August 11, Wednesday. Sunny.
Silver Stadium, quarterfinals day, afternoon.
The scorching weather had lasted nearly a week, and today finally brought a slight breeze.
Only a deep blue filled the cloudless sky.
As the tournament advanced, all kinds of souvenirs and contestant merchandise grew increasingly popular.
Lately, the Team Rocket Trio had been counting money until their hands cramped, wearing happy smiles every day.
Yet despite business being so brisk, the three chose to close up shop during the afternoon's busiest hours.
The reason was simple: they were going to be cheerleaders.
They could earn money every day, eat and drink well, and even sit down to meals as equals with big shots like Gym Trainers and the Elite Four.
In the Trio's eyes, all of this came from following their executive's lead.
What Blue Executive had given them was not just funding and goals, but, most importantly, dignity~
On the stadium's main platform, the sacred flame still blazed.
The afternoon sunlight made the entire stadium gleam white.
The second quarterfinal match, Gary versus Tyson, was about to unfold here.
The Trio wore short-sleeved cheering shirts and had even gotten themselves a flag, which they waved in the breeze.
"Go, go! Go, Gary!"
"Show them what you've got, Young Master Mao!!"
"Destroy that guy on the other side!!"
James waved the flag and shouted with all his might, Meowth banged gongs and drums, and Jessie held a megaphone. The Team Rocket Trio, just three people, managed to sound like an army.
Every seat in the stadium was filled, and the audience's cheers rose like waves, each one drowning out the last.
The afternoon sun was still rather harsh, so Young Master Mao had specifically asked Caitlin to take Janine and the others to the VIP seats above the main