"Draakloaak!"
Drakloak let out a low cry. Blue energy wrapped around its body as it dove toward its opponent.
Grapploct raised two tentacles with a terrified look.
It couldn't take that.
Bea clenched her teeth. Should she use Protect again? Would it even hold?
She forced out her command. "Grapploct, use Octolock!"
Octolock would wrap the opponent tight and lower both defenses.
"Grap...?"
Grapploct stared with wide blue eyes. It didn't know how to grab an opponent that was diving down with Dragon Rush.
And Octolock was a Fighting move. Would that even work on a Ghost-type?
It didn't have Scrappy.
But the trainer had spoken. Grapploct spread its tentacles and shut its eyes.
Boom!
When the dust cleared, Drakloak was already spinning and using Dragon Dance without any command.
Grapploct lay in a crater, covered in injuries, unable to battle.
"Another instant knockout!" Ryan shouted. "Is Drakloak really going to sweep all six?"
In the crowd, a banner reading "Shiro Will Be Champion" stretched wide. Trainers from Hammerlocke shouted.
"Take down all six! Easy peasy!"
"Make the finals!"
"Shiro! Win!"
Ryan had to wave at them before they lowered the banner.
Shiro noticed them as well.
Too flashy. What were they doing? Did they switch sides the moment Raihan lost?
Were they trying to drown him with praise?
He looked away.
Meanwhile, Bea felt numb as she recalled Grapploct.
Three Pokémon were gone in moments. Who was next?
Her hand shook, but she still threw the Poké Ball.
"Go, Machamp!"
Machamp pounded its chest as it appeared. Shiro didn't wait.
"Drakloak, Quick Attack into Dragon Tail!"
A gray spark flashed, and Machamp dropped while still pounding its chest.
"Ohhh!"
The crowd roared again.
Bea watched Drakloak dance once more.
Should she surrender?
She asked herself, but her body moved on its own. She took out a Poké Ball, recalled Machamp, and sent the next one.
"Come out, Hitmontop!"
Hitmontop stood on the battlefield.
"Dragon Rush!" Shiro ordered.
Drakloak dove straight down. The heavy crash sent Hitmontop sprawling.
Bea looked almost relieved as she recalled Hitmontop and released her final Pokémon.
"Go, Sirfetch'd!"
With a red flash, Sirfetch'd appeared holding its leek lance and shield. Under its thick brows, it narrowed its eyes at Drakloak.
"Siir."
Its cry was slightly warped.
"Dragon Tail!" Shiro gave his last command.
Drakloak's tail swept across the field. Sirfetch'd flew back, and a red beam pulled it into its ball before it hit the ground.
As the battle came to an end, Ryan shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brilliant! Shiro's Drakloak has completed a one-versus-six! All of Bea's Pokémon have lost their ability to battle. The match is over!"
The match is over.
Those words echoed in Bea's mind. She finally snapped back to reality, lowered her head, and cupped her fists in salute.
The crowd erupted in unison.
"Shiro! Shiro! Shiro!"
"Final battle against Leon!"
"Galar Champion. Defeat Leon. Victory for sure!"
A smile appeared on Shiro's face. After giving the passionate fans a brief wave, he turned and walked back into the trainer tunnel.
Few had ever seen a dark horse like this. Someone who climbed up from the very bottom, earned qualification step by step, defeated all eight Gym Leaders, and still made it to the finals.
In past years, the finals were always fought by famous trainers or carefully cultivated elites from big families and corporations.
This year was still an internal clash between Macro Cosmos trainers. Yet because of his special background, it drew massive attention and support.
Compared to the perfectly packaged Leon, who would not want to rise from nothing like Shiro did?
Once the competitors left, the staff quickly surrounded the battlefield and began repairs.
After every match, a dedicated team used Ground and Grass-type Pokémon to restore the arena. No matter how badly it was damaged, recovery only took a little over ten minutes.
* * *
When Shiro returned to the lobby, most of the participants were already gone.
Nobody found the result surprising. His victory had been almost certain.
Just as he was about to leave, a company staff member hurried over.
"Shiro. Someone outside seems to be looking for you."
He glanced toward the entrance. Marnie was standing outside, constantly rising onto her toes to peer inside.
Marnie?
He immediately understood why she was here.
Maybe she wanted him to help her find talented Dark-type Pokémon. Or some resources. Or perhaps it was about the Spikemuth Gym.
With the finals approaching, things looked calm on the surface, but the undercurrents were already churning. If Leon did not have absolute certainty, the company would act soon.
She likely knew he was about to leave. Most people here did.
She had once saved his life in Spikemuth. If she did not ask now, she might never get the chance.
Shiro waved his hand, signaling the staff not to follow.
"It's Marnie from Spikemuth. She probably has something to discuss."
With that, he stepped outside.
She was still hopping slightly as she looked inside. When she noticed him beside her, her feet landed awkwardly and she barely steadied herself.
The tension in her chest quickly overwhelmed her brief shyness.
"Well…"
She hesitated, fingers clasped behind her back. Her thoughts were a mess.
Several Team Yell members hiding near the corner poked their heads out and whispered urgently.
"Miss Marnie, say it already!"
"If you wait any longer, there won't be a chance!"
"Miss Marnie…"
Their presence caught Shiro's attention. He was slightly surprised.
Shouldn't Team Yell be under Felix? Why were they following her instead?
She finally gathered herself and spoke up. "Shiro, I want to ask you for a favor."
"Alright." He nodded calmly.
She let out a breath of relief and continued, "I want you to help defeat Felix. And then…"
"And take back the Spikemuth Gym?" he asked.
She lowered her head. Her face turned red as she gave a nod.
"I understand."
After saying that, Shiro turned to leave.
She did not expect this at all. She lifted her head sharply and asked, "Where are you going?"
He stopped and replied, "I'm leaving. As for where, I'll decide later."
"Leaving?" She looked confused. "Leaving from where?"
He paused, realizing they were not on the same page, and spoke plainly. "Macro Cosmos wants to capture me. I'm leaving Galar."
"Leaving… leaving Galar?" Marnie stood there in a daze. She never imagined hearing this.
When she looked up again to ask something else, she saw that Shiro had already walked away.
Behind her, the Team Yell members whispered with serious faces.
"So is that a yes or a no?"
"You idiot! He said he's leaving Galar. That's obviously a refusal!"
"He's being hunted and still has to fight the finals. How would he have time for Felix?"
"Or maybe it's just an excuse. A polite rejection."
"Waaah. It's over anyway. Boohoo…"
The group in black and red outfits slumped down together, men and women leaning against each other, already thinking about leaving Spikemuth.
Marnie walked over to them, one hand on her hip, biting her lip, unsure what to say.
**
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