In the Pokémon world, a Pokémon’s strength in battle could be influenced by countless factors: type matchups, differences in level, the breadth of its movepool, tactical planning, and much more.
But in Aiden’s opinion, there was one thing even more important when it came to raising Pokémon.
The bond between Pokémon and Trainer.
Unlike in other hot-blooded anime where friendship existed mainly to fuel a sudden mid-battle power-up, bonds in the Pokémon world could produce very real results.
A sufficiently strong connection could allow an ordinary Pokémon to stand against a Legendary, enable Mega Evolution, or even bring Trainer and Pokémon into such perfect synchronization that they seemed to act as one.
With that level of trust, a Trainer didn’t necessarily need to spell out every command.
Their Pokémon could understand the intent behind a strategy in the middle of battle and react accordingly.
Developing that kind of bond required time together, of course.
But there was another excellent method.
“Battling is awesome!!”
Aiden stood outside the Nimbasa City Battle Club, practically vibrating with excitement.
“High-level battles don’t just build experience.
They also help Pokémon and Trainers learn how each other thinks, improve teamwork, and strengthen their bond.
Two birds with one stone!”
“Sni!”
“Exactly!
And we can record the battles, upload them, get views, and make money at the same time.
That makes it even better!”
Aiden rubbed his hands together like a fly plotting something deeply suspicious, then swaggered toward the entrance with the kind of obnoxious confidence that practically begged someone to punch him.
The plan was simple.
He would use the Battle Club to improve his coordination with Golurk, give Sprigatito and Snivy more battle experience, and record enough footage for a few videos.
After that, they could finally challenge Nimbasa Gym.
And then…
“Hehehe…”
…
“What are you here for, kid?”
“To battle, obviously.
What else would I come to a Battle Club for, lunch?”
Don George blinked.
It had been a long time since he had seen a rookie this cocky.
If he were being completely honest, he was already looking forward to watching this arrogant brat get beaten so badly that all that swagger evaporated.
“Have you registered with a Battle Club before?
If not, membership costs five hundred.
Once you’re registered, you can battle at any Battle Club in Unova, and you’ll also be eligible to enter any tournament organized by a Don George.”
Aiden immediately gestured ahead.
“Lead the way!”
After paying the registration fee, Aiden followed Don George through the process of taking a profile photo and creating his Trainer record.
Singles, Doubles—Aiden accepted practically anything.
The only format he couldn’t enter was a full six-on-six battle, simply because he didn’t own enough Pokémon yet.
…
Battle Clubs were common facilities throughout Unova, usually located in city centers or near major transportation hubs.
Along with Pokémon Centers, they served as one of the main places where Trainers gathered to meet, exchange information, and socialize.
Trainers looking for opponents came here regularly, while plenty of other people visited simply because they enjoyed watching Pokémon battles.
So once Aiden’s open challenge went live in the matching system, it didn’t take long for someone to respond.
[Ding!
Aiden Cross of Nimbasa City, please report to Battle Area A-1.]
[Ding!
Lee of Castelia City, please report to Battle Area A-1.]
Aiden had been itching to start ever since he finished registering.
The moment the announcement came over the speakers, he left the waiting area and headed straight for the battlefield.
His opponent was already there.
The boy wore a red headband, and judging by his youthful face, Aiden guessed he had probably only begun traveling as a Trainer this year.
Once both competitors were present, a Battle Club staff member stepped forward.
“Lee has requested a one-on-one Single Battle against either a Grass-type or Electric-type Pokémon.
Aiden Cross, do you have any objections?”
“Nope.”
Aiden shook his head.
The Battle Club lobby contained a number of network-connected noticeboards where registered Trainers could post short profiles of themselves and their Pokémon, along with the kinds of opponents they wanted to face.
The system could then match them with someone fitting those preferences.
Aiden hadn’t been looking for anything specific, so he had effectively set his profile to accept anyone.
“Then both Trainers, take your positions!”
At the official’s call, Aiden and Lee walked to opposite ends of the battlefield and threw their Poké Balls almost simultaneously.
“Come out, Oshawott!”
“I choose you, Sprigatito!”
The moment Aiden saw his opponent’s Pokémon, his earlier guess was confirmed.
Lee was definitely a rookie who hadn’t been traveling for long.
He had most likely come to the Battle Club specifically to gain experience fighting through a type disadvantage.
“Osha!”
Oshawott appeared in a flash of light and immediately planted its paws on its hips, looking supremely confident.
As one of Unova’s three starter Pokémon, Oshawott was extremely popular.
Its adorable appearance had earned it plenty of fans online: a white head and forelegs, pale blue torso, dark blue feet, two dark blue ears, tiny black freckles beneath its eyes, and a rounded brown nose.
Most distinctive of all was the scalchop attached to its belly, which Oshawott could remove and use for both offense and defense.
Aiden studied it for a moment before reaching the only conclusion that really mattered.
“Still not as cute as my Sprigatito.”
Lee apparently heard him.
“No way!
My Oshawott is obviously cuter!”
“Heh.”
Aiden gave him a dismissive smile.
“I’ll admit Oshawott’s belly is soft and bouncy, but my Sprigatito has squishy little paw pads, always smells faintly sweet, and she’s warm when you hold her.
Hugging her is ridiculously relaxing.”
“W-Well, my Oshawott is…
it’s still super cute!
The cutest Pokémon in the world!”
“Then my Sprigatito is the cutest Pokémon in the universe.”
“Then Oshawott is—”
While the two Trainers descended into an argument that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in kindergarten, Snivy popped out of her Poké Ball on her own.
She calmly reached into Aiden’s waist pouch, pulled out his phone, and began recording.
Then one of her vines lashed out and smacked him sharply across the shin.
“Ow!”
Aiden looked down and met Snivy’s narrowed eyes.
There was a short pause.
“My Snivy is also the cutest Pokémon in the universe!”
“Then mine—”
Now thoroughly worked up, Lee reached for another Poké Ball at his waist, apparently prepared to continue the argument with additional evidence.
That was finally enough to bring the Battle Club official, who had been staring blankly at both Trainers, back to reality.
“Ahem!
The battle is about to begin.
Please stop arguing about things that have absolutely nothing to do with the match!”
Lee took a deep breath.
His eyes were already red and slightly watery as he glared furiously across the battlefield at Aiden.
“Trainers settle things through battle!
I’m going to show you what true cuteness looks like!”
He pointed forward.
“Oshawott, get ready!”
“Osha!”
Seeing the villain who had nearly made its Trainer cry, Oshawott’s eyes immediately burned with fighting spirit.
Sprigatito refused to back down.
‘Of course I’m cuter than you!’
What was so special about having a soft belly anyway?
And hanging a shell off it like that?
‘Shameless!’
The Battle Club official stared at the two Pokémon.
“…”
In all his years working here, he had never seen this much killing intent in a beginner-level match.