"The betting's open, the betting's open! Tyranitar versus Charizard, place your bets!"
"I'm putting one million League Coins on Leon's Charizard X to win! If it doesn't, I'll livestream today—!"
"Enough already, you're killing me! On what basis are you saying Charizard will definitely win? Did you not see Tyranitar wipe out Haxorus in just a few moves?"
"Can those idol-fan girls get lost already? Can Haxorus even be compared to Charizard X? Leon's Charizard absolutely cannot lose to Tyranitar!"
"So just because you say it can't lose, it won't? Lucas Oppa is guaranteed to win, okay!"
"This is really hard to bet on… damn it, why is making a little Poké Ball money so difficult?"
The forums had completely exploded. There was no doubt about it—once Leon's final Charizard took the field, the entire challenge match had been pushed to its absolute climax.
Leon's defeat was, for all intents and purposes, already set in stone. Even the trainers of the Galar region understood clearly that there was virtually no chance for Leon to turn the tables.
Lucas's strength was astonishing—he was in no way inferior to his cousin, Lance.
Though it was hard to accept, Lucas had defeated Leon fair and square. What was there left to say?
All they could admit was that he was simply the better trainer…
Yet they still clung to one last shred of stubborn pride!
Leon's Charizard X would not lose to Lucas's Mega Tyranitar!
This was Leon's final ace, his pride and his pillar of support!
"A showdown between Mega Tyranitar and Charizard X… what do you think?"
Watching the two Mega-Evolved Pokémon face off in the arena, Wallace licked his slightly dry lips, unable to suppress a spark of curiosity.
Charizard was Leon's ace Pokémon!
After Mega Evolution, its strength rose to an even higher level—but Lucas's Tyranitar was no less terrifying.
In terms of raw power, it had completely crushed Leon's Haxorus, and its explosive strength was nothing short of outrageous.
So between these two Pokémon… who would emerge victorious?
"It's hard to say. In terms of overall strength, this Tyranitar has clearly already reached top Champion-tier."
Steven shook his head. Even with his insight, he couldn't make a definitive judgment before the battle began. At best, he could only analyze their respective advantages and disadvantages.
"Charizard X has the advantage of flight, which also happens to be Tyranitar's biggest weakness."
Cynthia spoke softly. Tyranitar was one of the strongest ground-based Pokémon in existence (excluding top-tier legendaries). Its outstanding offense, defense, stamina, and burst power were all points of pride.
But its shortcomings were equally obvious.
Tyranitar couldn't fly.
"Just watch, this is very likely going to be the most exciting final battle."
Raihan said in a low voice. Even as Leon's closest friend, he didn't dare claim that Charizard X was guaranteed to defeat this Mega Tyranitar.
Although Mega Tyranitar had already fought once…
Those who understood, understood. That Haxorus earlier had essentially been nothing more than a stepping stone to showcase Mega Tyranitar's horrifying power.
On the battlefield
Leon silently took a deep breath, his eyes sharpening completely.
"It's time, Charizard," Leon said in a deep voice.
"ROOOAR—!"
Charizard X let out a thunderous roar, its momentum surging.
"Flamethrower!"
Charizard X beat its wings and took to the air. Its abdomen swelled as dark-blue flames erupted into a raging pillar of fire, blasting straight toward Mega Tyranitar.
Though the color was vastly different from ordinary flames, the terrifying heat was so intense that even the surrounding air seemed to blur and distort!
In truth, Leon's Charizard excelled most at Fire-type moves. Originally, he had planned to develop it toward the Y form.
After all, he had already tested Mega Charizard Y—its overwhelming special attack combined with its built-in Drought ability had left Leon extremely satisfied.
However, Mega Tyranitar was both Dark- and Rock-type, naturally resistant to Fire-type moves. On top of that, Mega Tyranitar's close-combat ability was simply too oppressive.
Even with the advantage of flight, Leon knew all too well that close combat in this battle was unavoidable.
Relying solely on Fire-type attacks that Tyranitar resisted had too low a chance of victory. Moreover…
Flying- and Fire-type Charizard Y was quadruple weak to Rock-type attacks from Tyranitar!
Therefore, Charizard X—with its Dragon typing and far superior close-combat prowess was far better suited for this battle!
"Stone Edge!"
Lucas barked the order without hesitation.
"ROOOAR!"
Mega Tyranitar roared as countless razor-sharp stone blades formed before it, charging straight toward the Flamethrower.
Stone blades and flames collided violently in midair, erupting in a massive explosion.
"Hurricane!"
"Rock Slide!"
Lucas and Leon gave their commands simultaneously.
Charizard X beat its wings furiously, unleashing a raging tempest that surged toward Mega Tyranitar on the ground.
Mega Tyranitar answered with a thunderous roar. The air above Charizard X rippled as massive boulders formed and came crashing down.
Razor-sharp wind blades slashed relentlessly across Mega Tyranitar's armor, and under the terrifying pressure of the storm, its massive body was pressed firmly to the ground.
"Dragon Rush!"
Leon glanced at the falling boulders above and made his decision without hesitation.
Rock Slide might not have perfect accuracy, but its damage was very real.
And Charizard X, being Fire-type, was already doubly weak to Rock-type attacks—Rock Slide was extremely effective against it.
So rather than defending, it was better to go on the offensive!
"ROOOAR!"
Charizard X let out a draconic cry, wings flaring as it surged forward at blinding speed.
A savage, dragon-shaped aura coalesced around its body—Dragon Rush!
"Ice Punch!"
As Charizard X abandoned Hurricane suppression, Mega Tyranitar's movements were freed significantly.
Mega Tyranitar roared furiously, utterly fearless, as intense frost gathered around its massive claw.
Ice Punch met the incoming Dragon Rush head-on!
BOOM!
The two attacks collided with a deafening explosion, shockwaves nearly solidifying as they blasted outward.
The ground beneath Mega Tyranitar shattered instantly—the pressure was immense!
Mega Tyranitar's face twisted into a ferocious snarl. Hurricane had still affected it to some degree, and Charizard X's diving charge naturally held the advantage of momentum.
"Dragon Pulse!"
"Dark Pulse!"
Seeing the stalemate, Lucas and Leon issued their orders at the same time.
A violent surge of energy forced both Pokémon apart.
A beam of azure dragon energy shot from Charizard X's mouth toward Mega Tyranitar.
Mega Tyranitar retaliated instantly with a jet-black wave of dark energy.
BOOM!
Dragon Pulse and Dark Pulse crossed paths and struck their targets simultaneously.
"Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
Despite gaining no advantage, Leon's eyes shone brighter than before.
This Mega Tyranitar… was truly terrifyingly strong!
"ROOOAR!"
Charizard X's draconic roar echoed again as sharp claws gleamed with blue light, diving once more toward Mega Tyranitar.
"Ice Punch!"
Mega Tyranitar's massive claw surged with frost as it countered without hesitation.
Between Dragon Claw and Ice Punch, Ice Punch should have held the clear advantage—Ice countered Dragon, and in terms of raw strength alone, Mega Tyranitar had no reason to be inferior to Charizard X.
Yet despite that, once the two Pokémon engaged in close combat, exchanging Dragon Claw and Ice Punch again and again, Charizard X did not fall behind!
"It really is more agile. Its battle experience is extremely rich as well—and it's got the Tough Claws ability boosting it."
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Charizard X duck its head to narrowly avoid Ice Punch, its Dragon Claw raking across Mega Tyranitar's body and provoking a furious roar.
Charizard X was smaller than Mega Tyranitar, and with Tough Claws enhancing its attacks, Dragon Claw's power was increased by thirty percent!
Moreover, as Leon's ace Pokémon, Charizard X's combat experience was unquestionable.
Close-quarters combat wasn't just about move power alone. Mega Tyranitar's battle experience was also extremely rich—but Charizard X was undeniably more agile.
As they traded blows, Mega Tyranitar actually seemed to be at a slight disadvantage.
"Grab it!"
Suddenly, Lucas shouted.
Charizard X's Dragon Claw tore through the air and struck Mega Tyranitar's arm—hit!
Yet Leon's expression changed slightly.
Because that hit landed only because Mega Tyranitar didn't dodge at all.
Mega Tyranitar endured the Dragon Claw—and at the same time, its massive claw seized Charizard X's arm!
A savage, feral grin spread across Mega Tyranitar's face as it stared at the Charizard X right in front of it.
Got you.
(End of Chapter)