Pokémon Court

“Machop, Bulk Up!”

As the battle began, Ayan was the first to issue a command. Machop tensed every muscle in its body, bulking up noticeably. Its entire body exuded an air of power and determination.

“Blaziken, you use Bulk Up too.”

The opponent responded quickly, but Ayan wasn’t about to give them time to strengthen further. He shouted, “Charge forward and use Karate Chop!”

Swoosh!

Machop’s enhanced strength propelled it forward with increased speed. Raising its muscular arm, it chopped down its hand at Blaziken.

“Chaaa!”

Though Blaziken had also used Bulk Up, when it blocked the attack, it revealed a painful expression, but it failed to inflict a critical injury. Blaziken’s suddenly expanded muscles trapped Machop’s Karate Chop in place.

“Counterattack! Fire Punch!”

Ayan’s opponent wore a confident expression, as if victory was certain, and issued a command. Immediately, Blaziken raised its arm, and its fist, like a spring, swiftly coiled and unleashed a burst of flames with a punch. Bang!

The close-range attack sent Machop flying. It crashed into the edge of the arena, instantly losing consciousness.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Machop!” Ayan’s pupils shrank. He hadn’t expected Machop to be defeated so easily.

“As expected, utterly weak and boring,” the opposing Trainer said with a yawn.

“You b*stard—” Chisana nearly lost it, snapping in frustration. “I’ll battle you next!”

“You?” The opposing Trainer shrugged indifferently. “Suit yourself.”

“Chisana!” Ayan tried to stop him. Blaziken was far stronger than their Pokémon. None of them, except perhaps Terrance, could stand a chance against this Trainer.

“It’s fine,” Chisana said confidently. “Even if he wins, it won’t be easy.”

Golbat was quite good at dodging. He plan to drag out the fight and wear down the opponent.

…..

“Is the renovation finished?”

Terrance arrived at the Old Green House, now known as the Fallarbor Gym, and smiled at its polished new appearance.

Not long ago, it was just a plain cement building, dull and gray. Now, it exuded a sense of prestige and grandeur.

As Terrance stepped inside, he noticed that the place seemed empty. Curious, he ventured toward the back of the Gym, but a sudden tremor caught his attention.

“Someone’s battling?”

“Could it be Ayan and Scarlet?”

Abandoning his plan to check the back of the Old Green House, Terrance followed the sounds toward the arena.

In the Fallarbor Gym’s arena, Chisana’s Golbat was struck directly by Blaziken’s Fire Blast. Burned and weakened, it collapsed onto the ground.

“Golbat, are you okay?”

Rushing to Golbat’s side in worry, Chisana clenched his fists and pounded the ground. “Damn it!”

The gap between Pokémon Contests and real battles was painfully clear.

“Well, what did I say? You’re no match for me. I was the runner-up in the last Ever Grande Conference.”

The opposing Trainer sneered down at Golbat, exuding contempt.

With this level of strength, he doubted they could even qualify to compete in the Ever Grande Conference.

After these two battles, his doubts about Terrance’s actual strength only deepened.

“So it’s just like the rumors said—he’s a Trainer who bragged about defeating Phoebe of the Elite Four, all because he luckily happened to beat one of her newly captured Pokémon?”

“Don’t be so arrogant! Once Brother Terrance gets back, you won’t dare act this way!”

Chisana glared at him with fury. Blaziken had been far too ruthless, leaving Golbat severely burned.

“Heh, fine. I’ll come back in two days. Let’s hope he isn’t as weak as you lot.”

From what he’d heard, this Terrance wasn’t even a Trainer—just a Coordinator. Could someone like that really be a threat?

The Trainer laughed heartily, but his laughter was abruptly cut off by a voice.

“No need to wait two days. You can battle me right now.”

Footsteps echoed as Terrance approached. He tossed a bottle of Burn Heal to Chisana and said, “Take Golbat to the Pokémon Center.”

“Brother Terrance!”

“Terrance!”

“You’re back!”

The trio of Ayan, Chisana, and Scarlet lit up with joy upon seeing him. The Trainer turned his attention towards Terrance and spoke with a slightly calmer tone.

“I thought you were going to keep hiding like a coward.”

“You seem pretty impatient,” Although Terrance didn’t recognize him, he could roughly guess his intentions for coming.

“I don’t have much time to waste in this small town,” the Trainer said, shaking his head.

“In a rush to lose?” Terrance chuckled.

The Trainer’s face twitched as he scoffed. “You’re the one who boasted about accepting everyone’s challenge. I’d like to see if you’re worth the reputation as the rising star of Hoenn’s new generation.”

Terrance shook his head, responding, “I’m not sure who stuck that title on me, but…”

“But what?”

“You want to know? Then let’s battle,” Terrance said. “I’ll give you special privilege—you don’t have to wait until two days for the battle.”

“The Pokémon I’m sending out is this one. Are you going to switch Pokémon?” Terrance threw Gallade’s Poké Ball and looked at Blaziken. “I advise you to switch your Pokémon…it has already wasted some stamina in the previous battles.”

“After losing, don’t blame me for not reminding you.”

“That’s none of your business!”

The silent warrior Gallade stood indifferently in the arena. It’s quiet presence was in stark contrast to the sharp aura of Blaziken, who had just won two battles.

“A Gallade, huh? It does look more reliable than the Pokémon those two used earlier. Still, it’s no match for my Blaziken.”

Ayan and the others stood on the side, watching the arrogant challenger with gritted teeth. “Brother Terrance, teach him a lesson.”

“He’s too arrogant.”

Blaziken tensed its muscular legs, its sharp gaze locked onto Gallade. The opposing Trainer curled his lip and said, “We’ll see who teaches who a lesson. You’re just a mere Coordinator…”

“Blaziken, Blaze Kick!”

Boom!

Intense flames ignited around Blaziken’s leg, flames scattering as it propelled itself forward. With a spinning motion, it launched a powerful kick straight at Gallade!

“Watch out!” Scarlet shouted nervously toward Gallade, but in the next moment, everyone fell silent.

Blaziken, in the midst of its all-out attack, suddenly felt a chilling sensation course through its body even though it was engulfed in flames. Its opponent… had vanished!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In an instant, three heavy blows landed on Blaziken’s back in rapid succession, each accompanied by a dull, resonating thud. With every strike, Blaziken’s expression changed.

The first strike: Its mouth gaped open, its breathing thrown into disarray.

The second strike: Its coordination crumbled as pain surged through its entire body.

The third strike: Its eyes lost focus, and it fainted!

Boom!

Gallade had delivered a series of devastating blows, its movements like flashes of light breaking through the darkness. Blaziken, mid-spin from its Jump Kick, was sent hurtling downward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact that sent dust flying into the air.

“I’ll give you five more chances,” Terrance said, extending his hand. “You can send out up to five more Pokémon to challenge my Gallade.”

“This is a privilege challengers after tomorrow won’t get to enjoy.”

“Oh, and earlier, you asked me ‘but what,’ didn’t you?……what I wanted to say was, although I may not deserve the title they gave me, when it comes to strength… I don’t think I’ll lose to you.”

Smiling as he looked at the bewildered challenger opposite him, Terrance spoke calmly.

As for Ayan and the others, they were already shocked by the strength Gallade had displayed.

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