Pokemon: The Controversial World

Section 1: A Battlefield for Trainers

The air was fresh. A powerful wind swept across Road 3, stirring the tall grass and sending light clouds of dust into the air. All around, trainers were immersed in their own quests.

Some were tracking wild Pokémon with intense focus. Others were battling fiercely, their commands echoing amidst the flashes of attacks.

And then, there were those who simply walked, their gaze fixed on the horizon.

Each one pursuing their own destiny.

I had just stepped onto the road when someone blocked my path.

A boy about my age, with piercing eyes and a deceptively relaxed posture.

— "You! Battle me."

Not a question. A demand.

I raised an eyebrow. He was confident. Too confident.

But that confidence seemed… forced.

Like a hastily placed mask.

I didn't answer immediately. Bulbasaur and Rattata still had wounds from the battle against Brock.

Without a word, I opened my Poké Balls.

Bulbasaur appeared in a flash of light. His body still bore signs of fatigue. I pulled out a Revive and a Super Potion.

Rattata, on the other hand, was holding up. A Super Potion would suffice.

While tending to my Pokémon, I kept an eye on the trainer in front of me.

He was watching closely. His eyes moved slightly.

He was analyzing my choices.

If he had any sense, he now knew which Pokémon I would use.

When I finished, he spoke again.

— "Alright, to put it simply, my name is Tony. I want to see if anyone can beat me... I've never lost before."

There was a slight crack in his voice.

I had noticed it the moment he started speaking.

He claimed he had never lost, but his tone was neither arrogant nor proud.

There was something strange about his statement.

If it were true—**if he was undefeated—**he should have been far more confident.

Two possibilities:

1. He had lost before but refused to admit it.

2. He had never battled before.

The second option seemed more likely.

That meant his confidence was just a facade. A way to give himself courage in the face of the unknown.

I smiled slightly.

— "Alright, I accept. But don't expect me to hold back. My attacks will be brutal."

A silence.

Tony stared at me.

Then, a smile stretched across his lips.

— "Fine by me. I wouldn't want to face someone who pretends."

His eyes shone with a new light.

It was no longer blind confidence, but a desire to test himself.

I threw my Poké Ball.

Bulbasaur emerged in a flash of green light.

The wind blew harder across Road 3, rustling the leaves around us.

Tony sent out his Pokémon.

A Pidgey.

He wanted to play the type advantage.

A logical choice… but too obvious.

— "Pidgey, use Gust!"

A violent wind rose instantly.

Dust swirled, leaves were torn from the trees.

Bulbasaur squinted. The wind struck him head-on.

His body was thrown backward, but he remained standing.

The attack was super effective.

But…

I made a quick estimate.

Damage taken: around 45% of his HP.

Less than expected.

I understood why.

Pidgey was poorly trained.

Its posture, its gaze, even the way it executed the attack.

Everything indicated that this Pokémon wasn't used to battles yet.

And Tony himself hadn't reacted immediately after his attack.

An obvious sign of inexperience.

He was relying on type advantage, but without a real strategy.

A battle isn't just about types.

You need to master your Pokémon.

You need to understand your opponent.

And most importantly…

You need to know when to strike.

I made a quick decision.

— "Bulbasaur, Tackle!"

Without hesitation, Bulbasaur charged forward.

His speed took Tony by surprise.

An experienced trainer would have immediately countered or dodged.

But Tony hesitated.

Half a second too long.

And that was enough.

BOOM.

The impact was brutal.

The attack hit Pidgey head-on.

The bird Pokémon let out a cry and was thrown to the ground.

Its wings flapped weakly.

It tried to get up…

Then collapsed.

Fainted.

Silence.

Tony's gaze was empty.

He didn't move.

I heard him murmur:

— "My first loss..."

His fists clenched.

I understood him.

A trainer's first defeat is a defining moment.

Some see it as a humiliating failure.

Others see it as a reason to quit.

But in reality…

It's the greatest lesson.

I observed Tony.

I could see his hesitation.

He was on the edge of doubt.

One more step, and he might give up on being a trainer.

So, I spoke.

— "Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm."

He lifted his head, surprised.

— "Huh?"

— "You just lost. So what? This isn't the end. It's the beginning."

His eyes wavered.

Then…

His expression changed.

It was no longer fake confidence.

It was determination.

He retrieved his Poké Ball, took a deep breath…

Then looked up at me with a smile.

— "Are you ready for round two?"

I smiled back.

— "Always."

The battle had only just begun.