"Wo~ It seems that both our Indigo Champion Lance and Galar Champion Leon are extremely confident in themselves!"
"Then next, let's welcome our referee!"
The young man in sunglasses stepped back to the edge of the battlefield. Because he was standing fairly close to both champions, he could clearly hear every word of their brief exchange.
And wow, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
But that didn't matter—after all, as an active member of the Indigo League staff, the man in sunglasses naturally and proudly stood on Lance's side!
He had full faith that Lance would emerge victorious! The undefeated Indigo Champion would never lose!
"The upcoming battle is a World Championship match between Indigo Champion Lance and Galar Champion Leon! The battle rules are as follows…"
The professional referee, holding two small flags in his hands, stepped forward to the edge of the battlefield. When he reached the final line of the announcement, he cast a glance at both trainers.
Lance sat calmly, his face expressionless. No matter what kind of battle it was, he was indifferent. Leon, catching that look, understood—it was Lance's way of letting him choose.
"Full battle," Leon declared directly.
If they were going to fight, then it had to be a complete showdown. A true 6-on-6 full battle—nothing less could properly test a Trainer's skill, judgment, and strength. Only such a battle could reveal who was truly the strongest!
"The battle format will be a 6 vs. 6 full battle! The field will be standard terrain, and both sides may freely switch Pokémon during the match. The battle will continue until all six Pokémon on one side are unable to battle. The other side will then be declared the winner!"
"Now then… battle, start!"
The referee looked once more at the two champions and brought his flags down in a sharp, decisive motion.
The World Championship battle had begun.
"Champions, may you both fight with honor and good fortune!"
With the final blessing, the referee stepped back to the edge of the field, giving space for the clash to begin.
As for deciding who would send out their Pokémon first, the referee didn't bother mentioning it. Being one of the Indigo League's most experienced officials, he knew full well how Lance operated.
"Full battle, huh… What an unfortunate choice," Lance said flatly, his cold eyes glinting as he stared across at Leon. "It seems you're determined to lose completely."
As arrogant and cutting as ever—Lance's tone didn't soften in the slightest.
"Who'll lose is still yet to be seen, Champion Lance," Leon replied with a faint smile.
He had heard of Lance's legendary pride—a man as proud as a dragon itself. Seeing him in person today, Leon could finally understand what those rumors meant.
This man radiated an overwhelming, suffocating pressure from head to toe—an aura so imposing it made one's heart tremble. That absolute confidence… Leon had never witnessed anything like it.
"I just hope your strength is as strong as your mouth," Lance said coldly, one eyebrow arching slightly. Leon's calm expression showed not the slightest hint of intimidation.
"Gyarados! Crush him!"
No theatrics, no hesitation—Lance simply hurled out his first Poké Ball.
With a burst of light, a massive Green Gyarados emerged, its scales glistening, its serpentine body coiling high into the air as it roared thunderously.
"ROOOOAR!!"
The ferocious aura shook the stadium—this was a truly powerful Gyarados!
"Gyarados, huh…"
Leon studied the creature carefully. It was no secret that Lance had a Gyarados among his main team, but seeing it up close, the power it radiated was astonishing.
Just its presence alone… was close to top-tier Champion level.
Still, Leon didn't seem fazed.
But before he could even issue a command—
"It's not over yet, Gyarados!"
Lance's cold, proud face remained unmoved as he slowly raised his right hand. A pure Key Stone shimmered brightly in his palm.
Leon's eyes narrowed. "That's… already?"
From the audience, people immediately caught on.
"Wait, no way—is that Mega Evolution!?"
"What?! They're using Mega Evolution this early?!"
As the crowd erupted, Gyarados let out another thunderous roar, its entire body engulfed by radiant evolutionary light.
Its frame expanded rapidly, its muscles swelling, its entire form twisting with new might.
When the light finally burst apart, the creature revealed its new form—Mega Gyarados.
Compared to its normal state, Mega Gyarados looked far more menacing and imposing. Its back fin stretched outward like great wings, its upper body had become even thicker and more muscular—
—but most shockingly, Mega Gyarados was floating off the ground.
It could fly!
No one had expected Lance to use Mega Evolution right at the start of the match.
Mega Evolution dramatically boosted a Pokémon's combat strength. Normally, Trainers saved it as a trump card to turn the tide of battle.
"This is Mega Gyarados? Is it really okay to Mega Evolve so soon? And besides…"
Green's eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the floating leviathan. For a Champion like Lance, having access to Mega Evolution wasn't surprising—but to use it immediately?
Mega Evolution could only be used once per battle!
"Dragonite doesn't have a Mega Stone," Lucas said thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand as he observed the battlefield. "Besides, Lance wants to make a statement."
He nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the monstrous aura rolling off the Mega Gyarados.
Indeed, it was incredibly strong.
Starting the battle with an overwhelming display of force—Lance clearly wanted to intimidate his opponent and anyone else watching.
After all, right now, he was recognized as the world's number one Trainer.
Countless challengers across the globe were working hard just to reach him.
Lance didn't mind challengers—but he had no patience for reckless ones who didn't know their limits.
After last night's sparring session with Lucas, he was clearly taking this match seriously today.
As for whether using Mega Evolution this early was a waste…
Even Lucas didn't know Lance's exact lineup anymore. The publicly known team included an Aerodactyl, Gyarados, two Dragonairs, and a Dragonite—but that was from years ago, back when Lance first became Indigo Champion.
Who knew what his real team looked like now?
Still, if Lucas guessed correctly, given Lance's fondness for "Fatty" (Gyarados's nickname), this guy probably had more than one Gyarados…
After all, back in HeartGold and SoulSilver, Lance used three Gyarados in their first Champion battle!
Three Gyarados! The man was an absolute Gyarados fanatic.
Of course, after being repeatedly destroyed by Ice-type moves, by the time the player fought him again with sixteen badges, Lance had replaced two of his Gyarados with Dragonite, Salamence, and Garchomp.
Still—five Flying-types total.
"Dragonite really doesn't have a Mega Stone?" Green blinked. "You're sure?"
"At least as far as I know, it doesn't," Lucas said with a small shrug. "Not only that—Dragonite doesn't even get a Gigantamax form."
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Compared to Charizard, Dragonite's treatment over the generations had been pitiful. Once a star of the early days, its relevance and strength had only declined over time.
Poor Dragonite—always getting the short end of the stick.
Meanwhile, on the field—
"So, this is Mega Gyarados," Leon said softly, eyes shining with respect and excitement.
It was powerful—immensely powerful.
As expected of Lance—the man truly lived up to his legend.
And it was precisely such strength that made Leon's blood boil with excitement!
"Seismitoad, let's go!"
Without hesitation, Leon hurled his Poké Ball.
A burst of white light revealed a large, Green, humanoid toad with a burly frame and a body covered in thick, bulbous warts on its head, shoulders, and knees.
The Water/Ground-type Pokémon from the Unova region—Seismitoad—had entered the field!
"Water and Ground-type, huh?" Marnie muttered thoughtfully from the audience. "By typing alone, it doesn't really have an advantage against Gyarados. Though, Lucas, I remember that Mega Evolution can sometimes change a Pokémon's typing, right?"
As a Trainer, knowing a Pokémon's typing was the most basic skill.
Even for species from other regions, one needed at least a basic level of familiarity.
Otherwise, you'd walk into battles completely unprepared.
"That's right," Lucas nodded. "After Mega Evolving, Gyarados becomes Water/Dark-type. That's a huge upgrade."
He studied the Seismitoad closely. Despite its unappealing appearance, it was actually a very solid Pokémon—its base stats exceeded 500, making it quite well-rounded.
And its Water/Ground typing gave it phenomenal resistances—out of all eighteen types, only Grass could hit it super effectively (though admittedly for 4× damage).
Still, Mega Gyarados benefited similarly—by shedding its Flying type, it no longer had a crippling 4× weakness to Electric moves, making it drastically tougher in battle.
"Seismitoad?" Lance said disdainfully, folding his arms. "Just another bug."
His expression remained unreadable, but his words dripped with arrogance.
"Gyarados, show that insect your true power! Aqua Tail!"
Mega Gyarados let out a thunderous roar and lunged forward, its tail wreathed in swirling water.
"Earth Power!" Leon commanded sharply.
Seismitoad planted its feet and backpedaled rapidly, slamming both palms into the ground.
The battlefield shook violently, earth and dust erupting upward like a small explosion, creating a barrier of swirling mud between it and Gyarados.
Lance's mouth curved into a cold smile.
"ROOOOAR!"
Mega Gyarados brought its water-wreathed tail down in a crushing arc, slamming into the earthen shield.
For a brief moment, the ground held—but within two seconds, the swirling mud was shattered apart!
"Dodge, Seismitoad!"
Leon's brow furrowed as his instincts screamed danger. He had expected Mega Gyarados to be powerful—but not this powerful.
Seismitoad wasn't known for raw offense; it was a balanced Pokémon without glaring weaknesses.
But this was Leon's Seismitoad—stronger than most.
Yet even so, its Earth Power had been completely overpowered, torn apart by Gyarados's Aqua Tail like paper.
Seismitoad reacted swiftly, springing backward with strong legs just as the massive tail came crashing down.
BOOM!
Aqua Tail smashed into the arena floor, sending shockwaves through the entire stadium. The ground quaked under the sheer force of the impact.
What overwhelming power!
And because of the tremor, Seismitoad, just after landing, staggered slightly, unable to steady itself.
"Trying to run? You think you can?"
Lance's tone remained cold, a faint, almost sinister smile on his lips.
"Stone Edge!"
Mega Gyarados roared, summoning sharp stone blades in the air before firing them rapidly at Seismitoad.
"Drain Punch!" Leon ordered immediately.
Seismitoad forced itself upright, white light flaring in its palms as it swung its fists, shattering many of the flying stones.
Its movements were quick and powerful, but not perfect—the earlier tremors had thrown off its balance.
Some of the Stone Edge shards broke through its defense and struck its body directly.
And that wasn't even the worst of it.
"Aqua Tail!" Lance commanded again, his voice cold and emotionless.
The massive shadow of Gyarados's tail fell over Seismitoad—when it looked up, that enormous, water-wrapped tail was already upon it.
BOOM!!!
The impact resounded through the entire arena.
Aqua Tail landed squarely on Seismitoad, sending waves of dust and water flying.
"So fierce! So, this is the true power of Champion Lance?!"
Green's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the devastatingly powerful Mega Gyarados.
That brutal, unrelenting assault—it was suffocating!
The battle had barely begun, and yet Seismitoad was being completely dominated.
Mega Gyarados was relentless—utterly monstrous!
(End of Chapter)