The Battle Brawler Club's private arena buzzed with kinetic field generators as Arlo, Barbara, and Lance stepped onto the platform. The circular battlefield, surrounded by reinforced glass walls, lit up with a pulsing grid beneath their feet—standard setup for friendly matches.
Lance raised a hand and shouted from the ref's platform. "This is a one-on-one match. First Pokémon to go down loses. Ready your teams!"
Arlo stepped to his side of the field and looked down at Kage. "You're up."
Kage responded with a tight nod, leaping from Arlo's side and landing dead center on the battlefield with a soft thump. His frubbles bounced slightly around his neck as he assumed a crouched stance.
Barbara tilted her head with a smirk. "Froakie, huh? That's not something you see every day." She unclipped a Pokéball and tossed it in the air. "Let's see how he handles this. Go, Tinkatink!"
The ball popped with a burst of pink light, and from it materialized a small, humanoid Pokémon. Pink skin, stubby arms, toeless feet. A silver plate covered its chest, and atop its head sat a tiny cap-like helmet. In its stubby hands, it clutched a grayish hammer that looked more like a toddler's rattle than a weapon—but Arlo knew better. He activated [Observe] to see Tinkatink's status:
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Tinkatink ♀
Level: 16
Type: Fairy / Steel
Species: Metalsmith Pokémon
Nature: Adamant
Potential: Pseudo-Elite Level
Ability: Mold Breaker / Hidden Ability: Pickpocket
Movesets: Fairy Wind, Baby-Doll Eyes, Metal Claw, Tackle, Rock Smash, Ice Hammer (Egg Move)
---
Five levels above Kage, Arlo frowned. He'd trained hard the last week, but Kage had only pushed to Level 11. Tinkatink's typing meant resistance to Normal, Psychic, and Flying types. Weak to Fire and Ground. Water wasn't super effective, but it could still deal damage."Don't let the cute fool you," he muttered to Kage. "That hammer hits like a dump truck."
Lance raised his hand. "Begin!"
Barbara wasted no time. "Tinkatink, use Fairy Wind!"
The pink steel goblin spun in place, summoning a shimmer of sparkling wind. It howled across the field like a sonic gust.
"Kage use Quick Attack! then Dodge and counter with Bubble!" Arlo barked.
Kage's body glowed faint white, and he darted left, vanishing in a blur. The Fairy Wind sliced where he'd been milliseconds before. Landing in a crouch, he inhaled and shot a cluster of bubbles at Tinkatink.
Barbara pointed sharply. "Dodge and use Baby-Doll Eyes!"
Tinkatink rolled aside. Most of the bubbles missed, but one smacked its steel shoulder with a loud pop, leaving a watery smudge. Then its eyes glowed, a haunting pink shimmer that hit Kage like a wave of pressure. His stance faltered—just a fraction—but enough to drop his physical offense.
Arlo's expression stayed neutral, but inside he was already calculating. Those eyes lowered Kage's physical damage output. And he knew Bubble was special attack—not physical. Time to pivot."Kage use Frubbles," Arlo said.
Kage reached up to his neck and pulled off a pair of sticky frubbles, then flicked them forward. They spun like shuriken toward Tinkatink.
Before Barbara can command, just for a second. "Dodge—!"
Too late. The sticky orbs slammed into Tinkatink's legs and torso, locking it in place like glue.
"Now use Bubble—at the center!" Arlo snapped.
Kage inhaled, fired, and the tight bubble cluster slammed into the trapped Tinkatink. The she let out a surprised squeak as water splashed against its armor, making it stumble. It wasn't a finishing blow, but Arlo saw the hit registered. Not bad. But not nearly enough. That steel typing made it quite tanky.
Barbara's eyes narrowed. "You're good. But let's see how long that little frog can dance."
Tinkatink grunted and began to wrench itself free, one hand pulling against the sticky frubbles. It lifted the hammer. Arlo knew what was coming.
Barbara raised her arm sharply. "Tinkatink, Metal Claw! Tear those frubbles off!"
Tinkatink's tiny hand gleamed silver, morphing into a clawed gauntlet with jagged steel fingers. With a growl that sounded like a toy grinding gears, she swiped at the sticky frubbles clinging to her body. A single clean strike shredded the bindings, snapping the gunk off in wet chunks.
"Not bad," Arlo muttered, watching her regain mobility. "Should've doubled up the layers…"
"Now, use Rock Smash!" Barbara yelled, her voice cutting through the hum of the battlefield.
Tinkatink didn't hesitate. Her hammer glowed orange as she charged forward with stubby legs pumping like a toddler on a mission. The rattle-shaped weapon arced above her head—unassuming in shape but clearly devastating in weight—and came down in a precise arc aimed straight for Kage's skull.
"Kage! use Cut, now!" Arlo shouted.
In an instant, Kage's webbed hands shimmered, forming into a translucent blade of energy. He crouched low and brought the glowing blade up just in time. Sparks flew as hammer met blade—clang!—and the force knocked Kage back a few inches, his feet skidding on the energy field.
"Damn," Arlo exhaled, watching them square off again. "Didn't think the Rock Smash so strong"
The two Pokémon exploded into motion. Tinkatink swung her hammer sideways, barely missing Kage's ribs as he ducked and retaliated with another Cut. This one glanced off her shoulder but did little more than scratch the armor.
Kage hissed, bouncing back a step before dashing in again. They clashed blow for blow—hammer meeting blade in rhythmic, chaotic motion. Kage took a glancing hit to his side, grunting from the impact, while Tinkatink staggered from a retaliatory slash that hit just below her helmet. Barbara crossed her arms, eyes flickering with focus. "Still standing, huh? Not bad."
"They're both are battle junkies," Arlo said under his breath. "This isn't a match. It's a sparring session between Gremlin Thor and a ninja frog." But he was already seeing the cracks. Kage was fast—faster than Tinkatink by a good margin—but every hit he landed barely phased her. Meanwhile, every hammer strike she landed felt like it took a little more wind out of Kage.
"Distance yourself, Kage! Don't trade hits!" Arlo commanded
Kage heard him and immediately somersaulted backward, disengaging before Tinkatink could land a crushing overhead blow.
Barbara's hand snapped forward. "Pursue him! use Rock Smash again!"
Tinkatink shrieked and charged, hammer glowing once more, stomping after Kage with surprising aggression. But Kage was already leaping to the side, easily widening the gap with his superior speed.
"Now—Bubble! Hit her while she's mid-stride!" Arlo shouted
Kage spun mid-air, inhaled, and launched a barrage of bubbles directly at the oncoming Tinkatink. They splashed against her face and upper torso. It made her stumble, but she kept going.
"She's a fucking tank," Arlo grimaced. "Great. A pink, angry tank with a baby hammer."
Barbara didn't even blink. "Rock Smash again, point blank!"
Tinkatink lunged and slammed her glowing hammer into Kage before he could dodge again. The impact rang out like a dull gong. Kage flew across the field, flipping through the air before hitting the ground near the edge of the arena with a heavy thud.
Arlo's breath hitched. "Kage?!"
For a second, there was no movement. Link barked once at Arlo's side, tail rigid.
Arlo took a step forward but stopped, fists clenched. "You're not done. You hear me? This isn't even our hardest fight."
Kage twitched. He shifted slightly, one elbow pushing against the ground. He let out a croaking growl and slowly began to rise, one shaky foot at a time. His eyes met Arlo's—there was exhaustion, sure, but also fire.
"That's it," Arlo said, voice low but fierce. "Get up. You've been through worse. We didn't train all week just to fold on this battle."
Kage's breath was ragged. His knees wobbled. But he forced himself upright, back straightening little by little. The crowd—or what few Battle Club members were spectating—stayed silent.Barbara raised an eyebrow.
"He's got guts. I'll give him that." Arlo grinned. "He's got more than that. You'll see."
The next round of attacks was coming. But one thing was clear—Kage wasn't out yet. And Arlo had just started thinking five moves ahead.
"Kage, use Bubble—again!" Arlo shouted without missing a beat.
Kage steadied himself and launched another flurry of bubbles across the battlefield, but Barbara was already one step ahead. "Tinkatink, use Metal Claw, slash through it!"
Tinkatink charged through the misty air, her hand glowing bright silver. She swiped with sharp, practiced swings—bursting every bubble in a clean, efficient arc, leaving only wet air in her path.
"Tch—of course," Arlo muttered. "Can't even keep pressure without her shredding everything." He clenched his jaw. Frustration itched behind his eyes. Most of Kage's current moves weren't effective against a steel type.
Every exchange so far had been a reminder: Tinkatink was built like a tank and swinging like a warhammer.
Kage turned back, glancing at Arlo mid-dodge, catching a flash of his trainer's stress. But instead of faltering, Kage's eyes narrowed. His legs tightened and he lunged back into the fight. No command. No hesitation. Just grit."Wait, what's he—?"
Kage cupped his webbed hands together, drawing water energy from within. A swirling mass started to build—a sphere that pulsed with dense aqua energy. It grew to the size of a grapefruit before Kage hurled it with a croak of effort.
Tinkatink raised her hammer in defense, but the impact of the orb exploded against her guard with a splash that shook the air. She skidded back, her heels scraping against the energy field.
Arlo's jaw dropped slightly. "Wait a second… Was that—?"
Barbara's eyes widened. "No way. He just used Water Pulse?!"
"Kage!" Arlo barked with sudden clarity. "Do it again—bigger this time!"
Kage began drawing energy again, this time faster. Water coalesced between his hands, spiraling wider, denser—twice the size of the last one. He gave a determined croak and hurled it like a cannonball.
Tinkatink braced, but the orb crashed into her chest and blasted her backward, rolling her a few feet across the field. She coughed, trying to stand, her armor steaming slightly from the hit.
"Tinkatink!" Barbara shouted. "You okay?!"
The Metalsmith Pokemon rose shakily and gave a small growl. Still standing, but definitely hurting. Barbara frowned. She'd seen that look before—one more solid hit might be enough to knock her out. Both sides knew it.They didn't need words. Both trainers locked eyes across the field and nodded almost simultaneously.
"Ice Hammer!" Barbara commanded, her voice urgent. "Close range!"
"Quick Attack!" Arlo snapped.
Kage dashed forward in a blink, streaking white across the field. Tinkatink's hammer began glowing a pale, frosty blue. Ice crystals started forming along its length, and the temperature around her visibly dropped.
Arlo recognized the danger immediately. "Kage! That's Ice Hammer! Watch out!"
Tinkatink swung. Kage twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding a full-body blow—but the icy hammer grazed his shoulder. He winced but didn't stop. Another swing came from Tinkatink's blindside.
Arlo's heart raced. He can't dodge forever. She's stronger up close. If he takes another hit like that..."Get in close and finish it! Water Pulse—everything you've got!"
Kage didn't hesitate. He sprinted low, zig-zagging across the ground.
Barbara's eyes sharpened. "Careful, Tinkatink! Brace!"
Tinkatink swung again, determined to intercept. Her hammer hissed with frost. This time, it would land. But just before contact, Kage yanked two frubbles from his neck and threw them like sticky pads.
The goo clung to the hammer's head, softening the impact as it collided with Kage's side. He grunted from the hit, spun with the momentum, and came around Tinkatink's side.
"Now!" Arlo shouted.
Kage pressed the orb—fully formed—into Tinkatink's helmet. A point-blank Water Pulse detonated against her head like a pressure bomb. The burst sent her flying backward, rolling once, twice—until she landed flat on her back, groaning.
Silence.
Lance stepped forward and raised his arm. "Tinkatink is unable to battle. The winner is Arlo and Kage!"
Arlo didn't wait. He sprinted to the center of the arena with Link barking excitedly at his heels. Kage was on one knee, catching his breath, soaked and battered.
Arlo knelt beside him, grinning like a madman. "You pulled out an unexpected comeback, man. Water Pulse? Really? You're ridiculous."
Kage chirped proudly, tapping his chest with a wet fist. Link barked again, tail wagging like he'd just won too.
Barbara returned Tinkatink with a solemn nod. "Not bad, Arlo. Your Froakie's got heart."
Arlo smiled, helping Kage to his feet. "He's got more than that. He's got bite."
***
Arlo pulled a small spray bottle from his belt pouch and shook it once. "You earned this," he muttered to Kage. With a press of the nozzle, the Potion misted over the Froakie's battered body. Kage flinched slightly at first, but then relaxed as the cooling spray sank into his bruises and scuffs. The swelling on his side from that Ice Hammer began to recede, though Arlo made a mental note to rest him properly later.
On the opposite end of the field, Barbara pointed her Pokéball at Tinkatink. "Return." The beam of red light pulled the unconscious steel fairy back inside. She clipped the Pokéball to her belt and let out a breath. "You did amazing out there," she whispered.
Lance stepped down from the ref's platform and walked toward her. "You good?" he asked, voice casual but with a flicker of concern beneath it.
Barbara turned to him and offered a wide grin. "I'm great. That was one of the most thrilling matches I've had in a while. My heart's still pounding." She gave a light chuckle and stretched her shoulders. "Seriously, it's been too long since I had to think on my feet like that."
"I told you," Lance said with a satisfied nod. "I said Arlo wasn't just some rookie stumbling into this place. That was a real battle."
Arlo, now standing with a slightly bandaged Kage and a hyperactive Link, looked up as the two approached. Barbara was the first to speak.
"That was an incredible fight," she said, smiling. "You caught me completely off guard with that frubble trick. I thought I had it won when Tinkatink landed Ice Hammer—but then Froakie used those things to spread the force and turn it into a setup for a point-blank Water Pulse?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Insane. It was a clean counter."
Arlo scratched the back of his head, giving Kage a sideways glance. "Honestly? That wasn't in the plan. He improvised. I didn't even know he had Water Pulse in his arsenal until it happened." He crossed his arms, still processing. "He amazed me too."
Barbara reached into her pocket and pulled out a small stone—smooth, pale grey, and faintly warm to the touch. She offered it to Arlo. "Here. A little something to remember the match."
Arlo's eyes widened as he immediately recognized it. "An Everstone?" He looked back at her. "I appreciate it, but… that's a pretty valuable item. I can't just—" Barbara waved him off. "Don't make a big deal out of it. I have extras. Besides, it might help you if you want one of your pokemon to hold off evolving while you polish their current move pool."
Lance smirked and nudged Arlo lightly with his elbow. "Just take the gift, man. She's stubborn when she decides something."
Arlo sighed and accepted the Everstone. "Alright, alright. Thanks, Barbara."He tucked the item into his pouch carefully, already thinking about the who would receive this stone.
Lance clapped his hands together."Let's head to the Pokémon Center. Best to get them fully patched up before we talk more shop."
The three made their way to the first floor, where the local healing station buzzed quietly behind reinforced glass counters. Arlo handed Kage over to the nurse, and Barbara did the same with Tinkatink. While they waited, they settled into a bench nearby.
"So," Barbara started, leaning back, "I've been training toward my Pioneer exam. Lance is my guide. He's been showing me the ropes—how to navigate the HUB and get approved for dimensional assignments."
Arlo raised an eyebrow. "No kidding? You're looking to go full Pioneer too?"
"Yup," she nodded. "And I've got a full team to back me up now. Wanna see?" She tapped her Holo-screen and swiped through her roster. "Milotic. Meowscarada. Dragonair. And, of course, Tinkatink."
Arlo blinked. In his mind. Milotic is rare. Meowscarada means she raised a Sprigatito a Paldea Starter Pokémon, and Dragonair is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. His brain filed her under. Definitely a rich kid someone funding.
Still, she didn't carry herself like some stuck-up elite. "That's… impressive," he admitted.
Barbara shrugged. "I Train hard. And I like to keep my Pokémon strong." Her tone was matter-of-fact, not bragging. "And I like battling people who make me think."
They chatted for a few more minutes about team builds and training quirks before the nurse returned, carrying two trays—one with a refreshed Kage, who bounced eagerly in place, and one with Tinkatink, who looked a little wobbly but proud."Here you go. Fully restored and cleared for further activity," the nurse said with a polite nod.
"Thanks," Arlo said, grabbing Kage's tray. Barbara mirrored the gesture, returning Tinkatink to her ball.
Outside the healing room, Barbara extended her hand. "We should battle again sometime. You made today way more fun than I expected."
Arlo shook her hand firmly. "Deal. Next time, maybe we both walk away limping."
They exchanged contacts, parted ways, and as Arlo left with Kage perched on his shoulder and Link circling his legs, one thought stuck in his head. If this is what a properly sponsored pioneers are like, I've still got a hell of a mountain to climb.
As they stepped out of the Pokémon Center, the automatic doors sliding shut behind them with a soft hiss, Arlo slowed his pace. The afternoon sun hit his face, warm but not comforting, and something tugged at the back of his mind. Right… the Everstone.
He stopped near the edge of the walkway and reached into his pouch, fingers brushing past potions and spare Poké Balls until they closed around a smooth, cool stone. Pulling it out, he glanced down—and immediately caught Link watching him. The Rockruff's blue eyes were sharp, curious, like he already knew what was coming.
Arlo crouched down so they were eye to eye. "Link," he said quietly, keeping his voice low even though the street was busy, "you're getting close. Real close." He turned the Everstone in his palm, letting it catch the light. "If you evolve unexpectedly, in the middle of a fight or somewhere dangerous… that could mess things up. For both of us."
Link tilted his head, listening intently. No confusion. No hesitation. After a moment, he nodded once and let out a short, firm bark, tapping his fist against his chest. Agreement. Trust. The kind that didn't need words.
Arlo let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Good. I didn't want to force this on him. Carefully, he fastened the Everstone around Link's neck. The Rockruff looked down at it, fingers brushing the stone, then back up at Arlo with a small, satisfied huff. He stood a little taller, clearly pleased—as if the decision itself mattered more than the item.
"Yeah,"Arlo murmured, smiling faintly as he reached out and patted Link's head. "We'll do it when you're ready. Not when the world decides for you."
A sudden poke pressed into his cheek.
"Hey—"Arlo turned just in time to see Kage hovering beside his face, the hand of the blue frog Pokémon chirped insistently, pointing at Link's necklace and then at himself. The message was obvious.
Arlo chuckled. "You?" He leaned back and gave Kage a look. "Relax. You've still got a long way to go before evolution's even on the table."
Kage paused, then nodded, seemingly satisfied, before puffing out his chest like he'd just accepted a long-term mission.
Arlo stood up, adjusting his pack, and glanced back at the building they'd just left—the Brawler Pokémon Club, its bold signage and scuffed walls a reminder of the brutal training sessions, sparring matches, and lessons learned the hard way inside. It wasn't just a club; it was a proving ground. And they'd survived it.
"Alright," Arlo said, starting down the street. "Let's move."
Link fell into step beside him. Kage took to the air overhead.
And just like that, they left the Brawler Pokémon Club behind—stronger, steadier, and a little more prepared for whatever came next.