"And it's Snarl again! With such limited ranged options, Teddiursa is completely stuck between advancing and retreating!"
The commentator's voice rang out as the audience collectively held their breath, eyes locked onto the battlefield.
Just as the dark soundwave was about to land, a much larger sonic blast erupted from behind Teddiursa, surging forward like a tidal wave.
"Bi… NEEEEE——!!!"
The incoming Snarl shattered instantly, the force of the counterattack continuing forward and striking both Mightyena and Hippopotas.
Hyper Voice.
A wide-range Normal-type attack that hit both opponents at once.
Whitney scrunched her nose, clearly annoyed. "If you want to target my Honey, you'll have to get through me first!"
No time for flirting—Peter seized the opening immediately. "Now! Dig in and close the distance!"
Teddiursa vanished underground, skillfully bypassing the swirling sand trap as it tunneled forward.
Across the field, Tony and his partner exchanged a glance, nodding in sync.
"Hippopotas, use Take Down to intercept!"
"Mightyena, follow up with Assurance!"
Assurance—a Dark-type move that doubled in power when used after the target had already taken damage.
The commentator's voice rose with excitement. "Another combo attack! As expected from a Dark-type specialist like Tony—this chain is devastating! Teddiursa might not survive this!"
In the next instant, the charge connected. Teddiursa was sent flying, and before it could recover, Mightyena surged forward like a shadow, claws slashing down midair—
Three jagged streaks tore across its body.
…but then—
BOOM.
The airborne Teddiursa exploded into fragments.
A Substitute.
At that exact moment, the ground behind the opposing Pokémon shifted.
Teddiursa burst out from underground.
Peter and Whitney exchanged a glance, their voices perfectly synchronized:
"Belly Drum + Mega Kick!!"
"Teddiursa, use Helping Hand!"
"Bi—NEI!!"
Empowered by its partner's support, Teddiursa inhaled deeply—its belly swelling dramatically as energy surged through its body. Its Attack skyrocketed to the absolute limit: +6.
Then—
It flipped forward.
Both legs ignited with overwhelming force, kicking up a violent shockwave as it launched itself like a cannon—
And struck.
"Block it! Mightyena, Protect!" Tony shouted urgently.
Mightyena reacted instantly, throwing up a defensive barrier—
—but Hippopotas wasn't as lucky.
Too slow. Too unprepared.
The kick landed.
It was launched like a missile, smashing into the arena wall with a deafening crash, embedded deep into the stone… completely motionless.
At the same time, Teddiursa's second kick slammed into Mightyena's Protect.
Crack.
Crack—CRACK—
The barrier shattered.
And the attack continued.
The kick struck Mightyena square in the jaw.
"Awoooo—!"
The Dark-type Pokémon was sent flying, crashing violently onto the battlefield.
The entire stadium erupted.
Peter grinned.
A base power 120 Mega Kick… boosted by STAB (×1.5), max Attack (×4), and Helping Hand (×1.5)…
That was 1080 power.
There was no way Mightyena could survive that head-on.
The livestream exploded:
"BRO I KNEW IT—HE WAS BAITING THIS WHOLE TIME!!"
"That Substitute fakeout into Dig setup?? Insane."
"You'll NEVER guess which one is real with him, I swear…"
"I'm getting PTSD from clown mind games…"
Back on the field, Mightyena struggled to stand, its body covered in cuts from shattered debris. It trembled, barely holding on.
By sheer coincidence, it had landed right beside Whitney's Teddiursa.
She didn't hesitate.
"Teddiursa, finish it with Hyper Voice!"
"Mightyena, Sucker Punch!"
"Graaaah!"
With a flash of feral intent, Mightyena lunged forward—its claws piercing straight into Teddiursa's neck.
The sound attack died in its throat.
"Bi…"
"Whitney's Teddiursa!" she cried out in panic.
But someone else reacted even faster.
Peter's Teddiursa.
Ignoring the strain from its previous attack, it sprinted forward desperately.
"Finish it with Assurance!" Tony commanded coldly.
Mightyena opened its jaws, dark energy swirling—
And then—
"BI—NEEEEE!!!"
A furious roar tore through the arena.
Light exploded from Teddiursa's body.
In the next instant—
A larger, far more powerful figure stepped out from within that radiance.
Slash—!
A clean, brilliant arc cut across the battlefield, striking Mightyena squarely between the eyes.
Its pupils shrank.
Its body froze.
Then it collapsed.
Silence fell.
And then—
A massive, broad-shouldered Pokémon gently scooped up the injured Teddiursa into its arms.
Only now did everyone see it clearly.
The cute little cub was gone.
In its place stood a towering, muscular figure—powerful arms, sharp claws, a crescent moon marking on its chest, and a fierce, overwhelming aura.
Ursaring.
[Ursaring ♂ Lv.34 (Advanced)]
Ability: Guts
Talent: 500
Whitney's Teddiursa nuzzled into its chest, smiling sweetly.
"…Ring."
Ursaring scratched its head, its fierce expression melting into shy warmth.
Peter and Whitney exchanged a look—and smiled.
The commentator nearly lost his voice. "Unbelievable! Teddiursa evolved mid-battle out of sheer determination to protect its partner! A lightning-fast Aerial Ace finishes Mightyena! Victory goes to Peter and Whitney!!"
The crowd went wild.
"Called it! That Teddiursa had CHAMPION POTENTIAL!"
"Evolved for love… this is PEAK ROMANCE!"
"PURE LOVE WARRIOR URSARING!!!"
"…why does it look like a big bad wolf holding a tiny bunny though…"
"bro stop"
And just like that—
The battlefield fell silent again, leaving behind only the lingering warmth of something far stronger than victory.
Something born from trust… and love.
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T/N:
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