"Great job out there," Jason said to Toby and Rose as they walked back into the lounge. Rose ignored his compliment, but Toby gave him a high-five.

"Thanks, dude," he smiled. Looking over at his previous opponent, he sarcastically said, "I hope you didn't just go easy on me." 

"That's it!" Rose turned around and faced Toby. "You want a rematch? Anytime, anyplace, I'll be there, and we'll see how you do against all four of my Pokemon." The room suddenly became tense. The other trainers were quietly watching the scene unfold. 

"Um...we have some time before my battle. Do...uh...you guys wanna walk around and check out the other parts of the stadium?" Jason asked, trying to break the tension. Rose, with a disgusted look on her face, turned away. 

"I'm not going anywhere with this idiot," she said, crossing her arms. "Not until he at least has the maturity to apologize for rubbing it in like that." As Rose walked away, Jason and Toby headed for the stairs. They climbed four flights and then arrived at a walkway overlooking the entire stadium. Down below, Jason could see the trainers of both divisions battling it out. The Master Rank's dirt battlefield had turned into a dark muddy mess, in which a Rapidash was using Flamethower on a Boldore.

"I can't believe how strong some of the Pokemon here are," Jason said, noticing how neither Pokemon appeared badly damaged. He looked over at Toby, who was leaning on the hot, metal railing. "I need to get some training in before my battle."

"I'm afraid, that's going to be hard to do at this time," Jon Satoshi stated, walking up to the trainers.

"Dr. Satoshi? You remember my name?" Jason asked.

"It isn't everyday that I give people a Pokemon egg," he replied. "Also, I watched you capture that Starmie, at the beach, earlier." He nodded his head and laughed a little. "Heh, you sure showed a lot of confidence in yourself and in your Chikorita. And I expect you still have the Starmie? May I see it?" Jason pulled out the Net Ball.

"Come on out, Starmie." *PZZZ* The special Pokeball opened and released the Water-type onto the walkway in front of Satoshi.

"Caak," Starmie croaked. 

"What an amazing creature," the doctor said. He bent down and gently stroked Starmie's top-most arm. "Have you used it yet in battle?"

"No. Not yet."

"Well, you should," Satoshi continued. "Starmie are incredibly strong and reliable Pokemon. They form long-lasting bonds with their trainers."

"How do you know all of that?" Toby asked, finally speaking up.

"Because I created them," came the reply. Jason took out the first round list, scanned over it, and then looked over the balcony at the field. Another battle was beginning, and the trainers were throwing out their Pokemon. Weavile vs. Dustox. 

"Toby, I think my battle is after this one. I'm going back to the lounge," he said. "Dr. Satoshi, it was an honor to meet you again." Jason recalled his Pokemon and then shook the doctor's hand.

"Thank you, Jason. I wish you the best of luck on your match," he said. The two trainers, then, went back down the stairs, and waited for Jason's battle in the lounge. Toby took the time to grab a burger from the in-house kitchen. He and Jason sat at a table and watched the Dustox dodge Weavile's Shadow Claw.

"Hey, have you seen that Rose girl? I thought she'd be here," Toby asked. 

"Don't know. Maybe check the patio area outside." Jason heard his and Alan's name get called on the intercom. He stood up and headed outside with his opponent. Meanwhile, Toby went outside, where several other trainers were watching the games. He found Rose leaning against the wooden fence drinking a lemonade. 

"Jason's battle is coming up soon," Toby said, standing next to her. Rose sighed.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Apologizing," Toby replied, and Rose rolled her eyes. "What I said earlier was stupid, and mean, and dumb, and selfish, and I...I'm sorry. The truth is, that was my first big victory ever since I became a trainer. I guess I just got carried away. Can we just...start over?" The was a bit of silence. Toby looked for a signal from Rose, but she continued to stare out at the battlefields. 

"I forgive you," Rose finally said. "And I'm sorry for how I reacted. I thought this tournament would be something I could actually win. Then, you and Jason show up and I realize how wrong I was."

"Hey, I thought that you were gonna beat me. When I first saw your Emolga, I knew that it was going to be a tough battle." Toby and Rose laughed, and then were quiet when they heard the Master Division's ref on the stadium's loudspeaker.

"Alan Johnson won the coin flip and will send out his Pokemon first." 

"Oh right, Jason's battle is starting," Toby said. He, Rose, and the crowd began cheering as the trainers took their positions on the field.

"This guy looks experienced. I better be careful," Jason thought. His opponent was a tall muscular guy with a stern look on his face.

"Begin!" shouted the ref. 

"Lucario, time to show everyone what you're made of!" Alan bounced his Pokeball off the ground. It sprang up and released the Fighting-type.

"Raoo!" The Pokemon landed on its two legs. Now, it was Jason's turn. 

"Come on, Flare, let's do this!" He threw his Pokeball and out came Chimchar. 

"Char."

"Lucario, use Metal Claw!" Alan ordered. Instantly, Lucario charged at Flare. Its right paw was surrounded in a grey-colored energy, which also caused two sharp blades of energy to form. 

"Flare! Dodge it!" 

"Chim...char!" The Fire-type rolled to the side, avoiding the attack.

"Great job. Now, use Smokescreen!" Flare opened its mouth and breathed out a black, dense, cloud that covered the entire field. Jason expected his opponent to try and figure out a way around the fog. Instead, Alan just gave a deep laugh.

"Did you honestly think that would be effective? Lucario, use your Aura Search to find Chimchar." 

"Raoo." Lucario closed its eyes and, with its mind, scanned the battlefield until it found the blue aura of Flare. When it did, Lucario let out a loud "Ooo!" 

"Gotcha,"Alan said. "Alright, Lucario, Aura Sphere!" The Fighting-type formed a ball of energy with its paws and blasted it at Flare. 

"Dodge it!" Jason yelled. Flare moved to the right, but the attack curved to hit him. 

"What? How'd Jason's Chimchar still get attacked?" Rose asked Toby as they watched from the patio.

"Aura Sphere is one of those attacks that isn't avoidable," he replied. "Jason will have to find a way to counter it. Otherwise, Chimchar is done for."

Back at the battle, Flare struggled to get up. 

"That Lucario is strong, but if I can get Flare behind it, then he..." Jason's thought was interrupted by Alan laughing. 

"You call yourself a trainer?" he mocked. "A real Pokemon trainer would be prepared to deal with almost any situation, but you're just standing there dumbfounded by my Lucario's skills." Alan took a pause to deliver a smug smile. "Now, you're just wasting my time. I have a tournament to win here. Lucario, another Aura Sphere!" Like before, Alan's Pokemon formed an energy ball and shot it at its opponent. 

"Flare, counter it with Ember!"

"Char!" It hit the oncoming Aura Sphere and both attacks blew up. 

"Now, Smokescreen!" 

"Really? The same useless move again?" Alan rolled his eyes. "Ok, Lucario, use Aura Search." 

"Move behind it, Flare!" Jason ordered. While Lucario tried to locate Flare in the smoke, it made its way to the back of Alan's Pokemon." 

"Araoo?" Lucario couldn't Flare's aura. 

"That Chimchar's behind you!" Alan called out. Hearing his master, Lucario turned around, but it was too late.

"Blast Burn!" Jason shouted. 

"Chiimm...Char!" Flare released a powerful wave of fire at Lucario. 

"Raoo!" The Fighting-type was launched backwards. The entire crowd cheered, but Alan was shocked. 

"Wha..?" he mumbled.

"As a real Pokemon trainer," Jason began, "you should've been prepared to deal with that. Flare, Quick Attack, let's go!" Immediately, Flare charged at the fallen Pokemon. He slammed into its chest, sending it even more backwards. 

"Lucario, get up and use Close Combat!" 

"Roo," it said, getting back on its feet. It, then, rushed at Flare, punching and kicking fiercely. 

"Use you agility to dodge those!" Jason ordered. Flare did a backflip to avoid the attack. "Heh, now you've dropped its defense," he thought. "Hit him with another Blast Burn!" Flare unleashed a second fiery wave at, the now defenseless, Lucario. It fell backwards and rolled to a stop. It tried to sit up, but fell back down. Lucario was knocked out.

"Alan Johnson's Pokemon has fainted," the ref announced through the loudspeaker. "Jason Granger wins!"