"Damn it! How is this possible?!"
On the other side, Lorelei was no longer the composed, dignified Ice-type master she once appeared to be. Watching her final Pokémon, Dewgong, fall in defeat, she bit her lip in frustration.
How can he be this strong?!
She stared at the opposing Charizard X and Pikachu in disbelief.
Back during the Saffron City conflict, he hadn't been nearly this powerful.
"Those who stray from the path can never defeat me."
Red pulled his cap down over his eyes, speaking with rare intensity. He was usually quiet—socially anxious, even—but in this moment, he couldn't stay silent.
"What did you say?!"
Lorelei's face darkened.
"You claim you're trying to eliminate evil like Team Rocket, but look what you've done—hurting innocent people, causing destruction."
Red's crimson eyes locked onto hers.
"You're just a kid! To take down monsters like them, a little collateral damage is—"
"I don't care."
Red cut her off.
"No matter what reason you think you have, if you use your Pokémon to hurt others recklessly, then you're evil."
Lorelei fell silent. Anger smoldered in her eyes. Evil? Her?
"Pokémon are pure. They follow their Trainer's will, grow together with them, and through that bond, create miracles."
"You claim Team Rocket harmed Pokémon, but what are you doing? Using them to hurt people—innocents, even."
"Have you ever stopped to consider how much blood you've stained your Pokémon with?"
Red's voice was quiet but forceful.
He had always treated his Pokémon as family. His bond with them had never changed—growing stronger together, side by side, seeking worthy challenges.
To him, anyone who used Pokémon selfishly and violently didn't deserve to be called a Trainer.
Lorelei's pupils contracted. Her face paled.
A cold ocean breeze blew across the battlefield. Red slowly calmed down—until he turned toward the water, his brow furrowing.
A Lapras was approaching across the waves. Seated on its back was a wild-haired figure wearing an ice-carved mask.
That design…
Red's gaze sharpened. This guy didn't look friendly.
Lorelei, still silent, stared down at Dewgong's Poké Ball, conflicted.
Lapras slid ashore on a trail of ice and stopped some distance away.
"Red of the Kanto Elite Four?"
A hoarse voice came from beneath the mask. The black-robed figure stared directly at Red.
"..."
Red remained silent but stepped forward. Charizard X and Pikachu positioned themselves in front, ready.
"I've no intention of fighting you. I simply have a favor to ask of Gym Leader Dylan."
The masked man's raspy voice carried no hostility.
He had no reason to pick a fight with the League—not when they weren't his target.
"…But I suppose I don't need to search anymore. He's arrived."
Suddenly, the masked man looked skyward. A white dragon descended through the clouds.
Dylan!
Red's eyes lit up.
Reshiram landed heavily, and Dylan leapt from its back, eyeing the Lapras and the man seated atop it.
Just moments ago, his Shiny Mewtwo had warned him about a "special guest" on the island—so he'd flown over to check. He hadn't expected this old monster.
Things just got interesting.
"Yo, Red—looks like you beat Lorelei, huh?"
Dylan walked over and glanced at Lorelei, who now stood silent, her aura dulled. What happened here? Oh well, no matter.
"Dylan, this guy feels… wrong."
Red stepped beside Dylan and whispered. The masked man radiated an intense, unsettling presence.
"I've got this. Red, head to the central volcano and back up Giovanni. Facing Lance alone can't be easy. I'll handle things here."
Dylan nodded calmly.
"Got it. Be careful."
Red trusted Dylan completely. He adjusted his cap and dashed off toward the center of the island.
"All right, now that it's just us… Mr. Masked Man, what business do you have with me?"
Dylan grinned with interest. He'd overheard the man say he was looking for him.
It was a surprise this old hermit had actually left Cianwood Gym.
Lorelei hesitated, then stepped toward Dylan. Though her ideals had strayed, deep down she still trusted him.
She wasn't sure what this masked figure wanted—but all her aces were down. If Dylan clashed with him, she didn't want to become a hostage.
"…That girl, Blue. She's working under you now, right?"
The masked man didn't even glance at Lorelei, eyes fixed on Dylan.
"You mean Leaf? Yeah."
Dylan narrowed his eyes.
"She mentioned escaping from a strange organization. Their leader wore a mask."
"Yes. That was me."
The masked man admitted it bluntly.
"To fulfill a goal, I once commanded Ho-Oh and Lugia to abduct gifted children across Kanto and raise them under my care."
"I didn't expect Blue to escape. Worse, she stole something important."
His voice was low. He didn't care about escapees—but Blue had taken the Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing with her.
That, he couldn't forgive.
"…???"
Dylan didn't react, but Lorelei looked stunned.
Did he just say he had Ho-Oh and Lugia kidnap children?
Forget being a crime—that's insane.
Who the hell IS this guy?!
"She mentioned it to me too. So—Mr. Masked Man, you realize you've just confessed to multiple felonies… in front of the Kanto Champion?"
Dylan's smile was half-curious, half-amused.
"I should arrest you on the spot. Any objections?"
"None."
The man didn't flinch.
"…Huh?"
Lorelei blinked in confusion.
"But not yet," the man added. "If you'll help me with one thing, I don't care what happens after."
"You think you're in a position to negotiate with me?"
"I am."
His answer was calm.
"Tch… what arrogance. Now I have to test your strength for myself."
Dylan chuckled and licked his lips.
Pryce, the masked man—known across the games, anime, and manga as one of the most absurdly powerful Trainers, second only to the protagonists.
Time to see what this universe's version was made of.
"Then allow me, Champion Dylan."
Pryce's tone was even. He knew words alone wouldn't sway Dylan—he had to show strength.
Negotiation required leverage, after all.
This guy… isn't scared at all.
Lorelei stared. Did he not know who he was up against?!
The wind whipped off the waves, flapping the black robe around the silent figure.
He made no move to attack. He was waiting for Dylan to strike first.
"…Reshiram."
Dylan called softly.
The White Dragon gave a melodious cry. Its massive wings spread wide as it stepped protectively in front of Dylan.
Reshiram's cool blue eyes narrowed at Lapras and the masked man. Aloof and divine.
A mere Lapras dares to challenge the True Dragon God?
Reshiram was ready to show this world what true power looked like.
Truly a beautiful dragon…
Lorelei adjusted her glasses. She had to admit, Reshiram was far more elegant than Zekrom.
White dragons were simply more majestic.
Mental Chat Group:
Reshiram: "Everyone, look at me! I'm fighting for Dylan today! (cute.jpg)"
Terapagos: "Wow~ Go, White Dragon! Good luck!"
Lunala: "It's just a Lapras. What's so special?"
Kyurem: "Reshiram's getting more pathetic every day. (ugh.jpg)"
Koraidon: "It's been so long since I got to battle for Dylan… Let me take this one."
Reshiram: "No! Today I'm showing the world the majesty of the True Dragon God! (arms-akimbo.jpg)"
Shiny Necrozma: "…"
Shiny Mewtwo: "…"
Calyrex: "Has it always been like this with it? (confused.jpg)"
Dylan's mouth twitched as he listened to their telepathic banter.
He just wanted to test the waters with Reshiram—but clearly, the dragon was already in full victory mode.
"Reshiram, Blue Flare."
Reshiram's turbine tail ignited, and flames swirled into a blazing fireball in front of it—snakes of flame coiled around the sphere.
Blue Flare—Fire-type.
The attack launched, streaking toward Lapras like a falling sun.
The masked man didn't blink.
A red-and-white bird swooped forth and exhaled a dense stream of icy breath. A translucent wall of ice formed in the air.
A Delibird?!
Lorelei's brow furrowed. That wall… it wasn't any known move.
As an Ice expert, she knew her stuff. That wasn't a standard attack—it looked like Delibird had simply frozen the air itself.
But could that possibly block Reshiram's Blue Flare? No way.
Boom!
The fiery blast smashed into the ice wall, fire roaring with full force.
But to Lorelei's shock, the wall didn't melt. It held firm.
That's… impossible.
She stared, stunned.
The firestorm surged. Red-orange flames burst outward, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
Blue Flare had hit hard.
But when the smoke cleared…
The ice wall remained. Cracks lined its surface—but it hadn't shattered.
Reshiram narrowed its eyes.
Something about that Delibird… was seriously off. Something wasn't right.
(Chapter End)