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Flygon tumbled across the ground, rolling several times before skidding to a stop right at Sunny's feet, wings sprawled and body caked with mud.
On the other side of the battlefield, Dragonite stood tall, chest heaving from exertion.
After both Pokémon had endured the grueling mud-soaked storm and exchanged a furious round of blows, Dragonite's Waterfall Tail had finally struck true, ending the battle.
For Kai, the match had been tough, but not perilous. His strategy to break the sandstorm had tilted the fight heavily in his favor.
Sunny sighed softly and recalled her Flygon, a wry smile tugging at her lips as she and her brothers skirted the mud to meet Kai.
"You're incredible… We really weren't a match for you at all."
Her honesty stood in stark contrast to her younger brothers, who still scowled at Kai, clearly brimming with frustration.
Kai, however, just laughed it off. "Your Flygon was strong. Honestly, if I hadn't countered the sandstorm, it might've been my Dragonite lying in the dirt right now."
Whether it was modesty or not, Sunny couldn't tell, but the words eased her disappointment.
From her pocket, she produced a polished badge and held it out. "Take it. The Inspire Badge, proof of your victory."
Her brothers, though reluctant, followed suit.
"This is my Slumber Badge," muttered the elder.
"And this is my Joy Badge," added the younger, frowning.
The three badges were almost identical in design, differing only in their color schemes just like the ones Kai had collected from their other siblings.
Without fuss, Kai accepted them all. With this, he had completed the entire set of the Seven Brothers' badges. "Thanks. I'll take good care of these."
Sunny nodded and, still smiling, said, "Well, that's that. We should clean ourselves up… we look ridiculous."
Only now did Kai glance at them properly. The three siblings were absolutely covered in muck from the storm, while he, himself, thanks to Gardevoir's protective screen, was perfectly clean. The contrast was striking.
As they departed, Erika stepped to Kai's side.
These seven are pretty famous trainers in Johto. How does it feel to have beaten them all?"
Kai shook his head, amused. "Honestly? I don't feel much. But at least now I won't have to worry about them trying to challenge me again."
Together, the two left the battlefield behind and made their way to Goldenrod's bustling harbor. There, they purchased ferry tickets bound for Alto Mare the Water Capital.
Famed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Alto Mare was accessible from ports across the globe. From Goldenrod, a metropolis of trade, ferries departed for the city multiple times a day.
---
On the deck of their ferry, Erika sat comfortably, reading aloud from a travel guide.
"Long ago, on a small island called Alto Mare, an elderly couple discovered two injured children washed ashore. They cared for the siblings until they healed. But one day, the island was attacked by a great and terrible monster. Just as hope seemed lost, the two children transformed revealing themselves to be the Legendary Pokémon, Latios and Latias.
"They summoned their kin and brought forth the Jewel of the Soul Dew, a shining gem said to hold the power to repel darkness. With its light, they banished the evil force, restoring peace to Alto Mare. From that day forward, Latios and Latias were said to dwell there, guardians of the city."
Closing the guidebook, Erika smiled.
Kai lay reclined in a deck chair beside her, sunglasses hiding his eyes. A cocktail rested in his hand, and he idly plucked the cherry garnish into his mouth.
Behind the lenses, however, his gaze lingered on Erika.
She was a natural storyteller her tone rose and fell with the rhythm of the legend, her voice gentle and melodic.
Kai found himself thinking, If she ever had children, she'd read them bedtime stories like this every night… she'd be the perfect mother.
Before he could speak, a familiar voice called out nearby. "That was a wonderful story, Erika, but surely it's just a fairy tale, right?"
Both turned their heads, surprised to see Ash, Misty, and Brock approaching.
Kai smirked and pushed up his sunglasses. "You three again? Actually, it's no fairy tale. The Soul Dew, Latios, Latias… they're real. Still in Alto Mare to this day. Who knows maybe we'll see them ourselves."
Ash grinned and held up a flyer. "That's why we're going! We're entering the annual Water Pokémon Race! What about you two?"
"Not this time," Kai replied. "We're just there for a vacation. But… a water race? That does sound fun."
Taking the flyer, he skimmed it. Competitors would ride boats pulled by their own Water-type Pokémon, racing through Alto Mare's winding canals. First to finish would win a valuable prize.
Ash's eyes gleamed. "Then you've gotta join us, Kai! You're unbeatable in battle, sure, but this is a race I'll win for sure this time!"
Misty rolled her eyes. "You? Please. If anyone has the edge in a water race, it's me, a Water-type specialist. Still…" She giggled, sneaking a glance at Kai. "If he competes, there's no question first place will be his."
Brock only sighed in defeat. Hopeless. Misty's already a lost cause, completely smitten. No one's allowed to badmouth Kai in her presence anymore.
And so, their journey to Alto Mare continued toward legends, races, and perhaps, an encounter with the guardians of the sea themselves.
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