The cafeteria was chaos.

  Not the bad kind. The kind that buzzed with energy—trainers bragging, Pokémon weaving between tables, and the clatter of trays being loaded and unloaded. First-year Pokémon were finally allowed out, and it showed.

  “Teddy, slow down,” I muttered, watching him reach for my second roll before I could even sit. He gave me the wide-eyed, innocent look he used when trying to convince someone he hadn’t just stolen from them.

  “You just ate,” I added. “Twice.”

  He ignored me and started sniffing around Flavio’s plate instead.

  “Man’s got post-battle hunger,” Flavio said. “Respect.”

  Around us, students split into types just like Pokémon. Some strutted in with confidence—the winners. Others sulked at their tables—the losers. And then there were the ones who looked like they were chewing their food just to keep from throwing up—nervous first-timers.

  Flavio leaned back in his chair. “You can smell who’s had a battle and who hasn’t.”

  He wasn’t wrong.

  When I finished eating, I pulled up my Pokédex. Seventeen challengers this morning had become nineteen.

  Melody noticed. “Still rising?”

  “Apparently.”

  Flavio and Melody checked theirs too. Each of them had accepted a battle an hour from now—Melody against the boy with the Kantoan Vulpix, and Flavio against Max and his Machop.

  “What about you?” Flavio asked.

  “Lily—the girl with the Shinx. I want to see how Teddy handles Electric-types before battling Irene.”

  “That’s two,” said Melody, tilting her head. “How many more?”

  “At least five.”

  Flavio blinked. “Five?”

  I shrugged. “I’ve got points to risk, thanks to Jeremy.”

  I tapped Lily’s name and accepted the challenge. A message window opened. We scheduled the match for later that afternoon. Then I scrolled through the rest.

  Nineteen was too many to realistically battle. Most of them probably thought Teddy was still just a plush toy with attitude. That wouldn’t last.

  I opened the message window and fired off ten replies:

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Interested in battling, but I’m offering five-point wagers only. Let me know if you’re in.”

  “Smart,” Flavio said, watching me. “Filter the bluffers.”

  “If they’re serious, they’ll say yes,” I replied with a grin. “Let’s see who bites.”

  By the time we left the cafeteria, I’d locked in three more:

  Colton and his Kantoan Vulpix.

  Trish and her Lechonk.

  Yash and a Rookidee. That one made me pause—Flying-types were a blind spot for us.

  We’ll figure it out, I told myself.

  Melody nudged me as we left. “Teddy’s rested. You ready for round two?”

  Flavio grinned. “I’ll ref this time. Let’s see if our reigning champ can hold back.”

  We walked over to one of the open practice fields at the Battle Center. Most official arenas were booked, but students had started spilling into the free zones for casual matches.

  Teddy hopped onto the field with a yawn and a stretch. Meli followed close behind, her white fur almost glowing in the sunlight.

  Melody stepped into place across from me. “Don’t think we’re going easy just because it’s training.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Flavio raised his hand. “One-on-one practice battle between Gabriel and Melody. First to faint or surrender. Begin!”

  *

  “Meli, Ice Shard! Keep your distance!” Melody called out.

  “Teddy, dodge and close the gap—use Covet!”

  Meli’s tails flicked, launching small shimmering shards of ice across the field. Teddy dropped low, rolling beneath the first and weaving around the second, surprisingly agile for someone who’d just spent most of lunch mooching pastries.

  He sprang forward, grinning in that disarming, plush-toy way. Meli hesitated—just for a second. It was enough. Teddy’s paw slapped her with a friendly-looking, but definitely not friendly, hit that made her stagger back.

  “Disable!” Melody shouted.

  Meli’s eyes flashed blue. Teddy froze mid-movement, blinking like someone had turned off a switch inside him. He raised a paw, tried to mimic the move again—but nothing happened. His ears drooped in confusion.

  Covet was gone.

  “Good call,” I muttered.

  Melody didn’t let up. “Ice Shard, again!”

  Another pair of icy darts sailed across the field. One grazed Teddy’s shoulder, the other clipped his side, making him wince but stay upright.

  “Now—Moonblast!”

  I tensed. This was the first time I’d see it in action.

  Meli planted her paws. Her breath slowed. A soft pink glow gathered in front of her chest, like a star slowly blooming to life. It was beautiful—delicate, even—but slow.

  Teddy tilted his head, watching it form.

  “Play Rough!” I snapped.

  Teddy lunged forward, his entire body bursting with pink-white energy, brighter and faster than the slow glow Meli was building.

  “Meli, move—!”

  Too late.

  The aura wrapped around both Pokémon as Teddy collided with her, silhouettes flashing within the light like shadows in a storm. I could hear the impact—a scuffle of paws, the thump of a hit, the gasp of breath knocked out.

  Then, silence.

  When the glow faded, Teddy stood over a collapsed Meli, panting but steady.

  Flavio raised his hand. “Teddiursa wins!”

  Melody returned Meli with a sigh and a smirk.

  “You weren’t kidding. That Play Rough’s no joke.”

  “You caught us off guard with Disable,” I said. “You should train that up—it’s a real disrupter.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, but Moonblast’s not ready. It takes too long to charge.”

  “You’ve got the moves. Just need the timing.”

  We stayed on the field. No need to waste a good spot.

  Teddy helped Meli practice dodging. Koa flew overhead while Flavio called out commands. We took turns giving each other feedback—where attacks landed, what needed work, how to better chain moves together.

  For the first time, it really felt like a team—not just of trainers, but Pokémon too.

  Teddy, usually lazy, was showing Meli how to use Baby-Doll Eyes for maximum cuteness. Koa was practicing sharp turns midair to adjust Wing Attack angles.

  We were learning how to help each other grow.