When news spread that Paul was about to challenge a member of the Elite Four, people's first reaction was disbelief. But once the details came out, many couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and melancholy.
It had been about a year since the last time a "rookie" Trainer challenged a Champion.
Back then, Kanto's Red and Blue, along with Unova's Iris, had all entered their respective Champion's challenge, each seeking to claim the title of regional Champion.
No one had believed they could pull it off, yet the results had stunned the entire Pokémon world.
Not only did Red and Iris succeed, they also went on to secure seats among the World Coronation Series Masters Eight. Red in particular shocked the world by defeating the reigning monarch Leon, becoming the current strongest Trainer on the planet.
Such feats were the kind that left even seasoned Trainers reeling.
Who could have predicted this, except perhaps Paul himself?
When people analyzed Paul's own situation in light of these events, they realized something surprising: he had begun his Champion Challenge even earlier than either Iris or Red. And in his battles back in the Sinnoh region, whenever he fielded his main team, his victories had been nothing short of crushing.
The day after defeating Palmer, most assumed Paul would return to Veilstone City to prepare in peace. Instead, he quietly made his way to Sunyshore City, submitting an application to face Volkner who had only just climbed into the Ultra Ball Tier, in an official ranked match.
When the match listing hit the local networks, Trainers in the city were stunned. Moments later, they were rushing to the Sunyshore Battle Arena to claim seats before the match began.
Ranked battles against Ultra Ball, class Trainers required formal application and took place indoors—no more casual outdoor challenges.
After all, the Ultra Ball Tier represented the rank range from 99th place up to 9th in the world. Every match at this level was worth charging admission for.
The Sunyshore Arena was packed to capacity, the crowd's eyes locked on the battlefield, anticipation buzzing in the air.
"Today's battle will feature two challengers: Sinnoh's strongest Gym Leader—Volkner, and the rising legend who handily defeated both Aaron and Palmer—Paul!"
Amid the spotlight beams sweeping toward the entrance tunnels, a purple-haired teenager and a blond-haired young man stepped into the arena from opposite sides, locking eyes across the field.
"When I last saw you, I knew this day would come." Volkner said first, gripping a Poké Ball tightly, his expression focused. "I've been training hard ever since. Let's make this a real battle, Paul."
"Of course." Paul replied, producing a Poké Ball he had prepared in advance.
"The rules are two-on-two. Both Trainers may switch Pokémon at any time. The first to defeat both of their opponent's Pokémon wins. Send out your Pokémon!"
The referee's announcement left no hesitation in either Trainer. Both threw their Poké Balls in unison.
"Rotom, you're up!"
"Monferno, battle ready!"
A red refrigerator with ghostly purple arms and a face of glowing eyes and a grin materialized—Frost Rotom.
Monferno appeared on Paul's side, quieter than usual, fists clenched as it stared up at Rotom.
In recent times, Monferno had often been part of Paul's ranked battle roster. With each match, its experience had grown, bolstered by intense daily training. Though it still had not evolved into a fully version of itself—the kind that overcomes impossible odds, it had already mastered both the Rage Power taught by Mewtwo and the Awakening Mode imparted by Ursaluna. Its strength was now formidable.
The moment each Trainer saw the other's Pokémon, the same thought flashed through their minds:
Frost Rotom? That's a type advantage… could this be a chance for victory?
For Paul, fielding Monferno here was primarily to give it experience against another Elite-level opponent, not necessarily to win outright.
Not Torterra, Ursaluna, or Garchomp? With my matchup advantage, I don't need to switch.
Volkner, who had trained Rotom specifically to counter Paul's trio of Ground-type heavy hitters, kept his choice.
"Battle start!"
Paul and Volkner gave their commands almost simultaneously.
"Monferno, Taunt!"
"Rotom, Thunder Wave!"
"Yahh!"
Monferno raised a single finger in a pointed goading gesture, pure provocation.
Rotom, however, was faster. Before Taunt could take hold, a surge of crackling yellow electricity leapt from its body toward Monferno.
But Monferno's reflexes were no less sharp , completing its Taunt and then flipping backward, it vanished into the ground with Dig, avoiding the Thunder Wave entirely.
"Thunderbolt!"
A massive jolt of electricity burst from Rotom, blasting straight into the tunnel. The current spread through the earth, turning the underground into a deadly storm of lightning.
Monferno had no choice but to burst back to the surface almost immediately.
Though barely two seconds had passed, it emerged transformed—eyes burning red, body wreathed in roaring flames. The heat shimmered in the air.
Rage Power—activated!
"Flame Wheel into Flamethrower!" Paul ordered.
Monferno became a blazing comet, barreling toward Rotom. Mid-charge, it unleashed a stream of fire, swelling the Flame Wheel into an inferno.
"Thunderbolt!"
Rotom met the attack with another lightning strike.
BOOM!
Flame and lightning collided in a deafening explosion, the shockwave dispersing the wheel of fire and revealing Monferno midair.
"Shock Wave!"
Seizing the opening, Rotom fired a quick unerring arc of electricity.
"Fire Blast!"
Despite the pain from the blast, Monferno roared and unleashed the massive burst of fire, intercepting the Shock Wave.
It landed back on the ground, only to see Rotom glowing with a sudden white light, its aura intensifying.
Nasty Plot.
"You're not the only one whose Pokémon can boost its power." Volkner said with a faint smile.
"Electric Terrain!"
"Rotom~!"
Golden energy surged from Rotom, flooding the arena floor with crackling electricity.
Now, within the terrain, Rotom could strike Monferno anywhere with ease.
"Play it safe, return."
Paul recalled Monferno. This match had always been more about giving it exposure to high-level combat. Unless Monferno went all-out and its opponent made mistakes, the gap in level would be hard to bridge.
Of course, in the anime world, Monferno's odds might have been much better.
"You're Sinnoh's brightest star right now." Volkner remarked. "Against you, I can't afford to hold back at all."
The greater the fame, the less likely opponents were to underestimate you. Many of Paul's old strategies had already been studied and countered. Anyone facing him now would take the fight deadly seriously.
"Then let's make this an official fight. Electivire—battle ready!"
Paul tossed another Poké Ball high into the air—
"Vireee~"
The sky cracked with a deafening boom as Electivire made its dazzling entrance.
Feeling the weight of every onlooker's gaze, Electivire couldn't help but grin broadly.
'Step aside, time for me to put on a show.'
With a clenched fist, it absorbed every last spark from the Electric Terrain swirling across the battlefield.
"It broke the Electric Terrain…!"
"That's… that's the Electivire from back then?!"
Volkner was stunned—not without reason. Lately, in Paul's battle replays, his Electivire was either absent or facing one-sided matchups that never revealed its true strength.
Now, seeing it in person, the oppressive aura it radiated was terrifying—stronger than even Volkner's own ace Electivire.
"Will-O-Wisp!"
Snapping out of his shock, Volkner seized the initiative.
"Roto~!"
Rotom swept its hands outward, summoning dozens of ghostly blue flames that spiraled toward Electivire from every direction.
"Thunder!"
Electivire didn't move an inch. Terrifying lightning erupted from its body, purging the approaching flames the moment they touched.
With a casual raise of its arm, a bolt of lightning shot forth.
"Blizzard!"
Frost Rotom flung open its refrigerator door, unleashing a furious snowstorm so cold it froze the very air.
But the moment the blizzard met the thunderbolt, the ice and snow dissolved into harmless droplets, and the lightning carved through without resistance—slamming into Rotom.
BANG!
Even with natural resistance to electricity, Rotom was hurled to the floor, sparks dancing across its body as it reeled in shock.
"Protect!"
Volkner's voice rang out, and Rotom reflexively raised a shimmering shield.
BANG!
A fiery fist smashed against the barrier—Fire Punch from Electivire.
Rotom barely exhaled in relief before two more punches followed, one feinting to break the shield, the another one Fire Punch that sent both Rotom and its refrigerator casing hurtling into the wall, embedding them into the concrete.
"Rotom is unable to battle! Electivire wins!"
The referee examined the motionless Rotom lodged in the wall before declaring the result.
"Return, Rotom. You did well." Volkner recalled his Pokémon, offering a quiet praise. After a brief pause, he threw another Poké Ball.
"It's up to you now—go, Electivire!"
"Eleeec~!"
This Electivire—smaller than Paul's, landed across from its towering counterpart, its eyes blazing with determination.
"Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Fire Punch!"
"Eleeec~!"
Volkner's Electivire's twin cable-like tails turned to gleaming steel, its body becoming a streak of white light as it rushed forward with blinding speed, both fists igniting with flame.
Three moves, four simultaneous angles of attack—a combination that would overwhelm most opponents. But Paul's Electivire stood unfazed, a smirk tugging at the corner of its mouth, waiting for the charge.
When the distance closed to less than two meters, it finally moved. Its tails met the incoming Iron Tail, while both fists countered with Ice Punch.
The two Electivire clashed—tails and fists striking in rapid succession. Dozens of blows were exchanged in seconds, neither side holding back.
After five relentless seconds, Volkner's Electivire still hadn't broken through. Its expression grew tense, while Paul's only smirked wider, eyes gleaming with mocking amusement like a predator humoring its prey.
Paul's Electivire was no stranger to technical battles, sparring with Samurott and Ninetales in the team meant brute force alone rarely worked. Against Volkner's, it felt no pressure at all.
Growing desperate, Volkner shouted:
"Screech!"
His Electivire opened its mouth—
—but before the sound could escape, a flash of blue light filled its vision. An Ice Punch, colder than the dead of winter, slammed into its face.
CRACK!!!
In an instant, Volkner's Electivire froze solid—encased in glittering ice.
"Vireee~"
Paul's Electivire withdrew its fist and shook its head.
'I was being nice, trying to play along. But you had to try and scream at me? Really?'
"Brick Break."
"Vireee~"
Paul's Electivire shrugged. This wasn't about ending the fun, it was simply that its Trainer didn't want to waste more time.
It raised its hand and brought it down hard on the frozen opponent's head.
SMASH!!!
The ice shattered, and Volkner's Electivire collapsed to the ground—unconscious.
"Volkner's Electivire is unable to battle! Paul's Electivire wins! The match goes to Paul!"
High above, Drone Rotom finished uploading the footage. Rankings updated.
#88.
Paul glanced at his phone.
"Vireee~"
Victorious, Electivire stretched, stepping behind Paul with an air of lonely superiority.
Battles outside the team felt effortless compared to the ones within. Sometimes, being too strong was its own kind of torment.
"Your strength is greater than we imagined. Good luck on your next matches." Volkner said sincerely.
Before this match, he had analyzed Paul's strength with Flfint and the others—but now, the truth was clear: Paul and his Pokémon were far stronger than they had expected.
"I will." Paul replied firmly.
"I'll make the Champion's title… my new starting point."
(End of Chapter)
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