The holographic displays around the Glow Dome flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the volcanic battlefield. The audience hushed momentarily as the arena lights dimmed, drawing all attention to the massive screens overhead. Rules scrolled across the screens in bold, glowing letters, accompanied by Felix Sparks’ trademark dramatic narration.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s battle will be a Double Battle!” Sparks announced, his voice amplified through the stadium speakers. “Each Trainer will select four Pokémon from their team of six, with two on the field at any given time. The last team standing will claim victory! Rules are simple: no duplicate Pokémon, no duplicate items, and—of course—no mercy!”

  The audience erupted into cheers, the anticipation rippling through the crowd like static electricity. Isabelle felt the vibrations in her seat, her fingers clenching her bag strap.

  The arena’s terrain generator whirred to life, the circular battlefield transforming with impressive precision. Jagged, obsidian-like rocks jutted out from the simulated ground, while molten magma pools bubbled ominously, radiating holographic heat. Smoke and steam hissed, creating an atmosphere both foreboding and thrilling.

  “Oh, this is gonna be good,” Amélie whispered, leaning forward in her seat. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Volcanic terrain is brutal. One wrong move, and you’re toast.”

  Milo adjusted his glasses, his VireBand already glowing as he pulled up battle data. “This terrain heavily favors Pokémon with mobility and elemental resistance. If Veyron plays defensively, he could stall out Colby’s momentum, but—”

  “If Veyron plays defensively?” Amélie cut in, her tone laced with annoyance. “Let’s not pretend guys like him don’t already have every angle mapped out.”

  Isabelle tilted her head, watching Amélie’s scowl deepen. “You really don’t like him, do you?”

  Amélie huffed, crossing her arms. “He’s smug, calculated, and acts like he’s untouchable. Just because he’s good doesn’t mean I have to like him.” She hesitated, her tone softening as her fingers drummed the rail in front of her. “Besides, people like that always leave. No matter how good they are.”

  Isabelle blinked, unsure what to say to that. Milo, meanwhile, ignored the exchange entirely, engrossed in his data.

  The volcanic terrain glowed with simulated heat, giving the battlefield an ominous, dangerous allure. Felix Sparks leaned into the microphone, his voice booming with uncontainable energy.

  “Trainers, release your Pokémon! Let the battle... begin!”

  Colby’s grin stretched wide as he tossed two PokéBalls into the air with a theatrical flourish. “Alright, fams! Time to razzle, dazzle, and KERPLUNK these fools! Heliolisk, Talonflame—let’s light it up!”

  The twin flashes of light revealed Colby’s chosen starters. Heliolisk landed gracefully, its frills sparking with vibrant electricity as it sized up the battlefield. Beside it, Talonflame took to the air, its wings trailing fiery embers that lit up the space around it.

  “Yo, Heliolisk, keep that energy frisky! Talonflame, show ‘em some air-style flair!” Colby called out, his chaotic energy already infecting the crowd.

  Isabelle blinked. “Air-style flair? Did he just make that up on the spot?”

  Amélie groaned. “That’s Colby for you. His battling strategy is one part chaos, one part talent, and three parts headache.”

  Milo adjusted his glasses, his attention laser-focused on the field. “It’s effective. Heliolisk acts as a pivot with Volt Switch, boosting its power before swapping out. Talonflame capitalizes on speed and flashy strikes to disorient opponents.”

  The announcer chimed in with theatrical gusto. “And here we have Colby’s opening duo—Heliolisk, the electrifying speedster, and Talonflame, the fiery ace! Can they maintain their winning streak, or will tonight be the end of the road?”

  On the other side of the field, Veyron Lux barely moved. His cool, unbothered demeanor contrasted starkly with Colby’s over-the-top theatrics. Without a word, he tossed two PokéBalls into the air.

  From the flashes of light emerged a sleek Serperior and a menacing Toxapex. Serperior’s coiled, emerald-green body shimmered under the volcanic glow, its regal posture radiating control. Toxapex, meanwhile, exuded an aura of quiet menace, its spiked form gleaming ominously as it took its defensive stance.

  Felix Sparks wasted no time hyping up the crowd. “And on Veyron’s side—Serperior, the elegant serpent of strategy, and Toxapex, the defensive powerhouse! What a team! What a clash! Are you ready, Lumora City?”

  The stadium shook with cheers, but Veyron remained composed. His lips moved just enough to utter a single word: “Begin.”

  “Y’know, Talonflame, we ‘boutta hit ‘em wit’ that turbo-glide scorch play, feel me? Flip the board, spin the flame, and ZWOOP on by!” Colby hollered, gesturing wildly at the field like he was conducting a chaotic orchestra. Talonflame’s wings blurred into a fiery blur, streaking across the volcanic battlefield with erratic grace, flames licking at the jagged terrain.

  “Heliolisk!” Colby bellowed, his grin growing wider, his voice somehow both nonsensical and commanding. “Crank the juice, zap that pincushion back to the Stone Age, then skedaddle! It’s all pivots, all sparks, no brakes, ya dig?”

  Heliolisk responded with a sharp nod, electricity crackling across its frills as it released a sizzling Volt Switch directly at Toxapex. The energy arced through the air, hitting the defensive Pokémon squarely. But Toxapex, as steady as a rock, didn’t flinch. The electricity fizzled against its tough exterior, leaving it virtually untouched. Heliolisk darted back to Colby’s side in a flash of light, disappearing into its PokéBall.

  “Yeah, baby! Zappin’ ‘em and tappin’ out! Now it’s time for the main event!” Colby whooped, throwing another PokéBall with a flourish. “Salamence, roll up, big dog! Bring that air flex and drop jaws!”

  The crowd exploded as Salamence roared onto the field, its presence immediately filling the arena with palpable intensity. The dragon’s scales shimmered like molten metal under the simulated volcanic glow, its wings casting intimidating shadows as it loomed over the terrain.

  “Salamence!” Colby called, his voice dropping into an almost unintelligible rhythm. “Flex ya wings, flex ya claws, we goin’ primal time! Ain’t no slinkin’, ain’t no stinkin’—we toppin’ charts, shakin’ parts!”

  Milo adjusted his glasses, leaning slightly forward. “He’s distracting. That’s part of his strategy—keep his opponent second-guessing by acting completely unhinged. It’s not as sloppy as it looks.”

  Amélie groaned, her fingers gripping the railing. “It’s exactly as sloppy as it looks. But somehow, it works. I swear, if he says ‘kerplunk’ one more time, I’m walking out.”

  “Serperior, Leaf Storm,” Veyron said simply, his voice barely rising above the din of the crowd.

  The elegant serpent coiled tightly before unleashing a whirlwind of glowing leaves. The attack tore through the air with surgical precision, aimed directly at Salamence’s hulking form. Salamence growled, flapping its massive wings to stabilize against the onslaught.

  “Toxapex, Baneful Bunker,” Veyron added, his voice calm and detached.

  Toxapex braced itself, retracting into its spiny shell just as Talonflame dove in with Flame Charge. The fiery bird collided with the toxic shield, releasing a plume of purple mist that enveloped it. Talonflame screeched, faltering in the air as the poison seeped through its system.

  Felix Sparks jumped in with his signature flair. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the beauty of high-stakes battling! Veyron’s Toxapex turns Talonflame’s aggression into its own undoing! Can Colby pivot back, or will this field become a chessboard for the Silent Strategist?”

  The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps, the energy of the Glow Dome reaching a fever pitch. Isabelle felt her chest tighten as she tried to take it all in. Her eyes flicked between Colby’s frenetic commands and Veyron’s calm precision, a stark contrast that seemed to define the entire battle.

  Why does this feel like more than just a match? Isabelle wondered, gripping her bag strap tighter.

  “Salamence!” Colby hollered, his tone wild. “We ain’t playin’ no slow-mo charades! Light ‘em up with that hyper-roar zap twist, ya heard? Talonflame, backup wit’ the loop-de-loop blaze strike!”

  Milo’s brow furrowed as he scribbled on his VireBand’s holographic display. “Salamence is trying to set up for a sweep, but Veyron isn’t giving him the space. Toxapex is locking down the field, and Serperior’s keeping him on the defensive.”

  Amélie crossed her arms, her frustration evident. “It’s not just about his strategy. He’s playing with Colby’s tempo—making him rush, forcing those flashy moves.”

  “Serperior, Glare,” Veyron said, his tone as steady as ever.

  Serperior’s golden eyes gleamed as it locked its gaze onto Salamence. The dragon faltered mid-movement, its body stiffening as the paralysis took hold. Meanwhile, Toxapex released a targeted Scald, the steaming jet of water dousing Talonflame and sending it tumbling back.

  Felix Sparks leaned forward dramatically. “And there it is! Veyron’s Glare neutralizes Salamence’s momentum, while Toxapex punishes Talonflame for overcommitting. This is strategy at its finest, folks!”

  Amélie exhaled sharply. “Okay, fine. That was impressive.”

  “Fine?” Isabelle echoed, side-eyeing her friend. “You look like you’re about to give him a standing ovation.”

  Amélie glared at Isabelle but couldn’t hide the faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Shut up.”

  Isabelle shrugged, her attention returning to the field. Veyron’s silence, his minimal movements, the way his Pokémon executed his commands flawlessly—it was captivating in a way she couldn’t explain.

  As the battle pressed on, Colby’s chaotic energy only seemed to heighten. “Aight, y’all! Let’s flip the script and double down! Salamence, Dragon Claw! Talonflame, you got one more in ya—Brave Bird time, fam!”

  Talonflame let out a strained cry, its wings faltering as the toxic energy coursing through its body finally overtook it. It collapsed onto the rocky terrain, flames flickering weakly before extinguishing. Felix Sparks’s voice boomed across the arena.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Talonflame is down! The poison proves too much, and Colby is now down to three! Can he turn the tides with Salamence and Heliolisk, or will Veyron’s stoic defense keep holding firm?”

  The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and murmurs. Colby gritted his teeth, but his ever-present grin didn’t falter. “Alright, alright, I see ya! My boy Talon got clapped, but we ain’t done dancin’ yet. Helio, let’s crank it up!”

  Heliolisk leapt back into the fray, sparks crackling along its frills. Salamence roared beside it, wings beating powerfully as it prepared to take flight once more.

  “Serperior, Leaf Storm,” Veyron said, his voice calm and measured.

  The grass serpent coiled before releasing another hurricane of glowing leaves. Heliolisk dodged, barely avoiding the brunt of the storm, while Salamence took a direct hit. The dragon staggered, clearly worn down but still standing strong.

  “Toxapex, Recover,” Veyron added.

  Toxapex pulsed with a soft glow, its spiny body regenerating as it fortified its position. The battle dragged on, Veyron’s Pokémon refusing to falter despite Colby’s relentless offensive. Heliolisk darted across the battlefield, delivering sharp Thunderbolts, while Salamence unleashed its Dragon Pulse, but Serperior’s agility and Toxapex’s impenetrable defenses made them near-impossible to break.

  Eventually, after a grueling exchange, both Heliolisk and Salamence succumbed to their injuries, fainting almost simultaneously. The referee raised both flags, signaling their defeat.

  “And that’s it for Heliolisk and Salamence!” Felix Sparks roared. “What a grueling bout! Veyron’s defense is a masterclass in endurance. And now, Colby is down to his final Pokémon—his powerhouse, Conkeldurr!”

  The crowd roared in anticipation as Colby grinned, pulling out his last PokéBall. “Aight, my dude. Let’s get this bread! Conkeldurr, my ace, my main man—show ‘em how we get it done!”

  With a flash of light, Conkeldurr emerged, its massive concrete beams crashing onto the battlefield with a resounding thud. It flexed its massive arms, letting out a guttural roar that sent vibrations through the arena.

  Amélie groaned loudly, gripping the railing. “Ugh, the dramatics. It’s always the same with these guys. Just finish the fight already.”

  But Veyron surprised everyone. He raised both PokéBalls simultaneously, recalling Serperior and Toxapex in a flash of red light. Gallade, who had been standing silently at his side throughout the entire match, stepped forward onto the battlefield.

  The crowd’s noise fell to a low murmur, confusion rippling through the stands.

  “What’s he doing?” Isabelle asked, leaning toward Milo. “Doesn’t this put him at a disadvantage?”

  Milo adjusted his glasses, his tone thoughtful. “Not necessarily. Gallade is his strongest Pokémon, and one-on-one battles are where it shines. It’s a statement—a show of confidence.”

  Amélie rolled her eyes. “It’s overkill, is what it is. Colby’s down to one Pokémon. There’s no need for all this flair.”

  But Isabelle couldn’t shake the strange feeling that Veyron’s actions weren’t about theatrics. It felt deliberate, almost personal, as though he was honoring the battle itself.

  Felix Sparks, oblivious to the undercurrents, hyped the crowd once more. “And there you have it, folks! Veyron Lux, the Silent Strategist, is setting the stage for an epic one-on-one finale! Gallade versus Conkeldurr—brains versus brawn! This is going to be a battle for the ages!”

  Colby clapped his hands together, his grin widening. “Aight, Conk, you know what to do! Bulk up and show this dude why we’re the Glow Dome’s reigning champs!”

  Conkeldurr flexed its massive arms, its muscles bulging as its power surged. The crowd roared in approval as it slammed one of its concrete beams into the ground, shaking the battlefield.

  Veyron, as calm as ever, gave a single command. “Gallade, advance.”

  The graceful Pokémon moved forward, its blade-like arms glowing faintly. Conkeldurr charged, swinging one of its beams in a wide arc. The clash that followed was nothing short of cinematic. Gallade ducked and weaved with fluid precision, its movements like a dance as it deflected the heavy strikes with its blades.

  “Gallade, Leaf Combat,” Veyron said, his tone almost casual.

  Gallade's arms shimmered an intense emerald green as the energy of Leaf Blade seamlessly melded with the raw, relentless strikes of Close Combat. The crowd gasped as one, the arena falling into a near-silent awe broken only by the clash of blades against stone. The fusion of techniques wasn’t just an attack—it was art. Each movement was a fluid dance, the perfect balance of offensive precision and defensive agility. Gallade's strikes carved glowing arcs into the air, emerald leaves trailing like an ethereal storm in its wake.

  Conkeldurr swung its massive concrete beams with the force of a wrecking ball, the sheer weight of its attacks shaking the battlefield. But Gallade was too fast, its movements calculated to the millisecond. Every swing was met with a parry or a deft sidestep, leaving Conkeldurr’s strikes to crash harmlessly into the volcanic terrain.

  From the stands, Isabelle’s mouth fell open. “What… the fuck?” she muttered, the words slipping out before she could stop herself. Her voice was barely audible above the clamor, but Milo turned his head sharply, his expression as focused as Gallade’s movements below.

  “That,” he said, almost reverently, “is a fusion move. I’ve only ever read about them. They’re not just rare—they’re practically mythic in battle mechanics.”

  Isabelle tore her eyes from the fight, looking at Milo as if he’d just told her Arceus was refereeing. “Fusion move? What even is that?”

  Milo adjusted his glasses, his tone slipping into the careful cadence of a seasoned academic. “Fusion moves combine the principles of two distinct attacks, blending their properties into a single, cohesive technique. It’s not just about teaching a Pokémon two moves—it’s about perfecting the synergy between them.”

  Isabelle blinked, her thoughts racing. “But that doesn’t sound… possible? How does that even work?”

  Milo leaned forward, gesturing toward the battlefield. “It’s a feat of unparalleled training. The Trainer and Pokémon need to share an almost psychic bond, and the Pokémon must have complete mastery over both moves individually. Then, through practice and trust, they learn to execute them as one. Most Trainers don’t even attempt it—it’s that hard to pull off.”

  Amélie crossed her arms, trying to mask her intrigue with an exaggerated scoff. “Yeah, well, it’s still extra. No one needs to pull fancy stunts like that to win a battle.”

  Milo glanced at her, undeterred. “It’s not just about winning. Fusion moves represent the pinnacle of strategy and understanding between a Trainer and their Pokémon. They’re as much a statement as they are a tactic.”

  Amélie rolled her eyes but didn’t retort, her gaze betraying her grudging admiration for what she was seeing. Isabelle, meanwhile, returned her attention to the field, her thoughts a storm of confusion and awe. How the hell does someone even come up with this stuff?

  On the battlefield, Gallade continued its relentless assault. Its Leaf Combat strikes sliced through the air, glowing leaves scattering like embers in the volcanic terrain. The sheer force of the attack drove Conkeldurr to its knees, the massive Pokémon panting heavily as it struggled to keep up.

  The crowd’s murmurs turned to open cheers, and Isabelle felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her. This wasn’t just a battle—it was a performance, a display of unparalleled skill and discipline. And yet, Veyron stood there, silent and calm, his gaze steady and his posture relaxed.

  From the corner of her eye, Isabelle noticed Milo still watching intently, his analytical mind undoubtedly dissecting every movement. “Fusion moves aren’t just about power,” he added quietly, almost as if speaking to himself. “They’re about timing, precision, and control. It’s like… rewriting the language of battling.”

  Amélie snorted, finally breaking the tension. “Yeah, and here I thought battling was supposed to be fun.”

  Isabelle couldn’t suppress a small laugh, though her mind remained fixed on the battlefield. Rewriting the language of battling, she thought. What does that even mean for someone like me?

  As Gallade delivered its final, decisive blow, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers. Isabelle couldn’t help but feel like she’d just witnessed something far more significant than a Glow Dome match. And for reasons she couldn’t explain, Veyron Lux was at the center of it.

  The battlefield’s holograms dissolved into glowing particles, fading into the air like the end of a dream. Conkeldurr lay sprawled on the volcanic terrain, its massive concrete pillars resting limply by its side. Gallade stood tall, its glowing blades slowly dimming as it returned to its composed stance. The silence that followed was brief—a single heartbeat—before the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

  Felix Sparks’ voice boomed across the stadium, barely containing his enthusiasm. “And that’s it, folks! Gallade claims victory with precision, power, and the seamless execution of a fusion move we’ll be talking about for weeks to come! Ladies and gentlemen, your new Glow Dome Champion: the Silent Strategist, Veyron Lux!”

  But just as Sparks’ voice hit its crescendo, a curious murmur rippled through the crowd. All eyes were on Veyron, but instead of basking in his victory, he stood as calm and composed as ever. Without so much as a nod to the cheering audience, he silently recalled Gallade into its PokéBall. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he turned and began walking away.

  “Uh… wait a second!” Sparks stammered, his enthusiasm faltering as he gestured toward Veyron’s retreating figure. “Where’s our champion going? Mr. Lux, surely you’d like to say a few words to your adoring fans—”

  Veyron didn’t even glance back. His polished shoes clicked softly against the arena floor as he exited the stage with an air of nonchalance, his sharp suit catching the neon lights in just the right way. He looked less like a Trainer celebrating a hard-fought victory and more like someone who had just wrapped up a business deal.

  The crowd’s cheers shifted into confused chatter.

  “Does he always do this?” Isabelle whispered, leaning toward Milo.

  Milo adjusted his glasses, his expression a mix of fascination and exasperation. “He’s not called the Silent Strategist for nothing.”

  Beside her, Amélie stood rigid, gripping the rail as she stared daggers at Veyron’s back. “Unbelievable. He doesn’t even care. What a smug—” She cut herself off with an annoyed huff. “Whatever.”

  Before anyone could fully process Veyron’s abrupt departure, Colby Ferris’s voice blared through the speakers, dragging everyone’s attention back to the field. “Yo, yo, my dudes, we ain’t down and out just yet! Y’all feel that vibe? We’re comin’ back hotter, faster, zingier next week—KERPLUNK STYLE!”

  The crowd roared with renewed energy as Colby threw his arms up dramatically, his mic booming over the chaos. His Heliolisk darted around him, sparking for effect, while his Salamence stretched its wings in a show of strength despite its earlier defeat.

  “Next time, we’ll be bringin’ the full zest, baby! Conkeldurr, Heliolisk, my crew, we takin’ this to the top—no cap, all facts! Stay frisky out there!” Colby continued, firing off words so fast Isabelle wasn’t sure half of them were real.

  Isabelle groaned audibly, burying her face in her hands. “What is this guy even saying? Is it… is it a dialect? A new form of language? Do we need subtitles?”

  Amélie laughed despite herself, the sound bright and genuine. “Oh, Isabelle, you just witnessed peak Colby Ferris.”

  Milo shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “He’s chaotic, but you can’t deny he knows how to hype up a crowd.”

  “I can deny it,” Isabelle muttered, still cringing as Colby strutted off the field, his mic now capturing the sound of his own theme music blaring from portable speakers.

  As the Glow Dome began to empty, Isabelle found her thoughts drifting back to the battle. Despite her frustration with Colby and her confusion about Veyron, something about the intensity of the fight had gripped her. The way the Pokémon moved, the strategy and precision—it was exhilarating. She wasn’t ready to admit it aloud, but watching a battle like that made her wonder if, maybe, there was something thrilling about being a Trainer.

  Her VireBand buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. The screen lit up with her dad’s name, and she hesitated before answering.

  “Hi, Dad,” she said, her voice sheepish.

  “Isabelle,” came her father’s voice, firm but not angry. “Where are you? It’s almost seven-thirty.”

  “I’m on my way home,” she assured him quickly. “I’ll be there soon. Promise.”

  Amélie nudged her with a grin. “Busted?”

  “More like on a timer,” Isabelle replied, tucking her VireBand against her chest.

  Milo stood and adjusted his bag. “I should head out too. School tomorrow.” He glanced at Isabelle and gave a small nod. “It was nice meeting you. If you need help with anything at school, just ask.”

  Amélie jumped to her feet, her usual brightness returning. “Before we split, Isabelle, let’s exchange info!” She held out her VireBand, the holographic display shimmering as she initiated the connection.

  Isabelle hesitated. “Uh, sure. But just so you know, I’m terrible at keeping in touch.”

  Amélie waved a hand dismissively. “No pressure. You’re stuck with me at school anyway, so I’ll remind you.”

  The girls tapped their VireBands, the devices chiming softly as their profiles synced. “There,” Amélie said with a wink. “Now you’re officially part of my world.”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “Great. Can’t wait to disappoint you with my professional flopping skills.”

  “Magikarp today, Gyarados tomorrow,” Amélie replied, throwing an arm around Isabelle’s shoulders before heading off with a quick wave. “See you tomorrow!”

  As Isabelle made her way out of the Glow Dome, she couldn’t shake the strange mixture of emotions swirling in her chest. She thought about the battle, the crowd, Veyron’s silence, and Colby’s chaos. She thought about her dad waiting at home and Azzy probably bouncing around impatiently.

  Today was weird. But maybe weird isn’t so bad.