AN OH chapters in two weeks back to back. Hold your applause I'm grate I know.
Anyway joking aside I have managed to restore my chapters... Kind of I had to go into words auto save function and piece together everything. Some stuff had some edits I know I made but didn't get saved and I didn't remember exactly how they went but I redid those to hopefully a similar effect... My proof reader was not entertained. Well TLDR Kids don't be a dumb ass ok...
Ok last thing In recovering everything I ended up rereading my earlier chapters and for my readers who made it till now I have one question. HOW? I mean seriously I wanted to die just skimming them but multiple people actually read through that to get to where we are now. for that I am thankful. Truly thanks for dealing with that, and while it does serve as a nice reminder of where I came from skill wise. I cant live with that so with every update for a while I'm also rewriting a Chapter from chapter 1 to maybe 6 because those are the worst.
Anyways rant over enjoy.
Chapter 21. Beneath Me
Aria POV
The stadium buzzed with energy, a low but steady hum of voices filling the air like the static before a storm. I sat comfortably in the stands, peering down at the field—a classic expanse of vibrant green, neatly divided by crisp white chalk lines. The scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the faint aroma of concession stand food, adding to the nostalgic charm of it all.
But I wasn't paying attention to the aesthetics. No, my focus was on the ongoing chatter around me.
"Did you hear about that chick who took down Korrina?"
"Yeah, first attempt at the circuit too. Three badges already—girl must be insane."
A chorus of agreement followed, some in awe, others skeptical. The topic of discussion was apparently a rising star in the League challenge, someone who had not only managed to defeat Korrina but had done so on her first try. That alone was impressive, given how many new trainers struggled to even make it past the fourth gym. Most rookies washed out before they could build any real momentum, but this girl? She was already three badges in.
It was almost laughable how quickly the crowd had decided she was the inevitable winner. The way they spoke, you'd think she had already won the entire conference. Granted, it made sense. The best trainers—the ones with real experience—were probably off chasing their final badges or preparing for bigger tournaments, leaving this girl with a relatively easy playing field.
I had to bite back a giggle, unable to suppress the giddy delight bubbling up inside me. If only they knew.
Is this how Jack feels all the time? I mused, my grin widening. It's kinda great.
That was the thing, though—Jack was an enigma. I had scoured PokéNet for anything on him, combing through battle records, tournament data, even casual trainer logs. Nothing. No history of a Jackson Bram anywhere, as if he had materialized out of thin air. A ghost.
Well, not entirely a ghost. I had found something—something far more interesting.
His Lucario.
Luna was a beast.
And I don't mean that figuratively. She was massive, towering over most Lucario I'd seen, built like she was sculpted from solid steel. It wasn't just that she was tall—every inch of her screamed raw power. She was in ridiculous shape, even by fighting-type standards. I was actually kind of jealous. Okay, really jealous.
I let out a dramatic sigh, folding my arms over my noticeably smaller chest. Life is not fair.
It was almost reasonable when I had mistaken her for a male. If, of course, I ignored the fact that she was… well-endowed in other areas. Stupid fighting types and their stupid perfect physiques.
Ugh.
But it wasn't just her size or her ridiculous muscle tone that made her stand out. No, there was something else—something harder to define. She carried herself with an aura (ha) of experience, the kind of presence that only came from years of training. This wasn't just some overgrown Lucario—she was disciplined, refined. She knew how to fight.
And considering what Jack had done to that poor idiot in the alley…
Yeah. No doubt about it.
The guy wasn't just some lucky trainer with a strong Pokémon—he knew what he was doing. And if that wasn't enough? He was the personal assistant to the Professor himself.
I smirked, settling back in my seat as I listened to the crowd prattle on about how this mystery trainer was going to sweep the competition.
They had no idea.
The lights dimmed, plunging the stadium into an all-consuming darkness. The roar of the crowd died in unison, a hushed anticipation settling over the space like a heavy fog. For a moment, there was nothing—just silence, just darkness—until a single beam of light cut through the void, illuminating the center of the battlefield.
And there, standing as if he had orchestrated the moment himself, was a man.
His suit was pristine, blindingly white, tailored to perfection, making his pale skin seem even starker beneath the harsh glow. The only splash of color came from his bright orange gloves and a matching undershirt, both eye-catching enough to make a statement but not gaudy enough to be ridiculous. The light glinted off his smooth, bald head as he reached for the microphone, flashing an immaculate, toothy grin—a grin that shimmered in the reflection of the sunglasses perched on his nose.
Sunglasses. Indoors.
I rolled my eyes. Seriously, what is it with guys and wearing shades inside?
"People of Lumiose City… are you ready?"
The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, a wave of sound crashing through the stadium. The man, however, simply cupped his ear with exaggerated flair, leaning forward with the kind of practiced showmanship that only someone really dramatic could pull off.
"I'm sorry," he continued, voice smooth like he was playing to an audience twice as large. "I thought this stadium was full. Now, with some gusto..." His voice dropped into a near growl, dragging out each word with precision.
"Are… you… READY?"
This time, the eruption of noise was deafening, shaking the very air with the sheer force of the crowd's enthusiasm.
The man grinned in satisfaction, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now that's what I like to hear." With a grand sweep of his hand, he took a deep, exaggerated bow, one arm pressed against his chest while the other gestured outward, as if he were addressing royalty. "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Ven, and I will be your announcer for this evening's event!"
He straightened, voice dripping with enthusiasm. "As many of you no doubt know, this tournament was organized to give fresh-faced trainers a well-earned boost before the start of next season! And as you also no doubt know, our grand prize is nothing to scoff at—a whopping 50 bands of cash!"
The crowd roared in approval, but Ven wasn't done. He raised a hand, as if to reign them in before continuing.
"But that's not all!" He leaned in conspiratorially, one hand cupping the microphone as he mock-whispered into it, his gaze flickering to the floating camera drone circling around him. "As well as two Technical Machines of the winner's choosing—provided the total doesn't exceed 20k Poké Dollars." His smirk turned sly. "Or less. We won't mind."
A chuckle rippled through the crowd. He certainly had the showmanship down to an art.
"And if that wasn't enough…" Ven spread his arms wide, voice practically dripping with theatricality. "A Pokémon Egg! Courtesy of our generous friends in Kanto!"
Now that got the crowd excited.
"Quite the prize, wouldn't you say?" Ven gave a knowing grin before clasping his hands together. "But of course, we know you fine people are very busy, which is why we took the liberty of handling the preliminary matches beforehand! What you are about to witness tonight is nothing short of the best our challengers have to offer!"
Another spotlight flickered on, illuminating the left side of the field.
"And so, in our first match of the evening… in the red corner! Hailing from Ambrette Town, a promising young trainer who has already secured two Gym Badges under his belt! Known for his wide selection of Pokémon and his ability to make quick, decisive battle strategies—Louise Adhair!"
Under the spotlight stood a boy who looked to be around fourteen, his dark skin and sandy blond hair catching the light as he lifted a hand in greeting. He had the unassuming kind of presence that wouldn't turn heads in a crowd, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that suggested he wasn't one to underestimate.
"And in the blue corner…"
Another beam of light cut across the field, this time illuminating the opposite end.
"Coming straight from our very own Lumiose City—a trainer with absolutely no Gym Badges to his name!"
That certainly got a reaction, murmurs spreading through the crowd like wildfire.
"And yet!" Ven continued, undeterred. "Despite this, he has displayed an incredible talent for high-speed battle strategies and brutal efficiency! Sporting a perfect record throughout the preliminaries, he has used only one Pokémon for every match—without taking a single hit!"
The murmurs turned to gasps, whispers of disbelief weaving through the audience.
"So, without further ado, give it up for—Jackson Bram!"
The spotlight locked onto him.
Jack stood there, a picture of absolute confidence, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders like ink. A smirk played at his lips, hidden just enough beneath the dark shades that covered his eyes. Unlike his usual casual look, he wore a crisp white lab coat over a deep purple shirt, the stark contrast making him look almost clinical—except for the way he carried himself, relaxed and self-assured, like he already knew how this was going to end.
And beside him, standing with quiet, unwavering poise, was Luna.
The Lucario barely moved, her stance perfectly still yet brimming with a calm, restrained power. Her scarlet eyes gleamed under the lights, locked onto the battlefield as though she could already see the match unfold before it even began. The scarf around her neck billowed slightly, catching in the same invisible wind that toyed with Jack's coat.
They were utterly still, utterly silent.
But they didn't need theatrics.
Their presence alone was enough to turn heads.
I tapped my fingers against my knee, my leg bouncing as the battlefield fell into silence. The moment had finally come.
"Will both contestants select their Pokémon?"
Luna strode onto the field with her usual quiet confidence, moving like a seasoned fighter who had done this a thousand times before. She dropped into a stance, legs braced, arms raised, completely still—except for her eyes. Those scarlet eyes glowed, locked onto her opponent like a predator sizing up its prey. Even with the distance between us, I swore I could feel the intensity rolling off her.
Louise, on the other hand, moved with the kind of forced calm people had when they knew they were in for a rough time but didn't want to show it. His fingers curled around a Poké Ball at his belt, gripping it just a little too tightly.
"Come on, you got this, Fletchinder."
The ball burst open, and in a brilliant flash of white light, the firebird emerged, wings spreading wide before it shot into the air. The yellow tips of its feathers caught the stadium lights, making it look like a streak of flame against the covered stadium. It circled once, then twice, before settling in place above Louise, its sharp gaze locked onto Luna.
Okay. This would be interesting.
"Now, everyone, say it with me!" Ven's voice boomed through the stadium, filled with over-the-top showmanship. I rolled my eyes as he cupped his ear dramatically, playing up the crowd.
The audience, of course, ate it up.
"Three! Two! One!"
The sheer volume of their voices made my ears ring, and I found myself gripping the edge of my seat.
Ven's grin stretched wide as he threw his arm forward.
"Let the battle begin!"
The second the battle began, the field exploded into motion.
"Fletchinder, Flame Charge!" Louise commanded, his voice sharp and sure.
The firebird's wings flared, and in an instant, its body became engulfed in a swirling inferno. It shot forward like a burning comet, heat distorting the air around it as it streaked toward Luna.
But Luna was already gone.
She didn't leap away—no wasted movements—just a subtle shift of her stance before her body blurred, weaving through the incoming fire like it was slow motion to her. The very second the flames should have hit, she twisted into a back handspring, her scarf trailing behind like a blue-and-white ribbon.
Gasps rippled through the audience. I grinned. Oh, this is going to be good.
Louise clenched his jaw. "Aerial Ace, now!"
Fletchinder barely had to adjust. Wings snapped open, and with a sudden burst of speed, it banked hard, disappearing in a flash.
Luna's ears twitched. She didn't turn—she didn't need to.
The moment the bird reappeared at her blind spot, beak aiming straight for her back, she dropped.
I mean dropped.
One second she was standing, the next, her entire body twisted downward, her shoulders parallel to the ground as she let the attack pass right over her. Then, before Fletchinder could pull up—
"Power-Up Punch."
Jack's voice was calm, controlled.
Luna's right paw erupted in an azure flame, and in one smooth motion, she twisted on her palm, spun around, and struck.
The first hit landed under Fletchinder's wing.
Then the second.
The third.
Faster than the eye could track, Luna moved—every strike feeding the growing flames around her fists. Fletchinder was reeling, pushed back midair by the barrage of devastating blows.
Louise's eyes widened. "Escape! Gain distance!"
Fletchinder squawked and flapped hard, using a burst of wind to propel itself out of Luna's striking range. It hovered high above the battlefield, wings beating furiously, as its body trembled from the sheer force of Luna's attacks.
The crowd roared in approval.
Jack exhaled, hands in his pockets, looking completely unbothered. "Again."
Luna was already moving.
She shot forward like a bullet, her legs barely touching the ground as she chased the airborne Fletchinder. Her scarf snapped behind her as she kicked off the ground and flipped—straight up.
The bird tried to counter.
"Flame Charge!"
Another burst of fire erupted around it, but it wasn't attacking this time. It was shielding itself.
Luna's pupils shrank as she analyzed the movement in real-time. And then—
She spun midair, legs curling tight before she twisted through the flames. She passed through the fire like she was made of smoke, flipping completely over Fletchinder's head.
Louise barely had time to react.
"Air Slash—!"
Too slow.
Luna landed on Fletchinder's back, her feet barely touching before she launched herself off with a single strike—Power-Up Punch, point-blank.
The bird was sent plummeting.
It hit the ground with a force that sent dust flying. The crowd screamed.
Louise took a step forward. "Fletchinder! C'mon, get up!"
The firebird twitched, its talons digging into the field. It struggled to rise, wings beating weakly.
Jack tilted his head, eyes hidden behind his shades. "Aura Sphere."
Luna, still midair, brought her paws together. A glowing blue sphere materialized between them, light pulsing as it expanded.
She flung it down.
The impact was instant.
The ground shook as the blast engulfed Fletchinder, sending up a shockwave that rushed through the stadium. The wind whipped against my face, and I had to grip the railing in front of me just to keep from stumbling.
And when the dust settled…
Fletchinder lay on the battlefield. Unmoving.
The referee raised a hand.
"Fletchinder is unable to battle! Jackson and Lucario are the winners!"
The stadium erupted.
Jack exhaled through his nose like it was nothing, giving the faintest of smirks as Luna landed gracefully beside him. She straightened, barely winded, and flicked an ear toward Jack before walking to his side—unshaken, untouched.
Louise ran onto the field to check on his Pokémon, and I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
That.
Was.
INSANE.
The tournament carried on, match after match, but if I was being honest? Nothing really came close to that battle.
Most fights were exactly what you'd expect—some decent trainers, a few shaky rookies, and a handful of those who had no business stepping onto the battlefield. Some matches dragged, others ended in a blink. Nothing too exciting, nothing nail-biting.
And then she appeared.
Anna.
Ven practically lit up when she stepped onto the battlefield. "Now this is a name to watch! Anna, the rising star of the circuit, is already making waves, earning three badges on her first attempt! Keep your eyes on this one, folks!"
I sized her up from my seat.
She wasn't much taller than me, maybe a little leaner, with sharp features and short, sleek chestnut-brown hair that curled slightly at the ends. Her eyes—ice-blue and full of arrogance—flicked across the battlefield like she already knew the outcome.
She radiated confidence. But not the playful, smug kind Jack had sometimes. No, Jack's cockiness had an edge of humor, like he was inviting people to try and prove him wrong. Anna's?
It was pure, unfiltered superiority. The 'I'm better than you' kind.
And as much as I wanted to roll my eyes, I had to admit—she could back it up.
Her first opponent sent out a Crawdaunt, a tough Water/Dark type with brute strength and a nasty grip. But Anna? She barely looked impressed. With a flick of her wrist, she sent out her Golduck—a sleek, well-trained specimen with piercing crimson eyes.
The battle wasn't even fair.
Golduck didn't just win—it dominated.
A few well-placed Water Pulses, a blindingly fast Zen Headbutt, and it was over. Crawdaunt barely got an attack in. The poor thing flopped onto the field, dazed and completely outclassed.
The crowd loved it.
Anna just flipped her hair, shrugged, and strolled off the battlefield like she had better things to do.
That wasn't a fluke either.
The next time she battled, she sent out a Pangoro—a towering, muscle-bound panda with enough raw power to crush its opponent. And once again, her opponent never stood a chance. The way she commanded her Pokémon, the efficiency of her orders—she wasn't just strong. She was calculated.
She barely looked like she was trying.
Still, as much as she was tearing through the competition, she wasn't the best.
Because for all her boasting? Jack was still cruising his way through.
The rest of his battles weren't nearly as intense as the first. It was almost unfair—Luna had won every fight in just a couple of moves, keeping her perfect record of never getting hit. She dodged, countered, obliterated every opponent without a single scratch.
It was a quiet kind of dominance. No showboating, no unnecessary comments. Jack would give a simple command, and Luna would execute, as effortless as breathing.
One hit. Maybe two.
That was all it took.
So while Anna boasted her way to the finals…
Jack just walked there.
And speaking of finals. "Ladies—
…
Jackson's POV
—And gentlemen!"
Ven's voice erupted through the stadium, amplified by the speakers lining the massive arena. The sheer energy in his words sent the crowd into a frenzy, their cheers rolling like crashing waves against the walls. Say what you want about the guy—Team Flare Admin or not—he had a damn good voice for announcing. If his whole criminal enterprise ever went under, he'd have a solid backup career in hyping up crowds.
I barely paid attention as I walked through the dimly lit contestant tunnel, my footsteps echoing faintly against the stone floor. For what had to be the third, maybe fourth time today, I made my way toward the battlefield. Honestly, I wasn't even keeping track anymore. These battles weren't just easy—they were a joke.
A whole week of training, and for what? Nothing.
I'd gone through the effort of bribing Garchomp into sparring with Luna, promising him extra food and the best sunbathing spots if he helped push her limits. Meanwhile, I'd spent an entire week nearly throwing my arm out trying to hit her with rubber balls—over and over, no breaks, no mercy. Every time she got hit, we reset. Again and again, until she had Detect down to an exact science.
It worked.
The strain on her mind was real—she had to focus on reading movements, keeping her body in sync, and sustaining her awareness. But that was all it was: mental fatigue. No energy drain, no aching muscles, just a slight headache and an increasing tolerance for my pampering.
And looking at how things were playing out, all that effort had been a waste.
The moment I stepped onto the battlefield, Luna was already beside me, standing tall, her posture calm and composed. Even after all those rounds, she wasn't even breathing hard. I had brought Leppa berries, pre-packed lunches, and ice-cold water to make sure she stayed at full strength, but honestly? It wasn't even necessary. I had never seen Luna reach true exhaustion, and after the hell she put me through with endurance training, I had a feeling she was built for much worse.
Still, I couldn't help but grin.
She was more than ready for this fight.
And after this? She deserved a reward. A PROPER pampering.
Before I could say anything to her, a voice cut through the air—sharp, cocky, and gratingly self-assured.
"Heh. You ready to lose?"
I blinked, the moment shattered as my eyes landed on my opponent.
Anna.
She stood across the battlefield with her arms crossed, her weight shifted to one side, exuding the kind of arrogance that only came from people who had never actually faced a real challenge. She wasn't bad—she'd fought her way to the finals, after all—but she had the attitude of someone who had never truly been humbled.
I stared at her for a long moment, my face completely blank, before finally responding in the driest tone I could manage.
"Who are you?"
The effect was immediate. Her smirk twitched, her posture stiffened, and just like that, her ego took a hit.
"Oh, you think you're funny?" she snapped, recovering quickly. "We'll see just how funny you are when your fat mutt is face-first in the dirt."
Luna scoffed at the insult, her expression unreadable, but I knew her well enough to catch the subtle shift in her aura. She wasn't just irritated—she was pissed.
And Luna didn't get pissed easily.
Annoyed? Sure. I did that to her all the time. But real anger? That was rare.
The fastest way to get on her bad side was to insult me. The second fastest was to insult her figure or age.
This idiot had checked both boxes in under four minutes.
She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into.
Then, before I could open my mouth, a familiar voice echoed in my mind, cutting through my thoughts like a blade.
"I want this one."
I blinked, my focus shifting inward. 'What? No. This might actually be the only interesting fight here—'
"You had all the others. This one is mine." There was a pause before the voice continued, lower, darker. "Besides, I will thoroughly enjoy putting her in her place."
I hesitated, weighing the decision for a moment longer before exhaling sharply. 'Fine. But don't screw this up.'
A deep, amused chuckle resonated through me, a sound both familiar and unsettling.
"Please, Jack." The voice almost purred. "You should know better than anyone… I never go easy."
…
Shade's POV
A quick flex of my fingers was all it took to make sure I was in the driver's seat for this little scuffle.
"Can both trainers please select their Pokémon?"
Perfect timing. My smirk stretched, sharp and amused, anticipation thrumming beneath my skin. Oh, this was going to be fun.
I shot a glance at Luna and gave her a small nod. She was already pissed off—this was just giving her a reason to vent. With a quiet scoff, she stepped forward, rolling her shoulders as she locked eyes with our opponent.
Across from me, Anna seemed almost pleased with my choice. Well, that won't do.
She plucked a Poké Ball from her waist, expanding it with a flick of her wrist. "Melt them down, Blaze."
The ball split open, releasing a burst of light that quickly took shape—a tall, slender Braixen materialized on the battlefield, standing on its hind legs with an air of arrogance. Its sleek yellow fur lightened into creamy white for its chest and arms, wearing a skirt straight off a magical girl. One of its large tufted ears twitched, the copious amount of fur shifting slightly as it straightened its back.
Then, with a deliberate motion, it reached for the stick nestled in its sleek tail fur. The moment its clawed fingers grasped it, the tip ignited with an effortless flick. Flames crackled hungrily at the end of the wand, bathing its smirking face in a flickering glow.
And then it spoke.
"Oh, Anna," it drawled in a voice so high-pitched and nasally it made my ears bleed, "do you wish for me to eliminate these eyesores for you?"
I blinked. That thing has balls?
Anna grinned, fully confident in her choice. I didn't bother hiding my amusement. If she wanted to make this easy for me, I wasn't going to complain.
The announcer's voice boomed over the speakers.
"Countdown with me, everyone! Three… Two… One… BEGIN!"
I didn't hesitate. "Aura Sphere."
Luna snapped into action, pulling both hands to her side as crackling blue energy flared between them. In a split second, she launched the pulsating sphere of condensed aura straight at the fox's smug face.
"Light Screen!" Anna called out.
The moment before impact, a shimmering barrier materialized in front of Braixen. The Aura Sphere slammed into it and deflected harmlessly to the side, dispersing into fading wisps of blue.
Anna let out a short laugh, crossing her arms. "This is what happens to cheaters."
Cheaters? I raised a brow. I caught the slight wince from her Braixen—it might've blocked the attack, but it still felt the strain. I focused on Anna instead.
"Cheater?" I echoed, feigning offense. I turned toward the announcer's booth. "Hey, Ven, did I break any rules?"
I had to at least act like Jack. Otherwise, Luna might get suspicious.
Ven never got a chance to answer. Anna bulldozed right over him.
"Oh, please," she scoffed, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "A guy with no badges and no past experience just happens to stroll into a tournament with a strong, rare Pokémon? You don't need to be a genius to figure it out—you're just some rich kid who bought himself a powerful pet to follow him around like a lost puppy. And now you're here to show off."
The arena erupted.
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd, some spectators already latching onto her baseless accusations. I caught bits and pieces of their chatter—snide remarks, grumbles about people like me having no shame.
Then the booing started.
Luna flinched. It wasn't the volume that unsettled her—it was the sheer weight of the emotions hitting her all at once. Frustration. Resentment. Contempt. It was enough to make her waver for a split second, her attention flickering toward the stands.
Not that Anna noticed. She was too busy basking in her own idiocy.
Before I could throw a verbal dagger at her, a sharp voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Oh, shut it, you egotistical brat!"
The entire arena fell into stunned silence.
Heads turned. Mine included.
And standing there, arms rigid at her sides, was none other than my pink-haired headache.
Her face was ablaze with fury, bright eyes locked onto Anna like she was seconds away from leaping over the railing and punching her teeth in.
"And you all!" She whirled on the crowd, jabbing a finger in their direction. "None of you know him! If you did, you'd realize the kind of bond he has with his Lucario isn't something you can buy. So stop engaging in baseless rumors and shut the hell up!"
The world stilled for a heartbeat.
All eyes snapped to her.
I could almost see the invisible spotlight shifting toward Aria, the weight of the moment pressing down on her shoulders. This was bad. She was a performer—her reputation was part of her arsenal. If she got exposed here, humiliated in front of this crowd, the damage wouldn't just be temporary. It would stick.
And after she just defended me?
Well, I suppose I should return the favor.
So, I laughed.
Not out of joy. Not out of anger. This wasn't a laugh born from amusement or sadness—it was something else entirely. Something sharper. Crueler. A jagged, cutting thing laced with pure, unfiltered glee.
The moment the attention began shifting toward me, I seized it, running a hand through my hair, sweeping it back into an untamed mane. Just for effect, I let a pulse of Aura slip into my eyes, a subtle glow piercing through the tint of my shades.
I wanted them to see me.
"Oh, this is rich!" I bellowed, my voice booming across the battlefield like a gunshot.
Now everyone was looking.
"Listen here, little miss dumbass—are we here to fight, or to listen to every half-baked thought that stumbles out of that empty skull of yours?"
The effect was immediate. Her face flushed a violent shade of red, her frustration rolling off her in waves.
"Luna. Aura Sphere. Don't let up."
Luna responded without hesitation, a force of nature given form. A barrage of energy spheres erupted from her paws, streaking toward the yellow fox. Braixen barely had time to react, raising his wand and conjuring a shimmering Light Screen just before the first sphere struck. A cascade of blue and gold filled the air as the attacks slammed into the barrier, the repeated impact kicking up a storm of dust and smoke.
"It's useless!" my opponent sneered, smugness creeping back into her voice. "Blaze is too strong. That's what happens when you rely on a single Pokémon—you get countered."
"Countered?" I echoed, chuckling darkly. "See, that word implies you actually have the advantage."
I gestured lazily toward her Pokémon. "But let me tell you a little secret… Light Screen doesn't negate damage. It reduces it."
Something shifted in her expression.
She finally looked—really looked—at her Braixen.
Cracks. Thin, barely visible, but spreading across the shield like fractured glass. More importantly, Blaze himself was beginning to falter, his stance unsteady, the fingers gripping his wand trembling just slightly. He winced as Luna's assault finally let up, his breathing labored.
And Luna?
She was watching him with a predator's patience, scarlet eyes gleaming.
Panic flared in my opponent's eyes. "Blaze, drop it and use Flamethr—"
"Sucker Punch."
Luna disappeared.
Not literally, but close enough.
A streak of black and blue blurred across the battlefield, too fast for the untrained eye to track. The only warning Blaze got was a flicker of movement before she materialized in front of him, a shadow rising from the depths.
Her paw was wreathed in something far darker than her usual Aura. A sickly, venomous black, with traces of crimson weaving through it like dying embers.
The hit landed hard.
A sickening thud as her fist buried into Braixen's ribs. The fox's breath hitched—then he was sent sprawling, tumbling across the battlefield like a discarded puppet.
"Bone Rush."
Luna was already moving, her weapon forming mid-stride—a glowing staff of raw energy, spinning effortlessly in her grip as she closed the distance.
"…But don't knock him out."
The last part was quiet. Barely more than a whisper.
Meant only for her ears.
Or maybe Braixen's. If he could still think past the pain.
Because this?
This wasn't just about winning.
This was about making a point.
The crowd had gone eerily quiet.
Or maybe I just didn't care enough to hear them.
All my focus was on her—Luna, a specter of ruthless precision. And him—Blaze, desperately flailing against the inevitable.
Luna was toying with him.
Blaze stumbled to his feet, flames curling around his wand. His ears twitched, and his body pulsed with psychic energy as he gathered his strength. His eyes burned with frustration, determination, desperation. He hurled a fireball toward Luna, his psychic power weaving around it to make it twist unnaturally midair, seeking to catch her off guard.
Luna didn't flinch.
She moved.
Effortless. Inhuman.
She twisted into a backflip, narrowly avoiding the spiraling flame as it hissed past her. The instant her feet touched the ground, she lunged, closing the distance before Blaze could react.
Her aura-forged staff whipped through the air—
CRACK.
It struck him across the jaw, sending him spinning.
Blaze staggered, barely keeping his balance, his mind already reaching for another attack.
A pulse of psychic energy rippled outward from him, warping the air. He yanked at Luna's movements, trying to hold her in place—
But she was gone.
A blur of motion, twisting through the air in a perfectly executed aerial flip.
She landed behind him.
Before he could react—
THWACK.
Her staff slammed into his ribs, sending him skidding across the battlefield.
He hit the dirt, coughing, his body trembling from the sheer force of the impact.
She let him rise.
She was letting him try.
Blaze gritted his teeth, fury burning in his eyes. The flames at the tip of his wand roared to life, a swirling inferno forming between his paws. He poured every ounce of his strength into it, heat distorting the air around him.
With a defiant snarl, he launched the fireball.
It wasn't just fire.
It was laced with Psychic, the energy warping its path unpredictably, making it an attack that couldn't be easily dodged.
It should have worked.
But Luna was already moving.
She flipped—sideways this time, twisting in midair like a performer on a tightrope. The fireball barely grazed past her, scorching the ground where she'd stood an instant ago.
Blaze's eyes widened.
His attack had missed.
Luna landed smoothly, shifting into a rapid spin.
Her staff lashed out—
CRACK.
Another hit to his shoulder.
He stumbled.
Another—
This one caught his legs, ripping them out from under him.
He crashed into the dirt, hard.
The fight wasn't close.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't even a fight.
And I knew exactly who was taking this harder than anyone else.
I turned my head, eyes locking onto her.
Anna.
She was standing stiffly, her face frozen in an expression of barely concealed disbelief. Her hands were clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms so hard they had to be drawing blood.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
I smirked.
"You don't get it, do you?" I murmured, tilting my head slightly. "You're watching something impossible happen, aren't you?"
Anna's jaw tensed.
I chuckled.
"Oh, I know exactly what's running through that arrogant little brain of yours." I mimicked her inner thoughts with a mocking drawl. "How is he winning?" "He's just some rich, no-skilled punk." "I'm better than him."
Her eye twitched.
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice, making sure every word dug into her like a knife.
"But you're not, are you?"
Luna dodged another desperate psychic blast, vaulting over Blaze like he was nothing more than an obstacle in a choreographed routine.
"You thought this was your world," I continued. "You thought your tiny, insignificant shred of talent made you superior. That you could grind your way to the top. That alone would make you great."
Blaze roared, his wand igniting with an explosion of fire. He swung it wildly, sending flames everywhere, trying to turn the entire battlefield into an inferno.
It didn't matter.
Luna was untouchable.
She twisted, spun, flipped, her movements as fluid as a dancer's.
She didn't just evade his attacks.
She made it look easy.
And Anna hated it.
I could feel the rage boiling beneath her skin.
I smiled.
"You're nothing, Anna," I whispered, my voice venomous. "You were never special. You just thought you were. Because no one ever told you the truth."
Her breath hitched.
"Do you want to hear it?" I asked, my tone sickeningly sweet. "Do you want to hear what you really are?"
Luna's staff struck again.
Blaze hit the ground hard, his body barely responding.
I took a step forward, my voice dropping to something softer.
"Nothing."
The word hit her like a slap.
"You're nothing, Anna," I repeated, enjoying the way her expression cracked, the way her confidence crumbled under the weight of reality. "A pathetic little brat playing pretend, thinking she belongs on the same stage as the real titans of this world."
Luna walked forward, standing over Blaze's battered, barely-conscious form.
"You thought you were destined for greatness." I chuckled darkly. "You thought you had a chance, but that's the difference between you and I" I gestured toward the field showing the evidence for my claim "You cling to chances while I deal in certainty… you were never going to win. Because no matter how hard you try—"
Luna lifted her leg, slowly, deliberately.
"—you'll never beat me."
Anna's lips parted, but no words came out.
She had nothing left to say.
She knew I was right.
I smirked.
"That little sliver of talent you're so proud of?" I sneered. "It hasn't brought you to the top."
Luna's paw hovered over Blaze's face.
I adjusted my shades.
"No… you are where you—and so many others—will inevitably find yourselves."
Luna's foot came down.
"Beneath me."
SLAM.
The axe kick crushed Blaze's face into the dirt.
Silence.
The referee barely had time to react.
"Blaze is unable to battle."
Luna exhaled slowly, stepping back.
The fight was over.
I turned to Anna, watching the last flicker of defiance die in her eyes.
I smirked.
"Better luck next time."