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The bright sun shone down on Indigo Stadium, illuminating the grand arena.
Amid bursts of cheers, after a morning of intense battles, Group A had already determined two winners. As the lunch break passed, the crowd's excitement shifted to the highly anticipated afternoon matches!
The main venue of the Indigo Stadium, capable of accommodating 50,000 spectators, was packed to capacity, buzzing with energy.
Compared to the smaller venues used during the qualifiers, this stadium was far more grandiose, and the number of attendees had grown significantly.
Everywhere, there were ribbons, balloons, trumpets, and cheering sticks, contributing to an electrifying, festive atmosphere.
Fans sipped on soda, munched on popcorn, and immersed themselves in the excitement of the Pokémon League's biggest event of the year!
Ash's match was scheduled for 1 PM.
As family and friends, Kai, Chloe, Misty, Brock, Delia, and Professor Oak had all arrived early to secure their seats, eagerly awaiting the match's start.
Nearby, the announcer's energetic voice hyped up the crowd, introducing the records of the two competitors. First, Richie walked confidently into the arena to a wave of cheers.
However, when it was Ash's turn to be introduced, there was a moment of confusion. Even after the announcer's enthusiastic introduction, Ash was nowhere to be seen.
The announcer tried again, calling for Ash repeatedly, but he still didn't appear.
The crowd began to murmur, and even the Pokémon League organizers were caught off guard by the unusual situation. Staff hurried to Ash's waiting room to search for him, but it was empty.
"What's going on?" someone in the audience asked in surprise. "Where is that competitor, Ash?"
"Who knows?" another spectator responded. "He's been gone so long. Could he be forfeiting the match?"
Despite the growing speculation, League rules dictated that a competitor could not be disqualified before the official start time. The audience, though restless and dissatisfied, had no choice but to wait.
In the stands, Delia wore a worried expression. "Could Ash have overslept again?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"That's impossible," Misty replied, shaking her head. "He had breakfast with us this morning, but after that, he got a phone call and rushed off with Pikachu."
"He hasn't returned since then?" Professor Oak frowned. "Could he be in some kind of trouble?"
Seeing Misty and Brock ready to go look for Ash, Kai stopped them with a shake of his head.
"Let's wait a little longer," Kai said. "Ash must be caught up in something."
'This is a Canon Event, it seems' Kai thought while looking at the battlefield.
As time ticked by, the audience grew increasingly impatient. Even Misty and Brock were starting to fidget anxiously.
Just as the referee approached Richie, preparing to declare him the winner by default, Richie intervened.
"Please wait!" Richie requested earnestly.
Seeing the sincerity in Richie's plea, the referee consulted with League officials.
They decided to grant a 10-minute extension, recognizing the importance of fairness and wanting to avoid a hollow victory.
As the final minutes ticked away, a loud voice suddenly rang out:
"Wait! I'm here!"
Heads turned as Ash's voice echoed through the stadium. The crowd looked skyward and saw a Pidgeotto pulling a Meowth-shaped hot air balloon rapidly descending toward the arena.
Underneath the balloon was a damaged bicycle, and on it stood Ash, gripping a rope with one hand while holding Pikachu with the other. His face was tense with urgency.
The balloon landed, and Ash jumped onto the field just as the crowd's frustration gave way to curiosity. His dramatic entrance managed to lighten the mood, and the audience's dissatisfaction began to fade.
"He finally made it!" Misty sighed in relief, and Brock nodded.
Kai, however, noticed something troubling. Ash's Pidgeotto was clearly exhausted from towing the balloon. It wouldn't be able to battle.
There was no time to rest. The referee signaled the start of the match, and both trainers released their Pokémon.
Richie sent out Butterfree, while Ash called on Squirtle.
From this round onward, the matches were 3-on-3 battles held on dirt arenas. Although the terrain was simple, it highlighted the trainers' strategic abilities and ensured a level playing field.
Under the trainers' commands, Butterfree and Squirtle began exchanging attacks. The battle was evenly matched at first, with both Pokémon landing and taking hits.
Brock observed closely. While Ash and Richie were now friends, neither was holding back in the slightest. It was clear that Ash's determination grew stronger when facing someone he respected.
The fight continued, but compared to the intense battles of the qualifiers, this one lacked the same energy. The crowd began to grow restless, and a few boos could be heard.
Despite the audience's impatience, Ash and Richie remained focused.
Finally, Richie made his move. At his command, Butterfree released a cloud of Sleep Powder. Squirtle caught off guard, was hit directly.
The powder took effect immediately. Squirtle swayed unsteadily for a moment before collapsing to the ground, fast asleep.
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