The next 15 minutes passed in a blur. Alysa was nudged awake by Drayton, who informed her that they should be heading back to the entrance now. The next match was going to start soon, and her third one was set right after it.

Begrudgingly, she grabbed her bag and sat up from the table. Drayton took his jacket back and slipped it on. For a second, she wondered what it would feel like for her to wear, but kicked it out of her head in the next second. Who knows what people would think, if she was seen walking around with it on. They were getting stared at enough already...

They met back up with the others at the bleachers just as the current battle started. Carmine accompanied the group this time, but Alysa paid her no mind, though she did side-eye the taller girl when she stopped talking with Amarys just to sneer at Drayton. He sat down, shooting some casual remark Carmine's way that got her seething, and Alysa dropped herself down right next to him. Grogginess clung to her like a dense fog, and she took the time she had to attempt dispelling it.

The battle went too quick for her preference, but it was her turn to get back onto the court and fight for her place in the finals. Alysa taking her position was met with more cheers than she was expected, but of course, Crispin's put them all to shame.

The match went by without much issue. Her leads, Salamence and Clefairy, shut her opponent's down off the bat. Dragon Dance and Follow Me was a deadly combo that allowed her to KO both of the opposing pokemon, and Lulu soon fainted from a combination of attacks too strong for her to withstand. The first KO on her team the entire tournament, and it was her teammate who was supposed to take most of the hits and probably faint before anyone else.

Lulu was the only one of her pokemon who went down, by the battle's end. Thanks to her previous support, Sally overwhelmed her opponents with devasting speed and attacking power, landing Alysa a spot in the finals. After a trip to the center, she returned to sit by Drayton's side. His pleased look was one thing, but then Alysa felt an arm coming around her shoulder, and he pulling her into his side.

"You've been killing it. I'm pretty convinced you're gonna win this whole thing now."

Flustered, but not hating this, Alysa chose to jest with an unsteady voice. The sound of him from this close made the hairs on her neck rise.

"W-What? Were you doubting me?"

"Not doubt per se. It's more like I kept my mind open. Last time I checked, we had some hard hitters in the club. Guess that's not so much the case anymore, or you're just that good!"

She had to smile at his cheery look, how could she not? Alysa about snuggled into Drayton's side as much as she could without physically doing so, and observed the next three matches. They were very entertaining, but Alysa's eyes often wandered towards the silver-haired dragon boy. Her acute interest in him threw even her off; she couldn't think of a reason for why she was thinking about him instead winning this tournament.

Thankfully, Drayton was actually paying attention to the battles. However, either because it was mere chance or he could sense her stare, he did peek at her. She quickly faced straight, pretending like she hadn't been studying him like he was some kind of battle to piece together. Alysa heard him laugh, and her ears burned at knowing she didn't fool him. He did remove his arm from her, and she ignored how it left a vacant feeling.

When the sky was changing into an orange color and the announcer called she and her final opponent to the court, Alysa moved with more energy than she has all day. Naturally, she had all of the Elite Four in her corner, but Carmine joined Crispin and Lacey in clapping for her.

Across the court, a girl with long black hair twisted into twin braids stood assuredly, holding two pokeballs. She and Alysa sent out their leads, stirring the crowd to erupt.

Her Salamence growled in anticipation, glaring at the other pokemon like they were prey to be crushed. Mims hopped in place, squeaking enthusiastically from the charged atmosphere. Her opponent, Susan her name was, had selected two Steel-types to lead with: Corviknight and Lucario.

Susan mostly had the type advantage, but Alysa was sure she also knew that type matchups weren't everything.

"Heads wins the coin flip! Alysa's team gets to go first!"

This was ideal. She had a specific game plan in mind, so whatever opportunities her pokemon had to move, the better. She wanted to have her cloaked fairy take advantage of his ability before it was activated.

"Mims, Swords Dance! Sally, Dual Wingbeat the Lucario!"

The dragon snarled as she leaped into action, red wings ready to strike, while her much smaller teammate spun in a circle before posing with his extended arms.

"Corviknight, match the Salamence with Steel Wing! Lucario, Flash Cannon the Mimikyu."

The armored avian squawked, crashing against one of Sally's wings with a glowing one. However, Sally spun around, getting in the second hit of the attack and knocked it to the ground. Nearby, a bright blast was launched by the Lucario, as fast as a bullet. Mims' squeal was swallowed by the explosion, but Alysa knew he was unharmed. Losing Disguise this early was never preferred, but she would make it work.

These pokemon would not be easy to get past. Alysa hesitated for a moment, biting the nail of one of her thumbs.

Taking the chance, Susan leapt into action. "Lucario, Flash Cannon the Mimikyu again! Corviknight, Steel Wing it!"

Double targeting Mims? That honestly felt dramatic in Alysa's opinion, but then again, he has made quite the name for himself throughout this entire tournament. He single-handedly KO'ed three of Michael's pokemon in the very first match.

"Sally, Dragon Claw the Flash Cannon! Mims, dodge the Steel Wing and Shadow Claw the Corviknight!"

A pair of glowing claws from the Salamence were slashed at the incoming attack, deflecting it into the ground where it harmlessly detonated. Mims was more than nimble enough to evade the Corviknight, skittering underneath and countering with a slashing motion to its underside. It fell onto the ground with a screech.

"Oh, looks like Mimikyu's attack struck a weak point! Corviknight is feeling the pain!"

She winced. "Get up, Corviknight!"

"Sally, Mims! Dual Wingbeat and Shadow Claw the Lucario!"

With its partner temporarily down, Alysa figured there was a chance the Lucario could get knocked out this very turn. Susan was quick to react.

"Lucario, avoid them!"

The canine pokemon managed to jump and cause Sally's attack to miss, but Mims' hit his target. It flew backwards, but spun to right itself in the air, landing on its feet in a crouched stance. The knockout wasn't secured, but Sally missing Dual Wingbeat was in truth beneficial nonetheless. Already, Alysa could see her dragon's angered look.

The Corviknight got into its feet, and lifted itself into the air once more.

"Iron Head the Mimikyu!" Its trainer commanded, and it went into action. Alysa seized the opening.

"Fire Fang the Corviknight, Sally!"

Her mouth burst into flames as she soared, and brutally combed down onto the bird. It screeched, plummeting down onto the court's floor, and laid there. Alysa was sure a certain someone liked that-

"WOOHOO! GREAT MOVE ALYSA!"

She stifled her laughter from Crispin's loud cheer. Mhm, just as she thought.

"Corviknight has fainted to a powerful attack from Salamence! Alysa scores the first KO of the final!"

"You did well." Susan softly spoke to its pokeball after she recalled it. She grabbed her next choice with great confidence.

"Go, Sylveon!"

Emerging from the flash of light, fairy eeveelution stood next to its partner. Rather than feel nervous, eagerness swirled in Alysa's gut. Maybe her plan to guarantee win this thing would actually work out after all.

"Susan's next pokemon on the field is Sylveon! We've seen Alysa's fairies be dominant throughout the tournament, but will the tables now turn?"

"Use Calm Mind!" Susan ordered. Sylveon's eyes closed, and an orb of light manifested, breaking apart against its forehead.

"Mims, Play Rough the Sylveon! Sally, Dual Wingbeat the Lucario!"

"Dodge the Play Rough, Sylveon!" The fairy sprung away, leaving Mims to grab air. Sally's attacks hit the Lucario, but it wasn't enough to get it off balance.

"Hit the Salamence with Ice Punch!"

Alysa gasped. A paw surrounded by freezing power hit Sally square in the chest with supremely effective damage, sending her falling right to the ground. A gurgling noise bubbled from her throat, eyes in spirals.

"Salamence is down and out from Lucario's Ice Punch!"

That was unexpected, but she has gotten too far to lose her cool now. The blue dragon was sent back to its pokeball, where Alysa clasped it back to her belt, taking a second to affectionately pet it. She knew who to call out next.

Lulu did a little pose as she emerged, pointing up into the air, then spun around. The crowd collectively had mixed reactions, ranging from amused to incredulous.

"Here's Alysa's Clefairy, one of the toughest fairies out there with its Eviolite item!"

"So, you're saving your Hydreigon...?" Susan rhetorically asked, fists coming to rest on her hips. "I'm afraid that won't save you, in the end."

"Oh? We'll see about that." She calmly shot back.

"Hmph! Sylveon, use Hyper Voice!"

A piercing scream bellowed from the furry pink pokemon, pushing her fairies back. The attack affecting Mims clued Alysa into its user having Pixilate. Normally, a souped up blow like that would have KO'ed her already tired Mimikyu, but Friend Guard was in play this time. The protective glow around Mims nullified enough of the harm.

"Lucario, Flash Cannon the Clefairy!"

"Lulu, Helping Hand! Mims, Shadow Sneak on Lucario!"

In tandem, Lulu pointed at her teammate just as his shadow skated across the floor, uppercutting the Steel/Fighting type before it could get its move off. This time, it fell, and didn't rise again.

"Alysa's pokemon completely shut down Lucario's turn! What a knockout!"

These final turns are what mattered the most, and would determine just who was going to win. Just like how she knew with her own team, Alysa was aware of what her opponent had in the back. If she played her cards right...

"It's your time to shine, Farigiraf! We're going all out!"

Susan took out her Tera Orb, and flinched as sparkling rainbow light gathered within it. With a strong toss, it exploded over the tall pokemon's head and created crystals that clung to its form, before they were discarded. A crown depicting a roseate heart with white wings formed upon its head.

"Susan has terastalized her Farigriaf into a pure Fairy-type!"

'I can't let it get an attack off just yet.' The goal passed through Alysa's mind. Her only option was to not give it the chance to at all.

"Mims, Shadow Sneak the Farigriaf! Lulu, Helping Hand!"

"Use Protect, Farigiraf!"

A barrier manifested around it, and Mims' attack was stopped in its tracks.

"Hyper Voice, Sylveon!"

Having been run ragged by this state of the battle, Mims couldn't get up after Hyper Voice's inflicted damage, even with Friend Guard.

"Mimikyu could take no more! It has fainted!"

"Sorry, Mims. Take a rest." She whispered to the pokeball. Follow Me wouldn't have done anything there, but getting the Farigriaf to use Protect was exactly what Alysa wanted. She had a hunch Susan wouldn't want her ace to take a such a hit already. Despite getting put to her last two, her confidence was firing off on all cylinders. She took her final pokeball and threw it forwards.

Six black wings materialized and did a strong collective flap, dispersing the residue energy about its form. Seeing that he was on the battlefield once again, the normally jovial Rei released a mighty roar, putting his game face on.

"Alysa's final pokemon is of course her Hydreigon! This is the first time she has been put to her final two in the tournament! The stakes have never been higher!"

"Keep fighting Alysa! You got this in the bag!" Carmine shouted, and Alysa reflexively glanced behind her in shock. The girl was standing, hands clenched and yellow eyes full of sparks. Someone was amped up.

"A Dark/Dragon-type, against two Fairy-types...what a severe disadvantage for Alysa! However, she still has her own Tera Orb to use!"

She sure does. Alysa detached the iridescent object from her belt, and rolled it around in her fingers. A smile broke out on her face, and it only grew when she saw concern taint Susan's self-assured expression. She had never felt like such a genius before, over something kind of rudimentary – in her books. If it worked out here, she'll keep it in effect for the future.

Alysa squinted as power coalesced into her Tera Orb, but threw it to Rei's elevated position with steady aim. Just like with the Farigriaf, it broke apart as crystals encased his body. When they broke away, a crown depicting a white skull with purple crossbones shone vibrantly.

Susan's face dropped.

"Alysa has terastalized her Hydreigon into...a pure Poison-type! Its grave weakness to Fairy attacks have not only been canceled, but reversed! Additionally, Hydreigon's Levitate ability pairs with the Poison typing very well! What a brilliant choice!"

She did think about changing his Tera Type to Steel, but Rei would've still had a weakness to Fighting then. Poison seemed like the best choice, removing all of his natural weakness, and even being solely weak to Psychic didn't matter all that much because Rei is still a Dark-type at his core. Farigriaf's Psychic moves were dangerous, but when her main offensive partner was threatened, Lulu's exact purpose was to give support. She always paired so well with all other members of her team because of that.

"Hehe...!" Alysa pressed some fingers against her lips, reeling in her enthusiasm. She had to keep her cool, even if she knew she had the high ground.

"Lulu, Follow Me! Rei, Nasty Plot!" It was time to go for game.

While the Clefairy pointed a finger into the air, Rei's two secondary heads snapped at the air. The sharp teeth of his primary head gnashed as he closed his eyes and growl-laughed to himself, with a black sparks jolting off his frame accompanying it.

"As if it wasn't bad enough for Susan, the special attacking power of Alysa's Hydreigon has increased!"

"Good grief...! Farigiraf, Psyshock! Sylveon, Moonblast!"

Her opponent wanted Lulu gone right away to get rid of the Follow Me support, but unfortunately for her, the fairy had already done her job. The attacks went her way, and definitely hit hard, but she still had more than enough energy to keep going.

Lulu held firm, flexing her arms in her proud way of flaunting.

"Rei, Tera Blast on Sylveon!"

He roared, Tera Jewel ejecting glops of poison that disappeared into the air. His three pairs of eyes glowed an intense purple. Underneath his target, the ground turned a matching purple, dissolving into a viscous material that bubbled. Susan took a step forward.

"No, Sylveon! Get out of there!"

It chirped fearfully, but struggled to move from its paws getting stuck in the warped flooring. Its next sound was cut off by the purple mass suddenly rising up to swallow the fairy whole, then exploding into a ferocious shower of violet sparkles. The force of it whipped through the air.

When the chaos settled, Sylveon was lying limp and unconscious.

"KO'ed in a single hit! Hydreigon's super effective Tera Blast boosted by its earlier Nasty Plot, and its Expert Belt hold item, was far too much for Sylveon to withstand!"

It was recalled, and Susan's earlier cockiness was wiped clean. There was still defiance there, but with the current board state vastly in Alysa's favor, this was checkmate.

"Farigiraf, Psyshock the Hydreigon!"

"Lulu, Follow Me! Rei, Tera Blast!"

The redirection spared Rei from risking any damage or a potential critical hit. The Farigiraf was engulfed by the crystalline poison just like its partner, and the resulting blast revealed the same result. Fainted, the pokemon's Tera Jewel shattered, the power of the phenomenon leaving its form.

"It's all over! The winner of this finals match, and of the entire ladder tournament, is Rank #53, Alysa! Such an exceptional showing of battling prowess that you can only find in our League Club, even from a recent recruit!"

The instant its pokeball pulled Farigiraf back into it, and the Terastal effect crumbled from Rei's body, multiple students cheered loudly. It served as the reminder she needed that the battle was over. The entire tourney was over now. And, there she was, standing on the court as the victor. Allowed to figuratively deflate, Alysa did a through survey of the area for the first time since the very beginning.

Cheering students were one thing, but there was some faculty present as well, giving her applause. All she could muster was a stare full of wonder, but she was pulled back by her pokemon approaching her. Rei's earlier intensity was like a memory, as the gentle giant who nuzzled his snout into her palm was not at all like the snarling beast before. Lulu gripped the cuff of her socks, staring up in an excited, childlike fashion.

"Very well done, both of you." Loving rubs were dealt to their heads. Advancing footstep sounds drew her head upwards, to see the announcer heading her way with a student clothed in the League Club uniform carrying a medium-sized box. Alysa recalled her pokemon and fastened them back onto her belt.

"Congratulations, Alysa! You've earned yourself a gold medal, a box of wonderful items, and one thousand BP deposited into your account!"

The woman stretched out the fabric loop of the medal to slip it over and down her poofy mane. The student presented the box to her, and she accepted it with sweaty palms. She still couldn't fully grasp that she actually did win. For a second, Alysa was worried that the lady was going to ask her for a speech, but it thankfully didn't come to pass.

"This concludes our ladder tournament! Please stay tuned for the announcement of our next one, and to all our club members: keep training!"

At that, the bleachers were slowly vacated. She was stiff, continuing to stand and stare down at the box in her hands, until familiar voices chased away the stupor.

"I knew you'd win Alysa! Your fire was too strong to put out!" Crispin was the first to reach her. Lacey, Drayton, Amarys, and Carmine were close behind.

"I concur. Your method of battling emits great pressure. I see many of our club members have little experience with such a playstyle." Amarys' eyes flashed as she looked towards where some of the other tournament participants were gathered, talking amongst one another.

"It's all thanks to my Clefairy, honestly." Growing hot at the continued praise, Alysa shifted the box in her hold so she could wipe her palms against her shorts. "She helps my other pokemon power up without much risk, so they can overwhelm their opponents. It's a basic strategy but, it works..."

"It works very well! Especially because the little one is so strong in her own right!" Lacey smiled brightly. "Basic or not, it's your own talents as a trainer that allow any strategy to thrive. Our club members could learn something from you."

"I just have to agree! Who knew a bright gem like you was hidden in my academy's numbers?"

A voice that was foreign to her spoke up. Alysa turned to see a man clothed in a white suit with black, red, and blue accents grinning down at her.

"Ah, Director! Were you watching too?" Lacey covered her mouth in surprise. Alysa didn't initially react, until it clicked as to what Lacey meant by calling him "director". This guy had to have been Cyrano.

"Of course! I always try to peek at what good battles your club can whip up. I'm especially glad I chose to tune into this tourney here!"

Cyrano tipped his hat. "If you keep at a win rate like this Alysa, you may very well stand a chance against the club's champion!"

The champion...Kieran, naturally. She's never seen him battle and didn't even know what pokemon he had, but he holding the title must have meant something. Alysa believed herself to be a good enough trainer, and her pokemon to each be stunning with their respective strengths, but to aim for the top of the pyramid?

She didn't know about that.

"Erm, thanks, sir." She accepted the compliment either way.

Amarys had asked the director something, getting his attention away from her, while Lacey and Crispin started conversing. The entrance was almost entirely vacant now, the loudest sound being the wind blowing through.

Finally, it was over. The rewards were nice, but she'd admire the medal and box of goodies later. Alysa could hear her dorm room's bed calling to her from here.

As if he sensed her weariness, Drayton approached with her bag slung over one of his shoulders. He cooly offered it to her.

She muttered her gratitude, slipping the box into the sack so she wouldn't have to carry it separately. She pulled one of its straps on, breathing a sigh that she wasn't aware of; but it was as clear as day to him.

"Want me to walk with you to the center?" He asked, and one thin eyebrow quirked. "Help keep you awake, maybe."

Did she look that tired? She was, but she needed to get better at not looking so...obvious. Nonetheless she nodded, finding his extended company very appealing.

Together, they re-entered the underwater school's interior. Drayton matched her stride and made no attempt at small talk, which she was thankful for since she just didn't have the energy for it. Maybe he picked up on that. Regardless, the atmosphere around them was plenty full without it. It was even comfortable.

There was one self-serve healing machine luckily free when they reached the medical compartment, and Drayton lingered behind while she waited the minute or two it took to complete. At the signal of the chime, Alysa removed her pokeballs to place back onto her holster, then turned towards Drayton. He was calmly waving at a group of girls loitering across the room, many of them giggling as they bashfully hid their faces.

Hm. That's right, Drayton was a fan favorite in the school. Ironically, Alysa had forgotten all about that. She was overall numb to the attention he was getting, but there was something about how the girls were looking at him that...struck a nerve...

She stepped towards him, getting his attention. "All done?"

"Mhm." She hummed. Her first instinct was to grab one of his hands, but she ignored it. Alysa started to walk out, and taking the cue, Drayton followed. They passed by more student in the halls who reacted to Drayton's presence, but Alysa did notice she was attracting a surplus of stares as well. As to be expected, but she would frankly like to not think about the general impact of she winning the tournament today.

The door of her dormitory was a beloved sight. She pulled her Key Card out from her pocket to swipe across the glowing panel, and promptly turned the handle to open it at the sound of the beep.

Drayton paused just outside of the room to observe her dropping her bag by the door for a moment, leaning against its frame.

"So. 'Lys."

"Hm?" She didn't look up while she slipped her medal off to place on her counter.

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

This halted her. She stared at nothing for a split second before facing him, surprised. Drayton's expression wasn't anything but inquisitive.

"Just homework. And studying." Sunday meant no classes, but she couldn't shirk what needed to be done.

"Heheh." He smirked. "Boring plans, then."

She huffed, suddenly feeling a spark of boldness. He was asking about her plans for a reason, she surmised.

"Did you have something more engaging in mind?"

"Yep. How about you come chill in the Polar Biome with me? At least for a while."

That, was...not what she thought he'd say. And it honestly astonished her. Despite the merry light to it, his expression showed no signs of trickery, like he was joking. She needed just a little bit more to go off of, still.

"Um, is there any reason why you want me to?"

"Nothing too special. I just...want to spend more time with you." The purple-marked puff of hair swayed with his head angling downwards, as if he was feeling...meek? The ever relaxed and indifferent Drayton, feel any amount of shyness? She for sure had to be seeing things.

But her ears couldn't have been mistaken. Time with HER?

"I've been familiar with you for a while, but I don't actually know too much about you. I'm interested in changing that. If you'll let me, of course."

Ok. She'd have to be flat out dumb to deny his obvious interest in her now. He wasn't making any attempt to hide it. Furthermore, the fact he wasn't expecting her to agree with his request or go along with his curiosity added much more on top of his words.

She couldn't find it without herself to deny him. She didn't even want to anyway!

"Sure. I'd...I'd love that. I've been..." There was that shyness of hers, coming back like it never left. If Drayton was feeling a little unsure of herself, Alysa must've been the poster girl of insecurity, with how she started to fuss with her fingers.

"I've been wanting to know you better too." Finally acknowledging that desire she's experienced on and off was energizing.

"Heh...great!" She was trusting her eyes more now, so the red color that claimed the fair skin of Drayton's face must have been real.

"That's great to hear! Does noon sound good, for a meet up time?"

"Yes." She would be thinking non-stop about him until that point tomorrow, but that was ok.

"Cool. I'll head to the Polar Plaza around then." He got off of the doorframe to stand straighter, and did a good stretch of his arms. It was an endearing sight.

"Be sure to bundle up! Wear that cute parka of yours." White teeth flashed with his grin. Drayton turned to walk out, pulling the door closed behind him.

"See you later."

The click of the door sent her suppressed emotions flowing in a cascade. Alysa did a little hop in place, hands flying to her mouth. To think Drayton was curious enough that he wanted to be around her more, talk to her more...she's never experienced anything like it. Giddiness was almost making her dizzy. When she dressed down into her would-be pjs to get comfortable, she had to sit down to steady herself.

Like he sensed his trainer's internal frenzy, Tari popped out of his pokeball. He trilled in confusion, watching her smile widely at nothing. Alysa only noticed the Altaria was present when he walked over to her legs.

"Hey, boy." She pet his back. "Don't mind me. Drayton asked me to hang out with him tomorrow; just trying to reign myself in."

It's best she got all of this out now, so she could have some composure going into their meet up. Granted, the horribly cold temperatures of the biome would for sure sap out her jitters, but still!

Alysa danced around her kitchen area, gathering a pack of instant noodles and a pot of water for a very simple dinner. All the while, Tari watched her intently, bemusement bringing on a humming session.

He hasn't seen her stoked over something like this in years.