Satoshi kept his focus on the Cinnabar Tournament, paying little attention to whatever those two were up to.
If they wanted to stay close, let them. Honestly, he didn't care—maybe it was just cold outside, and they were looking for warmth.
Compared to that, Karen and Taki's battle was far more worth watching.
Cinderace vs. Typhlosion.
"Typhlosion, use [ERUPTION]!"
Shiina Taki gave her command with cool, steady precision.
"Typhloo—!"
Typhlosion obeyed, unleashing a roaring inferno. Like a volcanic eruption, waves of heat instantly set the surrounding area ablaze.
Its fur crackled with flames. Typhlosion whipped up an explosive pressure wave and charged straight toward its opponent, scorching everything in its path.
"Cinderace, rush in—use [SCORCHING SANDS] as a protective wall!"
Karen's eyes flashed with firm, confident determination as she flicked her hand.
Dust and sand churned from the ground, swiftly condensing into a scorching barrier of sandstorm.
"Ace!" Cloaked in the blistering storm, Cinderace dashed toward Typhlosion.
It moved like a desert wind—no matter how fierce the flames, they couldn't reach it.
"Karen's really got ideas," Satoshi murmured from the stands, his attention sharpening.
Ground-type moves didn't resist Fire-type attacks, true—but Ground was super-effective against Fire. That meant, in a direct clash of power, Ground had a clear advantage.
Turning an offensive move like Scorching Sands into defense… it reminded him of those counter-shield tricks you'd see in anime.
Most Pokémon probably couldn't break through Scorching Sands…but unfortunately for Karen, this was Eruption.
Wide area. Massive power. The strongest move most ordinary Fire-types could use!
And since they were still at the Tamaki Rainbow Gym, with Grassy Terrain active, the power soared even higher.
"Typhlooo—" Typhlosion's Eruption had reached a new level. Flames scorching like lava smashed through Scorching Sands.
"Drop the move and jump, Cinderace—use an aerial [PYRO BALL]!"
Guided by Karen, Cinderace sprang upward. Midair, it ignited spinning pebbles into a blazing fireball, launching it toward Typhlosion like a meteor.
"Cut it with [AERIAL ACE]!"
Despite her speed disadvantage, Taki didn't retreat—she met the attack head-on.
But against a Cinderace using only STAB moves, it was hard for Taki to close that gap.
"Typhloo—" Silver light flashed from Typhlosion's claws. The instant Aerial Ace collided with Pyro Ball, sparks erupted, sending a powerful shockwave rippling outward.
Unforgivable!Unforgivable!Unforgivable!
Anyone who laid a hand on my Satoshi was unforgivable!
Karen's intense gaze locked onto Typhlosion. Her voice now rang louder, brimming with vigor.
"Don't let it escape, Cinderace—[DOUBLE KICK]!"
But Cinderace was already moving faster than her command. Under Karen's guidance, it charged in.
"Ace~! Ace!" The first kick landed with full force, sending Typhlosion staggering back.
"Use [SMOKESCREEN]—" Taki tried to command, but Cinderace's second kick was already there.
"Typhloo—" The second strike hit even harder, knocking Typhlosion airborne. It tumbled helplessly, unable to control itself—and in that instant, the Pyro Ball it had sliced earlier struck again, causing extra damage.
"Typhlo…" Typhlosion forced itself upright, covered in wounds. Yet Cinderace stood quietly, simply watching—almost disdainfully.
That combo left no room for counterattack. It was overwhelming.
"So strong…" Anon glanced around, desperate for reassurance, panic creeping into her voice. "Rikki isn't really going to lose like this, right?"
Sure, Taki was always intimidating, but losing this way still felt awful. They were teammates—and friends.
"It's fine… Rikki will probably win," Tomori replied, though her voice lacked certainty.
"Pip…?"
Tomori hugged the Piplup tighter, her anxiety rising.
She's a lot like me.
Satoshi thought Karen's battling style resembled his—and in Karen's eyes, he saw something like obsession.
Heavy enough to be frightening…like someone who'd do anything to achieve their goal.
[This girl's got it bad, Satocchi. What now? You've caught the attention of a scary one—what'll you do?]
Perfect. The stronger Karen is, the happier I'll be!
If she was already this strong, he'd have to respond with something even stronger.
Satoshi took hold of both girls' hands, his enthusiasm rising by the second.
[Ugh… battle-brain. That's not what I meant~]
"Typhlosion, use [SMOKESCREEN]!"
"Typhloo—" Thick smoke erupted from Typhlosion, instantly obscuring the entire battlefield. Its exact position became impossible to pinpoint.
"Use [ACROBATICS]—finish it!" Karen's face radiated cheerful confidence, but her voice carried frightening weight.
"Ace~" Cinderace darted through the smoke like lightning. Its body shimmered faintly silver as it weaved agilely through the haze.
Taki had tried to hide Typhlosion's movements with smoke, but Cinderace's silver glow gradually homed in.
"AAACE!" A relentless barrage of punches struck like a storm, slamming Typhlosion into the ground, rendering it unable to lift its head.
"Typhlo…" Typhlosion's legs gave way as it collapsed onto the battlefield.
The smoke dissipated, revealing the scene clearly to the stands and referee.
"Seriously strong…after that combo, few Pokémon could remain standing."
"What is it with this generation—why are they all monsters~?"
The crowd burst into animated chatter.
"I'm the protagonist here. That's it—it's over, Taki."
Karen realized she'd gone a bit too far and felt somewhat embarrassed, preparing to recall her Pokémon.
But to Taki, those words sounded unbearably arrogant—as though Karen had already won. Taki and Typhlosion were still struggling, still fighting, and yet Cinderace wouldn't even finish the fight.
Arrogant…
Yet Taki couldn't refute it. The truth was, she really couldn't win.
But…
"Hey, isn't that Ace Trainer Shiina Maki's little sister…she must be strong, right?"
"Yeah, yeah—she's Maki's sister, after all."
I'm Taki. Not Maki…
"Just keep doing what you always do. I believe in the effort you've put in with your Pokémon. You don't have to be so nervous, Taki—you're strong enough. I'll be waiting for you in the finals."
We promised. Satoshi would wait for me in the finals.
As the memories flooded back, the fire in Taki's eyes burned brighter.
We're the ones who'll win. Victory—and the one who'll meet Satoshi in the finals!
"Hah?! Over? We're not done yet! …Typhlosion, we're going all out!"
"Typhloo—!"
Typhlosion shot upright, flames erupting across its body. Blistering heat instantly swallowed the arena as fiery waves surged, turning the battlefield into a sea of flames.
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl