Chapter 69: Dariana VS Iris
The afternoon sun hung low over Aethelburg, casting long shadows across the training grounds behind the inn. The yard had been transformed since the morning's battle—targets cleared, stones swept, the cobblestones gleaming wet from a recent washing. A small crowd had gathered at the edges: Briv and Patricia, Samuel with his Doduo preening beside him, Officer Jenny leaning against the inn's back wall with her arms crossed.
Dariana stood at one end of the field, rolling her shoulders, her dark eyes fixed on the woman opposite her.
Iris.
The Dragon-type trainer had arrived in Aethelburg two days ago, drawn by the League like every other qualifier. But unlike most, she hadn't come to scout or strategize. She'd come to fight. Her purple hair was tied high, a wild cascade of spikes and tangles, and her pink-and-white robes billowed in the breeze. She was grinning—wide and genuine—and her energy crackled through the air like static before a storm.
"Three-on-three," Iris said. "No substitutions. Standard League rules."
"Fine by me." Dariana cracked her neck. "You sure you want to do this? I heard dragon trainers don't like losing."
Iris laughed—a bright, unrestrained sound. "I don't lose often. But when I do, I learn something. That's the point, isn't it?"
Dariana smiled.
"Then let's both learn something."
Axel stepped between them, Rotom flickering at his shoulder. He held his tablet in one hand, its screen glowing with the League's official battle protocols.
"This is a sanctioned exhibition match," he said. "No prize money. No League points. Just pride." His green eyes flicked between them. "You both understand the rules?"
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Then send out your first Pokémon."
---
Iris moved first.
"Vibrava," she said.
The ball opened in a flash of green and brown light, and a sleek, dragonfly-like Pokémon materialized on the field. Vibrava hovered a foot above the ground, its translucent wings beating so fast they blurred. Its body was a pale sandy yellow, its eyes a vivid green, and its tail—long and segmented—curled behind it like a whip.
Dariana considered her options.
Vibrava was Ground- and Dragon-type. Fast. Agile. Dangerous. It would be a test of speed and precision—exactly what she needed to gauge Iris's strength.
"Combee," she said.
Combee burst from its ball in a flash of gold, its three honeycomb faces already buzzing with excitement. The little Flying-type hovered in front of Dariana, its wings a blur, its eyes darting between Vibrava and Iris with nervous energy.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Vibrava moved first.
"Sand Attack!"
Vibrava's wings kicked up a cloud of sand and grit.
"Combee—dodge!"
Combee shot upward, its small body climbing fast.
The Sand Attack missed.
"Now—Gust!"
Combee's wings beat harder, and a burst of wind shot toward Vibrava.
Vibrava tried to dodge.
It was too slow.
The Gust struck Vibrava's wing, and the dragonfly Pokémon wobbled in the air.
"Vibrava—Dragon Breath!" Iris shouted.
Vibrava opened its mouth and released a stream of greenish energy.
"Combee—Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered into existence around Combee.
The Dragon Breath struck the barrier and dissipated.
"Now—Bug Bite!"
Combee dove, its tiny mandibles glowing with energy.
Vibrava tried to dodge.
Combee was faster.
The Bug Bite struck Vibrava's flank, and the dragonfly Pokémon screeched in pain.
"Vibrava—Sonic Boom!"
Vibrava's wings vibrated, and a shockwave of sound erupted from its body.
"Combee—dodge!"
Combee tried to climb.
The Sonic Boom caught its wing.
Combee tumbled through the air, its flight thrown off balance.
"Combee—recover!" Dariana shouted.
Combee righted itself.
But Vibrava was already moving.
"Vibrava—Dragon Breath!"
Another stream of green energy.
"Combee—Gust!"
Combee's wings beat hard, and a burst of wind shot toward the Dragon Breath.
The two attacks collided and exploded in midair.
"Now—Bug Bite!"
Combee dove again.
Vibrava dodged.
Combee missed.
"Vibrava—Sand Tomb!"
Vibrava's wings kicked up a whirlwind of sand.
Combee tried to dodge.
It was too slow.
The sand engulfed Combee, dragging it toward the ground.
"Combee—break free!" Dariana shouted.
Combee struggled.
"Vibrava—Dragon Breath!"
Another stream of energy.
The attack struck Combee dead-on.
Combee fell.
"Combee is unable to battle," Axel said. "Vibrava wins."
---
Dariana recalled Combee.
She whispered to the ball before clipping it to her belt.
"You did good," she said. "Rest."
She looked at Iris.
Iris looked back.
"Shellos," Dariana said.
Shellos materialized in a flash of blue and cream light, its soft body already rippling with calm energy. The little Water-type raised its head, its warm eyes fixed on Vibrava, its antennae swaying gently in the breeze.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Vibrava moved first.
"Dragon Breath!"
A stream of green energy shot toward Shellos.
"Shellos—Mud Bomb!"
Shellos opened its mouth and fired a glob of thick, dark mud.
The two attacks collided, and the Dragon Breath was absorbed by the mud.
The Mud Bomb kept going.
It struck Vibrava's wing.
Vibrava screeched.
"Vibrava—Sand Tomb!"
Another whirlwind of sand.
"Shellos—Water Pulse!"
Shellos released a ring of blue energy.
The Water Pulse struck the Sand Tomb and turned the sand to mud.
Vibrava's attack failed.
"Now—Mud Bomb!"
Another glob of mud.
Vibrava dodged.
"Vibrava—Sonic Boom!"
A shockwave of sound.
"Shellos—Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered around Shellos.
The Sonic Boom bounced off.
"Now—Water Pulse!"
Another ring of blue energy.
Vibrava tried to dodge.
It was too slow.
The Water Pulse struck Vibrava's body, and the dragonfly Pokémon screeched in pain.
"Vibrava—Dragon Breath!"
Another stream of green energy.
"Shellos—Mud Bomb!"
Another glob of mud.
The two attacks collided.
The Dragon Breath was absorbed.
The Mud Bomb kept going.
It struck Vibrava dead-on.
Vibrava fell.
"Vibrava is unable to battle," Axel said. "Shellos wins."
---
Iris recalled Vibrava.
She was still smiling.
"Good," she said. "Real good."
"Thanks."
"You're not what I expected."
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know." Iris shrugged. "Someone softer, maybe. Someone who relies on speed and tricks."
Dariana laughed.
"I'm a dancer. I know how to move. But I also know how to hit."
"I can see that."
Iris pulled her second ball from her belt.
"Gible," she said.
Dariana's eyes widened.
The ball opened in a flash of blue and red light, and a small, round Pokémon materialized on the field. Gible stood barely a foot tall, its body a deep blue, its underbelly red, its massive mouth already open in a wide, toothy grin. Its fin—the one on its head—twitched with excitement, and its tiny arms swung at its sides.
"Gible," Dariana said.
"That's right."
"I know a Gible."
"You know Briv's Gible."
Dariana looked at Briv.
He was standing at the edge of the field, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Interesting," Dariana said.
"It's a small world," Iris said. "Now—are you going to send out your next Pokémon, or are we going to talk all day?"
---
Dariana recalled Shellos.
She considered her options.
Gible was Dragon- and Ground-type. It was small, but it was powerful. And Iris—Iris was a dragon trainer. She would know how to use it.
"Eevee," Dariana said.
Eevee materialized in a flash of brown light, its bushy tail already wagging, its ears perked forward. The little Normal-type looked at Gible, then at Dariana, then back at Gible.
It tilted its head.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Gible moved first.
"Dragon Rage!"
Gible opened its mouth and released a burst of blue-white energy.
"Eevee—Quick Attack!"
Eevee blurred, dodging the Dragon Rage by inches.
"Now—Tackle!"
Eevee slammed into Gible's body.
Gible barely flinched.
"Gible—Sand Tomb!"
Gible slammed its fists into the ground, and a whirlwind of sand erupted around Eevee.
"Eevee—dodge!"
Eevee tried to leap out of the sandstorm.
It was too slow.
The sand engulfed Eevee, dragging it toward the ground.
"Eevee—Swift!"
Eevee opened its mouth and fired a barrage of glowing stars.
The stars struck Gible's body.
Gible grunted.
"Gible—Dragon Rage!"
Another burst of blue-white energy.
"Eevee—Quick Attack!"
Eevee blurred.
The Dragon Rage missed.
"Now—Bite!"
Eevee lunged, its teeth glowing with dark energy.
Gible tried to dodge.
Eevee was faster.
The Bite struck Gible's arm, and the little Dragon-type cried out in pain.
"Gible—Dragon Claw!"
Gible's claws glowed with green energy, and it slashed at Eevee.
"Eevee—Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered around Eevee.
The Dragon Claw bounced off.
"Now—Tackle!"
Eevee slammed into Gible again.
Gible staggered.
"Gible—Sand Tomb!"
Another whirlwind of sand.
"Eevee—Swift!"
Another barrage of stars.
The stars struck Gible's body, and the little Dragon-type collapsed.
"Gible is unable to battle," Axel said. "Eevee wins."
---
Iris recalled Gible.
She was still smiling.
"Two down," she said. "One to go."
"You're enjoying this."
"Of course I am." Iris pulled her last ball from her belt. "This is what it's all about. The battle. The clash. The moment when everything comes down to one final move."
She looked at Dariana.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
Dariana nodded.
"Yeah," she said. "I do."
"Then let's finish this."
Iris threw her last ball.
"Bagon," she said.
The ball opened in a flash of blue and silver light, and a small, sturdy Pokémon materialized on the field. Bagon stood about two feet tall, its body a deep blue, its head encased in a thick, domed skull. Its eyes burned with determination, and its tiny claws were clenched at its sides. It looked at Eevee, then at Dariana, and let out a fierce, high-pitched cry.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Bagon moved first.
"Headbutt!"
Bagon lowered its head and charged.
"Eevee—dodge!"
Eevee leaped sideways.
Bagon's headbutt missed.
"Now—Swift!"
Eevee fired a barrage of stars.
Bagon took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Bagon—Dragon Claw!"
Bagon's claws glowed with green energy, and it slashed at Eevee.
"Eevee—Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered around Eevee.
The Dragon Claw bounced off.
"Now—Tackle!"
Eevee slammed into Bagon's body.
Bagon barely moved.
"Bagon—Ember!"
Bagon opened its mouth and released a burst of fire.
"Eevee—Quick Attack!"
Eevee blurred, dodging the Ember by inches.
"Now—Bite!"
Eevee lunged, its teeth glowing with dark energy.
Bagon dodged.
Eevee missed.
"Bagon—Headbutt!"
Bagon charged again.
"Eevee—Protect!"
The barrier shimmered.
Bagon's headbutt struck the barrier and bounced off.
"Now—Swift!"
Another barrage of stars.
Bagon took the hit.
It still didn't flinch.
"Bagon—Dragon Claw!"
Another slash.
"Eevee—dodge!"
Eevee tried to leap sideways.
It was too slow.
The Dragon Claw struck Eevee's flank, and the little Normal-type cried out in pain.
"Eevee—get up!" Dariana shouted.
Eevee struggled to its feet.
"Bagon—Ember!"
Another burst of fire.
"Eevee—Quick Attack!"
Eevee blurred.
The Ember missed.
"Now—Tackle!"
Eevee slammed into Bagon again.
Bagon staggered.
"Bagon—Headbutt!"
Another charge.
"Eevee—dodge!"
Eevee leaped.
Bagon's headbutt missed.
"Now—Swift!"
Another barrage of stars.
Bagon took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Bagon—Dragon Claw!"
Another slash.
"Eevee—Protect!"
The barrier shimmered.
The Dragon Claw bounced off.
"Now—Bite!"
Eevee lunged.
Bagon dodged.
Eevee missed.
"Bagon—Ember!"
Another burst of fire.
"Eevee—Quick Attack!"
Eevee blurred.
The Ember missed.
"Now—Tackle!"
Eevee slammed into Bagon's body.
Bagon staggered.
"Bagon—Headbutt!"
Another charge.
"Eevee—dodge!"
Eevee leaped.
Bagon's headbutt missed.
"Now—Swift!"
Another barrage of stars.
Bagon took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
But it was slowing down.
Dariana saw it.
"Eevee—keep going! Swift!"
Another barrage.
Bagon took the hit.
"Again!"
Another barrage.
Bagon staggered.
"Again!"
Another barrage.
Bagon fell.
"Bagon is unable to battle," Axel said. "Eevee wins. Dariana wins the match."
---
The yard was silent.
Then Iris laughed.
It was a bright, unrestrained sound—the same laugh she had let out at the start of the battle, but louder now, fuller, tinged with something that might have been respect.
"That was fun," she said.
Dariana recalled Eevee and walked across the field.
"It was."
"You're good."
"So are you."
Iris extended her hand.
Dariana shook it.
"Next time," Iris said, "I'm going to win."
"Next time," Dariana said, "I'm going to win harder."
Iris grinned.
"I like you."
"I know."
---
The crowd dispersed slowly.
Briv and Patricia congratulated Dariana, Samuel offered a lazy high-five, and Officer Jenny nodded with something that might have been approval. Axel packed up his tablet and disappeared into the inn without a word.
But Iris lingered.
She stood at the edge of the field, her eyes on the distant towers, her expression thoughtful.
Dariana approached her.
"Something on your mind?"
Iris looked at her.
"You know Briv," she said. "The champion."
"I do."
"He's got a Gible."
"I know."
"And a Riolu. And a Piplup. And a Turtwig. And a Monferno. And a Luxio."
Dariana nodded.
"He's got a lot of Pokémon."
"He's got a lot of potential." Iris paused. "But potential isn't enough. Not in the League. Not against the Eclipse Squad."
Dariana's eyes narrowed.
"What do you know about the Eclipse Squad?"
Iris shrugged.
"Only what everyone knows. They're dangerous. They're organized. They've got someone on the inside."
"On the inside of what?"
"The League." Iris met her eyes. "You didn't hear it from me."
Dariana was quiet for a moment.
"Then why are you telling me?"
Iris smiled.
"Because I like you. And because I don't like bullies." She turned to leave. "Tell Briv to watch his back."
She walked away.
Dariana watched her go.
---
That night, Dariana found Briv on the inn's balcony.
He was alone, his Pokémon asleep around him, his eyes on the stars. He didn't turn when she approached.
"You should be resting," she said.
"Can't."
She sat beside him.
"Iris told me something."
"I know."
Dariana blinked.
"You were listening?"
"I was watching." Briv turned to face her. "I saw you two talking. I saw her walk away. I figured she said something important."
"She said the Eclipse Squad has someone on the inside of the League."
Briv's expression didn't change.
"I know."
Dariana stared at him.
"You know?"
"Axel's been investigating. He's got a source. He's supposed to get the records in a week."
"A week."
"Maybe less."
Dariana was quiet.
"That's not fast enough."
"I know."
"Patricia's match is in two weeks."
"I know."
"What are you going to do?"
Briv looked at her.
"What I've always done," he said. "Fight."
---
The night deepened.
The city hummed.
And somewhere in the shadows of Aethelburg, the Eclipse Squad was watching.
Waiting.
Planning.
And the storm was coming.
=====
The storm was coming.
Briv felt it in the way the air changed—the barometric pressure dropping, the wind shifting, the distant rumble of thunder that never quite reached the city but lingered on the horizon like a promise. He stood on the balcony for a long time after Dariana left, his Pokémon sleeping around him, his mind racing through possibilities.
Revan. The Eclipse Squad. The mole inside the League. Patricia's match in two weeks.
He needed to be ready.
He needed his team to be ready.
---
Morning came gray and heavy, the sky choked with clouds that refused to break.
Briv woke before dawn, his body accustomed to the rhythm of training even when his mind wasn't. He dressed in silence, clipped his Pokéballs to his belt, and slipped out of the inn without waking Patricia.
The streets of Aethelburg were quiet at this hour—just the occasional delivery cart and the distant hum of the canal pumps. Briv walked without destination, letting his feet carry him through the winding alleys and across the floating bridges.
He ended up at the training grounds.
A stranger was already there.
The man stood at the far end of the yard, tall and lean, with weathered skin and graying temples. He wore simple clothes—a worn jacket, scuffed boots, no League insignia, no team colors. Just a trainer. Just a man.
He was tossing a Pokéball from hand to hand, his eyes fixed on the empty field.
Briv approached.
"You waiting for someone?"
The man turned.
"Anyone," he said. "I've been in this city three days and haven't found a single trainer willing to spar."
"Bad luck."
"Or good luck." The man smiled. "Depends on how you look at it."
Briv considered him.
"You any good?"
"I've been training Pokémon for thirty years. I've won more battles than I've lost. I've buried three partners and raised a dozen more." The man's eyes were steady. "You tell me."
Briv felt something stir in his chest.
"A battle," he said. "Three-on-three."
The man's smile widened.
"Now you're talking."
---
Axel arrived twenty minutes later.
He didn't ask questions. He didn't need to. He simply walked to the center of the field, Rotom flickering at his shoulder, and pulled out his tablet.
"Names," he said.
"Briv Ambertone."
"Kael."
Axel looked at Kael.
"Full name."
"Kael is enough."
Axel's eyes narrowed.
"Fine. Kael is enough." He tapped his tablet. "Rules are standard. Three-on-three. No substitutions. The battle ends when one trainer has no Pokémon remaining."
He looked at Briv.
"Ready?"
Briv nodded.
He looked at Kael.
"Ready?"
Kael nodded.
"Send out your first Pokémon."
---
Kael moved first.
"Jolteon," he said.
The ball opened in a flash of yellow light, and a sleek, quadrupedal Pokémon materialized on the field. Jolteon stood about two and a half feet tall, its body covered in spiky fur that crackled with static electricity. Its ears were long and pointed, its eyes sharp and intelligent, and its tail—short and spiky—twitched with restless energy.
Briv considered his options.
Jolteon was fast. Aggressive. An Electric-type with access to moves like Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, and Pin Missile. It would be a test of speed and endurance—exactly what he needed to gauge Kael's strength.
"Turtwig," he said.
Turtwig materialized in a flash of green light, its tiny sprout already perking up, its eyes bright with determination. The little Grass-type had grown stronger since the battle with Kofi—its shell harder, its movements faster, its confidence unshakable.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Jolteon moved first.
"Quick Attack!"
Jolteon blurred, its body becoming a yellow streak.
"Turtwig—Withdraw!"
Turtwig pulled into its shell.
Jolteon's attack struck the shell and bounced off.
"Now—Razor Leaf!"
Turtwig emerged and fired a storm of sharp leaves.
Jolteon dodged.
"Jolteon—Thunderbolt!"
A bolt of lightning shot from Jolteon's body.
"Turtwig—Withdraw!"
Turtwig pulled into its shell again.
The Thunderbolt struck the shell, and Turtwig skidded backward, but it didn't fall.
"Now—Tackle!"
Turtwig shot forward like a cannonball.
Jolteon tried to dodge.
It was too slow.
The Tackle struck Jolteon's flank, and the Electric-type yelped in pain.
"Jolteon—Pin Missile!"
Jolteon's fur bristled, and a barrage of sharp spikes shot toward Turtwig.
"Turtwig—Razor Leaf!"
Turtwig fired another storm of leaves.
The two attacks collided in midair.
"Now—Tackle!"
Another cannonball strike.
Jolteon staggered.
"Jolteon—Thunderbolt!"
Another bolt of lightning.
"Turtwig—Withdraw!"
Turtwig pulled into its shell.
The Thunderbolt struck, and Turtwig skidded backward again.
But it didn't fall.
"Now—Razor Leaf!"
Another storm of leaves.
Jolteon tried to dodge.
It was too slow.
The Razor Leaf struck Jolteon's body, and the Electric-type collapsed.
"Jolteon is unable to battle," Axel said. "Turtwig wins."
---
Kael recalled Jolteon.
He didn't look upset. If anything, he looked impressed.
"Your Turtwig's stubborn," he said.
"He's been through a lot."
"I can tell."
Kael pulled his second ball from his belt.
"Weepinbell," he said.
The ball opened in a flash of green and yellow light, and a strange, plant-like Pokémon materialized on the field. Weepinbell was a bulbous creature, its body a pale green, its mouth a wide, gaping maw. A yellow leaf-like appendage grew from the top of its head, and its eyes—small and black—watched Turtwig with unsettling focus.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Weepinbell moved first.
"Acid!"
Weepinbell opened its mouth and spat a stream of corrosive liquid.
"Turtwig—dodge!"
Turtwig rolled sideways.
The Acid missed.
"Now—Razor Leaf!"
Turtwig fired a storm of leaves.
Weepinbell took the hit.
It barely flinched.
"Weepinbell—Vine Whip!"
Two vines shot from Weepinbell's body, lashing toward Turtwig.
"Turtwig—Withdraw!"
Turtwig pulled into its shell.
The vines struck the shell and bounced off.
"Now—Tackle!"
Turtwig shot forward.
Weepinbell dodged.
"Turtwig—Razor Leaf!"
Another storm of leaves.
Weepinbell took the hit.
"Weepinbell—Poison Powder!"
Weepinbell released a cloud of purple dust.
"Turtwig—dodge!"
Turtwig tried to roll away.
It was too slow.
The Poison Powder engulfed Turtwig.
Turtwig coughed.
"Turtwig—Razor Leaf!"
Another storm of leaves.
Weepinbell took the hit.
"Turtwig—Tackle!"
Another cannonball strike.
Weepinbell staggered.
"Weepinbell—Acid!"
Another stream of corrosive liquid.
"Turtwig—Withdraw!"
Turtwig pulled into its shell.
The Acid struck the shell, and Turtwig skidded backward.
But the poison was spreading.
Turtwig's movements were slowing.
"Turtwig—Razor Leaf!"
Another storm of leaves.
Weepinbell took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Weepinbell—Vine Whip!"
Another lash of vines.
"Turtwig—dodge!"
Turtwig tried to roll away.
It was too slow.
The vines struck Turtwig's body, and the little Grass-type cried out in pain.
"Turtwig—get up!" Briv shouted.
Turtwig struggled to its feet.
"Turtwig—Tackle!"
Another cannonball strike.
Weepinbell staggered.
"Weepinbell—Acid!"
Another stream of corrosive liquid.
"Turtwig—Withdraw!"
Turtwig pulled into its shell.
The Acid struck, and Turtwig skidded backward.
The poison was spreading faster now.
Turtwig's eyes were drooping.
"Turtwig—Razor Leaf!"
Another storm of leaves.
Weepinbell took the hit.
It still didn't flinch.
"Weepinbell—Vine Whip!"
Another lash of vines.
"Turtwig—dodge!"
Turtwig tried to roll away.
It was too slow.
The vines struck Turtwig's body, and the little Grass-type collapsed.
"Turtwig is unable to battle," Axel said. "Weepinbell wins."
---
Briv recalled Turtwig.
He whispered to the ball before clipping it to his belt.
"You did good," he said. "Rest."
He looked at Kael.
Kael looked back.
"Gible," Briv said.
Gible materialized in a flash of blue and red light, its massive mouth already open, its fin twitching with excitement. The little Dragon-type looked at Weepinbell, then at Briv, then back at Weepinbell.
It grinned.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Gible moved first.
"Dragon Rage!"
Gible opened its mouth and released a burst of blue-white energy.
Weepinbell tried to dodge.
It was too slow.
The Dragon Rage struck Weepinbell's body, and the plant Pokémon screeched in pain.
"Now—Sand Tomb!"
Gible slammed its fists into the ground, and a whirlwind of sand erupted around Weepinbell.
"Weepinbell—break free!" Kael shouted.
Weepinbell struggled against the swirling sand.
"Gible—Dragon Rage!"
Another burst of energy.
The attack struck Weepinbell dead-on.
Weepinbell collapsed.
"Weepinbell is unable to battle," Axel said. "Gible wins."
---
Kael recalled Weepinbell.
His expression was still calm, still steady, but there was something new in his eyes now—something sharp.
"You're good," he said.
"So are you."
"Let's see how you handle this."
He pulled his last ball from his belt.
"Magcargo," he said.
The ball opened in a flash of red and orange light, and a strange, spiraled Pokémon materialized on the field. Magcargo was a creature of molten rock, its body a coiled shell of hardened lava, its eyes glowing with internal heat. Steam rose from its body, and the air around it shimmered with waves of heat.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Magcargo moved first.
"Flamethrower!"
A jet of fire shot from Magcargo's mouth.
"Gible—dodge!"
Gible rolled sideways.
The Flamethrower missed.
"Now—Dragon Rage!"
Gible fired a burst of energy.
Magcargo took the hit.
It barely flinched.
"Magcargo—Rock Slide!"
Magcargo's body glowed, and a barrage of rocks materialized above Gible's head.
"Gible—Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered into existence around Gible.
The rocks bounced off.
"Now—Sand Tomb!"
Gible slammed its fists into the ground, and a whirlwind of sand erupted around Magcargo.
"Magcargo—Flamethrower!"
Another jet of fire.
The sand turned to glass.
Gible's attack failed.
"Magcargo—Rock Slide!"
Another barrage of rocks.
"Gible—dodge!"
Gible tried to roll away.
It was too slow.
The rocks struck Gible's body, and the little Dragon-type cried out in pain.
"Gible—Dragon Rage!"
Another burst of energy.
Magcargo took the hit.
It still didn't flinch.
"Magcargo—Flamethrower!"
Another jet of fire.
"Gible—Protect!"
The barrier shimmered.
The Flamethrower struck the barrier and dissipated.
"Now—Sand Tomb!"
Another whirlwind of sand.
"Magcargo—Rock Slide!"
Another barrage of rocks.
The two attacks collided.
The sand scattered.
The rocks kept going.
They struck Gible dead-on.
Gible collapsed.
"Gible is unable to battle," Axel said. "Magcargo wins."
---
Briv recalled Gible.
His hand was steady.
He had one Pokémon left.
But he had prepared for this.
"Piplup," he said.
Piplup materialized in a flash of blue light, its small body already tense, its eyes scanning the field. The little Water-type had come a long way since Briv had rescued it from the abandoned breeding center—its feathers sleeker, its posture straighter, its gaze more focused.
But there was still a flicker of something fragile beneath the surface.
Fear.
Doubt.
The weight of a trainer who had abandoned it.
Briv knelt and placed a hand on Piplup's shoulder.
"You've got this," he said.
Piplup looked at him.
"I mean it. You're strong. You're brave. You're everything that bastard said you weren't."
Piplup's eyes widened.
"Now go out there and prove it."
Piplup turned to face Magcargo.
Its posture shifted.
Its eyes hardened.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Magcargo moved first.
"Flamethrower!"
A jet of fire shot from Magcargo's mouth.
"Piplup—Agility!"
Piplup's body blurred, and it shot across the field, dodging the Flamethrower by inches.
"Now—Bubble Beam!"
Piplup opened its beak and fired a stream of glowing bubbles.
Magcargo took the hit.
It didn't flinch.
"Magcargo—Rock Slide!"
A barrage of rocks materialized above Piplup's head.
"Piplup—Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered around Piplup.
The rocks bounced off.
"Now—Water Pulse!"
Piplup released a ring of blue energy.
The Water Pulse struck Magcargo's body, and the lava Pokémon hissed in pain.
"Magcargo—Flamethrower!"
Another jet of fire.
"Piplup—dodge!"
Piplup leaped over the attack.
"Now—Bubble Beam!"
Another stream of bubbles.
Magcargo took the hit.
"Magcargo—Rock Slide!"
Another barrage of rocks.
"Piplup—Protect!"
The barrier shimmered.
The rocks bounced off.
"Now—Water Pulse!"
Another ring of blue energy.
Magcargo staggered.
"Magcargo—Flamethrower!"
Another jet of fire.
"Piplup—Agility!"
Piplup blurred.
The Flamethrower missed.
"Now—Bubble Beam!"
Another stream of bubbles.
Magcargo took the hit.
It was slowing down.
Piplup saw it.
"Piplup—Water Pulse!"
Another ring of blue energy.
Magcargo staggered.
"Again!"
Another Water Pulse.
Magcargo's body was cracking now, the molten rock cooling and splitting.
"Again!"
Another Water Pulse.
Magcargo collapsed.
"Magcargo is unable to battle," Axel said. "Piplup wins. Briv wins the match."
---
The yard was silent.
Briv stood in his trainer's box, his chest heaving, his eyes fixed on Piplup. The little Water-type was still standing, still trembling, still fighting the exhaustion that gripped its body.
But it was standing.
It had won.
Briv crossed the field and knelt in front of Piplup.
"You did it," he said.
Piplup looked at him.
Its eyes were wet.
"You did it," Briv repeated. "You proved him wrong. You proved everyone wrong."
Piplup chirped—a small, broken sound.
Briv pulled it into his arms.
"I'm proud of you," he said. "So proud."
Piplup pressed its face against his chest.
And for the second time since Briv had rescued it, Piplup cried.
---
Kael approached, his hand extended.
"Good match," he said.
Briv stood and shook his hand.
"Good match."
"You've got a strong team."
"Thanks."
Kael looked at Piplup.
"That one's special."
"I know."
Kael nodded.
"Take care of it."
"I will."
Kael turned and walked toward the edge of the yard.
Then he stopped.
"Briv."
Briv looked at him.
"The Eclipse Squad," Kael said. "They're not just dangerous. They're desperate. And desperate people do desperate things."
Briv's blood ran cold.
"How do you know about them?"
Kael turned.
"Because I used to be one of them."
He walked away.
---
Briv stood frozen, Piplup still in his arms, the words echoing in his skull.
Used to be one of them.
He wanted to run after Kael—to grab him, to demand answers, to shake the truth out of him. But his legs wouldn't move. His body wouldn't respond.
Piplup chirped.
Briv looked down.
The little Water-type was staring at him, its eyes wide, its expression worried.
"I'm okay," Briv said. "I'm okay."
He wasn't.
---
Axel appeared beside him.
He had been silent during the exchange, watching from the edge of the field.
"I heard," he said.
Briv looked at him.
"You heard?"
"I was listening." Axel's expression was grim. "Kael. I've heard the name before. He was Eclipse Squad, ten years ago. Left after a job went bad. Been off the grid ever since."
"Why is he here?"
"I don't know." Axel paused. "But I'm going to find out."
---
That night, Briv sat on the balcony again.
Patricia was beside him this time, her hand in his, her head on his shoulder. She hadn't asked what was wrong. She hadn't needed to.
She just sat with him.
"You're scared," she said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"Of what?"
"Of losing you. Of losing everyone. Of failing when it matters most."
Patricia was quiet for a moment.
"Then don't fail."
Briv looked at her.
"That's it? Just don't fail?"
"Just don't fail." She squeezed his hand. "You're Briv Ambertone. Last year's League champion. The funny and smart guy. My boyfriend." She smiled. "If anyone can figure this out, it's you."
Briv felt something loosen in his chest.
"You really believe that?"
"I really do."
He kissed her.
She kissed him back.
And for a moment—just a moment—the storm didn't matter.
---
The night deepened.
The city hummed.
And somewhere in the shadows of Aethelburg, Kael was watching.
Waiting.
Planning.
And the storm was coming.