Chapter 101: Team 7 VS Team 8
The host's voice cut through the murmur of the crowd like a blade through silk.
"Teams Seven and Eight! Let's keep this night burning!"
The glass sphere descended again. Same wire. Same impossible thinness. Same fractured rainbows scattering across the arena floor.
Briv watched from the sideline.
His legs still ached from the battle with Hannah. Lucario stood beside him, its paw resting against his hip. The warmth of its aura pulsed through the fabric of his jeans like a second heartbeat.
Patricia was pressed against his other side. Her hand found his. Squeezed.
"Who do you think?" she murmured.
Briv didn't answer.
He was watching the sphere spin.
---
The host reached inside.
"Team Seven!"
He cracked the first capsule.
"Jinx!"
---
A petite woman stepped forward.
Pale skin. Pink hair styled in horn-like tufts. Magenta eyes that sparkled with something between mischief and malice. A gothic purple-black outfit that seemed to absorb the light around her.
Jinx.
She skipped—actually skipped—to the platform.
The crowd laughed.
Briv didn't.
He had seen Jinx battle once. In a qualifying match three weeks ago. She had dismantled her opponent with a smile on her face and a rhythm in her step that made the violence look like a dance.
---
"The second member of Team Seven..."
"Andre!"
---
The crowd went silent.
Andre walked forward.
Two meters of sculpted muscle. Ebony skin that gleamed under the chandeliers. A shaved head. Eyes that burned with unwavering resolve.
He didn't skip.
He didn't smile.
He moved like a mountain deciding to walk.
---
Briv felt the temperature drop.
Andre.
The man who had trained in isolation for a decade. The man who had defeated three Elite trainers in exhibition matches last year. The man who spoke rarely and commanded absolutely.
He was here.
---
"The third member of Team Seven..."
"Raven!"
---
A woman glided forward.
Pale. Stoic. Violet hair that fell past her shoulders. Indigo eyes that held nothing. A dark cloak over a leotard adorned with red gems.
Raven.
She didn't look at the crowd.
She didn't look at her teammates.
She looked at the sphere.
---
"The fourth and final member of Team Seven..."
"Jim!"
---
A skinny young man stumbled forward.
Short dark hair. Brown eyes that darted everywhere. A nervous twitch in his hands. He looked like he had accidentally wandered onto the stage and was too terrified to leave.
Jim.
Briv frowned.
He didn't know Jim.
No one did.
---
"Team Seven is complete! Jinx, Andre, Raven, and Jim!"
---
The crowd applauded.
It was polite.
Nothing more.
---
The host reached into the sphere again.
"Team Eight!"
---
Capsules cracked.
"Malik!"
---
A massive man lumbered forward.
Broad shoulders. Thick build. Dark eyes that carried a spark of mischief. A booming laugh that echoed off the crystal ceiling.
Malik.
The brute force of Andre's trio.
His eyes found Andre.
The laugh died.
---
"The second member of Team Eight..."
"Bianca!"
---
A woman walked forward.
Medium height. Blonde wavy hair. Dark eyes. A beautiful smile that seemed to light up the arena.
Bianca.
Beginner psychologist. Kind. Friendly.
Briv had met her once. At a coffee shop near the trainer registration office. She had helped him calm down after a panic attack.
He hadn't forgotten.
---
"The third member of Team Eight..."
"Mert!"
---
A man staggered forward.
Tall. Big. Drunk.
The smell hit the arena before he did. Stale beer. Sweat. Something sour underneath.
Mert.
He leered at the crowd. At the women. At the cameras.
His words slurred when he spoke.
"Let'sh get thish over with."
---
"The fourth and final member of Team Eight..."
"Niklaus!"
---
The temperature dropped again.
Niklaus walked forward.
Tall. Elegant. Black hair slicked back. Cold dark-blue eyes that held nothing. A presence that made the crowd lean back.
Niklaus Eterngust.
Eclipse Squad.
---
Briv's blood ran cold.
Patricia's grip on his hand tightened.
"I know him," she whispered.
"Everyone knows him."
"No. I know him. He was at the ceremony last year. He watched us. He was... evaluating."
Briv didn't ask what she meant.
He didn't want to know.
---
"Team Eight is complete! Malik, Bianca, Mert, and Niklaus!"
---
The screens shifted.
Fixtures appeared.
---
TEAM SEVEN VS TEAM EIGHT
JINX VS MALIK
ANDRE VS BIANCA
RAVEN VS MERT
JIM VS NIKLAUS
---
The crowd murmured.
Four duels.
All being played.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"First match! Jinx versus Malik! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
---
Jinx bounced onto her platform.
She was still smiling. Still skipping.
Malik lumbered onto his platform.
He was not smiling.
---
Jinx threw her ball first.
A Pokémon emerged—small, purple, with a spiral pattern on its belly and wide eyes that spun with hypnotic rhythm. Spoink.
The crowd laughed.
Malik didn't.
He threw his ball.
A Pokémon emerged—massive, brown, with fists like boulders and a face that had forgotten how to show mercy. Machamp.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Malik struck first.
"Machamp—Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp's fist ignited with orange energy.
It swung.
---
"Spoorink—Bounce."
Spoink launched itself into the air.
Machamp's fist connected with empty space.
---
"Now! Psychic!"
Spoink's eyes glowed.
Machamp's body stiffened.
---
"Again! Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp broke free. It swung.
Spoink couldn't dodge.
It flew. Hit the barrier.
It stood.
Shaking.
But standing.
---
"Psybeam!"
Spoink's eyes glowed again. A beam of psychic energy launched.
Machamp took the hit.
It staggered.
---
"Cross Chop!"
Machamp lunged.
Its fists blurred.
Spoink took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—MALIK WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Jinx recalled Spoink.
Her smile didn't falter.
She selected her next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, yellow, with a star-shaped head and eyes that held ancient wisdom. Starmie.
---
Malik selected his next.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, gray, with a body built for endurance and eyes that held nothing. Golem.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Jinx struck first.
"Starmie—Hydro Pump!"
Starmie's gem glowed. Water erupted.
Golem took the hit.
It slid back.
It didn't fall.
"Rock Blast."
Golem's body glowed. Rocks materialized. They launched.
Starmie dodged. Twice. Three times.
The fourth rock connected.
Starmie spun.
"Now! Thunderbolt!"
Starmie's gem glowed brighter. Electricity erupted.
Golem took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Earthquake."
Golem slammed its fists. The platform shook.
Starmie lost its focus. It tumbled.
"Rock Blast."
Another volley.
Starmie couldn't dodge.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH TWO—MALIK WINS!"
---
The crowd was louder now.
Jinx recalled Starmie.
Her smile was gone.
She selected her final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, purple, with a body covered in scars and eyes that burned with hatred. Gengar.
---
Malik selected his final.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, gray, with a body of pure muscle and a face that had forgotten how to feel. Machamp.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Jinx struck first.
"Gengar—Shadow Ball!"
Dark energy formed. It launched.
Machamp took the hit.
It grunted.
"Knock Off."
Machamp lunged. Its fist connected with Gengar's body.
Gengar's form flickered.
"Now! Sludge Bomb."
Gengar's mouth opened. Toxic sludge erupted.
Machamp took the hit. It staggered.
"Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp's fist ignited.
Gengar tried to phase. Too slow.
The hit connected.
Gengar flew. Hit the barrier.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH THREE—MALIK WINS!"
---
The crowd roared.
Team Eight had won the first duel.
Three to zero.
---
Jinx recalled Gengar.
She walked off the platform.
She passed Malik.
"Good game."
Malik nodded.
"You too."
---
The host's voice boomed.
"Second match! Andre versus Bianca!"
---
Andre walked to the platform.
His steps were measured. Deliberate. Each one landed with the weight of a decision.
Bianca walked to the opposite side.
Her steps were lighter. But her eyes were sharp. Calculating.
---
She selected her first ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—small, pink, with a round body and eyes that held nothing but calm. Clefairy.
---
Andre selected his first.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—massive, gray, with a body of pure muscle and eyes that held ancient patience. Machamp.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Andre struck first.
"Machamp—Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp's fist ignited.
It swung.
---
"Clefairy—Protect."
Barrier up.
Machamp's fist connected.
The barrier held.
---
"Now! Moonblast."
Clefairy's body glowed. A sphere of pink light formed. It launched.
Machamp took the hit.
It staggered.
---
"Again! Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp lunged.
Clefairy dodged.
Barely.
---
"Metronome."
Clefairy's fingers wagged.
Energy gathered.
It released.
A Hydro Pump.
From a Clefairy.
---
Machamp took the hit.
It flew. Hit the barrier.
It stood.
Shaking.
But standing.
---
"Cross Chop!"
Machamp lunged.
Its fists blurred.
Clefairy couldn't dodge.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—ANDRE WINS!"
---
Bianca recalled Clefairy.
Her hands were steady.
She selected her next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, pink, with a round body and a pouch on its belly. Chansey.
---
Andre selected his next.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, gray, with a body of pure muscle and eyes that held nothing. Machoke.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Bianca struck first.
"Chansey—Soft-Boiled."
Chansey's body glowed. It healed.
Andre didn't wait.
"Machoke—Karate Chop!"
Machoke lunged.
Chansey took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Now! Seismic Toss."
Chansey grabbed Machoke.
It lifted.
It threw.
Machoke crashed to the platform.
It stood.
Shaking.
"Again! Karate Chop!"
Machoke lunged.
Chansey took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Seismic Toss."
Again.
Machoke crashed.
It didn't stand.
---
"MATCH TWO—BIANCA WINS!"
---
The crowd gasped.
Andre recalled Machoke.
His face was unreadable.
He selected his final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—massive, gray, with a body of pure muscle and eyes that burned with ancient rage. Machamp.
---
Bianca selected her final.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, pink, with a round body and eyes that held nothing but calm. Blissey.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Andre struck first.
"Machamp—Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp's fist ignited.
It swung.
---
"Blissey—Protect."
Barrier up.
Machamp's fist connected.
The barrier held.
---
"Now! Toxic."
Blissey's body glowed. Poison erupted.
Machamp took the hit.
It staggered.
---
"Again! Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp lunged.
Blissey dodged.
Barely.
---
"Soft-Boiled."
Blissey healed.
Andre's jaw tightened.
"Cross Chop!"
Machamp lunged.
Its fists blurred.
Blissey took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Seismic Toss."
Blissey grabbed Machamp.
It lifted.
It threw.
Machamp crashed.
It stood.
Shaking.
"Again! Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp lunged.
Blissey took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Seismic Toss."
Again.
Machamp crashed.
It didn't stand.
---
"MATCH THREE—BIANCA WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Andre recalled Machamp.
He looked at Bianca.
She looked back.
"Good game," she said.
Andre nodded.
"You too."
---
He walked off the platform.
He passed Briv.
Their eyes met.
Andre didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"Third match! Raven versus Mert!"
---
Raven glided to her platform.
Her cloak billowed. Her eyes held nothing.
Mert staggered to his.
He was still drunk.
Still leering.
Still smelling like a bar floor.
---
He threw his ball first.
A Pokémon emerged—large, purple, with a gaping mouth and eyes that held nothing but hunger. Swalot.
---
Raven selected hers.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, black, with wings that seemed to absorb the light and eyes that burned with crimson fire. Honchkrow.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Raven struck first.
"Honchkrow—Dark Pulse!"
A wave of dark energy erupted.
Swalot took the hit.
It slid back.
It didn't fall.
"Swalot—Sludge Bomb!"
Swalot's mouth opened. Toxic sludge erupted.
Honchkrow dodged.
Barely.
"Now! Brave Bird."
Honchkrow's body ignited with blue energy.
It dove.
Swalot took the hit.
It staggered.
"Again! Sludge Bomb!"
Swalot's mouth opened.
Honchkrow couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—MERT WINS!"
---
The crowd murmured.
Raven recalled Honchkrow.
Her face was unreadable.
She selected her next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, purple, with a body covered in gems and eyes that held nothing but malice. Sableye.
---
Mert selected his next.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, blue, with a body covered in scales and eyes that held nothing but hunger. Seviper.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Raven struck first.
"Sableye—Shadow Claw!"
Sableye's claws glowed.
It slashed.
Seviper took the hit.
It hissed.
"Poison Tail."
Seviper's tail glowed.
It struck.
Sableye took the hit.
It staggered.
"Now! Power Gem."
Sableye's body glowed.
Gems formed.
They launched.
Seviper took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH TWO—RAVEN WINS!"
---
The crowd exhaled.
Mert recalled Seviper.
His face twisted.
"You fucking bitch."
Raven didn't react.
She selected her final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, black, with a body that seemed to absorb light and eyes that burned with crimson fire. Umbreon.
---
Mert selected his final.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, purple, with a body covered in scars and eyes that held nothing but hatred. Muk.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Raven struck first.
"Umbreon—Dark Pulse!"
A wave of dark energy erupted.
Muk took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Sludge Wave."
Muk's body glowed. Toxic sludge erupted.
Umbreon took the hit.
It staggered.
"Now! Moonlight."
Umbreon's body glowed. It healed.
"Again! Sludge Wave."
Muk's body glowed.
Umbreon couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH THREE—MERT WINS!"
---
The crowd roared.
Team Eight had won the second duel.
---
Raven recalled Umbreon.
She walked off the platform.
She passed Mert.
He grabbed her arm.
"Where you going, sweetheart?"
Raven looked at him.
Her eyes held nothing.
"Let go."
Mert laughed.
"Make me."
---
A shadow moved.
Andre was there.
His hand closed around Mert's wrist.
"Let go."
Mert's laugh died.
He let go.
Andre released him.
Mert stumbled back.
Raven walked away.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"Final match! Jim versus Niklaus!"
---
Jim stumbled to his platform.
His hands were shaking.
His eyes were darting.
He looked like he was about to vomit.
---
Niklaus walked to his platform.
His steps were measured. Deliberate. Each one landed with the weight of a decision.
---
Jim threw his ball first.
A Pokémon emerged—small, brown, with a fluffy tail and eyes that held nothing but terror. Sentret.
---
Niklaus selected his.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—large, black, with a body that seemed to absorb light and eyes that burned with crimson fire. Weavile.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Niklaus struck first.
"Weavile—Night Slash!"
Weavile's claws glowed.
It slashed.
Sentret took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—NIKLAUS WINS!"
---
Jim recalled Sentret.
His hands were shaking worse now.
He selected his next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—small, pink, with a round body and eyes that held nothing but fear. Igglybuff.
---
Niklaus didn't select a new ball.
He kept Weavile.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Niklaus struck first.
"Weavile—Night Slash!"
Weavile's claws glowed.
It slashed.
Igglybuff took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH TWO—NIKLAUS WINS!"
---
Jim recalled Igglybuff.
Tears were streaming down his face.
He selected his final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—small, brown, with a fluffy tail and eyes that held nothing but terror. Sentret.
---
Niklaus's lip curled.
"Pathetic."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Niklaus struck first.
"Weavile—Night Slash!"
Weavile's claws glowed.
It slashed.
Sentret took the hit.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH THREE—NIKLAUS WINS!"
---
The crowd was silent.
Jim recalled Sentret.
He walked off the platform.
He passed Niklaus.
Niklaus didn't look at him.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"TEAM EIGHT WINS THE MATCH! 3-0!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Team Eight had qualified.
---
Briv watched from the sideline.
His blood was cold.
Niklaus had won without trying.
Without caring.
Without mercy.
---
Patricia squeezed his hand.
"He's going to be a problem."
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.
=====
And the shadows were already closing in.
The host's voice rang out again, and the glass sphere descended on its invisible wire.
Briv watched it fall. The chandeliers caught its facets and threw light across the arena floor in pale, fractured ribbons. He counted his heartbeats. Six. Seven. Eight.
"Teams Nine and Ten!"
The crowd stirred. Bodies shifted in seats. Someone near the front laughed too loudly at something Briv couldn't hear.
"The first member of Team Nine..."
The capsule cracked.
"Belle!"
A woman stepped forward.
Chestnut hair tied with a ribbon. Hazel eyes that swept the arena with quiet wonder. A golden gown that caught the light and held it.
She walked like she had somewhere else to be. Like she had been reading and someone had interrupted her.
Belle.
Briv had seen her once. In a library in Opelucid City. She had been surrounded by books on Pokémon mythology and legendaries. She had looked up when he passed and smiled like she knew something he didn't.
He hadn't forgotten.
"The second member of Team Nine..."
"Samuel!"
Samuel walked forward.
His dreadlocks swayed with each step. His loose, colorful clothing seemed to drink the light. A handmade necklace clinked against his chest.
He reached the platform and turned to face the crowd.
He didn't smile.
He didn't frown.
He just stood there, and the arena felt calmer for it.
"The third member of Team Nine..."
"Nicoleta!"
The temperature dropped.
Nicoleta walked forward.
Long black hair. Dark eyes that held nothing. Pale skin that seemed to glow under the chandeliers. A gothic outfit that fit her like a second skin.
She didn't look at the crowd.
She looked at Samuel.
He looked back.
Something passed between them that Briv couldn't name.
"The fourth and final member of Team Nine..."
"Egnar!"
A man lumbered forward.
Average height. Thick with muscle. A face that had forgotten how to smile. Eyes that held a grudge like a drowning man holds a rope.
Egnar.
He didn't look at anyone.
He stood at the end of the line like a storm waiting to break.
"Team Nine is complete! Belle, Samuel, Nicoleta, and Egnar!"
The crowd applauded. Polite. Measured.
Briv felt Patricia shift beside him.
"Samuel's with them," she murmured.
"I know."
"His Pokémon are strong. That Carnivine—"
"It's not his Pokémon I'm worried about."
Patricia didn't ask what he meant. She didn't need to.
The host reached into the sphere again.
"Team Ten!"
Capsules cracked.
"Madalina!"
A woman strutted forward.
Long brown hair. Dark eyes that sparkled with something between amusement and hunger. A fitted dress that showed every curve and made no apologies.
Madalina.
Model. Party girl. Social media darling.
She blew a kiss to the crowd and laughed when they cheered.
"The second member of Team Ten..."
"Heather!"
Another woman stepped forward.
Long, straight black hair. Sharp eyes that calculated everything they saw. A stylish outfit that screamed money and ambition.
Heather.
Briv recognized her from the qualifying rounds. She had won her matches by outthinking her opponents, not outmuscling them. She had made three trainers quit mid-battle.
She smiled at the crowd.
It didn't reach her eyes.
"The third member of Team Ten..."
"Blackfire!"
A woman walked forward.
Long black hair. Violet eyes that held something dangerous. Dark attire that mirrored another woman's style but in black and silver.
Blackfire.
She moved like she owned the arena. Like everyone in it was beneath her notice.
She didn't smile.
She didn't wave.
She just claimed her spot and waited.
"The fourth and final member of Team Ten..."
"Bridgette!"
A woman jogged forward.
Blonde ponytail. Green eyes that held warmth. A hoodie and shorts that looked like she had just come from the beach.
Bridgette.
She waved at the crowd with genuine enthusiasm.
Somewhere in the stands, someone waved back.
"Team Ten is complete! Madalina, Heather, Blackfire, and Bridgette!"
The screens shifted.
Fixtures appeared.
TEAM NINE VS TEAM TEN
BELLE VS MADALINA
SAMUEL VS HEATHER
NICOLETA VS BLACKFIRE
EGNAR VS BRIDGETTE
The crowd murmured.
Briv felt something cold settle in his stomach.
Four matches. Four chances.
He looked at Samuel.
Samuel was looking back.
Between them: the arena. The crowd. The weight of everything that had happened and everything that was coming.
Samuel nodded once.
Briv nodded back.
The host's voice boomed.
"First match! Belle versus Madalina! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
Belle walked to her platform.
Her steps were slow. Deliberate. She held a book in one hand and a Poké Ball in the other.
The crowd laughed.
Belle didn't react.
She opened the book. Read a line. Closed it. Placed it on the railing beside her.
Then she threw her Poké Ball.
A Pokémon emerged.
Yellow. Bipedal. A tail shaped like a lightning bolt. Cheeks that crackled with electricity.
Pikachu.
The crowd erupted.
Madalina threw her ball.
A Pokémon emerged.
Large. Blue. Fins that cut through air. A body built for speed and power.
Gyarados.
The crowd gasped.
Madalina laughed.
"A Pikachu? Against a Gyarados? Are you serious?"
Belle smiled.
It was the same smile from the library.
"Always."
"BEGIN!"
Madalina struck first.
"Gyarados—Hydro Pump!"
Gyarados's mouth opened. Water erupted.
"Pikachu—Double Team."
Pikachu split into six copies.
The water hit one.
It flickered and vanished.
"Again! Hydro Pump!"
Another torrent.
Another copy vanished.
"Now! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu's cheeks crackled. Lightning erupted.
Gyarados took the hit.
It roared.
It didn't fall.
"Gyarados—Earthquake!"
Gyarados slammed its tail. The platform shook.
Pikachu stumbled. Its copies vanished.
"Again! Hydro Pump!"
Water erupted.
Pikachu couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
It flew. Hit the barrier. Slid down.
It stood.
Shaking.
But standing.
"Thunder!"
Pikachu's body glowed. Lightning gathered. It released.
Gyarados took the hit point-blank.
It roared.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH ONE—BELLE WINS!"
The crowd was silent.
Madalina recalled Gyarados.
Her smile was gone.
She selected her next ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged.
Large. Purple. A body covered in scales. Eyes that held nothing but hate.
Arbok.
Belle selected her next.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged.
Small. Pink. A round body. Eyes that held nothing but calm.
Clefairy.
Madalina laughed.
Again.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Belle didn't respond.
"BEGIN!"
Madalina struck first.
"Arbok—Poison Jab!"
Arbok lunged. Its fangs dripped with venom.
"Clefairy—Protect."
Barrier up.
Arbok's fangs scraped against it.
"Now! Moonblast."
Clefairy's body glowed. A sphere of pink light formed. It launched.
Arbok took the hit.
It staggered.
"Again! Poison Jab!"
Arbok lunged.
Clefairy dodged.
Barely.
"Metronome."
Clefairy's fingers wagged.
Energy gathered.
It released.
A Fire Blast.
From a Clefairy.
Arbok took the hit point-blank.
It flew. Hit the barrier.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH TWO—BELLE WINS!"
The crowd erupted.
Madalina recalled Arbok.
Her hands were shaking.
She selected her final ball.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged.
Large. Blue. A body covered in scales. Eyes that held nothing but malice.
Dragonair.
Belle selected her final.
Threw it.
A Pokémon emerged.
Small. Yellow. A body covered in soft fur. Eyes that held nothing but calm.
Eevee.
Madalina laughed.
It was brittle.
"An Eevee? Really?"
Belle nodded.
"Really."
"BEGIN!"
Madalina struck first.
"Dragonair—Dragon Rush!"
Dragonair's body glowed.
It lunged.
"Eevee—Detect."
Eevee's eyes glowed. It moved.
Dragonair missed by inches.
"Now! Swift."
Eevee's tail glowed. Stars erupted. They launched.
Dragonair took the hit.
It grunted.
"Again! Dragon Rush!"
Dragonair lunged.
Eevee couldn't dodge.
It flew. Hit the barrier.
It stood.
Shaking.
But standing.
"Last Resort."
Eevee's body glowed.
It launched itself forward.
It connected.
Dragonair flew.
It hit the barrier.
It didn't get up.
"MATCH THREE—BELLE WINS!"
The crowd roared.
Team Nine had won the first duel.
Three to zero.
Belle recalled Eevee.
She walked off the platform.
She passed Madalina.
"Good game."
Madalina didn't respond.
Her eyes were fixed on the scoreboard.
Her fingers were curled into fists.
Belle kept walking.
She stopped in front of Briv.
"Your turn next," she said.
Briv blinked.
"What?"
She smiled.
"The next draw. It's coming. Be ready."
She walked away.
Briv watched her go.
Patricia squeezed his hand.
"She's strange."
Briv nodded.
"I know."
The host's voice boomed.
"Second match! Samuel versus Heather! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
Samuel walked to his platform.
His steps were slow. Rhythmic. Like he was listening to music no one else could hear.
Heather walked to hers.
Her steps were sharp. Calculated. Like she was counting the distance between them.
They stood across from each other.
The crowd waited.
The host waited.
=====