"You're leaving?" Hartley stood beneath the tree, looking dejected as the shade soothed the hot Hoenn weather. "Why?"

Alex paused, halfway to returning her Vulpix. "I've told you before. I can't stay here. Too many painful memories. And I'm old enough to go on my own as a Pokemon Trainer, so that's what I'm going to do. I've saved up the money and everything."

"But I'm ten," he argued. "You could take me with you. There are loads of places where ten year-olds go on journeys as a trainer."

"The world isn't as safe as it looks," Alex went over and rubbed her brother's messy blonde hair. "And it's better if it's just me. Besides, you have the foster home. They're both great people, you and I both know that."

He shuffled his feet. "But it won't be the same without you."

Alex knelt slightly, pulling him in close. "Look, I'm going to make a name for myself out there. You'll be able to find me once I do and I expect you to be a powerful trainer." She was glad he couldn't see her face. The real reason she wanted to get away was not so she could become a great trainer, but so she could get away from Hoenn altogether.

Once she pulled back, she stood. "Me and Vulpix need to catch our flight. Stay safe, Hartley."

...

Alex rolled her pokeball in the palm of her hand, the one that contained her first partner Pokemon, Ninetales. That day when she first left felt so long ago. Returning there after her time in Alola, it felt oddly nostalgic, but also dredged up horrible memories. She was ashamed to admit that she couldn't help but lump her own brother into how she perceived Hoenn. She loved him dearly, but he was still a reminder of what she went through.

"This time," Alex swore to herself. "This time I'll become recognized. Something to overshadow the past."

But, deep down she wondered if this was the correct path for her. Would winning a league really make that much of a difference?

"Yes," she decided. "It would mean I would have no trouble going home, ashamed of my past." Then, "But what about Zeno? Would I ever need to go back?"

The second time she had left Hoenn, she knew it had hurt her brother in more ways than one. He was one of the only reasons she would ever want to go back.

"But my path lies with Zeno, doesn't it," she thought. "I can feel that it does. If one day that path leads me back home, then at least he'll be there with me."

The screen above her changed, showing a countdown. Five minutes to go before she was needed in the stadium to have the opening battle for the second round. Alex stood, pulling back her hair into a loose ponytail.

"I'll come back Hartley, one day," she promised softly. "When I've become strong enough to return."

...

The sunlight was dazzling, nearly blinding her as the stadium buzzed with talk and cheers.

"Goooood mornin' ladies and gentlemen! Another beautiful day has blessed this grand tournament and I for one am truly excited to see what is in store for the upcoming 16 battles! First up today we have Alex from the Hoenn region! And opposite of her one of Galar's very own Gym Leaders, Piers! Let's see how this battle will be decided!"

A part of the crowd cheered extra loud at his mention, Piers waving up at them, looking even more pale in the sunlight. However, Alex could tell he was strong, strong enough to be one of Galar's top Gym Leaders.

"And for today's first battle, their field will be the Badlands!" The battlefield rose from the ground, a harsh looking desert with several raised parts of rocky surface.

Piers rubbed his tired looking eyes before pulling out his skull decorated speaker and placed it in front of him. He grinned, grabbing one of his pokeballs from his side. Alex in turn grabbed one as well, both tossing out their Pokemon at the same time.

"Alright Vespiquen, we'll have the advantage here," Alex assured, seeing that their opponent was a Malamar. "A definite advantage so it seems. So let's show the crowd a quick battle!"

"This will be refreshing ain't it," Piers patted his Malamar on the shoulder. "Not having to deal with Dynamaxed and the likes. Just a honest-to-god Pokemon battle." He glanced up into the crowd, spotting the camera crew fixed on him and did a little wave. "Wish me luck, me sis Marnie."

"Let the first battle for the second round of preliminaries, begin!"

Alex wasted no time in shouting, "Attack Order!"

Vespiquen raised her body, tendrils of green light shooting towards Malamar.

"Night Slash those pesky bugs away!" Piers yelled, throwing out his hand. "And Payback in full!"

Malamar whipped his tentacles about, creating a fierce dark wind that countered most of the Bug attack, but still received damage. Then the Dark and Psychic type began hovering towards Vespiquen, lashing out with his tentacles.

However, Alex was ready. "Defend Order!"

Green light shot up around the Bug type, increasing her defense just as Malamar's tentacles slammed into her. She held her ground, pushing them away.

"Struggle Bug!" Alex yelled. "Lower his power!"

Piers smirked, flicking his mic to get that ringing sound. "That's our queue! Take that hit and Lash Out!"

"What?" Alex muttered, her Vespiquen sending the flurry of attacks into Malamar. The enemy Pokemon winced, then lashed out his tentacles, each one a devastating blow against Vespiquen. She backed away from Malamar, already on the verge of collapsing.

"One last Payback will do!" Piers shouted.

With no time to think of an alternate solution, Alex shouted, "Destiny Bond!"

Just as Malamar lashed out, a ghostly light connected him and Vespiquen. As the Bug type was knocked into unconsciousness, the ghostly aura surrounded Malamar, making him collapse as well.

"With a well-timed Destiny Bond, both trainer's first Pokemon are out of the battle! What could possibly be next!?"

"Return," Alex quickly clipped Vespiquen's pokeball to her belt before switching in Florges.

"Shame," Piers sighed, returning Malamar. "Even when on the ropes, she was still able to finish you." He tossed out his next Pokemon. "Get ready to make a stink with Toxic!"

"Moonblast!" Alex shouted as the Skuntank began running towards her Fairy type.

The attack blasted into Skuntank, but didn't slow him down. A purple fluid was launched and landed on Florges, badly poisoning her instantly.

"Send him back with Petal Blizzard!" Alex shouted and the petals threw Skuntank back ten feet. "Now Aromatherapy!"

Florges spread her arms, her orange flowers glowing with energy, erasing the toxic poisoning.

"Alright then," Alex allowed herself a sigh of relief before turning back to the battle. "Energy Ball!"

"Sucker Punch her first!" Piers nodded his head to a beat only he could hear. "And gas up the area!"

Skuntank ran low to the ground, the Energy Ball soaring just above his head. He lunged forwards, striking a paw against Florges' middle. Then a purple toxic gas sprung into existence, poisoning Florges and she cried out in pain.

"Now Venoshock!"

Florges was drenched in more poisonous liquid, nearly bringing her down for good.

"Aromatherapy!" Alex shouted. "And Dazzling Gleam!"

The blast knocked Skuntank away, giving Alex and Florges a little breathing room.

"He's tough," Alex thought. "Tougher than I thought. We're barely able to hold our own. I hate how this plan's going to go, but we have little choice."

"Keep your distance," Alex instructed her Pokemon. "Petal Blizzard!"

A storm of petals flew up around Florges, keeping Skuntank at bay.

"C'mon," Alex gritted her teeth. "Just do it already! Be predictable!"

"Toxic," Piers shouted.

As Florges dodged the attack, Piers grinned. "Poison Gas!"

"NOW!" Alex roared in her head. "Florges, Sunny Day!"

Skuntank was close now, he had to be to unleash the gas attack, and as he did, Florges began forming the ball of sunlight. Skuntank's eyes widened almost comically as the poison gas touched the ball of fire and resulted in a fiery explosion. Alex knew Florges was down without even having to look, but she didn't know about Skuntank. But upon seeing the Dark type fainted, she sighed, relieved.

"Just like with the Destiny Bond earlier, Alex has managed to take down her opponent, but at the cost of her own Pokemon! Does Piers have her on the ropes!?"

"Obstagoon," Piers shouted, sending out his Galar Pokemon. "Let's get ready to Obstruct her!"

"It has been a while, hasn't it," Alex closed her eyes as she rubbed the pokeball she held in her hand. "Now then, let's show them our passion!" A fire blazed in Alex's eyes as she slammed her foot into the ground, hurling the pokeball. "Let's finish this!"

A large feline landed on the battlefield, fire looping around his waist like a wrestler's belt. He stood and pumped his chest out, roaring as he flexed his claws.

Piers grinned upon seeing Alex's Pokemon. "Now that's a Dark type if I've ever seen one!"

"Oh yes," Alex cracked her knuckles. "Alright Incineroar, it's showtime! Give him all you got! Get in close and use Flamethrower!"

Incineroar growled and ran, dropping to all four paws, clearing the distance between him and Obstagoon in no time. The fire completely engulfed the Dark type and Incineroar made to slam his foot into Obstagoon's side.

"Now Obstruct him!" Piers commanded.

Obstagoon held both arms together in front of him and roared, his tongue flapping like crazy. A barrier in the shape of a dark x appeared, blocking Incineroar's attack, the Fire type wincing as his attack was lowered.

"Now Cross Chop him!" Piers swung his pole around.

"You Cross Chop as well!" Alex shouted.

Both Pokemon collided with one another, both of them sliding backwards in the dirt.

"Darkest Lariat!" Alex roared.

Without even getting up, Incineroar began spinning his body, a dark aura surrounding him. He catapulted into the air, slamming down on Obstagoon.

"Grab hold and make him submit!" Piers shouted.

Obstagoon reached up and squeezed Incineroar hard, the Fire type crying out in pain.

"Only one way out," Alex realized. "Flare Blitz!"

Fire erupted around Incineroar, blasting him away from Obstagoon, the intense flames burning the Normal type.

"Get back in there and use Throat Chop!" Alex ordered.

"Obstruct!" Piers shouted and Incineroar's attack was once again blocked. "Now feel that burn and use Facade!"

Alex's eyes widened. "INCINEROAR!"

Incineroar's belt blazed, growing bigger as he slammed a fist into the earth, the badlands cracking as heat was released. Huge searing flames erupted, blasting Obstagoon into the sky. Incineroar crouched, then sprung after him.

"This is it!" Alex yelled with glee. "Darkest Lariat!"

"Obstruct!" Piers shouted quickly, but the force of Incineroar's flailing attack provided enough momentum to slam the Normal type into the ground, creating a crater. Incineroar leaped away, skidding along the ground.

"He can't protect himself now!" Alex shouted as she spotted Obstagoon trying to stand. "Fire Fang!"

"Hit her with Facade!" Piers commanded.

Incineroar leaped, thrusting out his hips, huge fiery fangs erupting from his belt. They closed around Obstagoon in a brilliant flash of light, triggering a small explosion. When the smoke cleared, Incineroar stood over the fainted Obstagoon, right paw held high as he roared.

"Blimey," Piers slid down his mic pole. "That was exhilarating. I'm beat."

"Obstagoon is unable to battle, which means Alex moves onto the final round of the Preliminary battles!"

The crowd cheered and Alex swore she could hear Zeno's voice among them clearly.

"What a fiery finish! With it being a close match, Alex manages to overcome the Gym Leader of Galar! Now the question we're all wondering is if she'll receive the Dark Badge for her trouble!"

...

"And we're here for today's highlights! With such ferocity and determination, all trainers have made their mark on the league!"

The screen showed quick footage from the battles that I was sure the Rocket trio were proud of. There was Incineroar and Obstagoon in the air following the Blast Burn, Alain's Mega Charizard slamming a Pangoro into the ground, Ash's Pikachu taking down two Pokemon by himself, and many other shots from today's battles.

"We all made it," Ash said while grinning. "The final round of the Prelims! We just need to make it past that to make our mark."

Alex smirked at me. "Would be a shame if you were taken down before then."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Looks who's talking. Is Piers really that strong?"

Alex's smirk faded. "Yeah, he is. I'm still surprised I won. I do wonder if he's actually the best Gym Leader in Galar with the way he battles."

"Now then," the announcer's voice made us all immediately pay attention to the big screen, where the footage had just ended. "To what you've all been waiting for! Tomorrow's final Preliminary Match-Ups!"

The remaining 16 trainer cards began to shuffle, faster and faster, before finally coming to a stop in 8 pairs of two.

"Again?" Robert gnawed at the end of his pencil. "You know, with odds like these, you think one of you would end up with someone you know by now."

"I am," I was the 4th one to battle tomorrow, and my opponent-

"Kamake."

Funny how I ended this chapter just like the last one eh? The Preliminary Battles will end soon, which means that our heroes will have to face one another sooner or later. Next chapter, "A Calculating Force", Zeno faces off with Kamake of Team Radiance! Until then! Toodles!