In the stands, every spectator was staring in shock.
To them, seeing a Pokémon use two moves at the same time felt like something out of a dream.
Even in the Champion's Challenge, they might not get to witness such an advanced technique.
Yet now, in the Fighting Tournament, they had seen it with their own eyes. How could they not be stunned?
A mysterious Trainer.
A powerful unknown Pokémon.
A rare advanced technique.
All of it completely set the audience on fire, sending the entire crowd into a frenzy.
"Muscle Mosquito is an absolute legend!"
"So cool! Mosquito! Mosquito! I love you!"
"That's insane… It can use two moves at once. I heard splitting your focus like that is extremely difficult. Even among Champion-level Trainers, only a handful can do it."
"Seriously? Then that really is incredible! I've gone straight from hater to fan. The winner of this year's Fighting Tournament is basically decided. It has to be the Mystery Contestant."
"No kidding… That technique is ridiculous. Using two moves at the same time? Isn't that basically bullying?"
"Heh. That's called skill. How is it bullying? If you could learn it, you could bully people like that too."
"Waaah… Just thinking about Aaron having to face an opponent this strong makes my heart ache for him…"
"I hope this guy knows when to stop and doesn't beat Aaron too badly. Otherwise, I'm not letting him off."
"Heh heh… I'm just waiting to see that pretty boy Aaron get beaten up!"
"Damn it… Girls, get to work! We've got a hater here!"
…
The crowd had been completely won over by the Mystery Contestant's overwhelming strength. At this point, most of them had already decided he would become the champion of this year's Fighting Tournament.
For now, the Muscle Mosquito really did look incredibly powerful.
On top of that, it had mastered such a difficult technique.
It stood far above the rest.
…
On the battlefield.
"Gulp…"
Fane was drenched in sweat.
He swallowed hard as he stared at the muscular mosquito Pokémon standing tall before him.
Then he looked at Conkeldurr, who had fallen into the deep crater and was struggling painfully to get up.
Fane let out a long sigh.
A lonely look crossed his face as he slowly spoke to the Mystery Contestant.
"You're strong… I admit I'm no match for you."
"This match… is my loss."
Fane's voice carried bitterness, frustration, and disappointment.
For this tournament, he and Conkeldurr had trained tirelessly through countless hardships.
They had barely rested.
Battle after battle, he and Conkeldurr had finally fought their way into the semifinals.
But he had never expected his dream to end here.
To stop at this point.
Fane was deeply unwilling to accept it.
But his opponent was simply too strong.
So strong that Fane could no longer find the confidence to keep battling.
The Mystery Contestant heard Fane's words but said nothing.
He simply stood there in silence, watching him.
Fane gave a faint, bitter smile and said softly,
"Heh… Cold as ever, huh?"
Then he turned to the referee and said,
"I concede."
Fane took out his Poké Ball and recalled Conkeldurr. Then he spoke softly to the ball in his hand.
"Conkeldurr… you already did your best."
"We have no regrets."
"Let's keep going. We'll come back for the next Fighting Tournament."
Bzz.
The Poké Ball trembled slightly, as if responding to Fane's words.
A faint smile appeared on Fane's face.
Then, without looking back, he strode away from the battlefield that had carried his dream.
As long as his partner was still with him…
As long as his dream still remained…
He would never stop moving forward.
Because this was the promise he had made with Conkeldurr back when it was still a Timburr.
"Timburr… will you become my Pokémon?"
"Tim… burr…"
"Great! Timburr, let's become the King of Fighters together, okay?"
"Timburr!"
Beneath the setting sun, on a stretch of grass, a boy and his Pokémon stretched out their fists and made a vow.
From that day on, they had walked toward that dream together.
…
The referee stood stunned for several seconds.
Only after seeing Fane had already walked far away did he finally snap back to himself.
He immediately waved his flag and loudly announced the result of the match.
"Contestant Fane has conceded."
"Therefore, the winner of Match B is…"
"The Mystery Contestant!"
The moment the referee announced the result, the entire venue erupted.
Cheers and shouts swept through the arena like a storm.
The crowd roared as one, their voices rising in a thunderous wave that carried far beyond the battlefield.
The cheering did not calm down for a long time.
…
In the rest area.
Aaron and Infernape had been resting with their eyes closed.
"Infernape…"
Infernape opened its eyes, patted Aaron on the shoulder, and called out to him.
Aaron opened his eyes as well.
Of course, he had heard that deafening roar too.
The corners of Aaron's mouth lifted slightly, and a bright smile appeared on his face.
"Infernape… looks like our opponent is pretty strong."
"They've already won over the audience."
"Infer…"
Infernape nodded in agreement.
Then it patted its strong chest and called out to Aaron again.
As if saying,
Don't worry, Aaron. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you.
"You little rascal…"
Aaron looked at Infernape's earnest, adorable expression, smiled, and patted it on the head.
"No matter how strong our opponent is… as long as we work together, victory will definitely belong to us."
Aaron spoke softly to Infernape, his expression firm.
"Infernape…"
Infernape looked into Aaron's eyes.
Something unreadable flickered in its gaze.
Then it nodded seriously.