As the clash between Gigantamax and Mega Evolution reached its climax, G-Max Wildfire roared forward like a blazing meteor descending from the heavens, hurtling straight toward Mega Metagross.
At the same moment, Mega Metagross unleashed a Hyper Beam.
The orange-gold pillar of energy shot directly toward Gigantamax Charizard.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted as the two attacks collided.
A violent shockwave spread across the battlefield in every direction.
Fortunately, both Leon and Steven were top-tier Trainers.
They had long grown accustomed to the aftermath of battles like this and were unaffected by the powerful blast.
As the smoke gradually cleared, Mega Metagross remained standing.
However, its silver body was covered in wounds.
As a Steel-type Pokémon, it had naturally suffered tremendously after enduring such overwhelming Fire-type attacks.
Meanwhile, Leon's Gigantamax Charizard still stood proudly, radiating overwhelming power.
Seeing this, Aiden's expression changed ever so slightly.
He realized that if he were the one facing Leon's Charizard, only the very strongest Pokémon in his own first-string lineup would be capable of defeating it.
From the perspective of raw power, Gigantamax's enhancement only lasted for three turns.
Because of that limitation, the boost it granted was exceptionally explosive.
With two turns already having passed, Leon's eyes revealed a hint of admiration.
"You're quite strong."
"But..."
"Can you withstand Charizard's third attack?"
"Charizard, use Burn Up!"
At Leon's command, Gigantamax Charizard let out a thunderous roar.
An overwhelming inferno burst forth, surging toward Mega Metagross.
"Mega Metagross, use Psychic!"
An immense wave of psychic power wrapped itself around Charizard.
Even Leon's ace grimaced as a sharp pain struck its mind, roaring in discomfort.
Yet despite that, Charizard continued pressing forward and unleashed Burn Up without hesitation.
The flames burned as though they intended to incinerate everything before them.
Mega Metagross could endure no longer.
It was completely engulfed by the Fire-type's ultimate attack.
At that exact moment, Gigantamax reached its time limit.
Charizard returned to its original size.
Mega Metagross also reverted from its Mega Evolution.
Its eyes had become spirals.
Steven...
Had lost.
Watching even Steven fall in battle, everyone at the Hoenn League finally understood just how terrifying Leon truly was.
"This guy's a monster!"
"How can that Charizard possibly be this strong?!"
"Even Mr. Steven couldn't defeat him?"
"He's beaten both Mr. Wallace's ace and Mr. Steven's ace in succession!"
"I wonder if Champion Aiden can stop him?"
"He came here looking for a fight."
"This feels like a direct challenge to the Hoenn League!"
"Are Trainers from Galar really this powerful?"
"Why have we never heard of them before?"
Ignoring the surrounding discussions, Steven quietly recalled Metagross.
His face was filled with disappointment.
Like Wallace, he had originally believed his own strength would be enough to teach this so-called Champion from Galar a lesson.
Only after the battle did he realize the truth.
He was nowhere near Leon—or his Charizard.
The man really was that strong.
Ordinarily, the Champions of each region were all roughly on the same level.
Leon standing head and shoulders above Trainers like Lance, Cynthia, and Steven was largely because he had been destined to become Ash's final opponent.
That was why his strength was portrayed as so extraordinary.
After his defeat, Steven returned to Aiden and Wallace with a helpless smile.
"I couldn't beat him."
"It's your turn now."
Aiden nodded before walking onto the battlefield.
Looking toward Leon, he smiled.
"Mr. Leon."
"Your Charizard has already fought two consecutive battles and has even used Gigantamax."
"Why don't we let it rest for the night?"
"Once your Dynamax Band has fully recharged, we'll have our battle tomorrow."
Leon had originally intended to continue immediately and test Aiden's strength.
However, hearing Aiden casually mention the Dynamax Band surprised him.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Very well."
"Then tomorrow..."
"Let's have a three-on-three battle."
"I've been looking forward to fighting you, Aiden."
Aiden smiled.
"Of course."
"You traveled all the way to Hoenn."
"As Champion of the Hoenn League, it's only right that I grant your request."
Turning toward Glacia, he said,
"Elite Four Glacia, since Champion Leon is visiting Hoenn for the first time, why don't you show him around the region?"
Glacia immediately accepted the assignment.
After Leon and Glacia departed, Steven, Wallace, Drake, and the others gathered around Aiden.
"Are you confident?"
"A three-on-three battle..."
"After Gigantamax, that Charizard's presence felt even more terrifying than your Infernape."
Wallace sighed.
"Seriously... where did another monster like him come from?"
"Then again, you're a monster too."
"Perhaps only monsters can fight monsters."
Aiden laughed.
"Leon defeated both of our Vice Champions."
"But tomorrow..."
"I will win."
"And I'll defeat him overwhelmingly."
Hearing Aiden's confident declaration, everyone immediately understood.
The real showdown...
Would finally begin.
...
The next morning, at precisely nine o'clock.
Leon woke early, finished his warm-up, and arrived at the League's exclusive battle stadium to await Aiden.
Not long afterward, the arena was surrounded by countless spectators.
Only then did Aiden finally arrive.
The moment Leon saw him, he smiled.
"Aiden."
"Let's begin."
"I've been looking forward to this battle for a long time."
Aiden smiled back.
"As you wish."
The two Champions walked to opposite ends of the battlefield.
The referee stepped between them and raised the flags.
"The following match is between Champion Aiden Flint of the Hoenn League and Champion Leon of the Galar region!"
"Each Trainer may use three Pokémon."
"The battle ends when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to continue!"
"Now then..."
"Battle, begin!"
"Both Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, Leon threw a Poké Ball.
A flash of white light illuminated the battlefield.
A Cinderace landed gracefully before him.
Ding! Cinderace's current attributes are as follows:
Pokémon: Cinderace
Level: 89
Ability: Libero
Type: Fire
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Gigantamax: Gigantamax Cinderace
Moves: Double Kick, Flame Charge, Agility, Headbutt, Bounce, Counter, Court Change, Fire Blast, Blast Burn, Burn Up...
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