Moments had passed since the young adult had a talk with Azul at the beach. Back at his room, Louis paced, uncertainly.
"So. What happened?" asked Incineroar.
The trainer's mind continued to race, many thoughts and ideas rushed through his train-of-thought.
"Helloooo..." said Incineroar.
Snapping out of his silence, Louis turned to the fire-cat Pokémon.
"Azul told me that..." he paused. "...Suzuki had taken him out of Zack's team lineup."
Incineroar raised an eyebrow.
"...you're kidding, right?" he said, believing that Louis was making this up.
– "No, I'm not."
The young adult brought out the sheet of paper that the Greninja had presented him minutes ago. He unfolded it and revealed the printed words listed on it. Incineroar carefully read through it, a little surprised.
"What made Suzuki suddenly decide to take him off Zack's team?" questioned Incineroar.
"That's what's boggled my mind," answered Louis. "Suzuki said that he, apparently, hadn't been putting in the effort and was ignoring the duties being on a team."
The fire-cat wrestler became very confused.
"Ok, I'll admit, that doesn't make sense," he said.
– "I know."
Then, the young adult's subconscious brought him back to Azul's tearful apology.
"...something else happened," he said.
"What?" replied Incineroar.
The young adult shifted on the spot.
"Azul...apologised," he revealed.
Incineroar blinked twice.
"Apologised? Him?" he said.
Louis responded, "Yeah. He did."
The young adult took a deep breath.
'I'm willing to trust him again,' he said, internally.
Louis brought a Pokéball out of his pocket, but this one was not one of the current ones that he had already painted.
"Where'd you get that?" asked Incineroar.
"I found it beside Azul when we were talking," answered Louis.
He held the spherical device with a stronger grip. Then, the young adult stepped toward his deck, retrieved the supplies that Tracey had given him and began to work.
"Now what are you doing?" inquired Incineroar.
"Something important," answered Louis.
The next day, hundreds of students lined up outside of the academy's new gym. Each one was eager to see the newly-constructed building. However, Louis, Roy and Taki waited, outside of the large gathering.
"They're gonna be in for a big surprise," said Roy.
Taki tapped Louis on the shoulder.
"Are you excited?" she asked.
"Mostly," answered Louis. "I'm a bit nervous too."
Her.
Taki.
He'd nearly forgotten about her, amidst the Azul drama.
"Taki," Louis spoke.
She looked into his eyes, a youthful, questioning look.
– "...yes?"
Words flooded him. He paused in thought, sniping the right words from consciousness.
And missed.
"I'm really glad you're here."
Taki smiled.
Then, two figures approached the party from behind, Coach and Miguel, laughing at some shared joke.
"Thought you guys would be in-line to get inside," said Coach, chuckling.
"Nah, we thought we'd wait it out," replied Louis.
"Surveying the competition, eh?"
The crowd grew smaller as more students stepped inside the new Pokémon gym. Many thoughts and plans popped in the young adult's brain. There were so many possibilities, so little time.
"Taki?" whispered Louis.
"Hm?" replied Taki.
"Listen, I've come up with a plan for my qualifying battle, but...I'm still a little unsure about it," explained Louis.
The girl was able to feel the sense of uncertainty emitting from her friend. She placed a hand on his shoulder and said;
"You've always been willing to take risks, Louis. I'm sure no matter how you feel about it now, it'll work out in the end."
Taking her words to heart, Louis nodded and smiled.
"...thanks," he said. "I guess that's all I needed to hear."
In turn, both individuals brought out their teams of Pokémon, who were ready for battle.
The duo's friend, Roy, was itching to get started.
"Well, come on, let's go!" he cheered.
"Yeah!" the remaining party members exclaimed.
After the party had entered the building, they scurried past groups of people who stood idly near the stairs leading to the rows of chairs. After taking their seats, Louis took some time to double-check his thought out plan.
"Something wrong, Louis?" asked Feraligatr.
"Nnnnope," answered Louis.
Amidst the excitement and anticipation, the head professor of the academy trotted to the centre of the arena, brandishing a microphone and switching it on.
"Attention," he said, getting every trainer's focus and concentration.
"I know you are all excited to get things started, so...why keep you all waiting?" he began.
The head professor pulled out a remote control, pushed a button and switched on the new big screen. On the monitor was an image detailing the first match, which was...a Battle Royale. Louis could make out that one of the images of the trainers was Zack.
"Our first Battle Royale match will have trainers Zack Sanders, April Barrows, Leo Cook and Cassandra Munnelly," the professor announced.
Hearing Zack's name made Louis frown. He still couldn't believe how the young trainer could allow Suzuki to take Azul out of his team lineup. The young adult shook his head and clenched a fist, hidden from the rest of the group. Soon, the called trainers made their way onto the arena, where four colour-designated areas were marked for each trainer. The four competitors readied themselves with a Pokéball in hand.
'I can't forgive you about Azul, but good luck anyway, Zack,' thought Louis.
Then, the referee made his presence known to the competitors. He raised his arms into the air.
"Ready?" he spoke.
All of the combatants nodded in reply. Then, the referee rapidly lowered his arms.
"BEGIN!"
A burst of pent-up, nervous energy exploded from April, who, lightning-quick, deployed her Pokéball first. Out of the capsule came a Kadabra. The next to bring out a combatant was Zack, bringing out the Greninja, Azul. Leo, surprised by April's quick reflexes, sent out a Sudowoodo, while Cassandra brought a Sirfetch'd up to battle.
With the announcement, the battle commenced. The Pokémon went all-out against their opposition. Azul took on Kadabra first, while Sudowoodo challenged Sirfetch'd to battle. Two back-to-back battles went on for what felt like an eternity. Both Azul and April's Kadabra seem to be evenly matched. The Greninja was waiting for Zack's next command, but all of a sudden, while Leo's Sudowoodo was distracted, Sirfetch'd charged at the ninja-frog with supreme speed and thrusted its leek lance at him. It struck the Greninja with tremendous force, knocking him back a bit. Then, however, before Azul could make his move on the Wild Duck Pokémon, April commanded her Kadabra to use Psychic. The Pokémon's eyes flashed red. Then, Azul became surrounded by a light-blue aura. Kadabra lifted the ninja-frog into the air using its abilities. Suddenly, the psychic Pokémon quickly swung its arm down, sending Azul crashing to the ground with such power that it made a small crater.
When the dust settled, Azul was slowly getting up, but he struggled. Soon, he collapsed. Louis was shocked.
"Greninja is unable to battle," the referee announced. "Zack Sanders has been eliminated."
Zack's expression of shock was easy to read.
But, something unwanted, but nevertheless present, built within the Greninja. Something close to hate. However, these feelings were put on hold when Suzuki, who was hiding in the shadows, signalled Azul to meet him in the hallway.
Suddenly, a puffy cloud burst around Azul, and when it subsided, he vanished.
The young adult witnessed all the current events. Then, what he had hoped wouldn't happen again, began to make its presence known in his heart. The sense of dread and panic. He recalled the events of the past that led to Azul temporarily giving up battling.
Believing that history may be about to repeat itself, Louis stood up and quickly exited the stands.
"Hey, wait for us!" called Taki, following suit.
Soon enough, the rest of the gang trailed behind, but not close enough to see what was about to occur...
Whoa...I didn't see that one coming. Whatever happened, I'm sure it'll work out in the end.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Is there something you enjoyed? Can you guess what happens next? Or...what do you hope to see in future chapters? If so, go ahead and leave a review explaining any of these reasons. (Please don't leave hurtful reviews)
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Thanks again. See you next time