"He's already pulling out Miraidon as his third? That's seriously heavy."
Leaf clicked her tongue as she watched Cinderace faint on the battlefield.
"But whoever comes after Miraidon… won't be much weaker either."
Brandon fully agreed. The difference in strength between Miraidon and the first two was obvious.
Yep, Brandon was honestly just thankful that when he battled Dylan, these dragons hadn't been used on him.
On the field.
Both Dylan and Leon had just recalled their Pokémon.
"So, Champion Leon—what do you think of my dragons?"
Dylan held up a new red Luxury Ball, smiling faintly at his opponent.
"Incredible! Honestly terrifying," Leon replied, genuine awe in his voice.
He was starting to realize… maybe the gap between him and Dylan was really wide.
Which led him to doubt—Was he actually not that strong?
Was the reason no one could beat him in Galar simply because Galar itself lacked strong enough Trainers?
That couldn't be, right? Sure, he didn't visit other regions much, but he'd done some research.
Dylan had started as a Gym Leader and had battled many challengers—even lost Pokémon during those fights.
Though… Gym Leaders did hold back during official challenges. Still, if someone could beat even a half-strength Dylan, they had to be strong.
So maybe the truth was… Leon just wasn't that strong?
His thoughts spiraled.
Three straight losses, all clean. It was enough to shake anyone.
"There's still more to come, Champion Leon. Even better than what you've seen so far. Honestly, I only bring these ones out for opponents like you."
The deep red Luxury Ball in Dylan's hand enlarged with a click. His tone was calm but sincere.
He wasn't lying—this was his chance to make a name for himself globally, and he wasn't about to waste it.
Leon's eyelid twitched.
Thanks… I guess?
"Bring it on, Champion Dylan!"
But Leon, ever the champion, steadied himself. He was starting to suspect that this was Dylan's grand show, but that was fine.
That was what Leon wanted from the start—a battle where both sides went all out.
"Of course."
Dylan grinned. That's exactly why he liked going up against Trainers like Leon.
"Reshiram, prepare for battle!"
The red Poké Ball flew into the air. A flash of white light, and a pure white dragon descended gracefully before Dylan.
The crowd erupted.
"Whoa!! A white dragon!"
"It's so beautiful, holy crap—Reshiram? Where'd he catch that? I want one too!"
"Guys, are you even looking at the info? That's a mythical Pokémon! A literal legendary!"
"Waaah, that's our Unova's real dragon god—and now Dylan rides it around every day…"
"Another legendary dragon? Seriously?!"
The sight of Reshiram was almost too much for the eyes.
Pure white, flawless beauty. Countless spectators fell in love at first sight.
Dylan nodded in satisfaction. Reshiram might be blunt and real in private, but in public? It absolutely looked the part.
That elegance. That radiance.
He truly believed Reshiram deserved the title of World's Most Beautiful Pokémon.
And Reshiram?
Still and composed, those clear blue eyes gazed coldly into the distance. Dignified, aloof, a mythical being untouched by worldly things.
That's what everyone saw.
But in truth—
Reshiram (in its head): See that? See all these humans? Totally obsessed with me. I mean, it's exhausting being this beautiful. My charm? It's just… uncontainable. 😎
Lunala: "??"
Rayquaza: "??"
Miraidon: "??"
Kyurem: Hah, walking flower vase.
Terapagos: Pfft~
Calyrex: 6/10 aesthetics at best~
Reshiram? Didn't care.
She was the real deal—the White Dragon of Truth. She knew she was no flower vase.
"Legendary Reshiram…"
Leon's expression turned serious.
This wasn't like Miraidon—an unfamiliar name. Everyone knew about Reshiram.
Especially after the recent events in Unova, where the King of Team Plasma was revealed to be Zekrom's chosen hero.
Dylan riding Reshiram? Not a secret at all. He flew around on it so much it basically became his brand.
In Kanto, everyone knew: Dylan = Reshiram.
But anyone who thought it was just for show was an idiot.
This was the dragon of truth, a fire that once burned entire kingdoms to ashes.
"The fact I get to fight someone like Dylan… proves I made the right decision," Leon muttered, eyes blazing again.
To face the White Dragon of myth in a stadium battle—what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Inteleon!"
Leon tossed his fourth Poké Ball.
A tall, slim, lizard-like Pokémon landed nimbly before him—Inteleon, the Water-type Galar starter.
Bzzt—Inteleon. Water-type. Agent Pokémon.
Ability: Torrent
Moves: Snipe Shot, Hydro Cannon, Rain Dance, Aqua Break, U-turn, Sucker Punch, Hydro Pump…
A smart move—Water counters Fire, and Reshiram was Fire/Dragon.
Reshiram didn't resist Water.
But only if Inteleon could survive long enough to attack.
"Inteleon, Snipe Shot!"
Leon struck first.
Inteleon raised its finger like a pistol, a sharp beam of water shooting straight toward Reshiram.
"Fusion Flare."
Dylan's voice was calm.
Reshiram's turbine-like tail began spinning, glowing red-hot. A massive fireball swirled into shape before its mouth.
Snipe Shot hit the fireball, fizzling slightly on contact—but couldn't stop it.
The fire roared hotter.
A crimson blaze snaked around the orb, its temperature spiking rapidly.
Then—boom—Fusion Flare tore through the air toward Inteleon.
The Water-type dodged quickly, sprinting and weaving at high speed. It was fast.
But suddenly—it froze mid-motion.
Blue psychic light wrapped around its body.
"Psychic?"
Leon's eyes widened as he looked at Reshiram. Sure enough, its eyes were glowing faintly blue.
It was using Psychic to immobilize Inteleon.
And it was working.
Struggling hard, Inteleon tried to break free, but the grip was too strong. Its slender body began floating off the ground.
"Hydro Pump!"
Leon refused to surrender.
From its open mouth, Inteleon fired a torrent of water at the oncoming Fusion Flare.
But the flame just kept advancing—pushing Hydro Pump back like it was nothing.
BOOM!
Fusion Flare slammed into Inteleon, a fiery explosion blasting across the field.
Heatwaves rolled outward.
With a loud thud, Inteleon hit the ground hard, smoke rising from its singed body as it weakly tried to stand.
Fusion Flare wasn't very effective—but Inteleon, like Cinderace, was a glass cannon.
That it survived at all was a testament to Leon's training.
"Dragon Pulse."
Reshiram's mouth opened once more, releasing a violent stream of draconic energy.
Crash!
The blast detonated across the battlefield.
Somewhere in the stands—
"Yup, he's done."
"Not gonna lie, this is starting to feel like I'm bullying Bug Catchers out on Route 2."
"This gap is insane. Leon's supposed to be a goal to strive for… but Dylan? Dylan's just not human."
"I heard Kanto's former Elite Four just quietly resigned. What if Dylan gave them all trauma and they just fled the region?"
"…You're joking, right?"
The chat exploded in chaos.
It was now clear to everyone—Leon had no chance.
The new goal was: can he even take out one of Dylan's dragons?
And in Kanto?
They were having the time of their lives.
"HAHAHAHA I KNEW IT—our Champion wipes the floor with other champs!"
"Real talk, I'm just glad I didn't roll Dragon-type for my Gym Challenge. That team is terrifying."
"Say what you want, but Dylan really does love us Kanto folks. I'm moved!"
"Moved your ass—you were crying when you got hard-stalled by his Rota Gym over and over."
The Kanto live chat was a mess of pride, teasing, and outright awe.
Yes—this was their Champion.
Back in the arena.
Chairman Rose watched the young, black-haired man basking in the spotlight, and his expression grew complex.
What if… Dylan went too far and broke Leon's spirit?
They only had one Leon, after all.
But Rose relaxed a little. Leon had a famously tough mindset. He wouldn't crumble… probably.
"Inteleon is unable to battle. Reshiram wins."
Leon held Inteleon's Poké Ball quietly for a moment, then looked up at the radiant Reshiram.
"So strong…" he murmured.
It was the only thing he could say anymore.
Dylan simply smiled and switched out Reshiram, pulling another ball from his belt.
"Champion Dylan, you're really not giving me a break, huh?"
Leon finally laughed, a bit helplessly.
Screw it. He'd already lost four. At this point, he might as well enjoy the rest of Dylan's legendary dragon showcase.
It's not like I stood a chance anyway.
"Come on then, Dylan—let me see your fifth."
He was even a little curious now.
If the fourth was the legendary dragon god Reshiram, what the heck was next?
Rayquaza, maybe?
(End of Chapter)