Ever Grande City was lit up in excitement as we pulled into the harbor. Hundreds, no thousands of people were going to be pouring into this small island for this very amazing event. Caleb and I have been helping Carl train, which was also training for us. He's much more relaxed now than he was a few days ago.
We arrived shortly after 4PM because we wanted to get ahead of the torch march, which will arrive here around 6. Until then we all got situated in the hotel rooms. Steven was able to make some calls to get Carl a better room with 2 beds so Caleb and I can stick around. When planning the trip I hadn't planned for this part of it. I'm dumb, I know.
The city was as beautiful as ever. All of the buildings got a nice touch up to make them more appealing and it worked. I can't tell you how many times I was just staring at the buildings and I've been here before. Admittedly, it was partially because I was excited for what Alola will look like in July. Unlike today, I'll be competing and it's sorta surreal.
I do enjoy the ring design they have here with bridges that connect them. Everything is above a body of water which gives it a special feeling. They even have beach-like front set up in front of the hotel areas. They are usually packed when there aren't any battles, however this year they've instituted new tech using drones that will show the battles via hologram. So if you go to the beach you will get to see whatever battle the organizers decide to show.
To the North part of the city are a few buildings. That is where trainers go to register if they haven't already done so by email or phone. There are also shopping places and restaurants set up inside. One of the best parts of the event are the event-unique souvenirs. Every year there are different souvenirs and are always fun to collect. Hoenn has some of the best souvenirs you'll get. Kanto usually is regarded as the best. They definitely sell for more on primary and secondary websites.
When we got up to our hotel room we immediately noticed the balcony and the view it gives us. We are so far up that we can actually watch some of the Pokemon battles on the outer ring. The balcony is also pretty nice. There are a couple chairs out here with a table. I totally dig it.
"Steven really outdid himself," Carl said as he laid on his bed.
"How did he get this place so soon to the Tournament?" Caleb asked.
I shrugged. I actually didn't know. I never asked him.
Later on we went to the Tournament Entry desk just to make sure everything with Carl's registration was set. After did that we took a walk in the building when we came up to the Champions Wall. That's when I saw my dad's and brother's name on the wall. For a slight moment it bothered me that my name wasn't there.
My name will be on it.
"Oh my word. You are Greg's son, right?" This woman asked.
I immediately recognized her.
"Hello Winona. Yes, I'm Cameron."
Winona had become part of the Elite Four. She is the youngest elite four member in Hoenn. My dad and Steven helped get her get the position.
She smiled brightly. "Wow. When did you arrive in Hoenn?"
"Last week. I came to support Carl."
She looked at Carl and then back at me. "Ah I see. How is Aaron and your mom doing? Are they here?"
I shook my head. "They'll come next time."
"Oh good good. Well I'm so glad you are here, Cameron. And Carl, by the way, I think you are going to like your ranking. Steven and I won." She winked and then wished him good luck.
"What did she mean by that?" Carl asked.
I chuckled but didn't tell him.
"Wait did Steven talk to you about my ranking?" Carl asked vehemently. I gave him no answer. I just shrugged. Then he looked at Caleb who looked at me. Caleb didn't spill the beans either.
"Traitors. I better get top 10. I didn't bust my ass this past year for nothing. I can go toe-to-toe with Astor too." Carl was nearly pounding his chest.
Caleb and I laughed at Carl.
"Oh relax, buttercup. You'll find it all out later tonight." I wink at him in a teasing fashion leading to him playfully punching my arm.
...
The torch parade came into Ever Grande at around 6:15. The street and path inside the conference area was packed. The crowd was cheering loudly as we followed the Torch bearer. When we entered the main stadium for the ceremony Caleb and I had to split from Carl. Carl was allowed onto the grounds as were all of the participants in the tournament. Instead we joined his family up in the stands and watched from there.
It took about 40 minutes for everyone to get seated and settled. At 7 the Ceremony was ready to begin. This began a chorus of speeches from numerous people and it ended with Steven.
He thanked everyone for being here and hoped that everyone has a good time.
"The goal of this tournament is not exactly about finding out who is the best trainer in Hoenn. It is about celebrating trainers. It is about having fun. As my good friend Gregory Alistar once said, 'If you can't enjoy the battle, how will you enjoy life?'"
There was a brief silence in the crowd after the words came out of the speakers. Then Steven continued, "He enjoyed every battle he took part in and he enjoyed his life very much." He looked down at the competitors and said, "Let yourselves take that to heart. Let it inspire you as it did me when he first said it to me 22 years ago when I started on my journey to be a Pokemon trainer."
22 years ago? My dad would've been 20 years old. Way before my time.
I had no clue that Steven and my father went that far back. But the quote, that I knew. My dad would tell Aaron and I that quote as we got older. To know he had been saying it for over 2 decades shocked me.
"With that said, I want you to enjoy this glorious event. We hope it will be the best event we have ever seen. So without further ado here are the rankings for what we believe to be the top 32 trainers in all of Hoenn."
Everyone looked up at the big jumbotron with anticipation as the rankings came in. I recognized a couple people on the jumbotron including Eric and Xavier. They came in at 31 and 14 respectively. Then the top 10 rolled in. I recognized a couple of people here as well. They aren't new to this tournament.
Carl's name still wasn't called out until we reach the top 5.
"At number 5 is Shirley Winters," the announcer says.
"At number 4 is Rebecca Courts."
"Coming in at number 3 is defending finalist Josiah Johnson."
Our little section got very excited. We were also very shocked. Josiah Johnson was a finalist. He lost to the Champion, Ivan Sanchez, who isn't competing this year.
"And now for the top 2 ranked trainers in all of Hoenn. Carl Jackson comes in at number 2."
A loud roar broke out as usual for the trainers, but it seemed a little louder to me cause our section was yelling a lot louder.
"And at number 1, he was unanimously ranked number 1 by our entire council, is Astor Pines."
The crowd cheered but there was a smattering of boos. Make no mistake, Astor may be 14 but he's a jackass and so is his family. People who know them aren't cheering. We're friggin booing.
After they lit the giant torch loud music was played and people sang as is custom. Then we left the stadium and caught up with Carl. He was so excited and shocked to be ranked 2nd. If both he and Astor make it through the first rounds then they will be on the opposite sides of the final 32 bracket. They won't face each other until the finals.
Speaking of the blond devil, he too joined us.
"Well well, look at you Carl. You got the 2nd spot. A bit of a surprise, huh?"
"Sure, Astor."
"No matter. I'll enjoy becoming Champion at your expense. Will make it so much sweeter."
Carl took a deep breath. "You go ahead and believe that Astor."
Astor scoffed and walked away.
We made our way back to where our hotel was when a couple other people came up to us and congratulated Carl. One of them saw me and recognized me. Jasper was just someone I had met in Lilycove. We weren't really friends but we knew each other. He's friends with Carl.
"Hey, man. How come you aren't competing?"
"I moved to Alola a few months ago. I'm just here to support Carl."
"Oh I see. Well hey you should compete here. I would love to see you battle."
"I think that's a great idea," a woman says nearby.
"Winona?" I ask confused.
"Cameron, how about giving the kid what he wants?" She grabs a Pokeball and continues, "2 on 2, right here, right now? Hmm?"
I looked at Carl who smiled. Caleb looked unsure as he held Skitty.
There wasn't a doubt in my mind what I wanted to do. I grabbed a Pokeball and tossed it.
"You got yourself a battle, Winona. Go Oricorio." Some strangers were enamored by the new Pokemon they had never seen before and that immediately cause a crowd to grow.
"Ha! I choose you Skarmory."
At first glance I seem to be at a disadvantage here, but I'm not too worried. I've taught Oricorio an attack that will be quite devastating when I need it.
"Skarmory, swift attack."
Skarmory's quick swift attack hits Oricorio. I then tell Oricorio to use Mirror Move. Oricorio uses swift on Skarmory and hits it as well. Skarmory then takes flight towards Oricorio so I tell it to attack with Air Cutter. But just as they are about to connect I yell, "Dive!" Oricorio dives below Skarmory. "Now use Air Slash!"
Oricorio quickly hits Skarmory's underbelly and does some damage. Skarmory is relatively unhindered as it lands comfortably.
"Hmm. Skarmory agility and then Metal Claw."
"Use agility too Oricorio. Then Double Slap."
I'm unsure who will get the attack off until I see Oricorio dodge Skarmory and then slap it. The attack isn't strong but it does a little damage. Oricorio hops away entering a face off with Skarmory.
"Teeter Dance."
"No. Skarmory don't watch."
"Too late, Winona." I look at Skarmory walk around the ground as if it is intoxicated. That's when I know it's time to strike. "Oricorio, give Skarmory a dose of that Revelation Dance."
Oricorio rubs it's hands together in a dance and sends a bolt of electricity towards a dazed Skarmory. The attack causes Skarmory to faint.
People were a little stunned by the turn of events. Winona is one of the Elite Four. She is expected to beat me. Of course I have other plans. Everyone here knows what Pokemon she is going to send out next. It won't be easy to beat.
"Very well Cameron. You really are a Alistar. Let's see how you handle my Altaria."
And there it is. Altaria in all it's glory. Aaron has an Altaria. If there is an Altaria more famous than his it is Winona's.
Altaria made quick work of Oricorio forcing me to have to pick my final Pokemon. Passimian and Toxapex are non-starters. They would be at a distinct advantage. Mudsdale won't be able to hurt Altaria. That leaves me Muk and Decidueye.
"Very well. Let's go get em Muk."
I toss the Pokeball and out comes Muk. It gets a lot of murmurs as people discover this Muk they've never seen before.
"So that is one of those Alolan Variants I've been hearing about, huh?" Winona asked, amazed by my Muk.
"Yes ma'am."
"Well then this should be very interesting. Altaria, Wing Attack!"
Altaria hits Muk but doesn't do a lot of damage. Muk then uses Sludge Bomb but barely misses. Some sludge shot out from the attack onto Altaria's wings.
"Altaria, use Sky Attack."
That's a pretty big attack in the early going. It's also hard to dodge, especially. Altaria comes at Muk at lightning speed so I quickly tell Muk to use Gunk shot and Acid Armor. Altaria, as expected was able to move out of the way of the attack but was slowed down by having to dodge. The attack hit Muk directly but thankfully Muk was able to take it in stride thanks to the increased defense from acid Armor.
"Quick Attack Altaria." Altaria moves quick again and hits Muk.
"Muk, Acid Spray." The attack hit Altaria adding a thick fluid to Altaria wings along with the small gunks of sludge."
"Quick attack again!"
Altaria again moves quickly but I noticed it moved a little slower. That's when I had an epiphany.
"My Muk can take your attacks with ease," I tease Winona who chuckles.
"Is that so? Lets see how he handles this. Altaria, Sky Attack. Finish him."
Gotcha.
I wait for the right moment. Altaria loops around getting the speed boost it needs and then I scream, "Muk, Use Gunk shot straight into the air."
Altaria hits Muk hard again causing Muk to slide back several feet. However, Muk's gunk shot is now descending to the ground like rain. The thick gunk lands on Altaria covering it in sludge and gunk.
Muk is laboring, but it has one good attack left in him. "Muk use Belch attack!"
"Altaria, dodge it now!" Winona exclaims.
Altaris tries to flap it's wings but can't because the sludge on it is holding them down. Altaria can't move. Muk's belch attack is direct hit on Altaria.
"Now, Muk go take a bite out Altaria."
Muk leaps onto Altaria's head and latches it's mouth around it. Altaria then falls to the ground with Muk on its head. Muk then slides off Altaria, who is unable to get up.
Altaria has fainted. I won.
Winona recalled Altaria and approached me as I thanked Muk for battling well.
"That was an interesting strategy. Never had anyone use that against me and I didn't even notice it would be a problem until it was too late. Just proves that this Tournament would've been much more entertaining if you were in it."
"Oh, um thanks," I say skittishly.
"You should do it next year."
I look at Caleb and Carl and smile. "Nah. I'm going to take on Kanto."
Winona chuckled. "Do both. Your dad did and won both."
The idea never entered my mind. I always figured I would just do Kanto when it begins in September. Their tournament usually begins in March, a month before Hoenn. It's conceivable that I can take care of Kanto's gyms and the come to Hoenn and complete our gyms. I should have plenty of time to prep for the Tournaments as well. It's something I'll have to think and talk about with Carl and Caleb. I'm not sure they'll want to do both.
All I know is that with this new idea that has been floated, I can feel a fire within me starting to blossom. It's heat radiated throughout my body causing my blood to warm.
"Sounds like a great idea, Winona."