The tender moment was suddenly interrupted by the PA. "Greetings battle club fans! And now it's time for tonight's main event!"
Jack sighed, and the two put their foreheads together softly, just enjoying the warmth of each other's skin, paying no attention to the announcer addressing the crowd with cheers from all around the venue.
Hilda then stomped over, interrupting the moment. "So what'd I miss?"
The two broke from their second tender moment. "Don't worry about it," Jack grumbled.
"Fine," Hilda replied, taking a seat, focusing her attention on the battlefield. Jack gave Misty one last wink and turned to the battlefield as well.
"And let me introduce to you our trainers in our main even match tonight. First, hailing from the Galar region, the Poison type specialist and rookie sensation that has melted away her competitors so far this season, for a perfect 7-0 record, Klara Sofora!"
The crowd popped as a spotlight shown on the woman strutting onto the battlefield. She had pink hair, a white fur coat covering up a green and dark purple shirt, with matching purple tight shorts, emphasizing her curvy hips and ass. Jack stared a bit longer than he wanted to admit. She blew a kiss to the crowd, causing the crowd to roar even more.
"And Klara's opponent this evening, one of the strongest trainers who has ever battled in this building, she has two Club League championships to her name, the ultimate dragon pokemon trainer, hailing from the Hoenn Region, Zinnia Draconid!"
Jack's jaw dropped as he heard her last name. He'd loved reading up Hoenn history, and the Draconid tribe was a mysterious group of dragon pokemon trainers most historians say died out long ago, if they existed at all. A hot topic about who was responsible for a number of strange, stone-carved murals that popped up in various places in Hoenn. Some believed it was the legendary Draconid tribe, others believed it was the ancient seafarers from Sootopolis.
Jack shook himself out of the internal academic debate and saw a cute, lanky, brown skinned young woman with mid-length, disheveled, black hair, walk onto the field. She had a slight hunch, and a particular uncertainty in her step. "Is she drunk?" Jack asked Misty.
Misty shook her head. "No, just eccentric."
Jack got a better look of her as she walked to her spot on the battlefield. Her black shirt had red markings over her breasts, which seemed quite decently sized from his view. She had short gray shorts and knee-high socks, a style that always caught his eye somehow. His loins stirred a tad bit, still sore from the crazy day he'd had. He could already tell he was fascinated with the woman in more ways than one.
"And now that our contestants have taken their places, lets get this showdown under way! Their opening pokemon have already been decided. There will be one substitution allowed," the announcer said over the PA. The thousand or so people in attendance cheered loudly.
"Let's go Zinnia!" Misty cheered. Jack started clapping. Hilda sat with her arms folded, observing.
All eyes were on the referee who pointed their hand-held flags to the sky. The two trainers grabbed their respective Poke Balls out and tossed them out simultaneously. Zinnia's Poke Ball released her Tyrantrum. A massive beast, almost 15 feet tall by Jack's estimates. On Klara's side, a dark purple Drapion appeared.
"Starting with it, that's great," Jack commented.
The referee then pulled the flags down, indicating the battle had begun. Both trainer's voices boomed over the PA, Klara, in a rather cutesy voice, ordering her Drapion to use Toxic Spikes, while Zinnia ordered her Tyrantrum to Dragon Dance with a growl.
"Her Tyrantrum can't go back on that side of the field, else the Toxic Spikes will hit it," Misty commented, a bit worried.
Dark purple pellets seemed to reign down on Zinnia's side of the battlefield while Tyrantrum glowed as it shook its body side to side. "Now Tyrantrum, Thunder Fang!"
The lumbering beast charged Drapion, mouth agape and glowing with yellow, shocking energy. "Counter with Ice Fang!" Klara said in a high pitched voice.
Drapion tried maneuver its way around Tyrantrum, but the charging, powered up, beast was too quick for it as Tyrantrum lowered its jaws onto Drapion's neck, making it impossible for Drapion to reach its attacker its Ice Fang.
"Keep chomping on it!" Zinnia said, the electrical energy still visible on Tyrantrum's jaws.
Klara grunted in a very different tone. "Cross Poison then!"
The two stinger sprouting from Drapion's head glowed with a dark purple energy and then honed in on Tyrantrum's side, stinging it, causing Tyrantrum to release its grip and let out a roar of pain.
"Now Ice Fang!" Klara commanded her Drapion.
Drapion took the initiative and crawled quickly to Tyrantrum.
"Stone Edge!" Zinnia called out. Tyrantrum wound up and stomped on the ground, causing multiple spikes to appear and flung themselves at Drapion, which took a direct hit, sending the Drapion airborne for a moment. "Thunder Fang it!" Zinnia called out, with Tyrantrum taking initiative this time, and with its speed had set upon it before Drapion could recuperate. Tyrantrum aimed for the same spot behind Drapion's head, and chomped down hard on the squirming scorpion-like pokemon.
"Cross Poison, hurry up!" Klara barked out in a much less cutesy voice. Drapion's stinger glowed purple again and struck Tyrantrum on its sides again.
"Why's she doing that?" Someone from the next table over commented. Jack, remembering his type matchups, knew Poison attacks weren't very effective on Rock types. In the spectator's defense, it was a niche matchup, but a winning trade for Zinnia.
Tyrantrum howled with pain again, releasing Drapion and retreating back a bit, while Drapion took a couple breaths to collect itself.
"Dragon Dance!" Zinnia shouted, and Tyrantrum began to glow and sway as it had before.
"Shit!" Klara yelled out. "Ice Fang it!" Drapion crawled quickly over as Tyrantrum finished its dance, Tyrantrum was able to maneuver away, its speed being greatly enhanced from its second Dragon Dance. However, it seemed to hit have a pain in its leg, and Jack realized the Tyrantrum had maneuvered too well, into the area effected by toxic spikes.
"Tyrantrum's clock is ticking now," Misty commented.
"Stone Edge!" Zinnia ordered, and Tyrantrum stomped the ground hard, and the stone spikes emerged from the ground, targeting Drapion. Drapion was able to duck low to the ground and dodge the aerial projectiles easily.
"She doesn't have Earthquake on it?" Jack asked Misty.
Misty shrugged. "She may have her reasons. If it can even learn it at all."
Jack remembered pokemon developing attacks was always a bit of an uncertainty, and even if taught, some pokemon just refused to learn moves that others of its kind could learn. The technical machines in pokemon-themed video games weren't accurate to their world after all.
"Fair enough," Jack said, as he watched Tyrantrum charge in for another Thunder Fang, which connected. Drapion had a Cross Poison ready, but it was just a way for Klara to get a last bit of damage before Drapion was toast.
Drapion passed out after Tyrantrum's Thunder Fang connected. The thousand or so in attendance cheered, and Jack couldn't help but cheer along with them. Looking down at the battlefield however, he saw Zinnia didn't seem at all pumped about her initial victory. Her head was down.
"Alright Zinnia, you got this!" Misty cried out.
Klara grunted over the PA, then took out another Poke Ball. "Let's go, Weezing!"
Out came a Galarian Weezing, known not just for its grey color, but its odd, top-hat looking smoke stacks that reached high in the air.
"A Fairy type," Hilda said, shaking her head.
He smiled at the thought of Hilda already rooting for Zinnia. "I suppose she's on board, then," Jack thought to himself.
The referee's flags moved from the skyward pointing position to the their sides, and the battle was back on.
"Tyrantrum, Stone Edge!" Zinnia barked.
"Get some air!" Klara ordered. Weezing was able to successfully avoid the stone projectiles, levitating out of targeting distance of Tyrantrum's close range attacks.
"Not good," Misty commented.
"What's Tyrantrum's other move?" Jack asked.
"Crunch," Misty replied. "If Stone Edge can't land, she's a sitting duck out there.
"Good Weezing, now, Strange Steam!" Klara ordered, her cutesy voice returning.
"Tyrantrum, Dragon Dance one more time!" Zinnia ordered. Tyrantrum began to glow as it swayed back forth.
However, Weezing started emitting a grey mist with a tinge of pink in it from its mouth, aimed at Tyrantrum. Tyrantrum took the hit, not too well, as it whined in pain. However its stance was not altered.
"Now Tyrantrum, Stone Edge as high as it can go!" Zinnia ordered.
Tyrantrum, now hopped up on three Dragon Dances, was incredibly nimble for its enormous size, and it stomped the ground, roaring as three projectiles fired from beneath its feet. Weezing had to lower its altitude to dodge the attacks, which started hurtling to where Jack was sitting, but hit the nearly invisible plexiglass that outlined the border between the battlefield and the spectating audience. The projectiles' collision didn't even put a dent in the glass, then fell to the battlefield harmlessly.
"Thunder Fang!" Zinnia ordered, now that Weezing was back in Tyrantrum's range.
"Elevate!" Klara yelled, her cutesy voice having disappeared once more, replaced with a growl.
Weezing began to rise up slowly, but Tyrantrum's quickness got it close, then the great beast leapt nearly ten feet in the air, surrounded by the cloud of mist. It managed to barely touch Weezing, knocking it off its course a bit, but still maintaining its elevation.
Klara sighed with relief audibly over the the PA, and then her cutesy voice returned. "More Strange Steam!"
Weezing seemed to vomit out more, and Tyrantrum appeared much more effected by the attack.
"It's done," Hilda said, and Jack remembered the poison status had been ticking away for quite a while.
Tyrantrum let out one last growl as it fell to the ground with a great thud.
"And Tyrantrum goes down!" The PA exclaimed. Jack saw Klara blow a kiss over to Zinnia, taunting her.
Zinnia recalled her Tyrantrum in a red beam of light shooting from her Poke Ball. Jack couldn't see much of what was happening because of the distance, but he could tell Zinnia was having a moment with her Tyrantrum.
"Even if she says no to being my bodyguard, I'm gonna help her with this," Jack swore to himself.
Zinnia then put her Poke Ball away and grabbed another. "C'mon, Flygon!" She called out, tossing the Poke Ball into the air. Flygon came out, the green insectoid looking creature flapping its wings, staying afloat.
"Good luck against this fairy type," Klara said over the PA, taunting her and blowing a kiss Zinnia's way.
Zinnia just growled in response before shouting an order. "Steel Wing!"
Flygon began beat its wings to get some momentum before they lit up in a dark grey energy.
"Weezing, Protect!" Klara ordered.
Weezing began to glow, and Flygon's Steel Wing connect, knocking the Weezing back, but leaving it still in the air, undamaged.
"Now Strange Steam!" Klara ordered.
"Dodge, and Steel Wing!" Zinnia roared. The stream of mist flew quickly to Flygon, who barrel rolled out of the bulk of the mist, and dove at Weezing, wings aglow like before, this time connecting, sending Weezing to the ground.
"And again!" Zinnia ordered.
"Sludge Bomb!" Klara cried out, a bit of desperation in her voice.
Weezing vomited out a dark purple, glowing, ooze, which Flygon dodged easily, connecting another Steel Wing, knocking Weezing back onto the floor.
"She's got this Weezing beat," Misty commented.
"Unless-" Jack was interrupted by Klara's voice on the audio system.
"Weezing, return!" Klara ordered, having her Poke Ball at the ready, recalling her brow-beaten pokemon to its poke ball.
"And that's Klara's switch for the match," The announcer's voice said, coming from the PA.
Klara then grabbed another Poke Ball from her inside her jacket and tossed it in the air. "Slowbro, you're up!" She called out.
Out came the upright, pink skinned pokemon with a shell covering its left hand. It also had patches of purple on its head, the tip of its tail, and its right hand. It was another pokemon he'd only seen pictures of, never in person.
Jack watched Zinnia curiously, looking for any hint of her battle strategy. She showed no hesitation, barking out "Flygon, Crunch!"
"Scald!" Klara ordered over the PA.
Flygon descended upon the Galarian Slowbro, a dark energy forming around its mouth. However, Slowbro's arm began to glow as it took aim at Flygon, and fired a burst of steaming hot water. Flygon took a direct hit, knocking it out of its flight path, but staying airborne.
"Like my Slowbro's Quick Draw ability?" Klara teased.
"It's the Scald I'm more concerned about," Zinnia growled back. "Flygon, come to my side of the field and use Earthquake!"
Flygon glided quickly back to Zinnia's side of the field, littered with toxic spikes and began to glow with light brown energy, then it slammed into the ground with a violent force, causing a loud rumble, and the ground on the battlefield began to shake. A wave of brown energy emitted from the ground maybe a foot or two in the air. Slowbro didn't seem to react at all, enveloped in the energy, but the two trainers nearly lost their balance.
Jack looked around at the venue, seeing nothing seemed to be shaking. "How's that work?" Jack asked Misty.
"The battlefield is isolated from the rest of the building, something underground. Most of the cutting edge trainer battlefields are like that nowadays," Misty explained.
"Makes sense," Jack replied, returning his focus to the action. Slowbro suddenly yelped in pain, and Flygon seemed to be pretty uncomfortable itself. "I understand Slowbro's pain sensors are delayed, but what's up with Flygon?" Jack asked.
"The Toxic Spikes. Flygon got poisoned," Hilda explained.
For a moment he was baffled as to why Zinnia had ordered an attack that intentionally poisoned her own pokemon, but he remembered what Zinnia had told Klara, about being more afraid of Scald. "Oh duh," he said lowly. "A pokemon can only be effected by one status condition at a time. The poison's better than the burn, since it won't debilitate Flygon," He eyed the girls sitting beside him curiously, they looked like they knew what was going on. "Well, I gotta up my game then. Been away from competitive battling for the past month," he thought to himself.
When he re-focused on the battle, Flygon had flown to Slowbro, landing a Crunch attack.
Slowbro reacted as if it wasn't in any pain, pointing its shell-encapsuled hand directly at Flygon,
"Psychic!" Klara ordered. Slowbro began to glow pink-ish, and then a brightly colored ring appeared in front of Flygon, who was still biting Slowbro, then the ring spun and launched itself at Flygon, driving it violently into the battlefield wall.
Flygon struggled to get up, but seemed like it had a little left.
"Proctor!" Zinnia called out. "I concede my Flygon."
Jack and Hilda both gasped. "Flygon could still go," Hilda commented.
"Not much else it can do," Misty explained. "Zinnia will concede when she knows it's over. No point in her pokemon getting more hurt than necessary"
Jack nodded, the competitor in him would have a hard time with that compromise, but this trainer whose skill seemed unrivaled made the decision so easily, it was something he couldn't help but admire. "I have a lot to learn from her, I reckon," he said to himself.
"You can just concede the whole match, y'know?" Klara taunted. "You're down to your last pokemon anyways."
"Not a chance," Zinnia shook her head violently. "Salamence, you're up!" She tossed a Poke Ball into the air, and as it opened, a red energy poured out of it, manifesting into an incredibly threatening looking dragon pokemon, Salamence.
Jack had seen these pokemon a few times live in Hoenn. They could only be handled by incredibly skilled trainers, and many of them still had a hard time controlling the powerful beasts.
It let out a powerful roar as it soared around the battlefield, the glass making its circles small.
"Scald!" Klara ordered. Slowbro's shell-hand lit up with energy, showing Quick Draw had activated. Slowbro blasted multiple shots of steaming hot water at the airborne Salamence. None of them connected as Salamence appeared to dodge the blasts effortlessly.
"Show 'em some real heat, Salamence. Flamethrower!" Zinnia ordered, a bit of sass in her voice.
Salamence dove a bit and unleashed a stream of flaming energy at Slowbro, landing a direct blow.
"Scald again!" Klara ordered.
Slowbro was encapsuled in flames however, and didn't appear to be able to move much.
"Finish it, Crunch," Zinnia said, almost softly.
The stream of fire let off, and Salamence dove quickly, jaws engulfed in a black energy. Slowbro was finally able to move, and its arm began to glow with blue energy, but Salamence's jaws got Slowbro's forearm before the shell could take proper aim. Slowbro yelped in pain before Salamence made contact. "That was probably from the Flamethrower attack," Jack thought to himself.
Slowbro then collapsed, and Salamence released it from its jaws immediately, going back into the air.
"Slowbro is unable to battle!" The referee declared over the PA.
"And now they're both down to their last pokemon!" The announcer on the PA bellowed.
Klara sent out her Weezing's Poke Ball once more. The levitating pokemon looked a little worse for wear, while Salamence seemed prime and ready to strike.
"Flamethrower!" Zinnia commanded.
"Protect!" Klara ordered. Weezing was able to take hit, but it was knocked back slightly.
"One more time!" Zinnia ordered, and Salamence unleashed another stream of flaming red energy, connecting with Weezing before it could counter attack. Moments later, Weezing floated helplessly, unable to move on its own. The audience roared at the conclusion of the match, Jack clapping furiously and hollering. Misty cheered loudly, and even Hilda gave a loud whistle in approval.
"And there you have it folks, a strong conclusion to an incredible match! Zinnia Draconid maintains her undefeated record, dealing the rookie sensation Klara her first loss in her Club League career."
"Giovanni said first level bar?" Jack asked Misty, who was mid-cheer.
"Oh yeah!" Misty replied, tapping Hilda on the shoulder and signaling her to come with.
The trio hurried down to the elevator, Jack still catching glimpses of the battlefield as Zinnia waved to the roaring crowd.
"And if I could have your attention please," the announcer began, his tone much more somber. "Ms. Zinnia has been a veteran trainer in the Club League for the past three seasons, and all of that time we have been able to see her and her incredible pokemon in action..."
Jack grimaced as he saw Zinnia was hunched over, looking very uncomfortable. "Hope they told her she'd be put on blast," Jack said to himself.
"Well, it is with a heavy heart, that I have to announce this was the last night we get to see her incredible Tyrantrum in action. It has defeated a tremendous amount of opponents in its time on this battlefield, so lets give one last cheer for Zinnia and her mighty Tyrantrum!"
Jack stopped moving as he watched hundreds, if not the whole group of a thousand spectators stand up and cheer even louder than at the end of the match. He even heard a "Zi-ni-a" chant start, growing louder with each repetition. Jack watched as Zinnia's head drooped while one hand tried to wave. He saw her bring a hand to her face, he guessed it was to hide her tears. And Jack found his own eyes start to water.
"Jack, you comin'?" Hilda asked.
Jack wiped a tear from his eye and nodded, turning to Hilda. Misty had already gotten to the elevator and was waiting for them.
A couple minutes later, Jack, Hilda, and Misty were standing at a raised table, awaiting Giovanni to come out of the trainer door with Zinnia. Jack saw scattered groups of people gathering close to the door.
"All for Zinnia?" Jack asked.
Misty shrugged. "Doubt it. Zinnia usually waits for the people to leave, and Klara seemed pretty popular. You'll notice most of the people waiting are guys."
As if on cue, the door opened, and out came Klara. Most of the people clapped or cheered. Klara was being showered in compliments as she walked by. Bizarrely, a number of young men were raising their hands, trying to get the diva's attention.
"Lemme buy your drinks tonight, Klara!" Jack discerned the words from one of the many boisterous voices in the group showing attention to Klara. He couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"At least I was never that much of a simp," he thought to himself.
Hilda smiled. "Well I'm glad there's a girl you AREN'T interested in."
"Definitely a little too full of herself for my taste," Jack replied to her teasing. Klara did emerge from the crowd, her tight clothes showing her exquisite curves, and he caught himself fixated on her longer than he wanted to admit, again.
Misty giggled.
"What?" Hilda asked.
Misty looked at Hilda, then back at Jack, winking with her eye Hilda couldn't see. "Thought I heard something ridiculous from the thirsty dudes over there," Misty pointed to the group of guys hovering behind Klara as she strutted to the bar they were at. "Oh, Hilda, I forgot to ask, what's my compensation for being one of Jack's bodyguards?"
"Oh crap, totally forgot to mention..." Hilda said, whipping out her phone. "So, It starts at 70k a year, full benefits, room and board included, maintenance of your pokemon will be paid for, including food, supplements, and medical..."
Jack zoned out as Hilda got into the boring specifics. He then saw a bouncer walk out of the door he was watching, and the bouncer bee-lined it for his table.
"Mr. Cobal, Giovanni asks that you and your friends join him in the club green room," the man announced.
Jack nodded, and the girls got up with him, all following the bouncer. The bouncer opened the door, revealing a fairly plain looking room with some sofas, TVs, and a fridge.
He saw Giovanni standing next to Zinnia, who had her arms folded and looked incredibly uncomfortable.
"Zinnia, this is Jack Cobal," Giovanni said as Jack and the girls got close.
Zinnia cracked her lips open and blew air up her face, making a strand of her disheveled hair levitate for a moment before returning to her forehead. "Cool," she grunted.
"That was an incredible battle out there, Zinnia," Jack began.
"Another one of your VIPs, Giovanni?" Zinnia accused the hulking figure next to her. Giovanni rolled his eyes. "Misty, I'm surprised you're dealing with one of these spoiled rich guys," Zinnia said, Misty gasped. "And dude, I hate to break it to you, but I'm not gonna help you raise a dragon pokemon," Zinnia said defiantly.
Hilda sighed, but Jack smiled. "That wasn't what I was asking," he said, trying to kill her with kindness. "I heard about what's happening to your Tyrantrum-"
"Piss off," Zinnia said. It was in this moment Jack could tell her eyes were still quite watery.
"I want to help-" Jack pleaded.
"I said piss OFF," Zinnia said, she swung her body away and Jack saw a couple tears fall to the floor.
"I want to help you keep it!" Jack pleaded even more desperately. Maybe he was a bigger simp than he thought.
Zinnia turned around, baring her teeth in anger but her eyes showing she was incredibly sad. "It's too late, I already signed the contract," she sobbed suddenly.
"Surely there's a buyout," Hilda interrupted.
Zinnia eyed Hilda, trying not to cry. "Well the buyout's a hundred grand and it's due tomorrow. Thanks for the thought, but piss off," Zinnia said.
Jack shook his head and glared at her with intensity. "Hundred grand ain't shit," he said, deadly serious.
Zinnia's jaw dropped for a moment before her angry face returned.
"I can wire the money tonight," Jack offered.
Zinnia shook her head. "What's in it for you? I know there's a catch."
"I'm new to Alola, and I'm in the market to have strong trainers as my bodyguards. Misty here tells me you're the strongest trainer on the island. You and your pokemon would be well taken care of."
Zinnia slumped. "So my pokemon and I become your slaves, told to come at your beck and call? I think not."
"You'd have good pay, benefits, most of your job could be done while you're training on my property-"
Zinnia shook her head, more tears coming from her eyes as she stared at the floor. "I... I have to do this myself. You wouldn't understand," Zinnia said.
Jack took a deep breath. "Your last name's Draconid, right? Like the ancient dragon trainer tribe from Hoenn?" Zinnia nodded cautiously, still glaring at him, but a slight curiosity in her eyes. "I'm from Hoenn, and the tales about the Draconid people always fascinated me. You must be proud of your heritage."
Zinnia remained silent, but he saw her intense, red, eyes fixate on him.
"I always wanted to meet one as a kid," Jack paused. "So Zinnia, it's an honor to meet a Draconid in the flesh. I know most people believe your people died out, and some skeptics don't think you all existed at all-"
"We have survived this long," Zinnia said with a touch of anger in her voice. "Although there are a small few who cling to the ways of old."
Jack nodded. "And I want to help one."
Zinnia looked down to the ground again. "I can't, it's not how we live."
Jack shook his head. "Zinnia, I understand you as a Draconid have things you must continue," Jack began. "But think of your pokemon. The money you get for Tyrantrum will only get you so far before maintaining your other pokemon forces you to sell another," Jack said, he felt his own eyes begin to water. "And I can't stand by seeing such an incredible Dragon Trainer, of the legendary Draconid tribe, lose their dragons one by one," he felt a tear trickle down his cheek.
More tears came from Zinnia's eyes. "She's about to break," Jack thought to himself.
He took a deep breath before continuing. "Zinnia, you're not going to be my servant. I will never ask you to do anything that brings you or your pokemon dishonor, I swear it," Jack began. "And as long as you're protecting me, your incredible pokemon will be provided for. My goal is to never be in a situation where you need to use your pokemon," Jack paused, thinking of other ways to sell her on the idea. "And years from now you'll have a good amount of money built up, and you can leave whenever you want, and do whatever you feel you need to do."
Zinnia turned to Misty, and spoke weakly. "This isn't some joke, right? He's being real?"
Jack turned to Misty who nodded. "I just started today but... he's legit. He's a good guy, and he cares for pokemon."
Zinnia made eye contact with him one more time reading him. "I," she stopped suddenly, tears gushing from her eyes. "Thank you." she sobbed. "Thank you, thank you!" Zinnia wailed.
Jack walked over, hoping to comfort her in some way. "You're so welcome," Jack said, and Zinnia hugged him suddenly.
"You... You swear, right?" Zinnia asked.
"I swear," Jack said, returning her embrace. He felt a sweaty back, and she definitely had a strong whiff of body odor.
Zinnia took a deep breath, then looked up at him. "The breeders are gonna be so pissed."
"Good," Jack said with a smile. "Your Tyrantrum belongs with you."
Zinnia then remembered something. "The battle club league, here... It's okay if I-"
"Of course," Jack said. "Although I'll probably be here watching all your matches and cheering really obnoxiously."
Zinnia smiled. "Okay," she released her arms from him, and he did the same for her. "So... this is kinda awkward but... What was your name again?"
Jack remembered telling her, but he also realized she probably wasn't in the right emotional state to remember much of anything at the beginning of their conversation. His grin widened.
"I'm Jack, Jack Cobal."