217 Pink fury

"That's enough Trix, leave the poor boy alone…" the old man called out as he calmly watched the pair shuffling across the floor in a violent dance.

The pink-haired fury didn't even stop for a moment, "don't stop me, uncle, this little bastard has the balls to lie to my face," her teeth creaking audibly, sending shivers down Alex's spine, "who gave him such courage…" she continued.

Alex parried the incoming attacks smoothly, which only incensed the little monster further, much to his dismay. "Do you think I did it on purpose? I had no idea Blossom would pull out an underhanded tactic such as kamikazeing her Pokémon for a double KO." He said hurriedly in an attempt to plead his case.

"Did you forget?" Bang! a foot instantly lodged itself into his stomach, sending him sliding across the glossy floor as the air was squeezed out of his lungs, "her Pokémon didn't faint, you idiot!"

Alex didn't seem bothered by the insult, but his face twitched when she mentioned the matter of Samurott winning. "Yes, ok! Yes! I admit that was an oversight on my part; I didn't think Samurott had the ability to negate the lighting. If it didn't have that ability, Feraligatr would have won!" he blurted out, raising his hands in front of him.

His words finally managed to halt the incessant barrage of attacks. A shade of confusion dawning on her now pensive face. She looked at him sceptically, "explain before I shove my foot up your ass!" she barked angrily.

Alex sighed and straightened his hunched figure while simultaneously ridding himself of the creases in his clothes made by all the movement. "Look, the moment Samurott covered itself in its armour, Feraligatr had used the move damage swap. You should know very well what that move does, right?"

Trix remained silent for a moment before reluctantly softening her stance and rolling her eyes. "Of course, I know… damage swap, like skill swap, allows the user to swap the amount of damage the user has sustained with that of the opponent. The difference is that there is a condition, that being that the user must have used bide the turn before."

Alex nodded, "now, you can understand my shock upon seeing the result, right? The move Samurott used, although simple looking, actually seems to function similarly to that of protect. And it has priority, just like protect." As his words reached Trix, silence resurfaced as the two looked at each other.

Before long, Trix began mumbling an apology which Alex was able to just barely make out. He knew better than to force his childhood friend for a clear apology since she was simply too prideful and hated being wrong more than anything. So, he accepted her almost incoherent mumbling.

Withdrawing his gaze from the still mumbling girl, he focused on the man by the door who was ever silent, continuing to watch his niece with a gentle smile on his face. Upon noticing Alex's gaze, however, he turned and winked, "now that you youngsters have resolved your little spat, how about we get down to business?"

Trix turned on her heels and glared at the old man before scoffing and storming out of the room. Her echoing voice was the only thing left lingering in the air, "I have no interest in whatever it is that you two want to talk about. I'll be in my room."

The old man smiled but didn't turn around, only closing his eyes as she walked past him.

"Let's leave her to her devices," he said, reopening his eyes to find Alex staring at the back of his friend. Alex nodded slightly before refocusing on the present.

"What Elesa said, that is what we should be focused on. Along with that is the information we have gathered on the competitors of interest…" the old man said before pulling out several folders from a briefcase. He spread them out along the bench neatly, and one by one, they began to discuss in detail countermeasures and things to look out for.

All the while, above their head, on the TV screen, James was introducing the next two contestants. One was a frail-looking man in his mid-30s and opposite him was a boy with a black shirt, purple pants and spikey brown hair. None other than Garry Oak.

The boy in question stood on the stage and looked around with stars in his eyes; the ocean of people and strobing lights dazzled him to no end. The soft earthy smell and the pungent odour of freshly mowed lawn assaulted his nose, awakening him from his dazed state.

His eyes focused on the battlefield, a green field littered with jade green grass.

'Heh! Just like big brother Rex. I have to leave a good impression on my first battle!' his eyes once again drifting upwards towards the spectators, but this time, higher, reaching the VIP section.

"I have people I need to prove myself to," he mumbled, clenching his fists tightly.

[Now for the Next battle, We have Steward Lin from Fuchsia City Kanto, and his opponent is someone very special. Although a newcomer to the league, his grandfather was once a champion himself. Yes, that's right folks, carrying the prestigious name of Oak, grandson of the legendary Samuel Oak, also known as Professor Oak, I present… GAAAAAARRYYYYY OAAAAAAK!]

James's words had the desired impact. The crowd that was beginning to calm down from the previous fight instantly roared with excitement. One after another, large figures within this years league tournament continued to appear. The audience couldn't get enough. And yet, they began to realise something.

Was the blue corner blessed by Arceus itself? First Rex, then Alex and now Gary… was there some kind of advantage to being on the blue side?