The match had just ended. As Paul stepped out of the competitor's tunnel, he was immediately surrounded by a swarm of reporters who had been waiting for him.
Earlier that morning, the press had held back from approaching—worried they might disturb his preparations. But now, with more time in the afternoon, there was no holding back. After all, if they didn't interview Paul now, would they really wait until he became Champion?
The crowd blocked the exit entirely, refusing to let him pass unless he answered their questions.
"Paul, do you believe you have the confidence to defeat the four Elite Four members and face Champion Cynthia for the title?"
Amidst the noise, one reporter's voice stood out.
"I never do anything I'm not confident in."
Paul's reply was blunt and concise.
"Before the tournament began, which member of the Elite Four did you see as your greatest obstacle on the road to Champion?"
"Psychic-types are always the most mysterious."
Paul wouldn't have entered the tournament if he didn't already have Champion-level strength. Since he was here, he feared no opponent. None of them, in his eyes, could truly stop him. And even if someone tried—he would remove them.
That said, Lucian, the Psychic specialist, had left a strong impression on him before. The way Lucian's Medicham fought lingered in his memory.
Unfortunately, his Electivire had no natural affinity for Psychic abilities, meaning it couldn't develop the kind of precognitive sensing that Medicham used. At best, Electivire could approximate the effect through magnetic field manipulation.
His Metagross had studied such techniques, but its massive frame made fine applications difficult. Instead, it was his Ninetales that had excelled. With its nine tails, Ninetales could weave those sensory abilities fluidly—enough to spar evenly with his Hiusian Samurott.
"Then when facing Cynthia, do you plan to employ the same kind of elaborate strategies you once used against Tobias in the League?"
Back then, Paul had maximized every tactical option just to face Tobias. The question lingered: would he use the same against Cynthia?
"I have no such plans."
Tactics were tools for overwhelming odds. But after studying Cynthia for so long, Paul concluded: when his Pokémon's levels already suppressed hers, he didn't need flawless, and exhaustive strategies.
"…"
After answering a few more questions, Paul spotted his brother Reggie waiting outside. Without hesitation, Paul used a burst of Psychic energy to push through the reporters and joined Reggie for dinner.
"Have you decided which Pokémon you'll use tomorrow? Planning to bring out a third one?" Reggie asked with a grin.
"Two. Two per Elite Four is enough."
Paul shook his head. If his only goal were victory, one Champion-tier Pokémon alone could crush the match. Using two let him give slightly weaker partners experience while maintaining control. A third wasn't necessary—except against Cynthia. She alone was worth that.
"As long as you know what you're doing. Just don't choke out there."
Reggie chuckled. Even Flint's Infernape had once been toppled by Paul's endurance-based team strategies. In high-level battles, even Champions could get upset if they grew careless.
"I won't. Even if I stumble, I won't lose."
Mid-conversation, Paul suddenly remembered something. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
...
The Tree of Beginning
"Beep… beep…"
At the Tree of Beginning, Mew was busy experimenting with Mewtwo. They were studying autonomous Mega Evolution and what Mew gleefully called its "clawing skill".
The ringing phone caught Mew's ear. With a flicker of teleportation, it answered.
"Mii??"
"Mii~"
"Mii"
"Mii"
Mew tilted its head as Paul's voice issued instructions. It nodded repeatedly as if to say,
Got it, got it!
Once the call ended, Mew tossed the phone into a pink bubble and floated back to Mewtwo, resuming their research.
Taking on the form of a small Hoopa, Mew began fishing through its golden rings again. Suddenly, its eyes lit up—out tumbled a dust-covered Regirock.
"Rockk...~"
The titan looked around in confusion. One blink, and it had gone from slumber to standing inside the Tree of Beginning.
"Rockk...~"
Mew giggled, explained briefly, and teleported the golem to the squad of Regi guardians already stationed there for training.
"Mii~"
Another guardian acquired. Mew's mood soared. It resolved that one day, it would use its "fishing" trick to gather all the Regis at the Tree of Beginning—forming the greatest Guardian Squad to defend the tree, and the world itself.
Yes. That was its dream.
Mew will build the strongest Tree of Beginning Defense Force in the Pokémon world!
...
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Paul stared at his phone in silence, black lines forming on his forehead. He had no idea what any of those "mii" noises meant.
In person, he could interpret Mew's intent with his Psychic intuition. But over the phone? He couldn't understand a thing.
"I'll call again later."
He sighed. To make sure Mew didn't get distracted and forget, he would have to remind it again. Luckily, with Mew's bubbles and rings, long-distance teleportation of Pokémon was no problem at all.
...
The Next Day – Lily of the Valley Island, Arena
"Welcome to the third match of the Elite Four Challenge! Today, Challenger Paul will face Flint, the strongest of the Sinnoh Elite Four in raw firepower!"
"Today's battlefield: the Lava Field. The arena is shaped like the Japanese character '日', divided into two solid platforms. The center and edges are molten magma. Fire-type moves gain a slight boost here, while Water-, Ice-, and Grass-type moves are weakened."
"Both Trainers are now in place. Let's see what kind of fiery clash awaits!"
As the announcer finished, Paul and Flint stepped onto the stage.
"It's been a while, Paul! I saw your battle yesterday. Today, let's make this a blazing showdown!" Flint shouted, his fiery passion blazing as always.
But Paul had prepared a team that could extinguish Flint's flames in an instant. He only gave a curt nod in response.
"Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Both tossed their Poké Balls at once.
"Go, Ninetales!"
"Samurott, battle ready!"
"Wooo~"
"Chaah!"
From the Poké Balls emerged a graceful Ninetales and a cold-eyed Samurott, facing one another across the field.
"Ninetales, huh? Interesting."
Paul's eyes gleamed. His own Ninetales had built a bond with his Samurott, he wondered what dynamic Flint's Ninetales would bring.
"Chaaah~"
Samurott's eyes narrowed at Flint's Ninetales. Sensing Paul's gaze, it drew both blades with a flash of danger, declaring its stance.
"Battle, begin!"
The moment the referee's call rang out, both Trainers gave commands simultaneously—
"Ninetales, use Sunny Day!"
"Samurott, Dual Blades—go!"
"Wooo~"
Even before Ninetales could finish summoning the sun, Samurott blurred into motion, a streak of blue light flashing forward. In the blink of an eye, it appeared in front of Ninetales, thrusting with a blade cloaked in surging water.
Dual Blades Style: Aqua Cutter!
Before Ninetales could react, pain exploded across its body. A follow-up strike came immediately—the second blade, shrouded in darkness, carving through with relentless precision.
Dual Blades: Dark Slash!
"Chaaah~!"
Samurott swung both blades without hesitation, spinning on his heel as he turned his back on Paul.
BOOM!
In less than two seconds, the proud Ninetales froze, her expression fading into lifeless numbness. A rush of hot wind swept past her before her body buckled and collapsed with an explosive thud.
When the smoke cleared, Ninetales lay completely unconscious.
"Ninetales is unable to battle, Samurott claims the victory!" The referee declared.
"…Huh?"
The entire arena fell silent. Flint stood frozen, needing several seconds before his mind caught up.
My Ninetales… so strong, so majestic… and yet, she's down in an instant? What on earth…?
"It's already over?"
"What just happened?"
"I didn't see it at all! Samurott turned into a streak of blue light, blinked past Ninetales, turned back, and then—she just exploded!"
"Was that a one-hit KO?"
"He one-shot an Elite-class Pokémon. That's insane!"
The crowd, stunned into disbelief, erupted in murmurs.
"Has Paul really become this strong?"
Even Reggie was left slack-jawed. Facing Paul's Aggron or Metagross still felt manageable, but Ursaluna, Torterra, and now Samurott? Their raw strength was terrifying.
Unstoppable power. Devastating terrain control. Instant kills. Those three alone could crush his strongest six without breaking a sweat.
Barry, watching from the sidelines, swallowed hard. His gut told him—none of his Pokémon could endure even one of Samurott's blinding combos.
I'm done for. No way I can match that.
"Come back, Ninetales. You did well."
Flint recalled his fainted partner, suddenly doubting whether any of his Pokémon could stand against Samurott.
Before he could send out his next, Paul recalled Samurott as well, casually tossing out another Poké Ball.
"Ninetales, prepare yourself."
"Wooo~"
Another Ninetales emerged—this one was larger, her bearing elegant yet haughty. She locked eyes with Flint, her nine flowing tails waving with pride.
"You're using Ninetales too?" Flint grimaced. The comparison felt cruel, almost mocking. Still, he steadied himself and released his next Pokémon.
"Go, Houndoom! Mega Evolve!"
The instant the Poké Ball burst open, his Key Stone resonated with Houndoom's Mega Stone. Brilliant light engulfed his Pokémon—its neck now bound in bone-like ridges, twin horns curving menacingly, and a devilish tail whipping behind it. The legendary demon-dog of lore—Mega Houndoom—stood upon the battlefield.
"Houndoom, use Dark Pulse!"
Houndoom unleashed a searing wave of darkness, its force no weaker than Ninetales' Flamethrower.
But before the attack struck, Paul's Ninetales vanished with Agility, her ghostlike silhouette weaving across the arena until she appeared right before Mega Houndoom.
Her nine tails glowed like iron whips—Iron Tail!
—and lashed down toward her opponent.
"Crunch!"
Mega Houndoom met her head-on, jaws snapping forward.
BAM!
The instant his fangs caught one tail, the other eight struck from every direction, raining relentless blows.
Though Houndoom had battled alongside Flint's original Ninetales for years, that one was a special attacker. This Ninetales fought with terrifying ferocity, her physical strikes rivaling even Infernape's aggression. Houndoom found himself utterly overwhelmed, pummeled without reprieve.
"Snarl!"
Beaten and howling already, Mega Houndoom loosed a guttural roar. The sonic blast struck Ninetales, inflicting minor damage and lowering her Special Attack.
But she barely flinched. The debuff meant nothing—her barrage of tails continued, blow after punishing blow.
Within half a minute, Mega Houndoom collapsed with a final anguished cry.
A faint purple orb drifted from his body—Destiny Bond!
"Wooo?!"
Ninetales froze, realizing too late. The bond activated. Though she had dominated the match, she too was dragged into unconsciousness.
"Ninetales and Houndoom are both unable to battle! Trainers, send out your final Pokémon!" The referee declared.
"Come back, Houndoom. You did great."
"Rest well, Ninetales."
Both trainers recalled their fallen partners, then hurled their last Poké Balls.
"Burn it up, Infernape!"
"Samurott, battle ready!"
"Waaaa-cha!"
"Chaaah!"
Flames crowned Infernape's head as he landed, while Samurott reappeared, blades gleaming, his presence sharp and intimidating.
"Dual Blades."
"Mach Punch!"
At the command, Samurott vanished, reappearing at Infernape's flank with Waterfall Blades slicing downward.
Infernape pivoted with blinding reflexes, fists flashing—Mach Punch after Mach Punch barely deflecting Samurott's slashes.
Samurott's expression remained cold. His Dark Blade cut in from a lethal angle, only for Infernape to counter with a crackling Thunder Punch!
BOOM!
The impact forced both combatants back several steps.
"Flare Blitz!"
Before regaining balance, Infernape erupted in searing flames, hurling himself forward.
Samurott's twin blades traced a white arc straight through the oncoming fire, cleaving the flames apart into shreds of scattered embers.
KABOOM!
The blast shook the field. Smoke engulfed the arena.
Samurott did not wait. Cloaked in the surging torrent of Torrent, he charged straight through the haze, blades carving paths of sword energy toward Infernape.
But as the smoke cleared—Samurott froze in midair.
The battlefield was empty, save for a gaping hole in the ground.
Infernape was gone.
(To be continued…)
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