The first day's round of 16 had ended, and the four trainers who advanced were already the center of heated discussion.
And once again, Kanto dominated the conversation.
Why?
Because among the four who had advanced — aside from May — every single one was from Kanto.
(What else could "strongest region" possibly mean.jpg)
Kanto fans straightened their backs with pride. And with Dylan and Leaf still unmatched, if everything lined up perfectly, Kanto could send five trainers into the top 8!
If that really happened, it'd practically be a national holiday for Kanto citizens.
And at this point, Dylan was considered guaranteed to advance — none of the remaining eight could stop him.
So now, for Kanto fans, the real question was whether Leaf could hold her own.
Hilda had plenty of thoughts about that.
The next day arrived quickly, and the competition resumed.
"Among the eight remaining, as long as we don't hit Dylan, and we don't have to fight each other, we all still have a good chance of breaking in together."
Leon looked at the eight portraits on the big screen.
Dylan, Leaf, Leon, Gloria, Selene, Cynthia, Dawn, Blue.
"Mhm!" Gloria nodded vigorously — she thought so too.
As the host announced the draw, the portraits began spinning rapidly.
Soon, the first portrait stopped — a blue-haired girl in a white wool cap.
Dawn of Sinnoh!
"Eh? It's me?" Dawn brightened immediately, delighted to see her face appear.
"I hope you match with someone suitable," Cynthia said with a warm smile.
Moments later, Dawn's opponent flashed onto the screen — and she froze.
Shining blonde hair, elegant pale face —It was Cynthia.
Dawn vs. Cynthia.
A Sinnoh civil war.
"W-what??" Dawn was stunned.
"So our battle begins here, Dawn."
Cynthia raised her brows a little, but then smiled and turned to her young challenger.
"Cynthia…!"
"Don't hesitate, Dawn. You want to become Sinnoh Champion, don't you? Then on this grand stage, show me everything you have."
Cynthia swept her long golden hair back, her voice gentle.
No matter what, a battle against Dawn was inevitable. If fate arranged it for today, all the better.
"Yes! I understand!"
Dawn's eyes flared with determination.
Becoming a champion as strong and graceful as Cynthia — that was her dream. And today was the greatest chance she could ask for.
Facing Cynthia on such a stage was enough to ignite her blood.
That's the gaze I wanted to see. Dawn… I believe you'll surpass me one day.
Seeing the fierce resolve in Dawn's eyes, Cynthia couldn't help but smile deeply.
Since accepting Dawn's challenge last year, she had known — this girl's talent far exceeded her own.
Dawn was a natural-born monster.
But to reach the top of Sinnoh, she would still have to topple its highest peak.
Cynthia — Sinnoh's strongest Champion.
"Now, let's welcome both trainers!"
The announcer roared.
"Dawn!"
"Cynthia!"
Thunderous applause filled the arena as the two silhouettes emerged.
"Damn it! Why did Dawn have to run into Cynthia? That's so unlucky!"
"Look at it another way — at least one of them is guaranteed a place in the top 8. Depends on whether Cynthia can withstand Dawn's impact…"
"I still don't think Dawn can beat Cynthia."
"Where does your confidence come from? Even Leon can't be sure of beating Selene right now. Unless Sinnoh's 'monster' isn't a real monster after all."
"These new-era monsters are insane. I honestly think Cynthia isn't Dawn's match anymore."
Excitement filled both the arena and the livestream chat.
Cynthia's popularity was among the highest of any Champion — beauty, grace, personality — she was flawless.
Her strength was undisputed as well. Although the rise of the "monsters" knocked her out of the Master Class, she still held a stable spot within the top 20.
Unlike a certain Water-type Champion, who was about to slip into the thirties…
The rules were announced, the coin toss spun — and landed on Cynthia.
She would move first.
"What a pity."
"What are you pitying?" Leaf eyed Dylan suspiciously.
"I kinda wanted to fight Cynthia."
Dylan sighed wistfully. As Sinnoh's Champion, she deserved to witness Sinnoh's "High Deity" in person — meaning Arceus.
He had been planning to give someone the honor of facing Arceus directly… but now Cynthia wouldn't be that someone.
"You like Cynthia that much? You want to eliminate her personally?" Leaf blinked. Lillie also glanced over.
"What? No. It's just—you know. I don't know who to use it on."
Dylan looked genuinely troubled. Arceus had agreed to take the field for him once.
A blessing beyond words.
But deciding who would experience Arceus' divine smiting?That was the problem.
"…"Leaf's eyelid twitched wildly.
Cynthia hadn't offended him in the least — they got along well! And he still wanted to hit her with Arceus?
"Who do you think will win, Dylan?"
Leaf ignored that entire disaster of a topic. Who Dylan planned to smite with Arceus was none of her business.
Whoever that "lucky" victim was, their expression would definitely be unforgettable. Honestly, Leaf kind of wanted to see it.
"How do I see it? With my eyes." Dylan shrugged.
"Cynthia… probably isn't Dawn's match," Lillie said hesitantly.
"Not 'probably.' Definitely. Cynthia isn't her match." Leaf shook her head.
"Cynthia's strong, and she's improved a lot. But it's not enough," Dylan added.
And sure enough, the outcome required no explanation. Cynthia couldn't stop the monster that was Dawn.
Her ace, Mega Garchomp, finally fell to Dawn's Water Tera Empoleon.
Dawn advanced.
Cynthia accepted the result without bitterness — instead, she was happy.
Happy that Dawn had surpassed her.
The fifth slot in the top eight was set.
After a short break, the sixth match was drawn.
Only six trainers remained — and among them lurked a final boss.
The screen froze.
Leaf vs. Rosa!
"Eh? Another Unova challenger?" Leaf blinked. Rosa, like Hilda, was from Unova too.
"Great!! Perfect!!"
On the other side, Rosa practically bounced with excitement.
"Hilda, sit tight and watch. I'll avenge you today! How dare she eliminate you just because she's cute?!"
"Hmph! Even heaven wants me to win!"
Rosa stood tall, fiery with confidence.
"…I lost because I wasn't good enough. What are you even talking about?" Hilda stared at the dramatic, chuunibyou bun-headed girl.
"And don't underestimate Rosa. Her Pokémon… feel weird. Or maybe she does."
Hilda rubbed her brows. She wasn't sure how to phrase it — something about Rosa was off.
"Indeed. Be cautious. That child defeated Hilda," Alder warned.
"Hmph! Relax! I never underestimate my opponents. But I believe in myself — I won't lose to a little kid like Hilda did."
Rosa waved dismissively.
She was Rosa! Unova's representative! Other than Dylan, who could beat her?
No one! Obviously no one!
She was unstoppable in Unova!
"You just keep bragging. You're gonna eat those words later," Hilda muttered.
"Don't make me laugh, Hilda. That girl, Leaf or whatever — I'll crush her!"
"Top 8! I'm coming!"
Then—
"This is impossible!! Why is she that strong?!"
Rosa stared blankly at her collapsed Serperior… and then at the adorable little Pichu covered in tiny red flowers.
Snake eats mouse — that was the rule, wasn't it?!
And what was with that Volt Tackle? Why was it so strong?Where was she borrowing that power from?!
Rosa felt dizzy. Her worldview cracked.
"Serperior is unable to battle. Pichu wins!"
"All six of Rosa's Pokémon are down. Leaf is the winner and advances!"
The referee declared the result mercilessly.
Leaf advanced — overjoyed.
Rosa was eliminated — heartbroken — especially remembering all her bold declarations beforehand.
It hurt. A lot.
Then came the afternoon match.
Ever since noon, Leon felt strangely uneasy — his eyelids kept twitching nonstop.
Soon, he found out why.
"I KNEW it. Only four of us left — of course it'd be me."
Leon smacked his face with a loud slap, unable to look at the screen.
Two portraits appeared:
Leon on the left.Dylan on the right.
Leon vs. Dylan.
Leon felt absolute despair.
There were fifteen possible opponents.Why… WHY him?
He worked so hard for Galar, lived with integrity, had no vices — well, unless loving battles counted.
Wait…
Suddenly, he remembered.
Last time they fought, Dylan had told him:
Next time, he wouldn't use any broken dragon-type legends.
(End of Chapter)