Pokémon: Above the Top

Clair's Gym Challenge was in full swing. Facing Pupitar's Dig attack, Rhydon was powerless, forced to watch itself get knocked out.

Rhydon and Pupitar shared the same typing and were both vulnerable to Ground-type moves.

But while Pupitar's Earthquake and Dig landed repeatedly, Rhydon hadn't even touched it once.

"Rhydon has lost the ability to battle. Challenger, please send out your next Pokémon!" Seeing that Rhydon had been down for quite a while, referee Sia naturally made the official call.

"Good job, Rhydon. Don't get discouraged. There aren't many freaks like the one on the other side, so don't let it get to you!!" Clair said loudly on purpose.

Sato: "…"

"Hmph! Kingdra, it's you again!" Clair sent Kingdra back into battle. The Sandstorm was still active, but after the fight with Rhydon, it wouldn't last much longer.

"Battle continues!"

"Pupitar, use Sand Tomb."

"Kingdra, use Whirlpool!"

Using the still-raging Sandstorm, Pupitar's Sand Tomb formed beneath Kingdra's tail in the blink of an eye.

But this time, Kingdra didn't leap to avoid it. Instead, it used Whirlpool on itself, just like Sharpedo, allowing it to hover above the ground.

"How about that? This is the secret technique Kingdra and I worked so hard on!" Clair grinned proudly, then quickly changed tone. "If we add Rain Dance, my Kingdra will be even faster than your Sharpedo!"

Sato watched curiously. Sharpedo moved using Whirlpool and Aqua Jet, effectively ignoring terrain.

Clair had taken a different route. By combining Kingdra's Swift Swim ability with Whirlpool and Rain Dance, she had achieved the same terrain "immunity".

Plus, once the move was set, Kingdra could instantly gain double speed in water, no need for a slow buildup like Sharpedo.

Each had their advantages. It wasn't easy to say which was better.

"Too bad. Right now it's just Whirlpool, so all you're doing is avoiding Sand Tomb. Pupitar, use Rock Tomb."

"Kingdra, use Surf!" Clair countered immediately.

Several massive rocks erupted around Kingdra and quickly closed in; Sato still targeting its limited mobility.

But Kingdra wasn't weak either. Beneath it, a huge wave formed and lifted it into the air. With bold defiance, it charged through the Sandstorm, aiming directly at Pupitar.

Sato didn't command, because Pupitar was already in motion. Under its control, the remaining Sandstorm quickly shrank and merged straight into the Surf.

One of "sand" abilities: water absorption and erosion.

Clair could only watch as the Surf beneath Kingdra burst like a popped balloon… disappearing completely in the blink of an eye.

Then, Kingdra was left hovering barely thirty centimeters in front of Pupitar, wide-eyed and staring at its opponent.

'What are you staring at ⊙⊙? Got a problem (.`ω)?'

"…GREAT TIMING! Use Hydro Pump!" Clair suddenly shouted.

"Pupitar, Crunch!"

Kingdra inhaled sharply, preparing Hydro Pump, but then…

"PUU!"

Pupitar lunged forward and clamped its jaws onto Kingdra's snout.

Kingdra's pupils dilated in shock, its belly visibly swelling; Hydro Pump had already formed, but there was no way to release it!

Pupitar saw that Kingdra's eyes had already rolled back. Worried that it might literally explode from the pressure of Hydro Pump, it quickly let go of its bite.

Pfsshh~

The compressed Hydro Pump blasted out violently, sending the dazed Pupitar flying. Kingdra, meanwhile, really did become like a deflated balloon, zipping up into the air before crashing back down.

"Ahem… Kingdra and Pupitar have both lost the ability to battle. Both sides, please send out your next Pokémon," Sia announced with a straight face, barely holding in her laughter.

Meanwhile, in the audience stands, Mark was laughing wildly, completely ignoring the deadly glares Sato and Clair were throwing at him.

"…Sato, you're taking responsibility for this, right?" Clair said softly while recalling Kingdra.

"Another one asking me to take responsibility? Based on what?" Sato said as he recalled Pupitar, utterly dismissive.

"AAARGH! My Kingdra is a girl! That Pupitar totally harassed her!" Clair exploded in anger. If it weren't for the battle still ongoing, she might've run over and kicked Sato.

"Kingdra also sprayed Pupitar with a face full of spit… I could say it was emotionally traumatized too. Let's keep going."

Sato ignored her tantrum and immediately sent out his next Pokémon. He really didn't get what girls were thinking these days.

"Umbreon, it's your turn."

"Huff... huff... Charizard, you're up!" Clair took a deep breath, barely suppressing her anger. She would deal with Sato after the battle.

A flash of red light, and a strong-bodied Charizard appeared in front of Umbreon.

"CHAAAAR!"

Charizard was full of fighting spirit. It roared loudly several times as soon as it entered the field, and when it saw that its opponent was a small, cute black cat, it scoffed with disdain.

"Real Dragon-types aren't even that arrogant. Needs some discipline," Sato commented flatly.

"Char!" Charizard immediately shot a glare at him… Sato's remark had hit its fragile fake-Dragon ego hard.

"Charizard, that enemy's so annoying! We have to beat her!" Clair quickly redirected Charizard's anger into the battle.

"Battle start!" Sia, seeing the banter was done, wisely made the call.

"Charizard, Flamethrower!" A pretty standard opening.

"Get in close. Use Toxic."

Whether Flamethrower landed or not didn't matter to Sato. Umbreon was a tank!

Charizard soared into the sky and unleashed a stream of flame toward Umbreon. The sheer heat of it actually surprised Sato.

However, Umbreon was also incredibly agile. With the smallest of movements, it avoided most of the attack while rapidly closing in on Charizard.

"Charizard, use Heat Wave to wear it down!" Seeing that Flamethrower had little effect, Clair switched tactics.

The temperature in the arena spiked rapidly; Sato was now completely certain that Clair's Charizard was also built for "high-temperature" and burst damage.

'…Wait, why "also"?' Suddenly, Sato glanced oddly at Clair. A floating Kingdra… a high-temperature Charizard… these setups were suspiciously similar to his Sharpedo and Houndoom.

'…Must be a coincidence. Clair's idol should be her cousin, Lance. But then again… I drew with Lance last time. And I'm younger… Could it be that I unintentionally stole another fangirl? Tsk… what a sin.' Sato shook his head in mock regret. "Umbreon, Sucker Punch into close range, then Toxic!"

'If she's really my fangirl, then I have to go all out. Let her see how strong I am… how worth admiring I am!' Sato thought proudly.

'…'