At Rustboro Academy, Young Master Mao led Brendan, Wally, and his young fan Paul, who had come to challenge the academy, to the indoor battlefield.
If they kept hanging around the school gates, the reporters and police would probably arrive soon...
In the middle of the Sports Hall's battlefield, Gary acted as referee. "The rules are a two-on-two Single Battle, with no time limit, until one side is completely down.
"No killing blows. Understood?"
"Understood." Brendan rolled his neck.
"Got it." Paul nodded in agreement.
"If I beat him, I can stay here, right?"
Young Master Mao nodded. "I'll keep my word."
"Good. Let's do this." Paul and Brendan exchanged a look, then returned to their respective command positions.
It happened to be class time, so there were few spectators.
Wally had taken Gallade to the infirmary first, so only Brendan and Paul were battling at the moment.
Outside the Sports Hall, Roxanne and Principal Enzo stood quietly by the window.
"Principal, shouldn't we step in?" Roxanne frowned.
"Why should we?" Principal Enzo grinned. "That purple-haired kid has some spirit. I like him."
"But he injured at least twenty students' Pokémon," Roxanne reminded him helplessly.
"So what?" Principal Enzo cheerfully patted his belly. "If they're weak, they should train more. If they aren't strong enough, they'll get beaten. It's about time these seedlings at our academy took on a heavier burden."
"Fair enough." Roxanne nodded. She felt embarrassed too, after all. Her students had nearly been wiped out, and if Young Master Mao hadn't happened to appear earlier, she had been ready to step in herself~
The battle officially began, and Brendan opened with his War Fortress. "Aggron, you're up!"
"Grr!" A huge Pokémon gleaming with a metallic sheen appeared on the field.
"Torterra, prepare for battle!" Paul held