Chapter 178: The Celebration Opens

Chapter 178: The Celebration Opens

The highly anticipated Volcanic Hot Spring Celebration has finally begun.

In Fuquan Town, whether they were local residents or tourists who had come from afar, everyone put down what they were doing and went together to the specially set-up viewing area on Fiery Volcano to watch this unconventional badge challenge match.

In front of the bustling viewing area, several large screens were hung.

"1, 2, 3... 20! A total of 20 contestants will be making an appearance in this celebration! Let's wait and see!"

The host's voice came from the large screen.

14 challengers, 5 Gym apprentices, and the person very familiar to the residents of Fuquan Town, that generous lady—Gym Leader Flannery.

They were each distributed at different entrances at the foot of the volcano, waiting for the command to start the competition.

On the big screen, the camera swept across each contestant.

Some were rubbing their fists, eager to show their skills immediately; some were calmly organizing their Poké Balls and climbing gear; some were perhaps a little nervous, constantly muttering, as if to psych themselves up; and some were resting with their eyes closed, unmoved by the outside world.

The camera gradually zoomed out. Only then did the audience see that the ones responsible for filming this competition were actually the reporter team from the Middel Region's largest news media—the Pokémon Daily. They were in helicopters, split into several teams, showcasing every scene of this Fuquan Town Volcanic Hot Spring Celebration from multiple angles.

"...We can see that the Flame Flag has already been planted at the summit of the volcano. All contestants must ascend to the summit to compete for the final destination of the flag. During the ascent, they can engage in battles with their three Pokémon. Anyone who is defeated twice is immediately declared eliminated."

The camera focused on the large flag fluttering in the wind on the mountaintop. The host was also sitting in a helicopter, explaining the rules to the live and remote audiences.

For the challengers, this was a good opportunity to showcase their strength, gain reputation, and win a badge. And for the gym's apprentices, this was a rare opportunity to see if they could win the appreciation of the Gym Leader or even the old man Akagi, and thus be cultivated.

Therefore, all the contestants were determined to achieve the final victory in this celebration.

There was no tedious opening ceremony. After the contestants had taken their positions one after another.

"BOOM!"

A huge ball of fire shot high into the sky and exploded. At this moment, the Volcanic Hot Spring Celebration officially kicked off!

Under the excited gazes of all the spectators, the contestants began their respective actions.

One contestant, after getting on the mountain path, quickly found some secluded climbing routes.

"Oh, oh, it seems this contestant plans to avoid the struggles on the way up the mountain and preserve their own strength to deal with the final battle," the experienced host quickly deduced this contestant's plan.

"However, be careful. Those small paths on the volcano are not as easy to walk as one might think."

As soon as his voice fell, the challenger who was attempting to climb the mountain using a small path, due to a moment of carelessness, missed his footing and rolled straight down the mountain. Fortunately, he hadn't climbed too high at this point, so even though he rolled down, he wasn't seriously injured.

However, this made the contestant doubt his own choice.

The audience, seeing this somewhat thrilling scene, also cried out in alarm.

However, an even greater uproar erupted from a certain scene that the audience saw from other angles.

…

Time rewinds to ten minutes ago.

Standing at the entrance of the volcanic mountain foot, Míng Rìzhào took a deep breath, calming her excited and nervous emotions.

The young girl was dressed in simple hiking clothes, her long hair tied in a neat ponytail, and on her head, as always, she wore that Poké Ball cap.

At her waist, in a neat row, three Poké Balls were placed.

"Ruru, Rio, Bubu, today's competition is all up to you!"

Míng Rìzhào gently patted the Poké Balls, then whispered her arrangements.

"For the battles ahead, I plan to have Ruru fight first as the main force. Because Ruru is a Psychic-type, she can perform better in this kind of uneven terrain and is not easily affected by it."

"And Rio, you continue to store up that one punch. When you want to throw that punch, that will be your stage to shine."

"As for Bubu..."

Míng Rìzhào paused, somewhat troubled.

"Uh, we'll see how it goes."

The three Poké Balls all shook in response.

"Alright, let's go!"

Thanks to her experience of looking for Rio on Fiery Volcano last time, Míng Rìzhào had some experience with the volcano's climate and its rugged mountain paths. Moreover, the tactic she adopted was to climb up the main road fair and square, not specifically looking for small paths to avoid other challengers, nor deliberately provoking other challengers. The ultimate goal was to climb to the summit, defeat all opponents, and obtain the flag!

"To face difficulties head-on, to not fear challenges—that is a true trainer!"

The girl's eyes were resolute as she climbed upwards, step by step.

However, sometimes, difficulties really do seem to be intentional, coming straight to your door.

What was worse was that because the rules didn't place any restrictions, some challengers got clever and exploited a loophole.

From the other side of the mountain path, three challengers walked out.

"The rules don't say that we can't team up for battle."

The challenger in the lead was precisely one of the Pokémon trainers who had complained most fiercely at the gym entrance that day. He looked at the lone girl and revealed a triumphant smile.

"First, we'll defeat you trainers who are in the way, and then the three of us will slowly discuss things."

Three against one, counting all the Pokémon, that would be a nine-on-three battle. In addition, the trainers who came to challenge this Guiding-type gym in Fuquan Town were probably at the level of rookie trainers. With such a crushing numerical advantage, it was impossible to lose no matter how you thought about it.

The lead trainer's mouth split into a wide grin.

Looking at the triumphant faces of the three people before her, Míng Rìzhào was not annoyed at all, but simply placed her hand on her Poké Ball and calmly stared at the other side.

Míng Rìzhào, on the scene, remained calm, but the spectators were in an uproar.

"Three trainers bullying one little girl! What kind of skill is that!"

Some of the audience members who liked to fight for the underdog shouted loudly.

The three trainers in the team consisted of two men and one woman. From their appearance, they were in their twenties to thirties. Although not particularly old, when compared to the youthful and beautiful young girl opposite them, it seemed as if they were relying on their age to bully someone younger.

"But what's not restricted by the rules is reasonable. From a tactical level, there's nothing wrong with it."

Such discussions were naturally not lacking among the rational and objective people.

"Huh, this girl, isn't she the trainer who was in the live broadcast battling that giant Pokémon in Verdant Leaf City?"

"Ah, it really is! The trainer who saved my hometown! Then I must support her!"

"I remember she has a Pokémon that can transform and become huge. I wonder if we'll get to see it again this time."

"…"

No matter how much the people discussed, it couldn't affect the contestants.

The other two trainers in the team, seeing Míng Rìzhào so calm, were both a little displeased.

"Stop wasting words with this little brat. Let's defeat her quickly and climb the mountain."

The three trainers directly threw out their Poké Balls.

"Solrock."

A rock Pokémon that looked like the sun was summoned, sizing up everything in front of it with its listless eyes.

"Nosepass."

The lodestone Pokémon with a red nose, upon its appearance, did a 360-degree turn. The reason was that its magnet-like nose was directly attracted by the magnetic field. The scene was instantly a bit comical.

"Pelipper."

"Peli! Peli!"

The fat seagull with a huge beak cried out actively, the water vapor emanating from its body diluting the scorching heat of the volcano quite a bit.

The Rock and Psychic-type Solrock, the Rock-type Nosepass, and the Water and Flying-type Pelipper—it had to be said that these three trainers had made quite a few preparations for this Volcano Celebration. Knowing that the Fuquan Town Gym was a Fire-type gym, and that the biggest challenge, Gym Leader Flannery, also specialized in Fire-type Pokémon, they had prepared Rock- and Water-type Pokémon to counter her.

However, the other challengers were not necessarily all Fire-type Pokémon. But for these three, it didn't matter. With a total of nine Pokémon, they could wear down their opponents with a war of attrition alone.

Míng Rìzhào quickly scanned the three Pokémon, then took out a Poké Ball.

"Then I'll..."

The girl's words had not yet fallen.

Suddenly, a young boy's voice sounded from behind the crowd.