"I lost… and I lost hard this time."
Volker sighed as he recalled his Raichu, shaking his head with a wry smile. He hadn't expected himself to be so completely overwhelmed. His Electromagnetic Field Strategy had been rendered almost entirely useless against this Sandstorm Elite.
As a seasoned veteran, Volker was well aware of his shortcomings.
"Looks like I really need to build a proper single-core strategy."
His current approach was apseudo single-core strategy—not truly refined like those of top-tier trainers. It was a situation similar to that of Blade, the former leader of Rocket's Northern Headquarters, who deluded himself into thinking he was on an Elite-level playing field.
"The only thing you need is to fill the gaps in your system and strengthen Electivire and Raichu's physical conditioning," Klein advised. "If you put in the effort, surpassing your current limits won't be a problem."
Hearing this, Klein handed Volker a multi-dimensional battle strategy chart specifically for Electric-types. As Volker skimmed through the structured, tree-like analysis, his eyes brightened.
"This is good… really good. It'll help me push Raichu's power much further."
Only a handful of high-ranking League officials had access to Klein's multi-dimensional battle theories.
Each strategy card contained meticulously analyzed evolutionary battle pathways, and many top trainers were already studying and refining their own approaches based on them.
For Klein to hand this valuable knowledge over so casually—it left Volker somewhat touched.
Truthfully, Klein never considered Volker weak.
On the contrary, for a trainer who had been idle for years to be able to push him this far with old tactics alone… Volker's potential was undeniable.
If Volker ever took training seriously, even Flint's position as Sinnoh's Fire Elite wouldn't be safe.
Sharing his research wasn't a big deal.
The Kanto League high command had already received copies.
Cynthia had one.
Even the students at Kanto's Academy were studying it.
For Klein, giving Volker a copy was nothing special.
---
"The exit ahead leads to the sixth trial zone. The next battles will take place in the outer regions of Mt. Silver."
Volker's tone became serious.
"The last five opponents won't be easy to deal with."
Then, he smirked.
"I heard you like to demand prizes from your opponents every time you clear a round?"
Klein scratched his cheek, looking a little awkward.
"Not every time…"
"But this time, I have something you'll really need—consider it my way of paying you back for the strategy guide."
Volker grinned, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a gleaming stone.
A Swampertite.
Swampert's Mega Evolution Stone!
Klein's eyes widened.
"You… have this?"
Volker nodded.
"I picked it up in Hoenn some years ago. But since I don't train Swamperts and don't have much interest in Ground-types, I never used it."
He placed it in Klein's hands.
"This belongs with you."
Klein could feel the immense energy within the stone.
This—this was the key to unlocking Mega Swampert.
Volker chuckled.
"Your Swampert's got a fire in its eyes. I can tell—it's a protector. A warrior. With this, it'll become even stronger."
Taking the Swampertite, Klein nodded seriously.
Volker yawned, stretching his arms as he turned to leave.
"Go on, then. Keep climbing. I'll be watching you take the championship at Lily of the Valley Island."
Then, the Sunyshore Gym Leader faded into the shadows of the railway tunnel.
---
Far from Mt. Silver, on a vast iron warship sailing the ocean, a rogue Plasma Syndicate faction moved toward their objective.
They called themselves "Steel Plasma."
And they were following a trail left behind by Naga.
"The man's mind is impossible to decipher," muttered the Left Commander, an aged figure with an air of skepticism.
"He left us this lead… but it's clear he's just using us as his pawns."
"It doesn't matter."
The Right Commander barely acknowledged his concerns.
His gaze was fixed on something far greater.
"If the intel is real, we'll have control over the situation."
"As for Naga? Don't forget—his family was erased."
On Cinnabar Island, when the mysterious Phantom Beings attacked the research facility, Steel Plasma had already infiltrated it.
They had struck a secret deal with one of the island's higher-ups, obtaining a massive energy stone before making their escape.
They had never truly left Cinnabar's waters.
Instead, they had remained behind, crafting a grand illusion to mislead Lance, Klein, and Steven Stone.
By the time their enemies realized the truth—the real energy core had already been shipped out.
Now, it was far beyond their reach.
Left Commander smirked.
"Everyone believed we failed because Lance was on-site to stop us."
Right Commander simply scoffed.
"A fool like him isn't worth fearing."
---
As Klein stepped out of the cave, blinding sunlight flooded his vision.
Squinting against the glare, he withdrew Swampert to allow it to recover fully.
Instead, he released Scizor, pairing it with Delphox for the upcoming trial.
From this point onward, the rest of the Battle Frontier would take place in the outer regions of Mt. Silver.
Unlike the icy peak, this lush grassland stage was filled with flowers and wildlife.
For a moment, Klein felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
Birdsong filled the air.
The scent of blooming flowers drifted on the wind.
But Klein wasn't fooled.
This peaceful setting was nothing more than a façade—concealing hidden dangers.
Amidst the sea of flora, numerous Grass-type Pokémon danced and played joyfully, unaware of the coming battle.
And at the heart of it all—
A woman in elegant, traditional attire stepped forward.
She moved like a falling maple leaf, graceful and refined.
Her presence alone revitalized the landscape, as if the very essence of nature pulsed in harmony with her existence.
This was Rika, the Celadon City Gym Leader—the Sixth Guardian of the Battle Frontier.
With a calm smile, she bowed slightly.
"Klein… It's been a while."
Klein exhaled, shaking his head with a chuckle.
"I didn't expect you to be the Sixth Guardian."
Rika's soft laughter carried through the air like a gentle breeze.
"Then, let's battle without regret."
She waved her sleeve, sending autumn leaves swirling into the sky.
And in an instant—
Two figures materialized before her.
Tangrowth and Breloom.
The battlefield erupted with killing intent.
Breloom—a fighter wrapped in nature's armor.
Its green, kangaroo-like form was built for precise, rapid strikes.
Its spring-like wrist tendons allowed it to deliver blazing-fast Mach Punches that could strike at supersonic speeds.
Its mushroom cap housed lethal spores, enabling it to manipulate status effects mid-combat.
Meanwhile—
Tangrowth's twin vines whipped through the air, coated in a shimmering purple glow.
Scizor shot forward, Silver Wind swirling around it.
And just like that—
Fists clashed.
Blades gleamed.
And the battle erupted into full force.