Rota.
A red-haired young man in a flowing cape stood calmly, gazing up at the grand building before him.
It was the Rota Gym.
Lance's sharp eyes glimmered with ripples of memory. This wasn't his first time here—but when had he last come?
It was last year, when he'd heard from Chairman Goodshow that the Gym Leader of Rota had defeated Team Rocket Executive Apollo aboard the S.S. Anne, saving everyone onboard.
But more importantly, that junior possessed the same power he did—Verdant Aura.
That was what truly drew Lance's attention.
Verdant Aura was a force of nature. Those chosen by the Viridian Forest were destined to be special. Lance believed that as a matter of course.
And Dylan hadn't disappointed. He was a young man with rare talent and limitless potential.
But somehow, before Lance even realized it, that junior had grown into a formidable trainer.
After his defeat on Cerise Island, Lance had reflected deeply—reviewing everything he'd ever done.
Was he wrong? Maybe. Maybe not. In a way, it didn't even matter.
What mattered was that he lost—to the next generation. And now, he wanted to try their way.
But first…
There was one thing he absolutely had to do: face Dylan in a full-power battle.
"Whoa! Isn't that Lance?! It's really Lance!"
"Wait, isn't he not Champion anymore? Wasn't Dylan crowned Champion?"
"You're behind the times! Didn't you read the announcement? Kanto and Johto are splitting. Lance is going to be Johto's first official Champion!"
"Whoa! That's amazing~! I've always been a huge fan of Lance. He's even more handsome in person!"
Lance's look was iconic. It wasn't long before a crowd had gathered outside the Rota Gym.
But thanks to his aloof and commanding aura, no one dared to approach him.
Lance didn't mind. Ever since becoming Champion, he had grown used to being the center of attention no matter where he went.
He closed his eyes, conserving his energy. He was waiting—he'd already confirmed the time.
About ten minutes later, the crowd stirred.
"Lance!"
A familiar voice and familiar greeting. Lance opened his eyes and saw Dylan.
That's right. Dylan had flown straight from Kalos and returned to Rota.
Leaf and the other two girls were behind him, but they didn't interrupt. Instead, they went to open the gym doors.
"Dylan."
Lance allowed a faint, rare smile to tug at his lips. His sharp eyes reflected the man in front of him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lance. Why didn't you head inside?"
Dylan nodded at the crowd, then gestured for Lance to come in.
"I just got here. You're right on time." Lance shook his head.
"You've changed, Lance."
Dylan raised a brow. There was no denying it—Lance felt different now.
He used to be like a sharp sword—just standing near him sent chills down people's spines, and his arrogance was unmistakable.
But now, that arrogance had clearly mellowed.
Which made sense. The battle on Cerise Island had shaken more than just Lance's body—it had shaken his ideals.
"People change."
Lance replied calmly, unbothered.
"True. Still, congratulations on reclaiming the Champion's title."
Dylan smiled.
"Though honestly, you didn't need to move to Johto. If you wanted, I'd have stepped down. You could've competed with Giovanni for the Kanto title."
Lance waved the thought away.
"The Dragon Clan's home is in Johto. It's where I belong. Besides, Team Rocket still hasn't been cleaned up there."
To him, the title of Champion wasn't a big deal.
His gaze drifted toward the large roulette wheel in the gym's center. He hadn't seen that the last time he visited.
"It's for challengers," Dylan explained. "Whatever type the wheel lands on, I'll use a team of that type in battle."
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to want a rematch."
Dylan smirked.
"I didn't expect you to grow so fast either," Lance said evenly. "Cerise Island wasn't the right place to settle things."
"I want to see your real strength, Dylan."
"And I want to face you at full power, Lance. No overpowered legendary Pokémon—just trainer versus trainer."
Dylan's grin widened.
Lance turned, his sharp dragon-like eyes locking onto Dylan's. The tension crackled between them.
Dylan held his gaze without flinching.
"How interesting…"
A few seconds later, Lance broke into his familiar cocky grin.
"Shall we try the roulette?"
Dylan gestured at the wheel.
"Sure."
Lance stepped forward and slammed the button without hesitation.
The roulette wheel spun rapidly. Lance's gaze remained steady.
To him, no matter what it landed on—Dragons feared nothing!
Soon, the wheel slowed and stopped on a snowflake-shaped section, icy blue in color.
"Ice…"
Lance raised a brow. He remembered Ice well.
Lorelei specialized in it, and once, he'd fought a terrifying Ice-type trainer—one whose single Delibird had suppressed his Zekrom.
"Looks like your luck's not great today," Dylan chuckled.
He had been considering using an Ice-type team anyway. Funny that Lance landed on it himself.
Guess fate made the choice for him.
"Dylan, Dragons don't fear ice."
Lance was unmoved. Yes, Ice countered Dragon—but so what?
True Dragons feared nothing. Type advantage was just an excuse.
"We'll see about that."
Dylan shrugged, smiling.
The two stepped onto the battlefield. The scoreboard lit up, displaying their faces.
"A battle between Dylan and Lance—this is going to be amazing!"
Ilene's eyes sparkled. Lance, the former Kanto Champion, now Johto's Champion.
Today's match? Kanto Champion vs. Johto Champion!
"Teacher's gonna win!" Yellow beamed, her big eyes full of faith.
Though she was curious too—Lance was a fellow bearer of Verdant Aura.
"Ahem! Then I, Leaf, will serve as referee."
Leaf cleared her throat and strutted out confidently.
"This is an official Rota Gym match. The challenger is Trainer Lance."
She raised her flag. Since Lance came in a personal capacity, he wasn't using his Champion title.
"The battle will be 6v6, full battle. Dylan will send out his first Pokémon, and may not switch during the match. If all six faint, the challenge is successful."
Lance frowned slightly. The restriction on Dylan seemed like a disadvantage.
But he understood—it was the standard gym rule.
"Battle, begin!" Leaf dropped her flag and stepped back.
"Whew…"
Dylan exhaled, adjusting his collar and looking up at Lance.
"Lance, this day finally came."
He unfastened his collar, pulled black gloves from his pocket, and slid them on with practiced ease.
"Our last battle was unfinished. Today, I hope to see your true strength."
Lance's lips curled into a grin. His piercing red eyes sharpened like drawn blades.
Of course, Dylan—today you'll see the full might of my Dragon Legion!
"I'm using an Ice-type team. I'm sure you're familiar with the Ice element."
Dylan pulled out an Ultra Ball, enlarging it.
"Let's see how you handle the power of ice!"
"My first Pokémon—go!"
He tossed the ball.
"Ninetales, prepare for battle!"
A beautiful Alolan Ninetales appeared in a swirl of sparkling frost, its gemstone-like eyes fixed on Lance.
"Oho~ Starting with Ninetales, huh?"
Leaf chuckled. Looks like Dylan wasn't holding back.
In the stands, more spectators had arrived. It was Dylan vs. Lance, after all!
BEEP
Ninetales (Alolan Form) — Ice/Fairy type. Fox Pokémon.
Ability: Snow Warning
Moves: Aurora Veil, Freeze-Dry, Dazzling Gleam, Nasty Plot, Psychic, Disable…
Notes: Revered as a divine being due to living on sacred snow-covered peaks. (Alola Form)
"Alolan Ninetales, huh…"
Lance narrowed his eyes. He was familiar with it—unlike Kanto's Ninetales, this one was Ice/Fairy.
Both types that counter his usual team.
Still…
"Hmph. Ice and Fairy mean nothing. My Dragons don't fear them!"
Lance scoffed.
"Oh?" Dylan arched a brow. Confident, aren't we?
Then Lance tossed his Poké Ball.
"Gyarados!"
The ferocious sea serpent roared as it appeared, radiating overwhelming power.
"Come, Dylan! Let me show you the true strength of my Dragons!"
With a dramatic sweep of his arm, Lance's cape flared behind him, his voice filled with passion.
He was back—back to that cocky, "I'm number one in the world" energy!
But…
Dylan's face was unreadable.
So... he says "Dragons don't fear Ice or Fairy"... and then sends out a Gyarados?
Seriously?
(End of Chapter)