The next morning, Kenji and Axel rose early, the anticipation of the tournament final thick in the air. After a quick breakfast, they made their way back to the stadium. The crowd buzzed with excitement, and the energy was contagious. Kenji could feel it pulsing in his veins as he walked beside Axel, who looked calm and focused.

“You ready for this?” Kenji asked, giving Axel a reassuring pat on the back.

Axel grinned. “More than ready. Elena’s tough, but Mabosstiff and I have been through worse.”

The massive stadium loomed ahead, and the roar of the crowd grew louder as they entered. Kenji wished Axel luck one last time before splitting off to take his place at the sidelines with Gengar. "You’ve got this," Kenji said with a grin.

Axel smiled confidently. "See you on the other side, man." He gave a quick nod before heading toward the battle arena.

Kenji and Gengar found seats just off the main stage, close enough to feel the intensity of the battle but far enough to watch everything unfold clearly. Gengar floated lazily beside him, but Kenji could tell his ghostly companion was just as focused as he was.

Axel stepped onto the field, his Mabosstiff standing tall beside him, growling softly. Across the battlefield, Elena was waiting, her Staraptor flapping its wings, sharp eyes fixed on its opponent.

"Looks like we’re both aiming for that Tera Orb as the prize," Axel said, eyes locking with Elena’s. "Not that we need another one."

Elena smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I wouldn’t mind having a spare. I’m always ready for a challenge."

The announcer’s voice boomed over the stadium speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final match of the tournament is about to begin! From Paldea, Axel with his powerful Mabosstiff! And from Sinnoh, Champion Elena with her mighty Staraptor!"

The crowd roared as the battle began.

"Staraptor, let's start this off strong! Close Combat!" Elena called out sharply.

Staraptor screeched, its wings stretching wide as it shot forward with a blur of speed, aiming for Mabosstiff with all its strength.

"Mabosstiff, Headbutt, now!" Axel countered.

Mabosstiff lowered its head, bracing itself. The two Pokémon collided with a bone-rattling impact, Staraptor’s claws tearing into Mabosstiff’s thick fur as it struck with Close Combat. Mabosstiff’s head met Staraptor’s chest with a brutal thud, sending shockwaves through the arena.

The impact knocked Staraptor back, but not before it had landed several vicious blows. Mabosstiff staggered but shook it off, growling as blood trickled from a gash along its flank.

Kenji winced from the sidelines. "That’s brutal."

Elena smirked from across the field. "Impressive, but I’m just getting started. Staraptor, Wing Attack!"

Staraptor shot back into the air, wings glowing as it dived straight toward Mabosstiff once again.

"Counter with Thunder Fang!" Axel shouted.

Mabosstiff leaped into the air, jaws crackling with electricity. As Staraptor came down with Wing Attack, Mabosstiff’s fangs sunk into its wing, sending a jolt of energy coursing through the bird’s body. Staraptor screeched in pain, feathers singeing from the electric charge.

The crowd gasped as Staraptor wobbled in the air, barely managing to stay aloft. Elena’s brow furrowed. "Quick Attack, Staraptor!"

Staraptor darted forward in a flash, hitting Mabosstiff with a quick blow that knocked it off balance, but the dog Pokémon stood firm, eyes locked on its opponent.

Axel clenched his fists. "Crunch, now!"

Mabosstiff roared, lunging forward and sinking its teeth into Staraptor’s body with a sickening crunch. Staraptor let out a piercing cry, struggling to shake off the powerful attack, but Mabosstiff held on, dragging the bird to the ground with brute strength.

Kenji leaned forward, heart racing. "Come on, Axel, finish it."

Elena’s face twisted in frustration. "Staraptor, fight back! Use Close Combat again!"

But it was too late. Mabosstiff threw Staraptor to the ground with a final powerful Thunder Fang, the bird Pokémon’s body hitting the dirt hard. Staraptor twitched but didn’t rise, its eyes fluttering shut. The referee raised a hand.

"Staraptor is unable to battle! Mabosstiff wins Round One!"

The crowd exploded into cheers, and Kenji let out a sigh of relief, his heart still racing. He looked at Gengar, who grinned wickedly at the fierce display.

Axel grinned, panting slightly. "Looks like that Tera Orb’s still up for grabs."

Elena recalled Staraptor, her eyes narrowing. "Don’t get cocky. This isn’t over yet."

Axel walked over to Mabosstiff, kneeling down to give his partner a firm pat on the side. "Good work, buddy. You really gave it everything out there."

Mabosstiff barked, its tongue hanging out happily despite the bruises and cuts it had suffered in battle.

Kenji smiled, proud of his friend. But as the tension of the first round settled, he knew the battle was far from over.

The crowd was on their feet, the intensity of the match rising as the second round was about to begin. Axel called back Mabosstiff, giving him a nod of appreciation for his hard work, then reached for his next Pokéball.

“Alright, Marowak, let’s show them what we’ve got!” Axel yelled, tossing the ball. Marowak appeared on the battlefield, its bone club at the ready.

Elena smirked, calling out her own Pokémon. "Garchomp, it’s your turn."

The crowd erupted into cheers as Garchomp, the ferocious dragon-shark hybrid, emerged with a mighty roar, its razor-sharp claws gleaming in the sunlight. The ground beneath it seemed to tremble from its sheer presence.

The announcer’s voice boomed across the stadium. "Round two is about to begin! Axel has sent out Marowak, while Elena counters with the powerful Garchomp! This is going to be an explosive match, folks!"

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Axel’s face was set in determination. "I’ve prepared for this, Elena. Marowak’s got some new tricks up its sleeve."

Elena grinned. "Good, you’ll need them."

Without wasting a second, Axel pulled out his Tera Orb, its brilliant energy surging in his hand. “Let’s do this, Marowak! Terastallize!”

The Tera Orb lit up, and crystals began to form around Marowak’s body, transforming it into a shimmering Normal Type.

Elena, not to be outdone, raised her own Tera Orb, the crystals forming around Garchomp’s body as it too transformed. The Dragon and Ground dual-type became a pure Ground type, making its ground moves devastatingly powerful.

"Let’s see if your little tricks can stop Garchomp," Elena said, her eyes gleaming. "Garchomp, use Dig!"

Garchomp wasted no time, diving into the earth with frightening speed, vanishing from sight.

"Marowak, Ice Beam—fire at the ground!" Axel called, hoping to catch Garchomp as it tunneled beneath.

Marowak unleashed a beam of frigid energy, freezing parts of the battlefield as it struck the earth, but Garchomp was too fast. The ground beneath Marowak erupted as Garchomp sprang up from below, delivering a punishing blow. Marowak stumbled back, wincing in pain, but held its ground.

“Now, Marowak, Body Slam!” Axel commanded.

Marowak lunged forward with all its might, crashing into Garchomp with its full weight. The force of the attack was magnified by the Terastallization, and Garchomp grunted as it was slammed into the dirt, but it quickly rose back up, barely phased.

Elena smirked. "Nice try. But not good enough. Garchomp, Dragon Claw!"

Garchomp’s claws glowed with a sinister, purple energy as it slashed at Marowak, the brutal attack tearing through the ground-type’s defenses. Marowak staggered, clearly feeling the effects of the hit.

"Marowak, Fire Punch! Give it everything!" Axel urged.

With flames surrounding its fist, Marowak rushed forward and landed a direct hit on Garchomp’s side. More flames erupted as the punch connected, but Garchomp shook it off with an almost terrifying resilience.

"Finish this, Garchomp. Crunch!" Elena’s voice was cold and sharp.

Garchomp moved with deadly precision, its jaws glowing with dark energy as it bit down on Marowak. The sound of bone cracking echoed through the stadium, and Marowak cried out before collapsing, its body limp on the battlefield.

The announcer’s voice boomed over the crowd’s gasps. "Marowak is unable to battle! Garchomp takes the lead in Round Two!"

Axel gritted his teeth as he recalled Marowak. "You did great, buddy," he muttered under his breath. He had one Pokémon left: Mabosstiff, already tired from the first round. But Axel wasn’t about to give up. He called Mabosstiff back into the fray, the loyal dog Pokémon limping slightly but ready for battle.

"You sure you wanna keep going?" Elena asked, raising an eyebrow. "You’re not gonna win this."

Axel clenched his fists. "I don’t quit."

Mabosstiff growled, baring its teeth, but the toll of the earlier battle was evident. Garchomp, still energized, eyed its new opponent with a predatory gleam.

"Mabosstiff, Crunch!" Axel ordered.

Mabosstiff lunged forward, its teeth crackling with dark energy as it latched onto Garchomp’s arm. The jolt of energy coursed through Garchomp’s body, but Elena was quick to counter.

"Garchomp, Flamethrower."

Garchomp opened its maw and unleashed a torrent of fire at close range. Mabosstiff howled in pain, its fur scorching as the flames enveloped it. With one last burst of strength, Mabosstiff staggered back before collapsing to the ground.

"Mabosstiff is unable to battle! The winner of the tournament is… Elena!"

The crowd roared, standing on their feet as the announcer’s voice echoed throughout the stadium. Axel knelt by Mabosstiff’s side, placing a hand on its fur. "You did amazing, buddy. You fought with everything you had."

Kenji stood from his seat, clapping with a mixture of pride and sadness for his friend. Gengar floated beside him, a little frown on his face.

"You’ll get her next time, Axel," Kenji called as he made his way down to the field.

Axel nodded, standing up and recalling Mabosstiff. "Yeah… Next time." Despite the loss, Axel couldn’t help but smile. He had fought hard, and now he knew exactly what he needed to work on.

Elena approached, offering a hand. "That was a great fight, Axel. You’ve got a strong team."

Axel shook her hand, grinning. "Thanks. You deserve the win. Your Garchomp is a beast."

As they stood under the cheers of the crowd, the promise of future battles hung in the air. But for now, the tournament was over, and the journey continued.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of celebration and final ceremonies. After the intense final battle, the stadium’s energy was palpable, with the crowd cheering loudly as the tournament’s victor was crowned.

Elena stood at the center of the stage, holding her championship trophy high in the air. The crowd erupted in applause, chanting her name. She beamed with pride, her Staraptor, Empoleon and Garchomp by her side, looking as triumphant as ever.

The announcer’s voice echoed throughout the stadium. “And there you have it, folks! Elena from Sinnoh is the winner of the tournament! A stunning performance throughout, and she truly deserves the title!”

Next, the spotlight turned to Axel, who had fought hard and earned second place. The announcer continued, “And let’s not forget our silver medalist, Axel from Paldea! A powerful trainer with a team full of heart, giving us one hell of a fight!”

Axel, standing on the podium beside Elena, smiled as he accepted the silver medal. His Mabosstiff stood loyally beside him, tail wagging slightly despite the fatigue from the battle. As they received their recognition, the crowd cheered once more, their admiration for the Paldean trainer evident.

After the ceremony, the trainers gathered backstage to wind down. Elena approached Kenji, holding something in her hand—the Tera Orb she had just won, shimmering with its mysterious energy. “Kenji, I heard you don’t have a Tera Orb yet. I already have one, and you deserve this for how far you’ve come.”

Kenji looked at the orb, his eyes widening at the offer. But he shook his head, smiling warmly. “I appreciate the offer, Elena, but I can’t accept it like this. I want to earn my Tera Orb in battle, just like you did. That’s how I’ll know I’m ready.”

Elena smiled, respecting his decision. “I understand. Keep working hard, Kenji. You’ll get there soon enough.”

Kenji nodded. “Thanks, I will.”

After the event, Kenji, Axel, and Elena made their way to the Pokémon Center to heal their teams. While they waited, the two friends decided to grab some food and coffee at a nearby café. They found a cozy spot by the window, Mabosstiff and Gengar sitting close by, seemingly bonding even more.

Mabosstiff and Gengar had developed an interesting dynamic. Despite their different temperaments—Mabosstiff being the loyal and protective guardian, and Gengar the mischievous prankster—the two had formed a solid bond. Mabosstiff would often nudge Gengar with his nose, a small show of affection, while Gengar would float around him, teasing him lightly but always returning to his side.

As they waited for their food, Kenji chuckled as he watched the Pokémon interact. “You know, it’s kinda funny how well they get along. I thought Gengar would get on Mabosstiff’s nerves with his constant floating around.”

Axel grinned, sipping his coffee. “Yeah, but Mabosstiff’s got a soft spot. He likes having Gengar around, even if he doesn’t show it too much. They’re best friends, always watching each other’s back.”

Gengar floated down beside Mabosstiff, patting him on the head with a shadowy hand before flashing a wide, toothy grin. Mabosstiff huffed but leaned into the touch, his tail thumping against the floor in contentment.

“They really are,” Kenji said, smiling as he sipped his coffee. “Gengar’s always been a bit of a trickster, but he’s got a good heart. I’m glad he’s got a friend like Mabosstiff.”

Axel nodded. “Mabosstiff’s the same. He’s been with me from the start, through everything. And I think having Gengar around helps him loosen up. They balance each other out.”

The food arrived shortly after—Kenji ordered a simple sandwich, while Axel opted for a Cheeseburger. Mabosstiff and Gengar, of course, had their share of Pokémon food, eating together quietly. Every now and then, Mabosstiff would nudge some of his food toward Gengar, and the ghost Pokémon would grin and accept it, happily munching away.

As they ate, Kenji couldn’t help but feel grateful for how things had turned out. Despite the ups and downs of the tournament, and even though Axel hadn’t won, there was a sense of camaraderie and growth that made everything worthwhile.

“I’m still in shock you have seven badges,” Kenji said between bites of Sandwich. “One more, and you’ll be ready for the Paldea League.”

Axel laughed. “Yeah, it’s been a long road. But I’m glad we’ve teamed up. After you finish here Paldea’s next, and we’ll both be stronger by the time we get there.”

Kenji nodded, determination gleaming in his eyes. “Definitely. I’ve got some catching up to do, but we’ll get there. I’m really excited to see what Paldea has to offer.”

As they finished their meal, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow through the café windows. Gengar and Mabosstiff, full and content, rested at their trainers’ feet. The two Pokémon shared a quiet moment, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, they’d face them together.

With the final match of the tournament behind them, Kenji and Axel were ready for the next chapter of their journey. The future was bright, and both trainers felt more determined than ever to become the best they could be.