Natsu froze for a mont.
Staring at Janine, whose voice had gone tight with nerves,
He asked blankly, "You're serious?"
Isn't your dad Poison-type Elite Four Koga?
Why would you need my guidance?
...Wait, didn't Koga ask for my advice too?
Never mind then!
"Miss," Natsu coughed lightly, "Let's keep this professional. No personal feelings."
"This is professional."
Janine t his gaze.
"You offered paynt, didn't you?"
Natsu nodded.
Even Goldenrod City's Art Museum had hired Janine for disaster drills.
As Fuchsia City's Poison-type Leader and part-ti security specialist, her rates were steep.
But… are Gym Leader salaries this bad nowadays?!
Almost every Leader seed to have a side hustle.
Natsu thought of iron-willed Brock and the Cerulean Sisters, who turned their gym into a water ballet theater…
A complicated feeling rose in his chest.
"Battle ."
Janine's voice was firm. "That's the reward I want."
To her, learning from Natsu-sensei outweighed any material compensation.
Especially since even her father had praised him.
If I can get his guidance, Janine thought, gripping her kunai, this trip will be worth it!
Natsu blinked.
A free spar instead of paying her?
Is this really a deal?!
Wait…
If I send Squirtle, the dical bills might cost more…
He crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Seeing his silence,
Janine frowned.
Did I offend him by challenging him so abruptly?
Of course… A Trainer of his caliber wouldn't accept battles lightly.
"My apologies."
She bowed respectfully.
"If you're unwilling, we can discuss my salary—"
Suddenly, a strong hand clapped her shoulder.
"Money's irrelevant."
Natsu grinned. "I just happen to want a sparring partner!"
...
Dusk.
Team Rocket's trio packed up their stand, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion.
But their faces were lit with pure joy.
"Now we've got funds for our next evil gadget!"
After a mont of glee, Jessie turned. "Should we report to the Executive before leaving?"
"Of course. It's basic manners," Jas said.
"Let find him, ow~"
owth scrambled onto the stand's roof, scanning the area with binoculars.
Then—his jaw dropped.
"What're you gawking at, owth?!" Jessie snapped.
"It's the Executive!" owth flailed. "He's battling soone, ow!"
...
In the park, the slide's shadow stretched long in the sunset.
Togepi whooshed down, kicking its tiny feet in delight.
Natsu caught it and set it back atop the slide.
"Togepi doo-ee~(✿◠‿◠)"
Turning to Janine, he said, "Friendly match only. No overkill."
Though Janine was weaker than Sabrina,
Poison-types didn't rely on brute force.
Their specialty was stalling opponents to death with status conditions.
…Which, coincidentally, was Natsu's forte too.
Calling this "guidance" is just being polite.
The purple-haired ninja girl nodded. "Understood!"
He's being considerate, she thought.
Otherwise, I wouldn't last three turns…
With reverence, she drew two kunai-shaped Poké Balls.
Spinning them like shuriken, she could release Pokémon precisely where she wanted.
A quirky throwing style, like Gold's pool cue or Yellow's fishing rod.
"Natsu-sensei," Janine adjusted her red scarf, "May we use my preferred format?"
"Sure." Natsu nodded. "Which one?"
"Doubles."
Janine planned to use the Minimize strategy—
A tactic both her father and Natsu-sensei excelled at.
With a partner's support, stalling beca even deadlier.
The traditional technique of Fuchsia Gym.
If she was seeking advice,
She wanted to see the gap between them in her own domain.
"Doubles? Fine by ."
Natsu smirked.
If anything, he was better at doubles than singles.
Kid… You just walked into a trap.*
"4-pick-2 singles, or straight 2v2?"
"4-pick-2!"
The longer the battle, the more I can learn.
Janine bowed.
"Thank you, Natsu-sensei!"
...
At the battlefield, Natsu pondered.
Since this was a friendly match, winning wasn't the goal.
He grabbed a Premier Ball and Luxury Ball.
"Sirfetch'd, Arcanine—let's go!"
Janine spun her kunai, hurling her Poké Balls with precision.
"Ariados, Muk—I'm counting on you!"
The mont the balls left her hand, she quickly masked up.
Natsu's face fell as a grinning Muk materialized.
Wow. The family tradition runs deep.
Nearby, Koga watched from the trees, smiling proudly.
"That's my girl," he murmured.
Ariados—a ter-tall spider with crimson-black stripes and yellow-purple legs—
Hissed nacingly, showcasing a Bug-type's eerie beauty.
Beside it, Muk oozed noxious sludge, filling the air with a pungent stench.
Natsu's focus wavered—then snapped back.
"Neurotoxins?"
He grimaced. "It's even affecting …"
Even in gym battles, external factors mattered.
Muk's natural ability—and using it was part of a Trainer's skill.
Then—Sirfetch'd's V-shaped brows shot up.
"Sirfetch'd!!" Swinging its leek, it summoned a gust that scattered the stench.
[Defog]!
A red light flashed as Sylveon erged gracefully, erecting a Light Screen to block the sll.
Janine grew warier seeing Natsu counter so swiftly.
That Sirfetch'd…
It's dangerous.
I need to take it out first.*
Natsu pointed. "Flathrower on Ariados!"
Arcanine roared, unleashing a searing firestorm.
But Ariados dodged with String Shot, swinging from a lamppost—
Then lunged at Sirfetch'd with [Sucker Punch]!
Natsu's mind raced.
Priority move?
"Sirfetch'd—Detect!"
[Detect: Completely blocks an attack. Fails if used consecutively.]
Sirfetch'd stared calmly as the giant spider descended.
Ariados hissed, fangs bared.
I'M GONNA DIEヽ(≧Д≦)ノ!!
Sirfetch'd's brain shut down—
Until Natsu's voice cut through the panic.
"Sirfetch'd, Detect!"
Tears welled in Sirfetch'd's eyes.
HOLY LIGHT…
After this, I'll train twice as hard!
"Sirfetch'd!"
It raised its shield—clang!—blocking Ariados' strike.
The Toxic Mist sprayed harmlessly against the barrier.
Then—a leek slash!
"Ariados!!" The spider leapt back, barely dodging.
From the trees, Koga's eyes narrowed.
"It looks weak… but didn't flinch."
Did I misjudge it?
Janine tensed further.
But while Ariados distracted them,
Muk had finished Minimizing.
Now half its size, it darted toward Arcanine with eerie speed.
"Toxic!"
Venom splashed—instantly poisoning Arcanine's mane purple.
"Arcanine!!" It roared, flaring with Extre Speed's glow!
"Useless." Janine smirked. "Muk—Acid Armor!"
[Acid Armor: Sharply raises Defense.]
With Minimize, Muk beca untouchable.
Now, just stall with Protect…
I might actually win!
Her breath quickened.
Muk lted into sludge, dodging Arcanine's charge.
But the fiery hound blazed past—
Not stopping.
Janine's eyes widened. "Ariados, String Shot!"
Human attention has limits.
Even pro gars can't multitask perfectly.
Focusing on Muk, she'd neglected Ariados.
And Natsu-sensei's real target wasn't Muk—
But the double-weak-to-fire Ariados!
Too late. She gritted her teeth.
At least slow it down for the stalemate…
To her relief, Sirfetch'd stood back—
Cheering with its leek?!
Then—realization struck.
"Sirfetch'd, Helping Hand!" Natsu commanded.
Up in the trees, Koga's eyes lit up.
"Sirfetch'd was the decoy."
He nodded. "Checkmate, kid."
"Arcanine!!"
Flas erupted around Arcanine—
Not Fla Wheel, but sothing greater.
Its signature move.
[Flare Blitz]!
Natsu's eyes glead.
It finally mastered it.
"Charge, Arcanine!"
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