Adventures Beyond!

Chapter 81: Third Stage I- Fight!!

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Ionic Stadium, Sinnoh

Oliver tried his best to swallow down his anxiety about his approaching fight with a single gulp. He watched as an Emolga, who he assumed was his opponent, pranced over to the battlefield with a carefree smile on her face. She didn't seem worried about their fight in the slightest. Did that mean she was strong? Or was she just trying to psyche him out?

After realizing that he had been standing in the same place for a little too long, and that everyone else had already begun walking toward their small battlefields, the Oshawott sighed and began his long walk over to the battlefield the Emolga was standing at.

His eyes flickered over to Sophie and Akari, who were talking about something as they approached their own battlefield. He then looked over at Miles and Chloe, who were sharing playful banter about who would win. Next, he looked at Dawn and Trevor, who were walking toward their own battlefield while having actual banter, with the Monferno seemingly getting on the Buneary's nerves.

He couldn't help but to wonder for a moment, was that the same Monferno that Sophie was acquainted with from Casteel City?

He kept walking, his paws gripping as he grew more and more determined to win the battle ahead. He wasn't sure what he would be able to do, but he had many Pokémon counting on him. He had to do his best and give it whatever he had.

Suddenly, he passed by Logan. He tried not to pay much mind to it initially, figuring that he wouldn't want to talk as he prepared for whatever battle he would have to get into. That was, until the Scorbunny placed a paw on his shoulder, stopping the Oshawott in his tracks for just a moment.

Logan opened his mouth, whispering something to him. This small interaction was left unnoticed by everyone else, including his friends, who seemed more focused on the battles that were soon to begin. Oliver's mouth slowly fell agape, deciding to listen to what the Scorbunny was in the midst of telling him. After a few seconds, Logan removed his paw from Oliver's shoulder, walking off past him.

Oliver remained in place for a moment. His eyes were wide. Why had Logan told him what he did? What sense did that make? He swiftly turned around, only to see that Logan had walked back to the remaining participants, completely unbothered.

"Oliver the Oshawott!" He suddenly heard from one of the battlefields. He turned around to look at who had spoken, seeing one of the referees, along with the Emolga, standing there waiting for him, "If you are forfeiting, then let me know now."

The Oshawott was quick to run over to the small battlefield, "I'm coming! I'm still gonna battle!"

"Very well then." The referee, an exhausted looking Froslass, spoke as Oliver made it to the other side of the battlefield, "This battle will be between participant thirty-one, Elisia, and participant eighty-five, Oliver. This battle will be operated by a point system. Solid hits are one point, knockdowns are two points, and critical hits are three points. Ring outs are an automatic loss. First to ten wins. Understood?"

Both Oliver and Elisia looked at one another before turning to look at the Froslass, giving her a nod.

"Good. Battle, begin!"

The Oshawott was quick to raise his guard, grabbing his scalchop and preparing for battle. Elisia, meanwhile, only walked over to him, not a care in the world. Oliver was confused by this, but if he decided to move backward, he could be easily pushed and knocked out of the ring. He waited for her to get close, deciding that it would be the perfect moment to strike.

Once Elisia got close to him, however, she only leaned forward and puckered her lips, trying to plant a kiss on his cheek. The Oshawott was quick to realize what she was doing, and was sent into confusion by it.