CHAPTER 601: BATTLES START

Time quickly passed, and it was already the penultimate day of the festival — the day of the battle segment.

That day, once again in the morning, countless fireworks were launched into the sky above Sootopolis plaza, creating a lively and spectacular scene.

Numerous Trainers and Coordinators walked through Sootopolis City with smiles on their faces. In addition to the 17 events over the past few days, there were still plenty of fun places to visit and entertainment competitions for people to enjoy. Even in terms of food and accommodations, everything was of top-notch quality.

But if these entertainment competitions, food, and lodging were just the extras of the festival, then the 17 events and the subsequent battle segment were the main highlights of this festival.

Whether they were mere passerby or participants in one of the 17 events, people had gathered early in the morning at the largest battle arena in Sootopolis plaza, waiting for the final moment of the festival, and its most important one.

Fifteen minutes later.

The entire Sootopolis plaza erupted. Coordinators and Trainers cheered excitedly. Amid the cheers, several figures began walking toward the stage from different directions.

From the left, Leo, Albus, and Fujiki walked side by side onto the stage.

From the right, Wallace, Terrance, and Fantina also stepped onto the stage together. The three Trainers and three Coordinators locked eyes, then all six bowed to each other.

"Go, Master Wallace!!"

"Miss Fantina, victory!!"

"Terrance..."

"Master Leo..."

The noisy sounds echoed through the crowd — loud, disorderly, and deafening. Even before the battle had begun, the entire Sootopolis City was already ablaze with excitement.

Among the crowd, based on the badges displayed on each person’s chest, the audience had already split into two distinct factions. One faction supported the Trainers, hoping for a victory led by Elite Four Leo and the other two.

The other faction supported the Coordinators, hoping they could defeat the Trainers on this stage.

Spectators each held their own stance and placed high expectations on the six standing on the stage. Terrance stood a little straighter, already able to feel the countless eyes focused intently on him.

To be honest, this was the most grand festival Terrance had ever experienced.

At this moment, the battle segment of the festival was being broadcast live across all four regions: Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, and Hoenn.

In fact, it was likely that even people in regions like Unova and Kalos were following the festival online.

While the six stood on the stage, one of the high-ranking figures responsible for organizing the festival, and a familiar face to many Coordinators, Mr. Raoul Contesta delivered a speech.

If this were a League Conference, there might even be a torch-lighting ceremony to lend a more solemn air. Although this festival wasn’t as formal as a League Conference, in terms of scale and momentum, it was in no way inferior. Mr. Raoul Contesta placed his right fist over his heart and began a solemn oath. His face was glowing with enthusiasm as if he was thoroughly enjoying the moment. Looking at the Coordinators below the stage, Raoul Contesta was filled with a passionate spirit.

His fervent emotion immediately stirred up the enthusiasm of the audience. And most surprisingly, just as he finished, another person walked onto the stage and took the microphone to make another pledge.

It was a silver-haired young man.

His appearance stunned the Trainers from Hoenn, who took a while to react, and then immediately erupted into the warmest and most excited welcome for the newcomer.

"Steven! Steven! Steven!!"

Hoenn’s Champion — the Steel Emperor, Steven.

The moment Steven appeared, countless people locked their eyes on him. Leo wore a surprised expression as he looked at the Champion who had suddenly appeared. He was practically itching to battle this Champion, while his eagerness to face Wallace diminished quite a bit in comparison.

"When did Steven get here?" Terrance was also surprised. He looked over at Wallace, who appeared very calm, as if he had already known Steven would attend the festival.

In fact, it wasn’t just Steven. Hoenn’s current Elite Four Glacia, all the Gym Leaders, and even several Top Trainers from other regions were paying attention to this tournament.

The main reason for this attention wasn’t really the dynamic between Trainers and Coordinators, but rather the possibility of a battle between Wallace and Elite Four Leo, not to mention the mysterious Trainer Albus.

Although Leo had been defeated by Steven back when the latter hadn’t even debuted, Leo’s strength couldn’t be denied. Despite having retired many years ago, he had still once served as an Elite Four. His caliber had long since placed him above the majority of Trainers.

And now, a Master among Coordinators, Wallace was going to battle such a top-tier Trainer, and in a type-disadvantage matchup no less. That alone was enough to spark wide interest.

As for Albus, the ones paying close attention to him were those forces on the side of the Pokémon League. Albus, who possessed both Lucario and Darkrai, had already reached the level of a high-tier combatant. With such strength, yet with an unknown identity and background, every move Albus made and even his future movements were matters the League had to take seriously.

...

...

First Match.

Representing the Coordinators: the elegant dancer, Sinnoh’s Violet, the Top Coordinator Fantina will take the stage.

Representing the Trainers was a female Trainer whose identity still remained unfamiliar to almost everyone. From beginning to end, she had only shown up a few times, the female Trainer, Fujiki.

Because of Fantina’s massive fanbase, the cheers on-site were overwhelmingly one-sided. Fujiki’s presence suddenly gave off the impression of being on the verge of collapse.

When the two people’s information appeared on the big screen, three dim Poké Balls were shown. The two bowed to each other, then each took a few steps back.

"This Trainer actually has pretty solid mental fortitude." Watching from behind the scenes, Glacia paused when she saw Fujiki’s indifferent expression, finding it both familiar and strangely foreign.

That expression of treating all opponents with indifference — it was nearly identical to the one Glacia herself had worn when she first came to Hoenn to challenge Trainers across the region. But behind that look, Glacia could sense there was something more hidden, something unknown.

Compared to Fantina, Fujiki was indeed obscure and unknown.

But the fact that she had broken through the pool of Trainers to make it this far already said something about her capabilities.

"Wait... is one of her registered Pokémon... a Feebas?"

Several high-ranking officials from the festival’s organizing committee turned to look at the Trainer, uncertain of her intent.

In fact, as the officials exchanged puzzled glances, some of them even began to wonder if this female Trainer was a plant brought in by Takagi Film Company as a publicity stunt.

"Who would’ve thought... in the end, it’s us two who are battling," said Fantina.

As the only two women among those who advanced, Fantina and Fujiki had already interacted during the earlier Poison-type event.

"Let’s have a good match," Fujiki said.

Seeing that the time was right, Vivian raised the microphone and waved her hand dramatically as she declared, "Then let the first match....begin!"

In an instant, the big screen displayed the turn order — Fujiki’s first Pokémon, Roserade, took the stage!

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