"Dragonite, dragon rush!" I commanded my orange dragon. He nodded, and a blue energy covered him, taking the shape of a dragon. Dragonite flew quickly to our opponent, ramming into them at full force. "Now dragon claw while you're close!" His claws turned blue as well, and slashed at the large creature in front of him. The white dragon in front of us roared before shaking its head a little, as if it was shaking off the pain. Dragonite stood proudly, barely breaking a sweat.

"Alright, Dragonite, I think that's enough training." I said, walking to it and patting its arm. "Now you can go rest."

I looked over to the white dragon across the room, walking up to it. It's blue eyes looked down at me. "Here, have one, Reshiram." I said, pulling a berry out of my bag. "You deserve one for helping Dragonite train." It bend down, eating the berry from my hand and letting me pet it on the head.

I heard light foot steps from across the large room and turned to face them. "I can certainly see you and Dragonite are getting better."

"Thanks, N, I wouldn't get anywhere if it wasn't for you and Reshiram though." I smiled, scratching Reshiram under its chin.

When I left Johto, I went to Orre. Basically the whole region was desert and sand, and plenty of wanderers were there anyways, so I blended in. I met N there, and we became close friends. We easily got along and understand each other; considering we were both once apart of an evil organization, both used as tools, and we don't have an actual family. After spending 2 years in Orre, N said he wanted to come back to Unova and he asked if I wanted to come with him. We've been here for a couple weeks, and stayed in his old castle hidden under the Pokemon League.

"You know, when I went to Driftveil I heard they opened a tournament. Maybe you should compete." He suggested.

"But why?" I asked.

"Well, you're a great trainer, and there are prizes, like cash. Maybe we could save up and fix this place a little?" We looked around us. Pillars were only piles of rubble, many cracks in the floor, the walls lost their shine...N showed me pictures of what it used to look like and it was beautiful. Now its just a mess.

"Yeah, it would be great to get this place back to how it was but, what if the police find me? I'm sure this tournament you're talking about is big and there's no doubt they'll be there."

"I may have something to help you..." He turned and started walking out. "Come on." I followed, leaving Reshiram and Dragonite to rest up.

We walked the halls of the crumbling castle. There's something about the place that just depresses me...probably from the looks and what N told me about his childhood here. The crumbled castle just screams broken hopes and dreams.

He walked me to his room, which still had toys scattered everywhere, a cloud printed floor, and picture frames either fallen or crooked. He dug through his closet, and pulled out a black cloth, like a small robe with a hood.

"This can hide yourself, why not wear it?"

I took it and looked at it. "Wouldn't it look suspisious if I walked around with this on?"

"Unless if you do something against the law there, I don't think they can really arrest you just for wearing that. It'll be fine."

I sighed. "Fine...so anyways, what should I do for the tournament?"

"I suggest the Driftveil tournament first, which is probably the easiest. Then once you're done with that, go to Gym Leaders, and then to Champions. I mean, if you'd want to. I'm not forcing you."

I shrugged. "Whatever, I'm just glad to get out of this place and do a little battling; its been a while since I've done that."

"Would you mind if I came too?" N asked. "I'd actually like to watch..."

"Sure, I don't see why not. Just don't get caught and try to blend in with the crowd." I said.

He smiled. "Then we can go tomorrow. Let's just see if the Pokemon need anything else and then we can go rest."

I nodded, walking out of his room to where the Pokemon sleep. When we got here, all the Pokemon N used to have wanted to stay with him, since they became attached to him so much. Then there's my other Pokemon, besides Dragonite, that I got here and in Orre.

I walked in the room, seeing the Pokemon sleeping peacefully. "I guess they don't need anything."

"Yeah...well then good night." N said before walking back to his room. "I'll come and wake you up in time for the tournament."

"Alright..." I said, still looking at my Pokemon. Who should I battle with tomorrow? I've got Dragonite, Kingdra, Weavile, Gallade, Glaceon, and Zorua...and well Gardevoir but she needs to stay behind and care for the other Pokemon. I sighed and walked back to my room.

Tomorrow's gonna be a big day, I can tell already...

~~~

"Umber...Umber wake up." I felt something nudge my shoulder a bit.

"Five more minutes..." I mumbled, stuffing my face into my pillow.

"Come on, Umber, you gotta get ready for the tournament."

"Fine, fine..." I lazily sat up, stretching.

"I'll go get something we can eat on the way to Driftveil." N said, walking out and shutting the door behind him.

I managed to drag myself out of bed, checking the time as I stood up. 7 o'clock. I probably went to sleep late last night, thinking what Pokemon to bring. I'll probably bring all of them and decide there...

I grabbed my usual out of my closet, laying them out on the bed. Khakis, gray long sleeve shirt with black at the bottom of the sleeves, a white sweater (with a black Pokeball design on the right shoulder) that reaches my elbows, a black belt to clip my Pokeballs onto, and black shoes. I stuffed the robe N gave me in my bag to put on later. Once I got all ready, I threw my navy blue bag on my shoulder and walked to where our Pokemon should be. My Pokemon were eating already, getting ready to leave for the tournament.

"I've got food ready, if you want to leave now." N said, walking up next to me, with a little bag in hand.

"Alright." I said, calling all my Pokemon over and putting them in their Pokeballs. "Gardevoir, you stay and take care of the others for us, ok?" The psychic type nodded. N and I walked out, getting to the exit of the underground castle and out of the cave it led to.

I unclipped Dragonite from my belt and released him. "To Driftveil City." I said, getting on his back with N. He nodded and took off.

When we were safely flying, I turned around to face N. I started looking through the bag of food he packed for the ride.

"You ok?" He asked.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, why do you ask?" I said, finding a few snacks and taking them out of the bag.

"You just look a little nervous."

"Because I am? This is the first tournament I've been in, and its been forever since I've battled someone other than you."

"You'll do fine. The one you'll be doing has regular trainers in. If you get through that, it's to the regional battles, where different Gym Leaders battle you. First Unova Gym Leaders, then Kanto, then Johto, and so on."

"And after all the Gym Leaders...?" I questioned.

"Is the tournament with a blend of all the Gym Leaders, and if you pass that, its to the Champions."

"This tournament is really that big?"

"Well it is the Pokemon World Tournament..."

I sighed, trying to relax myself. The closer the city got, the faster my heart beat. I eventually just put the rest of my food back in the bag to save for later; I was too nervous to eat now.

We landed right outside the city. I slid off Dragonite, nearly losing my balance. I guess I was more shaken up than I thought. I took the black robe out of my bag and quickly put it on, before I forgot about it.

"The tournament is just south of the city; you can't miss it." N said, leading the way there. I returned Dragonite to his Pokeball and clipped it back on my belt, following him.

The city was bustling with people and Pokemon. Hotels and homes were everywhere, with a large market nearby. The waves on the shores crashed and the sound of Wingull could be heard from the sky. North of the city there was a hill with the Gym and the base for the ex-Plasma members nearby. We walked the opposite direction, to south of the city, where the tournament is.

We walked through the gate that led to the PWT, and it sure was crowded. People even had little shops set up nearby the large, flashy building, which I could guess the tournament was being held there.

N led me inside the building, and to the receptionists. "You can check in here, I'll go get myself a seat now. See you later." He said, walking off.

I sighed, asking if there were anymore openings for the Driftveil tournament. I made it just in time, being the last one to sign up. I quickly decided on 3 Pokemon, leaving the other 3 with the receptionist, and walked to the stage. I felt my nervousness sky rocket as I looked at the large, cheering crowd and large stage for the battles. Lights flashed everywhere and loud music boomed through the speakers.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen!" The speaker announced. "Our first Driftveil Tournament battle will be taking place shortly! Battlers, turn your attention to the big screen to see who you'll be battling!"

I looked up to the screen, biting my lip. My first battle was with some trainer with spikey, dark blue hair, with a red and white sweater. We were the first ones up, so we walked to our own sides of the battle field.

Well, I'm here now and there's no turning back. He (I believe his name was Hue) sent out a Dewott, and I sent out Gallade.

"Dewott, razor shell!" Hue commanded his water type. Dewott grabbed his two shells, running for Gallade.

"Gallade, protect!" A shield protected Gallade, causing Dewott to fall back. "Now, Leaf blade!" My Pokemon's arm turned green, and hit Dewott. Dewott fainted, and was returned to its Pokeball. Next up was Tranquill, which Gallade was weak to.

"Tranquill, air cutter!"

"Gallade, protect!" The attack didn't hit Gallade, but I was still panicking.

"Quick attack!" Tranquill was speeding toward Gallade now.

"Stop it with Psychic!" The bird Pokemon was stopped with psychic, and thrown to the ground.

"Tranquill, get up and use Roost!" The bird Pokemon restored its HP. I took this to my advatage, knowing that it's now only a normal type, but just for one turn.

"Quick, Gallade, Focus Blast!" Now it was just one Pokemon left, and I still had all of my Pokemon. He sent out Simisage.

"Simisage, seed bomb!"

"Protect!" Gallade tried to use protect, but he already used it too many times before and it failed. Gallade flew back from the explosion. "Psychic!" Gallade picked up Simisage using Psychic, and threw him down to the ground like Tranquill.

"Simisage, leech seed!" Simisage launched seeds at Gallade, which grew around my Pokemon and started draining his HP.

"Cut 'em off with leaf blade and use focus blast!" The blades on Gallade's arms glowed green again, and sliced the vines away. He started to power up Focus Blast, and then fired it.

"Counter with Seed Bomb!" Hue commanded his Pokemon. The seeds shot at the powerful attack coming his way, and the colliding attacks made an explosion. Once the smoke cleared, both of our Pokemon were out.

I returned Gallade to his Pokeball and reached for another, but then it struck me; I won. That was Hue's last Pokemon, and I still had two left! I actually won the first round! The crowds cheered and I smiled, but forced it away as I walked off stage. That was only the first round; I still have two left. I could possibly lose one of the next ones.

Once I was seated, I pulled out Dragonite's Pokeball. "You think I can win the rest of this?"

Dragonite nodded in his Pokeball, giving me a thumbs up.

"Thanks..." I mumbled.

A couple of trainers walked by, talking, and I couldn't help but listen. "Did you hear? The Dexholders are gonna come to the tournament!"

"Really!? They're, like, the strongest trainers in the world!"

"I'd like to watch someone actually beat them!"

I froze, still holding Dragonite's Pokeball. He looked up to me with worry. "Dexholders...that means...Silver's gonna be here..."

I guess its too late to back out of the competition now?