The appointed day finally arrived.
Bruno, a veteran Elite Four member of the Indigo League, sat cross-legged in the center of the arena early in the morning.
"Is that the Pokémon Trainer who's going to challenge our Orange League this time?"
"Doesn't look like a Trainer—more like a martial artist."
"Don't talk nonsense. That's a veteran Elite Four member from the Indigo League. He's incredibly strong."
"Why would an Elite Four member from the Indigo League come to our Orange Archipelago?"
"I heard there were some conflicts with the League."
"Our Orange League doesn't even have any Elite Four members. Can Drake beat him?"
——
Unlike last time, news of Bruno challenging the entire Orange League had spread like wildfire.
Many islanders had arrived at Meowth Island before dawn, all eager to witness the battle that would decide the honor of the Orange League.
"What do we do? There are so many spectators," murmured one of the Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders, standing near the front rows of the packed stadium.
The arena's spectator stands, capable of holding ten thousand people, were completely full.
"There's no helping it. All we can do now is watch Drake's performance."
"He lost so miserably last time..."
"Sigh, what else can we do? Our Orange League doesn't even have Elite Four Trainers to begin with."
——
During this time, the Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders hadn't been idle either.
Ultimately, the League decided to have Drake take the lead.
Over the past few days, all the strongest Pokémon from the Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders had been lent to Drake.
Although it was borderline cheating, it was necessary for the sake of the League's reputation.
The League had even approached May to borrow her Blastoise and Blaziken, and also contacted Riku to borrow Lapras.
But they were flatly rejected before they could even finish making the request.
The Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders were irritated, but what could they do? One was a girl from Hoenn, and the other wasn't even a registered resident.
All they could do was mutter bitter complaints in their hearts that May and Riku weren't considering the bigger picture.
——
"Why hasn't it started yet? It's almost time."
Impatience was growing among the audience.
"Who's our Orange League sending? Is it Drake?"
"I just got the latest info—Drake lost last time, didn't he?"
"No way. What's our Orange League going to do then?"
"A League this big, being trampled on like this without doing anything... It's shameful."
——
As the appointed time finally arrived, Bruno slowly stood up from the ground.
Facing the ten thousand citizens of the Orange Archipelago, his expression remained calm and unshaken.
He looked around briefly, then asked, "It's time. Who is your Orange League sending to fight?"
As he spoke, Bruno's brows furrowed slightly—
He had noticed that Riku, who had previously met his gaze, was nowhere to be seen.
"I'll go!"
Suddenly, a young man leapt into the arena.
Seeing who it was, Bruno shook his head. "You're not good enough. I don't want to discourage a young Trainer like you again."
The man who had jumped into the arena was none other than Drake, the Chief Trainer of the Orange League.
Being dismissed so bluntly, Drake gritted his teeth and said, "Bruno, you're a veteran Elite Four member of the Indigo League. I know you're strong. But!"
"A scholar who's been gone for three days must be seen in a new light!"
"This time, I, Drake, won't let you down!"
"Hahahaha!" Bruno burst into laughter.
"Your courage is admirable—but strength isn't something that grows with words."
"It's not that I'm underestimating you... but with your aptitude, you won't be able to defeat even one of my Pokémon in your lifetime."
"Giggle giggle…"
Drake clenched his fists in fury.
Bruno's words were like a series of slaps across his face.
As the Chief Trainer of the Orange League, Drake had always enjoyed prestige and pride in the Archipelago.
But now, in front of ten thousand spectators, that pride had crumbled—shattered completely by Bruno's dominance.
If this ended like last time, where he was crushed in just a few moves, Drake knew he wouldn't be able to face the people of the Orange Archipelago again.
"Come on!" Bruno beckoned.
"If this is the full strength of your Orange League, then let's fight!"
"Summon your Pokémon."
"You'll regret this!" Drake snapped, his voice full of anger.
In one motion, he threw a Poké Ball to the ground.
"Go! Electabuzz!!"
"Wacha—!"
With a roar, Electabuzz appeared in a flash of light, the black "V"-shaped mark on its forehead glowing sharply.
Watching from the stands, Ace, one of the Seafoam Islands Gym Leaders, grew visibly tense.
That Electabuzz was the very one he had lent Drake.
It had been with him for many years—and it was strong.
But now, they were facing Bruno, a true Elite Four veteran.
If anything went wrong, Electabuzz might be utterly destroyed.
"That's it?" Bruno scoffed, shaking his head.
"Last time, at least your Dragonite was barely acceptable—barely qualified to challenge me."
"And now, you bring out just an Elite-level Pokémon to try and fool me?"
"Seems you still haven't understood the gap between us."
"Enough nonsense!" Drake roared.
"Electabuzz, charge now!"
"Once he sends out his Pokémon—knock it out in one hit!!"
"You're dreaming!" Bruno chuckled.
"If you're in such a rush, I'll humor you a bit."
"Hitmonchan, come on out!"
"This young man fell here last time… This time—"
"Let him fall again!!"
-----------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter