Pokémon: The Cheating Life

Chapter 38: The Tournament Begins

A week later, Ron and Lillie set off once again, arriving at the Indigo League's main venue.

Originally, Ron had hoped to be chosen as a torchbearer for the Sacred Flame, but upon arriving, he realized they were way too early.

With no other options, Ron decided to head to the contestant village and register first.

Just as he was about to confirm his badges with Nurse Joy, a commotion erupted behind him.

"Hey, you! Move aside! Let our Kun Kun register first!"

Ron frowned, turning around.

"There's a line, you know? First come, first served. Also, who the hell are you?"

When he looked back, he saw a group of girls surrounding a delicate-looking boy who gave off an overly flashy, feminine vibe.

For some reason, Ron was reminded of Gary Oak and his fan club.

Before the boy could even respond, his fangirls started talking for him.

"Ugh, are you living under a rock? How do you not know Goldenrod City's Akun?!"

"Yeah, yeah! He's famous! You must be some weak no-name trainer."

"Pfft, what a joke. He's not even worth licking Kun Kun's shoes!"

"Ew, just look at him! He looks like some washed-up old man! So ugly!"

Ron's eyebrow twitched violently.

Ugly?

He wouldn't call himself handsome, but he was at least decent-looking.

And ever since he started his physical training, his muscles were starting to show—he was on track to becoming a rugged, badass trainer.

Yet here he was, being called an ugly old man by a bunch of brainless fangirls.

Ron ignored them, registered quickly, and dragged Lillie away to find a quiet spot to rest.

The next day, the Indigo League officially commenced.

One by one, over a hundred trainers entered the stadium as the opening ceremony began.

Just like in the anime, Team Rocket showed up to cause trouble.

Before Ash could react, the Sacred Flame had already been stolen.

A giant mechanical grasshopper grabbed the torch stand, leaped into the air, and charged toward the audience.

Ron sighed, casually releasing Mewtwo.

"Mewtwo, Psychic."

Mewtwo effortlessly halted the robot and Sacred Flame in mid-air.

With a flick of its wrist, the flame stand floated safely back to its original spot.

With another flick, the grasshopper robot crumpled like a tin can, exploding.

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" the trio screamed as they vanished into the sky.

Ron recalled Mewtwo, shaking his head.

"These three really never give up. Ash is in for a lifetime of suffering dealing with them."

Among the crowd, a red-haired boy clenched his fists.

"So… that's the Ron my cousin told me about?"

His eyes locked onto Ron's retreating figure.

"He's really strong, but I won't lose!"

With Team Rocket dealt with, the opening ceremony resumed.

"Now, let's welcome League President Charles Goodshow for the official opening speech," the announcer declared.

The elderly Goodshow walked up to the microphone and spoke.

"The Pokémon League is a place for trainers who truly love Pokémon to test their skills.

The Sacred Flame, blessed by Moltres, watches over us all.

Trainers, give it your all—so that you have no regrets in battle!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, signaling the official start of the tournament!

With that, trainers moved on to the lottery draw to determine their matchups and battlefields.

To enter the main stage, trainers had to win five preliminary matches in the outer battlefields.

Ron registered first, watching as the system randomly assigned him to the Grass Field.

His opponent's picture popped up on the screen.

It was that same feminine-looking boy from earlier.

"Oh, him… What was his name again?"

Ron had already forgotten, since small fries weren't worth remembering.

Lillie drew the Ice Field and was paired against a random female trainer.

Ron's match was first.

Lillie's was the second match on her field, meaning she wouldn't have time to watch Ron's battle.

Ron patted her head, smiling.

"I'll finish my match quickly and come cheer for you."

"Tch, how arrogant."

A familiar annoying voice interrupted.

Ron turned around and saw his opponent and his fangirls glaring at him.

Ron shrugged, unimpressed.

"Say what you want. The battlefield will do the talking."

With that, he turned and walked away.

He had zero interest in arguing with a group of brainless fans.

Initially, he had planned to go easy on this guy.

Now?

He was going to crush him.

As Ron walked onto the Grass Field, his opponent dramatically flipped his hair, flashing an annoying smirk.

"Though I hold no ill will toward you, I can't let my fans down. Prepare yourself."

Ron rolled his eyes.

The announcer introduced the trainers:

"In the green corner, from Goldenrod City, we have Akun! A rising star in Goldenrod's Pokémon scene, undefeated until now!

And in the red corner, from Pallet Town, we have Ron! A top-seeded trainer, personally recognized by the League! He is also the founder of the widely renowned Pokémon Breeding House!"

"Each trainer may use three Pokémon! Let the Grass Field's first match begin!"

Ding!

The battle began.

Akun smirked.

"Thanks for giving me my first win, Ron. Even if you're favored by the League, you're not my match."

Ron said nothing.

He simply watched this clown act.

Akun threw his Poké Ball, releasing Magmortar.

Ron sent out Bellossom.

The announcer gasped.

"Oh no! Ron is at a severe disadvantage! His Grass-type Bellossom is completely countered by Magmortar!"

Akun laughed.

"Haha! First match is mine! Magmortar, Fire Blast!"

Ron stared at him, bored.

"Bellossom, Petal Blizzard."

A tornado of razor-sharp petals erupted around Bellossom, instantly shredding the Fire Blast apart.

Then, it slammed into Magmortar, grinding it into the dirt.

When the petals cleared, Magmortar was out cold.

"Magmortar is unable to battle!"

Akun was shocked.

"Impossible!"

His next Pokémon, Dodrio, was immediately obliterated by Solar Beam.

His Arcanine was also one-shot by another Solar Beam.

Ron walked off the stage, not even glancing at Akun.

"Match won. Time to cheer for Lillie."

He also ignored the interviewers—he had better things to do.