----
To Kai, the first match of the day was hardly worth watching. Though both Trainers performed well enough, there was nothing particularly exciting no breakthrough strategies, no standout plays. And judging by the lukewarm response from the crowd, they felt the same.
But the moment Misty and Trinity stepped onto the battlefield, Kai straightened in his seat, finally alert.
Now this was the match he'd been waiting for.
The tension was clear on both their faces Misty looked laser-focused, while Trinity's expression was equally serious. This wasn't just about getting into the semifinals. Both of them had something to prove. Something they couldn't afford to lose.
When the referee gave the signal, they sent out their Pokémon.
Twin flashes of blue light erupted. Misty released her Poliwhirl. Trinity? A Gyarados.
The moment the ferocious serpentine Pokémon appeared, Misty's expression froze. She instinctively took a step back, panic flickering in her eyes.
Just making eye contact with Gyarados sent her heart racing.
Watching from the lounge, Kai sighed. After all this time, Misty still hadn't overcome her fear of Gyarados.
He remembered why. It dated back to when she was little she'd wandered near Cerulean Gym and found a Gyarados napping, its massive mouth open. Young and curious, Misty had literally crawled inside to explore.
The startled Gyarados had closed its mouth on instinct. Misty, trapped in the dark and terrified, thought she was going to be eaten alive.
Thankfully, the Pokémon realized something was wrong and immediately spit her out. But by then, the trauma had already left its mark. She'd been terrified of Gyarados ever since.
It was a harsh memory enough to scar anyone. But it had to be dealt with.
Misty was destined to become a Water-type Gym Leader. She couldn't afford to be afraid of one of the most iconic Water Pokémon of all time.
Until she could command a Gyarados of her own, she wouldn't be ready.
Kai knew that, and as her friend and maybe more he wanted to help. The fastest way to overcome fear? Face it.
'Maybe I should have her spend more time with my red Gyarados' Kai thought. 'Scary as he looks, he's obedient and gentle around people he trusts. He'd never hurt her. Who knows? It might just work.'
Back in the arena, Misty managed to steady herself. She forced her fears down and gave her first command.
"Poliwhirl, use Bubble Beam!"
The swirl on Poliwhirl's belly spun as dozens of bubbles shot toward Gyarados.
Trinity wasn't fazed. "Gyarados Hyper Beam!"
Gyarados opened its jaws wide, a glowing orb charging rapidly before firing in a straight line. The intense beam cut straight through the Bubble Beam, evaporating every bubble before slamming into Poliwhirl.
BOOM!
The impact launched Poliwhirl across the arena, crashing into a stone pillar. When it slid to the ground, it was completely unconscious.
A one-hit knockout.
The crowd erupted in gasps. This wasn't some rookie-level match this was the quarterfinals. And Gyarados just obliterated its opponent with one move.
Kai narrowed his eyes. Yeah… that's not just strong. That's dangerous.
Misty looked stunned. She'd done all the prep she could. But she never imagined Poliwhirl wouldn't last even one attack.
Still, it confirmed what Trinity had hinted at earlier: she wasn't just strong; her Pokémon were expertly trained.
Misty glanced at the camera. Somewhere, Kai was watching. That thought gave her strength.
'He's counting on me. I can't give up now.'
She took a breath, then pulled out her next Poké Ball. A flash of light revealed her Corsola.
Meanwhile, Gyarados's short recovery time from Hyper Beam had just ended. The battle was even again on paper.
This time, Trinity struck first. "Hydro Pump!"
A torrent of water blasted toward Corsola.
Misty countered. "Mirror Coat!"
Corsola glowed brightly, absorbing the impact and redirecting it only stronger right back at Gyarados.
"Hyper Beam again!" Trinity shouted.
The golden beam burst out once more, obliterating the rebounded water and continuing toward Corsola.
"Dodge!" Misty yelled.
Corsola dove into the water just in time. The beam hit the stone where she had stood, shattering it and sending steam and rubble flying.
Kai, still watching, analyzed the battle carefully. Gyarados was powerful. Its Hyper Beam had evaporated seawater on contact, but it had a glaring flaw.
Low endurance. High offense. If Corsola can land a few hits while Gyarados is recovering...
Right on cue, sharp energy spikes erupted from the water beneath Gyarados [Spike Cannon]!
Unable to dodge, Gyarados took the hits and was knocked into a stone pillar, cracking it with its weight.
Trinity's expression tensed. Her Gyarados hadn't recovered yet. She could only watch as Misty pressed the attack.
Corsola leaped from the water and smashed into Gyarados with all four horns. The hit was direct.
With a roar of pain, Gyarados collapsed.
A collective gasp echoed through the arena.
Kai raised an eyebrow. Huh. Didn't expect that. Was it a critical hit? Or… maybe Trinity over-invested in offense and ignored defense?
Whatever the case, Gyarados was out.
Misty jumped for joy, practically dancing in place. Even through the screen, Kai could feel her excitement.
But Trinity wasn't fazed. She calmly recalled Gyarados and tossed her next Poké Ball.
Out came a Chinchou.
Compared to the massive Gyarados, the tiny Chinchou was a jarring contrast. But anyone who had seen Trinity's earlier matches knew this little one was no joke.
As a Water/Electric type, Chinchou was the perfect threat in an aquatic arena. One wrong move and anything that touched water would be fried.
Misty swallowed hard. The real battle had just begun.
Chinchou opened with [Thunder].
Electric energy surged skyward, and clouds gathered instantly overhead. A massive bolt of lightning came crashing down straight for Corsola.
"Mirror Coat, now!" Misty commanded.
Lightning struck Corsola only to rebound even stronger toward Chinchou.
ZAP!
The smoke cleared.
Chinchou was still floating. Perfectly fine.
Kai exhaled sharply. Of course… Volt Absorb.
It absorbed the lightning. Not only was it unharmed—it had healed.
Now Misty was in real trouble.
Corsola's [Mirror Coat] was powerful, but she'd used it several times already. It was draining her. And Chinchou had the perfect ability to counter it.
Before Misty could strategize, Trinity made her move.
"Confuse Ray!"
Misty tried to order Corsola underwater to evade—but Chinchou's long antennae dipped into the water and released the eerie pink glow of [Confuse Ray] directly beneath the surface.
The beam twisted and shimmered through the waves, enveloping Corsola. She scrambled back onto a stone pillar, but her eyes were swirling with confusion, and her steps were unsteady.
No matter how much Misty shouted encouragement, Corsola couldn't hear her. She was too disoriented to act.
Trinity didn't hesitate.
"Thunderbolt!"
A sharp jolt of electricity surged forward Corsola was struck cleanly and collapsed.
The referee raised his flag. "Corsola is unable to battle! The victory goes to Trinity!"
Misty had been eliminated. Her tournament ended in the Top 8.
In the lounge, Kai stood silently. He didn't wait for Misty to return, nor did he watch the screen any longer. His own match was coming up next.
But as he entered the tunnel toward the arena, he ran into her.
Misty froze. Head bowed, shoulders tight.
She couldn't even look at him.
He'd stood up for her, believed in her... and she felt she'd let him down.
He must be so disappointed in me...
Kai walked up, pausing in front of her.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently. "Losing got you down?"
"No, not really..." she murmured. "Trinity's Pokémon were just too strong. I wasn't ready. It's my fault. I… I just…"
She trailed off, too ashamed to continue.
Kai reached out and gently lifted her chin with his finger.
When her eyes met him, she was met with his warmest smile.
"You're right. You weren't strong enough. But don't let that get you down, and don't act like you owe anyone an apology."
He leaned in slightly, voice steady.
"You get stronger by standing back up. You've got the heart, Misty. You just need more experience. After the Silver Conference, why don't you come to travel with me?"
Misty's eyes went wide.
Wait… what?!
She blinked, trying to process what he just said.
Was this real?
She wiped away her tears and nodded furiously, her heart swelling with joy.
It felt like sunlight had finally broken through the clouds.
----
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