The battle between Mega Venusaur and Honchkrow lasted a full twenty minutes.
During that time, aside from occasionally switching moves to interrupt Mega Venusaur's recovery, Honchkrow continuously used Air Cutter, slice after slice, nonstop… endlessly…
["Venusaur is unable to battle. Honchkrow wins!
Since all six of Elite Four Sen's Pokémon have lost the ability to battle, the winner of this Elite Four Tournament match is… the new Elite Four… The DarKnight, Mr. Yuga… SATOOOOOOOOOOO!"]
With the referee's solemn announcement, this nearly two-hour-long showdown finally came to an end.
Although many had realized Sato might win back when Venusaur was forced to appear early, now that the result was set in stone, everyone still felt a tinge of melancholy, as if witnessing a fallen hero and the rise of a new generation.
Even Elite Four members eventually get surpassed…
But seeing Sato, so young, already become an Elite Four, and not even the lowest ranked one… everyone's expectations soared even higher!
Someone like him… might really have a shot at "that" position, right…?
---◓---
"Phew…" 'Finally over!'
Backstage at the Stadium, Sato returned to the resting area, and the sudden escape from the roaring crowd gave him a surreal sense of disconnection.
Four continuous hours of synchronized resonance, commanding six Pokémon without pause, against an Elite Four known for stamina…
Sato hadn't felt this exhausted in a long time. Even under Fujin's intense training, there was always balance and moments of insight.
And yet, this tournament still had two more matches to go.
Flying Drangon Master Elite Four, Lance!
Ice-type Elite Four, Pryce!
Shaking his head, Sato decided to go find Cynthia for a hug and some emotional recovery!
◓---
Inside the VIP Lounge of the Pokémon Center, reserved exclusively for Sato…
Joseph was seated at the computer, handling follow-up matters from the Breeders' competition, while a clumsy-looking Delibird snoozed quietly on his lap.
Mark was in the living room with Lucario and Sina, playing the latest release in the series: [Pokémon Legends: Arceus].
As for Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond… Mark's stance was clear: "Bah! Garbage remakes! Ruined my childhood!"
Sure, he bought them, but Mark swore… even if a Caterpie ran him over or he jumped off the Pokémon Center, he'd never play those two games!
Still, even while enjoying the game, Mark kept glancing at the door.
'Why hasn't the boss come back yet?
Winning a match and then disappearing like that… he's really starting to ignore me… and Mama Joseph too!
Glancing again at Joseph, still looking unbothered, Mark could only turn back and keep fighting in the game.
'Sure enough… girls only affect the speed at which a man throws Pokéballs!'
---◓
On a lesser-known food street in Mahogany Town, Sato held seven or eight different snacks in both hands, leisurely strolling with Cynthia.
At their feet, Pikachu and Cynthia's newly caught Morpeko chased and played, both clearly curious about one another.
"This little one has a pretty strong Dark-type energy. Where'd you catch it?"
Sato took advantage of the moment when Cynthia wasn't chewing to ask. He was always interested in new Dark-type Pokémon.
Cynthia hesitated for two seconds, debating whether to finish her takoyaki first or answer her boyfriend's question… she chose the latter.
After all, he was still holding a whole bunch of snacks she hadn't tried yet ( ︶)
"Its name is Morpeko, a unique Pokémon from the Galar Region. It has an… ability, called Hunger Switch, which alternates between Full Belly Mode and Hangry Mode, and its personality changes along with it."
Just as Cynthia finished speaking, Morpeko cooperatively switched to its Hangry Mode, instantly becoming adorably aggressive~
Pikachu was startled and reflexively fired a Thunderbolt, zapping the newly Elite level Morpeko into a daze.
"Ahem… P-Pikachu, come back! You're getting way too unruly lately!"
Sato awkwardly called Pikachu. With both hands full of snacks, he could only watch as Cynthia calmly stepped forward and took care of the stunned Morpeko.
A few minutes later, Cynthia carried the now-weakened Morpeko in her arms and returned to Sato's side.
"Pikachu's gotten stronger again!" Cynthia praised with a smile.
Still dazed from the scolding, Pikachu immediately perked up. Without hesitation, it leapt from Sato's shoulder into Cynthia's arms, betraying him without a second thought.
Morpeko, eyeing the similarly sized Pikachu, couldn't believe how strong it was. In its Full Belly Mode, it didn't even dare say a word.
"Yeah, Pikachu really has grown. But staying by my side… even those at Ace level rarely get a chance to battle."
Sato spoke with a hint of melancholy. He had several partners like Pikachu, including ones with outstanding potential like Greninja and Absol.
But now, with both hands full of Elite Four level Pokémon, any that couldn't break through no longer helped him much.
Even just appearing in battle… was becoming difficult.
Cynthia didn't say much. Instead, she fed Sato a takoyaki ball.
"When takoyaki just comes out of the pan, it smells incredible, but it's so hot you can't eat it right away. Only by waiting patiently for it to cool can you truly savor its deliciousness."
As she spoke, she fed Sato another takoyaki.
"Pokémon and Trainers are the same. Like Honchkrow. It too will eventually shine outside of just playing support~"
Bathed in sunlight, Cynthia spoke earnestly and smiled brilliantly.
"…Yeah."
---◓---
A week had passed since Sato's full-team battle against Sen.
During that time, the people of the Johto Region had been talking about only one thing.
Could Sato take it one step further… and challenge the Champion's throne?
Opinions online were wildly divided, but any calm analysis would be drowned out by the frenzy of Sato's fans.
It was as if an invisible hand had been silently stirring things behind the scenes, until…
Dragon-type Elite Four Lance defeated Ice-type Elite Four Pryce despite the type disadvantage!
[Sato-seme vs. Lance-sama… who would be crowned the strongest of Johto's new generation?]
As soon as the topic exploded, fanbases for both Sato and Lance waged war online, the debate even spilling into other regions.
And eventually… into the real world.
[…So that's what happened. A large disturbance broke out on Miltank Pedestrian Street in Goldenrod City. Apparently, our fans started insulting each other's 'idols' in public,] said Lance, helplessly explaining over the phone.
Sato paused for a moment, then replied, "I don't think it's that simple."
[Hmm? You mean…] Lance frowned, thoughts racing through his mind as several possibilities connected at once.
"Let's act like nothing happened for now, and then…"
Sato laid out his plan, and on the other end of the line, Lance slowly curled his lips into a grin, seeming to remember something fun.
[Tahahaha! Let's do it. I'm coming to find you!]