“Let’s switch now!” Lilith called out.

It was time for Roselia to take the field.

“Ah, Right. Almost forgot.” Wendell blushed slightly.

He had gotten entirely enveloped in the battle.

“You need to remember to focus on all members of your team!” She scolded him.

The battles with Roselia played out much differently. She focused much more on her transition of status moves. Leech Seed and Mega Drain kept her health topped off while she could slowly whittle away the opponents. Stun Spore helped with her mobility and setup, as there wasn’t a Pokemon that they came across that didn’t fall to her slow strategy.

“Aww, what’s wrong? You were doing super well!” Wendell encouraged her.

Roselia had returned to them, not wanting to battle any more. He was starting to appreciate the way she battled, considering his newfound opportunity. The sudden desire to not battle was a little shocking for him.

“Her Power Points are low, if not already completely drained.” Lilith inspected the Pokemon, sharing her guess.

It was the one flaw in her strategy. With the approach towards endurance, if the opponent could last until a certain point, it would be all over. Roselia used upwards of five moves in a battle to bring down her foes while someone like Pignite could finish it off in two. The differences in their Power Point usage was stark.

“It's time, we should head back.” She said.

Lilith glanced around as Wendell pouted slightly. It was becoming increasingly late and another reason to call it quits.

Their journey back was uneventful, only taking about an hour to get back to town.

No one challenged them as Lilith returned to the Pokemon Center content. She registered for a room, lucky to receive one of the last. It made the perfect place to stop and rest considering the tournament that was about to start. Food wasn’t provided, but a roof over her head was welcomed. With only a set number of spaces available they filled up fast and couldn't be reserved for the following day.

Lilith kicked her feet up and tried to rest. Normally she would be just waking up, but instead was doing the opposite. She took the opportunity to go over the day's events.

Wendell was a little rough around the edges but had potential. His training went incredibly well, and she expected his power to grow even further in time for the selections. She didn’t like his naivete, but wasn’t terrible to be around. Pignite was as strong as he was going to get, as he would need more than one day to increase his power enough to make a difference. Roselia on the other hand had much still to grow. The next morning would be entirely devoted to her.

Thoughts of training filled her head until sleep overtook her.

***

“Alright everyone! Listen up!” Duncan shouted.

All the kids from Aspertia gathered around him as he projected his voice outward. They stood in an unoccupied field that was out of crop rotation. Tomorrow would be their annual face off with their rivals from Virbank so it was time to pick their contenders.

Lilith stood in the back out of view from most others. Wendell’s training that morning had gone well, having a couple aces up his sleeve that he hadn’t before. Everyone listened with rapt attention while Duncan explained the format.

Each school picked 9 representatives to face off. Everyone would only battle once, causing some raised eyebrows. There stood no bracket to climb as the school with more wins in the end would be that year's victor. Each matchup would be chosen at random so they needed the best of the best.

“We need 9 Trainers to participate!” He explained.

Many kids from class were in attendance, noticing some familiar Pokemon. It was a closed event and anyone not affiliated with the school was unwelcome.

“If you want a chance then raise your hand!” Duncan shouted.

Many raised their hands and the motion brought attention to the forms of Sam and Levy. They stood near their group of four as they too were ready to battle. She hadn’t had time to say hello considering the previous day’s hectic schedule.

‘There’ll be time later.’ She thought.

Many hands shot up at his request. Everyone expected an overflow of volunteers because of how popular the format was.

“Lets make some room! People with their first badge to the right, and none to the left! Sorry people but they have priority!” Duncan said.

Lilith watched as everyone shuffled around. The spectators all huddled together as about 30 different people grouped up into the first badge group across from them. The people with no successful gym challenges stood off to the side. Only 5 people gathered together, Wendell being one of them.

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Despite being so outnumbered, he still looked confident. Pignite drew many people's eyes. His evolution was an indication of the power he held. A Pokemon like him could easily solo the Gym signaling a new challenger who might be a threat to their position. Most others relied on numbers to beat out the gym, so it was odd to see him without a badge. The gym winners all scrutinized him, thinking up a counter for Pignite

“We have 5 people without a badge that will challenge one of the people on the right! They pick a person, and the battle will be the same format as tomorrow's challenge.”

Each battle would be a 3v3 with no substitutions. Each trainer would indicate the first, second and third Pokemon in order of which they would appear on the field. When one Pokemon was knocked out, the next one in line would take its place. Despite that, a Trainer didn’t need 3 Pokemon, just the power to back up their claim.

People like Levy only had one Pokemon, but were much stronger than the average Trainer.

One by one the Trainers without a badge challenged a person with one. Many different Pokemon were put on display. Cottonee and Staryu clashed alongside Skorupi and Cleffa. The battles were fierce and the crowd cheered with excitement.

Despite the challenger’s confidence, only one young woman had beaten her opponent. She had the numbers advantage, swarming three Pokemon to their two.

The final trainer yet to challenge anyone was Wendell. He stood alone scrutinizing the options he held. The matchup could decide the battle, and he had done no recon on the opposing teams. It was generally frowned upon going into a battle they had ample prep time for. It would defeat the premise in which the next day's battle would be fought.

“I chose him!” Wendell declared.

Pignite stood across from Growlithe as Landon scowled at him.

‘What’s some two bit loser got the right to challenge me?!’ He fumed.

Landon looked down on all the people who had failed their first gym battle, and having one of them challenge him like equals was the ultimate humiliation for someone like him. Wendell paid no mind to his emotions that lay bare on his opponent's face, instead focusing on battle before him. One of the kids acted as referee and called the match as Pignite and Growlithe took to the field.

“Let's start it slow like we practiced!” Wendell cheered.

Pignite scrunched down as Defense Curl activated. They knew it would be a drawn out battle so the first move would have to be a setup move. Lilith had drilled the strategy into his brain so much that it had finally stuck.

Growlithe pointed his nose towards the sky and let out a Howl. His attack increase counteracted his opponent's defensive increase. Both Pokemon were evenly matched, being in the upper first star.

“One more time!” Wendell shouted.

The same exchange happened once more. Both Trainers knew this first clash would decide the overall match so they were careful in the approach. The battle came to a standstill once more. Both moved fast to try and take the advantage.

“NITE!”

Pignite made the first move as fire engulfed his body and charged forward. Growlithe saw this and tried to create distance while Ember kept Pignite at bay. His overall speed was much greater than the large pig at first but slowed in comparison to his increased momentum. Flame charge’s secondary effect took place as the first Ember missed. Enough time to close the distance allowed for a second chance to strike true. Once right on top of eachother Pignite had his chance. The two connected as they were pushed back from the clash, the damage relatively equal.

Both still had lots of energy as Growlithe spun around and activated his Flame Wheel in return. He somersaulted as his only physical fire-based attack struck home. Wendell didn’t know it, but Pignite’s new Fighting type forced Growlithe to not use his only other strong physical attack, Bite.

Pignite was filled with fighting spirit as his Partner cheered him on. Neither attack did much damage, but with him coming out of each attack the winner, it was only a matter of time until he would grasp victory.

One strike led to another as Pignite drove forward. His final attack connected as he stood over Growlithe. In a fit of arrogance, he motioned for the next challenger. Landon grew bright red at the Pokemon’s provocation, knowing the battle couldn’t possibly be won as Sewaddle took to the field.

His initial plan was for Growlithe to win and Sewaddle to clean anything up after. Now, the type matchup was just too disadvantageous as the opening move slowed down Pignite. The small Grass and Bug type stood no chance as his body burned up. The String Shot held strong, but his charge was unimpeded. The small bug was only able to send out one move as Pignite took the chance to finish off his foe. The fire energy was just too much as it burned away leaving Sewaddle unconscious.

Landon recalled his defeated Pokemon with a grimace. He was down to his final Pokemon.

Timburr took to the field as Landon's final chance. The final act by Sewaddle set him with a small advantage. The last move had lowered his speed enough for Timburr to get a move off first, giving him a chance. The ground shifted as a small boulder appeared in the dirt. The Pokemon grabbed the stone and spun, flinging the projectile at his opponent.

Despite the increase in defense, Pignite was finally stopped. The rock smashed into his body as his latest challenges tired him out too much.

Wendell recalled his partner before sending out his second and final Pokemon. Roselia took to the field and was ready to fight and Stun Spore filled the air as he charged forward her. Timburr wouldn’t be able to rely on Rock Throw like last time because of the resistance she held. That only left special moves, as rock throw was a rare physical ranged attack.

The trap had been sprung as he froze in place. His body refused to move as Paralysis took effect. Roselia took the chance to Seed her opponent, now it was only a matter of time until Timburr was defeated. Lilith gave a slight smile seeing her teachings put to use.

Timburr struggled until he was free from Paralysis, charging forward. He used Pound due to all other attacks being resisted by Roselia. Her poison typing resisted his stab fighting type moves. Mega Drain connected and not only damaged Timburr, but also healed all the damage she had just taken. Wendell couldn’t help but smile seeing his Pokemon dominate in such a fashion.

The battle slowed down as Roselia danced her opponent to death. Whenever her dance partner froze in place, she could activate another growth, only increasing the time till Timburr’s demise. The fight was over, and he had won.

“Yes!” Wendell cheered.

His battle was tough, but it showed how much he had grown. Everyone around him cheered as the underdog had grasped victory. It was always a good feeling to watch the unexpected unfold before their eyes.