Roland tossed his Poké Ball into the sea of fire. "Go, Forretress!" A Forretress materialized, its steel-hard shell gleaming, unbothered by the flames licking its surface.
The crowd gasped, then cheered, the announcer's voice booming, "Roland's final stand—Forretress! This Bug-Steel tank's a fortress of power, folks! Can it withstand Arsenal's flames? It's a bold move from Roland." Gladion's psychic senses brushed the Pokémon, noting its resilience.
'Impressive—it's shrugging off the fire.' Gladion thought as he recalled Forretress's dual Bug-Steel typing, his smirk sharpening.
'Well, He should have used Forretress earlier. Steel's tough, Fire's a weakness of steel. And Forretress is both bug and steel, fire should be super effective against it. Even an Ace's Pokémon can't tank that forever.'
Roland's Forretress, however, was no ordinary Pokémon—its presence screamed elite, a testament to his skill.
"Rapid Spin!" Roland ordered. Forretress spun, its shell a blur, drawing the surrounding flames into a spiraling fire tornado.
Grass and tree embers joined the fire tornado, a blazing tornado with Forretress at it's center hurtling toward Arsenal.
The announcer hyped this, "FIRE TORNADO! Forretress is turning Arsenal's flames against it! This is WILD!"
Gladion's eyes glinted, unfazed. "Let's spin too, Arsenal—Flame Wheel!" Arsenal roared, its body igniting in red-hot flames, charging forward like a molten comet.
The collision was cataclysmic—fire tornado met Flame Wheel, erupting in an explosion of sparks and smoke, the shockwave rattling the arena's barriers. Fans ducked, Milo and Lila in the stands shrieking, "Big Brother Gladion's blowing it up!"
Roland seized the moment. "Use Payback, then Gyro Ball!" Forretress, empowered by the damage it had taken, glowed, its attack power surging as it spun faster, steel shell gleaming with Gyro Ball's force.
It slammed into Arsenal, rapid hits denting the Magmortar's hide.
Gladion grimaced as he tracked Arsenal's endurance—'It's holding, but that should have hurt Arsenal. Well, Let's stop it's spinning first.'
"Low Kick!" he ordered. Arsenal's leg swept out, a precise strike halting Forretress's spin, the impact echoing. Forretress wobbled but kept spinning, its shell grinding against Arsenal's strength, trying to overpower it. Yet the fire-soaked battlefield had taken its toll—Forretress, double weak to Fire, looked haggard, its movements sluggish, shell scorched from all the fire it had endured that have been covering the arena.
Gladion's smirked,"End this, Arsenal—Fire Blast!" Arsenal's cannon arm glowed as he aimed it at the spinning Forretress which is still being held by his low kick, unleashing a star-shaped inferno that roared engulfed the spinning Forretress.
The blast consumed it, flames searing through its weakened shell, and Forretress collapsed, fainted, the fire dying around it.
The stadium erupted, a deafening roar, the announcer screaming, "FIRE BLAST! Arsenal's cannon just OBLITERATED Forretress! Roland's out of Pokémon—Gladion Vortex WINS the Ace Challenge!!"
He flailed, mimicking Arsenal's cannon pose, nearly knocking over his booth, yelling, "BOOM! That's how you do it! Coolest Pokémon EVER!"
Fans laughed, a kid shouting, "You're such a nerd!" The announcer grinned, unapologetic, "Guilty! But Arsenal's my hero!"
The referee raised a flag, confirming Gladion's victory. Roland recalled Forretress, his shoulders slumping but his wry smile intact. 'Outclassed, but what a fight.'
Gladion stepped off his platform, crossing the scorched field to meet Roland, his psychic aura warm with respect. "Hell of a battle, Mr. Roland," he said, offering a handshake.
"Your team's tough—Forretress turning my flames into a tornado? That was slick." Roland shook his hand, chuckling. "Thanks, kid. You're a monster."
Gladion's smirk softened. "One tip: train your Bugs near fire. Start with weak Fire moves—Ember, maybe—build their resistance. Won't nullify the weakness, but it'll help." Roland nodded, impressed.
'Kid's not just strong—he's generous. He would need it when the young ones would challenge him to get his gym's badge.
"I'll take it, Gym Leader Vortex. Good luck tomorrow."
Gladion turned to the podium, the crowd's cheers washing over him as he took the mic, his psychic senses catching their awe.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice steady but emotional, "I hope you enjoyed the match!" The stadium roared, banners waving—"Vortex Forever!" He raised a hand, silencing them, his tone softening.
"Tomorrow, the new League season begins. To all the young trainers out there, starting your journey, listen up. I was like you once—a kid with a dream, a Poké Ball, and a world to conquer. It's not easy. You'll face losses, doubts, maybe even fear. But every step, every battle, makes you stronger. Your Pokémon? They're your family, your heart. Trust them, train them, love them. Kanto's waiting for you—Johto, Hoenn, beyond. Dream big, fight hard, and never give up. My gym's open, and I'm waiting to test your spirit. Show me what you've got!"
His words hit hard, kids in the stands tearing up, clutching their first Poké Balls. A girl with a Charmander plushie whispered, "I'm gonna challenge him someday!" A boy, eyes shining, hugged his Bulbasaur, vowing.
"We'll make it!" Milo and Lila, sniffling, hugged each other, Lila sobbing, "Big Brother's the best!" Gladion's psychic senses caught their hope, his heart swelling. 'This is why I fight—for them, for Moonwood, for the future.'
---Author Notes------
Y'all can read 18 extra chapters on my pat*reon. 6 more than what was offered earlier!!
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