[Author Note: My ChatGBT subscription went out, so I can't do the shakespeare talk for Rin or her family.]
The crowd was still screaming as Rin stood at the center of the cracked battlefield, one perfectly manicured hand held high, the Boulder Badge gleaming between her fingers like a custom-cut diamond.
She turned just enough so the arena lights caught the silver edges of the badge — perfect for the cameras, perfect for the millions watching live. A soft smile played across her lips, delicate, refined, yet dripping with the satisfaction of someone who knew they'd just owned the whole damn room.
Rin's heels clicked delicately against the rubble-strewn battlefield as she stepped toward the center, her crimson eyes glowing faintly, just enough to let everyone know her aura hadn't faded yet.
"Flint," she called over her shoulder, her tone light, almost teasing, "that was adorable. Really, you put up such a valiant fight. I'm so proud of you." Her smile sharpened, eyes narrowing just slightly. "But next time? Don't waste my time with pebbles."
Flint wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand, laughing weakly as he adjusted his stance. "You're somethin' else, kid. Seriously." Despite the exhaustion in his voice, there was genuine respect there. "Your Garchomp? That thing's a monster."
Rin turned just enough to glance at Ishtar, who stood calmly at her side, her scales practically glowing under the bright lights. "She's not a monster," Rin corrected, her voice smooth as silk. "She's a masterpiece."
Up in the private viewing box, Mordred leaned on the railing, arms crossed, grinning from ear to ear. "Holy shit, Sis. You just bodybagged a whole-ass Gym Leader like it was a practice run."
Ashlyn's voice crackled over the comm, practically screeching. "Forget bodybagged! She nuked his entire strategy into next week! That was overkill, and I loved it."
Rin tilted her head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Overkill? Please. I simply gave the audience the performance they deserved. It would be rude to hold back after they came all this way just to see me."
Misty came jogging onto the field, slipping slightly on the still-flooded floor before catching herself. "Rin! That was—seriously, I have no words. You didn't just win; you dismantled his whole team!"
Rin gave her a small, graceful shrug, the kind only someone raised on imported fashion shows could truly master. "Well, what can I say? Excellence is my baseline."
The Rotom Drones swooped in close, cameras focusing in on her perfectly composed expression. A dozen reporters shouted at once.
"Rin! How does it feel to clear a Gauntlet on your first attempt?""Rin! Is it true you personally trained every single one of your Pokémon?""Rin! Rumor says two Elite Four members have already scouted you—can you confirm?"
Rin held up one hand, palm out, nails gleaming with a fresh coat of Obsidian Eclipse polish. "Please, darlings, one at a time. I'd hate for anyone to trip over themselves just to get my attention."
The press actually quieted — just enough for her to keep control of the moment.
She turned slightly to the side, her crimson gaze cutting directly into the nearest camera lens. "To everyone watching — remember this. Today was just the prologue. The real show has only just begun. My husband will show the world how much stronger he than me."
Her smile was sweet. Her eyes were not.
Ashlyn cut in, glaring at her. "Seriously — where the hell is your husband?! Shouldn't that bastard at least pretend to show up when you wipe the floor with someone?"
Rin's smile didn't even flicker. "Hubby is out training, darling. He also going to NNN." she said, her voice drenched in sugar-coated venom.
Flint rubbed the back of his neck, watching the whole performance with an almost dazed expression. He muttered toward Misty. "Does she always…talk like this?"
Misty gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm. "Oh yeah. This is tame, actually."
Rin's ears caught that, but she chose to let it slide. Instead, she turned on her heel, the fabric of her custom battle dress swaying perfectly with the movement, and held out her free hand toward Flint.
Rin's smile didn't even flicker. "Husbands are for appearances, darling," she said, voice drenched in sugar-coated venom. "This badge, and the prize money, and the technical machine are what really matter right now."
Flint, half-dazed from the one-sided beatdown, blinked. "Oh… right. Uh, here." He held out a small envelope — the official monetary reward for defeating a Gym Leader — and a sleek black and silver TM case.
Without ceremony, Rin took them both, tucking the envelope into her designer battle dress with a flick of her wrist while holding up the TM case like it was a rare gemstone. The camera drones zoomed in instantly.
"Ah, how generous," Rin cooed. "A parting gift from the fallen king."
Flint gave her a flat look, but there was no real malice behind it. "You know, you're lucky I respect people who can talk shit and back it up."
Rin's eyes sparkled. "Lucky? Please, darling. Luck is for peasants. I deal exclusively in inevitability."
"Thank you for the entertainment," she said, voice light, lilting, and perfectly cutting. "But the queen's reign doesn't end in Pewter. This is just my first step."
She turned on her heel, walking toward the exit with Ishtar following close behind, her Garchomp's claws clicking softly against the soaked floor.
For a brief second, Rin's expression softened — just a touch.
Quietly, low enough that only Ishtar could hear, she whispered, "We're just getting started, my queen. Let's paint this whole region in our colors."
Ishtar let out a low, approving growl, her wings flaring slightly before settling at her sides.
And with that, Rin Hunter-Pendragon left her first conquered Gym in flawless, camera-ready fashion — leaving behind only the shattered remnants of Flint's defenses and the echoes of her victory.
[XxxX]
Rin swept through the sliding doors of the Pewter City Pokémon Center like she owned the place — which, in her mind, she basically did. The automatic doors barely opened fast enough to accommodate her pace, the sharp click of her designer heels echoing off the sterile tile floor. Every step radiated authority, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed how fast her heart was racing.
She didn't just walk toward the counter — she stormed, her crimson eyes laser-focused on Nurse Joy.
"My babies," Rin announced, her voice sharp enough to cut glass, "require immediate, full-service, priority care. Stat."
The way her hands carefully placed each Pokéball on the counter, though? That told a very different story. Her fingers trembled, ever so slightly, as they lingered on Grace and Bella's capsules.
Nurse Joy didn't ask any questions — you didn't when someone with that kind of aura walked in looking like they'd fought the apocalypse and won. She simply gave a practiced, reassuring smile. "We'll take good care of them, Miss Hunter-Pendragon. Please relax in our private lounge while we work."
Relax? That was a joke. But Rin nodded anyway, because the moment her team disappeared behind that swinging door, her composure wavered.
Her babies had never been hurt like that before — not since the underground days, not since the fugly cheaters or even 20 on 1 matches. Even then, they'd never taken hits like this. Everyone except Ishtar and Tiffany had been pushed to their absolute limit. Some — like Bella — even beyond it.
She clenched her fists, her perfectly-manicured nails digging into her palms. I should've seen it coming. I knew Flint was strong, but that…
It didn't matter. She was already mentally reviewing every moment of the fight, cataloging weaknesses, filing away strategies to patch, adjustments to make. The queen didn't dwell. She evolved.
Besides, there was one bright spot in this chaotic mess — the moment Nurse Joy took her team, her Holowatch vibrated. A single notification from her bank flashed across the screen.
All accounts unfrozen.
Rin's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile. About damn time, Uther. Whatever lecture her father was planning could wait — the old man knew better than to freeze his daughter's assets for too long. The second the match was over, the "freeze order" evaporated like mist.
Satisfied her Pokémon were safe in Nurse Joy's capable hands, Rin strode past the front desk and into the private lounge where her entourage was already waiting.
The private room was sleek, elegant — though the vibes inside were anything but. Mordred was sprawled on one of the couches, looking both impressed and slightly murderous. Misty sat nearby, clutching her Holopad, occasionally glancing at the battle replay like she couldn't believe half the shit she'd just seen. And Ashlyn? Ashlyn was pacing, arms flailing wildly, already mid-rant.
"Oh my gods, Rin!" Ashlyn nearly shouted the moment Rin stepped inside.
"Oh my gods, Rin!" Ashlyn nearly shouted the moment Rin stepped inside. "Alright, you damn bitch, explain! How the fuck do I have this?!"
The stacked tomboy jabbed her thumb toward the sleek, state-of-the-art Pokédex resting in her palm — a top-tier model, complete with advanced contact lenses synced to its interface. The kind of tech normally reserved for elite researchers, League officials, or stupidly rich royalty.
"Do you know how much this shit costs?!" Ashlyn demanded, her voice pitching higher. "No? 'Cause I sure as hell didn't know jack shit until Mordy decided to break it down like I was getting scammed by a back-alley merchant! And the A.I. program, Rin?! Why did you buy me a full-ass, voice-interactive, customizable A.I. for this thing?!"
Rin, in the middle of gracefully peeling off her damp gloves, didn't even blink. "Oh, that." Her lips curved into a lazy smile. "Consider it a gift, darling. You're family now. Only the best for my dear sister-in-law."
Ashlyn narrowed her eyes. "For the last time, I am not screwing that arrogant, insufferable, hunky bastard of a husband of yours! And more importantly—" She waved the Pokédex aggressively. "That is not a gift! That's a goddamn investment portfolio in software form! What am I supposed to do with this much tech?! Track Celebi's menstrual cycle?! And WHY—" she yanked the screen closer "—is the A.I. program so sexy?!"
She flipped the Pokédex around, revealing the obscenely well-designed A.I. assistant Rin had so thoughtfully selected for her.
On the display was a busty robotic girl with an obviously male-gaze-approved aesthetic. Pale, flawless skin. Large, glowing green eyes lined with sharp black eyeliner. Long, cascading blonde hair tied back in a high ponytail with a dark pink bow—because, clearly, practicality wasn't the priority. The robot's sleek, curvy frame was accentuated by a cropped black shirt with a light pink rectangle and dark pink accents. Her light pink and dark pink jacket had long, striped sleeves with black cuffs, matching the dark pink gloves with light pink fingers. To top it all off? A dark pink skirt that barely counted as fabric, and dark pink boots with black tops and light pink details.
It was sexy as fuck.
Ashlyn's eye twitched dangerously. "You got me a thirst trap for an assistant."
Rin's expression remained perfectly serene. "Oh, darling, I tailored it to suit your… charming personality. You'll find it quite intuitive—capable of everything from real-time battle analysis to personal shopping suggestions." She tilted her head, giving Ashlyn a pointed once-over. "And honestly? That jacket is criminal, and not in the sexy way."
Ashlyn's glare was nuclear. "Bitch."
"Language, dearest," Rin sang, already reclining into her chair with a practiced, elegant ease—completely unaffected by Ashlyn's rage. Then, as if she hadn't just committed a blatant violation of personal boundaries, she added sweetly, "Oh, also, I read your diary."
Silence.
Ashlyn's face went blank. Then red. Then blank again.
Misty visibly paled.
Mordred? Mordred had to physically turn away because she was trying so hard not to lose it.
Ashlyn's eye twitched violently. "You. Fucking. What."
Rin batted her lashes innocently. "Oh, don't be shy, darling. We're family. I know you want my husband."
Misty made a wheezing noise.
Mordred outright cackled.
Ashlyn's entire soul left her body. "I DON'T WANT THE BASTARD!"
Rin's grin widened like the Cheshire Cat, looking delighted as she leaned in conspiratorially. "Ohhh, but darling, I'm willing to share~."
The shriek Ashlyn let out nearly shattered the Pokédex.