"Begin!"

"Use Rollout!" Hilda ordered

Venipede curled up into a ball again and began spinning violently. When he reached his max spinning speed, he once again let momentum take the wheel and shot toward Growlithe.

"Be ready."

Growlithe nodded sternly and watched the oncoming Venipede. When Venipede arrived in front of Growlithe, Growlithe, with unimaginable agility, sprang out of the way at the last second.

Growlithe, while in the air, turned his head and opened his mouth. The inside of his mouth shone a bright red for a second, and then three consecutive embers were launched with blinding speed. The embers slammed into Venipede as he drove past, knocking him off course.

'What the hell, when did Growlithe learn to charge Ember that fast?!' Jace thought bewilderedly. 'Maybe this was what Professor was talking about.' Jace nodded, the Professor did mention something about his attitude.

"Keep it up!"

"Protect!"

Venipede came to a wobbly stop and uncurled himself. Four embers shot toward Venipede as he used Protect, an invisible barrier materializing around him. The small red fireballs slammed against the Protect, causing small explosions, and smoke blocking Venipede's vision as a result.

"Poison Tail!"

Venipede no longer being able to hold up Protect, powered up Poison Tail, his tail glowing a vivid purple. One more ember shot through the smoke, but Venipede was ready. Turning his body he swung his tail against the small ball of fire, making it dissipate.

"Now!"

Jumping through the smoke, Growlithe opened his mouth, darkness engulfing the insides of it. Arriving in front of Venipede, Growlithe sank his dark-coated teeth into him.

Venipede screeched and wiggled, but Growlithe held on.

"Rollout! Try to free yourself!" Hilda panicked.

"Finish him off, Growlithe," Jace ordered.

Venipede tried using Rollout, but he couldn't curl into a ball. Growlithe tightened his hold on Venipede, earning another screech.

Then Growlithe let out a small growl and charged another Ember. Growlithe's nostrils radiated a bright red color while smoke escaped from the sides of his mouth.

Growlithe, without letting go of Venipede released the built-up fire-type energy.

BOOM*

Dust and smoke shot up as Growlithe released the fireball, blocking everyone's view.

There was a moment of silence as the smoke and dust started to settle, the crowd looking on in expectation. Once the dust settled, one figure stood firmly and the other was unconscious on the floor.

"Venipede is unable to battle! Jace wins this round!"

The crowd cheered as the ref announced who won. Completely thrilled by the steamroll they just witnessed.

Growlithe stood above Venipede, looking at him with narrowed eyes. Blowing smoke from his nose, he turned around and looked at Jace.

Growlithe's attitude suddenly changed, running up to Jace with his tongue out. Jace laughed and patted his head.

"You did amazing buddy, think you can keep this up?" Growlithe barked and nodded his head.

"Well, get ready, because your next opponent is about to show up."

Hearing those words, Growlithe's attitude changed once again. Growling he turned around and tensed his legs, waiting for his next opponent.

Hilda recalled Venipede and whispered some words to the Pokeball. She then looked at Jace with determined eyes.

"I guess this won't be as easy as I thought. Let's see if you can handle my next Pokemon." Hilda smirked and unclipped a Pokeball from her belt. She then released the Pokemon within it.

Tepig materialized in front of her, giving an energetic squeal "Give it your all Tepig," Hilda encouraged. Tepig turned his head around and nodded.

"Are both trainers ready?"

Once again, they both nodded.

"Begin!"

""Ember!""

Both Pokemon launched small fireballs at each other. Flying through the air, some of the balls of fire collided, causing small explosions, while others shot toward their intended target. Both Pokemon instantly moved from their spots, avoiding the fireballs that didn't collide with each other.

"Cover!" Jace ordered, hoping Growlithe would understand.

Growlithe nodded and instantly charged Ember again. Flames leaked out of his mouth as he charged it. Letting the energy loose, small fireballs shot from his mouth like bullets.

"Watch out!" Hilda ordered.

It wasn't necessary, as the embers flew halfway and exploded on the ground between the two Pokemon. Once again dust and smoke filled the field, obscuring both Pokemon's views.

Not even a second passed as three embers flew through the smoke, gunning straight for Tepig.

"Counter," Hilda said.

Tepig shot three of his own embers from his nostrils, the embers exploding against Growlithe's.

Then Growlithe shot through the smoke, and Bite once again charged.

"That won't work twice! Tacke!" Hilda smirked.

Tepig jumped forward to meet Growlithe, but Growlithe came to a dead stop. The darkness in his mouth was instantly illuminated by a bright orange energy. Growlithe shot two point-blank embers simultaneously, catching Tepig off-guard.

Tepig tried to dodge, but he was too slow for the point-blank Ember. Two explosions could be heard as the embers exploded against his face.

"Now!"

Growlithe's mouth once again darkened, jumping forward he chomped down onto Tepig's side. Tepig grunted as Growlithe's teeth sank into him.

Without an order Growlithe launched another Ember into Tepig's side, causing another more desperate grunt from the fire pig.

"Sucker Punch!"

Tepig's eyes widened as he heard the command. Dark-type energy gathered on his nose as he charged Sucker Punch.

"Hold on!" Jace shouted.

Tepig swung his head to the side, the darkness gathered on his nose following along. Tepig's nose slammed against Growlithe's side. Growlithe gave a small whine but held on.

Surprisingly Growlithe's grip strengthened. Tepig gasped at the change in strength.

"Endure!" Hilda ordered.

Tepig gave a weird growl and tensed his body. Growlithe shook his head, trying to do more damage, but Tepig held on.

Suddenly the temperature around Tepig began to climb. The smoke and dust blew away as the temperature became dangerously high.

Tepig then slammed his head against Growlithe, not once, but three times, making Growlithe lose his grip. Almost instantly white energy gathered around Tepig.

Tepig immediately shoulder-checked Growlithe, making him slide back a few meters.

'Must be Tackle,' Jace thought.

Before Growlithe could react, Tepig slammed head-first into him, darkness once again converged onto his nose.

Growlithe flew even further back. While Growlithe was still in the air, Tepig managed to launch a singular fireball toward him.

Though the fireball was much bigger and brighter than the previous ones. Slamming against Growlithe a big explosion appeared. Growlithe howled in pain and finally landed on his side back in front of Jace.

'Tepig's ability must be Flash Fire,' Jace deduced. 'So that means he is almost down for the count, though Growlithe isn't fairing much better after those consecutive hits.'

Jace looked at Growlithe as he slowly stood up. Although he wasn't showing it, he was very tired and hurt.

"Use Morning Sun," Jace ordered.

But Growlithe growled and shook his head. Before Jace could say anything though, the temperature around Growlithe rose.

The rocky fur almost immediately turned flaming orange. Growling, Growlithe tensed his legs, ready to launch himself forward.

"Flame Charge!" Hilda ordered, not wanting to find out what was going to happen.

Tepig instantly became barely visible in his coat of bright flames. The ground around him turned black at the insane heat.

Tepig then launched forward, looking like a small bright orange comet, an orange trail of fire left in his wake.

Growlithe instead of backing down, pulled his lips back and showed his teeth. His rocky fur changed from a flaming orange to an almost white color.

Growlithe then leaped forward, but instead of keeping his body straight, he curled into a ball as best as he could. However, the awkward position was instantly replaced by a bright flaming disk.

'Flame Wheel!' Jace excitedly looked at Growlith.

As the flaming disk landed it launched forward, carving a black groove in its wake.

The crowd watched with bated breaths as the two small stars shot toward each other.

In under a second, the two fire demons met each other, their fire-type energies clashing only for a second. After that second, unimaginable heat washed over Jace's face.

BOOM*

Light was the only thing visible to the people watching the fight. As the light subsided, smoke covered the battlefield.

Briefly taking his eyes away from the smoke, Jace looked at the edges of the field. A barrier shimmered for a second and then disappeared.

Looking back toward the smoke two figures could be seen. When the smoke entirely disappeared the crowd gasped. Both Pokemon were still standing.

But that surprise was short-lived as both Pokemon fell over. Both Pokemon lay sprawled on the ground.

"Uhm. Both Tepig and Growlithe are unable to battle! This round is a draw!" the ref announced after coming back from his shock.

Recalling Growlithe, Jace couldn't help but give a big smile. "You were amazing. I'm very proud of you," Jace whispered toward his Pokemon's Pokeball.

Hilda did the same and without a word unclipped the last pokeball from her belt.

"Heh. You really are something, huh." Hilda smirked and wiped a thumb over the corner of her mouth. "But, it's been fun! So let's end this with a bang!"

Hilda threw her Pokeball and it opened while in the air. A bright beam shot out and landed on the ground. Seconds later a small swampy green Pokemon materialized on the field.

'An Axew, huh?' Jace recognized the Pokemon. 'Well, I guess it's going to be a dragon vs dragon round then,' Jace concluded as he reached for the last Pokeball on his belt.

He unclipped the Pokeball and threw it. Opening mid-air, a white beam shot in front of Jace and Frigibax appeared. He looked back to Jace and nodded.

There were some sounds from the crowd as Frigibax appeared, but Jace ignored them. He smirked at Frigibax and he smirked back. Finally, Frigibax focused on his opponent.

Frigibax's eyes instantly narrowed and he growled, Axew also doing the same.

"You've got some pretty rare Pokemon," Hilda said, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess I'm just lucky," Jace replied, shrugging.

"This is the last round of the battle! Are both trainers ready?" the ref announced looking at Hilda and Jace.

"Begin!"

"Go! Swipe!" Hilda yelled.

"Icicle Spear!" Jace ordered.

Axew and Frigibax instantly took action. They dashed from their spots as fast as they could and quickly met in the middle.

Axew swung his left claw toward Frigibax's head as they arrived in front of each other. Frigibax quickly guarded his head with his claw.

He braced for an impact, but it never came. Axew stopped his claw mid-flight and shot his right claw into Frigibax's stomach, making him double over.

'Shit, that was false swipe!' Recognition shone in Jace's eyes as he looked at the fight.

"Frigibax! Quickly! Tail!"

Frigibax still hunched over, suddenly tensed as dragon-type energy covered his tail.

"Counter with Aqua Tail!"

Retracting his claw from Frigibax, Axew's body also tensed. A blue vortex of water quickly wrapped around his tail.

It was instant. Both Pokemon swung their tails. A blur of blue and purple quickly met between the two Pokemon.

BANG*

The energy on both their tails vanished and without an order, both Pokemon turned around. The appendages on Frigibax's claws quickly hardened into small ice spears, while Axew's claws quickly vanished in an energy of white.

Axew was the first to move, swinging his claw toward Frigibax's stomach. Frigibax ignored the claw and swiped his own at Axew's head.

Axew, seeing that his False Swipe was ignored, quickly blocked the ice-covered claw with his other claw.

Frigibax grabbed the Axew's unhindered claw, locking Axew in place. A split second later Frigibax jumped forward, tackling Axew.

Both Pokemon tumbled on the ground, but Axew was quick to recover, kicking Frigibax off him.

Frigibax staggered back and Axew quickly stood up, both Pokemon were once again facing each other.

Both glared at each other and then shot forward once more. Quickly claws began flying between the two dragons. Sometimes being used as a shield and other times as a deadly weapon.

As the battle went on, instead of getting slower and sloppier, the two Pokemon became more fierce and precise.

Axew's claw shot forward aiming straight at Frigibax's face, almost becoming a blur. But Frigibax quickly threw his own with the same speed.

The two claws quickly crashed into each other in between the two, making a small bang sound. Frigibax, thinking quickly interlocked his fingers with Axew and threw his other claw at him.

The hit landed leaving a cut on his face, but Axew persevered, he barreled forward smashing into Frigibax, making him release his claw.

The axe dragon quickly spun around and smashed his tail into Frigibax's stomach, making him stumble a few steps back and creating distance between the two.

The crowd watched with silent excitement and bated breaths, fearing that any sound would distract the two ferocious fighters.

"Heh, your Pokemon is one hell of a fighter!" Hilda exclaimed excitedly.

"Thanks, I can say that yours is just as good!" A smile crept its way onto Jace's face, and a feeling of pride and excitement swelled inside his heart.

'Though he won't last long if this keeps up, this is a good fighting experience for him, sadly we will have to end this in our next move, hopefully she takes the bait,' Jace thought.

"Bud, let's end this! Dragon Tail maximum output!"

"Let's return their kindness, Axew, Aqua tail!"

Frigibax's tail quickly disappeared in a massive amount of purple energy, the last of his dragon-type energy was used for this attack.

Axew growled and took a stance, a wild torrent of water suddenly wrapped around his tail.

Almost instantly both Pokemon sprinted towards each other. Skidding to a stop, both Pokemon swung their tails.

A small shockwave blasted from the crashing point of the two tails. Both Pokemon struggled for a bit then retracted their tails.

Axew swung his tail once more, but Frigibax ducked and stood on all fours, small bruises appeared on his back as the tail flew over him. However, he quickly countered and his tail flew toward Axew's chin.

Axew stumbled back, avoiding the worst, but got a deep cut on his chin as the tail flew past.

Seeing an opening, Frigibax narrowed his eyes and shot forward. Frigibax then spun with all his might, and the purple mass of energy quickly flew toward Axew's stomach.

BANG

As the tail landed, Frigibax gave a small roar. Axew folded for a split second and then flew through the air, becoming a blur.

A second later he landed on the ground and skidded across it. Laying in a heap, everyone waited for him to move... but he didn't.

"Axew has fainted. Jace is the winner of the battle!" The ref roared.

The crowd went wild, happy to see such an amazing battle, but Jace ignored them, staring straight at Frigibax.

Frigibax also stared straight at him as well, a small smirk appeared on his face and then he fell to the ground, out like a candle.

Jace smiled and recalled Frigibax. 'You did well, buddy, rest, you deserve it.'

Looking over toward Hilda, he saw her also recalling Axew and whispering something, then she walked over to him.

Stopping in front of him, she raised her hand toward him. "You are something else, huh? I am glad I fought you, that was an amazing battle!" She quickly gave him a toothy smile.

Grasping her hand in a handshake, he also smiled at her. "You were amazing as well, I learned a lot from this battle, thank you."

Hilda opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by gasps from the crowd. Both she and him turned toward the source of the sounds, and a second later their jaws hung on the floor.

Gracefully making her way toward the two was a tall woman dressed in black. Her blonde hair flowed gently behind her as she walked. Beside her was a giant dragon twice as tall as she was. Muscles the size of metal rods bulged under it's scales.

It was Cynthia and her ace Garchomp!