"Come on, draw lots to determine your opponents."
The next day after classes, Auron and the others gathered at the Pokémon Battle Center's training grounds.
"I'll go first!"
While everyone was still hesitating, Jace was the first to step forward, carefully pulling out a paper ball from Auron's hand.
"Haha, not number one!"
Jace laughed happily. He'd drawn number three, which meant whoever else drew number three would be his opponent.
Why was he so happy about drawing number three? Because Auron had directly taken number one for himself—whoever drew number one would face him.
Auron shrugged nonchalantly. "Next, who's going?"
"Me!"
Tim resolutely stepped forward and grabbed a paper ball.
"Number two."
"Good. Next."
"I'll go."
Finally, after intense paper ball drawing competition, the final matchups were:
Serena vs. Tim
Jace vs. Lena
Simon vs. Peter
Since no one drew Auron's number, he had no opponent.
"Bro Jace, want to switch?"
On the way to the battle arena, Tim quietly sidled up to Jace and whispered.
Jace quickly pulled away. "No way! Fighting Serena isn't any easier, you know?"
Tim begged with a bitter expression. "Bro, I'm calling you bro—can you really have it harder than me?"
Jace remained unmoved and looked at Tim with disdain. "Why don't you ask Peter to switch?"
"Oh yeah!"
Only then did Tim have his epiphany. He quickly ran to Peter's side. "Brother Peter, how about we switch opponents?"
Peter immediately raised his palm in refusal. "No way! I heard everything you two said. If both of you think it's tough, I don't want to go up there and get beaten. Sorry!"
With that, he quickly ran to the front, far away from Tim.
Actually, not only had Peter heard Tim and Jace's conversation—everyone had.
At this moment, aside from Serena who was happily walking beside Auron, everyone else turned to look at Tim's miserable face.
And they were all trying hard to hold back their laughter—after all, they were afraid of further traumatizing Tim's fragile heart.
"Almost there. Wait a moment. You guys decide who goes first."
After Auron led everyone to the back of the battle arena, he saw two panting Pokémon on the field, then turned to everyone.
"How about we go in order?"
"I think that works!"
After Jace and Peter exchanged glances, they reached an agreement—first watch Tim get beaten, then go up themselves.
"Hey, no way! I object!"
"Then let's vote on it."
Of course Jace and Peter had anticipated Tim's reaction. After Tim raised his objection, Jace immediately followed up.
"Those in favor, raise your hands."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—instantly, except for Serena who hadn't figured out what was happening yet, everyone else raised their hands.
Including Simon, whose hand was raised by Lena, and Auron, who was enjoying the drama, all raised their hands together.
"Hey, you can't play like this!"
Tim was on the verge of tears. Not only did he have to get beaten, but he was being forced to go first. What kind of people would do this?
"Alright, so it's you and Serena. You two head up."
While everyone was voting, the two on the field had already determined their victor. The announcement was already calling for the next battle's contestants.
"Fine, I'll go!"
Tim huffed and dropped a harsh line, then headed straight onto the field.
Seeing Tim like this, Peter looked concerned. "Did we go too far?"
"You're still young, you don't understand. He's going up there with an 'early death, early rebirth' mentality, not angry."
Jace patted Peter's shoulder consolingly. It had to be said, Jace really understood Tim—he'd completely seen through him.
Watching Milotic and Altaria on the field, Auron couldn't help thinking to himself that it was fortunate when the Fairy type was discovered, Game Freak hadn't given Milotic the Fairy typing too, otherwise... tsk tsk.
The battle began. Watching the match on the field, Auron said to everyone, "Actually, speaking honestly, Tim would be better off using Dragonair instead of Altaria. At least Dragonair is only doubly weak to Ice. Altaria has a quadruple weakness."
Watching Altaria's miserable state on the field, Jace shook his head teasingly. "In this situation, does it matter who he uses?"
Auron paused, then laughed. "True. But he really does need a Pokémon that can resist Ice."
"Ice-resistant Dragon types? Which ones are there?"
"Quite a few. Like Duraludon, Turtonator, and the newly discovered evolution of Seadra—Kingdra, a Water/Dragon type, also resists Ice."
Auron commented casually while watching the match. In just this short time, Tim was already barely holding on. Defeat was only a matter of time.
"Jace, you two get ready. Your turn's coming up."
After seeing Altaria carelessly get hit by Milotic's Ice Beam, Auron knew this match was about to end.
Sure enough, moments later, Milotic's Disarming Voice struck Altaria down, securing victory.
"Go on, it's your turn."
"OK!"
Jace cheerfully headed up. Lena also followed behind without any concern, the two walking up together.
On the field, Lena used Mismagius while Jace used Arcanine, not choosing his newly evolved Charizard.
"Yo, how'd it go, buddy?"
Seeing Tim come back with a dejected face, Auron teased with a smile.
"Serena's Milotic is way too broken! Not only does she have high Special Defense, but she also has recovery moves. I couldn't do anything!"
Tim complained bitterly about Serena, who was bouncing over from behind.
"Haha, you've got an anti-Fairy Dragon type now. Next you need an Ice-resistant Dragon, or you'll always be on the defensive against her."
"Tch, what good is just one? I've got a whole team of Ice types. He'll still be on the defensive."
Hearing Auron's words, Serena behind Tim looked at him domineeringly.
Tim quickly lowered his head. "Right, right, boss is awesome. Long live the boss, ruler of all!"
Serena's face turned slightly red. She stole a glance at Auron, then quietly moved to his side and said fiercely to Tim, "Who's the boss? I'm clearly a beautiful girl!"
Hearing Serena say this, Auron couldn't help recalling what she'd said not long after they first met, and teased, "Right, right—you're the eternally youthful beautiful girl."
"Ahhh, Auron, you're dead!"
Hearing Auron expose her embarrassing moment, Serena couldn't take it anymore. Her cheeks flushed bright red as she tried to cover his mouth.
That title was way too embarrassing! Why had she said that back then?!