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"Slakoth and Metang are both unable to battle! The first round is a draw!"
As the referee crossed his flags, the opening match between Kai and Norman ended in a double knockout.
It couldn't be helped.
After their initial clash, the two Pokémon had continued trading blows for quite some time. The early probing phase gave way to the simplest and most brutal form of combat: close-quarters exchanges.
There was no denying it Norman's Slakoth had been trained exceptionally well. In execution, combat awareness, and experience, it clearly outclassed Metang.
But Metang relied on its superior defenses and Steel typing. Slakoth's Normal-type attacks were halved in power, and Metang pressed the advantage with repeated Steel-type strikes.
In the end, it forced a mutual takedown.
Kai looked satisfied.
Norman could only smile wryly.
Type matchups when the gap in strength isn't overwhelming often decide everything.
"That was well fought," Norman said approvingly. "Don't underestimate that Slakoth. It may not have evolved yet, but it's defeated plenty of challengers who made that mistake."
Kai nodded.
He knew it wasn't an excuse.
That Slakoth would absolutely shock inexperienced Trainers.
"To be honest," Kai replied, "earning a draw was partly thanks to the type advantage. I'm satisfied with that result."
Norman's gaze softened.
No arrogance. No excuses.
Just like the man who had claimed two regional League championships.
No wonder he's the kind of Trainer my son looks up to.
Both Trainers recalled their Pokémon.
Norman immediately produced his second Poké Ball.
"The next round begins. And I should warn you this one is stronger than Slakoth."
Kai smiled faintly. "Understood. Since the warm-up's over, I suppose I should get a little more serious too."
…Well then.
Maybe he wasn't quite as modest as he seemed.
Norman chuckled and released his next Pokémon.
A flash of light revealed a white-furred, red-crested, long-clawed Pokémon standing upright like an agitated ape.
In the audience, seated beside Caroline, Misty lifted her Pokédex.
"Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokémon. A Normal type and the evolved form of Slakoth. Unlike its lazy pre-evolution, Vigoroth is constantly on the move. Its heart beats ten times faster than normal. If it doesn't release its pent-up energy, stress builds and its condition worsens."
Misty blinked.
How could something this hyperactive evolve from something that barely moved?
Did it just store up all that energy while sleeping?
Meanwhile, in the Trainer's box, Kai had other thoughts.
First Brawly had used Makuhita and Hariyama same evolutionary line, Now Norman was doing the same thing.
Was this some kind of Hoenn Gym Leader tradition?
Don't tell me Slaking is coming next…
He pushed the thought aside and threw his Poké Ball.
"Go—Combusken!"
Since the Dewford Gym battle, Combusken had seen frequent action. Kai had clearly been investing serious effort into its growth.
The moment it landed, Combusken locked eyes with Vigoroth its fighting spirit igniting instantly.
Vigoroth glanced sideways, then wiggled its hips in blatant mockery.
Combusken's flames burned brighter.
The tension snapped.
At the referee's signal, both Pokémon charged.
They collided mid-field—high kick meeting straight punch in a sharp crack of impact.
Vigoroth was undoubtedly stronger than Slakoth.
But Combusken's Fire/Fighting typing gave it a far more balanced offensive toolkit than Metang had in the previous round.
More importantly—
Unlike Metang, Combusken had real battle experience.
"Vigoroth, use Slash!"
"Combusken—Double Kick!"
They clashed again.
Neither yielded.
Combusken leapt back, creating distance before unleashing Flamethrower—
Only for Vigoroth to respond with a Flamethrower of its own.
Two pillars of fire collided mid-field, merging into a roaring inferno.
Kai froze.
Combusken froze.
"…What?"
Vigoroth used Flamethrower?!
Memories of Slakoth's Blizzard surfaced instantly.
Kai stared at Norman.
Just what kind of movesets are you teaching them?!
Norman simply smiled.
He had seen that expression countless times.
Teaching off-type moves wasn't random—it was deliberate. Unexpected coverage. Tactical disruption.
It was part of his battle philosophy.
Vigoroth even smirked, as if to say:
Surprised? I can use it too. Now what?
Combusken bristled with anger and charged.
Kai didn't stop it.
For Fire-types, controlled anger could sharpen momentum.
It was a double-edged blade—but in the right hands, a weapon.
And it worked.
Combusken's movements accelerated. Its attacks became sharper, faster, more relentless.
Scratch. Peck. Double Kick. Quick Attack.
A barrage without pause.
Even Vigoroth—agile and tireless—was forced onto the defensive.
Then it noticed something startling.
Combusken's speed was matching its own.
In previous Gym matches, no Combusken had ever moved this fast.
Vigoroth's eyes widened.
Norman noticed too.
His brow furrowed slightly.
At this pace, Combusken's speed and offensive pressure had peaked. Vigoroth's known moves didn't offer a clear counter.
The only path forward—
Wait.
Wait for Combusken's stamina to drop.
But could Vigoroth endure that long?
Kai, unaware of Norman's thoughts, was studying Vigoroth carefully.
No one understood Combusken's limits better than he did.
This tempo couldn't last forever.
It would come down to one question:
Would Combusken break through first—
Or would Vigoroth survive and reverse the tide?
"…Where's your weakness?"
Kai narrowed his eyes.
And as he observed Vigoroth's footwork and breathing rhythm—
He saw it.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
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