WE'RE PAST HALFWAY DONE WITH POOLS EVERYONE! THIS IS ROUND FOUR COMING UP!

Othello let out a sigh of relief. Even if he was eliminated here, he would at least get that extra credit, and he was sure that Mr. Leone would be pleased with that.

Othello Kasun, Price Academy vs Emmanuel Bonheur, Ballonlea Academy, field 25.

Othello looked for the field, not able to find it until his opponent waved him over.

Othello, was it?

He nodded.

Well. I believe some thanks are in order.

"What do you mean?" of all the things he was expecting, this definitely wasn't it, "I don't remember doing anything for you?"

No, you wouldn't. It has to do with Marlon. Marlon Kaur.

Emmanuel pointed to the stands where a noticeably angry student from Ballonlea sat. Othello recognized him as the trainer he beat in the first round of the tournament.

He has no decorum. Calls himself my rival when he is the farthest thing from it. I appreciate you knocking him down a peg, especially in the embarrassing way he got eliminated.

Othello was still confused, but uttered out, "You're welcome?"

I wouldn't want this round to be against him. I wouldn't live that down. He would go on blathering about how it was our showdown as rivals. Instead, I get you. I do hope this showdown is much more worthwhile.

– Chapter Eleven: Crooked Luck –

Valencia.

The Pokemon that stood before Othello was nothing like the previous ones he had encountered. The closest comparison he had was the previous Bombirdier, but even this put that to shame.

Quite magnificent creatures, aren't they? Staraptor is my most powerful Pokemon, so I'm leading with it. Unlike Marlon, I'd like a real match from you.

"Most powerful…" Othello could already tell there wasn't much to do against this, "We're being a bit underhanded, Cyril."

"Again?" Cyril complained, "I'm itching for a real fight! You've been sending Mythos out-"

Cyril looked at his opponent.

"Oh," Othello thought he was disappointed for a second, but then noticed the grin on his face, "I get to take this guy down? Sign me up! Destiny Bond or not, this is going to be satisfying."

Hmmm. I believed Honedge to be your most powerful.

Emmanuel shrugged.

Well, perhaps I was mistaken. Valencia, Acrobatics.

Othello nodded at Cyril. They both already knew what was to be done.

"I sure as hell am going out swinging," Cyril was staring at the Staraptor, still smiling.

Valencia noticed something was wrong, but before it could stop, it slammed its wings into Cyril.

"That's it…" Cyril panted out, "And now…"

This time, the move didn't go the same way. Cyril clearly felt like showing off as he swallowed the Staraptor with his cloth body and they both fell.

Was that…

Emmanuel took a second to process it, then laughed.

Well damn. Marlon really was a pushover. You listened when I said most-powerful and traded a pawn for my queen.

The other student began clapping.

Some may be enraged by such a move, but I call it brilliance. Now, don't let that go to your head. Ake, we've got work to do.

"If all of his Pokemon are like this…" Othello thought to himself, "I need to save Mythos' strength, B.B!"

Now this is interesting. Marlon really talked up this Honedge with all his complaining. Are you saving it?

Othello stayed hesitantly quiet. Despite his kindness, something felt off about his opponent.

No matter. Ake, Thunder Shock!

"B.B, Rock Smash."

B.B let out a whistle, getting the others in line before charging at the Arctozolt. They did their best to dodge the lightning strikes, still getting hit by some of them, before making their mark.

Looks like they lowered my defense too. You have a good team here, Othello.

Emmanuel returned Ake to his Poke Ball.

I'll switch him out then. Yenna, let's go!

Emmanuel sent out a short dog which barked and prepared itself to pounce while staring intently at Othello's Falinks.

I only had time to get three Pokemon prepared for this tournament. They told us on very short notice. I'm sure it was the same for you, but it does make things more annoying. Either way, Yenna, Nuzzle!

The electric dog leapt at B.B.

"B.B, use Headbutt!"

B.B put its shields up and charged with the others at their opponent. Both Pokemon landed their hits, but Yenna was the clear victor as B.B was much slower to retreat.

I'll give you the hint. Paralysis. Should be much easier to take down now, Thunderbolt, Yenna!

Othello could tell they were in no position to try dodging, so he came up with another plan.

"B.B! Get as close as you can!"

B.B and the others did their best to charge, but only succeeded in a speedy jog. It didn't matter though, they were close enough. When the smoke cleared, he yelled out the command.

"Reversal!"

The chain of Pokemon were just quick enough to launch themselves at the Yamper and deliver a huge blow that sent her sprawling to where she lay fainted.

You excel at turning your opponent's strength against them.

He returned the Yamper to its ball.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from you, but this! This is an artistic battle that I am pleased to have.

Othello glanced down at B.B, noticing they were on their very last legs. He sighed and decided to return them.

Saving that for later?

"No," Othello shook his head, "Keeping them in the battle won't do anything for me. I don't want to hurt them more. Consider them fainted."

Emmanuel broke into another grin.

Well, good battler, cares for his Pokemon, what else do you have, Othello? You're making me increasingly glad I'm not facing Marlon here.

"Mythos," Othello clenched the ball, "Let's close this out."

Ake, charge up.

"Try to break its concentration," Othello transitioned to telepathic communication, "Brick Break, Mythos."

Mythos flew as fast as he could toward Ake, ignoring the small sparks coming off of him and slicing at him. The Arctozolt stumbled back, but seemed relatively unaffected by it.

Now, Thunder Punch!

"Take it as well as you can, then one more Brick Break."

The two Pokemon exchanged blows, both clearly worn down.

Again!

"Just…one…more!" Othello's concentration was at an all time high as he saw Mythos go in for the finishing blow.

The two hits connected…and…

Emmanuel Bonheur is the victor and will be moving on to round 5.

Emmanuel wiped his brow and began walking up to Othello.

That was the most fun I've had in a battle in ages!

He stuck out his hand to Othello who reluctantly shook it.

I'll make sure to make it as far as I can to make this match mean something.

"Yeah…" Othello was still a bit crestfallen about such a close loss, "Good luck."

– – –

"Guys," Circe nudged the other two, "Othello's out."

"Really?" Ava turned around from facing Cannon, who had moved to a higher seat, "What happened?"

"Just…met his match," Circe shrugged, "The guy had an Arctozolt and a Staraptor. It was a tough fight from the get go, but Othello had him on the ropes up until the final hit."

"Unfortunate," Cannon added, moving back down next to the other two, "At least he can sit with us now to watch the rest of the Freshmen."

"That seems…a little insensitive," Circe was surprised by the comment from Cannon.

"Oh," he contemplated for a second, "I just meant that he's completely new to battling, so I don't think he would have expected getting that far. He'll probably be happy about that, right?"

"I'd say so," Ava joined in, "In fact, he really doesn't seem bummed out and he's walking off right now."

"Well…okay…" Circe was still hesitant; the words that Principal Owens had said to her echoed in the back of her mind.

"Could you keep an eye out for him so we can call him over?" Cannon addressed Circe, shocking her out of her thoughts, "I need to keep getting Ava prepared."

"Yeah," Circe went back to her thoughts while focusing on the entrance to the stands.

"So, Aleah," Cannon began, "She has a lot of backup options, which is the real thing that makes her scary."

Ava nodded, still trying to rack her brain for any time she might have seen the girl battle.

"Gigalith, Trevenant, Ferrothorn, Vikavolt, Swanna, Leavanny, Swellow, Typhlosion, Mudsdale, Runerigus," Cannon continued listing off Pokemon for a few minutes, "...and finally Lokix. I can't be sure which ones she's gonna bring, but I can give you a good idea."

"The girl hates weaknesses," Ava nodded along with the information Cannon was giving her, "Especially when she knows she's facing multiple opponents. She gets paranoid really easily, so if you can get into her head with the first strike, knockout, advantage, or whatever, she'll get more erratic with her battling. Knowing all that, I would expect Spiritomb, Vikavolt, Milotic, Scizor, Bouffalant, and Eelektross…and in that order too."

"Why?" Ava knew Cannon was really good with battles, but this seemed like an extremely bold prediction, "That's a bit much."

"Yeah, but trust me," he grinned, "At least 90% of that'll be right."

"Othello!" it was once again Circe's turn to interrupt the conversation, "We're over here!"