"You're speechless, huh?" Ms. Dendra said, crossing her arms with a grin that was one part challenge and one part lecture. "A teacher can tell at a glance that you just don't want to write that essay. Admit it, you cocky brat—you'd rather pick fights than pick up a pen!"
Gary Oak blinked, still half-lost between disbelief and amusement. How did this even happen? he wondered. Only an hour ago, he had been watching a student battle for fun—and now he was accused of being a delinquent who refused homework.
He bit his tongue. Explaining that he wasn't actually a student of Naranja Academy would have sounded like an insult, so he chose to stay quiet.
Seeing his silence as guilt, Ms. Dendra huffed. "Speechless, huh? That's what I thought. Typical."
Gary sighed softly. "Truth be told, I just wanted to get a feel for the Paldean training scene. I came here out of curiosity, that's all," he admitted at last. "When I saw your students training, I figured a friendly match would be fun. I didn't mean to offend anyone."
"Uh-huh." Ms. Dendra raised an eyebrow skeptically. "So—a battle tourist? Are you satisfied now, after roughing up one of our top students?"
Gary thought for a moment before answering frankly. "I don't know about satisfied, but… to be honest, your student's Sylveon was around Rookie Trainer level."
The reaction was immediate and explosive.
"What did he just say?!"
"He called Penny a rookie?!"
"She's the best in Class D!"
The surrounding students almost exploded with outrage. Gary could feel the wave of indignation burning holes into him. The pride of Naranja Academy was sacred; how dare an outsider insult it?
Ms. Dendra, arms still folded, waited to see how far this would go. She was angry but curious—Gary didn't speak like someone who bragged without skill.
Gary shrugged, unfazed. "Look, I thought a school with Naranja Academy's reputation would be overflowing with raw power, but honestly, you're no different from academies in Kanto or Sinnoh. You've got research and theory—but in the field, you're still green."
The courtyard froze at his blunt words.
Gary tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You know, I thought there was no such thing as empty reputation here, but now I'm starting to think otherwise."
Ms. Dendra let out a low whistle. "And here I thought Kanto trainers had mellowed out."
"I'm just calling it as I see it," Gary said with a grin. "Penny may be your class rep—but if she's the strongest in her class, that says a lot about your overall level."
Students gasped, whispering in furious disbelief. Many were red-faced, fists clenched.
Gary continued steadily. "I've seen this before—people who think they're untouchable just because they wear a famous academy's uniform. Pride without experience—that's the real weakness."
The class erupted again.
"Which class are you from anyway, big shot?!"
"Tell us your name if you're so confident!"
"He's not from ours—must be Class C!"
"Nonsense! There's no student by that name!"
Ms. Dendra frowned slightly. Strange… The battle class today included Class C and D—but she indeed didn't recognize him from the rosters. Don't tell me he's really not registered here.
Her voice cut through the crowd. "Alright! Everyone quiet down. Since you've made such a scene, mystery boy, let's hear your name."
Gary crossed his arms and smirked. "The name's Gary Oak. Future World Champion."
A heavy pause followed.
"Gary Oak?" one student muttered.
"Never heard of him," another scoffed.
"Sounds like some wannabe from Kanto!"
Gary sweatdropped a little. "Geez… tough crowd."
Ms. Dendra muttered under her breath, "Future World Champion, huh. Confident one. I'll give him that."
As the chorus of disbelief rose, one calm voice cut through—Penny's.
She adjusted her glasses, her expression cool and unreadable. "You think you're strong enough to call us rookies, Mr. Future Champion?"
Gary met her gaze evenly. "Care to test it again?"
The crowd roared at the challenge. The tension in the air was almost physical.
Penny crossed her arms. "Fine. One more match. If I win, you write that essay like everyone else. If you win, Ms. Dendra lets you go."
"Deal," Gary said without hesitation.
Ms. Dendra sighed. "You're both impossible. But fine—let the battle decide. If you manage to defeat Penny, I'll let you go."
Gary grinned. "Perfect."
Taking her position, Ms. Dendra raised an arm. "Rules: one‑on‑one knockout fight! No Terastallization, no items, fair play. Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Penny adjusted her backpack straps and threw her Poké Ball forward with a bright spark of determination.
"Go, Meowscarada—let's show them our real strength!"
The Pokémon that emerged was dazzling—a sleek bipedal cat cloaked in emerald fur, its mask-like face wreathed in petals. With feline grace, it landed softly and gave a theatrical bow, its deep pink eyes gleaming with pride.
"Meow‑skar‑aaada!" it purred confidently, flicking its flower-laced whip.
[Lv. 59 Meowscarada ♀ / Quasi‑Elite]
The spectators gasped again. "That's her ace! Meowscarada!"
Across the field, Gary let out a soft whistle. "Oh, so this is the famous Paldean starter final form. Cute—but we'll see how it handles real pressure."
He tossed his own Poké Ball lazily into the air.
"Let's go, Blastoise!"
A burst of white energy filled the arena. A towering turtle with twin hydro cannons materialized, slamming its heavy feet down with a sound like thunder. Streams of mist swirled behind its shoulders as it bellowed.
"Blass‑TOISE!" it roared, voice echoing through the courtyard.
[Lv. 72 Blastoise ♂ / Champion]
Even Ms. Dendra stepped back slightly, her hair fluttering from the force. "That thing's a walking fortress…"
Gary smirked. "Meet my oldest partner. We've been through more battles than I can count."
Penny straightened, refusing to be intimidated. "Meowscarada's not backing down. Ms. Dendra, we're ready."
The instructor raised her hand. "Trainers ready! The battle—begin!"
"Meowscarada, use Flower Trick!" Penny commanded.
Meowscarada threw her arm dramatically, a bouquet of glowing petals materializing and whirling forward like razor-edged blades. Each petal homed in with supernatural accuracy.
"Meeow‑skar‑aaaadaaa!" she sang, whipping her vine-cloaked arm elegantly.
Gary countered instantly. "Blastoise, use Aura Sphere!"
Blastoise stood tall, pulling energy into his palms until two radiant blue spheres of fighting power glowed hot enough to heat the air.
"Blasstoise!"
He launched them both, the orbs streaking forward like twin comets.
The attacks collided midair — a storm of green petals and aura energy that exploded into a roaring wave of light and wind.
Dust filled the arena, and the students coughed, eyes wide as shapes appeared through the haze.
Both Pokémon still stood — battle‑ready, fierce.
Gary grinned. "Nice dodge work. Not bad!"
Penny's lips tightened. "Don't patronize me. Meowscarada, Iron Head—now!"
With a metallic shimmer, Meowscarada's claws gleamed silver. She launched herself forward like a bullet, closing the gap in a single heartbeat.
"Blastoise, use Protect!" Gary barked.
"Blas‑toise!" The turtle's shell gleamed emerald blue. The Iron Head slammed against the barrier, sending ripples across its surface but failing to break through. Sparks scattered around both Pokémon.
"Counter!"
"Toise!" Blastoise thrust his arm forward, point‑blank, and a glowing Aura Sphere detonated between them. BOOM! The blast sent both fighters sliding backward across the damp ground.
Meowscarada swayed on her feet, breathing heavily — grass singed, mask slightly cracked. But her eyes burned brighter than ever.
"Meeow‑ska‑raaada…" she hissed, tail flicking, ready for more.
Gary chuckled. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But aura doesn't stall forever. Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!"
The ground quaked as Blastoise's cannons charged. Twin torrents of compressed water fired like rockets, crashing toward Meowscarada with a deafening roar.
"Dodge and use Play Rough!" Penny cried.
Meowscarada twirled gracefully out of the streams, aura flaring pink as her clawed hands glowed with Fairy light. She slammed into Blastoise's shell.
"Blas‑toise!" he grunted, sliding several meters but holding steady.
Gary's eyes narrowed. Quick recovery speed… She must be near Elite rank already.
"Blastoise—finish it! Max Aura Sphere!"
Blue light burst from within the turtle's chest, swirling into a colossal sphere between his palms. The earth trembled under its weight.
Meowscarada braced instinctively.
Gary lowered his arm. "Fire!"
"BLAS‑TOISE!!"
The Aura Sphere shot forward, cutting through the air like pure lightning.
"Meow‑skar‑aadaa!" Penny shouted as her Pokémon charged head‑on, preparing to deflect with Iron Head.
Another explosion split the arena like a thunderclap. A cloud of golden light and water engulfed the stage, briefly silencing everyone.
As the glow faded, Meowscarada was airborne—then fell, rolling limply across the ground before collapsing, spirals in her eyes.