Behind the dojo, the mountain-ringed battlefield once again became the stage.
Mustard stepped forward willingly, taking his position. "I'll be the referee."
At opposite ends stood Su Yi and Bea.
Su Yi was energetic, fired up, practically radiating excitement. Bea, on the other hand, stood still as a mountain, her expression calm and unreadable.
The contrast was almost absurd.
One was a wandering adventurer, the other a disciplined martial prodigy. And yet, their mental states felt completely reversed.
"…Bea…" Mustard sighed inwardly.
He knew her situation well. On the very first day she arrived, she had challenged him to a full 6v6 battle.
The result?
Complete defeat.
And worse—
He had seen the real problem.
Bea had sealed herself off. No openings, no emotions… and no connection. Even her Pokémon couldn't truly reach her anymore.
She wasn't chasing victory—
She was trapped by it.
And to break that, she needed someone different.
Someone free. Someone emotional.
Someone like—
Su Yi.
"…Let me see."
Su Yi muttered under his breath, thinking quickly.
"…Fighting-type… not ideal…"
Lulu was Normal-type. Jagras was Dark-type—both at a disadvantage. Kulu had Flying typing, but weak moves. Larvesta wasn't battle-ready yet. Chansey…
…was a kind-hearted angel. (Definitely not a pink demon.)
"…Yeah… this is rough…"
Meanwhile, Bea had already made her decision.
"…Three Pokémon will be enough."
She raised her Poké Ball.
"Go."
Machop.
"Alright…" Su Yi exhaled, steadying himself. "She's holding back… but fair enough."
He tossed his own Poké Ball.
"Lulu—your turn!"
"NYAA!"
The small cat stepped forward, eyes filled with determination.
"Begin!" Mustard declared.
Bea moved first.
"Brick Break."
Machop surged forward, its arm glowing as it closed the distance instantly.
"Dodge! Keep the pressure!"
Both commands came almost at the same time as the two Pokémon began weaving around each other—one a trained fighter, the other a forest hunter relying on instinct.
"Brick Break!"
Machop struck again.
"Opening!"
"Dodge—then strike!"
"NYAA!"
Lulu slid low, narrowly avoiding the blow before drawing her blade and slashing upward.
"Now!" Bea's voice cut in sharply. "Other arm!"
Machop reacted immediately, blocking with its second arm.
"Bad—!" Su Yi realized too late.
"Low Sweep."
BOOM!
"NYAA!!"
Lulu was knocked off her feet.
"…Are you okay?!" Su Yi called out.
"Hurts… nya…"
Lulu struggled to stand, her leg trembling slightly.
"…This…" Su Yi clenched his fist. "…This is real combat…"
The gap between them was obvious.
"…Should I switch—?"
"NO!"
Lulu shouted.
"I can still fight! There will be harder battles, right?! I won't fall behind!"
Her grip tightened as her eyes burned with determination.
Even Bea paused for a moment.
"…So this isn't just a pet…"
"Brick Break."
Machop charged again, fast and precise.
This time, Su Yi didn't speak immediately.
He watched.
Focused.
Lulu didn't move either.
She trusted him.
"NOW!"
"Side-step slash!"
In an instant, she moved.
Dodged—
STRIKE!!
"Interesting…" Mustard's eyes lit up. "Not bad."
But—
Not enough.
"Double Brick Break!"
Machop pressed forward harder, faster, relentless.
Lulu struggled to keep up—
Then suddenly—
Her eyes sharpened.
Everything slowed.
Movements became clear.
Predictable.
"…Oh?" Mustard leaned forward slightly.
"Detect."
Another name for it—
"See-through."
"NOW!" Su Yi roared.
"Counter slash!"
"NYAA!"
SLASH!!
Machop staggered back, a mark appearing across its chest.
Bea's eyes narrowed.
But Su Yi—
Grinned.
"DON'T STOP!"
"SPIN! Full rotation!"
"NYAA!!"
Lulu stepped forward, closing the distance as her blade traced a perfect arc through the air.
WHOOOOOSH—!!
A full circular slash.
Direct hit.
"GUH—!"
Machop crashed to the ground.
The battlefield fell silent.
Mustard smiled faintly.
"…There it is."
A different kind of battle.
Not perfect.
Not refined.
But—
Alive.