The allocation fields were a chaotic sea of energy. Dozens of pristine battlefields were laid out across the massive lawn, each with a digital scoreboard and a stern-faced professor acting as referee. The air was electric with the sounds of nervous chatter, excited Pokémon cries, and the thrum of anticipation.
Ryuga and Elara scanned the giant matchup screen, their eyes darting through the names.
"There! Field 12!" Elara shouted, pointing. Elara vs. Chloe. "And you're... Field 15! Ryuga Pendragon vs. Aiden. Looks like we're not too far apart."
"Yeah," Ryuga said, a competitive fire lighting in his eyes. "Let's both win and meet back here, what do you say?"
"It's a deal!" Elara grinned, hugging her Bulbasaur. "Come on, little guy. Let's show them what we're made of!" She gave Ryuga a determined nod and dashed off toward her field.
Ryuga watched her go for a second before turning. "Okay, Dratini," he whispered, his partner giving an affirmative "Kyuu!" from his shoulder. "Time for our debut."
On Field 15, a nervous-looking boy named Aiden stood opposite Ryuga, his hands fidgeting. In front of him, a small, purple Rattata gnashed its teeth, looking eager for a fight.
"This is a one-on-one placement battle!" the professor announced. "Begin!"
"Go for it, Rattata! Use Tackle!" Aiden yelled, his voice cracking slightly.
The Rattata shot forward, a blur of purple fur.
Standard opening. Fast, but predictable, Ryuga thought, his mind already three steps ahead. "Dratini, dodge left!"
*WHOOSH!* Dratini twisted its serpentine body like a flowing ribbon. The charging Rattata missed by a hair's breadth, stumbling past.
"Now! Use Wrap!" Ryuga commanded, pointing forward.
With lightning speed, Dratini whipped around and coiled its body around the startled Rattata, squeezing tight.
"Agh! Get out of there, Rattata! Use Quick Attack!" Aiden panicked.
"Too slow," Ryuga stated calmly. "Dratini, finish this. Dragon Rage."
Dratini's eyes glowed with an intense violet light. It opened its mouth and fired a sphere of pure, crackling draconic energy at point-blank range. The impact sent the Rattata flying, landing in a heap with swirls in its eyes.
*DING DING DING!*
"Rattata is unable to battle! The winner is Ryuga Pendragon!" the professor declared.
Ryuga let out a breath, a satisfied smirk on his face. Dratini zipped back to his shoulder, chirping proudly. He walked over to Aiden, who was recalling his Pokémon with a downcast look.
"Hey," Ryuga said, holding out a hand. "Your Rattata is really fast. That was a good battle."
Aiden looked up, surprised, and shook his hand. "Wow... thanks. You're... really strong."
Meanwhile, on Field 12, Elara was in a tough spot.
"Pidgey, use Gust again!" her opponent, a girl named Chloe, commanded with a confident flick of her hair.
A sharp gust of wind blasted across the field, forcing Elara's Bulbasaur to dig its claws into the grass to hold its ground.
"Bulbaaa!" it grunted, shaking its head.
Flying types are a tough matchup, Elara thought, biting her lip. But we're not giving up! We just need a chance...
"Don't let up, Pidgey! Swoop in with a Quick Attack!" Chloe ordered.
The Pidgey tucked its wings and dove like a feathered missile.
"That's it!" Elara's eyes lit up. "Bulbasaur, now! Use Vine Whip and grab its leg!"
"Bulba-SAUR!" With a determined cry, two thick green vines shot out from the bulb on its back. They weren't just aimed at the Pidgey—they were aimed at the spot where the Pidgey would be.
The Pidgey swerved, but it was too late. One of the vines whipped around its ankle, snagging it tight.
"What?!" Chloe gasped.
"Now, pull!" Elara yelled.
With a powerful heave, Bulbasaur swung the captured Pidgey around and slammed it hard onto the field.
*SLAM!*
"Don't give it a chance to get up!" Elara shouted, her voice filled with passion. "One more time, Vine Whip!"
The second vine lashed out like a whip, striking the dazed Pidgey with a loud *CRACK!*. It was a direct hit.
"Pidgey is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "The winner is Elara!"
Elara let out a whoop of pure joy and rushed onto the field, scooping her tired partner into a massive hug. "You did it! You were amazing! I knew you could do it!"
Bulbasaur let out a happy, rumbling cry, nuzzling into her shoulder.
Ryuga and Elara met back by the main path, both of their faces flushed with the thrill of their first victory.
"You won!" Elara cheered.
"Of course! You too!" Ryuga grinned, and they high-fived.
"See? My Bulbasaur is a genius!" Elara boasted, hugging the little Pokémon.
As they celebrated, Ryuga's eyes were drawn to a nearby field. A loud roar echoed, and a blast of draconic energy, far more potent than his Dratini's, sent a poor Geodude flying.
Valerius Argent stood there, his Bagon perched on his shoulder, not even looking tired. He had just finished his own battle. He glanced over, his eyes locking with Ryuga's. A cold, arrogant smirk spread across his face before he turned and walked away.
The message was clear.
Your first win was just child's play.
Ryuga's smile faded, replaced by a look of intense determination. The real challenge had just begun.