The room was silent, save for the steady hum of the monitor. Ken Addams leaned closer, his eyes scanning the six Pokémon displayed on the screen: Jouta's formidable lineup—Dragonite, Electabuzz, Venusaur, Poliwrath, Arcanine, and Aerodactyl. Powerful, balanced, and trained for relentless pressure. Ken exhaled slowly, fingers deftly moving over the keyboard as he pulled up performance metrics, statistics flashing before him like the memories of past battles.
"He'll open with pressure. Probably Venusaur or Arcanine—bait and punish. I have to stay predictable too." Ken nodded to himself, thinking over Jouta's likely strategies. "But his ace is always Dragonite. That'll come late; I need to prepare for that."
With practiced precision, he brought up his own roster: Blastoise, Jolteon, Gengar, Lapras, Golem, Machamp, Arcanine, Pidgeot. He counted through his choice of Pokémon carefully. Too many for a 6v6. Ken had to be precise; he needed to pick the right team to counteract Jouta's strengths.
First, Blastoise—always a reliable start. Then Lapras—bulky, versatile, perfect for dealing with both Aerodactyl and Dragonite. Gengar for disruption; Hypnosis and Shadow Ball could turn matches on their heads. Golem—a hard counter to Electabuzz and a check against Arcanine and Aerodactyl. Jolteon, with its incredible speed, was essential, especially against Poliwrath. Finally, Machamp: raw, relentless power he'd earned this spot on the team.
Six confirmed. He closed the file and stood, tightening his gloves, feeling a thrill of anticipation mingle with the familiar tang of nerves.
The Indigo Plateau stadium buzzed with excitement as the crowd poured in, the noise swelling to a cacophony of cheers and chants echoing across the massive arena. Camera drones buzzed overhead, broadcasting the event to every corner of Kanto. The atmosphere was electric; anticipation crackled in the air like static electricity.
Jouta stood calmly on one side of the battlefield, arms crossed, his expression focused and determined. His Dragonite loomed behind him, casting a long, intimidating shadow over the arena floor.
Ken strode to his podium without fanfare, his heart pounding. He felt the weight of the moment and the eyes of thousands on him. Confident. Centered. Ready. The announcer's voice boomed, "Finals of the Indigo Plateau Tournament! Trainer Jouta versus Trainer Ken Addams! A full six-on-six battle!" The referee raised his flags high. "Battle, begin!"
Round One
Jouta led with Electabuzz, a quick attack starter meant to unsettle Ken right off the bat.
Ken responded without hesitation. "Golem, let's go!"
With a heavy thud, the rock titan emerged, stomping forward with the force of a landslide. The ground beneath him rumbled, sending vibrations through the arena.
Jouta narrowed his eyes, assessing his opponent with precision. "Brick Break!"
Electabuzz dashed forward, power crackling at its fists, aiming right for Golem.
"Earthquake!" Ken shouted, the command resonating with the ground itself.
As the earth cracked beneath them, Electabuzz struck first—but Golem barely flinched. Instead, Golem's Earthquake trembled through the arena, knocking Electabuzz flat on its back.
First blood to Ken. The crowd erupted with applause, a wave of excitement washing through the stands.
Jouta returned Electabuzz, his expression as cold as steel. He threw his next Poké Ball high into the air.
Poliwrath.
"Golem, Rock Slide!" Ken commanded, going for the advantage.
"Hydro Pump!" Jouta shouted, launching a torrent of water toward Golem just as the giant rock type unleashed his boulders.
The jet of water slammed into Golem before he could retaliate, causing him to stagger, but the Rock Slide rained down, successfully dealing damage to Poliwrath. Jouta's Pokémon was hit, but it took the punishment stoically, ready to strike back.
Golem took a heavy blow, and the referee raised the flag.
K.O. Golem!
1–1.
"Jolteon, let's go!" Ken shouted, eager to push his advantage. Jolteon burst onto the field, its electric fur bristling with energy.
"Thunderbolt!" The lightning struck with precision, illuminating the battlefield as it surged toward Poliwrath.
Despite the damage, Poliwrath remained steadfast. "Ice Punch!" it countered, launching a solid punch that clipped Jolteon's side and slowed him.
"Volt Switch!" Ken called, channeling Jolteon's power to pivot quickly. Jolteon released a burst of energy, making way for Lapras to enter the fray.
"Dynamic Punch!" Jouta barked, frustration creeping into his tone.
Missed.
With a deft move, Lapras absorbed the energy, then fired back with Surf! The wave crashed into Poliwrath, who staggered under the assault.
"Psychic!" Jouta commanded desperately.
Poliwrath slumped under the pressure, but with sheer determination, it hung on, taking Lapras by surprise.
Ken immediately switched to Jolteon
"Jolteon, comeback!" Ken shouted, the bright spark of hope lighting his eyes.
"Thunderbolt!"
The spark struck true this time, and with it came Poliwrath's defeat. The roaring crowd couldn't contain their excitement.
Poliwrath fainted.
2–1, Ken.
Round Two
Jouta stood with a hardened glare before sending out Arcanine.
"Extreme Speed!" he commanded. A blur of orange darted toward Jolteon, the attack landing with impressive speed that startled the electric type.
"Volt Switch" Jolteon
Jolteon used the move enabling Ken to switch to Lapras
"Surf!" Ken told to Lapras, but Arcanine deftly dodged, positioning itself for a Crunch! With swift jaws, it dug into Lapras, inflicting serious damage.
Lapras struggled but rallied its strength for a desperate Ice Beam! It unleashed a freezing blast that caught Arcanine, slowing it down momentarily.
The crowd buzzed with excitement, shouting their encouragements. Ken felt adrenaline spike through him. "Finish it, Lapras!" he bellowed.
With a surge of water, Lapras executed another Surf, and this time, it overwhelmed Arcanine, crashing over the fire type and delineating the field with an impressive tide. The audience roared as Arcanine succumbed to the waves.
3–1, Ken.
Jouta's jaw clenched. He threw his fourth Poké Ball, eyes steely with determination.
Venusaur.
The sturdy Pokémon took its place with a determined stance.
"Sludge Bomb!" Jouta shouted, and a wave of toxic sludge flew toward Lapras.
"Sing!" Ken called, his tone firm.
The lullaby cascaded through the air, and Venusaur stumbled, fighting against the hypnotic pull. If Ken could incapacitate Venusaur, he could further shift the battle in his favor.
"Again. Sing!" Ken urged, his voice steady.
This time, the sleepy gas permeated the air, and Venusaur collapsed, snoring thunderously.
Ken switched instantly. "Go, Gengar!"
The ghost emerged with a devilish grin, shifting into the star of the show.
"Dream Eater!" he ordered, and Gengar descended upon Venusaur, siphoning away its remaining strength, effectively knocking it out.
4–1, Ken.
Jouta's strategy was faltering, but he remained resilient as he sent forth his next monster,
Aerodactyl.
"Crunch!"
Gengar blurred, but Aerodactyl was faster, its jaws snapping down on the ghost in one hit. Gengar fell to the ground, its form dissipating.
4–2.
Ken nodded, setting his sights on getting the win. He sent out Jolteon again.
"Thunderbolt!"
The shock lit up the field. Aerodactyl dodged, but too late to prevent Jolteon from striking—it unleashed its shockwave at the fossil Pokémon, delivering solid damage.
"Stone Edge!" Jouta countered, desperation evident in his voice. The rock spikes emerged, but Jolteon managed to dodge, hitting Aerodactyl back again.
With a burst of lightning, Jolteon retaliated with another Thunderbolt, and Aerodactyl fell with a crash, its wings folding against the ground.
5–2, Ken.
Round Three
Jouta's expression darkened, resolve hardening as he sent in his ace: Dragonite.
The atmosphere shifted; the mighty dragon soared into the sky, casting a long shadow over the battlefield.
"Dragon Dance!" Jouta commanded.
Ken frowned, sensing the momentum shift. He needed to act fast. "Jolteon, Thunder Wave!"
The electric currents arced toward Dragonite but missed its target as the dragon danced through the air, increasing its attack power.
"Outrage!" Jouta called, eyes gleaming with determination. The call echoed through the arena as Dragonite zoomed down like a comet, crashing into Jolteon, sending him spiraling from the impact.
5–3, Ken.
Machamp entered the fray with a roar, muscles tensed and ready.
"Dynamic Punch!" Ken shouted, confident that physical power could turn the tide. It connected, and Dragonite stumbled, confusion flickering in its eyes.
Ken didn't celebrate. Instead, a flicker of doubt washed over him. "Ice Punch!"
In a desperate move, Machamp's fist connected with Dragonite's belly, delivering double damage. Dragonite roared in retaliation, its wings thrashing dangerously.
"Finish it!" Ken shouted, urging Machamp forward for one final Ice Punch.
Machamp tried to deliver the blow with all his strength, but Dragonite snapped out of confusion and avoided the punch. Then, it went for a Wing Attack that knocked Machamp out cold.
The score was 5-4, but Ken was confident as his last two Pokémon were meant to be counters for Dragonite. He sent in his Lapras and commanded, "Bombard the dragon with Ice Beam!"
Lapras used Ice Beam, but Dragonite kept dodging it and closed in on Lapras.
"Thunder Punch!" shouted Jouta, and Dragonite slammed its punch into Lapras.
Lapras took massive damage but managed to launch a weakened Ice Beam at Dragonite, who was now at close range, before succumbing to its injuries.
The score was 5-5— the match was in its final phase, and either side could pull off the win. Jouta had a smirk on his face; he was enjoying it, but deep down, he knew he had to win this one fast as Dragonite was running on fumes.
Ken chose his starter, Blastoise, his faithful partner. "Come out, Blastoise!"
Blastoise emerged with a thud, immediately understanding what to do.
"Withdraw!" Ken commanded.
Blastoise withdrew into its shell just as Jouta shouted, "Not so fast, Dragonite! Dragon Dance!"
Dragonite performed its dance to power up its speed and attack. With two of these done in the finals, it looked ready to sweep.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump in shell state with Rapid Spin!" Ken instructed.
Blastoise spun and launched itself at Dragonite while using Hydro Pump, which hit Dragonite squarely.
Dragonite tried to land a Thunder Punch at Jouta's instruction, but the Hydro Pump acted like a defensive wall.
"Now, Blastoise, use Ice Beam!" Ken called out. Blastoise stopped spinning and launched an Ice Beam that struck Dragonite at point-blank range.
"Dragonite, Thunder Punch! Quick, now that it has stopped spinning!" Jouta commanded.
Dragonite utilized Extreme Speed to boost its speed, practically teleporting next to Blastoise, and used Thunder Punch. The impact sent Blastoise flying into the stadium walls.
"Blastoise, get up! Come on!" Ken urged.
Blastoise got up, but that one hit had really injured it. If Ken had never called for Withdraw at the start, this hit might have finished it. When Blastoise stood again, it was glowing with a blue aura.
"Torrent!" Ken exclaimed.
"Blastoise, Rapid Spin, Hydro Pump!" Ken commanded. Blastoise rushed toward Dragonite.
Jouta wanted to dodge, but one look at Dragonite made him realize two things: first, Dragonite seemed to enjoy this fight. Dodging now would hurt its pride, and second, he couldn't dodge because Dragonite itself was barely standing. It was only sheer will keeping it in the fight—it should have gone down from that Ice Beam from Blastoise.
Jouta needed to finish it right now. "Dragonite, Extreme Speed, then use Thunder Punch! Finish it!"
Both Pokémon rushed at each other and slammed into one another. Dragonite's Thunder Punch barely landed on Blastoise due to the spinning water defense that kept slamming into Dragonite. At that moment, Blastoise stopped spinning and, without its trainer telling it, used Ice Beam at point-blank range. Dragonite took the super-effective attack head-on and was sent flying.
Dragonite hit the ground but got back up again.
Ken shouted, "What kind of monster is this? Even after all that, it's still up!"
"Great, Dragonite, use—" Jouta began.
But Dragonite collapsed to the ground. It had only stood up out of stubbornness, and its body refused to fight; it was out cold.
"The winner of this fantastic finals is Ken Addams!" announced the commentator.
Jouta stepped forward, hand extended, respect gleaming in his eyes.
"That was an incredible battle," he said, his voice a mixture of admiration and fatigue. "You really pushed me."
Ken took the hand firmly, feeling the pride of both trainers in that moment. "Thanks, Jouta. You brought the best out of me."
From the stands, Giovanni watched without a word, arms folded. Matori leaned forward, her voice low. "Looks like he's no longer the underdog."
Giovanni's gaze remained fixed on Ken. "Yes I am looking forward to see how he fares against the elite Four "