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Pewter City, Kanto.

Ezra leaned against the sturdy wooden fence lining the outskirts of his stables training grounds, his eyes lazily following his Pokemon as they practiced their moves. The early afternoon sun shone brightly over the field, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, making for an idyllic scene. It was a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of training, dealing with Karen, and planning his next steps.

His Pokedex buzzed loudly, breaking the tranquility. Ezra glanced at the screen and saw his lawyer's name flashing. He sighed, then tapped the accept button, the screen flickering as the familiar face of his lawyer, a sharp-eyed man named Mark Marcus, appeared.

"Mister Kassian, good to see you," Mark greeted, his voice calm and businesslike. The background of his office looked busy, papers scattered on the desk behind him and several file folders open. "I've got some news you'll want to hear."

Ezra raised an eyebrow, straightening up. "Let me guess, you found something good?"

Mark nodded, his expression serious. "I managed to track down a few Porygon for sale. The price is steep, but they're in excellent condition - It's a significant investment, but if you're serious about your project, it's worth it."

Ezra's eyes gleamed with interest. "How steep are we talking?" Not that it matters, even if it cleans me out, I still have to eat the cost. It will be worth it…

Mark glanced down at a set of notes. "700 hundred thousand each. I know it's a lot, but these are hard to come by, and they're the perfect foundation for your planned network."

"Seven hundred..." Ezra muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Expensive, but it's not like I can go digging for them in Silph Co's HQ." He smirked, then nodded decisively. "Buy them. All of them. Make it happen, I'll make the money back soon enough."

Mark smiled, jotting down the confirmation. "Understood. I'll take care of it. But there's another matter - if you want to get the most out of these Porygon, you'll need someone skilled in programming and computer systems. I've started looking, but experts in this field are hard to come by and usually get snapped up by Silph or a Pokemon Professor. It won't be an easy thing to find, especially ones willing to relocate to Lavender Town."

Ezra sighed. "Figures. How bad is it?" I won't move away from Lavender Town as my seat of business. That's non-negotiable, I'll own that town one day, that's just how it's going to be.

"So far, no top-tier candidates. I've got a few who could handle basic maintenance and troubleshooting, but nothing beyond that. No one who can really push the limits of what those Porygon can do."

The Porygons were amazing in both ensuring computer security and in performing tasks in cyberspace. But to really use them to their fullest, you needed a programmer who could utilize them properly. It was all well and good to order a Porygon to set up a YouTube like kind of set up - but even explaining what you mean by that - is unlikely to get the response you'd like, the Pokemon thinking very differently from the human ordering it.

A programmer could bridge that gap by speaking in a language the Porygon would be able to understand every detail of.

If Ezra was going to manage to bolster his fame and influence by kickstarting the social media revolution and Pokemon battles streamed online - he needed people that could do the job and run the Porygons for him. He wasn't going in half assed - or someone better financed would take his idea and run with it with a better set up before he could get going.

In a world that didn't yet have social media or live streaming, the amount of soft power he could gather by ensuring the algorithm sent all the impressionable idiots across the continent to his feed and his battles… Once that was working properly, he'd be able to protect himself from League overreach, Agatha wouldn't be able to strong-arm him with public support on his side instead of the Elite Four's.

It was the main reason behind why he hadn't fought Agatha harder, because between the two of them, she not only had the league at her back - but she'd win any public relations battle without even trying.

"Then keep looking," Ezra said firmly, not willing to leave this to just the Porygon. "If you can't find anyone experienced, look for students, interns - people who are eager to learn and work their asses off. We'll train them ourselves on the job if we have to. I want a team that will be able to learn and know those Porygon inside and out. They'll be integral to everything I have planned."

Mark nodded, making another note. "I'll spread the word. We'll find the right people, even if it takes a little time."

Ezra nodded decisively, someone will bite, it might just take longer to set everything up with some rookie programmers, but they'll at least learn from the ground up and be intimately familiar with the Porygon and my planned set up, "Any reports on the farm and Devon Corp?" He switched subjects to the other job his lawyer had.

Mark checked a few files, which Ezra was fairly certain was for show, he'd eat his Pidgeot if the man didn't have all this memorized already. "Progressing. Slowly, but it's happening. The buildings are going up, and hiring is already underway, but they're still a week or two out from being able to accept any Pokemon. Full production is even further off. Training trustworthy people takes time, even with most of them coming from Devon Corp, filled out with some Lavender natives for the lower end jobs."

Ezra's expression remained steadfast. "It's a big undertaking. Just make sure you tell them on my behalf to not rush it. You need a solid foundation before you start scaling up - and our business plan isn't worth much if the first employees all sell to the highest bidder instead of remaining loyal."

They'd sue the pants off them of course, but shutting the barn door after everyone's already escaped did little to fix the issue.

"I will advise them of your thoughts, Mister Kassian. I'm sure, considering it's Steven Stone we're dealing with, that this particular issue won't arise." Mark said calmly, "Although trust but verify is a very wise strategy in business as well as life."

"That's your advice as a lawyer?" Ezra asked, smirking.

Mark chuckled good naturedly. "As a lawyer and as a man, that particular advice will never steer you wrong in life. Trusting people is a nice sentiment, but verifying that they're worthy of that trust is more important. I'll keep you updated on the Porygon situation and anything else that comes up, I had nothing else to discuss, if that is all, Mister Kassian?"

"It is, Mark. And thanks for everything. Really."

Mark gave him a nod. "That's what you're paying me for. I'll be in touch." With that, the screen blinked off, and Ezra was left staring at his reflection in the darkened screen of his Pokedex.

He tucked the device back into his pocket, lost in thought for a moment. Trust but verify, huh? Ezra decided that it wouldn't hurt to have another lawyer take a look at Mark's work. The lesson wasn't wrong, and lawyers had a reputation - not that he believed Mark was crooked…

But lawyers…

It wouldn't hurt to double check things, considering how much of his plans would be run through his lawyer.

"Something big going on?" A voice asked, breaking through his musings.

Ezra glanced up to see Karen leaning against the fence a few feet away, her arms crossed and a curious expression on her face. She'd been hanging around closer than usual lately, not quite a shadow but always nearby, watching and occasionally offering a caustic comment or two. Or sometimes even pleasant small talk.

Almost like a normal person and everything.

"Nothing that concerns you," Ezra said with a playful smirk, knowing full well it would irritate her. Normal is overrated, I like her more when there's steam coming out of her ears.

Karen's eyes narrowed. "Come on, you've been on that call for forever. What's so important?"

Ezra shrugged, playing it off. "Just some business stuff. Boring legal crap."

"Boring legal crap doesn't make your eyes light up like that," Karen retorted, clearly not buying it. "I saw that look on your face. You're planning something."

"Me? Plan something?" Ezra placed a hand on his chest, feigning innocence. "I'm hurt, Karen. You make me sound so... Nefarious." For effect he chuckled darkly, rubbing his hands together.

Karen rolled her eyes. "You're dodging the question, Kassian. What's up with the Porygon anyway? Those aren't exactly your style."

Ezra chuckled, enjoying the game, not surprised she'd caught that particular key word in the conversation, he hadn't bothered to be quiet after all. "Who says I don't have a techie side? Maybe I'm branching out."

"Yeah, right," Karen scoffed. "There's no way you'd ever sit and work at a computer, it's not amusing enough for you. You're more likely to punch a computer than program it. So what's really going on?"

Ezra raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Karen's jaw tightened. "I swear, if you don't start giving me some answers - "

Oooh, someone's getting pushy… It's cute how you think I have to answer to you, Karen…

"Or what?" Ezra interrupted, leaning casually against the fence. "You'll tattle to Agatha? Oh wait, she wouldn't care because it's not Ghost Pokemon related, and you're already her little bitch aren't you? Shooting to embarrass yourself more?"

Karen glared at him, her cheeks flushing slightly with frustration. "You are the most infuriating person I've ever met." She bit out.

"I've been told it's one of my more endearing qualities," Ezra said smoothly, lying without a care.

"By who, a masochist?" Karen shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ezra laughed, the sound genuine and relaxed. "Touché. But seriously, I'm not telling you everything because it's not ready yet. Let's just say it's part of my big evil master plan, and you'll find out soon enough. You're tagging along whether you like it or not, remember? So have some patience…"

Karen sighed, clearly frustrated but resigned. "Fine, keep your secrets. But I'm watching you, Kassian. And if you try to pull anything -"

"You'll what? Report back to Agatha? Is that the only trick you've got in your playbook? How… Minion of you, soon you'll be calling out I'll tell mommy on you too…" Ezra teased, his tone light but mocking. "She's the one who stuck you with me, remember? If you can't handle a few surprises without holding onto her hand, maybe you're not cut out for this."

Give me a month, and she won't even want to report anything that's not major…

Karen bristled at that, but she didn't rise to the bait this time. Instead, she took a deep breath, visibly calming herself. "Just... Don't get us both into trouble, alright?"

Ezra's expression softened slightly, the playful edge fading for a moment, it couldn't all be mocking and teasing after all, that would only build resentment. "Don't worry, Karen. I've got this under control."

Karen eyed him skeptically. "You better. Because if you don't, I've got no problem just dragging you to indigo."

Ezra nodded, his eyes serious, even if he wanted to roll his eyes. "Understood. Now, let's get back to training. I've got a few new ideas I want to try out, and I could use an extra pair of eyes."

Karen blinked, taken aback by the unexpected request. "You're... Asking for my help?"

Ezra shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're here, aren't you? Might as well put you to work, you do know your stuff with Dark Pokemon."

Karen hesitated, seemingly unsure, then she nodded slowly. "Fine. But if this is some kind of trick -"

"Relax," Ezra interrupted with a chuckle. "I promise, no tricks. Just training. For now, anyway."

Karen rolled her eyes again but followed him back toward the training grounds.

Ezra watched her walk, a thoughtful expression on his face. Did Agatha send her to me so she could spy? I wonder… Or so she could finally learn to reign in her emotions?

It was a thought, because she certainly wasn't spy material.

Watching her walk away is quite pleasant too..

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Later that evening,

Ezra and Karen lounged around the stable, the sun setting in a fiery blaze over the distant treetops. The day had been filled with training, both of them instructing their teams, sweating half their body weight away in the heat - but now the evening air was cooler, filled with the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional cry of wild Pokemon in the distance.

Karen leaned against the side of the stable, her arms crossed as she watched Ezra tinker with one of the saddles he had gotten for his Pidgeot, idly adjusting the straps. "So, what's the plan?" She asked, trying to keep her voice casual. "You've been training like crazy, but where are we heading next?"

Ezra glanced up, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I was thinking we'd hit up the first Johto gym while the whole Porygon thing gets sorted out on my side, that way we can return to Kanto when I'm called back for that."

Karen raised an eyebrow, anticipation creeping into her expression. "Which gym are you thinking of?"

He smirked, turning his attention back to the saddle. "That's a sec~ret."

Her eyes narrowed, irritation flaring up. "Seriously? What's the point of hiding that? We're both going to the same place, so it's not like I won't know once we arrive." She complained, nostrils flaring.

Ezra shrugged, clearly enjoying her frustration. I need to settle down on this, but she makes it so damn easy! "If it's that obvious, you don't need me to tell you anyway, do you?"

He would defend himself with the fact that at least it was only light teasing at this point. As a guy he had needs. And poking and prodding Karen for such delicious reactions was just too addicting.

Karen took a deep breath, visibly holding back a retort. "Do you even know anything about Johto's gyms, or are you just winging it as usual?" She grumbled.

Ezra paused, looking at her with mild amusement. "Why don't you enlighten me… Miss Expert? Make yourself useful since you're freeloading off my land and my food."

Karen's jaw tightened at that dig, but she didn't rise to the bait. "I'm not a freeloader," She muttered, though her tone lacked its usual heat. She straightened, shifting into a more serious stance. "Fine. Johto has eight gyms, and each specializes in a different type. You have Falkner in Violet City with Flying types, Cicada in Azalea Town with Bug types, Whitney in Goldenrod City, a Normal-type specialist."

Ezra listened quietly as she went on, her voice gaining a hint of passion as she continued on about her home's gyms. "Then you have Morty in Ecruteak City, Ghost types, the only one worth anything according to Lady Agatha… Chuck in Cianwood City, who uses Fighting types, Jasmine in Olivine City, with Steel types, Pryce has returned to Mahogany Town, with his Ice types. And finally, there's Claire in Blackthorn City with Dragon types. Each gym has its own challenges and unique setups, although most are a simple 3 vs 3 for the early badges."

Ezra's expression was thoughtful as he absorbed the information, of course he already knew most of this, except he supposed he was early enough in the timeline that Bugsy wasn't a gym leader yet in Azalea town. "Not bad," He admitted, his tone almost sincere. "So, Miss Expert, which gym do you think we should start with?"

Karen's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You're asking me for my opinion now? What's the catch?"

"No catch," Ezra said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just curious to see if you have any ideas."

Karen snorted, clearly not buying his innocent act. "I think Violet City would be the logical choice. Start at the beginning, face Falkner. He's not too tough, but his Flying types can be tricky if you're not prepared to deal with them, not that I think you'd have difficulties..."

Ezra nodded slowly, though he didn't confirm her suggestion. "Interesting." My advantage in typing is already going to give me a leg up anyway against most, but I already have my first target picked anyway.

Karen sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Whatever. I'm heading to bed. You do whatever crazy thing you're planning."

Ezra watched her go, a thoughtful look on his face. Once she was out of sight, he turned his attention back to the stable, his expression hardening. As he moved, two shadowy forms detached themselves from his own, the ghostly shapes of a Gengar and a Misdreavous emerging silently into the night air.

"Follow her." He instructed, his voice low but firm. "Once she's asleep, use Hypnosis and make sure she stays that way. Both of you stay with her, out of sight. If she wakes up early, one of you will come warn me, and the other follows her. If she doesn't go to sleep in the next hour, one of you will come and notify me."

The two Ghost Pokemon nodded, their forms shimmering in the dim light before they vanished, melting into the shadows and disappearing. Ezra watched them go, his expression calm but his mind racing. Agatha really thought sending Karen to spy would achieve much of anything? He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. He should be grateful the old witch was making it so easy for him.

There were so many ways to get around this whole thing it was ridiculous, and that wasn't even mentioning how likely it was he could subvert Karen eventually once he got powerful enough and his business took off. Whatever hold Agatha had, he could probably offer her something better. For now, just making sure she slept nice and tight would be enough.

He waited another hour, his gaze flicking occasionally toward the house where Karen was occupying the guest room. No sign of his Pokemon returning meant she had gone to sleep as planned and had been put under conclusively. Good. The last thing he needed was her meddling in his own training, the thing he was definitely not willing to openly share with Agatha.

He shook his head at how different they were, him and Karen. Perhaps if they were out camping she would have let one of her Dark Pokemon stand guard - but here, she'd entirely let her guard down because it was a house, they were in civilization, and so she had no protection against his Ghosts putting her under for the night.

Ezra didn't sleep anywhere without being under guard. But they were obviously different types of people.

Satisfied that everything was under control, Ezra walked over and sat down in the middle of the stable, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs, and then slowly exhaled, letting his mind settle into a state of calm focus.

He reached out with his senses, feeling the familiar, comforting weight of his aura around him. It was like a second skin, an extension of himself that he could mold and shape at will. He let it expand, stretching out to encompass the entire field, the shadows deepening and swirling around him like a living thing.

Ezra's shadow began to shift, tendrils of darkness unfurling from beneath him, wrapping around his form. He could feel the power thrumming through him, the connection to the dark and ghostly energies that he had cultivated for so long. It was a part of him now, as natural as breathing. Albeit sometimes… Difficult to direct.

He concentrated, letting his aura flow through him, feeling the pulse of each of his Pokemon's energy in the field around him. He could sense them all - Nyx, Rider, Loki, and the rest - each one a distinct presence, a unique signature of power and personality. They were his tools, his partners, and he would do whatever it took to make them stronger because it would make him stronger.

Did he love them in the same way others loved their Pokemon? Perhaps not. But he was fond of them, perhaps it was even love? He wasn't very experienced with most positive emotions, so who knew? He knew he cared about them, but how far would that stretch…

Maybe one day he'd find out. Would have to choose between sacrificing one of them or not. He was curious what his answer would be.

His shadow shifted again, thickening and darkening as it enveloped him completely, blocking out the world around him. He felt the familiar tug of the dark energies, pulling at his mind, trying to draw him deeper into the void. He welcomed it albeit cautiously, letting the darkness wash over him, consuming him, until there was nothing left but the still, quiet emptiness of his own thoughts.

He stayed like that for a long time, letting his mind drift in the absolute quiet of the dark, his body still and relaxed. He could feel the power within him growing, the connection to his Pokemon's auras strengthening.

When he finally opened his eyes, the shadows around him receded, the darkness dissipating as he stood up, stretching his limbs. The night was still and quiet, the stars twinkling overhead like tiny pinpricks of light. He felt refreshed, energized, ready for whatever came next.

Karen might have been sent to spy on him, but she had no idea what she was dealing with. Agatha might have thought she could control him, but he was determined to prove otherwise. He had his own path to follow, his own destiny to shape, and he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way.

Agatha or the Champion, Team Rocket or Ash Ketchum, no one was going to mess up his plans.

No one!

With a final glance toward the house, where Karen lay sleeping under the watchful eyes of his Ghost Pokemon, Ezra turned and headed back toward the training area, where he spent another hour checking up on his Pokemon, before calling it a night. He had a lot to do, and not much time to do it. But for now, he would rest. Tomorrow was another day, and he needed to be ready.

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Cianwood city, Johto,

Ezra and Karen finally descended from the sky, their Pokemon swooping down toward the coastline of Cianwood City. The trip from Pewter to the western edge of Johto had been a long, arduous journey, with strong winds and swirling sea breezes battering them the entire way. It had been hours upon hours on the wing of Ezra's Pidgeot and Karen's Honchkrow, and both trainers were exhausted by the time they spotted the seaside city's colorful rooftops and sandy beaches below.

As they landed, Pidgeot's powerful wings flapped, stirring up sand as the bird set Ezra gently down on the beach. Honchkrow wasn't quite as graceful, her landing a bit more abrupt as Karen stumbled slightly on the soft ground, catching herself with a huff of annoyance.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Ugh, that was a nightmare," Karen muttered, brushing sand off her outfit and trying to smooth her windswept hair. "My back is killing me... Why couldn't we have just taken a longer route on land?"

Ezra gave Pidgeot a pat before recalling the bird Pokemon to its Pokeball. "Too slow. I wanted to get here as soon as possible."

Karen rolled her eyes, still stretching out her sore muscles. "Yeah, well, next time maybe consider that not everyone wants to feel like a ragdoll in the wind for hours on end. We could've taken a break somewhere along the way at least."

"We could have," Ezra agreed, a slight grin tugging at his lips, "But then I wouldn't have gotten to see you all flustered and complaining."

She shot him a withering glare. "Ha ha. Very funny. You're the one who looks like a Mankey tried to do your hair." She fired back, trying to hide the twitching of her lips at the end.

Ezra ran a hand through his tangled mess of white spiky hair and shrugged. "Charming, as always. But seriously, we're here now, right? Let's not waste any more time." He glanced around, taking in the picturesque view of Cianwood City. "I've got a gym to challenge."

Karen rounded on Ezra, hands on her hips, her face scrunched in irritation. "Why did you even bother asking me about the gyms if you were just going to ignore everything I said?"

Someone's held that in the entire journey, he thought with amusement, the winds had made conversation on the way impossible.

Ezra smirked, casually adjusting the strap of his backpack. "Because you're cute when you're angry."

Karen's mouth dropped open, her eyes widening in disbelief even as she blushed. "Shut up! Don't make this weird!"

He pointed at her, his grin widening. "See? ~Cute."

She blushed furiously, crossing her arms and looking away, her face a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "You're impossible," She muttered under her breath. Deciding to give up on arguing with him for now, she took a deep breath, trying to cool her temper. If she kept going, it would only give him more material to tease her with, and she wasn't in the mood to be his amusement any longer today.

Ezra chuckled to himself, satisfied with her reaction. He turned away, glancing around at their surroundings. The streets were cobbled, and colorful market stalls lined the road leading up from the beachfront, selling everything from freshly caught seafood to hand crafted trinkets and souvenirs. It was a picturesque, peaceful town, the kind of place that seemed to move at a slower, more relaxed pace compared to the bustling cities of Kanto, or the ones at the center of Johto.

Cianwood was a city unlike any other in Johto. Nestled on a small peninsula jutting into the sea, it was surrounded by clear, sparkling water on one side, and cliffs on the others. The buildings were a mix of traditional wood and stone, with vibrant tiled roofs and wide, open verandas to catch the sea breeze. The streets were paved with smooth cobblestones, and the air was filled with the sound of waves gently crashing against the shore and Wingull calling out overhead.

The beach stretched out along the eastern edge of the city, the golden sands dotted with clusters of driftwood, smooth pebbles, and shells glinting in the sunlight. Farther out, the ocean was a deep, mesmerizing blue, with the occasional Mantine gliding gracefully through the water. Small fishing boats bobbed near the docks, their nets hanging out to dry, while a few sailors went about their business, calling out greetings to each other.

As they made their way off the beach and onto the main road, Karen's Honchkrow hopped alongside her, its beady eyes scanning the surroundings suspiciously. "You know, this place is actually kind of nice," Karen admitted reluctantly. "Almost makes up for that nightmare flight."

Ezra glanced over at her, his eyes still taking in the sights. "Told you it'd be worth it. And I'll make it even more worthwhile by thrashing Chuck in front of everyone."

Karen scoffed. "Right. That's assuming you don't get tossed out on your ass first. He's a tough gym leader. No-nonsense, all power. Even for your type advantage, this might be a bit much, I'm sure he has a way around that."

Ezra just shrugged again, his smirk widening. "Guess we'll see. A Fighting type expert sounds like the perfect test for Akuma."

"Akuma?" Karen frowned, thinking for a moment. "Oh, your… Annihilape, right?"

"Yep," Ezra said proudly, palming the Pokeball on his belt. "And I'm betting Chuck's going to love getting his ass handed to him by it."

Karen shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You really are insufferable."

"Thanks, I try."

They walked along the cobbled streets, passing by small shops and houses painted in bright blues and whites, their windowsills adorned with potted flowers. A few kids were playing in the street, their laughter ringing out as they chased after each other with a couple of Growlithe joining in. Some of the locals nodded in greeting as they passed, clearly recognizing the sight of traveling trainers.

Karen glanced around at the town as they moved deeper into the heart of the city. "I've heard Cianwood has some of the best herbal medicine in the region. Stuff that can put most potions to shame. Maybe we should stock up before your big showdown. In case Chuck pounds you into the dirt." She suggested.

Ezra snorted. "Always so supportive. But sure, we can check out the shops after I win the badge. No need for the emergency medicine for my side of the fight." Plus I'm rapidly running out of money until the farm starts up - what with my expenditure.

They passed by a couple of small restaurants, the scent of grilled fish and freshly baked bread making Karen's stomach growl softly. Ezra caught the sound and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Hungry?"

She shot him a look, but it lacked its usual bite. "Starving, actually. That flight burned through whatever energy I had left." Her right eye twitched, "Someone was in too much of a rush to let us eat breakfast…" She reminded him.

Ezra smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, can't have my lovely assistant fainting from hunger. Let's grab something before I head to the gym."

Karen rolled her eyes. "You are not funny, you know that?"

"I think I'm hilarious," Ezra said with haughtily as he led them toward a nearby food stall. The vendor, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, greeted them warmly and offered them a selection of seafood skewers, fresh fruits, and chilled drinks.

Ezra handed over some cash and bought them both a couple of skewers loaded with grilled Magikarp and vegetables, along with some chilled coconut water. He passed one of each to Karen, who took them with a reluctant nod of thanks.

"Better?" He asked after she took a few bites.

She gave a small, begrudging nod. "Yeah. Thanks."

"See, I'm not always a jerk."

"Just most of the time," Karen muttered, but there was no heat in her words. She took another bite of her skewer, chewing thoughtfully before speaking again. "You probably haven't been paying attention, but it's probably for the best that you don't go near Mahogany town for now..."

Ezra glanced at her. "Oh?"

"Yeah. Pryce's gym has been practically impossible to beat lately. After he lost the champion spot to Lance, he went back to Mahogany and started making every trainer's life hell. He's taking out his frustration on anyone who dares to challenge him."

Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's kind of… Pathetic."

Karen snorted. "Yeah, sore loser. Lady Agatha always said he was too proud for his own good and only half as clever as he thought."

Ezra laughed. "Maybe I'll swing by Mahogany and knock some sense into him after I'm done here."

Karen smirked. "Dummy, I just told you so you wouldn't, but maybe I'd pay to see that - you getting crushed by Pryce. But Chuck first. He's no slouch, and he's not going to take you lightly. You've got your work cut out for you."

Ezra's grin turned dark, his fingers brushing over Akuma's Pokeball again. "I'm counting on it. I want to give Akuma a real showcase of a debut, and Chuck's just the guy to provide it."

They finished their snacks and continued through the town, the gym now in sight, a large, imposing building with a traditional dojo design. The heavy wooden doors were flanked by two stone pillars, and the symbol of the gym - a clenched fist - was emblazoned above the entrance.

Karen stopped just outside, turning to face Ezra with a questioning look. "Why this gym, anyway?" She asked, delaying their entrance for just a moment, curious.

Ezra's smirk turned darker, more dangerous as he palmed the Pokeball at his belt. "Because Annihilape needs a good place to debut," He said, his voice low. "And a Fighting type trainer will appreciate being beat up by a Fighting type, right?" half fighting type anyway…

Karen's eyebrows shot up, and she gave him a skeptical look. "I'm not sure it works that way."

Ezra chuckled, twirling the Pokeball idly between his fingers. "Maybe not. But I'm sure everyone's going to have fun." Me, it's me that's going to have fun…

Karen scoffed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Yeah, fighting you is the opposite of fun." She drawled out, punching him in the shoulder.

Ezra winked at her, trying to not flinch, because ow... "I'm sure Chuck will be thrilled to get his ass kicked by a Fighting-type. It's poetic justice or something."

Karen rolled her eyes again, she seemed to do that alot around him. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"

"I aim to please," Ezra said, his tone light. "Now, let's get this done, Akuma is dying to do battle!"

They stood there for a moment, the anticipation hanging between them like a tangible thing. Karen watched Ezra closely, her irritation from earlier forgotten in the face of his determination and confidence. She had to admit, as much as he drove her crazy, there was something undeniably compelling about his intensity, his drive to win and push himself to the limit.

She sighed, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. "Just try not to get yourself beat up too badly, okay? I'd hate to have to explain to Lady Agatha why her new favorite got flattened by Chuck." She drawled out, putting a dark emphasis on the word favorite.

Ezra laughed, his eyes glinting with dark amusement at her irritation, "Don't worry about me, Karen."

He turned and headed toward the gym doors, his stride confident and sure. Karen watched him go, a mixture of exasperation and begrudging admiration in her gaze. He was reckless, unpredictable, and more than a little insane - but he was also determined and fiercely capable. She couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for him, despite his many, many flaws.

Mostly because he did beat her. So if he wasn't at least slightly competent, she'd have to kill herself in shame.

"Good luck, idiot," She muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she pushed off the wall and followed him into the gym.

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

Ezra pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the Cianwood Gym, his boots clapping against the smooth wooden floor. The interior of the gym was impressive, styled like a traditional dojo with high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and sliding paper walls decorated with vibrant paintings of ancient martial artists and fierce Pokemon battles. The scent of sandalwood incense hung faintly in the air, adding to the serene, almost meditative atmosphere.

The reception area was spacious, with a long desk manned by a young woman in a neat uniform. She looked up as they entered, offering a polite smile. Behind her, a hallway led deeper into the gym, where the sounds of intense training could be heard - grunts, the slap of fists hitting punching bags, and the occasional roar of a Pokemon.

It already looked more professional than anything the Orange League had put out.

Ezra walked up to the desk, Karen trailing behind him with her arms crossed, still somewhat sulky from their earlier conversation. "I'm here to challenge Chuck," Ezra said, his voice steady and confident.

The receptionist's smile widened. "You're in luck! There are no other challengers at the moment, so you can head right in. Chuck's in the main arena." She gestured toward the hallway. "Just follow this path straight, and you'll find him, just let me scan your ID first."

"Thanks," Ezra said with a nod, handing over his trainer's ID, letting it be scanned, before he turned to head down the hall. Karen sighed and rolled her eyes at his luck at not having to wait, but followed him without comment.

The hallway opened into a large, open arena surrounded by tiered seating. The floor was solid rock, marked with lines that formed a large, square battlefield. The walls were adorned with banners bearing the symbol of the Cianwood Gym - two muscular arms crossed over a boulder, with the word 'Strength' written below it.

Sitting in the center of the arena in a traditional seiza position was Chuck, the gym leader himself. He was a massive man, all muscle and energy, with broad shoulders and a chest like a barrel. His hair was cropped short, and a thick, spiky mustache adorned his face. Chuck's skin gleamed with a light sheen of sweat, and his powerful arms were crossed over his bare chest. He was barefoot, his feet resting easily on the smooth stone floor as he observed Ezra and Karen's approach with a smirk of amusement.

Karen made her way to the stands, choosing a spot near the front. She plopped down with a huff, resting her chin on her hand. "Let's see how long it takes you to piss him off," She muttered under her breath.

Ezra strode confidently into the arena, his eyes locked on Chuck. As he took his position opposite the gym leader, Chuck suddenly leapt to his feet with surprising agility for a man his size. He spun in the air, delivering a powerful high kick that seemed to shake the room as the air rippled, then he landed with a thud that echoed through the gym.

"My Pokemon will crush stones and shatter bones!" Chuck roared, his deep voice filling the arena. He threw his arms wide, his muscles rippling with the movement. "Are you ready, challenger?"

Ezra stood his ground, unflinching. "I'm not here for a standard badge challenge. I want to face your star team."

There was a brief silence. A few of the gym trainers who had been observing from the shadows exchanged curious glances. Karen blinked, straightening slightly in her seat. Chuck, still poised in his fighter's stance, raised an eyebrow. "Star team, huh?" He said, his tone a mix of amusement and disbelief. "You don't even have any badges yet, son. Don't get ahead of yourself. I don't do star challenges for cocky little shits."

Ezra's eyes narrowed, his usual smirk replaced by a darker expression. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of rocks crashing together inside that empty skull," He said, his voice cold. "Did you say you were going to break League rules and refuse a proper challenge?"

In the stands, Karen's hand smacked against her forehead. "Five minutes," She muttered to herself, shaking her head. "You can't last five minutes…"

Chuck's expression shifted, his eyes widening in surprise before he threw his head back and laughed - a loud, booming sound that echoed through the gym. "You're one hell of a brat, brat!" He said, his laughter fading into a broad, toothy grin. "Fine! If you're going to rule lawyer me, I'll give you a star challenge. Three versus three." He reached into his belt and held up a Pokeball, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But you ain't getting my best team, you hear? I'm not going to be seen as a bully here."

Ezra rolled his eyes, his smirk returning. "Whatever. Your loss if you're not going to take me seriously." Ugh, this better not happen at every gym until I have a decent amount of badges…

Chuck snorted, clearly amused. "Oh, I'll take you seriously enough, don't worry about that." He glanced over at the referee standing near the edge of the battlefield - a stocky man in gym trainer's gear, holding a whistle. "Ready to go?"

The referee nodded, stepping forward. "The terms have been set. This is a star challenge, three versus three. Release your Pokemon when ready."

Ezra's grin widened as he grasped Akuma's Pokeball, his fingers tightening around the smooth surface. His heart was pounding, the thrill of the upcoming battle making his blood sing. He could already feel Akuma's energy pulsing through the Pokeball, the Annihilape ready and eager to be unleashed.

"Oh, it's so on," He muttered to himself, his eyes locked on Chuck. He had a point to prove, and nothing - not even Chuck's arrogance - was going to stand in his way.

The gym leader smirked, raising his own Pokeball in a mirrored gesture. "Let's see if you've got what it takes, brat," He said, his voice low and dangerous.

Ezra's gaze never wavered. "You have no idea what's coming," He replied softly, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.

Karen, watching from the stands, crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. Despite herself, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. This was going to be interesting.

Chuck had a confident grin on his face as he tossed his first Pokeball into the air. "Let's show this kid what real strength is all about! Machamp, I choose you!" He roared, the Pokeball bursting open with a flash of white light.

A massive Machamp materialized on the battlefield, its four muscular arms flexing as it let out a thunderous cry. The Fighting type Pokemon's gray skin shimmered under the gym's lights, its red eyes gleaming with anticipation. Machamp stomped the ground, creating a small tremor, and cracked its knuckles in a menacing display of power.

Ezra smirked and released his Annihilape, Akuma, onto the field. The black and white spectral form of the evolved Primeape landed lightly on its feet, fists already raised in a fighting stance. Akuma's body was wreathed in a dark, smoky aura, and his eyes burned with a cold, controlled fury. The energy radiating from the Pokemon was palpable, a heavy, oppressive force that filled the arena.

Akuma was here to do battle, and he wouldn't be satisfied without something or someone crushed under his fists.

Chuck's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the unfamiliar Pokemon. "What in the world is that Pokemon?" He demanded, his voice echoing through the gym. "Is that some kind of new Fighting type? A new Mankey evolution, maybe?"

Ezra crossed his arms and scoffed. "We're in the middle of a battle. Figure it out yourself."

Chuck's brow furrowed, but his grin didn't waver. "Fine by me!" He shouted, raising an arm dramatically. "Machamp, let's start this off strong! Use Karate Chop!"

Ezra's smirk widened. "Akuma, Encore."

Chuck narrowed his eyes.

Machamp's fists glowed with a white light as it dashed forward, one of its massive hands swinging down in a powerful chop aimed directly at Annihilape. The move connected, but to Chuck's surprise, Akuma didn't even flinch. Instead, the Annihilape's eyes seemed to glow brighter, its form almost vibrating with contained rage.

"Ghost…" Chuck murmured, chuckling to himself. Giving Ezra a nod at his move. Encore would force a Pokemon to use the same move they already used three times in a row, and fighting type moves wouldn't work on Annihilape.

"Machamp, use your muscles to think, break out of it!" Chuck shouted, to no effect.

Probably already only thinks with its muscles, Ezra thought amusedly.

"Akuma, Rage Fist." Ezra said lazily, the Machamp letting out an oof as Akuma's accumulated rage burned across the Annihilape in ghostly energy, slamming into Machamp sending it tumbling back.

Machamp immediately moved into another useless Karate Chop, bound by Encore to keep going.

Ezra decided it was time to finish things. "Akuma, use Shadow Claw." With Machamp bound in Encore, he didn't need to do anything fancy.

Annihilape's hand shimmered with dark energy, forming a spectral claw that extended from its knuckles. With a swift, fluid motion, it slashed across Machamp's chest, leaving glowing, jagged marks in its wake. Machamp roared in pain, stumbling back from the unexpected power of the attack.

"Now, finish it with Drain Punch!" Ezra commanded as the Machamp went into its last Karate Chop, his voice sharp and decisive. Even with Karate Chop being entirely ineffective, if there'd been a single bit of energy lost, Drain Punch would take it back.

Akuma's fist glowed with a vibrant green energy as it darted forward, delivering a powerful blow to Machamp's midsection. The attack drained Machamp's energy and restored some of Annihilape's own vitality in the process. Machamp staggered, its body trembling from the impact, before collapsing onto the ground, unconscious.

The referee blew his whistle. "Machamp is unable to battle! The challenger takes the first round!"

Chuck recalled his Machamp, a look of surprise and growing respect on his face. "Not bad, kid. That Pokemon of yours packs a punch, smart use of type advantage with the Encore." He reached for his next Pokeball, his grin returning. "But let's see how you handle this! Poliwrath, it's your turn!"

In a burst of light, a large, muscular Poliwrath appeared, its blue body glistening with water. The spiral pattern on its belly pulsed with energy, and it let out a fierce croak as it took its place on the battlefield. Chuck didn't waste any time. "Poliwrath, use Ice Punch!"

"Akuma, Counter."

Poliwrath's fist glowed with a chilling blue light as it charged forward, aiming a powerful punch at Akuma. The Annihilape took the attack, roaring in anger, his eyes glowing as he struck back using Counter, hitting the Poliwrath with twice the damage, Ezra's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Akuma, use Shadow Punch."

Annihilape's fist became wreathed in a dark, shadowy energy as it lunged forward, its arm stretching unnaturally forward bolstered by darkness to deliver a devastating blow to Poliwrath's face. The attack struck hard, sending Poliwrath staggering back, its eyes dazed.

Chuck gritted his teeth, trying to regain control of the battle. "Poliwrath, use Waterfall!"

The man was at least smart enough to not use fighting type moves anymore, Ezra acknowledged. Already better than most of the Orange League if I'm honest. "Protect." He called out succinctly.

Poliwrath's body glowed as it summoned a torrent of water, rushing forward with incredible speed. The wave crashed into Akuma, his Protect raised just a tad too slowly, drenching the ghostly Pokemon and sending it skidding back, but with some of the power drained from the wave by the shield snapping up. Ezra's eyes narrowed, assessing the situation, he couldn't let Chuck build any momentum.

"Akuma, use Thunder Punch!" Ezra shouted, glad he'd given some of the TMs to the Rage Pokemon.

Akuma's eyes flashed as he roared in excitement, his whole arm glowing with a fierce crackling yellow light. As Chuck called for Poliwrath to move, the Annihilape lashed out with a powerful punch, the hit super effective. The impact sent Poliwrath flying across the arena, where it crashed into the far wall, slumping to the ground, unconscious.

The referee's whistle blew again. "Poliwrath is unable to battle! The challenger leads two to zero!"

Ezra was conflicted, this wasn't a real star battle, he could tell. Chuck hadn't brought out a real team. Easy win for him, but not the challenge he'd wanted for Akuma, nor Mimikyu who he had slotted in, but wouldn't actually get to fight at this rate.

Chuck recalled his fallen Pokemon, his expression a mix of frustration and self deprecation. "You've got one hell of a Pokemon there, kid. I guess I should have brought out a serious team, my mistake." He said, his voice tinged with respect. "But I'm not done yet! Hitmonlee, let's go!"

Hitmonlee, the kicking master Pokemon, appeared on the field, its long, flexible legs shifting as it sized up its opponent. Chuck wasted no time. "Hitmonlee, use Blaze Kick!"

Hitmonlee's leg ignited with a fierce flame as it launched itself at the Annihilape, aiming a fiery kick straight at the Ghost type Pokemon. Akuma narrowly avoided the strike, the flames licking at its fur as it dodged to the side, having been warned by Ezra flaring his aura, making the Pokemon begin to dodge before Hitmonlee even struck.

"Akuma, use Drain Punch!" Ezra ordered. Get back some of the damage you took from the Poliwrath…

Akuma struck out, the attack landing cleanly across Hitmonlee's chest. The fighting-type staggered, its face contorted in pain, but it quickly recovered, its eyes blazing with determination. Akuma grinned darkly as it shadow boxed the air, his vitality restored.

"Hitmonlee, use Stone Edge!" Chuck barked, at the same time as Ezra called out, "Tank it and Shadow Punch to the face."

Hitmonlee cracked the stone floor with a kick, summoning sharp stones that it flew forward with, to strike Akuma with deadly force, the sharp stones swirling along its leg. The leg struck Akuma, staggering him but he quickly regained its footing, his fist already glowing with power. The Annihilape's fist shimmered with a shadowy aura as it launched itself at Hitmonlee, delivering a crushing blow to the fighting-type's head. Hitmonlee's eyes widened before it crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The referee's whistle blew for the final time. "Hitmonlee is unable to battle! The challenger wins!"

Ezra walked up to the center of the battlefield, a satisfied smile on his face as he patted Akuma on the head, the Pokemon crowing out his victory with both arms in the air. The Annihilape had performed flawlessly, and he was proud of its strength and discipline. But despite the victory, there was a faint note of disappointment in his eyes.

This wasn't the kind of fight he'd been expecting. Chuck had treated him like a fresh rookie. Those were not star badge Pokemon, not really. And he hadn't even tried anything really sneaky either. It was a bit of a letdown.

Hopefully the other gyms will take things more seriously…

Chuck approached him, his expression thoughtful as he held out a small box containing a badge studded with three stars. "You've earned this, kid," He said, his voice sincere. "I admit, I misjudged you. That Pokemon of yours is something special. I've never seen a fighting type like it."

Ezra took the badge but shook his head, his smile fading. "You didn't take me seriously, and it ruined the fight," He said bluntly. "I'm here to prove myself, not to play games. If you're not going to use your best team, then what's the point?"

Chuck's eyes widened in surprise, then he chuckled softly. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. You're right - I should have given you a real challenge. But you're still new, kid. You've got a lot to prove before you take on the likes of my strongest Pokemon."

Ezra's expression darkened, and he took a step forward. "I'm ready to go right now." Akuma can take a few more, and Mimikyu is waiting in the wings…

Before Chuck could respond, Karen, who had made her way down from the stands, grabbed Ezra's arm and started dragging him toward the exit. "Okay, that's enough, idiot," She muttered, glaring at him. "You're going to get yourself in real trouble."

Ezra tried to pull free, but Karen's grip was surprisingly strong. "Hey, let go!"

Chuck just laughed at him as he was dragged out.

Oh, I'm definitely coming back one day!

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An hour later,

The ocean waves crashed gently against the shore as Ezra and Karen made their way to the beach after their shopping, the salty breeze carrying the scent of the sea. The sand crunched beneath their shoes, warm and soft, and the sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the water. It was a beautiful, peaceful scene, in contrast to the tension that still lingered between them after the gym battle.

Karen wasn't going to let it go, though, she'd managed to keep her mouth shut as they shopped and apparently had now reached her limit. As they walked, she shot Ezra another withering glare, her arms crossed over her chest. "You really need to work on your attitude," She scolded, her voice sharp. "You can't just talk to gym leaders like that. You're lucky Chuck is so easy going. If it had been someone like Pryce or Claire, they would've thrown you out of the gym before you could even throw a Pokeball."

Ezra glanced at her sideways, his expression lazy and unconcerned. "I'll say what I want and take the consequences," He said, shrugging. "I'm not here to make friends with Johto's gym leaders. I'm here to win."

In Kanto, perhaps he'd take it a bit more… Diplomatically. He wouldn't want to annoy the people who might get a say in his possible inclusion after all.

Karen rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Yeah, well, there's a difference between being confident and being an idiot. You could've been suspended for a time from challenging the gyms if Chuck had decided to push it. Why didn't you pull that crap with Agatha, huh?"

Ezra snorted, kicking at a clump of sand as they walked. "Because there's a difference between being cocky and being stupid." There's a very big difference between Chuck and Agatha.

The least of it being that he was pretty sure Agatha was well practiced in hiding a body, while Chuck probably wasn't.

Karen looked at him, one eyebrow arched. "Really? Because I can't see it," She said smugly.

Ezra shot her a sidelong look, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Maybe you've been staring in your mirror so much you're stuck only seeing the one thing."

Karen blinked, frowning as she processed his words. When the meaning finally sank in, her eyes widened in indignation, and she let out a furious growl. "You! Get back here!" She shouted, lunging at him as he was already jumping out of her reach.

Ezra laughed and took off down the beach, his feet kicking up sand as he sprinted away. "Too slow, princess!" He called back, cackling as Karen chased after him, her face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

They ran down the shoreline, dodging around clusters of driftwood and small rocks, the sun setting slowly behind them, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange. Ezra's mocking laughter echoed across the beach as he dodged and weaved, just staying out of Karen's reach. She cursed at him, her breath coming in short, frustrated gasps, but she refused to give up the chase.

After what felt like an eternity, Karen finally slowed, gasping for air as she bent over, hands on her knees. Ezra stopped a few feet away, grinning like a maniac. All that training has made me less of a weakling it seems.

"Had enough?" He teased, his voice slightly breathless. "Someone's been spending too much time sitting at a desk.."

Karen shot him a glare. "You're... Such... An asshole," She panted, straightening up and brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"I know," Ezra agreed easily. "It's one of the best things about me, 10/10 people want to punch me if given the opportunity."

They walked back up the beach together, both of them still catching their breath, there was only some slight jostling and shoulder checks, just for fun. They soon found a spot to sit, the sun was still high in the sky, the heat blaring down on them. Karen had soon found some changing booths and changed into a simple silver colored bikini, while Ezra sat in shorts and a t-shirt, leaning back on his hands as he looked out over the ocean.

Karen glanced at him, a smirk tugging at her lips. "What's the matter? Too shy to strip down?" She teased, arching an eyebrow.

Ezra rolled his eyes. "I'm albino, Karen. I'll literally burn to a crisp in this sun. We can't all rock a bikini." Besides, he was fine being the more wiry type instead of a muscle head, no need to showcase it.

Karen stretched languidly, showing off her lithe yet curvy figure as she arched her back, a smug smile on her lips. "Oh, I'm rocking it, am I?" She asked, her voice dripping with mock arrogance.

Ezra just raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "Do you need me to tell you you're hot, Karen? I didn't think you were the type to have low self-esteem." You're not going to get me back that easy.

He came from a world of unlimited porn, he wasn't going to fall apart due to a hot bikini clad girl.. This might be an anime world, but he wasn't an anime protagonist.

Karen sighed and leaned back, using her hand to shield her face from the sun's rays. "You can't stop being a douche even for one second, can you?" For once she sounded more amused than irritated.

"Nope," Ezra said with a grin, folding his hands behind his head as he stretched out on the sand. "Society tells you that you have to be polite and nice, but society also tells me I'm a freak because I look a little different - so fuck society, I'll act how I want."

Karen shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. Before she could respond, though, a familiar voice cut through the sound of the waves.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the mighty Ezra Kassian."

Both Ezra and Karen looked up to see Shae striding toward them, her black one-piece swimsuit hugging her curves as she approached. Her colorful hair was shining in the sun, and she had a lazy, confident smirk on her lips. Karen's eyes narrowed immediately, recognizing the girl from the tournament. The one that had almost beat her.

Shae's smirk widened as she looked between the two of them, her gaze lingering on Ezra before shifting to Karen. She puffed out her chest slightly, flaunting her more generous bust as she crossed her arms over her stomach. Karen gritting her teeth at the action, "And you've got the Dark type bitch with you too," Shae drawled, her tone dripping with condescension. "What? Did she offer to be your servant in humiliation for how badly she was beaten?"

You're one to talk, Shae… Ezra thought, studying her intently.

Karen's face turned a furious shade of red, and she surged to her feet, her fists clenched at her sides. "Excuse me!?" She snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Ezra's eyes narrowed, his playful expression disappearing in an instant as his hand dropped to the Pokeballs at his belt. And things had been going so well too.."Shae..." He said slowly, his voice dangerously calm. "Are you following me?" Why is she always popping up?

Shae's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it seemed to grow sharper. "Someone thinks very highly of themselves," She said, her tone mocking.

Karen looked between them, her expression shifting from anger to confusion. "What the fuck is going on?" She demanded.

Ezra didn't answer, his gaze locked on Shae as he stood slowly, his hand still resting on his belt. His eyes were cold, calculating, as if he were assessing a threat. And in a way, he was. Shae had shown up in too many places, too many times for it to be a coincidence. There was something going on, something more than just a casual interest in him. He couldn't help but think back to his suspicion she had something to do with Team Rocket.

Shae raised an eyebrow, her smirk fading just slightly as she met his gaze. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, Kassian. I'm not some creepy stalker. I'm on the circuit you know, I've already hit up Falkner and Cicada, I didn't see you there, so I'm hardly everywhere you are, am I?"

Ezra's eyes didn't waver. Still, I can't knock the feeling something is up, and I go with my gut. "Maybe so, but we're barely acquaintances and yet you seem interested in me, why else approach me now? I doubt it's for a battle, you're in swimwear…*

Shae shrugged, her tone light and dismissive. "You're different, that's all. Most trainers I've met are either full of themselves or completely clueless. You're... Something else. And I'm curious to see what you're going to do next." She smirked, "And yeah, I also want a rematch someday soon."

Karen's eyes narrowed, suspicion darkening her gaze as she looked at Shae. "That makes it sound like you have been following him, you realize?" She asked, her voice dripping with scorn. "It's bullshit. What's your angle?"

Shae's eyes flicked to Karen, her smirk returning. "What, jealous?" She taunted. "I mean, I get it. He's got a certain... Charm, doesn't he?" She said lowly, meeting Karen's gaze.

Karen's face turned a deeper shade of red, and she opened her mouth to retort, but Ezra cut her off, his voice sharp and commanding. "Enough." There's absolutely no way you're here just to ogle me, Shae.

Now that she'd tried to insinuate an interest he was even more sure she was up to no good. That was like the number one play in a girls playbook to get into a guys head. They'd barely talked, and he was an albino freak. She wasn't here because he was hot and mysterious. She was after something.

The two women fell silent, though Karen shot Shae a venomous glare at her insinuations. Ezra sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as he tried to process the situation. He didn't have anything concrete to accuse her off, but he was wary of her appearance.

"So, what now?" He asked, his tone weary. "Are you planning to follow me around like some kind of weird groupie, or is there actually a point to all this?"

Shae laughed, the sound light and mocking. "Oh, you really don't get it, do you?" She said, shaking her head. "Too focused on the forest to notice the trees…"

Ezra's eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on the Pokeballs at his belt. "Then maybe you should start explaining, before I decide I'm done with this conversation."

Shae's smirk faded, her expression turning serious as she met his gaze. "Maybe I will," She said softly. "But not here. Not now."

Ezra's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Shae turned and walked away, her steps unhurried, as if she hadn't just dropped a whole pack of confusing statements in the middle of their conversation. Karen watched her go, her expression a mix of confusion and anger.

"What the hell was that about?" She muttered, more to herself than to Ezra.

He was glad she wasn't the only one confused. That entire interaction made no sense!

Ezra didn't answer her in the end, his eyes still locked on Shae's retreating figure. His mind was racing, trying to piece together the puzzle she had just thrown at him with her odd behavior that was such a departure from how she'd acted before. There was more to her, that much was clear. And he needed to find out what, before it came back to haunt him.

Because at this point it was obvious that something was revolving around him.

If Karen wasn't here, I might have taken her down so I could have a 'question' period with her… He thought darkly.

He did not like unknowns at his back.

Team Rocket or something else, but Shae obviously was mixed up in something..

And she intended to use him, or lure him into it. That much he was fairly certain of at this point.

It takes more than some light flirting to make me follow your lead, Shae…

He won't allow anyone to use him for their own purpose. Whatever she wants…

She's out of luck.

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