Aspertia was down two wins as Wendell came out onto the field. He knew opponent Partner Pokemon due to their confrontation, but nothing else about his team. Rick seemed like the guy to crush his opponents into the ground without holding back, but he also knew Wendell’s Tepig, so the starting options were much more strategic than previous.

“Oh, it's you…” Rick scoffed, recognizing the boy.

He normally didn’t give people like him the time of day, but Wendell had slighted him, and Rick always hit back harder. It would have been a sign of weakness on his part if he let some nobody pull one over on him.

Wendell grit his teeth and tried not to take the bait and instead thrust his hand forward. Rick started strangely at the outstretched hand hoping for a handshake.

“Hello… I’m Wendell.” He tried taking the high road.

“Losers have no need.” He turned and handed a small slip of paper to Lenora.

His Pokemon count was revealed, since only three Pokemon could create an option after their first Pokemon was unable to battle. Wendell grew even more nervous, the odds stacked against him once more.

Both took up their positions ready for a battle. The care in which each Trainer held themselves was evident, having a much different contrast. The one variable that the agitated boy forgot about was the crowd.

A new life was seemingly breathed into the cheering audience, people standing in anticipation.

‘That’s right, this is my home turf.’

Young or old, everyone recognized Wendell and cheered for him. His small community was nothing like what some of the big city dwellers had ever witnessed.

The young boy had no reason to be afraid. His outward appearance didn’t change much, but his shoulders relaxed. He appeared to have finally gotten over the pressure. Lenora looked between the two, looking to see if both contenders were ready.

With a nod from both, the competition began. Each thumbed their Pokeballs’ sending out their first pick.

Wendell smiled slightly, happy his calculated rick had paid off. If Magnemite had started, then the battle would have been over before it even started because of how well Roselia’s moves were resisted. She would have been bodied with no chance of victory. Wendell would then be left with Pignite against three Pokemon.

Not everyone knew all the Pokemon that inhabited their region let alone ones that didn’t, so people were a little surprised when they couldn’t identify the species.

It was decidedly foregin, having bat-like wings that unfolded with spikes on the tips of each end. The torso and tail was a dark purple, with pointy ears and a flat face. His wings were blue while the tail was proportionally large and came to a scorpion-like point.

Gligar was only a one star, letting Wendell let out a sigh of relief. Like most others, quantity was his problem, so if quality was added on top then he would be done for.

Roselia started out slow with a Stun Spore. Paralysis was easily the best opening move considering the lack of knowledge, but she was caught off guard. Quick Attack sent Gligar into a blur as some chip damage landed on Roselia. Fortunately, the bat fell into her trap. Spores hung in the air as they attached to him, trying to move away.

Little yellow sparks sent small zaps all over his body signifying his paralysed status.

“What?!” Rick called out.

The twist had caught him off guard.

“Ground types can’t be paralysed! He’s cheating!” Rick shouted, outraged.

“Shut up kid before I give you a nice pat on your behind.” Lenora took offense to his accusations, denying her integrity.

Rick let loose a small piece of information that helped his opposition greatly. Grass was super effective to ground types after all.

“Max damage!” Wendell couldn’t miss the opportunity by being too cautious.

Understanding more, he tried ending the battle as early as possible.

Giga Drain swam through the air, attaching to his body and sucking out his energy. The move did massive damage to the target, but was still able to battle. Gligar’s flying type had canceled out the grass energy, making the move neutral. It still drained much of her opponent's shields, however. It was even enough to restore everything Quick Attack had done.

Roselia sat in a good place, resetting back to zero while her opponent was both paralysed and damaged. Her long drawn out strategy would work well considering no threatening moves had been revealed thus far.

The spores receded, allowing Gligar another chance to attack. His big blue wings tried to Knock Off her item, in addition to the distance created by the hit. Fortunately enough, Roselia held no Item due to Wendell being unable to afford one, not causing the damage to increase further.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Her activation time was quick, unleashing her Giga Drain once more. The green particles floated back towards her, healing most of the damage she had just received and also knocking out the mark.

The crowd went crazy at Wendell’s crushing victory, some people blocking their ears from the noise. Rick frowned as Gligar was returned, not liking the losing end. With the people stacked on top, it started to annoy him greatly.

The disenfranchised teen unleashed the next Pokemon on his team. Most had gotten over the novelty of the unknown, not recognizing his next Pokemon either. With her vast amount of knowledge, Lilith was able to recognize the Pokemon instantly. His body was small and hunched with dark skin and crystalline eyes.

It was a dark type.

Watched with interest as the small creature phased forward and smacked Roselia with his claws. His damage output was lacking, having Fack-Out lay some chip damage onto Roselia.

“Let’s set up this time!” Wendell called out, trying to shift accordingly.

Roselia instead started out with a Leech Seed, hoping to help Pignite in the future. Once she was taken out, the seeds would allow him to take over their control, draining the target’s energy. The function was autonomous and ended only once removed through specific means.

The crafty Pokemon proved hard to hit as he reappeared and disappeared at will. He snuck through the shadows and periodically hit her for minimal damage, not really having the heart of a battler.

Once he was seeded and spored, the small Darkness Pokemon was left helpless. Roselia could easily track him through the seeds and landed Giga Drain consecutively.

The increase in shields helped Roselia, but the constant battle left her running low. The crowd was dumbfounded as Wendell took out his opponent's second Pokemon with his first choice. She wasn’t even two stars yet.

“Rahh!!!” Lilith winced, covering her ears.

Rick fumed as he sent out his starter Pokemon. Magnemite spun through the air as violent electric shocks dispersed around it. The presence of a two star Pokemon was unmistakable and everyone cheered for the fight to come.

Roselia found her situation going downhill. On top of the difference in power, her match up was terrible because all of her moves were resisted and she wouldn’t be able to stall. Her basic strategy had been cut off while Magnemite moved first, shockwaves emanating from his body.

Sonic Boom was unavoidable, blasting through the air. More seeds appeared at her fingertips and Roselia tossed them at Magnemite, trying to set up Pignite for the final battle. They sprouted in mid air, tangling and acting as a net. When contact was made with her target, they clamped down and held on tight.

“No!” Rick screamed furiously.

The battle wasn’t going his way.

Magnemite used Sonic Boom once more, finally knocking out the thorny Pokemon. The past battles had left her well preserved but crumbled under Magnemite’s pressure. Wendell recalled Roselia, pleased with her efforts. She had definitely gone above and beyond to complete her mission.

Pignite was Wendell’s final Pokemon.

The battle restarted with the large pig ready for a fight. With a Leech Seed already planted on the foe combined with his natural bulk, he was feeling good. The small metal ball looked like it only had special moves, so he skipped over Defense Curl and went straight on the attack. Flame Charge propelled him forwards as Thundershock zapped him from afar.

Pignite took the hit and continued forward, putting everything on the line. The flames melted the area around him and he got pumped up. His round body connected with Magnemite and the momentum pushed the small ball into the air, with the Pokemon spinning round and round trying to reorient itself. The attack had been devastating, and with one more good hit he would be finished.

Pignite knew it to be true, charging forwards once more. He couldn't let Magnemite gain too much distance and mess with unknown status moves. He would have to finish it fast. Thundershock zapped out once more while Magnemite was simultaneously drained by the seeds. A tiny portion of Pignite’s energy was restored, allowing him to continue. He fought off the electric energy around him and drove his final attack home.

Flame Charge was super effective, disregarding the difference in power they possessed. It allowed massive damage onto a Pokemon that was normally much more defensive. Magnemite lost its charge and fell to the ground, no longer being able to fight.

“Yes!” Wendell jumped up and down, giddy as could be.

The local kids who knew Wendell all their lives ran up to him in triumph while other adults gave a standing ovation. He was unceremoniously shoved onto the ground as a game of pigpile commenced.

“Oi! Clear out! This dangerous business if not careful!” Lenora waved her hand around while trying to chase the kids away.

Try as she might, a small smile formed at the corner of her mouth. It was great to see such tight knit communities.

Few were there to witness Rick’s temper tantrum. He recalled his final Pokemon before storming off in a hurry, clearly angry and never looking back.

It took a good long while for everyone to calm down and get back into place. Lenora had to step in and shove everyone back to the sidelines to keep the schedule.

The momentum continued in Aspertia’s favor as Dewott and his trainer beat down one of the opponents with a Heatmor. Their type matchups thus far had been in their favor as Duncan took to the field with their 5th battle. Lilith hadn’t been paying much attention but the score had been all tied up.

Time seemed to slow as she shifted her focus back to Items. Any in game items that were even remotely good were put down along with their function. She could take time later to ponder their world use, but that would happen at a later date.

Drillbur and Sandshrew on Duncan’s side faced off against other Pokemon until he cinched another victory, leading his team forward. Everyone seemed to get into the other battles, but Lilith’s attention just wasn’t there. The fights seemed only meh, with no other personal reason to really engage like with Levy’s battle. She cared about her as a person, not just the value the Pokemon brought.

In some ways, their childish friendship had saved her.

It took some time, but Sam was last to take the field. With her massive brain fart, she had to check the scoreboard and figure out where the heck everyone was.

The large board laid out with chips of red and blue on each side. She slowly counted them even if the numbers were low.

‘One, two, three… all tied up.’ She finally realized.

Her attention snapped back to Sam’s fight for the school of Aspertia.