Pokemon: Skybound

----

While Kai and his newly evolved Dragonite were still enjoying the rush of victory, Chuck's face had turned serious.

Even after upping the difficulty by sending in Machoke, he had still lost cleanly.

This kid wasn't just good. He was exceptional.

Chuck silently adjusted his evaluation of Kai once more.

It had been a long time since Chuck had lost two straight rounds in a Gym match. To preserve some dignity in front of his students and to truly test this challenger he knew it was time to bring out his ace.

Without a word, he stepped out of the room.

When he returned, his expression was calm but heavy. In his hand, he held an Ultra Ball.

Stepping back into the command zone, Chuck gave a faint, nostalgic smile.

"Didn't think I'd ever need to call on you again," he muttered to the Poké Ball in his hand. "But here we are."

Kai narrowed his eyes, sensing the shift. Even though Chuck hadn't said anything, it was clear: whatever was in that ball was his strongest Pokémon.

Gasps echoed from the sidelines.

"Is that the one?"

"No way… Master Chuck's ace?"

"I've heard stories, but I've never seen him use it before!"

Chuck's older students gathered with both excitement and anxiety. They'd only heard rumors about this mysterious powerhouse never seen it in action.

Chuck let out a long breath and waved his hand. "Back to your seats. Save the questions for later. Our challenger's waiting."

Once the field was cleared, Chuck took a deep breath and hurled the PoakBall high into the air.

Boom!

With a flash of blue light, a hulking figure emerged gray-skinned, grizzled, and carrying two massive concrete pillars like they were toothpicks.

Kai's Pokédex lit up instantly:

"Conkeldurr – Fighting-type. The Muscular Pokémon. Conkeldurr can wield the concrete pillars with shocking agility and power. If it gets serious, it'll drop the pillars and fight bare-fisted. Legend has it that ancient concrete techniques were inspired by this Pokémon over 2,000 years ago."

Conkeldurr.

A rare Pokémon not native to Kanto or Johto. Typically only seen in regions like Unova.

Kai had never battled one before, but he knew its evolutionary line—[Timburr] → [Gurdurr] → [Conkeldurr]—and more importantly, he could feel the raw power radiating from it.

This was Chuck's partner from his prime his true ace. The fact that he brought it out meant he wasn't playing anymore.

Kai glanced down at his Dragonite, who was now stretching its arms and flapping its little wings excitedly. It was still in fighting shape and practically buzzing with energy.

"Still good to go?" Kai asked.

"Drooo~"

Dragonite turned and gave a confident nod.

Both Pokémon took their positions on the field. On one side stood Conkeldurr, silent and unmoving, as solid as a mountain. On the other hovered Dragonite, its energy fresh, its spirit high a newly evolved powerhouse still hungry for battle.

The referee raised the flags and dropped them.

"Begin!"

Without waiting for a command, Dragonite blurred forward.

It moved like lightning a blur of orange and cream.

[Extreme Speed]. A priority Normal-type move, striking before anything else.

The hit landed clean. But Conkeldurr barely flinched.

Instead of being knocked back, it planted one concrete pillar like a brace, absorbing the blow. The ground cracked beneath it, but Conkeldurr held firm.

Then—wham!

Its other pillar swung in a wide arc, crashing into Dragonite's side with bone-jarring force.

Dragonite was sent hurtling backward. Only by frantically flapping its wings did it avoid slamming into the arena wall.

First exchange: both sides wounded, but Conkeldurr had the edge.

This wasn't surprising.

Conkeldurr had both attack power and experience on its side. It was a seasoned fighter. Dragonite was strong, sure but newly evolved and still adjusting to its body.

"Kai! Don't let it charge again! Use [Thunder Wave]!"

Dragonite paused, then focused. Its antennae crackled with electricity before releasing a paralyzing wave.

But Conkeldurr didn't panic.

Instead, it slammed one of its concrete pillars into the ground.

The electricity struck the pillar and dissipated harmlessly into the earth.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

It used the pillar as a lightning rod. Clever… and experienced.

Chuck was directing it with barely a word. They were so in sync, most of Conkeldurr's moves were automatic. Muscle memory. Partnership built over years of battle.

"All right, new plan," Kai muttered. "Dragonite starts whipping up [Twister]!"

Dragonite rose into the air and began rapidly flapping its wings, stirring up a vortex.

But just before the swirling wind could fully form—

Whoosh!

A concrete pillar whistled through the air and nailed Dragonite square in the belly.

Thud!

Dragonite tumbled and hit the ground hard, winded.

The Twister dispersed into the breeze.

Kai clenched his fists. He could see it now Conkeldurr's strategy was both offensive and defensive. The pillars weren't just for striking they were shields, tools, and counterweights.

Kai's mind raced.

If the pillars are the key…

Then he spotted something.

One of the concrete columns, after being thrown, had rolled away out of Conkeldurr's reach.

This was his opening.

"Kai, now's your chance!" Erika called from the sidelines.

Kai nodded sharply.

"Dragonite grab that pillar and throw it out of the arena!"

Dragonite perked up, spun on its heel, and lunged toward the fallen pillar…

----

Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!💎💎💎

For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.

P@treon/iamxeno

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!