Eric breezed past the second day as well. He did get to fight trainers with decent strength today, but no truly strong trainer matched with him.
The strongest he fought had a Dark Yellow Nidorino at Level 23. Eric still chose Spearow for this fight, who had leveled up to 18 after so many battles.
Despite her lower level, her flying type energy was much more denser and higher in quality. That, alongside better tactics got her the win.
--
Day 3.
This was the start of the real tournament.
Only the 64 trainers remained. The battles from here on will be 3 vs 3.
There was a separate waiting room for the top 64. When Eric got there, he immediately noticed a difference. These trainers were clearly on a different level compared to the rest. Just from the way they carried themselves, Eric could tell that none of them were weak.
Many of the trainers Eric was keeping an eye out for were present here.
Alister immediately stood out, standing imposingly with his hands crossed. His white cape fluttered in the air even though there was no wind. How is he doing that?
Then there was this muscular trainer who was doing pushups in the corner with his Machoke. Eric had seen him fight, and he was quite strong.
Pokémon: Machoke
Gender: Male
Level: 28
Type: Fighting
Ability: Guts
Held item: None
Potential: Deep Green
Not many trainers had their pokemon out, but there was another person who stood out to him. He was a middle aged man, with a Scyther by his side. For him to be so old and still a beginner trainer, he was surely someone without a strong background. But he couldn't be underestimated either.
Pokémon: Scyther
Gender: Male
Level: 29
Type: Bug, flying
Ability: Technician
Held item: Eviolite
Potential: Deep Green
Iris was also there, standing in a corner with her Murkrow.
*Bang*
Eric's attention was immediately diverted to the door, which flung open violently.
"Prepare yourself! The Great Belle has arrived!"
"Pii pichu!"
As Belle entered a pichu jumped out from her jacket's hood and sat on her head, shouting cheerfully with Belle.
"Ooh Vice leader Sparkles. I see you're pumped up as well" Belle said to Pichu, holding a double scoop ice cream cone in her hand.
"Chu!"
Pichu jumped from her head to her shoulder and took a bite from the ice cream. The lobby became more lively with the arrival of this gremlin. Alister looked annoyed but he didn't do anything.
'Just you wait you damn brat. Don't think I've forgotten. I'll crush you in the tournament.'
Alister did not have any shame trying to take revenge on a 12 year old. His pettiness knew no limits.
---
After a short opening speech, the main tournament officially began.
The schedule for today was divided into 8 rounds. 4 battles took place in each round, making it easy for the viewers and tv to keep track of each battle.
Every trainer amongst the top 64 got their chance under the spotlight.
"Alright folks! I know you're dying to see some action. Well, you needn't wait any longer!"
The announcers voice boomed across the stadium.
"First round match ups are up! Take a look at the screen, and let's get this tournament started!""
The announcers passion leaked from his voice as he got the crowd riled up. He was clearly the man for the job.
Eric was part of round 1, so he didn't have to wait long for his turn.
He stood on the battlefield.
Opposite to him stood a teenager with Red spiky hair. And based on the noise from the crowd, he was quite famous. Everyone expects him to win as no one knows Eric.
His name was David Burn.
David's eyes burned with an intensity of fire, as he studied Eric.
Eric did the same, his eyes as sharp as always.
Both trainers simultaneously released their Pokémon as soon as the referee signalled the start of the match.
Eric sent out Spearow, while his opponent sent out a vulpix!
Pokémon: Vulpix
Gender: Female
Level: 21
Type: Fire
Ability: Flash fire
Held item: None
Potential: Green
Green potential!
This is his first time in the tournament facing someone of this potential.
'This should be a good challenge for Spearow,' Eric thought as he observed Vulpix.
"Vulpix, use Heat Wave!"
The temperature increases by a few degrees as Vulpix exhaled an incredibly hot breath from her mouth.
"Spearow, fly higher and then dive down with peck!"
Spearow flew up into the air, out of reach from the hot air, and then dove down with flying type energy focussed on her beak!
David waited till Spearow reached close enough that it couldn't dodge, and then commanded his Vulpix to use Flamethrower!
Unfortunately for him, Eric had trained Spearow a maneuver to avoid this type of counter.
As Spearow dove down, she curved around the flamethrower in a Spiral, taking both David and Vulpix aback. She then struck the shocked Vulpix, knocking her back.
Spearow then followed up with Aerial Ace, not needing Eric's command to do so. This was a combo they had practiced before.
Eric didn't want his Pokemon to rely solely on his commands, and wanted them to have sharp battle instincts. This way they can catch opponents by surprise.
David and Vulpix weren't so easy to beat, however.
"Skree"
Spearow suddenly screamed a little as her body lit on fire. She was burned!
While Vulpix was hit by Spearow's Aerial ace, she had used Will-O-Wisp on her. She did this without David's command, and it was so fast, Eric hadn't even noticed till Spearow was already burned.
Vulpix used this opportunity to get back into a fighting stance. She was quite wounded, however.
"Spearow, Aerial Ace! Use tactic 4!"
Spearow blitzed towards Vulpix furiously, surrounded by white streaks.
"Counter with Flamethrower! Focus on its movements!" David commanded
Spearow moved downwards to avoid the flamethrower, but Vulpix lowered her head to redirect the flamethrower in Spearow's direction. Just as she thought she got her, Spearow did a weird maneuver, and moved sideways. The energy around her grew darker. The aerial Ace was a fake!
Feint attack!
Spearow hit Vulpix, sending her flying.
"Tch. Tough it out Vulpix, use your tail, and then counter with flame burst!"
Vulpix used her tail to cushion the impact and then countered with flame burst at Spearow, who was already retreating after using feint attack.
Feint attack was not nearly as powerful as Aerial Ace, so Eric had taught Spearow to immediately gain some distance after using this tactic. What he didn't expect was how fast the flame burst attack would be!
Spearow doesn't dodge it fully, getting hit at her side. Then the fire projectile burst, catching her in the explosion!
"Don't let up Vulpix. Flamethrower!"
"Spearow, use protect!"
Spearow protected herself in time, but now she can't use it again for 10 minutes.
Eric observed Spearow to check her condition. Even though she dodged a direct hit, she was very wounded.
Vulpix's fire power was no joke. She was stronger than Spearow overall. She might knock Spearow out in just one more move. Spearow was also burned, which was messing with her movements. Even her attacks are weaker now.
"Spearow, focus on gathering all your energy. We're ending this now!"
Eric made his decision as his eyes observed both Spearow and Vulpix.