Chapter 273: Late Night Contemplation, Snorlax Charges In
"You're as funny as ever!" Leaf sneered.
"Hmph! I don't think you're any better!" Sundae shot back, her eyes flashing with competitive fire.
"Better than me?" Leaf retorted sharply.
For a moment, genuine flames seemed to burn in both girls' gazes, their eyes locked in fierce confrontation. The air between them practically crackled with tension.
"Wow, I love watching girls compete like this," Brock said with a dreamy expression, his face flushed as he anticipated their next clash.
"You shut up!" Misty snapped, her fist connecting with his head.
"Red still has his usual charm with people," Gary teased, observing how easily Red commanded attention and respect.
"What's happening here?" Ash wondered aloud, genuinely confused by the sudden intensity between Leaf and Sundae.
In this spirited atmosphere, Ash gradually relaxed his own mindset, preparing himself mentally to face his upcoming match against Richie in optimal condition. With Red's involvement, Ash and Richie's relationship lacked the deeper personal history from other timelines, meaning neither would intentionally hold back. They'd battle with complete commitment.
Deep into the Night
To prepare for the upcoming fifth-round matches, contestants activated their computers to investigate their opponents' battle records and strategies.
Leaf confidently skipped researching her own match information, instead opening her laptop to analyze Ash's previous battle data comprehensively. She cross-referenced everything against her personal notes, which she had accumulated from their shared travels.
Since they were all rookie trainers from Pallet Town, Leaf possessed quite comprehensive information on Ash, mainly requiring strategies to counter his powerful Pikachu and his formidable Charizard.
"Nidoqueen, looks like I'll be counting on you tomorrow," Leaf murmured to herself, unconsciously gripping her Poké Ball tighter as determination crystallized in her expression.
As for Red, he had already left to train his Pokémon team, deliberately avoiding lingering in the same room as Leaf to prevent their competitive moods from interfering with each other's preparation. After all, analyzing your brother's battle information directly in front of him would create considerable awkwardness.
However, among all contestants, only Sundae appeared completely relaxed, showing absolutely no intention of getting up to research her opponent's information. In Sundae's calculated assessment, investigating Red's battle records would prove meaningless regardless of the effort invested. Better to sleep comfortably and mentally prepare to face Red's devastating attacks tomorrow with adequate rest.
Contemplating this practical reality, Sundae silently lamented her unfortunate luck once more. Why had the tournament draw paired her against Red?
Meanwhile, Gary displayed a contrasting approach. Unlike most contestants who thoroughly researched their opponents, Gary skipped analyzing his fifth-round opponent entirely. Instead, he devoted himself to studying Red's comprehensive battle records, desperately attempting to identify potential weaknesses within Red's Pokémon lineup.
It seemed there were no obvious tactical vulnerabilities to exploit, Gary thought with growing concern after hours of meticulous analysis.
On Ash's Side
"What Pokémon will Richie use in the fifth round?" Ash leaned against the window, gazing at the nighttime cityscape sprawling below while quietly contemplating his upcoming opponent's likely team composition.
"Ash, look at this!" Misty called out excitedly from across the room.
"What is it?" Ash asked, turning away from the window with curiosity.
"I accessed the tournament's main computer and pulled up Richie's complete battle records," Misty explained, her fingers still dancing across the laptop keyboard.
Upon learning this involved Richie's match data, Ash immediately leaned over to examine what Pokémon his opponent had deployed throughout the tournament.
"Richie has only used Butterfree, Charmander, and Pikachu across all his matches," Misty detailed, scrolling through the records. "Electric-type, Fire-type, and Flying-type—surprisingly similar to your own team composition."
"Since that's the case, I've already decided on my fifth-round lineup," Ash declared after absorbing Richie's strategic patterns. Confidence radiated from his expression; he wore the determined smile of someone with a solid battle plan in place.
Time to let them perform at their best, Ash thought with quiet resolve.
"Looks like you have this match well in hand," Misty smiled warmly, genuinely anticipating tomorrow's competition.
"Just prepare well for the eventual confrontation between you and Leaf," Brock teased good-naturedly, equally pleased by Ash's confident, prepared attitude.
The Next Day
Indigo League - Main Stadium - Fifth Round
"Thank you for waiting, everyone! This is now the fifth-round main stadium match! On the red platform, Lord Red from Pallet Town! On the green platform, contestant Sundae from Pokémon Technical Academy!"
"The former is the preeminent rookie trainer from the Land of Champions and this Indigo League's second seed. Throughout the previous rounds, he's earned universal recognition from spectators through his remarkable strength, becoming the most beloved contestant in this entire tournament!"
"The latter is the chief freshman of Pokémon Technical Academy. Sundae has also advanced to the fifth round, demonstrating outstanding capabilities, being the strongest competitor in the school's entire history."
"Two champions facing off against each other—let's witness how this spectacular match unfolds!"
After the announcer concluded his introduction, Red and Sundae simultaneously moved to their respective positions on the battlefield. Their eyes met across the arena, and Sundae's gaze reflected something complex—a mixture of emotions that told a clear story.
Since Red was competing first in the tournament order, Ash's entire group also relocated to the front-row audience seats for optimal viewing. Among them, Gary sat with the most visible tension, fully aware that his next match would directly follow Red's.
"Relax, Gary. Even if you try your absolute hardest..." Professor Oak attempted to offer comfort but gradually trailed off, realizing his words only amplified the pressure.
"Grandpa, you're making it worse!" Gary complained helplessly, his internal thoughts screaming silently about his grandfather's counterproductive encouragement.
"Start the match already!" Leaf said eagerly, her hands unconsciously clenching with anticipatory energy.
"What's concerning that girl?" Delia asked, puzzled by Leaf's obvious tension.
"Nothing, Mom," Ash replied with a resigned sigh.
"Red, don't hold back, okay?" Sundae called across the arena, then reconsidered and added hastily, "But please don't absolutely annihilate me either!"
"Don't worry," Red answered calmly, placing his hand deliberately on a Poké Ball secured at his waist.
"Both sides may use three Pokémon with unlimited switching permitted. Whichever side's entire team loses, its battle capability is lost. The official match begins now!"
After the bell rang with sharp finality, Red and Sundae simultaneously threw their Poké Balls with determined force.
"Come on out, Snorlax!"
"I'm counting on you, Nidoqueen!"
Twin bursts of white light materialized as both Pokémon emerged onto the battlefield. The moment Nidoqueen sensed Snorlax's overwhelming aura, the Poison-type immediately locked its wary gaze on the massive Normal-type opponent towering before it.
"Nidoqueen, use Double Kick!" Sundae commanded immediately, deploying a strategically sound Fighting-type move designed to capitalize on a super-effective advantage.
But Red showed no intention of permitting such an easy victory.
"Heavy Slam," Red ordered calmly.
Nidoqueen charged forward aggressively, its legs coiled and ready to unleash Double Kick on Snorlax's waiting body. But in that critical instant, Snorlax moved with unexpected speed and power, its massive form lunging forward to execute a devastating collision with its entire body weight concentrated into the impact.
The collision reverberated through the entire arena. Nidoqueen, struck full-force by Snorlax's Heavy Slam, rocketed backward several meters before crashing hard into the ground. The sheer force of the impact left visible cracks radiating outward from the impact zone.
As Nidoqueen struggled painfully back to its feet, it stared at Snorlax with genuine fear, unable to reconcile the devastating power it had just experienced with preconceived notions of Snorlax's combat capability.
"My Snorlax doesn't spend all its time eating and sleeping," Red remarked with characteristic calm confidence. "This guy genuinely loves rigorous physical training and conditioning."