The spotlights in the stadium focused in as I stepped down the stairs and into the arena. Across from me, Olympia's Meowstic approached with a determined look on her face. This was the last match in the tournament to determine the winner in this year's Anistar City Challenge. For the past three years, the leader of the Anistar City gym has been hosting a psychic-type tournament to find a suitable successor, as she has decided to retire as soon as someone capable can take over. My trainer, Jacob, has worked relentlessly to be a psychic-type master ever since he started his pokemon journey. The first year he did not even make it to the quarterfinals, but last year we lost to Olympia 6-1 after climbing up the tournament ladder. This year, I will not let him down.

This match has been painfully close and intense since the start. Now, both of us were down to our last pokemon, and this final skirmish will determine the result. After the decently sized crowd of spectators started to calm down, the referee blew on his whistle and spoke into his megaphone, "This is the final battle between Jacob's Espeon and Olympia's Meowstic. Let the battle begin!"

Both Jacob and I were experienced battlers, and we knew the strengths and weaknesses of Meowstics. Through our psychic link, Jacob offered some strategic information and said, "Ok, Juliet, let's make this last fight count! We know that Olympia's Meowstic is a female, so she is going to be an all-out attacker. You are faster and stronger than her, but she is slightly more durable than you. We'll have to use your offensive power to finish off the fight fast."

While he was providing his information, I fired off a dazzling gleam before aiming my shadow ball at Meowstic, hoping that she would not be able to dodge after taking damage from the dazzling gleam. However, Meowstic knew how to defend against such an attack, and cast a light screen to absorb most of the dazzling gleam. Then, she evaded my shadow ball and countered with her own dark pulse. For a few minutes, we circled each other and traded shadow balls, while skillfully dodging and sidestepping. However, Jacob's warning echoed in my mind, and I knew I had to make a play soon or she will win off endurance alone. Through his mind, I asked him for help. I wanted to know her weaknesses or some sort of information that will give me an advantage.

Within seconds, he informed me that he had a plan to secure us a lead. He said, "Most of Meowstic's power comes from her ears. If you focus hard on her ears, you can try to predict her attacks."

And so, while we kited and fought in a circle, I read the movements that her ears made before each her attacks. Right before she casted dark pulse, her left ear twitched only slightly. I knew that she needed to stand still for a fraction of a second to gather the energy, so as soon as her ear twitched, I fired a powerful shadow ball, which caught her by surprise and slammed right into her chest, breaking her concentration. Then, I quickly combo-ed a grass knot to keep my opponent off balance, and followed with a dazzling gleam which she couldn't avoid.

Now, with the lead secured, both Jacob and I agreed that I need to pressure my lead into a win before I ran out of shadow balls. While I only have one attack that is super effective against Meowstic, she knew both dark pulse and shadow ball, and as soon as I lose the ability to cast shadow ball, she could easily crush me.

After falling back into the same pattern of dodging and counter-attacking, Jacob formulated a plan. He instructed, telepathically of course, "Alright, Juliet. I am going to assume that Olympia knows that you'll get tired before her Meowstic. What I want you to do is pretend like you're wearing out, and then you wait for her to get overly confident, then strike."

So I deliberately moved slower and carefully acted out one or two mistakes where I would "accidentally" skim a shadow ball. It hurt, but I could tell that Meowstic was getting confident. With every attack, she extended her charge-up time a little longer, thinking I cannot retaliate effectively. I waited patiently for a perfect opportunity before quickly dashing in right next to her, then landing a critical shadow ball right at her head. Meowstic fell, and after the longest ten seconds of my life, the referee announced, "Meowstic is unable to battle. Espeon wins! Congratulations to Jacob of Aquacorde Town for winning this year's Anistar City Challenge!"

Yes, I thought, we won! We finally won, after all those years of hard work and dedication! Now, if Olympia approves, which she hopefully will, Jacob will finally be the new Anistar City gym leader! In my excitement, I forgot how tired I was, and I immediately passed out.