Chapter 44:Celadon Game Corner!

(Guys the chapters for both Pokemon Ace's adventure and Naruto eye system will be posted a little late because my exams are going on, so the chapters will be posted late with 2-3 days gap until my exams are over. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

As Ace and the girls stepped out of the Pokémon Center with their bags slung over their shoulders and bikes in hand, the lively atmosphere of Celadon City greeted them. The streets buzzed with energy, but what really caught their attention was the growing crowd heading towards a brightly lit building.

"Hey, what's going on over there?" Serena asked, squinting at the commotion ahead.

"It looks like everyone's heading to the Game Corner," May observed, her curiosity piqued.

Ace glanced at the direction of the excitement. "We have time before heading to Fuchsia City. Let's check it out."

Agreeing, the group stored their bikes in their spatial bags and joined the throng of people. As they approached the Celadon Game Corner, their eyes widened in awe. The building was adorned with colorful decorations and a huge, glowing sign that read "Pokémon Gamer Tournament" in bold letters, surrounded by dazzling lights.

"This place looks amazing!" Dawn exclaimed, craning her neck to take in the vibrant display.

The sound of a microphone crackling grabbed their attention. On a makeshift stage stood an announcer dressed in an extravagant yellow suit, complete with pink glasses, a matching hat, and bright blue hair that looked like it defied gravity. His voice boomed through the speakers, commanding the crowd's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, trainers and fans, welcome to the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Celadon Game Corner!" he announced, his arms spreading dramatically. "To commemorate this grand occasion, we have organized a spectacular Pokémon battle and games tournament! The winner will receive a special surprise Pokémon as the grand prize!"

The crowd erupted in murmurs and gasps of excitement.

"A surprise Pokémon?" May whispered, her eyes sparkling. "I wonder if it's something cute!"

Dawn giggled. "It better be adorable! Maybe it's an Eevee or something rare like a Togekiss."

Ace, however, was deep in thought, rubbing his chin. 'A tournament… This could be a great chance to test my team's strength. And that surprise Pokémon sounds tempting.'

The announcer continued, his grin widening. "Now, let me explain the rules! This tournament will feature traditional Pokémon battles with a twist! Trainers will compete to earn points. A victory earns you 5 points, while a loss deducts 5 points. The first ten trainers to reach 30 points will advance to the finals. From there, it's a battle royale until one trainer emerges victorious and claims the prize!"

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, excitement rippling through them. Ace's eyes lit up, a determined grin spreading across his face.

"I'm in," he declared confidently.

May sighed, though her lips curved into a fond smile. "Of course you are. You can't resist a challenge, can you?"

Serena chuckled, shaking her head. "We'll cheer you on from the stands."

"Don't let us down, Ace!" Dawn added with a teasing grin.

"I won't," Ace replied, his tone brimming with determination. "You three find good seats. I'm off to register!"

As Ace headed toward the registration desk, the girls made their way to the stands set up for the audience.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the cheerful crowd above, the scene shifted beneath the Game Corner. A secret underground lair bustled with activity. People dressed in black uniforms, all bearing the distinctive red R emblem of Team Rocket, moved quickly through the dimly lit space.

Two guards stood outside a heavily secured door, engaged in conversation.

"Where's Boss Proton? Wasn't he supposed to oversee the next shipment?" one of the guards asked.

The other guard shrugged. "I heard he's upstairs at the tournament. Probably watching the show."

Back above ground, the announcer stood before the crowd, still radiating his energetic persona. His bright blue hair glistened under the stage lights, and his smile remained wide and inviting. But beneath the façade of his cheerful expression, a glint of malice flickered in his eyes.

Ace looked around at the other trainers who had also joined the competition, his eyes scanning the variety of participants. Each of them now wore a sleek wristband that displayed their current points, which were all set to zero for now.

'This is going to be fun,' Ace thought, smirking. He adjusted his wristband and turned his attention to the large screen mounted on the wall of the Game Corner. The screen displayed the photos and names of every participant, adding an official touch to the event.

The crowd grew restless with anticipation as the countdown began.

"Ten… nine… eight…" The audience chanted, their voices growing louder with every number.

Ace stood tall, the competitive fire in his eyes burning brightly. 'Let's see what these trainers have to offer.'

"Three… two… one!"

The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers. "Let the tournament begin!"

Chaos erupted as trainers scrambled to find opponents, eager to rack up points and make their way to the finals. Ace stayed calm, observing the frantic movements around him. He didn't have to wait long before he was approached by a boy slightly older than him, with a confident smirk plastered on his face.

"You look like a rookie," the boy said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Easy points for me."

Ace raised an eyebrow, his smirk unwavering. "We'll see about that."

The boy introduced himself as Jimmy, and both trainers stepped into one of the battle areas. The crowd shifted their focus, eager to witness the clash.

Jimmy tossed his Pokéball into the air. "Go, Golem!" he yelled, and the massive, rock-covered Pokémon emerged with a thunderous roar.

Ace remained calm as he reached for his own Pokéball. "Let's show them what we've got, Scizor!"

In a flash of red light, Scizor materialized, its metallic body gleaming under the tournament lights. Its pincers clicked menacingly as it prepared for battle.

Jimmy wasted no time. "Golem, use Rollout!"

Golem curled into a tight ball and began rolling towards Scizor at high speed, gaining momentum with every rotation. The ground trembled under its weight, and the crowd watched in suspense.

Ace, however, didn't flinch. His voice was calm yet commanding. "Scizor, Swords Dance into Bullet Punch!"

Swords of energy materialized around Scizor, spinning rapidly as its attack power surged. Without hesitation, Scizor launched itself forward in a blur of red.

"Now!" Ace shouted.

Scizor's pincers glowed with metallic energy as it intercepted the rolling Golem. With incredible speed and precision, Scizor delivered a series of devastating punches. Each strike landed with a resounding clang, forcing the Golem to a halt.

Scizor jumped back gracefully as the Golem wobbled in place, its curled form unraveling. The Rock-type Pokémon teetered for a moment before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

The referee raised his hand. "Golem is unable to battle! Scizor wins!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Jimmy stood frozen, his mouth agape.

"No way…" he muttered, unable to believe his Golem had been defeated so quickly.

Ace returned Scizor to its Pokéball, a small smile on his face. "Good job, Scizor. You were amazing out there."

As Ace walked away, leaving the stunned Jimmy behind, he could hear the voices of his girls from the stands.

"Way to go, Ace!" Serena cheered, waving excitedly.

"That was awesome!" May added, her hands cupped around her mouth to amplify her voice.

"You make it look so easy!" Dawn chimed in, clapping enthusiastically.

Ace glanced up at them and gave a small wave. 'Time to keep the momentum going,' he thought, scanning the area for his next opponent.

It didn't take long for Ace to find another challenger. This time, he sent out his Annihilape, who faced off against a towering Rhydon.

"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm!" the opposing trainer commanded, the large Pokémon charging forward with its arm raised.

Ace remained composed. "Annihilape, dodge and counter with Rage Fist!"

Annihilape deftly sidestepped the attack, its fists glowing with ghostly energy. With a guttural roar, it unleashed a flurry of punches, each one landing with brutal force. Rhydon staggered back before collapsing, unable to continue.

"Rhydon is unable to battle! Annihilape wins!"

The crowd roared again, but not everyone was simply impressed by Ace's skill.

From his vantage point, the announcer watched the battles unfold, his blue hair catching the light as he adjusted his pink glasses. Beneath his outward excitement, a sinister thought lingered.

'This kid is good. Too good,' he mused, his hidden grin turning darker. 'I should dig into his background. He might be just what Team Rocket needs.'

Unbeknownst to Ace, the announcer wasn't just a cheerful host. He was Proton, a Rocket Executive, and his interest in Ace had just taken a dangerous turn.

(Pls give me some power stones!)

(Find out next time on Pokemon:Ace's Adventures!)