The Preliminaries (Amber POV)

In the morning, you realize Jack had arrived in the night. She’s asleep next to you, John on your other side. Part of you really wants to stay in bed with your two lovers, but you know you can’t because of the preliminaries for the Rookie Tournament. You climb over Jack’s sleeping body, figuring you could get the first shower. You’re about to walk back into the shared room, when you get the naughty idea to drop your towel to greet the other two. The plan was foolproof, except for the 3 extra people in the room. Evidently while you were in the shower, Daisy, Roger, and Humphrey had arrived. You use your arms to cover yourself when you realize they’re there.

“We were just going over what to do if anyone finds A. Ketchum,” Daisy says as you dig an outfit out of your stuff. “So, if you find him get a picture if you can, text the group, and if you have time before your next round try to make contact. Oh and nobody, and I mean absolutely no one tells Blue what is going on.”

“Sounds good,” you agree with Daisy’s plan. “And good luck to everyone in the tournament, nobody get eliminated.”

You all rejoice, excitedly talking about the tournament. Everyone is that odd mixture of nervous and excited. Arriving at the tournament building, you each show your trainer ID gaining access. “Sorry Miss, but the preliminary rounds are closed to the public. Only registered contestants allowed beyond this point,” the check-in attendants stop Daisy.

You all look back to her. “It’s okay, just find him,” she says waving for you to enter the tournament building.

The whole building is crowded with trainers. You can see several battlefields set up around the huge building. The crowd is divided up into a series of lines, the group pick a line and stand in it. Meanwhile everyone shares their stories while waiting in line. John and you tell your story about fighting a Slaking. Jack talks about her days and days of Vulpix hunting. The boys talk about how they were checking out some Combee nests and were ambushed by a Ursaring looking for some honey.

At the front of the line, Tournament staff outfits everyone’s pokeballs with the Level Limiters. They would stay on until you were eliminated or the tournament was over. They inform you that they’ll send messages to alert you of which of the 40 battlefields your next battle would be in. That due to the number of people competing and the limited battle space, there will be gaps between your battles and the gaps would decrease as more people are eliminated. Jack and you are also informed of the 3 loss policy offered to female trainers during the preliminary rounds. For once being a female trainer is an advantage.

It took a while for all the contestants to get their limiters. You and the others find a comfortable corner to hang out in. You help the boys with some strategy. Jack and yourself have the extra chances, plus not to brag but the two of you are better trainers than them. The boys all get a message on their phones signaling their first match.

“You want to see about watching a few matches?” Jack asks pointing at the battle spots.

You take her hand leading the way towards the battlefields. “Wow, look that guy has a Gyarados!” you call out pointing at a battle. You and Jack walk around the floor of the tournament building holding hands looking at all the amazing battles going on. You hear a couple victors announced, “Remember to be listening for Ketchum.”

“Woohoo, go John!” Jack cheers as you pass his battle spot. Scyther slices at the enemy Hitmontop. Jack’s phone buzzes and she is being called to battle on spot 17. You give her a kiss goodbye and wish her luck.

You watch John win his first match. “John of Viridian wins!” the match referee calls out. Before you get a chance to congratulate him your phone calls you away to spot 38 for your own battle.

You step onto the battle stage nervous for your first match. You know you can’t be knocked out from this battle, but it would still be a terrible start. Plus having to pay a forfeit in front of the gathered crowd would be super embarrassing. “Amber of Pallet Town versus Liam of Viridian.” You look across at your first opponent. You’re surprised to actually recognize him, it was the guy who challenged you on route 1. He was your second trainer battle after Blue, and your first victory against another trainer.

“Well look who it is,” he says taking his side of the battle spot. “You’re not going to be able to cheat this time. Raticate, I choose you!”

Your blood boils at his insistence that you cheated. “I won fair and square, and I’ll do it again. Wartortle lets do this!”