Janine and Falkner stood up from their sides and took a breath as the screen changed, displaying them both.

Match 3: Janine of Fuchsia City vs. Falkner of Violet City

Both of them stepped onto the battlefield from opposite ends. Janine lowered her face mask, looking at Falkner as he walked out and gave a small smile and wave.

"Ready?" the ref called out.

Janine nodded but said nothing.

Falkner gave a slight smile. "Let's have a good match," he said, like he knew something no one else did.

"Don't expect me to go easy on you," Janine replied as she held her first Poké Ball. "You won't get any special treatment from me, and you better not go easy on me either."

Falkner smiled and raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine, alright, let's do this."

As soon as the ref swiped his flag, they both tossed out their Poké Balls.

"Drapion, go!" Janine said, as the purple, scorpion-like creature burst onto the field with a low hiss.

"Noctowl, you're up!" Falkner called, as the owl Pokémon flapped upward gracefully, eyes glowing faintly in the lights.

Janine narrowed her eyes. "Let's start then, [Toxic Spikes]!"

Drapion dug its claws into the turf and began scattering a thin layer of purple needles across the ground, the hazard now in place.

But Falkner seemed almost ready for that. "Sorry, not happening, [Defog]!"

Noctowl beat its wings rapidly, sending a burst of wind sweeping across the arena, clearing the toxic layer immediately.

Janine clicked her tongue softly. "Fine, [Knock Off]!"

Drapion lunged up with a brutal swing, clipping Noctowl's wing midair and knocking away the Leftovers it was holding.

Falkner smirked. "Not bad. But you're as predictable as the day I met you, [Air Slash]!"

Noctowl recovered midair and flipped, swiping its wings and creating blades of air that forced Drapion to skid back, taking the hit hard.

"Return!" Janine called, withdrawing Drapion and switching to a different Poké Ball. "Roserade, your turn!"

The crowd was watching with laser focus as Roserade took the field, petals flaring and vines twitching with energy. Falkner didn't blink.

"Still love your dramatic switches," he teased under his breath, only Janine could hear.

Janine didn't smile. Not here, not right now… maybe later. For now, she focused. "Gr, shut it, [Leech Seed]!"

Roserade spun in place, launching glowing seeds toward Noctowl.

But Falkner raised his arm. "Quick, counter with [Psychic]!"

Noctowl's eyes flashed blue. Just as the seeds connected, wrapping around its wings and making it harder to fly, it blasted Roserade back with psychic force. Roserade cried out, but the seeds were already starting to sap some HP.

"Good," Janine muttered. "Now, [Toxic]!"

Roserade staggered, then released a plume of venom into the air, catching Noctowl mid-hover. Since it couldn't fly as fast as usual to dodge, the cloud engulfed it. Between [Leech Seed] and the poison, Noctowl was being worn down fast.

"Return!" Falkner called quickly, recalling Noctowl before the chip damage could knock it out. "Alright then, Swellow, your turn!"

A flash of red, then a sharp cry as Swellow zipped into the sky with a caw. Falkner immediately took the first move: "[Brave Bird], now!"

Like a comet, Swellow dove, its body igniting with fierce energy. Roserade barely had time to brace before the full-body slam sent it flying across the battlefield. While Roserade took more damage, Swellow did suffer recoil.

Janine clenched her fist. "Roserade, [Sleep Powder]!"

Even while staggering, Roserade spun and released a cloud of green dust upward. Swellow, trying to recover midair, swooped straight into the cloud, its wings faltered.

"Uh-oh," Falkner whispered.

Swellow plummeted, dozing as it hit the ground gently.

"Alright then!" Janine called instantly. She returned Roserade to its Poké Ball, then brought out Drapion again.

The scorpion Pokémon reemerged with a hiss, claws tapping the ground.

Falkner narrowed his eyes. "Alright, fine. Swellow, return." He paused, yeah, keeping a sleeping Pokémon in was a bad idea. Glancing at the remaining options on his belt, he made his pick. "Braviary, it's your turn!"

The massive eagle soared onto the field, letting out a piercing cry that echoed across the stadium.

Janine knew this Braviary, and she knew how Falkner liked to set up with [Bulk Up] on this thing. She'd lost one too many matches to that strategy.

"[Taunt]!" she called out, just before Falkner could give a command.

Drapion snarled and beat its claws together, mocking Braviary. The eagle narrowed its eyes, bristling with fury like it wanted to rip Drapion in half.

"Huh. Nice one, but not good enough, [Crush Claw]!" Falkner swiped his arm forward.

Braviary dove, white claws glowing, and slashed Drapion across the chest. Drapion reeled back, taking the blow hard, but it was still standing, tail raised.

"[Whirlwind]!" Janine shouted suddenly.

Though it was staggered, Drapion whipped its tail hard through the air, sending a shockwave that forced Braviary back into its Poké Ball.

Without Falkner getting to choose, Noctowl's Poké Ball reopened. It was still wounded and poisoned, but at least the [Leech Seed] effect was gone.

Falkner winced. "So you were saving [Whirlwind] just for this… that's why you were so confident about our rematch."

Janine finally stopped looking so serious and stuck her tongue out at him. "That's what happens when I get to see your entire rotation."

Though she didn't say why she'd gotten to see it so much, not in public anyway.

Noctowl was clearly hurting now. Every second on the field sapped its strength. Even Falkner looked a little tense.

"Fine," he said, adjusting his posture. "Then I guess I'll just kick it up a notch, [Psychic], one more time!"

Noctowl's eyes glowed again, and Drapion was lifted and hurled back, crashing into a rock with a grunt. Drapion landed on its feet, but it was shaking.

Janine lowered her eyes. "Alright then, let's end this. Drapion, [Night Slash]!"

Drapion rushed forward, its claws glowing dark purple, and slashed across Noctowl's chest. Noctowl shrieked and spiraled out of the sky.

But as it fell, Noctowl's eyes snapped open, it wasn't out yet.

"No you don't, [Brave Bird]!" Falkner shouted.

Noctowl tucked its wings and dived like a missile, smashing down onto Drapion. Dust exploded on impact, obscuring the field. When it finally settled, both Noctowl and Drapion lay motionless in the center.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then the referee raised both flags. "Double knockout! This match… ends in a draw!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Janine blinked. "What…?"

Falkner looked stunned for a moment, then smiled slowly. "Guess we both went too hard."

Janine looked at him, then let out a little snort. "Dork… you did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Falkner shrugged innocently and lowered his voice so only she could hear, as they walked off the stage waiting for Mary to announce the next battle. "Well… your dad is watching soooo~"

Janine huffed and looked away. "Idiot…"

Then, under her breath, "Next time, I'm winning."

Falkner leaned a little closer, eyes sparkling. "I'll let you… maybe."

Janine pulled her mask back up, mostly to hide the fact she was blushing. If it wasn't obvious by now, Falkner and Janine had been secretly dating for a while… they just never made it public.

–

Back in the stadium, Mary's voice rang out again:

"Match 4: Sabrina of Saffron City vs. Morty of Ecruteak City!"

The arena lights dimmed slightly.

From one end, Sabrina stepped forward quietly, scanning the crowd with unreadable calm, almost like she was searching for someone.

From the other side, Morty emerged with his usual composed confidence, the hem of his purple scarf brushing the light mist that had begun to roll in.

"Sabrina," he greeted with a respectful nod. "It's been a while."

She opened her eyes slowly. "It has. Let us begin."

The referee raised the flag. "Begin!"

"Gengar!" Morty called, tossing his Poké Ball high. The Ghost-type materialized midair with a wicked cackle and landed, grinning mischievously.

Sabrina raised one hand. "Espeon."

Her Espeon emerged in a ripple of psychic shimmer, its fur softly glowing. It stared down Gengar without flinching.

"Let's begin with [Shadow Ball]!" Morty shouted.

"[Calm Mind]," Sabrina replied calmly.

Gengar launched a crackling orb of ghostly energy. Espeon braced, took the hit with elegance, and skidded backward, but stayed on its feet. Its eyes closed as it centered itself, boosting its power and special defense.

The air in the stadium shimmered with psychic force as Espeon's forehead gem pulsed brighter.

Morty narrowed his eyes. "[Sludge Bomb]!"

Gengar hurled a noxious orb that exploded across the field, coating Espeon with a splash of poison. Espeon winced but remained steady, the Calm Mind had softened the blow.

Sabrina didn't move. "[Mirror Coat]."

Espeon's gem flashed, then a burst of reflected energy slammed into Gengar with twice the force. The Ghost-type recoiled in shock, actually hitting the ground for a moment before floating back up again.

Morty blinked. "You're better than last time, huh?"

Of course, this wasn't the first time Morty and Sabrina had battled, but back then, she'd been emotionally unstable. Admittedly, she was much weaker then.

Sabrina's gaze didn't falter. "You still think you've seen this battle."

Morty raised an eyebrow, but nodded. After all, Morty could see into the future. And Sabrina knew that.

"I have. You lose. In every future I've seen... I will defeat you."

For a brief second, something flickered across Sabrina's otherwise unreadable face. Then, she smiled, just barely.

"Then let me show you what someone taught me… about changing the future."

She raised her arm and got into her stance. "[Dazzling Gleam]."

Espeon unleashed a radiant burst of light, shooting out like jagged shards of glass. Gengar, trying to retreat, couldn't escape, the blast struck it full-on, sending it crashing to the ground.

But it was still up.

Morty's voice rang out. "Now, [Hypnosis]!"

Gengar's eyes flared red, and despite the hit it just took, it launched a wave of hypnotic energy at Espeon.

But Sabrina was ready. "[Substitute]."

Espeon shimmered, and split. A decoy body took form and leapt in front of the beam, taking the attack harmlessly. The illusion faded on impact.

Morty blinked in surprise, but quickly recovered. "Alright then. Not bad. Let's see how far you've really come. Gengar, [Focus Blast]!"

A swirling orb of Fighting-type energy formed between Gengar's hands. The crowd held their breath as it hurled the attack directly at Espeon.

"[Protect]," Sabrina commanded.

A shimmering wall of psychic light flared up around Espeon. The Focus Blast collided and exploded against it, but the shield held, smoke swirled and dissipated.

Sabrina raised a single finger. "Now, [Baton Pass]."

Espeon gathered all its boosted power into an energy baton that materialized and floated upward. Then, it leapt back into its Poké Ball.

Sabrina already had her next Poké Ball ready.

A new Pokémon, one she'd caught recently, inspired by… well, someone.

"Gallade."

A flash of light. The elegant Psychic/Fighting-type appeared on the field, blades gleaming from its elbows, standing proud and ready.

Morty's brows furrowed slightly. "New partner?"

"You could say that," Sabrina replied.

Morty exhaled, then called, "Gengar, return!" He immediately tossed another Poké Ball into the air.

"Banette, it's your time."

The eerie Ghost-type emerged, unzipping its mouth with a chilling cackle, crackling with malicious energy. The Mega Stone embedded in Banette's zipper glinted faintly.

Sabrina didn't hesitate. "Gallade, Mega Evolve."

A brilliant burst of light surrounded Gallade as the Mega Stone on Sabrina's wrist glowed in response. Gallade's form sharpened, its cape-like appendages flared behind it as it stood tall, eyes focused, aura intense.

Morty touched his keystone. "Then I won't fall behind. Banette, Mega Evolve!"

A shriek echoed across the battlefield as Banette twisted into its Mega form, now floating unnaturally, its body leaking ghostly energy and sparks of malice.

Sabrina's eyes narrowed. "Gallade, [Swords Dance]."

Mega Gallade spun gracefully, crossing its blades in a fluid X-shape. The energy pulsed outward as its attack sharply rose. Morty reacted instantly.

"[Will-O-Wisp]!"

Blue flames shot from Banette's mouth in rapid succession, streaking toward Gallade.

Sabrina didn't flinch. "Not yet. [Psycho Cut]."

Gallade's blades shimmered with pink psychic energy as he lunged forward. With swift precision, he sliced through the incoming flames, one after the other, never slowing down. By the time Banette registered what was happening, Gallade was already there.

Too late to react, Gallade's blade slashed downward.

Banette was launched backward, crashing to the ground and struggling to rise. That hit hurt, a lot. Even with the type disadvantage, Gallade was clearly gaining the upper hand.

Morty winced. "Banette, hold on, [Shadow Sneak]!"

The shadows at Gallade's feet suddenly whipped up, and Banette launched itself like a bullet. With ghostly speed, it slashed through Gallade's side with a wicked swipe.

Gallade staggered back, grunting in pain. But instead of falling, he stomped once and straightened himself, standing tall again.

Sabrina's lips curled into a faint smile. She raised her hand, striking a familiar pose, holding two fingers out, "Finish this with [Night Slash]," she said, and then snapped her fingers.

Gallade's blades glowed purple, and in a single clean motion, he slashed downward across Banette. A critical hit.

Banette was sent flying back, tumbling across the field. For a moment, it looked like it might rise… but then it collapsed, the Mega energy fading from its form. Banette was down.

The referee raised a flag. "And that's it! The winner is Sabrina of Saffron City!"

The arena erupted in cheers.

Sabrina, however, didn't look at the crowd. Her eyes were on Morty.

He stood frozen, scarf fluttering from a breeze that didn't exist, staring at the Poké Ball in his hand, "That's… impossible," he murmured. "But I saw the outcome…"

Sabrina stepped forward, her expression calm, "You did. And that's why you lost. Maybe you shouldn't rely so heavily on your clairvoyance."

She turned slightly, glancing to the stands, and caught sight of Ash, clapping happily. For a brief moment, her smile softened.

"Someone once taught me… if you can't do anything, then just do what you can. We're the only ones who get to say how our stories play out."

Morty looked up at her, then let out a dry snort. "Never thought you'd be the one to say that."

Sabrina narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?" The air around them seemed to chill for a moment, but Morty just laughed and turned away.

"Nothing at all. See ya," he said with a small wave, before jogging off the stage.

Sabrina sighed, then looked back up at the stands one last time. Her eyes settled on Ash and the others, smiling, cheering, proud.

With a rare and quiet smile, she turned and walked off the field.

KANTO – 2 | JOHTO – 1