Chapter 447: The Finals Have Arrived!
At this moment, Arthur and Old Flame, who were celebrating their victory on the Saffron City stage, had no idea that a certain old dragon, over two hundred kilometers away, was thinking about getting "revenge" on them.
Back when Arthur had just been promoted to Champion, he had sparred with several of the old seniors.
Forrest Sr.'s Salamence had left a deep impression on him at the time. It was a powerful opponent that even his peak Old Flame couldn't reliably defeat on his own!
However, the lifespans of the two dragons were different.
A normal Charizard's lifespan is much shorter than a Salamence's, so its growth cycle is naturally faster.
Without considering Mega Evolution, their typing is only Fire/Flying. They are not true dragons.
So, two hundred years ago, Old Flame was in the prime of his draconic life, while Forrest Sr.'s Salamence was still just a youth.
At that time, both had mastered Mega Evolution. Forrest Sr.'s Salamence had only lost by a hair's breadth, a loss that could be attributed to the slight age difference.
Later, when Forrest Sr.'s Salamence had reached its peak, Arthur was already gone, and Old Flame had lost the ability to Mega Evolve. The proud Salamence disdained to bully an opponent who could not transform.
And then, Forrest Sr. had also died in battle…
Since then, the two dragons had never had a chance to go all out and compete against each other.
This had become a lifelong regret for the aged Salamence.
In his glorious battle career, there were not many opponents worthy of his memory, and even fewer who were also dragons. Old Flame was one of them.
Now, it seemed he finally had a chance to avenge his defeat. But unfortunately, after a hundred years, his opponent had somehow regained the ability to Mega Evolve, while he himself no longer had it…
And Forrest Sr.'s descendants… there were very few he could look upon with favor.
"So why can't you learn Mega Evolution! Why can't you learn it! Is it really that hard to practice Mega Evolution for so many years? All day it's Dragon Rush and Dragon Pulse! And your flying skills are crap!"
In the forest, the aged Salamence was beating its own son, full of disappointment.
After Mega Evolving, a Salamence's ability changes to Aerilate. The Mega Evolution of this species primarily enhances its Flying-type abilities, not its Dragon-type.
Unfortunately, Forrest's Salamence just happened to prefer Dragon-type moves…
Poor thing. A captain-level ace Pokémon was now being beaten up and couldn't even fight back.
He could probably understand his father's melancholy and regret at his peak being long past.
But—
"Even if you beat me down and bury me in a coffin, in my grave, I will use my decaying vocal cords to shout: Is it my fault you couldn't beat him back then?!"
This Salamence was naturally a bit of a rascal. And ever since joining the Blaze Team, he had become even more unrestrained.
At this moment, who knows if the Senior Dragon regretted entrusting this descendant to Forrest…
In the evening, back at his home, Forrest was met by his Salamence, who flew back with a bruised face but its head held high with pride.
Although his Salamence had been beaten up, it had won the psychological battle!
It had successfully broken its own father's composure…
Hearing this news, Forrest could only hold his forehead.
Actually, before he had gone to play professionally, his Salamence hadn't been this quirky. But ever since he had joined that Blaze Team, the team's atmosphere had made his Salamence feel as if it were back at home.
The people at the Blaze Team were all very talented, and they were great talkers. His Salamence loved it there.
Then, his Salamence relayed its father's request.
"Dad wants you to help him book a cargo ticket. He wants to ship himself to Saffron City. After you see that boy named Arthur tomorrow, the rest is up to you."
An aged Pokémon also keeps up with the times.
Technology is so advanced these days. Flying yourself is so tiring, and it's over two hundred kilometers. Finding a truck to ship yourself saves time and effort, and the price isn't too high.
"Alright." Forrest could only agree.
He then took his own Salamence and rushed to catch the evening high-speed train.
Time was tight. He had to go back that night, because tomorrow was the playoff finals.
This schedule had been deliberately arranged by the organizers.
In the past, if a team had to play consecutive matches in the playoffs, the schedule would be arranged with one or two rest days in between. But there was no rest period between the loser's bracket final and the grand final. The day after the loser's final is the grand final.
This is actually a form of advantage and compensation for the team that advances from the winner's bracket.
Because in a double-elimination tournament, all the teams that fall from the winner's bracket to the loser's bracket have actually already used their "resurrection" right.
They have lost one match in the winner's bracket but still retain the right to continue competing. It's like a reincarnation.
Only the team that has remained in the winner's bracket from beginning to end has not enjoyed this resurrection right.
Because the final is always a single match to decide the winner. There's no such thing as a two-match series.
So, a mature double-elimination format should give some compensation to the one who advances from the winner's bracket.
Currently, the practice in the Kubfu Professional League is to remove the rest day between the loser's final and the grand final.
The team that finishes the loser's final on the first day must immediately begin the final on the second day, facing a well-rested opponent.
This is the price they must pay for falling into the loser's bracket!
Fortunately, in the previous day's match against the Otter Team, no one on the Starlight and Frost team had suffered any very serious Pokémon injuries.
After a day of recovery, besides some mental fatigue, the Pokémon's injuries had all been fully healed.
This allowed them to regain a relatively full state to face this season's final and, so far, strongest titan: the Blaze Team!
"This is the third time, brothers! As the saying goes, third time's the charm! Today is the day we beat them!!"
Before the match, Leo was doing his final duty as a captain, loudly encouraging his teammates.
At the beginning of the season, to be honest, no one had thought they could make it this far so smoothly.
But since they had already made it to the finals, and they were already here, shouldn't they take a trophy back with them?
For a rare change, the headmistress had also put away her paper fan today.
"Let's go, children! As fellow new-generation 'big three,' I have never thought that the players I've brought up are any worse than the ones on the other side!"
This was probably the first time the headmistress had taken the initiative to praise all of them.
In the past, the headmistress's classic line was always—"You're the worst class I've ever taught!"
Today, she had finally spoken the truth, which made everyone smile in understanding.
"Then, let's go!"
Then, one by one, everyone passed through the player tunnel and stepped onto the main stage!
At the same time, in the Blaze Team's lounge, the 6'5" head coach with the exaggerated pecs was also motivating his team with his unique, profanity-laced language.
"This year, we have proven countless times that we are the strongest! Now, go out there and reinforce that impression for everyone one more damn time! Go, guys!"
With a roar of agreement, the players of the Blaze Team also strode onto the stage!
The final, ultimate showdown of the Kubfu Professional League playoffs—
Was finally about to begin!
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