"Wow there are so many people" I say as Togetic lands on my shoulder.
We had finally made our way to the championships, it was being held at the Silver Conference Stadium just to the south of Mount Silver. The whole surrounding area is filled to the brim with different trainers and Pokemon. I can see that they have set up the registration just outside of the Pokecentre. I wander up alongside Togetic who flutter next to me, I join the line as it slowly begins to move towards the front, just as I am about to step up to the desk I hear a shout
"DUSTIN!"
I look to my left and see Oscar sprinting his way towards me, Politoad hops along trying to keep up with the pace Oscar is keeping at
"Hey Oscar" I shout back as he almost slams into me only just stopping himself
"Uh can I take your Rotom Phone" the gentleman behind the desk asks
"Oh yeah sorry" I say passing my phone over
He scans it against his computer and it loads quickly registering me for the tournament. He allocates me with one of the dorms on the outskirts of the facility
"Come on lets get some lunch" Oscar says grabbing my arm and dragging me away
I pulled away at pace. Oscar since I had met him had always done everything at a mile a minute but it feels like now that we've made it to the tournament his excitement has only increased even more. Togetic flutter behind us as I am dragged away while Politoad tries to keep up the best it can. We eventually come upon a food truck.
"Oh this one looks good" Oscar says coming to a halt causing me to bump into him
"Jeez Oscar you nearly pulled my arm off" I say as Politoad starts to bark angrily at its trainers
"Oh sorry buddy I forgot you were tired, how about some fires to cheer you up"
"Toad! Toad!" it roars clapping its hands together
I take up a seat at one of the benches while Oscar gets us a feast. He comes back placing down a tray filled to the brim with different burger, hot dogs and fries
"How are you paying for this all?" I question
"What do you mean its all free! The league are providing all the food free of charge"
"Oh right I didn't know that" I say grabbing a tray of fries and place them down for Togetic to eat
"So who is your first opponent?" Oscar question as he two bites a burger as Politoad shovels fries into it mouth
"Uh I haven't check let me look" I say pulling my phone up
My phone displays my opponent data, it a trainer from Violet City called Grace, she solely uses Psychic Pokemon or Pokemon with strong psychic moves
"Oh I heard of her, I think I battled her back in Azalea town"
"Oh did you win?" I question
"Of course! What time your battle?"
"Uh 3pm"
"Dang it! Mines 2:15, I wanted to be able to watch you! Ah well I will just have to win my battle extra quick"
"Just focus up on winning Oscar, remember we gotta both make it to the final"
"Thats true, oh yeah check this out" He says holding up his phone
It shows his Junior World Championship ranking, he was now up to 66th in the rankings
"Wow! Congratulations doesn't that mean you are in no matter what?" I questions
"Yep! Now we just gotta make sure you make it too"
"Well we will do everything we can"
We spend the rest of the evening chatting away before retiring back to our dorms for the night. I sleep pretty soundly but in the morning I wake a with a stomach full of nerves and a stress headache. Their only just quenched when Grandma calls me, she hasn't been able to get the time of work to come and watch but she promised she would keep an ear out on the official radio commentary. The time goes quickly and I make my way to the stadium entering through the participants entrance. While not filled there is a healthy amount of people in the crowd to watch consisting of other competitor scouting out the competition and local who are here to see some good competition. I walk out onto the field and spot Grace my opponent is already here. She had deep almost whhite blonde hair flowing back down her back, she looks out towards me steely eyed
"Uh hi, uh good luck" I stammer nervously
She doesn't respond only looking towards the referee who calls out the rules for the match, in the first round it would be a two on two battle with no substitutions. He declares the match to start
As the battle begins, Grace, stares across at me eye filled with determination. The arena crackles with anticipation. I look around and Oscar who is sat about three rows back from the front, Oscar must have made it through his first round battle with relative ease if he had been able to make it here in time for my battle. She throws out her ball from which Xatu appears. Grace's Xatu emerges gracefully from its Poké Ball, its mystical aura swirling around it. I send out Sudowoodo who slam down hard on the sandy floor, its rocky exterior glistening in the sunlight.
"Let's do this, Xatu! Begin with Air Slash!" Grace commands, her voice echoing with confidence.
Xatu flaps its wings, conjuring razor-sharp gusts of wind to hurl at Sudowoodo.
"Dodge it and counter with Rock Slide, Sudowoodo!"
Sudowoodo swiftly sidesteps the incoming Air Slashes, then stomps the ground with determination, causing a cascade of boulders to rain down upon Xatu. They continue to pummel Xatu
Grace narrows her eyes, undeterred.
"Xatu, use Psychic to redirect those rocks back at Sudowoodo!" she orders.
With a focused gaze, Xatu employs its psychic powers to manipulate the falling rocks, sending them hurtling back towards Sudowoodo with incredible force.
"Trailblaze, Sudowoodo! Break through those rocks and charge at Xatu!"
Sudowoodo channels its inner strength, leaving a flowery trail beneath its feet as it charges through the barrage of rocks, closing the distance between itself and Xatu with astonishing speed.
"Confuse Ray, Xatu! Disorient Sudowoodo!"
Xatu eyes glow with an otherworldly light as it releases a swirling array of colourful rays, enveloping Sudowoodo in confusion.
I grit my teeth, confusion is always a bad thing to be inflicted with especially with a physical attack focused Pokemon I think as Sudowoodo sways back and forth
"Stay focused, Sudowoodo! Use Stone Edge and aim for Xatu!"
Despite the confusion, Sudowoodo summons its concentration, launching razor-sharp stones at Xatu with pinpoint accuracy.
Grace's eyes widen as she realizes the danger.
"Quick, Xatu! Activate Reflect to shield yourself!" she commands.
With a swift motion, Xatu creates a shimmering barrier of psychic energy, deflecting Sudowoodo's Stone Edges and slightly protecting itself from harm. Some of the stones fly through cutting and slicing Xatu
"Now is our chance, Sudowoodo! Finish this with Low Kick!"
Snapping from its confusion, Sudowoodo delivers a swift and powerful kick, aiming squarely at Xatu vulnerable point. With a resounding thud, Xatu is knocked back, its defences crumbling under the force of Sudowoodo's attack. Grace watches in dismay as her Pokémon struggles to rise.
"Well done, Sudowoodo! You earned this win!" I exclaims
As the dust settles, the crowd erupts into cheers, applauding the valiant efforts of Xatu as it is returned to its ball.
"Sudowoodo come back for now take a rest" I say returning and sending out my next ball
"Gatr!" Roars Feraligatr as it emerges on to the field its towering figure casting a daunting shadow over the arena.
Grace responds by summoning her elegant Girafarig, its dual heads surveying the field with a calm intensity.
"Let's show them what we're made of, Feraligatr! Start with Waterfall!" I command
Feraligatr roars ferociously as it unleashes a powerful cascade of water, surging towards Girafarig with unstoppable force, but Grace remains unfazed.
"Dodge it, Girafarig, and retaliate with Thunderbolt!" she counters swiftly.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Girafarig evades the oncoming torrent of water, then channels electricity through its body, releasing a crackling Thunderbolt aimed directly at Feraligatr.
"Nice move, but let's see how you handle this! Feraligatr, use Ice Punch!" I commands feeling confidence rush over me
With a mighty swing of its icy fist, Feraligatr charges towards Girafarig, aiming to deliver a chilling blow. Grace narrows her eyes, analysing the situation.
"Psychic, Girafarig! Stop Feraligatr in its tracks!" she orders.
Girafarig concentrates its psychic energy, creating a powerful barrier to halt Feraligatr advance, leaving it momentarily stunned.
"Now is our chance! Superpower, Feraligatr!"
Feraligatr surges with newfound strength, launching itself at Girafarig with incredible speed, its muscles bulging with power as it delivers a devastating blow.
Grace grits her teeth, her determination unwavering.
"Hang in there, Girafarig! Fight back with Grass Knot!" she urges.
Girafarig summons energy from the earth itself, weaving a tangle of thick grass beneath Feraligatr feet, causing it to stumble and lose its balance.
"Finish this, Feraligatr! Dragon Claw!" I command. Feraligatr claws glow with draconic energy as it slashes through the air, aiming to strike Girafarig with unparalleled precision.
"Shadow Ball, Girafarig! Let's give it everything we've got!" she exclaims.
Girafarig summons a swirling orb of dark energy, launching it towards Feraligatr with all its remaining strength. In a climactic clash, the two attacks collide, filling the arena with a dazzling display of light and power. When the dust finally settles, it is Feraligatr who emerges victorious, standing tall amidst the echoes of battle, its determination unwavering.
With a nod of respect, Grace recalls her Girafarig, as the crowd erupts into cheers, I feel a sense of joy overwhelm me and I rush out to jump onto Feraligatr back
"You did it! You did it!" I shout as Feraligatr calls out happily in response
