"This is getting a bit troublesome… Dragapult's speed and offensive power are simply too outstanding."
In the audience, Cassius Blackthorn spoke with concern.
That's right—his own son was challenging Leon, the strongest Champion of the Galar region. Naturally, he had come in person to watch the battle.
"Since my cousin isn't switching Pokémon, he probably has his own plan,"
Clair frowned slightly as well. Judging from the brief exchange just now, Dragapult had clearly gained the upper hand.
But since Lucas hadn't chosen to switch out Galarian Moltres, it meant he must have a countermeasure in mind… right?
"There's really no need to worry, Uncle~ Even if Galarian Moltres gets defeated, it's totally fine."
"After all, Moltres has only been trained for about a year. Among Lucas's Pokémon, it's not exactly one of the most outstanding ones."
Green comforted Cassius with a smile, completely unconcerned. At worst, Galarian Moltres would be knocked out—that was all.
In the first place, Galarian Moltres was just a vanguard. Defeating Inteleon meant it had already completed its mission.
Besides, who would ultimately win or lose was still far from decided.
On the battlefield—
"Dragapult, Draco Meteor!"
Leon once again chose to go on the offensive. Since Dragapult currently held the advantage, it was only natural to seize the initiative.
In front of Dragapult, an incomparably pure Draco Meteor condensed, then shot high into the sky.
After ascending, the meteor—seemingly containing the vastness of the stars—burst apart, countless dragon meteors streaking across the heavens and raining down.
"Trying to seal Moltres' movements, huh?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. With a single glance at the dazzling, gorgeous Draco Meteor, he immediately understood Leon's intention.
"If you look at it as fireworks, it's actually quite nice."
Lucas commented casually. Since Inteleon's Rain Dance effect had yet to fade, dark clouds still blanketed the sky above Wyndon Stadium, rain pouring down relentlessly.
The beautiful dragon meteors falling through the gloomy sky were indeed quite a sight to behold.
"Then let's properly enjoy this beautiful fireworks display."
"Dragapult, Dragon Claw!"
Having his powerful Draco Meteor likened to fireworks, Leon didn't get angry at all. Instead, he calmly issued another command.
Dragapult's gloomy triangular eyes locked tightly onto Galarian Moltres, and its figure moved in an instant.
Like a green shadow, it shot toward Galarian Moltres at extreme speed.
"Hurricane!"
"SCREEE—!"
Galarian Moltres let out a sharp cry as it slammed its wings downward.
An incomparably violent gale erupted instantly. Razor-sharp wind blades mixed with icy rain surged toward Dragapult alongside the storm!
The terrifying tempest rushing head-on caused Dragapult's charging figure to halt abruptly!
"The power of Hurricane has increased."
Leon's expression tightened as he looked at Dragapult being suppressed by the storm, instantly realizing the reason.
Although he didn't know why, Galarian Moltres' Hurricane was clearly much stronger than before.
"Phantom Force!"
Thoughts raced through Leon's mind as he shouted the command to Dragapult at lightning speed.
The fierce wind was slamming directly into it—under these conditions, Dragapult had no way to get close to Galarian Moltres.
A ghostly glimmer flashed in Dragapult's eyes. A sinister spatial shadow appeared behind it, and Dragapult's body slid eerily into the shadow, vanishing completely.
The Ghost-type move—Phantom Force!
"Moltres, stay alert."
Lucas's eyes swept continuously around Galarian Moltres, warning it.
Phantom Force was an extremely tricky move, but as long as one could grasp the opponent's ambush position, its threat would drop drastically.
"Fiery Wrath!"
It was still necessary to prepare a decisive move.
Galarian Moltres spread its wings as black-and-red, flame-like aura poured forth. Terrifying energy gathered around its body.
This time, Fiery Wrath wasn't released from underground—after all, Dragapult was airborne.
Leon didn't rush to have Dragapult attack immediately. His gaze flicked repeatedly upward.
The Draco Meteor Dragapult had prepared earlier was about to arrive!
"Dodge."
Lucas raised his eyebrows slightly. So, everything had been calculated from the start?
He glanced at Leon, indeed worthy of being a world-class top-tier trainer.
Dragon meteors plummeted toward Galarian Moltres at high speed. Moltres had no choice but to continuously change positions; getting struck by one of those meteors would not be pleasant at all.
But—
"Dragapult!" Leon suddenly shouted.
Just as Galarian Moltres evaded one falling meteor, a spatial shadow surfaced behind it.
Dragapult drifted out from the shadow, its claws gleaming with ghostly light as they slashed viciously toward Galarian Moltres!
"Fiery Wrath!"
Galarian Moltres spun around instantly, black-and-red energy erupting violently from its entire body.
Fiery Wrath!
Terrifying black-and-red power surged outward, engulfing Dragapult at point-blank range!
Dragapult's triangular eyes sharpened as its claws accelerated, slamming heavily into Galarian Moltres.
Agonizing pain struck at once. Galarian Moltres was sent flying violently—but that was enough!
Fiery Wrath had already erupted, completely swallowing Dragapult.
"It reacted even in that situation?"
Leon frowned deeply. That strike should have been Dragapult's chance to seize control of the battle—yet Galarian Moltres had actually managed to counterattack.
That reaction speed was outrageously fast!
"Dragon Rush!"
Without overthinking it, Leon shouted the command.
Having endured the furious bombardment of Fiery Wrath, Dragapult forced itself through the pain and burst out of the energy, charging straight toward Galarian Moltres.
"Dark Pulse!"
Lucas issued the order without hesitation.
Galarian Moltres beat its wings forcefully, barely stabilizing its body as it flew backward, then fired a black wave of energy from its beak.
The dragon-shaped aura had already formed around Dragapult—it didn't dodge at all.
BOOM!
Dark Pulse exploded violently against Dragapult, but in the next instant, a ferocious dragon burst forth from the shattered energy.
With no chance to evade, Galarian Moltres could only watch as Dragapult slammed straight into its body.
Excruciating pain surged as tremendous force carried Galarian Moltres downward, smashing it heavily into the battlefield!
The entire arena shook violently.
"At this point… even for a legendary…?"
The last traces of rain washed away the dust. Leon stared at the massive crater, where Galarian Moltres lay on its back.
In Leon's view, even with a legendary's physique, Galarian Moltres should be just about finished now.
But before Leon's thoughts could settle, Galarian Moltres moved!
Bracing itself with its wings, it pushed its body up, its ferocious eyes locking onto Dragapult in midair.
"What the hell?! It can still keep fighting?"
Not only Leon—gasps echoed throughout the entire stadium.
After all, Galarian Moltres had already fought two consecutive battles and been hit many times.
It had even tanked two Dragon Rushes from a Dragon Dance–boosted Dragapult!
And it was still standing?!
"It's not just stamina anymore, its willpower is unbelievably tenacious."
Red's crimson eyes shone brilliantly. He had always loved Pokémon with such indomitable resolve.
"I really don't know how Lucas trains his Pokémon normally… this is truly impressive."
Blue raised his brows as well, equally astonished by Galarian Moltres' resilience.
"Dragon Rush!"
Leon commanded in a deep voice. Since the opponent still hadn't given up, then it was time to deliver the finishing blow.
Dragapult floated slightly, then suddenly launched itself toward Galarian Moltres.
The dragon-shaped aura gathered densely around Dragapult's body.
"Fiery Wrath!" Lucas ordered without hesitation.
"SCREEEE—!"
Galarian Moltres let out a piercing screech as a visually overwhelming flame-like aura spread outward.
Dense black-and-red energy surged up from the ground.
As Dragapult's Dragon Rush drew closer, it was as if a volcano erupted—black-and-red energy blasted skyward from the ground!
Fiery Wrath!
The dragon formed by Dragapult plunged straight into the raging black-and-red energy.
BOOM—!!
A thunderous explosion echoed as the energy of Fiery Wrath detonated completely, violent shockwaves rippling outward.
As the dust slowly cleared, Dragapult rose steadily into the air. On the ground below, Galarian Moltres had finally lost the ability to battle.
Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly, let out a soft chuckle, and lifted his Poké Ball to recall Galarian Moltres.
Compared to Leon's mainstay Pokémon that had been trained for many years, Galarian Moltres, trained for only a year, was still somewhat immature.
And it wasn't a loss at all. Lucas glanced at Dragapult, which was clearly injured as well.
After taking two Fiery Wrath hits, Dragapult's stamina had also been heavily drained.
"Moltres has lost the ability to battle. Dragapult wins!"
The referee announced the result.
"WOOOOOO—!!"
As Leon successfully pulled back a round, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the stadium.
"As expected, you're not someone to underestimate, Champion Leon."
Lucas took out another Poké Ball, enlarging it as he slowly rotated it in his hand, smiling at Leon.
"I said it before. The battle has only just begun!"
Leon smiled faintly and replied in a deep voice.
Defeating Galarian Moltres had relieved a great deal of psychological pressure.
To be honest, seeing Galarian Moltres still standing at the end had put him under enormous strain. Dragapult needed to preserve its condition, yet it had still been worn down by Moltres in the end.
"That's true. If it were just a simple steamroll, it would be far less fun."
Lucas lowered his head with a soft laugh, then flicked his wrist and threw his Poké Ball.
"Then, Champion Leon. Your second opponent will be this one!"
"Prepare for battle! Gardevoir!"
The Poké Ball opened midair in a flash of white light. The elegant and graceful Gardevoir spun lightly as it landed on the field.
Raising its head slightly, Gardevoir's clear, gentle eyes gazed calmly at Dragapult.
Leon's eyes narrowed.
This was one of Lucas's true main forces!
(End of Chapter)