After selecting Shedinja, Aiden swiftly added five more Pokémon—completing a lineup that looked utterly bizarre at first glance:
Shedinja, Lopunny, Carbink, Audino, Smeargle, Shuckle.
To viewers, the team had no clear attacker—only Lopunny vaguely qualified as "damage-dealing." Even Teacher Azure's signature unorthodox tactics were invisible. Smeargle's presence offered zero clues.
[Teacher Azure… this lineup feels like you randomly rolled every slot. Can this actually climb ranked?]
[I get the theory, but Shedinja as a core? Impossible!]
[Smeargle can pull dirty tricks… but weak teammates won't save the day——]
No blame on them. Without knowing Aiden's plan, the team genuinely looked trash-tier. The only two Pokémon with 500+ BST? Shuckle—a "tank" brimming with utility—and Carbink, similarly defensive. Not a winning composition. Even Aiden had doubted it… before becoming it.
He simply smiled:
"Just watch. Today's doubles tactic is uniquely engineered. Those facing this for the first time definitely won't be able to crack it."
"But I'm different. Teacher Azure runs on pure experience!"
He started to queue.
Though inactive in ranked lately, his account's rating remained elite. Combined with hidden MMR from streaks, few matched him—usually requiring long waits. Viewers knew: aside from rare sniper encounters, patience was mandatory.
Not this time.
As Aiden reached for Minesweeper, the matchmaking screen vanished. A bold pop-up seized half the display:
MATCH FOUND!
The opponent's avatar materialized:
A buzz-cut man in a sharp black suit, back turned, lips curled in faint provocation. Behind him, a razor-eyed Persian crouched—coiled to strike.
Trainer ID: Giovanni of the Earth
[??? IS THAT THE GIOVANNI—KANTO'S GYM LEADER?!]
[I've heard he's Elite Four-tier… but wow, he looks way too villainous?]
[Plot twist: the more villainous the face, the purer the heart. We're safe~]
Aiden's brain short-circuited for three full seconds.
Boss Giovanni… rocking a digital glow-up?
He'd never seen Giovanni play Pokémon Champions. Has fatherhood softened him? A midlife gaming renaissance?
His eyes sharpened.
This was no coincidence. Giovanni deliberately queued to challenge me.
But sorry—your era's over!
Once this tactic locks in… even Giovanni stands no chance.
---
Viridian City, Kanto
Over two weeks had passed since Blue arrived in this city of despair.
Today, as always, he forced confidence onto his face and entered Viridian Gym.
Awaiting him: a lone black-suited silhouette.
Zero words exchanged. The moment Blue stepped onto the battlefield—Poké Balls flew.
A brutal, primal clash erupted.
Giovanni's commands swiftly tilted the field into total domination.
——
Only Arcanine remained standing… until consecutive Earthquakes finally felled it. Defeated, Blue conceded:
"I lost."
Same ending. He'd grown numb to it.
After enduring this long—facing Teacher Azure's broken tactics—losing is normal.
Yet… a rare Trainer who always accepts challenges? He'd seize this opportunity.
Can I become Champion? Summit the Indigo Plateau? Defeat Red?
This final stretch decides everything.
As long as I progress daily. One day… I'll "repay the kindness" for this month's suffering!
"Head to the Pokémon Center. Return tomorrow."
Giovanni watched Blue leave—then massaged his bruised left arm, expression darkening.
"Not bad… the kid Aiden endorsed. He progresses pretty fast."
"It won't be long before he rivals… or surpasses me."
"Reluctant as I am to admit… Blue does deserve the Viridian Gym."
"But compared to him… Red remains far more intriguing."
A pity. One would become Kanto's era-defining Champion. Likely Red.
Not due to skill gaps—but vision.
Blue sought Champion status to shed his reputation as "Professor Oak's grandson."
Red? His goal was always stronger opponents.
Once they both reached Champion caliber… the divergence would crystallize.
With Red present… Blue's reign is impossible.
(At least Giovanni believed so.)
Though honestly? Aiden suited the role better.
Pity—he'd never care for Team Rocket… or Viridian Gym.
Giovanni shook his head.
No challengers arrived until closing time.
Late that night, typing awkwardly with one finger while searching "How to Repair Father-Son Bonds" and "A Father's Confession" on PokéTV… a notification flashed:
[Your followed streamer "Azure Wings" is LIVE!]
Giovanni clicked instantly.
He rose, and booted Pokémon Champions.
After the last stream, he'd adapted Aiden's "Dual Mega Kangaskhan" tactic—now a Viridian Gym staple.
Another debt he owed.
For a Trainer, repayment had few options:
"Aiden lacks nothing—money, Pokémon, League resources. So…"
"The best repayment? A full-power battle."
(Giovanni wouldn't admit his hidden amusement: Watching Aiden face the very tactic he taught students… what expression would he make?)
---
Back to the Stream
Giovanni's team loaded in:
Only two species. Kangaskhan + five Smeargle allies. Brutally straightforward.
Aiden's face twisted into disbelief.
Wait—this is MY "Transform Tactic"?!
[HAHA! Even GYM LEADER GIOVANNI caught Teacher Azure's virus?!]
[Is this the "Elite Gym Leader Unity" curse? (sob)]
[Half the Gym Leaders already learned unorthodox tricks from Teacher Azure—why not him?!]
[But seriously—Giovanni's Transform Tactic is certified broken by Teacher Azure himself! And Teacher Azure's side… is this safe?!]
[The double battles meta has been Transform-dominated for months! Luckily I main Whimsicott—Taunt blocks all transforms~]
"Kangaskhan is strong," Aiden addressed his chat calmly. "But counterplay exists."
"No Taunter needed. We're exploiting mechanics—creating an invincible Shedinja the opponent cannot handle~"
He locked his lead: Carbink + Lopunny.
Giovanni's choice? Predictable. Kangaskhan + Smeargle. Full transparency.
Both sides confirmed. The arena materialized.
Four Poké Balls released.
Aiden's duo seemed nonsensical—no combo potential.
Giovanni's intent? At this point it was universal knowledge:
"Kangaskhan—Mega Evolve."
True to form, the command echoed the instant Pokémon appeared.
Smeargle's move? Obviously: Transform. Two Mega Kangaskhan incoming.
Aiden countered instantly:
"Lopunny—Fake Out Smeargle. Disrupt their rhythm."
"Carbink—Skill Swap with Lopunny!"
Confidence radiated from his voice.
Chat erupted in question marks.
[??? TEACHER AZURE—WHAT KINDA PLAY IS THIS?! Lopunny's abilities are all mediocre! Swapping Carbink's Clear Body?]
[Pointless! Without Mega, Lopunny's damage is trash. Clear Body doesn't boost offense——]
[Confusing… but it's TEACHER AZURE. Zero wasted moves. Must be a setup for later! Wait and see!]
Logically—shouldn't Fake Out prioritize stopping Transform? Why not focus on Mega Kangaskhan?!
Aiden's choice baffled everyone.
Post-Mega, action erupted.
Lopunny lunged to Fake Out Smeargle—only to freeze.
Mega Kangaskhan's speed surpassed it.
Two sharp smacks later—Lopunny stood dazed.
Uninterrupted, Smeargle executed Transform.
After the light faded. 2v2 became 2v4.
Simultaneously, Carbink completed Skill Swap.
Chat detonated:
[HOLY STURDY?! Lopunny got FAKE OUT'd for NOTHING?! TEACHER AZURE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!]
Yes. More puzzling than Clear Body.
Aiden's Carbink held Sturdy—utterly useless for Lopunny.
There was no explanation. Aiden commanded:
"Lopunny—Protect."
"Carbink—Trick Room!"
Perfect prediction.
Giovanni targeted Lopunny—ignoring the "harmless" Carbink. The two Mega Kangaskhan unleashed Close Combat + Earthquake.
Lopunny's Protect absorbed both. Momentum stalled.
Carbink, spared partial aggro, held firm—and unleashed Trick Room.
Setup complete.
With Smeargle limited to Transform, turn order now revolved solely around Mega Kangaskhan's speed.
Giovanni's team held zero faster Pokémon.
Meaning—
Aiden now controlled all initiative.
"Carbink—you've done enough. Return!"
"And—"
"Lopunny—Entrainment!"
Carbink vanished. Replaced by the pre-battle-introduced "core member": Shedinja.
Lopunny executed Entrainment before Kangaskhan reacted.
Its target? Obviously the freshly summoned Shedinja.
(The stage was set. The invincible ghost cicada now stood ready.)
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