When the white-haired President Charles Goodshow finally arrived with a Pokémon League referee and Nurse Joy, it officially marked the beginning of Yong's Hoenn League Champion Challenge.
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
Crisp footsteps rang out through the passageway. The instant the boy and young woman appeared in the arena, everyone stopped talking, and countless eyes from the surrounding stands turned toward them.
Cynthia gave Yong a small smile.
"From here on, you'll have to walk this road yourself!"
As the boy smiled and nodded, Cynthia walked toward the stands where Steven and the others sat, under everyone's watchful gaze.
Yong stood at the passageway's exit. Brilliant sunlight fell across him, stretching his shadow far, far behind him.
He looked around and saw Bruno's appraising gaze, Lorelei and Shauntal's smiles, and the encouragement in Reggie's eyes. He saw the excitement on the Three Little Ones' faces, the gentle smiles of Professor Oak, Professor Carolina, and Bertha Grandmother, and the calm expressions of Lance and Mr. Steven...
Finally, beside Tengshu and Roxanne, he saw his mom and dad!
A flicker of emotion crossed the boy's face. He gave Tengshu and Roxanne a grateful smile, then clenched his fist for his parents to see.
Ishida's Mom nervously clasped her hands, while Ishida's Dad's eyes shone with anticipation and encouragement.
What they shared was the deep pride in their eyes!
Yong smiled and nodded, then stepped forward again, following the path toward the enormous battlefield ahead!
The level path felt rather empty. The distance was hardly short, yet at that moment, it seemed especially long...
President Charles Goodshow and the Pokémon League referee waited quietly on the battlefield. Nurse Joy stood at its edge, smiling as the boy drew closer and stepped onto his trainer's platform!
"He looks so impressive, Big Brother Yong!"
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