The young man remaining in the far-left ring had short black hair and a red headband. Looking eager, he smiled at Yong as he stepped into the ring, pressed his palms together, and bowed.
"Hello! I'm Shiro, a senior Gym Trainer! I look forward to our battle!"
Yong bowed slightly as well, making an awkward attempt at the customary battle greeting, and said calmly,
"Hello! I'm Yong, the challenger!"
Jiro stood at the edge of the ring, putting his booming voice to work again.
"This will be a one-Pokémon match! The match ends when either side's Pokémon can no longer battle! Any objections?"
Both trainers in the ring shook their heads.
Below the ring, a crowd of spectators had gathered, calling out jeers and cheers from time to time.
"Don't screw this up, Shiro!"
"Kick his butt, kid!"
"Give him everything you've got! Show him what a real man is..."
Reggie looked rather out of place amid the crowd. Squeezed between the spectators with a helpless expression, he could only offer a quiet,
"Good luck..."
Following the usual practice, Shiro, as the Gym Trainer, threw his Pokémon Ball first.
White light landed in the ring, slowly taking the shape of a Pokémon!
Powerful muscles, gray skin, and a championship belt around its waist! Its face was full of excitement and fervor!
"Mach!"
"So it's a Machoke..."
Of course it was the Fighting-type favorite... Hmm, level 42!
Yong considered for a moment, then took out a Pokémon Ball and tossed it gently.
A burst of radiance erupted, followed by a flash of white!
"Pupitar!"
Far larger than an ordinary member of its species, it wore heavy silver-gray armor that gleamed like metal under the lights! A faint scattering of sand quietly appeared around it...
Pupitar!
A rustle of conversation immediately rose