#took some liberties w the rank a cutscene because.

[antihibikase]

His lips were curled into a smile, but his eyes said otherwise as he looked down at your body, paralyzed by spores, frozen by the cold.

You could barely keep your eyes open as the wind brushed against your cheek, luring you into a sense of false security, as if being whisked away into a dream would keep you safe, from him and the Kingambit that hovered over you.

The Dragon Monarch's heir- that was what he called you.

It was how everyone saw you as well.

He speaks- and he speaks a lot, so much so that you could not process it all; the bitter cold was nipping at your skin, the spores were drying your throat.

You felt as if your whole body was closing in on itself.

He holds up your Pokeball belt with a grin, one that was once boyish and childish, yet well-meaning- but it was nothing but sinister now as he lets the Pokeballs fall onto the floor one by one, your Pokemon doomed to watch.

You think he's bluffing with his threats- it's a silly thing to think, with the way his Kingambit stares at you, ready to pierce into your heart the moment you get up to run.

But you can't run, your entire body's succumbing to the effects of the cold- the same cold that Gavin, and anyone else in the academy, probably didn't know was going to kill you.

Dragons didn't like the cold.

But you weren't a dragon, were you?

Not like your Flygon- once a scared Vibrava, crying for its mother.

You were more of your Togetic- a delicate little thing, saved from the hands of criminals, unknowing of your circumstances and susceptible to corruption.

Gullible, just like you.

To have fallen for such a trap, putting your life on the line for something that was not your responsibility-

It was something Born had told you of, when you had asked him about Grace.

You wonder why you didn't listen this time.

Weren't you always so passive?

Patient.

Obedient.

Apathetic.

Stagnating.

His voice cracks as he talks, snapping you out of your thoughts.

"He made you feel special, didn't he?"

Born?

You don't know how to reply to that, really.

He had high hopes for you, and he made it clear- and it suffocated you initially, wondering how you were going to live up to his name and his strength.

You kept worrying if you were ever going to reach him, a carefree dragon that soared the skies without a care in the world, flying amongst the stars-

Better to remain grounded than to crash and burn, the you of the past would have thought- the you that was passive and unremarkable, the you who didn't know what to write on your essay.

But if that was the case,

Why did you choose him as your mentor?

You felt the despair bubbling up his throat, barely concealed by the laughter he forces out of himself.

It was like a glimpse into an alternate reality- a "you" who was much more charismatic, much more confident, a "you" that had every reason to be the heir of the Dragon Monarch, a "you" that could justify wanting to stay by the side of a mentor you could never hope to surpass.

A "you" that failed.

"All it took-"

A "you" that was discarded.

"-for Born to give up on me,"

A "you" that was forgotten.

"-was one loss!"

A "you" that truly stagnated.

"That's the kind of person your mentor is!"

It was his truth- there was no use calling him a liar, even if every part of you wanted to force your body to push itself up against the icy floor, bearing the fangs you hid out of shame.

He holds up your Pokegear above his head, showing to you the bright screen- its barely visible from where you laid, even more so with how your vision was blurring.

You can't hear another word of what he says.

But you feel a familiar warmth, coming closer.

Your mentor would have greeted you as he always has after every accomplishment you've done in his name.

But even his eyes are different as he sizes up his opponent, ready for Exo to strike-

"Ah, ah, ah."

Kingambit's blade presses against the fabric of your clothes, damp and covered in frost.

"If you or your dirty mutt take another step,"

It was just as cold.

"-your heir will get hurt! Badly!"

It was your first time seeing Born, who often did as he pleased, with no worry or regard for those around him, pause.

Your life, slowly draining from the cold, was being held in such a high regard.

"Just stay right there. In fact, you don't even have to do anything."

You wonder if Born was ready to strike, regardless of outcome.

You wonder if he called his bluff, laughing to himself and thinking of a witty comeback.

But, just like you, he stands completely still- eyes as cold as ice.

Gavin clicks his tongue in annoyance.

"It's exactly as I thought- you actually care for him, don't you?"

Perhaps it was something neither of them wanted to acknowledge.

"I didn't think you'd be beaten by Elisia so badly that you'd lose your common sense along with your Fifth Seat."

Like a dragon challenging another, Gavin steps forward, one hand held tightly onto a Pokeball of his own.

"Oh, Born. Are you getting angry? We can't have you lashing out now."

You felt yourself suddenly lifted from the ground, the blade of the Kingambit not fully piercing through the fabric of your shirt- but just enough to hold you up for your mentor to see.

You can't tell what expression he's making as you're lifted like a doll, pliant and unmoving.

"Think about your poor, poor mentee. My Kingambit might slip!"

You're starting to think he's no longer bluffing- even as he laughs at his own cruel joke.

You wanted to tell Born to not worry- that there would be no blood that were to be shed on the snow.

"..you're using a hostage, and you think you have power all of a sudden?"

Fists curled at his side, boots digging into the snow-

Perhaps it was your own hallucinations, but you swore there was almost smoke pouring out of his mouth as he snarled.

"You call that power?"

A dragon in wait.

Gavin's Obstagoon strikes- and Exo remains still, holding itself back from letting out a single breath.

Please.

"Go on! Tell them how you treated me!"

There was no movement from the opposite side of the battle- it could not even be called a battle, with an opponent so unwilling to fight.

Please, Born, you have to-

"How you discarded me like 'worthless trash'-"

An order nearly slips out of his lips- but he grits his teeth, nails digging into his palms, close to drawing blood.

You can't lose.

"-after I lost to Elisia!"

Not like this.

You watch as Exo is brought to its knees, while Born remains steadfast in the harshness of winter.

"How does it feel to be trash now?"

Born glances over at Exo's body- and then at yours, meeting your gaze.

I'm sorry.

Realization seems to hit his features as he watches the lack of movement from your fingertips.

Unable to move, succumbing to the cold, you close your eyes- and you hope, that with your life dwindling before his eyes, he could take this chance to fight and reclaim his crown.