[Satobabe, hurry up~ Furiko wants to see you toy with Eli-chan?]
[Mission: Thoroughly toy with Ayase Eli! Reward: Ice Stone]
"My opponent is Weavile—I can't exactly toy with it."
[Not Weavile~! It's Eli, the human girl! Eli's coolness and icy beauty—I want you to give her a harsh lesson~?]
"Forget it. Completely unnecessary."
Facing the Ice/Dark-type Weavile, Satoshi didn't pick the advantageous Fire/Fighting-type Combusken.
Right now, Frogadier and Combusken were both relatively weak due to their incomplete evolutions. Since Combusken would soon compete in the Cinnabar Tournament, Frogadier needed more battle experience—especially against an Elite Four-level opponent.
"Choosing Frogadier instead of Combusken... You really are special."
Ayase Eli admired the boy in front of her, then calmly issued an order.
"Weavile, [Ice Shard]!"
Weavile's claws trembled slightly, and with a surge of icy air, a crystal-clear shard quickly formed in its palm.
"Cut it with [Cut]!"
Just as Weavile swung its arm to fling the Ice Shard at Frogadier, Satoshi decisively commanded.
The Ice Shard tore through the air, aiming directly at Frogadier. But in that instant, a silver-white blade of energy pierced the silence, slicing forward at an impossible speed.
"Koga~!" Wherever the blade passed, even the air seemed sliced apart. Under its powerful force, the Ice Shard was neatly split in half, scattering into countless fragments mid-air.
"Incredible speed... Then, Weavile, use [Agility], followed by [Ice Punch]."
Eli coldly analyzed their speed difference, choosing Agility.
Weavile's form instantly vanished, reappearing in a flash of astonishing speed, rapidly closing the distance to Frogadier.
"Frogadier, use [Cut] again!"
Like lightning, Weavile appeared right in front of Frogadier, its speed truly breathtaking.
"Wea~!" Quickly adjusting its posture, Weavile's right hand gleamed with silver-white energy, its icy claws cutting through the air, carrying an intense chill.
It decisively swung its Ice Punch—or rather, Ice Claw. Frost condensed instantly into sharp icicles, striking fiercely toward Frogadier.
"Koga!"
Frogadier's Cut barely blocked it, but Ice Claw seemed about to slice straight through Cut itself.
"Is it just me? Frogadier's speed feels inconsistent. Sometimes it's way faster than ordinary Pokémon, but other times it's just slightly above average."
Anon tilted her head, sensing something off.
Having watched more of Satoshi's battles than anyone else, she naturally noticed this.
Right now, Frogadier wasn't anywhere near as fast as during that double battle against Kagura Hikari, Yukino, and Umi.
The biggest difference, as Anon saw it, was that increased speed happened whenever Frogadier synchronized deeply with Satoshi.
"What are you talking about? Frogadier's clearly moving fast enough." Soyo tilted her head, puzzled.
"Anon-chan, you really are slow," she casually jabbed.
If even an experienced Pokémon expert like herself hadn't noticed, how could a newbie like Anon possibly see through it?
"Ugh... Soyo-san wouldn't understand! Nobody understands battle-mode Satoshi better than me! They're going to get super fast soon enough!"
"If you don't believe me, wanna bet? If I win, you can't interfere with me for a week."
Anon couldn't help but get competitive. She still hadn't recovered from seeing Soyo steal Satoshi's kiss the other night, yet now she was being mocked.
This sneaky thief, Nagasaki Soyo, had to be dealt with decisively!
Just because I can't beat you in Pokémon battles doesn't mean I can't beat you in love!
"Fine. But if I win, Anon-chan, you can't go near him for a week." Soyo immediately agreed without hesitation.
This vain girl, Chihaya Anon, was absolutely no match for her!
Back on the field, Frogadier's Cut was barely holding on—the level difference had become obvious.
Feeling the pressure, Satoshi quickly gave an order:
"Frogadier, [Double Team] and [Water Pulse]!"
"Koga~!" "Koga~!" "Koga~!"
Instantly, more than ten shadowy Frogadiers appeared like phantoms, swiftly surrounding Weavile.
But Ayase Eli was unfazed.
"Weavile, use [Avalanche]—clear out all the clones!"
"Wea~vile!"
Countless chunks of snow rained down, striking like a white beast, instantly destroying all Frogadier's clones.
"Now! [Water Pulse], full power!"
"Koga!"
Just then, the real Frogadier finished charging its move. A sphere of energy swiftly shot toward Weavile with incredible speed.
"Slice through it with [Ice Punch]!"
But Weavile's Ice Claw cut through the water stream effortlessly. Its icy claws sliced like razors through the air, splitting the water apart. Water sprayed harmlessly onto Weavile's body.
"Charge straight in," Eli commanded sharply.
In the freezing air, Weavile lunged forward, icy claws glinting dangerously under the lights.
"Defend with [Cut]!"
Frogadier swung both arms, wielding its silver-white blades of energy like beams of light, barely parrying Weavile's relentless attacks.
Satoshi couldn't even find a moment to think. Truly deserving of the Ice type—it felt like being frozen in place.
Moreover, it took Frogadier both hands just to match Weavile's single Ice Punch. A non-STAB Cut versus a STAB Ice Punch—the difference was too obvious.
"[Shadow Claw] with your left hand!"
"Ah, crap!"
"Wea~!" Weavile's attack wasn't over yet. Its left hand blurred, shadowy claws forming at its fingertips, striking Frogadier unpredictably. Frogadier couldn't react in time and was thrown back hard.
"Koga~~!"
Why does every trainer lately love dual-wielding?!
Satoshi couldn't help complaining inwardly.
"The winner is clear now. Weavile, finish it off with another [Ice Punch]." Ayase Eli smiled slightly.
Yet Satoshi's full attention was on Frogadier.
To win, he had to reach that state.
That ultimate form, becoming one with Frogadier—
The Proto-Bond Phenomenon!
Satoshi had almost grasped its secret.
Their burning emotions in battle would lead Pokémon and trainer into a brand-new realm!
Let's show everyone our bond!
"Frogadier, you okay?"
"Koga!"
Sensing his trainer's burning passion, Frogadier jumped swiftly back to its feet, responding resolutely.
Seeing this, Satoshi's lips curved upward, showing a confident smile as he threw his hand forward dramatically.
"Go, Frogadier! Let's show them our true strength!"
Our power, body, and spirit will become one!
"Koga——!"
At Satoshi's words, Frogadier let out a fierce, beast-like roar, and a powerful wave of energy erupted from its body.
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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