>>18715508>>18717478Carmody considers Ash's words as she speaks, and finds herself nodding along as she thinks of her own opponent.
Like Zunigoth is to Paule, Lightning Nika seems well out of reach for Carmody at her current level of ability. The beating she'd endured backstage, surprise attack or not, had left her with the certainty that it would be a long, difficult path of training and learning in order for her to have even a chance against Nika.
Hell, it probably would be.
But maybe not. As Ash said, the possibility of an upset is always there.
And if Carmody still lost? Ash's simple mantra made all the sense in the world, even through the muddled fog in her brain. She'd survive. She'd learn. She'd grow stronger alongside her friends. And then, someday later, she'd win.
She takes a little heart in seeing Paule's smile. It makes her feel like she can do the same.