Solemn symphony.
Confetti fluttering in the sky.
Cheers and shouts echoing across the universe from the audience seats, countless fervent and intense gazes, faces pushed to the extreme of excitement.
Baimu had witnessed such a magnificent celebration with his own eyes before.
But.
This time is different.
The Ever Grande Conference is the starting point of his journey as a Trainer, a solid foundation laid for his path to becoming the Ore Champion and even the World Champion.
After this, a future of immeasurable length awaits him.
The meaning is different, so naturally, his mindset is different too!
He took a deep breath, looking at the approaching Mega Aggron in front of him, feeling a surge of emotions as he extended his fist.
The steel-formed claws met his, lightly touching.
"We won!"
"Roar!"
Together they raised their right arms high, bathing in the sunlight after the rain, their eyes sparkling with brilliance.
In that instant.
The countless cheers became even louder, countless spectators stood up spontaneously, applauding freely to express gratitude and congratulations to the victors who provided a splendid battle.
Xiaoguang clapped in admiration, saying, "Without a doubt, this battle was amazing."
Piplup shook its flower ball wildly: "Piplup pip!"
Xiaogang nodded and said, "Yes, it's clear that Baimu poured his will into this final battle, and he will step by step move towards a more distant future... I also need to hasten my pace to become a Pokémon Doctor."
One's own dreams have just set sail, it's time to depart again!
Beside him.
Mann Chong clapped gladly.
After winning the Silver Conference, he also received the opportunity to challenge the Johto Region Champion Alliance.
Originally he didn't plan to participate, solely wanting to return to the Hoenn Region to meet Baimu, whom he had decided on his own as a "fierce rival".
But after watching Baimu's battle, Mann Chong felt it was necessary to attend the Johto Region Champion Alliance.
No matter where he ends up, he believes he can gain new experience and further grow!
"Congratulations, Baimu..."
Liuqia said softly, with both a sense of melancholy and happiness in her applause.
The excited Altaria sensed the Trainer's low spirits and couldn't help but turn its head, comforting her with its cotton wings: "Trill..."
As the best partner, how could Altaria not understand why she was upset?
"Thank you, Xiao Qingqing~"
Liuqia wrapped Altaria's slender neck, slightly easing the regret of parting with a friend, looking again at Baimu responding to the cheers below, only genuine joy remaining in her heart.
Within the competition field.
Baimu retracted Aggron into its Poké Ball and turned to step down from the Trainer's position.
Unexpectedly, Alice was already waiting at the bottom.
"Congratulations! Baimu!"
The brown-skinned girl extended her hand, her dark red eyes clear as a mirror, smiling generously: "Battling with you benefited me a lot, I believe this will become valuable experience for us to improve!"
Truly outstanding!
He marveled in his heart, how many can truly embody the simple six words of not being arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat?
For Alice, who is just over ten years old, to be mature to this level, with clear goals and working hard for them, how could she not achieve remarkable success in the future?
"I should be the one saying thank you, Dragon's Heart touched me once again. I look forward to our next battle, let's cheer each other on! Alice!"
Baimu lightly grasped her hand.
Alice also nodded earnestly, "Absolutely! It's a promise for our next battle!"
The two exchanged a smile.
Then Alice proceeded to the contestant tunnel, while Baimu signed an autograph for a spectator too excited to have jumped into the field, grabbed by the staff.
This again earned him a large round of cheers.
In the resting room.
The instant the door closed.
Alice took a deep breath, leaning her back against the door, sliding down, hugging her knees, only to feel a white mist covering her eyes, her nose especially sour.
Unwilling...
Too unwilling...
More than a hundred times, a thousand times more unwilling compared to past losses...
She clenched her fists, forcing the tears not to fall.
"That's right! This is not the end! I will definitely become the Dragon Master! Whether it's Baimu or Ms. Hilona, I will defeat them one by one!"
Alice's breathing gradually calmed, she washed her face in the bathroom, looking at her slightly red eyes, pointing at her reflection in the mirror, she smiled and said: "So childish! If Ash Ketchum saw this he'd surely taunt me? Hehe."
But she didn't know.
At that moment, Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, in Pallet Town, were watching the TV, feeling happy for Baimu while also feeling worried for her.
"Alice will definitely pull through!"
"Pika Pika!"
At the same time.
In another parallel future where she lost to Hilona in the Grandmaster Tournament, she initially managed to hold back her emotions, but upon seeing Ash Ketchum, burst into tears.
Without a doubt, within Alice's heart, Ash Ketchum is an important partner she can cry in front of.
So after experiencing a ruthless battle that should not have existed.
What changes will occur in Alice's future?
No one knows.
Within the arena.
The event organizers were busy, methodically tidying up the battlefield and arranging the podium, needing to have everything ready before the sun sets.
In the audience stands.
Many people left their seats, as they were invited by the event organizers to enter the field and watch the award ceremony up close.
Although they had to stand to watch, many had no hesitation just to get a close encounter with the conference winner, Baimu.
The media also went towards the field.
Their work required them to capture close-up shots of Baimu's expression holding the trophy.
However, along the way, it was inevitable for everyone to engage in discussion.
"Next up is the Champion Alliance, right?"