Chapter 123

"Use Brick Break, and finish it off" said Alex.

Machop dodged the opposing Machop's Thunder Punch and landed a Brick Break, causing it to land flat on the floor.

The officiator checked on the Machop and declared, "Number 233 is unable to battle. Number 1312 wins, and advances to the top 32"

"Well done Machop, we did it" said Alex to the excited Machop.

"Choop!" exclaimed Machop happily.

Alex had finished his third unremarkable match in the 256 to 32 rounds. He had not encountered anyone who was a decent battler or a stong Machop, and he easily steamrolled them without a sweat. Now, with the top 32 being selected, the 5 fights ahead would only be tougher than before.

"The drawing for the final round of the Machop tournament begins in 10 minutes. Participants are asked to come onto the stage" came the announcement from the loudspeakers.

Alex beckoned for Machop and went to the designated arena.

There were officials standing next to a huge box with a single opening at the top.

After waiting for all participants to arrive, an official stepped forward and said, "Welcome to the final round of the Machop festival. All of you have proven that you and your Machop are among the best here. But who is the actual best? We will find out soon! Now, the numbers you had previously picked are not of any consequence. All your names will be used for the competition from this point. We will call your names in alphabetical order. When your name is called, you will step forward and pick a number from inside this box. You will receive a number from 1 to 32. Then, we will have the participants fight 1vs2, 3vs4, and so on. If you want to know the exact schedule of your matches, or who your opponents will be, you can check our app. The fights, timings and winners will be updated in real time. So without further ado, Aaron Deron, come and pick your number" said the announcer.

Alex participated in the drawing of lots and landed Number 3. He would be fighting Number 4, who was not yet drawn.

Alex took Machop and waited in the side. Eventually, the lots were finished drawing. Alex found out that his next opponent was some dude called Mojo, who seemed to be a local fighting type expert.

"Well Machop. The fights are going to get tougher from now on. So it's time to debut your Bullet Punch. It is quite rare for a Machop to learn this move, so it will catch some people off guard. Plus, its speed gives it a natural priority, allowing you to land a few extra hits in every exchange. You need to be ready for that" said Alex.

Machop nodded earnestly and looked reared up to go.

The matches would go in order, so there were 2 matches till it was his turn.

He checked his possible opponents and the other seeded contestants when he was waiting.

"Scrigor is Number 16. That means barring any uncertainty, he and I will face each other in the semi finals. Gregory drew Number 32. Hence, I won't even have a chance to fight him unless I reach the finals. The drawings look a little suspicious, considering that both the heavily favoured candidates won't have a chance to meet until the finals. The numbers 16 and 32 may have been specifically picked for both of them" thought Alex.

Alex also spotted Nathaniel. He too was participating, and his number was 18. Alex wouldn't face him in this tournament, but he had a chance of being a semi finalist against Gregory if he competed well enough.

Alex watched two matches that were decent, at least much better than the first two rounds. He then heard his name being called, along with the contestant called Mojo. Alex patted Machop on the head, as he walked onto the arena and occupied the participant's area as usual.

"Go Machop! Show them hell" said Alex.

"Go Machop! Break that runt's Pokemon" yelled the gruff man opposite.

"Number 3 Alex from Pallet Town, vs Number 4 Mojo from Viridian City! Let the match begin" announced the officiator.

Alex took a deep breath and prepared himself. The crowd seemed to be cheering for his opponent, probably because he was a local from Viridian City.

"Alright Machop! Use Focus Energy!" said Alex.

Machop steadied itself, closed its eyes, and started focusing.

"Machop! Use Leer!" yelled the man opposite

"Machop, Bulk Up now" said Alex. Machop swelled in size, boosting its attack and negating the defence drop from the Leer.

"Leer again, and then advance" yelled the man.

"Wait for it" said Alex. Machop stood its ground and regarded the approaching opponent.

"Use Thunder Punch" yelled his opponent when his Machop had gotten closer.

"Dodge it, and go for its guts. Bullet Punch!" yelled Alex.

Alex's Machop easily dodged its opponent's swinging Thunder Punch, and connected very fast and very heavily on the opponent's gut.

The opposing Machop fell onto its knees, clothing its guts.

"Machop! Get up! You can do it!" yelled the opponents, hoping Machop could get up.

Unfortunately for him, his Machop collapsed onto the floor with circles in its eyes shortly after.

"Critical Hit?" thought Alex, upon seeing this unusually damaging Bullet Punch.

"Number 4, Mojo's Machop is unable to battle. The winner is Number 3, Alex's Machop!" announced the referee after checking on the downed Machop.