Second Chances

Chapter IV - Revelation

[Author's Note/Warning:]

[Heyo. Sorry this chapter took so long, but I'm glad to be able to release it at long last! I am writing this note primarily to warn you all about a sensitive and mature topic in this chapter of the story, so please read with caution and at your own discretion!

You may see a new character in this chapter — I was very glad to cameo a character made by an associate of mine, Espeon804! She's read my writing since I started in March, and I have been insanely glad to have her support. Thanks to her, and check her out on Wattpad and YouTube!

Many thanks again!]

      "Up next, Amber the Leafeon, and Matthias the Sneasel! Both students, please step onto the battlefield!"

It sounded like she was up. Amber stood slowly from her spot on the sideline and padded towards the center of the large field. They were in the city's fancy stadium, used for televised competitions and such. It was for that reason that the stadium was so grandiose, with towering metallic stands with rows and rows of seats, of which only about a fifth could be filled with the entire student body of all the city's schools. The battlefield itself was a sizable rectangle of sand-like terrain, marked with a white painted ring in the center and bordered by similar lines. People of all species filled seats in sections, separated by grade level. Each grade would have its own tournament, and the one for Amber's graduating class had begun not too long ago. Each of her classmates were lined up along the side of the field, called up as each match finished, the pairings randomized.

Today was the first day of the student tournament, the penultimate event for students before the end of the school year, and in Amber's case, graduation. Every student was required to either participate, or write a big, long essay, to pass the battling courses; Amber didn't want to do either, but Miranda managed to talk her into the tournament. One's standing in the final ranks didn't matter anyways, as long as the instructors could see that they put in some effort. They were lined up along the opposite side, watching each battle carefully and duly taking notes. Administrators were seated higher, perching above the student body to oversee the event. The headmaster of each school was there, as well as a guest whom Amber did not recognize.

The opponent of Amber's made it to the center before she did, bouncing slightly in anticipation on his little feet. The Sneasel was of narrow stature,

"Pleasure. Amber, yeah?" said the Sneasel, whose head came up level with her own. He had a confidence about him, but he spoke politely.

"Um, yeah, that's me. And you're.... Matthias?"

"Yup. You ready for this?" Matthias said as he flexed his claws.

"W-well, I-"

"Aaaand, begin!" the announcer interrupted with little delay.

Immediately Matthias lunged forward with a swipe of his claws – or, rather, a swing of his fist, as he had covertly curled in his claws to form a devastating blow. Amber was utterly taken off-guard, and the attack hit her square in the jaw. It wasn't any normal punch; when contact was made, Amber felt the heat rapidly sap from her face as frigid deposition formed against her fur. Her head snapped to the side from the astonishing force of the Ice Punch, causing Amber to stumble to the side before quickly dodging as best she could away from Matthias' follow-up swing.

A near miss of the second punch gave Amber a split second to react; she brought a paw to her mouth and put one of the grassy curls of fur against her lips. Soon after she had evolved she had tried to see if it were possible, and she soon discovered that blowing through the toughened, vaguely waxy hairs would produce a clear, melodious tone that was astonishingly loud yet euphonious. She had tried to use her tail, but it was too thick, too unwieldy. The tufts did just fine.