"I was wondering how long you could hold out. What's wrong? You're already exhausted? There are still a few rounds left, you know."
Ash's tone was calm, almost casual. "If you want to die, it depends on whether I have time to deal with you. I'll let you experience that same fear you once inflicted on others — that same helplessness."
Watching Ito's labored breathing and trembling form, Ash leaned lazily against the railing, cigarette between his fingers, his expression completely unchanged. He exhaled slowly, smoke curling into the air. To him, the battle's outcome was already decided.
"Iron Defense," he commanded.
The steel titan before him — Aggron — glowed faintly, its armor gleaming as its defenses rose sharply. The move had no attack power, but its effect was immediate — Aggron's hide now looked unbreakable, capable of matching even the mighty Venusaur's power.
"Honestly, how many times have I told him not to smoke?" Cynthia muttered from the audience with an exasperated sigh.
"Even if it doesn't hurt his body, it's still a terrible habit."
Despite her words, a faint smile tugged at her lips as she watched Ash dominate the battle. Every confident command, every effortless movement — it filled her with pride.
After all, this man was her fiancé. Though they hadn't yet taken that final step together, her heart already belonged to him completely.
"Venusaur, Magical Leaf!"
At Ash's command, countless glowing leaves spun into the air around Venusaur, each one shimmering with an emerald light before streaking toward Aggron with pinpoint accuracy.
"Aggron, dodge it!" Ito shouted frantically.
His command drew a few chuckles from the crowd. Everyone knew that Magical Leaf never missed. It was a sure-hit move — the only way to defend was to block it head-on or counter with another technique.
"Wham! Wham! Wham!"
Each leaf struck like a bullet.
"ROAAAR!"
Aggron roared in pain, staggering backward a few feet. Despite its immense weight and defense, the damage was significant. If not for its sheer durability, Venusaur's attack would have sent it flying clear across the battlefield.
Ash tilted his head slightly.
"You might want to go back and study your move lists, Ito. You don't even understand what a sure-hit skill does? That's pathetic — especially for a so-called trainer from Sinnoh."
"Pfft—"
"Ahahaha!"
The audience burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the arena.
Ito's face turned red, then green, his jaw clenching in humiliation. In the VIP gallery, Sawakoshi Ito, his older relative, looked mortified, unable to meet the eyes of the other distinguished guests.
Ash sighed softly. "Let's end this."
"Venusaur, finish it!"
Vines erupted from the trees surrounding the battlefield, coiling around Aggron before the Steel-type could react. They bound it tight, immobilizing its massive frame with overwhelming force.
"W-What?! Vine Whip?!" Ito gasped, panic flooding his voice. "Break free, Aggron!"
But the vines didn't budge. Every attempt to move only tightened the hold further. It was as if the entire battlefield itself had come alive under Venusaur's control.
Before Ito could call another command, one of the vines hardened and formed a sharp, root-like blade that pressed against Aggron's neck — close enough for the audience to gasp.
"W-Wait! Stop!" Ito cried out, panic replacing defiance.
"Too late."
There was a sharp snap as the vine's tip grazed Aggron's armor — a warning strike that left a thin, clean mark on the steel. The message was clear: Ash could have gone further if he wished.
The referee's whistle cut through the silence. "Aggron is unable to battle! The winner is — Ash Ketchum!"
For a moment, the arena was silent. Then, the cheers erupted — deafening, unstoppable.
Cynthia rose from her seat, her golden eyes fixed on Ash.
He stood calmly amid the noise, smoke still curling from his cigarette, eyes half-lidded and distant.
To him, this wasn't a victory.
It was simply the natural conclusion — the only one that ever could have been.
"Stop! Wait—!" Ito's voice cracked in panic, but it was already too late.
Under Ash's command, the sharpened roots struck with lethal precision — piercing through Aggron's neck. The steel behemoth's roar was cut short as its massive body went limp, collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud that shook the arena floor. It died instantly — without pain, without resistance.
For a long moment, silence blanketed the stadium.
"Aggron is unable to battle," the referee finally announced, his voice trembling.
"Venusaur wins! Challenger Ito, please send out your next Pokémon."
Everyone present knew the truth — that there would be no "next Pokémon." Aggron wasn't just defeated; it was dead.
But no one dared speak against it.
Those familiar with the Ito family's dark reputation understood that this was justice. Pokémon that served under such masters were often mistreated and trained through cruelty. To many in the audience, Aggron's death was not tragedy — it was karma.
Even the narrator's voice over the broadcast sounded reverent:
"Ash Ketchum's Venusaur is truly incredible. Two wins in a row — and without taking serious damage. Its power and precision are astounding. The way its attacks pierce even the toughest defenses is nothing short of terrifying."
"Impressive! As expected of Kanto's youngest Champion!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"Master Ash! Show them no mercy — crush them!" another voice roared, and soon, thunderous cheers filled the stadium once more.
But among the applause, in the VIP gallery, Sawakoshi Ito and his sons sat frozen. Their faces were twisted in anger and humiliation.
Sawakoshi Ito clenched his fists, his knuckles white. He had just received grim news from the spies planted within the other Sinnoh factions — the whispers said that rival clans were already circling, eyeing the patriarch's position.
"If this continues," he muttered under his breath, "we'll lose everything… the Ito family will collapse."
Unable to sit still, he rose abruptly and stormed toward the exit of the reception hall — only to find his path blocked.
Standing before him were several of Kanto's most powerful elders — Skye Draconis, Professor Oak, and a few other renowned heads of major families.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ito growled, face darkening.
Skye Draconis didn't flinch.
"Don't play dumb. We all know what you intend to do. Sit down quietly, Ito. If you try to interfere in the match, we won't hesitate to stop you."
His words were calm but carried unmistakable weight.
"You'd best remember — none of us here are fools," added Agatha, her voice icy and cutting. Years of working with Ghost-type Pokémon had given her an aura that made the air grow cold.
"Step one foot outside this hall, and you'll regret it."
Ito froze in place. The chill in Agatha's tone made his blood run cold.
Across the room, Kazuo Sawada and Masao Yoto exchanged knowing looks and faint smiles. The message was clear: no one would help the Ito family now.
Even Professor Oak, seated beside them, simply watched silently, his expression calm — neutral, yet distant.
After all, when justice finally comes for those who've long escaped it, who would stand in its way?
...
TN:
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