Chapter 72: Stepping onto the Stage

Vermilion City Hospital, Private Ward.

"And then what happened?" Shirley demanded eagerly, leaning forward on the hospital bed, completely recovered. She took another large bite of the peeled apple Xiu held out. Despite wearing a standard patient gown, her eyes sparkled with energy and excitement, showing no ill effects from her dramatic 'fall' the previous day.

Xiu sighed dramatically, pretending to be weary of retelling the story. "How many times do I have to go over this? Are you sure you didn't actually hit your head?"

"You hit your head!" Shirley retorted playfully, kicking lightly under the covers. She settled back against the pillows, crossing her legs, adopting the posture of someone settling in for a favorite story. "Come on, tell me again! Especially the part where Yuto yelled at her!" Her tone was practically coquettish in its demand.

"Alright, alright," Xiu relented with a chuckle, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "So, after you 'fainted'…"

"No, skip that part. Tell me about Chanel," Shirley insisted.

"Okay, okay," Xiu obliged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "So, Director Bao Ba arrived – very quickly, I might add – assessed the situation, and had Alakazam teleport you straight here. Your brother and I arrived shortly after. While you were still 'unconscious', Chanel's parents showed up, probably alerted by her frantic call. And Yuto… oh, Yuto let her have it. Right there in the waiting room, in front of her parents. Listed every grievance, every manipulative trick, every lie she'd ever told him about you. Chanel just stood there, couldn't say a word, probably terrified…"

"Serves her right!" Shirley exclaimed gleefully, punching the air weakly. "Bullying me all the time! I wish I could have seen her face!" She radiated pure, unadulterated schadenfreude.

Xiu watched her gloat, letting her savor the moment, his own expression calm and unreadable. After she finished her triumphant commentary, his smile faded slightly, his tone becoming serious again. "Speaking of Chanel… you're scheduled to be discharged tomorrow morning. And then," he paused for effect, "you're going straight to the Pokémon Center. You're battling her."

Shirley's triumphant expression vanished instantly, replaced by stunned disbelief. She stared at Xiu, mouth slightly agape. "Battle her? Tomorrow? Already? But… why so fast?"

"Momentum," Xiu stated simply, offering no room for argument. "Right now, she's the one off balance. Guilty, maybe even scared after Yuto's outburst and your 'injury'. Her confidence is shaken. This is our best opportunity. Hesitate, wait too long, and she'll recover her composure, maybe even train harder out of spite. At your current pace, Shirley," he added bluntly, "if you wait, you'll never catch up. This is likely your only real chance."

Shirley fell silent, processing his cold logic. It made sense, but the thought of facing Chanel in a real battle so soon… it was terrifying. She looked at Xiu, her eyes wide with apprehension. "You'll… you'll help me, right? Like you promised?"

"Yes," Xiu met her gaze, nodding firmly. "I will."

— — —

The next day. Weekend battles at the Vermilion City Pokémon Center Arena.

"There she is," Xiu murmured, subtly indicating a figure sitting in the crowded spectator stands. Shirley followed his gaze. Chanel sat surrounded by her usual clique, though today she looked less confident, slightly subdued, occasionally casting nervous glances around the arena.

Seeing her rival, Shirley immediately felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. Her hands felt clammy, her breathing shallow.

"Easy," Xiu whispered beside her, sensing her nervousness. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

"I'm not afraid…" Shirley mumbled unconvincingly, forcing a shaky smile. "Are… are we really not telling Grandpa or Yuto about this?"

"And have them interfere?" Xiu countered quietly, arching an eyebrow. "Yuto would try to stop you, 'protect' you. Grandpa might try to smooth things over with Chanel's family. No. This needs to be your victory, achieved on your terms. Trust the plan."

Shirley took a deep breath, accepting his logic, though her nervousness remained.

"She's getting up," Xiu noted calmly. Chanel had just stood, apparently intending to take her turn on one of the battlefields below.

"Now," Xiu instructed quietly. "Go." He gave Shirley a gentle but firm nudge forward.

Shirley stumbled slightly, startled by the sudden push. She looked back at Xiu, eyes wide with panic. He just offered her an encouraging nod, his gaze steady, then gestured towards the battlefield below.

Shirley looked back towards the arena floor. As if sensing her presence, Chanel paused on her way down, looking directly up at her, a flicker of surprise and perhaps apprehension crossing her face.

"If you hesitate now, she'll think you're scared," Xiu's voice seemed to echo in Shirley's mind, though he hadn't spoken aloud. Go.

That thought, the fear of being seen as cowardly by Chanel, galvanized Shirley more than any encouragement could have. Her expression hardened, chin held high— walking determinedly down the steps towards the battlefield.

Chanel watched her approach, saying nothing, but her usual air of superiority was gone, replaced by a wary uncertainty. As Shirley reached the arena floor, Chanel finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?"

Shirley, drawing strength from Xiu's earlier coaching and her own simmering resentment, met Chanel's gaze directly. Her carefree personality, usually suppressed, surfaced, fueled by adrenaline. "Isn't it obvious?" she replied coolly, injecting a note of sarcasm she'd practiced. "I'm here to battle." She tilted her head slightly, mimicking Chanel's own condescending mannerisms. "Why? Scared?"

Being challenged so directly, so confidently, by the girl she'd always dominated… it was more than Chanel's pride could bear. Her carefully constructed composure cracked. Any lingering guilt or fear from the previous day vanished, replaced by familiar arrogance and anger. "You?" she sneered, her eyes flashing viciously. "You provoked me, Shirley. Don't regret this." Without waiting for a reply, she spun around and strode onto the designated trainer's platform.

Shirley glanced back up towards the stands where Xiu had been sitting, seeking reassurance. Seeing him offer another confident nod, she took a deep breath and walked onto the platform opposite Chanel.

The Trainer who had been scheduled to battle Chanel just stood aside, looking bewildered by the sudden change, wisely choosing not to interfere. The supervising teacher nearby also noted the unscheduled matchup but, recognizing both girls and likely wanting to avoid involvement in whatever rivalry was playing out, simply signaled the referee to proceed.

"Alright, Trainers, release your Pokémon!" the referee called out.

"Go, Eevee!" Chanel commanded, tossing her Poké Ball. Her Eevee appeared, looking sharp and ready.

"Vulpix, I choose you!" Shirley responded, throwing her own ball, trying to mimic Chanel's confident tone. Vulpix materialized, looking slightly nervous but determined.

"Trainers and Pokémon are ready." The referee raised both flags. "Red corner, Vulpix! Blue corner, Eevee! Prepare for battle!" He held the flags high. "Ready…"

Shirley instinctively glanced back towards the stands again, looking for Xiu's reassuring presence.

He was gone.

His seat was empty. She scanned the surrounding sections quickly. No sign of him.

Panic seized her. 'He left? He abandoned me?' Her mind went blank. The carefully rehearsed strategies, the newfound confidence… it all evaporated, leaving only cold, paralyzing fear.

"Begin!" The referee's flags slashed downwards.

The command barely registered. Shirley stood frozen, unable to think, unable to react.

Chanel, however, didn't hesitate. Seeing Shirley's obvious panic, a cruel smirk touched her lips. "Eevee, Quick Attack! Now!" she commanded instantly.

Eevee launched itself across the field like a brown arrow, aiming straight for the stunned Vulpix.

Shirley watched it approach, her mind still reeling from Xiu's disappearance. She opened her mouth to shout a command, any command, but remembered Xiu's final instruction from their secret training session earlier: "Trust Vulpix. Don't interfere unless I signal you." The words echoed in her mind, confusing her further. She clamped her mouth shut, suppressing the urge to intervene, forcing herself to just watch, eyes wide with terror, as the Eevee bore down on her seemingly helpless Pokémon.