The hallway that led from the waiting area to the arena had never felt so long.
Shion walked it with steady, measured steps. But inside? His thoughts raced like a stampede of Tauros. Kaelan's words clung to him like smoke—sharp, unsettling, impossible to ignore.
He knew.
Kaelan knew what Kiba was. Dusk Lycanroc. Not just a passing glance or a guess—he knew.
Shion had only heard the name from Bidoof, who muttered it offhandedly one evening when explaining why everyone kept asking questions about Kiba. Even then, Bidoof gave no real answers. "Dusk form," he said. "One of a kind. Don't worry about it."
But now? Now someone else recognized it. Not just recognized—understood.
Shion clenched his fists.
I'll ask him after the match, he told himself. Right now, I need to focus.
The archway opened up before him, and the roar of the crowd came rushing in like a tidal wave.
Shion stepped onto the field.
The warmth of sunlight kissed his face. Above him, banners of Ravelle flapped gently in the wind. The towering coliseum, packed to the brim, pulsed with the electric tension of battle. And across the arena, Kaelan stood calmly in his corner, arms folded, his eyes locked on Shion with that same unreadable smirk.
If Kaelan felt any pressure from the crowd, he didn't show it.
Shion exhaled slowly.
He was nervous. Of course he was. But something inside him had changed since the beginning of this tournament. He was no longer the wide-eyed kid who trembled in front of cheering strangers. Not completely.
He'd fought, scraped, and adapted his way through impossible matches. He'd stood among giants—was one now.
He could handle this.
"Let the match begin!" came the referee's voice, ringing clearly through the arena.
"Trainers—release your Pokémon!"
Shion grabbed the heavy Poké Ball from his belt.
"Rune! Let's go!"
With a metallic clang and flash of light, the towering figure of Rune—the colossal Golurk—slammed into the field. The entire arena trembled slightly under its weight. The crowd erupted in cheers, a wave of voices echoing with awe and excitement.
Rune's glowing eyes blazed like twin lanterns. It stood tall, silent, arms folded across its broad chest like a silent sentinel.
From the spectator stands, Mila leaned forward, shielding her eyes from the sun. "He's starting with Rune again," she said with interest.
Bidoof, nestled comfortably on her lap and munching on a berry pastry, snorted. "About time that big guy gets more screen time."
Ren stood beside them, arms crossed, his expression contemplative. "Kaelan won't be easy," he muttered.
And then, across the arena, Kaelan lifted a sleek black Poké Ball and tossed it with a single smooth motion.
"Let's shake things up, Kommo-o."
The light erupted from the ball, coalescing into a tall, sinewy dragon. Gleaming scales the color of steel and gold shimmered down its body, overlapping like armored plates. A rhythmic clattering of its scale-halos echoed across the arena as Kommo-o let out a low, challenging growl.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Is that—?"
"A Kommo-o?!"
"No way! You never see those this far west!"
"They're native to the island ranges near the East Continent, aren't they?!"
Even Mila sat up straighter. "A Kommo-o... That's a real rarity."
Ren's brow furrowed. "Kaelan wasn't bluffing. This is going to be tough."
Shion stared at the dragon Pokémon across from him. It stood tall, a predator wrapped in armor, radiating power and confidence. Rune was larger—much larger—but the Kommo-o held itself with the kind of posture that made you forget size and focus only on danger.
Kaelan pointed lazily at Rune. "Let's test your mettle, then."
Shion nodded slowly. "You first, Rune."
The referee raised a hand.
"Battle… BEGIN!"
---
Rune was first to move, surprisingly nimble for something so massive.
"Rune—Shadow Punch!"
The Golem's arm reeled back, crackling with spectral energy. Its fist shimmered, intangible for a brief second before it launched forward, cutting through the air like a bullet.
"Dodge," Kaelan said calmly.
Kommo-o side-stepped with fluid grace, its long tail sweeping through the dust as the ghostly fist missed by inches and slammed into the earth, sending up a burst of shadowy mist.
"Dragon Tail."
In one smooth motion, Kommo-o twisted, its long armored tail glowing with draconic energy. It slammed into Rune's side, sending the massive automaton stumbling slightly.
Rune dug in its heels with a thunderous thud.
"Counter it with dynamic Punch!" Shion shouted.
Rune's right arm suddenly crackled with a fighti type energy as it surged forward again. This time, the attack connected.
CRACK!
The hit landed square against Kommo-o's side as the dragon reeled back slightly.
The crowd roared in surprise.
"Not bad!" Kaelan called across the arena. "But we're not done."
Kommo-o crossed its arms, its scales beginning to glow faintly. With a sudden roar, the dragon unleashed a vibrating shockwave.
"Clanging Scales!" Kaelan ordered.
The golden plates along Kommo-o's body shook violently, producing a deafening wave of sound and energy that blasted outward. Rune staggered, caught in the full force, dust and debris spiraling around it.
Shion braced himself. "Rune, stay strong!"
Rune's arms crossed in a block, its runes flickering under strain. When the attack subsided, Rune stood still—scratched, but not down.
Shion grit his teeth. He's tough. But Rune can take hits.
"Earth Power!" he shouted.
Rune slammed its fists into the earth. The ground beneath Kommo-o erupted with molten energy, fissures forming and releasing a pulse of seismic force.
"Jump back!"
Kaelan's Kommo-o leapt skyward just in time, but not before the blast singed its legs and sent more dust flying into the air.
Both trainers locked eyes.
They were just getting started.
---
From the stands, Mila leaned forward again. "He's doing well," she said with a smile.
Ren nodded. "But Kommo-o hasn't used its full arsenal yet."
Bidoof finished his pastry. "Rune's strong, but that thing's clever. Look at how it moves."
The arena buzzed with energy. Rune's heavy footfalls. Kommo-o's rattling scales. The air between them was thick with rising tension.
Shion breathed deep, steadying himself.
Kaelan just smiled again. "You've improved since I first watched your match."
Shion met his gaze evenly. "I'm not done improving."
Kaelan raised a brow. "Good. Because neither are we."
Rune's massive frame loomed under the sunlight, its shoulders rising and falling in slow, deliberate rhythm. Its dull, glowing eyes tracked Kommo-o's movements carefully, scanning for any tell-tale twitch, any telegraphed step.
Across the field, Kaelan's Kommo-o crouched low, tail curling behind it like a spring-loaded whip, its golden scale-plates glinting as they clicked in rhythm.
The air crackled with tension.
Kaelan adjusted his stance. "Kommo-o—use Dragon Claw! Let's end this fast!"
Kommo-o surged forward, claws glowing with a savage, emerald gleam. Its speed was startling, especially for a Pokémon of its size—blinding, even.
Shion's eyes widened. He's fast—!
"Rune! Use Heavy Slam—brace yourself and hit back!"
Rune's iron limbs glowed a dull silver as it dug in its heels. The moment Kommo-o got close, Rune lifted its body and threw its full massive weight forward.
The two Pokémon clashed mid-field in an earth-shaking collision.
Metal slammed against scale.
Steel crashed against dragonhide.
Dust burst into the air around them in a ring as the shockwave rippled outward.
From the stands, Mila shielded her eyes. "They're both holding nothing back!"
Ren nodded grimly. "Rune's got power—but Kaelan's Kommo-o has technique and speed. That's not a good matchup."
Bidoof muttered with a mouthful of bread. "Still... Rune hits like a castle wall falling on you."
Back in the field, both Pokémon separated. Kommo-o grunted, its armor cracked at one shoulder. Rune stood steady, but scorch marks licked up its sides from the earlier Clanging Scales.
Shion narrowed his eyes. He's out-speeding me at every turn... but Rune's bulk is keeping us in the fight.
Shion took a sharp breath and called out, "Earth Power! Catch him while he's landing!"
Rune slammed its fists into the ground again, channeling tectonic force beneath Kommo-o's feet just as it hit the ground. A jagged spire of glowing stone erupted, slamming into Kommo-o's chest and sending it skidding back with a pained roar.
Kaelan didn't flinch.
"Kommo-o, Iron Defense, then circle!"
The dragon let out a low hiss as its scales shimmered silver. It crouched and darted to the side, running in a wide arc—faster now, using Rune's size against him.
Shion turned with the motion, calling orders fast. "Shadow Punch, left side!"
Rune's fist crackled and swung—but it hit nothing. Kommo-o ducked low and leapt to the side again.
"He's moving too fast," Shion muttered.
Kaelan's voice cut across the field.
"You're watching too much. Thinking too much."
Shion blinked, caught off-guard.
Kaelan's eyes glinted. "When you're in a battle, you fight. Don't waste time talking." His hand lifted sharply. "Dragon Claw! Now!"
"Rune, Dynamic Punch!"
The moves collided—Kommo-o's glowing claws raking across Rune's chest just as the golem's massive arm came down.
BOOM!
Both Pokémon reeled, staggering from the force.
Kommo-o grunted, its body crackling with the wild energy of Dynamic Punch, barely keeping balance—confused. It spun halfway and missed its footing.
Shion clenched a fist. "Now! Shadow Punch, while it's disoriented!"
Rune reeled back and threw a ghost-powered uppercut.
But even confused, Kommo-o was fast. It twisted and the punch grazed its shoulder, sending it stumbling—but not down.
Kaelan's eyes didn't even flicker. "Clanging Scales—push him back!"
Even disoriented, Kommo-o obeyed. Its shimmering plates rattled violently—releasing another sonic pulse. The force sent Rune sliding back across the dirt, chest cracked and armor flaking.
"Rune—!"
Rune dropped to one knee.
Its glow flickered.
Its great shoulders trembled.
And then—its body slumped.
The referee raised his hand.
"Rune is unable to battle. Kommo-o wins the round!"
The crowd thundered with applause—though not all cheered for Kaelan. Rune had earned more than a few admirers of its own.
In the stands, Mila leaned forward. "That Kommo-o is unreal. But Rune—he lasted longer than most would against a fighter like that."
Ren nodded, his voice low. "It wasn't just strength. Kaelan's technique is... deliberate. Clinical. He's not just fast—he controls the pace."
Bidoof grunted, crossing stubby arms. "Yeah, well. Doesn't mean Shion's done yet."
Back in the arena, Shion took a breath and silently returned Rune to its Poké Ball. His fingers lingered on the ball a moment longer than usual.
"You did amazing," he whispered. "Rest now."
He stood up, eyes locked on Kaelan, who offered a casual shrug as if to say, You're up.
Shion pulled another ball from his belt—Kiba's.
But before he tossed it, he raised his voice.
"That Kommo-o is strong," he said. "And so are you."
Kaelan nodded. "You're not bad yourself."
Then, quieter: "You want to know about that Lycanroc of yours?"
Shion tensed.
"...Yeah."
Kaelan looked at him—not with smugness, not with pity, but a faint sense of understanding.
"We'll talk after," he said. "If you're still standing."
He raised his hand.
Shion smirked.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
And he hurled Kiba's Poké Ball forward, the next round of their battle just seconds from igniting.
The tension in the arena didn't fade after Rune's fall—in fact, it sharpened.
The crowd buzzed in anticipation, all eyes fixed on Shion as he raised his next Poké Ball. With a flick of his wrist and a cry of, "Let's go, Kiba!" he summoned his loyal partner onto the battlefield.
A flash of white light lit up the field, and from it emerged Kiba—Shion's dusk-colored Lycanroc.
The reddish-orange fur shimmered under the daylight, standing stark against the coliseum floor. The crowd murmured, as they always did at first—commenting on the strange coloring. But by now, the regular spectators had grown used to it.
"Hey, it's that weirdly colored Lycanroc again!"
"Yeah, I've seen him in the earlier rounds—looks like a midday form but with autumn fur."
"Maybe he's shiny?"
"No way—he's too... orange. That's gotta be something else."
Up in the stands, Mila crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "It's not shiny, and it's definitely not midday. But I guess most people wouldn't know..."
Beside her, Ren's gaze didn't leave the field. "Kaelan might."
Back in the ring, Shion blinked as Kaelan held up Kommo-o's Poké Ball. With a calm flick, the dragon was recalled in a beam of red light.
The referee immediately stepped forward, voice projecting with authority. "Trainer Kaelan! Substitutions are not allowed in this round. If you withdraw your Pokémon, it will be considered defeated."
Kaelan didn't even look at him.
"I know," he said simply, sliding the ball back to his belt.
Shion stared. "Wait, what?"
Kaelan reached for another Poké Ball, this one etched with faint claw marks.
The capsule clicked open.
"Let's make this interesting."
Out roared a Lycanroc standing taller, broader, more muscular than Kiba. Redfur, glowing red eyes, and a jagged white mane draped over its hulking shoulders.
The crowd gasped.
Even Shion was frozen in place. "That's..."
"A Midnight Form Lycanroc," Mila murmured from the stands.
Ren's eyes narrowed. "A mirror match."
The two Lycanroc now stood facing each other, both crouched low—hackles raised, muscles twitching with anticipation.
The contrast was jarring.
Kiba: lean, fast, with a wild but focused glint in his golden eyes.
Kaelan's: a looming brute, drooling slightly from its curved fangs, its posture like a beast ready to maul.
Kaelan tilted his head slightly, observing Kiba's stance.
"You said nothing when I asked earlier," he called to Shion. "But you already knew, didn't you?"
"Knew what?" Shion called back, bracing himself.
"That yours is a Dusk Lycanroc. You just didn't want to say it."
Shion didn't answer. He still wasn't sure what Kiba really was—not fully.
Kaelan gave a slight nod. "Then let's see how your sunset measures up... against my midnight."
The referee didn't waste another second. "Battle, begin!"
"Accelerock!" Shion ordered instantly.
Kiba burst forward in a blaze of motion, paws glowing with kinetic energy. He blurred into view in front of the Midnight Lycanroc with a powerful leaping strike—bam!—slamming his shoulder into the brute's jaw.
It hit—but not cleanly.
Midnight Lycanroc grunted and absorbed the impact, skidding only slightly.
Kaelan didn't miss a beat. "Counter."
"Oh no—Kiba, get back!"
But it was too late.
With a guttural roar, Kaelan's Lycanroc drove a clawed fist straight into Kiba's chest, glowing with red retaliation. Kiba was launched across the arena like a stone, bouncing once before landing on his feet—barely.
Shion gritted his teeth. "He's going to rely on raw power. Alright, then... we don't match him head-on."
From the stands, Vince leaned forward. "Kaelan's Lycanroc is slower but a tank. Shion needs to stay mobile or he's toast."
"Agreed," Mila added. "One good hit and it's over."
Back on the field, Kiba was already circling, ears pinned.
"Rock Slide!" Shion commanded.
Chunks of shimmering stone rose into the air, then dropped like thunder across the field toward the Midnight Lycanroc.
Kaelan narrowed his eyes.
"Roar."
A haunting, guttural howl erupted from his Lycanroc's throat. The soundwave hit the rocks mid-fall, disrupting the trajectory—many of the stones slammed into the ground instead of their mark.
Shion was stunned. "He used Roar to mess up the move..."
"Smart," Bidoof commented from Mila's lap. "He's not just brute force."
"Crunch," Kaelan said.
Midnight Lycanroc charged with surprising speed for its size, jaws glowing with inky darkness.
Kiba braced.
"Counter!"
The jaws clamped down on Kiba's shoulder—he cried out in pain—but he didn't fall.
Instead, Kiba twisted on his hind legs and delivered a crushing blow to the side of the larger Lycanroc's ribs.
Kaelan's Lycanroc staggered.
"Now! Drill Run!"
Kiba's claws glowed and he spun forward like a corkscrew, slamming into the already-injured ribs and sending the dark-furred Lycanroc flying.
The crowd erupted.
Kaelan grunted. "Hmph. Unexpected."
His Lycanroc rose, shaking its head—its red eyes blazing now.
"Kiba," Shion called out. "Don't stop. Accelerock again—keep pushing!"
Kiba vanished and reappeared again with a crack of rock and light, slamming into his foe from behind.
Midnight Lycanroc skidded.
But it didn't fall.
Instead, it slowly turned—its face bloodied, but its grin wide.
The battle between the two Lycanroc raged on, with both Pokémon proving their strength and determination. The rock-based clash between the two creatures was mesmerizing to watch—theirs was a battle of might, speed, and precision. The crowd was fully invested in the spectacle, witnessing a rare matchup between Pokémon of the same species but different forms, each possessing unique abilities.
The Midnight Lycanroc charged again, its body glowing with the energy of its attacks, moving with surprising agility despite its imposing size. Kiba responded by launching a series of rapid Accelerocks, each one crashing into his opponent, but each time Kaelan's Lycanroc absorbed the hit and retaliated with crushing force.
"Stone Edge!" Kaelan shouted.
The Midnight Lycanroc's claws glowed with sharp rock energy, sending jagged shards of stone flying towards Kiba. Shion barely managed to call for a dodge as the stones barely missed his Lycanroc, leaving deep marks on the arena floor.
"Get in close, Kiba! Go for the bite!" Shion commanded.
Kiba lunged forward, his maw wide, aiming for Kaelan's Lycanroc's throat. But the Midnight Lycanroc was faster, sidestepping and crashing its shoulder into Kiba, knocking him off course.
For a moment, Shion was caught in a web of thoughts, struggling to find a way to turn the tide in his favor.
Kaelan, observing the intensity of the battle, offered a calm smile, almost like a predator enjoying the hunt.
"I'll admit, you've got spunk," he said, his voice carrying across the arena.
The spectators murmured, unsure of what Kaelan was getting at. Shion couldn't help but frown, focusing back on his Lycanroc.
"I'm not done yet!" Shion muttered under his breath. "We've still got this!"
Kaelan's smirk widened as he slowly shifted his attention from the battle to Shion, a new glint in his eyes. "But there's something you should know about us... something unique to where I'm from."
Shion blinked, confused by the sudden shift in the tone of the battle.
"Us?" Shion asked, still not fully understanding.
Kaelan reached down, pulling something from his belt. His hand revealed a necklace with a diamond-shaped rock hanging from it. He held it out for Shion to see, its surface catching the light in a mysterious shimmer.
"Did you know," Kaelan began, his voice taking on a more mysterious tone, "that on the Isle of Varis, we have a tradition? We praise four guardian deities—tapu. In return, they bless us with protection and power. This necklace," he held up the pendant, "is one of their tokens."
The crowd was silent, but the confusion in Shion's mind only deepened.
"Guardian deities? Tapu?" Shion murmured.
Kaelan's eyes twinkled. "Yes. And with their blessing, we can... tap into their power."
Before Shion could respond, Kaelan grinned and began to move in a strange rhythm. His feet tapped and twirled, and his hands followed in a fluid, ritualistic dance that was unlike anything Shion had ever seen. The crowd was baffled, some spectators laughing at Kaelan's odd behavior, unsure of whether it was part of the battle or just some kind of joke.
Mila, Ren, and the others looked on in confusion, not quite sure what to make of it.
"What's he doing?" Mila asked, raising an eyebrow, while Ren just shrugged.
Shion sweat-dropped, his eyes glued to Kaelan's strange movements. "What is he...?"
The battle seemed to pause as Kaelan's movements intensified. The air around him began to shimmer with a palpable energy, an almost tangible force that swirled around the arena. The vibrations in the ground became noticeable, and even the crowd grew silent, feeling the change in the atmosphere.
"What is this?" Shion muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them.
Kaelan's Midnight Lycanroc, who had been standing idle, roared—and the roar seemed to echo with an unnatural force. The very ground beneath them shifted as if the earth was reacting to the call.
Shion's eyes widened as he felt an energy he couldn't explain building up around Kaelan. The Midnight Lycanroc began to glow with an eerie, radiant light.
"What... what's happening?!" Shion thought, panic creeping into his chest.
Then, as if on cue, Kaelan stopped his dance. He stood perfectly still, his face returning to its calm, stoic expression.
He called out, his voice steady and clear, "Continental Crash!"
A pulse of power shot through the arena, shaking the very foundations. Kaelan's Lycanroc, glowing with intense energy, let out a deafening howl. With a single leap, it jumped into the air, twisting its body in an arc. The air itself seemed to scream as the energy from Kaelan's call manifested in a massive spherical core made of rock that began to form above the Midnight Lycanroc.
The crowd gasped in unison.
Shion's heart raced. "No way... What is that?!"
The sphere grew larger and larger, reaching an enormous size as it hovered ominously above the arena. Shion's mind raced—What's going on? How is he doing this?
It wasn't just a rock attack—it was something far more powerful, something unnatural.
The massive sphere of rock began its descent toward the battlefield, hurtling down with unstoppable force.
Shion's breath caught in his throat. "Kiba—move! RUN!"
But it was too late.
With an earth-shaking crash, the giant rock slammed into Kiba. The impact was so intense that the ground cracked and splintered, sending shockwaves through the arena. Shion's eyes were wide with horror as the dust settled, and he could barely see Kiba's form.
The giant crater that had formed where Kiba had been struck was a testament to the sheer force of the attack. The entire crowd was silent, the atmosphere heavy with confusion and shock.
Shion stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened.
The referee, unsure of what he had just witnessed, approached cautiously. "...The battle is over."
The crowd remained eerily quiet, some of them still too stunned to speak. The sheer scale of Kaelan's move had left everyone speechless. No one knew what to make of it.
And as for Kiba—he lay motionless in the center of the massive crater, unconscious from the devastating blow.