Aster's POV
The Elite Four's chamber was colder than usual— not because of the temperature, but because of the atmosphere. There was a tension in the air, a heavy pressure that I wasn't used to feeling from Lorelei's battles.
I sat with the other Elite Four members in the viewing area, high above the battlefield. Below, the massive stadium lights bathed the arena in a harsh glow. The crowd was restless, eager. Tobias, the challenger, stood across from Lorelei, his eyes locked onto hers.
Bruno, sitting beside me, had his arms crossed, his usual stoic expression unshaken, but I noticed the subtle way his foot tapped against the ground. He was focused, more than usual.
Agatha, leaning forward slightly, had that sly glint in her eye. The kind that made it seem like she had already figured something out—something the rest of us were still catching up to.
And Lance…
Lance was watching intently. His fingers drummed lightly against his armrest, and while he didn't say a word, his expression was serious. That alone told me how important this battle was.
And then there was me.
Sitting there, feeling like I was witnessing something I shouldn't be.
I had watched Lorelei battle before—many times. But this? This wasn't the Lorelei I knew.
She had always been strong, but there was an ease to her strength. A kind of effortless grace, like she was just going through the motions.
But today?
There was no grace. No lax attitude. Not to mention the tireless training sessions she has been in for weeks to prepare for this battle.
And today, she was going to be ruthless. One could feel it.
Her stare was sharp, her stance firm. Every command came out quick, decisive, and unwavering.
Back in my previous life, Lorelei was known as the "weakest" of the Elite Four due to her terrible typing- Ice. But this was the real Pokemon battle with the champion title on the line, so maybe it is due to that.
If one considers it, it is more impressive that Lorelei is in the Elite Four, even with the ice typing. The others always outshined her—Bruno's overwhelming power, Agatha's tricks, Lance's sheer dominance.
The battle began, and from the very first move, I could feel it.
Lorelei wasn't just battling as an Elite Four member.
She was battling like someone who had something to prove.
I clenched my fists as Cloyster took down Arcanine, only to fall immediately to Alakazam. It was trading blows, neither trainer allowing the other to build momentum. But Lorelei was relentless—Slowbro countered Alakazam, and then Gengar swept it away instantly. I felt a spike of worry—Gengar was dangerous.
But Lorelei? She was colder than I'd ever seen her. No hesitation. No wasted movement.
And Tobias?
He looked like he was fighting against a wall he couldn't break through.
Tobias was strong, but for the first time since I'd seen him battle last time, he looked like he was on the back foot.
Dewgong froze Gengar. A lucky break, but she capitalized on it like she had planned it all along.
I found myself gripping the edge of my seat.
She wasn't supposed to be like this. The others always outshined her—Bruno's overwhelming power, Agatha's tricks, Lance's sheer dominance. Lorelei had been the "weakest" of the Elite Four for a while now.
But not today.
I swallowed hard.
Was it because of me?
Was it because I was watching?
The battle raged on, and by the time Tobias sent out Dragonite, I felt like I'd been holding my breath for hours.
One last move.
Lorelei didn't hesitate.
One final Ice Beam.
Dragonite collapsed.
Silence.
Then—thunderous cheers.
Bruno exhaled, arms crossed, like he finally understood something. Agatha let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. Lance smiled.
And Lorelei?
She just adjusted her glasses, cool and composed—but I swore I saw the faintest hint of a smirk.
Lorelei had won.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but I barely registered the noise. My focus remained on her.
For a moment, she stood still, letting the result settle. Then, with a calm, practiced motion, she adjusted her glasses, her expression unreadable. But I wasn't fooled.
I had watched Lorelei long enough to know that something was different.
She wasn't just relieved to have won.
She was satisfied.
Bruno exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He wasn't displeased—if anything, I saw respect flicker in his usually stone-cold gaze. He leaned back in his seat, arms still crossed, but the tension in his shoulders had eased.
"She's been holding back," he muttered under his breath, mostly to himself.
Agatha let out a soft chuckle, tapping a bony finger against the armrest. "I knew it. I knew that girl had more bite than she let on." Her voice was amused, but there was something else there too—approval.
Lance, still watching Lorelei, finally smiled. It wasn't the usual confident grin he wore when talking about Pokémon battles. This was something deeper.
"She stopped coasting," he murmured. "About time."
The realization settled like a weight in my chest. They had all expected more from her.
For so long, Lorelei had been content to let the others outshine her. And yet, today, she had fought like someone who wasn't just defending her title—but redefining it.
And it had worked.
Tobias recalled his Dragonite, his expression unreadable. He wasn't upset—just processing. He had fought hard, and yet, he had been completely shut down by someone he might have underestimated.
They seemed to talk amongst one another until Tobias began walking away.
Lorelei also turned on her heel and walked off the battlefield, her Dewgong trailing behind her. The crowd cheered her name, but she didn't react—not outwardly, at least.
I barely noticed myself standing up. My hands were still clenched into fists, my heart still hammering in my chest.
Lorelei had never battled like that before.
She had never needed to.
So why now?
I swallowed hard, a strange feeling settling in my gut.
Was it because I was watching?