Peter stood before the ancient monument in Eterna City, eyes fixed on the towering stone carving.
"Dialga… and Palkia."
He spoke the names calmly, without hesitation.
Cynthia raised a brow.
She had been observing him all morning.
Earlier, she'd read Lucian's message in their private group chat. According to his research, Dynamax was a phenomenon specific to the Galar region—an unstable energy overflow currently being studied under Chairman Rose's sponsorship by Professor Magnolia.
Which meant—
Peter not only understood Mega Evolution.
He also understood Dynamax?
He was eighteen.
A rookie Trainer.
And yet—
Every Pokémon on his team was exceptional. Even without him, they could naturally grow into Elite Four or Champion-tier powerhouses.
When compared to that, his "achievements" so far suddenly seemed almost… ordinary.
"Maybe he really does possess something extraordinary…" Cynthia brushed a strand of golden hair from her forehead.
Despite their short acquaintance, she had clearly seen the deep bond between him and his Pokémon. That was why she had encrypted his information within League records.
She wasn't wary.
She was impressed.
…
"There's probably nothing else to see here, right?" Peter glanced around, then casually took out the egg Nurse Joy had given him and began polishing it with nutrient solution.
Cynthia stepped forward, eyes scanning the ancient inscription.
"All life meets other life… and from those encounters, something new is born."
She turned.
"Isn't that fascinating?"
Peter smiled.
"Maybe that's the meaning of travel. Pokémon make us want to get closer to them… and in their own way, they leave marks on our lives that can never be erased."
He paused.
"Or maybe I just call it… a bond."
Without another word, he released his team—
Lopunny, Arboliva, Indeedee, Vigoroth, Zorua, and Rufflet.
Six pairs of bright eyes surrounded him.
For a moment, their heartbeats felt synchronized.
Cynthia's gaze softened.
"You really are surprising. I haven't felt this in a long time… the sense that someone might become a worthy opponent."
Peter met her eyes.
"Be more confident."
"Remove the 'might.'"
"One day, I'll defeat everyone."
She laughed.
"Battle me. I'm feeling restless."
Garchomp stepped forward.
Its chin lowered slightly—
A gesture of acknowledgment.
Peter blinked.
"…I just hyped myself up a little. Why does this escalate so fast?"
Cynthia smirked.
"You may use all six. If you can last twenty minutes against Garchomp—or force it outside the field—you win."
Peter waved his hands.
"Nope. I refuse. Only fools volunteer for suffering."
But his six Pokémon stepped forward together.
Silently.
Choosing.
Peter sighed.
"Managing this team is exhausting…"
He stood, brushed off his clothes, stored the egg carefully.
His gaze sharpened.
"Then please guide me, Cynthia."
"You indulge them a lot," she said lightly.
"If they want it, I'll do it," Peter replied calmly.
"And we're not guaranteed to lose."
"Mi-lo!"
"Li-va!"
"Ai!"
"Lei!"
"Zorua!"
"Chiu!"
Their expressions mirrored his own.
Fierce.
Determined.
…
System Notification
[Limited-Time Mission: Challenge the Master]
Requirement: Face Sinnoh Champion Cynthia and achieve a spectacular, unexpected victory.
Reward: Random Cross-Species TM ×2
Peter narrowed his eyes.
"…Guess I really do have to take this seriously."
…
Cynthia folded her arms.
"Your move."
Garchomp stepped forward.
[Garchomp Lv.79 (Champion – Advanced)]
Peter inhaled slowly.
He recalled his team.
After a brief hesitation, he chose.
"First round is yours, Lopunny."
Light burst forth—
Lopunny landed gracefully, Mega Stone around her neck glinting faintly.
Against a monster like Garchomp, she entered full battle stance instantly.
Peter raised his left arm.
The Key Stone embedded within his Dynamax Band began to glow.
"Let's show Cynthia our bond."
"Lopunny—Mega Evolve!"
Golden radiance erupted from the Key Stone, merging into Lopunny's form. Twin spirals of rainbow light burst outward.
In the next instant—
Mega Lopunny had already closed the distance.
"Fake Out!"
"Dragon Claw."
Both commands rang out simultaneously.
A massive spectral palm slammed into Garchomp's shoulder—
Its claws faltered briefly.
Only briefly.
Garchomp's eyes sharpened again.
Peter's heart tightened.
"Use the momentum to disengage! Sweet Kiss!"
The Dragon Claw sliced through the air, distorting space itself. Lopunny pivoted, ears snapping against the claw to redirect force, then flipped backward midair—launching a pink heart-shaped kiss.
Cynthia spoke calmly.
"Sandstorm."
Garchomp dispersed its claw energy.
The battlefield erupted.
A suffocating sandstorm surged outward from beneath its feet, forming a swirling wall of grit.
Sweet Kiss vanished against the sand barrier.
Peter's expression darkened.
One move.
Just one.
And Cynthia had created both offense and defense.
This Sandstorm wasn't ordinary—it hit like Scorching Sands in sheer pressure.
Lopunny's speed advantage? Reduced.
Battlefield initiative? Seized.
And worst of all—
Sandstorm's residual damage would break Zorua's Illusion immediately.
Three birds.
One stone.
Under such a massive level gap, Sand Veil further boosted Garchomp's evasiveness.
Peter felt at least twenty percent of his win probability evaporate instantly.
Sinnoh Champion.
Truly terrifying.
And the battle had only just begun.
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T/N:
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