Morning sunlight poured over Turrfield, gilding its sprawling fields in gold. The rhythmic creak of windmills echoed through the hills, and in the distance, the grand, domed Gym shimmered like a beacon of green glass and steel.
Niyah stood before it, her backpack secured, her Rotom Dex hovering at her shoulder, and her Pokémon resting in their Poké Balls. Her heart thudded not with fear, but with excitement.
"This is it," she murmured. "Our first Gym battle."
Roty buzzed approvingly. "Btzzz, btzz, objective: Victory!"
Niyah grinned. "Exactly."
As she stepped through the enormous entryway, the scent of grass and soil surrounded her clean, earthy, and full of life. Inside, the Gym arena was like a living garden: thick ivy curling up the walls, sunlight streaming through glass panels, and patches of wildflowers swaying in the breeze created by hidden vents.
Milo stood in the center, tall and broad-shouldered, his orange hair as bright as spring leaves beneath his straw hat. His smile was warm, but when his eyes met Niyah's, it faltered for a split second.
That face… and that confident grin…
He squinted, memories flashing, the night a ghostly light had danced across his fields, scaring Wooloo and turning his prized scarecrow pink. He'd only caught a glimpse of a young figure giggling as they vanished into the dark.
No way, he thought, shaking his head. Too young. Too sweet-looking.
But then Niyah waved cheerfully. "Hi! I'm Niyah! I'm here for my Gym Challenge!"
Her smile was bright enough to outshine any suspicion. Milo blinked, smiling back despite himself. "Well, ain't that somethin'. You sure look confident, young'un. Guess you're rarin' to go?"
"Always," she said, winking. "Wouldn't be any fun otherwise."
Still, when she stepped into the battle arena, a small voice at the back of his mind whispered that something about her felt familiar.
Then, the referee signaled the start. "Gym Leader Milo versus Challenger Niyah! The battle will begin after completion of the Gym Mission!"
Niyah gave a mock salute. "Mission accepted."
—
In the waiting area, Milo leaned against the railing, watching her go.
"She's got the same energy," he muttered under his breath. "The same little bounce in her step as that prankster."
When Niyah released Mimikyu briefly to stretch before heading out, Milo's stomach dropped. That floppy Pikachu disguise. That ghostly aura.
...No way.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Can't be. The prankster had a ghostly glow, sure, but…" He chuckled softly. "Nah. Just nerves playin' tricks."
But when Mimikyu turned to look up at him, eyes glowing faintly beneath its cloth, a chill crawled up his spine.
When Niyah sent out her second Pokémon, a Litwick whose eerie blue flame flickered like a memory, Milo's suspicion would harden into certainty.
For now, though, the Gym Mission awaited and the mischief that came with it.
—
The sunlight pouring through the transparent dome of Turrfield Stadium painted the grass in brilliant shades of emerald and gold. Rows of spectators filled the stands, waving banners and cheering as the announcer's booming voice echoed through the speakers.
Accouncer:
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it's time for the Gym Challenge of Turrfield's own Grass-type master, the mighty Milo!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as Milo raised a hand in greeting. Niyah stood across the field in her challenger's uniform. A crisp white jersey with lavender and pink accents, her name and number (214) across the back and a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.
Roty floated beside her, recording every moment. "Btzz, btzz, recording in HD. Don't embarrass yourself, Niyah."
She smirked. "Please. When have I ever embarrassed myself?"
"Btzz, btzz… would you like a list?"
Before Roty could continue, the floor of the arena shifted, and an entire pasture-like field rose up, dotted with wooden pens and open gates. Wooloo grazed peacefully inside, their soft bleats echoing through the massive stadium.
Accouncer:
"Now, for the first challenge, our brave Trainer must herd twenty Wooloo into three separate pens before time runs out! But beware! Yampers will appear to startle the Wooloo and send them scattering!"
"Sounds easy enough," Niyah muttered and then smirked. "If you don't mind psychic a little."
"Btzz, warning, that violates fair play…"
"Personal abilities aren't cheating," she whispered, stretching her fingers. "They're… creative problem-solving."
The whistle blew.
Immediately, the Wooloo began to scatter, soft and round like bouncing clouds. Niyah started jogging, waving her arms as she guided a small group toward the first pen. The crowd cheered, assuming she was doing it the normal way.
But in reality, invisible tendrils of psychic energy brushed the edges of the Wooloo's thoughts, nudging them gently. 'This way… nice and easy… there's food over here.'
One Wooloo bleated, eyes hazy, and rolled straight into the pen followed quickly by the others.
"First pen, complete!" Niyah called, flashing a peace sign to the crowd. The announcer cheered, and even Milo, watching from the far end, tilted his head curiously.
"Fast work," he murmured. "Much faster than most challengers."
The next set was trickier. A playful Yamper bounded onto the field, barking happily, its sparks of electricity startling the Wooloo. They scattered in every direction.
The crowd gasped, thinking Niyah was in trouble.
But she simply smiled. 'You wanna play, huh?'
Her eyes glowed faintly pink. The Wooloo that had been startled suddenly stopped mid-roll then all rolled back the opposite direction, forming a perfect fluffy line that went right into the next pen.
The crowd went wild. "She's incredible!" shouted someone in the stands.
Milo, however, frowned. "That's not normal reaction speed…"
The third round was the hardest. There Yampers this time, dashing around the field, sparks flying. Niyah pretended to chase after the Wooloo while discreetly using telekinesis to lift two of them over the fence, dropping them neatly into the pen.
The final Wooloo was cornered by a Yamper, trembling until Niyah knelt, focused, and gently projected calmness into its mind. The Wooloo blinked, bleated softly, and waddled right past the Yamper into the pen.
Announcer:
"All Wooloo safely herded! The challenger clears the mission in record time, under eight minutes!"
The crowd thundered in applause, stomping and cheering her name.
Niyah brushed a speck of dirt from her sleeve, looking utterly unbothered. "Told you, Roty. Easy-peasy."
"Btzz, btzz, statistically improbable. I suspect psychic interference."
She winked. "No proof, no crime."
Milo chuckled softly, arms crossed as he met her gaze from across the field. There's something about that kid… mischievous, but clever. Like the prankster from before.
He smiled faintly. "Guess we'll see what she's really made of in the battle."
—
The roar of the crowd shook the air as the gates to the main arena opened. The grassy battlefield stretched beneath the massive dome, the turf glistening with dew under the bright stadium lights. Banners rippled in the air "Turrfield Gym Challenge!" while the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.
Announcer:
"After a stunning performance in the Gym Mission, Challenger Niyah from Postwick will now face the Grass-type Specialist, Gym Leader Milo!"
Niyah stepped onto the field, her uniform pristine, her hair tied up neatly in her signature heart Afro-puffs. Her purple eyes gleamed with excitement and that faint spark of mischief that never quite left her. Roty hovered behind her, glowing faintly.
"Btzz, btzz, heart rate elevated. Confidence level: absurd."
Niyah smirked. "That's how I like it."
Across the field, Milo adjusted his gloves and waved to the crowd before meeting Niyah's gaze. He was built like a farmer, broad-shouldered, with a kind smile but his eyes held a glint of suspicion. Something about this girl tugged at his memory. The small stature, the grin, the faint flicker of purple energy that occasionally shimmered around her. He had seen that glow before…
He pushed the thought aside and smiled warmly. "You did well with the Wooloo, little challenger. I hope you'll give me a good battle!"
Niyah grinned. "I'll give you a great one."
Announcer:
"Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
"Gossifleur, bloom strong!" Milo shouted, tossing his Poké Ball high. It burst in a swirl of petals, revealing the small, bright flower Pokémon spinning gracefully as it landed on the grass.
Niyah tilted her head, unimpressed but curious. "Cute. Alright Mimi, let's give them a show!"
Her Luxury Ball popped open, and Mimikyu floated out in a flicker of ghostly mist, the crowd gasping at the eerie doll-like Pokémon. Its ragged Pikachu disguise fluttered in the breeze as it tilted its head unnaturally.
Announcer:
"Challenger Niyah starts strong with Mimikyu, a rare Ghost/Fairy-type! Let the battle begin!"
Milo's easy smile turned serious. "Gossifleur, start us off with Leafage!"
Green leaves shot through the air like razors, slicing toward Mimikyu.
"Double Team!" Niyah commanded.
In a blink, five copies of Mimikyu shimmered into existence, scattering in a swirl of ghostly static. The leaves tore through illusions, shredding them apart but none hit the real one.
Milo blinked. "Fast."
"Now, Shadow Sneak!" Niyah's eyes gleamed.
Mimikyu melted into her own shadow and reappeared behind Gossifleur, slamming herits tiny claw into the back of the Grass-type. The impact sent Gossifleur spinning, its petals scattering. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Good hit!" shouted someone in the stands.
Milo steadied himself. "Don't lose rhythm! Rapid Spin!"
Gossifleur twirled rapidly, forming a whirling barrier of petals that flew right through Mimikyu. It landed on its feet, dazed but huntsmen.
Niyah smirked. "You're gonna have to do better than that, Mimi's a ghost-type! Thunder Wave!"
Sparks danced from Mimikyu's body, rippling across the field. They struck Gossifleur, whose movements faltered as electricity coursed through its stem.
"Paralyzed already?" Milo murmured. "Not bad, kid."
He smiled faintly, admiration mixing with curiosity. "Magical Leaf!"
The air shimmered with floating leaves that curved unnaturally, following Mimikyu's movements to home in from every angle. Finally breaking through the disguise, leaving Mimikyu's cloth head slumped over.
Niyah's grin widened. "A move that can miss… Alright, let's see if you can hit this, Astonish!"
Mimikyu phased through one volley and reappeared right in front of Gossifleur, slamming down a ghostly strike that released a haunting echo through the stadium. The sudden sound wave made several nearby spectators jump and caused Gossifleur to flinch, unable to counterattack.
"Nice," Niyah muttered. "Keep the pressure on with Draining Kiss!"
Mimikyu's disguise tilted as her cloth twisted upward like a grin. She floated forward, energy swirling at its "mouth," and launched a burst of pink energy that wrapped around Gossifleur. The life force drained from the Grass-type and flowed back into Mimikyu, healing the minor damage she had taken earlier.
The crowd gasped at the elegant combination, a ghostly charm paired with unnerving efficiency.
Announcer:
"A devastating Draining Kiss from Mimikyu! Challenger Niyah's strategy blends sneaky offense and speedy recovery. A risky but effective combo!"
Milo crossed his arms, impressed but still uneasy. "That Mimikyu… the way it moves… I swear I've seen it before."
Gossifleur wobbled, petals trembling. "Alright," Milo said softly. "Let's go all out, Round!"
Gossifleur inhaled, then released a melodic wave of sound that echoed beautifully across the stadium. Mimikyu flinched slightly from the noise, the sound causing her costume to shake.
Niyah clicked her tongue. "Hang in there Mimi, use Wood Hammer!"
The crowd gasped. A Ghost/Fairy Pokémon using a Grass-type move? Unusual.
Mimikyu's tiny body surged with green energy, woodlike vines forming around her tail. She charged forward, floating high and slammed down with a brutal hit. Not very effect but the hard enough to make Gossifleur let out a soft cry and collapsed into the grass, fainted.
Announcer:
"And Gossifleur is unable to battle! Challenger Niyah takes the first victory!"
The stands erupted in cheers, fans waving flags and chanting Niyah's name.
Mimikyu twirled happily, her disguise swaying as Niyah smiled proudly. "Good job, Mimi. You were terrifyingly beautiful out there."
"Btzz, btzz—battle efficiency 92%. Flamboyance 110%."
Niyah grinned. "Perfect score then."
Across the field, Milo knelt to pat his fainted Pokémon gently before returning it to its ball. "You fought well, Gossifleur. Rest easy." Then he looked back at Niyah, this time with the calm seriousness of a seasoned Trainer.
"She's strong," he admitted quietly. "But she's also hiding something. No one that young commands Ghost-types like that without something… unusual."
He stood tall again, smile returning. "That was a great first round, Niyah! But don't think it'll be that easy for the next one!"
Niyah tilted her head, playful grin returning. "Wouldn't dream of it."
To everyone's surprise, she raised Mimikyu's Luxury Ball. "Alright Mimi, take a breather."
The little ghost turned her disguise toward her trainer. giving a happy nod, before dissolving into red light and vanishing into her Poké Ball.
Announcer:
"Oh, what's this? Challenger Niyah is recalling Mimikyu despite it barely taking any damage! What kind of strategy could she be planning?"
The crowd erupted in murmurs and speculation, whispers rippling through the stands:
"Why would she pull it out now?"
"Maybe she's saving it for a surprise!"
"She must have something up her sleeve, look at that smirk!"
Up in the commentator's booth, even the announcer's tone carried a spark of intrigue.
Announcer:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this young challenger may be new, but she's full of surprises! What could she have in mind?"
Across the field, Milo blinked, momentarily thrown off. He'd expected her to keep the Mimikyu out as the Pokémon was nearly untouched, confident, and eerily effective. But this girl… she didn't seem to follow the usual Trainer logic.
He chuckled softly to himself. "Heh… keeping me guessing, huh?"
Then, raising his next Poké Ball, he called out, "Eldegoss, it's your turn!"
A brilliant flash filled the stadium as the evolved form of Gossifleur appeared, floating gracefully above the field like a drifting puff of dandelion cotton. The crowd cheered at the sight of the gym leader's ace.
But even as Milo prepared himself, his instincts whispered caution.
He had seen that grin before, back during that bizarre prank a few days ago. The same flicker of ghostly energy in the air. No… can't be. She's too young for that kind of trickery.
Still, his hand hovered over his Dynamax Band, the massive green crystal embedded in it pulsing faintly. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation.
But Milo didn't activate it. Not yet.
Instead, he looked across the field at Niyah, who had yet to call out her next Pokémon. She stood with one hand on her hip, head slightly cocked, eyes gleaming mischievously.
He smiled. "I'll wait. Let's see what you've got hidden next, little one."
The two Trainers stared each other down. a silent challenge passing between them. The atmosphere thickened even the crowd seemed to sense the shift, falling into a tense hush.
Then, in one smooth motion, Niyah plucked another Luxury Ball from her belt, the faint red light reflecting off her determined grin.
"Lumos give them a show they won't forget."
She tossed it high into the air.
A burst of blue flame and purple mist erupted across the grass as Litwick materialized, hovering calmly with his blue flame flickering brighter than ever.
Milo's eyes widened the moment he saw the ghostly candle, recognition strucking like lightning.
"That glow…" he muttered under his breath. It's her. The prankster from before.
He hid his realization behind a smile, adjusting his cap as the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium again:
Announcer:
"And Niyah's second Pokémon is revealed — a Litwick, a ghost/fire type! A smart choice against a Grass-type Gym Leader! This battle's about to heat up!"
Milo chuckled, voice steady but tinged with curiosity. "Alright then, Litwick. Let's see what you and your trainer can do."
He lifted his wrist. The Dynamax Band shimmered, reacting to his energy but still, he waited, eyes fixed on Niyah.
Across the field, Niyah lifted her own arm slowly, a confident smirk spreading across her face.
Her unregistered Dynamax Band gleamed faintly, the violet energy within swirling like a secret storm.
The crowd could feel it, that crackle in the air, the electric thrill of an oncoming clash. Two Trainers. Two Dreams. And only one was about to set the field ablaze.
The crowd roared as the tiny candle Pokémon hovered into place, its blue flame flickering brighter in the stadium lights. The contrast was almost absurd, a ghostly candle facing off against a cotton blossom. But Niyah stood with the swagger of someone who knew how to turn absurdity into victory.
Milo smiled warmly, though his eyes were sharp. "Alright then, let's make this one a good show, yeah?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Niyah called back, her voice carrying a grin.
Announcer:
"The battle between Gym Leader Milo's Eldegoss and Challenger Niyah's Litwick is about to begin!"
The crowd hushed as the referee dropped his arm.
"Battle begin!"
Milo took the first move.
"Eldegoss, start with Sweet Scent!"
The cotton puff Pokémon spun gracefully, releasing a shimmering pink pollen that filled the air with a floral fragrance. It drifted toward Litwick like glittering fog, meant to lower its evasiveness.
But Niyah smirked. "Lumos, Smokescreen!"
The candle puffed out a cloud of black smoke, thick and sooty, that swallowed the field and blocked the pollen entirely. The two clouds mixed, pink and gray, before dissipating into a murky haze. The crowd leaned forward, watching the two Pokémon vanish in the swirl.
When the mist cleared, Litwick's flicker burned defiantly through the haze.
Milo blinked, impressed. "Not bad. Countering scent with smoke, huh? You've got some brains under that cap."
Niyah gave a cheeky salute. "I try."
"Alright, Eldegoss, use Magical Leaf!"
Bright green blades of energy spun into the air, swirling like a storm of paper fans. They homed in on Litwick, fast and precise.
"Block it with Will-O-Wisp!" Niyah shouted.
Litwick twirled midair, summoning ghostly blue flames that shot forward in spiraling bursts. The Magical Leaves sliced through some of them but the rest collided midair, detonating in small bursts of green and blue.
One leaf grazed Litwick's flame, barely, but it was enough to make him wobble in the air slightly. Niyah's brow furrowed. "Don't faulter, stay levitating!"
The candle steadied itself, flame pulsing defiantly brighter. The crowd erupted again, half in awe, half in disbelief.
Milo grinned. "You've trained that one well, I'll give ya that."
"Wait 'til you see the next part," Niyah said, voice low and playful. "Lumos, Acid Armor!"
Litwick's body shimmered with liquid distortion, like heat haze. His waxy form rippled and melted, reforming in a thicker, reinforced shell. Milo could feel the energy spike from across the field.
"Defensive maneuver, huh?" Milo said. "Good choice. But let's see how long that lasts. Eldegoss, Rapid Spin!"
Eldegoss spun rapidly, scattering bits of fluff around it that slashed through the grass and sent dust swirling. But as the momentum hit its peak, Milo's expression turned to slight confusion as the move made contact, but… nothing happened.
Litwick's small form drifted back, untouched.
Milo frowned. "Right… Normal-type attack. It won't hit a Ghost-type."
Niyah winked. "Guess that one slipped your mind!"
He laughed softly. "It's been a while since I faced a challenger with a Ghost type this early on."
Announcer:
"Looks like Milo's attempt at offense has no effect, Litwick's typing giving it a major advantage here!"
Milo straightened, brushing his hands against his knees. "Alright, let's get serious then! Eldegoss, Razor Leaf!"
The grass around the field shimmered as sharp-edged leaves burst forth, cutting through the air in a storm.
"Let's counter with Confuse Ray!" Niyah snapped.
A spiraling beam of eerie light lanced from Litwick's flame, catching Eldegoss square in its spinning core. The cotton Pokémon shuddered mid-spin, eyes spiraling, and its Razor Leaf storm went wild, slicing harmlessly into the dirt, some even brushing against its own fluff.
Milo gasped. "Whoa there! Easy, girl!"
But the confusion was already taking hold. Eldegoss floated erratically, bumping into one of the arena walls, still trying to follow commands it couldn't process.
Niyah chuckled, hand on her hip. "Perfect. Lumos, Fire Spin!"
Litwick's flame blazed, unleashing a whirl of blue and purple fire that spiraled around the battlefield like a miniature inferno. The crowd gasped as the vortex of heat trapped Eldegoss within its circle.
Milo shielded his eyes, grinning. "She's cornering me with momentum tricks and field control? Not bad at all…"
Announcer:
"Eldegoss is trapped in Fire Spin! The challenger's Litwick is applying steady pressure! What clever use of Ghost-type unpredictability!"
Milo clenched his fist. "Alright, then… you've earned this much." He raised his wrist. The massive green crystal on his Dynamax Band erupted with energy. "Eldegoss, let's grow!"
The entire stadium pulsed crimson as Eldegoss glowed and expanded, towering stories high. Its cotton fluff billowed outward like a storm cloud, its eyes burning emerald. The crowd roared, chanting Milo's name.
Niyah smirked, eyes gleaming. "You think you're the only one who can do that?"
She lifted her own Dynamax Band. Though unregistered, it pulsed with strange violet light, the aura unstable but powerful.
"Lumos, time to burn this field to the ground!"
The tiny candle flashed red, energy swirling around him like a tornado. His flame expanded into a roaring tower of spectral fire until the creature stood as tall as Eldegoss, a colossal ghost-flame titan with molten wax dripping in glowing rivulets.
Announcer:
"And Challenger Niyah has Dynamaxed her Litwick! We've got ourselves a full-on Dynamax showdown!"
"Eldegoss, Max Overgrowth!" Milo shouted, thrusting his arm forward.
Vines the size of trees erupted from the ground, glowing green and snaking toward Litwick.
"Block it with Max Flare!" Niyah countered.
Litwick roared, hurling a ball of searing ghostly flame that collided with the vines midair. The explosion thundered across the stadium, shaking the stands and filling the arena with red and green firelight.
The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps. Milo's hat nearly flew off from the shockwave.
"Not bad, lass!" he called. "Let's see how you handle this one, Max Strike!"
Eldegoss charged, its enormous cotton fluff glowing as it slammed a gust of compressed air toward Litwick.
Niyah's eyes narrowed, the attack itself wouldn't do damage but the blowout could cause problems. "Defend with Max Guard!"
A shimmering shield of purple energy surrounded Litwick just in time. The attack struck and scattered harmlessly into sparks. The defensive wall rippled, then dissolved, leaving the candle unscathed.
Announcer:
"Incredible! Niyah's Litwick used Max Guard to completely nullify Milo's assault!"
The girl's grin widened. "And now for the finisher. Light it up Lumos, Max Flare, one more time!"
Litwick's massive flame pulsed with spectral fire. He charged the orb in its wick and hurled it skyward, fireball ascending like a miniature sun before crashing down in a pillar of molten light.
The explosion enveloped Eldegoss. For a moment, the world was nothing but heat and brilliance.
Then, as the smoke cleared, Eldegoss stood trembling, the flames dying out around it. Its cotton now singed, eyes half-lidded.
Milo grit his teeth. "Hold, girl… just hold.."
But the Fire Spin still burned around her, feeding off the sunlight left by Max Flare. The combination was too much.
Eldegoss wavered, let out a soft sigh… and toppled backward.
The referee raised his flag.
"Eldegoss is unable to battle! The winner is Litwick and Challenger Niyah!"
Announcer:
"And there it is, folks! The mysterious young challenger has defeated Gym Leader Milo in an astonishing display of skill, strategy, and spirit!"
The Dynamax energy faded, returning both Pokémon to normal. Litwick, exhausted but proud, floated toward Niyah and landed on her shoulder, flickering contentedly.
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Milo chuckled, returning Eldegoss with a fond smile.
"You've got some fire in ya, girl," he said as he crossed the field. "And some tricks I haven't seen in a long time."
Niyah grinned, scratching Litwick's head affectionately. "Guess we like to keep people guessing."
He handed her the gleaming green badge, shaped like a leaf. "Take it. You earned this fair and square."
Then he slipped a small disk into her palm. "And this too, TM10, Magical Leaf. A gift for a trainer who likes precision as much as chaos."
Niyah's eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Milo. That was fun!"
He smiled, though his tone softened. "Fun, yeah. But I'd say your kind of fun's got me wondering. Maybe we can talk about those pranks, eh?"
She froze just for a second then offered an exaggerated shrug and laugh. "Me? Pranks? Never heard of 'em."
Milo chuckled knowingly. "Uh-huh."
[System Notification: Quest Completed]
Objective: Defeat Your First Gym Battle
Reward: Box Full of Max Friendship PokéPuffs + Rotom Dex Upgrade — Infinite PC Storage
Roty buzzed gleefully as the screen lit up. 'Bzzt, bzzt, Upgrade received! Infinite storage achieved!'
Niyah held up the badge, the crowd still cheering in the background. Her grin widened, eyes shining with determination.
"One badge down," she said quietly, turning toward the exit. "And a whole region to go."
As she stepped out of the stadium tunnel, her voice echoed faintly, "Hope the next gym's ready for a little mischief."
—
Much, much later…
The Turrfield Stadium had mostly emptied out, leaving only the faint hum of the air vents and the scent of scorched grass lingering in the air. Milo stood at the edge of the field, cap in his hands, eyes fixed on the faint scorch marks where Litwick's Max Flare had hit.
He let out a low whistle. "She's somethin' else," he murmured.
A soft beep came from his wrist communicator. He tapped the side, and Leon's voice came through warm, but edged with curiosity:
"Heard you had a tough challenger today, Milo."
Milo chuckled. "You could say that. Girl couldn't be more than twelve. Niyah is what her name was. Came outta nowhere, but the way she handled that Litwick…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "Wasn't like any rookie I've seen."
Leon's voice lowered slightly. "Mimikyu and Litwick, huh? Ghost-types. That's unusual for a beginner. How'd she handle the Dynamax?"
"Perfectly," Milo replied, slipping his cap back on. "Almost too perfectly. Her timing, her confidence, even the way she read the field. Felt like she'd done it all before."
There was a pause:
"Alright," Leon said finally. "Keep her name on record. I'll mention it to Sonia and the League Committee. No need to spook her, but… if she's that talented this early, I'd like to know where she came from."
Milo's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Aye. I've got a feelin' this one's gonna make waves, Leon. Big ones."
The line clicked off, and Milo turned toward the empty stands, hands resting on his hips. The soft breeze from the open roof stirred his hair as he murmured to himself. "Guess we'll see just what kind of storm you are, little candle."