Ch.73

Like that, a couple of years passed, with Cynthia and I having our first child. A boy who we named after my father. Then shortly after our son's second birthday, Professor Oak announced the next Master's Tournament. I signed up immediately along with all the other champions of the regions. Even Cynthia signed up making it a family competition if we meet each other in the tournament. 

The day came when we all headed to the Galar Region since they were hosting the tournament in their main arena in Wyndon City this time. Our son, my father, and her family all came with us to watch this tournament in person. We booked several suits in the nicest hotel taking up a whole floor on our own. 

The following morning, we left our son with my Dad and Cynthia's parents since we had to arrive a few hours early. There we sat with a bunch of reporters who asked us question after question. The most common being how Cynthia and I would react should we face each other in the tournament. Our response was the same being, that we would fight with our all not holding back against the other. 

Then after many pictures and interviews, we all headed to the arena where the Pokémon League President and Governor Rose were standing in the VIP booth. People started piling into the arena, with our family taking up one of the many Club boxes around the arena. Cynthia and I stood next to one another, in the middle of the field with the other tournament members. 

Along with Cynthia and I there, was Lance who recently became the champion of the Johto Region. Red, the raining champion of the Indigo Region. Blue, who like me is a champion-ranked trainer and endorsed by Professor Oak. Leon, the current champion of the Galar Region. Steven Stone, the champion of the Hoenn Region. Alder Forsythe, the champion of the Unova Region, has remained champion for the last several decades, making them the longest-regaining champion in the league. Diantha Perhonen, the famous and renowned actress who is also the Champion of the Kalos Region. The last person was Geeta Rani, the chairwoman of the Pokémon League in Paldea, as well as Paldea's top champion ranked trainer.

That made ten people in this tournament, with the final winner being able to face Professor Oak for the Pokémon Master title. Everyone looked at one another the ones I was friendly with giving me and Cynthia friendly competitive smiles. While the others looked at everyone with blank faces or narrowed eyes. Then the Pokémon League President tapped the mic to get everyone's attention.

"Good Morning everyone! We are here for the biggest and most important tournament held only so often. The stage has been set for this grand spectacle where only the strongest of trainers can battle. Each being a current champion of their region or with the rank of champion trainer!" the President says as the crowd looks at him with excitement. 

"You have arrived here after overcoming so many challenges, living through great uncertainty. But now your moment has come, the moment you have been longing for, the moment we all have been longing for," the President says looking down toward us the current competitors of the tournament. 

"Now, your dream is coming true, in front of the whole world! You all are the Top Trainers, you will show what the world would look like! Over the next week, you will compete with each other for the highest prize!" the President says and then gestures to Professor Oak who walks out next to him waving at the crowd who cheers seeing him.

"Champion Trainers, we all are standing with you. We all are supporting you. We all are cheering you on. May this encourage you to go battle as best you can. In this way, you will inspire the world in this rare Tournament with the same ambition, courage, and strength as your title marks you!" the President says ending the speech as the crowd stands up cheering and clapping for the spectacle to come. 

The reason the tournament will take a week, even with limited people is that the first day will determine who is taken out in the first rounds. At random one of the five winners will automatically move on to the third round. On the second day have two battles to see who else moves on to the third round. On the third day, one of the people from the second will be randomly chosen to move on to the semi-finals. With the one from the first day and the other battling for the other spot in the semi-finals. On the fourth day, the semi-finals will take place with the winner being the one to face Professor Oak on the sixth day. The fifth day will be for interviews with the semifinal winner and a day for them to relax before the biggest battle of the League. The last day will be a League-wide celebration for either the new Pokémon Master or Professor Oak remaining the title holder. 

We all left the arena, except for the first two who would be starting the tournament off. One was Blue and the other was Cynthia, I knew Cynthia would win since we have been training together for years now. Her Pokémon were just behind my team who were all God Ranked, except for Mamoswine and Milotic who I was still working on pushing to that rank. 

The battle was not that close for those of us in the tournament who knew Pokémon strength. However, to the crowd and regular trainers, it looked close as Blue was able to take out three of Cynthia's team before losing. Then came Lance and Red who fought next. Cynthia headed to the arena Pokémon center to heal up her team before going to an interview after her battle, Blue was doing the same. 

Lance and Red had a very close battle, even to our standards. Lance ultimately won, however, he almost lost as his ace Dragonite was on their last leg by the end. The crowd went crazy seeing this battle between the two. By the time their battle ended, Cynthia and Blue were already interviewing. Red and Lance go to the Pokémon center before going for their interview next. 

The next battle was between Leon and Alder, this one was like the one between Cynthia and Blue, but not close to our standards. Leon won with Alder only taking out two of Leon's team. Leon was at a slight disadvantage considering he couldn't Dynamax his team for this tournament. They then followed after the others, with Cynthia in the club box with our family now watching the rest of the tournament. 

The next battle was between Steven and Diantha, this one like Lance and Red was very close with Steven just winning. His ace, Metagross, however, unlike Lance's Dragonite was looking a lot better. Then the final battle of the day came me against Geeta. 

We walked out as the crowd was cheering our two names. However, it seems Geeta had more fans than me here. The referee came over explaining the basic rules of the battle, which was like normal. Six vs six, once a Pokémon is withdrawn then they are counted as defeated.

Geeta and I shook hands before walking to our respective spots. I tossed out Mamoswine as my first Pokémon, while Geeta tossed out her first Pokémon which was a Chesnaught. 

Mamoswine immediately used Amnesia followed by Mist. At the same time, Chesnaught used Iron Defense and Bulk Up. Then Mamoswine quickly followed up with Blizzard, as Chesnaught charged toward him. Right as Chesnaught closed the distance, Mamoswine released Blizzard which exploded outward breaking the first barrier of the invisible barrier around the arena. While the entire inside of the battlefield was impossible to see due to the heavy blizzard. 

A couple of minutes passed with the Blizzard coming to a stop as Mamoswine stopped it. I could sense Mamoswine won the fight but lost one of his tusks in the process, while taking a Hammerarm to his side, bruising it. Geeta withdrew Chesnaught seeing them unconscious. 

Geeta then sent out her Avalugg, Mamoswine then immediately used Earthquake when the battle started. Avalugg used Protect right away blocking the Earthquake. However, Mamoswine charged toward Avalugg using High Horsepower. Avalugg summoned several large ice chunks and sent them flying toward Mamoswine. 

Mamoswine was unable to dodge the chunks due to his high speed. The first chunk he blocked using his one tusk making it shatter on impact. However, several other chunks crashed into his body making him grunt in pain. Though Mamoswine pushed through the pain and slammed into Avalugg with his High Horsepower. Avalugg was sent flying back in the air slamming into the ground as it cracked beneath them. 

Mamoswine then reared up about to use Earthquake again. However, right before he slammed down. Geeta withdrew Avalugg, and Mamoswine canceled his move before walking back to his starting area. The crowd was cheering very excited to see this as only Leon was able to keep his first Pokémon around for the first two rounds. 

Geeta then sent out Glimmora, Mamoswine immediately used Blizzard, while Glimmora used Sandstorm. The arena became covered in an icy/ sandy environment. We were unable to see what was happening. However, I could sense Mamoswine charged at Glimmora with a High Horsepower. Glimmora used Meteor Beam striking into Mamoswine who tripped from being struck in the legs. 

Mamoswine then stood up and prepared to use Earthquake. As Glimmora used Stone Edge to send a sharp rock at Mamoswine. Just as Mamoswine released the Earthquake the rock spike crashed into his face making him stumble back while crying out in pain. With Glimmora floating up to avoid the Earthquake at the last minute. 

Mamoswine was pissed now and charged at Glimmora again intending to use Heavy Slam. Glimmora then charged up another Meteor Beam, just as Mamoswine closed the distance. Glimmora released the beam striking Mamoswine, who blocked the attack with his remaining tusk, shattering it in the process.

Mamoswine then slammed into Glimmora slamming them to the ground underneath him. Just as Glimmora was slammed into the ground Glimmora exploded underneath Mamoswine making him fly up in the air a few feet and fall back with a loud crash. The Blizzard then became canceled as Mamoswine struggled to stand up. With an unconscious Glimmora underneath him. 

I withdrew Mamoswine seeing him heavily injured. As Geeta withdrew her Glimmora, Geeta was looking annoyed now seeing her losing this badly. Then we sent out our next Pokémon at the same time. I sent out Milotic as Geeta sent out Espathra, the crowd was cheering a lot now, and with my name was being chanted.