The late afternoon sun cast long shadows as we finally reached Petalburg City. I took a deep breath, the air feeling lighter here than it had back in Oldale, but also more charged, like the city was alive with anticipation. Streets bustled with trainers and locals alike, while the sound of Pokémon battles echoed faintly from nearby training fields. The Pokémon Center came into view, its red roof standing out among the buildings like a beacon for tired trainers.

Han walked beside me, his steps light and full of energy. He’d been shadowboxing the whole way, he’d even been weaving around Numsy and Rocky throwing fake punches at them, trying to get a reaction. I smiled as I glanced down at him—if he had his way, he'd probably be in the tournament ring already. Bodhi, on the other hand, took his time. He was soaking up the last bit of sunlight filtering through the city’s trees, his demeanor calm as ever. The two of them were so different, but that was part of what made them a strong team.

Petalburg felt bigger than Oldale, more active. Buildings stood closer together, and everywhere I looked, trainers were getting ready for the Rookie Tournament. Some were gathered in groups, talking strategy, while others trained on the city’s outskirts. Norman’s Gym stood prominently at the heart of the city, a reminder of the challenges that lay beyond the tournament. I could see trainers glancing at the Gym from time to time, as if sizing up their next big obstacle.

“Norman’s Gym,” Flannery said, her eyes gleaming with excitement as we stopped for a moment to take it all in. “That’s where I’m heading after the tournament. His Normal-types are tough, but I’m ready.”

Roxanne gave a quiet nod, her eyes also lingering on the Gym’s imposing structure. “Same. I’ve heard stories about Norman’s strength. If I win here, challenging him will be my next step.”

I hadn’t even considered challenging Norman yet. The idea made my stomach flip. Sure, Han and Bodhi had grown stronger, but Norman’s reputation was no joke. He was known for his tactical brilliance, and even though Normal-types had no flashy strengths, their balance made them dangerous in battle. Maybe, if we did well in the tournament, I’d be ready to face him. The thought both excited and scared me.

We made our way to the Pokémon Center, blending in with the flow of trainers who, like us, were here for the tournament. Inside, it was buzzing with activity. Trainers lined up to register for the competition, their eyes bright with anticipation or steely determination. Some were talking about their strategies, others were scouting out potential opponents.

“Looks like we’re all in the same boat,” I muttered to myself, eyeing a group of trainers huddled in the corner, deep in discussion. “No badges, no experience—just trying to prove ourselves.”

We joined the line for registration, the process feeling more formal than I expected. A clerk greeted us, handing us forms to fill out.

“Welcome to the Rookie Tournament,” she said with a professional smile. “Please remember that this tournament is open only to trainers with one badge or fewer. You may register two Pokémon for the entire tournament. These will be your only Pokémon allowed for use, and no substitutions will be permitted.”

I nodded, handing over Han’s and Bodhi’s Pokéballs as she explained the rules.

The reminder about only two Pokémon hit me again. We’d have to make every move count, especially if the tournament threw us into 2v2 battles. I’d been training Bodhi and Han together, trying to work out new combos that could surprise opponents. Still, the pressure was there—two Pokémon, one chance. Roxanne and Flannery registered their Pokémon as well, and I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of surprises they had in store.

‘

‘

After registration, we stepped outside, grabbing some food from a nearby vendor—fresh Poképuffs for the Pokémon and sandwiches for ourselves. We found a spot by a small fountain in the square and sat down to relax. Han, as expected, never stopped moving. He was practicing his punches in the air, his paws crackling faintly with electricity from all the excitement. Bodhi, on the other hand, had nestled down next to me, absorbing the warmth of the stone fountain beneath him.

As we ate, the conversation drifted back to Norman’s Gym.

“I heard he doesn’t hold back, even against rookie trainers,” Flannery said, her voice full of admiration. Roxanne nodded. “Norman’s known for building momentum. His Pokémon might not move fast, but they hit like tanks. I’m planning on challenging him too—maybe after the tournament. If I do well enough here, it’ll give me the confidence I need.”

The idea of facing Norman lingered in my mind. Could I be ready for that after the tournament? Flannery and Roxanne both seemed so sure of themselves. My thoughts turned to Bodhi and his training. We’d been working on some new moves—Leech Seed, Seed Bomb, and even Spore. Bodhi wasn’t the fastest or strongest Pokémon out there, but his ability to wear down opponents, combined with Han’s raw speed and power, might give us an edge.

“Maybe Norman’s Gym is closer than I thought,” I said under my breath, more to myself than to the others.

Roxanne glanced at me, a small smile on her face. “It’s all about timing. When you’re ready, you’ll know. For now, we’ve got this tournament to worry about.”

As the evening rolled in and the streets began to quiet, I felt a nagging urge to keep training. Flannery and Roxanne were still chatting about their thoughts on the tournament and talking about what they’d do against when facing different types of pokemon, but for me, I needed time alone—time to work with Han and Bodhi without either of them watching. I excused myself, saying I wanted to check out something I’d spotted earlier on the outskirts of the city.

I walked toward a small clearing near the forest’s edge, the setting sun casting a golden hue across the trees. The air here was cooler, quieter, away from the hustle and bustle of the tournament crowd. Perfect.

I released Han and Bodhi. Han, as usual, immediately started hopping on his feet, ready to go. Bodhi took his time stretching, his focus intense as he settled into the environment. I crouched down to their level, explaining my plan.

“We’re going to practice some combos. I don’t want Roxanne or Flannery getting a glimpse of what we’re preparing. Let’s make this count.”

I worked with Han on refining his moves and creating combos wto better suit a variety of situations that would call for them. Han was a natural at this and it really showed in the way he learnt and mastered his moves—his punches were getting sharper, more calculated and even faster.

With Bodhi, we focused on mastering the new moves we’d been practicing—Leech Seed, Seed Bomb, and Spore. I wanted Bodhi to become a status menace on the battlefield, slowing opponents with Spore and gradually wearing them down with Leech Seed. The idea was to sap their strength while Han went for the decisive hits.

After a few rounds of practice, I could feel the synergy growing between Han’s fast, offensive strikes and Bodhi’s defensive, status-based tactics .As the evening deepened, we finally stopped. I could already feel the difference in Han and Bodhi—they were sharper, more connected. Han’s speed combined with Bodhi’s ability to disrupt opponents could be the edge we needed in the tournament.

I smiled as we packed up for the night, feeling the confidence build in my chest. Flannery and Roxanne were strong, but Han, Bodhi, and I had our own tricks. We were ready.

‘

‘

The air in Petalburg felt thick with excitement. As I stepped into the stadium grounds, the energy of the crowd and the buzzing atmosphere was almost overwhelming. Trainers of all kinds gathered around, sizing each other up and mentally preparing for the battles ahead. Some looked nervous, fiddling with their Pokéballs, while others were chatting in small groups, probably running over last-minute strategies or just trying to relax.

Flannery and Roxanne walked beside me, their usual banter replaced with quiet focus. This wasn’t just a casual tournament—it was a proving ground for every rookie trainer here. I could tell they were mentally preparing themselves for their battles, much like I was. Norman’s Gym loomed in the distance, a reminder of the challenges waiting after the tournament, but right now, the only thing on my mind was my first opponent.

As we reached the registration board, the noise around us increased. Trainers crowded around, pushing to get a look at their match-ups. Some were already groaning at the sight of their opponents, while others exchanged glances that told me they had something to prove. I wasn’t sure how I felt yet. My nerves hadn’t quite caught up to me, but I could feel a spark of adrenaline building.

I scanned the board until my eyes landed on my name: Michael Kane vs. Eric Ericson.

“Ericson?” Flannery said, peeking over my shoulder. “Sounds like a TV show villain name.”

I chuckled despite the tension in my gut. “Yeah, well, let’s see if he lives up to it.”

I glanced around, searching for Eric in the crowd. It didn’t take long before I spotted him—a stocky guy with sandy blonde hair and a confident grin on his face. Beside him stood his Pokémon—Marill and Wingull, both Water-types. The sight of them immediately sent my brain into strategy mode. Han’s electric attacks would give me a solid advantage, but I couldn’t get too cocky.

“Water-types, huh,” Flannery said with a grin. “Lucky break. Looks like you’ve got the upper hand.”

I nodded, but there was something in my chest that made me hesitate. “Yeah, but I’m not taking it lightly. Anything can happen in a battle.” I smiled back at her. “Don’t want to choke on my first match.”

Flannery gave me a wink. “Good. The last thing I want to see is you tripping over that advantage.”

Roxanne, as usual, was more measured. “Stay patient,” she said, her voice calm. “Eric may have Water-types, but remember—type advantage isn’t everything. You’ve got to read him, not just react.”

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I took a deep breath and nodded. I couldn’t let myself rush this. I’d spent days training with Han and Bodhi, building up their strengths and working on our synergy. Now it was time to see if all that work would pay off.

The tournament organizers led us to the battlefields. Each one was lined with soft dirt and raised platforms for the spectators. The crowd had gathered, some with snacks in hand, others murmuring as they anticipated the first battles of the day. The open-air stadium allowed the sun to filter in, casting warm light on the fields and giving everything a sharp sense of focus.

As I walked to my designated spot, I could feel the eyes of the crowd on me. Han walked beside me, crackling with excitement, while Bodhi nestled calmly in his Pokéball, waiting for his turn. I glanced across the battlefield and saw Eric getting into position, his Marill bouncing playfully next to him while Wingull fluttered above. He gave me a confident grin as if this was just another day for him.

“Ready for this, Michael?” he called out, his tone casual but with an edge. “I hope you’ve trained hard because we’re not going easy on you.”

I smirked back, trying to match his confidence. “Same goes for you.”

The referee raised his flag. “This will be a two-on-two battle between Michael Kane and Eric Ericson. Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!”

Eric smirked and threw his Pokéball with a casual flick of his wrist. “Marill, let's show 'em what you’ve got!”

The ball popped open in mid-air, and with a flash of light, Marill landed lightly on the battlefield. The small blue Water-type bounced on its tail, looking eager for the fight. Its eyes locked onto me with playful determination, the little Pokémon already trying to size up its opponent.

I knew Marill could be tough, especially if it got its defenses up early. This was going to be about wearing it down over time. I reached for Bodhi’s Pokéball, the familiar weight in my hand grounding me in the moment.

“Bodhi, it’s your time!” I called, releasing my Shroomish onto the field.

Bodhi landed gracefully, his small mushroom-like body swaying slightly as he settled into his spot on the battlefield. His calm, patient eyes met Marill’s energetic gaze, and I could feel the quiet intensity in him, as if he were already planning his strategy.

Eric grinned, clearly confident. “Marill, Defense Curl!”

Marill curled into a tight ball, its defense rising as it braced for the upcoming hits. I knew what was coming next—Defense Curl was often the first step in a Rollout combo, a move that would keep getting stronger the longer it lasted. I had to get ahead of it.

“Bodhi, Leech Seed!” I ordered.

Bodhi nodded, concentrating as small, glowing seeds shot out from his cap, flying toward Marill. The Water-type uncurled, bouncing quickly in an attempt to dodge, but a few of the seeds stuck, their tendrils wrapping around its body and beginning to sap its energy.

Eric clicked his tongue but didn’t hesitate. “Marill, Rollout!”

Just as I expected. Marill tucked itself into a ball again, this time spinning faster and faster before launching itself toward Bodhi, a blur of blue rolling across the dirt. The ground shook slightly as Rollout barreled forward.

“Bodhi, dodge!” I called out, but the move came faster than expected.

Bodhi managed to leap aside, but Marill’s Rollout clipped him just as he landed. Bodhi winced as he skidded back a few feet, his small body visibly feeling the impact.

“Shake it off, Bodhi! Use Seed Bomb!” I shouted, hoping to break Marill’s momentum.

Without missing a beat, Bodhi shook off the hit and fired a glowing seed from his cap. The seed shot forward with precision, colliding with the spinning Marill. There was a small explosion of dirt and debris, and Marill was knocked off its course, tumbling across the ground as it struggled to regain balance.

“Good hit,” I muttered under my breath, watching as the Leech Seed continued its work, slowly draining Marill’s energy and feeding it back into Bodhi.

Eric clenched his jaw, his cool demeanor starting to crack. “Marill, Bubble Beam!”

Marill pushed itself up, inhaling deeply before releasing a barrage of high-pressure bubbles toward Bodhi. The bubbles shot through the air, gleaming in the sunlight as they hurtled toward their target.

“Dodge it, Bodhi!” I called.

Bodhi leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the stream of bubbles. As the last few popped harmlessly behind him, he turned, his focus sharp.

“Absorb!” I ordered.

Green tendrils of energy shot out from Bodhi, connecting with Marill and pulling its remaining strength into him. The Leech Seed combined with Absorb worked together to steadily weaken Marill, while Bodhi regained his stamina. I could feel the battle tipping in our favor.

Eric’s frustration was evident now, but he wasn’t ready to give up. “Alright, time for a new approach. Marill, Rollout again!”

Marill launched itself once more, this time spinning with even more ferocity. I could see the determination in Eric’s eyes—he knew this was his last chance to turn the tide.

I had to end this now.

“Bodhi, Poison Bomb!” I called.

Bodhi concentrated, mixing a Seed Bomb with a burst of Poison Powder, creating a toxic projectile. With a quick flick of his cap, he launched the Poison Bomb straight at the oncoming Marill.

The bomb exploded on impact, purple poison misting the air as Marill skidded to a halt, the effects of the poison already starting to take hold. It wobbled, its movements sluggish as both the Leech Seed and Poison Bomb took their toll.

Eric looked worried now, his confidence faltering. “Marill, one more Rollout!”

But it was too late. The status effects were working their magic, sapping Marill’s strength until, finally, the Water-type collapsed onto the ground, unable to continue.

The referee raised his flag. “Marill is unable to battle. Michael’s Bodhi wins the first round!”

I let out a breath of relief, nodding toward Bodhi. He had done exactly what we’d practiced—using a mix of status effects and draining moves to outlast the opponent. I could tell that Bodhi was feeling the wear of the battle, but he was still standing strong.

Eric recalled his Marill, a frown creasing his face as he reached for his next Pokéball. “You got me on that one,” he admitted, “but this next round will be different. Wingull, let’s go!”

With a flash of light, Wingull appeared, its wings beating steadily as it hovered above the battlefield. The Flying-type circled overhead, already eyeing Bodhi with sharp focus.

I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Wingull’s speed and aerial advantage would make it tough for Bodhi to land his status moves.

“Bodhi, Spore!” I called, hoping to put Wingull to sleep.

Bodhi released a cloud of shimmering yellow spores, but Wingull had the height advantage, easily dodging the move with a flap of its wings. It hovered in place for a moment before diving down with surprising speed.

“Wingull, Supersonic!” Eric commanded.

The air filled with a high-pitched screech as Wingull unleashed a soundwave, the noise disorienting Bodhi as he stumbled, visibly confused. His eyes darted around, and I could see the confusion setting in.

“Stay with it, Bodhi! Try another Seed Bomb!” I urged, but it was no use.

In his confused state, Bodhi launched the Seed Bomb wildly, missing Wingull by a wide margin. Wingull took advantage of the opening, swooping down to deliver a sharp Wing Attack. The strike hit hard, sending Bodhi tumbling across the dirt. He tried to get back up, but he was clearly exhausted from the earlier battle.

I clenched my fists, knowing it was time to switch gears. “Bodhi, return!”

I recalled Bodhi, giving him a quiet word of thanks before grabbing Han’s Pokéball. This next round was going to be fast and decisive.

“Han, let’s finish this!”

Han landed on the battlefield with a burst of energy, his fur crackling with electric sparks as he sized up his opponent. Wingull circled above, still riding high on the momentum of its previous victory over Bodhi. Eric's eyes gleamed with confidence now, and I could tell he thought he had the upper hand. Flying-types usually had the advantage of maneuverability, staying out of reach of ground-based Pokémon like Han.

But this wasn’t going to be a simple aerial game.

“Let’s see how you handle a Flying-type, Michael!” Eric shouted from across the field. “Wingull, Water Gun!”

The Flying-type banked in the air, its wings glinting in the sunlight as it shot a concentrated stream of water down toward Han. I knew Han had to close the distance fast if we were going to counter this.

“Han, Quick Attack!” I called, and with lightning speed, Han blurred across the field, dodging the Water Gun with sharp precision.

His speed was incredible, and I could see the look of surprise on Eric's face as Han weaved through the attacks, each burst of water hitting nothing but dirt. Even with Wingull’s advantage in the air, Han’s quick reflexes were already making this battle difficult for him.

“Keep your distance, Wingull!” Eric ordered, realizing the danger. “Use Supersonic, keep him off balance!”

The familiar high-pitched screech filled the air again as Wingull fired its Supersonic attack, aiming to confuse Han. I couldn’t afford to let that happen.

“Han, get close with Quick Attack again!” I shouted.

Han’s body became a blur of movement as he darted forward, zigzagging across the battlefield. Wingull’s Supersonic screeched overhead, but Han was too fast, slipping through the soundwaves and positioning himself right underneath the Flying-type.

Eric's expression faltered as he realized what was coming.

“Now, Thundershock!” I ordered, feeling the familiar rush of excitement.

Electric energy surged around Han, and with a crackling burst, he fired a bolt of Thundershock straight into Wingull. The electric current hit Wingull dead-on, causing it to let out a sharp cry as the electricity surged through its body. Wingull wobbled in the air, struggling to maintain its balance as it was clearly hit hard by the super-effective move.

“Don’t let it recover, Han!” I yelled. “Get in close!”

With Wingull stunned, this was the perfect moment to end it. Han shot forward with another burst of Quick Attack, positioning himself beneath the faltering Flying-type. The crowd could feel the intensity, their murmurs rising as they watched Han prepare to finish the battle.

Eric, not ready to give up, shouted, “Wingull, Water Pulse!”

Wingull, despite its weakened state, managed to fire off a Water Pulse, sending a swirling orb of water careening toward Han. But it was too late—Han had already closed the distance.

“Thunder Barrage, now!” I commanded.

Han’s paws crackled with electricity as he unleashed his custom move. His fists moved in rapid succession, each hit charged with electric energy as he delivered a barrage of Thunder Punches. Wingull tried to retreat, but it was helpless against the onslaught, the continuous hits of electricity stunning it over and over.

For the final blow, Han launched a Mach Punch, his fist glowing as it connected with Wingull, sending it spiraling to the ground with a hard thud. The Flying-type lay still, its wings twitching faintly from the aftershock of Thunder Barrage.

The referee raised his flag. “Wingull is unable to battle! Michael Kane wins the match!”

The crowd erupted into applause, and I let out a long breath, feeling the tension drain from my body. Han stood proudly, barely winded from the battle as he cracked his knuckles, his eyes still full of energy. I walked over and knelt beside him, patting him on the head. “You did great, buddy.”

Eric approached, his Wingull already back in its Pokéball. He looked a little frustrated, but there was a grudging respect in his eyes as he extended his hand. “Your Pawmo is something else,” he admitted, shaking my hand firmly. “I didn’t expect him to be that fast.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride. “Thanks. We’ve been training hard for this tournament.”

“I can tell,” Eric said, his frustration easing into a more good-natured grin. “I’ll have to step up my game for next time.”

With the battle over, I returned Han to his Pokéball, feeling confident about the progress we’d made. This win was only the first step, but it was an important one. As I looked at the scoreboard, I saw that I’d made it to the Top 64.

Flannery and Roxanne were both somewhere in the tournament, fighting their own battles, and I couldn’t wait to see how they were doing. I still had a long way to go before the finals, but now I knew—I could hold my own.

For now, I was moving on to the next round.