"And here we are, the first day of pools for the Sinnoh Pokemon League Championship Tournament! My oh my, this is the largest the tournament has been since back in our day, isn't it Professor Rowan?"

"Indeed, Professor Berlitz. With over 17,000 entrants, the competition will be the fiercest it has been in decades."

"I think we'll all be disappointed with anything less! We all just want to move on after that business with Team Galactic. The talk of this tournament, of course, is who will succeed 4-term champion Palmer Kurotsugu? Will Volkner the Boy Wonder finally break into the Pokemon League? And what will become of the trainers that deal with Team Galactic boss Cyrus? The answers to all these questions and more start now!"

"Indeed, Berlitz. For the edification of our viewers we have a very special guest joining us to explain how the tournament works and what it takes for a challenger to join the Sinnoh league."

"And what a guest he is! A one-time actor that decided to prove to all of us he is more than just a pretender, you all know him as the first and greatest rival of Ash Ketchum, but today he is an accomplished Pokemon researcher and former Gym Leader of the Indigo League, the one and only Shigeru Blue!"

"Thank you for the introduction, professors. It is truly an honor to stand amongst such august company today.

The Championship Tournament consists of three stages: the pools, a series of single-elimination matches fought to determine which challengers join the reigning League members in the top 32. Normally, only 16 participants graduate from pools to join the champion, the elite 4, the gym leaders, and the three league lieutenants, but with Champion Palmer stepping down, 17 challengers will make it out of pools to compete with the remaining 15 league members.

The top 32 is a double-elimination bracket, with the top 16 joining the Sinnoh Pokemon League. The reigning League members are allowed to decide their first opponent, by order of rank, and each must choose a challenger as their first opponent.

Then, the top 16 battle for rank. Everyone wants to be the champ, and with the departure of Palmer this is the best chance most of them will ever have.

Each match consists of three rounds: prime, loan, and raw. In the prime round, each trainer is allowed to use whichever six pokemon they choose. For the loan round, each trainer is given a team of six randomly chosen pokemon. Finally, in the raw round each trainer brings six pokemon they have not used in battle before. A trainer needs to be ahead by two rounds to take the match. In the very likely event that neither trainer is ahead by two after a cycle through each of the three rounds, they will battle again through the three rounds until one of them is either ahead by two wins or is unable to continue."

xxx

Cynthia had one friend competing in pools – just one. What are the odds she would be her very first opponent?

It didn't help Dawn was the only opponent Cynthia didn't think she could beat in the prime round. The girl had coasted through the Elite Four and the Champion on the strength of her Giratina. Even slaved to a pokeball, it was a creature of nigh unparalleled power.

Stepping into her booth, Cynthia studied Dawn across the arena. She was nervous, eager, anxious, fidgeting with her hair, constantly checking her poketch, stealing glances at the crowd and at Cynthia – everything but calm. Cynthia felt much the same (how could she not?), but was quite a bit better at hiding it, which she hoped would unnerve Dawn just a little bit. The blonde knew she would need every edge she could get.

The marshal for their match called for them to select their first pokemon for the prime round. Cynthia decided to take a risk.

"I forfeit this round" Cynthia called out, somehow keeping her voice level. The marshal was too stunned to ask her to repeat herself, which was very fortunate because Cynthia didn't think she could handle the opportunity to second-guess herself.

There was a method to her madness. She knew Dawn was a very emotional battler: she fed off her pokemon, and her pokemon fed off her. A close defeat, much less a victory, in the prime round would give Dawn enough of a confidence boost to make her truly dangerous. While the forfeit put Cynthia at the mercy of the loan round, she knew she had a huge edge in experience and preparation over Dawn, and should be able to crush her in the rounds where Dawn can't pull a God out of her hat.

Moving on to the loan round (in record time), both trainers were given five minutes to assess their team. Cynthia had been given Lickitung, Bastiodon, Weavile, Sudowoodo, Vespiqueen, and Leafeon. A perfect team, if Dawn was given six Sunkern, or perhaps Magikarp.

Her best option to lead with, she figured, would be Lickitung. While the Normal-type probably wouldn't have an advantage against Dawn's lead, Lickitung probably wouldn't be at a disadvantage either. Cyn should be able to win any fair match, and with any luck Lickitung would draw out any Fighting-type Dawn had. Cynthia would be able to counter with Vespiqueen or Leafeon before her major Fighting weakness could be exploited.

Prep time ticking out, Cynthia gave Dawn a level stare, and did not like what she saw. The girl looked positively ecstatic. Either she'd been sneaking lines of Rare Candy, which would be bad, or she had been given a fantastic team, which would be much worse.

At the marshal's signal, Lickitung took the field. Across the stage a flash of light materialized into an Altaria. Excellent. Dawn had very little experience using Dragons herself, and neither pokemon had a type advantage against the other. Lickitung would probably take some damage, but should be able to win without much difficulty.

The (now quite bored) marshal found a way to seem self-important even while clearing his throat. "Trainers ready?"

"Ready"

"Ready"

Swinging his checkered white-and-black flag, he called out, "Begin battling!"

"Lickitung, use Rock Tomb!"

"Fly fast to avoid the rocks and use Dragon Pulse!"

Lickitung needed to stand still to conjure the rocks to attack Altaria, while Altaria was flying so fast that he could avoid most of the rocks but couldn't muster much of an offense. Feeling a bit unimaginative but not having any better options, the trainers allowed this slapfight to continue for a little while. Here, Dawn's inexperience showed. She seemed to be winning, as Lickitung was taking more hits than he was inflicting on Altaria, but maintaining battle speed was just as debilitating for the flyer as the wounds inflicted on Lickitung were. Gradually, the toll of battle showed on both combatants: they were getting sloppier with their attacks, they were moving slower, and they were breathing heavier. As Altaria needed to dodge to survive, this favored Cynthia.

Dawn didn't realize just how bad Altaria was hurting until he flew straight into a cloud of rocks he had been able to avoid for the past 10 minutes. She hoped he had enough energy for one big hit.

"Altaria, Sky Attack! Finish Lickitung!"

Altaria climbed high before plummeting directly towards Lickitung. Too fast to stop, and too fast to be stopped by Lickitung's diminished efforts. Was he to fast to be nudged off course?

"Use Lick, Lickitung. This battle is yours!"

With herculean effort, the Licking pokemon proved himself worthy of the title. His great pink tongue leaped towards the heavens and battered the dive-bomber. The dragon was hardly hurt by this, but his focus had been shaken (or so Cynthia hoped). Of course, while Lickitung was busy licking, Altaria was getting very close very fast. The tongue monster managed to jump aside in the nick of time as the dragon slammed home. As the dust cleared, Cynthia saw Lickitung (quite unnecessarily) strangling the very unconscious Altaria. Attaboy.

The marshal declared Altaria unconscious. Dawn recalled the fallen dragon and revealed what had made her so happy (not drugs): an Infernape.

Not good. Very not good. Every pokemon Cynthia had for this round was weak to at least one of Infernape's types. Dawn had one of her own which she had raised since it was a Chimchar, so she knew it's strengths and weaknesses and wouldn't make the mistakes she had with Altaria. Cynthia was going to lose at least two, probably three, pokemon bringing it down.

Lickitung was finished off with almost contemptuous ease, being decked with one swift punch before he could even touch the ape.

Next up for Cynthia was Sudowoodo. Infernape would need to get close to use his Fighting attacks, which would give Sudowoodo the chance to land some hits of his own, or Infernape would have to stay at range and try to wear Sudowoodo down with ineffective Fire attacks. Infernape would probably prevail in either case, but not unscathed.

"Trap it with Fire Spin!"

"Rock Throw Sudowoodo!"

Unfortunately, Dawn had the better plan. Since Infernape was much faster, he was able to form the burning vortex and still have time to dodge Sudowoodo's counter-attack. Sudowoodo didn't take much damage from the attack, but the smoke and ash virtually blinded him. Infernape had more than enough time to land a decisive blow without much fear of retaliation.

As expected, the naturally aggressive ape was dashing forwards before Dawn told him to. Cynthia needed to think of something Sudowoodo could do to contribute without needed to see, or her next pokemon would be in huge trouble.

"Stealth Rock, as much as you can Sudowoodo."

"Take it out now, Infernape. Close Combat!"

A loose flock of rapidly growing and sharpening pebbles formed in the arena as Infernape surged forwards. Understanding the plan, Sudowoodo did its best to place as many rocks between itself and its enemy as possible, but hurried as the summoning was Infernape was able to smash through them with little injury.

Cynthia felt as much as she heard the punch Infernape delivered. Recalling Sudowoodo, it was some consolation that the hot-head seemed to have hurt his right hand, but was clearly still eager and fit for battle. Cynthia decided to try and take advantage of the remaining rocks by sending Bastiodon next. While possessing a much worse typing for fighting Infernape than Sudowoodo did, Bastiodon should be able to fight back better by using Metal Burst to counter the fire attac- never mind, her Pokedex screen was just dirty - Bastiodon knows Metal Sound. Oh well, maybe Stealth Rock will work better this time?

It did. A little.

While Bastiodon summoned more rocks, Infernape blinded her with Fire Spin and charged with Close Combat. Bastiodon met the ape head-on, rushing blinding into his fist. Cynthia's pokemon was gravely injured, but due to her superior mass and lower center of gravity was able to remain standing and send Infernape flying. Cynthia's best option to scare a bit more damage before Infernape got back up was to have Bastiodon hit him with the remaining rocks.

Infernape rose slowly as the stones closed in. Dawn had her pokemon use Agility to gain an extra burst of speed, allowing him to avoid the rocks and knock out Bastiodon. An effective move from Dawn, but it would cost her. The effect of Agility was only temporary, and Infernape could ill afford the energy spent on the maneuver. The ape was still dangerous, but was definitely on his last legs.

Cynthia took the full minute allowed to send out her next pokemon, wanting to ensure the extra speed from Agility would wear off. Vespiquen was up next, and like a true monarch flaunted her power and importance by sending for her servants. A host of immature Combee erupted from her underside and mobbed the burning monkey. Sluggish gouts of fire tried to keep the swarm at bay, but there were just too many, and Infernape was too tired. Dawn looked mournful as she recalled her champion, but she was not yet broken.

She wasted no time selecting her next pokemon. From the loaned pokeball sprang the machine-geist Rotom. It was an excellent choice to counter Vespiquen: the ghost's typing made it difficult for the queen to damage it, and Rotom's electric attacks would be highly effective at striking down both the queen and her Combee court. Still, Cynthia wasn't worried. Even if Vespiquen lost now, Weavile would be able to clean up Rotom with no trouble at all, leaving leaving Dawn up three pokemon to two – great odds for the blonde now that Infernape was out of the picture.

Cynthia instructed the Combee spread out, adopting a loose formation so Rotom's most powerful attacks wouldn't be able to wipe them all out at once. Vespiquen fired off Air Slashes through the loose screen at Rotom, the scythes of wind eviscerating a few unfortunate Combee but racking up crucial damage on the ghost. Dawn decided to clear out the chaff first, with Rotom using several bursts of Thundershock to zap the little bees. The loss of the Combees weakened Vespiquen, but also opened up some more attack options now that she didn't need to worry about them getting in the way (much).

Vespiquen switched from Air Slash to Power Gem, launching several spheres of orange energy at Rotom, while the ghost fired a mighty Thunderbolt in return. Both pokemon chose to focus on attacking over dodging, and both attacks struck true to great effect. Rotom's radiance was dimmed as it floated about aimlessly, shedding a few sparks but no longer mustering the energy it had before. Vespiquen was barely keeping herself off the ground, the jewel on her forehead cracked and her right arm hanging limp.

"Both pokemon are unable to continue battling. Trainers, recall them immediately!" crowed the marshal with surprising vigor. Dawn and Cynthia did as they were told, leaving Cynthia the dilemma of choosing who to send next: Weavile or Leafeon. Both had their own strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, and Cynthia had no idea what Dawn would send out next. She settled on Leafeon, on the basis that he had no double-weaknesses and would therefore stand a better chance against the anything Dawn might have up her sleeve.

Leafeon emerged from his pokeball, and was greeted by Dawn's Lopunny. The ensuing battle was quick and brutal. The initiative rested with Leafeon, who was far more capable of attacking at range than Lopunny. The loaner Leafeon was trained well enough to recognize this and began to lash out with Giga Drain as Lopunny advanced slowly, but was overridden by Cynthia. She knew Lopunny was trying to bait Leafeon into over-committing to a powerful special attack, which would give the far more nimble bunny an opening to dash forwards and pummel the grass eeveevolution with Ice Punch (a very similar scenario had occurred ewith Cynthia's own Leafeon). Instead, Cynthia told Leafeon to meet Lopunny's charge directly. Leaf Blade clashed with Ice Punch, Lopunny struck first but Leafeon struck last, her superior power and durability prevailing over the normal's speed and agility.

While victorious, Leafeon was far from unbowed. While Cynthia was now tied with Dawn in remaining pokemon, one was badly hurt and the other had a double helping of glass jaw at its best. The blonde can be forgiven for cheering when she saw Dawn send out Seaking onto their waterless arena. With the agility one would expect from a fish out of water, Seaking's efforts at tagging Leafeon with Ice Beam were as futile as they were valiant. Leafeon was even able to recover some energy with Synthesis in between dodging and attacking, and ended the battle with Seaking in better shape than she had began.

Dawn was now down one pokemon to two, and should not have been wearing her today-I-won-a-gym badge-and-caught-three-pokemon-and-tonight-I'm-going-to-drag-my-childhood-guy-friend-shopping smile. Irritating as it was, Cynthia had to admit it was more than justified when Dawn sent out her final pokemon: Garchomp.

The luck of that girl...

Unfortunately for Dawn, she had learned everything she knew about battling with Garchomp from watching Cynthia. Fully-evolved dragons are difficult to control even for an experienced trainer, and poorly trained dragons have a tendency to succumb to their base instincts. Judging by the quality of the other loaned pokemon, Dawn's Garchomp wouldn't have the conditioning, experience, and initiative to know the dragon tamer clan's ancient secret of not catching ice attacks with it's face. Cynthia had no doubt her Weavile would be able to finish Garchomp if Leafeon lost, but she had so much to gain by finishing the round with Leafeon and keeping Weavile a secret.

Leafeon's greatest weapons against the walking shark were her small size and great agility.

Dawn, knowing Leafeon was far more dangerous up close than far away, instructed her Garchomp to blast away with Dragon Rage from across the arena. At this range Leafeon was able to avoid the dragonfire.

What Garchomp should have done next was creep forward while using Dragon Rage to keep Leafeon from rushing in. Leafeon would quickly run out of room to maneuver and would need to charge Garchomp, which was a fight Garchomp could win.

What Garchomp did do next was get agitated at watching dinner prance across the field untouched by his projected fury and charge. What little control Dawn had over her dragon was lost when Leafeon turned and ran away, Garchomp's predatory instincts in full force. Garchomp thundered ahead when Leafeon turned back towards the dragon, and with a burst of speed from Agility was able to avoid his snapping jaws and sweeping claws and hamstring him with Leaf Blade. The land shark was truly out of the fight when he crashed to the ground, carried on by his own momentum. Leafeon jumped on the dragon's back and slashed with abandon until Dawn gave in to her compassion and recalled her pokemon.

The score was now tied at 1 round apiece.

Next was the raw round. Officially, this round was to be fought with pokemon neither trainer had used before, but there was a loophole to the rule: to be eligible for the raw team, a pokemon cannot have been released from a pokeball before. Pokemon that were trained before they were captured, however, were allowed. Training nominally wild pokemon was quite a bit more difficult, time consuming, and expensive, which was the entire point: the raw round vastly favored career trainers with the resources to afford performance enhancing drugs, evolution stones, and a large supply of healing items (the pokemon centers looked very poorly on trainers abusing this loophole). The insular dragon tamer clan excelled in this round, which played a major factor in their over-representation at the highest echelons pokemon leagues across the world.

Cynthia only stood a chance of competing with the best at the raw round thanks to the financial backing of her friend Steven Stone (who had probably gotten through a lot more battles in the Hoenn tournament than Cynthia had by now). Dawn, with too little money and too much honesty. Didn't stand a chance, though the girl sure seemed to think differently.

"That was pretty good, Cynthia" she called out, "So I think I'll give you a choice for this next round: time, or space."

She couldn't mean...

"Space" Cynthia mumbled. She doubted Dawn heard her, but it hardly mattered. If the girl was bluffing, Cynthia didn't stand a chance. On the off chance Dawn was just playing with her mind, she decided to start off strong with Canis, her Arcanine.

At the official's signal, both trainers released their first pokemon of the round.

"Play time Canis!"

"Gooooo Luvdisc"