Bruno's Challenge - Part 4

Somewhere in Kanto.

In a dark room, large monitors displayed Bruno's challenge match. These monitors partially illuminated the dimly lit space.

In the room, facing the monitors, sat a large armchair.

Footsteps…

The sound of someone approaching the door leading to this room could be heard.

Knock Knock Knock

"You may enter," a deep, raspy voice answered, carrying a certain charm.

As the doors opened, a woman stepped into the room. She was about 1.60 meters tall, with chin-length purple hair, glasses, and dressed in a formal business suit. Holding a stack of documents, she walked toward the armchair with a serious expression.

She stopped behind the chair, waiting for permission to speak.

Seated in the armchair was a man whose upper body was covered by shadows, obscuring his face. His attire, however, was clearly visible—an elegant black suit over a gray shirt, accentuated by a striking red tie. But the most eye-catching detail was the red "R"-shaped brooch pinned to the left side of his chest.

"Sian…"

At his feet lay a large feline with a jewel on its forehead, lazily yawning.

A Persian.

Lowering his right hand to stroke its head, the mysterious man spoke in his deep voice.

"Matori, report."

Taking a step forward, the woman—now identified as Matori—replied in a professional tone. "Understood, Boss. Agent Miyamoto has found traces of a supposed location of Mew. She didn't locate it, but she managed to collect a fragmented DNA sample—enough for us to begin our cloning experiments."

"Wonderful. Excellent work, as expected of Miyamoto," the Boss praised, his tone satisfied.

Watching the battle between Rhyperior and Hitmontop on the screen, he asked, "What do you think of Bruno?"

As the final clash between Rhyperior and Hitmontop played out, Matori tilted her head slightly and responded, "A strong trainer. His years of experience in martial arts make him unique, especially with the rumors that he can fight alongside his own Pokémon."

After a brief pause, she continued, "Aside from being one of—if not the—strongest among the Elite Four reserves, his skill is evident in the way he holds his ground against Isaac. Do you want us to recruit him?"

Watching as Hitmontop fell after defeating Rhyperior, the Boss shook his head.

"That won't be necessary. Bruno is too close to Isaac and Charles. He wouldn't join us—his stubbornness keeps him loyal to the League. What's the status on our surveillance of Surge and Sabrina?"

Hearing the question, Matori promptly responded, "Due to the traumas of war and the loss of friends, Surge remains in a depressive state. Because of internal conflicts, the League's stance toward him is neutral. Executive Archer is interacting with him under disguise, assessing the best course of action to bring him to our side."

She then searched through the documents in her hands.

"May I?"

"Give it to me," the Boss said, raising his hand to take the document.

"Regarding Sabrina, Executive Ariana is struggling to get close to the target. Her psychic powers are extremely strong, but she lacks control. Without reinforcements and considering her age, Ariana does not dare approach her directly for fear of provoking her," Matori reported as the Boss skimmed through the document before handing it back.

With a calm tone, he ordered, "Have Ariana return. She's been away long enough—I have other work for her. Send different agents to keep watch on Sabrina. We'll try again in three years."

"Understood."

With that, Matori bowed slightly and exited the room.

As she left, the Boss refocused on the battle. On the screen, the referee was calling for both trainers to send out their next Pokémon.

---

On the battlefield…

After the referee's command, both trainers pulled out Poké Balls but hesitated to throw them.

Locking eyes with Bruno, Isaac grinned. "I'm proud of you, Bruno. You've grown. Let's keep this battle going."

Bruno smirked. "I've learned a lot from you, but I won't go easy on you just because of a little sweet talk."

Isaac's grin twitched as a vein bulged on his forehead. "You cheeky brat. Looks like Hoenn made you a real pain in the ass, huh?"

"Both trainers, send out your Pokémon!" the referee shouted.

"Take him down, Lunatone!"

"Let's go strong, Poliwrath!"

On Isaac's side, a Pokémon resembling a pale-grayish moon with black markings and red eyes materialized—a Lunatone.

On Bruno's side, a large, dark blue amphibian appeared. With a white belly marked by a black spiral and wearing oversized white boxing gloves, it was Poliwrath.

"Calm Mind!"

"Rain Dance!"

Floating in front of Isaac, Lunatone began to glow with a pinkish energy, enveloping its body.

Meanwhile, Poliwrath pounded his spiral-marked belly and began dancing. Soon, dark clouds gathered above the arena.

"Psychic!"

Finishing its power boost quickly, Lunatone wasted no time launching its attack.

"Tone!"

A nearly transparent, telekinetic force burst forth from Lunatone, surging toward Poliwrath with destructive power.

As the telekinetic wave neared, raindrops began to fall.

Within seconds, a torrential downpour drenched the battlefield, forming puddles across the ground.

Sensing his increased speed, Poliwrath reacted swiftly, sliding across the wet surface.

"Poli!"

"Skill Swap!" Seizing an opportunity, Isaac gave a sharp command.

Sliding skillfully, Poliwrath closed the distance between himself and Lunatone.

"Taunt!" Determined to maintain his speed advantage, Bruno countered.

Dark energy flared around Poliwrath as he locked eyes with Lunatone and let out a provoking cry.

With the speed boost from the rain, Poliwrath executed the move first.

A dark aura enveloped Lunatone, turning its eyes red with fury. Overcome with rage, it forgot to use Skill Swap and fixated solely on Poliwrath, intent on attacking.

"Damn it," Isaac cursed, realizing the failure of his strategy. "Ice Beam!"

Lunatone fired an Ice Beam at the ground in front of Poliwrath.

"What?! He's freezing the water on the field," Bruno quickly analyzed.

Isaac knew that Bruno's Poliwrath was trained to move fluidly by sliding and swimming. By freezing the puddles, he had hindered Poliwrath's mobility.

However, Isaac's experience told him that wouldn't be enough to stop Bruno's Pokémon.

"Ancient Power!"

Lunatone unleashed a powerful rock-infused energy blast. Poliwrath raised his arm to shield himself, but the attack still inflicted damage.

As Poliwrath recoiled, Lunatone glowed, receiving an all-around stat boost.

"Bulk Up!"

Bruno called for Poliwrath to increase his own strength to match Lunatone's enhancements.

"Grass Knot!" Isaac ordered.

"Jump and hit with Liquidation!" Bruno countered immediately.

Poliwrath leaped, dodging the vines sprouting beneath him.

From mid-air, he gathered a swirling mass of water energy around his fist, diving toward Lunatone.

"Psychic!"

Lunatone's eyes gleamed as it focused its mental energy, telekinetically seizing Poliwrath.

"POLI!!"

Trapped mid-air, Poliwrath clenched his fist and hurled the collected energy at Lunatone.

"TUNNN!"

Lunatone shrieked as Liquidation struck, breaking its concentration. Losing focus, its psychic grip on Poliwrath dissolved.

"Waterfall!"

Regaining footing, Poliwrath charged at Lunatone, cloaked in surging water.

"POLIPOLI!"

With a powerful collision, Poliwrath sent Lunatone flying.

Lunatone hit the ground, unconscious. Its spiraling eyes signaled the outcome.

"Lunatone is unable to battle. Elite Isaac, send out your final Pokémon!"

Isaac smirked. "You've been phenomenal so far, but I have one last test for you."

Grabbing his final Poké Ball, he looked at Bruno before throwing it.

"TYYYYYYY!!!"

With a thunderous roar, a towering monster emerged.

Standing over 3.5 meters tall, its green armored body radiated sheer dominance.

A beast.

Tyranitar.

As Tyranitar enters the battlefield, the rain ceases, making way for a powerful sandstorm that reduces visibility across the arena.

"Giga Impact!" Isaac commands firmly.

Upon hearing the order, Tyranitar charges at Poliwrath with incredible speed for such a massive Pokémon.

Caught off guard by Tyranitar's unexpected swiftness, Poliwrath is unable to dodge.

Tyranitar slams into Poliwrath, sending it flying out of the battlefield and crashing into the wall.

Crack crack crack

The sound of cracks spreading through the wall echoes as Poliwrath falls to the ground, covered in wounds and unconscious.

"Poliwrath is unable to battle. Tyranitar wins! Trainer Bruno, send out your next Pokémon," the referee announces loudly.

With admiration in his eyes, Bruno retrieves another Poké Ball.

"Pseudo-Champion..." he mutters to himself, staring at the massive green beast standing before him.

"Charles and the League's higher-ups won't like this," Bruno says, recalling how Charles had explicitly told them not to use their ace Pokémon in this exhibition match.

"Screw what they think," Isaac scoffs. "Just because they're descendants of the founders, they believe that gives them power. No—this is power." He gestures toward Tyranitar in the field. "But if you're too scared to face me, we can—"

"What did you just say?" Bruno growls, his lips curling, a vein bulging on his forehead.

"Oh? Are you scared?" Isaac teases, a playful smirk on his face.

"You old man..." Bruno grumbles, throwing his Poké Ball onto the battlefield. "Then get ready!"

"CHAAAAAAAAMP!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow me on my Patreon for up to 8 advanced chapters. And to those who did, thank you so much for your kindness and support!

patreon.com/DarkThorn1