AN: To everyone wondering why I rarely update, it's because I've become addicted to a novel I'm reading. The first one I dropped at Chapter 700 because it became too nationalistic. The second one is a football genre, and currently, I'm on Chapter 500+
...
The exit of all Chinese contenders from LongDong in the Semi-Finals was an unexpected turn of events that caught the audience by surprise. While many had anticipated the Nihon contenders might follow the Jo-a contenders in leaving the competition, the early departure of the Longdong representatives was unforeseen.
This development led to a spontaneous celebration among the audience, especially when Suzuki Ryota emerged victorious. Ryota, at just 10 years old and the youngest competitor in the tournament, had defied expectations by reaching the semi-finals. This remarkable achievement filled his supporters with immense pride and satisfaction. Ryota's success was not just a personal victory but a symbol of hope and inspiration for many.
Young children, including Yuuki, watched in admiration, with many harboring dreams of participating in such battles themselves. Ryota's youthful charm and skill also won him a legion of fans, with some young girls developing crushes and becoming dedicated fangirls.
However, there was a growing skepticism about Ryota's chances of advancing further, considering the formidable strength of the three remaining contenders. Despite this, reaching the semi-finals was already a commendable feat in itself for Ryota.
On the Chinese side, there was a sense of disbelief mingled with acceptance. Their two contenders had been defeated in fair and clean fights. There was no reason to complain. If there was any fault, it lay in their decision-making and inability to defeat their opponents. To console themselves, they began to think that reaching the quarter-finals was already an achievement. There were teams with worse records, like the Koreans who couldn't even reach the quarter-finals.
The Jo-a team, already depressed about their previous loss, would have been uncertain how to react if they knew what the Chinese were thinking.
In contrast, the Maharlika team's situation was notably different. Two out of their three contenders are still in the competition, which was surprising because it's a 66.67% representation in the Semi-Finals. This statistic was a source of immense pride and a testament to the skill and preparation of their participants.
As the date, October 2, 2005, marked the Semi-Finals, there was an air of anticipation and suspense. The matchups were highly anticipated: Le Mai Linh vs Bianca Jimenez and Ivan Quinto vs Suzuki Ryota.
It was an unexpected twist of fate that Bianca and Linh would face each other again in a rematch. As the battle commenced, Bianca, her cheeks flushed with a mix of nervousness and determination, she mustered the courage to speak up, "Sister Linh!"
Linh, who was on the brink of speaking to Bianca, turned towards her with a look of surprise. It was an uncommon occurrence for Bianca to initiate conversation in such a manner.
"T-t-that bet, the one I l-lost before," Bianca stammered, her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and determination, "I-I, I'm asking for a r-rematch,"
A sly smile played on Linh's lips. "A rematch, you say?" Her interest piqued, she leaned in, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "And what are your stakes? What happens if you lose again?"
The question seemed to amplify Bianca's embarrassment. Her face turned a deeper shade of red, spreading from her cheeks to her ears and neck, as if she were a canvas painted with the vivid hues of her emotions.
Observing Bianca's flustered state, Linh sighed, a gentle, teasing smile gracing her lips. "Well, if you lose, we'll decide on your consequence later," she proposed, her tone light yet filled with an unspoken challenge.
Bianca, overwhelmed by her own bashfulness, couldn't find the words to respond. She simply nodded, her head bowed, acknowledging Linh's terms.
Chen Yu, who had been observing the exchange, interjected, "Prepare yourselves. The battle will commence shortly. I'll give you 30 seconds, and when I lower this flag, it begins."
After the allotted half-minute, Chen Yu's flag fell, and the battle erupted into action.
Ten minutes into the fray, Linh's eyes widened in sheer astonishment. She couldn't fathom the scene unfolding before her. Bianca, still visibly flustered with redness enveloping her features, stood opposite Linh. Linh's gaze then shifted to her Hitmonlee, which was showing signs of exhaustion and strain.
Linh had suspected that Bianca's Swablu was holding back in their previous encounters, but the true extent of its strength, now fully unleashed, was beyond her expectations. It had defeated her Mankey with an unexpected victory. Had it not been for Hitmonlee's resilient will and seasoned experience in battle, she might have faced defeat.
"Your Swablu was great," Linh acknowledged silently.
Taking a deep breath, Linh addressed her Hitmonlee, "Return for now," as she withdrew it into its Pokeball. Turning to face Bianca, her sly smile returned, wider than before. "We'll discuss the terms of our bet later."
Bianca, however, seemed lost in her own tumultuous thoughts, barely registering Linh's words. The possibility of losing the game loomed over her, sending her heart racing and her face into her hands in a mix of anxiety and embarassment
Thirty minutes later, the arena was set for another battle, this time between Ivan and Ryota. The outcome was as expected; Ivan easily outmaneuvered Ryota, securing a straightforward victory. This result didn't come as a surprise to the onlookers, as Ivan's prowess was well acknowledged among them.
...
Earlier in the commentator's booth:
"I had a hunch," Floyd remarked as she observed the ongoing battles, "that Swablu was merely putting on a show in its earlier fight. It's implausible for a Pro level to be so easily defeated."
Nakamura, intrigued, turned to Floyd. "But what could be the reason for such a deception earlier?"
Shaking his head, Floyd replied, "That's the part I'm still trying to figure out."
As the battle between Ivan and Ryota unfolded over thirty minutes later:
"It looks rather bleak for Ryota," Kanraku commented, a hint of pity in his voice for their teammate who was struggling in the semi-final.
Floyd nodded in agreement. "True. Ivan is always on guard. He hasn't given Ryota any breathing space, relentlessly suppressing him from the start until now."
Kanraku added, "I've noticed that's not only with Ryota. Ivan never underestimates his opponents, no matter who they are."
Floyd pondered for a moment before adding, "That's a mark of a great trainer, his seriousness and diligence. However, sometimes it borders on being excessive, but well, who knows?"
Following Ryota's defeat, Nakamura announced, "And with that, our finalists are determined. It's Le Mai Linh versus Ivan Quinto. The final showdown is scheduled to start in just over two hours, at 1 pm. Stay tuned, everyone."
...
Back at the Beast's Sanctuary, Floyd returned to find his Pokémon engaged in their training routines. He set about preparing their lunch, offering guidance and encouragement as they trained.
Once lunch was served, he turned his attention to making pokeblocks, a task that took him well over an hour. Exhausted, he decided to take a short break, only to notice the sound of approaching footsteps behind him.
"Eh…?" Floyd was initially confused at her unexpected presence. He quickly sat up, leaping onto a nearby stone for a better view, and called out to her, "Bianca?"
Bianca, twirling her fingers nervously and still not raising her head, let out a soft, "Uhmmm~"
Floyd, accustomed to Bianca's social anxiety, gently prodded, "Is there something wrong with your beasts? You know you can tell me anything."
Bianca remained in her subdued posture, her head still lowered, her ears visibly red, and her fingers continuing their anxious dance.
"Bianca?" Floyd's voice carried a mix of concern and confusion.
Finally, with a noticeable stutter, Bianca managed to speak, her voice barely above a whisper, "Ple-ase..." She hesitated, then added, "D-don't… be mad at me."
...
AN: Cringe!
