It was time.
The stadium was pumping full of energy as students from all different classes and courses were filed into the stadium to watch the very first qualification battle of the tournament.
And of course, what battle would be complete without commentary?
"Good morning! Everyone across the academy is here for a dazzling display of some high-octane Pokemon battling, as we kick off the Pokemon Trainer's Academy Monarch Invitational Tournament!" Freddy George Jr. said as he greeted a raucous crowd inside the stadium.
The crowd soon roared with excitement as Freddy continued his commentary.
"Now of course for anyone out there who is just joining us, this how the tournament will work. There will be three qualification rounds featuring a different type of battle each round. The first round will be a one-on-one battle, the second round will be a double battle and the last round will be a three-on-three battle. The eight trainers who make it out of the qualification round will be in the Victory Tournament, which are all full battles extravaganzas. And of course, the winner of this tournament will get the opportunity to battle our dear Monarch, Ash Ketchum in an exhibition battle!"
The crowd roared to life once again as Lyna soon looked around in awe.
"Man I never knew that there were so many students at the academy!" She said.
Ema soon was sitting next to her with a calm look on her face.
"Of course, we only hang out around the freshman which warps our perception of the academy. In reality, there are probably thousands of students here outside the freshman students." Ema said to her.
Meanwhile Shion, Robyn, Rex and Tyson were sitting together. Tyson was munching on a bag of popcorn and offered some to his friends. Shion was the only one who accepted while both Robyn and Tyson declined.
"Wow, this turnout might be bigger than the Silver Conference when it comes around!" Shion said in awe.
"Meh, I am not impressed. The average gym battle in Galar would easily outclass this in a heartbeat. Still, I am surprised that everyone showed up to this. I mean this is only a qualification battle and yet the turnout is insane!" Robyn said.
"Well whatever the case is, I just hope that Kenan is going to be fine here." Rex said as he saw the entrance to the battlefield where Kenan walked out.
A few minutes earlier, Kenan was in the locker room and was looking at the Pokemon he had chosen.
"It is time." Kenan thought as he soon headed out.
He walked through the solitary halls before heading out onto the battlefield, where the overwhelming noise of the crowd was waiting for him.
And yet… it didn't affect him and he reached he position on the battlefield.
Soon, on the other side he saw his opponent, a girl around his age and fairly well built with medium tanned skin also reach her position with a equally determined look on her face as well.
"Well it is time to get things started, for the first qualification battle of this tournament! On my right is Kenan Fox from Undella Town in the Unova Region! And on my left is Holly Blue from Petalburg City in the Hoenn Region!" Freddy George Jr. said.
Soon the referee came forward and told them to release their Pokemon.
"Nami I choose you!"
"Manectric let's go!"
Soon both Pokemon came out and stared each other down.
"Oh man! Bad luck for Kenan! He is at a type disadvantage in his first battle!"
Yet Kenan wasn't worried as Holly was given the first move.
"Alright, Manectric use Thunderbolt!" Holly said.
Soon her Discharge Pokemon soon let out a powerful bolt of lighting that raced towards Nami. But Kenan simply had Nami use Megahorn to block the incoming Electric-type attack shocking everyone in the stadium.
Kenan soon smiled and had Nami soon use Drill Run and soon the Ground-type move landed picture perfectly on Manectric as it was sent flying back by the super effective move.
Holly soon had Manectric use Wild Charge on Nami but she managed to easily dodge it.
"Alright then, use Surf!" Kenan commanded her.
Nami soon commanded a large wave of water which came forward and soon crashed down on the Manectric in a thunderous fury. When the water dissipated, Manectric had been knocked out in a clear defeat.
"Manectric is unable to battle! Which means the winner of this battle is Kenan!" The referee said as the stadium exploded in cheers for Kenan.
Kenan soon smiled as he petted Nami a bit and recalled her as he left the battlefield leaving everyone mystified.
In the stands, his friends looked to be in awe at how short the battle was.
And there were in awe at how strong Kenan had gotten since the last time they had seen him battle.
"No way… Kenan isn't messing around." Robyn said softly.
Shion soon squinted her eyes.
"Then we can't either. Let's go guys." Shion said as she left stands leaving everyone else in awe.
In a different part of the stands, Kazuma had been watching the battle from his spot and seeing the quick victory from his rival made him smile.
"So I see how it is Kenan… you aren't holding back in this tournament. Hell you have decided to go all out in this tournament have you!? Well fine! I was waiting for this moment. Soon our battle will rock the entire academy down to it's very core!" Kazuma said in glee.
Soon he left the stadium to get ready for his battle.
Meanwhile Kenan was walking back to the locker room and he stared at Nami's Pokeball.
"Well I am sure that got everyone's attention. Maybe I shouldn't have gone all out from the beginning of this tournament. Still if it means progressing towards my goal then I can't wait anymore. Soon Hugh, you will find out I am not the same scared trainer you defeated back then." Kenan thought as he continued to walk down the hall.
However as he did, he saw someone walking past him. It was a man, fairly older than him but with a serious expression on his face as he walked down the hall and soon took a right.
Kenan was confused for a bit but then shrugged it off as he went to reunite with his friends.