My first opponent was a young boy, Jack Wilson. His Tournament profile says he is 14 as of last November so he's about a year younger than me. Jack and I are the first battle of the tournament so there is a little pressure on me to come out and do well. Meanwhile, Caleb will be getting the last battle against some girl. I don't know her name.

On the way to the stadium we were rudely interrupted by Castor and Iwika.

"So Splits, how nervous are you? Gonna suck when you lose in the first round."

I chuckled. "Castor, I think you should be the one focusing on not losing in the first round."

His stupid smirk dissipated quickly. He took a couple steps towards me causing Caleb to fidget a little, so I put my hand up to stop him.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"I beat the defending champion of Hoenn along with an Elite Four member. I'm not worried about losing today."

He scoffed. "As if I'm going to believe you."

I shrugged. "It's on the internet. While you watch that I have a Pokemon battle to win. Goodbye, Castor."

I walked around him and winked at Iwika. She sneered back.

I have no patience for those losers. They'll get what they have coming to them soon enough.

The waiting room is peaceful. I can have whomever I want in here. Naturally, I wanted Caleb and Carl to be here with me. I'm not one to prepare for an important battle on my own. I want to go out there and feel loose, not stuck in my own thoughts.

"Are you nervous?" Caleb asked me.

"Not really."

"Really?" Carl asked. "How can you not be?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I don't expect to lose. I feel comfortable and ready to go."

Caleb chuckled a little. "Man, I remember when we started out you were so unsure of yourself. Now look at you."

I grinned. "You've taught me a lot about being a trainer and about myself as a trainer. The only person who can beat me is me and I can tell you right now I don't plan on beating myself."

Carl and Caleb laughed at me. "Boy, you got a way with words there," Carl teased.

I shook my head and sighed. "Jerk."

Security knocked on the door and opened. "Cameron Alistar?"

"Mhm," I respond.

"We're ready for you. Please grab your things and follow me."

This was it. I'm about to head out in front of thousands of people and battle. I look to Carl and Caleb and thank them for being here. They wish me luck as I turn and leave the room.

The crowd is loud as I step out onto the field. My opponent is in front of me and is walking towards me as we approach the middle of the field. The announcer goes through the pregame hullabaloo to get the crowd pumped. I'm not paying any attention to him.

Then the announcer finally turns it over to his colleague who is on the field with Jack and I.

"Are you two ready to open the First Annual Alolan Championship Tournament?" he asked us as he spoke into his microphone.

We both nodded.

"Good. Now look at each other and shake hands. Maybe even share a couple words if you'd like."

I put my hand out and shake the young boy's hand. He looks at me and smiles.

"Good luck Jack."

He nods and responds by saying, "Thank you for what you did for me."

Erm.

"What do you mean?" I ask confused.

"We ran into each other several months ago. You don't remember?"

My eyes widened as I tried to search my brain for something. I got nothing. I honestly don't know who this kid is.

He chuckled. "I was with Team Skull. You kind of attacked me in Heahea City."

Woah.

"Oh wow. You are that kid!? I don't even recognize you. I'm so sorry."

He shrugged. "It's okay. Anyways I really owe it to you. When you told me about what happened in Melemele Island I went home and looked it up. I left Team Skull that night. I wanted to be a good trainer so I took on the Island Challenge like you."

I'm a bit thrown off by this revelation. The announcer is looking at us with wide eyes as he tries to move us along.

"Don't go easy on me. I watched the video of you defeating the Hoenn Champion. I expect that Cameron to face me today."

I put my hand out again and shook his with a firm grip. "You got it."

We finally left the center of the field and went to our positions. Skitty was sleeping in my box, as I expected. I grabbed the Pokeball holding Decidueye and tossed it.

Jack sent out Lurantis and quickly called for an attack.

I didn't order Decidueye to dodge, it was capable of doing so on it's own. Lurantis continued to try and attack but was incapable of making contact. When Lurantis charged at Decidueye and was tripped it grew frustrated. It attempted a slash attack but failed as well. Decidueye responded by pecking it on the head.

The pecks continued as Decidueye took it upon himself to tease Lurantis. I ended the teasing with a Aerial Ace attack that ended Round 1 of the battle.

Jack smirked. Guess he thinks he will have the advantage against Decidueye. I expect a fire Pokemon. Although if he is smart he will avoid doing that.

"Go Torkoal."

Nope.

I left Decidueye out there. I may be at a disadvantage but this is how I send a message to the rest of the field. My best Pokemon can handle his own even when at a distinct disadvantage.

"Flamethrower!"

Torkoal unleashes a searing flame towards Decidueye, which I tell to fly to the air and use Razorleaf. I'm no fool. Jack will take the bait.

Jack tells his Torkoal to use ember on the leaves leaving his Torkoal open to an attack. I tell my Pokemon to follow up the attack with a sucker punch attack.

Jack shows a lack of ability to adjust.

"Take to the air Decidueye," I say. With Decidueye in the air I feel comfortably in control of the battle. Jack orders his Torkoal to use Flamethrower again. Dodging is easy. I continue to have Decidueye lay in quick peck attacks to wear Torkoal down.

"Heat Wave!"

The attack is broad. Decidueye cannot dodge it and is hit pretty significantly. As you would expect this angers it. Decidueye quickly launches and barrage of attacks.

Jack finally shows some ability by telling Torkoal to use Fire Spin. Torkoal retreats into its shell and spins up a tornado of fire that knocks Decidueye back.

When Torkoal finishes the attack Jack orders it to use Body Slam.

"Spirit Shackle."

Decidueye wins out in that trade of blows knocking out Torkoal.

The crowd cheers exuberantly as Jack returns Torkoal. I too return my own Pokemon. Decidueye as done enough. I grab a Pokeball before Jack picks his 3rd and final Pokemon just so people know I'm not waiting just to gain an advantage.

It's the little things.

"Go Passimian," Jack yells.

I nearly chuckle cause I too send out a Passimian.

I don't need to tell you how it goes in detail. His Passimian doesn't stand a chance. Jack simply doesn't know how to use strategic means to win a battle so I end up winning it.

The crowd cheers my victory as I give them a wave. Jack and I meet at the center of the field and shake hands.

"Damn, you were just too good for me."

"Hey, you weren't that bad. If I have to give you a suggestion it would be to learn about strategy. Create your own and learn how to read your opponents. I'm sure next time we battle you'll give me a tougher time."

He smiles and thanks me.

I take in the crowd as I look towards my box and see my family and friends cheering. This is a very real moment and I'm basking in it. Hopefully, I can repeat this moment many more times.