----
Gengar folded its arms and narrowed its eyes.
"Wait, I'm the trump card?"
It glanced at Kai suspiciously.
"Didn't you always say those three dumb birds were your trump card? Since when did that change?!"
Kai didn't miss a beat.
He grabbed Gengar into a hug, ruffling its head with a grin.
"What are you talking about?! That was just for the show! They're nothing compared to you—"
"My most reliable, most trusted partner! No one else even comes close!"
Gengar's face lit up in delight.
Its sinister smile widened completely unaware that behind Kai's back, three Ultra Balls on his belt were shaking furiously in protest.
The legendary trio Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres were not pleased.
As if sensing their rising temper, Kai subtly pressed his palm against the Poké Balls, whispering a silent apology.
"Shhh! Let me handle this!"
The referee stepped forward, crossing both red and green flags over his chest signalling a match pause.
"The battlefield will now be changed!"
As per Orange League rules, once a trainer loses three Pokémon, the battlefield must be changed.
It wasn't just for variety it was also meant to give the losing trainer a chance to turn the tide.
While the field reset was underway, Kai and Drake took a short break, moving to their designated benches.
Kai leaned back on his chair, adjusting his cap.
Even with thousands of spectators staring at him, whispering both admiration and hostility, he didn't seem bothered in the slightest.
Instead, he simply took a sip of water, closed his eyes, and calmly reviewed his next steps.
He was three wins away from securing his second championship trophy...
And he had no intention of slowing down.
Meanwhile, the announcer continued his enthusiastic commentary...
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's been years since we last saw a battlefield change!"
"That alone proves how exceptional Kai is! As expected of the Indigo League Champion his power is undeniable!"
The Orange League fans sat uneasily in the stands.
Many of them had never witnessed Drake lose even a single match let alone be pushed this far.
The announcer's tone had noticeably shifted.
At first, he was confident in Drake's victory but now, his words subtly prepared the audience for a possible defeat.
It was a precaution meant to soften the impact if their undefeated champion fell.
"It's time for the new battlefield!"
A loud mechanical hum filled the air.
Kai opened his eyes just in time to see the current battlefield lower beneath the arena floor, making way for a new terrain.
When the platform rose back up, a lush grassy field emerged.
It was mostly flat, aside from a rocky mound in the centre.
More importantly—
The grass was tall.
Almost waist-high, making it an ideal hiding spot for smaller Pokémon.
The announcer quickly broke it down—
"We've got a Grass Field this time!"
"It hasn't been used in a long time, so the grass has grown thick and wild! This is perfect for Pokémon that rely on stealth!"
"Alright, both trainers have taken their break, and the battlefield is ready let's get back to the match!"
As the crowd erupted, Kai and Drake rose from their seats, stepping back into their respective trainer zones.
---
Meanwhile…
As the Orange League battle raged on, a group of three familiar figures dashed through the streets of Pummelo Island.
"Misty! Tracey! Hurry up! We're gonna miss it!"
A young boy in a red cap led the charge, his eyes burning with excitement.
Misty, running behind him, panted heavily.
"Ash—wait up! You're running too fast! We can't keep up!"
Tracey, bringing up the rear, wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Relax, Ash! The match isn't over yet! We're not that late!"
Ash glanced ahead, spotting the massive stadium entrance just a few blocks away.
Even from here, he could hear the distant roar of the crowd.
But that only made him more anxious—
"I don't care! I need to see this with my own eyes!"
The trio rushed into the stadium, squeezing through the packed audience.
The stands were overflowing, with people even standing in the aisles all desperate to watch history unfold.
Just as Ash finally found an open spot, he froze in shock.
On the giant scoreboard, the current battle score was displayed—
4-0.
Kai had not lost a single Pokémon.
Ash's eyes widened.
"No way… He's already winning this much?!"
Misty, catching her breath, followed his gaze.
She saw Kai's Scyther executing a perfect X-Scissor, effortlessly knocking out Drake's Venusaur.
"Wow! That was amazing!"
The announcer's voice blared overhead—
"AND THAT'S ANOTHER ONE DOWN! IT'S 4-0!"
Misty's face lit up, and she jumped excitedly.
"Kai's gonna win this!!"
Despite the deafening crowd, she cheered at the top of her lungs.
Even though her voice was drowned out, she didn't care.
Because to her—
Kai wasn't just another strong trainer.
He was her favourite and no matter what, she wanted him to hear her support, Even in a place where no one else was cheering for him.
----
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