Was this the Champion vs Champion bought everyone hoped for?

Of course not, cause kyle lopez was the Champion on the Canons list and Callie was just a Champion without a fancy title attached.

Maybe they could still hang.

She nodded to him lightly when he approached her.

"Yes. Thank you for the challenge."

The second one does it.

It's a shame that the Bulbasaur is so young.

Callie calls her back.

"Well, she did her best."

A glance at MATIAS SILPH.

And she can't help but give a small laugh.

Almost like old times.

Her Bulbasaur is no better. The plant pokemon is easily distracted by the crowd of people and pokemon.

She doesn't see the Bone Rush coming.

"It's okay." She soothes, gentle. "Try a Leech Seed."

MATIAS SILPH

"Of course."

She was like MATIAS SILPH. Never could resist a challenge.

She smiles a little sadly at the Cubone but still calls out her Bulbasaur.

Her very first partner and her most trusted pokemon had always been her Marowak.

A little."

She's thankful that MATIAS SILPH understands, at least.

"I didn't get to use my Bulbasaur today. She was excited."

But that was okay. She could have a nice snack.

"I don't like it."

For obvious reasons.

"Nonverbal communication is fine, it's just..."

She crosses her arms.

Maybe it was best to change the subject.

MATIAS SILPH

"I know what you mean. I lost as well."

The whistling, too, had been just as off putting.

"He recognized me, too. Despite..."

A vague motion to herself.

MATIAS SILPH

At the question, Callie took a moment to thing. There were people who she expected to excell who had, like John Sullivan. But the most unexpected was....

"There was a man with a Riolu. Liam, I think? He was very skilled." Little did Callie know, she was complimenting Cillian Quinn.

MATIAS SILPH

"A few people have. It's been nice." To battle again, even if her team is fledgling and new again.

It was frustrating to lose so many times but it made the few victories all the sweeter.

"And you? I can't imagine you turning any down."

MATIAS SILPH

BATTLE POINT TRACKER

In the end, John Sullivan's excitement was infectious.

A soft giggle, of all things, escaped her before she could clamp it down, hide it behind her teeth.

"I'd like that." Was her acceptance of his invitation.

Maybe some things would end up alright after all.

'Dod-"

But it was too late, the sticky, electrifying web pinning the Beedrill to the ground. She shivered with a paralysis, this plus the earlier attacks finally making her lose steam.

Callie clicked her tongue but called her pokemon back to her pokeball.

"I can see where I'll need to train with her more. Thank you, Doug."

John Sullivan

"Twin needle!"

The Beedrill attempted to slam her duel tipped stingers into the Butterfree but was buffeted by the Air Slash. It pushed her back and made catching up hard, widening the gap further. Callie's brow had narrowed, mentally different scenarios in her mind as she tried to think her way out of this...

John Sullivan