"Alright, here's a whole set of Advanced Evolution Stones for our Roy... Wait? You want to challenge Drake?"
Damaranch completely dumbfounded. This was the first time he had ever seen a contestant who didn't choose the multi-million dollar Evolution Stone but instead wanted to challenge the Elite Four judges.
Thinking he had a problem with his ears Damaranch confirmed again:
"Roy, are you sure you were serious about what you just said?"
"I'm certain. I choose to challenge Elite Four Drake."
Roy repeated what he had just said.
Damaranch realized that she had not misheard.
Roy is the only player in several seasons of the Edge Cup who dared to challenge the regional Elite Four.
No one has ever chosen this option before.
Damaranch was about to offer some advice to Roy, he noticed the boy's serious expression, which reminded him of his own younger self.
With his talent just beginning to emerge, he wanted to compete with the regional Elite Four.
Some audience members who were about to leave, and those who were about to turn off their TVs and Communicators, stopped what they were doing after hearing Roy's words.
What?
Is he going to challenge Drake?
The audience members quickly returned to their seats.
There's more to come!?
In their view, the boy held the championship trophy, raised his head to look at Drake Elite Four Elite Four of Hoenn, on the judges' panel, and issued a challenge to him.
The midday sun shone on the boy, and coupled with his imposing aura, they were all somewhat afraid to look him directly in the eye.
The chat in the live stream went wild again.
"Damn! Is he crazy? That's a regional Elite Four! Does he really think he can challenge a regional Elite Four member just by defeating two divine Legendary Pokémon without Divine Authority?"
"You know what, I really want to see Roy and Drake fight."
"But we definitely can't win, right? What's the point?"
"His willingness to take on the challenge is significant in itself."
Second Kiku had originally planned to leave with Erika and Ziyu, returned to his seat.
Second Kiku's eyes were even wider now than when Roy defeated Tobias.
Are you crazy?! What is this?
As the person in charge of the Rustboro City Dome Arena, he had previously invited Drake to the Dome Arena for an exhibition match, Drake High-level Elite Four was beyond doubt.
This brat actually dares to challenge the other party?
The audience was almost entirely filled with skepticism. Some said Roy was overestimating himself, others said Roy was reckless and disrespectful to the Elite Four. Many felt that Roy was just a fearless young man, but no one said Roy a coward.
They knew Roy couldn't win, but looking at the boy holding the trophy, they inexplicably sensed two different auras emanating from Roy.
There was an air of arrogance about being a champion.
This arrogance in Roy is not off-putting; on the contrary, it makes you feel that champions should naturally be like this.
The other is the fearless courage of youth, the courage to wield a sword against the stronger.
Courage and pride intertwined to form the final spirit of youth.
Agatha hadn't expected Roy to challenge Drake. She was about to criticize Roy for being so insensible, but when she saw the straight figure standing on the podium, she couldn't bring herself to say anything.
Finally, he murmured:
"You brat, all you do is cause her trouble."
Drake was surprised that Roy dared to challenge him before he had even fully developed, but he could also sense the youthful spirit emanating from Roy.
Very good!
This is what young people should be like, reminding him of the time when he was young and faced the storms alone at sea.
He has served as a judge for the Edge Cup for three years. Roy is the first and only player in the history of the Edge Cup to choose to discard his Evolution Stone and battle against himself after winning the championship.
"A chance to challenge an Elite Four -level Pokémon Trainer"
The purpose of setting up this reward was to align with the name of the Edge Cup, which is to encourage the champion to demonstrate their brilliance.
Everyone turned their attention to Drake on the judging panel, awaiting Drake response.
No one in the audience was disappointed by Drake. He stood up, looked at Roy with the same serious gaze, and replied earnestly:
"I accept your challenge, champion number 99, Roy."
Drake's response was very serious, which shows that Drake truly regarded Roy as an opponent.
"Elite Four Drake has accepted Roy's challenge!!"
"I have a feeling Elite Four Drake seems to really think highly of this Roy."
This was the scene of people receiving their rewards after the Edge Cup finals; no one expected to see this.
Even though they already knew the outcome of the battle, they didn't mind watching the entire fight again.
This is a showdown between the Pokémon League's young champions and Pokémon League Elite Four; the very name is exciting.
The event organizers quickly removed the already set-up podium and surrounding cameras and other miscellaneous items to make room for Roy and Drake to battle.
Steven had regained some of his strength, was also shocked by Roy's choice, but he quickly recovered.
This is the Roy he knows.
Steven patted Roy on the shoulder, encouraging him, before leaving the Arena and returning to the preparation room.
On the judging panel
Drake threw out a Poké Ball.
A flash of red light
A gigantic Salamence appeared in the air. This Salamence was unlike the one in Cade that was being chased and attacked by Salamence Flutter Mane.
When Drake's Salamence appeared, it exuded an aura of power, a pressure emanating from High-level Elite Four.
Sensing the oppressive aura emanating from Salamence, host Lei Ye's Charizard hurriedly dodged in mid-air, as if it had encountered something terrifying.
Drake jumped straight off the judges' panel.
The Salamence flashed through the air like lightning, catching Drake steadily and bringing him to the command post in the Arena.
The audience gasped in amazement at the spectacular entrance.
After arriving at the command post, Drake recalled his Salamence.
He certainly wouldn't send out his Trump Card Salamence.
His job is to Coaching the younger generation, not to destroy them.