Fuchsia Gym.
A massive tornado raged through the arena, as if threatening to swallow everything in its path!
Facing down the cyclone, Tyranitar's Mega Punch—under Koga's incredulous gaze—smashed forward. Instantly, the terrifying winds parted, blown open by a single devastating blow! And it didn't stop there; that same punch, overflowing with unstoppable power, shot straight at Venomoth!
BOOM!
Tyranitar's fist smashed into Venomoth. The Venomoth was sent flying like a cannonball, slamming into the ground and punching out a crater. The wind lost its master and dissipated almost immediately. Venomoth was left KO'd by that single blow.
The sudden reversal left everyone, except Silas, totally stunned.
Just seconds ago, Venomoth had controlled a fearsome attack, going all out against Tyranitar—and now, it was totally and utterly out of commission. The sheer power of this Tyranitar was on a whole different level.
A good ten seconds passed before the referee snapped out of his daze. Silas had to remind him: "Referee."
"Oh! Uh—yes!" The referee, jolted awake, quickly announced, "Round one goes to challenger Silas!"
With the result declared, Koga lifted a Poké Ball. "Return, Venomoth! Your turn—Scyther!"
Scyther!
A Scyther, one and a half times the size of most, leapt onto the field.
Unfazed by Tyranitar's size, it immediately flashed its blade-like arms and stood ready for battle!
"Scyther!" Koga barked his command without hesitation. "Fury Cutter—target Tyranitar!"
"Scyther!"
With a buzz, Scyther's diaphanous wings whirred furiously. It zipped in low toward Tyranitar, slashing again and again with razor-sharp blades.
"Clang! Clang! Clang—" Filling the air, blow after blow landed—and yet, watching coldly, Silas saw the same thing every time: no matter how hard Scyther struck, no matter how keen those blades, it couldn't even scratch Tyranitar's hide, let alone pierce his armor.
No way!
Is this Tyranitar even a Pokémon? Or some kind of monster?!
How the hell does anyone fight that?!
Watching helplessly as his Scyther failed to do any damage, even with Tyranitar not bothering to defend, Koga's heart sank. He watched, bitter and hopeless. Even when Silas and Tyranitar were obviously holding back, he and his Pokémon couldn't put a dent in that defense. Who wouldn't feel crushed?
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Silas spoke, voice icy: "Mega Punch."
"Tyranitar!"
It was like flipping a switch. Tyranitar, that living juggernaut, rumbled to life. His blood-red eyes gleamed, right fist surging with silver-white light.
"Dodge it!" Koga yelled, recognizing the flash that had just Instant KO'd Venomoth. "Scyther, get back, now!"
"Scyther!"
Scyther's wings snapped open, sending him rocketing backward with desperate speed!
But… Tyranitar's sheer size meant the range of his punch was enormous. Even as Scyther bolted, Tyranitar's fist swept out—
And this punch seemed to have a mind of its own: no matter where Scyther darted, it tracked him perfectly. If Scyther was even a hair too slow, it'd be over.
"Scyther!"
Feeling that crushing pressure closing in, Scyther shrieked and pushed himself even faster!
But it was hopeless—with every surge, that fist stayed right with him, never gaining, never losing ground.
"Cut it out!" Silas finally frowned.
"Understood."
Tyranitar's response was almost bored. He took one giant stride forward—
And his fist crashed right into Scyther!
"Scyther!"
BOOM!
Scyther shrieked, then followed Venomoth—slammed into the ground and left totally motionless.
Koga was absolutely floored.
An Instant KO—and then another Instant KO. Both times, his Pokémon were knocked out by the same move. How could anyone process that?
He stared at Silas now with a different look—the look you give a monster in human skin. Silas was only ten, impossibly young, and already possessed this incomprehensible strength. Koga couldn't help but wonder: in twenty or thirty more years, who in the world could possibly stand up to this freak of nature?
While Koga was still shell-shocked, the referee's voice—quivering, awed—rang out: "Ch—Challenger battle is over. The… the winner is Silas from Pallet Town!"
With the announcement made, both trainers withdrew their Pokémon.
"Monster." Koga walked up to Silas, badge in hand, and admitted bluntly, "I'm never battling you again, man. That's not a competition—that's just getting curb-stomped!"
"Heh…" Silas smiled faintly. He neither liked nor disliked Koga's straightforwardness, but Koga had been the first to throw down a true challenge, so Silas offered him a single line: "You're not bad, but if this is all you've got, I'd say don't rush into the Elite Four. There's no point being the weakest one there."
...
Night.
Fuchsia City.
Declining Koga's offer to stay over, Silas and his friends asked him to see them off into the city.
Once there, the four quickly found a nice hotel, checked in, and washed up.
They soaked and relaxed with their Pokémon in a proper hot spring at the hotel, then ate a great dinner, before Silas headed back to his room to rest.
Six badges already…
Lying in bed, Silas held the badge case up in both hands, gazing at the emblems nestled quietly inside, his eyes flashing with a trace of uncertainty.
He'd been traveling for nearly three months now, but in that short period, so much had happened—far more than he ever could've predicted. He'd imagined a peaceful journey: gather badges, compete in the Indigo League, then go after the Elite Four and claim the Champion's seat.
But instead, he'd gotten dragged into drama after drama. Sure, it made him way stronger than he was at the start, but it totally upended his plans—and that left him irritated, deeply dissatisfied!
He never wanted to wade into all these messy situations. When he first arrived in this world, he'd planned his life out: he'd be a Trainer, plain and simple, not some would-be politician! Sure, if he kept up this pace, maybe he'd soon become the strongest human in the world—but that wasn't what he wanted.
His gaze settled as he thought back on the last three months. The uncertainty faded, replaced by newfound clarity. He'd made up his mind about his own path.
Knock, knock.
Just as he reached his decision, someone knocked at his door.
Who'd drop by this late?
A little confused, Silas still got up and opened the door. Standing in the hallway were Lorelei and Suzie.
"What's up?" Silas asked, looking at the two girls in puzzlement.
"Aren't you going to invite us in?" Lorelei teased, her beautiful face lit by a mischievous smile. "It's not very gentlemanly to keep two ladies talking in the hallway, you know."
Silas chuckled, moving aside. "Please, come in."
His answer made both girls blink. The old Silas would have let them in, sure, but he never said please or smiled like that—he was always the stone-faced one! Did Silas eat something weird tonight?
With those thoughts in mind, the two stepped into Silas's room.
No sooner had they settled in than Lorelei glanced at him and asked, "Suzie and I wanted to check in about our next destination, so we can prep tomorrow. What's our next stop?"
"Next stop?" Silas mused for a moment. "I was planning on the Safari Zone."
"Alright." Suzie nodded.
"But why?" Lorelei asked, frowning slightly. Sure, there were rare Pokémon in the Safari Zone—but with Silas's status, he could get any Pokémon he wanted. If he so much as hinted at being interested, people would be lining up to hand him Pokémon. So why the detour? To Lorelei, it seemed like a waste of time.
"Tired already?" Silas shot back with a lazy grin. "Look, we're traveling. So why not wander a bit, relax, have some fun—even if there aren't any ideal Pokémon for me there? I can't visit just for fun?
I've already collected six badges. I'll grab the seventh from Cinnabar Island, then the last one back in Viridian City. I have plenty of time, so why not go where I want?"
"That's fair." Lorelei nodded in agreement, but then her tone shifted, "But—"
"No buts." Silas cut her off, still laid back. "I'll do what needs doing, but how I do it is up to me. Actually, do me a favor—pass a message to the League."
"What message?"
The abrupt change caught Lorelei off guard, but she listened, serious.
Silas narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying unmistakable resolve: "As for the Champion title—whether you block me or not, I'm taking it. But I'm not interested in League politics, and I won't get involved as long as no one crosses the Oak family's line or threatens Pokémon. I'll ignore your power struggles, but if you drag me into your mess, or cross the line, don't blame me for what happens next."
Silas's words were heavy enough that even Lorelei, an Elite Four, paled at their weight. If word of this got out, Silas would lose quite a few supporters overnight. So she asked with a frown, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I am," Silas answered, relaxing again. "All I want is to train my Pokémon. That's it. So just relay my words exactly, and if the League forces me into their schemes, don't blame me for going to war."
His casual tone didn't fool Lorelei—she knew it betrayed iron resolve. If anyone crossed him after this, blood would flow. So she nodded solemnly. "I understand. I'll pass your words along, word for word."
"Thanks." Silas said softly, pausing, then added, "And… tell Grandpa I'm sorry, will you? Sorry for being so stubborn…"
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