Chapter 27: Top 15
As soon as I took a step out, I was politely stopped by a grunt. I looked at him in annoyance,
"Why are you stopping me?" I asked him.
"Sir, we were ordered by the higher-ups to prevent participants from conversing till the tournament gets over. They want to prevent the information regarding other participants to spread across. I was told to inform that participants need to handle the opponent's pokemon without any info on them. So, until tomorrow morning, everything you need will be provided by us." He said politely, he seemed like he did not want to offend me as he did not even make eye contact.
I nodded and went back to the room. I have to plan something out, I know I am in the top 16 and I would need to wait for the first round to finish. I was ready to give life orb to one of my pokemon but did not know whom to give.
Electrike was using the Lagging tail since the start and I never asked her to remove it. I don't even know how fast she will be without it, Krokorok got used to scope lens and is doing well with them. The only option is to give it to fletchinder, she also has Roost to compensate for the lost health.
I immediately summoned fletchinder out and explained about Life Orb, she was excited to try it out so I moved the life orb closer to her. The life orb showed signs of movement as it instantly levitated in front of fletchinder. Then, with no time to react, it directly went through her chest.
The scene I witnessed a second ago was like magic because life orb just disappeared into her. I was wondering if fletchinder can take it out so I asked her about it.
[Jay, this seems weird because I could feel the power it's providing me but somehow seems to suck the life energy around my heart. I can control it and it can be brought out if I don't want it so you don't need to worry.] she said.
I was immediately relieved and was amazed by how life orb works as it did not even flinch when I touched it but immediately started working when brought closer to a Pokemon.
I then gave Fletchinder some belly rubs and returned her to the Pokeball. There's nothing to do till morning so I started meditating, this has become my daily routine. Although not intense, I do it whenever I am free. It helps me concentrate and think faster, after this trial gets over, I will try to reach some psychics using Oak's contacts.
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Next day:
'knock knock...knock knock'
'knock knock...knock knock'
There were several knocks on my door as I took my sweet time opening it by getting ready expecting a grunt, only to find Captain Carr standing with an annoyed face.
"What took you so long? You know that you are still an Agent right? Even if you did not know it was me, it's better to be careful when you live in Team Rocket. Not everyone is forgiving, if it was an Executive like Proton, he would have slapped you the moment you opened the door," he said in a tone that sounded half lecturing and half playful.
"Yes sir, I will keep that in mind," I said while walking out of the room.
"It's time to go Jay or should I say, Raven?"
"Ahhh!!!! I did not want my name to be the same as the one when I roam outside. I thought it would be safe that way," I said scratching my dark hair. I had my mask on so he couldn't see my expression.
"It's fine, many have changed names and it's not new here. Anyways, how was your training? Any progress?" he asked curiously.
"You will see the results, it's better to create some suspense isn't it?" I said not revealing anything.
"Hmm, confident are we?? Don't worry, Your morale will be crushed in a day or two," he said in full confidence.
"Why? Do you have any inside info on the other participants?" I asked with interest.
"I do but I can't reveal it. Just keep in mind that this particular participant is the only survivor from the trial island 5. So, there are only 22 participants, Round two will have one lucky guy going directly to Quarter Finals." He said with a serious face as if indicating the participant from Island 5 will be dangerous.
"I will keep that in mind. Let's go, I am ready for the final trial." I said eagerly.
He nodded while summoning his Grumpig and as always Grumpig teleported us immediately with no wasted movements.
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After 5 seconds:
I was in front of a huge arena which looked very similar to an Earth's Football Stadium. Captain Carr took me in by showing his ID at the same time confirming my identity as a participant.
As I went in, I was shell shocked by the sheer size. This stadium was as huge as four football fields combined, it had multiple battle arenas with a huge partition between them.
"This place is the personal battlefield of the Boss, he trains here with his Pokemon and all the executive matches happen here. This year is a bit special, we planned to invite most of the Elites and Executives here to watch. Try to make a huge impact, it will be very helpful if you caught an executive's eye." He said after seeing my stunned expression.
I nodded without replying as I wandered my eyes over, Captain Carr slowly took me to a room which had a Television and a couch. It was spacious enough to live, at least bigger than the previously given room.
"For now, this will be your room, everything you and your Pokemon need will be in the Refrigerator. Keep in mind that you would have no info on your opponents, the TV will present you with all the participants and the matchings. When your turn comes to battle, you will be called so be prepared. We might not meet again unless Executive Archer takes fancy of you, goodbye Raven," He said giving me all the info.
Why do I feel like he is confident about me not being under Executive Archer?, I nodded at him while he left closing the door leaving me deserted. I quickly turned on the TV to see if I can get some information, everything about this seems more professional than league matches, I wonder if they are trying to prohibit cheating or help from other Team Rocket members.
I opened the refrigerator to take a drink while keeping my eye on the television. There was a lot of food inside, including Pokemon food. Although it's basic, for me it was everything I could never get.
I immediately released all my Pokemon, they never had pokemon food so I thought to give them some. The food was a high-quality one but it was generalised in a way that fit all Pokemon types. All three of them started digging in,
[Bro, is this what heaven tastes like. Damn!!! this shit is tasty as fuck.] said Krokorok while gobbling it down like an Ogre.
[Thanks for the food Sir, it is as tasty as what I eat with my mother.] said Electrike while Fletchinder silently ate the food. Fletchinder and Electrike's way of eating was very novel while Krokorok ate like a Barbarian. I started shaking my head while sighing,
"Attention, Attention!!!!! Participants who have are not directly in the top 16, your matchups are now ready so please move to the respective battlefields," came an announcement from the television.
I looked at the matchups, Gregory was going to battle someone called Natasha, Duke had a match up with a guy called Kane. The guy called Leon who met me on the island had a match with a girl called Rose.
Now that I wonder, why were there no girls on the first and second trial? All of them were boys, does that mean girls and boys were all separated?? Isn't that sexism?
Thinking it through, it made some sense. I think Team Rocket is giving girls some time to adjust so that they are all not some cry babies when they start trial 3.
Anyway, the only thing I can do now is to wait.....
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Executives POV:
"Who are you eyeing for, Ariana? Do you already have someone in mind?" asked the purple-haired Petrel.
"I do have some candidates in mind and don't try to bait me. Last time when I said that out loud, that bastard Proton took the candidate just to see me suffer," she said with clear anger visible on her face.
"I won't be doing that as I already have one in my mind. Didn't you guys here about a participant who left no survivors, he seems fun to recruit," said Proton licking his lips. You can see the psychotic expression on his face that disgusted everyone around.
"Proton, you are the only one who prefers candidates like that. It's not always good to have blood lust, it will muddle your brain and ultimately leads to losing your way," said Petrel in a calm tone.
"Shut the fuck up Petrel, don't act like a saint. The moment we joined Team Rocket, we lost our way. The only reason I joined here is the freedom it provides, unlike the shitty League," said Proton.
"You guys!!!!! calm down. The matches will be starting, so sit down and watch them. Do you want the Boss to give a lecture?" said the leader Archer raising his brows.
Everyone shut their mouths the instant 'Boss' was mentioned. All of them turned their gazes towards the battlefield.
Elites around them shifted their attention towards the participants, although executives can take the top performers under them, they too have a chance to take the other talented people.
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Jay POV:
The only downside now is that I can only see the final results but not the matches. Getting information on other players would be a very favourable thing, I don't even know what's Gregory's third Pokemon. I am more curious about the guy who killed everyone on his island, what pokemon will he have?
I have not seen a single dragon type in the last five years, everything I saw was only on Television or in a picture book. I only know that dragon and fairy types are the rarest while psychics and dragons are the hardest to catch. Dragon is common in both the cases which makes it rarer than the other types.
I just zoned out for the whole time before a sudden notification was heard. They announced the winners who will go against the eight people who had a seeded spot. Unsurprisingly, Duke and Gregory won their respective matches while Leon lost to a girl called Rose.
"Now, we will be doing the matchups. The next round will begin in an hour so heal your Pokemon as early as possible. Basic potions are available in your refrigerator, use them," announced a female voice.
I looked at the television as the shuffling started, it was too fast for me to keep up and it continued for ten whole seconds. Gradually, the speed toned down as the matchups arrived.
Gregory- Direct to top 8
Duke vs George - Battlefield 1
Rose vs Brood - Battlefield 2
Lud vs Raven - Battlefield 3
Freddie vs Hugh - Battlefield 4
Kaiser vs Robert - Battlefield 5
Yeti vs Colt - Battlefield6
Grant vs Tori - Battlefield 7
This bastard Gregory and my Krokorok should be the luckiest beings alive on this planet. I heard from Carr that top 8 have great rewards, Gregory just entered it without breaking a sweat.
I have an hour time before the match, so I should think about which Pokemon to use. This is just one on one, only the Semifinals are two on two while the finals are 3 vs 3. I want Electrike to have some battle experience as it has been long since she battled seriously. The only issue is that I don't know what level the opponent will be, should I take the risk?
I thought about it the for a whole hour and remade the decision multiple times, my psychic gut says it's alright to go with any Pokemon so I will trust that.
"Participants are required to step into the assigned battlefields, you have two minutes so hurry up," said the same female announcer as I hurried towards the Battlefield 3.
The grunts showed us the way as I followed them. After a minute I stood in front of a huge arena, I looked around to see the number of people who arrived here. There was quite the number, although I couldn't recognise anyone, they all looked at us like some sort of rare art pieces.
I ignored their gazes and glanced at my opponent, He had short brown hair and looked healthy for an orphan or maybe he is not. He too scanned me while giving a huge grin,
"I hope your Pokemon don't run away with a tail behind their ass, who wears masks these days? Weirdo." He said critiquing my appearance.
My appearance can only intimidate others if I have the strength, Joker is famous not because of his appearance but his character and intelligence. Otherwise even Joker would look funny, I ignored him and calmly looked towards the Referee, he nodded and then announced the rules
"This match will be a One on One, no potions or berries allowed. Items are permitted if your Pokemon is already holding them, midway switch of items is considered Illegal. Also, killing of Pokemon is strictly prohibited, Participants summon your Pokemon at the same time."
I took out my Pokeball and threw it out at the same time as my opponent Lud.....
---------x Chapter End x---------
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