), Baby-Doll Eyes (Master), Fairy Wind (Master), Play Rough (Master), Flash Cannon (Master), Rock Smash (Master), Iron Head (Proficient), Sweet Kiss (Proficient), Astonish (Proficient)...]
[Description: Tinkaton, the Hammer Pokémon. Highly intelligent and fearless, it uses its hammer to launch rocks into the sky and take shots at Corviknight.]
...
Aaron's expression did not change.
He had already memorized the entire panel.
"Tinkaton, Fake Out!"
Galen made the first move.
"Tinka!"
Tinkaton's eyes immediately lit up.
A faint glow gathered around one hand, and a disturbingly excited smile spread across its face.
Apparently, slapping other Pokémon was one of its favorite hobbies.
WHOOSH!
Tinkaton disappeared in a blur and reappeared beside Greninja.
Its glowing palm swung straight for Frog Boss's face.
Greninja watched it approach with the same bored expression.
Slow.
Way too slow.
"Frog Boss."
Aaron spoke as casually as if he were asking Greninja to grab something from the fridge.
"Head home for a second."
"Then come right back."
"Grenin..."
Greninja vanished.
SWISH!
Tinkaton's palm slapped nothing but empty air.
"Tinka?"
It stared at the empty space in front of it.
At that exact moment, far away from the stadium— A black frog appeared on the small hill behind Rivergate.
"Gren..."
He glanced toward home.
It paused.
Maybe there was enough time to stop by and mooch a meal.
"Frog Boss."
Aaron's voice suddenly sounded in its mind.
"Come back."
Greninja: "..."
So much for lunch.
Greninja gave a regretful shake of its head.
Then it vanished again.
...
If you enjoyed the story and want to support my work, you can check out my p-@-treon!
p-@-treon/Hyperbeam (More chapters here!)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few chapters ahead.