◉◉◉◉◉
The cannons fired, and fireworks exploded across the sky.
At exactly 3 p.m., Silver Stadium was filled to capacity with spectators from across Johto.
Television networks cut their broadcasts to the event, bringing the annual Pokémon League tournament into homes, schools, and offices everywhere.
Families, friends of competitors, and casual fans all fixed their eyes on the spectacle. Shopping centers and street billboards displayed live coverage.
Office workers snuck peeks at their phones. Students watched from under their desks. Even bosses and teachers often looked the other way because they, too, were eager to witness this grand event.
The host's voice echoed through the stadium, carrying across the airwaves.
Elsewhere, Sabrina lounged on her sofa, legs crossed as she watched the broadcast.
She had only just finished a Gym match earlier that day, but her mind wandered back to her travels with Kai across Johto. If not for the League pressing her to return to her duties, she would still be with him.
Her mood soured at the thought. If Kai hadn't persuaded her and her father hadn't begged her she would have abandoned her Gym entirely to travel at his side.
Just then, her father entered the room. "Sabrina, another challenger has arrived, you—"
He froze as he saw her rise with a cold glare. A chill ran down his spine. Whoever had just asked for a match… he almost pitied them.
Meanwhile, all over the Pokémon world, familiar faces tuned in. Professor Elm and his assistants in New Bark Town. Professor Ivy in the Orange Islands. Melody in the Sea Temple of the Whirl Islands. The Kimono Sisters in Ecruteak. Even friends as far away as Kalos gathered around their screens.
For some, Kai was simply a friend. For others, something much more.
The broadcast shifted to show the torchbearer sprinting down Silver Town's streets, torch held high, crowds cheering as the sacred flame approached the stadium.
Inside the competitors' tunnel, Kai lined up with the other trainers. As they marched into the stadium, the spotlights converged on them.
The audience roared, a deafening wave of cheers and applause.
Smiling, Kai raised his hand to acknowledge them. The cameras caught his expression, broadcasting it across the giant screens and the crowd's excitement grew even louder.
His popularity was undeniable. Nearly every commentator had pegged him as the strongest contender for the title. Yet Kai remained calm, his smile unwavering.
He scanned the stands, hoping to spot Erika, Misty, and Brock. But with nearly eighty thousand people packed into Silver Stadium, it was impossible. Instead, his sharp eyes caught something unusual.
At the very front row, a group of about twenty people waved banners and flags, all wearing matching jackets. Some even had dyed, brightly colored hair. The banner read in huge letters:
"Kai is Number One!"
Kai blinked. Wait a second… weren't those the biker gang? They'd followed him all the way to Johto?
He had no idea they were coming. It was a genuine surprise.
The broadcast cameras zoomed in on them immediately, showing their banner to the entire world. The crowd chuckled not mockingly, but because of the sheer absurdity and enthusiasm of the display.
On-screen, the gang waved their flags even harder, cheering at the top of their lungs.
Kai sighed with a smile. "Those guys…"
Their antics might paint a target on his back, spurring rivals to focus on him more than ever. But deep down, he was touched. The only way to repay their faith was with victory winning every battle and making them proud.
The trainers finished their march, standing in formation. The stadium gradually quieted as the moment everyone had waited for arrived the entrance of the sacred flame.
As night fell, the torchbearer ran into the arena. But when the crowd saw him, they gasped. It wasn't the young man who had left Ecruteak's Ho-Oh Shrine earlier that day.
Instead, it was a boy in a baseball cap and casual clothes, holding the torch firmly, determination written on his face.
At his side ran a small, familiar yellow Pokémon.
"Ash!?"
The audience erupted in shock. None of them had expected Ash Ketchum to be the final torchbearer.
Kai, however, just shook his head with a weary smile. There was only one explanation for this sudden twist.
Team Rocket had to be behind it.
◉◉◉◉◉
~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◉◉◉◉◉
For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!