The Draw
The rising sun shined it golden light over the Indigo Plateau as the Pokémon World Championship was set to begin. The Kanto elite four had gathered all the participants into the newly build grand stadium. The grand stadium was designed just for this World Championship. It was the largest and most state of the art stadium in the Pokémon world.
64 eager participants had been summoned from the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh. 32 battles were held over the days leading up to the tournament to narrow the field to a select 16. Win or lose all 64 challengers had an equal chance to qualify for the main event. The final 16 was to be made up of those deemed worthy by the gathered champions. They were chosen by their conduct before and after battle, the ways they utilized their Pokémon and most importantly how much heart they showed.
Once everyone competing had gathered on the battle field the crowd in the stadium erupted as Lance appeared ready to announce the draw for the final 16.
"Once the final 16 have been announced the tournament can begin, the first round of matches will be 3 on 3 and the remaining rounds will be full 6 on 6 battles." Lance announced.
The first bracket appeared on the screen as a hush fell over the competitors. A loud gong signaled that the fist combatant had been chosen.
"And the first qualifier is 17 year old Robin Archer!" Lance roared as the stadium went into frenzy.
The picture on the screen switched to a view of the battlefield and zoomed in on Robin. The young man removed his black fedora and waved into the camera before setting his short light brown hair. Realizing that they were taking his picture for the tournament Robin removed his trench coat revealing navy a blue shirt and black jeans. The blue eyed trainer smiled as the camera focused on him. After a picture had been taken attention was back on the screen as his opponent was to be selected.
Attention turned back to Lance as he prepared to announce the second name. "And his opponent, 22 year old James Alton."
A green haired man grabbed Robin's shoulder and wished him luck. Dressed in an old worn grey shirt and faded blue jean he stared at Robin with his brown eyes. It wasn't clear if was trying to be friendly or intimidating but he politely smiled for the camera before heading to the locker room.
"Thanks, I think?" Robin said as his opponent left.
With the first two slots already filled the remaining 62 grew slightly more nervous. Again the gong sounded followed by the expectant hush.
"In the second bracket we have 16 year old Abilia Victorien!" Lance shouted with the crowd growing more excited as each new name was called.
Abilia was already prepared for her close up. As the camera zoomed in on her she undid her ponytail releasing her long black hair. She quickly zipped up her black bomber jacket over her white wife-beater as she prepared for her picture. Reaching into the pockets of her blue skinny jeans she pulled out white fingerless gloves and put them on. Looking into the camera with her gold-amber eyes she struck a confident pose.
Lance once again prepared to announce the next combatant.
"Joining bracket two is 18 year old Robert Deangelo."
Smiling ear to ear Robert tucked his hands into his coat pockets as the camera took his picture. With his navy blue suit and red tie he was undoubtedly the most formally dressed competitor at the tournament. His short black hair was combed over neatly but ruffled into the breeze.
"This is going to be the easiest match ever." He said arrogantly looking at his opponent's picture.
Abilia heard this but decided to let her battling skills do the talking.
Four of the sixteen had already been chosen and tension was rife on the battlefield. The crowd was silenced yet again by the gong.
"Qualifying for the main event, 16 year old Sara Margus." Lance announced with the crowds excitement bursting.
The young woman jumped excitedly as she heard her name being called. Collecting herself she re-tied her brown hair into ponytail with a red ribbon. Sara removed her blue jacket as she neatened her white floral patterned shirt and white skirt. After making sure that both ear rings on each ear were intact she pulled her blue gloves tighter as she smiled for the camera unable to hold back her over-enthusiastic grin.
"Battling against Sara is 19 year old Elizabeth Regal."
The shy brunette blushed as the camera zoomed in on her. She felt she was under dressed for the occasion in her blue sundress and sandals but she didn't let it stop her from smiling.
"I express my emotions through my clothes." Elizabeth said as the other trainers stared at her.
"Hmm, she doesn't seem that tough." Sara thought to herself.
Only ten slots remained, only a few calm faces remained amongst the trainers. This time they were ones awaiting the gong. The familiar gong sound again.
"Joining the elite finalists is 17 year old Wynter White." Lance announced.
Wynter smiled as she sighed in relief. Unlike the others before she didn't worry about having her picture taken, she was prepared. The petite blonde stood confidently in snow white tank top and ice blue miniskirt. Just like the finalist before her she had a ponytail but she used an ice blue ribbon. She ever so slightly adjusted the elbow high snow white glove on her left hand when the camera was ready.
"Facing off against Wynter is 16 year old Linda Arthur."
The tomboyish red head refused to smile as the camera zoomed. Her short untidy red hair was matched by her red eyes. Her oversized black t-shirt and baggy blue jeans made her seem more masculine than she actually was.
"You're going down girly." Linda shouted across the field.
"We'll see about that." Wynter shot back.
The crowd roared in excitement as they waited for the gong to sound so that Lance would announce the next participant.
"The youngest challenger at these World Championship, 13 year old Fiona Coyne" Lance shouted.
The young and short girl began screaming uncontrollably. Her wavy black hair swayed as her side bangs covered her right eye while celebrating. Calming down she tightened her blue headband before posing for her picture in her brightly colored T-shirts and Denim jeans.
"And bracket 5 becomes a case of oldest versus youngest with 57 year old Michael Edisto."
The bald old man stroked his grey beard. He was dressed in wore out karategi, it was evident that he had been training for a long time. Calmly he awaited he picture, there was an air of confidence around him.
"Just my luck." Fiona thought as she examined her opponent from a distance.
"Only six slots remain." Lance said building up anticipation before the gong sounded. "Next up to join the final 16, we have 15 year old Blaze Westwood."
Staring at the ground Blaze waited for his picture to be taken. For some reason he turned away from the camera. All the picture was able to focus on was his short, spiky dark brown hair. Unable to get a clear picture one was uploaded from the tournament database with Blaze wearing his black and yellow shirt with blue jeans while looking away.
"Fighting Blaze is 16 year old Ariel Silver."
Her slanted blue eyes pierced through the crowd and locked onto her opponent. Her fine, curly, golden brown hair draped over her shoulders. Her fair skin tone and very feminine build was what one would call attractive. Dressed in a black skirt and shirt she managed to get the attention of almost everyone.
With four slots remaining and the crowd on the edge of their seat Lance awaited the gong to name the next two trainers.
"Battling for the prestigious title of Pokémon Master, 17 year old Corey Spina."
Corey looked up at the camera with his Light brown eyes trying to use as minimal effort as he could to wave. With one hand tucked into his blue striped white shorts, he used his free hand to make sure his light short brown hair was just spiked up in the front and the rest was kept down with gel. On his waist he had a pair of sunglasses clipped on along with blue fingerless gloves that had a lightning bolt on the front.
"Completing this bracket is 18 year old Xavier Austin"
The bulky teen stood at the back at crowd quietly. His short, kind of spiky, chocolate brown hair had bangs that reached his eyebrows. Trying to smile he opened his narrow, lime green eyes wider. When the camera zoomed in on him, he unzipped his short selves' maroon jacket to about three/fourths of the way to reveal a black tee shirt underneath. Before his picture could be taken he made sure the white hems on his black nylon pants were visible.
"I've got to battle this guy, what a drag." Corey said as he looked at his bigger opponent.
"This guy seems so uninterested." Xavier said as he examined his slouched adversary.
"Our penultimate finalist is 19 year old Lynn Hek." Lance announced.
Her deep-set beige eyes showed her relief at hearing her name. Her short coffee-colored hair drifted in the breeze as she prepared for her picture. She was covered in a long black coat that didn't reveal much. As the camera zoomed in on her, she closed her coat even more.
"Just one slot remains for 49 challengers." This time the gong carried much more significance than before. "The last entry to the Pokémon World Championship is … 18 year old Fey Everdeen!"
The tall and slender albino with long snow white hair almost fell over before screaming in joy. All the excitement caused her to drop her dark shades revealing her red eyes. With a smile of sheer excitement she got herself ready for the picture patting down her white v-neck blouse. The blouse had a light and dark blue flower design. She made sure black skirt ended above her knees before waving at the camera.
"There you go ladies and gentlemen. Your final 16, the first match begins in one hour." Lance announced before leaving the stadium.
Robin Archer
VS
James Alton
Abilia Victorien
VS
Robert Deangelo
Sara Margus
VS
Elizabeth Regal
Wynter White
VS
Linda Arthur
Fiona Coyne
VS
Michael Edisto
Blaze Westwood
VS
Ariel Silver
Corey Spina
VS
Xavier Austin
Fey Everdeen
VS
Lynn Hek