Ever Grande city , the 4th seat of Hoens elite 4 had been empty for months ever since Wattson retired. However today that would change .
The selection chamber was not the grand stadium used for public challenges. This room was smaller, built for evaluation rather than entertainment.Seats lined the walls where League officials and Gym Leaders watched.At the highest balcony stood the Champion of Hoenn, Steven stone.He rested one hand on the railing, expression unreadable.
Across the field stood Wallace ,hands folded behind his back. He was not dressed in his usual contest attire. Today he wore the formal coat of a senior League representative. He had agreed to act as evaluator.
At the other corner stood Daichi he did not look at the balcony where the champion and the gym leaders stood nor did he look at Wallace .His eyes scanned the arena floor. Smooth stone. No terrain advantage. No irregular ground. Standard League construction.Neutral, that suited him.
Wallace inclined his head slightly toward Daichi and asked,''Shall we begin?"
Daichi nodded once.
They drew their Poké Balls at the same time.
"Milotic," Wallace said calmly.White light formed into a long, elegant serpentine shape. Milotic landed with scales reflecting the overhead lights.
"Hippowdon",Daichi called out.The heavy form of Hippowdon struck the ground with force. The stone floor trembled slightly under its weight.A sharp contrast to the elegant Milotic
A heavy sandstorm began pouring , beads of sand scraped against the glittering scales of Milotic.
Wallace watched the sandstorm with interest "Sand stream, that means you're a sandstorm specialist aren't you .Let's see how firm your foundation is. Milotic, Scald."
Milotic moved first. A concentrated blast of boiling water cut through the forming sand and struck Hippowdon squarely.Hippowdon endured it without stepping back. "Stealth Rock," Daichi called out.Stone shards erupted along Wallace's side of the field, hovering in a ring formation.
''A setter, that's annoying " Wallace thought.
Wallace shifted approach.
"Mirror Coat." Milotic braced itself.
Daichi anticipated offense.
"Earthquake."
The tremor slammed into Milotic. It endured the hit and released the stored energy back in a concentrated surge.The counterattack struck Hippowdon harder than the original blow.Several observers leaned forward.Daichi's expression did not change.
"Slack Off."
Hippowdon restored itself under the harsh sandstorm.
Wallace pressed once more before the enemy fully recovered,
"Ice Beam."
A focused beam cut through the field, striking Hippowdon across the flank. Frost quickly covering it's flank before being destroyed by Hippowdon's sheer strength.
Daichi altered rhythm .
"Rock Tomb."
Hippowdon hurled large rock fragments forward. The attack connected, hitting it on various parts reducing Milotic's speed and limiting its ability to dodge.
Wallace assessed quickly. "Recover."
Health returned, but the sand removed part of it seconds later.The gap was narrowing.
Daichi chose not to repeat Earthquake immediately.
"Crunch."
Hippowdon lunged forward and bit down with force. The direct contact forced Milotic back further than before.
Wallace answered without hesitation.
"Hydro Pump."
A concentrated blast erupted from Milotic and struck Hippowdon squarely. The force pushed it a full step back, carving a shallow groove into the stone.
Daichi paused for half a second, then spoke.
"Earthquake."
Hippowdon slammed down with full weight. The tremor was heavier than the earlier ones. The accumulated damage, and sand pressure had reduced Milotic's margin.
Milotic staggered and Wallace grimaced.Sand tore at it again.Wallace made one last attempt to change the tempo.
"Rain Dance."
Before rain fully settled, Daichi gave the final order.
"Earthquake."
The ground split once more beneath Milotic.The rain began just as Milotic collapsed.Water struck the field after the outcome was decided.
Hippowdon remained standing, breathing steadily, rain washing over its armor while sand faded into mud at its feet. However it too wasn't far off from collapsing like Milotic.
Wallace recalled Milotic in silence staring at the battered hippowdon.