James pov

It was time for the final match of the tournament—me against Alex, to see who was the better trainer. I stepped up to my place with Dune and Scorch’s Poké Balls at my side, ready for action. I thought about what I knew so far. Alex had only used one Pokémon throughout the tournament: his Treecko. I didn’t know what his second Pokémon might be, but the question was, would he start with Treecko, or reveal his mystery Pokémon?

He knew my team—Torchic and Trapinch. He’s probably going to expect me to lead with Torchic, knowing that Dune, my Trapinch, has a terrible matchup against a speedy Grass-type like Treecko. That means he might send out his second Pokémon to counter me.

I ruffled my hair in frustration. “This is too much to think about,” I muttered to myself. The safest option would be to send out Scorch, my Torchic, first, and switch him out if I face a bad matchup. That settled it.

I walked to my spot on the field, gripping Scorch’s Poké Ball tightly.

“This will be a 2v2 match between trainers Alex from Petalburg City and James, also from Petalburg City. Each trainer is allowed one switch. Are both trainers ready?”

I nodded, and Alex smirked as he did the same.

“Then let the battle begin in 3… 2… 1… Begin!”

I quickly released Scorch in a flash of red light, and there he was—chirping energetically and ready for battle. I looked across the field and my heart sank.

Alex’s Pokémon wasn’t Treecko—it was a Lotad. A Water/Grass type.

“Scorch, use Flame Charge, now!” I shouted.

“Lotad, use Water Gun,” Alex ordered, his voice filled with confidence.

“Scorch, dodge it!” I yelled.

Lotad fired off a Water Gun, but Scorch reacted quickly, dodging to the side while keeping Flame Charge active. He zoomed towards Lotad before it could react, hitting it head-on. Lotad cried out in pain as Scorch’s speed increased from the move.

“Flame Charge again!” I commanded, eager to press the advantage.

Before Alex or Lotad could respond, Scorch charged in once more, ramming into Lotad with even more speed. The little Pokémon let out another cry as it took the hit. Scorch’s speed was now double-boosted. We had the upper hand!

“Lotad, use Mist!” Alex called out, his tone calm and neutral.

A thick fog of mist spread across the battlefield, obscuring everything. I couldn’t see a thing.

“Scorch, hold still and use Detect!” I called out. We hadn’t practiced Detect much, but I was hoping Scorch could pull it off.

“Lotad, Water Gun!”

Before Scorch could react, he was hit by a blast of water. He cried out from the super-effective hit.

“Scorch, keep moving! Use your speed to stay out of range!” I shouted, hoping his boosted speed would help us in this situation.

The battle dragged on through the mist for what felt like forever. I could hear the sounds of Scorch and Lotad darting around, but I had no idea what was happening. Finally, the mist cleared, revealing the two Pokémon.

“Lotad, Mega Drain!” Alex shouted.

Scorch, still disoriented from the mist, couldn’t react in time. Lotad drained his life energy, recovering some of its own health in the process.

“Scorch, get in close and use Scratch!” I yelled.

Scorch rushed forward, his claws glowing with energy. Lotad, still recovering from its last move, didn’t have time to react. Scorch’s Scratch landed cleanly, and Lotad staggered back.

“Lotad, Water Gun, now!”

Lotad fired off another Water Gun at point-blank range.

“Scorch, dodge!” I called out, but it was too late. The Water Gun clipped his side, sending him stumbling. Thankfully, Scorch’s speed boost from Flame Charge allowed him to minimize the damage.

Scorch struggled to keep his footing after the hit but steadied himself, determined not to back down. His eyes were focused, his little body vibrating with adrenaline and the speed boosts he’d built up.

“Come on, Scorch, you’ve got this! Quick Attack!” I called out, hoping his boosted speed would give us the edge to hit first.

Scorch darted forward in a flash, zigzagging to confuse Lotad. He struck Lotad, causing it to flinch back from the impact.

“Lotad, Astonish!” Alex called.

Lotad gathered its strength and unleashed a sudden, startling attack. Scorch flinched, pausing just long enough for Lotad to prepare its next move.

“Lotad, use Absorb!”

Lotad started to drain energy from Scorch, recovering some health as Scorch staggered from the impact.

“Hang in there, Scorch! Use Ember!” I commanded, determined to regain the upper hand.

Scorch launched a stream of fiery embers straight at Lotad. The flames hit their mark, causing Lotad to cry out as the pretty-effective hit landed. It took a step back, visibly weakened by the attack.

“Lotad, Water Gun!” Alex yelled, trying to counter quickly.

But Scorch’s boosted speed allowed him to react just in time. He darted to the side, dodging the Water Gun with ease.

“Now’s our chance, Scorch! Go for another Flame Charge!” I called out.

Scorch surged forward, flames swirling around him as he sped toward Lotad. He slammed into Lotad head-on, sending it tumbling across the field. Scorch’s speed increased even further, making him almost impossible to keep up with.

Alex looked worried. “Lotad, Mega Drain! Give it everything you’ve got!”

Lotad steadied itself and attempted to drain Scorch’s energy again, but Scorch was too quick, darting around Lotad in circles, keeping just out of reach.

“Finish it, Scorch! Quick Attack!”

In a final blur of movement, Scorch zoomed forward and struck Lotad one last time. Lotad wobbled and then collapsed, unable to continue the battle.

“Lotad is unable to battle!” the referee announced. “The winner of this round is Torchic!”

I grinned, my heart pounding in excitement. Scorch chirped triumphantly, his feathers fluffed with pride. We’d done it—we’d taken down Lotad, and now we were one step closer to victory.

“Trannier Alex you have 30 seconds to switch in your next Pokemon before you are disqualified” the referee shouted out as Lotad fainted.

I watched as Alex recalled his fainted Lotad, and Treecko, his final Pokémon, emerged in a flash of red light. He landed with a smooth, steady stance, his gaze fixed on Scorch, sizing him up. Scorch was tired, his breaths heavy, but he was still standing, with all the speed boosts he’d gained. Swapping him out for Dune wasn’t an option; Trapinch wouldn’t be able to keep up with Treecko’s speed.

“All right, Scorch, this is it,” I muttered under my breath. Scorch turned his head, giving a chirp that showed he was ready for one last push. He was exhausted but determined, and I knew he wouldn’t want to back down.

Alex gave me his usual cool smirk, then looked down at his Treecko. “Treecko, let’s start with Quick Attack!”

Treecko darted forward with blinding speed, aiming to land the first hit. I could barely see him as he closed the gap, moving with practiced precision.

“Quick Attack, Scorch!” I countered, hoping to meet Treecko head-on with our own speed.

But Alex’s eyes gleamed with strategy. “Quick Guard, now!”

Just as Scorch launched forward, Treecko skidded to a stop and raised his hands, forming a faint blue barrier around himself. Scorch’s Quick Attack collided with the shield, deflecting him back. Stunned, Scorch stumbled, his momentum broken.

“Treecko, counter with Bullet Seed!” Alex ordered smoothly, capitalizing on Scorch’s moment of vulnerability.

Treecko launched a stream of Bullet Seeds from his mouth, each one hitting Scorch squarely. He cried out, trying to regain his footing, but the attack was relentless, pushing him back with each hit.

“Hang in there, Scorch! Use Ember!” I called, trying to break Treecko’s attack pattern.

Scorch gathered his strength, took a shaky breath, and shot a small burst of embers toward Treecko. The flames arced forward, landing a direct hit. Treecko flinched, staggering from the burn, but he quickly recovered, though his eyes narrowed with a touch of respect. Scorch had clearly earned his attention.

Alex’s expression hardened, and he gave a slight nod. “You’re not making this easy, James, but we’re not done yet. Treecko, Mega Drain!”

Treecko focused, green tendrils of energy extending from his body toward Scorch. Scorch shivered as the energy latched onto him, draining the last bits of his strength. Treecko’s tired breathing eased as he absorbed Scorch’s energy, recovering some health.

“Don’t let it hold you back, Scorch! Flame Charge, now!” I yelled, desperate to turn the tables.

Scorch’s body lit up with flames as he charged forward, pushing through the Mega Drain and crashing into Treecko. The flames scorched Treecko, and he stumbled back, his green skin singed from the heat. Scorch’s speed boosted even higher, but it was clear he was nearing his limit, panting heavily with every move.

Alex’s expression softened slightly. “You’re strong, James you trained your Pokemon well,” he said, acknowledging our effort. Then, his eyes sharpened. “Treecko, finish this! Quick Attack!”

Treecko darted forward with renewed energy, his quick steps making him almost invisible as he closed the distance. Scorch braced himself, watching Treecko with fiery determination, refusing to back down.

“Scorch, Quick Attack!” I called, determined to give it our all.

Scorch dashed forward, his remaining energy pouring into one last strike. The two Pokémon hurtled toward each other, meeting in the center of the battlefield in a blur of movement. But Treecko’s Quick Attack hit first, slamming into Scorch with a well-timed precision that broke through his defenses. Scorch was sent tumbling back, skidding across the dirt before finally coming to a stop, unable to rise.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

“Torchic is unable to battle!” the referee announced, his voice echoing across the silent field. “The round goes to Treecko!”

I let out a long breath, mixed with disappointment and pride. Scorch had put up an incredible fight, pushing Treecko harder than I thought he could. As I recalled him, I gave a soft smile. “You did great, buddy. Rest up—you were amazing.”

Alex gave me a nod of respect as I put Scorch’s Poké Ball away. “That was closer than I expected. You and Yor Torchic have come a long way, James. In such a short amount of time. Just like me and Treeko, but I'm not gonna lose this.”

I grinned, my heart pounding with excitement. The battle wasn’t over yet—I still had Dune, and I wasn’t about to back down now. As I readied my last Poké Ball, I locked eyes with Alex, both of us fully aware that this final round would decide everything.

The referee’s voice rang out, breaking through my focus. “Trainer James, please switch in your next Pokémon within 30 seconds, or you will be disqualified!”

I snapped out of my thoughts, glancing down at Scorch’s Poké Ball as I clipped it to my belt. He had done an amazing job, pushing Treecko to its limits, but now it was up to Dune. My hand tightened around Dune’s Poké Ball as I took a steadying breath.

“We’ve got this, buddy,” I whispered to the small sphere. I knew Dune could hear me from inside, as he must have sensed my determination—the Poké Ball gave a small, reassuring shake in response. A smile broke onto my face. Dune was ready, just like I was.

With one final breath, I stepped forward, feeling the weight of every movement, the weight of the final showdown. All around, the crowd was silent, anticipation building in the air. Everyone knew this battle had been intense, and now, with just one Pokémon each, it was about to reach its peak. Every eye was on me, on Alex, and on our next moves.

I took a step back, readying myself. With a firm throw, I released Dune onto the battlefield. The Poké Ball burst open in a brilliant flash of light, and Dune emerged, his strong jaws snapping in excitement as he settled onto the ground, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto Treecko.

The atmosphere shifted. Dune, my trusty Trapinch, stood firm, his gaze steady as he sized up Treecko. Across the field, Alex’s Treecko was crouched low, breathing hard but focused, its confident eyes never leaving Dune.

For a moment, everything else faded—the noise of the crowd, the announcer’s voice, even the fact that this was a tournament. It was just me, Dune, Alex, and Treecko. This was the final battle, of the final round and I was going to win it.

Dunes Pov

That was pretty good battle from what I could see watching out of a Pokeball is pretty weird everything looks as if you're looking through a piece of technology were its not quite your vision but it almost feels like it anyways its about to be my turn to battle and I can't help but Ankit I'm a little nervous to fight a Treeko a pretty bad matchup for a Trapinch like me I mean he has the type and is way faster but at least have bug type moves.

My mussing was interrupted by a bright light from the Pokeball as I was sent out. “3 2 1 begin” The light faded, and I blinked, adjusting to the bright battlefield around me. The roar of the crowd reached my ears as my vision sharpened. There, across from me, stood Treecko, watching me with that steady, calm focus. I could sense his confidence, the quiet strength he had from all the training he’d put in. But I’d trained hard, too. I wasn’t going to let him take this without a fight.

I glanced back at James and saw his expression—focused, determined. I could feel his energy fueling my own. This was our moment, and I’d give it everything I had.

“3 2 1 begin” the referee shouted like always giving the newly switched in Pokemon some time to adjusted and with that the battle starts” Dune use First impression” James shouted out hastily and I acted I dashed forward quickly boosted by the nature of a priority move while covering my jaws in bug type energy.

“Trekko Qucik guard,” Alex shouted confidently before I could get there andnoike that ibcrasehed into the aqua-like energy shield before I could get there and deliver my first attack and pasoible could have been the only one need due to it beaing so lethel plexus effective against grass types and sheer force boosting it

But James didn’t hesitate. “Dune, Mud-Slap!”

I dug into the ground with my claws, summoning ground energy as I sent a wave of mud hurtling toward Treecko’s face. It struck him head-on, and he stumbled, blinking furiously as he tried to clear his vision. It was my chance to press forward.

“Quick Attack, Dune!” James called out, and I darted forward, moving as fast as I could. The world blurred as I closed the gap, aiming to catch Treecko off guard while he was still disoriented.

But Treecko was already reacting. Despite the mud in his eyes, he leapt aside, his speed allowing him to evade my attack. I skidded to a stop and narrowed my gaze, feeling my muscles tense in frustration. This Treecko was quick on his feet—every time I tried to get close, he seemed to slip out of reach. But I wasn’t giving up.

“Dune, Bug Bite!” James ordered, his voice brimming with determination.

I lunged forward, jaws alight with bug-type energy, closing in on Treecko as fast as my legs would carry me. He saw me coming and braced, but just as I thought I had him, Alex called, “Treecko, Quick Attack!”

Treecko blurred, using Quick Attack to dash around me, slipping just out of reach of my Bug Bite. I spun, my jaws snapping just shy of him as he circled me. The crowd murmured with excitement, and I knew they could feel the tension building. This wasn’t just a battle of power—it was a test of strategy, reflexes, and timing.

I panted, feeling the strain of pushing myself to keep up. Treecko was fast, and every time I closed in, he managed to stay one step ahead.

“Try again! Quick Attack to close the distance!” James encouraged.

I shot forward, a blur of movement as I aimed to catch Treecko off guard. He sidestepped, his Quick Attack meeting mine, and we clashed for a brief second, each of us trying to gain the upper hand. My jaws snapped just inches from him as he darted out of range once again, my teeth barely grazing his arm.

“Treecko, Pound!” Alex shouted.

Treecko pivoted, using his momentum to deliver a solid hit to my side with Pound. The force knocked me back, and I gritted my teeth against the pain, determined not to let it slow me down. I could feel James’s confidence in me, and I wasn’t going to let him down.

“Bug Bite, Dune! Keep pushing!” James’s voice was filled with energy, spurring me on.

I lunged again, jaws glowing as I aimed for Treecko’s exposed side. For a moment, I thought he might be too tired to dodge. But then, in a quick flash, Treecko ducked low, my Bug Bite just barely missing him as he spun away. I landed with a huff, realizing that every move was costing me more energy. Treecko was using my power against me, dodging and wearing me down. But I wasn’t about to back off—I’d push until I couldn’t anymore.

“Treecko, Leafage!” Alex called.

Treecko unleashed a storm of leaves, each one slicing through the air toward me. I tried to dodge, but the onslaught was too quick, and several of the leaves struck, cutting into my hide and making me stagger back. But even as I panted from the impact, I knew I couldn’t give up. James was counting on me.

“Quick Attack again!” James shouted, his voice unwavering.

With a surge of determination, I darted forward, closing the gap yet again. Treecko’s eyes flashed, and he used Quick Attack to dodge, but I anticipated it this time, adjusting my angle to catch him off guard. My jaws finally clamped down on him with Bug Bite, and he let out a surprised hiss of pain. The crowd gasped as Treecko struggled against my hold, feeling the super-effective attack take its toll.

But Alex was quick. “Treecko, break free and use Mega Drain!”

Treecko wrenched himself free, landing a few feet away before sending tendrils of green energy toward me. I couldn’t dodge in time, and I felt the life being drained from me, sapping away the strength I’d fought so hard to keep.

My vision blurred, and my legs wobbled. I could feel myself weakening, the energy slipping from my body into his. But James’s voice cut through the haze.

“Flail, Dune! Give it everything you’ve got!”

With the last of my strength, I lunged forward in a desperate Flail, putting everything I had into the move. I slammed into Treecko, the impact sending him skidding back. He breathed hard, visibly worn down, but he managed to stay on his feet.

For a second, I thought I’d done it. But then Alex’s voice cut through the silence, steady and commanding.

“Treecko, Quick Attack, finish this!”

Treecko blurred forward, faster than I could react. His Quick Attack hit with a burst of power, sending me sprawling across the ground. I felt the rough dirt beneath me, my energy completely spent. I tried to rise, but my body refused to move.

The referee’s voice echoed in my ears. “Trapinch is unable to battle! The round goes to Treecko, and the match goes to Alex!”

Lying there, a mix of pride and exhaustion washed over me. I’d pushed Treecko to the limit, and I’d given it everything I had. The crowd’s cheers felt distant as I closed my eyes the last thing I saw beaing a flash of white light, feeling James’s warmth and pride as he returned me to my Poké Ball. I’d fought well, and I knew James felt the same. But I also heard James gasp and sound surprised before everything faded to black.

James pov

I looked down at Dune with a proud grin on my face. Despite being at such a disadvantage, he had put up a tremendous fight, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. As I clicked his Poké Ball to return him, I cast a glance over to Alex’s Treecko. The little Grass-type was on its last legs, barely able to stay upright, breathing heavily, and clearly exhausted.

But just as I reached to put Dune’s Poké Ball back at my side, a sudden bright light erupted from Treecko. The intensity of it made me squint and shield my eyes, and a murmur swept through the crowd as they watched. It took me a second to realize what was happening, but when I did, a thrill shot through me—Treecko was evolving!

I blinked, adjusting to the brightness, and watched as Treecko’s form began to shift and grow. Its body lengthened, gaining height and more defined limbs. A sharp, leafy crest began to emerge, extending from its head and running down its back, while two strong, leaf-like blades sprouted from its forearms. Its once short, smooth tail transformed into a longer, sleek shape, looking more like a weapon than an appendage. By the time the light faded, a new, formidable figure stood in Treecko’s place. Now about a meter tall, the newly evolved Grovyle gazed out at the crowd with sharp, piercing yellow eyes. Its body was lean and agile, every inch of it exuding a newfound strength and speed.

I could hardly believe it. Alex’s Treecko had evolved into Grovyle, right here in the middle of the match. The evolution clearly revitalized it, erasing its previous exhaustion as it stood taller and more confidently, practically radiating energy and pride. The crowd erupted into wild cheers, both congratulating Alex on his victory and celebrating the rare sight of an in-battle evolution.

I couldn’t help but smile. Dune had given everything he had, and while we didn’t win, I was grateful to be part of a battle that was memorable for everyone. I took a deep breath and nodded to myself—today was a step forward, and I knew Dune and I would only grow stronger from here.

“And the winner of the Beginner’s Tournament goes to Alex from Petalburg City!” the referee announced, his voice booming over the cheering crowd. I watched as Alex returned his Grovyle, the Poké Ball flashing red before clicking shut in his hand. To my surprise, he immediately turned and began walking toward me. I hadn’t expected him to approach, and though I tried to stay cool, I could feel my heart racing a little.

“Hey, James,” he greeted me confidently, raising a hand in a casual wave.

“U-um, yes, that’s me,” I replied, fumbling a bit and pointing awkwardly at myself, feeling a little unsure of what to do as I shuffled in place. He lowered his hand and closed the distance between us, stopping just a step away.

“That was a pretty good battle, I’ve gotta say,” he said with a grin. “Much better than anyone else here, that’s for sure,” he added, lowering his voice as he looked me over with genuine respect in his eyes.

“Uh, yeah, it was definitely a good match,” I replied, a bit taken aback by the compliment.

Then he seemed to straighten, an almost mischievous spark lighting up his face. “Look, I’m just going to get straight to the point—would you want to become my travel partner?”

My jaw must have dropped in surprise because he chuckled, smirking to himself.

“Wait, what? You want to travel together?” I asked, still trying to process. “Why me, and… why do you want a travel partner?”

He looked me straight in the eyes, a thoughtful smile spreading across his face as he answered, his tone shifting through a range of emotions.

“Well, first of all, I want to travel with you because you’re clearly talented and a good trainer,” he said, nodding slightly as if confirming this to himself. “Not everyone gets a royal starter like a Torchic, after all.” He grinned, and for a moment, his usual confidence softened. “And I think we could be rivals—a real challenge for each other, to push ourselves and our teams to be even better. That sounds pretty great, right?”

His eyes glinted with enthusiasm, but his expression turned more serious as he continued, his voice lowering. “And, honestly, there’s also the whole safety thing,” he admitted, glancing away for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “Traveling alone isn’t always a great idea. There are Pokémon thieves out there, and some wild Pokémon can be seriously dangerous. Having someone with you just makes sense.”

Then he smirked, his tone lightening up as he shrugged. “But honestly? The main reason is that it’d be incredibly boring traveling by myself. I can’t imagine going all that way with nobody to talk to or compete with. So… what do you say? Do you want to be my partner—and by extension, my rival?”

I put my hand to my chin, running through the pros and cons in my mind. Traveling together would mean more excitement, safer routes, and the chance to really challenge myself against Alex. He was clearly serious about becoming strong, and I could feel a sense of friendly rivalry already building between us.

I took a moment to consider Alex’s proposal, weighing the pros and cons in my mind.

On the pro side, the idea of having a travel partner was undeniably appealing. Being rivals would motivate both of us to train harder and push each other to improve. Plus, there was the added benefit of safety. Having a partner meant I wouldn’t be alone when facing potential threats on the road, and I remembered hearing that trainers with royal starters were often targeted by thieves. With Alex having one, I would feel a little more secure knowing I had someone experienced by my side.

There were also practical benefits. We could share supplies, strategize on battles, and even combine our strengths in catching Pokémon. There was something exciting about the idea of encountering wild Pokémon together and perhaps even teaming up to take them down.

However, I couldn’t ignore the potential downsides. I didn’t really know Alex that well yet—would we get along? What if our personalities clashed, or our training styles didn’t mesh? That thought made me pause. And there was also the risk of competition becoming a source of friction. What if we both tried to catch the same Pokémon? There was always a chance that Alex could snag a rare catch right out from under me, and I could miss out on my dream team.

As I considered these points, my heart raced. After all my worries, I realized I was drawn to the idea of traveling together. The benefits far outweighed my fears. I could tell Alex was determined and focused, and I admired his ambition.

Finally, I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my decision. “Okay, I think I’d like that,” I said, a little nervously. “I want to be your travel partner—and your rival.”

Alex’s face lit up with a genuine smile, and I felt a rush of excitement wash over me. I had made my choice, and now, I was ready to take on the world with someone who could challenge me like never before.