For the residents of Lavender Town, July 13th was destined to be a special day.
Among the nearly twenty thousand trainers who had participated in the Pikachu Cup nationwide, the two who had reached the finals both had deep ties to Lavender Town.
Although Qiao Cheng's household registration wasn't in Lavender Town, he had served there as a police officer for quite some time. Many of the town's residents knew that his reason for entering the Pikachu Cup was to fight for the town's future.
As for the other finalist, You You...
Whenever people mentioned her name, many residents of Lavender Town couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.
Qiao Cheng wasn't originally from Lavender Town. Perhaps one day, because of family, work, or other reasons, he would eventually leave.
But You You was different.
If that incident had never happened, she would probably still be living in Lavender Town today, representing the town on this grand stage...
"What a pity... such a pity..."
Someone sighed softly inside the office.
At that moment, a somewhat weathered voice sounded.
"What's there to regret?"
"Director?"
Director Tang strode into the Bureau branch office, followed by a Machoke and a Mightyena. His expression remained calm as he spoke.
"The past can't be changed. People living in that moment couldn't escape the circumstances of that time either."
"If you acted, you'd regret it now. If you hadn't acted, you'd have regretted it back then."
"That's normal."
"But from You You's perspective, if she had stayed in Lavender Town, she might never have achieved what she has today, nor necessarily lived a happy life."
"So overall, leaving Lavender Town was probably better for her."
The office fell silent as everyone reflected on his words.
After a long while, someone finally muttered:
"That saying again... regretting what you did versus regretting what you didn't do..."
"...Honestly, the ideal outcome would be doing something and not regretting it at all."
Director Tang smiled.
His gaze settled on the giant screen in the office, which was currently broadcasting the Pikachu Cup Finals.
"That would indeed be the best outcome."
Looking at Qiao Cheng on the screen, his body wrapped in conspicuous bandages, Director Tang murmured quietly:
"That would be the best."
Meanwhile, in Anping City—
Inside the packed stadium, You You stared blankly at Qiao Cheng.
His head, neck, and arms were all wrapped in white bandages.
"Big Brother Qiao... you..."
"Ah, these?"
Qiao Cheng scratched the bandages around his head and replied casually.
"I was trying to calm myself down. Ended up overdoing it a little."
"...?"
You You tilted her head in confusion.
After all, she was still only an elementary school student.
This was her first time facing an injured opponent in an official match, and she was completely at a loss.
Instinctively, she reached for the hem of her skirt—a habit she'd developed whenever she felt nervous.
Only to remember that both boys and girls wore shorts as part of the competition uniform.
There was nothing there to grasp.
Across from her, Qiao Cheng watched her hesitate and suddenly found his thoughts drifting back to that rainy day in Lavender Town.
The little girl clutching a Banette doll behind the bearded shopkeeper.
And...
The people who had eventually gone their separate ways.
Before arriving in Anping City, Qiao Cheng had imagined many possible opponents he'd face in the Pikachu Cup.
Never once had he imagined that his final opponent would be You You.
Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.
After a brief moment of reflection, his expression turned serious.
Extending his hand for the customary pre-match handshake, he said calmly:
"Don't worry about me, You You."
"As long as we're both still standing here..."
"Then there's only one goal left."
"Win this battle and leave no regrets!"
The Finals were naturally different from the earlier rounds.
Chen Mo, who had returned to the commentary desk beginning with the semifinals, not only appeared on stage today but had also specifically invited Zhou Yichuan to join him.
Combined with the original commentator, Lu Ming, there were now three commentators for the championship match.
The production value was absolutely maxed out.
Meanwhile, as the trio chatted about the upcoming battle, viewers in the livestream couldn't help but feel their blood pumping simply from hearing the synchronized cheers erupting throughout the arena.
[It's finally here! The Finals! I wonder who's going to win this historic battle.]
[Historic? Isn't that a bit exaggerated?]
[Not at all. In terms of significance, scale, and influence, this absolutely deserves a place in history.]
[Honestly, I'm more excited for the Champion Exhibition Match this afternoon.]
[With Teacher Mo participating? Who wouldn't be?]
[Wait, has anyone noticed that Pikachu seems weird today? Why is it staring at the screen so seriously?]
Normally, whenever Chen Mo commentated, Pikachu would be beside him, constantly running around, climbing onto his shoulder, tugging at his hair, and generally causing trouble.
Being quiet was practically impossible.
Yet today...
Pikachu sat motionless atop the commentator's desk, staring at the screen with an unusually serious expression.
[Maybe the atmosphere scared it? It's the first time Teacher Mo is commentating from the front stage. There are so many people.]
[HAHAHAHA. Funniest joke I've heard all summer. Pikachu? Scared of crowds? You clearly don't follow Qiao Cheng.]
[What happened?]
[Let me explain. Qiao Cheng's Electabuzz is the evolved form of that Elekid from Evergreen Forest—the one that defeated Pikachu and made a promise with it before they parted ways. Qiao Cheng confirmed it himself online.]
[Oh! That Elekid! I never finished watching the Evergreen Forest documentary.]
[A former rival fought all the way to the Finals to fulfill an old promise. Of course Pikachu's paying attention.]
On the commentary desk, Zhou Yichuan glanced at Chen Mo.
Everyone had noticed Qiao Cheng's bandages.
Ordinary spectators didn't think much of them.
But Zhou Yichuan knew.
Chen Mo knew.
Even You You and Qiao Cheng themselves knew.
The blessing Meloetta left behind placed tremendous strain on a trainer's body.
Knowing that, Qiao Cheng still battered himself into this condition before the Finals.
It simply didn't make sense.
Yet Chen Mo offered no explanation.
Like Pikachu, he simply watched the screen intently.
Though he didn't know exactly what had happened yesterday, he could roughly guess what Qiao Cheng was thinking.
On the battlefield.
Qiao Cheng tightened his grip on his Poké Ball and took a deep breath.
He and Electabuzz had only become partners recently.
Throughout the entire Pikachu Cup, only Ah Hui had successfully triggered a Legendary Pokémon's blessing.
Qiao Cheng didn't believe his still-fragile relationship with Electabuzz qualified for something like that.
So instead of placing hope in some distant miracle...
He had chosen an extreme method to calm his restless heart.
Thinking of Electabuzz's astonished expression yesterday, Qiao Cheng couldn't help smiling.
"Then I'm counting on you."
"Electabuzz, battle ready!"
A brilliant white light erupted.
Moments later—
The imposing Electabuzz and the eerie Banette stood facing each other.
Their eyes met.
The eyes of their trainers met as well.
No words were necessary.
The battle had already begun.
"Electabuzz! Quick Attack!"
"Xiao Ji! Shadow Sneak!"
The whistle sounded.
The two commands rang out almost simultaneously.
Neither trainer relied on fancy tactics.
Both preferred overwhelming opponents through explosive offense.
As a result, both chose priority moves right from the start.
Banette's shadow surged violently beneath it before stretching across the battlefield toward Electabuzz.
But Electabuzz was faster.
Its body became a streak of white light as it shot forward.
"So fast!" Lu Ming shouted.
"What an incredible Quick Attack! Electabuzz is huge, but its speed isn't lacking at all!"
Using the acceleration from Quick Attack, Electabuzz narrowly dodged Banette's Shadow Sneak and closed the distance in an instant.
Only a few meters remained.
Qiao Cheng immediately shouted:
"Thunder Punch!"
But You You remained calm.
Since entering battle mode, the normally shy girl became a completely different person.
Many trainers who had faced her had admitted feeling tremendous pressure from her.
"Protect."
The command was delivered in an almost frighteningly calm tone.
A blue-green barrier materialized before Banette.
Thunder Punch slammed into it.
Crack!
Electricity exploded against the shield.
Yet the barrier held firm.
"Shadow Claw."
You You's next command came immediately.
Qiao Cheng's eyes widened.
What shocked him wasn't that Protect had blocked Thunder Punch.
It was how quickly Banette transitioned between completely different moves.
The speed far surpassed anything it had displayed in previous matches.
Either Banette had improved again recently...
Or You You had been holding back this entire tournament.
Neither possibility was comforting.
"The Demon King..."
Watching Electabuzz get blasted away by Shadow Claw, Zhou Yichuan sighed softly.
You You had been among the earliest trainers.
At first, she wasn't particularly impressive.
Nervous.
Inexperienced.
Lacking confidence.
She'd made almost every beginner mistake imaginable.
But she worked harder than anyone.
While children her age played, she trained.
Later, she even requested private tutoring through the Bureau so she could dedicate more time to training without falling behind academically.
The result?
A terrifying Demon King that left countless trainers in despair.
When Zhou Yichuan once asked why she worked so hard, her answer had been simple:
"I want to repay him."
"I want my big brother to stop carrying everything by himself."
What a lovable little girl.
Glancing at Chen Mo, Zhou Yichuan sighed.
"Chen Mo... you're really carrying a lot of karmic debt, aren't you?"
"...?"
Because of Chen Mo's existence.
Because of everything he had done.
Countless people had become shadows chasing after him.
They wanted to stand beside him.
Wanted to tell him they had grown stronger.
Wanted to help carry some of the burden.
And all of that...
Had culminated in this Pikachu Cup.
"Phantom Force!"
Banette vanished beneath the battlefield like a ghost.
Qiao Cheng's heart sank.
His original plan had been to exploit Electabuzz's superior speed and prevent Banette from using troublesome moves like Phantom Force.
Instead, Banette's astonishing move transitions had completely seized control of the battle.
What now?
Where would Phantom Force strike from?
Then—
He noticed Electabuzz's shadow shifting unnaturally.
"Behind you!"
"ELE!?"
Electabuzz began turning—
Too late.
Banette's ghostly claws slammed into its back.
BOOM!
Electabuzz was sent flying again.
"Electabuzz!"
But then—
A crackling current filled the air.
"Banette's Phantom Force landed!" Lu Ming shouted.
"But wait—Banette seems to be suffering from something! Electricity is coursing over its body!"
"Static."
Chen Mo immediately explained.
"Electabuzz has the same Ability as Pikachu—Static. Banette's repeated contact attacks finally triggered it."
Still...
Electabuzz's condition wasn't looking good.
The battered Pokémon staggered back to its feet once more.
Its breathing was ragged.
Yet its eyes remained full of fighting spirit.
Seeing this, Qiao Cheng suddenly remembered himself yesterday.
Falling.
Standing up.
Falling again.
Getting up again.
And for the first time—
He desperately wanted to know what Electabuzz was thinking.
Was it feeling the same unwillingness to give up?
The same fear of loss?
Then—
A clear and melodious voice echoed inside his mind.
"Hello, strange human trainer."
"If you'd like, I can help you hear its voice."
"So you can understand what it's feeling."
Qiao Cheng froze.
Then immediately blurted out a name.
"Meloetta!?"
The voice chuckled.
"So you know who I am."
Then it continued:
"There's not much time."
"Would you like my help?"
...
And for the first time—
Qiao Cheng and Electabuzz truly heard each other's hearts.
Electabuzz looked at him with visible annoyance.
[You let Banette beat me up this whole time because you were daydreaming?!]
"..."
Qiao Cheng nearly died from embarrassment.
Yet soon after, Electabuzz's expression turned serious.
[Look at me.]
[You're the one person who never needs to apologize to me.]
Without Qiao Cheng—
It would never have made it this far.
It regretted attacking Chen Mo back in Evergreen Forest.
But it would never regret meeting Qiao Cheng.
Never regret becoming his partner.
Never regret choosing him.
Looking directly into his eyes, Electabuzz conveyed its true feelings.
[I've already acknowledged you.]
[So this championship... is the gift I want to give you.]
[Can you keep fighting, my trainer?]
The emotions flowed directly into Qiao Cheng's heart.
At that moment, he remembered Director Tang's question.
"Will you regret staying in Lavender Town?"
Some people regret acting.
Others regret not acting.
Qiao Cheng smiled.
He was neither.
Being able to stay there.
Being able to meet you.
That was enough.
"Of course."
"Let's keep fighting."
"Electabuzz."
Meanwhile, the spectators were completely confused.
To them, Qiao Cheng had simply frozen up for nearly a minute.
Electabuzz had been fighting alone.
Then it collapsed.
Many assumed the match was over.
Some spectators were already complaining.
Then—
Just as the referee prepared to enter the field—
You You suddenly raised her hand.
"Um..."
"Mr. Referee..."
"Could we wait just a little longer?"
The timid girl trembled as she spoke.
Then—
A familiar crackling sound echoed through the stadium.
Bzzzt.
Bzzzt.
Electricity erupted across Electabuzz's body.
Under the gaze of tens of thousands of spectators—
The exhausted Electabuzz slowly pushed itself back to its feet.
Its fierce eyes.
Its heavy breathing.
The electricity dancing around its body.
All seemed to proclaim the same thing:
The battle wasn't over yet.
To be continued...
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