"Use Close Combat!"
Grey's words fell.
Hitmonchan didn't explode into its usual blur. Instead, it drove forward with a sharp, domineering momentum straight at Wartortle!
It planted a step; shockwaves rippled out from the sole like rings on water, a surge of force spreading wide. When it met that massive Water Pulse, it stalled it for a beat!
Thud, thud, thud!
Hitmonchan's steps stayed firm—each one pressed solidly into the floor. Fighting energy condensed into substance, a solemn pressure cloaking its whole body as it charged ahead!
Even with a Water Pulse of that size dead ahead, Hitmonchan didn't flinch. The aura wrapped around it crashed into the move, its sheer force nearly compressing the sphere to its limit!
Vmmm vmmm vmmm…
The high-speed Water Pulse droned with a heavy hum. Its rapid advance bled away to a crawl—almost stuck in place!
"Chan!"
Hitmonchan lunged the last gap, turned its head, and drove a fist forward wreathed in a spiraling shockwave—like a steel drill punching into the sapphire sphere!
KR-BOOM!
Water Pulse blew apart on the spot, spray whipping out in sheets. Hitmonchan took another resolute step and slammed its prized fist into the gasping Wartortle!
"Wartor—!"
Wartortle couldn't evade. The blow landed square on its belly; a brutal impact detonated, blasting it clean across the field!
It only stopped "soaring free" when it crashed into the wall.
And with that, Wartortle was done—no longer able to battle.
"You did great, Wartortle. Thank you for your hard work."
Daisy jogged over and stroked Wartortle's smooth head, offering heartfelt thanks.
"Wartor…"
Wartortle forced its eyes open and squeezed out a little smile to keep Daisy from worrying, then its head tilted—and it passed out on the spot.
"Thank you. I'll get you treated."
Seeing it like this, Daisy's heart ached. She rubbed its head a few more times, then returned it to its ball.
[Wartortle was actually amazing. If it were me, I'd be done in a few moves.]
[Daisy worked hard too. Doing this much in such a short time—I'm impressed.]
[Looks like this year's gym bracket will be fun~ (sends Ultra Ball×6)]
"Thanks to 'Giovanni of the Earth' for the six Ultra Balls—much appreciated! This'll be my first gym bracket. Here's hoping for a good result."
Grey stared at Giovanni's golden message a moment longer. He was genuinely looking forward to the bracket.
The dojo was still in "rebuilt-from-scratch" mode. Everything took money.
Champ would be a dream; even a top-eight finish came with prize money big enough to make your fingers cramp from counting.
With that, he could expand the Fighting Dojo—onward and upward.
"Sabrina, would you mind taking Daisy and me to the Pokémon Center?"
Grey recalled Hitmonchan and asked softly.
"???"
Hearing how casually Grey phrased that, Daisy waved her hands before Sabrina could answer. "It's fine, the Center's close—I can run over."
"…"
Sabrina said nothing—and appeared between them an instant later.
Vast psychic power billowed out, draping them like a veil.
In a blink, Daisy felt the world spin.
When she came to, they were already inside the Pokémon Center.
"Thank you so much, Sabrina!"
Daisy thanked Sabrina again and again, handing Cloyster's and Wartortle's balls to Nurse Joy.
Grey handed over Poliwag and Hitmonchan as well. He bought three juices from the vending machine and tossed the other two their way.
"Thanks, Grey—you're a good guy."
Daisy swept her golden wavy hair back over her shoulder, popped the tab, and took big swigs of the icy drink.
"…Thanks."
Light sparked in Sabrina's eyes. A sheen of blue psychic power held her can aloft; a soft click, and it opened itself, drifting to her lips.
Compared to Daisy's hearty gulps, Sabrina drank slow—just a few delicate sips before she set it aside.
Then she fixed her gaze on Grey again.
Under that steady stare, Grey felt a touch awkward. He scratched his head and released Kirlia.
"Kirlu…" (So sleepy…)
Kirlia yawned the second it came out, little dark circles under its eyes.
It had only just evolved and was pushing itself to adapt to its power, staying up late most nights—sleep debt piling up.
Fortunately, meditation smoothed some of the fatigue—just enough to stay afloat.
"You've raised it well. Handing it to you was the right call."
Sabrina spoke more than usual. She guided Kirlia to hover in front of her and stroked its head with a gentle psychic touch.
"Kirlu~"
That soft power brushed over it; the weariness melted away, and Kirlia perked right up.
"Huh—Sabrina, did you entrust this Kirlia to Grey to raise?"
Daisy blinked. Sabrina's words surprised her.
On second thought, it fit.
Back when it was a Ralts, its close-quarters instincts outstripped its psychic control—a real outlier for the line.
"Mhm."
Sabrina nodded lightly, lifting Kirlia's hand and checking it over with psychic sense.
Grey walked up, ruffling Kirlia's green hair. "Since evolving, it's opened up a lot. Give it a little longer and it'll evolve into Gallade."
"Kirlu~" (Mm-hm~)
Under their hands, Kirlia's thoughts slowed and it drifted into a doze.
Soft breaths spread through the Center. Grey lifted his eyes to the skyline—the high-rises in the heart of Saffron City.
Silph Co. stood there. If Team Rocket wanted to seize Saffron fast, the city's economic lifeline—Silph Co.—would be the first giant they targeted.
Beep-beep~
All three phones chimed at once.
[Celadon Bellossom: @Cerulean Mermaid @Dojo Annihilape @Sabrina The Inspector's in Celadon! We were just watching the stream—now we're heading to Saffron!]
[Celadon Bellossom: She says since all three of you are in Saffron, she might as well inspect the dojo tomorrow or the day after.]
[Unova Retired Colonel: Wow, that fast? Shame I can't make it over—I'd love to see it live.]
[Celadon Bellossom: After all, aside from Viridian and Cinnabar Gyms, it's just them left.]
[Muno: looking forward~]
[Giovanni of the Earth: This Inspector… is quite interesting.]
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