Chapter 100: Team 5 VS Team 6
The host's voice rang out across the arena like a bell that refused to stop tolling.
"Teams Five and Six! Let's keep this locomotive rolling!"
The glass sphere descended from the ceiling on a wire so thin it seemed invisible. It sparkled under the chandeliers, catching light and throwing it back in fractured rainbows.
Briv watched it spin.
His hands were still shaking from the last match.
From Nicola.
From Jack.
From Revan's promise.
---
Patricia squeezed his arm.
"Breathe."
He breathed.
---
The host reached into the sphere.
"Team Five!"
He cracked the first capsule.
"Flannery!"
---
A woman strode forward.
Wild red hair. Fiery eyes. A confidence that bordered on combustion.
Flannery.
Gym Leader. Fire-type specialist. The woman who had built her reputation on passion and stubbornness in equal measure.
---
"The second member of Team Five..."
Another capsule.
"Hannah!"
---
Briv's head snapped up.
Hannah Alburth.
Kay's mother.
The woman who had fed him dinner three nights ago. The woman who had treated him like family.
---
She walked to the platform with quiet dignity.
Her graying hair was pulled back. Her eyes were warm but sharp. She wore simple clothes—practical, comfortable, the uniform of someone who had spent decades in kitchens and gardens and Pokémon shelters.
She didn't look like a competitor.
She looked like a mother.
---
Briv felt something twist in his chest.
Hannah.
He was going to have to face her.
---
"The third member of Team Five..."
"Zoey!"
---
A woman bounded forward.
Red hair tied with a flower. Grey eyes that sparkled with something between kindness and determination. A tube top, green pants, sandals that slapped against the platform.
Zoey.
She looked sweet.
She looked harmless.
Briv had learned not to trust appearances.
---
"The fourth and final member of Team Five..."
"Kofi!"
---
A man stepped from the shadows.
Tall. Sharp-featured. Jet-black dreadlocks tied back. A smirk that belonged on a predator.
Kofi Duskbane.
Dark-types. Ghost-types. Mind games.
He looked at Briv.
Their eyes met.
Kofi's smirk widened.
---
"Team Five is complete! Flannery, Hannah, Zoey, and Kofi!"
---
The crowd applauded.
Briv didn't hear it.
He was watching Kofi.
Kofi was watching him.
---
The host reached into the sphere again.
"Team Six!"
---
Capsules cracked.
"Rhomir!"
---
A man stepped forward.
Tall. Muscular. Blonde hair that fell in messy waves. A short beard that suggested he hadn't shaved in three days and didn't care.
Rhomir.
The newcomer.
The mystery.
---
"The second member of Team Six..."
Briv's heart stopped.
"Briv!"
---
He heard his name.
He didn't move.
Patricia pushed him.
"Go."
---
He walked to the platform.
His legs were wooden.
His mind was racing.
---
He stood beside Rhomir.
The man looked at him.
"Alright?"
Briv nodded.
"Alright."
---
"The third member of Team Six..."
"Raze!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Raze Stormcloud stepped forward.
Cocky. Charming. Arrogant.
Briv's number one rival.
They had fought a hundred battles. Won and lost and won again. They knew each other's tells. Each other's weaknesses.
They hated each other.
They respected each other.
They were the same.
---
Raze walked to the platform.
He passed Briv.
"Together again."
Briv didn't respond.
---
"The fourth and final member of Team Six..."
"Ennui!"
---
A man shuffled forward.
Tall. Pale. Monotone. Dark red streaks in his hair. Heavy black clothing adorned with chains and spikes.
Ennui.
He looked bored.
He always looked bored.
---
"Team Six is complete! Rhomir, Briv, Raze, and Ennui!"
---
The screens shifted.
Fixtures appeared.
---
TEAM FIVE VS TEAM SIX
FLANNERY VS RHOMIR
HANNAH VS BRIV
ZOEY VS RAZE
KOFI VS ENNUI
---
Briv stared at the screen.
Hannah.
He was facing Hannah.
---
He looked across the arena.
Hannah was looking at him.
She smiled.
It was the same smile she had given him when she passed the potatoes.
---
"First match!" the host announced. "Flannery versus Rhomir! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
---
Flannery stepped onto her platform.
She moved like fire given human form. Her red hair caught the light. Her eyes burned.
She selected a ball.
Kissed it.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon erupted from the light.
Large. Orange and yellow. A mane of flames. Muscles that rippled with every breath. A roar that shook the barrier.
Arcanine.
---
The crowd gasped.
Arcanine was rare.
Arcanine was powerful.
Arcanine was Flannery's ace.
---
Rhomir stepped onto his platform.
He moved like water over stone. Calm. Unhurried. His blue eyes assessed the Arcanine with clinical precision.
He selected a ball.
Didn't kiss it.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon materialized.
Massive. Gray. Armored. A face like a shield. A body built for endurance. Eyes that held ancient patience.
Bastiodon.
---
Briv blinked.
Bastiodon?
That was Nicola's Pokémon.
---
He looked at Nicola.
She was standing at the edge of the crowd.
Her face was pale.
Her hands were clenched.
---
"What—" he started.
Patricia's voice was quiet.
"He borrowed it. For the tournament. Nicola agreed."
---
Briv's stomach dropped.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Flannery struck first.
"Arcanine—Flare Blitz!"
---
Arcanine's body ignited.
It charged.
Flames trailed behind it like a comet's tail.
---
"Bastiodon—Protect."
---
Barrier up.
Arcanine hit it.
The impact shook the arena.
The barrier cracked.
But it held.
---
Flannery didn't pause.
"Again!"
---
Arcanine backed up.
Charged again.
---
"Metal Burst."
---
Bastiodon glowed.
The energy it had absorbed redirected outward.
---
Arcanine took the hit.
It staggered.
Its flames flickered.
But it didn't fall.
---
"Now! Wild Charge!"
---
Arcanine's body crackled with electricity.
It lunged.
It connected with Bastiodon's side.
---
Bastiodon slid back.
Its feet carved grooves in the platform.
---
It didn't fall.
---
"Flash Cannon."
---
Bastiodon's body glowed.
Energy gathered.
It released.
---
Arcanine tried to dodge.
Too slow.
---
The beam hit.
Arcanine flew.
Hit the barrier.
Slid down.
---
It stood.
Shaking.
Burning.
But standing.
---
Flannery's eyes narrowed.
"Close Combat."
---
Arcanine charged.
Its fists blurred.
---
"Protect."
---
Barrier up.
Arcanine hit it.
Hit it again.
Again.
---
The barrier shattered.
Arcanine's fist connected with Bastiodon's face.
---
Bastiodon staggered.
---
"Again!"
---
Another hit.
Another.
---
Bastiodon fell.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—FLANNERY WINS!"
---
The crowd roared.
Rhomir recalled Bastiodon.
His face was unreadable.
---
He selected another ball.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon emerged.
Large. Blue. Armored. A trident-shaped crest. Flippers like blades.
Empoleon.
---
Briv's breath caught.
That was his Pokémon.
---
He looked at Rhomir.
Rhomir looked back.
No expression.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Flannery struck first.
"Arcanine—Thunder Fang!"
---
Arcanine's fangs crackled.
It lunged.
---
"Empoleon—Aqua Jet."
---
Empoleon became a missile.
Water trailed behind it.
---
It dodged.
Arcanine's jaws snapped on empty air.
---
"Now! Drill Peck!"
---
Empoleon's beak spun.
It connected with Arcanine's flank.
---
Arcanine yelped.
It stumbled.
---
"Hydro Pump!"
---
Empoleon's flippers extended.
Water erupted.
---
Arcanine took the hit.
It slid back.
Its flames dimmed.
---
But it didn't fall.
---
Flannery's voice was steady.
"Extreme Speed."
---
Arcanine vanished.
---
It reappeared behind Empoleon.
Its fist connected.
---
Empoleon flew.
Hit the barrier.
---
It stood.
Shaking.
But standing.
---
"Flare Blitz."
---
Arcanine ignited.
It charged.
---
"Empoleon—Protect."
---
Barrier up.
Arcanine hit it.
The barrier held.
---
"Now! Flash Cannon!"
---
Empoleon's body glowed.
Energy gathered.
It released.
---
Arcanine took the hit point-blank.
---
It fell.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH TWO—RHOMIR WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Flannery recalled Arcanine.
Her hands were steady.
Her eyes were burning.
---
She selected her final ball.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon emerged.
Massive. Red and yellow. A mane of fire. A body built for speed and power.
Rapidash.
---
Rhomir selected his final ball.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon emerged.
Large. Blue. Fins like blades. A body streamlined for speed.
Floatzel.
---
Briv's stomach dropped again.
That was Patricia's Pokémon.
---
He looked at Patricia.
She was watching the arena.
Her face was pale.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Flannery struck first.
"Rapidash—Megahorn!"
---
Rapidash's horn glowed.
It charged.
---
"Floatzel—Aqua Jet."
---
Floatzel became a missile.
It dodged.
It circled.
---
"Now! Ice Punch!"
---
Floatzel's fist glowed.
It connected with Rapidash's flank.
---
Rapidash stumbled.
It didn't fall.
---
"Fire Blast!"
---
Rapidash's mouth opened.
Fire erupted.
A spiraling inferno.
---
Floatzel couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
---
It fell.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH THREE—FLANNERY WINS!"
---
The score was tied.
Two to two.
---
Flannery recalled Rapidash.
She selected her final ball.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon emerged.
Small. Red. A flame on its head. Eyes that burned with determination.
Magby.
---
Rhomir selected his final ball.
Threw it.
---
A Pokémon emerged.
Small. Blue. Black markings like a mask. Red eyes that glowed with quiet purpose.
Riolu.
---
Briv's heart stopped.
That was his Pokémon.
---
He looked at Rhomir.
Rhomir looked back.
No expression.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Flannery struck first.
"Magby—Flame Burst!"
---
Magby opened its mouth.
A sphere of fire launched.
---
"Riolu—Detect."
---
Riolu's eyes glowed.
It moved.
The fireball missed by inches.
---
"Now! Vacuum Wave!"
---
Riolu's fist glowed.
It struck.
---
Magby flew.
Hit the barrier.
---
It stood.
Shaking.
But standing.
---
"Fire Punch!"
---
Magby's fist ignited.
It charged.
---
"Riolu—Counter."
---
Riolu's body glowed.
It caught the punch.
It redirected the force.
---
Magby flew again.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH FOUR—RHOMIR WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Team Six had won the match.
Three to two.
---
Flannery recalled Magby.
She looked at Rhomir.
"You're good."
Rhomir nodded.
"So are you."
---
She walked off the platform.
She passed Briv.
"Good luck."
Briv didn't respond.
---
Rhomir walked off the platform.
He passed Briv.
He paused.
"Your Pokémon are strong."
Briv looked at him.
"They're yours now."
Rhomir shook his head.
"They're yours. I just borrowed them."
---
He walked away.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"TEAM SIX WINS THE MATCH! 3-2!"
---
But Briv wasn't listening.
He was watching Hannah.
She was walking to her platform.
Her face was calm.
Her hands were steady.
---
She was ready.
---
He looked at Patricia.
She squeezed his hand.
"Go."
---
He walked to his platform.
His legs were wooden.
His mind was racing.
---
He stood across from Hannah.
The woman who had fed him dinner.
The woman who had treated him like family.
The woman who was about to try to destroy him.
---
"Second match! Hannah versus Briv! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
Capsules cracked.
Briv's fingers found Gabite's ball first.
The dragon materialized in a burst of white light, landing on the platform with a predator's crouch. Dark blue scales caught the chandelier glow. Red underbelly heaved with each breath. Its eyes found Hannah's side of the field and narrowed.
Hannah selected her ball with the calm of someone who had done this a thousand times.
She threw it.
A large Pokémon emerged—brown fur, powerful arms, a face that had seen decades of battle. Ursaring. Its claws gleamed like polished bone.
The crowd murmured.
Briv heard someone whisper, "That's a mother's Pokémon."
He didn't look away from Hannah.
She smiled at him.
Not the warm smile from dinner. Something else. Something older and sharper.
"Don't hold back," she said.
"I won't."
"Good."
The host's voice cut through the tension.
"BEGIN!"
Hannah moved first.
"Ursaring—Bulk Up!"
Ursaring's muscles swelled. Its frame expanded. Power radiated from its body like heat from a forge.
Briv didn't waste the opening.
"Gabite—Dragon Claw!"
Gabite lunged. Its claws glowed with emerald energy. It slashed across Ursaring's chest.
The hit connected.
Ursaring didn't move.
Hannah's voice was calm.
"Play Rough."
Ursaring's fist ignited with pink energy. It swung.
Gabite tried to dodge.
Too slow.
The impact sent the dragon skidding across the platform. Its claws scraped grooves into the surface. It caught itself at the edge.
Briv's jaw tightened.
"Again! Dragon Claw!"
Gabite charged.
"Counter."
Ursaring caught the attack. Its paws wrapped around Gabite's arms. It twisted.
Gabite screamed.
"Throw it."
Ursaring hurled Gabite across the arena.
The dragon hit the barrier. Hard. It slid down.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH ONE—HANNAH WINS!"
The crowd erupted.
Briv recalled Gabite. His hand was steady. His heart was not.
He looked at Hannah.
She wasn't gloating. She wasn't smiling. She was watching him with something that looked almost like pride.
He didn't understand.
He didn't have time to.
He selected his next ball.
Threw it.
Torterra materialized. Massive. Patient. The tree on its back rustled in a wind that didn't exist. Its eyes found Ursaring and held.
Hannah nodded.
"Better."
"BEGIN!"
Hannah struck first.
"Ursaring—Crunch!"
Ursaring charged. Its jaws opened wide.
"Torterra—Protect."
Barrier up.
Ursaring's teeth clanged against it. Sparks flew.
"Now! Earthquake!"
Torterra's body glowed.
The platform shook.
Ursaring stumbled. Its footing slipped. It caught itself but barely.
"Wood Hammer!"
Torterra's tree glowed green.
It slammed forward.
The impact lifted Ursaring off its feet. The bear crashed down. Its body twitched.
It didn't stand.
"MATCH TWO—BRIV WINS!"
The crowd roared.
Hannah recalled Ursaring.
No anger. No frustration. Just acceptance.
She selected her next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—blue and gray, with a thick shell and flippers that gleamed like steel. Blastoise.
Briv's stomach dropped.
A starter. Fully evolved.
This was going to hurt.
"BEGIN!"
Hannah struck first.
"Blastoise—Hydro Pump."
Blastoise's cannons extended. Water erupted.
Torterra took the hit. It slid back. Its feet dug into the platform.
It didn't fall.
"Now! Solar Beam."
Torterra's tree glowed. Light gathered. The beam released.
Blastoise couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It staggered.
But it stood.
"Again! Hydro Pump."
"Protect."
Barrier up. Water splashed harmlessly.
"Rock Slide."
Torterra's body glowed. Rocks materialized. They launched.
Blastoise raised its arms. It took the hits. It didn't move.
"Hydro Cannon."
Blastoise's cannons glowed brighter. The water that erupted was white. Pressurized. Deadly.
Torterra took it.
Torterra fell.
"MATCH THREE—HANNAH WINS!"
Briv recalled Torterra.
His hand was shaking now.
He had one Pokémon left.
Riolu.
Small. Brave. Not yet evolved.
Against Blastoise.
He looked at Hannah.
She was waiting.
Not rushing him.
Not taunting.
Just waiting.
He selected his final ball.
Held it.
Felt the warmth inside.
"I believe in you," he whispered.
He threw it.
Riolu materialized. Small. Blue. Black markings like a mask. Red eyes that glowed with quiet purpose.
It looked at Blastoise.
Then it looked at Briv.
It didn't flinch.
"BEGIN!"
Hannah struck first.
"Blastoise—Hydro Pump."
Water erupted.
"Riolu—Detect."
Riolu's eyes glowed. It moved. The water missed by inches. It hit the platform where Riolu had stood.
"Now! Vacuum Wave!"
Riolu's fist glowed. It struck.
The hit connected with Blastoise's shell.
Blastoise didn't move.
"Hydro Cannon."
Riolu couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It flew. Hit the barrier. Slid down.
It stood.
Shaking. Bruised. But standing.
Briv's heart pounded.
"Riolu—Quick Attack!"
Riolu blurred. It struck. Again. Again.
Blastoise swiped. Riolu dodged.
"Flash Cannon."
Blastoise's body glowed.
Riolu couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
Briv's chest tightened.
"Riolu—"
The small Pokémon stirred.
Its paws pressed against the platform.
It pushed.
It stood.
Briv felt something shift.
Something warm.
Something bright.
Riolu's body began to glow.
White light. Pure. Brilliant.
The crowd gasped.
Hannah's eyes widened.
The light consumed Riolu. It grew. It changed. It became something new.
When the light faded, Riolu was gone.
In its place stood a tall, sleek Pokémon—blue and black, with a chest spike, steel-gray limbs, and eyes that held ancient wisdom. Lucario.
Briv's breath caught.
Lucario turned. It looked at him. Its eyes held something that made his chest ache.
Recognition. Trust. Love.
"Lucario," Briv whispered.
Lucario nodded.
It turned back to Blastoise.
Its stance shifted. Its aura flared.
"BEGIN!"
Hannah's voice was quiet.
"Hydro Pump."
Blastoise fired.
"Lucario—Detect."
Lucario moved. The water missed.
"Now! Aura Sphere!"
Lucario's paws came together. Energy gathered. A sphere of blue light formed.
It launched.
Blastoise tried to dodge.
Too slow.
The sphere hit. Blastoise flew. Hit the barrier. Slid down.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH FOUR—BRIV WINS!"
The crowd erupted.
Team Six had won the match.
Three to two.
Briv stood there. His legs were shaking. His heart was pounding.
Lucario walked to him.
It placed a paw on his chest.
Briv felt the warmth. The connection. The bond that had been there all along.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Lucario nodded.
Hannah walked across the platform. She stopped in front of him.
Her eyes were soft.
"You raised him well."
Briv's voice cracked.
"I didn't know."
"That's what makes it real."
She extended her hand.
He shook it.
"Good luck," she said.
"Thank you."
She walked away.
Briv watched her go.
Then he looked at the scoreboard.
TEAM SIX: 2
TEAM FIVE: 0
He had won.
They had won.
But the tournament wasn't over.
The next match was starting.
Zoey versus Raze.
Briv walked off the platform.
Lucario walked beside him.
They didn't need words.
They never had.
=====
They never had.
Raze was already walking toward the platform before the host finished announcing his name. His stride was loose, theatrical, the walk of a man who had never doubted his place in the world. He rolled his shoulders once, cracked his neck, and stepped onto the raised steel with the casual grace of someone who expected to win.
Zoey followed a moment later.
She moved differently. Quieter. Her sandals whispered against the platform. Her grey eyes swept the arena—not with fear, but with calculation. She was measuring angles. Distances. The way the light hit the barrier.
Briv watched from the sideline.
His chest was still tight from the battle with Hannah. Lucario stood beside him, its paw resting against his leg. The warmth of its aura pulsed through the fabric of his jeans.
"He's overconfident," Patricia murmured.
Briv didn't look at her.
"He always is."
"And?"
"And sometimes it's deserved."
Raze selected his first ball with a flourish. He held it up to the crowd. Let them cheer. Let them scream.
Then he threw it.
A large Pokémon materialized—gray and purple, with brutal tusks, a thick hide, and eyes that burned with ancient aggression. Mamoswine.
The crowd roared.
Zoey didn't react. She plucked a ball from her belt with the calm of someone selecting a vegetable at a market.
She threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—small, green, with a bulb on its back and vines that twitched with quiet awareness. Bulbasaur.
The crowd laughed.
Raze laughed.
Zoey didn't.
The host's voice cut through the noise.
"BEGIN!"
Raze struck first.
"Mamoswine—Ice Shard!"
A shard of ice formed. It launched. Fast. Deadly.
"Bulbasaur—Dodge."
Bulbasaur moved. Not fast. Not flashy. Just enough. The shard missed by a finger's width.
"Vine Whip."
Bulbasaur's vines extended. They wrapped around Mamoswine's tusks. Yanked.
Mamoswine's head dipped. It grunted.
"Shake it off!"
Mamoswine roared. It reared back. The vines snapped.
Bulbasaur stumbled.
"Now! Earthquake!"
Mamoswine slammed its feet. The platform shook. Cracks spidered across the steel.
Bulbasaur lost its footing. It tumbled.
"Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur caught itself on a crack. It pulled. It launched itself toward Mamoswine.
"Sleep Powder."
Bulbasaur's bulb opened. A cloud of green dust erupted.
Mamoswine inhaled.
Its eyes drooped.
It swayed.
It collapsed.
The crowd went silent.
Raze's mouth opened.
"What—"
"Leech Seed."
Bulbasaur's bulb glowed. A seed launched. It hit Mamoswine's flank. Vines sprouted. They wrapped around the massive Pokémon. They drank.
Raze's face twisted.
"Wake up!"
Mamoswine didn't move.
"Wake up!"
The vines tightened. Mamoswine's breathing slowed.
"MATCH ONE—ZOEY WINS!"
The crowd erupted.
Not cheers.
Gasps.
Raze recalled Mamoswine with a jerk of his wrist. His jaw was tight. His eyes were hard.
He selected his next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, brown, with massive horns and a body built for destruction. Bouffalant.
Zoey selected hers.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—yellow, with a flower on its back and a face that radiated warmth. Sunflora.
Raze laughed. The sound was brittle.
"A flower? Against a buffalo?"
Zoey smiled.
It didn't reach her eyes.
"BEGIN!"
Raze struck first.
"Bouffalant—Head Charge!"
Bouffalant lowered its head. It charged. The platform shook with every step.
"Sunflora—Sunny Day."
Sunflora's flower glowed. Light erupted. The arena brightened.
"Now! Solar Beam."
Sunflora's flower glowed brighter. Energy gathered. It released.
Bouffalant took the hit.
It staggered.
It didn't fall.
"Again!"
"Solar Beam."
Another hit.
Bouffalant stumbled.
"Head Charge!"
Bouffalant lunged. It connected with Sunflora.
Sunflora flew. Hit the barrier. Slid down.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH TWO—RAZE WINS!"
The crowd exhaled.
Raze's smirk returned.
"Told you."
Zoey recalled Sunflora. Her hands were steady.
She selected her final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, green, with a wide mouth and a body covered in leaves. Carnivine.
Briv blinked.
That was Samuel's Pokémon.
He looked at Samuel.
Samuel was standing at the edge of the crowd. His dreadlocks swayed. His eyes were calm.
He nodded.
Briv didn't understand.
Raze selected his final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, brown, with a thick shell and powerful arms. Rhyperior.
"BEGIN!"
Raze struck first.
"Rhyperior—Rock Wrecker!"
A boulder formed. It launched.
"Carnivine—Dodge."
Carnivine moved. Slower than Bulbasaur. But it moved.
The boulder crashed into the platform. Debris flew.
"Power Whip."
Carnivine's vines extended. They wrapped around Rhyperior's legs. They pulled.
Rhyperior crashed to the ground.
"Now! Energy Ball!"
Carnivine's mouth opened. A sphere of green light formed. It launched.
Rhyperior took the hit.
It grunted.
It didn't fall.
"Earthquake!"
Rhyperior slammed its fists. The platform buckled.
Carnivine lost its grip. It tumbled.
"Rock Wrecker!"
Another boulder. Another launch.
Carnivine couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It flew. Hit the barrier.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH THREE—RAZE WINS!"
The crowd roared.
Raze pumped his fist.
"Yeah! That's how we do it!"
Zoey recalled Carnivine. Her face was calm.
She walked off the platform.
She passed Briv.
Their eyes met.
"Sorry," she murmured.
Briv shook his head.
"You did good."
She nodded.
She kept walking.
=====
The host's voice rang out again.
"Third match! Kofi Duskbane versus Ennui!"
Briv's stomach tightened.
Kofi walked to the platform like a predator who had already chosen his prey. His dreadlocks swayed. His smirk was sharp.
Ennui shuffled to the opposite side. His chains clinked with every step. His pale face was unreadable.
The crowd was quiet.
This was the match.
If Kofi won, Team Five pushed it to a tie-breaker.
If Ennui won, Team Six qualified.
"BEGIN!"
Kofi struck first.
He threw his ball.
A Pokémon emerged—dark, with sharp claws, red eyes, and a grin that promised nightmares. Weavile.
Ennui selected his ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, gray, with a thick shell and eyes that held ancient patience. Bastiodon.
Briv blinked.
Bastiodon again.
He looked at Nicola.
She was watching the platform. Her face was pale.
Rhomir had borrowed it first.
Now Ennui.
She had lent it to both of them.
"BEGIN!"
Kofi struck first.
"Weavile—Night Slash!"
Weavile's claws glowed. It slashed.
"Bastiodon—Protect."
Barrier up. Weavile's claws scraped against it.
"Now! Metal Burst."
Bastiodon glowed. Energy released.
Weavile took the hit.
It slid back.
It didn't fall.
"Again! Night Slash!"
"Protect."
Barrier up. Again.
"Metal Burst."
Again.
Weavile took the hit.
It staggered.
"Foul Play."
Weavile's body darkened. It lunged.
It grabbed Bastiodon's leg. It twisted.
Bastiodon crashed to the ground.
"Now! Night Slash!"
Weavile's claws glowed. It slashed at Bastiodon's exposed flank.
Bastiodon grunted.
It didn't fall.
"Flash Cannon."
Bastiodon's body glowed. Energy gathered. It released.
Weavile took the hit point-blank.
It flew. Hit the barrier.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH ONE—ENNUI WINS!"
The crowd murmured.
Kofi's smirk faltered.
He recalled Weavile.
Selected another ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, dark, with a skull-like face and a body that radiated malice. Houndoom.
Ennui selected his next.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, purple, with a gaping mouth and eyes that held nothing. Gastrodon.
Kofi's eye twitched.
"A Gastrodon? Really?"
Ennui shrugged.
"Really."
"BEGIN!"
Kofi struck first.
"Houndoom—Dark Pulse!"
A wave of dark energy erupted. It rushed across the platform.
"Gastrodon—Counter."
Gastrodon's body glowed. It absorbed the energy.
It released it.
Houndoom took the hit.
It skidded back.
"Again! Dark Pulse!"
"Counter."
Again.
Houndoom took the hit.
It staggered.
"Flamethrower!"
Houndoom's mouth opened. Fire erupted.
Gastrodon took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Earth Power."
Gastrodon's body glowed. The platform cracked. Energy erupted from below.
Houndoom flew.
It hit the barrier.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH TWO—ENNUI WINS!"
The crowd erupted.
Team Six had won.
Three to zero.
Kofi stood there. His hands were shaking.
He recalled Houndoom.
He didn't select another ball.
He walked off the platform.
He passed Ennui.
"I'll remember this."
Ennui shrugged.
"You do that."
The host's voice boomed.
"TEAM SIX WINS THE MATCH! 3-0!"
Briv exhaled.
They had qualified.
They had won.
But something was wrong.
He looked at Kofi.
Kofi was standing at the edge of the crowd. His eyes were fixed on Briv.
His lips moved.
No words. Just a promise.
Briv felt a chill run down his spine.
He looked at Patricia.
She was pale.
"He's going to come after you."
Briv nodded.
"I know."
The next draw was announced.
The next teams were forming.
Briv didn't move.
He stood there.
With Lucario beside him.
With Patricia's hand in his.
With the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on his shoulders.
The League had just begun.
And the shadows were already closing in.