The restaurant's battle arena was still buzzing in the aftermath of the clash. Diners had barely returned to their seats, but conversations about the fight echoed through the hall.
"Boss Lin took a Thunder Punch head-on and didn't even go down.""That wasn't just endurance — did you see how he threw Charcadet? Perfect positioning.""Yeah, and that Multiscale effect… where have I seen that before?"
The restaurant's manager, a round-faced man with thinning hair, bustled over with a beaming smile. In one hand, he held the coveted dining voucher — the promised reward for clearing all nine matches.
"Mr. Lin," the manager said, presenting the envelope with exaggerated reverence, "please accept this as a token of our appreciation. And, if I may… you and your Blaziken are welcome back here anytime."
Lin Shou took the envelope with a polite nod. "Thank you. The food's great, and the battles are… lively."
Blaziken, standing just behind him, gave a faint, satisfied smirk. The golden sheen of her feathers caught the warm light, drawing murmurs from nearby tables. Even after the battle, she radiated that quiet, dangerous energy — the kind that made opponents think twice.
Zhou Ze, the Gym Leader he'd just faced, approached with Kangaskhan at his side. The Pokémon's pouch fur was still slightly singed, but she seemed none the worse for wear.
"I underestimated you," Zhou Ze admitted, extending a hand. "You're not just a capable trainer — you're one who fights alongside your Pokémon. That's rare."
Lin Shou clasped his hand firmly. "I just do what works."
Zhou Ze's gaze flicked briefly to the still-hidden dragon-scale pattern beneath Lin Shou's sleeve, then back to his face. "Well… whatever you're doing, keep at it. I have a feeling we'll meet again — next time, maybe on a bigger stage."
The handshake ended, and Zhou Ze departed with Kangaskhan, slipping into the crowd of admirers waiting for him.
——
After the battle, the restaurant's kitchen sent out a complimentary platter — thick cuts of roasted Magikarp drizzled with citrus glaze, crispy rice crackers, and a steaming bowl of spicy Tauros bone broth.
Lin Shou didn't even have to look to know Blaziken's eyes were locked on the platter.
"Go ahead," he said, sliding the bowl toward her.
She dug in without hesitation, though she kept her movements precise and almost dainty — a strange contrast to the raw ferocity she'd shown moments earlier. Charcadet, meanwhile, sat at the edge of the table, legs swinging as it devoured a pile of fire peppers like candy.
Between bites, Lin Shou's thoughts drifted back to the system notifications from earlier.
Close Combat — a high-risk, high-reward move. Sacrifice defense, but deal massive point-blank damage. Perfect for someone who didn't mind getting up close.
Poison Point — every contact carried the chance to poison an opponent. Combined with his style of fighting alongside his Pokémon, it was a nasty surprise waiting to happen.
Both would fit neatly into his growing arsenal, though he knew he'd need to test them carefully before relying on them in a real battle.
——
By the time they finished eating, the restaurant had mostly emptied. A few stragglers lingered to ask for photos, which Lin Shou obliged, though Blaziken mostly posed with a stoic air, her arms folded.
When the last fan left, he leaned back in his chair and stretched. "Alright. We've got the coupon, full stomachs, and a little more fame than I planned for tonight. Time to move."
They slipped out through a side exit, avoiding the busier street at the front. The night air was cool, the city lights painting the pavement in shifting colors.
Blaziken walked beside him, silent as usual, while Charcadet darted ahead, chasing the shadows cast by neon signs.
"You did well today," Lin Shou said after a moment. "Both of you."
Blaziken glanced at him, and though her expression barely changed, the faintest flicker of pride crossed her eyes.
Charcadet didn't even look back — it was too busy pretending the shadows were wild Pokémon that needed chasing.
——
At a quiet intersection, Lin Shou stopped. The faint hum of traffic in the distance was the only sound. He opened the voucher envelope, scanned the details, then tucked it into his jacket.
It was worth a decent sum — enough for several high-quality meals — but for him, the real prize tonight had been testing himself against a Gym Leader without exposing too much of his hand.
Still, there was no denying it: the fight had drawn attention. Aura Guardians weren't exactly common, and word would spread fast in certain circles.
He glanced up at the dark sky. "We'll need to be careful from here on out. The more people know, the more they'll come looking."
Blaziken's gaze met his. She didn't speak, but the message was clear: Let them come.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah. I figured you'd say that."
They continued walking, their footsteps echoing softly on the empty street. Somewhere behind them, a diner from earlier peeked out of the restaurant window, phone in hand, snapping one last blurry photo of their silhouettes disappearing into the night.
——
What Lin Shou didn't notice — at least, not yet — was that they were already being followed.
Across the street, half-hidden under the shadow of a streetlamp, a figure leaned against the wall, eyes fixed on him. A faint gleam reflected off a metallic badge pinned to their chest.
As Lin Shou and his partners turned the corner, the figure slipped away in the opposite direction, pulling a phone from their pocket.
A few quiet words into the receiver. A pause. Then a short reply from the other end:
"Understood. Keep watching."
The call ended.
The city, as always, kept its secrets.