----
At exactly 7 PM, Kai and Tamao stood on opposite ends of the training ground behind the main estate. Erika and the other Kimono Sisters accompanied them, forming a small audience beneath the dusky evening sky.
The sun hadn't fully set yet, casting the battlefield in a soft golden hue. The ground itself was uneven, still worn from the many battles fought earlier in the day. The tea ceremony staff hadn't had ti to clean it up.
But neither Kai nor Tamao seed to mind.
As they took their places in the Trainer zones, Kou quietly stepped beside Kai and leaned in.
"Kai, don't let our performances fool you. We may spend ti on stage, but Tamao is a strong battler, maybe not as sharp as Satsuki, but still soone to take seriously."
Kai offered a nod of appreciation. "Thanks for the heads-up."
He respected her honesty. Clearly, she wasn't letting family ties cloud her judgnt. Of the five sisters, she seed the most grounded.
Kai rembered from his travels that in the gas, defeating the Ecruteak Kimono Sisters was a necessary step to earn the Clear Bell. Their skills weren't just for showcthey were seasoned trainers in their own right.
While not elite-level battlers, they were certainly stronger than your average Trainer.
Across the field, Tamao stood with hands on her hips, eyes narrowed, and voice sharp.
"I want you to understand sothing, Champion. We're more than perforrs. Our strength isn't just for display."
She cast a brief, loaded glance toward Erika.
And with that, Kai finally understood.
So that's it.
He hadn't ant anything by it, but earlier, when he said Erika shined brighter in battle, it must've struck a nerve.
To soone like Tamao, a woman of pride and precision, it probably sounded like a dismissal of everything she and her sisters represented.
'Ah… the dangerous art of comparison.' He sighed internally.
Why are won so good at turning a complint into a grudge match?
Across the field, the other sisters looked on, confused but silent. Clearly, sothing had gone down between the two, but no one could quite figure out what.
Kai turned his attention away from Tamao and onto her Pokémon: Umbreon.
The moonlight Pokémon stood tall, fur black as the night, crimson eyes glowing faintly. Its golden ring markings pulsed gently as the evening deepened.
Among the Eeveelutions, Umbreon had a cold elegance. A blend of fox and shadow cat, cool, composed, unshakable.
Truth be told, Kai had always liked Umbreon. But when he'd needed to prepare for a showdown with Zapdos, he'd had to evolve his Eevee into Jolteon instead.
Had it not been for that mission, he might've chosen Umbreon himself.
Still… maybe soday he'd catch another Eevee and evolve it his way.
He shook the thought away and pulled out his Pokédex.
This wasn't a ga anymore, this was real. And while he rembered the basics, having detailed info on Umbreon might help.
Pokédex: "Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon. A Dark-type Pokémon that evolves under the light of the moon. It is nocturnal and thrives in low-light environnts. Its black fur blends into the shadows, allowing it to ambush its prey, while the rings on its body glow in the darkness to emit a mysterious, hypnotic light."
Kai glanced up.
The sky had dimd even further. The moon was rising fast.
Perfect battlefield for an Umbreon.
He calmly closed the Pokédex and looked up again. The battle would only get tougher the darker it got.
Better to end this quickly.
The other sisters were surprised to see Kai using a Pokédex. A Champion needing a refresher? Most people assud he had encyclopedic knowledge of every species.
Kai didn't care about appearances. Information wins battles.
Jolteon and Umbreon slowly stepped onto the field, facing each other. There was no type advantagecElectric vs. Dark. A balanced matchup.
No referee was needed. Once both Pokémon took their stances, the match began.
"Umbreon Charge in!" Tamao called.
The dark-type Pokémon bolted forward, low and fast.
Umbreon wasn't the strongest or quickest of the Eeveelutions, but it had incredible durability. Its physical and special defenses were legendary. It could take a beating and keep going, making it one of the few small Pokémon capable of withstanding a barrage.
Umbreon lunged with bared fangs, aiming to bite.
But Jolteon didn't flinch.
This wasn't its first rodeo. It had fought beside Kai through the Indigo League, the Orange League, and beyond. Fast, experienced, and ruthless when it had to be.
In a flash, Jolteon dodged to the side and retaliated with a spinning kick—
Double Kick!
A perfect counter.
As a Fighting-type move, it was super-effective against Dark-types like Umbreon.
Thwack! Thwack!
Two sharp impacts landed cleanly.
Umbreon staggered backward, paws sliding in the dirt.
The first exchange was over, and it was clear who had the upper hand.
From the sidelines, the other sisters exchanged glances.
No words were needed.
Jolteon had struck first. Hard. And clean.
This battle had only just begun, but the tone had already been set.
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