The chapter opens where we left off, with the two brothers—Dango and Bango—locked in a tense standoff. Axew, injured but not defeated, was called back. In his place, Dango sent out his newest partner: Primeape. The air crackled with anticipation. How will the battle between Dango's fierce Primeape and Bango's powerful Dusk Lycanroc unfold? Will our hero overcome his brother's challenge? Find out now on Pokémon Mano.
Primeape charges forward, catching Bango completely off guard. Clearly, his brother still hasn't learned his lesson—and Bango knows it's time to teach him again.
Bango: "Fire Fang, now!"
Lycanroc lunges, its fangs blazing with fierce flames. Just as the attack is about to connect, Primeape slides in low on Dango's command, sweeping its leg wide. A powerful Low Kick strikes, knocking Lycanroc off its feet and sending it crashing to the ground.
Primeape then leapt high into the air, muscles tensed, before coming down hard with a devastating Cross Chop. But Lycanroc reacted in a flash—its form blurred as it zipped away with Quick Attack, dodging just in time.
Primeape landed on one knee, fists clenched. Dango called out, praising him for the effort. Primeape blinked, visibly flustered for a split second—but quickly scowled and looked away, masking his blush with anger.
Dango tilted his head in confusion, assuming Primeape didn't like compliments. On the other side, Bango's expression darkened. He gave his Lycanroc a cold, sharp stare—one that spoke louder than words. Lycanroc tensed up, growling lowly at Primeape as if sensing the weight behind its trainer's gaze.
This time, Lycanroc didn't wait. With a fierce bark, it slammed its paws into the ground, Stone Edge! Jagged rocks erupted beneath Primeape, blasting him into the air. Primeape caught himself midair and landed with a fierce thud, eyes blazing with fury.
Swift as lightning, he darted behind his opponent—then, in a blur, Primeape swung a brutal backhand. The Assurance strike hit twice as hard after the earlier blow. Lycanroc was sent flying, crashing hard, but refusing to give up, Dango urged Primeape to keep the pressure on.
Primeape leapt forward, aiming for a powerful Cross Chop. Dango's heart soared; sure, this was the winning blow. He even bet his brother was scared. But then his smile froze. Bango's face held a smug grin, calm, confident. And as Lycanroc came to a halt, something about the moment felt wrong.
Primeape dropped down like a meteor, slamming into Lycanroc with brutal force, kicking up a shockwave that stunned both Maylin and Albert. Lycanroc snarled, barely standing.
Bango: "Lycanroc, one last thing—Rock Tome."
Dango: "Rock Tome? Primeape, get out of there now!"
Before Lycanroc could collapse, it stomped its paw into the dirt—chunks of glowing rock shot up, forming a crumbling stone prison around Primeape. The stones tightened like a cage, trapping him inside.
Primeape growled, struggling—he smashed one arm free, just as Lycanroc, trembling and barely conscious, lunged with a final burst of willpower. Zen Headbutt, straight to Primeape's face. The impact was devastating.
Primeape roared in pain—but with sheer force of will, shattered through the rocky tomb and charged forward with Assurance. The moment his fist connected, Lycanroc collapsed. The field went silent—until, seconds later, Primeape dropped to one knee, then fell.
Both Pokémon are down. The crowd gasped—except for Dango and Bango, who remained still, expressionless. They had expected as much. Maylin blinked, then stepped forward.
Maylin: "1-1, send out your next Pokémon." (Thinking) "Wow… these two are truly incredible. I don't think I could even last a minute with them."
Albert: "And this is why I take care of Pokémon."
The two brothers recalled their Pokémon. Bango grinned, nodding in respect as he praised Dango for actually taking out one of his Pokémon. Dango grinned back confidently, declaring that next, he'd take down Bango's entire team.
Taken aback by his brother's boldness, Bango smirked and vowed that his single Pokémon would wipe out Dango's whole team, much to Dango's annoyance.
They threw out their second Pokémon: Dango's Elekid and Bango's Combusken. Instantly, the two clashed in a rapid barrage of attacks. After a fierce exchange, Elekid gained the upper hand, using Thunder Shock to land solid damage. Backing away, the two Pokémon locked eyes, muscles tensed and ready, while their trainers exchanged words.
Dango: (grinning) "What's the matter? That Combusken used to be a problem. What happened?"
Bango: (sarcastic) "Maybe you got tougher. Who knows?"
Dango: "Stop playing around. We might just beat you! Elekid, Thunder Punch!"
Elekid rocketed forward, fist crackling with lightning—but instead of landing a clean hit, Combusken caught it effortlessly.
Albert: "It's over. Your friend stands no chance."
Maylin: "What?!"
Elekid struck again, but Combusken growled low, its body glowing red as muscles tensed. A fiery aura pulsed around it, making it look stronger and tougher than before. With a sudden surge, Combusken used Bulk Up, then grabbed Elekid by the head, leaving Dango too stunned to issue any orders.
Dango: "N—No, Elekid! Thunder Punches!"
Elekid unleashed a fierce barrage of Thunder Punches, but it wasn't enough to stop what was coming. Still trapped in Combusken's grasp, Elekid was thrown high into the air.
As Elekid descended, a blazing Fire Punch met him, slamming him hard into the ground, kicking up a swirling spiral of dust and debris. Elekid fainted. The score was now 1–2.
Dango finally caught his breath, heart pounding. Is this the true power of Bango Mano? Bango smirked, urging Dango to send out his next Pokémon. Without hesitation, Dango recalled Elekid and sent out Staravia.
Staravia soared through the sky, keeping a safe distance, weaving through the air with precision, launching Aerial Aces and whipping up Gusts, all while Bango watched closely.
Bango: "Now, Bounce."
Combusken crouched low, then rocketed high into the sky with a burst of energy, soaring past Staravia and disappearing into the clouds. Dango shouted for Staravia to dodge—but it was too late. With a deafening crash, Combusken slammed down from above, glowing fiercely, smashing into Staravia's back and sending it spiralling out of control.
Staravia struggled to move, while on the sidelines, Albert muttered how violent battling was—and why he never took part. Staravia managed to rise, giving Dango a flicker of hope, only to be slammed back down by a blazing Fire Punch, fainting instantly.
The score was now 1–3. Dango's chances were slipping away, but he refused to give up. He called back Staravia and sent out Axew. Though injured, Axew stood firm, muscles tense. Across the field, the brothers locked eyes—and so did their Pokémon. Night had fallen. It was time for the battle to end.
Axew charges in and jumps in the air, readying a Dual Chop. Combusken dodges and goes for Fire Punch, but Axew, more driven than ever, blocks with Iron Tail. However, the attack sent him reeling, which gives Combusken the chance to surround himself in flame, with Flame Charge, and rockets towards Axew. Axew takes a direct hit, sending him to the ground. Dango pleaded for Axew to get up, when suddenly Bango began to laugh.
Dango: "What's funny?!"
Bango: "Nothing is just you thought you had a chance."
Dango: "What, it's because you used Bulk Up?"
Bango: "Oh, Danny boy, Bulk up and moves like it only last two attacks."
Dango: "So what, I managed to take down a Pokémon, how do you feel after doing this for two years, and I in a month and a couple of days, is reaching your level."
Bango: "Level? Oh, you mean that win on Lycanroc, think about it."
Dango: "No... But why?"
Bango: "Pity."
Dango: "You Bastard!"
Axew rose slowly, matching Dango's fierce expression with one of his own. He pushed forward, determined to fight again.
But Combusken was faster. In a blur, it speed blitzed—and with a powerful Fire Punch, struck Axew hard in the chest. The force made Axew cough up blood, his body trembling. The battle was over. Bango had won.
Dango dropped to his knees, wordless, and returned Axew to his Poké Ball. Albert quietly stepped forward, taking the weakened Pokémon to tend to them with care.
Bango smirked, recalling his Combusken before tossing out a Braviary. He climbed onto its back, wings spreading wide. But before taking off, he turned one last time to the downcast Dango.
Bango: "If you keep acting like my little brother... You'll never beat me."
And with that, he soared into the sky, leaving Dango in his shadow, with Maylin stepping beside him, trying to comfort her silent friend.
A few hours later, inside the Daycare, Dango and Maylin sat quietly with their Pokémon, sharing a simple meal. Since it was late, Albert kindly decided to let them stay the night—it was, after all, his granddaughter and her friend.
Dango thanked Albert for the food, but said he'd be heading to sleep now. Everyone watched him leave, worry written across their faces—even Primeape's stern gaze softened.
In his room, Dango stared at his badges, doubts swirling in his mind. Did he really deserve them? Just then, Axew slipped inside and jumped onto his trainer's shoulder, nudging him in an attempt to lift his spirits. When that didn't work, the others joined—Elekid delivered a gentle shock as a pep talk, and Staravia gave a comforting peck.
Slowly, Dango snapped back to reality, laughter breaking free as he playfully wrestled with them all. He couldn't let one loss break him—not when, once they'd recovered, they'd beat Bango a million times over. That was his promise. Dango pulled them all into a tight hug. Behind the door, Primeape smirked. He had already accepted Dango as his trainer, but this moment sealed it.
To Be Continued!