Lily of the Valley Stadium.
Salutes rang out as streamers fluttered through the air.
The commentator shouted Li Wei's name.
"The Champion of this year's Lily of the Valley Conference is-Li Wei!"
Red, Blue, and the others rose to their feet and applauded softly.
The corners of Red's mouth lifted. "Next year, Li Wei will be our opponent."
Amid the cheers filling the stadium, Li Wei led Zeraora and the others who had competed in the finals,
along with Metagross, Arcanine, and Corviknight, who had appeared in earlier rounds, in acknowledging the audience all around them.
This was champion time for Li Wei and his Pokémon.
Ash picked up Pikachu, who was slowly regaining consciousness.
"Let's give it another shot at the next League tournament!"
"Pika~chu!"
Pikachu instantly perked up, scrambling onto Ash's shoulder.
Watching Li Wei, Lucario, and the others bask in the cheers,
Ash felt not only envy, but an even fiercer determination.
"We'll keep working hard next year!"
At the awards ceremony, Cynthia presented Li Wei with the trophy amid a chorus of congratulations.
During the ceremony, Li Wei also had to decide whether to challenge the Elite Four.
"If I win, do I have to take over as a member of the Elite Four?"
Cynthia nodded. "Yes."
"Then I decline," Li Wei said at once.
And so, Li Wei became one of the very few Champions to refuse a match against a member of the Elite Four after winning the tournament.
From the way he put it, everyone could tell that Li Wei was very confident he could defeat the Elite Four.
All Li Wei could say was that, of course, he was.
Even against Lucian, the strongest of the Elite Four, Li Wei was confident he could win.
But again, there was no need.