Hard Enough

Chapter 193: Throw down showdown!

Chapter 193: Throw down showdown!

“So what are you going to call your new move?” I asked when I was done seriously congratulating Greta on her performance.

Greta, as she’d been doing since the end of the match it seemed, continued to blush. “I don’t really know, I honestly just thought the move up on the fly,” she said.

I whistled. “You realise that only makes it even more impressive if you can have Bulb… I mean Ivysaur to whip it out like that,” I said. Great flashed me a look only for a softer voice to intrude.

“You also have to consider that Ivysaur would have been adjusting to his body having just evolved.”

Greta, Yolanda, Crystal and I turned to find Erika approaching at the lead of the Celadon cadre. If this was a model catwalk they’d be getting very… I glanced around and noticed more than a few people had stopped to stare at the beautiful young lasses and ladies sauntered up to us. More than a few boyfriends suddenly found themselves in hot water.

Amusingly Rachel and Trixie were both staring and shot each other looks before giggling to each other.

The soft crunch of popcorn made me stop and look behind Yolanda to find Sabrina, Ralts and Janine watching the show with a bucket of popcorn. When had they— ah that’s a pointless question.

I turned back to Erika and smiled. “Think she’ll get better with that move when Ivysaur gets used to his new strength?”

Erika nodded, her group fanning out around her. “Indeed, Ivysaur will be much more accurate with his new combination move in the future I should assume.” She tilted her head and offered a smile with just the softest traces of teasing in it. “So, what will you call this move?” she said.

Greta coughed. “The…” her eyes darted around and landed on the group of Geodudes and Gravelers that Dennis and Rocko had performing juggling tricks during the intermission. “Twirl out?” she said.

I turned away, holding in the laughter that threatened to bubble out.

Yolanda shot her friend a bemused look while Crystal tilted her head. Erika merely nodded and clapped her hands. “The twirl out, a wonderful name,” she said, without missing a beat. “I shall have to pay homage to you when I use it with my own pokemon. I have to admit that I’m rather looking forward to showing my pokemon the clips from today’s match!”

Greta stared, “You’’re going to use my move?” she said, her voice pitching into a small shriek of elation… and what sounded like a little terror.

I clapped her on the back. “It was a powerful move,” I confirmed, bringing up the clips on my Xtransicever and showing that while it had missed, the resultant hit to the barriers had dipped them into the yellow signalling a powerful attack.

“May I formally request—” Erika began to say only for me to wave my hand easily. “Sure thing, I’ll send you the clip of the fight now,” I said.

Erika paused and nodded. “Well thank you…” she then fidgeted with her dress before straightening. “Well this is somewhat awkward, but I think I must formally ask,” she said as she shot me an apologetic look.

“Greta Green, you showcase admirable talent, I understand that you’re currently operating as a Gym trainer for Brock but I was wondering if you might be interested in expanding your understanding of pokemon with Grass types in particular! I’d like to extend—”

“I’m happy here!” said Greta so quickly that she cut off Erika’s pitch. The soft crunch of a trio of people and pokemon enjoying the show sounded out as background noise.

I coughed in amusement, a small smile tugging at my lips. Sabrina, no, not now, I thought in her general direction. A larger crunch of popcorn had both myself and Erika twitching.

I decided to forge ahead. “Greta, you should seriously consider it, I think it might be a great offer for you… in the future,” I said, adding the last part quickly as her face began to drop.

Greta and Erika blinked, turning to me like I was a source of light and they Sunflora. “What do you mean?” asked Erika politely.

I crossed my arms and stood tall. “Greta, is one of the smartest trainers I’ve had the pleasure of housing. I’ve given her access to a variety of lessons and information, even offhandedly she’s absorbed more than I ever expected.”

“But!” I raised a single finger. “I know I can teach her more, when she reaches the point that I have nothing more to teach her, I will inform her of such. That said, I would love for her to experience different situations and learning environments. So, perhaps in the future, she might examine your offer, if that’s alright for you?” I said, offering her an open hand.

Erika beamed at me. “That sounds wonderful, I’d love to host such talent!” she said.

I smiled back as Greta shot her head from me to Erika before smiling giddily. I looked past her at Yolanda and Crystal. “While you’re at it you may as well scoop up her friends as well,” I said tugging the girls close.

The trio, now standing before the cadre of Celadon, found themselves being assessed. Terra, in her customary position of being held by Yolanda sniffed at the girls only to sneeze loudly. “Tar! Larvitar!” she said.

Erika glanced at the little Larvitar. “You would be happy with me looking over your… sister?” she said. For a second there I was sure she was going to say something else but I waved the thought away.

“Yup,” it’s important to not just learn your own typing but also how to handle the weaknesses. Grass types are one of our Gym’s strongest weaknesses and Yolanda getting some time to wrap her head around that would be good,” I explained.

I clapped her and Crtstal on the shoulders. “That being said, it would have to be on the weekends this year as they still attend school.”

Crystal gained a slightly forced look of innocence that made me raise an eyebrow while Yolanda shot her friend a smirk. Hmmm, was she skipping? I decided to prod Crystal slightly. “Of course, if we get clearance from their teachers they might get extra days,” I said, alluding to how Yolanda got to spend so long at the Gym.

Crystal twitched and I hid a smirk while Erika held in a giggle, as she read the situation just as well as I had. She nodded to me. “I’m sure the girls would be welcome additions,” she said easily.

Crystal smirked. “Heh, A.J. misses out,” she said.

I hummed. “I might ask another to look after A.J. I don’t think… he’d fit in too well with the tea parties and calm atmosphere of Celadon.”

“I don’t know he might look good in a dress,” suggested Yolanda with a smirk.

I snorted only for Erika to smile. “Speaking of boys wearing dresses, want to see your brother and his friends?”

Yolanda gasped, her head bouncing up and down so fast I worried for a moment she’d concuss herself.

Erika raised her transceiver and showed off a series of pictures from a few months ago. In it, Misty was shown with a gigantic smile on her face while on either side of her Ash, and Forrest were wearing dresses, atomic blushes on display while a few ladies posed around them.

I chuckled for a moment only for a bell tone to ring out, announcing that the intermission would end in another five minutes. “Ah, I need to see a man about a Ponyta,” I said as I dashed towards the bathroom.

I doubted I’d be fast enough to finish this and grab a snack but thankfully I had an assistant for the snacks. Still, I was sad I had missed out on the chance to talk to Jet. After this intermission, there were only three more matches before we wrapped up the contest.

“What does that mean?” asked Erika. Behind me, I heard the girls murmuring in confusion.

Yolanda sighed. “My brother has weird sayings,” she said.

I nodded in thanks as Alexa deposited a hotdog and a soda in front of me. “Thanks for that, and have you gotten Titan geared up for the surprise?” I asked her.

Alexa shot me a thumbs up and I grinned. Joy and Monique glanced at me. “Surprise?” They asked.

I just smiled enigmatically. “Just something I cooked up 'cause I wanted things to end with a bang,” I said before smiling winningly.

Monique frowned. “Brock, it’s your Gym and your Contest so I hope you know what you’re doing,” she said sternly.

I just smiled. “Don’t worry it’s something I had planned out a while back and have practised, trust me it’ll be good.”

Monique grumbled at this for a while but eventually turned her attention back to the stage where Jessie and Vinny were being called up.

Jessie strode forth with her head held high and a glint in her eyes as the chains, which had multiplied since the last time she’d been on stage, clinked together with each step. Vinny on the other hand remained the same. He noticed that Jessie had gone for an upgrade to her wardrobe while he’d remained the same. He twitched while glancing towards us, only to chew his lip and duck behind a partition where the sound of ripping occurred.

I facepalmed as he emerged without the sleeves of his shirt. Yes, it did make him look slightly tougher and could, if you squinted, count as a wardrobe change but it was just… “I feel like I should deduct a point?” I said aloud.

Joy snorted in amusement while Monique seemed to seriously contemplate the idea. “He is rather crude with his method,” she said, before sighing and shaking her head.

Jessie grinned maliciously looking like she had this in the bag while Vinny coughed and enlarged his pokeball, straightening up as he did so. Ah, it was just pre-match nerves. Perhaps Vinny was one of those people who got too trapped in their heads only to settle down when the fight started.

I nodded, yeah that made sense.

Joy pinched me to get me to focus as both trainers sent out their pokemon for the match.

“Go! Swellow!” announced Vinny as he sent out his powerhouse once again.

“Let’s go Tentacruel!” shouted Jessie.

I frowned and more than a few people broke into whispers causing Jessie to look around. “What? Never seen the true boss of the sea before?” she said. Tentacruel perked up at her words and wiggled some tentacles happily.

Joy opened her mouth and I preemptively pinched the bridge of my nose. “She’s tentacruel girl? It figures,” she said with a smirk.

I exhaled with a laugh before turning my head to Monique. “Is her choice of a third pokemon valid? I thought they could only use two?” I said, recalling what I’d seen from Hoenn matches I’d watched.

Before Monique could answer Archibald keyed his microphone, “It seems an explanation is in order. In the Hoenn Contest scene, it is standard practice for only two pokemon to be allowed with trade between matches allowed. I know there are some debates about allowing trade out but that is beside the point.”

Archibald thumped his fist on the desk in front of him causing Rachel to twitch in surprise while Gardevoir shot her companion bedroom eyes at the show of force. “This is Kanto! Not Hoenn! In Kanto you can use whatever pokemon you want each round!” he shouted passionately.

Rachel adjusted her microphone, having fallen back in shock. “W-well said!” she said, supporting her cohost quickly.

“Garde~” said Gardevoir as she leaned into Archibald and wiggled happily. “Voir~.”

Archibald coughed and a blush flooded across his face. “Yes yes, of course, my dear but not here,” he murmured. A quick sign to Rachel had her hitting a button to stop Archibald from projecting any details about what was going to happen later. We were trying to keep this event PG after all.

I turned away from the whispering pair of shot callers and looked to the stage where Jessie was grinning. “You were expecting my Arbok weren’t you? Well! I’m not just a beautiful woman! I’m also smart enough to read the Kanto rulebook!” she said, as she whipped out a gigantic book from a pouch at her side.

Joy leaned towards me. “Did you read that?”

“No, did you?” I whispered back. Joy shook her head and Monique sighed, alerting us that we hadn’t been as subtle as we hoped.

“Begin!” called Rachel, causing the pre-match banter to end and for Jessie and Vinny to make their moves.

“Ascend with Tailwind! Blow them back while rising!” called Vinny. Swellow beat its wings and summoned what felt like typhoon winds that buffeted us judges.

On the other side, Jessie snapped her hand forth having gotten off the mark slower. “Use Poison Jab to hold your ground and get a grip on the ground around you!” she called.

I leaned forward as my fighting experience warned me that something else was going on here.

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Vinny narrowed his eyes as his attack failed to do anything while Jessie claimed the ground around her pokemon with it turning a dark purple that she’d be able to use in some form.

“Come in hard with Aerial Ace!” Vinny called and his pokemon tucked its wings and plummeted hard.

“Swift,” countered Jessie and around her pokemon stars began to form before launching. The inescapable attack shot forth and Swellow found itself peppered even after it flickered into the signature Aerial Ace dodge that led to Swellow ramming into Tentacruel from the side.

Tentacruel bobbled to the side only for the stars that were still in play, to come about and race straight at the Swellow.

Jessie smirked and I leaned forward in anticipation. “Water Pulse,” she called, and instead of firing from Tentacruel’s mouth as I’d expected, Tentacruel unleashed the attack from underneath the ground causing it to erupt and a section of the hardened rock stage was launched into Swellow’s back.

“Ha! Just because Tentacruel is water-poison doesn’t mean we can’t make use of the stage!” shouted Jessie fiercely as the rock closed.

“Hmpf, so it seems, ignore Swift and use Reversal,” said Viinny. Swellow nodded and snapped its wings arching itself over and around so that it stabbed back into the boulder with a beak blazing with orange-brown fighting-type energy.

The boulder detonated and shot back at Tentacruel like a shotgun being fired off.

I hurried to award and remove points as both Jessie and Vinny traded blows back and forth either each other a grin forming on my face as they duked it out. While Vinny had been a terrible match-up for Yolanda, Jessie was strong and experienced enough to match him.

“Tch! You’re forcing my hand Jessie!” called Vinny. He punched a fist and growled out his next words as a chill ran up my spine. “Giga Impact!”

Swellow locked its gaze on Tentacruel and snarled as it snapped its wings, once, twice, and then a third and final time before it became a streaking meteor.

“What? No use, go for Poison Jab!” called Jessie. Tentacruel loyally raised its tentacles and launched them forward with purple energy glinting on the tips only for Swellow to bull through and slam an extremely powerful blow into Tentacruel.

A shockwave swept the field and it took a moment for everyone to see through the dust. I wasn’t surprised to find Tentacruel out cold but I was to find that Swellow was struggling.

Apparently, Jessie, while losing the match hadn’t gone down without making Vinny pay to advance. Swellow looked worn down and I doubted he’d be able to use it for the next match.

I had to give Jessie props when she dragged the fight out against Vinny, sadly his stronger pokemon and greater experience shone through.

Which left just Bosco and Solidad to face off.

… after the stage got fixed up.

A small avalanche of Graveler and Geodude rolled out from the medbay and up onto the stage with Sanchez bringing up the rear. I chuckled at the small yellow helmet Sanchez had found and he happily strutted around on the stage pointing out the various points of damage. He even approached Gardevoir to talk with her only for Archibald to shoo him away.

When the stage was fixed Sanchez gave it a look over before tweaking his moustache and shooting me a thumbs-up. “Go lem!” he called, and the avalanche of pokemon all rolled off the field quickly.

With that done, Rachel stood.

“And in this corner! The rose of Pewter with her thorns bared! Let’s cheer on Solidad!” announced Rachel even as “And who should she face but the brute with a brain Bosco!”

Bosco raised his hands like a pro wrestler and grinned, showing he rather liked the title Rachel had dubbed him with. She must have spoken with him during the downtime.

Both of them locked eyes and readied themselves. “Begin!” shouted Rachel.

Both of them tossed out their pokemon with Solidad sending out her Pidgeot once again. Bosco however sent out a Machamp making me wince in sympathy.

Bad match-up.

Solidad perked up only for Bosco to throw out a punch and bark, “Style time! Show off with a Wide Guard!” Machamp shot its arms out wide to form an X while stomping. Around it an X of boulders shot up forming a pseudo fortress that reached Machamp’s chest height.

I hummed and laced my fingers. The brainy brute indeed, Bosco had strategies to counter his type disadvantage and now it was Solidad grimacing.

“Feather Dance into Aerial Ace!” she called, causing a cascade of feathers to puff out of Pidgeot and drift about the stage only to fall atop Machamp who grimaced and drooped slightly.

“Rotate and raise your hand for Thunderpunch” barked Bosco. “An arm an entry point liaise practised!” he called, and Machamp turned so that at least one arm was pointed straight down the narrowing passageway.

Solidad grinned and I knew what she was going to try.

Pidgeot shot forward and streaked along the ground coming in low and lining itself up right at Machamp’s face. It came on fast and Machamp lashed out with the lower left hand only for Pidgeot to vanish in a blur of speed.

Pidgeot then appeared behind Machamp with talons outstretched. I hummed, not what I thought was going to happen.

Machamp stumbled but one hand still shot out and locked onto Pidgeot by the tailfeathers causing an indignant squawk. Then it turned to a cry of pain as Machamp lit Pidgeot up.

Both pokemon took super effective damage and I leaned forward expecting one of them to drop.

Both faltered for a moment, only to correct themselves and swivel to lock eyes. Machamp and Pidgeot were both worn out but willing to keep fighting.

“Rest!” “Rest!” called both of them together causing them to blink in surprise and a murmur to break out among the crowd.

Bosco grinned, however. “Sleep Talk!” he called, and a moment later the sleeping Machamp dashed forward, arms flopping as it did so mid-snore to throw itself at the sleeping Pidgeot with what had to be Strength.

Pidgeot was knocked back and Machamp fumbled the landing. I shook my head and penalised both of the lack of style. Solidad glanced at her pokemon only to sigh when she saw Pidgeot hadn’t woken up from that.

“Ma champ?” called Machamp as it blinked awake. Bosco punched the air.

“Yes! Nice going buddy! Finish it off with Thunderpunch!”

This time Machamp attacked with intent and the powerful electric move knocked Pidgeot out of the fight despite the debuff Solidad had gotten off earlier.

“Rough match,” I said, my eyes turning towards the slowly crumbling Wide Guard Bosco had used earlier in the match.

Monique shook her head. “There was an obvious avenue for attack that she should have exploited!”

I smirked and eyed the Machamp. “Yeah, obvious,” I said, a suspicion forming in my mind. When Monique shot me a look I just waved a hand to indicate I had nothing more to say.

Bosco happily shot both fists into the air. “HO HA! We’re going all the way Machamp It’s brute time!” he roared, much to the crowd’s amusement. He then marched over and thanked Solidad for the tough-fought spectacle.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience! Before the finale we have to get the rankings for the top four! So without further adieu can you please give it up for Solidad and Jessie to make their final match to decide third place?”

Soledad strode out having expected this but Jessie floundered as she had to push her way through the crowd and to the stairs for her own return to the stage, having not known this was coming.

Jessie was obviously still reeling from her defeat against Vinny, in my opinion, but she seemed willing to try her best. When she shot me a hesitant look I gave her a supportive nod.

“Coordinators! Show us your style! Begin!” called Archibald.

“Go Mawile!” shouted Jessie, only for Solidad to counter with Lapras.

The tiny fairy-type pokemon glowered up at the much larger water-ice pokemon.

“Mawile char—” Jessie started to say only for Solidad to go on the offensive straight away. “Blizzard! control the field!”

Mawile suddenly found herself having to cover a lot of ground while giant icicles rained down. I grimaced as Jessie floundered instead of getting her little pokemon to hop skip and jump around like I was expecting.

Mawile ended up getting frozen and taken out far too quickly while Jessie failed to find her footing.

“Battle out!” called Monique this time, ending the match for Jessie who slumped and recalled her pokemon.

I made a point to stand and give them both applause leading the crowd in praising them. “Have to give it to you two ladies, you’ve demonstrated a lot of tough spirit today and I want to thank you both. Jess…adia,” I said, making sure to use her fake name. “I know this is your first-ever Contest and I think this is something you should continue to look into, you’ve got some latent talent that’s for sure. Solidad, thank you for showing a lot of young people what you can achieve as an experienced Coordinator.”

Jessie smiled tentatively at the praise and I waved for her to come close. She did so with a quick glance up towards where her teammates were.

“Hey, don’t go anywhere after the final match alright? I’d like to talk to you and your friends,” I said, an idea slowly forming in my head about what I could do with the Team Rocket trio.

Jessie nodded and fidgeted, giving off the impression that she very much would not be sticking around. I sighed and rolled my eyes. “There’s going to be a free meal and get-together with all the trainers that made it to the top sixteen.”

“Oh! Well sure we’ll stick around!” she said, losing all hints of reluctance immediately.

I huffed, shaking my head as I waved her away. Nurse Joy shot me a questioning look but I ignored her.

I had one more contest match to observe and it wasn’t who I’d first expected in the finals but I was also glad for the surprise.

Bosco versus Vinny. The Venom pack brute against the Hoenn flying type specialist.

Bosco once more marched down the stairs and he took great pleasure having the backing of the crowd as he dashed down the stairs hands out wide to slap his hands against others who cheered at his passing.

“Here comes the boulder! The brute with a brain! Bosco!” called Rachel.

Next to her, Gradevoir waved a small flag with Bosco’s face cartoonishly drawn on it. I had to wonder where she’d gotten those from before spotting Georgina handing them out.

Vinny came out much more sedately and he grinned towards Bosco as he pretended to box towards Vinny. “So? Ready for your cat to feel my pokemon’s talons?” he taunted.

Bosco narrowed his eyes before snorting. “Puh-lease! You ain’t worth me sending Mittens out for!” he said, as he palmed a pokeball.

“Begin!” called Rachel, and both Bosco and Vinny sent out their pokemon.

Vinny sent out Pidgeotto this time with a faint grimace. Jessie’s match had drained Swellow too much to send it out one last time. I was surprised he hadn’t chosen another pokemon but then again that might be his Hoenn sensibilities playing up on him.

The Pidgeotto swept its wings and caused a loud thoom to boom across the stadium.

Bosco surprised me again by sending Machamp instead of his Persian back out.

“Wide Guard X formation!” called Bosco, once again getting his pokemon to form an X formation of boulders around itself instantly.

“Oh? Bold of you to think I’m not wise to your tricks!” Vinny called. “Pidgeotto! Agility into Brave Bird! We’re ending this!” he called out confidently.

Pidgeotto glowed for a moment before tucking its wings and plummeting down. Like a bird in pursuit of its prey, it locked eyes onto Machamp who raised its now sparking up hands.

Pdigeotto shot in low and hard only to slam its wings into the ground and shoot up and out of the narrow confine.

Next to me Monique nodded and sighed but I leaned forward ready for what I thought was to come.

Pidgeotto rose up and tucked a wing to barrel roll and forcing it to twist through the air. From there it dropped straight down all while maintaining its speed. Its aerial acrobatics allowed it to approach from directly overhead.

Pidgeotto lunged with talons glowing with flying energy.

“Clap,” said Bosco just before Pidgeotto hit.

Machamp who must have been awaiting this very command, flexed and slammed its hands together above his head like the jaws of a metal Ursaring trap.

Pidgeotto went from just about to win, to caught as Machamp’s hands slammed together hammering the Pidgeotto.

Pidgeotto was caught in the grip of the powerful Machamp.

Pidgeotto had a moment to give Machamp a look of disbelief before it fainted as a current of lightning arced through its body, ending the match in one exchange.

Vinny could only gape in shock. He’d wanted this match won in one pass, and it had been, just with him not as the victor.

I shook my head and watched Vinny withdraw his pokemon. Coming from above seemed like the easy answer to Bosco’s defense, but it was just that, the easy, obvious answer that was in fact a trap.

“How? That?! What even was that?!” Vinny shouted, waving a hand towards Bosco.

“Sword catching,” I said, toggling the microphone, “He’s like one of the old Samurai of Johto that when disarmed would catch their opponent's weapon between their palms.

“That’s a myth! It’s impossible!” said Vinny.

“No,” I replied. “It’s not a myth or impossible, it is just extremely difficult and requires a high degree of skill,” I said. I shot Bosco a smirk. “Setting the field helps, I should imagine.”

Bosco rubbed the back of his head. “Ah shucks Gym Leader Brock you’re gonna make me blush!” he said.

I shook my head and glanced at my fellow judges. “Any complaints?”

They shook their heads and I stood and raised a hand towards Bosco. “I hereby declare the winner of the inaugural Pewter Contest to be Bosco!”

On the big screen, Bosco along with his Persian and Machamp were put on display causing a round of applause to ring through the stadium. When it was time to award prizes the top three placeholders each received a small token with Bosco earning the inaugural Pewter Gym Contest Ribbon.

“Oh! This is pretty!” he said, as I handed him a ribbon which was a sandstone with granite lines through it that glittered. In the middle, a pink diamond shone and I smiled as he attached it to his Persian’s collar while Machamp posed.

Bosco then shot the crowd a huge v for victory. I shot Solidad a look only to find her happily smiling.

With the Contest officially over, I had Rachel ask the crowd to remain for a final event. “Ladies. Gentlemen! Pokemon of all ages! Thank you for your attention today! We’ve had a great two days and to thank you for coming, Brock has arranged a special showcase!”

“Brock? Is this your surprise?” Monique whispered only for me to stand, ignoring her as I stood raising up one hand. I snapped my fingers while channelling rock energy to make the snap echo through the Gym getting everyone’s attention and making a lot of people fall silent.

To the side of the judging panel, a set of huge doors swung open and a beam of light shone out causing people to stir, as they realised that something was coming.

I tapped on my headset. “I want to apologise to Bosco for possibly stealing a bit of his thunder with his amazing performance. To make it up to him, I hope he can take over my role as judge?” Judges trading out with the winning coordinator wasn’t how things worked.

It wasn’t how things worked anywhere else, but I wanted to have some fun after spending the last two days simply watching.

Bosco’s eyes lit up and he trooped up to grab the headset I offered him before marching over to the judging panel with Mittens and Machamp claiming spots at the table as well, much to Nurse Joy’s amusement. Monique had a fixed expression but I soldered on. I knew people would like what I had planned.

I raised my hand and snapped my fingers again. This time the speakers began to thrum as an electric guitar heralded the start of a rock song. Then a thump swept through the gym as something big began to move and the light faded as a shadow began to form.

People stirred and I grinned as with each step a mini quake followed, people leaned further and further forward as more and more of the shape resolved itself.

The first thing that started to form out of the lights was the spikes. All over the giant body spikes protruded.

With each step, the shape resolved itself into that of Titan, my starter.

The crowd gasped as they noted that Titan was wearing a black jacket with metal spikes. On his face, huge red glasses had been specially crafted just for Titan.

I’d taken inspiration from my past life and anime. Kamina’s red sunglasses just worked too well.

I stepped onto the stage and this time it was Titan’s turn to leap. He soared like a rock, heavy and huge before landing and rocking the stage. I bent my knees and grinned.

“And for his dance partner?” Rachel said, standing and planting one foot atop the table. “Who else!? But the Mistress of Psychic Might! SAAAAAAAABRIIIIIIINNNAA!”

Across from me, Sabrina teleported in with Alakazam in position. I grinned eagerly. This was going to be more showy than our usual fights but that didn’t mean I hadn’t been looking forward to this.

“HOOOOOOOO! We got ourselves a throwdown!” cheered Bosco into his headset getting well and truly into his role and then some as he started waving the ten paddle around.

I grinned at Sabrina who’d chosen to wear the outfit she’d worn when fighting against Will, on her hand the Keystone glinted brightly and more than a few people connected the dots.

I’d set up the contest to end with a friendly feature match with Sabrina and I throwing down with our starters.

Titan versus Alakazam.