"Hey, hey Sam", Dean shakes him lightly bringing the boy out of his thoughts.

  Monday classes aren't Sam's favourite thing in general. Especially today. He flew in late last night, and was greeted by yet another fight between his teammates. Unsurprisingly, Teo and Joe had gotten into a scuffle. Apparently, Teo had suggested they plant Mental Herb as soon as he came back. Joe outright refused to farm drugs in their room. Ace took Joe's side, and Ves took every opportunity to yell out his thoughts.

  Sam couldn't care less. After how his weekend in Lilicove ended, he realised one thing. It all truly didn't matter. It was an unfortunate thing, that he left his old life behind, just to be surrounded with the wrong kind of people. But someday, he knew, he'd leave these people behind as well. Getting into fights and trying to make friends out of them was a waste of time. At this point, Sam couldn't care less. They could grow Mental Herb in their room, they could do whatever they wanted, he would no longer try to be a part of it.

  "Hey", Dean repeated, "you alright? You seem a bit out of it".

  "It's nothing", Sam waves it off, "I'm just a bit tired".

  "Oh, alright", Dean says simply. "Just checking to see, I mean", the boy nods towards the rest of the class. They have been creating noise that Sam was trying to cancel out.

  "Where the fuck are they even", Lesley was yelling at Teo and Ves.

  "We have no idea", Ves yelled back, "they just weren't there when we woke up, didn't tell us anything".

  They are asking about Ace and Joe, who had dissapeared that morning. Sam didn't want to know about it.

  "You're their teammates, how do you not know", Natasha joins in, "that maniac owes me rematch, call him and tell him to come here this instant".

  "Yeah", Lesley agrees, "I want a match as well, with both of them, I need to test Pancham out".

  "Joe owes a rematch to the entire fucking school apparently, so take a number and stand in line, do I look like his fucking manager?", Ves yells back.

  "Besides, they didn't tell us where they are, and we don't have their numbers", Teo notes dryly.

  "They are in Lilicove", Marc says, turning all the eyes on him. "What, I just texted Joe, he told me", the boy says innocently.

  Sam still doesn't care about it.

  "They want to ask all the professors to referee a class tournament, see if any of them will agree", Dean fills him in, "they think if they make it class wide, someone might agree to referee for people who usually don't get to battle".

  "Sounds great", Sam says half-heartedly.

  The doors fly open the very next instant, with Leah rushing inside yelling: "Hey, hey, my guys and guy-ettes, look here". She boastingly raises a moon stone above her head. "Look what mama's got on her trip back home", she exclaims in excitment. At least she makes everyone else shut up.

  "Now it's time for this gal to get the best pokemon an alt girl can wish for", she says releasing Eevee onto one of the tables. The foxlike pokemon wags its tail as she approaches it, threateningly holding up the moon stone to its face.

  "Um, doesn't it require high connection to its trainer in order to evolve into Umbreon?", someone points out, "and doesn't it have to evolve in the night?".

  "Nonsense, that's only the simulation thing", Lesley waves it off, "Eevee evolves strictly with stones". He turns to Leah: "But...".

  She presses the moon stone to Eevee's forehead before he can finish the sentence.

  Nothing happens. Other than Eevee giving a weirded out look to its trainer.

  "But, Eevee needs to be developed", Lesley sighs out, "evolutionary stones only trigger the evolution, allowing the pent up energy to released".

  "Right, our Eevees aren't developed enought to Evolve yet", Natasha adds knowingly, "otherwise, I'd already have my Sylveon".

  "So, you're saying we need more energy, huh?", Leah scratches her chin. "Does anybody have a charger on them, I'm going to energize this baby", she states.

  "I'm pretty sure you'll get a Jolteon like that", Teo points out.

  "I think you'll discover a ghost type Eeveelution", Henry says calmly.

  "Guys, guys, I'm joking", Leah says, picking up Eevee and petting its head, "I'm not that stupid, I just didn't know that thing about the stones, cause I'm not a complete nerd".

  "Well, we were in the middle of setting up a class tournament", Natasha informs her, "so, there's a chance for you to help Eevee to develop".

  "Sounds like a hastle, is any professor going to agree to that?", Leah furs her brow, "you two have been at Nolan's neck ever since the school year started, I'm pretty sure he'll start running from you soon enough".

  "Well, he can try running", Lesley grins, "doubt he can do it".

  "Yeah, and when we're on topic of runners", Natasha turns to Marx, "those two really escaped, huh".

  "Honestly, I'm just shocked Ace broke the rules", Teo says.

  "You think Joe kidnapped him?", Lesley offers.

  "Could be", Teo nods along.

  "Well, not that I care about that, just wanted to have my rematch", Natasha sighs.

  "Well, you can always rematch me", Lesley offers, "I do have Pancham now, I won't lose to you for the third time".

  "Yeah, well, I already beat you twoce, honestly, it's getting kind of repetitive, no offence", Natasha waves off.

  "Oh come on", Lesley says pleadingly.

  Mai comes over, whispering something into Natasha's ear. "Okay", Natasha turns to Lesley, "I'll gove you a rematch, but only if you're willing to place a bet on it".

  "A bet?", Lesley says surprised, "um, okay, what did you have in mind?".

  "If I beat you again, your team has to do an interview with me and Mai", Natasha says decisevly.

  "You want an interview?", Lesley says in surprise.

  "Mai and I want to do vlog series about life at Old King's", Natasha explains, "but no one wants to be in our videos".

  "You want to vlog?", Lesley says, visibly dissapointed about something.

  "Getting famous is a part of being a professional trainer", Mai informs him, "and people don't really have imsight about life at this school, we thought it would be a good chance for us to break through".

  "Yeah, you're probably right", Lesley scratches his head, "I just, when you suggested a bet, I was expecting a different kind of request, that's all".

  "Well, what do you want if you win?", Natasha questions.

  "Uh", Lesley says, his face turning red, "go out for tea with me?". Seeing Natasha blush in uncomfort, he quickly adds: "nothing serious, I... I just thought we should get to know each other a bit better". Stepping back, he says in a low voice: "I thought that's the direction we were going in".

  "Wow looke the goldilocks shooting his shot", Marc grins, grabbing Lesley as at his shoulders.

  Mai and Leah chuckle lightly, while Natasha starts looking more and more like a fire type.

  "Sorry, I just though... I can come up with something else", Lesley waves his hands around, "forget it".

  "No, it's alright", Natasha clears her throat, "it's just tea, right".

  "Right, it's not a date at all", Lesley confirms uncomfortably.

  "Alright, then, that's a deal", Natasha nods uncomfortably, "we can do it like that".

  "Yay, Natasha got a date", Mai claps her hands in a playful mock.

  "Hey", Natasha nudges her, "I'm getting us that interview".

  "Right, right, but only if you beat me", Lesley finally recovers.

  "Hey, you have to get a professor to agree to this first", Leah reminds them, "otherwise, both your vlogging career and love life are going to be on a standby".

  "Oh, we'll get someone to referee", Lesley says, busting with newfound motivation.

  "Alright, so, our whole team, and Lesley's whole team, right, that's 10 of us", Natasha counts, "we need like 6 more people so we can set it up like a tournament".

  "Hey, we're in as well", Ves chimmes in.

  "Right you have 12 people", Teo confirms.

  "Sam, what about you?", Natasha turns around to yell at him, "you gonna be our number 13".

  Sam doesn't really think too much about it. "Yeah, sure", he says. It's what he needed to do. He was already lagging behind, and training was desparately necessary. He beat Fred. His childhood friend didn't prove to be too big of a challenge. What he needed now was to start facing his classmates.

  "Good", Dean gives him an encouraging tap on the shoulder, "I can be your opponent then, Aron needs some practice".

  "Hey, Dean, thanks for the challenge, but I actually wanted to battle someone else", Sam says carefully.

  "Oh really?", Dean looks slightly dissapointed.

  "Yeah", Sam nods, turning to his chosen opponent. "Andrei, is it alright if you battle me?".

  "Uh", Andrei looks taken back by the challenge, "I mean, I'm being forced into this anyways, so sure, not that it matters to me".

  "Great", Sam nods, already feeling the burn in his chest. One thing he has to know - if he can beat Andrei who's ranked just a spot above him. He nervously adjusts the necklace under his shirt, turning to Dean: "you're cool with this, right? I mean, it's a torunament, so we can battle each other anyways, we just have to win".

  "Yeah, it's fine, I get it", Dean nods.

  "Alright, then, we have two matches decided already", Natasha announces. She looks around the classroom adding: "we have 3 emtpy spots, anyone interested in taking them?".

  To everyone's surprise, one boy shoots up from his seat instantly, almost yelling: "hell yes, I am taking one of those spots". He seems to be enjoying the way all eyes turn to him, as he crosses his arms and firmly says: "y'all have been acting like the world revolves around you ever since we got here, always causing ruckus, I am aboslutely taking this opportunity to kick your loud asses".

  "Wow, calm down there, buddy", Teo laughs.

  "Oh, you don't talk", the boy says sharply, "I'll kick your ass first, Teo".

  "Okay, okay", Teo raises his hands in the air, "I accept your challenge".

  "Rodney", the boy says.

  "What?", Teo asks confused.

  "Rodney's my name you asshat", the boy hisses, "none of you ever cared to ask any of our names in these two weeks that we were classmates".

  "Hey now, we've been busy with our own shit", Teo rolls his eyes, "besides, you can't expect me to memorise every background character".

  "My God, I can't wait to kick your ass back to earth", Rodney says loudly.

  "Alright, alright", Natasha tries calming the situation down, "Rodney, thanks for joining this battle, but we still need two more people".

  "I'd be happy to battle 2 more times", Rodney says confidently, "more of your asses kicked, the happier I am".

  "Actually, I would like to take part as well, if you don't mind it", a strawberry blonde girl says calmly.

  "Um, yeah", Natasha says a bit uncomfortably, "okay".

  "Honestly, I just wanna see where this new rivals to lovers plot goes", the girls says with a sly smile, causing Lesley and Natasha to blush again.

  "Okay", Henry takes over, "we are fine with that".

  "And I can get you the last player as well", the girl says, nudging a girl next to her, "right, Masha, you'll do this with me".

  The read head next to her leans in to whisper something.

  "Come on, I need to know what happens with the lovebirds", the girl says loudly. Something tells Sam she enjoys this kind of chaos.

  "Fine, Maria", her friend sighs, "I'll humour your little obsession". When Masha's met with an array of strange looks, she waves her hand: "Maria's following you lot like you're some kind of a TV show, and she's obsessed".

  "Hey, I find trainwrecks entertaining", Maria responds, smiling.

  "Oh, and now that the two of you are doing this whole date thing, I won't ever hear the end of it, she's been shipping the two of you almost this whole time", Masha sighs.

  "Hey, they are both loud, insuferable battle maniacs, I think they'll work together", Maria laugs. "I'm rooting for you two", she winks at them, causing them to turn red yet again.

  "No one ever start dating Joe", Masha adds cautiosly, "please, we won't be able to live with her if he ever gets into a relationship".

  "Hey, don't ruin this for me", Maria nudges her again.

  "Alright", Henry says in an attempt to settle things down, "thanks you two, we have 16 participants now, so let's settle the match ups before Nolan gets here".

  "I'll battle any of you", Maria says simply.

  "Girl, you and I can give it a go then", Leah says, "I like your style".

  "Done deal", Maria says simply.

  "Alright, that's 4 match ups down, 4 more to go", Henry announces.

  "Tammy, you and I can battle, if that's okay", Dean offers.

  "I'm good with that", the girl nods along.

  "Hey, Henry", Ves says loudly, "you and me, what do you think?".

  "I think you picked a terrible match up, but alright", Henry shrugs.

  "Don't worry about me, I just want to take you on", Ves informs him with a grin.

  "Cool, that leaves Mai, Tea, Masha and Marc without opponents", Natasha says, finally returning to her default colours.

  "I can take Mai", Masha offers, "we're close on the ranking anyways, I want to know how well we fare against each other".

  "I'm in", Mai says with a smile.

  "Than that leaves Tea and I, huh", Marc says, "I'm fine with that".

  "Yeah, anything works for me", Tea waves it off.

  "Good, then all that's left is to convince a professor to referee for us", Henry says turning to Lesley and Natasha, "we'll leave that to you".

  "Sure we'll try to convince Nolan", Natasha nods.

  "If he doesn't cave, we'll go on to the next victim", Lesley confirms.

  Things in the classroom settle down only moments before Nolan walks in. This means that the peace doesn't last too long, with Natasha and Lesley immediately jumping on his throat. Sam, however, doesn't pay attention to that at all. The only thing he can notice is that Vanessa had walked in after their professor. He lets the rest of the world fade back, staring at the way her jeans wrap around her body.

  Time flows around him, only solidifying itself when Vanessa speaks up. "I think it's a good idea, professor", her voice is perky and sweet, "besides I'm here as well, so I can help with refereeing the battles".

  When he chekcs his phone, Sam realises 10 minutes have already passed. His classmates have been trying to convince Nolan to set up their little tournamet for that long, and he didn't hear a single word of it.

  "Am I just supposed to cut the rest of classes so they can battle?", Nolan asks scoldingly.

  "Well, you are their mentor, so you can excuse the ones who are taking part in this", Vanessa reminds him, "I think it's a good idea, especially since I happened to be here now and have some spare time".

  "Exactly, professor, we need training, and having a certified trainer is great for us",Lesley presses on.

  After a few more minutes of convincing, Nolan finally gives in, noting that Lesley and Natasha had officially surpassed the amount of patience he had in himself. Rodney loudly agreed with this semtiment.

  That's how Sam ended up leaving with half of the class. He could only look at Vanessa, who walked beside professor Nolan, not even turning around to look at him.

  *****

  "Alright, I'm going first, I can't wait any longer", Rodney stomped onto the field as soon as they entered the room.

  They already had a deal that everyone would use 1 pokemon, Nolan wouldn't allow for more. He was already getting them out of classes for this, and had wanted it to be over as quikcly as possible.

  "I'm fine with that", Teo accepted the challenge.

  Still looking at Vanessa, Sam could tell she found this sort of behaviour amusing. Now that she was here, he couldn't afford to make a fool of himself.

  "Alright, let's get over this whole ordeal quickly", Nolan sighed, "send out your pokemon".

  The two boys quickly obliged, with Teo sending out Totodile, and Rodney letting a Chewtle hit the field. Two water types, Sam concluded, that should be interesting. He tried focusing on the battle once professor Nolan called for the start, but his eyes kept darting off to where Vanessa was. In his defense, the battle wasn't all that interesting.

  Totodile ended up Aqua Jetting around the whole time. Rodney cursed Teo out multiple times, because his Chewtle wasn't the best at hitting the moving target. By the end of it, everyone was aware of the fact that Totodile only ever used one move. More importantly, everyone was shocked when Teo managed to pull out a win like that. Dark haired boy boastingly walked back to the sidelines, announcing that he had won his first official battle. Rodney stepped away as well, planting himslef next to Nolan, aboslutely refusing to look at anyone else.

  Natasha and Lesley basically raced onto the field next. This time, Sam forced himslef into paying attention to the battle.

  Natasha went with her Vulpix, while Lesley released Pancham. It was a new pokemon of his, Sam realised.

  They started as soon as Nolan gave them a sign, with Natasha leading of with Ember. Lesley ordered his new partner to break through with an Arm Thrust, so the small bear ended up charging through the wall of cinders. His attack ended up avoided at the last moment, with Natasha ordering a Quick attack to get away. Lesley persisted, ordering the second Arm Thrust, which Pancham managed to connect, firing off two rapid hits before Vulpix escaped again. Natasha ordered a Quick Attack in retaliation, Vulpix slamming into Pancham and pushing it back. Nolan looked dissatisfied at the fact no pokemon had fainted yet.

  Lesley ordered Pancham to retaliate with a Storm Throw, to which Natasha quickly ordered a Protect. Nolan audiably sighed at this, probably realising that the girl was going to battle defensively.

  To Sam, the two of them seemed equally matched. He did his best to analyse the situation, giving Natasha the edge in the end. She had more experiance with battling with Vulpix.

  "Get back with Quick Attack, go into Ember", the girl yelled out. Long-ranged attacks, Sam realised, she didn't want to battle Pancham at the close range.

  "Get them with Arm Thrust", Lesley orders, adamant on not letting Vulpix gain space. Once again, Pancham breaks through the cinders, taking the damage, and managing to connect two hits.

  "Ember, get him now", Natasha yells out, probably realising she can't escape the fighting type. The small bear is incredibly fast, Sam notices.

  "Jump up, dodge it", Lesley tries, but Vulpix starts up the attack too fast, burning Pancham away.

  "Quick Attack, now", Natasha wastes to no time.

  "Circle Throw", Lesley hisses, "grab it".

  "Go on Vulpix", Natasha says, as her partner slams into her oponnet. Pancham grabs the fox-like pokemon after taking the attack head on, and starts swinging it away.

  "Good, Vulpix", Natasha yells as the fighting type hurls her partner through the air, "now use Ember, end it".

  In mid-air, Vulpix manages to position herself, firing off an attack at Pancham. The fox hits the ground seconds later, taking considerable damage, but the battle's already over. Ember is enough to bring Panncham to his knees, fainting the fighting type.

  "Natasha wins", Vanessa announces, and Nolan quickly gestures for the two to remove themselves from the battlefield.

  Maria cheerfully runs onto the field. "Just because she won, doesn't mean you two can't go on a date", she winks at them, causing them to blush yet again. Nolan looks truly terrified at this idea.

  Leah takes her side of the field and the next battle starts up quickly. Leah decides to go with Eevee, while Maria calls onto a Cubchoo. What seemed like an match with equal chances ends up being very one-sided. Alternating between Protect and Icy Wind, Maria quickly renders Eevee's mobility useless, winning the battle within 2 minutes. Nolan looks satisfied to have witnessed a blitz battle like that.

  Masha and Mai walk out on the field next, calling for Chimcar and Snubull respectively. Sam quickly finds himself rooting for Masha, since Chimcar is quite likeable to him. Unfortunately, the battle ends up swaying into a different direction. Snubull proves capable of takimg hits, and her retaliations are too mighty for the fire mokey to survive. The battle takes a bit longer, and Nolan proceeds to be grumpy about it.

  Dean and Tammy step out on the floor next. Andrei appears behind Sam, whispering into his ear: "can we go next? If I win, I'd rather face one of these two next".

  "Cool with me", Sam replies shortly, hiding the saltiness that comes from finding out Andrei already thinks he'll beat him.

  "Cool", the other boy pats him on the shoulder before retreating.

  Dean's battle he wants to see in full. Tammy calls onto her Eevee, while Dean lets Aron on the field. Another addition, Sam realises, Dean did tell him about it back in the classroom, but this was the first time Sam was seeing Aron. He caught it Canalave, Sam realised instantly, so he only had Aron for the weekend, he should be at disatvantage here. The steel typing, however, told a different story.

  "Okay, Eevee, Quick Attack", Tammy ordered as soon as Vanessa gave them heads up.

  "Head Smahs", Dean says conclusively.

  As Eevee hits the Quick Attack, she bounces backwards. Aron's head flashes in metalic light, and the small pokemon launches forward the very next second, propeling the normal type even further back. Just like that, Eevee ends up fainited on the ground. Dean only stands there, almost apologetically scratching his head, as Tammy recalls her pokemon. Nolan is absolutely ecstatic that the battle had ended in one hit.

  Sam, on the other hand, realises he's about to step onto the field. He moves forward as if struck by lighting. He can't lose now, not when Vanessa is watching. Not when he's facing Andrei. He has an advantage here, he knows. Andrei had a ghost type, his attacks would activate Rattled. He could win here, just like he did back in Twinleaf when he battled Fred. But Andrei wasn't Fred.

  Speaking of his opponent, the boy unwillingly made his way onto the field, carelessly letting Dreepy out of his pokeball.

  "Okay, Bolt, let's go", Sam says, releasing his partner as well.

  "Alright, I hope this one is over quickly", Nolan sighs, looking expectantly at Vanessa.

  Sam takes one more look at her, just to see she's looking straight at him. He can feel his heart twisting. He has to win now.

  "Battle start", the girl announces.

  "Bite, go Bolt", Sam wastes no time. Waiting on Andrei to hit him was a no-go, not when he can start dealing damage.

  "Dodge it, Dreepy", Andrei says unenthusiastically, "Astonish him".

  With Yamper's lackluster speed, Dreepy has no problem avoiding the attack, swifty hitting back with Astonish. Sam watches as his partener's muscles get infused with energy, triggered by the activation of his ability.

  "Oh, no", Andrei growls, "don't tell me this has Rattled".

  "Maybe", Sam says, not really happy to find Andrei already figured that out.

  "I only have Bite and Astonish as my attacking moves", Andrei face-palms.

  "Bite, Bolt", Sam takes the opportunity to go into offensive.

  "My God, dodge it Dreepy", Andrei reacts, and Dreepy manages to avoid yet another attack.

  "Go on using Bite, Bolt", Sam persists. Landing just one should get the ghost type on the edge of his health.

  "Dodge, then hit him with Confuse Ray", Andrei announces. Fliating away again, Dreepy manages to send a ray of psychic energy into Yamper. "Now, please, hit yourself into fainting", Andrei scratches his head.

  "Bolt, run", Sam decides in an instant. Going for Bite now could end in Yamper hurting himself. Even if his partner broke through confusion, Dreepy would have no problem dodging the attavk again. A quick glance at Nolan, who's picnhing the bridge of his nose, confirms Sam's suspicions. There were two ways for this to go now. Either Andrei attacks and helps out by raising Sam's speed, or Sam keeps his distance and charges up enough Thunderbolts. By the way Andrei is behaving, this looks like its going to turn into a Thunderbolt fest.

  "Are we really going to do this?", Andrei wails, "can't I just forfeit".

  "Thunderbolt", Sam says in response. Yamper gathers power, but thanks to confusion, can't spot his target. The Thunderbolt ends up passing right next to Andrei, causing the boy to flinch.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "I surrender", he raises his hands in the air", looking at Nolan expectantly.

  "I think that's for the best", professor says firmly, giving Sam a stern look.

  "Andrei forfeits, Sam wins the battle", Vanessa announces.

  Sam blushes, trying not to look at Vanessa. This was not at all how he wanted to win, especially not in front of her.

  "Sorry about that", Andrei says when they get back to the sidelines, "I didn't want to get fried to death".

  "It's fine", Sam waves him off absentmindedly. One person in this school he thought he could beat for sure, and their battle ends like this. Getting one-shot would feel better than this.

  The worst thing, he would've won eventually. On his own, without Andrei forfeiting, and he knows it. He had it all planned. Andrei would have to hit him, raising his speed, or he'd go down to an array of Thunderbolts. The battle was Sam's to win. But now none of them would know it. For all of them, he won only because Andrei was being Andrei.

  He doesn't even bother watching the next matches. They all pass by quickly enough.

  Tea and Marc go next, and the match is over in a blink of an eye. Tea uses Metronome, and her Shroodle ends up using Explosion. Marc, however, goes for Protect. Tea curses, noting that she wanted a tie, just to screw with the bracket of their little tournament.

  Ves and Henry go next. Ves tries going for an Ember, but Henry quickly cuts him off with a Mach Punch, then proceeds to pummel him with Aerial Aces and more Mach Punches. A minute later, Ves is on the sidelines, cursing all fighting types. Henry only informs him he was the one who chose the match-up.

  Just like that, the second round of their tournament starts up. Nolan swiftly helps the kids heal up their pokemon on one of the machines located at the side of the room.

  When the battles start up again, Sam finds himslef quickly losing his patience. He has to go against Dean next, and if he uses Aron, he's not sure if he can win.

  As Teo and Natasha step out onto the field, Sam can feel his body heat raising up. He hopes their battle lasts forever. That something goes terribly wrong, and they have to cut this tournament short. He wishes that Thunderbolt would've struck Andrei. That way, he wouldn't have to go through with this.

  As he watches Natasha and Teo go at it, Sam realises - he can't keep up with these people. He could beat Fred, he could be confident against him. Fred wasn't one of his classmates. Even with Andrei, he was confident. He had an advantage. Everyone else, however, was a different story.

  He watched as Natasha struggled to overcome the ever-Aqua Jettimg Totodile, wondering, how she found it in herself to keep going. That croc was incredibly agile, Sam thought, even with the type advantage, Yamper probably couldn't win against him. His Thumderbolts couldn't keep up with Totodile's speed, not without Rattled.

  Natasha however, managed to stop Teo's attack with a Protect, using the seconds it took Totodile to create his water veil again to counter with Quick Attack. It took her a bit, and Nolan wasn't too happy about it, but in the end she managed to triumph over Teo as well.

  Sam could only stand there, thinking to himself that he couldn't do it. His head felt dizzy, and the talisman felt hot against his skin.

  By the time Mai and Maria walked out of the field, Sam had already sweated out a small lake. The second battle seemed to pass in an instant. Maria somehow managed to win, not that Sam could pay any attention.

  He didn't even realise when he had made it onto the field, with Yamper readily standing in front of him. Dean raised his hand for, givimg him an encouraging wave, before letting Aron hit the field.

  Doing his best to focus didn't help much, his thought were scattered. Aron probably didn't have moves that would activate Rattled, Sam realised. Right. Getting in close was a no go. Head Smahs would be too much for Yamper. Stay away, use Thunderbolts. That was the best thing Sam could come up with.

  He heard through the riningimg in his ears when Vanessa announced the battle.

  "Go, Metal Claw", Dean's voice rang out in the distance.

  "Run, Bolt", Sam said, trying to cut through the dizzines, "Thunderbolt".

  The field looked like quick sand. Yamper seemed to be slower than ever. Everything seemed slower. Shapeless.

  Aron missed his Metal Claw. Speed, Sam thought. Aron was slow as well.

  "Again", Dean's voice rang out. He seemed agitated. Yamper hit with Thunderbolt, Sam realised. He didn't even catch that.

  "Thunderbolt, again", Sam demanded, on autopilot.

  "Close in Aron, let him hit you", he heard Dean say. This time, he saw Aron's body enveloped with electricity.

  "Again", Sam says quickly.

  "Power through it", Dean yells out, "Head Smash".

  Sam realises one thing. Yamper has to lower his speed to fire off a Thunderbolt. Without the speed boost from Rattled, his partner basically comes to a full stop when he attacks.

  He watches as Aron takes the last Thunderbolt, still enveloped in crackling electricity when he slams his head into Yamper, knocing the electric type out.

  Sam's not sure wheter he feels relieved or defeated.

  Recalling Yamper, he steps away to the sidelines, not daring to even look at Vanessa.

  "Hey, that was good", he feels Dean lay his hand on his shoulder.

  "Yeah, good battles, congrats", Sam says absentmindedly.

  The next thing he knows, his body is heating up again. The world turns white in front of him. The next moment, he feels his hand grapplimg with the ground, and hears Dean's voice in his ear.

  "Hey, you alright dude?", the boy sounds a little bit distressed, and Sam's not sure why. The only thing he knows is that his eyelids feel as if they were made of lead, just like his legs. His own body feels like it weighs a ton, and the necklace around his neck feels like another one.

  "What happened", a girls's voice sounds worried as well, "he just fell down?". It was Tammy he realised.

  "I'm fine", he tries to make his voice sound even. He lets Dean and Tammy help him up.

  Everyone's looking at him, he realises. It makes him feel even worse. "I'm fine", he notes shortly, waving them off. The last thing he needs is pity. "Just go on with a tournament", he says, spotting that Nolan's looking at him discerningly. He doesn't dare to look at Vanessa.

  They help him lean against the wall, and he props himself up, focusing on breathing. He nods towards their mentor, letting him know he'll be alright. If he cut this tournament short because of him, everyone else would judge him. Sam didn't want that to matter, but it did. So he would sit through this.

  It took him a moment to calm down, letting his body go comoletely numb.

  "Hey", a sweet voice cathes his attention, as he feels a hand brush against his shoulder. He didn't even spot when Vanessa approached him.

  The match between Henry and Marc was already over, and Nolan was healing up injured pokemon again. Vanessa took that time to walk up to him. He wasn't sure if that made him feel better, only that his heart started racing again.

  "Nolan told you to skip the rest of the classes today and come to his office", she informs him, and he hates that she was sent there by his mentor. "I'll take you to the nursery later", she says, before leaving.

  Dean quickly comes along to take her place, and Ves and Teo end up sitting next to him as well.

  "You alright", Ves says, rubbing his shoulder, "what happened?".

  "I'm fine", Sam brushes him off. Ves was pretty much the last person he wanted pity from. He could already imagine the boy making fun of him for this.

  "You sure?", Ves says, "we could take you back to our room".

  "No need", Sam says shortly. He probably just wants an excuse to cut classes.

  "At least go see a doctor", Ves offers.

  "Since when are you so worried about my wellbeing", Sam tries scoffing, but it comes out as a huff.

  "I just watched you fall to the ground out of nowhere", Ves says sharply, "what do you take me for?".

  "Great, we're going to argue about this now?", Sam keeps his eyes peeled onto the battlefield as Natasha and Maria steps out. Not that he can follow the battle, but it's still better than dealing with Ves.

  "If you're gonna be like that", he hears Ves say. Sam doesn't turn around to look at him.

  The battle between Natasha and Mai lasts for a bit. Sam can't exactly follow along, but Natasha manages to pull out another victory, abusing Vulpix's fire typing.

  Dean walks out onto the battlefield next, facing off against Henry. That one passes by quickly, with Henry overpowering Dean's Aron in an instant.

  "Henry better win this whole thing", Ves sighs next to him.

  "No way, Natasha has to win, she's crazy", Teo retorts.

  "Dude, she had trouble beating all of her opponents up until now", Ves scoffs, "Henry beat everyone with ease, he's way better".

  "Henry had easier opponents, dude, he battled you, and Natasha had to battle me", Teo concludes.

  "Whatever, Henry will crush her", Ves crosses his arms.

  They will really find any reason to argue, Sam thinks. Wheter Henry or Natasha win, it's all the same to him. Not that he would stand a chance against either of them.

  The battle starts, and the two seem to be pretty equally matched. Natasha stops Mach Punches with Protects, and escapes Trailblazes with Quick Attacks. Henry, on the other hand, Detects her Embers. The stalemate lasts for a good bit, with two of them trying to get the feel for the situation.

  "Alright, Mach Punch, now", Henry says decisevly, and his Mienfoo jolts forward to make a hit.

  "Protect", Natasha readies herself for another round of their little dance.

  "Cut it, jump up, Mienfoo", Henry orders swiftly, and his partner obliges, leaping into the air.

  "Terrible choice, Ember, Vulpix", Natasha orders.

  "Break through it, Mach Punch", Henry wastes no time. His partner takes Ember head on, landing a Mach Punch into the Vulpix.

  "Quick Attack, get away", Natasha orders.

  "Keep up with Mach Punch", Henry says firmly. His fighting type manages to match his opponent's pace, landing another hit.

  "Go again", Henry orders, adamant on keeping the tempo up.

  "Protect", Natasha growls, "retaliate with Quick Attack".

  As Mach Punch hits into the Protect, Vulpix crushes into her opponent the very next second.

  "Now, Aerial Ace, finish it when they are close by", Henry orders as soon as his pokemon has taken a hit. The fighting type swiftly flies his hand up, creating an air current that cuts at Vulpix, sending the fire type backwards and knocking it out.

  "Vulpix is unable to battle", Vanessa announces, "Henry wins the battle".

  "Told ya", Ves sounds overtly proud.

  "Whatever, it was close", Teo scoffs.

  Sam's just happy that this tournament is over.

  *****

  The dizziness was finally gone, Sam realised, as he hang back in the chair in Nolan's offife. His eyes flew between his mentor and Vanessa, who looked over some papers. Sam felt stupid interrupting them.

  Thankfully, whatever work they had to do took only a few seconds.

  "Are you alright?", professor Nolan asks, his voice firm and even.

  "Yeah, all better now", Sam nods slowly, "I don't know what that was".

  "Could be a few things", Nolan notes, removing his papers back to his drawer, "the doctor should be able to tell".

  "Right", Sam nods along.

  "Did you feel alright this morning?", the man questions, "did you have breakfast".

  "Yeah", Sam says, "I mean, yes, I felt alright, and I had breakfast".

  "Then, it must be stress", he gives him a curious look. "Happens often", he looks at Vanessa knowingly, "stress is an integral part of this school it seems".

  "Yeah, there are fainters every year", Vanessa chuckles lightly, "though mostly people wait for the ranking tournament to hit the floor".

  "Right", Sam hangs his head low, "I wanted to get that out of the way beforehand".

  "Well, he can make jokes, so I'd say he's fine", Vanessa laughs, causing a bloodrush to Sam's face.

  "It's understandable", professor Nolan ignores them, "this year students are a strange bunch, even I can see that".

  "Professor, we all know you don't really pay close attention to battles", Vanessa says playfully. Her voice turns serious the very next instant: "but, yeah, I agree, this year is quite strange".

  "Why's that?", Sam asks, not having the slightest idea where their assessment comes from.

  "Most of the matches today were pretty cut and dry", Vanessa says, rubbing her chin, "it's not really common to see that".

  "It's not?", Sam straightens up in his chair.

  "Not amongst the people in the same year", Nolan adds, "there are always a few people who stand above the rest, but for the most part the students are evenly matched".

  "Right, this school gathers students with high potential, and sure, some of them take longer to express that potential", Vanessa explains, "but it's never happened before to have a split like this".

  "What split?", Sam almost wants to jump from his spot. None of this makes sense.

  "Well, for instance, those three are pretty damn good", Vanessa seems knee deep in analysis, "that girl with a Vulpix, and guys with Mienfoo and Pancham".

  "Natasha, Henry and Lesley", Sam states, "yeah, they are good, that's nothing new".

  "Right, but see, the 3 of them could've easily taken on anyone in that room", Vanessa rasises her finger, "those two girls with Snubull and Cubchoo held their ground, they are pretty close to that level as well, but not quite there yet".

  "Fine, but what does it all mean?", Sam practically begs for a straightforward answer.

  "Vanessa wants to say it's strange that no one could challenge those 3", Nolan sighs, "it's not usual, you know".

  "Right, I mean it's normal that some people do better in battles, especially since you are all new to this, but usually even those who are the best in this school can be challenged by their classmates", Vanessa adds, "look at me, I was never the best trainer in my generation, but I could still give any of my classmates a run for their money".

  "So, you're saying those 3 are better than everyone else", Sam says in dissapointment. This was nothing new.

  "No, we're saying that's not normal", Nolan says calmly. "That friend of yours, Joe, wasn't even there today", he adds, giving Sam a questioning look.

  "Right, him and Ace didn't feel well this morning", Sam instantly lies.

  "Right", Nolan accepts his explanation, "he's in their ranks as well, as far as I could tell".

  "There's another one?", Vanessa raises her eyebrow. Sam almost says that Joe had already beatent all three of them, but stops himslef, remembering his battles against Lesley and Henry were against the rules. He also recalls Joe telling them last night Henry had beaten him back in Canalave.

  "I still don't know why that's not normal", Sam says.

  "A similar thing happened in golden generation", Nolan states, "there were a few students that couldn't be challenged by anyone else".

  "Yeah, but it was like 5 or 6 of them in the entire school", Vanessa says, "not 4 of them in 1 class".

  "That's exactly what I'm saying", Nolan sighs, "and I've heard there are some pretty good students in other classes as well, so...".

  "You think we're seeing a new golden generation?", Vanessa says expectantly.

  "Yes, and no", Nolan seems to think about it, "do you think those three could face the golden generation, if they were first years together".

  "Face them, yes", Vanessa says instantly, "win against them? No.".

  "Exactly, they are somewhere in between", Nolan nods, "but there are more of them now".

  "I still don't get the problem with all of this", Sam shakes his head.

  "The problem is, the rest of the students will have trouble keeping up", Vanessa says flatly. "Golden generation was something different, there were a few exceptional people, but everyone else could match each other, so they weren't really that detrimental".

  "To put it even more plainly", Nolan cuts her off, "this school operates on basis of students competimg against each other, and that doesn't exactly work when half of the students stand above the rest in this way".

  "Right, it's good facing someone who's slightly better than you, it helps you get stronger", Vanessa nods, "but it doesn't really help when there's a too big of a gap".

  "Basically, such a disparity throws off the whole system this school operates on", professor Nolan decides, "and school board didn't really help with this year's partner choices, somehow they made things even worse".

  "Actually, I think there might be other things in play as well", Vanessa pinches her nose, "Sam, what did you think of your battles today?".

  "Um, nothing much", Sam admits, I mean, the outcomes were pretty easy to predict.

  "Okay, then explain how your predictions work?", Vanessa persists.

  "Well, Andrei has a Dreepy, and it's a ghost type", Sam thinks about it, "it's faster than Bolt, but that's the only thing it has, it couldn't hit my pokemon without activating Rattled and Bolt has Bite as well, so that was a pretty easy match up for me". Sam quickly adds: "I would've won that one even if Andrei didn't forfeit".

  "Alright, and the second one?", Vanessa's bursting with curiosity.

  "Well, both Aron and Bolt are on a slower side, so that's an even match", Sam scratches his hair, "but I've aready seen Rock Head, that's a powerful move, I knew Bolt would go down if he got hit with it". Taking a breath, he concludes: "basically, Bolt didn't have moves that could hit Aron hard enough, so it was a tough match-up for us from the start, even if we didn't go down so fast, we' d have to hit Aron too many times to knock him out".

  "Right", Vanessa nods, "that's what I thought as well".

  "Oh, and I've notices Bolt practically stops when he uses Thunderbolt, without Rattled active, he slows down too much and leaves himself open for the attack", Sam adds, "and Aron probably has no moves that could activate Rattled".

  "See", Vanessa gives professor Nolan a significant look.

  "See what?", Sam asks, confused yet again.

  "You can analyse battles pretty well", Vanessa shrughs, "you know, when I was a first year, most of my classmates wouldn't be able to pick up on everything you just said".

  "So, you're saying I'm smart?", Sam says hopefully.

  "I'm saying you kids were exposed to internet way before us", Vanessa sighs, "it was much easier for your generation to access matches, watch them, read up about strategies, watch analysis videos, it creates progress on a generational level".

  "Huh, maybe a bit too much progress", professor Nolan scoffs.

  "So, you're saying my generation is better?", Sam wonders.

  "I'd call it a new wave of a kind, and a very tricky one", Vanessa thinks about it, "there seems to be a wall between groups".

  "A wall?", Sam raises his eyebrow.

  "Alright, don't take it so literaly, it's not that cut and dry", Vanessa sighs, "look, those two girls, Mai and Maria, right? They would've been at the top of my class with their skill. In this generation though, there are people they can barely measure up with".

  "Okay, so, it's like a hierarchy?", Sam questions.

  "Well, basically, but a very strange one", Vanessa says.

  "From what we've seen today, out of 16 of you, there are 3 that stand above the rest", Nolan inserts himslef, "2 girls could stand some chance against those 3, and the rest, 11 of you could not measure up to them".

  "Yeah, and it's not just about match ups", Vanessa adds, "that's just the surface".

  "Exactly, and that's just 3 of them in one class", Nolan explains, "add that teammate of yours as well, then consider the fact there are 270 more students in other classes".

  "And are other students good?", Sam asks, thinking back to his battle with Bo. The mullet guy was definitley not in the last group. At the very worst, he could measure up to the best students, even if he couldn't beat them.

  "I don't have too much insight on that, but from what I've heard, yes, there are other students who are pretty advanced as well", Nolan confesses.

  "Like those guys, Mikey, Dominic and Vinnie?", Sam questions, "I mean, they are ranked at top 3 spots".

  "Right, from what I've heard, those three are definitley something", Nolan confirms, "and there are other exceptional students as well".

  "So, where does that put me then?", Sam sighs.

  "In a very rough position", Nolan says calmly, "which only serves to explain your state of mind".

  "Yeah, that really helps", Sam sighs, "really happy that I'm right to be stressed".

  It hits him all at once. He sees the difference Vanessa and professor Nolan are talking about clearly. And it goes beyond that. Back in Twinleaf, he could beat Fred without an issue. They grew up together, the two of them were evenly matched. But Sam had 2 weeks of being at Old King's. That in itself was enough to give him the edge. But Fred was one thing. His classmates were definitley something else.

  There were people he simply couldn't beat. People who stood in a league of their own. But how many of them were above him?

  "Worrying about it too much doesn't help", Vanessa waves her hand, "I mean, I graduated, so it's obviously possible". She brings her hand to her chin thoughtfully: "though, I didn't have maniacs like those, so I'm not sure if that makes you feel any better".

  "Not really", Sam admits.

  "Listen up, Sam", professor Nolan clears his throat, "do you know why pokemon training even exist as a profession?".

  The question seems to come out of nowhere, and the boy's not sure what the answer is.

  "Well, first pokemon trainers appeared because wild pokemon caused trouble in first human settlements, so someone needed to deal with that", Sam thinks about it.

  "Alright, how about today, what about the leagues?", Nolan insists.

  "Well, people wanted to have fun, I guess, see who's the best", Sam says simply, "and I guess other people like watching it".

  "Exactly", Nolan nods, "it's a spectacle sport".

  "Right, it is", Sam says, failing to see the point.

  "And what does that tell you about our world?", Nolan puts his hands behind his back, as he walks up to Sam.

  "That we like watching TV?", Sam tries, "and going to stadiums?".

  "Perhaps", Nolan chuckles lightly, "wanna know what I think?".

  "Yeah", Sam says, not really sure if he wants to hear it.

  "Training pokemon was always out of place", Nolan says firmly, "at first, it was just a side effect of life, the fact people and pokemon couldn't live together". He takes a second, giving Sam a look that makes the boy shiver. "Then it became a mere entertainment, for the most part", the man continues, "a way for mankind to show we've overcame the nature, put it under our control, made it serve us in any way we want".

  "So, um, what you're saying then...", Sam starts.

  "Goddamn, professor, you're being too intense again", Vanessa laughs, hurrying over to place herself between them. "Maybe don't scare the kid away", she says to Nolan in a firm tone.

  "He did come to this school to try and become a trainer after all", Vanessa turns around to face him, and Sam spots Nolan rolling his eyes.

  "Right, I did", Sam nods, not sure how he's supposed to react.

  "Whatever, I just don't like seeing young people dishartened over such trivial things", Nolan says.

  "Now's no time to get dishartened", Vanessa raises her finger.

  "You know as well as I do how these kids can be", Nolan eyes her cautiosly.

  "Exactly, that's why we're here to help out when we can", Vanessa say, "now, let me take this one to the nursery, and then we'll go ahead and do some training".

  "Right, training", Nolan nods in dissatisfaction.

  "Come on professor", Vanessa waves her hand around, "there are different ways of getting through to people, and I think my methods are much better suited to the occasion".

  *****

  The doctor only checks his pulse and blood pressure, quickly concluding that he fell due to a stress-induced dizzy spell. She suggests relaxing, as if something like that is possible at Old King's.

  Regardless, only 15 minutes upom entering the hospital wing, Sam finds himself traversing the island with Vanessa. He's not sure what that whole thing back at Nolan's office was, but he's just happy it had earned him alone time with a girl. Vanessa wanting to get through to him was more than enough to have him not asking any questions.

  She stays silent for the most part, only telling him they are going to the beach to train. He follows along, without a word, growing more nervous with each steps. Not that he's usually nervous around girls, but Vanessa is different. He really wishes he knew what to say.

  "So, uh, what's the whole deal with Nolan and pokemon training?", he manages to come up with a question.

  "Oh, he used to go to this school, ages ago, did not go too well", she quickly brushes him off, "don't get hung up on that".

  "Well, what happened?", Sam questioned further, wanting the conversation to continue.

  "He never really told me a full story", Vanessa shrugs, "but he failed in his second year, and there were some problems with his teammates as well".

  "Professor Nolan had problems with his teammates?", Sam wonders.

  "Yeah, apparently, he got stuck with a pretty capable group", Vanessa notes, "he did good at tests, but wasn't much of a battler, I think they put too much pressure on him bacause he was dragging them down".

  Sam gulps down on the nerves rising in his throat. "So, what happened then".

  "Not quite sure, I think he kind of snapped from all the pressure, started doing bad on his tests and ended up failing", Vanessa shrugs, "he finished his degree elswhere and became a historian, so it all turned out well, but he has a certain dislike for overconfident trainers, I think, I mean, he tries to manage it, but it shows sometimes".

  "Yeah, it does", Sam nods, "so, what happened, with his teammates and him, and all of that?".

  "I told you everything I know", Vanessa shrugs, "you'd have to ask him for more than that".

  "Right", Sam nods, "and what about you, I mean, you graduated".

  "Huh, me", Vanessa says, "I guess I agree with him to a certain extent".

  "You do?", Sam asks in surprise, "but you graduated, you're a pokemon trainer".

  "Right, well, I was never that good at it", Sam spots a weak smile appear on her face, "my teammates were pretty good, so they kind of dragged me along to graduation".

  "Really?", Sam questions, "so, you had problems as well?".

  "Not exactly like Nolan", Vanessa says, "I mean, my teammates were girls, obviously, so they never really openly called me out for dragging the team down, but, well, they had their way of letting me know".

  "Huh, that... that sounds terrible", Sam says, realising he's not the only one going through it. Who knew how many people were in the same spot where he was now.

  "How are things with you and your teammates?", Vanessa asks, "what I got from Nolan tells me you're not in the brightest spot".

  "He told you about it?", Sam says uncomfortably.

  "Well, I was curious", Vanessa says distantly, "after Canalave, you know, at least at the start of the year, the teams tend to stick together, even if there is tension".

  "Yeah, well, my team's a little bit special, I guess", Sam manages a chuckle, "specially socially challenged".

  "They give you tough time?", Vanessa doesn't laugh.

  "I mean I guess", Sma confesses, "well, obviosly, I'm last in the rankings, and I didn't turn out to be a battling pridogy either, so I'm not their favourite".

  "Right, that's the problem with this school", Vanessa says, "there's a weakest link on every team".

  "Yeah, I guess, but it's not just that", Sam feels the words rushing out, "I mean, they don't really pick on me exclusively, they all fight constantly, and to be honest, I think I'd like it more if they attacked me, because like this, it's like I don't even exist until I fuck something up".

  "That's...", Vanessa's not sure how to react.

  "And I've tried approaching them, I really did", Sam catches wind, "but it doesn't matter, and it feels as if I'm so far bellow them that I'm not even worth looking at, not unless I'm doing something to actively harm their chances of passing the year".

  "Okay, alright, calm down", Vanessa raises her hands, and Sam realises he had just trauma-dumped all over her. "Look, some people are like that, they care only about themselves", the girl says, "don't let it get to your head".

  "Right, I don't know", Sam sighs. "I mean, I did decide that it doesn't matter".

  "That what doesn't matter?", Vanessa asks.

  "My teammates", Sam says, "I mean, even if I pass the year, even if I graduate, I will only know them for four years, so it doesn't matter".

  "Huh", Vanessa laughs a bit.

  "What?", Sam says, curious to know if he had said something wrong.

  "Nothing", the girl clears her throat, "that's a good mindset to have in a place like this".

  "Yeah, I mean, life changes", Sam says in a low voice, "if people we knew our whole lives can leave, then what's the point of chasing after these people I'll know for 4 years at most".

  "Huh, you are one clever kid", Vanessa says with a smile. "Let's see how far that gets you when it comes to training", she points towards the beach they have arrived to.

  "Okay, what should we do? Battle?", Sam questions, kind of sad that their conversation had ended just when she was startimg to see a good side of him.

  "No, you stand no chamce against me", Vanessa brushes her hand against his cheek playfully, turning it red. "Say, what did you do up until now?".

  "I just practiced Thunderbolt, trying to make it faster and stronger", Sam says, "I also do some running with Bolt, to help his speed, not too much that I can do other than that".

  "Fine, I'm not much for running, but I can help with Thunderbolt", Vanessa says, producing a pokeball from her pocket. She throws it into the air, causing a Gollett to appear on the sand.

  "Um, that's...", Sam says, looking at the stone giant that had just appeared before him.

  "That's Gollett, I git him assigned to me last month when I officially became a memeber of Historian Institute", Vanessa says.

  "Right, that makes sense, I just didn't think you'd use a pokemon like that", Sam admits.

  "Well, Gollett is a Historian standard, helps with holding up ruins and.chasing away ghost types", Vanessa shrugs, "anyways, it should help you Yamper practice using Thunderbolt on the go, you can hit it as many times as you won't, as long as he stays on the ground Gollett won't take any damage".

  "What do you mean as long as he stays on the ground?", Sam finds himself confused, "I mean, I get it, ground types are immune to electric attacks...".

  "Oh, right, well, yes, they are, but that's because they are basically conductors", Vanessa notes.

  "What?", Sam asks.

  "Groumd types basically lead any electric attacks into the ground, they pass right through them without causing damage", Vanessa explains, "when they are airborne they do take damage from electric attacks because the energy has no way of being released from their body".

  "Oh", Sam says in surprise, "I didn't know that".

  "Well, it's not that important, I mean, ground types are hard to get off of the ground anyways, and even if you manage to do it, electric attacks won't damage them too much", Vanessa waves it off.

  "Yeah but it's still good to know", Sam points out, "I mean, if they have to jump up for an attack, then that leaves them open for electric attacks".

  "Wait, what's the deal with other immunities then?", Sam asks, "how do they work?".

  "Uh, well, I'm not exactly an expert", Vanessa scratches her head with a laugh, "but, like, psychic attacks can't affect dark because dark pokemon naturaly have dark energy integrated in their energetic paths, so psychic attack can't hit their targets".

  "Right, and other ones, normal and ghost, what's the deal with that?", Sam questions further.

  "Uh, ghost types don't have an actuall physical body, so the only way to hit them is through the energy, and attacking normal moves aren't infused with energy", Vanessa explains, "and normal types have don't have the energetic pathways that ghost type energy hits into either, so they can't be hit with those moves".

  "Wait, wait, but ghosts can be hit with physical moves though?", Sam finds it slightly confusing.

  "Yes, physical moves infused with energy can hit them", Vanessa notes, "for instance, Bite is a physical move infused with dark type energy, a ghost type would take damage from the dark energy, not from the pokemon's teeth themselves".

  "Oh, alright, and fighting types?", Sam wonders.

  "Similar thing, I think, fighting type energy is weird, it is a type of energy, but it hits into the phycical body instead of energetic pathways, and ghost types don't have that", Vanessa shrugs off.

  "Oh, and steel and poison?", Sam smiles. He likes having Vanessa explain this.

  "Posion can't get through steel type's body, it's an anatomy thing", Vanessa sighs, "now, please, just release your pokemon and do some training".

  "Uh, alright, sorry", Sam says, hurriedly producing his pokeball. Boring Vanessa to death was not what he wants to do.

  He lets Yamper out onto the sand, and the small dog immediately starts running around. "Alright, so", Sam crosses his hands, "hit me".

  "No, you're supposed to hit me", Vanessa retorts.

  "But Gollett is a ghost type, so hit me with a ghost move, activate Rattled, then Bolt will be ready to go", Sam says decisively.

  "First, Gollett is too strong, he'd knock out Yamper in one hit", Vanessa points out.

  "I thought it wasn't trsined for battles", Sam notes.

  "It's not, but that doesn't mean it's weak", Vanessa sighs, "besides, you need to train your pokemon's movement without Rattled activated, you can't rely on that ability too much, you know, especially since it's dependent on your opponent's pokemon".

  "Alright", Sam sighs, "so what do I do then?".

  "Have Yamper charge up an attack and try to release it without stopping in his tracks", Vanessa says.

  "Right, Bolt, start running around Gollett, get ready for a Thunderbolt", Sam says instantly. His partner starts running in a circle, as electricity slowly builds up on his fur. "Good, now attack", Sam says as soon as he thinks Yamper has enough energy. The Thunderbolt slams into the Gollett, enveloping stone giant's body and ultimately doing no damage. Sam expected that. What bothers him is that Yamper had to stop in order to release an attack again. With only his base speed, Yamper is too slow, and stopping for an attack only leaves him open for a counter.

  "Okay, try again, try not to stop when you attack this time", Sam says, not really knowing what to do. Yamper repeats the process again, stopping in his track yet again when he attacks.

  "Just keep going", Vanessa urges him, "practice makes perfect".

  But Sam has been practicing for a week straight, and other than gaining some power, the progress was virtually non-existent. Yamper's lackluster speed was a great detriment, in all regards. It limited his power as well, and his ability to stick around on the field. After an hour of doing the same thing over and over again, and reaching the same result, Sam started to sink into desperation. The sun had already sunk, and the classes he was supposed to be at were definitely over a long time ago. Yamper was still doing the same thing.

  The boy watched as his partner tried rushing over the sand, causing it to rise up alongside him. With Yamper's chubby legs, his runs looked more like stumbling. When it came to an attack, those stuby legs couldn't support him well enough. He got stuck with a partner like that, it crossed his mind, when all of his teammates have gotten pokemon much better suited for battling. Riolu wouldn't stop during his attacks, Sam thought. And he had seen Ves and his Houndour so many times, the black dog had powerful and nimble legs, staying on the move was no problem for him.

  It struck Sam suddenly. "Hey, Bolt", he called for his partner, "come over here". Thinking about Ves and his Houndour gave him an idea. He's seen Houndour hit the field way too many times.

  "Hey, Bolt", the boy says as his partner makes his way over to him, visibly tired from running around all this time. "I have an idea, can you go on for a little bit longer", the boy says, kneeling down to look at his partner. Yamper gives him a firm bark in response.

  "Alright, you know how Houndour gets into the battle stance", Sam raises his finger, "I want you to do that as well when you attack".

  Yamper tilts his head to the side in confusion.

  "When you release the attack", Sam tries explaining, "instead of trying to run, I want you to stop and take a battle stance".

  Yamper looks even more confused now.

  "Look, you're slow, attacking mid-run is too much to ask from you", Sam points out, "so this is a better way, alright?". Yamper barks in response, still clueless on why Sam's changing his objective now, after they had spent an hour trying to attack in motion.

  "When you release your Thunderbolt, stop, spread you front legs, and lower your body forward, alright", Sam explains, "right after you hit Gollett, I want you to dash forward and keep running".

  Yamper barks again, notifying Sam that he has figured out what the boy wants him to do. He proceeds to look at him strangely, since he still has no idea why Sam wants him to do it like that.

  "The problem is that stopping for an attack leaves you open for a counter", Sam sighs, "when you try attacking on a run, you end up stopping, but you stop with your legs straight, so that makes it harder for you to start running again. If you stop intentionally and take an attacking stance, it lets you start moving up again after the attack much easier".

  Yamper barks, burrying his head into Sam's legs. "It's more about letting you escape the counter if it does come", Sam pets his partner, "since we can't make you faster than you are this is a better option".

  Yamper barks readily, reclaiming his spot in the sand. "Alright, now start running, gather up power", Sam says decisevly. His partner starts making circles in sand again, gathering electricity. "Thunderbolt, now", Sam says, and Yamper digs his paws into the sand, attempting to lower his stance, but ends up rolling away in the sand.

  "That's a wrong attack, buddy", Vanessa laughs.

  "Yeah, we know", Sam sighs. Yamper's not really used to controling his weight. Making a sudden full stop only causes him to lose balance.

  "Let's go again", Sam notes, "dig your feet into the sand".

  Yamper runs again, and attack after the attack, he ends up rolling away. Finally, after what seems like forever, he manages to hold his ground, but the Thunderbolt ends up failing. Focusing on both releasing an attack and keeping his balance is too much, Sam realises. But this is something practice can fix, he thinks. It's just about Yamper getting used to controling his body, once he's done it enough times, it will come naturally.

  So they keep doing it, over and over again. Even without Thunderbolt managing to release, Sam commands Yamper to dash forward after he had taken the battle stance. At least that's working. Yamper might not be able to attack immediately, but he can get back into the run without much issues. That's good. If they had done it like this back in his battle with Dean, Yamper could've at least avoided getting hit with Head Smash.

  After 2 hours of failed attemtpts, Sam decides to slam himself into the sand. "That's enough", he lets out a deep breath, as his partner rolls up right next to him.

  "Well", Vamessa quickly comes over to stand next to him, recalling her Gollett, "that was good thinking, you just need more practice".

  "Yeah, I'm aware", Sam sighs, "thanks for today".

  "Hey, it's no trouble", Vanessa sits down next to him, propping herslef on her arms. Sam sits up, looking at her. Under the moonlight, her skin looks almost grey.

  "I guess I'll just end up failing", the boy says simply.

  "Well, you know, if you manage to score well on tests, and practice some more, you might be able to pull through", Vanessa laughs.

  "Huh, well, I don't know", Sam scoffs, "you've heard Nolan, I'm in the lowest grade, if I get matched up against strong people in the tournaments, I'm done for".

  "Well, there is one thing you can do about it", Vanessa leans in closer to him. Sam can feel the warmth of her body, and his own heart racing.

  "Yeah, and what is that?", the boy asks quietly.

  "Evolving Yamper", she almost whispers at him.

  "Um, isn't that like, super hard to do?", Sam's not sure why she's suggesting that, but he likes the way she inches in closer towards him.

  "Nonsense, it's easy, it just requiers emotional reaction", Vanessa laughs sweetly.

  "And how do I do that?", Sam asks, thinking that his emotions are already high enough as it is.

  "Let me try to help", Vanessa says. She brushes her hand against his cheek. Her skin feels soft and warm, Sam thinks. The very next thing he knows, her lips are pressed against his, moving slowly and causing his mind to be clouded.

  It lasts for a second, then she moves back. Sam can't feel his arms, or find his words.

  "Looks like it didn't work", Vanessa says simply, looking over at Yamper.

  "I... I think Yamper needs to be developed much more for an evolution", Sam utters, not knowing what else to say.

  "Huh, seems I have forgotten about that", Vanessa laughs.

  "Right, I think I forgot too", Sam confesses. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. Vanessa was basically ignoring him during the tournament today, then she offered to help him train, and now she was kissing him all of a sudden. Not that he minded it.

  "Well, I can't help with that", the girl laughs, "but we can try the emotion thing again".

  "Uh, yeah, yeah, sure", Sam stutters, "I'm fine with giving the emotion thing another try".

  Her hand finds the back of his neck, pulling him in like a tide, and her lips find his again.