Snippet #2810530

Queen Melaine's response to Chloe's stammering was natural, given what she'd already seen. Still, it didn't sting any less to take that verbal statement of power over here. She couldn't help but feel low and stare at the ground while Melaine continued. She couldn't even look the Diancie in the eye. She felt all but worthless. Like the coward she was being called.

But there was something else she was feeling. Along with the paralyzing fear, guilt, shame, and overall despair over the entire situation, something was brewing in her body, spawning from deep within her soul. With each manic laugh Melaine uttered, this feeling pushed it's way forward, little by little, slowly causing the nervous pit in her stomach to ebb. She didn't look up, but a different kind of frown was on her face...one laced with hatred and anger...anger at Queen Melaine. Her eyes grew dark and hard, shadowed behind her hair. Her hands were balled into fists. Her trembling was subsided, replaced by a tense stillness. Her shallow panicky breaths were growing longer and more winded. And all her inhibitions...all her worries and anxieties...they were all being pushed away, replaced by one feeling:

Determination.

Lucian was holding his own, challenging Melaine and Riz's cocky attitude with a stubborn look, "Forget it! We're not here to amuse and entertain you. We decline your challenge. Fight whoever those people are if ya really wanna get some licks in." He gestured towards Diamond and Lucy, "But leave me and Chloe out of it!"

"Lucian..." she interrupted, glancing upwards slightly. It was easy to see the fire in her eyes. "I'm...I'm going to fight her."

"Wh- No! Chloe, listen..." he immediately turned around and hobbled in front of her, grabbed her shoulders, "They're playing you. They want you to fight. They want to see what you can do so they can decide if it's worth taking you with them or not. Don't you see? If you fight them, you're giving them exactly what they want."

"Maybe..." she said in a deadpan serious tone, "Do you think they'll let us go if we refuse? Honestly?"

"I-" Lucian had to stop himself. She did have a point, but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. "I don't know. But we can't win either way. The only way to win is to not play her game."

"I...don't...I can't think that way..." she sighed, "I just have to fight."

"No you don't. Why do you think you have to fight?" he persisted.

"To prove a point." Chloe simply stated, "You've got my back, right?"

"A-Always..." Lucian stammered as he loosened his grip on her shoulder, "You're my sister."

"Then protect me. Watch for their dirty tricks. Do what you do best." She stepped forward and hugged him, "I'll handle the rest."

Lucian blinked, surprised by the sudden movement, but accepted her embrace with a wrap around hug of his own. "I will. You be careful, alright?"

"Always..." she nodded her head. The two relinquished each other and she stepped in front of her brother. She was much steadier than before. There was a little bit of nerves in her stare, but she seemed too resolute to let that bother her much.

Chloe turned a side glance towards Diamond and Lucy. "You two stay out of this. It'll just be me and her."

With that, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, they locked hungrily on the redhead with the staff, "Hear that, Riz? Just you and me. I accept your challenge. But if we're doing this, we're doing this my way. I don't care what your queen says. You bring out two Pokemon and put 'em behind you. Call for them if you need a helping hand."

In a swift motion, she grabbed three PokeBalls, chucking two to either side of her while gracefully flinging her third directly opposite of Riz. On Chloe's left was a Sylveon, appearing elegantly out of the PokeBall and taking a nimble stance. On her right was the familiar Togekiss, hovering in anticipation. And front and center stood Slurpuff, tongue as present as ever while standing in a crouched position, palm resting on the ground in front of her.

"You said you wanted to see what I can do." Chloe stood fierce as the adrenaline of battle took over her body. "Let me show you."