As the winds pass through the SS. Anne ship, Red sits by the railing, gazing at the stars in the night sky and enjoying the embrace from the serene breeze. With a smile on his face, he listens to the waves before he looks at the cast on his arm, scratching it while thinking about the tournament and everything that has happened so far.

'I can't believe it's just been a week. Feels like a month ago since this tournament has started.' He thought while he traces his fingers along the cast, looking at the multiple scribbles that Leaf that has put on the cast, causing a silent chuckle before he had a thought. 'Hope Mom's doing alright. Her birthday is almost soon. I need to win this tournament.'

He stays like this for a while until he hears footsteps, seeing Luxio walking outside with Meowth on his back, looking around before it sees him. Walking to him, the electric lynx sits beside him before the Normal type on its back jumps towards Red's lap, getting itself comfortable before it quickly goes back to sleep, a smile on her face. The raven haired trainer turns towards Luxio who is laying down as well, the Pokemon noticing its trainer's gaze before speaking. 'She was feeling restless when she didn't see you on the bed. She wouldn't stop annoying me about it.'

"That does not sound like her. I wonder what's wrong."

'She doesn't wanna talk about it but it has been since the fisherman's ordeal. Got her a bit riled up than usual. She should've seen how long it took her to search for the items to give to us.' Luxio explained, yawning. Hearing this, Red's eyes widen, realizing why she was so tired all day before looking at the Normal type, stroking her fur which made her purr happily and more comfortable. He then pets Luxio, getting a purr from the Electric type as it says something in a sleepy tone. 'Don't…push…yourself…please…'

As he enters the land of slumber, Red smiles while he pets both Pokemon as he stargazes, immediately noticing one of the constellation as his eyes start to water. 'That's…Cygnus.'

He looks down, taking out his necklace and looking at the texture of the jewelry before his thoughts starts to manifest. 'Dad…if you were here, would things be different?'

'I…I still get those dreams…hearing the voices in the fire…t-those awful voices…' Red starts to shiver, looking at the stars to soothe his nerves until a thought came to him, making him feel like he was stabbed in the heart. 'Mom sometimes say that she wishes that I wasn't…born. Did…you think the same way as well, Dad?'

For minutes, he was looking into the sky with tears streaming from his eyes, his mind being overflowed with thoughts about Pikachu, making him more uneasy as he starts instinctively voicing apologies. He continued until he felt Luxio and Meowth snuggling against him which snapped him out of his stupor and made him slightly feel calmer. He stays like this for a while, enjoying the moonlight until he heard more footsteps along with the sound of buzzing before he sees Clefairy walking sleepily towards him along with Beedrill who is trying her best to keep him from losing his balance. Reaching to their destiny, Clefairy slumps beside Red, resting his head on the trainer's leg with Beedrill taking his other side, both Pokemon falling asleep immediately after doing so.

After a while, the rest of his Pokemon joins him, all of them basking in the moonlight until he hears something which quickly catches his attention. He looks to one section of the ship to find a lone Lucario that is floating in the air, calm as it meditates within the moonlight. As he watches the Pokemon in awe before it speaks to him.

'Hmm. You seem a bit different from the others that joined this tournament…' Red heard, seeing the blue canine opens its eyes and looking at him. "Are you talking to me?"

The Pokemon was slightly surprised when it realized that he understood what it says, staring at him before it starts to disappear into thin air, the last words it says resonating in his head. 'It seems my master was right about you. I look forward to fighting you soon.'

It then disappeared, leaving a confused Red when he mumbles his own thoughts to no one.

"Master?"

The morning came as everyone gathered around in the arena, awaiting the other semi-final match of the SS. Anne tournament, their thirst for enjoyment shown in their anxiousness and impatience. Red gets into one of the higher seats of the stadium, enjoying the view as he drinks a bottle of water with Meowth and Clefairy enjoying their bag of fries that he bought for them. As they await for the match to start, he pets Meowth while it is laughing at Clefairy when Leaf sits beside him, leaning on him before saying. "Has the match started yet, sweetie?"

When she said this, Red takes out his Pokegear and types a message which causes her own Pokegear to beep as she took it out and read the message. 'No. It hasn't as of yet. Also, can you please stop calling me sweetie?'

Upon reading the message, she scoots closer to Red with a smirk on her face, getting near him before she voices her answer. "No. I have to make sure that everyone knows about our relationship."

She then wraps her arms around Red, putting her face close to him until their noses are touching before she opens her mouth, her lips were millimeters away from her partner's face. The red capped teen closes his eyes in embarrassment, preparing himself for the worse until he felt nothing, opening his eyes to see Leaf eating her fries.

"What? Expecting something else?" Leaf said with a smirk, taking delight in seeing the look of shock on Red's face. He then clenches his fist as he looks at her, mumbling angrily as he drinks his water and turns his gaze to the field. 'You won this round. But I will get you back for this.'

When he thought this, they then hear the booming voice of the announcer resonating through the entire ship and stadium as he welcomes them again to the second semi-final match of the tournament, stating that whoever wins will get to face both him and Leaf in the finals. The brunette girl quivers in anticipation, her Nidoran mimicking her movements, getting a chuckle out of her red capped companion.

"The final half of the semi-finals is going to begin! You see them! You know them! This is the battle you have all been waiting for! The first one caught us off guard with it being intense but I know you're shaking in your boots for what this battle is about to bring!" The announcer shouted, cheers around the arena starts to amplify which made Leaf had a pout as she folded her arms and mumbled. "…our match was good too…"

Red smiled at the brunette before buying her a cream puff which made her feel better as she eats the delicacy while watching the show.

"On one side, it is the grandson of Professor Oak, Blue Oak and his partner who is the daughter of the Verde family, Yellow Verde and on the other side is the grandson of Mr. Fuji, Zane and his partner who is a participant of the Pokemon League challenge, Eric." The announcer exclaimed at the top of his lungs, excitement in his voice before the four participants walks onto the battlefield. Standing on his side of the arena, Blue had his signature smirk as he looked towards his opponents who also are smiling before the referee walks to the field. While he announces the start of the battle, the audience watches in excitement and awe while some starts to voice their thoughts as they wait for the match to commence.

"Yo! This battle is about to be the shit!"

"The grandson of Professor Oak against the grandson of Mr. Fuji. Plus, we have the daughter of the Verdes. A lot of bigshot kids in this match. Damn…"

"Now that I think about it, the only normal person in this tournament is that Red kid. He's not that famous."

"Who cares? I just know it's gonna be dope in this fight and the finals."

"Did time just stop? It feels like since we're talking, the referee was taking his time."

"Ugggghhh. Can't this referee be more slow?"

A sweat drop formed on his brow as the referee quickly finishes and descends his flags, not wanting anyone to know that he was listening to their comments while announcing for the match to start. As he did the gesture, every trainer on the field readied their capsules before flinging them into the air, four lights escaping them as they form on the field. They see a big brown rat and a yellow rodent on Blue's side and a black crow and a grey and white bird on Zane's side.

"Woah! Never thought I would see a Staravia here in Kanto. I wonder how he got one…" Leaf said while Red took his time to scan the other three Pokemon. The Pokedex coming with results which made him smile before reading the information provided.

"Woah. This is cool. Hey, Leaf." The raven haired teen said in an excited tone, making the brunette turn to him. "Do you know that a Raticate's fangs can actually break concrete? That is so cool. Also, a Pikachu…shocks some hard to eat berries to make them easier to eat. I always thought they just liked burnt berries."

Leaf giggles as she listens to Red as he rambles about the finding with an enthusiastic tone before they hear Blue's voice echoing through the arena as he initiates the first attack. "Hyper Fang now!"

The moment after he voices his move, Raticate dashed forward, its teeth clattering as its trainer directs it to attack Staravia who braces itself for the attack before it sees a blur behind the brown rodent, both it and its trainer realizing that Yellow silently commanded her Pikachu to use Quick Attack.

"Double Team quick, Staravia!" Zane said, the Flying type soared into the air, creating copies of itself that confused its opponent, immediately disorienting their opponents. The same cannot be said for Yellow who upon noticing the move, observed it until she finds a discovery. "Chuchu, jump on Raticate and use Electro Ball at the clone to the far back."

Chuchu obeyed, running towards Raticate before hopping on its head as its tail crackling with electricity as the lightning starts to form into a sphere. The moment that the move was ready, the Electric type swings its tail, shooting the attack towards the back which hit Staravia, knocking it from the sky as Raticate speeds towards it, opening its fangs. Before it could do anything, the Flying type quickly evades the attack, using Double Team again which confused the Normal type until Murkrow appears in front of them, surprising them.

\"What th-" Blue could not finish his thought as Eric said two words. "Dark Pulse."

The black crow opens its beak which was obscured by a dark shroud before blasting a black beam, hitting both of its opponents and knocking them back to their side of the field.

"Scary Face on Murkrow!"

"Quick Attack on Staravia, Chuchu!"

Not missing a beat, Raticate lunges towards the Dark type, contorting its face into a terrifying expression. Meanwhile, Chuchu and Staravia was about to clash until the yellow rodent vanishes before it reappears beside Murkrow, Yellow voicing her move. "Spark on Murkrow now!"

Before Eric or Zane could react, the yellow rodent dashes towards the Flying type, colliding into it with a Spark move which made it scream in pain. It was about to use Electro Ball but was interrupted when it gets hit by Staravia before slamming its wing into the electric rodent, making it fly towards Raticate. Before Blue could make a command, Murkrow recovers before shooting another Dark Pulse, throwing back their Pokemon.

"Damn it!" The spiky haired Oak said, clicking his teeth afterwards while Yellow bows down, looking at her Pikachu. "Chuchu, you ok?"

Chuchu stands up, making a nod before it focuses its attention on its opponents.

'I hate that damn bird.' Meowth mouthed, getting Red's attention as he looks at her with a confused expression. "What's wrong, Meowth?"

'Just had some bad run ins with them.' She said dismissively, not wanting to go any further with the story which she was glad that Red respected. He checks his Pokedex for Murkrow, looking for its data before he finds it, the voice of the Pokedex saying. "Murkrow, the Darkness Pokemon. It hides any shiny object it finds in a secret location. Murkrow and Meowthloot one another's stashes."

"Oh. That's why…" Red said, looking at the Normal type. He then pets her fur which made her feel comfortable before he continues watching the match.

"Is this all that you have?" Zane said, catching both Blue and Yellow's attention. As their Pokemon gets knocked around again by another Dark Pulse, the purple haired trainer continued. "You fight rather standard for someone who states himself as the best. Barely any strategy, no mixups. All you have is power and a big ego to boot."

Blue's eye twitches at the insult but he tries his best to calm down until he smirks, voicing a rebuttal. "Talking pretty big for a dude that got his Pokemon knocked around."

"By your partner who is honestly doing something unlike you are. Can't be announcing to people since day one that you're going to be the very best and you don't even put your money where your mouth is." Zane said, closing his eyes before sighing, much to Eric's confusion when he looks at his purple haired partner.

"Bro, are you good?" Eric whispers, realizing that Zane is not acting like his usual calm and collected self.

"For someone who is known as the grandson of the prestigious Professor Oak, you should know or at least have an understanding of how your Pokemon fights or behaves. Everyone goes around saying you're talented. Where's the talent?"

"You want talent?! Here's talent!" Blue growled angrily before turning to Yellow before whispering to the blonde. "Hey, Yellow. I need you to make your Pikachu use Nasty Plot. I'll distract them in the meantime. That jackass thinks he's hot shit. Wait till he sees this."

"Got it." The blonde nods before he orders for her Pikachu to use Nasty Plot before Blue announces his next move. "Alright, Raticate. Let's show these losers who's boss."

Raticate runs towards Staravia and Murkrow, taking on both Pokemon as his partner charges up, the yellow rodent's cheeks starts glowing, electricity emitting from its body. As it knocks Murkrow from the air and into the ground, Blue realizes that he is having some problems with his opponents until he got an idea. 'Let's see how he likes this!'

"Raticate, use Crunch on Staravia!" The spiky haired brunette loudly commanded with his arm outstretched and a smirk across his face. His smirk gets bigger when he sees Zane's Pokemon coming close to him using Take Down. As both get close enough, upon Blue's instruction, Raticate used Scary Face which unnerves Staravia, slowing it down before it uses its Crunch move, holding the Pokemon in place.

"Oh no! Staravia!" Zane said before he hears the voice of the young Oak. "What's wrong? You said you want talent. Can't handle the heat?"

The taunts of Blue made the purple haired teen look at him with a menacing glare before the spiky haired brunette shouts to his Raticate. "Keep your grip on Staravia!"

"Get out of there now, Staravia! Revenge!" The purple haired trainer yelled, his Pokemon retaliating as it strikes the brown rat with kicks and slaps, the Normal type keeping its hold on the Flying type before it hears another command from its trainer. "Use Flame Wheel now and hit Murkrow!"

Keeping its hold on Staravia and noticing the Dark type going to Pikachu, the Pokemon encases itself in flames before lunging forward at full speed, colliding into Murkrow who tried to stop the brown rat by using Dark Pulse which fails when it hits its partner. In a split second, the collision happened before Raticate slams their opponents into the ground before it holds them together when Blue turns to his blonde partner.

"Yel, now!" Blue said to his partner, she nodded as she turns to Chuchu.

"Full power Electro Ball, Chuchu!" Yellow commanded with confidence in her voice. The yellow rodent squeaks before it starts to charge a huge electric sphere, throwing the attack towards the two Flying type, Raticate moving out of the way, making both of them get hit by the attack which resulted in an explosion. As the cloud of smoke cleared, everyone stared in shock as they see the two Flying types sprawled on the ground, out cold.

"Wow. That was not what I expected…" Leaf mumbled, much to Red's confusion. She notices his baffled expression before she sighs and explains. "That guy there. Zane, he's Mr. Fuji grandson but that's not all. He is no pushover. Like seriously, this is the first time he has lost a single 'mon in a match here."

Surprise takes Red's expression when he hears this before he looks towards the battlefield, seeing Blue and Yellow do a high five then turning their attention towards their opponents. He then turns to Zane before his eyes widens at their expression, he sees them smiling instead of frowning as they release their second Pokemon.

"Go Raichu!"

"Take them down, Lairon!"

Both Zane and Eric said as their Pokemon come unto the field, each standing their ground as they give their full attention to their foes.

"Hey. That's a Raichu?! Isn't it supposed to be orange? …and on the ground?" Leaf said, scratching her head before she goes for her Pokedex before she hears Red. "…an Alolan Raichu…"

"A wha?" She repeats when he looks at her and explains. "An Alolan Raichu. Due to the mystical properties of the Tapu legends in Alola, it's stated that it changes the climate and nature more than usual, making some evolution of Pokemon different than usual."

"Well, that what it was speculated to be by some scientists. Their environment were a lot richer than most regions." Red said as the brunette looks at him with a surprised expression. He then looks down at the battle with a concerned expression which did not go unnoticed by Leaf. "What's wrong?"

"Well, it's not only physically different. It's also a Psychic type as well."

This caught the brunette off guard when her eyes widened before she checks the Pokedex, finding the result and realizing that the raven haired teen was not wrong which made her look at him before she whispers. "You're going to explain after this."

Red was about to say something until he notices that the place instantly became silent, feeling the tension rising and some of the spectators nervous. This lasted for a full minute which felt like an eternity for Leaf and a few others, Red looks at them with a confused expression as Meowth yawns before making a comment. 'Seriously, are you all losing your hair over a battle? Well, at least some of us can control ourselves. Right, Clef?'

The cream colored cat turns towards Clefairy's direction, seeing nothing in sight before looking at her trainer, thinking that he returned the Fairy type until he points at his cap. She raises her gaze to see the pink fairy who is just as ecstatic to see the fight start back when she shakes her head. '…I'm surrounded by idiots…'

"Hey! You got it easy. He's doing this on my head if you hadn't noticed." Red commented as he felt another hit on his head, a signal of Clefairy jumping on his head. He then looks down at the battlefield, seeing a clash between Pikachu and Lairon before he hears a command from Zane. "Raichu use Brick Break!"

Raichu rushes forward, its arm glowing as it readies itself to strike Raticate. In a split second, neither the Electric type nor Zane expects Pikachu to use Quick Attack, hitting Raichu arm and changing the direction of the move, making Raichu miss the attack. Eric was about to voice an order until he sees his Lairon gets stop by an Electro Ball from Pikachu, much to his dismay before hearing the booming voice of Blue which prove to be bad news for Zane. "Use Crunch, Raticate!"

Without wasting time, the Normal type moved quickly and bit the Psychic before swinging it around then slamming it onto the ground. He was about to keep up the assault until he sees Raichu crackling with electricity before he decides to make it throw it to the other side of the field. Both Pikachu and Raticate were about to rush the Pokemon until Yellow notices rocks in the sky, her expression turning into one of worry as she turns to Blue. "Call back Raticate!"

"Wait. Why…"

"Just listen to me and do it!"

Blue begrudgingly told his Pokemon to come back while his partner did the same. As soon as they did that, Yellow starts noticing multiple rocks protruding from the ground and Lairon who was glowing as it quickly charges them, commanding Chuchu to stop it by jumping over it and slamming it with an Electro Ball which stops its momentum.

"Damn it." Eric said, folding his arms in annoyance.

Zane observes their situation before he whispers something to his partner who smirks before they look at their opponents until they see Blue making a command out of impatience. The battle continues as their Pokemon trade blows, engaged in a heated confrontation, much to the crowd's delight. As it does, Yellow realizes that she and Blue are being over powered, her Pikachu unable to be of much help due to her opponents' resistance to Electric attacks which made her return Chuchu and release another Pokemon on the field. "Diggley, be a dear and help out!"

The brown mole appears on the field, looking around before it notices Yellow, smiling as it made its way towards the blonde and cried happily, putting a smile on her face as she pats it. "Hello there, Diggly! I'm going to need your help in this battle. Is that alright?"

The Ground type nods as it strolls unto the field, trying its best to make a serious face which made its opponents look at it confused, unable to take it seriously. Before anyone could mutter a sound, Yellow voices her order. "Sand Attack now!"

Diglett starts spinning quickly, hurling a barrage of sand towards Alolan Raichu and Lairon's direction.

"Psychic to stop the sand!" Zane thought quickly which sounded like music to Yellow's ear as she smirked and voiced her move. "Sucker Punch now!"

The Ground type vanishes into the ground, travelling across the field while Lairon was about to use Iron Defense only to be stopped when Raticate use a Scary Face on it, stopping any form of counter attack. While it was doing so, Diglett attacks Raichu, preventing it from using Psychic and letting the sand hit it eyes.

'Damn. They're a lot better than I thought. Then why did Zane say that they're weak?' Eric mentally commented before he sees the look on the purple haired boy's face. Expecting to see a look of frustration, he is surprised to see a look of excitement on his face as he voices his next attack, only to be stopped by another Sucker Punch until he notices Raticate coming towards his Lairon.

"Iron Defense now, Lairon! Hold your ground!" The shaggy haired brunette rebutted as the Steel type withstood the attack, enduring the teeth assault until Raticate, in a burst of strength, lifted the armored monster and then slams it into the ground, the collision shaking the battlefield until he orders for Raticate to jump through Yellow's instruction before they hear a single word from the blonde's mouth made the both of them sweat. "Bulldoze."

As the word left her mouth, Diglett descends into the ground, making the field starts to tremble until the tremors become stronger as both Raichu and Lairon lose their balance before Zane yells an order. "Float, Raichu! Then use Psychic on Lairon to take him with you."

Raichu nods, about to initiate the attack until it notices that it is unable to move its tail, immediately feeling pain before it sees Raticate biting its tail, keeping it in place as it suffers the full effect of the move. Both Zane and Eric could only watch as their Pokemon gets knocked around until Lairon was able to stop Diglett with a Rock Tomb before using Iron Head, its body turning into silver as it is about to ram itself into the Ground type.

"Flame Wheel now, Raticate!" Blue said with a smirk, his Pokemon dashing forward as it surrounds itself in flames before clashing with Lairon.

"Wait! I'm so slow…Raticate can learn Flame Wheel?!" Leaf exclaimed, wide eyed at the Normal type using the move. She scratches her brain as she continues in a mumble.

"Yeah. Raticate is surprisingly versatile. Well, with the amount of predators they and their pre evolution have. They have to be." Red calmly explains, looking at his Meowth who looks away. 'Not all of us see them as food.'

"Riiiiggghhttt…" The red capped said while looking at her with a raised brow. The cream colored cat looked away nervously while Red looks at the battlefield, witnessing clashes between Raticate and Lairon, one of them being so intense that it made Leaf shaking him like a ragdoll as he realizes that there is something wrong with Lairon. "Is it…"

"Burned…" Yellow said as she sees Lairon being slower and its attacks being weaker than usual as she tells Diglett to dodge a Brick Break by using Dig, it burrowing in the ground as it foe hits the spot where it was, its hand stuck on the ground as it anticipates which spot the Ground type is going to strike from. While it was searching for Diglett using its telekinetic powers, Lairon suffers being hit by another Flame Wheel before Raticate quickly gets behind the Steel type and uses Crunch on the armored Pokemon's tail and flipping it over, knocking the air out of it. Before Eric could spit another order, his Pokemon gets hit by another assault of attacks, staggering it and making it almost unconscious.

"Oak!" The spiky haired brunette raised a brow as he turns to Yellow as she continues. "Make Raticate throw Lairon at Raichu. I need him low enough to get hit by Dig."

Blue nods as he made Raticate throw the Iron Armor towards the Electric type, making it duck against the move, much to Zane's relief. They were unprepared for the next move as Diglett came out of the ground and struck Raichu to its back which made it fall on the ground, not moving despite any of its trainer's commands. The referee goes to check on the Pokemon before announcing that they are both unconscious which made the audience's excitement weaken as they see the results of the match.

"Oh brother. These guys stink!"

"I gotta be honest. This is disappointing. I expected more from this match."

"This isn't even a match. It's a beatdown."

"Guess Oak got this one. Fuji's grandkid not even tryin'."

"You guys should know now that you shouldn't sell anyone short yet. Let's keep watching."

By the time that Zane and Eric was getting their third Pokemon, a lot of spectators started to walk away as they were disappointed in the results of the battle, some of them shaking their heads while others stayed, eager to see a comeback. As this was happening, another conversation was taking place on the field.

"Hah! I can't believe that you two were such issues!" Blue said, laughing heartily as he crossed his arms. Eric clicked his teeth as Zane calmly spins his Ultra Ball on his fingertips before voicing. "I'm surprised that you would just casually believe that you won without seeing my final Pokemon. This just shows how immature and self-absorbed you are."

"What?!"

"You heard what I said. We should all know that the tide of a battle can turn anytime. We have all witnessed it throughout this very tournament. No battle is fully set in stone."

"What are you getting at? You honestly can't believe that you're still going to beat me, right?"

"Has Professor Oak ever told you that a battle is not over until it's over? Hmph!" The purple haired teen said as he throws up his capsule before catching it. "You should learn from that Red kid. Even when winning, he still keeps himself alert."

"Who the hell cares? He's going to get destroyed too after I'm done with you. I'm the greatest trainer ever and will soon be Champion of this damn region! Remember that!" Blue exclaimed, laughing heartily with a grin plastered across his face.

"Can his ego get anymore bigger?" Yellow sighed as she puts a hand on her face.

'If this is what happens if any boy gets famous. Arceus, I pray that you don't make Red the same.' Leaf mentally said while taking a sip of a soda before she looks towards Red, seeing him in deep thought when she waves her hand in his face, receiving no response. "Red? Red! Answer me or I'll kiss you, sweetie."

'I mean they were considered the best in school. I always knew they were strong. However…what that Zane guy said yesterday bothers me and to top it all off, throughout this battle, he has been calm…unusually calm.' Red thought, invested in the battle until he was about to ask Leaf a question, only to see the brunette puckering her lips, seeing him look at her with a confused expression which made a pout appear on her face as she folded her arms. "Damn it! You couldn't stay in think mode for a little longer…"

"What? Think mode?" He said with a baffled expression only to be rewarded when Leaf shakes her head and mumbles. "Nothing…now I think you're just teasing me…"

She then wraps her arms around him before they looked back on the battlefield, seeing what is transpiring.

"Since you want to believe in your opinions, let me tell you this then. Eric and I are still gonna win this battle and we're going to do it with just. Our last. Pokemon." Zane said before throwing his Ultra ball into the air, the light releasing a blue and black, bipedal jackal-like Pokemon on the field who was meditating before it opens its eyes and stands on its feet which Red immediately noticed. 'That was the Pokemon that spoke to me last night.'

Eric's own capsule releasing what looks to be a bigger and purple version of Nidoran on the field, surprising everyone on the field when they see them.

"A-a Lucario? How the hell did he get a Lucario? That's just unfair at this point! Why do they have such good Pokemon?" Leaf said, annoyed and pouting which did not go unnoticed by Red when the grip on his arm became tighter due to her mood. Red pats her on the shoulder, trying to soothe her nerves while she folds her arms and lessen her hold, much to his relief. 'Nidoking and Lucario? Welp, I hope Blue knows that he should keep on his toes around those two.'

"Well, get ready to lose!" Blue said as the referee starts the battle by descending his flags, each participant on their feet and getting ready.

"Diglett, Bulldoze!" Yellow called the first move. The Ground type descends into the ground, aggressively shaking the field. As the attack gets stronger, both Zane and Eric react quickly as they voice their move.

"Lucario, use Aura Sphere and balance on it!"

"Nidoking, use Brick Break to blast yourself into the air!"

Their Pokemon follow their order, Lucario creating a blue transparent sphere before making it stay stagnant as it jumps on it, standing on the projectile while Nidoking reels its arm before hitting the ground so hard which pushes it into the air, avoiding the attack. Raticate hops on rock portrusions to dodge the shockwave of its partner's attack before using Flame Wheel towards the direction of the Aura Pokemon.

"Intercept Raticate with Thunder Punch, Nidoking!"

"Sucker Punch now, Diglett."

Nidoking's other arm starts to emit electricity until it forms it into a fist, about to punch Raticate only to be intercepted by Diglett surprise attack, Eric smirking when they collided which did not go unnoticed by Red. Seeing the Normal type coming its way, Lucario kicks its Aura Sphere towards it, making it have to dodge the attack before vanishing, reappearing near Diglett before it punches it away, surprising everyone.

"What the?" Blue said before he notices that Lucario hands having changed into steel as he slowly mouthed. "Wait, that's-"

"Bullet Punch…" Yellow finished his thought. Blue grit his teeth until he hears Zane's voice. "I think you should surrender, Oak. It's less humiliating for you. Don't try to play a game you can't win."

Balling his hands into fists in rage, the young Oak was going to voice his rebuttal until his blonde partner walks towards him before she drags him down by his shirt. "Blue, we gotta think rationally and work together now more than ever in order to take them down."

"Oh please. We're gonna win, Yel. Watch this." He said before he removes her grip on his shirt and continues the fight by making his Raticate use a move until he sees Diglett looking exhausted. "Uhh, Yel. Is Diglett doing ok?"

"Diggly! Oh no! What's wrong?" The blonde questioned, which upon closer inspection she then realized what had happened. "It's poisoned…I-I need to return it…"

When she takes out her capsule to return the Ground type, it dodges the command, refusing to be called back despite its trainer's pleas. Blue then smirks as he tells her to stop when he starts commenting. "I like how it thinks. It's got spunk."

"Blue! He's hurt! I don't like to see him like this!" Yellow exclaimed, concern in her voice which made Zane feel horrible before he turns to the referee, asking for him to interfere with the match until he hears Blue's outburst. "Yel, just let it fight! Who cares if it's hurt? It wants to fight so let it fight."

"But…"

"No buts! We need action now! I'll…I'll try to cover you. Alright, Raticate, let's go!" Blue said, irritation in his voice when he faces his opponents, seeing a look of disappointment on Zane and Eric's faces. Red looks to see the frustrated look on Yellow's face when she wipes away her tears before she yells in a broken voice. "Bulldoze now!"

Fighting through its fatigue, Diglett use the move, their opponents about to move but was stopped in their tracks by the move which made more rocks protrude from the ground, trapping them. Realizing the state that the Diglett is in and Yellow's worried reaction, Zane whispers to Eric. "Let's take out that Diglett quickly."

"Why?" The shaggy haired brunette questioned.

"The blonde's face is really messing me up. I just want to knock it out and put it out of its misery." The purple haired boy said before he voices his next attack, Eric following as well. Upon their instructions, Nidoking uses Horn Attack which intercepted with Diglett's Sucker Punch, causing a clash until the Poison type uses Brick Break, hitting the ground which causes a shockwave that knocks the brown mole away, much to its trainer's dismay. "Diggly!"

"Lucario, Force Palm on Diglett." Zane said, his Lucario following as it made its way to its opponent until it sees Raticate running to block its path, its trainer hearing Blue's voice. "Don't you even think about it, Violet! You gotta go through me."

"Challenge accepted. Aura Sphere on the ground and then Bullet Punch." As he made his order, the blue jackal charges and shoots an Aura Sphere to the ground which creates a cloud of smoke, obstructing the Normal type's sight before dashing towards Diglett, hitting it repeatedly with Bullet Punch before ending its assault with a Force Palm which knocked the Ground type unconscious.

"Diggly!" Yellow shrieked, tears in her eyes when she sees Diglett unconscious on the ground, the look on her face made Zane turn away in guilt. She runs towards her Pokemon, cradling it before she returns it, trying to hold back the tears threatening to come out of her eyes before she gets up and faces her opponents, both surprised to see a determined expression. 'I need to stop crying and try again. I can't stronger if I don't.'

'Alright, Lucario's speed and precision is going to be a problem so I will need to find a way to slow him down and I think I know how.' Yellow contemplated before she sends out Chuchu on the field who stood at attention as it faces its foes. She then took a deep breathe to calm to compose herself before she voiced the first move. "Spark on Lucario now!"

"Dodge it then Force Palm!"

"Flame Wheel, Raticate!"

Chuchu then vanished, sprinting across with the field covered in electricity as it reaches in front of Lucario in no time, much to the amazement of Zane. As it's about to attack the Fighting type, the yellow rodent did not expect for its attack to be easily avoided, almost getting struck by a Force Palm only to be saved when Lucario had to jump in order to dodge Raticate's move. In midair, it delivers an Aura Sphere to the Normal type's, sending it towards Nidoking who hits it with Thunder Punch before preparing a Brick Break to slam it into the ground. In a flash, Yellow's Pokemon appears between the two, hitting the Poison type's arm which redirected the move, making it land somewhere else. The yellow mouse was about to attack again until Nidoking puts its hands up in a blocking position, its trainer realizing what is going on as she calls her Pokemon back, much to Blue's confusion.

"The hell was that, Yel? You had him where you want him!" Blue said, irritation in his tone as his partner compliments her Pokemon on a good job before turning to him. "Yeah, no. Did you see the way it blocked the attack? It made sure that its spikes were in the way, same thing he did with Diggly. Probably want to use its Poison Point ability…"

Eric was surprised by her observation while Zane cuts in and says. "Not bad…Yellow, was it? That's definitely correct. We learned a lot from the battles in this tournament especially from a similar tactic made by a participant in the battle before this."

"Leaf…" Yellow's eyes widened as she connected the dots, her suspicions being right as Eric nodded.

'Wait. That's my idea. He made it look so much cooler.' The brunette in question thought, slightly annoyed until her Buneary popped out of its Pokeball, patting her on the head. "Thanks, Buneary."

"Alright. So they're smarter than usual, ok? New plan then." Blue said as he returns his Raticate, taking out a capsule that Leaf notices to be a Quick Ball as he throws it into the air, releasing a brown cat like Pokemon that appears on the field as he exclaims. "I hope that you won't take it too hard when you get clobbered by my Kadabra!"

"Focus Energy, Nidoking!" Eric said, his voice stating his concern as his Pokemon stayed in one place, closing its eyes and meditating on the field, ignoring everything else in the battle.

"Bullet Punch." Zane said calmly as his Pokemon disappears in a flash before appearing in front of Kadabra, much to everyone's surprise until Blue states his counter. "Block it with Reflect!"

The Psychic type quickly forms a barrier of telekinetic energy which blocks the attack only to be coming face to face with Chuchu who is using Spark before getting ready to use Electro Ball. Before the move could be charged, the Fighting type then gets surrounded by a dark aura before it outstretches its hand, shooting a blast of purple and black energy knocking both Pokemon back.

"Oh no! Chuchu!" Yellow shrieked before she notices that Nidoking has finished meditating, getting ready to use an attack. The Poison type then lowers onto the ground before charging Kadabra who is dealing with Lucario. The blonde then commands her Pokemon to use Electro Ball to break the fray between the two Pokemon which gave the Psychic type enough time to be able to use Reflect against Nidoking's attack, earning a tongue click from Eric before he voices his next move. "Smash the barrier with Brick Break!"

The Poison type winds its fist before punching the transparent shield, breaking it into pieces before it charges again with its horn lowered. Catching Kadabra off guard, both Pokemon did not expect a surprise in the form of a super quick yellow mouse who tackles Nidoking on its legs, knocking it off balance before it tumbles to the ground. Before its face hit the floor, it then came face to face to with a multicolored beam which sends it rocketing halfway across the field, earning a barrage of cheers and 'oooo's.

"Ouch, that's gotta hurt. You ok, Nidoking?" Eric said, concern in his tone. The Poison type elevated from the floor, shaking its head out of its dazed state before responding with a nod as it got on its feet. It then rushes towards them, lifting its hand in the air to attack until Lucario jumps on that hand before it throws the Fighting type towards them, making Blue and Yellow rack their brains for a counterattack.

"O-oh no. Chuchu, Electro Ball! Quick!"

"Kadabra, Psybeam!"

Both Pokemon charged their respective moves and released them, both of them clashing into each until they combined into one attack which a multicolored electric sphere much bigger than the attacks that created it. The ball travels quickly over to the Fighting type, who barely had any time to react as it tries to stop the attack, immediately having trouble doing so as it is pushed back. "Lucario, hold your ground now!"

Struggling against the attack, Lucario was able to slightly push back until Kadabra and Chuchu shot another Psybeam and Electro Ball, strengthening the sphere and pushing back the blue canine until it hears a command from its trainer. "We gotta go full power! Shadow Sphere now!"

"Shadow Sphere?" Yellow said until Blue laughed uncontrollably, quickly able to calm himself down as he stated. "What the hell kinda move is that? Guess someone needs to go back to the books. Hahaha!"

He then found himself unable to speak when he notices that Lucario is glowing, able to stop the huge ball of electrical and psychic energy before stepping back and charging an attack, much different than the Aura Sphere that he is used to seeing. The Pokemon then outstretches its arm, its body glowing ominously purple as a ball of shadow and aura like energy is created, much to Blue and Yellow's awe before the blonde of the two voices a move. "Electro Ball!"

Chuchu obeys, running towards Lucario while charging before Kadabra follows it, forming a Shadow Ball on its spoon. They were both about to attack until Nidoking intervenes, using Thunder Punch to absorb the electricity from Chuchu before punching Kadabra in its face, knocking it across the field and smacking the yellow rodent with its tail. Right as the Pokemon were knocked away, Lucario was able to create a large sphere of shadowy blue energy before throwing it towards the psychic Electro Ball, the result being an explosion that created a shockwave that travelled through the platform and towards the crowd which causes everyone to block their eyes.

"What the hell was that?" Leaf said, barely able to keep up with the match while she and Buneary try to shield their eyes.

As the pressure emitted from the shockwave subsided, Blue, Yellow and their Pokemon were unable to react as Lucario appears in front of their Pokemon, Chuchu quickly using Electro Ball only for its attack to clash with an Aura Sphere, both moves cancelling each other out before it lets out a barrage of Bullet Punch at the yellow rodent before knocking it out with a Force Palm to the floor, creating a small crater.

"Chuchu! No!" Yellow cried, running towards the field and holding unto her Pokemon, cradling it as she walks to her side of the field as Blue clicked his teeth. 'Damn it! She's done two. One more and she's out.'

Surprising Yellow, Chuchu gets up before hopping out of her grasp and facing its opponent with a determined expression on its face. Before Yellow could say anything, the Electric type makes a battle cry, its body covered in electricity and its fur standing on ends before it rushes Lucario, the Pokemon dodging before hitting it with an Aura Sphere, knocking it to the floor, making it fall on the ground.

"Just stop please!" It then struggles as it slowly ascends from the dirt, running full speed towards the Fighting type before coming face to face with a Force Palm to the stomach.

"Chuchu, c'mon! You've done enough!" The audience watch in awe and respect as the Pokemon did not give up, trying repeatedly for its trainer in order to secure a blow only to end up in failure which after a while became uncomfortable for everyone to watch, especially Yellow.

"Lucario, stop it!" Zane said, only for the Pokemon to not obey him which did not go unnoticed by Red. 'Uh oh. That ain't good.'

"Chuchu stop! You've done enough! You did great! C'mon, return!" She said, taking out its Pokeball and trying to return it, only for the Pokemon to dodge it. "Chuchu, what are you-"

It looks at the blonde before putting up a thumbs before charging the blue canine, covered in electricity and determined to land a hit. As it sprints around Lucario, dodging its attack and about to tackle it once more, this time being inches away from the Fighting type's chest, failure was only rewarded when it gets hit again by a Force Palm until Lucario shoots several Aura Spheres at it until it speedily knocks it down back to the ground with a Bullet Punch, much to everyone's surprise and to Yellow's horror.

"CHUCHU!" She said, a look of pure pain etched on her face. When the smoke clears, the electric rodent slowly gets up before climbing out of the crater, trying its best to stand. "Chuch-"

The Pokemon was unable to hold its ground as it falls to the floor, unable to move despite it fighting to do so. Seeing the Electric type in such a terrible state made the audience feel bad for it as some turned away, not wanting to see the beatdown that it took while others were indifferent to it.

"What a baby! Take up your damn rat and fight already! I want to see a battle not some drama show!"

The man who said this could not continue further with his statement when he received several vicious stares from most of the women of the crowd, making him silent as he clicks his tongue and watches the match with his arms folded. Leaf simply unconsciously held onto Buneary, feeling sorry for the poor mouse Pokemon before looking at Red whose hand seems to be balling in a fist, veins popping on his hand.

"Red." She called, not receiving an answer from the red capped teen.

"Red."

"…"

"Red!" She said, her voice turning into a tone of concern when she sees his nails digging into his skin, making some blood come out of his hand. She was able to knock him out of his stupor with a light smack on his face when he looks around before noticing. "Wha-what happened?"

"Are you ok, Red? You…kinda hurt yourself there…" The brunette said, pointing to his hand before he sees that he clenched his fist a bit too hard and now the middle of his hand is bleeding, wiping the blood away with a handkerchief. "Sorry… I just remembered something… I'm alright now."

"You sure? You looked…angry… Like seriously angry." Leaf said, looking at his hand before she took it, trying her best to clean the red liquid.

"Yeah… I'm…just imagining how it must feel for Yellow." Red said while looking back at the match, much to Leaf's confusion.

Yellow gave Chuchu to a nurse who also took the rest of the injured Pokemon of the match and their Pokeball before leaving, making the match able to be resumed. The blonde then clenches a Pokeball before she looks towards Zane and Eric, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

"C'mon, Yel. Let's beat these losers." Blue said as he turns his attention towards their opponents before he barely hears a voice. "You…ve helped her…"

"What was that?"

"You could have helped her. But no. You just looked at the Pikachu getting it butt kicked like a Deerling in the headlights." The purple haired boy said as his fist clenches, looking at the young Oak with eyes coated in anger.

"Ok. I know he's right and all but why is he so mad at Blue though?" Leaf said, scratching her head and looking at Red who shrugs. One of the people in the audience looked at them conversing before answering their question. "It's kinda because they were having somewhat of a rivalry since this tournament started. Blue kept declaring how awesome of a trainer and kept calling Zane a loser and said how he is going to school him in the tourney. One thing led to another and here we are."

"…Classic Blue…" Leaf muttered with a hand on her head while Red sighed. They were interrupted when they hear the sound of a Pokemon's battle cry as they both notice that Yellow released her last Pokemon which is an Ivysaur.

"Ivysaur, let's do this." Yellow calmly said, her words unnerving everyone on the field, including the referee. The tension starts to rise as the four trainers are engaged in a staredown, the ending of the battle being near as one thought crosses Yellow's mind.

'I need to be strong…for Chuchu…'

Merry belated Christmas and Happy holidays guys! Sorry for the huge hiatus! Had classes and work so things were not what I wanted it to be. Don't worry. Part 2 is coming out later today. Just…didn't expect this battle to be two whole chapters. It was actually supposed to be one but nope. It decided to say 'You want one chapter. Haha, no.' Well, hope you guys like seeing a battle in this that doesn't have Red or Leaf. I'm going to continue from here because I have plans up to Lavender to finish right now and I want to see how much I can do in at least a day. Hope y'all enjoy your day and please stay safe and just enjoy the story. I will stop talking now. Enigma, out!