"Let the battle begin!"
Gold shouted, "Exbo, Smokescreen!"
Instantly, thick black smoke billowed from Typhlosion's back, throwing the race into chaos.
"Cough, cough—who the hell pulled that move?!"
"I can't see anything!"
"Holy—why is that Miltank using Rollout?!"
The race had barely started, yet the contestants were already split into two groups. Whitney found herself tangled in the rear pack, colliding with the others.
It was like a bike race pile-up—except this time, Gold and Whitney shared equal blame.
Someone finally remembered Defog, but by then, half a minute had passed—more than enough for the leaders to pull ahead.
"And Gold takes an early lead!" the commentator boomed. "He's breaking away from the pack!"
Glancing back from Exbo's back, Gold blinked in surprise.
"Natsume-sensei, how are you keeping up?!"
"Just out for a stroll."
Natsume, wearing oversized sunglasses, rode Arcanine at a leisurely pace, drafting behind Gold. Arcanine had blasted through the smoke with Extreme Speed, completely unfazed.
Gold turned left—and his eyes nearly popped out.
"WAAAH! Tauros, Quick Attack!!" Ash yelled, eyes squeezed shut as Tauros charged forward wildly. "Just hold on till the swimming section—we'll see better there!"
"Tauros!" Tauros' body flared with white energy as it overtook both Arcanine and Typhlosion, surging into first place.
"Incredible! Ash has pulled ahead!" the commentator announced.
Natsume & Gold: "..."
That Tauros, as the herd's alpha and under Professor Oak's care, was terrifyingly fast.
Ash reached the swimming section first, recalling Tauros and diving into the water to rinse his stinging eyes.
Natsume and Gold arrived almost simultaneously—but Gold was faster at the switch.
"Tibo, go!"
Using his pool cue as an improvised hydrofoil, Gold skimmed across the water, overtaking Ash in seconds.
"Gold regains the lead!"
The commentator paused. "Wait—Ash's swimming partner is... Pikachu?!"
Under the stunned gaze of thousands, Ash stripped off his shirt, standing on a surfboard while Pikachu perched at the front, looking both adorable and skilled.
Surfing Pikachu had entered the race.
Natsume's expression twisted. "This isn't swimming anymore—now we've got hydrofoils and surfboards?!"
"Fine." He leaned low against Blastoise's shell. "Blastoise, rear thrust—minimum power Water Gun. And I mean Water Gun."
"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)"
Blastoise gave a confident nod.
Then—BOOM.
A pressurized jet of water erupted from its cannons, sending Natsume rocketing forward on a white-knuckle ride, water spraying in his wake.
"Whoa, this is actually awesome!" Natsume grinned.
The wave crashed toward Ash and Gold. Ash's surfboard flipped instantly, while Gold barely dodged, gritting his teeth.
"Tibo, hang in there—we can win!"
Mantine whipped up whirlpools to slow Blastoise—but Blastoise plowed straight through, surging toward the final stretch!
"Natsume has pulled ahead! Can he maintain his lead?!"
The commentator glanced at the rear. "Meanwhile... the second pack is still recovering from the pile-up. Whitney seems to be dropping out."
"Aibo, now!" At the last second, Gold smacked a Poké Ball with his pool cue, sending it flying toward a tree. Ambipom's tail lashed out, yanking Gold forward!
With this move, Gold closed the gap—entering the final sprint neck-and-neck with Natsume!
"The last stretch is pure Trainer endurance!" the commentator roared. "This is where true strength shines! Who will take gold—Natsume or Gold?!"
Meanwhile, Ash hauled a soaked Pikachu onto the shore.
"You okay, Pikachu?"
"Pika... chu..."
Ash's eyes burned with determination. "We're winning this."
Natsume kept a steady pace—but Gold, fueled by sheer willpower, refused to fall behind.
After a moment's thought, Natsume activated Aura of Ripple, giving himself a speed boost. He overtook Gold effortlessly.
Gold's jaw dropped. "What the—Natsume-sensei, are you cheating?!"
Before Natsume could reply—
"ASH IS MAKING HIS MOVE!!" the commentator screamed.
Natsume & Gold: "..."
A blue aura flared around Ash as he roared past them like a Super Saiyan, crossing the finish line in a blur.
He snatched the Destiny Knot ribbon—victorious.
Natsume & Gold: "..."
Crowd: "OHHHHHH!!"
Bruno, watching from the sidelines, wiped sweat from his brow.
"That kid... is a monster."
Taking advantage of Gold's distraction, Natsume cleverly crossed the finish line as the second runner and won the silver medal.
Gold: "..."
Natsume-sensei, I beg you—have some shame.
...
The Speed events concluded with Ash claiming gold as the dark horse champion.
After a quick dinner, he rushed off to the next arena for the strength competition.
Natsume treated Team Rocket to dinner, moving them to tears—Meowth nearly offered up its golden coin in gratitude.
"What's the strength event about?" Natsume asked through a mouthful of spaghetti.
"Brick Break!" James answered.
"That's a move name."
"It's about smashing special tiles," Meowth explained. "The record's only 13, meow!"
Natsume nodded thoughtfully.
Brick Break… Sirfetch'd should excel at this.
After all, its leek is practically part of its strength!
That night, the bustling Arena was alive with excitement. The strength events competition officially began.
With Fighting Elite Four member Bruno serving as judge, Natsume faced off against Maylene on stage. Other contestants like Ash and Gold had signed up for all events.
Maylene wore only a thin tank top. Just before the match, Natsume overheard her muttering something under her breath.
A moment later, Natsume realized what it was.
Maylene was saying, "So hungry… so hungry…"
"You didn't eat dinner?" Natsume asked.
"I had one Berry," Maylene sniffed.
Logically, a Gym Leader shouldn't be this strapped for cash…
Natsume: "If you win gold medals, you're not planning to sell them for money, are you?"
Maylene: "…"
I totally called it!
"Well, there's also the discipline aspect," Maylene scratched her cheek and grinned. "Saving money means more treats for my Pokémon!"
In that instant, Natsume's vision blurred with tears.
In Maylene, he saw his past self—drowning in debt, scraping together resources for his little ones…
"I get it!" Natsume nodded firmly.
"R-really?" Maylene's eyes sparkled with surprise before she chuckled sheepishly. "Oh, Natsume-sensei, last time I didn't get to give you the Badge—"
Bzzt—
The contestant gate swung open, spilling light into the corridor. The distant cheers grew louder, swelling into a deafening roar.
"Go, Natsume-sensei!!"
"Gold's definitely setting a new record this year!"
"Whoa, did you see the match this morning? I bet Ash would do better fighting himself than sending out his Pokémon!"
Before each contestant stood stacks of specially crafted tiles.
Heavyweight Pokémon like Nidoking, Rhyperior, and Snorlax stood ready beside their trainers.
Maylene sent out Lucario. Across three attempts, it shattered 8, 9, and 8 tiles respectively—a solid performance.
Ash's Snorlax smashed an impressive 11 tiles in the first round, though its later attempts were lackluster (probably due to hunger).
"Contestant Gold takes the stage!"
The crowd erupted again as the commentator announced, "He's fielding Sudowoodo… mimicking Machamp's Bulk Up! Rock Smash incoming!"
"12 tiles! A near-historic score! As expected from one of the few grand slam champions in history!"
Gold blew his bangs aside, rested his pool cue on his shoulder, and flashed a sharp-toothed grin as he high-fived Sudowoodo.
The scoreboard displayed the rankings: Gold currently led.
Watching from the stands, Bruno recalled his own days competing in the All-Around Competition.
Crossing his muscular arms, Bruno murmured:
"Just like back then…"
His gaze settled on the black-haired young man with the pool cue. Softly, he added:
"This time, maybe it's related to Arceus again... Gold."
"Last but not least, the crowd's most anticipated contestant—Natsume!"
The commentator continued, "His choice is… Galar's noble knight, Sirfetch'd!"
"Sirfetch'd?" Sirfetch'd eyed the thick stack of tiles, then glanced quizzically at Natsume.
"Just use your leek like usual," Natsume smiled. "Same as when you practiced slicing Metal Coat at home."
Sirfetch'd blinked, scratched its head, then strode forward with leek and shield in hand.
Its commanding presence made the audience hold their breath.
This sharp-eyed Sirfetch'd might just make history!
"Sirfetch'd!" It raised its leek high—and swung down.
Crack!
Everyone froze.
"…Four tiles?"
"That's it?"
"Pfft—is this guy for real? Total flop!"
The referee blew his whistle. "Round two—begin!"
Sirfetch'd hesitated, looking back at Natsume-sensei.
"Relax," Natsume said. "Winning doesn't matter. We're just here for fun. Try using Brick Break this time."
"Sirfetch'd!" It nodded firmly.
For a moment, it seemed to transform into Galar's indomitable knight. Raising its Leek, a sharp white glow erupted from the leek's edge.
Brick Break landed—crack!
"Nine tiles… still not enough."
"Overachieving for its level, I guess?"
"Hey, nine's respectable."
As the crowd politely applauded—
Bruno, seated at the judges' panel, suddenly widened his eyes.
He sensed an entirely different aura—one as keen as an unsheathed sword, striking straight to the core!
"Sirfetch'd!!" Crimson energy flared around Sirfetch'd, a dark-red aura swirling like a storm.
Its leek grew sharper, gleaming like forged steel.
Just tiles, Sirfetch'd narrowed its eyes.
Even if Kurt stood before me, I'd cleave him in two!
"That's Sirfetch'd's Focus Energy!" the commentator shouted. "Contestant Natsume has employed a status move in the third round!"
Since only one status move was allowed, Natsume didn't stack further buffs.
Natsume: "Leaf Blade!"
"Sirfetch'd!! (╬ Ò﹏Ó)"
In that instant—a flash of steel!
The blade's force concentrated into a single point before descending like a guillotine!
Bruno's expression shifted slightly.
Focusing power to maximize destructive output… the same strategy Gold used to win.
And that Leaf Blade—it was a critical hit!
CRACK!!
The entire arena seemed to shudder.
"Fifteen tiles…" The commentator gaped before roaring, "A NEW RECORD! This year's All-Around Competition has shattered the strength event's historical benchmark! The champions: Contestant Natsume and his Sirfetch'd!!"
The stadium exploded—screams, cheers, applause echoing endlessly.
If Pokémon battles thrill us by defeating opponents…
Then Pokémon contests captivate by breaking limits and surpassing the past.
As the event concluded, the commentator announced: "The gold medalist has been decided! The strength event champion is… Sirfetch'd!!"
"Sirfetch'd! (´•︵•`)" It feigned indifference, though inwardly preening.
This proud, white knight had won the crowd's adoration.
Natsume teased, "So? Feel good?"
"Sirfetch'd! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ"
"Remember, you're on babysitting duty when we get back," Natsume said. "The Pokémon eggs can't find their mom."
"Sirfetch'd?! (´•︵•`)"
Guest commentator Maylene, a former all-star contestant, presided over the awards.
After reciting sponsor lines, she hung the gold medal around Sirfetch'd's neck, smiling:
"Congratulations, Sirfetch'd."
"Sirfetch'd~" It remained stoic, unfazed by glory.
"Oh, and—" Maylene pulled out a League Badge. "Could you give this to Natsume-sensei? I forgot last time, but he'll need it."
"Sirfetch'd!" It regally extended its shield.
A trivial favor for one such as I.
"Thanks!" Maylene placed the Badge in the shield's groove.
Nearby, Natsume was "encouraging" runner-up Gold.
"Keep at it! The future is yours!"
"Ugh, I'm winning gold next year for sure!"
Then—ping!
[Ding! Quest Updated!]
[Badges Collected: (7/8)]
[Mission Description: One Step Away!]
Natsume: ?
Familiar dread tightened his chest.
Natsume slowly turned toward Sirfetch'd beside Maylene. The Badge in its shield gleamed mockingly bright.
I can get Badges like THIS too?!
His lips pressed into a thin line.
Winning them in battles was bad enough…
But getting one during a sports event?!
Damn you, Maylene—
…Wait, no. She's too pitiful, and we've shared struggles.
"Natsume-sensei, why do you look so pale?" Gold asked.
"It's nothing."
Natsume pulled out his notebook and flipped to a fresh page.
"What's that?" Gold peeked over.
"Your name," Natsume said flatly.
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