Chapter - 30

Jordan's POV –

The stadium lights dimmed slightly as the crowd's cheers began to fade into a steady buzz of excitement. Jordan walked off the battlefield, his Pokémon returning to his side as he approached the trainer's lounge. His steps were deliberate, his mind replaying every moment of the battle against Veronica Blackwood.

Inside the lounge, the atmosphere was quieter, but the buzz of anticipation still lingered. He found a quiet corner and released his Pokémon from their Poké Balls.

Jordan (smiling): "You were all incredible out there. Seriously, I couldn't have asked for better partners."

Aerodactyl let out a triumphant roar, flapping its massive wings. The sheer size of the ancient Pokémon made the space feel smaller. Jordan reached up to pat its rocky snout.

Jordan: "You were the star today, Aerodactyl. Taking down Salamence like that? Pure power and precision. We couldn't have won without you."

Aerodactyl leaned into his touch, a low rumble of satisfaction escaping its throat.

He turned to Altaria, whose fluffy wings seemed to glow softly under the room's lights.

Jordan: "Altaria, your Dragon Pulse was perfect. You didn't even give Flygon a chance to recover. That's what teamwork looks like."

Altaria cooed melodiously, nuzzling Jordan's arm in appreciation.

Next, he approached Froslass and Glalie, who stood side by side, their icy bodies radiating a chill that Jordan found oddly comforting.

Jordan: "Froslass, Glalie, you both set the tone for this battle. Taking down Druddigon and Kingdra was no small feat. Your strategies kept us ahead from the start."

Glalie gave a low, proud hum, while Froslass spun gracefully, her spectral form shimmering.

Finally, Jordan crouched beside Aerodactyl, still feeling the adrenaline of the final clash with Salamence.

Jordan: "You're the ace, buddy. The way you handled Salamence—especially after Mega Evolved—was legendary. I'm proud of you, every one of you."

His Pokémon surrounded him, their pride evident in their expressions and gestures. It was moments like this that reminded Jordan why he trained so hard.

Sitting back against the lounge wall, Jordan took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. The match had been intense. Veronica's Dragons had been as fierce as their reputation, but his team's training had paid off.

He thought back to their preparation. Every move, every counter, had been meticulously planned. The bond he shared with his Pokémon made it easier to adapt mid-battle, turning what could have been a disadvantage into a winning strategy.

Jordan (thinking): Veronica was strong. If her Salamence had been any faster after that Dragon Dance, things might have gone differently. But we stayed one step ahead. That's what matters.

Jordan's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the lounge's large screen flickering on. The announcer's voice filled the room, listing the results of the Top 32 battles and the upcoming matchups for the Top 16.

Announcer: "And for the next round, we have an exciting matchup! Sinnoh's own Jordan Smith will be facing... Akira Tanaka from the Johto region!"

Jordan sat up straighter, his interest piqued. The screen showed Akira, a serious-looking trainer with dark hair tied back into a ponytail.

Announcer: "Akira is known for his balanced team, featuring Blaziken, Ampharos, Tyranitar, Gardevoir, Kingdra, and Scizor. A powerful lineup indeed!"

Jordan leaned forward, studying Akira's team.

Jordan (thinking): Blaziken and Tyranitar will be the biggest threats. Ampharos's Electric moves could give Aerodactyl trouble, and Scizor could match my speed. But... we've faced worse.

He smirked, confidence building.

Jordan: "Alright, team, looks like we've got some planning to do. Akira's strong, but we've faced tougher. Let's show him what we're made of."

Jordan spent the evening reviewing footage of Akira's previous battles. His opponent was methodical, using clever strategies to outmaneuver his opponents. Akira's Blaziken was his ace, combining speed and power with pinpoint accuracy.

Jordan called his Pokémon back into their Poké Balls one by one, offering words of encouragement to each.

Jordan: "Tomorrow's another step closer to the championship. Rest up, everyone. We've got a big day ahead."

As he left the lounge and walked back to his room, the excitement of the tournament filled the air. The Sinnoh League was more than just a competition—it was a proving ground for the world's best trainers. And Jordan was determined to show he belonged among them.

Jordan (thinking): Six badges, months of preparation, and now we're here. Akira, you'd better be ready. We're not stopping until we're champions.

Akira Tanaka's POV –

Akira sat in the dimly lit lounge designated for the Top 16 trainers, his laptop open on the table before him. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning, but Akira's focus was razor-sharp. His dark eyes were glued to the screen, which replayed Jordan Smith's battle against Veronica Blackwood in high-definition.

He paused the video as Jordan's Aerodactyl delivered its finishing Stone Edge to Veronica's Mega Salamence. The precision, the power—every movement was calculated, every strategy executed flawlessly. Akira leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his mind running through potential counters.

Akira (thinking): This guy isn't just strong—he's adaptable. He didn't just overpower Veronica; he outsmarted her. And his Pokémon... they're all massive. That Aerodactyl is terrifyingly fast for something its size.

Akira picked up a notepad from the table, flipping through the pages he had already filled with notes about Jordan's team.

Akira (murmuring): "Let's see... Aerodactyl, Altaria, Glalie, Froslass... versatile, but he Favors mobility and quick finishes. His strategy revolves around overwhelming his opponents before they can react. And all of his Pokémon are unusually large, which adds to their physical dominance."

He clicked on another video, this one showing Jordan's battle with Fantina. Akira watched as Jordan's Bastiodon stood its ground against Fantina's Mega Gengar, absorbing blow after blow before delivering a devastating Iron Head.

Akira: "Bastiodon was his ace here. It's a tank, but not slow. And that shiny form? People still haven't stopped talking about it."

Akira paused the footage and jotted down a few more notes.

Jordan likes to let his aces shine in different battles. Against Veronica, it was Aerodactyl. Against Fantina, Bastiodon. He keeps his opponents guessing. I'll need to account for all his Pokémon, not just the obvious threats.

Akira pulled up an interview Jordan had given after his victory against Byron, the Canalave City Gym Leader. Jordan's confidence was evident, but there was a calmness to him—a deep trust in his Pokémon.

Jordan (in the interview): "My Pokémon and I don't just train; we grow together. Every battle teaches us something new, and we're always ready to adapt. Strength isn't just about power—it's about how you use it."

Akira leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

Akira (thinking): He's got the mindset of a champion. He doesn't rely on brute force; he combines strategy, adaptability, and the unique traits of his Pokémon. That makes him dangerous.

Akira pulled out his own team's roster and began considering matchups.

Akira (murmuring): "Blaziken can handle his Ice-types, but Aerodactyl will be a problem. Ampharos should keep his Aerodactyl in check, but I'll need to protect it from Glalie. Tyranitar can match his physical power, but I need to watch out for type disadvantages. Scizor's speed might give me an edge..."

He sighed and rubbed his temples.

Akira (thinking): This isn't going to be easy. I've got strong Pokémon, but his team feels almost legendary. If I make even one mistake, he'll capitalize on it.

Akira closed his laptop and sat back, staring at the ceiling. He thought about how far he had come to reach the Top 16 of the Sinnoh League.

Akira (thinking): I've faced plenty of tough opponents, but Jordan might be the toughest yet. That's okay. I didn't come here to take the easy path. I came here to prove myself.

He glanced at his Poké Balls resting on the table, each one containing a partner who had fought alongside him through countless battles.

Akira (aloud): "We've got this. Blaziken, Ampharos, Tyranitar, Gardevoir, Kingdra, Scizor—you've carried me this far. Now, we're going to show the world what we're made of."

As Akira prepared to turn in for the night, he checked his match schedule one last time. The announcement of his battle against Jordan had already sparked buzz among trainers and fans alike.

Akira (thinking): People are expecting a show. Jordan's favorite, but that doesn't mean he's unbeatable. If I play my cards right, I can turn his strengths against him.

With that thought, Akira placed his notes aside and stood up, determination etched into his expression.

Akira: "Jordan, you're good—no doubt about it. But you haven't faced me yet. Tomorrow, we'll see who's ready for the Top 8."

As he stepped out of the lounge, the stars above the Sinnoh League stadium sparkled like tiny beacons of hope. Akira took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battle to come.