After two more days of fierce competition, the semifinalists were determined, and the remaining 64 contestants in the Arena were drawn again.
The players who remain here are all at least at the Pseudo-Elite Four level; there won't be any more lucky players like Flannery.
Something outrageous happened.
During the draw, a Pokémon Trainer from Slateport City drew Roy's number 99 bamboo stick.
Then... she surrendered and admitted defeat; the previous battle between Roy and Tobias was simply too brutal.
This led her to completely lack the confidence to face Roy's Annihilape.
Roy advanced effortlessly to the top 32 of the Edge Cup, which is the second round of the semifinals.
Before leaving, the Pokémon Trainer from Slateport City specifically asked Roy for a photo together.
Roy:???
Roy had no matches scheduled, left the Arena alone. Just as he was about to return to the hotel, a hoarse voice came from behind him:
Roy!
A man wearing a black hood appeared in front of Roy.
The man removed his hood, revealing a grotesque left cheek crisscrossed by a long scar.
Although one side of the other person's face was disfigured, Roy still recognized him as the Headband Guy had traded Primeape with him.
When the Headband Guy realized that Roy recognized him, he gave Roy a look and then went to the outer wall of the Arena.
He bought a plane ticket to Ever Grande City for 10,000 Poké Dollars that day, just so he could catch Roy here today.
Roy seemed to know why the other person had come, and followed them.
Seeing that there was no one around, the Headband Guy stopped.
Give me back my Primeape!
Roy, you tricked me into trading my Primeape without going through the Pokémon League's exchange system. I demand you give Primeape back to me! Otherwise, I'll report you to Officer Jenny!
Then you can expect to spend the rest of your life in the League Police Bureau's prison!
The Headband Guy had a fierce appearance, and the long scar on his face made him look even more ferocious.
However, Roy saw this ferocity as nothing more than impotent rage; a dog that truly bites doesn't bark.
As expected, the other party had seen the Annihilape's performance in the Arena and came specifically to find him.
Roy's Ghost Power surged from his hands; with his current Ghost Power, he could kill the Headband Guy in front of him in just one second.
Just as Roy was about to find a secluded spot to Headband Guy over and take him down, the Poké Ball of the Annihilape at his waist shook.
Roy looked at the Annihilape's Poké Ball; it was time to let the Annihilape vent its frustrations.
When they first started living in the small warehouse behind the Rustboro Academy, Primeape would often Nightmare about the Headband Guy.
The Headband Guy has always been a source of anxiety for Annihilape. It would be best if this problem could be resolved now, otherwise it might develop into a mental demon that would be difficult to deal with later.
Having thought it through, Roy immediately feigned being frightened and backed down, quickly compromising:
"No! Big brother! Please, please don't report me. If I give your Primeape back, will you stop suing Officer Jenny?"
The Headband Guy was stunned for a moment; he hadn't expected Roy to actually be intimidated by him.
That's it?
He had originally planned to post rumors online about how Roy tricked Roy out of the Poké Ball Annihilape Poké Ball didn't give it to him.
After all, he doesn't have any Pokémon left, so he can only rely on others' power.
My performance just now was merely meant to scare Roy, but it unexpectedly had a surprising effect?
Seeing Roy's appearance, the Headband Guy became even more arrogant.
"You're smart enough to let bygones be bygones. Just give me the Poké Ball for Primeape, and I'll let bygones be bygones."
"Okay! Okay! I'll give you the Poké Ball right now."
Roy took out the Poké Ball from Annihilape, looking reluctant to part with it.
The Headband Guy couldn't resist any longer and snatched the Poké Ball away.
After getting the Poké Ball from the Annihilape, the Headband Guy left with the words "You know what's good for you" and then decisively departed.
He was already fantasizing about the scene after the Annihilape helped him win one victory after another, without considering that something was wrong with this whole thing.
Simply put, it's like being hit by a pie falling from the sky and getting completely overwhelmed, losing all sense of direction.
Watching the direction the Headband Guy left in, Roy's lips curled up. He could finally help the Annihilape resolve this worry.
"Lampent, do you think Annihilape will kill him with one punch or torture him slowly?"
"Lamp!"
The flame inside the Lampent lampshade flickered.
"It seems we think alike; the Annihilape certainly won't let him die so easily."
"By the way, how was my acting just now?"
"Lamp!"
"That's too unbelievable! How could it be? Let me tell you..."