Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

Compared to regular Ninetales, Alolan Ninetales could generate ice particles from its fur and hurl them at enemies. If provoked, it could instantly freeze its opponent, making it one of the most powerful regional variants of Ninetales.

Even among Alolan Ninetales, those with the Snow Warning ability were extremely rare.

Fawn stared at Klein's Ninetales on the battlefield, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Even you're helping him."

Klein's Alolan Ninetales responded with a soft, melodic cry, as if trying to persuade her. A silent exchange passed between the Pokémon and its former trainer, while Klein simply stood by, watching quietly.

"Meowth, what's that Ninetales saying?"

On the sidelines, Jessie—now working as a vendor—leaned forward with curiosity.

Meowth listened intently for a moment before translating:

"It's saying, 'I am not what you think I am. Stop holding onto your bias.'"

James blinked. "Bias? Sounds to me like this girl is obsessed with that older-looking brat over there."

Fawn did understand what Ninetales was trying to say.

But her stubbornness refused to let her accept it.

To her, the truth was simple—Klein had ruined Rosa's life and taken away her only family.

Klein sighed. "Sorry for not sending you in earlier."

Ninetales shook its head, letting out a soft hum.

"That child may have evolved, but they still have much to learn. No need to fuss over it."

Meowth's ears perked up. "Wait… that other Ninetales—that was its kid?!"

Fawn's Alolan Ninetales was actually the offspring of Klein's Alolan Ninetales and Rosa's Kantonian Ninetales.

Years Ago – Hoenn Region

During a special exhibition match, Klein and Rosa were given the opportunity to challenge Wallace.

In preparation, they underwent intense training—one under the blazing sun, the other under a fierce blizzard.

Rosa's Fire-type Ninetales faced off against Klein's Ice-type Ninetales, causing the battlefield to erupt into a chaotic clash of fire and frost.

From the sidelines, Fawn had watched in awe, holding a newborn Alolan Vulpix in her arms.

Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

"So strong… Vulpix, you'll be just as strong as your parents one day!"

The tiny Vulpix responded with a gentle cry.

Now, years later, facing that same stern gaze from Klein's Ninetales, Fawn hesitated.

But her pride refused to let her waver.

"Weavile, Metal Claw!"

With a sharp cry, Weavile's claws gleamed metallic silver, slashing through the icy air.

At that moment, Klein's Alolan Ninetales unleashed a blizzard, sweeping across the battlefield.

Watching from the VIP section, Lorelei adjusted her glasses.

"If I didn't know he was the Sandstorm Elite, I'd think he was an Ice-type specialist like me."

Bruno scratched his head awkwardly.

"Klein does have multiple specialized teams. His hail team revolves entirely around this Ninetales. Meanwhile, I've barely trained anything outside of my Fighting-types in years… makes me feel kinda guilty."

"Ninetales, Aurora Veil!"

With a soft cry, Alolan Ninetales' silver tails shimmered, releasing a dazzling spray of light particles into the air.

Within moments, a brilliant aurora formed over the battlefield.

The swirling veil of silver and blue glistened under the stadium lights, making Ninetales appear dreamlike and untouchable.

"Aurora Veil?! That move only works in hail!"

Aurora Veil significantly reduces damage from enemy attacks—but it can only be used under snowy conditions.

For an Alolan Ninetales with Snow Warning, it was the perfect technique.

But Klein wasn't done.

The blizzard intensified, and the swirling ice in the air formed a massive silver moon above the battlefield.

The Silver Ice Moon hung high above them, illuminating the snowy battlefield like a scene from a fairy tale.

The audience erupted into screams.

Compared to Klein's usual brutal sandstorm battles, this was graceful, elegant, and refined.

His female fans lost their minds.

"SO BEAUTIFUL!"

A twin-tailed girl in the stands, Nicole, blushed deeply.

"I'm so jealous of Fawn! She gets to be this close to Klein-senpai's loving strategy!"

Her older brother buried his face in his hands.

"She's lost it. My little sister is a full-blown Klein fangirl now…"

Meanwhile, in the Hoenn League Headquarters, Wallace had been casually watching the match on TV.

The moment Klein's Alolan Ninetales unveiled the Silver Ice Moon, his expression changed.

He leaned forward, eyes flashing with genuine admiration.

"That level of coordination… even in a Contest Battle, it would be world-class."

Wallace had always supported Klein's growth, but he hadn't expected him to improve this much.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

"He doesn't smile as much anymore… his aura feels colder than before."

Back at the battlefield—

Klein's voice rang out.

"Moonblast!"

The Silver Ice Moon shone brighter, and Ninetales' fur glowed with celestial energy.

Then, Ninetales fired a luminous beam of energy, as if the moon itself had come alive.

"Weavile, dodge it!"

Fawn's eyes widened.

She had heard of this technique before.

Klein had once described a battle strategy that involved using the moonlight to amplify Ice-type moves.

But she had never imagined that he had fully perfected it.

Weavile tried to escape, but the blizzard's mirrored ice reflections distorted its movements.

From every angle, its position was exposed.

Weavile was completely trapped.

A moment later—

BOOM!

A massive pillar of moonlight engulfed Weavile.

"TOO FAST!"

The attack was instantaneous.

In the VIP section, Lorelei's eyes narrowed.

"That moon isn't just for decoration…"

All around the Silver Ice Moon, dozens of ice mirrors had formed, reflecting the light in different directions.

"Klein's Ninetales is using the mirrors to bend and amplify the speed of its attacks!"

Bruno laughed.

"Heh, if Klein ever led an Ice-type army, he'd be the deadliest weapon in the Kanto League."

Under the Silver Ice Moon, Weavile collapsed.

Fawn bit her lip.

Her most agile Pokémon had been completely overpowered.

How was this even possible?!

Klein…

How did he become this strong?!

From the Cinnabar Pokémon Center, Silver sat glued to the screen, his heart pounding.

"This is an Elite Four-level battle…"

And Klein wasn't even using his main team.

With trembling fingers, Silver began researching Ice-type battle strategies.

As Klein watched Fawn retrieve her Weavile, his expression remained unreadable.

"You're too dependent on snow for your strategy," he finally said.

Fawn clenched her fists.

"Shut up! I don't need your advice!"

She took a deep breath and reached for her next Poké Ball.

"Glaceon, go!"

A shimmering, ice-blue Glaceon appeared, snowflakes spiraling around its elegant form.

Klein smirked.

"Then let's see how well you really understand hail battles, Lil Sprout."

(End of Chapter)