Logan stood tall on the high platform, flames roaring upward at his command. The scorching heat swept across the arena, whipping his Champion's cloak into a fierce flutter. His words struck the hearts of everyone present, each syllable like a hammer blow. Seventy thousand spectators, who had been restless only moments ago, now fell into absolute silence.
"Referee. The time has long since passed ten minutes. Why haven't you made a ruling yet?"
Logan's sharp gaze locked onto the referee. That look alone carried the weight of a blade pressed against the chest—merciless, piercing, suffocating. The referee, who had already lost his composure amidst the near-death struggle between Erika and Cynthia, jolted back to reality under Logan's words.
Though Logan appeared young, the force in his eyes was overwhelming—like a steel knife stabbing into the heart, leaving no air to breathe. At that moment, the referee understood what it truly meant to stand before the Champion of Kanto.
As a referee, he had judged countless matches. Yet this was the first time he had witnessed a battle so savage, so drenched in blood, that it seemed meant only to kill. For a moment, he had abandoned his impartiality, frozen in awe at the sheer brutality of it.
But now, awakened by Logan's thunderous command, he remembered his duty. Despite the blistering heat radiating from Logan's Flareon, he raised the microphone with trembling hands and roared with all his strength:
"…The match is over! Time has expired! The battle between Sinnoh Champion Cynthia and Celadon Gym Leader Erika is declared a draw!"
As the announcement echoed, the suffocating tension finally loosened.
"Ahhh…"
From the audience came waves of heavy exhalations. The crowd had been unable to breathe during Erika and Cynthia's merciless clash, their spirits pinned by the suffocating aura of bloodlust. Only now, with Logan halting the fight, could they truly feel their lungs again.
Some clutched their chests, gasping for breath. Children's cries could be heard among the stands. And yet, there were also faces glowing with excitement—hearts pounding in awe at having witnessed the true, merciless nature of a Trainer's battle.
Logan leapt from the high platform. Gasps rang out from the stands, but before his body could strike the ground, he halted midair, floating gracefully for half a meter before touching down upon the ruined battlefield.
"What exactly were you two trying to do just now? Were you planning to fight to the death here?"
His furious glare swept over Cynthia and Erika. Both women, normally cautious and measured, had nearly lost their sanity in this exhibition match, teetering on the edge of turning a showcase into a mortal duel.
Guilt written across their faces, Erika and Cynthia lowered their heads like scolded children, unable to meet Logan's eyes.
"Doctor!"
Logan barked the command, and medical staff rushed forward without delay.
"Enough out of you two. Don't speak—just listen. I know injuries like these are common to you, but outsiders won't see it that way. Let the doctors treat you properly and go rest. That's an order."
When the women looked as if they might argue, Logan's sharp rebuke cut them off instantly.
Neither dared defy him. They muttered subdued acknowledgments and allowed the medics to examine their fractured wrists and bloodied bodies.
In this world, medical technology was remarkable. As long as it wasn't an incurable disease or immediate death, such injuries could be healed quickly.
Watching the two finally calm down and leave the stage, Logan shook his head helplessly.
"Women… always troublesome."
He turned back toward the referee. "Referee, announce the next match. I'm already prepared. As for the battlefield—don't bother cleaning it up. After this, the stage won't be usable anyway."
The referee swallowed hard at Logan's words. After witnessing Erika and Cynthia's bloodbath, he did not doubt a single syllable. Half the arena was already reduced to rubble, stained with the blood of Trainers and Pokémon alike. Looking at it, the referee couldn't help but worry for Logan's next opponent.
A Champion of Unova? That was fine—they were used to this kind of fight. But Logan's other challenger… was just a little girl. Could she truly endure this kind of brutal, life-and-death battle?
The referee hesitated. A part of him wanted to seek guidance from his superiors, to suggest abandoning this savage format and returning to the traditional style of commanding from a safe platform.
But no such instructions came from above. And the referee did not dare defy Logan. The last battle had already shown everyone the truth—Trainers were terrifying beings, and Logan stood among the strongest of Kanto. Who would dare oppose him?
"Then… let us welcome our challenger! From the Dragon Village in Opelucid City—Alder's apprentice, Iris!"
The referee raised his flag and shouted, his voice echoing: "Though Iris is not a student of Rainbow University, the school granted her special permission to enter the preliminaries. In those matches, she proved her strength and won the right to challenge the Kanto Champion, Logan!"
At his words, a small figure dashed from the challenger's tunnel. Light-footed, she bounded onto the battlefield, landing before Logan with eager steps, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"She's just a child?"
"Will she survive this?"
The audience, still shaken from the last fight, murmured uneasily, worry spreading through the stands.
Logan chuckled as he looked at the girl. "Well, well. You actually passed the preliminaries. I'll admit—that's worth a compliment, little dark one."
"My name's Iris! Not 'little dark one'! I just happen to be darker-skinned!"
Hands on her hips, Iris glared defiantly at him.
"Darker-skinned? Please. You look like a whole different race," Logan teased, clicking his tongue as he sized her up. "Though, I'll admit… your outfit is surprisingly elegant."
No longer wearing her simple shirt and cropped pants, Iris was dressed in a dazzling pink coat that trailed to her feet. A large bow cinched her waist, lace decorated the hem of her skirt, and a translucent silk ribbon draped over her shoulders.
She looked less like a rustic child and more like a blooming flower.
"This outfit—I picked it just for this match! Not bad, right? I'm going to defeat you here, earn my hundredth victory, and become a true Dragon Master!"
Iris puffed her chest proudly, her voice full of determination.
"Not bad. You've got spirit, and that deserves praise."
Logan turned, cloak swirling as he strode forward. His voice grew cold, each syllable like frost carried on the northern winds.
"But be careful, little dark girl. This is no playground. Here, a single mistake could mean broken bones… or worse. These battles are nothing like the ones you've fought before."
The icy tone pierced her heart. A shiver ran down Iris's spine. Her blood seemed to freeze, her breath caught in her throat. The images of Erika and Cynthia's savage fight rose unbidden in her mind. Her knees trembled.
Yes… it was unlike anything she had ever faced. Only one word could describe it—cruel.
But she clenched her fists.
"I won't back down! Go, Axew! For our dream, to become true Dragon Masters—let's challenge him together!"
Beside her, a small dragon leapt forward with a battle cry, baring its teeth at Logan.
"Oh? An Axew, the first stage of Haxorus. A gentle dragon, one of the easier kinds to train. Since that's your first choice, I won't bully you too much. Go, Deino—your time has come!"
Logan flicked his wrist, sending a Poké Ball flying. But even as Deino emerged, Logan raised his hand sharply—
"Evolve—into Zweilous!"
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