The sun hovered high above Celadon Stadium, casting golden rays onto the arena as the crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch. The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, echoing across the domed battlefield.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the second semifinal battle of the Intermediate Trainer Tournament! On the blue side the rising prodigy with an undefeated streak—Ray! And on the red side, representing the Chevalier lineage, the mysterious dragon tamer known for her icy composure—Aurora!"
Cheers erupted as the spotlight hit both trainers walking calmly to their respective platforms. Ray's eyes burned with focus, his fists clenched at his sides. Aurora, elegant and poised, walked with a grace befitting nobility, her long platinum-blue hair flowing like a silk ribbon behind her.
Far away, in the League's medical wing, Kira lay propped up on a bed, her arm still bandaged, eyes glued to the screen. Her heart pounded in sync with the crowd. Ritchie, seated in the front rows, leaned forward in anticipation, his Pikachu perched quietly on his shoulder.
Ray and Aurora locked eyes.
"No holding back," Ray whispered to himself.
Aurora raised a single hand. "You won't win."
At the signal of the referee, both trainers tossed their Poké Balls into the air at the same time.
"Battle start!"
A swirl of light burst on both ends.
From Aurora's Poké Ball emerged a beautiful Swablu, its cottony wings shimmering in the sun as it let out a melodious chirp. The crowd gasped—its feathers held a faint glow that only the most trained observers could appreciate.
Ray's Poké Ball released a towering Charizard, black-scaled, its wings unfurling with a thunderous flap. Its tail blazed furiously, and the ground shook beneath its heavy steps.
Ray's eyes narrowed as the familiar blue panels appeared in front of him:
🟦 Swablu
Level: 40
Aptitude: Core Blue
🟣 Charizard
Level: 42
Aptitude: Deep Purple
"Don't underestimate her," Ray whispered to Charizard. "That Swablu may look gentle, but it belongs to a Chevalier."
Aurora raised a single finger toward the sky. "Auro, take flight."
Swablu obeyed instantly, ascending with a swift burst of wind. Its movement was graceful, each beat of its wings controlled to perfection. It weaved through the air in a mesmerizing aerial dance, glinting with soft blue light.
"Steel Wing!" Aurora commanded, her voice cold and precise.
Swablu's wings hardened into gleaming metal, and it dove straight toward Charizard.
"Flame Spin, now!" Ray countered.
Charizard let out a deafening roar and spun its body mid-air, surrounding itself in a vortex of fire. The two attacks collided—steel against flame—and a shockwave exploded outward, sending sparks and dust flying. The crowd gasped as Swablu soared back, wings slightly scorched but still poised.
Ray clenched his jaw. Aurora was calm, composed. She wasn't just skilled—she was calculating.
"She's mastered aerial combat," Ray muttered. "Charizard, time to switch gears."
Charizard's flame intensified, now nearly double in size. Its pupils narrowed. A deeper, guttural roar escaped its throat as the battlefield seemed to tremble beneath its presence.
"Dragon Fury!" Ray shouted.
Charizard's wings extended fully, propelling itself high into the air before vanishing in a sudden burst of speed. Gasps echoed from the stands—he'd moved behind Swablu in an instant.
Before Swablu could turn, Charizard struck.
A blazing Dragon Fury attack tore through the air and landed squarely on Swablu's back. A burst of blue energy enveloped the cotton bird, and with a soft cry, it spiraled downward, unconscious before it hit the ground.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment. Then—
"Swablu is unable to battle! Charizard wins the first round!"
The crowd exploded into applause.
Aurora's eyes widened ever so slightly. She looked down at Swablu's fallen form, then raised her Poké Ball and recalled it without a word.
Ray exhaled and nodded to Charizard. "Well done, buddy."
Charizard returned to his side of the field, tail flame crackling with energy.
Aurora's fingers twitched at her side as she reached for her second Poké Ball.
"You may have surprised me once," she whispered, "but it won't happen again."
The Poké Ball clicked.
Ray's eyes narrowed.
The real battle was just beginning.
(To be continued...)