The Arcane Tournament

Round One Rumble

"Use Body Slam!" Gold shouted to his Pokémon. Meganium took off and charged ahead, jumping into the air and slamming right into her opponent.

The Roserade was completely knocked over and pinned down under Meganium. "Now hit them with Petal Blizzard!" Petals started to swarm around the two Pokémon and struck Roserade while it was being held down.

Barry started stomping his foot. "Use Poison Jab! Let's go! C'mon!" The storm came to a stop as Meganium was knocked back by a blow from Roserade. The flower Pokémon got back on its feet and didn't seem to be much worse for wear. "Weather Ball!"

Roserade held its hands in the air for a moment and then suddenly launched a red projectile at Meganium. The blow was surprisingly powerful and sent Gold's starter flying back.

He pulled out a Poké Ball and returned Meganium. Keep cool. You planned for this. He told himself as he sent out his other Pokémon.

A brown-furred bear appeared onto the field and roared. "Ursaring, use Slash!" Gold's Pokémon charged right at its opponent and raked his claw across the Roserade's body.

Barry glared at the battlefield. "Energy Ball! And then Poison Jab!" Roserade quickly recovered and then tossed a green ball into Ursaring's face. The projectile exploded and then Roserade slammed one of its flower-hands into the chest of Gold's Pokémon.

Ursaring was suddenly afflicted by a purple stun. Gold recognized the status as poisoning, which made him grin. "Perfect! Ursaring finish this with Payback!"

Gold's Ursaring grinned as it slammed its paw into Roserade's stomach and sent the Pokémon flying. Barry's Pokémon crashed onto the ground and was defeated by the blow. Now that we've got Guts going, this'll be a cinch! Gold told himself as Barry frustratedly called out his Empoleon.

Wally decided he would lead with Gallade and the fight was off to a strong start. They hadn't even had to Mega Evolve yet and had already taken down one of the trainer's Pokémon.

Wally's opponent, a boy named James, sent out a hulking mass made up of stones and barnacles. Wally had known his opponent was a Kalos native and researched Kalos Pokémon. He called upon that research and remembered that this was a Barbaracle.

Alright Wally, ready to wrap this up? Gallade asked. Wally snapped back into battle mode. I'm thinking we go Mega, put on a show. How about it?

Wally shook his head. "I have a different plan, actually. I want to use Grim instead." Gallade clearly wanted to protest but allowed Wally to call him back and send out his Banette. He didn't want any of his potential opponents to catch on to the fact that Gallade was his ace or learn all the tricks they had. Plus, Mega Evolution wasn't something Wally wanted to do. Not anymore.

The ghostly Pokémon turned back at Wally and grinned with its golden zipper mouth. Then it turned and stared down its opponent with its blood-red eyes. "Grim, use Will-O-Wisp!" The Banette conjured several purple fireballs around her and sent them forth at the opponent.

"Cut them up with Razor Shell!" James yelled and his giant Pokémon swung its arms into the spheres which dissipated them. "Now use Rock Slide." Barbaracle slammed its arms into the ground and drudged up several boulders which it threw at Grim.

"Phantom Force!" Wally shouted as the stones approached. Grim suddenly vanished from the battlefield and reappeared behind Barbaracle, striking it while its guard was down. "Will-O-Wisp!"

With the blow landed, Barbaracle was unable to recover before Grim could unleash another set of ghostly flames and send them into the Pokémon. It suddenly burst into flames for a split second.