Chapter 197: 197. Kai vs Danny -1

Words : 1219 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

---- Danny had already climbed a few meters ahead, but Kai wasted no time, beginning his own ascent with steady determination. The Navel Island mountain was intimidating in height, but as Kai focused solely on each step, a surprising sense of calmness washed over him. Though his movements were less fluid than Danny's and his speed slower, Kai prioritized precision over haste. His strategy was simple: climb carefully and avoid mistakes at all costs. Additionally his trusty Haunter, was subtly keeping watch from the shadows, ensuring that any potential misstep wouldn't end in disaster. Just as he began settling into the rhythm of the climb, a familiar noise drew Kai's attention a faint mechanical hum. He turned his head to see Sabrina gliding past in the nearby cable car, her figure visible through the frosted glass. She gave him a small wave, her expression calm. "Keep it up. I'll be waiting for you at the top," she said with quiet encouragement. It was just a simple cheer, yet Kai felt a renewed surge of energy. Each pull of his arms and step of his feet seemed fueled by endless strength. Before long, Kai's initial awkwardness faded, and he found himself catching up to Danny. The gap between them shrank steadily until they were climbing side by side. About twenty minutes later, Danny suddenly stopped midway up the cliffside and gestured for a break. While Kai still felt he could push onward, he decided to defer to Danny's expertise as an experienced climber. With a heavy sigh, Kai dropped onto a flat rock, taking a moment to catch his breath. His gaze wandered to the horizon, where wispy clouds floated so close it felt like he could reach out and grab them. This must have been the very spot he had seen from afar before landing on Navel Island. The air was crisp and cool, and the panoramic view below was breathtaking. He could see the emerald expanse of the island's forests and the sparkling blue of the surrounding ocean. The sense of accomplishment from climbing this high filled Kai with a deep, unspoken pride. Danny, sitting a few feet away, grinned at Kai's awestruck expression. "Not bad for your first climb without any gear. But from here on out, it's going to get tougher. The slope eases up, but the temperature drops significantly it gets freezing up there." Kai nodded, brushing snowflakes from his gloves. "No problem. Let's keep moving." As they resumed the climb, Danny's warning proved true. The higher they went, the colder the air became. Their breaths turned to visible puffs, and a biting wind began to sting their faces. Soon, snow started to coat the ground beneath their feet, and a steady snowfall blanketed the trail. Kai glanced around at the sudden shift in climate. It was as if they had stepped from summer into winter in the blink of an eye. "How high is this mountain, anyway?" Kai asked, his curiosity piqued by the dramatic weather change. Danny chuckled, shaking his head. "No one really knows. It's not particularly tall, but the unique climate near the peak causes all sorts of unpredictable weather. It's part of what makes this place so special." After trudging through the snow for what felt like hours, the pair finally reached the summit. The peak was a winter wonderland, with thick snow covering the ground and massive geysers periodically erupting in plumes of steam. The wind howled as it whipped through the open expanse, and the heavy snowfall made visibility difficult. Kai's legs felt like jelly, and his fingers stung from the cold. The sweat from the climb only made the chill worse. He clutched his sides, shivering as he took in the surreal landscape. From across the summit, Sabrina emerged from a small wooden cabin near the cable car station. She was wrapped in a thick red blanket, which she had somehow procured, and as she approached, she carried a second blanket. Without a word, she draped it over Kai's shoulders, shielding him from the bitter cold. The warmth of the blanket was immediate, and Kai sighed in relief. "Thanks," he said, pulling it tighter around himself. Off to the side, Danny stood forgotten, watching the scene unfold with a mix of annoyance and envy. 'There are two people here, you know. Couldn't she have brought one for me too?' He thought bitterly. 'And those are my blankets!' Shaking his head, Danny retreated to the cabin, grabbing his own blanket to shield himself from the cold. When he returned, he exhaled deeply, his confidence restored. "Congratulations," Danny announced, flashing his trademark grin. "You've passed the first challenge." Kai turned to him, unimpressed. "Let me guess: you're the Gym Leader." Danny froze, caught off guard. His grin faltered for a moment before he forced out a chuckle. "What gave it away?" "It wasn't that hard to figure out," Kai replied, crossing his arms. "You've been with us the whole time, and your behaviour made it pretty obvious." Danny sighed, defeated. "Alright, you win. I'm Danny, the East Star of the Orange League and the Leader of Navel Gym!" He turned to Sabrina with a hopeful look. "And you, miss? Did you guess too?" Sabrina glanced at him briefly, her face impassive. She didn't bother answering and instead turned her gaze to the distant geysers. Danny's excitement deflated. "So much for that..." he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. Clearing his throat, he addressed both of them. "Now that the formalities are out of the way, welcome to Navel Gym! Having made it this far, you're qualified to take on the Gym's official challenges." He held up three fingers. "The battles at Navel Gym consist of three unique challenges. To win the Badge, you need to beat me in at least two of them. Are you ready?" Kai nodded, steeling himself for what was to come. "For the first challenge," Danny continued, pointing toward one of the nearby geysers, "you'll need to use your Pokémon to freeze boiling water. Let's see if you're up to the task!" A nearby geyser erupted dramatically, spewing scalding water high into the air. The steam hissed and swirled as it collided with the icy air. Kai frowned. "Freeze boiling water? That's the first challenge?" Danny nodded. "That's right. It's a test of skill and creativity. Good luck!" Kai hesitated, glancing at his belt. "But I don't have an normal Ice-type Pokémon..." Danny shrugged, smirking. "Then you'll just have to forfeit the first round." Kai raised an eyebrow. "That seems unfair. Surely other challengers don't have Ice-types. Do they all lose automatically?" Danny chuckled. "Rules are rules. No exceptions." Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. If that's how it's going to be..." He reached for one of his Poké Balls, his expression sharpening. "I guess I'll just have to get creative." ---- Don't forget to drop some Power Stones! For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon. P@treon/iamxeno Thank you so much for your support and for reading!

Chapter 197: 197. Kai vs Danny -1

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