(A/N: Sorry for not posting yesterday. I had some issues with my internet connection at home, but everything should be back to normal now, and there shouldn't be any more interruptions.)
"Where did that Totem Bulbasaur come from?"
Standing in the crowd, Scarlett frowned as she observed the commotion unfolding before him.
"Where else? I brought it here myself," a young man with a bright smile and gleaming white teeth approached him.
"You're here too?" Scarlett glanced at the middle-aged man beside her.
"Yeah, no choice. The old geezers in the association decided on an overseas location but didn't want to make the trip themselves, so they sent me instead." The young man shrugged helplessly.
He turned his gaze toward the battlefield, where the growing excitement was reaching its peak.
"That Bulbasaur was discovered on a small island in the Maserus Islands before I headed to the Mayan Forest. I'm not much of a fan of Grass-types, so I had no intention of training it. But leaving such potential wasted didn't sit right with me either."
"I figured the Breeders Association Camp would be full of talented people, so I brought it along to find it a worthy trainer. Besides, what's a camp without a little excitement?" He smirked, eager to see the battle unfold.
Scarlett remained silent, her sharp gaze fixed on the battlefield.
The battle for the Totem Bulbasaur was about to begin.
Among the hundreds of starter Pokemon available, the Bulbasaur stood out, drawing fierce competition. However, this was no ordinary one-on-one match.
Anticipating the fierce contest over the Totem Bulbasaur, the Breeders Association had adjusted the battle rules accordingly.
"If more than five participants challenge the same Pokemon, the battle format will automatically shift to Brawl Mode. Each trainer may only use one Pokemon. The last Pokemon standing will determine the winner, and the victorious trainer will claim full ownership of the Totem Bulbasaur," the announcer explained.
A total of forty-eight trainers were participating, with thirty-four of them vying for the Bulbasaur. A traditional one-on-one format would take far too long, possibly dragging the competition deep into the night. Brawl Mode was the most efficient solution.
"Brawl Mode?" Several breeders from major universities exchanged uncertain glances.
Unlike trainers from the battle-focused War Academy, breeders rarely encountered this type of match. It was an ancient format, more common in the old Western regions, where battles took place in grand coliseums.
After a brief moment of hesitation, students from the same universities started to form alliances.
Though each breeder wanted the Bulbasaur for themselves, they would rather see it claimed by a fellow schoolmate than let it fall into the hands of a rival academy.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the camp, Ricardo moved silently through the crowd, inspecting the available Pokemon. He had no interest in the Totem Bulbasaur. Competing with a horde of trainers for a single Pokemon wasn't his style. Instead, he preferred to take his time selecting a Pokemon that truly suited him.
It was a wise decision, but not many had his patience.
On the other hand, Logan clutched a Squirtle in his arms, looking utterly devastated.
He had acted too soon.
The moment he spotted a well-bred Squirtle, he had rushed to the registration booth to claim it. However, as each trainer was allowed to select only one Pokemon, he had inadvertently disqualified himself from the battle for the Totem Bulbasaur.
Now, all he could do was stand on the sidelines and watch in frustration.
John stood alone, unfazed by the shifting alliances and brewing tensions.
It didn't matter. He was confident in his abilities.
If he wasn't certain of victory, he wouldn't have entered the chaotic battle in the first place.
Now, all he could hope for was a few surprises in the upcoming free-for-all.
"Trainers, prepare yourselves. Select your Pokeball and be ready. When I give the signal, release your Pokemon simultaneously. Any trainer who fails to release their Pokemon at the correct time will be automatically disqualified."
The Breeders Association staff carefully scanned the contestants, ensuring everyone was ready. Then, raising his hand, the referee swiftly brought it down.
"Release your Pokemon!"
Pokeballs soared through the air, popping open in a synchronized burst of energy.
The battlefield was suddenly teeming with Pokemon.
Altaria, Steelix, Pikachu, Blastoise, Fearow—dozens of powerful Pokemon emerged. Among them were some rare and formidable species like Gyarados, Gabite, and Dragonair.
However, John quickly assessed the power levels of his opponents. Most of the Pokemon were hovering around LV 40 to LV 50 at best. These trainers were skilled, but their Pokemon weren't at their peak.
Compared to the opponents he had faced at the underground power plant, they were lacking.
This was a perfect opportunity to train one of his less experienced Pokemon.
John reached for his Pokeball and released his choice—
The terrifying roar silenced the battlefield. The monstrous, crimson-scaled Gyarados loomed over the competition, its presence alone exuding an overwhelming sense of power.
Even though its ability wasn't Intimidate but Moxie, its sheer presence sent shivers down the spines of many trainers and their Pokemon alike.
Some of the weaker Pokemon began trembling on the spot.
Every trainer, both competitors and spectators, locked eyes on John's Red Gyarados.
Not only was it a Shiny Pokemon, but its aura was unmistakably powerful.
For a brief moment, the battlefield stood still.
Then, in an instant, the trainers reached a silent agreement—
They had to take down Gyarados first.
"Altaria, use Dragon Breath on Gyarados!"
"Steelix, hit it with Rock Slide!"
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
A barrage of energy beams, rock projectiles, and crackling electricity hurtled toward the Red Gyarados.
John remained completely unfazed.
He raised his hand slightly and gave a single command.
With a deafening roar, Gyarados summoned a colossal wave of water, surging forward like an unstoppable tsunami.
The battlefield erupted into chaos.