Celadon City, Kanto

The sun was high over Celadon City, its golden rays filtering through the leafy canopy of trees lining the streets as Ezra, Karen, and Misty walked toward the Celadon Gym. The city's natural beauty seemed even more vibrant today, with flower beds bursting with colorful blooms. Despite the tranquil surroundings, there was an air of anticipation in the group, especially from Ezra, whose usual smirk was stretched a little wider than usual.

He intended to dominate. He had no problem empowering his Pokemon if necessary to ensure a conclusive victory. Both for his eventual release of a video of said victory, and because he was suspicious of Erika.

Celadon, if any of the game held any truth, was a Team Rocket stronghold. And with Erika meeting with Giovanni… He wasn't sure how involved she was with that.

It seemed unlikely she'd have absolutely no idea. This was her city.

Karen and Misty flanked him, each looking forward to the fight for different reasons. Misty kept craning her neck to look at the gym's towering structure up ahead, its roof nearly lost in the dense foliage of the trees that grew through it. Karen, on the other hand, seemed more interested in Ezra, glancing at him every so often as if trying to gauge his mood.

She was also carrying her Zorua in her arms, snuggling it to her in an adorable way that Ezra would leave alone. For now.

He could be nice sometimes…

Mostly because his Dusclops, who excelled even more than normal Ghosts at staying invisible, had found that Karen had not reported recent happenings to Agatha, while spying on her for the past few days.

Ezra was admittedly a little bit smug that he was succeeding in stealing Karen away. Sure, he also liked her. Alot. But you could have more than one reason for something.

"So, just because you saw Erika have dinner with Giovanni, you're going to crush her? Can you make that make sense?" Karen asked, looking almost constipated with the way her face scrunched up.

"And this better not be about you being jealous of Giovanni possibly being close to her…" She added, a warning note to her tone.

Ezra snorted, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. "Please, I was going to crush her regardless, now I just have an actual reason to enjoy it more."

Karen rolled her eyes, though a faint smirk tugged at her lips. "Of course. Why bother with strategy when you can just brute force your way through everything?"

"Exactly," Ezra replied, flashing her a toothy grin.

Misty, meanwhile, was practically bouncing with excitement, her bright orange ponytail bobbing with every step. "Do you think Erika will have any Pokemon we haven't seen before?" She asked, her tone eager. "I've heard she uses a really strong Venusaur as her ace, but maybe she's added something new!"

Karen gave her a look, "You're getting too used to Ezra's bullshit already, other trainers do not pull completely new Pokemon or evolutions out of their ass."

Ezra shrugged lazily. "We'll find out soon enough. Not that it'll matter, not against me."

Misty seemed excited at his confidence, while Karen seemed torn between chastising him, or giving up on a lost cause.

As they approached the gym's entrance, the earthy smell of soil and flowers grew stronger, mingling with the faint sweetness of blooming herbs. The Gloom guards they'd seen on their first visit were still there, their drooping forms lounging in the shade of the archway. They barely stirred as the group passed through, their sleepy eyes tracking Ezra for only a moment before closing again.

Inside, the Celadon Gym was just as breathtaking as before. The natural architecture made it feel like stepping into an enchanted forest, with sunlight streaming through gaps in the leafy ceiling.

A young woman in a gym uniform greeted them at the reception desk, her smile warm and professional. "Mr. Kassian?" She asked, her eyes flicking to Ezra.

"That's me," Ezra replied, his tone casual, already rolling a pokeball in his hand.

"Right this way," She said, motioning for them to follow. "Gym Leader Erika is waiting for you in the battle area."

They were led through a winding path that seemed to weave through a miniature forest. Pokemon peeked out from the underbrush as they passed, their curious eyes following the group. A Bulbasaur lounged on a mossy rock, its eyes half-closed in contentment, while a Cherrim stood beneath a beam of sunlight, its petals fully unfurled.

Misty couldn't contain her awe, her gaze darting from one Pokemon to the next. "This place is amazing," She whispered, "In our gym we can't let so many Pokemon hang out, they'd cause trouble."

Karen raised an eyebrow. "I think that has more to do with the incompetents your Pokemon probably don't even respect."

Misty blushed, looking away, but her clenched fists as she stared at the lazing Pokemon showcased her barely hidden anger, still just under the surface whenever her sister's were brought up.

Ezra smirked. "Now that you've pointed it out, perhaps if we're lucky, one of these Pokemon will lose it and give you a shock."

He was almost tempted to poke one of them with his shadow, just to mess with her.

Karen could say what she wanted, but he knew she liked arguing with him, and being 'bullied' a little.

Karen shot him a flat look. "Unlike you. The world doesn't work on bullying logic."

Lady doth protest too much...

Ezra swore he could have heard Misty say, "Bully me too," but it was so low and quick, he might just have imagined it.

They emerged into the main battle area, a wide open space surrounded by tiered bleachers filled with greenery and flowers. Trainers in gym uniforms were scattered throughout the seats, their eyes already fixed on the battlefield in anticipation. The arena itself was a blend of natural elements and clever design, with patches of grass, sand, and even small streams integrated into the battlefield.

At the far end of the arena stood Erika, the Celadon Gym Leader. She was dressed in her signature kimono, its floral patterns blending seamlessly with the gym's theme. Her short brown hair framed her serene face, and a small green headband held it back. She stood with a graceful stillness, her hands folded neatly in front of her as she waited for them to approach.

She also looked like she was seconds away from falling asleep. But that seemed to be her normal state.

Considering what kind of gym they were in, he was surprised she didn't just abuse some sleep powder and take a couple naps.

Her gym certainly seemed more competent than Cerulean. Some of her trainers could surely pick up the slack?

Whatever, none of his business. He was only thinking about it because she was cute anyway, and he was self aware enough to know he'd help a cute girl over a guy any day.

"Ezra Kassian," She greeted as they drew closer, her voice soft and melodic. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Welcome to the Celadon Gym, where nature and the concept of grass holds court."

Two Roserades standing in the branches above the battlefield cried out their names, as they emptied baskets of flowers, allowing them to rain down above Erika.

"Erika! Kyaaaah! She's so cute and perfect!" Some of the gym trainers watching cried out as the flower petals swirled in the air.

Misty and Karen walked over to the bleachers, already ready to record, as Ezra watched in bemusement as several Oddish and Nuzleaf danced in a ring around Erika, only to bow before her as the flower petal rain ended.

Ezra tilted his head, his red eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and confidence. She was definitely different, he thought. "The pleasure's all mine. Your beauty is wonderful, but I'm here to crush you and your gym in a star challenge." He said, his tone laced with just enough irreverence to make Karen groan from the stands.

Erika smiled faintly, seemingly unfazed by his attitude, even as the Pokemon around her left the field. "I've heard quite a bit about you, you know." She said, her gaze steady. "Your reputation precedes you."

"Good things, I hope," Ezra said, though the smirk on his face suggested he didn't particularly care either way.

Erika's expression still didn't change, but there was a flicker of amusement in her perpetually sleepy eyes. "Let's just say your approach has been noted as… Unique."

Heh, she's heard from Whitney.

Ezra crossed his arms, his posture relaxed. "I bet Whitney told you all about how unique my technique was." He flirted lightly.

"Ezra!" Karen growled in the stands, Misty whispering a question that had a red faced Karen snap at her.

Ezra ignored them, focused on his opponent. Who if he was not mistaken, had a bit of a red tinge to her expression.

Erika inclined her head slightly, her tone calm still. "I look forward to how your unique experiences translate into battle then."

Ezra's smirk widened. "Oh, don't worry. You'll see. My technique outside of battle is something to see too."

Erika looked amused for a moment, before her placid expression set back in, "Your reputation for shooting for the impossible seems to be correct. Focus here and now, or you will lose." She said, some actual steel creeping into her tone.

There was a brief pause, the two trainers studying each other. Despite Erika's calm demeanor, there was an air of quiet confidence about her that suggested she was more than capable of holding her own. Ezra, of course, radiated his usual cocky energy, but there was a sharpness in his gaze that hinted that he wouldn't take this lightly.

"You do seem quite confident," Erika remarked eventually, breaking the silence, her tone light but probing, "It's been awhile since I had a star challenge…"

"I'm confident because I've got the skill to back it up," Ezra replied, his voice carrying an edge of challenge.

Erika's faint smile remained, though it didn't quite reach her eyes who were now sharp. "Confidence is important, but overconfidence can be dangerous in a trainer."

Karen smirked from her seat, muttering under her breath. "Please let her wipe the floor with him."

Misty giggled softly, though her eyes never left the battlefield. "I don't know… Ezra's pretty good, right? Erika isn't really known as the strongest. I think this is going to be close."

On the field, Erika gestured to the referee, a young woman standing at the edge of the arena. "Shall we begin?" She asked, her tone calm but with an underlying note of anticipation.

Ezra nodded, his smirk never wavering. "Let's."

As the referee stepped forward to announce the start of the match, the tension in the air grew thicker. The gathered trainers leaned forward in their seats, their eyes fixed on the battlefield as Erika and Ezra prepared to face off.

For all his bravado, Ezra knew better than to underestimate her. Erika might be calm and soft-spoken, but she was a gym leader for a reason. This was going to be interesting.

----------------------------------------

The referee took charge, calling out the rules. "This is a six versus six star challenge, only two switch outs allowed, you may release your first Pokemon!"

Ezra's smirk widened as he held Akuma's Pokeball, not going to make the mistakes of his past, by starting out on the weak foot. Thanks to the wonders of all the TMs he'd bought, and his Pokemons inherent abilities, he would have the diverse set of abilities necessary here.

Erika raised her hand gently, her calm demeanor unshaken as she tossed her own Pokeball onto the field.

"Let's begin," She said softly. "Vileplume, it's your turn."

A burst of light illuminated the field, and Erika's Vileplume materialized. Its massive red-and-yellow flower shimmered with a faint sheen of pollen, its dark blue body rooted firmly to the ground. The air immediately grew heavier, tinged with the sweet but cloying aroma of Vileplume's natural toxins.

Ezra grinned, tossing his own Pokeball with a flourish. "Akuma, it's your time to shine."

The flash of light revealed Akuma, his Annihilape, to much awe from the crowd. His ghostly gray fur bristled with barely contained energy, his glowing red eyes locked onto Vileplume. A ghostly mist emanated from his body, and his fists clenched with anticipation. He let out a feral growl, eager for battle.

Erika inclined her head slightly. "Vileplume, let's start with a classic test. Stun Spore."

The Vileplume's petals shimmered as it released a golden cloud of spores into the air, the particles glinting like tiny motes of sunlight as they drifted toward Akuma. The crowd murmured in anticipation.

Ezra's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Akuma, screech, just like we trained!"

Akuma leaned back, blowing up slightly like a balloon, as if he was filling his lungs. Just as the rain of spores began trickling down, Akuma leaned forward, arms behind him as he bellowed, jaw opened wide, spittle flying. The screech, beyond being loud enough to leave your ears ringing, making Vileplume flinch back - also had a wind component they'd trained in as an added effect - the storm of spores blowing away off the field.

Erika's calm voice broke through the momentary lull, even as she raised a surprised eyebrow. "Impressive adaptation. But let's see how you handle this. Vileplume, Seed Bomb, make it nice and sweet."

Vileplume shook its petals again, releasing a spread of large seed sacks into the air, before they exploded like bombs, tiny seeds shooting down like bullets towards Akuma. And if Ezra wasn't mistaken, Erika definitely had some tricks of her own up her sleeve. The slight hint of purple he spotted meant they were poisoned.

Well, poison wasn't very effective on Akuma, and with Vileplume fairly stationary, it would be better to take this and prepare for the next battle after he crushed Vileplume. The damage would be negligible.

"Tank it, use Bulk Up." Ezra ordered, eyes narrowed as he plotted his next move and tried to predict what Erika would try.

Akuma roared, drumming his chest in defiance against the rain of Seed bullets, his muscles bulging as his attack and defense raised, the Pokemons rage, and power, rising due to the several hits he took during the process.

Karen smirked slightly from the sidelines, commenting to Misty who was filming it all, "Ezra's changing. Before, he would have focused entirely on dodging that instead of planning ahead. Let's see how long that works against her."

"He'll win." Misty said loyally.

Erika's calm expression remained as she placidly ordered, "He's giving us time, Vileplume, Grassy Terrain."

The battlefield seemed to come alive as green energy surged from the ground. Grass sprouted rapidly, covering the area in a soft, lush carpet. The air grew even sweeter, and Vileplume seemed even more energetic. Ezra knew Erika's grass Pokemon would get a slight healing boost as long as it was in effect. But it wouldn't matter against him.

Ezra gave Erika a respectful nod, having recognized the strategy immediately. "Not bad, setting the field for the future. But that's not going to save you. Akuma, continue to Bulk Up!"

Akuma growled, his body tensing as his muscles bulged even further. A faint red aura surrounded him as his attack and defense stats increased yet again, the ghostly mist around him flaring with power. His glowing eyes locked onto Vileplume, a feral grin spreading across its face.

Erika's tone remained serene at the coming threat. "Sleep Powder, direct blast while he's stationary."

Vileplume released another shimmering cloud, this time as a swirling cone of soft blue powder that flew straight toward Akuma in a twirling mass. The crowd leaned forward, murmuring as they watched the attack unfold admiring the Sleep Powder used in a more targeted fashion.

Ezra grinned darkly. "Akuma, Bulldoze right in front of you!"

In an instant, Akuma's form blurred as he punched the ground hard, in front of him, boosted twice over. The ground erupted, shards of earth rising up and blocking the powder's path, the rupture continuing towards Vileplume, forcing Erika to move her Pokemon instead of focusing on attacking.

"Now, Fire Punch!" Ezra commanded.

Akuma's fist ignited with flames, the fiery glow contrasting sharply against the lush greenery of the battlefield. It closed the distance in a heartbeat, its blazing fist aimed directly at Vileplume.

Erika reacted quickly. "Protect!"

A shimmering green barrier appeared around Vileplume just as Akuma's fist collided with it. The flames flared brightly, barely lasting through the attack, but it was stopped by the protective shield. Vileplume stood unharmed, its petals swaying gently as the Grassy Terrain continued to heal it from the small damage it had taken from the erupted earth.

"Good reaction speed," Ezra muttered, his smirk fading slightly. "But you're just delaying the inevitable. Akuma, Stomping Tantrum!"

The move doubled in strength if the previous attack failed, and with Akuma's already doubled strength, Vileplume was in for a bad time.

Akuma raged, stomping and trashing against the ground, slamming his body into it, the earth rupturing around them as it crashed against Vileplumes Protect. Erika having quickly ordered it enforced - surprising Ezra as the Protect had expanded to cover Vileplume from all sides.

Still, with Akuma's raised strength, and the power of the technique. The Protect cracked under the force of the attack, and Erika's calm demeanor wavered for the first time.

"Vileplume, Stun Spore!" She ordered, obviously trying to send Akuma into the next round with a disadvantage.

Vileplume's petals shock, even as it cried out as the earth pressed in on it with its Protect destroyed, shaking loose a cloud of Stun Spores.

"Overheat!" Ezra shouted at Akuma. "Burn it off and tackle Vileplume and pummel it."

The air seemed to ripple around Akuma as he was covered in flames, the very air around him blistering. He channeled his anger into a devastating attack, shooting forward straight through the Stun Spore cloud, his flames protecting him. His entire body glowed with a furious red energy and flames, as he charged forward, his roar echoing through the gym.

"Vileplume, Grassy Terrain!" Erika called, her voice uncharacteristically sharp.

She knew her Pokemon was done for, and ensured her Terrain advantage would remain, the Grass growing as green energy suffused it, even as Akuma slammed into Vileplume.

Vileplume's petals drooped as it was battered by a wildly swinging Akuma, and with his strength boost, and the flames being super effective, in only moments, Vileplume lay fainted, as Akuma placed one foot on its body, and roared his victory to the heavens, raising his fists.

The gym attendant raised his flag. "Vileplume is unable to battle. Annihilape wins!"

Ezra smirked, calling Akuma back to his side. "Good work. That's one down."

Erika recalled the fainted Vileplume, her calm expression returning. "Impressive showing, very clever use of techniques and your Pokemons advantages. But this is far from over."

Ezra crossed his arms, his red eyes gleaming with intensity as he awaited the next Pokemon. "Bring it on, Erika. I'll take everything you got, and then some."

The crowd hushed as Erika released her second Pokemon. The Pokeball erupted in a flash of light, materializing into an enormous Venusaur. Its broad, leaf-covered back supported a massive, blooming flower, the petals vibrant with color. Vines rippled like muscles beneath its thick green skin, twitching as if anticipating the battle ahead. Its heavy footfalls shook the battlefield slightly, and the sweet yet overpowering aroma of the flower on its back filled the air.

it must have been at least twice as big as the average Venusaur, Ezra thought, Akuma roaring in glee at a proper challenge, stomping like a sumo wrestler, roaring out his challenge towards his opponent.

Karen whistled softly, leaning back in her seat. "That's one big Venusaur." She said appreciatively, "Look at the size of those legs, it's all corded muscle.

Misty's hands gripped the edge of the bleachers, her voice tinged with concern. "It's going to be tough for Akuma to get close to something like that, isn't it?"

Ezra's eyes gleamed with excitement as he studied the Venusaur, the grin on his face widening. "Well, this just got interesting. Akuma, ready for round two?" He asked, surreptitiously empowering his Pokemon through his aura, ensuring he wouldn't run out of stamina after a few high powered techniques last round.

Akuma snarled happily, pounding his fists together as ghostly mist flared around him as he took in the power boost, his fighting spirit burned as fiercely as ever. He crouched low, his glowing eyes locked onto the Venusaur like a predator sizing up its prey.

Erika's calm demeanor never wavered as she clasped her hands in front of her demurely. "Venusaur, let's begin. Leaf Storm."

Ezra really wanted to get that calm look off her face at some point in this battle… "Akuma Dig."

The battlefield transformed as green energy surged from Venusaur's massive form. The Venusaur immediately disappeared from sight, as an absolute monster of a storm covered the battlefield, Ezra was glad for the forcefield covering his position, as the entire arena became filled with razor sharp leaves, Venusaur calling forth an absolutely insane amount of leaves, validating his status as an ace.

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Luckily, Akuma had already dug down, avoiding the barrage, as Ezra's protective barrier was peppered in a staccato not too dissimilar from bullets hitting it.

As soon as the storm settled, Akuma crawled out of his hole, dusty and eyes twitching in anger at having had to flee. Ezra wasn't sure he could get away with an order like that again unless he really hammered him down with his aura.

Something which was best left for emergencies, lest he damage his relationship with his Pokemon.

Erika's voice was soft but firm as she immediately got things going again. "Venusaur, Vine Whip."

The thick vines on Venusaur's back shot forward with startling speed, lashing out at Akuma like coiled serpents. Akuma narrowly dodged the first strike, his agility allowing him to sidestep the attack. But the second vine struck with a crack, grazing his side and forcing him to skid backward.

"Shake it off!" Ezra barked. "Shadow Claw, cut those vines down!"

Akuma snarled, his fists glowing with ghostly energies. He charged forward, slashing at the incoming vines. The ghostly energy cleaved through the vines, severing them and forcing Venusaur to pull back momentarily.

"Good," Ezra muttered, brow furrowed. "Now Fire Punch!" Even as he ordered it, he stared at Erika, wondering why she hadn't made another move, letting him gain initiative.

Akuma's fist ignited with flames as he leapt forward, aiming a devastating punch at Venusaur's side. But the Venusaur's heavy bulk shifted surprisingly quickly as it pivoted, a vine that appeared severed, knotting itself together and catching Akuma's ankle, as Erika's voice rang out.

"Leech Seed."

The flower on Venusaur's back shuddered as it launched a cluster of seeds toward Akuma, who couldn't escape, busy fighting the vine entrapping him. The seeds burst in midair, tangling Akuma in a web of thick vines that began to sap his energy. He growled in frustration, shaking violently to dislodge the parasitic plants.

Ezra's expression faltered slightly. "Burn those off! Overheat, now!"

Akuma's flames flared brighter as they surrounded him, even as he punched at the vines binding him. The fire scorched through them, freeing him just as Venusaur's vines lashed out again, forcing him to leap backward, then again, having to go through acrobatics as Overheat ended and Venusaur's vines continued to harass him.

"Venusaur, Razor Leaf," Erika called a small smile playing at her lips, "Box him in."

Massive leaves appeared off Venusaur's back, spun like blades before launching forward in a storm of sharp projectiles. The air hissed as the razor-sharp leaves hurtled toward Akuma, forcing him to choose between grasping vines or razor sharp leaves.

Ezra's voice was sharp. "Akuma, Phantom Force!"

"Oh, clever." Karen muttered to herself in the stands, as Akuma completely disappeared from the battlefield. Unable to attack, but also entirely safe from attack. A good ploy to avoid the situation they'd been in.

Unknown to them all, in a private booth above the bleachers, someone else leaned forward, eyes intent on the battle, silently applauding the efforts so far.

Erika had used the time to again reset Grassy Terrain, as Akuma returned to corporeal form, immediately receiving his marching orders from Ezra, as Venusaur's vines had been retracted.

"Close Combat!" Ezra commanded, "Get in its face, and don't stop pummeling." It would cost him defensively, but if he could only get a hold of the Venusaur, it would be Ezra's win.

Akuma unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, each strike a blur of power and precision as he jumped on the massive Pokemon. He landed a solid hit on Venusaur's side, causing the massive Pokemon to stagger slightly. The crowd gasped, and even Erika's calm expression flickered with concern.

But the Venusaur didn't fall. And even as they watched, the hulking beast steadied, Grassy Terrain already healing it.

"Vines," Erika said simply, shooting Ezra a somewhat sharper smile.

"Dodge!" Ezra ordered, but it was too late.

The vines on Venusaur's back shot out again, this time wrapping around Akuma's arms and legs before he could react, having no room to dodge. The Annihilape snarled, thrashing against the bindings, but Venusaur's grip was unrelenting.

"Overheat." He tried, knowing the vines couldn't withstand the flames, frowning as he wondered if he dared empowering Akuma again.

Too much could be obvious.

"Venusaur, Stun Spore," Erika ordered, her tone unwavering, as her Pokemon acted faster than his struggling one.

The flower on Venusaur's back shuddered, releasing a golden cloud of spores directly into Akuma's face. The Annihilape coughed and snarled, his movements growing sluggish as the paralysis took hold. His body stiffened, his face stuck in a snarl.

"Damn it," Ezra muttered, his fists clenching. "Akuma, move! Break free!"

But Venusaur didn't give Akuma the chance. With a low growl, it lifted the paralyzed Pokemon into the air with its vines and slammed him into the ground with a thunderous crash. The crowd winced at the impact as Akuma let out a guttural growl of pain.

Misty leaned forward, her expression tense. "Ezra's going to lose him if he doesn't do something!"

Karen shook her head, "He lost this match up when he used Close Combat instead of a more effective technique to close in."

"Solar Beam," Erika said, her voice soft but commanding.

The flower on Venusaur's back began to glow with an intense light, the energy from the Grassy Terrain fueling the powerful attack. The air around the battlefield grew hot as the beam charged, the light building to a blinding intensity.

Akuma needed to escape before it finished charging.

Ezra's jaw tightened. "Akuma, don't let it end like this! Break out and finish it! Fire Punch, now!"

Akuma's eyes burned with fury as his body trembled, fighting against the paralysis. The ghostly mist around him flared violently, surreptitiously boosted by Ezra, and with a deafening roar, he broke free from the paralysis. His fists ignited with flames as he charged forward, breaking the vines through sheer muscle power, his movements unsteady but driven by pure rage.

The crowd held its breath as Akuma leapt toward Venusaur, his fiery fist aimed directly at its face. The flames connected with a resounding impact, and Venusaur let out a bellow of pain, staggering backward, an obvious burning effect remaining from the hit.

But the Solar Beam was ready.

The energy burst from Venusaur's flower in a blinding beam of light, striking Akuma head-on. The force of the attack sent him flying across the battlefield, slamming into the ground with a heavy thud, continuing to push him as the Solar Beam didn't stop, pushing him further and further into the ground creating a long groove. The flames around his fist flickered and died as his body went still.

Ezra had to admire the power the Venusaur held, boosted by Grassy Terrain or not, that was a very strong Solar Beam to take out Akuma in one hit.

The referee raised his flag. "Annihilape is unable to battle. Venusaur wins!"

Erika's gym trainers sitting in the bleachers all cheered, Erika giving them a demure smile that only made them swoon.

Ezra's smirk was gone, replaced by a thoughtful expression as he recalled Akuma. "You did good," He murmured to the Pokeball, his voice low. "Rest up."

Erika inclined her head to him, a spark of interest in her eyes. "Your Annihilape was impressive. But this battle isn't over yet, show me what else you can do, challenger."

Ezra's eyes gleamed with dark intent, as he reached for his next Pokeball, the loss only fueling his determination. "You're right, Erika. It's not over. Let's see how your gigachad Venusaur handles this one."

Erika's head tilted cutely, and you could almost see the question marks over her head, "Gigachad?" She asked, puzzled.

The crowd's anticipation crackled in the air as Ezra tossed the ball onto the field. The flash of light materialized into his Alolan Marowak, Rider, whose eerie green flames danced along the bone he held aloft like a torch. Rider's skeletal mask glinted under the light, and his narrowed eyes locked onto the towering Venusaur with fierce determination.

Karen muttered from the bleachers, "He's using Rider? That Venusaur's got the range advantage, and the field is stacked against him."

Misty leaned forward, concern etched on her face. "Ezra's got to have a plan, right? Rider's fast, but Venusaur is so powerful…"

Ezra's calm, cutting voice echoed across the field, slicing through the tension. "Rider, keep moving! Don't stop for anything, don't get caught up in its vines, when you see an opening, fire only. "

He was counting on Rider's maneuverability to take it home. That, and the fire techniques he'd learnt.

Rider responded with a sharp nod, immediately dashing across the battlefield with blinding speed, leaving streaks of green fire in his wake. His movements were erratic and unpredictable, using Quick Attack to dart left and right, back and forth, never staying in one place for more than a second. His ghostly flames trailed like a phantom, making it difficult for Venusaur to anticipate his next position.

While Ezra had trained with some of his Pokemon on refining the strength of their techniques, with Rider, he'd built him for speed, making Quick-Attack second nature for him.

Erika gave her command, looking thoughtful as she eyed Rider moving across the field. "Venusaur, cover the field. Stun Spore."

The flower on Venusaur's back shuddered before releasing a thick cloud of glittering golden spores. The cloud rose into the air, spreading outward and drifting downward like a toxic mist, attempting to cover the battlefield. Rider took advantage, not even glancing up at the shimmering sky, twirling his bone club, using Fire Spin, the technique shooting forward towards Venusaur, who was still affected by the burn of his previous bout, and was unable to fully dodge.

Ezra's smirk widened as he caught the faintest flicker of hesitation from Erika, adding to his orders, "Flamethrower. Up. Back and forth."

Rider came to a sudden halt, planting his feet firmly on the ground as he raised his bone. The flames that danced along its length flared brightly, intensifying into a roaring inferno before he launched a column of fire into the sky moving back and forth. The Flamethrower met the descending Stun Spore cloud, incinerating it on contact. Golden particles vaporized in an instant.

Erika's attempted counterattack while Rider was busy was stymied, as Venusaur flinched back in pain, its burns hurting it.

The crowd erupted into murmurs, impressed by the counter. Karen smirked slightly, muttering under her breath, "Of course. Burn it all."

Erika's soft voice rang out again. "Venusaur, fire is nothing to you, focus, Vine Whip."

The thick vines shot forward once more, aiming to snatch Rider out of his rapid movements. Ezra's voice was sharp. "Rider, dodge. Don't stop moving." Reinforcing his standing order.

Rider darted to the side just as the vines slammed into the ground where he had been standing. The battlefield turned into a dance of agility and precision as Rider used Quick Attack to stay ahead of Venusaur's relentless barrage of vines. Every time the vines lunged at him, Rider shifted directions, slipping just out of reach.

Erika's calm command came again. "Razor Leaf." An attempt to give Rider no way out.

Venusaur released a storm of spinning leaves following the same playbook as before, the sharp projectiles slicing through the air in a wide arc. Rider darted through them, narrowly avoiding the razor-edged leaves, though one grazed his side, drawing a thin line against his skin.

"Shake it off!" Ezra barked. "Keep moving. Flamethrower on the vines!"

Rider pivoted, sending another more encompassing burst of flames toward the encroaching vines. The fire scorched them, forcing Venusaur to retract its tendrils briefly. The battlefield seemed to settle into a tense rhythm, with Venusaur trying to ensnare Rider while the Marowak focused on evading and countering. Despite Rider's agility, Ezra's frustration began to mount as he realized they were in a stalemate. Rider couldn't land a solid hit, and Venusaur couldn't pin him down.

Ezra's eyes narrowed, his smirk returning as an idea struck him. His tone was deceptively casual as he gave his next command. "Rider. Play."

It was a gambit, but Erika seemed to follow a pattern with Venusaur, no doubt born from hundreds of fights. If she does what he thinks she will, he would win this.

Let Erika think the command was some variation on Play Rough.

Rider froze mid-step, tilting his head slightly toward Ezra. For a moment, to an onlooker, it seemed like the command confused him, his movements slowing as he deliberately allowed one of Venusaur's vines to catch him around the ankle. He let out a sharp cry, thrashing weakly as more vines coiled around him, dragging him toward the massive Grass Pokemon.

Erika's soft smile grew as she saw the apparent opening. "Venusaur, Sleep Powder."

And made the exact move he'd expected from her playbook so far.

The flower on Venusaur's back released another burst of shimmering powder, this time a deep blue-green hue, aiming to lull Rider into unconsciousness. The powder drifted downward in a thick, choking cloud.

Ezra's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "Rider. Now. Fire Blast."

Venusaur had nowhere to escape this time.

Rider's movements ceased entirely for a split second, his green flames surging into a blazing inferno. The bone he wielded flared brighter than ever before as he unleashed a roaring Fire Blast. The intense flames shot straight through the Sleep Powder cloud, incinerating it instantly. The fiery star-shaped blast continued forward, slamming into Venusaur with a deafening explosion.

The crowd gasped as the flames engulfed the massive Pokemon. Venusaur let out a deep bellow of pain, its body staggering under the force of the attack. When the flames cleared, its flower was scorched, and its vines twitched erratically, another burn spreading across its side.

Karen leaned forward, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Now that's how you read a battle." She bit her lip, not even seeming aware as she muttered to herself, "That was so hot…"

Misty was wide-eyed, and whispered, "That was incredible…"

Ezra's expression was calm but deadly as he called out, "Rider. Finish it."

Rider, freed from the vines during the explosion, darted forward, his bone spinning in his hand as flames surged along its length. But Erika's voice rang out just as Rider closed the distance.

"Venusaur, Earthquake."

The ground beneath them trembled violently as Venusaur's massive body slammed into the earth, creating shockwaves that rippled outward. Rider stumbled, thrown off balance by the sudden quake, before crying out in pain as slabs of earth impacted him. The crowd braced themselves as the tremors shook the gym.

Grassy Terrain made Earthquake halve its damage, thankfully, or Rider would have been out right there. What does it take to put this massive fucker down!? Ezra thought, annoyed.

"You've got this!" Ezra shouted to his little go-getter of a Pokemon. "Get up and fight!"

Rider gritted his teeth, pushing himself back to his feet even as Venusaur's vines lashed out again. The two Pokemon clashed in a desperate, chaotic battle, flames and vines intertwining as they traded blows. Rider's Flamethrower scorched through the vines, while Venusaur's Razor Leaf and Vine Whip kept him on the defensive.

The battle reached its climax as both Pokemon launched their final attacks. Rider's Fire Punch collided with Venusaur's Power Whip, used through three separate vines, the resulting explosion of damage sending both Pokemon backward. Rider landed hard, his flames flickering faintly as he struggled to rise, only to collapse moments later. Venusaur, its body scorched and trembling, let out a low groan before falling to the ground with a heavy thud as well.

The referee raised both flags. "Both Pokemon are unable to battle. It's a double knockout!"

Ezra couldn't be dissatisfied with that performance, that Venusaur was a monster, he recalled Rider with a quiet "You did good." Across the field, Erika recalled Venusaur, her expression pleased as she murmured something sweetly to her Pokemon. The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs, the tension in the air finally breaking.

Karen leaned back in her seat, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Well, that was a hell of a fight, didn't see a double KO coming."

Misty nodded, her eyes shining with admiration for both trainers. "Rider was so cool! And that Venusaur, it's kind of scary how tough it was!"

Ezra's gaze met Erika's across the battlefield, his smirk growing sharper as he intended to up his game, now behind Erika in downed Pokemon. "Your Venusaur is a monster! It put up a good fight, but this is far from over, I'll take it all from here on out."

Erika inclined her head, her voice calm as ever. "Indeed. Let's see what your next Pokemon can do, I'm looking forward to it."

They both released their Pokemon at the same time, Erika releasing a Tangrowth, while Ezra released Loki, his Banette.

"Loki, let's ramp up the pressure! SS and Shadow Claw!" Ezra barked, his sharp tone cutting through the crowd's murmurs.

Loki surged forward, his zipper mouth splitting into an even wider grin as his clawed hands glowed with eerie energy. His movements were erratic, almost playful, as he closed the gap between him and Tangrowth in a flash, as he utilized Shadow Sneak to get behind it. The Banette's claw slashed downward with a chilling screech, cutting through the air toward Tangrowth's mass of vines.

"Tangrowth, Protect," Erika said calmly, her voice soft but commanding.

Ezra noted it down that she once again had given him initiative and focused on defense. Likely meaning she had a counter prepared.

Tangrowth's vines glowed green as before them, an impenetrable barrier formed just in time. Loki's Shadow Claw slammed into the shield with a burst of energy, the impact forcing the Banette back. Loki hovered in midair for a moment, hissing softly as his grin faltered.

"Dodge, get back here and Shadow Ball." Ezra ordered, Loki escaping just as Tangrowth let out a cloud of sleep powder.

He narrowed his eyes, Tangrowth managing to evade Loki's overpowered Shadow Ball by dragging itself out of the way using its vines that it had hooked into the earth.

Erika didn't even give an order… Tangrowth must have a pre-set order to always release a cloud of sleep powder after a Protect, but I've seen through her strategy… Ezra thought, a dark grin blooming on his face.

"Loki, let's do a fool's gambit." He ordered, his Pokemon giggling, before disappearing in a Shadow Sneak.

"Stay calm, Tangrowth," Erika said softly. "Feel the displaced air, counter with Power Whip."

The mass of vines twitched, lashing out with surprising speed as Loki reemerged behind Tangrowth. Loki immediately Shadow Sneaking to get behind Tangrowth again, and as soon as Tangrowth turned to strike, he did it again, Tangrowth slower now, even as Erika sharply ordered it, "Catch it with Leech Seed!"

Tangrowth extended several vines toward where Loki would arrive, launching a cluster of seeds that would burst into tendrils upon impact. Loki however hadn't shown, not switching into Shadow Sneak, Fool's Gambit was meant to disorient his enemy and make them prepared to turn around and fire, at which point Loki stopped appearing at his enemies back, and fired himself.

Ezra quickly called out his order, even as Tangrowth and Erika realized they'd miscalculated. "Loki, enough playing around. Take this up a notch. Will-O-Wisp."

The Banette hissed, conjuring a barrage of blue flames that orbited him like tiny ghosts. He flung them toward Tangrowth in a rapid spiral, the fire weaving unpredictably through the air. Tangrowth's vines darted upward, attempting to intercept the flames with chunks of earth, but the sheer number of projectiles overwhelmed it. Several flames struck Tangrowth's body, spreading ghostly burns across its vines.

This was now a race against time for Erika, her Pokemon heavily burnt.

Erika's serene smile wavered as she watched Tangrowth flinch from the flames. "Mega Drain," She instructed. "Keep your vines moving behind you."

She winced as Loki managed to sneak in a Shadow Ball attack during that, the three small hyper dense balls slamming into Tangrowth, making it cry out in pain.

Tangrowth's attempt at Mega Drain completely fizzled out. The burns sapped its strength, the extra damage from Loki's attacks beginning to wear it down.

Ezra saw his opening. "Loki, Dark Pulse. Hit it where it hurts!"

Loki let out a gleeful laugh, raising his hands as a swirling vortex of dark energy formed between them. He hurled the Dark Pulse toward Tangrowth. The vortex slammed into Tangrowth with a deafening roar, sending it stumbling back, its vines flailing wildly.

Erika's expression grew tense, her calm demeanor finally showing cracks. "Tangrowth, Grassy Terrain." She ordered, trying to get something out of this bout, acknowledging Tangrowth would lose.

Once again, the Grass grew as green energy suffused it, the field again ideal for Grass Pokemon.

"Loki, end this," Ezra commanded, his voice darkly pleased. "Shadow Ball, don't waste your energy."

Loki summoned another sphere of ghostly energy, instead of condensing and splitting it, this one was larger and more volatile than before. The orb crackled with raw power as he hurled it forward, the attack streaking across the battlefield like a meteor. Tangrowth attempted to shield itself with its vines, but the Shadow Ball tore through them, slamming into its body with a resounding explosion.

The smoke cleared to reveal Tangrowth swaying unsteadily, its vines scorched and its form trembling, before it fell, eyes rolling back. Erika sighed softly, her expression resigned. "Tangrowth, return." She held up its Pokeball, recalling the battered Pokemon in a flash of red light.

The crowd erupted into murmurs, their shock palpable. Loki hovered back toward Ezra, his grin as wide as ever, Ezra smirked, giving him a slight nod of approval.

"Good work, Loki. You'll be my ace in this."

Karen crossed her arms, smirking faintly as she watched Erika prepare her next Pokemon. "He's in her head now. She knows she can't play defense and counter forever, but that means changing styles half way through, not an easy switch to make mentally."

Misty glanced at Karen, her expression still excited as she filmed the encounter. "But Erika's a gym leader, she's probably super smart. She won't go down that easily."

Karen's smirk widened. "Yeah, but Ezra's got momentum. And when he's got that, there's no stopping him, he's got this."

"You really like - like him, huh?" Misty said, an almost dreamy quality to her expression.

Karen choked on her own spit, "D-don't just randomly s-say shit like that!" She said, flustered, her hands waving in front of her as if to wave away the implication.

On the field, the battle continued, with a burst of light, a Victreebel materialized, its massive bell-shaped body swaying slightly as it emitted a sharp, keening cry. The sharp teeth lining its mouth glinted, and its leafy appendages rustled as it locked its eyes onto Loki, Erika's serene mask barely masking the tension beneath.

"Victreebel, Sleep Powder across the field, cover behind yourself," Erika ordered immediately, her tone commanding.

The air shimmered as a cloud of fine blue powder erupted from Victreebel's mouth, spreading rapidly across the field, the miasma of powder behind it ensuring no backstabs were possible without consequences.

Ezra smirked. "Loki, stay out of the cloud and spam Confuse Ray."

Loki cackled as he floated away from the sleep powder, firing off Confuse Rays, Erika's Pokemon all having one thing in common - they weren't exactly speedsters. It was obvious her normal strategy was to play defensive, lay out traps and status effects and then counter.

Something struggling against his team of overpowered offense.

Victreebel was forced to cancel any further attack and utilise Vine Whip simply to toss itself out of the way of the many Confuse Rays coming its way.

"Now," Ezra called casually, Loki so well trained and able to understand him through their connection that he immediately acted, slipping into Shadow Sneak, as Victreebel's dodging had forced it to abandon the cloud of sleep powder slowly drifting down behind its back.

Loki reappeared from the shadow beneath Victreebel, his claws already glowing with ghostly energy. "Now, Shadow Claw!" Ezra commanded, striking out with his own arm dramatically, copying the style of one Lelouch vi Britannia.

The attack landed cleanly, Loki's claws raking across Victreebel's side. The Grass/Poison Pokemon screeched in pain, swaying as it tried to recover.

Erika's facade faltered, even as she ordered. "Victreebel, Leech Seed, then Mega Drain."

The bell-shaped Pokemon retaliated quickly, firing a barrage of seeds that exploded into vines upon contact. The vines whipped through the air, trying to ensnare Loki, who stuck his tongue out playfully as he disappeared, utilizing, "Phantom Force." Almost moving before Ezra said the first syllable.

Ezra's smirk widened as Victreebel failed to get a single hit in. "Getting desperate, yet, Erika?"

Erika's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't respond. "Victreebel, Sludge Bomb in the area the Banette will reappear in."

Victreebel spewed a glob of toxic sludge toward Loki just as he rematerialized, the attack moving fast and splattering dangerously as it hit the ground, splashing up towards him. Loki narrowly avoiding the attack, already knowing about it, so tied into Ezra's aura at the moment.

"Loki, Flamethrower," Ezra ordered suddenly.

The Banette opened his zipper mouth wide, unleashing a stream of fire that roared toward Victreebel. The flames scorched the battlefield, forcing Victreebel to retreat several steps as it shrieked in pain.

"Now, Shadow Ball, full power." Ezra followed up.

Loki conjured small and dense - cut into a trio - swirling orbs of energy in his hands, and hurled it directly at Victreebel. The attack struck the Grass/Poison Pokemon square in the center, sending it skidding back as its cries grew weaker, Erika's cry of Protect coming too late.

Victreebel let out a final cry as the burn took care of what little it had left, before collapsing, its body going limp.

The gym fell silent, the only sound the faint crackle of residual energy dissipating from Loki's attack. Erika stared at her fallen Pokemon for a long moment before recalling it into its Pokeball. She held the ball close to her chest, her eyes closing briefly as she murmured something under her breath.

When she looked up, her serene expression had returned, though there was a flicker of something deeper in her gaze - respect, perhaps, or acceptance. "You've proven yourself, Ezra," She said softly, her voice carrying through the stillness. "Your Banette is a truly remarkable Pokemon. I foresee my defeat."

Ezra smirked, his arms crossed as Loki floated back to his side, looking no worse for wear despite the intensity of the battle. "Thank you, but let's save that for when I've truly beaten you," He said, his tone dripping with confidence.

Erika exhaled softly, her serene mask slipping just enough to reveal a flicker of self recrimination. "You've trained your Banette well," She admitted again, her voice calm but tinged with some annoyance for the first time. "I choose the wrong strategy for this fight, you've certainly taught me to not rest on my laurels. Let's see how well you handle the rest of my team."

Ezra wasn't worried. From her entire demeanor, he was fairly certain she only had her weaker Pokemon left. A Star challenge in technicality was supposed to face a gym leader's best team - but gym leaders had more than six Pokemon, and he doubted all six of these were her starters.

It was up to a gym leader's discretion what they used.

If he had to guess. Vileplume and Venusaur were the only ones that qualified.

She released her next Pokemon. With a burst of light, an Exeggutor materialized, its three heads swiveling in different directions as if surveying the battlefield independently. The towering Grass/Psychic Pokemon swayed slightly, the leaves on its head rustling as it locked onto Loki with its many eyes.

"Exeggutor, start with Psychic. Don't give it any time to maneuver."

The crowd murmured as Exeggutor's eyes glowed, an aura of shimmering psychic energy attempting to surround Loki almost immediately. The Banette however had already slipped into Phantom Force on Ezra's order, one given at the same time as Erika's.

Erika narrowed her eyes, Loki unavailable to attack, but only for so long. "Keep it up. Psychic the second he appears." She ordered.

Ezra simply waited, coolly, his intent already brought forward by his aura and connection to Loki, unaware of the many impressed looks he was getting from the bleachers.

As soon as he reappeared, Loki was already gone via Shadow Sneak.

Loki's grin wide even as the psychic energy crackled around him trying to grasp him. In a flash, Loki reappeared behind Exeggutor with an orange glow already visible in his mouth.

"Now, Flamethrower!" Ezra commanded, at the same time as Erika smiled, saying, "How predictable. Psychic."

Loki choked on his flames, as he was grasped within Psychic's grasp, and slammed into the ground, the Banette's body almost flattening like a pancake.

"Exeggutor, Seed Bomb!" Erika ordered swiftly, hoping to take advantage, and knowing the Psychic wouldn't hold forever.

Exeggutor released a barrage of glowing green seed bombs from its leafy canopy. The seed bombs exploded, seeds ripping through the battlefield in bursts of energy. But Loki had already darted away, disappearing into the shadows once more to appear behind Exeggutor raking across its back with Shadow Claw.

Erika's lips pressed tighter together. "Use Trick Room. Change the flow of the battle."

Exeggutor's eyes glowed again, and a shimmering barrier surrounded the field. Time itself seemed to warp as the Trick Room took effect, shifting the battlefield so slower Pokemon would move faster and the faster Pokemon would move slower.

In this case, the Psychic type would get the first shot as Loki got hampered within the Trick Room.

Ezra raised an eyebrow, his smirk unfaltering. "Cute trick, but speed isn't Loki's only weapon."

Exeggutor Grabbed Loki in Psychic again, but Ezra wasn't about to lose his dominating win. He allowed his aura to flow into Loki, beefing his power up.

To everyone else, especially a wide eyed Erika, it looked like Loki simply tore his way through both the Psychic and the psychic field, leaving Exeggutor reeling from the backlash.

"End it. Shadow Ball, full power. Auto." Ezra commanded, his tone sharp. It would be tiring, but he was feeding his 'mon energy, so it was fine.

The Banette cackled, summoning the three small swirling vortexes of ghostly energy in his hands again. The technique shot forward, followed by another and another, as Loki spammed it, all of them slamming into Exeggutor with devastating force. The Grass/Psychic Pokemon toppled, its three heads letting out synchronized groans before falling silent.

Erika recalled her fainted Pokemon with a graceful motion, though her brow furrowed slightly. "I'm seeing a lot of new things today…" She remarked.

She tossed another Pokeball into the air, her last one. With a burst of light, her Roserade arrived. It stood tall, its vibrant bouquet-like arms flexing as it prepared for battle.

"Roserade, Venom Drench. Flood the battlefield."

Roserade spun gracefully, releasing a slew of poisonous sludge that quickly spread across the arena. The purple wave rushed forward ominously, threatening to engulf Loki entirely.

Ezra didn't hesitate. "Loki, clear a path. Flamethrower."

Loki opened his zipper mouth, unleashing a torrent of fire that roared through the poisonous sludge. The flames burned away the toxic wave in a straight line, leaving nothing but scorched ground in the wake. The crowd gasped at the display, but Ezra's expression remained impassive as Loki's form slipped through, cackling all the while.

"Follow it up with Shadow Ball," He ordered at the same time as Erika ordered a repeat, a resigned expression on her face, already aware of her loss.

Loki wasted no time, hurling a normal - if boosted by his auras - sphere of ghostly energy toward Roserade. The Grass Pokemon tried to dodge, but the Shadow Ball was too fast, striking it directly and sending it skidding backward.

Erika let out a soft sigh, recalling her Roserade rather than allow it to take more damage in a foregone conclusion. "You're relentless," She admitted, her voice calm but strained. "You're certainly not an average trainer…"

Her eyes pierced his for a few moments, as Erika seemed to mull something over, but eventually she just shook her head, as the referee called out the victor.

Erika opened her eyes, her expression calm once more. "You've proven your skill, Ezra. I concede this match." She offered him a faint smile. "Your Banette is truly exceptional. I underestimated you."

Ezra chuckled, his red eyes gleaming with pride. "You're not the first. And you won't be the last." He paused for a moment, "Good match." He acknowledged with an honest smile.

Erika stepped forward, her graceful demeanor intact despite her loss. She extended a hand to Ezra, her smile faint but genuine. "Congratulations," She said. "You've earned this victory." With the other hand, she brought out a star badge for conquering the Grass Gym.

Ezra took her hand briefly, his smirk softening just enough to appear gracious. "Thanks. You put up a good fight." He glanced down at Loki, who was already spinning in lazy circles as if bored. "But you were never going to win this one."

Erika chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Perhaps not. But it was an honor to face you. I'll be interested to see how far you go."

Ezra smiled dangerously, "Keep an eye out, I'll be the best soon enough."

----------------------------------------

The crowd in Celadon Gym had mostly dispersed after Ezra's decisive victory over Erika, though the energy still lingered in the air like the fading scent of flowers. Ezra stood near the battlefield, his arms crossed and his expression carefully neutral as a reporter from the local news chattered away, a microphone shoved almost uncomfortably close to his face.

It had been bound to happen eventually, a news station cottoning on to what he was doing, or getting a tip from one of the gym leaders.

It was good for him, no doubt. More exposure didn't hurt, it would make it easier for him once his online presence took off.

But reporters were just so annoying.

They were only finally getting to the battle, the reporter wasting ten minutes going over his background and the names of his Pokemon…

"Ezra Kassian, an impressive victory! Erika herself called your performance today remarkable - how does it feel to claim your latest gym badge in such a dominating fashion?"

Ezra shrugged, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It feels like I did what I came to do. Erika's a strong opponent, no doubt, but my team's prepared for anything."

The reporter's eyes gleamed, clearly hoping for such a boastful answer, Ezra kept his tone measured as he continued. "I've always said it's about the work you put in before the battle. Winning here just shows that work is paying off."

Cheating helps too, he thought with some amusement as the reporter immediately continued peppering him with questions.

"And what about your Banette, Loki? It was absolutely relentless out there! A future fan favorite for sure - what's your secret to such a high level of coordination?"

Ezra tilted his head slightly, considering his words. "There's no secret. It's just trust and a lot of training. Loki knows I expect him to think on his feet and adapt. I give him the tools, but he makes the choices."

The reporter nodded eagerly, glancing back at the cameraman for a moment. "One last question - what's next for you, Ezra? With several star badges under your belt, are you looking to make history? No one's ever completed a circuit with a full set of Johto and Kanto star badges."

Ezra leaned forward, a cocky smirk on his face, his red eyes gleaming faintly under the gym's soft lights. "Next? We keep going and keep crushing the opposition. I'll face whatever's next and keep proving we belong at the top, taking home that record. Simple as that."

That should ensure he'd make the news. People loved that shit. Half to see an unlikely journey to the top - half hoping to see him crash and burn.

But either way, the news media would be all over it, because hate it or love it - people would follow it.

The reporter beamed. "Thank you for your time! Congratulations again on your victory, and best of luck on the road ahead!"

Ezra gave her a small nod, already turning to leave before she'd even finished her sign-off. Misty and Karen were waiting near the bleachers, and Loki floated lazily beside him, his zipper mouth stretched wide in his usual mischievous grin. Ezra was ready to regroup and move on when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Impressive battle," Giovanni said smoothly, stepping forward from the shadows of the gym's side entrance. His sharp suit and polished shoes looked out of place in the natural ambiance of the gym, his presence commanding attention with an ease born of experience.

Ezra's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly, though he quickly masked it with a polite smile. "Gym leader Giovanni, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

That probably explains why a news crew was hanging around, he thought, chagrined.

The Viridian City Gym Leader chuckled, his deep voice resonating across the now-quiet battlefield, his friends keeping their distance, seeing who he was with. "I was in town for other business and heard you'd be challenging Erika. Naturally, I couldn't resist watching. Your reputation is growing quickly, Ezra."

Ezra nodded slightly, keeping his tone neutral. "Glad you enjoyed the show." What does he want…? He couldn't help but wonder.

Giovanni's dark eyes studied him for a moment, as though weighing something in his mind. "I see good things in you, young Ezra. You remind me of some of the finest trainers I've seen rise through Kanto, trainers I've helped along the way. Strong, determined, and unafraid to push boundaries. We need more young trainers like you - patriots who care about Kanto's strength and future."

Ezra kept his face impassive, though inwardly he was already wary of Giovanni's words. "I appreciate the compliment," He said carefully. "But I'm aiming to achieve things on my own terms. I don't want to be under anyone's umbrella."

If he refused to be under Agathas's thumb, he certainly wasn't about to put himself under Giovanni's.

Giovanni smiled faintly, as though he'd expected the answer. "A noble sentiment. And one I can respect." His tone shifted slightly, becoming softer, almost paternal. "You're ambitious, Ezra, and ambition can be a double-edged sword. But with the right support, it can change the world, keep that in mind should you ever need a helping hand, or even just a word of advice."

Ezra met Giovanni's gaze head-on, his expression polite but distant. "I prefer to forge my own path, for better or worse."

This was playing with his head. Was this a low key recruitment effort? An attempt to get him somewhere for a proper kidnapping? Or was Giovanni being serious?

Either way, he would obviously not take the man up on the offer.

The older man chuckled, seemingly unbothered by Ezra's lack of enthusiasm. Almost weirdly unbothered actually. How many people told him no, nowadays?

"Fair enough. Candor is a rare quality these days, and I appreciate it." He paused, his tone taking on a more pointed edge. "But tell me - for my own curiosity, how are you holding up after your ordeal with Team Rocket? That must've been… Unsettling."

Ezra's entire body tensed, though he fought to keep his voice steady. "How do you know about that?"

He already knew the League was a leaky mess, but he couldn't act like he knew, so the question had to be asked.

Giovanni waved a hand dismissively, his smile remaining firmly in place. "Oh, I have friends in high places, as you can imagine. It's part of the territory when you've served as a war hero and gym leader for as long as I have. News like that doesn't stay hidden for long."

He shook his head, a frown on his face, "It's unfortunate that they appeared so heavy handed towards such a bright young man."

Ezra clenched his fists at his sides, though he managed to keep his tone dry. "I am handling my experience just fine. It was unfortunate for them, I suppose. But when you're dealing with terrorists, you can't expect to find thoughtful, intelligent people. That's why they're terrorists, they're too stupid to know better."

Giovanni's eyes glinted with something unreadable, his smile widening slightly, showing more teeth. "True. But I imagine their interest in you wasn't entirely random. With your growing fame, it's likely they intended to recruit you. A mistake, no doubt, on some subordinate's part to attack you in such a way."

Ezra's heart raced, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. Was that a veiled admission? Giovanni had wanted to recruit him, not take him? He couldn't trust it. "That sounds unlikely," He said, his tone cold. "But mistakes happen now and then, to people high and low."

Giovanni tilted his head, his smile never faltering. "Indeed. Food for thought, perhaps. But it doesn't matter now. What's done is done, they've overstepped and were properly punished."

Ezra nodded curtly, his mind racing. Every instinct screamed at him to finish this and get away, to not let Giovanni prod at him any longer. "If that's all, sir, I should get going. Don't want to keep my team waiting."

Giovanni stepped back, his tone as smooth and polished as ever. "Of course. I won't hold you up any longer. Good luck on your journey, Ezra. I'll be watching your career with great interest."

Ezra gave a polite nod, his expression unreadable. "Appreciate it."

As Giovanni turned and walked away, his polished shoes clicking softly against the floor, Ezra let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Loki floated beside him, his mischievous grin replaced with something almost contemplative as he watched Giovanni leave - eyes flicking to Ezra, who shook his head immediately. Nope, no way!

Spying on Giovanni was a bad idea. If anyone could detect a Ghost hiding in his shadow, it was that man.

He appreciated Loki's initiative, but that was just an all around huge risk he couldn't take.

Ezra's thoughts churned as he made his way back to Karen and Misty, who had been watching the exchange from a distance. He could feel their questioning gazes as he approached, but he offered no explanation, his mind still preoccupied with Giovanni's words.

"That looked... Intense," Karen said cautiously, "What did he want?"

"Nothing important," Ezra replied, his tone clipped. "Just making small talk."

Misty frowned, clearly unconvinced, but Karen didn't push further. "Well, whatever it was, at least you didn't end up challenging him or something, you would have been wrecked."

Ezra didn't respond, his gaze distant as they left the gym. Giovanni's words echoed in his mind, a subtle warning hidden beneath layers of charm and civility.

That or a veiled recruitment offer.

Food for thought…

What did he know that he wants me that badly?

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