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"Salazzle is unable to battle Flaaffy wins!"
"With all six of Zilin's Pokémon defeated, victory goes to Lanny!"
The referee's cold declaration echoed across Silverridge Stadium.
Zilin silently recalled her fainted Salazzle. She stepped forward as though wanting to speak to Kael but stopped.
Her pale lips trembled, her violet eyes clouded with emptiness.
Lowering her head, she let her bangs fall across her face, hiding her expression. Without a word, she turned and walked toward the exit.
Each step in her elegant heels struck the ground with heavy finality. Her slim, defeated figure looked fragile against the roaring cheers for the victor like a withered autumn leaf blown from the stage.
---
In the VIP box:
Crash!
A crystal wineglass shattered against the carpet, red liquid soaking into the plush fabric.
Nock's face darkened with sha and fury. Without even a word to Commissioner Damalanth beside him, he stord out, the door slamming shut with a deafening bang.
"President, about Nock..." his secretary began softly.
"Leave him. It doesn't matter."
Damalanth's gaze never left the battlefield his eyes fixed on Lanny and his Flaaffy.
"How far can he go?" he murmured with a faint, intrigued smile. He knew perfectly well that Lanny's Flaaffy hadn't even revealed its full strength.
"Don't approach him yet. We'll wait until after the finals."
His voice echoed in the room, low and deliberate.
"Yes, sir."
---
From the far corner of the stands, Nolan adjusted his cap and muttered under his breath:
"Lanny, huh...?"
Behind his sunglasses, his eyes burned with focus. If their roles were reversed, could he have beaten Zilin?
That quiet question sparked sothing inside him. From this mont, Nolan had already begun preparing for Lanny as his destined opponent in the finals.
His lips curved slightly as the thought settled in. It was inevitable that the two of them would et.
---
Lanny left the stadium, surrounded by the cheering crowd.
---
Far away, in a farmhouse in a Town:
Empty beer bottles cluttered the living room table.
"Ha ha ha!"
Bali's booming laughter filled the room as he slapped his knee.
"Dad, is that really the sa little Mareep we used to raise on the ranch?" his son asked, eyes wide as they watched the broadcast replay of Kael's stunning battle.
"Of course! You even held it in your arms once, rember?" Bali chuckled, ruffling his son's round head.
"I want to raise a Flaaffy too, Dad! Please?"
For a mont, Bali's gaze went distant. mories of that small, woolly figure running across the pasture surfaced. Pride, joy, and nostalgia all swirled together in his chest.
His son tugged again at his sleeve. "Please?"
Bali smiled. "All right, all right."
---
Back in the arena, the crowd's applause still thundered long after the match ended.
Kael exhaled, tiny sparks flickering from his lips. Two consecutive battles hadn't drained him much.
He glanced at the glowing system notifications showing his earned experience, but paid them no mind. Without evolving, numbers alone ant little.
What mattered was the change he felt inside his body lighter, the heavy current of electricity within him flowing more freely after being released.
"Almost there... just a few more battles," he thought, eyes fixed on the glowing "Evolve" option on his stat screen. His heart pounded with urgency and anticipation.
---
In the broadcast studio:
"What an extraordinary battle!" Audrey declared.
"Both trainers gave everything, delivering a match that will be rembered in League history!"
"And so," she added with a bright smile, "congratulations to our winner—Lanny!"
Applause filled the room.
Lanny shifted nervously on the studio sofa, surrounded by flashing caras. Under Audrey's encouragent, he stood, bowed slightly, then sat again, still awkward.
"Lanny," Audrey began warmly, "congratulations on reaching the quarterfinals! How does it feel to co out on top in such a tough match?"
Lanny smiled modestly. "A little luck, that's all."
Audrey nodded, but her eyes glead hoping for sothing headline-worthy.
"And what are your thoughts on your opponent, Zilin?"
Lanny sat straighter, answering seriously.
"She's a very strong trainer. I respect her a lot. Honestly, if she hadn't made a few mistakes, I might not have won."
A flawless answer respectful, professional, safe.
Audrey's lips twitched, disappointed by how careful he was. Before she could press further, Professor Ashford chid in.
"Lanny, your Flaaffy showed remarkable growth in this battle. Do you have any special training thods to share?"
Lanny stiffened, caught off guard. "Uh... well..." He stumbled through a few generic lines about raising Electric-types, doing his best to cover up the truth of Flaaffy's unique training.
Finally, Audrey smiled slyly, closing with one last question.
"After defeating such a powerful opponent, where do you see yourself finishing in this year's Championship?"
Lanny froze. By chance, he had drawn one of the toughest opponents in the Top 16 Zilin. Yet fortune had also given him an extraordinary partner in Flaaffy.
His mind replayed the image of his Pokémon unleashing impossible strength, and a fire lit in his chest.
He parted his dry lips and spoke clearly:
"Champion."
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