"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting!"
"The fifth match of the top 32 at the Quartz Conference is about to begin. Please everyone, take your seats in the audience and refrain from moving around to avoid blocking the view of those behind. Thank you for your cooperation!"
"The opponents for this fifth match are the very familiar and eagerly anticipated Ash, and his opponent, Ah Hong, a Trainer quite famous in Kanto!"
"Ah Hong has become a true Professional Level Trainer in just a year and a half since his debut, and his most famous Pokemon is Pikachu. That's right, the same signature Pokemon as Ash!"
"There are very few Trainers who use Pikachu, and even fewer who can train Pikachu to reach its full potential. But today, at the Quartz Conference, we have the unlikely coincidence of two such Trainers facing each other. Could this incredible coincidence suggest something?"
"Ash's strength is well-recognized, and Ah Hong may not have used his full power in previous battles. Will it be Ash defeating Ah Hong to advance to the top 16, or will Ah Hong reverse the fates, show his underdog potential, and overcome Ash?!"
The commentator began to stir up the atmosphere and announced Ash and Ah Hong's entrance. Between the lines, it was clear that they did not favor Ah Hong, a sentiment known to all.
After all, the gap in strength between the two is significant. If Ah Hong were to win, it would truly be a miracle.
Both are Trainers using Pikachu, but the level of using Pikachu varies. Ash's Pikachu is a super Pikachu that even defeated an Elite, while Ah Hong's Pikachu... Professional Level is impressive, but not enough.
So for Ah Hong to win, there are only two words—miracles.
Miracles typically appear in the protagonist's story, but unfortunately, Ah Hong is not the protagonist of this world. The protagonist of this world... is on the other side!
Ash and Ah Hong stepped into the arena. The Quartz Arena's battlefield is set up similarly to a Gym's battlefield, being a huge area with a Pokeball painted in the center.
This field is more than twice as large as a typical Gym's field, and it's no comparison to the preliminary rounds' field. Commands to the Pokemon here have to be shouted; if not loud enough, they might not hear them at all.
"I'm glad to stand here and battle against you! I'll give it my all in this fight!" Ah Hong said earnestly, clenching his fists with determination.
As Ash's friend and fan, he didn't want to have any regrets in this battle. Being a fellow Pikachu user, he was even more determined not to lose, even if the chances were slim.
Ash nodded with an excited smile, "Of course, I'll also give it my all. Let's have a battle we won't regret!"
Upon hearing this, Ah Hong's expression turned serious. When thinking of Ash's full strength, it naturally brings to mind a few months prior when Ash battled Elite Koga, as well as the match against Lorelei two months ago.
Ash, going all out, possessed Elite Level strength. While perhaps not an entire team of Elites, he at least had two Pokemon capable of Elite Level battle strength, which was already a foregone conclusion.
In previous matches, Ash's strongest Pokemon shown was a Gengar whose strength was unclear, and Gengar was merely toying around. Furthermore, there's that never-before-seen Aerodactyl, which also exhibited Elite Level caliber.
Those two Pokemon had never appeared in Ash's prior usage records. When it comes to the full extent, everyone's first thought is still Ash's Pikachu and Charizard, these two iconic Pokemon.
So will Ash bring out his Charizard this time?
With the referee waving the flag, both sides released their first Pokemon.
"Then my first Pokemon will be... Go, Sparky!"
Ah Hong tossed out his Pokeball, and with a flash of light, a Pikachu with somewhat spiky hair appeared on the field!
At the same time, Ash looked down at his Pikachu, and Pikachu responded by leaping onto the field!
Both sides coincidentally sent out Pikachu!
"Who would've thought, the first round is Pikachu versus Pikachu!"
"Ah Hong is indeed known as a Trainer famed for Pikachu, but when it comes to Ash, his unconventional Pikachu is what immediately comes to mind!"
"Ash's Pikachu not only breaks the mold with strength beyond its level, but its odd battle posture is what's most noticeable. It seems that in important battles, Ash has his Pikachu wear his hat, but this time it seems that hasn't happened!"
"Nonetheless, Ash's Pikachu, even in its normal state, possesses extraordinary power. Ah Hong's Pikachu, outwardly unique as well, let's see what sparks these two Pikachus will create!"
The commentator shouted enthusiastically, and he appeared even more excited than the surrounding audience!
Such a scene, even in his long hosting career, was rare to witness. After all, those who could step onto the stage of the top 32 at the Quartz Conference with a Pikachu were few and far between.