── *₊˚🍹⸝⸝ A Challenger Approaches!
the league had been quiet lately, but the general season of challengers would be underway soon. redwood had talked about some promising prospects challenging the gyms this time around, though, six felt it in her heart that she would not be reached yet again. ten years, ten long years with no battles as a champion felt wrong. felt weird. no one was going to reach her, no one wanted to face her, or perhaps no one wanted to take her position. at this point, she wasn't sure which. alone in the champion's seat, running through paperwork again, her phone rings on her desk, breaking the silence.
when she answers, it's the secretary of the league for the tower. ❝ ari ? what's up ? ❞ the woman on the other end speaks quickly, asking six to come down to the lobby. it sounds busier down there than usual from what she can tell on the receiver. a little sigh escapes her. ❝ fine, i'll be down in a minute. ❞ as much as paperwork wasn't her favorite thing, it was just more annoying to get interrupted in the middle of it. finishing up the one she was on, she grabs her jacket and strolls over to the elevator, slipping her hands through the sleeves and letting it rest on her shoulders. after stepping inside, she goes down much quicker than usual. ( not having to watch the show had it's perks, since it made descending and ascending the tower faster. ) when the door slides open, ari isn't even waiting at her desk.
the lobby feels packed with people, everyone from the elite four is here, ari, a few other league staff that ran the lobby. it felt fuller than usual. normally, the entirety of the tower of memories weren't all seen in one place. not unless something was happening. ❝ uhh… what's going on ? ❞ the confusion is palpable in her voice, and her face even more so. ari steps closer to six, closing the distance and clutching something in her hands. wordlessly, the secretary holds out the object – an envelope of some kind – for six to grab. no one says anything at all. ❝ can we all stop being cryptic and just tell me what the hell is going on ? why are you all acting so weird ? ❞
it's as if the air is really tense for some reason. gently, six takes the letter as hangru speaks up finally. ❝ it's the first time you've ever gotten a letter without a return address. it felt weird. ❞ the champion raises an eyebrow at that, gazing over the letter. it's addressed properly to her, has all the correct postage… but it doesn't have a return address. sure it was a little weird, but why is everyone reacting this way ? ❝ uhh, yeah sure i guess it's weird ? why are you all freaking out about it though ? ❞ the others simply look at each other. unsure. ❝ maybe you're right. maybe it's nothing but… what if it's not ? ❞ six rolls her eyes, dismissing the worry. this seemed ridiculous. sighing, she sticks her finger into the envelope and runs it across the edge, tearing into it and pulling out a folded piece of paper. it feels oddly thick in her hands as she opens it up, her expression shifting.
upon first glance, the letter looks terrifying. different colors and pieces of magazines and newspapers assault her senses, reminding her of something she'd seen in horror movies. the champion blinks a few times, trying to regain her composure. ❝ woah. ❞ her reaction doesn't ease the minds of those around her, and leffa looks like she's about to faint. the champion reads through the letter, hanging on each word, running it through her mind. for a long while, she's quiet, reading the letter again and again, as if trying to jog her memory of something she heard once. the signature sticks out to her. young blood. why did that sound familiar ? it's then it hits her, she'd heard murmurs as other champions spoke at league meetings. her lips begin to curl into a sly smile. young blood. she didn't know much, but she knew one thing.
she couldn't wait for this.
❝ this… this is the greatest letter i've ever gotten. ❞ there's looks of confusion amongst the others as six feels a fire ignite in her belly. there was a deep hunger that hadn't been fed in a long time. an insatiable desire to show what she could do. there was a desire to devour the competition and leave them behind in her wake. young blood. a challenger was approaching with a promise to make it to her. and to battle her again and again and again. the fire inside her was so unbelievably hungry, desiring to be fed. perhaps finally, after a decade on her seat alone, she could share the battlefield with someone new. ❝ what did it say ? ❞ six lets a little huff leave her, not fussed by the letter. it was creepy, the way it was sent, but it was mysterious – exciting and invigorating. ❝ i think we can finally expect a challenger to reach the tower of memories. ❞
the murmurs flutter throughout the lobby like the butterfree in leffa's battlefield. the other members of the elite look surprised, but excited. they hadn't been reached in years either, and they were just as hungry for battles as their champion. six carefully folds the letter in her pocket, and looks to ari, taking her off to the side. six had a plan to make this even more fun. the murmurs would not just be around the tower of memories, they would rattle their way across the region and perhaps even beyond.
later that evening, six has an interview with a news outlet for raerita. the nice thing was, most news stayed in rareita. except for this outlet. this one had connections, and would leak to the outside world. that was what she wanted this time. that was what she'd decided on. the interview starts simple, six being introduced and sitting in her chair, her signature hat and jacket adorning her figure.
❝ so, champion six – for the first time since you've been champion, you personally requested we do an interview ! there must be something on your mind, what did you want to share ? ❞ six's smug smile turns into a hearty chuckle. she relaxes in her chair for a bit. ❝ i recently received a letter addressed to me from a very interesting person. i wanted them to know i got that letter. ❞ the interviewer looks at six quizzically. ❝ that seems a little odd to do an interview for, why not just send them a return letter ? ❞ her chuckle turns into a laugh as she leans forward in her chair, leaning her elbows on her knees and shifting her gaze directly into the camera, which fixes upon her quickly. ❝ there is no return address for young blood. ❞ she stands from her seat, walking a little forward and standing center stage. ❝ if you're watching this young blood, no one has reached me in an entire decade. you have promised me you will reach me, and i expect you to keep that promise. i want this to be a battle i never forget ! ❞ with that, she takes her hat off, staring into the camera. the fire in her eyes shines so bright, the hunger felt real, as if you could feel it through the screen. ❝ i'll see you at the top ! ❞ with a swift motion, she throws her hat into the camera.
