The battle between Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Gyarados was extremely intense. After all, both Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Gyarados were experts in close combat.
But as the battle went on, Mega Gyarados gradually fell into disadvantage.
When Mega Gyarados once again used Aqua Tail to block Mega Kangaskhan's Drain Punch and braced itself with full force, the baby Kangaskhan suddenly rushed in from the side, leaping high. With its fist glowing white, it smashed it hard onto Mega Gyarados's head.
Fighting-type Drain Punch was super effective against Mega Gyarados, who gained a Dark typing after Mega Evolution.
Though the baby Kangaskhan wasn't as strong as its mother, its strike still hurt Mega Gyarados.
Mega Gyarados groaned in pain, forcing power outward to knock Mega Kangaskhan back, then turned toward the baby Kangaskhan and roared in fury.
But the baby Kangaskhan didn't linger—it quickly retreated to its mother's side, baring its teeth at Mega Gyarados.
Mega Gyarados panted heavily, slowly rising into the air, its fierce eyes locked on the two Kangaskhan before it.
The two sides faced off once more.
"Feels like Mega Gyarados is really falling behind."
"It's obvious. Mega Kangaskhan used to be Giovanni's ace. Besides…"
"Two versus one is so shameless! This is the World Championships—a fair competition! How can a Pokémon like that be allowed?!"
"What shameless? Mega Evolution is completely legal and fair. What now, you can't beat it so you want Mega Kangaskhan banned?"
"The ideal plan is to let Mega Gyarados wear down Mega Kangaskhan, then Dragonite comes in to finish it."
Spectators everywhere discussed excitedly—that's the joy of competitive battles.
"Mega Gyarados isn't Mega Kangaskhan's match. Lance isn't switching it out yet?" Wallace looked puzzled.
The match had been going on for a while. Despite having aerial advantage, Mega Gyarados clearly couldn't overcome Mega Kangaskhan.
Mega Kangaskhan's raw power was already no weaker than Mega Gyarados, not to mention it had the baby assisting beside it.
Though the baby could only mimic Mega Kangaskhan's moves due to the Mega energy that "accelerated its growth," the 2-on-1 advantage was still overwhelming.
"Although tough, there are still openings—and Mega Gyarados can be used to exhaust Mega Kangaskhan." Steven speculated.
Mega Kangaskhan was extremely strong. If Lance didn't want to use his ace Dragonite too early, he had to sacrifice Mega Gyarados.
Now that Giovanni had a new ace, preserving the main Dragonite's condition became necessary.
The battle continued. After revealing some move information, Mega Kangaskhan managed to defeat Mega Gyarados.
Lance lost the first point.
Giovanni withdrew Mega Kangaskhan instead of letting it continue fighting.
Both sent out their third Pokémon.
Lance sent out Salamence, Giovanni sent out Rhyperior.
This time, Lance altered his strategy—favoring ranged special attacks instead of close-combat pressure.
Rhyperior was quadruple-weak to Water—even with Solid Rock, Hydro Pump from Salamence hit brutally hard.
Rhyperior fell, though Salamence suffered heavy damage as well.
Giovanni then sent out Great Tusk as his fourth Pokémon, taking advantage of the opening to defeat Salamence.
Lance responded with Naganadel—the Ultra Beast he had once obtained from Gus.
Beep—Naganadel. Dragon + Poison-type. Poison Needle Pokémon.
Ability: Beast Boost
Moves: Dragon Pulse, Toxic, Nasty Plot, Sludge Wave, Air Cutter…
Info: An Ultra Beast that fires sticky, luminous poison from its stinger.
"This one is going to be troublesome for Giovanni."
Watching Naganadel, Mizuki raised a brow.
A Poison + Dragon typing gave Naganadel great resistances. Though weak to Ground, Naganadel could fly.
Fast and powerful, it was the definition of a high-speed cannon, with no need to fight Great Tusk up close.
Unlike Salamence, which, being a mixed attacker with higher physical attack, inevitably got baited into close combat by Lance.
"Yeah… hard to deal with."
Blue nodded. Giovanni specialized in Ground-types—very few on his roster could fly.
Giovanni let Great Tusk fight for a bit, but it was hopeless. It even ate a powerful Dragon Pulse.
Giovanni promptly withdrew it and sent out his fifth Pokémon—the flying-capable Gliscor.
Another fierce battle followed, but Gliscor still fell to Naganadel. The Ultra Beast's strength was exceptional.
However, Gliscor did its job, leaving Naganadel heavily injured.
Naganadel's bulk was terrible. Giovanni then sent out Nidoking and traded blows, forcing a mutual KO.
At this point, Giovanni had lost Nidoking, Rhyperior, and Gliscor. Lance had lost Gyarados, Salamence, and Naganadel.
The match was extremely close—neither side held a clear advantage.
Lance sent out his injured Hydreigon again, while Giovanni sent out Mega Kangaskhan.
Hydreigon did have aerial advantage, but unlike Naganadel, it wasn't a fast attacker, and Mega Kangaskhan had priority Sucker Punch.
With the speed of Sucker Punch closing the gap, Hydreigon struck back but was still defeated.
"That leaves you with only two Pokémon, Champion Lance."
With the advantage now his, even calm Giovanni couldn't help speaking.
"Feeling pleased just because you're temporarily ahead?" Lance sneered.
"You think you're better than me? Giovanni, let me tell you—today, you still can't beat me!"
"My dragon legion does not lose!"
He pulled out a luxury ball and threw it.
"Dragonite!"
A massive Dragonite landed heavily before him—a giant Dragonite.
"So it really is that one."
Giovanni narrowed his eyes slightly at its overwhelming presence.
Though Lance had swapped his primary lineup, he still brought the giant Dragonite.
Its huge body weakened its evasiveness, but its raw physique and power surpassed even Lance's ace Dragonite.
"Return, Kangaskhan."
Giovanni withdrew Mega Kangaskhan and sent out Great Tusk to take on the giant Dragonite.
The fight began. The giant Dragonite's power was overwhelming. Great Tusk fought hard but was eventually defeated—though not before landing a final Ice Spinner as a last strike.
Then Mega Kangaskhan returned for another intense clash.
Mega Kangaskhan had Ice Punch and Avalanche, but the giant Dragonite's power was terrifying. It countered Ice Punch with Fire Punch, matching it evenly.
Still, Giovanni found an opening—Avalanche landed cleanly, Ice Punch connected as well.
But the price was the loss of Mega Kangaskhan.
"I told you, Giovanni—you can't beat me!"
Lance's cold, confident voice carried across the field.
Now he held the advantage. Whoever led spoke first—fair enough.
"In your own words, Champion Lance… temporarily ahead, and already arrogant?"
Giovanni calmly retrieved Kangaskhan, adjusting his collar with effortless poise despite the tension.
"You…"
Lance glared hard at Giovanni, face emotionless.
"Then this will be the last."
Giovanni drew his final Poké Ball—the one that would decide victory or defeat.
"Landorus!"
With a low roar, a tiger-like figure descended before Giovanni—Landorus in its Therian Forme—its eyes sharp and imposing.
Lance studied it, brows tightening. Its aura alone made it clear—this Landorus was powerful.
Beep—Landorus (Therian Forme). Ground/Flying-type. Abundance Pokémon.
Ability: Intimidate
Moves: Sandsear Storm, Fissure, Outrage, Hammer Arm, Stone Edge…
Info: When it soars in its Therian Forme, it brings prosperity to the land, revered by people. One moment is enough for it to traverse the Hisui plains.
A legendary Incarnate!
So Giovanni truly had captured Landorus.
Many had guessed—but seeing it for real was different.
And if Giovanni saved it for last, it meant Landorus was even stronger than Mega Kangaskhan.
But it didn't end there—Giovanni took out a black Terastal Orb.
The orb flared with dazzling light.
Terastal!
A shining Therian Landorus emerged—its Tera Type: Flying.
Many spectators froze. Giovanni, a Ground specialist, using a Flying-Tera ace?
Unexpected.
The battle began. Under Intimidate, the giant Dragonite's Attack fell.
Landorus struck first with a sudden Slap—smacking Dragonite across the face.
Dragonite flinched. Stone Edge followed—jagged boulders exploding against its body.
When the dust cleared, the giant Dragonite had fallen.
Already worn down by Great Tusk and Mega Kangaskhan, it couldn't withstand a super-effective Stone Edge.
"Dragonite!"
Without wasting time, Lance sent out his final Pokémon—his ace Dragonite—and immediately Terastalized it.
A Tera Dragon Dragonite versus Tera Flying Landorus.
A dragon and a tiger faced off in the air, pressure crushing the stadium atmosphere.
Battle!
The two lunged.
Dragon didn't resist Flying—and that didn't matter. Neither side cared anymore about type charts.
Dragon Claw vs. Brick Break!
Breaking Swipe vs. Tera Blast!
Dragon Rush vs. Stone Edge!
The two clashed wildly in the sky, their wounds worsening.
But Lance's expression grew grim. Even with Tera Dragon, even with STAB bonuses, his Dragonite wasn't gaining ground.
Landorus only had Tera Blast and Fly as Flying moves—no others.
What did that mean?
Its power surpassed Dragonite's.
Even with non-STAB moves, it could suppress Dragonite.
The savage dragon and the descending land tiger collided yet again.
Dragon Rush vs. Fly!
Shockwaves tore through the air.
But after a brief struggle—
"Dragonite is failing…"
Spectators realized it at once. Dragon Rush's aura was being pushed back—Landorus was overpowering it.
Finally, Landorus shattered Dragon Rush's force and slammed into Dragonite, knocking it from the sky.
Giovanni commanded the follow-up: Landorus unleashed Outrage.
Lance's face darkened.
"Dragonite is unable to battle! Landorus wins!"
"Since Lance has lost all six Pokémon—Giovanni is victorious! Giovanni advances!"
The referee's voice boomed across the arena.
"Wooo—!"
Thunderous cheers erupted. To spectators, this full 6v6 battle had been incredible.
Giovanni stood on the field, savoring the moment.
"Looks like I've won."
He stepped toward Lance, wearing a faint smile.
"Even an ant crawling on the ground… can defeat the dragon soaring in the sky. Don't you think?"
"Hmph. This time, I lost."
Lance snorted coldly—not avoiding the truth.
He had given everything. No excuses.
But he was far from accepting defeat.
"Lance, I hope you remember…" Giovanni walked past him, one hand in his pocket.
"From now on—
you are the challenger."
(End of chapter)