There was no gauntlet or tests, and Ravina was grateful. Instead, the inner doors opened onto a long ascending passage. Not stairs exactly.

Platforms. Wooden walkways built around an open central shaft. Light poured in from high windows as wind moved freely through the structure.

Ravina stepped onto the first platform and immediately understood the design. The Gym wanted challengers to be aware of the sky.

Not looking at it through glass or safely beneath a low ceiling, just painfully aware of open space, height, wind, movement.

Owlbert liked it instantly. He left Ravina's shoulder and circled once above her.

Hoot.

“Yeah.’ Ravina looked over the railing at the several floors below. “…You like this more than I do.”

Cinder peered over for a moment, then stepped back. Ravina patted his shoulder. “Its all right, I'm here.”

Victor drifted outward over the drop. “Wonderful.”

“Of course you like it.”

“I cannot fall.”

“That feels like cheating.”

“Death has advantages.”

The route upward was a presentation, a gradual transition away from Violet's streets and into Falkner's domain. By the time Ravina reached the top, she could hear wings, large wings. \

Then she stepped into the arena.

- - - - -

Open sky filled half the room as the battle floor occupied a broad wooden platform surrounded by railings and tall open arches. Wind moved through hanging streamers overhead.

Perches lined the walls at different heights, some empty, some occupied by Flying-types observing quietly. Pidgey. Spearow. A Noctowl. She could hear something larger moved in the rafters.

And at the far side of the arena stood Falkner.

Ravina slowed, she'd seen photographs but that had not been the same thing as seeing her in person.

Falkner wore layered blue and white, formal without being impractical. The lines of her clothing echoed traditional robes, but everything about them had been adapted for movement.

Dark blue-black hair framed her face asymmetrically, her posture was straight and relaxed, not rigid. She looked like someone who had never needed to raise her voice to have a room listen.

A Pidgeotto rested on the rail beside her as Falkner looked at Ravina and her boys, one by one.

“Ravina Shales.” It wasn't a question, and said in a tone that made her pay attention.

“Yes.”

Falkner's gaze remained on her as Ravina realized she was standing straighter. Interesting, and annoying.

Falkner's eyes flicked once toward the adjustment, which Ravina noticed.More annoying.

“I heard Sprout Tower was eventful.”

Ravina glanced at Cinder. “You heard about Cinders evolution?”

“Violet is not large enough for a Quilava evolving halfway up its oldest landmark to remain private.” Cinder's ears lifted and Falkner looked at him. “Congratulations.”

Cinder gave a quiet trill.

“And the Hoothoot?”

“Owlbert.”

Falkner nodded toward him. “He suits the tower.”

Ravina smiled as Owlbert puffed slightly.

Victor floated into view and Falkner's attention moved to him. “And the Gastly?”

Victor bowed. “Victor.”

Falkner paused. “He talks.” Something faint touched Falkner's mouth. “Gastly capable of human speech aren't common.” Victor looked delighted. “But neither are they impossible.”

“Finally,” Victor said, “a woman of education.”

Ravina reached backward and pushed him gently toward the spectator line. “Barrier.”

“My exile begins.”

“Victor.”

He went as Falkner watched him retreat.

Then looked back at Ravina. “You've had an unusual visit to Violet City.”

“That is becoming difficult to argue.”

- - - - -

Falkner stepped onto the marked Leader's side of the arena and her demeanor changed.

But not by much, that was what made Ravina notice. Something settled, the relaxed amusement disappeared beneath professional focus.

“Before we begin.” 

Ravina stepped onto her own mark. “Yes?”

“When I give the start signal, you remain behind that line unless directed otherwise.”

“Understood.” 

Falkner paused, and Ravina noticed. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“That was something.”

Falkner's expression barely changed. “You answer quickly.”

Ravina felt the tips of her ears warm. She couldn't place it but there was something in the tone of her voice… “I'm trying to be respectful.”

“Keep trying.”

That… Ravina stared at her as Falkner turned toward the referee and Ravina's stomach did something profoundly unhelpful. Oh. No. 

No, absolutely not.

This was a Gym battle.

Cinder looked up at her and Ravina cleared her throat. “Fine.”

Victor's eyes narrowed from behind the barrier and Ravina pointed at him without looking.

“Not one word.”

Victor's grin became enormous.

- - - - -

The referee raised one hand.

“Official Violet Gym challenge. Leader Falkner versus challenger Ravina Shales.”

Wind tugged at Ravina's hair.

“One Pokémon at a time. Two each.”

Falkner lifted a Poké Ball as Ravina rested her hand against Cinder's neck.

“Not first, my Fireball.” Cinder looked toward Owlbert, then back at Ravina. 

“You'll get your turn.” He settled.

Ravina looked up. “Owlbert.”

Hoot.

“Let's go.”

He launched and Falkner released her first Pokémon.

White light resolved into a Pidgey, small, compact and alert.

It immediately took to the air and Owlbert climbed after it.

Ravina smiled, bird against bird. That felt right.

“Begin!”

“Pidgey, circle.” Falkner didn't shout, she didn't need to.

Pidgey moved in a broad arc around the arena as Owlbert's head followed.

Ravina waited. Falkner waited too.

The silence was strange, most of Ravina's battles had begun with motion. Joey, wade, silver, wild Pokémon. Something immediately happening.

Here, both trainers watched. 

Pidgey banked and Falkner spoke. “Gust.”

Wind snapped across the arena.

“Owlbert, rise!” Owlbert beat upward, but too late. The Gust caught his lower body and shoved him sideways and Ravina winced, but was thankful when he recovered before striking the rail.

Hoot!

“Good correction!”

Falkner's eyes moved toward Ravina. “Your command was late.”

Ravina looked at her but Falkner's attention was already back on the battle.

Ravina's ears warmed again. That hadn't even been praise. Why was this happening?

“Again,” Falkner said as Pidgey climbed and Ravina focused.

- - - - -

The first exchange taught her the problem. Falkner didn't attack where Owlbert was. She attacked where he was going.

Pidgey circled, changed altitude, used the open arena itself. 

Every Gust wasn't meant to hurt, some were meant to move Owlbert. Ravina realized that after the third one. “Hold.”

Owlbert stopped pursuing and Pidgey continued upward.

Falkner glanced at Ravina as watched the angle. Wind pushed through the western openings. The hanging streamers bent as Pidgey turned into it.

Ravina remembered Sprout Tower. Rhythm was useful, until you depended on it.

“Don't chase.” Owlbert waited.

Pidgey dove and Falkner's eyes narrowed.

“Quick Attack.” Pidgey accelerated, fast. Straight toward Owlbert.

Ravina didn't move. “Owly…”

Closer. “Hold.”

Closer, now Falkner watched her.

Ravina waited. “Now. Up!” Owlbert snapped vertically as Pidgey shot beneath him.

“Turn!” Owlbert pivoted in the air. “Peck!” He dropped and delivered clean contact. 

Pidgey hit the floor, rolled and recovered. Falkner's eyes shifted toward Ravina. “Good.”

One word in that commanding tone. Ravina hated how much she liked hearing it.

She knew Victor saw her face. And she refused to look back.

- - - - -

Pidgey was still fast.

But now Ravina understood what Falkner wanted. Control, position and patience, not simply stronger attacks, and Owlbert understood that naturally.

“Left.” He moved.

“Hold.” He stopped.

“Drop.” he immediately dived.

Falkner adjusted. “Sand Attack.” Pidgey kicked grit upward.

“Owly, close!” Owlbert shut his eyes and let the sand pass.

“Listen!” His head rotated as Pidgey circled behind him.

Owlbert's eyes opened and turned before the attack came.

Falkner's expression changed. Very slightly. “Quick Attack.”

“Meet it!” Owlbert lunged, peck against charge.

Both Pokémon recoiled from the impact. Pidgey landed badly, and tried to rise as the referee watched. 

Pidgey stumbled and Falkner raised one hand. “That is enough.”

The referee signaled. “Pidgey unable to continue. First round to the challenger.”

Ravina exhaled as Owlbert landed on the rail in front of her and she immediately stepped close.

But not over the battle line, She remembered. “Good boy.”

Hoot.

“You were perfect.”

He wasn't, they both knew that, but close enough.

Ravina held up her arm and Owlbert flew to her. Three seconds of scratches beneath his chin. Exactly.

Then Ravina recalled him. “Rest.”

The ball clicked shut and Ravina looked up to see Falkner was watching. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Ravina narrowed her eyes. “You keep saying that.”

“You keep asking.”

- - - - -

Falkner recalled Pidgey, then rested one hand on Pidgeotto's Poké Ball.

The larger bird beside her shifted as Ravina felt Cinder stand.

She looked down, his entire body had changed with an Intent. He looked ready.

Ravina smiled. “Your turn, my Fireball.” Cinder nodded and stepped onto the arena.

Falkner released Pidgeotto and the difference was immediate, larger wings, longer reach, more confidence. Pidgeotto took one powerful beat and rose almost effortlessly.

Cinder tracked it from below, Ravina took a breath.

Falkner looked across the arena. “Your Quilava is newly evolved.”

“Yes.”

“Then I assume you've spent the last several days teaching him where his body ends.”

Ravina blinked. “…Exactly that.”

Falkner nodded. “Good.”

There it was again as Ravina's stomach betrayed her.

Cinder looked back.  “Don't.” 

His expression was innocent, but maybe a tinge of jealousy. “Focus.”

Behind the barrier: Victor made absolutely no sound, but that somehow was worse.

- - - - -

“Begin!”

“Pidgeotto, Gust.”

“Move!” Cinder launched, fast, very fast as the Gust struck where he had been.

Ravina grinned, there, that was what four days had bought them.

Cinder ran low across the floor, no hesitation, no wide accidental turn, no surprise at his own stride.

“Circle!” He curved.

Pidgeotto followed overhead as Falkner watched. “Keep altitude.”

Ravina understood, She wasn't giving Cinder a target, not yet. Pidgeotto could stay beyond Ember range and force him to waste energy.

Ravina slowed. “Stop.”

Cinder stopped immediately as Falkner's eyebrow lifted.

Ravina smiled. “We've practiced.”

“I can tell.”

Heat rose in Ravina's face, This woman needed to stop doing that… Preferably after the battle, not before.

That thought made the problem worse.

- - - - -

Pidgeotto came down eventually, It had to.

“Quick Attack.” The bird folded its wings and Cinder braced.

Ravina watched… Not yet… Not yet.

“Side!” Cinder moved and Pidgeotto adjusted.

Falkner: “Follow.” 

Pidgeotto banked mid-charge, Ravina hadn't expected that, neither had Cinder as the impact struck and Cinder rolled.

“Cinder!” 

He hit the floor, slid and stopped as Ravina's heart jumped.

His flames flared as he stood, then shook himself before he looked back at her.

Ravina breathed. “You good, my Fireball?”

A deeper bark. He was ready.

Ravina smiled. “Good boy.”

Falkner heard the exchange. of course she heard as her expression remained composed.

But Ravina saw the approval, not of the pet name, but for the check. Ravina had asked before commanding again and that seemed to matter to her.

- - - - -

“Pidgeotto, again.”

The bird climbed as Ravina watched Cinder.

“Don't chase.” His head turned.

“Trust me.” He nodded and stayed.

Pidgeotto dove and Ravina waited.

The urge to call early was enormous, Falkner wanted that.

Wanted Ravina to panic, wanted Cinder to commit first.

No. Ravina watched as Pidgeotto drew closer… Closer.

Cinder's muscles tightened.

“Wait.”

Falkner's gaze moved to Ravina, she felt it but kept her focus as Pidgeotto entered cinders range.

“Now! Ember!” Cinder turned and a flame burst from his mouth.

Not the enormous uncontrolled flare from Sprout Tower, focused and compact.

Pidgeotto tried to bank but it was too late as fire caught one wing, Not badly, but enough as Its flight broke.

“Cinder, move!” He ran as Pidgeotto recovered just above the floor.

Falkner: “Gust!”

Wind hit Cinder from behind and he stumbled forward. Old Cinder would have rolled, but new Cinder's longer body bent. Rear legs caught and he kept moving.

Ravina's eyes widened. “Yes!”

Cinder accelerated. “Again!”

Another Ember as Pidgeotto climbed through it, partially hit but still flying.

Falkner's calm finally sharpened. “Roost!”

Pidgeotto dropped, landed and folded its wings.

Ravina blinked as the bird's posture changed.

Breathing steadied, energy settling and healing.

Victor leaned over the barrier. “Oh, clever.”

Ravina agreed. Unfortunately.

- - - - -

“Cinder, pressure!”

He charged, Falkner was forcing a choice. Let Pidgeotto recover or close into dangerous range.

Ravina chose. “Quick!”

Cinder ran, Pidgeotto remained grounded and Falkner waited.

Then: “Now.”

Pidgeotto exploded upward as Cinder passed beneath.

Ravina saw the mistake. “Turn!”

Cinder planted his front paws as his long body swung. Once, that turn would have sent his hindquarters sliding, but not now.

Rear legs found the floor and he rotated cleanly as Pidgeotto came around.

Ravina grinned. “Ember!”

Fire met air as Pidgeotto veered.

Falkner's eyes widened, just slightly. “Better.”

There it was, Ravina's brain unhelpfully stopped functioning for half a second.

This is a Gym battle.

Cinder looked at her and Ravina snapped back. “Right! Sorry.”

Falkner's mouth curved, that woman knew, oh, she absolutely knew.

Ravina narrowed her eyes as Falkner's expression became perfectly innocent.

Fine. Two could… No. Not now. 

Battle.

- - - - -

The next exchange was harder. Pidgeotto was stronger than anything Ravina had faced so far.

Not overwhelmingly, but enough that every mistake mattered.

Cinder took another Gust, then a Quick Attack.

Ravina could see fatigue building. Pidgeotto had taken several Embers and its wingbeats were uneven.

Both were close. Falkner knew it, as did Ravina.

Wind crossed the arena as streamers snapped overhead.

Pidgeotto climbed one more time as Cinder's head tracked it. 

Ravina looked at the floor, at the angles, at the open spaces, she thought about Sprout Tower, Owlbert, Cinder's movement drills, everything…

Falkner: “Quick Attack.”

Pidgeotto dove as Ravina waited and Cinder's flames rose.

“Hold.” He stayed, Pidgeotto accelerated and Ravina's pulse hammered.

“Hold.” Closer.

Falkner watched her. Pidgeotto almost there…

“Forward!” Cinder moved toward it.

Falkner's eyes widened. As Pidgeotto had committed to where Cinder had been, Cinder ran under the dive, causing Pidgeotto to overshoot.

“Turn!” Cinder planted and pivoted perfectly.

“Ember!” Flame caught Pidgeotto from behind and the bird lost altitude. Hit the floor and skidded.

He Tried to rise, one wing opened, then folded.

Falkner lifted her hand. “Enough.”

The referee stepped forward. “Pidgeotto unable to continue.”

Silence, Ravina stared as the referee's hand turned toward her. “Victory to challenger Ravina Shales.”

For half a second, nothing happened, then Cinder turned.

Ravina's face broke into a grin. “Cinder!”

He ran.

Ravina immediately realized what was happening.

“Easy…” Too late as he bowled her over, planting her on her back as he snuggled into her chest. 

Ravina laughed and threw her arms around his neck anyway. “My Fireball!”

Cinder leaned into her, heavy, warm, real. 

“You did it.” A trill vibrated against her. “We did it.”

Above them: Hoot!

Owlbert's ball was still at her belt and Ravina blinked.

Victor had somehow released him as Ravina looked toward the barrier.

Victor smiled. “He deserved to witness the triumph.”

Ravina considered reprimanding him as Owlbert landed on Cinder's back.

Cinder looked around as Owlbert hooted again and Ravina smiled. “Okay.”

Victor floated over the barrier and the referee looked at him.

Victor stopped. “May I?”

The referee stared as Ravina laughed. “After the match?” 

Falkner finally spoke. “Let him through.”

Victor swept forward like an actor receiving a standing ovation as Ravina stood back up. “My victorious companions!”

Cinder's flames flared as Owlbert stared and Ravina caught Victor before he could begin a speech. “No death scenes.”

“This is a life scene.”

“No scene.”

“Cruel.”