A Forgotten Dream

Chapter 4: The Arena

The Arena

We pulled onto the highway and Aurora gasped as the forest fell away behind us to reveal the true wonder that was Cerulean City.

Now that we weren't being chased by news vans she could take in the whole landscape as towering corporations fought for space with small businesses and apartment buildings.

Once we reached the city proper I pulled over and parked the car at a meter, hopping out and then opening the door for Aurora as she stepped down.

I put some cash in the meter and pulled Aurora after me, hoping we could still make it in time for the main event at the Pokémon Arena.

The massive competition dome was only a few blocks from where I had parked, though trying to get through the crowded city foot traffic was another matter entirely.

Over and over Aurora and I were jostled from side to side as people pushed by us in far too big of a rush.

Aurora stuck to my side like glue and her hand never left mine as we finally made our way to the front gates to the Arena.

The massive structure rose above us at least one hundred feet and we could hear the roar of the crowd from the entranceway.

Aurora looked at me with slight worry as we purchased tickets and climbed to the center section of seats.

I smiled calmly to let her know there wasn't anything wrong, and we walked into the blinding light at the end of the steps as the full power of the spectators hit us like a freight train.

The Arena had to be as big as three football stadiums combined, with enough seating to hold half of the city.

The center battle area was divided up into three separate arenas so that multiple battles could take place at one time.

Red and blue circles marked out the trainers' positions on opposite ends of each arena, and a single black circle filled the spaces between each to mark out the battle zone.

The rules were simple, either knock your opponent out of the black ring, or render them unable to continue the battle.

Most often the second option was the preferred one.

Aurora and I found a set of open seats that had some elbow room on each side.

I could tell the energy and cramped spaces were making Aurora a bit jumpy, so I hoped the room between us and the surrounding spectators would help a bit.

We sat down just as the contestants from the previous battles exited the arenas so Aurora and I missed the results of the previous contests.

Part of me was glad we hadn't showed up in the middle of a battle, but I also was a bit nervous as to how Aurora would react when she saw how people usually carried their Pokémon.

I hadn't told her about Pokéballs yet and I had a feeling she wouldn't like the idea of being in a small round prison most of the time.

The thought was shoved from my mind as the announcer came over the loudspeakers, "What a wonderful battle folks!

Every trainer fought hard but in the end, only one can be crowned the champion!

Now, to begin the semi-finals, please welcome to the arena, a trainer from far across the sea, master of electric and steel Pokémon, winner of the Blue Cross Tournament three years in a row, Kato Solace!"

The crowd went nuts as a young man in his early twenties stepped out of the gate to our left, stepping forward as he waved to the crowd until he stood in the center of the red ring.