At this moment, far away in the Indigo Plateau of the Kanto region—
"It's starting! It's starting! Red, move over, you're blocking the screen!"
"…"
Inside the League Chairman's office, Blue was constantly shifting in his seat, grumbling at Red beside him.
Red looked exasperated. You're ranked fourth, why are you acting like such a big shot?
On a nearby couch, Chairman Darman and Giovanni both exchanged amused glances as they watched the two.
Also present were Chief Officer Jenny and a few League council members. The office was unusually lively.
At the front of the room, a large projection screen showed a live feed from Wyndon Stadium in Galar.
"Let's hope Champion Dylan brings this one home!" said Councilman Zeb, clearly nervous. A loss in this champion exhibition would be embarrassing for Kanto.
"Hah?"
Blue turned, like he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke ever, and shot a sidelong glance at the blonde councilman.
"You think Dylan would lose? What a joke."
Blue leaned back on the couch, legs crossed, arms folded like he owned the place.
Why are you so smug again?
Red rolled his eyes from the side. Sure, Dylan was strong—but what did that have to do with Blue? And since when was Dylan his big bro?
"That so-called champion from wherever…"
"Champion Leon of Galar," Darman gently corrected with a smile.
"Right, right. Leon, huh? Forget Dylan—even I could beat him!" Blue flicked his bangs, looking self-assured.
In the last few days, he felt like he'd made another breakthrough. He might be Kanto's #4 now, but facing another region's champ? Easy pickings.
"Blue, Champion Leon is quite formidable," Giovanni warned.
"Hmph! If he's strong, what makes you think I'm not?" Blue scoffed. If Galar hadn't invited Dylan, he would've flown over himself and challenged that caped guy. Let Galar see what true Kanto strength looked like!
Darman and the other officials laughed. Blue was arrogant—but endearing in his way.
And honestly, they liked hearing stuff like this.
"With all due respect," Blue declared confidently, "this match depends on whether Dylan even wants to go hard. If that Leon guy gets cocky, Dylan's gonna sweep him six–zero."
"No lies detected," Giovanni agreed.
"Depends what team Dylan brings," another councilor murmured.
Across the world, in Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Alola, and Paldea, countless eyes were glued to the broadcast.
A champion showdown between Dylan and Leon—Kanto versus Galar.
It was unprecedented.
Back in Wyndon Stadium—
"And now, let's give a thunderous round of applause as we welcome both Champions to the field!"
Chairman Rose, ever the showman, had wrapped up his intro. As his voice echoed through the stadium, two figures emerged from opposite sides of the arena.
Dylan, clad in a sleek black shirt, strolled forward with calm confidence. Across from him, Leon emerged with that same signature cape billowing behind him.
Woooooo!!
The stadium exploded in cheers, and the live broadcast chat erupted in a flood of messages.
Every major region televised Pokémon matches, and this was no exception.
"That's the Champion of Kanto? He looks younger than his photos!"
"Kinda hot, not gonna lie…"
"Yeah, but looks don't matter—Leon's gonna win this!"
"Do you even know what it means to be the Champion of Kanto? That title defines Pokémon mastery!"
"Pfft, being Kanto champ doesn't make him invincible. Leon's gonna obliterate him!"
The chat devolved into a full-scale war. Galar's local feeds were especially noisy.
Dylan, of course, paid no mind.
Standing in his designated spot, he calmly met Leon's gaze.
Leon looked just as Dylan remembered—sun-kissed bronze skin, purple hair, sharp golden eyes, his signature shorts and T-shirt ensemble, and that iconic cape.
"Champion Dylan, it's an honor to finally battle you," Leon said, smiling warmly and bowing his head.
As a battle fanatic, Leon was thrilled to test his skills against another champion. His excitement was unmistakable.
"Champion Leon, the feeling's mutual," Dylan replied with an easy smile.
"Haha! When Chairman Rose told me the news, I couldn't believe it. Because of some… personal challenges, I rarely travel to other regions."
Leon laughed heartily—he was, after all, famously terrible with directions.
"I've never fought another region's champion before, Dylan. I hope you'll go all out—because I will! I'm really strong!"
Dylan nodded. "If that's your request, then I'll give it my all."
"Hahaha! That's what I like to hear!" Leon beamed.
"Now initiating official match: Dylan versus Leon."
The referee stepped forward, waving his flag and laying out the rules.
"Standard full battle. 6-on-6. Both sides may switch. First to lose all six Pokémon is defeated."
"Begin!"
As the ref stepped back, the jumbotron lit up with both champions' portraits. A spinning pointer determined the first move.
Dylan surveyed the massive arena. It was his first time battling on a stage this grand—and he had to admit, it felt good.
All eyes were on him. Not just the thousands in the stadium, but millions watching worldwide.
And he didn't hate it. In fact, he rather enjoyed it.
After all, wasn't this what it meant to be a Champion?
To stand before the world and prove your strength?
The pointer stopped on Dylan's portrait—he would lead.
"Champion Leon."
Dylan adjusted his collar and unfastened the top two buttons of his shirt with a practiced hand.
Leon smiled back.
"Have you ever lost before?" Dylan asked, donning a pair of black gloves.
Leon chuckled. "Oh, of course. But not since I became Champion."
He had gone undefeated ever since rising to the top of Galar's league—hence his title, the "Unbeaten Champion."
Even his mentor Mustard, who had once bested him repeatedly, could no longer defeat him.
"Then today will be your first," Dylan said, eyes gleaming.
"I use a Dragon-type team in the Hall of Fame records. This may be a friendly exhibition—but the world won't see it that way."
"Did you know?" Dylan asked, expanding a Poké Ball in his hand.
"My senior, Lance, once told me something I've never forgotten."
Leon blinked in surprise. Lance? The former Kanto Champion?
Far away on the Surosu Island, Lance was watching on his phone. At Dylan's words, his expression shifted slightly.
On the couch beside him, Lorelei and the other Elite Four turned toward him.
Lance's gaze remained cool, but his mouth curled up just a little.
"'Dragons are legendary creatures,'" Dylan began, his tone sharpened, focused. The camera zoomed in close, capturing every detail.
"'Though difficult to raise, if trained well…'"
His smile turned wild.
"'Their power is unmatched beneath the heavens!!'"
His declaration rang out like a blade striking steel.
The power of Dragons—is unrivaled!
Back on Surosu Island, Lance's grin grew wider. "That's my boy," he whispered.
You finally understand… Dragons reign supreme!
"Didn't Dylan say that to me before too?" Brandon mused aloud, scratching his chin.
"Pretty sure he used that exact line in our match."
Lillie looked like she wanted to disappear. (Oh no…)
Same speech… again?
But in the arena—
"Come, Champion Dylan! Show me your Dragons!" Leon roared, ablaze with anticipation.
He couldn't wait another second!
Dylan's grin widened. With a smooth flick, he threw his Poké Ball.
"As you wish."
Today, before the eyes of the entire world…
He would show them all—
What it truly meant to wield Dragons unmatched beneath the heavens!
(End of Chapter)