Petalburg IV

Leaving the stadium, we headed straight for the Pokémon Center to get our teams healed up after the intense battles. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, but the buzz of victory was still fresh in the air.

"Gotta admit," Flannery said with a laugh, nudging my shoulder. "I didn't see that whole 'electric shock straight into Santi's shell' move coming. I think I actually felt it from across the field."

"Yeah, well," I chuckled. "It was a bit of a last-ditch move, honestly. I wasn't even sure it'd work."

She shook her head, grinning. "Well, don't get too comfortable with those tricks, Mich! Next time, Santi and I are going to be ready to roast you." She gave me a playful glare, sticking her tongue out.

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Michy? Really? That's the best nickname you could come up with, Flan-Flan?" I nudged her back with my elbow, meeting her competitive look with one of my own.

She scoffed, hands on her hips, Her face turned slightly pink, but she tried to play it cool. "You're the worst, you know that? But fine, we'll see who's gonna be laughing after I wipe the floor with you next time."

As we approached the Pokémon Center, the buzz of trainers inside spilled out through the open doors. There were cheers and congratulations. The air was charged with energy. I handed my Poké Balls to Nurse Joy as she gave a warm smile, taking them gently. "Your Pokémon will be in top shape in no time," she promised.

Then it hit me—I'd nearly forgotten Roxanne's match! "Think if we sprint, we can catch Roxanne's match?" I asked, looking at Flannery.

She shot me a challenging grin. "Maybe. But here's the deal: last one there owes the winner's Pokémon a week's supply of Poké Puffs. Deal?"

"Deal." I grinned back. "Get ready to lose, Flan-Flan. Let's start on three—one, two—"

Before I could even finish the countdown, Flannery bolted ahead, laughing over her shoulder. "Didn't agree to your countdown, Mich! See ya at the stadium, loser!"

I blinked, catching myself just in time before taking off after her. "Hey! Cheating doesn't count as winning, come back here Flannery!" I shouted, sprinting to catch up.

We both arrived at the stadium, I wasn't tired hell i was barely winded. Flannery on the other hand had her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. She looked up at me, still catching her breath. "You're barely even winded… How?"

I grinned, giving a shrug. "Training with a Fighting-type partner every day has its perks." I tapped my shoulder for effect. "Not everyone can keep up with a Fighting-type specialist."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a smile there too. "Whatever. Let's get to the stands before Roxanne's match is over!"

'

'

Watching Roxanne battle was like witnessing the total opposite of Flannery's explosive style. While Flannery went all-in with fire and brute force, Roxanne was deliberate and calm, using her moves with a sense of precision and control.

As we settled in, Terra, her Nosepass, was facing off against her opponent's Sneasel, who darted around the field with sharp, calculated strikes. But Roxanne was always one step ahead, strategically placing Rock Tombs around the field, creating obstacles that Sneasel couldn't avoid. Terra's defense was nearly impenetrable, and even Sneasel's best attacks couldn't faze him. When Sneasel got too close, Terra unleashed a Rock Slide, and, with a perfectly timed Thunder Wave, Roxanne finished it off.

When her opponent sent out Pawniard, we thought maybe we'd see her next Pokémon, Rocky. But Roxanne kept Terra on the field, maneuvering carefully until Pawniard went in with an Iron Head attack straight onto Terra causing a double-knockout, with Terra using Rock Slide last minute to take out Pawniard.

As Roxanne exited the trainer's box, we hurried to meet her.

"Congrats, Roxanne!" I said, giving her a high five. "You really rocked that Dark-type trainer's world out there."

Flannery joined in, her grin bright. "Yeah, Roxy! That last combo move? That was the bomb! Super smart, but—well, you know—kinda boring until the end. But still awesome!" She laughed, lightly elbowing Roxanne's arm.

Roxanne chuckled, adjusting her glasses. "Thanks, guys. And not everyone can battle like a wildfire, Flannery. I'll take strategy over brute force any day. Besides," she smirked, looking at me, "your 'method' didn't exactly work out for you this time, did it?"

I threw my hands up. "Alright, fair point. Our little firecracker here did get snuffed out a little quicker than she thought." I glanced over at Flannery, winking.

Flannery huffed, though her cheeks were slightly red. "Hey! It was just one battle, and you got lucky. Don't think this is over, mister." She wagged a finger at me, though she was smiling.

I raised an eyebrow. "Lucky? You sure you weren't pulling any punches, Flannery?" I shot her a teasing look.

She gasped, sticking out her tongue. "Oh, please! Holding back? Not a chance! But next time, I'm cranking up the heat, so you better be ready."

"Enough of that," Roxanne said, reaching over to tug at Flannery's cheek. "Come on, let's go back to the Center. Terra needs a check-up after that last match, and I think we could all use a break."

With the day winding down, we made our way back to the Pokémon Center. It felt good to just walk, talking and laughing, letting the weight of competition ease off for a while. We were rivals, sure, but more than that—we were friends, and nothing would change that.

'

'

We settled down at a small table just outside the Pokémon Center, enjoying the peace and a well-deserved meal after a long day of battling. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow on the Center, and I could hear the distant hum of trainers mingling or training nearby. This small corner of calm, though, felt just right for the three of us.

Flannery had gone for her favorite: a sizzling Tauros steak with Doduo eggs on the side, the dish practically still steaming. Roxanne, ever the classicist, had a hearty plate of fried Pidgeot bits with mashed potatoes. Meanwhile, I'd opted for a Miltank burger, a side of fries, and an ice-cold Moomoo Milk. Not exactly a fighter's power meal, but after the intense match with Flannery, I figured I'd earned a reward.

As I bit into my burger, I couldn't help but reflect on how naturally I'd taken to the idea of eating Pokémon-based dishes. A few months ago, back in my own world, I probably would've hesitated. But here? Honestly, it looked and tasted so much like the regular stuff back home that it was easy to forget. And besides… this burger was delicious.

Roxanne glanced up from her meal, her fork hovering over her plate. "So, the semi-finals are coming up soon. I heard they're releasing the matchups later today."

I nodded, taking a long sip of my Moomoo Milk. "Yeah, they'll post it in a few hours. And we'll have a three-day break before the big day. After the semi-final matches, we only get an eight-hour rest before heading right into the finals."

Flannery grinned, jabbing her fork at the air. "Three days off, then two rounds back-to-back? That's intense! Grandpa does the same thing for high-level Gym matches, scheduling them on weekends to get a bigger crowd." She smiled, looking distant, like she was reliving the excitement of her grandfather's gym battles. "No one ever missed a match with him, especially with the hype he'd build around them."

Roxanne's eyes lit up at the mention of Flannery's grandfather. "Speaking of Elite Four Fino… I've always been curious—does he still have that Coalossal? I think I saw it in an old league video."

Flannery's face brightened immediately. "Vulcan! Yeah, he's still got him. Vulcan was a total beast in battle but, honestly, a bit of a softie otherwise. He'd always demand his rocks polished till they gleamed. I think he's the cleanest Coalossal around," she said, laughing as she remembered.

Roxanne leaned in, intrigued. "I've always wondered how your grandpa trained him, especially since Coalossal is part Rock-type. It must've taken some serious work to manage his stamina and firepower."

Of course, Roxanne would be curious about a Rock-type. I smirked, letting their conversation drift into the background. They were lost in details about Vulcan's rock-solid defense and fierce flamethrower abilities. Meanwhile, my mind wandered to training plans.

The next few days would be crucial. Bodhi's stamina was solid, but his energy efficiency needed work. Against Numsy, he'd run out of steam faster than I'd expected. Bodhi was close to breaking through to the next level, and once he evolved, we'd unlock new potential with his added Fighting type. But before that, we had to refine his technique—if he could regulate his energy better, his moves would have that extra punch without tiring him out as quickly. With a bit of extra endurance training and precision practice, we'd get him there.

Flannery's voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, Mich—earth to Michael? You still with us?"

I blinked, shaking off the mental training plans. "Yeah, yeah, just… going over some plans. You two sure seem ready for the semi-finals, though."

Flannery leaned back in her chair, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Just make sure you don't get too distracted by all your plans, Mich," she teased, raising an eyebrow. "If you end up facing Roxanne, you might just find yourself buried under a rock slide before you can even blink!"

I rolled my eyes, smirking. "Oh, please, Flan-Flan, have a little faith. I might not be the Rock-type expert here, but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Roxanne gave a small smile, adjusting her glasses. "Well, I wouldn't want to spoil any surprises… but let's just say I've got my eye on the finals."

"Oh, no doubt about it, Roxy," I replied, emphasizing the nickname just to get her to shoot me a dry look. "But if it comes down to us, just know I'm not planning on pulling any punches."

Flannery snickered, crossing her arms. "See? This is why I'm glad I'm not in the mix anymore—I'd get squashed between Mr. Overconfident here and 'The Boulder.'" She nodded toward Roxanne, giving her a playful grin.

Roxanne shot back smoothly. "Well, Flannery, if someone hadn't tried to blaze through the competition without a solid game plan, she might still be in the tournament."

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"Oh, whatever, Roxanne!" Flannery laughed, leaning over to mock-whisper to me. "Just don't let her lure you into that trap, Mich. She'll lull you into some strategy, and next thing you know, bam! Rock Slide."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Noted. I'll keep my eye out for any sneaky boulders headed my way."

We finished our meals, the banter helping to cut through the tension of the tournament. With Roxanne and me still in the running, and Flannery cheering us on from the sidelines, it was anyone's guess who'd come out on top.

'

'

Three days slipped by faster than I could have imagined, and suddenly, the semi-finals were looming. With only Han and Bodhi by my side, we'd been going full throttle in training—waking up at dawn, training hard until the sun dipped below the horizon, and squeezing in meals wherever we could. The anticipation was like an electric charge, pushing us to refine every move, every strategy.

To add some versatility to Han's arsenal, I'd spent a bit of my stipend, my tournament winnings, and let's just say I'd placed a little wager or two on myself to win on my previous matches. I used that cash to buy two TMs for Han. They weren't cheap at 7,000 Pokéyen each, but the payoff felt worth it. With Fire Punch and Ice Punch added to his moveset, he was even more of a powerhouse and combined with his Iron Fist ability, I knew these moves could be game-changers. We weren't done perfecting them yet, but I could already tell they were going to make our combos unpredictable and devastating.

Bodhi, on the other hand, was working on mastering his current moves. He didn't need new tricks as much as he needed to push his control and endurance to the next level. He'd become a status-spamming menace, as a few local trainers could now testify. We'd caught some footage of our opponents online, and by the looks of things, I wasn't about to get an easy fight. My semi-finals opponent was a Normal-type specialist from Petalburg named Cole Art. Not only did he have the home crowd behind him, but his Pokémon were no joke. His Doduo was incredibly fast—maybe even faster than Han—and his Munchlax was a walking fortress. The thing looked like he loved to battle more than eat if the video of how ruthless it was showed. I knew my best shot was taking advantage of Han's typing and Bodhi's status moves but this match was going to be a true test.

After an early morning warm-up session, we made our way back to the Pokémon Center, where the others were already waiting, thankfully i already sent a message in advance as to what food to order for my team and I.

As I approached our usual table, the delicious scent of fresh food hit me, and before I could blink, Han had launched himself from my shoulder straight toward the nearest bowl of Pokéchow, digging in without a second thought.

Flannery laughed, watching Han inhale his food as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. "Honestly, I'll never get over that guy's energy," she said with a grin.

I shook my head, chuckling as I took my seat. "At this rate, I'm starting to think he's just a Munchlax in a Pawmo disguise."

Han barely even paused his frenzied eating, though he did shoot me a tiny spark in protest. Bodhi, as usual, was the opposite—walking over to his bowl with deliberate, calm steps and giving Han a look that was equal parts amusement and pity.

Roxanne gave me an approving smile as she adjusted her glasses. "Since you've basically been living in the training fields, I can't wait to see what you've got lined up for our match."

I raised an eyebrow, trying not to grin too widely. "Oh? Already betting I'll make it to the finals, Roxy?"

She pushed her glasses up with a serious glint in her eyes. "Naturally. I only expect the best from someone I consider my rival."

The word "rival" hung between us for a moment, weighty but thrilling. It made everything feel real. I gave her a nod, feeling the fire build up. "I won't disappoint you, then."

Flannery, arms crossed and eyes glinting, chimed in, "Well, you both better bring your best. I can't call either of you my rivals if one of you crashes and burns in the semis." She shot us a teasing grin.

"Oh, don't worry, Flan-Flan," I replied, winking at her. "We're aiming to go all the way."

She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. "I swear, if I hear 'Flan-Flan' one more time, I'm roasting you and that nickname." She stuck out her tongue, but there was a playful edge in her voice.

With everyone eating, the conversation shifted back to food and funny training stories, and for a moment, the intense tournament buzz faded into comfortable camaraderie. The next two hours were ours to enjoy, but underneath it all, we all knew what was coming. The semi-finals weren't just the next step, they were the tipping point.

'

'

As we wove our way through the bustling streets toward the stadium, the entire city felt like it was humming with energy. Everywhere I looked, people filled the streets, streaming toward the stadium in waves, vendors calling out deals on snacks and souvenirs, children on tiptoes hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite trainer. The excitement in the air was almost tangible.

Flannery, walking just ahead of me, glanced around, her eyes wide. "I can't believe how packed this place is," she said, practically shouting over the noise. "But I guess that's what happens when it's the last day of the tournament. Seems like the whole city turned up!"

I nodded, taking in the crowd. The excitement was thrilling, but it felt like I was walking through a thick fog of voices, shouts, and cheers. Just beside me, Roxanne looked less than thrilled, her brows drawn together as she scanned the waves of people that surrounded us.

"I feel like I'd suffocate if I had to walk alone in a place like this," she muttered, her voice barely carrying over the noise.

I nudged her with a reassuring grin. "No worries, Roxy. Flan-Flan and I are here to make sure you don't get flattened into a human pancake."

She gave me a sideways look, halfway between exasperation and a smile, but I could tell the crowds were wearing on her.

We finally reached the trainers' box in the stadium just as Roxanne's shoulders visibly relaxed. She took a moment to breathe, regaining her usual steady demeanor, and then straightened up as if to remind herself that she was just fine. Her gaze met mine, and she nodded, serious once again.

"So, I guess this is where we part ways, Michael," she said. "Our matches are scheduled for the same time, so I won't get to watch yours. But I expect to see your name in the finals bracket after my match. Don't let me down."

I met her determined look with one of my own, grinning as I held out my fist toward her. "Don't worry, Roxanne. If anyone's taking you down, it's going to be me.

She bumped my fist with a grin that matched mine, her eyes mirroring the same fierce resolve. "I'll hold you to that, Kane."

But before she could turn to go, Flannery swooped in, grabbing both of us by the shoulders and pulling us into a tight group hug.

"Aww, look at you two!" she teased, squeezing us with a strength that could've rivaled any Fighting-type. "You guys are so dramatic! What is this, the Ever Grande Conference?" She pulled back, looking between us with a fire in her eyes. "Listen, I believe in both of you. Go out there, rock their world, and show everyone why they need to keep an eye on this generation of rookies! Petalburg and all of Hoenn better be watching."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Way to make it even more dramatic, Flan." But her words hit me more than I let on. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I felt a fire kindling a resolve beyond anything I'd felt before. I knew it now more than ever that no matter what happens, no matter what i may do that affects what the canon timeline is or should be, I wasn't going to follow a set path. I was here to make my own story.

As we made our way toward the field, I took a moment to look around, seeing the other trainers heading off to their own battles. And just across the way, I spotted my opponent, Cole Art. He was tall and lean with a confident stance. Even though we were all rookies, I could tell he wasn't someone to be taken lightly.

This was what we'd all been training for the culmination of our efforts, our hard work, and our dreams. We may have been at the beginning of our journeys, with only a badge or less to our names, but every single one of us was ready to fight, to prove our worth, to show the world what our Pokémon and we were made of.

So as I stepped onto the field, I held my head high, ready for whatever Cole had in store. Let Petalburg no, let the whole of Hoenn watch today, we were going to show them what the next generation of trainers could do.

'

'

The referee's voice rang out over the stadium, clear and electrifying as it reached every corner of the packed stands.

"This battle is between Cole Art of Petalburg City and Michael Kane of Littleroot Town! Trainers, on my mark—get set—release your Pokémon!"

I took a steadying breath, feeling the anticipation crackle through me, and called out to Bodhi to take the field. After days of intense practice, we were sharper, faster, and more prepared than ever. This time, we'd be ready from the start.

Cole smirked, clearly confident, and threw out his first Pokémon. "Alright, Doduo, let's give 'em a show!"

His Doduo squawked as it materialized, both heads glaring intensely at Bodhi. Smart pick—it was a Flying-type, naturally strong against Grass. I figured Cole would lean into its speed, peppering Bodhi with attacks to wear him down. But this time, Bodhi was ready for a relentless pace.

Before I could even finish planning, Doduo shot forward, opening with a Quick Attack and following it instantly with Pluck. Its rapid movements blurred across the field, closing in on Bodhi with fierce precision.

"Guard up, Bodhi!" I shouted. Bodhi settled in, letting out a puff of spores that created his defensive Spore Guard just in time. Doduo's head shot forward for Pluck, but it collided with the spore field. Although Bodhi couldn't dodge fast enough, Doduo stumbled back, affected by the spores lingering around Bodhi's form.

"Now, Mega Seed!" I called. Bodhi charged up a brilliant green aura, mixing the energy of Mega Drain with Leech Seed in a combo we'd worked hard to perfect. Green tendrils of energy leached out and connected with Doduo, sapping its vitality. Bodhi's seeds scattered across Doduo's feathers, faintly glowing as they anchored and drained Doduo's strength over time.

Cole didn't miss a beat. "Doduo, Agility, let's go!" Doduo's movements blurred again, faster than before as it darted side to side. Its next hit landed a Peck right on Bodhi's side, followed by a Double Hit from both heads.

Bodhi stumbled back but kept his focus, reinforcing his Spore Guard as more of his powders seeped through Doduo's feathers. Taking advantage of Doduo's proximity, I called out, "Bodhi, hit 'em with Swift Powder!"

Small, shining stars shot out, coating themselves in a thin layer of Poison Powder as they sped toward Doduo. Even with its speed, Doduo couldn't dodge them all. A few stars landed on it, delivering a low dose of poison. Bodhi's spores and seeds were working their magic, draining Doduo little by little. In another moment, the dual-type bird staggered and, after one last wingbeat, dropped to the ground, fainted.

The ref raised his flag. "Doduo is out! Mr. Cole, send out your next Pokémon."

Cole scowled, but his expression quickly shifted to determination. "Let's go, Munchy!" he called, tossing his next Pokéball. A Munchlax appeared, lumbering onto the field with a gleam of resolve in its eyes.

Munchlax wasted no time, launching straight into a Defense Curl. The solid layer of protection made it clear this would be a battle of endurance. "Bodhi, keep the pressure on with Swift Powder and Magical Leaf! We've got to wear it down!"

Bodhi launched his combo, scattering homing leaves that spiraled around the stars of Swift for extra power. They closed in on Munchy, who tanked the hits like it was nothing, layering another Defense Curl and giving a defiant shout. Not slowing down, it barreled forward with surprising speed.

Cole called out, "Body Slam, now!"

Bodhi tried to evade, but the hefty Munchlax slammed down hard, shaking the field. Bodhi dodged the initial impact, but Munchy was relentless, immediately following up with a loud Screech that echoed through the stadium, momentarily disorienting Bodhi. This gave Munchlax just enough time to close in and hit with a powerful Tackle, then a series of Bites, its natural bulk amplifying each move.

Bodhi, already winded, tried to resist, but the repeated impacts wore him down. He managed to hit Munchy with one last Poison Bomb, but after another hit from Munchy's Body Slam, Bodhi staggered and finally collapsed, out cold.

The ref raised his flag again. "Shroomish is out! Michael Kane, send out your next Pokémon."

I nodded, already knowing how this round would end. "Alright, Han, it's up to you!"

Han gave a determined nod and bounded onto the field, his fists sparking as he sized up Munchy. I grinned. Han's type advantage, combined with our new moves, would be perfect for this tanky opponent.

"Munchy, Defense Curl again!" Cole called. He was going to try to wear us out.

"Han, go in fast! Quick Attack, then Mach Punch combo!" Han zipped forward, his movements a blur, landing a series of rapid punches on Munchy's flank. Munchlax tried to grab him, reaching with stubby arms, but Han was too fast. Every time Munchy turned to block, Han danced around him, hitting every blind spot with Arm Thrust, delivering relentless, repeated hits.

Munchlax stumbled, its defenses cracking under Han's speed and precision. "Munchy, use Body Slam again!" Cole yelled, desperation in his voice.

Han darted back, narrowly avoiding the crushing weight of Munchlax as it slammed into the ground. With perfect timing, I called out, "Han, Brick Break—now!"

Han's fist glowed with fighting energy, and he launched himself forward, breaking through Munchy's final guard and delivering a solid hit. Munchlax reeled from the impact and collapsed, finally out of energy.

The ref raised his flag. "Munchlax is out! Michael Kane of Littleroot Town is the winner!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and the announcer's voice came on, hyping up the crowd. "An intense and strategic battle from Michael Kane and his Pokémon—an impressive display of quick thinking and teamwork! This Littleroot trainer has shown us a battle to remember!"

Cole walked over, extending his hand. "Good job, Michael. Those Pokemon of yours are no joke. I've never seen a Pokémon move like that nor that much combos move this early on."

I grinned, shaking his hand. "Thanks, Cole. Your Munchlax is a powerhouse, don't think I'd want to run into him once he evolves!"

With a nod of mutual respect, Cole and I parted ways, each of us heading to the Pokémon Center. As I made my way back, adrenaline still buzzing in my veins, I couldn't shake the thrill of building up for the finals. I found myself grinning, my thoughts racing ahead to the next match.

"I really hope I get to face Roxanne," I murmured to myself. The thought of going head-to-head with her, testing everything we'd both worked so hard on, it was the kind of challenge I'd been waiting for and one i wanted to have ever since the tournament started.