Anabel stood in the command area with a calm but serious expression. Her lavender eyes met Gary's confidently.

"Gary," she began firmly, "Mr. Scott told me yesterday that you're the strongest challenger in the history of the Battle Frontier. He asked me to face you with all the strength I can muster. So, I'll be giving you everything I've got."

Gary smiled faintly, his blue eyes gleaming with determination. "I wouldn't want it any other way," he said. "I promise I won't hold back. Let's make this a real battle."

A quick glance toward the spectators revealed Scott sitting nearby, awkwardly turning his head to the side as if he knew nothing about the comment he had made to Anabel earlier. Gary could only sigh and shake his head with a helpless smirk. So that's how it is, huh?

Still, Gary realized this was a good thing. The stronger Anabel's Pokémon were, the greater the rewards his mysterious battle system would grant him.

And facing someone like Anabel—the Salon Maiden of the Frontier Brains—meant the rewards would surely be extraordinary.

"She's strong," Gary thought, watching her steady composure. "I wouldn't be surprised if one of her Pokémon is at Champion level."

He straightened and replied aloud, "Miss Anabel, you can rest assured—facing you, I wouldn't dare be arrogant. I'll fight with everything I've got!"

[Ding! System Task Activated: "Defeat Frontier Brain Anabel!"

Reward: 6× Rare Candies (High Grade), Ability Enhancement Stones, 1 Silver Crown, 1 Permanent TM of your choice.]

Gary nodded slightly, seeing the task notification flash in his mind's eye. The listed reward suggested that while the challenge would be fierce, it wasn't impossibly difficult—meaning Anabel likely didn't intend to use any Champion-tier Pokémon this round.

"All right," Anabel said clearly. "Referee, we're ready."

The referee raised his hand. "Next, the Frontier Battle between Challenger Gary Oak and Frontier Brain Anabel will commence! Each side may use three Pokémon. Only the challenger may switch mid-battle unless stated otherwise."

"Wait a second!" Gary suddenly interjected.

The referee blinked in surprise. "Yes? Is something wrong?"

Gary crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Let's make it fairer. Allow both sides to switch Pokémon freely. If we're both giving it everything, we should fight under equal conditions."

The Scott—gasped visibly. "Oh…! Σ(°O°)!"

Scott exclaimed, stunned. Gary's confidence was almost unbelievable.

Anabel's eyes narrowed, intrigued. "You really are something else, Gary Oak," she murmured. Then she smiled slightly. "Very well. I accept."

The referee nodded. "Understood! Both sides are now free to switch Pokémon at will. Trainers, please release your Pokémon simultaneously!"

Gary turned to his companion. "Eevee, you're up first! Let's show them what we've got!"

"Veeeee!!" Eevee cried enthusiastically as it leapt from Gary's shoulder, landing gracefully on the battlefield. Its fluffy tail flicked like a small banner of determination.

"Go, my friend!" Gary announced with confidence.

Across from him, Anabel silently tossed a Poké Ball. With a flash of light, a towering Metagross materialized, its steel limbs glinting like blades and its eyes glowing psychic blue.

"Metagross!" it roared, the ground trembling beneath its immense weight.

Gary's gaze sharpened. "A Metagross, huh? So that's your opener."

[Lv. 64 Metagross | Champion Potential]

Anabel folded her arms. If this was just her lead, Gary knew the rest of her team would be just as powerful. This is going to be good, he thought, adrenaline rushing.

Anabel, however, was slightly surprised when she recognized Gary's first choice. An Eevee? Against a Metagross?!

She frowned, thinking, He must have something special up his sleeve.

"Ready… battle!" the referee declared.

"Eevee—use Swift!" Gary commanded.

"Vee-vee!"

Eevee's tail shimmered brightly, releasing a flurry of golden stars that shot toward Metagross at high speed. They spiraled like comets, lighting up the stadium.

"Metagross!" Anabel called—though she hardly needed to. Her Pokémon acted on instinct, raising one metallic claw imbued with glowing psychic-steel energy. With a mighty swing, the stars shattered like glass against its Iron Defense.

But Gary grinned. "Good. Now close in!"

What appeared to be Swift was only a feint. Using the distraction, Eevee darted forward, its movements almost too quick to follow.

Anabel's connection with her Metagross deepened instantly—her empathic power syncing with her Pokémon's mind. "Stay alert, Metagross! Use Psychic!"

Metagross's eyes flared with azure energy, unleashing a wave of invisible force.

Eevee's instincts screamed warning. "Veee!!" It leapt sideways, twisting mid-air just as the psychic blast tore through the space it had occupied a heartbeat earlier.

"What?!" Anabel gasped. Even she hadn't expected Eevee to dodge a Psychic attack.

"Now, Eevee—Fire Blast! Let's heat it up!" Gary commanded.

"Vee—EEVEEEEE!!"

Eevee's tiny form began to glow red-hot as flames swirled within its mouth. With a force far mightier than its size implied, it expelled a blazing sigil of fire—a five-pointed inferno crashing down toward Metagross.

"Beep!" Metagross tried to brace itself, but the explosive wave engulfed the steel titan completely.

BOOM! The floor trembled under the massive explosion.

When the smoke cleared, Metagross was still standing—but its armor was visibly scorched and dented.

Scott, watching from the stands, was dumbstruck. "That can't be… Eevee using Fire Blast?"

Anabel's eyes widened. "Impressive," she admitted softly. "It shouldn't even know that move…"

"Metagross, close the distance—use Agility!"

"Beaa!"

Psychic light flared around Metagross as it accelerated, darting around Eevee in a blur of afterimages.

"Don't panic, Eevee. If Metagross attacks, use Reflect," Gary ordered calmly.

Metagross lunged suddenly from behind, Iron Fist glowing like a comet ready to strike.

"Now!"

"Vee!"

A transparent barrier flashed into existence—Reflect! The iron punch struck the barrier, sending out a shockwave but failing to penetrate.

"Great! Counter with Fire Blast again!"

"VEEEEE!!"

At nearly point-blank range, Eevee unleashed another flaming burst.

The explosion was deafening, the battlefield shaking violently. When the blast subsided, both Pokémon were thrown apart by the shockwave. Eevee tumbled back but quickly landed on its feet, breathing heavily yet still standing.

Metagross, however, was trembling. Cracks spread across its steel armor.

"Eevee, finish this—Flare Blitz! Go all out!"

"BUEEEEE!!"

Blazing energy erupted from Eevee's body as it became a streak of orange fire, rushing straight toward Metagross.

"Metagross, Hyper Beam! Stop it!" Anabel shouted.

Metagross roared, summoning a sphere of burning orange energy in its mouth before loosing a destructive beam straight at the oncoming Eevee.

Eevee's eyes sharpened. With lightning reflexes, it twisted mid-charge, the Hyper Beam missing by mere inches.

"What?! It dodged again?!" Anabel gasped.

Scott nearly stood from his seat. "That's insane! Eevee's evasion rate is too high!"

"Now, strike!" Gary shouted.

"VEEEEE!!"

Eevee slammed into Metagross head-on, its fiery aura burning brighter than ever. The impact echoed across the arena like thunder.

BOOM!

The titanic Steel-type slid backward, gouging deep marks into the metal floor before collapsing with a heavy crash, its red eyes flickering out.

The referee quickly raised his flag. "Metagross has lost its ability to battle! Eevee wins!"

Anabel stood in stunned silence.