Chapter-3

My team prove to be more powerful than I had anticipated most of my opponents fell to my Starmie and Butterfree but also what can you expect in a place like Undella Town except for some elite level trainers or champions that come here to relax, such as Cynthia. Currently I held the position number 32 and I've yet to see any of the top ten of the tournament, I also learned the rest of the rules of the tournament, first you can't challenge a trainer after he wins or lose a battle, second the people has a marker which enable the rest of participants to know who they can challenge apart from being able to distinguish between participant and bystander and third all battle are 1 vs 1 before you reach the top 20 and all top 10 are 3 vs 3.

"Hey you I challenge you to a battle" I heard a voice from behind

Turning around I'm greet by two kids a boy and a girl. The boy around 1.78 meters, with long, wild auburn hair tied into a loose ponytail, wearing earthy-colored clothing and a cloak. Meanwhile the girl around 1.70 meters, with Fiery red, short and spiked hair, wearing a black and red leather jacket with flames embroidered along the sleeves and black pants. Both seem to be around 17/18 years old.

"Hey Zara it isn't polite to shout at people you don't know, please excuse her from where we're from she always behaves like this" "Eh, what do you mean by that Kael" "Nothing, nothing hahaha"

"Anyway, do you want to battle mister"

'Mister? I'm only 23 so you know. It must be the tattoos, definitely'

"Yeah, by the way the names Max and I'm rank 32" "Neat, I'm Zara and I'm rank 38 and my friend here is Kael and is ranked 23"

"Curious, he is the first person I see almost in the top 20, do you perhaps know were the others are"

"No idea, he just randomly challenge a guy around the plaza area. Back to business you fight or what?"

"Sure, but let's move a little, were in the middle of the road"

After moving both of us stood opposite to each other while a drone flew toward us, this drone is property of the organizer and the city, you must always call one of this to record the battle otherwise it is consider null. After taking each of us a position the drone spoke in a mechanical voice.

"Both participants are ready, Max number 32 and Zara number 38. The format is 1vs1 please start"

For this battle I choose my second strongest pokemon currently in my team and I did right after seeing her pokemon.

Arbok-Lv 47 VS Ninetails-Lv 45

'Only two levels above definitely not amateurs' This make me change my semblance to a more serious note. 'They're not from this region that's for sure, and if she's this strong her companion won't be far from her'

"Where did you say you were from?"

"We're both from Hoenn, and we came to participate in this year Vertress Conference. You sure have nice eyes in just a glance you've seen that were not novice trainers, and you'd be totally right we both participate in last year Ever Grande Conference. He reach Round of 16 while I reach quarter finals"

"In that case I will also present myself officially, my name is Max a winner from the Indigo Plateau. Now let's have a memorable match"

"Both participants are ready, begin"

Arbok rises majestically, its serpentine body coiling as it emits a terrifying sound, lowering Ninetales' Attack. Indeed it was the Intimidate ability.

" Let's go, Arbok! Start off with Poison Tail!" Arbok swiftly slithers toward Ninetales, its tail glowing with a purple venomous aura. With a quick strike, it aims to hit Ninetales.

"Don't let it hit you, Ninetales! Dodge and use Flamethrower!" Ninetales leaps to the side, avoiding Poison Tail, and opens its mouth to unleash a stream of fire toward Arbok. The flames surround the serpent, but Arbok stands firm. Compared to the flamethrower of a high IV and EV Ninetales of Blane this was pretty manageable.

"Now, use Poison Fang!" Arbok moves in again, its fangs glowing with venom, ready to sink them into Ninetales.

"Watch out, Ninetales! Use Thunderbolt!" Ninetales focuses and launches a bolt of electricity straight at Arbok. The Electric-type move isn't super effective, but it hits Arbok, stopping it in its tracks and causing decent damage.

"Hang in there, Arbok! Use Earthquake now!" Arbok slams its tail into the ground, sending shockwaves across the field. The attack moves swiftly toward Ninetales who tries to leap out of the way but is struck by the powerful it. Ninetales takes heavy damage due to its Fire-type disadvantage.

" Ninetales, don't give up! Get up and use Hypnosis!" Ninetales locks eyes with Arbok, its gaze glowing with a mysterious light as it attempts to put Arbok to sleep.

"Don't fall for it! Use Faint Attack!" Arbok closes its eyes briefly and moves with great speed, dodging Ninetales' hypnotic gaze and striking with a sneaky attack. Faint Attack, isn't the most effective move but it manages to interrupt Ninetales' strategy.

"This isn't over! Ninetales, use Hidden Power!" Ninetales summons small orbs of blue energy that float around it before launching them toward Arbok hitting him causing considerable damage.

"Ninetales! Use Fire Blast and end this!" Ninetales gathers all its strength and unleashes a massive Fire Blast, a towering column of fire rushing directly at Arbok.

"Arbok Dig, now" Arbok moves swiftly, narrowly avoiding the intense Fire Blast. Then, it dug a hole in the ground disappearing from everyone's view.

"Ninetails watch out" The attack hits Ninetales hard. The fire fox collapses to the ground, visibly weakened by the massive damage caused and exhausted from the battle and the high consuming moves.

"Arbok end it. Poison Fang one more time!" Arbok quickly slithers toward the weakened Ninetales. With its venomous fangs glowing, it strikes with precision and power, poisoning Ninetales with its final blow which falls to the ground, unable to continue.

"Ninetales is unable to battle! Arbok is the winner!" Came the robotic voice of the drone.

"You were pretty strong, you should definitely make it to the quarter finals this year's Ever Grande Conference. The only advice that you should consider is, use less taxing moves for your pokemon in the future. It was a pleasure fighting you and knowing both of you" Extending a hand for a handshake which she happily took.

"Ah, I almost forgot but who won the tournament last year? And who is the current champion of Hoenn? If you can enlighten me"

The answer didn't came from Zara but from Kael, who after the fight approach us.

"Last year's champion was Steven Stone, a promising star in the Hoenn region, it is said that he has a rivalry bond with Wallace the best coordinator of the region and apprentice of the Sotopolis Gym. In the trainer community of Hoenn there's the rumor that this year Steven will challenge Silas the Champion along the Elite Four. In last year's he only used three pokemons in all rounds, Armaldo, Aggron and Skarmory.

For your second question, the actual Champion of Hoenn is Silas Greenfield an expert in grass and flying types, his known ace is Sceptile"

"Thanks, and I think that this Steven will definitely became Champion. If nothing more here is where we part ways, I hope that we meet in the top ten. Bye"