The four trainers stepped onto a gravel clearing just off the roadside, each standing on opposite ends as they prepared for battle.
But before the match could begin, Kai couldn't hold back his curiosity. "How did you recognize me just now? Were you waiting here on purpose, or did you just happen to see me and realize who I was?"
Starla smiled slyly. "After you beat our older siblings—Stella and Stellan—they sent us your photo. And we did some digging too. Turns out you're the newest Indigo League Champion. It's just a coincidence that we ran into you here, but after watching some of your matches, it was easy to recognize you the moment we saw you."
So that's how it was.
Kai nodded slightly. They'd done their homework. These two definitely came prepared.
Sterling adjusted his glasses and added calmly, "Our sister also talked about you. Said you were no joke and warned us not to underestimate you. She also mentioned you usually travel with a cold and stunning woman with long black hair and an intense vibe. Said you'd be easy to spot."
As he said it, something seemed to dawn on him. He froze for a second.
Then he looked at Erika, noticed her short hair, and then looked down at the Hoppip bouncing happily beside her. His eyes widened. He rubbed them once, then again, as if making sure he wasn't seeing things.
"…Wait a sec. You switched girlfriends?!"
Kai's face darkened with a deadpan expression. Even Erika looked a bit embarrassed.
This was already the second time someone had mistaken their relationship. She instinctively touched her cheek. Do we really look that much like a couple?
"Ahem." Kai cleared his throat. "This is Erika. She's just my travel companion. That's all."
Sterling, however, narrowed his eyes and studied the two of them closely, clearly analyzing the implications of the word "companion."
Just a companion? Not a partner?
Given how the two had walked up side by side earlier, chatting and laughing with matching smiles, it wasn't hard to see why someone would misread the situation.
Thankfully, Starla rolled her eyes at her brother's thick-headedness and cleared her throat to shift the topic.
"Alright, let's focus. We need to agree on the rules for this match."
Kai let out a small sigh of relief. He'd really hoped Sterling wouldn't say anything that might upset Erika.
Before speaking, he glanced at their surroundings.
They were just outside the city limits, and there was no formal Pokémon battlefield here just an open patch of gravel, scattered with pebbles and wild grass. It would have to do.
"Well then," Kai said thoughtfully, "since it's the two of you, how about one battle each? One-on-one. Sudden death."
"Sounds fair," Starla nodded. "What about battle order?"
"No turns. We both send out our Pokémon at the same time."
That was the most common rule in wild battles—no switching, no advantage from going second. It was the fairest setup, especially against an opponent known for exploiting type matchups.
Erika stepped back a few paces, giving Kai room. She smiled and held up a tiny fist in encouragement.
Kai gave her a small grin in return, then turned his attention to the siblings. Starla stepped forward while Sterling stayed back, assuming the role of referee.
Kai's mind briefly flashed back to his battles on the Ice Path. He could still remember Stella's graceful Lilligant and Stellan's brutal Forretress. He wondered what this pair of siblings, number four and five, would throw at him.
Sterling raised one hand. "Both sides, release your Pokémon!"
In perfect sync, Kai and Starla each grabbed a Poké Ball and tossed it.
Twin flashes of light lit the gravel. On Kai's side stood his Larvitar, growling and pawing at the ground. On the other side—an entirely red, molten-looking Pokémon oozed forward like a slug.
Kai recognized it immediately as a pure Fire-type Pokémon, its body composed of bubbling magma, with glowing yellow eyes and flame-like antennae atop its head.
"Pokédex," he muttered, pointing it at the Pokémon.
> Slugma, the Lava Pokémon. Fire-type. Slugma's body is made entirely of magma. It never sleeps and constantly moves to keep itself from cooling and hardening. Slugma are usually found near volcanoes, where the ground temperature is high.
Kai raised an eyebrow. 'So its body can harden if it gets too cold? Interesting…'
He closed the Pokédex and nodded. A rare sight in Johto.
But in terms of matchups? It wasn't even close.
Larvitar, being both Ground- and Rock-type, had a significant advantage. Both of its STAB moves would deal double damage to Slugma. Meanwhile, Fire-type attacks would only deal half the damage in return.
Starla winced when she saw the matchup. Even when we send them out simultaneously… he still pulls this kind of counter!
Kai chuckled softly. "Want me to switch? I don't mind."
Starla's eyes flared with pride. "No need! Even if I'm at a disadvantage, I'll beat you anyway!"
Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!💎💎💎
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