Bang!
The impact echoed sharply across the battlefield, a clean crack that cut through the roar of the storm.
Rotom's body jerked violently as the rock from Smack Down struck it midair. The spinning fans that kept it aloft stuttered, sparks sputtering as the energy maintaining its Levitate collapsed.
For a brief second it hung suspended —
then dropped.
The sandstorm howled around it, coarse grains scraping against its plasma casing as it plummeted helplessly toward the ground.
Its Levitate had been suppressed.
Without it, its immunity to Ground-type moves vanished instantly.
"Roto—!"
Its cry was sharp, distorted by the wind, as it crashed down onto the rock-strewn field.
Thud!
Dust and sand burst outward on impact.
Rotom twitched once —
then went still.
The referee drone hovered forward, its mechanical voice calm and unwavering.
"Rotom is unable to battle. Rhyperior wins!"
The declaration rang through the arena.
Volkner stood silently for a moment, watching his fallen Rotom. The sandstorm still raged, grains hissing against his coat and hair.
Then he raised his Poké Ball.
"Rotom, come back and rest."
A red beam shot forward, recalling the defeated Pokémon.
As Rotom disappeared, Volkner's grip tightened slightly.
I underestimated him.
The realization settled heavily in his chest.
I should have brought Raichu…
But now there was no point dwelling on it. He had already reached his final Pokémon. No switches. No second chances.
Volkner lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp again.
"This one is my last trump card."
He drew a Poké Ball from his belt. For a brief moment he held it tight, as if grounding himself.
Then —
"Go, Electivire!"
The Poké Ball burst open in a flash of light.
"VIRE—!"
A powerful figure landed hard on the battlefield, electricity crackling faintly across its fur. Its thick arms flexed, twin tails swaying behind it as sparks danced between the conductors.
[Electivire ♂]
[Level: 56]
[Potential: Champion-tier]
Gary's gaze sharpened slightly.
Another Electivire. Champion potential… same as mine.
But the level gap was still there.
Even so, he didn't underestimate it. Because with Champion-tier potential — the ceiling meant everything.
Volkner didn't hesitate.
"Electivire, use Brick Break!"
His voice was firm, decisive.
Electivire responded instantly.
"VIRE!"
It surged forward, speed explosive despite the sandstorm dragging at its movements. Its feet slammed into the ground with each step, kicking up bursts of sand as it closed the distance in a single breath.
Its arm drew back — then swung forward with crushing force.
The air cracked.
WHAM!
The blow slammed square into Rhyperior's chest.
But —
Rhyperior didn't move.
Its massive forearms rose, blocking the strike effortlessly. The impact reverberated against its armor-like hide, but its body remained completely still, like an immovable fortress.
Volkner's eyes narrowed.
He held it down…
That level of defense… even Brick Break isn't enough to shake it.
Gary's command came immediately.
"Stone Edge."
"ROAR—!"
Rhyperior stomped forward heavily. Its massive foot slammed into the ground.
The battlefield responded.
Cracks spread outward like lightning —
then —
Boom!
Jagged stone blades erupted upward from beneath Electivire's feet. Sharp. Sudden. Unavoidable.
Volkner's eyes widened. "…!"
Flint, watching from the sidelines, leaned forward sharply.
"It's still pulling that off in a sandstorm?!"
The timing. The angle. The speed. Even for an experienced Trainer, that kind of Stone Edge was nearly impossible to dodge.
"VIRE—!"
Electivire cried out as the stone spikes struck its torso, lifting it slightly before slamming it back down. Dust and rock fragments scattered as it staggered backward.
The damage was severe.
Rhyperior stood firm amidst the howling sandstorm, barely affected. The Premium Smooth Rock it carried not only extended the storm's duration — it amplified the power of its Rock-type moves.
Combined with the level gap — the difference was overwhelming.
Volkner clenched his jaw.
"Electivire, use Low Kick!"
Gary responded instantly.
"Rhyperior, Drill Run!"
Both commands rang out simultaneously.
Electivire roared. "VIRE!"
It charged forward again, pushing through the pain. Its steps were heavier now, but its determination didn't waver. It lowered its body, aiming for Rhyperior's knee — the key point for Low Kick's effectiveness.
Rhyperior moved as well.
Its massive body surged forward, surprisingly fast for its size. Ground-type energy gathered around the drill-like horn on its head, swirling violently as it began to spin.
The air distorted. The ground trembled with each step.
"ROAR—!"
It charged like a living battering ram.
The two Pokémon closed the distance. Electivire leapt, its leg swinging down toward Rhyperior's joint —
But the swirling Ground energy surrounding Rhyperior deflected the blow. Electivire's kick met unbreakable resistance. It couldn't penetrate. It couldn't land cleanly.
Then — Rhyperior's horn struck.
BANG!!
Drill Run connected directly with Electivire's midsection.
The impact was devastating.
"VIRE—!!"
Electivire screamed as it was sent flying backward, its body spinning through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground more than ten meters away.
Dust exploded outward.
Silence followed.
Electivire lay there, motionless. Its eyes spun. Its body didn't respond.
The outcome was clear.
The referee drone announced:
"Electivire is unable to battle. Rhyperior wins!"
"The Gym Leader's three Pokémon have all been defeated. The winner is the challenger, Gary Oak."
The battle was over.
The sandstorm slowly began to subside.
Volkner stood there, unmoving. The tension that had filled his body during the battle slowly drained away.
I lost… completely.
Not just lost. Overwhelmed. Three Pokémon. All defeated.
It had been a long time since he'd experienced something like this. The last time… was when he was a child.
Since becoming a Gym Leader — he had never been pushed this far. Never been defeated so decisively.
He let out a quiet breath. Then stepped forward.
"You're really strong," Volkner said. His tone was calm again, but there was no trace of boredom this time. Only acknowledgment. Respect.
He reached into his pocket and took out a Badge — a small, gleaming symbol shaped like a radiant sun.
"This is the Beacon Badge. It's yours now."
Gary stepped forward and accepted it.
"Thank you."
The moment the Badge touched his palm —
[Ding! Mission complete. Rewards have been distributed to System Storage.]
Gary's expression didn't change. But inwardly — he acknowledged it.
Good.
Flint walked over, arms crossed, a wide grin on his face.
"This Gary… he's strong. Much stronger than Ash."
Volkner nodded slightly. "Indeed."
He looked at Gary again. "It's a pity. I made the wrong decision. I should have used a full team."
There was a trace of regret in his voice. Not frustration — but understanding. He had limited himself. And paid the price.
Flint shrugged. "No way to know beforehand. But don't worry — there are plenty of strong Trainers in the World Championships."
Volkner exhaled softly. "You're right."
The thought seemed to settle something within him. The desire to battle — to challenge — had returned fully.
—
After leaving Sunyshore Gym, Gary didn't linger.
The salty scent of the ocean drifted through the city air as he walked, sunlight reflecting off the solar panels lining the streets.
He reached a quiet corner. Then — he checked his rewards.
A system notification appeared before him.
[Best Toxic Orb]
[Effect: The holder becomes badly poisoned, but its Physical Attack increases by 50%.]
Gary's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This…!"
He stared at the description.
An upgraded Toxic Orb. A normal Toxic Orb only inflicted poison. But this — this was different.
Fifty percent increase in physical attack. That's not a small boost. That's massive.
He folded his arms, thinking.
Who can use this best?
Two Pokémon immediately came to mind.
Machamp.
Heracross.
Both had the Guts Ability. Poison wouldn't weaken them — it would strengthen them.
Gary's mind began calculating rapidly.
Machamp already has Guts. Heracross… can gain it through Ability Expansion.
And then — another thought formed.
Heracross also has Swarm. When its HP drops low, its Bug-type moves become stronger.
Combine that with Guts — and the Toxic Orb's boost — and Moxie —
Gary's eyes sharpened.
That's three stacking effects. Guts. Swarm. Moxie. Attack amplification on three separate levels.
He exhaled slowly.
That's not just strong. That's overwhelming.
Compared to Mega Evolution — this setup was even more flexible. More explosive.
This Toxic Orb… was made for Heracross.
Gary didn't hesitate. He released Cyclizar.
The sleek, reptilian Pokémon appeared with a soft cry. "Cyclizar!"
Gary mounted its back smoothly. "Let's go to the Pokémon Center."
Cyclizar surged forward, its body accelerating smoothly as it carried Gary through the streets of Sunyshore. The wind rushed past them.
Within minutes — they arrived.
Gary stepped inside the Pokémon Center and approached the communication terminal.
"Tracey, help me transfer Heracross over."
His voice was calm. Professional.
"Okay, wait a moment."
Gary stood there, arms crossed, waiting.
A few minutes later — the transfer completed.
Heracross's Poké Ball appeared in the machine's tray with a soft ding.