I settled on one of the many boulders in the training square, after finishing my morning workout. My eyes sweeping across the family I’d built. Each of them were training relentlessly for the battle ahead. Twerp lay curled up on my lap, fast asleep, having given her all in trying to match her siblings during their training.

  Scorpio was working on refining his control on his moves. As the team member with the least mobility, I had him focus on maximizing the power to his utility moves and offensive attacks. Our Toxapex was already a handful to bring down. A mischievous smile plasters itself on my face as I imagined how formidable he’d be when he started dishing out serious damage in return.

  Lyra was off sparring with Kite in the small forest. As two of the fastest members of my team, I had them practice weaving around obstacles and exploiting even the tiniest of openings in an opponent’s guard. Our Sneasler practically vibrated with excitement at the chance to terrorize– uh, train with her big brother. Our gloomy Crobat could only sigh in exasperation at the hassle of dealing with an enthusiastic little sister.

  Cassian was meditating, twin orbs of Psychic and Poison Type-energy orbited around him. Our poisonous Slowking didn’t require any guidance, he had already skimmed through my thoughts and knew what I expected of him.

  Magnolia and Scylla were training together a short distance away. Our Vileplume had rooted herself, petals shielding her form while Scylla battered her with a barrage of draconic blasts. After a few short moments, the roles reversed. Magnolia unleashed a beam of collected sunlight at Our Dragalge, while Scylla coiled defensively, using her battle hardened scales to defend. I had the two training together to boost up their durability.

  A battle with dragons will undoubtedly be brutal, I wanted them to be fully prepared to take their hits and dish out big damage in return.

  Training was coming along nicely. Everyone was pushing themselves, motivating each other with the singular purpose to win. I had attempted to workshop a strategy for every one of them, a counter for each match up they’d eventually face, that Clair would throw our way.

  And yet… There was a deep sense of anxiety, a knot in my stomach that I can’t quite get rid off, and that continues to claw away at any confidence I had built up.

  Because no matter how prepared I am, I knew Clair would be equally so. The eight badge challenge wasn’t like the others. By the time a Trainer reaches the final gym, the Gym Leader would have been given a detailed report about ‘You’, the challenger.

  It made things much more difficult. The element of surprise from the challenger, Me, was gone. But the Gym Leader could still pick and choose from the plethora of Eight Gym Badge level Pokemon within their arsenal. And with Clair Blackthorn’s team of Dragons… “Ah- fuck.” I cursed under my breath to make sure Scylla didn’t hear. She would get all fussy if I cursed anywhere near Twerp.

  I had spent the better part of three evenings digging through anything that might give me an edge. Old forum posts, archived battle footage, half-broken guides and even one shady site plastered with more ads than any webpage that should legally be allowed.

  But no matter how deep I dug, nothing I found could actually help us. Every thread, every video, every guide circled on the same advice. ‘Good luck, you’re going to need it.’ I groaned and slouched forward further.

  It was nearly impossible. That much was clear, I could see why no one got the better of Clair on their first attempts. Without firsthand experience against her, you were basically a sitting Ducklett.

  You didn’t know what to anticipate. Would it be an overwhelming display of force, or a carefully constructed demolition? No matter which it turned out to be, I just hoped we were prepared enough, and that I would be able to guide them to victory.

  I didn’t want to relive the agonizing defeat of last year’s circuit. Especially now that the Silver Conference is within reach. Losing to Pryce had been devastating, a blow that still stung today. But, with a little help from Twerp, we’d pulled ourselves together and grown stronger for it.

  A little yawn comes from my lap, pulling me away from my thoughts as Twerp wiggles awake, stretching her tiny arms.“Look who’s awake,” I said, smiling down at her. “Come on, let’s go find your big brothers and sisters. I’m sure they could use a break—and it’s almost lunchtime anyway.” I stood up, carrying our little Trubbish in my arms.

  Evening settled quietly, Every member of the team had dozed off, exhausted, their bodies finally giving in after another long day of rigorous training.

  Magnolia was sleeping peacefully near the window, ready to soak in the morning sun for when it rises at dawn.

  I had prepared the bathtub for Scylla and Scorpio, The Dragalge coiled around her Toxapex brother, both of them sleeping in the warm water. Kite hung from the shower curtain rod. The Crobat preferred the space away from his mischievous little sister, Lyra.

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  Said Sneasel was loudly snoring, sprawled across my bed.

  The only other one awake was Cassian, the Slowking using the peacefulness of the night to read.

  Once again, I found myself on the Poke-net, aimlessly scrolling through the forums, hoping to stumble across something that would make a difference. The many posts I was sifting through were much the same from the nights before. Just recycled strategies and worn out advice I’d already seen.

  ‘good luck lol.’

  ‘Bring a Fairy type!! (Important)’

  ‘Clair’s just way too hard to predict.’

  ‘Don’t even try to know.’

  ‘She’s just way too unpredictable, better luck next year.’

  “Unpredictable… unpredictable… unpredictable,” I muttered, letting the word roll over and over in my mind. Then an idea struck me. If she was expecting the same tactics from me, the best move would be to mix it up. Altering a strategy that carried us far was dangerously risky, especially with the battle so close, but if it meant gaining even a flicker of advantage, I had no choice but to try.

  I opened my notebook next to the laptop, brandished my pen and began outlining the beginnings of a strategy, one that might catch the unshakable Clair Blackthorn offguard.

  At her desk, Clair Blackthorn worked steadily, her attention split between the paperwork between the gym and her ‘loving’ clan, and more importantly…

  On her monitor, a full report on a trainer named Loki—no last name—filled the screen, every detail laid bare for her eyes alone. ‘A fourth year Poison type specialist.’ She hummed in thought.

  His team was quite unique. Starting with his typical lead of Toxapex. Not a very common choice for Trainers in Kanto-Johto. The nearly impervious wall is reported to be a huge task to take down, and armed with a few clever tricks up its sleeve. ‘Could be troublesome.’ She noted down.

  Following that were his crafty Sneasler and swift Crobat, perfect for exploiting weakened Pokemon after dealing with an immovable Toxapex. Both were quick, precise and ready to strike the moment an opponent showed a hint of vulnerability. ‘How scary, but I have the advantage.’ She thought rather smugly, but quickly shook off the arrogance. ‘It would do her no good to act cocky and underestimate her opponent.’

  Next was two Pokemon she was familiar with, Vileplume. Unlike most commonly used of its species, Loki’s leaned more on the offensive, rather than focusing solely on support. ‘It should be easy to handle.’ She surmised, taking a mental note to study further. And then there was his Slowking– or rather a unique variant of one. Likely influenced by its several Poison type companions. ‘No matter, I’ll crush it all the same.’

  And, finally. The last of his Pokemon, the one that intrigued her the most. His supposed starter. A dragon. One that wasn’t as imposing as the many titans in her clan’s care, but a dragon nonetheless. ‘Interesting. I find myself quite curious about you, Loki–’ She thought as she read his name again. “Loki…”

  ‘Why did that name seem so familiar to her.’ Curiosity gripped her tight as she stared at the picture provided in the scouting report. Studying every detail.

  His long black hair cascading to his neck. His eyes, unlike anyone’s she’d seen, but felt so oddly… familiar. With a smug grin that tugged at the back of her mind.

  Clair lingered on the photo for a little while, eyes narrowing, as she tried to piece something that wasn’t really there. Had there been someone named ‘Loki’ in her youth, or was her mind playing tricks on her.

  She groaned as she swept a hand across her face. “It’s probably just stress.” She muttered to no one in particular, though an unease lingered within her.

  She sits up straighter this time, pushing the distraction aside as she returns to devising a strategy that would be of ample challenge to this Trainer.

  Opening a fresh document, she listed down potential Pokemon, drawing from her own personal team and from the Gym’s available roster, carefully weighing down each choice before any final decision was to be made.

  She considered which strategy to employ, and what lesson could be woven into the Gym battle. That was her role, to guide Conference hopefuls, shaping them to be above competent trainers and defenders of her region.

  Part of her wanted to make this a spectacle, to remind the Blackthorn elders that she was not a meek doll, and to leave her in peace. But that would be unfair against the challenger who’d be thrust into the crossfire of her clan’s relentless demands of finding a spouse.

  Although, she’d be lying if she didn’t find him attractive, and he was roughly around her age, Him being nineteen, and her being twenty. Choosing an outsider might be the perfect way to stir the ire of the Blackthorn elders.

  She snorted in amusement at the ridiculous thought. The stress was clearly getting to her if she was entertaining that idea for a petty revenge. Clair returned to her planning, determined to finalize a strategy before the day of the battle arrived.

  I decided to leave the planning for tomorrow, having been scolded by Cassian for staying up so late. ‘I could say the same thing for you, mister.’ I grumbled in my head.

  After moving Lyra to make room, I lay on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Uncertainty churning in my stomach. The battle was only three days away. Were the plans that I had come up with solid enough? Could I and my team see it through?

  I sighed. ‘Only time would tell.’ I thought.

  Drawing the blanket over Lyra and myself, I closed my eyes, silently wishing for sleep to arrive sooner rather than later. Tomorrow, I’d tell my family the plans I had come up with and we’ll work our way up from there.

  ‘Wait for me… Dove. I’m coming for you.’

  Thank you for reading! I wanted to get this chapter out since college would be returning soon, and the Gym battle chapter would most likely be next, and would take a long time for me to write. I hope I can do it justice.

  Comments, corrections and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

  Pokemon mentioned in this chapter:

  Trubbish

  Toxapex

  Sneasler

  Crobat

  Slowking

  Vileplume

  Dragalge

  Ducklett