Flannery's surrender echoed through the stadium like a thunderclap.
The referee blinked once, twice, then finally raised his voice:
"Flannery, do you officially forfeit this match?"
"Yes! I'm sure!"
"…Very well. Due to Flannery's forfeit, the winner is—Cynthia!"
The announcement dropped.
Cynthia froze.
She… won?
Just like that?
No Garchomp, no Lucario, no battle, no sweat?
Simply—won?
Back in the rest lounge, Chen Shi dragged a hand down his face.
Of all possible outcomes…
This was absolutely not the one he expected.
This is the World Championships, he lamented silently.
Millions of viewers across every region… and she just—surrenders?
Not even one attack?! Not even a dramatic pose?!
Steven shook his head slowly.
He wasn't surprised.
Flannery was the type of person who would absolutely do something like this.
On the field, the red-headed girl gave Cynthia a playful wink, then strutted offstage with zero shame.
To Flannery, forcing her Pokémon into a hopeless slaughter wasn't bravery—it was idiocy.
Her philosophy was simple:
If you can't win, don't fight. Protect your Pokémon first.
She'd lived by that rule for years.
She once saw Chen Shi send out Dragapult in a cave and—just like today—instantly surrendered.
Why get crushed for no reason?
Top 32 was already more than she expected.
Her grandparents would be proud.
That was enough.
Back in the Lounge
Cynthia and Flannery returned.
Chen Shi gave Flannery a look that screamed:
"I'm disappointed, but also impressed at your bold stupidity."
"You're famous now," he said.
"The first trainer in the World Championships to surrender. Any words for your fans?"
Flannery flopped onto the sofa, grabbed a drink, and shrugged.
"I feel great. I don't have to battle at all today! I'll just cheer for you guys."
Chen Shi's eye twitched.
He opened his mouth to scold her—
Closed it again.
What could he say?
She was responsible for her own choices.
Cynthia hesitated, then gently patted Flannery's shoulder.
Flannery gulped down her drink and said earnestly:
"Cynthia, really—it's fine. I never came here aiming to win anything insane. I just wanted the experience. Don't worry about me."
Seeing she meant it, Cynthia relaxed.
The group sat together, watching the remaining matches.
Lance's Match
Lance appeared first.
His mid-Elite Charizard demolished the opposition with casual dominance.
Effortless.
Diantha's Match
Diantha stepped in next.
Her Goodra rolled through its match like a living fortress, tanking every attack without budging.
Chen Shi crossed his arms.
He remembered Diantha's true ace wasn't Goodra—it was Gardevoir.
If her Goodra was already Elite-tier…
Her Gardevoir was likely mid-Elite.
That made Chen Shi's heart tighten slightly.
Dragapult was still level 63—one level away from mid-Elite.
And Diantha wasn't a normal trainer.
But Chen Shi smiled.
Even without that breakthrough, he had trump cards no one else possessed.
He was confident he could defeat anyone here.
Steven's Turn
Steven stood, straightening his immaculate suit.
"Well then," he said lightly,
"It's my turn to perform."
Without waiting for a reply, he walked out with the elegance of a man who had been dramatic since birth.
Chen Shi rolled his eyes.
Rich.
Handsome.
Strong.
Talented.
And dramatic.
He earned the right to show off.
On the Battlefield
At the referee's cue, Steven tossed a Luxury Ball.
"Metagross—take the stage."
"Meeetaa!"
A gleaming Shiny Metagross materialized, metal limbs spreading wide in an imposing stance.
The stands exploded.
"IT'S STEVEN STONE'S METAGROSS!!"
"The Shiny one! THE one from the Ever Grande Conference!"
"Hoenn's dual pseudo-legend—OH MY GOD!"
"Chen Shi has a Shiny Metagross too, right?!"
"Hoenn is BUILT DIFFERENT!"
"Hoenn supremacy!!"
In the arena, Flint narrowed his eyes.
This Metagross was not just strong—
It radiated mid-Elite pressure.
He had originally believed he could go toe-to-toe with Steven.
Steven had only shown Aggron and Skarmory so far—matchups Flint felt confident against.
But a Shiny, mid-Elite Metagross?
This changed everything.
Flint exhaled sharply, then tossed his Poké Ball.
Red light burst—
And Infernape landed with a fierce cry, flames roaring atop its head.
A powerful, trained stance.
Sharp eyes.
Steady breathing.
A mid-Elite Infernape, his strongest partner.
Steven smiled faintly.
"Good."
"A proper matchup makes this interesting."
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