"Mommy, Mommy… it's an earthquake!"
"Hurry, hide under the blanket!"
In downtown Grit City, a little girl was playing with a Pikachu toy at home when the building suddenly shook.
She immediately cried out.
The same thing was happening all across Grit City.
"Holy shit… why is there an earthquake?"
"Grit City hasn't had an earthquake in decades. Why would one happen all of a sudden?"
"Damn it… I was exercising, and that shake ruined everything."
"Good thing it only lasted two seconds… That was close!"
"What the hell happened? Why did the ground suddenly shake?"
"Didn't you hear that huge noise? It came from the Fighting Arena. It was probably caused by a Pokémon battle in the Fighting Tournament."
"No way! Isn't the Fighting Tournament only open to Gym-level Trainers at most? How could a battle shake the whole city?"
"Damn it… are none of you watching the livestream? Go watch it! A giant golden ape appeared!"
…
The people of Grit City felt the ground shake and hurried out of their homes, gathering in the open streets as they discussed what had happened.
…
Inside the Fighting Arena, the Great Ape's meteor-like fist had already fallen.
Buzzwole's body was swallowed by that colossal energy in an instant, melting, vanishing, and breaking apart into countless fragments before completely dissipating.
Not even a trace remained.
The terrifying energy slammed into the battlefield, and the violent explosion swallowed the entire arena floor.
The tall protective netting had been completely destroyed.
The colossal waves of energy crashed hard against the energy shield that had just risen.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each terrifying impact made the spectators outside the shield break out in cold sweat.
Their backs were soaked.
"Damn it… we came here to watch a match."
"Not to get ourselves killed…"
That was what every spectator was thinking at that moment.
None of them had imagined that watching a match would nearly cost them their lives.
Crack… crack…
Just then, a nightmarish sound rang out.
Under the assault of the energy waves, a crack appeared in the energy shield.
Everyone held their breath.
They stared at the scene in horror.
Fortunately, the Hualis-made energy shield held in the end.
But inside the shield, the battlefield had been completely swallowed by fire and smoke. It looked like a sea of flames.
"Quick, quick, quick! Activate the fire suppression system and smoke extraction system!"
At the host's podium, Kenny was drenched in sweat as he shouted at the staff.
Bzzzz…
The staff immediately activated the smoke extraction machines and began spraying water to put out the fire.
The flames on the battlefield were slowly extinguished, and the thick smoke was drawn away.
Only then did everyone finally see the scene inside the arena clearly.
Their pupils widened in an instant.
Sharp gasps rang out across the stands.
Their eyes were filled with shock.
What appeared before them was a huge pit, so deep its bottom could not be seen.
It looked like an abyss.
At the edge of the pit stood the colossal golden form of Infernape, towering and imposing, like an ancient bloodline awakened beneath the full moon.
"GRAAAAAAAH!!!!!"
The golden Great Ape raised its head and roared, pounding its chest again and again with both fists.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Each impact rang out like a deafening drumbeat.
It was as if it were declaring its victory.
"Come back… Infernape!"
A voice rang out from behind the Great Ape.
The red light in its eyes faded, and a trace of gentleness appeared there.
It turned to look at Aaron, then nodded its huge head obediently.
Even after transforming into an overwhelming Great Ape, it was still Aaron's partner.
That would never change.
Aaron stroked Infernape's fluffy fur and said softly,
"Good work… Infernape."
Aaron looked into the Great Ape's eyes, and relief flickered across his face.
"Rrr…"
The Great Ape let out a low rumble.
Aaron smiled and nodded, understanding what Infernape meant. Then he took out Infernape's Poké Ball and recalled it.
"Rest well, Infernape."
Aaron spoke gently to the Poké Ball.
Then Aaron turned and glanced at Cedric, who looked dazed after being blasted all the way to the edge of the energy shield.
He asked the host,
"Can you announce the result now?"
Only then did Kenny snap back to himself.
He took the microphone, stood at the host's podium, and shouted excitedly,
"Ladies and gentlemen…"
"This year's Fighting Tournament has finally come to an end!"
"The champion of this year's Fighting Tournament is…"
"Contestant Aaron!"
"Congratulations to Aaron for becoming the King of Fighters!"
"He has claimed the title of King of Fighters!"
"Let's cheer for him at the top of our lungs!"
…
The entire venue erupted into thunderous cheers.
The sound rolled through the arena like waves.
Deafening.
Overwhelming.
"Aaron!"
"Aaron!"
"King of Fighters!"
"King of Fighters!"
…
At this moment, there was only one star.
And that was Aaron.
Aaron stood on the battlefield as every light in the arena shone down on him.
He became the brightest star beneath the night sky.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Fireworks shot into the sky above the Fighting Arena, bursting into brilliant colors across the dark night.
They lit up the entire sky.
Tonight, Grit City would not sleep.
The whole city came alive with cheers, welcoming its new King of Fighters.
A Trainer and his Pokémon had stepped onto the battlefield together.
With their fists, their bond, and one final transformation beneath the full moon, they had fought their way to the very end.
…