Pokémon Swirl & Spiral

Chapter 17: Factory

When Kairi followed Dakota into the girl's locker room, it was clear the large gap of challengers Senator Wick had created. Counting those she saw, only 19 other girls remained, including the two of them. Kairi recognized many of the faces that were still competing, including that of Miko Haruka.

"Kairi." Dakota nudged, pointing to the screen on one of the machines.

The final trial would feature only six challengers in each round. The first round had been filled.

"I don't see Andrew or Taylor's numbers listed." Kairi acknowledged. "Let's go for second slot. Hopefully they'll get it."

"On it." nodded Dakota.

Soon, the countdown for the broadcast began and the first group of challengers, a whopping total of two from the girl's side, exited the locker room. Sitting back down on one of the benches, Kairi kept her focus as the usual Trial intro commenced.

The constant participation in the starting rounds had usually prevented her from viewing it. Featured were highlights of several moments in the past few trials, Kairi spotting herself as well as Hazel in some of the footage. Finally, a long distance shot of the stadium flashed onto the screen as the commentators introduced themselves and welcomed everyone to the broadcast.

"Tonight will mark the final Trial bout for the inaugural Arimian Pokémon League! With only a total 30 remaining challengers, we're starting to get much closer to crowning a champion! But before we start off tonight's first round, we have a special message to all of the challengers from our dearest Lady Hera!"

"Everyone, shut up!" One of the girls sitting next to Miko in the room screamed. All of them stared as the image faded into that of Lady Hera, who was again sitting comfortably in her office. The couple weeks of waiting were finally over. They all stood up and bowed.

Dakota?

She appeared to have kept her head up for about a second longer than everyone else. If any of the League Admins would've seen that she would've been harshly scolded at.

"My dearest citizens and Pokémon of Arim. Welcome to what will be known in our nation's history as the first ever concluding Trial." Lady Hera began. "To think we are already this far in Arim's first Pokémon League is simply...wonderful. At the start of this competition, one hundred young individuals had the esteemed honor of receiving a Pokémon, training them, and competing in the stadium you find yourselves in over and over again in front of the entire region to see."

The image changed, displaying profile photos of all the remaining challengers with their League number shown next to them. Kairi was the 6th person listed from the top.

"These are the current remaining challengers from the original one hundred." Hera observed. "We will find out tonight who will continue to the next phase in the League." She paused as the screen faded back to her. "As previously stated, my presidential duties have prevented me from observing all of these Trial matches in person and it will unfortunately stay that way afterward. It's a shame, really. I really want to see all of you challenger's beautiful faces with your Pokémon, especially with what lies in front of you next. Those who do pass tonight's Senator Trial will find their next obstacle...in these four."

The broadcast shifted to several shots of the outside arena, panning over the various spectators who cheered when they saw themselves on the big screen. Then, the feed displayed one of the corridors they had used to enter their seats. Everyone watched as three figures walked out, two of them being Mark-Three sHARPS.

The third one was a woman Kairi had never seen before, who wore silver robes and had light green hair.

"Who?" One of the girls in front of Kairi asked.