------
Kanto Region - Cerulean City Gym
Gordon's hand hovered over his final Poké Ball, fingers twitching imperceptibly as he weighed his options. His sharp gaze never left Velkris, studying the faintest flicker in the other trainer's expression, the way his shoulders remained rigid even in the aftermath of their brutal exchange. Between them, the battlefield lay in ruins—shattered stone platforms drifted in the churning water below, remnants of Psychic-infused debris still sinking beneath the surface. The air shimmered with the fading remnants of Kirlia's Misty Terrain, the pink haze clinging to the arena like spectral fingers, softening the edges of destruction.
For a long moment, the only sounds were the distant roar of the crowd, muffled as if underwater, and the rhythmic drip of condensation from the damaged arena mechanisms. Then Gordon spoke.
"A clever finish," he said, his voice low, measured, each word deliberate. He didn't smile. Didn't frown. His face was an unreadable mask, but his eyes—sharp, calculating—betrayed the intensity of his focus. "Destiny Bond is a ruthless tactic... but ruthlessness has its place in battle."
A beat of silence. The words hung between them, heavy with implication.
Gordon tilted his head slightly, a predator assessing prey. "Still, I wonder..." His thumb brushed the release mechanism of his Poké Ball, a silent threat. "Can you adapt when that option's gone?"
Velkris didn't flinch. He understood exactly what Gordon meant.
Round 1 had been a clean, surgical strike—Kirlia outmaneuvering Kingdra with precision, exploiting weaknesses, dismantling the dragon piece by piece. No wasted motion. No desperation. Just cold, flawless execution.
But Round 2?
That had been different.
Velkris's lips pressed into a thin line as the memory replayed in his mind—the way his Pokémon had lunged, not for victory, but for mutual destruction. A calculated trade. A gamble.
It wasn't a pure win. It was a sacrifice.
And Gordon had noticed.
The unspoken challenge thrummed in the air between them: "You won't get another chance like that again".
Velkris exhaled slowly, fingers tightening around his own remaining ball. The next move would decide everything.
Wordlessly, Velkris unclipped his next Poké Ball.
No hesitation. No dramatic pause. Just the smooth, practiced motion of a trainer who had already decided his path. The crowd's murmurs faded into a hush as the arena lights glinted off the polished surface of the capsule in his palm.
"I don't need it," he said simply, and threw.
No explanation. No grand declaration. Just three words, sharp as a blade, cutting through the lingering tension. The Poké Ball arced through the air, a streak of red against the shifting pink mist still clinging to the battlefield.
In a burst of crimson light, Gabite landed on the cracked battlefield with a heavy thud, claws scraping against stone.
The impact sent fissures spiderwebbing through the already fractured platform. Dust and debris scattered as Gabite's muscular tail lashed once, stabilizing its stance. Its slit pupils contracted, the golden irises locking onto the opposing side with unnerving precision. It didn't even spare Velkris a glance.
It didn't need to.
This wasn't just a partnership—not in the way most trainers understood it. Gabite wasn't waiting for orders. It was already hunting.
Gordon smirked. "Prove it."
A challenge. A dare. His voice carried the weight of a man who had seen countless trainers falter under pressure, who knew exactly how desperation could twist strategy into recklessness.
But Velkris didn't rise to the taunt. His expression remained impassive, his focus absolute.
With a flick of his wrist, Gordon's final Poké Ball snapped open.
"Floatzel!"
The sleek weasel Pokémon hit the water without a ripple, its orange fur gleaming under the harsh gym lights. Unlike Gabite's brutal entrance, Floatzel's emergence was silent, seamless—a predator perfectly attuned to its element. It didn't growl. Didn't posture. It simply watched, unblinking, its dark eyes calculating, sizing up Gabite with the cold efficiency of a blade being drawn.
Gabite's claws dug deeper into the ground, stone crumbling beneath its grip. Its chest rose and fell—not with exhaustion, but with something deeper. Something darker.
Hunger.
For battle. For victory.
A low, guttural sound vibrated in Gabite's throat, more tremor than growl, as its body tensed, muscles coiling like springs. The air around it seemed to warp, thick with the promise of violence.
> [PRIMEVAL HUNGER: ACTIVE]
> [OPPONENT STRENGTH CONFIRMED. COMBAT PARAMETERS ESCALATING.]
The system's cold, mechanical prompt flickered across Velkris's vision, but he didn't need the readout to know what was coming.
Gabite's instincts had taken over.
And Floatzel?
It smiled.
The referee's arm slashed down like a guillotine.
"Battle — begin!"
Velkris was already moving before the last syllable left the referee's mouth. His voice cut through the arena like a whipcrack:
"Gabite! Sandstorm, now!"
Gabite's answering roar shook the battlefield as it reared back and slashed its claws through the air in a vicious cross-pattern. The very atmosphere seemed to tear open as a maelstrom of whirling sand exploded outward, transforming the battlefield in seconds. The pink mist of the lingering Misty Terrain was devoured by the raging storm, visibility dropping to near-zero as the howling winds kicked up waves in the surrounding water.
Within the storm, Gabite became a nightmare silhouette — here one moment, gone the next, its rough hide blending perfectly with the stinging sand. The crowd's murmurs turned to shouts as the entire arena became a swirling, opaque dome of dust and debris.
Gordon didn't hesitate. He didn't even blink.
"Floatzel, Aqua Jet — straight through!"
Floatzel became a blue comet. Water vaporized around it as it launched forward, cutting through the sandstorm in a shimmering, high-pressure streak. The attack should have been blind, but Floatzel moved with terrifying precision — its whiskers twitching, reading the water currents and air vibrations to pinpoint Gabite's location.
Yet Gabite moved like smoke through fingers.
It twisted mid-air, spines flattening to reduce drag as it weaved between Floatzel's torpedo passes. Each dodge was razor-close — Aqua Jet's wake tore at Gabite's scales, but never found purchase. The sandstorm wasn't just cover; it was Gabite's element, and every grain of sand seemed to guide its movements.
Gordon's eyes narrowed. He could see the pattern — Gabite was herding Floatzel into narrower attack angles.
"Retreat underwater, Floatzel!" he commanded sharply. Then, with deliberate emphasis: "Then — Rain Dance!"
Velkris' eyes widened.
Rain Dance would neutralize the sandstorm's advantage. Worse — it would supercharge Floatzel's water attacks and make Gabite's ground-based movements treacherous. The entire battlefield dynamic would flip in Gordon's favor.
"Gabite, Earth Power — snipe it down now!" Velkris shouted, already pivoting strategies.
Gabite didn't just obey — it anticipated. Before Velkris finished speaking, it had already slammed its claws onto the fractured platform. The stone shattered like glass as a shockwave of jagged earth-energy ripped downward. The water's surface erupted as hundreds of razor-sharp rock shards fired like artillery shells into the depths — a concentrated, brutal barrage aimed at drowning Floatzel in a hailstorm of stone.
Beneath the surface, Floatzel twisted like an eel, but the attack wasn't meant to be dodged — it was meant to saturate the area. A ricocheting shard grazed its flank, then another. The water was becoming a death trap.
"Surface and dodge — Aqua Jet!" Gordon barked.
Floatzel exploded from the water in a spiraling leap, trailing crimson from superficial cuts but moving with undiminished speed. It rode the crest of a manufactured wave, using the water itself as a shield against the worst of the rocky shrapnel.
Velkris didn't let it breathe.
"Stone Edge, Gabite — now!"
The battlefield itself seemed to rebel. Jagged stone spires erupted from platforms and water alike in a brutal pincer maneuver. One particularly wicked spike caught Floatzel mid-air, slamming into its ribs with a sickening crack and sending it skidding across a half-submerged platform. The crowd gasped as Floatzel barely caught itself at the platform's crumbling edge.
"Don't stop!" Velkris roared, sensing the knockout. "Dragon Breath, maximum power!"
Gabite's chest expanded as it inhaled deeply, the air around its maw distorting from the sheer concentration of draconic energy building within. The sandstorm particles still lingering in the air began glowing an eerie purple as they were caught in the attack's gathering power.
Gordon's counter was instantaneous.
"Agility! Get out of there!"
Floatzel became a blur of motion, pushing past its injuries in a display of raw speed. The Dragon Breath fired like a violet laser, searing across the space where Floatzel had been milliseconds earlier. The attack vaporized part of the platform, sending molten fragments splashing into the water with violent hisses.
Floatzel landed panting but poised on a distant platform, its fur matted with blood and water but its eyes locked unerringly on Gabite.
"Time to change the field!" Gordon declared, voice cutting through the arena.
"Floatzel — Ice Spinner! Clear the sandstorm!"
Floatzel spun like a top, its body becoming the center of a miniature blizzard. A freezing vortex expanded outward, the howling winds and razor-edged ice shards systematically dismantling the sandstorm. The arena's climate shifted violently — from a desert tempest to an arctic squall in seconds.
As the last grains of sand fell, Gordon didn't pause.
"Ice Beam — now!"
Floatzel's muzzle glowed an eerie blue as it drew in the newly moisture-rich air. The attack fired not at Gabite, but at the water between them — flash-freezing it into a jagged ice bridge in an instant. Then, using the ice as a conduit, the real attack came — a concentrated beam of absolute zero temperatures lancing directly toward Gabite's chest.
The battlefield had transformed. Now, it was Gordon's turn to control the terrain.
---
The jagged beam of cold energy lanced across the battlefield like a frozen lightning bolt. Gabite twisted mid-air with serpentine agility, but the edge of the blast grazed its flank - instantly frosting over a patch of scales with an audible crackle. The dragon-type hissed as its left side stiffened, the super-effective ice energy seeping into its bloodstream.
Velkris' fingers curled into fists at his sides, his nails biting into his palms. His mind raced through type charts and damage calculations. Ice...four times effective against Gabite. One solid hit could end this. Every move had to be perfect now.
"Gabite, take off - dodge and use Dragon Dance!" Velkris commanded, his voice cutting through the arena's chaos.
Gabite kicked off from a crumbling platform with explosive force, sending shards of stone flying. As it weaved through the air, its body began glowing with an eerie crimson aura. The ancient dragon energy coiled around it like living fire, muscles strengthening and reflexes sharpening with each graceful arc through the battle-scarred airspace.
Gordon's eyes tracked the evolution. "Don't let it set up! Ice Beam barrage!"
Floatzel obliged, firing freezing rays in rapid succession. Each shot left crystalline trails in the humid air, the temperature dropping precipitously. Frost spread across nearby platforms as Gabite danced between the beams - one grazing its tail, leaving another patch of frozen scales.
"Now, Crunch - close range!" Velkris followed up the moment he saw an opening.
Gabite folded its wings and dropped like a stone, then pivoted mid-fall into a vicious zigzag pattern. Floatzel adjusted its aim, but the Dragon Dance-enhanced speed was too much - Gabite slammed into the weasel Pokémon with bone-jarring force, jaws clamping down on Floatzel's shoulder with a sickening crunch.
The crowd gasped as Gabite lifted its struggling opponent clear off the ground and drove it down into the platform back-first. The stone cracked radially from the impact point, water geysering up through fresh fissures.
"Counterattack, Aqua Tail!" Gordon shouted, voice raw with urgency.
Even pinned, Floatzel's body twisted with aquatic grace. Its glowing tail whipped around in a brutal arc, smashing into Gabite's side once, twice, three times - each impact sending visible shockwaves through the dragon's body. Chips of frozen scale flew like shrapnel, but Gabite only growled and tightened its vice-like grip, fangs sinking deeper.
Velkris saw his chance. "Dragon Breath, point-blank!"
Gabite's maw flooded with crackling draconic energy that spilled over onto Floatzel's fur. The point-blank explosion of purple-hued lightning engulfed both combatants, tendrils of energy earthing themselves through the waterlogged platform. When the smoke cleared, Floatzel's body was wracked with spasms - its nervous system flooded with paralyzing static.
A rare flicker of tension crossed Gordon's normally composed features. His fingers twitched toward his belt before remembering no more Poké Balls remained. "Floatzel - full power Aqua Jet! Retreat underwater and Whirlpool, now!"
Through gritted teeth and jerky movements, Floatzel mustered every ounce of its remaining strength. Water exploded around it as it torpedoed into the depths, its spiraling trail immediately churning into a massive whirlpool. The vortex grew with terrifying speed, sucking in debris, water, even the remnants of Gabite's earlier Stone Edge attacks - transforming them into deadly projectiles circling the maelstrom.
Velkris' eyes darted across the raging waters, calculating vectors and trajectories. That whirlpool would make ranged attacks useless and melee suicidal. He needed to collapse it now.
"Gabite, Earthquake! Break it apart!"
The ground-type energy surged through Gabite's claws as it slammed them into the central platform. The shockwave radiated outward in visible pulses, shattering the whirlpool's carefully balanced hydrodynamics. The vortex imploded spectacularly - tons of water crashing down in a brutal cascade that hammered Floatzel against the arena floor.
"Fight back with Ice Beam!" Gordon barked, desperation creeping into his command.
From beneath the chaotic waters, erratic beams of blue energy lanced upward - their trajectories skewed by paralysis but no less deadly. Gabite leaped between crumbling platforms as each beam flash-froze the surfaces it touched, creating an obstacle course of icy spikes and slippery surfaces. Yet with each dodge, Gabite was closing the distance, its movements becoming more assured as Dragon Dance's effects fully manifested.
The battle had become a deadly dance - Floatzel fighting through paralysis to control the battlefield with ice, Gabite weathering the storm to get in close. Both Pokémon were battered, breathing heavily, but neither would yield. The next exchange might decide everything.
"Dragon Dance — again!" Velkris ordered, his voice cutting through the gym's tension like a blade.
Gabite obeyed instantly, spinning midair with a predator's grace. Its body pulsed with accumulating draconic energy—crimson light bleeding from between its scales as its muscles coiled tighter, its reflexes sharpened to a razor's edge. The air around it shimmered with heat, melting the frost still clinging to its battered hide.
But Gordon's Floatzel didn't wait for commands.
Without hesitation, it rocketed from the water in a geyser of spray, Aqua Jet propelling it like a bullet. Mid-launch, its fist clenched—ice energy crystallized around its paw in a split-second adaptation. The Ice Punch connected with Gabite's jaw with a sickening crack, the combined force of Aqua Jet's velocity and super-effective ice energy sending Gabite spiraling into the churning water below.
"Good adaptation, Floatzel!" Gordon praised, smiling thinly. There was no mockery in his tone—just acknowledgment of a battle well-fought.
Velkris grit his teeth until his jaw ached. The cold bite of the ice attack was spreading, frost creeping over Gabite's scales even as it struggled to surface. His pulse hammered in his throat.
This is bad.
Gabite barely managed to haul itself onto a crumbling platform, wings shuddering as it tried to shake off the freezing damage. But before it could find its footing—
Another Aqua Jet. Another Ice Punch.
This one struck Gabite's ribs, ice spiderwebbing across its chest. A follow-up Ice Beam grazed its side, freezing patches of its tail and left leg solid. Gabite staggered, its snarl more pained than furious.
Velkris clenched his fists so hard his nails drew blood. His heartbeat roared in his ears.
We're going to lose...!
The thought hit him like a physical blow. Anxiety crawled up his spine, whispering doubts he'd fought hard to bury.
Maybe... maybe I should forfeit. Train harder. Come back when I'm ready.
Memories flashed—Kirlia's exhausted smile after Destiny Bond, the hollowness in his chest when the tactic worked. He'd told himself it was strategy. Necessity. But now, faced with Gabite's suffering, the truth burned like acid in his throat:
Had he sacrificed their trust for victory?
Since when did the destination matter more than the journey? Since when had he become so desperate?
His lips parted—to call surrender, to spare Gabite more pain — Then Gabite roared.
Not in pain. Not in defeat.
A defiant, wild, furious sound that shook the gym's foundations. The ice on its body shattered from the sheer force of its will. Its eyes burned brighter than the draconic energy still flickering across its scales.
Gordon and Floatzel paused, sensing the shift in the air—like the calm before a storm.
Gabite turned its head. Looked straight at Velkris.
And growled—low, deep, not in anger, but in trust.
Velkris' throat tightened. His vision blurred.
They still believed in him. Even now. Even like this.
A shaky breath escaped him. Then—a faint, trembling smile.
No... I can't abandon them. I promised.
He remembered Gabite as a Gible, small and stubborn, refusing to give up against stronger opponents just to prove its strength. Remembered whispering, "We'll face stronger opponents together."
He slapped his cheeks—once, twice— the sting grounding him.
When Velkris straightened, his stance was steady. His voice didn't shake.
"Gabite," he called, firm as steel. "Are you ready to win this?"
Gabite's answering roar shook the arena lights.
Gordon gave a small, approving nod. "Good. You found your fire again, kid. But spark alone won't save you now." His arm swept out. "Floatzel, Aqua Jet into Ice Punch—end it!"
Velkris didn't flinch. "OUTRAGE, Gabite!"
The world exploded in crimson.
Gabite's roar distorted the air as draconic energy erupted from its body in a visible shockwave. Its Anomaly Ability flared—every accumulated hit, every moment of pain now fueling its strength**.
Floatzel shot forward, a blue streak of doom— Gabite caught it mid-charge.
Jaws clamped around Floatzel's torso, swinging it down onto the stone with earth-shattering force. Left. Right. Again. The platform splintered beneath them.
"Break free with Aqua Tail!" Gordon commanded, voice sharp.
Floatzel twisted, its glowing tail slamming into Gabite's frozen side—ice shards flying like shrapnel. Gabite recoiled just enough for Floatzel to wrench free, panting heavily but still standing.
Gordon's eyes narrowed. "It's time to end this. Floatzel—Ice Beam-Aqua Jet combo!"
Velkris' mind raced.
That's the future technique Ash's Buizel would master...!
But instead of fear, a fierce grin split his face.
"We'll see about that."
"Gabite, DRAGON RUSH!"
Gabite's body erupted in flames of draconic fury, the sheer heat vaporizing the remaining ice on its scales. It became a meteor of vengeance, crashing toward Floatzel as the water-type activated its own deadly combo.
They clashed—
Once. The impact shattered every remaining intact platform.
Twice. The shockwave blew out gym lights in a shower of sparks.
Thrice. The very air rippled with displaced energy.
"Dragon Dance—NOW!" Velkris roared.
Mid-collision, Gabite's form flashed gold—Dragon Dance's power surge stacking atop Outrage's rampage.
The final collision lit the gym white.
When the smoke cleared…
Gabite knelt on the sole remaining slab of stone, wings trembling, body heaving**—but eyes still burning.
Floatzel floated motionless in the water, the whirlpool's remnants gently rocking its limp form.
The referee's hand sliced through the silence.
"Floatzel is unable to battle! Gabite wins! Victory goes to Velkris!"
For a heartbeat, Velkris didn't move. His lungs burned from held breath, his fingers tingled with fading adrenaline. The battlefield before him told the story—Gabite, kneeling on the last intact slab of stone, its body a tapestry of frostbitten scales and fresh wounds. Across the churning water, Floatzel floated motionless, the ripples of their final clash still lapping at its fur.
Then—
"VELKRIS! YOU DID IT!"
Ash's voice shattered the silence first, raw with excitement. He vaulted over the railing before Misty could stop him, nearly slipping on the wet floor in his haste.
Misty followed, clapping her hands together with a grin. "That was insane! When Floatzel started chaining Aqua Jet into Ice Punch? I thought you were done for!"
Brock approached at a measured pace, but his usual calm demeanor couldn't hide the pride in his smile. "Strength matters in battle," he said, "but what really wins is the spirit behind it. Your Gabite... it refused to accept defeat."
Velkris barely heard them. His legs carried him forward automatically, his shoes splashing through the shallow water. His pulse still hammered—not from the fight's intensity, but from something deeper. Something that tightened his throat.
He knelt beside Gabite, his hand hovering over its injuries before gently settling on its rough, scaled head.
"You were amazing," he whispered. His voice cracked. "I'm sorry I doubted you. I'm so... so proud of you."
Gabite rumbled low in response, its body trembling with exhaustion, but its golden eyes burned with unmistakable pride. A puff of warm air escaped its nostrils, brushing Velkris' wrist—a quiet reassurance.
Across the battlefield, Gordon recalled Floatzel with a soft click of his Poké Ball. He murmured something too low to hear, stroking the capsule gently before tucking it away. When he straightened, his sharp gaze found Velkris.
For a moment, the Gym Leader simply studied him. Then—
Gordon smiled.
Not the cocky smirk from before. Not the battle-hungry grin. A real, genuine smile.
He crossed the ruined battlefield, his boots crunching on broken stone. When he spoke, his voice carried through the silent gym.
"You didn't just win, Velkris," Gordon said. "You earned it."
Velkris swallowed hard. He stood, wiping hastily at his eyes before anyone could notice. "Thanks... but I almost gave up back there."
"And that's why this matters," Gordon said, crossing his arms. "Victory isn't about never doubting. It's about pushing through when you do." He reached into his jacket and withdrew something that caught the light—a cerulean blue badge, shaped like a teardrop, its surface polished to a mirror shine.
"The Cascade Badge," he announced, holding it out. "Proof that you've overcome Cerulean Gym."
Velkris hesitated. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for it, accepting the badge with both hands. The metal was cool against his skin, heavier than he expected. His first official League badge.
It's real.
The gym lights reflected off its surface, casting tiny azure fractals across the walls. For the first time since the battle ended, Velkris allowed himself to smile—small, disbelieving, but triumphant.
Ash chose that moment to barrel into him, nearly knocking him over with a one-armed hug. "Velkris! That was awesome! Did you see Gabite's face when—"
"Ash, you're crushing him," Misty interjected, though her grin softened the scolding. She nudged Velkris' shoulder. "Not bad, future Champion."
Brock chuckled. "I'd say this calls for a celebration. How about—"
"FOOD!" Ash and Misty chorused.
Velkris laughed, the sound light and free. He returned Gabite to its Poké Ball carefully, whispering one last "Thank you" before the red light enveloped the dragon.
Gordon watched them, arms crossed, but his stern expression had warmed considerably. "You're good, kid," he said. "But this is just the beginning. Cerulean's a stepping stone. The road ahead?" He smirked. "It only gets tougher."
Velkris met his gaze squarely. "I know. And I'm ready."
For the first time in a long time, he truly meant it.
Mrs. Gordon, who had been observing quietly from the sidelines, stepped forward. Her eyes were kind as she placed a gentle hand on Velkris' shoulder. "Your bond with your Pokémon... it's something special," she said. "Don't lose that, no matter how strong you become."
Velkris nodded. "I won't."
Outside the Gym
The sunlight hit Velkris' face like a benediction as they stepped out of the gym. The air smelled of salt and blooming flowers, carried inland from the nearby sea. He tilted his head back, breathing deep, the weight of the Cascade Badge in his case a comforting presence.
Ash bounced beside him, already vibrating with restless energy. "So? Where to next? Vermilion City? I heard Lt. Surge's Electabuzz is crazy strong!"
Velkris exhaled, smiling slightly. "Yeah... but first, we rest. Heal up. Then—"
"Then you're buying me lunch," Misty declared, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I nearly had a heart attack watching that battle. I need compensation."
Brock shook his head fondly. "Somehow, I think this is just the start of your 'compensation' demands."
Their laughter carried down the steps of the Cerulean Gym, bright and unburdened. The path ahead stretched before them, winding through green hills and beyond—toward new battles, new challenges, new horizons.
Velkris took one last look back at the gym, its cerulean walls gleaming in the sun.
Just the beginning.
Then he turned, falling into step beside his friends, and walked forward.
The familiar chime of the Pokémon Center's doors echoed softly as Velkris stepped inside, the automatic glass sliding shut behind him. The center was quiet at this hour—only the soft hum of machines and the occasional footsteps of Nurse Joy or Chansey breaking the calm.
Velkris approached the counter, cradling two Poké Balls gently in his hand.
"Good evening!" Nurse Joy greeted with a bright, professional smile. "Welcome to the Cerulean City Pokémon Center. Are your Pokémon in need of treatment?"
Velkris nodded. "Yeah... they went through a tough Gym Battle."
Nurse Joy accepted the Poké Balls with a kind look. "Don't worry. Leave them to me. They'll be good as new."
As she disappeared into the back, Velkris moved to the seating area. He sat heavily onto a cushioned bench, his body finally registering the exhaustion he'd pushed aside during the battle. His hands felt strangely empty without the Poké Balls in them.
Minutes passed, long and slow. He leaned back, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought until a soft voice called out.
"Velkris?"
He looked up to see Nurse Joy returning, holding out the two Poké Balls with both hands.
"Your Pokémon are fully healed," she said warmly. "They'll need a good rest, but they're perfectly healthy."
Relief flooded through him as he accepted them. "Thank you, Nurse Joy."
She smiled and nodded before turning to help another late-night trainer. Velkris, meanwhile, headed up the stairs to the lodging rooms that the Center provided for traveling trainers.
---
Inside his small room, Velkris released both of his partners onto the floor.
Gabite emerged first, giving a low, tired growl as it settled down onto its stomach almost immediately, tail flicking lazily.
Kirlia appeared next in a flash of light, standing quietly, her red eyes shining in the dim room.
Velkris knelt down, facing her properly.
For a moment, he struggled to find the right words. Then, finally, he spoke, voice low and rough with emotion.
"Kirlia," he said, bowing his head, "I'm sorry."
Kirlia tilted her head slightly, curious.
"I doubted you during that battle," Velkris continued. "I let my fear get the better of me. I... I almost gave up on you. On myself."
His fists clenched loosely on his knees.
"I should have trusted you. I should have trusted all of you. You're my partners, and you fought your hearts out for me."
Kirlia moved forward, placing a small hand on his forehead with surprising tenderness. Through the bond they shared, he felt her forgiveness—warm, comforting, unquestioning.
Gabite lifted his head as well, giving a huff that, somehow, sounded like a lazy, approving grunt.
Velkris smiled weakly.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Both of you."
He sat down properly, cross-legged on the floor, and both his Pokémon shuffled closer—Gabite sprawling lazily against his side, Kirlia sitting delicately in his lap. They stayed like that, a simple pile of warmth and quiet companionship, until one by one, his Pokémon drifted off into soft, steady breathing.
Velkris eventually shifted carefully, laying back against the pillow he had pulled down onto the floor. He tucked the blanket over himself and let his Pokémon rest against him.
The room was dark, lit only by the faint moonlight streaming through the window.
Velkris stared at the ceiling, his mind racing quietly.
During the Gym battle… I doubted Kirlia. I doubted myself. I was scared of losing.
He exhaled slowly.
And then with Gabite... I almost gave up. I let the pressure weigh me down.
He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of those realizations settle in his chest.
I never want to feel like that again. I never want my team to feel like that again.
He reached out, resting his hand lightly atop Kirlia's sleeping form.
From now on... no matter how tough it gets, no matter how strong the enemy is... I'll trust in them. I'll trust in myself.
A small, tired smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
That's my promise.
And with that quiet, powerful vow sealed in his heart, Velkris finally allowed himself to drift into sleep, surrounded by the soft breathing of the friends who had fought by his side—and would continue to walk the long road ahead with him.