Chapter 12 - Zane the Invincible

Jabari awoke from a restless night. He glanced at his watch; it was already late in the morning, nearly ten o'clock. Exhausted from the struggle to sleep through most of the night, the weariness finally claimed him in the early hours. Meanwhile, Anaya, in the kitchenette, was endeavoring to be as quiet as possible, likely warming water for tea.

She glanced back at him, noticing he had awakened, and rushed to his side. Lying close beside him on the bed, she embraced him and kissed him as though it were their very first kiss. It lingered for over ten seconds before she let him breathe, yet her eyes remained locked on his, saying nothing, simply gazing with those beautifully understanding eyes of hers. She wasn't the romantic type, or so he thought he was; for her, everything needed a reason. Right now, she likely believed words were unnecessary, and she was probably right. Just looking into her eyes made him feel better already.

He was compelled to initiate the difficult conversation that awaited him. She would undoubtedly urge him to abandon everything, and after last night, Mew would comprehend. They might be moved to Elduran, who would likely be amenable since they were ready to oppose the Watchers entirely. Her logic was probably sound, and any counterarguments failed to materialize in his mind. She was likely right; their contributions in this situation were marginal. Perhaps if he could examine the books, he might aid Aisha and Elduran, but he doubted he would ever possess the opportunity to hold even one of those books. Rightly so, if Elduran and Aisha could have Mew and Meltan—truly Jabari and Anaya—as allies, it wouldn't be a significant loss if they were no longer part of the plan. Reluctantly, he had to admit that Anaya's sister, Ashanti, could indeed be of far greater value to Elduran and Aisha.

"My love, we need to talk," Jabari said.

"Yes, indeed, we must devise the most brutal ways to eliminate those four bastards," Anaya replied.

Jabari was taken aback by her response. Was he hearing her right? Was this his pragmatic future wife speaking, or had someone else taken her place, he wondered.

"Pardon me?" Jabari asked.

"I said we need to kill those four bastards," Anaya reiterated.

Upon awakening, Jabari noticed Grafaiai and Smeargle—Anaya's sole Pokémon companions—curled up around a pillow at the bed's corner, with Meltan slumbering peacefully atop it. The two Pokémon had earnestly assisted Anaya in nursing Meltan back to health. The previous night, Mew had been the powerhouse, yet without Meltan, Jabari was acutely aware that he wouldn't have survived. He was amazed at how fiercely Meltan had fought to save him. However, Jabari soon realized that Mew was nowhere to be found, and there seemed to be no reason for the Pokémon to remain invisible within the room.

"Where's Mew Anaya?" Jabari inquired.

"Probably with those bastards, invisible right under their noses," Anaya replied.

"Just to clarify, you still want to pursue them?" Jabari questioned.

"Really? I thought you hadn't been hit yesterday. What nonsense are you speaking?" Anaya retorted.

"I'm just taken aback. After everything that went down yesterday, I figured this chat would head in a completely different direction," Jabari admitted.

"You thought I’d just say we should throw in the towel? After what they tried to pull on you? Absolutely not," Anaya insisted.

"Honestly, yes. Next time, I might truly lose you, or you could lose me. What do we really bring to this group, my love?" Jabari said.

"I pondered that, and as for myself, I may not offer much, but you, you are mistaken to think you bring nothing to the table. You provide wisdom. This group desperately needs you. Among us—me, who sees only outcomes; Aisha, who seems overly driven by success if you ask me; and Elduran—well, Elduran is an entirely different story. He's quite the enigma, pursuing the Watchers with little concern for success, more intent on doing what he believes is right, even if it means he perishes in the process. They need you to anchor them in reality. Just as you always do with me," Anaya said.

"That's just nonsense. All I do is highlight what your inner voice already bellows within your mind. Convincing you isn't really my task," Jabari remarked with a smile.

"You know you do much more than that. I was like a lost puppy until you found me. I didn't deserve you then, and I still don't deserve you now. But when it comes to this Jabari, I see potential in them both—Aisha and Elduran possess their own strengths, and it's clear how well they complement each other. Yet, they need you to steer them in the right direction," Anaya said.

"Yesterday, Aisha handled the police with remarkable finesse. Not that the officers were really invested. It still baffles me how they so readily accepted her story, or if they even bothered to scrutinize it. Concealing Mew’s and Meltan’s Pokéballs in her bag and claiming she defeated him with her four Pokémon, while flaunting her six Kanto region badges, was sheer brilliance—I nearly believed it myself. I still find it hard to grasp that she earned six badges with just those four. Not one of them fully evolved: a Hatenna, Marill, Togetic, and a Clefairy. Utterly incredible. She mentioned to them her dream of becoming a Fairy-type specialist. Elduran wasn’t exaggerating when he spoke of her prowess as a trainer," Jabari remarked.

"The cops bought it too easily, something feels wrong. I can't fathom how no one seems to care about anything in this town. Her questioning only lasted half an hour, and then they just let you both go on your merry way—what is up with that?" Anaya said.

"Why did they ask her such an odd question about why she risked herself to save a stranger? I'll admit, most people might flee and call the police, but after she mentioned that we knew each other, I noticed those two exchange glances and question her further, saying, 'What does that matter? You should have come to us first. Better one dead than two.' Who says something like that?" Jabari exclaimed.

"I can't say for sure, Tenera is definitely chaotic, but this town tops it. They claim Zest City is the most dreadful place in Tenera you could ever visit, but I find it hard to believe any town could be worse than this one," Anaya remarked.

"I've steered clear of Zest like a plague after hearing all the dreadful tales," Jabari remarked.

"Same here," Anaya replied.

"Turning to a more serious matter, if we truly intend to carry on with this plan, Elduran did have a valid point about installing surveillance in their room, perhaps a bug or a hidden camera. However, he confessed that he was terrible at handling such things," Jabari was saying when Aisha interrupted him.

"Are you asking me if Ashanti can join us?" Anaya inquired.

"I regret even bringing it up. Forget I mentioned anything. It's too risky to involve more people. But we could work it out if Ashanti just told us what we need to take up there, what gear is required. Honestly, it'd be better if Mew stayed with us even during the day; their protection is priceless. It would liberate them from spending their days listening to ants. I can't imagine they view those four any differently," Jabari said.

"My sister coming here is a fantastic idea. She's really down right now, doing her best not to do anything rash. Granted, this will be reckless, but I've heard her say in one of her conspiracy theories that the Watchers remain uncaught because they either are the government or they control it, meaning if I ask her, she'll definitely come—she despises every government," Anaya said.

"Are you certain about this, my love?" Jabari inquired.

"It’s a wonderful idea, and having Mew protecting you will surely comfort me," Anaya replied.

"Alright, as you call her, I'll go grab a hyper potion for the little one," Jabari remarked, eyes fixed on Meltan. "I'll be right back. Then, it’s off to the Library for me, acting as if nothing transpired. Time to make those punks squirm," he added.

"That's the spirit! They won't dare do anything rash. Better to leave them doubting whether you know anything or not. Leave Meltan's Pokéball here in the room and just carry them with you; they can easily tuck away somewhere in your clothes," Anaya advised.

"Smart thinking. After the hyper potion, they'll be as good as new. Just look at them—every scratch already gone from their body. I'm starting to think they might not even need it. If you thought regular Pokémon healed quickly, well, Legendary Pokémon seem to recover at double the rate," Jabari observed.

"Just so you know, Mew and I... we're on good terms now. They saved you, and I have immense respect and gratitude for them; I wanted you to know that. We had a meaningful conversation last night. Plus, after Elduran's lecture, they’ve been behaving much better. It's like they're actually our friend now, not just some superior, and more importantly, they genuinely seem to care for us. I just wanted to let you know," Anaya said.

"That's great to hear. I'm so happy about it," Jabari replied before kissing her. He then got up to dress and headed to the PokéMart, ready to purchase a product he had developed an expertise in evaluating over the past decade.

***

Aisha awoke quite late; the night before had been filled with events that were both pressing and critical. Nevertheless, after submitting her report to the police and ensuring that Jabari returned safely to his room, she devoted hours to training, concentrating intensely on honing Togetic's Moon Blast and refining Clefairy's technique. She promised herself to maintain this regimen in the nights to follow, committing to train each evening.

Exiting the Pokémon Center, she made her way directly to Elduran. He was visible in the distance, deeply absorbed in his training. He was set to secure a slot to challenge the gym leader today, assuming he hadn't already. Amid the whirlwind of yesterday's chaos, she had neglected to ask him a question that persistently lingered in her mind.

Elduran was undoubtedly improving. He was actively engaging in the training sessions. That skirmish with Zane had certainly elevated Cyndaquil in his estimation; he was particularly attentive to Cyndaquil's progress, and it appeared that Cyndaquil had finally perfected its Quick Attack. It was a blur of motion. Yet, she wondered about the rolling maneuver Elduran had taught Cyndaquil to perform at the end of each Quick Attack. Perhaps he aimed to train it in Rollout; not a bad strategy, considering Quick Attack provides a speed boost, overcoming the speed-acquisition challenge when Pokémon begin mastering such moves. Elduran might be onto something indeed. Though his training methods might lack conventional efficiency, he unquestionably had his own unique approach.

Aisha waited until Elduran had everyone absorbed in their drills. Heracross was diligently practicing Swords Dance, an exceptionally advanced move that would be a tremendous asset in the upcoming gym battle. In contrast, Vivillon appeared serenely relaxed, though it was clear that this was her natural approach. Aisha speculated that Vivillon was beginning to master Bug Buzz, experimenting with sound as she fluttered her wings—a formidable technique for the battle ahead. Elduran seemed indifferent to whether he won or lost, yet he was determined to give his all and overwhelm the gym leader. As he noticed Aisha, he turned and walked toward her with purpose.

"What’s up, little light bulb?" Elduran inquired.

"I had something to ask you yesterday, but it kept slipping my mind," Aisha admitted.

"Go ahead!" Elduran encouraged.

"I looked up someone named Faelan who was supposedly in APSO. Did you know him personally?" Aisha asked.

"Faelan? Oh, I knew him well. One of the finest soldiers I've encountered, and so young too," Elduran replied.

"He's working as a security guard at the library now, doing the night shift. He was the one who helped me evict those two troublemakers," Aisha mentioned.

"Really? I should pay him a visit at night then," Elduran mused.

"You will? I mean, you don’t hold any grudges against him?" Aisha questioned.

"Why would I?" Elduran responded.

"Because, according to the report, due to his reckless choice, he annihilated his entire squad while they attempted to rescue him," Aisha explained.

"You know he left on his own, right? He wasn't discharged," Elduran remarked.

"What does that imply?" Aisha asked.

"It wasn't his fault, simple as that. His squad leader was old Greg, but the man didn't always make the best decisions; he was too good-hearted for that role. Greg and I definitely led the most missions, but I wouldn't have attempted to aid Faelan under those circumstances. What Faelan did was reckless, yet Greg's actions were even more irresponsible. Had Greg survived, he'd have faced discharge; he endangered the entire city and his squad to save a single man. In the end, you might say he managed to save him, but it came at the cost of a third of the city's population and his entire squad. It was a disastrous decision," Elduran concluded.

"So you don't hold Faelan responsible?" Aisha asked.

"Not at all. That day was riddled with too many missteps. My unit had been stationed in Pallet Town, tasked with controlling a rampant Salamence that had developed a perilous hunger for humans. In cases involving non-legendary Pokémon, protocol dictates that old Greg's unit is deployed first, with mine held in reserve for more severe threats. Yet, inexplicably, they sent us against a lone Salamence. However, they overlooked the fact that someone on Greg's team had relatives in Cerulean. Faelan should have been pulled from the mission. In his position, I might have behaved similarly—charging ahead against orders—because waiting patiently for the perfect moment to strike is unbearable when your loved ones are in jeopardy. Sometimes, all it takes is a matter of seconds, and in those brief moments, the destruction these Pokémon can unleash is immense," Elduran noted.

"He is a wreck at the moment, barely speaking and appearing as if he bears the weight of the world on his shoulders every second of his life. He certainly doesn't side with you. Yet, when I handed him the recording, he transformed right before my eyes. He straightened up, moved with a quick, deliberate stride, and handled those two as if they were mere children, even going so far as to kick Dan out the door, leaving him to land face-first on the pavement," Aisha recounted.

"I have never witnessed anyone excel so profoundly in close quarters combat. While his rifle skills were lacking, his expertise with the shotgun and martial arts was unparalleled. His pistol accuracy was beyond belief—I doubt anyone anywhere could rival him in that regard. He was both accurate and incredibly swift. I recall attempting to teach him archery when he was about nineteen, but he wanted no part of it. He argued, not unreasonably, that a pistol was superior in all aspects. However, I explained that should he ever find himself in the wilderness with nothing but his own resourcefulness, a bow could be his lifeline. Learning to craft a bow and arrows in nature is an invaluable skill, yet he dismissed my words," Elduran said.

"That's why he handled distraction duty in his squad," Aisha remarked.

"Exactly. He'd approach the Pokémon and wreak havoc on their peace, creating chances for us to attack. With expertly aimed pistol shots, grenades, and utilizing the environment, all to ensure that those of us with rifles could land the perfect shot. Had he stuck around a few more years, he would have surely transferred to my team. Damn him and Robert—though we all call him Bob—together, they could have kept any legendary Pokémon occupied indefinitely," Elduran said with a smile, his gaze lost in the distance, his mind drifting elsewhere.

"I believe seeing you would be beneficial, though it may provoke questions. He should certainly join us; his job is an obvious source of discontent for him. I suspect he also harbors a strong disdain for the Watchers. Please refrain from pointing out that those four individuals are likely Watchers—we might very well discover them dead by morning if you do. There’s something exceedingly corrupt about this town, warranting our presence here. The conduct of the police yesterday was alarmingly abnormal, even for a notoriously rough area. I will eventually discuss matters with Jabari and Anaya, but acquiring a building in the plaza for just 20,000 Cetis seems prudent. We could use it as a front for our operations. He mentioned that we might enlist a computer expert, perhaps Anaya's sister. Establishing a legitimate business to generate revenue while maintaining a covert operation for logistics in this dismal town—which my instincts suggest is complicit, at least the local government—seems advantageous," Aisha remarked.

"I trust your judgment, but I won't hide anything from Faelan. There are still things I need to handle my way, yet I concur with everything else you mentioned. You've clearly given this some careful thought. Plus, for a plaza building, it's far too cheap, you're right about that. It's like 5,000 Cetis per person, or even less if Faelan joins us. We're aiming for a traditional coffee shop, aren't we?" Elduran remarked.

"Definitely not. I said we need funds, so we're creating a budget-friendly café offering modern coffee experiences, just not automated like the pokécafés. But sure, we can still brew some stovetop coffee for some old fucks. And we'll have snacks, mostly lunch items like sandwiches and other simple bites. That's the vision I have, though I'm open to other ideas—just not yours. Everything you prefer is a relic from the past," Aisha retorted.

"Whatever. That presumes Jabari and Anaya remain in the mix after yesterday’s assassination attempt," Elduran remarked.

"I received a text from Anaya; they’re definitely still on board," Aisha replied.

"Alright, that's pretty unusual, but I'm not complaining," Elduran admitted.

"When are you planning to visit the Gym to schedule the match?" Aisha inquired.

"Already done. We'll be fighting in eleven days at noon," Elduran informed.

"Damn already? You’re quick. I’m watching Zane's gym challenge tomorrow. I have a hunch it’ll be a thrilling match and a great chance to scout the two Pokémon we’ll face. I think Zane will at least compel the gym leader to use both of her Pokémon," Aisha suggested.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Are you sure there's no crush involved here?" Elduran teased with a grin.

"You’re absolutely insufferable!" Aisha retorted.

"Just calling it as I see it. I’m taking it easy today. Looks like we’re all waiting on Jabari to convince Anaya to bring her sister here or for Mew to dig up some intel. After training my Pokémon, they and I will engage in some physical training. Building muscle, stamina, speed—you know, all the essentials. They might not become the best, but by hell, they'll be able to take a hit and run like the wind. That goes for me too," he added with a smile.

"Hey, each trainer has their own style. But your plan’s solid. I ought to start that myself—I don’t want to be a burden on our travels. Well, it seems I’m off to purchase some gym clothes. See you later," Aisha said as she walked away.

Elduran turned back to his Pokémon.

***

Anaya had just hung up the phone after chatting with her sister. It felt good to connect again after what seemed like ages. She began to pack her backpack with everything she needed for today's painting. The original plan was to create a night painting of the Gym and Library, but she considered capturing both wasn’t a bad idea either. It was apparent they would be staying in town for a while.

Jabari was expected back soon; he had gone just to rattle them a bit. After administering the potion to Meltan, it was as good as new. She still marveled at how Meltan protected Jabari for so long until Mew arrived, standing up against four powerful Pokémon. It was reassuring to think that at least Meltan was always there, protecting him.

Anaya glanced at her blue-tailed Smeargle, who was trying once again to lift the canvas by herself, ever so eager to help.

“Brush, I must have told you a hundred times not to try lifting the canvas on your own. It’s bigger than you, and you might damage it again. Come on, you should know better,” Anaya gently admonished.

“Smeeeear,” Smeargle responded with a hint of sadness, then shifted her efforts to help lift the backpack.

“Well, you can just about manage that,” Anaya remarked to her. Turning her attention to Grafaiai, she instructed, “Ink, don’t forget your berry bag.”

“Aiaiai,” Grafaiai responded, gesturing towards the small pouch at his side, while his other hand's long pointer finger rested inside his mouth, stained with red saliva.

A key turned in the door, and Jabari stepped inside. Wasting no time, he went straight to embrace her. After releasing her and planting a quick kiss, he announced.

"Good news—no, great news. The library has instituted fresh regulations: only one book per visitor. The other two members of the group remain out of reach. Only the other woman was there today, so with merely two individuals permitted inside now, it appears they’re alternating turns with what they deem the most crucial book, if I were to speculate. I spent a while with one of the books they previously had, primarily concerning Zygarde," Jabari relayed.

"That's fantastic! Did she make a surprised face when she saw you alive?" Anaya inquired.

"Her expression said it all—she looked shocked. Once I walked a bit further from her, she started texting frantically for about five minutes," Jabari replied.

"Good, let them stew a bit," Anaya remarked.

"It seems I'll have plenty of time to read in the coming days," Jabari added, releasing Meltan from their Pokéball.

Meltan began engaging with Smeargle—they appeared to be developing a budding friendship. Conversely, relations with Grafaiai didn’t seem quite as harmonious.

"Ashanti is on her way," Anaya stated.

Jabari’s reaction was unsurprised, as if he knew already. All he said was, "That's good."

Anaya observed him with interest, "Is that all? I expected you'd be happier," she commented.

"My love, I knew she would come the moment we decided you’d call her. When has she ever refused you?" Jabari replied.

"True, you have a point. The only issue is that she'll arrive in about eight days. Apparently, she has some work to complete for a client. When I asked what kind of work, she merely assured me it was legit and legal. I can't say I fully trust her word," Anaya admitted.

"She’ll be fine, I'm sure of it. Just relax and be happy you'll see her soon," Jabari said, stifling a yawn.

"Get some rest. You didn’t sleep much last night. I’ll head over to the plaza to set up for painting," Anaya suggested.

"Just what I was thinking. I couldn’t keep my eyes open—hence my early return," Jabari said.

"Yes, I figured as much. Take it easy and let Meltan stay out of their Pokéball," Anaya advised.

"Don't worry, from now on, they'll always be out of their Pokéball while I sleep. I can't wait to see your new painting, my love," Jabari said, giving her another swift kiss before laying down on the bed as Anaya exited.

Reaching the plaza took little time, merely a ten-minute walk. Anaya paused near the library, seeking a vantage point where the library would be situated to the left, with the gym positioned behind it to the right. Her chosen angle allowed part of the gym to remain obscured, nestled behind the library.

She set up the canvas on the tripod she unfolded. Then she retrieved her backpack from Smeargle, taking out a case with her brushes and a wooden painter's palette. Smeargle offered his tail, and as she had done countless times before, she squeezed it, letting blue ink drip onto the palette. Grafaiai added by spitting red, creating a basic red paint.

"I think I'll need a bit more red, just a touch more before you switch colors," Anaya requested of Grafaiai.

Grafaiai spat a bit more red, and once Anaya was satisfied, she instructed him to switch to yellow. He opened his berry pouch, picked a yellow berry, and ate it. His saliva turned yellow, and he spat a stream of saliva that essentially was high-quality yellow paint. The paints produced by Grafaiai's saliva and Smeargle's tail were considered top-notch. Anaya then directed Grafaiai to eat a white berry, and after repeating the process, he consumed a green berry to get green paint.

Now, she had the five colors she cherished: red, blue, yellow, white, and green. While Grafaiai enjoyed marking trees with his saliva as a territorial sign, he wasn't adept at fine painting. Smeargle, on the other hand, had an innate talent for it. Whenever blue was needed, she would blend a hue on his tail and begin drawing with it, wielding her tail like a brush with remarkable precision. This allowed Anaya to take short breaks. In nearly all her paintings, Smeargle had rendered most of the skies or water scenes.

The moment had arrived to create yet another exquisite work of art.

***

As night descended, Elduran made his way through the plaza and stepped into the library. His hair was still clipped into a buzz cut, and a small beard now adorned his chin. He wondered if Faelan would recognize him. There was only one way to find out as he pushed open the library door and walked inside. There he was, just as Aisha had described—looking lifeless and as if he'd aged a decade. Despite this, it was clear he still maintained his body in peak condition. The mustache was a new addition. With a plastic bin in hand, Faelan approached Elduran in a slow, robotic gait, without even a glance upward to meet his eyes.

"Don’t trouble yourself over the bin; we fellows scarcely give a thought to books," Elduran remarked.

Faelan lifted his gaze, and at last, Elduran's features came into view. A spark of recognition lit up his expression; he had indeed recognized him.

"Owl? What brings you here?" Faelan inquired.

"I could pose the same question to you," Elduran replied.

"I'm half Tenerian. I realized my fondness for this region was too profound, so I decided to settle here," Faelan explained.

"Oh, you mean you chose to escape here," Elduran remarked.

"Interpret it as you will," Faelan responded.

"Man, I've genuinely missed you. I was convinced you'd eventually join my unit," Elduran said, extending his hand.

As they shook hands, Faelan asked, "Why would you want a failure like me?"

"Failure? You were the best of us. Anyone would have made the same choice you did. Command was mistaken in sending you on that mission. But that's the past, and we can't alter it. I've come to discuss the future," Elduran said.

"This is my future. I'm not returning," Faelan stated.

"I'm not here to bring you back. I've quit too," Elduran said, gesturing to his side, revealing three Pokéballs.

"Those must be fake, right? The legendary Pokémon hater has turned trainer?" Faelan joked.

"They're real. I resigned after the Ho-oh incident. I'm tired of merely reacting. Now I'm pursuing them on my own terms," Elduran declared.

"I heard APSO didn't even confront Ho-oh. What happened? Did some freelance trainers handle it?" Faelan asked.

"APSO wasn't present, but I was—inside a building Ho-oh demolished. A Pokémon saved me, altering my world view," Elduran revealed.

"No way! That was enough to make you a trainer? Hold on a moment—were you really in that collapsing building and lived to tell the tale? You don’t go anywhere without your rifle, so either you faced them yourself, or you would have met your end trying. Did you actually take down Ho-oh all by yourself?" Faelan questioned, disbelief etched across his face.

"That's all in the past. Let's focus on the present," Elduran said.

"Please, for the love of everything, for those of us who navigate this world without depending on Pokémon, did you bring them down?" Faelan inquired.

"Yes, I did. Now can I talk to you about why I am here or are you going to worship me?" Elduran said.

"Wow, Owl, if only we possessed even a fraction of your talent. But if you're truly pursuing those sons of bitches, this is the sole region untouched by the assaults of legendary Pokémon," Faelan remarked.

"They're here. The duo you drove out two nights ago, along with their comrades, we suspect they're Watchers," Elduran explained.

"How do you know about that?" Faelan queried.

"That girl with green and yellow hair who gave you the recording, we work together," Elduran replied.

"A little girl as your partner now?" Faelan teased.

"You're only about three years older than her. She's turning twenty-one soon, in about two weeks, I think," Elduran said, noting how Faelan was returning to his old self during their conversation. It was good for him, diverting his mind from the past.

"She seemed younger, though truthfully, I barely recall her face," Faelan admitted.

"Has guilt ruined more than just your mind, your dick was affected too. You don't even remember pretty girls anymore?" Elduran quipped.

"You could say that," Faelan replied.

"Honestly, join us," Elduran urged.

"I get the feeling, you are going to push my emotions with the Watchers and I will have no option to refuse, ain't I?" Faelan said.

"I don't have to push anything. You want those bastards dead as much as I do," Elduran replied.

"What's the plan?" Faelan asked.

"I'll explain more later, but here's the gist: We'll attempt to acquire that two-story house opposite the library, near the alley with the homeless kids and the Cubone. We'll set up a front, perhaps a coffee shop, and establish operations to monitor everything those four and, particularly, the local politicians do. Aisha's smart, if she senses something off, I believe her. We need to pinpoint their base of operations," Elduran explained.

"That two-story building isn't abandoned. I live there and have been trying to sell it," Faelan said.

"Why sell it if you live there?" Elduran inquired.

"Because I can't afford the repairs. With the money, I could buy a cheap studio apartment," Faelan explained.

"Looks like you just found investors. Don't worry, we'll leave you a corner for your studio," Elduran said with a smile.

"Alright, fill me in. How do we make those bastards pay?" Faelan asked.

***

The following night, Aisha ascended the stairs to the third floor of the gym, enveloped in shadows and illuminated by a subtle purple glow on every level. Perhaps the dim ambiance was intentional, for if fully lit, the spectators might strain to see even the limited view afforded during the night sessions. Few opted for the evening matches, believing their tickets squandered due to poor visibility. Consequently, they resorted to watching the action on screens instead.

Aisha wanted to gauge the atmosphere. The third floor maintained a ring-like shape similar to the previous levels, but instead of solid tungsten walls in the inner ring, there was glass. Three-tiered spectator stands encircled the floor as closely as possible to the glass wall. Only three spectators were present, and among them was Elduran. She approached his seat in the first row of the stands, situated between the two platforms that overlooked the arena where the challenger and the gym leader would stand in about five minutes. The Arena featured two modest sections at opposing ends, each adorned with a small water pond. The rest of the terrain was composed of sand.

As soon as Aisha sat next to him, she anticipated what was coming: his complaint that they had spent their money for nothing, as it would be impossible to see anything.

Elduran smiled at her, "I have to admit, this is rather intriguing. Quite unique. I can't believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually excited for it to begin," he said.

How often she misjudged Elduran—if only he knew how frequently she was wrong about his responses, he'd think twice about praising her skill in reading people.

"I figured you'd like it," Aisha lied.

"By the way, I got a text from Faelan. He's off tomorrow, and I told him we'd meet at his place," Elduran added.

Aisha was still amazed that Faelan actually lived in that building, yet she couldn't believe their luck—him being the owner and practically worshiping Elduran.

"That's great. We might not have base locations from Mew, but we've gathered plenty of intel on what they're researching. Jabari believes he's close to deciphering their objectives," Aisha replied.

"There he is, your boyfriend has arrived," Elduran teased.

"Insufferable fool," Aisha muttered upon seeing Zane step onto the platform, followed soon by Stephanie Crock. She was a dark-skinned woman with slender black cornrows cascading past her waist, appearing to be in her forties. She wore tall black heels, a short black skirt, and a long-sleeved black shirt that almost hid her skirt entirely. Although short, her heels gave her a taller appearance.

As she reached her platform, a voice resonated throughout the arena.

"Challenger, you have issued a challenge to Gym Leader Crock for a two-on-two battle with one switch-in. Mrs. Crock will commence with Shiftry, while her other Pokémon is Crawdaunt. Should any of your Pokémon touch the green laser roof beneath you, they will be disqualified. A Pokémon deliberately thrown towards the laser roof will also be disqualified. Most attacks dissipate upon contact with the laser, yet more powerful moves can penetrate, resulting in disqualification. Exercise extreme caution when commanding your Pokémon to aim upwards. The safety of onlookers is of utmost importance. Challenger, release your first Pokémon to face Shiftry," the announcer proclaimed.

"Are you aware of the Pokémon you'll face beforehand?" Elduran asked, curious.

"You really don’t read much. Yes, you'll always contend with her Shiftry and Crawdaunt, without exception to your level, plus an additional Pokémon that corresponds to your number of badges. Challengers are well-informed about the Pokémon they will encounter, including the gym leader’s starting choice," Aisha clarified.

"Wow, that certainly simplifies things," Elduran noted.

"The only catch is that regardless of a challenger’s badges, the intensity of the gym leader's battle remains unwavering. It matches the difficulty presented by the eight-level gym leaders found in other regions. However, you're partly right—at the zero and one badge levels, if your team counters the gym leader's primary and secondary types, it does make things easier. But as the gym leader’s roster expands beyond two badges, it becomes increasingly daunting. From two to four badge levels, Tenera is infamously challenging. Nevertheless, at levels five to eight, other regions may offer tougher adversaries due to their unpredictability, even if the challenge here remains formidable," Aisha elaborated.

Zane sent Mienfoo into the arena below. Catherine released Shiftry and remarked, "Good luck, challenger."

"I don't need luck. I am Zane the Invincible. Prepare for your defeat," he boldly declared.

"Why do I feel embarrassed hearing him boast like that, considering I don’t even know him?" Aisha mused aloud.

"You really don’t want me to answer that, do you?" Elduran replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Damn you, Elduran," Aisha muttered, exasperated.

"A confident challenger today," Catherine observed, smiling.

"Let’s dispense with the pleasantries. Mienfoo, strike first with Fake Out and then unleash Force Palm!" Zane commanded.

In a flash, Mienfoo zipped in front of Shiftry, landing a slap with both paws that stunned him momentarily before thrusting her palm against Shiftry's chest, channeling a powerful force that sent him tumbling backward to the ground.

"Return the favor with Air Cutter, Shiftry," Catherine instructed calmly.

Shiftry blurred into motion, striking Mienfoo across the face with rapid-fire leaf slaps. He then created a razor-sharp wind that sliced through Mienfoo’s chest, leaving her bleeding as if cleaved by a blade.

"Shit, he knows flying moves! Dodge those at all costs! Now, unleash Fury Swipes!" Zane ordered urgently.

"Counter with Mega Drain," Catherine directed.

As Mienfoo lunged towards Shiftry to claw him with her swift strikes, Shiftry focused on her, preparing to absorb her vital energy to mend his own wounds.

"Run past him quickly!" Zane commanded.

Mienfoo dodged low, slipping beneath Shiftry's arm before turning around to strike him from behind with Fury Swipes.

"Just use Harden and endure the hits," Catherine instructed.

Shiftry braced himself, his bark seeming to harden as the blows rained upon him from behind.

"We can only use super-effective moves; we're barely scratching him! Force Palm!" Zane exclaimed.

"That's something you have to dodge," Catherine replied with unwavering calm.

Shiftry shifted to his right, facing Mienfoo, but a Force Palm clipped him on the side, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Now's our chance! Hone Claws!" Zane instructed.

Mienfoo began sharpening her claws, readying herself for the next onslaught.

"Stop her! Razor Leaf!" Catherine shouted.

Shiftry released a flurry of sharp leaves toward Mienfoo, but after two struck her, she had finished honing her claws and dodged to the side, racing toward Shiftry.

"For a new trainer, you're not half bad," Catherine complimented, "Use Rollout!" she commanded with determination.

"Hone Claws again!" Zane insisted.

Shiftry began to roll into position, giving Mienfoo the brief moment she needed to finish sharpening her claws.

"Detect!" Zane cried.

Just before Shiftry could hit, Mienfoo, with extraordinary agility, jumped over him, timing her movement almost as if reading her opponent’s thoughts.

"Execute a swift Force Palm while you leap over him!" Zane shouted.

Mienfoo complied, clipping Shiftry as she soared over, and with the power she had gained, sent Shiftry crashing against the wall. Remarkably, Shiftry rose again.

"Enough games! Synthesis!" Catherine commanded.

"At night?" Zane retorted. "Fuck this, he won’t heal much—Hone Claws!" he said, grinning.

Mienfoo started sharpening her claws once more.

"Cancel that and bombard her with Razor Leaf!" Catherine ordered.

"Just sharpen your claws again, then dodge!" Zane urged.

Leaves struck Mienfoo, adding to her injuries, but she managed to evade most of the attack as her claws gleamed ominously.

"Charge at him with Drain Punch!" Zane directed.

Just as the punch was poised to land, Catherine recalled Shiftry.

"Now that Mienfoo is powered up, just a couple of fighting moves from her and any of my Pokémon would be down," Catherine said, her smile revealing her enjoyment of the battle.

"Blah blah blah, are you going to send out your second Pokémon?" Zane questioned, eager.

Catherine released Crawdaunt at a distance from Mienfoo.

"Swords Dance!" she commanded.

"Oh crap, that’s much stronger than Hone Claws! You’re too far—damn it!" Zane exclaimed, recalling Mienfoo swiftly and sending out Toxel right next to Crawdaunt. "Nuzzle, right away!" he ordered.

With a single step, Toxel's cheeks connected with Crawdaunt, emitting a jolt of electricity that interrupted his Swords Dance.

"Wow, that is one seriously strong Nuzzle! Toxel is impressive—Crawdaunt, Crabhammer!" she commanded.

Crawdaunt raised one of his pincers, preparing to strike Toxel fiercely.

"Tearful Look!" Zane shouted.

Toxel started crying while gazing at Crawdaunt, causing the attack to lessen in ferocity. As the blow landed, Toxel managed to withstand the hit and took the opportunity to unleash another Nuzzle on Crawdaunt.The clash of an Electric attack against a part Water-type Pokémon like Crawdaunt left it howling in pain.

As he stumbled away from Toxel, he began to limp backward while unleashing Razor Shell, following instincts rather than commands from Catherine. Shards of shell flew from his body toward Toxel.

"He's still close enough—Belch!" Zane yelled.

As Toxel let out a huge burp, a wave of poison surged toward Crawdaunt, gnawing away at his shell and causing him to faint. Yet, Toxel, battered by the sharp shells, could barely move.

"You had him eat a berry just before our fight. Smart move," Catherine noted, her smile unwavering.

She released Shiftry as far as possible, fully aware that Zane had no more switch-ins.

"Finish him with Razor Leaf!" she commanded.

Though Shiftry appeared exhausted, he summoned sharp leaves that darted toward Toxel.

In a swift movement, Zane recalled Toxel, forfeiting him and sending out Mienfoo right beside Shiftry, catching even Catherine off guard. Her expression transformed from surprise to delight, witnessing a young trainer battle with such intelligence.

"Time to heal—Drain Punch!" Zane instructed.

Mienfoo's claws, once gleaming, had reverted to their original state upon being recalled to their Pokéball. But at this moment, healing was paramount for both exhausted Pokémon.

Mienfoo delivered a punch that drained energy from Shiftry, bringing him closer to collapse. Yet, Shiftry, driven by sheer determination, retaliated with Mega Drain.

"Detect!" Zane commanded.

Yet again, with incredible agility, Mienfoo dodged, instinctively utilizing another Drain Punch without needing direction.

"I know it’s not optimal to use a Dark move against a Fighting type, but use Payback!" Catherine encouraged.

As Mienfoo's punch landed, healing her once more, Shiftry retaliated with a shadowy strike—a move twice as powerful following Mienfoo's hit. If Mienfoo hadn't resisted the move as a Fighting type, she might have been finished.

"Forget Drain Punch! He's barely standing—overwhelm him with Fury Swipes!" Zane ordered, his focus unwavering.

"Try to Mega Drain in between the hits!" Catherine continued, still smiling.

Mienfoo launched a rapid succession of claw swipes. Shiftry attempted to absorb her life force, but fatigue and distractions rendered him powerless against Mienfoo’s relentless barrage. A final swipe sent Shiftry crashing to the ground, unconscious.

"The challenger has emerged victorious! What an impressive display of skill. Congratulations on earning your very first badge, the Midnight Badge," the speaker announced.

A bridge formed, connecting both platforms of the challenger and gym leader. Catherine walked halfway across, awaiting Zane’s approach.

"You’re supposed to walk the other half," she said, a playful smile adorning her face.

"I thought victory meant you walk the whole way here," Zane countered.

"Oh my, your manners require some refinement," Catherine replied, her smile still bright.

Zane met her halfway, where she presented him with the Midnight Badge, shaped like a black comet.

"You possess unimaginable potential, kid; I look forward to our rematch in the League Finals someday," Catherine remarked.

"I will conquer the entire league. And when they crown me champion, I’ll refuse the title," Zane declared as he turned to leave.

Aisha looked on in disbelief, astonished by his brazen attitude. She glanced beside her to see Elduran laughing, as if it were the most amusing spectacle in the world. Naturally, he would find delight in a behavior like that.

"I misjudged that kid. I absolutely love his style," he said, laughter filling the air.

Aisha could only sigh, her disbelief resonating in the silence around her.