Pokémon: From Pirate to Just

Sieg looked around the audience stands, his gaze casually sweeping the crowd, when he suddenly caught sight of a familiar face. It was that delinquent teen who had been seated next to him in the stands during the Intermediate match earlier.

His red hair was far too conspicuous, especially with that striking Mohawk, it made him stand out like a sore thumb amidst the sea of spectators.

Right now, that delinquent was watching Sieg with a half-smirk playing on his lips, an expression both mocking and amused. Their eyes met, and something stirred deep within Sieg.

Wildness and recklessness.

"How interesting, a battle between Dark-types?"

The red-haired teen tossed his Poké Ball up, then caught it again with ease, repeating the motion with practiced nonchalance.

He watched Sieg with growing interest, especially after seeing how he had been conversing earlier. That alone sparked a flicker of curiosity within him, even a desire to offer a few pointers.

"And now, will Lycandark, riding a wave of three consecutive victories, defend his place for a glorious fourth win? Or will this mysterious dark horse pull off an upset and seize the arena? Let's find out!"

The announcer's face was flushed red as he shouted into the mic, his exaggerated tone whipping the crowd into a frenzy and pushing their anticipation to its peak.

Sieg and his opponent rose at the same time, ascending the stone steps to face each other across the arena, their gazes locked in silent battle.

"This match is a one-on-one Pokémon battle. Level cap is set at 20. The match ends when a Pokémon loses the ability to battle or if its Trainer surrenders."

At the referee's signal, Sieg hurled a Poké Ball into the air.

A flash of white light burst forth.

Murkrow emerged, wings spread wide as it circled overhead with a piercing cry.

Among the team Sieg possessed, only Eevee and Murkrow could compete on this entry-level stage. Crawdaunt and Sharpedo had already surpassed the level cap.

But Sieg feared Eevee might not handle the pressure well, especially in an arena like this, packed with thousands of shouting spectators. So, he went with Murkrow.

Predictably, the opponent sent out a Mightyena, a well-known and commonly seen Dark-type.

From Sieg's current perspective, that Mightyena was average at best. Other than its razor-sharp fangs, nothing about it stood out.

"Awooooo-!"

The moment it entered, the Mightyena let out a fierce howl, its body exuding a feral aura.

Intimidate!

Sieg's mind moved swiftly.

Unfortunately for the opponent, the effect was wasted on a species as vicious, deceitful, and bloodthirsty as Murkrow.

After surviving the life-or-death trial in Verdant Cavern, Murkrow's willpower had already been forged into steel.

A subtle grin tugged at the corner of Sieg's mouth beneath his mask as he commanded, "Murkrow, set up Tailwind."

Although it was Murkrow's first time battling in front of such a massive crowd, upon hearing its Trainer's voice, it immediately responded.

A breeze rose around its body. One gust wove into its wings, and Murkrow's speed surged dramatically.

Seeing that his go-to tactic had failed, the opposing Trainer began to feel uneasy.

After all, he had put a lot of effort into training his Mightyena's Intimidate to gain an early advantage.

His three-win streak had relied heavily on that very trait.

"Mightyena, use Screech!"

Seeing Murkrow's speed become faster and faster, Lycan quickly gave his next order.

Mightyena opened its bloodied jaws, sharp teeth still slick with the remnants of its last opponent. A guttural, grating howl erupted from its throat, sending waves of sound surging toward the airborne Murkrow.

"Murkrow, use Taunt."

Sieg didn't rush to attack. Instead, he opted for a disruptive move.

Thanks to Murkrow's Prankster ability, the moment Sieg gave the command, its already sinister face twisted into an expression that screamed Mock me if you dare.

Mightyena's status moves were sealed.

"Now, Screech!"

Murkrow let out a sudden shriek, not as deafening as Mightyena's, perhaps, but piercing enough to make the entire audience wince and cover their ears.

"Mightyena, don't back down! Use Screech again!"

Lycan was clearly starting to panic. Though his Mightyena hadn't taken much damage in the earlier three matches, it had definitely spent a lot of energy.

Now, the match was quickly slipping out of his control. Mightyena had no ranged moves, making it helpless against a flying Murkrow.

Its best moves, bite and fang-based attacks, couldn't reach, and its status-affecting moves were sealed.

Large beads of sweat began to form on the opponent's forehead. Clearly, he had no way out of this situation.

Then Sieg's next command took him by surprise, and even gave him a sliver of hope.

"Murkrow, fly up high, then dive in and hit with Wing Attack."

The command came out cold and flat from behind the mask.

So, he's planning to fight in close quarters?

Lycan's heart surged with excitement.

"Mightyena, charge in and use Crunch!"

Both Pokémon began powering up for the clash.

Murkrow soared into the air. Tailwind's breeze intensified, wrapping tighter around it as it reached peak momentum.

Then it dove.

A shadow streaked across the sky like a bullet.

Mightyena's eyes blazed with determination, Dark-type energy gathering between its fangs.

But before it could complete its charge, Murkrow was already upon it.

Its speed was far beyond anything Mightyena could have anticipated.

Mightyena's eyes widened in horror as Murkrow's wings sliced through the air, striking its body with terrifying precision. For a brief moment, it locked eyes with Murkrow, eyes yearning with a thirst for blood.

Pain exploded through its body before it could react.

Mightyena stumbled backward and crashed to the ground with a roar, the agony sending it into unconsciousness.

But Sieg didn't stop there.

"Again."

Cold. Ruthless. Without hesitation.

Murkrow turned in midair, swooped again, and slammed Mightyena with another Wing Attack.

That was Sieg's battle creed.

When the enemy showed weakness, you crush them relentlessly.

Mightyena lay motionless.

The arena, silent for a heartbeat, suddenly erupted with thunderous cheers.

Only this time, the cheers were for "Dusk."

The defeated Lycan slowly raised his hand, retrieving Mightyena back into its Poké Ball with a grim look on his face. Wordlessly, he left the stage.

This arena no longer belonged to him.

Just as he once beat others and bathed in their applause, now all of it belonged to someone else, to "Dusk."

Before stepping off completely, he glanced longingly at the prize pool. Regret filled his eyes.

If only he hadn't gotten greedy. If he'd chosen to retire after the third match, he could've walked away with 60,000 Pokédollars and a rare mystery item.

But people are always greedy. Once they get something, they want more.

"The match is over!"

"Let's give it up for Dusk, the new stage champion! The prize pool increases by 20,000 Pokédollars!"

"Will Dusk choose to continue? If he wins the next match, the prize pool will double to 40,000!"

The announcer stirred the crowd into another frenzy, eager to provoke Sieg into continuing the streak.

The crowd roared.

Twenty thousand Pokédollars might be pocket change for Sieg, but for the average person, those who didn't own Pokémon, didn't train, just lived their lives, that was months of salary.

Their greed and envy sparked to life.

"Keep fighting!"

"Win again!"

"Keep going!"

They chanted, pushing him toward the next match.

And once the prize pool reached an eye-popping number… they would eagerly watch him fall. Lose everything in one crushing defeat.

Because nothing was more entertaining than watching someone fall from grace.

The ugliness of human nature was on full display.