The referee stepped forward to explain the rules to Bruno and Gladion. The crowd waited in excited silence.
The referee finished the rules. "This is a 6-on-6 match. Since it's an exhibition match, there would be no substitutions except when a Pokémon faints. For the same reason, the battlefield would also remain the same, a simple grass field as agreed by both trainers. The winner is the trainer with Pokémon still able to battle when the opponent has none left!"
Gladion had agreed to a grass field because well a simple field would give advantage to Bruno. An ice field would make it slippery for Bruno's fighting Pokemon and thus reduce their speed.
A water field would make it very difficult for the fighting type Pokemon to fight. So he decided for a simple grass field. Bruno needed every advantage to give Gladion and his Pokemon a challenge after all.
The crowd roared. The announcer shouted, "The match is about to start between Gym Leader Gladion and Elite Four Bruno! A general-type specialist versus a Fighting-type specialist. Let us see who wins! With me, everyone! Three!"
The crowd joined in the countdown. "Three!"
The trainers reached for their Poké Balls.
"Two!"
The stadium held its breath.
"One!"
Both trainers threw their first Poké Balls at the same time.
Zeus, Gladion's Electivire, burst onto the field with sparks flying from his body. Bruno released Hitmontop. The spinning Pokémon landed on its head and began to rotate slowly.
Gladion studied Hitmontop carefully. The muscles on its legs and arms were thick and powerful. He could tell this Pokémon would hit hard and move fast.
But he was not worried. Zeus and the rest of his team had trained under extreme conditions. 'All my Pokémon have trained under the effects of Gravity and under Guy's guidance and training regime to raise both their strength and speed,' Gladion thought. 'Dragon Ball training for the win.'
Gladion made the first move. He did not want Hitmontop to close the distance and take away Zeus's ranged advantage. "Thunder!"
Zeus raised his arms. Electricity crackled around his body. A massive bolt shot toward Hitmontop.
Bruno reacted instantly. "Dig!"
Hitmontop spun on its head like a drill and tunneled into the earth in a flash. The thunder harmlessly stuck the ground.
Gladion knew the counter to dig very well. "Stick your hands into the ground and use Shock Wave to get him out!"
Zeus slammed both fists into the dirt. His fingers went past the grass and dig into the soil. Electricity surged downward.
Bruno shouted, "Triple Kick, fast!"
Before Zeus could release the Shock Wave, Hitmontop burst out right behind him. Three rapid kicks landed in quick succession. Each kick hit with a loud thud. Zeus grunted in pain.
Bruno pressed the attack. "Rapid Spin!"
Hitmontop began to spin at blinding speed. Electricity sparked off its body from the friction. It looked like a small living tornado.
Gladion narrowed his eyes. "Zeus, use Iron Tail to stop his momentum!"
Both of Zeus's tails turned metallic and silver. He swung them hard. The Iron Tails collided with the spinning Hitmontop. The impact made a loud clang. Hitmontop's spin derailed. It flew to the side.
But Zeus grimaced in pain. It was clear that Hitmontop came on top after the brief engagement between the two.
The collision had hurt him more than it hurt Hitmontop. 'I will have to stop his spinning somehow. He is too fast in that form.' Gladion thought. 'Using electric-type moves on him would just scatter the electricity to the side with minimal and superficial damage to Hitmontop mostly.'
A small smirk formed on Gladion's face. 'Ah, this is what I missed. The feeling of strategizing and not winning through sheer brute force.'
Bruno shouted, "Continue your Rapid Spin toward the Electivire and then use spinning kick!"
Hitmontop spun faster and charged towards Zeus.
Gladion waited calmly. When Hitmontop was close, he gave the order. "When he kicks, catch that leg of his with your tails!"
Hitmontop launched a spinning kick towards Zeus that was boosted by the momentum of the rapid spin
Zeus caught the leg with both of his tails. The force made Zeus slide back, but he held firm. Both Pokémon fell to the ground though.
Zeus got up slowly. He spat a small amount of blood from his mouth. He looked like a fighter who refused to go down. He raised Hitmontop high with his tails and gave a dangerous smirk. The hitmontop's leg was still locked with his tails.
Gladion gave the final order. "End it with Thunder!"
Zeus unleashed Thunder point blank. The electricity surged through Hitmontop's body from Zeus's twin tails. The spinning Pokémon twitched violently and went limp. It fainted at last.
The announcer's voice boomed. "There we go, folks! We have our first knockout, and it is Gym Leader Gladion who leads the scorecard 1-0!"
The crowd went wild. Cheers filled the stadium.
The announcer continued. "That was an intense fight! Hitmontop's speed was incredible, but Electivire's resilience and Gladion's strategy won out!"
Bruno recalled Hitmontop. Instead of looking worried, he grinned wide. "Finally! A real challenge! My Pokémon have been waiting for an opponent like this. Let us see how far you can push us, Gladion!"
-----Author Notes------
Y'all can read 20 extra chapters on my pat*reon.
https://pat reon.com/mrmime24
[No Space in pat*reon]
Thankyou for your support!