Two days had passed since the announcement of the competition. Alex had spent every waking hour preparing. With the money looted from the Alpha Pokémon base, he bought basic supplies, trained hard, and ensured each of his partners—Riolu, Charcadet, Treecko, and the newly hatched Larvesta—was ready.
The stadium hosting the tournament was temporary, built quickly in Duskmire by a League team desperate to reignite public confidence. Twenty trainers stood in the waiting area, each eyeing the others. Some were cocky, others anxious. One stood out—a tall boy in pristine clothes flanked by servants polishing Poké Balls. His Pokémon were sleek, muscled, and radiated power. A rich kid.
Alex ignored the others, putting on his mask of calm. Inside, his heart beat with focus. He hadn't come this far to crumble now.
Round 1 – Alex vs. Miner Gerald
The first battle was against a miner with bulky Rock-types. His Pokémon were defensive, but slow. Alex led with Treecko.
"Bullet Seed!" Alex shouted, watching as the Grass-type pelted the enemy Geodude with precision shots, its arms failing to block all of them. The second Pokémon, a Nosepass, fared no better. Treecko's speed overwhelmed it with Quick Attack chains and a final Absorb to drain the last of its stamina.
Victory came fast. But it was only the beginning.
Round 2 – Alex vs. Martina the Scout
Martina ran a scouting team of Bug-types. Charcadet took the field this time. A Venipede opened the match, zigzagging erratically.
"Will-O-Wisp!" Charcadet's flames marked the target, burning it. The poison-type tried to land a Venoshock, but it was too weakened.
Charcadet dodged and countered with Flame Charge, knocking it out. Her Ariados came next but met the same fate—Charcadet powered through with back-to-back Incinerates, refusing to fall even when struck with Night Shade.
Two wins down. Five more to go.
Round 3 – Alex vs. Street Artist Julio
Julio used Normal-types with tricky moves like Encore and Teeter Dance. It was an annoying battle. Riolu was chosen.
Despite a shaky start from being confused, Riolu regained composure with Alex's shouts of encouragement. "Counter every move—stay sharp! don't fall into confusion!"
Riolu's Force Palm knocked out Julio's Linoone after a tense exchange. Then came a Smeargle with unpredictable moves. It used Sleep Powder—missed.
Alex smirked. "Bullet Punch!"
A rapid series of glowing punches ended the fight. Riolu was happy, finally winning that annoying fight
Round 4 – Alex vs. Fisherman Barlo
Barlo's Water-types seemed like a real threat—especially his Marshtomp. Alex sent Treecko again.
This time, something changed.
Treecko dodged a Mud Bomb, leapt high, and landed a direct hit with Mega Drain. The glow of evolution began before it could touch down. In front of the entire crowd, Treecko evolved into Grovyle.
"wow evolving mid fight huh?"
Barlo's Goldeen stood no chance. Grovyle, faster and more graceful, ended the match with a Leaf Blade.
Round 5 – Alex vs. Nora the Nurse Trainee
Nora's team focused on healing and stalling. Her Chansey and Clefairy tried to outlast Alex, using Soft-Boiled and Wish constantly.
Alex had enough.
"Larvesta, let's test your fire."
The baby Pokémon was slow, but passionate. Every Ember it released became hotter. It wasn't strong enough to win, but it weakened Clefairy.
Charcadet finished the job. Flame Charge melted Chansey's defense. He took damage, but he didn't stop.
"Good work," Alex whispered, calling back Larvesta with a soft smile.
Semifinal – Alex vs. Trainer Flint
Flint was from Johto and used dual-type Pokémon—one of them a Gible. It was a fierce battle.
Alex opened with Grovyle against a Luxio. Grovyle darted in and out, using Detect to dodge Thunder Fangs and Leaf Blade for counterstrikes. Eventually, Luxio fainted.
Then came Gible.
It was fast and aggressive.
"Dragon Rage!" Flint yelled.
Grovyle took the hit, barely standing. But Alex had planned for this.
"Quick Attack into the air, Leaf Storm now!"
Grovyle spun midair and blasted a green cyclone downward. Gible roared as the leaves sliced through the sandstorm it had tried to raise.
Victory.
Alex was in the final.
The final round of the tournament began just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the Ember Colosseum. The crowd was roaring, their voices echoing through the concrete and steel stands. Alex stood on one side of the battlefield, his team ready. Grovyle, Riolu, Charcadet, and Larvesta waited with fierce determination.
Across from him was the finalist: Julian, a boy dressed in a pressed designer uniform, his Pokéballs engraved with gold. His hair was styled, his smile confident—but not arrogant. He wasn't just rich. He was skilled.
The referee raised their hand. "Final battle! Three Pokémon each. Begin!"
Round One: Riolu vs. Persian
Julian opened with a sleek Alolan Persian, shimmering in the artificial lights.
"Fake Out!" Julian commanded.
Before Riolu could react, Persian dashed in, its paw glowing. It slapped Riolu across the face with blinding speed, forcing him to flinch.
"Now, Power Gem!"
A glowing orb of energy formed on Persian's forehead and blasted Riolu point-blank. Riolu staggered but recovered, growling.
Alex's voice rang out: "Counter!"
Persian lunged for a Bite attack—but Riolu tanked it, letting the impact land before slamming his elbow into the cat's ribs with devastating force. Persian hit the ground hard.
"Finish with Bullet Punch!"
Riolu vanished in a blur and struck Persian again, this time leaving it unconscious. The crowd erupted.
Julian simply nodded and recalled his Pokémon. "You're good."
Round Two: Riolu vs. Froslass
Julian sent out his next Pokémon—Froslass. The icy ghost hovered, its eyes glowing red.
"Confuse Ray."
A shimmering ghost light swirled around Riolu, entering his head. He staggered, punching the air as if trying to fight invisible enemies.
"Shadow Ball," Julian said coldly.
A sphere of black energy formed in Froslass's hands and blasted Riolu. The pup flew back into the wall and didn't get up the damage from the battle with the Alolan persian taking riolu down.
Alex returned him. "You did great."
Round Three: Charcadet vs. Froslass
Charcadet entered the field, eyes burning.
"Ice Beam!" Julian ordered.
The frost beam shot toward Charcadet—but Alex had already shouted: "Dodge and Flame Charge!"
Charcadet rolled beneath the beam, his body igniting. He hit Froslass dead on, fire enveloping the ghost. It screeched and fell back, melting slightly.
"confuse ray he can't dodge it he's too close!"
charcadet being so close would get confused. He was confused now—but even confused he could still know which froslass was the real one.
"Keep pushing! Flame Wheel!"
He spun like a fireball, slamming into Froslass before it could react. The ghost disappeared in smoke.
Julian's smirk returned as he revealed his final Pokémon.
Final Round: Charcadet vs. Roserade
Roserade emerged, elegant and lethal. Its bouquet-hands shimmered with energy.
"Energy Ball!"
Charcadet took the hit and skidded back, his body glowing the confusion making charcadet's head begin to hurt
Alex knew he had one shot. "Overheat!"
Charcadet's body glowed white-hot, flames erupting violently toward Roserade. The blast was massive—forcing Julian to shield his eyes.
When the smoke cleared, Roserade was kneeling... but still standing.
"Dazzling Gleam."
A burst of light blinded Charcadet and knocked him out cold.
Final Round: Grovyle vs. Roserade
Alex's final Pokémon stepped forward. Grovyle crouched low, claws glinting.
"Quick Attack!"
He vanished and reappeared behind Roserade, striking its back. It grunted, spinning around.
"Sludge Bomb!"
Poison splashed across Grovyle, burning his leaves—but he kept moving.
"Leaf Blade!"
His arm extended into a glowing green blade. He slashed Roserade across the chest, sending it flying—but it twisted in mid-air and landed with a grin.
"will-o-wisp"
roserade would trow some flames at grovyle, draining his energy.
Alex clenched his fist. "Cut the vines with Leaf Blade and go in close!"
Grovyle slashed through the vines, surged forward—and suddenly, his body glowed. the burn taking place
"Now! Leaf Storm!"
grovyle couldn't withstand a blank point leaf storm along with the burn from before would make him faint and Alex would lose the battle
"the winner is Julian!"
Alex would put grovyle back in it's PokeBall "you did well groyvle"