Pokemon Dark Tidings.

Ezra held open the flap of the referee's tent, allowing Lady Agatha to step through first. He followed her in, feeling the weight of the encounter hanging over him like a fog. The inside of the tent was dimly lit, and it smelled faintly of grass and the earthy musk of the tournament grounds. The table in the middle was cluttered with papers, empty water bottles, and a few discarded towels.

Agatha made a sound of irritation, tapping her cane against the ground as she moved to sit in a worn chair, one hand clutching her cane and the other brushing aside some debris on the table. Despite her frail appearance, Ezra knew better than to underestimate her. Agatha of the Elite Four - the Ghost Mistress - was one of the most powerful trainers alive, and her influence spread far beyond the battlefield at this point.

She sat down with a sigh, then gave Ezra a pointed look. "Come, sit. Let's not pretend either of us enjoys this, but there's business to discuss."

Ezra eyed the other chair, then sat down across from her, his expression carefully neutral. His mind raced, though, already trying to anticipate what angle she'd take. He didn't like this situation. Not one bit. There weren't many reasons for Agatha to hold an outsized interest in him, and the only one he could fathom was his aura.

Agatha leaned forward, tapping her cane lightly against the ground again, her eyes cold and calculating. "You've done well today, boy. Impressive even. I've heard whispers about your unusual methods from all corners throughout your little jaunts, but now that I've seen you in action... I want answers." Her voice was soft but edged, like a blade that could cut at any moment.

She wasn't someone Ezra could just brush off, yet he didn't want to fully bend. Pride, or just prudence? He wasn't sure.

Ezra shifted in his seat, his hands resting on his knees. He gave her a casual shrug, though inside, he was far from casual. "I aim to please," He said, keeping his tone light, though his words had a cautious edge. "I didn't realize the Elite Four took such interest in small-time tournaments."

No need to get into other matters unless she outright asks…

Agatha's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "Don't play coy, young Kassian. I don't waste my time on piddly tournaments. I'm here because of you." She straightened in her seat, her sharp gaze never leaving him. "You've caught my attention, and not just because you managed to outmaneuver Karen, which, I must say, was entertaining. No, I'm interested in those Ghost Pokemon you have - the ones I've never seen in any region before, and how exactly you've come by them..."

Karen looked absolutely done with life, as she closed her eyes and seemed to be mentally counting down, anything to keep her cool at the fact Agatha had enjoyed the one sided beatdown.

Ezra tensed slightly at her question, but his face remained impassive. He had expected this, but hearing it laid out so bluntly still unsettled him, because he didn't know a way to fully get her off his back. "I guess word gets around fast," He said with fake nonchalance, leaning back a little. "But I'm not looking to share my secrets, Lady Agatha."

Agatha's smile faded, and her eyes hardened. "You're in no position to refuse, boy. Secrets like that... In the wrong hands... Well, we wouldn't want them in the wrong hands, would we?" Her voice carried a dark undercurrent, and for a moment, the tent seemed to grow colder, her presence looming despite her small frame. Karen standing just off her shoulder, shuddered, but remained still, her eyes opening as she smirked at Ezra.

No doubt enjoying seeing him being pressured.

Ezra took a slow breath, carefully choosing his words. "I'm not interested in having my Pokemon or my techniques become a tool for someone else's ambitions," He said, his voice steady. "I've got my own dreams to follow." No, I'm not going to sell out to Team Rocket…

Agatha raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Dreams? Hmph. And what, pray tell, are these grand dreams that make you think you can refuse me?" The cold amusement in her tone was humoring, as if he was only delaying the inevitable.

He glanced at her, then looked away for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but if he was going to get out of this conversation intact, he needed to be somewhat honest about everything. "I want to build a gym," He said finally, his voice more serious. "A Dark and Ghost Pokemon gym. I want to join the official circuit and make my mark. And I want to do it without people thinking I only got there because I'm your apprentice."

He wasn't an idiot, he could see exactly what she was pushing for with her comments.

Agatha snorted softly, amused by the notion. "A gym leader, is it?" She mused. "And what do you hope to accomplish with that? More than just fame, I assume?" From how her eyes narrowed at the end, she was practically projecting - it better not be just fame, boy!

Ezra's eyes narrowed, his voice growing more passionate. "I want to show Lavender Town what they missed. They turned their back on me because of my... Looks, and my… Attunement, and now I want to rub it in their faces. I want to prove that Dark and Ghost Pokemon aren't something to fear or shun. That they can be controlled. Used properly."

Karen looked at him with a complicated expression like she'd never seen him before, as she stood over Agatha's shoulder, Ezra ignored her, focusing on the dangerous woman in front of him.

Agatha's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. "A gym... Fueled by spite and ambition, how very much like the Dark and Ghost type... I can respect that," She said, her voice dry. "But you're wrong about one thing, boy."

Ezra frowned. "And what's that?" Stop calling me boy, you wrinkled bitch!

"You think being my apprentice would limit you," She said flatly, leaning forward again. "That people would discredit your accomplishments, claim you only rose to power because of my influence. You're a fool if you believe that matters for anything but a little boy's feelings. If anything, being under my wing would give you power, connections, influence. More than you could ever achieve on your own - more than enough to accomplish your dream."

Ezra's jaw tightened. He didn't like the way she was twisting the situation, as if his only path to success ran through her - he wasn't kidding about not wanting to be seen as her puppet. He might get a gym that way, perhaps even faster, but it wouldn't be his, not truly. "I'm not interested in taking shortcuts, Lady Agatha. I want to get there on my own merit. Otherwise, what's the point?"

Agatha sighed softly, shaking her head. "You're a stubborn one. But stubbornness can be dangerous, boy. There are far more dangerous forces in the world than just Gym Leaders or the uneducated mob of Lavender Town and their prejudices."

Ezra opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Agatha waved a hand dismissively. "Enough," She said, her voice growing colder. "Karen!"

Karen stepped forward reluctantly. "Yes, Lady Agatha?"

"Go fetch us some drinks. You know the one, my favorite from Hoenn - the citrus-based fizzy drink they make. I'm parched."

Karen looked confused for a moment. "I don't think they - "

"Go," Agatha snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. Karen flinched and hurried off without further protest, muttering something under her breath about 'menial tasks' as she disappeared.

Agatha watched her go, then turned her piercing gaze back to Ezra, her expression unreadable. "I know damn well they don't sell that drink here," She said quietly, her voice carrying a faint edge of amusement. "I just wanted her out of the way, I don't spoon feed my people, she can learn on her own... Now then, let's talk, you and I…"

Ezra shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but kept his voice steady. "Talk about what?"

Agatha's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, her voice completely lost any hint of its playful edge. "Don't play coy with me, boy. I'm no fool, and I've been watching you carefully. I know your little 'predisposition' that Lavender Town spoke of. That ability you have to influence Ghost Pokemon - it's not just for them, is it? You can do it with Dark Pokemon too, can't you?"

Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. He knew she'd known, otherwise none of this made sense, but it didn't make the path forward any easier. Now he had to figure out how much to reveal without giving her too much leverage. "It's... Complicated," He said carefully, his voice low.

Agatha's eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "Complicated, is it? You're speaking to one of the Elite Four, boy. You will be forthcoming with me. Now." There was an unmistakable threat in her voice this time. The shadows of the tent growing larger, a chill permeating the air.

She has a similar ability… He thought, I can't lie, not entirely…

"You see, Kassian," Agatha said, tapping her cane against the ground once again, "I'm not easily fooled. I watched Karen's battle closely, and from where I sat, I couldn't quite get the full picture, but I know her Pokemon far too well. They're well-trained, obedient. They do not flinch. They do not miscue or hesitate. And yet, during that battle, they did."

Ezra's throat tightened, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue, hoping to get a better sense of what she was after. That's an Elite Four for you I guess, I hadn't expected her to catch something so minor…

He hadn't even used any of his skills, or the Pokemon in his shadow, and yet just flashing his aura had still been caught by Agatha, or at least the results of it. He'd have to tread very carefully here… This all only confirmed to him how he wouldn't be able to use his particular skills in league sanctioned matches…

Not without great risk anyhow.

Agatha's voice lowered, carrying a dangerous weight. "So I'll ask you again directly, and I will have an answer, boy... This attunement you have? It isn't just for Ghost Pokemon, is it? It affects Dark Pokemon too. And you can control it, can't you?" She waved a hand dismissively, "I don't care that you used it to beat Karen, you use every tool in your toolbox, as long as you can get away with it. I have no quarrel over it… But you will tell me!"

Ezra hesitated, feeling the tension coil tighter around him. He considered his options. Agatha wasn't someone he could easily deceive or brush off. But outright admitting the full extent of his abilities would give her leverage, something he wasn't eager to hand over.

"I... Have a certain connection with Ghost and Dark types," He said slowly, choosing his words with care. "But it's not something I make a habit of advertising, considering I was run out of town for it."

Agatha's eyes flashed with cold amusement. "You'll have to do better than that, boy. You're speaking with one of the Elite Four. This isn't some back-alley interrogation. You will be forthcoming." Her cane hit the ground harshly, as she punctuated her statement.

Ezra clenched his jaw. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he wasn't about to cave without gaining something in return. His mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the conversation to his favor. He would not give up everything he could do, and then end up a puppet to this old witch.

Ezra felt the tension in the air tighten, like a vice closing in around him. He knew he couldn't dodge this forever, but he wasn't about to give in so easily either, or she'd run all over him. "I'm not forced to tell you anything," He said cautiously, his voice firm. "But... Maybe we could make a deal?"

Agatha's gaze narrowed. "A deal, you say? And what exactly do you think you have to bargain with?"

Ezra steeled himself, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him. "Like I said before," He began, his voice steady, "I won't be your apprentice. I've got my own path, and being tied to you would only make people think I didn't earn my place. But I'm starting a breeding business - Ghost and Dark Pokemon amongst the offerings. Rare varieties, ones you've never seen before. I'll give you first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon I breed, and in return, I'll share some information about my attunement. But I'm not giving you everything."

For a moment, the tent was silent. Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that made Ezra uneasy. Her presence seemed to loom larger, the shadows in the tent creeping closer, as if her very essence was stretching out to fill the space. When she spoke again, her voice was low and dangerous.

"Go on, brat..." She said, her tone daring him to continue to lay down terms to her. But it wasn't a flat out no, either.

Ezra swallowed, but his resolve didn't waver. He knew he was toeing a fine line, but if he didn't stand his ground now, Agatha would steamroll him into submission. "You get first pick," He repeated, his voice firm, "but not for free. I don't run a charity. You'll pay for the Pokemon, just like anyone else. And you'll get some information about how I interact with Ghost and Dark types and can do what I do, but nothing more. I'm not here to be your pawn."

Legally, she couldn't force him into anything, not without him being accused or charged with some sort of crime anyway. But there was a lot one of the scariest people on the continent could do to make things uncomfortable without going across the line of legality.

If Agatha pushed too much further… He'd ask for a lawyer for anything else. He won't be press ganged.

Agatha stared at him for a long, tense moment. The weight of her gaze was suffocating, but Ezra didn't break eye contact. He knew this was the crux of their negotiation - if she accepted his terms, he could walk out of this tent with his autonomy intact. If she didn't…

Things would get a lot more complicated.

And he hadn't exactly offered her much, all things considered. Maybe not even half of what she'd want, all told. Yet he refused to sell himself cheap, even in a situation like this.

Then, to his surprise, Agatha threw her head back and laughed - a sharp, almost wicked sound that sent a chill down Ezra's spine. When she looked back at him, her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker.

"You're an ornery little thing," She said, her voice dripping with condescending amusement. "I can't say it entirely displeases me." She sniffed haughtily, "Almost reminds me of my ex-husband, back when he had a spine…"

Ezra exhaled quietly, feeling the tension ease ever so slightly. He'd managed to stand his ground - at least for now. But the conversation wasn't over. He doubted it would end with a simple acceptance, and he shuddered at the thought of being compared to anyone that's had such a relationship with Agatha.

Before he could respond, or Agatha could lay down her counteroffer, Karen reentered the tent, her expression sullen and annoyed. "There's no such drink here," She said stiffly, like I would have told you if you'd let me, she appeared to say with her body language, glaring at the ground. "Do you want something else, Lady Agatha?"

Agatha's smirk widened as she turned to Karen, her tone dry and mocking. "No, dear. As I said, it's a Hoenn special. I knew it wouldn't be here." She paused, then added with a wave of her hand, "I just wanted you out of the way while the important people talked."

Ezra winced, oh, Arceus, I feel almost bad now for everything I've said to her.

Karen's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. Ezra could see the moment she almost snapped, the frustration boiling just beneath the surface. But, at the last second, Karen bit her tongue and held herself in check, though her entire body was tense with barely contained rage.

If Agatha was trying to train her out of her hair-trigger temper by constantly pissing her off, Ezra did feel a small amount of pity for the girl. It's not like she could ever truly talk back, it's freaking Agatha.

Agatha turned back to Ezra, her eyes gleaming with a smug satisfaction. "Now, where were we?" She said, her voice almost casual. "Ah, yes. The deal." Her tone was entirely dry, as she mentioned the deal.

She leaned forward, her hands clasped over her cane. "I agree to your terms… On my terms. You'll provide me with first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon and Dark Pokemon types that you breed, and in return, I'll accept that you won't be my apprentice, for now." Her smile grew sharper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But there's one caveat."

Ezra's brow furrowed, his wariness returning. "Caveat?" He echoed.

Agatha's smile widened, and there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Karen," She said smoothly, her gaze flicking to her apprentice, "Will be joining you on your journey."

Ezra blinked, his mouth opening in shock, but Agatha wasn't finished. "She'll document your training methods and your interactions with your Pokemon. For me."

Karen, who had been standing stiffly to the side, suddenly froze, her face twisting in disbelief. "What?" She blurted out, her voice high-pitched with outrage. "Lady Agatha, I -"

Ezra barely registered Karen's outburst as he gaped at Agatha, his mind reeling from the sudden twist. "You can't be serious," He muttered, still in shock. Agatha's gaze on him told him plenty, she's willing to wait on the information…

Because she knew Ezra wouldn't share it all, while it would be very hard to hide it from Karen during the journey. Agatha was choosing to wave away the requirement of knowledge now, for full knowledge later. And Ezra would have a hard time saying no, because technically… Agatha's deal, at least on the surface, was heavily leaning his way.

Because Agatha could force the issue a lot harder if she so chose to.

Agatha's smirk only grew, her satisfaction radiating from her like a cold wave. "Oh, I'm very serious," She said sweetly, her tone dripping with amusement.

Karen looked like she was about to blow a fuse, her face flushed with anger, her hands clenched into tight fists. "But -"

"Silence, Karen," Agatha snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "I've made my decision."

Ezra could only stare at the two of them, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Agatha's smug smile remained fixed on her face, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement.

Ezra had come here expecting a difficult negotiation, but he hadn't expected this.

He couldn't think of a good way to say no without ending up with a worse deal.

He'd avoided being forced into an apprenticeship, he'd have to take what he could get.

This is going to be awkward…

30 minutes later,

The prize ceremony was a rushed, awkward affair, held hastily in the center of the battle field after Agatha had made her dramatic exit. The event, which should have been a moment of triumph for Ezra, was dampened by the simmering tension between him and Karen. Both trainers stood in the spotlight, their faces plastered with fake smiles as the organizers bustled around, eager to conclude the tournament on a high note despite the obvious awkwardness that hung in the air.

And the rather odd delay in which everyone had to stand around for almost an hour, waiting, as Agatha had stolen away both finalists.

Ezra's thoughts were far from the glittering stage and cheering crowd - although a much smaller one after an hour. His mind was still reeling from Agatha's bombshell - the news that Karen would be joining him on his journey was like a punch to the gut. He hadn't even been able to fully process it yet. He was already imagining the endless arguments, the constant friction. His jaw tightened as he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes scanning the crowd without really seeing them.

Sure, some of that friction was his doing, but she made it so easy, he couldn't resist.

Karen, on the other hand, looked even unhappier. Her smile was utterly forced, her eyes hard as she stood beside Ezra, arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was clearly furious with how everything had played out - her defeat, Agatha's dismissive attitude, and now, being forced to follow Ezra like some errand girl. Her knuckles were white from how tightly she clenched her fists, but she held her head high, refusing to let the crowd see how much the situation was getting under her skin.

The head organizer, a balding man with a forced grin, stepped forward, holding a gleaming trophy in one hand and an envelope of prize money in the other. "And the winner of this year's Battle Tower Lawn Tournament is Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League!" He announced with far too much enthusiasm, thrusting the envelope and the trophy into Ezra's hands before stepping aside for the next presenter.

Ezra nodded briefly in acknowledgment, glancing at the envelope without much interest. The money was nice, sure, but it wasn't the real prize. His eyes darted to the small display case where his true reward awaited - a Pokemon Egg, gleaming softly under the bright stadium lights that covered the battlefield. They'd refused to tell him the species inside, saying it was more interesting that way - that it hadn't been revealed for the tournament, and could be anything.

Hopefully it wasn't a complete waste. Although it likely would be a Pokemon for either breeding or selling. Because it wouldn't be a Ghost or Dark Pokemon in there, he was willing to bet.

"Congratulations," The head organizer said, clearly eager to keep things moving. He motioned to Karen next. "And our runner-up, Karen of the Elite Four apprentice program! She will receive her prize money and the TM for Earthquake!"

Karen accepted her prize with a stiff nod, her face betraying no emotion even though she was clearly seething underneath. Earthquake was a powerful move, sure, but the sting of losing to Ezra so publicly made it feel like a hollow reward. She had expected to be standing in his place, triumphant. Instead, she was the one being pitied.

The crowd cheered politely as the prizes were distributed, but it was clear the excitement had waned after Agatha's earlier presence. Ezra and Karen both stood awkwardly on the stage, pretending to enjoy the moment when, in truth, both wanted nothing more than to leave. The moment the final applause died down, they both quickly excused themselves, heading back toward the tent with matching sour expressions.

As soon as they were out of earshot from the crowd, Karen's composure cracked. She stopped in the middle of the path, rounding on Ezra with a scowl. "Listen up, brat," She snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "I don't care how that battle went. You're the rookie here, not me. I'm in charge, and what I say goes. Agatha may have stuck me with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take orders from someone beneath me."

Ezra blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst but not entirely surprised. He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms casually as he stared back at her. "Really? Because I distinctly remember beating you like an unwanted stepchild not more than an hour ago," He said coolly, his voice calm, but laced with sarcasm. "And if I recall correctly, Agatha didn't attach me to you - she attached you to me. Because I'm what she wants. Not you."

Karen's face flushed with anger, but Ezra didn't give her a chance to respond.

"I don't care what you think," He continued, his tone sharpening. "I'm heading to Pewter next. That's my plan. You can come if you want, or you can stay behind and explain to Agatha how you couldn't even last a day. But I'm not going to change my journey or my plans because you want to play boss. You have two choices - follow my lead or get left behind."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension crackling like electricity in the air. Karen's eyes blazed with fury, her mouth opening as if to argue, but then she closed it again, clearly struggling with her emotions. She was furious, humiliated, but Ezra's words had struck a chord - she knew he was right. Agatha hadn't given her a choice in the matter. If she didn't follow through on this assignment, it would be her neck on the line.

And Agatha, despite the way she acted, had given Karen everything. She couldn't let her down. Not again.

She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly as the fight drained out of her. "Fine," She muttered, her voice tight with anger. "But don't expect me to take orders from you, I'm just following you around."

Ezra smirked, but it was a tired one. "I don't care if you take orders from me or not, Karen. Just don't get in my way. I've got my own goals, and I'm not letting anyone - or anything - get in the way of that."

Karen glared at him, her jaw tight, but she didn't argue. There was a long, heavy silence as they both stood there, each refusing to back down completely but realizing they were stuck with each other. Finally, Ezra let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"Look," He said, his voice softer now, "We don't have to like each other, but we're stuck together for now. So let's just make the best of it, yeah? I'll try not to mock you too much, and you... Try not to take out your anger at Agatha on me. Deal?"

Karen crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. "I'll try," She said begrudgingly, clearly still frustrated, but there was a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But don't expect me to just roll over and let you walk all over me."

Ezra nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it," He said with a wry smile.

For a brief moment, there was a flicker of understanding between them - an unspoken acknowledgment that, while they might not like each other, they were going to have to find a way to work together. It wasn't friendship, not by a long shot, but it was a start of - not enemies. And for now, that would have to be enough.

They stood there in silence for a moment longer, the tension between them easing slightly. Then, with a final sigh, Ezra turned and started walking again. "Come on," He muttered, glancing back at Karen. "We've got a long trip to Pewter ahead of us. Let's get moving, I need to go into Olivine and swap in my Pidgeot first."

Karen followed, her expression still sullen but no longer hostile. The two of them walked side by side, the uneasy truce hanging between them like a fragile thread. Neither of them knew how long it would last, but for now, it was enough to keep them moving forward.

They could both agree on one thing at least.

Agatha could go fuck herself for forcing this.

Although it was a very unspoken agreement, that both of them just mentally connected with.

Neither one of them wanted her to somehow hear them say it - so it remained unspoken.

Agatha's reputation had been well earned even before the war, and after… Well no one tended to argue with her too heavily.

Back then she hadn't been known simply as the Ghost Mistress - that had come after the peace settled in. Albeit that was not something Ezra had known until he went into the Johto portion of the net while in Johto, as his short schooling in Kanto hadn't mentioned it. At all.

Her most well known moniker during the war was the Mistress of Madness, given by Johto, and if you went back into what someone Ezra's age would call ancient history by now… To the pre-war period...

She'd also been known as the Maiden of Slaughter.

The pre-war and war period had not been a time of reasoned discussion around a table…

Ezra really didn't want to think about the fact Agatha had once even been a maiden.

Let alone one earning that moniker.

Pewter City, Kanto

The road from Pewter City to his stable was quiet, the steady rhythm of their footsteps the only real sound breaking the stillness of the afternoon. Ezra and Karen walked side by side, though neither seemed particularly thrilled with the arrangement still. The tension between them had simmered down somewhat, though it wasn't gone. If anything, it felt like it had settled into a kind of uneasy truce. There was still a palpable sense of frustration and annoyance radiating off Karen, and Ezra couldn't help but wonder if it would boil over again before long.

Still, he had to admit she'd been handling things better than he'd expected. After all, being saddled with someone you disliked - someone you'd lost to - couldn't have been easy for her. Especially with how much she seemed to respect Agatha.

Karen had kept herself composed since they left the tournament, and Ezra, in an uncharacteristic show of maturity, had held back his usual teasing, trying not to provoke her. For now, at least. He was practically a saint, really.

"So... Pewter City is your home base?" Karen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was neutral, though there was a slight edge to it. Likely from the fact she'd already tried finding him here, according to Brock. "What's so special about this place?"

Ezra shrugged, glancing at the familiar path leading toward the outskirts of the city. "It's nice and homely, safe. Got good lawyers for my business and a good place to keep a stable for my Pokemon. Brock's the guy watching it when I'm not around and he's the Gym Leaders son, and a stand up bro. Plus, it's close enough to the mountains for some good training. I've got some business to take care of here with my breeding project too."

"Breeding project?" Karen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of project?"

"A Pokemon farm and breeding center," Ezra replied, since she'd find out soon enough anyway, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked. "I'm starting a business with a big shot investor on board. Breeding rare and unique Pokemon I've discovered, Ghost and Dark types amongst them. It's a long-term plan, but my business partner already got the land and the paperwork ready. Just signed the contract with my lawyer before we headed up here."

It had only taken a few minutes really, while Karen waited outside, and Devon Corp was going to start as early as this week on transforming the plot of land Steven Stone had already apparently purchased near Lavender Town.

Karen hummed, crossing her arms. "That sounds… Potentially profitable. So you're a businessman now too?" There was a hint of disbelief in her tone, and he couldn't really blame her.

Ezra chuckled. "Something like that. I've got plans beyond just battling. Gotta think ahead. Plus, you know, the money in raising rare Pokemon is a field that will never lose value."

There was a pause, the conversation hitting a brief lull as they continued up the winding path. Karen's gaze shifted to the trees lining the road, her expression softening ever so slightly.

"Blackthorn City never had anything like that," She said after a moment, surprising him, she's from Lance's hometown? Her voice was quieter now, as if the mention of Blackthorn City had drawn her into some kind of reflection. "It was always so... Traditional. Not many people there think about something like breeding or about expanding their horizons. It was all about the past, about honoring their dragon heritage."

In hindsight, of course she's from Johto, but… How did she end up as Agatha's apprentice?

Ezra glanced at her, catching the slight bitterness in her tone, clueing him in that she'd not had a happy time in Blackthorn. "Yeah, I can see how that could get old fast. Too much tradition can choke you if you let it. It's why I probably would have gotten the hell out of Lavender Town even if they didn't kick me out." Not that it will stop me from going back and making the traditionalists choke on it…

Karen gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "It's not easy being trapped in someone else's shadow." She muttered darkly, "Even if that shadow is an entire heritage and tradition."

Ezra didn't say anything to that, letting her words hang in the air. He understood the sentiment well enough - he had his own reasons for wanting to carve out his own path, outside the expectations of others. Still, it wasn't the kind of thing he'd voice aloud. Not right now, anyway. He had a feeling Karen professing an interest in Dark Pokemon in Dragon nuts Blackthorn hadn't ended well..

The conversation trailed off again as they rounded a bend in the road, and soon enough, the familiar sight of Ezra's stable came into view. It wasn't much yet - but it was his. The beginning of something much bigger in the end.

Standing just outside the main barn, waiting for them with his arms crossed and a bright grin on his face, was Brock. Ezra had called ahead of course, so that Brock would know he'd have time off for the next week or so.

"Ezra!" Brock called out, waving them over enthusiastically. As soon as they got close, Brock's grin widened even further. "You guys hooked up after all, huh? I knew she had the hots for you!"

The words hit like a bomb. Ezra froze for a split second, feeling Karen stiffen beside him. Her face flushed with fury, and in that brief moment of pure rage, she whipped out her Pokeball, releasing her Weavile in one swift motion.

"Weavile!" She shouted, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger, "Ice to the crotch of that idiot, NOW!"

Luckily, Ezra's reflexes kicked in faster than Brock's sense of self-preservation. "Loki, Intercept!" He snapped, releasing his Banette just in time to block the Ice attack - an icy projectile the size of Brock's head - from smashing into the oblivious Gym Leader's most vulnerable area.

All this time not pissing her off, and Brock had to open his mouth. Ah, well, at least it wasn't him.

Loki's eerie grin twisted as he floated between Brock and Weavile, looking back at Ezra with a funny eyebrow. The Banette's expression seemed to say, Really? Protecting this one? Ezra could almost hear the exasperation in Loki's body language.

Ezra sighed, running a hand through his hair as Brock, completely oblivious to the reason for his near ball crushing experience, blinked in confusion.

"What's going on?" Brock asked, glancing between Karen's furious expression and Weavile's still-glowing claws. "Did I say something wrong?"

Karen's eyes blazed, her hands balling into fists as she turned on Brock. "Did you say something wrong?" She repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "You absolute moron! I - we - are not hooked up. There is nothing between us, and if you say something like that again, I'll - "

"Karen," Ezra interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "Let it go. He's just... Well, he's just Brock."

Brock blinked again, scratching the back of his head in genuine confusion. "What? I thought... I mean, I could've sworn..."

"Don't," Karen growled, still glaring daggers at the confused boy. "Just don't."

Brock held up his hands in surrender, backing up slightly. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need for that Weavile to cut my head off. Jeez."

Ezra shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Brock, just... Think before you speak, man. That's all I'm asking." I got to work on that girls anger issues…

Brock chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'll work on that."

Karen huffed, recalling Weavile, though the tension in her shoulders didn't ease entirely. She shot Brock one last warning look before turning her attention back to Ezra, crossing her arms. "Can we get on with this? I'd rather not spend any more time dealing with idiots today."

Ezra sighed again, glancing between the two of them. This was going to be a long, long partnership.

He didn't think it was worth it telling Karen off this time. He'd let her have this one. Brock wouldn't mind anyway.

If she tried any of that shit with him though… He'd lay the law down fast.

That night,

The night air was cool as Ezra made his way to the clearing just beyond the stable. The stars were bright overhead, casting a pale light across the grassy field. His mind was focused, his steps deliberate, as he walked ahead of Karen, who trailed behind with a curious but guarded expression. The whole day had been a whirlwind of contracts, awkward encounters, and misjudged assumptions, Karen following him everywhere. Now, though, he could relax a little, do what he enjoyed most - training his Pokemon.

Well, he'd enjoy a couple other things even more… But Pokemon training was the cheapest entertainment he had at the moment.

He reached the clearing, and without a word, released his team, and the rest of his Pokemon, his Pokemon limits not mattering on this plot of land due to his stable license.

Pokeballs opened with a flash, and one by one, his Pokemon materialized around him, a diverse crowd of spectral and dark creatures. Sableye materialized first, its gem eyes glinting as it dug its claws into the dirt. Duskull hovered next to it, the single glowing eye behind its skull-like face fixed on Ezra. A Mimikyu shuffled close to the group, while Shedinja floated silently in the air, the hollow shell of a Pokemon casting an eerie aura. Yamask hovered nearby, holding its mask closely, while Murkrow cawed from a perch atop a nearby tree. A Lampent and Litwick drifted above the field, their ghostly flames flickering in the breeze, and Misdreavous hovered with its usual mischievous smile.

Further out, the Dark-types mingled in the shadows, a Houndour stretched its limbs, Skuntank prowled along the edges of the field, Zorua's eyes gleamed with mischievous intent, and a Poochyena sniffed curiously at the ground. Ezra took a moment to appreciate the sight of them all together - his team of Ghost and Dark Pokemon, each one as unique and would hopefully one day become powerful as his main team.

Karen stood back, eyes slightly wide, though she tried to hide her surprise. "Quite the collection you've got there," She commented, her tone begrudgingly impressed.

Ezra didn't respond at first, instead moving amongst his Pokemon, giving each a moment of attention. "Alright, everyone, you know the drill. We've been working on technique and control, and I know Brock has kept it up - so tonight I want to see progress."

He started with Sableye, crouching beside the Pokemon, who looked up at him with its wide gem eyes, waiting. "Last time, your Shadow Claw was strong, but it wasn't fast enough. We need speed. Hit the targets and keep moving. Don't give anyone a chance to hit back, I want to see you practice tonight."

Sableye grinned and immediately bounded off, slashing at the wooden training dummies set up across the field with its claws - he would have to replace them again soon. Ezra watched closely, nodding in approval as Sableye's movements became a blur of sharp, precise strikes. "Better. Keep at it, get a good feel for the flow of the movements."

Next, he turned to Mimikyu. "You're cute as always in your outfit, Mimikyu," He said, patting it on the head, earning an eerie giggle, he'd gotten Mimikyu a much better Pikachu cosplay outfit, not that it really lowered the inherent creepiness. "I'll lend you some of the extra Litwicks, practice your Charm and Baby Doll Eyes, make sure you focus on getting a good feel for the energy, don't just use the technique, feel it."

Mimikyu bobbed its head and shuffled forward, Ezra gesturing for several of his captured Litwicks to join it for training, to be practice dummies in a way. He didn't mention the fairy type energy out loud, because he didn't need to tell Karen everything for her reports… And Fairy types were not a thing yet in the four regions.

Karen watched as Ezra made his way through the group, giving advice and feedback with a calm, even tone. He wasn't loud, nor did he shout commands - his Pokemon seemed to understand him perfectly with just a few words or a glance. Which just wasn't how Dark and Ghost Pokemon worked.

Ezra moved on to Duskull, his voice softening slightly. "You've been getting better with Will-O-Wisp, but I want more control. Focus your flames, just fire up, no fires to put out this time, eh?" Brock had to act as a fireman too many times during the past few days from what Ezra had been told. Duskull a little bit of a pyromaniac.

Duskull floated upward, summoning blue flames that danced in the air. It released the flames one at a time up into the air, each one firing off with precision. Ezra gave an approving nod before moving on to Yamask.

"Shadow Ball, full power. Show me you can handle it without losing control." He ordered quietly, the Yamask struggling with the power aspect, unlike most of his other Ghosts who struggled to rein in their power for finer control.

Yamask's eyes glowed as it summoned a ball of dark energy, launching it toward the farthest target, set up amongst the trees around the clearing. The attack hit with a satisfying thud, the dark energy dissipating on impact.

"Nice. Keep practicing, I want you to hit harder next time, keep focusing on gathering your power, you already have decent control, I know it's not fast at the moment, but speed will come later."

As the training progressed, Karen's earlier surprise turned into something closer to jealousy. She had strong Pokrmon herself, but the sheer variety and rare types Ezra had at his disposal were impressive. It wasn't just the number - it was the way he handled them, the quiet confidence and the easy familiarity. He knew them, inside and out, and they trusted him. And again, these Pokemon shouldn't work like that!

Karen had fought and bled and cried to get her Pokemon to the level they were at, and they still needed a firm hand to continue listening to her at times. Ghost and Dark types just didn't do the cuddly nice crap. She was honestly not sure what was going on.

"Where do you even find some of these Pokemon?" Karen asked, half out of curiosity, half out of envy. She didn't want to ask the more burning question, well aware she hadn't exactly earned his confidence.

Ezra glanced at her, not breaking stride as he approached the next Pokemon. "Here and there. Some came to me, others I sought out. It helps to know where to look."

What a wonderful non-answer, Karen thought, she crossed her arms, watching as Ezra knelt beside a small Eevee, who bounded up to him happily. She narrowed her eyes. "An Eevee? Doesn't really fit with the whole Ghost/Dark theme." She pointed out.

Ezra smirked, rubbing the Eevee's head affectionately. "Not yet. But soon. She's special." He handed Eevee a few berries, watching as she happily nibbled away. "Right now, we're just bonding. Getting her ready for the next step."

Karen scoffed, shaking her head. "So, what, with one Pokemon you're trying to make it set the sky on fire, and with this one, you're coddling it like a pet? Are you sure you're not insane with this kind of random training?"

Ezra chuckled, leaning back against a nearby tree, his hand still resting on Eevee's soft fur. "You've got to treat each one differently. Some need discipline, some need encouragement. It's all about balance."

"Balance?" Karen muttered. "You're all over the place." A new Eeveelution perhaps, but how does he know? She wondered.

He didn't rise to the bait, instead calling over his Murkrow, who fluttered down from its perch. "You've been getting better at flying through obstacles and changing direction on the fly," Ezra said, watching as the Dark bird Pokemon cawed softly in response. "But I want more control on those turns, less throwing yourself in a direction and more focused flight. Work on your agility again tonight, cycle your energy while you work."

Murkrow took off again, flying low over the field, dodging between obstacles Ezra and Brock had set up in the forest before he left for the tournament. Murkrow clipped its wing on one of the targets as it rapidly switched directions, squawking in frustration.

Ezra didn't scold it. "You'll get there. Just focus." He called out, watching intently. Murkrow could already perform aerial acrobatics that made the Pokemon very hard to hit. Ezra intended to continue this training until very hard became can't. Not without techniques that filled the sky or bypassed the possibility to dodge at all.

Karen watched the entire process with a mix of frustration and grudging respect. It was clear Ezra knew his stuff, even if his methods were unconventional - no, she corrected herself, downright odd. He seemed to push his Pokemon to the edge yes, but in odd directions, with a lot more self reliance then she'd ever seen, especially for Pokemon who were notorious for needing a firm hand.

Everything Karen knew said this couldn't work, so seeing it work, and work well, was finally beginning to force her to look at things from a new point of view. Understanding why Agatha was interested in the first place.

As the night wore on and the other Pokemon continued their training, Ezra walked a little further away from the group, his steps purposeful. Karen raised an eyebrow and followed him, Rider and Loki trailing behind them both as silent guardians instead of performing their own training.

When they were far enough from the rest of the team, Ezra stopped and pulled out another Pokeball. A quick flash of light revealed a Primeape standing before them, its fists clenched, eyes wild with rage, ready to fight.

Primeape roared, immediately putting up its fists, muscles rippling with tension.

Ezra crossed his arms, staring down the Primeape, his gaze cold. "You think you're angry," He said softly, his voice cutting through the night air. "But you have no idea."

Primeape growled, lowering itself into a fighting stance, ready to strike. Not caring that it was its owner.

Ezra chuckled, his smile sharp and humorless. "You're weak. So very, very weak. Maybe if you were angry enough, you'd be useful."

The Primeape let out a roar, its fists swinging toward Ezra with wild abandon, only for a Shadow Ball from Loki to explode right in its face, halting its charge.

From the sidelines, Karen crossed her arms and commented dryly, "So that's how you beat me. You're literally too insane to predict." She shook her head, "You cuddle with the Eevee, and here you're what? Trying to enrage the rage Pokemon?"

"There's a method to my madness," Ezra countered with a smirk, his eyes never leaving the Primeape.

Karen shook her head again, her expression both bemused and annoyed. "Your method is going to get your face punched in." She predicted, one hand resting near her Pokeballs, in case she needed to fend the Primeape off.

Ezra's smirk widened. "I think Primeape can go further. There's something else in him. If he were just angrier, more focused, he could evolve into something truly terrifying."

"You're nuts," Karen said, her tone flat. "But... whatever. Your funeral." There isn't an evolution for Primeape… Is there?

She watched, her curiosity piqued despite herself, as Ezra continued to taunt and push the Primeape. The Pokemon grew more and more enraged with every failure, lashing out at trees and rocks, its strikes growing wilder and more powerful as it vented its fury. Loki and Rider stood ready in case things went too far, but Ezra never flinched, never backed down. Casting Rage Fist wasn't enough, if it was, the Primeape and many others of its kind, would already have evolved.

No, it literally needed to be pushed to the point its heart literally exploded in anger.

After what felt like hours, Ezra called the Primeape back to its Pokeball, the Pokemon still fuming and trembling with rage. "I'll try again tomorrow night," Ezra said, almost to himself. "Maybe a little more time will do the trick."

Karen shook her head, muttering under her breath, "You're insane." But after what she'd seen already, she was half afraid he'd actually pull it off. How he knew any of this… She'd never heard of any of it… And she had more access then almost anyone not a Gym Leader or an Elite Four.

Ezra just gave her a knowing smile. "You'll see the results. Just remember, only Agatha gets a report. If you try spreading this around..." He let his words hang in the air.

Agatha could feel free to try it on her own, but if it got spread beyond her, he wouldn't hesitate to sue. This all belonged to his business. Evolving Pokemon in ways no one else knew.

Karen scoffed. "I'm not the type to go back on my word, and anyway, I'm already penniless, and can hardly afford a lawsuit."

Ezra gave Karen a once-over, noting her outfit - dark, form-fitting clothes that showed more skin than they covered. They were obviously expensive, tailored to both fashion and function. He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look penniless."

She scowled, crossing her arms defensively. "It's all through Lady Agatha. She funds everything I need, but it's her money, not mine." Her voice dripped with resentment, the bitterness clear in her tone.

Ezra supposed he could understand still using it to its full extent, but being bitter about having to rely on someone else. At least she wasn't the kind of pussy that would refuse to use it and whine about her hard knock life.

Ezra nodded thoughtfully at her words, and his own thoughts on the matter, leaning back on his hands as he sat down in the grass beside his Eevee, who immediately curled up next to him. He let out a low whistle. "That sounds... Restrictive, and a hassle to deal with. What happened anyway? How did you end up with Agatha?"

Karen's eyes darkened, and she looked away, clearly unwilling to go into detail. "None of your business," She muttered, her voice cold and clipped.

Ezra shrugged, not pushing further. He could tell there was something deeper there, but he wasn't in the mood to pry. Not now, anyway. Instead, he turned his attention back to his Eevee, gently stroking the fur on her head. She let out a soft purr, her tail twitching contentedly.

For a moment, silence fell between them, only broken by the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the distant sounds of his Pokemon continuing their training.

Karen finally broke the silence, her voice laced with disbelief. "I still can't get over how you went from trying to make a Primeape mad enough to kill you to... this." She gestured toward the Eevee, who was nuzzling against Ezra's hand, completely at ease. "Are you seriously trying to tell me there's some kind of logic behind your training methods?"

Ezra smirked, not looking up. "Of course. Different Pokemon need different approaches. Some thrive on discipline and anger, others need affection and care. You can't treat them all the same." He winked, "I throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, nothing is too crazy to try."

Karen stared at him for a moment, still looking unconvinced. "That's... A weird way to train," She admitted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

Ezra chuckled softly. "It's worked so far. And besides, you'll see the results soon enough." I don't enjoy having to share this… But I suppose blowing her mind has some small enjoyment in it.

Karen sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. She turned her back to him slightly, pacing in a small circle as she processed everything. "I just don't get you, Kassian. One moment you're taunting a Primeape like you have a death wish, and the next you're coddling an Eevee like she's your pet. I get what you're saying, your reasoning, but still, It's like you're two different people."

She's really stuck on this, that's what? The third time she's brought it up? He thought. Ezra gave her a sidelong glance, his smile fading slightly. "There's more than one way to train a Pokemon, Karen. Just like there's more than one way to handle people, typing isn't everything."

She stopped pacing, staring down at him, eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged casually, leaning back into the grass, stretching out lazily. "It means you don't need to understand everything I do. You just need to know that it works."

"I doubt I'll ever understand you." She snarked, letting out a huff, leaning against a tree.

They both shared a rare moment of silence, the tension between them easing slightly. For the first time since they'd been stuck together, there wasn't the usual undercurrent of animosity or resentment in the air. Ezra focused on his Eevee, who was now curled up beside him, her eyes half-lidded in contentment.

Karen looked down at them, her arms still crossed, but the hard edge in her gaze had softened somewhat. "So... What's the deal with that Eevee? You gonna evolve her into something? Something new?"

Ezra didn't respond immediately, his hand gently brushing over the soft fur along Eevee's back. "Eventually. I've got a plan for her. But right now, we're just bonding."

"Bonding?" Karen echoed, her voice skeptical. "That's part of your 'method,' too, huh?" She shook her head, "People have tried that before, just bonding isn't enough, experts in their field have tried it, Kassian." She stressed.

Ezra nodded. "Yeah. Bonding, trust... All of it matters depending on the Pokemon. You can't just throw some Pokemon into battle without them trusting you. It's like asking someone to fight a war for you without them knowing if you've got their back." He shrugged, "Again, that's some Pokemon, they can be as different as you and I."

None of that was exactly new. But some trainers did get stuck into the trap of treating all their Pokemon the same. And Karen seemed the type. Especially as a type specialist, especially as a Dark trainer. Although he wasn't entirely fair. No one could really tame them the same way he was after all.

Karen fell silent at that, watching him quietly for a moment. There was a flicker of something in her eyes - something she didn't often let show. She wasn't used to this kind of approach. Her own training, the way Agatha had raised her, was based more on power and control. She had to be in charge, to dominate. Ezra's approach seemed softer, more personal, but there was a steeliness to it that couldn't be ignored.

After a few moments, Karen sighed and sat down on the grass a few feet away from him, leaning back on her hands. "Alright, fine. I'll admit, your Pokemon seem loyal enough, somehow. But you've got to know Lady Agatha's expecting results in my reports. She's not going to be happy with... Whatever this is." She gestured vaguely toward the peaceful Eevee. "It's really not her philosophy, at all."

Ezra's eyes gleamed with mischief as he looked at her. "Don't worry. Old Agatha's only interested in the outcome. The process? That's all mine, and stuff she can throw on her minions." Like you, he left unsaid.

Except for the actual evolution tricks, even Agatha wouldn't just share that. She was old, and the older you were, the more likely it was you were part of the group who believed Pokemon knowledge shouldn't be entirely free and shared amongst everyone. Elite Four or not, he was willing to bet Agatha was like that.

Karen arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You really think you can handle Lady Agatha long-term? She's not going to let you do whatever you want, you know. She's not exactly the hands-off type."

Ezra leaned his head back, staring up at the stars above. "We'll see. But I have a feeling I'll manage. Old Agatha's tough, but she knows talent when she sees it. As long as I keep delivering, she won't interfere too much." Arceus, let me be right about that…

Karen watched him for a moment longer, then let out a reluctant sigh. "You're insufferable, you know that?" But there was no real heat behind it.

Ezra grinned, not looking at her. "I get that a lot."

The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while, the cool night air settling around them. Karen might not have fully understood Ezra's methods, but there was a begrudging respect building between them. She wasn't ready to admit it, but she was starting to see that maybe - just maybe - there was more to Ezra Kassian than she'd first thought.

As the night deepened, and the rest of the Pokemon settled into their routines, Ezra and Karen remained where they were, each lost in their own thoughts. They didn't need to say anything else. For now, they had reached a truce of sorts, an understanding that, for better or worse, they were stuck with each other.

And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't the worst thing in the world.

A week later,

It shouldn't be this easy, Ezra thought as he stood just outside the makeshift training field.

Seven days. That's how long he had spent in Pewter City, doing little else but pushing his Pokemon to their limits, especially his Primeape. It had been a brutal week - constant taunting, needling, and antagonizing. Seven days of driving the Primeape to the edge of apocalyptic fury.

Ezra knew this approach was dangerous. Primeape was already a volatile Pokemon by nature, and what he had been doing was deliberately lighting the fuse over and over again. If it weren't for his aura - which he believed could soothe the beast once it evolved into its Ghostly form - this might have been a terrible idea. Primeape didn't like him. There was no illusion of affection there - couldn't be with how hard he was pushing. The Pokemon had been on the verge of tearing him apart more than once. But Ezra knew that if he explained his plan, the kind of soul-deep rage that was necessary for its evolution might never come. It had to be real, raw, and unfiltered.

If Primeape had known it was all for its benefit, then that rage wouldn't have been true, it wouldn't have been deep enough, real enough. He was also lucky Karen wasn't a bleeding heart. Because if any of the Pokefriends organizations people had seen this - they would have cried abuse all the way to court.

Now, on the eighth night of their training regimen, here he stood, watching the fruits of his labor come to life. Karen stood a few feet behind him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief, eyes wide in shock. The air was thick with tension, and Ezra could feel the electricity in it. His Primeape, utterly consumed by rage, was glowing.

The evolution had begun.

A brilliant light enveloped Primeape, the aura of fury radiating off him in waves so intense that the very air seemed to shudder with it. The Pokemon's muscles tensed, expanding as the energy coursed through its body. Its fur stood on end, becoming sharper, more ragged, as if the very essence of its rage was molding its physical form into something more primal, more terrifying. The ground beneath its feet cracked, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the transformation. Its fists clenched tightly, glowing with the dark, ghostly energy of its new form.

Ezra watched with cold, calculating eyes as Primeape's shape began to change. He could see the rage fueling every fiber of the Pokemon's being, turning it into something entirely different. Its arms lengthened, becoming sinewy and more powerful. Its once-spherical body stretched, growing taller, more menacing, its posture no longer hunched, but upright and poised for violence. Dark, shadowy tendrils swirled around its body like ghostly chains, a manifestation of the fury that had once consumed it. Its face, once filled with mindless anger, was now focused - its eyes glowing with an almost otherworldly intensity. The most notable change, though, was the spectral chains that now hung from the manacles on its wrists, flickering with ethereal energy. These were no ordinary chains - they were the physical manifestation of the Pokemon's inner torment, its rage having evolved into something beyond anger. Something darker.

Annihilape had arrived.

"I'm going to call you, Akuma…" Ezra mused out loud. Devil is a fitting name for you, my raging new friend…

Karen let out a gasp as the evolution finished, the last vestiges of light disappearing to reveal the towering figure that stood before them. The Annihilape's eyes blazed like embers in the darkness, its fists pulsing with spectral energy as it shadow-boxed the air, its movements swift and fluid, a deadly elegance in the way it moved. The rage that had once been so prominent was still there, but it had been transformed into something else - something controlled, directed.

Ezra didn't move. He simply waited. Will it understand, will my aura be enough?

Annihilape's movements slowed as it turned toward him, its glowing eyes locking onto its trainer. There was a moment of tense silence, the air crackling with the lingering energy of the evolution. And then, just as Ezra had anticipated, although perhaps not the manner of it, Annihilape bowed it's head. It was a low, deliberate gesture, its massive form bent in submission, its gaze now filled with respect mixed in with the fury.

Ezra let out a slow breath and reached out with his aura, letting it flow from him in a soothing, enveloping wave. The energy washed over the Annihilape like a blanket, calming whatever lingering tension remained. The Pokemon stood tall once more, its body relaxed and steady. The transition from uncontrollable rage to this level of calm was almost jarring.

Even a rage Pokemon could be soothed by his aura it seemed. Although it seemed he hadn't truly needed it. Akuma had accepted what had happened - understood the necessity once the evolution hit.

Karen, still standing behind him, stared in utter disbelief. Her voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "What the fuck are you?" She asked, her words filled with awe and confusion.

Ezra didn't respond. He couldn't, even if he'd wanted to. Because at that exact moment, Annihilape bounced over in one might leap and reached out and pulled him into a crushing hug. Ezra's breath left him in a painful whoosh as the Pokemon squeezed him tightly, its muscular arms nearly suffocating him in a show of affection - or revenge. It was hard to tell.

Okay, so maybe not entirely over it…

"L-Loki, a little help?" Ezra wheezed, his voice strained as he tried to breathe through the Annihilape's iron grip.

The Banette, who had been watching from a distance, floated closer, its stitched mouth twisted in a smirk. It looked at Ezra with an almost sarcastic expression, as if to say, Really? Not deserved? Loki floated around the Annihilape's head, poking at it playfully, but didn't intervene further then that.

"Any...Time..." Ezra managed to croak out, his vision starting to blur slightly from the pressure. He still held back from using his shadow, in a way, Akuma deserved his little miniature rebellion for all that Ezra put it through.

Karen, still wide-eyed, had the sense to step forward, though she seemed more fascinated than concerned. "Should I... Do something?" Fascinated, and probably feeling some vindication too.

Ezra, unable to speak, just gave her a pleading look. While he refused to use his shadow so overtly in front of Karen, and to escape his probably just punishment, Karen could help and it wouldn't be his fault at all.

Karen smirked, clearly enjoying his predicament. "You know, after everything you put that poor Primeape through, this feels like karma."

He had a feeling she didn't just mean the Primeape…

Ezra glared at her through the haze of his impending unconsciousness, but then, Akuma let him go, huffing out a laugh, as it stepped back, its ghostly chains rattling slightly.

Ezra coughed, rubbing his ribs as he sat up, glaring at Karen. "Thanks," He muttered sarcastically. "You were a big help."

Karen crossed her arms, her expression smug. "And here I thought you had this whole control thing down."

Ezra shot her a look, but there was no real malice behind it. "There's a method to my madness," He repeated his previous words, still slightly breathless.

Karen rolled her eyes. "Your method is going to get you killed one day."

Ezra shrugged, standing up and dusting himself off. "Maybe. But it worked, didn't it? A Ghost/Fighting type, nothing like you've seen before, eh? Controlled and eager to serve."

Karen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the massive ghostly figure of the Annihilape, who was now standing off to the side, calm and composed. "You call that controlled?" She said dryly, "It almost choked you out."

Ezra smirked. "You saw the bow. That's loyalty. Respect."

Karen shook her head, still looking somewhat baffled by the entire situation. "Whatever you say, Kassian. You want to call being choked out respect, I'm not going to intrude on your kinks."

Ezra spluttered slightly, not having an immediate comeback, he was so caught off guard by that comment. Karen smirked smugly in victory.

The Annihilape stood quietly by, watching them calmly. But behind its calm demeanor, Ezra knew that it had all the power and rage it needed, power that simmered just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed. His aura was likely pushing it down for now, but Akuma was never going to be a calm Pokemon, especially once in battle.

His plan had worked. The uncontrollable rage of Primeape had evolved into something far more dangerous - and far more useful.

He felt confident in his team now,

It was time to tackle the gyms. And well… He still had tons of time before the end of the circuit… Why not go for both Kanto and Johto's circuit, and do a clean sweep?

Hopefully by the time he was done, all his major Pokemon would have evolved, and he'd be facing the conference with a Dragapult and a Hydreigon.

The only sad thing was the fact he wouldn't get to shock Agatha with a surprise Annihilape to the face, not with Karen's reporting of what's happened.

Although…

Maybe they could keep just this one back, just for a little bit…