Chapter 89: Nicola's Decisive Match
The industrial district smelled like rain and rust.
Nicola stood at the edge of a collapsed loading dock with her arms crossed and her jaw set. The sky above Aethelburg was the color of old pewter, heavy with clouds that hadn't decided whether to break. A cold wind cut through the alleys, carrying the distant hum of the city's crystal towers like a half-remembered song.
She'd been waiting twenty minutes.
Revan was late.
Axel stood nearby, his Rotom flickering in lazy circles around his head. The older man hadn't said much since he'd arrived. He'd just nodded at Nicola, checked the field, and leaned against a rusted pillar with his hands in his pockets.
"You sure about this?" he asked.
Nicola didn't look at him.
"I'm sure."
"You know what's at stake."
"I know."
Axel nodded slowly.
"Just checking."
---
Revan arrived at quarter past nine.
He walked into the rail yard like he owned it. Black coat. Black boots. That smug, alluring smile that made Nicola want to punch him and kiss him in equal measure. His silver-gray eyes swept the field, then found her, then lingered.
"Nicola," he said. "You look beautiful when you're about to lose."
"Fuck off."
"Charming as always."
He stopped ten feet away and tilted his head.
"You know, I almost feel bad about this. Almost."
"Save it."
Revan's smile widened.
"Three on three. No substitutions. Standard rules. If you win, you qualify. If you lose..."
He spread his hands.
"You go home."
Nicola's jaw tightened.
"I know the stakes."
"Good. I'd hate for there to be any confusion when I crush you."
---
Axel stepped between them.
"Enough."
His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the tension like a blade. Both trainers fell silent.
"This is an official League challenge," Axel said. "Three-on-three. No items. No outside interference. Victory by elimination of all opposing Pokémon. Are both trainers ready?"
"Yes," Nicola said.
"Yes," Revan said.
"Then send out your first Pokémon."
---
Revan moved first.
"Piloswine. Let's go."
The Ice-Ground type emerged with a grunt.
Piloswine was massive—easily six feet at the shoulder—with a thick coat of shaggy brown fur, curved tusks, and small, piggish eyes that gleamed with cunning. Its breath fogged in the cold air. Its hooves cracked the concrete as it shifted its weight.
Nicola studied it.
Slow. Tanky. Ice and Ground. Weak to Fighting, Fire, Water, Grass, and Steel.
She reached for her first pokéball.
"Staravia. You're up."
---
Staravia burst from its ball with a shriek.
The Flying-type circled once, twice, then landed on a rusted beam above the field. Its gray-and-white plumage was sharp and clean. Its crest stood tall. Its eyes were locked on Piloswine with predatory focus.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Nicola moved first.
"Staravia. Quick Attack."
Staravia dove.
It moved like a bullet—straight, fast, almost invisible. It struck Piloswine's flank and bounced away before the Ice-type could react.
Piloswine grunted.
"Powder Snow," Revan said.
Piloswine opened its mouth.
A blast of freezing air erupted outward.
Staravia climbed hard, barely avoiding the attack. Ice crystals formed on its wingtips. It shook them off with a sharp twist.
"Again," Nicola said. "Wing Attack."
Staravia folded its wings and dove.
It struck Piloswine's head—a direct hit to the skull.
Piloswine roared.
"Ice Fang," Revan said.
Piloswine's tusks glowed with pale blue energy.
It lunged.
Staravia tried to dodge. Too slow. Piloswine's jaws closed around its tail feathers and yanked.
Staravia shrieked.
"Twister!" Nicola shouted.
Staravia's wings snapped open.
A cyclone of wind erupted around it, ripping free from Piloswine's grip and slamming into the Ice-type's face.
Piloswine staggered.
Staravia climbed.
"Good," Nicola said. "Now. Aerial Ace."
Staravia dove again.
This time, it didn't pull up.
It struck Piloswine square in the chest—a perfect, precise hit that sent the Ice-type stumbling backward.
Piloswine tripped.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
"Piloswine is unable to battle," Axel said. "Staravia wins."
---
Revan recalled his Pokémon.
He didn't look upset. If anything, he looked amused.
"Not bad," he said. "But that was the easy one."
He reached for his second pokéball.
"Electrode. Let's go."
---
Electrode emerged with a flash.
The Electric-type was a perfect sphere—red on top, white on bottom, with a manic grin and eyes that never stopped moving. It hovered three feet off the ground, crackling with barely contained energy.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
"Electrode. Discharge."
Electrode's body exploded with electricity.
The blast wave caught Staravia mid-flight and sent it crashing into a pile of rusted pipes.
"Staravia!" Nicola shouted.
The Flying-type struggled to rise.
It couldn't.
"Staravia is unable to battle," Axel said. "Electrode wins."
---
Nicola recalled her Pokémon.
One down. Two to go.
She reached for her second ball.
"Magnemite. You're up."
---
Magnemite emerged silently.
The Electric-Steel type hovered in place, its single blue eye scanning the field. Its magnets hummed with controlled tension. Its body was scarred and worn—a veteran of a hundred battles.
Electrode's grin widened.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
"Electrode. Thunderbolt."
"Magnemite. Protect."
Magnemite's body shimmered.
A green barrier materialized around it just as Electrode's lightning struck. The attack splashed harmlessly against the shield.
"Thunder Wave," Nicola said.
Magnemite's magnets sparked.
A wave of electricity arced toward Electrode.
The Electric-type absorbed it without flinching.
"Nice try," Revan said. "Electrode. Rollout."
Electrode tucked its body and rolled forward.
It hit Magnemite like a wrecking ball.
The Steel-type was thrown across the field. It hit a concrete barrier and cracked it.
"Get up," Nicola said.
Magnemite rose.
Its eye flickered. Its magnets sparked. But it was still floating.
"Flash Cannon," Nicola said.
Magnemite's body glowed.
A beam of silver energy shot forward.
Electrode tried to dodge. Too slow. The attack caught it in the side and sent it spinning.
"Mirror Shot," Nicola said.
Magnemite fired again.
Electrode took the hit.
It wobbled.
It didn't fall.
"Enough," Revan said. "Electrode. Explosion."
Nicola's eyes widened.
"Magnemite! Protect!"
Magnemite's barrier went up just as Electrode detonated.
The blast was deafening. A shockwave rippled outward, shattering windows, cracking concrete, sending Axel stumbling backward. When the dust cleared, Electrode lay unconscious in a crater—and Magnemite was still floating, its barrier flickering but intact.
"Electrode is unable to battle," Axel said. "Magnemite wins."
---
Revan recalled his Pokémon.
He was still smiling.
"Two down," he said. "One to go."
He reached for his final ball.
"Floatzel. Let's finish this."
---
Floatzel emerged with a roar.
The Water-type was sleek and muscular, its orange fur gleaming in the gray light. Its twin tails whipped behind it. Its yellow flotation sac pulsed with each breath. Its eyes were sharp and hungry.
Nicola studied it.
Fast. Strong. Water-type. Weak to Electric and Grass.
She looked at Magnemite.
The Steel-type was exhausted. Its barrier had drained most of its energy. It wouldn't survive another direct hit.
"Magnemite. Return."
She recalled it.
"Shieldon. You're up."
---
Shieldon emerged with a heavy thud.
The Rock-Steel type was squat and sturdy, its blue body covered in thick armor, its face dominated by a massive gray shield. It looked slow. It looked immovable. It looked exactly like what Nicola needed.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
"Floatzel. Aqua Jet."
Floatzel's body ignited with water.
It launched forward like a missile.
Shieldon didn't dodge.
The impact sent it skidding backward, its claws digging furrows in the concrete, but it didn't fall.
"Metal Burst," Nicola said.
Shieldon's body glowed.
A burst of metallic energy erupted outward.
Floatzel took the full force of the attack.
It staggered.
"Waterfall," Revan said.
Floatzel's body erupted with water.
It slammed into Shieldon like a tidal wave.
Shieldon held its ground.
"Ancient Power," Nicola said.
Shieldon's eyes glowed.
A barrage of stone projectiles erupted from the ground.
Floatzel dodged left. Right. Left again. One caught its shoulder and sent it spinning.
"Crunch," Revan said.
Floatzel lunged.
Its jaws closed around Shieldon's shield.
Shieldon grunted.
"Counter," Nicola said.
Shieldon's body glowed.
It threw Floatzel off and slammed its head into the Water-type's chest.
Floatzel gasped.
It stumbled.
"Now," Nicola said. "Metal Sound."
Shieldon's body vibrated.
A piercing screech erupted from its armor.
Floatzel howled.
Its ears flattened. Its balance wavered.
"Iron Head," Nicola said.
Shieldon charged.
Its skull connected with Floatzel's ribs.
The Water-type flew.
It hit a rusted beam and crumpled.
It didn't move.
"Floatzel is unable to battle," Axel said. "Shieldon wins. The victory goes to Nicola."
---
Silence.
Nicola stood frozen, her hand still raised, her mouth still open.
She'd done it.
She'd actually done it.
Shieldon rumbled beside her, exhausted but standing. Magnemite hovered nearby, its eye flickering with quiet pride. Staravia, though fainted, had done its part.
She'd won.
Ten wins.
She'd qualified for the League.
---
Revan recalled his Floatzel.
He walked across the field.
He stopped in front of Nicola and extended his hand.
"Congratulations," he said.
Nicola looked at his hand.
Then at his face.
"You're not angry."
"I'm disappointed. But not angry." He shrugged. "You earned it."
Nicola shook his hand.
"Thanks."
Revan held her grip for a moment longer.
"See you at the League."
He let go and walked away.
---
Axel stepped forward.
"Match concluded," he said. "Nicola moves to thirteen wins and four losses. She is officially qualified for the League."
He looked at her.
"Congratulations."
Nicola nodded.
"Thanks."
She recalled Shieldon and clipped the ball to her belt. Her hands were shaking. She didn't care.
She'd done it.
She was going to the League.
---
The walk back to the hostel took an hour.
Nicola didn't remember any of it. She moved through the city like a ghost, her mind still replaying the battle. Floatzel's Aqua Jet. Shieldon's Metal Burst. The moment Electrode had exploded and Magnemite had held its ground.
Nine wins. Four losses.
Ten wins. Four losses.
She was qualified.
She was going to compete.
---
She found Briv and Patricia in the hostel lobby.
They were sitting on a worn couch with Lopunny curled at their feet, a half-eaten pizza on the table in front of them. Patricia was laughing at something Briv had said. Briv was grinning.
They both looked up when Nicola walked in.
"Hey," Briv said. "How'd it go?"
Nicola didn't answer.
She just smiled.
Patricia's eyes widened.
"No way."
"Yes way."
"You won?"
"I won."
Patricia was on her feet in an instant, crossing the room and pulling Nicola into a hug.
"You absolute legend."
Nicola laughed.
"Thanks."
Briv stood up.
"Ten wins?"
"Thirteen. Ten wins. Four losses."
"You're in."
"I'm in."
Briv crossed the room and clapped her on the shoulder.
"I knew you could do it."
"Did you?"
"Honestly? No. But I was hoping."
Nicola punched his arm.
"Asshole."
"You love me."
"Debatable."
---
They sat back down.
Patricia ordered more pizza. Briv poured drinks. Lopunny curled up next to Nicola and rested its head on her lap.
"So," Briv said. "Who'd you beat?"
"Revan."
Briv's eyebrows rose.
"Revan Stormcloud?"
"The one and only."
"How'd you manage that?"
"Shieldon. Magnemite. Staravia. In that order. It was close—really close—but I pulled it off."
Briv nodded slowly.
"That's impressive."
"Thanks."
"Revan's no joke."
"I know."
Patricia leaned forward.
"What happened after?"
Nicola shrugged.
"He shook my hand. Said congratulations. Then he walked away."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Patricia frowned.
"I don't trust him."
"Neither do I. But he was... decent. About the loss, I mean."
"Decent isn't the same as honest."
Nicola nodded.
"I know."
---
They ate pizza and talked strategy for an hour.
Briv mapped out the League format on a napkin. Patricia argued with him about seeding. Nicola mostly listened, too tired and too wired to contribute much.
When the conversation shifted to training schedules and team compositions, she stood up.
"I'm going to bed."
Patricia looked up.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired."
"You should be proud of yourself."
"I am."
Patricia smiled.
"Good."
Nicola walked to the door.
She stopped.
"Hey. Patricia."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
Nicola hesitated.
"For not treating me like a rival."
Patricia's expression softened.
"You're not my rival. You're my friend."
Nicola nodded.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
---
Her room was small and dark.
She didn't turn on the lights. Just dropped her bag by the door, kicked off her boots, and lay down on the bed.
Shieldon's pokéball was still in her hand.
She stared at it.
Ten wins.
Four losses.
She'd done it.
She'd qualified for the League.
She closed her eyes.
And for the first time in weeks, she slept without dreaming.
=====
The morning came gray and cold.
Briv woke before Patricia. He slipped out of bed, pulled on his jacket, and grabbed his belt from the chair. Luxray's pokéball was warm against his palm. Last night's celebration had run late—pizza, strategy talk, Nicola's quiet pride—but now the city was quiet. The hostel hallway smelled like old carpet and someone's burnt toast.
He needed to train.
The League was three weeks away. Every day mattered.
---
He found the stranger at the canal.
The man was tall and lean, with windburnt skin and eyes the color of slate. He stood on the edge of a crumbling pier with three pokéballs on his belt and a Houndoom at his feet. The Dark-Fire type watched Briv approach with smoldering red eyes.
"You're Briv Ambertone," the man said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yeah."
"Last year's champion."
"That's me."
The man nodded slowly.
"I'm Kael. I've been looking for a real battle."
Briv stopped ten feet away.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I've fought every trainer in this district. They're all soft. Scared. Playing it safe for the League." Kael's lip curled. "I want someone who fights like they've got nothing to lose."
Briv considered this.
"Three on three?"
"Three on three."
"Standard rules?"
"Standard rules."
Briv looked at Houndoom. The Dark-type's jaws were parted, its breath steaming in the cold air. It looked hungry.
"Let me make a call."
---
Axel arrived twenty minutes later.
He didn't ask questions. Just walked onto the pier, nodded at Briv, and positioned himself at the center of the field. His Rotom flickered overhead, its eyes scanning both trainers.
"Standard rules," Axel said. "Three Pokémon each. No substitutions. No items. Victory by elimination."
He looked at Briv.
"You sure about this?"
"Yeah."
He looked at Kael.
"You?"
Kael grinned.
"Born ready."
Axel raised his hand.
"Then send out your first Pokémon."
---
Kael moved first.
"Houndoom. Let's go."
The Dark-Fire type stepped forward.
Its black fur gleamed like oil. Its horns curved back from its skull, sharp and cruel. Its eyes burned with an intelligence that bordered on malice. It didn't growl. It didn't posture. It just stood there, waiting.
Briv studied it.
Dark and Fire. Weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water.
He reached for his first pokéball.
"Gible. You're up."
---
Gible burst from its ball with a shriek.
The tiny Dragon-type landed on the cracked concrete and immediately lunged forward. Its jaws snapped at the air. Its eyes were wild with excitement.
"Gible," Briv said. "Wait."
Gible skidded to a halt.
It looked back at Briv with confusion.
"Patience," Briv said. "Watch."
Gible turned back to Houndoom.
The Dark-type hadn't moved.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Kael moved first.
"Houndoom. Nasty Plot."
Houndoom's eyes glowed.
A dark aura swirled around it—a gathering of malicious energy that sharpened its mind and amplified its power.
"Gible. Dragon Rage," Briv said.
Gible opened its mouth.
A blast of purple energy erupted from its throat.
Houndoom sidestepped.
The attack missed.
"Flamethrower," Kael said.
Houndoom opened its jaws.
A torrent of fire erupted outward.
Gible tried to dodge. Too slow. The flames caught its side and sent it tumbling across the concrete.
"Get up," Briv said.
Gible scrambled to its feet.
Its scales were singed. Its breathing was ragged. But its eyes were still burning.
"Again," Briv said. "Dragon Rage."
Gible fired.
Houndoom dodged again.
"Dark Pulse," Kael said.
Houndoom's body pulsed with dark energy.
A wave of shadow erupted outward.
Gible took the hit.
It flew backward. It hit a rusted bollard and crumpled.
It didn't get up.
"Gible is unable to battle," Axel said. "Houndoom wins."
---
Briv recalled his Pokémon.
He didn't let himself react. Gible was young. Reckless. It had lost because it had rushed in without thinking. That was a lesson, not a failure.
He reached for his second ball.
"Luxray. You're up."
---
Luxray emerged with a roar.
The Electric-type landed on the pier with a heavy thud. Its mane crackled with electricity. Its golden eyes fixed on Houndoom with predatory focus. The Dark-type took a step back.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
"Luxray. Spark."
Luxray's body ignited.
It launched forward like a bolt of lightning.
Houndoom tried to dodge. Too slow. Luxray's fangs sank into its shoulder, and electricity coursed through the Dark-type's body.
Houndoom howled.
"Foul Play," Kael said.
Houndoom's eyes glowed.
It twisted, using Luxray's own momentum against it, and slammed the Electric-type into the ground.
Luxray grunted.
"Thunder Fang," Briv said.
Luxray's jaws ignited.
It snapped at Houndoom's throat.
The Dark-type recoiled.
"Flamethrower," Kael said.
Houndoom opened its jaws.
Fire erupted outward.
Luxray took the hit.
It staggered.
It didn't fall.
"Charge," Briv said.
Luxray's body crackled.
Its fur stood on end. Its mane blazed with light. Its eyes burned with power.
"Now. Discharge."
Luxray screamed.
The blast wave hit Houndoom like a physical force. The Dark-type was thrown backward, its body convulsing, its fur smoking. It hit the ground and slid.
It didn't move.
"Houndoom is unable to battle," Axel said. "Luxray wins."
---
Kael recalled his Pokémon.
He didn't look upset. If anything, he looked impressed.
"Your Luxray is something else," he said.
"He's been through a lot."
"I can tell."
Kael reached for his second ball.
"Ninetales. Let's go."
---
Ninetales emerged with a silent grace.
The Fire-type was elegant—nine tails fanning behind it like a golden crown, fur the color of pale cream, eyes the color of burnished copper. It didn't growl. It didn't posture. It simply stood there, radiating quiet menace.
Briv studied it.
Fire-type. Probably Drought or Flash Fire. Either way, dangerous.
"Luxray. Return."
He recalled the Electric-type.
"Prinplup. You're up."
---
Prinplup emerged with a proud cry.
The Water-type landed on the pier and immediately straightened its plumage. It looked at Ninetales with disdain. It looked at the field with disdain. It looked at everything with disdain.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
Kael moved first.
"Ninetales. Will-O-Wisp."
Ninetales's eyes glowed.
A ghostly flame erupted from its body and arced toward Prinplup.
"Protect," Briv said.
Prinplup's body shimmered.
A green barrier materialized just as the flame struck. The attack splashed harmlessly against the shield.
"Hydro Pump," Briv said.
Prinplup opened its beak.
A torrent of water erupted outward.
Ninetales dodged left.
The attack missed.
"Solar Beam," Kael said.
Ninetales's body glowed.
It was charging.
"Don't let it finish," Briv said. "Aqua Jet."
Prinplup's body ignited with water.
It launched forward like a missile.
It struck Ninetales square in the chest.
The Fire-type gasped.
Its charge dissipated.
"Again," Briv said. "Hydro Pump."
Prinplup fired point-blank.
Ninetales took the full force of the attack.
It flew backward. It hit a rusted crane and crumpled.
It didn't move.
"Ninetales is unable to battle," Axel said. "Prinplup wins."
---
Kael recalled his Pokémon.
He was still smiling.
"Two down," he said. "One to go."
He reached for his final ball.
"Camerupt. Let's finish this."
---
Camerupt emerged with a ground-shaking thud.
The Fire-Ground type was massive—easily six feet tall, with a body like a living volcano. Its red fur was matted with ash. Its humps glowed with latent heat. Its eyes were small and mean.
Briv studied it.
Fire and Ground. Weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. But its defenses were legendary.
"Prinplup. Return."
He recalled the Water-type.
"Luxray. You're up."
---
Luxray emerged with a snarl.
The Electric-type was tired—the fight with Houndoom had taken a toll—but its eyes were still sharp. Its mane still crackled. It was still standing.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
"Camerupt. Earth Power."
Camerupt's humps glowed.
The ground beneath Luxray erupted.
The Electric-type was thrown into the air.
"Luxray!" Briv shouted.
Luxray twisted mid-flight.
It landed on its feet.
It was hurt. It was breathing hard. But it was still fighting.
"Thunder Fang," Briv said.
Luxray lunged.
Its jaws closed around Camerupt's leg.
Electricity coursed through the Fire-type's body.
Camerupt roared.
"Lava Plume," Kael said.
Camerupt's body erupted.
A wave of fire and lava exploded outward.
Luxray was thrown backward.
It hit the ground hard.
It didn't get up.
"Luxray is unable to battle," Axel said. "Camerupt wins."
---
Briv recalled his Pokémon.
One left.
He reached for his final ball.
"Prinplup. You're up."
---
Prinplup emerged with a determined cry.
The Water-type landed on the pier and immediately sized up its opponent. Camerupt was bigger. Stronger. But Prinplup was faster. And it had the type advantage.
"Begin," Axel said.
---
"Prinplup. Hydro Pump."
Prinplup fired.
Camerupt took the hit.
It didn't fall.
"Rock Slide," Kael said.
Camerupt roared.
Rocks erupted from the ground and rained down on Prinplup.
The Water-type dodged left. Right. Left again. One caught its flipper and sent it spinning.
"Get up," Briv said.
Prinplup rose.
Its eyes were blazing.
"Aqua Jet," Briv said.
Prinplup launched forward.
It struck Camerupt's side.
The Fire-type grunted.
"Earthquake," Kael said.
Camerupt slammed its foot down.
The pier shook.
Prinplup lost its footing.
It fell.
"Now. Lava Plume."
Camerupt's body erupted.
Prinplup was caught in the blast.
It screamed.
"Prinplup!" Briv shouted.
The Water-type hit the ground and rolled.
It didn't move.
"Prinplup is unable to—" Axel started.
Prinplup's flipper twitched.
It pushed itself up.
It was burned. It was battered. But it was still standing.
"Impossible," Kael muttered.
"Hydro Pump," Briv said.
Prinplup fired.
The attack struck Camerupt in the face.
The Fire-type staggered.
"Again," Briv said.
Prinplup fired again.
Camerupt roared.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
"Camerupt is unable to battle," Axel said. "Prinplup wins. The victory goes to Briv."
---
Silence.
Briv stood frozen, his heart pounding, his hands shaking.
He'd won.
Prinplup stood in the center of the field, its body smoking, its eyes still blazing. It looked at Briv. It nodded once.
Then it collapsed.
---
Briv ran to it.
He scooped the Water-type into his arms and held it close. Prinplup was breathing. Its heart was beating. It was alive.
"You idiot," Briv whispered. "You beautiful, stubborn idiot."
Prinplup chirped weakly.
Briv laughed.
It was a shaky sound. A relieved sound. A sound that came from somewhere deep in his chest.
---
Kael walked across the pier.
He stopped in front of Briv and extended his hand.
"Good fight," he said.
Briv shook it.
"Good fight."
Kael looked at Prinplup.
"That's a hell of a Pokémon."
"He's a pain in my ass."
"Same thing."
Briv laughed again.
"Yeah. Same thing."
---
Axel stepped forward.
"Match concluded," he said. "Briv wins three to two."
He looked at Briv.
"Your Prinplup needs medical attention."
"I know."
"There's a center two blocks north."
"I know."
Axel nodded.
"Good fight."
"Thanks."
---
Briv carried Prinplup to the Pokémon Center.
The nurse took one look at the Water-type and rushed it into the back. Briv sat in the waiting room with his head in his hands. His body ached. His mind raced. He'd won—but barely.
Gible had lost. Luxray had lost. Prinplup had carried the team on its back.
That wasn't good enough.
Not for the League.
---
Patricia found him an hour later.
She walked into the waiting room with Lopunny trailing behind her. She didn't say anything. Just sat down next to him and took his hand.
"Prinplup's going to be fine," she said.
"I know."
"You don't sound like you know."
Briv looked at her.
"I almost lost."
"But you didn't."
"I almost lost because I made mistakes. Gible wasn't ready. Luxray was exhausted. I should have—"
"Stop."
Briv stopped.
Patricia squeezed his hand.
"You won. That's what matters."
"It's not."
"It is."
She turned to face him.
"You're the champion. You're qualified for the League. You've got three weeks to train. You've got time."
Briv exhaled.
"I know."
"Then act like it."
He looked at her.
She was smiling.
"You're a pain in my ass," he said.
"Same thing."
He laughed.
She leaned over and kissed him.
---
They sat there for another hour.
The nurse came out and told them Prinplup would recover. It needed rest. It needed care. But it would be fine.
Briv nodded.
He believed her.
---
They walked back to the hostel together.
The sky had cleared. The crystal towers of Aethelburg gleamed in the afternoon light. The canals sparkled. The bridges hummed.
Briv looked at the city.
Three weeks.
He had three weeks.
Then the League.
He wasn't going to waste them.
---
That night, Briv lay in bed with Patricia curled against his side.
Her breathing was slow and even. Her hand rested on his chest. She was asleep.
He stared at the ceiling.
His mind was still racing. Still replaying the battle. Still cataloging his mistakes.
Gible needed discipline. Luxray needed endurance. Prinplup needed rest.
He needed to be better.
He closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, he would train.
Tomorrow, he would prepare.
Tomorrow, he would become the trainer he needed to be.
---
But tonight, he slept.
And for the first time in weeks, he didn't dream of losing.