Pokemon: Skybound

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Ninetales lay sprawled on the ground, motionless, its eyes rolled back in unconsciousness.

Charizard stood nearby, breathing heavily, though aside from a few minor scratches, it was clear that Ninetales had failed to deal any significant damage.

Rudy's expression froze in disbelief. He hadn't expected his Ninetales to be defeated so easily!

Even the referee looked stunned the battle had ended far too quickly. As someone who had watched Rudy's battles countless times, the referee knew how formidable Ninetales was.

It had helped Rudy defeat numerous challengers, earning a reputation as one of the strongest Pokémon in Trovita Gym. Never before had it suffered such a quick and decisive loss!

Despite his bias, the referee had no choice but to be fair.

"Ninetales is unable to battle! The winner of the first round is Kai!"

"Hmph. Not bad," Rudy muttered, recalling his Ninetales. He had underestimated Kai.

He had thought that Jolteon, the Pokémon Kai used during yesterday's trial, was his strongest Pokémon. But now, it was clear Charizard was his true trump card!

No matter. The match was best two out of three. As long as he won the next two rounds, victory would still be his!

Taking a deep breath, Rudy steadied his emotions.

"Alright, let's move on to the second round." Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he smirked and added, "Ah, I almost forgot to mention… there's a rule in this Gym you can't use the same Pokémon twice! Your Charizard is out."

Although it sounded like a tactic to limit Kai, Kai didn't mind, 'He is too arrogant & prideful like a young master from webnovels'

However, all of his Pokémon were strong. No matter which one he used, the result would be the same.

Recalling Charizard, Kai patted its shoulder encouragingly.

"Good job. You did great."

Then, without missing a beat, he grabbed another Poké Ball from his waist and tossed it onto the battlefield.

"Alright, it's your turn, Jolteon, let's go!"

As the Poké Ball burst open with a flash of blue light, Jolteon emerged in the centre of the battlefield.

Rudy's face lit up in satisfaction just as he expected!

So he's using Jolteon after all!

Ever since Jolteon passed yesterday's test with flying colours, Rudy had suspected Kai would rely on it in today's match. Now, his guess had been confirmed.

That was fine. He was prepared for this.

Smirking, Rudy confidently threw out his second Poké Ball.

Meanwhile, in the hot air balloon, Mahri, who had been heartbroken by Rudy's first loss, suddenly brightened up.

"Yes! It's Electabuzz!" she cheered. "That's one of my brother's strongest Pokémon! This time, he won't lose!"

Sabrina glanced at her. "Oh? You have a lot of faith in your brother, don't you?"

"Of course!" Mahri nodded firmly. "He's the strongest Trainer in the world! Your friend has no chance against Electabuzz!"

Sabrina raised an eyebrow.

"The strongest in the world, Huh?"

"Arrogance, short-sighted or blind?"

Her expression remained calm, but her tone sharpened slightly.

Mahri's blind confidence in Rudy reminded her of rookie Trainers who had never encountered true strength.

It was obvious Trovita Gym had only faced weak challengers.

Rudy's past victories had given Mahri the illusion that he was unbeatable.

Of course, Sabrina wouldn't normally waste time arguing with a child. But now that she and Kai were closer, she wasn't about to sit back and let someone belittle him even if that someone was just a little girl.

If this had been Misty or Erika, they might have laughed off Mahri's naive words, recognizing them as innocent childish enthusiasm.

But Sabrina was different.

This was the same Sabrina who once toyed with challengers using her overwhelming psychic power, the same girl whose emotions were unreadable even to those closest to her.

With a cold, emotionless gaze, she stated:

"No. You're wrong."

Mahri blinked in confusion.

Sabrina continued in a detached tone as if stating a simple fact:

"I don't know who the strongest Trainer in the world is. But it's definitely not your brother. And very soon, he's going to lose again"

For the first time, Mahri felt uneasy.

Her cheerful expression darkened as she clenched her fists.

"You're lying! I don't believe you! My brother won't lose!"

"Don't believe me?"

Sabrina let out a small, knowing smirk.

"Then watch closely."

Mahri hesitated, but something about Sabrina's absolute certainty sent a chill down her spine.

Unable to resist, she turned toward the battlefield below just as the momentum shifted dramatically.

In that split second, Electabuzz was sent rolling across the ground, landing hard on its back!

Mahri's eyes widened in shock.

Electabuzz tried to get up but its body trembled from exhaustion.

Struggling…

It collapsed.

"Wh-what!?" Mahri gasped. "No way! My brother… lost again?!"

Sabrina's expression remained unreadable.

Surprised?

Maybe for Mahri, this outcome was unfathomable. But to Sabrina, this battle had been one-sided from the start.

One was a freshly crowned Indigo League Champion.

The other was a Gym Leader from a small, isolated league.

The gap between them was enormous.

Before Mahri could process what had happened, the referee's voice rang out.

"Electabuzz is unable to battle! The challenger is victorious!"

Kai stood calmly on the battlefield, looking at Rudy's tense expression.

He didn't gloat. He simply asked, "Do you still want to continue? Since this was a best two out of three, I think it's clear I've already won."

Rudy opened his mouth, then closed it again.

He didn't want to admit defeat.

Not in front of Sabrina.

Not in front of Mahri.

He wanted to win at least one round.

It wasn't just about saving face it was about proving something to himself.

More than anything, he didn't want to see the disappointment in Mahri's eyes.

At the very least, he had to win this next battle!

His mind raced.

Charizard and Jolteon had already been used.

Kai wouldn't have any more strong Pokémon left, right?

With a deep breath, Rudy pulled out a Gym Badge and tossed it toward Kai.

"You win. According to the rules, you've earned my badge."

Then, with a sly grin, he added:

"But… doesn't it feel a little disappointing to leave before facing my strongest Pokémon?"

Before Kai could respond, Rudy quickly continued.

"Come on, one more match. Unless you're afraid?"

He smirked. "After all, it's my fault for not using my best Pokémon sooner. But hey, rules are rules even if you won by default, there's nothing I can do to stop you from walking away."

Kai saw through his petty attempt at goading him.

Even after losing, Rudy still refused to swallow his pride.

He was desperate to prove himself even if it was just one round.

'A sore loser, huh?'

Kai sighed.

"Fine," he said, pretending to hesitate. "If you insist, I'll entertain you for one more match."

Inside, he smirked.

This was just another opportunity for his Pokémon to gain experience.

Rudy was making it too easy.

"Alright, then. Let's play."

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