Hammerlocke, Hammerlocke Stadium.
"Next, please welcome the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym in the Kanto Region-Blue!"
"Blue!"
"Blue!"
"Blue!"
As the second-to-last competitor to take the stage on the first day, Blue got a taste of what it felt like to compete on home turf.
Blue's opponent was Wulfric, the Ice-type Gym Leader from Snowbelle City in the Kalos Region.
Wulfric was a very powerful Gym Leader himself.
He had some similarities to Luo Bai, whom Li Wei had battled earlier. His ace was an Abomasnow capable of Mega Evolution.
Blue made almost exactly the same choice as Li Wei.
He led with Arcanine.
But Blue chose not to switch.
Instead, a succession of Flamethrowers and Flare Blitzes swept Wulfric aside in one relentless assault.
"Flare Blitz!"
"Abomasnow is unable to battle! The winner is Blue!"
"Congratulations to Blue on advancing to the top sixty-four! This also means Marquis Wulfric's run ends here!"
"Congratulations, Duke Blue."
Blue had also challenged the Battle Chateau before, earning the title of Battle Duke.
Wulfric had considered the possibility that Blue would defeat him with ease.
This man was fully on the level of a Battle Legend. He had simply lost interest in the Champion's throne.
If Blue wanted to, he could claim the Kanto Region's Champion title at any time.
But taking that throne without defeating Red would leave Blue feeling that his position was insecure.
And so, while Lance nominally served as Champion of both Kanto and Johto, Kanto's Champion seat had effectively remained vacant.
Officially, he held both Champion titles.
But Lance had always called himself a member of Kanto's Elite Four and Johto's Champion.
Blue reached out and shook Wulfric's hand.
"You're too kind. Please, just call me Blue."
Wulfric was an elderly man, just like Pryce and Blaine.