7:09 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event)

Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto’s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June—she’s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova).

Franky hovered out of the ground, waving his hand and drawing Amira’s gaze away from the serious-looking Horsea; a group materialized out of shining light, causing the entire beach to grow still in shock and Amira’s gut to cramp.

“Good luck, Honey; I brought friends!” her mother chimed, a big grin on her face as she waved next to Yellow, Red, Blue, Leaf, Ethan, Crystal, Green, Hilbert, and Bianca.

“Bi!” Her stunned mind was pulled out by Rhea’s squeal, rushing to her grinning cousin to embrace. “I can’t believe you’re here—out of Unova—what about the village?!”

Hilbert chuckled, taking his turn to hug Amira’s bouncing, blonde teammate. “I left Ramus to watch over them; your dad got a message to us in the Sinjoh area and Gold had us back here in a flash but Yellow already had everything under control.”

“Mhm!” Bianca responded, embracing Sabin, Katelin, and Christie soon after Rhea let her go. “Isn’t my hubby the best?! He hasn’t slept in forty-eight hours but wanted to make sure I got here to spend some time with you.”

Kris saw her husband’s annoyed frown and scooted closer to loop her fingers in his, offering an apologetic smile. “Sorry for not getting you—it was a tense time.”

“Still,” he grunted, directing his narrowed vision at Red and Blue trying to fade into the back with slight smirks in their wandering eyes. “Pfft,” Ethan rolled his neck, “Yo, Red, Blue, what’s the deal, leavin’ me hangin’ like that, huh?” he asked, glaring at the smiling pair.

The small golden-haired woman giggled while coming between the three and adjusting her straw hat. “Sorry, Gold—really, I am! I was just so mad so I just—I had to do my part, and when Chase asked me, I…”

“Aye, I get you! I get it!” Ethan groaned. “But yo, you don’t know what mad is, Yellow; you’re all rainbows and Butterfree! I’m pissed!”

Green swiftly butted in, throwing an arm around the agitated Legend’s shoulders and pulling him in. “C’mon, Shortie, don’t get your hat in a twist; you were just slow!”

“Tch,” Gold’s annoyed glare turned to her mother, yet he respected her curse preferences, “I expected this Garbodor from them, Ly, but you … Gah, what am I supposed to do now? No, I’ll go to Unova and knock some heads!”

“Now, now, let’s not get carried away!” Lyra gave him a forced grin and shrug. “Sorry, Gold—really; I would have contacted you if I could, but you were in the most inaccessible place on the planet and I had to act—I had to…” she trailed off, shifting a little and rubbing her arm.

A brief silence followed as Leaf rubbed Lyra’s back and Ethan walked over to hug her uncomfortable mother. “Hey, I know—my bad … Uh, Amira, where is that brat—yo, how ya doin’?!” he asked, laughing while waving at her using both his and Kris’ enclosed hand.

“Mmgmmh…” Amira responded, fingernails tightening against her palm while watching his blue-haired wife’s strained laugh; out of everyone that could get on her nerves, Gold was right at the top. He’d pinpointed her exact position the second he teleported in, but just wanted to poke fun of her. “Better … No thanks to you,” she grumbled; Holly snuggled next to her spirit, trying to comfort her.

“Aww, you can punch me if it makes you feel better?” he offered, and she knew it was really to make him feel better for not being there for her; Gold saw himself as a sort of uncle to her and he had a personality that forced him to take action or it ate at his mind.

She released an exasperated sigh and smiled. “Thanks for coming, Ethan, but umm…”

Karen cleared her throat, and Grimsley stepped forward to stand beside his wife, addressing the throng. “Perhaps we’ve interrupted the start of this battle for long enough.”

Amira watched her father direct a reassuring smile her way, already beside Lyra to hold her against his chest as they looked at her. “I agree, Grimsley; the Burnt Ends’ staff are preparing the top floor for a party as we speak.”

“Ooh, fancy,” Green grinned. “You always plan ahead!”

“Sis…” Leaf mumbled, turning everyone’s attention back to her and throwing her fist in the air. “Okay, Amira, we’re ready—oh, wait, Green, the camera…”

“I got it,” Green said, digging her phone out of her back pocket as Amira’s mother did the same with a big grin. “You good over there, Lyra?”

Amira tried to not let her face match her hair, but it was hard with over fifty people gathering around the beach and rising. To make it worse, all of her mother’s Pokemon exited their pokeballs to cheer her on.

Zelri, Conny, Dowo, Bailey, Mikayla, and Riga screamed her on as the Porygon-Z teleported in signs they’d crafted, waving them around—she had her own little cheer squad; thankfully, the Legends’ Pokemon didn’t join in the show.

Rhhheallly, Mom, that’s what you were doing … No-ho-ho-ho … WHY ME?! Why couldn’t it be Rhea’s family … I guess it already is, too.

“Mhm! Mhm! We’re all ready when you are, Franky!” her mother shouted, fidgeting with her phone as chuckles passed through the crowd, and to be fair, Rhea was the one freaking out in her group.

Finger playing near her collar—where her sunglasses should have been—she hissed air through her teeth. I’m fine … I’m fine, but this is … exactly what I didn’t want to happen, she cried.

The escalating internal panic only made her heart thump faster as absolutely every single Kanto and Johto Legend was front and center, cheering her on. Not only that, but there was Rhea’s cousin and her husband, a former Champion of Unova, in the mix watching her.

Chill! Don’t lock up! Just … block them out!

Luckily, Rhea’s family were far more interested in coming together to talk as Mallory absently discussed something with Kekoa, her Rockruff in her lap and the Mudbray in front of them; she had a soft smile on her face and gave Amira a toothy thumbs up upon seeing her looking.

Karen and Grimsley weren't too far away from their daughter, thoughtful looks on their faces while examining her opponent and Feebas; the pair were likely making bets.

A firm prompt brought Amira’s focus back to Serenity as she asked for her to focus. Yeah, my bad … I’m with you , she muttered, pulling up her phone and accessing the Pokedex website.

Franky snickered once she nodded at him, trying to still the pounding in her ears. We must get stronger … I have to…

* * *

Serenity calmly waited for her Trainer to pull herself together; she’d been having a troubling time without her sunglasses. It was a mystery to her how the device soothed the human, but it did, which was another blow to Amira’s fumbling mind.

Still, there was a firmness in the girl Serenity was waiting to surface; she had been lost most of the morning, but every trial was another brick in building their empire—or so Amira said—she had no clue what an empire was yet it sounded challenging.

She floated to the side, her tiny pink wide-eyed stare moving to the male Horsea; usually, other Pokemon couldn’t get enough of how her void-black sclera, night-like drab skin, or white speckles and fins agitated them, but not a word had been passed between them.

The concentration in the blue Pokemon’s intense glare lit a fire in her chest. It was rare that a Pokemon didn’t comment on her hideous appearance—the onlookers certainly let their snickers be heard—however, her opponent was ready for battle, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Amira, we need to focus … Are you with me; what should I do?

Feeling her Trainer attempting to filter out the noise around them, Amira took a deep breath before letting it out and centered on the Horsea. “Yeah, my bad … Yeah, my bad … I’m with you … We need to get stronger … I have to get stronger.”

Tingles shooting through her veins, Serenity shivered and released a long puff of air—it was time for their first battle. I’ll be with you forever, Amira. Teach me the dance.

Franky lifted his hands, paused, grinned, and dropped them. “Start!”

Serenity beat her tail against the air, darting to the welcoming waves while listening to Amira’s calming voice going through the data and developing their plan as they communicated.

Bubbles slid past her rough skin and gills as she opened her mouth and entered the murky waters of the shore. Weaving through the current to find the best path like Amira advised, Serenity spun in a delayed circle, a jet of pressurized water grazing her fin and side; from her vast field of vision, it was easy to see the Dragon Pokemon’s glowing red eyes following her movements—it had sharp sight to predict her slower rotation.

Shifting her fins, Serenity alternated beats to zig-zag closer, spiraling around each bullet the retreating Horsea sent her way; every light touch of charged liquid chipped away at her defense matrix, but she was gaining ground—97%, 94%, 90%—even after practicing against Alice’s rapid change in attack angles and feints, the seahorse Pokemon managed to clip her with every jet.

Reaching deeper waters, she found a strong riptide and shot forward, drawing from Amira’s fortitudes to increase her natural speed—the blitz made the Horsea’s eyes crease into a frown—black smoke erupted from its snout, painting the world black but not before Serenity gave her best smile and winked.

A spray of glittering pink stars and hearts blanketed the area before Serenity arched her sides, promptly doing a 180 to retreat; keeping at least one eye angled in her snaking body to catch any back attacks, she dodged three much less targeted bullets.

Drawing more of Amira’s energy in a slow, consistent stream as they had practiced, she opened her mouth for an alabaster mist to trail after her; the fog soon mixed with the black smoke, obscuring them both.

Heart screaming inside her breast, Serenity slowed her pace in the veil, able to peer through her own energy to see the spotted black haze mixing with her own obstruction; she needed to buy time.

She waited, occasionally puffing out more mist; she needed to know if her attack landed to try and meet him head-on again; they were Training to not rely on the Master Ball—Amira didn’t want to brute force her way through their match—their goal was to win this by simulating an Ultra Ball bond, which required far more time to draw energy given the stress all her Abilities added to their connection.

Serenity pumped her fins forward, pushing herself away from another jet to allow it to graze her skin—he was still somewhat accurate; 73% to 72%—Captivate landed.

Amira’s attention was somewhat pulled away for a moment as the Horsea’s Trainer started talking to her, but she was excellent at multitasking and adapted; it was almost time to push for the victory.

No Pokemon were within eyesight since Serenity had been entirely attentive to her opponent, and Franky cleared much of the area for some distance; she suspected many were frightened after the Magnitude the Mudbray used.

Her lips tightened as the Horsea’s deep voice spoke through the haze. “So, you’re a distance fighter, too?”

Serenity breathed out more mist while changing locations, keeping an uneven pace and path as she heard him doing the same. “My name is Serenity … I’m glad my first real battle was against another Water Pokemon.”

“He-he … Your first real battle, huh?” he whispered, sounding somewhat defeated. “You don’t swim or move like it is, Serenity … My name is Mika’ele.”

Keeping her senses sharp, she couldn’t help but feel happy at the praise; no wild Pokemon or Trainers’ that they passed complimented her like that. All my hard work is paying off.

A small smile brightened her eyes upon seeing a white smog entering her field of vision; she knew precisely what Move to use next from her Trainer’s continuous internal strategizing. You’re amazing, Amira!

It would take a while to charge such a strong Move, but Serenity had time to kill in her mist. “You come from that Alola place? I heard it’s really sunny, and there are a lot of Trainers from all over the world that go there.”

“Eh … no,” he mumbled, tone melancholy. “Apparently, I come from Pallet’s shores … It wasn’t the most peaceful place.”

Ah … so, the smoke is to keep him safe, and he survived by keeping a sharp eye out for danger.

“That’s so sad,” Holly whispered. “Star and I may not have been liked in Viridian, but everyone treated us nicely because of Boss Butterfree.”

Amber yawned. “That’s just how the wild can be … You two were lucky. No use in being sad, though. Looks like he found a good Trainer; he’s putting up a good fight.”

Mmh, I don’t think you could win against him, Amber, Serenity hummed, stating what she saw as the obvious.

“Mmgmgh … Serenity, you don’t need to say everything that crosses your mind,” Amber grumbled, suddenly in a somewhat grumpy mood. “Yeah, if it’s on water, I’m screwed, but I could totally put up a fight on land.”

I don’t know, Serenity returned, almost finished with her Move; he’s got a really sharp aim.

“Need I remind you that we have a very similar strategy,” Amber sniffed. “I could give him a run for his money, even if I’m at a disadvantage.”

Holly could probably win, Serenity added, humming while casually moving around tiny bubbles that were now exiting the smog. She’s got a good Grass Move against Water-Types. Right, Amira?

“Thanks for having faith in me, Serenity!” Holly chimed, hugging her spirit.

“Don’t bring her into this,” Amber sighed. “It’s like you’re comparing fire to grass—Holly is Fairy-Type, by the way! It’s just … Stop picking on me! Yes, I’m weak to Water and have trouble with being around it.”

I’m not picking on you; I’m just trying to learn.

“Feels like it…”

Holly wrapped around both of their spirits. “Hey, let’s not fight, guys; we’re friends—teammates! We win together!”

Yeah, we can do that, Serenity smiled. I’ll protect Amber, and you beat up the Water Pokemon.

“I don’t need protection; need I remind you, I’m the oldest!” Amber cried, covering her ears with her paws. “I’ll protect Holly from Fire Pokemon by shooting fire at the flames or something, so you can attack him close; just go!”

Fire Pokemon? Serenity whispered, thoroughly confused. Our opponent isn’t a Fire-Type?

“I’m just saying!” Amber groaned in exasperation. “Fine! Yes, you protect me from Water Pokemon … Now just win this; I don’t like lakes!”

Serenity figured she was having flashbacks of their dive into the ice cave. I’m almost there … It takes a long time for this stuff if I’m not sucking Amira dry.

“Yeah, best to give her time,” Holly advised, patting Amber’s head. “Isn’t she doing great?”

“Umm … You are doing good.”

Heart feeling lighter by the minute, Serenity shot back, continuing to retreat from the bubbles and smog, which prompted Mika’ele to poke his head out of his veil.

“You keep running away, but my smog will always push your mist back … Are you trying to run me out of energy?”

Finally ready, Serenity’s skin became surrounded by a dazzling multi-colored reflective aura before kicking her fins into overdrive. “Let’s dance!”

A forced smile would have shown on her face, had she the ability to make an expression; she entered the harmful alabaster mist, powering through it to find the Horsea while dodging every bubble that rushed toward her—one variant attack would trigger the end of the Move.

“W-What are you doing?” Mika’ele gasped upon coming into view, but Serenity could practically feel her heart jumping out of her chest as the thrill of combat embraced her.

Spinning around the bubbles and frantic jets of water, Serenity felt her defensive matrix diminishing by the millisecond—44%, 40%, 32%, 23%—she made a sharp turn to his side upon getting in critical range of her opponent and cheered. I’m having so much fun, Amira!

A detonation of all the energy she’d converted through the Clear Smog and her gathered Mirror Coat struck the wide-eyed Horsea, generating a new current that swept them into the tide.

Spinning in circles, Serenity spread her fins to stabilize herself and kicked up as two bullets of water grazed her crown, and tail fin—19%—Captivate had run its course.

Insides swirling in rapture, she shot back toward the Horsea, managing to keep her on her fins while closing the distance; Serenity didn’t need to be too close, but she wasn’t a sniper.

He tried to make another smokescreen, but it choked in his throat as Serenity illuminated a royal purple and let go of a ferocious roar of pure rage that sent a dragon-shaped multi-colors beam at the shocked Water Pokemon.

“N-No way!”

Dragon Pulse wove through the current, moving as if it had a life of its own around the swift bubbles Mika’ele shot to intercept the beam; it struck him straight in the face, but Serenity wasn’t just watching the attack play out.

Heart pumping to the motion of her tail, she used the blast as cover, pulling as much energy from Amira as she could, given their restriction; she’d timed it perfectly with her Trainer’s help.

Mika’ele’s vision snapped shut as the impressive yet feeble attack, given her Stats, struck, and when they opened, Serenity was with him; as their eyes collided, she released an opportunistic stream of focused water at the Horsea, shattering his defensive matrix.

“YES!” Holly, Amira, and Amber shouted in unison.

I did it! Serenity screamed, surging to the surface to flip out of the water, spinning in a splash of glowing water.

* * *

Amira wanted to cry, watching Serenity celebrate in the fading sun, and her mother caught perfect pictures of the display while Zelri carried her through the air. You were so patient and calm, listening to all my theories … Heh, I know; the Clear Smog was really the thing that helped to seal the deal.

Her lungs froze as Kekipi scratched his messy black hair, tired eyes showing a rueful smile as Franky brought his unconscious Horsea out of the lake. “I figured we’d lose … Still, it was a great match, Amira.”

“What do you mean?” Amira asked, trying to keep herself composed as her mother bit her nails with the other Legends, waiting to rush in and hug her but wanting to keep their space until the two of them were finished. “Why were you asking me all those questions about my other Pokemon?”

Kekipi’s tongue pressed against his lower lip, and he turned to stare at the various groups of Legends and the crowd of clapping onlookers. His voice dropped a few octaves, making Amira step closer to hear; they’d come closer together during the battle to talk.

“At first, I was like my teammates and thought we had a chance, but after the last match, I started to realize something.”

Amira glanced to her right; her mother was now pestering her father with highlights, showing him pictures with Green doing the same to the other Legends—Zelri likely doing something to handle the in-water images. “Which is?” she asked, smiling at Serenity as she returned to stare up at her, looking utterly bored in expression while flipping in the air to show her joy.

“Winning isn’t everything.” He stroked his Horsea’s head, noticing Christie’s Master-tier Bellossom making her way toward them to offer support. “I studied all your Pokemon, and I didn’t stand a chance against your Fennekin or Comfey … Even if I have over double your victories, there is natural talent, and you’re not being complacent.”

He turned a half-smile to her and held out his hand. “Talented, intelligent, beautiful, and hard-working—you’re the full package, Amira Rocket. If you wouldn’t mind, could we swap info so I can battle you again?”

Amira tried not to stumble over her words as she smiled; of course, there was no way her cheeks wouldn’t flush after something like that. Taking his hand, she chuckled. “Wow, thanks, Kekipi … Most of the credit should go to Serenity; she’s been anticipating her first battle for days, training with my other teammates’ Pokemon. Umm … yeah, we can swap info…”

She wanted to die and scream at her parents as more pictures were taken—from five feet off the ground, Zelri taking multiple shots using not only her mother’s phone but her father’s, and somehow both grandparents' phones had magically made it into the mix. Still, the most embarrassing part was the big, shining brown-eyed mother, whispering into her father’s ear—there was also the issue of over a hundred people watching her trade numbers with a boy.

His beige irises lingered on her image that popped up in his contacts before looking up with a forced smile. “Sorry to put you on the spot.”

Amira’s full lips pulled in as she forced a smile at the cooing voices around the beach; they’d practically turned into the end of one of the sappy soap operas her mother enjoyed—not that Amira didn’t mind watching to keep her company. “It’s not like you’d get another chance considering the company … Umm, should we…”

“Let our teammates go next?” he finished with a laugh. “Yeah, I wanted to go over a few things about the match if that’s cool—I know your family’s here, though.”

She promptly shook her head, ignoring her teary-eyed mother. Why is she even crying? Why?!

Holly and Amber anxiously held their breaths while Serenity obviously looked on.

“Umm, sure; they can wait.”

Amira did her best to ignore the whispers while making her way to strategically position herself between Grimsley and Sabin—far away from her parents.