Pokemon: Skybound

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Only then did Misha notice Ash and the others.

"Ah, I remember you!" she exclaimed suddenly. "Aren't you the same group of kids from back then? So, you know Big Brother too?"

"That's right, it's us. Thank you for escorting us across the bridge," Brock nodded. However, as he spoke, he looked a little puzzled. "But why do you call him Big Brother?"

Misha glanced at them, recalling her agreement with Kai. Even though these people were his friends, she decided not to reveal the details of their previous encounter.

Spreading her hands, she looked at them sideways and said half-jokingly, "Of course! After being defeated by him, we were deeply impressed by his strength. That's why we respect Boss Kai as our Big Brother!"

"I see…"

Ash and the others, being trusting by nature, believed her explanation without question.

Misha turned to look at Kai again, clasping her hands together. "Then, Big Brother, please do your best! I believe that no matter who your opponent is, you won't lose!"

Martha chimed in, "Yes, yes! We'll always be your most loyal supporters! Show them your strength!"

Kai's face darkened as he sighed. "You people… Do you really think I'm invincible?"

Misha and the others laughed, clearly unconvinced.

Though Kai dismissed their flattery, they had already witnessed him take on several of Team Rocket's executives.

They had even seen his Zapdos and Articuno in action, so their confidence in him was unwavering.

In the distance, a commotion began as a news team approached, likely drawn by the crowd. The team was unusual, to say the least.

The reporter, a young woman with a stylish outfit and a striking appearance, held a microphone. Her unique hairstyle made her look vaguely familiar to Kai.

What made the team peculiar, however, were its other members. One was a goat-like Pokémon carrying various equipment, clearly acting as the photographer.

The other, a small, lizard-like Pokémon, appeared to be the reporter's assistant.

When they drew closer, the reporter smiled warmly and said, "Hello! We're from Lumiose Press. May I ask you a few questions?"

Before Kai could respond, Brock darted forward, his eyes gleaming. "Ah, a beautiful lady! Please, interview me! I'll answer any question you have perfectly!"

Not wanting the reporter to broadcast such a spectacle, Misty quickly karate-chopped Brock, knocking him unconscious and dragging him behind everyone.

"I'm so sorry," Misty said with an awkward smile. "He's always like this. Please don't mind him."

Then, as if remembering something, she asked curiously, "But… Lumiose Press? I've never heard of it. Is it a TV station from another city?"

The reporter explained, "Lumiose is a major city in the Kalos region, thousands of miles away. That's probably why you haven't heard of us. While we aren't a TV station, we are quite influential locally!"

"Kalos region?" Ash, Misty, and Brock exclaimed in unison, turning to Kai. "Isn't that where you're from?"

Kai nodded, prompting the reporter's interest to grow.

"Oh? Are you a Trainer from Kalos?"

"You could say that," Kai replied. "It's where I began my journey as a Trainer."

'A Trainer from the Kalos region, crossing the sea to challenge a new league? Here is my Big News!' The reporter's professional instincts immediately recognized the potential for a compelling story. She was certain this would captivate audiences back in Kalos.

"Allow me to introduce myself," she said, extending a hand. "My name is Alexa, and I'm a special correspondent for Lumiose Press. If possible, I'd love to conduct an exclusive interview with you."

'Alexa? It really was her!' Kai recalled her identity not only was she a reporter, but she was also the sister of Viola, the Gym Leader of Santalune City.

"An interview?" Kai thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry, but I'll have to decline. I haven't achieved anything yet, and I don't want to make bold statements before the matches even begin. If I make it past the qualifiers, then maybe we can talk."

Alexa was momentarily taken aback but soon smiled. "Alright then, I wish you the best of luck in the preliminaries. Let's revisit the idea after you qualify!"

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"Oh! Ladies and gentlemen, the second match in the Grass Field is about to begin!"

In the auxiliary arena of the Indigo Plateau, the announcer's enthusiastic voice echoed through the speakers.

"Thank you to the competitors from the first match for an exciting battle! Now, let's welcome the participants for the second match in the Grass Field!"

Even though these were just the qualifiers, the small arena was packed with enthusiastic spectators.

As the Trainers emerged from the tunnels onto the battlefield, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

Among them, a particularly loud group stood out. Dressed like bosozoku gang members, they waved banners and flags while cheering loudly, drawing both amusement and curiosity from the other spectators.

On the field, Kai walked alone to the Trainer's platform, meeting the gaze of his opponent across the battlefield. They exchanged a brief, intense look before turning their attention to the announcer.

"Introducing first, on the red side, we have Damian!" the announcer declared.

Damian waved to the crowd, receiving enthusiastic applause except for the boos from the gang members.

"And on the green side, we have Kai!"

Kai also waved to the audience, receiving polite applause. However, his supporters in the gang stole the show with their deafening cheers.

"Boss! You've got this!!!"

"Show that guy what you're made of!!!"

Their enthusiasm was so eye-catching that the cameras frequently focused on them.

Hearing their voices, Kai quickly spotted them in the stands. With a wry smile, he nodded in acknowledgement before glancing over at another group: Ash, Misty, and Brock sitting together and watching nervously.

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