Chapter 66 - Can You Win?

The second day of the top 16 showcased intense battles, with four more trainers securing their spots in the quarter-finals: Melissa, Jacob, Kurt, and Zoe.

In the eagerly anticipated quarter-finals, Julian squared off against Andrew, emerging victorious with a stellar performance from his Electivire and Pidgeot, which allowed him to advance to the semifinals. Assunta also secured her spot in the semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Ritchie. Joining them in the semifinals were Melissa and Kurt, both of whom had displayed exceptional skills and determination.

The semifinal matchups were set:

Julian vs. Kurt

Assunta vs. Melissa

The Pokémon battles were reaching their climax, and fans eagerly awaited the showdowns that would determine who would advance to the finals of the Indigo League.

In the thrilling semifinals, Julian showcased his exceptional skills by relying on his Gengar and Pidgeot to outmaneuver and overpower Kurt, a psychic type trainer. Julian's victory secured him a place as the first finalist in the Indigo League.

On the other side of the bracket, Assunta engaged in a hard-fought battle against Melissa and emerged victorious, earning her spot in the finals to face Julian for the coveted title of Indigo League champion.

The stage was set for an epic showdown between Julian and Assunta in the finals, promising an intense battle that would determine the ultimate champion of the Indigo League.

With the anticipation for the final battle between Julian and Assunta reaching a fever pitch, the internet was abuzz with discussions, predictions, and fervent support from fans across various regions. Julian was well aware of the excitement and chaos his name was causing online, but he remained unfazed, choosing to focus on his preparations.

As the days passed, Julian found himself growing increasingly impatient. The knowledge that his final battle would be broadcast across Kanto and other regions like Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh added a layer of pressure that he didn't particularly enjoy. Still, he understood the significance of the moment and the responsibility that came with it, leaving him with no choice but to press on with his training and strategies.

Julian made his way to the Indigo Stadium to watch the battle for third place between Kurt and Melissa. As he entered the stadium, he was greeted by the sight of eager fans filling the stands, eagerly awaiting the match to commence. However, Julian's presence drew immediate attention, prompting a security guard to escort him to a more discreet location to watch the battle.

Seated in his designated area, Julian settled in, his eyes fixed on the battlefield below, ready to witness the clash between Kurt and Melissa, and perhaps gain some insights that could prove useful in his upcoming championship battle against Assunta.

The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium as he introduced the two trainers, Kurt and Melissa, vying for third place in the Indigo League. The crowd's anticipation was palpable as they looked forward to the redemption battle between these skilled competitors.

As the battle commenced and the Pokémon clashed on the field, Julian, engrossed in the match, suddenly heard a voice beside him. He turned to see who was speaking and listened attentively to the question.

Julian turned to the lady who had addressed him, and upon recognizing her as Assunta, his opponent for the finals, he didn't hesitate to respond.

"Kurt is going to win," Julian replied, his tone confident and unwavering.

Assunta appeared taken aback by Julian's quick and decisive answer, clearly not expecting such a response. Their brief exchange added an intriguing layer of tension to the atmosphere as they both continued to watch the battle unfold.

Assunta asked, "Why do you think so?"

Julian's response was succinct, focusing on Kurt's experience.

"Kurt has more experience," he explained, not delving into further details. During his battle with Kurt, Julian had been genuinely impressed by the trainer's skills and strategic prowess. Inwardly, he pondered that Assunta might have faced a tougher challenge if she had battled Kurt instead of Melissa, but he kept that thought to himself.

Assunta: "I think Melissa will win; I have battled her with all my power, and I know she will defeat Kurt easily. How can you be so sure that Kurt has more experience when he couldn't even eliminate one of your Pokémon?"

Assunta countered with her own perspective, expressing confidence in Melissa's abilities and her previous battle experience.

Julian responded calmly, refusing to be drawn into a debate. "None of my opponents were able to eliminate my Pokémon, so you can't judge them by that alone," he retorted.

Assunta briefly froze, realizing she had unintentionally underestimated Julian and implied that his previous opponents were weak. She quickly collected her thoughts, understanding that Julian was indeed a formidable opponent who should not be taken lightly. Her determination to win the upcoming final battle only grew stronger, and she resolved to train even harder in preparation for their clash.

Assunta remained resolute despite Julian's intimidating gaze.

"That won't repeat when we battle," she affirmed, her voice laced with determination.

Julian, not one to back down, continued to scrutinize her. "Can you win?" he challenged, his gaze unwavering, wanting to gauge her level of determination.

Assunta felt the weight of his words and the intensity of his stare, causing a momentary doubt to creep in. However, her unwavering determination quickly resurfaced, dispelling any uncertainty. She met Julian's gaze head-on, reaffirming her commitment to victory and dispelling any lingering doubts.

Julian acknowledged Assunta's determination, though he maintained his belief in Kurt's strength.

Turning his attention back to the ongoing battle between Kurt and Melissa, Julian observed the match closely. Assunta, too, remained focused on the battle, opting not to engage in further conversation with Julian.

As the battle played out, it unfolded as Julian had predicted, with Kurt emerging victorious, securing third place in the league. Melissa, though disappointed, took the outcome in stride, displaying sportsmanship in the face of defeat. The crowd erupted in applause for both trainers' efforts.

As Julian walked away, Assunta watched him with a serious expression. The events of the day, particularly Kurt's impressive performance and subsequent defeat by Julian, left her with a sense of uncertainty and self-reflection.

She couldn't help but question herself, wondering if she had what it took to defeat Kurt, let alone Julian. The realization that she would soon face the toughest opponent of her career weighed heavily on her mind. Determined to rise to the challenge, Assunta knew that she would need to train harder than ever to prepare for her impending battle against Julian in the finals of the Indigo League.

Julian quickly responded to the notification and initiated a video call with Professor Oak. The computer screen transitioned to display the image of the esteemed professor.

"Professor Oak," Julian greeted him respectfully.

Oak: "Ah, Julian, I actually called you to tell you that I will be arriving at the Indigo Plateau; they requested me to be the special host and commentator for the finals."

Julian: "I see, so when will you be arriving?"

Oak: "I will be there by tomorrow evening."

Professor Oak's announcement about his upcoming arrival at the Indigo Plateau piqued Julian's interest.

"Tomorrow evening, got it," Julian acknowledged.

However, Julian's curiosity led him to ask another question. "Professor Oak, who is the Champion of the Kanto Region?"

To Julian's surprise, Professor Oak's response carried an unexpected revelation. "Ah... Actually, Kanto doesn't have a Champion right now."

Julian's eyebrows furrowed in surprise as he processed this information. "Doesn't have one?" he repeated, seeking further clarification.

Professor Oak's explanation shed light on the current situation regarding the Kanto Region's Champion.

Julian listened attentively as Oak revealed, "Yes, well, to tell you the truth, I was the previous Champion of Kanto. However, I resigned from that position to pursue my dream of becoming a Pokémon researcher. Since my resignation, no one has been able to claim the title, as the trainers who won the leagues never managed to defeat all the Elite Four members. I thought you might have known about this."

Julian admitted, "I knew that you were once a Champion, but I didn't have information on the current Champion, as I never delved into the details."

Oak reassured him, "No need to worry about it. Lance from the Elite Four may take that position soon. If he becomes Johto's Champion, he'll also become Kanto's Champion by default."

Julian nodded in understanding, grateful for the explanation provided by Professor Oak.

Julian: "Lance, huh? Well, I guess he could do that."

Oak: "Why don't you become the champion? You are pretty strong and the right person to take that position."

Julian: "Well, I am not interested in taking the champion position; I just want to travel; becoming a champion will tie me down to one place."

Julian contemplated the idea of becoming a Champion but ultimately expressed his disinterest in the position, citing his desire for continued travel and exploration.

Professor Oak let out a sigh of understanding. "Well, nothing can be done about that. It's your choice, and no one can interfere with it."

Julian bid his farewell. "Well, I'll be going then."

Oak replied, "Alright, take care."

Julian turned off his computer and settled onto his bed, his thoughts filled with the impending battle against Assunta and the challenge of becoming the Indigo League Champion, even if it wasn't his ultimate goal.

As Julian drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected revelation about the absence of a Champion in the Kanto Region. He realized that if he had conducted some investigation earlier, he might have avoided the disappointment of not being able to challenge a reigning Champion.

With those thoughts on his mind, Julian closed his eyes and succumbed to slumber, preparing himself for the upcoming final battle and the challenges that lay ahead in his Pokémon journey.