ROUND ONE IS OUT OF THE WAY FOR ALL THE POOLS, SO EVERYTHING'S A ROUND TWO MATCH NOW! WE'RE GOING TO POOL G THIS TIME TO WATCH TWO STUDENTS AT THIS VERY SCHOOL, PRICE ACADEMY.

It should be quite interesting. One overcame an opponent with strength, the other, well, their opponent was disqualified.

IT'S ELLA LIN FROM PRICE ACADEMY VERSUS OTHELLO KASUN ALSO FROM PRICE ACADEMY

– Chapter Nine: The Price of Victory –

Kara told me a bit about you. Apparently you're really smart, right?

"Does sh-she know everyone?" Othello was confused why another person knew who he was and moreover why Kara was the one informing them.

I think she really wanted to battle you, so she's just been telling everyone. Well, may the best battler win! I'll start with Vick.

A red and green bird emerged from the Ball with orange plumage spiking from the top of its head.

I noticed you only have three Pokemon, did you not show up to the catching event after orientation?

"...No," Othello admitted, kicking himself for missing the opportunity.

Well I got a full team of six from that, but I've only had a couple weeks to train them.

"It looks like a fighting type…" Othello mused to himself, once again choosing Mythos to start the fight."

HONEDGE VERSUS HAWLUCHA. RIGHT AWAY, THINGS DON'T LOOK GREAT FOR ELLA! CAN SHE EVEN TOUCH THIS THING?

"Are you feeling alright, Othello?" Mythos broadcasted into his mind.

"I…" Othello couldn't determine whether he was or wasn't, "No, but I don't think Ella will be as bad."

"Well, it certainly is another favorable matchup," Mythos turned his attention to Vick, "What shall I do first?"

"Iron Defense," Othello tried to think on the fly, "If it really can't hit you, I need you to survive as long as possible."

Vick, Detect, what are they hitting us with?

The Hawlucha looked back at her in confusion, signaling that there was no such move.

You aren't attacking first? Well, let's do it then, Aerial Ace, Vick!

The Hawlucha came hurtling toward Mythos.

"Shall I do anything to stop it?" Mythos asked.

"No…" Othello second guessed himself for a minute, but resolved it, "Just keep building up your defenses."

Sure enough, Vick's attack barely sent Mythos back a couple inches, surprising Ella.

Flying…not very effective on…Steel? That makes sense, it's a sword. Vick! Brick Break!

The attack practically phased right through Mythos.

"Nothing?" Othello asked.

"Not a scratch," Mythos responded, the increased layers of shine on his surface proving that Iron Defense was working.

Shit.

Ella whispered it to herself, recalling Vick from the battle.

Steel, Ghost…Vienna!

Ella sent out a quadruped dinosaur with a heavily plated face.

Bulldoze it down!

"Are you at full defense?"

"Yes, Sir Othello."

"Then…" he debated for a moment, "Iron Head?"

"Of course," Mythos "nodded"

The vibrations from the shaking ground slowed Mythos down slightly, but did little damage as he continued his charge toward Ella's Pokemon.

What? That should have been super effective? When did its defenses get so high?

The Iron Head collided, leaving a definite mark on her Pokemon.

I don't know when you did it, but that Pokemon of yours is pretty powerful. You didn't even tell it to do that and it di-

Grace's screaming interrupted Ella's thought.

ALREADY ELLA HAS REVEALED TWO POKEMON AND THEY'VE STOOD NO CHANCE AGAINST OTHELLO'S HONEDGE! IT'S LOOKING DIRE FOR ELLA! WHAT DO YOU THINK BILL?!

I think you should quiet down…but it is true. Things don't look good for Ella if her best choice is Shieldon. It is quite bulky, but based on the damage a Bulldoze did, that Honedge used Iron Defense a few times.

Come on Vienna! It can't keep taking hits! Bulldoze it some more!

"Despite what she's saying," Mythos tuned back into the mental conversation, "It is quite the opposite, Sir."

The Shieldon seemed on its last legs to Othello, "Will…Fury Cutter do it?"

"It should," Mythos said, striking Vienna again with it, "I believe I see the idea."

As Mythos and Othello had predicted, Ella's Shieldon stumbled before collapsing under itself.

Shit.

Ella cursed to herself.

You've really got me backed into a corner, Othello. None of my other Pokemon are anywhere near as ready for this fight…Vincent, we'll have to make do.

She sent out the Pokemon, a blue turtle with a deep gray shell.

"I-isn't that…a fossil Pokemon," Othello didn't understand how she had gotten it, "Tirtouga?"

Yeah! They even had fossil Pokemon at the event! They really want us freshmen to be able to care for as many Pokemon as possible and have a full team.

This battle was wearing on Othello's mind, but at least it wasn't in the way the previous one was. Learning he could have given himself a better chance, and trying to keep up a constant, completely clear connection with Mythos was draining.

Vincent! He might be strong against physical attacks, but let's hit him with a Water Gun!

"Once more?" Mythos attempted to dodge the Water Gun, fairly unsuccessfully.

"Yes," Othello responded mentally, "It should do more, right?"

Mythos slashed the Tirtouga with Fury Cutter, an attack that it brushed off with relative ease.

Okay, this is starting to get weird. Were you born with this Pokemon or something? It knows exactly what to do without you saying anything? Or do you not know how to command it? It didn't use Iron Head there, it used a not very effective move.

Othello stayed silent, not wanting to reveal his strategy.

Something's up here, don't let him near, Vincent! Use Whirlpool!

"Quick, Mythos!" Othello shouted it out loud this time as Ella catching on was worrying him.

Unfortunately for Ella, her intuition was too late. The maximum power Fury Cutter cleaved right through the Whirlpool and struck Tirtouga with such immense force that it was flung to the back wall and fainted on impact.

What? How did it get so powerful?

WOW! A FULL POWER FURY CUTTER!

Othello seemed to have known he could get a K-O with any move on the Shieldon and went for Fury Cutter in preparation for Ella's next Pokemon!

Bill and Grace added their thoughts once again.

So that's what it was…

Ella sighed as she recalled Vincent.

I really don't have anything that can touch this thing…that's some really bad luck.

Othello felt a slight pang of sympathy for Ella. He had gotten extremely lucky with his first two matches. He wished slightly that he could give some of that luck back to her, but there was nothing he could do.

But I'm not done just yet! I won't be rolling over and accepting defeat! Vick! Nothing left to do but wear it down with Aerial Ace!

Vick understood his objective from the moment he left the ball, leaping at Mythos.

"Just keep up the Iron Heads," Othello changed communication back to mental, "You're still good to go for a few more hits?"

"As always," Mythos called back, taking hits and dishing them right back at the Hawlucha.

A few more blows and that Hawlucha is done for!

Just as Bill had called it, the Hawlucha fell to one knee, fainting after being knocked backwards by one more Iron Head.

Nice job, Vick.

Ella sighed another time; with every Pokemon that fainted, she seemed closer to accepting the imminent defeat. Still, she continued on for now.

Viola! Let's see if we can do something! Try Beat Up!

Around Mythos, phantoms of what looked like an Elgyem to Othello, and a bat he didn't recognize formed, attacking him alongside the Nidorina. Despite the flurry of attacks, Mythos was still left standing.

Even after that?

Ella sounded slightly dejected at her move seemingly doing nothing to Mythos yet again.

"Iron Head again," Othello had less energy on this one, not feeling the best about winning against Ella.

A few moments later, the Nidorina was also defeated, just as the others were.

IT SEEMS WE PICKED THE RIGHT MATCH TO WATCH IF WE WANTED TO SEE A POWERHOUSE!

I dunno about that…Othello's Honedge is definitely doing a great job, but that's mostly because nothing Ella has tried has been able to do much to it. It's probably barely down to half its strength.

Well, this is my last hope! Valiant!

Just like the visage Beat Up had made, this Pokemon was an Elgyem.

Hit 'em with a Pysbeam! Ignore all that defense!

"That's not good," Othello said to himself, also communicating it to Mythos, "Try to get a hit in with Shadow Sneak."

Mythos obeyed, disappearing from sight and dodging the Psybeam, but just as he reappeared and struck Valiant, he was hit by a Psybeam.

Yeah!

Ella seemed rejuvenated by the one hit.

Nice job using those psychic powers to predict where he'd be!

She cheered on her Elgyem while Mythos stumbled backward.

"It's just one more," Othello gritted his teeth, "One more Shadow Sneak."

Mythos didn't listen and instead kept stumbling around.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE HONEDGE MIGHT FINALLY BE DOWN FOR THE COUNT WITH THAT CONFUSION.

Then let's hit 'em with one more Psybeam!

Ella added on, with her Elgyem preparing to strike.

"Mythos!" Othello said it out loud, trying to get his partner to snap out of its fugue.

However, it wasn't enough and Mythos had finally succumbed to the onslaught of moves dealt his way.

Phew! Kara was right about you being smart and strong. That took forever! What's next.

Othello recalled Mythos, regaining his wits after seeing Mythos faint once again.

"It wasn't your fault this time," he whispered to himself, "and this time we aren't winning by default, Cyril!"

He shouted the last word, catching Ella off guard.

"Shadow Sneak!"

Seeing Mythos tear through half of a team had invigorated Othello and he didn't bother to conceal his move. The words echoed and before they had faded completely, Elgyem lay fainted, the speed of Shadow Sneak proving too much.

Another Ghost type? I was hoping that Honedge was the only one. Well…nothing I can do but send out Vern.

The bat Othello had previously seen appeared on the battlefield. He seemed much less receptive to commands. Although it wasn't in an aggressive or even passive aggressive way, it just seemed oblivious.

Vern doesn't really like to battle, but I needed him to have a full team. He can still use Supersonic though!

Nothing happened for a second before it seemed like Vern registered the command. He didn't move, but he opened his mouth and let out a screech.

"Shadow Sneak," Othello switched back to mental communication, especially with the horrible noise in the air, "Just don't let yourself get hit and we should be fine."

"You got it Boss," Cyril's voice faded away halfway through as he dissipated.

The bat continued with the sound–not seeming to notice its ineffectuality–only stopping when the Shadow Sneak connected. The Noibat seemed to survive the hit, if barely, but made no attempt to strike back. Othello prepared to call out another move, but Ella simply sighed and returned Vern to his Poke Ball.

Well, it seems the match is over!

THE WINNER IS OTHELLO KASUN! ONLY ONE COULD CONTINUE REPRESENTING PRICE ACADEMY AND HE WILL BE THE ONE!

Looks like I got really unlucky. Vick was my star battler and you had a way around him from the beginning. Great match, Othello!

"You too," Othello responded back, starting to feel giddy about a win that felt deserved.

Although it was still kinda weird you didn't even need to give instructions sometimes. Are you that good?

"I guess," Othello laughed nervously.

– – –

"You missed the entire match with your worrying," Ava sighed, "Are you always like this?"

"When I have to go against the fucking Champion," she tried to dispel her worries with a sigh, but it failed, "Which I've never had to do before, so no."

"Cheer up," Cannon said to no effect, "If we do face each other, it won't be until the finals of the pool. Top 32 is more than respectable."

"I know…this was my one chance to prove myself to the Pokemon League and I've been fucked over by dumb luck."

"What do you mean 'one chance?'" Ava turned to Circe, confused.

"Even if you're one of the Leaders of the school," Circe began, "The chances of actually getting a spot as a Leader in the major leagues once you graduate are slim to none. Turnover isn't high in the job and whenever an opening does happen, so many people apply, that the chances are nonexistent."

Silence fell over the group of three, but the roaring of the crowd filled in the gaps.

"But this tournament is put on by the Pokemon League," she continued, "All the most prestigious schools are her and the Pokemon League. If you put on a performance for them…here…I might have had a shot."

"We're good friends," Cannon said, sympathy in his voice, "How come you never told me you worry about this?"

"I love you Cannon, but you're not really approachable when it comes to battle stuff like this."

"I see," he nodded in admittance, "Do you want me to do something about it?"

"You mean like purposefully losing? Everyone will know."

"Oh, no," Cannon smiled and shook his head, "If I lost, I'd probably get kicked out by everyone. I wish I could help you out that way. I meant I could use my weaker members. It might help out a bit and it keeps my opponents from knowing what my real powerhouses are. That's the best I can do."

Circe sighed, "Yeah, I guess. I'm down either way."

"Hey, that doesn't mean you can just give no effort!" Cannon protested, "If you try that, I'm bringing out May-May to demolish your team."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Circe was at least less nervous now, but still felt resigned to her fate.

"So back to why we're all here," Ava changed the subject, "Were either of you actually watching Othello's match?"

"No, I'm sorry," Circe admitted.

"Me neither. I was really worried about Serce."

"Have you guys ever seen him battle before?" Ava turned back to face the battlefield.

"Yeah, I watched his other match," Circe nodded.

"Nope," Cannon responded, contrasting Circe.

"Hm," Ava stared out, "Well the kid is pretty good. If he was a bit smarter, he probably could have taken his opponent down without so much as losing one Pokemon."

"Oh, it went that well?" Circe was surprised.

"Yeah. His Honedge had an advantage against almost everything she threw out and he could tell. He prioritized making Honedge last as long as possible. It's definitely a good strategy, but I'm worried he's broadcasting that his team only has two members. Someone may pick up that there's no point in wearing your strongest Pokemon down that way unless you don't have many options."

"You mean three members," Cannon leaned back in his seat.

"No…?" Ava looked at Cannon, perplexed, "The Honedge and Shuppet. I was there when he caught them."

Cannon laughed, "Well do I have a surprise for you. You'll see in another round…maybe. Who knows? He might not even need it."

Realization dawned on Ava, "You didn't give him one of your Pokemon, right?!"

"Of course not," Cannon waved his hand as if the action would dispel her concern, "I used the oldest trick in the book to get a Pokemon and gave it to him."

"That would still make it one of yours," Ava tried to sound mad, but was just glad Othello wouldn't have to face issues for having a Hydreigon or something, "But what did you do?"

"The Falinks Cafeteria breeds Falinks since they make great workers. Easy to take care of, very friendly, and there are six of them so they're great with tasks."

"Yeah…" Circe trailed off, "There usually are a lot."

"But there are ones that end up being better suited for battle. They have a natural aptitude for it. If you ask, they'll give you one."

"What?" Ava practically stood up, "You're kidding."

"Nope," Cannon grinned.

"So he has a Falinks too?" Circe inquired, "But that's-"

"A perfect counter for Dark types, yep," Cannon nodded to himself, clearly pleased, "He said he likes Falinks too, so it's a win-win. Maybe you guys should ask for tips from me more often."

Cannon leaned forward once again, his expression instantly changing to serious, "There's something else though."

"About the Falinks?"

"No, Othello," Cannon glanced over at the two girls, "I did see part of the battle and noticed something weird."

"The commands," Ava nodded, "I noticed it too."

"What commands? Is he doing something wrong?"

"No, it's the exact opposite," Cannon gestured toward where Othello stood, waiting for his next match, "Sometimes, he didn't even give commands…or, at least, it definitely didn't look like he did."

"Wait, you're saying he has some other way of commanding?" Ava tried to process it, "I assumed he had some inside information and just gave his Pokemon instructions beforehand."

"Nah, just conjecture," Cannon shrugged, noticing a flash of red and black from across the stadium, "I think he's just good or is using hand signals. It's hard to see that type of stuff from here."

"That's still pretty cool," Circe added herself back into the conversation.

Othello…it's you she's looking out for, isn't it? Cannon thought to himself, Well in that case, I'll add that to my list of reasons to help you.