Chapter 40: The Tournament!
Weeks passed under new league and team conditions. The season had now come to an end, the big tournament was only two days away. The lists of those who qualified would not be published until afternoon, but Aurora had given up on this goal anyway due to three defeats. On the day after Elementareon took over the league, Team Polarna vatra would have had a duel, but they lost it in the most embarrassing way: When they were resting after the stress, they forgot about it. So their opponents, who were very much present, were credited with the win. And on the third-to-last day of play, they simply met a team for which they were not well prepared.
Tyrantrum had now officially become part of the team, even if Kel did not seem entirely happy with the decision at first. But he was outvoted and ultimately had to accept that the fossil would now also be part of Team Polarna vatra. In general, Aurora had noticed that Kel had changed again since the conference after Aurorus' exposure. She could only guess that he was suffering greatly from what he now knew or thought to know about himself. He was withdrawing more again, almost like he had shortly after his return. Of course Aurora was worried, but Kel was not yet at the point where he was locking himself up alone for days, so she could at least keep an eye on him most of the time. However, she also knew that if things continued to get worse, she would have to take action again. Last time she had been able to help him, but could she do it again?
However, this was a topic for a hypothetical future. In the present, the focus was on this afternoon. Many Pokemon were already gathering in the entrance area of the tower, where Elementareon wanted to announce the tournament line-up. At first Aurora had considered whether the team should just go and train, especially since many arenas were free at that moment, but ultimately she decided that the team needed some variety and they stayed.
Elementareon stepped onto a small, makeshift stage. Although she still seemed a little nervous, she held up well to the pressure. She had settled in quite well in the few weeks that she had been leading the league, mostly alone at that, and, as most people had expected, did a pretty good job. No major changes had been made so far, but were they really necessary? Although opinions were somewhat divided on this topic, all members of Polarna Vatra agreed: The most necessary changes lay outside the league itself.
So, Elementareon stood on the stage. She seemed to want to make an announcement, which was actually quite unusual for this type of event, but what exactly was normal in these times anyway?
"So... Pokemon of the Upper League. And everyone else listening in. The main season is over, as you probably know, and the tournament takes place this weekend. Maybe we'll get new challengers for the King's League, maybe not. In any case, the conditions were a bit special, which is why I had to improvise. The reason for this was, as everyone has probably noticed, the dissolution of the leader's team. You all know that, I wouldn't even be up here, if..."
She shook herself briefly, showing that this last sentence might not necessarily have been directed at the outside world. But she quickly recovered.
"Well, in any case, this means that one of the King's League teams is now gone. And the King's League needs exactly 50 teams. That's why I've decided to handle it like this. Team Ice Spear, step forward."
A group of four Pokemon stepped forward from the large group. Kel recognized them immediately. This team had been the ones who had given Team Polarna Vatra their third and decisive defeat of the season.
"Your team finished this season in 51st place. Not a single loss. A great performance that will be rewarded accordingly. To make up for the missing spot in the King's League, your team will not take part in the tournament. Instead, from this moment on, you are all officially part of the King's League!"
A murmur went through the crowd, understandably so. At least Tyrantrum thought so. Without competing in a tournament, this team was being promoted.
"Of course, the tournament still needs thirty-two participants to form a logical bracket. That's why we have another lucky team alongside Team Ice Spear. The 83rd placed team, who would otherwise have missed the tournament, now have another chance to prove themselves."
For a moment, Aurora had the feeling that Elementareon was looking directly at her. But immediately afterwards... this was verified.
"Team Polarna vatra, you finished the season in 83rd place. I know you all well and know what you are capable of. So, make the most of your chance. You may be underdogs based on the ranking, but I know you well enough to know that that doesn't mean anything to you. Well, that's all there is to it. The tournament bracket will be posted soon. The tournament part will be fought out from Saturday morning to Saturday evening, and the relegation match will take place in Crowning on Sunday afternoon."
Elementareon stepped off the stage, leaving many Pokemon baffled. Most notably Aurora, of course. With three losses, they had managed to qualify for the tournament? But ultimately they wouldn't have a chance of holding their own against 31 teams that were ranked higher than them, right? On the other hand, the team itself would have been in a safer position if they had had Tyrantrum with them from the start and hadn't missed a duel. While the surrounding excitement was focused on a large poster, Kel noticed that Elementareon was walking up on his team.
"Now, Aurora? Are you happy with how things are going? I can definitely see that you weren't expecting it!"
It took a moment for the Ninetales to find her voice.
"Of course I'm very happy about that! Even if the tournament will be a challenge, that's obvious. But... how did we get into the tournament with our results? It just seems surreal. Especially since we even got a zero-two rating once."
Elementareon looked around a little furtively.
"Well that's true. But it was enough to tie with two other teams on 83rd. However... well, the decision was of course difficult and the league doesn't like to see any bias in the making of such decisions!"
She laughed quietly.
"That's why I made sure no one saw it. In return I expect you to win the thing, alright? I want to see you in the Champion's Duel next season!"
With a knowing look she left the hall.
"So..., we basically qualified through our connections to the top."
Marshadow summed up the truth as simply as possible. Tyrantrum, however, immediately wanted justifying the decision. And he was right in some ways, Kel knew that too.
"I mean, we were already in 83rd. Just tied with two other teams. So it's not like completely undeserved."
For the first time, Aurora spoke up to the team.
"No matter how deserved it is: We'll win the thing this weekend! Are we in agreement?"
Soon, the day dawned on which the tournament took place. A simple elimination tournament with 32 different teams. Anyone who lost a single duel was out! Team Polarna would theoretically have to win five rounds in a row, against all kinds of different opponents, few known, but many completely foreign. Tyrantrum and Marshadow were well warmed up and ready for the duels. Kel was in a slightly better mood again, distracted from his other worries by this tournament. Aurora herself was nervous, but also ready for anything. The whole team was ready and they proved it! Three duels, three teams. Before the semi-finals, it didn't seem as if anyone could stand up to Team Polarna vatra. Three times 2:0. None of the duels were close at all and each of the four Pokemon had already been victorious.
The semi-finals were to be the real hurdle. Only four teams remained, two of them unknown to Aurora and her team. The other two teams were themselves, obviously, and Aggron's team, which handed Polarna vatra their first defeat on the second day of play. And the team that wanted to hand the four Mon their final loss of the season. The same three Pokemon were still facing Team Polarna vatra. A Staraptor, a Kadabra and an Aggron. The latter in particular would be important for this fight, both parties knew that. Three Pokemon from Team Polarna vatra had problems against the Steel/Rock type. Marshadow, on the other hand, was almost too powerful. The goal was therefore clear: Somehow manage to send Marshadow into battle against Aggron. And in Kel's eyes the strategy was clear.
"Aggron is pretty much their win condition. They won't risk him right away. If we save Marshadow, then we would have a very good chance with a win in round 1. You will win against Kadabra, and against Aggron too, we know that, Marshadow. And if they leave Staraptor, then we still have a strong Pokemon against flying for the theory. My idea: Aurora, you start. If we gamble and send the wrong Mon into Aggron in round 2, Tyrantrum has better chances into him and is also strong against Staraptor. You can take on both Kadabra and Staraptor. Any objections?"
There was too much logic behind this line of thought for the objection to arise. So Aurora stepped into the ring. Kel's plan was clever. And obviously very predictable. When Aurora found herself facing the Rock and Steel type Aggron, she had already pretty much given up. With such a type disadvantage... so it was a matter of hoping. Tyrantrum could beat everyone remaining to win round two and the decision would be made in a two against two. But only after the first round. Because as hopeless as it was, Aurora would not give up.
At least she had experience against Rock-type attacks by now, as both Kel and Tyrantrum used them. However, it was Steel that worried her more. In addition, she did not have a single effective attack. Her only chance would be to make her opponent stagger on icy ground. And not stagger herself in the process. The latter, however, did not happen through the ice. But as Aurora's very defensive duel progressed, her throat began to scratch, which distracted her from fighting more and more. She did not think much of it, but instead of it getting better, the effect became stronger and stronger.
Her opponent also noticed how Aurora's movements were getting slower and her coughing more frequent. However, Aggron showed his sportsmanship, just as those around her were also becoming truly aware of the situation. And Aurora herself began to realize the seriousness of the situation. She was now finding it difficult to even get any air at all.
"Aurora! Don't fight if you're not feeling well! Do you need help?"
The Aurora could not answer. It was as if some lump was stuck in her throat, out of nowhere. Aurora could do nothing but hope that whatever it was would resolve itself, or that she would get help somehow.
What ultimately happened was actually the former. As suddenly as it had come, the feeling disappeared again, and Aurora was able to breathe freely again. But at the same time... she felt something strange, but more pleasant inside her.
"It's... going away. I'm sorry. I think that was an aftereffect of breathing in Aurorus' gas... at least there was something metallic stuck in my throat."
Although a few questioning looks followed, no one asked a question.
"Can we continue?"
Aggron nodded briefly. But he was obviously not ready for what was waiting. He stood close to the danger zone, knowing that Aurora couldn't do much. Her attacks didn't bring much recoil, not in this fight. What she needed was a massive Steel-type attack or something like that.
And that's exactly what she used. Steel beam! Confused and overwhelmed, Aggron reacted late. Too late to avoid the insane attack. Aurora had won the duel.
"What... the hell was that? Does that break any rules?"
Latias, the referee of the duel, seemed very unsure about what had happened. Aurora did not see herself being in the wrong though.
"I mean... why not? I can only guess, but I think I have Aurorus to thank for that too. It's still a normal attack, just not one that a Ninetales should use."
Even though her opponent, understandably, didn't seem happy, he also knew that Aurora was right. And they both knew that the duel was decided. Team Polarna vatra moved on to the finals!