The Heart of a Champion

Chapter 7- The Quarter Finals

Quarterfinals Day

Lillie POV

I woke up this morning in an absolute mess of a state. I was in my bed but it seemed I had just passed out while watching the surgery from pure exhaustion. On the bright side I saw that mother was sitting up and looking around the room. That had to mean something good at least. "... Mother?" I called out to her, she looked over to me and tears began forming in her eyes, "L-Lillie, I- I'm so- I'm so sorry for what happened with-" I ran over and hugged her, I could already tell my old mother was back. The surgery had been a success. Doctor Pine came in at that time, "I see you've already figured out that everything went well! Lusamine you should be good to get moving in a few days here." I looked back at him, "Thank you so much doctor." He nodded and then left the hospital, presumably to go to his next assignment. I just sort of stayed there hugging my mother for a long time before a nurse came in, "Hey Lillie, I know you're busy right now but a letter came in for you if you get a second later, I'll just leave it here." I looked back and thanked her, she turned around to leave but then looked back at me and said, "Oh yeah, the World Championship will be on in the break room if you're interested in watching it with us when we can." I nodded, I probably would if I got a chance though I didn't care much for battles. I was just glad to finally have my mother back.

Sun POV

I have been awake since about 7:30 AM this morning. I woke up and had too much nervous excitement about the day to come to go back to sleep. I was just sitting on the edge of my bed still in my pajamas. I was just trying to clear my head a bit. I finally decided to get up and walk over to Nebby. I began to stroke him and he began to make his deep purrs. Glad to see he was still having fun. As far as my actual schedule for today went, There was an opening ceremony at about Noon, and then the first match would begin soon after. I washed up a bit before getting dressed to go down to the hotel lobby to eat breakfast. As I was about to exit my room I was met by Kukui who had just then let himself in. "Hey there Sun, ready for your match today?" he asked, "I've done all I can to prepare, it's up to me to deliver on that now." I replied somewhat flatly, I was so focused on the task at hand I couldn't think of much else. I cleared my throat, "Anyway...how's Burnet? I doubt she's going to come see the match today.." Kukui shook his head, "She wants to more than anything else in the world trust me, I just don't think-" I nodded and said "I understand, I probably would have said the same in your situation. I'm glad to at least have you with me though." With that we went down to the lobby and ate breakfast. At about 10:45 we left for the stadium. After parting with Kukui at the stadium, I went back through the locker room to join the other champions who were waiting for the ceremony to begin.

I walked in to the blue walls of the locker room to join the champions who I knew well to talk with them for a bit before the ceremony. I sat down by Leon and Iris, they were the two that I had talked to the most thus far so I figured that would be the best idea. "You guys ready for the matches today?" I asked Leon looked back at me and chuckled, "If anything I should be asking you two that question, this is the first match in the World Championship for either of you." Iris laughed "Yeah! I'm super pumped! I have to go against Cynthia, but I think I'll be able to do it if I try really hard!" I nodded "I definitely think you can, as for me I'm feeling pretty good about it too, not many people are giving me a chance, but to be honest I don't think they know what I'm capable of." Leon nodded "That's a good attitude to have, the noise doesn't matter when you stay true to yourself. All will be revealed in time on the battlefield!" I appreciated his words of encouragement. We were then called to the field to start the ceremony.

"Good day ladies and gentlemen! I am Samuel Oak, pokemon professor here in the Kanto region. I was asked to introduce all our competitors and officially start the greatest and largest sporting event in the world!" The crowd roared. "First to the stage, we have the electrifying champion of Galar, Leon!" Leon walked out of the tunnel and waved to the crowd, he walked to the little platform that raises in the center of the Battlefield, the same one where we usually give post match interviews, to join Professor Oak. "Next we have a veteran of the Kanto region, and master of dragons in Johto, Lance!" Lance walked stoicly to the center to join Leon and Professor Oak, the crowd loved him. I guess Kantonian people considered him one of their own. "Thirdly we have the beautiful Diantha from the Kalos region!" Diantha walked slowly, yet gracefully to join the others. "Next we have The Girl Who Knows the Hearts of Dragons herself, Iris!" Iris ran excitedly to the center stage, waving at fans and smiling the whole time. "Next to the stage is the perennial contender from Hoenn, Steven!" Steven strutted out to the center, he was focused like me. "Next up is the fiery champion representing the Alolan islands, Sun!" I jogged out jumping up and down and received some cheers from the crowd. "Next, he's the Champion you all know and love, the immovable spirit from Pallet Town, Red!" The loudest cheers yet followed as Red walked to the stage. "And lastly, as custom, the woman who needs no introduction, the reigning, defending, 2 time World Champion, and passionate trainer from Sinnoh, ladies and gentlemen I present to you, Cynthia!" The crowd cheered loudly as a show of respect as Cynthia giggled a little bit and waved back at the fans as she made her way to the stage. "This is your field for the World Championship Tournament! Wish them all luck as they battle with all their might to claim the title of World Champion!" The crowd once again reacted well to Oak's words...