As Lucas's words fell, the crowd immediately cheered.
Most of these Trainers were from Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town, so they often heard rumors about the Breeding House and Lucas during their time at home.
Some even specifically came to the Breeding House to interact with Lucas and purchase pokémon eggs.
The remaining small portion were Trainers traveling through, and it's a Trainer's nature to join in the fun.
So they all stayed.
The remaining people from Twinleaf Town were even more excited.
It's worth noting that Twinleaf Town hadn't experienced a battle competition like this in a long time; usually, they could only watch it on TV.
"Next, I will announce the rules for this 'Gengar Cup.' It's divided into defending the arena and challenging the arena.
Each person can use six Pokémon, following normal competition rules.
If a challenge is successful, you can take over as the defender of the arena.
After each match, the defending side can use any method to restore their Pokémon's stamina.
Joy from Twinleaf Town has borrowed a device from the Pokémon Center, and it's not far from here."
Everyone looked behind them, following Lucas's hand, where Miss Joy, wearing a white cross-hat and with pink hair, stood with her hands clasped in front of her.
She smiled and greeted everyone.
Everyone cheered in unison again.
"Next, please respect all Trainers participating in the competition.
We will ensure fairness, impartiality, and transparency.
Any cheating will be severely punished, and don't even think about causing trouble, because Miss Jenny and her Arcanine will be watching you."
Everyone looked back again; Miss Jenny, in her blue uniform, was sitting on an Arcanine, watching the crowd, accompanied by several colleagues.
"Also, I believe you've all noticed that there are many small stalls around our arena.
If you're nervous, or if victory slips through your fingers, why not take a stroll, experience the unique charm of our Twinleaf Town, eat some delicious food, and have some fun?
Even if you don't win, you'll still leave with wonderful memories."
As soon as he finished speaking, the murmuring below began.
"Actually, I already had that intention.
I have a clear understanding of my own strength; I'm just here to join the fun."
"Me too.
To be honest, when I was strolling around earlier, I saw a lot of things I wanted to eat."
"Really? Why don't we go eat together later?"
"Sure, I'll wait for you or you wait for me then."
"Alright!"
Lucas gestured for silence, then continued:
"Everyone, so many spectators are down there, eagerly anticipating a thrilling, passionate battle from you.
Are you ready?"
As the Trainers thought of so many people watching them display their power, they suddenly felt their blood surge.
Listening to the cheers from below, Lucas immediately shouted:
"Then, the first contestant who believes they have the strength to defend this arena, step forward!"
As Lucas's words fell, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
A long-haired man suddenly stood out, "I'll go!"
He walked onto the arena, looked at the crowd below, and said:
"I am a Trainer from the Unova region.
A few days ago, I happened to pass through Twinleaf Town and learned there was an arena battle, so I stayed.
Now I'll give it a try to see if I can defend this arena, for the grand prize, and to bring everyone a battle feast!"
The long-haired man finished speaking passionately, then tossed a Poké Ball from his hand, and a four-legged, dark blue-bodied Pokémon with a huge horn on its head appeared on the stage.
"Roar!"
Samurott, one of the Starter Pokémon from the Unova region?
Lucas was a bit surprised; did his Breeding House's arena battle attract Trainers of this caliber?
Lucas nodded towards the Gengar, who was eagerly awaiting on the stage.
Gengar, with a whistle in its mouth, floated to the center of the arena.
It looked at the crowd below.
"Kekeke—"
Anyone want to challenge?
Perhaps intimidated by Samurott's aura, no one spoke for a moment.
At this moment, a bespectacled man pushed up his glasses with his middle finger and spoke from within the crowd.
"Then let me challenge the arena!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd parted to make a path for him.
It must be said, these Trainers were indeed of high caliber.
The bespectacled man came onto the stage, nodded in acknowledgement to the long-haired man, then reached into his pants pocket, pressed something, and a red-and-white Poké Ball appeared in his hand, which he then flicked with his wrist.
"Come out, my good partner!"
A red light flashed, and a beetle Pokémon with a single horn made a dazzling appearance!
Heracross!
The first match is Samurott vs. Heracross?
Interesting.
Lucas came and sat next to Gary, took the drink offered by Gothorita, and began to sip it, watching the battle on the stage.
"Let us present a visual feast to the audience!"
"I was just thinking the same!"
Gengar stood in the center of the field, seeing the overflowing fighting spirit in their eyes.
It took a deep breath, then suddenly floated up, its rear end Warped back, and blew a puff of air.
Whoosh~
The whistle sounded, and two voices simultaneously rang out?
"Samurott, Swords Dance!"
"Heracross, Swords Dance!"
Gary then appropriately picked up the microphone.
"Wow! Both contestants chose a Swords Dance opening strategy!"
Everyone was a bit surprised.
There's even commentary!
This is so exciting to watch!
"Razor Shell!"
"Go meet it, Horn Attack!"
The horns on top of the two Pokémon's heads clashed fiercely!
Then they separated.
"Aqua Jet!"
Under its Trainer's command, Heracross dodged the stream of water heading towards it, then charged its large horn and delivered a head-on blow to Samurott.
A super Horn Attack hit Samurott.
Samurott recoiled in pain, but under its Trainer's command, it steadied itself, entangled Heracross, and returned a super Horn Attack.
Watching the two large horns collide violently, the atmosphere on site was surprisingly high.
Gary also provided brief commentary at specific times, avoiding disturbing the two Trainers in battle, while also helping audiences unfamiliar with battles understand the excitement.
Lucas was intently watching the stage; Heracross charged towards Samurott with a close-combat attack, but due to injury and pain, it couldn't help but pause for a moment.
A glint flashed in the long-haired man's eyes.
"Samurott, Aerial Ace!"
"?!"
Lucas's eyes suddenly widened.
So dirty?! Samurott also learned Aerial Ace?!
Samurott's giant yellow horn was enveloped in white light, aimed directly at the approaching Heracross.
Due to its injured state, Heracross couldn't forcibly change its move, and the bespectacled man clearly hadn't realized Samurott was hiding an Aerial Ace.
He was momentarily stunned, and by the time he recovered and commanded Heracross to dodge,
Samurott's giant horn had already struck Heracross.
Four times super effective, super effective among super effective.
Heracross's eyes showed swirls.
The bespectacled man recalled Heracross and sent out a Beedrill next.
After Beedrill took down Samurott, both sides continued to battle back and forth for quite some time.
Finally, the long-haired man emerged victorious.
The long-haired man walked up to the bespectacled man and extended his hand.
The bespectacled man paused for a moment, then, listening to the cheers and applause from below, he smiled.
He extended his hand.
Their hands clasped tightly together.
Thunderous applause echoed through the sky.
Afterward, the long-haired man went to Miss Joy to heal his Pokémon, then returned to the arena to await the next challenger.
Lucas glanced at the atmosphere of the event.
It seems this arena battle was a huge success?
....
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