Chapter 14 - Faelan

Faelan clocked in from 14:00 to 22:00, at which point Xylen arrived to take over his duties. She worked the night shift as a security guard, someone he didn't particularly care for. Her overt sociability and friendliness unsettled him, and she'd repeatedly suggested they go on a date—an idea that held no appeal for Faelan. Not with her, at least. Her muscular build wasn't to his taste, but what really put him off was her immaturity. Despite being a few years older than him, she behaved like a child. He loathed admitting it, but he sought more of a maternal figure in a companion, not an equal partner. He was too messed up for that. He needed someone to guide him, to say what needed to be done.

She once did invite him, having grown tired of constantly refusing her, to just come over to her apartment and simply have fun. Faelan interpreted that as an invitation for intimacy, no strings attached, which is why he agreed at the time. It began as such, but afterwards, she would not let him be; she refused to let him leave her apartment and wouldn't even allow him to dress. She had manipulated the situation, believing that after the act left him feeling good and relaxed, he would be enamored with her. Contrary to her expectations, once it was over, he felt even more repelled by her. Those invitations continued to come; however, he had learned his lesson. There was no chance he would find himself in the same situation with her again.

He gathered his belongings, ignoring her greeting, and exited through the front door. As he crossed the plaza toward his home, he noticed Elduran and Anaya engaged in a heated argument on his right, not far from where he stood. He nearly approached them but chose not to intervene. What would he achieve, he wondered. He’d likely just be a quiet onlooker, and they probably wouldn’t want him there anyway. Continuing to his house, he entered and found Jabari warming water on the stove, which stood alone against the wall. All the cabinets had been removed by that time. Further inside, on the opposite side of the room, Aisha was speaking with the three children, while the ever-faithful Cubone stayed by their side, never leaving the kids.

"Care for some tea?" Jabari inquired of Faelan.

"Sure, why not. Thanks," Faelan replied.

Jabari retrieved two cups from a nearby small table, placed a tea bag in each, and poured in the hot water. He set them on the cooktop and turned to Faelan, "They'll be ready in five minutes," he said.

Faelan nodded, his attention caught by laughter. He turned to see Aisha and the children. Little Tress was sprinting away from Aisha, clutching a broom and giggling, as Aisha chased her, a wide smile lighting up her face. Aisha caught up, gently tackling Tress to the ground with care, heedless of the dusty floor. Tress still clung to the broom, laughing as Aisha tickled her, trying to coax her to release it. Cubone hopped onto Aisha, as if aiding her, and soon the boys joined in on Aisha's side, forming Team Aisha against Team Tress. Jake, the boy with brown hair and the most common name in Tenera, finally succeeded in snatching the broom. Everyone was enveloped in joyous laughter. Aisha seemed like a different person, Faelan mused.

"For all her talk, justifying why she brought them in, she really cares for them. It's nothing to do with labor—don’t tell her that, though," Jabari remarked, his gaze also fixed on them.

"She's a good person," Faelan said.

"Do your talks with her help you at all?" Jabari asked.

"She told you about them?" Faelan asked, a hint of shyness coloring his voice.

"No, my boy, but it's clear you're looking a tad better, and there's no way you're discussing renovations all those hours in her room upstairs," Jabari replied with a gentle smile, turning to remove the tea bags from the mugs and handing one to Faelan.

"Is it that obvious?" Faelan inquired.

"It is, but there's no need to fret. Eventually, all the pieces will fall into place. You'll see," Jabari replied.

"What are you implying?" Faelan pressed.

"Trying to decipher my words, huh? Forget it. Sometimes even I don't grasp what I'm saying. Words just escape my mind," Jabari explained.

"You enjoy speaking in riddles, don't you?" Faelan remarked.

"Aren't we all riddles? Such is the nature of the human mind," Jabari mused.

"Are you taking Aisha's place tonight?" Faelan asked.

"Oh no, I wouldn't dare," Jabari responded.

Mew appeared suddenly, catching Faelan by surprise. His training instinctively led his hand to his gun before realizing it was only Mew. Faelan didn't harbor the same animosity toward legendary Pokémon as Elduran once did, though he wasn't sure if Elduran still held those feelings. He had witnessed the tremendous power a small Pokémon like Mew possessed. It was astonishing. The other day, they had lifted all the cabinets simultaneously and shattered them in seconds. He couldn't even imagine their combat capabilities. Considering powerful trainers could actually defeat them with a team of six highly-trained Pokémon, his handgun seemed rather insignificant. No wonder Elduran eventually broke his mental barriers and became a trainer. To be fair, Mew was friendly with the whole team, especially Jabari, though Elduran wasn't far behind. Possessing immense strength didn't mean they wanted to harm everyone—a lesson the Watchers could learn.

Meltan emerged from Jabari's jacket to greet Mew. They rarely stayed in their Pokéballs. Well, if you could even call those Pokéballs theirs. They could easily break them if they wished. The connection between Mew and Meltan was extraordinary. Faelan wondered why he couldn't ever feel like that. It had nothing to do with the Watchers killing his family. He just couldn't show emotion. He felt it, but displaying it seemed burdensome. How could he ever connect with anyone that way? Deep down, he knew that once you cared for something, expectations arose. And that was the issue: expecting anything from him was absurd, relying on him, utterly insane. They saw him as a good soldier. He wasn't sure how much they understood the turmoil within his mind, but if they equated lack of emotion with being the perfect soldier, they were mistaken. Not showing emotion and not having any are different. He focused on training more than anyone else, even more so than Elduran. Elduran put significant effort into studying Pokémon, and given his successful career later on, he certainly chose wisely.

"Hello, Mew! Greetings, Meltan! I shall leave you now to confer with Jabari. You likely have important information to share with him," Faelan said, as Meltan sprang onto him, nestling warmly against his neck. A rare moment of affection from a Pokémon caught him off guard, stirring something within him. He savored a sip of his tea, setting the cup gently upon the stove, scarcely tasting it. Suddenly, a flood of images, thoughts, and emotions inundated his mind. Turning, he met Mew’s gaze, who smiled gently at him. A soothing wave of reassurance washed over him—not mere emotional support, but a profound acceptance of his very being. It was an unfamiliar, yet welcome sensation. Unsure of how to respond, Faelan instinctively began to bow, but a telepathic force lifted his head back up, the stern expression on Mew’s face making it clear they disliked such reverence. Elduran had warned everyone that Mew rejected worship; few had heeded, but Faelan now recognized Elduran's truth. He gently lifted Meltan from his neck, handing them back to Jabari. "Thank you, both," he said, his gaze shifting from Meltan to Mew. With a final glance towards Aisha and the children, he ascended the stairs to his room—shared with Elduran.

Barely a minute after stepping into the room, there came a knock at the door. Faelan called out for the visitor to enter, and when the door swung open, Aisha walked in.

"Hey, how'd your shift go?" Aisha asked.

"Same as always," Faelan replied.

"Well, not always; I did tweak your schedule a bit that day," Aisha said.

"That you did," Faelan acknowledged with a smile.

Aisha's face lit up with a smile of her own.

"What’s got you smiling?" Elduran inquired.

"Because you’re smiling. I can’t remember the last time I saw you do that. Come on, let's head to my room in case Elduran comes back. Where is he, anyway?" Aisha wondered.

As Faelan followed her out of the room, he mentioned, "I saw him arguing with Anya down at the plaza, where she paints."

"Are you sure it was an argument?" Aisha asked, opening the door to her room.

"With those two, who knows? Sometimes I think Anya’s like a female Elduran, but even more... I can't quite find the word," Faelan said.

"Direct. That's the word you're looking for. Neither of them sugarcoats anything; what's on their mind just comes out," Aisha noted as she sat on the bed, the room's only piece of furniture. Faelan joined her there.

"Anyway, I don’t think there’s much left to discuss. We've covered pretty much everything about the renovation. I trust you to make the decisions; it seems that's how it's going anyway," Faelan stated.

"We have plenty to discuss, but as for the renovation, you've contributed a lot. What are you talking about?" Aisha asked.

"I'm not complaining. You're much better at this, honestly. I'd actually feel more comfortable if you took charge. Besides, you guys are contributing more financially anyway," Faelan said.

"That's why we need to keep talking. You like shoving responsibility onto others, but that's not about the money. But you do look better today—smiling, even," Aisha remarked.

"I have smiled before," Faelan insisted.

"No, you haven't. Did something happen? Did you get laid or something?" Aisha teased.

"What? No, definitely not. I'd probably feel the opposite if I did," Faelan confessed.

"Why would that be? Do you not enjoy sex?" Aisha pressed.

"Are you channeling Elduran now? Sensitive questions seem to come too easily," Faelan said.

"It's just a sex question. I thought men talked more easily about this... sensitive topic. You said sex leaves you feeling worse. I was curious, especially since you've been opening up a lot these past few days. I'm just wondering why this question's touchy for you, that's all," Aisha said as she released Hatenna, who leaped onto her lap. "Hey, Candy. Soundproof the room, please," Aisha instructed before turning her attention back to Faelan as Hatenna created an invisible bubble around them. "Feel like sharing now? No pressure, you don't have to if you don't want to," she added.

"It's not that I dislike sex; it's more that I don't like... I can't quite explain it," Faelan said.

"I get it. You don't like the before and after. Now that makes sense," Aisha said.

"Damn, am I that obvious?" Faelan asked.

"I'm just good at this; I should've been a therapist," Aisha said with a smile.

"Thanks for not laughing at me," Faelan said.

"Why would I laugh? It’s serious. How are we ever going to find you a girlfriend?" she joked, still smiling.

"I don’t need any of that," Faelan said.

"You’ll realize sometime that you do. You just need someone who understands you perfectly. So, why are you in such a good mood, anyway? Still dodging my question," Aisha said.

"Huh? Well, you ask two questions every time you talk, and don’t give me time to answer," Faelan pointed out.

"My bad. It's a habit of mine—cramming questions into my sentences. That’s my agent side talking. So?" Aisha prompted.

"Mew connected with me telepathically and made me feel... good about being... me. No one’s ever done that. People usually try to change me," Faelan said.

"Damn, I thought our talks made you feel better. I don’t completely agree with Mew, but I’ve come to see these past few days that you need a little change, to allow people into your life. Endure them for a bit, and maybe they’ll understand who you are and what you want and give you the space you need. Mew’s right about that part. I’m sorry if I pushed too hard," Aisha admitted.

"Aisha, our conversations have helped. Not necessarily to make me feel better about myself, but I do feel more comfortable with all of you—except for Anya. Everyone else gives me space and only asks what's necessary. I don’t like small talk; you know that. But this perfect girlfriend you talk about doesn’t exist, and she shouldn’t. What relationship survives without random conversations? It wouldn’t be fair to her or me. Someone would suffer," Faelan explained.

Hatenna leapt onto Faelan’s lap, her tail pointed toward his head as she settled in and entered his mind. He felt happiness from her and gratitude as she drifted off to sleep.

"Wow. Candy loves calm environments, and you must be brimming with calmness. Maybe I should transfer her to you. You’re probably the calmest person around. A perfect trainer for the Hatenna line," she said, smiling.

Faelan watched the sleeping Hatenna on his lap. At least he was good to someone in this state, he thought. She seemed to be in bliss. His eyes then drifted to Aisha, who wore a gentle smile directed at both him and Hatenna. Why had it taken him so long to recognize her allure? She spoke more than he preferred, and standing so tall, he couldn't help but notice she fell short of his ideal height. Her vibrant hair, a vivid blend of green and yellow, was far from his usual taste for understated beauty, favoring natural looks with hardly a trace of makeup. Yet, in that fleeting moment, he acknowledged that she might not be the most beautiful woman he had ever encountered, but she certainly ranked among the most captivating. For someone like him, that distinction held immense significance.

"Um, Faelan, are you alright? You've been staring at me. Is there something on your mind?" Aisha inquired.

"What? Oh, no... nothing," Faelan replied as he stood up and gently set Hatenna on the bed. Turning to Aisha, he continued, "I'll head out now and let you get some rest. You've got an important day tomorrow. Best of luck with your gym battle," Faelan added.

Aisha smiled at him. "You know, sometimes it's good to be a bit like Elduran and express what's on your mind. Who knows, I might have said yes," she remarked.

"What do you mean? Said yes to what?" Faelan questioned.

"Nevermind. Will you come to watch my battle? It's just an hour after your shift ends," Aisha asked.

"Do you want me to be there?" Faelan inquired.

"Yes, I would love that very much," Aisha replied.

Faelan prepared to leave, "I'll be there," he promised.

"Thank you, see you in the morning," Aisha called after him.

Faelan was making his way to his room when Elduran ascended the stairs in apparent good spirits—perhaps he had misunderstood and Elduran and Anaya had not quarreled after all. Without a word, Elduran opened the door for him. Faelan entered first, followed by Elduran, who released all three of his Pokémon. Cyndaquil dashed toward the bed, always in search of comfort. Heracross, however, preferred to settle by the door, ever the vigilant guardian. Among the trio, Heracross was the most peculiar—a formidable Pokémon, yet his bond with Elduran was extraordinarily strong. Aisha had told him that Elduran had effectively battled Heracross alone with only Vivillon's support. Her theory was that Heracross respected Elduran's strength after their encounter, and she believed that he saw Elduran as an elder brother. Of all Elduran's Pokémon, Heracross reflected his personality most closely. Yet, it was Vivillon who held the most special place in Elduran's heart, their bond forged when they survived the Ho-oh attack and were trapped for over a week in a truck trailer. Vivillon, too, headed for the bed, choosing her usual spot at its foot when Elduran slept. She appeared tired, as Faelan noticed with clarity.

"I saw you with Anaya at the plaza," mentioned Faelan.

"We have something vital to discuss, but it will have to wait until after Little Light Bulb's gym battle," replied Elduran.

"And why is that?" inquired Faelan.

"Because it might unsettle her; she is quite sensitive," Elduran explained.

"You know, you can treat her like an adult," Faelan suggested.

"See, that right there shows exactly why I need to wait until after her battle to speak," Elduran remarked.

"What do you mean?" asked Faelan.

"That anything I say to you now, you won't be able to keep it from her. Faelan, trust me, I'm glad you're getting close to her, but for her benefit, this conversation will take place the morning after her gym battle," Elduran assured.

Faelan inhaled deeply. It might have been the first time Elduran had truly grated on his nerves. Perhaps he ought to put his faith in him, he mused. It was well-known that Elduran had a legendary reputation in APSO for maintaining his composure in the most challenging situations. Moreover, Elduran was likely correct; for some reason, Faelan doubted that if the information was significant, he would have managed to keep it a secret from Aisha.

"Alright, I trust you," Faelan said.

"Don't look so gloomy, you acting like this actually makes me happy. She is infusing life inside that husk you call body of yours," Elduran said.

Faelan lay on the bed, rested his head on the pillow, and turned to face the wall. He should have been furious with Elduran for the way he had spoken to him, yet he never was. Not with Elduran. While Elduran wasn't always correct, his perspective had consistently been understandable. He had seemed devoid of hidden agendas, merely expressing his view of how things had appeared. It had been practically impossible to ask him to refrain from doing so. Truthfully, Faelan had considered this trait preferable; Elduran had been like a window into others' minds, offering insight into how they would have probably perceived him.

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***

Upon awakening, Faelan was greeted by the clamor emanating from the ground floor. It was the day set aside for the installation of new windows. Elduran was already awake, likely engrossed in training with his Pokémon—a pursuit he had become almost obsessed with of late. After a refreshing shower, Faelan glanced toward Aisha’s room, noting her door stood ajar. A quick peek confirmed her absence; surely, she too was engaged in training, given her impending gym battle. It dawned on Faelan that staying at home might not be wise today. Even Jabari and Anaya, who were hardly early risers, seemed to have vacated the premises.

Faelan counted himself among those who relied on the invigorating surge of a cold morning shower to awaken his senses. It roused his spirits, preparing him to face the challenges of the day ahead. Despite running diligently each morning, his exercise regimen was devoid of rest days. He had long realized that his dedication stemmed less from a desire to maintain physical fitness and more from the mental clarity he achieved through his runs and strength training, which fueled his persistence. He dedicated roughly an hour each morning to this ritual, before even indulging in breakfast, concluding with a soothing hot shower—a routine that remained steadfast and unwavering. Today, he adhered once more to his usual routine.

After completing his hot shower, he chose not to squander his time today by watching shows on his phone—a habit he had maintained for years. Though a TV would have been preferable, the phone sufficed for his needs. Additionally, he forwent his habitual and overly meticulous gun cleaning, a daily ritual that verged on the obsessive even by the most extreme measures.

He began his walk toward the northern part of town, which undeniably stood as the more charming section of Dirthrow—at least, he mused, more so than the rest. He spotted even more fresh faces than he had the day before, mostly young. Likely all trainers, drawn to Dirthrow for their inaugural gym challenge. It would have been advantageous, he reflected, if their café—or whatever it was that Aisha truly envisioned—were open now, so they could begin making money. The contractor informed him earlier today that at least two good weeks were necessary to complete the first floor to Aisha's specifications, allowing them to open the business while the second floor was still under construction. But what about the noise—it crossed his mind—wouldn't that deter customers? Well, he supposed Aisha had probably considered that.

As he walked, he realized he was right by the hotel where those goons stayed. Mew was there now, according to the intel—top floor, last window, with a vent beside it for entry and exit. Glancing up to check the vent, he saw it warp open, then warp shut. That was strange, he thought, but it could only be Mew causing it, he figured after a moment. Did they just go in or come out? Curse that invisibility, he thought. Then he felt Mew transmitting information to him through various means, but images worked best for him, a fact Mew understood, and so more images flooded his mind.

"Are you suggesting we’re trailing Dan?" Faelan whispered cautiously.

Mew suggested he keep an eye out for Dan emerging from around the corner down the road.

"I’m probably the worst candidate to tail him; he knows my face too well—hard to forget the person who expelled you from a facility," Faelan mused, fully aware that Mew could be lurking just out of sight, easily slipping past his notice.

As predicted by Mew, a heavyset man with very dark skin and a completely bald head, appearing to be in his late forties, rounded the corner. That was undeniably Dan, Faelan noted. Given his lack of disguise, Faelan had no choice but to follow from a considerable distance.

"Just fly up and ensure you don't lose him," he murmured softly, hoping Mew would heed him, "I’m unsure of how far your communication can reach, but I suggest you ascend and keep track of him. If you can still relay information from above, guide me accordingly," Faelan concluded.

Messages of agreement filtered through to him. Time to see how this method would work. Purposefully, he let Dan blend into the crowd, and mere moments later, Mew relayed impressions telepathically, forming vivid images in his mind of when and where to navigate. Following someone like this was astonishingly straightforward, he thought. Mew even warned him to slow down as Dan paused ahead. How often does one follow without ever seeing the individual, Faelan pondered. Moments later, Mew urged him forward. Five minutes after, Dan reached the monorail station and boarded a train. Mew insisted Faelan follow, while they returned to possibly scout Keesh, unwilling to abandon Jabari and Meltan. Faelan noted the train's destination—Dasos City. Rationally, boarding the train was the clear course of action; he planned to resign in a week and could notify others to inform the library he was resigning just a few days earlier. Yet, he could not bring himself to do it. Any other day, perhaps, but not today.

"I’m sorry, Mew, but I cannot go either," he whispered as quietly as he could, walking away, half-expecting Mew to psychically compel him onto the train. Instead, he was met with a strikingly human question in the form of an image entering his mind, simply: why?

"I promised Aisha I’d watch her match today. But honestly, Mew, it's more than that; I genuinely want to see her compete. I am sorry," Faelan expressed, pleasantly surprised by Mew's understanding. An idea suddenly sparked in Faelan's mind—the tracking devices from his APSO days. Their batteries could hold out for a couple of days at least. He began to murmur, "The train won't leave for another fifteen minutes. Go to my room and grab a tracker. I'll picture it for you—it’s on the top shelf with my firearms. Did you catch that?" Faelan asked. Mew responded with a sensation of affirmation. Faelan whispered on, "Hurry, as fast as you can, please." He paused, waiting for Mew's telepathic connection, but nothing came. Faelan allowed himself a slight smile; they had already departed.

He knew which wagon Dan had entered, but Dan might have switched to another. A street vendor was peddling hats with Pokéball logos, so he swiftly purchased one and pulled it low enough to see from the corners of his eyes. As he strolled along, he glanced into each wagon's windows, looking for his quarry. He spotted Dan in a wagon further ahead—his bald head was unmistakable. There were two seats on either side; Dan claimed the aisle seat with a small suitcase occupying the window seat beside him. Advising Mew to slip the tracker behind Dan's coat collar seemed like the best option; fortunately, Dan's black coat would effectively hide the black tracker. Suitcases weren't as reliable unless you had time to attach it near the wheels, and with the suitcase on the window side, the task grew even more challenging. Nonetheless, Mew was more than up to the job. He would lay out both possibilities and let Mew decide.

He sat on a bench near the wagon where Dan was, waiting for Mew, only three minutes left, damn it, he thought. He looked behind him towards the south, though he couldn't explain why he did that—Mew would be invisible, rendering his glance futile. As he turned his head back, he caught sight of something unusual, prompting him to turn again and confirm what he saw: a black dot hurtling straight toward him. Damn, the tracker doesn’t turn invisible like Mew. When it arrived, he snatched it with a swift motion, hoping not too many people noticed. Now for the final part of the plan—Mew would go in and place the tracker. But then Faelan had a harrowing realization: everyone would see a small black metal object floating in mid-air. Damn, he thought.

“I guess I have to do this. If they see a floating metal device, people might panic. If Dan spots it, this is over,” Faelan whispered, fully aware that Mew was invisibly beside him. They radiated a presence of encouragement. “Here goes nothing,” Faelan muttered, louder than he intended.

He rose, calculating he had a minute left, fortunate that tickets were not needed to enter—the scanning happened once the train was en route. He entered the wagon; Dan was seated in the third row ahead, on the right. Luckily, no one sat behind Dan. Faelan didn’t have time to do this the right way, and truth be told, he wasn't adept at the alternative. He had to try, nevertheless. He approached the seat behind Dan and, as he lowered himself, feigned a stumble, grabbing Dan's chair and part of his collar as he discreetly placed the device under the crease. Dan retaliated, turning to him, while Faelan feigned pain, looking out the window with his head bowed.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Dan demanded.

“I’m sorry, kind sir. I slipped. I have chronic back pain—it’s tough standing up and sitting down,” Faelan replied.

“Learn to deal with it without bothering others, you filthy piece of shit,” Dan snapped, turning back to face forward.

“I’ll move to another wagon to avoid disrupting you in the future. Please accept my apologies,” Faelan said, rising carefully, still holding his back and feigning pain. Dan didn’t bother with another glance or word. An announcement that the doors were closing prompted Faelan to turn towards the exit; he managed to wedge his foot between the closing doors, forcing them to reopen as a precaution against passengers getting stuck, then he hurried out. As the train picked up speed, he pulled out his phone, connected it to his software, and let a smile spread as a red dot moved along the map.

“We did it, Mew,” Faelan whispered.

Mew didn’t hold back from showing his appreciation, projecting it deep into Faelan's heart.

It was time to get to work soon. Returning home first would have been ideal, but it was better to explain to Aisha after her match, ensuring nothing distracted her focus. Faelan realized he was behaving just like he’d criticized Elduran for doing the previous night. Yesterday, he believed it was wrong; today, his perspective shifted. Trusting Elduran the previous night and not pressing the issue was the right call, he felt satisfied with his choice.

***

Faelan was the last to arrive at the gym. As he reached the top floor, he spotted Elduran, Jabari, and Anaya seated together to his left. He made his way over to join them just as Aisha was being called to send out her first Pokémon. The gym leader, Stephanie Crock, had already released Shiftry onto the battlefield. Faelan's mind wandered for a moment, amused by how Stephanie seemed to overcompensate for her height with those long heels. Shaking off the stray thought, he refocused on the battle as Aisha sent Togetic to meet Shiftry. She appeared calm and confident—quite unlike her usual self.

"Hey guys, looks like I made it just in time," Faelan greeted as he settled in next to Elduran.

"Came to watch the thrashing?" Elduran quipped.

"You think Aisha doesn’t stand a chance?" Faelan inquired.

"Elduran's convinced Aisha is going to clean the floor with the gym leader," Anaya remarked.

"Aisha's a strong trainer, especially in this kind of setting—one-on-one battles with minimal risk of Pokémon getting seriously hurt. She's focusing on getting more comfortable with battles that feel like life or death. I know I'm not the best, but I couldn’t even touch her, and I never did," Elduran confessed.

"Don't underestimate yourself, Elduran. Aisha just has more experience," Jabari encouraged.

"Alright, shush, the battle’s starting," Faelan cut in.

Elduran, Jabari, and Anaya exchanged knowing smiles.

"Begin with a wish, Gale, and elevate yourself as high as you can before encountering the laser," Aisha instructed.

“Air Cutter,” Stephanie commanded.

Togetic conjured a bright, small star that soared towards the sky, only to be intercepted by the razor-sharp gusts of Shiftry's air cutter. The wind attack dissipated just before striking the laser, demonstrating Shiftry's remarkable mastery over the attack's range. Togetic already bore two crimson slash wounds on each of its sides.

"Follow up with Razor Leaf," Stephanie said.

Aisha responded, "Counter with Fairy Wind for protection."

Razor-edged leaves whipped towards Togetic, but the gentle breeze, tinged with a soft pink hue emanating from Togetic, effortlessly halted them in their path. Shifty, however, remained out of reach from the wind's effect.

"Charge at him, Shiftry! Slip underneath and unleash your whirlwind," instructed Stephanie.

"That won’t do much damage, but beware—they're plotting to disqualify you. They want you to rise and hit the laser. Fly a bit lower and stay in motion, keeping Shiftry from getting directly beneath you," Aisha warned.

"You're quite perceptive," Stephanie remarked to Aisha.

Aisha remained silent, her attention riveted on the battlefield. She had yet to make a single offensive move, yet a calmness enveloped her; Faelan sensed a strategy brewing in her mind.

Togetic descended to about fifteen feet above the ground, and Faelan estimated there still remained at least nine feet of altitude above him. Even if struck, he believed he could escape the whirlwind before facing elimination.

With elegance, Togetic managed to evade one Whirlwind, but was grazed by Shiftry’s second attempt. However, he swiftly broke free from its clutches moments later. Shiftry made several more attempts, yet Togetic continued to dodge effortlessly. What was her plan? Faelan wondered.

"Unleash Air Cutter," Stephanie commanded.

"The moment has arrived, Gale," Aisha remarked, gazing upward.

Togetic, without waiting for a command, swooped down, enduring the sting of two Air Slashes cutting into him. Bleeding from his injuries, he appeared weakened, yet before Stephanie could issue an order, Togetic had already pressed a kiss to Shiftry's chest. This act left a pink gash while his own wounds healed significantly—he had used Draining Kiss.

"Reciprocate the gesture Shiftry," Stephanie commanded sharply, and that was when Faelan noticed it—Aisha's smile. Whatever she had been crafting had come to fruition, though its nature eluded him still.

Shiftry unleashed Mega Drain, siphoning the life force from Togetic.

"Sweet Kiss, Gale. Let’s bring this to a close," Aisha intoned with quiet resolve.

"Stop and..." Stephanie began, but with Togetic so near, she fell silent; by the time Stephanie uttered a word, Togetic had already executed the move. This second kiss move had struck Shiftry. Sweet Kiss, a ranged Kiss Move, sent pink lips flying from Togetic to land on Shiftry, leaving him bewildered. He seemed utterly oblivious to his surroundings.

"Moonblast Gale!" Aisha shouted.

Togetic began to conjure a massive orb of moonlight energy before him, swelling in size at an astonishing rate. Faelan glanced upward. The Moon Blast was more potent and quicker when the moon was clear and full, and tonight, a luminous full moon hung directly above them, casting down serenity and peace. Yet, Togetic was harnessing that energy to manifest the opposite—pure, unadulterated power. As he channeled this energy, a small star, seemingly in sync with the moon, descended and embedded itself into Togetic, miraculously healing him from the wounds inflicted by the two Air Cutters. The Moon Blast swelled to an almost insane diameter of ten feet, creating a crater in the sandy arena floor.

Stephanie reached for Shiftry's Poké Ball but hesitated to recall him. Faelan quickly discerned that even if she were to summon her second Pokémon into the arena, it would undoubtedly be overwhelmed—the second being a Crawdaunt, a sluggish creature with little hope of evading this impending strike. He doubted whether any Pokémon of dark typing could withstand such a blow without succumbing; fairy moves held a significant advantage over dark types. In that moment, Stephanie had to decide whom to sacrifice, acutely aware that Crawdaunt might be better equipped to face Togetic.

"Snap out of it, Shiftry! It's now or never—dim the moon's glow!" Stephanie commanded.

With renewed focus, Shiftry shook off his distraction, and upon witnessing the unfolding events, he conjured a Sunny Day. Aisha's smile faltered, but she quickly regained her poise and commanded, "Launch it!"

Above the arena floated an artificial sun, a sight that made Faelan wonder about its legality, considering it extended beyond the laser ceiling's bounds. Yet, with Aisha's silence, he figured there might be a rule he was unaware of. Meanwhile, Shiftry began to shimmer, a sign Faelan recognized thanks to Elduran’s teachings on Pokémon abilities—Chlorophyll was at play. Shiftry's speed surged astonishingly. The immense blast seemed powerful enough already; it didn't require additional force. As it hurtled forth, Faelan observed that its vast size didn’t hinder its velocity. Instead, the moon seemed to amplify its acceleration. Shiftry moved with the swiftness akin to a Quick Attack, yet the Moonblast was enormous. Remarkably, Shiftry nearly evaded it, but ultimately, the attack enveloped him. With Shiftry fainted, Stephanie had no choice but to recall him and send Crawdaunt onto the battlefield.

Aisha appeared less assured than before, yet not quite panicked. She was indeed a Pokémon ahead, and if Faelan had to wager, her strategy likely relied on harnessing the power of the Moon regardless of what Pokémon she used. Now, her aim would be to extend the battle until the man-made sun waned. Stephanie, on the other hand, demonstrated wisdom in not recalling Shiftry since she required the sunny day to prevent Aisha from exploiting Moon Blast. Moreover, Crawdaunt might possess more ranged capabilities to challenge Togetic. A trade-off was necessary for any hope of success. All of Aisha's Pokémon served as direct counters to Stephanie's team, firmly establishing Aisha as the favorite in this confrontation.

"That was an impressive tactic, my dear strategist, executed with remarkable finesse. I am eager to see how you tackle the new challenge I've devised for you," Stephanie remarked with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Leader Stephanie. Your praise means a lot to me," Aisha replied.

"Let's press on, Sword Dance!" commanded Stephanie.

"Wish, Gale," Aisha countered.

Once again, a small star soared into the sky, while Crawdaunt performed a menacing dance filled with malevolent intent. Upon its conclusion, its pincers gleamed ominously.

"Baby Doll Eyes," Aisha instructed.

"Another Sword Dance," Stephanie ordered.

Togetic's tears began to fall, prompting Crawdaunt to avert his eyes, yet he managed to execute another Swords Dance. Faelan noted that the Swords Dance significantly boosted Crawdaunt's Attack, far surpassing the reduction caused by Togetic's tears. Aisha was banking on avoiding any physical hits, merely stalling until the sunny day concluded. Catherine was acutely aware of this, making it evident that she believed Crawdaunt had a strategy to draw Togetic into melee range and finish the battle.

"Aisha seems uncertain of her actions at this moment; it defies logic. Even if her aim is to stall, should Catherine find a means for Crawdaunt to strike Gale, neither he nor any of Aisha's Pokémon would stand a chance against a Crawdaunt invigorated by several Swords Dances," Jabari observed.

"This is all just too bewildering," Anaya admitted, her brow furrowed.

"She's got this in the bag," Elduran replied, his voice brimming with assurance.

Faelan couldn't help but question what insight Elduran possessed that eluded him.

"Ice Beam!" Stephanie commanded sharply.

"Dodge! Channel every ounce of your focus into evasion," Aisha urged fervently.

Togetic did exactly that; it seemed to focus solely on maintaining as much distance as possible from Crawdaunt. Despite Crawdaunt's persistent attempts to close the gap by advancing and firing Ice Beams, Togetic adeptly maneuvered around the arena, ensuring it maintained a safe distance.

"Something quicker, Swift," Stephanie urged.

"Just keep your mind on dodging," Aisha reiterated.

Swift was undeniably swifter than Ice Beam, but Togetic skillfully evaded the first two strikes, only to be caught squarely by the third, sending him crashing to the ground—still a considerable distance from Crawdaunt.

"Ice Beam, now," instructed Stephanie.

Just as Togetic began to regain his strength after the fall, an Ice Beam struck him head-on. He did not succumb to fainting, but multiple parts of his body became encased in ice; being a part Flying type, he was particularly vulnerable to such attacks. At that moment, the warm embrace of the Sunny Day faded, revealing the full Moon once more, casting its silvery glow across the night sky.

"Alright, one more Sword Dance to fully charge for her next Pokémon, then finish him with another Ice Beam," Stephanie instructed.

While Crawdaunt commenced another Swords Dance, Aisha quickly withdrew Togetic, replacing it with Clefairy at the farthest distance possible from Crawdaunt. As Clefairy materialized from laser to full form, Aisha commanded, "Encore, Luna."

Stephanie commanded Crawdaunt to perform Crabhammer, a close-quarters attack, even though the distance between Crawdaunt and Clefairy made it seem illogical. In that moment, he realized what Aisha had done. Stephanie simply wanted Crawdaunt to execute an attack, but Clefairy had already locked eyes with Crawdaunt, compelling it to repeat its last move over and over. Without any need for Aisha's guidance, Clefairy began channeling a Moonblast. Stephanie knew she was already defeated; Faelan saw it in her expression, acknowledging her inevitable loss, as she focused on Aisha with a smile, ignoring the unfolding battle. Clefairy's Moonblast was already larger than Togetic's had been when targeting Shiftry, indicating Clefairy's superior proficiency in Moonblast over Togetic. Poor Crawdaunt was futilely boosting itself, forced to repeatedly use Swords Dance. Eventually, the compulsion for Crawdaunt to continue Swords Dance faded, and Clefairy unleashed a massive purple sphere of energy towards it. Stephanie swiftly recalled Crawdaunt before it could be struck.

"The challenger has emerged victorious, leaving gym leader Crock without Pokémon. Congratulations," announced the voice from above.

With a determined effort to conceal her delight, Aisha recalled Clefairy, wary that showing her excitement might come across as juvenile. To Faelan, it was charming in its own way. Her attempt, however, was not particularly successful. She then advanced across the newly constructed bridge that linked her platform to the gym leaders. They converged at its midpoint. The intercom broadcasted their voices for everyone to hear.

“You have some talent, girl. You devised a plan that completely exposed me. I sense that if given time to analyze your opponent, you possess the ability to formulate strategies to dismantle anyone. It seems fighting me during the night of a full moon was also part of your plan,” Stephanie remarked, glancing from her to the moonlit sky.

“I’m not sure about all that, but yes, fighting tonight was part of my plan. Thank you for your kind words,” Aisha replied.

“The gratitude is mutual. There is nothing more beautiful than witnessing the new generation rise to the challenge; our hope is always for the trainers that come after us to surpass us. I am deeply honored and delighted to present you with the Midnight Badge for the extraordinary performance you and your Pokémon displayed today,” Stephanie said with a smile.

“Thank you again,” Aisha responded, her joy now uncontainable.

“They say Tenera has a particularly challenging Gym format. Despite the greater ferocity compared to other regions, with the predictability of our starting Pokémon and the knowledge you gain of our teams, your meticulous planning is bound to be a significant advantage,” Stephanie noted, extending her hand.

Aisha was left speechless but mirrored the gesture, accepting the praise with a handshake. They then began to walk in opposite directions.

Aisha began to walk toward them, and Elduran stepped forward to welcome her.

"Congratulations, Little Light Bulb, never doubted you," he said with a smile, patting her head. She dodged his hand with a bow, still smiling all the while.

Jabari and Anaya moved ahead of Faelan, who stood rooted to the spot, feeling happy for her. They embraced her warmly, and after returning their hugs, she continued her path towards Faelan. It was only then he realized that ever since she stopped speaking with Stephanie, her gaze had been fixed on him.

Aisha came within a breath’s distance and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the gesture instinctively, his heart pounding in his chest. Without a second thought, he lowered his head so that his cheek met the crown of her head. Then, without warning, Aisha pulled back enough to let her lips find his. Faelan offered no resistance.