Under Infernape's sudden assault, its flaming fist connected squarely with Pidgeot's side, forcing the great bird to cry out before quickly climbing back into the air.
There was no helping it—Pidgeot's Air Slash required continuous wingbeats at mid-range to maintain power and spread. That gave Kyle a perfect opening during the attack's downtime.
"Excellent," Kyle called out confidently. "Even though Fighting-types are weak to Flying-types, Infernape's flames and agility make up for that. Just keep your distance and wait for another chance to strike!"
Seeing Infernape land a solid blow, Kyle's confidence grew.
Ash, however, frowned slightly as he studied the field. "That reaction speed... Infernape's no amateur. Its battle sense is sharp—it's seen plenty of combat."
He exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing. "Alright, Pidgeot—use Quick Attack!"
"Pidgeot!"
The bird shot forward in a white blur, accelerating like lightning. Quick Attack was a linear burst of speed—faster than even Agility, though less flexible. One traded direction for raw power.
"Quick Attack? No way it's that simple," Kyle muttered under his breath.
"That kind of straight-line rush gives my Infernape plenty of time to react. There must be something else he's planning…"
Still, he wouldn't waste a chance. "Infernape—use Flare Blitz!"
"Infer!!"
At his command, Infernape's body ignited with roaring flames. As Pidgeot neared, the Fire-type pivoted sharply and launched itself upward, its burning kick aimed straight for Pidgeot's chest.
But Ash's eyes flashed. "Pidgeot—flap, then use Air Cutter!"
Pidgeot's wings snapped wide, instantly halting its forward rush. The sudden shift caused Infernape's flaming strike to miss by inches. Then, from its beak, Pidgeot unleashed a blast of compressed wind straight toward the ground in front of Infernape.
"Pidgeot!!!"
The air bullet struck the dirt with explosive force, sending up a cloud of sand and soil that rebounded right into Infernape's face.
"Infernape—!!" The Pokémon staggered, roaring as it tried to clear its eyes, momentarily blinded by the debris.
Kyle's eyes widened. "So that was his plan… He wanted me to use a close-range Fire-type attack so he could bait a counter like that!"
He clenched his fist in frustration. "That kid… He read me from the start!"
Observation Room
Samuel Oak: "That's Ash for you. His data-based battle analysis is no joke—he can predict an opponent's attack before it even happens."
Mugino: "Not just that—look at Pidgeot. Even while staying cautious of Infernape's fire techniques, Ash commands it with absolute confidence."
Masao Yoto: "It seems arranging the engagement between Cynthia and Ash wasn't a mistake after all. I can rest easier knowing the Uto family will be in good hands when he comes to the Sinnoh region."
Indeed, their decision hadn't been based solely on profit from the experimental Full Restore Capsule. While the partnership was lucrative, that wasn't the real reason the Uto family agreed to marry their champion, Cynthia, to Ash Ketchum.
Cynthia was Sinnoh's reigning Champion—a title not easily given away for convenience.
The truth was that Sinnoh's internal power structure had grown increasingly unstable. As mentioned before, Kanto remained the world's largest and most influential region; the others, by comparison, barely covered half its landmass.
And within that smaller territory, four major families constantly vied for dominance. Resources were limited, and tensions high.
To make matters worse, Makoto Ito's obsession with Cynthia had drawn the Ito family into direct conflict with the Yoto family—putting immense pressure on them politically.
The Ito family's ambitions ran deep.
They sought to leverage Cynthia's status as Sinnoh's Champion to further expand their influence across the region. Worse yet, they had uncovered certain dark secrets belonging to the Ikeda family—forcing the Ikedas to lend the Itos their full support.
As a result, the pressure on the Yoto family had only grown heavier.
Although the Yoto family held a powerful alliance with the Varenza family, that partnership alone was more of a deterrent than a safeguard.
After all, open conflict between the four great families would be ruinously costly for all sides.
Even within the Varenza family, whose members were famously pragmatic, not everyone agreed to involve themselves in a large-scale feud.
Some elders believed that even if they helped the Yoto family crush the Ito–Ikeda alliance, the price would be severe. Victory might come, but the losses would cripple them for years—perhaps decades.
The resources they might gain from conquering the Ito or Ikeda estates would hardly offset the exhaustion of such a war.
That was why Masao Yoto chose another path. He decided to marry Cynthia to Ash Ketchum.
If the union succeeded, then even should the Ito family rally the Ikedas against them, the Oak and Draconis families would never stand idly by.
After all, the Yoto family was Cynthia's maiden family.
If her home were attacked, it would reflect poorly on both Professor Oak and Lance Draconis, two figures of immense prestige. They would be compelled to act.
Moreover, thanks to their long-standing ties with Ash—particularly through his development of the revolutionary Cell Activation Serum—both families had been enjoying tremendous growth in resources and reputation.
Not to mention, Ash himself held numerous rare and powerful items.
Even if distant allies were slow to react, Ash could provide direct aid—perhaps through a Rare Candy or something similar to his potent Full Restore Capsule.
Once that happened, the Varenza family would have no choice but to join the defense.
With their backing, Masao Yoto's position as patriarch would remain unshaken.
The Battle Continues
"Not good," Kyle muttered tensely, watching the battlefield.
"This is a standard terrain—no water source anywhere. That dirt in Infernape's eyes won't come off easily. The more it rubs, the worse it'll get!"
Infernape roared in frustration, rubbing its eyes as the sand clung stubbornly to the moisture around them. Its vision blurred, movements growing erratic.
Across the field, Ash stood calm and composed.
Seeing Kyle's agitation, a faint smile curved his lips.
"What's the matter, Kyle?" Ash said lightly. "Running out of breath already?"
He wasn't mocking him outright—just observing with quiet confidence. The difference between their experience levels was clear. Kyle had skill, but Ash had fought countless battles, from Kanto to Sinnoh, and his calm was unshakable.
At that moment, it was obvious: the two weren't even playing in the same league.
...
TN:
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