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"That's right, just like you see we're twins."
The boy who appeared second stepped up beside Jiro Sawama and nodded politely at Kai and Misty.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ichiro Sawama, his older brother."
Faced with two boys who looked exactly alike, Kai and Misty instinctively glanced left, then right, struggling to tell them apart.
Thankfully, the twins were wearing different-colored T-shirts, and the Pokémon at their sides were different as well otherwise, mixing up names would have been inevitable.
After Jiro proposed the battle, Ichiro's interest was clearly piqued as well.
"Then let me join too," he said enthusiastically. "My brother and I both started our journeys not long ago. Since there are two of you and two of us, how about a Double Battle?"
Unlike Johto and Kanto, Kai had already noticed that Double Battles were especially popular here.
Even during his short stay in Rustboro City, he had seen several pairs of Trainers battling together at outdoor arenas.
Kai glanced at Misty.
She covered her mouth, barely suppressing a laugh.
One was a former League Champion.
The other was practically a future Gym Leader.
These twins had picked the worst possible opponents.
Still, neither Kai nor Misty revealed their identities. Amused, they both nodded in agreement.
They found a relatively open clearing in the forest and took their positions on opposite sides.
Before the battle began, Kai spoke up politely.
"We're traveling from another region, so we're not too familiar with local Double Battle rules. Are there any special conditions?"
Ichiro shook his head.
"Nope, Same as everywhere else. Defeat all of the opponent's Pokémon to win."
Kai nodded in understanding, then looked at the twins again.
Beginner Trainers…
No need to go all out, Let's just play along.
Judging from her expression, Misty was thinking the exact same thing.
All four Trainers reached for their Poké Balls.
Unlike Kai and Misty, the twins didn't switch Pokémon. They simply sent out the ones already by their sides.
Jiro's choice was obvious, The large, imposing Heracross beside him stepped forward.
Ichiro, meanwhile, sent out an Ariados.
Kai released Torchic, intending to give it some real battle experience.
As for Misty—
She sent out Psyduck.
Kai glanced sideways at her.
…She was definitely treating this as a fun match.
The four Pokémon took their positions, all eager to battle. Even Psyduck looked strangely excited.
After all, it rarely got the chance to be sent out by Misty voluntarily. Determined to perform well, it puffed out its chest proudly.
Ichiro picked up a small stone and tossed it high into the air.
The moment it hit the ground—
The battle began.
---
Torchic immediately charged forward, chirping loudly as it went straight for the largest opponent Heracross.
Type-wise, Torchic had the advantage over both Bug-types, so the odds were clearly in its favor. On top of that, as a Fire-type chick Pokémon, it had an instinctive dominance over insects.
Torchic opened its beak—
Ember!
Flames burst forward.
Heracross didn't dare take the hit head-on and quickly beat its wings, gliding aside to evade the attack.
Torchic refused to let up, relentlessly pursuing it, clearly intent on burning Heracross no matter what.
Meanwhile, Psyduck lived up to expectations in its own… unique way.
Waddling forward toward Ariados, it suddenly found its legs tangled as sticky String Shot wrapped around them.
With a loud thump, Psyduck fell flat on its face.
Misty immediately facepalmed.
Of course…
Still, she couldn't ignore it.
"Psyduck! Use a Water Gun!"
Psyduck panicked and fired wildly but Ariados nimbly dodged. In the next instant, Ariados lunged forward, fangs glowing with venom, aiming straight for Psyduck's neck—
But then—
A shadow crashed down.
Ariados barely had time to look up before it was smashed aside by Heracross.
Torchic's relentless pursuit had driven Heracross straight into Ariados by accident, saving Psyduck at the last moment.
"Thanks," Misty said cheerfully to Kai, quickly ordering Psyduck to free itself from the webbing.
The battle continued.
The limited space of the forest clearing restricted movement, and when Torchic's flames left smoldering embers on the ground, the maneuvering space for Heracross and Ariados shrank even further.
Kai was just about to feel relieved—
When Psyduck began spraying Water Gun everywhere, it extinguished the flames.
Kai: "..."
Is this thing secretly on the enemy's side?
He shot Misty a look.
Misty stuck her tongue out awkwardly and hurriedly told Psyduck to stop spraying water at random.
---
Compared to Kai and Misty's complete lack of coordination, the twins worked surprisingly well together.
Realizing Heracross couldn't handle Torchic, both brothers shifted their focus to Psyduck.
It was obvious this Pokémon wasn't exactly… bright and was even getting in its partner's way.
Their plan was simple:
Defeat Psyduck first, then team up against Torchic.
Heracross charged in, knocking Psyduck flat again.
Before it could get up, Ariados rushed in and bit down right on Psyduck's backside.
"GWAAACK!!"
Psyduck shrieked, clutching its rear and running wildly around the field.
Any thoughts of "performing well" were long gone.
Watching from the sidelines, Misty had been secretly hoping Psyduck's headache would trigger its psychic powers but neither Heracross nor Ariados attacked its head.
Pain alone wasn't enough.
Psyduck's chaotic sprint disrupted Torchic's rhythm as well.
Seeing Heracross and Ariados grouped together, Torchic was about to unleash Ember and finish both—
When Psyduck suddenly barreled straight toward it.
Torchic chirped in panic and leapt aside, narrowly avoiding being knocked over.
The perfect opportunity was lost.
Misty's shoulders slumped.
Kai shook his head.
This is harder than fighting Team Magma and Team Aqua…
Still, the twins made one crucial mistake—
They continued focusing on Psyduck.
That gave Torchic just enough breathing room.
Kai knew time was running out.
He focused, carefully watching the battlefield—and finally spotted an opening.
---
Psyduck once again ran toward Torchic.
This time, Kai didn't tell Torchic to dodge.
Instead—
"Ember!"
Misty froze.
The twins were stunned.
But in the next instant, everything became clear.
Just before reaching Torchic, Psyduck suddenly veered away.
Torchic's Ember struck the spot Psyduck had just left—
Engulfing the pursuing Heracross in flames.
"Now!" Kai shouted.
Torchic slammed into the burning Heracross, knocking it to the ground.
"YES!!" Misty cheered, pumping her fist.
With one Pokémon down, the pressure finally eased.
She looked at Kai in awe.
"Kai, that timing was amazing! How did you know Psyduck would change direction?"
Kai laughed.
"You really think I can predict Psyduck?" he said, shaking his head. "I just treated it as part of the attack."
"…Huh?"
"I figured even if Torchic hit it, Psyduck would be fine. It's a Water-type—it won't be hurt much by Ember. Might even calm it down."
Misty could only smile helplessly.
So that's what it was…
With Heracross down and the type disadvantage overwhelming, Ariados didn't last long.
Torchic quickly finished it off with another burst of flames.
---
Kai wiped sweat from his forehead.
That Double Battle had been exhausting.
Torchic deserved serious praise—
Fighting two opponents and dealing with Psyduck at the same time.
Never again, Kai thought.
I am never teaming up with Psyduck again.
Just then—
A brilliant white light enveloped Torchic.
Kai's eyes widened.
"…It's evolving!"
The light faded, revealing a taller, stronger Pokémon.
Combusken.
Misty immediately pulled out her Pokédex.
Pokédex:
"Combusken, the Young Fowl Pokémon. A Fire/Fighting-type. Combusken trains by running through fields and mountains. Its powerful leg attacks can deliver ten kicks per second, and the flames inside its body burn more intensely during battle."
Kai smiled.
An exhausting fight—
But a perfect reward.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
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