Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

The P1 Fighting Prix was just around the corner.

At Natsume's home—

Gengar lifted dumbbells with a cheerful "Gengar!"

"Squirtle!" But basic weights weren't enough for Squirtle anymore.

Its gaze landed on Sirfetch'd's leek.

"Sirfetch'd? (☉∀☉)"

Now you want my leek too?!

Natsume wasn't too worried about the tournament.

Top eight gets prize money anyway.

No need to push for higher rankings.

As for what the little ones thought...

Who knows?

Just coast through the P1 Cup.

After all, even Ash's newly caught Primeape had shown Champion potential.

The real focus was Pokémon Auto Chess, set to release before the tournament.

"Beta starts tomorrow."

Natsume nodded at his laptop. "Should keep an eye on it..."

...

December 19th, Saturday.

Johto, New Bark Town.

"Brrr~"

Gold brushed his teeth alongside Pichu, flipping on the morning radio.

Soft music played as the DJ's voice chimed in:

["Good morning, this is DJ Mary's Morning Show..."]

Gold grinned, adjusting his goggles in the mirror.

"Another day waking up to this handsome face!"

"Pfft!" Togekiss spat out its mouthwash mid-levitation.

"Too loud, Togebo!"

After tending to the backyard Pokémon—

Crystal arrived in her overalls to help.

"Gold's always causing you trouble!" his mom laughed.

"Not at all!"

Crystal blushed, clasping her hands. "I'm just... gathering Pokémon data..."

"Young love~" His mom winked.

"Hey!"

Gold leaned over the balcony. "Staying for lunch?"

"N-No thanks!"

Crystal waved frantically. "Lab work!"

"Suit yourself!" Gold smirked.

More game time for me!

While the chat group buzzed about the P1 Fighting Prix—

Gold only cared about Natsume-sensei's new game.

Today was Pokémon Auto Chess' beta launch!

"Yes!"

He pumped his fist. A whole day of gaming!*

Settling into his chair with Togekiss hovering nearby—

They grinned in unison.

"Let's see what Natsume-sensei cooked up!"

Unlike the cartoony art style, the PC version had sleek, minimalist UI.

An 8-player match option dominated the screen.

"A... board game?" Gold scratched his head. Sounds complicated.

But upon loading in—

Gold stared.

This is chess?

Auto Chess lived up to its name:

Buy units, star them up, and watch them battle automatically.

Type synergies and counters added depth.

Following the tutorial, Gold picked a 1-cost Caterpie in the "draft round"—

Then got eighth place.

Okay... starting to get it...

By sunset—

Gold's bloodshot eyes were glued to the screen.

"Stage 2, 3-star Beedrill?!"

He screamed. "Who sold their soul for this?!"

Merging nine Weedles evolved them into a monstrous Beedrill—

Which impaled his 1-star Cyndaquil despite type disadvantage.

"EXPLOSION TARO!" Gold wailed.

"Typhlosion?" His starter blinked.

Bug-types were early-game carries—

While Gold's Sun Team was a late-game gamble.

Ten minutes later—

Eliminated again, Gold slammed his desk. "Next game!"

...

Similar scenes played out globally.

Hoenn, Mauville City

Old Man Wattson's beard bristled.

"I refuse to lose!"

Just hit Zapdos and wipe them all!

Minutes later—

He slumped, muttering, "Can't even cheat in this..."

Maybe hack the RNG?

...

Addicting.

That was players' unanimous verdict.

The winner's tagline—"Winner winner, Magikarp dinner!"—

Soon dubbed victories as "eating fish."

Staying true to Pokédex lore,

Evolution chains and type matchups were flawlessly integrated.

Hovering over units even showed Pokédex entries!

With no pay-to-win mechanics—

Just unlockable boards and effects—

Even free players had a blast.

Forums exploded with praise:

"So generous! Natsume-sensei's games never miss!"

"Addicted. Tonight's the night I eat fish!"

"Try Thief Synergy! Persian + Weavile + Thievul = free wins!"

"Oh yeah? My Female Machamp will pummel your thieves!"

...

Devon Corp HQ

The marketing team looked grim.

"Boss, player retention's nosediving..."

The manager massaged his temples.

Despite their partnership, competition was inevitable.

But losing this badly?

"Revenue's below projections this month."

Player attention was finite—

And Auto Chess had stolen it all.

Copying it would take months.

"Any word from the Vice President?"

The gaming division was Joseph Stone's pride—

Now entrusted to his son, Steven.

Though indifferent to business,

Steven had a flawless track record.

The manager hoped for guidance.

The staff hesitated.

"He said..."

"Pokémon Auto Chess is fun."

"Way more fun than ours."

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