"Clefairy~!"
Clefairy spread its tiny hands, and glowing sigils of sealing energy began circling its body. From this moment on, no Pokémon on the field could use any moves Clefairy already knew.
Payton's expression shifted instantly. "Wait… don't tell me…"
Whitney tilted her head with a mischievous grin. "You guessed it~ Even though Clefairy hasn't evolved, it knows a lot of moves… including the Ice Punch and Brick Break you just used~"
The livestream exploded:
"IT'S OVER. The moment Imprison drops, Swampert just lost half its movepool!"
"Tell me how they're supposed to break through now???"
"Scary part? Arboliva hasn't even used Strength Sap yet… and both opponents are physical attackers…"
"Payton: I literally can't hold it in anymore 💀"
"..."
Payton's face flickered between pale and flushed. People always said Peter's strategies were "dirty," but only now—standing against it—did he understand just how suffocating it felt.
"This match isn't over yet," Nessa said sharply, stepping forward. "Drednaw—Max Geyser!"
"Clefairy, Reflect!" Whitney countered immediately.
"Arboliva—Giga Drain!"
The massive torrent surged again, crashing forward with overwhelming force—but Reflect rose in time, and Arboliva didn't even take a step back. It stared straight into the incoming wave and fired off Giga Drain, siphoning energy even as the attack landed.
Payton instinctively opened his mouth to call for Protect—
Then froze.
…Right. Imprison.
Protect was sealed.
"…Fine. Swampert—Liquidation!"
Desperately, he chose a move Clefairy couldn't possibly know.
Swampert clasped its hands, water bursting forth and forming a razor-sharp blade that slashed forward. It cut through the incoming Giga Drain and struck Arboliva's arm—
But this time, without a type advantage, even boosted by rain, the attack couldn't shake it.
Arboliva blocked it with ease.
A seed dropped softly onto the ground. The Grassy Terrain thickened, becoming even more lush.
At the same time, the Leech Seed on Swampert activated again, draining its energy in pulses of green light. Arboliva's wounds visibly faded.
Ash scratched his head. "Uh… why does it feel like that did nothing?"
Everyone else fell silent.
Even he noticed.
Of course they all had.
Conway adjusted his glasses, the lenses glinting. "More importantly… that Leech Seed's recovery seems… excessive."
As they spoke, the battlefield continued shifting.
Another Leech Seed landed—this time on Drednaw. Clefairy set up Light Screen, and Arboliva calmly tanked yet another Liquidation and Max Geyser combo.
Then—
Drednaw's Gigantamax ended.
It shrank back to its normal size.
And yet—
Standing before it was still the same opponent. The one that had withstood everything without budging.
Back when it was still Dolliv, it had already shown such resilience.
Now, as Arboliva…
It was on another level entirely.
Peter shook his head lightly. "Your ace is strong. Your trump cards are impressive. But… type disadvantage and tactical failure aren't things you can ignore."
He glanced sideways at Whitney.
She blinked, then smiled brightly. "Clefairy—Sunny Day!"
"Arboliva—Growth, then spam Giga Drain!"
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, burning away the rain in moments. Under the blazing sun, Growth activated at an extraordinary level—Arboliva's Attack and Special Attack surged by two stages instantly.
The next Giga Drain struck cleanly.
Drednaw held on for two seconds—then its legs gave out, collapsing.
Leech Seed triggered again.
Swampert followed.
Green light enveloped Arboliva—Giga Drain, Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed—all stacking together.
Moments later, the glow faded.
Arboliva stood there, completely restored.
Fresh.
Untouched.
As if it had never even battled.
…
A collective gasp swept through the stadium.
"…Did they just heal more than they took??"
A message scrolled across the livestream:
"I'mNotLostOrCrying:"The held item "Big Root" is now available in Peter's 'Underworld Shop.' Description included…
"OH COME ON! That's why it's healing so much?? There's actually an item like that???"
"If I were them I'd just dig a hole and bury myself headfirst… Double Screens + Big Root + 4× weakness + Imprison… HOW DO YOU EVEN PLAY THIS??"
"Did anyone notice? Arboliva and Clefairy still haven't revealed one move each…"
"Don't even say it—Sunny Day is out, so Synthesis is definitely coming… and Clefairy probably has Heal Pulse…"
"Classic: they deal less damage than the opponent heals."
"..."
…
On the field, Peter pinched Whitney's nose lightly. "You… even in battle you're still selling items?"
Whitney quickly tucked her phone away and grinned. "Well, someone once looked really pitiful begging for money~ If there's a chance, of course I'll help my Honey earn more~"
Peter froze for a moment—
Then smiled.
His grip on her hand tightened just a little.
…
The awards ceremony concluded smoothly, marking the end of the grand tournament.
Standing atop the highest podium, Peter held Whitney close as his gaze swept across the crowd.
Paul, Ash Ketchum and his friends, Saikikka, Zemu, Valric, Draak, Nessa, Nemo, Payton…
Without realizing it, he had gathered so many companions—rivals and friends alike.
And beside him—
Whitney, his slightly silly, warm-hearted "Miltank girl."
And his Pokémon—
No, his family.
He lifted the championship trophy, engraving the moment deep into his heart.
"This is my first championship… and the beginning of every championship I'll claim from here on."
That was what he said in the post-match interview.
Beside him, Whitney beamed.
Because she knew—
He was already fulfilling his promise to her.
…
That evening, under the setting sun, the group gathered at the crossroads of Hearthome City.
It was time to part ways.
Valric, now supported by his father and Fantina, set off on his journey. Ash gave up challenging Hearthome Gym and instead headed to Veilstone City—Paul's hometown.
Nessa planned to return to Galar to recharge her Dynamax Band and refine her team based on Peter's advice.
Zemu, uninterested in the League, continued wandering freely.
Payton declared that the world was vast—and he intended to experience a passionate romance or two. (This was apparently inspired by a Unova model magazine featuring Elesa.)
Saikikka and Draak hit it off instantly and decided to travel together.
Paul, as always, walked alone—only pausing briefly to nod at Peter before leaving.
In just a few moments—
Everyone was gone.
Only Peter, Whitney… and Nemo remained.
Peter turned. "So… where are you headed?"
Nemo grinned, clenching her fist. "I contacted my dad. I'll go home, grab something, then come back!"
Her eyes burned with excitement. "Next time, I'll use Terastallization. And I'll win!"
With that, she waved and dashed off.
Peter watched her go, smiling faintly.
Looks like…
That system would be entering the stage soon too.
…
He shook off his thoughts, then pulled Whitney into his arms and kissed her softly.
"Let's go, Babe. Next stop—Canalave City."
"Mmm—okay~!"
Under the golden sunset, their shadows stretched long across the road—
Until they disappeared into the horizon.