Lorelei sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she tried to stifle a giggle. "Mia, calm down! You’re misunderstanding the situation."

Greta and Bruno exchanged confused but amused looks, clearly baffled by my chaotic energy.

"Why is she like this?" Bruno muttered to Greta.

"Because she’s Mia," Greta replied matter-of-factly.

Meanwhile, Professor Oak stood there with an amused but concerned expression. "Mia, if you would just listen for a moment..."

I skidded to a stop, panting, my arms still flailing. "LISTEN TO WHAT?! THAT I HAVE TO BATTLE A LEGENDARY TRAINER?!"

Lance stepped forward, his arms crossed and his expression smug. "If you had let me finish earlier, I was going to say that I was joking. Professor Oak is not your final opponent."

I froze, blinking at him. "Wait. What?"

Oak adjusted his lab coat and chuckled. "No, no, my dear girl. I’m not battling you."

I sighed in relief, slumping to the floor dramatically. "Oh, thank Arceus..."

But then Lance smirked. "Your actual opponent is someone just as legendary."

Before I could react, another figure stepped into the room. My jaw dropped as I recognized him.

"RED?!" I screeched, my voice somehow louder than before.

The legendary trainer stood silently, his cap pulled low over his eyes, a Pikachu perched on his shoulder. He said nothing, just crossing his arms and looking intimidating.

Lorelei let out a snort, barely holding back her laughter. "Mia, you’re going to break the sound barrier at this rate."

I pointed an accusing finger at Lance. "YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS! THIS IS UNFAIR!"

Lance grinned, clearly enjoying my meltdown. "Hey, you wanted to face the best, didn’t you?"

Bruno clapped his hands together. "This should be interesting."

Red tilted his head slightly, his Pikachu letting out a confident "Pika!"

I took a step back, my heart racing. "Red doesn’t even talk! How am I supposed to battle someone who doesn’t talk?!"

Greta smirked. "He doesn’t need to talk. His Pokémon do all the talking for him."

"THIS IS NOT HELPING!" I yelled, waving my arms dramatically.

Oak finally stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Mia, calm down. You’ve come this far. You’re a talented trainer, and we all believe in you."

I stared up at him, my eyes wide. "But... it’s Red. He’s unbeatable!"

Red gave a small smirk, his confidence radiating off him.

Lorelei crouched down beside me. "Mia, listen. No one’s unbeatable. And even if you lose, it’s about the experience, not just the win."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Okay. Okay, I can do this."

Bruno grinned. "That’s the spirit, kid."

I turned to face Red, my hands shaking but my determination growing. "Alright, Mr. Silent and Intimidating. Let’s do this."

Red nodded, taking a Pokéball from his belt. His Pikachu jumped down, ready to battle.

Lance clapped his hands. "Now this is going to be a match to remember!"

"You’ve got to be kidding me!" I yelled, pointing at him. "THIS IS SO UNFAIR!"

Red just tilted his head, his usual silent confidence somehow making him even more intimidating.

Lance smirked from the sidelines. "Come on, Mia, it’s your brother. You’ve faced him plenty of times, right?"

"THAT DOESN’T COUNT!" I screeched. "HE’S RED! HE’S LITERALLY A LEGEND!"

Red, of course, said nothing, but his Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder and let out an enthusiastic "Pika!"

I stared at them, wide-eyed. "Oh no. Nope. Nope nope nope. You’re too calm! Why are you so calm?! GIVE ME TWO SECONDS, WOULD YA?"

Without waiting for an answer, I bolted out the dojo door and onto the grass outside.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed as loud as I possibly could, flailing my arms for good measure. Birds flew out of nearby trees, and even Lance’s Dragonite peeked out the window in concern.

Inside, the others exchanged looks.

"Does she always do this?" Lorelei asked, trying to hide her amusement.

Greta sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honestly? Yes."

Bruno crossed his arms, grinning. "I like her spirit. She’s entertaining."

Meanwhile, Professor Oak adjusted his glasses. "Well, at least she’s getting her energy out..."

Back outside, I finished my dramatic outburst and took several deep breaths. "Okay. Okay. You’ve got this, Mia. He’s just your brother. A terrifying, unbeatable, legendary brother... OH ARCEUS WHY ME?!" I screamed again for good measure.

Finally, I stomped back inside, glaring at everyone. "Alright. Fine. Let’s get this over with."

Red raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. His Pikachu stood at the ready, sparks flying from its cheeks.

"Don’t rush me!" I snapped, holding up a finger. "I’m still emotionally preparing myself, okay?!"

Lance burst out laughing. "Mia, you’re priceless."

I glared at him before grabbing my first Pokéball. "Alright, Red. Let’s do this. But for the record, I still think this is completely unfair!"

Red smirked, finally tossing his Pokéball. Out came his Pikachu, who stood confidently, sparks dancing around it.

My jaw dropped again. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! YOU START WITH PIKACHU?!"

"Pika!" his Pikachu chirped, ready for battle.

"Okay, fine!" I yelled, throwing out my own Pikachu. "Let’s show him what we’ve got!"

"Pika-pika!" my Pikachu shouted, jumping forward and glaring at Red’s Pikachu.

The room grew silent as the battle began, and I couldn’t help but glance nervously at my brother.

"Why do you have to be so good at everything?!" I yelled, more to myself than to him.

Red just smirked again, and I swore it was the most infuriating thing I’d ever seen.

The battle began with Red standing silently across from me, his iconic Pikachu at the ready. I was trying to calculate every possible move, my mind spinning faster than a Rapidash on caffeine.

Red’s silent stare didn’t help. His expression was calm, but his eyes were intense, and it only made me panic more.

"Mia, are you okay?" Lance asked, stepping forward.

I blinked rapidly, realizing I wasn’t breathing again. "I-I think so?"

But then Red gave me a worried look, his brow furrowing slightly as he raised a hand, motioning to me.

"What’s wrong?!" I shrieked, throwing my hands in the air. "Am I doing something wrong?!"

Lance tilted his head. "Uh, Mia, you’re starting to look a little... blue."

"BLUE?!" I yelped, now fully spiraling. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BLUE?! AM I DYING?!"

Greta ran up, patting me on the back. "Calm down! Just breathe!"

"BREATHE?! I CAN’T—I NEED TO SCREAM AGAIN!"

Before anyone could stop me, I bolted for the nearest open space, cupped my hands around my mouth, and screamed louder than I ever had in my life.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The sheer volume shattered every single window in Lance’s dojo. Glass rained down everywhere as everyone ducked for cover.

"Pika!" both Pikachus cried, diving for safety behind Red and me.

Lance staggered backward, clutching his head. "By the Legendary Birds, Mia, tone it down!"

Red flinched, his expression briefly morphing into one of exasperation before he facepalmed silently.

Bruno was doubled over, laughing so hard he nearly fell over. "This girl is absolutely unhinged!"

Professor Oak, who had appeared just before the chaos, looked like he was debating whether to laugh or faint. "Well… that’s certainly one way to prepare for battle."

I finally stopped screaming, panting as I surveyed the mess I had caused. "Alright. I feel better now. Can we fight already?"

Red just stared at me, his face a mix of confusion and mild amusement. He pointed to me, raised an eyebrow, and then gestured toward his Pikachu, signaling he was ready.

"Why are you giving me that look?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Just because I screamed doesn’t mean I’m not ready!"

Lance stepped forward, dragging a hand down his face. "Mia, maybe take a few breaths first? You know, before you cause an actual earthquake."

"I’m fine!" I huffed, stomping my foot. "Let’s do this, Red!"

Red smirked slightly, nodded, and pointed forward. His Pikachu stepped up, sparking with anticipation.

I narrowed my eyes and called out to my Pikachu. "Alright, girl, show them what we’re made of!"

Red didn’t say a word—he didn’t need to. His calm and confident demeanor was enough to send my nerves spiraling all over again.

And yet, as chaotic as it was, I couldn’t help but grin. Battling Red, my legendary brother, felt like the ultimate challenge. I just hoped I wouldn’t need to scream again—or break any more windows.

The battle had barely started, and my Pikachu was already doing most of the work, not because she wanted to but because I was completely losing my mind.

I paced back and forth, muttering to myself as if the fate of the world depended on it. "Okay, okay, what if he uses Thunderbolt? No, no, that’s predictable. Maybe he’ll go for Quick Attack? What do I do if he does that? Oh no, what if it’s Iron Tail—"

Red stood silently on the other side of the battlefield, his arms crossed and his face unreadable. His Pikachu glanced between him and me, visibly confused by my antics.

Meanwhile, my Pikachu was left to figure things out on her own. She dodged an incoming Quick Attack and retaliated with one of her own, landing a solid hit.

"Good job!" I called out, briefly stopping my pacing to cheer her on. But then I caught sight of Red signaling to his Pikachu, and I freaked out again. "Oh no, he’s planning something, isn’t he?! I need a strategy! I need a plan!"

I turned and started pacing again, my footsteps growing more erratic. At one point, I got so caught up in my own thoughts that I accidentally wandered onto the battlefield.

"MIA!" Lance shouted from the sidelines. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

I froze mid-step, finally realizing where I was. "Oh! Uh… I was just… stretching my legs?"

Red facepalmed silently, while his Pikachu tilted its head, looking equal parts amused and baffled.

My Pikachu let out an exasperated "Pika!" as if to say, "Seriously? Can you focus for once?"

"Sorry!" I called out to her, quickly scrambling back to the trainer’s box. "You’ve got this! I believe in you!"

She sighed and rolled her eyes before returning her focus to the battle. She unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt that nearly took Red’s Pikachu by surprise.

"That’s my girl!" I cheered. But then I started pacing again, muttering under my breath about what move I should call next—even though I clearly wasn’t calling any moves.

Greta leaned over to Lorelei, whispering, "Does she always do this?"

Lorelei nodded, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Unfortunately, yes. This is peak Mia."

Red, to his credit, remained composed throughout the entire ordeal, though I could tell by the faint twitch of his eyebrow that even he was starting to lose patience.

At one point, Red’s Pikachu sent a Thunderbolt my way—not to attack me, but as a warning. I yelped and stumbled back, landing on my rear.

"Okay, okay! I’ll stay in my box!" I squeaked.

Despite my chaos, the battle continued. My Pikachu, being the absolute legend she is, managed to hold her own, even with her trainer being… well, me.

By the end of the battle, I was still pacing, mumbling, and occasionally shrieking, but somehow, somehow, my Pikachu managed to win.

Red gave a small, approving nod, but I was too busy having a mini meltdown to notice.

Lance sighed. "Mia, you’re a walking disaster, but you somehow pulled it off."

"Thanks?" I replied, blinking up at him.

My Pikachu, meanwhile, flopped onto the ground, utterly exhausted.

"Pika…" she muttered, glaring at me as if to say, "Next time, do your job."