"And now... I officially declare this year's Intercollegiate Freshman Tournament open!"
The moment Kenny finished speaking, a barrage of fireworks erupted above the Pokémon Arena.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Brilliant colors blossomed across the sky, drawing another wave of cheers from the packed stands.
The Intercollegiate Freshman Tournament had officially begun.
"Now, everyone, turn your attention to the big screen!"
"As in previous years, the tournament will use randomly generated matchups. The system handles the pairings automatically, so every draw is completely impartial."
Standing comfortably on Pidgeot's back, Kenny swept one arm toward the massive screen overhead.
The first-round matchups immediately appeared.
[Match 1: Gage — Pokémon League University vs. Mason — Pokémon Elite Defense Academy]
[Match 2: Asher — Imperial Elite Pokémon University vs. Blaze — Pokémon Elite Defense Academy]
[Match 3: Aaron — Pokémon League University vs. Galen — Imperial Elite Pokémon University]
A long list continued beneath them.
There were even a few matches between students from the same university.
That was simply the nature of a random draw.
If teammates ended up facing each other, they would have to fight it out like everyone else. Only one could advance.
Aaron had drawn the third match, which meant he had plenty of time to sit back and watch the first two.
...
"Time for our opening match!"
Kenny's amplified voice rang through the arena.
"Please welcome Gage of Pokémon League University and Mason of Pokémon Elite Defense Academy!"
"This will be a full six-on-six battle. The match ends once all six Pokémon on one side are unable to continue, and the winner advances to the next round!"
He extended a hand dramatically toward the battlefield.
In the preparation area, Gage swallowed hard.
The nerves were obvious.
Aaron gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Just do your best. And relax."
He grinned.
"Getting nervous now will only mess with your judgment."
Gage took a slow breath and nodded.
"Right... I got it. Thanks, Aaron."
His shoulders loosened slightly, and after one more deep breath, he headed toward the field.
From the opposite side, a broad-shouldered young man with rough, tan skin stepped forward as well.
Mason.
Once both Trainers reached their positions, the referee raised his flag.
"Contestants, send out your first Pokémon!"
The two reached for their Poké Balls at almost the same time.
"Primeape, you're up!"
"Onix, let's go!"
Two flashes of light burst across the field.
"PRIMEAPE!"
Primeape landed with its fists clenched, immediately bouncing on its feet with barely contained aggression.
Across from it, an enormous stone serpent materialized with a heavy crash.
"ONIX!"
Its booming cry rolled through the arena as its massive body coiled across the battlefield.
Both Pokémon were at the early Gym stage, but Gage had drawn the better matchup. Fighting-type attacks were super effective against Onix, giving Primeape an obvious offensive advantage.
The referee glanced between them.
Then his flag dropped.
"Begin!"
Mason moved first.
"Onix, Stealth Rock!"
No hesitation.
He immediately went for one of the nastiest tools available in a full six-on-six battle.
"ONIX!"
The stone serpent whipped its tail across the field.
SHING! SHING! SHING!
Jagged stones scattered through the air before sinking into the battlefield and fading from sight.
Stealth Rock.
From this point on, every opposing Pokémon that entered the field would immediately take damage, with the amount depending on how vulnerable it was to Rock-type attacks.
Over the course of a six-on-six match, that kind of chip damage could become a serious problem.
Aaron narrowed his eyes slightly.
Smart.
Primeape had no way to remove entry hazards, either.
Gage clearly knew that too.
"Primeape, Focus Energy!"
"PRIME!"
Primeape drew in a deep breath.
A faint crimson aura pulsed across its body as its muscles tightened and its focus sharpened.
With Focus Energy active, its chances of landing a critical hit had risen significantly.
Mason had prepared for the long game.
Gage was preparing to end this matchup quickly.
"Primeape, go! Karate Chop!"
"PRIMEAPE!"
The Fighting-type Pokémon exploded forward.
Red Fighting-type energy gathered along the edge of its hand as it charged straight toward Onix.
Mason remained calm.
"Dig. Get underground."
"ONIX!"
Onix slammed its head into the battlefield.
CRASH!
Earth and stone flew in every direction as its enormous body disappeared beneath the ground.
Primeape's Karate Chop sliced through empty air.
"Prime!"
It skidded to a stop, glaring furiously at the hole in front of it.
Its temper was already starting to flare.
Then—
RUMBLE...
The ground trembled beneath its feet.
Gage's eyes sharpened.
Mason immediately seized the opening.
"Now, Onix! Hit it!"
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The shaking intensified.
Primeape spun around, trying to locate the attack—
BOOM!
"ONIX!"
The stone serpent burst from the ground directly beneath it.
Its massive head slammed into Primeape with brutal force.
"PRIME!"
The impact launched Primeape backward, drawing a cry of pain.
Mason's lips curled into a grin.
But Gage did not panic.
If anything, he looked like he had been waiting for exactly this.
"Now, Primeape!"
His voice cracked across the battlefield.
"Cross Chop!"
Primeape's eyes snapped open.
Red Fighting-type energy surged over both arms.
Gage had deliberately allowed Onix to close the distance.
The moment it surfaced...
it had put itself directly within Primeape's striking range.
"PRIMEAPE!"
Primeape roared and crossed both glowing arms in front of its chest.
Then it struck.
"Cross Chop!"
...
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