NOVEL NEXT Chapter 57: Results
As Pink and her newly evolved Charmeleon exited the stage, the arena erupted into cheers and applause.
The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, filled with excitement, "What a breathtaking performance to close out this incredible tournament! But now, the moment we've all been waiting for—it's time to vote for your favorite!"
The crowd roared with enthusiasm, and a massive screen lit up above the stage. On it, the names and faces of each participant appeared, along with their Pokémon. A bold message flashed across the screen:
"VOTE NOW! YOUR FAVORITE PERFORMANCE WILL BE CROWNED THE WINNER!"
Small devices in the hands of audience members buzzed to life, ready to receive their votes. Spectators across the stadium and those watching the live broadcast eagerly cast their choices, the excitement palpable in the air.
The screen began to update in real time as votes poured in. Each participant's name was accompanied by a number, which started to climb steadily.
Gary Oak leaned back confidently, his arms crossed as he watched his and Wartortle's votes tick upward. "Looks like we've got this in the bag," he said, glancing at Ethan with a smug grin.
Green, standing nearby, gave him a sidelong glance. "Don't count your Chicken before they hatch, Gary. This crowd is unpredictable," she replied, her tone light but confident. Her eyes flicked to the screen, where her and Bulbasaur's numbers were steadily rising.
Ethan sat quietly, his eyes fixed on the screen. He glanced at Pink's name and the number beside it, which had started climbing rapidly. Her Charmeleon's evolution during her dazzling performance seemed to have left a strong impression on the crowd.
The announcer kept the energy alive. "Ladies and gentlemen, keep those votes coming! Every vote counts, and the competition is fierce!"
The numbers on the screen shifted constantly, reflecting the support of the audience. Pink's name surged ahead momentarily, before Gary's caught up.
Green and her Bulbasaur maintained a steady pace, their supporters clearly loyal. Other participants—like Amber with her Growlithe and Kyle with his Pidgeotto—saw their votes climb slowly, each having left a lasting impression.
As the voting continued, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Trainers and their Pokémon waited backstage, each holding their breath as the numbers ticked upward.
Pink stood confidently by her Charmeleon, which seemed proud of its performance and recent evolution.
Green watched the screen with a calm determination, her Bulbasaur standing loyally by her side. Gary, of course, exuded confidence, his Wartortle occasionally glancing at the screen with curiosity.
The screen continued to flash and update, the final tally drawing closer with each passing moment.
The announcer's voice rang out once more, "We're nearing the end of the voting period! Cast your vote now if you haven't already!"
The large screen behind the stage flickered as the final votes tallied. The announcer's voice rang with excitement, "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for—the final rankings of the competition!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as the screen displayed the results:
Top 10 Rankings
1. Pink – 1,850 votes
2. Green – 1,600 votes
3. Misty – 1,450 votes
4. Gary – 1,350 votes
5. Brock – 1,200 votes
6. Ash – 1,100 votes
7. Lila – 950 votes
8. Liam – 800 votes
9. Blaine – 750 votes
10. Mikayla – 700 votes
The announcer's voice returned. "Congratulations to all our participants! And now, let's bring our Top 3 onto the stage for their well-deserved rewards!"
Pink stepped onto the stage, basking in the crowd's applause as she received the Aerodactyl Fossil. She held it high with a triumphant smile, earning cheers from the audience.
Green followed, her composure regal as ever, accepting the Kabuto Fossil. The crowd's enthusiasm didn't waver, recognizing her brilliant performance.
Finally, Misty walked up, her excitement barely contained as she received the Omanyte Fossil. Her smile lit up the stage, and the crowd responded with loud applause.
Meanwhile, in the audience, Gary crossed his arms, glaring at the stage. "Fourth place, huh?" he muttered, his pride clearly wounded.
Ash, sitting nearby, leaned over with a mischievous grin. "Looks like you're not as great as you thought, Gary! Fourth place? Ouch, that's rough."
Gary scoffed, shooting Ash a withering look. "And you think sixth place is better? Come on, Ash. You were so far behind even Brock beat you. That's just embarrassing."
Ash's face turned red as he stood up. "At least I actually competed and didn't just strut around showing off!"
Gary smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, sure, because having your Squirtle do water spins and slip on its shell was so impressive."
The two leaned toward each other, their argument escalating into a heated exchange of insults. Nearby, Brock sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Do they ever stop?" he muttered to Misty, who was trying not to laugh.
Across the arena, Ethan sat slumped against a chair, his knees pulled to his chest, and his arms limp at his sides. His face was a mask of pure despair, a single tear comically glinting in the sunlight as he muttered, "That Aerodactyl Fossil… It should've been mine…"
Slyveon sat beside him, patting his back gently with a ribbon as if to console him.
Nearby, a group of spectators whispered. "Isn't that the guy with the Sylveon?"
"Yeah, it's him! But why is he sitting like that?"
"Looks like he just got rejected by the love of his life."
Ethan's ears perked up at the whispers, but he didn't have the energy to care.
He clutched his knees tighter and tilted his head back, dramatically exclaiming, "Why didn't I just sign up?! Why was I so proud and arrogant?!"
Bulbasaur peeked out of its Poké Ball, shaking its head with a smirk before retreating back inside.