Hoenn, Petalburg Town.
A small town blessed with clean air.
Several years ago, Gym Leader Norman had moved here with his family. He became in-laws with his friend, Professor Birch—
Though Ruby and Sapphire weren't even of legal marriage age yet.
Still, the two had already gotten engaged, returned from their honeymoon, and were now planning their next journey.
"It's snowing…"
Walking out of the lab, Sapphire looked up at the sky. Snowflakes drifted down like sugar sprinkles on ice cream.
Excited, she rushed home and pushed open the door, "Ruby! I want ice cream!"
Wearing his signature headband, Ruby calmly pushed up his glasses, "No. You can't eat cold stuff right now."
"It's fine! You know my constitution!" Sapphire laughed with zero concern, then her eyes drifted down to Ruby's fingers—her cheeks suddenly flushed, "W-What are you doing?"
"Mending clothes."
"But those are mine!"
"It's not like this is the first time."
"Ugh…" Steam practically came off Sapphire's head as she went quiet, 'Geez, he could just buy new ones, right? But… come to think of it, he has always been the one who mended her clothes…'
Ruby worked the needle and thread skillfully, nodding toward the phone on the coffee table, "Come watch with me."
Sapphire slowly sat down beside him and rested her chin on his shoulder, "What is it?"
"Teacher Lu's match today," Ruby turned his head and said in his usual calm tone, "He's going up against Mr. Brawly from Dewford Town."
"Oh." Sapphire nodded dumbly, "What's the score?"
"It's a 2v2 singles match. Hasn't started yet."
Ruby adjusted his glasses with a faint push,"Not that the result matters—it's always the same with Teacher Lu."
"...That's true," Sapphire spoke softly, "I just wonder… will he send out Squirtle?"
The thought made both of them freeze.
Technically, Pokémon like Blastoise, Feraligatr, and Swampert—who excel at close-range combat—
could all qualify to enter the tournament, even without being Fighting-type.
But if Lu Ye sent out an unevolved Squirtle… The next second, both of them coughed simultaneously.
"Contestant Lu Ye has chosen… a Squirtle!" The commentator's voice came through the stream, slightly stiff.
They clearly hadn't expected such a reckless play in the quarterfinals. But Ruby and Sapphire both had complicated expressions.
They knew Lu Ye's Squirtle hadn't evolved yet. But… it had been nearly six months now.
With Lu Ye's training ability and breeding expertise… Just how powerful had that Squirtle become?
"Pokémon… starting to resemble their Trainers," Ruby muttered.
"Yeah… just like Teacher Lu. Always holding back until the end…" Sapphire agreed.
They both sighed inwardly—and couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for Brawly.
---
December 24th, Thursday.
P1 Fighting Tournament – Top 16 Match Venue.
As the match streamed live on the big screen, the crowd's excitement hit a peak.
Outside the stadium, Meowth flipped the sign to Closed, gazing at the broadcast on the jumbo screen.
"We finally get to see the Mentor's true strength, nya!"
"Jessie," James asked curiously, "Why aren't you swooning over that surfer guy? He's pretty good-looking too—"
"Idiot!" Jessie smashed her fist into James's head with a snort, "After watching the Mentor so long, my taste's leveled up—big time!"
"That means Jessie might never get married, nya…" Meowth whispered.
"Meowth, what did you say!?"
"L-Let's just focus on the match!" Meowth's fur stood on end as he quickly pointed at the screen to change the subject, "James, that one—what kind of Pokémon is it, nya?"
"Let me see."
James pulled out a stack of TCG cards from his pocket and flipped through them.
"Got it. This one here." James read aloud, "Mienshao, the martial arts Pokémon. Signature move: High Jump Kick…"
"N-No need to keep reading…" Meowth's voice suddenly started trembling.
"Eh? Why not?" James looked up and caught sight of Meowth's pale expression.
"Because…" Meowth forced a crooked smile, "This match is already over, nya!"
James looked back up at the screen—just in time to see a raging pillar of light burst from Squirtle's hands, kicking up a massive shockwave.
James's eyes went wide.
---
Three minutes earlier.
"Battle start!"
As the referee's flag dropped, Brawly quickly tossed his Poké Ball.
With the Reckless ability, Mienshao's High Jump Kick was already a lethal move with insane power and speed.
It darted forward with a flash of ghost-like white light, its sleeves billowing.
In the stands, Bruno nodded in approval at the impressive speed and coordination, "Smooth and well-coordinated. That's what sets Brawly apart from me."
The red-haired Lorelei, dressed in a black jacket, adjusted her glasses and smiled, "Keep watching."
The crowd held its breath.
This was brutal.
The match might be over in just one move!
As the two Pokémon rapidly closed the distance—Brawly's eyes flashed.
"Mienshao, High Jump Kick!"
"Mieen!" Mienshao let out a low cry as it leapt high, sleeves cutting through the air.
Teacher Lu's command rang out at just the right moment.
"Squirtle, Aura Sphere!"
A move once thought to be Lucario-exclusive—nearly unavoidable, Aura Sphere!
Brawly frowned.
This Squirtle knows Aura Sphere too? Still… in a damage trade, High Jump Kick clearly wins!
In that instant, Brawly narrowed his eyes and made his decision.
"Charge in! High Jump Kick!"
Squirtle raised its head calmly.
In that instant, Dark Pulse began to form around it, swirling into blackish steam.
Mienshao gathered all its strength into a single point, its body glowing white with power.
There's no way it can withstand this!
Brawly's expression twitched—but then he froze, 'What… was that? Murderous intent?'
His brows furrowed tightly.
He instinctively turned to look at Squirtle.
That near-tangible killing aura—only seasoned fighters could generate something like that, 'Was it Dark Pulse? Or Aura Sphere?'
For a moment, Brawly couldn't tell the difference.
All he could feel was—Sending Mienshao into this was a mistake.
High Jump Kick surged in with the wind, and Squirtle gathered dark red energy into its palms.
Lu Ye's brow jumped.
Wait… Aura Sphere can evolve?!
In the audience—
Korrina blinked, "Isn't Aura Sphere supposed to be blue? Can it be white too?"
"Aura is a force that can blend with all kinds of energies, forming unique variations of Aura-based moves—" Gurkinn, as an Aura Guardian, looked grim, "Every fighter interprets aura in their own way… And that… is aura fueled by killing intent!"
Brawly's pupils shrank.
As the whispers around him faded, his long hair whipped from the sheer force of the approaching strike.
Squirtle punched.
A violent dark red energy beam roared through the arena like a tide rising from the ground.
First it compressed, then exploded in a flash.
BOOM!!
In an instant, Mienshao was swallowed by the wave of raging, dark red light—the arena rocked with a deafening rumble!