Chapter 40: Nicola VS Jack
The evening had settled over Aethelburg like a velvet curtain, the crystal towers catching the last rays of sunlight and throwing them back as fractured rainbows across the floating bridges. The canals glowed with bioluminescent algae, their soft blue light rippling through the water like liquid stars. Briv stood at the edge of the Grand Plaza, watching the city transform from its bustling daytime chaos into something almost magical, and tried to convince himself that the knot in his stomach was just hunger.
It wasn't.
Heather's appearance had rattled all of them more than anyone wanted to admit. Dariana had spent the afternoon in her room with Gallade, tending to the bruises the psychic-fighting type had sustained in the battle. Patricia had retreated to the suite's small kitchen, stress-baking a batch of poffins that had turned out too dry and too sweet. Samuel had taken his team to the rooftop for some evening training, his Doduo's twin heads squawking in irritation as he drilled them through footwork patterns.
And Nicola had disappeared.
Briv hadn't seen her since they'd left the rooftop terrace. She'd muttered something about needing air, grabbed her belt, and vanished into the city's winding streets before anyone could offer to join her.
He should have gone after her. He knew that.
But he also knew Nicola well enough to understand that chasing her when she wanted space was the fastest way to push her away. She'd come back when she was ready.
Or she wouldn't.
The plaza was crowded with evening vendors—food stalls selling grilled fish and rice balls, merchants hawking their wares from carts, street performers juggling flame orbs and playing stringed instruments that hummed with psychic resonance. Briv wove through the crowd, Chimchar perched on his shoulder, the little fire-type's tail casting dancing shadows across the cobblestones.
"Where do you think she went?" Patricia appeared at his elbow, her Buneary hopping along beside her. Her cheeks were dusted with flour, and there was a smear of chocolate on her sleeve that she hadn't noticed.
"No idea."
"She's been gone for hours."
"I know."
Patricia bit her lip. "Briv, what Jack did to her—"
"I know what he did."
The words came out sharper than he intended. Patricia flinched, and Briv immediately felt the guilt twist in his chest. He reached out, squeezed her hand, tried to soften his expression.
"Sorry. I'm just—"
"Worried. I know." Patricia squeezed back. "We all are."
They walked in silence for a while, past a stall selling carved wooden Poké Balls, past a group of children chasing a giggling Aipom through the crowd. The normal-type's tail-hand snatched a hat from a passing merchant, and the resulting chaos was almost enough to make Briv smile.
Almost.
"You know she's not fragile," Patricia said quietly. "She's the toughest person I know."
"That's not what I'm worried about."
"Then what?"
Briv stopped walking. Chimchar chirped in confusion, its flame tail flickering brighter as it sensed his trainer's tension.
"Jack doesn't just want to humiliate her," Briv said. "He wants to break her. And if he can't do it in battle, he'll find another way."
Patricia's face paled. "You think he's still in the city?"
"I think he never left."
---
The Wandering Spirits Tavern was exactly the kind of place Briv would have avoided under normal circumstances—dimly lit, reeking of stale beer and old smoke, the kind of establishment where the floor was sticky and the patrons kept their hoods up. But when Nicola had sent a single text message to their group chat—Wandering Spirits. Now.—he hadn't hesitated.
She was sitting at a corner table when they arrived, her back to the wall, her eyes fixed on the door. Starly was perched on the chair beside her, the little bird's head swiveling constantly, watching for threats. Magnemite hovered near her shoulder, its single eye glowing with cold calculation.
And across from her, lounging in his chair like he owned the place, was Jack Haywire.
Briv's blood ran cold.
Jack looked exactly the same as he had six months ago—the same sharp features, the same predatory grin, the same casual cruelty in the way he held himself. He was tall and lean, with close-cropped brown hair and cold blue eyes that seemed to find humor in everything. His clothes were expensive—designer jacket, custom boots, a silver watch that probably cost more than Briv's entire apartment.
"You're late," Jack said, not looking at Briv.
"I'm here now." Briv's voice was flat. "What the hell do you want?"
Jack's grin widened. "So direct. I always liked that about you." He gestured to the empty chairs around the table. "Sit down. We're just having a friendly conversation."
Briv didn't move. "I'm not sitting anywhere near you."
"Suit yourself." Jack turned his attention back to Nicola. "So? What do you say?"
Nicola's jaw was tight, her hands clenched into fists on the table. She'd been crying—Briv could see the redness around her eyes, the way her makeup had smeared at the corners. But her voice, when she spoke, was steady.
"Why now?"
"Because I'm bored." Jack shrugged. "Because I was passing through Aethelburg and heard the great Nicola Sunfall was here, and I thought—why not revisit old times?"
"My answer is no."
"Oh, I don't think it is." Jack leaned forward, his elbows on the table, his voice dropping to something almost intimate. "Here's the thing, sweetheart. I've been thinking about you. A lot. That night was one of the best I've ever had, and I want to see if you've still got it."
The words hit Briv like a physical blow. He took a step forward, ready to—
"Briv." Nicola's voice cut through his rage like a blade. "Don't."
"But—"
"I said don't."
Jack laughed. The sound was sharp and ugly, like glass breaking. "Oh, this is rich. Your boyfriend here knows about our little arrangement?"
"He's not my boyfriend."
"But he's definitely protective." Jack's eyes glittered with amusement. "What's the matter, Briv? Don't like sharing?"
Briv's hands were shaking now. Chimchar's tail blazed bright, sensing his trainer's fury, and the temperature around them spiked.
"Easy," Patricia whispered, placing a hand on his arm. "He's baiting you."
"I know." Briv's teeth were clenched so tight his jaw ached. "It's working."
Jack turned back to Nicola, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Here's my offer. One battle. Three-on-three. If I win..." He paused, letting the silence stretch. "You suck my cock again. Just like you did before. On your knees, in front of whoever wants to watch."
Nicola's face went white.
"But if you win?" Jack shrugged. "I'll leave you alone. Forever. You'll never see me again, I swear on my mother's grave. How does that sound?"
"You don't have a mother," Nicola said flatly.
"See? You know me so well." Jack leaned back, spreading his arms wide. "So what do you say, Sunfall? Do we have a deal?"
The silence in the tavern was absolute. Even the barkeep had stopped wiping glasses, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes.
Briv wanted to scream. He wanted to grab Nicola and drag her out of here, away from this monster, away from the memories that still made her flinch at unexpected touches. He wanted to break Jack's perfect teeth.
But he also knew Nicola. And he knew that the one thing she'd never been able to resist was a challenge.
"Nicola," Patricia said quietly. "You don't have to—"
"Deal."
The word came out hard and sharp, like a knife cutting through rope.
Jack's grin returned. "I knew you'd say yes."
---
They moved to the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse, in the industrial district where the crystal towers gave way to rusted steel and shadows. The building was far enough from the main streets to avoid unwanted attention, but close enough that the distant glow of the canals still bled across the concrete.
Samuel had joined them, his expression tight with concern. Dariana had come too, though she'd left her Pokémon behind—a show of non-aggression, she'd explained. No one mentioned Heather. No one mentioned the fact that the Eclipse Squad seemed to be circling closer with every passing day.
Jack stood at one end of the rooftop, his three Poké Balls arranged on his belt. He'd dressed for the occasion—black pants, a tight t-shirt that showed off his lean frame, boots that clicked against the concrete. His Geodude appeared first, the rock-type hovering beside him with a lazy expression.
"Who wants to referee?" Jack called out.
"I will."
The voice came from the door to the stairwell. Officer Jenny stepped into the light, her teal-blue hair tied back in its signature ponytail, her green eyes hard as flint. She was off-duty, wearing civilian clothes instead of her uniform, but there was nothing casual about the way she held herself.
"Patrol officer on the scene," she said, crossing her arms. "You want to run an unsanctioned battle on private property, that's your business. But I'm here to make sure it stays clean."
Jack's expression flickered—irritation, then amusement. "By all means. The more witnesses, the better."
Nicola walked to the opposite end of the rooftop, her Pokémon at her sides. She'd changed into her battle clothes—dark leggings, a fitted tank top, her hair tied back in a tight ponytail. She looked fierce, furious, and absolutely terrified.
Briv noticed the way her fingers trembled as she touched her Poké Balls.
"You've got this," he said, low enough that only she could hear.
Nicola's eyes met his. For a moment, the mask slipped, and he saw the girl underneath the warrior—the one who'd cried in his arms after that night, the one who still woke up screaming sometimes, the one who'd spent three years learning to trust again.
Then the mask was back.
"I know."
"Three-on-three," Jack announced. "Single elimination. No items. We switch when someone faints. Standard rules." He tilted his head. "Unless you want to make it interesting?"
"Standard rules," Nicola said. "I'm not playing your games."
"Shame." Jack's smirk didn't waver. "I was looking forward to watching you squirm."
"Enough." Officer Jenny's voice cracked like a whip. "Trainers ready. Send out your first Pokémon."
Jack moved first. "Geodude."
The rock-type materialized on the rooftop with a heavy thud, its arms crossed, its expression somewhere between bored and contemptuous. It was larger than average, its skin pitted and scarred from countless battles.
"Starly," Nicola said. "Let's go."
Her little bird appeared in a flash of white light, its wings already spread, its eyes locked on its opponent. Starly was the smallest Pokémon on the field—barely a third of the Geodude's size—but there was nothing small about its spirit. It chirped once, sharp and defiant, and Briv felt a surge of pride.
"Let's dance." Jack snapped his fingers. "Rock Throw."
The chunks of concrete tore free from the rooftop and hurtled toward Starly. But the little bird was already moving—a blur of gray and white, banking hard to the left, then the right, weaving through the barrage with reflexes that bordered on precognition.
"Wing Attack," Nicola commanded.
Starly folded its wings and dove. The impact as it struck the Geodude's face was sharp and satisfying—a crack of flesh against stone that made even Jack wince. The rock-type staggered backward, more surprised than hurt, and Starly pulled up with a triumphant chirp.
"Not bad." Jack's smile was thin. "But not good enough. Geodude, Rock Polish."
The rock-type glowed with an earthy light, its speed increasing dramatically. The pitted surface of its skin smoothed, becoming almost reflective, and when it moved, it moved fast.
"Tackle."
Geodude launched itself forward like a cannonball. Starly tried to dodge—tried to react—but the speed was too much. The impact sent the little bird tumbling across the concrete, its feathers scattering.
"Starly!" Nicola's voice cracked. "Get up!"
Starly struggled to its feet, shaking, but it didn't fall. Its eyes blazed with determination, and Briv saw its wings spread wide—not fleeing, but preparing.
"Quick Attack."
"Rock Throw."
The two attacks crossed in mid-air. Starly's speed carried it past the rocks before they could connect, but this time, when it struck its opponent, there was a different quality to the impact. The wing attack was sharper, more precise—and Geodude's face actually showed something like pain.
"Defense Curl," Jack ordered.
Geodude curled into a ball, its defense increasing, but Nicola was already adapting.
"Growl."
The sound that came from Starly's tiny throat was surprisingly loud, a sonic attack that struck the Geodude's ears with waves of unsettling resonance. The rock-type's attack power dropped, its muscles relaxing involuntarily.
"Follow up with Wing Attack."
Starly struck again and again, each blow somehow landing despite the Geodude's increased defense. Briv noticed the pattern—the little bird wasn't attacking randomly. It was targeting the same spot every time, the same crack in the rock-type's skin, backing up Nicola's strategy with a soldier's discipline.
"Hah!" Jack laughed. "Clever. But you forgot something. Geodude, Rock Blast."
The rock-type uncurled and launched a rapid-fire barrage of stone projectiles. Starly dodged the first, the second, the third—but the fourth caught it in the wing, and the fifth slammed into its chest.
Starly fell. This time, it didn't get up.
"Starly is unable to battle," Officer Jenny announced. "Nicola, send out your next Pokémon."
Nicola recalled Starly with shaking hands, whispering something to the ball before tucking it away. Her expression was composed, but Briv could see the cracks—the way her breathing had quickened, the way her eyes kept darting to Jack's smug face.
"Magnemite," she said.
The steel-and-electric type appeared with a low hum, its magnets sparking, its single eye fixed on the Geodude with cold precision. Magnemite was the quietest member of Nicola's team—the one that had taken the longest to bond, the one that responded to strategy rather than emotion.
But there was steel in that little electric package. Steel that Jack was about to discover.
"Thunder Shock."
The bolt of electricity erupted from Magnemite's body with a crack that split the night. Geodude had time to flinch, and then the lightning hit—arcing through its rocky body with a scream of displaced electrons.
The rock-type didn't fall. But it was close.
"Magnitude," Jack shouted.
The rooftop shook. The ground rippled with seismic force, and Magnemite was thrown into the air, its magnets spinning wildly. It recovered quickly, but the damage was done—its metal body was dented, its single eye flickering.
"Thunder Shock again."
"No, you don't. Rock Throw."
The chunks of concrete flew. Magnemite dodged—dodged again—but the third volley caught its body broadside. The impact sent it skidding across the rooftop, sparks flying.
"Magnemite!" Nicola's voice was sharp. "Magnet Rise!"
Magnemite's magnets hummed with power, and the steel-type rose into the air, freeing itself from the ground's pull. The Geodude's Rock Throws would still hit—but it would be harder to land a solid blow on a floating target.
"Magnet Bomb."
The metallic projectile launched from Magnemite's body with incredible speed. It struck the Geodude square in the chest, and this time, the rock-type crumpled. Its face cracked, its arms went slack, and it fell to the concrete with a solid thud.
"Geodude is unable to battle," Officer Jenny said. "Jack, send out your next Pokémon."
Jack recalled his fallen rock-type without ceremony. His expression had shifted—no longer amused, but calculating. He was actually paying attention now, actually treating Nicola as a threat.
"Pinsir," he said. "Let's make this interesting."
The stag beetle Pokémon materialized in a surge of aggression. Pinsir was massive, its body glistening with a chitinous sheen, its claws huge and sharp. Its eyes burned with a hunger for violence, and when it let out a screech, even Magnemite flinched.
"Vice Grip."
Pinsir lunged.
Magnemite tried to dodge, but Pinsir was faster than anything that size had a right to be. Its claws closed around Magnemite's body, squeezing with industrial pressure, and the sound of screeching metal filled the air.
"Thunder Shock!" Nicola shouted. "Point blank!"
The electricity exploded from Magnemite's body, arcing across Pinsir's claws and up its arms. The bug-type howled in pain, but it didn't release its grip—didn't even loosen.
"Seismic Toss."
Pinsir spun, using Magnemite's body as a pivot, and slammed the steel-type into the rooftop. Once. Twice. Three times. Each impact sent shockwaves through the concrete, each one drawing a wince from the assembled trainers.
"Magnemite, return!"
Nicola's voice was desperate as she recalled her Pokémon. The steel-type disappeared in a flash of red light, and Pinsir's claws closed on empty air.
"Smart," Jack called out. "But delaying the inevitable."
Nicola's jaw tightened. "Skorupi."
Her final Pokémon appeared on the rooftop, its purple carapace gleaming under the starlight. Skorupi was small—smaller than Pinsir by an order of magnitude—but there was something dangerous in its stillness. Its blue eyes fixed on the bug-type with patient calculation, and its pincers opened and closed with a quiet click.
"A Skorupi?" Jack laughed. "Seriously? What's that going to do against a Pinsir?"
"Watch and learn," Nicola said.
"Vice Grip."
Pinsir lunged again—but this time, Skorupi was ready. The little poison-type dodged sideways, its body moving with an agility that belied its heavy armor, and raised its pincers in a defensive stance.
"Poison Sting."
The barbed tail lashed out, catching Pinsir across the leg. The poison didn't deal much damage—but the status effect was instant. Pinsir's leg began to purple, the toxin working its way through the bug-type's system.
"You little—" Jack's expression twisted. "Pinsir, Brick Break!"
Pinsir swung its claws with crushing force, but Skorupi was already moving. It scuttled backward, then sideways, then forward again—a constant, dizzying dance that made it nearly impossible to pin down. The Bug-Type was faster, but the Scorpion Pokémon was more agile, and every time Pinsir got close, Skorupi was already somewhere else.
"Poison Sting again."
Another hit. Pinsir's movements were slowing now, the poison taking its toll. Its attacks were becoming wilder, more desperate.
"X-Scissor!"
The bug-type's claws glowed with power, and it launched itself forward with everything it had. Skorupi tried to dodge, but the attack was too wide—it caught the scorpion across the flank, sending it tumbling across the rooftop.
"Skorupi!"
The poison-type struggled to its feet. One of its legs was bent at an angle that looked wrong, and there was a crack in its carapace that oozed green ichor. But its eyes were still sharp, still focused.
"Nicola," Briv called out. "Its leg—"
"I know." Her voice was tight with pain. "Skorupi, get ready."
The command was vague—no specific move, no obvious strategy. But Skorupi seemed to understand anyway. It planted its feet, lowered its body, and waited.
Pinsir lunged one more time.
Skorupi didn't dodge. It didn't retreat. It waited until Pinsir's claws were inches from its body, and then it struck—not at the bug-type's body, but at its legs. The poisoned, weakened legs that had been slowing with every passing second.
"Pin Missile."
The spike volley caught Pinsir's knees, and the bug-type stumbled. It couldn't recover—couldn't catch its balance—and Skorupi took advantage of the opening.
"Poison Fang."
The scorpion's pincers closed around Pinsir's arm, and the venom flooded into the bug-type's system. Pinsir screamed—a horrible, wet sound—and then it was falling, its body convulsing, the poison overwhelming its defenses.
"Pinsir is unable to battle," Officer Jenny announced. "Jack, send out your final Pokémon."
The silence that followed was so complete that Briv could hear his own heartbeat.
Jack stood motionless, staring at his fallen Pinsir with an expression that was impossible to read. His hand moved to his final Poké Ball, then stopped. He looked at Skorupi—battered, broken, but still standing—and his lips curled into something that might have been a smile.
"You're better than I remembered," he said.
"Send out your Pokémon," Nicola replied.
Jack's final ball opened, and the ground exploded.
---
Dugtrio emerged from the concrete like a nightmare given form—three heads, all of them snarling, all of them furious. The ground-type's body was buried deep, only its heads visible above the surface, and when it moved, the entire rooftop trembled.
Sandstorm erupted from its body, filling the air with grit and dust. Skorupi was caught in the middle, its wounded body buffeted by the stinging particles.
"Skorupi, stay strong!"
But the little poison-type was failing. The sandstorm was too much—the accumulated damage too severe. Its legs were trembling now, its carapace cracking under the constant assault.
"Earthquake."
The ground rippled. Skorupi was thrown into the air, its body twisting, its pincers flailing uselessly. It landed hard, and this time, it didn't get up.
"Skorupi is unable to battle," Officer Jenny said, her voice somber. "Nicola, send out your remaining Pokémon."
Nicola stood frozen, her hand hovering over her belt. She had no remaining Pokémon—Starly was down, Magnemite was down, Skorupi was down.
She had lost.
Jack's laugh cut through the silence. "Oh, that's too bad. I thought you had more fight in you." He spread his arms wide. "So. I believe there's something you owe me."
Nicola's face was pale. Her hands were shaking. Briv started forward—
"Wait."
The word came from the stairwell door.
Everyone turned.
Dariana stood in the doorway, her Gallade beside her, its blade-arms gleaming in the moonlight. Behind her, Patricia and Samuel had arrived, their Pokémon at their sides.
"You said three-on-three," Dariana called out. "Standard rules."
"That's right," Jack said, his expression cautious.
"Standard rules mean a trainer can't be forced to do anything... unsavory... after a battle." Dariana's voice was hard as diamond. "It's in the League regulations. Section 4, subsection 12. Any promises made under duress during an unsanctioned battle are unenforceable."
Jack's smile faltered.
"She's right," Officer Jenny said, stepping forward. "I was here to ensure the battle stayed clean. And it did—right up until you tried to collect on an illegal wager. That's a violation of the Trainer's Code of Conduct."
"You can't—"
"I can." Officer Jenny's hand moved to her hip, where her radio was clipped to her belt. "I can have a squad here in five minutes. Or you can walk away, right now, and never come back."
Jack stared at her. His jaw worked. His hands clenched and unclenched.
Then he laughed.
"Fine," he said. "Fine. I know when I'm beaten." He recalled Dugtrio, tucked the ball away, and stepped toward the stairwell. "But this isn't over, Sunfall. You owe me. And I always collect."
He disappeared down the stairs.
The rooftop was silent.
Then Nicola's legs gave out.
She collapsed to her knees, her body shaking, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Briv was there in an instant, his arms around her, pulling her close.
"I lost," she whispered. "I lost, I lost, I lost—"
"You didn't lose." Briv's voice was fierce. "You fought like hell. You beat two of his Pokémon. You would have won if—"
"I lost."
"No." Dariana knelt beside them, her dark eyes blazing. "You won. The moment you accepted that battle, you won. You faced him. You looked him in the eye and you didn't back down. That's not losing. That's victory."
Nicola looked at her. Then at Patricia, who had tears streaming down her face. Then at Samuel, who was nodding slowly, his expression solemn.
"You didn't lose," Patricia said. "You're still here. You're still standing."
"She's right," Officer Jenny said quietly. "I've seen a lot of battles. A lot of trainers. But I've never seen someone fight like that—not for pride, not for glory, but for something that mattered. You were fighting for yourself. And that's the hardest fight of all."
Nicola's breath hitched.
Then she started to cry.
Not the quiet tears she'd shed before—not the controlled, restrained grief that she held behind walls of steel. This was something else entirely. This was release. This was catharsis. This was a dam breaking after years of holding back an ocean.
Briv held her. Patricia held her. Dariana held her. And on the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse, under the glow of a thousand crystal towers, Nicola Sunfall finally let herself feel.
The battle was over.
But the war was just beginning.
=====