Lance had more or less guessed it—Yellow was special. Her Pokémon were strong, and even among Champion-tier trainers she wasn't weak.
But what made him pay closer attention was the fact that Yellow, like him, carried the blessing of Viridian Forest. In Lance's eyes, she was the same kind of special as he was.
A junior of his, essentially. And since Yellow was also Dylan's disciple, Lance took her even more seriously.
So he had watched all of her battles carefully.
And from that, he'd noticed something subtle—something all of Yellow's battles had in common.
Whether it was Hilda or Rosa, both had stronger raw power than Yellow. From the very start of combat, Yellow's Pokémon were almost always at a disadvantage.
But as the fight went on… Yellow's Pokémon would suddenly become much stronger.
That wasn't something ordinary battle momentum could explain—and Lance had felt the pulse of Viridian power.
If Yellow hadn't actively invoked Viridian power, how could that surge appear?
Yet by his own understanding, Viridian power only allowed healing, sensing emotions, and communicating with Pokémon.
But Yellow was clearly different!
"Salamence!"
Lance decisively threw out his first Pokémon.
"Rooaaar!!"
A brutal draconic roar split the air. A fierce, domineering Salamence spread its blood-red wings, glaring down at Yellow.
The pseudo-legend of Hoenn—Salamence!
"Come, Yellow! Let me feel your power for myself!"
Lance's icy voice carried heavy intimidation.
But Yellow now more or less understood—this senior had a cold exterior and a warm heart. And he seemed to value her quite a bit.
Even though rumors painted him as arrogant and difficult, after a short exchange, Yellow felt he was actually a very kind senior.
He just didn't talk nicely—but that didn't bother Yellow.
After all, Silver had a similar personality. Yellow was long used to cool, sharp-tongued people.
"Yes! I definitely won't let you down!"
Yellow answered firmly.
"I still want to battle with Dylan, so, Senior Lance—I'm going to defeat you!!"
Her voice rang with will and conviction.
Lance's lips curved slightly—clearly pleased.
"Hmph—defeat me? You're underestimating my Dragon Legion."
Even if he acknowledged her resolve, he still scoffed.
He admitted Yellow had talent—and some kind of special ability—but defeating him?
That was wishful thinking. Did she really think he was like Hilda or Rosa—someone who could be toppled by a temporary power spike?
Impossible.
"Slowking, I'm counting on you!"
Yellow inhaled deeply and threw her Poké Ball.
Light flashed, and a composed Slowking appeared, hands folded behind its back, looking calm and unhurried.
A standing Slowpoke with a white shell-crown on its head.
"Water type? Planning on using Ice moves?"
Lance didn't react. He'd long grown used to these matchups.
Water and Ice practically went together—most Water types could use Ice moves. Everyone knew that when fighting Lance, Ice coverage was mandatory.
Especially after his battle with Dylan had been broadcast. The whole world now knew how to counter him.
But Lance only wanted to laugh.
Yes, his team was heavily weak to Ice—
But only if the Ice-type attacks were strong enough. Otherwise, "super-effective" was meaningless.
Just like now.
"Slowking, Ice Beam!"
Yellow launched the first attack.
Ice gathered in Slowking's mouth, firing a twisting beam upward at Salamence.
"Fire Blast!"
Lance's cloak swept as he commanded sharply.
Salamence released a blazing, character-shaped fire pillar.
The collision erupted mid-air—fire smashing against ice. For a moment they clashed violently…
Then Fire Blast began overpowering Ice Beam, pushing it back until it exploded against Slowking.
Boom!
Flames surged. Slowking groaned in pain.
Luckily it resisted Fire-type moves, so it could endure the hit.
"So strong…!" Yellow gasped. As expected of one of Lance's main partners—its special attack was terrifying.
"Using Slowking is correct," Giovanni commented from the stands, "but the power gap is too wide."
Ice coverage or not, Lance had too much experience fighting Ice tactics.
And if the power gap was big enough, type advantage became laughable.
After all, Lance wasn't stupid nor a third-rate trainer who'd allow you a clean hit.
And many times, he simply smashed through Ice attacks with raw force.
Just like now.
"Ice Beam" got blasted aside.
But the attack wasn't over.
"Dragon Rush!"
Lance ordered.
Salamence folded its wings and dived—dragon-energy swirling wildly around it.
Boom!
"Slowking!" Yellow cried.
The flames had barely faded when Dragon Rush struck. Slowking tried to dodge—too late.
Another explosion. The arena trembled. Salamence again rose from the dust.
On the ground, Slowking struggled—barely able to move.
"Is that all?"
Lance folded his arms, frowning slightly at Yellow's worried face.
He didn't press the attack.
"With this level of strength, you plan to stand before Dylan?"
"Or were your declarations empty words with no resolve behind them?"
Yellow flinched, eyes widening.
"I promised Dylan—I'll reach him! I will!"
"And with what?" Lance asked coolly. "Your weakness? Or your fragile Pokémon?"
"You're not as good as Selene. Maybe not even that eliminated Silver."
Lance knew Yellow was stronger than Silver.
But right now, he wanted to push her.
She claimed she would defeat him. She claimed she would move forward.
But that unique power of hers hadn't responded at all.
Was her resolve still lacking?
"...…"
Yellow trembled.
"You can't beat me. Give up," Lance said coldly.
"No! As long as my partners and I stand together, our bond can overcome anything!"
And create miracles!
Yellow's eyes hardened.
"Slowking!"
A mysterious pulse flooded Slowking's body—Viridian power—strengthening it dramatically. Slowking straightened, blue psychic light flickering in its eyes.
I feel… terrifyingly strong!
Slowking gazed up at Salamence—its psychic force thick and oppressive.
"…Oh?"
Lance immediately noticed the shift—and from up close, he felt the Viridian surge far more clearly.
So he had been right.
"Interesting. Very interesting. You really are more special than me."
A slow smile spread across Lance's face.
A junior like this—far too fascinating.
"Senior Lance! I'll show you—I'm not weak! And my Pokémon aren't weak either!"
Yellow met Lance's increasingly excited stare.
"Hahahaha! Come, then!"
Lance laughed. His provocation had worked—and now it was fun.
He wanted to see just how strong Yellow's Pokémon could become.
As for losing?
Impossible. He didn't believe her boosted Pokémon could surpass his dragons. That was impossible.
He'd watched her battles—yes, they grew stronger, but within reason.
A temporary power spike beating his Dragon Legion?
Ridiculous.
And then…
"Dragonite is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!"
"Lance has lost all six Pokémon—victory goes to Yellow! Lance is eliminated!"
The referee announced the result.
Lance stared at his fallen ace Dragonite, utterly silent.
"I won!"
Yellow panted lightly, her face pale—using too much Viridian power always drained her.
Normally she could push lightly, but this battle had been far too intense. And…
Against Lance, light boosting was nowhere near enough.
"…I actually lost…"
Lance's brow twitched. Replaying the sheer absurdity of Yellow's power spikes, only one thought filled his mind:
Is that kid's ability even LEGAL???
(End of chapter)