Manalo Stadium.
Amid a thunderous crash as Ice Beam collided with Corkscrew Crash,
Regice lost the ability to battle and fell to the ground.
Silence.
The referee took a deep breath, then announced loudly:
"Regice is unable to battle!"
"Therefore, the winner is-Ash!"
This also meant that Ash had defeated Brandon,
claiming the final ticket to the Top 16.
"Pika!"
Pikachu landed back on the ground and staggered.
A second later, Manalo Stadium erupted.
Cheers and shouts soared into the sky!
"Yes!"
Professor Oak slapped his thigh in delight.
Professor Kukui couldn't help clenching his fists.
"That was amazing, Ash!"
Professor Burnet couldn't help smiling. Only Ash could get Kukui this excited when he wasn't wearing a mask.
Lillie, Lana, and Mallow hugged one another, bouncing with excitement.
"Togo! Togo!"
"That was amazing, Ash!"
Ash stood frozen, looking around, unable to process what had happened.
Only when Brandon came up to him did he snap out of it.
"Congratulations, Ash."
"Mr. Brandon!"
A hint of a smile appeared on Brandon's stern face.
"Congratulations, Alola's First Champion."
"Thank you, Mr. Brandon!"
After catching Regieleki, Brandon had been brimming with confidence, hoping to make the Master League's Top 16.
He had even drawn a relatively weak opponent in Ash.
Yet, unexpectedly, right at the final hurdle,
just one step away,
Ash had stopped him from entering the Master League's Top 16.
Still, Brandon accepted his defeat wholeheartedly.
Ash had indeed grown rapidly compared with two years ago.
"I look forward to battling you again next year."
Brandon planned to catch Regidrago next.
With the Rock, Ice, Steel, Electric, and Dragon titans at his side, Brandon would finally have his complete team.
If he had a Regidrago,
Ash wouldn't have won so easily.
"Me too, Mr. Brandon."
"Pika!"
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder