During the nightcap, Caleb had his first battle. He was tentative at first, lacking the conviction he had during the Island Challenge. However, when he fell behind right away something clicked. He handled his opponent with relative ease.

He and I marched our way through the tournament without any problems. We succeeded in making it to the Quarterfinals where things were going to get very interesting.

The final 8 outside of Caleb and I contained Liko, Castor, Iwika, and Lana. A couple of random people topped off the final 8. Meanwhile, Caleb is to face off against Iwika while Liko is my opponent.

My mindset going into this battle is the same as it has been. I'm relaxed and confident. The only way I will lose is if I defeat myself. Admittedly, that may not be true but telling myself that and believing it allows me to stay focused.

As I walk out to the field my focus is locked on Liko as he walks toward his trainer's circle. When the announcer goes on his typical monologue, then do I break my concentration as usual. I like to search the crowd for people. Seeing my mom, Caleb, Carl and even Aaron helps.

Aaron has come to every single one of my matches. He doesn't congratulate me like everyone else does but him being here shows he is finally giving me the respect I have been wanting from him.

Sitting next to Aaron is Emmery, his best friend from Hoenn. He arrived a couple days ago to the surprise of Aaron. Watching my brother, who internalizes everything, externalize a little emotion was awesome but shows he has so much more to go.

I finally turn my attention to Liko who is smirking. We nod to each other and toss our first Pokemon. His Toucannon versus my Oricorio.

I stare Liko down as I wait for him to make his move.

"Fury Attack!" Liko yells.

"Dodge it and use Double Slap," I tell Oricorio. Oricorio glides to the left moving out of the way of Toucannon's attack. Then Oricorio jumps onto Toucannon and slaps it a couple times.

Toucannon shakes Oricorio off and hits it with a peck attack.

"Beak Blast!"

That is Toucannon's best attack. This is gonna hurt if it makes impact. If I time it correctly Oricorio will be fine. As Toucannon flies toward my Pokemon to make contact, I watch. As it gets to a near approach of Oricorio I tell it to jump in the air and use Air Slash.

Toucannon is a bit hurt but it recovers quickly and lashes out at Oricorio. It then uses a Supersonic attack causing Oricorio to become confused. Toucannon lands a Beak attack turning the tide in this battle.

Liko calls for the attack one more time. I tell Oricorio to use Revelation Dance. Both of their attacks will hit but I'm banking on the electric attack to take down Toucannon even if Oricorio falls.

Both attacks connect at the same time causing a minor explosion in the middle of the field. Both Pokemon are sent flying in opposite directions. I look down at Liko's Toucannon as it lies there motionless. Something in the back of my head makes me stare for a second too long and get lost. I shake my head and snap out of it and look across the way at my Oricorio.

They both have fainted.

After the announcer announces that both have fainted the crowd erupts. This battle will be close.

I choose Passimian to be my 2nd Pokemon. Liko chose Oranguru.

Liko and I stare at each other as we wait for the other to make a move. He smirks and says, "I ain't going to let you counter my attacks. I know your style, Cam. Attack me first."

I chuckled.

And so I had to change my battle tactics. Liko caught on very quickly, presumably because he has watched me battle before.

I attacked. Instead of being the ultra-passive trainer that I intended to be in this battle I used an ultra-aggressive tactic. I did not let up. Of course I had a plan that I hoped to cash in on later on in the battle. I doubt Liko will even see it coming.

I kept up the aggressiveness throughout the next several rounds. Liko and I kept going toe-to-toe in this battle. The crowd got louder and louder as it progressed. Every so often I looked over to my box and watched as they grew more excited and nervous at the same time.

I was just excited.

I felt in control of the battle even though I stand here right now with my final Pokemon, Mudsdale, waiting for Liko to send out his.

Bewear looks like a menace of a Pokemon but I was confident in my Pokemon's ability to take it down.

I didn't stop my attacking strategy. I kept it going. It wasn't working out very well. The battle was close, don't get me wrong, but I knew I was not winning. However, I also knew that Liko knew that as well.

That was my advantage.

"Mudsdale, charge and use Body Slam.'

Liko takes the bait and orders his Bewear to use Hammer Arm as he has done before. As I have done in previous battles I told Mudsdale to stop his charge and to swipe at the ground sending dirt into the eyes of Bewear. Bewear is slightly blinded and as it rubs its eyes I tell Mudsdale to use Body Slam.

The battle has turned and Liko knows it, so I order Mudsdale to use Body slam again. Liko quickly orders his Pokemon to charge and use Double Edge.

I tell Mudsdale to halt and use Earthquake. Mudsdale stops in it's tracks and slams down on the ground. Bewear stumbles from the shaking ground and falls.

It's over.

"Focus Blast!"

The attack devastates Liko's Bewear.

"Bewear is unable to battle. Mudsdale and Cameron Alistar win!"

The crowd roars as I approach Liko who is smiling.

"That was fun," he said.

I chuckled. "Yes, it was. Almost got me nervous," I joke.

We shake each other's hands as the announcer approaches us for the on-court interviews. I wait as he asks Liko a few questions first since he lost. after he is done with Liko he turns his attention to me.

"So Cameron, you are onto the Semifinals. How does it feel?"

I respond with a short answer, "Feels good. I'm very excited."

"You will face the winner of Castor and Jackie. Who do you hope to see make it?"

"Castor. He thinks he's a better trainer than I so I'd like to put an end to his delusion once and for all."

The crowd enjoys the answer. Drama.

"Oh I see. There is a feud among you two young men. What do you plan on doing for the rest of the day?"

"Well I got to watch my boyfriend's battle coming up tonight. Other than that I'm probably going to shop."

This wasn't an exaggeration. I was planning to shop.

The crowd and announcer chuckled. "Alright well congratulations on making it to the Semifinals. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

I nod and walk away into the tunnel that lead's to the Trainer's Quarters. I walk into Castor who is getting ready to head out for the next round of the Quarters.

"Got some nerve, Cameron. You think you can psyche me out with what you said?"

I shook my head. "If you are a good trainer you won't be psyched out. Go win your last battle in this Tournament."

He chuckled. "Splits, I'm going to beat you. Just know that."

I nodded and walked away.

...

With Castor through to the Semis it was his other half's turn. And mine. Caleb and Iwika were battling.

It's been pretty smooth going for Caleb as he is clearly the superior trainer to Iwika but things start to change when Iwika gets talkative. She talks trash trying to get under Caleb's skin. It isn't working that well but I can see him getting flustered. He then begins to make small mistakes.

Then Iwika goes for the jugular.

"How does it feel for your boyfriend to bring his other boyfriend to Alola?"

Caleb's face goes white.

"Huh?" Carl says as he turns to me.

"It has got to suck. He even brought him here to see you battle."

Caleb shakes his head without conviction. "They are just friends."

Iwika laughs. "Aw Caleb. I know it's hard to see what is right in front of you. I know you've been through a lot."

My heart begins to race. Carl keeps trying to get my attention but I don't give it to him. I watch Iwika's lips and she says, "He helped you get over your brother's death. He's a huge part of who you are now. Of course it is hard to admit when he's done you wrong."

"That bitch," I mutter under my breath.

"You're wrong," Caleb says as he trembles.

Carl grabs my arm and turns me around. "Why is she saying this?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, to get in Caleb's head."

"And why is it working?" I don't respond. "Answer me, Cameron," he pleads.

I don't.

"This is bullshit. He needs to snap out of it," Carl says.

Meanwhile, Iwika orders her Mudsdale to Slam into Caleb's Oranguru. Caleb doesn't respond to his Pokemon taking a beating. Before he realizes what was happening Oranguru fainted.

Carl walks by me and trudges down the stairs. He makes his way to the guardrail down below and starts yelling.

"Wake the hell up Caleb. Don't listen to her. Don't let her get in your head. You know what she is saying is crap!"

Caleb turns his head and looks towards Carl.

"If you think what she is saying is any bit the truth than you should quit. If not, snap out of it and finish this damn battle."

Caleb looks up at me. I stare at him and nod my head. He takes a deep breath and looks down.

"Look at how desperate they are. They know they've been cau-"

"Shut up, Iwika. Don't you ever talk about my relationship with Cam again, and don't ever bring up Zach."

Iwika scoffed.

Caleb sent out Incineroar and proceeded to get back into his groove. He still wavered here and there but in the end he prevailed.

I looked down as the announcer held his arm up and congratulated him. He looked at me with a smile on his face. I did not smile back.

I walked away from my seat and disappeared into the hallway that leads to the concourse of the stadium. I didn't look at the TV screens that are plastered all over the stadium. I didn't care.