Finally.
Natsuhiko and his two companions all expressed their agreement, and Lance, who had informed them of this news, had already had some ideas in his mind. Seeing that they didn't refuse, he naturally wouldn't object either.
Then.
Another question arose.
Among them, who would team up with whom?
Lance indicated that the organizers' intention was to conduct a random draw.
Random?
Natsuhiko stated that he had already seen through the tactics of the organizers, and there was no such thing as randomness.
However, since they were contestants, they couldn't possibly influence the organizers' intentions.
Therefore, the organizers who received their feedback immediately held an emergency meeting about who would team up with whom.
Some people suggested separating the champions and runners-up, so that the strength seemed more balanced, which would be more "fair".
But another part felt that Natsuhiko and Hilona, both representing the Sinnoh Region, should team up. This would give the audience a better support direction and make Natsuhiko feel a greater sense of belonging to the Sinnoh Region.
Their meaning was simple, to bind Natsuhiko with the numerous supporters of the Sinnoh Region.
The ordinary public didn't know, but some high-ranking officials of the organizers had already received the news that the Kanto Alliance's Elite Four, Agatha, had accepted Natsuhiko as a disciple.
In their view, this was a signal.
The Kanto Alliance didn't want to see such a visibly talented prodigy like Natsuhiko just slip away.
They wanted to use the title of Elite Four's disciple to call Natsuhiko back.
Moreover, considering the last match, Natsuhiko and Lance's relationship wasn't shallow; they might actually pull him back.
So, the organizers made a final decision.
You have Lance; we have Hilona!
Let's see who eventually wins!
And so, the final matchup was also confirmed.
Lance + Flint VS Natsuhiko + Hilona!
Perfect!
And the audiences?
Initially, when they found out that Natsuhiko, who had entered the finals, had to forfeit due to severe Pokémon injuries, their reaction was the same when they couldn't watch the finals.
Anger!
Condemnation!
But later, when they learned that a dual battle exhibition match would replace the finals, the audience reacted.
What a pleasant surprise!
Especially the supporters of Flint and Lance.
They could see their match again; isn't this more entertaining than a simple final?
Moreover.
A doubles match, and it's the top four of the tournament.
Just imagining it is already interesting.
And so, the audience's dissatisfied mood hadn't fully risen before being suppressed by themselves.
And seeing the matchup list made them feel more intrigued.
The Sinnoh twin stars versus Kanto plus Hoenn, it immediately looked prestigious.
...
...
The next day.
Lily Arena.
Today is a joyful day.
The final match was canceled due to Natsuhiko's forfeit, and as a compensation for the audience's dissatisfaction, a doubles exhibition match was conducted.
Since it was an exhibition match, there was no need to compete for victory; it was focused on performance.
At the same time, it also served as a promotion for the league's slowly emerging "dual battle" mode.
Actually, in Natsuhiko's view, appeasing the audience might still be secondary; the league wanting to promote the "dual battle" mode might be the main reason for this exhibition match.
Even when Ash Ketchum appeared, the doubles weren't that prevalent, let alone now.
Taking advantage of the tournament's high popularity to promote doubles in the end was obviously a great opportunity.
When it comes to meticulous planning, it has to be the league.
That day, all the contestants who entered the elimination rounds also came to the venue.
Because after the exhibition match, it was time to distribute the prizes, and those were really good things.
But now...
The vast battle arena, Natsuhiko and Hilona, Flint and Lance, stood on either side of the field.
Last night.
They each discussed their strategies.
As for doubles, Natsuhiko stated.
This I'm familiar with!
Unlike reality, in games, doubles are actually much more fun than singles, with various tactical and technique combinations being even more diverse.
Although his current Pokémon type and techniques limited some of his performance, he could still make some plans.
Natsuhiko and Hilona exchanged a glance.
"Really... going to fight like this?" Hilona was a bit hesitant.
Natsuhiko still looked a bit pale, having exhausted his psychic powers twice, and it wasn't something that could recover with a sleep.
To Hilona's doubts, Natsuhiko was confident.
"Don't worry, just follow my rhythm."
Hilona pressed her lips and nodded.
On the opposite side.
Flint and Lance got straight to the point without any fuss.
Then.
In the audience's cheers, like celebrating the New Year, under the referee's signal, the four of them threw their Pokeballs and summoned their respective Pokémon.
Lance and Flint, they respectively summoned Charizard and Aggron!
While Natsuhiko and Hilona summoned...
Togekiss and Spiritomb!
They all tacitly didn't send out their Quasi-God Pokémon.
After all, it's just an exhibition match; there's no need to go full power with a Quasi-God.
Merely from the appearance of the four Pokémon, Charizard and Aggron had an undeniable presence.
The tactics of both sides had noticeable differences.
Charizard and Aggron, no matter how you looked at it, seemed inclined to choose strong offenses.
As for Togekiss and Spiritomb...
Ahem.
"The battle begins!"
At the referee's words, the four all put away their playful expressions.
"Charizard, Dragon Dance!"
"Aggron, Earthquake!"
Lance and Flint's commands came without hesitation, ready to go all out from the start.