In the real world, everyone was buzzing about the terrifying god-like shadow that had flashed by. If that really was Eternatus, it meant that Galar would face a massive crisis in the future! However... that was a problem for later.
For now, the motto remained: "Trust in Ash!"
In the Footage—
After a few small hiccups, Ash and Chloe finally arrived in the Galar region. After spending a night at a Pokémon Center, Ash dragged Chloe to Wyndon Stadium early the next morning!
The sheer scale of the stadium blew Ash away. In terms of size, none of the League Conference venues he had visited before could compare to Wyndon.
Inside, the stands were packed—hardly a single seat was empty! After all, this was the World Coronation Series Finals to decide the strongest monarch!
Soon, the contestants took the stage. On one side was Lance, the strongest trainer of Kanto/Johto and the winner of the Elite Four tournament.
On the other side was the undefeated king of Galar, the strongest Champion—Leon!
To Ash's surprise, the match was a 1v1. Usually, League top-sixteen matches were 6v6, yet the battle for the world's strongest was a single-round duel? Ash didn't dwell on it for long as both trainers released their partners.
Lance sent out his ace, Dragonite! Leon sent out his ace, Charizard!
The battle was fierce, a back-and-forth exchange of high-tier power. However, Leon gradually began to take the lead. Leon's Charizard was slightly stronger in raw power.
Even though Lance's Dragonite carried Rock-type moves (4x super-effective), Charizard also had Rock-type coverage to hit Dragonite for double damage.
Then, both initiated Dynamax! The balanced fight turned into a one-sided suppression. Leon's Gigantamax Charizard used G-Max Wildfire with masterful precision, bypassing Dragonite's Max Guard and inflicting passive damage.
In the end, Dragonite collapsed before its Dynamax timer even ran out.
Leon successfully defended his title as the Strongest Monarch!
[Lance: Why did I lose again?! Why didn't I Mega Evolve Dragonite?!]
[Wallace: To be fair, look at your outfit. Do you even see a Key Stone?]
Lance checked... he really didn't have one. He only wore a Dynamax Band. Does this mean my Dragonite can't Mega Evolve in the future? No way! It's been years! Mega Evolution should be common by then! Lance refused to accept this reality.
[Bruno: Lance, just admit it. Dragonite doesn't have a Mega form!!! Hahaha!]
[Lance: Shut it! Does your Machamp have one?]
[Bruno: ...]
Damn. If Machamp ever gets a Mega form, I'm coming back for you.
In the Footage—
After his defeat, Lance gracefully raised Leon's hand, acknowledging him as the world's strongest. In the stands, Ash's eyes sparkled. "The world's strongest... I've decided! I'm going to challenge Leon!!"
Chloe was stunned. Even though she was getting used to Ash's impulsiveness, this was a stretch.
You might be the Alola Champion, but that's Leon! Alola was a new league; compared to established regions, its prestige wasn't as high yet. She felt it was a bit too early for Ash to aim that high.
Unaware of Chloe's thoughts, Ash followed the crowd out of the stadium, already agonizing over how to get a match with Leon.
Outside, Team Rocket appeared! They were under Giovanni's orders to investigate Dynamax power and gauge the level of top trainers.
While trying to catch a Drednaw, they provoked it, causing it to suddenly Gigantamax due to unknown energy spikes! The giant Drednaw lost its mind and began destroying everything.
As spectators fled in panic, a bolt of golden lightning struck the Drednaw, drawing its attention.
The attackers were none other than Ash and Pikachu!
[Lance: Team Rocket causing trouble again!]
[Wallace: I wonder what benefit Ash will get this time?]
[Cynthia: You've analyzed them well. Team Rocket are the Kings of Support! Every mess they make ends up helping Ash in some way.]
Team Rocket trio in the real world wanted to argue, but the facts were undeniable. Jessie decided the best course of action was to play dead—if Giovanni saw them getting too much "positive" attention, they were toast.
In the Footage—
As Ash and Pikachu blocked the rampaging Drednaw, Leon noticed the tremors and rushed out of the stadium. Outside, Pikachu's Thunderbolt was doing almost no damage, despite Drednaw's Water/Rock typing.
Even with the HP boost from Dynamax, it shouldn't have been that tanky.
Suddenly, a shockwave of Dynamax energy erupted from the ground, surging into Pikachu! Pikachu's body began to swell, transforming into a massive, chubby Gigantamax Pikachu!
[Leon: What? Dynamaxing without a Dynamax Band? And Ash's Pikachu has a Gigantamax form!]
[Raihan: It must be the overflowing energy around Wyndon. Look at Drednaw—it's berserk. I wonder if Pikachu will lose control too...]
In the Footage—
Ash and Chloe were terrified by the giant Pikachu. It was Ash's first time seeing Dynamax up close, let alone using it. Knowing nothing about the mechanics, Ash just yelled, "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Chloe: "???"Are you really the Alola Champion? Dynamax changes your moves! And look at that body—does he look like he can use Quick Attack?
Pikachu didn't lose his mind. He tried to obey, but his massive size turned "Quick Attack" into a snail's crawl. Drednaw countered with Max Geyser, blasting the giant Pikachu into the stadium wall. Rain began to fall.
"You dummy, Ash! All moves turn into Max Moves! You can't use the old ones!" Chloe shouted. "Oh! Is that how it works? What can he use then?" "Electric moves become Max Lightning, Steel moves become Max Steelspike!"
"Got it! Pikachu, use Iron Tail to unleash Max Steelspike!!" Chloe: What kind of command is that?! Does he really understand?
Pikachu slammed his lightning-bolt tail into the ground. Giant, jagged iron spikes erupted from the earth, skewering the Drednaw for massive damage. Chloe was speechless—these two could really communicate through nonsense.
Leon arrived just in time to witness the battle. Seeing Ash's bond with the giant Pikachu, he decided to help.
He taught Ash how to use Pikachu's exclusive G-Max move: G-Max Volt Crash! With a colossal golden thunderbolt, the incident was over.
The next day, Ash and Chloe were in a dessert shop. Ash was still bummed he didn't get to battle Leon. Chloe sighed.
"If you're that bothered, why didn't you just tell him you're the First Champion of Alola? He probably wouldn't refuse a battle with a fellow Champion."
Ash blinked, pointing at himself. "A Champion? Me?" He had spent so long as a "challenger" that he had forgotten—he was now the one to be challenged.
He was no longer the kid who couldn't win a league; he was the Alola Champion.
"A Champion of Alola, huh? That sounds interesting." A voice came from behind them.
Ash and Chloe turned to see Leon standing there! He had come to thank them for their help and to see the boy who could Gigantamax without a band.
Leon was curious. Usually, forced Dynamax makes Pokémon berserk, but Pikachu remained perfectly sane.
And now, he found out this boy was a regional Champion! Alola was a new league, and news hadn't fully spread, but Leon didn't care about politics. To him, the boy in front of him was an equal—a fellow Champion.
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