JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Oh yeah an Index will be up eventually for sure. But was specifically referencing the reviewer who mentioned the named Pokemon.
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Pokemon Dark Tidings
- Thread starter JollyHippopotamus
- Start date
Oh yeah an Index will be up eventually for sure. But was specifically referencing the reviewer who mentioned the named Pokemon.
OlliieZ
Making the rounds.
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Regarding MC's needed support Pokemon: he still needs a teleporter, a healer, a decent flying mount with type affinity, and a water mount.
A pity there is no Ghost or Dark Pokemon that can learn Teleport. My solution would be for a Porygon to always be within MC's Pokedex/Phone, and to use it as his Teleporter when needed.
For the healer MC can buy a Chansey for his stable. Or even abuse his knowledge of Clefable at Mt. Moon (they can be used as teleporters as well). But I don't see neither of them to be used at the main team. At worst, he can rely on Wish+Heal Bell Umbreon as his main combat-healer.
Possible flying mounts: Honchcrow, Mandibuzz, Bombardier and even Golurk (the one who looks the coolest)! Though MC only has access to Honchcrow for the moment, even though they should be too small for it, and that his role can be taken over later by Hydreigon and/or Dragapult, so it might not be very wise speding that much time on Murkrow/Honchcrow.
For water mount, the ideal would be Sharpedo, Basculegion and even Gyarados (with their Dark-type Mega). Though if I remember right, Dragapult are the ghost of a prehistoric aquatic Pokémon, so they might be able to take on the role of water mount.
A pity there is no Ghost or Dark Pokemon that can learn Teleport. My solution would be for a Porygon to always be within MC's Pokedex/Phone, and to use it as his Teleporter when needed.
For the healer MC can buy a Chansey for his stable. Or even abuse his knowledge of Clefable at Mt. Moon (they can be used as teleporters as well). But I don't see neither of them to be used at the main team. At worst, he can rely on Wish+Heal Bell Umbreon as his main combat-healer.
Possible flying mounts: Honchcrow, Mandibuzz, Bombardier and even Golurk (the one who looks the coolest)! Though MC only has access to Honchcrow for the moment, even though they should be too small for it, and that his role can be taken over later by Hydreigon and/or Dragapult, so it might not be very wise speding that much time on Murkrow/Honchcrow.
For water mount, the ideal would be Sharpedo, Basculegion and even Gyarados (with their Dark-type Mega). Though if I remember right, Dragapult are the ghost of a prehistoric aquatic Pokémon, so they might be able to take on the role of water mount.
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Chapter 9: D-D-Duel!
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Here's chapter 9: D-D-Duel!
A winner again on Patron, seems people really want to see Ezra vs Karen!
Or just to see him absolutely frustrate the crap out of her, could be some of that too.
And we once again will get actual Pokemon battles in this Pokemon story! Just in time for me to skip them for another chapter or two, maybe.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Johto,
The sun hung high over the Battle Tower's front lawn, casting bright rays across the rows of makeshift battle arenas. Ezra stood confidently on his side of the field, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, excited to see the first match of the tournament begin. He could feel their energy humming through the air like an electric current.
With both himself, a League winner - even if most here had hardly even heard of the Orange League - and Karen, the apprentice of an Elite Four, there was an amazing buzz going through the tournament at the moment.
Across from him, his opponent was a bug type specialist, sporting a cocky grin and holding three badges pinned to his vest as a show of pride. Ezra noted the badges - Violet City's Zephyr Badge, Azalea Town's Hive Badge, and Goldenrod City's Plain Badge. Not too shabby, at least compared to his last tournament. The bug trainer (who's name he'd already forgotten - because really, bugs?) already had his first Pokeball in hand, eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
Karen, sitting in the stands with her arms crossed, watched Ezra with a dark expression. Her eyes were locked on him, her jaw tight. She wasn't hiding her annoyance, not after the morning's embarrassing encounter. Ezra spotted her in the crowd and couldn't resist the opportunity. With a mischievous grin, he blew her a playful kiss, causing a few spectators around her to chuckle. Karen's glare only intensified, her hands balling into fists.
She was really making it all too easy for Ezra. She was wound up way too tightly, especially for someone in her position. Although he supposed she had a lot of growing up to do still before she took over one of the Elite Four slots.
The referee called a start to the match, Ezra just cooly watching his opponent, fingers stroking one of his Pokeballs.
"Ready, Ezra?" the bug trainer called, not waiting for an answer before he began anyway, "Alright, let's see what you've got. Go, Scyther!" the bug trainer shouted, tossing his first Pokeball onto the field.
With a flash of light, a Scyther appeared, its twin scythes gleaming under the sun. It sliced the air with a few practice swings, showing off its speed and sharpness. Ezra considered his options. He knew bug types had an advantage over dark, but he felt Alduin could handle himself fairly well if needed, but that didn't mean he couldn't use Morrigan first to his advantage, softening the enemy up a little.
Bugs might be dangerous for his little dark dragon, but against his ghostly dragon, they would fall. He tilted his head idly, watching the Scyther, a thought coming to him. Perhaps he could do Brock a favor and get him a Kleavor? He would have to source some black augurite, but it shouldn't be impossible. Another one to add to the list for his Pokemon breeder farm. Brock would get it for free, of course - he'd stood up to an Elite Four for him, a completely new bug/rock evolution was a nice enough thanks.
"Let's start with you, Morrigan," Ezra called, releasing his Dreepy onto the field. Morrigan hovered slightly above the ground, her spectral form shimmering in the sunlight, her eyes sharp and focused.
The crowd murmured in surprise, all of them unfamiliar with the unique form of a Dreepy. "What's that?" One of the spectators called out. "Looks like some kind of ghost type…"
Karen leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite herself. Morrigan, eh? So he's the kind of loser who names his Pokemon? Tch… So this new type is what he's been hiding…
"Scyther, Quick Attack into X-Scissor!" the bug trainer ordered. Scyther moved with blinding speed, becoming a blur of green and silver as it closed the gap between them in an instant.
"Morrigan, use Quick Attack to dodge, Confuse Ray on your previous location!" Ezra commanded calmly. Just as Scyther was about to strike, Morrigan disappeared in a blur as well due to her Quick Attack, before reappearing, curled up and chirping as she fired a Confuse Ray that hit Scyther even as his trainer shouted for it to dodge.
Unfortunately for Ezra, the Confuse Ray didn't seem to stick very well, the Scyther shaking it off to the cheers of the bug trainer.
"Nice try, but that won't stop us! Scyther, Fury Cutter, watch out for Quick Attacks!" The bug trainer clenched his fist in excitement as Scyther threw itself forward, slashing at Morrigan.
"Tank it and Bite." Ezra ordered, not overly worried, the bug move wouldn't be super effective and he believed Morrigan would do more damage back with the Scyther within reach.
The Scyther slashed at Morrigan, while Morrigan gathered the dark energy necessary, her small jaw gleaming as she sinuously stretched around the strikes to Bite Scyther's left shoulder, something giving away with a loud crackling crunch.
The Scyther let out a cry, backpedaling even as his trainer shouted worriedly, Morrigan barely damaged from the Scyther's strikes. Ezra also knew that with Morrigan having the ability cursed body, there was even a chance the Scyther's attack would have disabled Fury Cutter going forward. Not that it would matter.
Ezra didn't flinch at the Pokemon's cry. He was already moving ahead with the next move. "Morrigan, use Dragon Tail!"
Morrigan darted forward with surprising speed, her tail glowing with a brilliant draconic energy. Scyther barely had time to react before Morrigan's tail slammed into its chest, sending it skidding back across the field, tumbling uncontrollably, fainted already. The trainer immediately called Scyther back to its Pokeball, looking like he was caught off guard, fumbling to grab his next one.
Unlike Alduin, Morrigan had immediately taken to draconic attacks, especially Dragon Tail, likely because Morrigan was practically all tail to begin with.
"What the - ? Fine, let's go, Butterfree!" The bug trainer shouted, tossing out his second Pokeball.
Butterfree appeared in a burst of light, fluttering above the field with its wings glistening in the sun. It let out a soft, melodic cry, ready to fight.
"Morrigan, switch out!" Ezra called, recalling Dreepy and immediately throwing out his next choice. "Alduin, it's your turn!"
Alduin would be harmed easier by bug type moves which is why he hadn't started with him, but Butterfree was mainly useful for two things, status moves, and psychic moves. Psychic moves would be useless, and Alduin was agile and quick enough to hopefully not run into problems - he needed the experience anyway.
Deino burst onto the field, a fierce growl escaping its lips as it bared its teeth, eager for the fight. The crowd cheered at the sight of another Pokemon they'd never seen before. It was really throwing the announcer off, a guy Ezra barely paid attention to, other then to note with amusement his confusion about Ezra's Pokemon.
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" The bug trainer ordered quickly, predictably, trying to regain control of the match. Butterfree's wings began to flutter rapidly, releasing a shimmering cloud of powder that drifted towards Alduin.
"Counter it with Dragon Breath!" Ezra said lazily. Alduin inhaled deeply and released a focused burst of blue, fiery energy from its mouth. The blast cut through the air, dispersing the cloud of Sleep Powder and striking Butterfree head on. Butterfree screeched as the Dragon Breath hit, sending it spinning through the air.
Alduin wasn't the greatest with his control of the draconic energy yet however, so it neither took the Butterfree out, nor fully dispersed the cloud, due to being a more focused weaker beam, which meant the Sleep Powder would be slowly drifting down shortly, spread out, instead of concentrated, but still a concern.
"Butterfree, into the air, Sleep Powder again! Fill the field!" The bug trainer yelled out.
"Scary Face, Bite!" Ezra continued without missing a beat. Alduin used Scary Face, making the Butterfree stagger slightly, slowed down in its ascent, before he charged forward leaping into the air. He clamped his jaws down on Butterfree's wing, dragging the bug-type down to the ground with a solid thud.
The crowd gasped, impressed by the ferocity of the attack. Butterfree struggled, its wings fluttering weakly as it tried to break free.
"Come on, Butterfree, use Confusion!" The bug trainer called desperately. Butterfree's eyes glowed with a psychic energy. But the dragon/dark Pokemon held firm, its jaws locked tightly around Butterfree's wing, a psychic move wasn't going to be enough, especially with the dark energy suffusing Butterfrees wound.
"Alduin, finish it with Bite!" Ezra commanded. Alduin released the Butterfree just long enough to unleash another powerful bite around its face. Butterfree let out a pained cry before collapsing to the ground, fainted. Ezra couldn't help but shake his head, the kid should have recalled his Pokemon when it was caught.
Well, not that he overly cared anyway.
The referee raised a flag, as the announcer called out, in an overly hyped way, "Butterfree is unable to battle! Is there no end to the surprises Ezra Kassian will bring us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, some of them shouting in excitement due to the new Pokemon. Ezra could hear a few voices in the stands calling out in surprise at how quickly the battle was turning in his favor. He was still badgeless after all.
Ezra clicked his tongue, like badges are a true measure…
Karen watched with narrowed eyes, her expression a mix of frustration and begrudging respect. The kid's not bad… but I've seen better. This doesn't change anything. Her eyes were fixated on the Pokemon he had on the field however. She could recognize a dark type when she saw it. She wanted one.
The bug trainer gritted his teeth, recalling Butterfree and quickly sending out his final Pokemon - luckily the waste of time had blown away most of the sleep powder, although Alduin was still clearly affected. "Beedrill, I choose you!" The bee-like bug type zipped onto the field, its twin stingers ready and gleaming, buzzing angrily as it took flight.
Ezra decided it was time to switch tactics again, Alduin would be sluggish anyway. "Alduin, come back. Morrigan, you're up again!"
Morrigan reappeared on the field, her ghostly form flickering as she floated above the ground, her eyes locked onto Beedrill immediately, an absolutely delighted thrill erupting from her at the sight of another enemy.
"Beedrill, use Fury Cutter then Poison Sting when you disengage!" The bug trainer shouted. Beedrill darted forward, its stingers glinting in the light as it thrust them towards Morrigan with deadly precision.
"Quick Attack behind and use Confuse Ray!" Ezra countered. Morrigan seemed to almost phase out of existence for a split second, avoiding the attack entirely, then reappearing in a Quick Attack behind Beedrill, her eyes glowing with a sinister light. A burst of ghostly energy shot out from her eyes, enveloping Beedrill and causing it to wobble in mid-air, its movements erratic and uncoordinated as it got confused.
"Beedrill, snap out of it! Poison sting! Now!" The bug trainer yelled, frustration clear in his voice. Ezra thought he needed to be quicker to immediately counter his own orders, something he'd found a lot so far. People weren't quick on giving up on what they'd already ordered. They needed to be more willing to drop an already failed strategy to adapt to a changed circumstance.
Well, something to work on when he had brats sniveling all across his hall when he was a gym leader…
"Let's finish this, Morrigan. Use Dragon Tail again!" Ezra ordered calmly, the fight already over. Morrigan darted forward, her tail glowing brightly as she slammed into Beedrill, sending it crashing into the ground with a loud thud. Beedrill buzzed weakly, trying to rise, but it was clear it was too exhausted to continue, and eventually it just put its head down.
The referee raised the flag again, the announcer screaming into a microphone, "Beedrill is unable to battle! The winner is Ezra Kassian, the Orange League champion moves on!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, a wave of excitement rippling through the stands. Ezra stood tall, a satisfied smile on his face as he recalled Morrigan back to her Pokeball. He glanced up at the stands, catching Karen's eye once more. He blew her another playful kiss, his grin widening as he saw her eyes narrow in annoyance.
In the stands, Karen folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, her expression dark but still remaining composed. "You got lucky this time facing a bug loser, Kassian. Don't get too cocky," She muttered under her breath. But despite her irritation, she couldn't deny that he had handled the battle decently for a rookie. There was more to him than she initially thought - he was still no match for her, though.
She couldn't wait to beat some respect into his face.
Although… Those new Pokemon… Her eyes narrowed as she stood up, exiting the stands. As annoying as it is, Lady Agatha will rip me a new one if I don't find out what they were.
Minutes later,
Ezra moved briskly through the winding paths behind the stands, his mind buzzing with the adrenaline rush of his recent victory. The air was thick with the excitement of the crowds and the mingling scents of freshly popped corn and spicy skewers, filling his nostrils as he navigated past food stalls and vendor carts. The sun beat down harshly on them, but the shadows cast by the stands offered a bit of a reprieve where he was. His stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn't eaten for a while.
"Guess it's time for some refreshments," Ezra muttered to himself. He could still hear the roars of the crowd, the battles continuing on the field, but he allowed himself this brief moment to unwind. Winning the first round felt good, and seeing Karen fuming in the stands was a bonus he hadn't anticipated but relished nonetheless.
As he approached a small, less crowded corner near the back of the stands where a drink stall stood, a familiar, sharp voice cut through the din, stopping him in his tracks.
"Ezra Kassian! You have some explaining to do!" Karen's voice was tight, a mix of anger and frustration. She stepped out from the shadows of the stand's support beams, her expression a stormy mix of determination and annoyance.
Ezra turned slowly, a deliberate, amused smirk playing on his lips. "Karen," He greeted, feigning surprise. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Karen stormed up to him, her face flushed with either anger or the heat - or maybe a bit of both. "Don't play dumb with me! I want to know what the hell kind of Ghost Pokemon that was. And that Dark Pokemon! And why could they use a Dragon type move?"
Ezra's smirk widened into a sly grin as he raised an eyebrow. "Dragon type move? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about." He said with a casual shrug, deliberately keeping his tone light and dismissive. "You must be mistaken."
A more fun way, in his opinion - to say none of your business.
Karen's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "Don't lie to me, you brat! I know what I saw. Your Pokemon used Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath! They're obviously a Ghost and a Dark Pokemon, how did you teach them Dragon moves?"
Heh, apparently it's still too unbelievable to believe they could possibly be a dragon and a ghost/dark Pokemon. Ezra thought, deciding there was no point in satisfying her demands.
"Oh, that," Ezra said nonchalantly, waving a hand as if brushing away a fly. "Must have been your imagination. Morrigan and Alduin are just regular Ghost and Dark Pokemon, nothing special about them, perhaps you're suffering from heatstroke?"
Karen's fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. "I'm not stupid, Kassian. I know what I saw, stop hiding it. Stop messing with me!"
Ezra put on an expression of mock innocence, placing a hand on his chest. "Me? Messing with you? Hiding something? I would never!" He looked at her with wide, exaggerated eyes. "I'm an open book, Karen. Really, you should learn to trust people more." He leaned forward, as if to share a secret, "You keep frowning like that you'll get wrinkles."
Karen's face was starting to turn a deeper shade of red, her frustration clearly mounting. "You're infuriating!" She spat, stepping closer to him. "I won't let you mess with me like this. I'm going to figure out what you're hiding, one way or another. There's no way you got two new Pokemon like that, I'll find out who's backing you, you insufferable brat!"
Ezra chuckled softly, taking a step back to keep a polite distance. "Hey, your face is getting awfully red. You sure you're okay? Let me buy you a drink to cool down. I'm a nice guy like that, after all."
Before she could protest, Ezra turned to the drink stall, ordering two cold lemonades. The vendor handed them over with a cheerful smile, somehow unaware of the tension in the air. Ezra turned back to Karen, holding out one of the cups. "Here, drink up. It's on me."
Karen snatched the cup from his hand, her eyes never leaving his face. "You're trying to make me lose my cool, aren't you? That's your strategy. You don't think you can beat me, so you're trying to set me off, make me make mistakes."
Ezra took a slow sip of his drink, his smile never fading. "If you say so," He replied, his tone deliberately casual, almost indifferent.
Karen's eyes narrowed further, her suspicion growing. "You won't fool me, Kassian. This is all an act. You're trying to wind me up."
Ezra raised his eyebrows slightly, his smile widening just a fraction. "I'm sure you're right," He said, his voice smooth and agreeable. "You seem to have everything figured out, Karen."
Karen's face twitched with irritation, her fists clenched tighter. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she hated that he was getting under her skin so easily. But she refused to let him see just how much he was affecting her any longer, she was better than this. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to regain some semblance of control. "I'm not going to fall for your mind games, Kassian. You can't get to me that easily."
Ezra just nodded, taking another sip of his drink. "Of course not. I wouldn't dream of it."
The nonchalant response only made Karen's anger flare hotter. She growled low in her throat, feeling her composure slipping. She hated how he seemed to be enjoying this, how he was so calm and collected while she was seething inside. She forcibly calmed herself down, refusing to show her frustration any further.
She was sure now, he was scared of her battle prowess, and he was trying to force her into making mistakes in anger later.
Ezra watched her with calm amusement, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying every moment of it. Karen was so easy to provoke, her reactions so predictable. It was almost too easy to mess with her.
Karen finally let out a frustrated huff, turning on her heel to leave. "Fine! Play your little games. But this isn't over, Kassian. I'll find out what you're hiding, and when I do, you'll regret it."
Ezra gave her a little wave as she stormed off, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Looking forward to it," He called after her, watching as she disappeared into the crowd.
He turned back to the drink stall, taking another sip of his lemonade. "What an interesting girl," He muttered to himself, shaking his head. "So easy to rile up. She's practically doing half the work for me." How she ever got to become Agatha's apprentice of all people I can't understand.
As he stood there, enjoying his drink and the brief respite from the tournament, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deeper satisfaction with how things were progressing. He knew he was getting under Karen's skin, and that was exactly what he wanted. She was clearly on edge, and if he could keep her off-balance, it would make things much easier when they eventually faced off in battle.
Her knowing that was what he was doing wouldn't change that - her temper had too much of a hair trigger for her to control yet. She wasn't an Elite Four, and was years away from that version of her. If anything he was helping her by making her see her own flaws so early.
That was his story, and he was sticking to it.
He leaned back against the stand, watching the crowd bustle around him. The atmosphere was electric, the excitement of the tournament clear in the very air as the crowd constantly cheered. Trainers and spectators moved through the area, their voices a constant hum of chatter and laughter. Ezra took it all in, enjoying the moment of calm before the storm. He wouldn't have his next match for hours yet, and then the next two the next day, saving the semi-final and the final for the third day.
He glanced over to where Karen had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face. She was a tough one, no doubt about that. But he wasn't worried. He knew how to handle people like her. All it took was a little patience, a little strategy, and a lot of bullshitting.
And Ezra had all three in spades.
With a final sip of his drink, he pushed off the stand and made his way back towards the tournament grounds. There were still more battles to see, more challenges for Morrigan and Alduin to test their teeth on. And he was ready for all of them.
Victory would taste all the sweeter this time around thanks to Karen…
Final day of the tournament.
Ezra sat in the stands, eyes narrowed in concentration as he watched the battles below unfold. It was the third day of the tournament, and he'd managed to crush his way through to the finals with relative ease, mostly relying on Morrigan and Alduin. Cheshire had come out a few times, but more as a show to keep his opponents guessing rather than out of necessity. He'd observed Karen's battles when he could, finding her strategic ruthlessness to be both impressive and disappointing in turn - she was also mired in the proper way of doing things, despite being a dark Pokemon trainer. Though she had not openly acknowledged him since their last heated encounter, he could feel the tension between them simmering every time they crossed paths.
For some reason the girl really didn't like him. And he'd been so kind too…
Karen had made it to the semifinals without much difficulty. Her style was sharp and unforgiving, much like a honed blade. She had cut through her competition with a mix of cunning and overwhelming force, mostly the latter if he was honest. He knew she was a favorite to win - as an apprentice to the Elite Four, she was a cut above the rest of the competition.
He just couldn't beat back the slight feeling of disappointment. She wasn't an Elite Four, sure, and wouldn't be for a long while yet. But he'd somehow expected more. She was definitely vicious, cunning and had the fundamentals down to a tee. What she wasn't, was creative.
Everything she was doing, he'd already seen or thought of, there were no surprises. He was hoping it was a case of her taking it easy on the scrubs, or their fight would be a cakewalk.
Especially with his cheaty aura which he already knew affected even trainers Dark Pokemon.
Ezra had spent much of his time outside the tournament training in the forests around the Battle Tower, honing his skills and preparing his team for the final match. He hadn't been keeping up with the other competitors much, figuring that Karen would handle them easily enough. But as the announcer's voice boomed through the arena, he leaned forward with interest. The day's final semifinal match was about to begin, and Karen would be facing Shae, the punkish girl he'd met before.
He hadn't even realized she was here.
The sight of her made him narrow his eyes in thought. Shae. He hadn't expected to see her again, especially not in the semifinals of this tournament. She must have been doing well to make it this far - and she hadn't approached him, despite likely having seen him battling... Did that make her more suspicious or less? He watched her stroll onto the field opposite Karen, her leather jacket and spiked choker standing out amongst the competition. Her expression was calm, almost bored, but even from his position, Ezra could see the intensity behind her eyes. She had a way of hiding her seriousness behind that nonchalant exterior, much like himself.
Albeit he tended to go from nonchalant to asshole from one second to the next.
Karen, on the other hand, looked as fierce and determined as ever. Her silvery blue hair fell around down her back in waves, and her eyes were sharp, focused. She was a striking contrast to Shae's more rebellious look - poised, with an air of authority. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, the chatter growing louder as they watched, eager for what would likely be an excellent fight.
Ezra leaned forward in his seat, his interest piqued. This might be the first match where Karen would actually have to break a sweat. He wanted to see how Shae would handle herself against someone of Karen's caliber too. The announcer's voice rang out again, signaling the start of the battle.
"This will be a three-on-three match! Trainers, send out your first Pokemon!" The normal statement was immediately followed by the man making a dramatic sweeping motion, almost swallowing the microphone as he yelled out, "Will this rebellious punk throw down the princess of the dark! Let's find out!"
Not surprisingly, both Shae and Karen threw him disgusted looks, before focusing back on each other.
Karen wasted no time after that. She threw her Pokeball into the air with a confident flick of her wrist. "Honchkrow, let's go!"
In a flash of light, her Honchkrow appeared on the field, its glossy feathers shimmering under the bright stadium lights. It cawed loudly, its red eyes fixed on Shae with a predatory gleam.
Shae smirked and sent out her own Pokemon. "Envy, it's your turn!"
Her Koffing materialized, hovering in the air with its usual toxic fumes slowly seeping out. The gas cloud seemed thicker this time, almost as if Shae had been preparing it for something special. Training him up for a rematch with me, maybe? Ezra through, eyes on the match intently.
Karen didn't waste any time. "Honchkrow, use Air Cutter, take to the sky, stay out of range, evasive maneuvers!" She commanded.
Honchkrow's wings glowed as it swooped up in the air, before whirling at Koffing, slashes of air shooting towards the Pokemon, moving with blinding speed. Shae's eyes narrowed.
"Envy, use Smokescreen V2, then push yourself out of the way with Belch!"
Koffing spewed out a thick purplish cloud of smoke, obscuring itself just as Honchkrow's attack closed in. A loud Belch was heard immediately, and the Pokemon must have moved itself with the force of the Belch, because as the attack from the dark bird Pokemon sliced through the smoke, there was no sound of pain indicating a hit.
"Nice try, I saw you mix that smokescreen with poison gas." Karen called out, smirking, before slashing down with one arm, "Honchkrow, Hurricane!"
The crowd leaned forward, gasping at the fast-paced exchange. Shae was clearly playing a tactical game, using her Koffing's abilities to create a defensive wall and keep Karen's Honchkrow at bay. And now Karen was moving to remove said obstacle.
Honchkrow flapped its powerful wings and darted around over the smokescreen with swift, precise motions, wind whirling around inside the smokescreen as it surrounded the Koffing in a hurricane, pulling the gas and smokescreen both into it. Except, Shae didn't look worried, Ezra chuckling as he realized she'd pulled a fast one again, just like she'd done against him.
Koffing wasn't in the smokescreen anymore.
"I guess you got me!" Shae called out, making Karen's eyes narrow, as she studied the field, trying to see what she'd missed, immediately cottoning on to something being wrong, Shaw calling out, "Toxic!"
Despite Honchkrow's agility, it could not avoid the attack entirely as Koffing erupted from the earth and spat out a deluge of toxin straight at it. Karen's eyes narrowed, seeing the faint purple tint spread across Honchkrow's feathers. Poisoned. Badly poisoned at that.
Ezra's smile widened. This was more like it. Shae was fighting smart, using every advantage she could. But Karen was no pushover, and he knew she would retaliate fiercely. If he wasn't mistaken, Shae had once again used Koffing as a specific set up, having studied Karen. That purplish smokescreen hadn't been poisoned as Karen had thought, that had, pardon the pun, been a smokescreen.
She'd focused Karen on the smokescreen calling it V2 to make Karen think exactly what she'd done, while to Koffing V2 meant dig and wait for her command. The Koffing would have had to be pretty close to the surface to catch that, hence why Shae hadn't wanted Karen to look away from her smokescreen.
"Honchkrow, use Perish Song!" Karen commanded, her voice steady and calm despite the fact the first round was practically her loss. Perish Song would ensure Koffing went out with Honchkrow at least as long as Honchkrow could hold on that long. As badly poisoned as the bird was, it would have been unlikely to defeat Koffing on its own before fainting otherwise.
Honchkrow immediately began to sing an eerie and haunting melody, the crowd quieting down for a moment, just listening.
Ezra knew that unlike a game mechanic where just switching out the Pokemon ended a Perish Song, here, it worked no matter what, within 2-3 minutes. Which was about the time it would take Pokemon to fire off 2-3 full attacks - after which both Pokemon would faint.
It was a good enough move from Karen, making sure a falling asset took the other side with it. Making up for her getting caught off guard and almost losing the first round uncontested.
"Envy, we go on our own terms!" Shae shouted. "Use Explosion!"
Ezra blinked, somewhat exasperated by the unnecessary attack brought out by Shae's sheer ruthlessness. She was going for the double knockout on her terms. The Koffing began to glow ominously, building up energy, sitting almost directly below the Honchkrow.
Karen had time to order the Pokemon to fly away, but showing her own ruthlessness, did not do so. Considering both Pokemon were destined to faint within the next minute or two anyway, she obviously didn't see a point.
Ezra approved.
No need to act like they were dying or anything. They were just fainting, best to get it over with. Now if her Pokemon had a move to change the terrain or lay a trap before fainting, that was a different matter…
Koffing detonated, the explosion sending a shockwave through the arena. Dust and debris filled the air, and the crowd gasped in shock and thrill at how the first round of their fight came to an end. When the dust settled, both Pokemon lay fainted on the ground. A draw for the first round.
Both trainers recalled their Pokemon. Shae was still smirking, clearly unfazed by the loss of her Koffing, likely feeling like she'd still come out ahead in the mental battle. Karen, however, looked more serious than before.
She'd been skating through so far in the tournament, so likely this was a bit of a wake up call.
"Let's see how you handle this," Karen muttered, throwing her next Pokeball. "Sneasel, let's make a meal out of the punk's Pokemon!"
A Sneasel appeared, crouching low with its claws outstretched, eyes gleaming with malice. It hissed at Shae, who only grinned in response, not appearing bothered in the slightest.
"Alright, Pride, time to shine!" Shae called, releasing her Arbok. The snake Pokemon hissed loudly, its hood flaring out to reveal the intimidating pattern. The crowd cheered, clearly excited by the match-up.
"Sneasel, use Snowscape!" Karen commanded without hesitation.
Sneasel practically cackled, as a snowstorm erupted over the field, reducing visibility, and buffing Sneasel's ice attacks going forward. At the same time as Karen called out her attack, Shae had called out her own, the moment the word Snow - exited Karen's mouth.
"Pride, use Dig, plan three!"
Arbok slithered quickly, as it burrowed underground, avoiding the snowstorm in totality. Karen loudly clicked her tongue, annoyed by her opponent's propensity to dig underground.
Ezra privately thought Shae would be destroyed by anyone with Earthquake or similar techniques if she kept fighting with the same type of moves. Or perhaps she's just being tactical. After all, the odds of a Honchkrow and a Sneasel having those types of moves were practically zero.
"Get ready, Sneasel," Karen said, eyes sharp. "Light feet."
Ezra watched with interest. With the way the Pokemon reacted to Karen's order. Ezra had a feeling Karen as well was finally playing the same game - hiding her order behind something else.
Arbok erupted from the ground behind Sneasel, fangs bared, lit up with fire energy as it executed a Fire Fang. Sneasel cried out at the effective move, before its claws seemed to blur, as it struck back, the Arbok tossed back hissing in pain, curling up on itself a few feet away.
Counter. Ezra thought, enjoying the match. Karen knew an attack was coming and that she'd likely take some damage even if she ordered Sneasel to dodge, so she primed Sneasel to hit back twice as hard, take damage, but damage the enemy more. A calculated risk.
The Arbok was hissing in pain but quickly recovered, coiling around to face Sneasel. Both trainers called out orders at the same time.
"Pride, use Glare!" Shae shouted, no doubt hoping to ensure Sneasel couldn't use its greater agility against her.
At the same time Karen called out, "Ice Beam!"
Arbok's eyes glowed a menacing red, and Sneasel froze in place just as it was starting to fire an Ice Beam, paralyzed. Karen's face tightened in frustration. If the Ice Beam had gone off, in the snowstorm that was raging and enhancing Sneasel's attacks, Arbok would have been done for.
Shae had a lot of luck in this round, Glare only had a minor chance to so fully paralyze the opposing Pokemon.
"Finish it with another Fire Fang!" Shae commanded, a cool smirk on her face, as she winked teasingly at Karen, making the girl grit her teeth in frustration.
I'm not the only one who's noticed how easily riled up she is… Ezra thought with some amusement. It's likely Agatha beat that out of here by the time she took over her spot.
Arbok lunged at the immobile Sneasel, its fangs glowing with fire energy. The attack struck true, and Sneasel crumpled to the ground, completely done. The referee raised his flag, signaling the end of the round, Shae now having two Pokemon left. Karen - one.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, clearly impressed by Shae's performance and shocked at the fact Karen was losing. Ezra couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure if Karen could pull back or not, but if she did - this humiliation - or at least it would feel like it for her - would only further prime her to be off her game when fighting him.
Fighting Shae in the final instead, with Karen watching impotently from the side… Had its own charm too.
Karen recalled her Sneasel, her face calm but her eyes blazing with determination. "You're better than I thought," She muttered, loud enough for Shae and the audience to hear, thanks to the microphones, some self recrimination in her voice.
Shae just grinned, clearly enjoying the fight. "You're not bad yourself, Princess," She taunted, using the announcer's moniker for her.
Karen ignored the jibe and released her final Pokemon. "Weavile, let's end this."
Smart, Sneasel set up the field, it should last for another couple attacks at least. She might be down in Pokemon count, but she has field advantage and an already weakened Pokemon, Ezra began feeling more confident that Karen might pull this off.
He did want that fight after all.
Her Weavile emerged, growling lowly as it glared at Arbok. The crowd murmured, sensing the intensity of the battle about to unfold - knowing that Karen was up against the wall.
Again they called out their orders simultaneously, "Fire Fang!" From Shae, and "Ice Beam!" Snapped out by Karen.
Arbok didn't stand a chance, Shae had picked the wrong move this time, all it did was make sure Arbok was right in the face of Weavile when the overpowered Ice Beam hit it point blank.
Shae recalled her Arbok, looking chagrined at her own faulty decision, and sent out her final Pokemon. "Greed, it's your turn!"
Her Croagunk appeared, its eyes darting around the field as it bounced lightly on its feet. Ezra's eyes narrowed in thought, she's using the same three Pokemon, so I wont have any idea what else she has to use against me in the final if she wins… It puffed up its cheeks, its bright orange fingers flexing as it prepared for the coming battle. The crowd grew silent, sensing the tension in the air. Both trainers knew that this match could go either way, and neither was willing to give an inch.
Karen wasted no time, her voice clear and commanding. "Weavile, Blizzard!"
In the midst of the icy battlefield, Weavile crouched low. With a swift, fluid motion, it raised its clawed hands to the snowy sky, summoning a swirling storm of snow and ice. The temperature dropped rapidly as the blizzard began to form, the wind howling with a fierce intensity. With a sharp cry, Weavile unleashed its Blizzard attack, sending a torrent of frigid snowflakes and shards of ice crashing toward its opponent. The air crackled with the chill of the freezing onslaught, as the relentless storm threatened to overwhelm anything in its path.
Shae remained calm. "Greed, Dig and Snipe!" She ordered, the moment Weavile began its attack.
Just as the Blizzard exploded across the field, Croagunk dove underground, narrowly avoiding the blast. The ground froze over completely where the Blizzard struck, and a plume of snow rose up, temporarily obscuring the battlefield.
Ezra leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he tried to anticipate the next move. This battle was now down to who got a decisive strike in first, with both trainers trying to outthink the other. Karen's face was a mask of concentration, while Shae's expression remained unreadable. Her use of dig in every fight was going to work against her, Ezra suspected.
There was no way Karen would allow herself to be hit the same way again. Still, she was also vulnerable, as Croagunk was a Fighting/Poison type, and fighting was very effective against Weavile.
"Stay on your toes, Weavile," Karen called out, her voice steady. "Wait for it..."
Weavile tensed, its body low to the ground, muscles coiled and ready. The earth rumbled slightly, beneath its paws, signaling Croagunk's imminent reemergence.
"Endure and Avalanche!" Karen shouted just as Croagunk burst from the ground behind Weavile.
The Croagunk slammed into Weavile with a Cross Chop, the move super effective, Weavile groaning around the strike, but with a sinister grin on its face. Due to Endure, Weavile couldn't faint from this attack, and right after, Avalanche slammed into the Croagunk, the nice doubling in damage due to Weavile taking damage first, and then likely tripling or quadrupling due to the last vestiges of the snow storm.
Croagunk didn't stand a chance.
And just like that. With Weavile on literally its last legs. 1 HP left, if talking game terms.
Karen won.
The referee raised his flag, the announcer screaming out, face red, eyes bulging as he face hugged the microphone "Croagunk is unable to battle! The winner is Karen and her Weavile! The princess of the dark is evolving into a Queen!"
The crowd erupted into applause, many cheering and some still whispering in shock at the intensity of the battle. Karen let out a sigh of relief, recalling her Weavile with a slight nod of appreciation. Shae recalled her Croagunk, her expression a mix of disappointment and pleasure at a well fought battle.
Ezra stood up immediately, making his way down to the edge of the field. His eyes were focused on Shae, a hint of a smirk on his lips. He could see Karen watching him from the corner of her eye as he got down onto the field as they both began vacating it, her expression darkening as he approached.
As he reached the exit where the two girls were leaving, he completely ignored Karen, who was glaring daggers at him. Instead, he walked straight up to Shae. "Nice to see you again," He said with a respectful nod, even as he eyed her carefully. "You fought well. Almost beating an apprentice to the Elite Four is quite the feather in your cap, even if it was just Karen."
Okay, so he had two reasons to approach Shae, what with Karen nearby, he could do more than one thing at a time - he was good like that.
Shae glanced at Karen's reddening face with a wry smile, then looked back at Ezra, a knowing look in her eyes. "Too bad we didn't get a rematch," She lamented. "Would've been a lot more fun."
Ezra nodded, smirking as he specifically didn't look at Karen. "I agree. It would be much more interesting to fight you again. But I guess I'll have to 'make do' with the opponent I have." He sighed theatrically, in a what can you do manner, Shae outright chuckling.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She refused to engage however, managing to hold herself back. Stomping off with an irate huff. Ezra watched her go, amusement clear in his eyes.
Shae raised an eyebrow at him, clearly entertained by the exchange. "Is it wise to piss off your opponent right before a big match?" She asked, arms crossed under her chest in a way that accentuated her curves.
Not that Ezra noticed or anything.
Ezra's eyes flicked to her, then back to Karen's retreating form. "It's always wise to piss off an opponent," He replied with a casual shrug. "Makes them more likely to make stupid decisions."
Shae hummed thoughtfully, her eyes following Karen's figure as she disappeared into the crowd. "Maybe, but it might not be wise to piss off this particular opponent," She warned, her tone teasing. "Claws might come out." She added as a warning.
Ezra's confidence didn't waver. "I know what I'm doing."
Shae snorted, a smirk on her face. "That's what every man says before a woman crushes his balls. But whatever, win or lose, I'll enjoy watching it." She teased, her voice laced with both amusement and a hint of a challenge.
Ezra's confidence didn't falter. "Winning is the only outcome," He declared, determinedly. He couldn't help but notice the playful glint in her eyes as she leaned back slightly, her posture relaxed but still very much aware. Is she a plant for me, I'm dying to know…
Is she Team Rocket?
He probably shouldn't be poking her with a stick to see how she reacts, but he was very bad at holding back his impulses to begin with.
"Sure, sure," Shae replied with a lazy drawl, her tone teasing. "Just don't come crying to me when she wipes the floor with you." She gave him a wink and started to walk off, but not before turning back one last time. "Good luck, by the way, love seeing you perform." She said with a flirty smile.
Ezra watched her go, his expression shifting into something more serious, his smile fading as he considered the situation. Despite her playful demeanor, there was something about Shae that still didn't sit right with him. This conversation hadn't been able to shake off the feeling that she might be more than just a tough trainer with a punk attitude. She was suspicious, no doubt about it.
Not long after meeting her, Team Rocket had tracked him down - noted him as a person of interest. Coincidence? That's what he was wondering…
He couldn't ignore the possibility that she was affiliated with Team Rocket or some other organization, keeping an eye on him for reasons unknown. It wasn't entirely unreasonable for her to be fighting in this tournament. But Johto is big enough it's odd that she, with her skill, happened to be where he was twice now.
She should be doing the circuit, kicking ass and taking names.
Whatever her motives, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He had a tournament to win, and after that, he'd be heading back to Pewter City to continue his journey. There was no point in dwelling on Shae's intentions more now - he'd act if she mysteriously followed him again. He had a more immediate challenge to focus on.
Karen.
As he turned away from the battlefield and made his way back to the stands, Ezra's thoughts shifted back to his upcoming match. Karen was no ordinary trainer despite some of her less then desirable habits. Her connection to the Elite Four made her a formidable opponent in sheer knowledge available to her if nothing else, and she had shown time and time again that she was willing to do whatever it took to win.
He could see that from the way she commanded her Pokemon with such confidence and precision, never hesitating, never showing any sign of doubt in her decision, that she was a fighter through and through.
She likely thought she had all the advantages right now, Dark after all was effective against Ghosts. To the crowd, and to Karen. There was absolutely no way Ezra could win.
That attitude was exactly what he wanted.
There was a break, as Karen got the opportunity to heal her Pokemon, not that Ezra suspected she'd use the same ones now. So he hung around the edge of the stands, just waiting.
The final was here soon, the most important match.
The sun was beginning to set across the fighting area as the final preparations for the final match went into motion, the announcer hyping everything up. The crowd buzzed with excitement and plenty of betting could be seen taking place, making Ezra more confident that online betting on Pokemon matches would make him filthy rich once he got it going.
This was what they had all been waiting for since the first match. The climax of the tournament, the Orange League winner versus the Dark Apprentice.
As he made his way to the competitors' area, he caught a glimpse of Karen standing off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes focused on something in the distance. She looked calm and composed, but he could sense the tension radiating off her in waves. She was angry, that much was clear, and he knew that her frustration could either be an advantage or a liability, depending on how he played his cards.
He wanted her angry, frustrated, likely to lash out, but not so angry she got coldly focused, taming it for her purpose and using it to her advantage instead of his.
He decided to keep his distance, not wanting to provoke her any further before the match. He needed her to be off her game, to be thinking more about him than about the battle ahead.
As he watched her from across the field, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement too. This was it - the moment he had been waiting for during the last three days. A chance to prove himself against one of the supposed best, to show that he was more than just a novice trainer with a few tricks up his sleeve. He was here to win, and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Don't cry too hard, Karen, daddy's only going to spank you a little…
…
Arceus, I'm glad I didn't say that out loud, Ezra cringed, looking away from Karen.
The hour-long break before the final match had felt stretched out, filled with restless energy of anticipation. The crowd were extremely loud and filled with excitement, the stands a sea of color and noise as vendors moved through the aisles selling refreshments and souvenirs. The organizers worked hard to hype up the final, their voices amplified by speakers, extolling the skills of the two finalists and building the tension to a fever pitch.
Ezra watched all of this from his spot in the competitors' area, a calm smile playing on his lips. He knew what was coming. Karen was a fierce opponent, and she would not hold back now. But he felt confident in his own abilities and those of his Pokemon. His hand moved almost unconsciously to the Pokeballs at his belt, his fingers brushing over their cool surface. She might be strong, but he had strength of his own. And advantages she couldn't comprehend.
He'd seen Karen's battle against Shae, and he understood the game she was playing. Just like him, Karen had been holding back, only for her it had almost cost her. She hadn't used her best Pokemon, conserving her strength and hiding her team for the final showdown. Shae had forced her to reveal a little more, but he knew that he hadn't seen everything she could do yet. He wasn't fooled by the near-defeat, it had been a case of Karen underestimating the opposition - Karen was a lot more formidable than she appeared.
Against him, it wouldn't matter.
He had his own plans for this battle, his own strategies that he had been saving for this moment. He was ready to face her strongest Pokemon with his own. He stroked the Pokeballs again, feeling the weight of them in his hands, a subtle smile playing at his lips. She'd face much stronger Pokemon in this final, too. Loki, Nyx, and Rider had been patiently waiting for this.
A loud horn sounded, signaling the competitors to take their places. Ezra stood up, stretching his arms above his head, and began his walk to the field. The crowd's noise swelled around him, a wave of sound that seemed to carry him forward. Across the field, he saw Karen stepping out from the opposite side. Her face was set in a determined expression, her jaw tight with focus.
Then she stopped, her eyes widening for just a moment as she took in the sight of an elderly woman now seated in the VIP section. Ezra recognized her immediately as he glanced that way - Lady Agatha of the Elite Four. The ghost type master, renowned and feared across Kanto and Johto alike, her presence alone enough to send a chill down the spine of even the bravest trainers.
Notably the seating around her section was suddenly a lot sparser.
Karen's pale face showed her surprise, clearly she hadn't been expecting her mistress to be here. It seemed Agatha had come on her own accord, her sharp eyes watching the proceedings, watching him.
Ezra caught Agatha's gaze, and for a brief moment, he felt the full weight of her scrutiny. Her eyes were like cold steel, piercing through him as if trying to see into his very soul. He suppressed the urge to shiver under that intense stare. He knew better than to show any sign of intimidation. Instead, he gave her a slow, respectful bow of his head, a gesture of acknowledgment and respect. He might enjoy messing with Karen, but Agatha was a different matter entirely.
Lady Agatha was one of the most powerful trainers in both regions, her influence and authority unmatched by all but a few. She commanded respect, and Ezra was not foolish enough to antagonize her unnecessarily. If she had come all this way to watch the final, it meant she was interested in something - perhaps in Karen's performance, or perhaps in his, since she'd been tracking him apparently. Either way, he knew this wouldn't end with the battle. He would have to talk to her, whether he wanted to or not. And how that conversation went would depend heavily on what happened next.
If he didn't dominate here, he'd be in a weaker position when Agatha laid out her demands, whatever it was she was pushing for in sending Karen chasing after him.
Karen seemed to recover quickly from her initial shock. Her face hardened into a mask of determination, her eyes never leaving Ezra's as she resumed her walk to the field. She looked even more serious than usual, her mouth set in a thin line, her shoulders squared. She was prepared to give it her all, no matter the outcome. Ezra could see it in her posture, in the way she moved with a fierce purpose.
Ezra took his place at his end of the field, his mind already running through the various scenarios that could play out. He could feel the weight of Agatha's gaze on him, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he centered himself. He could do this. He had to do this. His position, his future, his very dreams depended on it - he couldn't be shackled to Agatha, which he suspected is why she sent Karen after him. He knew that Karen would come out strong, but he was ready for her. He had prepared for this, and he would give her everything he had - and he would crush her.
He would show Agatha that he wasn't some idiot rookie. That she couldn't just do what she wished with him.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, the anticipation hanging thick in the air like a storm about to break. Ezra locked eyes with Karen across the field, a confident smile on his face. She returned his gaze with a look of fierce determination, her eyes burning with a competitive fire.
This is it, Ezra thought. Time to win.
The tournament's final match was about to begin, and the atmosphere was electric as the announcer screamed so hard into his microphone he became unintelligible. Spectators leaned forward in their seats, eager to see who would come out on top. Karen stood tall and confident, her lips pressed together in a tight line. Ezra faced her with a calm expression, his eyes cold and calculating.
The referee raised his flag, signaling the start of the battle. "Trainers, release your Pokemon!" The announcer screamed, before finally, mercifully, shutting up.
Karen acted first, sending out an Absol in a flash of white light. The Disaster Pokemon landed gracefully on the ground, its white fur shimmering under the stadium lights, the blade-like horn on its head gleaming with a deadly sharpness. Karen gave the Absol a nod of confidence, clearly relying on her Pokemon's agility and strength to overpower Ezra early in the fight and take a commanding lead.
Ezra, however, had a different strategy in mind. He released Nyx, his Spiritomb, onto the battlefield. The ghostly Pokemon materialized in a swirl of dark energy, its eerie purple and green visage eliciting murmurs from the crowd. Nyx floated above the ground, its hundreds of spectral dots shifting into faces and whispering in a haunting chorus.
Karen hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing at the sight of the Ghost/Dark type. Not that she likely knew that, Ezra thought, the Spiritomb was not a well known Pokemon at this time.
She had confidence in her Pokemon's speed and power. "Absol, start with Taunt, then move in with Bite" She commanded, her voice firm.
Not a bad move, stopping Nyx from using status moves and then getting in close now that she can't be hit by Confuse Ray and the like, Ezra acknowledged. Unfortunately for her, that hadn't been his plan to begin with. Bite also wouldn't be as effective as she had planned if it hit, because Nyx was also a Dark Pokemon.
Absol leaped forward, its teeth glowing with a dark aura as it charged toward Nyx after having let out a cry, using Taunt. The crowd gasped at the Pokemon's speed, the air around Absol crackling with energy. But Ezra remained unfazed. "Nyx, Phantom Force," He said calmly.
Nyx's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, before the Pokemon just disappeared, Absols attack missing, as there was nothing to hit. Suddenly Nyx reappeared again, the ghostly energy hitting Absol, who let out a cry, jumping back.
First blood, so to speak, Ezra thought, watching Karen with a smirk, what will you do?
Karen seemed incensed to have taken the first hit like that, her Pokemon not able to do anything. "Absol, Double Team and Night Slash, keep moving, don't let it surprise you"
Absol tried to follow her command, creating multiple afterimages of itself to confuse Nyx after firing off a Night Slash. But Ezra was one step ahead. "Nyx, SS2!"
Nyx disappeared, avoiding the Night slash, before appearing behind the Absol in a Shadow Sneak, immediately releasing a wave of dark energy that spread across the battlefield - a Dark Pulse. The attack hit all of Absol's afterimages, instantly revealing the real one. The Dark Pulse also struck Absol head on, sending it skidding back across the dirt a few feet, the Absol growling in anger.
As dark and ghost moves were both only half effective, Nyx hadn't done overly too much damage yet.
"Quick Attack and Bite, watch your back!" Karen called out, frustrated with the pace of the fight being entirely against her.
Ezra decided it was time to turn the battle decisively in his favor. His lips curled into a subtle smile. He flared his aura slightly, just enough to be felt by Absol. There was no visible sign of his action, but he saw the immediate effect. Absol, in the middle of a Quick Attack, hesitated, as it sensed the aura from him directly, stuttering to a halt. Leaving it wide open.
Karen's eyes widened in frustration. She didn't understand why Absol was acting so strangely, failing its move. "Focus, Absol! Use Quick Attack!" She called out, trying to get her Pokemon back on track.
But it was too late, Nyx was already right on it. "Nyx, Hypnosis," Ezra ordered softly, his aura actively pushing on Absol to not fight the technique.
The Taunt only lasted for the energy it took to fire off three attacks, or three turns in game terms. Which Nyx had already done. So status moves were back into play.
Nyx's eyes glowed once more, sending out hypnotic waves that enveloped Absol. The Pokemon's movements slowed, its eyes fluttering shut as it fell into a deep sleep. The crowd murmured in surprise - the match had only just begun, and already Karen was at a significant disadvantage.
Ezra looked at her, tilting his head, a pleasant smile on his face, "You can withdraw, or perhaps you want to see if Absol will wake up while Nyx uses Dream Eater."
At the word of the attack, Nyx immediately began, glowing with ghostly energy, which also enveloped Absol. Now Psychic type moves weren't very effective, Dark Pokemon resistive to them, but it was more of the point he was making.
I'm beating you with non-effective moves.
Karen clenched her fists, her frustration growing. She had underestimated Ezra, and now she was paying the price.
But she wasn't out of tricks yet. She could have switched Pokemon, and left the Absol for last, in hopes it would wake up as a Hail Mary if she was pushed that far, but instead she withdrew it, letting the referee know.
It was a pragmatic choice, ensuring Nyx wouldn't be able to either buff up, or prepare another technique while Karen switched. An immediate replacement forthcoming instead.
She quickly sent out her next Pokemon - a Gengar. The Ghost/Poison type emerged from its Pokeball with a mischievous grin, its body flickering like a shadow as it cried out its name, licking it's lips.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, knowing this was likely one of Karen's stronger Pokemon, trained by Agatha as she was - although not a Dark Pokemon - it was a fact that most specialists regularly had an ace or two in their back pocket. He decided to keep Nyx on the field, confident in his strategy and to be totally honest… His huge aura advantage.
Gengar's grin widened, eyes narrowing as it prepared to strike, just waiting on its mistress' orders.
Nyx was Dark as well as Ghost. Karen wasn't about to have a good time.
"Gengar, use Confuse Ray, then keep your distance and use Shadow Ball!" Karen commanded, her voice sharper now, no longer willing to take Ezra lightly. But, it was possible she was now being too careful.
Distance didn't matter overly much to Shadow Sneak. Not in a small field like this. "Nyx, Shadow Sneak out of the way." He ordered.
Nyx disappeared, the Confuse Ray missing, Karen immediately snapping out, "Turn around, attack!"
Gengar had already formed a dark ball of energy between its hands and immediately turned and hurled it toward Nyx. Ezra remained calm. "Nyx, Protect," He said quietly.
A translucent barrier appeared around Nyx just in time, absorbing the impact of Gengar's Shadow Ball. The crowd cheered at the display of defensive prowess. Karen's frustration was evident, she had yet to even hit him.
"Don't give it any breathing room! Gengar, use Sludge Bomb!" She shouted, doubling down on her attack, now that Nyx was right there.
Gengar prepared to launch a volley of toxic sludge at Nyx, aiming to overwhelm the protective shield. But Ezra anticipated her move. He flared his aura once more, and just as before with the Absol, Gengar's focus wavered, the attack slowing down as the Ghost Pokemon hesitated mid-through.
"Nyx, switch to Shadow Ball," Ezra ordered swiftly.
Nyx dropped its protective barrier and countered with its own Shadow Ball. The attack collided with Gengar in midair, causing a small explosion of ghostly energy. The force of the blast sent Gengar reeling back, and the crowd gasped at the intense exchange.
Karen's frustration turned into outright anger. She could feel Agatha's eyes on her from the stands, watching her every move. She couldn't afford to lose this match. "Gengar, regroup and use Thunderbolt!" She snapped out, switching to elemental attacks.
But Ezra was relentless. "Nyx, Shadow Ball again." His aura confused the Gengar, making it slow to react.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't nice. But winning was what mattered. And winning decisively mattered more.
Nyx released another ball of tightly compacted ghostly energy, and the Gengar, still momentarily distracted by Ezra's aura, was too slow to react. The attack hit it squarely, sending it crashing to the ground. Karen could only watch in disbelief as Gengar struggled to get back up.
She'd still failed to connect a single attack on Nyx.
Ezra seized the opportunity to finish it off. "Finish it with another Shadow Ball," He ordered, even as Karen shouted out, "Destiny Bond!" Trying to get something out of this.
Nyx gathered its energy and launched another Shadow Ball at Gengar. The attack struck with precision, and Gengar collapsed before it could finish its own last gasp attack, unable to continue. The referee raised his flag, signaling Gengar's defeat.
Karen was left with one Pokemon. She was backed into a corner, and Ezra had yet to lose any of his. She recalled the fainted Gengar, her jaw tight with frustration. She was furious, but she refused to let it show any further then that. She wouldn't give Ezra the satisfaction.
Karen sent out her final Pokemon, a Shiftry. The Grass/Dark type materialized on the field, its leafy hands swaying slightly as it sized up Nyx. Karen knew she had to turn this battle around, and quickly.
Ezra recalled Nyx, deciding to change tactics - he also didn't want to leave his next Pokemon pouting for the next week for not getting to play. He sent out Rider, his Ghost Marowak evolution. The crowd gasped at the sight of the unique Pokemon, its flaming bone club ignited with an eerie blue flame. Rider stood ready, eyes locked on Shiftry.
A Ghost/Fire type was a bad matchup for a Grass/Dark type. Karen was in for a quick finish.
Karen wasted no time. "Shiftry, Nasty Plot then hit it with a Sucker Punch!" She commanded.
Ezra wasn't about to let her have the time to pull both moves. "Rider. Fire Blast." He ordered with finality.
Rider was new to the move, so the fire blast was more compact, flying forward in a thin spray of white hot fire instead of a more all encompassing blast.
Karen's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Rider to toss out a fire attack, nor one of that caliber. "Shiftry, Protect!"
It was as easy as breathing to reach out and delay the Shiftry just that one critical second, the Pokemon crying out as the Fire Blast hit. Karen watched in absolute stupefaction, as she was beat without ever scoring a hit. Recalling her Pokemon rather than letting it continue suffering under the fire.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee raised his flag to signal Shiftry's defeat. The match was over. Ezra had won. There was a subdued quality to the cheer however. The crowd was almost confused at the easy victory, not to mention all the people who'd lost their bets.
Karen stared at the field in disbelief, her hands clenched into fists. She couldn't believe it. She had lost so easily. She had assumed too much, and Ezra had outmaneuvered her at every turn. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but she refused to be a sore loser. She refused to humiliate herself more than she already had.
With a stiff expression, she walked across the battlefield to Ezra and extended her hand. "Good match," She said through gritted teeth, her voice taut with barely suppressed frustration.
Ezra accepted her handshake, feeling the strength in her grip as she tried to crush his hand. He met her gaze with a calm, unbothered expression, his grip firm but not retaliatory. "You fought well," He replied evenly.
She never stood a chance, but for once, he kept that to himself. There was such a thing as being a troll, and then there was beating a dead horse. He had some decency.
Karen's back remained rigid, her eyes fixed on Ezra's face as they shook hands. She was furious, but not just at him - she was angry at herself for underestimating him and letting her emotions get the better of her. She refused to look back toward the stands where she knew Lady Agatha was watching. The shame of losing in front of her mentor burned hotter than her defeat itself.
Just as Karen was about to release Ezra's hand, she felt a sudden, chilling touch on her shoulder. She jumped, her breath catching in her throat, and turned to see Lady Agatha standing behind her, as if she had appeared out of thin air. The elderly woman's face was expressionless, her eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You did as well as you could, considering the circumstances," Agatha said, her voice cool and measured. There was no judgment in her tone, but Karen could sense the underlying weight of her words. It was hard to tell if Agatha was disappointed or simply stating a fact.
Karen bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She felt a mix of shame and frustration, but she knew better than to argue with her mentor. Before she could gather her thoughts, Agatha raised a wrinkled hand and cuffed her lightly on the back of the head.
"Girl, when I say something, it's the truth," Agatha snapped, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Karen nodded stiffly, her cheeks flushing as she fought to maintain her composure. "Yes, Lady Agatha," She mumbled, feeling like a scolded child.
The fact it was happening in front of Kassian made it one hundred times worse.
Meanwhile, Ezra had been trying to inch away from the uncomfortable scene, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. He knew better than to get involved in whatever dynamic was at play between Karen and her mentor. But just as he was about to turn and slip away, he felt the weight of Agatha's gaze fall upon him.
"Ezra Kassian," Agatha said, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd like a blade. "You're a hard young man to find. Come, let's chat, you and I."
Notably, the tournament should be having a prize ceremony, but no one seemed to be willing to approach them and disturb Agatha.
Ezra's body tensed. He had expected this moment but hoped it wouldn't come so soon. "Can't we just chat right now?" He asked, trying to keep his tone light while belatedly adding, "Lady Agatha," To maintain a semblance of politeness. And to remain in public view, where Agatha couldn't do anything too crazy if he flat out turned her down on whatever she wanted.
Agatha gave him a look that could have curdled milk. "I'm old, boy. I'm going to find a nice cushion to sit on before dealing with you," She replied, her smirk not quite reaching her eyes. She pointed a bony finger at him, and for a moment, Ezra wondered if she might actually zap him - like she was one of her Ghost Pokemon. "Karen, fetch us refreshments. I'll take over the referee's tent for now."
Karen's lips twitched in irritation, and she muttered under her breath, "I'm not a damn servant."
"What was that?" Agatha snapped, her tone sharp as a whip.
Karen yelped and immediately straightened up. "I'm on it, Lady Agatha!" She blurted out before rushing off to comply with her mentor's orders.
Agatha snorted softly, shaking her head as if bemused by Karen's behavior. "Youth, wasted on the young," She muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Her gaze flickered back to Ezra. "You a smart mouth too, boy?"
Ezra considered lying, but really, what was the point? He gave a slight shrug and answered truthfully, "Of course." He wasn't enthused with being called boy, but he supposed when you got to Agatha's level of power - you could do, and say, whatever the fuck you wanted.
Because really? Who was going to stop her? He certainly wasn't going to pick a fight over just words.
Agatha sighed, leaning heavily on her cane. "Of course you are," She repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Now, lend me your arm. Let an old lady lean on you as we walk."
Ezra hesitated, knowing full well that Agatha didn't need his assistance. She was one of the most formidable trainers in the region, if not the world, and her physical frailty was more an illusion than reality. But he couldn't refuse without being blatantly rude, and he had a feeling he would need every ounce of goodwill he could muster for whatever was coming next.
He forced a polite smile and offered his arm. "Of course, Lady Agatha," He said, trying to keep his tone respectful.
As they walked toward the referee's tent, the crowd parted for them, whispers and curious glances following in their wake. Ezra could feel the tension in the air, a mix of awe and apprehension directed at the elderly member of the Elite Four and the young upstart who had just bested her apprentice.
There's no way this conversation ends well…
Author's note:
Unfortunately for Karen, this was never going to end well for her in fighting Ezra. He's too well aware of Dark Pokemon, plus he had his cheaty aura to assist in confusing and distracting her Pokemon. The fact he has rare and unusual Pokemon didn't help. She didn't know Nyx was Dark, nor did she know Rider was Fire.
She also erroneously still held him in slight contempt for the way he acted, and underestimated his skills as a trainer. A lesson to learn, because with the information she had - she really shouldn't have. But it just means Ezra's mind games were working.
They won't on Agatha, so he'll have an interesting conversation ahead.
Sorry to those who expected an epic fight between the two. With her being a Dark Pokemon trainer - it just wasn't ever going to go down like that. Unless Ezra suddenly became chivalrous or something.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
A winner again on Patron, seems people really want to see Ezra vs Karen!
Or just to see him absolutely frustrate the crap out of her, could be some of that too.
And we once again will get actual Pokemon battles in this Pokemon story! Just in time for me to skip them for another chapter or two, maybe.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Johto,
The sun hung high over the Battle Tower's front lawn, casting bright rays across the rows of makeshift battle arenas. Ezra stood confidently on his side of the field, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, excited to see the first match of the tournament begin. He could feel their energy humming through the air like an electric current.
With both himself, a League winner - even if most here had hardly even heard of the Orange League - and Karen, the apprentice of an Elite Four, there was an amazing buzz going through the tournament at the moment.
Across from him, his opponent was a bug type specialist, sporting a cocky grin and holding three badges pinned to his vest as a show of pride. Ezra noted the badges - Violet City's Zephyr Badge, Azalea Town's Hive Badge, and Goldenrod City's Plain Badge. Not too shabby, at least compared to his last tournament. The bug trainer (who's name he'd already forgotten - because really, bugs?) already had his first Pokeball in hand, eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
Karen, sitting in the stands with her arms crossed, watched Ezra with a dark expression. Her eyes were locked on him, her jaw tight. She wasn't hiding her annoyance, not after the morning's embarrassing encounter. Ezra spotted her in the crowd and couldn't resist the opportunity. With a mischievous grin, he blew her a playful kiss, causing a few spectators around her to chuckle. Karen's glare only intensified, her hands balling into fists.
She was really making it all too easy for Ezra. She was wound up way too tightly, especially for someone in her position. Although he supposed she had a lot of growing up to do still before she took over one of the Elite Four slots.
The referee called a start to the match, Ezra just cooly watching his opponent, fingers stroking one of his Pokeballs.
"Ready, Ezra?" the bug trainer called, not waiting for an answer before he began anyway, "Alright, let's see what you've got. Go, Scyther!" the bug trainer shouted, tossing his first Pokeball onto the field.
With a flash of light, a Scyther appeared, its twin scythes gleaming under the sun. It sliced the air with a few practice swings, showing off its speed and sharpness. Ezra considered his options. He knew bug types had an advantage over dark, but he felt Alduin could handle himself fairly well if needed, but that didn't mean he couldn't use Morrigan first to his advantage, softening the enemy up a little.
Bugs might be dangerous for his little dark dragon, but against his ghostly dragon, they would fall. He tilted his head idly, watching the Scyther, a thought coming to him. Perhaps he could do Brock a favor and get him a Kleavor? He would have to source some black augurite, but it shouldn't be impossible. Another one to add to the list for his Pokemon breeder farm. Brock would get it for free, of course - he'd stood up to an Elite Four for him, a completely new bug/rock evolution was a nice enough thanks.
"Let's start with you, Morrigan," Ezra called, releasing his Dreepy onto the field. Morrigan hovered slightly above the ground, her spectral form shimmering in the sunlight, her eyes sharp and focused.
The crowd murmured in surprise, all of them unfamiliar with the unique form of a Dreepy. "What's that?" One of the spectators called out. "Looks like some kind of ghost type…"
Karen leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite herself. Morrigan, eh? So he's the kind of loser who names his Pokemon? Tch… So this new type is what he's been hiding…
"Scyther, Quick Attack into X-Scissor!" the bug trainer ordered. Scyther moved with blinding speed, becoming a blur of green and silver as it closed the gap between them in an instant.
"Morrigan, use Quick Attack to dodge, Confuse Ray on your previous location!" Ezra commanded calmly. Just as Scyther was about to strike, Morrigan disappeared in a blur as well due to her Quick Attack, before reappearing, curled up and chirping as she fired a Confuse Ray that hit Scyther even as his trainer shouted for it to dodge.
Unfortunately for Ezra, the Confuse Ray didn't seem to stick very well, the Scyther shaking it off to the cheers of the bug trainer.
"Nice try, but that won't stop us! Scyther, Fury Cutter, watch out for Quick Attacks!" The bug trainer clenched his fist in excitement as Scyther threw itself forward, slashing at Morrigan.
"Tank it and Bite." Ezra ordered, not overly worried, the bug move wouldn't be super effective and he believed Morrigan would do more damage back with the Scyther within reach.
The Scyther slashed at Morrigan, while Morrigan gathered the dark energy necessary, her small jaw gleaming as she sinuously stretched around the strikes to Bite Scyther's left shoulder, something giving away with a loud crackling crunch.
The Scyther let out a cry, backpedaling even as his trainer shouted worriedly, Morrigan barely damaged from the Scyther's strikes. Ezra also knew that with Morrigan having the ability cursed body, there was even a chance the Scyther's attack would have disabled Fury Cutter going forward. Not that it would matter.
Ezra didn't flinch at the Pokemon's cry. He was already moving ahead with the next move. "Morrigan, use Dragon Tail!"
Morrigan darted forward with surprising speed, her tail glowing with a brilliant draconic energy. Scyther barely had time to react before Morrigan's tail slammed into its chest, sending it skidding back across the field, tumbling uncontrollably, fainted already. The trainer immediately called Scyther back to its Pokeball, looking like he was caught off guard, fumbling to grab his next one.
Unlike Alduin, Morrigan had immediately taken to draconic attacks, especially Dragon Tail, likely because Morrigan was practically all tail to begin with.
"What the - ? Fine, let's go, Butterfree!" The bug trainer shouted, tossing out his second Pokeball.
Butterfree appeared in a burst of light, fluttering above the field with its wings glistening in the sun. It let out a soft, melodic cry, ready to fight.
"Morrigan, switch out!" Ezra called, recalling Dreepy and immediately throwing out his next choice. "Alduin, it's your turn!"
Alduin would be harmed easier by bug type moves which is why he hadn't started with him, but Butterfree was mainly useful for two things, status moves, and psychic moves. Psychic moves would be useless, and Alduin was agile and quick enough to hopefully not run into problems - he needed the experience anyway.
Deino burst onto the field, a fierce growl escaping its lips as it bared its teeth, eager for the fight. The crowd cheered at the sight of another Pokemon they'd never seen before. It was really throwing the announcer off, a guy Ezra barely paid attention to, other then to note with amusement his confusion about Ezra's Pokemon.
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" The bug trainer ordered quickly, predictably, trying to regain control of the match. Butterfree's wings began to flutter rapidly, releasing a shimmering cloud of powder that drifted towards Alduin.
"Counter it with Dragon Breath!" Ezra said lazily. Alduin inhaled deeply and released a focused burst of blue, fiery energy from its mouth. The blast cut through the air, dispersing the cloud of Sleep Powder and striking Butterfree head on. Butterfree screeched as the Dragon Breath hit, sending it spinning through the air.
Alduin wasn't the greatest with his control of the draconic energy yet however, so it neither took the Butterfree out, nor fully dispersed the cloud, due to being a more focused weaker beam, which meant the Sleep Powder would be slowly drifting down shortly, spread out, instead of concentrated, but still a concern.
"Butterfree, into the air, Sleep Powder again! Fill the field!" The bug trainer yelled out.
"Scary Face, Bite!" Ezra continued without missing a beat. Alduin used Scary Face, making the Butterfree stagger slightly, slowed down in its ascent, before he charged forward leaping into the air. He clamped his jaws down on Butterfree's wing, dragging the bug-type down to the ground with a solid thud.
The crowd gasped, impressed by the ferocity of the attack. Butterfree struggled, its wings fluttering weakly as it tried to break free.
"Come on, Butterfree, use Confusion!" The bug trainer called desperately. Butterfree's eyes glowed with a psychic energy. But the dragon/dark Pokemon held firm, its jaws locked tightly around Butterfree's wing, a psychic move wasn't going to be enough, especially with the dark energy suffusing Butterfrees wound.
"Alduin, finish it with Bite!" Ezra commanded. Alduin released the Butterfree just long enough to unleash another powerful bite around its face. Butterfree let out a pained cry before collapsing to the ground, fainted. Ezra couldn't help but shake his head, the kid should have recalled his Pokemon when it was caught.
Well, not that he overly cared anyway.
The referee raised a flag, as the announcer called out, in an overly hyped way, "Butterfree is unable to battle! Is there no end to the surprises Ezra Kassian will bring us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, some of them shouting in excitement due to the new Pokemon. Ezra could hear a few voices in the stands calling out in surprise at how quickly the battle was turning in his favor. He was still badgeless after all.
Ezra clicked his tongue, like badges are a true measure…
Karen watched with narrowed eyes, her expression a mix of frustration and begrudging respect. The kid's not bad… but I've seen better. This doesn't change anything. Her eyes were fixated on the Pokemon he had on the field however. She could recognize a dark type when she saw it. She wanted one.
The bug trainer gritted his teeth, recalling Butterfree and quickly sending out his final Pokemon - luckily the waste of time had blown away most of the sleep powder, although Alduin was still clearly affected. "Beedrill, I choose you!" The bee-like bug type zipped onto the field, its twin stingers ready and gleaming, buzzing angrily as it took flight.
Ezra decided it was time to switch tactics again, Alduin would be sluggish anyway. "Alduin, come back. Morrigan, you're up again!"
Morrigan reappeared on the field, her ghostly form flickering as she floated above the ground, her eyes locked onto Beedrill immediately, an absolutely delighted thrill erupting from her at the sight of another enemy.
"Beedrill, use Fury Cutter then Poison Sting when you disengage!" The bug trainer shouted. Beedrill darted forward, its stingers glinting in the light as it thrust them towards Morrigan with deadly precision.
"Quick Attack behind and use Confuse Ray!" Ezra countered. Morrigan seemed to almost phase out of existence for a split second, avoiding the attack entirely, then reappearing in a Quick Attack behind Beedrill, her eyes glowing with a sinister light. A burst of ghostly energy shot out from her eyes, enveloping Beedrill and causing it to wobble in mid-air, its movements erratic and uncoordinated as it got confused.
"Beedrill, snap out of it! Poison sting! Now!" The bug trainer yelled, frustration clear in his voice. Ezra thought he needed to be quicker to immediately counter his own orders, something he'd found a lot so far. People weren't quick on giving up on what they'd already ordered. They needed to be more willing to drop an already failed strategy to adapt to a changed circumstance.
Well, something to work on when he had brats sniveling all across his hall when he was a gym leader…
"Let's finish this, Morrigan. Use Dragon Tail again!" Ezra ordered calmly, the fight already over. Morrigan darted forward, her tail glowing brightly as she slammed into Beedrill, sending it crashing into the ground with a loud thud. Beedrill buzzed weakly, trying to rise, but it was clear it was too exhausted to continue, and eventually it just put its head down.
The referee raised the flag again, the announcer screaming into a microphone, "Beedrill is unable to battle! The winner is Ezra Kassian, the Orange League champion moves on!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, a wave of excitement rippling through the stands. Ezra stood tall, a satisfied smile on his face as he recalled Morrigan back to her Pokeball. He glanced up at the stands, catching Karen's eye once more. He blew her another playful kiss, his grin widening as he saw her eyes narrow in annoyance.
In the stands, Karen folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, her expression dark but still remaining composed. "You got lucky this time facing a bug loser, Kassian. Don't get too cocky," She muttered under her breath. But despite her irritation, she couldn't deny that he had handled the battle decently for a rookie. There was more to him than she initially thought - he was still no match for her, though.
She couldn't wait to beat some respect into his face.
Although… Those new Pokemon… Her eyes narrowed as she stood up, exiting the stands. As annoying as it is, Lady Agatha will rip me a new one if I don't find out what they were.
Minutes later,
Ezra moved briskly through the winding paths behind the stands, his mind buzzing with the adrenaline rush of his recent victory. The air was thick with the excitement of the crowds and the mingling scents of freshly popped corn and spicy skewers, filling his nostrils as he navigated past food stalls and vendor carts. The sun beat down harshly on them, but the shadows cast by the stands offered a bit of a reprieve where he was. His stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn't eaten for a while.
"Guess it's time for some refreshments," Ezra muttered to himself. He could still hear the roars of the crowd, the battles continuing on the field, but he allowed himself this brief moment to unwind. Winning the first round felt good, and seeing Karen fuming in the stands was a bonus he hadn't anticipated but relished nonetheless.
As he approached a small, less crowded corner near the back of the stands where a drink stall stood, a familiar, sharp voice cut through the din, stopping him in his tracks.
"Ezra Kassian! You have some explaining to do!" Karen's voice was tight, a mix of anger and frustration. She stepped out from the shadows of the stand's support beams, her expression a stormy mix of determination and annoyance.
Ezra turned slowly, a deliberate, amused smirk playing on his lips. "Karen," He greeted, feigning surprise. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Karen stormed up to him, her face flushed with either anger or the heat - or maybe a bit of both. "Don't play dumb with me! I want to know what the hell kind of Ghost Pokemon that was. And that Dark Pokemon! And why could they use a Dragon type move?"
Ezra's smirk widened into a sly grin as he raised an eyebrow. "Dragon type move? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about." He said with a casual shrug, deliberately keeping his tone light and dismissive. "You must be mistaken."
A more fun way, in his opinion - to say none of your business.
Karen's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "Don't lie to me, you brat! I know what I saw. Your Pokemon used Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath! They're obviously a Ghost and a Dark Pokemon, how did you teach them Dragon moves?"
Heh, apparently it's still too unbelievable to believe they could possibly be a dragon and a ghost/dark Pokemon. Ezra thought, deciding there was no point in satisfying her demands.
"Oh, that," Ezra said nonchalantly, waving a hand as if brushing away a fly. "Must have been your imagination. Morrigan and Alduin are just regular Ghost and Dark Pokemon, nothing special about them, perhaps you're suffering from heatstroke?"
Karen's fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. "I'm not stupid, Kassian. I know what I saw, stop hiding it. Stop messing with me!"
Ezra put on an expression of mock innocence, placing a hand on his chest. "Me? Messing with you? Hiding something? I would never!" He looked at her with wide, exaggerated eyes. "I'm an open book, Karen. Really, you should learn to trust people more." He leaned forward, as if to share a secret, "You keep frowning like that you'll get wrinkles."
Karen's face was starting to turn a deeper shade of red, her frustration clearly mounting. "You're infuriating!" She spat, stepping closer to him. "I won't let you mess with me like this. I'm going to figure out what you're hiding, one way or another. There's no way you got two new Pokemon like that, I'll find out who's backing you, you insufferable brat!"
Ezra chuckled softly, taking a step back to keep a polite distance. "Hey, your face is getting awfully red. You sure you're okay? Let me buy you a drink to cool down. I'm a nice guy like that, after all."
Before she could protest, Ezra turned to the drink stall, ordering two cold lemonades. The vendor handed them over with a cheerful smile, somehow unaware of the tension in the air. Ezra turned back to Karen, holding out one of the cups. "Here, drink up. It's on me."
Karen snatched the cup from his hand, her eyes never leaving his face. "You're trying to make me lose my cool, aren't you? That's your strategy. You don't think you can beat me, so you're trying to set me off, make me make mistakes."
Ezra took a slow sip of his drink, his smile never fading. "If you say so," He replied, his tone deliberately casual, almost indifferent.
Karen's eyes narrowed further, her suspicion growing. "You won't fool me, Kassian. This is all an act. You're trying to wind me up."
Ezra raised his eyebrows slightly, his smile widening just a fraction. "I'm sure you're right," He said, his voice smooth and agreeable. "You seem to have everything figured out, Karen."
Karen's face twitched with irritation, her fists clenched tighter. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she hated that he was getting under her skin so easily. But she refused to let him see just how much he was affecting her any longer, she was better than this. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to regain some semblance of control. "I'm not going to fall for your mind games, Kassian. You can't get to me that easily."
Ezra just nodded, taking another sip of his drink. "Of course not. I wouldn't dream of it."
The nonchalant response only made Karen's anger flare hotter. She growled low in her throat, feeling her composure slipping. She hated how he seemed to be enjoying this, how he was so calm and collected while she was seething inside. She forcibly calmed herself down, refusing to show her frustration any further.
She was sure now, he was scared of her battle prowess, and he was trying to force her into making mistakes in anger later.
Ezra watched her with calm amusement, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying every moment of it. Karen was so easy to provoke, her reactions so predictable. It was almost too easy to mess with her.
Karen finally let out a frustrated huff, turning on her heel to leave. "Fine! Play your little games. But this isn't over, Kassian. I'll find out what you're hiding, and when I do, you'll regret it."
Ezra gave her a little wave as she stormed off, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Looking forward to it," He called after her, watching as she disappeared into the crowd.
He turned back to the drink stall, taking another sip of his lemonade. "What an interesting girl," He muttered to himself, shaking his head. "So easy to rile up. She's practically doing half the work for me." How she ever got to become Agatha's apprentice of all people I can't understand.
As he stood there, enjoying his drink and the brief respite from the tournament, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deeper satisfaction with how things were progressing. He knew he was getting under Karen's skin, and that was exactly what he wanted. She was clearly on edge, and if he could keep her off-balance, it would make things much easier when they eventually faced off in battle.
Her knowing that was what he was doing wouldn't change that - her temper had too much of a hair trigger for her to control yet. She wasn't an Elite Four, and was years away from that version of her. If anything he was helping her by making her see her own flaws so early.
That was his story, and he was sticking to it.
He leaned back against the stand, watching the crowd bustle around him. The atmosphere was electric, the excitement of the tournament clear in the very air as the crowd constantly cheered. Trainers and spectators moved through the area, their voices a constant hum of chatter and laughter. Ezra took it all in, enjoying the moment of calm before the storm. He wouldn't have his next match for hours yet, and then the next two the next day, saving the semi-final and the final for the third day.
He glanced over to where Karen had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face. She was a tough one, no doubt about that. But he wasn't worried. He knew how to handle people like her. All it took was a little patience, a little strategy, and a lot of bullshitting.
And Ezra had all three in spades.
With a final sip of his drink, he pushed off the stand and made his way back towards the tournament grounds. There were still more battles to see, more challenges for Morrigan and Alduin to test their teeth on. And he was ready for all of them.
Victory would taste all the sweeter this time around thanks to Karen…
Final day of the tournament.
Ezra sat in the stands, eyes narrowed in concentration as he watched the battles below unfold. It was the third day of the tournament, and he'd managed to crush his way through to the finals with relative ease, mostly relying on Morrigan and Alduin. Cheshire had come out a few times, but more as a show to keep his opponents guessing rather than out of necessity. He'd observed Karen's battles when he could, finding her strategic ruthlessness to be both impressive and disappointing in turn - she was also mired in the proper way of doing things, despite being a dark Pokemon trainer. Though she had not openly acknowledged him since their last heated encounter, he could feel the tension between them simmering every time they crossed paths.
For some reason the girl really didn't like him. And he'd been so kind too…
Karen had made it to the semifinals without much difficulty. Her style was sharp and unforgiving, much like a honed blade. She had cut through her competition with a mix of cunning and overwhelming force, mostly the latter if he was honest. He knew she was a favorite to win - as an apprentice to the Elite Four, she was a cut above the rest of the competition.
He just couldn't beat back the slight feeling of disappointment. She wasn't an Elite Four, sure, and wouldn't be for a long while yet. But he'd somehow expected more. She was definitely vicious, cunning and had the fundamentals down to a tee. What she wasn't, was creative.
Everything she was doing, he'd already seen or thought of, there were no surprises. He was hoping it was a case of her taking it easy on the scrubs, or their fight would be a cakewalk.
Especially with his cheaty aura which he already knew affected even trainers Dark Pokemon.
Ezra had spent much of his time outside the tournament training in the forests around the Battle Tower, honing his skills and preparing his team for the final match. He hadn't been keeping up with the other competitors much, figuring that Karen would handle them easily enough. But as the announcer's voice boomed through the arena, he leaned forward with interest. The day's final semifinal match was about to begin, and Karen would be facing Shae, the punkish girl he'd met before.
He hadn't even realized she was here.
The sight of her made him narrow his eyes in thought. Shae. He hadn't expected to see her again, especially not in the semifinals of this tournament. She must have been doing well to make it this far - and she hadn't approached him, despite likely having seen him battling... Did that make her more suspicious or less? He watched her stroll onto the field opposite Karen, her leather jacket and spiked choker standing out amongst the competition. Her expression was calm, almost bored, but even from his position, Ezra could see the intensity behind her eyes. She had a way of hiding her seriousness behind that nonchalant exterior, much like himself.
Albeit he tended to go from nonchalant to asshole from one second to the next.
Karen, on the other hand, looked as fierce and determined as ever. Her silvery blue hair fell around down her back in waves, and her eyes were sharp, focused. She was a striking contrast to Shae's more rebellious look - poised, with an air of authority. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, the chatter growing louder as they watched, eager for what would likely be an excellent fight.
Ezra leaned forward in his seat, his interest piqued. This might be the first match where Karen would actually have to break a sweat. He wanted to see how Shae would handle herself against someone of Karen's caliber too. The announcer's voice rang out again, signaling the start of the battle.
"This will be a three-on-three match! Trainers, send out your first Pokemon!" The normal statement was immediately followed by the man making a dramatic sweeping motion, almost swallowing the microphone as he yelled out, "Will this rebellious punk throw down the princess of the dark! Let's find out!"
Not surprisingly, both Shae and Karen threw him disgusted looks, before focusing back on each other.
Karen wasted no time after that. She threw her Pokeball into the air with a confident flick of her wrist. "Honchkrow, let's go!"
In a flash of light, her Honchkrow appeared on the field, its glossy feathers shimmering under the bright stadium lights. It cawed loudly, its red eyes fixed on Shae with a predatory gleam.
Shae smirked and sent out her own Pokemon. "Envy, it's your turn!"
Her Koffing materialized, hovering in the air with its usual toxic fumes slowly seeping out. The gas cloud seemed thicker this time, almost as if Shae had been preparing it for something special. Training him up for a rematch with me, maybe? Ezra through, eyes on the match intently.
Karen didn't waste any time. "Honchkrow, use Air Cutter, take to the sky, stay out of range, evasive maneuvers!" She commanded.
Honchkrow's wings glowed as it swooped up in the air, before whirling at Koffing, slashes of air shooting towards the Pokemon, moving with blinding speed. Shae's eyes narrowed.
"Envy, use Smokescreen V2, then push yourself out of the way with Belch!"
Koffing spewed out a thick purplish cloud of smoke, obscuring itself just as Honchkrow's attack closed in. A loud Belch was heard immediately, and the Pokemon must have moved itself with the force of the Belch, because as the attack from the dark bird Pokemon sliced through the smoke, there was no sound of pain indicating a hit.
"Nice try, I saw you mix that smokescreen with poison gas." Karen called out, smirking, before slashing down with one arm, "Honchkrow, Hurricane!"
The crowd leaned forward, gasping at the fast-paced exchange. Shae was clearly playing a tactical game, using her Koffing's abilities to create a defensive wall and keep Karen's Honchkrow at bay. And now Karen was moving to remove said obstacle.
Honchkrow flapped its powerful wings and darted around over the smokescreen with swift, precise motions, wind whirling around inside the smokescreen as it surrounded the Koffing in a hurricane, pulling the gas and smokescreen both into it. Except, Shae didn't look worried, Ezra chuckling as he realized she'd pulled a fast one again, just like she'd done against him.
Koffing wasn't in the smokescreen anymore.
"I guess you got me!" Shae called out, making Karen's eyes narrow, as she studied the field, trying to see what she'd missed, immediately cottoning on to something being wrong, Shaw calling out, "Toxic!"
Despite Honchkrow's agility, it could not avoid the attack entirely as Koffing erupted from the earth and spat out a deluge of toxin straight at it. Karen's eyes narrowed, seeing the faint purple tint spread across Honchkrow's feathers. Poisoned. Badly poisoned at that.
Ezra's smile widened. This was more like it. Shae was fighting smart, using every advantage she could. But Karen was no pushover, and he knew she would retaliate fiercely. If he wasn't mistaken, Shae had once again used Koffing as a specific set up, having studied Karen. That purplish smokescreen hadn't been poisoned as Karen had thought, that had, pardon the pun, been a smokescreen.
She'd focused Karen on the smokescreen calling it V2 to make Karen think exactly what she'd done, while to Koffing V2 meant dig and wait for her command. The Koffing would have had to be pretty close to the surface to catch that, hence why Shae hadn't wanted Karen to look away from her smokescreen.
"Honchkrow, use Perish Song!" Karen commanded, her voice steady and calm despite the fact the first round was practically her loss. Perish Song would ensure Koffing went out with Honchkrow at least as long as Honchkrow could hold on that long. As badly poisoned as the bird was, it would have been unlikely to defeat Koffing on its own before fainting otherwise.
Honchkrow immediately began to sing an eerie and haunting melody, the crowd quieting down for a moment, just listening.
Ezra knew that unlike a game mechanic where just switching out the Pokemon ended a Perish Song, here, it worked no matter what, within 2-3 minutes. Which was about the time it would take Pokemon to fire off 2-3 full attacks - after which both Pokemon would faint.
It was a good enough move from Karen, making sure a falling asset took the other side with it. Making up for her getting caught off guard and almost losing the first round uncontested.
"Envy, we go on our own terms!" Shae shouted. "Use Explosion!"
Ezra blinked, somewhat exasperated by the unnecessary attack brought out by Shae's sheer ruthlessness. She was going for the double knockout on her terms. The Koffing began to glow ominously, building up energy, sitting almost directly below the Honchkrow.
Karen had time to order the Pokemon to fly away, but showing her own ruthlessness, did not do so. Considering both Pokemon were destined to faint within the next minute or two anyway, she obviously didn't see a point.
Ezra approved.
No need to act like they were dying or anything. They were just fainting, best to get it over with. Now if her Pokemon had a move to change the terrain or lay a trap before fainting, that was a different matter…
Koffing detonated, the explosion sending a shockwave through the arena. Dust and debris filled the air, and the crowd gasped in shock and thrill at how the first round of their fight came to an end. When the dust settled, both Pokemon lay fainted on the ground. A draw for the first round.
Both trainers recalled their Pokemon. Shae was still smirking, clearly unfazed by the loss of her Koffing, likely feeling like she'd still come out ahead in the mental battle. Karen, however, looked more serious than before.
She'd been skating through so far in the tournament, so likely this was a bit of a wake up call.
"Let's see how you handle this," Karen muttered, throwing her next Pokeball. "Sneasel, let's make a meal out of the punk's Pokemon!"
A Sneasel appeared, crouching low with its claws outstretched, eyes gleaming with malice. It hissed at Shae, who only grinned in response, not appearing bothered in the slightest.
"Alright, Pride, time to shine!" Shae called, releasing her Arbok. The snake Pokemon hissed loudly, its hood flaring out to reveal the intimidating pattern. The crowd cheered, clearly excited by the match-up.
"Sneasel, use Snowscape!" Karen commanded without hesitation.
Sneasel practically cackled, as a snowstorm erupted over the field, reducing visibility, and buffing Sneasel's ice attacks going forward. At the same time as Karen called out her attack, Shae had called out her own, the moment the word Snow - exited Karen's mouth.
"Pride, use Dig, plan three!"
Arbok slithered quickly, as it burrowed underground, avoiding the snowstorm in totality. Karen loudly clicked her tongue, annoyed by her opponent's propensity to dig underground.
Ezra privately thought Shae would be destroyed by anyone with Earthquake or similar techniques if she kept fighting with the same type of moves. Or perhaps she's just being tactical. After all, the odds of a Honchkrow and a Sneasel having those types of moves were practically zero.
"Get ready, Sneasel," Karen said, eyes sharp. "Light feet."
Ezra watched with interest. With the way the Pokemon reacted to Karen's order. Ezra had a feeling Karen as well was finally playing the same game - hiding her order behind something else.
Arbok erupted from the ground behind Sneasel, fangs bared, lit up with fire energy as it executed a Fire Fang. Sneasel cried out at the effective move, before its claws seemed to blur, as it struck back, the Arbok tossed back hissing in pain, curling up on itself a few feet away.
Counter. Ezra thought, enjoying the match. Karen knew an attack was coming and that she'd likely take some damage even if she ordered Sneasel to dodge, so she primed Sneasel to hit back twice as hard, take damage, but damage the enemy more. A calculated risk.
The Arbok was hissing in pain but quickly recovered, coiling around to face Sneasel. Both trainers called out orders at the same time.
"Pride, use Glare!" Shae shouted, no doubt hoping to ensure Sneasel couldn't use its greater agility against her.
At the same time Karen called out, "Ice Beam!"
Arbok's eyes glowed a menacing red, and Sneasel froze in place just as it was starting to fire an Ice Beam, paralyzed. Karen's face tightened in frustration. If the Ice Beam had gone off, in the snowstorm that was raging and enhancing Sneasel's attacks, Arbok would have been done for.
Shae had a lot of luck in this round, Glare only had a minor chance to so fully paralyze the opposing Pokemon.
"Finish it with another Fire Fang!" Shae commanded, a cool smirk on her face, as she winked teasingly at Karen, making the girl grit her teeth in frustration.
I'm not the only one who's noticed how easily riled up she is… Ezra thought with some amusement. It's likely Agatha beat that out of here by the time she took over her spot.
Arbok lunged at the immobile Sneasel, its fangs glowing with fire energy. The attack struck true, and Sneasel crumpled to the ground, completely done. The referee raised his flag, signaling the end of the round, Shae now having two Pokemon left. Karen - one.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, clearly impressed by Shae's performance and shocked at the fact Karen was losing. Ezra couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure if Karen could pull back or not, but if she did - this humiliation - or at least it would feel like it for her - would only further prime her to be off her game when fighting him.
Fighting Shae in the final instead, with Karen watching impotently from the side… Had its own charm too.
Karen recalled her Sneasel, her face calm but her eyes blazing with determination. "You're better than I thought," She muttered, loud enough for Shae and the audience to hear, thanks to the microphones, some self recrimination in her voice.
Shae just grinned, clearly enjoying the fight. "You're not bad yourself, Princess," She taunted, using the announcer's moniker for her.
Karen ignored the jibe and released her final Pokemon. "Weavile, let's end this."
Smart, Sneasel set up the field, it should last for another couple attacks at least. She might be down in Pokemon count, but she has field advantage and an already weakened Pokemon, Ezra began feeling more confident that Karen might pull this off.
He did want that fight after all.
Her Weavile emerged, growling lowly as it glared at Arbok. The crowd murmured, sensing the intensity of the battle about to unfold - knowing that Karen was up against the wall.
Again they called out their orders simultaneously, "Fire Fang!" From Shae, and "Ice Beam!" Snapped out by Karen.
Arbok didn't stand a chance, Shae had picked the wrong move this time, all it did was make sure Arbok was right in the face of Weavile when the overpowered Ice Beam hit it point blank.
Shae recalled her Arbok, looking chagrined at her own faulty decision, and sent out her final Pokemon. "Greed, it's your turn!"
Her Croagunk appeared, its eyes darting around the field as it bounced lightly on its feet. Ezra's eyes narrowed in thought, she's using the same three Pokemon, so I wont have any idea what else she has to use against me in the final if she wins… It puffed up its cheeks, its bright orange fingers flexing as it prepared for the coming battle. The crowd grew silent, sensing the tension in the air. Both trainers knew that this match could go either way, and neither was willing to give an inch.
Karen wasted no time, her voice clear and commanding. "Weavile, Blizzard!"
In the midst of the icy battlefield, Weavile crouched low. With a swift, fluid motion, it raised its clawed hands to the snowy sky, summoning a swirling storm of snow and ice. The temperature dropped rapidly as the blizzard began to form, the wind howling with a fierce intensity. With a sharp cry, Weavile unleashed its Blizzard attack, sending a torrent of frigid snowflakes and shards of ice crashing toward its opponent. The air crackled with the chill of the freezing onslaught, as the relentless storm threatened to overwhelm anything in its path.
Shae remained calm. "Greed, Dig and Snipe!" She ordered, the moment Weavile began its attack.
Just as the Blizzard exploded across the field, Croagunk dove underground, narrowly avoiding the blast. The ground froze over completely where the Blizzard struck, and a plume of snow rose up, temporarily obscuring the battlefield.
Ezra leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he tried to anticipate the next move. This battle was now down to who got a decisive strike in first, with both trainers trying to outthink the other. Karen's face was a mask of concentration, while Shae's expression remained unreadable. Her use of dig in every fight was going to work against her, Ezra suspected.
There was no way Karen would allow herself to be hit the same way again. Still, she was also vulnerable, as Croagunk was a Fighting/Poison type, and fighting was very effective against Weavile.
"Stay on your toes, Weavile," Karen called out, her voice steady. "Wait for it..."
Weavile tensed, its body low to the ground, muscles coiled and ready. The earth rumbled slightly, beneath its paws, signaling Croagunk's imminent reemergence.
"Endure and Avalanche!" Karen shouted just as Croagunk burst from the ground behind Weavile.
The Croagunk slammed into Weavile with a Cross Chop, the move super effective, Weavile groaning around the strike, but with a sinister grin on its face. Due to Endure, Weavile couldn't faint from this attack, and right after, Avalanche slammed into the Croagunk, the nice doubling in damage due to Weavile taking damage first, and then likely tripling or quadrupling due to the last vestiges of the snow storm.
Croagunk didn't stand a chance.
And just like that. With Weavile on literally its last legs. 1 HP left, if talking game terms.
Karen won.
The referee raised his flag, the announcer screaming out, face red, eyes bulging as he face hugged the microphone "Croagunk is unable to battle! The winner is Karen and her Weavile! The princess of the dark is evolving into a Queen!"
The crowd erupted into applause, many cheering and some still whispering in shock at the intensity of the battle. Karen let out a sigh of relief, recalling her Weavile with a slight nod of appreciation. Shae recalled her Croagunk, her expression a mix of disappointment and pleasure at a well fought battle.
Ezra stood up immediately, making his way down to the edge of the field. His eyes were focused on Shae, a hint of a smirk on his lips. He could see Karen watching him from the corner of her eye as he got down onto the field as they both began vacating it, her expression darkening as he approached.
As he reached the exit where the two girls were leaving, he completely ignored Karen, who was glaring daggers at him. Instead, he walked straight up to Shae. "Nice to see you again," He said with a respectful nod, even as he eyed her carefully. "You fought well. Almost beating an apprentice to the Elite Four is quite the feather in your cap, even if it was just Karen."
Okay, so he had two reasons to approach Shae, what with Karen nearby, he could do more than one thing at a time - he was good like that.
Shae glanced at Karen's reddening face with a wry smile, then looked back at Ezra, a knowing look in her eyes. "Too bad we didn't get a rematch," She lamented. "Would've been a lot more fun."
Ezra nodded, smirking as he specifically didn't look at Karen. "I agree. It would be much more interesting to fight you again. But I guess I'll have to 'make do' with the opponent I have." He sighed theatrically, in a what can you do manner, Shae outright chuckling.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She refused to engage however, managing to hold herself back. Stomping off with an irate huff. Ezra watched her go, amusement clear in his eyes.
Shae raised an eyebrow at him, clearly entertained by the exchange. "Is it wise to piss off your opponent right before a big match?" She asked, arms crossed under her chest in a way that accentuated her curves.
Not that Ezra noticed or anything.
Ezra's eyes flicked to her, then back to Karen's retreating form. "It's always wise to piss off an opponent," He replied with a casual shrug. "Makes them more likely to make stupid decisions."
Shae hummed thoughtfully, her eyes following Karen's figure as she disappeared into the crowd. "Maybe, but it might not be wise to piss off this particular opponent," She warned, her tone teasing. "Claws might come out." She added as a warning.
Ezra's confidence didn't waver. "I know what I'm doing."
Shae snorted, a smirk on her face. "That's what every man says before a woman crushes his balls. But whatever, win or lose, I'll enjoy watching it." She teased, her voice laced with both amusement and a hint of a challenge.
Ezra's confidence didn't falter. "Winning is the only outcome," He declared, determinedly. He couldn't help but notice the playful glint in her eyes as she leaned back slightly, her posture relaxed but still very much aware. Is she a plant for me, I'm dying to know…
Is she Team Rocket?
He probably shouldn't be poking her with a stick to see how she reacts, but he was very bad at holding back his impulses to begin with.
"Sure, sure," Shae replied with a lazy drawl, her tone teasing. "Just don't come crying to me when she wipes the floor with you." She gave him a wink and started to walk off, but not before turning back one last time. "Good luck, by the way, love seeing you perform." She said with a flirty smile.
Ezra watched her go, his expression shifting into something more serious, his smile fading as he considered the situation. Despite her playful demeanor, there was something about Shae that still didn't sit right with him. This conversation hadn't been able to shake off the feeling that she might be more than just a tough trainer with a punk attitude. She was suspicious, no doubt about it.
Not long after meeting her, Team Rocket had tracked him down - noted him as a person of interest. Coincidence? That's what he was wondering…
He couldn't ignore the possibility that she was affiliated with Team Rocket or some other organization, keeping an eye on him for reasons unknown. It wasn't entirely unreasonable for her to be fighting in this tournament. But Johto is big enough it's odd that she, with her skill, happened to be where he was twice now.
She should be doing the circuit, kicking ass and taking names.
Whatever her motives, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He had a tournament to win, and after that, he'd be heading back to Pewter City to continue his journey. There was no point in dwelling on Shae's intentions more now - he'd act if she mysteriously followed him again. He had a more immediate challenge to focus on.
Karen.
As he turned away from the battlefield and made his way back to the stands, Ezra's thoughts shifted back to his upcoming match. Karen was no ordinary trainer despite some of her less then desirable habits. Her connection to the Elite Four made her a formidable opponent in sheer knowledge available to her if nothing else, and she had shown time and time again that she was willing to do whatever it took to win.
He could see that from the way she commanded her Pokemon with such confidence and precision, never hesitating, never showing any sign of doubt in her decision, that she was a fighter through and through.
She likely thought she had all the advantages right now, Dark after all was effective against Ghosts. To the crowd, and to Karen. There was absolutely no way Ezra could win.
That attitude was exactly what he wanted.
There was a break, as Karen got the opportunity to heal her Pokemon, not that Ezra suspected she'd use the same ones now. So he hung around the edge of the stands, just waiting.
The final was here soon, the most important match.
The sun was beginning to set across the fighting area as the final preparations for the final match went into motion, the announcer hyping everything up. The crowd buzzed with excitement and plenty of betting could be seen taking place, making Ezra more confident that online betting on Pokemon matches would make him filthy rich once he got it going.
This was what they had all been waiting for since the first match. The climax of the tournament, the Orange League winner versus the Dark Apprentice.
As he made his way to the competitors' area, he caught a glimpse of Karen standing off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes focused on something in the distance. She looked calm and composed, but he could sense the tension radiating off her in waves. She was angry, that much was clear, and he knew that her frustration could either be an advantage or a liability, depending on how he played his cards.
He wanted her angry, frustrated, likely to lash out, but not so angry she got coldly focused, taming it for her purpose and using it to her advantage instead of his.
He decided to keep his distance, not wanting to provoke her any further before the match. He needed her to be off her game, to be thinking more about him than about the battle ahead.
As he watched her from across the field, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement too. This was it - the moment he had been waiting for during the last three days. A chance to prove himself against one of the supposed best, to show that he was more than just a novice trainer with a few tricks up his sleeve. He was here to win, and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Don't cry too hard, Karen, daddy's only going to spank you a little…
…
Arceus, I'm glad I didn't say that out loud, Ezra cringed, looking away from Karen.
The hour-long break before the final match had felt stretched out, filled with restless energy of anticipation. The crowd were extremely loud and filled with excitement, the stands a sea of color and noise as vendors moved through the aisles selling refreshments and souvenirs. The organizers worked hard to hype up the final, their voices amplified by speakers, extolling the skills of the two finalists and building the tension to a fever pitch.
Ezra watched all of this from his spot in the competitors' area, a calm smile playing on his lips. He knew what was coming. Karen was a fierce opponent, and she would not hold back now. But he felt confident in his own abilities and those of his Pokemon. His hand moved almost unconsciously to the Pokeballs at his belt, his fingers brushing over their cool surface. She might be strong, but he had strength of his own. And advantages she couldn't comprehend.
He'd seen Karen's battle against Shae, and he understood the game she was playing. Just like him, Karen had been holding back, only for her it had almost cost her. She hadn't used her best Pokemon, conserving her strength and hiding her team for the final showdown. Shae had forced her to reveal a little more, but he knew that he hadn't seen everything she could do yet. He wasn't fooled by the near-defeat, it had been a case of Karen underestimating the opposition - Karen was a lot more formidable than she appeared.
Against him, it wouldn't matter.
He had his own plans for this battle, his own strategies that he had been saving for this moment. He was ready to face her strongest Pokemon with his own. He stroked the Pokeballs again, feeling the weight of them in his hands, a subtle smile playing at his lips. She'd face much stronger Pokemon in this final, too. Loki, Nyx, and Rider had been patiently waiting for this.
A loud horn sounded, signaling the competitors to take their places. Ezra stood up, stretching his arms above his head, and began his walk to the field. The crowd's noise swelled around him, a wave of sound that seemed to carry him forward. Across the field, he saw Karen stepping out from the opposite side. Her face was set in a determined expression, her jaw tight with focus.
Then she stopped, her eyes widening for just a moment as she took in the sight of an elderly woman now seated in the VIP section. Ezra recognized her immediately as he glanced that way - Lady Agatha of the Elite Four. The ghost type master, renowned and feared across Kanto and Johto alike, her presence alone enough to send a chill down the spine of even the bravest trainers.
Notably the seating around her section was suddenly a lot sparser.
Karen's pale face showed her surprise, clearly she hadn't been expecting her mistress to be here. It seemed Agatha had come on her own accord, her sharp eyes watching the proceedings, watching him.
Ezra caught Agatha's gaze, and for a brief moment, he felt the full weight of her scrutiny. Her eyes were like cold steel, piercing through him as if trying to see into his very soul. He suppressed the urge to shiver under that intense stare. He knew better than to show any sign of intimidation. Instead, he gave her a slow, respectful bow of his head, a gesture of acknowledgment and respect. He might enjoy messing with Karen, but Agatha was a different matter entirely.
Lady Agatha was one of the most powerful trainers in both regions, her influence and authority unmatched by all but a few. She commanded respect, and Ezra was not foolish enough to antagonize her unnecessarily. If she had come all this way to watch the final, it meant she was interested in something - perhaps in Karen's performance, or perhaps in his, since she'd been tracking him apparently. Either way, he knew this wouldn't end with the battle. He would have to talk to her, whether he wanted to or not. And how that conversation went would depend heavily on what happened next.
If he didn't dominate here, he'd be in a weaker position when Agatha laid out her demands, whatever it was she was pushing for in sending Karen chasing after him.
Karen seemed to recover quickly from her initial shock. Her face hardened into a mask of determination, her eyes never leaving Ezra's as she resumed her walk to the field. She looked even more serious than usual, her mouth set in a thin line, her shoulders squared. She was prepared to give it her all, no matter the outcome. Ezra could see it in her posture, in the way she moved with a fierce purpose.
Ezra took his place at his end of the field, his mind already running through the various scenarios that could play out. He could feel the weight of Agatha's gaze on him, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he centered himself. He could do this. He had to do this. His position, his future, his very dreams depended on it - he couldn't be shackled to Agatha, which he suspected is why she sent Karen after him. He knew that Karen would come out strong, but he was ready for her. He had prepared for this, and he would give her everything he had - and he would crush her.
He would show Agatha that he wasn't some idiot rookie. That she couldn't just do what she wished with him.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, the anticipation hanging thick in the air like a storm about to break. Ezra locked eyes with Karen across the field, a confident smile on his face. She returned his gaze with a look of fierce determination, her eyes burning with a competitive fire.
This is it, Ezra thought. Time to win.
The tournament's final match was about to begin, and the atmosphere was electric as the announcer screamed so hard into his microphone he became unintelligible. Spectators leaned forward in their seats, eager to see who would come out on top. Karen stood tall and confident, her lips pressed together in a tight line. Ezra faced her with a calm expression, his eyes cold and calculating.
The referee raised his flag, signaling the start of the battle. "Trainers, release your Pokemon!" The announcer screamed, before finally, mercifully, shutting up.
Karen acted first, sending out an Absol in a flash of white light. The Disaster Pokemon landed gracefully on the ground, its white fur shimmering under the stadium lights, the blade-like horn on its head gleaming with a deadly sharpness. Karen gave the Absol a nod of confidence, clearly relying on her Pokemon's agility and strength to overpower Ezra early in the fight and take a commanding lead.
Ezra, however, had a different strategy in mind. He released Nyx, his Spiritomb, onto the battlefield. The ghostly Pokemon materialized in a swirl of dark energy, its eerie purple and green visage eliciting murmurs from the crowd. Nyx floated above the ground, its hundreds of spectral dots shifting into faces and whispering in a haunting chorus.
Karen hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing at the sight of the Ghost/Dark type. Not that she likely knew that, Ezra thought, the Spiritomb was not a well known Pokemon at this time.
She had confidence in her Pokemon's speed and power. "Absol, start with Taunt, then move in with Bite" She commanded, her voice firm.
Not a bad move, stopping Nyx from using status moves and then getting in close now that she can't be hit by Confuse Ray and the like, Ezra acknowledged. Unfortunately for her, that hadn't been his plan to begin with. Bite also wouldn't be as effective as she had planned if it hit, because Nyx was also a Dark Pokemon.
Absol leaped forward, its teeth glowing with a dark aura as it charged toward Nyx after having let out a cry, using Taunt. The crowd gasped at the Pokemon's speed, the air around Absol crackling with energy. But Ezra remained unfazed. "Nyx, Phantom Force," He said calmly.
Nyx's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, before the Pokemon just disappeared, Absols attack missing, as there was nothing to hit. Suddenly Nyx reappeared again, the ghostly energy hitting Absol, who let out a cry, jumping back.
First blood, so to speak, Ezra thought, watching Karen with a smirk, what will you do?
Karen seemed incensed to have taken the first hit like that, her Pokemon not able to do anything. "Absol, Double Team and Night Slash, keep moving, don't let it surprise you"
Absol tried to follow her command, creating multiple afterimages of itself to confuse Nyx after firing off a Night Slash. But Ezra was one step ahead. "Nyx, SS2!"
Nyx disappeared, avoiding the Night slash, before appearing behind the Absol in a Shadow Sneak, immediately releasing a wave of dark energy that spread across the battlefield - a Dark Pulse. The attack hit all of Absol's afterimages, instantly revealing the real one. The Dark Pulse also struck Absol head on, sending it skidding back across the dirt a few feet, the Absol growling in anger.
As dark and ghost moves were both only half effective, Nyx hadn't done overly too much damage yet.
"Quick Attack and Bite, watch your back!" Karen called out, frustrated with the pace of the fight being entirely against her.
Ezra decided it was time to turn the battle decisively in his favor. His lips curled into a subtle smile. He flared his aura slightly, just enough to be felt by Absol. There was no visible sign of his action, but he saw the immediate effect. Absol, in the middle of a Quick Attack, hesitated, as it sensed the aura from him directly, stuttering to a halt. Leaving it wide open.
Karen's eyes widened in frustration. She didn't understand why Absol was acting so strangely, failing its move. "Focus, Absol! Use Quick Attack!" She called out, trying to get her Pokemon back on track.
But it was too late, Nyx was already right on it. "Nyx, Hypnosis," Ezra ordered softly, his aura actively pushing on Absol to not fight the technique.
The Taunt only lasted for the energy it took to fire off three attacks, or three turns in game terms. Which Nyx had already done. So status moves were back into play.
Nyx's eyes glowed once more, sending out hypnotic waves that enveloped Absol. The Pokemon's movements slowed, its eyes fluttering shut as it fell into a deep sleep. The crowd murmured in surprise - the match had only just begun, and already Karen was at a significant disadvantage.
Ezra looked at her, tilting his head, a pleasant smile on his face, "You can withdraw, or perhaps you want to see if Absol will wake up while Nyx uses Dream Eater."
At the word of the attack, Nyx immediately began, glowing with ghostly energy, which also enveloped Absol. Now Psychic type moves weren't very effective, Dark Pokemon resistive to them, but it was more of the point he was making.
I'm beating you with non-effective moves.
Karen clenched her fists, her frustration growing. She had underestimated Ezra, and now she was paying the price.
But she wasn't out of tricks yet. She could have switched Pokemon, and left the Absol for last, in hopes it would wake up as a Hail Mary if she was pushed that far, but instead she withdrew it, letting the referee know.
It was a pragmatic choice, ensuring Nyx wouldn't be able to either buff up, or prepare another technique while Karen switched. An immediate replacement forthcoming instead.
She quickly sent out her next Pokemon - a Gengar. The Ghost/Poison type emerged from its Pokeball with a mischievous grin, its body flickering like a shadow as it cried out its name, licking it's lips.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, knowing this was likely one of Karen's stronger Pokemon, trained by Agatha as she was - although not a Dark Pokemon - it was a fact that most specialists regularly had an ace or two in their back pocket. He decided to keep Nyx on the field, confident in his strategy and to be totally honest… His huge aura advantage.
Gengar's grin widened, eyes narrowing as it prepared to strike, just waiting on its mistress' orders.
Nyx was Dark as well as Ghost. Karen wasn't about to have a good time.
"Gengar, use Confuse Ray, then keep your distance and use Shadow Ball!" Karen commanded, her voice sharper now, no longer willing to take Ezra lightly. But, it was possible she was now being too careful.
Distance didn't matter overly much to Shadow Sneak. Not in a small field like this. "Nyx, Shadow Sneak out of the way." He ordered.
Nyx disappeared, the Confuse Ray missing, Karen immediately snapping out, "Turn around, attack!"
Gengar had already formed a dark ball of energy between its hands and immediately turned and hurled it toward Nyx. Ezra remained calm. "Nyx, Protect," He said quietly.
A translucent barrier appeared around Nyx just in time, absorbing the impact of Gengar's Shadow Ball. The crowd cheered at the display of defensive prowess. Karen's frustration was evident, she had yet to even hit him.
"Don't give it any breathing room! Gengar, use Sludge Bomb!" She shouted, doubling down on her attack, now that Nyx was right there.
Gengar prepared to launch a volley of toxic sludge at Nyx, aiming to overwhelm the protective shield. But Ezra anticipated her move. He flared his aura once more, and just as before with the Absol, Gengar's focus wavered, the attack slowing down as the Ghost Pokemon hesitated mid-through.
"Nyx, switch to Shadow Ball," Ezra ordered swiftly.
Nyx dropped its protective barrier and countered with its own Shadow Ball. The attack collided with Gengar in midair, causing a small explosion of ghostly energy. The force of the blast sent Gengar reeling back, and the crowd gasped at the intense exchange.
Karen's frustration turned into outright anger. She could feel Agatha's eyes on her from the stands, watching her every move. She couldn't afford to lose this match. "Gengar, regroup and use Thunderbolt!" She snapped out, switching to elemental attacks.
But Ezra was relentless. "Nyx, Shadow Ball again." His aura confused the Gengar, making it slow to react.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't nice. But winning was what mattered. And winning decisively mattered more.
Nyx released another ball of tightly compacted ghostly energy, and the Gengar, still momentarily distracted by Ezra's aura, was too slow to react. The attack hit it squarely, sending it crashing to the ground. Karen could only watch in disbelief as Gengar struggled to get back up.
She'd still failed to connect a single attack on Nyx.
Ezra seized the opportunity to finish it off. "Finish it with another Shadow Ball," He ordered, even as Karen shouted out, "Destiny Bond!" Trying to get something out of this.
Nyx gathered its energy and launched another Shadow Ball at Gengar. The attack struck with precision, and Gengar collapsed before it could finish its own last gasp attack, unable to continue. The referee raised his flag, signaling Gengar's defeat.
Karen was left with one Pokemon. She was backed into a corner, and Ezra had yet to lose any of his. She recalled the fainted Gengar, her jaw tight with frustration. She was furious, but she refused to let it show any further then that. She wouldn't give Ezra the satisfaction.
Karen sent out her final Pokemon, a Shiftry. The Grass/Dark type materialized on the field, its leafy hands swaying slightly as it sized up Nyx. Karen knew she had to turn this battle around, and quickly.
Ezra recalled Nyx, deciding to change tactics - he also didn't want to leave his next Pokemon pouting for the next week for not getting to play. He sent out Rider, his Ghost Marowak evolution. The crowd gasped at the sight of the unique Pokemon, its flaming bone club ignited with an eerie blue flame. Rider stood ready, eyes locked on Shiftry.
A Ghost/Fire type was a bad matchup for a Grass/Dark type. Karen was in for a quick finish.
Karen wasted no time. "Shiftry, Nasty Plot then hit it with a Sucker Punch!" She commanded.
Ezra wasn't about to let her have the time to pull both moves. "Rider. Fire Blast." He ordered with finality.
Rider was new to the move, so the fire blast was more compact, flying forward in a thin spray of white hot fire instead of a more all encompassing blast.
Karen's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Rider to toss out a fire attack, nor one of that caliber. "Shiftry, Protect!"
It was as easy as breathing to reach out and delay the Shiftry just that one critical second, the Pokemon crying out as the Fire Blast hit. Karen watched in absolute stupefaction, as she was beat without ever scoring a hit. Recalling her Pokemon rather than letting it continue suffering under the fire.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee raised his flag to signal Shiftry's defeat. The match was over. Ezra had won. There was a subdued quality to the cheer however. The crowd was almost confused at the easy victory, not to mention all the people who'd lost their bets.
Karen stared at the field in disbelief, her hands clenched into fists. She couldn't believe it. She had lost so easily. She had assumed too much, and Ezra had outmaneuvered her at every turn. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but she refused to be a sore loser. She refused to humiliate herself more than she already had.
With a stiff expression, she walked across the battlefield to Ezra and extended her hand. "Good match," She said through gritted teeth, her voice taut with barely suppressed frustration.
Ezra accepted her handshake, feeling the strength in her grip as she tried to crush his hand. He met her gaze with a calm, unbothered expression, his grip firm but not retaliatory. "You fought well," He replied evenly.
She never stood a chance, but for once, he kept that to himself. There was such a thing as being a troll, and then there was beating a dead horse. He had some decency.
Karen's back remained rigid, her eyes fixed on Ezra's face as they shook hands. She was furious, but not just at him - she was angry at herself for underestimating him and letting her emotions get the better of her. She refused to look back toward the stands where she knew Lady Agatha was watching. The shame of losing in front of her mentor burned hotter than her defeat itself.
Just as Karen was about to release Ezra's hand, she felt a sudden, chilling touch on her shoulder. She jumped, her breath catching in her throat, and turned to see Lady Agatha standing behind her, as if she had appeared out of thin air. The elderly woman's face was expressionless, her eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You did as well as you could, considering the circumstances," Agatha said, her voice cool and measured. There was no judgment in her tone, but Karen could sense the underlying weight of her words. It was hard to tell if Agatha was disappointed or simply stating a fact.
Karen bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She felt a mix of shame and frustration, but she knew better than to argue with her mentor. Before she could gather her thoughts, Agatha raised a wrinkled hand and cuffed her lightly on the back of the head.
"Girl, when I say something, it's the truth," Agatha snapped, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Karen nodded stiffly, her cheeks flushing as she fought to maintain her composure. "Yes, Lady Agatha," She mumbled, feeling like a scolded child.
The fact it was happening in front of Kassian made it one hundred times worse.
Meanwhile, Ezra had been trying to inch away from the uncomfortable scene, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. He knew better than to get involved in whatever dynamic was at play between Karen and her mentor. But just as he was about to turn and slip away, he felt the weight of Agatha's gaze fall upon him.
"Ezra Kassian," Agatha said, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd like a blade. "You're a hard young man to find. Come, let's chat, you and I."
Notably, the tournament should be having a prize ceremony, but no one seemed to be willing to approach them and disturb Agatha.
Ezra's body tensed. He had expected this moment but hoped it wouldn't come so soon. "Can't we just chat right now?" He asked, trying to keep his tone light while belatedly adding, "Lady Agatha," To maintain a semblance of politeness. And to remain in public view, where Agatha couldn't do anything too crazy if he flat out turned her down on whatever she wanted.
Agatha gave him a look that could have curdled milk. "I'm old, boy. I'm going to find a nice cushion to sit on before dealing with you," She replied, her smirk not quite reaching her eyes. She pointed a bony finger at him, and for a moment, Ezra wondered if she might actually zap him - like she was one of her Ghost Pokemon. "Karen, fetch us refreshments. I'll take over the referee's tent for now."
Karen's lips twitched in irritation, and she muttered under her breath, "I'm not a damn servant."
"What was that?" Agatha snapped, her tone sharp as a whip.
Karen yelped and immediately straightened up. "I'm on it, Lady Agatha!" She blurted out before rushing off to comply with her mentor's orders.
Agatha snorted softly, shaking her head as if bemused by Karen's behavior. "Youth, wasted on the young," She muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Her gaze flickered back to Ezra. "You a smart mouth too, boy?"
Ezra considered lying, but really, what was the point? He gave a slight shrug and answered truthfully, "Of course." He wasn't enthused with being called boy, but he supposed when you got to Agatha's level of power - you could do, and say, whatever the fuck you wanted.
Because really? Who was going to stop her? He certainly wasn't going to pick a fight over just words.
Agatha sighed, leaning heavily on her cane. "Of course you are," She repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Now, lend me your arm. Let an old lady lean on you as we walk."
Ezra hesitated, knowing full well that Agatha didn't need his assistance. She was one of the most formidable trainers in the region, if not the world, and her physical frailty was more an illusion than reality. But he couldn't refuse without being blatantly rude, and he had a feeling he would need every ounce of goodwill he could muster for whatever was coming next.
He forced a polite smile and offered his arm. "Of course, Lady Agatha," He said, trying to keep his tone respectful.
As they walked toward the referee's tent, the crowd parted for them, whispers and curious glances following in their wake. Ezra could feel the tension in the air, a mix of awe and apprehension directed at the elderly member of the Elite Four and the young upstart who had just bested her apprentice.
There's no way this conversation ends well…
Author's note:
Unfortunately for Karen, this was never going to end well for her in fighting Ezra. He's too well aware of Dark Pokemon, plus he had his cheaty aura to assist in confusing and distracting her Pokemon. The fact he has rare and unusual Pokemon didn't help. She didn't know Nyx was Dark, nor did she know Rider was Fire.
She also erroneously still held him in slight contempt for the way he acted, and underestimated his skills as a trainer. A lesson to learn, because with the information she had - she really shouldn't have. But it just means Ezra's mind games were working.
They won't on Agatha, so he'll have an interesting conversation ahead.
Sorry to those who expected an epic fight between the two. With her being a Dark Pokemon trainer - it just wasn't ever going to go down like that. Unless Ezra suddenly became chivalrous or something.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
khristianMLG
Nefarious
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Nice cliffhanger
trudny1
Know what you're doing yet?
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A truly pure boy, one could say that his spirit is pure.
I disapprove. By keeping her pokemon up for longer she could've learned the opponents next choice, allowing her to make an educated decision on which of her pokemon would be the best for the matchup.
I disagree tbh, you keep trying to sell the fact that winning or losing will be important in talk, but I don't see it. Victory or defeat here against student of E4 shouldn't have any impact on negotiations.
You lost - okay, I lost against disciple of one of the E4's, I started being a trainer few weeks ago big deal.
Thanks for the chapter though.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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How did you get the pictures in? I tried making an index and the site just refuses to let me do the pics.
Rowencloude
Getting sticky.
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Begone evil cliffhanger.... Thanks for the chapter.
FTR2017
Well worn.
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Lmao, this was a fantastic conclusion to Karen's karenhood, and in front of her mentor, no less! 
She will have to hang up her 'Dark Specialist' brand, and perhaps change it to 'Ground Specialist' from how salty she'll be!
I bet Agatha noticed the aura shenanigans going on, and thus her 'you did well in these circumstances' that she gave Karen.
I look forward to what the conversation between the two of them will entail!
She will have to hang up her 'Dark Specialist' brand, and perhaps change it to 'Ground Specialist' from how salty she'll be!
I bet Agatha noticed the aura shenanigans going on, and thus her 'you did well in these circumstances' that she gave Karen.
I look forward to what the conversation between the two of them will entail!
Informational: Ezra's Pokemon.
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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So because this will simplify things, here will be the post that will keep track of Ezra's Pokemon.
Most of it works, only a few Pokemon fighting me on this still, big thanks to @Moran for helping me figure out how to do this.
Named Team:
Gender: Female
Ability: Bad Dreams
Nature: Serious
Met: Buried temple, cave system, Orange Islands
Debut: Chapter 3
Gender: Male
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Naughty
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Shuppet-Banette
Gender: Male
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Impish
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Cubone-Alolan Marowak
Gender: Male
Ability: Battle Armor, Moxie
Nature: Brave
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Gender: Female
Ability: Clear Body, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Pure Power
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Primeape - Annihilape
Gender: Male
Ability: Anger Point, Defiant
Nature: Rash
Met: Ilex Forest, Johto
Debut: Chapter 8
Dark Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Rivalry, Shadow Tag
Nature: Sassy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Fur Coat
Nature: Adamant
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Insomnia
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Oblivious, Receiver
Nature: Hardy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Soul-Heart
Nature: Quirky
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Ghost Pokemon owned: (Note: Does not count what's in his shadow)
Gender: Female
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Mild
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Grassy Surge
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Cursed Body
Nature: Impish
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Mummy
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Infiltrator, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Disguise, Illusion
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Chilling Neigh, Levitate
Nature: Hasty
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Miscellaneous Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Adaptability
Nature: Sassy
Met: Breeding farm outside Goldenrod City, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Pidgeotto-Pidgeot
Gender: Female
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Sassy
Met: Forest outside Lavender Town
Debut: Chapter 1
Pokemon sold/no longer with him:
Most of it works, only a few Pokemon fighting me on this still, big thanks to @Moran for helping me figure out how to do this.
Named Team:
Gender: Female
Ability: Bad Dreams
Nature: Serious
Met: Buried temple, cave system, Orange Islands
Debut: Chapter 3
Gender: Male
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Naughty
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Shuppet-Banette
Gender: Male
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Impish
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Cubone-Alolan Marowak
Gender: Male
Ability: Battle Armor, Moxie
Nature: Brave
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Gender: Female
Ability: Clear Body, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Pure Power
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Primeape - Annihilape
Gender: Male
Ability: Anger Point, Defiant
Nature: Rash
Met: Ilex Forest, Johto
Debut: Chapter 8
Dark Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Rivalry, Shadow Tag
Nature: Sassy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Fur Coat
Nature: Adamant
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Insomnia
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Oblivious, Receiver
Nature: Hardy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Soul-Heart
Nature: Quirky
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Ghost Pokemon owned: (Note: Does not count what's in his shadow)
Gender: Female
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Mild
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Grassy Surge
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Cursed Body
Nature: Impish
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Mummy
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Infiltrator, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
![URL]](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F%5BURL+unfurl%3D%2522true%2522%5Dhttps%3A%2F%2Farchives.bulbagarden.net%2Fmedia%2Fupload%2F5%2F56%2F608Lampent_Dream.png%5B%2FURL%5D&hash=fe81a873c7e0cc899a508568be9dd006)
Gender: Male
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Disguise, Illusion
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Chilling Neigh, Levitate
Nature: Hasty
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Miscellaneous Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Adaptability
Nature: Sassy
Met: Breeding farm outside Goldenrod City, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Pidgeotto-Pidgeot
Gender: Female
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Sassy
Met: Forest outside Lavender Town
Debut: Chapter 1
Pokemon sold/no longer with him:
Last edited:
ShunGod
monkey brain time
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Images are broken
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Still trying to figure out how to get everything to work, like I said, a work in progress, will also add abilities, when met, etc. This is definitely not finished yet.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Added the abilities, nature, when met and such, still trying to figure out how to get the pictures to work.
Dammit Jim, I'm a writer, not a computer geek!
Edit: Mimikyu, Lampent, Eevee and the Crystal Onix are still not working, but the rest seem fine now.
Dammit Jim, I'm a writer, not a computer geek!
Edit: Mimikyu, Lampent, Eevee and the Crystal Onix are still not working, but the rest seem fine now.
Last edited:
ThunderBasilisk
Well Worn Bastion
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This was an awesome chapter. Wasnt expecting such a stomp against Karen but honestly I should have. Honestly cant wait to see the conversation with Agatha. She's always a delight to read in stories. Plus its likely shes gonna have an explanation on why he's so special to.
Chapter 10: Is this Marriage?
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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- 18,153
Here's chapter 10: Is this Marriage?
Here we go, Agatha conversation coming up,
Karen getting another shock,
And Ezra just trying to ensure the big bad wolf doesn't eat him… While also trying to be his usual self and not give away anything for free.
Although with less trolling, because he's not stupid.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra held open the flap of the referee's tent, allowing Lady Agatha to step through first. He followed her in, feeling the weight of the encounter hanging over him like a fog. The inside of the tent was dimly lit, and it smelled faintly of grass and the earthy musk of the tournament grounds. The table in the middle was cluttered with papers, empty water bottles, and a few discarded towels.
Agatha made a sound of irritation, tapping her cane against the ground as she moved to sit in a worn chair, one hand clutching her cane and the other brushing aside some debris on the table. Despite her frail appearance, Ezra knew better than to underestimate her. Agatha of the Elite Four - the Ghost Mistress - was one of the most powerful trainers alive, and her influence spread far beyond the battlefield at this point.
She sat down with a sigh, then gave Ezra a pointed look. "Come, sit. Let's not pretend either of us enjoys this, but there's business to discuss."
Ezra eyed the other chair, then sat down across from her, his expression carefully neutral. His mind raced, though, already trying to anticipate what angle she'd take. He didn't like this situation. Not one bit. There weren't many reasons for Agatha to hold an outsized interest in him, and the only one he could fathom was his aura.
Agatha leaned forward, tapping her cane lightly against the ground again, her eyes cold and calculating. "You've done well today, boy. Impressive even. I've heard whispers about your unusual methods from all corners throughout your little jaunts, but now that I've seen you in action... I want answers." Her voice was soft but edged, like a blade that could cut at any moment.
She wasn't someone Ezra could just brush off, yet he didn't want to fully bend. Pride, or just prudence? He wasn't sure.
Ezra shifted in his seat, his hands resting on his knees. He gave her a casual shrug, though inside, he was far from casual. "I aim to please," He said, keeping his tone light, though his words had a cautious edge. "I didn't realize the Elite Four took such interest in small-time tournaments."
No need to get into other matters unless she outright asks…
Agatha's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "Don't play coy, young Kassian. I don't waste my time on piddly tournaments. I'm here because of you." She straightened in her seat, her sharp gaze never leaving him. "You've caught my attention, and not just because you managed to outmaneuver Karen, which, I must say, was entertaining. No, I'm interested in those Ghost Pokemon you have - the ones I've never seen in any region before, and how exactly you've come by them..."
Karen looked absolutely done with life, as she closed her eyes and seemed to be mentally counting down, anything to keep her cool at the fact Agatha had enjoyed the one sided beatdown.
Ezra tensed slightly at her question, but his face remained impassive. He had expected this, but hearing it laid out so bluntly still unsettled him, because he didn't know a way to fully get her off his back. "I guess word gets around fast," He said with fake nonchalance, leaning back a little. "But I'm not looking to share my secrets, Lady Agatha."
Agatha's smile faded, and her eyes hardened. "You're in no position to refuse, boy. Secrets like that... In the wrong hands... Well, we wouldn't want them in the wrong hands, would we?" Her voice carried a dark undercurrent, and for a moment, the tent seemed to grow colder, her presence looming despite her small frame. Karen standing just off her shoulder, shuddered, but remained still, her eyes opening as she smirked at Ezra.
No doubt enjoying seeing him being pressured.
Ezra took a slow breath, carefully choosing his words. "I'm not interested in having my Pokemon or my techniques become a tool for someone else's ambitions," He said, his voice steady. "I've got my own dreams to follow." No, I'm not going to sell out to Team Rocket…
Agatha raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Dreams? Hmph. And what, pray tell, are these grand dreams that make you think you can refuse me?" The cold amusement in her tone was humoring, as if he was only delaying the inevitable.
He glanced at her, then looked away for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but if he was going to get out of this conversation intact, he needed to be somewhat honest about everything. "I want to build a gym," He said finally, his voice more serious. "A Dark and Ghost Pokemon gym. I want to join the official circuit and make my mark. And I want to do it without people thinking I only got there because I'm your apprentice."
He wasn't an idiot, he could see exactly what she was pushing for with her comments.
Agatha snorted softly, amused by the notion. "A gym leader, is it?" She mused. "And what do you hope to accomplish with that? More than just fame, I assume?" From how her eyes narrowed at the end, she was practically projecting - it better not be just fame, boy!
Ezra's eyes narrowed, his voice growing more passionate. "I want to show Lavender Town what they missed. They turned their back on me because of my... Looks, and my… Attunement, and now I want to rub it in their faces. I want to prove that Dark and Ghost Pokemon aren't something to fear or shun. That they can be controlled. Used properly."
Karen looked at him with a complicated expression like she'd never seen him before, as she stood over Agatha's shoulder, Ezra ignored her, focusing on the dangerous woman in front of him.
Agatha's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. "A gym... Fueled by spite and ambition, how very much like the Dark and Ghost type... I can respect that," She said, her voice dry. "But you're wrong about one thing, boy."
Ezra frowned. "And what's that?" Stop calling me boy, you wrinkled bitch!
"You think being my apprentice would limit you," She said flatly, leaning forward again. "That people would discredit your accomplishments, claim you only rose to power because of my influence. You're a fool if you believe that matters for anything but a little boy's feelings. If anything, being under my wing would give you power, connections, influence. More than you could ever achieve on your own - more than enough to accomplish your dream."
Ezra's jaw tightened. He didn't like the way she was twisting the situation, as if his only path to success ran through her - he wasn't kidding about not wanting to be seen as her puppet. He might get a gym that way, perhaps even faster, but it wouldn't be his, not truly. "I'm not interested in taking shortcuts, Lady Agatha. I want to get there on my own merit. Otherwise, what's the point?"
Agatha sighed softly, shaking her head. "You're a stubborn one. But stubbornness can be dangerous, boy. There are far more dangerous forces in the world than just Gym Leaders or the uneducated mob of Lavender Town and their prejudices."
Ezra opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Agatha waved a hand dismissively. "Enough," She said, her voice growing colder. "Karen!"
Karen stepped forward reluctantly. "Yes, Lady Agatha?"
"Go fetch us some drinks. You know the one, my favorite from Hoenn - the citrus-based fizzy drink they make. I'm parched."
Karen looked confused for a moment. "I don't think they - "
"Go," Agatha snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. Karen flinched and hurried off without further protest, muttering something under her breath about 'menial tasks' as she disappeared.
Agatha watched her go, then turned her piercing gaze back to Ezra, her expression unreadable. "I know damn well they don't sell that drink here," She said quietly, her voice carrying a faint edge of amusement. "I just wanted her out of the way, I don't spoon feed my people, she can learn on her own... Now then, let's talk, you and I…"
Ezra shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but kept his voice steady. "Talk about what?"
Agatha's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, her voice completely lost any hint of its playful edge. "Don't play coy with me, boy. I'm no fool, and I've been watching you carefully. I know your little 'predisposition' that Lavender Town spoke of. That ability you have to influence Ghost Pokemon - it's not just for them, is it? You can do it with Dark Pokemon too, can't you?"
Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. He knew she'd known, otherwise none of this made sense, but it didn't make the path forward any easier. Now he had to figure out how much to reveal without giving her too much leverage. "It's... Complicated," He said carefully, his voice low.
Agatha's eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "Complicated, is it? You're speaking to one of the Elite Four, boy. You will be forthcoming with me. Now." There was an unmistakable threat in her voice this time. The shadows of the tent growing larger, a chill permeating the air.
She has a similar ability… He thought, I can't lie, not entirely…
"You see, Kassian," Agatha said, tapping her cane against the ground once again, "I'm not easily fooled. I watched Karen's battle closely, and from where I sat, I couldn't quite get the full picture, but I know her Pokemon far too well. They're well-trained, obedient. They do not flinch. They do not miscue or hesitate. And yet, during that battle, they did."
Ezra's throat tightened, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue, hoping to get a better sense of what she was after. That's an Elite Four for you I guess, I hadn't expected her to catch something so minor…
He hadn't even used any of his skills, or the Pokemon in his shadow, and yet just flashing his aura had still been caught by Agatha, or at least the results of it. He'd have to tread very carefully here… This all only confirmed to him how he wouldn't be able to use his particular skills in league sanctioned matches…
Not without great risk anyhow.
Agatha's voice lowered, carrying a dangerous weight. "So I'll ask you again directly, and I will have an answer, boy... This attunement you have? It isn't just for Ghost Pokemon, is it? It affects Dark Pokemon too. And you can control it, can't you?" She waved a hand dismissively, "I don't care that you used it to beat Karen, you use every tool in your toolbox, as long as you can get away with it. I have no quarrel over it… But you will tell me!"
Ezra hesitated, feeling the tension coil tighter around him. He considered his options. Agatha wasn't someone he could easily deceive or brush off. But outright admitting the full extent of his abilities would give her leverage, something he wasn't eager to hand over.
"I... Have a certain connection with Ghost and Dark types," He said slowly, choosing his words with care. "But it's not something I make a habit of advertising, considering I was run out of town for it."
Agatha's eyes flashed with cold amusement. "You'll have to do better than that, boy. You're speaking with one of the Elite Four. This isn't some back-alley interrogation. You will be forthcoming." Her cane hit the ground harshly, as she punctuated her statement.
Ezra clenched his jaw. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he wasn't about to cave without gaining something in return. His mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the conversation to his favor. He would not give up everything he could do, and then end up a puppet to this old witch.
Ezra felt the tension in the air tighten, like a vice closing in around him. He knew he couldn't dodge this forever, but he wasn't about to give in so easily either, or she'd run all over him. "I'm not forced to tell you anything," He said cautiously, his voice firm. "But... Maybe we could make a deal?"
Agatha's gaze narrowed. "A deal, you say? And what exactly do you think you have to bargain with?"
Ezra steeled himself, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him. "Like I said before," He began, his voice steady, "I won't be your apprentice. I've got my own path, and being tied to you would only make people think I didn't earn my place. But I'm starting a breeding business - Ghost and Dark Pokemon amongst the offerings. Rare varieties, ones you've never seen before. I'll give you first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon I breed, and in return, I'll share some information about my attunement. But I'm not giving you everything."
For a moment, the tent was silent. Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that made Ezra uneasy. Her presence seemed to loom larger, the shadows in the tent creeping closer, as if her very essence was stretching out to fill the space. When she spoke again, her voice was low and dangerous.
"Go on, brat..." She said, her tone daring him to continue to lay down terms to her. But it wasn't a flat out no, either.
Ezra swallowed, but his resolve didn't waver. He knew he was toeing a fine line, but if he didn't stand his ground now, Agatha would steamroll him into submission. "You get first pick," He repeated, his voice firm, "but not for free. I don't run a charity. You'll pay for the Pokemon, just like anyone else. And you'll get some information about how I interact with Ghost and Dark types and can do what I do, but nothing more. I'm not here to be your pawn."
Legally, she couldn't force him into anything, not without him being accused or charged with some sort of crime anyway. But there was a lot one of the scariest people on the continent could do to make things uncomfortable without going across the line of legality.
If Agatha pushed too much further… He'd ask for a lawyer for anything else. He won't be press ganged.
Agatha stared at him for a long, tense moment. The weight of her gaze was suffocating, but Ezra didn't break eye contact. He knew this was the crux of their negotiation - if she accepted his terms, he could walk out of this tent with his autonomy intact. If she didn't…
Things would get a lot more complicated.
And he hadn't exactly offered her much, all things considered. Maybe not even half of what she'd want, all told. Yet he refused to sell himself cheap, even in a situation like this.
Then, to his surprise, Agatha threw her head back and laughed - a sharp, almost wicked sound that sent a chill down Ezra's spine. When she looked back at him, her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker.
"You're an ornery little thing," She said, her voice dripping with condescending amusement. "I can't say it entirely displeases me." She sniffed haughtily, "Almost reminds me of my ex-husband, back when he had a spine…"
Ezra exhaled quietly, feeling the tension ease ever so slightly. He'd managed to stand his ground - at least for now. But the conversation wasn't over. He doubted it would end with a simple acceptance, and he shuddered at the thought of being compared to anyone that's had such a relationship with Agatha.
Before he could respond, or Agatha could lay down her counteroffer, Karen reentered the tent, her expression sullen and annoyed. "There's no such drink here," She said stiffly, like I would have told you if you'd let me, she appeared to say with her body language, glaring at the ground. "Do you want something else, Lady Agatha?"
Agatha's smirk widened as she turned to Karen, her tone dry and mocking. "No, dear. As I said, it's a Hoenn special. I knew it wouldn't be here." She paused, then added with a wave of her hand, "I just wanted you out of the way while the important people talked."
Ezra winced, oh, Arceus, I feel almost bad now for everything I've said to her.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. Ezra could see the moment she almost snapped, the frustration boiling just beneath the surface. But, at the last second, Karen bit her tongue and held herself in check, though her entire body was tense with barely contained rage.
If Agatha was trying to train her out of her hair-trigger temper by constantly pissing her off, Ezra did feel a small amount of pity for the girl. It's not like she could ever truly talk back, it's freaking Agatha.
Agatha turned back to Ezra, her eyes gleaming with a smug satisfaction. "Now, where were we?" She said, her voice almost casual. "Ah, yes. The deal." Her tone was entirely dry, as she mentioned the deal.
She leaned forward, her hands clasped over her cane. "I agree to your terms… On my terms. You'll provide me with first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon and Dark Pokemon types that you breed, and in return, I'll accept that you won't be my apprentice, for now." Her smile grew sharper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But there's one caveat."
Ezra's brow furrowed, his wariness returning. "Caveat?" He echoed.
Agatha's smile widened, and there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Karen," She said smoothly, her gaze flicking to her apprentice, "Will be joining you on your journey."
Ezra blinked, his mouth opening in shock, but Agatha wasn't finished. "She'll document your training methods and your interactions with your Pokemon. For me."
Karen, who had been standing stiffly to the side, suddenly froze, her face twisting in disbelief. "What?" She blurted out, her voice high-pitched with outrage. "Lady Agatha, I -"
Ezra barely registered Karen's outburst as he gaped at Agatha, his mind reeling from the sudden twist. "You can't be serious," He muttered, still in shock. Agatha's gaze on him told him plenty, she's willing to wait on the information…
Because she knew Ezra wouldn't share it all, while it would be very hard to hide it from Karen during the journey. Agatha was choosing to wave away the requirement of knowledge now, for full knowledge later. And Ezra would have a hard time saying no, because technically… Agatha's deal, at least on the surface, was heavily leaning his way.
Because Agatha could force the issue a lot harder if she so chose to.
Agatha's smirk only grew, her satisfaction radiating from her like a cold wave. "Oh, I'm very serious," She said sweetly, her tone dripping with amusement.
Karen looked like she was about to blow a fuse, her face flushed with anger, her hands clenched into tight fists. "But -"
"Silence, Karen," Agatha snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "I've made my decision."
Ezra could only stare at the two of them, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Agatha's smug smile remained fixed on her face, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
Ezra had come here expecting a difficult negotiation, but he hadn't expected this.
He couldn't think of a good way to say no without ending up with a worse deal.
He'd avoided being forced into an apprenticeship, he'd have to take what he could get.
This is going to be awkward…
30 minutes later,
The prize ceremony was a rushed, awkward affair, held hastily in the center of the battle field after Agatha had made her dramatic exit. The event, which should have been a moment of triumph for Ezra, was dampened by the simmering tension between him and Karen. Both trainers stood in the spotlight, their faces plastered with fake smiles as the organizers bustled around, eager to conclude the tournament on a high note despite the obvious awkwardness that hung in the air.
And the rather odd delay in which everyone had to stand around for almost an hour, waiting, as Agatha had stolen away both finalists.
Ezra's thoughts were far from the glittering stage and cheering crowd - although a much smaller one after an hour. His mind was still reeling from Agatha's bombshell - the news that Karen would be joining him on his journey was like a punch to the gut. He hadn't even been able to fully process it yet. He was already imagining the endless arguments, the constant friction. His jaw tightened as he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes scanning the crowd without really seeing them.
Sure, some of that friction was his doing, but she made it so easy, he couldn't resist.
Karen, on the other hand, looked even unhappier. Her smile was utterly forced, her eyes hard as she stood beside Ezra, arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was clearly furious with how everything had played out - her defeat, Agatha's dismissive attitude, and now, being forced to follow Ezra like some errand girl. Her knuckles were white from how tightly she clenched her fists, but she held her head high, refusing to let the crowd see how much the situation was getting under her skin.
The head organizer, a balding man with a forced grin, stepped forward, holding a gleaming trophy in one hand and an envelope of prize money in the other. "And the winner of this year's Battle Tower Lawn Tournament is Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League!" He announced with far too much enthusiasm, thrusting the envelope and the trophy into Ezra's hands before stepping aside for the next presenter.
Ezra nodded briefly in acknowledgment, glancing at the envelope without much interest. The money was nice, sure, but it wasn't the real prize. His eyes darted to the small display case where his true reward awaited - a Pokemon Egg, gleaming softly under the bright stadium lights that covered the battlefield. They'd refused to tell him the species inside, saying it was more interesting that way - that it hadn't been revealed for the tournament, and could be anything.
Hopefully it wasn't a complete waste. Although it likely would be a Pokemon for either breeding or selling. Because it wouldn't be a Ghost or Dark Pokemon in there, he was willing to bet.
"Congratulations," The head organizer said, clearly eager to keep things moving. He motioned to Karen next. "And our runner-up, Karen of the Elite Four apprentice program! She will receive her prize money and the TM for Earthquake!"
Karen accepted her prize with a stiff nod, her face betraying no emotion even though she was clearly seething underneath. Earthquake was a powerful move, sure, but the sting of losing to Ezra so publicly made it feel like a hollow reward. She had expected to be standing in his place, triumphant. Instead, she was the one being pitied.
The crowd cheered politely as the prizes were distributed, but it was clear the excitement had waned after Agatha's earlier presence. Ezra and Karen both stood awkwardly on the stage, pretending to enjoy the moment when, in truth, both wanted nothing more than to leave. The moment the final applause died down, they both quickly excused themselves, heading back toward the tent with matching sour expressions.
As soon as they were out of earshot from the crowd, Karen's composure cracked. She stopped in the middle of the path, rounding on Ezra with a scowl. "Listen up, brat," She snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "I don't care how that battle went. You're the rookie here, not me. I'm in charge, and what I say goes. Agatha may have stuck me with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take orders from someone beneath me."
Ezra blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst but not entirely surprised. He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms casually as he stared back at her. "Really? Because I distinctly remember beating you like an unwanted stepchild not more than an hour ago," He said coolly, his voice calm, but laced with sarcasm. "And if I recall correctly, Agatha didn't attach me to you - she attached you to me. Because I'm what she wants. Not you."
Karen's face flushed with anger, but Ezra didn't give her a chance to respond.
"I don't care what you think," He continued, his tone sharpening. "I'm heading to Pewter next. That's my plan. You can come if you want, or you can stay behind and explain to Agatha how you couldn't even last a day. But I'm not going to change my journey or my plans because you want to play boss. You have two choices - follow my lead or get left behind."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension crackling like electricity in the air. Karen's eyes blazed with fury, her mouth opening as if to argue, but then she closed it again, clearly struggling with her emotions. She was furious, humiliated, but Ezra's words had struck a chord - she knew he was right. Agatha hadn't given her a choice in the matter. If she didn't follow through on this assignment, it would be her neck on the line.
And Agatha, despite the way she acted, had given Karen everything. She couldn't let her down. Not again.
She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly as the fight drained out of her. "Fine," She muttered, her voice tight with anger. "But don't expect me to take orders from you, I'm just following you around."
Ezra smirked, but it was a tired one. "I don't care if you take orders from me or not, Karen. Just don't get in my way. I've got my own goals, and I'm not letting anyone - or anything - get in the way of that."
Karen glared at him, her jaw tight, but she didn't argue. There was a long, heavy silence as they both stood there, each refusing to back down completely but realizing they were stuck with each other. Finally, Ezra let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Look," He said, his voice softer now, "We don't have to like each other, but we're stuck together for now. So let's just make the best of it, yeah? I'll try not to mock you too much, and you... Try not to take out your anger at Agatha on me. Deal?"
Karen crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. "I'll try," She said begrudgingly, clearly still frustrated, but there was a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But don't expect me to just roll over and let you walk all over me."
Ezra nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it," He said with a wry smile.
For a brief moment, there was a flicker of understanding between them - an unspoken acknowledgment that, while they might not like each other, they were going to have to find a way to work together. It wasn't friendship, not by a long shot, but it was a start of - not enemies. And for now, that would have to be enough.
They stood there in silence for a moment longer, the tension between them easing slightly. Then, with a final sigh, Ezra turned and started walking again. "Come on," He muttered, glancing back at Karen. "We've got a long trip to Pewter ahead of us. Let's get moving, I need to go into Olivine and swap in my Pidgeot first."
Karen followed, her expression still sullen but no longer hostile. The two of them walked side by side, the uneasy truce hanging between them like a fragile thread. Neither of them knew how long it would last, but for now, it was enough to keep them moving forward.
They could both agree on one thing at least.
Agatha could go fuck herself for forcing this.
Although it was a very unspoken agreement, that both of them just mentally connected with.
Neither one of them wanted her to somehow hear them say it - so it remained unspoken.
Agatha's reputation had been well earned even before the war, and after… Well no one tended to argue with her too heavily.
Back then she hadn't been known simply as the Ghost Mistress - that had come after the peace settled in. Albeit that was not something Ezra had known until he went into the Johto portion of the net while in Johto, as his short schooling in Kanto hadn't mentioned it. At all.
Her most well known moniker during the war was the Mistress of Madness, given by Johto, and if you went back into what someone Ezra's age would call ancient history by now… To the pre-war period...
She'd also been known as the Maiden of Slaughter.
The pre-war and war period had not been a time of reasoned discussion around a table…
Ezra really didn't want to think about the fact Agatha had once even been a maiden.
Let alone one earning that moniker.
Pewter City, Kanto
The road from Pewter City to his stable was quiet, the steady rhythm of their footsteps the only real sound breaking the stillness of the afternoon. Ezra and Karen walked side by side, though neither seemed particularly thrilled with the arrangement still. The tension between them had simmered down somewhat, though it wasn't gone. If anything, it felt like it had settled into a kind of uneasy truce. There was still a palpable sense of frustration and annoyance radiating off Karen, and Ezra couldn't help but wonder if it would boil over again before long.
Still, he had to admit she'd been handling things better than he'd expected. After all, being saddled with someone you disliked - someone you'd lost to - couldn't have been easy for her. Especially with how much she seemed to respect Agatha.
Karen had kept herself composed since they left the tournament, and Ezra, in an uncharacteristic show of maturity, had held back his usual teasing, trying not to provoke her. For now, at least. He was practically a saint, really.
"So... Pewter City is your home base?" Karen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was neutral, though there was a slight edge to it. Likely from the fact she'd already tried finding him here, according to Brock. "What's so special about this place?"
Ezra shrugged, glancing at the familiar path leading toward the outskirts of the city. "It's nice and homely, safe. Got good lawyers for my business and a good place to keep a stable for my Pokemon. Brock's the guy watching it when I'm not around and he's the Gym Leaders son, and a stand up bro. Plus, it's close enough to the mountains for some good training. I've got some business to take care of here with my breeding project too."
"Breeding project?" Karen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of project?"
"A Pokemon farm and breeding center," Ezra replied, since she'd find out soon enough anyway, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked. "I'm starting a business with a big shot investor on board. Breeding rare and unique Pokemon I've discovered, Ghost and Dark types amongst them. It's a long-term plan, but my business partner already got the land and the paperwork ready. Just signed the contract with my lawyer before we headed up here."
It had only taken a few minutes really, while Karen waited outside, and Devon Corp was going to start as early as this week on transforming the plot of land Steven Stone had already apparently purchased near Lavender Town.
Karen hummed, crossing her arms. "That sounds… Potentially profitable. So you're a businessman now too?" There was a hint of disbelief in her tone, and he couldn't really blame her.
Ezra chuckled. "Something like that. I've got plans beyond just battling. Gotta think ahead. Plus, you know, the money in raising rare Pokemon is a field that will never lose value."
There was a pause, the conversation hitting a brief lull as they continued up the winding path. Karen's gaze shifted to the trees lining the road, her expression softening ever so slightly.
"Blackthorn City never had anything like that," She said after a moment, surprising him, she's from Lance's hometown? Her voice was quieter now, as if the mention of Blackthorn City had drawn her into some kind of reflection. "It was always so... Traditional. Not many people there think about something like breeding or about expanding their horizons. It was all about the past, about honoring their dragon heritage."
In hindsight, of course she's from Johto, but… How did she end up as Agatha's apprentice?
Ezra glanced at her, catching the slight bitterness in her tone, clueing him in that she'd not had a happy time in Blackthorn. "Yeah, I can see how that could get old fast. Too much tradition can choke you if you let it. It's why I probably would have gotten the hell out of Lavender Town even if they didn't kick me out." Not that it will stop me from going back and making the traditionalists choke on it…
Karen gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "It's not easy being trapped in someone else's shadow." She muttered darkly, "Even if that shadow is an entire heritage and tradition."
Ezra didn't say anything to that, letting her words hang in the air. He understood the sentiment well enough - he had his own reasons for wanting to carve out his own path, outside the expectations of others. Still, it wasn't the kind of thing he'd voice aloud. Not right now, anyway. He had a feeling Karen professing an interest in Dark Pokemon in Dragon nuts Blackthorn hadn't ended well..
The conversation trailed off again as they rounded a bend in the road, and soon enough, the familiar sight of Ezra's stable came into view. It wasn't much yet - but it was his. The beginning of something much bigger in the end.
Standing just outside the main barn, waiting for them with his arms crossed and a bright grin on his face, was Brock. Ezra had called ahead of course, so that Brock would know he'd have time off for the next week or so.
"Ezra!" Brock called out, waving them over enthusiastically. As soon as they got close, Brock's grin widened even further. "You guys hooked up after all, huh? I knew she had the hots for you!"
The words hit like a bomb. Ezra froze for a split second, feeling Karen stiffen beside him. Her face flushed with fury, and in that brief moment of pure rage, she whipped out her Pokeball, releasing her Weavile in one swift motion.
"Weavile!" She shouted, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger, "Ice to the crotch of that idiot, NOW!"
Luckily, Ezra's reflexes kicked in faster than Brock's sense of self-preservation. "Loki, Intercept!" He snapped, releasing his Banette just in time to block the Ice attack - an icy projectile the size of Brock's head - from smashing into the oblivious Gym Leader's most vulnerable area.
All this time not pissing her off, and Brock had to open his mouth. Ah, well, at least it wasn't him.
Loki's eerie grin twisted as he floated between Brock and Weavile, looking back at Ezra with a funny eyebrow. The Banette's expression seemed to say, Really? Protecting this one? Ezra could almost hear the exasperation in Loki's body language.
Ezra sighed, running a hand through his hair as Brock, completely oblivious to the reason for his near ball crushing experience, blinked in confusion.
"What's going on?" Brock asked, glancing between Karen's furious expression and Weavile's still-glowing claws. "Did I say something wrong?"
Karen's eyes blazed, her hands balling into fists as she turned on Brock. "Did you say something wrong?" She repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "You absolute moron! I - we - are not hooked up. There is nothing between us, and if you say something like that again, I'll - "
"Karen," Ezra interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "Let it go. He's just... Well, he's just Brock."
Brock blinked again, scratching the back of his head in genuine confusion. "What? I thought... I mean, I could've sworn..."
"Don't," Karen growled, still glaring daggers at the confused boy. "Just don't."
Brock held up his hands in surrender, backing up slightly. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need for that Weavile to cut my head off. Jeez."
Ezra shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Brock, just... Think before you speak, man. That's all I'm asking." I got to work on that girls anger issues…
Brock chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'll work on that."
Karen huffed, recalling Weavile, though the tension in her shoulders didn't ease entirely. She shot Brock one last warning look before turning her attention back to Ezra, crossing her arms. "Can we get on with this? I'd rather not spend any more time dealing with idiots today."
Ezra sighed again, glancing between the two of them. This was going to be a long, long partnership.
He didn't think it was worth it telling Karen off this time. He'd let her have this one. Brock wouldn't mind anyway.
If she tried any of that shit with him though… He'd lay the law down fast.
That night,
The night air was cool as Ezra made his way to the clearing just beyond the stable. The stars were bright overhead, casting a pale light across the grassy field. His mind was focused, his steps deliberate, as he walked ahead of Karen, who trailed behind with a curious but guarded expression. The whole day had been a whirlwind of contracts, awkward encounters, and misjudged assumptions, Karen following him everywhere. Now, though, he could relax a little, do what he enjoyed most - training his Pokemon.
Well, he'd enjoy a couple other things even more… But Pokemon training was the cheapest entertainment he had at the moment.
He reached the clearing, and without a word, released his team, and the rest of his Pokemon, his Pokemon limits not mattering on this plot of land due to his stable license.
Pokeballs opened with a flash, and one by one, his Pokemon materialized around him, a diverse crowd of spectral and dark creatures. Sableye materialized first, its gem eyes glinting as it dug its claws into the dirt. Duskull hovered next to it, the single glowing eye behind its skull-like face fixed on Ezra. A Mimikyu shuffled close to the group, while Shedinja floated silently in the air, the hollow shell of a Pokemon casting an eerie aura. Yamask hovered nearby, holding its mask closely, while Murkrow cawed from a perch atop a nearby tree. A Lampent and Litwick drifted above the field, their ghostly flames flickering in the breeze, and Misdreavous hovered with its usual mischievous smile.
Further out, the Dark-types mingled in the shadows, a Houndour stretched its limbs, Skuntank prowled along the edges of the field, Zorua's eyes gleamed with mischievous intent, and a Poochyena sniffed curiously at the ground. Ezra took a moment to appreciate the sight of them all together - his team of Ghost and Dark Pokemon, each one as unique and would hopefully one day become powerful as his main team.
Karen stood back, eyes slightly wide, though she tried to hide her surprise. "Quite the collection you've got there," She commented, her tone begrudgingly impressed.
Ezra didn't respond at first, instead moving amongst his Pokemon, giving each a moment of attention. "Alright, everyone, you know the drill. We've been working on technique and control, and I know Brock has kept it up - so tonight I want to see progress."
He started with Sableye, crouching beside the Pokemon, who looked up at him with its wide gem eyes, waiting. "Last time, your Shadow Claw was strong, but it wasn't fast enough. We need speed. Hit the targets and keep moving. Don't give anyone a chance to hit back, I want to see you practice tonight."
Sableye grinned and immediately bounded off, slashing at the wooden training dummies set up across the field with its claws - he would have to replace them again soon. Ezra watched closely, nodding in approval as Sableye's movements became a blur of sharp, precise strikes. "Better. Keep at it, get a good feel for the flow of the movements."
Next, he turned to Mimikyu. "You're cute as always in your outfit, Mimikyu," He said, patting it on the head, earning an eerie giggle, he'd gotten Mimikyu a much better Pikachu cosplay outfit, not that it really lowered the inherent creepiness. "I'll lend you some of the extra Litwicks, practice your Charm and Baby Doll Eyes, make sure you focus on getting a good feel for the energy, don't just use the technique, feel it."
Mimikyu bobbed its head and shuffled forward, Ezra gesturing for several of his captured Litwicks to join it for training, to be practice dummies in a way. He didn't mention the fairy type energy out loud, because he didn't need to tell Karen everything for her reports… And Fairy types were not a thing yet in the four regions.
Karen watched as Ezra made his way through the group, giving advice and feedback with a calm, even tone. He wasn't loud, nor did he shout commands - his Pokemon seemed to understand him perfectly with just a few words or a glance. Which just wasn't how Dark and Ghost Pokemon worked.
Ezra moved on to Duskull, his voice softening slightly. "You've been getting better with Will-O-Wisp, but I want more control. Focus your flames, just fire up, no fires to put out this time, eh?" Brock had to act as a fireman too many times during the past few days from what Ezra had been told. Duskull a little bit of a pyromaniac.
Duskull floated upward, summoning blue flames that danced in the air. It released the flames one at a time up into the air, each one firing off with precision. Ezra gave an approving nod before moving on to Yamask.
"Shadow Ball, full power. Show me you can handle it without losing control." He ordered quietly, the Yamask struggling with the power aspect, unlike most of his other Ghosts who struggled to rein in their power for finer control.
Yamask's eyes glowed as it summoned a ball of dark energy, launching it toward the farthest target, set up amongst the trees around the clearing. The attack hit with a satisfying thud, the dark energy dissipating on impact.
"Nice. Keep practicing, I want you to hit harder next time, keep focusing on gathering your power, you already have decent control, I know it's not fast at the moment, but speed will come later."
As the training progressed, Karen's earlier surprise turned into something closer to jealousy. She had strong Pokrmon herself, but the sheer variety and rare types Ezra had at his disposal were impressive. It wasn't just the number - it was the way he handled them, the quiet confidence and the easy familiarity. He knew them, inside and out, and they trusted him. And again, these Pokemon shouldn't work like that!
Karen had fought and bled and cried to get her Pokemon to the level they were at, and they still needed a firm hand to continue listening to her at times. Ghost and Dark types just didn't do the cuddly nice crap. She was honestly not sure what was going on.
"Where do you even find some of these Pokemon?" Karen asked, half out of curiosity, half out of envy. She didn't want to ask the more burning question, well aware she hadn't exactly earned his confidence.
Ezra glanced at her, not breaking stride as he approached the next Pokemon. "Here and there. Some came to me, others I sought out. It helps to know where to look."
What a wonderful non-answer, Karen thought, she crossed her arms, watching as Ezra knelt beside a small Eevee, who bounded up to him happily. She narrowed her eyes. "An Eevee? Doesn't really fit with the whole Ghost/Dark theme." She pointed out.
Ezra smirked, rubbing the Eevee's head affectionately. "Not yet. But soon. She's special." He handed Eevee a few berries, watching as she happily nibbled away. "Right now, we're just bonding. Getting her ready for the next step."
Karen scoffed, shaking her head. "So, what, with one Pokemon you're trying to make it set the sky on fire, and with this one, you're coddling it like a pet? Are you sure you're not insane with this kind of random training?"
Ezra chuckled, leaning back against a nearby tree, his hand still resting on Eevee's soft fur. "You've got to treat each one differently. Some need discipline, some need encouragement. It's all about balance."
"Balance?" Karen muttered. "You're all over the place." A new Eeveelution perhaps, but how does he know? She wondered.
He didn't rise to the bait, instead calling over his Murkrow, who fluttered down from its perch. "You've been getting better at flying through obstacles and changing direction on the fly," Ezra said, watching as the Dark bird Pokemon cawed softly in response. "But I want more control on those turns, less throwing yourself in a direction and more focused flight. Work on your agility again tonight, cycle your energy while you work."
Murkrow took off again, flying low over the field, dodging between obstacles Ezra and Brock had set up in the forest before he left for the tournament. Murkrow clipped its wing on one of the targets as it rapidly switched directions, squawking in frustration.
Ezra didn't scold it. "You'll get there. Just focus." He called out, watching intently. Murkrow could already perform aerial acrobatics that made the Pokemon very hard to hit. Ezra intended to continue this training until very hard became can't. Not without techniques that filled the sky or bypassed the possibility to dodge at all.
Karen watched the entire process with a mix of frustration and grudging respect. It was clear Ezra knew his stuff, even if his methods were unconventional - no, she corrected herself, downright odd. He seemed to push his Pokemon to the edge yes, but in odd directions, with a lot more self reliance then she'd ever seen, especially for Pokemon who were notorious for needing a firm hand.
Everything Karen knew said this couldn't work, so seeing it work, and work well, was finally beginning to force her to look at things from a new point of view. Understanding why Agatha was interested in the first place.
As the night wore on and the other Pokemon continued their training, Ezra walked a little further away from the group, his steps purposeful. Karen raised an eyebrow and followed him, Rider and Loki trailing behind them both as silent guardians instead of performing their own training.
When they were far enough from the rest of the team, Ezra stopped and pulled out another Pokeball. A quick flash of light revealed a Primeape standing before them, its fists clenched, eyes wild with rage, ready to fight.
Primeape roared, immediately putting up its fists, muscles rippling with tension.
Ezra crossed his arms, staring down the Primeape, his gaze cold. "You think you're angry," He said softly, his voice cutting through the night air. "But you have no idea."
Primeape growled, lowering itself into a fighting stance, ready to strike. Not caring that it was its owner.
Ezra chuckled, his smile sharp and humorless. "You're weak. So very, very weak. Maybe if you were angry enough, you'd be useful."
The Primeape let out a roar, its fists swinging toward Ezra with wild abandon, only for a Shadow Ball from Loki to explode right in its face, halting its charge.
From the sidelines, Karen crossed her arms and commented dryly, "So that's how you beat me. You're literally too insane to predict." She shook her head, "You cuddle with the Eevee, and here you're what? Trying to enrage the rage Pokemon?"
"There's a method to my madness," Ezra countered with a smirk, his eyes never leaving the Primeape.
Karen shook her head again, her expression both bemused and annoyed. "Your method is going to get your face punched in." She predicted, one hand resting near her Pokeballs, in case she needed to fend the Primeape off.
Ezra's smirk widened. "I think Primeape can go further. There's something else in him. If he were just angrier, more focused, he could evolve into something truly terrifying."
"You're nuts," Karen said, her tone flat. "But... whatever. Your funeral." There isn't an evolution for Primeape… Is there?
She watched, her curiosity piqued despite herself, as Ezra continued to taunt and push the Primeape. The Pokemon grew more and more enraged with every failure, lashing out at trees and rocks, its strikes growing wilder and more powerful as it vented its fury. Loki and Rider stood ready in case things went too far, but Ezra never flinched, never backed down. Casting Rage Fist wasn't enough, if it was, the Primeape and many others of its kind, would already have evolved.
No, it literally needed to be pushed to the point its heart literally exploded in anger.
After what felt like hours, Ezra called the Primeape back to its Pokeball, the Pokemon still fuming and trembling with rage. "I'll try again tomorrow night," Ezra said, almost to himself. "Maybe a little more time will do the trick."
Karen shook her head, muttering under her breath, "You're insane." But after what she'd seen already, she was half afraid he'd actually pull it off. How he knew any of this… She'd never heard of any of it… And she had more access then almost anyone not a Gym Leader or an Elite Four.
Ezra just gave her a knowing smile. "You'll see the results. Just remember, only Agatha gets a report. If you try spreading this around..." He let his words hang in the air.
Agatha could feel free to try it on her own, but if it got spread beyond her, he wouldn't hesitate to sue. This all belonged to his business. Evolving Pokemon in ways no one else knew.
Karen scoffed. "I'm not the type to go back on my word, and anyway, I'm already penniless, and can hardly afford a lawsuit."
Ezra gave Karen a once-over, noting her outfit - dark, form-fitting clothes that showed more skin than they covered. They were obviously expensive, tailored to both fashion and function. He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look penniless."
She scowled, crossing her arms defensively. "It's all through Lady Agatha. She funds everything I need, but it's her money, not mine." Her voice dripped with resentment, the bitterness clear in her tone.
Ezra supposed he could understand still using it to its full extent, but being bitter about having to rely on someone else. At least she wasn't the kind of pussy that would refuse to use it and whine about her hard knock life.
Ezra nodded thoughtfully at her words, and his own thoughts on the matter, leaning back on his hands as he sat down in the grass beside his Eevee, who immediately curled up next to him. He let out a low whistle. "That sounds... Restrictive, and a hassle to deal with. What happened anyway? How did you end up with Agatha?"
Karen's eyes darkened, and she looked away, clearly unwilling to go into detail. "None of your business," She muttered, her voice cold and clipped.
Ezra shrugged, not pushing further. He could tell there was something deeper there, but he wasn't in the mood to pry. Not now, anyway. Instead, he turned his attention back to his Eevee, gently stroking the fur on her head. She let out a soft purr, her tail twitching contentedly.
For a moment, silence fell between them, only broken by the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the distant sounds of his Pokemon continuing their training.
Karen finally broke the silence, her voice laced with disbelief. "I still can't get over how you went from trying to make a Primeape mad enough to kill you to... this." She gestured toward the Eevee, who was nuzzling against Ezra's hand, completely at ease. "Are you seriously trying to tell me there's some kind of logic behind your training methods?"
Ezra smirked, not looking up. "Of course. Different Pokemon need different approaches. Some thrive on discipline and anger, others need affection and care. You can't treat them all the same." He winked, "I throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, nothing is too crazy to try."
Karen stared at him for a moment, still looking unconvinced. "That's... A weird way to train," She admitted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
Ezra chuckled softly. "It's worked so far. And besides, you'll see the results soon enough." I don't enjoy having to share this… But I suppose blowing her mind has some small enjoyment in it.
Karen sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. She turned her back to him slightly, pacing in a small circle as she processed everything. "I just don't get you, Kassian. One moment you're taunting a Primeape like you have a death wish, and the next you're coddling an Eevee like she's your pet. I get what you're saying, your reasoning, but still, It's like you're two different people."
She's really stuck on this, that's what? The third time she's brought it up? He thought. Ezra gave her a sidelong glance, his smile fading slightly. "There's more than one way to train a Pokemon, Karen. Just like there's more than one way to handle people, typing isn't everything."
She stopped pacing, staring down at him, eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged casually, leaning back into the grass, stretching out lazily. "It means you don't need to understand everything I do. You just need to know that it works."
"I doubt I'll ever understand you." She snarked, letting out a huff, leaning against a tree.
They both shared a rare moment of silence, the tension between them easing slightly. For the first time since they'd been stuck together, there wasn't the usual undercurrent of animosity or resentment in the air. Ezra focused on his Eevee, who was now curled up beside him, her eyes half-lidded in contentment.
Karen looked down at them, her arms still crossed, but the hard edge in her gaze had softened somewhat. "So... What's the deal with that Eevee? You gonna evolve her into something? Something new?"
Ezra didn't respond immediately, his hand gently brushing over the soft fur along Eevee's back. "Eventually. I've got a plan for her. But right now, we're just bonding."
"Bonding?" Karen echoed, her voice skeptical. "That's part of your 'method,' too, huh?" She shook her head, "People have tried that before, just bonding isn't enough, experts in their field have tried it, Kassian." She stressed.
Ezra nodded. "Yeah. Bonding, trust... All of it matters depending on the Pokemon. You can't just throw some Pokemon into battle without them trusting you. It's like asking someone to fight a war for you without them knowing if you've got their back." He shrugged, "Again, that's some Pokemon, they can be as different as you and I."
None of that was exactly new. But some trainers did get stuck into the trap of treating all their Pokemon the same. And Karen seemed the type. Especially as a type specialist, especially as a Dark trainer. Although he wasn't entirely fair. No one could really tame them the same way he was after all.
Karen fell silent at that, watching him quietly for a moment. There was a flicker of something in her eyes - something she didn't often let show. She wasn't used to this kind of approach. Her own training, the way Agatha had raised her, was based more on power and control. She had to be in charge, to dominate. Ezra's approach seemed softer, more personal, but there was a steeliness to it that couldn't be ignored.
After a few moments, Karen sighed and sat down on the grass a few feet away from him, leaning back on her hands. "Alright, fine. I'll admit, your Pokemon seem loyal enough, somehow. But you've got to know Lady Agatha's expecting results in my reports. She's not going to be happy with... Whatever this is." She gestured vaguely toward the peaceful Eevee. "It's really not her philosophy, at all."
Ezra's eyes gleamed with mischief as he looked at her. "Don't worry. Old Agatha's only interested in the outcome. The process? That's all mine, and stuff she can throw on her minions." Like you, he left unsaid.
Except for the actual evolution tricks, even Agatha wouldn't just share that. She was old, and the older you were, the more likely it was you were part of the group who believed Pokemon knowledge shouldn't be entirely free and shared amongst everyone. Elite Four or not, he was willing to bet Agatha was like that.
Karen arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You really think you can handle Lady Agatha long-term? She's not going to let you do whatever you want, you know. She's not exactly the hands-off type."
Ezra leaned his head back, staring up at the stars above. "We'll see. But I have a feeling I'll manage. Old Agatha's tough, but she knows talent when she sees it. As long as I keep delivering, she won't interfere too much." Arceus, let me be right about that…
Karen watched him for a moment longer, then let out a reluctant sigh. "You're insufferable, you know that?" But there was no real heat behind it.
Ezra grinned, not looking at her. "I get that a lot."
The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while, the cool night air settling around them. Karen might not have fully understood Ezra's methods, but there was a begrudging respect building between them. She wasn't ready to admit it, but she was starting to see that maybe - just maybe - there was more to Ezra Kassian than she'd first thought.
As the night deepened, and the rest of the Pokemon settled into their routines, Ezra and Karen remained where they were, each lost in their own thoughts. They didn't need to say anything else. For now, they had reached a truce of sorts, an understanding that, for better or worse, they were stuck with each other.
And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't the worst thing in the world.
A week later,
It shouldn't be this easy, Ezra thought as he stood just outside the makeshift training field.
Seven days. That's how long he had spent in Pewter City, doing little else but pushing his Pokemon to their limits, especially his Primeape. It had been a brutal week - constant taunting, needling, and antagonizing. Seven days of driving the Primeape to the edge of apocalyptic fury.
Ezra knew this approach was dangerous. Primeape was already a volatile Pokemon by nature, and what he had been doing was deliberately lighting the fuse over and over again. If it weren't for his aura - which he believed could soothe the beast once it evolved into its Ghostly form - this might have been a terrible idea. Primeape didn't like him. There was no illusion of affection there - couldn't be with how hard he was pushing. The Pokemon had been on the verge of tearing him apart more than once. But Ezra knew that if he explained his plan, the kind of soul-deep rage that was necessary for its evolution might never come. It had to be real, raw, and unfiltered.
If Primeape had known it was all for its benefit, then that rage wouldn't have been true, it wouldn't have been deep enough, real enough. He was also lucky Karen wasn't a bleeding heart. Because if any of the Pokefriends organizations people had seen this - they would have cried abuse all the way to court.
Now, on the eighth night of their training regimen, here he stood, watching the fruits of his labor come to life. Karen stood a few feet behind him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief, eyes wide in shock. The air was thick with tension, and Ezra could feel the electricity in it. His Primeape, utterly consumed by rage, was glowing.
The evolution had begun.
A brilliant light enveloped Primeape, the aura of fury radiating off him in waves so intense that the very air seemed to shudder with it. The Pokemon's muscles tensed, expanding as the energy coursed through its body. Its fur stood on end, becoming sharper, more ragged, as if the very essence of its rage was molding its physical form into something more primal, more terrifying. The ground beneath its feet cracked, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the transformation. Its fists clenched tightly, glowing with the dark, ghostly energy of its new form.
Ezra watched with cold, calculating eyes as Primeape's shape began to change. He could see the rage fueling every fiber of the Pokemon's being, turning it into something entirely different. Its arms lengthened, becoming sinewy and more powerful. Its once-spherical body stretched, growing taller, more menacing, its posture no longer hunched, but upright and poised for violence. Dark, shadowy tendrils swirled around its body like ghostly chains, a manifestation of the fury that had once consumed it. Its face, once filled with mindless anger, was now focused - its eyes glowing with an almost otherworldly intensity. The most notable change, though, was the spectral chains that now hung from the manacles on its wrists, flickering with ethereal energy. These were no ordinary chains - they were the physical manifestation of the Pokemon's inner torment, its rage having evolved into something beyond anger. Something darker.
Annihilape had arrived.
"I'm going to call you, Akuma…" Ezra mused out loud. Devil is a fitting name for you, my raging new friend…
Karen let out a gasp as the evolution finished, the last vestiges of light disappearing to reveal the towering figure that stood before them. The Annihilape's eyes blazed like embers in the darkness, its fists pulsing with spectral energy as it shadow-boxed the air, its movements swift and fluid, a deadly elegance in the way it moved. The rage that had once been so prominent was still there, but it had been transformed into something else - something controlled, directed.
Ezra didn't move. He simply waited. Will it understand, will my aura be enough?
Annihilape's movements slowed as it turned toward him, its glowing eyes locking onto its trainer. There was a moment of tense silence, the air crackling with the lingering energy of the evolution. And then, just as Ezra had anticipated, although perhaps not the manner of it, Annihilape bowed it's head. It was a low, deliberate gesture, its massive form bent in submission, its gaze now filled with respect mixed in with the fury.
Ezra let out a slow breath and reached out with his aura, letting it flow from him in a soothing, enveloping wave. The energy washed over the Annihilape like a blanket, calming whatever lingering tension remained. The Pokemon stood tall once more, its body relaxed and steady. The transition from uncontrollable rage to this level of calm was almost jarring.
Even a rage Pokemon could be soothed by his aura it seemed. Although it seemed he hadn't truly needed it. Akuma had accepted what had happened - understood the necessity once the evolution hit.
Karen, still standing behind him, stared in utter disbelief. Her voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "What the fuck are you?" She asked, her words filled with awe and confusion.
Ezra didn't respond. He couldn't, even if he'd wanted to. Because at that exact moment, Annihilape bounced over in one might leap and reached out and pulled him into a crushing hug. Ezra's breath left him in a painful whoosh as the Pokemon squeezed him tightly, its muscular arms nearly suffocating him in a show of affection - or revenge. It was hard to tell.
Okay, so maybe not entirely over it…
"L-Loki, a little help?" Ezra wheezed, his voice strained as he tried to breathe through the Annihilape's iron grip.
The Banette, who had been watching from a distance, floated closer, its stitched mouth twisted in a smirk. It looked at Ezra with an almost sarcastic expression, as if to say, Really? Not deserved? Loki floated around the Annihilape's head, poking at it playfully, but didn't intervene further then that.
"Any...Time..." Ezra managed to croak out, his vision starting to blur slightly from the pressure. He still held back from using his shadow, in a way, Akuma deserved his little miniature rebellion for all that Ezra put it through.
Karen, still wide-eyed, had the sense to step forward, though she seemed more fascinated than concerned. "Should I... Do something?" Fascinated, and probably feeling some vindication too.
Ezra, unable to speak, just gave her a pleading look. While he refused to use his shadow so overtly in front of Karen, and to escape his probably just punishment, Karen could help and it wouldn't be his fault at all.
Karen smirked, clearly enjoying his predicament. "You know, after everything you put that poor Primeape through, this feels like karma."
He had a feeling she didn't just mean the Primeape…
Ezra glared at her through the haze of his impending unconsciousness, but then, Akuma let him go, huffing out a laugh, as it stepped back, its ghostly chains rattling slightly.
Ezra coughed, rubbing his ribs as he sat up, glaring at Karen. "Thanks," He muttered sarcastically. "You were a big help."
Karen crossed her arms, her expression smug. "And here I thought you had this whole control thing down."
Ezra shot her a look, but there was no real malice behind it. "There's a method to my madness," He repeated his previous words, still slightly breathless.
Karen rolled her eyes. "Your method is going to get you killed one day."
Ezra shrugged, standing up and dusting himself off. "Maybe. But it worked, didn't it? A Ghost/Fighting type, nothing like you've seen before, eh? Controlled and eager to serve."
Karen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the massive ghostly figure of the Annihilape, who was now standing off to the side, calm and composed. "You call that controlled?" She said dryly, "It almost choked you out."
Ezra smirked. "You saw the bow. That's loyalty. Respect."
Karen shook her head, still looking somewhat baffled by the entire situation. "Whatever you say, Kassian. You want to call being choked out respect, I'm not going to intrude on your kinks."
Ezra spluttered slightly, not having an immediate comeback, he was so caught off guard by that comment. Karen smirked smugly in victory.
The Annihilape stood quietly by, watching them calmly. But behind its calm demeanor, Ezra knew that it had all the power and rage it needed, power that simmered just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed. His aura was likely pushing it down for now, but Akuma was never going to be a calm Pokemon, especially once in battle.
His plan had worked. The uncontrollable rage of Primeape had evolved into something far more dangerous - and far more useful.
He felt confident in his team now,
It was time to tackle the gyms. And well… He still had tons of time before the end of the circuit… Why not go for both Kanto and Johto's circuit, and do a clean sweep?
Hopefully by the time he was done, all his major Pokemon would have evolved, and he'd be facing the conference with a Dragapult and a Hydreigon.
The only sad thing was the fact he wouldn't get to shock Agatha with a surprise Annihilape to the face, not with Karen's reporting of what's happened.
Although…
Maybe they could keep just this one back, just for a little bit…
Author's note:
While Agatha could have pulled different levers and probably forced Ezra's hand, she's old, not stupid.
Having a belligerent Ezra, able to connect with Ghosts - forced to work for her. Isn't a good outcome for Agatha. So since he's so stubborn, she devises another way to tie him close enough, while she still gets a trickle of his methods and secrets.
With hope she can still snag him soon enough,
Kids will be kids after all, and things could change.
And now we have an Annihilape in Ezra's corner. Although he can only carry six Pokemon into a gym battle, he will have more than six that are considered his 'elite' and he'll just switch for what's needed for a fight.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Here we go, Agatha conversation coming up,
Karen getting another shock,
And Ezra just trying to ensure the big bad wolf doesn't eat him… While also trying to be his usual self and not give away anything for free.
Although with less trolling, because he's not stupid.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra held open the flap of the referee's tent, allowing Lady Agatha to step through first. He followed her in, feeling the weight of the encounter hanging over him like a fog. The inside of the tent was dimly lit, and it smelled faintly of grass and the earthy musk of the tournament grounds. The table in the middle was cluttered with papers, empty water bottles, and a few discarded towels.
Agatha made a sound of irritation, tapping her cane against the ground as she moved to sit in a worn chair, one hand clutching her cane and the other brushing aside some debris on the table. Despite her frail appearance, Ezra knew better than to underestimate her. Agatha of the Elite Four - the Ghost Mistress - was one of the most powerful trainers alive, and her influence spread far beyond the battlefield at this point.
She sat down with a sigh, then gave Ezra a pointed look. "Come, sit. Let's not pretend either of us enjoys this, but there's business to discuss."
Ezra eyed the other chair, then sat down across from her, his expression carefully neutral. His mind raced, though, already trying to anticipate what angle she'd take. He didn't like this situation. Not one bit. There weren't many reasons for Agatha to hold an outsized interest in him, and the only one he could fathom was his aura.
Agatha leaned forward, tapping her cane lightly against the ground again, her eyes cold and calculating. "You've done well today, boy. Impressive even. I've heard whispers about your unusual methods from all corners throughout your little jaunts, but now that I've seen you in action... I want answers." Her voice was soft but edged, like a blade that could cut at any moment.
She wasn't someone Ezra could just brush off, yet he didn't want to fully bend. Pride, or just prudence? He wasn't sure.
Ezra shifted in his seat, his hands resting on his knees. He gave her a casual shrug, though inside, he was far from casual. "I aim to please," He said, keeping his tone light, though his words had a cautious edge. "I didn't realize the Elite Four took such interest in small-time tournaments."
No need to get into other matters unless she outright asks…
Agatha's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "Don't play coy, young Kassian. I don't waste my time on piddly tournaments. I'm here because of you." She straightened in her seat, her sharp gaze never leaving him. "You've caught my attention, and not just because you managed to outmaneuver Karen, which, I must say, was entertaining. No, I'm interested in those Ghost Pokemon you have - the ones I've never seen in any region before, and how exactly you've come by them..."
Karen looked absolutely done with life, as she closed her eyes and seemed to be mentally counting down, anything to keep her cool at the fact Agatha had enjoyed the one sided beatdown.
Ezra tensed slightly at her question, but his face remained impassive. He had expected this, but hearing it laid out so bluntly still unsettled him, because he didn't know a way to fully get her off his back. "I guess word gets around fast," He said with fake nonchalance, leaning back a little. "But I'm not looking to share my secrets, Lady Agatha."
Agatha's smile faded, and her eyes hardened. "You're in no position to refuse, boy. Secrets like that... In the wrong hands... Well, we wouldn't want them in the wrong hands, would we?" Her voice carried a dark undercurrent, and for a moment, the tent seemed to grow colder, her presence looming despite her small frame. Karen standing just off her shoulder, shuddered, but remained still, her eyes opening as she smirked at Ezra.
No doubt enjoying seeing him being pressured.
Ezra took a slow breath, carefully choosing his words. "I'm not interested in having my Pokemon or my techniques become a tool for someone else's ambitions," He said, his voice steady. "I've got my own dreams to follow." No, I'm not going to sell out to Team Rocket…
Agatha raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Dreams? Hmph. And what, pray tell, are these grand dreams that make you think you can refuse me?" The cold amusement in her tone was humoring, as if he was only delaying the inevitable.
He glanced at her, then looked away for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but if he was going to get out of this conversation intact, he needed to be somewhat honest about everything. "I want to build a gym," He said finally, his voice more serious. "A Dark and Ghost Pokemon gym. I want to join the official circuit and make my mark. And I want to do it without people thinking I only got there because I'm your apprentice."
He wasn't an idiot, he could see exactly what she was pushing for with her comments.
Agatha snorted softly, amused by the notion. "A gym leader, is it?" She mused. "And what do you hope to accomplish with that? More than just fame, I assume?" From how her eyes narrowed at the end, she was practically projecting - it better not be just fame, boy!
Ezra's eyes narrowed, his voice growing more passionate. "I want to show Lavender Town what they missed. They turned their back on me because of my... Looks, and my… Attunement, and now I want to rub it in their faces. I want to prove that Dark and Ghost Pokemon aren't something to fear or shun. That they can be controlled. Used properly."
Karen looked at him with a complicated expression like she'd never seen him before, as she stood over Agatha's shoulder, Ezra ignored her, focusing on the dangerous woman in front of him.
Agatha's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. "A gym... Fueled by spite and ambition, how very much like the Dark and Ghost type... I can respect that," She said, her voice dry. "But you're wrong about one thing, boy."
Ezra frowned. "And what's that?" Stop calling me boy, you wrinkled bitch!
"You think being my apprentice would limit you," She said flatly, leaning forward again. "That people would discredit your accomplishments, claim you only rose to power because of my influence. You're a fool if you believe that matters for anything but a little boy's feelings. If anything, being under my wing would give you power, connections, influence. More than you could ever achieve on your own - more than enough to accomplish your dream."
Ezra's jaw tightened. He didn't like the way she was twisting the situation, as if his only path to success ran through her - he wasn't kidding about not wanting to be seen as her puppet. He might get a gym that way, perhaps even faster, but it wouldn't be his, not truly. "I'm not interested in taking shortcuts, Lady Agatha. I want to get there on my own merit. Otherwise, what's the point?"
Agatha sighed softly, shaking her head. "You're a stubborn one. But stubbornness can be dangerous, boy. There are far more dangerous forces in the world than just Gym Leaders or the uneducated mob of Lavender Town and their prejudices."
Ezra opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Agatha waved a hand dismissively. "Enough," She said, her voice growing colder. "Karen!"
Karen stepped forward reluctantly. "Yes, Lady Agatha?"
"Go fetch us some drinks. You know the one, my favorite from Hoenn - the citrus-based fizzy drink they make. I'm parched."
Karen looked confused for a moment. "I don't think they - "
"Go," Agatha snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. Karen flinched and hurried off without further protest, muttering something under her breath about 'menial tasks' as she disappeared.
Agatha watched her go, then turned her piercing gaze back to Ezra, her expression unreadable. "I know damn well they don't sell that drink here," She said quietly, her voice carrying a faint edge of amusement. "I just wanted her out of the way, I don't spoon feed my people, she can learn on her own... Now then, let's talk, you and I…"
Ezra shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but kept his voice steady. "Talk about what?"
Agatha's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, her voice completely lost any hint of its playful edge. "Don't play coy with me, boy. I'm no fool, and I've been watching you carefully. I know your little 'predisposition' that Lavender Town spoke of. That ability you have to influence Ghost Pokemon - it's not just for them, is it? You can do it with Dark Pokemon too, can't you?"
Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. He knew she'd known, otherwise none of this made sense, but it didn't make the path forward any easier. Now he had to figure out how much to reveal without giving her too much leverage. "It's... Complicated," He said carefully, his voice low.
Agatha's eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "Complicated, is it? You're speaking to one of the Elite Four, boy. You will be forthcoming with me. Now." There was an unmistakable threat in her voice this time. The shadows of the tent growing larger, a chill permeating the air.
She has a similar ability… He thought, I can't lie, not entirely…
"You see, Kassian," Agatha said, tapping her cane against the ground once again, "I'm not easily fooled. I watched Karen's battle closely, and from where I sat, I couldn't quite get the full picture, but I know her Pokemon far too well. They're well-trained, obedient. They do not flinch. They do not miscue or hesitate. And yet, during that battle, they did."
Ezra's throat tightened, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue, hoping to get a better sense of what she was after. That's an Elite Four for you I guess, I hadn't expected her to catch something so minor…
He hadn't even used any of his skills, or the Pokemon in his shadow, and yet just flashing his aura had still been caught by Agatha, or at least the results of it. He'd have to tread very carefully here… This all only confirmed to him how he wouldn't be able to use his particular skills in league sanctioned matches…
Not without great risk anyhow.
Agatha's voice lowered, carrying a dangerous weight. "So I'll ask you again directly, and I will have an answer, boy... This attunement you have? It isn't just for Ghost Pokemon, is it? It affects Dark Pokemon too. And you can control it, can't you?" She waved a hand dismissively, "I don't care that you used it to beat Karen, you use every tool in your toolbox, as long as you can get away with it. I have no quarrel over it… But you will tell me!"
Ezra hesitated, feeling the tension coil tighter around him. He considered his options. Agatha wasn't someone he could easily deceive or brush off. But outright admitting the full extent of his abilities would give her leverage, something he wasn't eager to hand over.
"I... Have a certain connection with Ghost and Dark types," He said slowly, choosing his words with care. "But it's not something I make a habit of advertising, considering I was run out of town for it."
Agatha's eyes flashed with cold amusement. "You'll have to do better than that, boy. You're speaking with one of the Elite Four. This isn't some back-alley interrogation. You will be forthcoming." Her cane hit the ground harshly, as she punctuated her statement.
Ezra clenched his jaw. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he wasn't about to cave without gaining something in return. His mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the conversation to his favor. He would not give up everything he could do, and then end up a puppet to this old witch.
Ezra felt the tension in the air tighten, like a vice closing in around him. He knew he couldn't dodge this forever, but he wasn't about to give in so easily either, or she'd run all over him. "I'm not forced to tell you anything," He said cautiously, his voice firm. "But... Maybe we could make a deal?"
Agatha's gaze narrowed. "A deal, you say? And what exactly do you think you have to bargain with?"
Ezra steeled himself, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him. "Like I said before," He began, his voice steady, "I won't be your apprentice. I've got my own path, and being tied to you would only make people think I didn't earn my place. But I'm starting a breeding business - Ghost and Dark Pokemon amongst the offerings. Rare varieties, ones you've never seen before. I'll give you first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon I breed, and in return, I'll share some information about my attunement. But I'm not giving you everything."
For a moment, the tent was silent. Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that made Ezra uneasy. Her presence seemed to loom larger, the shadows in the tent creeping closer, as if her very essence was stretching out to fill the space. When she spoke again, her voice was low and dangerous.
"Go on, brat..." She said, her tone daring him to continue to lay down terms to her. But it wasn't a flat out no, either.
Ezra swallowed, but his resolve didn't waver. He knew he was toeing a fine line, but if he didn't stand his ground now, Agatha would steamroll him into submission. "You get first pick," He repeated, his voice firm, "but not for free. I don't run a charity. You'll pay for the Pokemon, just like anyone else. And you'll get some information about how I interact with Ghost and Dark types and can do what I do, but nothing more. I'm not here to be your pawn."
Legally, she couldn't force him into anything, not without him being accused or charged with some sort of crime anyway. But there was a lot one of the scariest people on the continent could do to make things uncomfortable without going across the line of legality.
If Agatha pushed too much further… He'd ask for a lawyer for anything else. He won't be press ganged.
Agatha stared at him for a long, tense moment. The weight of her gaze was suffocating, but Ezra didn't break eye contact. He knew this was the crux of their negotiation - if she accepted his terms, he could walk out of this tent with his autonomy intact. If she didn't…
Things would get a lot more complicated.
And he hadn't exactly offered her much, all things considered. Maybe not even half of what she'd want, all told. Yet he refused to sell himself cheap, even in a situation like this.
Then, to his surprise, Agatha threw her head back and laughed - a sharp, almost wicked sound that sent a chill down Ezra's spine. When she looked back at him, her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker.
"You're an ornery little thing," She said, her voice dripping with condescending amusement. "I can't say it entirely displeases me." She sniffed haughtily, "Almost reminds me of my ex-husband, back when he had a spine…"
Ezra exhaled quietly, feeling the tension ease ever so slightly. He'd managed to stand his ground - at least for now. But the conversation wasn't over. He doubted it would end with a simple acceptance, and he shuddered at the thought of being compared to anyone that's had such a relationship with Agatha.
Before he could respond, or Agatha could lay down her counteroffer, Karen reentered the tent, her expression sullen and annoyed. "There's no such drink here," She said stiffly, like I would have told you if you'd let me, she appeared to say with her body language, glaring at the ground. "Do you want something else, Lady Agatha?"
Agatha's smirk widened as she turned to Karen, her tone dry and mocking. "No, dear. As I said, it's a Hoenn special. I knew it wouldn't be here." She paused, then added with a wave of her hand, "I just wanted you out of the way while the important people talked."
Ezra winced, oh, Arceus, I feel almost bad now for everything I've said to her.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. Ezra could see the moment she almost snapped, the frustration boiling just beneath the surface. But, at the last second, Karen bit her tongue and held herself in check, though her entire body was tense with barely contained rage.
If Agatha was trying to train her out of her hair-trigger temper by constantly pissing her off, Ezra did feel a small amount of pity for the girl. It's not like she could ever truly talk back, it's freaking Agatha.
Agatha turned back to Ezra, her eyes gleaming with a smug satisfaction. "Now, where were we?" She said, her voice almost casual. "Ah, yes. The deal." Her tone was entirely dry, as she mentioned the deal.
She leaned forward, her hands clasped over her cane. "I agree to your terms… On my terms. You'll provide me with first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon and Dark Pokemon types that you breed, and in return, I'll accept that you won't be my apprentice, for now." Her smile grew sharper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But there's one caveat."
Ezra's brow furrowed, his wariness returning. "Caveat?" He echoed.
Agatha's smile widened, and there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Karen," She said smoothly, her gaze flicking to her apprentice, "Will be joining you on your journey."
Ezra blinked, his mouth opening in shock, but Agatha wasn't finished. "She'll document your training methods and your interactions with your Pokemon. For me."
Karen, who had been standing stiffly to the side, suddenly froze, her face twisting in disbelief. "What?" She blurted out, her voice high-pitched with outrage. "Lady Agatha, I -"
Ezra barely registered Karen's outburst as he gaped at Agatha, his mind reeling from the sudden twist. "You can't be serious," He muttered, still in shock. Agatha's gaze on him told him plenty, she's willing to wait on the information…
Because she knew Ezra wouldn't share it all, while it would be very hard to hide it from Karen during the journey. Agatha was choosing to wave away the requirement of knowledge now, for full knowledge later. And Ezra would have a hard time saying no, because technically… Agatha's deal, at least on the surface, was heavily leaning his way.
Because Agatha could force the issue a lot harder if she so chose to.
Agatha's smirk only grew, her satisfaction radiating from her like a cold wave. "Oh, I'm very serious," She said sweetly, her tone dripping with amusement.
Karen looked like she was about to blow a fuse, her face flushed with anger, her hands clenched into tight fists. "But -"
"Silence, Karen," Agatha snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "I've made my decision."
Ezra could only stare at the two of them, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Agatha's smug smile remained fixed on her face, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
Ezra had come here expecting a difficult negotiation, but he hadn't expected this.
He couldn't think of a good way to say no without ending up with a worse deal.
He'd avoided being forced into an apprenticeship, he'd have to take what he could get.
This is going to be awkward…
30 minutes later,
The prize ceremony was a rushed, awkward affair, held hastily in the center of the battle field after Agatha had made her dramatic exit. The event, which should have been a moment of triumph for Ezra, was dampened by the simmering tension between him and Karen. Both trainers stood in the spotlight, their faces plastered with fake smiles as the organizers bustled around, eager to conclude the tournament on a high note despite the obvious awkwardness that hung in the air.
And the rather odd delay in which everyone had to stand around for almost an hour, waiting, as Agatha had stolen away both finalists.
Ezra's thoughts were far from the glittering stage and cheering crowd - although a much smaller one after an hour. His mind was still reeling from Agatha's bombshell - the news that Karen would be joining him on his journey was like a punch to the gut. He hadn't even been able to fully process it yet. He was already imagining the endless arguments, the constant friction. His jaw tightened as he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes scanning the crowd without really seeing them.
Sure, some of that friction was his doing, but she made it so easy, he couldn't resist.
Karen, on the other hand, looked even unhappier. Her smile was utterly forced, her eyes hard as she stood beside Ezra, arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was clearly furious with how everything had played out - her defeat, Agatha's dismissive attitude, and now, being forced to follow Ezra like some errand girl. Her knuckles were white from how tightly she clenched her fists, but she held her head high, refusing to let the crowd see how much the situation was getting under her skin.
The head organizer, a balding man with a forced grin, stepped forward, holding a gleaming trophy in one hand and an envelope of prize money in the other. "And the winner of this year's Battle Tower Lawn Tournament is Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League!" He announced with far too much enthusiasm, thrusting the envelope and the trophy into Ezra's hands before stepping aside for the next presenter.
Ezra nodded briefly in acknowledgment, glancing at the envelope without much interest. The money was nice, sure, but it wasn't the real prize. His eyes darted to the small display case where his true reward awaited - a Pokemon Egg, gleaming softly under the bright stadium lights that covered the battlefield. They'd refused to tell him the species inside, saying it was more interesting that way - that it hadn't been revealed for the tournament, and could be anything.
Hopefully it wasn't a complete waste. Although it likely would be a Pokemon for either breeding or selling. Because it wouldn't be a Ghost or Dark Pokemon in there, he was willing to bet.
"Congratulations," The head organizer said, clearly eager to keep things moving. He motioned to Karen next. "And our runner-up, Karen of the Elite Four apprentice program! She will receive her prize money and the TM for Earthquake!"
Karen accepted her prize with a stiff nod, her face betraying no emotion even though she was clearly seething underneath. Earthquake was a powerful move, sure, but the sting of losing to Ezra so publicly made it feel like a hollow reward. She had expected to be standing in his place, triumphant. Instead, she was the one being pitied.
The crowd cheered politely as the prizes were distributed, but it was clear the excitement had waned after Agatha's earlier presence. Ezra and Karen both stood awkwardly on the stage, pretending to enjoy the moment when, in truth, both wanted nothing more than to leave. The moment the final applause died down, they both quickly excused themselves, heading back toward the tent with matching sour expressions.
As soon as they were out of earshot from the crowd, Karen's composure cracked. She stopped in the middle of the path, rounding on Ezra with a scowl. "Listen up, brat," She snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "I don't care how that battle went. You're the rookie here, not me. I'm in charge, and what I say goes. Agatha may have stuck me with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take orders from someone beneath me."
Ezra blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst but not entirely surprised. He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms casually as he stared back at her. "Really? Because I distinctly remember beating you like an unwanted stepchild not more than an hour ago," He said coolly, his voice calm, but laced with sarcasm. "And if I recall correctly, Agatha didn't attach me to you - she attached you to me. Because I'm what she wants. Not you."
Karen's face flushed with anger, but Ezra didn't give her a chance to respond.
"I don't care what you think," He continued, his tone sharpening. "I'm heading to Pewter next. That's my plan. You can come if you want, or you can stay behind and explain to Agatha how you couldn't even last a day. But I'm not going to change my journey or my plans because you want to play boss. You have two choices - follow my lead or get left behind."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension crackling like electricity in the air. Karen's eyes blazed with fury, her mouth opening as if to argue, but then she closed it again, clearly struggling with her emotions. She was furious, humiliated, but Ezra's words had struck a chord - she knew he was right. Agatha hadn't given her a choice in the matter. If she didn't follow through on this assignment, it would be her neck on the line.
And Agatha, despite the way she acted, had given Karen everything. She couldn't let her down. Not again.
She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly as the fight drained out of her. "Fine," She muttered, her voice tight with anger. "But don't expect me to take orders from you, I'm just following you around."
Ezra smirked, but it was a tired one. "I don't care if you take orders from me or not, Karen. Just don't get in my way. I've got my own goals, and I'm not letting anyone - or anything - get in the way of that."
Karen glared at him, her jaw tight, but she didn't argue. There was a long, heavy silence as they both stood there, each refusing to back down completely but realizing they were stuck with each other. Finally, Ezra let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Look," He said, his voice softer now, "We don't have to like each other, but we're stuck together for now. So let's just make the best of it, yeah? I'll try not to mock you too much, and you... Try not to take out your anger at Agatha on me. Deal?"
Karen crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. "I'll try," She said begrudgingly, clearly still frustrated, but there was a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But don't expect me to just roll over and let you walk all over me."
Ezra nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it," He said with a wry smile.
For a brief moment, there was a flicker of understanding between them - an unspoken acknowledgment that, while they might not like each other, they were going to have to find a way to work together. It wasn't friendship, not by a long shot, but it was a start of - not enemies. And for now, that would have to be enough.
They stood there in silence for a moment longer, the tension between them easing slightly. Then, with a final sigh, Ezra turned and started walking again. "Come on," He muttered, glancing back at Karen. "We've got a long trip to Pewter ahead of us. Let's get moving, I need to go into Olivine and swap in my Pidgeot first."
Karen followed, her expression still sullen but no longer hostile. The two of them walked side by side, the uneasy truce hanging between them like a fragile thread. Neither of them knew how long it would last, but for now, it was enough to keep them moving forward.
They could both agree on one thing at least.
Agatha could go fuck herself for forcing this.
Although it was a very unspoken agreement, that both of them just mentally connected with.
Neither one of them wanted her to somehow hear them say it - so it remained unspoken.
Agatha's reputation had been well earned even before the war, and after… Well no one tended to argue with her too heavily.
Back then she hadn't been known simply as the Ghost Mistress - that had come after the peace settled in. Albeit that was not something Ezra had known until he went into the Johto portion of the net while in Johto, as his short schooling in Kanto hadn't mentioned it. At all.
Her most well known moniker during the war was the Mistress of Madness, given by Johto, and if you went back into what someone Ezra's age would call ancient history by now… To the pre-war period...
She'd also been known as the Maiden of Slaughter.
The pre-war and war period had not been a time of reasoned discussion around a table…
Ezra really didn't want to think about the fact Agatha had once even been a maiden.
Let alone one earning that moniker.
Pewter City, Kanto
The road from Pewter City to his stable was quiet, the steady rhythm of their footsteps the only real sound breaking the stillness of the afternoon. Ezra and Karen walked side by side, though neither seemed particularly thrilled with the arrangement still. The tension between them had simmered down somewhat, though it wasn't gone. If anything, it felt like it had settled into a kind of uneasy truce. There was still a palpable sense of frustration and annoyance radiating off Karen, and Ezra couldn't help but wonder if it would boil over again before long.
Still, he had to admit she'd been handling things better than he'd expected. After all, being saddled with someone you disliked - someone you'd lost to - couldn't have been easy for her. Especially with how much she seemed to respect Agatha.
Karen had kept herself composed since they left the tournament, and Ezra, in an uncharacteristic show of maturity, had held back his usual teasing, trying not to provoke her. For now, at least. He was practically a saint, really.
"So... Pewter City is your home base?" Karen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was neutral, though there was a slight edge to it. Likely from the fact she'd already tried finding him here, according to Brock. "What's so special about this place?"
Ezra shrugged, glancing at the familiar path leading toward the outskirts of the city. "It's nice and homely, safe. Got good lawyers for my business and a good place to keep a stable for my Pokemon. Brock's the guy watching it when I'm not around and he's the Gym Leaders son, and a stand up bro. Plus, it's close enough to the mountains for some good training. I've got some business to take care of here with my breeding project too."
"Breeding project?" Karen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of project?"
"A Pokemon farm and breeding center," Ezra replied, since she'd find out soon enough anyway, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked. "I'm starting a business with a big shot investor on board. Breeding rare and unique Pokemon I've discovered, Ghost and Dark types amongst them. It's a long-term plan, but my business partner already got the land and the paperwork ready. Just signed the contract with my lawyer before we headed up here."
It had only taken a few minutes really, while Karen waited outside, and Devon Corp was going to start as early as this week on transforming the plot of land Steven Stone had already apparently purchased near Lavender Town.
Karen hummed, crossing her arms. "That sounds… Potentially profitable. So you're a businessman now too?" There was a hint of disbelief in her tone, and he couldn't really blame her.
Ezra chuckled. "Something like that. I've got plans beyond just battling. Gotta think ahead. Plus, you know, the money in raising rare Pokemon is a field that will never lose value."
There was a pause, the conversation hitting a brief lull as they continued up the winding path. Karen's gaze shifted to the trees lining the road, her expression softening ever so slightly.
"Blackthorn City never had anything like that," She said after a moment, surprising him, she's from Lance's hometown? Her voice was quieter now, as if the mention of Blackthorn City had drawn her into some kind of reflection. "It was always so... Traditional. Not many people there think about something like breeding or about expanding their horizons. It was all about the past, about honoring their dragon heritage."
In hindsight, of course she's from Johto, but… How did she end up as Agatha's apprentice?
Ezra glanced at her, catching the slight bitterness in her tone, clueing him in that she'd not had a happy time in Blackthorn. "Yeah, I can see how that could get old fast. Too much tradition can choke you if you let it. It's why I probably would have gotten the hell out of Lavender Town even if they didn't kick me out." Not that it will stop me from going back and making the traditionalists choke on it…
Karen gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "It's not easy being trapped in someone else's shadow." She muttered darkly, "Even if that shadow is an entire heritage and tradition."
Ezra didn't say anything to that, letting her words hang in the air. He understood the sentiment well enough - he had his own reasons for wanting to carve out his own path, outside the expectations of others. Still, it wasn't the kind of thing he'd voice aloud. Not right now, anyway. He had a feeling Karen professing an interest in Dark Pokemon in Dragon nuts Blackthorn hadn't ended well..
The conversation trailed off again as they rounded a bend in the road, and soon enough, the familiar sight of Ezra's stable came into view. It wasn't much yet - but it was his. The beginning of something much bigger in the end.
Standing just outside the main barn, waiting for them with his arms crossed and a bright grin on his face, was Brock. Ezra had called ahead of course, so that Brock would know he'd have time off for the next week or so.
"Ezra!" Brock called out, waving them over enthusiastically. As soon as they got close, Brock's grin widened even further. "You guys hooked up after all, huh? I knew she had the hots for you!"
The words hit like a bomb. Ezra froze for a split second, feeling Karen stiffen beside him. Her face flushed with fury, and in that brief moment of pure rage, she whipped out her Pokeball, releasing her Weavile in one swift motion.
"Weavile!" She shouted, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger, "Ice to the crotch of that idiot, NOW!"
Luckily, Ezra's reflexes kicked in faster than Brock's sense of self-preservation. "Loki, Intercept!" He snapped, releasing his Banette just in time to block the Ice attack - an icy projectile the size of Brock's head - from smashing into the oblivious Gym Leader's most vulnerable area.
All this time not pissing her off, and Brock had to open his mouth. Ah, well, at least it wasn't him.
Loki's eerie grin twisted as he floated between Brock and Weavile, looking back at Ezra with a funny eyebrow. The Banette's expression seemed to say, Really? Protecting this one? Ezra could almost hear the exasperation in Loki's body language.
Ezra sighed, running a hand through his hair as Brock, completely oblivious to the reason for his near ball crushing experience, blinked in confusion.
"What's going on?" Brock asked, glancing between Karen's furious expression and Weavile's still-glowing claws. "Did I say something wrong?"
Karen's eyes blazed, her hands balling into fists as she turned on Brock. "Did you say something wrong?" She repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "You absolute moron! I - we - are not hooked up. There is nothing between us, and if you say something like that again, I'll - "
"Karen," Ezra interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "Let it go. He's just... Well, he's just Brock."
Brock blinked again, scratching the back of his head in genuine confusion. "What? I thought... I mean, I could've sworn..."
"Don't," Karen growled, still glaring daggers at the confused boy. "Just don't."
Brock held up his hands in surrender, backing up slightly. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need for that Weavile to cut my head off. Jeez."
Ezra shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Brock, just... Think before you speak, man. That's all I'm asking." I got to work on that girls anger issues…
Brock chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'll work on that."
Karen huffed, recalling Weavile, though the tension in her shoulders didn't ease entirely. She shot Brock one last warning look before turning her attention back to Ezra, crossing her arms. "Can we get on with this? I'd rather not spend any more time dealing with idiots today."
Ezra sighed again, glancing between the two of them. This was going to be a long, long partnership.
He didn't think it was worth it telling Karen off this time. He'd let her have this one. Brock wouldn't mind anyway.
If she tried any of that shit with him though… He'd lay the law down fast.
That night,
The night air was cool as Ezra made his way to the clearing just beyond the stable. The stars were bright overhead, casting a pale light across the grassy field. His mind was focused, his steps deliberate, as he walked ahead of Karen, who trailed behind with a curious but guarded expression. The whole day had been a whirlwind of contracts, awkward encounters, and misjudged assumptions, Karen following him everywhere. Now, though, he could relax a little, do what he enjoyed most - training his Pokemon.
Well, he'd enjoy a couple other things even more… But Pokemon training was the cheapest entertainment he had at the moment.
He reached the clearing, and without a word, released his team, and the rest of his Pokemon, his Pokemon limits not mattering on this plot of land due to his stable license.
Pokeballs opened with a flash, and one by one, his Pokemon materialized around him, a diverse crowd of spectral and dark creatures. Sableye materialized first, its gem eyes glinting as it dug its claws into the dirt. Duskull hovered next to it, the single glowing eye behind its skull-like face fixed on Ezra. A Mimikyu shuffled close to the group, while Shedinja floated silently in the air, the hollow shell of a Pokemon casting an eerie aura. Yamask hovered nearby, holding its mask closely, while Murkrow cawed from a perch atop a nearby tree. A Lampent and Litwick drifted above the field, their ghostly flames flickering in the breeze, and Misdreavous hovered with its usual mischievous smile.
Further out, the Dark-types mingled in the shadows, a Houndour stretched its limbs, Skuntank prowled along the edges of the field, Zorua's eyes gleamed with mischievous intent, and a Poochyena sniffed curiously at the ground. Ezra took a moment to appreciate the sight of them all together - his team of Ghost and Dark Pokemon, each one as unique and would hopefully one day become powerful as his main team.
Karen stood back, eyes slightly wide, though she tried to hide her surprise. "Quite the collection you've got there," She commented, her tone begrudgingly impressed.
Ezra didn't respond at first, instead moving amongst his Pokemon, giving each a moment of attention. "Alright, everyone, you know the drill. We've been working on technique and control, and I know Brock has kept it up - so tonight I want to see progress."
He started with Sableye, crouching beside the Pokemon, who looked up at him with its wide gem eyes, waiting. "Last time, your Shadow Claw was strong, but it wasn't fast enough. We need speed. Hit the targets and keep moving. Don't give anyone a chance to hit back, I want to see you practice tonight."
Sableye grinned and immediately bounded off, slashing at the wooden training dummies set up across the field with its claws - he would have to replace them again soon. Ezra watched closely, nodding in approval as Sableye's movements became a blur of sharp, precise strikes. "Better. Keep at it, get a good feel for the flow of the movements."
Next, he turned to Mimikyu. "You're cute as always in your outfit, Mimikyu," He said, patting it on the head, earning an eerie giggle, he'd gotten Mimikyu a much better Pikachu cosplay outfit, not that it really lowered the inherent creepiness. "I'll lend you some of the extra Litwicks, practice your Charm and Baby Doll Eyes, make sure you focus on getting a good feel for the energy, don't just use the technique, feel it."
Mimikyu bobbed its head and shuffled forward, Ezra gesturing for several of his captured Litwicks to join it for training, to be practice dummies in a way. He didn't mention the fairy type energy out loud, because he didn't need to tell Karen everything for her reports… And Fairy types were not a thing yet in the four regions.
Karen watched as Ezra made his way through the group, giving advice and feedback with a calm, even tone. He wasn't loud, nor did he shout commands - his Pokemon seemed to understand him perfectly with just a few words or a glance. Which just wasn't how Dark and Ghost Pokemon worked.
Ezra moved on to Duskull, his voice softening slightly. "You've been getting better with Will-O-Wisp, but I want more control. Focus your flames, just fire up, no fires to put out this time, eh?" Brock had to act as a fireman too many times during the past few days from what Ezra had been told. Duskull a little bit of a pyromaniac.
Duskull floated upward, summoning blue flames that danced in the air. It released the flames one at a time up into the air, each one firing off with precision. Ezra gave an approving nod before moving on to Yamask.
"Shadow Ball, full power. Show me you can handle it without losing control." He ordered quietly, the Yamask struggling with the power aspect, unlike most of his other Ghosts who struggled to rein in their power for finer control.
Yamask's eyes glowed as it summoned a ball of dark energy, launching it toward the farthest target, set up amongst the trees around the clearing. The attack hit with a satisfying thud, the dark energy dissipating on impact.
"Nice. Keep practicing, I want you to hit harder next time, keep focusing on gathering your power, you already have decent control, I know it's not fast at the moment, but speed will come later."
As the training progressed, Karen's earlier surprise turned into something closer to jealousy. She had strong Pokrmon herself, but the sheer variety and rare types Ezra had at his disposal were impressive. It wasn't just the number - it was the way he handled them, the quiet confidence and the easy familiarity. He knew them, inside and out, and they trusted him. And again, these Pokemon shouldn't work like that!
Karen had fought and bled and cried to get her Pokemon to the level they were at, and they still needed a firm hand to continue listening to her at times. Ghost and Dark types just didn't do the cuddly nice crap. She was honestly not sure what was going on.
"Where do you even find some of these Pokemon?" Karen asked, half out of curiosity, half out of envy. She didn't want to ask the more burning question, well aware she hadn't exactly earned his confidence.
Ezra glanced at her, not breaking stride as he approached the next Pokemon. "Here and there. Some came to me, others I sought out. It helps to know where to look."
What a wonderful non-answer, Karen thought, she crossed her arms, watching as Ezra knelt beside a small Eevee, who bounded up to him happily. She narrowed her eyes. "An Eevee? Doesn't really fit with the whole Ghost/Dark theme." She pointed out.
Ezra smirked, rubbing the Eevee's head affectionately. "Not yet. But soon. She's special." He handed Eevee a few berries, watching as she happily nibbled away. "Right now, we're just bonding. Getting her ready for the next step."
Karen scoffed, shaking her head. "So, what, with one Pokemon you're trying to make it set the sky on fire, and with this one, you're coddling it like a pet? Are you sure you're not insane with this kind of random training?"
Ezra chuckled, leaning back against a nearby tree, his hand still resting on Eevee's soft fur. "You've got to treat each one differently. Some need discipline, some need encouragement. It's all about balance."
"Balance?" Karen muttered. "You're all over the place." A new Eeveelution perhaps, but how does he know? She wondered.
He didn't rise to the bait, instead calling over his Murkrow, who fluttered down from its perch. "You've been getting better at flying through obstacles and changing direction on the fly," Ezra said, watching as the Dark bird Pokemon cawed softly in response. "But I want more control on those turns, less throwing yourself in a direction and more focused flight. Work on your agility again tonight, cycle your energy while you work."
Murkrow took off again, flying low over the field, dodging between obstacles Ezra and Brock had set up in the forest before he left for the tournament. Murkrow clipped its wing on one of the targets as it rapidly switched directions, squawking in frustration.
Ezra didn't scold it. "You'll get there. Just focus." He called out, watching intently. Murkrow could already perform aerial acrobatics that made the Pokemon very hard to hit. Ezra intended to continue this training until very hard became can't. Not without techniques that filled the sky or bypassed the possibility to dodge at all.
Karen watched the entire process with a mix of frustration and grudging respect. It was clear Ezra knew his stuff, even if his methods were unconventional - no, she corrected herself, downright odd. He seemed to push his Pokemon to the edge yes, but in odd directions, with a lot more self reliance then she'd ever seen, especially for Pokemon who were notorious for needing a firm hand.
Everything Karen knew said this couldn't work, so seeing it work, and work well, was finally beginning to force her to look at things from a new point of view. Understanding why Agatha was interested in the first place.
As the night wore on and the other Pokemon continued their training, Ezra walked a little further away from the group, his steps purposeful. Karen raised an eyebrow and followed him, Rider and Loki trailing behind them both as silent guardians instead of performing their own training.
When they were far enough from the rest of the team, Ezra stopped and pulled out another Pokeball. A quick flash of light revealed a Primeape standing before them, its fists clenched, eyes wild with rage, ready to fight.
Primeape roared, immediately putting up its fists, muscles rippling with tension.
Ezra crossed his arms, staring down the Primeape, his gaze cold. "You think you're angry," He said softly, his voice cutting through the night air. "But you have no idea."
Primeape growled, lowering itself into a fighting stance, ready to strike. Not caring that it was its owner.
Ezra chuckled, his smile sharp and humorless. "You're weak. So very, very weak. Maybe if you were angry enough, you'd be useful."
The Primeape let out a roar, its fists swinging toward Ezra with wild abandon, only for a Shadow Ball from Loki to explode right in its face, halting its charge.
From the sidelines, Karen crossed her arms and commented dryly, "So that's how you beat me. You're literally too insane to predict." She shook her head, "You cuddle with the Eevee, and here you're what? Trying to enrage the rage Pokemon?"
"There's a method to my madness," Ezra countered with a smirk, his eyes never leaving the Primeape.
Karen shook her head again, her expression both bemused and annoyed. "Your method is going to get your face punched in." She predicted, one hand resting near her Pokeballs, in case she needed to fend the Primeape off.
Ezra's smirk widened. "I think Primeape can go further. There's something else in him. If he were just angrier, more focused, he could evolve into something truly terrifying."
"You're nuts," Karen said, her tone flat. "But... whatever. Your funeral." There isn't an evolution for Primeape… Is there?
She watched, her curiosity piqued despite herself, as Ezra continued to taunt and push the Primeape. The Pokemon grew more and more enraged with every failure, lashing out at trees and rocks, its strikes growing wilder and more powerful as it vented its fury. Loki and Rider stood ready in case things went too far, but Ezra never flinched, never backed down. Casting Rage Fist wasn't enough, if it was, the Primeape and many others of its kind, would already have evolved.
No, it literally needed to be pushed to the point its heart literally exploded in anger.
After what felt like hours, Ezra called the Primeape back to its Pokeball, the Pokemon still fuming and trembling with rage. "I'll try again tomorrow night," Ezra said, almost to himself. "Maybe a little more time will do the trick."
Karen shook her head, muttering under her breath, "You're insane." But after what she'd seen already, she was half afraid he'd actually pull it off. How he knew any of this… She'd never heard of any of it… And she had more access then almost anyone not a Gym Leader or an Elite Four.
Ezra just gave her a knowing smile. "You'll see the results. Just remember, only Agatha gets a report. If you try spreading this around..." He let his words hang in the air.
Agatha could feel free to try it on her own, but if it got spread beyond her, he wouldn't hesitate to sue. This all belonged to his business. Evolving Pokemon in ways no one else knew.
Karen scoffed. "I'm not the type to go back on my word, and anyway, I'm already penniless, and can hardly afford a lawsuit."
Ezra gave Karen a once-over, noting her outfit - dark, form-fitting clothes that showed more skin than they covered. They were obviously expensive, tailored to both fashion and function. He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look penniless."
She scowled, crossing her arms defensively. "It's all through Lady Agatha. She funds everything I need, but it's her money, not mine." Her voice dripped with resentment, the bitterness clear in her tone.
Ezra supposed he could understand still using it to its full extent, but being bitter about having to rely on someone else. At least she wasn't the kind of pussy that would refuse to use it and whine about her hard knock life.
Ezra nodded thoughtfully at her words, and his own thoughts on the matter, leaning back on his hands as he sat down in the grass beside his Eevee, who immediately curled up next to him. He let out a low whistle. "That sounds... Restrictive, and a hassle to deal with. What happened anyway? How did you end up with Agatha?"
Karen's eyes darkened, and she looked away, clearly unwilling to go into detail. "None of your business," She muttered, her voice cold and clipped.
Ezra shrugged, not pushing further. He could tell there was something deeper there, but he wasn't in the mood to pry. Not now, anyway. Instead, he turned his attention back to his Eevee, gently stroking the fur on her head. She let out a soft purr, her tail twitching contentedly.
For a moment, silence fell between them, only broken by the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the distant sounds of his Pokemon continuing their training.
Karen finally broke the silence, her voice laced with disbelief. "I still can't get over how you went from trying to make a Primeape mad enough to kill you to... this." She gestured toward the Eevee, who was nuzzling against Ezra's hand, completely at ease. "Are you seriously trying to tell me there's some kind of logic behind your training methods?"
Ezra smirked, not looking up. "Of course. Different Pokemon need different approaches. Some thrive on discipline and anger, others need affection and care. You can't treat them all the same." He winked, "I throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, nothing is too crazy to try."
Karen stared at him for a moment, still looking unconvinced. "That's... A weird way to train," She admitted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
Ezra chuckled softly. "It's worked so far. And besides, you'll see the results soon enough." I don't enjoy having to share this… But I suppose blowing her mind has some small enjoyment in it.
Karen sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. She turned her back to him slightly, pacing in a small circle as she processed everything. "I just don't get you, Kassian. One moment you're taunting a Primeape like you have a death wish, and the next you're coddling an Eevee like she's your pet. I get what you're saying, your reasoning, but still, It's like you're two different people."
She's really stuck on this, that's what? The third time she's brought it up? He thought. Ezra gave her a sidelong glance, his smile fading slightly. "There's more than one way to train a Pokemon, Karen. Just like there's more than one way to handle people, typing isn't everything."
She stopped pacing, staring down at him, eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged casually, leaning back into the grass, stretching out lazily. "It means you don't need to understand everything I do. You just need to know that it works."
"I doubt I'll ever understand you." She snarked, letting out a huff, leaning against a tree.
They both shared a rare moment of silence, the tension between them easing slightly. For the first time since they'd been stuck together, there wasn't the usual undercurrent of animosity or resentment in the air. Ezra focused on his Eevee, who was now curled up beside him, her eyes half-lidded in contentment.
Karen looked down at them, her arms still crossed, but the hard edge in her gaze had softened somewhat. "So... What's the deal with that Eevee? You gonna evolve her into something? Something new?"
Ezra didn't respond immediately, his hand gently brushing over the soft fur along Eevee's back. "Eventually. I've got a plan for her. But right now, we're just bonding."
"Bonding?" Karen echoed, her voice skeptical. "That's part of your 'method,' too, huh?" She shook her head, "People have tried that before, just bonding isn't enough, experts in their field have tried it, Kassian." She stressed.
Ezra nodded. "Yeah. Bonding, trust... All of it matters depending on the Pokemon. You can't just throw some Pokemon into battle without them trusting you. It's like asking someone to fight a war for you without them knowing if you've got their back." He shrugged, "Again, that's some Pokemon, they can be as different as you and I."
None of that was exactly new. But some trainers did get stuck into the trap of treating all their Pokemon the same. And Karen seemed the type. Especially as a type specialist, especially as a Dark trainer. Although he wasn't entirely fair. No one could really tame them the same way he was after all.
Karen fell silent at that, watching him quietly for a moment. There was a flicker of something in her eyes - something she didn't often let show. She wasn't used to this kind of approach. Her own training, the way Agatha had raised her, was based more on power and control. She had to be in charge, to dominate. Ezra's approach seemed softer, more personal, but there was a steeliness to it that couldn't be ignored.
After a few moments, Karen sighed and sat down on the grass a few feet away from him, leaning back on her hands. "Alright, fine. I'll admit, your Pokemon seem loyal enough, somehow. But you've got to know Lady Agatha's expecting results in my reports. She's not going to be happy with... Whatever this is." She gestured vaguely toward the peaceful Eevee. "It's really not her philosophy, at all."
Ezra's eyes gleamed with mischief as he looked at her. "Don't worry. Old Agatha's only interested in the outcome. The process? That's all mine, and stuff she can throw on her minions." Like you, he left unsaid.
Except for the actual evolution tricks, even Agatha wouldn't just share that. She was old, and the older you were, the more likely it was you were part of the group who believed Pokemon knowledge shouldn't be entirely free and shared amongst everyone. Elite Four or not, he was willing to bet Agatha was like that.
Karen arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You really think you can handle Lady Agatha long-term? She's not going to let you do whatever you want, you know. She's not exactly the hands-off type."
Ezra leaned his head back, staring up at the stars above. "We'll see. But I have a feeling I'll manage. Old Agatha's tough, but she knows talent when she sees it. As long as I keep delivering, she won't interfere too much." Arceus, let me be right about that…
Karen watched him for a moment longer, then let out a reluctant sigh. "You're insufferable, you know that?" But there was no real heat behind it.
Ezra grinned, not looking at her. "I get that a lot."
The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while, the cool night air settling around them. Karen might not have fully understood Ezra's methods, but there was a begrudging respect building between them. She wasn't ready to admit it, but she was starting to see that maybe - just maybe - there was more to Ezra Kassian than she'd first thought.
As the night deepened, and the rest of the Pokemon settled into their routines, Ezra and Karen remained where they were, each lost in their own thoughts. They didn't need to say anything else. For now, they had reached a truce of sorts, an understanding that, for better or worse, they were stuck with each other.
And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't the worst thing in the world.
A week later,
It shouldn't be this easy, Ezra thought as he stood just outside the makeshift training field.
Seven days. That's how long he had spent in Pewter City, doing little else but pushing his Pokemon to their limits, especially his Primeape. It had been a brutal week - constant taunting, needling, and antagonizing. Seven days of driving the Primeape to the edge of apocalyptic fury.
Ezra knew this approach was dangerous. Primeape was already a volatile Pokemon by nature, and what he had been doing was deliberately lighting the fuse over and over again. If it weren't for his aura - which he believed could soothe the beast once it evolved into its Ghostly form - this might have been a terrible idea. Primeape didn't like him. There was no illusion of affection there - couldn't be with how hard he was pushing. The Pokemon had been on the verge of tearing him apart more than once. But Ezra knew that if he explained his plan, the kind of soul-deep rage that was necessary for its evolution might never come. It had to be real, raw, and unfiltered.
If Primeape had known it was all for its benefit, then that rage wouldn't have been true, it wouldn't have been deep enough, real enough. He was also lucky Karen wasn't a bleeding heart. Because if any of the Pokefriends organizations people had seen this - they would have cried abuse all the way to court.
Now, on the eighth night of their training regimen, here he stood, watching the fruits of his labor come to life. Karen stood a few feet behind him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief, eyes wide in shock. The air was thick with tension, and Ezra could feel the electricity in it. His Primeape, utterly consumed by rage, was glowing.
The evolution had begun.
A brilliant light enveloped Primeape, the aura of fury radiating off him in waves so intense that the very air seemed to shudder with it. The Pokemon's muscles tensed, expanding as the energy coursed through its body. Its fur stood on end, becoming sharper, more ragged, as if the very essence of its rage was molding its physical form into something more primal, more terrifying. The ground beneath its feet cracked, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the transformation. Its fists clenched tightly, glowing with the dark, ghostly energy of its new form.
Ezra watched with cold, calculating eyes as Primeape's shape began to change. He could see the rage fueling every fiber of the Pokemon's being, turning it into something entirely different. Its arms lengthened, becoming sinewy and more powerful. Its once-spherical body stretched, growing taller, more menacing, its posture no longer hunched, but upright and poised for violence. Dark, shadowy tendrils swirled around its body like ghostly chains, a manifestation of the fury that had once consumed it. Its face, once filled with mindless anger, was now focused - its eyes glowing with an almost otherworldly intensity. The most notable change, though, was the spectral chains that now hung from the manacles on its wrists, flickering with ethereal energy. These were no ordinary chains - they were the physical manifestation of the Pokemon's inner torment, its rage having evolved into something beyond anger. Something darker.
Annihilape had arrived.
"I'm going to call you, Akuma…" Ezra mused out loud. Devil is a fitting name for you, my raging new friend…
Karen let out a gasp as the evolution finished, the last vestiges of light disappearing to reveal the towering figure that stood before them. The Annihilape's eyes blazed like embers in the darkness, its fists pulsing with spectral energy as it shadow-boxed the air, its movements swift and fluid, a deadly elegance in the way it moved. The rage that had once been so prominent was still there, but it had been transformed into something else - something controlled, directed.
Ezra didn't move. He simply waited. Will it understand, will my aura be enough?
Annihilape's movements slowed as it turned toward him, its glowing eyes locking onto its trainer. There was a moment of tense silence, the air crackling with the lingering energy of the evolution. And then, just as Ezra had anticipated, although perhaps not the manner of it, Annihilape bowed it's head. It was a low, deliberate gesture, its massive form bent in submission, its gaze now filled with respect mixed in with the fury.
Ezra let out a slow breath and reached out with his aura, letting it flow from him in a soothing, enveloping wave. The energy washed over the Annihilape like a blanket, calming whatever lingering tension remained. The Pokemon stood tall once more, its body relaxed and steady. The transition from uncontrollable rage to this level of calm was almost jarring.
Even a rage Pokemon could be soothed by his aura it seemed. Although it seemed he hadn't truly needed it. Akuma had accepted what had happened - understood the necessity once the evolution hit.
Karen, still standing behind him, stared in utter disbelief. Her voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "What the fuck are you?" She asked, her words filled with awe and confusion.
Ezra didn't respond. He couldn't, even if he'd wanted to. Because at that exact moment, Annihilape bounced over in one might leap and reached out and pulled him into a crushing hug. Ezra's breath left him in a painful whoosh as the Pokemon squeezed him tightly, its muscular arms nearly suffocating him in a show of affection - or revenge. It was hard to tell.
Okay, so maybe not entirely over it…
"L-Loki, a little help?" Ezra wheezed, his voice strained as he tried to breathe through the Annihilape's iron grip.
The Banette, who had been watching from a distance, floated closer, its stitched mouth twisted in a smirk. It looked at Ezra with an almost sarcastic expression, as if to say, Really? Not deserved? Loki floated around the Annihilape's head, poking at it playfully, but didn't intervene further then that.
"Any...Time..." Ezra managed to croak out, his vision starting to blur slightly from the pressure. He still held back from using his shadow, in a way, Akuma deserved his little miniature rebellion for all that Ezra put it through.
Karen, still wide-eyed, had the sense to step forward, though she seemed more fascinated than concerned. "Should I... Do something?" Fascinated, and probably feeling some vindication too.
Ezra, unable to speak, just gave her a pleading look. While he refused to use his shadow so overtly in front of Karen, and to escape his probably just punishment, Karen could help and it wouldn't be his fault at all.
Karen smirked, clearly enjoying his predicament. "You know, after everything you put that poor Primeape through, this feels like karma."
He had a feeling she didn't just mean the Primeape…
Ezra glared at her through the haze of his impending unconsciousness, but then, Akuma let him go, huffing out a laugh, as it stepped back, its ghostly chains rattling slightly.
Ezra coughed, rubbing his ribs as he sat up, glaring at Karen. "Thanks," He muttered sarcastically. "You were a big help."
Karen crossed her arms, her expression smug. "And here I thought you had this whole control thing down."
Ezra shot her a look, but there was no real malice behind it. "There's a method to my madness," He repeated his previous words, still slightly breathless.
Karen rolled her eyes. "Your method is going to get you killed one day."
Ezra shrugged, standing up and dusting himself off. "Maybe. But it worked, didn't it? A Ghost/Fighting type, nothing like you've seen before, eh? Controlled and eager to serve."
Karen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the massive ghostly figure of the Annihilape, who was now standing off to the side, calm and composed. "You call that controlled?" She said dryly, "It almost choked you out."
Ezra smirked. "You saw the bow. That's loyalty. Respect."
Karen shook her head, still looking somewhat baffled by the entire situation. "Whatever you say, Kassian. You want to call being choked out respect, I'm not going to intrude on your kinks."
Ezra spluttered slightly, not having an immediate comeback, he was so caught off guard by that comment. Karen smirked smugly in victory.
The Annihilape stood quietly by, watching them calmly. But behind its calm demeanor, Ezra knew that it had all the power and rage it needed, power that simmered just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed. His aura was likely pushing it down for now, but Akuma was never going to be a calm Pokemon, especially once in battle.
His plan had worked. The uncontrollable rage of Primeape had evolved into something far more dangerous - and far more useful.
He felt confident in his team now,
It was time to tackle the gyms. And well… He still had tons of time before the end of the circuit… Why not go for both Kanto and Johto's circuit, and do a clean sweep?
Hopefully by the time he was done, all his major Pokemon would have evolved, and he'd be facing the conference with a Dragapult and a Hydreigon.
The only sad thing was the fact he wouldn't get to shock Agatha with a surprise Annihilape to the face, not with Karen's reporting of what's happened.
Although…
Maybe they could keep just this one back, just for a little bit…
Author's note:
While Agatha could have pulled different levers and probably forced Ezra's hand, she's old, not stupid.
Having a belligerent Ezra, able to connect with Ghosts - forced to work for her. Isn't a good outcome for Agatha. So since he's so stubborn, she devises another way to tie him close enough, while she still gets a trickle of his methods and secrets.
With hope she can still snag him soon enough,
Kids will be kids after all, and things could change.
And now we have an Annihilape in Ezra's corner. Although he can only carry six Pokemon into a gym battle, he will have more than six that are considered his 'elite' and he'll just switch for what's needed for a fight.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Vert_Heart
Professional Yandere Judge
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And why doesn't he just leave the second he gets a chance? Setting up a successful gym in Lavender Town has always been the weirdest form of payback I've seen. I wouldn't want anything to do with Kanto if I was him in the first place especially after this, not even considering how Agatha just basically ordered him to give up all his secrets(semi-mind control and spy included). It just feels like he's hurting himself by being stubborn for a really shitty revenge plot.
I'd fly away the second I knew my pokemon could take it and never return, become known in another region(he already has connections in Hoenn), and never share anything with Indigo. Its just the Agatha scene felt way too heavy-handed to me and I can't see why he would ever try to stay in that environment. Either way, TFTC!
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Personal preference. You're you, he's him. Different people want different things.
stads
Experienced.
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nice chapter thx for writing it
poor mc being stuck with karen in a pg 12 story ^^ guess he can complain to the author
fun seeing the meeting with agatha and interesting to see that she had a husband now bet on what is oak or not before he went professor ?
poor mc being stuck with karen in a pg 12 story ^^ guess he can complain to the author
fun seeing the meeting with agatha and interesting to see that she had a husband now bet on what is oak or not before he went professor ?
SenpaiSamaChan
Da UwU Nig
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I love that annihilape is just a prime ape that got so angry it fuckin died.
Cadmus von Eizenbern
Insert Pun Here
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Because he does not want to just win, he also wants to rub their faces in it.
NGL, I'd have probably not chosen Lavender either, but he's a Dark/Ghost typed. He should be spiteful and petty.
Now setting up a proper home for oneself, that's my vibe. If in Pokeworld and not, you know, weak I'd have probably gone for raising a volcanic island in international waters and filling the sea around it with Gyarados XD
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Uh... How exactly does he hold all the cards? Yeah he has knowledge she wants. But she's also an Elite four, war hero, absolutely terrifyingly skilled, with enough influence his gym dream is dead in the water from one word by her.
Like it isn't exactly like sitting with a dictator and telling them no, but it isn't that far off either.
Hence why he tried to make a deal to get away without having to give everything.
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chinlamp
I trust you know where the happy button is?
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I think the only thing I truly dislike about this story is that it feels so static. A few chapters back, you had him go to Johto, but mention 'there's more than just a hundred and fifty pokemon these days.' Like... yeah? We know? You have the first four regions in contact with each other at the least. This chapter there's another example of it with the Eevee. Karen, from Johto, is talking like she's never heard about Umbreon. Just what?
A fair bit of your negotiations and talking with Steven about evolutions followed that vein, as though Pokemon that should at least be known of were completely unheard of. It just makes what should be a living, breathing world feel like it's as static as a video game, and it's very off putting.
Other than that thing that really throws me out of the story any time I see more along that thought line, everything else is as enjoyable as usual.
A fair bit of your negotiations and talking with Steven about evolutions followed that vein, as though Pokemon that should at least be known of were completely unheard of. It just makes what should be a living, breathing world feel like it's as static as a video game, and it's very off putting.
Other than that thing that really throws me out of the story any time I see more along that thought line, everything else is as enjoyable as usual.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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I mean sure, except I was pretty clear on the fact most Eeveelutions aren't actually a thing yet? So the fact people don't know how to make an Umbreon is actually mentioned in the story.
Considering it's an evolution that's basically based on just friendship at Nighttime, it would make sense that 1, not many have ever achieved it, 2, they don't realize how they've achieved it.
And as stated before, also in story, information sharing isn't very widespread, their internet is partitioned and not very well used.
So again, as mentioned in story. There's surely a Leafeon, Sylveon and Umbreon somewhere out there.
That doesn't mean it's well known, as the ones most likely to have done so are the kind of people not using Pokemon in battle, just cuddling and bonding with their Pokemon at home.
a guy1013
Versed in the lewd.
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true, but to evolve pokemon via happiness they need to battle while being at max happiness, unless the anime thing in journeys is real
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
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Again another reason why those evolutions wouldn't have been easily found with most Eevee's basically housepets.
ThunderBasilisk
Well Worn Bastion
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This was an awesome chapter. Sure he got saddled with Karen cause of Agatha but lets be honest she's the only lady the poor bastard can be around long turn due to his aura(unless you have Hex Maniacs start flocking to him as potential gym trainers). And its so cool that he now has an Annihilape. Its probably one of the most metal Pokemon ever. I mean seriously its so angry it overcomes its racial tolerance for it and then dies and yet is to angry to stay dead. I cant wait to see the publics reaction when he unleashes Akuma(perfect name by the way) in the Conference. Brunos reaction will be interesting to since its a fighting type.