Punching walls

“Stone Edge.”

Lìeyàn glared up at her owner, unyielding in her dissent against the words flung her way. Ruìsāng, his patience worn thin, rolled his eyes, a gesture laden with exasperation, and gestured towards the training dummy, a beaten and battered thing.

This abandoned warehouse, falsely sheltered under a deceptive corporate name, served as their battleground, a clandestine arena where Pokémon clashed in secret. Tonight wasn't an official event; instead, it was a night of practice, a necessity born from their recent defeats.

“We lost the last battle because they know your moves. We need to learn new things. You’re still a Mawile, right? You should be able to learn it. So, Stone Edge,” he demanded, his red eyes ablaze with that familiar fury, an inheritance from the father he despised.

“We’ve seen him do it, why can’t you?” he hissed, frustration etched in every word. How could they ever hope to win? How could they protect themselves if she couldn't master such a fundamental damn thing?

The sting of adrenaline still coursed through Ruìsāng's veins as he regarded Lìeyàn. Their journey together had been a fierce struggle, marked by the stubbornness of a Pokemon determined to assert her dominance. Her initial rebelliousness was etched into his skin, the faint scars on his right wrist a testament to her power and spirit. But Ruìsāng hadn't backed down. Through patience and unwavering determination, he had earned her respect. Now, a silent understanding existed between them, a bond forged in their shared challenges.

The sudden intrusion of another voice pulled him back to reality, and he turned sharply to face the speaker, his expression a mix of annoyance and weariness. “We do,” Ruìsāng asserted firmly, his gaze fixed on the newcomer. By his side, Lìeyàn stood her ground, her eyes glinting with determination. Despite her smaller size compared to the bipedal dog Pokemon, there was no mistaking her resolve. She wouldn't shy away from a challenge, even if it meant facing a stronger opponent.

“But if you have anything to say, please do,” he continued with a sigh, his irritation momentarily subsiding. His attention shifted back to Lìeyàn. “Mawiles are supposed to be able to learn so many new moves, but I have no idea where to start,” he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. Admitting his uncertainty didn't come easy, but there was no denying the struggle he faced, and the stranger before him had witnessed it firsthand.