While the arena staff completed the final adjustments, more and more spectators poured into the Battle Hall.
Word had spread with astonishing speed.
A Frontier Battle was about to begin.
In Veilstone City, that meant only one thing—excitement, risk, and opportunity.
The corridors filled. Footsteps echoed. Conversations overlapped in a rising tide of anticipation. Screens across the hall flashed promotional graphics announcing the match. Vendors moved quickly, capitalizing on the sudden surge in traffic.
Some spectators came purely for the spectacle. They wanted to witness high-level combat under the roulette format's unpredictable rules.
Others came for a different reason.
They came to gamble.
"I don't know who the challenger is," someone muttered near the betting boards, "but I hope he's strong."
"Yeah! I bet on the challenger winning the first round!"
"First round? That's reckless. I bet the challenger takes it in the third round!"
"You're too greedy. The roulette format is brutal. Challengers usually get punished early. I'm betting on Goddess Dahlia."
The betting counters had technically closed, but the tension remained thick in the air. Screens still displayed frozen odds, numbers glowing beneath team icons.
Clusters of seasoned gamblers whispered among themselves.
"If it's a recognized Trainer, the odds will flip immediately."
"Remember when Aaron challenged the Battle Tower?"
"Cynthia's rumored to be preparing for another Frontier run soon…"
"If it's someone like that, the challenger side's payout will explode."
Speculation rippled through the audience like electricity.
Then—
The stadium lights dimmed.
A single spotlight snapped toward the entrance tunnel.
Music swelled.
"The arena is ready!" the announcer's voice boomed dramatically. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to reveal today's challenger!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fireworks detonated overhead. Multicolored ribbons cascaded from the ceiling, spinning through the air before settling onto the arena floor. Smoke drifted in glittering trails under the lights.
A tall figure stepped forward from the tunnel.
His stride was unhurried.
Composed.
As he walked into the spotlight, his features became clear.
He was young—but there was nothing immature about his bearing. His expression was steady, almost detached from the spectacle unfolding around him.
"This young Trainer hails from the distant Kanto Region!" the announcer continued, voice rising with each achievement listed. "He has claimed the championship titles of the Indigo Plateau Conference, the Silver Conference of Johto, and the Ever Grande Conference of Hoenn! He has conquered the Hoenn Battle Frontier without defeat! Since his debut, he has never lost a complete tournament run!"
For a split second—
Silence.
Then the hall exploded.
"Please welcome—Gary Oak!"
The reaction was immediate and overwhelming.
"Wait—Gary? The Gary?!"
"He's in Sinnoh?!"
"Is he entering the Lily of the Valley Conference this year?!"
"I bet challenger! Change it to challenger!"
"He's undefeated in full tournament runs!"
Those who had placed early bets on the challenger shouted in triumph. Others groaned, realizing too late that the odds would have shifted dramatically.
Gary ignored the chaos.
He stepped onto the challenger's platform and stood still, hands relaxed at his sides. His gaze swept across the battlefield once—measured, analytical.
Moments later, the announcer raised his voice again.
"And now—please welcome our Battle Hall's radiant star, the one and only—Roulette Goddess Dahlia!"
Boom!
Another volley of fireworks erupted.
The arena speakers blasted energetic music. A beam of white light swept across the entrance.
Dahlia appeared in a smooth spin, landing lightly before stepping forward.
She didn't simply walk—she danced.
Each movement flowed into the next. Controlled footwork. Precise hip rotation. Confident posture. Her routine blended athletic discipline with playful flair. It was sensual without being excessive—captivating without crossing into vulgarity.
The audience roared.
Chants of her name rippled through the crowd.
Gary watched calmly.
He acknowledged her skill. Her control. The way she commanded attention without effort.
But his mind was already calculating.
Dahlia leapt gracefully onto her command platform.
"Welcome, everyone!" she called brightly. "Tonight, we're bringing you a match you won't forget!"
The announcer stepped forward again.
"The battle between Challenger Gary and Roulette Goddess Dahlia will now begin!"
"This is a three-round match! Each round consists of a single Pokémon battle! At the start of every round, the roulette wheels will spin for both sides! The results may impose status conditions, activate weather, alter battlefield effects, or even force Pokémon exchange!"
"If both sides win one round each, the third round will determine the final victor! The overall winner will be decided by remaining Pokémon!"
The two massive roulette wheels on either side of the battlefield gleamed intensely.
Gary stood on the blue side.
Dahlia on red.
Each wheel was divided into seven partitions:
Poison
• Paralysis
• Burn
• Confusion
• Weather
• Pokémon Exchange
• Field Effect
Pure randomness.
Gary narrowed his eyes slightly.
If Dahlia landed on Weather while he received Paralysis, the early momentum would shift immediately.
And Dahlia's team was notoriously diverse. She did not specialize in a single type. Her lineup adapted easily to shifting battlefield conditions.
A system notification echoed faintly in Gary's mind.
[Ding! Obtain the Roulette Print.
Reward: Advanced Rare Candy ×3, Ability-Enhancing Stone ×1, Silver Crown ×1, Self-Selected Permanent TM ×1.]
His expression did not change.
He already knew Dahlia's documented Pokémon levels—between 60 and 64. None exceeded 65.
That matched the reward tier precisely.
"Trainers!" the referee shouted. "Release your Pokémon!"
Dahlia moved first.
"Dance for me, Ludicolo!"
A Poké Ball burst open in a flash of light.
"Ludi—colo!"
A cheerful Ludicolo appeared, its sombrero-like lily pad bouncing as it landed. Without hesitation, it began swaying rhythmically, as if the battlefield were a stage.
[Ludicolo – Level 60]
Gary raised his hand.
"Go. Togetic."
"Boke!"
A gentle glow expanded outward as Togetic emerged. It hovered gracefully, wings fluttering softly, expression serene.
[Togetic – Level 70]
The audience gasped.
"Togetic?"
"Why not Togekiss?"
"Is he training it?"
"Is he underestimating Dahlia?"
Gary ignored the murmurs.
He had chosen deliberately.
"Roulette spin!" the referee declared.
Both massive wheels began spinning simultaneously.
Red.
Blue.
Lights blurred into streaks.
Click—click—click—
The sound slowed gradually.
Tick…
Tick…
Tick…
The red pointer stopped first.
Burn.
A murmur rippled through the audience.
The blue wheel slowed…
And stopped.
Paralysis.
Gary's gaze sharpened.
Paralysis reduced Speed and introduced the chance of immobility.
Ludicolo primarily relied on special attacks.
Burn would not weaken its special damage output.
The disadvantage was subtle—
But real.
The battlefield floor split open with a mechanical hiss.
Two hidden platforms rose from below.
On Dahlia's side, a Ninetales emerged gracefully, tails flowing like liquid fire.
On Gary's side, a Magnemite floated upward, magnets humming softly.
"Ninetales—Will-O-Wisp!"
A sphere of ghostly blue flame launched forward, striking Ludicolo.
Fire ignited across its body.
Burn status confirmed.
"Magnemite—Thunder Wave!"
Electric arcs burst outward, striking Togetic midair.
"Boke—!"
Sparks crawled across its wings.
Paralysis confirmed.
The mechanical platforms descended and sealed shut as quickly as they had appeared.
The crowd roared.
"Status conditions immediately!"
"That's brutal!"
Togetic glanced toward the now-closed platform where Magnemite had vanished.
"Boke…"
It seemed mildly offended that an unseen participant had interfered.
Gary's voice remained steady.
"Togetic. It's part of the rules. Stay focused."
"Boke."
Togetic nodded, regaining composure.
Across the field, Ludicolo swayed through the flames, still smiling broadly.
"Ludi! Ludi-colo!"
It spun playfully, the burn flickering across its body without dampening its rhythm.
Dahlia raised her arm dramatically.
"Let's change the tempo!"
She pointed forward with sharp precision.
"Ludicolo—Rain Dance!"