The air was colder than anywhere else on Victory Road or the three chambers we'd visited already.
Grimsley was waiting just inside the archway, leaning casually against a stone pillar with the air of someone who'd been expecting us for hours. His black-and-white coat draped off one shoulder like he'd dressed mid-walk. His blue eyes glinted under dark lashes.
"Well," he drawled, "you survived the gauntlet. Congratulations. Most don't make it past Marshal's second round."
Skyla bristled. "She didn't survive, Grimsley. She crushed it."
Grimsley smirked. "I like your spirit. Don't lose it." His gaze slid to me.
"This darkness has teeth."
I shifted as he snapped his fingers. "Let's begin."
The referee stepped forward. "Send out your Pokémon."
Grimsley flicked a ball upward.
Weavile hit the stone floor like a feather, claws touching down without a sound. I could tell immediately what she was meant to be.
Grimsley's speedster.
The referee dropped his hand.
"Begin."
Weavile crossed her claws in front of her chest. For a split second, I thought she was bracing.
Then the claws scraped together.
Hone Claws.
The metal-on-metal rasp echoed through the chamber as she sharpened them against each other. Immediately afterward, she leaned forward and exhaled a thin stream of pale frost across the blades.
The cold mist froze instantly, encasing her claws in a sheath of crystal-clear ice. Before the frost could thicken, Weavile snapped her hands up and bit down with terrifying precision. Her fangs carved through the ice like chisels, shaping it with surgical accuracy.
When she pulled back, the frozen sheath had become extensions.
Long, jagged ice talons.
Let's test her agility, buddy. Don't go for Hydro Cannon in case she's faster than I think she is. That charge-up will leave you vulnerable.
Swampert nodded as he reared back and unleashed Hydro Pump.
The pressurized column of water roared across the arena.
For a heartbeat, it looked like it would connect, but Weavile blurred sideways at the last second, the beam missing her by inches. She winked and sprinted straight at him, using the claws on her feet like ice skates. Swampert dragged the Hydro Pump after her, trying to track the movement.
Weavile inhaled sharply, then exhaled.
The beam froze.
Ice raced down the stream like lightning through a wire, crystallizing the entire attack in an instant.
Then, just before she reached him, the frozen column shattered, fragments exploding across the arena. Swampert recoiled as the remaining ice sealed his snout shut, and for one stunned second, he didn't move.
That was all Weavile needed. She darted in and drove an Ice Punch into his chest, frozen claws extending forward like daggers. The impact shattered the ice blades, but the cold rippled through his body, frost spreading across his skin.
He snarled, biting down hard. The ice around his jaws cracked, then shattered. Swampert swung to slam his fist into Weavile's torso, knocking her backward. He tried to fire Hydro Pump again, but only a weak stream sputtered from his mouth.
My stomach dropped.
The Ice Punch hadn't just hurt him; it had frozen the moisture coating his back. His water supply was gone.
Weavile flipped effortlessly onto her feet, brushing frost from her shoulder. "What's the matter? Cold?"
Swampert roared and charged, Hammer Arm coming down like a falling tree. Weavile slid underneath him in one smooth motion, raking his belly with Night Slash before darting past him, but that had been the plan.
Swampert slammed his Hammer Arm into the ground in front of him, halting his momentum instantly. The sudden stop let him pivot, and he kicked.
The mule kick landed square in Weavile's face.
She spun backward and Swampert turned to follow through.
He drove an uppercut Hammer Arm into her that launched her off the ground. She hit the stone hard and didn't get back up.
"Funny," Swampert rumbled, chest heaving. "I was gonna ask you the same thing."
The referee raised his hand. "Weavile is unable to battle."
Relief hit me for half a second.
Then Grimsley chuckled. "And down he goes."
"What-"
Swampert swayed and collapsed.
"Swampert!"
The referee lowered his arm. "Swampert is unable to battle. Both Pokémon are down."
Grimsley crossed his arms, a confident smile crossing his face.
"It seems that Marshal's Toxicroak did more damage than you thought."
I growled in frustration. This gauntlet really would be a test of endurance. None of my team had received any meaningful rest between rounds.
Scizor and Swampert were now out for the count. The rest of the team would need to clutch up.
Grimsley didn't wait.
"Let's keep the cards moving. Incineroar."
The massive feline landed in a low crouch, flames licking at his belt as his eyes locked onto us. There was no hesitation in him. No doubt. Just hunger.
"Trilla."
She stepped forward with a calm that was almost genuine.
I could feel it. The fatigue. The strain from everything that came before.
Be careful. He's going to rush you.
I didn't even finish the thought.
Incineroar was already moving.
He closed the distance in a blur. "Trilla!"
It was too late. His fist ignited mid-swing, and Fire Punch slammed into her side with a concussive crack. The impact lifted her off her feet and sent her skidding across the battlefield, aura flickering violently.
Trilla forced herself up, breath uneven as her eyes narrowed.
I'm fine.
No, she wasn't, but she didn't hesitate.
Moonblast!
The sphere of pale light formed instantly and streaked toward Incineroar. He pivoted effortlessly.
The attack tore past his shoulder and detonated against the far wall.
"Incineroar," Grimsley said quietly, "Darkest Lariat."
He spun into it, the flaming belt flaring as the attack carved straight through Trilla's guard and slammed into her, sending her crashing back again. I clenched my fists.
He's too fast.
Atrea… Her voice cut through, steady despite the pain. I can't match his speed like this.
Then it's time to change the game. Mega evolve!
As the command left my mouth, a flash of light erupted around her as she Mega Evolved.
Trilla's form sharpened as her aura deepened.
Her psychic presence swelled into something heavier.
Then suddenly I could feel it. Her mind was clearer. Faster. I see him now.
Incineroar stepped forward again, confident, unshaken.
"End it," Grimsley said softly.
"Moonblast!" I countered.
The attack fired, and Incineroar did exactly what we knew he would.
He spun and used his claws to tear through the attack, splitting it apart as he surged forward.
He's going to step left then drive in for a Fire Punch.
The words hit my mind a heartbeat before it happened, and then it did.
Incineroar shifted left, his arm igniting as he lunged forward to finish it. Trilla vanished in a Teleport flare.
She reappeared behind him, already mid-motion.
"Now!l I yelled
Her Moonblast detonated point-blank into his exposed flank. The impact rocked him sideways, a guttural snarl tearing from his throat as he forced himself to turn, fist already coming back around.
"Fire Punch!" Grimsley ordered.
"Protect!"
The barrier snapped into place just as his fist collided with it, the impact rippling across its surface, and Trilla was gone again.
Her sudden teleport caused Incineroar to stagger forward, his balance broke from the parried strike and for the first time, he was truly open.
"Thunderbolt."
Lightning crashed down on him in a blinding column, engulfing his entire frame as the arena lit up in a violent flash. When the light faded, Incineroar dropped hard.
Trilla hovered for a moment, breathing unevenly, aura flickering from the strain. The burn along her side hadn't faded; if anything, it looked worse.
But she was still standing.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. That was perfect.
She didn't answer right away. Then, softly,…He almost had me.
Yeah. He really did. And we both knew the next round wasn't going to be any easier.
Grimsley smiled.
"Nicely played. But you look like you're running out of chips."
His next Poké Ball was already in hand.
"Pangoro."
The massive bear hit the field with a heavy thud, cracking the ground beneath his feet. He rolled his shoulders once, eyes locking onto Trilla, and unlike Incineroar, there was nothing refined about him. Just raw, brutal intent.
Let's see how long you last.
"Battle begin!" The referee announced.
Three glowing Aura Spheres formed in Pangoro's hands, humming with contained power.
Before Trilla could react, he slammed them into the ground. The arena split open instantly, glowing fissures racing outward toward Trilla, forcing her attention down as the battlefield itself turned hostile beneath her feet.
That was all the opening he needed.
Pangoro moved fast. Too fast.
Trilla, move!
Her foresight flared at the last possible second.
She began to Teleport, but didn't get away clean.
A massive fist crashed into her side mid-teleport, striking the same spot Conkeldurr had hit. The impact sent Trilla flying and slammed her into the ground hard enough to crater it as her Mega form shattered in a spray of white light.
"Trilla!"
Pangoro was already on her. She reacted on instinct.
The Protect barrier snapped into place just as his fist collided with it.
The shield didnt stop him.
Blow after blow hammered against the shield, each hit caused new cracks to spread with each hit.
Trilla's eyes lit up.
Psychic surged outward and slid off him like it was nothing.
Dark type, sweetheart, Pangoro mocked.
His next punch shattered the barrier completely.
Trilla vanished once again and reappeared several yards away, just enough space to breathe. Her aura flickered weakly now, unstable. She was running on fumes.
Pangoro pivoted instantly and charged.
No hesitation.
This was it.
Trilla steadied herself, forcing her breathing under control as a Moonblast formed in her hands. She held it for just a moment longer, pouring everything she had left into it before launching it straight at him.
Her eyes lit up again.
Mid-charge, Pangoro smirked. You already forget Psychic doesn't work on me?
Who said I'm targeting you, silly?
The Moonblast curved slightly in mid air.
Just enough.
By the time Grimsley realized, it was already behind his partner.
Pangoro had built too much momentum to stop. The blast slammed into his back just as he reached her position, detonating in a violent burst of light that swallowed him whole.
When the smoke cleared, Pangoro was on one knee, breathing hard, one hand braced against the ground. Burn marks scorched across his back where the Moonblast had landed, his muscles trembling as he forced himself upright.
Trilla… didn't move.
Her body lay still where she had fallen, the last of her strength spent the moment the attack left her hands.
Grimsley exhaled slowly, almost impressed.
"Now that," he said, "was a hand worth playing."
I didn't respond.
My eyes were already on Pangoro who shakily rose to his feet.
I reached for my next Poké Ball.
"Nick… you're up."
He hit the field hard. No roar. No buildup. Just presence.
Nick's eyes locked onto Pangoro, and immediately flicked to the burn across his back. Good. He saw it too.
I didn't hesitate.
Win.
Nick moved with explosive force.
The ground shattered beneath him as he launched forward, closing the distance before Pangoro could fully reset.
The brute tried to turn and square up, but was too slow. Nick's claws slammed into his side with Brick Break, the force driving him sideways before he could plant his feet. The follow-up came instantly, a shoulder check that hit like a truck, knocking the air out of him and sending him skidding across the arena.
"Get up!" Grimsley called, sharper now.
Pangoro roared and forced himself upright, swinging as Nick closed in again. Nick didn't dodge.
He met the attack as their fists collided, Pangoro's raw strength against Nick's, and for a split second they held there, locked. Then Nick pushed through it.
He wrenched Pangoro's arm aside, drove a knee into his midsection, and slammed him into the ground hard enough to crack the arena beneath them.
Pangoro tried to rise, only for Nick to haul him up just enough and slam him back down with twice the force.
This time, Pangoro didn't get up.
Nick stood over him, chest rising and falling, eyes still locked on his opponent like he was daring him to try.
Grimsley didn't even look at Pangoro as he was recalled. His attention was already on me.
"Let's raise the stakes."
The next Poké Ball clicked open. "Bisharp."
Bisharp landed lightly.
There was no impact. Just a quiet, controlled presence that immediately felt sharper. His gaze locked onto Nick, head tilting slightly as if assessing him.
Nick stepped forward, shoulders rolling, confidence still burning hot from the last fight.
Finally, something that might last longer than ten seconds.
Bisharp didn't move.
Nick made the first move and charged.
Bisharp slipped to the side with terrifying ease.
Nick's claws tore through empty air a moment before Bishqrl delivered the first strike.
A quick, precise jab to Nick's lower back.
Nick flinched. What?
Another hit. Higher this time. Right along the spine.
Nick snarled and twisted to retaliate, but Bisharp was already gone from that angle, blade flashing again. Another Slash to the same region made me flinch in sympathy.
Nick's movements stuttered. Just slightly, but enough to catch Bisharp's attention. The strikes to his back had disabled his tail.
Bisharp stepped in fast and hooked under Nick's center of mass.
Without a sound, Bisharp effortlessly flipped Nick over his shoulder.
The suplex drove Nick into the stone hard enough to rattle the arena.
Bisharp recovered first, rising smoothly and bringing a single precise downward strike toward Nick's face.
Nick rolled and the attack dented the stone where his head had been.
Nick surged up, and snapped his claws forward to catch Bisharp by the neck. With a roar, he smashed him face-first into the arena and forced himself upright.
Before he could fully rise, however, Bisharp kipped back up and delivered an uppercut to Nick's chin that staggered him backward.
Bisharp flipped away in a clean handspring, resetting distance. His posture was perfect as he stood there motionless, his eyes never leaving Nick for a second.
Nick roared and charged again. Anger now. Less control. Stop moving and fight me!
Bisharp read it instantly.
He slipped every swing with minimal movement. A tilt of the torso. A shift of the feet. A half-step out of range. Nick's claws carved through empty air again and again, each miss costing him more energy, more balance, more patience.
Then something changed.
Nick's tail twitched once. Then twice.
I noticed the shift immediately.
His tail was back, and Bisharp didn't know.
Nick lunged again with the same reckless pressure.
Got you now
This time, his tail came around low, sweeping Bisharp's legs out from under him.
Nick didn't waste the opportunity.
He grabbed Bisharp by the wrists and ankle, hauled him up, and brought him down hard across his knee. The crack echoed through the arena as Bisharp's body folded over the impact.
Nick reared back, fist rising for the finish. Stay down.
Bisharp caught him.
His bladed arms locked against Nick's bladed tusks, stopping the strike cold.
For a moment, they held there.
Nick roared, trying to force through.
Bisharp was utterly still.
Then Bisharp surged forward.
"Iron Head."
The impact was immediate and final.
His head slammed into Nick's skull with a sickening crack.
Nick's head snapped back, his body going slack all at once.
He collapsed where he stood.
I returned Nick without a word and reached for the next ball. "Simon."
He burst onto the field in a rush of wind, wings snapping wide as he hovered just above the ground, eyes locking onto Bisharp.
Careful, I warned. He's faster than he looks. He took Nick apart piece by piece.
Simon studied him for a brief moment.
Then we don't fight him on his terms.
The idea hit me before he finished. Take his footing away. I nodded once.
"Do it."
Simon shot skyward.
Bisharp moved instantly, leaping after him with surprising speed, and for a split second it looked like he might actually contest the air, then his blade caught Simon's tail.
Simon twisted midair and flicked him off with a sharp, dismissive snap, sending Bisharp back down. These skies belong to me.
Simon surged forward, energy building as he dove, not at Bisharp, but the battlefield.
Dragon Rush.
He tore into the stone, carving a deep trench before pulling up and circling again, then again, each pass widening the ring around Bisharp. The sentinel didn't move. Just watched.
Grimsley's eyes narrowed, then widened.
"He's disrupting the floor's struct-"
Too late, Simon cut in as he lowered his maw into the newly created fissures.
"Boomburst," I yelled.
The sound detonated through the trenches, and the entire arena gave way, stone collapsing inward as molten rock surged up through the ruptured ground.
When the dust cleared, Bisharp stood stranded on a small island of fractured stone, surrounded by churning heat.
Simon was already diving again.
Feint Dragon Rush, Simon.
He came in fast, energy flaring as Bisharp raised his arms to meet him, then at the last second, Simon slammed his tail down against the edge of the platform, killing his momentum and spinning off-line as Bisharp's counter punched through empty air.
Simon slipped past his guard and appeared at his flank.
"Supersonic."
The sound hit point-blank. Bisharp recoiled, hands snapping to the sides of his head as his balance broke.
Simon didn't hesitate. His tail lashed out, coiling tight around Bisharp's waist.
Come here.
With a violent jerk, he ripped him off his footing and slammed him down onto the fractured stone platform hard enough to crack it beneath them.
Bisharp didn't move.
Grimsley growled in frustration but quickly regained his composure, returning Bisharp and palming his next Poké Ball.
I didn't even get to hear another gambling pun as he deployed Honchcrow.
The dark bird took to the air immediately, wings spreading wide as it circled above. No hesitation.
"Air Slash."
The attack came fast.
A blade of compressed air tore across Simon's wing, clipping him mid-hover and forcing him down. He landed hard, claws scraping against the stone as he steadied himself, eyes already tracking the sky.
I'll admit… I'm not too sure how to pin this one down. My opponents are typically larger than this.
My eyes flicked to the shimmering PAP barrier surrounding the arena.
An idea clicked.
"Do you see the shield?" I asked.
Simon followed my gaze, then nodded, then paused, head tilting slightly as it clicked for him too.
"Time to make the skies more dangerous, buddy."
I said it out loud.
Grimsley's eyes narrowed. He'd taken the bait, but by the time he reacted, it was already happening.
"Boomburst."
The attack slammed into the barrier.
And bounced.
The sound wave refracted off the shield, scattering across the arena in a chaotic web of overlapping shockwaves. Weaker, yes, but everywhere.
Honchkrow had nowhere to go.
The waves struck him from multiple angles at once, scrambling his equilibrium instantly. His wings faltered, flight collapsing as his body dipped and dropped.
Simon was already moving.
Built for high-speed pursuit, the disorienting waves barely slowed him. He launched forward, catching Honchkrow mid-fall with a brutal shoulder check that sent the bird careening across the arena.
Before he could recover, Simon was on him.
His arms locked around Honchkrow's wings, pinning them tight as he hauled him upward, dragging him back into the sky.
Honchkrow thrashed, panic setting in as Simon climbed higher, then higher still.
Then Simon turned sharply, his body lighting up with green energy as he angled straight down.
Honchkrow reacted on instinct.
"Dark Pulse!"
The attack detonated point-blank against Simon's chest, blasting against him mid-dive. It hurt, I felt that, but he didn't stop.
That won't save you, my friend.
They hit the ground hard a second later.
The impact echoed through the arena as stone cracked beneath them.
When the dust cleared,
Simon stood.
Honchkrow didn't.
"Well then," Grimsley murmured. "Only one dance left."
He reached for his final Poké Ball with deliberate slowness.
The air thickened with heat, and the lights dimmed.
I felt Dakashi's presence stir before anyone else noticed. Grimsley froze as Dakashi stepped out of Grimsley's own shadow, rising behind him like a nightmare given form.
Grimsley spun, eyes wide. "What the fuck?!"
Dakashi smirked, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulders.
"You looked lonely. Thought I'd drop in."
Skyla pinched the bridge of her nose. "He's doing it again…"
Grimsley swallowed once, composed himself with admirable force, then lifted his last ball.
"You won't steal this entrance from me," he whispered.
His Houndoom deployed, and Grimsley tapped the keystone on his wrist. The beast successfully Mega Evolved and howled a stream of fire from its mouth.
Dakashi smirked.
"Finally. Someone worth my time."
He said as he floated toward our side of the arena
The referee barely raised his flags. "Final round begin!"
Dakashi turned to me instead of facing his opponent. Don't blink, he said smugly. This'll be-
"Dakashi," Grimsley murmured, "that's going to cost you."
Dakashi pivoted, but Mega Houndoom was already there.
It crossed the distance in a single, predatory blur and clamped its jaws onto Dakashi's sleeve, fangs sinking deep into the shadowy tendrils that passed for muscle. Dakashi screamed, raw and furious.
He blasted a point-blank Dark Pulse that detonated against Houndoom's chest, ripping the beast off him and skidding it across the floor.
The explosion extinguished the chandeliers for a heartbeat and plunged everything into oily black.
When the lights flickered back on, Houndoom was already crouched low, nostrils steaming, eyes rabid with instinctive bloodlust.
It lunged again, but Dakashi didn't dodge this time. Instead, he scornfully slapped the dog sideways with enough force to crack the floor.
Oh, he snarled, voice cold now, you want to bite? Why don't we take a stroll through that pretty little mind of yours?
He caught Houndoom on its next pounce and snapped both hands onto either side of its skull. The dog's legs flailed wildly as Dakashi's eyes erupted with a sickly violet light.
Houndoom howled. No. It screamed as if something inside its head was being torn open.
Then the world snapped, and both of them vanished in a puff of darkness so violent it made the chandeliers swing.
The referee staggered, staring at the empty battlefield. "Uh. Should I call it?"
A voice echoed overhead, dripping with irritation.
"Quit your yapping, Travis, or that Mr. Mime is actually going to catch you tonight. We're right here."
All of us looked up as a swirling vortex of darkness split open in the air above the arena. Dakashi floated out of it like a phantom stepping through a curtain. The tendrils that acted as his hands were wrapped around the Houndoom's throat.
Dakashi tightened his grip despite the violent thrashing his prey was doing.
I don't think your upgrade lets you fly, little puppy.
Houndoom's claws scraped desperately at his arm, flames sputtering but unable to form an attack.
Dakashi let him hang there a second longer and let go.
Houndoom dropped and hit the ground with a bone-shaking crash, flames extinguishing on impact. The chandeliers steadied, and the referee raised both flags with trembling hands. "M-Mega Houndoom is unable to battle! The winner is Atrea Morgan!"
Dakashi descended slowly, dusting himself off. I was trying to say it'd be over quickly. He muttered as he stepped back into my shadow, pretending he absolutely hadn't just been chewed on like a squeaky toy.
Grimsley returned Houndoom, his expression unreadable.
"Well," he said at last, "that was spectacularly excessive."
He bowed, deep and respectful.
"Congratulations, Atrea. You have defeated the Elite Four."
Skyla seized my arm, breathless and starry-eyed.
"You did it," she whispered. "Atrea, you're really standing at the top."
My heart pounded so hard I felt dizzy.
Only one trainer stood between me and the title.