Flint, Shaken by the Winds of Defeat (BONUS)

Flint and Volkner's opponents were quite strong—both had previously competed in the Pokémon League and achieved solid results.

However, against the "Fire & Thunder Duo," they were simply outmatched.

In the end, Flint and Volkner secured an overwhelming victory.

And now, the final match was set:

Johan vs. Flint & Volkner in a Doubles Battle.

Despite their time apart—Flint having traveled, while Volkner languished in boredom—the two had once been childhood training partners.

After their first two rounds, their long-lost battle synergy had fully returned.

Facing their combined strength, Johan felt a significant amount of pressure.

Of course, the audience's hype had reached its peak.

"I don't know who that wild-haired guy is, but I have to admit—he's actually pretty strong. He's not dragging Volkner down."

"Their coordination is on point. This won't be easy for Johan."

"One is calm and analytical, the other is hot-blooded and aggressive—it's actually a really solid combo."

"...Yeah."

Hearing the crowd's comments, Flint squatted down in a corner and started drawing circles on the ground.

He had finally been acknowledged.

But only as "that wild-haired guy."

—

With the tournament nearing its climax, the restaurant owners, Chiqiu and Chika, finally revealed the championship grand prize!

"As someone with some influence in the culinary world, I've arranged for a special reward for the champions…"

The winners would receive ten "Gourmet Passes", granting them free meals at any five-star restaurant affiliated with Seven Stars Restaurant worldwide!

In the Pokémon world, dining at high-end restaurants was extremely expensive—even a meal for two normal people could cost thousands of Pokédollars.

If you added Pokémon into the mix, tens of thousands—even hundreds of thousands—of Pokédollars per meal was normal.

And if you had Pokémon like Gengar or Dragonite at the table…

Johan didn't even want to think about the bill.

But with ten passes, they could eat for free—not just at Seven Stars, but at elite restaurants across multiple regions.

The moment they heard the prize—

Gengar and the others went wide-eyed.

Gengar immediately applied to enter the battle!

And not just Gengar—

All of Johan's Pokémon volunteered for battle.

Every single one of them swore to fight with everything they had.

Even Charcadet wanted in.

Normally, Charcadet had the smallest appetite out of Johan's entire team.

(That is, if you ignored its constant need to consume charcoal.)

But Charcadet wasn't fighting for itself—

It was fighting for the unborn Pokémon inside the egg.

It had a feeling—

That little one was going to be a big eater.

This was its veteran's instinct.

Previously, the free dinner had already ignited their fighting spirit.

Now, with ten gourmet feasts on the line…

They were ready to risk it all.

Even—

"Marsha?"

Marshadow stepped out of the shadows, holding a tiny wooden stick.

"Need my help?"

Marshadow?

Johan raised an eyebrow.

Wouldn't that be too unfair?

"Marsha! |*▼皿▼)"

Marshadow subtly tilted its head.

This isn't about the prize!

I just… haven't stretched in a while.

—

"We won't lose!"

Flint remained as confident as ever.

Even though he'd lost to Cynthia over 100 times, he never stopped believing he could win.

As the battle began—

Their Pokémon choices surprised Johan.

Volkner sent out Electivire.

Flint sent out…

"The One and Only King!"

Yes—Flareon.

Johan ultimately decided not to send out Marshadow.

After all—

Very few people even knew Marshadow existed.

And the little one wasn't fond of being in the spotlight—it was naturally shy.

For a mere ten gourmet meals…

It really wasn't worth forcing it to fight.

So instead—

Johan chose…

"Ka-kaah!"

"Oowoo!"

Gengar & Ninetales!

The first two Pokémon Johan ever caught—

And still, the two with the strongest bond.

The moment they appeared—

Flint and Volkner felt a wave of pressure crash down on them.

They knew exactly how powerful these two were.

Gengar had absolutely demolished Volkner's Luxray.

Ninetales had completely frozen Flint's Infernape.

"Johan is really going all out for these free meals…" Flint muttered.

But doubles battles were different from singles—and with their synergy, they still had a chance.

—

"Battle… start!"

—

Volkner immediately took the first move.

"Electivire—Discharge!"

BZ-ZZT—!

As snowflakes drifted down, Electivire's engines roared to life.

A golden surge of electricity exploded outward, spreading in all directions.

Normally, Discharge was a risky move—

It hit everyone on the field, including allies.

But that was exactly their plan.

Both Pokémon absorbed the attack.

Electivire's Speed skyrocketed thanks to its ability, Motor Drive.

And Flareon…

Became paralyzed on purpose.

"Guts-ability Flareon?"

[Guts: When affected by a status condition, Attack is boosted by 50%.]

As if to confirm Johan's thoughts—

Flareon threw back its head and howled.

Its fighting spirit surged.

"Brreeeaaaah!"

"Flint—now!"

"Flareon, Curse!"

For non-Ghost-type Pokémon, Curse lowered Speed but sharpened Attack and Defense.

But wait…

Flareon was paralyzed.

How was it still moving so smoothly?

Was this friendship hax?!

Or were they just cheating?!

Looking closely—

Flareon's entire body was cloaked in a faint layer of flames, flickering like a second coat of fur.

Just as Flint had said—

No one understood Fire-types better than Volkner.

And vice versa.

No one understood Electric-types better than Flint.

After countless battles and teamwork trials, they had developed a seamless battle style.

—

"Hax. They're both hacking."

Johan thought, rolling his eyes.

Still—

He didn't hesitate.

"Aurora Veil."

"Nasty Plot."

In the whirling snow, Alolan Ninetales cast a shimmering barrier—

Dampening all incoming attacks.

Meanwhile, Gengar smirked as it boosted its Special Attack.

Volkner and Flint were completely unfazed.

They had already expected this.

"Now!"

"Flareon—Flare Blitz!"

BOOM!

A pillar of flames erupted from Flareon's body—

As it charged straight for Alolan Ninetales!

At the same time—

"Electivire—Taunt!"

Electivire drew the enemy's attention, preventing them from using support moves.

Flint clenched his fist.

"We got them!"

Flareon's boosted Flare Blitz—

With Guts + Curse + type advantage—

Even if it didn't one-shot Alolan Ninetales, it would definitely cripple it!

But—

Johan simply smiled.

"Ninetales—Dig."

"Oowoo~!"

And in an instant—

Alolan Ninetales disappeared.

Flint & Flareon: (⊙_⊙) ???

Flint:

"...Wait. What do we do now?"

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Powerstones?

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