"Now, let's welcome our two competitors to the field!"
The slick-backed host shouted with a voice louder than ever, practically pouring every ounce of strength into the announcement.
"Dylan!!"
"Leon!!"
"WOO––!!"
Amid deafening screams, two silhouettes slowly emerged from the opposite player tunnels.
"AAAAAH! Champion Dylan!!"
"The unbeatable Champion!"
"Show us what true Dark-type supremacy looks like!"
"Why is it Leon again… he really doesn't deserve this..."
"Finally!! Hahaha—seeing Champion Dylan battle in person!"
Without a doubt, the entire Indigo Arena had exploded with energy. The overwhelming hype had ignited the entire venue until it was boiling over.
The strongest Champion! The undisputed world No. 1!
"Holy—this is insane! What is happening?!" Misty's ears were ringing from the sudden eruption of screams. She stared blankly at the crowd, faces flushed red as they shouted their lungs out.
It took several full minutes before the arena finally calmed down to a manageable level.
"Dylan's popularity is just that high. Universally acknowledged as No. 1—no one can question it," Professor Oak muttered while rubbing his temples. He was getting old, and this noise level was starting to become lethal.
Still, he wasn't surprised at all.
"But last time it wasn't this exaggerated," Gary said, puzzled.
"That was different. Last time he fought Wallace. This time it's Leon." Oak shook his head.
"Wallace's popularity can't compare to Leon's. And the first battle that truly made Dylan's name echo across the world was against Leon."
"Even now, that match is still talked about. In sheer spectacle, nothing can surpass it. Those Dark-type legends aren't something anyone gets to see."
"Though for poor Leon, the experience probably wasn't great."
Oak chuckled. He personally loved seeing those mythical beasts fight.
But if you stood where Leon had stood… it was probably pure suffering. Absolutely no battle experience—just overwhelming pressure.
Of course, the audience didn't care. All they wanted was excitement, and seeing legendary Pokémon unleash their power right in front of them was more than enough.
"And today, it's Dylan vs. Leon again. What do you think Dylan will use this time?"
Oak stroked his chin with interest.
From both a viewer and professional standpoint, he desperately hoped Dylan would bring more rare legendary Pokémon to fight Leon.
"Hmmmm…"
Misty and the others exchanged glances, their eyes shining dangerously.
They sincerely wished Leon the best…
But also hoped he suffered just a little.
On the field—
Dylan appeared in his signature black outfit: a fitted shirt and long black slacks — simple, casual, yet striking.
But what truly stood out was that calm, extraordinary aura he carried.
The referee announced the rules, bowed to both, and slowly stepped out of the battlefield.
"Looks like fate really wants us to meet, Leon."
Dylan waved cheerfully at Leon.
"I'd rather fate gave me a break," Leon sighed. He didn't mind facing Dylan later in the tournament — but round of 16? Way too early.
Sure, he had his one revival right… but that wasn't a guaranteed safety net.
"Don't be like that, Leon. It's not like I arranged it — this is destiny's choice." Dylan grinned.
"And don't worry, I'm keeping my word. I won't use any Dragon-type legends today."
He spoke generously. When Dylan promised not to use Ultra Necrozma and the others, he meant it.
"No Dragon legends… but you've probably got other legends, right?"
Leon glanced at the screen — the turn order had already appeared. Dylan would move first.
"As expected of you, Leon. Sharp guy." Dylan gave him a thumbs-up.
Leon's mouth twitched.
"But relax, Leon. Your luck is great today. I'm running a pure Dark-type team."
Dylan unbuttoned two buttons at his collar and spoke calmly.
"And the first few won't be overpowered."
Yes. He'd brought a full Dark-type squad today. Pure. Authentic. Completely Dark.
Dark types?
Leon frowned. The dreaded ghosts, dragons, and fiends — Dylan's earliest teams.
Even without legends, Dylan's Dark-type teams were notoriously hard to handle.
"I just caught a few Dark types recently — perfect to try them out on you."
Dylan pulled out a deep red Luxury Ball.
The moment Leon saw it, his face stiffened. Dylan only used those balls for legendary Pokémon.
"With an opponent like you, it's good for them. After being sealed away for so long, they finally get to stretch their legs again."
The ball enlarged in Dylan's hand and he tossed it behind him.
"Wo-chien! To the field."
A heavy thud shook the arena.
A Pokémon resembling a sinister wooden deer emerged, lifting its head slowly, a massive cauldron resting atop it.
Its eerie aura seeped into the battlefield.
One of the Treasures of Ruin — Wo-chien.
"It's one of the Treasures of Ruin!"
Iono's eyes widened. Those were legendary Pokémon from Paldea's myths.
She had never seen one — they were sealed ages ago — but she certainly knew of them.
"Starting with Wo-chien, huh? Looks like even without those broken Dragon legends, Dylan's still going strong," Wallace whistled. Compared to "sympathizing" with Leon, he was more excited to see what else Dylan would bring out.
If Dylan used Kyogre against him, then surely he'd use even stronger legends against Leon, right?
Leon was way stronger than he was!
"A Dark + Ground Wo-chien?"
Leon thought for a moment before throwing out his first Pokémon.
"Rillaboom!"
His Rillaboom landed with a thud, pulling out its stump drum.
Grass beats Ground, and it had plenty of Fighting moves too.
"Good choice," Dylan nodded.
"Wo-chien."
A soft rumble echoed as a pale green aura seeped from Wo-chien's cauldron, washing over the battlefield.
Rillaboom shivered under it as a faint white glow flickered over its body.
Wo-chien's ability — Tablets of Ruin — reducing the opponent's Special Attack.
A very powerful ability.
"You alright, Rillaboom?" Leon asked.
Rillaboom shook its head — no issues. It felt weaker, sure…
But only in Special Attack.
And it didn't use Special Attack.
"Wo-chien, Sand Tomb."
Wo-chien stomped the ground, turning the terrain beneath Rillaboom into swirling sand that began dragging it downward.
"Fake Out!"
Rillaboom launched itself forward and slapped Wo-chien across the face.
Flinched!
"Wood Hammer!"
With a roar, Rillaboom glowed green and slammed forward.
Leon was fast — but Wo-chien reacted instantly.
"Pounce."
Wo-chien lunged, gleaming white.
Boom!
Wood Hammer and Pounce collided, blasting a shockwave across the field and cracking the arena floor.
Both Pokémon slid back.
Wo-chien dug its four hooves in to stabilize; Rillaboom braced itself with its palms, sliding before stopping.
"Fast reaction. Very high defense," Leon murmured, confirming his assessment.
Most importantly — its strength was within acceptable limits. Strong, but not broken.
Was this really something Dylan caught not long ago?
If so… that was wonderful.
Leon's eyes slowly brightened. It wasn't that he refused to be used as Dylan's background character — he'd already accepted that fate.
But as long as he got a good, passionate battle out of it, he didn't mind eventually facing those overpowering legends again.
After facing both Origin Dialga and Ultra Necrozma head-on…
What else was there to fear?
Sorry, but I, Leon, am a man who has seen the world.
No matter what Pokémon appears — I won't be shocked. (serious face)
(End of chapter)