"A battle between the true main aces…"
Lucas's lips curved slightly as he looked at the two Pokémon facing each other in the arena—Dragonite and Mega Charizard X.
This was it. The deciding clash.
This time, they were truly going head-to-head for victory.
Even though Charizard X had already fought one battle, its condition remained stable. It wasn't enough to hinder its performance in the slightest.
"As long as he can defeat this Dragonite, Leon still has a chance for one last fight!"
Raihan spoke in a deep, tense voice. Without realizing it, his hands had clenched tightly around his knees.
It was because he was nervous—terribly nervous.
Lance still had two Pokémon remaining, while Leon only had his Charizard X left!
If Leon could somehow take down this Dragonite, he might still be able to seize that final opportunity to turn things around.
"It'll be fine! Didn't the last Dragonite already fall to Charizard X?"
Milo —broad-shouldered and muscular—spoke with a strained breath, his whole body taut. Whether he said it to comfort himself or the others, even he wasn't sure.
This was… their final hope.
If they won, Galar's prestige would soar higher than ever before. But if they lost… Galar would become the butt of jokes across the regions for quite some time.
"This Dragonite…"
Cynthia furrowed her delicate brows, gazing at the Dragonite in the arena. Its aura felt cold and heavy, completely different from the two Dragonite before it.
"That's right," Steven said in a low, steady tone. "That should be Lance's true ace. It's obvious he's using this one to settle the score once and for all against Champion Leon."
Any experienced Trainer with a sharp enough eye could sense it—this Dragonite was not like the others.
The pressure it exuded was overwhelming. This was Lance's true trump card.
He wanted to decide the outcome of the match with this Dragonite alone.
And at this very moment, inside the battlefield—
"Charizard! Dragon Pulse!"
The silence was finally broken by Leon's commanding shout. He swung his arm sharply as his voice boomed across the arena, taking the initiative to attack.
Charizard X spread its wings wide, leaping into the sky with a powerful gust. In the next instant, a burst of brilliant dragon-shaped energy erupted from its mouth, slicing through the air toward Dragonite.
—Dragon Pulse!
"Rip through it, Dragonite!"
Lance's lips curled into a cold smile. Such a token greeting attack? Not worth his time.
Dragonite let out a deep growl, raising its strong foreclaws as a sharp greenish-blue glow flared around them.
With a beat of its small but powerful wings, Dragonite's entire body blurred into an orange streak, darting straight toward Charizard X at incredible speed.
"So fast!"
Bea's eyes widened in shock. This Dragonite's speed was astonishing!
Not just fast—it was powerful. Terrifyingly powerful.
Charizard X's Dragon Pulse shattered midair before it could even reach Dragonite, dissipating into flickering particles of light.
It had been torn apart—by Dragonite's Dragon Claw!
This Dragonite's strength already far surpassed the two that came before it.
"Dragon Rush!"
Leon's expression remained calm yet serious. He didn't seem shocked at Dragonite's display of power, as if he had already anticipated it.
Charizard X roared, its entire body bursting into blue energy shaped like a raging dragon.
The next second—it charged straight at Dragonite!
—Dragon Rush!
BOOM!
The two dragons collided in a furious explosion of light and energy.
The shockwave that followed surged outward in a violent burst. Dragonite's claws met Charizard X's Dragon Rush head-on.
But it was clear—Dragonite was gritting its teeth, its face contorted in strain. The pressure it was under was immense.
Dragon Claw simply couldn't match Dragon Rush in raw power. It was a difference between a standard move and a finishing technique—no contest.
Charizard X roared again, gathering all its remaining strength, and forced Dragonite backward with a mighty shove.
"Blast Burn!" Leon shouted sharply.
Charizard X's chest swelled, its belly inflating as searing fire built up in its throat.
"Dragonite!" Lance's eyes gleamed dangerously.
Though it had been forced back, Dragonite quickly steadied itself in midair—then, like a drawn arrow, shot forward again, straight at Charizard X!
"What?!"
Gasps erupted across the stands. Even Leon's eyes flickered in surprise.
Not good—he had underestimated it!
Dragonite had intentionally clashed claws with Dragon Rush earlier just to conserve its true power!
Before Charizard X could react, Dragonite was already in front of it.
In the next instant—before the fiery breath could leave Charizard X's mouth—Dragonite's icy, ruthless claws clamped down tightly around its throat!
The Blast Burn, barely formed, was cut off mid-charge—snuffed out before it could even ignite!
"Wait—what?! Is… is that even allowed?!"
Countless people in the audience stared wide-eyed, stunned speechless.
Not only had Dragonite pinned Charizard X's throat, but it had choked out its attack entirely!
Was this Dragonite… using martial arts?! It even knew how to chokehold!
"Charizard!"
Leon's voice deepened as he watched Charizard X struggle desperately, clawing at Dragonite's wrist to pry it off.
"Dragon Claw!"
Sharp azure energy flared along Charizard X's talons—it could barely move its neck, but its claws could still fight back!
"Blizzard!"
Lance smirked coldly. "You think I'll let it escape that easily?"
With a single beat of its wings, Dragonite gripped Charizard X by the neck and flipped downward, diving headfirst toward the battlefield at terrifying speed!
The sudden drop sent Charizard X's balance and strength scattering—the intense wind pressure and sheer velocity left it completely unable to fight back.
BOOM!
Dragonite slammed Charizard X into the arena floor with bone-shaking force.
A massive shockwave erupted, the earth cracking beneath the impact as Charizard X let out a pained groan—its whole body trembling under the immense pressure.
But Dragonite didn't stop there.
In one fluid motion, it spread its wings again, summoning a roaring blizzard that engulfed Charizard X in icy fury.
Blizzard!
Charizard X, being a Dragon–Fire type, resisted Fire, Water, and Electric moves, but Ice-type attacks hit with full power.
"Charizard!"
Leon's expression sank. The barrage was relentless—Lance wasn't giving him any room to breathe.
And Leon could tell—it wasn't over yet.
"Dragon Rush!"
Lance's cold, emotionless command cut through the howling storm.
Dragonite growled, its body glowing with violent energy once again, forming into the shape of a dragon before hurling itself toward Charizard X.
"Blast Burn!" Leon's heart pounded. "Charizard, counter it—now!"
If Charizard X took this hit head-on, it would be completely finished.
Lying in a crater, barely conscious, Charizard X forced its eyes open—the Dragon Rush was already upon it.
It bit down hard, forcing every last ounce of strength from its body.
Its right claw slammed into the ground.
—Blast Burn!
The ultimate Fire-type technique, one only the Fire-type starters could learn—the most powerful attack Charizard possessed!
The ground beneath it cracked open as scorching crimson light poured from the fissures.
The temperature soared to unbearable heights.
Then—an eruption of pure destruction.
Flames burst from the ground like a volcano, swallowing Charizard X in its own inferno while engulfing the charging Dragonite at the same time!
Leon's eyes locked on the blazing sea of fire. This was Charizard's final act of defiance, the last move it could possibly muster.
BOOM!
The explosion roared, shaking the entire battlefield.
When the flames cleared, Dragonite—its scales scorched black—shot out of the inferno and landed heavily before Lance.
Its gaze remained cold, sharp, and unyielding.
"Looks like… it didn't work," Lance murmured softly.
He glanced at Dragonite. Though it still stood strong, the damage from Blast Burn was evident. Fire may not have been super effective—but that kind of power left its mark.
The flames finally faded, revealing Charizard X.
Its entire body was covered in wounds—far more than Dragonite's—and its breathing was ragged and uneven.
But even so, the spectators from Galar finally let out a collective breath of relief.
That could have gone much worse.
If Dragonite's Dragon Rush had connected cleanly just now, Charizard X would've been utterly finished.
As it stood, it could still barely fight on.
"What kind of wild fighting style was that?!"
Green finally snapped out of her stunned silence, blurting out the first thing that came to mind.
That move—grabbing Charizard X by the throat mid-attack—was absurd!
She'd never seen anything like it before!
"Lance's use of Dragonite is truly extraordinary," Lucas admitted with a nod. "He's making full use of its physical prowess. A Pokémon battle isn't just about moves—it's about adaptability, body control, and using the field."
Indeed, top-tier Trainers knew how to integrate physical maneuvers into combat.
It was like Ash's Buizel in the Sinnoh League, using the flotation sac around its neck to alter water flow—or Paul's Drapion, whose pincers and tail were used masterfully in close combat.
A true Trainer knew how to maximize every advantage.
Still… that chokehold technique from Dragonite? It was almost too clever for comfort.
And yet, it worked beautifully.
Charizard X, which had been on equal footing, was suddenly thrown into a losing position in an instant.
"At this point, Leon's in real trouble…"
Marnie frowned, her voice low as she watched the ongoing clash.
Even though Charizard X had managed to survive the previous exchange, the momentum was clearly no longer in Leon's favor.
Against someone like Lance—a Champion among Champions—trying to regain the upper hand after falling behind was practically impossible.
Leon had simply been caught off guard.
"Unless something drastic happens," Lucas murmured, "it's over."
He wasn't wrong. Dragonite held the advantage now. Charizard X's chances of turning things around were slim.
Their duel raged on, close combat and long-range attacks colliding in dazzling succession, thrilling every spectator in the stands.
But what looked like an even match was, for Leon, a losing battle.
And finally—the decisive moment arrived.
"Outrage!"
Leon's eyes burned as he called the command. This was his last stand.
Charizard X roared, its eyes turning blood-red as its aura flared violently around it.
It was surrounded by savage dragon-shaped energy once again—Dragon Rush!
"The final strike, huh? Fine, let's end this!"
"Dragonite! Dragon Rush!"
Lance's grin turned fierce and wild as he threw his arm forward.
The battle between dragons would end as it began—head-on, no retreat.
Both Pokémon were now cloaked in a crimson hue, their auras flaring wildly as they charged.
BOOM!
Their two Dragon Rushes collided in midair.
For a moment, even the air seemed to stop. Then the explosion came—massive waves of force rippled outward, tearing at the atmosphere itself.
The shockwave was so intense that even spectators in the stands felt it. The winds lashed their faces painfully, forcing them to shield their eyes.
"Holy crap—this is insane!"
One viewer squinted through the gale, only to see the entire sky lit in violent blue energy.
It was absolute madness.
"Who's going to win?!"
Iris clung to Alder's sleeve, her wide eyes fixed on the maelstrom in the sky, filled with excitement and awe.
They couldn't see clearly through the energy storm—but everyone desperately wanted to know… who would stand victorious?
BOOOOM!
At last, a thunderous explosion split the heavens.
The two dragons were blasted apart, their bodies hurtling toward the ground.
"Who is it?!"
Everyone in the stands rose to their feet.
Both were down. Only one would rise again.
Leon was almost certainly finished—Lance still had another Pokémon waiting—but right now, everyone's focus was on these two titans.
Dragonite or Charizard X… which dragon would stand tall at the end?
Leon's fists tightened as he stared into the settling dust, heart pounding.
He could barely make out the faint silhouette of Charizard X—struggling, trembling, trying to rise.
And across the field—Dragonite was doing the same.
Both were battered. Both refused to yield.
Who… would be the last one standing?
(End of Chapter)