Chapter 9: Trojan Horse

Subchapter 9.1: Jack Thiago Musdnown and Anubrack vs. Lora Atsumi, Sparkizard, and TrapPunch

The Sandownes arena was charged with an almost tangible tension. The setting sun cast an orange hue over the field, creating long shadows that seemed to foretell the battle about to unfold. In the stands, the audience held their breath, eagerly anticipating the clash between two of the most skilled trainers in the region: Jack Thiago Musdnown and Lora Atsumi.

Jack, with his cold and calculated demeanor, observed Lora from across the field. He was a natural strategist, always several steps ahead of his opponents. Beside him stood Anubrack, his loyal bakuster, a creature cloaked in a sleek, black carapace, brimming with anticipation. Anubrack was a terrifying blend of shadow power and subterranean skills—a lethal combination in battles that required both brute strength and cunning.

Lora, on the other hand, remained confident. Her eyes gleamed with the determination of someone who never backed down from a challenge. Sparkizard, her fiery and electric companion, stood at her side, roaring as small sparks of electricity danced across its scales. TrapPunch, her other secret weapon, lay in wait, ready to turn the battlefield into a deathtrap at just the right moment.

Both trainers knew this was no ordinary match—it was a fight for respect, territorial control, and, above all, victory over a long-time rival.

"Anubrack, stay alert," Jack murmured, his eyes cold as steel.

The bakuster leaned slightly forward, its sharp claws poised for action. It was ready to disappear at any moment, using the environment to its advantage.

Lora stepped forward, a defiant smile forming on her lips.
"Let’s see what you’ve got, Jack!" she shouted, raising her hand to give the first command.
"Sparkizard, use Quick Shot!"

With a roar, Sparkizard charged like lightning toward Anubrack, leaving a trail of electricity and heat in its wake. It was fast, agile, and nearly impossible to dodge.

"Now, Anubrack! Shadow Dive!" Jack commanded.

In the blink of an eye, Anubrack vanished underground, leaving Sparkizard striking nothing but air. The ground where Anubrack had been erupted from the impact, but the bakuster was already gone.

Lora frowned. She knew Anubrack could attack from anywhere now.
"You’re not hiding from me, Jack. Sparkizard, Fire Cyclone!"

The fiery bakuster began spinning, creating a vortex of flames around itself. The flames spread across the field, turning the arena into an inferno and heating the ground. This made it difficult for Anubrack to keep moving underground.

"Hm, an interesting move," Jack murmured with a smirk. "But you underestimate my Anubrack. Anubrack, Shadow Dash!"

Without warning, Anubrack emerged from the ground behind Sparkizard, its claws cloaked in a dark aura. It attacked forcefully, pushing Sparkizard forward and causing it to stagger.

"Think you can stop me with such a simple trick?" Jack taunted.

Lora, however, was prepared. Without missing a beat, she activated her trump card.
"Now, TrapPunch!"

Suddenly, a series of devices emerged from the ground around Anubrack. Small points of light blinked, and Jack realized too late that Lora had set a trap to neutralize his bakuster. The traps exploded, sending sparks and debris across the battlefield.

"TrapPunch is active, Jack. Good luck!" Lora said with a victorious smile.

"Don’t celebrate too soon," Jack replied through clenched teeth.

As Anubrack was pressured by the explosions, Jack knew he needed a decisive move. He was well aware of his opponent’s weaknesses and was ready to turn the tide.

"Anubrack, Shadow Detonation!"

Anubrack gathered its remaining strength, channeling shadow energy around itself. A burst of dark energy spread across the field, nullifying the TrapPunch devices and landing a direct hit on Sparkizard. The impact was so intense that Sparkizard was thrown back, leaving Lora momentarily stunned.

"You’re tougher than I thought, Jack," Lora admitted, her eyes still gleaming with excitement.

"And you’re just starting to understand," Jack replied, an enigmatic smile spreading across his face.

The battle was far from over. Both trainers knew that the next move could be decisive. The field was littered with flames, explosions, and shadows, and the audience, silent, awaited the outcome of this intense duel with bated breath.