“It seems Leaf is going to lose,” Red noted calmly, not at all surprised. Gary’s strength had always surpassed Leaf’s and Ash’s. If it weren’t for his arrogant personality, he might have advanced even further.

“It seems my teammate is quite strong!” Giselle said happily. Since she couldn’t defeat Red alone, she didn’t mind cooperating with Gary for now.

“You should worry about yourself first,” Red said with a helpless sigh. If Pidgeot wasn’t still getting used to its new body, it would have already defeated Gabite.

The Golden Pidgeot flew swiftly into the sky, its speed exceeding Mach 2 as it toyed with the grounded Gabite. In a flash of gold, it dove, delivering a light, mocking slap to its opponent’s rear before ascending again.

“Hey! Even if your Pidgeot is strong, you shouldn’t humiliate Gabite like that!” Giselle exclaimed, indignant on her partner’s behalf.

Gabite roared at the sky, demanding a fair, head-on battle.

(Hmph! You can’t even keep up with my speed, and you want to face me head-on? You should evolve quickly and learn how to fly!) Pidgeot seemed to say with a mocking expression.

(That hateful bird!) Gabite stomped its feet in anger. An evolved Garchomp possessed the ability to fly at supersonic speeds, but Gabite’s wings were not yet fully developed. It was grounded.

“In that case, Gabite, use Sandstorm!” Giselle commanded. Since both sides were now fighting alone, she didn’t need to consider her teammate’s Pokémon.

Dust swirled into a raging sandstorm, providing cover for Gabite. Its Sand Veil ability activated, boosting its evasion.

“What the heck, if you don’t want us to watch, just say so!” a spectator complained after choking on a mouthful of sand, reluctantly moving over to watch Leaf and Gary’s battle. The rest of the audience followed suit, disappointed to miss the golden spectacle but unwilling to eat any more sand.

(Damn it! I forgot to wear a mask!) The beach was not a formal arena, and even Giselle was choked by the swirling grit. Just as she was caught in her dilemma, Red’s eyes emitted a blue light. His psychic power confined the sandstorm to the battlefield, allowing the regretful spectators to return.

“So handsome~ Not only is he strong, but he’s also a psychic…” A girl in the crowd looked at Red with admiration, captivated by his calm demeanor.

“Damn it, can this guy not suddenly be so gentle…” Giselle murmured, misunderstanding that Red had used his powers for her sake. In truth, he had only acted after seeing his mother get splashed by the sand and had incidentally protected Giselle and the others.

(You think hiding in a sandstorm will let you avoid my attacks? How ridiculous! My eyes are locked onto you!) Pidgeot thought with disdain. It possessed the Keen Eye ability.

(Keen Eye: Prevents the Pokémon’s accuracy from being lowered and ignores the target’s evasion boosts.)

The sandstorm, apart from causing minor damage, was useless against Pidgeot. Giselle, however, was unaware of this.

“Quick Attack.”

Seeing Giselle still dazed, Red launched the first attack. With a whoosh, Pidgeot transformed into a golden flash of lightning, knocking Gabite back several meters. Before it could recover, Pidgeot spread its wide wings, its powerful talons grabbing Gabite’s shoulders and forcibly dragging it into the air.

“Gabite, quickly use Dragon Breath!” Giselle said anxiously. Once it completely left the ground, Gabite would have no chance.

A greenish Dragon Breath shot from its mouth. Pidgeot, not wanting to get hurt, reluctantly released Gabite, dropping it back to the sand.

(Your master is really clueless. Wouldn’t it have been better to just enjoy the joy of flying with me?) Pidgeot teased, finding it loved the thrill of tormenting this opponent. Gabite trembled, confused as to why Pidgeot held such malice toward it. It had only retorted a few times; it shouldn’t be so vengeful.

“The sandstorm is a bit of a nuisance. Pidgeot, use Hurricane,” Red commanded.

Pidgeot let out a fierce cry, flapping its wings to create a powerful storm that completely dispelled the sandstorm.

“How is that possible?! The Sandstorm hadn’t even ended yet!” Giselle said in disbelief. This battle was once again overturning everything she had learned at Pokémon Tech.

“Pokémon battles aren’t games. Do you really think Gabite’s Sandstorm is strong enough to resist Pidgeot’s power?” Red retorted. “The user’s strength determines control of the environment, not just knowing a move.”

“You’ve taught me another lesson, Red…” Giselle murmured.

“Have you had enough fun, Pidgeot?” Red asked. Seeing his partner nod, he gave the final command. “Then defeat Gabite.”

Pidgeot rapidly approached Gabite, spinning its body to create a Twister. It drew the Dragon-type into the vortex, then struck its vital points with a precise Wing Attack.

“Gabite, quickly use Dig to escape!” Giselle’s eyes lit up, thinking of an escape plan.

Gabite hesitated, having too much pride for a move like Dig, but finally succumbed and burrowed into the sand to escape the Twister.

“Find where it emerges. For the final blow, use Brave Bird.” Red glanced out at the sea, confident this move would end the match.

“Don’t get too cocky! Gabite, use Dragon Rush!” Giselle shouted, placing all her hopes on one ultimate attack.

Pidgeot’s entire body erupted in a brilliant blue aura as it plummeted toward the ground. At the same time, a greenish dragon-shaped energy covered Gabite as it charged upward to meet the attack head-on.

BANG—!

The fierce collision flattened a section of the beach. The dust was cleared by another Hurricane, revealing Pidgeot calmly gripping Gabite’s shoulder with its talons before gently placing it on the ground.

(Although your strength is ordinary, you have some skill. I acknowledge you,) Pidgeot thought, deciding not to tease Gabite anymore. It had seen its opponent’s desire to become stronger and deliberately held back, enduring the Dragon Rush.

But before Pidgeot could savor its victory, the sharp, stinging pain of recoil damage from Brave Bird shot through its body.

(Hmph! I knew I shouldn’t have been so nice!) it grumbled, wincing from the self-inflicted wound.

***

(End of Chapter)

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