Kai grinned. "Then this is perfect. I need a proper test before I face Surge. One-on-one doesn't feel right, though. How about two-on-two?"
William glanced at Eevee and Ralts. Both nodded.
"Fine," he said, stepping onto the flat stretch of dirt road. "Two-on-two." The breeze shifted. William met his gaze. "You're on."
They took their positions across the dirt field, wild grass rippling between them.
The air thickened and that silent pause before a battle begins.
Kai raised his arm first. "Let's light it up! Quilava!"
Flames burst alive as the Pokémon bounded forward, landing gracefully in front of him. The heat rolled off in shimmering waves.
William pointed ahead. "Ralts, let's go."
The Psychic-type pokemon stepped forward calmly, eyes glowing. The air shifted instantly, tension thick with energy.
Kai was the first to move. "Flame Wheel!"
Quilava dashed forward, spinning into a ring of blazing fire that carved a bright arc through the air.
William's eyes narrowed. "Teleport."
A flash and Ralts vanished, reappearing behind the Fire-type, cloak fluttering with the distortion. "Confusion!"
Psychic waves rippled outward, invisible yet powerful. They struck Quilava from behind, staggering it mid-spin. The flames sputtered, then reignited, licking the ground.
Kai clicked his tongue. "You read my speed that easily, huh? Alright, let's turn up the heat. Smoke Screen!"
Black haze erupted, swallowing the field in seconds. William raised his arm slightly, eyes sharp.
"Stay still, Ralts. Feel for his movement using psychic energy."
Through the dark smoke, the faint flicker of orange light flared again. That was enough.
William's voice cut through like a blade.
"Confusion!"
Ralts's eyes flared with white light, unleashing a concussive blast that ripped through the smoke. The haze exploded outward, revealing Quilava thrown back, tumbling but landing on its paws. Its body shook, breath sharp, but the flame still burned strong.
Kai smirked despite the setback. "Not bad, not bad. But you'll need more than that. Flame Charge!"
The Fire-type surged forward, speed increasing with each step, leaving a trail of heat behind it.
William's tone didn't waver. "Double Team."
Dozens of afterimages flickered around Ralts, forming a ring of glowing illusions. Quilava lunged, slashing through false targets, flames dispersing the mirages one by one and collided the real Ralts.
Then the real Ralts who got hurt cried out, and it is glowing white.
A low hum resonated across the field.
The psychic aura pulsed outward with bright, pure energy and its start to evolve.
Kai's eyes widened. "No way...."
Ralts's body shone white, its small frame elongating, the aura expanding into a graceful form. The light broke apart, revealing Kirlia standing tall, eyes burning with calm strength.
William smiled faintly. "Perfect timing."
"Then let's finish it," Kai said. "Flamethrower!"
A stream of fire roared forward, filling the field with blistering heat.
"Light Screen!" William called.
A translucent barrier shimmered into existence in front of Kirlia, reflecting the inferno. The flames broke against it, scattering into harmless embers that vanished into the wind.
Kirlia's eyes shone again with silent, focused.
"Kirlia uses Psybeam."
A brilliant beam of rainbow-colored energy lanced across the clearing. It struck Quilava squarely, launching the Fire-type backward. Dust flew. When it cleared, the flames flickered weakly, and Quilava dropped to one knee before falling silent.
Kai clenched his fist and then exhaled, smiling. "You've got good rhythm with your Pokémon."
He raised Quilava's ball. "Rest well, partner."
The Fire-type dissolved into red light. Then Kai pulled another Poké Ball free, spinning it once in his fingers.
"Alright. Let's balance this out. Natu, take flight!"
The green bird Pokémon appeared, eyes gleaming with psychic power. Its wings glowed faintly, air shifting with every flap.
William lowered his head slightly. "Eevee, your turn."
The Normal-type leapt forward eagerly, tail flicking, eyes bright with excitement.
Kai's command came fast. "Air Cutter!"
Blades of wind shot forward. "Quick Attack!" William countered.
Eevee blurred through the attacks, wind slicing past her fur by mere inches. She launched herself upward, spinning midair and striking Natu cleanly, sending it tumbling back.
Kai adjusted instantly. "Confuse Ray!"
A pulse of ghostly light streaked toward Eevee but William was quicker.
"Sand Attack!"
Eevee slammed her paws into the dirt, scattering a blinding cloud that disrupted the ray's path. Natu squawked, momentarily losing sight.
"Now use Shadow Ball!"
Dark energy formed in Eevee's mouth and burst forth, striking Natu dead-center. The impact exploded in a burst of purple smoke. When it cleared, Natu staggered, trying to stay upright.
Kai call out with worry."Are you okay?"
Natu nods its head. Kai then said. "Natu uses Confusion."
The psychic waves burst out with strong winds and makes Eevee pause in its steps. But William smiles with smirk. "Eevee uses Double Team and Shadow Ball again."
Three identical clones appears and all of them circling around Natu with dark sphere forming near the mouth, throw towards its.
Kai yells out."Protect! Cover in all directions."
Around Natu green energy shield appears like a sphere ball and takes the hit. William looks surprised because Natu can easily use the absolute shield like protect move. But William doesn't need to command. Eevee jumps towards Natu with large dark fangs like energy and attacks. Natu falls down with swirls like eyes.
Kai froze for a heartbeat. Then he smiled, low and impressed. "That's twice now."
He recalled Natu and stepped across the field, boots crunching on charred soil.
"Guess the stories about Sinnoh trainers aren't exaggerated," he said, voice lighter now. "Your Pokémon are strong, really strong. I like that."
William gave a small nod. "You too. You've got good instincts and pokemon are well trained."
Kai smiled, extending a hand. "Then it's settled. When we meet again at the Indigo League. I'll be stronger, and I'll make sure to beat you next time."
William clasped his hand firmly. "Good luck. I'll be there."
As Kai turned down the road, heading west, the wind picked up, scattering petals across the dirt path. Eevee climbed back onto William's shoulder, tail flicking proudly, while Kirlia stood at his side, quiet and composed.
William looked up at the horizon — beyond the hills, beyond the sea of clouds that shimmered above the Indigo Plateau.
The League wasn't his destination. It was just another step.
Because strength wasn't the end and it was the means to protect, to rebuild, to conquer what once broke him.
Because William didn't walk for easy things. He walked for what mattered.
The world stretched before him was vast, cruel, beautiful and as he continued down the road, the shadow of the storm followed silently behind.
***************
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