----
Kai found himself hesitating as he looked at Trinity's eager, determined expression. She was smiling, clearly looking forward to their match.
He took a mont to organize his thoughts, trying to speak as politely as possible. Maybe, just maybe, softening the tone would make her less "vindictive" once Gyarados took the field.
"Miss Trinity," he began with a calm voice, "making it past Misty and reaching the finals proves you're a very capable Trainer. I'm honestly looking forward to our battle. I hope we both perform at our best and give it everything we've got. That said… if anything unexpected happens during the match, or things get a little intense, I hope you'll be understanding."
Kai had chosen his words carefully but Trinity didn't seem to pick up on the real aning behind them.
"Of course," she replied with a warm smile before her tone grew resolute. "Since you're being so sincere, I'll be honest too. As much as it frustrates , I have to admit you're the strongest Trainer I've ever faced. I don't think I'll win… but I'm not going to make it easy for you, either!"
Seeing how fired-up she was, Kai sighed and tried again, a bit more bluntly.
"Uh… could you promise one thing?"
Trinity blinked in surprise at his serious expression. "Huh? What is it?"
Kai took a deep breath and said, in all seriousness, "No matter what happens in this battle… please don't hold it against after it's over."
Trinity: "…What?"
---
The final match was set for 2 PM.
Boom! Boom!
Fireworks echoed overhead as the clock ticked closer to the hour. Though the afternoon sun made the flashes difficult to see, the explosive sound alone was enough to send the crowd into a frenzy.
All eyes were on the battlefield, waiting for the final showdown to begin.
From the main platform, the high priestess Maya, graceful in a flowing white gown, stepped forward to offer a blessing.
"After days of fierce competition, the Whirl Cup reaches its grand finale. Today, the title of Hero of the Sea will be decided! The two finalists have amazed us with their strength and spirit. Now, let the ocean grant them its blessing. May they show us their finest battle yet!"
As her voice echoed across the arena, Maya raised her staff, and a radiant glow known as the Spirit of the Sea washed over the stadium, igniting the crowd's excitent to its peak.
On opposite ends of the battlefield stood Kai and Trinity, both positioned in their command zones.
Unlike the semifinals, the finals allowed three Pokémon per Trainer. That made for a more intense battle but for Kai, it posed a challenge.
Blastoise and red Gyarados accounted for two. To fill out his roster, he'd have to include Suicune.
And if Suicune appeared?
He'd make headlines within minutes.
'No thanks. I'm not looking to go viral today… Better finish this match quickly.'
At the referee's signal, both Trainers released their Pokémon.
Kai, as expected, opened with Blastoise. Trinity, on the other hand, sent out her Chinchou, which appeared atop one of the stone pedestals.
This was the sa Chinchou that had taken down Misty and several others. It was a core part of Trinity's success in reaching the finals.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
She's leading with her strongest?
It was a bold move. She was taking a calculated risk hoping to knock out Kai's first Pokémon before discovering what else he had in reserve.
Kai respected that. But he also knew Blastoise was in no shape for prolonged combat especially not against an Electric-type.
Still, retreating wasn't an option.
As the referee's flag ca down, the final match officially began.
Kai avoided sending Blastoise into the water, keeping it on the stone platform. The veteran Water-type rotated its dual cannons and launched a barrage of long-range Hydro Pumps at Chinchou.
Chinchou retaliated with streams of water, but each clash ended the sa Blastoise's water cannons easily overpowered them.
In pure Water-type exchanges, Blastoise was still the king.
But Trinity had no intention of sticking to Water's moves.
She smiled and calmly issued her next command Chinchou began gathering electricity.
If she couldn't win head-on, she'd strike with a type advantage. Use the battlefield's water to conduct the shock, and take Blastoise out in one blow.
Kai's expression tensed as he watched a sphere of lightning swell above Chinchou's head.
This wasn't good.
With so much water on the field, dodging would be nearly impossible. Even diving wouldn't guarantee safety from a full-field electric strike.
But sitting still wasn't an option either.
Kai issued a new command. Blastoise dove into the water.
Better to disperse the voltage than take it directly.
Just as Blastoise subrged, the lightning bolt struck with a thunderous crack.
The impact shattered the stone pedestal luckily, Blastoise had just slipped beneath the surface in ti.
From the stands, Misty clenched her fists.
She'd been defeated by that very sa move. Her heart pounded, hoping Kai wouldn't suffer the sa fate.
'Co on, Kai… you've got this…'
Trinity wasn't fazed. She imdiately had Chinchou begin charging again this ti, the bolt was even larger, and its target was the water itself.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
Gotta stop it now!
He shouted, and beneath the surface, Blastoise surged forward. It swam hard, closing in on Chinchou's stone perch then burst out of the water and aid a powerful tackle.
But Trinity had anticipated the move.
She countered quickly, commanding Chinchou to discharge a burst of electricity around its body.
The small Pokémon lit up like a live wire sparks crackling violently across its fra.
From the audience, Ash and the others held their breath.
If Blastoise followed through, it would slam right into those live currents. Even if it landed the hit… it would take serious damage doing so.
----
Don't forget to drop so PowerStones!💎💎💎
For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.
P@treon/iamxeno
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!
User Comments
0 comments from readers