{T/N: Poll officially closed. 2 fixed daily chapters for the win! Here you go. Don't forget to vote and review✌🏽...}
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The Victory Road was built on the island of Sinnoh, and its terrain was quite complex...
There were maze-like caves, dark and damp underground paths, subterranean rivers leading to the sea, and massive boulders blocking the way forward.
In the Pokémon games, to successfully navigate the Victory Road, trainers needed Pokémon that had mastered the following moves; Flash, Surf, Strength, Rock Smash, Waterfall, and Rock Climb.
But in reality, it wasn't that complicated. After all, both Dragonite and Garchomp could fly, allowing them to carry Caleb and Cynthia over rivers and scale cliffs with ease.
As for Flash, Caleb had 'Smeargle' mimic the move using Sketch from another trainer's Pokémon.
With Flash activated, Terrence looked like a giant lightbulb, walking ahead with his arms crossed, his tail flicking back and forth in annoyance.
"A talking Smeargle?" Cynthia was surprised.
Caleb replied succinctly, "He's like me."
"Oh." Cynthia didn't press further and instead changed the subject, "Up ahead is where trainers gathering for the Victory Road are. Ready for some battles?"
Caleb gave an affirmative hum...
During this time, his Dragonite, Mimikyu, and Lucario had grown rapidly under Cynthia's guidance. He was no longer the rookie who was rich in theory but lacking in practical experience.
As they spoke, the two passed through the dark underground path, climbed a ladder to the upper cave, and were greeted by a suddenly expansive view.
It was a vast cavern, already crowded with trainers from all over the world. Some were engaged in Pokémon battles, others were chatting with fellow trainers, and some who had just arrived were setting up camping tents.
With a long time still left before the start of the League tournament, they had all decided to stay here for pre-battle training.
After a quick glance, Caleb said to Cynthia, "I'll go set up the tent first."
"Need any help?" Cynthia asked.
Caleb shook his head. He had obtained a camping tent from a random event before and could simply take it out from his inventory.
"Alright, I'll wait here for you." Said Cynthia.
Caleb acknowledged and headed to a corner with Terrence.
Making sure no one was watching, he pulled out a blue tent from his inventory. Though the tent looked ordinary from the outside, the interior was surprisingly spacious... enough to comfortably fit three adults.
Terrence glanced around and lowered his voice, "Are you planning to share this tent with Cynthia?"
Caleb shot him a look, then unzipped the tent and kicked him inside.
Upon seeing the interior, Terrence's dog eyes widened, "Damn! This place is so luxurious! There's even a mini-fridge?!"
He crawled over, opened the fridge, and pulled out a bag of cucumber-flavored chips. Peeking out, he asked, "Can I eat these?"
They were just chips, nothing expensive. Caleb considered it a reward for the flashlight services. He nodded generously but warned, "Sure, but don't finish them. Those are actually for Dragonite."
Dragonite loved cucumber chips, Mimikyu had a sweet tooth, and Lucario wasn't picky, it would eat anything Caleb gave it without complaint, no matter how bad it tasted.
The thought gave Caleb a slight headache. Lucario wasn't as clingy as Dragonite or as affectionate as Mimikyu. It was quiet and reserved...
Having slept all day yesterday, Terrence wasn't tired today. Munching on chips, he followed Caleb, the crunching sounds loud in his mouth.
When Caleb returned to Cynthia's side, he found her talking to a red-haired, spiky-haired young man with a rebellious style.
Noticing his approach, Cynthia introduced, "This is Maki. Like me, he's a trainer here for the League tournament."
Maki already knew Cynthia. During his own badge-collecting journey, he had always seen her as his rival. He had assumed she wouldn't come to Victory Road for training, but not only had she shown up, she had a kid with her.
'Hadn't she always traveled alone?' he mused.
Maki remembered the last time he'd met her in Floaroma Town, he had asked to travel together, but she had refused.
'Wouldn't traveling with me be better than dragging along this kid?' A sense of unfairness suddenly rose in his heart.
He scrutinized Caleb with displeasure... Well, the kid was cute, but that was about it. He probably still wet the bed and needed Cynthia to change his pants.
Caleb keenly noticed the hostility in Maki's gaze and met his eyes.
Still munching on chips, Terrence widened his eyes, glancing back and forth between Caleb and the punk, 'Oho! Is this where the fun begins?'
Caleb thought the guy was an idiot and ignored him, turning to Cynthia instead, "I'm going to find some battles over there."
Before Cynthia could respond, Maki burst out laughing, "Pfft! Kid, are you joking? Come on, tell me, how old are you?"
He then pulled out a piece of candy from his pocket, "Here, it's sweet."
Caleb's lips twitched. He didn't take the candy and instead raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence, "Are you a trainer too?"
"Of course!" Maki thumped his chest, "I've already collected all eight Gym badges!"
Caleb grinned, looking utterly harmless, "Then… wanna give it a try?"
Maki blinked, "Try what?"
Caleb pulled out a shrunken Poké Ball from his 'pocket'. As it expanded in his palm, he said slowly, "Try battling me."
"You're serious? The League rules say you have to be ten to catch Pokémon..." Maki was baffled.
Cynthia interjected seriously, "He's not joking, Maki. His situation is… special. You'll understand once you battle him."
Maki scoffed at that.
But if Cynthia insisted, he didn't mind humoring the kid. With that thought, he unhooked a Poké Ball from his belt.
Cynthia stepped back to act as referee, "The rules are 3v3. The battle ends when one side's Pokémon are all unable to fight."
Without hesitation, Caleb sent out his first Pokémon...
A flash of white light later, Dragonite's massive form appeared on the battlefield.
At the sight of Dragonite, Maki froze mid-throw, his eyes bulging, "D-Dragonite?! That's a Kanto Pokémon! Why is it here?!"
"Shall we begin?" Caleb asked calmly.
Snapping out of it, Maki gave him a wary look before releasing his own Pokémon, a Lopunny.
- Lopunny: the evolution of Buneary, a Normal-type Pokémon that relies on speed and physical techniques in battle...
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