"Both trainers ready? Ok. 3,2,1, Go!"

Alex said coldly, "Crobat, use Taunt and then Confuse Ray." ​​

The female trainer said at the same time, "Vileplume, use Sleep Powder."

Crobat was faster than Vileplume in using the move and was safe from the Vileplume using the Sleep powder.

After Crobat successfully used Taunt, he started using Confuse Ray.

The female trainer saw the Vileplume could only attack and said, "Use Solar Beam."

Solar Beam is a move that gets stronger during the day. Especially in the summer, this move is devastating. Now in an open arena, under the strong sunlight, this move was not only powerful but very quick too.

Alex knew that but was still surprised by the speed Vileplume's Solar beam charged up. Even though Crobat started using his move a little earlier, Vileplume blasted off the Solar Beam at nearly the same time Crobat used Confuse Ray.

Both could not dodge the attacks as they were in the still position and were hit by the enemy's move. Crobat couldn't move because his Confuse Ray was not on Expert rank, and Vileplume didn't have any time to move as it started using the move later than Crobat. So it blasted the Solar Beam as soon as it was charged up.

Crobat, who was hit by Vileplume's strongest move, took a little damage.

Alex wasn't surprised by the fact that Crobat took only a little damage from this attack. Crobat that has a 4-fold resistance to Grass-type attack can easily handle a Solar Beam. Especially when you consider that Crobat is 5 levels higher than Vileplume.

The female trainer saw that Vileplume was confused but said, "Use Solar Beam again."

Alex, who heard this, couldn't help but laugh, "Crobat, dodge with Fly."

Crobat flew high in the air and successfully dodged Vileplume's attack. After successfully evading the attack, he dived in the direction of Vileplume.

The female trainer knew that this attack would cause great damage to Vileplume if hit, so she said, "Vileplume, Protect yourself."

Crobat flew at breakneck speed towards Vileplume, who was using Protect.

Vileplume's shield couldn't withstand Crobat's attack even for half a second before it broke.

Although Protect was able to reduce the damage caused by Crobat, Vileplume still suffered a lot of damage. Vileplume only had around 70% HP after this attack by Crobat.

The female trainer didn't know what to do when she saw that. She said after a bit of hesitation, "Try Sludge Bomb."

Alex, who saw this, said with disappointment, "Finish it by using Fly again."

Although Crobat was hit by a Sludge Bomb while flying upstairs, the damage inflicted on him was minimal.

Crobat successfully knocked Vileplume unconscious with Fly and easily won the fight.

"Participant 297 Pokémon passed out. Participant 68 won this round."

Alex saw how easily Crobat won and couldn't help but let a smile appear on his face.

The blonde referee went towards Alex with a smile and said, "Participant 68, congratulations on your victory. With this, you have finished all preliminary rounds and successfully enter the top 64. Please go to the infobox after this match to get your new participant number."

"Thank you. I'll go there now."

"Good luck."

Alex went to the infobox of the arena and gave his participant number there.

After Alex's identity had been checked, he got a new number.

The woman at the info box said in a professional tone, "This is your new number. The number is sorted according to the level of the participants. It is done to prevent the strongest participants from fighting each other early in the tournament."

Alex looked at his number and had to suppress his surprised expression.

He walked out of the arena, and then he whispered, "6". That meant that the avg level of Alex's Pokémon was 6th highest.

Alex, who saw the number, couldn't help but think about how his chances of winning the tournament were almost non-existent. In the history of this Kanto rookie tournament, no participant with a number higher than 3 has ever managed to win this tournament. Although the level of a Pokémon does not necessarily represent the strength of a Pokémon, Alex does not underestimate the advantages of having a higher level. In this world, differences in level are particularly noticeable. Especially when you reach benchmark levels like level 40 and 60 (also known as Elite and Champion rank Pokémon).

That reminded him of the time when he had to defeat Maria's Ekans and her Rock Slide with his Zubat. Alex's Zubat could only withstand two strikes of Rock Slide and hardly cause any harm to the Ekans. Probably almost all trainers in the world would lose that fight in his situation. But Alex almost managed to win. Although he lost at the end, it was a very close fight where he had a 50:50 chance of winning and losing. Maybe with a bit of luck, he could have also won that match. But he isn't the type of guy who makes excuses. He doesn't want to rely on luck to win the battles.

As he thought about this past, Alex screamed in his mind, "6!!! 6 !!!! FCK 6! I will win this tournament. Even if a person with a number higher than 3 has never won this tournament, I will be the first person to do so. I am sure that with the right tactics, I can defeat even an Elite Pokémon. I only lost the last time because my tactics weren't perfect. It's not impossible for me to win this tournament, and I will prove it."

When Alex walked out of the arena with a cold expression, Alex saw a beautiful blonde woman with a microphone and a camera team following her.

The beautiful blonde woman looked at Alex's participant number (in his hand) and walked along with the camera team in his direction.

Alex knew that this woman probably wanted to do an interview with interesting participants before the tournament starts. Although he had no interest in becoming famous, he couldn't help but think about an advantage that this interview could bring him.

The beautiful woman looked at Alex and said with an enchanting (fake) smile, "Hey, trainer! We are from Pokéworld TV and wanted to ask if you have some free time for an interview."

Alex looked emotionlessly at the reporter's fake smile and said, "Ok."

The beautiful woman couldn't help but show a surprised expression. She had met many young male trainers but never someone who was not even a little bit fascinated by her. She guessed that he must have learned to keep his urges in check.

While Alex had an expressionless face when interacting with the blonde reporter, inside he couldn't help but feel attracted to her body but, he can practically always keep his emotions in control. Aside from Maria, Alex had never met a woman/person who could affect him emotionally (except his family members). That's why Maria is very special for him.

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jo

I wanted to say something about the first fight from Alex and Maria.

Many people have different points of argument why Alex lost inappropriately and his defeat is cheap and so on.

I looked at all the most important arguments again and couldn't find a point where I agree. I will show the arguments and give my answers. Although it may be unnecessary I want to do it anyway. Though it's a little late now.

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"dude he should have won rockslide = terrible accuracy ---) plus the dust shield really no way he would hit that much so I think zubat should have won but lets call it pokemon rng sigh sigh looking forward to a TTAR but OK ash ketchum "

A: 2 of at least 10 Rock slide is not high.

In addition, Rock Slide has a large attack range and it is good to hit enemies that you cannot see. I explained everything in the chapter. no idea why you bring such arguments

This is not a game. For example, Poison Sting has a higher accuracy than Rock Slide so that it should, according to your logic, hit Zubat more often than Rock Slide in this dust stream. I hope I don't have to explain why this is questionable

Rockslide has a relatively bad hit rate but also has a large attack surface, which I mentioned in the chapter.

If you can't see your opponent, you should use a move that has a large attack surface and not a move that normally has a good hit rate.

No idea why people like this commetar so much. I think it was pretty stupid.

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"the first step of mc is a lost how sad a lvl 16 zubst already have a supersonic attack and supersonic is more versatile than confuse ray this battle have a high chance of winning if zubat use a supersonic."

A: Supersonic causes the target to become confused. Accuracy 55%

Confuse Ray causes the target to become confused Accuracy 100%

wow just wow.

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"Rockslide can't hit anything man .... besides why not use supersonic ????? super usefull .... also you shouldn't think of stats as numbers so specifics! In your novel pokemon are real and control is necesary! "

A: what do you mean? that zubat survived Rockslide twice shows pretty well that I don't just look at stats. I use stats as the baseline, nothing more.

and why do people think that Zubat who is a slow Pokemon can easily dodge all attacks from Rock Slide. Can you stop wanting to give the Mc cheats. I want to keep it realistic if possible.

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"i saw love at first sight (* cringing face *) romance? too early in the story ... i want to say that in pokemon verse like this story, love is a lauxury for a weak bat.If u so insist in doing romance than better have it after the MC reach pinnacle.Yeah, most pokemon fans are into NOromance thingy So ... haha.but still i endure that (* no problem face *) and continue reading and so i arive at this Ash page. ..how do i say it, its totally fine if protagonist lose battles sometime.I mean SOMETIME.and its the kind of battles that when lose its hurt so much but its for growth type.Not the type of battle that can win but for the sake of making the protagonist difficult (mainly to let reader know MC can also lose) just to fail to get the first position ... Who want to read that (ash) in novel? Who want to read MC who just won't win for the sake of it? Surely Not me ... its important to let MC win at some major points in story, like when it is the 1st place for the beginning plot etc .., MC can sometimes fail after that.And Where is this story going? Why is this story going to ash and clinch styles? Feel disapointed ... So yeah this time i am out. (* Not looking back face *) "

A: Honestly, I'm glad you're gone. that was so much wrong that I hope I don't have to say anything about it. hopefully

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"Week of planning boiled down to spamming one attack? Why did he not use confusion to his advantage earlier, or anything really. Just felt; meh."

A: yes, don't use the 1 move that is more damaging, faster and easier to hit than other moves because it's pretty stupid to use your best move. Why use a best move you have when you can also use weaker moves. (Even though he used more moves like Protect and Confuse Ray.)

It's like 1 guy been boxing for 1 month and you're wondering why he only uses boxing against a stronger opponent.

Confuse Ray doesn't work in this world like it does in games if you had read the chapter you would know that. I find it rather questionable if in this world the pokemon beat themselves if they are confused.

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Yeah, I wasted 20 minutes of my time saying all of this. 4 months later ....

No idea but it feels good to write this now so that I do it now.

I really thought a lot about this fight and can justify all decisions but apparently these people are not interested in the logic, but rather whether the Mc loses. That was the only place in the fanfic where I thought to stop writing.

Fortunately, I continued and didn't regret this decision.

No idea why I am writing this now, but it feels good to write this now so that I am doing it now.

I want to say thank you to all the people who follow this fanfic so far and thank you for your support.

speak to you soon.

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