"Ash do you think you can handle judging today?" Scott asked.

"Not a problem." Ash said, as the group entered the Battle Tower.

"Good, Anabele has been a bit distracted since yesterday and she forgot to call in her judge." Scott said.

"To be fair, yesterday was a bit odd, even by our standards." Brendan admitted. "Swampert's been excited too."

"I didn't see him change his Pokemon, are we sure he's ready?" Flannery asked.

"We'll know soon enough." Wally said. "To be fair though, we don't know everything she can do."

"Oh Anabele, she's a master psychic." Scott said.

"You mean a psychic type trainer?" Ash asked.

"Yes and no." Scott said. "She's actually a psychic as well as being a psychic type expert."

"In that case Shiftry would be useful." Flannery realized.

"Well he would be if I had him." Brendan said. "I switched to a new team last night."

"So all we know is Swampert." Flannery sighed. "I guess this will be interesting." Flannery added as she, Wally, and Scott took their seats.

Ash took to the center of the field as Brendan and Anabele walked to each other,

"Alright, I want a clean match today." Ash said. "This will be a three on three match of single battles. The winner will only be declared when either side wins two matches overall." Ash said, having quickly read the notes left behind.

"Hey Ash, are you sure you read that right?" Brendan asked.

"Yes, I'm sure of it." Ash said. "Not a normal ruleset, but also not something you aren't used to, it's like Sootopolis."

"Just now, each Pokemon only get's one chance." Brendan said. "Kind of wishing I had Shiftry or Pinsir for this."

"You'll do great Brendan!" Wally cheered.

"Trainers to your starting positions." Ash said. "Battle begin!"

"Alakazam come out!" Anabele called out.

"Let's go Raticate!" Brendan said.

"Alakazam use Psychic!"

"Raticate use Hyper Fang!"

Raticate leapt forward, only to be stuck in midair by Alakazam's attack.

"Alakazam now while it's stuck use Focus Punch!" Anabele said.

"Raticate use Super Fang!"

Raticate bit down on Alakazam's arm, just barely dodging the fighting type attack, and causing massive damage to the psychic type.

"Alakazam use Teleport, and leave Raticate behind!"

"That's an option?" Wally asked in shock as Alakazam, and only Alakazam disappeared.

"Raticate use Scary Face to slow it down!" Brendan called out.

"Alakazam use Psychic!"

Raticate gnashed it's teeth and growled before being spun around in the air.

"Raticate use Iron Tail!"

"Alakazam use Focus Punch!"

Raticate broke free of the psychic hold, launching right at Alakazam, striking the psychic type on the center of it's head, Alakazam falling back from the damage.

"Now while it's recovering use Hyper Fang!"

"Alakazam use Teleport!"

Raticate dove forward, sinking it's teeth into Alakazam's arm, knocking it out, and winning Brendan the first round.

"Alakazam is unable to battle, the winner of the first match is Raticate. Trainers prepare your next Pokemon!" Ash said.

"Raticate return, great work." Brendan said. "Come on out Hitmonlee!"

"Hitmonlee?" Flannery asked.

"You said bring a variety! I brought a variety and haven't used Hitmonlee before." Brendan said.

"Great idea, she uses psychic types, you're bringing a fighting type." Flannery said.

"I believe in him." Brendan assured.

"Alakazam come back. Metagross come out!" Anabel said.

"Nothing I haven't beaten before. Hitmonlee use Blaze Kick!"

"Metagross use Meteor Mash!"

Metagross both matched and stopped Hitmonlee's attack with a single arm, before gripping down on the fighting type's foot.

"Metagross use Psychic!"

"Hitmonlee use Rolling Kick at the X!"

As Hitmonlee was stretched out, he launched his leg at Metagross, hitting the steel types face with his knee, knocking him free.

"Hitmonlee use High Jump Kick!"

"Metagross use Hyper Beam!"

Hitmonlee launched into the air, with a bright beam of light firing after him. Hitmonlee went crashing down, only to be absorbed entirely in the attack, being unmoving by the time he lands.

"Hitmonlee is unable to battle, the winner is Metagross, the winner will be decided by the third and final match." Ash declared.

"You did your best Hitmonlee." Brendan said. "Swampert let's go!"

"Metagross great work, come back." Anabel said. "Let's do this Espeon!"

"It all comes down to this final match." Wally commented.

"That's where Anabel shines, is when it's all on the line." Scott said.

"So does Brendan." Flannery commented. "He always has a trick up his sleeve."

"Swampert use Rollout!"

"Espeon use Iron Tail!"

Swampert curled into a ball, rocketing himself at the small psychic type that managed to easily send him off course with their tail.

"Swampert use Hydro Cannon!"

"Espeon use Zap Cannon!"

Swampert blasted Espeon with a powerful stream of water, knocking into the psychic type and pushing them back as the electricity didn't even phase him.

"Now while he's recharging, use Psychic!"

Swampert's recovering body was launched into the air by Espeon's psychic abilities as the catlike Pokemon tossed him into a wall.

"Swampert!" Brendan shouted, as his starter Pokemon stood back strong. "Alright use Earthquake!"

"Espeon use Quick Attack!"

Swampert dug his hands into the ground causing a shockwave to go off, launching Espeon into the air.

"Now use Ice Punch!"

Swampert launched himself into the air with surprising force, punching Espeon and encasing the psychic type in ice.

"When'd Swampert learn that?" Flannery asked to which Wally only shrugged in confusion.

"Espeon break free with Iron Tail!"

"Swampert finish this with Hydro Cannon!"

Swampert landed on the ground skidding backwards as he unleashed another Hydro Cannon at the prone Espeon, causing the psychic type to begin to plummet.

"Quick Swampert catch it!" Brendan called out. Swampert however wasn't still recovering and going at a slower pace.

"I got it!" Ash said, sending out two tendrils from his arms. His aura now green and swirling with a bit of Ruby red from the residual primal force.

Espeon was safely lowered to the ground, having been knocked out from the attacks.

"Espeon is unable to battle, the winner is Swampert and Brendan." Ash declared.

"Alright Swampert!" Brendan cheered.

"Here Brendan on behalf of the Battle Frontier I present you with this, the Ability Symbol." Annabel said, holding out the medal.

"Great work Brendan, you only have one symbol left." Scott said. "But this one will be a doozy."

"Who's my opponent?" Brendan asked.

"Your next location is the Battle Pyramid, located just north of Pewter City." Scott said. "There you'll be fighting the toughest trainer yet, Brandon the Pyramid King."

"As for you Ash." Anabel said, walking over to him. "A reward for saving Espeon." Anabel said giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Down girl." Wally joked, putting his hand in front of Flannery. "The two of you aren't together."

"I know." Flannery said calmly. "Besides she's not flirting, just thanking."

"So next stop is Pewter right?" Brendan asked Ash.

"Yeah, I'd actually like to stop there and see Brock for a bit. He sent a letter about a problem but didn't go over what happened." Ash said.

"Then that'll be our next stop." Brendan said.

Brendan's Current Team and their moves

Swampert: Ice Punch- Rollout - Hydro Cannon - Earthquake

Raticate: Super Fang - Hyper Fang - Scary Face - Iron Tail

Hitmonlee: Blaze Kick - Rolling Kick - High Jump Kick - Mega Kick