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The wind was calm, the sunlight warm.
At the ninja academy's battle arena, Kai and Aya stood on opposite ends of the field, staring each other down.
Seeing that Kai was ready, Aya asked calmly, "So, how do you want to do this? One round for the win? Or a full three-on-three, last Pokémon standing?"
Though this match was her idea, she didn't want it to seem like she was pushing him around. Letting Kai choose the rules made it seem more fair.
But Kai only shrugged, casually throwing the choice back at her. "I'm good with anything. You decide."
'Tch. How annoying…'
'Did he think this was already in the bag?'
Aya clenched her fists in frustration. She had already made up her mind this time, she would beat him. Seeing how relaxed and indifferent he looked only fueled her determination further.
Not like last time. Or the time before that.
And this time, there'd be no samurai or rogue Jigglypuff to get in the way!
Taking a deep breath to steady her eagerness, she declared, "Fine. Three-on-three. We both send out one Pokémon at a time. The last one standing wins."
"Sounds good to me."
Kai shrugged again, unfazed.
It wasn't that he was underestimating Aya on the contrary. To end things decisively and avoid any more of her drama, Kai had already chosen to go in with his main team. And once they hit the field… he doubted he'd lose.
Given both of their reputations, the academy headmaster himself acted as referee.
When the two trainers each pulled out their first Poké Ball, he raised his arm.
"First battle… begin!"
His voice had barely faded before Kai and Aya hurled their Poké Balls across the field. Twin bursts of blue light flashed as their Pokémon emerged one large, one medium-sized.
Aya had chosen Muk.
The moment it appeared, the entire field was hit with a wave of noxious stench. Like a busted sewer pipe, the smell was enough to make a few spectators gag.
Facing Muk was Kai's Charizard, wings spread, eyes burning with fire and focus.
'A Poison-type, huh?' Kai wasn't surprised.
Aya was the younger sister of Koga Poison-type Gym Leader from Fuchsia City so it made sense that she specialized in the same. In Kanto and Johto, the pool of strong poison types wasn't all that large. Kai had a pretty good idea of what she'd bring.
Apparently eager to press the attack, Aya didn't waste time.
"Muk, use Sludge Bomb!"
Muk heaved up a glob of toxic sludge and hurled it at Charizard.
But a grounded Poison-type trying to hit a flying opponent? Not a great matchup.
Charizard soared slightly higher with a flap of his wings, easily dodging the foul projectile. The Sludge Bomb arced through the air before exploding midflight—splattering uselessly and missing entirely.
Aya didn't seem fazed.
'Tch. Just testing the waters' she thought. 'If that had actually hit, I'd be more surprised.'
Kai, meanwhile, gave a nod. "Alright, our turn. Charizard use Flamethrower!"
Charizard dove from the sky and opened its jaws wide, spewing a stream of scorching flames toward Muk.
A wave of blazing heat rippled across the arena.
Aya's eyes narrowed. She knew Muk wasn't fast enough to dodge, so she called out, "Use Minimize and Melt!"
Muk's body suddenly collapsed into a gloppy puddle, shrinking in height and oozing to one side with surprising speed.
Charizard's Flamethrower hit sort of. While part of the blast still scorched Muk's slimy surface, it wasn't a clean hit. Most of the damage was avoided.
Kai rubbed his chin. "Minimize and Melt… smart."
He didn't know the technique too well. He rarely used it himself, but it was a classic defense. Many amorphous or soft-bodied Pokémon could liquefy to temporarily boost their defense and resist blows.
And with Muk's naturally high endurance, the move had worked well it had tanked the Flamethrower with minimal damage.
So she really has grown, Kai thought, noting the difference from their last encounter.
But…
She's not the only one who's been improving.
"Charizard use Fire Spin!"
Charizard roared, gathering energy for its next attack. This time, the technique wasn't a direct blast. If Muk failed to dodge and tried to melt again, it'd just end up trapped in a ring of fire with no way out.
Aya recognized the threat instantly.
Muk was powerful, but it lacked speed or mobility. It couldn't run so she tried to counter.
"Smog! Cancel it out!"
Muk spewed a cloud of dark, foul gas thick, choking, and heavy with toxins toward the incoming vortex of flame.
When the two attacks collided—
BOOM!
A sudden burst of fire erupted across the battlefield. Somehow, the flammable gases in Muk's smog had ignited, creating a mini-explosion that briefly lit up the entire field. The crowd gasped as the fire flashed and vanished just as fast.
Aya grinned, casting a smug glance at Kai.
'See? I'm not the same rookie you steamrolled last time.'
But Kai didn't react. In fact, he looked bored.
Sure, he hadn't expected the gas to ignite and interrupt Fire Spin, but it wasn't like that was his only option. You didn't become Champion by relying on just one move.
And while Aya was still basking in her clever counter…
Kai: use Air Slash!"
Aya flinched. "Wait—!"
But it was already too late.
In a blur of motion, two crescent-shaped blades of compressed air shot across the field. Charizard's wings had generated the attack midair swift, precise, and deadly.
WHACK!
Both Air Slashes slammed into Muk's gooey form with enough force to make the whole pile of sludge shudder violently.
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