The battlefield was eerily silent. Both Monster (Pokémon) lay collapsed on the ground—Scyther and Dratini were severely injured, unable to move.
Who... who won?
Pat stared at the scene in utter disbelief. He had expected an ordinary match, but this outcome was beyond his imagination.
"Little Mu, get up!"
Gabriel voice rang in Pat's ears, snapping him back to reality. He turned, shocked to see Gabriel anxiously watching his fallen Dratini.
Right, the battle wasn't over yet!
Both Monster (Pokémon) were down, but as long as one of them managed to stand first, that would determine the winner.
Unconsciously, Pat felt his own emotions stir. He had entered this battle expecting an easy win, just going through the motions. But now, he refused to accept defeat so easily.
"Scyther! Get up and fight!"
A dramatic scene unfolded on the battlefield. Both Monster/Beast(Pokémon) were visibly exhausted, seemingly incapable of continuing. Yet, the outcome hinged on a single moment—who would rise first?
Neither Gabriel nor Pat wanted to lose at this critical juncture. They called out desperately to their Monster/Beast(Pokémon), urging them to stand.
Under the encouragement of their trainers, Scyther and Dratini began to stir. Though battered and worn, their fighting spirits remained unbroken, their gazes locked onto each other.
To the spectators, the sight was both intense and almost comical. Yet no one laughed—every onlooker held their breath. James, King, Rafael, and even the judges Phoebe and Roland watched in suspense.
"No way... is he really going to defeat an Elite Four apprentice?"
Roland still couldn't believe what was unfolding before his eyes. It felt like a dream.
"Who knows?"
Phoebe, usually composed, found himself equally astonished. He never expected that the once immature boy would grow strong enough to reach this level.
"Brother! You can't lose to someone like him!"
James yelled from the stands. Rafael, however, wasn't having it. Someone like him? Gabriel was his greatest rival—how dare James dismiss him so easily!
"Gabriel! Get Dratini up! Don't make me lose respect for you!"
The young boys' shouts ignited the crowd. Soon, the entire audience was cheering for their favored trainer, turning the stadium into a roaring sea of encouragement.
But in the end, Dratini was the first to stand.
Scyther, drained of energy, collapsed with a final, helpless sigh as its opponent steadied itself.
"The battle is over! Scyther is unable to battle—Dratini is the winner!"
The judge's announcement echoed across the field. Gabriel, elated, rushed forward and hugged his exhausted Dratini.
"We did it! We're the champions!"
Dratini, equally drained, collapsed into Gabriel's arms. Their hard work had paid off.
On the other side, Pat stood in disappointment, watching Gabriel celebrate. He had lost. He had underestimated his opponent.
"Scy..."
Scyther, looking dejected, turned to Pat. Pat sighed and picked up his Monster/Beast(Pokémon), even though Scyther was almost larger than he was.
"You did great. This loss was my fault—I was the one who underestimated him."
Pat then turned to Gabriel, his expression sincere.
"You're strong. I lost fair and square."
Gabriel met his gaze, equally serious.
"That was an amazing battle. Your Scyther is really powerful."
Pat glanced regretfully at the championship trophy in the judge's hands.
"Yeah... it was a great battle. But Scyther and I will keep training. One day, I'll defeat you. Wait for my revenge, Gabriel!"
With those words, Pat carried Scyther off the battlefield. This place belonged to the champion. As for him—he would take this defeat and use it to push himself harder.
Meanwhile, Gabriel was about to face a new challenge. The moment he stepped onto the podium to receive his championship trophy, a flood of reporters swarmed him, bombarding him with questions about his victory. Overwhelmed, Gabriel struggled to keep up until Roland stepped in to block the reporters.
Finally escaping the chaos, Gabriel rushed to the Monster/Beast (Pokémon) Center with Dratini in his arms. There, his Monster/Beast(Pokémon) would receive the best treatment possible.
Elle and Farfetch'd accompanied him. Elle, looking complicated, studied Gabriel. He hadn't expected this kid to actually defeat Pat—he hadn't even thought he could beat Rafael.
Farfetch'd, on the other hand, was staring at Dratini with pure admiration. He had watched the battle on the big screen, witnessing Dratini's incredible power firsthand.
Was this the world of the truly strong?
And that massive Dratini—what kind of technique was that? Could it be the legendary divine art recorded in books, Avatar of the Heavens?
While Gabriel remained oblivious, Farfetch'd had been completely captivated. Having survived near defeat himself, the duck Pokémon had now fully immersed himself in his own fantasies, idolizing Dratini.
"Quack! Quack! Quack!" (One day, I too will stand proud, wielding my leek as a warrior, with none daring to approach me within a hundred steps!)
Gabriel shot Farfetch'd a confused look. When had this transformation happened?
Meanwhile, Roland arrived at the Monster/Beast (Pokémon) Center, looking at Gabriel with admiration.
"I never thought you'd actually become a champion."
Then, his gaze shifted to Dratini, his expression serious.
"Your Monster/Beast (Pokémon) used Dynamax energy... You got it from Everette, didn't you?"
Gabriel was surprised—he hadn't mentioned anyone's name.
"No need to look so shocked. Right now, if anyone in the country has the most advanced research on Dynamax energy, it's Everette."
Roland's tone grew more solemn.
"But Dynamax energy has severe side effects. When a Monster/Beast (Pokémon) uses it, it breaks free from the Trainer's control. The Monster/beast Ball won't be able to recall it. That's why no one in the country has dared to use it—not even Everette himself."
"So tell me—how did you overcome the side effects?"
Roland's eyes locked onto Gabriel, seeking an answer.
"Dynamax causes that? Huh. I just caught Dratini again after it broke free. It wasn't really a big deal."
Gabriel's response was casual, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Even if Dratini had shattered its Monster/Beast Ball (Poké Ball), it still considered Gabriel its Trainer. Their bond was unshakable.
Roland studied the boy before him. Perhaps... that was the real issue. Maybe it wasn't Dynamax energy that was the problem—maybe it was the fragile emotional bond between Monster/Beast (Pokémon) and Trainers that couldn't withstand the test.
Maybe Dynamax energy wasn't a curse.
Maybe... Monster/Beast (Pokémon) Trainers just weren't strong enough to handle it.
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