Early on the morning before the Pokémon League Championships were set to begin, Julia and Piper elected to visit their "Abuela", Maria Pines, in her nursing home. The two cousins fawned over their elderly grandmother, who had cared for both since their parents had tragically died in a plane crash when the two were only young children. Though she was certainly able to take care of herself, Maria certainly welcomed the presence of her two granddaughters, especially now that her eldest, Julia, had married the man of her dreams and was set to spend the rest of her life as his wife.
Maria contently sighed as she allowed her granddaughters to make her breakfast for that morning. "I'm spoiled. I really am. To have such loving and caring Nietas such as yourselves."
"Of course, Abuela" Piper told her. "You took care of us, so we take care of you now."
"We love you, Abuela" Julia told her. "We want to be here with you as much as we can before Michael and I leave for Kalos."
"Is that what you two decided on?" Maria asked.
Julia nodded. "That's what we want. To see the shopping districts of Lumiose City, the port of Courmarine City, Parfum Palace. We want to see everything."
"I'm so jealous" Piper admitted. "Kalos's Pokémon Contests are said to be the finest in the world."
"Why don't you go yourself, my love?" Maria asked.
Piper shook her head. "I'll be sticking around and looking after The Ranch. I can't turn down the Champion or his bride when they ask a favor of me."
"Does Michael really plan on retiring?" Maria asked her newlywed granddaughter.
Julia sighed. "The Kingstons want him to stay, but Michael told me his mind is made up. And I don't want to make him change it for anything. Not when we've already bought a place in Courmarine City, right by the water. He's had his heart set on this for a long time, all to make me happy." The Professor could not help but smile. "He's done everything for me. I only wish I could return the favor."
"You're here with him" Piper told her cousin. "That's all I think he could ever want."
Maria nodded in agreement with Piper. "Julia, would you like to know a secret?"
"Sure, Abuela" Julia giggled.
"When Michael first returned to Arcana" she explained, "and had defeated Giselle, he was the reason I woke up in the hospital. Do you know what he told me to wake me up?"
"What?"
"He said to me: 'If you ever wake from this, Professor, I will marry your granddaughter'." She held Julia's hand for a moment. "He has loved you all this time. And he will love you forevermore." She looked at her granddaughter, a touch concerned. "Are you okay, Nieta?"
Julia wiped away a tear. "I don't think I've ever been better" she told her grandmother. "I don't think I could ever be better."
Maria shook her head. "It's not that. I think you are changing, my dear."
"Changing? How so?"
"Abuela knows best, Julia" she told her granddaughter. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Something changes inside of you, Julia."
"Like what?"
Maria's eyes flashed open and a wide smile appeared on her face. "Tartabuela."
"Tartabuela? What does that mean?"
Piper thought for a moment, until her eyes widened in shock. "Oh my Arceus..."
"What's going on?" Julia asked.
"How can you be the only one who doesn't know?" Piper snapped.
Maria put her hand to her granddaughter's face. "Oh my Nieta. You will know joys in your life never seen before."
"What are you talking about?" Julia eyed both women, deeply confused.
Piper sighed. "Julia, you're going to have a baby."
Julia paused. "You mean...you think I'm pregnant?"
Maria nodded. "Abuela knows best, Julia. And I shall be Tartabuela in some months."
Julia's jaw dropped. "I'm-I'm pregnant?"
Piper's eyes watered up. "I'm gonna be an Aunt?!"
An entire new world of possibilities opened up for Julia. If this was true, her life just somehow improved beyond the last five weeks she had been married. And in roughly eight months time, she would be having a child with the man of her dreams. She held her hand close to her heart. "Oh my Michael..."
"You have to tell him" Maria told her granddaughter.
"But this is the start of the Tournament today" Julia countered. "The last thing he needs is-"
"The thing he'd want the most to know is that he's going to be a father" Piper assured her cousin. "It will ensure he never has a change of tone about leaving. He'll want to know, Julia." Piper put her hand on her cousin. "Go out and get a test. When you know for sure, go and tell him. It's only fair that you both know." Piper looked curiously to her Grandmother. "So, am I going to have a Niece or a Nephew?"
Maria shook her head, laughing as she did. "I see a very nosey Nieta in my present."
Piper laughed. "I can't help it, I'm so excited!" She looked to Julia. "Promise me you'll tell Michael."
Julia nodded. "I'll make a stop before I head for the Colosseum." She held her hand close to her heart. We're gonna be parents, Michael...
{Meanwhile}
One by one, the 32 Contestants (+1 for the Champion) in the Arcana Pokémon League Championship Cup arrived on the scene in front of the massive and spacious Arcana Colosseum. Capable of seating over 100,000 spectators, most of the trainers guessed there was only going to be standing room only tickets for sale. Lines were already formed that stretched as far as the limits of Titanio City for the ticket booth and for all the aspiring Pokémon Battle fans to get a glimpse of their favorite and preferred trainers.
Leading the procession towards the Trainer's Entrance towards the Arcana Colosseum was five flyers: The Champion and the Elite Four. Michael landed his Dragonite first and stood to an immense amount of applause as he landed. A look of fierce determination on his face, Michael led the way as Chris, Cameron, Mark and Lizzie followed in after him, with fans screaming to get the attention of their favorite trainers.
"We love you, Michael!"
"Go get 'em, Chris!"
"Go Cameron!"
"Mark for the win!"
"C'mon, Lizzie!"
As they entered the Colosseum, the next batch of competing trainers came from the Gym Leaders of Arcana, who were also competing to try and dethrone Michael. Victoria, Erin, Greg, Daniel, Billy, Robert, Madeline, Jon, Shannon and Renee all got out of their own Corviknight Cabs and marched into the Colosseum after the Elite Four and Michael, themselves getting a rousing welcome from the fans.
A shadow fell over the crowds as an Aerodactyl landed, carrying yet another competing Trainer: Giselle Odelia. Though many were skeptical about Giselle's placement in the Tournament, she still received a modest applause as she followed the procession inside. Behind her came two of Arcana's newest rising trainers: Jeremy Lockhart and Holly Queensbury. Though the two had arrived together at the Colosseum, they assured one another that they would be competing separately and for different reasons. While Jeremy fancied himself a potential new Champion, his rumored girlfriend was hellbent on simply proving herself to the competition and seeing how far she could go.
The crowds burst into applause upon seeing the next incoming Pokémon was a Pidgeot, the signature Flying Ace of Arcana's newest hero: Ryan Kingston. When Marahute landed and revealed their hero, the crowds burst into cheers. Ryan climbed off of the back of Marahute, helped his girlfriend Addison Tenton off of the Pidgeot and recalled her. Then, hand in hand, the two followed the procession into the Arcana Colosseum, with the echoes of cheers from thousands ringing as they entered.
{Meanwhile}
As they followed the others inside, Ryan couldn't help but feel intimidated by the sheer splendor of the Arcana Colosseum. Even the halls for the competing trainers to just walk into to reach the locker rooms was overwhelming. If it weren't for Addison, he knew he would have melted under pressure. But she continued to give him a reassuring smile and tender squeeze of his hand to keep him taking every step he needed to take forward. The couple paused in front of the Locker Room as Addison came to a realization.
"They're not going to let me in there" she said. "I'm not a competitor."
Ryan gulped. "I think I'll be okay."
"I know you'll be" she assured him and kissed him on the cheek. "You've got this. You've beaten more a few of these trainers before already. What's to say you won't beat them again? After the first round, your instincts will kick in, like they always do. You've got this, Ry. And I believe in you."
"Lookie who's showed up now" a voice called towards Ryan. The couple turned to see Giselle making her way down to see them. "I expected I'd find you here, kid. The Hero of Arcana."
Ryan looked away. "I'm no hero."
"How did you get entry into the competition?" Addison asked.
Giselle smirked. "A nice way to greet someone who helped save your life, Missy." Nevertheless, the former Syndicate Admin shrugged. "Lady Bonnie gave me a chance to pick a reward for my exemplary service to Arcana. I asked for the restrictions to be lifted on my ban in the Pokémon League and she granted it."
"Why would Lady Bonnie allow you back in?" Addison hissed.
"Addy" Ryan calmed her gently. Ryan then turned towards his tentative ally. "Just know that if you try any funny business, I'll be there to help Mike stomp you out."
Giselle nodded. "As is your heroic prerogative. I'm here for one reason and one reason only. And it's not to cause trouble, Ryan. I owe someone in this tournament something and I intend to give it to them." She winked at the two. "Stay on my good side and you might find out just what it is." She then walked into the locker room, causing Addison to scoff.
"Arrogant slime" she remarked bitterly.
"I'll say" another voice chimed in. Piper appeared behind the two and greeted them warmly, though her attitude changed as she recalled Giselle. "You two were toddlers when Giselle was in power. I was a little girl when that happened. Definitely not something I'd like to remember." She looked towards Addison. "Sorry, sweetie, but you and I aren't welcome in the Locker Rooms. Only competing trainers."
Addison nodded. "I know, but I was wishing Ryan luck." She turned to Ryan and kissed him on the cheek again. "I'll go see if I can score a ticket."
Piper stopped her from getting too far. "Huh? What are you talking about? You're in the Champion's Box."
This surprised Addison. "I am?"
Piper laughed. "Of course you are. You're a VIP according to the sitting Champion. And Michael wants you sitting and watching from his own private press box alongside me and Julia and the Elite Four when they inevitably get knocked out." She winked towards Ryan. "I'll set Addison up. You concentrate on your Team Building, Ry. We're all rooting for you." Piper led Addison back into the Colosseum while Ryan entered the Locker Room. While there were plenty of trainers he didn't recognize, some, he was all too familiar with.
"There he is" a voice called over to him. Ryan turned and grinned. Chris and Mark were sizing themselves up for their potential tournament matchups as they spotted Ryan entering. "I was beginning to worry you'd get cold feet."
Ryan shook his head. "Never. I've got an Elite Four to take down."
Chris laughed. "Atta boy. Show some bravado."
"You are one of the top contenders" Mark told Ryan as he straightened out the gloves on his hands. "Something's telling me we can't hold anything back against you if we want to win."
"You want to win?" Ryan asked. "I thought you'd be on the next boat out of here."
Mark shrugged. "Being the Champion of Arcana would have it's benefits. Especially since Mike did all the hard work."
"And what girl wouldn't want to spend time with a Champ?" Chris asked.
"One with a brain" Jon, who was sitting a few benches down, chimed in. "You need to find one to settle down with, Chris. You ain't getting younger."
"Speak for yourself" Chris told his cousin. "The bachelor life suits me very well."
"You're just lucky Madeline is next on the list" Jon told his cousin. "But with me and Annie engaged, Tori and Greg setting their own wedding dates and Mike married, once my sister gets engaged, Grandma's going to be up in your business about it."
"The joys of being a younger one" Daniel laughed from the same bench as Jon.
"And I'm even younger so that works" Ryan called over.
"Let's not focus too hard on you getting married, Ry" his father echoed from somewhere in the locker room. "It's bad enough I'm competing against you in a tournament and I'd like to see you actually grow into a man beforehand."
"Just let Grandma try" Chris told Jon. "The bachelor life suits a Kingston like me. With you guys doing all the rough stuff, I'm set to cruise through life on easy street."
"You're delusional" Mark told his longtime friend. "Just focus on the Tournament."
"I've got this tournament in the bag" Chris assured those present. "My team and I have been training nonstop. Granted, I wish I got some of that time with Mike training, but he's off being a married buzzkill. But I'm confident this Kingston is gonna climb all the way to the top."
"Better not show too much rust there" Ryan jokingly warned his cousin. "Or else Cam will never let you live it down."
"I'll cream her before there's any problems" Chris boasted. "This year is the Year of Christopher Kingston!"
"Ten Thousand Poké Dollars says Chris is out in the first round" Daniel gambled.
{Meanwhile}
Addison and Piper made their way up a long staircase that led to the Champion's Box, expecting it to be jammed and flooded with people she would have to mingle with. To the young girl's surprise, the only other person in the box was Michael, who was sampling all of the food provided to him from one of Titanio City's most acclaimed catering companies. He eagerly ushered the two inside as he tasted one of the berry soufflés cooked for them.
"Welcome, Ladies" he told them. "Make yourselves at home."
"You guys really went all out" Piper told him as she and Addison were in awe at everything the Catering Company had brought for Michael's farewell tournament. There were huge displays of berries, fruits, cheeses, meats and various candies, treats and finger sandwiches for them all to enjoy while watching the matchups. "Are these Sitrus Berry Pies?"
Michael shrugged. "They offered the whole smorgasbord for us, so I figured I would have to take it."
"These all look amazing" Addison remarked.
"And they're all for you guys to enjoy" Michael assured the girl, before turning towards Piper. "Is Julia still with your Grandmother?"
Piper turned away. "She had to make a stop, but she should still be here in time for the first round to kick off."
"Is everything okay?" Michael asked.
Piper giggled. "Oh, yes it is."
Michael shrugged as he filled a plate with hor d'oeurves and plumped himself in the Champion's Throne. Addison made a plate of treats for herself and sat in the seat in front of the Champion and looked out onto the battlefield. None of the trainers had assembled yet, which made her feel a little nervous. She was sure Ryan would do just fine in the tournament, but this was a tournament where a slight mistake could cost him everything he'd worked so hard for. It would have been one thing if Ryan was just another ordinary trainer, but as the hero of Arcana and the champion who defeated Mewtwo, he had a great deal of pressure on him for someone as young as him.
"You're nervous about Ryan?" Michael asked her.
"I'm trying not to be" she answered the Champion. "but I can't help it. He's only ever lost three battles, two of them to Syndicate Goons who didn't play fair, but I know the competition is going to be upped a lot for this Playoff."
"This is going to show us a lot about how Arcana will go over the next few years" Michael told her. "If Ryan wants to prove himself worthy of taking up this chair, this is his chance to. Otherwise, he's going to have to train up a bit more." Noticing her worry, Michael patted her on the shoulder. "He's better than even he knows. He just needs to reach that level."
Addison nodded. "Thanks, Michael. I'm sure he'll appreciate the faith you have in him." The doors to the Champion's Box opened and Julia entered, with a brown paper bag in her hands. She greeted everyone quickly before rushing for the bathroom to check on something. Addison looked over towards the adults in the room. "Is she gonna be okay?"
Michael looked back at Julia as she vanished into the bathroom. "I hope so. Piper?"
"I'm not legally allowed to say anything" Piper coyly avoided the question.
Michael rose from the throne and walked over towards the bathroom and knocked on the door. "Jules? You gonna be okay?"
"Ye-yeah sweetie. I'll be fine." He heard some fumbling in the room. "I just need to check on something."
Michael sighed, "Okay. Call me if you need anything." As Michael made his way back towards his throne, he could hear the fanfare sounding on the field below. He rubbed his hands against each other excitedly. "This is where the fun begins."
Addison looked out the window and gulped. "Oh Ryan..."
"He's got this" Piper promised the trainer's girlfriend. "Ryan has proven to be more than capable of winning some silly tournament."
Michael glanced at the Queen as if she had just slapped him. "Love you too, Piper."
"You know what I mean, Mikey" she cried out. "He's overcome far worse than the Arcana Pokémon League Tournament. Who's going to beat him in this tournament besides someone in The Elite Four? Giselle? The Gym Leaders? Jeremy Lockhart?"
A scream nearly caused Michael and Addison to fall out of their chairs. Addison looked back towards the bathroom. "Was that Professor Julia?"
Michael leaped to his feet and made his way for the door. Julia burst through the door, a look of complete shock and utter joy on her face. She leaped into Michael's arms and kissed him.
Piper made it to her cousin's side. "Well? What happened?" Julia looked to her cousin and nodded happily. Piper nearly cried out in joy. "Oh my goodness. Congratulations! I can't wait."
Michael looked down at his wife. "What's gotten into you?"
Julia sniffed before she looked up at him. "Michael, something wonderful is happening."
Michael looked back into the bathroom and then back at his wife. "What's going on?"
She looked around and shrugged. "I don't care who knows now. Mikey, I'm pregnant."
Addison cooed. "Oh my goodness."
Michael's face went through a whirlwind of emotions. Shock, delight, surprise, worry and unmatched joy. He was breathing heavily, before lowering his head and holding his wife close to him. "Are you sure? Are you really?"
Julia nodded. "I didn't want to worry you at first, but-"
Michael picked her up and spun her around in his arms. "We're gonna be parents."
Julia eagerly clung to him. "I'm so happy you're happy." She paused when Michael fell down to his knees and appeared to be crying. "Mikey?"
"Look at this big guy" Piper giggled as she saw Michael weep at her cousin's side. "So tough on the outside, but a big softie all on the inside."
Michael wiped away his tears and wore an uncompromised smile on his face. "I've-I've never been happier in my life. This is-this is-" He hugged Julia's legs. "This is the happiest moment of my life."
"So far" Julia corrected him.
Addison couldn't help but admire the couple as they warmly embraced. "I'm so happy for you guys." The quartet all got into a group hug and celebrated the news, even as the announcer began to declare the opening of the Arcana Pokémon League Championship Tournament beyond their joy. Somethings were more important at that moment.
{Meanwhile}
Exiting the Locker Rooms and heading straight for the tunnels that would lead into the Colosseum, Ryan found himself among his family, friends and rivals waiting alongside one another, waiting for the fanfare to conclude. The trainers had been split between the boys/men and the girls/women, lined up and prepared for their chance to become the Champion or to show off their battling prowess. Chris and Mark led the way for their line and Cameron and Lizzie for the other. Ryan was the fourth in line, behind his father and in front of Jon and Daniel and was flanked by Giselle, who was fourth in line on her line in front of Madeline and behind Holly.
The fanfare came to an abrupt end as an announcer, who's voice was vaguely similar to the announcer from Iron Colosseum, called to the above 100,000 fans in the arena. "Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages. Welcome to this year's Arcana Pokémon League Championships!" The fans cheered and burst into applause, causing a faint bout of nervousness to flutter into Ryan's stomach. He took a deep breath to calm himself.
A hand fell on his shoulder. He looked over and saw Holly winking at him. "We've got this, right Ry?"
Ryan nodded. "You know it."
"This year's tournament will be unlike any other tournament we have ever had in Arcana" the announcer proclaimed. "Within the walls of this colosseum, we have thirty two candidates seeking to one day surpass our great and revered Champion, Michael Kingston. But come tournament's end, only one of these trainers will have earned the right to challenge Michael for the title of Arcana's Champion. Now, I would like to introduce to you this year's contending trainers. Let's all put our hands together and welcome them, shall we?!"
The audience burst into applause.
"Let's start things off with a quartet as known and adored as our Champion. Let's introduce everyone to The Elite Four: Mark, Lizzie, Christopher and Cameron!" Chris led the way as the Elite Four sauntered out onto the floor of the Colosseum to an eruption of applause. As the applause began to die, the Gym Leaders prepped themselves to come out next. "Alongside these four trainers, will now come the ten Pokémon League Gym Leaders of Arcana. Let's see them all come out right now: Victoria, Erin, Gregory, Daniel, Shannon, Madeline, Robert, Billy, Jon and Renee!" The massive group of thirty two had already shrunken down to eighteen as all of the remaining Gym Leaders marched into the Colosseum.
"I'd like to formally introduce the next batch of trainers for us all to see: Ethan, Jeremy, Annette, Delia, Ritchie, Tombo, Samuel, Gavin, Calla, Kiki, Stephanie, Patrick, Adrian, Kevin and Cody!" With that, another massive batch of trainers had departed onto the arena floor, to a favorable applause, leaving only Ryan, Holly and Giselle behind. The trio wondered why they themselves were being singled out, before Ryan quickly realized, to his dismay, what was about to unfold.
"The last three contenders are unique, for without them, there would be no tournament to this day. The first is a controversial figure in Arcana's history. Once an acclaimed trainer gone bad, she was given an opportunity to redeem herself and she showed her true colors by fighting the very evils she had once sought to bring into the fold of Arcana."
Giselle folded her arms. "I bet Speck wrote this for him."
"I'd like you all to give a welcome applause for Giselle Odelia!"
Giselle rolled her eyes and proceeded out onto the Colosseum floor. To their surprise, her applause was much warmer than they had anticipated, though much weaker than the Elite Four and Gym Leaders had gotten.
"The next trainer is another first for Arcana, the first brave soul to be given the treatment for the Crimson Brand and a former Queen of Arcana Contestant turned Pokémon Trainer who has decided to make her best case for Pokémon League Champion herself. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Miss Holly Queensbury!"
Holly took a deep breath. "This is it." She then trotted out into the heart of the Colosseum to an uproarious applause.
Ryan squeezed his eyes shut. This is it...
"I think we all know who our last contestant is" the announcer called. The Colosseum seemed to be shaking violently with praise and applause. "The Hero of Arcana, the conqueror of the Syndicate and the one who singlehandedly defeated Mewtwo. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, I present to you all RYAN KINGSTON!" Ryan slowly made his way out onto the Arena floor, unable to hear himself think with all of the applause that came his way. He looked around at the massive Colosseum and heard thousands cheering his name. When the Colo-Cam (the Colosseum Camera) fell upon him, he felt compelled to wave to all of those in attendance as he stood frozen where he was.
"WHAT A GUY!" the announcer proclaimed, which got Ryan to shake himself out of his stupor and hurry over towards where the other trainers were positioned. He stood beside his father, who put his hand on his shoulder.
A referee made his way over towards the thirty two trainers with a microphone in his hands. "Welcome one and all to the Arcana Pokémon League Championships. I hope you have all prepared yourselves for the Tournament, which will be a five round tournament. You must win your match to advance, or you will be eliminated. Each of you has been divided into a bracket: East or West, depending on your power, prowess, popularity and your known Pokémon. Am I clear?"
"Yes" all competing trainers answered.
"In the first four rounds of the tournament" the referee continued, "you will be allowed three Pokémon. However, for each three Pokémon you picked for one round, you cannot select them for the next round. This will of course reset in the third round a will repeat in the fourth. Only those who make it to the Final Rounds and the Title Match will be allowed to use all six of their Pokémon. If you wish to make a substitute for your team, you must make it in between your matches, and no Pokémon that is substituted will be available for reentry until after your next battle. Choose your Pokémon and battlers carefully." He then pressed a button on a remote, which caused the Colo-Cam to be exchanged with an image of the Tournament Bracket. Ryan looked as the names were randomly slotted in place for one to face their next opponent.
The announcer cleared his throat. "The First Round of the Tournament will commence within the next few moments. And here are our matchups!"
The Eastern Bracket went as follows:
Mark vs Calla, Tori vs Delia, Robert vs Ethan, Ryan vs Holly, Giselle vs Tombo, Daniel vs Erin, Chris vs Kiki and Jeremy vs Renee
The Western Bracket went as follows:
Cameron vs Adrian, Greg vs Shannon, Madeline vs Kevin, Ritchie vs Cody, Lizzie vs Stephanie, Billy vs Patrick, Annette vs Samuel and Jon vs Gavin
Ryan eyed his own name in the Eastern Bracket and sighed to himself. Looks like I'll be facing Holly in the first round. How appropriate. He knew that his first match would be the toughest, but he never expected his first opponent to be his close friend. He had only known a few weeks ago that Holly had taken part in the Pokémon League, but with her quickly attaining her Gym Badges, he could only imagine she was getting significantly stronger as a trainer, while he hadn't been in a major battle since his battle with the Crimson Brand soldiers over three months ago. He looked over towards Holly, who seemed giddy about facing Ryan in the first round.
The Referee came to the forefront. "The First Matchup of the Playoffs will now commence. Will Mark and Calla please come to the front of the arena. All other combatants must return to the Locker Rooms until it is time for you to take your place. No active trainers are permitted to watch their opponent's matches and if you are found doing so, you will be disqualified and forced to forfeit your position to your opponent." The Referee made a specific look towards Chris. "And no exceptions will be granted, not even to you, Mr. Kingston." Chris shrunk at the implicit warning and the rest of the trainers returned towards the Locker Rooms to await their matchups, while Mark faced off against a Ginger-Haired Girl named Calla.
The Trainers all quietly made their way back to the locker rooms and began to strategize the Pokémon they would choose for their matchups. Ryan could not decide which of his Pokémon he would be better off sending out against Holly. He knew he couldn't look past her and expect to face his father in the second round, but if he went to face his Father without some of his most powerful Pokémon, he knew he would be in serious trouble. Then again, if he was too careless against Holly, he could end up being booted out quickly, given her fast track to stardom as an up and coming Pokémon Trainer. He nodded to himself as he registered his three Pokémon for the first round: Sparks, Marahute and Simba.
The doors to the locker room swung open roughly 15 minutes later with Mark emerging victorious over Calla. All of the men and boys in the Locker Room cheered and applauded for Mark's win, even though they all saw it coming.
"Thanks, guys" Mark thanked the group, but he seemed focused on completing a specific task. He looked over towards Robert. "You're up next. The Ref said you can proceed to the waiting room."
Robert nodded. As he and Erin were the only two of James Kingston's children still competing, he stretched his aging body and decided to head off. He looked back towards the Kingstons and other trainers inside, before his eyes fell on his son. "Wish me luck, guys." When Robert departed from the Locker Room for the waiting room, Ryan took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for his first match in several months.
Mark, who was registering his second round of Pokémon, looked over towards Ryan. "Ryan, you should get ready, because when the second match ends, you'll be up in the waiting room."
"It's not over yet" Chris said, as he illegally watched the match on his Poké Gear. "This Delia girl is giving Tori a run for her money."
"What is wrong with you?" Daniel yelled at his cousin. "Do you really want to give Giselle a clear shot to get to the Finals, you schlep?"
"How else am I supposed to scope out the competition?" Chris asked.
"You're freaking hopeless, Chris" Billy told his cousin.
When nobody moved to go and report Chris, not even any of the other boys in the Locker Room, Ryan leaned over towards Jon. "Why is no one doing a thing about it?"
Jon folded his arms and laughed. "Do you want to be the one who rats out an Elite Four member?" Jon laughed at the idea. "Come on, Ry. He who snitches gets the most hate from the rest of the community. Besides, the only reason that referee even knows about his Poké Gear last time was because Chris botched the interview and revealed it last year."
"So it's kind of like a 'code' thing?"
"Sure, let's go with that" Jon said, focusing on the remainder of his team.
Ryan continued to wait patiently until he heard the horns blaring in the distance to signal that the second round had ended. He gulped as he made his way towards the Arena Waiting Room. "Okay guys. Here I go!"
"Take her down!" Billy called to Ryan.
"Show her the power of the Kingstons!" Jon insisted.
"I want to face you in the Semi-finals, Ry" Chris told his cousin. "You'd better make it out of this!"
"Go on, Ryan!" Jeremy cheered.
Ryan waved to the group and then proceeded out of the Locker Room and into the waiting room. Ethan Clarke and Robert left the Waiting Room, spying Ryan walking towards it. Ethan nodded before trotting towards the Arena, but Robert stayed behind to speak to his son. "Well, Ryan. You're going to get your wish if you can beat Holly. A match between Father and Son."
"I know" Ryan said. lacking the confidence he thought he would have. "I'm just not sure I'm feeling up for this, right now."
Robert patted his son on the head. "You do you, son. You do you. But I've got a battle to win, if you'll excuse me." Robert walked out onto the Colosseum Floor and Ryan entered the Waiting Room. As he was about to close the door, he heard a voice calling to him.
"WAIT!" Holly screamed as she slipped in the door behind him.
"Whoa!" Ryan cried out. "Holly!"
She slumped into a chair, sighing as she did. "I was afraid I wouldn't find the Waiting Room. I've been looking for this spot for the last 10 minutes." She looked at him, somewhat concerned. "Are you okay, Ry? You don't look too good."
Ryan sighed. "I'm nervous, that's all. My last finished battle was the one with Matthew on Mt. Heatmor. I just hope I don't let anyone down."
Holly tightened her face. "The only person you should be worried about letting down is me!"
Ryan jumped back. "You?"
"Yeah, me!" Holly insisted, before sighing and sitting beside him. "I don't want you to hold anything back on me. I know how tough of a trainer you are, so I'll know if you're holding back on me. If I lose here, I lose here. But I want to show you how much you mean to me by giving you an honest and true battle. I won't go easy on you and I expect nothing less from you. Okay?" She offered her hand to him.
Ryan nodded. "I promise I won't hold back." The two lifelong friends shook hands as they waited for their moment to come.
{Meanwhile}
The one thing Julia had not factored into her announcement was how doting Michael would become over her. Their child was still several months from being born, yet he was acting as if she was going into labor at any moment. He put her in his throne with her feet up and waited on her hand and foot. While she was certainly flattered, she definitely wasn't used to her husband being the one who acted so doting over her.
Piper rolled her eyes as she watched the Champion. "Mike, you do realize she's not expecting for another several months, right?"
Julia blushed as Michael went around like a freight train, doing everything he could to please her and take care of her. "Honestly, Mikey, you don't have to do all of this."
"Are you kidding?" Michael asked. "You're going to be carrying my son or daughter inside of you. And I want to be sure you are taken care of every step of the way."
Julia grabbed his hand and pulled him over to her. "Michael Kingston!" She then pulled him into a kiss. When they pulled apart, she put her hand to his face. "Re-lax. I'm not having the baby for another seven months. Enjoy yourself here, sweetheart. This is about you, now."
Michael sighed and rose back to his feet. "If you say so. Jules."
Addison, who was the only one watching the matches, called over to Michael. "Hey, guys! Looks like Ryan's Dad is going to advance to the next round."
"You're surprised?" Michael asked. "I know Ethan is a good young trainer, but my Uncle is one of the toughest out there." The Champion sat by the window beside Addison. "So, that means that our boy is up next, then."
Addison gulped. "Ryan and Holly."
"Time to see if all that training she's done will pay off" Julia opined.
"How much training has she done, Professor?" Addison asked.
"She was training with Lizzie over the past few weeks" Michael explained.
"Lizzie?" Piper gasped. "She's going to be a tough cookie to beat."
Julia shook her head. "Holly has definitely improved, but we have to have faith in Ryan."
"I have all the faith in Ryan" Addison assured those present. "He won't lose."
Julia listened as the Announcer declared the start of the next match. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we shall now commence the fourth match of the First Round of the Arcana Pokémon League Championships. Will Holly Queensbury and Ryan Kingston please come down to the Arena Floor." She also heard as the Champion's Box shook with the euphoric applause that Ryan was getting from the audience. She couldn't help but worry that they were setting up the poor boy for a disappointing letdown. Oh Ryan, please be careful...
{Meanwhile}
As they reached the middle of the Colosseum, Ryan and Holly turned towards one another and shook hands another time before heading to their respective corner. Holly reached her side first and pointed towards Ryan, her mind completely set on the battle. She spun around confidently in her sky blue jumpsuit, determined to show off her style as well as her battling prowess.
Ryan, meanwhile, was feeling incredibly nervous about the Playoffs going forward. He was already an regional hero against his will, but that legend would only grow depending on how well he performed in this tournament. He was sure under normal circumstances he would be in good shape for the rest of this, but the Butterfrees in his stomach would not cease to bug him as he took his position.
"Let the Fourth Match of the First Round commence!" the referee declared.
Holly grinned over towards her former crush. "Here I come, Ryan. Ready or not!" She reached for her first Poké Ball. "Go! Clefable!" From out of her first Poké Ball appeared a Pink vaguely starshaped Pokémon with black ear tips and a perpetual smile on it's face.
Ryan thought for a moment and realized this was a Fairy Type Pokémon. Typical. The one type of Pokémon I know little about and Holly had to kick things off with them. Oh well, time to go to work. He reached onto his belt. "Go! Sparks!" His Jolteon emerged to be the first to take part in the battle with his old friend. He decided to take the initiative. "Sparks! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Clefable! Use Amnesia!" While the Thunderbolt went streaming towards her, the Clefable seemed to forget it was in the middle of a battle and instead beefed up it's Special Defenses considerable. The Thunderbolt basically bounced off of the Fairy Pokémon as it did very little noticeable damage. Holly then prepared her next move. "Clefable! Use Attract!"
"What the-"
The Clefable bat it's eyelashes at Sparks suggestively, causing the Jolteon to fall completely under her control, enamored with Holly's Pokémon. Because of this, Sparks was too stunned by it's feelings for the Clefable to launch an effective attack.
Holly then made her next move. "Clefable! Use Moonblast!" With one ruthlessly strong Fairy Attack, Sparks was launched backwards. The Jolteon recovered, but had taken a wickedly strong blow. Holly glared over at Ryan. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't take things easy on me, Ry?"
The match had barely started and Ryan was already shaken. Holly had not only improved. She had amplified her own prowess as a Pokémon Trainer fivefold since they had last seen each other battle. She might actually be better than him. He looked down towards Sparks, who was still completely enamored with the Clefable to be able to launch an effective attack. "You caught me off guard, Holly. Clever."
She winked at him. "You're sweet, but I'm not gonna fall for that! Clefable! Moonblast!" Again, the Clefable launched a viciously strong beam of light at the Jolteon, knocking him out of the match and dropping Ryan's strongest Pokémon available in the match.
The announcer appeared to be confused. "Huh? What's going on? The Hero of Arcana is down a Pokémon?"
The fans were also perplexed that their hero was struggling to overcome Holly. While they still cheered for the exciting match, they did have reservations about the match not going as they had anticipated.
Holly was apoplectic. "What's going on, Ryan? Where is that fighting spirit I got to see so many times?"
Ryan recalled his fainted Jolteon and gulped as he had barely put a dent into his rival's Pokémon and was already down to only two Pokemon left at his disposal. This is not good. Not good at all...
{Meanwhile}
High above the arena in The Champion's Box, Addison put her hand on the glass as she watched Ryan shaking nervously on the stage. "Ryan..."
"I was afraid something like this could happen" Michael remarked.
"What's up with him?" Piper asked. "He looks like a Sawsbuck in headlights out there."
"What's wrong, Michael?" Addison asked the Champion.
"The Crimson Fury heightens your senses of battling" Michael explained to her. "It makes your instincts stand out from the crowd and makes you aggressively powerful." He frowned as he too watched Ryan stunned at his situation. "But when we got the Crimson Brands removed from us, it might have done something to us. It could have taken that instinct away.'
"But then why does Holly look unaffected?" Piper chimed in.
"Because she's had the last three months to recover fully and train herself up" Michael reminded his friend. "Ryan's still adjusting to the changes in his life. And it looks like he might have needed a little bit more seasoning than I thought."
Addison eyed her boyfriend worriedly. Come on, Ryan. You've got to focus. You can't lose out now!
{Meanwhile}
Ryan was speechless as Holly's Clefable bounced about the floor of the arena happily and his friend folded her arms in frustration. He had no words that could explain how he was feeling. Because there were none. He wasn't afraid of battling, but he found himself paralyzed and unable to move. He wasn't holding back on her, but he could tell that something inside of him was off. He wasn't afraid of letting anyone down, yet he was shaking at the thought of disappointing the thousands who had earlier been screaming his name.
"Why are you battling so poorly?" Holly asked him. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't hold anything back, Ryan. If this is all you have to show for this fight, you might as well just give up now."
Ryan shook his head. "I can't give up."
"Face it" she cautioned him, "you and your Pokémon are battling here right now, but your head and your heart aren't in this match. And to be honest, I'm actually quite annoyed that you're not giving me everything you have. How can we have gone on this journey and faced everything we have, only for you to wimp out in the first round of the playoffs?"
The referee looked towards Ryan. "You have to make a move, Ryan."
Ryan glared back at Holly. "I'm not wimping out, Holly. This battle isn't over yet."
Holly lowered her head. "It'd better not be."
Ryan reached onto his belt and called out his next Pokémon: Marahute. When she emerged from her Poké Ball, the Pidgeot squawked loudly at the Clefable that she would be facing. "Let's see you stop this one, Holly!"
Holly shook her head. "You're not fooling me, Ryan. I know what you're planning. And I'm one step ahead of you."
"Huh?"
Holly sighed. "I know you're plan. You were planning on using your Pidgeot to send force me to switch out Pokémon without my consent." She looked at him and smirked. "But I was always thinking you would pull something like this. That's why I taught my Clefable a little trick." She glanced at her Clefable. "Use Baton Pass!" As if taking a baton out of thin air, the Clefable tossed it high into the air and vanished into her Pokémon Ball, replacing herself with Holly's ace Pokémon: her Glaceon. The Ice Evolution of Eevee appeared in front of Marahute, the icicles hanging from her ears jingling like sleigh bells. The baton descended towards the Glaceon, who caught it in her mouth, much to the crowd's delight.
Ryan shrugged. "A Glaceon? Eh."
"Thanks to Baton Pass" Holly warned him, "the stat buffs my Clefable had now get passed onto my Glaceon. So, that means even Marahute's strongest attacks won't mean much against me." She sent her Glaceon forward. "Glaceon! Use Ice Beam!" The Glaceon spat out a beam of frozen energy directly at Marahute, who was just barely able to dodge the attack.
"If you want stat buffs, Holly" Ryan snapped back. "I'll give you stat buffs!" He activate the Key Stone on his wrist and Mega Evolved his Pidgeot into Mega Pidgeot, as the fans roared in applause. Ryan then sent his Pidgeot onto the attack. "Marahute! Use Air Slash!" The Pidgeot sent winds slicing and thrashing through the air and towards the Glaceon, who simply seemed to brush off the harsh winds as if they were a gentle breeze.
"I warned you" Holly told her friend. "All those stat buffs I got my Glaceon won't let her fall easily."
Ryan grunted in frustration. "Fine."
The Glaceon raised her head and caused a tremendous Blizzard in the stadium to strike at the Pidgeot. The Frozen Winds thrashed Marahute about the arena, but she kept her focus on her target. And Ryan seemed eager to let her do as she wanted.
Holly raised an eyebrow. "Um, Ryan? I just throttled your best Pokémon and you're smiling?"
Ryan folded his arms. "I have to thank you for giving my Marahute the winds she would need to attack with." He then looked towards his Pokémon. "Marahute! Use Hurricane!" The Pidgeot flapped her wings wildly, causing a massive vortex of weather to whip the Glaceon into the air, smashing it about the entire arena. When the winds had died down, the Glaceon was smashed hard into the arena floor, unconscious.
Holly recalled her Pokémon, unsure of how to feel about how quickly her former flame had turned the tides in their match to even the odds. She nevertheless remained cheerful despite her back being to the wall and winked at her opponent. "Not bad. I figured you'd have something hidden up your sleeves. But so do I!" She reached onto her belt and pulled out her third and final Pokémon. "Go! Roserade!" Her signature Pokémon, Roserade, emerged from it's Poké Ball and batted her own eyelashes at the Pidgeot.
"Roserade?" Ryan remarked. Does Holly not realize that I have a serious type advantage?
"Roserade! Use Leech Seed!" The Roserade scattered seeds all over the arena, with many of them landing on Marahute and trapping her to the ground. She grinned at Ryan. "Your Marahute is incapable of flight now! And that's not all!" The Leech Seeds took their affect on Marahute, draining her of health to the already healthy Roserade.
Ryan shrugged. "I'm not afraid."
"And why's that?" Holly asked.
"Because those Leech Seeds only stay out so long as your Roserade does" Ryan reminded her. "Marahute! Use Whirlwind!" The Pidgeot spun around in the air and launched the seeds off of her and forced the Roserade to withdraw in favor of the Clefable.
Holly now seemed to be a little frazzled. "Um, okay. Clefable, use...
"Marahute!" Ryan declared first, "Use Mirror Move!" The Pidgeot then mimicked the last move used by the Roserade and spat seeds all over the Clefable. The seeds then did their work of draining health from the Clefable and increasing the health of Marahute. Ryan grinned at Holly. "Thanks for helping me get into the groove again. But I don't think your Clefable is so thankful."
Holly gulped. "Okay, fine. I have to rethink my next plan." She looked towards her Clefable. "Use Moonblast!" The Clefable used it's immense power to overwhelm Marahute and knock her out of the match. Holly jumped for joy. "HA HA! I'm back in the game! You've just lost Marahute and Sparks! I think I can win this."
Ryan reached onto his belt for his third and final Pokémon. "Go, Simba!"
Holly's confidence faded. "Simba? Oh crud."
The Pyroar emerged from the Poké Ball, roaring triumphantly as the Clefable fell back in terror. The Clefable had no time to effectively prepare a counter as Simba let out a terrifyingly strong Hyper Voice that knocked the Clefable out of them match and left Holly with only her Roserade left to oppose Simba. Holly lowered her head. "I guess it's down to our last Pokémon, then." She flashed her eyes at Ryan. "I'm not giving up! Go! Roserade!" Her Roserade reemerged from the Poké Ball and batted her eyelashes at Simba. "Use Attract!"
The Roserade lured the Pyroar in with it's intoxicating aromas and made it smitten with her as Sparks had been with the Clefable. But Ryan did not seem fazed by this. Holly could not get the fierce look in her friend's eyes out of her head.
"Simba! Use Heat Wave!" The Pyroar shook himself out of his attraction and let out a magnificent roar that increased the temperature of the arena and whipped at the Roserade. As the heat became too unbearable for the Roserade, she wilted and collapsed onto the ground. Simba raced over to the Roserade and put his paw on her head, declaring himself the victor.
"Roserade is unable to battle" the referee declared. "The winner is Ryan Kingston!"
The stadium exploded in applause for Ryan and Holly's match. Holly sadly recalled her Roserade and looked towards Ryan. "Well, you beat me."
Ryan nodded. "But I couldn't have done it if you hadn't reminded me where my head and heart needed to be. And I owe you for that, Holly."
Holly grinned. "That's two you owe me for, Ryan. And I intend to hold your feet to the fire until you pay me back."
Ryan and Holly crossed the arena and shook hands for the third time as the announcer celebrated on Ryan's behalf. "And with that, Ryan Kingston advances to the Second Round of the Arcana Pokémon League Championships! Let's hear it for him, folks!" The stadium let it's appraisal of Ryan be known as their hero advanced for a rematch with his father, Robert Kingston, in the next round.