Chapter 99: Next Battles
The screens flared to life again.
The host strode across the platform, his crimson suit catching the chandelier light like fresh blood. His silver hair was immaculate. His smile was a weapon.
"Two teams down! Fourteen to go! Let's keep this moving!"
The glass sphere spun.
Capsules tumbled.
The crowd leaned forward.
---
Briv watched from the edge of the barrier.
His heart was still pounding from the last match. From Duncan's defeat. From the brutal efficiency of elimination.
Patricia stood beside him. Her hand found his.
He didn't look at her.
He couldn't.
---
The host reached into the sphere.
"Team Three!"
He cracked the first capsule.
"Samantha!"
---
A woman emerged from the crowd.
Long violet hair. Wild purple eyes. Bold colors—crimson and black, cut to reveal more than they concealed. She moved like a predator who enjoyed being watched.
Samantha Eterngust.
Eclipse Squad.
---
Briv's jaw tightened.
Patricia's grip on his hand became painful.
---
"The second member of Team Three..."
Another capsule.
"Nicola!"
---
Briv's head snapped toward the stage.
Nicola.
His Nicola.
---
She stepped forward.
Her expression was stone. Her blonde hair was pulled back. Her brown eyes were sharp as broken glass.
She didn't look at him.
She didn't look at anyone.
---
"The third member of Team Three..."
"Jack!"
---
A man stepped forward.
Young. Confident. Blond hair, blue eyes, a smile that belonged on a magazine cover.
Jack Haywire.
---
Briv felt the air leave his lungs.
Jack.
The man who had beaten him.
The man who had made Nicola kneel in a hotel room and—
---
Patricia's hand was on his arm now.
"Briv."
He didn't respond.
---
"Briv. Look at me."
He looked.
Her eyes were steady. Her face was pale.
"Not here. Not now."
---
He nodded.
His hands were shaking.
---
"The fourth and final member of Team Three..."
"Drew!"
---
A woman stepped forward.
Sharp features. Sleek white hair. Orange and black tactical suit. Piercing pink eyes that missed nothing.
Drew Saturday.
---
"Team Three is complete! Samantha, Nicola, Jack, and Drew!"
---
The crowd applauded.
Briv didn't hear it.
---
Nicola stood on the platform with the other three.
Samantha was smiling at her.
Jack was watching her with that same predatory calm.
Drew was observing everyone.
---
Nicola's face was unreadable.
But Briv knew her.
He knew the way her shoulders tightened when she was angry.
He knew the way her jaw clenched when she was scared.
He knew.
---
The host reached into the sphere again.
"Team Four!"
---
Capsules cracked.
"Elias!"
---
A man stepped forward.
Calm. Approachable. Brown hair, kind eyes, wearing simple clothes that spoke of practicality over fashion.
Elias Thornwood.
The trainer from Greenbloom Town.
---
"Starfire!"
---
A woman bounded forward.
Tall. Slender. Fiery red hair. Green eyes. Orange skin that shimmered under the lights.
She was alien.
She was beautiful.
She was grinning like a child at a carnival.
---
"Emilia!"
---
Another woman emerged.
Dark eyes. Tanned skin. Long brown hair. A fitted dress that hugged every curve and promised everything.
Emilia.
Briv had heard of her.
Everyone had.
---
"And the final member of Team Four..."
The host paused.
Let the tension build.
Then he cracked the capsule.
"Revan!"
---
The crowd stirred.
Revan Stormcloud stepped forward.
Black clothes. Black hair. Silver-gray eyes that gleamed with lazy malice. The Eclipse Squad emblem on his jacket caught the light.
He smiled.
He looked directly at Patricia.
He winked.
---
Briv's blood ran cold.
---
"Team Four is complete! Elias, Starfire, Emilia, and Revan!"
---
The screens shifted.
Fixtures appeared.
---
TEAM THREE VS TEAM FOUR
SAMANTHA VS ELIAS
NICOLA VS STARFIRE
JACK VS EMILIA
DREW VS REVAN
---
The crowd buzzed.
The arena transformed.
Platforms rose.
Barriers shimmered into existence.
---
Briv's eyes found Nicola.
She was walking to the sideline.
Her face was still stone.
But her hands were clenched at her sides.
---
He wanted to go to her.
He couldn't.
---
"First match!" the host announced. "Samantha Eterngust versus Elias Thornwood! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
---
Samantha stepped onto the platform.
She moved like honey poured over broken glass.
Her smile was wide. Her eyes were wild.
---
Elias stepped onto the opposite platform.
He was calm.
He was always calm.
---
Samantha tossed her pokéball.
A flash of light.
A creature emerged—dark purple, gaseous, with a grinning mouth and eyes that held centuries of mischief. Gengar.
---
Elias threw his.
A small, green Pokémon materialized—segmented body, curious eyes, antennae twitching. Caterpie.
---
The crowd murmured.
A Caterpie?
Against a Gengar?
---
Briv leaned forward.
"What the hell is he doing?"
---
Patricia's voice was quiet.
"Watch."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Samantha struck first.
"Gengar—Shadow Ball!"
---
Gengar's hands glowed.
A sphere of dark energy formed.
It launched.
---
Elias didn't flinch.
"Caterpie—String Shot."
---
Caterpie opened its mouth.
White thread erupted.
It hit the Shadow Ball mid-flight.
The sphere detonated prematurely.
Harmless.
---
Samantha's eyes narrowed.
"Interesting."
---
She flicked her wrist.
"Sludge Bomb."
---
Gengar's mouth opened.
A glob of purple poison launched.
---
"Protect."
---
Caterpie glowed.
A barrier materialized.
The Sludge Bomb splattered against it.
Caterpie was unharmed.
---
The crowd stirred.
---
Samantha laughed.
Not mocking.
Delighted.
---
"You're good."
---
Elias smiled.
"I know."
---
"Shadow Punch."
---
Gengar vanished.
It reappeared behind Caterpie.
Its fist connected.
---
Caterpie flew.
Hit the barrier.
Slid down.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—SAMANTHA WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Samantha curtsied.
Elias recalled his Pokémon with a nod.
No anger.
No frustration.
Just acceptance.
---
He walked off the platform.
He passed Briv.
Their eyes met.
---
"Good luck," Elias said.
Briv didn't respond.
=====
The host's voice cut through the murmur of the crowd like a blade.
"Second match! Nicola Sunfall versus Starfire!"
Briv's stomach clenched.
He watched Nicola walk toward the platform. Her stride was measured. Controlled. The walk of someone who had learned to carry weight without showing it.
Starfire bounded to the opposite side. Her fiery hair swung with each step. Her green eyes sparkled with something between excitement and hunger.
"This is going to be fun!" Starfire called across the arena.
Nicola didn't answer.
She rolled her shoulders once.
Twice.
Then she stilled.
---
The announcer raised his hand.
"Three versus three! Standard League rules! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
---
Nicola's hand moved to her belt.
She selected a ball.
Kissed it once.
Then threw.
---
Tangrowth materialized in a burst of white light.
The massive Grass-type landed with a heavy thud. Blue vines coiled around its body like armor. Long arms dragged against the platform. Wide eyes peered through the tangle with calm assessment.
---
Starfire grinned.
"Tangrowth? Really?"
She plucked a ball from her own belt.
"Let's turn up the heat!"
---
The ball opened.
A creature erupted from the light—orange and yellow, with a duck-like bill, a flame dancing on its head, and eyes that burned with mischief. Magby.
---
Briv blinked.
Magby?
Against Tangrowth?
---
Patricia leaned close.
"She's baiting. Magby's fast. She wants Nicola to underestimate it."
---
Nicola's expression didn't change.
"BEGIN!"
---
Starfire struck first.
"Magby—Flame Burst!"
---
Magby opened its beak.
A sphere of fire launched.
It streaked across the platform.
---
"Tangrowth—Protect."
---
A barrier shimmered.
The fireball exploded against it.
Tangrowth didn't flinch.
---
"Now! Vine Whip!"
---
Tangrowth's arms extended.
Vines shot forward like striking snakes.
---
Magby dodged.
It was fast.
Faster than anything that size should be.
---
"Fire Punch!"
---
Magby's fist ignited.
It swung.
Connected with Tangrowth's side.
---
Tangrowth grunted.
Smoke rose from its vines.
But it held.
---
"Power Whip."
---
Tangrowth's arm swung.
The vine cracked through the air.
---
Magby tried to dodge.
Too slow.
---
The impact sent Magby tumbling across the platform.
It rolled.
It stopped.
It didn't get up.
---
Starfire's smile didn't waver.
She recalled her Pokémon.
"Not bad."
---
"MATCH ONE—NICOLA WINS!"
---
The crowd applauded.
Briv exhaled.
One down.
---
Starfire selected her next ball.
She held it up.
"You're good. But let's see how you handle this."
---
She threw.
A large Pokémon materialized—yellow and orange, with a duck-like bill, a flame on its head, and a confident stance. Magmar.
---
Nicola's jaw tightened.
She recalled Tangrowth.
---
She chose her next ball.
Threw it.
A small, sturdy Pokémon emerged—white body, brown limbs, green markings, a pointed snow-covered appearance. Snover.
---
Starfire laughed.
"Ice against fire? You're brave."
---
Nicola's voice was flat.
"I'm smart."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Starfire moved first.
"Magmar—Flamethrower!"
---
Fire erupted.
A torrent of orange and red.
It roared across the platform.
---
"Snover—Ice Shard."
---
Snover's eyes glowed.
A shard of ice formed.
It launched.
---
The ice hit the flames.
Steam exploded.
The attack was neutralized.
---
Starfire's eyes widened.
"Nice trick."
---
"It's not a trick."
---
"Magmar—Thunder Punch!"
---
Magmar's fist crackled with electricity.
It charged.
---
"Snover—Protect."
---
Barrier up.
Thunder Punch hit it.
Sparks flew.
---
"Now! Wood Hammer!"
---
Snover's body glowed green.
It lunged.
It slammed into Magmar's chest.
---
Magmar staggered.
Fire flickered from its mouth.
---
"Again!"
---
Another hit.
Magmar fell.
---
"MATCH TWO—NICOLA WINS!"
---
The crowd roared.
Nicola recalled Snover.
Her face was still stone.
But her hands were steadier now.
---
Starfire recalled Magmar.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
---
"You're better than I thought."
Nicola didn't respond.
---
Starfire reached for her final ball.
She threw it.
A large Pokémon materialized—orange and red, with powerful arms, a flame on its head, and a fierce expression. Magmortar.
---
Nicola reached for her final ball.
She threw it.
Shieldon emerged.
Small. Sturdy. Blue body. Gray facial shield. Calm, cautious eyes.
---
Starfire tilted her head.
"A Shieldon? Against Magmortar?"
---
Nicola's voice was quiet.
"You'll see."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Starfire struck first.
"Magmortar—Fire Blast!"
---
The attack was massive.
A spiraling inferno that filled the platform.
---
Shieldon didn't dodge.
It couldn't.
---
The fire hit.
Shieldon took it.
---
Smoke billowed.
The crowd held its breath.
---
When the smoke cleared, Shieldon was still standing.
Its shield was glowing.
---
"What?" Starfire breathed.
---
Nicola's eyes flickered.
"Metal Burst."
---
Shieldon's body flashed.
The energy it had absorbed redirected outward.
---
Magmortar took the hit.
It staggered.
It didn't fall.
But it was hurt.
---
"Now! Iron Head!"
---
Shieldon charged.
Its shield glowed brilliant white.
---
It connected.
Magmortar stumbled back.
---
"Again!"
---
Another hit.
Another.
---
Magmortar swung wildly.
"Fire Punch!"
---
Shieldon took it.
Its body cracked.
It didn't fall.
---
"Flash Cannon!"
---
Shieldon's body glowed.
Energy gathered.
It released.
---
Magmortar was thrown backward.
It hit the barrier.
It slid down.
It didn't move.
---
"MATCH THREE—NICOLA WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Nicola had won.
Two to one.
Team Three had won the match.
---
But Briv wasn't watching the scoreboard.
He was watching Shieldon.
---
The small Pokémon was standing.
Its body was glowing.
Brighter.
Brighter.
---
The light consumed it.
The crowd gasped.
---
When the light faded, Shieldon was gone.
In its place stood a massive, armored Pokémon—gray and blue, with a thick facial shield, a heavy body, and eyes that held ancient calm. Bastiodon.
---
Nicola's breath caught.
Her hand rose to her mouth.
---
The crowd went insane.
Briv felt Patricia grab his arm.
"Did you see that?"
"I saw."
---
Bastiodon turned to face Nicola.
It bowed its massive head.
---
Nicola's voice cracked.
"I saw."
---
She recalled her Pokémon.
Held the ball to her chest.
---
Starfire stood across the platform.
Her face was unreadable.
Then she smiled.
"Good match."
---
Nicola didn't respond.
She turned.
Walked off the platform.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"TEAM THREE WINS THE MATCH! 2-0!"
=====
The platform cleared.
Nicola walked past Briv. She didn't look at him. She didn't look at anyone. But he saw her hands—steady now. Saw the way she held Bastiodon's ball against her heart like it was something holy.
She disappeared into the crowd.
He wanted to follow.
He stayed.
---
The host's voice cracked across the arena like a whip.
"Jack Haywire versus Emilia! Trainers—ready your Pokémon!"
Briv's jaw tightened.
The name hit him like a fist.
Jack.
The man who had taken something from Nicola that couldn't be given back. The man who had smiled while doing it.
---
Patricia's hand found his.
"He's just a trainer," she murmured.
"He's not."
"I know."
---
Jack stepped onto the platform.
Blond hair. Blue eyes. That smile—the one that belonged on magazine covers and wanted posters.
He rolled his shoulders.
Cracked his neck.
---
Emilia stepped onto the opposite platform.
Dark eyes. Tanned skin. A dress that left nothing to the imagination. She moved like someone who knew exactly how much space she occupied and enjoyed every inch of it.
She smiled at Jack.
"Let's put on a show."
Jack laughed.
"Ladies first."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Jack struck first.
He threw his ball.
A large Pokémon materialized—brown, furry, with a long snout and claws that gleamed under the lights. Ursaring.
---
Emilia didn't flinch.
She threw hers.
A sleek, dark Pokémon emerged—black fur, yellow rings, red eyes that glowed with quiet menace. Umbreon.
---
Jack's eyes narrowed.
"Umbreon? Interesting."
---
Emilia tilted her head.
"You'll learn."
---
"Ursaring—Close Combat!"
---
Ursaring roared.
It charged.
Its fists blurred.
---
"Umbreon—Foul Play."
---
Umbreon's body darkened.
It sidestepped.
Its paw connected with Ursaring's back.
---
Ursaring stumbled.
Its own momentum nearly threw it off the platform.
---
"Again!"
---
Another strike.
Another hit.
---
Ursaring was hurting itself.
Emilia smiled.
---
Jack didn't panic.
"Ursaring—Swords Dance!"
---
Ursaring planted its feet.
It spun.
Its muscles swelled.
---
"Now! Play Rough!"
---
Ursaring's claws glowed pink.
It slashed at Umbreon.
---
Umbreon tried to dodge.
Too slow.
---
The hit landed.
Umbreon flew across the platform.
Hit the barrier.
Fell.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—JACK WINS!"
---
The crowd cheered.
Briv didn't.
---
Emilia recalled Umbreon.
She didn't look bothered.
She selected her next ball.
---
"My turn."
---
She threw it.
A large, elegant Pokémon emerged—pink and white, with delicate features and eyes that held something ancient and knowing. Sylveon.
---
Jack tilted his head.
"I'm sensing a theme."
---
Emilia smiled.
"Kill the bear."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Sylveon moved first.
No command.
It just moved.
---
Ribbons unfurled.
They wrapped around Ursaring's legs.
Yanked.
---
Ursaring crashed to the ground.
---
"How—"
---
"We've been together six years. We don't need words."
---
Sylveon's eyes glowed.
Moonblast.
---
The sphere formed.
It launched.
---
Ursaring took it point-blank.
It didn't move.
---
"MATCH TWO—EMILIA WINS!"
---
The score was tied.
---
Jack's smile faded.
He recalled his Pokémon.
Fingered his last ball.
---
"This one's mine."
---
He threw it.
A large Pokémon emerged—brown, with a thick shell, powerful arms, and an expression that spoke of ancient patience. Blastoise.
---
Emilia selected her final ball.
She threw it.
A massive Pokémon emerged—green, with a wide mouth, a large jaw, and eyes that held mechanical precision. Venusaur.
---
The two starters faced each other.
Old rivals.
New battle.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Jack struck first.
"Blastoise—Hydro Pump!"
---
Cannons extended.
Water erupted.
---
"Venusaur—Solar Beam."
---
Venusaur's flower glowed.
It gathered light.
---
The water hit.
Steam exploded.
The arena became a sauna.
---
When the mist cleared, Venusaur was still standing.
Still charging.
---
"Now!"
---
The beam released.
It hit Blastoise square in the chest.
---
Blastoise slid back.
Its shell cracked.
It didn't fall.
---
"Rapid Spin!"
---
Blastoise retreated into its shell.
It spun.
Fast.
Faster.
---
It connected with Venusaur's legs.
---
Venusaur stumbled.
---
"Hydro Pump again!"
---
Blastoise emerged.
Cannons fired.
---
Venusaur took the hit.
It staggered.
It didn't fall.
---
"Solar Beam."
---
Another charge.
Another release.
---
Blastoise couldn't dodge.
It took the hit.
---
It fell.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH THREE—EMILIA WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Team Four had won.
Three to two.
---
Jack recalled his Pokémon.
His hand shook.
Not with anger.
With something else.
---
Emilia walked off the platform.
She passed him.
Didn't look back.
---
The host announced the next match.
"Drew Saturday versus Revan Stormcloud!"
---
Briv's stomach dropped.
---
Drew walked to her platform.
Sharp features. White hair. Tactical suit. Pink eyes that missed nothing.
---
Revan walked to his.
Black clothes. Black hair. Silver-gray eyes that gleamed with lazy malice.
He looked at Patricia.
Winked.
---
Patricia's hand tightened on Briv's.
"Don't."
"I won't."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Revan struck first.
He threw his ball.
A large Pokémon emerged—dark purple, gaseous, with a grinning mouth and eyes that promised nightmares. Gengar.
---
Drew didn't flinch.
She threw hers.
A large, armored Pokémon emerged—gray, bipedal, with a thick shell and powerful arms. Rampardos.
---
Revan laughed.
"Rock against Ghost? You're not very smart, are you?"
---
Drew's voice was ice.
"You talk too much."
---
"Gengar—Shadow Ball!"
---
The sphere formed.
It launched.
---
"Rampardos—Zen Headbutt!"
---
Rampardos's head glowed.
It charged.
---
It went through the Shadow Ball.
It connected with Gengar.
---
Gengar flew.
Hit the barrier.
Fell.
---
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH ONE—DREW WINS!"
---
Revan's smile faltered.
---
He recalled Gengar.
Selected another ball.
---
"Lucky shot."
---
He threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—gray, bony, with a skull-faced helmet and a club in its hand. Marowak.
---
Drew selected her next.
She threw it.
A Pokémon emerged—gray, armored, with a thick facial shield and a heavy body. Bastiodon.
---
Revan's eyes narrowed.
"Another rock type."
---
Drew didn't respond.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Marowak struck first.
It swung its club.
Bonemerang.
---
The bone flew.
It curved.
It hit Bastiodon.
---
Bastiodon didn't flinch.
---
"Flash Cannon."
---
Bastiodon's body glowed.
Energy gathered.
It released.
---
Marowak tried to dodge.
Too slow.
---
The beam hit.
Marowak flew.
Its club spun away.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH TWO—DREW WINS!"
---
Revan's face twisted.
He recalled Marowak.
---
"You bitch."
---
Drew didn't blink.
"Your last Pokémon."
---
Revan selected his final ball.
He threw it.
A large Pokémon emerged—dark, with sharp claws, red feathers, and eyes that burned with cruelty. Honchkrow.
---
Drew selected hers.
She threw it.
A large Pokémon emerged—orange and black, with sharp features and a confident stance. Floatzel.
---
Briv blinked.
Floatzel?
That was Patricia's Pokémon.
---
He looked at Patricia.
She was already looking at him.
"Drew borrowed it. For the tournament."
---
"Patricia—"
"It's fine."
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Honchkrow struck first.
"Dark Pulse!"
---
A wave of dark energy erupted.
It rushed across the platform.
---
Floatzel didn't dodge.
It dove.
Under the wave.
---
"Aqua Jet!"
---
Floatzel became a missile.
Water trailed behind it.
---
It connected with Honchkrow.
---
Honchkrow staggered.
---
"Night Slash!"
---
Honchkrow's claws glowed.
It slashed.
---
Floatzel took the hit.
It winced.
It didn't fall.
---
"Ice Fang!"
---
Floatzel's fangs glowed.
It bit down on Honchkrow's wing.
---
Honchkrow screamed.
---
"Now! Liquidation!"
---
Floatzel's body glowed.
It slammed into Honchkrow.
---
Honchkrow hit the barrier.
It fell.
It didn't get up.
---
"MATCH THREE—DREW WINS!"
---
The crowd erupted.
Team Three had won the match.
Three to two.
---
Drew walked off the platform.
She passed Revan.
Didn't look at him.
---
Revan stood there.
His hands were shaking.
His face was pale.
---
He looked at Briv.
Their eyes met.
---
Revan's mouth moved.
No words.
Just a promise.
---
The host's voice boomed.
"TEAM THREE WINS THE MATCH! 3-2!"
---
But Briv wasn't listening.
He was watching Revan walk away.
Watching the way his fists clenched.
Watching the way he disappeared into the crowd.
---
He was thinking about Axel.
About Eclipse Squad.
About what came next.
---
The next draw was announced.
The next teams were forming.
---
Briv didn't move.
He stood there.
With Patricia's hand in his.
With Nicola somewhere in the crowd.
With a war brewing beneath the surface of a tournament that was supposed to be about glory.
---
He was thinking.
Planning.
---
The League had just begun.
And he had already lost more than he could afford.
---
But he wasn't going to lose everything.
Not without a fight.