"Grandma are you sure about that shirt? It a little OTT" I say blushing with embarrassment.

In front of me is Grandma, she adorns a shirt with my face on it badly photo shopped and cropped, it look like an action shot from my battle against Francis so I would assume it has been cobbled together at late notice, she also has a banner and a series of paper clackers

"What do you mean, I had them specially made"

"Okay, but are you going to be able to hold that banner on your own?"

"Ah that is where you are mistaken, I have a special guest"

She points behind me to Louise who is looking around I assume for us, she also has adorned a shirt with my face on

"Over here" Grandma shouts waving her arm madly in the air before Louise finally catches our attention

She rushes over gleefully with a skip and immediately pulls me into a hug

"Good to see you" I stammer reciprocating the hug

"How are you?" She questions as I am released

"I'm good" I say as I look her up and down

"You like it? I love it I might wear it at my next context grand prix meet"

I feel a sense of red shyness rush over me, I can feel the heat radiating from my cheeks

"Calm down" Shes laughs

"I won't but you know I'm here to support"

"Well uh thank you, uh congratulations by the way, I saw that you won 4 ribbon in your last 6, you made it to the finals"

She lights up with a trademark wide smile

"Yeah, thank you for pushing me back onto the right course, the last two shows are next month and then the finals are the month after so I've got some nice time to prepare, the competition in Kanto you and Grandma should come watch I'd love that"

"Of course we will!" I respond slightly simmering down, I turn to look to Grandma who is now trying to hand out Dustin branded clackers to random spectators

"Can you keep an eye on her please"

She laughs and agrees, I stand and chat for a bit longer before it gets close to 30 mins before my match with Oscar

"You best get going love, now remember no matter what happens, we are all so proud of you" Grandma says before kissing me on the forehead

"Thanks Grandma, we will do our best, catch you after"

I head into the stadium, me and Oscar had spoken last night and decided that seeing as we were facing off against each other we shouldn't speak until our battle was over. I head up into the locker room and take a seat, with Ryan being able to the battle Grandma and Louise would be my only support for today. It was tough, this is the first time I had faced not only a rival in a competition but also a friend. There a feeling of not wanting to see Oscar upset battling with my want to win inside of me. I shake my head to get rid of the nerves

"Keep focus, we've worked hard to get here. Gotta give it our all" I say to myself

"Your up now young man" Says a steward who poke his head through the door

I nod and jump up trying to psych myself up before walking confidently down the tunnel I stride to my box as the announcer continues to hype the crowd up for mine and Oscars battle, I look up for the first time to see Oscar who looks equally as nervous. I smile up at him and he weakly smiles back, I feel a sense of nerves rush over me and my body seems to go into autopilot as I rush over the field to Oscar. I grab his hand which shocks him a little.

"No matter what, we battle full throttle okay?"

He weak smile turns into a large one now

"You got it"

I smile and then rush back over to my side, I can hear faint claps from the crowd

"Will the trainer please select there first Pokemon"

"Umbreon"

"Togetic"

We both throw out our balls, they actually collide together before sending out out respective Pokemon. Togetic in trademark fashion flutters around calling our happily while Oscar Umbreon touches down on the ground deftly getting into a battle position immediately

"Battle begin!"

"Togetic use Dazzling Gleam"

Togetic summons a cloud of pink shard and sends them firing toward Umbreon

"Dodge it"

Umbreon springs up and manages to push itself out of the way

"Now Iron Tail!"

It flips forward attempting to slam its glowing white tail into Togetic who manages to just dodge the attack

"Air Slash!"

Togetic spins in places sending out a flurry of slashes the hit Umbreon in the back causing it to wince

"Umbreon, Dark Pulse!"

Umbreon turns and fires off a huge stream of dark energy hitting Togetic squarely causing it to fall from the sky slightly

"Togetic, Dazzling Gleam again!"

"Umbreon charge through it!"

It composes itself sending off a flurry of the pink shards once more, it cuts away at Umbreon who charges forwards

"Iron Tail"

Umbreon springs up and hit Togetic directly in the midriff sending it flying to the gorund, it skid before coming to a hault, it flops down unable to continue. I pull my ball from my belt and return it

"Don't worry, the rest have got this" I say before pulling my next Pokemon and throwing it out

"Sudo!"

Sudowoodo slams down hard on the ground

"Okay Umbreon keep it up, Iron Tail"

Umbreon charges again towards Sudowoodo

"Take it Sudo!"

Sudowoodo grits its teeth readying itself to absorb the hit, Umbreon jumps forward and slams it tail into Sudowoodo who stands strong

"Now Counter!"

Sudowoodo arms both glow with a yellow colour as it slams both of them down on Umbreon back, it kicks up a dust cloud which when it dissipates show Sudowoodo stood over Umbreon who is unable to go on.

"Great work Sudo!" I shout

"Sudo!" It shouts back as Oscar returns Umbreon

"Hitmontop go!"

Hitmontop touches dodge bop and weaving from foot to foot excitedly

"Keep on your toes Sudowoodo"

It nods watching Hitmontop every move

"You know Hitmontop was one of the Pokemon I brought from Kitakami with me" Oscar shouts

"Really?"

"Yep, him and Poliwag. Grandpa gave me Poliwag when I was six and we met Hitmontop as a Tyrogue on Oni Mountain, it used to train with us everyday, when I came to Johto I asked it to come along"

"Well we won't take you lightly then!" I shout back

"Hitmontop Triple Kick!"

"Rock Slide!"

Hitmontop leaps forward to attack but is stopped by a huge cascade of rocks which Sudowoodo summons

"Trailblaze Sudowoodo!"

Sudowoodo then bursts forward glowing bright green slamming Hitmontop sending it flying backward as Sudowoodo leaves a trail of greenery behind it

"Use Drill Run!"

Hitmontop spins on the spot before flinging it whole self into Sudowoodo who is hit square in the body who stumbles back

"Counter!"

It arms glows yellow again and slams Hitmontop who seems to bear the hit

"Triple Kick!"

Hitmontop spins and hit Sudowoodo three times before Sudowoodo falls to it back unable to continue, I quickly return it

"Thanks for all your hard work"

"Lapras go!"

Lapras touches down, the field will be a little challenging for it as there no water so movement will be an issue

"Lapras use Ice Beam!"

Lapras sends off a huge stream of ice cold blue energy which Hitmontop jumps away from

"Hitmontop, Hi Jump Kick!"

Hitmontop springs forward legs glowing white hitting Lapras head on who flails in pain

"Hydro Pump!"

Lapras focus and sends a huge stream of water directly into Hitmontop who is flung backwards, it land and winces before pulling itself back up

"Drill Run!"

Hitmontop spins again before springing forward slamming into Lapras who recoils again

"Ice Beam!"

Lapras tries to summon Ice Beam but is unable to do so

"Triple Kick"

Hitmontop continues to spin slamming each foot into Lapras before springing backwards, as he does Lapras succumbs and falls to the ground unable to go on

"No" I mumble to myself

I look on and spy Louise and Grandma looking on a little trepidatiously. I return Lapras and send out my next Pokemon

"Mega!"

Meganium touches down roaring

"Hitmontop you okay to go on?"

It nods bouncing from foot to foot, Oscar ponders before pulling a ball from his belt

"Take a break, go Houndoom"

Houndoom emerges growling with fire almost bubbling around its mouth

"Meganium use Earthquake"

Meganium slams it two fore legs into the ground causing it to shake while the ground tears up and hit Houndoom

"Houndoom, jump and use Flamethrower!"

It leaps into the air and sends off a huge stream of fire that engulfs and ignites Meganium

"Meganium, grab it with your vines!"

Meganium winces but send it vine forth and grabs Houndoom around the midrift

"Body Slam!"

It whips Hound doom under it before leaping up and crushing down on Houndoom

"Fire Blast!"

As Meganium descends Houndoom sends a huge star of fire into Meganium underbelly which total engulfs it, Body Slam connects slamming Houndoom as a dust cloud is kicked up. As it clears it show Houndoom still stood up while Meganium is completely out laid out on the ground

"Meganium!" I shout before rushing out to it

I prop it up as best I can as it calls out weakly

"Don't worry about it, you did your best" I say before returning it

I wander back to my box feeling a sense of dread rush over me

"Feraligatr go!"

Feraligatr jumps out and growls at Houndoom who roars back before being swiftly retreated, Oscar looks on determinedly

"Meganium go!"

Oscars Meganium emerges ruffling its leaves as it does

"Gatr use Ice Punch"

Gatr rushes in arm glowing a bright blue and slams its fist into the neck of Meganium

"Leaf Storm"

Meganium takes the hit before returning fire with a huge cloud of leaves that blast Gatr back who is cut by the leaves, it stumbles but manages to pull itself back to its feet

"Dragon Dance"

Gatr stamps it feet being cloaked in dark blue energy

"Dragon Claw!"

Gatr roars forward and slams Meganium with a huge glow blue claw, it grit and bears the attack

"Frenzy Plant!"

Meganium absorbs the hit before slamming it legs into the ground summoning three huge vines, they slam into Gatr sending it flying backward, it lands and skid across the ground unable to continue

I slump down looking to the floor, A million thought go through my mind, I should have switch Meganium out sooner, I should have started with Sudowoodo. I can feel my mind spinning and I feel myself go slightly weak before being brought back to my senses

"Well Oscar you really did go all out" I shout with a laugh

I look up to the screen and see all but one of my Pokemon greyed out while Oscar show Hitmontop, Meganium, Houndoom and two spare Pokemon

I laugh

"This is going to be one hell of a come back" I shout sending out Typholsion my last Pokemon

Typholsion emerges onto the field and roars out igniting its back flames fully, it growls and snarls at Meganium who stands firmly looking at it, it swiftly returned to its ball

"Sorry Dustin, but I want to win" Oscar says slightly solemnly

"Hey! We said we would go all out!" I shout back as Typholsion roars again

"Okay, well lets go" He says sending out his next ball

Emerges is Politoad, it croaks clapping its hands together happily

"Typholsion, Thunder Punch!"

Typholsion rushes in arms crackling with electricity slamming it directly into Politoad sending it skidding backwards

"Hydro Pump!"

Politoad shakes it head and fire of the water stream to retaliate

"Dodge with Dig!"

Typholsion dives into the ground to dodge the attack

"Hit it with Thunder Punch again!"

Typholsion bursts up through the ground slamming Politoad in the stomach before clocking it in the face with a strong Thunder Punch to follow sending Politoad crashing to the ground. Typholsion roars in the middle of the field back still burning brightly as Politoad pulls itself up to its feet

"Politoad, Perish Song"

Politoad begins to croak and call as it produces a series of notes that surround the two Pokemon, they all then fall to the ground leaving both Pokemon. I feel my heart slump to the bottom of my stomach, while it was unlikely I would be able to come back, that just ends it

"Well Typholsion, if we are going down, lets at least take Politoad with us, Thunder Punch!"

Typholsion roars and races in

"Scald Politoad!"

It pulls back and fires off a huge stream of boiling water, Typhlosion rushes through it taking the attack and hitting Politoad head on with a strong punch

"Keep going, Play Rough"

Typholsion dives on top of Politoad pummelling it with attacks before vaulting backwards. Politoad lies motionless on the ground unable to go on, Typholsion roars out in defiance before the notes still on the floor burst to life and slam it causing huge damage, it growl one last time before falling to its back unconscious. I return Typhlosion to its balls and feel a swelling feeling I disappointment rush over me. I had been trounced, completely and utterly. I take a quick look at the scoreboard to show Oscar still had 4 Pokemon standing including Porygon 2 who hadn't even entered the field. I walk up to the referee and shake his hand before moving toward Oscar who look on again with a weak smile

"I'm sorry Dustin"

"Don't" I croak out

He looks at me a little shocked

"You were great, I really let you dictate the battle. Now go on and win the final" I say with a smile

He hugs me and I hug him back, we release and he heads off down his side of the stadium while I begin to head off the other way. I look up to Louise and Grandma who both look on with concern, I shoot them a big smile and wave trying to reassure them a little. I slowly walk back down the tunnel into the changing room sitting myself on the bench in there. I pull my phone out and tap onto my world ranking to see the number 141st on it. I needed to be in the top 128 to enter and with no more chances to get higher within the qualification period it mean this year would be too soon for me to make it. I place my phone down on the bench and throw my head into my hands before releasing all the emotions. My eyes begin to stream, my face becomes hot and my legs begin to shake slightly

"I'm sorry Mom, I'm sorry Dad I wasn't good enough" I croak into my hands as tear drop to the floor

"Dustin?"

I look up to see a Poke Centre attendant poking her head into the room with a small smile

"Oh uh sorry about that, you need my Pokemon to heal up" I say scrambling for my Pokeballs

"Its okay take you time, can I come in?"

I nod and she takes a seat next to me

"You've come along way Dustin" She says softly

"Sorry?"

"Do you not recognise me?"

I wipe my eyes and try to focus them, the familiar figure of the Pokemon Centre attendant from Pallet town

"You were the one who registered me back in Pallet Town"

She nods happily

"Phew I thought I had aged lots and you didn't recognise me" She says with a laugh

I chuckle at her response finally getting a hold of my Pokeballs handing them off

"Thank you, we will get them looked after, congratulations, I know you lost but, you really have made so much progress since you left for your journey, you should be proud. I'm sure you Mom and Dad will be" She says with a smile before disappearing out through the door

I sit and contemplate for a little while afterwards, Grandma and Louise eventually find there way to me. Grandma rushes in to comfort me which is nice. Her and Louise take me out for a hearty meal in the local city, it nice to catch up with Louise even if Grandma tells lots of embarrassing stories of me. I tell them I am going to stay at the conference to watch the rest of the battles and to support Oscar, there are only five days left with the final being Sunday. The time flow quickly, Oscar sails through his semi final, winning it with three Pokemon to spare. He makes it to the final against a girl called Caitlin, there battle is tough and it come down to Oscars Meganium versus her Dragonair with Meganium coming out on top. Oscar wins the tournament finishing with his world championship position being 14th. I congratulate him and we spend the night eating junk food to celebrate. We part ways the next day with him returning to Kitakami to train with his Grandpa in preparation for the world championship while I head back to home and Grandma. I had exchanged texts messages with Ryan, he commiserates with me giving the best advice he can, a lot of it goes over my head. I speak with Professor Elm and have him take my Pokemon, I think its best for now they train further with my Kanto team, I also sign them up to battle in Tom battle facility so they keep in top condition. After a month of staying home helping Grandma around the house I get a call from Elm asking him to come to the lab as he would like to conclude the research they had been doing into the starters, I agree and he arranges for me to be collected by air taxi the next morning. It prompt in the morning as I set off, the ride is about 2 hours arriving in Johto at 9AM. I walk up to the intercom on the lab and buzz and a robotic voice answers

"Message for Dustin, we are out the back, please journey to the back of the lab"

"Right okay" I say slightly confused before venturing around the side of the lab, I come round to see the familiar face of Professor Elm and Ryan out the back, Ryan hadn't mentioned that he would be appearing but its good to see him. He looks to me with his trademark wide smile

"There my little buddy, good to see you"

"Hi" I stammer slightly nervous to speak to them but also by the presence of the other man who I don't recognise

"Dustin I would like you to meet our acquaintance" Elm says gesturing toward the man

He is quite old, just a little bit shorter than Ryan and Elm, he has pure white hair aswell as a goatee

"Master Dustin, a pleasure to meet you, my name is Clavell, Director of the Naranja academy"