It was 8 pm by the time the Quarter finals ended. The Semi Finals and Finals were tomorrow.
Eric felt that the schedule was too packed. There was no room for digesting the gains from fights, as you had to immediately start preparing for the next.
He was starving, so he headed to the food court for takoyaki. He still hadn't forgotten the taste from yesterday.
"Hey, Eric!"
Eric sighed. Of course.
"…Alan."
"Congrats on making the Semi Finals! Man, I still get chills watching your battle with Ethan!"
"Thanks."
"Hahaha, still as reserved as ever."
Eric spent some time listening to Alan, mostly Alan doing the talking, while eating his takoyaki. Then he excused himself, saying he needed to rest, and headed home.
---
Day 5.
The matchups for the Semi Finals were revealed at 10 AM.
Eric Vs. Iris Belmont
Belle Williams Vs. Alister Nashville
The crowd today surpassed even yesterday's turnout. The entire Redwood Stadium was packed, buzzing with energy.
The
The roar of the crowd filled Redwood Stadium as the announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to the Semi Finals of the Redwood Tournament!"
The audience erupted in excitement.
"After four days of intense battles, unexpected upsets, and rising stars, we are down to our final four competitors. Today, only two will advance to the Finals. Who will claim a spot in the championship match?"
He then paused for dramatic effect, before continuing,
Our first battle of the day…"
The announcer gestured toward the left entrance.
"This man needs no introduction. Flashy, fearless and full of style. This man knows how to not only win, but do it in style. Give it up for Alister Nashville!"
Alister emerged in style. His face carried a confident smirk, and he took his time to walk up to the field, pausing mid-stride to run a hand up his hair. His cape fluttered because of the wind, as he took his place and crossed his arms.
While cool on the outside, Alister's inner voice had a lot to say.
'That's right. I'm the greatest. Bask in my glory you peasants.'
"And his opponent…"
The answer turned to the right entrance,
"She's only 12 years old and has dominated every match using only a single Pokémon. Unpredictable, powerful, and undefeated, make some noise for Belle Williams!"
The crowd made even more noise than before, irritating Alister.
But the voice soon died down as no one came up.
"Um, Contestant Belle?"
The announcer asked confusedly
Meanwhile black lines appeared on Alister's forehead.
"…"
They waited.
And then waited some more.
'How dare she. Making ME wait?!'
It was becoming harder for Alister to not show his irritation on his face.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait any longer.
Bang!
The door flung open, as Belle came dashing towards the field.
"We are late because of you, Vice Captain Sparkles!"
"Pi Pichu!"
"Don't lie. It was you who took too long deciding on what ice cream to get. Belle would never make such a mistake."
Belle bantered with Pichu as she jumped onto the stage.
"So you didn't chicken out. It might've been better if you did. That way you wouldn't have to suffer from being crushed by me. Now, prepare yourself! I will make you suffer 10 times the humiliation I did that day!"
"…Do I know you?"
"You- What?!"
"Oh! You're the guy who wanted Belle's autograph! You don't have to be so angry about it. Belle was just busy, eating Ice cream. I'll give you one after the fight, so don't sulk."
"…"
Alister was so angry that he didn't know what to say.bOnly one thought remained in his mind.
'Don't kill a child, Don't kill a child, Don't kill a child…'
The tension was cut by the announcer voice,
"With both trainers now here, let the Semi Finals Begin!"
With that, both trainers took out their Pokéballs.
Eric was watching the battle with great interest, as he used his system to check their stats.
"Let's do this, Captain Sparky!"
"Pika pika!"
Pokémon: Pikachu
Gender: Male
Level: 29
Type: Electric
Ability: Lightning Rod
Held item: Light Ball (80% absorbed)
Potential: Deep Blue
"Hmph. You'll soon go home crying after I crush you."
Alister said with a smirk, fully confident in his victory. He had prepared a trump card just for Belle.
Pokémon: Rhyhorn
Gender: Male
Level: 29
Type: Ground/Rock
Ability: Lightning Rod
Held Item: Soft Sand
Potential: Light Blue
A Rhyhorn with Lightning Rod ability! Its potential was great as well.
'Hah. Take that. My Rhyhorn is at a complete advantage against electric types. A Pikachu doesn't stand a chance!"
Alister was completely assured of his victory.
There was no way Belle could turn this around.
"Captain Sparky, Use Surf!"
"Wait wha-"
Alister was in complete disbelief, as he watched the Pikachu in front of him create a gigantic wave of water that crashed into Rhyhorn, sweeping him away.
Not only did this Pikachu know surf, it was at the intermediate level!
"Rhyhorn can know longer battle, Pikachu wins!"
Alister just stared stunned for a few seconds.
"Hahaha. You can't take down Captain Sparky that easily. He's the strongest!"
'…this is not good. Since when could a Pikachu use surf?! I was banking on Rhyhorn taking her down.'
Alister was panicking inside, but on the outside he just recalled Rhyhorn and calmly sent out his next pokemon.
Pokémon: Tauros
Gender: Male
Level: 27
Type: Normal
Ability: Intimidate
Held Item: None
Potential: Deep Green
"Captain Sparky, Thunderbolt!"
"Dodge and then use Giga Impact!"
Tauros tried to dodge but frankly, the thunderbolt was too fast for him. He got hit, and was taken down in one hit!
'What speed and power!' Eric thought while watching the battle from the stands. The power of that thunderbolt was too great. He didn't think Gastly could handle it either.
Alister was more shocked than Eric. Was he going to lose a 1 V 3?
"Dammit. Go, Wartortle."
Pokémon: Wartortle
Gender: Male
Level: 29
Type: Water
Ability: Rain Dish
Held Item: Mystic Water
Potential: Deep Green
Alister sent out his last pokemon, but he already knew the result by this point. Wartortle, who is weak to electric type moves, cannot hope to take that hit and stay standing.
In the end, Belle beat Alister by using only one Pokemon.
"Yay. Captain Sparky is the strongest!"
"Pika Pika!"
Belle went up to Pikachu and praised him. Pichu jumped out of Belle's hoodie and was even more excited.
Pikachu just made a, leave it to me, gesture
as he talked to Pichu.
Alister was too stunned to move. This was the most embarrassing defeat he had suffered. The great Alister, losing to a child?
While Alister was still sulking with his head hung low like a tragic theater protagonist, Belle bounced over to him and gave him a crumpled piece of paper.
"Here you go!" she chirped, then spun around and sprinted away as at full speed.
Alister unfolded the paper with trembling fingers. It read:
To Abster,
Don't sulk around anymore.
—The Great Belle Williams
It was an autograph.
This was the final blow.
Alister's eyes twitched. His blood pressure spiked. The crowd watched in confusion as Alister slowly tilted backwards.
THUD.
He lay flat on the ground, unconscious. His last fading thoughts were:
'I'll kill her. I'll kill her. I'll kill her.
And my name is NOT Abster.
It's Ali…ster…'
Somewhere in the distance, Belle was already at the food stalls, blissfully unaware of the emotional carnage she had left behind.