"Mm, I know."Yozora nodded, gazing out at the moonlight streaming through the window. In his heart, a trace of anticipation stirred—toward Harrison.
It was already late at night. Long before dinner, he had already registered his lineup for the semifinals.
This time, to play it safe, he even registered Suicune.
At that moment, Nurse Joy, who was working the desk, was so shocked she covered her mouth in surprise.
Immediately afterward, she looked at Yozora with a gaze filled with awe and disbelief…
Just what kind of young man was this, to have captured the legendary Suicune?
…
Elsewhere, under the shroud of night, Harrison was training with his old team, rekindling their bond.
After all, it had been a year since he'd last seen them. Rebuilding that familiarity, that feel, even at the last minute, was necessary.
Under the moonlight, among Harrison's old squad, aside from Blaziken, one could faintly make out the shadows of two other starter evolutions, along with a large, black Mightyena…
Dawn broke, sunlight spilling across the land. A new day had arrived, and with it, the first match of the semifinals.
After a practiced round of opening words, the host shouted enthusiastically:"Now, let us welcome our Red-side representative! From Pallet Town of the Kanto Region—Yozora!"
The Red entrance opened. Yozora walked in at a steady pace, his appearance sparking a chorus of cheers from countless fans.
"And now, our Blue-side representative! From Littleroot Town of the Hoenn Region—Harrison!"
At the host's spirited invitation, Harrison entered. He greeted the crowd as he went, smiling with confidence.
Soon, both trainers were in place. The referee stepped forward as well.
"Before we begin, let me proudly remind everyone: Yozora claimed the championship title in last year's Indigo League! And Harrison has reached the top eight, even the top four, in multiple conferences including the Ever Grande Conference!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the stadium erupted.
Countless people gasped in amazement at Yozora.
After all, a championship carried weight far beyond a top-four or top-eight finish.
Even more astonishing was his age.
He was only seventeen—barely two years into his journey. Last year, Champion. This year, already in the semifinals—guaranteed top four at minimum!
By contrast, Harrison was already in his twenties. Strong, famous, yes—but compared to Yozora, his record didn't inspire the same shock.
"In this generation, compared to Yozora and Red, any other trainer would seem dim in comparison…"
Watching from the stands, Professor Oak's heart swelled with pride as he looked at the radiant figure on the field.
Just recently, he'd received word from Hoenn: the Ever Grande Conference had ended, and Red had crushed the competition, taking the championship.
"These two are even more brilliant than Lance and Lorelei were in their prime…" Oak muttered in amazement. He believed it—soon enough, Pallet Town would be world-renowned thanks to these two unparalleled prodigies.
"Now then! Red-side trainer Yozora, please send out your first Pokémon!"
With that, the match officially began.
Without hesitation, Yozora threw his first Poké Ball."Go, Tangrowth!"
As Tangrowth appeared, its Drought ability activated. The sunlight above the battlefield instantly grew harsher.
"A harsh sun, boosting Fire-type power. But if I remember correctly, Yozora's Tangrowth doesn't fear Fire…" Harrison's thoughts stirred.
In this situation—bright sun, and facing a Grass-type supposedly weak to Fire…
If he hadn't studied Yozora, his first instinct would have been to send out Blaziken, securing a quick lead.
But he had studied Yozora—carefully. He knew Yozora's Pokémon were never simple. Their strength couldn't be judged by type charts alone.
Harrison grew serious, thinking it through carefully before finally pulling out an Ultra Ball."Go, Mightyena!"
With a flash of white, the black wolf leapt onto the field, radiating menace and dominance.
"Awooo!"
The moment it landed, Mightyena bared its fangs and roared at Tangrowth. An invisible field of intimidation surged outward, covering the battlefield.
Intimidate!
Yes, Harrison's Mightyena carried the Intimidate ability.
It wasn't quite as overwhelming as an Arcanine's, but its higher level gave it an edge in presence, pressing heavily on Tangrowth.
Sweat broke out across Tangrowth's body as it trembled, overcome with fear. Both its strength and speed fell.
"Wow, that's so cool! What Pokémon is that?"
"So badass! Cooler than Houndoom—I love that big black wolf!"
The crowd erupted, their eyes shining. Even Ash couldn't take his eyes off it.
After all, Mightyena was native to Hoenn. In Johto, it was almost nonexistent. For many spectators, this was their first time seeing one.
"That is Mightyena, a Dark-type Pokémon from Hoenn! Its aura alone is enough to suppress Tangrowth!" the host explained loudly.
And so the battle began.
"Mightyena, Tackle!" Harrison commanded with a sharp gesture.
"Counter with Vine Whip!" Yozora responded instantly.
"Shh-shh-shh—!"
Tangrowth lashed out with countless vines, striking wildly at Mightyena. But the wolf darted and weaved, slipping past every whip.
Then—bam! It slammed Tangrowth hard, sending it flying.
"Finish it—Shadow Ball!" Harrison ordered.
Dark energy gathered at Mightyena's jaws, condensing into a black sphere. Like a cannonball, it blasted into Tangrowth.
A second heavy blow—
The black energy burst against Tangrowth's body, smoke and dust exploding into the air.
When it cleared, Tangrowth lay on the ground, unconscious.
"Tangrowth is unable to battle! Mightyena wins!" the referee declared, raising the red flag.
"What a sharp combo! Mightyena's assault was swift and ferocious!" the host commented.
The arena roared with excitement.
In an instant, countless spectators had fallen for the intimidating Mightyana.
"Mightyena… from Hoenn!" Off the field, Ash's eyes shone as he looked at Harrison's Pokémon, his heart stirring with a yearning to visit Hoenn.
"Return, Tangrowth. You've already done what you needed to do…" Yozora recalled his Pokémon, gently reassuring it.
What he meant, of course, was its Drought.
"Go, Arcanine!" Yozora sent out his second Pokémon.
In the blazing sun, Arcanine's golden fur shone even brighter, its majestic aura overwhelming.
Two canine Pokémon faced each other—Arcanine and Mightyena. Both bore Intimidate.
But their auras were worlds apart.
Arcanine radiated nobility, justice incarnate.
Mightyena dripped with menace, the aura of a villain.
Different styles. Different charms.
"Awooo!"
Arcanine roared, its Intimidate clashing with Mightyena's.
The clash lasted only an instant.
Arcanine's presence shattered Mightyena's intimidation, blanketing the entire field.
Of course, the aura was invisible to most—including Harrison.
But the effect was plain to see.
Mightyena faltered, trembling under Arcanine's gaze, fear written across its face.
Arcanine's fans erupted in joy. Mightyena's supporters groaned in despair.
"As expected of Yozora's Shiny Arcanine! Its presence completely suppressed Mightyena!" the host exclaimed.
His wording was careful, attributing the difference to Arcanine's Shiny status—so as not to insult Mightyena's fans. That tact came naturally to an experienced announcer.
"Arcanine, Flamethrower!"
"Mightyena, dodge!"
Flames swept across the field as Mightyena scrambled desperately.
On paper, Mightyena was stronger—mid-Elite tier—while Arcanine was only early Elite.
But fear had crippled Mightyena. Its power and speed had plummeted.
Though its level was higher, its actual fighting ability was crumbling.
The wolf could do nothing but flee the fire.
"Whoosh—!"
At last, the flames caught it. Mightyena howled in pain, staggering back.
The burn slowed it further.
"Finish it—Fire Blast!" Yozora commanded.
"Boom!"
A great, blazing kanji-shaped flame burst forth, crashing into Mightyena.
The explosion engulfed it, and Mightyena fell.
"Mightyena is unable to battle! Arcanine wins!" the referee raised the red flag.
"As expected of Yozora! He evens the score in no time!" the host called out.
"Thrilling! This battle is insane—semifinal or not, it's as exciting as a final match!"
"And it's only just begun…"
"Exactly, the best is yet to come!"
The crowd was glued to the field, eyes unblinking.
Just the first exchange had been worth the price of admission.
…
"Mightyena, you've done well." Harrison recalled his partner, a faint smile on his lips.
He knew Mightyena had lost purely to Arcanine's presence.
There was no helping it. That Arcanine's aura was far beyond its level.
Its potential… staggering.
Quasi-legendary?
No… perhaps even with the makings of a legendary beast.
Harrison's heart brimmed with envy. Nearly all of Yozora's Pokémon had astonishing potential.
Potential wasn't easily realized, but at equal levels, those with greater potential always fought stronger. Their very constitution was superior.
"Still… that Arcanine's aura is its only edge. Its actual strength and speed haven't reached their peak…" Harrison thought, then tossed another Poké Ball.
A flash of white—then a massive, blue figure appeared.
Swampert. Hoenn's Water-type starter, final form of Mudkip.
It stood tall and broad, four limbs planted firmly, muscular arms heavy with strength. Its build screamed physical power.
Its typing was unique: Water and Ground.
Water was weak to Electric, but Ground nullified it.Ground was weak to Water, but Water resisted Water.Ground was weak to Ice, but Water resisted Ice.
In short, its only real weakness was Grass—quadruple.
But with Tangrowth already down, Harrison could safely bring it out. Against Arcanine, it even held the advantage.
"Another Hoenn Pokémon! Clearly, Harrison came prepared to counter Yozora!"
The host analyzed quickly:"Swampert is a powerhouse. Let's see what it can do under Harrison's command!"
…
Just like before, Arcanine's aura pressed down on it.
Swampert trembled slightly, but less than Mightyena had. Its fighting strength remained mostly intact.
Harrison lifted his eyes to the blazing sun above.
He hadn't forgotten—the harsh sunlight still lingered.
Under it, Fire-type moves were boosted. Water-type moves weakened. Grass-type moves like Solar Beam could be fired instantly.
"Water is weakened? No matter. My Swampert carries Rock, Ground, and Fighting techniques as well."
His mind steadied.
"Swampert versus Arcanine—battle, begin!" the referee announced.
"Arcanine, Flamethrower!" Yozora ordered at once.
"Raaah!"
Arcanine roared, sprinting forward. Flames gathered at its jaws.
When it closed the distance, confident in its aim, it unleashed a searing torrent of fire.
Normally, Fire would do little against Swampert. Its fear status only reduced its power and speed, not its defenses. Its resistance to Fire remained intact.
The outcome of this clash remained to be seen…
…
…
(End of Chapter)