Chapter 12: The Evidence Of Strength

  After the first round, only four names remained. Vira stood near the edge of the ring, tail swishing behind her, voice steady and clear. "The semifinal matchups have been decided. First match: Auri and Lio."

  A few murmurs rippled through the crowd. That was a pairing people had already expected, but still, they were curious. Auri had fought better than most had expected for someone who had lost his memories. And Lio seemed unusally determined this time around as well.

  Yuki leaned forward on the stone railing where she’d been perched, eyes narrowing in interest. "Oof. That’s gonna be intense. Auri's gonna win, sure, but still."

  Across the field, Ayra crossed her arms and let out a low whistle. "Heh. Let's hope Lio’s ready."

  Lio was already stepping into the ring. He didn’t look nervous, exactly. Rather he looked like he’d already played the match out in his head a hundred times. He shifted his footing, glancing once toward the gathered villagers, then toward Auri, who now approached from the other side.

  Auri's steps were steady, his expression unreadable. The dark-blue scarf around his neck stirred lightly in the wind. It was very clear to him that Lio was here to prove something and he was still debating on how to react to that.

  Vira looked between them once, then nodded. "Same rules as before. Both of you ready?"

  Both Pokemon nodded. Then the Luxray raised her voice, gaze sweeping the crowd. "Semifinal One. Begin!"

  Lio was the first to move with [Quick Attack], a blur of blue darting low across the ring, closing the distance between them in seconds. His foot skimmed the stone as he launched into a [Rock Smash], fast and silent.

  Auri dipped low, the wind from the strike brushing his ears. He shifted his weight, and the moment Lio’s momentum carried him past, Auri retaliated with a precise [Thunder Shock] arcing toward the Riolu’s back.

  Lio twisted mid-air and deflected most of the attack with a [Metal Claw], but the jolt still forced him into a backward roll. He landed light on his paws, breathing slow, eyes burning.

  Auri didn’t wait, instead darting forward with a [Quick Attack] of his own. Lio caught it and adjusted, swinging another [Metal Claw] up to intercept, but Auri vanished from the angle and slid underneath, kicking out Lio’s back leg with a [Tail Whip]. Lio buckled but twisted in sync, letting himself drop to one knee as he swept his other foot across the floor. Auri had to leap back to avoid the [Feint], sparks skimming from his cheeks. They separated again.

  "Tch." Lio’s breath hitched, part exertion, part frustration. "You're faster than I thought."

  Auri didn’t answer, seeing how Lio didn’t even give him time to. He surged in again, this time with a straight [Rock Smash], aimed at Auri’s shoulder. Auri parried with another [Tail Whip], turning his body just enough to let the momentum pass him. The movement was almost elegant.

  Lio didn’t let up. He pivoted and delivered a flurry of [Metal Claws] and [Feints], forcing Auri on the defensive. Between [Double Team], [Agility] and [Quick Attack] he managed to evade Lio every single time, if sometimes barely. His tail snapped up in a [Tail Whip] to catch another [Rock Smash], before sending out a retaliatory [Electro Ball]. Lio leapt backward again, panting now, chest rising and falling fast.

  "You know," he said, circling, "I didn’t join this tournament to beat you. That wouldn't be a realistic goal."

  Auri didn’t respond. His eyes stayed locked on Lio’s paws, his breathing steady.

  “I joined it," Lio continued, slipping to the side with a [Quick Attack] that Auri dodged, "because I needed to prove something to myself. That I wasn’t just the kid who froze up in panic when Mina was in danger."

  He came in harder this time, his fist charged and glowing. But it wasn't another Rock Smash. Instead, suddenly, a [Vakuum Wave] shot out, which Auri barely managed to counter with [Tail Whip], sending him skidding back. He felt the impact rattle his with type energy enhanced tail. The stone beneath his paws was cracked now in faint spider lines. Dust rose in small curls around them.

  Auri’s ears flicked. Based on the gasps from everyone else, no one else had known that Lio knew how to use [Vacuum Wave] either. "You’ve already proven you’re more than that."

  But Lio didn’t stop. He dropped low, driving forward with another [Quich Attack] leading into a [Rock Smash] that nearly knocked Auri off his feet. Auri jumped, tail tucking close, but Lio met him in the air with another [Vacuum Wave] that clipped his chest. The hit forced Auri back, his landing unsteady this time. A cough escaped his throat.

  "I’m not done!" Lio said, voice thick now. "Not until I know you see it too. That I can fight like you! That I’m not weak!"

  Auri’s gaze softened. "That’s not how I see you."

  Auri moved with the quiet calculation he always fought with. He closed the distance with a [Quick Attack], ducked under Lio’s next punch, and planted a paw just below the Riolu’s ribs. There, he unleashed a point-blank [Thunder Shock]. Lio choked on a breath as the current ran through him. His legs gave out and he dropped to one knee, arm braced against the floor. This hadn't been a knockout just yet with Auri monitoring the strength of his moves as close as possible, but it was close. A silence settled over the training field.

  "I’m not going to fight you like that," Auri said, quiet again. "You do not have to prove anything to me. I never doubted your strength and you shouldn't either."

  Lio looked up at him. Then slowly… he smiled. "Guess I needed to hear that."

  A moment passed, before he stood up again, wincing slightly and raising a paw into the air. "I forfeit."

  Gasps went through the audience. Vira blinked. "Are you sure?" she asked, surprised.

  Lio nodded. "Yeah. I got what I came here for."

  There was silence, then a swell of applause from the stands. It wasn’t about the victory anymore. Something else had just happened, and everyone knew it. Auri stepped forward and offered his paw. Lio took it without hesitation.

  "You’re stronger than you think," Auri said.

  "And you’re a terrible sparring partner," Lio muttered. "Way too noble." They both chuckled.

  From the sidelines, Risa nodded once, a flicker of approval in her eyes. Ayra leaned her head against the wall behind her, arms folded. "Well," she murmured. "That’s one way to settle a score."

  "Next up!" Vira’s voice rang clear across the field. "Ayra and Mina."

  The moment the words left her mouth, Mina bounced onto the field like a spring-loaded pebble, her tail wagging with frenetic energy and a wide, sharp grin plastered across her face. "Ohh you’re going down, bunny legs!" she barked full of anticipation and excitement, practically vibrating in place. "I’ve been waiting sooo long for a chance to battle you!"

  Ayra strolled onto the field at a markedly more leisurely pace, arms crossed and unimpressed. "Please. There's a reason I never participate in these sparring matches, unlike my [Whirlwind] of a sister. I plan to win. I will win."

  Mina rolled her shoulders like a boxer, tongue lolling. "You’re way too confident. That’s dangerous, y’know?"

  Ayra smirked. "Only if I’m in the wrong."

  The two squared off, the difference in energy dramatic. Mina practically skittered across the stone with impatience, while Ayra stood stock still, watching her opponent with narrowed eyes and casual focus.

  Vira raised her voice once more. "Begin!"

  Mina didn’t hesitate. She charged forward with a [Tackle], kicking up dust in her wake. Ayra didn’t dodge. Instead she stepped into the [Tackle], twisted at the last second, and used Mina’s own momentum to flip her over her shoulder in one fluid, practiced motion. Just like Lio she had used [Counter]!

  "Oof-!?" Mina skidded on the stone floor, kicking up sparks with her claws as she scrambled back to her feet, still grinning. "Okay okay, fancy flips, I see you!"

  Ayra didn’t respond. She just dashed forward herself now, heat building under her paws. A burst of flames erupted around her as she launched into a full-blown [Flame Charge], aiming to catch Mina mid-recovery.

  But Mina wasn’t that easily cornered. With a wild bark, she evaded the [Flame Charge] with [Double Team] befre trying to counterattack with a [Bite].

  Ayra leapt sideways, rolling to break the fall, and countered with a quick [Ember], sparks flaring out in a fan. Mina darted through, fur slightly singed, but undeterred, thanks to her high resistance to fire-type energy. "This is awesome!" she howled. "Why don’t we fight like this all the time!?"

  "Because you’re exhausting," Ayra grunted, dodging another strike. "And I still need to hold back to keep this somewhat fair."

  They clashed again in the center of the ring. Mina kept low, trying to knock Ayra off-balance with unpredictable spins and sudden lunges, but Ayra adapted fast. Her footwork kept her a half-step ahead, using every dodge and parry to read the rhythm of the fight.

  Finally, Ayra seemed to have enough. "Time to end this," she muttered.

  She let Mina close in. Instead of evading the next [Tackle], she tanked hit, instantly counterattacking. Ayra jumped, her leg darting forward. The Rockruff’s eyes widened a second too late. With a sharp twist of her hips, the [Double Kick] connected, the devastingly effectivefighting-type move catapulting Mina skyward.

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  Mina yelped and crashed back down outside of the ring. Still flat on her back, she blinked up at the sky, then burst out laughing. "Okay, okay! I’m done, I’m done. You got me!"

  Ayra, breathing only lightly, offered her paw. "Good matchI guess. More than I had expected from someone so much younger than me."

  Mina grinned, taking it. "That was awesome! I’m totally stealing that trick!"

  "I’ll let you," Ayra said with a smirk, pulling her up. "Should you ever find out how to use the move."

  Mina cackled. From the sidelines, a few of the other kids cheered, especially Tama, whose tail swayed with delight as she called out, "That was amazing, both of you!"

  Vira’s voice cut through the fading cheers. "The final match will be between Ayra and Auri. Fighters, prepare yourselves. We'll start in a few minutes."

  Auri meanwhile sat under the shade of a tree just off the edge of the sparring ring, quietly sipping from a small wooden bowl of water someone had passed him. His fur was still bristling slightly with leftover static, but his breathing had settled. He wasn’t tired, at least not physically. But his mind was focused, still replaying the match with Lio in quiet detail.

  Ayra dropped down onto the ground nearby, not out of breath either, but casually fanning herself with one ear. "Well," she said, eyeing him. "Guess it’s you and me."

  Auri nodded once. "Looks like it."

  "You'll need to show more than you have until now if you want to win," she said, flicking an ember into the air. "And I really hope you manage to impress me."

  "I have and I will."

  Ayra tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Not even pretending to be humble, huh?"

  The corner of his mouth tugged up.′slightly. "Yuki would never let me live it down if I lost now. So no can do, I'm afraid."

  Ayra let out a laugh at that. "Yeah, that sounds like her. Anyways, see you in a minute." With these works she walked over to Tama.

  Shortly after, Yuki, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, dropped down beside him and leaned over. "So! You ready to win!?"

  He glanced at her. "You want me to."

  She grinned. "I want to cheer for you! And then laugh when Ayra inevitably gets all dramatic about losing!"

  Auri exhaled softly through his nose. "I’ll give it a shot."

  "Do better than that," she said, nudging him. "Do your best!"

  He stood up slowly as Vira’s voice called again. "Final match. Auri versus Ayra. Fighters, take your positions."

  Yuki watched him go, then muttered to herself, "And don’t you dare hold back like you did the entire time already. You were much better in that Dungeon..."

  The ring stood silent as Ayra and Auri stepped into it. The crowd had thinned to quiet anticipation, even the younger kids pressed in close, whispering among themselves. Auri stood on one side of the training ground, the light breeze brushing his fur. Across from him, Ayra bounced lightly on her heels, flame-scorched sand still warm beneath their feet from her last fight.

  "Final match!" Vira’s voice rang across the space. "Auri versus Ayra. Begin!"

  Auri charged first, [Quick Attack] sparking off the ground as he blurred into motion. Ayra dodged, not easily, but smoothly, twisting her body just enough to avoid the strike. She snapped forward with a [Tackle], catching him on the rebound. He blocked with a [Tail Whip], barely, but the impact sent a tremor up his tail.

  He gritted his teeth and rolled away, tail glowing faintly with a restrained [Thunder Wave]. He launched it in a controlled arc, trying to tag her legs. Ayra flipped over it, [Ember] lighting in her paws before it even hit the dirt.

  Auri landed and surged again with another [Quick Attack]. Ayra met his second approach head-on, her [Counter] catching his flank. Not enough to throw him, but it sent sparks scattering from his cheeks.

  "You’re fast," she called over the clash. "But physically you are weaker than me. Together with your obvious inexperience, your incredible control over your type energy isn't enough to make up for the difference between us."

  Auri didn't reply, instead striking again. But it just didn't work. A [Thunder Shock] aimed perfectly and blocked just in time. A small [Electro Ball] into the dirt to force Ayra to jump, only for her to seemingly ride the air, land with a spin, and answer with another [Ember] that flared against his guard.

  He took a step back, breathing harder now. She was reading him easily. His strategies and actions were solid, but they lacked the raw adaptability Ayra held. Something he seemingly wasn't capable of without using his instincts like a crutch again.

  Ayra closed in, her leg sweeping out. He dodged. Her legs shot forward in a [Double Kick], which he blocked with a [Tail Whip]. But she twisted around and the follow-up kick took him in the ribs, that pushed him precariously close to the rings edge.

  Auri dropped low, feinting a [Nuzzle] straight up her center line. She blocked and he fired a burst of [Thunder Shock] into the ground, kicking up smoke. He send out a [Swift] instantly after before darting to the side with [Quick Attack], charging in from the blind spot. Ayra’s [Headbutt] struck through the cloud anyway, even while she defended herself from the [Swift] with flicks of [Ember], tagging his shoulder. He skidded back.

  "You’re holding back," she pointed out, not smugly. Just plainly.

  "I’m not," he snapped, breathing harder.

  "You are." Her eyes narrowed, stance firm. "This is you trying to prove something. Fighting clean and safe, and most of all, basic. No advanced tactics and strategies whatsoever! Or adaptability for that matter! What you don't seem to get is that you’re none of that! We are Pokemon! We all have a fighting spark in us, forcing us to give it our best shot! Something that ignites our motivation to become as strong as possible! But you. You lack that right now. You're not fighting while putting everything you have into it. It's plainly to see.”

  "I don’t need any of that,! Auri growled.

  Ayra didn’t argue. Instead, she came at him again. Their movements became a blur. [Quick Attack] versus practiced dodges and [Double Kicks], bursts of [Ember] versus flickers of [Nuzzle] and [Tail Whip]. The occasional [Thunder Shock] or [Flame Charge]. For a moment it looked like they were more than evenly matched.

  But Ayra had an insurmountable advantage in combat instincts and experience. She drew in close with a spin, [Flame Charge] blazing up once more. He ducked, but that was the trap. Her leg came around in a [Double Kick] and caught his knee, sweeping him to the ground. Auri hit the sand hard and rolled back to his feet, staggered. Ayra didn’t press.

  "You could probably stand a changce against me unlike the others here," she said. "But not like this! Not while limiting yourself to what looks like a novice fighting! I refuse to believe that is all you're capable of! Your loss of memory cannot have made you that weak! This show here? Right now it's barely worth my time. Prove me wong!"

  Auri knew she was right. He wasn’t out of breath. He wasn’t bleeding. He wasn’t even fully defeated. He could probably continue quite some time like this. But winning? By continuing what he'd done the entire time? That would be impossible. And the realization of that burned deeper than any [Ember] Ayra could throw at him.

  He wasn't strong enough if he threw who knows how many years of instincts and muscle memory out of the window, not using them at all. He was training like a stranger in his own body, fighting like someone trying to imitate the version of himself from before he lost his memories without using all of the tools at his disposal.

  And he was still completely fine with that. It was necessary for him to counciously know what he was doing instead of blindly following his instincts. Otherwise he would never find back to his old strength. Of that, Auri had no doubt. But he also had to acknowledge he just wasn't there yet. A single Pokemon just a few years older then him was enough to overcome his entire training. So to win this match, he would have to make use of his full capabilities. He knew all that.

  Did he want to do that? No, not at all. But he also wouldn't hesitate to, as long as it secured him this win. Auri took a slow breath and closed his eyes, tail low, sparks quietly rippling across his fur.

  "You okay? Or is that it?" Ayra asked, with an undercurrent of disappointment in her voice.

  Auri opened his eyes again and stood straight. "No," he said. "But I’m done holding back. You want to see me fight with a spark you said? Then you shall have it your way."

  The moment he spoke, the air changed. Electricity surged from him, his fur lifting slightly from the static buildup of the carefully controlled electric-type energy running through him. The light in his eyes sharpened, narrowed. He let his instincts take over again, letting them aid him in this battle.

  Ayra's stance shifted automatically, her paws tightening, though a grin sneaked on her face. "That’s more like it!"

  Auri didn't answer, instead rushing forward. But he didn't use [Quick Attack]. No, instead an [Agility]-boosted [Brick Break] shot out of him. His body pivoted without wasted motion, snapping from stillness into motion like a pulled wire. One second he was standing, the next, he was behind Ayra.

  Ayra spun, a [Double Kick] primed, but Auri was already beneath it, diving low, twisting lightning across the ground. She jumped and that’s when he changed angles, flipping the pulse of his [Thunder Shock] upward, catching her midair in an arc of yellowblue light. Ayra grunted, landing hard, but caught herself.

  Auri darted to the edge of the ring, bouncing his weight across each paw, reading the wind. Ayra came for him with a [Quick Attack], followed by a burst of [Ember], then a [Double Kick], leg sweeping out fast, only to be met with an [Tail Whip] head-on, turning Ayra's momentum into a spin of his own. His [Tail Whip] continued, sweeping her back. She hit the dirt and rolled. But obviously, that wasn't enough to keep her down.

  Ayra came back swinging, heat rippling off her fists. One [Ember] in the left, a second already burning in the right, and she threw them both at close range. Auri dropped to all fours and slid beneath it, a current of electricity trailing from his cheeks down his spine. The ground scorched behind him, but he was untouched.

  He launched himself skyward. A surge of energy gathered, both familiar and not, instinct guiding his paw in a tight motion, drawing electric-type energy around his body. Far more than it took for a simple [Thunder Shock] . His instincts helped him shape and control the incredible torrent of energy and he felt the energy in his storage drop massively. But nonetheless he finsihed shaping and unleashed a ture [Thunderbolt], which hit Ayra head-on.

  Ayra blocked, [Counter] crackling in her guard, but the force behind his blow knocked her back across the ring. The crowd gasped. Even Vira leaned forward, eyes sharp.

  Auri landed, breathing somewhat heavier now. He still felt fine, to be honest, but constant hyper-awareness took something out of him as well, it seemed.

  Ayra pushed herself up, coughing faintly, but smiling. And also acknowledging that there was no way she could continue the fight now. "…Okay," she muttered. "Yeah. You win."

  Only then did Auri step forward and offer his paw. She took it and the crowd erupted.

  Vira’s voice cut over them all, cool and firm: "The final victory of the tournament goes to Auri."

  But Auri didn’t even raise his fists. He just stood beside Ayra, the ring scorched around their feet and faint traces of electricity still crackling around them.

  Ayra shook out her arms, still catching her breath. "You know," she said, voice dry but not unkind, "for someone who really loves to remain in the background, you sure know how to make a statement."

  Auri gave her a sidelong glance. "You didn’t make it easy for me at all."

  Ayra smirked. "I wasn’t trying to. But that [Thunderbolt] at the end? I didn't even know it was possible to manipulate such big amounts of type energy at our age so effortlessly. I don't think I want to know just how much mental capacity that needs.”

  He looked away for a second, fur twitching. "...Very much. And I also doubt I could have pulled that off without that 'spark', as you called it."

  Ayra's smirk softened into something more thoughtful. "Do me a favor and keep it alive. You are so much stronger when you're truly trying, it's not even worth a comparison. Makes me even overthink the psychics claims that you were actually quite powerful, even at your age. Hard to believe, really, that one can be more powerful than that while still being so young. Yuki sure has chosen a good friend."

  He blinked at that, but before he could answer, there was a blur of orange and fluff crashing into him from the side.

  "AURI!" Yuki barrelled into him at full speed, wings wrapped tightly around his middle as she practically tackled him backward. "I knew you had it in you!" she shouted, eyes wide and sparkling. "That last move? That [Thunderbolt]? That was AMAZING!"

  Auri winced slightly at the force of impact but didn’t move to stop her. "You think so?"

  "If I think so!? Of course I think so! Everyone here thinks so! You lit up like a mini storm cloud and then BAM! Ayra didn’t stand a chance!"

  "Hey!" Ayra called, mock offense in her voice. "I stood a chance. I just… preferred not to be roasted by any more lightning."

  Yuki giggled and let go of Auri. "This means you won! You get to go on the next expedition! We’re gonna have so much to plan!"

  Auri blinked, then looked down at her still-clinging form. "I thought I would be the one going? As in singular."

  "Oh, please," Yuki said smugly, "like I’m letting you go alone. After that spectacle right now I changed my mind. You definitely do not need to catch up to me! We're already on the same level!"

  And somewhere, behind the chaos of cheers and celebration, Auri smiled.

  Important characters in the chapter:

  Pikachu (Auri) – Level 13

  Ability: Lightning Rod

  Battle Nature: Lonely

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 62

  Attack: 41

  Ranged Attack: 36

  Defense: 43

  Speed: 48

  Total: 230 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Nuzzle], [Tail Whip], [Quick Attack], [Brick Break], [Thunder Wave], [Feint]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Thunder Shock], [Electro Ball], [Swift], [Thunder Bolt]

  Utility Moves: [Nasty Plot], [Charm], [Double Team], [Growl], [Agility], [Dig]

  Torchic (Yuki) – Level 15

  Ability: Speed Boost

  Battle Nature: Hasty

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 69

  Attack: 37

  Ranged Attack: 40

  Defense: 44

  Speed: 35

  Total: 225 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Scratch], [Quick Attack], [Feint], [Fire Spin], [Flame Charge], [Aerial Ace], [Counter], [Slash]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Ember], [Sand Attack]

  Utility Moves: [Growl], [Detect], [Dig]

  Riolu (Lio) - Level 11

  Ability: Inner Focus

  Battle Nature: Careful

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 53

  Attack: 30

  Ranged Attack: 20

  Defense: 37

  Speed: 28

  Total: 168 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Quick Attack], [Feint], [Metal Claw], [Counter], [Rock Smash]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Vacuum Wave]

  Utility Moves: [Endure]

  Rockruff (Mina) - Level 11

  Ability: Vital Spirit

  Battle Nature: Naughty

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 52

  Attack: 31

  Ranged Attack: 21

  Defense: 35

  Speed: 28

  Total: 167 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Tackle], [Bite]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Sand Attack], [Rock Throw]

  Utility Moves: [Leer], [Double Team], [Howl]

  Raboot (Ayra) - Level 23

  Ability: Blaze

  Battle Nature: Naughty

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 109

  Attack: 72

  Ranged Attack: 51

  Defense: 78

  Speed: 69

  Total: 379 (Strength Level: Teenager)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Tackle], [Quick Attack], [Double Kick], [Headbutt], [Counter], [Swords Dance]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Ember], [Flame Charge], [Swift], [Sand Attack], [Mud Shot]

  Utility Moves: [Growl], [Agility], [Taunt], [Endure], [Sunny Day]