Finally back to the Tournament. Sorry to keep you waiting. Also Chapter 69 lol.
Hours earlier, during the opening ceremony, Jack and the rest of his friends saw their matchups for the day.
With Jack and Julia being in Group A, their battles would happen earlier. Leaving Diego and Renée with the later battles of Group B.
"Man! I'm sick of having to wait!" Diego groaned.
"Hey, gives you a chance to train a bit or plab a strategy." Jack pointed out, knowing how his best friend thought.
"You keep saying that but I usually just wing it, and you know what? It works!" Diego proclaimed. Jack simply smiled slightly and rolled his eyes while the twins chuckled.
"Well I have a battle to head to. You can either come watch me or have some time to yourself." Jack said as he headed to the stadium.
As he was on his way there he ran into the person who would be his opponent, someone he actually had met before; Ronan.
"Jack, is that you lad? Glad to see ya' back on yer' feet after runnin' from the law!" Ronan greeted.
"Oh don't remind me of that!" Jack replied, laughing a bit.
"Well we finally made it here. I wanted to battle ya' since ya' first helped me in Celadon but you know what happened back then. You know I can't hold back on ya' now either."
"I know. I wouldn't want it any other way either."
The two trainers shook hands as they made their way to the stadium. The crowd had cheered with excitement and anticipation at what was sure to be a day of great battles.
"Welcome back to the Indigo Plateau Pokemon Tournament!" The announcer, Dallas greeted. "The preliminaries are officially done and dusted, and we're moving on to the first round of the League Tournament!"
"That's right Dallas, and with the preliminaries over with, we're left with sixty-four trainers. Starting off today we have two trainers who show promise. First we have a trainer who we found out was inspired by Bede, the Fairy type Gym Leader od the Galar region. Being inspired however doesn't mean copying however, as this trainer has carved his own path in life. Ladies and gentlemen, here's Ronan!"
Ronan stepped out onto the arena to the applause of the audience. The arena itself resembled a sandy beach, however the sand appeared to have a sort of red and grey color mixed with the yellow sand. The odd colors appeared to be the result of volcanic ash. Several pools of water dotted the arena for any water pokemon.
"And as for his opponent, from Littleroot Town over in the Hoenn region, we have Jack, and honestly the more I look at him the more I think of the Champion lf Hoenn... Not sure why honestly."
Jack stepped onto the arena to an equal amount of adulation.
"Well maybe you'll figure it out." Juanita said. "As for right now. It's time to let this battle begin!"
The two boys sent out their first pokemon, on Ronan's side was a Togekiss that twirled in the air as it was sent out. Jack on the other hand sent out his Fearow.
"Oooh, looks like we'll start with a battle of the birds!" Juanita said in intruige.
"Let's hope these two don't act so bird brained though..." Dallas commented.
"I'll let you make the first move, Ronan."
"Thank ya' lad! Let's just hope you don't end up regretting that! Togekiss, Moonblast!" Ronan commanded.
Togekiss placed its wings in front if it and created a dense sphere of pink energy. With one flap of it's wings, Togekiss blasted the attack at Fearow.
"Now Fearow, dodge it and go for Drill Peck!"
Just as Jack's Fearow was about to get hit, she spun sideways and continued spinning towards Togekiss, gaining enough speed and momentum to act as a drill and batter Togekiss.
Despite his pokemon getting hit though, Ronan smirked.
"See Jack-y boy, it's never that easy. Thunder Wave!"
Togekiss rebounded from the attack despite the damage it had taken. It opened its mouth and breathed out rings of electricity at Jack's Fearow, who was still right in front of Togekiss.
"Oh! And we've got a case of paralysis after a sneaky play by Ronan!" Dallas commented.
"Ugh, I hate paralysis, it makes battles go far too slow for my tastes." Juanita groaned.
"Well I guess that's one thing you don't like being slow..." Dallas said while giving her a flirtatious look. She responded by giving him a death glare.
"Now follow up with Air Slash!"
Togekiss then blasted Fearow away with one mighty flap of its wings, which generated a blade of razor sharp air.
Fearow struggled to stand as it gasped in place, flying would take up too much of its energy and paralysis would only make it more difficult.
""Fight it Fearow!" Jack pleaded. "Double-Edge!"
Despite its pain, Fearow flew towards Togekiss at a surprising speed.
"Togekiss, Dazzling Gleam!"
Fearow had managed to fight through its paralysis ans get close to Togekiss, right as it was about to hit its target. Togekiss released a blast of shining light that blinded everyone in the stadium.
Once everyone's vision returned to them, they saw both Togekiss and Fearow knocked out from the attack.
"Wow! That attack collision not only threw us for a loop but knocked both pokemon out!" Dallas proclaimed.
"I haven't seen a double knockout in a while!" Juanita added.
"I guess that just goes to show that this really just might be a match of equals! Nothing gets an audience's, or a trainer's blood pumping more than than this!"
"Not bad, Ronan, you really have improved since Celadon!" Jack stated.
"As have you, naturally." Ronan agreed. "But now ain't the time to be singing each other's praises."
Jack couldn't help but smile, this was the first battle of the tournament that felt more like a battle against a friend amd a rival rather than against someone fighting for the title of Champion.
Just as he was about to send out his next pokemon, Jack hesitated and thought to himself. He remembered that Ronan focused on Fairy and Flying types. Both types he could handle if he had to face one or two but half of his team was weak to Fairies. They all knew a move to counter that weakness but it may not be enough. Venusaur being weak to Flying types only made it more difficult.
After making his decision, Jack and Ronan sent out their next Pokemon: Kingdra and Drifblim. Kingdra sparkled as it was sent out of its pokeball, its bright purple scales glistening in the sunlight. Jack silently breathed a sigh of relief, the worst Drifblim could do in the long run would be burning Kingdra and causing residual damage.
"Ok Kingdra, we have this; Ice Beam!"
"Thunderbolt, Drifblim!"
The Blimp pokemon used two of its four dangling arms to send a bolt of crackling electricity at Kingdra. But the Dragon pokemon exhaled a blast of icy energy right back at Drifblim.
The two attacks collided, both pokemon pushing to make sure they won the clash.
"As cliché as they can be, I love beam struggles!" Dallas exclaimed. "There's just something so charming about them."
"I love the explosions that always happen out of it. Everything is better with explosions." Juanita giggled.
Just as expected, the two equal attacks exploded from the extended reaction to one another. Kicking up a cloud of smoke, ash, and sand...
"Quickly Drifblim, use Shadow Ball!"
Drifblim inflated itself, taking in energy and sending it back out as an orb of indescribable energy. As it passed by the kicked up smoke and ashes, it grew in size.
"Don't let it reach you Kingdra! Send it back with Scald!"
Kindra's snout began to steam up as it blasted out a surge of boiling water at the Shadow Ball. Just as it appeared as if there was going to be another clash of attacks, the Scald attack passed the center of the Shadow Ball, allowing both attacks to pass and connect with their opponent pokemon.
Kingdra was blasted and knocked down by the enhanced Shadow Ball; Drifblim was soaking wet and now burned from the Scald. Despite the damage, both pokemon got back into a battle stance.
"What an incredible sequence! The burning passion! The spiritual bond between trainer and pokemon! This action is hot!" Dallas joked. Juanita simply gave the man an annoyed look and then turned to face the camera crew with the same look.
Once the air cleared, Jack was shocked to see Ronan smiling at the fact that Drifblim was burning.
"Why are you-" Jack was about to ask when he suddenly realized the answer himself.
"Flare Boost really is an interesting ability!" Ronan stated.
"Oooohhh!" Juanita said in interest. "You don't see Drifblim with the Flare Boost ability very often. Most trainers that focus on abilites usually have a Drifblim with the Unburden ability so that they can get the edge in speed. Let's see how Jack can bounce back from this, if he can at all!"
"Now we'll show ya' why we're here now! Drifblim, Shadow Ball!" Ronan commanded.
Drifblim unleashed another Shadow Ball that was already very large and moving towards Kingdra at breakneck speed. Jack had to act fast if he wanted Kingdra to keep fighting.
"Kingdra, use Dragon Pulse underneath you!" Jack ordered.
Kingdra's eyes began to glow navy blue as a cloud of energy formed in front of its snout. Kingdra blasted the water underneath it, launching it skyward. The Shadow Ball exploded when it reached the water where Kingdra once floated in.
"Now Kingdra, follow up with an Ice Beam!"
As Kingdra prepared its freezing attack, Ronan tried to order Drifblim to use Thunderbolt to block the attack, but the burn it was still suffering from prevented it from concentrating long enough for it to launch the attack.
Drifblim was struck down by the Ice Beam, knocking all the air out of it, metaphorically and physically. The Blimp pokemon deflated as it flew around the arena for a few moments before finally landing unconsciously on the sand.
"And Drifblim goes down! Could this be the beginning of the end for Ronan?"
"Not a chance! This next pokemon will only prove it!" Ronan proclaimed, sending out an Altaria. Jack smiled when he saw it, he recognized the Altaria as the very same Swablu that Ronan used when they first met in Celadon City long ago. Kingdra landed in a other small pond in the sand, taking deep breaths and trying not to falter.
"Really brings ya' back!" Ronan grinned as he went to reveal a mega ring with a keystone. Altaria itself revealing the Altarianite around its neck.
"Kingdra, use Ice Beam, quickly!"
Ronan activated the mega ring before Kingdra could use its attack. The Ice Beam connected with its target, but it did little damage as Mega Altaria was protected by the insane amount of fluff
"Now Altaria, use Return!"
Mega Altaria began to glow pink and white as it charged at Kingdra.
"Do not let Altaria get close! Kingdra, use Flash Cannon!"
Kingdra charged up a metallic looking orb with red circles emanating out of it from its snout. The moment the attack was fully charged, Kingdra launched it at the mega evolved pokemon. Altaria didn't make an attempt to dodge the attack, which connected and slowed it down for a moment...
But Altaria sped forward, crashing into Kingdra and knocking it onto the sand, knocked unconscious from the attack.
"Oh! Altaria just made Kingdra crash and burn harder than I did after my first marriage! Can Jack rebound?" Dallas announced, Juanita had to do a double take at what Dallas said but chose to not ask.
"Mega Altaria's Pixiliate ability means that that Return gets turned into a Fairy type attack and gets a power boost." Juanita noted. "Looks like Jack could be in trouble if he doesn't make a good counter-play!"
"Well if you can mega evolve then so will I!" Jack proclaimed, sending out his Venusaur. "Ok Venusaur, I need you to hit 'em with everything you got! Use Sludge Bomb!"
Jack activated his own mega ring, mega evolving his Venusaur as it prepared its attack.
"We can't waste this chance! Dragon Claw!" Ronan commanded. Altaria's right wing began to glow purple with draconic energy that enveloped it and extended at three points in the shape of a claw as it charged at Venusaur, who spat out a barrage of poison at Altaria.
The super-effective attack managed to completely stop Altaria and leave it stunned in place.
"Now use Leech Seed!"
Venusaur inhaled deeply and aimed the flower on top of it at Altaria, spraying seeds in its direction...
"Altaria, quick! Knock the seeds away with Dragon Claw!"
Altaria shook its head to get out of the daze it was in before using its left wing to knock the seeds away, burning them all up.
"Now attack!"
It was now Jack's turn to grin as Ronan played right into his trap.
"Now it's my turn! Spore!"
As Altaria drew closer, Venusaur positioned itself so that when Altaria was close enough, it showered the Humming pokemon with sleep-inducing powder.
Altaria collapsed onto the sand in front of Venusaur, snoring peacefully.
"Next use Leech Seed!"
"Altaria you have to wake up!" Ronan pleaded.
With Altaria fast asleep, it couldn't avoid the seeds wrapping around it and sapping its energy as it was still fast asleep. Though it was twitching a bit as though it was having a nightmare.
"Now end it with Sludge Bomb!"
Altaria was blasted back to Ronan with a barrage of explosions, sludge stained the cotton on its body amd it appeared sick with poison.
As the poison took its toll on Altaria and its energy was sapped by Leech Seed, Ronan's Altaria collapsed in exhaustion, unable to battle further.
"And the pendulum swings in Jack's favor again!" Juanita announced. "Could this be the end for Ronan?"
"It could be, or will he be able to secure his fairy tale ending?!" Dallas added.
"Well Jack, we both knew this battle had to eventually. But don't think ya' got this in the bag, I 'ave one last trick up my sleeve! Rapidash, show 'em your stuff!"
Ronan sent out his Rapidash, which Jack expected the burst from its pokeball in a radiant flame. But he, and everyone watching, was surprised to see it glow in radiant colors before posing with its pink and blue mane. Jack scannes the Rapidash with his pokedex in confusion and curiosity.
'Rapidash: the Unique Horn pokemon and the Galarian variant to the Rapidash native to the Kanto region: Brave and prideful, this Pokémon dashes airily through the forest, its steps aided by the power stored in the fur on its fetlocks.'
"I'm not surprised you haven't seen a Rapidash like this before, and we'll make sure to show you how strong it is! Rapidash, Megahorn!"
"Sludge Bomb!"
Venusaur spat out another barrage of toxix explosives at Rapidash, who reared it's front legs and charged at Venusaur. As Rapidash galloped and dodged each bomb with a radiant grace, its horn began ro glow bright green and it grew to twice its size.
Once Rapidash was near enough, it reared its head downward and stabbed Venusaur in the side of the head with the attack, lifting it's horn upwards and carrying Venusaur with it.
Venusaur landed on the sand with a resounding thud, badly shaken up by the attacl and starting to tale deeper breaths.
"Fine, I'll guve you that one, but now I have a clear shot! Use Leech Seed, Venusaur!"
Venusaur focused and launched another seed at Rapidash, the close distance between the two pokemon allowed the attack to easily hit. Rapidash struggled and shook itself in a futile attempt to shake the seeds off, only serving to cause the spreeds to grow more quickly and begin rapidly draining Rapidash of its strength.
"Not bad! But Venusaur is through! Rapidash, finish 'em off with Psycho Cut!"
"That Rapidash can use Psycho Cut?!"
Before Jack could call for a counterattack, Ronan's Rapidash readied itself, its horn extending again and glowing purple instead of green.
With one quick strike, Rapidash sliced Venusaur with the super-effective attack, the physical force of which was too much for Venusaur to handle, and it collapsed to the ground, unable to continue..
"Incredible! I guess you can never really tell just how powerful a pokemon can be!" Dallas announced.
"Especially one with a regional variant like Rapidash." Juanita added with a smirk. "Pretty things can pack a powerful punch!'
"That is definitely true!" Dallas couldn't help but guve Juanita a flirtatious look as he said that, but composed himself when he turned back to the battle. "But now we're down to the wire, both trainers are down to one pokemon and things could go either way!"
'Alright, so it's down to this... I have two options. But with that Rapidash knowing Megahorn and Ronan probably teaching it a move to cover it's weaknesses, I only really have one option...'
"Okay... It's all down to this; I choose you, Banette!"
Banette was sent out of its pokeball and got into a battle stance, a big grin on its face as it looked at the arena, which it seemed to like.
"Pickin' a Ghost, smart! But types ain't everything, Jack! Rapidash, use Psycho Cut!"
"Block it with Shadow Claw!"
The two pokemon charged at each other with their attacks poised. Banette's arm glowing with a purple shadow and Rapidash's horn glowing again.
As the two attacks collided, sparks crackled and scattered around then fron the point of impact.
After about 20 seconds of the two pokemon struggling against each other, the two jumped back away from each other.
"Now Banette, follow up with Shadow Sneak!"
Banette tilted its head to the left side and grinned sinisterly as it sunk into the ground, leaving a circular shadow in the sand that sped towards Rapidash.
"Stop 'em with Drill Run!"
Rapidash tried to leap at Banette's shadow, but the Marionette pokemon was moving much to fast for it to hit. Banette leaped from the shadows underneath Rapidash, slashing at its abdomen and knocking it upward as Banette sunk back into the shadows and further away from its opponent as it crashed back into the sand.
Rapidash tried to stand back up, but the damage it had taken and the strength sapped by the Leech Seed that was still stuck on it made it extremely difficult. Its breathing became labored and its mane and tail were tattered and dirty.
'Well Jack, seems like the better man did win...' Ronan thought to himself.
"Alright Rapidash, it's time to end this! Psycho Cut!" He called out.
'Now. End it!'
"Banette, use Gunk Shot!"
Rapidash used as much power as it could muster to charge up its horn and run at Banette. The Marionette pokemon opened the zipper on its mouth, using the energy that came out of it and its own ghostly energy to create a purple and green sphere of ectoplasmic sludge! It took the sphere in its right Claw, using its left to close the zipper to make sure any energy wouldn't leak out and harm it.
Banette threw the Gunk Shot at Rapidash, both the Unique Horn pokemon and its trainer grinned as the attack connected. Resulting in an explosion that shrouded the arena in smoke for a minute. Everyone sat with bated breath, waiting to see what had become of Rapidash. Everyone except Ronan, who simply had a knowing smile on his face.
The smoke cleared, revealing Rapidash, unconscious in the sand. Its mane covered its mouth and the smile it had. Smiling because it was proud to have been defeated by a strong opponent.
"And there you have it! After a very impressive battle, we have our winner!" Juanita announced, the audience applauding both trainers and cheering for them.
Other trainers watched the battle on monitors in the lobby of the hotel, one of which was Oma, who appeared to be looking at Jack specifically with a smitten look.
"Amazing! I can't wait to meet you personally!"
Another trainer who watched the battle was a young man about the same age as Jack and Diego. He wore a sort of modified navy blue school uniform and his hair was in a neat pompadour.
'Hmm, so if I win my battle then I'll be facing him next. He looks pretty tough...' He thought to himself.
"Hey, Freakshow." A voice called to him, causing the boy to turn his head. The person that called him was an older teen with spiky black hair, a white tank top and green jeans with green sneakers.
"You're gonna be up against me next! Feel free to give up now. You don't want to embarrass yourself and make yourself look dumber than your hairstyle! Hahaha!"
"What did you just say about my hair?!" The pompadour boy asked in anger, giving the man a look of hate from his light purple eyes.
Oma heard the war of words but chose not to pay attention to them. Her attention was placed solely on Jack...
Also watching from further awa from the two trainers was Alan, who looked as if he expected Jack to win.
'Not bad, I expect you to keep winning. The only person here who is allowed to beat you is me!' Alan thought to himself. He then left to go prepare for his own battle later, he had no interest in any other battle besides his rival's and his own.
Jack was back in the preparation room of the stadium, breathinf a sigh of relief over his victory.
"Jack."
Ronan approached Jack with a smile on his face and his hand outstretched, offering for a handshake, to which Jack accepted.
"If I had to lose to anyone, lad, I'm glad it was a friend."
"Thank you. I'm sorry you lost so early in the tournament though." Jack replied.
"No need to apologize, lad! Just make sure you take that strength you have and win it all! I'll be rooting for you!"
Jack smiled, thankful that he was able to meet and battle against a trainer like Ronan. Part of him wished Alan was more like him. But another part of him felt like having a rival like Alan allowed him and his pokemon to grow in a way that was good for them.
As the two trainers went their separate ways, Jack regroiped with his friends, who congratulated him on his victory.
"Not bad, but I'm gonna win my next battle in a clean sweep!" Diego proclaimed.
"Really?" Renée doubted in a lighthearted, mocking tone. "I bet you won't!"
"Oh yeah! Well I'll take you uo on that bet!"
"Alright! Loser has to buy dinner!" Renée announced. The two shook hands to solidify their bet. Jack and Julia couldn't help but laugh, Jack then turned to Julia.
"So, are you ready for your battle?"
"Mhm! I'll be going against someone named Mako, and we'll be battling on a mountain field."
"Now that you mention it..." Renée stated. "My battle is supposed to be on a Mirror Field. Do you guys know anything about that kind of field?"
"Nope." "Nuh-uh." "Sorry."
"I figured as much, this could be tricky. Jack's battle was on the Ashen Beach field which cana actually power up some Ground type moves as well as Fighting moves and moves thst deal with meditation and focus."
"Now that you mention it, it seems like a lot of the arenas have some kind of effect on moves." Jack noted.
"I guess that just means we'll have to learn about the environments we'll he battling in." Julia said
"Ah man! I thought we were done with school and learning!" Diego groaned.
"I guess the Professor was right, we never stop learning." Renée giggled.
While Julia was preparing for her upcoming battle, Typhoon of Team Dark Star was walking through a laboratory inside of the TDS zeppelin, he stopped in front of a group of scientists.
"Have the shipments arrived yet?" He asked.
"Yes sir." One of the scientists answered. "Our contact in Galar has revived the native fossils in the region and sent them to us."
"By revived, do you mean they revived them in their natural form or the amalgamations that were created years ago?"
"The freaks of nature." The scientist answered with a sinister grin.
"Perfect. Which one is the one with the fish head and legs? Dracovish? Mass produce it and Dracozolt and spread them amongst the grunts and yourselves. As for the other two, produce them as well but focus on the Dragon types. Should Agent Dakota lose we'll be needing them." Typhoon explained.
"Understood, we'll produce as many as we can. For the moment however, we do have a pair of the Draco fossils that Admin Sirius requested. If it's not too much trouble, would it be alright if you gave them to him? We have to begin the fossil production immediately."
"Ugh... Whatever." The admin groaned as he took the two pokeballs. As he headed over to his fellow admin, he looked at the pokeball containing Dracozolt.
'So apparently these freaks of nature are supposed to be super strong. Well we'll see about that. Why did the boss even want these things anyway?'
"That's exactly why he wants them."
Typhoon couldn't help but jump at the sudden voice, he turned and saw that it was Meridia who had spooked him.
"Gah! Now why the hell would you do that?!"
"The boss isn't exactly fond of nature, so seeing pokemon that were never truly meant to exist is something he was fond of. The Chimera and Missingno. projects were inspired by these pokemon and now he wants to use them for himself."
"Figures..." Typhoon shrugged. "So, I never really asked but, why did you join us anyway?"
Meridia couldn't help but laugh.
"Let's just say I was unhappy with my previous life..."
Her face then became more serious as she looked at Typhoon right in the eyes. Despite him still wearing the TDS uniform mask, he could see her crimson red eyes staring right at his and through his very being.
"There comes a time when a person has simply had enough with their life. A moment in which they decide that they can no longer live with their frustrations and start over."
Typhoon began to sweat nervously and his mouth began to dry out. The only person before this moment to cause this was the boss, and here was his strongest underling now giving him the same feeling of fear.
"I have spent my life living in the shadow of someone that I could not stand. I'm sure you know how it feels to be ignored? They say there is a black Wooloo in every family but you don't know anything about that do you? I've read your file, you don't have any family..."
Typhoon wished he could fight back, her words stung and she knew it. But she was much stronger than him, despite their preferential types. All he could do is sit and listen...
"But this is about me, not you. Anyway, I believed that distancing myself from those that shunned me would allow me to heal, but I was a fool to consider that. The longer I was away from them, the more I wished to ruin them. I believe this is where we share our own ideals. You want to show the world that you aren't a weakling and find the one person you seek, amd you'll destroy anyone that stands in your way. I was like that once. But that simply isn't enough, I want to ruin my targets mentally and emotionally before I put them out of their misery."
Seeing Meridia's stoic face slowly curl into a horrifying grin made Typhoon sick to his stomach, but it also somehow seemed to give him the mental push he needed to speak.
"But why are you so focused on Jack and those other kids? What do they have to do with you?! Sure, they stand in the way of Team Dark Star, but they're not related to the people you're after!"
"Oh but they are!" Meridia replied quickly. It may have just been his imagination, but Typhoon could have sworn that the hallway they were in darkened and Meridia's eyes glowed eerily.
"There is a reason that I first encountered them in Viridian Forest, a reason that I gave them their mega rings! The reason why benefits both my cause and the cause of Team Dark Star!"
Typhoon's heart began to race when Meridia suddenly grabbed his chin and forced him to look directly at her eyes.
"There is also a reason why the boss has enlisted me as his strongest admin. Him, Andromeda, and myself all share the same disdain for all that stands in our way. I may not personally know his true motives, but I will continue to follow him until both our goals are achieved, and I don't plan on turning against him."
"...How did you know?" Typhoon whimpered.
"During my time away from those that shunned me, I started my own family. A husband and three daughters. Over time I came to realize that just like everyone around me growing up, they never loved or cared for me! I can read people like a book!"
Meridia let go of Typhoon and took a step back.
"But that should be enough from me, you have to make a delivery."
Meridia walked away, leaving Typhoon alone. The young man ran until he was sure Meridia was far away from him. He took a moment to catch his breath and collect himself. He wordlessly delivered the fossil pokemon to Sirius and walked carefully back to his quarters with only one question:
'What the hell is that woman?!'
"Heracross, use Megahorn!"
"Rampardos, Head Smash!"
Julia was in the middle of her battle against an older teenager wearing a red and black Ace Trainer uniform thay was common in Kanto. Julia was down to two pokemon while her opponent; Mako, was down to only Rampardos.
The two pokemon clashed, Heracross pressed its massive horn against the skull of the Headbutt Pokemon.
The two almost seemed equal until Rampardos edged out and bashed Heracross with the powerful attack, blasting Heracross' knocked out body back to Julia.
"Unbelieveable!" Dallas announced. "That Head Smash just might be strong enough to shatter diamonds! That's definitely what I'd call a hard head!"
"That's not the only hard headed thing here..." Juanita commented, giving Dallas an annoyed look. Dallas turned to her with an annoyed look of his own, which Juanita smiled at.
"No need to be rude here Juanita, we're both professional..."
"Okay, its all down to you! Go Walrein!"
Walrein roared as it landed on the rocky mountain terrain. Looking at the two combatants, it seemed like Walrein was badly out of its element.
"We've got this Rampardos, Head Smash!"
"Not so fast!" Julia called out. "Walrein, use Ice Beam on the ground in front of Rampardos!"
Rampardos charged forward with its head down. Its skull glowing red with an overwhelming power but its lack of sight and Walrein freezing the ground in front of it caused Rampardos to slip and fall hard on the ice, causing it to slide right into a wall of solid rock.
"Ohhh, that's gotta hurt!" Dallas said.
Rampardos slowly stood up, using its arm and the rock it crashed i to to help it back up.
"Rampardos, quick, you gotta use Head Smash!"
"We won't let you! Use Water Pulse!"
Walrein opened its mouth and charged up a ball of water that bubbled and glowed. Rampardos shook its head and charged forward at Walrein, who launched the attack right at Rampardos.
The Water Pulse connected dead on and exploded on contact, generating a wave of water that washed Rampardos back at the rock it crashed into, unconscious from the super effective attack.
"Aww what!"
"Rampardos is super strong, but it's not very good defensively. And in a terrain like this, missing an attack can only bring trouble." Julia said.
"Man... Well, congrats." Mako said in a sullen tone.
"And there you have it! After a very solid back and forth battle, Julia comes out on top!" Juanita announced.
"I thought you didn't like puns!" Dallas called out.
"Only when you say them." Juanita replied, flicking Dallas' forehead.
Julia met with her friends outside the arena, the three of them congratulating Julia on her victory.
"I knew you could do it!" Jack said. "And using Ice Beam to trip up that Rampardos was genius!"
"Aww thanks!" Julia replied, giving Jack a hug which caused him to blush again.
"So that's two battles down and two more to go." Diego said.
"And the four of us are going to keep winning until we reach the quarter finals." Renée added. "After that then..."
"Then we'll be going up against each other..." Jack stated, the four of them were quiet for a moment before Diego spoke confidently.
"Hey, us battling each other will just give the audience the best battles they've ever seen! Just don't be upset when I beat you guys, alright?"
"Don't count on it."
The four trainers turned to see Alan standing by them.
"Where did you come from?" Julia asked.
"And why are you here?" Her sister added.
"My battle is next. That's why im here. As for your dumb belief that you could possibly win, it won't happen. I intend to crush everyone here and become the next champion. You can try to beat me, but you'll fail."
Alan then turned to Jack and glared at him specifically.
"However, I won't be satisfied until I beat you, so keep at it until we battle."
He turned to head into the arena and turned back to face the group.
"I'll be waiting... Jack."
"What a piece of work that guy is!" Renée said.
"I know! He acts like he's so much better than everyone!" Julia added.
"Ah, don't worry about him! We could beat hin easily!" Diego assured before the sound of his stomach interrupted everyone. "For now though, let's get something to eat, I'm starving!"
"Why don't you guys get the food, I'll find us a good place to eat." Jack said. He found a table inside the lobby of their hotel, which had a television that was playing Alan's battle.
Jack and Alan's rivalry had always been a fierce one. He couldn't explain it but part of him wanted to battle him later on in the tournament, as a true battle between rivals and a good opportunity to knock Alan down a few pegs! But part of him also hoped he wouldn't make it that far. The thought of his friends all being in the quarter finals together made him happy.
"Nice choice of location, man! Front row seats to the competition!" Diego announced as he and the twins arrived with their lunch. Julia handed Jack his lunch and both trainers blushed when their hands touched.
As the four ate Jack was happy that he was with his friends now. Despite the competitive feel of the tournament, he was thankful that they could share moments like these.
Diego and Renée finished their food earlier than they expected, their excitement at their upcoming battles feuled their appetite more than they expected. Diego stood up and looked excited.
"Ah man I can't just wait and sit around like this! I'm gonna go train a bit and think of a good strategy." Diego said as he ran off.
"Hey! Don't hog the training gear all to yourself!" Renée called out as she hurried after him.
Julia and Jack watched them go, turned to look at each other and laughed before going after them at a more moderate pace.
Thank you all for being so patient with this story and I'd like to wish you all a happy New Year! I hope you'll all look forward to the next chapter.
