The guardian Pokémon of the fourth Red Flag had actually reached Elite Four level, and it was a Bisharp, a Pokémon known for its overwhelming combat strength. This left the participants feeling faintly hopeless.
A round boulder was firmly embedded at the center of the cave, and Bisharp sat leisurely atop it.
Tied to its right arm was a Red Flag that every participant desperately wanted.
The area was already packed with people, but no one dared to make a move. Elite Four level strength wasn't something they could provoke.
Suddenly, Bisharp stood up. The few people closest to it quickly stumbled backward in panic, nearly tripping over others.
But soon, everyone realized Bisharp wasn't targeting them. Following its line of sight, they saw a very young five-person team slowly walking into the cave.
"League HQ Trainers!" Many people suddenly recalled those words and could only watch their approach with complicated emotions.
Sato felt a bit uneasy as all the other participants turned their attention to them, but deep down, he also felt a surge of excitement.
This was the reputation earned through strength.
Strength ruled. No shame in it!
"You made it too," Jona's voice came from the side of Sato's group, but her tone was filled with disappointment.
"You recognize it, don't you… that Bisharp?" Marshal couldn't help pointing at the now-standing Bisharp, his glasses slightly misty.
"Yep, so this time, we'll be taking it," Sato nodded, not holding back at all.
But his words immediately drew everyone's anger. Most participants already had little hope of claiming the Red Flag, now they all began moving toward Sato's team.
'Even if we don't get it, as long as it's not you!'
"Bisharp! Wh-What are you doing?!"
A commotion spread through the crowd as Bisharp suddenly leapt off the boulder and walked step by step into the crowd, completely unconcerned about being attacked.
And indeed, no one dared act without absolute certainty. Who would strike first against an Elite Four-level Pokémon?
Wherever Bisharp walked, the crowd parted. It made its way all the way to Sato, who did not step back.
So in the cleared space, only Sato and Bisharp remained.
With Bisharp's nearly 1.9 meter looming over him, Sato looked tiny, frail and helpless by comparison.
Many people thought Sato was being reckless. Even Drake, watching the broadcast, frowned slightly and silently hoped nothing would happen to him.
Bisharp didn't speak. Sato merely raised his head slightly and looked it directly in the eye. For a moment, the entire cave was enveloped in a strange silence.
Just then, Sato's backpack suddenly rustled, and a green bowl-cut head popped up.
"Ralts?" Ralts rubbed its eyes, looking freshly woken, then lazily rested its head on Sato's shoulder.
"Sharp~" Bisharp, who had remained silent since appearing, let out its first sound.
"Ralts~ Ral!" Ralts tilted its head and looked up at Bisharp at a 45 degree angle, then casually waved its little hand in greeting.
To everyone's astonishment, Bisharp nodded in an unexpectedly friendly manner.
The next moment, shock turned into disbelief… beyond comprehension!
Because Bisharp directly untied the Red Flag from its arm and, just like that, handed it over to Sato.
Sato expressed his gratitude, but Bisharp didn't even acknowledge him. It simply nodded again at Ralts, then leapt back a few steps and disappeared from view.
Sato held the Red Flag in his hands, but his emotions weren't as joyful as everyone probably imagined.
Maybe the first place in the Trial Tournament was now securely his, but the way Bisharp ignored him in the end still left Sato feeling a bit helpless.
That Red Flag… was given to Ralts by Bisharp -or perhaps by Volcarona- not to him…
After all, back when Bisharp fought Gardevoir, Sato, as the Trainer, hadn't contributed at all.
Snapping back to reality, Sato looked around at all the envy and fire-filled glares aimed his way.
Wisely, he chose to retreat.
Even Mark and the others, who had wanted to cheer and jump for joy, suppressed their excitement.
Time to act humble… time to bail.
By the time the final Red Flag appeared, Sato's group was already on their way back.
Regardless of whether they could get that last Red Flag or not, if Sato ended up taking four out of five, it would be a major slap in the face to the Unova Trainers.
After all, they were still in someone else's territory. Being too arrogant wouldn't be a good look, especially since Drake had come with a mission this time.
By dusk, the participants began exiting Vertress Cave one after another. Covered in dust and grime, they looked thoroughly worn out; after all, they'd lived in a cave for two days and had fought nonstop.
Meanwhile, Sato's team, who had come out in the afternoon, had already changed into clean clothes, finished dinner, and were waiting for the "awards" ceremony.
Drake had arrived with Greno and the others outside Vertress Cave, personally welcoming Sato's team.
Because of the live broadcast, the rankings had basically already been determined by the time everyone began returning. Any changes would only affect the lower positions.
As expected, Sato secured first place without issue, and Jona took second.
Perhaps because of shared resentment, the final Red Flag had been given to Jona with everyone's consent.
In fact, when three more Blue Flags later appeared, the others also unanimously agreed to give them to Jona.
Some even wanted to hand over newly discovered White and Green Flags as well, but due to time and distance, that proved impossible.
During the final half-day, all the Unova participants united, doing everything they could to keep first place in local hands.
However, thanks to Mark, Sato had already built up a huge lead even before claiming another Red Flag.
So despite the frustration, everyone had no choice but to accept reality.
The Trainer from the distant League HQ had made his debut in Unova
…And crushed the locals with overwhelming dominance, taking first place in the Vertress Cave Trial Tournament.
Because of this, Drake's negotiation efforts made huge progress afterward.
During a rare moment of free time, Drake even began wondering how he should reward the group once they got back.
But for now, the Trial Tournament rewards were laid out before Sato's team.
The five of them rubbed their hands together, ready to divvy up the spoils- er, benefits!