Leon and Lance's revival matches were scheduled for the next day.
As for the two Champions' matches, Dylan's group didn't particularly worry.After all, it was still random matching—there was no guarantee either Champion would be matched with them.
Dylan aside, Red and Selene stayed calm.If they did get matched against Lance or Leon, so be it—they would simply beat them.And if they lost, it only meant their strength wasn't enough.
Giovanni, on the other hand…
Yes.He was hoping Lance would be matched with him again.He wanted to personally send Lance home for good.
Yellow, however, was actually nervous. She knew very well—both Lance and Leon were incredibly strong.If she got matched with either one, it would be a difficult battle.But Yellow had already resolved herself: no matter what, she would advance—until she met her Gym Leader brother on the battlefield.
Before that, she refused to lose to anyone.
Meanwhile, the internet was ablaze with discussion over Lance and Leon's revival matches.Some people even wrote huge detailed posts analyzing which matchups would allow the two Champions to succeed.
Videos and discussions flooded every platform.
But ultimately, it all depended on tomorrow's random match.
The next day, the venue was still the Indigo Arena.Even though only two revival matches would be held, the hype remained enormous.Lance and Leon were both deeply beloved Champions—their fanbases alone made today unmissable.
If they won, they could still enter the Top 8.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Indigo Arena! Next, we will begin Lance's revival match!"
The announcer's voice was a bit hoarse already—understandable, considering how many days he'd spent shouting at full volume.
After today, he finally got a few days of rest.
"This is a privilege Lance earned during the ranking phase by stabilizing his position in the Master Tier. If he wins against one of the current Top 8, he will replace them."
"Will Lance succeed? Let us watch closely!"
He raised his arm. Lance's cold, sharp portrait lit up on one side of the screen.
On the other side, the portraits of all eight qualifiers began to spin.
Who would it land on?
Lance stood with arms crossed, expression unreadably calm.
"Wow, so lucky—they get a revival match," Nemona said, a little jealous.
"That's something Champion Lance earned. It's fair," Rika replied.
If Master-Tier trainers were allowed to skip straight into the Top 8, that would've been unfair to everyone else. This rule was already a compromise.
"I know, but I can still be jealous! If only I had made Master Tier before the fixed brackets were set…"
Nemona pouted.She almost had the strength for it—but Master Tier had become too competitive near the end.
If she had made it, she'd have this chance too.
"…"
Blue remained silent, looking a bit crushed inside.
"I wonder who Lance will be matched against this time," Wallace mused, touching his pale chin.
"Hopefully not Selene. Champion Lance is a formidable opponent," Steven frowned.
"It's fine! I'll win for sure!" Selene declared, proud and confident.
"No. We're about to enter the Top 8—fighting an extra match right now only exposes more of your weaknesses," Steven said seriously.
Selene blinked.
"Your battle habits, your tactics, your Pokémon's style—all of these can be studied and countered. Being matched with Lance right now is only harmful, not helpful."
"O-oh…"
She finally understood.
On the screen, the spinning portraits gradually slowed.
And finally—
A girl in a white dress and straw hat appeared.
Yellow.
"…Ah."
"That's not ideal."
Leaf and Lillie froze.
"So it's me…" Yellow murmured, clenching her hands as she stared at Lance's cold expression.
Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Yellow, huh. Running into Senior Lance—must be destiny."
He shook his head. There was no Suicune Island incident in this world… yet destiny still brought them together here.
"It's fine, Yellow. You can do it. Champion Lance isn't scary. Believe in yourself," Selene comforted her junior.
Yellow was nervous, but nodded.
"That's right. Trust yourself—and your partners. They'll respond to your call," Dylan said warmly.
"If he stands in your way, then go all out and surpass him. As long as you have courage, you'll find you can do much more than you think."
"…Yes! I understand!"
Her racing heartbeat slowly calmed. She nodded firmly.
Lance could be defeated.
She still remembered what Dylan told her when she first joined the Rota Gym—One day, defeat Champion Lance.
Now she finally faced him.
On the field—
"Let us welcome our two trainers!!"
The announcer shouted with renewed energy.
"LANCE!"
"YELLOW!"
Two figures stepped out of opposite tunnels.
The blood-haired man in a cape—like a dragon himself—and the pure, straw-hat girl in a white dress.
Their presences were worlds apart.
"This is just unlucky…"
"Feels like Lance could make her cry with one punch…"
"She beat Hilda and Rosa before, but against Champion Lance? Can she really do it?"
"Looks like Lance will win the revival match."
"Hey! Don't underestimate Yellow! She's Champion Dylan's disciple!"
"Exactly—and you said 'disciple,' not Dylan himself. If it were Dylan, then sure—he'd beat Lance easily."
The livestream chat scrolled nonstop.
Yellow's previous two battles had amazed many people.But against Lance, most believed she had no chance.
Lance was famous, powerful, and a Master-Tier trainer.
Yellow had beaten Hilda and Rosa—but barely, and with explosive gambits from her partners.
Could she really win again?
"That girl…"
Rosa grit her teeth. She had boasted before the match… but after losing, she had silently remembered Yellow forever.
"Can she defeat Lance?" Touko murmured. She knew Yellow was unusual—after witnessing their match firsthand.But this time, her opponent was Lance. Could she really overturn fate?
On the field, the referee finished the pre-battle checks and stepped back.The screen's pointer spun rapidly.
Although Yellow had found her resolve, standing before Lance still made her tense.
The man was like a dragon—aloof, proud, his presence overwhelming.His sharp eyes alone made her breath hitch.
Can I really defeat Champion Lance…?
The thought resurfaced again.
Defeat the man once called "Earth's strongest dragon master"?
"You're very nervous."
The sudden cold voice froze her.
"S-sorry…"
She responded instinctively.
"Why apologize?" Lance asked flatly.
"Ah? I…"
"Raise your head."
Yellow bit her lip, eyes watering slightly, but obediently lifted her head.Lance stood before her, arms crossed, gaze calm and piercing.
"What are you afraid of?" he asked.
She trembled, wanting to look down again.
"I said—raise your head. Look at me."
"…"
His tone carried a faint edge—just enough to stiffen her spine.
"You are Dylan's disciple, chosen by Viridian Forest just like us. Does facing me—a senior—terrify you so much?"
Yellow shook her head weakly.
"No… it's because…"
"Because you're afraid of losing to me?"
She had no rebuttal.That was what frightened her.
Facing such a powerful opponent made her anxious and uneasy.
"To fear before the battle begins—did Dylan teach you that?"
Lance's sharp gaze cut straight into her.
"No!" Yellow blurted.
"Then why tremble? You can't even look your opponent in the eye."
Lance's tone remained calm.
He liked Yellow's potential.In fact, he was pleased another exceptional 'chosen one' had appeared—like Dylan.
But now, on the battlefield, he could see her hesitation and doubt.
"I…" Yellow looked ashamed.
"No matter how strong the opponent, as trainers we must charge forward. Even if the gap is enormous—you must not lose the courage to challenge."
Lance's voice was cool and steady.
"Even if there's only a one-in-ten-thousand chance—will you not even try? If you're this weak, how do you face the Pokémon who fought for you until now?"
"If this is your resolve, you cannot become strong. Dylan misjudged you, and Viridian Forest must have been blind."
Yellow sucked in breath after breath—her eyes gradually sharpening, trembling fading.
"I understand! Senior Lance—please guide me!"
"Hmph. Now that's more like it."
The pointer stopped.
Lance got the first move.
"Yellow—let me show you. As your senior, I'll let you witness the Dragon Legion that once ruled the world!"
He enlarged a Poké Ball in his hand, lips curling in a cold smile.
Show me your full strength—your unique Viridian power.
(End of chapter)