Elite Four Tournament, final round, Kōmei's group.
Sato, the absolute Dark Rapidash, had consecutively defeated both Kōmei and Aruta. Even the lowest-ranked Charlotte posed little threat to him.
After all, Charlotte had already lost two matches. Knowing he had no chance to advance, took the opportunity to curry favor with the future rising star, Sato.
In the end, their match concluded 4:2. Sato's participating Pokémon weren't seriously injured and fully recovered by the end of the day.
Sato hadn't needed the favor, but since Charlotte never brought it up before or after the match, Sato didn't go out of his way to acknowledge it either.
Thus, the two advancing from their group were, without a doubt, Sato and Elite Four Kōmei.
The results from the other groups were quickly finalized as well.
Pryce, Sen, and Lance each advanced to the finals with a perfect 3-0 record, no surprises there.
Meanwhile, Investigator Shuto, data-style Trainer Edward, and Lance's uncle Siegfried all advanced to the Elite Four Tournament top eight as second place in their respective groups.
Previously, they had ranked second, third, and fifth in the points round.
The fourth-ranked Elite Four Trainer was ultimately defeated by Edward, while the fifth-ranked Siegfried deliberately chose to challenge the top-seeded Pryce and still managed to break into the top eight.
Some disapproved of Siegfried's opportunistic tactics, but if it were them, most people would've done the same.
That disdain was mixed with envy and jealousy, and only they knew how much.
On the day the top eight were finalized, the rules for the next stage were announced. As expected…
6v6 full-team battles!
The first-place finishers from each group would face a second-place finisher, ensuring maximum fairness.
That was where Sato's undefeated record finally paid off…
Sato -⚔️- Shuto!
Pryce -⚔️- Kōmei!
Lance -⚔️- Siegfried!
Sen -⚔️- Edward!
Except for the match between Sen and Edward, the other three drew massive attention and discussion.
At least one non-former-Elite-Four contestant would become a new Elite Four after this round.
Would it be Sato or Shuto?
Sato seemed more likely to win, but Shuto had been steady and methodical all along. The two hadn't actually faced each other during the tournament, who knew what tricks Shuto might still be hiding?
The second match pitted two current Elite Four members against each other. Pryce's strength was beyond doubt, while Kōmei, having lost to Sato, was not highly favored.
Adding fuel to that was a flood of recent rumors. Everyone now viewed this match as Kōmei's farewell and retirement battle.
Ironically, that had gained him quite a few supporters…
Then there was the third match. An internal clash between two of the Dragon Tamer clan's Elite Four!
As the undisputed number-one Clan in Johto, the fact that both Lance and Siegfried had reached the top eight had already shocked many.
Now, the uncle and nephew were facing off in the top-four qualifiers. That arrangement made some people start to see the bigger picture.
The League would never allow the Dragon Tamer clan to control two Elite Four seats simultaneously.
That Siegfried still chose to compete, knowing this full well, and made it to the top eight anyway, pointed to two possible motives…
First, to clear the way for Lance, ensuring the Dragon Tamer clan at least retained one Elite Four position.
Second, dissatisfaction with Lance's rigid leadership style as an Elite Four, and a desire to replace him outright.
As long as Siegfried made it into the top eight, the Pokémon League, for the sake of stability, would definitely pair the uncle and nephew together.
And for the clan, maybe both motives had existed from the start.
In the end, it all came down to which of the two had the upper hand.
As for whether this would provoke Lance's dissatisfaction? Well, the clan elders had never cared about such things.
After all, he wasn't the Champion…
Regardless, the top-eight-to-top-four round of the Elite Four Tournament was guaranteed to be full of excitement!
---◓---
Clear skies, gentle breeze… perfect conditions for battle.
Today marked the second round of the Elite Four Tournament finals.
There still weren't many people in the audience stands. After all, this was a semi-private match, only accessible to League personnel.
◓---
Petalburg City, Hoenn Region.
Norman and Drake sat side by side, eyes fixed on the League intranet's live stream.
---
Sunyshore City, Sinnoh Region.
Flint had pulled Volkner out of training and into the break room, where the TV was playing Sato's pre-match trailer.
---
Joseph, Mark, Akira, Ponyo, and all the core members of the Shadownight Gym had come in person to cheer on their Leader Sato in his bid for Elite Four!
Since the top-eight-to-top-four matches were held separately, the members of [The Braves Fight the Evil Dragon team] -Lance, Will, and Clair- were also in attendance to witness this historic moment in Sato's journey.
---
A head of radiant golden hair was hidden beneath a cap… Cynthia, now one of Sinnoh's Elite Four, had set aside her current work to secretly come watch the match.
Suddenly, a ripple of spatial energy appeared beside her. Fujin casually stepped out, followed by a cute little green Pokémon.
"Fujin-jiji! T-That's-"
Cynthia recognized Fujin and had just lowered her guard when the Pokémon beside him startled her again.
"Heh~ Met this little guy during a forest fire. Helped it out a bit, and now it just won't leave."
"Cele~Cele!"
The "little one" clearly had a temper. Hearing Fujin describe it like that, it immediately flew over and tugged on his ear… though clearly without much force.
"Bah! Okay, okay, I'm the one clinging to you. I admit it, alright?"
Fujin chuckled as he surrendered. Only then did the little one let go, proudly raising its head before perching on Fujin's shoulder, gently rubbing his now slightly red ear.
Cynthia tried her best to remain composed and looked away from their playful banter, but couldn't help feeling a bit shocked; and more than a little envious.
That was… Celebi, the Pokémon that could travel through time and space.
---◓
On the battlefield, Sato seemed to sense something. He scanned the audience and quickly spotted familiar faces.
His fellow Shadownight Gym members. The Braves Fight the Evil Dragon team. Fujin. And…
'CYNTHIA!'
Their eyes locked in an instant. Cynthia smiled faintly and mouthed a phrase with her lips.
Sato grinned back and turned to face his opponent, Shuto, his fighting spirit rising like never before!
As for the Celebi next to Fujin… he completely ignored it.
Shuto quickly picked up on Sato's "rising" spirits. His own emotions surged to match.
As the "veteran", he wouldn't let himself be so easily outdone by the next generation!
["We now begin the second round of the Elite Four Tournament finals! This is the first of the 'Top Eight Vs. Top Four' matches. Each Trainer will use six Pokémon. The match ends when one side's full team has been defeated. Now… LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"]
"Zoroark, I'm counting on you."
"Mienshao, give it your all!"