The first match of the second stage of the World Championship main event concluded, with Selene successfully defeating Rainbow Giovanni, becoming the first Trainer to advance to the Eight Masters.
This battle was spectacular, and no one questioned the outcome.
After all, Selene had literally crushed Rainbow Giovanni's Mega Mewtwo to advance. Who would dare say Selene's victory lacked substance?
If they had a problem, they should take it up with Selene's Solgaleo and Koraidon.
But this was only the first match; the upcoming battles were equally anticipated.
"Selene has already entered the Eight Masters. Will I be next?"
Rosa was a bit anxious; she also wanted to join the Eight Masters!
"Don't rush. In the current pool of contestants, there are still many who pose a threat to you."
Hilda comforted the restless Rosa, and she truly believed Rosa didn't need to be anxious right now.
Although Selene's match with Rainbow Giovanni had eliminated two very significant threats to Rosa, the remaining opponents were no pushovers.
Especially Giovanni and Akari, and Mammon was still in the pool!
"Hmph! Besides those at home, I'm not afraid of anyone else!"
Rosa scoffed, exceptionally confident in her own strength.
As long as she wasn't matched with the three 'bosses' from home, she was confident she could contend even with Lance and Leon.
"A match with Caitlin would humble you." Hilda rolled her eyes; Rosa just loved to show off.
"Caitlin? That was then, this is now! I'm not afraid of her anymore! I have a way to deal with her Lugia."
Rose snorted. For her, Caitlin was indeed challenging, but not unbeatable.
Caitlin's ace, Lugia, was certainly formidable, but not impossible to counter.
Meanwhile, on the large screen in the arena, the matching for the second group of battles had begun again.
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn, including the remaining contestants.
Soon, the match results appeared.
Platinum vs. Mr. Volo!
"Mr. Volo..."
Platinum's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed.
She was not unfamiliar with Volo; After all, he was Akari's friend and Cynthia's ancestor.
"Mom, be careful. Mr. Volo is very strong."
Akari warned Platinum. Although Volo was not her match, Akari did not deny Volo's power.
"Don't worry, I'll win."
Platinum smiled gently, and astonishing confidence lit up her bright eyes.
Eight Masters! She would enter!
Because she was Platinum Berliz! The one destined to be the future Sinnoh Champion!
Mammon looked at the determined Platinum, chuckled twice, and then gazed at the two opponents matched on the big screen.
Although Akari's presence had somewhat dimmed Platinum's aura, as Akari was simply too prodigious.
However, Platinum's own strength was now absolutely formidable!
She was originally a 'monster' destined to surpass everyone of her generation in Sinnoh, not to mention Akari's team was incredibly strong.
Ten minutes later.
"Now, let's welcome our two contestants to the stage!"
The Sunglasses Host received a message in his earpiece, and his enthusiastic voice echoed throughout the arena.
"Platinum!"
"Volo!"
As the Sunglasses Host finished speaking, the entire venue instantly erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Platinum wore her signature black and pink short skirt, her two smooth, long legs almost reflective white, and a pink and white cotton hat on her head, exuding a youthful charm.
With her pure and beautiful maiden image, who would believe that just a few months ago, she was heavily pregnant?
"Tsk~ Platinum is truly beautiful. I doubt many people would believe she's already a mother who has given birth, right?"
Wallace clicked his tongue, filled with emotion.
"I just don't know if she can defeat that Volo."
Steven looked to the other side of the arena, at the gentle and sunny blond young man.
Volo was also one of the Eight Masters ranked in the qualifying stage, possessing extraordinary strength and definitely a top Champion-level Trainer.
During the ranking matches, if Rainbow Giovanni's Mewtwo hadn't been so overpowered, he might not have lost to Rainbow Giovanni.
"It might be a bit difficult, since Platinum missed a lot of special training time during her pregnancy."
Wallace thought for a moment and said, "People in our circle all know about Platinum's situation."
"Not necessarily. Although Platinum didn't participate in the ranking challenges midway, I heard from Green and the others that Platinum's main training never stopped."
"Her physical condition seemed to be consistently good."
May blinked and said. She had been to Team Rocket Castle many times, specifically to spar and train with Caitlin and the others, so she knew a bit.
Indeed, due to her pregnancy, Platinum didn't participate in the ranking challenges midway, but in reality, her main training never stopped.
Especially Platinum herself; her mental state and physical health were so good she didn't even seem like a pregnant woman... "Platinum, she is definitely a formidable opponent."
May looked at Platinum in the arena, her bright eyes becoming much more serious.
If one underestimated Platinum due to her previous pregnancy, they would definitely suffer a great loss.
In May's opinion, Platinum's threat was no less than Rosa's or Serena's.
Although Platinum didn't have legendary or mythical Pokémon, her team's inherent strength was actually very astonishing, and Platinum's own talent was extremely high; her Pokémon's battle power was unquestionable.
On the field.
"Akari's... mom?"
Standing in his designated spot, Volo looked at the Green-haired girl opposite him, feeling a bit dazed.
So similar, truly too similar.
The physical resemblance between Platinum and Akari was so striking that Volo almost had a hallucination.
But Volo quickly snapped out of it; the one standing opposite him was not Akari, but Platinum.
"I never thought I'd have a day where I'd battle Akari's mom."
Volo couldn't help but lower his head and smile, his emotions truly hard to describe.
He recalled that day at the Sinnoh Temple when he challenged Akari, only to be easily defeated by her.
Even when he later called upon Giratina, he still wasn't Akari's match.
It was that day that he truly realized how powerful Akari, the 'Time-Lost Traveler,' truly was.
One could only say, she was indeed the human chosen by the Sinnoh Grand Lord.
But... if he couldn't beat Akari, could he not beat Akari's mom?
Volo's lips slowly curved into a sinister smile that completely contradicted his gentle demeanor.
However... "Garchomp is unable to battle. Regieleki wins."
"Since Trainer Volo's six Pokémon are all unable to battle, the winner is Platinum!"
The referee announced the battle results.
"Platinum!!"
"Our pride of Sinnoh! Champion Cynthia has a successor!"
"Sinnoh's new battle goddess!"
"By the way, can anyone tell me what the relationship is between Platinum and that Akari? They look too similar."
The venue erupted in cheers; clearly, there were many spectators supporting Platinum.
Volo looked dazedly at his ace, Garchomp, which was now unable to battle.
Well, as it turned out, he really couldn't beat Akari's mom.
"Phew~ That was great, Regieleki, we won!"
Platinum let out a sigh of relief, beaming a happy smile, and hugged the returning Regieleki, twirling around.
This battle was quite challenging for her, as Volo was very strong, and one of the Trainers who ranked among the Eight Masters in the qualifying stage.
But the result was excellent; she won!
Especially Regieleki, after Terastallizing into Electric type, performed exceptionally well in this battle, consecutively defeating Volo's Lucario, Togekiss, and Garchomp.
It could almost be called a God of War! The undisputed MVP of the day!
"Hehehe..."
Recalling his Garchomp, Volo looked at the happy Platinum opposite him and couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile.
He truly was... completely countered by this family.
Volo sighed, but ultimately, it was a matter of skill, and Volo had nothing to say.
"Mr. Volo is so unlucky... But Mom is really strong too!"
Akari blinked her big eyes, feeling a little sympathy for Volo.
"Regieleki's speed is too fast. If it can't be restricted, it's truly difficult to handle."
Caitlin, however, was thoughtful. In this battle, Regieleki's performance in the latter half was simply outstanding.
Not only was its speed astonishingly fast, but after Terastallizing into Electric type, the power of its Electric-type moves was also very high.
Most importantly, Regieleki also knew Extreme Speed!
Volo's ace, Mega Garchomp, although immune to Regieleki's powerful Electric-type moves, was beaten into submission by Regieleki using Extreme Speed.
From beginning to end, Mega Garchomp didn't even touch Regieleki once; its boasted strength was completely useless.
"Indeed, to battle Regieleki, one must target its speed."
Cynthia nodded, but after today's battle, everyone would likely thoroughly research how to counter Platinum's Regieleki.
Otherwise, if Regieleki performed without pressure, it could easily enter a rampage mode.
"Another spot in the Eight Masters is gone; the pressure on the others is probably even greater."
"I just want to know when it's my turn."
Mammon was eager to know when he would be on stage, and who his opponent would be.
Among the remaining contestants, Mammon felt that no matter who he faced, he wouldn't lose out.
"I just hope I don't run into one of our own."
Cynthia glanced at Mammon, then at Caitlin.
Although she herself was eliminated, she still very much hoped Caitlin could make it into the Eight Masters; Caitlin had that strength.
"Yes, the matching has started."
Mammon looked at the big screen; the matching for the third group of battle contestants had begun.
Soon, the match results appeared.
Mammon raised an eyebrow, because it was indeed his turn, but this opponent...