Pokemon: Skybound

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At the end of the opening ceremony, it was time to determine the opponents.

Kai and Ash left the arena together, joining Chloe, Misty, and Brock as they headed to the nearby drawing venue.

The air buzzed with excitement as trainers from across the region filled the streets, each discussing their hopes and strategies for the upcoming matches.

Inside the venue, five workstations were set up. Each was manned by a smiling attendant who welcomed the trainers with warmth.

The cheerful atmosphere helped ease the tension that many first-time participants felt. These attendants weren't just there to assist; they represented the professionalism of the tournament.

Kai glanced around, observing the trainers queuing up. Some seemed nervous, clutching their Poké Balls tightly, while others exuded confidence, chatting casually with their companions.

"This part is really important," Brock commented, crossing his arms. "If luck is on your side, you might face weaker opponents in the later rounds."

Chloe nodded. "It's not just about luck, though. A good strategy can turn the tide, even against a stronger opponent."

As Kai and the others approached the workstations, an attendant greeted them warmly. "Good morning! May I see your Trainer registration cards, please?"

Before Kai could react, Brock sprang into action, his eyes sparkling.

"Ah, beautiful lady! Your radiant smile has captured my heart. Might I have the honour of taking you out for lunch after your shift?"

Misty groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Here we go again," she muttered. With practiced ease, she grabbed Brock by the back of his shirt and pulled him away. "Sorry about him," she said to the attendant.

Chloe chuckled at the scene. Though she had known Brock for a short time, his persistent antics never failed to amuse her.

"Did he act like this even when he was a Gym Leader?" she asked.

"All the time," Misty replied with a sigh. "You should've seen the way he flirted with every female challenger who came to the Pewter Gym."

As the commotion settled, the attendant accepted the Pokédexes and registration cards for Kai and Ash. After a few clicks on her computer, their profiles appeared on the screen.

Ash, ever impatient, leaned forward eagerly. "So, who's my opponent?"

"Calm down, Ash," Brock said, regaining his composure as he leaned against the counter. "You'll need to determine the battlefield first. That's how the tournament works."

Turning back to the attendant with a dramatic flourish, Brock added, "Am I right, my lady?"

The attendant blinked, slightly taken aback by his enthusiasm. "Y-Yes, that's correct," she stammered. "For the preliminary rounds, there are four types of battlefields: Rock, Grass, Water, and Ice. Starting from the fifth round, matches will move to the main venue."

Kai flipped through a booklet he had received earlier. "All this information is in here," he said, showing Ash. "You really should have read it."

Ash scratched his head sheepishly. "I, uh… lost mine," he admitted.

The attendant gestured toward a button on the counter. "Please press this button. The screen will randomly select the battlefield for your first match."

Ash, unable to contain his excitement, pressed the button without hesitation.

On the screen above, images of the four battlefield types appeared. After spinning for several seconds, the selection stopped on the Water Field.

"Yes!" Ash exclaimed, punching the air.

The attendant entered his data into the system. The screen changed, revealing a picture of his opponent, a man with long, dark green hair, dressed sharply, though his expression exuded arrogance.

"Is that… my opponent?" Ash muttered.

The attendant nodded. "Your first battle is scheduled for the Water Field. You're in the third match at 2:00 PM. Please don't be late."

Kai was up next.

Taking a deep breath, he pressed the button. The screen spun again, eventually landing on the Grass Field.

At the same time, a photo of his opponent appeared of a man with blue hair and sunglasses.

Kai didn't recognize the man, but Misty gasped. "It's him!"

Kai turned to her. "You know this guy?"

Misty's expression darkened. "That's Damian. He's… not a great person. We met him early in our travels. He abandoned his Charmander, which later joined Ash's team."

"Ah, now I remember," Kai said. "I've heard about him, but I didn't know what he looked like."

"Does he have any strong Pokémon?"

Misty exchanged a look with Ash and Brock, both of whom shook their heads. "We didn't see much of his team," Misty admitted. "He's unpredictable."

Kai shrugged. "No problem. Facing the unknown makes a battle more exciting."

The attendant smiled at Kai's confidence. "Your match is scheduled for 11:00 AM. Please don't be late."

With their match times set, the group had a couple of hours to prepare. All four battlefields would host matches simultaneously, with losing trainers eliminated immediately. Winners would advance to the next round, scheduled two days later.

As they exited the venue, they found themselves on a lively shopping street. Souvenir stalls, luxury stores, and dessert shops lined both sides, dazzling the group with their variety.

Misty and Chloe immediately darted toward the shops, their excitement palpable.

Kai stayed behind with Ash and Brock. "You're not joining them?" Brock asked.

Kai shook his head. "I'll catch up later. I need some time to strategize."

Meanwhile, the street was abuzz with reporters. They swarmed trainers, asking questions and taking photos. Not only were reporters from the Kanto region present but there were also international journalists covering the event.

Among the crowd, Kai spotted Jessie, James, and Meowth, poorly disguised as reporters. They were skulking about, clearly scouting trainers with rare Pokémon.

Their eyes met briefly, but the trio quickly looked away.

"Good," Kai thought. "As long as they stay out of my way."

He continued walking until a familiar voice called out.

"Kai!"

Turning around, he saw a group of kids waving enthusiastically it was the gang he had encountered on the Cycling Road near Celadon City.

"What are you all doing here?" Kai asked.

Martha and Misha, two of the group's leaders, grinned. "We came to cheer you on, big bro!"

They showed off banners, flags, and other homemade support items.

Kai was genuinely touched. Though he hadn't wanted to get too involved with them before, their efforts warmed his heart.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "After the competition, dinner's on me."

"Don't mention it!" Misha said. "We're your crew. Supporting you is what we do!"

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