"Ninjask defeats the opponent—Contestant Masao wins!"
Masao raised his arms excitedly.
"Thanks to the Silver Powder Gym Leader Red gave me—otherwise I wouldn't have won so easily!"
[Silver Powder (Blue): A crystalline powder infused with Bug-type energy. Increases the power of Bug-type moves by 20%.]
This high-quality Silver Powder—
Was Red's gift to Masao.
Even Masao's friends had received generous resources as well.
After recalling Ninjask, Masao eagerly went to share the good news with Red—
But suddenly—
He felt an overwhelming sense of danger.
Turning around—
He saw a towering man, nearly two meters tall.
But what shocked Masao the most—
Was that the man had sent out a Pokémon identical to his opponent's.
Two Gyarados—
Almost indistinguishable.
"Those two Gyarados… they look exactly the same."
"And even their levels seem identical…"
Masao frowned.
"…Just a coincidence?"
Meanwhile
After a full day of preliminary matches—
Red had essentially secured his qualification.
Aside from Caijia at the start—
Most of his opponents were just there to make up numbers.
After all—
This was a no-threshold competition.
The average skill level wasn't high.
One Bug Catcher even showed up with a Metapod.
After the matches—
Red and Ninetales hurried back to the hotel.
Not for any other reason—
But because after a long day—
Ninetales' life energy was nearly depleted.
If she didn't replenish it—
Her hard-earned recovered level might drop again.
So—
Red had no choice but to offer his "life essence"—
(cough), Viridian Power.
As the energy flowed into her body—
Ninetales' face flushed with pleasure.
Her fox ears even turned slightly pink.
Resting her head on Red's lap—
Her fluffy tails wrapped around him.
She rubbed against him unconsciously, letting out soft, ambiguous sounds.
And since they were back in the room—
Her outfit had changed from shrine maiden robes—
To a loose nightdress that barely covered her thighs.
Her fair skin was exposed to the air.
Red quickly averted his gaze.
Then—
His eyes drifted again—
To her slender waist…
And her small feet dangling off the bed, almost translucent under the light.
At this moment—
He could only repeat in his mind:
"She's a Pokémon."
"She's a Pokémon."
"She's a Pokémon…"
Unable to take it anymore—
He tried to activate Viridian Power to see her true form.
But then—
He realized—
His energy had already been completely drained by her.
He couldn't even see through her illusion anymore.
He could only sit there—
Watching her human form leaning against him.
Half an Hour Later
Ninetales finally had her fill—
And fell asleep peacefully.
Meanwhile—
Red sat by the window, pale-faced, staring at the sky.
"…What is the meaning of life?"
Marshtomp scratched its head, completely confused—
While continuing to train.
Two swirling mud currents formed in its hands.
In its mind—
Wasn't the meaning of life just:
Fighting feels good?
Larvitar, on the other hand—
Was forming a sand sphere the size of its head.
Practicing control.
To it—
Life meant eating delicious food—
And then eating even more delicious food.
And if anyone dared harm its meal provider—
It wouldn't mind burying them in quicksand.
Castform floated by the window—
Looking at the sky.
It wanted to control more weather—
To command the entire sky itself.
If it had any other wish—
It glanced at its reflection.
"…Staying this cute forever… wouldn't be bad."
Just then—
Someone knocked on the door.
Red opened it.
First, he saw Xiaowen.
Then—
The person beside her.
Even Red was surprised.
"You are… Lance?!"
Yes—
Standing at the door—
Was Lance, the Dragon-type Elite Four member overseeing the island.
(Though in Red's view—his "supervision" wasn't very effective.)
Combined with the League's involvement in luring him here—
And his growing dissatisfaction—
Red's tone wasn't exactly friendly.
"So, it's the famous Flying-type Elite Four."
"…Flying-type?"
Lance froze.
"Gym Leader Red, you must be mistaken."
"I'm a Dragon-type Elite Four."
Red quickly corrected himself.
"My mistake."
Though—
There wasn't a hint of sincerity.
Xiaowen chuckled softly—
Then turned to Lance coldly.
"Mr. Lance, I've brought you here."
"I'll be leaving now."
Lance scratched his head, confused.
"…Why do I feel like she doesn't like me?"
He had expected admiration.
Instead—
One mocked his title.
The other was openly unfriendly.
Was his popularity declining?
Red waved it off.
"She's always like that. Come in."
Lance nodded.
"I have something to discuss with you."
But as soon as he entered—
He saw Ninetales sitting on the bed, yawning.
"Master… I'm still not full. Can I have more?"
Lance froze.
"…Gym Leader Red… who is this fox lady?"
He rubbed his eyes.
Then again.
With his Champion-level perception—
He finally noticed something off.
"…Could she be… your Pokémon?"
Red nodded.
"That's right."
Lance's mouth twitched.
"…You have very… unique tastes."
For the first time—
He regretted coming.
Red coughed lightly.
"Let's skip that."
"What brings the Dragon-type Elite Four to see me?"
"It can't just be a visit."
His mind began racing.
Elite Island.
Mewtwo.
Red narrowed his eyes.
"…Is Team Rocket making a move?"
Lance immediately shook his head.
"Impossible."
"As long as I'm here, Team Rocket wouldn't dare step foot on this island."
Confident.
But—
Red knew better.
Mewtwo's value—
Was too great.
And from Lance's tone—
Red deduced something:
He hasn't fought Giovanni yet.
Meaning—
He didn't know Team Rocket also had a Champion-level trainer.
Lance had no idea—
That in just a few exchanges—
Red had already gathered so much information.
Finally—
Lance hesitated.
Then took a deep breath.
"Gym Leader Red…"
"I want you to defeat my cousin… Clair."
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