Chapter 19
WOVEN IN GOLD
I will never be a product of hate
Take me far, far away from this place
My brother, well, where have you been?
I question every single choice I make
Dear friend, I've been riddled with sin
Somehow, it just drew me in
I need you, I need your hand
To pull me out so I can start again
- Speaking With Ghosts
I
Amidst the final moments of packing, the echoes of Pokémon cries permeated the house. "Heading off, are you?" Mr. Fuji's voice inquired, his eyes charmingly concealed under his sweeping white eyebrows, as he rubbed his smooth, bald scalp.
"Yes, we're grateful for your hospitality during these past few weeks," Brian responded warmly to their host.
"Your kindness has been appreciated," Seth added softly, securing the backpack straps around Erin, ensuring they fit snugly.
"Please, it's nothing. Just be cautious. Team Rocket's presence has surged; I can't ascertain if it's Giovanni searching for me or related to this tournament. However, I've learned that things are never as rosy as they seem," Fuji cautioned.
"Tell me about it," Brian chimed in, a chuckle escaping his lips.
"Are you going to be alright? Maybe you should stop your work here for a little while and hide," Emily voiced her concern.
"No, I won't forsake the Pokémon here. If this is my time to atone for my sins, so be it," he declared with a mix of worry and determination etched across his face.
"Thank you again," Seth acknowledged, extending his hand, which Fuji cordially accepted.
II
The bustling streets greeted them with vivacity, and the gentle ocean breeze replaced the chill of winter, offering respite. On their way to the docks, Erin summoned Torterra, who provided a lofty perch. It felt as if a current flowed through the city, guiding them southeast towards the piers.
Approaching the dockside, Seth and the group were left awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the ship hosting the tournament. Weeks in the city had prepared them for larger vessels, a step up from the smaller riverboats they'd known. Yet, this ship was as though someone had hewn it from skyscrapers and set it afloat. In red letters over its white hull named the ship, S.S. Anne. It loomed above, casting a vast shadow, almost enveloping them. Smokestacks on either end of the vessel belched plumes skyward, marking the transition from Pokémon-powered conveyance to the unconventional realm of coal propulsion. Under the funnels stood two separate structures, the one on the right providing the bridge among other necessary rooms of operation where the structure to the left provided accommodations and living quarters to the elite.
“Whoa!” a small girl with bleach blond hair excitedly screamed holding her fathers hand.
“Yeah that's pretty cool isn't it! You're ready to go.” a large man says, holding her hands. “You think we can win?”
“You know it!”She responded by pulling her father up the stairs leading to the deck. Not only was the daughter and father moving towards S.S. Anne, groups of people began flooding the pier it sat on.
“Don't do this.” A boy no older than fifteen begged. “Please Brother don't.”
“Get on the fucking boat! If you win then you can come back. I don’t have enough for you!” An older and fatter teenager said sternly pushing the kid towards the ground.
“I will die please!” Tears start to fall from his face.
“You will die if you stay! Now go!”
"Excuse me," He nervously squeezed past Brian's frame, a Beldum closely floating behind him and tears running down his face. Brian couldn't help but stare at the altercation.
"No worries," Brian called out. trying to be kind but not knowing what that was all about. "Hey guys, it's getting crowded here. Want to head up?"
Seth recalled Torterra into its Pokéball and clasped his son's hand as they ascended the stairs. Windows adorned the ship's side, offering fleeting glimpses of the interior as they climbed. From the lower deck, where small beds nestled within what resembled tiny cabins, the accommodations gradually expanded in size towards the upper levels. Waiting near the top of the stairwell, they were treated to the sight of massive glass windows that unveiled a battle arena directly at the center of the ship. The arena's surface appeared to be made of steel painted brown, with the customary markings dividing the opposing sides. Just a few steps away from the top of the stairs, they observed a glass ceiling stretching over the battleground, also serving as the floor for the upper deck, which transformed abruptly from sleek wood to transparent glass.
Two people ahead of Seth, a slim woman with blond hair just long enough to brush her neck was attempting to board. To Seth's frustration but not surprise, the attendant was adorned in the distinctive apparel of Team Rocket.
“Fuck me.” Emily muttered under breath. “Seth, Brian I can't compete.
“What why?” Brian asked, looking at her perplexity.
“They are everywhere and they will need a name if they are registering you, look.” She pointed at the desk that had the word competitors sign in on a sign below it.
“Give a fake name,” Brain explained.
“And if that doesn't work!” She retorted.
"Invited guest, passenger, or competitor?" the attendant inquired in a straightforward manner.
"How much for a passenger only?" the short haired woman asked in a soft voice, her body trembling slightly.
"$2,700," came the response.
"And it's only $1,000 for competitors, right?" She glanced back to the ground, seemingly worried about being noticed. While the fat older brother was not the cause of her worry, Brian looked towards the ground noticing him stare up at the staircase.
"Yeah, now hurry the fuck up," the attendant retorted with impatience.
"Competitor," she stated, handing over the money, which he began to meticulously count.
"Hide Erin behind us," Seth directed the others with a sharp look. "Erin, don't make a sound. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Daddy," Erin responded before being obscured from view.
“What?” Brian asked confusingly, drawing his attention back to Seth anxiously positioning Erin behind them.
“I only have $5,500, if Emily is not competing then we don't have enough.” Seth said in hush tones to the others feeling a tense anxiety grip him.
"Now, go check in over there," the Team Rocket member instructed, pointing towards a lengthy desk where three Team Rocket operatives, two women and an older gentleman, sat conversing with the father and daughter from earlier. The woman hastened away, seeming to try to shrink into obscurity.
Next in line was a handsome man donning a pristine purple shirt, his hair cascading over his face. "Competitor," he stated arrogantly, pushing the money toward the attendant before striding toward the desk before the attendant could make a sound.
"Two competitors and a passenger," Seth announced, handing over the money, his desperate focus on ensuring Erin remained unseen. The Team Rocket member's gaze fell upon each of them, his eyebrow arching slightly, likely due to the group's close proximity on the already narrow staircase. Seth felt beads of sweat forming, aware that their strategy might not hold. Seconds stretched agonizingly as the man's gaze inched downwards. Seth’s heart was pounding so hard that he couldn't believe it didn't just crack open his chest and fall on the table the guy was sitting at. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted.
"Hank," the attendant turned around, confronted by another Team Rocket member ascending the deck towards him. This newcomer featured her flowing blue hair and incredibly pale skin that seemed even more striking against her dark attire. "Boss wants you."
"What the fuck for?" Hank retorted.
"I don't know. He asked for you, and here I am," she replied.
"Asshole," Hank muttered as he got to his feet, shoving the money into her hand before departing.
"Why are you still here? Go," the replacement attendant instructed, waving her hand indifferently toward the other desk while casually putting the money in the box next to her without counting it.
Upon boarding the S.S. Anne, the subtle motion of the vessel and its height hit them immediately. Brian momentarily froze, attempting to orient himself.
"You good?" Emily asked, her expression quizzical.
“Yeah, just need a second," he replied.
"Ma'am," the Team Rocket attendant called out, causing all of them to tense as Erin was clearly visible. "You forgot your key."
"Oh, okay." Emily approached, taking it from her.
"Level D, room 76," the attendant stated dismissively before turning to the next passengers.
They made their way to the assigned table, observing the skittish blond woman slinking to the ship's right side.
"Daniel Rivera, Saffron City." the man in the purple shirt declared with an air of arrogance. He didn't glance at the older man behind the desk but instead looked up at the sky, as if the conversation was beneath him. The older team rocket member rose and headed to an Abra sitting behind him. Seth watched as he scribbled a name into a slip of paper and then tied the paper onto Abra’s foot. It then just disappeared out of nowhere, exactly like the group of Mews in the Celadon hideout. One moment Abra was there and then it wasn't. A few minutes went by until Abra reappeared in the exact spot with the slip of paper now tied to the new leg. The older man took off the paper, read it and came back to the desk handing a key towards Daniel.
"Alright, proceed down the stairs to the right of us, leading to the lower deck. You'll find your room, deck F number 24," he informed upon returning.
"The lower level? Are you kidding me, asswipe?" Daniel exclaimed, casting a stern look at everyone.
"If you'd like, I could have any of my associates toss your whiny ass off this boat," the older man retorted, his smile not wavering. Daniel huffed away, shoulder checking Brian as he went past.
"Name," the Team Rocket woman said pleasantly, a smile gracing her face, which caught Seth off guard.
"Seth Conklin."
"What's your home city?" She inquired amiably.
"Westgate in the Cerulean region."
"Just a moment, please." She turned away, walking to another Abra sitting behind the desk. Just like with the older Team Rocket member, she wrote on the slip of paper it disappeared then reappeared a few minutes later. Seth found himself fascinated. He glanced at Brian, who appeared nonchalant about the situation as he was being helped by the 3rd and last Team Rocket member. Seth turned back, realizing that growing up in a major city probably made this less unusual for him.
"You passed the background check. Your room will be deck F, number 2," she announced kindly, looking at him. "The stairs are to your right."
“You got your key?” Seth asked Brian
“Yupp room 16” They both turned around and headed to Emily and Erin until Seth heard something that made him stop for a moment.
“What am I supposed to do if they are from the Celadon Region?” The woman who helped him asked the other female member.
“Just write Celadon on the paper and send it to Pewter City. Apparently they are just passing all background checks from there until they can figure the situation out.” She responded quietly barely audible to Seth who started walking to not draw attention.
They began walking onto the pristine wooden deck on the starboard side of the vessel. The pathway felt notably narrower due to the imposing bulk of the expansive upper deck that soared overhead, encompassing the commanding bridge in its structure. With the maritime expanse stretching before them, they proceeded, tracing the deck's perimeter.
Rounding the curvature, they found themselves facing the forecastle, sprawling invitingly ahead. Erin's pent-up excitement erupted, propelling him into an exuberant sprint around the open space. Wingulls and Pellipers were flying high above them while others perched themselves on the railing around the ship.
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Observing Erin's spirited antics, Seth's gaze shifted to his son before returning to the doorway towards their left. "Let’s go to Emily's room?" he inquired, his voice tinged with amusement, as he watched Erin soaking in the novelty of the ship's environment.
Brian, his demeanor relaxed, ran a thoughtful hand through his black hair before responding, "Yeah. We'll probably have to do something for this thing to begin."
"Erin, let’s go," he called out to his son, pivoting towards the entrance located beneath the bridge, a passage leading to the lower decks. The trio and Vulpix descended the stairs, passing 3 decks until they encountered a sign denoting "Level D." Wooden doors, punctuated by modest windows offering fleeting glimpses of the corridor beyond, lined the hallway. "Erin, we're seeking room number 76. You know what numbers we need?" Seth inquired, guiding his son forward while they traversed the length of the corridor.
"A 7 and a 6! Easy peasy," Erin proclaimed with determination, his eyes darting from side to side, scrutinizing the numbers adorning each door. Periodically, he paused to scrutinize the numerals overhead. His pursuit bore fruit as he declared, "Found it! Found it!
Brian extended a congratulatory gesture, tousling Erin's unruly curls affectionately. The door swung open, revealing a modest living space that fulfilled its basic purpose. Crisp white walls formed the canvas for two smaller beds, neatly dressed in white linens, their simple metal frames blending seamlessly into the minimalist ambiance.
"Seems like those cheep tickets were a wise fucking choice." Emily commented sarcastically.
Seth's eyebrows arched in mild surprise, his attention divided between their surroundings and Vulpix weaving through his legs. Meanwhile, Erin's energy bounced through the room as he hopped from bed to bed, his peals of laughter filling the air.
"We should probably head down to our rooms, Seth. We don’t know how long till this thing sets off plus we have no idea what's required of us." Brian suggested, his entrance further filling the confined space.
"Yeah, alright." Seth turned to Erin,”Would you prefer to be with me or stay with Emily?"
"Emily! Emily! Emily!" Erin's response echoed while continuing to jump from bed to bed. Emily smiled warmly at the endorsement and Seth noticed the bright blushing through her freckled cheeks. Vulpix, now nestled beneath one of the beds, silently conveyed its decision to remain with Erin.
"Emily, I'll see you later," Brian stated, his departure accompanied by a smile.
"Behave yourself, Erin," Seth reminded gently as they took their leave.
"Okay, Daddy," Erin's voice drifted from behind the closing door.
III
Seth and Brian retraced their steps to the stairwell, descending several more floors until they reached the sign designating "level F."
"Once we win, settle our taxes, and make our way to Vermillion for Lt. Surge's badge," Brian mused, his voice a mix of contemplation and excitement, "how about we take a detour through Saffron to visit Glenn and Ava?" Brian said entering the main hallway to Deck F was adorned with a somewhat shabby emerald-green carpet stretching into the distance.
"Sounds good," Seth replied, "We will have to wait at that point anyhow for Misty.”
Brian's face lit up, "I really miss them. I can't wait to show them how much progress I've made in setting them free." The glow of optimism radiated from him, kindling a reciprocal smile on Seth's face. However, a pang of envy surfaced within Seth, with his inability to simply visit his wife. The remnants of her taunts echoed through his thoughts, and her voice seemed to grow even stronger lately.
Shifting his attention to the room on their immediate right, Seth noticed the number 2 affixed neatly atop the door. "Well here I am," he remarked, utilizing his key to unlock the door. The room, darker than Emily's above, struggled to be illuminated by the feeble light filtering in. "What about your room?"
Brian, adopting a more casual tone, replied as he dramatically collapsed onto the comically small bed to the right, "Nah, let's chill without any responsibilities."
"Sounds fucking fantastic," Seth concurred, leaving the door open as they settled in. Their room overlooked a steady stream of individuals passing by – a curious mix of characters. Among them, a man even larger than Brian, a young woman sporting vibrant full-sleeve tattoos who cast a brief, awkward glance into their space before moving on, but mostly, what the two friends perceived was an undercurrent of fear in peoples’ eyes. It was as if these people were fleeing from something or bearing the weight of an impending guillotine.
Yet, Seth and Brian choose not to focus on that. Seth’s mind was intent on capturing the rare opportunity to exist temporarily without the burdens of fatherhood. A break from constant worry was a catharsis they both needed. The specter of Sarah's taunts and presence felt distant, the room now echoing with their laughter.
IV
A resounding horn sliced through the ship's atmosphere, effectively halting Brian's discussion concerning Glenn and Ava. The vessel's motion, now abundantly noticeable, signified their departure from Lavender Town, propelling them toward the forthcoming challenge in Fuchsia City.
"Attention all passengers and esteemed guests," a voice echoed, replacing the lingering note of the horn. "Kindly proceed to the observation decks situated in the heart of the ship. Competitors are requested to assemble at the central stairwell on level F for access to the battlefield. The bracket unveiling, wager placement, and the inaugural battle will commence in 15 minutes."
Brian, rising to his feet, remarked with a determined nod, "Well, let’s go fucking win!."
Seth contemplated, "Should we first check on Emily and Erin?"
"Nah," Brian dismissed the notion. "Emily's got things under control, and it doesn't seem like we will have enough time."
"Alright," Seth conceded, though his apprehension grew. The once liberating sense of minimal responsibility now yielded to parental anxiety as the tournament's unknown variables came to the forefront.
Making their way down the corridor, their path intersected with the movement of a couple dozen individuals traversing the hallway's length. The teenager who had collided with Brian earlier now stood before him, the boy clutched one shoulder and his posture began shrinking inward.
"Fucking finally, this shit is kicking off," Daniel, the purple-clad Aragonot enthusiast, boisterously declared as he joined the hallway's collective momentum.
Ascending the stairwell was accompanied by a symphony of footsteps, two flights guiding them to another set of doors. The light coming from the other side of the doors was so bright it looked as though they were about to go into a portal. A vista of glass walls and ceiling stretched out before them. A full view of Lavender Town retreating from the starboard side was seen through the magnificent glass wall with few beams supporting the wall obstructing the view. Along the wooden walls to their left and right was tiered seating that scaled upwards as passengers filled the stands. Additional rows climbed toward the ceiling, arranged in uniform fashion. Seth turned, glancing upward to the doorway wall, and found an identical beautiful glass wall hovering over him and connecting to the glass ceiling. In their immediate view, a brown steel battlefield, with pristine white lines that mirrored the traditional Pokémon arena, stretched out ahead.
"Welcome, everyone, to the third annual St. Anne Tournament. We are pleased to have 31 brave and prepared trainers who are here to prove themselves for the cash prize," the speaker's voice reverberated throughout the arena. Seth and Brian exchanged glances, and the hushed silence of the multiple thousand-strong spectators enveloped the space.
"Firstly, I want to mention that the seven-day journey to Fuchsia City has commenced without a hitch," the crowd responded with applause. "Now, for those of us at Team Rocket and our honored guests who have been a part of this grand tradition, we are eagerly anticipating the unfolding battles. To our new passengers, we're excited for you to witness what awaits. Competitors, please release your primary two Pokémon, which you'll be employing in this tournament."
Brian turned to Seth, his expression conveying confusion, while Seth merely shrugged, pondering his own selections. Without hesitation, Brian summoned Ceruledge and Fraxure—logical choices. Ceruledge had been his steadfast partner with remarkable adaptability, and Fraxure boasted versatility without significant weaknesses. Ampharos, though immensely potent, was relatively new to the team, and evaluating its strengths and vulnerabilities was still a work in progress.
Seth released Primeape without any surprises—his strength and speed had been honed over time, rendering him an excellent pick. However, the second choice proved more challenging. While Torterra possessed immense power, the steel platform situated above the ocean would nullify much of its potential. Vulpix was with Erin and Emily at the moment. Ditto's value lay in its surprise gimmick, but once its transformative tactics were shown to everyone, its potency waned. The red light brightened ahead of Seth as he made his final choice, illuminating Noivern, poised and absorbing the atmosphere.
To Brian's left, the still-shaking teenager was accompanied by a Beldum and a Rattata. Further down the line, the tattooed-looking woman with a punk vibe fixed her gaze with determination, flanked by her Dragonite and Clefable. Notably present was Daniel Ravara, whose pronounced presence was accentuated by the presence of his Absol and Houndoom. To Seth's right stood the nervous woman who continued scanning her surroundings, her eyes filled with trepidation. Catching her gaze, he offered a reassuring smile, but she averted her eyes, focusing on her Milotic.
However, what Seth observed beyond these individuals sank his heart. A sense of unease shrouded the scene as everyone resembled individuals sitting on an execution line. Their pallid skin and lifeless eyes trembled behind their Pokémon.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, before we delve into our initial bets, I must outline the rules and share a special announcement. The rules are straightforward—a one-on-one battle where competitors choose from the two Pokémon before them. The match concludes when a Pokémon can no longer protect its trainer or when the trainer themselves is killed," murmurs echoed through the stands in response to this proclamation.
"What did he just say?" Brian asked Seth, turning to lock eyes with him.
"Our Pokémon aren't the targets, we are." Seth replied.
"Besides that, there won't be any other rules!" The crowd cheered in response to the announcer's statement, and the line of competitors sank further into their emotions. Even Daniel didn't have a smartass retort to speak under his breath. "Yes, let's give our trainers a round of applause. They're fighting for their lives for the grand prize—truly remarkable!"
"Now, for a special announcement." As he continued his commentary, the door on the opposite side of the arena swung open. "We have a special guest with us today. She's currently taking a break from her role as a gym leader!" The crowd rose to their feet and erupted in enthusiastic cheers. "Yes! She has accepted the challenge under the same rules as her fellow Kanto trainers, adding even more excitement to the show! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome," his voice struggled to be heard over the raucous crowd, "the Cerulean City gym leader, Misty!" With her short hair swaying, Misty emerged from the doors, making her way down the battlefield while waving at her adoring fans.
"What the actual fuck!" Seth exclaimed in disbelief. Brian was left speechless, offering no response as he stared blankly at her. The already somber mood of the competitors' lineup seemed to plummet further. As she continued to wave to the cheering audience, Misty displayed a mischievous, almost insane grin on her face as she scanned down the line of her future victims. Her eyes inevitably locked with Seth and then Brian, stopping her dead in her tracks. The intensity of insanity in her eyes heightened as she burst into uncontrollable laughter, dropping to her knees and clutching her side.
After her laughter subsided, she regained her composure and stood up, her posture stiff. She advanced directly towards them with a purposeful stride. "This is just perfect," she cackled. "Giovanni isn't here to prevent me from skinning you alive. You will fucking pay.”
"I... why... why are you here?" he stammered.
"After you wrecked my gym, it needed to be renovated. Butch—you remember him," she gazed at him, her expression both serious and accompanied by a creeping smile, "He suggested I come here to compete, but honestly, it's more about slaughtering my competition wholesale, something I can't quite do in my own gym. So, here I am." She confidently positioned herself in line beside Seth, feeding off the tense atmosphere she had intentionally cultivated. Swampert and Starmie were released into the arena, amplifying Seth's concern about what she meant by 'slaughtering.'
Unbeknownst to Seth, Vulpix was growling audibly at Misty as she began her forward march, and the sight of Swampert's emergence nearly set her off. Were it not for Emily restraining her, Emily was fairly certain that Vulpix would have lunged forward to attack.
"If I could direct everyone's attention to the board overhead, on the starboard side window of the ship," the announcement prompted everyone's heads to swivel. An enormous bracket unfurled, displaying cards bearing each competitor's name. Sixteen names adorned each side, with empty boxes converging and narrowing toward the center. Seed numbers were positioned alongside each name. Seth's name appeared with the number 14 next to it, Brian's with 10, Daniel Ravara with the number 16 beside his name, and Misty predictably possessed the number 1. Brian assumed, Ben Turner, the teenager cowering behind Beldum next to them, held the 32nd seed.
"I think you're up first," Seth informed Brian, indicating the top-right corner of the bracket holding his name.
"Yeah, looks like I'm going against him," Brian responded, gesturing with a nod to his right, where Benjamin stood.
Seth observed that he and Misty were positioned on opposite sides of the bracket. If they were to face off, it would be in the championship match and that's if she can beat Brian this time.
"“Today we will be conducting the first half of our Round 1 battles. At this point, betting is open. Kindly consult your nearest attendant, who is navigating through the stands, or visit the betting booths located atop each level to place your bets." A wave of commotion swept over the arena. The line of competitors, uneasy behind their Pokémon, fidgeted, feeling like commodities up for sale. Five minutes passed, then ten, then fifteen, and the commotion persisted—a constant flux of movement akin to a Combee hive. Sarah floated above the stands, her voice persistently calling out to Seth, "You can't save him!" The noise gradually subsided as Sarah's voice grew, cut off abruptly by the announcer.
"With bets now placed, let's get this show on the road!" the announcer bellowed with enthusiasm. "Brian Jarrus and Ben Turner, please take the field."
V
Brian's intuition had been accurate; Ben was undoubtedly the terrified teenager. As they walked up to the field together, Brian offered him a small smile, hoping to alleviate some of the kid's nervousness. Ben's shaking was so intense it might have been mistaken for Parkinson's.
Brian regarded him seriously, hoping to convey understanding and reassurance. "Are you okay?" he noted.
Ben returned the gaze, his expression indicating a profound grasp of something. "You don't get it."
"Take your positions on opposite ends," the announcer's voice cut through the moment, interrupting Brian before he could inquire further. Ceruledge and Fraxure accompanied Brian as they positioned themselves.
"Ceruledge, you're up. Take it easy on him," Brian whispered to his Pokémon. Ceruledge nodded, acknowledging the instruction, and the pair turned to face their opponent. A man with slick white hair and a matching mustache, trailed by the largest Beartic Brian had ever seen, made his entrance from the doors opposite to those they had used. The Beartic's footsteps left frosty impressions on the steel floor, their icy imprints fading after about six steps, leaving behind tiny reflective pools.
"I am here to officiate the battle. Rule infractions are exceedingly rare as there are very few, but any breach will result in disqualification," the man announced bluntly, his gaze alternating between Brian and Ben. He assumed his position in the middle outline of the field, and the entire arena seemed to hold its breath, a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. "Begin!"
"Zen Headbutt!" Ben cried out, his voice quivering as if wracked with discomfort and lacking any real confidence.
"Ceruledge," Brian spoke calmly, observing Beldum slowly advancing toward Ceruledge with an equal sense of determination as its trainer. "Use Shadow Claw, but strike with the flat side of your blade. Just knock it out, okay?" As Beldum closed the gap between them, Ceruledge's appendage, now radiating a purplish plasma-like substance, swung down onto Beldum's form. The impact sent Beldum crashing to the floor, bouncing thrice before rolling and eventually coming to a stop. Its eye was closed, and its levitating movements ceased. The audience sat in silence for a few moments, as though caught in a suspended breath, before a smattering of half-hearted applause emerged, as if the most anticlimactic of events had unfolded before their eyes. Brian couldn't help but feel that it had.
"Beldum, get up!" Ben's cries were piercing. "Get up! Please, don't let them do this to me."
"Take it easy," Brian urged, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "I'm not going to do anything more."
"Brian Jarrus, conclude the match," the referee's voice sternly demanded.
"I have. Beldum isn't getting up!" Brian retorted.
"The battle ends when the Pokémon can no longer shield its trainer or when the trainer themselves has been killed," the referee quoted.
"Beldum can't protect him any longer!" Brian pointed his finger at Ben, who was now sobbing and desperately trying to rouse Beldum.
"Then finish the fight!" the referee reiterated firmly.
Ceruledge, comprehending what was expected, advanced toward Ben. "Ceruledge, stop!" Brian commanded, yet she continued to stride forward, disregarding her trainer's order. A crimson light enveloped Ceruledge, which she shook off as she persistently closed the gap. "For fuck sake, Ceruledge, stop!" Brian's voice surged with frustration.
"Brian, what are you doing? look!" Seth's urgent yell trying to draw Brian's attention to the advancing Beartic, making its way toward him.
"He's a damn child! Stop this!" Brian shouted louder, his tears mingling with Ben's pleas. Brian sprinted, catching up with Ceruledge and interposing himself between her and Ben. "Look at me, damn it!" Beartic altered its course, trailing behind Brian, its frosty footsteps growing nearer.
"Please, don't do this. I had no choice. I don't want to be here. I want to go home," Ben screamed. Brian turned his head toward Ben, a strained smile crossing his face as he placed his hands on Ceruledge’s caved in chest, palms searing from the touch.
"Not again," The stands fell into a hushed silence; not a word was spoken. Tears flowed freely down Brian's face as he fixed a close gaze on his Pokémon, now just steps away from her target, a blade raised.
"Brian, think about Glenn! Think about Ava!" Seth's roar reverberated across the field, struggling to be heard amidst the persistent screams of Sarah, who stood inches from his face.
Beartic loomed a mere 15 feet away. "Brian!" Emily's voice pierced the air, her pain evident.
"Don't make me a part of this. Please, if you love me, return. Have faith in me." She looked sternly at Brian before lowering her arm, followed by a faint nod. A red light emanated from Brian's belt, and Ceruledge vanished from the field.
"Brian has forfeited the match and thus been disqualified; the winner is Ben Turner!" Where applause for the victor should have resounded, an unsettling silence enveloped the scene, as Beartic now loomed a mere 5 feet from Brian.
"Good luck," Brian said, his smile stretched from ear to ear.
"Brian!" Seth's voice echoed while Misty's laughter seemed to fill the entire arena.
Beartic's claws pierced his left shoulder and right side, blood seeming to freeze as it escaped the wounds. Suspended in the air, Brian's feet writhed in pain as reflective cries escaped his mouth. In one swift motion, Beartic detached Brian's head and left shoulder, flinging them to its side. His right shoulder, side, waist, and legs were hurled to the opposite end. Blood splattered the cold steel floor and Ben.