Pokémon Swirl & Spiral

Chapter 10: Airflow

A total of 10 challengers fell to Senator McKay's Trial. By the end of it, those who moved on were beyond exhausted and many fell asleep on the ride back. For the next few days they continued to grind at the Arim League Training Center. Kairi and Hazel alternated between training together and separately between the three Chambers.

"It will create a better opportunity to grow closer with our Pokémon and also give us a chance to meet new challengers." Hazel had explained.

Kairi had absolutely no problem with developing her bond with Zorua. He was her main priority and she did her best to care for him when he needed her.

Unlike Hazel however, Kairi was intimidated by the other trainers. While the decrease in competition was hardly noticeable, there did appear to be a shift in many of their behavior. A lot of them were more focused, trying to train as much as they could in order to ensure their Pokémon would eventually outlast everyone else's. It made the whole walk-up and make new friends approach seem awkward to her. The wrath of Miko's glare from her and her posse every now and then didn't help either. Hazel's bravery was just another thing Kairi admired her for and wished she too had within her own self.

A week after Senator McKay's Trial, the remaining 90 challengers were transported back to Luxen Stadium for their second. Earlier in the week, Lady Hera had made the announcement that due to the inevitable increase in eliminations, the number of challengers for each round would decrease in equal distribution as the League would progress. That meant that tonight's trial would feature two fewer challengers in each round.

The familiar feeling of pressure and anxiety returned as Kairi followed the girls into their locker room. Just like from before, Announcer Cassidy danced her way inside to pass out the Poké Balls that determined their time slots.

Dammit.

"Told you." Hazel responded. "It's fine. We got this."

Kairi took a deep breath. While she  was competing in the fourth round, Hazel was competing in the third. Kairi knew it had to happen eventually. It just sucked that it was right then. "I'll see you on the other side."

"You know it."

They waited with the other girls as the broadcast for the event began. It first provided a recap of the previous week's events, showcasing video highlights and a full run-down on the remaining participants. Cassidy welcomed everyone to the League's second Trial Event, and soon introduced the eighteen challengers of the first round onto the field.

After their individual announcements, the stadium's floor once again transformed beneath their feet. This time, it appeared to be a gigantic mass of concrete runways. A large, rubber circle was in the center of it all with Arim's insignia printed in gold.

"And their opponent..." Cassidy announced.  "He's the mastermind behind Arimian flight and the fearless wizard of the Ozone Layer! Please welcome tonight's Trial Senator, Senator Nick Damian!"

The challengers watched on as Senator Damian entered the arena. Like Senator McKay, Senator Damian was also on the younger side, looking to be in his lower 30s. He had slick, pure white hair, where a pair of skydiving goggles sat on top.

"He's been jumping out of planes ever since he was ten." One of the commentators analyzed. "Lady Hera gave him his Pokémon after his thousandth jump. To date, he is still considered the youngest person in Arim to receive a Pokémon from the dearest Lady."

"Not just that, Adam." The other commentator stated. "His duties as a Senator have led to the production of modern Arimian commercial and military aircraft our nation uses today."

"That's right, Bobby. You know those big sHARP transport carriers? That's this man's vision put to work."

When it came time for each side to ready their Pokémon, the Senator revealed a Talonflame as his ace. Just like before, Talonflame became amplified at the click of a button before the match began. In an odd way, Kairi thought the black and orange was a nicer coloration than Talonflame's normal red and gray.