Bai Chen took out his map and glanced at it.
Anistar City was very close to Shalour City.
If he traveled by flight, he could reach it within half a day.
Just as Bai Chen was about to set off, his phone suddenly displayed a notification.
"'Riverclear' has issued you a World Coronation Series battle request.
Accept?"
A photo of a complete stranger appeared on the screen.
The challenger was ranked 9,190, while Bai Chen himself sat at 13,025, firmly near the bottom.
"Running into a World Coronation Series participant here isn't easy," Bai Chen muttered.
According to official data, 13,231 Trainers were currently registered for the World Coronation Series.
They were divided into four tiers:
Normal Class: New registrants up to Rank 1,000
Super Class: Rank 999 to 100
Hyper Class: Rank 99 to 9
Master Class: Top 8 Trainers
The World Coronation Series had many rules, the most fundamental being challenge restrictions.
Aside from ranking-swaps between Rank 9 and Rank 8, cross-tier challenges were forbidden.
In other words, Normal Class Trainers could not challenge Super Class Trainers.
However, within the same tier, Trainers were free to challenge anyone—regardless of ranking order.
Just like now:
A Rank 9,190 Trainer challenging a Rank 13,025 Trainer.
Rankings were points-based, not direct swaps.
Even if Bai Chen won, he would not immediately jump to Rank 9,190.
He would gain points for a win, lose points for a defeat, and rankings updated dynamically.
When there was a large gap in ranking, the lower-ranked Trainer gained more points, allowing faster climbs.
As for how many points were awarded per match—
Bai Chen glanced at the dozens of pages of calculation rules and shook his head.
"As long as I keep winning, that's all that matters."
He accepted the challenge.
"Challenge accepted. Please proceed to the designated battle area."
The World Coronation Series app began navigation.
Out of curiosity, Bai Chen searched the challenger's name and photo online.
To his surprise, he found information immediately.
"Top 16 in the previous Kalos League… and owns a Mega Gallade."
Only Trainers who had collected all eight Gym Badges could enter the League.
Anyone who made it that far was no weakling.
And the World Coronation Series stood above the League.
Running into League finalists here was entirely normal.
"Kalos League Top 16… decent strength," Bai Chen thought.
"I should take this a little seriously—it would be embarrassing to lose."
Meanwhile, on the other side—
A four-person team finally arrived in Shalour City.
Short-haired Serena checked the map and said,
"We're here. This is Shalour City."
A certain eternally enthusiastic rookie clenched his fist.
"All right! Time for a Gym Battle!"
Clemont smiled.
"Ash really is full of energy."
Ash Ketchum grinned.
"Of course! If I win the Shalour Gym, I'll have my sixth badge! Just two more and I can enter the League!"
Clemont's sister Bonnie cheered,
"Then let's hurry!"
Serena took the lead.
"The Shalour Gym is this way."
The four arrived full of excitement—
Only to be greeted by a brutal reality.
They stared at the wrecked Shalour Gym, checking the address again and again.
Ash blinked.
"This… is the Shalour Gym? It looks destroyed. Is it abandoned?"
Serena frowned.
"That can't be right. Miss Valerie's fashion boutique is inside the Gym—it's a city landmark."
Bonnie pointed toward a corner where people were repairing the structure.
"There are people over there. Let's ask!"
They approached.
Ash asked politely,
"Excuse me—what happened to this Gym?"
From atop a ladder, Mami looked down at them.
Instead of answering immediately, she asked,
"May I ask why you've come to the Shalour Gym?"
"I'm here for a Gym Challenge," Ash replied.
"I wanted to visit Miss Valerie's boutique," Serena added.
Mami nodded and climbed down.
"I see. The boutique is still open and operating normally."
Serena immediately caught the implication.
"Does that mean… Gym Battles aren't available?"
"That's correct. As you can see, the battle arena was destroyed.
Repairs will take at least a month."
Ash asked curiously,
"What happened? Aren't Gym arenas specially reinforced?"
Mami recalled yesterday's battle—and Bai Chen.
A faint blush appeared on her face.
"Nothing major. Just… a certain distinguished challenger came yesterday. His Pokémon destroyed the arena."
All four exchanged puzzled looks.
Distinguished?
What kind of challenger made her blush just thinking about him?
Mami coughed lightly and composed herself.
"That's the situation. I'm very sorry, but please come back in a month."
Ash's shoulders slumped.
"I worked so hard to get here…"
"I'm sorry," Mami said apologetically.
"But I can show you to the boutique if you'd like."
As they walked, Serena comforted Ash.
"Then let's go to Anistar City first. We can challenge that Gym and come back later."
"Yeah," Clemont added. "Just a bit more travel."
"Pika pika."
Pikachu patted Ash's shoulder reassuringly.
Just as they reached the Gym entrance—
BOOM!
A thunderclap exploded in the distance.
They looked up.
A massive thundercloud had formed above Shalour City, lightning raging violently.
"That storm—?" Ash stared. "That's not natural!"
"Looks like a battle," Clemont adjusted his glasses.
Serena checked her map.
"That's a wild battle zone."
"Pokémon battle?!"
Ash's eyes lit up instantly.
"I'll go check it out! We'll meet up later!"
Without waiting, he sprinted off.
The others exchanged glances—and followed.
When they arrived, all four froze.
A colossal beast dominated half the battlefield.
Two massive horns.
Thick emerald-green scales.
Golden lightning coursing across its body.
Opposite it, Gallade struggled desperately.
Ash stared in awe.
"I've never seen a Pokémon like that!"
He raised his Pokédex and scanned.
"Zinogre — Symbiosis Pokémon.
A dangerous life-form from another world discovered in Alola.
Possesses incredible strength and jumping ability.
Often forms symbiotic relationships to gain even greater power."
Bai Chen had previously shared Zinogre's data with Lusamine.
Under the Aether Foundation's authority, a simplified entry was uploaded into the Pokédex database.
Zinogre was no longer an unknown entity.
Future sightings would only raise curiosity—not panic.
Ash's eyes sparkled.
"A Pokémon from another world!"
He then noticed the armored Trainer—and the spiked black dragon on his shoulder.
Scanning again—
"Nergigante — Legendary Pokémon.
An extremely dangerous entity even in its native world.
Data extremely limited.
If encountered, immediate evacuation is strongly advised."
Just the words Legendary Pokémon made Ash tremble with excitement.
But the battle was reaching its climax.
The opposing Trainer raised his Key Stone.
"Gallade—Mega Evolve!"
Light erupted.
Mega Gallade emerged—white cloak, extended arm-blades, like a noble knight.
Yet the Trainer felt no relief.
Despair weighed on him.
Bai Chen sighed.
"So this is Kalos League Top 16… only Level 47."
"Finish it," Bai Chen ordered.
"Zinogre—enter True Supercharged State."
Golden lightning descended.
Zinogre roared.
Power surged.
"Mega Gallade—Ice Punch!"
"Thunderclap Counter."
Gallade struck.
Zinogre slammed the ground.
BOOM!
Lightning dragons erupted beneath the battlefield.
Gallade lost balance.
Zinogre appeared before him.
One final strike.
Mega Gallade was defeated instantly.
"Strong…" the four whispered in unison.
Bai Chen recalled Zinogre.
A standard Zinogre rivaled starter Pokémon.
But Thunderlord Zinogre rivaled secondary Legendary Pokémon.
With Elder Dragon techniques and Elder Dragon Blood—
It was no longer a monster.
It was a new Elder Dragon species.
Created by Bai Chen himself.
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