Mega Gyarados roared with its gaping maw, a violent aura radiating from its massive form.
As Lysandre's ace Pokémon, it was indeed formidable.
But Dylan was genuinely a little surprised.
"Mr. Lysandre, are you seriously challenging me to a battle?"
He glanced over, a bit amused. Honestly, since he'd wiped out Team Rocket, he hadn't fought anyone from an evil organization.
Well, excluding Kalos's Team Flare and Sinnoh's Team Galactic, there weren't many left anyway.
"Champion Dylan, I'm well aware you defeated Ms. Diantha, but do you think that record alone is enough to intimidate me?" Lysandre said calmly.
Diantha was Kalos's former Champion—of course Lysandre knew how powerful she was.
And someone who beat her with just three Pokémon was obviously even stronger.
But that didn't mean he would back down.
"I see." Dylan gave a faint smile.
"Man, this guy's got guts," Leaf said, pulling out her camera from her spatial backpack. "Challenging Dylan with just a Mega Gyarados? Gotta send this to Archer and the others."
She genuinely thought Lysandre's courage deserved admiration.
That's what evil organizations needed!
No guts, no glory!
Ding~ Gyarados (Mega Evolution), Water/Dark-type, Atrocious Pokémon
Ability: Mold Breaker
Signature Moves: Hyper Beam, Outrage, Aqua Tail, Dragon Dance, Crunch, Waterfall...
Description: Though it has an instinct to destroy everything, it will obey the Trainer it truly trusts. (Mega Evolution)
A solid powerhouse.
Lillie listened as the Rotom Dex recited its data, scanning the massive beast.
Still… it didn't seem quite as scary as Wallace's Gyarados?
"He doesn't seem to know much about Dylan, huh?" Ilene tilted her head, puzzled by Lysandre's composed demeanor.
Otherwise, how else could he be standing there like that?
"Come, Champion Dylan. Let me see just how strong the one who defeated Ms. Diantha really is."
Lysandre was full of fighting spirit.
He hadn't felt any pressure from that little green guy Dylan sent out.
He was being underestimated, clearly.
But that was fine—let Dylan let his guard down.
Once Zygarde beat Yveltal and joined him, the power dynamic would shift. For now, he'd humor the Champion.
"Ogy, Ivy Cudgel."
Dylan raised an eyebrow.
Ogerpon lowered her mask, and a thorny cudgel formed in her right hand before she launched forward at high speed.
It moved so fast that even Mega Gyarados couldn't react. In the blink of an eye, Ogerpon had already leapt into the air in front of it.
A Grass-type Ivy Cudgel!
BOOM!
And just like that...
Silence.
"Tch... Mr. Lysandre, looks like you still need to train your Gyarados better. Can't even take one hit."
Dylan shrugged casually.
Ogerpon pulled her mask back on and tilted her head at the limp, unconscious Gyarados on the ground.
That's right.
One Ivy Cudgel, and the Mega Gyarados was down.
It even reverted from Mega form—completely knocked out.
"..."
Lysandre stared blankly at his ace.
He was stunned.
So were the other Team Flare members—Xerosic included.
That was the boss's ace!
How... how could this happen!?
"Hmm? Nothing to say, Mr. Lysandre?" Dylan asked, still smiling faintly.
Lysandre's pupils twitched. He took a deep breath and tried to steady himself.
He finally understood why Diantha had lost so badly.
"Champion Dylan…"
"I'm listening, Mr. Lysandre."
"I think we should talk."
Lysandre's tone softened. He was actually worried now—worried Dylan might move against them immediately.
"At this point, there's nothing left to talk about, Mr. Lysandre."
Dylan couldn't help but chuckle.
Why did that line sound so familiar?
Ah, yes—Archer once said something just like that.
"No, Champion Dylan, I don't believe you and I are truly at odds," Lysandre said, trying to be reasonable.
"This is Kalos, not Kanto. And you are the Champion of Kanto."
He even used an honorific this time, thinking his logic was sound.
After all, Kalos and Kanto were far apart.
What happened here didn't impact Kanto at all.
"Oh Mr. Lysandre, you're such a comedian."
Dylan shook his head.
"Even if we belong to different regions, we're all part of the Pokémon League. And while I don't know exactly what you're planning…"
He looked toward the battling Zygarde and Yveltal, eyes narrowing.
"…that's one hell of a disturbance. And your earlier speech, Mr. Lysandre, was… very concerning."
He eyed the slightly dominant berserk Zygarde—looks like even in 50% form, it could suppress Yveltal.
Just like Kyurem or Necrozma.
Even though their base stats weren't higher, in story they could easily overpower Reshiram/Zekrom or Solgaleo/Lunala.
"..." Lysandre's expression darkened.
"Leaf, go handle the rest."
Dylan had lost interest in negotiating.
Zygarde was Lysandre's trump card, and it wasn't under his full control anyway.
As for Lysandre's personal strength…
Dylan figured it was just so-so. Leaf alone could handle them.
"Got it~"
Leaf pouted slightly but released her Pokémon, walking toward the Team Flare group.
Meanwhile, Dylan sent a message to Baraz with his phone.
Not long after, a Braviary appeared in the sky.
"Dylannn~!"
"It's Dylan. Eh, forget it."
He flicked the forehead of the diving Hoopa, sighing.
The teary-eyed Hoopa clutched its head, and Dylan couldn't help but smile.
This little thing really was too cute.
"Dylan, what's this about?" Baraz and Meray were stunned, watching Leaf beat the crap out of Team Flare.
"Just an extremist group. Leaf's making sure they're no longer a threat," Dylan replied offhandedly.
"And… that?" Meray gaped at the ongoing serpent-vs-bird brawl in the distance.
"Whoa, Zygarde and Yveltal! Wait—why's Zygarde's color weird?" Hoopa's eyes lit up with curiosity.
It was clearly excited by the fight.
"That big bird is seriously lame. Can't even beat this form of Zygarde."
But it quickly pouted, unimpressed by Yveltal's performance.
"Well, it is Zygarde. Let's get started then. Hoopa—scared?"
Dylan turned to Hoopa with a grin, summoning his Shiny Mewtwo.
"Urghh…" Hoopa scrunched its face.
Still traumatized.
"Relax. I won't let anything happen to you." Dylan patted its head gently.
"Dylannn~" Hoopa sniffled, touched.
"You little rascal…" Dylan chuckled.
After giving some instructions to Baraz and the others, he and Hoopa mounted Reshiram and flew toward the canyon.
Reshiram didn't really want to be near Hoopa, but after sensing it was no longer the same chaotic menace, it reluctantly accepted it.
"Mewtwo."
At Dylan's call, the Shiny Mewtwo extended its hand. Psychic blue light surged from its eyes, and a massive force began to stir.
The canyon trembled.
From the ruins, an oddly shaped ancient urn floated up—held by Mewtwo's telekinesis.
That's right. Yesterday, Dylan had instructed Mewtwo to secretly place the Prison Bottle here.
"Open it."
Mewtwo complied.
The moment the lid came off—WHOOSH!
A torrent of black energy burst out, blotting out the sky.
Even Zygarde and Yveltal momentarily paused their battle at the sudden presence.
Mewtwo's glowing eyes narrowed.
As a Psychic-type, it could feel the overwhelming malice all too clearly.
The sinister black energy churned in the air before locking onto its target—and surged straight toward Hoopa.
"Dragon Pulse!"
Reshiram flapped backward, unleashing a blast of energy at the darkness.
BOOM!
Dragon Pulse met the black tide—but was quickly overwhelmed and shattered.
Still, the brief resistance seemed to give the dark power pause.
Realizing Hoopa was resisting, it shifted focus.
In the skies, the black energy began to twist and coalesce—taking form.
Hoopa stared in shock as a massive, demonic figure emerged—nearly identical to its Unbound Form.
Ghostly light shimmered across its body. Two glowing red eyes pierced the shadows.
That… that was Unbound Hoopa!
"W-What… how…?"
Hoopa was stunned.
That… was itself. It was it.
But how?
Its power not only grew its own mind—it could mimic its appearance perfectly?
Could it also use its abilities?
Hoopa felt its mind spinning.
What the heck was that!?
SWISH SWISH SWISH!
With a rush of air, six gray severed arms flew from the creature's side, hovering in formation.
Unbound Hoopa's crimson eyes locked onto Hoopa.
Then—it raised all six arms, each wrist adorned with a space ring.
WHOOSH!
The rings enlarged and launched into the air, forming a row behind it.
With a roar, colors began swirling within the portals.
Hoopa was stunned.
That thing… could really use its powers?
And six rings at once!?
He could only manage three right now!
What the heck!?
I'm the real one!!
(End of Chapter)