After Rudy's victory over Abby, we invited Anya to come back and stay with us. Rudy volunteered to give up his room while he slept on the couch in the living room. We all had an extremely eventful day, so we didn't do much when we got back to our dorm except eat dinner and go to bed. Early the next morning, I snuck out of the dorm and wandered deeper into the forest for some early morning training with my Pokemon.

"Iron Tail, now", I commanded to my Pokemon.

"Chaaaaaaaaan-Sey", cried Chansey as it swung its glowing tail at Charizard. In return, Charizard roared as it swung at Chansey with its own Iron Tail attack. As the two sparring Pokemon's tails collided, they created a small explosion, urging them to break away from each other.

"Nice job, Chansey! Your tail is getting stronger each day. What do you think, Charizard?" My fire-type Pokemon growled in agreement as it gave Chansey a thumbs-up.

"Chansey-Chan", said Chansey as she began to blush bashfully. The three of us all gasped upon hearing a loud blasting-like sound coming from another nearby area of the forest. As we looked in the direction towards where the sound came from, we noticed a frightened flock of Pidgey flying away in a panic.

"Wasn't that over where the others are training?"

"Chansey", nodded my Pokemon.

"Let's go", I said as I ran towards where the blast came from. Charizard and Chansey naturally ran after me. The three of us eventually made it to a clearing, where two more of my Pokemon were sparring with one another. "Dwebble! Sawk! Are you two okay", I asked as I ran up to them.

"Sawk! Sawk-Sawk-Sawk", said my fighting-type excitedly as it pointed at Dwebble.

"Say what?"

"Sawk! Sawk-Sawk! Sawk", it continued as it pointed at Dwebble again, and then pointed at a large boulder that was halfway buried in the ground. It was then I noticed that the said boulder was split directly down the middle in half, and a large chunk of the surround earth at its base had crumbled away.

"Dwebble? Did you do that", I asked my bug-type as I pointed at the boulder.

"Dwebble-Dweb", it replied proudly.

"Well I guess that explains what that blast was", I said as I looked back up at the boulder. In awe by how much damage by Dwebble caused, I became curious as to how it did what it did. "Think you can do it again?"

"Dwebble", it replied as it turned to face the boulder. "Dweeeeeeeeebble-Dweb", it shouted as it slammed on the ground with its pincer. In response, the ground underneath the boulder cracked again as a flurry of smaller rocks shot up from the ground until eventually the two halves of the boulder shattered.

"Awesome, Dwebble! You learned how to use Rock Slide!"

"Dwebble", it nodded to me with a grin.

"If you combine that with your Dig and Slash attacks, you'll be one tough Pokemon to beat."

"Dwebble! Dweb-Dweb-Dwebble", it continued excitedly.

"What? There's more?"

"Dwebble-Dweb", it nodded.

"You're saying you learned another attack?"

"Dweb-Ble", it nodded again. This time I decided to investigate for myself as I pulled out my Pokedex.

"Let's see, Rock Slide, Slash, Dig…", whoa that's a powerful new attack", I said with pride as I picked up Dwebble. "You rock, Dwebble!"

"Dwebble", he replied with glee. My other three Pokemon then gave Dwebble some applause in recognition of its hard work.

"Hey! Rojan", called Crystal as she ran over from the forest to meet us.

"Hey, Crystal. What's up?"

"You gotta come see this. The last of the Finalist Battles is about to end."

"Say no more", I said as I placed Dwebble on the ground and pulled out one Love Ball and two Quick Balls. "Charizard, Dwebble, Sawk, return", I continued as I recalled my three Pokemon. "Let's go, Chansey", I said as I ran back towards the dorm.

"Chansey", it replied as it followed behind me.

"Hey! Wait for me", cried Crystal as she raced after us. The three of us soon found ourselves back at the dorm. Once inside, we entered the living room to find the others all seated around the t.v.. It was the last round between the two Trainers, and each were relying on their strongest Pokemon, or at least the Pokemon they brought with them to the island. On the left, was Mary with her Nosepass. Her opponent, on the right, was Dianne with her Turtwig.

"Turtwig, use Razor Leaf!"

"Tuuuuuurt-Wig", cried the green Pokemon as its Razor Leaf attack knocked Nosepass onto its back.

"Nosepass is unable to battle", shouted the referee. "Turtwig wins! The victory goes to Dianne from Eterna City!"

"So, I guess this Dianne girl will be in the next round with us", I said to Rudy.

"Yep."

"What happened with the other two battles?"

"Well, the first battle went to someone called Azazel from Sootopolis City. And then Tony was defeated by Sheila from Pastoria City."

"Darn, I kinda liked that guy." It was then we heard a knock at the door.

"I got it", said Anya as she rose out of her seat to answer the door.

"Azazel battles using a Wartortle, and Sheila battles with a Piplup."

"Given their hometowns I'm not surprised."

"So what happens now", asked Crystal.

"Well right now I guess we'd better suit up for tonight", said Anya as she walked back over to us with the mail.

"Why's that", asked Rudy.

"You two were invited to attend the Victor's Banquet tonight at the Pokemon Center in the center of the island."

"A party? That sounds great", said an excited Crystal.

"Bayleef-Bay!"

"But why have a party now", asked Rudy. "Shouldn't they wait until there's a winner?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say they're doing what they did last time, and are using this party as a kick-starter for next round", I said in reference to my impromptu battle with Trevor.

"Who cares what it's for", began Crystal. "I'm just wanting to break out my fancy kimono!"

"And I bet they'll have some really yummy food, too", added Anya as she began to blush.

"We're gonna go get changed", said both girls to us simultaneously as they sprinted to their rooms, closing the doors behind them. You could tell they were best friends.

"What just happened", asked Rudy in reference to the girls' sudden and over-the-top behavior. Bayleef and Croconaw both sighed as they hung their heads as if to say, "yeah, they do that".

"Come on, we might as well go and do the same", I said to Rudy. "You can use my room."

"And what about you?"

"I'll just grab my suit really quick and change in the stables. Now come on, let's go", I said as I headed to my room for my clothes. After what felt like hours (the girls took forever), we all finally managed to get dressed and began walking towards the Pokemon Center. Me and Rudy were each wearing your standard black tuxedo, while the girls were rocking identical pink kimonos.

Once we reached the Pokemon Center, we were directed by Nurse Joy towards the back of the Center. There, down at the end of a long hallway, were two bouncers guarding the entrance to the banquet.

"State your names, please", requested one of the bouncers.

"Rudy, from Littleroot Town."

"And I'm Rojan from Pallet Town."

"Identification, please", requested the other bouncer.

"Identification", asked Rudy.

"Maybe this'll help", I said as I pulled out my Love Ball. Charizard growled upon being released.

"Combusken", said Combusken as it stepped forward in front of Rudy.

"Very well. Welcome, Finalists", said both bouncers simultaneously as they stepped aside and allowed us to enter. They then handed Rudy and me each a sticker with a number on it. Rudy's number was 6, and I was given 5.

"What're these for", asked Rudy.

"I suppose we'll find out", I responded as we headed into the hall past the bouncers. Me, Rudy, and our Pokemon (though I recalled Charizard for the moment) made it through with no problem, but the girls and their Pokemon got stopped at the door.

"I'm afraid we cannot let you in, Ladies", continued one of the bouncers.

"But why not", asked Anya.

"This gathering is for finalists only, no exceptions."

"But you have to let them in", I said as I walked over to Crystal. "They're our dates for the evening", I continued as I linked my arm with her arm.

"Say what", asked a shocked Crystal.

"Do you want in or don't you", I asked her in a whisper. "Isn't that right Rudy?" Rudy just stared back at me in confusion. Upon realizing that he wasn't understanding what I was trying to do, I make a face at him, urging him to play along.

"Oh, uh, yeah, that's right. Anya is my date for tonight", he said nervously as he marched awkwardly over to Anya, almost as if he'd forgotten how to use his legs.

"Ah, crud", I muttered in reference to the fact that Rudy's horrible acting skills were giving us away.

"Nice try, Boys", said the bouncer. "But your friends will have to wait out here."

"Oh, come now, Fellas", said Professor Elm as he approached us from behind the bouncers. "I can vouch for those two. They're two of my pupils."

"Professor", exclaimed the girls in excitement as their Pokemon mentor allowed them access. The bouncers mumbled and growled angrily to themselves as we all walked by them.

"Thanks for your help, Professor", said Rudy.

"My pleasure. My colleagues and I were just talking about you four."

"Oh", I asked.

"Yes, for you see, as Champion Island competitors, you four are sort of our star pupils, and we all came to the island with high hopes that you all would win your battles."

"Yeah, except we lost", said Crystal.

"Badly", added Anya as if completing Crystal's sentence.

"Nonsense. You girls battled excellently, and I'm quite proud of you both. You two not only showed how much you've grown with your Pokemon, but you've inspired your friends to carry on with the same passion and drive as you two had."

"He's right", I added. "You guys got us totally pumped to win the whole thing."

"Chansey-Chan."

"Rojan and I are going to take this tournament all the way to the top."

"Combusken."

"Thank, Guys", said Crystal as she nudged into me as we walked. The two of us then smiled at each other for a moment, and then blushed once we realized we still had our arms linked, which we responded to by awkwardly pulling away from each other. Eventually we made it to the end of the hallway, which led us to a brightly-lit dining hall with tables everywhere. The Pokemon all gasped in awe at the sight of all the food.

"Elm! Over here", called Professor Birch from off to the side. We all looked over to see him standing and chatting with two other Professors, one of which was Professor Oak. Upon seeing him flag us down, we all made our way over to his group to mingle. "Well, don't you kids look snazzy", said Professor Birch in reference to our tuxes and kimonos.

"Thank you, Professor", responded the four of us simultaneously.

"Rojan, there's someone I'd like you to meet", began Professor Oak as he and the other Professor I couldn't identify at the time approached me. "This is Professor Ivy, a friend of mine from Valencia Island."

"Oh, like the Orange Islands", I asked.

"That's right", said Professor Ivy as she offered me her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Rojan. Oak has told me so much about you."

"Nice to meet you, too", I responded as I shook her hand.

"Now, if I remember correctly, the Pokemon you received from Professor Oak was a Charmander, correct?"

"Yep, except he's grown quite a bit since then", I said as I threw up Charizard's Love Ball. My fire-type Pokemon sort of yawned for a moment upon being released (most likely due to the fatigue of me constantly calling and recalling it).

"Magnificent. I have no doubt that this Charizard brought you victory in the Orange League", said Professor Ivy as she walked over and began to pet the side of Charizard's face. My Pokemon growled with a smile as he was enjoying the attention he was getting.

"I never knew your pupil won the Orange League, Oak", began Professor Elm. "That's quite the accomplishment."

"Yes, he and another of my pupils, Ash both earned their titles as Orange League Champions."

"So Ash won it, too", said Professor Birch. "Perhaps I should get his autograph next time I see him", he said jokingly as the Professors all chuckled in response to his comment.

Wow, it seems everybody knows who this Ash guy is. Wonder if he knows who I am, I thought to myself, slightly worried that my past was known by people other than Professor Oak and his colleagues. My thoughts were interrupted upon hearing the sound of someone's stomach growling.

"Hehehe", chuckled Anya nervously. "I guess it's been a while since we ate anything."

"Croco", whined Croconaw in agreement as it was just as hungry as she was.

"Well then, let's all grab us a bite", said Professor Birch as he pulled out a Poke Ball. "Come join us, Mudkip", he continued as the Poke Ball opened in his hand.

"You, too, Corsola", added Professor Birch as he released his Pokemon as well.

"Mudkip!"

"Corsola-Corsola!"

"You three should enjoy the party, too", said Professor Oak as he threw up three Poke Balls.

"Pidgey!"

"Rotom!" The third Pokemon to be released from its Poke Ball was a Dragonite. The dragon-type Pokemon gave a soft growl upon being released. Charizard then growled back at it gleefully as they approached one another. The two Pokemon then grabbed each other's arms and playfully head-butted the other. It had been a while since the two of them had seen each other.

"Awwww", said Crystal and Anya simultaneously.

"Ah, two old friends, together again", rhymed Professor Oak. He was really into poetry. Charizard and Dragonite then led all of the other Pokemon towards the tables for food. The rest of us all followed behind them in laughter as we watched the excitement in our Pokemon.

After we gathered our plates and filled them with food, we found us a few tables on the far side of the dining hall. The four Professors all ate at one table, our Pokemon at another, and me, Crystal, Anya, and Rudy all sat together at a third table.

"Hey, Guys, I just noticed something", said Crystal as she looked around the room. "Where's Theo?" Upon hearing her question, the rest of us all began scanning throughout the room. As we did so, we noticed that of the eight Finalist Pokemon (the Pokemon the eight of us came to the island with), Charizard, Combusken, Wartortle, Piplup, Turtwig, Grovyle, and Kadabra were all in attendance, meaning that only Scizor, and presumably its Trainer, weren't anywhere to be found.

"Who cares", asked Anya with her nose in the air. "That snobby, little jerk, thinks he's the greatest thing since curly fries", muttered Anya to herself.

"He's really gotten under your skin, hasn't he, Anya", chuckled Rudy.

"You know, if I didn't know any better—", began Crystal as she leaned into Anya with a suggestive grin on her face.

"THAT ISN'T FUNNY", hollered Anya in denial of Crystal's implications. The rest of us all laughed at her reaction in response.

"But seriously though, I wonder where he is", said Rudy.

"He'll probably show up later", said Crystal.

"Well I hope he doesn't show", said Anya.

"Well I hope he does", I began. "We all worked really hard as Trainers to even earn the privilege of coming to this island. And since we got here, me and my Pokemon have been winning battle after battle, with each battle being tougher than the last. If I'm to win this tournament, I'll have to prove I'm the best by beating the best, not by way of a technicality." I blushed a little after coming to from my unintentionally serious rant and noticing Crystal smiling at me in response to my words.

"Well put, Rojan", said Rudy.

"Yeah, whatever. I still don't like the guy", said Anya.

"Of course, to win this tournament, you'll have to get through me as well", challenged Rudy.

"I wouldn't have it any other way", I said in response just before I high-fived him. It was at that moment the lights in the dining hall began to flicker on and off. "Huh? What's going on", I asked as we all looked up at the lights.

"Guess somebody forgot to pay the electric bill", suggested Anya jokingly.

"Or maybe it's a part of the tournament", said Crystal. It was then that, as if in response to Crystal's suggestion, that three of the walls that made up the dining hall slid to their right a few feet, creating three new exits. Professor Rowan's voice then appeared on the intercom.

"Welcome, Champion Island Finalists and guests. Tonight, we will commence with Round 2 of the championship finals. At this time, we ask that all guests exit the dining hall through either exit on the far left, or far right. We also ask that the eight finalists exit the dining hall through the middle exit. That is all for now", said Rowan as he finished his announcement. Upon him finishing, the lights stopped flickering.

"I guess that's our cue", said Crystal as she and Anya rose to their feet. "I guess we'll catch you guys later. Good luck out there."

"Yeah, show them what you've got", added Anya. Rudy and I responded by giving them a thumbs-up. "Come along, Croconaw", called Anya as she headed towards one of the exits.

"You, too, Bayleef", added Crystal as she followed behind her. The grass and water-type Pokemon responded by running after their Trainers as they all made their way to the exit. As that was going on, we noticed that Professors Oak, Elm, and Birch all recalled their Pokemon as they also made their way to the exit.

"Some time today might be helpful", heckled Chad from behind us. Me and Rudy then turned around to see him and his Kadabra making their way to their respective exit with the other finalists.

"Charizard, Chansey, we gotta go", I called to my Pokemon.

"You, too, Combusken." Our Pokemon responded by running after us as me and Rudy made a dash to catch up with the others. Once we did, we all found ourselves marching through a dimly lit cave-like hallway, or at least it would've been dimly lit had it not been for the flame on Charizard's tail. We all walked for what felt like a good ten minutes or so before the silence was broken.

"Okay, Donphan in the room", began Sheila, "does anybody know where we're going?"

"Well now, let's see", began Chad. "We're going downhill through some dark underground tunnel-hallway-thing off to who-knows-where. Does that answer your question?"

"I have a question, too", I began. "Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to be a snarky remark?"

"I've also been wondering that", added Azazel.

"Who asked you two", responded Chad.

"Come on, Guys", said Dianne. "Can't we all just get along? I thought Pokemon battles were supposed to be fun."

"Of course they're fun", said Chad. "It's always fun wiping the floor with unexperienced children like yourselves."

"Oh, please", said Esmeralda. "Like you're in any position to call anybody childish."

"This coming from the girl who spent the entirety of her last battle having an ego-stroking contest with her opponent?"

"Hello, Pot, my name is Kettle. You're black", she retorted in reference to Chad's behavior during his last battle.

"Ha! You losers can say whatever you want, but as the only Trainer here that didn't start their Pokemon career with a clichéd fire, water, or grass-type Pokemon, I know I'm going to win this tournament. After all it takes a powerful Trainer to handle psychic-type Pokemon."

"In that case, when is Kadabra's real Trainer going to get here", asked Rudy jokingly. A couple of the other finalists laughed in response to his comment.

"What did you say, Nerd", asked Chad as he spun around and grabbed Rudy by the front of his suit.

"Combusken", warned Combusken as he defended his Trainer.

"Dabraaaaaa", threatened Kadabra right back at it. Charizard then let out a roar, settling everybody down as it was the largest Pokemon among them all at the time.

"Knock it off, Chad."

"And why should I listen to you?"

"None of us are going to win anything if we don't make it to the end of this tunnel. And after everything we all went through to get here, I'd hate to see you kicked off the island in shame. After all, at least Jeffrey got to battle before he was thrown off", I warned him jokingly. The look on Chad's face as I taunted him told me that he desperately wanted to fight. However, he knew he'd be thrown off, and he was willing to swallow his pride if it meant winning.

"You got lucky this time, Punk", said Chad to Rudy as he dropped him to the ground. He and the other finalists then continued to walk down the tunnel while I stayed back for a moment to help up my friend.

"Thanks for that."

"No problem, Buddy", I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Come on, let's get going." Me, Rudy, and our Pokemon then followed behind the others, eager to get to the other side, so that the next round of battles could begin.