=Slowly Walks in after nearly a year=

I have no excuse outside of I was unable to write for this story and I neglected it T.T

For that I'm sorry T.T

=slowly walks back out in shame=

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=Chapter 54, The League Battles Begin=

(Jacob's PoV)

"Alright here we go~!" Karen yelled eagerly as the main doors opened and the roars of the crowd echoed throughout the enormous stadium.

"Wow." Jacob whispered as the trainers and their partner Pokemon started to walk out into the cheering crowd, the confetti, the flashing cameras and the opening ceremony of the Hoenn Pokemon League Tournament.

(This is amazing…) Sara remarked in agreement.

"Live it up Jacob buddy, this is probably the greatest feeling trainers like us will ever get!" Karen said as she started waving to the crowd.

Indeed, all around the massive stadium as he and all the other trainers walked in a parade train to the crowd that filled the stadium cheered and waved them on. People 'and' Pokemon who were spectating the event were cheering them all, and those who were friends, family, or those who supported some of the competitors were waving banners and whistling them on. Sensing Sara's thoughts she pointed out to him in the crowd Segan and Glace with a massive banner hanging off the side of the stands with Jacob and his team on it, silly drawn images of their heads of course, of Harold, Sara, Ivan, Roran, Coral and Latias who would be competing as his 'official' team members. Kenna was also there in front of the stands, with a pair of 'Go Jacob' flags strapped to her sides and neighing and skipping happily, while also sporting 'Beaute Interieur' logos on a third little flag, as they owed Segan a favor for paying for everything since he joined them on their adventure. Kora his Beautifly was also there, with a little banner that read 'Let's go Jacob!' waving in the wind and waving at him as he passed too.

Kora had returned from the Professor's home to watch the matches and cheer him on as one of his older team members, even though it has been a long time since she's battled officially, she still considers herself one of his team members. Kenna naturally couldn't battle to save her life, so she joined Kora on the cheerleading team as his 'Shiny Cheerer', as some trainers nicknamed her while passing by.

For the past week he and his friend have been battling and training their teams for this six-day long event. At first, he was wondering 'why' they didn't just alert the Pokemon League of their findings, but as Karen told him, without hard, undeniable proof, nobody would believe them. Even if other Pokemon listened and believed them, without proof the League wouldn't be able to do anything.

So, they were hoping that by competing they could find and expose Viridian and his Shadow Pokemon, and expose them to those strong enough to take them down.

If they could survive and win in the League competition, they could take on the Shadow Pokemon. If this competition couldn't train their teams to take them on, they had no hope of taking them on.

Still, as he smiled and waved to the crowd, giggling at Kenna and Kora's antics to cheer him on, he had to admit, even though they were here to stop some evil organization, he was proud to have made it this far. He wasn't the same trainer who was trying to avoid getting lost in that forest he met Suicune in.

His team weren't the weaklings who struggled against wild Pokemon in the past either, they had been made tough on their journey, they had been through so much together… and he was so proud to have gone on this journey.

(I'm proud to have joined you as well Jacob.) Sara whispered to him proudly. (And together our training will stop those people.)

He turned to her and nodded with a smile as well. "We'll win Sara, just you wait and see."

They returned to waving at the crowd and walking with the other trainers and their teammates, Karen's partner was her Lucario Lance, who was proudly waving at the crowd, knowing that those Pokemon and their trainers who were competing were all of the highest caliber in Hoenn's league, needing to be in order to 'reach' this stage of their trainer lives.

All of them had earned a place of honor for being able to compete here, but now they would compete to see who would stand at the top to be permitted to compete against the Champion to have the chance to earn the title themselves, without having to defeat the Elite Four first.

As they completed their trip around the stadium's field, they headed into the interior of the stadium to await the end of the ceremony, and it gave him a chance to relax and look at the competition he and Karen would be going against. Among those trainers he was expecting to face, he was surprised not to see Viridian among the crowd. He was so sure that man would be there.

"Sara, do you sense him?" He asked quietly as they sat on some chairs to await the first-round battles.

(I do… he is here… but his mind has… changed.) She said. (He has trained his mind somehow, it has become 'shielded'. I can sense it, but I cannot touch it or locate it… I'm sorry Jacob.)

"Well if it isn't you again…" A snide and almost cynical voice sounded.

Jacob and Sara turned to see, to their surprise, the same boy who had tried first to steal Suicune when she was weakened and deeply hurt in Petalburg Woods, who had tried to steal Sara from Jacob on the ferry to Mauvile City, the same idiot trainer who tried to trade and gamble for Latias on Route 113 and even cheated but still lost, and even had his team crushed by Anita Rig's Espeon and Umbreon without them even breaking a sweat. He too had made it to the Hoenn League, and seemed to still have as good a memory as Jacob and his team did.

"You again?" He complained in frustration. "What do you want now?"

"I'm just saying I'm going to absolutely crush you in the first round if I meet you!" He boasted loudly. "I still have a score to settle with you for constantly getting in my way of trying to be the best!"

He rolled his eyes alongside Sara at that. "Nobody's doing that except you." He replied.

"What'd you say?" He yelled angrily.

"All I've done is protect Pokemon from you." He said calmly. "You tried to take a weakened 'Suicune' by force when she couldn't even stand, let alone fight back, where's the honor in that and how does doing that make you 'the best'. How does trying to take a friend of someone by force make you 'the best'. How is trying to gamble for another trainer's Pokemon a sign of you being 'the best'?"

Sara smirked with him as she also reminded him of the other time, they saw him.

"And if I recall you ran away crying like a baby after losing to that one trainer."

"SHE CHEATED; IT WAS TOTALLY UNFAIR HOW SHE WON!" He started yelling before Karen walked over and kicked him in between his legs, shutting him up.

"Was that idiot bothering you Jacob?" She asked with a grin.

"No more than usual." He replied.

"Oh, you two just wait…" He grunted as he walked away in pain.

"So… any sign of him?" She whispered as she and Lance took seats next to him and Sara.

"Sara says he's here… but she can't find him."

"Yea, Lance tried doing the same for me, but he hasn't seen Vridian's Aura so even he can't sense him." She replied. "So that means we have to just win and keep winning to find the bastard."

"How do you know we'll find him?"

(It's as Karen said, they will want to test their Shadow Pokemon's effectiveness against the strongest in the world, the only way they can do that is here, where the best have gathered in one place.) Sara told him. (They won't let this chance pass them by… and if Shadow Pokemon are as powerful as they appear, he'll win his matches until the very end at least. Harold won against those Shadow Pokemon in the underground, but he was in his Mega Evolved state. Not every trainer here can do that… many might not stand a chance against them.)

"I just hope we do that before the end… who knows what damage they'll inflict." He said to them.

Sara, Lance and Karen nodded in agreement as they sat and waited for the first matches to be announced.

It was a long wait, but after an hour the bell rang, and the first matches were announced. Karen was paired up with over a hundred other trainers to battle at night and the next night, while he was partnered up with the daytime trainers, due to how many were competing. It was to rapidly speed up the competition bracket so that they could narrow it down as quickly as possible for the final bracket of the competition. They would each be competing in a single elimination style match, those who lose were out, those who win moved on.

Karen 'groaned' as she hated battling at night, but got up and wished him luck in the opening fight as she went to go get some sleep so she would be rested for her matches.

Jacob however groaned as he saw that he was going to be competing in the 'first' match, a singles format three on three fight against…

Philip Frials, the same boy he just taunted earlier with Karen.

"Well now we know his name Sara…" He muttered to her.

(I really don't like that boy.) She told him honestly.

"And we're the opening battle, and he's our first opponent. Talk about rotten luck…" He groaned as he got up and headed with Sara to the 'green' stand, as his trainer picture told him to go to.

He followed the green trail down some stairs and into a small room where a platform was designed to rise up into the stadium on one end, and across from him another platform would rise up for his opponent. This was done so that trainers would have unobstructed views of the field and their Pokemon would have a clear field to fight in free of obstructions.

Sara stood next to him as his Pokemon partner since she naturally was still considered 'wild', despite her claim that she might as well wear a Pokeball around her neck with how much that means to her now.

After a few moments the platform started to rise, and the ceiling split open to reveal the sky as he and Sara were raised into the field amid cheers and applause.

{Alright Hoenn fans, welcome to the opening match held here at the Pokemon League Stadium!} The announcer called out loudly as on the main screen an enthusiastically talking woman said in a glittering dress. {For our first match up all the way from Littleroot Town, it's the trainer with the shiny cheerleader, Jacoooooob Beryl~!}

He awkwardly waved to the crowd as he saw Kenna and Korra excitedly waving their 'Go Jacob' flags and banners, as well as Segan and Glace cheering him on.

{And his opponent, from Oldale Town, coming at you harder than the Goldenrod Train of Johto, the boy with the ploy, Philip Frials~!}

Across from their platform a yellow platform was raised, and they saw their opponent that boy smirking at the crowd's cheering and applause.

{Before we begin regulations state that no psychic type Pokemon may assist the trainer during the battle in any way shape or form, so will Jacob Beryl please have his Gardevoir leave the platform as a psychic barrier is placed around the trainer.}

He turned to Sara who nodded in understanding, and teleported off and next to the platform so that she could join in battle should Jacob need her, while a pink light outline circled both his and Phillip's platforms.

Whatever the field was that separated his and Sara's psychic link, it did too good of a job, as suddenly he gasped and felt like a part of himself had been snapped away from him. It was almost as if a piece of himself had been cut off, like his hand was there one moment and then it was severed at the wrist.

'So 'that's' what its like having such a close bond to a psychic type… I wonder if Harold feels like this when he Mega Evolves?' He thought in his mind.

Though he noticed that his connection to Sara wasn't entirely gone, he could just barely feel it, but even despite this 'psychic barrier' separating them, he could still feel her there at the edge of his mind.

Even separated she was still there in the back of his mind.

{Alright, as is tradition when it comes to the Hoenn League, these bouts will be a three on three single's format where the trainers will battle their teams in one on one battles. The first trainer to successfully defeat all of their opponent's Pokemon by either doing enough damage to render them incapable of battling or force the opponent to surrender by recalling their pokemon before the round ends, will be declared the victor! Trainers, call out your first Pokemon~!}

He reached down and brought out a Snag Ball, Coral's sadly, as Electra was still doing research to transfer his friend back into her original Luxury Ball. Until that happened, the Snag ball was her home, sad as it was.

"Coral you're up first!" He called as he aimed the ball forward and pressed the release button, allowing his Milotic to be sent out in a beam of red light.

"Milooooooo…" She called out defiantly as she materialized and glared at their opponent.

"Let's kick their butt, Machamp!"

From across the field a four-armed Pokemon similar to a Machop appeared, flexed his incredibly strong and powerful muscles and grinned at seeing Coral.

{The first battle will be Machamp versus Milotic, begin the match!}

-Beeeeeeeeeeeeep-

"Coral Hydro Pump!" He yelled.

"Milotiiiiiiiiiiiic!" Coral screamed as she released a torrent of water at the opponent.

"Rock Throw!"

The Machamp responded by punching the ground and lifting up a massive bit of ground and not only used it as a shield but flung it at his Milotic, who's only response was to intensify the burst of water she was sending.

"Switch to Scald Coral, narrow the stream and cut through that boulder!" He ordered in response.

Coral obeyed and the massive burst of Hydro Pump changed instead to a scalding hot stream that she narrowed with her mouth, and cut through the boulder to hit the Machamp square in the chest.

"Maaaaaaaaaacham…" He yelled as he was pushed back and only got up when Coral finished her attack.

{Whooooooa, what an explosive opening bout, Jacob's Milotic turns its opening assault from a Hydro Pump into a Scald after responding to a creative use of Rock Throw by Phillip's Machamp. I don't care if you're a fan of the heat ladies and gentlemen, that burn will be felt for 'days'.}

"Machamp Submission!"

Machamp nodded and ran forward as fast as his legs could carry him despite the burns done to his chest.

"Coral Aqua Ring!"

She nodded quickly and let loose a gentle stream of pure water from her mouth, rapidly coating her body in it before the machamp could reach her. She just finished as it grabbed her by her body, ran forward with her and dived recklessly into the ground, causing a cloud of dust to erupt alongside earth as Coral was slammed into the earth.

He watched as Coral slowly slithered out of the earth panting heavily as her Aqua Ring water quickly got to work replacing the damaged scales of her body, but he was more surprised by how 'damaged' Coral was after that attack. He was certain that after receiving that massive burn to its body the Machamp would be in too much pain to deal that much damage to her.

Yet the Machamp stood tall, wearily standing tall, but tall nonetheless after enduring that massive attack recoil.

"Seismic Toss!"

"Hydro Pump!" He called out as fast as he could.

Coral tried to let loose a torrent of Water but the Machamp was faster, quickly grabbing Coral by her tail and starting to swing her around in a circle 'by' said tail.

"Milooo looo looo loooo…" She screamed as she was circled around and around, before the machamp launched her skyward and slammed her into the ground, causing an earth-shattering crater in the ground.

Yet Coral refused to give in as she wearily got up and launched her Hydro Pump as intended.

Machamp took a face full of the attack and was blasted back into Jacob's stand which withstood the brunt of the attack. After a while Coral stopped her assault to catch her breath and let her body recover from the effort and allow her Aqua Ring to regenerate her strength and scales.

The Machamp however took one step forward back to the field, and collapsed in exhaustion, unable to stand anymore.

{Machamp is unable to battle, Jacob wins round 1!}

He sighed in relief as the crowd roared at his victory as the Machamp was recalled.

"Golem you're next!"

From across the field a living Boulder appeared in a flash of light, and unrolled itself to show its stubby legs and arms as well as head. "Golem Go…"

{Round 2 is Jacob's Milotic versus Phillip's Golem, begin the match!}

-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-

"Golem use Rapid Spin!"

"Golem!" Golem called out as it tucked it's body in and started spinning rapidly toward Coral as a giant moving boulder.

"We know how to deal with this, Coral Dragon Tail!" He called out to his Milotic.

(Coral's PoV)

She waited as her opponent drew nearer, glaring furiously at the stupid rock Pokemon and hating just about everything except her trainer regarding the world.

She's been feeling this way for weeks, 'weeks' since Jacob recovered her from the Underground Pokeblack Market. And she knew why, it was the snag ball, the stupid snag ball that would not let her be free, would not be crushed, and above all kept her 'enslaved' to its interiors. It was something she just hated, hated hated and 'hated'…

It wasn't like her Luxury Ball, sure she fell on it by accident as a Feebas… but it was her home, it was what kept her by Jacob's side, and… she just wanted to go back to the way things were.

'Just get through this stupid round, stupid fight… just win and get it over with!'

So, when the Golem rolled close enough and smacked into her, she roared as her tail took on its glow, and slammed as hard as she could against the target.

"Gooooooooooar…" The Golem screamed as it couldn't control itself, just like the Torkoal in her first gym battle.

"Hydro Pump!" Jacob called.

"You got it…" She called as she readied her mouth and sent another torrent of water at the target, who landed heavily into the other platform and was doused heavily in the water.

After a while though she ended her attack and was amazed that the Golem stood back up, wearily and shakily, but still standing.

"I didn't train you to lose, now hit it with your ROLL OUT!" The trainer called out.

The Golem nodded, tucked its body in, and rolled toward her.

"Coral, Dragon Tail again!"

She nodded and waited for the golem to hit her, which happened seconds later as the massive rolling rock ball collided heavily with her, and she groaned in pain as she withstood the massive weight. Then she flung her now glowing tail at the Golem and sent it flying back now into the stadium walls.

After the smoke cleared the golem was revealed unconscious and unable to fight.

{Golem is unable to battle, the winner of round 2 is Jacob!}

{What a display of move knowledge, using the move rapid spin against the pokemon using it, this battle is quickly shaping up to be a one-sided affair!}

The crowd roared in approval as she simply glared and waited for the third opponent, maybe if she won this sweep, Jacob would calm her down with some affection.

Oh, how she hated feeling like this, not liking it at all. Only Jacob's affection for her, his kindness and… just being himself calmed her down, otherwise she was a ticking time bomb. She wanted to be back in her Luxury ball… her home… back to her old self.

'You must love him deeply… to try so hard for him, even as 'damaged' as your heart seems to be feeling right now.'

She hated that stupid Primarina now, her words coming to mind as the opposing trainer sent out the last Pokemon.

"Garchomp CRUSH THEM!"

From the trainer came a large beast that stood over six feet tall, had powerful claws on the tip of its arms and fins extending outward, alongside a massive fin on its back. It had spikes all along its body and stood on three sharp talon-toe feet, with a massive swishing tail that ended like a tailfin.

"Graawr…" The opposing Pokemon growled angrily at her.

"Don't you 'dare' lose this for me Garchomp!"

Said Garchomp only glared back at the boy before ignoring him entirely and focusing on her.

She glanced at the two of them before figuring that the Garchomp wasn't keen on working with the boy anymore than 'she' was at having to battle him. She was glad that she didn't share the same feelings toward her trainer.

{Round 3 is going to be Garchomp and Milotic, begin the match!}

-Beeeeeeeeeeeep-

"Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaawr!" The Garchomp roared as it ran at her without 'any' orders or direction.

Completely stunned at this reckless behavior, with no idea what the opponent was going for she and Jacob had no idea how to fight or counter, and they weren't given enough time for Jacob to give her a command, so all she could do was feebly try and slither away but not fast enough before the Garchomp grabbed her with its claws, and flung her skyward.

Defenseless in the air she felt the Garchomp jump just as high and bite into her scales, causing her unbelievable pain before she was barreled heavily into the ground.

With that massive blow dealt to her, she felt all her strength go away and simply felt as Jacob called her back into her Snag Ball…

Her accursed ball that she had no choice now… but to call… 'home'.

(Jacob's PoV)

He was shocked that this Pokemon's speed and power was so much, he was also wondering what that powerful attack was that it did.

"What kind of Pokemon is that?" He asked as he wished he could use his Pokedex to explain what it was, but due to Pokemon League Regulation, he was not permitted to use it during the fight.

Through his severely weakened connection to Sara he could feel her warning him that this Garchomp was no joke. Unlike the Golem who acted only like a large rolling ball, and the Machamp who acted recklessly and injured itself with its attacks, this Garchomp was on a whole other level compared to the other Pokemon he and his team have battled.

"Well this is the Pokemon League, I should have expected that my first opponent wouldn't go down without a fight." He muttered quietly as he picked up his next team member. "Latias, you're turn!"

From her Premier Ball his red/white plane-like friend Latias appeared in a flash of light, soaring through the sky as she levitated to her spot in front of Jacob's tower. Off to the side he saw Kenna and Kora go into their cheering routine again, Kenna neighing and jumping around so her little flags and banners would fly and show off their 'Go Jacob' message.

Latias turned to him and nodded in understanding, knowing that this was a very serious fight and that she had to do her best, but unable to communicate her message since the psychic barrier was still up.

{After such an explosive response from Phillip's Garchomp, Jacob Beryl has sent out his second Pokemon a Latias. How will this affect the outcome of the battle and how will this battle shape up?}

{Jacob's Latias versus Phillip's Garchomp, begin round 4!}

-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep-

"Latias use-"

"Graaaaaawr!" The Garchomp screamed as it ran at Latias with reckless abandonment once again, charging without care at her.

"DRAGON PULSE!" He managed to finish in time.

Latias floated backward as fast as possible while letting off a powerful burst of dragon energy from her mouth, but her attack missed as the Garchomp ran up and kicked her into the air like it did with Coral. Then before she could stop her ascent or change direction, it leapt up, bit down hard on her neck and plunged her into the ground with a massive explosion.

When the smoke cleared his Latias was badly wounded, unable to float as she tried feebly to get back up. The Garchomp readied another attack, and Jacob refused to risk more damage to his friend, and pulled her ball back out to shout, "Latias RETURN!" to pull her back into the safety of her Premier Ball.

{Jacob has forfeited the round, Garchomp is the winner!}

"What kind of attack is that… it devastated Latias in one shot…" He muttered as the crowd cheered and applauded. "Latias is a dragon type, as well as part psychic… it wasn't an ordinary Bite attack or anything like Crunch, I've seen Ivan's moves enough to recognize that… and it certainly wasn't an ice type move. Which only leaves… a dragon type move."

He knew that his Swellow and Mightyena might not be enough to defeat this Garchomp, he needed a Pokemon that could take it on in a head up fight. Sara could win against it, but if that Pokemon were to land even a single hit, she'd crumble, Sara just wasn't one to take physical hits. Dodge them yes but not take them.

Plus, he didn't know what else this Garchomp had up its sleeve, or why his opponent wasn't even giving it directions and just letting it rampage on its own.

"Well let's not let our first battle end without trying…" He called out as he took a Pokeball from his belt. "HAROLD, YOU'RE UP BUDDY!"

From his Pokeball came his starter and above all 'strongest' team member, Harold his Sceptile. Around his neck was his Megastone. Harold landed on all four, eyes glinting with pride as he stared down the Garchomp without fear. They had indeed come a long way since his first days, and his starter was just a little Treecko, and both of them lost to his childhood rival on their second day.

{The final round will be Jacob's Sceptile versus Phillip's Garchomp, begin round 5!}

-Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-

"Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawr!" The Garchomp roared angrily as it once again, charged headfirst against Harold, going into the same move as it did twice before.

But this time, Harold saw the attack and easily dodged it thanks to the bond between him and Jacob. Even with the psychic barrier preventing him and Sara from communicating, his bond with Harold was at its strongest its ever been as his Sceptile jumped high over the Garchomp's head and landed on the other side of it.

The Garchomp slid to a stop as it turned around and tried to launch another reckless attack, whatever it was, but once more Harold dodged it by jumping high over its head and landing on the other side.

"Harold, Agility!"

Harold nodded and launched into a rapid run, racing faster and faster around the Garchomp and leaving only after images of where he 'used' to be as he increased his speed.

Garchomp meanwhile was staring and trying to keep up with Harold's fast movement, having difficulty with how fast his Sceptile was moving, easily outpacing the Pokemon.

"Now, DUAL CHOP!"

Instantly Harold was on the Garchomp, faster than he could react and slashed twice at him using the power of the dual attacking Dragon type move. The Garchomp reacted seconds later in pain, yelling and roaring as he tried to counterattack, but Harold's after image simply vanished as the Sceptile was already gone and running around him again.

"What are you doing, I said 'don't lose'!" Phillip yelled from across the field.

He shook his head as the trainer yelled at his Pokemon, while said Pokemon simply ignored him and glared at Harold as he ran circles around him. He could tell the two were nowhere near as in sync as he and his weakest Pokemon Kenna were. Even though she never battled once, he could still feel that bond with her, he knew she was cheering him on and neighing happily as Harold was turning the fight around.

(Harold's PoV)

He was running rings around his opponent, but he wasn't letting the potential victory get to his head as the fight went on. He had to win this battle before they could celebrate their first victory in the Pokemon League, and he also wanted revenge for all the times Jacob had to deal with this brat over the year.

So, when he heard Jacob tell him to go in for another Dual Chop he ran forward without fear, tapping into the bond he shared, and felt enormous strength flow into his limbs as he leapt and chopped downward.

This time however the Garchomp reacted in time and met claw with claw.

"Grrrragrg…" He growled.

"GRawwrrr…" The Garchomp growled as well.

Both of them were shoving at one another's claws and trying to beat the other down. Then his opponent got lucky and twirled their claws so that they slipped under his grip and slashed downward, surprising him and letting it slash at his chest. Wounded he backed away, but this gave the Garchomp an opening which it took, charging forward and trying to do the same move it did the first time.

Yet once again Harold tapped into the power of his bond, called for energy from Jacob, and his trainer responded. He could feel his bond granting him power, and he braced himself for the attack as the Garchomp tried to grip and grab him, but he held his ground and withstood the attack, refusing to be launched skyward.

"How… are… you… so… 'powerful'?" It growled in confusion, as Harold was kicked and launched away before stomping the ground and causing a ripple-like Earthquake to surge forward.

He ignored the question until he withstood the attacks and heard Jeremy's last command, 'Leaf Blade'.

"Because I fight 'with' my trainer… not 'for' him…" He muttered as his bladed arms turned green. "We fight 'together'… so even if he's on a platform far away from me, and I'm down here on the field… we are never alone."

With that he rushed forward and stopped right behind the Garchomp, smiled, and closed his eyes as he placed his left claw on his right hip, as if he were sheathing a blade. Then the Garchomp fell to the ground, unconscious.

{Garchomp is unable to battle, the victory goes to Jacob Beryl!}

The crowd screamed in applause as he stood tall and smiled.

The battle was theirs as Jacob's platform was lowered, allowing him and Sara as well as Kenna and Kora to rush over to their trainer and join in the celebration of their first official league victory.

"WE WON!" He yelled enthusiastically as they jumped and hugged each other.

(Well done Harold!) Sara happily cried as her gown flowed in the wind.

"We did it we did it we did iiiiiit!" Kenna neighed happily as she ran around their group hug.

"VICTORY FEEEEEAST!" Kora shouted happily.

He only giggled to himself, he figured Kora would ask for a victory feast without having battled.

(Jacob's PoV)

Many hours later Jacob and his team were digging into their victory feast that he'd prepared well outside the range of the stadium so that they could dig in. Karen was also digging in with them with her team so that they could avoid going in early for bed for as long as possible, and watch the competition with them.

"Jacob buddy you 'never' fail to disappoint." Karen called out happily as she ate her meal.

"And your Ponyta is driving up sales to my salon!" Segan shouted happily as he looked at his phone. "I've gotten thirty reservations in the last hour alone, oh spending all that money on you kids was worth it all! My sister can't say anything bad about me now!"

"Frosslass las lass fross…" Glace chuckled as she snacked.

"I can't wait until the next match; I wonder who my next opponent will be." Jacob said as he sighed contently.

"Just remember Jacob, watch what tricks you use during the first few rounds, your competition will be watching you as well. Be glad you didn't use Mega Evolution; everyone will be watching you and learning your strats in case they have to fight you as well." Karen said.

"I will be careful; I think next match I'll have Ivan and Roran fight with Sara, so they have a chance to show off."

(I look forward to my chance~!) Sara said proudly.

"Barrwark." Ivan barked.

"Swelloooow~!" Roran crooned proudly.

"Hey you!" Someone yelled, and they all turned and groaned as it was none other than that kid again, Phillip.

He was stomping over with his Garchomp lazily walking behind him, looking like it didn't want to follow him but following because it had no choice.

"I want a rematch, you cheated in the match somehow!"

"How could I cheat?" He asked calmly as he drank some tea.

"I don't know how but you cheated, there was no way you could have won against my Garchomp, it was invincible!"

"You didn't even give your Garchomp instructions, you let it do its own thing, that's not how Pokemon battles are." Jacob said as Harold stood up and walked a bit aways, sensing what he wanted him to do. "I've learned that when both Trainer and Pokemon are in sync they don't need to verbally communicate to be able to fight effectively, and that both rely on each other in order to draw out the best of each other."

"Oh, shut up with that stupid preaching, you don't understand ANYTHING about being a great trainer!" He yelled. "You don't even TRY to want to be the best! You still use the same weak Pokemon you found starting out!"

At that all of his Pokemon, minus Harold and Kenna started growling and glaring death looks at the boy, but Jacob smirked and calmed them down with a smile.

"How about this… if I battle your Garchomp with my Harold, and lose, I'll go to the committee and tell them I cheated and that you should be let back in. But if you lose, you'll apologize to me for 'everything' you've forced me to deal with over the year."

"You're on, Garchomp don't you 'dare' lose do you understand me?"

His Garchomp ignored him as it looked at Harold carefully.

"Where did you get that Garchomp by the way if you don't mind me asking."

"Oh, I traded one of my useless Pokemon away for it just before the pokemon league, it's super strong, and I would have won if you hadn't cheated!"

Jacob sighed as he got up and signaled Harold with a flick of his finger, who nodded in understanding.

They walked away from their little camp so they can battle without interruptions, and his team started cheering and wishing him luck, telling Harold to win again. Harold however just stared forward and bent low in preparation.

"This time I'll win, I know how your Pokemon moves!" He yelled confidently, but his Garchomp just stared in preparation.

"No, you don't…" He whispered as he lifted his Mega Bracelet, showing his Key Stone.

"Wait, what's that?"

"I held back during the fight in the league, I didn't show this off because as my friend said I should do, I didn't want to show off 'everything' my team is capable of." He explained as he and Harold moved in unison. "This is known as a Mega Bracelet, embedded into it is a Key Stone, one half of the element needed to Mega Evolve… the other half is a Mega Stone, which is held by my Pokemon partner, you can see it around his neck, he wore it during the battle but we never activated this ability of ours."

He raised his hand to the bracelet and waited, feeling himself mirroring the same movements as another Mega Trainer once did to an equally naïve trainer about the true potential of the bond between them and their partner.

"You think that having powerful pokemon is all you need; how foolish you are… you need a bond in order to truly be considered a team. I've grown so close to my team that we are almost as one. And when the two truly become one they can transcend to the level of power we've learned as Mega Evolution. We only use this power when we need it, because trainers like you who don't understand the power of the bond, who don't care about it… don't stand a chance when its used to the fullest." He explained as the wind suddenly started shifting, as if responding to the tenseness of the feeling in the air. "Now Harold, MEGA EVOLVE!"

He touched the stone and beautiful glittering lights appeared around it, and around Harold who became wrapped in its beautiful glow.

Within seconds the glowing energy exploded, revealing him once more in his Mega Evolved state.

"Sceeeep… TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILE!" He screamed to the world of his power, as the very air seemed to explode outward from him.

The Garchomp stared wide eye at him, as if in disbelief as to what he was and was capable of.

Phillip however was just shocked that his Harold had changed in front of him like that.

"Harold… Dual Chop!" He ordered.

Harold nodded and launched his attack, so fast that one second he was standing next to Jacob, and the next he was slashing at the Garchomp 'twice' with enormous energy blades consisting of Dragon energy.

The Garchomp was flung backward and limp on the ground, defeated 'easily', and Harold sensing the end to the battle, reverted back to his normal state, breathed deeply and walked back to Jacob. He no longer gasped for breath after mega evolution, he had become used to the state now.

"H… h… how did… how could…"

Jacob frowned as he looked at him, truly feeling sorry for him. "You have no bond with your Pokemon, you have no trust between it and you. Harold however… saved my life, multiple times. I saved his life just as many times. I've raised him, fed him, nurtured him, trained him, trained 'with' him… every day we were together. You said so yourself, you and that Garchomp were together for only a few days, you haven't built any trust together. It doesn't listen to you, it doesn't care about you, it only heeds your words because it's a trained Pokemon and that is what is expected of it. Without a bond, you two will 'never' win together."

There was silence as the boy looked between him and his fallen Garchomp, before angrily taking its ball and throwing it at him, which Harold nimbly grabbed out of the air so as to avoid it hitting him. "Fine you can keep that useless thing, I don't need it! Just you wait, I'll become the champion and then you'll see!" He yelled as he stormed away.

They waited until he was gone before Jacob sighed and took out his medical supplies from his bag, and with his team and friends crowding around watched him nurse the Garchomp back to health.

It looked at him with one eye, before looking away in disgrace. "Grawar rarwg…" It muttered, to which Sara translated, "Why are you helping me…"

"Because your hurt and your trainer abandoned you, why wouldn't I help you?"

Its eyes shifted as it glanced between him and Harold, "Grawara grrawg rwarg…" it said. "I'm weak and weaklings shouldn't live…"

"Why would you think that?" He asked sternly.

"What did it say?" Segan asked curiously, and Jacob explained. "Hmm if I remember Garchomps, nearly every Garchomp has this 'pseudo legend' status, making it nearly as powerful as any legendary Pokemon. It's also known in some communities that because of their power and Dragon status, Garchomps view 'weaklings' as 'unworthy of living', and so consider any weak Garchomp as something less."

"Well you're not weak." He said sternly to the Garchomp, who listened to him. "You just had a pathetic trainer who didn't care about you. Now however you do… so if you want, I'll take care of you and help you get stronger." He then turned to Karen with a smile. "Or if you want you can join Karen's team, she's not as strong as me but…"

"Oh, you wanna go Jacob?" She growled but in a 'cheerful' way. "You and me one on one, no Pokemon, let's do it!"

The Garchomp laughed in his hands before smiling at him, and licking his face affectionately. "Grawar, grr warg grawarag!", "I'll join you, and fight for you!"

"Well since that's decided… do you want a name?" He asked.

The Garchomp nodded and Jacob thought of a proud dragon name for his newest team member. "How about 'Rubias'?"

The Garchomp looked confused and started giggling, to which he now became confused.

"What's wrong with Rubias?" He asked.

The Garchomp smiled and simply licked him again before laughing its response, to which Sara translated, "Rubias is a 'guy's' name, and I'm a 'girl'."

"A girl?" He yelled in surprise while Karen laughed her butt off.

"ANOTHER GIRL?" She cackled loudly. "What are the odds?"

"Jacob sure attracts ladies." Segan and Glace snickered to themselves.

Jacob, now blushing in embarrassment shook his head and cleared his head. "Alright… well… now that I know better… do you mind if I call you, Saphia?"

The Garchomp smiled and licked him again warmly. "I do… 'master'… may I become stronger with you than I did with that fool."