That night, in the wilderness at the summit of Mt. Silver.
Crimson flames lit up half the sky. Wearing an outdoor jacket, Young Master Mao breathed out a plume of white mist.
Charizard and Arcanine, the two Fire-type powerhouses, stood before him.
Eevee-chan, Venusaur, Blastoise, and Scizor gathered nearby.
"Let's call it a day. You have a match tomorrow," Lorelei said softly, recalling Articuno.
"Ah~ All right." Young Master Mao took a deep breath, his gaze clearing.
Lorelei let out a soft breath. Being Gary's sparring partner really wasn't an easy job.
Even without Moltres and Lugia taking part, his first team of Pokémon going all out was enough to put her under immense pressure.
In the end, they had even forced the ice beauty to reveal her trump card, her Sheer Cold domain.
It could be said that, in their battle, the pressure Gary put on Lorelei was already no less than that of an opponent on her own level.
After all, there were quite a few Fire-type powerhouses among the top ranks of Young Master Mao's Pokémon.
Compared with Gary's, Lance's team was much more endearing...
"Young Master Mao was so serious today," Caitlin remarked, bundled in a down jacket with her head tucked down.
"Maybe tomorrow's opponent means a lot to him." Lorelei smiled faintly and considerately drew Gary's jacket closer around him.
"Maybe." Young Master Mao shook his head with a smile. "I hope I can put enough pressure on Ash to make him grow a little faster.
"As my rival, he's still far too lax."
Caitlin and Lorelei exchanged smiles. Was this the strange competitive streak boys had?
Gary really was unexpectedly adorable like this...
"All right, let's go, let's go. Time to head back and rest. I'll make everyone red bean and rice cake