Bruno clearly sensed Gyarados' fear.
His expression turned slightly cold as he looked at Sam. What he despised most were Trainers who mistreated Pokémon.
Sam walked to Gyarados' side and gently placed a hand on its head.
He could feel Gyarados trembling more and more violently.
Softening his voice, Sam said quietly, "Rest well. You're safe."
Using the last of its strength, Gyarados forced its eyes open and looked at him.
For the first time in its life, it saw sincerity in a Trainer's eyes.
Its body slowly relaxed.
Then it closed its eyes.
After recalling Gyarados, Sam briefly explained its past—how it had belonged to Hunter K, and why it feared being discarded.
Only then did Bruno's expression ease.
He thought for a moment and asked, "Do you consider Gyarados your Pokémon?"
Sam didn't answer immediately.
After several seconds of thought, he shook his head.
"People are biased. Bonds are built through time. At least for now… I don't hate it."
Bruno nodded.
"That's an honest answer. Relationships aren't formed overnight. I hope one day you two become true partners."
He stretched lazily. "It's getting late. I should head down the mountain."
Sam laughed.
"Mr. Bruno, what are you talking about? That was just the warm-up."
"The real battle starts now."
"Come out—Scyther!"
The rainstorm still raged.
Mud splashed across the mountaintop battlefield. Scyther's emerald-green body was quickly stained with droplets of wet soil.
Rain ran down its sharp cheeks and soaked its wings.
As a Bug/Flying-type Pokémon, Scyther disliked heavy rain. Wet wings made aerial movement difficult.
But its eyes were calm.
Locked onto Hitmonchan.
The moment Scyther appeared, Bruno stopped mid-step.
His gaze sharpened.
This was no ordinary Scyther.
Perfect blade structure.
Balanced physique.
Most importantly—
The will of a warrior.
Even the strictest Breeder would struggle to find flaws.
Bruno felt his blood stir.
"You underestimated you," he said seriously. "I admit it. I underestimated you."
"Tell me your name."
"Sam," he replied evenly. "My name is Sam."
Bruno repeated it under his breath.
"Sam… Sam."
"Very well. As you said—the true battle begins now."
"Hitmonchan—Thunder Punch!"
Hitmonchan lunged forward, electricity surging around its fist.
The rain and mud slowed its footwork slightly.
Sam noticed immediately.
This was Scyther's window.
"Scyther—Aerial Ace!"
He had no intention of dragging the fight out. The longer Scyther remained in heavy rain, the worse its condition would become.
End it quickly.
Scyther's wings buzzed violently.
With the enhancement of its power, it shot upward into the stormy sky, soaring dozens of meters high before diving down like a blade from heaven.
Wind wrapped around its body.
Its speed surpassed visual tracking.
Bruno narrowed his eyes.
Avoid or defend?
No.
"Hitmonchan—aim upward! Thunder Punch!"
Hitmonchan hurled its electrified fist toward the descending figure.
But it struck nothing.
An afterimage.
At the final moment, Scyther executed a flawless mid-air turn.
It appeared directly in front of Hitmonchan.
Before Hitmonchan could retract its punch—
Scyther's twin blades flashed.
Slash after slash rained down.
Though Hitmonchan had tremendous durability under Bruno's training, it struggled against the relentless assault.
Faster.
Sharper.
Stronger.
The rain sprayed outward with every impact.
"It's over," Sam said quietly.
"X-Scissor."
Scyther crossed its blades and struck in one decisive motion.
A massive X-shaped scar tore across Hitmonchan's chest.
Blood sprayed.
Hitmonchan staggered—
Then collapsed.
Silence fell over the mountaintop.
Hitmonchan had lost the ability to battle.
Scyther stood tall in the rain.
Bruno burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! What a magnificent battle!"
He walked to Hitmonchan's side and knelt to treat the wound.
"That scar will remind it to grow stronger."
Then he looked up at Sam.
"Thank you for the lesson."
---------------Author---------------
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