Misty felt a little dizzy.
As she racked her brain for details about this "Ai Xia" guy, the Cerulean City mermaid finally remembered just who this filthy opponent was—a rookie streamer on Bilibili who'd been broadcasting Pokémon battles. Though he hadn't been at it for long, his ridiculously adaptable tactics and battle skills had rocketed him straight to Master Ball Tier, climbing the ranks like some kinda cheat code.
During her free time, Misty had checked out a few of Ai Xia's videos on a friend's recommendation. So she had some impression of him—a pretty-boy prodigy, young but no pushover, with skills to match his looks.
'So this is the guy…'
Realizing his identity, a good chunk of her frustration melted away.
After all, this guy's battle prowess was so far beyond normal that even her friend—Kanto's Champion, the "Fighting Spirit" himself, Red—had praised him to high heaven. Losing to him? Totally understandable.
'Ugh, another battle maniac who doesn't know how to go easy on a cute girl. No wonder that blockhead Red's obsessed with his streams.'
Pouting at Ai Xia's steel-plated denseness, Misty couldn't help but think of that very friend.
Yep. The one who'd recommended Ai Xia's videos? Red.
And just who was Red?
Born in Pallet Town, Kanto's cradle of prodigies, he'd caught the eye of the Pokémon research legend, Professor Oak, and became a trainer at just ten. With battle instincts bordering on supernatural, he'd crushed Team Rocket's boss in an underdog victory, toppled the evil organization, and swept the Indigo Conference. Now, he reigned as Kanto's undefeated Champion, perched atop the howling blizzards of Mt. Silver, waiting for worthy challengers…
His legend had left even veteran trainers in awe, with many calling him the strongest man alive.
So if even he gushed about Ai Xia's "brilliant tactics," it was no surprise the big shots in their circle had taken notice.
Which meant…
'Wait. If I got wiped on his live stream… everyone saw it?!'
The realization hit like a truck. Misty's face twisted in agony.
It wasn't that she couldn't handle losing. As a Gym Leader testing trainers for the League, she had thick skin and a healthy perspective on wins and losses.
But… online battles weren't Gym challenges.
When climbing ranks, even Champions, Elite Four, and Gym Leaders went all out—no holding back.
And that was the root of Misty's despair.
If word got out she'd been put to sleep the entire match by some kid, her Gym Leader career might as well be over.
She knew most friends wouldn't care, but Red? That guy was glued to Ai Xia's channel, binge-watching every stream and video. No way he'd missed her humiliation.
Meaning… the whole world would know soon.
GG.
'Huh?'
As despair loomed, her phone lit up—a message from "Red."
--+--
Kanto Region, Pallet Town
"Misty lost too?"
Back home, Red had been watching Ai Xia's stream, catching Misty's brutal defeat under the boy's sleep-inducing tactics. A smirk tugged at his lips.
After firing off a quick "This streamer's crazy strong, losing's no shame" text to Misty, he glanced at the girl beside him.
"Eh? Even Misty couldn't beat him?"
Feeling his gaze, the blonde in the straw hat flushed slightly, pretending to calmly comment on the stream.
Her name was Yellow.
"Yeah."
Red's eyes gleamed with rare enthusiasm as he elaborated.
"His theorycrafting outclasses most veteran trainers. Even average Gym Leaders can't match his grasp of Pokémon, moves, abilities, and item synergy."
Watching Ai Xia dominate with a Butterfree-centric team, Red's usual stoicism cracked, a fiery spark in his eyes.
"Even a 'weak' Pokémon like Butterfree becomes a core in his hands, pulling weight no one can ignore. It's no surprise he outplays Misty."
He paused.
"Honestly? Most trainers we know would struggle against him."
As a long-time viewer, Red knew Ai Xia's style well—unpredictable, unconventional, brilliant.
No two streams played the same. Yet every tactic was executed with flawless precision—perfect moves, perfectly timed items, every Pokémon fulfilling its role like clockwork.
Even Red was impressed.
"His Butterfree strategies are insane."
"Unless he's a Butterfree specialist IRL, there's no way he's this good at squeezing out every last drop of potential otherwise."
Casual fans saw flashy plays. Experts saw the craft.
Red and Yellow, both elite trainers, recognized the depth behind Ai Xia's "simple" sleep spam—the sheer mastery of Pokémon and battle IQ required.
Naturally, they assumed he was a seasoned trainer IRL, his online prowess just the tip of the iceberg.
"You should study his Butterfree plays. It's not a frontline fighter—maximizing its support role works way better."
Red grinned at Yellow, knowing she had a decent Butterfree herself. If she adopted Ai Xia's tactics? Instant upgrade.
"O-oh! Right!"
Yellow nodded, cheeks pink, though whether from his advice or other thoughts was anyone's guess.
Oblivious, Red's focus snapped back to the stream, where Ai Xia—grinning like a madman—spammed Sleep Powder yet again, reducing another opponent to a grinning wreck.
Red mentally gauged the boy's strength.
'Raw skill's above Misty's. With his tactics? Some Elite Four might fall.'
Unbeknownst to Misty, she'd just become Red's measuring stick for Ai Xia.
'I need to battle him.'
Eyes locked on the screen, Red's lips curled into a hungry smile.
--+--