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"Great, Ash won!" Misty cheered from the audience, disregarding her usual composure, and clapped her hands enthusiastically alongside Rebecca to celebrate.
"A clean victory for the first game. Congratulations to Ash for successfully advancing!"
The audience erupted in cheers, their excitement fueled by the impressive performance of Ash's Primeape just moments earlier. The opposing Trainer, having recalled his Machop, approached Ash with a respectful smile.
"That was amazing. I can't believe it's your first time in this kind of competition. Good luck in the next rounds!"
"Thank you for the encouragement!" Ash responded, shaking the Trainer's hand firmly. To Ash, every rival was deserving of respect.
As their handshake concluded, the audience's applause grew even louder. The two Trainers exchanged smiles before heading back to their respective lounges.
"This kid is pretty skilled in battle," Anthony observed from another lounge, watching Ash's match replay on the screen.
He had initially assumed that Ash's victory over him earlier was due to exploiting a type advantage. However, after witnessing Primeape's precision and skillful techniques, Anthony was genuinely impressed. Ash didn't seem like a novice at all. If he was, it was clear he was a true prodigy.
Back in the lounge, the atmosphere shifted as the other Trainers noticed Ash's return. Their earlier dismissive attitudes were replaced with admiration. Ash joined Brock, sharing his thoughts about the match.
After a few more matches, it was Brock's turn.
"My turn to shine! I'll win this one, and Miss Rebecca is bound to be impressed!" Brock declared, his fists clenched and eyes gleaming with determination.
"Uh... sure. Good luck, Brock!" Ash replied, somewhat speechless but still cheering him on.
With renewed energy, Brock strode confidently to the arena. The screen soon displayed his opponent: a middle-aged man roughly Anthony's age. As the bell rang, the battle began. Brock sent out Geodude, while his opponent used a Hitmonlee.
Due to the competition rules, only physical Normal and Fighting-type moves were permitted, which limited some of Geodude's abilities. Still, as a Rock-and-Ground-type Pokémon, Geodude's natural resilience worked to Brock's advantage. Initially caught off guard, Brock quickly adapted. His prior experience as a Gym Leader proved invaluable, allowing him to strategize and execute a solid defense. Geodude endured several powerful hits, then counterattacked decisively, securing Brock a hard-earned victory.
Despite the challenge of using a Rock-type Pokémon in this format, Brock's determination didn't waver, especially with Rebecca watching from the stands.
Unlike a typical tournament, this competition demanded continuous matches with only short breaks for recovery. Pokémon were allotted specific resting times, but how much they could recover depended largely on their individual stamina. This rule emphasized minimizing injuries during battles—a true test of strategy and skill. Consequently, matches progressed much faster than usual tournaments.
Ash and Brock steadily defeated one Rival after another, advancing to the semi-finals before they even realized it. Their unexpected success made them the biggest dark horses in this Fighting competition.
Meanwhile, Anthony continued to dominate the field. His Hitmonchan proved to be a fearsome contender, delivering lightning-fast punches that left opponents unable to react before they were defeated.
"Mr. Anthony is certainly a tough opponent to deal with!" Brock remarked seriously as he watched the big screen.
Anthony's Hitmonchan had effortlessly handled every match so far, putting significant pressure on Brock. His Geodude, though resilient, was nearing its limits after such an intense competition.
As a breeder and former Gym Leader, Brock's keen understanding of Pokémon battles made him all too aware of his slim chances in the later rounds. If he faced Anthony, he resolved to give it his all. Even if he couldn't win, he was determined to push Hitmonchan to expend as much energy as possible. Brock also considered the strategy of forfeiting his match should Ash still be in the running, ensuring that Primeape remained strong for the finals.
Wow wow wow!!!
A loud burst of applause snapped Brock out of his thoughts. On the TV screen, a Pokémon lay fainted in the ring, while its victorious opponent stood tall. The victorious Pokémon had a brown upper body, spring-like legs, short arms, and three-fingered hands.
"It's Hitmonlee," Brock identified, frowning. Hitmonlee, also known as the Kicking Fiend, was the complete opposite of Hitmonchan. While Hitmonchan excelled in swift, powerful punches, Hitmonlee's kicks were unmatched in speed and flexibility. Its arms had become vestigial due to its reliance on its legs, further earning its reputation as a master of kicking techniques.
Hitmonlee's latest opponent had been dispatched with ease. "Hitmonlee is truly remarkable. He lives up to his title as the Kicking Fiend!" the commentator exclaimed, as the towering fighter acknowledged the roaring crowd with confident waves.
"That Hitmonlee will be another tough opponent," Brock muttered, his brow furrowed at the thought of facing such a skilled adversary.
Ash nodded in agreement, saying little but clearly sharing Brock's concerns. Hitmonlee's legs were as nimble as Hitmonchan's hands, a rare and challenging combination for any competitor.
"And now, let's welcome our semi-finalists: Ash, Brock, and Anthony, to the arena!" the commentator announced enthusiastically. "The semi-final matchups will be drawn live on the big screen!"
The remaining four Trainers made their way to the arena amidst thunderous cheers. The random draw to determine the next matchups was a highly anticipated moment, heightening the excitement and energy in the venue. Reaching the semi-finals had solidified all four as formidable competitors, and the crowd was eager to see who would face whom in the next thrilling battles.