The first trainer to enter the top eight was decided—Kanto's Elite Four member, Red.
This result wasn't surprising. Red's strength had already been made clear during the ranking phase.
And for many spectators, this outcome was actually preferable.
Because Red eliminated Blue. Blue was also an extremely tough opponent. Having one of them knocked out through an internal matchup was the best possible scenario.
Of course, that was only how the other regions felt. Fans from Kanto's region certainly did not think so.
All they felt was pain. In their eyes, the ideal outcome was for all six Kanto-region trainers to make it into the top eight.
Even if that idea wasn't realistic—six people from the same region avoiding each other entirely was way too hard. Internal matches were inevitable.
After the first match finished, a thirty-minute intermission passed, and the second round of matchup selections began.
"Please! Please don't let it be another internal match!"
"Yeah! We already had one last round. The system can't keep targeting Kanto-region like this, right? If it happens again, there's definitely a conspiracy!"
"Lmao, this is your home turf. This is the Indigo Arena, remember? What conspiracy?"
"Exactly! Haha—who told your region to send so many monsters?"
"I strongly support more Kanto-region internal matches! Free up some slots for the rest of us! There aren't enough to go around!"
The audience whispered among themselves, and the livestream chat was the same.
Kanto's overwhelming strength naturally became the butt of jokes from every other region.
After all, out of only sixteen spots, Kanto-region claimed six. Ridiculous.
But that was normal. Kanto was where the Pokémon League HQ was located—of course they'd be strong.
On the big screen, the trainer portraits spun rapidly, drawing everyone's eyes.
"I wonder if it will be my brother this time…"
Lillie looked a little excited. She loved watching her brother battle—his calm, confident presence on the field captivated her.
And standing on that stage, her brother was the focus of the entire world, wasn't he?
Someone that strong deserved to stun everyone.
"It doesn't matter. Early or late, my turn will come." Dylan chuckled softly. He truly didn't care.
There were eight matches in total—well, now seven left. He would face his battle sooner or later.
Before long, the first portrait slowly settled.
A sharp crew cut, a lean face, thin lips lifting into a composed, mature smile.
"Huh? It's Uncle Giovanni." Selene blinked.
"My turn?" Giovanni's interest sparked as he looked toward the other portrait. Who would be his opponent?
He glanced briefly at Dylan—so long as it wasn't Dylan, Giovanni was confident he could defeat anyone.
"Giovanni… that's not an easy opponent." Cynthia's golden eyes grew serious.
"Yes. Giovanni is one of the most dangerous people among the remaining competitors. And from what I've heard… he spent nearly half a year in seclusion training. He should be even stronger now."
Beside her, Caitlin spoke in calm, measured tones.
Ever since Giovanni failed in his ranking challenge against Lance half a year ago, he had been training nonstop.
"And although there's no formal proof, Giovanni definitely captured one of the Forces of Nature."
Caitlin continued. As Unova's Elite Four, she naturally had access to information.
Cynthia and Dawn both frowned slightly.
"Red has Tornadus. Blue has Thundurus. Selene has Enamorus. That leaves the last Force of Nature—Landorus. It must be with Giovanni."
Caitlin's gaze flickered as she stared at Giovanni's portrait.
Half a year ago, right after his loss to Lance, Giovanni left with Red and the others for Unova. They stayed several days.
Unova officials were confused at first—why were these four suddenly visiting?
Then, in the ranking phase, the three boys each revealed a Force of Nature.
And Unova realized the truth.
These four had come specifically to capture their region's legendary gods!
Damn it. Those Pokémon were sacred to Unova's culture for generations.
And since Red, Blue, and Selene had already shown theirs, there was no reason to believe Giovanni—leader of the four—didn't have one.
"Yes… Landorus is a Ground-type deity. Perfectly aligned with Giovanni's specialty." Dawn said, voice tightening.
"He'll be incredibly difficult to defeat. If he gets matched with Champion Dylan, that'd be ideal."
Caitlin tilted her head, smiling lightly.
She didn't qualify for the knockout bracket—but Cynthia did. And a Giovanni vs. Dylan matchup would benefit both Sinnoh and her workplace, Unova.
Cynthia and Dawn responded with helpless smiles.
At that moment, the second portrait settled.
Everyone froze.
A head of wild, blood-red hair. A sharp, cold face.
Johto's "Dragon Master"—Champion Lance.
"Oh my… Lance?"
Selene blinked, startled, then shot Giovanni a playful look.
"Uncle Giovanni, feeling confident? You didn't beat Champion Lance last time."
"…This is…"
Giovanni stared at Lance's portrait for several seconds.
Then his lips slowly curled upward.
"…the perfect matchup."
Something fierce burned in Giovanni's eyes.
Lance.
The one who subdued him on Suicune Island.
The one he failed to surpass during the ranking challenge.
Why did he challenge Lance immediately after locating the Reveal Glass?
Because he wanted to know—at that moment, where he stood compared to Lance.
The result needed no explanation. Without his Mega Beedrill, he fell short.
But after half a year of training, he was no longer the same.
"Tsk. Rare to see you fired up, old man."
Even Blue paused his brooding to glance at Giovanni.
The intensity of Giovanni's aura was impossible to ignore.
To Blue, Giovanni was the model senior—calm, rational, steady, immensely powerful.
He shared his ground-type knowledge generously.
But honestly… Blue always felt Giovanni was too calm. No passion.
But now? Giovanni radiated pure battle-lust.
"Because it's Lance." Giovanni replied coolly, expression returning to composed normalcy.
Across the arena—
"So it's Giovanni. Interesting."
Karen crossed her legs, examining her newly done nails as she glanced at Lance.
"Champion Lance, any thoughts?" she asked with a bright smile.
"A defeated challenger." Lance replied blandly.
"But he didn't lose easily. And he should be stronger now."
After losing to Lance, Giovanni essentially locked himself away for training. Everyone knew that.
"Maybe he's been waiting all this time for a rematch—to wash away that loss."
"It doesn't matter."
Lance's voice was cold. Arms crossed, posture straight, the sharpness of a drawn blade radiating off him.
"Before the absolute power of dragons, he has no chance."
His tone was steady, as if stating an undeniable truth.
"Ahh, that confidence~ That's the Lance I know." Karen laughed. She wasn't surprised at all.
After working with Lance for a year, she understood one thing—this man was "edgy arrogance incarnate."
Three sentences never left dragons. Five sentences never left his "dragon legion."
People said Blue was a cocky loudmouth—but Karen felt he was still a tier below Lance.
If these two ever met and talked, that would be fun to watch.
Karen smiled happily and leaned back, popping a cherry into her mouth.
Being knocked out in the round of thirty-two didn't bother her—she was just a Johto Elite Four member. Why stress?
A cushy job, a great life. All thanks to Champion Dylan. Maybe she should send him something spicy tonight?
Last time she sent him a picture of herself in lace lingerie, he responded with a thumbs-up emoji.
Yes. Even Dylan liked beautiful women.
"Let's give a warm welcome to the trainers of this match!"
The host's booming voice echoed across the stadium.
"Giovanni!!"
"Champion Lance!!"
As cheers erupted, two figures emerged from the tunnels—Giovanni in his black suit, Lance in his fitted outfit and sweeping cape.
"Ugh—why another internal match?!"
"Not really internal—Lance is Johto's champion now. But still feels weird seeing them fight."
"Champion Lance will win! The dragon legion is unbeatable!"
"Unbeatable? Selene already beat him once. Giovanni might win too."
"Bruh, Selene is Selene and Giovanni is Giovanni. Half a year ago he lost—did you forget?"
"That was half a year ago. Giovanni's been grinding nonstop. Not beating Lance then doesn't mean he can't now."
The livestream chat erupted in debate.
On the field, the two remained unmoved.
"Heh… should I thank the system for delivering you to me, Champion Lance?"
Giovanni loosened his neck slightly, a faint smile on his lips as he stared at Lance.
"You should feel regret. This is where your journey ends."
Lance responded coolly.
Giovanni annoyed him—not personally, but because of that one line he would never forget.
"Lance, born evil."
Even if their positions had been opposed during the Suicune Island incident, Giovanni's words had left a mark.
And Lance had never shaken the discomfort he felt around him.
"Still as arrogant as ever. But have you considered… maybe your journey ends here today?"
Giovanni lowered his eyes and chuckled.
"You? Stop me?"
Lance responded flatly.
"You've already lost to my dragons once."
His tone didn't shift. He spoke as though declaring the obvious.
"That was then. You're too conceited, Lance."
Giovanni's eyes narrowed.
Today—he would defeat Lance.
The referee between them was sweating through his uniform, unsure whether he should speak.
The air felt like it might explode.
"Conceited? Ridiculous."
Lance gave a cold laugh, raising his chin slightly. Under the curtain of blood-red hair, his eyes glinted with regal disdain.
"I've told you before, Giovanni."
"Ants on the ground will never threaten dragons soaring through the sky."
"No matter how many times you come, the outcome is the same. My dragon legion cannot lose to your ground types."
Giovanni chuckled softly.
Lance was the same as ever. Defeating him would be satisfying.
"Let's see if you can still say that afterward."
Giovanni pulled out a Poké Ball.
"Hmph."
Lance's lips curled into a feral grin.
"How amusing. You're that confident? Then allow me to break you completely."
"Witness the reborn dragon legion!"
The referee nearly cried.
He felt completely unnecessary.
(End of chapter)