Chapter 27: Battle Festival Begins! Alex vs Brandon!
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The Battle Grounds
The temporary battle arena was set in the heart of Azalea Town, surrounded by stalls, spectators, and the smell of fresh-baked festival food.
At the center, the battlefield was drawn with chalk lines on hard-packed dirt, and an announcer stood ready.
Bugsy took the mic again:
"Today's first featured match! Alex Ketchum versus Brandon of Azalea Town!"
The crowd cheered wildly.
Alex stepped onto the battlefield, Riolu walking confidently at his side.
Across from him, Brandon stood relaxed, tossing a Pokéball casually in one hand.
"Two Pokémon each, substitutions allowed!" the referee announced.
"Battle... BEGIN!"
Brandon threw his Pokéball.
"Let's do this, Venonat!"
A bright flash, and a Venonat appeared, its fuzzy purple body twitching with excitement.
Alex smiled.
"Let's start strong, Riolu!"
Riolu darted forward, ready to fight.
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Battle: Riolu vs Venonat
"Venonat, Supersonic!" Brandon ordered immediately.
Waves of disorienting sound radiated from Venonat, aiming straight at Riolu.
"Counter it with Quick Attack!" Alex shouted.
Riolu blurred into a streak of light, dodging the Supersonic waves expertly and slamming into Venonat with surprising force.
Venonat stumbled backward.
"Poison Powder!" Brandon barked.
Purple spores erupted from Venonat's fur, floating toward Riolu like a deadly mist.
Alex narrowed his eyes.
"Double Team!"
In an instant, multiple copies of Riolu appeared, making the poison spores hit only illusions.
The crowd gasped at the precision.
Brandon smirked slightly, impressed but not shaken.
"Good dodge. But let's up the pressure! Venonat, Psybeam!"
Venonat's eyes glowed and fired a twisting rainbow beam of psychic energy.
Alex pointed forward sharply.
"Use Copycat!"
Riolu's form shimmered—and he immediately fired back an identical Psybeam!
The two beams collided in midair with a thunderous explosion, sending dust and smoke swirling across the battlefield.
When it cleared, Venonat wobbled, clearly hurt.
"Finish it, Riolu! Bullet Punch!"
Moving faster than the eye could track, Riolu delivered a lightning-fast punch right to Venonat's gut, knocking it out instantly.
"Venonat is unable to battle! Riolu wins!" the referee called.
The crowd roared.
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Brandon's Second Pokémon
Brandon didn't flinch.
He tossed his second Pokéball high.
"Scyther, let's cut him down!"
The flash revealed a sleek, deadly-looking Scyther, its scythe-like arms gleaming dangerously.
Alex knew immediately — this was no ordinary Scyther.
The way it stood, muscles taut, eyes sharp — this one was a predator.
"Scyther, Agility!" Brandon commanded.
Scyther blurred into motion, its body moving almost faster than Riolu could track.
Alex reacted instantly.
"Switch, Riolu! Let's go, Charmeleon!"
A fiery roar split the air as Charmeleon emerged in a flash of red light, tail blazing bright.
The crowd buzzed in excitement — Fire versus Bug and Flying.
Advantage: Alex.
"Flamethrower, now!" Alex ordered.
Charmeleon inhaled deeply and unleashed a massive stream of fire toward Scyther.
But Scyther was ready.
"Double Team!" Brandon shouted.
Multiple Scythers appeared, dodging the fire attack with dizzying speed.
Alex clicked his tongue. "Fine. Fire Spin!"
Charmeleon roared and slammed his tail on the ground, sending a swirling vortex of flames outward in every direction.
The illusionary Scythers disappeared one by one—leaving the real Scyther trapped inside the fire circle!
Brandon gritted his teeth.
"Break out with X-Scissor!"
Scyther's blades glowed with green light, and it slashed furiously, tearing at the flames.
Alex seized the moment.
"Charmeleon, Dragon Breath!"
A blast of draconic energy shot from Charmeleon's mouth, hitting Scyther dead-on before it could fully escape.
Scyther cried out, skidding across the dirt, wings tattered.
"Finish it! Flamethrower, one more time!" Alex shouted.
Charmeleon unleashed another full blast of flame — and this time Scyther couldn't dodge.
When the fire cleared, Scyther lay unconscious.
"Scyther is unable to battle! The winner is Alex Ketchum!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.
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Aftermath
Brandon recalled his Pokémon, walking across the field to meet Alex.
He smiled—a rare, genuine smile.
"You're the real deal," Brandon said, offering his hand.
Alex shook it firmly.
"You're strong too. I had to push hard to win."
Behind them, Daniel was already stepping onto the field, facing off against Troy for his own challenge match.
Alex turned to watch, feeling the excitement burning even hotter inside him.
They were getting stronger.
Their journey was just beginning.
And soon — they would face Bugsy himself.
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(To Be Continued...)
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Would you like me to continue immediately with Daniel's battle against Troy for the next chapter?
It'll have the same detailed style, easily over 1000+ words!