The sun was warm, but not hot. A soft breeze stirred the branches overhead, painting the stone path in dappled shadows. The scent of wildflowers drifted with it—subtle, not overpowering. The occasional chirp of bird Pokémon filled the air like background music.
We weren't in a rush.
Marley and I had decided to take it slow today.
Eterna City still buzzed with the usual energy—trainers, shops, battle chatter—but just beyond its edge, this park felt like an entirely different world. Quiet. Older.
We walked side by side, neither of us speaking for a while. Shaymin peeked out from Marley's pouch, sniffing the air, blinking up at the shifting light.
A few moments later, I finally broke the silence.
"Have you been sleeping okay?"
Marley glanced over at me. "It's been getting better. You?"
I shrugged, "Yeah, I haven't had nightmares for a while now."
She hummed softly, an acknowledgement more than a response.
We passed a shallow pond ringed by stones, the water glassy and still. A few Lotad drifted lazily near the edge, bobbing with each ripple. Shaymin sneezed once, probably reacting to the scent of moss. Marley shifted her pouch to the other side and gave her a quiet pat.
Later, we climbed a set of old stone steps and followed a winding trail through a cluster of trees. Eventually, it opened onto a cliff's edge marked by a series of ancient, weathered pillars. Moss wrapped around their bases, and carved patterns ran along the edges, eroded by time but still faintly visible.
And there, nestled between the columns, stood a tall stone tablet.
We both approached it.
The surface was dark grey and slightly rough, marked with what looks like a symbol of a star at its peak. Etched on either side were the unmistakable forms of Palkia and Dialga.
Below the two legendaries, a rectangular inscription was carved into the stone in an archaic script of Unown. The lines were clean, deep. It wouldn't be too difficult to decipher.
I read it silently to myself:
FRIEND
SUBETE NO INOCHI HA – All lives
BETSU NO INOCHI TO DEAI – meet other lives
NANIKA WO UMIDASU – and create something
I wonder why it starts in English, then continues in Japanese.
Marley stood beside me, quiet for a moment, then softly said:
"When every life meets another life, something will be born."
I blinked.
She'd translated it differently. More poetic, instead of my literal. And she left out the first world, Friend.
Before I could comment, Shaymin tilted her head up from the pouch with a cheeky snort. "Heh." She projected playfully "Sounds like what they tell little kids. 'When a boy and a girl love each other very much, something will be born' How about it, Paul. When are you and Marley going to create something?"
I reached over and flicked her tiny black nose.
"Oi—Marleyyy!" Shaymin yelped dramatically. "He's being mean to me!"
Marley made a weird noise but smiled faintly, eyes still on the tablet. "You started it."
Shaymin puffed up in her pouch. "You're supposed to be on my side."
We stood there for another few seconds before Marley spoke again.
"…I'm in the mood for ice cream."
I blinked, that was a bit random. "…Really?"
She nodded, her expression completely serious.
My lips curved slightly. "Alright. I remember passing an ice cream cart before we went up the stairs. Let's head back down."
We turned and started walking again, heading down a sloping path lined with wild ivy and low stone lanterns as the wind picked up. The breeze carried the pleasant scent of pine needles.
As we rounded a corner, I caught a flash of something vaguely familiar out of the corner of my eye—gold and black, just for a moment. I didn't think much of it.
We kept going.
And just like I remembered, the ice cream stand was parked under the shade of a wide tree. It was a portable pink cart, with striped awning in shades of pink and white. Three attendants stood behind the cart, two of them tall and calm, the other short and round-headed.
Marley stepped forward and scanned the options.
"I want… Neapolitan," she said evenly.
"Cookies and Cream for me," I told the vendor, a blue-haired man with a ponytail and a perfectly neutral smile.
As he handed me my cone, the shorter guy next to him blinked twice and leaned forward, pointing at me.
"Wait a minute, ain't dat da twerp from way ba—"
He didn't finish.
The woman beside him—tall with long, magenta hair styled into a dramatic, sweeping curl—slammed her hand over his mouth with practiced speed.
"Sorry about him," she said, smiling too wide. "Brain freeze. Happens even without the ice cream."
The blue haired man chimed in, "Sometimes it can happen without the brain."
…What?
Wait a second.
Is that Team Rocket?
What the hell?
Their disguises were actually good. I didn't even realize it until Meowth opened his mouth and called me a twerp.
And that tablet from earlier. Wait…
This is the place where Cynthia makes her first appearance.
Yeah. I'm not dealing with this today.
There are more important things to focus on.
Jessie handed Marley her cone with a polite nod. I paid for both of us, barely glancing at either of them, and walked off without another word.
Marley took a few careful licks of her cone, then glanced my way. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," I said, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. "Actually... you mind if we head back up to that tablet again?"
She looked over at me and gave a soft nod. "Of course."
We walked at an easy pace.
By the time we reached the top again, the breeze had shifted, and the sunlight filtered through in narrower beams. I'd finished my cone and brushed a few crumbs from my sleeve.
And I noticed the crowd.
A small one had gathered near the stone.
And standing just ahead of them...
Her.
Cynthia.
Back turned to us, one hand resting casually on her hip, the other gently brushing along the edge of the tablet as she studied it.
Her long, blonde hair moved faintly in the breeze, and she was dressed in the same outfit she wore in the games. The two pairs of hair clips on either side of her hair, both shaped like black teardrops with a gold stripe. Long black coat that drapes over half way down her leg, ending in black fur trimming. Sleek black dress pants, and black pointed high-heel shoes.
Marley paused beside me, eyes flicking to Cynthia, then back to the stone.
I inhaled once. Then turned slightly toward her.
"Would you excuse me for a minute?" I said softly.
She gave a small nod.
I stepped away from the crowd, away from the stone, and reached for my belt.
Six Poké Balls.
Electabuzz, Chimchar, Larvitar, Ursaring, Gible, Metang.
I didn't release them. Just held their Poké Balls in my hand.
"Hey," I said under my breath. "We're about to battle the strongest trainer in the region."
A pause.
"Maybe the strongest in the world."
My fingers closed tighter around the Poké Balls.
She's probably going to destroy us. And that's fine. I'd probably get curb stomped even if I brought my best possible team.
Because this isn't about winning.
It's about seeing that summit with our own eyes.
I looked down at the Poké Balls. Let the words settle.
"Someday... we're going to have to surpass her. Before we do that, let's find out just how much we need to grow"
I started making my way back to Marley.
"Thanks for waiting for me."
She didn't say anything—just nodded, and stepped aside, already knowing what I'm going to do.
Shaymin climbed up a little higher in her pouch, blinking at the crowd.
I exhaled again. Rolled my shoulders. Stretched my arms. Loosened my neck.
The tension was still there, but I'd carry it forward.
One step at a time.
I turned back toward the crowd. Toward Cynthia.
Toward the challenge ahead.
Toward the summit I needed to reach.
"Alright," I murmured. "I'm ready."
[Ash's POV]
We were in the Pokémon Center lounge, sitting around a small table and finishing breakfast while watching a battle on the big screen overhead.
Lucian of the Elite Four was going head-to-head with Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh Region.
My eyes were locked on the screen.
Lucian's Bronzong was glowing, charging up a Flash Cannon.
Cynthia didn't even flinch.
"Garchomp, Giga Impact."
Her voice was calm, but commanding.
Garchomp blitzed through the Flash Cannon like it was nothing, and slammed straight into Bronzong with a massive hit.
Boom.
It was over.
Lucian's Bronzong collapsed, knocked out cold.
I leaned forward, stunned. "Whoa! Did you see that?! Bronzong's Flash Cannon didn't even slow her down!"
"Lucian was already super strong when we met him," I added. "But Cynthia just took him out like it was nothing!"
Dawn shook her head in disbelief. "That wasn't even close. I don't think Lucian got a single solid hit in."
Brock folded his arms, nodding like a coach analyzing a play. "Well, that's the Champion for you. No one in Sinnoh stands above her."
The battle ended, and the screen cut to a news recap. Cynthia was still in the spotlight—apparently, she'd been spotted somewhere here in Eterna City.
We weren't the only ones watching.
Some other trainers at the Pokémon Center were already buzzing with excitement.
"I heard she showed up at the park, near the old stone monument, that weird tablet thing in the park!"
"Seriously, you're not joking?"
"Cynthia's in town?!"
My chair scraped back before I even realized I was standing.
"Guys, we have to go check it out!"
Dawn's eyes widened with anticipation, a spark of excitement lighting up her face, and she eagerly followed.
Brock was already halfway to the door.
We jogged across town toward the park, cutting through alleys and weaving around trainer groups already heading the same way. By the time we reached the clearing, a small crowd had gathered.
People weren't pushing, but there was a hum of excitement in the air.
And there she was.
Cynthia.
She stood beside a weathered stone tablet, one hand brushing against the edge of it, long blond hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her black coat shifted with the wind as she studied the carvings.
My breath caught for a second.
"That's really her…" I whispered.
Dawn took a small step forward. "Cynthia… the Champion of Sinnoh. I can't believe she's here."
Brock let out a dreamy sigh. "Even more radiant in person.I don't know whether I should ask for an autograph… or for her hand in marriage. It should be me in her arms, not that ice cream!"
Dawn shot him a look. "Sometimes Brock, you worry me."
Just then, someone brushed past us.
A trainer with dark purple hair, eyes locked forward.
I recognized him instantly.
"Hey, Paul!"
He didn't stop. Just gave a quick, casual wave behind his back without even turning around.
No hello. No hesitation.
Just kept walking forward, straight toward Cynthia.
I tensed up.
What's he doing?
Paul came to a stop a few steps away from the Champion. His tone wasn't rude, but it wasn't exactly polite either.
"Excuse me. You're Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion, right?"
She turned to face him. "I am."
"My name is Paul. I'm from Veilstone City, and I'd like to challenge you to a battle."
That stirred the crowd.
Voices started rising.
"Wait, did he say battle?"
"Is he serious? He wants to fight her?!"
"Who does this guy think he is?!"
"He's nuts, there's no way he can win!"
"Must be crazy, he's just a dumbass teen!"
But Cynthia tilted her head, eyes sharp with interest.
"It's been a while since I've taken a field challenge like this," she said, thoughtful. "Are you competing in the Sinnoh League?"
"I am," Paul said, without missing a beat.
"Fine then, I accept your challenge." she replied.
You could feel the energy shift.
Everyone around us either gasped, muttered, or just stood in stunned silence.
"He's really gonna battle her…"
"This is insane."
"No way he stands a chance!"
I stayed quiet.
Just stared at Paul's back as he stepped away with Cynthia to clear a space for the battle.
I don't always agree with how he is, but I've never thought he was careless.
There's no way he doesn't know how strong Cynthia is.
He knows she's the Champion. That no one's been able to defeat her.
But he still challenged her anyway.
A small smile pulled at the corner of my mouth.
"I gotta admit," I said under my breath, "Paul's got guts."
Everyone stepped back to give them space to battle.
Cynthia stood calm and composed at one end of the weathered clearing, amidst the crumbling remnants of ancient pillars.
Across the open space, amidst the scattered stones and hints of overgrown pathways, Paul stood with a relaxed yet focused stance.
Around us, a crowd had formed in a half-circle. Trainers, tourists, even a few older folks had wandered over. No one wanted to miss this.
I didn't either.
No way.
Cynthia reached for a Poké Ball with casual ease, and released it.
"Then let's get this underway. Garchomp, battle dance!"
A massive burst of white light exploded outward, and there she was.
Garchomp.
Garchomp stood tall, her body exuding strength. Her wings were spread wide, almost as if she was preparing to take flight, and her mouth was open, revealing sharp teeth. Letting us know that she wasn't here to play around.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"That's Garchomp..."
"She's even more imposing in person..."
"She destroyed Lucian's Bronzong with a single Giga Impact!"
Paul didn't flinch.
He calmly took a Poké Ball from his belt and tossed it underhanded.
"Let's go, Larvitar."
A green blur took shape in the air, then landed on the field with a thud. Larvitar. Solid, low to the ground, arms up and ready.
I blinked.
"Wait... Larvitar? Against a Garchomp?"
Brock furrowed his brow. "That's a bold call. Garchomp resists Rock type moves, and can deal super effective damage with Ground type moves. Paul's starting at a type disadvantage."
Dawn looked worried. "Do you think he's testing the field first?"
Maybe. Paul's not the type of trainer to carelessly battle.
Cynthia gave a light nod. "You can have the first move."
Paul didn't hesitate.
"Stomping Tantrum."
Larvitar slammed its feet into the ground, sending a shockwave that rippled through the dirt toward Garchomp.
Cynthia didn't hesitate. "Jump, and Dragon Rush."
Garchomp's body flared blue and white, energy cloaking her in a swirl. She leapt, flying into the air, dodging the tremor entirely.
"Interrupt the move, Rock Slide!" Paul called.
Jagged boulders rose from the battlefield—thick, fast, dangerous.
Garchomp didn't dodge.
She tore through the rocks like paper, Dragon Rush still blazing around her.
Paul clenched his fists. "Iron Head!"
Larvitar braced, head glowing silver, then lunged upward.
They collided midair, blue and silver crashing together.
For a second, everything froze.
But in an instant, Larvitar flew back, slamming into the ground.
Dust exploded.
When it cleared, Larvitar lay still.
"Larvitar is unable to battle," someone whispered from the crowd.
"One hit was all it took"
"Couldn't even last a minute, this kid should just forfeit."
Paul recalled Larvitar, and whispered something to its Poké Ball.
He tossed out his next Poké Ball.
A flash of light, a new shape formed.
"Gible, you're up." he said.
"Woah, that must be the Gible that Paul decided to keep." Dawn exclaimed
I unconsciously dropped my hand to my Gible's Poké Ball.
Cynthia's eyes widened ever so slightly. "A Gible…"
She smiled faintly. "That brings back memories."
Brock had a thoughtful expression on his face "Gible is the first form of Garchomp. Cynthia must've raised her Garchomp way back when it was a Gible,"
Across from her, Gible growled, tail twitching.
Gible didn't look nervous.
It looked excited.
"Flamethrower," Cynthia commanded.
Garchomp inhaled, and then fire roared across the battlefield.
"Dig," Paul said quickly.
Gible vanished underground in a blink. The Flamethrower scorched the dirt—but missed.
A second later—
Boom!
Gible erupted upward beneath Garchomp, an uppercut straight to the jaw.
Direct hit.
Garchomp's head jerked up slightly.
Only slightly.
She made no sound. No stumble. Just... tilted her head side to side like she was stretching.
"She tanked that," Brock muttered, wide-eyed. "Didn't even flinch."
Gible landed a few paces away, low to the ground, teeth bared.
"Dragon Rage," Paul ordered.
A sphere of energy charged in front of Gible's mouth, then fired.
Garchomp raised one arm in front of her, bracing.
The Dragon Rage exploded into her.
But, Garchomp was still standing. Right arm smoking slightly, but completely unfazed. Didn't stumble even a little, didn't make any noise. Not even a flicker on her expression.
Someone in the crowd murmured, "That was a direct hit…"
"She's not even hurt…"
Then Cynthia raised her hand. "Dragon Claw."
Garchomp launched forward, claws glowing violet.
"Dodge it!"
Gible tried to twist her body, but it wasn't enough.
The claw raked across her side and sent her flying.
"Gible!" Paul shouted.
She hit the ground hard, but she gradually got back up.
Wobbling, breathing hard, but standing.
Paul didn't waver.
"Charge up another Dragon Rage, but wait until I tell you to fire."
Gible's mouth began to glow again.
Cynthia narrowed her eyes slightly. "She's holding it?"
Brock leaned in. "He's stalling. He's trying something."
Garchomp growled low in her throat.
She was done waiting.
"Dragon Rush."
Cynthia's command was quiet, but Garchomp moved like a jet.
Her body lit with swirling blue again, claws forward, flame trailing behind.
"Keep holding." Paul said.
Gible's jaw trembled. The orb of energy at her mouth grew.
Brighter.
Garchomp's Dragon Rush kept getting closer.
Right before the moment of impact...
"Now!" Paul barked.
Gible roared and launched it.
But it wasn't like before.
The energy burst forward in a tight, spiraling beam. It was multicolored and almost had a shape resembling a dragon.
A Dragon Pulse.
The crowd gasped.
Even Cynthia blinked.
The two attacks collided mid-field, Dragon Pulse against Dragon Rush. The air rippled from the impact.
For a second, it seemed like they might cancel each other out.
But only for a second.
Garchomp pushed through, the Dragon Rush burst through the beam and collided with Gible in a fiery explosion.
Gible flew backward.
This time, she didn't get up.
Paul stared at her Poké Ball for a moment.
Then slowly recalled her.
There was no frustration on his face.
Just silence.
But the crowd?
They were buzzing.
"That wasn't just Dragon Rage. That was Dragon Pulse!"
"Was he teaching Gible a new move in the middle of a battle against the Champion?!"
"Well maybe he should've taught it before the battle. Then he'd actually stand a chance."
"Pfft, it wouldn't matter. Garchomp destroyed him!"
Brock let out a low whistle. "That's Paul for you. No wasted opportunities."
Dawn nodded slowly. "He knew he couldn't win. But he still fought like he had a shot."
I watched him across the battlefield.
Gible was down.
Larvitar was down.
Cynthia hadn't even broken a sweat.
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the grass at the edge of the battlefield.
Paul stood still, his face unreadable as he pulled out another Poké Ball.
He didn't even pause.
"Electabuzz, stand by for battle."
The flash of light gave way to the shape of Electabuzz, sparks already dancing between his antennae as he stomped once, ready.
Cynthia gave the slightest nod. "Your move."
Paul didn't hesitate.
"Low Kick."
Electabuzz darted forward with surprising speed, ducking low and sliding into a powerful kick, straight to Garchomp's right leg.
It connected.
But Garchomp didn't even blink.
She just... looked down. As if mildly curious why someone was tapping her leg.
I swallowed.
"Yeesh," I muttered. "That didn't do anything."
"Low Kick works better the heavier the opponent is, theoretically the Pokémon that gets hit should collapse under their own weight" Brock said, frowning. "But Garchomp's balance is just too good. That barely moved her."
Cynthia raised her hand. "Stone Edge."
Garchomp crouched, and two pale blue rings appeared around her body, then they turned into rocks that spun rapidly around her body.
The rocks burst forward, dozens of jagged stones streaking toward Electabuzz like missiles.
"Protect," Paul ordered instantly.
A shimmering green shield wrapped around Electabuzz just as the first stones collided. Each impact cracked the barrier a little more, until the last one slammed against it with a thunderous crack.
The shield just barely held.
Electabuzz growled low, sparks flaring from his shoulders as the barrier faded.
"Brick Break," Paul said, sharp and precise. "Target the same leg."
Electabuzz surged forward again, hand glowing white, and brought it down hard, right on the same spot as before.
Crack.
This time, Garchomp's leg shifted slightly under the force. But she still didn't flinch.
"She's just eating those hits," Dawn whispered.
"Paul's targeting the same spot," Brock noted. "It's a precision tactic. Garchomp doesn't have a weak spot that he can abuse, so he's going to try and create one instead."
Cynthia responded.
"Brick Break."
Garchomp's wings glowed crimson. Then, with a single fluid motion, she swept one downward like a blade.
The blow landed square on Electabuzz's head.
He crumpled instantly.
Paul stepped forward without a word and recalled him.
He stared at the Poké Ball for a moment. "Well done. I won't let your work go to waste."
Then, he moved again.
"Metang, stand by."
The steel-type burst out in a flare of light—hovering just above the ground, arms raised, eyes glowing.
"Bullet Punch," Paul commanded. "Target Garchomp's right leg."
Metang was a blur, faster than I expected, fists drawn back and repeatedly punching Garchomp's right leg in a flash of silver.
Garchomp barely moved.
Cynthia's eyes narrowed. "Brick Break."
This time, Garchomp twisted her body, lifted Metang with one leg, and launched it upward.
Then, with a single upward slash, she slammed a Brick Break into Metang's core, sending it spinning through the air.
But Metang didn't fall.
It steadied midair, twitching slightly from the blow.
"Now," Paul said. "Meteor Mash."
Metang's arm glowed bright white, like a star condensed into its fist, and rocketed forward.
Boom!
Another direct hit, once again on that same right leg.
Garchomp stumbled.
Her foot hit the ground harder than it should've. Her balance shifted.
And for the first time—
She looked annoyed.
Not hurt, not panicked, but visibly irritated.
Then Cynthia raised her voice. "Giga Impact."
Garchomp vanished in a streak of light and fury, crashing into Metang with a blow that cracked the earth beneath them.
Dust shot into the air.
When it cleared, Metang was slumped into a shallow crater.
Paul recalled it immediately.
And smiled.
"Hold on, what's he smiling about?" I wondered aloud.
"Yeah, he's already lost four Pokemon to just Garchomp," Dawn pointed out.
"Ursaring," he said out, a surge of excitement in his voice. "Let's go!"
Ursaring hit the field with a roar, claws flexing.
Paul didn't miss a beat.
"Hyper Beam, aim for the right leg!"
A golden beam surged from Ursaring's mouth, straight toward the same leg.
Cynthia didn't make an order, Garchomp didn't move even an inch.
The blast collided with an explosive crack of energy.
"I don't understand why Garchomp didn't even try dodging?" Dawn mused, a puzzled frown on her face.
"So that's what Paul was smiling about! After a Pokemon uses Giga Impact, the pokemon has to take a while to recharge before they can move again." Brock explained
When the dust cleared—
Garchomp was kneeling.
One knee on the ground. Her right leg visibly strained.
Dawn turned to me, eyes wide. "He did it... he actually slowed her down!"
Brock's gaze was sharp, arms crossed tight. "Paul's not just battling. He's dissecting her. His last two Pokémon focused every attack on that leg, he's been building toward this the entire time."
"He knows he can't win," I said slowly, watching the field. "But maybe he figured if he could bring Garchomp down, it'd mean something."
Brock nodded. "Exactly. For a team that's this outmatched, taking down even one Pokémon, especially Cynthia's Garchomp, would be incredible."
"But Hyper Beam also takes time to recharge, doesn't it?" Dawn asked, frowning.
"Yeah," Brock said gravely. "Just like Giga Impact."
He looked back toward the field.
"And now Ursaring is wide open…"
We all turned back to watch.
"Dragon Rush," Cynthia called.
Garchomp rose smoothly from her crouch. No sign of strain from the Hyper Beam she took earlier.
She launched into the air like a jet.
Blue dragon-shaped energy wrapped around her as she slammed straight into Ursaring, the impact rocking the entire battlefield.
Ursaring collapsed with a thud.
A hush fell over the crowd for a second.
Then, murmurs began to ripple through.
"…Huh. I thought for a second he might be able to beat Garchomp."
"Don't be delusional. There's no way Cynthia was going to lose."
Paul didn't react.
He just recalled Ursaring and quietly pulled out his final Poké Ball.
Chimchar.
The little Fire-type emerged in a flash, dropping to all fours before rising and glaring forward, tail flame flickering bright.
"That's it?" a guy behind us scoffed. "A Chimchar? Against her Garchomp?"
"There's no way he was going to win anyway."
"Pfft. This battle's been totally anticlimactic. What a waste of the Champion's time."
I clenched my fists.
That wasn't fair.
At least he had the guts to challenge her.
Chimchar stepped forward. Paul didn't hesitate.
"Ember."
A burst of small flames shot toward Garchomp. She barely moved, raising one wing to shield herself as the flames fizzled harmlessly against her scales.
Cynthia's voice was calm. "Draco Meteor."
It felt like the temperature dropped a little.
Garchomp opened her jaws wide. An orange orb of energy formed between her teeth before firing into the sky.
The sphere exploded high above the field, bursting into dozens of glowing meteors that began raining down.
"Chimchar, dodge it! Quick!" Paul shouted.
Chimchar darted left, then right, zigzagging across the field.
The first meteor struck behind him, dust exploding into the air. The second cratered the dirt just inches from his feet.
Four more rained down in a tight arc around him.
Chimchar rolled between two of them, flipped over another, and skidded across the battlefield in a burst of dirt.
"Whoa! Chimchar's dodging them all!" Dawn gasped.
The dust kicked up by the impacts clouded the air, swallowing Chimchar in a haze of gray.
"Chimchar, there's one more above you!" Paul yelled.
Chimchar looked up just as the final meteor blazed through the sky—
Boom!
It slammed into him, sending Chimchar flying backward, smoke trailing from his form.
He hit the dirt and rolled to a stop.
I leaned forward.
No... That can't be all you've got, Paul.
Paul's lips moved, barely above a whisper.
"...Well, guess that was it."
But Chimchar moved.
He staggered.
Then stood.
His back arched.
His body was surrounded by a fiery aura for a moment.
The flame on his backside started to grow larger.
Paul's eyes widened. A grin spread across his face.
"Alright, Chimchar," he said, voice rising. "We're back in this!"
Paul took a step forward. His voice was clearer now.
"Believe in yourself, Chimchar! Unleash your true power, it's the only way!"
Chimchar let out a roar. The fire on his backside that was already twice its normal size exploded into a truly massive size. It started twisting wildly in every direction. The light of his flame lit the battlefield like a second sun. His eyes glowed crimson, and his body trembled.
"FLAME WHEEL!" Paul shouted
But instead of curling into a wheel, Chimchar jumped.
Straight into the air.
A surge of red-orange fire erupted around him, then shifted into a blue fire.
His whole body ignited, becoming a blazing comet of blue flame as he shot forward with explosive force.
"Is that Flare Blitz?" Brock said, stunned. "That's a move Chimchar shouldn't even know yet"
Chimchar smashed into Garchomp's chest, dead center.
The impact knocked her back.
Back and down.
She hit the ground.
Flat on her back.
Everyone froze.
Even Cynthia blinked in surprise.
Garchomp didn't look hurt, just shocked.
"He knocked down Cynthia's Garchomp..." I whispered, awestruck:
Even Dawn gasped. "That was amazing!"
But Cynthia's composure returned almost instantly.
"Giga Impact."
Garchomp rose back up.
Then launched herself into the air, her body surrounded by spiraling streaks of orange and purple energy as she shot forward like a missile.
Paul reacted fast.
"Chimchar, dodge with Dig!"
But Chimchar didn't listen.
For the second time now, he ignored Paul. He leapt into the air, burning even brighter than before, a comet of blazing blue.
Another Flare Blitz.
The two attacks collided mid-air.
The battlefield shook.
Shockwaves rippled out from the point of impact.
And then—
Chimchar was sent flying.
Flames trailing, his body tumbled backward at high speed.
Paul moved before anyone else could react. He stepped forward and caught Chimchar mid-fall, staggering back with the force of it, but he didn't fall. He held on tight, crouched low, cradling the Fire-type in his arms.
Chimchar had fainted.
But Paul didn't scold him for not listening. He didn't look frustrated either.
Instead, he reached up and gently ran a hand over Chimchar's head.
"That was a phenomenal performance," he murmured.
Then he returned Chimchar to his Poké Ball.
The battle was over.
And then the voices started.
The ones from the crowd.
"Ha! Told you he'd get embarrassed!"
"He lost every one of his Pokémon to just one!"
"Six-nothing. Total sweep."
"He should quit battling altogether!"
"What a loser."
I gritted my teeth.
They didn't get it.
They didn't understand anything about Paul.
He didn't react to their words.
Just slid his hands back into his pockets, shoulders square, head held high.
He stood there, calm, focused, unwavering.
But that didn't make it okay.
Mocking him for challenging someone like Cynthia?
He knew exactly how strong she was.
And he still stood up there and fought.
That took guts.
Real courage.
And these people were treating it like a joke?
"Knock it off!" I shouted, stepping forward. "None of you even have the guts to challenge the Champion, so who are you to talk?!"
A few people looked at me in surprise, but I wasn't done.
I opened my mouth to say more—
But another voice cut through the air.
"How dare you?!"
Everyone turned.
Even Cynthia blinked in surprise.
The voice was coming from the small creature poking her head out of the side pouch strapped across a girl's hip. I'd seen that girl on TV with Paul before. But I don't recognize that Pokémon...
Small, kind of like a hedgehog. White with green fur that looked like grass on its back, a pink flower with two leaves on each side of its head.
"I refuse to tolerate this kind of slander toward my friend and trusted companion," the little Pokémon said, her voice echoing directly into our minds. "You people should be ashamed."
The crowd went dead silent.
It emerged fully from the girl's pouch, leaping lightly onto the battlefield.
She turned to face Cynthia, eyes blazing.
"Hey you, blondie!" she said, practically glowing now. "I, Shaymin, hereby challenge you and your Garchomp to a battle. With Paul as my partner."
Gasps exploded through the crowd.
"What?!"
"Did that thing just talk?!"
"Is that a Pokémon?!"
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, but smiled. "Well, that's a first. A Shaymin challenging me directly."
She looked at Paul.
"Do you accept the challenge?"
Paul hesitated.
Then glanced at Shaymin, brows furrowed. "Are you sure about this?"
Shaymin huffed and flared her petals.
"Just trust me, Paul. We can do this."
Paul blinked.
Then, he laughed.
He was smiling as he started reaching into his bag.
AN:
Lol, Paul got curb stomped. Also Shaymin is finally going to battle
So, regarding location: I'm not strictly following the anime. I know that the events for this chapter should happen in Amity Square, which doesn't make sense to me. Amity Square is right next to Hearthome City, yet Ash, Dawn, and Brock spend like 10 episodes trying to get to Hearthome City after this. And they only get there because Mira teleports them to it.