Chapter 15 - The Rookie Tournament Finals (1/2)

After the battle finished, Axel got the following notification,

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Ding! Nidoran has started to learn Quick attack (20%)

Ding! Nidoran's Bite has progressed to (20%)

Ding! Nidoran's has gained 5 EVs on agility

Ding! Nidoran's attack increased to E++

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Axel and Nidoran got off the stage, with Shedinja in his shadow. He went to Nurse joy to get Nidoran checked up. The nurse said that it would take about an hour for Nidoran to heal completely. Axel just went to the 1st Floor of the Pokemon center to get some coffee. He didn't bother to see other's battles. He could just see the battle video in the cafe. He thought to give himself some well-deserved rest after the battle. Though Nidoran was the one who fought, the pressure to win for Axel was high.

Axel started seeing local news on the cafe's computer. He found out that, day after tomorrow was the day when the Auction would open. 'If I win this tournament, I will have enough money to participate in the auction' he thought. He planned to buy some of the food ingredients for Nidoran to make some nutritious food. The ingredients he found in the wild were all substitutes that were mentioned in the recipe. Its effect was lower than the ingredients found in the Pokemart. He planned to buy that first and would buy something from the auction, with the money left, if he got lucky.

Very soon it was around 5 pm. As he was doing research, he dozed off at the coffee table in the cafe. He slept for 4 straight hours!!. The next round started at 6 pm. He went to look at his opponent and found out that it was Mariana. This would be a troublesome opponent for Nidoran. Mariana's Pokemon was Shandshrew. It was a ground type Pokemon and Nidoran is weak against ground type. That Shandshrew also knew ground type moves making the coming battle very difficult.

Axel went to the Pokemon center to collect Nidoran and started planning for this battle. His battle was the first one. There were only 4 participants left now. After he wins this, he would qualify for the final round.

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”Ladies and gentlemen, we are now in the Semifinals. The first battle will be Axel Blaze taking on Mariana Stougt. Will Axel's Nidoran prevail against Mariana's Shandshrew? We will have to see. But no matter the result, we all know that it will be an exciting battle. Any comments from the Judges?” the host asked. ”It will be very difficult for Axel to win this battle. Shandshrew is ground type Pokemon which is strong against Nidoran, which is a poison type. It also knows ground type moves like dig and sand attack. Axel has to be careful in this battle. What do you say Mr. Koga? You are a poison type gym leader. Any insight on this battle before we begin?” the mayor said. ”This is a Rookie battle and the Pokemons are all Beginner Pokemons. When Pokemons are in the Beginner stage, it is hard for them to resist the attacks which they are weak to. Axel's Nidoran is a young Pokemon. As per my expertise, it must be around 3-4 months old. So, it will a difficult battle for Axel” Mr. Koga said thinking for some time.

”So the odds are high against Axel. But we will have to see. Let's welcome the contestant in the battle stage.” The host concluded. Huge cheers were coming from the spectators. The semi-finals were here. The 2 contestants went up to the stage. Shedinja was still in Axel shadow. Mr. Koga was watching Axel intently.