The meeting was winding down when one of the council members, an older man with a deep, gravelly voice, raised a hand to get Daniel's attention. "Pardon me, Daniel, but if the Pokémon Center and stadium are to take time to build, what are we to do in the meantime? The issue of people battling in the streets needs a more immediate solution."
Daniel paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He hadn't considered a temporary measure, but the question was valid. A solution was needed, and it was needed quickly. Then an idea struck him—an idea that could address the issue and do much more.
"I actually already have an arena of sorts in my forest," Daniel began, drawing curious looks from the council. "Not long ago, I had a battle arena constructed as a training ground for Elizabeth and others who might want to learn about battling Pokémon. It's far enough from any structures to avoid damage and is already ready to use."
The council members nodded thoughtfully, though their expressions still carried hints of concern.
"But," Daniel continued, his tone shifting with sudden excitement, "I just had another idea. Instead of simply redirecting battles to the forest, why don't we turn this into something more structured—something that can bring the town together and even showcase the potential of Pokémon to everyone, including those who are skeptical? By allowing people to battle in a competitive and controlled way it's likely that they'll be less reckless in the streets since theyll have a proper place to battle."
The council all listened closely, intrigued by the idea.
"What if," Daniel said, his voice growing more animated, "We host a Pokémon tournament? Let those who have bonded with Pokémon compete in organized battles. Tournaments that can be reocurring and the champions be given rewards provided by me. But for this first tournament, the final matches to be held a week from now."
The room buzzed with murmurs of interest, though some council members exchanged skeptical glances. The man who had first raised the question nodded slowly. "A tournament, you say? That could indeed help control the battles and provide entertainment for the townsfolk. But a week is a very short time to plan such an event."
Before Daniel could respond, the same sharp-eyed councilwoman as before spoke up. "Why a week, Daniel? That seems rushed, no matter how you look at it. What's so significant about that timeline?"
Daniel hesitated, suddenly realizing he had yet to mention the King's impending visit. Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… there's a reason for that. The King—King Aldric—is coming to visit the town and the forest. He'll be here in exactly one week and I thought it would be a good idea to give him a good show."
For a moment, the room was deathly silent, as if the very air had been sucked out. Then, a middle-aged man with graying hair let out a strained laugh, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I must have misheard you, Daniel. Did you just say THE KING is coming to visit this town in A WEEK?"
Daniel gave an awkward smile. "You heard me correctly. He's coming with his entourage to see the forest and learn more about Pokémon. I thought it would be a good opportunity so show him something unique—like a tournament showcasing the bonds people here are forming with Pokémon."
After a moment, the room erupted into chaos. Voices overlapped as council members began debating, panicking, and questioning how they could possibly prepare for a royal visit on such short notice.
"The roads need to be repaired—"
"We need to clean up the marketplace—"
"What about accommodations for the King and his entourage?"
"We need to begin preparations immediately!"
Daniel stood silently as the council descended into frantic discussion. Ben, standing beside him, leaned over and whispered, "Way to be subtle about it."
Daniel sighed. "Well they'll manage, I'm sure. At least this way, they have time to prepare."
After several more minutes of heated debate, the council finally turned back to Daniel. "We'll agree to your proposal for the tournament," the sharp-eyed councilwoman said, though her tone was still brisk. "But you'll need to keep the tournament organized and ensure it reflects well on the town. As for the King's visit, we'll handle the preparations."
"I understand," Daniel said, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you for your support."
The council dismissed Daniel and Ben, clearly eager to begin planning for the King's arrival. As they exited the meeting house, the muffled sounds of continued arguing followed them out into the twilight.
---
The sun was dipping below the horizon as Daniel and Ben walked through the town square. The cobblestone streets glowed in the warm light, and the bustling sounds of townsfolk winding down their day filled the air.
"Well, that was something," Ben said, adjusting the strap of his bag. "You certainly know how to stir things up."
Daniel chuckled, though his thoughts were already shifting to the logistics of the tournament. "It needed to be done. A tournament will not only give people a chance to showcase their own achievements but also prepare them for battles in a controlled environment. And having the King witness it could be a huge step forward in integrating Pokémon into society."
Ben nodded. "You've got a vision, I'll give you that. But what about me? Where am I supposed to stay while all of this is happening?"
Daniel stopped and looked around. He hadn't considered that detail. "I suppose you could stay in the forest, but I imagine you'd prefer a proper bed."
"Absolutely," Ben replied with a smirk. "I'm a merchant, not a wilderness explorer."
Daniel gestured toward a nearby inn. "Stay here for now. Once the Pokémon Center is built, you'll have a place to stay in the town permanently. I'll cover the cost."
Ben offered his hand and Daniel shook it. "Generous as always, Daniel. I'll take you up on that."
They parted ways at the inn, with Ben disappearing inside to secure a room for the night. Daniel, meanwhile, made his way back to the carriage where Corviknight stood guard over a still-sleeping Elizabeth.
---
Elizabeth was curled up on the bench seat, Squirtle nestled beside her, both of them fast asleep. Daniel smiled at the sight, his heart warming at the peaceful scene. Corviknight let out a soft caw as Daniel approached.
"Thanks for keeping watch," Daniel said, patting the bird Pokémon's metallic feathers. Corviknight tilted its head in acknowledgment, its sharp eyes ever vigilant.
Carefully, Daniel climbed into the carriage and sat beside Elizabeth, making sure not to disturb her. He gently signaled for Corviknight to take off, and with a powerful beat of its wings, the carriage rose into the sky.
The flight back to the forest was quiet and serene, the cool night air brushing past them as the stars began to twinkle above. Daniel leaned back, his thoughts filled with plans for the week ahead. The tournament would need to be organized quickly, the King's visit prepared for, and the Pokémon Center project set in motion. It was a lot to manage, but Daniel happy at what it could all lead to.
By the time they reached the forest, Elizabeth was stirring, her eyes fluttering open as the carriage touched down. As she blinked sleepily at Daniel, a small smile formed on his face.
"Are we home?" she murmured.
"Yes, we're home," Daniel replied softly, helping her down from the carriage. Squirtle yawned and stretched before hopping out after her.