Pokemon: Skybound

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As the announcer's voice echoed across the arena, the stadium fell into a brief, stunned silence.

Two seconds.

Then—

Applause. Deafening applause.

The crowd erupted into cheers, people leaping to their feet in celebration. Despite many having cheered for Trinity throughout the match, there was no question now—

The true champion, the one most worthy, was Kai.

Just as everyone had predicted, he'd claimed victory.

On the Trainer's platform, Kai stood tall, smiling as he waved to the roaring audience. From where he stood, he could see fireworks bursting in the sky, banners streaming in the wind, and thousands of spectators applauding in rhythm.

It was a celebration of power, of mastery, of a performance no one would soon forget.

The stadium stayed in that euphoric moment for quite a while… until the announcer's voice returned.

"Would the champion, Kai, please come to the stage to receive his prize!"

Normally, a Trainer would take the long walk back through the corridor, ascend a staircase, and enter the awards platform the traditional way.

But Kai?

He had other plans.

Turning, he signaled to his Gyarados.

The red leviathan emerged from the water with a low growl and glided back toward him. Lowering its massive head, it offered Kai a place to stand.

Kai stepped up, walking across the platform and onto the dragon's crown.

Before the crowd could even process what was happening, Gyarados began to rise from the water like a living elevator. Towering higher and higher, it brought Kai to eye-level with the ceremonial podium—eclipsing it entirely.

Water dripped from its massive body like cascading waterfalls, pouring down its gleaming crimson scales.

On the platform above stood High Priestess Maya, seated with authority at the central throne. To either side, six young attendants in white ceremonial gowns held ornate fans, standing with practiced poise. Officer Jenny and a group of uniformed guards flanked them, forming a protective ring.

When Gyarados appeared, its glowing red eyes locking onto the platform, panic rippled through the guards. Even the more stoic ones instinctively took a step back, anxiety written all over their faces.

But Maya and Officer Jenny held firm.

Jenny remained composed, as always unyielding in the face of danger. And while Maya's eyes widened for a moment, she didn't budge from her seat.

'Not bad' Kai thought. 'She's got guts.'

To the audience below, it looked like Gyarados was about to break through the platform wall. Its head loomed just feet from the crowd, creating the illusion of a kaiju pressing into reality.

Kai glanced around the podium, then stepped off Gyarados's head and landed gracefully beside Maya.

With a click, he returned the red Gyarados to its Poké Ball.

As soon as it vanished, the tension broke like a wave. Everyone seemed to exhale at once. The air felt lighter. Clearer. The unshakable pressure from before was gone.

Maya stood and approached him.

"Kai," she said with a warm, poised tone, "on behalf of the Whirl Islands, I congratulate you on your victory. You've brought us a magnificent tournament and proven yourself the most deserving of this championship."

Kai smiled modestly. "Thank you. I just did my best. There were a lot of incredible Trainers here—I learned a lot from them."

Now standing face to face, Kai could see that Maya was even more striking up close. Her elegant purple hair framed porcelain skin and the long white robes gave her an almost mythical presence—like something out of a Grecian legend. The staff in her hand completed the image, reminding him of Athena from Saint Seiya.

As Maya offered more formal praise, she studied Kai in return.

So young, she thought. And already a champion across multiple regions. Three major victories this one included. That's… extraordinary.

And, of course, his Gyarados, that overwhelming force of nature. It still made her skin prickle just thinking about it.

She gestured toward a nearby platform.

"Now, please step forward. It's time for the blessing of the sea and your official prize."

Kai walked to the designated pedestal. From here, he had a full view of the arena only now, the scene looked entirely different.

Standing atop the field as the champion… it felt earned.

Powerful.

Real.

Maya approached with four of her attendants. Each held a silver tray, and on them were four items: a golden medal, a golden trophy, a large check, and a shining teardrop-shaped item—the Mystic Water.

"These," Maya said, "are your rewards. The championship medal, the trophy, a one million credit prize, and the symbol of this tournament the Mystic Water."

The four attendants stepped forward in sequence.

First, Maya personally placed the golden medal around Kai's neck. Its polished surface glinted with the image of a stylized whirlpool.

Then came the weighty trophy, golden and intricately carved, and the massive check for one million credits.

Kai accepted both graciously.

But his eyes were already drawn to the final item.

The Mystic Water.

Unlike the other prizes, it wasn't just symbolic.

This held power.

Unlike his Blastoise, who was mostly retired, or even the red Gyarados who rarely needed boosts, the one Pokémon in his party who could truly benefit from this…

Was Suicune.

He'd already planned for this moment.

With Mystic Water enhancing its moves, Suicune would become even more formidable. And if fate allowed another encounter with a Legendary on his journey…

He would be ready.

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