While Zhang Tian, Bea, and Cynthia were waiting for the matches to start, the internet was in an uproar over Zhang's exploits from the previous night. Photos of him riding his Lunagaron, his Astalos cleaving a Crobat in two, and his mountain-sized Seregios had spread like wildfire.
"Are these pictures real?"
"They're real. They've been verified. No signs of photoshop."
"These are truly wild Pokémon. They look much scarier than his Legiana."
"They're all Elite Four-level. I can't believe Zhang Tian is an Elite Four trainer. An eighteen-year-old Elite Four trainer... it's too perverse."
"If only my country had a genius like that."
"An eighteen-year-old king... he really might become a champion within a year."
"These three Pokémon are so big and powerful. Where did he catch them? I want one too."
"The semifinals begin!"
"Please welcome to the stage, Zhang Tian and Cynthia!" Iris's voice boomed.
"Leon," Zhang's brow furrowed the moment he saw Cynthia's opponent. She was very unlikely to win. In the anime, Leon had become a champion within a year of his debut, and had even competed against the first-tier legendary, Eternatus. Aside from losing to Ash, he was undefeated. It was outrageous.
I wonder how strong you really are, a trace of excitement flashed in Zhang's eyes. Defeating a strong enemy and savoring the victory was one of his greatest pleasures. I hope you're strong enough, Leon. Don't let me down. This final battle should be a gorgeous one.
As Zhang had predicted, Cynthia was no match for Leon. She managed to take out four of his Pokémon, but in the end, she was defeated.
"Zhang Tian, you've met your match. That Leon is very strong," Cynthia said, frowning as she returned from the battlefield. "I feel like the Pokémon he used against me weren't even his main team, but his second string. His strength may not be inferior to yours."
"Don't worry, Cynthia," Zhang said, gently rubbing her head. "No matter how strong he is, I will only be stronger. The champion of this tournament will be me. The stronger he is, the more excited I am. Only by defeating strong enemies can I feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment."
"No wonder you're so strong," Cynthia smiled. "When you meet a strong enemy, you're not worried, but excited. Maybe it's because of that mentality that you can keep moving forward. Go on! Avenge me!"
"Don't worry," Zhang nodded. "I'll beat Leon well."
"The semifinals continue!"
"Please welcome to the stage, Zhang Tian and Steven!"
As Zhang and Steven walked to the battlefield, Steven bowed slightly, a perfect gentleman's salute. "We meet again. May I call you Zhang Tian?"
"You can call me whatever you want," Zhang replied, shaking his head.
"Then, Zhang Tian, you can call me Steven. If you ever come to the Hoenn region, please look me up. I will do my best to entertain you. If we have a chance, let's talk again." After saying this, Steven raised his hand. "I admit defeat."
Zhang was an Elite Four-level trainer. Steven knew he was no match. He didn't mind challenging strong opponents, but he had no interest in challenging an opponent he could not possibly defeat. He was not a masochist. He waved to Zhang and strode off the battlefield.
So direct, Zhang thought, shaking his head. But then, his biggest hobby is digging for stones, not battling. If he were a battle maniac, he wouldn't have forfeited. Thinking about it, several of the champions from the anime had their quirks. Steven loved stones so much he even gave up his championship for them. Cynthia was an archaeologist, and Diantha was a movie star. Leon was the only one who seemed like a true champion, whose only job was training and battling.
"Steven has forfeited! The winner is Zhang Tian!" Iris announced. "Congratulations to Zhang Tian for reaching the finals!"
The finals, Zhang thought, his gaze turning to where Leon was standing. He felt Leon's gaze on him, and saw him subconsciously grab the Poké Ball of his Charizard. For the first time, he felt pressure from a peer.
"Charizard," Leon whispered, "this time, we've met a real opponent. My blood is already boiling. How about you?"
"Roar!" came the excited reply.
"No matter how strong the opponent is, the final champion will still be us, just like before. Charizard! This time, you can't slack off! Give me 120%!"
An hour later, under the expectant gaze of the global audience, the final began.
"The final is officially underway! Please welcome to the stage, Zhang Tian and Leon!"
"Zhang Tian, we meet for the first time. My name is Leon," he said as they met in the center of the field.
"Leon, I know your name. Cynthia said you are very strong. I hope you don't disappoint me," Zhang smiled.
"I won't let you down, Zhang Tian. And I hope you won't disappoint me either. Use your Elite Four Pokémon. I will defeat all six of them with dignity, and prove that I am the champion." Leon didn't want Zhang to send out a quasi-Elite Four Pokémon. Even if he won, it would feel like a trick, not a victory of strength.
"Don't worry, I will give it my all. And I hope you will do the same," Zhang nodded. "Let's fight, Leon!" A fanatical fighting intent rose in his eyes.
"Of course!" Leon nodded, a warlike look on his face as well.
The live chat was boiling.
"Did you hear that? Leon is an Elite Four trainer too! This is going to be a good show!"
"Elite Four versus Elite Four! This is rare even in the pro circuit!"
"Burn it up! I want to see that Seregios again! It's so handsome!"
"The countdown begins! Prepare yourselves!"
"30! 29..."
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"Begin!"
"Go, Zinogre!"
"Cinderace, let's play!"
A 1.4-meter-tall humanoid rabbit, like a soccer player, appeared before Leon. It was his Cinderace. Before Zhang, the twenty-meter-long Zinogre appeared, letting out a deafening roar as the Fulgurbugs on its back instantly discharged, sending it into its supercharged state.
Cinderace
Level: 63 (Elite Four)Ability: LiberoItem: Float Stone (Custom effect: also doubles speed)
Zinogre
Level: 69 (Elite Four)Ability: SuperchargedItem: Float Stone (Custom effect: also doubles speed)
The moment the Zinogre appeared, the audience was shocked again.
"Another huge, unknown Pokémon! How many of these does he have?"
"What a handsome Pokémon! I like it!"
"Provoke!" Zhang and Leon gave the same order at the same time. Both wanted to scrap their opponent's tactics before they could even begin.
"Roar!" The Zinogre raised its huge right claw and beckoned to the Cinderace. The Cinderace did the same. Both Pokémon were now under the effect of Taunt, unable to use status moves. Cinderace's Libero ability activated, changing its type to Dark.
The same order, Zhang's eyes narrowed. It seems we have the same idea, Leon thought, just as surprised.
They're both so confident they can win with pure attack skills, Iris thought, finding the whole thing very interesting.
Neither trainer could give any further orders now; it was up to their Pokémon to judge the situation.
"Roar!" The Zinogre strode forward, crossing the massive battlefield in an instant. It leaped up, its huge right claw raised high, and brought it down on the tiny Cinderace in a Thunderclap.
"Mud Shot!" Cinderace rolled backward, firing a string of mud at the Zinogre as it dodged.
RUMBLE! The Zinogre's giant claw smashed into the ice, but the attack didn't stop there. Bolts of lightning rained down, covering the surrounding 100-meter area. The mud shot was instantly dispersed. A few of the bolts struck Cinderace, but had no effect; its type had changed to Ground.
"Roar!" The Zinogre jumped up again, preparing to strike a second time with its Thunderclap.
"Bounce!" Cinderace leaped high into the air, dodging the attack again. The Zinogre's attack was too sudden to dodge with another roll.
SWISH! The moment the Zinogre's attack missed, it jumped up and slammed down onto its back, a move called Back to the Ground. Its attacks were a flowing, relentless stream, giving the Cinderace no time to breathe.
Leon wanted to speak, but he held his tongue. An order now would only make Cinderace hesitate, and a moment's hesitation would mean defeat. He had no doubt the Zinogre had the strength to finish it. He could see how experienced it was, its movements flowing like water, pulling the Cinderace into its rhythm.
Zhang also stayed silent. This Cinderace was not to be underestimated. Its combat experience was rich. A lesser Pokémon would have been defeated by the Zinogre's first two attacks.
Seeing the Zinogre smashing down towards it, the Cinderace used Mud Shot again as it rolled out of the way. The mud was shattered by a falling lightning bolt, and the Zinogre crashed to the ground, shaking the entire island. This time, however, the lightning bolts that rained down were different. They were filled with tiny, flying insects—the Fulgurbugs. They opened their sharp fangs and shot towards the Cinderace like a swarm of flying swords.
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