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In an instant, flames engulfed Blaziken's entire body, making it look like a blazing fireball no, more like a meteor about to crash into the earth!
Even Blaziken itself could barely endure the intense heat searing its body. It let out a short cough, exhaling a wave of scorching air. Then, with sharp, determined eyes, it charged straight toward Gardevoir.
All the remaining ice, snow, and damp soil around the battlefield instantly dried up.
This was Blaziken's final, all-out attack. Though it came with tremendous strain on its body, if it managed to hit and trigger a burn effect, then defeating Gardevoir would go from "impossible" to "possible."
Not only Blaziken but even Harrison pinned all his hopes on this last strike.
As the distance between them grew shorter and shorter, his heart pounded so hard that he couldn't even watch anymore he closed his eyes tightly and whispered to himself:
Please… let it hit…!
On the other side, Gardevoir's Teleport had cooled down and was ready again. She could have dodged at any moment.
But out of respect for Harrison, Kai didn't do that.
Since the result is already decided, he thought calmly, let's make the process a little more brilliant.
With a thought, Gardevoir raised her arms and unleashed Psychic to push Blaziken back.
But Blaziken, burning with desperate determination, clenched its teeth and forced its way forward through the invisible pressure.
It was staggering, its consciousness blurred, but the sheer ferocity in its heart was holding it up.
Kai shook his head slightly. "What a stubborn opponent…" he muttered, calm and composed.
At that moment, Gardevoir's eyes flashed brilliantly.
The power inside her surged to the limit a bright beam burst from her palms.
It was the Fairy-type move: Dazzling Gleam.
Even though it was daytime and light was less noticeable, this radiance was blindingly bright, like a miniature sun.
Blaziken's vision went white.
Under the light's burning intensity, it felt as if its body was melting. Every step and every breath was pure agony.
Worst of all it couldn't see. Its sense of direction was completely gone.
'It's over…' Kai sighed inwardly.
In the blink of an eye, Gardevoir teleported behind Blaziken and hit it square in the back with another Psychic blast.
This time, Blaziken couldn't hold on anymore.
Its body was thrown forward, and its consciousness completely faded before it even hit the ground.
---
"Blaziken is down!!"
The host's voice shot up several octaves. In the trainer's corner, Harrison snapped his eyes open and looked up, just in time to see Blaziken lying unconscious on the ground, while Gardevoir stood tall behind it, lowering her arms gracefully.
Even though he hadn't seen exactly how Gardevoir dodged or attacked, the scene before him told him everything.
"…Sigh."
He had still lost.
Even at the very end, Blaziken hadn't managed to touch Gardevoir.
---
"A crushing, overwhelming victory!" the commentator said with emotion. "Let's congratulate Kai for advancing to the finals! His opponent will be determined in this afternoon's match!"
Harrison recalled Blaziken, then walked up to Kai and shook his hand.
Looking at the handsome young man a few years younger than himself, Harrison sincerely said,
"You're incredible. I wasn't your match at all. After battling you… I realize we're on completely different levels."
Kai smiled warmly. "It's not as bad as you're making it sound. My Pokémon have just gone through some experiences that most don't. They've been forged in battle and they've earned their strength."
In truth, Harrison's strength was actually a bit higher than Ash's.
The difference was in their styles:
Ash's Pikachu and Charizard were in a league of their own, but his other Pokémon lagged behind.
Harrison's Blaziken was his ace, but the rest of his team was also solid and well-balanced.
Against Ash, Kai had to work harder.
Against Harrison, he could dominate.
Why? Because Kai's entire team was simply stronger across the board.
And when Kai had lost to Ash earlier in the tournament, it was only because he hadn't sent out his strongest Pokémon, instead using Dragonite and Scizor, both still growing.
If he'd used Gardevoir or Jolteon, Ash would have had no chance at all.
But every loss brings something in return.
Kai believed that after this tournament, Dragonite and Scizor would become stronger and one day, they would stand alongside his ace team.
---
After the short post-match handshake and a quick photo for the press, Kai and Harrison went their separate ways to their rest areas.
As soon as Kai entered his room, he saw Ash, Misty, Brock, and Erika already there.
"When did you guys get here?" Kai asked, surprised. From the stands to the rest area wasn't a short distance yet they'd beaten him there.
"Of course, we ran all the way!" Misty grinned brightly. "Congratulations on making it to the finals, Kai!"
"Hehehe!" Ash laughed too, though his grin wasn't as charming just simple and goofy. "Dinner, dinner! I can't wait for the victory feast!!"
Ash already knew the pattern: every time Kai won, he treated everyone to a big meal.
Looking at Ash's eager face, Kai couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, alright. Let's eat until we can't move!"
---
They went to a nearby restaurant and ordered a table full of food.
Kai wasn't too hungry himself, so he chatted with Erika, Misty, and Brock while watching the afternoon match on the wall-mounted TV.
Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu were already wolfing down their meals like there was no tomorrow.
Because it was after the lunch rush, the restaurant was relatively quiet.
The screen showed the other semifinal match Dusher vs. a trainer named Yamashita.
Brock looked at Dusher's confident smile and said, "Unless something crazy happens, Dusher should win this."
Misty nodded. "Yeah. Just like we predicted, the final should be between him and Kai. But hmph, I bet he's smiling now because he doesn't know what's coming. He's no match for Kai!"
Kai flicked Misty's forehead lightly, making her stick out her tongue. "Hey, don't go raising flags like that. If I lose after all that talk, it'll be embarrassing."
Misty just grinned. "Hehe, I believe in you!"
---
The afternoon match began.
Dusher sent out Exeggutor, clearly planning to make use of the grassy terrain.
Yamashita responded with Magcargo.
Since Dusher had dominated his bracket, everyone expected him to cruise to victory.
But the battle shocked the crowd.
Although Exeggutor initially put pressure on Magcargo with Grass and Psychic moves, fire trumped grass. Once Magcargo counterattacked, the tide turned fast, burning Exeggutor down and knocking it out!
Yamashita took the lead, 1–0.
The announcer laughed lightly. "Looks like Dusher underestimated his opponent a bit. But with his strength, he'll probably recover quickly."
But the shock didn't end there.
In the second round, Dusher used Ampharos, while Yamashita kept Magcargo in.
Despite Dusher's aggression, Magcargo used the grassy battlefield itself as fuel, unleashing a massive blaze that engulfed the entire field.
The flames surrounded Ampharos, and its screams echoed through the stadium.
Dusher tried to recall it, but the fire blocked the Poké Ball's beam.
When the blaze died down, Ampharos lay scorched black on the ground, barely clinging to life.
It was rushed away on a stretcher for emergency treatment.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
The match resumed, but Dusher finally realized his mistake Yamashita wasn't weak.
Every semifinalist was dangerous.
With no more arrogance, Dusher sent out his strongest lineup, clawing his way back and ultimately barely securing victory.
And so —
Kai and Dusher officially advanced to the finals.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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