Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

"Fancy seeing you all again."

After the opening ceremony, Klein ran into Ash and his friends outside the venue. Earlier, he had been too busy dealing with Team Rocket and ensuring the ceremony continued smoothly to pay them much attention. But now that he was on his way out, he naturally greeted them.

"Elite Klein! How about a battle with me?"

Ash, as expected, was brimming with excitement.

However—SMACK!

Misty promptly punched him in the head.

"You idiot! He's about to have a really important match later! Can't you pick a better time to challenge him?"

Compared to Ash's impulsiveness, Misty and Brock, as Gym Leaders, understood the significance of tonight's Kanto vs. Johto Elite Four showdown. Challenging Klein at a time like this was incredibly inappropriate.

"It's fine. After my match, we can have a friendly battle," Klein reassured.

As if remembering something, he reached into his pocket and pulled out several tickets, handing them to Ash and the others.

"Here, these are for the match tonight. I had a few extra. If you have time, come and cheer me on."

Normally, tournament tickets were available for free to registered trainers through the Pokédex system, but the seats Klein was offering were premium VIP spots—the best in the house.

Brock, the most level-headed of the group, quickly took the tickets and glanced at the seating arrangement.

"Thanks, we'll definitely be there."

After her official promotion to Cerulean Gym Leader, Misty's popularity had skyrocketed. This was largely thanks to her Gym Challenge against Klein, which had drawn a lot of attention. Deep down, she was still grateful to him.

"Do your best! Show them the power of Kanto's Elite Four!"

Klein nodded in response. He wasn't one for long conversations, so after a few more words with them, he headed to the Pokémon Center to finalize his team selection for the match.

As per the tournament rules, the six Pokémon had to be confirmed now. Once he submitted his roster, he took a deep breath and returned to his pre-match preparation zone.

[Indigo Plateau – Tournament Arena]

Brilliant fireworks illuminated the sky. As the sun set, the Indigo League's grand stadium was filled to capacity.

The Kanto vs. Johto Elite Four exhibition match—the highlight of the opening ceremony—was about to begin.

Kanto's representatives—Elite Bruno (Fighting), Elite Lorelei (Ice), and Elite Agatha (Ghost)—stepped onto the grand stage.

As the home region's Elite Four made their entrance, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Fans excitedly called out their favorite Elites' names.

One particularly enthusiastic red-haired young man spotted Lorelei and completely lost it.

"LADY LORELEI, I LOVE YOU!!!"

After Kanto's Elites took their seats in the VIP section, it was Johto's turn.

Karen (Dark) and Koga (Poison) entered first, followed by an elderly man walking behind them—Pryce, the retired Ice-type Elite and current Mahogany Gym Leader.

Despite stepping down from the Elite Four, Pryce's status and seniority commanded deep respect. He had been invited as Johto's honorary guest for the event.

In his youth, Pryce had been a fierce competitor. However, an accident during a battle left him severely burned by a Magmortar's flames. Not long after, his beloved Piloswine vanished into a blizzard, never to return. Pryce believed his Pokémon had abandoned him, leading him to harden his heart.

Thus, he became the "Heartless Winter" Pryce, treating his Pokémon with strict discipline and maintaining an emotional distance. Under his tenure, Johto's Gym Challenges became notoriously difficult.

The large stadium screen displayed Johto's Elite Four, and the audience quickly recognized Koga.

"Wait, Koga is Johto's Poison-type Elite now?!"

"Wasn't he the Gym Leader of Fuchsia City?"

"Does it matter? Our Sandstorm Elite is originally from Unova too."

While ordinary spectators chatted about these things, the red-haired man from earlier had hearts in his eyes, staring dreamily at Karen.

"IT'S KAREN! KAREN-SAMA!!!"

"Ugh, shut up, you're so annoying!"

A certain twin-tailed girl sitting nearby had enough.

Without hesitation, a wave of pure Psychic energy blasted him out of his seat.

Karen, of course, heard every word and grinned mischievously.

"Koga, seems like you're quite popular in Kanto too," she teased.

"Just a title," Koga replied indifferently.

Most of his strongest Pokémon were trained in Johto, and the ones left behind in Fuchsia Gym weren't as powerful. That's why many Kanto trainers didn't know his true strength.

Upon reaching the VIP seats, Karen and Koga approached Agatha.

"It's been a while, Lady Agatha," Karen greeted respectfully.

As one of Kanto's most senior Elites, Agatha had looked after Karen and Koga in the past, earning their deep respect. Meanwhile, Lorelei and Bruno greeted Pryce.

"It's been a long time, Master Pryce," Lorelei said warmly.

As a fellow Ice-type specialist, Pryce had once been Lorelei's mentor. Bruno, too, had trained under Pryce at Mahogany Town's dojo, making both of them his former students.

Pryce, however, remained cold and distant.

"Hmph. So, Kanto thinks sending a rookie to fight Will is enough?" he scoffed.

"Klein is actually very stron—"

"I don't care," Pryce interrupted Lorelei, his tone sharp. "Don't think that just because Lance is Champion, Kanto can look down on us. I'll be watching closely to see if this kid is as 'strong' as you claim."

Because Lance was absent today, only six seats were set in the VIP area. Pryce and Agatha sat first, signaling the others to follow.

"Is Lance coming tonight?" Pryce asked casually.

Agatha shook her head. "He has other matters to attend to."

"Hmph. Good. I wouldn't want to see him anyway."

With a dismissive grunt, Pryce finally shifted his gaze toward the arena, where Klein and Will were making their entrances.

[Indigo Plateau – Main Battle Stage]

This was it.

A full 6v6 battle—Psychic Elite vs. Sandstorm Elite.

The entire audience held their breath, waiting for the first Pokémon to be revealed.

Klein's attire had changed drastically from the daytime. Now dressed in a sleek gray battle suit with a flowing cloak, he walked confidently onto the battlefield.

Six Poké Balls hung from his belt. He reached for one—the only one with a blood-red hue.

Across the field, Will removed his mask, revealing an intense, focused expression.

A wave of powerful Psychic energy rippled through the air as one of his Poké Balls floated into the sky and opened on its own.

"Bronzong!"

Will's dramatic Poké Ball reveal drew cheers from the crowd.

Klein, in contrast, was far more straightforward.

He simply threw his Poké Ball.

"Tyranitar!"

With a flash of crimson light, a sandstorm erupted as Tyranitar emerged, towering over the battlefield.

Its deafening roar sent a chill down the spines of onlookers—like a beast straight out of legend.

Yet, in the midst of the raging sand, Bronzong calmly floated into the air, its body enveloped in an eerie blue-red glow as it stared down its monstrous opponent.

The battle had begun.

(End of Chapter)