Pokemon: Skybound

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The battles on the first and second days stretched late into the evening, concluding around 10 PM each night.

By the end of the second day, 128 contestants had been eliminated, one after another.

The previously bustling Sports Village, packed with trainers and their companions, now felt noticeably emptier, with many leaving in disappointment.

However, not everyone shared the same sentiments.

On the morning of the third day, the remaining contestants gathered again at the venue, filled with anticipation as they prepared for the next stage.

Kai and Ash walked to the familiar workbench and once again saw the smiling staff member who had assisted them earlier.

Perhaps due to their prior interaction, the conversation felt more casual this time.

The staff member even offered his heartfelt congratulations on their advancement.

"You two are quite impressive! Even with so many renowned trainers eliminated, you easily passed the first round."

"It's nothing!" Ash adjusted his cap confidently. "We're strong, and we'll keep beating our opponents all the way to the top! I'm aiming for at least… hmm… the top 16!"

"Ambitious, I like that! Keep working hard!"

The staff member chuckled before noticing the impatient players lining up behind them. He quickly shifted back to business.

"Alright, after the first round, your venues and opponents will change again. Let's proceed with the draw. Who wants to go first?"

"Me, of course!" Ash, true to his nature, stepped forward eagerly.

He pressed the button, and when the indicator stopped, it displayed his assignment: a rock field and an opponent he didn't recognize.

Relieved he wasn't facing either Kai or Gary so soon, Ash smiled. While he welcomed challenges, he preferred not to battle his friends this early in the tournament.

Next, it was Kai's turn. Stepping forward, he pressed the button. The indicator slowed before stopping at the water field, where his opponent was revealed as a man dressed as a wanderer with a long sword at his side.

His attire resembled that of a wandering swordsman more than a Pokémon trainer.

Recognizing the image, Misty let out a soft "Huh?"

Kai turned to her. "What is it?"

"That guy…" Misty frowned. "Isn't he the unlucky idiot we ran into before reaching the Indigo Plateau?"

How does everyone know everyone? Kai thought, suppressing a sigh. "Unlucky idiot? Who is he?"

Misty tried to recall his name but struggled. "I think his name was… um…"

"His name is Otoshi," Brock interjected. "When he first arrived at the Indigo Plateau, Team Rocket trapped him with a fruit snare and stole all his badges. He ended up using one of Ash's badges as a wager to challenge Ash but lost to Pikachu. Even his own Pokémon were frustrated with him. It took us a lot of effort to help him retrieve his badges."

Team Rocket stealing badges? No wonder Misty called him a fool.

With the matchups finalized, Kai and Ash waved goodbye to the staff and left the venue.

Unfortunately, their battles were scheduled at the same time, meaning they couldn't cheer for each other in person.

At the crossroads, Kai extended his hand to Ash. "Good luck! Let's both win our matches and move to the next round. Honestly, I'd love to face you in the finals."

"I will!" Ash nodded firmly. "Whether it's you or Gary, you're both on my list of rivals to beat!"

Ash turned to leave with Misty and Brock, but Kai called after him.

"Hey, Ash!"

Ash turned back, puzzled. "What is it?"

Kai hesitated for a moment before speaking seriously. "If you want to do well, you should talk to your Charizard. Its disobedience at the Cinnabar Gym could cost you your chance at the Indigo League."

Scratching his cheek sheepishly, Ash admitted, "I've tried talking to it, but it just doesn't listen."

Seeing Kai's unwavering expression, Ash resolved to try again. "Alright, after this match, I'll have another talk with Charizard!"

After parting ways, Kai and Chloe headed to the Water Field lounge. The Pokémon League had provided individual lounges for each trainer to prepare, allowing them to strategize and rest undisturbed.

Kai leaned back on the sofa, a damp towel over his face, pondering his team selection.

Meanwhile, Chloe browsed footage of Otoshi's previous battle on her phone.

"This guy…" she muttered after watching a few clips. "He doesn't seem particularly strong. In his last match, he barely won with his final Pokémon."

"Really?" Kai replied lazily. "Maybe his opponent was tough, or he was just off his game. What Pokémon did he use?"

Chloe glanced at her notes. "Let's see… Pidgeot, Nidoking, and Marowak. Brock mentioned earlier that his Marowak seems to be his ace Pokémon."

'Another Marowak?' Kai mused. 'This tournament really has a high appearance rate for them.'

"Contestant Kai, please report to the arena for your match."

The announcement broke the silence. Kai removed the towel, patted his cheeks, and stood up. "Well, whether he uses those Pokémon or not, I'll give it my all."

He smiled at Chloe before leaving. "Don't overthink it. Head to the stands Misha has already saved you a seat. Now, watch me perform!"

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