Galar Region, Isle of Armor.
Situated on a secluded island at the southern border, the area is adorned with expansive greenery.
The air is crisp, and numerous rare Pokémon call it home.
At the heart of the island stands a distinctive Eastern-style dojo.
Its unassuming wooden door, red lanterns swaying on the eaves, and the bold characters on the plaque declare its identity.
Master Dojo.
The dojo's Gym Leader is none other than the Fighting Grandmaster Mustard, who once reigned over the Galar Champion throne, undefeated for decades.
Mustard, hailing from an Oriental heritage, grew weary of the unwritten rules and internal politics of the commercial league.
Choosing to return to the field, he acquired the Isle of Armor, establishing this dojo.
The disciples emerging from the dojo include Galar's top performers in various competitive aspects.
The renown of the ancient Old Orient has spread far and wide throughout the Galar Region.
Thursday, November 26.
The weather is delightful, casting a warm glow over the Isle of Armor.
Leaves shimmer with a radiant sheen, and Ambipom frolics freely in the forest.
From the island, overlooking the sparkling sea, a colossal Wailord patrols the azure waters.
With a creak, the wooden door swings open.
Emerging from the dojo is a young woman donning a vibrant green sweater and striking makeup.
Mustard's wife, Honey.
This elderly yet youthful couple fell in love at first sight, marrying swiftly and co-founding the Mustard Dojo.
Honey, serving as an invaluable assistant, has been a pillar of support for Mustard.
Apart from occasionally being criticized by apprentices for her money-oriented approach, Honey proves to be a conscientious teacher herself.
"Ah, what a splendid weather," Honey exclaims, shading her eyes from the sun, then turns to say, "Klara, fetch the Master to help; the quilts and clothes need airing."
Standing behind Honey, a girl with disheveled pink hair and purple eyeshadow leans against the door, sucking on a lollipop, and says reluctantly, "The Master is gaming again. You don't know; he plays for an entire day without a break."
"He doesn't take a break at all?" Honey replies with a smile. "Next time, let him do the laundry himself."
Observing her smiling teacher, Klara sighs lightly, hands clasped behind her back.
Master's life seems quite challenging.
With her lollipop, Klara turns back towards the dojo.
Inside the dojo, to the left is the cultivation area, while the right features a lounge equipped with various recreational facilities.
In the lounge, an impressive array of trophies lines the windows—a collection of champions.
Seated on the sofa is an energetic Old Man with flowing eyebrows.
Before him, a display screen is connected to a game console.
Wearing headphones, he appears to be engaged in lively communication, laughing heartily, "Little Leon, you lost to me again!"
There's a hint of helpless yet genial laughter emanating from the headset.
"Master, my strength doesn't apply to simulation games..."
"Then it doesn't matter; I'm just right," Mustard says cheerfully, rubbing the controller. "Win a few more, and I can reclaim my spot as a top-eight global elder!"
Leon, accustomed to Master's talkativeness, responds with a gentle smile, "I won't disturb you further, Master. I have an Alliance meeting to attend."
"Go, Little Leon. I have high hopes for you as a teacher!"
Ending the call, Mustard leans back on the sofa and glances over.
"Ah, little Klara, how long have you been standing there?"
"Since you defeated Mr. Leon," Klara replies, tilting her head curiously.
"Master, don't you get bored playing this game every day?"
"'Pokémon: Battle'?" Mustard scratches his head, laughing. "No way! I haven't ranked first in the world yet; how could I be bored?"
"But you've been sitting there from morning till evening without moving," Klara observes, thinking to herself. Yet, she understands.
With Mustard's strength, finding a challenging opponent is indeed a daunting task.
The simulated battles, emphasizing command coordination and tactics, have become the Master's choice for leisure time.
This alone contributes to building a solid foundation of skills.
Even against Mr. Leon, defeating the Master is an incredibly challenging feat...
As the sun sets, Mustard hastily takes a few bites of rice and hurries back to continue playing "Pokémon: Battle."
"Don't worry about your Master," Honey calmly reassures Klara. "He'll get bored when he loses."
Wait until the Master loses a match?
Klara sighs lightly.
The Master has held the Galar Champion title for over a decade, earning the moniker of the Orient's Champion Trainer.
Challenging his profound command level to the point of shaking his confidence... That's an exceedingly difficult task!
As Klara contemplates, a loud exclamation erupts from Mustard in the lounge.
"How did I get matched with this guy!"
Klara freezes for a moment, and Honey advises, "Go see what's happening."
Rising to her feet, Klara enters the lounge to find Mustard sitting on the sofa, eyebrows furrowed in an unfamiliar expression.
She questions, "Master, what's the matter?"
"Little Klara!" Mustard turns back, scratching his head with a smile. "I got matched with an opponent I didn't want to face."
Klara glances at the opponent. "[Did Teacher Luke have dinner today]?" she asks, astonished.
"Is he strong?"
"Not extremely strong," Mustard laughs. "Probably on par with Little Leon—about five to five."
Klara chokes suddenly, her expression revealing a hint of disbelief.
Five to five with Mr. Leon?
Old man, do you consider this not strong?!
On the display screen, the starters on both sides have already taken their positions on the battlefield.
Mustard's team features Kommo-o and Mienshao as the lead Pokémon.
Presumably, Mienshao is meant to use "Fake Out" to disrupt the opponent while Kommo-o executes "Dragon Dance."
The Trainer named 'Teacher Luke' starts with Grimmsnarl and Hitmonlee.
It appears to be an unassuming combination, making Klara tilt her head in confusion.
It doesn't seem particularly formidable.
Master... Why do you look so nervous?
Mustard takes a deep breath, his expression gradually becoming focused.
He's faced Teacher Luke several times before, but he's had more losses than wins.
The few victories were more due to luck than Teacher Luke's misfortune.
As a Trainer from the Orient Region, Mustard feels a sense of pride.
While he hasn't heard of Teacher Luke before, it seems that Orient has gained another Champion player in recent years!
"Show me what you've got!"
Mustard declares with a broad smile. "Old fogey, I'm not that easy to deal with!"
...
The matchmaking interface spins.
On the Alliance card, a Little Old Man sporting a green baseball shirt and a hearty laugh came into view, catching Luke slightly off guard.
Why did Mustard choose this matchup?
During their previous casual matches, Luke had faced Mustard several times, but those encounters seemed more for fun than serious competition.
As a result, Luke mostly secured easy wins.
This Old Man is a gaming enthusiast—a fact Teacher Luke is well aware of. During their time in the Isle of Armor, Mustard indulged in daily gaming sessions at the dojo. Luke even suspected that Mustard bought the Isle of Armor primarily to enhance his gaming lifestyle. After all, not everyone can buy an entire island, but the power of money has a way of satisfying certain desires!
"Damn, the other side doesn't look cute at all!"
"Mustard? This isn't an old e-sports mischievous boy!"
The barrage of comments flooded in as Luke swiftly threw the Poké Ball.
"Fake Out!" Mustard commanded with a mischievous smile.
Mienshao waved its long sleeves, pressing its palms together in front of Hitmonlee's eyes. For a moment, Hitmonlee was frozen, and Kommo-o took advantage, bellowing to the sky. The harsh roar echoed, a red light enveloped Kommo-o, and the imposing "Dragon Dance" surged forth irresistibly!
"I'm afraid this won't work to push the team!"
"Hitmonlee can't take it!"
The "Dynamax" system, not introduced in "Pokemon: Battle," leaves Hitmonlee vulnerable to "Flinch." However, Luke doesn't seem worried. Even if Mustard is given one round, Teacher Luke still plans to go for the knockout in the same round!
"Swagger!" Luke shouts, commanding, "Hitmonlee, use Close Combat!"
While "High Jump Kick" would be the usual choice for a Fighting Type like Hitmonlee, its lower accuracy makes Luke wary. Mustard frowns, realizing the impending crisis.
"Mienshao, U-Turn!" he commands.
But it's too late to switch Mienshao out now! To Mustard's surprise, Hitmonlee's explosive speed is astonishing. The whip-like leg kicks Mienshao away during its attempt to U-Turn!
Mid-air, Hitmonlee follows up with a series of swift kicks, rendering Mienshao unconscious! The somewhat brutal scene prompts a wave of mocking comments in the barrage.
"Teacher Luke, is this the three-way battle you mentioned?"
"Five consecutive whip kicks—love it!"
Now, it's time for Kommo-o to retaliate. Its scales glow with red light as it strides confidently towards the battlefield.
"Kommo-o, let's use Close Combat!" Mustard commands.
Rushing towards Hitmonlee, Kommo-o unleashes a series of powerful punches. If this straight punch lands, Teacher Luke's situation may collapse instantly!
"Thunder Wave!" Prankster's Ability allows Grimmsnarl to execute changes in the system more swiftly. The crackling electric current hits Kommo-o, causing it to become paralyzed!
The audience watches in awe. In the fast-paced world of doubles battles, Kommo-o's Lock On action is precise, and Teacher Luke's command is as impressive as ever. However, the unexpected paralysis works in Teacher Luke's favor!
Teacher Luke's face darkens. If the opponent wasn't paralyzed, not everyone could execute the same moves!
Yet, in full view, Kommo-o remains frozen, unable to land a heavy punch.
"Teacher Luke's Thunder Wave is actually effective?!"
"Master Luke!"
Luke is somewhat surprised, but fortunately, Grimmsnarl doesn't need to use Sucker Punch to resist damage. The field remains at a 2v1 advantage for Teacher Luke.
Hitmonlee bounces on the ground, displaying its prowess like a seasoned fighter.
Mustard waves a big hand and throws out his next Pokémon: "Luxray, Psychic Fangs!"
With its raised fur, Luxray charges forward with sharp teeth, triggering its "Intimidate" Ability
"Luxray won't fall for Thunder Wave; the old Master still has a trick up his sleeve."
"No, Teacher Luke has that Pokémon in reserve!"
After holding their breath, Luke swaps Grimmsnarl for Braviary, smiling slightly.
"Come on, Braviary!"
With its "Defiant" Ability, Braviary enters the battlefield. "Defiant": when threatened, its physical attack rises by two levels!
"Do you still dare to intimidate me, Braviary?!" Teacher Luke roars. "Brave Bird!"
Golden wings rise behind Braviary, cutting through Kommo-o's seemingly invulnerable scales in an instant!
Had this been a live audience, there might have been a collective sigh. In just one round, the two Trainer's strategies unfolded rapidly.
As the offensive onslaught of fierce winds and swift rain finally subsides, Mustard finds himself with two Pokémon down and incapacitated.
On the other hand, Teacher Luke hasn't lost a single point!
"This one is so handsome!"
"Teacher Luke is truly a P1 gold belt Champion?!"
In the Interpol Tactical Academy, Looker's pupils shrink slightly.
Mustard, the former Galar Champion, still possesses profound basic skills despite his age. However, in this recent clash, he was completely crushed?
The battle continues.
The game between the Trainers transcends the understanding of the onlooking viewers.
"I just don't get it..."
"You think Teacher Luke is in the First Layer, but he's in a league of his own."
"Teacher Luke drops a needle and it's exquisite!"
A few minutes later, accompanied by a sigh from Mustard, the score settles at 4:2.
Klara's expression stiffens, her emotions difficult to contain.
Lost, lost, lost?!
She assumed the Master was merely letting the opponent win, but to her surprise, he was genuinely defeated!
"Haha, I still can't beat Little Luke."
Mustard scratches his head, laughing, "I won't play today. I'm going to grab a bite and hit the hay!"
Klara pulls out her phone, instinctively searching for information about 'Teacher Luke.' Somewhat surprised, she finds the information presented in a dignified manner, leaving room for doubt about his true background. Staring at the gallery photos, Klara is momentarily dazed, snapping back to reality and wiping away her drool.
Klara straightens her chest and thinks, "Master lost, and it's perfectly reasonable!"
On the other side, Mustard enjoys a bowl of char siu rice, skillfully using chopsticks.
"If you lose, there's always char siu... makes you feel better," Mustard mumbles like a child.
Honey suddenly pokes her head out of the kitchen: "Husband, Leon called you just now!"
"Little Leon!" Mustard's eyes light up, touching his chin, and he says, "Um... Next time you snatch a few points from him, the rankings will surely bounce back!"
The revitalized Mustard takes the call.
"Yo, Little Leon, I trust you've been well since we last met!"
"We just spoke this afternoon..." Leon coughs lightly. "Anyway, the Chairman of the Orient Alliance invites you to attend a meeting. It's about this year's Champion Championship."
Despite Mustard being a Champion player from the Orient, he touches his chin thoughtfully, "I won't go. The younger generation of Champion players is rising in the Orient."
"Who is it?" Leon is somewhat surprised.
"Little Luke." Mustard laughs heartily. "Seems like he's from the Orient Region!"
Leon frowns momentarily, recalling the opponent Raihan faced last time.
Little Luke?
It should be 'Teacher Luke.'
Hearing this, Leon nods in acknowledgment. "Alright... I'll convey the message to Chairman Tang."
"Do your best, Little Leon. You might get surpassed by Little Luke!" Mustard says with concern.
"Haha, it's only fair to lose to a powerhouse."
Leon smiles but unconsciously presses the brim of his black hat with deep-set eyes.
The Champion of the Orient Alliance.
Some are eager for the battle against Teacher Luke...
Perhaps, it will be a spectacular Champion moment!
...
Because Mustard retired many years ago, the revelation of his identity didn't shock the general audience much. However, for those in the know, especially the experienced individuals, Teacher Luke's evaluation soared to new heights.
In the live broadcast room, the ID 'The Fighter' skyrocketed, creating a buzz among viewers. Once again, Teacher Luke's strength became the subject of heated discussions. Having showcased teams specializing in Poison Type, Ghost Type, Ground Type, and now Fighting Type, the question of whether he truly dominated all attributes emerged.
"Is he a master of all Types?!"
"Teacher Luke must be a Dark Type expert; his strategies are too cunning!"
The program's explosive effect continued to fuel the fervor in the live broadcast room.
With today's live broadcast successfully concluded, Luke nodded in satisfaction. Next on the agenda was to find Gold and engage in a couple more battles to wrap up the day.
Teacher Luke, ending the broadcast at a lightning pace, prompted a series of question marks in the barrage. However, this unconventional style was considered a traditional performance in the live studio.
"Everyone, stand up!"
"Thank you, Teacher Luke!"
…
As the night deepened, Sylveon hopped in through the cat hole below the door, leapt onto the sofa with familiarity, and curled up into a ball.
"Vui~~"
"Are you up for a midnight snack?"
After some hesitant struggling, Sylveon nodded its little head, seeming to have realized something.
Luke rubbed his chin. Perhaps blaming Sylveon for gaining weight wasn't entirely fair.
Preparing coffee and sandwiches for supper, Luke opened his notebook to edit the day's material.
"I'll come to visit the day after tomorrow," a message from Gold popped up.
"No problem, just a couple of games with me."
"It's not convenient for me today." Having witnessed Teacher Luke's aggressive Unburden tactics, Gold couldn't help shaking his head.
Though slightly regrettable, Teacher Luke understood. After all, everyone has their busy days.
Having found another old acquaintance from Sinnoh, Luke played a few games with Flint. As the eastern sky began to light up, Togepi, following a familiar scent, nestled into the hood of Luke's sweater.
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