Pokemon: Skybound

Chapter 620 620: 620. Battling Wally

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At the battlefield, Kai and the boy took their places on opposite sides. Misty and the middle-aged man stood behind their respective trainers, watching closely.

Although Mauville Park was fairly busy with people skateboarding, jogging, and walking their Pokémon no one else was using the battlefield at the moment.

But Pokémon battles were the most popular form of entertainment in the world.

Once it became clear that a match was about to begin, passersby quickly gathered around. Within moments, more than twenty spectators surrounded the field.

Men and women, young and old, all watched with curiosity, quietly speculating about what Pokémon the two trainers would send out.

Kai had seen scenes like this countless times and remained completely unfazed.

Wally, on the other hand, was clearly experiencing this for the first time. He glanced nervously around at the crowd, his posture stiffening as the pressure mounted.

It wasn't until he noticed Kai calmly reaching for a Poké Ball that Wally snapped back to his senses. He took a deep breath and forced himself to focus.

He bowed politely toward Kai. "My name is Wally. Please take good care of me in this battle!"

Since his opponent had introduced himself, Kai responded in kind. Given the age difference, there was no need to bow he simply nodded with a smile. "I'm Kai, a traveling Pokémon Trainer."

With introductions complete, Wally took out his own Poké Ball.

This was a casual street battle no referee, no complicated rules. Once both Pokémon were sent out, the match would begin.

Almost simultaneously, both trainers threw their Poké Balls.

Two flashes of light burst forth, and their Pokémon appeared before the crowd.

---

Kai had chosen Combusken.

True to his usual approach of fighting while training, he sent out the Pokémon that had only recently evolved.

Wally's choice, however, genuinely surprised him.

A Ralts.

Only then did Kai recall that Wally had appeared in the games before.

So it really was him.

What a coincidence.

Turning his attention fully to the battlefield, Kai observed the Ralts more closely.

Having raised one himself in the past, he could tell at a glance that this Ralts had been trained extremely well. Its posture was steady, its eyes clear, and its aura calm proof that Wally was a capable Trainer.

If Kai remembered correctly, this Ralts was male and would eventually evolve into Gallade, becoming a powerful force later on.

That aside, the current battle situation needed careful consideration.

In terms of raw physical ability, Ralts—still in its first evolutionary stage—was no match for a second-stage Pokémon like Blaziken.

However, Psychic-type moves were super effective against Fighting-types, which meant Combusken was at a disadvantage.

This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

Several spectators noticed the same thing and murmured among themselves, clearly favoring Ralts.

Even Wally himself seemed more confident now.

After all, he had issued the challenge, and this battle would decide whether he could attempt the Mauville Gym. Seeing that he held a type advantage naturally lifted his spirits.

Once both Pokémon were ready, Kai and Wally exchanged a glance—and issued commands at the same time.

"Ralts, use Psychic!"

"Combusken, use Sand-Attack!"

From the very first exchange, their approaches differed one attacking directly, the other setting up defensively.

As Ralts unleashed its Psychic power, Combusken kicked up a cloud of sand and sent it flying forward.

Both attacks landed.

Ralts was struck in the eyes, momentarily blinded, while Combusken was lifted off the ground by the Psychic force and thrown backward.

At first glance, Ralts seemed to have the upper hand—but that was unavoidable.

Combusken had only recently evolved and hadn't yet mastered all its techniques. Psychic, being a mid-range, invisible attack, was especially difficult to evade through movement alone.

That was precisely why Kai had chosen Sand-Attack—to limit Ralts' follow-up options.

And it worked.

Ralts clutched its face, rubbing desperately at its eyes, unable to continue attacking.

Seizing the opportunity, Kai immediately ordered Combusken forward.

Combusken sprinted across the field.

By the time it reached Ralts' side, Ralts had just managed to clear the sand from its eyes.

The two Pokémon locked eyes.

"Ralts, use Psychic again!"

"Quick Attack!"

Wally attempted to repeat his earlier strategy—but this time, the distance was far shorter, giving Kai many more tactical options.

At Kai's command, Combusken suddenly accelerated, zigzagging across the field in a sharp Z-shaped path.

Ralts' Psychic attack missed completely.

Wally's heart skipped a beat.

"Quick—use Double Team!"

The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

He knew that if a Fighting-type Pokémon like Combusken closed the distance, the consequences would be severe—even with resistance to Fighting moves.

Ralts split into four identical figures, all moving in perfect unison. To the naked eye, there was no way to tell which one was real.

But Kai had anticipated this.

The instant Double Team was activated, Combusken opened its mouth and unleashed Ember, flames bursting outward and engulfing all four Ralts at once.

The three illusions vanished instantly.

Only the real Ralts was struck, flames clinging to its body as it cried out in pain.

Before it could recover, Combusken was already upon it.

Double Kick!

Two clean hits landed.

Combusken followed up with a sharp Scratch, sending Ralts crashing to the ground.

The battle was over.

---

The entire match had lasted only a short time.

Yet the outcome stunned most of the spectators.

No one had expected Combusken to win despite the type disadvantage.

Wally stared at his fallen Ralts, his shoulders slumping as disappointment washed over his face.

Kai smiled faintly.

He understood Wally's goal but he had no intention of holding back.

That said, Wally truly had done well. For a relatively new Trainer, his Ralts had been raised with care and discipline. Against most beginners, he likely would have won.

Unfortunately—

He had chosen the wrong opponent.

Not only that, but Kai hadn't revealed even a fraction of the gap between them, using Wally purely as live training for Combusken.

A rather ruthless but effective lesson.

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