Gengar could no longer retreat into the spirit world.
Doing so now would be no different from surrender.
Sam's mind raced.
He searched desperately for a countermeasure before Crobat's attack landed.
"It's over."
A faint smile appeared on Koga's face.
The violent airflow generated by Crobat's high-speed movement whipped his cloak into the air. Standing there with cold eyes and fluttering fabric, he already looked like the victor.
No—
He believed he was the victor.
"Dark Pulse," Koga commanded calmly.
"Finish it."
All around Gengar, countless Crobats closed in.
From every direction.
Above. Below. Behind.
Gengar couldn't tell where the real attack would come from.
It was completely surrounded.
On the sidelines, Sam's face darkened. He said nothing.
Koga shook his head inwardly.
Still too young.
Even if his strength was impressive, his composure faltered in desperate situations.
But he had done well.
For someone his age to push Koga this far was already remarkable.
Koga had decided he would praise the young Trainer after the match.
Then—
He noticed something.
A faint smile curled onto Sam's lips.
Smile?
Koga's eyes narrowed.
At this point… what could he possibly do?
He was right.
Sam had no way to win.
Crobat's Dark Pulse had already reached Gengar.
Even phasing out now would be too late.
But—
If he couldn't win…
He could refuse to lose.
"You can't be careless against a Ghost-type," Sam murmured.
"Gengar—Destiny Bond!"
"Keh heh heh…"
Gengar let out a chilling laugh.
It opened its arms wide.
It didn't dodge.
It didn't resist.
It embraced the incoming Dark Pulse.
The attack struck directly.
Dark energy exploded.
And at that same instant—
A strange, sinister power surged outward from Gengar.
It locked onto the true Crobat hidden among the afterimages.
No matter how fast you are…
You cannot outrun Destiny Bond.
A heartbeat later—
Crobat's body stiffened midair.
Then it fell.
Both Pokémon hit the ground.
Silence filled the battlefield.
Koga exhaled slowly.
He had been careless.
If his opponent had been someone like Agatha of the Elite Four, he would never have made such a mistake against a Ghost-type.
Today—
He had underestimated his challenger.
He recalled Crobat and walked toward Sam.
From his pocket, he produced a pink badge shaped like a stylized heart.
"The Soul Badge," he said calmly, placing it in Sam's hand.
"I underestimated you. Accept this as recognition of your strength."
Although the battle ended in a draw, Sam had proven himself.
A Trainer capable of taking down Koga's main Pokémon did not leave the Fuchsia Gym empty-handed.
Sam looked at the badge in his palm.
This had been his most dangerous Gym challenge yet.
He had racked his brain for a draw and nearly lost everything.
Seven badges now.
Only one remained—
The Volcano Badge from Cinnabar Gym.
With that, he could qualify for the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Maybe it was time to slow down.
To travel.
To breathe.
If he remembered correctly, near Fuchsia City was the famous Safari Zone.
Rumor had it that rare Pokémon like Dratini and Dragonair could be found there.
Catching one might be unlikely.
But seeing one?
That wasn't illegal.
Decision made.
After healing Gengar at the Pokémon Center, Sam set out overnight.
"Thanks for guiding us, Clefable."
With Clefable's help, getting lost was no longer a concern.
It didn't take long to cross the dense forest that had once troubled him.
Just as Sam planned to camp for the night—
A blazing streak tore across the sky.
A meteor.
He could even hear the piercing whistle as it cut through the air.
Its tail burned fiercely.
Judging from the trajectory—
It was going to land nearby.
Camping could wait.
Sam immediately changed direction and ran toward the impact zone.
From a hillside, he stopped.
When a meteor struck the ground, the shockwave would be devastating.
He wasn't reckless enough to get too close.
"Sipi! Sipi!"
Clefable danced excitedly under the falling star.
It was said that Clefairy and Clefable had origins tied to outer space.
No wonder it was thrilled.
The meteor fell faster.
Closer.
Closer.
Sam squinted.
Red?
Wait—
That shape…
That wasn't right.
Was that really a meteor?
BOOM!!!
The "meteor" slammed into the earth.
A massive shockwave exploded outward, flattening nearby trees.
Sam silently thanked himself for keeping his distance.
If he had been closer, he would have been shredded like the forest.
From the hillside, he saw a massive crater carved into the ground.
The "meteor" had landed at the center.
Once the dust settled and he confirmed it was safe—
Sam sprinted forward without hesitation.
He needed to know.
Had he really seen what he thought he saw?
---------------Author---------------
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