166. Celebrations
I forgot to post the chapter...hahahaha😮💨
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Amidst the deafening cheers of the crowd, Kai stood tall on the Indigo Stadium battlefield, his heart pounding with exhilaration.
While he had faced tougher challenges before, this tournament had tested his mettle in ways he hadn't expected.
Watching his Gardevoir gracefully return to his side, Kai couldn't suppress the joy swelling in his chest.
Wrapping his left arm around her shoulder, he raised his right fist high into the air, loudly proclaiming his victory.
The roar of the crowd surged again, as cameras from all angles captured the triumphant moment. Around the world, Trainers, fans, and even those unfamiliar with Kai now witnessed his rise to glory.
In his embrace, Gardevoir, sensing his emotions, beamed with a serene yet proud smile. Her presence spoke volumes about the bond they had forged a connection that had carried them to this momentous achievement.
On the other side of the battlefield, Andrew retrieved his unconscious Pokemon, his expression a mix of disappointment and respect. His footsteps echoed as he approached Kai, pausing a few steps away.
Seeing him, Kai quickly stepped down from the podium, meeting him halfway.
"Congratulations," Andrew said, his voice steady despite the weight of defeat.
Kai hesitated. He wanted to offer words of encouragement, but he remembered the peculiar circumstances surrounding Andrew.
Mewtwo had erased his memory of their first encounter, leaving Andrew with no recollection of their past battles. To Andrew, Kai was merely the Trainer who had bested him today.
"Thank you," Kai replied with sincerity. "Don't let this loss discourage you you gave it everything you had. If it hadn't been me standing in your way, I believe you'd have had a great chance at winning this tournament."
He extended his hand with a warm smile. "I hope to see you again at the Silver Conference. Maybe next time, you'll be the one taking the championship."
But Andrew shook his head with a rueful laugh. "Thanks, but no thanks. I've had my fill of tournaments for now. Honestly, facing you was enough to make me rethink a few things. I think I'll stick to exploring the world for a while and leave the tournaments to you."
Kai blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Andrew's words were honest, but they carried a weight of finality that made him feel oddly guilty.
Still, Andrew smiled and clasped Kai's outstretched hand firmly. "Good luck, Kai. You deserve this victory." With that, he turned and walked away, his strides purposeful despite the weight of his loss.
Kai watched him leave, his respect for Andrew growing. He turned back to the crowd, raising his fist one more time to acknowledge their cheers before beginning his walk toward the waiting room.
Before he could go far, a referee intercepted him. "Contestant Kai, please don't leave the venue just yet. In addition to the awards ceremony, there will be a grand closing event. As the champion, your attendance is mandatory."
Kai nodded with a smile. "Understood. Thank you for letting me know."
The walk back to the waiting room felt surreal. The echoes of the crowd's cheers still rang in his ears, and every step carried the weight of his newly earned title.
Opening the door to the waiting room, he was immediately met with a loud pop! A spray of cold champagne hit him squarely, soaking him from head to toe.
"Wha—?" Kai sputtered, blinking as laughter erupted around him.
Before he could even process what had happened, he was pulled into a room full of familiar faces. Standing at the forefront was Professor Cerise, grinning proudly with an empty champagne bottle in hand. Chloe, Misty, Brock, and Ash were all there, their smiles wide and genuine.
"Our champion has returned!" Brock announced, clapping Kai on the shoulder as the others broke into applause.
Kai couldn't help but laugh, wiping the champagne from his face. "You guys planned this, didn't you?"
"Of course!" Chloe replied with a wink. "We had no doubt you'd win, so we made sure everything was ready to celebrate your victory."
Ash and Pikachu were practically bouncing with excitement, while Misty stood off to the side, her hands on her hips, smiling warmly.
"Congratulations, Kai!" Brock said. "You've earned it."
At that moment, Sabrina stepped forward, her usual stoic demeanour softened by a rare smile. She handed Kai a towel. "Congratulations, Champion," she said quietly.
Kai took the towel, his grin widening. The title still felt strange, but it filled him with a sense of accomplishment he couldn't quite describe.
As he wiped himself dry, Kai looked around the room, taking in the sight of his friends. He hadn't realized how many people he had grown close to during his journey. It was humbling and heartwarming to see so many of them here to celebrate with him.
From the back of the room, two figures emerged Misha and Marth, familiar faces from his past. Representing their old gang, they approached Kai with playful grins.
"Congrats, big bro!" Marth said, punching Kai lightly on the arm. "You being champion is huge! Honestly, it's an honour for all of us. People won't dare underestimate us anymore when we're out biking together!"
Kai shot him a sharp look. "Don't even think about using my name to get into trouble, alright?"
Misha laughed, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Relax, we're not like that anymore. We're just here to celebrate with you." Her expression softened. "Actually, we came to say goodbye. It's time for us to head back home."
"Already?" Kai asked, surprised.
Misha nodded. "We've been here long enough. It's time to move on."
Kai hesitated, then smiled. "Why not stay one more night? We should celebrate properly. It's not every day you get to party with a champion, right?"
Misha and Martha exchanged glances before agreeing with a nod.
Professor Cerise poured champagne for the adults and juice for the younger Trainers. At first, Ash, Misty, and Chloe protested, insisting they deserved a taste of the champagne. Professor Cerise eventually relented, pouring them each a small amount.
Everyone raised their glasses, and Professor Cerise, as the eldest, spoke. "To Kai, our champion, and to the friendships that made this journey unforgettable!"
"Cheers!" everyone echoed, their voices filled with joy.
The celebration continued late into the evening. Sabrina, unaccustomed to alcohol, blushed after just one sip. Ash wrinkled his nose. "This stuff tastes terrible like Tauros urine!"
Misty laughed. "That's why you're still a kid, Ash. No class at all!"
"What did you say?!" Ash fired back, starting a playful argument that had everyone in stitches.
As the laughter died down, Ash turned to Kai. "So, what's next for us? Are we heading home?"
Brock interjected, "Not quite. There's still the closing ceremony to attend. After that, the Indigo League will be officially over."
Kai nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "Exactly. But even after that, our journey is far from over. This is just one chapter in a much bigger adventure."
And as the celebration continued, the group's excitement for the future burned brighter than ever.
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