I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivated me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
"Good heavens! Primal Groudon versus Lugia, is this something I can actually witness in an arena?"
Rosa had already recovered from the suppression of becoming a 'younger sister,' and looking at the two opposing Pokémon on the field, she couldn't help but click her tongue.
Truth be told, the confrontation between these two legendary Pokémon truly made one's heart arises with excitement.
"It is indeed too shocking, but... the outcome is probably predetermined."
Hilda felt the same way, but the result of this battle was likely already decided.
Lugia could not possibly be a match for Primal Groudon.
"Hmph, hmph~ Of course, how could Caitlin's Lugia be a match for Uncle's Primal Groudon?"
Rose pouted. Although she admitted that she probably couldn't defeat Caitlin's Lugia.
But pitting Lugia against Primal Groudon? This was fundamentally not an equal battle.
Furthermore, although this Lugia was certainly powerful now, it was ultimately just a Lugia that had recently matured.
Whereas Giovanni's Primal Groudon was truly the very same Primal Groudon from the Hoenn myths and legends.
The difference in rank and strength between the two genuinely existed.
Yes, even if Lugia held the aerial advantage, this was still the case.
The battle in the arena began, and the facts proved it: Lugia, occupying the aerial advantage, naturally held the initiative.
However, under Desolate Land's intense sunlight, Lugia's Water-type moves were completely ineffective.
The Hydro Pump it fired immediately turned into gas and dissipated as soon as it was launched. Consequently, Lugia could only use its native Flying-type moves and Psychic-type moves.
But when it came to trading attacks, Primal Groudon had something to say.
Even Lugia's powerful, native Flying-type Aeroblast attack was simply unable to withstand Primal Groudon's Fire Blast.
Yes, when Aeroblast clashed with Fire Blast, the Aeroblast was forcefully shattered by the Fire Blast.
The Fire Blast continued its momentum and struck Lugia.
Even though Lugia's Special Defense was extremely high, this single Fire Blast still dealt a significant blow to Lugia.
Not to mention, Primal Groudon stood like a fortress upon the earth, continuously unleashing Fire Blast; it never stopped.
The fiercely burning flames caused the already hot temperature of the entire arena to rise further. All the spectators continuously wiped the sweat from their bodies; it was like being in a sauna.
Finally, Lugia was unable to withstand Primal Groudon's 'barrage,' was struck down by Fire Blast, and lost the ability to battle.
"Lugia is unable to battle. Groudon wins."
The referee, drenched in sweat, announced the result of the battle.
Caitlin looked at her unconscious Lugia and smiled helplessly, though she felt no regret.
Because when she was matched against Giovanni, she already had a premonition.
And regardless, she had made it this far, and her record wasn't bad, was it?
Having defeated its opponent, a red light flashed on Primal Groudon, and it reverted to its normal form.
Desolate Land in the sky also disappeared, allowing many heat-intolerant audience members present to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Well done, Groudon."
Giovanni smiled faintly and complimented Groudon.
Groudon raised its head with a calm expression, drawing screams from many spectators.
"Heh~ Just a tiny Lugia. I handled it easily." Groudon's proud telepathic message echoed in Giovanni's mind.
"Was I handsome today, Giovanni?"
"Yes, your performance was excellent."
"Then I want ten cartloads of snacks! And the sequel to Camerupt vs. Sharpedo that I didn't finish watching last time, I want to see that too!"
"..."
Giovanni stared speechlessly at Groudon. Especially after comparing it to the image in his memory, he increasingly felt that Groudon had truly gotten fat.
"Groudon, have you noticed that you've been less and less inclined to move around lately?"
Giovanni mentioned it tactfully.
"That's true." Groudon looked thoughtful. It realized that ever since it followed Giovanni, it truly disliked walking more and more.
Thinking back, it used to walk step by step, especially enjoying walking on the sea to expand the landmass.
But now, thanks to delicious food and entertaining TV shows and movies, it spends a full 22 out of 24 hours a day lying on the ground.
Indolence, it was truly too indolent!
If things continue like this... Seeing that Groudon seemed to understand, Giovanni smiled slightly.
"How about this, Giovanni? In the future, have your subordinates bring the snacks and fruit directly to my mouth, so I don't have to move at all."
"It's tiring to get up and grab food. It's much easier if people feed me directly. I saw that all the kings and Overlord Pokémon on TV are like this. I, Groudon, should have this treatment too!"
Groudon felt there was nothing wrong with its logic.
Giovanni: "..."
The battle between Giovanni and Caitlin concluded, and Giovanni became the second Trainer to enter the semifinals.
But the battles were not over, because there were still two spots left in the semifinals!
The third quarterfinal match took place in the afternoon, still determined by random matching.
"Don't be nervous, Platinum. It's already wonderful that you've made it this far."
Cynthia comforted Platinum, who looked visibly nervous at the moment.
Because the remaining four people were Mammon, Akari, Serena, and Platinum.
Undoubtedly, this was truly a group of death, because whether she was matched against Akari or Mammon, she was certain to lose.
There wasn't the slightest possibility of advancing.
If she were matched against Serena, Platinum would have hope of advancing, because Platinum was quite confident in herself.
Defeating Serena should not be a problem.
In fact, not counting the overpowered ones like Selene and Mammon, Platinum was confident in her ability to battle 'monsters' like Rosa, Serena, and May.
Because she firmly believed that, besides Selene, she was one of the top Trainers among the new generation!
But with only a one-third chance of matching Serena, could it happen?
Platinum stared intently at the large screen. Soon, the matching results gradually appeared.
Platinum vs. Akari!
Mammon vs. Serena!
When Platinum saw this matching result, she immediately gave a helpless, bitter smile. She was actually matched against her own daughter.
She didn't know if this counted as good luck or bad luck.
"It's Mom, huh."
On the other side, Akari blinked her large eyes, resting her chin on her fair cheek, wondering what she was thinking.
"It's Mammon, Serena. It looks like your luck isn't very good."
Diantha said helplessly. Undoubtedly, running into Mammon meant that Serena's journey in the Eight Masters tournament had come to an end.
"It's alright. Being able to enter the top eight actually already meets expectations."
Serena, however, showed a beautiful smile, looking at Mammon's portrait on the large screen, her eyes shining brightly.
"It's a wonderful thing to be able to have my final battle against Mammon!"
Serena's spirits were quite high at the moment; rather, she was very happy.
"That's good." Diantha breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
After all, Serena had always been a rather stubborn girl and very competitive.
She had been quite worried that Serena would complain about her bad luck, especially since if she had been matched against Platinum.
Serena would not have been without a chance to advance further and enter the semifinals.
Although, even if she had made it to the semifinals, that would likely have been Serena's limit.
The third quarterfinal match began: Platinum versus Akari.
In the Trainer's tunnel, the phone rang. It was Akari calling.
"Hmm~ Mom, do you want to enter the semifinals?"
Akari's clear voice rang in Platinum's ear.
Platinum was momentarily stunned, but then immediately understood. If she answered yes, Akari might go easy on her in the upcoming battle, allowing her to win.
But this was clearly not what Platinum wanted.
Not only would this violate the fairness of the competition, but even if Akari let her win and she entered the semifinals, what good would it do?
By the time of the semifinals, she still wouldn't be able to advance further.
"Akari, would you let me see your strength?" Platinum replied with a gentle voice.
"Ah~ I knew Mom would say that."
Akari mumbled.
"Don't worry, Mom, even if you leave, I'll help you keep winning!"
What the heck did 'even if you leave' mean? Although Akari said it earnestly, Platinum couldn't shake the feeling that it sounded strange.
Amidst the loud shouts of the Sunglasses Host, Akari and Platinum walked into the battle arena.
The result of the battle was completely unsurprising; Akari defeated Platinum quite easily.
This was true even though Platinum had given her absolute best effort.
"No matter how you look at it, Akari's power is truly astonishing."
"Yes, every one of her main Pokémon feels stronger than my Lugia."
Caitlin strongly agreed with Cynthia and solemnly stated her opinion.
Lugia was her ace, and through her dedicated training, its strength had genuinely reached the level of an adult Lugia.
Which was High-Tier Legendary!
But every single one of Akari's main Pokémon gave Caitlin the impression that they were all stronger than her Lugia!
This was a terrifying realization, because it meant that the strength of all of Akari's main Pokémon surpassed that of a Top Champion.
A Top Champion's main team could overpower an ordinary High-Tier Legendary.
"That's not a 'feeling,' it's a fact." Mammon shook his head. "The heights that countless people can never reach in a lifetime, Akari can break through just by putting in a little effort."
Mammon sighed with a smile.
"Because she is a human favored by God. It is normal for her to possess such talent."
A gentle and benevolent voice sounded next to Mammon's ear.
But Mammon was started, because this was neither Cynthia's nor Caitlin's voice.
Mammon turned his head and saw a small, faintly golden glowing Arceus floating above his shoulder.
Noticing Mammon's gaze, it nodded slightly at him, its demeanor peaceful.
This was Arceus.
"Why have you come?" Mammon was very surprised.
"He said, it is permissible, so I came to find you."
Arceus said with a gentle smile.
Permissible for what?
Mammon was stunned for a moment, but quickly remembered, and was immediately ecstatic.
Is it truly permissible?!