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Seeing someone else command a Pupitar now evolved into a Tyranitar was an entirely different feeling when you had one of your own.
Tyranitar was no ordinary Pokémon. Once fully grown, it rivaled the likes of the Legendary Birds or the Legendary Beasts. For Kai, it was a massive addition to the strength and depth of his team.
From the sidelines, Erika couldn't help but recall the time she'd been knocked out by a Rocket Executive's Tyranitar. While she felt genuinely happy for Kai, the sight of the beast still gave her an imaginary ache in her back.
Kai admired the newly evolved Tyranitar for a moment, running a hand across its rugged armor plating. After a few words of praise, he returned it to its Poké Ball.
Like back at the Previous Gym, his strategy here at Azalea was clear: he was using this battle as a training opportunity for his younger Pokémon. Fully-evolved powerhouses like Dragonite or Tyranitar? Not part of the plan for now.
On the opposite side, Bugsy pulled out his third Poké Ball.
"Hah… You've done well. Not many challengers force me to send out my final Pokémon," Bugsy said with a grin. "But it's time now—to meet my Elegant Warrior… Scyther!"
He tossed the Poké Ball high. With a flash of light, a lean green Pokémon burst forth, wings humming, twin scythes gleaming in the gym lights.
Scyther the Bug-type specialist's undisputed ace.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Elegant Warrior?" Another flashy nickname but it made sense. This was Bugsy's trump card, no doubt.
Unlike Gym Leaders who had traveled through other regions and picked up more exotic teams, Bugsy's entire roster consisted of familiar Pokémon from Kanto and Johto. It wasn't a matter of weakness it was just that he hadn't yet had the chance to explore the wider world. After all, being appointed a Gym Leader at such a young age had tied him to Azalea Town.
Sometimes, early fame comes with limitations.
But if Bugsy was fielding Scyther…
Kai's fingers brushed over the Poké Balls on his belt until they stopped on one.
"Looks like this is your time to shine."
He threw the Poké Ball.
In a flash, Kai's own Scyther appeared its defining feature a battle scar across its forehead.
"A Scyther of your own?" Bugsy's eyes lit up. His gaze swept across the newcomer, then lingered on the scar. "Looks like it's been through some serious battles. Alright let's see whose Scyther is stronger!"
Kai smirked. "Mine might not have a flashy nickname, but it's seen things. Before I caught it, it lived on an island overrun by Bug-types. They called it 'Scarblade.' It once fought nonstop across the island three days and nights, from coast to coast without blinking once."
"Huh?"
Kai's Scyther turned its head toward its Trainer, clearly confused.
What was he talking about? When had that ever happened?
Was Kai referring to another Scyther altogether?
Bugsy didn't seem to catch the sarcasm his interest had zeroed in on something else entirely.
"Wait, did you say a Bug Pokémon island? Where is that?"
Kai had only meant it as a joke to mess with Bugsy's over-the-top energy but now he just sighed.
Ah… the generation gap.
"Far out in the Orange Islands," he replied dryly. "It's not hard to find, but you'll need a boat to get there."
Bugsy nodded thoughtfully, clearly intrigued. As a Bug-type expert, the idea of such a place fascinated him.
Back to the battlefield, the referee raised the flags.
Both Scyther stepped into the center of the arena.
They locked eyes. Tension crackled.
When the signal was given, they both lunged forward scythes raised high like elite duelists. A clash of blades rang out, sending up a flash of sparks!
Steel sliced the air as their scythes collided again and again so quickly it was as if their movements blurred into afterimages.
Strike after strike, they danced across the field in a dizzying rhythm only for Bugsy's Scyther to suddenly leap back, breaking out of the duel.
Bugsy's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected this.
His Scyther his ace had been forced back during the very first exchange.
It was like Kai had said earlier: his Eevee may have underwhelmed, but Pupitar and now Scyther were both far above average.
Kai's Scyther Scarblade pushed forward again, eyes gleaming with icy precision. It didn't allow a single second of rest.
Bugsy bit his lip. "Scyther Double Team!"
In an instant, Bugsy's Scyther split into three shadowy duplicates.
It worked.
Scarblade faltered for a moment, confused by the illusion, then struck at the closest clone—
but it vanished into mist.
From behind, a scythe sliced through the air.
Wham!
Only—it never landed.
Scarblade had sensed it coming.
In one fluid motion, it turned and blocked the strike with its own scythe.
Bugsy flinched.
What? That didn't work either?
"Scyther—Swords Dance!"
Bugsy's Scyther began to spin, its scythes glowing with a fiery energy as it performed its war dance, boosting its attack sharply.
He was going for raw power now—clearly hoping to break through Kai's defenses in one hit.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. Let's make this even."
He pointed at the field.
"Scarblade—Swords Dance!"
His Scyther mirrored the performance—spinning, dancing, a red glow enveloping its blades.
Now they were on equal footing.
Two Scyther. Two boosted attacks. Two Trainers staring each other down.
Kai's eyes narrowed, his expression calm.
Alright then… come at me.
Let's see which Scyther reigns supreme.
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