Boom! Boom! Boom!
It sounded like countless heavy blows landing in rapid succession.
The Frenzy Plant attack, carrying overwhelming force, slammed directly into Garchomp.
A massive cloud of dust exploded into the air, blocking everyone's view.
The battlefield trembled, and the ground where Garchomp stood caved in by half a meter!
The surrounding trainers were completely dumbfounded.
An attack of this magnitude—could even the Champion's Garchomp withstand such devastation?
A slow grin spread across Paul's face, an expression of victory.
This was what he had planned all along.
Who said Champions were unbeatable?
Paul firmly believed that the only gap between him and a Champion was the level of their Pokémon.
And now, hadn't he succeeded?
Paul refused to believe that after enduring the relentless onslaught of Frenzy Plant, Garchomp could still stand.
But was that truly the case?
There were only two people present who remained unfazed—Cynthia and Ash.
The difference between an ordinary Pokémon and one belonging to a Champion… was something most trainers couldn't even begin to comprehend.
As the dust settled, all eyes locked onto Garchomp.
Its two powerful fins had shielded its head and torso completely, forming an impenetrable barrier.
Frenzy Plant's crushing force had rained down from above—yet not a single thorn had broken through the defense.
And from behind those fins, Garchomp's sharp dragon eyes stared straight at Paul.
"Gaaaah-roooh!"
It had withstood Frenzy Plant effortlessly.
Cynthia's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Use Brick Break."
Her voice was calm.
She had accepted Paul's challenge out of curiosity—because he seemed to have some history with Ash.
She knew exactly what Paul had been planning.
But even so, she had deliberately let Garchomp use Giga Impact against Murkrow, as Paul had hoped.
Not that it mattered.
"What!?"
Paul's face darkened instantly.
His plan had failed!
Garchomp launched into the air, its fins gleaming with pure white energy, absorbing the sunlight above.
In Torterra's eyes, it saw a single devastating strike descending from the heavens.
The next moment, that strike landed directly on its head.
"Tooor... terra…"
Torterra let out a weak cry—before it was sent hurtling through the air.
Its body crashed to the ground before it even had the chance to land properly, its eyes turning glassy and unfocused.
It had lost the battle.
Paul stared in stunned silence, finally understanding something.
The gap between himself and a Champion... was still far too vast.
With a self-mocking smirk, he retrieved Torterra.
As always, he said nothing to his Pokémon—not even a word of encouragement.
But he did bow slightly to Cynthia, showing her respect.
Cynthia returned Garchomp to its Poké Ball.
"You did well, Garchomp. Get some rest."
Paul took a deep breath.
"Thank you for the battle. I will challenge you again once I've grown stronger."
With that, he turned and left.
That Chimchar of his—it had failed him too many times.
Since he couldn't bring out its true power, he was done wasting his time on it.
He had already made up his mind.
As soon as he left this place, he would release Chimchar.
It wasn't worth his effort anymore.
"Hah, of course he lost. Who does he think he is, challenging Cynthia?"
"He probably just wanted attention. Well, now he's famous—for getting humiliated, haha!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
As spectators, they had no stakes in the battle.
Paul, used to such meaningless noise, ignored them completely.
But then, a voice spoke up.
"Losing a battle isn't just the fault of the Pokémon, nor just the fault of the trainer."
Ash's voice rang out, loud and clear.
"Taking care of an injured Pokémon after a fight is the responsibility of every trainer. Paul, even a child knows that."
Paul's steps halted.
Slowly, he turned back, locking eyes with Ash.
Ash stood next to Cynthia, unfazed.
Then, he addressed the crowd.
"Losing isn't shameful, as long as you learn from it."
"Facing an opponent you know is stronger than you—that takes courage. Is that really something to laugh at?"
His words carried weight.
His presence…
The sheer confidence and authority in his stance made the surrounding trainers instinctively lower their heads.
That aura—
They had only ever felt something like this from Elite Four members… and Champions.
Paul clenched his fists but said nothing.
In the end, he turned away again—this time, heading toward the Pokémon Center.
However, when he arrived, Nurse Joy looked apologetic.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "We already have a group of Pokémon in critical condition that need urgent treatment."
Paul frowned but remained silent.
At that moment, Cynthia stepped forward.
"If you don't mind, I can help treat them," she offered. "As long as I have access to the Pokémon Center's medicine."
Ash watched as Cynthia gently applied a healing spray to Torterra's wounds.
Dawn and Anabel had arrived too.
Taking the chance, Ash introduced them to Cynthia.
The three of them quickly got acquainted.
"Miss Cynthia, you seem to know so much!" Dawn said in awe. "But why are you treating Torterra's whole body? The Brick Break attack only hit its head."
Cynthia smiled softly.
"Brick Break causes a fever-like effect throughout the entire body, not just where it lands."
"So even though the attack struck its head, the rest of its body needs attention too."
Ash gazed at Cynthia's profile.
The golden curls of her long hair…
That quiet, almost unshakable elegance…
And the way she treated Pokémon with such kindness.
She really is incredible.
Cynthia looked at him.
"You were right, Ash."
"Lucian wasn't exaggerating. In this year's Lily of the Valley Conference, you may be the one with the greatest chance of winning the championship."
Then, her gaze shifted.
She looked at Paul.
Or rather, at Chimchar.
"Paul… This Chimchar of yours," she said gently, "you must have caught it after returning to Sinnoh, yes?"
She crouched down.
Chimchar was trembling—badly injured, but it refused to show weakness.
Cynthia reached out, offering a small pill.
"It's been trying so hard."
Her voice was warm.
"Here. Be good and take this medicine."
Chimchar hesitated… then obediently opened its mouth.
It swallowed the medicine, then curled up and fell into a deep sleep.
The flame on its tail flickered… before going out entirely.
It would reignite when it woke up again.
(PS: No more waiting—time for Chimchar to finally go to Ash! Next chapter incoming!)
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T/N:
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