The group carried their registration forms under their arms, excited about entering the tournament. Louis followed his friends to the academy's Pokémon Training Facility and the team registration booth within.

As they entered, Roy finished humming a long lost song, one that Louis thought he knew, yet the noise within the hall quickly shook his thoughts back to the present.

A moving mass of colour, the hall's students continued their routines. Some registered teams while others discussed the tournament, and daily life activities.

"Whoa, this tournament must be quite popular," said Louis.

"Believe me, it is," replied Suzuki.

As they approached the Registration booth, a printed table of entrants and teams hung on the wall.

Louis gazed upon the large number of trainers already registered for the event.

"How can a tournament have this many combatants?" he pondered.

"That's not what the tournament will be like," explained Violet.

Louis spun around to the girl.

"Sorry?"

"You see, the tournament has qualifying rounds. Each trainer is scored by a number of judges during each battle. If you win, you score higher, but if you lose, you're out."

"Basically, if you win, you have a much better chance at getting into the tournament," added Roy. "Only the twelve highest scoring trainers are able to compete in the actual tournament."

Louis was the first to grab a pen, eagerly writing his team name down amongst the others listed. Suzuki, Violet and Roy followed suit. Roy wrote down his team name, then Violet wrote down the name 'Team Nebula', and finally, Suzuki with the title of 'Team Comet'.

While they wrote, Louis glanced at other Teams listed.

One was named 'Team Atom', another had the name of 'Team Tsunami', but there was one team name that caught his eye.

"Simon? Just...Simon?" blurted Louis.

'What a narcissist!' he thought.

"Yeah..." said Suzuki. "Simon has never registered a proper team name."

"He's got the biggest ego I've ever seen," added Violet.

It was then that a familiar voice came in from behind.

"Why am I not surprised to see you guys here?"

"Ugh, speak of the devil," grumbled Suzuki.

"Hey, it's Team Simon".

As the taller boy approached the group of friends, who gave him a wide path, Simon checked the team names they'd just entered.

"Oh.. very cute" he scoffed.

Louis rolled his eyes, annoyed by the arrogance.

"Just ignore him," whispered Suzuki.

Suzuki knew what was about to happen, but didn't act quick enough to stop it.

"They're better than your name!" blurted Violet.

'Crud,' thought Suzuki.

Simon's eyes met each of theirs, terrible and cold in his gaze.

"With four of you, I guess I'll definitely be facing at least a couple of you..." he sniggered.

"...good luck."

Violet swallowed, loudly.

"We should go," Suzuki spoke softly toward his group.

As they left, Louis shot a glare at the red-haired boy, one that did not go unnoticed. And, still staring at the group in cold silence, Simon began to formulate his next move.

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