NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: chapter - 5
Sinnoh Region
In towns and cities throughout Sinnoh, Pokémon Centres, cafes, and homes buzzed with excitement. Jordan's battle against Roark had already made waves, and his encounter with Gardenia kept the entire region on edge. With Jordan's skill and his unusually powerful Pokémon, even veteran trainers found themselves glued to Poké-Tube livestreams, intrigued by his rapid progress.
Oreburgh City Gym's Watch Party
Roark's fellow gym trainers gathered to watch his battle with Jordan on Poké-Tube. They couldn't believe how Roark had managed to hold his own with Rampardos against Jordan's powerful Lairon, which was almost the same size as his Onix.
"He's barely a week into his journey, and his Lairon is that tough?" one trainer asked, astonished.
Another added, "And Lairon's not even his only strong Pokémon. His Turtwig, Charmander, and Mudkip were taking everything Roark threw at them like it was nothing."
When Roark's Rampardos unleashed its strongest Head Smash, the gym trainers collectively gasped. The sheer force of the move reminded them of Roark's strength, and yet Jordan's Lairon withstood it. At the match's conclusion, with Roark congratulating Jordan, his gym trainers shared murmurs of admiration.
"He gave Roark a run for his money. There's something special about this kid."
Eterna City Pokémon Center
In Eterna City, spectators filled the Pokémon Center, eager to witness Gardenia's battle against Jordan. Nurses and Pokémon trainers watched the screen intently as the fierce exchange between Jordan's Grotle and Gardenia's Torterra filled the stadium.
"It's not every day you see an ace Pokémon like Torterra go all out like this in a gym battle," said one local trainer, awestruck as Torterra executed a powerful Frenzy Plant, rooting the ground with intense force.
"That Grotle is a beast! I've never seen one almost the size of a Torterra before!" another spectator exclaimed, marveling at Grotle's strength and resilience.
When Grotle launched into Leaf Storm and Giga Drain, people gasped, impressed by Jordan's command of advanced tactics. By the battle's end, murmurs filled the room.
"Gardenia respects this kid. To push her that far? That's impressive."
Another trainer added, "If Jordan keeps going like this, we might see him in the league faster than expected. This isn't just beginner's luck. He's got a real shot."
Elite Four Lounge in the Sinnoh League HQ
Aaron, Bertha, Flint, and Lucian watched the live feed from a plush lounge at Sinnoh League HQ, each leaning forward as Gardenia and Roark's battles played on screens.
Flint, the ever-energetic Fire-type expert, laughed aloud, watching Jordan's Charmander facing down Roark's Golem. "Look at that spunk! That kid's got fire, literally and figuratively. I love seeing a new trainer with that much spirit."
Bertha, wise and reserved, observed Jordan's tactics closely. "He's skilled, no doubt. Using Lairon against Rampardos like that—he understood Roark's power and adapted accordingly. He has potential, but he's also careful."
Aaron grinned, already intrigued by Jordan's rise. "And he's got guts, too, going for Gym Leaders with full teams in advanced battles. It's rare to see that level of determination this early on."
Lucian, with his calm, analytical approach, noted, "What's impressive is how well-trained his Pokémon are. Most new trainers wouldn't have such strong bonds and levels of trust with Pokémon like that. His Lairon and Grotle, in particular—they're pushing beyond typical boundaries."
As the battle with Gardenia wrapped up, they exchanged glances.
"I'll keep an eye on him," Flint said with a smirk. "I'd like to see him reach our level someday."
Other Gym Leaders in Sinnoh
At their respective gyms, leaders across Sinnoh watched Jordan's battles. His style, bravery, and unusually powerful team sparked conversations and challenges among them.
Byron in Canalave City, Roark's father, watched the battles with pride for both his son and admiration for Jordan. "Roark's strong, but that kid—he's got steel in him. Not bad at all. If he comes to me, I'll test his mettle personally."
Crasher Wake in Pastoria City chuckled heartily, impressed by Jordan's battle spirit. "A trainer who's willing to take on Gardenia's Torterra with a Grotle? Bold! He's got a powerful instinct. I'd love to see him battle with some water types. Maybe a Gyarados would be a good match for him."
Candice in Snowpoint City watched with a smile, noting Jordan's adaptability and resilience. "He doesn't seem fazed by anything. That confidence will serve him well. I'm sure when he's ready for Snowpoint, he'll give me a battle to remember."
Volkner in Sunyshore City, known for his high standards, observed the match with a hint of a smile. "Interesting... If he keeps progressing like this, I might have a challenge waiting for me."
Social Media and Poké-Tube Comments
The battles quickly trended online, with fans and trainers from Sinnoh and other regions chiming in with excitement and speculation:
"Did you see Jordan's Grotle? Almost as big as Gardenia's Torterra! This kid's Pokémon are like giants!"
"Roark's Rampardos went all out, but Jordan's Lairon barely flinched. Roark's strength is legendary, and Jordan's Lairon withstood it. That's saying something!"
"Jordan's not your average newbie. He's taking advanced challenges straight out of the gate!"
"From what I've seen, his Pokémon aren't just strong—they're trained to think on their feet like they've been together forever."
"Gardenia went all out. I've never seen her use her full team against a newbie. She must've seen something in him."
Even far beyond Sinnoh, trainers and gym leaders in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Unova tuned in to catch the battle highlights. Veteran trainers and gym leaders were taken aback by the young trainer's skill.
Kanto's Erika, the Celadon City Gym Leader, watched with an approving smile. "Taking on Gardenia's Torterra with a Grotle—quite the brave choice. That young trainer shows promise. I'll have to remember his name."
Hoenn's Roxanne, a Rock-type specialist, appreciated Jordan's tactical handling of his Rock-types. "He knows how to balance power with strategy. I'd love to see him test his skills against the Rock-types here in Hoenn."
Unova's Elesa commented on social media, "This kid's got a style all his own. He's already making waves, and I bet he'll bring something fresh to Sinnoh's League soon."
Sinnoh TV Morning Show
The Sinnoh Sunrise Show, a popular Sinnoh morning talk show, had the battles streaming live, with hosts Mira and Dane providing commentary for excited viewers tuning in.
Mira: "And there we have it! Jordan, a challenger who just started his journey a week ago, has managed to defeat both Roark of Oreburgh and Gardenia of Eterna! And these weren't just any battles—these were Advanced Battles, folks! When was the last time you saw a challenger, let alone a beginner, go toe-to-toe with two gym leaders on such an intense level?"
Dane: "This is the first time since Professor Samuel Oak himself, the legendary trainer and champion, that we've seen Advanced Battles like this. And Jordan's Pokémon! They're massive and so well-trained already—it's almost unreal. This kid has come out of nowhere, and people can't stop talking about him."
Mira: "And rightfully so, Dane! I mean, Roark's Rampardos, Gardenia's Torterra—these Pokémon are no joke. They're some of the toughest in Sinnoh! And Jordan? He doesn't even flinch."
Dane: "I'll admit, I'm a little nostalgic seeing these Advanced Battles again. There's something legendary about it. For him to walk in and compete like that… it feels like we're witnessing the start of something huge. I wonder how far he'll go."
Mira: "Do you think he'll reach the top? Maybe even the League?"
Dane: "If he keeps going like this? Absolutely. He's giving off that same energy we saw in some of the greats. You know, Professor Oak himself once said that only a few people have that kind of raw potential. With how strong Jordan's Pokémon are and the connection he seems to have with them, who knows? He could be the next big name in Sinnoh!"
Sinnoh Sports Analysis Channel
On Pokémon Battle Insight, analysts picked apart Jordan's performance, examining his battles with Roark and Gardenia in a more technical manner.
Analyst 1: "Jordan's tactical approach against Roark was nothing short of brilliant. For someone who just started his journey, his battle sense is very advanced. The way his Lairon countered Rampardos's attacks—it's rare to see such finesse in a new trainer. It feels like we're witnessing a callback to the Advanced Battles of old."
Analyst 2: "That's exactly it! When you consider that Advanced Battles haven't been performed widely since Professor Samuel Oak's days as a champion, it makes Jordan's challenge stand out. Oak's Advanced Battles set the standard back then, and Jordan seems to be stepping up to that very standard."
Analyst 1: "Watching his Pokémon's precision and adaptability, I can see why people are comparing him to the legends. And with Gardenia, that match with her Torterra? No beginner has ever lasted that long in a full-fledged Advanced Battle against Gardenia."
Analyst 2: "This kid's making waves, and I'm here for it. If he's anything like Professor Oak's former students—Blue or Red—then we're looking at someone with a serious shot at becoming one of Sinnoh's greats."
Across social media and in Pokémon Centres all over Sinnoh, the public was abuzz with excitement and curiosity. Seeing Advanced Battles return felt like a piece of history coming back to life, and people couldn't help but compare Jordan's battles with the legendary tales they'd heard of Professor Oak's time as a trainer.
Comment 1: "Advanced Battles are back! I haven't seen anything like this since I read about Professor Oak's journey. It feels like history is repeating itself!"
Comment 2: "Jordan's Grotle against Gardenia's Torterra was insane! They were practically the same size! And he won! This kid has something special, no doubt."
Comment 3: "If he's taking on gym leaders like this so early, I can't wait to see him at the Sinnoh League. He's like a younger version of Oak, Red, and Blue all in one!"
Comment 4: "These battles were epic. I can't believe Advanced Battles are back! Professor Oak would be proud. Let's see if Jordan can reach the top."
Professor Samuel Oak's POV –
In his serene lab in Pallet Town, Professor Oak had watched Jordan's battles with a deep sense of nostalgia. Seeing the strength, adaptability, and spirit of Jordan's Pokémon brought him back to his days as a trainer when he'd popularized Advanced Battles. As he watched Jordan's Grotle and Lairon battle Roark's Rampardos and Gardenia's Torterra, he felt the same spark he'd seen in his two famous students, Red and Blue.
Professor Oak: "It's rare to see such strength and skill in someone so young. Jordan's connection with his Pokémon… it's something that can't be taught. It reminds me so much of Red's raw power and Blue's calculated strategy. There's potential there—the kind that only surfaces in the most remarkable of trainers."
He thought back to his days challenging champions and using Advanced Battles to bring out the best in his opponents. Watching Jordan's matches, he could feel the same energy from those days—bold, fearless, and determined.
Professor Oak: "Jordan's just beginning, but with this kind of start, who knows? He may even surpass what I achieved. And if he continues to grow and challenge himself like this, he'll be making history of his own soon enough."
Taking a moment to ponder the future, he murmured to himself, "If Jordan follows this path, he may very well rise to be one of the greatest trainers of his generation. He's not just reliving the legacy of Advanced Battles; he's writing his own."
Professor Oak closed his laptop, feeling a rare sense of excitement for the future. In Jordan, he saw not only the shadows of Red and Blue but also the glimmer of something new—an uncharted path to greatness. I hope you're watching Gary and Ash as this young man is following the same path as your fathers and I had done, I hope you're ready for the challenge.
Jordan's victories over Roark and Gardenia spread through the Pokémon world like wildfire. Trainers marveled at his advanced skills and his unusually strong, oversized Pokémon, speculating that he might soon make his way through Sinnoh's other gyms—and possibly beyond.
And with each battle, from the small towns in Sinnoh to the gyms of distant regions, trainers and fans alike watched Jordan's journey with excitement, eager to see just how far this talented young challenger would go.