The moon had already reached its peak by the time Shion returned to the inn.
He was exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. From the heat of his match against Hagan to Kaela's sudden reappearance, to bumping into the man who carried one of the divine Plates… it was too much.
He closed his room door behind him with a soft click and dropped onto the bed like a sack of rocks.
" Please don't give me a terrifying opponents tomorrow " shion prayed
"You're gonna need a better prayer than that," Bidoof grumbled from the satchel on the floor, his voice muffled by a half-eaten bag of sweet puffs. "You're not surviving tomorrow on a wish."
Shion rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. "Thanks for the encouragement…"
"I'm divine. Encouragement is for mortals."
He ignored the rodent.
Sleep took him quickly.
---
Morning light streamed through the window, soft and golden. The sound of vendors calling out their wares and the clatter of hooves on cobbled stone rose up from the street below.
Shion sat up, groggy.
Today was the day.
He got dressed quietly light armor, fingerless gloves, a newly polished belt holding his Poké Balls. He slipped the satchel over his shoulder. Bidoof, of course, was still snoozing inside.
"You're hopeless," Shion muttered, gently securing the flap.
He stepped outside and began walking toward the Grand Coliseum. The city of Ravios was already buzzing with energy. Banners fluttered, minstrels played upbeat tunes on the corners, and people crowded the sidewalks discussing the brackets, taking bets, or preparing food.
Even with all the noise, Shion's steps felt oddly calm.
The coliseum loomed ahead, sunlight glinting off its towers. A wave of energy hit him the moment he stepped through the entrance nervous competitors, shouting vendors, roaring crowds, and the electric pressure of battle anticipation.
He made his way toward the giant bulletin boards where the brackets were posted, threading through clusters of trainers.
Let's just hope my opponent isn't a nightmare.
As he scanned the boards, a hand suddenly touched his shoulder.
"Whoa!" Shion flinched, spinning around.
"Did I scare you?" Mila asked, smirking.
Shion blinked, then chuckled nervously. "Yeah, kinda."
Behind her stood Ren, hands in his coat pockets, and Vince, grinning like usual.
"Morning," Vince greeted with a casual nod.
"Hey," Shion replied, giving a small smile. "You guys checking the bracket too?"
The four of them huddled in front of the list, their eyes scanning the sprawling tree of names.
"There," Ren said quietly, pointing. "That's mine."
Next to Ren's name was written another: Kosuke.
"Kind of a weird name," Shion muttered.
"He's from the Eastern Continent," Mila explained. "Probably from Kazahn, maybe further."
Shion looked puzzled. "You guys know him?"
Vince and Ren shared a glance.
Mila stepped in. "We saw his match yesterday."
"Let's just say… he's terrifying," Vince added with a sigh.
Shion tilted his head. "That bad?"
"He won using only one move," Mila said, her voice quiet.
Shion's brows lifted. "Wait, seriously?"
Ren's face remained unreadable, but there was a subtle shift in his posture. Shion noticed how his shoulders stiffened.
He was tense.
Shion looked at the name again.
Kosuke.
He didn't recognize it, but something about the energy around it was heavy.
Then a sharp gasp interrupted the silence.
They turned. It was Mila again, staring at a different section of the bracket.
"What is it?" Shion asked.
Mila pointed. "Look."
Shion followed her finger.
And there it was.
Shion vs. Vince Alcrest.
"Oh," Shion muttered.
Everyone else was quiet for a beat. Vince scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward chuckle. "Well… time for a rematch, huh?"
Shion blinked. "Wait rematch?"
"Yeah. I was in the same battle royale bracket as you, remember?" Vince explained.
Shion tilted his head. "I didn't realize…"
"You were a bit… busy," Vince said, grinning. "Your Lycanroc gave everyone hell."
"Oh."
Then Vince's grin faded slightly, his eyes sharpening.
"But seriously don't expect me to hold back."
Shion swallowed nervously, but forced himself to nod. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
There was a quiet beat before all four of them broke into small smiles, the tension fading for a moment.
"C'mon," Vince said, stretching. "Let's find a place to sit."
As they made their way into the coliseum's main viewing area, Shion glanced around at the enormous space the crowd already filling the stands, the energy thrumming like a stormcloud on the verge of lightning.
On the walk, he looked to Ren. "So, your last match how'd it go?"
Ren shrugged. "Fine."
"Come on, give the guy more than that," Vince cut in. "He crushed it. Guy didn't stand a chance. Blaziken was practically dancing around him."
Shion smiled. "That's awesome."
He turned to Vince. "What about you?"
Vince winced. "Well... It was close. Like… really close. I was down to one move, and it hit on a critical."
Shion gave a soft whistle. "That sounds intense. Congrats though."
"Thanks."
Then Mila chimed in, her tone softening. "Too bad about Belle, though."
Shion blinked. "Belle?"
"She was eliminated," Mila said.
Shion's expression shifted. "Wait, what?"
"She was up against a girl with a Gengar. Long violet hair name's Orla, I think?" Mila explained. "We watched it. It wasn't even close. She toyed with Belle the entire match."
Shion fell silent.
He didn't know what to feel. Belle wasn't exactly… warm, but she was still his partner during the prelims. And a strong one at that.
To get wiped out like that...
"Is she still in Ravios?" he asked softly.
Mila shrugged. "No idea. Haven't seen her since."
Shion looked away, the wind suddenly feeling colder against his face.
Then Mila's voice broke through his thoughts again.
"By the way.what was up with you yesterday? You were late for your battle and disappeared right after."
Shion sweat-dropped. "Ah… yeah, sorry about that."
He scratched the back of his head. "An acquaintance was in trouble. I had to help her get to a clinic."
"Is she alright?" Ren asked.
"I think so. Still recovering, but yeah."
Mila smiled. "That's very… you."
Vince snorted. "Hope it wasn't too dramatic."
Shion just grinned sheepishly.
As they continue their walk
The group found a place near the mid-section of the coliseum, just as the crowds were beginning to settle. The bracket display above the battlefield shimmered with the day's matchups.
There, under the glaring sunlight and banners, Shion looked down at the field where he would face Vince.
His heartbeat thudded louder in his ears.
One-on-one.
No more safety in chaos.
Just raw strength and trust.
He glanced at the others.
Ren stood beside him like a stone wall, Mila's arms crossed as she gazed thoughtfully toward the field, and Vince… Vince was already rolling his shoulders like a boxer getting ready to brawl.
Shion exhaled slowly.
I'm ready.
The grand arena of Ravios roared with anticipation.
The tournament was well underway, and though Shion's match with Vince was yet to come, dozens of eyes were glued to the battlefield below as the current rounds unfolded in waves of blinding power, tactical brilliance, and sheer willpower.
"Whoa…" Shion murmured under his breath as he leaned forward, eyes locked on the battlefield.
Down in the southern arena quadrant, a young woman with silver hair in twin braids stood coolly, her expression unreadable. Her Pokémon, a sleek and serpentine Serperior, stared down its opponent a brawny Tyrantrum whose growl echoed like thunder across the stands.
The trainer opposite her a burly man clad in iron-studded armor and a thick beard gritted his teeth.
"Let's end this!" he barked. "Stone Edge!"
The ground beneath Serperior erupted in jagged pillars of rock. But the grass-type Pokémon danced danced between them with breathtaking grace, its form weaving like a ribbon in the wind.
"Leaf Storm," the woman commanded, her voice barely above a whisper.
Serperior's body tensed, its muscles coiling in preparation before a spiral of verdant energy erupted from its body, a cyclone of foliage slamming into the Tyrantrum's face.
The beast roared but stumbled.
One more step
And collapsed.
The crowd exploded.
"Damn," Vince muttered, arms folded as he watched the smoke clear. "That was brutal and beautiful at the same time."
"Serperior's a beast when used right," Mila agreed. "That girl Tessia, she's Amazing .its impressive how she can make it look brutal and beautiful at the same time "
Shion blinked. "She didn't even flinch..."
Ren watched quietly, taking mental notes.
Another arena flared to life. This time, two mages from Obelia's priesthood stood across from each other robes flowing, staves glowing. Their battle was something different entirely.
"Is that… battlefield control?" Shion asked.
"Yeah," Mila confirmed. "They're using terrain-modifying moves and status effects."
One trainer summoned a Togekiss, whose glowing wings scattered golden dust that shimmered across the field. The other summoned a Hydreigon, whose very presence seemed to consume the light.
"Tailwind," the priest called, and the Togekiss began to glow. Speed surged across their side of the field.
"Dark Pulse," the other ordered, and a wave of shadow smashed into the wind, colliding with it midair and dispersing the effect.
The crowd leaned in, caught in the chess match.
"This… isn't like any Pokémon battle I've seen before," Shion said, wide-eyed.
"It's elite play," Vince added. "People like them… they treat battles like war."
"Yeah," Mila murmured. "And this is just the first week."
Over in another section of the coliseum, two warriors both mercenary-looking types were having a brutal back-and-forth.
A Machamp, fists blazing, was trading hits with a Metagross whose eyes pulsed like strobes.
Every strike sent shockwaves through the air.
"Counter!"
"Bullet Punch!"
"Earthquake!"
The crowd couldn't keep still every clash brought new gasps, new screams.
Even Ren leaned forward, eyes flickering with interest.
"They're not even dodging," Shion muttered.
"Those kinds of battles," Ren said quietly, "are endurance tests. They wear each other down. Whoever breaks formation first, loses."
The Machamp faltered. One missed punch and Metagross caught it in a point-blank Zen Headbutt. The giant fighter crumpled.
Silence.
Then
Roars.
Cheers.
Hands clapped together. Coins changed hands.
"This is wild," Shion whispered.
A few more matches played, each one more unpredictable than the last.
One featured a young knight with a shining Gallade his blade danced with psychic light. His opponent used a Toxtricity, weaponizing sound and poison to try and disorient.
It was a symphony of speed and status, strategy and sheer nerve.
"They're all incredible," Shion muttered.
"Yeah," Vince added, arms behind his head. "No deadweight left."
They all watched as the next pair of names scrolled across the magical projection above the arena.
The crowd's mood shifted.
Tension thickened.
"Here we go," Mila said.
One name appeared.
Ren.
The second:
Kosuke.
The air seemed to still.
Shion turned. Ren was already standing, adjusting the strap on his gloves. His face was as unreadable as ever but the calm had taken on an edge. Steel beneath stillness.
"Ren," Mila said, "you've got this."
Vince gave a sharp nod. "Don't let that guy scare you."
"I'm not," Ren said.
Then his eyes met Shion's.
No words. Just a look. Focused. Fierce.
Shion nodded.
Ren walked down the stairs toward the battlefield as his name echoed through the coliseum, a soft wind rippling his coat.
Kosuke was already waiting.
He was calm. Still. His gaze sharp like a blade but distant, cold.
As the two faced each other across the arena, the referee raised his hand.
The crowd hushed.
Shion leaned forward in his seat, lips pressed together.
This one, he thought, is going to be different.
And it was just beginning.
The coliseum was silent.
Thousands of spectators leaned forward, holding their breath.
On one end of the battlefield stood Ren Aldercrest, calm and composed as always, the golden Ravelle sunlight glinting off the metal trims of his coat. Beside him, his trusted partner Lucario, upright, breathing slowly, sensing the pulse of the battlefield like a warrior in meditation.
Opposite them stood Kosuke.
His cloak was dark blue, embroidered with patterns that weren't native to the Ravelle Kingdom foreign waves and clouds, stitched in pale silver. His expression was unreadable, calm, yet oddly distant. But it wasn't Kosuke that had everyone's attention.
It was the Pokémon beside him.
Dark, unfamiliar, unsettling.
A Samurott.
But not the Samurott most trainers knew.
This one was darker in hue its body draped in indigo armor, its eyes sharper, more wild. Its fur was stained with deep crimson patterns like ink spilled in water. The horned helm curled differently, and its aura was quiet, restrained… but heavy.
"Huh…?" Shion murmured in the crowd. "Is that… Samurott?"
"No way…" Vince narrowed his eyes. "That's not the one we know."
"It isn't," Mila said, leaning forward. "That's… I've never seen one like that before. A new species?"
Kosuke didn't explain. He didn't speak at all.
The referee glanced between them.
"Begin!"
"Lucario, move in! Aura Sphere!"
Ren was fast his Lucario even faster. The Aura Pokémon charged forward, palms glowing with gathered energy, its feet barely touching the ground as it dashed in a zigzag.
The sphere of pure energy flew forward straight and unrelenting.
Kosuke didn't flinch.
"Ceaseless Edge."
It was the first time he spoke.
Samurott moved.
Fast.
Faster than anything its size should be.
In a single unsheathing blur, it drew its jagged shell blade from its side and slashed. A wave of dark water surged forward, serrated like a tide of knives.
The Aura Sphere met the wave
And scattered.
What!?
Ren's eyes widened. "Lucario, dodge!"
But before the command could be finished, Samurott had closed the distance.
Lucario was fast. But Ceaseless Edge was faster.
The blade struck Lucario's side with brutal force. The ground cracked. Lucario was thrown across the battlefield, landing hard and skidding.
The audience gasped.
"Get up!" Ren called.
Lucario staggered, knees shaking. But it stood.
Fury burned in its eyes.
Ren exhaled. "Calm Mind."
Lucario's eyes narrowed. Its aura pulsed. A soft glow surrounded it.
A silent vow of strength.
Kosuke raised one hand, then gestured. Samurott understood.
"Night Slash."
Samurott darted forward again, this time from the left.
But Lucario was ready.
"Extreme Speed!"
Lucario vanished.
A silver blur darted around the Samurott, striking from behind then vanishing again.
Then from above.
Then to the right.
It was Ren's turn to press the offensive. Strike after strike rained down, each blow sharp, coordinated, elegant.
But Samurott didn't fall.
And then
Its shell blades flared.
"Aqua Cutter," Kosuke murmured.
Both blades shimmered with water energy. As Lucario lunged in, Samurott twisted, catching Lucario mid-air with a spinning cross-slash. Water arced like ribbons of steel, slicing across Lucario's chest.
The Aura Pokémon cried out in pain.
Ren gritted his teeth.
"Aura Sphere again!"
Lucario forced its stance steady, thrust both palms forward, and launched another burst of gleaming blue energy.
Kosuke didn't even blink.
"Focus Energy."
Samurott let the Aura Sphere strike. Dust and force rippled out. But as the mist cleared, Samurott was still standing. Its eyes glowed with predatory clarity. It wanted that hit.
It was sharpening itself.
Perfecting.
Ren could feel it. "Lucario, fall back!"
But it was too late.
"Razor Shell," Kosuke said quietly.
The water blades flared again this time in a downward slash.
Lucario raised its arms to block but the force of the impact cracked the ground.
Lucario was pinned.
Then Samurott twisted and
"Night Slash."
A second, savage blow.
The arena shook.
Lucario's aura flickered.
And finally faded.
Silence.
The dust settled. Lucario lay unconscious in the center of the arena. Samurott stood tall above it, one blade still raised.
Ren lowered his head slightly.
He walked forward, knelt beside his partner, and quietly returned it to its Poké Ball.
The referee raised a hand.
"Battle concluded. The winner is Kosuke."
The silence broke.
Spectators erupted into gasps, cheers, and stunned applause.
But Shion and the others…
They were speechless.
"Ren… lost?" Mila whispered.
Shion couldn't believe it. That Lucario… it was fast. Powerful. The way it moved..it was like a blur. And still…
"Crushed," Vince muttered. "That wasn't just a loss. That Samurott…"
"No one here has seen that species before," Mila added, her brows furrowed. "That's not a normal Samurott."
"It felt…" Shion began, but couldn't finish the sentence. There was something unnerving about that Pokémon. The precision. The efficiency. It didn't battle to prove anything. It battled to end things.
Vince looked at Ren, who now stood at the edge of the arena, expression unreadable, watching Kosuke walk away still silent.
"Damn," Vince murmured. "I thought Ren was unbeatable."
"Everyone falls eventually," Mila said softly. "But…"
Shion clenched his fists.
That was terrifying…
The scene faded with Ren walking alone through the corridor, his Lucario's Poké Ball at his side. His steps were calm, but the air around him had shifted.
Not in defeat.
But in resolve.
And high above the coliseum, unseen among the banners and shadows, a violet-haired woman watched with narrowed eyes.
"So," Orla whispered, "even the knight bleeds."
And she smiled.
---
The healing chamber was silent, save for the occasional hum of light magic and soft footsteps of medical staff. The stone walls were cool, touched by sunlight filtered through narrow stained-glass windows, casting faint colors on the floor. Despite the bustle of the coliseum beyond, here, time felt slower.
Ren sat on a wooden bench, still in his battle gear. He stared at the ground, brows drawn low, arms resting on his knees, unmoving.
Lucario's Poké Ball sat quietly beside him on the bench, untouched since the match ended. He hadn't spoken a word since.
Footsteps approached soft and familiar.
Ren didn't look up.
"Ren," a voice called gently.
He blinked, finally raising his eyes.
Shion stood there, still dressed for his upcoming match, slightly out of breath. Beside him were Mila and Vince, each carrying a different expression concern, uncertainty, quiet respect.
Ren didn't answer right away. He stared at them for a moment before finally speaking, his voice low, almost absent.
"I didn't stand a chance."
The words hit the group harder than expected.
Ren never said things like that.
Vince looked away awkwardly. Mila's brows furrowed, but she didn't interrupt. Shion stepped forward, hesitant, as if unsure how to respond.
Ren exhaled sharply, a slow breath meant to ease tension, but only carrying the weight of frustration.
"Even before the battle… I could feel it. That I couldn't win."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees again.
"The air around him… the way he carried himself. It wasn't arrogance. It was control. Like someone who already knew the outcome. I've never felt something like that before not even from that Hydreigon."
That name dropped like a pebble in still water.
Shion's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't heard Ren talk about that incident before.He doesn't know anything about it
Ren looked at the floor again, speaking quietly.
"I thought I was stronger. I've trained, pushed myself, fought through pain and near-death, made it this far… but that man he made me realize how far I still have to go."
Mila stepped closer.
"You did well, Ren."
Her voice was firm. Not empty comfort but conviction.
Vince nodded. "Yeah. You didn't get dropped in a single move. You even forced him to fight seriously. That says something."
Shion gave a quiet nod. "It didn't look like an easy win for him. You held your ground."
Ren looked at his friends his expression still unreadable but there was a flicker behind his eyes. Something kindling again. Something rebuilding.
He closed his eyes, let out another breath, and sat upright.
"Still… I've got a long way to go."
The statement wasn't defeated.
It was determined.
And the others heard the shift in his voice.
That was more like the Ren they knew.
Mila smiled faintly, folding her arms.
"Well, maybe it's not over for you yet."
Ren tilted his head, curious.
Vince blinked. "Wait… what?"
"After the top 25 are decided," Mila explained, "the tournament committee selects seven wildcard entrants from the losing half. Based on overall performance, creativity, crowd reaction, that sort of thing."
Vince looked stunned. "There's a revival system?"
Mila nodded smugly. "It's to keep things interesting And you can't really make a fair match up with only 25 trainer There were complaints in past tournaments about early matchups being unfair like, say, someone facing Kosuke in round one.also it give chance for people who perform well "
Everyone's eyes darted toward Ren again, who gave a dry chuckle.
Shion scratched the back of his head. "Huh… I didn't know that."
Mila turned to him with a smug grin.
"Well, unlike you guys—I actually read the rulebook."
Her tone was just shy of condescending.
Shion, Ren, and Vince all sweat-dropped in unison.
"You read that brick of paper they handed us during sign-up?" Vince muttered.
Mila flipped her hair. "Of course."
"Cursed knowledge," Shion mumbled.
Despite everything, laughter broke out between them quiet, brief, but welcome.
The tension from earlier finally began to ease.
As the sun filtered through the clinic's glass and the sounds of battle resumed beyond the walls, the four of them stood together again—not just as competitors, but as something more.
Rivals.
Allies.
Friends.
Ren stood up, finally pocketing Lucario's Poké Ball with gentle reverence.
"Thanks," he said, voice low. "All of you."
Mila smiled. "We'll see you back on the field soon."
Shion grinned. "Yeah. You better be one of those seven."
Vince nodded. "And when you're back don't lose to a pirate, okay?"
Ren cracked a rare smile.
And with that, the group headed back to the stands, the tension of the day slowly giving way to anticipation for the battles yet to come.
The tournament was far from over.
And for Ren… this wasn't the end.
It was the beginning of something greater.