Xia Yan vs. Steven

On either side of the vast battlefield,

stood Xia Yan and Steven.

It was also the first time Xia Yan and Steven had stood alone on opposing sides.

This was a battle that belonged to them, one Steven had been anticipating for a long time.

To Steven, the final outcome was not the most important thing. What mattered most was that he and Xia Yan would be having their first full-team battle here.

Regarding this,

Steven was rather excited.

"Will both contestants please send out their Pokémon!"

At the referee's signal, each of them held a Poké Ball in hand.

The contest of wits had already begun at that moment.

The first battle would, to a large extent, determine the tactical arrangements and direction of the match.

Amid flashes of red light,

Boom—!!

Bright, reflective, heavy metal armor concealed terrifyingly savage strength beneath a sturdy, massive body.

"Roar—!!"

It raised its arms and roared at the sky, its cry intimidating the entire arena.

"Steven's Aggron has entered the field!!"

Over two meters long, it resembled a Tyrant Dragon clad in sturdy armor.

Among Steven's Pokémon, Aggron was undoubtedly one of his most iconic partners, second only to his Shiny Metagross.

The fact that he had sent out Aggron right away

undoubtedly showed just how seriously Steven regarded this battle.

Seeing such a mighty Aggron, the audience erupted into thunderous cheers.

Compared to the Pokémon Steven had summoned, the one standing before Xia Yan appeared considerably smaller.

But Pokémon battles were not contests of size, nor were they decided by presence alone.

Xia Yan curled his lips into a smile. He was not particularly surprised by Steven's decision to send out Aggron.

When the commentator saw Xia Yan's Pokémon, he could not help shouting, "Infernape! Xia Yan's first Pokémon is Infernape!"