Chapter 100: Full Power Tournament! (2)

Chapter 100: Full Power Tournament! (2)

~Third POV~

[Alola Region, Melemele Island, Iki Town]

The next matches flew by in a blur. Kiawe's fiery passion proved too much for Oluol's baseball ingenuity, while Ilima's strategic prowess allowed him to defeat Sophocles, who was inexperienced in Pokémon Battling when compared to his second senior year.

Mallow managed to defeat Hiroki using her Phantump and Steenee. Azure couldn't help but shake his head at their battles.

He checked his Arc Phone in the meantime as his Pokémon were already healed. He only checked the status of his Kanto Starter Pokémon, their moves.

|Name: Charmander (Lizard Pokémon)

|Type: Fire

|Level: 15

|Gender: Male

|Held Item: [Charcoal]

|Ability: Blaze

|Nature: Serious

|Moves: Slash [A][S], Thunder Punch [A][S], Ember [A][S], Smokescreen, Metal Claw [A][S], Iron Tail [A][S], Dragon Breath [A][S], Fire Pledge [A][S], Fire Fang [A][S], Flamethrower [A][S], Protect (TM), Ancient Power [A][S] (EM) (0 Move to learn left)

|Name: Squirtle (Tiny Turtle Pokémon)

|Type: Water

|Level: 15

|Gender: Male

|Held Item: [Mystic Water]

|Ability: Torrent

|Nature: Bold

|Moves: Rapid Spin, Tail Whip, Bubble [A][S], Withdraw, Water Gun [A][S], Bite [A][S], Water Pulse [A][S], Water Pledge [A][S], Ice Beam [A][S] (TM), Aqua Ring (EM) (2 Moves left to learn)

|Name: Bulbasaur (Seed Pokémon)

|Type: Grass/Poison

|Level: 15

|Gender: Female

|Held Item: [Miracle Seed]

|Ability: Overgrow

|Nature: Modest

|Moves: Acid Spray [A][S], Sludge Bomb [A][S], Vine Whip [A][S], Growth, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf [A][S], Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Grass Pledge [A][S], Ingrain (IM), Toxic (EM) (1 Moves left to learn)

He smiled, seeing their progress in the upcoming weeks they spent together. Pikachu by his shoulder and Eevee over his head cried out, getting his attention, "Pika! Bui!"

Forcibly turning his head, he saw the next lineup for each match. He gazed at the board showing the next opponent he had to face.

Azure Vs. Mallow.

Ilima vs. Kiawe.

Lana had been a formidable opponent. Her calm demeanor and strategic use of water-type moves had pushed him. But Charmander and Bulbasaur had pulled through, their teamwork and his own battle experience ultimately securing the win.

Now, he faced Mallow in the semi-finals. Mallow, with her infectious energy and passion for Grass-type Pokémon, was a force to be reckoned with.

He'd seen her train with her Phantump and Steenee, witnessing her dedication and creative battle strategies firsthand. This wouldn't be easy.

He approached the battlefield as Pikachu and Eevee were on the sidelines with Samson Oak, a designated patch of grassy land in the center of Iki Town. Mallow stood opposite him, her green eyes sparkling with determination.

Her Phantump hovered beside her, its eerie yet endearing presence familiar after weeks of shared classes. Steenee, with its delicate frame and powerful kicks, stood ready at her feet.

Mallow called out, her voice filled with enthusiasm, pointing a finger at him, "Alright, Azure! Don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because we're friends! I'm going for the win!"

Azure grinned. He adjusted his cap down as he said calmly, "Wouldn't expect anything less, Mallow. Let's have a great battle!"

The referee raised his hand. He then announced out loud, "Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"

Azure took a deep breath. Hurling a Poke Ball outward, he called out, "Charmander, I choose you!"

*Pop*

The small fire-type leaped from its Poké Ball, landing on the ground with a confident puff of smoke. Its flame flickered brightly, reflecting in Azure's determined eyes.

Mallow countered with Steenee as she said happily, "Let's show this guy what for Steenee! Let's do this!"

The fruit-like Pokémon bounced forward, its leaves rustling in the breeze. Mallow commanded, "Steenee, use Razor Leaf!"

*Pew*

Steenee unleashed a whirlwind of sharp leaves, aimed directly at Charmander. Azure countered, "Charmander, dodge and use Agile Style. Ember!"

*Swoosh*

Charmander nimbly sidestepped the Razor Leaf attack, dodging most of the leaves. It then unleashed a barrage of small embers, directed towards Steenee.

*Brrr*

Steenee, however, stood firm. Mallow called out, smirked, crossing her arms, "Use Magical Leaf, Steenee!"

*Swooosh*

Steenee concentrated, gathering a swirling mass of mystical leaves that intercepted the Ember attack. The Magical Leaf attack then moved towards Charmander.

Azure simply chuckled at this. He countered as he ordered, "Charmander, burn it down! Flamethrower!"

*Sssss*

Charmander roared as it focused its fire in its mouth. Then it released a stream of fire from its mouth. The two attacks collided in a burst of energy, creating a momentarily stunning dust cloud.

As the dust settled, both Pokémon stood their ground, though visibly strained. Mallow called out, seizing the opportunity, "Steenee, use Double Slap!"

Steenee darted forward, unleashing a series of rapid slaps towards Charmander. Azure instructed, "Charmander, counter with Metal Claw!"

*Shinng*

Charmander's claws coated in sharp metal retaliated. The two Pokémon exchanged blows, creating a flurry of action. Charmander, though small, fought with a ferocity that he expected from the Lizard Pokémon grin.

Mallow gritted her teeth, seeing Charmander dominating close combat as she thought, visibly annoyed, 'What! How the heck did his Charmander keep up with Steenee? My Pokémon Speed Stat should be higher, so how…'

While Mallow was baffled by this, Azure remained calm as he thought, 'Sorry, Mallow. But this little one has always been serious. He fought and sparred against Scizor, who only used False Swipe in close combat. Sometimes having experience helps.'

While Charmander was dominating the fight. But he also knew when he had to train his other Pokémon, too.

The grass-type Pokémon staggered backward, clearly weakened. It was when Azure called out, recalling his Pokémon, "Charmander, return! You did great!"

He swapped Charmander for Squirtle. Hurling his next Pokémon, Mallow was stunned by the scene as he yelled, "Time to grind, little man! Go! Squirtle!"

*Pop*

The tiny turtle Pokémon landed on the field with a determined glint in its eyes. Doing a pose, Azure ordered, "Squirtle, let's show them what you've got! Use Water Gun!"

*Splash*

Squirtle unleashed a powerful jet of water, aimed directly at Steenee. Mallow commanded, seeing Steenee's condition, "Steenee, use Rapid Spin!"

Steenee tucked itself into a ball and spun rapidly, deflecting the Water Gun attack. It then launched itself towards Squirtle, a spinning whirlwind of leaves and energy.

Azure smirked as he countered, "Squirtle, Ice Beam!"

*PEW*

Mallow's eyes widened in alarm as the beam of ice energy hit Steenee directly. Freezing up in ice, Steenee couldn't evade the attack as it slipped down due to its own Rapid Spin, spreading the water around the area, turning into a sheet of ice from the Ice Beam.

*THUD*

Fainting from being frozen, Squirtle puffed his chest in pride. Mallow called Steenee back, and Squirtle had won the first round.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled as she said with a smile in a determined tone, "You did well, Steenee. Now it's your turn, Phantump!"

*Pop*

Hurling her next Pokémon, the Ghost/Grass-type Pokémon materialized on the battlefield, its hollow eyes staring intently at Squirtle. Squirtle felt a chill as Azure remained calm, viewing Phantump.

The air around it seemed to grow colder. Mallow commanded, "Phantump, use Astonish!"

*SCREEE*

Phantump let out an eerie cry, its ghostly aura intensifying. Squirtle flinched, momentarily paralyzed by fear.

Azure shouted, hoping to break through the fear, "Squirtle, shake it off! Use Strong Style! Water Gun!"

Squirtle struggled to regain its focus but managed to unleash a weak stream of water towards Phantump. Mallow countered, "Phantump, dodge and use Telekinesis!"

*Shiii*

Phantump effortlessly dodged the Water Gun and used Telekinesis, lifting Squirtle into the air, flailing around. With a powerful mental pull, Phantump forced Squirtle over as Mallow followed up, "Giga Drain!"

*Shiii*

Phantump brought it within range as it opened its mouth sucking Squirtle's energy. Squirtle cried out, collapsing to the ground.

The super-effective Grass-type move had taken its toll. The referee announced, "Squirtle is unable to battle!"

Azure recalled Squirtle, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. He was down to his last Pokémon as he said calmly, "You did good, Squirtle. Now it's all up to you! Let's do this! Go! Charmander!"

*Pop*

Azure sent Charmander out. It puffed its chest out, ready for battle. Mallow called out in a determined tone, "Alright, Phantump, use Confuse Ray!"

*Shiii*

Phantump released a beam of light, confusing Charmander. It began to stagger and sway, disoriented.

Unfortunately for her, Azure's Viridian Force activated [Protector]. As Charmander was confused, a clarity broke through as its eyes gazed at Azure, whose eyes briefly flashed, indicating he helped it break through.

Although he hated the idea of using his Viridian Force in battles, he made an exception in this case. Azure knew they needed the Z-Ring and Z-Crystals to use Z-Moves for future important battles ahead, an additional trump card other than relying on Mega Evolution.

From the shadows in the woods, a Pokémon's eyes narrowed. It detected an unknown power of nature but reframed clearly, observing for now…

Returning to the battle, Azure shouted, "Charmander, Strong Style. Flamethrower!"

*Sssss*

Charmander's eyes glared at Phantump as it inhaled deeply. And then exhaled a concentrated stream of fire, directing it at Phantump.

Mallow's eyes widened in concern as she ordered, "It didn't work?! Phantump – "

*BRRR*

Charmander unleashed a powerful stream of flames widely, as the Phantump was consumed by the flames. The area was covered with smoke.

Both trainers looked apprehensive. The smoke cleared, and Phantump was down. Charmander was still standing, but was exhausted.

The crowd went wild. The referee announced loudly, "Phantump is unable to battle! Charmander wins!"

Azure let out a sigh of relief. He had won, but knew it was a close match. He ran over to Mallow and helped her up as he said, "Good game, Mallow."

Mallow took a deep breath and exhaled as she said, smiling, recalling her Phantump, "Well done! I thought I could win with those combo moves!"

Azure nodded. Being the good sportsman, he said kindly offering advice, "Mallow, you're one of the best trainers I know. You certainly pushed me to my limits! Now I have to face someone in the finals."

Mallow replied, feeling a bit better from his words, as she nervously says, "The finals will be tough! I'm actually a little scared if it's Kiawe!"

Azure sighed helplessly. Shaking his head helplessly as he said calmly, "I know. Wish me luck, Mallow!"

Azure then walked towards Kiawe in the waiting area. If what he was thinking was right, Kiawe was going to win his match.

But then again, even he couldn't tell the outcome against Ilima. He was curious to see who would win in the end, as he said to Kiawe in a calm tone, "Kiawe, I think you're going to win. I'll be waiting for you."

Kiawe replied, flexing his arms in a determined tone, said, "Azure, I won't let you down on the finals! I'm going to give it my all!"

Sure enough, a few minutes passed, and Kiawe lost his match. Azure wasn't sure how to respond, seeing Ilima mop the floor with him.

However, now he knew what to face next. Ilima saw Azure within the crowd, smirking as he thought confidently, 'So that's the Ninth Pokémon League Champion, huh? I wonder how I stack up even in this format against him. Win or lose, I'll learn something valuable from this encounter.'

/////

A/N: Hey guys, the author here to say we've finally reached 100 chapters! And I still got 64 prepared and hopefully more in the future!

On another note, I guess I should ask. What do you guys want to expect for the MC's Team in Hoenn and Sinnoh down the line as he prepares to capture future Pokémon for him to use later down the line?

Any top picks? Or any unusual choices not seen in Pokémon teams? Otherwise, that will be all, and have a good day!