After a bout of laughter and banter, everyone turned their attention back to the battlefield.
Simon Greaves and Serena Elm's cautious probing was over. Both were now going all out, trading attacks at full force.
Unfortunately for Serena, her Shellder had yet to learn Shell Smash, which meant its mobility was still lacking. Thanks to its Skill Link ability, Shellder had managed to keep things even with Gengar early on, but Thunderbolt was just too painful for it to endure.
Once the testing phase ended, Gengar—despite taking two Icicle Spears—finished Shellder off with a pair of Thunderbolts.
As the commentator voiced his regret, the two Trainers left the stage. Surprisingly, Serena didn't look particularly disappointed.
When she returned to the seating area, Jace Rowan leaned in curiously.
"You just lost your match. Why don't you look the slightest bit upset?"
Serena beamed.
"Why should I be upset? At least I made it into the top four. What about you?"
Jace clutched his chest in mock pain and shuffled away, once again wearing the mask of defeat.
"Next up… the finals! I'm sure everyone here feels the same excitement I do. We're about to witness the crowning of the Vantora Division's Little Cup champion!"
"But before that, let's give our Trainers a short break so they can recover their energy. Then, they'll give us the spectacular finale we've been waiting for."
The rest period was the usual thirty minutes. This time, the big screen displayed highlight reels from both Auron Vale and Simon Greaves's previous matches.
Auron had to admit — watching a hype montage of himself battling was surprisingly thrilling.
"Half an hour flew by in the blink of an eye! Now, please welcome… Auron Vale and Simon Greaves to the stage!"
"Simon, give it everything you've got," Auron said, standing in front of him and holding out a fist.
"Mm."
This time, Simon's reply was a bit louder. He smiled faintly and bumped fists with Auron.
The two walked side by side toward the field, with Auron quietly cracking jokes along the way.
"Wanna place bets?" Jace asked.
Tim Wynn raised a brow. "On what?"
"Who's going to win."
"Alright. I'll bet on Auron."
"Same here," Jace said.
Tim frowned. "If we're both betting on Auron, how's this supposed to work?"
Serena cut in, "Count me in. I'm betting on Simon."
"What? Not on Auron?" Tim asked, surprised.
Serena just huffed smugly. "(▼へ▼) Hmph."
Lena Greaves grinned. "I'm in too — betting on my husband."
"Perfect," Jace said. "Two against two. Bet's on."
On the field, both Trainers faced each other and released their Pokémon.
"Go, Munchlax!"
"…"
Gengar took one look at Munchlax and blew it a kiss.
Munchlax remained unfazed, still wearing his trademark cheerful smile.
The flag dropped. The battle began.
"Munchlax — Metronome!"
"…"
Munchlax wiggled his fingers… and launched a Shadow Ball from his hand.
Gengar flinched in surprise, quickly firing a Shadow Ball of his own. The two orbs collided mid-air, dispersing into nothing.
"Munchlax — Metronome!"
"…"
Against a Ghost-type like Gengar, Munchlax had no way to fight at range except with luck. Close combat was his real strength, but Gengar wasn't about to give him that chance.
Stat-boosting moves weren't an option either — Gengar knew Clear Smog, which could wipe out any buffs instantly.
On the flip side, thanks to Munchlax's high Special Defense and massive HP, Gengar's special attacks were like scratches. If the Ghost-type refused to close the gap, then it'd just be a slow war of attrition. Eventually, Munchlax could roll the dice with Metronome and hope for something game-changing.
Suddenly, Munchlax's speed surged. He darted toward Gengar.
A Dark Pulse struck him squarely, but it wasn't enough to slow his charge.
Munchlax opened his mouth, dark energy swirling inside, and clamped down on Gengar.
"Ghh-aaagh!"
Gengar cried out, retaliating with a Shadow Punch to Munchlax's chest.
Smirking, Munchlax lit up both fists — one with Fire Punch, the other with Thunder Punch — and began swinging. He only managed two hits before Gengar caught him with a point-blank Hypnosis.
Munchlax hadn't expected that. One glance into Gengar's eyes was all it took — and he slumped to the ground, fast asleep.
Gengar floated back, catching his breath.
"Munchlax — Sleep Talk!"
Gengar swept his arms, sending a black-and-purple Dark Pulse crashing into Munchlax's stomach.
Munchlax barely reacted. He stood, muttering nonsense in his sleep, and stomped the ground. A shockwave raced toward Gengar — but, of course, Earthquake had no effect on a Pokémon with Levitate.
Auron could only smile wryly.
This was the problem — most of Gengar's damaging moves were Ghost-type, which couldn't touch Munchlax effectively, while Munchlax's Normal- and Fighting-type moves struggled to land on a Ghost. The rest came down to luck.
And with sleep status, he couldn't inflict poison. That left Gengar's viable moves as Ice Wind, Thunderbolt, and Dark Pulse.
(As per the rules — like in the games — a Pokémon can only have one major status condition at a time. Damage from moves that cause other statuses still applies, but the status won't stack.)
"Munchlax — Sleep Talk!"
"…"
If Gengar was running out of useful moves, Munchlax had even fewer options.
The Ghost-type began calling lightning, a Thunderbolt cracking down on Munchlax.
Munchlax stomped again — this time triggering Fissure — but it completely missed the floating Gengar.
"Ehehe…" Gengar giggled, before striking again with Thunderbolt. The electric blast made Munchlax's fur curl slightly.
The jolt roused Munchlax. He rubbed his eyes and got to his feet.
Gengar, startled, floated back quickly before realizing the danger had passed. Annoyed, he lobbed a Sludge Bomb.
"Munchlax — Metronome!"
The Normal-type wiggled his fingers, hurling a purplish sphere of his own.
Gengar's attack struck first, and Munchlax's fur took on a faint violet sheen — he was now badly poisoned. But Gengar also took the full force of the Shadow Ball, nearly knocking him out.
(This was exactly why Gengar hadn't gone for Curse — too little HP left. Toxic was the safer choice.)
Scowling, Gengar obeyed Simon's next order, raising a hand to the sky. Another Thunderbolt slammed into Munchlax.
The hit barely slowed him. Munchlax kept twirling his fingers.
When he finished, a bright blue orb formed in his palm. With a powerful throw, he sent it straight at Gengar.
The Ghost tried to dodge, but the orb curved in mid-air, homing in. He juked the other way — the orb followed again.
Now panicking, Gengar zipped back and forth, but the attack refused to let him go.
Finally, Gengar stopped running, turned toward the camera, and spread his hands in mock surrender.
The blue orb hit dead-on. Gengar crashed to the floor, eyes spiraling.
"Gengar is unable to battle! Munchlax wins!"
Auron whooped, rushing forward to scoop up Munchlax in a hug.
The commentator's voice rang with excitement.
"And there we have it! The Vantora Division Little Cup champion is… Auron Vale! Let's hear it for our winner!"
Thunderous applause erupted in the stands. Ashen Vale and Grandpa Flint Jonas were both smiling as they clapped.
Gengar soon came to, floating in front of Munchlax with a sulky look. He poked the Normal-type in the belly.
Munchlax simply grinned, placing a paw over Gengar's head in a mock pat — though with Gengar being gaseous, his hand just hovered there for show.
Gengar played along, leaning into the gesture.
Munchlax then rummaged through Auron's backpack, producing two of his special energy cubes — a reward from Auron. He handed one to Gengar.
The Ghost's eyes sparkled as he gobbled it down, clearly delighted.
Auron, oblivious to their little exchange, turned to Simon and held out his fist.
Against the backdrop of the setting sun, Simon smiled and bumped fists with him. The scene was perfectly framed by the ever-dedicated cameraman.
And with that…
The Little Cup had come to an end.