Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

The scorching heatwave melted Ariados' razor-sharp silk threads like butter.

"Arcanine!!" With a sharp snap, Arcanine tore through the webbing, flames wreathing its body as it charged.

Hiss! Ariados was sent flying as if hit by a freight train, crashing heavily to the ground.

From the bushes, the Rocket trio gaped in unison.

"T-That's Fuchsia City's Gym Leader, right?"

James flipped through his handbook, gulping. "We've met her before..."

Meowth and Jessie stood frozen, throats dry.

If she's a Gym Leader... doesn't that mean she's on par with Executive Sabrina?

And Natsume-sensei just one-shot her Pokémon?!

A lightbulb lit up above their heads.

Sticking with Natsume-sensei... is the ultimate career move!

Janine stared at the composed man before her, an inexplicable chill running down her spine.

"He predicted my Acid Armor..."

She muttered, "Or did he just capitalize on my mistake?"

Either way... terrifying.

Now she understood why other Gym Leaders spoke of Natsume-sensei with such reverence.

With strategic thinking like this—

He could pass for a Champion from any region!

Despite the one-hit KO, Natsume remained serious.

Toxic and Flare Blitz had drained Arcanine's stamina.

Seeing the Arcanine's labored breathing, Natsume nodded. "Leave the rest to me."

"Arcanine!" Baring its fangs, it vanished into its Luxury Ball in a red beam.

The battle raged on.

Janine sent out Weezing, thick smog blanketing the field.

Meanwhile, Muk continued Minimizing unseen.

"Sirfetch'd!" Grinning, Sirfetch'd brandished its leek again.

[Defog] cleared the smog and negated evasion boosts.

Janine gritted her teeth.

This duck is infuriating!

"If I attack recklessly, Sirfetch'd will just Detect it and counter."

She muttered, "Is this Natsume-sensei's plan...?"

On the other side, Natsume recalled Arcanine, sending out Sylveon.

Type disadvantage?!

Is he letting his guard down?

Janine blinked—then noticed the blue glow of [Calm Mind] around Sylveon.

"Stop it!" she snapped. "Weezing, Muk—Sludge Bomb!"

For a double-weak-to-Poison Sylveon, this was lethal.

But if both attacks missed, the battle would spiral out of control!

As the toxic sludge surged toward Sylveon—

Koga sighed from the trees.

Foolish girl... You're outmatched.*

Natsume smirked.

"Sylveon—Baton Pass!"

In a flash of light, Sylveon retreated, replaced by a grinning Gengar.

"Gengar!"

Two Sludge Bombs hit—but with quadruple Poison resistance, Gengar shrugged them off!

A cold sweat dripped down Janine's temple.

This is... Natsume-sensei's pivot mastery?

Natsume snapped his fingers.

"Gengar—Shadow Ball!"

BOOM!

Boosted by Helping Hand and Baton Pass, the attack obliterated Weezing before it could even Explode.

The trio's jaws hung open, numb to Natsume-sensei's dominance.

Janine took a deep breath.

Not just in training...

His timing and predictions are on another level.

Her final Pokémon, Crobat, took to the skies, wings slicing with [Air Slash].

Sirfetch'd raised its shield—charging forward.

The slashes carved into the shield, but Sirfetch'd hurled its leek like a javelin!

Janine's eyes widened.

It has ranged attacks too?!

[Knock Off] turned the leek into a blazing spear.

"Crobat!" Dodging last-second, Crobat barely stabilized, eyeing the embedded leek warily.

That was way too close!

Natsume coughed.

Sirfetch'd weighs 117kg—

That leek's probably 80kg alone.

Getting impaled by that would be instant KO...

Now leek-less, Sirfetch'd dashed to retrieve it

Only for Muk to block its path.

A Dark Pulse from Gengar blasted Muk aside.

"Sirfetch'd!" Seizing the chance, Sirfetch'd swung its leek in a [Brutal Swing]!

Natsume's eye twitched.

Can't do anything right—

Except steal kills!

"Muk—!!" The sludge monster roared, grabbing Sirfetch'd in a toxic grip.

Though poisoned, Sirfetch'd remained calm.

Gengar's eyes glowed blue—[Psychic] immobilizing Muk—

As Sirfetch'd stabbed its leek straight into Muk's core.

[Assurance]: Double damage if the target was already hit this turn.

Plus a critical hit—

Devastating.

"Sirfetch'd!? (☉Д☉)"

Staring at the fainted Muk, Sirfetch'd froze.

I... did it?

Gengar gave a thumbs-up. "Gengar!" (Nice one!)

"Crobat—X-Scissor!"

Janine's last hope, Crobat, crossed its wings into bladed scissors, slashing at Gengar.

One hit would end frail Gengar!

Natsume grinned.

Time to show you true villainy.*

"Gengar—Ally Switch!"

He snapped his fingers.

"Sirfetch'd—Detect!"

"Gengar!" In a flash, Gengar and Sirfetch'd swapped places.

"Sirfetch'd!" Brow furrowed, Sirfetch'd swung its leek in a perfect arc.

Even slackers...

Have their moments!

CLANG!

Sparks flew as leek met wings.

"Detect" wasn't just blocking—

It was countering.

Sirfetch'd bashed its shield into Crobat's skull.

Natsume's eyebrow spasmed.

Block and parry?!

With mechanics like this, even legendaries would struggle!

Meanwhile, Gengar reappeared behind Crobat, a Shadow Ball point-blank.

BOOM!

Janine clenched her fists. "Crobat—X-Scissor again!"

A ninja never surrenders.

Crobat's wings glowed white—critical hit guaranteed!

Koga watched from the trees. "She and Crobat share a deep bond..."

Natsume nodded.

Crobat evolves through friendship—

And Pokémon reflect their trainers.

But sadly...

Janine was up against the dirtiest strategist alive.

"Substitute!" Natsume ordered. "Sirfetch'd—Assurance!"

Poisoned and exhausted, Sirfetch'd lunged for one final strike.

This is my last stand!

Crobat shredded Gengar's Substitute—but in doubles, it was too late.

Sirfetch'd's leek slammed Crobat from the sky.

Game over.

Gengar helped steady the wobbling Sirfetch'd. "Gengar! (ノ￣▽￣)"

Sirfetch'd grinned—then collapsed.

"Gengar!? Σ(°△°|||)"

As darkness took it, one thought remained:

Fighting alongside everyone...

Was kinda fun.*

"Good work."

Natsume recalled Sirfetch'd, smiling. "Dinner's on me tonight."

"Gengar! (ᗒᗨᗕ)"

Janine returned Crobat, exhaling.

I lost...

But against Natsume-sensei? Expected.

She bowed deeply. "Thank you for the guidance!"

"No big deal."

Natsume casually pulled out a QR code.

"Wanna join my fan club?"

Janine blinked.

Natsume-sensei's fan club?

"Absolutely!" She bowed again.

[Ding! Group Owner 'Natsume-sensei' invited 'Fuchsia's Janine' to the chat!]

Gold's usual greeting was instantly muted by Lorelei.

Lorelei: Welcome~

Lance: Koga's kid?

Red: Welcome.

Janine stared, stunned.

"T-These are all real people?"

"Obviously." Natsume shrugged.

Her respect for Natsume-sensei skyrocketed.

Meanwhile, a confused Gold opened DMs.

Gold: WHY MUTE ME?! Σ(°ロ°)

Lorelei: Protecting you, idiot.

Do you want to get assassinated?

Remembering Koga's reputation, Gold paled.

Gold: Thanks, Auntie Lorelei!

Lorelei: DIE!! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

...

With another recruit secured, Natsume nodded. "Well, I'm off!"

Gotta flee before Koga notices me...

Janine watched him go, grateful just for the battle.

That adaptability...

Even Father couldn't match it.

I need to train harder!

"Hm?" She looked down.

"Togepi doo-ee~ (◕‿◕✿)"

Togepi tugged her pants, pointing at something.

"What do you want?" Janine smiled. "Your trainer's leaving."

After some animated gesturing—

Togepi pointed at a glinting coin near the Rocket trio.

"It wants the coin!" James realized.

"Meowth, grab it!" Jessie ordered.

"NO! It's the BADGE, meow!"

"Togepi! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧" Togepi nodded vigorously.

Janine chuckled. "I thought Natsume-sensei didn't need these."

She handed the Fuchsia Badge to Togepi. "Don't lose it~"

"Togepi!"

...

Natsume hadn't gone far when—

Lick.

Gengar slurped his cheek.

"What?" Natsume's tongue went numb.

"Gengar!" It mimed an egg shape.

"Togepi didn't follow us?"

Gengar nodded.

Natsume facepalmed.

"Probably still on the slide."

"Togepi doo-ee~~ヽ(★ω★)ノ"

They turned to see Togepi sprinting toward them, something shiny in hand.

I got what you forgot!

Natsume's blood ran cold.

[Ding! Quest Updated!]

[Badges Collected: (5/8)]

[Progress: 62.5%! Enjoy the challenge!]

Natsume: ENJOY MY ASS! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

Togepi took the badge—

Not me!

He sighed, patting Togepi's head.

"Good job..."

"Togepi doo-ee!" It beamed, tapping its shell proudly.

That's our Togepi!

...

From the trees, Koga smirked.

Foolish daughter...

Losing is the first step to growth.

Hate me—and grow stronger!

Then he paused.

"Since Natsume-sensei guided her..."

I should repay him.

Eyeing Sirfetch'd's flawless form, Koga nodded.

"That move... would be perfect."

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