Chapter 34: Chapter - 34
Sakura's POV –
The roar of the crowd still echoed in Sakura Kiyama's ears as she sat in the trainers' lounge, staring blankly at the floor. Her defeat to Jordan Smith in the Sinnoh League semifinals was still fresh, the sting of it sharp against her pride. She had fought her hardest, her Roserade delivering a performance she was proud of, but it wasn't enough.
Jordan's Infernape, with its awe-inspiring blue flames, had been unstoppable. And his two Alpha Pokémon—Milotic and Gyarados—had turned the battle into something out of legend. Their sheer size, power, and presence had overwhelmed her carefully laid strategies.
She sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "I gave it everything I had," she murmured to herself, replaying the battle in her mind. "But he was just... better. Stronger."
Her Roserade's Poké Ball sat in her palm, and she brushed her fingers over it gently. "You were amazing, Roserade. You all were. We'll come back stronger next time."
As the evening wore on, Sakura found herself leaving the stadium grounds. Her feet carried her toward the nearby park, a place where she often went to clear her mind after a tough match. The soft glow of the streetlights and the gentle rustling of the trees provided a welcome sense of calm.
As she walked along the path, Sakura's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Sakura?"
She turned, surprised to see Jordan standing nearby, his Infernape walking silently beside him. The fiery ape looked as relaxed as its trainer, the flames on its head reduced to a gentle flicker.
"Jordan," Sakura said, forcing a small smile. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Jordan approached his hands in his pockets. "I could say the same to you. I was just giving Infernape some time to stretch its legs after the match." He paused, studying her face. "How are you holding up?"
Sakura hesitated, then sighed. "Not great, if I'm being honest. Losing is always hard, but this one... this one stings a little more."
Jordan nodded, leaning against the nearby railing. "I get that. I've been there. But, for what it's worth, you gave me one of the toughest battles I've ever had."
Sakura's eyes flicked to him, surprised. "Really? It didn't feel that way. Your Pokémon, especially your Alphas, were just... on another level."
Jordan chuckled lightly. "Yeah, they're strong, but that doesn't mean it was easy. Your strategy with Roserade, especially how you used Toxic Spikes and Giga Drain, had me scrambling. If Infernape hadn't gone all out, I might not have won."
They found a bench nearby and sat down, the park's quiet atmosphere wrapping around them.
Sakura leaned back, looking up at the stars. "It's just... I worked so hard to get here, you know? I thought I was ready. I thought I could win."
"You were ready," Jordan said firmly. "You made it to the semifinals of the Sinnoh League. Do you know how many trainers dream of just getting into the tournament? You should be proud of that."
Sakura smiled faintly. "Maybe. But I still feel like I fell short."
Jordan tilted his head, considering her words. "You know, when I started, I lost more battles than I can count. There were times I thought I'd never be good enough. But every loss taught me something—about my Pokémon, about myself. Those lessons made me stronger."
Sakura nodded, his words resonating with her. "I guess it's all part of the journey, huh?"
"Exactly," Jordan said. "And you've got a long way to go. Your team is already incredible, and with a little more training, I have no doubt you'll be a champion someday."
She glanced at him, a small smile forming. "You believe that?"
"Absolutely," Jordan said without hesitation.
For a while, they sat in companionable silence, watching the gentle sway of the trees in the breeze.
"Your Alphas," Sakura said after a moment. "They're... amazing. How did you even find them?"
Jordan chuckled. "A lot of luck and a lot of persistence. Gyarados was the first. I found it in a remote lake while exploring. It was terrifying at first—massive, angry, and barely willing to listen. But over time, we bonded. Milotic came later, She was guarding a hidden spring, and it took everything I had to gain her trust."
Sakura's eyes widened. "I can't even imagine what it must have been like to train them. They're so rare."
"Yeah, they are," Jordan admitted. "But the bond I share with them isn't any different from the one you have with Roserade or Torterra. It's about trust, respect, and understanding."
Sakura smiled. "You make it sound so simple."
"It's not," Jordan said, grinning. "But it's worth it."
As the evening deepened, Sakura stood, stretching her arms. "Thanks for this, Jordan. I didn't realize how much I needed to talk it out."
Jordan stood as well, offering her a smile. "Anytime. And hey, don't be a stranger. If you're ever in Sandgem Town, look me up. We can have a rematch."
Sakura smirked. "You're on. But next time, don't expect an easy win."
Jordan laughed. "I wouldn't dream of it."
As they parted ways, Sakura felt a renewed sense of determination. Her journey was far from over, and though she'd lost this battle, she knew she'd grow stronger because of it.
Walking back toward her hotel, she glanced at Roserade's Poké Ball once more, her grip firm. "We'll get there," she said softly. "One step at a time."
Aurora Vega's POV –
Aurora Vega sat in her hotel room, the cold winds of from the ocean whistling faintly against the windows. The glow of her laptop illuminated her face as she leaned forward, reviewing battle footage of her next opponent: Jordan Smith.
The boy was a phenomenon, and every clip she watched only reinforced that fact. He had taken the Sinnoh region by storm, demolishing opponents with precision, power, and an uncanny ability to adapt. But it wasn't just his battles that set him apart—it was everything about him.
At just 11 years old, he had already accomplished feats that many trainers could only dream of. Rumors about his intellect and physical prowess circulated like wildfire. Not only was he a prodigy in battle, but he was also the developer of a groundbreaking app—a digital encyclopedia that provided offline Pokémon data, weather patterns, terrain analysis, and more. To top it all off, he was said to have the appearance of a seasoned warrior: tall, muscular, and imposing, reminiscent of a mythical figure.
Aurora exhaled sharply, brushing a strand of her silver hair behind her ear. "This kid doesn't just break records—he shatters them."
Aurora clicked on another video. It was the footage of Jordan's battle against the Hearthome Gym Leader, Fantina.
The clip began with Fantina's Mega Banette unleashing a devastating Shadow Claw, the move tearing through the battlefield with eerie precision. But Jordan's Lucario, glowing with the aura of its own Mega Evolution, countered with a perfectly timed Aura Sphere, the energy blast cutting through the shadowy attack like it was paper.
The precision of the move wasn't what stunned Aurora—it was the way Jordan anticipated Fantina's every strategy. He didn't just react; he predicted.
"Look at him," Aurora muttered to herself. "He's calm. Collected. It's like he knows what's coming before it happens."
She switched to another battle, this time against Byron of Canalave City. Byron's Mega Steelix—a towering mass of steel and rock—had been an immovable force in countless battles. But Jordan's Gyarados, an Alpha, was more than a match. The massive serpent loomed over even the Mega-Evolved Pokémon, its sheer size and power overwhelming.
The turning point came when Gyarados unleashed a Hyper Beam, the attack so ferocious that the battlefield itself seemed to quake. The crowd's roar was deafening as Byron conceded, admitting he'd never seen such raw power in his entire career.
Aurora paused the video, leaning back in her chair. "He's like a force of nature," she whispered. "How do you even prepare for someone like this?"
The stats alone were enough to make her head spin. Jordan had completed all eight of Sinnoh's gym challenges—including their advanced battles—in just seven months, breaking the record previously held by Red Ketchum, the Kanto Champion and Successor to Professor Samual Oak and one of the strongest champions.
"Seven months," Aurora muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "And these aren't just regular gym battles. He's fought against Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, and some of the strongest trainers in Sinnoh. And he's won every single time."
She clicked on an interview with Volkner, the Sunyshore City Gym Leader and one of Sinnoh's most formidable trainers.
"Jordan Smith," Volkner said, a rare smile on his usually stoic face. "He's the real deal. I threw everything I had at him—my strongest Pokémon, my best strategies—and he tore through it all. But what impressed me most wasn't just his power. It was his mind. He's always two steps ahead. Battling him feels like trying to catch the wind."
Aurora paused the video, the weight of Volkner's words settling in her chest. She prided herself on her adaptability and strategy, but Jordan seemed to operate on a completely different level.
Aurora stood and walked over to the window, gazing out at the snow-covered city. Her Pokémon, her loyal team of Ice-types, rested in their Poké Balls, waiting for the challenge of a lifetime.
She clenched her fists, determination flaring in her icy blue eyes. "I've trained for this moment my entire life. I'm not going to back down now, no matter how strong he is."
Her mind drifted to her accomplishments. She had fought her way through the toughest trainers of the Sinnoh League, proving her mettle in battles that pushed her to her limits. Her Weavile, Glaceon, and Mamoswine had carried her through grueling matches, their synergy, and strength unmatched.
But Jordan was different. He wasn't just another strong trainer—he was a phenomenon.
Aurora returned to her desk, pulling out a notebook where she had been jotting down strategies. She reviewed Jordan's team: Infernape, Vespiquen, Lucario, Alakazam, Gyarados (Alpha), and Milotic (Alpha).
Her pen hovered over the page as she thought. "Infernape is his ace for this match," she murmured. "That blue fire... it's not just power. It's his bond with that Pokémon. If I can find a way to counter Infernape, I might have a chance."
But even as she planned, doubt lingered at the edges of her mind. Watching Jordan battle was like watching a tornado tear through the battlefield. He wasn't just strong—he was relentless, unpredictable, and terrifyingly efficient.
Still, she refused to let fear consume her.
"This isn't just his story," Aurora said firmly. "This is my story too. I've worked too hard to let it end here."
She closed her notebook and stood, her resolve solidifying like ice. The finals were only days away, and she would need every ounce of strength and strategy she had to face the tornado that was Jordan Smith.
This perspective explores Aurora's admiration, fear, and determination as she prepares to face an opponent who seems almost invincible, building tension for the upcoming battle. Let me know if there's anything more you'd like to add!
Daisy Oak's POV –
The evening air was crisp and cool as Daisy Oak sat by the window of her hotel room, gazing out at the glowing lights of Lily of the Valley Island. The Sinnoh League Conference was in full swing, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
She had traveled to the island of the Lily of the Valley, with her family—her parents, her grandfather Professor Oak, and her younger brother, Gary—to watch the battles unfold. For Daisy, it wasn't just a chance to enjoy the competition but an opportunity to see firsthand the skill and determination of some of the region's greatest trainers.
One trainer in particular had caught her attention.
Jordan Smith.
His name had been everywhere since the League began. Whispers about his incredible journey, his groundbreaking achievements, and his extraordinary battles had reached her long before she arrived in Sinnoh. But seeing him in action—watching him dominate battle after battle—was a different experience altogether.
Daisy leaned back in her chair, her laptop open on the desk beside her. She had spent the last hour poring over footage of Jordan's advanced gym battles, specifically his match against Hearthome City's Gym Leader, Fantina.
The screen displayed Fantina's Mega Banette launching a devastating Shadow Claw, only for Jordan's Lucario to counter with a perfectly executed Aura Sphere. The precision, the power, the way Jordan commanded his team—it was mesmerizing.
"Eleven years old," Daisy murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. "And he battles like a veteran."
She clicked on another clip, this one featuring his battle against Volkner, the Sunyshore Gym Leader. Volkner's Luxray had unleashed a barrage of Wild Charges, but Jordan's Alpha Gyarados—massive, majestic, and almost terrifying—had stood its ground, countering with a devastating Hyper Beam.
Daisy paused the video, her thoughts racing. "This isn't just talent. This is... genius."
What fascinated her most wasn't just Jordan's skill in battle but the breadth of his accomplishments. He had developed a highly advanced app at such a young age, breaking records in both the Kanto and Sinnoh regions, all while commanding a team of Pokémon that seemed larger, stronger, and more powerful than the norm.
She found herself smiling. "He's like something out of a storybook."
Later that evening, Daisy sat in the hotel's lounge with her family. Gary was seated across from her, fiddling with his Poké-Gear, while their grandfather sipped tea and spoke with her parents about the upcoming matches.
"Did you see Jordan's battle today?" Daisy asked, breaking the lull in conversation.
Her grandfather, Professor Oak, looked up with a smile. "Of course. How could I miss it? The boy is extraordinary. Trainers like him don't come around often."
Gary glanced up from his Poké-Gear, frowning slightly. "He's good, but he's not unbeatable."
Daisy arched an eyebrow. "You think you could take him on?"
Gary smirked. "Maybe. Someday."
Professor Oak chuckled. "Confidence is important, Gary, but Jordan is operating on a level few trainers can match. Did you know he completed Sinnoh's advanced gym challenges in just seven months? He even broke Lance's record."
Gary's smirk faltered slightly, though he tried to play it cool. "Still... I'd like to see how he handles a real challenge."
Daisy smiled at her brother's bravado but turned her attention back to her grandfather. "Do you think he'll win the League?"
Professor Oak stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It's hard to say. The competition is fierce, and anything can happen in a Pokémon battle. But if anyone has the potential to go all the way, it's him."
As the conversation continued, Daisy's thoughts drifted. Watching Jordan compete had rekindled a spark in her—a desire to step back into the spotlight, not as a spectator, but as a coordinator.
She had spent years honing her skills as a Pokémon Coordinator, competing in contests across Kanto and Johto. But seeing the intensity of the Sinnoh League and hearing about the region's Grand Festival had awakened something in her.
Later that night, back in her hotel room, Daisy opened her notebook and began to jot down her thoughts.
Sinnoh Grand Festival
Fantina—possible mentor?
She paused, staring at the name she had written: Fantina.
"I should meet her," Daisy thought aloud. "She's not just a Gym Leader; she's an incredible coordinator too. If anyone can help me take my performances to the next level, it's her."
Her resolve solidified as she made her decision. She would stay in Sinnoh after the League ended, immerse herself in its contests, and compete in the Grand Festival.
As she closed her notebook, her mind wandered back to Jordan. Despite his age, he carried himself with a confidence and presence that belied his youth. His battles were a perfect blend of strategy, intuition, and sheer determination.
Daisy smiled to herself. "He's going to inspire so many trainers, coordinators, and researchers alike."
The thought of crossing paths with him after the League, perhaps even discussing strategies or their shared love of Pokémon, was an exciting prospect. She admired his passion, his intelligence, and his unwavering drive.
Looking out at the shimmering lights of the League's grand stage, Daisy felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"Watch out, Sinnoh," she murmured. "Daisy Oak isn't done yet."