Her silent repose is interrupted as the doors slam open, a young trainer with tear-stained cheeks bursting through. The assassin looks at them only mildly curious before shaking her head, allowing her focus to shift towards the man following along after the youth.

Michael Navidson was as the people had described him; a man of intrigue, dressed as if he’d stepped straight out of a Western movie, with all the stoic heroism and mystery surrounding him. Polite, by hat-tipping standards.

Kyrenai nods in return to his greeting. ”That would indeed be me, Mr. Navidson.”

”--Navy it is then. Kyrenai Black, or Kyr if you so prefer,” she smiles, extending her hand for a brief but powerful handshake. ”This is Cin, he will be your challenger today.” she introduces herself and her Chimchar, who seems excessively eager hopping on her shoulder.

Following him as they venture into the room beyond, a large battle field opens up for them, a final question left to be answered before they truly begin.

”Glory or fame are beyond me. I’ve seen more than enough battles in my time to keep me sated, but with how times are changing I realize my team could benefit from the experience vigorous battle grants them. Preferably in a controlled environment that would not claim their lives if and when things go wrong.” she takes her place upon the field, setting Cin down so he can take his place as well. In her hand a second pokéball lingers.

”They need to learn the hard way, as I have, but without the fear of permanent harm. I hope you can grant me that experience, Navy.”

Navy

☉

”I’d expect nothing less from you,” The smile gracing her radiates with confidence; but no confidence in a battle victory. It’s a confidence in the fact that by merely stating those words, Kyrenai knows she’s chosen wisely to go to Navy for her first gym challenge.

He seems to understand the ways of combat and war far more than the others did. Albeit youngsters who’d proven their metal and earned their titles fair and square, it just wasn’t the same. What she was looking for is something only those who’ve lived the moment can truly grant her.

Her and her pokémon.

The Gible he’s decided on to be Cin’s challenger whips up a Sandstorm, while at the same time the entire arena comes to life, descending into the nothingness of mystery.

”Cin, I want you to focus.” she speaks to the little chimp hidden from her eyes by the cutting sands. ”Use Nasty Plot, and then as we’ve practiced. Let your gut guide you if your eyes cannot see the enemy.”

She might be spelling it out what exactly she expects, but she’d rather do so now she still has the chance. Now imminent destruction does not loom beyond the sandy veil.

Defeat, perhaps.

But not destruction.

The chimp nods and stares into the sandstorm, trying its best not to cover its eyes from the sand. Its face scrunches as it thinks, thoughts it will never share… but that makes it grow that little bit more cocky. His stance grows taller, more confident, but it does not attack. It waits. Watches.

Navy

☉

"Isn't that how we all survive in this world?"

In any world. Not just this one. They'd all taught her the same thing, and she'd been busy teaching it to those that hadn't come with her. It was a good thing Cin was a fast learner, and a ballsy one to boot.

But he wasn't fast. The fanged jaws that spring forth from the broken ground underneath him too fast too dodge or outrun. The Chimchar can only watch as the Gible's maw close around his foot. It screeches in pain, trying to pull itself free but failing to do so. Panic is keen on settling it, until anger sparks in the little chimp.

Kyrenai doesn't even have to explain it what to do next.

Payback gleams in his eyes as Cin inhales deeply; it might be stuck, but in hindsight, so is the Gible. And that's what it's finally realised as flames threaten to spill from his mouth. A Flamethrower at point blank range should get his opponent to let go... or at least damage them appropriately if they prove as stubborn as him.

Navy

☉

She cannot help but chuckle. "Alright, fair enough. Not everyone, then." Perhaps the statement held more truth for people in her profession than those more politically-inclined. "Though I do think we agree that it has its uses when it does not involve politcal intrigue."

Her eyes flicker back to the sandstorm that keeps raging on, obscuring their view even further with every passing second. Had she been able to look through the sandstorm she could've seen the two's stubborn fighting intent. Neither willing to stand down, headstrong enough a Tauros would be put to shame.

But she believes in her rock-headed chimp to pull through the situation.

"So fast we can barely see them." Aside from a passing shadow, a flashing light, and their roars and screeches all remains a mystery.

For Cin all is different. Although not a stranger to pain, his training sessions with Kyrenai's Hydreigons never had him staring down the face of an enraged pokémon before. One who was deadset on evening the score. The burning fury in the Gible's eyes startles the Chimchar as its face draws nearer.

Cin twists its body, letting its tail flame erupt for what should have been a Flame Wheel, but it doesn't come to fruition. Oberon's too near, and the rotation of his Flame Wheel too weak to block anything. The Dragon Rush hits without any resistance, propelling the fire chimp off to the other side of the field. Trying to shake off the damage of the impact he couldn't brace for, Cin remains standing, albeit wobbly as he slaps his own cheeks.

This time he doesn't wait for Oberon to come to him. With a screech it flings forward, Acrobatics-enforced movement forcing his way through the cutting sand in search for his dragonborn rival.

Navy

☉