The Slateport Tournament

Norman stood there, at the doorway as his black hair swayed in the slight aircon breeze within the Pokemon Centre. His face was one of pure seriousness with his aging wrinkles becoming much more visible in the dim light. The shattering of Forrest's mug of coffee hadn't phased one for a second, and his voice continued to echo around them all, "The Faceless is not a threat at the moment, but I do not want any of you hunting him down."

The Petalburg Gym Leader gazed at Rod as he shook his head and took a seat across for them with Emma looking around, completely puzzled, as Rod replied curiously, "What do you know about him, Norman? He wanted Emma, and his Salamence was incredibly strong."

Norman looked at all of three of them, his eyes resting on a bewildered Emma before they flicked back over to Rod. It had been over a month since they last met, Rod challenging him back in Petalburg City where he was completely torn apart despite his best efforts. His first ever Gym battle had ended in defeat at the hands of Norman, but yet now he was here and obviously in the loop. The night time moon began to filter through the thin silk curtains of the Pokemon Centre library and computer room, the one light bulb trying its best to light the entire area. Norman lowered his voice and muttered, obviously bothered, "Faceless has caused Hoenn grief over the past few years because he poaches Pokemon and sells them, a Pokemon Hunter if you will. Gym Leaders, Elite Four and the international police are on his case. Whoever hired him made a mistake, we've kept him underground for years."

Emma blurted out, tears still rolling down her face, "My father did it, Devon! Devon Corporation are trying to get me back, I know it!"

Norman shook his head and shrugged with Rod gazing across at both of them as he attempted to figure out who was being truthful. Would Emma's father really resort of sending a Pokemon Hunter just to get his daughter back? "We have no evidence towards that, but just do not go looking for the Faceless. Despite us having him locked down, he is dangerous and his Pokemon have been bought for pure power and destruction."

The images of earlier that day flashed through Rod's mind and his still charred arms sparked in pain as he winced slightly, feeling them. His Salamence was amazingly strong, not feeling a single attack from both of his Pokemon and then firing a devastating Flamethrower back. Forrest spoke, shutting down the computer, as he nodded, "I don't think any of us want to go near him, but can you assure he will be taken down?"

"Just leave it to Officer Jenny and myself." Norman replied with a slight smirk, as if excited to finally be out in the field from the Gym, "I'll be witnessing the Slateport Tournament this week, so don't worry. Just focus on your battles."

Rod attempted to say something else, but Norman had already left the room as he whirled his growing hair around and disappeared down the darkened corridor outside, his footsteps echoing away. Silence fell on the room before Rod leaned back on the chair and took out his Pokeballs and lay them on the table in front of them all. Emma had stopped crying, confidence finally returning to her after Norman's words as she asked, "Can we trust him? Norman?"

Rod replied with a smile, "He's a Gym Leader, and the only reason I was able to beat Roxanne and Brawly. He taught me a lot in our battle."

"You better use what you've learnt in this tournament." Forrest muttered as he passed a small newspaper clipping from a nearby bench over to Rod. Small images of the trainers had been printed under the Slateport City Tournament page, and it didn't take Rod long to find his own wearily smiling face looking back at him. Sixteen trainers had applied for this year, and all of them had more badges than Rod as his two seemed very minimal compared to the over twenty in some cases. However, Forrest moved his finger over to a particular as as he continued, "Chris is battle too, I'm sure you'll want to beat him this time."

Anger filled up inside of Rod, remembering his defeat back at Dewford Island. If Chris wanted a proper battle in a tournament, he would get one. But he still had to win his first battle to get any chance of facing off against his growing rival. Slateport City descended fully into darkness as the three trainers left to their rooms, the excitement of Pokemon battles distracting them from sleep...

…

Slateport City came to a standstill whenever its bi-monthly Regional Tournament took place, and the energy had been electric from early morning. Pokemon swooped in as the marketplaces opened, wafting smells of Hoenn based food throughout the ocean-side town. The stadium had been prepared over night and the official referees had been chosen and flown in from around the Region and internationally with crowds and trainers also gathering around its hallowed arches and hallways. Despite its size and stature, positioned within the actual Hoenn Seas to the west, the stadium was hard to see due to the mountainous landscape that Slateport City had with it's cliffs overhanging a deep fortress of water below. From the sixteen chosen trainers, Rod was lucky to be one of them and this whole experience had taken him by shock. Flashing cameras, media interviews and journalists had descended on the Pokemon Centre with security and Nurse Joy forcing them away to give trainers space and Pokemon the chance to get healed.

It was complete chaos, and the sounds of people yelling and asking questions had left him confused but also extremely curious with Forrest and Emma trying to shield him away as much as possible. These Regional Tournaments were really such a big deal on the scope of it all, and the local public enjoyed watching trainers battling out for an additional badge closer to the Hoenn League. Rod needed to win this tournament for that extra boost towards the League, and after his loss to Norman back in Petalburg City, there was a lack of Gyms available to retrieve a total of eight required. However, this wasn't on his mind as he awaited in the stadium, already exhausted from the media, with Forrest and Emma surrounding him as they laughed and chuckled at the newspaper articles.

Forrest smiled, looking over to an extremely nervous Rod and muttered, "You've been labelled as a massive underdog, the pressure is off you completely."

Shaking his head, Rod knew that the pressure wasn't there to win, but he had his own expectations to match. It had only been a couple of hours since he learnt that his first opponent was one of the international trainers from Kalos, a Region further up north that had a larger variety of local Pokemon and also a tougher league. This trainer had competed in Hoenn in the past, winning a few badges before travelling overseas to Sinnoh and Johto. His name was Kyle, and the media had hyped him up terrifically in the coming days but Rod hadn't seen him up close yet. His blond hair and blue eyes had attracted attention from females especially, but he was a solid battler. The tournament was also built on three on three battles and would act similarly to Gym Battles where you could substitute when needed. Rod was not looking forward to this duel, he would get massacred.

Emma sat next to him, rubbing his back as she tried to cheer him up, "You need to stay confident. The way you battled Brawly was terrific, just don't give this time a second to breathe."

Taking three small Pokeballs from his pocket, the dressing room echoing with voices as event staff walked past the door, Rod had made his decision on who to use. Above, the crowd was already taking their seats, awaiting for the first day of competition to begin as they all expected Rod to get flattened by a severely powerful trainer. He would have to go all out, nothing to lose and everything to win. This was a chance to make a difference, and his Pokemon were well trainers and eager to battle with a bunch of new moves and strategies. It came down to timing, Rod looked up and smiled at his friends, calling, "Kyle better be at his best, because I'm going to give him a run for his money."

Everything then appeared as a blur as the world began to move faster with Rod suddenly realising the noise of the crowd pumping from above. The stadium was completely full, and the amount of people still waiting to get in from the nearby towns had led to increased security as they patrolled the corridors, Pokeballs at hand. Rod continued to walk with Forrest and Emma aside, both choosing to remain in the covered sitting areas next to the battlefield to support their friend, and the tension had begun to rise. He had battled in front of an audience back at the Rustboro Gym, but this was much larger and also a lot scarier. Every blink sent him further towards the light, and then suddenly he was there to the roar of the crowd. Individuals from all ages scattered with flashing cameras, the Slateport Arena was a beautiful stadium and well maintained. The Hoenn League had been held here recently as the tournament torch was still alight high above, smouldering in smoke, and some of the decorations remained visible. A large score board appeared above with Rod's image along with his opponent, Kyle's face, also glistening back down as the commentator began to pump the crowd up.

Emma gasped, "This is huge...wow."

Rod smiled at them, giving them both the thumbs up before following his instincts and continuing to his position on the battlefield, escalated above. Looking down, he noticed the field was flat and grassy with a few rocks and boulders scattered to one side. Interesting mix of terrain, and strategies had already began to form into his mind, he would have to be smart here with Kyle so strong. The referee appeared next as he recited the rules that Rod had already memorised many times, three on three battle and substitutions allowed. The crowd roared again as Kyle appeared, his blond hair shining as he looked at Rod and smiled menacingly, drawing a Pokeball from his pocket. However, Rod noticed that the Pokeball was not the usual colour of red and white, and instead completely flushed in white with an attractive red outline through the centre. Confused, he drew his own with the referee already wanting the battle to begin.

Kyle coughed, before releasing the white Pokeball into the air, sparkles flying from it before it exploded into life spectacularly, "Pyroar, let's go!"

Rod had never heard of this Pokemon before, but there it appeared in front of him with a shining red and yellow mane and darkened body. Steadily taking out his Pokedex and flicking it open, it muttered over the crowd noise, "Pyroar, the Royal Pokemon, is a Fire and Normal Type. It is known to be vicious and powerful in battle."

The crowd waited anxiously for Rod to make his move, but he had no doubt in mind now, arching his arm and releasing his Pokeball, he cried, "Corphish! I choose you!"

The small orange Ruffian Pokemon appeared, half the size of the larger Pyroar as it screeched and snapped its pincers closed. Choosing a Water Type would give Rod a slight advantage, but the referee had given Kyle the first move. Whirling around, as if in some sort of circus act, his white clothes shining under the sunlight, he called, "Pyroar, use Hyper Beam!"

"Corphish, use Harden!"

Pyroar shivered, its mane flashing brightly before a powerful beam of energy broke from between its powerful teeth and fangs. Consuming most of the field, the crowd applauded in its awe and beauty as Corphish flashed green and held its pincers in front with Harden taking effect. Rod looked away, the light too bright to look at before a sickening screech echoed back from the battlefield. The power of the Hyper Beam sent him skidding back off the podium as he regained balance with Corphish appearing, completely burnt and shivering in pain. Silence beckoned over the entire Slateport Arena as the Ruffian Pokemon bent over to one side and collapsed with Rod left speechless, his heart missing a beat. One move, one attack and Rod was already peddling behind.

Kyle smirked arrogantly as the referee announced Rod's Corphish as knocked out, a very loose applause shattered Rod's mind and reality as he returned the defeated Ruffian Pokemon. He had no idea that was even possible, being defeated in a single move? Kyle's experience and prowess as a trainer was now showing and in this first round clash, the pundits seemed to be correct in saying Rod was a complete novice. He was no match, and Pyroar was not touched at all as it gazed back waiting for its next target to pounce on. Taking out his next Pokeball, fumbling with it slightly in his hand, Rod remained silent before throwing it into the air.

Stunned, the crowd gasped as Rod's Ivysaur appeared, the Grass and Poison type screeching before Kyle shook his head. The Seed Pokemon prepared for its first attack, but it's opposing trainer raised a hand and called, his voice echoing around the confused Arena, "We have been battling for five minutes, and I am already winning, Rod. Amateurish and naïve from you, to think that you can defeat someone of my experience."

Rod was not expecting trash talk, and he had no response either as he gazed back at the battlefield, confidence completely struck by the occasion. He raised an arm, adjusting his headband, before muttering, "Ivysaur, use Leach Seed!"

The Seed Pokemon dived forward, releasing a barrage of seeds as they flew through the air towards Pyroar before Kyle coughed again with a smile and called, "Use Flamethrower, don't hold back!"

"Ivysaur, use Vine Whip!"

Rod was not going down without a fight, and this was a trademark he had always used with Ivysaur even since he tried it so many months ago. The Seed Pokemon's Leach Seed was completely destroyed in the oncoming Flamethrower, the jet of fire closing in, however a Vine Whip smacked on the ground as it sent Ivysaur flying through the air above. Momentum had switched, Rod felt adrenaline fill his body and the applause from the crowd began to drive him. A smile cracked upon his face with Pyroar's attack completely missing, scarring the field below, but this time it was Kyle who would be keeping quiet.

In a swift motion, Ivysaur dived down, slamming four powerful Vines onto its opponent as Pyroar was shoved to the ground. A follow up Take Down attack followed soon after with Pyroar being pounded to the ground. Kyle angrily commanded, "Flamethrower! Roast that Pokemon, come on!"

"Vine Whip again, trip it over!" Rod called in response as another jet of fire missed with Ivysaur showing surprising speed and agility to dive aside and whip Pyroar's hind legs as they buckled. The Flamethrower rocketed out of control and into the air above, heating the entire Slateport Arena as the crowd began to chant and push Rod on. Even Forrest and Emma were now animated, but the commands were not over yet, "Razor Leaf to finish this off! Come on Ivysaur!"

Pyroar's once confident and powerful face had changed into fear as it lay on the ground, completely trapped by the vines before a barrage of sharp leaves fired from the bulb on Ivysaur's back. All of them struck powerfully with screeches of pain echoing from the now torn up battlefield below. Kyle looked on, his face full of anger and concern as Pyroar was returned, completely knocked out and defeated by the amateur trainer in front of it. Rod still remained silent as Kyle coughed, both trainers now down to two Pokemon, the Kalos trainer smiled again and commented, "Child's play. But this battle ends for you now."

"Bring it."

…

"A trainer from the now estranged Kanto Region, has managed to defeat one of the known upcoming talents from the Kalos Region. In a shocking event of creative battling technique and mysterious confidence, Rod pushed through a barrage of powerful Pokemon and now moves onto the next round of the Slateport Tournament."

"He won't win this tournament, you know?" Gary Oak commented as he flicked through the Channels on the television before landing on the news report with a video of Rod's powerful Ivysaur and Shinx defeating Kyle in a bizarre turn of events. Leaning against his chair of the hotel room, Cynthia gazed back at him and shook her head before continuing to examine and type notes onto a laptop computer with Gary continuing, "He is still riding on a lot of luck. This Kyle guy has always been a joke, no creativity and just power."

Cynthia sighed, once again ignoring his random jibes at trainers before muttering, flicking her blond hair aside, "The Faceless is being taken care by Norman, and he was definitely sent by Emma's father at Silph Co. The Thieves Guild have gone quiet, and so have our agent in the mix."

"Your agent is mysterious indeed, Cynthia, where is he now?"

"I have no contact from him, in fact Team Rocket have also gone silent in Kanto. Something is about to happen, and we have to get ready for it."

Stretching and yawning, Gary approached the window of their hotel room in Lilycove City and gazed down at the markets and lighthouse before replying, "Any news on Lance and Alder?"

"Johto is still preparing, they don't have many forces at the moment, that Region has always been an issue for that. Team Rocket could take it easily, but for some reason they haven't."

"What has the government said over there?"

Cynthia looked up, closing the laptop steadily as she leaned on the leather couch and took a moment to think of the proper respect. Tiredness had struck her terribly as she glanced around the hotel room before her eyes landed on the mysterious stone she had found at Granite Cave. Feeling instantly energised, Cynthia wiped her eyes and responded, "They are trying to contact Team Rocket about ceasefire, but Giovanni has said nothing."

"Interesting, I'll keep an eye over there." Gary turned around and looked at the Sinnoh Champion, "Blue will be completing a task for us soon, and then after he can see Rod."

"Rod will reject him."

"Good."

They both nodded before Gary disappeared into one of the nearby rooms, leaving Cynthia alone to her own thoughts, before the sound of a shower was heard from beyond. Looking back at the television, the news report flashing images of Rod once again, she knew that problems would come back once again. The publicity of this trainer would attract attention from the Thieves Guild, but why had they been so quiet lately? Cynthia took out a small transceiver from her pocket and flicked it open as she began to type a quick message.

Cynthia muttered, "Damon...where are you?"

…

Forrest and Emma were the first to congratulate Rod that night as media reporters had surrounded the Pokemon Centre in Slateport City. All wanting questions answered and interviews, but Officer Jenny fended them away quickly with her crew of officers as Rod was finally left in peace later in the night as it drew on. His win had been so spectacular that even Forrest was shocked and surprised at how the tide of battle had turned so quickly with Kyle left shell shocked and spellbound that he was kicked out of the tournament so early to a trainer with only two badges. Ivysaur and Shinx had seen off his two other Pokemon as Rod used the field and their individual strengths to creatively dry out their opponents and deal final blows to knock them out. The more Rod had thought about it, the more it made sense in how he used his Pokemon and how the battle was won. Similar style to how he had beaten Brawley, aggressive and unique, and it suited him along with the luck on his side.

They all sat in their rooms within the Pokemon Centre as Rod polished his Pokeballs, awaiting the news they had all wanted to hear. His next opponent would be announced soon, and the footsteps from outside the room had already told them that Forrest had found out who it was. The door opening quickly, Emma looking up anxiously as her blond hair swayed to one side, frazzled from the Slateport heat, as she asked, "Who does Rod have next?"

Forrest dusted himself down, a hand running through his hair as he looked at Rod and nodded before muttering, "Yeah...you got Chris."

Rod had figured his next opponent would be his closest rival ever since arriving in Hoenn, and the trainer who had abandoned a Nidoran now under Rod's control. The Poison Pin Pokemon was one of the strongest Pokemon in Rod's party, but he admittedly hadn't used it much in battle because it had a habit of pushing too much. Nidoran would battle until it couldn't even move afterwards, and it was something that Rod had kept to himself even away from his friends. But maybe this would be the battle where he needed it the most with Chris being so powerful and more experienced. Another three on three battle awaited, but Rod felt confident with his win today. It hadn't sank in yet what he had managed to accomplish with his Pokemon, but every time he saw his image on the television or the reporters calling his name, he felt uneasy and scared.

The next few hours were spent talking as the night drew later and later until the early morning when they finally collapsed on a heap in their own beds. Rod still remained focused, as a smile broke through his face at the thought of the battle just gone...