Nicholas stepped onto the thick grass and raised a hand with a smile when Gary hooted and began waving from his seat nearby. The arena floor had been transformed into a kind of park, some trees scattered about and more lining the edges to provide a bit of privacy from the crowds moving throughout the stadium above. In this day between the rounds the tournament organizers had made sure the competitors had full facilities of their own to enjoy and relax with.

"Nick! Come over here a minute!"

Nicholas chuckled and nodded to the handful of pokegirls following him. "Guess that answers that."

Elizabeth chuckled and broke off to head for a food stand. "No fighting, Master."

"That's my line," Nicholas laughed back. He waited for the others to drift in their own directions before raising an eyebrow at the last pokegirl with a smile. "I said everyone can take today off, Ryuko."

The Scizor gave him the barest hint of a smile in return, her armor formed in her halfway configuration that was both casual and revealing while still being completely functional for battle. "And miss the opportunity to satisfy my need to serve as your blade, Master?"

"Yeah, about that, actually," Nicholas said as he turned and walked towards Gary with the Scizor drifting into her favorite position just behind him. "Why weren't you competing with Cathy to become my permanent guard?"

"Who is to say there was ever a competition?"

Nicholas laughed at that. "I just assumed you of all my pokegirls would revel in the idea of having an excuse to be right next to me at all times."

"Again, who is to say I am not?" Ryuko asked softly. "The answer you are seeking, Master, is simple. I am my clan leader's First Blade. I am no simple guard. Let Cathy perform the role she is happy in – it is but a minor part of the duties I perform for you."

Nicholas glanced back with a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "My ninja prefers the shadows, is that it?"

Ryuko flashed a deadly grin. "She simply prefers to remain 'out of the limelight', as humans say."

"So with Cathy not here today, you easily stepped into her place temporarily." Nicholas turned back when Ryuko inclined her head slightly. "Fair enough, Ryuko."

Gary got to his feet to pull Nicholas into a hug when the other man got closer. "Nick! Great battle yesterday. How did it compare to the one you gave Ash to draw him off Mt. Silver?"

Nicholas looked over at another group on the grass. Ash sat holding a woman who seemed very familiar though he couldn't quite place her without seeing her face. "A bit more even, I think," he said as he turned back to Gary. "On Mt. Silver I was just fighting to get his attention. Yesterday… Yesterday I was fighting to win."

Gary nodded slightly. "Well, you certainly did that. I hadn't seen him so happy since… since we were younger."

Nicholas settled down with the other man. "I'm glad I could give him a good battle." He glanced over again. "Who's that he's sitting with? She seems familiar."

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Misty?"

"Oh, that's Misty?" Nicholas asked in surprise. "I always thought Misty wore her hair short, not long and loose like that."

"Yeah, she started changing things up after they got married."

Nicholas whirled back with a choking noise. "Wait they WHAT?"

"You didn't…?" Gary sighed. "Of course you didn't, you've always been more interested in your own things than someone else's. No offense meant. Yeah, Misty had always had an eye for Ash, but after he became more reclusive and then vanished she had to let it go. After you brought him back, though… Well, you can see what happened."

"That's wonderful for her. For them," Nicholas said. "Did she spring the question?"

"From what I was told."

"Is that a thing with Kantonian women?" Nicholas asked. "Sabrina, Misty…"

Gary rolled his eyes. "Kantonian Gym Leader women, you mean. Maybe. After all, Misty's an Indigo Champion herself, just as Sabrina is. I think it's just more likely it takes an assertive person to make it in the Indigo League, or at least in Kanto."

Nicholas chuckled and leaned over to rib Gary. "Don't tell me there's one after you, eh?"

Gary shoved him back. "How'd we go from your battle to this, eh?"

"Is it Vira?"

Gary shook his head. "Vira's my friend. Platonically. Sure, I had a crush on her when we were growing up, but we left that back then. I've definitely thought about finding someone but the right person hasn't come along yet. Oh well."

Nicholas relented. "Alright, I'll stop. So, you planning on sticking around until the end of the tournament?"

Gary nodded. "Kind of have to. There'll be a closing ceremony I assume."

"Oh yeah, to crown the winner."

"Yeah."

They fell into silence, turning to watch the various figures wandering around. Mostly pokegirls, with how the harems of each tamer were enjoying the food and other attractions. But… Nicholas didn't see a few he had come to this event to get a better look at. A quick glance at his own pokegirls milling about got him nothing but slight negative shakes of their heads, too. Cynthia's harem was nowhere to be seen. Though the woman herself was. And when his eyes flicked in her direction they met a calm, neutral stare.

Gary glanced over when he felt Nicholas still and followed his eyes before chuckling. "I must be losing my touch. Or maybe I'm just not feeling it after losing. You two are set to face off tomorrow, yeah?"

"Mhm."

Gary settled back. "Then leave it for tomorrow."

Nicholas slowly shook his head and broke eye contact to look at the reclining man. "We can't."

"I know." Gary remained where he was for a minute before shrugging. "Thanks for taking the time to say hi."

"I wasn't planning on going anywhere…"

"Ah, I'm sure you've got somewhere else you'd rather be," Gary replied quietly. "Grab some food maybe. See where your feet take you." He sat back up when he saw his Umbreon picking her way through the crowds towards them. "Looks like Luna's on her way over anyways. Hey beautiful!"

Nicholas slid to his feet when the Umbreon pounced on her Master and the two rolled a few times through the grass. "…Sure, man. It was good talking to you." When Gary didn't reply, too busy playing with his pokegirl, he glanced at Ryuko before shrugging and turning to where Cynthia had been sitting.

She was gone.

Nicholas looked around. He knew Cynthia was still here. He could feel her presence. But for now, she had slipped into the crowd in an attempt to watch him, just as he had intended to do to her and her harem.

He was taking another scan of the milling pokegirls when Ryuko saw one approaching from Nicholas' blind spot. And approaching fast. She stepped around to stand somewhat in front of the towering, red-scaled pokegirl as she came to a halt, her eyes on Nicholas, then drifting to Ryuko, then back again. "Draconid."

Nicholas blinked and turned at the voice. "Koryu?" He made a face. "Ah, shit."

The massive red Gyarados chuckled darkly. "The Blackthorn told me he told you of my presence. Explain why you ignored it."

"The opening ceremony ran late, so late that I had to head straight back to meet my mate for the night. She is far more important to me than you will ever be."

Koryu's lips drew back in a toothy grin as she began to laugh. "I see."

Nicholas sighed when Koryu just kept laughing. "Lance told me you forced him to bring you here just so you could see me again," he said. "Now that this opportunity to meet has come, are you going to tell me why?"

Koryu's laughter slowed and she brought her eyes back to him as her mouth drifted shut. "It has been some years since you last visited my lake, Draconid. Have you been trying to avoid me?"

Nicholas rolled his eyes. "Your lake is your domain, Koryu. It is not mine, and you are not mine, just as I am not yours. I am content in leaving you to what is yours."

"Even after bringing yours to meet mine?"

"I brought Kary and Vika back then to meet you as nothing more than part of a trip to Blackthorn City," Nicholas replied. "An introduction. Nothing more. Why? Would you prefer if I conquered your lake as I once conquered you?"

Koryu's eyes flashed and she began to growl low in her chest. "Do not get ahead of yourself, Draconid. I serve none but your Mistress herself. I had assumed you brought your Weyr to me to show respect."

"To show…?" Nicholas trailed off, his thoughts meandering. This was annoying. He hadn't visited the Lake of Rage since before the events in Hoenn. Before he had sworn to take on the mantle as Lorekeeper of the Draconid Clan. Those events had elevated him well above wherever Koryu sat, but the Gyarados obviously still saw him as just another human member of the clan. She'd bullied Lance into bringing her here just to try and reassert her position over him? Probably in an attempt to force another taming after he'd managed to hold his own against her back then. He should shut her down firmly. But, no… This pokegirl was incredibly proud. And, if she truly was 'favored' by Rayquaza, as he had once heard rumored, he'd rather avoid pissing her off. Or at least avoid humiliating her publicly. He'd take his chances with Rayquaza herself.

"Draconid."

Nicholas blinked. Koryu was scowling at him and he took a quick glance around to make sure nobody was observing them before stepping past Ryuko. Koryu began to grin before abruptly growing shocked when Nicholas held up his hand and grabbed her arm, yanking her down slightly closer and drawing his lips back to hiss at her. "You should be satisfied with what is yours, Koryu," he growled quietly. "You are correct. It has been many years since I last visited your domain. In that time, you have become but a part of mine." He brought a slight amount of energy into his words as he finished. "I am Nicholas Topolski. Lorekeeper of the Draconid Clan. Favored of our Mistress. Do not believe yourself higher than me."

He blinked just before releasing the Gyarados. As he'd called on his energy to highlight his words he'd also been able to match it against Koryu's. He… He didn't feel anything from the Gyarados. It was as if she was just a regular pokegirl?

Koryu's reaction further confused him, as the massive Gyarados stumbled back, her eyes continuing to widen before she dropped her head with a snarl and quickly moved away.

"…Did Zinnia come along with us today?" Nicholas asked Ryuko after a few moments. "Is she back in the lounge still?"

The Scizor was chortling under her breath. "She did, Master. As for where she is, I believe I saw emerald wings joining the crowd not long ago."

"Thanks."

He found the 'Salamence' pretty quickly by heading towards the largest gathering of dragon pokegirls he could sense, which turned out to mostly be members of Lance's harem, as well as Zinnia, Aster, Gary's Charizard Alexa, and Ash's Charizard Kiyora.

Zinnia turned at his call and smiled. "Master Nicholas! We were just speaking of you."

"Of course you were," Nicholas breezed. "Got a moment, Zinnia? Just a quick private question and I'll let you girls get back to gossiping about your Weyrleaders." He grinned at the scattered laughter from the group and Zinnia broke off with a chuckle of her own to meet him.

"I like those two Charizard," Zinnia said as she joined him. "Have you ever considered adding one to your own Weyr?"

"Absolutely, but haven't had the chance to yet," Nicholas replied. "I don't seek out pokegirls just to 'collect' them, as you know."

"No, of course. You let them come to you." Zinnia flashed another grin. "What's up?"

"Have you seen the big red Gyarados wandering around?"

Zinnia nodded. "Sure."

"Do you know her?"

Zinnia frowned. "Not that I can remember. Am I supposed to?"

"Her name is Koryu." Nicholas waited a moment and continued when Zinnia didn't respond. "She holds herself as some kind of dragon favored by Rayquaza herself."

Zinnia's confused look cleared and she let out an annoyed sigh. "Does she now. It would take an exceptionally foolish pokegirl to claim the blessing of an eternal one without being able to back up her claim."

"I take it you don't believe her."

Zinnia shook her head. "Rayquaza has not seen fit to favor or bless any being, besides two humans, in at least three thousand years." Her voice lowered until it was just a whisper in his mind across the link they shared. "I've been a little busy being dead."

Nicholas fought to control his laughter at Zinnia's resigned statement. "One human blessed, one human favored, I believe?"

"One human blessed to live on forever, and one who will live in the emerald dragon's favor for the rest of his days," Zinnia agreed softly. "No. There are no pokegirls alive today favored by Rayquaza. Even a dragon with her blessing would not live three thousand years if she was not an eternal one herself."

"Good to know. Thanks."

Zinnia nodded. "Confirming your own suspicion, I assume?"

"Mmhmm. Koryu's essence held no trace of what she claimed."

"Well, then I will leave her to you, Lorekeeper," Zinnia chuckled. "Even if Rayquaza still lived I'm sure she would do the same. Such a foolish pokegirl is far beneath her notice."

Nicholas chuckled back and gave her a quick hug. "As is my duty and all that. You have fun."

Zinnia took the hug and turned it into a kiss before pulling away with a grin. "You as well."

Nicholas turned to look for Koryu before shaking his head and pushing her from his thoughts. He'd already shaken her pride enough. He had no reason to make an enemy of her and with any luck she was smart enough to realize that. If she wanted to hold herself as some kind of sacred Gyarados to the Blackthorn Clan, well, that was their own business. He'd just make sure to step in if he heard of Koryu going beyond that.

"See Cynthia?" he asked Ryuko under his breath. When the Scizor shook her head he nodded and stretched. "Right. In that case I'm going to pretend she's not even here. Socialize. Have fun." He glanced at Ryuko. "Frustratingly, that woman came here with the same goal I did."

Ryuko grinned. "Giving up already, Master?"

"There's no shame in shifting your goals when your original plan becomes impossible," Nicholas replied. "I'm not going to get any information to help me and the others tomorrow but neither will Cynthia, so it's best to use today to clear my head before our battle."

Ryuko nodded with a smile as she turned to follow him towards another group. "The Sinnoh Champion is a worthy opponent. I am sure you feel the same, Master."

"Yeah. A very worthy opponent." Nicholas glanced down a moment before returning his attention to where he was going and just flexing the shin the draconid artifact coiled around instead. "To be honest, I'm extremely glad tomorrow has come already. Cynthia and I… hold the same tension that has hovered over me with so many other powerful tamers. Until we finally have our battle… Until we can finally stand there, witness each other's pokegirls, each other's will, we're almost enemies." He smiled slightly. "I'll be much happier when that tension has finally been addressed and we can just be friends." His fingers curled into a fist. "And when we've finally finished what was started two years ago."

Ryuko was nodding when her eyes moved past him. "Master."

Nicholas turned and let his fist drop when he saw who was approaching them. "…Steven."

Steven gave a polite smile to the pokegirls who greeted him before letting it fade when he got to Nicholas. "Nicholas."

Nicholas glanced behind the other man. He was alone. "For some reason I don't think you're just here to say hi."

Steven slowly shook his head. "Tetsu spoke to me this morning."

"Should we find somewhere private?"

Steven let out his breath. "No. No, that won't be necessary, I don't think." He paused before matching Nicholas' eyes. "I will start by saying that I don't believe I ever made you swear to keep this secret. I acknowledge that. I'm not going to try and get you to do so. From what Tetsu said, you know just about everything now. Including how it's not as hidden as I made you believe."

"She did."

"Then I will only say this." Steven cleared his throat. "The relationship between the two forces, the fundamental interactions I described to you, they are more than just some superpower. It is a scientific breakthrough. The Devon Corporation has been using research derived from that additional force and the interactions it has with what is known to catapult human understanding into the future." He paused. "I am not going to try and beg you to not go through with this in an attempt to protect the advantages my father's company has gained through that research, but I will tell you that some of the things we have discovered… if harnessed incorrectly, it will not just be what you know that will come. Imagine the powers of the legendary pokegirls, mass produced as human weapons of war."

Nicholas sighed. "As I asked Tetsu. What is stopping the Devon Corporation from manufacturing those weapons? What is stopping those who know from unleashing their power on an unprepared world? I believe you, Steven. But as I believe in all things, if good can come, then that good should not be stifled out of fear of what evil may attempt. Because all that will happen, is that evil will come eventually, and it will come unopposed without knowledge and education of what it can wield." He turned to the milling crowds, to the stands above. "To make a point, have you seen the activists here in Unova? Plasma? They argue for what you argue. Only, while you argue for the suppression of this energy, they argue for the separation of humans and pokegirls. In their case, their goal is to free pokegirls from humanity, from those of us who would control and abuse pokegirls for our own ends." He turned back. "If they succeeded, then their goal would certainly be achieved. But what would we lose? We would lose far, far too much. Pokegirls would become a feral species, no better than animals. Humanity would lose their greatest allies. We each would lose what completes us. Fear, Steven, would be all that was left. And our greatest fear is fear of the unknown."

Steven nodded slightly. "I understand, Nicholas. I truly do understand what you are saying. You just haven't seen what I have. The… the destruction that this power could bring."

"The power of the legendary pokegirls, you said?" Nicholas asked quietly. "I concede that that is not the kind of power you'd want to ever witness. But, do the legendaries rampage today? No. Why? Because others stood against them. Some of their kin, true, but some I know were stopped by nothing more than humanity. Uniting against a common cause. If humans rise to use this power against the world, then I am confident the world will rise against them. As long, of course, as it has the knowledge with which to resist." He reached out to take Steven's arm. "I have witnessed and fought powers beyond anything you could have seen, Steven. I did not stand alone. I never stood alone."

Steven gazed at him for a while before reaching up to clasp Nicholas' arm in return. "One of these days, I'd really like it if you could explain to me what in hell you've gone through."

Nicholas burst out laughing at the serious expression on Steven's face. "Maybe one day. Once I've mended this broken world."

Steven's eyebrows furrowed as the two released each other. "This is far more than the Draconid oath you spoke of a few years ago."

Nicholas nodded slightly. "It is. My time in Sinnoh, the seat of creation, pushed those oaths to new heights."

"You'll need to tell me."

Nicholas chuckled but shook his head. "Maybe one day."

"Well, I understand nothing I can say will convince you now." Steven stepped back. "Just, Nicholas?" When Nicholas turned to Steven he lifted a hand to his lapel. "All I ask of you… is to not make me regret gifting you the knowledge you will share tomorrow."

Nicholas inclined his head slightly. "Tetsu said that, whatever comes, she will defend the new age together with me. Will you do the same?"

Steven nodded. "We will." He waited a moment before nodding again. "I suppose humans discovered the powers of creation on their own once before. It's truly fruitless for me to be so concerned in keeping them hidden now. That age ended in global annihilation – I will put my trust in you to keep this one from doing the same."

He turned away, leaving Nicholas to look after him, until he, too, turned to drift into the crowd.

.

.

Dahlia let out a great sigh as she settled into her seat. Here in the VIP section the stadium chairs were much higher quality than the plastic buckets throughout the regular stands but even with their wider profiles some of the pokegirls of the harem needed something special. Morgana, for example. The massive Gardevoir had claimed an area reserved for wheelchairs and covered it in padding for her own seat since she didn't even come close to fitting into a regular chair. They were mostly milling about for now, though. The battle was set to begin in an hour.

"So the day has finally come."

Dahlia turned to give a smile to the speaker settling in beside her. "We knew it would, Miyuki."

The Glaceon smiled back as she gazed out over the arena. "We did. The day they returned to us we knew."

Dahlia was nodding when she suddenly grew a massive grin. "Ooh, we did. I just remembered that Bea owes me."

Miyuki laughed daintily. "You made a bet on him after all?"

"I said a year. How long has it been?"

"A year and a few months."

"I definitely was closest," Dahlia chortled. "Perfect. I'll surprise her with that tonight after I've figured out what I want as my prize."

"Could always treat her like you do Kali."

Dahlia shot the Glaceon a look. "Now what on earth could you mean by that."

"Oh, I'm sure I have no idea," Miyuki murmured.

Dahlia sank back into her seat with a quiet huff.

Miyuki was still gazing out over the arena. It was far too open. So far, she had witnessed a broken badlands that hosted Lance and Diantha, a ruined city for the match between Gary and Steven, the triple environment of forest, river, and mountain with Ash and Nicholas, the morning's battle between Steven and Diantha that had been set in a dense forest, and… Alder and Cynthia's match, the extraordinarily fast-paced double battle across a beach. That, too, had been somewhat open, and Cynthia's harem had completely dominated Alder's. Especially with the pseudo-ocean that had given Cynthia's Milotic complete freedom to harass Alder's pokegirls from their flank. But this afternoon, the arena was basically flat. There was still a natural feel to it, grass, stone, sand, but no tall vegetation, no elevation, and no water. Like a highlands taiga, perhaps. There were no cliffs for a Garchomp to move through. No cover for an Infernape to dash behind. It would be a straight match. How would it be fought?

The minutes ticked on. Eventually the stadium speakers came to life. "Hellooooo Driftveil World Stadium!" The central screens changed to display Clay as he stood on the arena floor. "And welcome back to our second round of competition. Before I introduce you to our final competitors for today I would like to talk some more about those opening battles. Wow. Just wow. Am I right?" Clay held up his microphone as the stadium cheered. "Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed them as much as I did. We've seen all sorts of pokegirls and battle styles over the last few days and, as any of you who were here Tuesday already know, our arena has been put to the ultimate test. I would like to assure all of you that we have increased the safety mechanisms even further during the day of rest to guarantee that nothing can make it out of the battlefield. You witnessed as such already this morning, when Champion Steven shook the earth in his battle against Champion Diantha."

Scattered laughter came from Nicholas' harem as they glanced in Lili's direction to see the Tyranitar looking quite pleased with herself.

"We'll keep needing those increased measures, too," Clay was continuing, "for the last two competitors today have quite a feud. All of you know Champion Cynthia, and many know Champion Nicholas. But the world knows that, just over a year ago, these two met. Met, but did not battle. Leaving the world to wonder the question – which would have won?" He raised his hand above his head with a smile. "Well today, you will find out. Please, turn your attention to the screens as the competitors themselves voice their thoughts on this match."

The stadium lights dimmed as Nicholas came on screen with a microphone held in front of him. "This match?" he asked. "Why ask about it? Words don't mean anything in battling. Only actions."

"Well, do you think you'll win?" the interviewer asked.

Nicholas took a moment to think before smiling slightly. "Well, I haven't lost to another Champion yet."

"My thoughts on the battle?" the screen had jumped to Cynthia. "When you are facing another tamer in battle, you can learn everything about them. What pokegirls they have. What techniques they've trained in. What equipment they use. There's no need for words then."

"Do you think you'll…?"

Cynthia was already turning away and despite the interviewer trying to continue the video ended with an image of the woman striding towards her waiting harem.

The lights came back up as Clay chuckled into his microphone. "No speeches. No taunts. No posturing. Nothing. These two world-class tamers are here today for one reason, and one reason only. They are here to win. To finally decide who between them reigns as the more powerful tamer. And we, dear audience, get to witness this battle! LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE! FOR OUR COMPETITORS!"

Nicholas stood and listened as the stadium began to swell with noise. "Ready, girls?"

Zisela stepped around him, her entire body flexing as she let out a low snarl. "My harem is ready."

Nicholas took a glance back. Zisela beside him, nude and proud of it, Sohn just behind her, the Infernape taking long breaths as her flames flickered across her skin to wrap her in a resplendent pattern. The others loosely spread, Quinn, standing with her eyes closed in silent meditation and clad in her minimalistic battle gear, Sammy, shining from her fully charged plasma and already in full battle form, Cathy in her new jacket with muscles rippling as she breathed, and Miruko, the Lopunny standing as if she was still the Buneary he had once met, threatening even despite her fluffy appearance. They were ready.

He turned back to the arena as Clay shouted over the roaring crowd. "Let's take what I denied you a year ago."

Zisela let out a twisted laugh as they stepped into the open and spotlights illuminated the seven. "You denied us for greater purpose, my Weyrleader." Her eyes had snapped instantly to the Garchomp walking in on the other side of the stadium. "The pokegirl I was a year ago would have no place in this harem."

"There will be no greater purpose than what comes today."

"As you saw in the opening round, putting extra pokegirls on the field can lead to lightning-fast battles! With each round I hope you have been… eh?" Clay began stammering when Nicholas and Cynthia each reached their edges of the arena and, while the pokegirls stopped there, the two tamers kept walking onto the battlefield. "Have been, um… have been keeping track of your, favorite one, as we will be holding a poll during the closing ceremony…"

Nicholas was slowing, as was Cynthia, as the two reached the center of the arena. Clay was doing his best to continue his prepared speech while the two came to a halt just far enough away from one another to be standing apart.

He spoke first. "I'm sorry we couldn't do this properly."

Cynthia smiled. "Properly?"

"In your arena. Under your rules."

Cynthia's smile grew. "Don't be so sure about that, Nicholas. I intend to give you the battle you deserve. In every sense of the word."

"Do you now." Nicholas' eyes drifted across her long black jacket, looking for the Key Stone he knew was there. "René once asked you to give her everything you had." His eyes moved back to Cynthia's face. "I think that today, your strength is what she and I each deserve."

Cynthia's smile had faded into a stone-faced look. "Then you had better bring your own strength against us, Nicholas."

"I intend to."

Cynthia nodded slightly. Without any more words the two turned to walk back their harems.

"…which brings me to the format of this last battle of our second round," Clay stammered out, relaxing quite a bit now that the two humans were back where he expected them to be. "As you can see, these two tamers know each other well. And so, I am pleased to announce that you, dear audience, are to bear witness to what never was." Clay raised his arm and voice. "STRAIGHT FROM THE SINNOH LEAGUE ITSELF! THIS BATTLE WILL USE CHAMPION CYNTHIA'S OWN PROPRIETARY FORMAT! The rules are simple. The battle will be a double battle, however each tamer must CHOOSE only four of their pokegirls with which to participate! Our competitors may have assembled harems with members who cover each other's weaknesses, but what will they do when they are forced to sideline some of their pokegirls? Thus is the beauty! Who will they bring? Who will their opponent bring? Competitors!" Clay turned to address Nicholas and Cynthia. "Each can see the six your opponent has with them! You have two minutes to choose your battle lineup!"

Nicholas wasted precious seconds gazing at where Cynthia stood. She was still smiling.

After a few moments he turned to the harem with a smile. "So. This is why Flint said four pokegirls were all we'd need to face Cynthia." He flicked to Zisela. "You're coming. I see a Glaceon over there so I fully expect her to be chosen on Cynthia's side as a counter to you, just as I fully expect to see René. I want Sammy as our Ice-type. Sammy?"

Sammy immediately nodded, her form warping slightly as she prepared to take her Ice-type configuration.

"That leaves us with two more." Nicholas' eyes lingered on Cathy. "Cathy, I want you to know that I wish I could bring you."

Cathy grinned. "This format is meant to force flexibility. I understand why I'm the worst choice, Nicholas."

"Thank you," Nicholas murmured. "There's also how Cynthia's Lucario would completely overpower you like Elaine did to Ash's Snorlax in the last battle." His eyes traveled to Miruko. "Flexibility. I would be stupid not to bring the pokegirl with the most years of experience behind her."

Miruko laced her fingers behind her back and stretched. She was dressed similarly to how she had first come back to him in Indigo. A pure black nylon sports bra with matching leggings down to her shins. More than Quinn's breast wrap and panties, but much more suited to the Lopunny's personality. Just like the thin black ribbon around her neck. "Didn't they say I couldn't face her before?"

"Something about how you weren't from Sinnoh, yes."

"Wonder if she'll try the same excuse this time." Miruko smiled as her arms locked and cracks could be heard from her joints. "I also seem to remember her saying something about how she was glad I wasn't part of your harem, Nicholas." Miruko's lips slipped back to reveal her grinning teeth. "Too bad for her, but both of those things are now false."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Eh?"

"Unova is where I was born." Miruko released her grip and swung her arms forward. "Where the pokegirl I was originally died."

Nicholas focused back on the present. She'd been flippant about it, but he could feel Miruko's unease at revealing her past. He'd need to talk to her later. "That leaves Quinn and Sohn." He looked to the two Fighting-types. "After everything you told me a few nights ago, Quinn, would you be ready now to show me?"

Quinn was beginning to nod when Sohn let out a quiet curse from beside her. "I know you're not doing this to me."

Nicholas blinked. Sohn had barely muttered something under her breath. "What was that?"

Sohn shot Quinn a guilty look before her expression changed and she drew herself up as she rounded on him. "I said, 'I know you're not doing this to me', Nicholas. The most important fight of my life. What I've been dreaming of and training for for years. And you're going to tell me to sit it out?"

"Quinn is better for the team."

"Is she?" Sohn pressed. "Look, I don't know what happened 'a few nights ago' but I think whatever it was is clouding your judgement."

Nicholas' eyes narrowed. "Just because I've favored her over you does not mean-"

"Bullshit." Nicholas' mouth froze half open at Sohn's snarling retort. "She's the wrong choice here. I am NOT saying I am better than her, I am saying that in this battle she is the wrong choice." Sohn turned to look at Cynthia's harem. "We can assume René will come, as will Jacquelyne, her Beta. Cynthia will bring her Alpha and Beta because they are the pokegirls she has always had with her, whenever we met. She trusts them the most." Sohn turned back. "And no, I am not trying to argue I must come because I am Zisela's Beta, either. I feel you wanting to interrupt but stay quiet. You always flatter me by calling me smart so shut up and let me use the intelligence you like so much to BE THIS HAREM'S BETA!" Nicholas closed his mouth in shocked silence. Sohn was livid. Her flames were absolutely going wild and he had no choice but to listen as she laid out her argument step by step. "If we assume René and Jacquelyne, then who comes to support them? You say the Glaceon. I think that's a fine assumption. Quinn or I would both help threaten her, though I would say I have an advantage because I am fast, fast enough that during training I have actually managed to threaten Alpha Miyuki. Who else then? At that point there's only one slot. Cynthia knows us just as we know her. I see her bringing Sophea, the Spiritomb. Quinn would be helpless against her, and she would further counter both Cathy and Miruko, to an extent. Just as she would counter me if I didn't use my flame. So? That's four, Nicholas. My only threat over on that side of the arena is that Milotic, and to bring her Cynthia would need to drop either Jacquelyne or the Glaceon, and neither of us see that happening." Sohn threw up her hands. "Hell she could even bring Abigail, the Togekiss. I'd be much better to face her than Quinn would be and that's not even considering how I can give Jacquelyne a much harder time than Quinn ever could."

"The Milotic isn't your only threat," Nicholas rallied, though even his own words sounded hollow to him. "René would crush you."

"Just as my Alpha would crush me, and does, whenever we fight for real," Sohn said. "But you know what would happen if René focused her attention on me?" Sohn turned to give Zisela a wicked grin. "It's a double battle. My Alpha would bury her. She won't even consider looking at me when Zisela is on the field." She glanced back. "Besides. I know I'm frail. You gave me something to help remedy that, didn't you?"

"I…"

"For almost a year I fought to get out from underneath Miruko's shadow," Sohn snapped. "For more than two years I have worked feverishly to become something she would respect." She slowly looked towards the staring Lopunny. "I would much rather stand beside Quinn today. It's how it should have been a year ago. But you're right. It would be stupid not to bring her. So let me prove myself." Sohn turned back to Nicholas. "Let me show both of you what I've learned. Let me prove myself. Don't take this from me. Please."

Nicholas was struggling with what to say when he felt Quinn lay her hand on his shoulder. "You want to see what I have learned about myself too, right Nicholas?" she asked softly. When Nicholas nodded Quinn stepped around with a smile. "One of the things I have learned is that I do not need to fight to be worth something. If it is best for me to step aside, to allow Sohn to fight, that does not make me weak, just as it would not make Sohn weak if I had been what was truly better for this battle. It would be weak for me to cling to misplaced pride as I have for so, so long." She turned to nod at the Infernape. "Your analysis is sound, Beta."

Sohn laughed to herself. "Heh. I sound like the unruly harem member while you sound like the wise Beta, Quinn."

"I don't think so," Quinn replied. "You are fighting for your harem right now. A poor Beta would be afraid of speaking up like you just did, because it would have been for herself. When it is for us, you still fight with all of the strength and intelligence you just demonstrated. That is what makes you my Beta."

Zisela nodded as she stepped forwards. "You made it clear you were not speaking to abuse the position I entrusted you with, Sohn. Even going so far as to call out whenever it might appear you were and then show why it wasn't true." She paused before looking at where Nicholas still stood in shocked silence. "It is that fire, if you will excuse me, Weyrleader, that let me know Sohn was the correct choice to be my second. Her argument is true. Will you allow her to take Quinn's place?"

Nicholas slowly composed himself. He could hear Clay counting down their time. "I… appear to be outvoted."

"Is she wrong?" Zisela asked quietly.

Slowly Nicholas shook his head. "No. She's not. She provided a perfect analysis of this matchup and how it pertains to her. She's right. I was letting Tuesday night cloud my judgement." He gazed at nothing for a few moments before blinking and bringing his attention back to the pokegirls. "I want Miruko to lead us in, and… Sammy. Zisela and Sohn in reserve. I want to have Sammy to threaten René if she leads, and Miruko to hopefully be able to adapt to whatever comes. Is that acceptable, Sohn?"

Sohn blinked a few times before giggling. "Why ask me? I'm no tactician."

Nicholas grinned back at her as the others began laughing. "Of course not. My mistake."

"AND… TIME! COMPETITORS! Recall your pokegirls! The battle begins in three!" Nicholas quickly recalled everyone as across from him Cynthia did the same. "Two! One! BEGIN!"

The plan fell apart immediately. Sammy and Miruko materialized to find Sophea, as expected, and Abigail, who had not been expected. Nicholas was already thinking about what that meant for the other two pokegirls Cynthia had chosen as Miruko and Sammy each found the unknown, the hovering Togekiss, and began charging attacks.

Nicholas closed his eyes to block out some sensory information and to allow his mind to work faster. Spiritomb and Togekiss. Sammy and Miruko should be fine here. He was opening his mouth when a thought struck and he smiled. This battle was meant to be between him and Cynthia, holding nothing back? Then why speak? He had learned to form seamless links through his aura in the year since Sinnoh. "Sammy. Leave Abigail to Miruko." He paused as his aura link began feeding him information from the two pokegirls. They were both already focusing on Abigail? "For the next attack. Sammy you will pivot to Sophea. Miruko, don't go for anything fancy – Abigail has always seemed like a deceptive pokegirl to me and you'll do better just playing to your own strengths."

He wasn't the only one in that arena who understood aura. To the extent of wielding it beyond himself, perhaps he was. But not like this. Cynthia, Abigail, and Sophea all thought as one. Just as Nicholas, Sammy, and Miruko did.

Sammy planted her legs and thrust her hands out, her crackling energy coalescing between her linked fingers as Miruko sprinted across the battlefield with her own energy cloaking her in pale light. It was focusing on her legs to give the Lopunny additional speed before she jumped, leaning fully into the attack to rocket towards Abigail faster than the Togekiss should be able to react. Sammy's beam of ice flashed out soon after.

Ignored, Sophea's arms rose, her hands pressing together as if she was praying.

The instant before Miruko impacted a purple aura sprang to life around Abigail's body. Then she was gone. Leaving Sophea in her place.

With a shocked cry Miruko rocketed straight through the Spiritomb's robe without making any contact with her incorporeal body and had to quickly adjust to land safely from her attack, while Sammy found her ice sinking into Sophea's shadows to vanish and leave the Spiritomb hovering seemingly without any damage.

Nicholas' eyes sprang open when he witnessed the event through Sammy and Miruko's confusion. Abigail wasn't attacking. She was dissolving into light as Cynthia made a switch. Sophea could apparently swap places with other pokegirls at will. Then…

He grimaced when Jacquelyne materialized. Miruko was out of position and scrambling to recover but that wasn't who he was worried about. The Lucario was locked on Sammy. If the Rotom went down, there would be no ice to stop René from rampaging.

His grimace morphed into a wicked toothy grin as he felt his aura surge from his excitement. His pokegirls weren't outmaneuvered often. Cynthia had done it easily. And this was after he, and they, had trained incessantly over the past year. This was truly going to be an even fight.

The thoughts flew fast. "Miruko you need to hit Jacquelyne, NOW!"

"That ghost bitch is going to swap again! I should feint and go for her!"

"And if she doesn't? I need you to throw EVERYTHING at that Lucario before she can do any damage! If she doesn't switch, and you target her, you're going to hurt yourself the next time you crash!"

"And I'll crash if she does!"

Nicholas' eyes narrowed. "I'm pulling you out, Sammy. Miruko. You're right. I can't risk having you hurt yourself with Sophea on the field. We're flipping a coin every time you attack for whether she uses that switch technique. So throw everything at her. At Sophea. EVERYTHING. Everything you have – and everything I will give you." His energy began gathering as he focused solely on the Lopunny. "I will not let you fail."

Miruko's lips slid back over her teeth before she loosed a bellowing roar and leapt, twisting as she went to whip her leg around in a devastating kick.

Sophea turned to see the Lopunny coming and smirked.

Nicholas recalled Sammy as Jacquelyne similarly blitzed forwards, locked in on the form coming next. Sohn materialized and immediately threw herself towards the approaching Lucario, a scream ripping from her throat as she began preparing her flames. Jacquelyne would hit her first, but Sohn knew she could take a hit.

Cynthia and Jacquelyne knew it too. They didn't want to give Sohn the chance to retaliate.

Cynthia's hand flashed beneath her dress to pull something free.

On both sides of the arena, pokegirls began to glow.

Sophea's eyes widened when Miruko vanished into a ball of light that spread from her choker before shooting out the side without a pause in her scream. The Lopunny's mega evolution had stripped her body of almost all the fluff, leaving just the towering tufts sprouting from the base of her ears which had combined into one butterfly-like structure, and scattered light patches down the lengths of her now sleek and wiry ears along with the remains of the furry 'gloves' and 'boots' that had covered Miruko's limbs now condensed down to just her hands and feet. All across her body the silver fur had been stripped away to reveal a pitch-black skin underneath, undoubtedly to further streamline this pokegirl that seemed to have completely abandoned all pretense of being 'soft' or 'cuddly' in favor of being 'deadly', creating patterns on her legs and upper body that made it seem as if she was still wearing ripped and torn versions of her nylon clothing despite being completely nude.

In front of Sohn, Jacquelyne vanished into an orb of her own. The pokegirl that burst out in front of her was similarly ascended. As a Lucario, Jacquelyne was a prime example of her breed. Bronzed skin with dark skin patterns snaking across her body, the blue furred ears and tail, the spikes protecting her hands and collarbone, the long jet-black hair and piercing red eyes. In her mega evolution, every single aspect was ratcheted up in strength. Jacquelyne's red eyes now glowed. Her hair had grown and clumped into four distinct tails, two ending in a deep red like her eyes. The ears poking above her head had grown thicker and taller, and down her body her bronze skin was much harder to see, though the black patterning had grown much more pronounced. That was because her body hair, once no thicker than a human's, had exploded in volume. It now extended up and out to circle Jacquelyne's neck and covered her torso in a light tan, hiding her own nudity, while the spikes on her collarbone had morphed into armored, spiked structures over her shoulders and protruding from her cleavage. Her blue tail had also been overtaken by her body hair and it was now a flowing golden thing that looked more like a mane than a tail. Across Jacquelyne's limbs every inch had bulked up, the Lucario's blue fur having appeared in new places and doing to her upper arms and shins what her body hair once had, giving the Lucario's limbs a blue sheen. It still could not drown out the black patterning, which took over to paint Jacquelyne pure black when it reached her forearms and shins before going red, just like her hair, as it covered thick calloused hands and feet from which sprouted a dozen new spikes. A pokegirl who, just like Miruko was now, held but one intent. Attack.

Suddenly it seemed like Jacquelyne was even faster than Sohn as the Lucario's form blurred. Then the explosions came. Jacquelyne's aura-cloaked fists were causing small blasts with every strike she made, Sohn being tossed back like a ragdoll fully at the Mega Lucario's mercy. Blood sprayed across the arena as she was finally thrown free, her skin torn from Jacquelyne's spikes and crimson falling from her lips.

Sophea fared no better. With Nicholas' strength fueling Miruko's strike the Ghost-type couldn't phase past her kick. It slammed into her like any corporeal pokegirl and Sophea was flung across the entire arena so quickly that her robe flapping behind her created a thousand staccato snaps from the sonic disturbances the fabric created.

The crowd reacted, some with screams, when Sophea's body slammed into the arena barrier to send light shooting out from the impact point as the forcefield struggled to contain the force of the collision. Within the arena Miruko was landing and instantly turning her attention to Jacquelyne, the Lucario similarly swiveling and summoning more aura in preparation to fire it at the Lopunny, each believing there was only one opponent left within the arena to face.

Sohn stirred.

Cynthia was recalling Sophea when Jacquelyne's hair, or what had appeared to be hair, twitched in the Infernape's direction. Two of the four ponytails, the ones tipped in red, were moving against the others as Jacquelyne whirled, her attack still charging, to see Sohn pushing herself to her feet.

Sohn was laughing. Not out loud, but to Jacquelyne, the uncontrolled mirth Sohn was emanating was as loud as anything else. It was certainly loud to Nicholas even as he focused on maintaining his energy for Miruko. She had survived. Because, unlike in Sinnoh, he had finally taken steps to help this harem with their weaknesses.

Sohn spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground and raised her eyes to Jacquelyne. The Lucario was moving in slow motion to her. Maybe she was faster. Not now. Not against her. Not when she focused on nothing but speed.

She had focused on nothing but the length of leather clenched between her teeth when the Lucario had struck before. It had granted her the ability to endure, just as she had witnessed Elaine doing naturally. A valuable gift for her. When her greatest weakness was her greatest strength.

Sohn sped towards Jacquelyne faster than any eye in the stadium could see, leaving only a blazing trail of flame behind her before she appeared in the Lucario's face. A feint, a dance, to send Jacquelyne in the wrong direction before Sohn whipped back around and landed a stinging slap to the back of the Lucario's head. The aura she had been charging vanished from the Lucario's lapse in concentration. Perhaps without being mega evolved, the Lucario's highly trained focus would have held. But as she was now, her mind cared only for her next attack. An exploitable weakness. Leaving Miruko free to strike without fear.

Sohn felt the wind blast past her when the Lopunny flung herself past, and then the wind turned biting and she slipped into unconsciousness as Abigail materialized and sent blades of air slicing into the wavering Infernape. She'd done her job. She'd proven herself. She could feel it, across the link Nicholas formed between the three. The… pride. From a Miruko, who felt to her in this instant like everything she had felt the Buneary to be when they had first met. In this moment, Miruko was as far beyond her as ever, and yet, the Lopunny held nothing but pride for the Infernape. There was no contempt despite how she fell. And that, as Sohn's consciousness fled, meant everything to her.

Nicholas could feel it as well as he reached to recall Sohn. Through mega evolution Miruko had become what she truly was. It was everything powerful about her he had ever witnessed. The soldier. The investigator. The pokegirl. All combined into one furious body. And it still took the time to witness the falling Infernape, to feel pride in her actions. Sohn had truly achieved her greatest desire.

Jacquelyne was launched when Miruko sank a fist into her face and sent her flipping across the arena before the Lucario threw a hand out to jab her spikes into the dirt and slow her down to a slide until they caught. With a howl she pulled herself back into the fight and ripped a massive chunk of stone from the earth in her haste, sending it flipping away while she bore back down on the Lopunny and slammed into her with a flurry of blows that Miruko quickly returned. Abigail flapped closer, looking to support her Beta, when a sudden drop in temperature made her freeze.

Sammy had appeared and without Sophea to protect her the Togekiss was flying exposed. While the two mega evolved pokegirls continued to brawl the Rotom had free reign to take aim and send ice blasting for the angelic pokegirl.

Abigail tucked her wings and dove, crying out in pain as the ice crept across her wings but managing to break the beam and recover. She couldn't do anything to stop Sammy, though. Cutting winds took small chips from the Rotom's frozen form but that was it before a second beam blasted Abigail from the sky. Almost simultaneously Nicholas felt massive feedback as both Miruko and Jacquelyne each made an uncontested strike to the other's chest. The clash shook the arena, though the improved shocks kept it from affecting the stadium as a whole. Each was blasted back. Each coughed, red dribbling from their mouths as their shattered ribs shredded their lungs and filled the remains with blood. Each fell. The two tamers recalling their pokegirls as energy began to rise like smoke from their forms. Leaving Sammy to stand. Alone.

But… the battle had only just begun.

Nicholas felt something and looked over to see Cynthia staring at him. Smiling. No, grinning. Wildly. Laughing. He felt a thrill and prayed that Kalmiya would be getting this on recording. Sohn would want to see it. She had come and laughed with the Sinnoh Champion.

There was no doubt who they each had been holding in reserve. Sammy was all but forgotten as René and Zisela took the field. Both dragons having eyes only for each other. As Nicholas reached to find Zisela, to form the aura link and begin this true final battle, he paused. He felt… fine. More than fine. His blood was on fire, his aura surging with strength. Zisela, too, was thrumming with energy. At long last. She had come to face René.

He rubbed his leg against the anklet.

Cassidy's words echoed back to him. His own to Cynthia, only minutes before.

He smiled as he realized what had to be done.

Well. He'd always said that one day, he would be strong enough for it. A vow. A promise.

His reality.

And as he reached, capturing Zisela's bond and opening his mouth in a roaring bellow while he pushed to grant the second mega evolution of this battle, he watched Cynthia do the same.

Throughout the world stunned crowds were watching the battle unfold. As two more orbs of power enveloped the two Garchomp, and they broke free, roaring like no pokegirl had any right to. They were very similar to what had originally taken the field, but each were still clearly different. The fins on each pokegirl's arms had melded, consuming their hands and long claws to become a pair of bloodred scythes tipping each arm, and though their bodies appeared the same, if slightly larger, besides new rows of spikes lining their torsos, their heads had abandoned any hint of humanity. Each was a roaring dragon's maw. Jaws now angular and chiseled. Faces newly structured to overlap the vulnerable eyes and ears with molded scaly ridges. Their brows elongated into a shape that was closer to a battering ram than anything, from which their crossing scale patterns emanated.

In Unova, one watcher slowly sat upright, abandoning her position laying dejectedly on her couch. As the two mega evolved Garchomp surged towards one another her hair began to smoke. As they clashed, and the cameras finally remembered to cut to the two tamers on occasion, her eyes held a spark she had not felt in well over a year.

Nicholas was pleasantly surprised to feel Zisela still in control of herself as she traded blows with René. Even Miruko had changed somewhat during her mega evolution, though that was more just a refinement of what the Lopunny often kept hidden away. But Zisela felt like herself. Bursting with his energy, but still her. Still the Alpha of this harem. Because of that, perhaps, she was not quite matching René's ferocity, as she had found new strength beyond herself. She was slowly losing ground to the fully raging Garchomp Cynthia claimed. Sammy couldn't help. The two were far too entwined and moving too quickly for her to get a shot at René alone. Their teeth, their scythes, ripped at each other as the two Garchomp fought to take control.

Zisela knew she was being pushed back. She didn't need to hear Nicholas' worried thoughts to know that. Much of her own strength had been placed within her harem. René's was selfishly kept to herself. Used for herself. As her mother did. As many Alpha dragons always did. It made them strong, and kept their weyrs weak, too weak to challenge them. Zisela's eyes focused down on René when she moved to charge her once more. A weak weyr meant a weak Alpha. Hers. Was strong.

René snarled when Zisela let her swinging scythe slice into her side and Zisela surged into René's space. Before the other Garchomp could pull her weapon free her eyes widened in pain as she felt Zisela's own scythes spear into her stomach before turning along their curved lengths to sweep up and under her ribcage.

Zisela was hissing as she shoved the tips of her scythes further and further into René's body. René, in turn, flexed her arms to bring both scythes cutting in at Zisela's waist and nearly bisecting her torso. They stood there, in this cruel mockery of an embrace, until Zisela forced her head closer to René and her jaw moved, articulating words from the hissing coming from her throat even though she had to force her lips to cooperate in their new orientation. "You… Will… Re… mem… ber… Me."

Nicholas's eyes widened when he felt Zisela's intent. "SAMMY! Hit them both, now!"

Zisela had lost all feeling in her legs but she didn't need them. Her blades were buried inside of René, holding her still. The other Garchomp's head snapped up when she heard Cynthia's warning and howled in rage when she saw Sammy launching into the sky as the air around her began to freeze and crystallize into a raging blizzard. Sammy made sure to take careful aim. Even as René jerked and ripped one scythe free of Zisela's body with a spray of blood. Nicholas was urging her on. Her Alpha's presence held steady. Calm. It… It was finally over.

The storm of ice that swept over the embroiled Garchomp was not nearly as overpowering as the blows they, and Miruko, and Jacquelyne, had made, but it was more than enough. Already weakened from Zisela's final gambit René had no hope of withstanding the freezing maelstrom Sammy created. Even without Zisela's sacrifice she likely wouldn't have. But it could have missed. She could have dodged. This way… She had no hope.

Nicholas realized he was shaking as he and Cynthia each recalled their Garchomp. He could still feel his blood boiling. It couldn't be over. Not yet.

"It will never be over."

Nicholas jerked in surprise. No, he hadn't imagined the words. In his fervor he'd inadvertently reached out to the woman standing opposite him. She was staring back. "Cynthia?"

"You outplayed me today, Nicholas." He could feel the woman's own raging emotions as she caught his aura and solidified the link between them. He hadn't been aware she knew how to do that. She must have been spending time with Riley. "I went to all the trouble to face you in the battle we never got to have, and you outplayed me. I had been expecting you to bring the same ones you brought with you a year ago." Her lips broke into a wild grin. "That damn rabbit. I had no idea she had become yours. I can't even claim she won for you. You have clearly been preparing for today just as hard as I have."

"…It will never be over."

"Never," Cynthia agreed. "You outplayed me today. Do not believe that means you will win tomorrow."

"W-W-With… With a score of four to three…" Clay was staring, completely stupefied, across the arena to the referee. Eventually the man raised a hand towards Nicholas. "Our victor… Of this semifinal match… Is Champion Nicholas?"

Nicholas felt Cynthia release the link as she turned away. "It will never be over, but I believe… This means something to you, World Champion." She glanced back as the last tenuous strands of aura broke between them. "You have bested the Sinnoh Champion at her own game."

Nicholas stared after her in stunned silence. He barely heard the roaring stadium. The shock and excitement permeating the crowds. He barely even acknowledged Sammy when the Rotom drifted back to him, her Ice-type form heavily tempering her emotions but enough of them still leaking through to have her almost bouncing as she floated over. He'd… They'd won. Using everything they had. Against everything Cynthia had. This harem was finally a Champion's harem. And he still wanted more.

After a few seconds he turned to find where Clay was babbling into his microphone. This meant they would be going to the finals. To face Diantha. Diantha… The Kalos Champion. He'd never visited Kalos. After this battle with Cynthia, after experiencing a true battle involving mega evolution, he felt a great desire to. To visit the place this technique originated from. He could face her now. Here. Did he want to?

Clay was still yelling when he felt someone place a hand on his shoulder. He whirled, eyes widening when he saw Nicholas standing there. "…those two- eh?" He yelped when Nicholas snatched the microphone away. "OI!"

"I entered this tournament for one reason." Even Clay quieted when Nicholas began to speak. "I entered for today. To face the most powerful sitting Champion of the World League. A woman I had not yet been able to match." He raised his eyes to the crowds as the cameras swiveled around to focus on him from various angles. "I achieved my goal. And so, there is no reason for me to continue." He grinned as the stadium erupted into shocked chatter. "I will find you one day, Champion Diantha. But not here. Once I have earned the right to take your title. Once I have conquered Kalos. Just as today, I finished my conquest of Sinnoh." He raised his hand to point out into the stadium. "WITNESS ME, UNOVA! WITNESS ME, WORLD LEAGUE! I WILL SOON BE YOUR WORLD CHAMPION!"

Clay could barely believe when Nicholas dropped the microphone back into his hands and strode off for the tunnel with the entire stadium, and the millions of viewers around the world, all going wild.

One viewer was barely containing herself as she screamed into a pillow. The cameras were tracking him as she felt yet another orgasm shake her body, her hair fully alight and showing no signs of ever again going out. She remained glued to the screen until Nicholas could no longer be seen before leaping for her computer, one hand desperately pleasuring herself as she began feverishly searching for pictures, her euphoric screams echoing through the darkened halls of the lighthouse above.

.

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Celebrity Profile Overview

Sammy – Rotom

The Rotom is a very rare species of pokegirl, but all known information on the breed suggests they are more of a curiosity than any kind of a threat. A pokegirl that is said to infest our modern technologies and be relatively harmless beyond that. Yet, this Rotom defies common knowledge. Sammy is one of the few pokegirls among Nicholas Topolski's Sinnoh harem to have seen real success on the battlefield during his time in the region, even if her presence is most likely for the same reason as many of the others in that harem – she is a rare, strange pokegirl, all the better to have drawn attention away from Nicholas Topolski's true activities in the region.

Sohn – Infernape

The stereotypical 'first pokegirl' for Nicholas Topolski in Sinnoh, Sohn the Infernape is potentially the only pokegirl within that harem who is a true combat breed – besides her Alpha Zisela, of course. It makes sense that she acts as the Garchomp Zisela's Beta. Though outwardly a regal, elegant pokegirl, anyone who knows an Infernape knows that it's all just an act. Sohn is a dirty fighter. Utilizing tricks and chaos to her advantage she is a dangerous opponent, one that will punish her opponents' tiniest lapses in concentration.

Miruko – Lopunny

Huge breasts, an avalanche of soft fur, and a cuddly disposition. Lopunny are some of the most sought-after companion pokegirls in the world, with entire communities celebrating the fluffy rabbit pokegirl. Miruko, however, is an odd Lopunny. She may not even be the same one that Nicholas Topolski's official data claims. The Buneary first registered to Nicholas Topolski in Jubilife City was reported to be a clumsy, ditzy pokegirl, perfectly suited to be a companion. However, this Buneary – registered at the time as 'Miru' – vanished from Nicholas Topolski's profile for quite some time before reappearing, still supposedly 'Miru', before her name was quickly edited to 'Miruko' at the same time she apparently evolved into a Lopunny. Miruko is no companion pokegirl. Even though she was never seen in battle as a Lopunny it was clear that she is a different pokegirl entirely from the Buneary Nicholas Topolski first registered, one that is much better suited for a combat role. What's he trying to hide? What happened to Miru the Buneary, and where is she now? (Read more on…)