Just a short update, the next couple of chapters are fairly short. Chapter 11 should be back to the usual average length as we get into the more important stuff than just some freshmen fights...


The other matches were flying by to Othello. One minute, his match had finished, and the next thing he knew, the second round was already over.

We'll be taking a short break to clean up some of the battlefields before we continue. Thank you for understanding!

Everyone shuffled off of the fields and went back to where they were before the battles began.

I can't fucking believe this. Me! Disqualified?!

The boy stormed up and down the sidelines.

I would have beat him too…yeah! Yeah, for sure!

Are you done yet?

Marlon jumped in his skin.

E-Emmanuel! I didn't hear you there! Yeah, these Unovans are a bunch of pussies. Looks like we won't have our showing as rivals here.

The second boy in a Ballonlea uniform, Emmanuel, sighed.

We are not rivals. You have no control over yourself or your Pokemon and anyone that calls you a rival should be ashamed of themselves.

Yeah right. I'm an amazing trainer. Worst part is the guy that won by default got a complete pushover last round and barely lost a single Pokemon!

Emmanuel tilted his head upward, curiosity piqued.

Oh? He's still in it? What's his name? And what school?

It was something stupid like Hello…think he goes here, to Price.

Emmanuel smirked.

Interesting. I must thank him for humiliating you. I do hope he makes it to the next round.

– Chapter Ten: When All Else Fails… –

Othello!

Othello took a deep breath, recognizing the voice.

"H-hey, Emil…" he stammered out.

I heard you got a real piece of work for your first match and he got disqualified. You good?

"Yeah," Othello wasn't entirely sure that was the truth, but he wasn't about to say no, "It wasn't that bad."

And I heard you beat Ella! Nice job man!

"Th-thanks. Did you win?"

Yeah, I'm still in it! My team has been putting in work, so I've been able to get some pretty decisive victories.

You guys are still in it!

Once again, Kara bounded over, waving at the pair.

I saw you had to go against Ella, Othello. Kind of sad she had to get eliminated, but that's just the luck of the draw I guess.

She told me you barely had to use two Pokemon, that's pretty impressive! What does your team look like?

Yeah! How powerful are the other four?

"Um…" Othello said, a combination of bashfulness and embarrassment on his face, "I actually only have one other Pokemon."

Oh, that explains a lot. But did you not catch any at the field day they did?

"I…didn't know about it," he admitted, "Ava and Ella mentioned it, but that was after-"

Wait….like, Senior League Elite Four Ava?!

Othello blinked a couple times, realizing that Emil probably had no clue about his experiences.

Oh yeah! I never told you Emil? This guy was talking with both Ava and Cannon!

Woah! You must really be something if two seniors in the League are taking an interest in you!

"They're doing it for Principal Owens…" Othello admitted.

For the Principal?!

Emil and Kara exchanged a shocked look.

Are you from some royal family or something?

And you're good at battling? Is your uncle or someone a Champion?

"I-I-" Othello had no clue how to tell them the truth without risking making enemies

Alright participants! The battles are back on! Make your way to your designated field!

Othello took this as an opportunity to slip away to his next match.

As he arrived, his opponent looked out at him with a grin.

Awesome! Someone from Price Academy. Finally! I've been wanting to beat one of you on your own field for a long time.

He plucked one of his Poke Balls and Othello did the same.

I'm Sileas Wilk from Blueberry Academy. This is where your run ends! Bombirdier!

"Mythos, I'm going with you again. What are we looking at?"

"I'm not entirely sure for once," Mythos paused, trying to rack his brain for what this species might be, "Although more than likely a Flying type."

Bombirdier, make sure they don't have an item with Knock Off.

"He's on the other side of the field…" Othello tried to come up with a strategy, "Use Iron Defense to brace yourself, then Iron Head."

Mythos anchored himself in the ground like a stake, just barely defending himself from the attack before retaliating with Iron Head.

That was a good move, but I don't think you'll outlast us. Now, while it's stuck in the ground, hit 'em with a Snarl.

"I'm afraid this is it," Mythos tried to pull himself out.

"Shadow Sneak…we can do a bit more," Othello had to calm himself before giving the order; this Pokemon outmatched his in every way.

Mythos dissipated from his spot in the ground, landing a scratch on the opponent before going down.

Still got a hit in even as you go out. Just what I would expect from Blueberry Academy's bitter rival. What's next?

"I'm sorry, Mythos," he said aloud, returning him to his Poke Ball, "I need to get this out of the way…Cyril."

A Shuppet? Do you only have Ghost-types? Looks like it's my lucky day! Bombirdier, one more Knock Off!

"I'm sorry, Cyril, I need you to do the thing."

"The thing?" Cyril cocked his head, "So it's all up to the new guy?"

Othello nodded, "I hope he's enough."

Just giving up?

The Knock Off hit its target, causing Cyril to collapse.

Honestly it's kinda pathe-

As he was speaking, the Bombirdier fell on top of Cyril.

What…what?!

The Blueberry student tried–unsuccessfully–to get over his shock.

B-but I had barely taken any damage?!

"Destiny Bond," Othello felt slight pity for his opponent's complete confusion.

Oh. I-I knew that! Let's see your ghosts work against Spinda!

"B.B," Othello tossed the Poke Ball, hyping himself up, "Let's do this!"

Dizzy Punch!

"Rock Smash!" Othello wasn't used to yelling out every command, so it took him a moment.

The two attacks collided, but with all six of the Falinks putting their full force into it, the Rock Smash prevailed, knocking the Spinda down.

"B.B, while it's down, Bulk Up!"

The brass lifted its horn up, communicating the instructions to the rest. They formed a wedge with B.B putting its shields up, increasing both their defense and offense.

"Headbutt!"

Get up Spinda! Come on! Body Slam!

Just as the Spinda was getting up, Falinks surrounded it and slammed their heads into it, landing a K-O.

Alright, if that won't work, Delcatty!

The cat Pokemon landed on its feet, ready for battle.

"Now, Fake Out!"

Delcatty slapped B.B in the face, disorienting it and preventing it from giving orders to the others.

"And then Fury Swipes!"

Othello said nothing. The beginning of a strategy was forming in his mind. Cannon had told him about a move he could teach B.B, but since Fighting type moves couldn't touch them, he wasn't sure if they had mastered the move yet.

B.B looked helplessly at Othello who waited one more moment.

"Reversal!"

Having finally been given a command, B.B and the others instantly lined up and slammed into the Delcatty, sending it flying backwards past the Blueberry trainer and into the dirt on the sidelines.

No way…that was my last one…

The referee held up his right hand.

Othello Kasun is the victor and will be moving on to Round 4.

– – –

"Reversal?" Cannon was surprised, "Wow, I wasn't expecting him to pull it off."

"Did it not know that before?" Circe asked.

"No," he shook his head, "I thought it might help, so I told him about it, but that was impressive. Letting it take a big hit in order to retaliate with much more was also a great move."

"He had to call it out too," Ava noted.

"He did just get it," Circe added, "Maybe he didn't have enough time to teach it signals? Especially not if he was trying to teach it a new move. He's too much of a novice to be able to do both…right?"

"Probably?" Cannon shrugged, "Either way, it looks like we underestimated him. He's about halfway through his pool. He could make it further."

Silence fell over the group once again as that conversation seemed to be at its end.

"So…what champion was it you were going against?" Circe broke the silence.

"Opal Academy's," Ava responded, "Aleah Silveira."

"Oh, we've fought her before in League battles, right?"

"I have," Cannon said, "What's it you want to know?"

"Everything I can," Ava perked up.

"Alright," Cannon smirked, "Time to get you some insider info."