Shortly after the Scyther family had settled in, a series of clear cries rang out from the distant sky.
Soon after, the Pidgeot family drifted in like a colorful cloud.
Their broad, powerful wings shimmered with multicolored light under the sun. The Pidgeot leader at the front moved with agile grace, its gaze sharp and piercing, while the Pidgeots behind followed in neat, orderly formation.
They landed gracefully on the arena, and Wen Qi quickly stepped forward to greet them.
The Pidgeot leader let out a crisp, melodious cry, as if paying Wen Qi the highest respect. Then, the participating Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot were guided to the waiting area by designated staff, while the rest headed to the spectator stands, swiftly finding their spots and eagerly anticipating the battles.
Before Wen Qi could catch his breath, the ground trembled with a rhythmic vibration—the Poliwrath family was arriving in full force.
They marched with resolute, powerful steps, kicking up clouds of dust along the way.
Every Poliwrath was muscular, their eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.
After a brief exchange between the family leader and Wen Qi, the participating Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Poliwrath quickly moved to the waiting area, while the others climbed to the stands, buzzing with excitement for the competition to begin.
Without further delay, Wen Qi released his own Pokémon.
First came the steady Torterra, walking slowly, each step firm and grounded.
Next was Venomoth, fluttering its wings, surrounded by an air of mystery.
Horsea swam joyfully in the water, showcasing its graceful agility.
The Sandslash family bounced in, brimming with boundless energy.
Gogoat strolled in with elegance; Poliwhirl and Flaaffy walked side by side, radiating closeness.
Scizor brandished its sharp claws, imposing and majestic.
Dragonair slithered through the air, its form beautiful and captivating.
Growlithe ran about cheerfully, full of warmth.
Rhydon moved with heavy steps, exuding raw power.
Pidgeotto circled in the air before landing.
Heracross displayed its robust physique, while Bulbasaur looked around with a dazed curiosity.
Except for Bellossom, who disliked battling and chose to be a medic instead of heading to the waiting area, all of Wen Qi’s Pokémon went to the participant zone.
But as time passed, the Venusaur family still hadn’t arrived.
Wen Qi grew anxious, pacing back and forth, his gaze repeatedly darting toward the direction from which they might appear.
His brow furrowed as he muttered under his breath:
“Why aren’t they here yet? Did something go wrong?”
The other Pokémon seemed to sense his unease and stayed quietly in place.
Torterra stretched its neck, as if straining to see; Heracross gently nudged Wen Qi’s arm with its horn, offering silent comfort.
The Pidgeots in the stands let out low calls from time to time, and the Poliwraths whispered among themselves, the atmosphere growing tense.
Wen Qi kept checking the time, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
He speculated inwardly:
“Did they run into a strong opponent on the way? Or got held up by something else?”
The more he thought, the more worried he became, even considering sending someone to look for them.
Just then, a Pidgeot flew down and circled around Wen Qi, as if telling him to wait a little longer.
Taking a deep breath, Wen Qi suppressed his anxiety and continued waiting, his heart heavy.
Time seemed to stretch unbearably, each second agonizing.
Just as his patience was wearing thin, a familiar sound finally came from the distance.
The Venusaur family, led by the dominant Venusaur, slowly made their way toward the arena.
The dominant Venusaur held its head high, its flowers vibrant and lush, exuding a rich, intoxicating fragrance.
Behind it, the Ivysaurs and Bulbasaurs followed closely, their steps orderly and synchronized.
The seeds on their bodies glimmered faintly in the sunlight, like dazzling gems.
The arrival of the Venusaur family was like a warm spring breeze, dispelling the heavy tension in the air.
Wen Qi’s heart finally settled, a relieved smile spreading across his face.
The other Pokémon perked up, eagerly anticipating the exciting battles ahead.
Seeing that the Venusaur family had finally arrived, Wen Qi felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders.
He straightened his clothes and walked with steady steps to the temporary stage set up in the center of the arena.
Once in position, he cleared his throat and began:
“Dear friends, whether human companions or Pokémon, welcome to this arena full of passion and challenge!”
His voice, amplified by the power of the Everstone, rang out clearly to everyone, as resonant as a great bell.
“The purpose of this competition is to let our Pokémon fully showcase their strength and potential, and to deepen our mutual understanding and trust. Here, every Pokémon is a protagonist, and every battle is an opportunity for growth.”
Wen Qi’s gaze swept across the crowd, his eyes filled with hope and encouragement, warming hearts like the spring sun.
“We have many participants today: warriors from the Scyther family, champions from the Pidgeot family, strong fighters from the Poliwrath family, the forest-dominant Venusaur clan, and my own Pokémon partners.”
As he spoke, Wen Qi pointed to each area, ensuring everyone knew the competing teams.
“The competition will proceed as follows: we’ll start with the level 11-20 group, one group at a time. We’ll ensure fairness, justice, and transparency.”
His expression was serious and earnest, as if conveying something of utmost importance.
“As for the rewards, winners will receive precious attribute essence fragments to help enhance their strength, along with specially crafted perfect energy cubes to quickly recover stamina after battles.”
The moment Wen Qi finished, the Pokémon below erupted in excitement, like a pot of boiling water.
“Alright, now please have the participating Pokémon come up to draw lots to determine their opponents and order. I wish everyone the best of luck and hope you enjoy the process!”
Wen Qi smiled at the eager Pokémon below, his heart full of anticipation, as if already envisioning a spectacular competition.
As he looked at the Pokémon ready to compete, he suddenly remembered the Water-type Pokémon.
Frowning slightly, he thought for a moment and immediately instructed his staff to dig a pool beside the arena.
Soon, a large pool was excavated, its water crystal clear and shimmering like a giant mirror.
Wen Qi announced loudly:
“Water-type Pokémon, this pool is for you. But remember, you can’t dive for more than a minute, or it’ll be a foul.”
No sooner had he spoken than his mischievous Horsea leaped into the pool, swimming joyfully in circles, enticing other Water-types to eagerly follow suit, like lively little sprites.
Then, he looked up at the Flying-type Pokémon in the air.
Several Pidgeotto were already darting up and down excitedly, showing off their aerial skills.
Wen Qi continued laying down rules:
“Flying-type Pokémon, you cannot fly beyond the arena’s boundaries, stay above five meters in height, or hover at that height for too long.”
As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, his expression stern. A proud Pidgeotto seemed reluctant to comply, trying to fly higher, but Wen Qi quickly stopped it:
“Follow the rules for a fair competition!”
The Pidgeotto backed down, and the other Flying-types quieted down, listening intently, their eyes focused.
Also, moves like Earthquake and Earth Power that damage the arena are prohibited.
With that, Wen Qi swept his gaze across the arena once more, ensuring all participating Pokémon understood these new regulations.