The next day.
Because today was 12/12, the streets were especially lively.
The four from Ethan Black's group got up early to participate in the competition and headed toward the stadium.
Upon entering the stadium, they immediately saw all kinds of signs related to 12/12; the whole place looked like a huge exhibition hall.
"These merchants really don't let a single opportunity to make money slip by," commented Kyle Miller, shaking his head slightly as he looked at the stadium's decorations.
"Mid-year sales, 11/11, 12/12... there really are a lot of campaigns," he added.
"Your bug-catching contest is no different," replied Ethan Black with a faint smile. In fact, he thought that taking part in these types of tournaments several times wasn't bad; after all, the rewards were real and tangible!
"Hehe, that's society for you," Kyle Miller answered with an awkward smile.
The four of them entered the stadium.
Perhaps because the 12/12 competition was a mixed-gender duel tournament, the number of participants was visibly smaller than that of 11/11.
At eight in the morning, the 12/12 competition officially began.
After the typical opening ceremony, the organizers announced the tournament rules.
Unlike the challenge format of 11/11, this time all the rounds would be free-for-all battles.
In the morning, there would be ten free-for-all battles to decide ten winning groups. Then, in the afternoon, those ten groups would compete again in another free-for-all battle to determine the final champion.
The rules were simple and straightforward!
And there was a very particular detail: if one of the Pokémon in any pair lost the ability to fight, the other Pokémon would also be eliminated automatically.
Obviously, this type of competition tested the cooperation ability between the two trainers. The two Pokémon had to protect and support each other in order to win. Being strong individually wasn't enough.
"So if one Pokémon is defeated, the battle's over?" asked Kyle Miller, his face changing slightly upon hearing the rules.
Originally, he had thought of ignoring Hailey Blake, who he found to be an annoying hindrance, and winning the tournament relying only on his Scyther. But now he saw that besides defeating opponents, his Scyther would also have to protect Hailey Blake's Marshtomp.
That made the competition's difficulty rise several levels.
"Eh... I didn't expect the rules to be like this either," said Ethan Black, bringing his hand to his forehead with an exasperated expression.
He hadn't even trained as a pair with Sarah Anderson, since they were only there to fill slots.
In fact, he had a plan similar to Kyle Miller's: to sweep the field with his Cacnea.
"But it's not a big problem. Cacnea can fight with its roots while also protecting," Ethan Black reflected out loud.
"Ethan...! Why is it that you're always everywhere?" suddenly interrupted a familiar voice.
It was Lucas Silver, who appeared walking from the opposite side.
"Ah, Lucas..." answered Ethan Black, somewhat uncomfortable. A suspicion suddenly crossed his mind: could it be that Lucas Silver was also going to participate in the competition?
"This tournament was organized by us, the Devon Corporation, along with other companies. So, you know..." explained Lucas Silver, shrugging his shoulders when he noticed Ethan Black's expression.
As the young heir of the Silver family, he not only acted as its public face but also had to attend all kinds of competitions and events.
"I thought this would just be another boring social event, but I didn't expect to run into an old rival like you. Now I'm much more interested," he said with a smile as he looked at Ethan Black, Kyle Miller, Hailey Blake, and Sarah Anderson.
Then he wished Ethan Black good luck and went off to socialize with others.
"I didn't think we'd find Lucas Silver here," commented Kyle Miller, watching his back as he walked away.
"Looks like this competition is going to be tough," he added with a somewhat serious expression.
"Lucas Silver? Is he really strong?" asked Hailey Blake, adorably furrowing her brows.
"Yes, that guy and Ethan are members of the university team," answered Kyle Miller with a serious face.
"Although he's lost twice to Ethan, his strength is real," he added.
Kyle Miller had seen Lucas Silver's previous battles and knew his Metang was extremely powerful. Even though Ethan Black had won, they were very close matches. Under those conditions, anyone could have won.
"Member of the university team...? Ethan?" repeated Hailey Blake, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes, Ethan... Ethan..." she repeated, as if she had suddenly remembered something.
Then her expression changed all of a sudden.
She also remembered that Ethan Black had a Sandslash, the same one that had participated in the university exchange competition, the one with the red spines.
Thinking about it, she couldn't help but blush.
To think that at the time she had believed Ethan Black used Cacnea out of fear of her! Looking at it now, it was clear that he had actually spared her. If he had used that Sandslash instead of Cacnea, her Marshtomp would have lost much more easily.
After the rules were announced, the host began the draw for the free-for-all battles.
It seemed Ethan Black really had a connection with the number seven, because once again he was assigned to field number seven.
Kyle Miller ended up in field five and Lucas Silver in three. Fortunately, none of the three had to face each other in the first round, which gave them some breathing room.
Since the ten free-for-all battles were to be held at the same time, the four of them split up to head to their respective fields.
"In a moment, put your Cubone next to my Cacnea. He'll protect it," Ethan Black told Sarah Anderson as they walked.
"Yes, I know. My Cubone will make sure to buy you some time," Sarah Anderson quickly replied. She was a smart girl, and upon hearing Ethan Black's plan she immediately understood her role.
"Relax. Let's just take this as entertainment. We have no intention of competing with Hailey and Kyle for first place," Ethan Black said with a smile.
Although he also coveted the Nidoran egg, he knew Kyle Miller and Hailey Blake were there for the same reason, so he didn't intend to fight them over it.
Besides, he already had four Pokémon in his team: Sandslash, Cacnea, Shellder, and Shuckle. If he wanted to raise another Pokémon, he'd have to think very carefully.
So unless he was sure that Nidoran was worth it, he wasn't planning on capturing it just like that.
(End of Chapter)