The Pokémon Center was quiet in the early morning. Rain had passed, leaving behind a fresh, cold stillness. Outside the windows, Route 4 shimmered with dew. Inside, the healing tanks hummed softly.

  Riolu was asleep—finally. Wrapped in a warm recovery bnket, his wounds had started to close, though the tension in his posture still hadn’t fully faded. Even in rest, he curled tightly, as if bracing for a hit that never came.

  Benoit sat in the chair beside him, unmoving.

  He hadn’t said much since st night.

  Not after the rain. Not after the call with Rhea’s father. Not after watching Riolu almost colpse again in his arms.

  But Rhea hadn’t pushed. She sat across from him, notebook open, pretending to write. Froakie slept in the corner. Skye dozed on the backrest of a chair.

  She waited.

  Eventually, Benoit spoke.

  “I don’t want to catch him,” he said softly.

  Rhea looked up.

  “Not yet,” he crified. “He’s not… ready. I don’t want him to feel like he has to choose me just because I showed up when someone else didn’t.”

  Rhea nodded slowly. “You’re giving him control back.”

  “He deserves it.”

  That was all.

  And it was enough.

  The doors hissed open behind them.

  Two Trainers entered—both dressed in bck.

  Rhea’s posture shifted instantly.

  The first one—taller, sharper—had a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. His coat bore the Order of Apex insignia. The second—silent, serious—had a high colr and an unreadable expression. The air around them shifted the moment they entered.

  Benoit stood.

  Rhea rose with him.

  Riolu stirred slightly in the tank, sensing the change in energy.

  The taller Apex member noticed them first. Then his gaze shifted… and nded on Riolu.

  He stopped walking.

  “Wait,” he said. “That’s…”

  His partner turned. Saw him freeze.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” the Apex trainer muttered, stepping forward. “This is the one I left in the forest. What the hell is he doing here?”

  He said it loud—casual—like he was talking about an object.

  Benoit moved before he thought.

  “You left him bleeding in the rain.”

  The trainer turned, noticing him for the first time. “And?”

  Benoit took another step forward. “What kind of Trainer does that?”

  The Apex member scoffed. “The kind who understands how strength works. If a Pokémon can’t handle the pace, it’s a liability. We don’t carry dead weight.”

  “That’s not a reason,” Benoit snapped. “That’s an excuse. You dumped a living Pokémon like trash.”

  “You say that like he was worth something.”

  Rhea’s voice cut in, low and dangerous. “He was.”

  The Apex trainer ignored her, eyes on Benoit.

  “You with him now?” he asked, gesturing toward Riolu.

  Benoit didn’t answer with words.

  He reached for Zigzagoon’s Poké Ball and stepped forward.

  “I’m challenging you.”

  A slow smile crept onto the Apex member’s face. “Finally.”

  His partner moved to the side silently, watching. Rhea did too, crossing her arms and staying close to Riolu’s tank. Froakie stirred and stood, alert.

  This wasn’t just a battle. This was a line being drawn.

  Battle Start: Benoit vs. Apex RecruitThe main hallway was cleared quickly. Nurses watched from behind the counter. A Center assistant activated the local battle floor—a built-in ptform that slid into pce with a low hum. It wasn’t wide, but it was enough.

  Both Trainers stepped to opposite ends.

  “Standard rules,” the assistant called. “One-on-one. No items. No outside interference.”

  Benoit nodded.

  The Apex member flicked his wrist and released his Pokémon.

  “Go, Pawniard.”

  The Steel/Dark-type nded with a metallic cnk, bdes already flexing from its arms. Its eyes gleamed red, focused and cold.

  Benoit took a breath. “Zigzagoon, let’s go.”

  The little furball burst onto the ptform, growling immediately.

  From the sidelines, Rhea frowned.

  Zigzagoon’s Normal. Weak to Steel. And that Pawniard is trained. Precise. Probably taught to finish battles fast.

  She gnced at Benoit—who looked completely different than the boy who tripped over a Caterpie days ago.

  This time, he wasn’t bluffing.

  “Pawniard—Metal Cw. No hesitation.”

  “Zigzagoon, feint left and dodge!”

  Pawniard unched—bde gleaming, strike aimed fast and low. But Zigzagoon darted left, then twisted mid-step, dodging under the bde’s arc.

  “Circle back—Tail Whip!”

  Zigzagoon twisted and flicked its tail into Pawniard’s face, earning a blink of surprise. Not enough to damage, but enough to disorient.

  “Now—Tackle!”

  The impact nded hard.

  Pawniard stumbled, regaining its stance—but Benoit didn’t let up.

  “Again! Pressure him!”

  Pawniard swung, but Zigzagoon ducked, charged again, smming into his knees.

  The Apex trainer narrowed his eyes.

  “Pawniard, Iron Defense.”

  Pawniard braced, armor glowing slightly. The next hit from Zigzagoon bounced off with less impact.

  “Now—Pursuit."

  A blur of bck energy smmed into Zigzagoon’s side.

  He yelped, tumbling backwards.

  Benoit’s fist clenched. “You okay?”

  Zigzagoon growled and stood.

  He’s learning, Rhea thought, watching closely. He’s adjusting between instinct and orders. Reading the field.

  “Keep circling!” Benoit called. “Small hits. Stay out of his rhythm!”

  Zigzagoon obeyed—darting, spinning, never stopping in a straight line. Pawniard missed twice before it nded another blow, and even then, it was gncing.

  And slowly… it added up.

  Pawniard’s movements slowed. Its armor dented. One eye squinted from a tail sp.

  “Finish it—Headbutt!” Benoit roared.

  Zigzagoon dashed in, faster than expected—and struck with a glowing forehead.

  Pawniard dropped to one knee.

  The ref hesitated—then called it.

  “Pawniard is unable to battle. Victory to Benoit LaFontaine!”

  Silence.

  Zigzagoon stood panting in the middle of the field.

  The Apex trainer stared in disbelief.

  Then sneered.

  “Fluke.”

  Benoit pointed at him, chest heaving. “You can throw away Pokémon all day—but that Riolu still fought harder alone than you ever did with your bde toy.”

  The Apex trainer stepped forward, but his partner touched his shoulder.

  “Enough,” she said.

  “But—”

  “We’ll see them again.”

  They turned, coats swaying, and walked out without another word.

  Rhea exhaled and crossed the floor.

  Zigzagoon leapt into Benoit’s arms, wagging his tail like crazy.

  “Benoit.”

  He looked up.

  Riolu was awake—standing inside the tank, watching.

  His eyes didn’t show fear this time.

  Just thought.

  Hope.

  Later That DayBenoit sat outside with Riolu.

  No Poké Ball yet.

  Just silence.

  Then, quietly:

  “I didn’t win that fight because I was stronger,” he said. “I won because I refused to leave anyone behind.”

  Riolu tilted his head.

  “I can’t promise I’ll never mess up,” Benoit added. “But I’ll never throw you away. Even if we lose. Even if we’re hurt. Even if you’re scared.”

  He held out his hand.

  “Not as your master. As your partner.”

  Riolu stared at it.

  Then lifted his paw.

  Pressed it against his palm.