The stage is set

An: Haven't posted in a while, so I decided to spend some time writing. I also put up the stats for Rex's pokemon. both in their basic forms and a separate one for their legacy stats. they're in the auxiliary section. Thank you to every for reminding me! happy reading.

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Hah

HAh

HAH

HAH!

Lungs full, chest heaving, a boat atop unending waves.

"Come on… Fight! FIIIIIIIIIIGHT!"

"ELECTAVIIIIIIIIIRE!"

Thunder- roaring, lightning- crackling, shocks- travelling, energy levels rising.

"Yeah-yeah-YEAH! Maximum power, use thunder!"

Some might ask, what does battle look like? What does it feel like? Smell and taste like?

'I would tell them, it looks like a war, a war of values- ideals. That it feels like static electricity sizzling on your skin, a pit in your stomach, shaky legs and blurry vision. That it smells like smoke and tastes like ash.'

BOOM~!

"Electavire wins!"

ROAR~~!

The thunderous cheers of the crowd flooded the stadium.

'But nobody ever remembers the loser, let alone care for their perspective. No, especially not someone who lost in the first round. But, maybe this way, I could escape the shame I felt. Maybe if one asked a winner how battle felt, they would get a completely different answer; maybe it tasted sweet, savoury perhaps? Maybe it felt like bliss, like the comfort of your own bed in the morning.'

The desolate figure of the vanquished was soon swallowed whole by the shadows of the corridor, quickly being filtered out from the minds of the masses. Except for one, a pair of eyes holding much interest within.

[And theeeeereeee weeee have it! What an electrifying battle!] James said with a classy grin before turning to his beautiful co-host.

{I completely agree,} a soothing, enchanting voice said, {that was an amazing battle. Especially those last couple of moves. That Electivire was very well trained; the quality and control over its electric power was refined and smooth. Unfortunately, Blastoise simply couldn't hold on.}

[You perfectly encapsulated my thoughts;] his words instantly made the audience flinch with utter cringe. What sheer shamelessness.

Yet he didn't give them any time to berate him, [this is also right up your alley, isn't it? As an electric-type gym leader, your words hold the most weight.]

{Indeed, my Nimbasa gym is certainly an expert in electric types. But you flatter me, there are many people who are still capable of teaching me a few things here and there within my field of expertise.} her words, although humble carried an underlying tinge of confidence.

"Hey! That dude sure had a crazy strong Electivire don't you think?" asked a green-haired youth in military attire.

"100%, that last attack got my blood pumping. Not to mention that last yell. Haaah… must be nice."

The two were talking as they stared at the screen where a young man was hugging an Electivire happily.

Yet a shadow soon crept up on them, drowning them entirely.

"Shut up! Compared to that monstrous Gyarados our boss Rex has, that chump is mere dirt. If he was to participate in the league everyone would be toast." The older man said, his tone deep and raspy, but an aura of total confidence was present in his every word. As If he was passing down judgment.

"I'm not disagreeing, but what would be the point of the boss participating in this league with Pokémon as strong as his? Wouldn't it be like going to a daycare centre and field kicking some kids in the forehead?"

BAM!

A heavy hand landed on his head blurring his vision momentarily from the force.

"PFFFT- HEHE"

"Quit laughing Kyle!" the man yelled rubbing his forehead with a pained expression.

"Sorry not sorry Hayden haha-"

BAM!

Another steel-like hand landed on Kyle's head.

"Shut it, both of you! but yes, in essence, Hayden is right; that would be an accurate way of putting it." the old man said, massaging his hand casually.

"Then why are you hitting us then-"

"DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?"

"N-no sir."

"Not sir… Captain!" he said, slowly stressing the 'C' in the word.

"… Sorry Captain Rogers!"

Nodding contently, his stiff face softened considerably, "that's what I thou-"

[Now introducing the next pair of contestants.]

"Oh! The next battle is about to start!" Hayden said, completely forgetting about his sore head. Both Kyle and Rogers turned their attention towards the screen that was televising the now empty battlefield.

[First to enter, from Viridian city, give a round of applause for HARRRRRY BROZAKSSSSSS!!]

A tall man appeared from the east tunnel, with neatly combed purple hair, a freshly groomed beard and a pristine suit that screamed 'look at me'. And look everyone did, but not at 'him' but at the small almost inconspicuous flower on his breast pocket.

This instantly caused a ruckus in the audience which burst into a loud commotion as thousands of whispering voices created a thunderous hissing noise.

"That's the dude from the music video isn't it?" Kyle pointed out.

"Most likely, I mean he has the rose and everyth-"

"You stupid bastards," Rogers interjected disappointedly, cutting Hayden off. "Just because some clown adorns a rose doesn't automatically make him authentic. Im-per-so-na-tion!" He pronounced furiously.

"Oh~ that makes sense; Red Rose IS rather famous. It's understandable that people would want to do that, but man, does this guy have no shame?"

[Oh? what do we have here? Is this possibly the dark horse everyone has been hyped up about?]

{I wouldn't be so quick to assume; I have seen many of these people floating around by the registration centre, dressed just like Red Rose was in his music video. I would be more inclined to call them fans. Whether the real one was amongst them or whether Harry here is legitimate, has yet to be determined.} Elesa said calmly, unfazed by the boisterous crowd. Her accentuation of 'fan' made Harry's lips twitch.

He turned towards the commentator stand where he happened to make eye contact with the peerless beauty opposite him. surprised, he gave a cordial smile and a nod. Yet he was instantly hit back with a disdainful glare, deeply startling him, causing him to feel as if he had done something very wrong.

What had he done to deserve such treatment? Yet the answer to his question was one he would never imagine.

Another round of energetic whispers submerged the stadium as arguments about whether he was real or fake continued to float around endlessly.

[Right… I was simply putting it out there; thank you for finishing off the rest of my train of thought.] James said with a hearty laugh.

The audience went silent in an instant, the bickering had stopped as everyone looked at James as if he was mentally ill.

{Y-you're welcome…]} Elesa said, glancing sideways at James as her eyebrow twitched endlessly.

[Anyway, introducing the opponent, from the Kalos region, please give a warm round of applause for REEEX PIEEEEEERCE!!]