Chapter 18: A Duel Under High Tension

Section 18: A Duel Under High Tension

I sit on a bench, slightly withdrawn, ready to observe every detail. The atmosphere has changed. This is no longer just a friendly match. There is something deeper in the air—something silent yet heavy.

I watch them.

Damian and Leaf.

Face to face, motionless, like two marble statues before impact.

Their gazes lock with unsettling intensity. This isn't just a battle. It's a statement.

And seeing the energy flowing between them, I wonder one thing.

Has he found a more interesting rival than me?

I immediately push that thought aside. That's not the point.

— We'll battle with two Pokémon each, Damian announces, breaking the silence. The one who loses both Pokémon first will lose. I'm counting on you not to give up.

A mischievous smile lingers on his lips.

I recognize that look.

He's planning something.

My curiosity awakens.

I have a fairly good idea of which Pokémon he'll send out first. Logically, he should choose Beedrill.

Why?

Because Charmander stands no chance against Wartortle.

But this duel is uneven in another way: Damian knows nothing about Leaf's team.

She, on the other hand, knows everything about his.

That asymmetry of information could be fatal.

What is her second Pokémon?

I consider the possibilities.

— Is it rare?

— Has it already reached its third evolution?

— Will Damian have the advantage against it or not?

Too many unknowns.

Then, another thought crosses my mind. A far more troubling question.

The date Leaf obtained her Squirtle.

I replay the information in my head.

Two months ago.

There's a problem.

Starters are given out every three months, in sync with the seasons.

Which means that…

The only event that happened around that time…

Was the theft of a Squirtle.

My fingers tense slightly.

That would be too perfect of a coincidence.

Is she the thief?

Why would she do that?

Why not just wait for the next distribution cycle?

An urgent need for a Pokémon? A darker reason?

I need to find out.

But I can't ask her directly.

Not yet.

— Go, Beedrill!

Damian's voice abruptly pulls me back into the battle.

As expected, he sends out his Bug-type Pokémon.

Beedrill.

It's a bold choice, but he doesn't have many other options.

I furrow my brows slightly.

This is a risky opening.

Beedrill has four major weaknesses: Rock, Flying, Psychic, and Fire.

Against an unknown opponent, that's an immense gamble.

But I understand his reasoning.

If I were in his place, I would have done exactly the same thing.

That's the price of lacking information.

Leaf doesn't rush.

She takes a second. Then another.

Then, calmly, she releases her first Pokémon.

— Wartortle.

The Pokémon appears in a flash of light.

I narrow my eyes slightly.

Why Wartortle?

Logically, she should save it to face Charmander.

Unless…

Her second Pokémon isn't a good option against Beedrill.

I take note of every detail.

That means one thing.

Her second Pokémon likely belongs to a type disadvantaged against Beedrill.

I go through the possibilities.

— Dark-type? Unlikely. There are none in the Kanto region.

— Fairy-type? Possible. Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Mr. Mime…

— Another possibility? A Pokémon she wants to keep hidden at all costs because it's her secret weapon against Charmander.

But if that were the case…

Why that confident look?

Why this absolute calm?

This battle isn't just going to reveal more about her team.

It's going to reveal who she is.

So, show me what you've got.