Pokemon: Skybound

If you enjoy the chapter, don't forget to drop some Power Stones! Your support keeps me inspired to create and share more. Thank you!💎💎💎

---

At dawn, Kai and his companions returned to the tournament venue.

Compared to the previous round, the number of participants had been halved, leaving only 64 trainers.

While the venue felt less crowded, the remaining contestants were all skilled trainers, making the battles from the third round onward increasingly challenging.

The staff member who had assisted them earlier was occupied, so Kai and the others approached a different work desk.

By now, they were familiar with the process. After greeting the staff and pressing the button, their match-ups were swiftly determined.

Ash was assigned to the Ice Field, where his opponent was a trainer named Kenny. Based on Kenny's previous performances, Ash wouldn't have an easy time defeating him.

As for Kai's draw...

When the Rock Field appeared on the screen, the image of a beautiful girl appeared alongside it.

"This...is this...?" Misty stared at the screen in surprise before turning to Ash, teasing him. "Hey, Ash! Do you remember when I said you once called a girl cute during our journey? Isn't this her? If I recall correctly, her name is... Giselle, right?"

Ash's face turned beet red. 'Why can't they just forget about that embarrassing moment!?'

Kai stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So, this is the star student everyone's been talking about the one touted as a favourite to win alongside Gary."

Judging by her picture, Giselle did seem charming, with an air of elegance that suggested she came from a distinguished family. No wonder Ash had been smitten back then.

As Brock would undoubtedly say, "In a few years, she'll grow into a stunning beauty!"

Seeing Ash's embarrassment, Kai couldn't resist teasing him further. "Haha, so this is the kind of girl you like, Ash!"

"I don't! I'm not! Stop making things up!" Ash protested, shaking his head furiously.

Just then, as if hearing her name, Giselle turned her head and spotted the group. Her expression shifted from surprise to recognition. Accompanied by a few boys in school uniforms, she walked over.

"So, it really is you," she said, crossing her arms. "Your names are Ash, Brock, and Misty, right?"

Giselle's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. The group had just been talking about her, and now here she was. It felt like being caught gossiping.

"That's right, it's us," Misty replied, clearing her throat awkwardly. Trying to ease the tension, she added, "Did you make it to the third round too? Hey, by the way, where's Joe? Didn't he qualify to compete?"

Misty was referring to the boy they had met during their accidental visit to the Pokémon School, who had been receiving special training from his classmates.

"Joe? Oh, he was eliminated in the first round," Giselle replied with a shake of her head, sounding annoyed. "Even though he trained hard and got through school, his strength just wasn't up to par for the tournament."

Giselle's sharp gaze then shifted to the big screen. Noticing her own picture displayed alongside Kai's, she smirked.

"So, my next opponent is you?"

"That's right," Kai replied with a polite nod. "Miss Giselle, I look forward to our match."

Giselle tilted her chin up arrogantly. "The battlefield is no place for mercy. As a top student, I won't go easy on you. But don't worry I'll try not to make you cry after I win."

Kai was momentarily speechless.

He had only been trying to be polite. He hadn't expected Giselle to be so confident bordering on cocky.

Misty, who had clashed with Giselle in the past, was about to argue, but Kai stopped her with a calm gesture.

On their way out of the venue, Misty was still fuming.

Kai chuckled and said, "Why waste your energy arguing? Just let the battle speak for itself."

---

Third Round – Rock Field

"Welcome, everyone, to the third round of the Indigo League tournament at the Rock Field!" the announcer's voice boomed.

"This battle promises to be thrilling! On the red side, we have Giselle, a star student from the Pokémon School! Known for her impeccable skills, she has defeated even her teachers and is one of the tournament's strongest contenders!

"On the green side is Kai, who has dominated his previous battles with overwhelming strength! Both trainers have proven their abilities, but only one can advance to the next round. Who will it be? Let's find out!"

As Kai and Giselle entered the arena, cheers erupted. Giselle clearly had more supporters mostly male fans captivated by her charm.

The battlefield consisted of hard ground, large boulders, and scattered smaller stones, giving it a rugged, earthy appearance.

When the referee signalled for both trainers to release their Pokémon, Kai chose his Blastoise, while Giselle sent out an Onix.

"Oh? Giselle has chosen Onix, a Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon, which should have an advantage on this terrain. However, Kai's Blastoise, a Water-type Pokémon, has a clear type advantage!" the announcer exclaimed.

Giselle, unfazed by the apparent mismatch, smirked confidently.

During their first encounter at Pokémon School, she had used a Golem to defeat Misty's Starmie, despite the type disadvantage. Clearly, she was no stranger to overcoming odds.

---

For early access to advanced chapters and exclusive illustrations made by me, visit my P@treon:

P@treon/iamxeno

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!