Zane and Silas started early. They wanted practice—today was the "fun" part of the conference: tournament matches for prizes.
Professor Oak's prizes were generous: B grade Ambrosia for the advanced, 1 All around Vitamin Pill—manmade super-drugs combining multiple vitamin effects for the intermediate, and 3 D-rank Rare Candies for the beginners.
The tournament had 3 levels:
Beginner: Level 15 and under
Intermediate: 16–30
Advanced: 31–45
6 minute timed battles, single elimination. 2 Pokémon max per trainer and 1 potion between rounds.
The final 2 rounds had no time limit. The finals for each division would happen as the last 4 battles of the day.
This way the finalists would have enough time to recover.
The intent was obvious: safe-ish growth through combat without turning the arena into a morgue.
Pokemon grew through intense combat and the fast battles will provide added pressure.
To ensure fairness, league officials and veteran trainers like Madam were barred from participation.
Professor Oak wanted to see the talent of the current generation.
Silas entered Chimchar and Elekid. Zane entered only Machop—an endurance gamble.
The battles will toughen Machop up but also make each battle harder as time went on. Silas scanned Machop discreetly.
Machop — Level 15
Ability: Guts
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank C Karate Chop, Rank C Bulk Up, Rank C Leer, Rank C Bullet Punch, Rank C Reversal
Reversal was terrifying—stronger the lower stamina dropped.
With Machop's strength, Zane always had a chance to turn the battle around if he landed a full-power hit.
Zane tore through his first two opponents.
Silas demolished his first round opponent, then barely secured a second-round victory against a well-trained Onix.
They were on opposite sides of the bracket meaning they could only meet in the finals. Silas's semifinal came first.
He faced a girl around his age named Amy. The coin toss favored her, so Silas had to choose first.
He sent out Elekid.
Amy sent out a Rhyhorn and smirked. Ground type pokemon were immune to electric moves.
Silas frowned, but didn't panic. Elekid was Level 13 now. This was a challenge, not a wall. He scanned Rhyhorn.
Rhyhorn — Level 15
Ability: Rock Head
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank B Drill Run, Rank C Takedown, Rank C Rock Polish, Rank C Horn Attack
Silas braced.
Once the battle began, Silas took the initiative.
"Elekid use quick attack to close in on Rhyhorn" Elekid speedily approached Rhyhorn.
"Rhyhorn use horn attack" The horn on Rhyhorn glowed white as he tried to pierce Elekid with it.
However Elekid was too fast, it deftly avoided taking damage and found itself to the side of Rhyhorn but out of range of its attacks.
Silas knew this was the perfect opportunity.
"Quick, use brick break" Elekid's arm glowed white and it struck out landing a blow to the side of Rhyhorns head.
It was sent skidding across the field but not far.
The attack was super effective but not enough to decide the battle.
Rhyhorn glared fiercely at Elekid and began to glow, when the glow stopped it momentarily looked shiny.
Shit, it used rock polish.
Elekid used quick attack and slammed into Rhyhorn but it was brushed off.
Amy commanded Rhyhorn to rock polish again. Silas and Elekid were starting to feel the pressure.
At +4 speed, even though the boost was temporary it would be enough decide the match if they were not careful.
"Rhyhorn use drill run"
"Meet it head on with brick break"
Rhyhorn rotated its body until it became a giant drill and launched itself at Elekid at high speed.
Unfortunately Rhyhorns speed overwhelmed Elekid and he could not counter in time.
The drill run connected cleanly, sending Elekid flying high in the air.
"This is it!" Amy suddenly got really excited. She continued. "Rhyhorn, charge up your Horn Attack and wait. Time your attack with when Elekid lands."
"Elekid, use gravity to your advantage. Go vertical with your head facing down and use brick break"
Elekids falling speed suddenly increased.
He began to spin and charged brick break attacks in both of his arms so he looked like a spinning top.
When he connected with Rhyhorn there was a loud BOOM and there was a cloud of dust.
When it cleared, Elekid was standing on top of Rhyhorn.
Brick break had connected on Rhyhorns forehead while Horn Attack narrowly missed.
Silas trained his pokemon to be elusive so mid air adjustments were easy for Elekid.
Rhyhorn was expecting a big clash, not to take the brunt of the falling Brick break. It took massive damage.
Elekid quickly backed away. Rhyhorn tried to get up but kept falling down.
It clearly had a concussion. Amy out of concern forfeited the match.
She quickly returned it to its poke ball and ran over to the Nurse Joy on standby.
Ding!
Level 15 B+ rank pokemon defeated.
BP gained: 2.
Total count 9.
The 2 previous matches provided the extra 2 BP.
Although he won, Silas felt bad about Rhyhorn. Nobody wants to see their pokemon hurt during competition.
"Amy," Silas said as he approached her, his voice steady. "Are you okay? Is Rhyhorn okay?"
Amy's eyes narrowed. "You mean after your pokemon bashed Rhyhorn's skull?"
Silas didn't flinch. "We were competing and something unfortunate happened and for that I apologize. We meant you no harm."
Elekid bowed its head, then made a small, apologetic sound—soft and crackling, like a static apology.
Amy's annoyance sharpened for a moment, the kind that wanted to turn into cruelty.
She looked between the boy and his Pokémon, then glanced toward the medical station where Nurse Joy was already scanning Rhyhorn with practiced efficiency.
"It's a tournament," Amy said finally, as if reminding herself. "People sign up for this."
Silas exhaled slowly. "People do. Pokémon don't always understand what they've signed up for."
Amy's expression faltered. That wasn't an excuse, just a truth.
Elekid stepped forward another inch and offered a small salute-like gesture, then backed up again, careful not to crowd her.
Amy huffed. "Fine. Apology accepted. Rhyhorn's Rock Head ability will prevent any serious damage anyway."
She tilted her chin slightly. "But your Elekid hits like a truck."
Silas allowed himself a faint smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Amy rolled her eyes, but the edge was gone now. "I'm not going to pretend this didn't sting. The next battle will be our victory."
Silas nodded once. "We look forward to it."
Before he could sit down, Silas heard the loud speaker turn on. The announcer called the next featured match.
"Beginner bracket semifinal: Zane Cole versus Gary Oak!"
Gary came out of the crowd and strode to the area confidently. Zane did the same.
Silas was excited for this match, he saw both trainers as rivals.
This would also help his gameplan since his next battle would be the winner of this one.
Both Gary and Zane had entered only 1 pokemon so no coin toss was needed.
Squirtle and Machop appeared on the field facing each other.
Silas scanned both pokemon to measure their growth and was stunned.
Squirtle— Level 16
Ability: Torrent
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank C Rapid Spin, Rank C Water Pulse, Rank C Water Gun, Rank C Shell Smash
Machop — Level 15
Ability: Guts
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank C Karate Chop, Rank C Bulk Up, Rank C Leer, Rank C Bullet Punch, Rank C Reversal
Gary's genius talent was obvious. Squirtle was stronger than before.
Machop also showed significant growth. Zane was clearly no pushover trainer.
The ref started the battle. "Begin!"
Machop dashed straight for Squirtle, wasting no time.
"Open with Karate Chop!"
Machop's hand glowed white as it brought the strike down toward Squirtle's body.
"Counter with Rapid Spin," Gary ordered calmly.
Squirtle withdrew instantly, limbs snapping into its shell as it began to rotate at high speed.
The Karate Chop connected, sending Squirtle flying backward—but instead of losing control, its spinning shell rebounded off the stone pillars lining the battlefield.
Each collision added momentum.
Squirtle transformed into a whirling projectile and rammed into Machop at high speed.
The hit came so fast there was no time to react. Machop was launched backward, skidding several feet before managing to stay upright.
Zane didn't hesitate. "Machop, seize the initiative! Bullet Punch barrage!"
Machop vanished into a blur, reappearing again and again as metallic fists hammered into Squirtle's shell.
Punch after punch landed in rapid succession, forcing Squirtle on the defensive.
For the first time, Squirtle was overwhelmed but It endured the onslaught of attacks.
Gary smiled faintly, like everything was within expectations.
"Time to wrap this up, use Shell Smash!"
A translucent shell manifested above Squirtle and shattered violently.
Power surged outward as Squirtle let out an aggressive cry, its presence sharpening instantly.
Gary didn't pause. "Water Pulse and Rapid Spin combo."
Blue orbs materialized in front of Squirtles head, arms, and legs, 5 in total. Then it retreated into its shell and started rotating, with the blue orbs circling the shell until they merged together.
In this form, Squirtle looked like a living whirlpool outside of water. A small storm. It slammed into Machop, its spinning shell wrapped in the roaring water.
The impact was devastating, blasting Machop away leaving a deep trail in the ground.
Machop staggered and got up, furious. Its aura flaring red as pain flooded its body.
"Machop, Reversal—now!" Zane shouted.
Machop forced itself forward, red energy pooling into its clenched fist as it charged.
Gary remained unbothered.
"Water Gun and Rapid Spin combo."
Jets of water lashed out from Squirtle's spinning shell, forming erratic, whipping streams that struck unpredictably.
The rotating water whips smashed into Machop again and again, breaking its charge and throwing off its balance.
Machop took several hits before being knocked backward, struggling to regain its footing.
This was the opening Gary was waiting for. "Finish it with Water Pulse."
Squirtle stopped spinning. A large blue orb formed in front of its mouth and fired in the same motion.
Due to being off balance, Machop took the attack head on.
The Water Pulse detonated on impact, engulfing Machop in a burst of churning water and mist.
When the smoke cleared, Machop lay motionless on the stone, unconscious.
The battle was over.
Gary had won. It was close but he was in control for most of the battle.
Zane returned Machop with a controlled motion, after consoling it. Machop had worked hard and gotten stronger.
His eyes weren't angry in a childish way—they were cold in a learning way. Silas recognized that too.
Zane gracefully accepted his loss and left the arena. Oak looked at his grandson with beaming pride. He had stunned the crowd.
Executing such flawless combination moves brought much attention to Gary. He was already the grandson of THE professor Oak and now he was a genius battler?
While Squirtle was basking in its victory, it suddenly glowed.
Squirtle's silhouette stretched. The shell thickened. The tail grew and gained that curly shape. The body widened, confidence becoming sturdier.
Squirtle had evolved into Wartortle!