"Take to the skies! Garchomp!"
A violent, domineering dragon's roar shook the arena as a ferocious Garchomp landed heavily before Cynthia.
It was none other than Cynthia's absolute ace, the pseudo-legendary land dragon—Garchomp!
The moment Cynthia's Garchomp appeared, her fans erupted into excited cheers.
For Cynthia's supporters, just seeing Garchomp take the field was enough to fill them with an indescribable sense of security.
This was something none of her other main Pokémon could bring.
Because Garchomp was strong. Very strong. Cynthia's ultimate trump card.
As long as Garchomp hadn't fallen, Cynthia had not lost. She had proven this countless times since the day she became Sinnoh Champion.
"You're bringing out Garchomp right away? You still have two other Pokémon, don't you?"
Dylan studied the dragon for a moment, then smiled at Cynthia.
"I believe only Garchomp can defeat your Flutter Mane."
Cynthia made no attempt to hide her thoughts. That Flutter Mane was far too powerful.
To be safe, she decided to send Garchomp straight in.
"I see. Then please."
Dylan chuckled and gestured for her to continue, as she clearly wasn't finished preparing.
"Garchomp!"
Cynthia raised her right hand. The Keystone in her palm shone brilliantly.
Garchomp roared skyward, the Mega Stone embedded in its body glowing in unison.
The light of Mega Evolution flared brilliantly, transforming Garchomp's body in an instant.
Moments later, accompanied by an even wilder roar, the scythe-armed Mega Garchomp appeared in all its brutal majesty.
Beep—Garchomp (Mega Evolution), Dragon/Ground type, Mach Pokémon.Ability: Sand Force.Signature Moves: Dragon Rush, Earthquake, Dig, Dragon Claw, Poison Jab…Description: More brutal than before Mega Evolution, it slices foes apart with its scythe-like arms. (Mega Evolution).
So she went straight for Mega Evolution. But even Mega Garchomp doesn't have it easy against Flutter Mane, does it?
"How confident—choosing a battle where she's at a type disadvantage."
Leaf clicked her tongue as she gazed at the elegant, black-clad Sinnoh Champion in the arena.
She really was confident, wasn't she?
Flutter Mane had Fairy typing—it was immune to Dragon-type moves. And Misty Terrain still lingered on the field.
On the battlefield—
"Say hello to our opponent, Flutter Mane."
Dylan glanced up at the fading sunlight, then snapped his fingers.
"Moonblast."
Flutter Mane screeched, a sphere of moonlight gathering before it, then shot downward at incredible speed toward Mega Garchomp.
Moonblast—super effective against Mega Garchomp. And with its Protosynthesis boosting its Special Attack, if that attack landed, even Cynthia's Mega Garchomp would lose half its life in one strike.
But such a direct attack was easy to dodge. Still, Cynthia made no move to evade.
"Poison Jab!"
The blood-red scythe in Mega Garchomp's hand gleamed with deep violet light as it swung down on the Moonblast.
The scythe cleaved into the energy sphere, violet venom clashing wildly with moonlight.
Boom!
The Moonblast detonated, waves of energy exploding outward. Mega Garchomp staggered back under the shockwave—but not a single wound marred its body.
The raging dragon raised its head, its fierce gaze locking onto the airborne Flutter Mane.
"What terrifying brute force."
Steven couldn't help but sigh as he watched Mega Garchomp cleave through Flutter Mane's Moonblast with a non-STAB Poison Jab.
That same overwhelming strength was the very reason he had lost to Cynthia—the reason his Mega Metagross couldn't stand against her Mega Garchomp.
Not technique. Not strategy. Just raw power.
This Mega Garchomp's brute force was simply overwhelming.
"True enough, but battles aren't just about raw power." Alder shrugged.
"Sunny Day's ended, Protosynthesis is gone, and Misty Terrain should fade soon too."
Cynthia's mind was racing. The blazing sunlight had already disappeared, and the Misty Terrain wouldn't last much longer.
"Garchomp, Shadow Claw!"
Mega Garchomp charged forward, each step leaving deep imprints as its heavy strides echoed across the arena.
"Closing in for an opening, huh?" Dylan considered.
Mega Garchomp's evolution actually reduced its Speed. Of course, unlike in turn-based battles, those ten missing points weren't everything.
But the fact remained—Mega Garchomp wasn't as agile as its base form.
Flutter Mane's speed gave it the option to kite Mega Garchomp around the field, risky though it might be.
And there were Stealth Rocks on the battlefield. Flutter Mane hadn't triggered them yet only because it had barely moved since entering, mostly firing from a fixed position.
But in the time it took Dylan to think, Mega Garchomp had already lunged forward, leaping high beneath Flutter Mane.
Its twin scythes glowed with ghostly energy—Shadow Claw.
"Dodge."
Dylan had sorted his plan.
Flutter Mane shifted effortlessly to the side, avoiding the direct strike without panic.
"Garchomp!"
Cynthia wasn't surprised.
Mega Garchomp halted instantly, twisting its right arm to sweep across in a vicious slash.
Flutter Mane ducked low, avoiding again.
With a growl, Mega Garchomp slashed downward with its left scythe.
Flutter Mane floated backward, dodging once more.
Roaring in frustration, Mega Garchomp refused to relent, lunging after its opponent.
"Icy Wind!"
Flutter Mane opened its maw, exhaling a freezing gust that sprayed frost into the air.
Ice-type Icy Wind! And as a Ground/Dragon, Mega Garchomp was four times weak to Ice!
Yet Garchomp didn't even blink. With a savage swing, it cleaved the icy gale apart, the frost blasting harmlessly past on either side.
"A single force breaking all technique—this Garchomp is brutal!" Mei stuck out her tongue.
"But it still can't hit Flutter Mane. Flutter Mane's too agile." Toko shook her head.
"Not necessarily, Toko." Mei grinned mischievously.
Toko froze, then quickly realized—
"The Stealth Rocks. Cynthia's waiting for the opening."
Mega Garchomp's relentless pursuit suddenly made sense.
But wasn't it strange? If Flutter Mane couldn't deal with Mega Garchomp, why didn't Dylan just switch it out?
And then it happened.
Flutter Mane, backing away to dodge, finally stumbled into a solid mass—Stealth Rock.
Boom!
"Flutter Mane." Dylan called calmly.
The stones detonated, blasting Flutter Mane backward in pain.
But its eyes glowed with an eerie black light—unseen to the others.
Something's not right…
Cynthia frowned. It was too easy. Was Dylan… handing her the win?
He could've switched Flutter Mane out. This wasn't a Gym match.
And surely he hadn't forgotten about Stealth Rocks?
With Flutter Mane forced back, one Shadow Claw from Mega Garchomp would finish it.
Already injured by Porygon2 earlier, Flutter Mane couldn't possibly take that hit.
Dylan couldn't not know this.
"Garchomp! Shadow Claw!"
The thought flashed in Cynthia's mind, but the opening was too good. Instinctively, she gave the command.
Mega Garchomp's scythe gleamed with ghostly light, slicing down toward the staggered Flutter Mane.
At that moment, escape was impossible.
But then—
"Wait! Garchomp!"
Cynthia's eyes widened. She shouted just in time.
Mega Garchomp froze, its scythe jerking off-course, barely missing Flutter Mane's head. The Shadow Claw's wind whipped through its ghostly mane.
Flutter Mane's wicked grin stiffened. The black glow in its eyes flickered.
Seriously? That close—and you missed?
If I'd known, I would've thrown myself into it!
Flutter Mane felt like it had just lost a fortune. To drag Garchomp down with Destiny Bond would've been so satisfying!
"You held back?"
The smile on Dylan's face faltered, his brow arching.
Yes—if that Shadow Claw had struck, Flutter Mane would've gone down.
But the moment it hit the Stealth Rocks, it had already triggered Destiny Bond, ready to take Mega Garchomp with it.
"Cynthia, looks like you figured it out."
Dylan met her gaze, smiling faintly.
"You had Flutter Mane set up Destiny Bond."
Cynthia let out a quiet breath. She had realized it just in time. Against Ghost-types, Destiny Bond was never to be forgotten.
And Dylan's odd plays had tipped her off.
"As expected of you, Cynthia." Dylan chuckled, withdrawing Flutter Mane into its Poké Ball.
Before disappearing, the ghost shot Mega Garchomp a resentful glare—as if it had been robbed of a kill.
"But also a pity."
Dylan sighed softly, pulling out another Poké Ball.
"You could've taken down one of my mainstays."
Indeed—had Destiny Bond worked, Cynthia would've scored that victory.
But now… that chance was gone.
"I haven't lost yet, Dylan." Cynthia's eyes sharpened.
"Then face this one."
Smiling faintly, Dylan tossed his fourth Poké Ball.
"Gengar! To the field!"
"Jie-jie~!"
A shadow fell, twisting into the shape of a grayish-black Gengar, grinning wickedly.
But before it could posture, the plump ghost yelped, clutching its short legs and blowing on its feet.
Spikes—left by the Gastrodon earlier.
"Oh?"
Agatha's brow lifted slightly.
"That's the shiny Gastly you were asked about, right?" Lorelei adjusted her glasses, recalling.
"Hehehe~ It's grown strong, hasn't it?"
Agatha chuckled darkly as a shadow rose at her feet, her own Gengar peeking out curiously at the shiny Gengar in the arena.
That shiny Gengar—it was its child.
"Stronger than you, hmm?" Agatha rubbed her ace's head.
"Jie-jie~" her Gengar gave a goofy grin, though its blood-red eyes never left the gleaming white Gengar.
"Seems giving that child to Goodshow was the right choice after all." Agatha sighed.
Had Goodshow not personally begged, she would never have let the shiny Gastly go.
If there were no promising young Trainers, she would've raised it herself—even in her old age.
On the field—
"Gengar."
Dylan raised his hand. The Keystone shone again.
Gengar floated upward, its Mega Stone blazing with radiant light.
Mega Evolution!
The glow faded—revealing a snow-white Mega Gengar with jet-black eyes.
The reversal of colors sent a wave of gasps across the arena.
"Mega Gengar…"
Cynthia's brow furrowed as she fixed her gaze on the eerie, pale apparition.
This was Dylan's Mega Evolution.
Beep—Gengar (Mega Evolution), Ghost/Poison type, Shadow Pokémon.Ability: Shadow Tag.Signature Moves: Destiny Bond, Perish Song, Curse, Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Toxic…Description: Its bonds are twisted. It is said Gengar only shows interest in prey it intends to hunt. (Mega Evolution).
With refined grace, Dylan clasped his Keystone, smiling elegantly at Cynthia.
"Now then, Cynthia…"
"Shall we have a delightful duel of Mega Evolutions?"
(End of Chapter)