"Can I ask why you're here?" I sat on the far end of the bench Kamake was sitting on. I had found her here, overlooking the stadium, a quiet little piece of land with a couple of trees.

She regarded me with her usual calculating gaze, as one would at a particularly interesting science experiment. Finally, she lowered her digital notepad. "Eve requested I do so. She said I've spent too much time engrossed in my work. Called this a 'vacation'."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really now? Well, this vacation of yours will have to be cut short tomorrow."

Kamake half-smiled. "That is assuming you are able to beat me." She stood. "It is getting late. If you would excuse me." She began walking away towards I would assume the hotel before she stopped. I got up to see Alex in front of her, breathing heavy, indicating she had ran here.

"I want to know something," Alex said once she caught her breath. She stood taller and looked Kamake in the eyes. "Why did you release your Absol? Why do something like that?"

Kamake studied her for a moment before saying, "She was no longer compatible with me."

"No longer compatible," Alex spluttered as Kamake pushed past her. "How do you justify that as a reason to abandon your Pokemon!?"

Kamake didn't answer and for a moment I thought Alex was going to storm after her. However, she restrained herself, but was still clearly refusing. As I walked over to put a hand on her shoulder, she said in a barely controlled tone of anger, "Beat her, Zeno. Beat her thoroughly."

I didn't say anything to that, just stared at Kamake's retreating form. She was an oddity. Once having worked for my father, then for Team Radiance. Someone who didn't act normal and who I still couldn't fully understand.

After a minute, "Yeah, I'll beat her. Don't you worry."

"Good," I saw her fist tighten. "'Cause if you didn't, I would have to thrash her myself."

...

"And another overwhelming victory for Alain! His Charizard sure is something else!"

"Alain sure is strong," Ash commented as Alain walked off the field. "You say he beat your Lucario?"

I nodded. "Mind you, we weren't in the best of states then, but even if we were, I have a feeling Alain would still have won." I looked at Ash. "You two are proper rivals, right?"

"Uh huh," Ash confirmed. "I've only ever seen his Metagross and Charizard though. Greninja and I had Charizard on the ropes, but our synchronization wasn't strong enough then. But now," he grinned widely, closing his fist. "I think we could beat him."

"Better hurry up," Serena advised from where she sat next to Ash, looking at the screen. "You're battle is coming up after this next one."

"Oh yeah," I realized, standing. "Guess I'll be missing Clara's battle then." Alex grabbed my wrist as I passed her and gave me a knowing look. I nodded at her, giving her a small smile. She looked reassured at that and let me go.

I watched the remainder of Clara's battle when I got to the prep room, unsurprised when she claimed her victory. I stood, checking one final time on the Pokemon I had selected for this match. I had a general idea of what Kamake would use against me, but I couldn't be sure all the same.

"And we welcome onto the field the mysterious Kamake and her opponent, a crowd-favorite, Zeno! For this particular match-up, they'll be battling on the Ice field!"

"Oh that doesn't bode well," I thought, maybe detecting a hint of satisfaction from Kamake as the field was brought up. Ice jutted from the ground and the slick floor was going to make it harder to maneuver.

"Well then," I flicked the pokeball in the air before catching it. "I guess now's as good as a time as any. Lycanroc, let's show them your Alolan pride!"

The Dusk Form Lycanroc appeared on the ice in front of me, howling. He glanced back at me and I could feel his happiness at being with me once again.

"We're back in the league," I knelt, rubbing his head. "So do your best. We are up against someone familiar, so no need to hold back."

Lycanroc growled in agreement, taking his place, baring his fangs at the Glaceon Kamake had let out.

"Let the 4th match, begin!"

"Start off quick!" I ordered. "Accelerock!"

Lycanroc's paws left grooves in the ice where he leapt from, soaring across the ice towards Glaceon.

"Dig," Kamake said, not batting an eye.

Glaceon tore into the ground while Lycanroc slid to a stop, digging his claws into the ice to stop himself.

"Keep your guard u-!" I was in the middle of shouting as Kamake raised her hand.

"Icicle Spear!"

Several icicles shot from the hole Glaceon had dug, two of them managing to hit Lycanroc before he could get out of the way. He slid backwards, struggling to find solid footing.

"Blizzard," Kamake nodded towards the Rock type and Glaceon leaped out of her hole, blowing a fierce wind of snow and ice towards him.

"Sand Attack!" I yelled. "As much as you can!"

Lycanroc began smashing his paws into the ground, blowing up tons of sand, covering himself in the process just as the Blizzard hit. I watched him crouch, taking the Ice attack head on, the sand not doing a whole lot as I had hoped.

"Shadow Ball!"

"Fire Fang!" I shouted.

Lycanroc opened his maw, fire brewing within as he slammed them shut over the Shadow Ball, a small explosion occurring.

"She's going to try and keep her distance," I realized. "Lycanroc, close the distance with Accelerock!"

"Dig," Kamake said again and I had to hope for her to try that same strategy once again.

"Sand Attack into the hole!" I commanded.

Lycanroc slammed his feet into the ice, slowing to a stop as he began filling the hole with sand.

Kamake smirked. "Ice Beam."

Glaceon broke through the ground behind Lycanroc, shooting a beam of ice towards him. It slammed into his left side, freezing part of him.

"Of course," I winced at my own predictability. "She knows about my unconventional fighting method. She baited me!" Gritting my teeth, I shouted, "Rock Tomb!"

Lycanroc slammed both front paws on the ground, several boulders shooting towards Glaceon.

"Dig."

"You know, this is starting to get irritating," I slammed my fist into my open palm. "Brick Break on the ground! As hard as you can!"

Lycanroc leaped into the air, circling his body two whole revolutions before slamming his glowing tail on the ground, shattering the ice around him. The field reverberated slightly, making Glaceon emerge, slightly dizzy.

"Now's our chance," I thrust out my fist. "Accelerock and Brick Break!"

Lycanroc slammed into Glaceon before turning and slamming his tail into her, sending her skidding across the cracked ice where she came to a stop at Kamake's feet.

"Glaceon is unable to battle, which means Lycanroc is the winner!"

Lycanroc howled, returning to me, licking my face as I knelt to congratulate him. I laughed, trying to get him to stop. "Hey, hey now. We still have to finish the battle here boy."

He growled in agreement, taking his place again in front of me. Kamake met my eyes and I knew she was planning how to defeat me. She took her second pokeball, letting out her Weavile. "Night Slash!"

Weavile took off, practically sliding on the ice as she dodged the chunks of ice that rose around her, a long dark blade clutched in her hand.

"Stone Edge!" I shouted and Lycanroc howled, large stone rocks jutting out of the ground towards her.

"Dodge," Kamake said simply, Weavile sliding out of the way, then leaped onto an ice rock and launched herself towards Lycanroc.

"Brick Break!" I yelled.

Lycanroc flipped, slamming his tail into Weavile's blade and sparks flew. Both Pokemon bounced back from one another, before charging back in.

"Accelerock!"

"Foul Play!"

Both slammed into one another, Weavile's body shimmering and I saw what looked like a blood-soaked grin.

"Low Sweep," Kamake said and the newly revealed Zoroark swept Lycanroc's paws from beneath him, slamming him down onto his side. "Focus Blast!"

Lycanroc was blasted backwards from the point-blank attack, fainted.

"A shocking reveal that turned the battle in Kamake's favor! Now the playing field has been evened!"

"Return," I held out his pokeball, returning Lycanroc. "Get a good rest." I clicked it into place before switching in Corvisquire. "Thanks to your aerial mobility, the ice field won't prove to be a challenge!"

"Operation: Shattered Ice," Kamake said, tilting her head slightly. "Focus Blast."

"I spoke too soon," I gritted my teeth. "Brave Bird!"

Corvisquire flew up and circled downwards, soaring towards the Dark type as a blue glow surrounded him. Zoroark slammed a Focus Blast at the ice around her, flinging up hundreds of shattered pieces.

"Night Daze." Kamake instructed and Zoroark flung out her paws, a wave of darkness sending the shattered pieces of ice towards Corvisquire.

Too late to stop, Corvisquire's only option was to hope he could bear all the ice. The ice pelted him and the Night Daze blasted him back. He fluttered for a second before balancing himself. He flew higher, more wary now of the Dark type.

"Keep a safe distance," I told him. "And use Air Slash!"

Corvisquire flapped his wings, bursts of air slamming into Zoroark.

"Bring him closer with Extrasensory," Kamake ordered. "Then Night Slash."

Zoroark's eyes glowed and a psychic force began pulling Corvisquire towards her, a blade ready in her hand.

"Use Brave Bird to escape!" I commanded, but Corvisquire, try as he might, he was still getting pulled towards Zoroark. The Dark type grinned maliciously, darting forwards as she swung the blade. With a loud clanging sound, Corvisquire squawked and fell to the ground behind the Dark type. Zoroark looked confused and glanced back at the Flying type, then backed away as light began emanating from him. I stared as Corvisquire's body grew bigger, armor enveloping his body as his talons became razor-sharp.

"Corviiikniiigghhttt!" The Flying type cawed, fixing his red beady eyes on Zoroark.

"Focus Blast!" Kamake shouted and Zoroark drew back her hand, an orb beginning to form.

Corviknight spread his wings, blasting into the air as Zoroark fired the Focus Blast. The Flying and Steel type swung a glowing wing, slicing the attack in two.

I grinned. "Alright! Steel Wing one more time!"

Corviknight gave a battle caw and both wings glowed and he soared towards Zoroark. He slammed one side into the Dark type, sending her into the sky.

"Night Daze!" Kamake yelled.

"Dual Wingbeat!" I pumped my fist into the air and Corviknight blasted the darkness away before slamming his wings against Zoroark. She fell and smashed an ice rock, fainted.

"Zoroark is unable to battle, which means Corviknight wins!"

"A excellent timed evolution saves Zeno from losing his second Pokemon and with the extra power that comes with evolving, Corviknight was able to successfully defeat Zoroark! Kamake is on her last Pokemon, but can she pull a fast one on her opponent and take the win!?"

"We already know who her last Pokemon will be," I shouted to Corviknight, who surveyed the battlefield from high above. "Keep your guard up all the same!"

"Weavile," Kamake's final Pokemon was let out onto the battlefield. "Ice Shard!"

"Dodge," I commanded and Corviknight easily dodged the ice. "Now use Steel Wing!"

Corviknight's wings spread wider, glowing as he zoomed towards Weavile.

"Take the hit and use Revenge," Kamake ordered.

Corviknight slammed into Weavile, but the Ice type recovered quick and leaped into the air, slamming her whole body against the Flying type. Corviknight screeched in pain as Kamake yelled, "Triple Axel!"

Weavile slammed her foot into Corviknight's underside as she latched onto his wing, swinging herself onto his back while kicking him two more times, each hit more powerful than the first.

"Ice Shard!" Kamake shouted.

"Shake her off with Drill Peck!" I shouted. "High in the sky!"

Corviknight aimed his beak towards the blue sky above and began twisting his body, faster and faster, his beak glowing. He shot out of the stadium, Weavile, desperate to cling on, was finally flung off.

"Now finish her!" I roared.

Corviknight dived back down towards her, slamming his spinning beak into her middle, driving her into the ground. Ice shattered and flew into the air, a dust cloud obscuring both Pokemon. Corviknight flew out, his wings blowing away the dust to reveal that Weavile was out of the count.

"Weavile is unable to battle, which means Corviknight wins again! This also means Zeno will move onto the Quarter Finals!"

The crowd roared with delight as I ran my hand through my hair, grinning as my newly evolved Pokemon flew towards me. He was massive now, standing taller than me by two feet. I patted his armored breastplate.

"You sure are something aren't you?" I praised him. "I'm more confident than ever we can win the league. What do you say to that?"

Corviknight let out a loud metallic caw, rubbing the bottom of his beak against my hair affectionately.

"And Zeno moves onto the Quarter Finals! That concludes the first half of today's battles folks! We'll be taking a short break and then we'll be back for the remaining 4 battles!"

...

"Oh you did great," Alex hugged me tightly. Then, quieter, "Thanks for beating her for me."

"Anytime," I smiled, hugging her back before we parted. I glanced around at everyone gathered in their seats. "What did I miss?"

"Ash won his battle with ease," Serena said with pride. "And Alex is up last."

"I was just on my way out," she waved goodbye. "I'll see you all when I win!"

...

"Now that the Preliminary battles have come to an end, we have a good roster of strong trainers aiming to become the winners of the Lumiose Conference! So, look to the screen for the Quarter Final match-ups!"

"You guys are bound to face each other," Robert leaned forwards. "Come on..."

The screen flashed and the 4 battles were highlighted. Robert gasped and I raised an eyebrow. Glancing at Alex, I said, "You have an interesting battle tomorrow."

A boot came to rest on the back of Alex's seat as Clara leaned forwards. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy beating you blondie."

Alex turned in her seat. "I feel bad for Zeno. I think he was looking forward to beat his rival." She smirked. "Oh well, guess I can't help that."

"Um, Zeno," Robert prodded me. "Who's the old guy you're facing?"

I took another look at the screen. The face looked ancient and weathered, long white hair and a green scarf covering the bottom half of his face. To finish it off, he wore a red beanie.

"I don't know," I shook my head. "Looks a little old to be a regular Pokemon trainer though."

"Agreed," Robert stretched. "I have a good feeling about tomorrow's battles."

One last look and I confirmed that Ash and Alain were both facing different trainers. That meant they were both likely going to end up in the semifinals. And either Alex or Clara would be there as well.

"Alright then," I set my gaze, tightening my fist. "After tomorrow, that's when the real battles begin!"

And the prelims have wrapped up! Next chapter, "Rival's Path"! A showdown between our heroine and Zeno's rival, Clara! Who do you believe will win!? Who do you wish to win!? Until then folks! Toodles!