Warning: Depictions of violence/gore.

Epilogue, Part 6: Cruel Fighting

-Levi's POV-

After I landed on the arena, Zane started out with saying, in a condescending tone, "Found a new team to drag down, weakling?"

I glared back. I really hated this Pokémon. Unlike Rio and Meowth, I held no sense of fondness for this Pokémon when I first met him, even though he was our first recruit.

"Well, 'hello' to you too. Unlike you, this team appreciates my intelligence instead of just craving more power."

"Power is everything. It grants authority. How many times have your precious 'friends' beaten down another Pokémon because of a simple ideological clash? And those Pokémon listen. Those who have no power have no authority."

I shook my head, "I heard the same speech from Fenrir ever since we took down our first outlaw with Freak at our side. But that's not how my new team sees it; or me, for that matter. Power should be used to defend those without their own from those who would misuse it. In fact, a cynic might brand you all for being the latter kind."

Zane chuckled, "Fenrir always said that you read too many fairy tales growing up for your own good." He dropped into his ready stance, "Enough talk. If you have this so called power to defend, then show me, weakling!"

"Levi vs. Zane. Begin."

I took flight and Zane leaped into the air with white streaks surrounding him. Aerial Ace? He really has the audacity to challenge me in my home territory?

He charged at me with his nose glowing, and I used Steel Wing to bat him away. He flipped and landed on the ground and began charging Razor Wind, his leaf fans starting to glow brighter as wind stirred around him. I took the opportunity to fire a quick Night Shade before getting ready to dodge.

Quick as a thought, I flew higher into the air and spread a Haze from my wings to cover my trail. The black mist wasn't exactly zero visibility, but it made me slightly harder to see due to my dark plumage.

I kept an eye on Zane as I circled around in the air. He couldn't use Whirlwind to blow the Haze away until he released the Razor Wind, so I would just have to watch his movements and evade.

Zane growled in frustration as he discharged the Razor Wind blades, trying to spread them out as far as he could, but I found a gap and simply hovered there as they sailed harmlessly past. After they went by, I had to focus on riding the Whirlwind so as to not lose control of my flight as the Haze was cleared away.

Growling again, Zane said, "Cheap tricks for a weakling Pokémon!"

I simply smirked, "What you call 'cheap' I call strategy. I'm using my own moves, aren't I? And I'm flying with my own two wings. Why don't you just grow a pair?"

He grinned, "Those wings won't serve you well against this." He waved his fans again, and a Silver Wind blew towards me. Unable to do much else, I hardened my wings with Steel Wing and then crossed them to weather the assault. I was falling for a bit, but then I righted myself and flew again.

Staying in the air, I flew near Shiftry again and shot another Night Shade. He held up his hand and I recognized the stance from Rio using it, and immediately flew higher as four massive boulders tried to trap me. They clamped shut right behind me, and I landed on top of them and tried to catch my breath.

I watched as Zane sprinted towards me, trying to attack me while I was resting. I hate to admit it, but Zane's gotten even stronger since I last saw him. If I don't get more serious, I could actually lose this. And forget Zane, I'd never let myself live it down.

From my position, I raised my wings and beat them to whip up another Haze cover. Wait for it… A Whirlwind started up, and I rode it so I wouldn't have to try as hard taking off. Every bit of energy I could save would help.

After the wind stopped I dove down towards Zane, and he apparently didn't expect such a direct attack, so I cut deep into his side with a Wing Attack. With my two Night Shades earlier having softened him up, he took the hit pretty hard, holding his side. After I did a u-turn to turn around, I shot another Night Shade. He dodged it and prepared to attack, but I had bought the time that I needed and used Sucker Punch.

After I hit him in the stomach he groaned and said, through gritted teeth, "This changes nothing between us…" I pulled back as he slumped forward, and I said, "I didn't expect it to." Because, really, he held his condescending attitude towards me all the way back when he was a Seedot as well.

After Zane fell to the ground, Fenrir called out, "Zane is unable to battle. Levi is the winner."

-Meowth's POV-

Levi stayed out on the arena as the Absol, Mirage, walked out with an item bag tied to her neck. She carefully moved Shiftry off of the arena, and looked like she was making sure he was okay before she went back and faced Levi.

I raised an eyebrow. Dat's different… Most o' da other members of dat team didn't seem ta give two Pokè about da other team members.

But next to me, Rio shuddered. I turned to him, and he seemed to be staring at Mirage.

I asked him what was wrong, and he shook his head, "Make no mistake from her demeanor… I've never seen such a malevolent aura."

Before I could ask what he meant, Fenrir called out, "Levi vs. Mirage. Begin."

Levi took off into the air again, and Mirage just casually watched as he took off higher into the sky. He circled around, but she just kept looking up and following him with her eyes, not even bothering to turn her head.

I could barely hear Mirage as she spoke in a calm, almost bored tone, "I will not be baited like your typical opponent," Mirage said. "You made the mistake of showing all of your tricks in your battle against Zane. For that, I see no reason to move from this spot."

Levi didn't say anything back; he just fired a Night Shade from his eyes. Mirage's eyes glowed green, and she casually moved to the side, letting it pass right by and hit the ground a few yards away.

Mirage just kept watching him, "Sooner or later, you'll have to come down."

Levi was forced to stay in the air. He tried firing one more attack, but that just made him use up more energy, and Mirage just dodged it with Detect. Soon, between the moves and the constant flight, Levi started breathing heavily up in the air.

I shook my head, "She's toying with 'im. Is dis whatcha meant, Rio?"

He grimaced, "No. It's far worse. If I had any belief that he would listen, I would tell Levi to pull out of the fight. But since he won't, if I tried, it would only distract him, and that could be fatal in this case."

I looked at him, "Fatal? C'mon, 's not like it's a fight to…" I trailed off when Rio just looked at me with a serious expression.

I looked back at Levi, who was still trying to stay in the air, and Mirage, patiently waiting for him to try landing.

Oh, no…

Levi fired another Night Shade before he was forced to land on the ground to catch his breath. Mirage casually dodged it with Detect before two rings of light appeared around her. The rings changed into stones and Levi just stared as Mirage took aim.

She tilted her head, "You aren't going to try to dodge?"

Glaring, he answered, "I can't. But I'm not going to just roll over and lose either."

"Pity." She launched the Stone Edge attack, and Levi readied Steel Wing and crossed his wings in front of himself. The attack hit head on, and the rocks created a dust cloud around Levi.

"Levi is unable to battle. Mirage is the winner."

When the dust cleared, Levi was unconscious under a small pile of rubble. Hogan dashed forward and dug him out of it before carrying him back to Rose, so she could take a look at his injuries.

She looked at him closely, "He'll be fine. It was mainly exhaustion, and that Steel Wing kept him from getting very many injuries to his bones. He should wake up shortly."

I nodded, "Dat's good. Now, we got eight left for their seven. Who's going next?"

Savage got up, "I am."

Hogan held out his arm in front of him, "Uh, did you not see that Absol use Stone Edge? That would break right through your exoskeleton!"

Damus nodded, "And it's a safe bet that she would know Aerial Ace as well. And we still don't know what item she has. It would be a grievous strategy error to send you out now."

"F*** strategy! I'm sick of sitting around! I could've taken down that Shiftry and I can take down that b***h, but you all keep making me stay out!" He stomped over to the items and pulled out his item bag, which had a Reviver Seed in it. When we were picking items, we had told him that it wasn't a good idea, since it took time to heal a Pokémon, but he said that it wouldn't be a problem.

Before any of us could stop him, he stomped out onto the battlefield, looping the bag over his shoulder.

Rio called for him to come back, but I held out my paw, "He's not gonna listen. Ya've seen him get like this before; he's always lookin' for a challenge. Heck, he might be able ta pull out a win. He's brutal wit' his opponents too."

After Savage stood across from Mirage, she smirked, "Ah, yes, we heard a lot about you while gathering intelligence on Team Righteous; ornery, easily provoked, and-"

"Shut the f*** up. I came to fight, not talk."

"-quite a foul mouth. Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's impolite to swear?"

Savage crossed his arms and glared, "Stop. F***ing. Talking down to me. And who the f*** do you think taught me how in the first place?" He uncrossed his arms and got ready to charge forward, "You gonna give the call or what, Ref?"

Fenrir's eye twitched at the name and he called out, "Savage vs. Mirage. Begin."

Savage charged forward and his fist glowed as he wound up for a Brick Break. Mirage's eyes glowed green and she dodged two swings of his fists before going forward with a Night Slash. Savage crossed his arms and his body glowed white for a moment before it faded, and his body looked shinier. (AN: Harden) He was pushed back by the Night Slash, but didn't show much damage except for a small scuff mark where the attack cut.

My jaw dropped, "Did Savage just… block? He never blocks!"

Hogan walked up beside me and Rio, "Despite what all of us thought, Savage isn't stupid. It wasn't until I started evolving, but he started fighting more defensively during our spars once I evolved into Machoke. He lives for challenge, so he fights without guarding when he wants a good fight from a (by his definition) not-so-good opponent. Remember how he fought smarter against Grovyle the second time? But right now, I think he can tell if he fights without giving it all he's got, he'll definitely lose."

Rio spoke up, "Then shouldn't we-"

Cutting him off, Hogan said, "Rio, Savage respects you as a strong Pokémon, but if you interrupt this fight, even if it's to save his life, he'll never forgive you."

Mirage started getting ready to fire a Stone Edge, but Savage readied one right after her and shot down the rocks with his own. Taking advantage of the dust cloud created, he concentrated and blue swords appeared around him before going into his body and he was covered in a red aura. (AN: Swords Dance)

The dust cleared and the two of them charged at each other again. Mirage got the first hit with Quick Attack, but Savage took it and grabbed her legs, spinning around and throwing her into the air with Seismic Toss. While Mirage went flying, she sent a Psycho Cut his way, but he broke it apart with an X-Scissor.

Savage charged again, but the wind started picking up, and apparently, he recognized the move. He stopped charging and guarded as the Future Sight attack hit him. The attack caused a flash of light, but Savage didn't miss a beat and charged forward, looking like he was about to use Revenge.

Mirage's eyes glowed green and she narrowly avoided the attack. She knocked Savage back with another Night Slash, and he didn't have enough time to set up Harden this time, so he got a shallow cut on his exoskeleton this time. But he laughed as he got ready to charge again.

"That's five times. You're out." (AN: Detect has 5 PP.)

Mirage glared, but didn't say anything. She took off into the air with Aerial Ace and Savage kept his eye on her and seemed to tense up, ready to move. As Mirage charged, Savage used Harden again, and took the hit. Mirage seemed to be driving as hard as she could, and the horn sank into Savage's chest for a moment, but he grabbed her and pulled her horn out of him.

Putting Mirage in a chokehold, he said, "Big mistake." His body glowed with blue energy as he jammed a hand in the ground and kept hold of Mirage with one hand by her horn. Savage tore a huge chunk of rock and slammed it straight into Mirage's face, letting go and sending her flying.

Mirage fell a few yards away, and Savage fell to one knee, catching his breath from using Superpower. But Mirage poofed away.

A substitute?! Then where's da real-?!

Savage only had time to grunt in surprise before a black horn ripped straight out of his chest from behind him.

Mirage lifted Savage off the ground, and he sunk further along the horn, his blood spilling on the Absol's white fur. Rio looked like he wanted to go out there, rules or no rules, and take down Mirage himself, but Hogan held him back. "He had a Reviver Seed remember?" he whispered.

After Mirage threw Savage off like a ragdoll, said Reviver Seed floated out of the bag and latched onto Savage's back. Mirage seemed unconcerned, she probably knows how long it takes for those things to heal a Pokémon, and Savage took a fatal hit. She took out a Sitrus Berry and started eating it, but nearly choked on it when Savage growled and planted a fist on the ground and forced himself to one knee, the still-healing wound spurting blood.

Mirage hastily finished the berry as Savage put one foot under him, and then the other. He stood up, glaring right at Mirage. If looks could kill, Savage would've already won. He started stomping closer and closer, leaving drops of blood behind, which slowly stopped. The inside of his wound was barely covered up with new inner skin that stretched and pulled with every move he made. His exoskeleton was slower on the healing, but he didn't seem to care as he got closer. Mirage seemed to be frozen by either fear or disbelief (maybe both).

Savage continued glaring as he grit out, "That was a dirty trick, you b***h. Hope you're ready to pay for it, cuz it's ROUND F***ING TWO!" He charged as he shouted the last part, the Reviver Seed still healing him.

Rose muttered in wonder, "How is he doing that…?"

"Sometimes, if wounds aren't too bad, Pokémon can still move while healing…" Dash said, equally amazed, "I've done it too, but… How can he be moving with a literal hole in his chest?"

Hogan just kept watching, "I think it was mainly how he got that wound. Savage hates cowards. I think that last trick pissed him off enough to make him keep fighting."

In the battle, Savage was attacking without stopping, and with all of her Detects used up, Mirage could only try to dodge by herself. But most of Savage's attacks connected, and he just took the counterattacks, since the Reviver Seed was healing the minor wounds while it was healing the hole in his chest. I could see from the hole on his back that the exoskeleton was mostly covering the hole now, but it looked a little thin.

Mirage used Aerial Ace to take off into the air again, to get away from Savage's brutal assault. As she hovered, the seed stopped healing and fell off, now a Plain Seed. But Savage just motioned a "come on", goading Mirage to attack.

"Come on!" he shouted. "I'm right here! I f***ing dare you!"

Mirage growled, her calm mask cracking, "I refuse to lose to such a barbarian!" She dove down, and Savage glowed blue again as he readied Superpower, and wound a fist up to meet her head on. But his wound reopened, and he cringed.

Mirage got a gleeful smile as she said, "Now you're mine!" She drove the horn through his chest again, this time making the hole even wider. Again, she hoisted Savage up as she landed, and he hung on her horn.

Mirage had a smirk on her face, but it fell a bit, and she tilted her head as if hearing something, "What was that…?". I strained my ears and heard Savage's voice, a bit hoarse, "I said… 'Gotcha, b***h…'"

He grabbed the sides of Mirage's head, and drove the horn further as he bent his body to angle his head towards her neck. "I don't… usually do this… But… since we're… talking… nearly… fatal here… I thought I'd… show you mine…"

Savage's horns glowed white and grew longer, growing around Mirage's neck, like jaws about to snap. Mirage looked genuinely afraid now. Savage gave a weak laugh before saying, "Can't Substitute… with me on you… like this… Guillotine…"

His horns snapped shut around Mirage's neck and she gasped for breath as they tightened, blood dripping down Savage's horns as the spikes dug in. After a short time, it must've become too much, because she fell forward, and Savage groaned as he slipped off her horn slightly. He pulled it out the rest of the way, more blood coming out without the hole being plugged up.

When he pulled out all of Mirage's horn, he pulled himself to his feet and walked away from the arena, towards us. He covered the hole in his chest, but still left a trail of blood behind him. Once he was in front of us, he scoffed weakly and said, "Told you… I could take her…"

He fell down right in front of us after that.