Kenji and Axel made their way back to the stadium seats after healing up Axel’s Pokémon, with Mabosstiff trotting confidently beside Axel and Gengar playfully hovering around Kenji, occasionally phasing in and out of shadows. The energy in the arena was electrifying as they took their seats, and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation for the final matches. Gengar floated close to Kenji, its eerie grin ever-present, while Mabosstiff sat alert by Axel's side, his dark fur gleaming under the stadium lights.

"Feels different now, doesn’t it?" Kenji said, leaning back in his seat.

Axel nodded. "Yeah, it's intense. These next battles are gonna be the toughest yet."

Kenji glanced at Gengar, who gave a mischievous chuckle. "Next time we’ll be down there too. Right, buddy?"

Gengar let out a cackling laugh, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Kenji couldn’t help but smile, feeling more confident with his newly-evolved Pokémon by his side.

The lights in the stadium dimmed slightly, and the crowd hushed. The announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, cutting through the air.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now entering the final stage of this tournament! Our four finalists have fought their way through fierce competition, and now it all comes down to this!”

The massive screen above the arena lit up, once again, with the faces of the four remaining trainers, each one a powerhouse in their own right.

“First up, we have Axel from Paldea, the fearsome trainer known for his bond with his Mabosstiff!”

Axel waved modestly as his face appeared on the screen. Mabosstiff let out a low growl of approval, his fierce eyes scanning the crowd.

“Next, from Sinnoh, we have Elena, a Champion-level trainer whose skills have dominated every battle so far!”

The camera shifted to Elena, who stood confidently with a small smirk. Her Pokémon, no doubt waiting eagerly to battle, were known for their sheer strength and tactical prowess.

“From Galar, we have Viktor, a strategist with a team built for endurance and overwhelming force!”

The screen showed Viktor standing tall, his stoic expression giving away nothing, but Kenji knew he was a serious contender, especially after watching him in action.

“And finally, from Hoenn, we have Taro, a trainer whose unique battling style has thrown even the toughest opponents off their game!”

Taro’s image appeared on the screen, his face calm but focused. The battles ahead would push everyone to their limits.

Kenji leaned forward in his seat, heart racing as the screen shifted back to the center of the arena, where the spotlight now focused. The announcer paused dramatically, letting the tension build before he continued.

“And there you have it—our Final four! The matchups will be revealed shortly, so get ready for an explosive showdown!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, the excitement reaching a fever pitch as the final battles loomed. Kenji exchanged a glance with Axel, both of them knowing that the real test was about to begin.

The stadium roared with excitement as the massive screen above the arena flickered to reveal the matchups for the final four. The crowd quieted as the names appeared, one after another:

Viktor vs. Elena.

Axel vs. Taro.

Kenji’s heart raced. He glanced at Axel, who nodded confidently. “Looks like we’re up second,” Axel said, clenching his fists with anticipation. Kenji nodded back but kept his eyes on the field, ready to witness the first match.

The battlefield was set as Viktor stepped into the arena with his usual stoic composure. Across from him stood Elena, her champion aura radiating confidence. Both trainers were veterans, and everyone in the audience knew they were about to witness a clash of titans.

The announcer’s voice cut through the crowd’s murmur. “The first match of the final four: Viktor from Galar versus Elena from Sinnoh! Both have fought valiantly to reach this stage, but only one will advance to the final! Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!”

Viktor, calm and calculated, reached for his Pokéball. “Let’s show them your strength. Coalossal, to battle!”

With a flash of light, the enormous Coalossal materialized on the battlefield. Its rocky body smoldered with molten heat, steam rising from the cracks in its coal-like armor. The ground beneath it seemed to rumble with every move it made.

Elena responded without hesitation. “Empoleon, it’s time to show your power!”

Her Empoleon emerged from the Pokéball with a majestic cry, its steel-plated body gleaming under the arena lights. Water rippled from its flippers as it took a confident stance, locking eyes with Coalossal.

The tension was thick. Kenji leaned forward in his seat, eyes wide. Gengar hovered beside him, as focused as his trainer. This was going to be one hell of a fight.

The announcer’s voice boomed through the stadium. “Let the battle begin!”

Viktor was the first to act. “Coalossal, start with Smokescreen!”

Coalossal let out a deep, guttural roar, spewing thick black smoke that quickly enveloped the battlefield. The heavy cloud of smoke billowed around Empoleon, reducing visibility to almost nothing.

Elena, unfazed, smirked. “You think that’ll stop us? Aqua Jet, now!”

Empoleon shot forward like a bullet, a stream of water propelling it through the smoke at high speed. It crashed into Coalossal, striking its rocky hide with the full force of the attack. The hit was solid, but Coalossal held its ground, grunting as water hissed against its burning skin, its Steam Engine Ability raising its speed.

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve got more than that. Tar Shot!”

Coalossal's body rumbled as it spat a stream of sticky, burning tar at Empoleon. The thick substance coated Empoleon, reducing its speed dramatically as the tar sizzled against its metallic body.

Elena's expression tightened. “That’s going to make it harder for us, but we can still end this quickly. Flash Cannon, go!”

Empoleon's body glowed bright silver as it fired a blinding beam of steel energy through the smoke. The attack slammed into Coalossal’s chest, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground. Coalossal staggered back, but Viktor wasn’t done.

“Stay in the fight! Flame Charge!”

Coalossal roared again, its body igniting as it charged through the smoke, slamming into Empoleon. Flames burst from the point of impact, and the crowd gasped as both Pokémon struggled against each other in the heat of battle. Coalossal’s speed increased with every second, the tar burning hotter as it stuck to Empoleon’s body.

Kenji’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched. “This is insane,” he muttered, leaning closer. “Coalossal is turning the whole field into an inferno.”

But Elena remained calm. “We’re not done yet. Empoleon, finish it! Hydro Cannon!”

The arena fell silent as Empoleon gathered every ounce of its strength. Water swirled violently around it, building into a massive tidal wave of energy. With a mighty roar, Empoleon unleashed Hydro Cannon, an attack so powerful it shook the entire stadium. The torrent of water smashed into Coalossal, extinguishing its flames instantly and sending it flying backward into the arena wall with a thunderous crash.

Coalossal lay still, steam rising from its drenched body. Viktor’s expression darkened, but he stayed composed.

The announcer’s voice echoed in the aftermath. “Coalossal is unable to battle! Empoleon wins round one!”

The crowd exploded into cheers. Elena crossed her arms, a confident smirk playing across her face. “I told you, Viktor. We’re on another level.”

Kenji’s eyes were wide with awe. “That Hydro Cannon… Gengar, did you see that? It’s like Empoleon’s entire body turned into a weapon.” Gengar floated next to him, eyes gleaming as it let out an impressed chuckle.

Axel whistled. “Viktor’s in trouble, man. That’s a tough loss.”

But Viktor wasn’t done yet. As he recalled Coalossal, he gave Elena a calm nod. “It’s not over yet.”

Kenji leaned forward. “I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

The battle was only just beginning, and with both trainers pulling out all the stops, everyone knew the next round would be even more explosive.

The crowd’s cheers died down for just a moment as Elena recalled her victorious Empoleon. Its Hydro Cannon had left the battlefield soaked and steaming, but now, the audience was eager to see what came next.

Elena smirked confidently. "You did great, Empoleon. Take a rest." She pulled another Pokéball from her belt, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Now, let’s show them what speed really means. Staraptor, take flight!”

With a burst of light, Staraptor erupted from the Pokéball, spreading its massive wings as it took to the sky. The fierce bird Pokémon circled above, its sharp gaze locked onto Viktor, ready for the next phase of battle. The air around it seemed to vibrate with intensity.

Viktor's expression remained calm, though there was a noticeable glint of determination in his eyes. “Staraptor, huh? Looks like we’ll need something strong to take that down.” He selected his next Pokéball and tossed it onto the field. “Duraludon, let’s end this.”

A towering, metallic behemoth materialized on the battlefield with a heavy thud. Duraludon, the Steel and Dragon-type Pokémon, stood firm, its skyscraper-like body gleaming under the stadium lights. The crowd erupted into cheers, eager to see how this showdown between speed and power would unfold.

Kenji leaned forward in his seat, his eyes wide. “Duraludon… this is gonna be insane, Gengar.”

Gengar chuckled ominously, watching the scene with gleaming eyes.

The tension was electric as the two Pokémon sized each other up. Staraptor circled high in the air, waiting for Elena's command.

"Let’s take control early! Quick Attack, Staraptor!"

With a sudden burst of speed, Staraptor rocketed toward Duraludon, moving faster than the eye could follow. The impact was swift as Staraptor struck Duraludon’s chest, the metallic clang echoing across the stadium.

But Duraludon barely flinched. Viktor smirked. “That won’t cut it. Thunderbolt, now!”

Electricity crackled around Duraludon’s body as it charged up, then unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt toward the airborne Staraptor. The bolt of electricity arced through the air, striking Staraptor dead-on. The bird Pokémon screeched in pain, its body spasming mid-flight as it was forced back.

Staraptor barely managed to regain its balance, but the damage was clear. It was fast, but Duraludon’s power was overwhelming.

Elena’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. We’ll just have to hit harder. Close Combat, Staraptor!”

Staraptor dove straight down, its wings glowing with fighting energy. With incredible force, it slammed into Duraludon, raining down a barrage of hits. Each strike seemed to dent Duraludon’s metallic armor, causing sparks to fly.

The crowd gasped as Duraludon staggered back, visibly weakened by the ferocious assault.

Viktor’s expression didn’t change. “We’re not going down that easy. Laser Focus, now.”

Duraludon’s eyes glowed with a piercing light as it honed in on Staraptor. The Steel Dragon stood tall, unwavering despite the damage. Kenji’s heart skipped a beat—he knew that Laser Focus meant that Viktor was setting up for something big.

Elena’s eyes widened. “We can’t let that hit. Wing Attack, Staraptor, finish this!”

Staraptor surged forward again, its wings glowing as it prepared to strike Duraludon head-on.

But Viktor was ready.

“Now, Steel Beam!”

Duraludon’s entire body began to glow with a blinding, metallic light. A deafening roar echoed through the stadium as Duraludon unleashed Steel Beam, an unbelievably powerful blast of energy that shot directly at Staraptor.

The audience held their breath.

The beam collided with Staraptor in mid-air, and for a moment, the arena was engulfed in a bright flash. When the light faded, Staraptor was nowhere to be seen—its body slammed into the ground, unconscious and smoking from the sheer force of the hit.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Viktor stood calmly, patting his Duraludon on the head, as it had taken heavy recoil from the Steel Beam, visibly staggering.

The announcer’s voice boomed over the roaring crowd, “Staraptor is unable to battle! Duraludon wins the round! Viktor takes round two!”

Kenji let out a slow breath, awe in his voice. "That... was insane. Steel Beam is something else."

Axel nodded, impressed. “Viktor’s not holding back. Duraludon’s a beast, but it almost knocked itself out with that move.”

Kenji glanced at Gengar, who floated nearby, grinning mischievously. “We’re going to have to be just as strong if we want to keep up with these guys.”

Gengar laughed and nodded in agreement.

Viktor gave a silent nod to Elena, acknowledging the tough battle as he prepared for the final round.

The stadium buzzed with anticipation as both trainers stood silently, Elena holding a Pokéball containing her heavily injured but determined Pokémon and Viktor almost holding up Duraludon. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, knowing this final round would decide the winner.

Elena's brow furrowed in concentration. She knew her Empoleon was on its last legs after the grueling first round, but there was still a trump card she hadn’t played yet. She looked down at the shimmering Tera Orb in her pocket, a smile tugging at her lips.

On the other side, Viktor clenched his fists, staring at his injured Duraludon, who had barely survived the last exchange. He could feel the weight of the match on his shoulders.

"Both trainers have one Pokémon left!" The announcer’s voice boomed over the stadium. "Elena’s Empoleon and Viktor’s Duraludon are both near their breaking points! This final clash will determine the winner—who will take it?"

Elena tossed her Pokéball, releasing Empoleon onto the battlefield. The Emperor Pokémon emerged, visibly battered and weak from its earlier battle, but still standing strong, its eyes gleaming with determination.

Viktor followed suit, letting Duraludon back onto the field. The towering metallic dragon moved forward, its body scorched and dented from the previous battle with Staraptor. It staggered slightly, but it too remained ready to fight.

Viktor looked across the field, locking eyes with Elena. "This is it. Duraludon’s taken everything you’ve thrown at it, but it still stands."

Elena chuckled darkly. "You’ve been strong, but you’re about to see the power of a Champion."

The stadium's lights dimmed slightly as Elena held up her Tera Orb, the shimmering crystal casting an ethereal glow across the battlefield. The crowd gasped in awe as Elena began to channel its energy.

"Let’s end this, Empoleon! Show them your true power!" The Tera Orb in her hand surged with radiant light, enveloping Empoleon in a blinding blue aura. Water energy swirled around Empoleon, and with a burst of light, it Terastallized into a pure Water type. A crystalline crown formed atop Empoleon’s head, amplifying its already immense water powers.

Kenji's eyes widened. "Whoa! She’s going to finish this with a Water-Type move."

Axel whistled, clearly impressed. "Pure Water... that’s going to be a serious problem for Viktor. His Duraludon’s Steel and Dragon typing could withstand a Water-Type move, but a Tera Boosted one? I don't know.”

Viktor narrowed his eyes. "No gimmick or fancy crystals here, but Duraludon—we’re not done yet! Thunderbolt, now!"

Duraludon, battered and bruised, summoned the last of its strength and fired a powerful Thunderbolt. A swirling bolt of electric energy rocketed toward Empoleon, ripping through the air.

Elena's face remained calm. "Empoleon, Aqua Jet—dodge it!"

In a flash, Empoleon’s body was engulfed in water, and with blinding speed, it launched itself forward, narrowly dodging the Thunderbolt as it blasted through the spot where Empoleon had been standing just moments earlier.

Kenji leaned forward in his seat, Gengar floating beside him, both of them completely engrossed in the action. "That was close! If that hit, it might’ve been over."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Empoleon shot forward with the speed of Aqua Jet, closing the distance between it and Duraludon in an instant, crashing into Duraludon with the force of a tsunami. The metallic dragon was completely overwhelmed, its body engulfed by the raging water. Duraludon let out a final, pained roar before collapsing to the ground, completely drenched and unconscious.

The crowd exploded into cheers as the announcer’s voice boomed. "Duraludon is unable to battle! Empoleon wins! Elena advances to the finals!"

Elena stood tall, breathing heavily from the intense match, but a triumphant grin spread across her face. "That’s how you end a battle, Viktor."

Viktor, though defeated, gave a small nod. "You fought well. I’ll be back stronger next time."

As the battlefield cleared, Kenji stared in awe at Elena's display of power. "Wow... that was incredible. She completely dominated with that Tera Orb."

Axel folded his arms, his face serious. "She's no joke. This just shows how powerful gimmicks like Terastallization can be. I’m going to have to rethink my strategy after watching this."

Kenji looked at Gengar, then at Axel. "We’ll both have to train harder. She’s on another level."

Axel smirked. "We’ll catch up. No doubt about it."

As they watched Elena walk off the field, victorious, Kenji knew he had a long way to go, but this tournament was only the beginning of his journey to become a champion.

As they left the stadium, the announcement of Axel’s upcoming battle against Taro an hour later still echoed in Kenji's mind. With some time to spare, the two trainers wandered through the city streets, searching for a spot to grab a bite. They eventually found a cozy fast food joint tucked between two larger buildings. The smell of warm food drew them in, and they sat down by a window with Gengar and Mabosstiff settling beside them.

Kenji ordered a plate of pasta with a rich, savory sauce while Axel opted for a hearty bowl of soup. Gengar and Mabosstiff were munching happily on their Poke food, taking occasional glances at each other, seemingly trying to bond. Mabosstiff gave a playful nudge to Gengar, who responded with a mischievous grin before fading in and out of visibility, to Mabosstiff’s confusion.

Kenji smiled at their antics before turning to Axel. "That battle Elena just had was insane! The way she used her Tera Orb... I still can't wrap my head around it. I mean, how did her Empoleon turn into a Water type? And your *

Mabosstiff became Electric. How does that work?"

Axel finished a spoonful of his soup, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Ah, the power of Terastallization," he said with a smirk. "Each Pokémon has something called a Tera Type. When you use a Tera Orb, your Pokémon turns into that type. It can be the same as their natural type or something totally different. In my case, Mabosstiff’s Tera Type is Electric. That's why it turned Electric in my earlier battles."

Kenji's eyes widened in amazement. "Really? I didn’t know every Pokémon had a unique Tera Type. So even if I catch the same species, their Tera Types could be different?"

Axel nodded. "Exactly. It’s all about strategy. Knowing your Pokémon's Tera Type gives you an edge in battle. You can pull off some crazy surprises."

Kenji took a bite of his pasta, deep in thought. "So, I don’t even know what Tera Types my Pokémon have. How do I find out?"

Axel grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Easy. Just ask Dexter to update your Pokémon’s data to show their Tera Types. That’s how I found out about Mabosstiff. It'll give you all the info you need."

Kenji quickly pulled out his Pokédex, tapping a few buttons. "Dexter, update my Pokémon’s profiles to include their Tera Types, please."

The screen flickered for a moment as the device processed the request. After a few seconds, a list of his Pokémon’s updated stats appeared. Kenji eagerly scanned the screen, calling out the information to Axel.

“Okay, here we go! Let’s start with Gengar," Kenji said, turning the screen so Axel could see.

Gengar

- Level: 35

- Moves: Shadow Ball, Hypnosis, Sucker Punch, Thunderbolt

- Tera Type: Ghost

Axel nodded in approval. "Solid. Staying with its primary Ghost-type. That’ll give Gengar an insane boost to its Ghost moves when Terastallized."

Kenji smiled and scrolled down to his next Pokémon.

“Alright, here’s Venusaur:"

Venusaur

- Level: 32

- Moves: Power Whip, Sleep Powder, Take Down, Razor Leaf

- Tera Type: Poison

"Poison, huh? That could come in handy,” Axel remarked. “With a Tera Orb, it’ll amp up your Poison moves and turn Venusaur into a real menace.”

Kenji nodded. “Yeah, i’ll just have to teach it some Poison moves."

Next up was Pidgeotto.

Pidgeotto

- Level: 27

- Moves: Wing Attack, Quick Attack, Gust, Sand Attack

- Tera Type: Flying

“Ah, no surprises there,” Kenji chuckled. "Still, turning into a pure Flying type could make Pidgeotto even stronger."

Axel shrugged. "It’s always useful to double down on a Pokémon's strengths."

Kenji continued to the next.

“Let’s see what Raticate has:"

Raticate

- Level: 29

- Moves: Dig, Quick Attack, Crunch, Swords Dance

- Tera Type: Dark

Axel’s eyes lit up at this one. "Dark Tera Type? That’s perfect. Combine that with Crunch and you’ve got a serious threat. Swords Dance to boost it, too? Nasty."

Kenji grinned, feeling excited by all the potential he hadn’t even realized his Pokémon had. Kenji put his Pokédex away, feeling more confident than ever. “Now that I know my team’s Tera Types, I feel like I’ve unlocked a whole new level of strategy.”

Axel raised his soup bowl in a mock toast. “To future victories, then. You’ve got this, Kenji."

Kenji chuckled, clinking his glass of water against Axel's bowl. “Let’s do this."

As they finished their meal, the announcer’s voice could be faintly heard echoing from the stadium, preparing the crowd for the next battle. Gengar and Mabosstiff exchanged glances before bounding playfully around their trainers.

With their Pokémon by their side and their spirits lifted, Kenji and Axel made their way back toward the stadium, excited for the battles that lay ahead.

As Kenji and Gengar made their way back to the stands, the tension in the stadium was palpable. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as Axel prepared to face off against Taro in the semi-final match. Kenji found a good spot, settling into his seat with Gengar by his side, the ghostly Pokémon’s wide grin never faltering.

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, "And now, it’s time for our next semi-final match! On one side, we have Axel from Paldea, and on the other, Taro from Hoenn! Both trainers are ready, and the battle will begin shortly!"

Kenji leaned forward, eager to watch his friend in action. Axel stood confidently on his side of the battlefield, a sharp look of focus in his eyes. Across from him, Taro exuded a calm, collected demeanor, his cold stare matching his first Pokémon's appearance. The battlefield was set, and the tension between the two trainers grew.

Axel wasted no time, pulling out his Pokéball. "Let's go, Marowak!" he shouted as his bone-wielding warrior appeared, swinging its bone club in readiness.

Taro smiled slightly, throwing out his own Pokéball. "Time to chill things down. Glalie, let's show them how it's done!"

The icy, floating head of Glalie emerged, its frosty aura sending a chill through the arena. The temperature seemed to drop just with Glalie’s presence.

The announcer's voice rang out again, "Axel's Marowak versus Taro's Glalie! Let the battle begin!"

Axel pointed forward. "Marowak, Fire Punch, let’s heat this up!"

Marowak’s fist ignited with blazing flames, and it charged forward with incredible speed, aiming a powerful strike at Glalie. The crowd gasped, anticipating a direct hit.

But Taro was ready. "Glalie, use Double Team!"

In an instant, Glalie multiplied across the battlefield, creating several identical copies of itself. Marowak’s fiery punch sailed through one of the illusions, hitting nothing but air. The real Glalie floated calmly above the battlefield, watching.

"Damn it," Axel muttered, already strategizing his next move. "Marowak, don’t let it mess with you. Use Bonemerang!"

Marowak spun its bone club with precision before launching it through the air. The bone cut through several of the Glalie copies, returning like a boomerang and passing through more illusions.

Taro smirked. "Time to slow them down, Glalie. Use Icy Wind!"

A chilling gust of wind blew across the battlefield, hitting Marowak squarely. The cold air slowed Marowak's movements, frost forming on its skin as it tried to shake off the freezing effects.

"Keep your distance, Marowak!" Axel called, his voice tense. "Now, Thrash!"

With a powerful roar, Marowak swung wildly, charging at the nearest copy of Glalie and smashing through illusion after illusion. It was a brutal display of force, but Glalie continued to evade, staying out of reach.

Taro narrowed his eyes. "Let’s get serious. Freeze-Dry, Glalie!"

The real Glalie revealed itself, its eyes glowing icy blue as it fired a concentrated blast of freezing energy at Marowak. The attack hit hard, causing Marowak to stumble back, the freezing attack biting into its flesh and leaving frostburned marks across its body.

Kenji winced from the stands. “That’s brutal! Axel’s going to need to turn this around fast.”

But Axel wasn’t about to give up. He clenched his fist, shouting, "Marowak, finish this with Bonemerang again! Target the real one this time!"

Through sheer determination, Marowak fought through the pain, hurling its bone club with everything it had. This time, the attack hit its mark. The bone slammed into the real Glalie, knocking it out of the air and crashing to the ground. The bone returned to Marowak’s hand as the ice-type Pokémon struggled to float back up.

Taro’s eyes flashed with intensity. "We’re not done yet! Headbutt, Glalie!"

With surprising speed, Glalie darted forward, ramming into Marowak with all its might. The impact sent Marowak flying backward, but the resilient ground-type Pokémon managed to get back on its feet, bruised but still standing.

Axel gritted his teeth. "We need to finish this before it’s too late. Fire Punch, let’s end this!"

Marowak, flames roaring from its fist once again, charged forward in one final attempt to take down Glalie.

Taro knew this was it. "Counter it with Freeze-Dry, Glalie!"

The two Pokémon clashed in a head-on collision. Marowak’s fiery punch connected just as Glalie’s freezing attack hit. The arena exploded in a shower of steam and ice, the collision of fire and ice sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

As the steam cleared, both Pokémon stood frozen in place for a moment before Glalie crumbled, fainting from the intense fire damage. Marowak wobbled on its feet, its body covered in frost and bruises, but it was still standing.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the referee raised his hand. "And the winner of the first round is Axel’s Marowak!"

Kenji cheered from his seat, clapping loudly. "That was insane! Marowak held on so well! Gengar, what do you think?" Gengar cackled in approval, clearly enjoying the intensity of the battle.

Axel let out a breath of relief, calling Marowak back to its Pokéball. "Good job, buddy. You earned this one."

As Axel prepared for the next round, Taro gritted his teeth, already planning his next move. This battle was far from over, and both trainers knew it.

With round one complete, the tension in the stadium only grew. Everyone was eager to see what would happen next in this intense semifinal showdown.

The air crackled with tension as Axel and Taro faced off for the next round. Both trainers stood at opposite ends of the arena, their eyes locked with fierce determination. The crowd roared with excitement, knowing this was going to be an intense showdown. Axel’s Fearow circled above him, wings spread wide, while Taro's Blaziken stood at the ready, fiery energy emanating from its entire body.

“Go, Fearow! Let’s show them what we’re made of!” Axel shouted.

Taro grinned, holding up his Mega Stone. “Blaziken, time to heat things up! Mega Evolve!”

In an instant, Blaziken transformed, its flames roaring even hotter as it bulked up into its Mega form. The crowd erupted as Blaziken’s power visibly surged, its sharp talons scratching the ground, and the flames around its wrists swirling with even more intensity.

Axel, undeterred, clenched his Tera Orb. “You’re not the only one with a trick up your sleeve. Fearow, it’s time!”

Fearow began to glow with a bright crystalline aura as the power of the Tera Orb surged through it, turning the bird Pokémon into a pure Flying type. Its wings shimmered, appearing sharper, deadlier, as its flying abilities were taken to the next level.

Taro gave a smirk. “Blaziken, hit it hard with Blaze Kick!”

Blaziken launched forward with blazing speed, its leg engulfed in fire as it aimed a powerful Blaze Kick at Fearow. Fearow barely managed to dodge the fiery strike, the flames just grazing its wing. Axel clenched his fists.

“Fearow, Aerial Ace now!”

With blinding speed, Fearow swooped down, its wings slicing through the air. Aerial Ace connected directly with Blaziken’s chest, causing the Mega Pokémon to stumble back from the impact. Blaziken grunted but quickly regained its footing, its eyes burning with determination.

Taro, looking calm but calculated, yelled, “Blaziken, Fire Blast!”

Blaziken unleashed a massive, swirling inferno of fire toward Fearow. Axel reacted instantly.

“Fearow, Drill Run through it!”

Fearow spun its entire body in mid-air, transforming into a high-speed drill. It shot forward, spiraling through the oncoming flames of the Fire Blast. The attack’s force pushed through the fiery wall, making contact with Blaziken, sending it reeling.

The crowd gasped as Blaziken slid back across the battlefield, clearly hurt but still standing. Axel smirked, but Taro wasn’t finished yet.

“Blaziken, let’s finish this with Brick Break!”

Blaziken charged forward, its fist raised high, glowing with the power of Brick Break. Axel’s heart raced as he saw the attack coming.

“Fearow, dodge and use Fury Attack!”

Fearow darted sideways, narrowly avoiding Blaziken’s Brick Break. Then, in a blur of movement, it struck Blaziken repeatedly with its beak, each hit landing harder than the last. Blaziken staggered, but the blows weren’t enough to take it down.

“Finish this with Aerial Ace!” Axel shouted.

Fearow shot into the sky and dove back down with incredible speed, wings glowing as it cut through the air like a razor. The Aerial Ace hit Blaziken squarely, driving the Mega Pokémon into the ground. Blaziken struggled to rise but eventually collapsed, the Mega form fading as it fainted.

The referee raised a flag. “Blaziken is unable to battle! Fearow wins!”

The crowd erupted in cheers as Axel stood tall, breathing heavily but smiling with pride. “That was a close one,” Axel muttered to himself, recalling Fearow back to its Pokéball.

Taro, shaking his head but grinning, walked over to Axel and extended his hand. “You’re tough, man. That was a hell of a fight.”

Axel shook his hand. “You too, Taro. That Blaziken’s no joke.”

Kenji, watching from the stands with Gengar, couldn’t help but grin. "Axel’s on fire today. He might actually win this whole thing.”

Gengar let out a mischievous laugh, nodding in agreement as the two watched Axel walk off the battlefield victorious.

As Axel exited the stadium, the sound of cheering still echoed from inside. Kenji rushed over, clapping him on the back with a huge grin. "You did it, Axel! That was intense!"

Axel laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, it was close. Taro’s Blaziken almost had us there. But Fearow pulled through."

Mabosstiff trotted alongside Axel, looking proud and wagging its tail, while Gengar floated beside Kenji, snickering playfully. Gengar and Mabosstiff exchanged glances before they started chasing each other, the mischievous ghost-type teasing the large dog Pokémon with playful illusions. Mabosstiff barked excitedly, lunging at Gengar as the ghost phased in and out of view, their antics making both Axel and Kenji laugh.

"Those two are getting along well," Kenji noted, watching the two Pokémon wrestle and dart around each other.

The announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, cutting through the celebration. "Attention, trainers! The final battle of the tournament will take place tomorrow morning! The final match will feature Axel from Paldea versus Elena from Sinnoh!"

Axel looked toward the stadium entrance with a determined glint in his eye. "Tomorrow’s the big day," he muttered. "Elena’s tough... her Empoleon, Staraptor, and the rest of her team are on another level. And she hasn't even used Garchomp, her Ace Pokémon. I’ve got to think of something."

Kenji nodded, sensing Axel’s nerves. "You’ve got this, Axel. You’ve already come this far, and you’ve beaten some powerful trainers. You just need to come up with a plan to counter her Pokémon."

Axel nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah... I need to be smart about this. I can’t just rely on brute force."

As the two of them began walking back toward the Pokémon center, Mabosstiff and Gengar trailing behind, Axel continued to talk strategy. "Empoleon is going to be a problem. That thing's a tank, and her Staraptor is no joke either. I’m thinking Mabosstiff could deal with Staraptor—Thunder Fang might do the trick."

"And what about Fearow?" Kenji asked. "It’s been carrying you through some tough matches."

Axel nodded. "Fearow will definitely be in the fight, but I’ll need to be careful. Elena's team is fast and hits hard. One mistake could cost me the match."

They arrived at the Pokémon Center, where Axel handed over his team for healing. "Take good care of them," he said to the nurse as he passed over the Pokéballs.

Kenji and Axel sat down in the lobby to wait. As the minutes passed, Gengar and Mabosstiff continued to play, darting around the Pokémon Center, much to the amusement of the staff and other trainers. Gengar would disappear into the shadows only to pop out behind Mabosstiff, startling him, and then vanish again, while Mabosstiff barked and chased him around the room.

Kenji laughed at their antics. "At least they’re having fun."

Axel chuckled, though his mind was still on tomorrow's match. "You know, Kenji... I wouldn’t have made it this far without Fearow, Mabosstiff, and Marowak. They’ve been with me since the beginning. And tomorrow, they’ll have to give it everything they’ve got."

Kenji nodded. "They will, and so will you. You’ve got a strong bond with your team, Axel. That’s what sets you apart."

After a while, the nurse called them over, handing Axel his fully healed Pokémon. "Good luck tomorrow, Axel," she said with a smile.

"Thanks," Axel replied, taking the Pokéballs and putting them on his belt. He glanced at Kenji and grinned. "Tomorrow's the big day. Win or lose, I’m giving it everything I’ve got."

Kenji grinned back. "And Gengar and I will be right there, cheering you on."

After Axel and Kenji left the Pokémon Center, they walked over to the receptionist to ask for a room. The staff was welcoming, and soon, they were given a key to a cozy, two-bed room. As they made their way upstairs, Kenji felt a sense of calm wash over him. Tomorrow would be intense, but tonight, he could unwind.

Once inside the room, Axel immediately grabbed some fresh clothes and headed for the shower. "I need to rinse off that battle sweat," he said with a grin. "You know, clean slate for tomorrow."

Kenji laughed, watching Axel disappear into the bathroom. "Yeah, I get that."

While Axel was in the shower, Kenji sat down on the bed and pulled out his trusty Pokédex, Dexter. "Dexter," he said quietly, "let's plan out our next steps. We've taken down Brock, Misty, and Surge. What’s the next Gym?"

Dexter’s voice responded through the Pokédex with a calm tone. "There are several options, Kenji. You could head to Celadon City, where the Grass-type Gym Leader Erika is located. Or you could challenge Sabrina in Saffron City, a Psychic-type specialist."

Kenji leaned back, considering his options. "Erika might be the better choice. My Pidgeotto could do well against her Grass-types, and I could train Gengar up to take on Sabrina afterward."

"That would be a logical progression," Dexter confirmed. "Though you may want to catch another Pokémon to balance your team for future battles."

Kenji nodded. "Yeah, I've been thinking about that. A Rhyhorn could be a great addition. Always loved them as a kid."

As Kenji was deep in thought, Axel walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel. "Shower’s free," he said, hopping onto the upper bed. "What are you planning over there?"

Kenji chuckled and stood up, heading for the bathroom. "Just figuring out my next Gym challenge. After Vermillion, I’m thinking of going to Celadon."

"Good call," Axel said as he sprawled out on the upper bed. "Erika’s no pushover, but you’ll handle it."

After his shower, Kenji returned to the room, feeling refreshed. He climbed onto the lower bed while Gengar floated above him, lazily snoring as he hovered in the air. Mabosstiff was already curled up on the carpet by the bed, his tail thumping softly against the floor as he slept.

Kenji sighed, letting the day’s events sink in. "So, Axel," he began, "what kind of Pokémon are you thinking of catching after the tournament?"

Axel turned over, resting his arms behind his head. "Well, I’ve been looking for that Charmander on Route 3 for a while now. Always wanted one, ever since I was a kid. If I can catch it, I’ll finally have my Fire-type."

Kenji grinned. "Charmander’s a solid choice. I’ve been thinking about catching a Rhyhorn. It’s been one of my favorites since I was little, and a Ground/Rock type could really help round out my team."

Axel smiled. "Rhyhorn would definitely be a powerhouse on your team. Especially with how hard those things can hit."

Kenji lay back on the pillow, glancing at Gengar floating peacefully above him. "Yeah, it’d be nice to have a tank to back up Gengar. But first, I need to focus on Erika. After that, maybe I’ll start looking for a Rhyhorn."

Axel chuckled softly. "We’ll both be expanding our teams soon enough. It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come since we started."

"Yeah," Kenji agreed, staring up at the ceiling. "It’s wild. But we’ve got a long way to go still."

The room settled into a comfortable silence, with the sound of Mabosstiff’s steady breathing filling the space. Gengar floated quietly, his mischievous grin still present even in sleep.

As the two friends drifted off, Kenji could feel the excitement for the days ahead. With Axel beside him and Gengar at his side, he was ready for whatever challenges awaited them.