The raging sand dragons surged forward.
They rushed toward Sableye, wrapping their bodies tightly around it.
Their sharp fangs and jagged teeth became their weapons.
But Sableye was a veteran of countless battles.
It didn't panic just because it was surrounded by these terrifying constructs.
Its legs were trapped in the quicksand—
But its arms were still free.
Using its hands like blades, Sableye began slashing through the sand dragons one by one.
---
Although Sableye struggled fiercely, trying to find a chance to turn the situation around—
In Sam's mind, the battle was already over.
He even had time to entertain random thoughts.
A heroic Sableye slaying yellow dragons…
What next? Raise a flag and start a rebellion?
Sam couldn't help admiring his own wandering imagination.
---
Despite their terrifying appearance, the sand dragons didn't cause Sableye too much trouble.
One by one, they were cut down by Sableye's sharp strikes.
After destroying the final sand dragon, Sableye finally tried to catch its breath.
But Tyranitar didn't give it the chance.
---
Tyranitar waved its right arm.
A sharp Air Slash-like wind blade shot toward Sableye.
A piercing sound cut through the air.
This time, Sableye could no longer remain calm.
It concentrated all its strength on its legs, desperately trying to pull itself out of the quicksand.
At the last moment, it rolled across the ground to dodge.
But even then—
It couldn't completely avoid the attack.
A deep bloody wound appeared across Sableye's chest.
Blood slowly began flowing from the cut.
Sableye's face twisted in pain.
Yet it ignored the injury.
Clenching both hands like knives, it leaped forward and launched one final desperate attack toward Tyranitar.
---
"Tyranitar… Sand Sea."
Sam spoke calmly.
Everything Sableye did was futile.
Yes, Sableye was strong.
Its willpower was impressive.
But in front of Tyranitar—
It simply wasn't enough.
This was the difference in levels.
---
Behind Tyranitar, the battlefield had already transformed into a vast field of sand.
At some point, Tyranitar had turned the ground behind it entirely into yellow desert sand.
Now—
The sand rose like an ocean.
A massive wave of sand surged forward.
It rushed past Tyranitar and crashed toward Sableye.
How could an individual Pokémon resist the force of nature?
The impact was overwhelming.
Sableye was instantly buried beneath the sand.
---
Desert Burial.
The attack wasn't finished yet.
The sand surrounding Sableye began compressing violently.
It threatened to completely entomb Sableye within the desert.
Sableye struggled desperately.
But it was useless.
Its movements became weaker…
And weaker…
Until finally—
It stopped moving entirely.
---
Karen stood silently on the battlefield.
She was unwilling to accept defeat.
But she said nothing.
She had done everything she could.
And her Pokémon had given everything as well.
"Come back… Sableye."
Karen stepped into the sandstorm and located the unconscious Sableye buried beneath the sand.
She gently returned it to its Poké Ball.
---
She had lost.
Yet Karen didn't turn around and leave immediately.
Instead, she slowly walked across the battlefield toward Sam.
As she passed Tyranitar, she felt its overwhelming presence firsthand.
Sam's Tyranitar carried a pressure that was impossible to ignore.
It reminded her of the pressure she had once felt from Lance's Dragonite.
It was unbelievable.
A rookie Trainer who had been traveling for less than a year—
Had already become one of the strongest Trainers in the world.
Karen felt something she had rarely experienced before.
Envy.
All her life, she had been the one others envied.
Yet today—
She found herself envying someone else.
---
Karen stopped in front of Sam and extended her hand.
"Congratulations, Sam."
Sam smiled slightly and shook her hand.
"I haven't forgotten what you said earlier," he joked.
"When I receive the award, I'll repeat it word for word."
Karen's expression changed for a moment before she laughed softly.
"Haha…"
Sam chuckled as well.
Of course, it was just a joke.
Now that he had won the championship, he had no intention of humiliating Karen.
They had no grudges in the past and no conflicts now.
There was no reason to create unnecessary enemies.
---
The commentator's excited voice echoed across the stadium.
"It's over!"
"After fifteen days of intense competition, the Indigo Plateau Conference has finally come to an end!"
"I believe both the audience here in the stadium and those watching on television or online are completely satisfied!"
"Fierce battles!"
"Beloved Pokémon!"
"The rise of a rookie!"
"And the fall of the old guard!"
"But most importantly—"
"The birth of a new king!"
"A new champion has been crowned!"
"Let us welcome the champion of this Indigo Plateau Conference—"
"Sam!!!"
---
Thunderous applause erupted.
Cheers echoed throughout the sky.
Hearing thousands of people shouting his name, Sam couldn't help feeling excited.
He raised both hands and smiled brightly.
---
Next came the award ceremony.
As the official championship tournament, the rewards from the Indigo Plateau Conference were naturally impressive.
The champion received three major prizes.
---
First: Prize Money
The most practical reward of all.
The Pokémon League clearly understood what Trainers needed most.
Money.
The champion's prize was 5 million Poké Dollars.
More than enough for Sam to fund his journey for quite a while.
---
Second: Soothe Bell
A pleasant bell that produced a calming sound.
When carried by a Pokémon, it helped soothe their emotions and maintain a calm state of mind.
Some people online jokingly called it a sleep aid device.
But its real effect was much more valuable.
It significantly increased the bond between Trainer and Pokémon.
Overall, it was an extremely versatile item.
---
Third: The Indigo Plateau Trophy
Also known as the Quartz Conference Trophy.
Its symbolic value far exceeded its practical use.
Although it had no real function, it represented something far more important—
Glory.
---
After accepting several interviews and delivering a short victory speech, Sam's journey through the Indigo Plateau Conference finally came to an end.
That evening, after returning to the hotel—
Sam didn't immediately go to sleep.
Instead, he sat quietly and thought about what came next.
The conference might be over.
But that didn't mean he could relax.
The agreement with Professor Oak was approaching quickly.
An operation targeting Giovanni, the secret leader behind Team Rocket, was about to begin.
Sam had no time to rest.
---
Giovanni.
In anime, games, and countless stories—
That name was synonymous with power.
And soon—
Sam would be facing him directly.
The thought alone made Sam's hands tremble with excitement.
He couldn't wait for that day to arrive.