Fu Xuan easily read the awkwardness flickering across Julian's face. With a graceful, knowing nod, she accepted the golden trophy, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"Very well," she said, her voice carrying across the stadium. "I accept this honor from our illustrious producer, Mr. Julian Reed."
"The honor is mine, Master Diviner," Julian replied, the tension in his chest finally dissolving.
As the awards ceremony drew to a close, Owlbert took center stage once more to announce the lasting legacy of the tournament.
"Our Champion, Fu Xuan, will receive the ten million credit grand prize! But more importantly," Owlbert paused for dramatic effect, "she and her entire team will be the first inductees into the Victory Road and the Hall of Fame. Their records will be immortalized within the game itself!"
The massive screens behind the podium flared to life, showing a cinematic walkthrough of the in-game Victory Road. In the hallowed corridor that players would walk before the final challenge, the walls were no longer bare stone.
On one side, a magnificent mural of Fu Xuan and her Pokémon had been engraved, labeled: The First Masters Tournament Champion – Fu Xuan. Opposite it, a second engraving depicted her alongside her Alakazam, titled: The First Champion: Psychic Master – Fu Xuan. Below the murals, a stone tablet detailed the strategic brilliance of her final match.
The gamers in the audience were instantly whipped into a frenzy. In reality, they might be ordinary citizens, but the dream of having their names etched into the very fabric of the Pokémon world was an irresistible lure.
"But wait!" Owlbert shouted over the noise. "The Hall of Fame isn't just for the Champion. Starting tonight, we will open a global vote! The community will select four more participants from our Top 32 to join the Master Diviner in the Hall of Fame!"
"Next," Owlbert added, bowing toward Julian, "let's hear a final word from the architect of this world."
Julian took the microphone, looking out at the sea of faces. "Thank you all for believing in Pokémon. To show our gratitude, every attendee can use their ticket stub on the official website to redeem a limited-edition Premier Ball Outfit and a Masters Tournament Pikachu cosmetic set."
He took a breath, the excitement in the stadium reaching a fever pitch. "I would also like to announce that the second generation of the journey, Pokémon Gold and Silver, will be released tomorrow at 10:00 AM! The Johto Region and over a hundred new Pokémon await you."
The crowd erupted. "Long live Boss Julian!" "Finally! Johto is here!" "I've been waiting for Ho-Oh and Lugia for what feels like years!" "Wait, it's only been a month since the first game came out... is this a cash grab?"
Julian smirked. He knew the skeptics were there, but he also knew that once they stepped into the lushJohto landscapes, the quality would speak for itself.
"Furthermore," Julian continued, "the second anime season, Pokémon: Advanced Generation, will begin airing shortly. And finally... I declare the first Masters Tournament a complete success! Tonight, Arceus Studio and the Sky-Faring Commission invite you all to the Pokémon Festival here in the Luofu. Don't miss it!"
As the theme music swelled, the stage cleared. Highlights of the tournament's best moments began playing on the monitors, keeping the audience rooted to their seats in nostalgia.
Parting Thoughts
In the stands, Sushang pointed excitedly at the screen. "Guinaifen, look! You're in the highlights! You have to tell your fans to vote—you've got to make it into the Hall of Fame!"
Guinaifen watched her own battle against Silver Wolf play out, a blush creeping onto her face. "No way, Sushang. I'm just a street performer. I can't sit at the same table as a Master Diviner and a Stellaron Hunter."
"So what?" Sushang laughed, nudging her. "In the game, you're a legend! Our Lil' Gui is just as good as they are!"
"Stop it! You're making fun of me!" Guinaifen laughed, playfully trying to lock Sushang's arm.
Nearby, the Astral Express crew began to file out. Welt Yang was silent, his mind still dissecting the millisecond-perfect trades of the final.
"Uncle Yang, don't overthink it," March 7th said, patting his shoulder. "It was just a game. Let's explore the Luofu one last time before the festival tonight. It's our last day here!"
"I'm not overthinking," Welt sighed. "I'm just appreciating the intellect involved. The Master Diviner and the Stellaron Hunter... they are truly formidable."
"It's a pity Dan Heng stayed on the Express," Himeko noted. "He missed quite a show."
"Don't worry, I took thousands of photos," March 7th beamed. "I'll make him pick his favorites and print them out for his room."
"By the way, Himeko," March added, looking up with big, watery eyes. "Can we take on some high-paying missions when we get back? I'm a little short on credits for the new virtual console..."
Himeko smiled. "The Herta Space Station always needs materials collected. I'll let them know we're available."
"Himeko is the best!"
As the sun began to set over the Luofu, casting long shadows across the jade tiles, Topaz watched Julian Reed's departing figure from a distance. She chuckled to herself, her fingers tapping on her coin.
"It's time to have a real talk with our rising star," she whispered. "But first... I think I'll enjoy this banquet. After all, even a debt collector deserves a night at the festival."
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