Had Luther not mentally prepared himself beforehand, the gradually intensifying roar of the crowd echoing through the tunnel leading to the arena would have startled him.
Upon entering the staging area, he saw a packed, circular stadium.
During the pre-match preparations, he remained relaxed, scanning the stands diligently for Mai's figure. After searching fruitlessly, he reluctantly gave up.
Haruto Kisaragi, standing nearby and observing Luther's casual demeanor as if he were attending a party, suddenly felt underestimated.
As per tradition, the pre-match ritual included a handshake between competitors. A staff member's reminder snapped Luther out of his reverie and reminded him of his first competitive match.
"Show me some respect," he said, grasping Haruto Kisaragi's outstretched hand. The moment the words left his lips, a Quagsire collapsed with a thunderous crash onto the Battle Arena.
The referee announced the outcome of another match.
Feeling the grip on his hand tighten, Luther glanced back at Haruto Kisaragi, smiled, and smoothly released his grip.
"You seemed to be in the lounge earlier, too."
Haruto Kisaragi replied expressionlessly. "I didn't join in. I have no interest in that kind of banter. I'm here to prove that I'm an exceptional Pokémon trainer, not to argue.
Defeating you will prove that I am superior and more deserving of the Champion's favor."
"An admirable mindset," Luther thought, genuinely impressed. "Haruto Kisaragi is the type who gets things done, not one for empty talk."
As they spoke, the previous group of competitors descended from the arena.
Their expressions spoke volumes: the victor clenched his fist in triumph while the loser looked utterly devastated, much like top students and underachievers when final exam results are announced.
After the staff recorded each competitor's Pokémon, the announcement rang out:
"Next up: Luther from Sandgem Town versus Haruto Kisaragi from Oreburgh City! Please enter the Battle Arena."
Guided by staff, the two trainers walked to opposite ends of the Battle Arena.
Since the preliminary round was just a whirlwind tour of the matches, the audience showered every Pokémon Trainer with applause and cheers.
Luther and Haruto Kisaragi received this treatment as soon as they entered the arena.
The thunderous applause was the audience's spontaneous gift to the competitors. Everyone understood the brutal, single-elimination format, and the crowd hoped this small gesture would encourage the trainers to persevere in the years to come.
The battle rules were already familiar to both trainers, so the referee didn't bother reiterating them. Once both trainers had taken their positions and the commentator had introduced them briefly, the referee waved his small flag, pointing toward Haruto Kisaragi.
This indicated that the system had randomly selected Haruto Kisaragi's first move, giving him the advantage.
The entire arena followed the countdown on the electronic screen, counting down from three seconds. At the count of "one," Luther and Haruto Kisaragi simultaneously released their Poké Balls.
Marill faced off against Cacturne.
Although the type matchup appeared unfavorable for Marill, Candice remained optimistic from her seat in the stands.
"Luther's Marill has maxed out its Ice-type moves and close-combat abilities. Don't worry!" she assured the crowd.
Meanwhile, in the lounge, Ash believed that Luther had finally understood the appeal of reverse-type battles. He recalled how Luther had excitedly promoted the strategy to others.
"First move, Player Haruto Kisaragi! Let the battle begin!"
At the referee's signal, Luther and Marill braced themselves for Cacturne's expected assault. But then...
"Cacturne, return."
Under the entire stadium's gaze, Haruto Kisaragi abruptly recalled Cacturne without making a single move.
"This is truly unexpected! Player Haruto Kisaragi withdrew his Cacturne without attacking. What strategic motive lies behind this maneuver? Does Haruto Kisaragi suspect that Marill's ability is Grass Eater?"
Even the commentators exclaimed in surprise.
Haruto Kisaragi threw out his second Pokémon: Arcanine.
"He... Player Haruto Kisaragi immediately sent out his Fire-type Arcanine as his second Pokémon, switching from a type advantage to a type disadvantage. Could his Arcanine be so powerful that it can disregard type matchups entirely?"
The commentator's words echoed the thoughts of the entire audience. After the grueling matches of previous rounds, in which every player fought tooth and nail for a type advantage, this sudden reversal was baffling.
Seeing Haruto Kisaragi, Candice suddenly recalled something.
The researchers at Professor Rowan's lab, Maylene in Veilstone City, and the three people in the resting room all froze, the same realization dawning on them simultaneously.
"This guy...he's studied my battle with Candice."
Luther understood immediately.
The Gym Leader Battle data was publicly available, but full access would only be granted during the main tournament. For now, only the Pokémon used by competitors in gym battles were accessible.
Haruto Kisaragi must have obtained information about Luther's six-on-six match against Candice somehow.
Though a Water-type, Luther's Marill had Ice-type moves with even greater destructive power. This meant that Cacturne's seemingly advantageous matchup actually carried significant risk.
"So, Arcanine's speed..."
"Marill, Water Pulse!"
A swirling stream of water closed in on Arcanine. However, the Fire-type Pokémon vanished in a flash of astonishing speed and reappeared instantly behind Marill.
"Close Combat!"
Luther was stunned. Could Haruto Kisaragi truly be so wary of his Marill?
Despite the fact that Close Combat completely sacrifices defense, Haruto Kisaragi launched a relentless assault on Marill without considering whether Arcanine could remain in the battle afterward.
Marill was still firing Water Pulse when she heard the whistling wind rushing past her ear.
Close Combat slammed into Marill's side, sending her flying. She was only able to stop herself by using her tail to absorb the impact.
"Just as I thought," Luther realized. "In my match against Candice, Spheal's speed completely overwhelmed Marill. Haruto Kisaragi is trying to replicate Candice's strategy by using the faster Arcanine."
Furthermore, the Fire-type Arcanine was overpowering Marill's strategy of using Blizzard to alter the battlefield.
"Everyone else's battles are between the strong and the weak," Luther chuckled. "And here I am, thrown straight into the main event?"
His luck with the draw was as bad as ever. "I wonder if hatching eggs will balance out my luck a bit."
Luther had planned to follow Dakota's strategy of having one Pokémon carry him to the main event, but now that seemed impossible.
"Marill, come back."
Hearing Luther's words, Marill trotted closer to his side.
"It seems you've indeed come prepared. Too bad you're analyzing the me from six months ago."
Luther tossed out a second Poké Ball.
"I've heard about your Espurr," Haruto Kisaragi said. "It's remarkable, but its combat ability clearly pales in comparison to Arcanine's. Besides, my Arcanine can also use... Crunch!"
Psyshock."
Arcanine splashed high into the air. Haruto Kisaragi smirked as he watched Espurr, which hadn't even begun its move animation yet.
"Such slow execution," he thought, "just as I heard. It's clearly trained solely to control the weather."
Arcanine's body twisted unnaturally, and the searing pain forced its eyes shut. The Crunch move it was about to unleash fizzled out due to the sudden disruption.
Only when Arcanine crashed to the ground, shaking its head violently to shake off the effects, did Haruto Kisaragi realize:
Espurr had already used its move?
'When did it even...?'
(End of Chapter)
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