Shit.

I hadn't seen Alyssa since our battle back in Jubilife. From the way she'd handled it back then, I couldn't imagine she'd been terribly happy after seeing the brackets for herself, if she'd even seen them yet. Actually, based on the size of Floaroma it was likely she was staying in this Center as well. I flipped through the rest of the bracket, and found Hayden's name as well.

Hayden Thomas.

He was close to me in the bracket. If I beat Alyssa and another Trainer named Terrence Drake, I would end up facing him. I knew Alyssa had her Jangmo-o and at least two other Pokemon but Hayden's team was a complete mystery to me, in addition to how he battled.

It was hard to ignore now, but I had to gather information. Even if I couldn't prepare a strategy, knowing what kind of team I might be facing would be invaluable. Which meant I had to start actually using the League forums again.

After mom's accident and giving up on my journey initially, I stopped browsing the forums. I never posted or commented, but I was always keeping up with what was happening, the rising stars and dark horses of the year's Circuit. There was always rumors, gossip, shit-talking and theory crafting. It was hard to make myself go back there and try to watch or keep up with a world I could never be a part of. On more than one occasion I had tried of course, but it didn't hold the same appeal.

This was different, I needed the information. I wasn't just a fanboy or spectator now. I found Alyssa's profile and watched her Gym Battle with Roark. On her team, she had a Ducklett and Jangmo-o, with a third I hadn't seen yet. The battle had been in her favor from the start, and even when Jangmo-o had gone down, her Ducklett made quick work of Roark's Carbink. I searched her name and actually found a thread from someone that had battled her. Apparently she was gaining a reputation as being aggressive and unsporting, and the Trainer had lost to her Braixen.

A quick search had led me to some information on Braixen. Fire Type. Second stage of Fennekin, native to Kalos. Developed minor Psychic abilities over the course of its evolution.

I groaned as I put down my fork. There was no way I could use Marshtomp, not unless I could guarantee that Braixen wouldn't show up. And that would only happen if I led with Tyrogue and she led with Ducklett and followed up with Jangmo-o, or vice versa. The battles were one on one, two Pokemon each with one switch. Tyrogue wouldn't be able to handle Braixen, not at a distance and especially not if it already had Psychic moves it could use. If she led with Braixen and I led with Marshtomp, I'd have to immediately swap to Sableye to answer it.

Wait, no. No, I don't. She wouldn't just leave her Braixen out to face down Marshtomp. She'd immediately swap to…

Jangmo-o. As her strongest Pokemon and likely the anchor of her team, he was her fallback option at all times. If her other Pokemon went down, the Dragon could clean up.

Part of this also relied on Marshtomp. I didn't want to go back on my word when I told him I wouldn't force him to face another Fire Type Pokemon. But I could ask him if he was okay with this plan, and I would leave the decision up to him.

Then again, wasn't that going back on my word in a way? What good was a vow if you could bend it whenever it was convenient for you? I'd be a terrible Trainer and friend to Marshtomp if I did something like that. He might never trust me again.

I would have to lead with Tyrogue. I wanted to keep Sableye a secret but he also needed to start battling at some point. If she led with Ducklett, I would swap to Marshtomp. If she led with Braixen, I would swap to Sableye. And if she led with Jangmo-o, I would keep Tyrogue in and swap accordingly if he or Jangmo-o went down.

I spent the next hour after breakfast trying to relax but I couldn't do it. I had to do something.

I texted Helen, asking if she and Karl wanted to hang out or something, but I also expected they might be busy. In a few minutes, she messaged back with a place to meet them at, a frozen yogurt place I'd passed a few times.

"So, got a strategy lined up for tomorrow?" Helen questioned before taking a bite of her dessert.

The shop had a bright color scheme, a lot of pastel pink and green with white thrown in. There were more people than I was used to, but at least it was self service so once we took a table nobody would bother us.

Skeptically, I ate a spoonful of my second bowl. I'd thrown the first one away after trying it, a horrible flavor called black currant. The manager almost made me pay for it but at least it got a laugh out of Karl. Helen just felt bad that she hadn't warned me in time. It was surprisingly good, though it being salted caramel flavor probably meant it was just loaded with sugar anyway.

"I kind of have a plan. The match is tomorrow, not a lot of planning and strategy I can do anyway." I replied. "What about you two?"

Helen shrugged before scooping up a spoonful of sprinkles and gummy candies from her bowl. "I'm kind of in the same boat. My opponent doesn't have any badges, so there's no footage from Gym Battles. His name is Calem Westholm, but he's a total unknown, I don't even know what Pokemon he has. But he'll probably know my team ahead of time which sucks."

"I'm not worried about this round, my opponent has a Shinx and Bidoof and she barely earned a victory against Roark. But next round, I am cooked." Karl said, leaning back and letting out a heavy sigh.

"Next round?" I asked, looking at both of them. There was something I was missing again.

Helen stepped in for him. "His opponent in the next round, if he manages to get there, is Rhiannon Dulahan." She stopped mid-bite when I didn't reply. "You don't know her? She's the favorite to win this tournament, and she'll probably have eight badges before any other first year. She beat Roark with just one Pokemon."

That got my attention. "Wait, she only has one Pokemon?"

"No, she only used one." Helen corrected. "Rhiannon has three actually, a Riolu, " she counted on her fingers one by one. "An Eevee and a Kirlia. I've heard she smiles like a maniac in battle though, creeps a lot of people out."

That was a powerful lineup. Riolu, Kirlia and an Eevee that could evolve to fill in the gaps of whatever team she ended up building. The only member of my team that might stand a chance against hers would be Marshtomp. She had to be a prodigy or something to beat Roark with just a single Pokemon. Even talented first years still needed their full team, and often more than one attempt at it, but she'd bypassed that altogether.

"You have to try though, right? There's probably plenty to be learned from battling a strong opponent." I told him, trying my best to lift his spirits.

"Yeah, but how much can I really get out of being trampled by someone outside of my weight class?" Karl groaned.

He raised a fair point. It was unfortunate that he had to get matched up against her so early in the tournament though. Outside of the tournament, battling against someone as skilled as Rhiannon would be incredibly helpful and a blessing if she were actually willing to help.

"Cheer up, Karl." his sister chimed in. "It's just one tournament and we'll be moving onto Eterna soon anyway. We should enjoy our time in Floaroma before we have to get back on the road."

My first steps outside of the Center the next day saw me bleary-eyed and groggy. I had been asleep ten hours the night before and I still felt like I'd only slept two. As I took in a breath of the verdant air, an overwhelming calm came over me that I couldn't explain. I got to the end of the road and felt wide awake. By the time I reached where the battles were to be held, I felt ready for anything.

We were out in the middle of a meadow which served as the battlefield. On both sides of the field were metal bleachers that had a good few people milling in and out, more than I was expecting. Along the chalk perimeter of the battlefield were pairs of Kadabra and Kirlia. At the far end of the field was Alyssa, sporting a red leather jacket and staring daggers at me. The referee whistled and I zoned back in.

"From Sandgem Town and holding one badge, Alyssa Retria!"

Several people in the crowd cheered but I also heard a few boos thrown in there as well. It didn't matter to Alyssa, who had her glare focused on me.

"And from Jubilife City and also holding one badge, Titus Claren!"

I heard a few people clap, which I tried to shut out but it felt more embarrassing than anything by comparison.

"This will be a two-on-two battle with one switch and a twenty minute time limit! Begin on my signal!"

Who would she send out? Braixen, Ducklett or Jangmo-o?

The whistle sounded, and I released Tyrogue onto the field. The Fighting Type materialized, stretching and readying himself. On the opposite side, Alyssa's Jangmo-o reared its head and roared. Neither he nor his Trainer had forgotten Tyrogue.

"Fake Out!"

"Momo, Dragon Tail!"

Tyrogue became a pink blur that shot across the field, creating a wake in the grass as he closed the distance and slapped the Dragon Type with both hands, disorienting it.

But not for long. Fake Out let Tyrogue get the first move but it was less effective if the enemy knew it was coming or could shrug it off. Jangmo-o blinked twice before spinning around and violently whipping Tyrogue with a glowing tail, sending him flying away and tumbling across the grass.

"Dragonbreath, keep on him!"

Shit. I couldn't let him get knocked away like that again, Tyrogue had to stay close or this would be over quick.

"Dive away and Mach Punch!"

The Dragon Type roared and the field was soon bathed in blue flames before the sound of a whip cracking echoed across the field, and Tyrogue reappeared next to Jangmo-o, his fist making solid contact with the Dragon's jaw before it grabbed both of the Fighting Type's arms. Tyrogue struggled and pulled but he couldn't get away. Not good.

"Get out of there, Mud Slap!"

"Another Dragonbreath Momo!"

Tyrogue was held in place as Jangmo-o screamed, engulfing him in blue draconic fire before he released him and stepped back, keeping a continuous Dragonbreath trained on him. The Fighting Type fell to his knees, then to his hands as he screamed out in agony before a white light erupted from his body. It broke through the blue fire, and in another few seconds the flames were being repulsed. Alyssa's voice rang out across the field.

"Momo, stop!"

Jangmo-o's jaw snapped shut, the flames dying but still leaving the battlefield a scorched mess. The white light faded, and a short brown creature balancing on its cone-like head was what remained. He had beady black eyes and a serious expression, and a small blue body with horned feet. It flipped over in a single smooth motion, showing off a tail that was identical to its feet.

Tyrogue had evolved into Hitmontop!

I pulled out my Pokedex to scan him.

Hitmontop, the Handstand Pokemon

Type: Fighting

Evolutions: None

Hitmontop's dance-like kicks lend it a potent mix of offense and defense. It is capable of spinning at high speeds and is faster doing so than it is on foot.

Ability: Technician (click for more information)

Learned Moves: Tackle, Double Kick, Fake Out, Dizzy Punch, Mach Punch, Swift, Mimic, Helping Hand, Focus Energy, Foresight, Rapid Spin (new!), Triple Kick (new!)

My starter was covered in burns from the relentless Dragonbreaths it had suffered, and he was likely on his last legs. His breathing was ragged but he was smiling like crazy. He was loving this.

"Rapid Spin, then Mach Punch!"

"Dragonbreath, take it down!"

Hitmontop flipped and spun on his head, becoming a blue vortex that kicked up air and dirt around him before he tore across the field. Jangmo-o opened his maw and unleashed another blast of draconic fire, burning everything as he tried to land another hit but Hitmontop was speeding up. He was a blur, ripping the field apart as he shot towards Jangmo-o. In a few seconds, Jangmo-o had lost track of his opponent before Hitmontop closed the gap in an instant with Mach Punch, slamming into the Dragon and causing him to cry out in pain.

"Now Triple Kick!"

"Momo, you dummy, get out of there! Headbutt it away!"

Hitmontop flipped and twirled, slamming into the Dragon with a devastating barrage of kicks. Jangmo-o screamed in pain as his head and body were assaulted with kick after kick, but not before lashing out with a Bite attack, latching onto Hitmontop's tail. The Fighting Type winced in pain but he didn't flinch. The two were stopped like that for a moment, unable to break away from one another.

"Dragonbreath!"

"Rapid Spin, shake it off!"

Blue fire gathered in Jangmo-o's maw as Hitmontop spun in place, throwing the Dragon around like a spinning top. Jangmo-o unleashed a weaker Dragonbreath that burned Hitmontop's side while the rest washed harmlessly against the nearby barrier. In a few seconds, the flames petered out as the Dragon couldn't sustain the attack, but he was still holding on with everything he had.

"Twist and slam it into the ground!"

With all of the strength he could gather, the Fighting Type threw himself airborne by deliberately going off balance. Hitmontop used his final rotation to send Jangmo-o crashing into the ground and creating a small dent in the earth. My starter landed with almost as much grace, hitting the ground before shakily rising to his knees.

After a few seconds, the referee stepped in.

"Jangmo-o is unable to battle! Send out your last Poke-"

"I know, just shut up!" Alyssa barked at the official.

There was murmuring in the crowd. She probably could have handled that better. It was one thing to be angry at an opponent, but the referee was just doing his job. Alyssa recalled Jangmo-o before releasing her last Pokemon. A vulpine creature standing on two legs with yellow and white fur materialized. It had great tufts of red fur jutting from its ears and another splotch of red adorning the tip of its bushy yellow tail. In its hands, it held a stick. Braixen.

Hitmontop fell to the ground before the first commands could be thrown out. I quickly recalled him as the referee ordered me to send out my last team member. It would have to be Sableye.

I released the Ghost Type onto the field, who cackled with glee and stared down Braixen with a grin full of wicked teeth. The Fire Type glared at him like a bug that needed to be squashed. Meanwhile, the crowd was staring at me and I could hear them whispering, talking about me. Some of them were giving me panicked and worried looks.

"Ember!"

Dozens of tiny flames materialized in the air as Braixen raised her wand. Then, as she swung the stick pointing towards Sableye, they shot towards him, peppering him with motes of fire. He screeched and sunk into the ground and shot off towards her.

"Aim for the ground!"

"Night Shade!"

Tiny projectiles of fire tore into the grass and ground before Sableye lept forth, his clone tagging along for the fun now. Braixen took a few steps back as she tried to determine the fake between them.

"Flame Charge them both!"

Or that. She could do that.

"Zen Headbutt!"

Sableye and his Night Shade began charging the Psychic move while dozens of tiny flames crackled and snapped around her, like she was rapid firing her Ember attack and stopping it before it could travel. The air around her shimmered and warped, and without warning she burst into flames. The Fire Type dashed and in an instant she had closed the gap, slamming into the clone as it burst from the impact before turning to the real Sableye, who had fully charged his attack. They ran at each other before crashing and colliding, the impact from Zen Headbutt and Flame Charge creating a burst of flames that sent them both flying back.

"Ember, again!"

Faster than before, tiny motes of fire crackled into existence around the Fire Type before shooting towards Sableye. Fireballs broke against his body before the Ghost Type cried out in pain and dove into the ground once more.

"Get close and Astonish!"

"Flame Charge, again!"

Braixen went up in flames, ready to strike in an instant as Sableye burst forth from the ground again. He screamed, a haunting and echoing wail that cut across the scorched battlefield and stunned the Fire Type. The flames surrounding her died as the wand in her hand nearly slipped from her grasp.

"I swear to Arceus I'll release you Braixen, get it together now!"

"Punishment!"

Punishment was a move that grew stronger when the opponent used moves that strengthened them. After a third Flame Charge, it would pack plenty of punch. Sableye's gem eyes began to glow and a dark tinge overtook his hands as he grinned before pummeling Braixen with the Dark Type move. After two hits, she fell to the ground, and after a few seconds the referee whistled, signaling the end of the battle.

The crowd clapped and cheered, and I realized the applause was me and my team.

We did it. We won.

Sableye whipped his head around at me before falling back on his butt and hanging his head.

"Braixen is unable to battle! The winner is Titus Claren from Jubilife City!"

Red-faced, Alyssa recalled Braixen as she stared at me with even more contempt now, which I didn't think was possible but here we were. I really hoped she wasn't serious about what she'd said about the Fire Type. Releasing her just for losing one battle would be incredibly cruel. I recalled Sableye before walking away from the battlefield, but before I could make my way to the Center, Alyssa stomped her way into my path.

"Are you stalking me? What is your problem?!" she huffed in an exasperated tone. She was breathing heavily and fuming.

"My problem?! What about you?!" I snapped, causing her to take a step back. I guess she hadn't been expecting to meet any resistance, but I was fed up with her attitude and the way she treated her team. I was putting a stop to this. "Insulting your Pokemon and threatening to release them if they lose? You're sick in the head, you don't deserve the love and trust your team has for you."

"Don't lecture me on how to raise my Pokemon, just stay the fuck away from me!" she screamed. Her voice carried far, and the sound caught the attention of people passing by. Spectators exiting the field also noticed and began walking towards the commotion before Alyssa stormed off. I began walking away towards the Center, trying not to let our encounter ruin our victory. Sableye had done incredibly well for his first battle, and Tyrogue had evolved!