Time passed quickly.
At last, it was Sam's turn.
The broadcast echoed repeatedly through the players' lounge:
"Player Sam, please proceed to the Water Field immediately."
"Player Sam, please proceed to the Water Field immediately."
"Player Sam, please proceed to the Water Field immediately."
He stood up, stretched lightly, and walked toward the battlefield.
There was no nervousness in his heart.
If he felt nervous in the preliminaries of the Indigo Plateau Conference, he might as well see a psychologist afterward.
This was just the qualifiers.
What was there to fear?
---
The Water Field
When Sam arrived, the arena was already lively.
But something felt… strange.
"Why isn't Dowu here yet?"
"I came specifically to watch Dowu's battle!"
"His matches are always so stylish!"
Sam's lips curved faintly.
Dowu.
He hadn't expected to draw such an "interesting" opponent in the first round.
Before the League, Dowu had been loud and flamboyant, boasting everywhere like a top-tier Trainer.
And yet—
In the original storyline, he had been defeated by an untrained Krabby in a one-versus-three.
Talent?
Hard to say.
Showmanship?
Absolutely.
Minutes ticked by.
Dowu still hadn't appeared.
Sam's expression cooled.
Being late to an Indigo Plateau match?
Unbelievable.
He turned to the referee calmly.
"Shouldn't a late arrival result in a forfeit? If he doesn't show up, just award me the win."
The audience immediately exploded.
"You coward! Afraid of Dowu, so you want to win like this?!"
"So shameless!"
"If you're scared, just admit defeat!"
Sam ignored the noise entirely.
The referee checked his watch.
"If Player Dowu does not appear within one minute, he will forfeit the match."
Just as the words fell—
A puff of white smoke rose from the opposing platform.
When it cleared—
Dowu stood there, holding a red rose, bowing dramatically to the crowd.
"Apologies," he said with a confident smile. "The protagonist always arrives last."
Sam stared at him for a moment.
He only hoped Dowu would still be smiling after the match ended.
---
The Battle Begins
The referee raised the flag.
"Begin!"
The commentator's voice rang through the stadium.
"Dowu has arrived just in time! A dramatic entrance indeed—but he may have angered Player Sam!"
"Dowu wins the first move!"
Dowu flicked his wrist, tossing out a Poké Ball.
"Come out—Exeggutor!"
Sam activated his detection ability briefly.
Pokémon: Exeggutor
Type: Grass / Psychic
Strength: High Ordinary
Potential: Elite
Sam's brows lifted slightly.
This was… disappointing.
The Exeggutor's leaves were partially wilted. Two of its heads looked unfocused and sluggish.
This wasn't a well-trained Pokémon.
Sam sighed inwardly.
He released his own Pokémon.
"Go, Dratini."
The crowd gasped.
"It's Dratini! A rare Dragon-type appears at the Indigo Plateau Conference!"
"This Dratini looks exceptionally well-trained. Dowu could be in trouble!"
Even the commentator couldn't hide the contrast between the two Pokémon.
Dowu, however, seemed blissfully unaware.
"Exeggutor, use Psybeam!"
The three heads began slowly gathering psychic energy.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Sam's patience ran thin.
"Dratini. Dragon Rage."
The instant the command left his mouth—
Golden energy surged from Dratini's body.
The Dragon Rage vanished—
And reappeared directly in front of Exeggutor.
Exeggutor was still charging Psybeam.
The three heads panicked, arguing noisily—
Too late.
BOOM.
Dragon Rage struck cleanly.
Exeggutor was blasted backward and collapsed immediately.
One hit.
Knocked out.
The stadium fell silent for half a second before erupting into murmurs.
Dowu blinked.
Then smiled confidently as if nothing had happened.
"You were lucky to defeat my Exeggutor," he declared dramatically. "But luck will not always be on your side!"
He threw another Poké Ball.
"Go—Seadra!"
Sam couldn't help but chuckle softly.
He had traveled across Kanto.
Faced legendary Pokémon.
Battled powerful opponents.
But this level of blind confidence?
It was a first.
He simply smiled.
Let's see how long that confidence lasts.
---------------Author---------------
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