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Sneasel may have been barely three feet tall, but it was lightning fast. Darting around with sharp turns and sudden leaps, it slipped past Dragonite's Fire Punch and raked its claws across the dragon's side, leaving a deep mark.
Before it could press the advantage, a flash of brown fur cut across its vision. Eevee.
The little Pokémon wasn't nearly as strong as Dragonite, but it had a knack for being everywhere at once, always leaping into Sneasel's path at the worst possible moment.
No matter how many times Sneasel tried to shake it, Eevee came right back, endlessly determined, disrupting its rhythm at every turn.
Annoyed, Sneasel spared a glance at its underlings Machop and Machoke. But what it saw made its eyes narrow. Despite their Fighting-type advantage, they were being overwhelmed by Tyranitar and Scizor.
The sheer difference in raw strength was crushing, and even type matchups couldn't bridge the gap.
Realizing it couldn't win head-on, Sneasel hissed, unleashing a burst of speed to push back Dragonite and Eevee.
Then it darted to its lackeys, barking sharp orders. With a final glare at Kai, it turned and bolted into the forest, Machop and Machoke scrambling after it.
"It ran?!" The young monk blinked in surprise. "It's really gone? After all this time… Sneasel's finally been driven off?"
But Kai shook his head. "Don't get too excited. That wasn't surrender it just retreated. If we don't settle this properly, it'll be back."
The monk's face fell, then turned hopeful again. "Then… could you help us finish this? Drive it away for good?"
Compared to the trainers who had tried and failed before, Kai's Pokémon clearly had the strength to succeed.
Kai hesitated, arms crossed. He had noticed something.
Sneasel wasn't a senseless menace it hadn't gone down the mountain to attack people. It only fought when others approached the shrine.
That meant it wasn't evil. Just territorial. Maybe abandoned by its pack, it had claimed the temple as its own home.
Forcing it out would only make it wander aimlessly, searching for a new place. But leaving it unchecked meant the Sacred Flame would remain out of reach.
When Kai explained his thoughts, the monk grew silent, finally sighing.
"You're right… I've been thinking too simply. It isn't just an intruder it's a Pokémon looking for a home. No wonder it clings to this place."
Erika's brow furrowed as she thought it through. "Then why not talk to it? If it really wants to stay, maybe you can reach an agreement. As long as it doesn't interfere with the Sacred Flame, it could stay here peacefully."
The monk wavered. "But… you saw it. It doesn't want to talk."
Kai smirked. "Then we'll battle until it does."
With that, he recalled his team and strode toward the forest, Erika at his side. His Pokémon marched behind, ready for round two.
The woods of Mt. Silver were dense, towering trees crowding every path. For an unfamiliar traveler, it was a maze.
But Sneasel and its allies hadn't been gone long, and Kai could easily follow the trail of fresh tracks. Machoke's heavy steps in particular left deep prints in the soft earth.
After only a short trek, Kai spotted them. Sneasel, Machop, and Machoke were resting under a tree, catching their breath. When they noticed Kai approaching, they jumped to their feet, bristling and ready.
Kai raised a hand calmly. "Wait we're not here to fight. We just want to talk about your territory."
But Sneasel wasn't listening. It growled low, signaling its partners. Together, they charged.
Kai exhaled sharply. "Figures. Alright then. If that's how you want it…"
He flung out his Poké Balls. "Dragonite, Eevee take Machop and Machoke! Tyranitar, Scizor you're on Sneasel!"
This time the matchups were different, and it showed. Without type disadvantages holding them back, Kai's Pokémon fought at full power.
Dragonite surged forward with renewed vigor, supported by Eevee's clever diversions, overwhelming Machop and Machoke.
Sneasel, meanwhile, found itself in serious trouble. Scizor's blinding speed and Tyranitar's crushing strength left it scrambling just to dodge.
Each shockwave from Tyranitar's heavy steps shook the ground, making escape harder and harder.
Before long, Sneasel was panting, its movements slowing. When it glanced over, its underlings had already fallen to Dragonite and Eevee's relentless teamwork.
Panic flashed in its eyes. In that instant of distraction, Scizor struck its massive claw snapping around Sneasel's neck and slamming it against a tree trunk.
Kai stepped forward as the dust settled, eyes locked on the trapped Sneasel.
"Still want to act tough?"
Sneasel turned its head away with a defiant huff.
Kai only smiled faintly. "Thought so. But whether you admit it or not, this is over."
With Scizor holding their opponent tight, Kai motioned for the team to move out. Together, they began the walk back toward the shrine Sneasel unwillingly in tow.
As for Machop and Machoke, Kai left them behind. Without their boss, they weren't worth worrying about.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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