Pokémon: Above the Top

"Sharpedo, Protect!"

Sceptile's emerald-green blades extended from its forearms as it slashed down fiercely at the airborne Sharpedo.

Unfortunately for it, Leaf Blade was completely blocked by a thin, green protective barrier, unable to make the slightest impact!

"How many times can you block?! Sceptile, continuous Leaf Blade!"

"Sharpedo, dodge!"

Sato crossed his arms, watching as his opponent continued trying to break through.

This match…

Was already in the bag.

"Like you can dodge-huh?!" The opponent was mid-taunt when he suddenly stopped talking, his words twisting awkwardly.

Why? Because he had just watched Sharpedo, despite its large body, effortlessly evade Leaf Blade!

It wasn't until this moment that he realized a serious problem.

How the hell is Sharpedo moving without water?!

In the stands, Court froze.

The other contestants froze.

The spectators froze.

Only Howard sat there, grinning from ear to ear. "He actually pulled it off."

"Sceptile, focus this time! Leaf Blade!"

"Sharpedo, dodge!"

Sceptile's sharp green blades still gleamed dangerously, but they never landed another hit.

Sidesteps, rapid retreats, sudden lunges, swift aerial weaves; despite its nearly 1.8-meter size, Sharpedo moved as a Swellow, twisting and turning through the air like a phantom!

From start to finish, Sceptile never managed to land a single hit! And worse yet. Sharpedo was getting faster.

Faster.

Faster!

Soon, it was leaving afterimages, circling Sceptile at speeds that even the fastest Grass-type starter couldn't match!

Sceptile, known for its blazing speed, was being completely outmaneuvered!

"Sharpedo, Ice Fang!"

"Sceptile, use Agility to evade!"

"Evade? Can you?"

Just as Sato finished speaking, a blue, ice-cold light flashed across the field, and Sceptile was sent flying backward!

"Sharpedo, another Ice Fang!"

A dark blue blur streaked past Sceptile. Half a second later, the ice-blue glow struck Sceptile again!

The next moment, the dark blue blur flashed past once more, striking Sceptile just as it tried to get back up.

This time, Sceptile never stood again. Sato stared at his stunned opponent, saying nothing.

There were still more battles ahead.

He wasn't about to reveal Sharpedo's secret.

Let them figure it out themselves!

Sato grinned, recalling his slightly winded but victorious Sharpedo, then calmly walked off the stage.

"Sato, representative of Goldenrod Gym, Johto Region. Advances to the Top 16!"

Behind him, the referee's announcement came a bit delayed; even he was still struggling to understand how Sharpedo had suddenly started dodging all of Sceptile's attacks!

And more importantly... how did it keep getting faster, to the point that even its own Ice Fang appeared to lag behind?!

But the biggest mystery of all: Sharpedo is a fish!!!

Returning to the contestant area, Sato felt countless eyes locked onto him.

Flint, Volkner, Koga; all the acknowledged powerhouses in the tournament were now looking at him with curiosity.

At that moment, they all had the same thought.

Genius. Monster. Freak. Weird

"Sato, you… are really mmm... strong."

The only familiar face, Court, walked over, placing his massive palm on Sato's shoulder.

There was undeniable disbelief in his voice.

"Big... bro Court, you're strong too!"

Sato, unsure how to respond, could only return the compliment.

---

By the end of the day, all sixteen matches had concluded.

As expected, Flint, Volkner, and Koga, acknowledged as powerhouses, easily secured their spots in the next round.

However, there were two unexpected "dark horses" Sato and Court, who took everyone by surprise!

Stepping out of the stadium, Sato immediately noticed a familiar figure waiting by the entrance: Leader Howard.

At that moment, he was surrounded by a group of elderly men and women.

Howard stood at the center, wearing an expression so smug that the people around him looked ready to punch him.

"Sato!"

Although Howard's eyes were half-closed, he had been staring at the entrance the entire time. So the moment Sato walked out, he spotted him instantly.

"Leader Howard!"

"What 'Leader'?! Call me Grandpa!"

Howard suddenly pulled Sato aside, lowering his voice while adding a hint of pleading-"Let me show off in front of these old folks, alright? Come on, my "grandson" Sato!"

Sato shuddered.

"Call me by my actual name, and I'll consider it."

"Heh heh heh, that's easy!"

Howard nodded enthusiastically, then dragged Sato straight to the group of elderly folks.

"Look! I told you my pick was outstanding, didn't I? Let me tell you, this kid right here? I've officially recognized him as my god-grandson! Right, Sato?"

"…Uh… yeah, Gra-grandpa Howard."

After a brief moment of hesitation, Sato just went with the flow.

After all, ever since his rebirth, he had already gained an army of older siblings—What was one more grandparent?

Sure. Whatever. Fine by him.

…

That night, Howard dragged Sato along for a lavish feast, where he was bombarded with affection from a crowd of uncles, aunts, grandpas, and grandmas.

By the time Sato returned to his room, he was completely stuffed.

Unable to sleep, he sat up and started researching the fifteen remaining competitors.

At this stage, none of them were weak.

In fact, some of them looked so different from how they would appear in the future that Sato almost didn't recognize them.

In the future, he would establish a Gym in Petalburg City and be known as Hoenn's "Fifth Elite Four" Trainer: Norman!

From the Sinnoh region, representing Hearthome Gym, a Trainer who loved flashy battle strategies, and who had just barely made the age cut at 18 to participate: Fantina!

A future Hoenn Elite Four member, a specialist in Ghost-type Pokémon, rumored to possess the ability to communicate with Ghost Pokémon: Phoebe!

These three individuals would all become famous in the future.

However, in their previous battles, they had remained relatively low-key. It was very likely that they were all hiding their true strength!

After reviewing all the competitor profiles, Sato couldn't help but sigh—The Young Elite Tournament's level of competition is terrifyingly high!

The night passed without incident.

On the third day, the Top 16 battles officially began!

Match rules:

Each Trainer could use two Pokémon at the same time in Double Battles. A contestant would be eliminated once both of their Pokémon were knocked out!

After drawing lots, Sato received the number "4A", then returned to his seat, quietly waiting for his match.

The first battle of the day: Phoebe vs. Fantina!

Two female Trainers, both Ghost-type specialists; immediately, all eyes were drawn to the battlefield!

At the referee's signal, the two threw out their Poké Balls simultaneously!

"Fantina's Pokémon are Drifblim and Mismagius! Phoebe is using Gengar and Dusknoir. It's a pure Ghost-type showdown!"

Court sighed in admiration.

"Ghost-type specialists are already rare, but female Ghost-type specialists? Even rarer."

For two of them to face each other in this tournament, everyone expected a ferocious, hard-fought battle!

However... they were completely wrong.

Phoebe's command over Dusknoir and Gengar was overwhelming.

She won with absolute dominance. Crushing her opponent!