Two Pokemon, completely mundane in appearance, stood on opposite ends of the arena, staring each other down with the exact same expression. A blank, analytical indifference, both feigned, both truly very interested, curious for differing reasons.
The crowd, unlike its usual cheers and hype, was instead abuzz with murmuring speculation. An unscheduled, spontaneous fight between Maple and Rot--or, as he was known to his team, Diyem. And known to the world, Dark Matter...
According to the rumors, this battle had been arranged hastily and was sanctioned by Pop himself. While he did not necessarily hold ultimate authority over procedural matters, he'd pulled a few strings to make this happen, as it was apparently something 'worth doing sooner rather than later,' whatever that meant.
"It looks like both combatants are ready!" Incineroar said after a long silence from him, listening in on his earpiece. The mic was hot and he was apparently frazzled enough to not notice it, because he murmured back to the earpiece, "Hide? Me? I'm sure I can handle their clash... O-oh, I mean, folks! Folks, we have an exciting match for you all today! Fighters! Are you ready?"
Diyem and Maple continued to stare.
"Er... fighters? Are you ready?"
Silence. They were studying each other. Then, Maple spared Incineroar a glance. "We are."
Diyem didn't move.
"A-alright. Then if that's the case, let the battle... begin!"
Neither moved swiftly. Maple seemed cautious, like she was waiting for the first move. And then Diyem made it, stepping forward. Maple drew her blade from her wrist, crouching in preparation to dart in any direction she had to. But Diyem was only walking, and that had her feeling off her guard. She waited as he came closer and closer.
They were roughly fifteen feet apart, now. The Smeargle stared up at the Charizard, and Diyem then began to walk in a slow circle. Maple did the same, encircling an invisible point between them.
"I accepted your proposal because even Pop suggested it would be useful," Maple said, "but I still do not see the point in this battle. Is it for show? To demonstrate that we can battle together, and still be allies?"
"No." Diyem continued his circle.
"Then what?" Maple asked.
Diyem and Maple called one another...
Maple stopped. A step later, so did Diyem.
"I'm not in the mood to play games, Darkness."
Diyem smirked. With a shrug, he broke the circle and walked toward Maple again, conjuring his warhammer. At this, Maple didn't wait, and she lunged forward and jammed her blade at Diyem.
Maple used Blinding Blade against Diyem, dealing 672 damage!
Diyem blocked the blade, now staring directly at Maple. He parried her away and then slammed his hammer on the ground, the top of the weapon firmly on soil. He rested his wrists on either side as the handle shrank to accommodate.
Maple, only a step away, frowned. "What are you doing."
"...Hm." Diyem removed one hand and grabbed the hammer with the other. He moved it to his right and then forward, and then held his free hand out.
"Give me your blade."
