(Yinyu City.)
"Finally arrived at the destination." Kamizrai stretched both arms wide and took a deep breath of the city air, revealing her graceful form. The constant travel with Aoki through dense forests had been dull and filled with coughing fits due to the pollen, but this bustling city gave her a fresh sense of life. "Okay, it's getting late, let's rest up and challenge the Gym tomorrow." Aoki didn't rush to visit Naqi immediately. Instead, he gently took Kamizrai's hand and led her to the Pokémon Center. "We need to be at our best." Kamizrai leaned on his shoulder with a happy smile as they walked into the building together.
The next morning, Aoki, freshly prepared, stepped into the Yinsheng Gym. Naqi had already been waiting. "Aoki, finally. I've been expecting you. I know you're strong, but I won't hold back just because of that." Her voice was confident, unwavering.
"You may be my woman, Naqi," Aoki replied with a gleam in his eye, "but I won't lose either. This time, I will prove I've surpassed you." Aoki's confidence was obvious. He was relying on experience and strategy; after all, his Salamence was nearing full Elite-tier under his guidance.
Naqi blushed, slightly flustered. "I said I'd give you a chance, but I'm not your girlfriend yet."
Kamizrai, watching from the sidelines, felt a pang of jealousy but said nothing. She trusted Aoki enough not to be caught up in such trivial things.
"Let's begin. Go, Taillow!" Naqi's first Pokémon was a rare Shiny Taillow, freshly caught during a special training event in the southern marshes—its feathers shimmered with a striking blue hue.
Aoki nodded. "Since you're sending in Taillow, then I choose you, Beldum!" He released one of his least experienced partners. Beldum floated forward, its Shiny silver-blue body glinting under the Gym's light. Though it was among his weakest, Aoki was determined to help it grow through real combat experience.
"Taillow, Steel Wing!" Naqi ordered. Taillow let out a shrill cry and shot forward, wings glowing silver. With incredible speed, it sliced through the air and struck Beldum with a sharp metallic impact.
"Beldum, use Iron Head!" Aoki countered. Beldum's head flashed white and met Taillow mid-air. Their collision sent a shockwave across the battlefield. After a moment of aerial struggle, Beldum's mass gave it the advantage—Taillow was knocked back and tumbled to the ground.
Although Shiny, Naqi's Taillow lacked combat experience. Aoki's Beldum, while also Shiny and still learning, had trained under gravity-enhanced conditions back in Lavaridge, making its physical resistance superior.
"Taillow, don't give up! Use Aerial Ace!" Naqi's voice rang out with concern and encouragement. Despite its injuries, Taillow flapped back into the air, eyes gleaming with resolve. It curved sharply and dove with precision at Beldum's blind spot.
"Confusion," Aoki commanded calmly. Beldum's eyes glowed purple, and a mental pulse locked onto the fast-approaching Taillow. Just as Taillow closed the distance, it was caught in mid-air, suspended by psychic force.
"Finish it with Zen Headbutt." With a sudden flash, Beldum lunged and struck Taillow with force imbued with psychic energy. The impact was clean. Taillow crashed to the ground, fainted.
"Taillow is unable to battle. Beldum wins!" the Gym referee announced.
Naqi returned Taillow to its ball. "Thanks, Taillow. We'll train harder together." She smiled despite the loss, believing strongly in Taillow's future. "Next, I choose you—Skarmory!"
Name: Skarmory
Strength: Gym-level
Progress since last encounter: Slightly improved defense and flight control.
For Beldum, this opponent would be overwhelming. Aoki knew this. "Good job, Beldum. Take a rest. Go, Fletchinder!"
The battlefield shifted. Fletchinder, evolved through the intense training in Mauville's Heat Core facility, flew out with a proud screech. It burned with Gym-level strength and was Aoki's key for type advantage.
"Skarmory, Hurricane!" Naqi initiated. A wind vortex brewed instantly, swirling with slicing force.
"Fletchinder, Flamethrower!" Aoki shouted. The fiery bird opened its beak and unleashed a jet of flame into the heart of the storm.
Boom!
The collision of wind and fire created a thunderous explosion that rocked the arena. Fiery embers scattered as smoke filled the field.
"Steel Wing!" Naqi's voice cut through the haze. Skarmory charged from the sky with steel-coated wings.
"Flame Charge!" Aoki's counter was instant. Fletchinder wrapped itself in flames, speed increasing as it dashed into the air.
They collided with brutal force. The explosion of fire and steel left both Pokémon spiraling downward.
Skarmory was the first to fall. It crashed with a metallic clang, smoke rising from its scorched armor.
Fletchinder also hit the ground but slowly stood, wings trembling yet still burning faintly.
"Skarmory is unable to battle. Fletchinder wins!"
Naqi exhaled deeply. "Well done, Skarmory. You gave it your all." She retrieved her partner and turned her eyes to Aoki with new admiration.
She knew Fletchinder's strength came not just from natural evolution, but from Aoki's intense and personalized training methods—strict heat resistance sessions, precise speed drills, and diet regulation using high-end Pokéblocks.
As Naqi stared at Aoki, a thought slipped into her mind. He really is amazing… as a trainer. And maybe… as a man?
She shook her head, cheeks flushing. Focus! You're not some teenage girl with a crush. Even if he is going to be your… partner someday, you still have to stand tall and fight.
With resolve, she reached for her next Poké Ball. She hadn't given up yet. Even if victory seemed distant, she was determined to push Aoki to his limits—because that was how they both would grow stronger.
Even if she couldn't win, she would not fall behind. After all, a Gym Leader's pride was on the line.
And maybe… her heart was, too.
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