"Dylan, this time I'll show you my true strength!"
Lance's voice was filled with passionate excitement. He'd spent the entire night preparing for this match!
He'd picked his six strongest Pokémon, confident that even without any overpowered legendaries, Dylan wouldn't easily beat him.
"Oh? Lance, you think Gyarados can handle my Ice-types?"
Dylan raised an eyebrow, watching Lance with a faint, amused smile.
Gyarados was Water + Flying type—while Flying was weak to Ice, Water resisted it, meaning Gyarados didn't have an Ice-type weakness.
However, Ice-type moves included Freeze-Dry.
And Freeze-Dry was super-effective against Water-types.
Which meant Gyarados, normally neutral to Ice, became four times weak to Freeze-Dry due to its Water + Flying combo.
And Alolan Ninetales could learn Freeze-Dry naturally.
"Of course not."
Lance's handsome features remained calm as he raised his right hand—on which shone a dazzling gemstone.
A Mega Stone.
"I never found a Mega Stone for Dragonite… but I did get one for Gyarados."
"Gyarados!"
"Roooar!"
Gyarados let out a powerful roar as brilliant light enveloped its body.
Mega Evolution!
Under the glow of evolution, it transformed into a thicker, more intimidating Mega Gyarados.
Its intense aura radiated ferocity as it glared down at Alolan Ninetales.
Ninetales, elegant and composed, gently swished its nine shimmering tails and met Mega Gyarados' eyes with gemlike calm.
This Gyarados was strong.
Dylan licked his lips. Interesting.
In the crowd, excitement exploded.
"It's Mega Evolution!"
"He's playing his trump card right at the start—Lance's going all in!"
"Damn, good thing I came to Rota today. Dylan versus Lance? This is legendary."
"Dylan as Champion—I got no complaints. But not seeing him face Lance in a true champion showdown? That was always my regret. Not anymore!"
"This is insane! I love it!"
Some spectators had already snapped photos of the two squaring off and were uploading them online.
Dylan and Lance ignored it all.
"Ninetales."
At Dylan's call, Ninetales raised its head and let out a clear cry.
Dark clouds swirled above the field, and snow began to fall steadily.
Its Snow Warning ability had triggered—turning the weather to hail. Under hail, Ice-type Pokémon gained increased Defense.
"Just a little snow."
Lance barely glanced at the falling flakes.
"Gyarados, Stone Edge!"
He waved his arm with steely resolve.
Mega Gyarados, now Water + Dark, only took double damage from Freeze-Dry. And while it was now weak to Fairy, Lance didn't care.
Alolan Ninetales had low offensive power—and Mega Gyarados had excellent Special Defense. Even in a trade, he came out ahead.
Mega Gyarados roared and twisted its massive body. Jagged stones formed in front of it and launched toward Ninetales.
The snow impacted visibility a little, but not enough to matter.
"Evade. Aurora Veil."
Ninetales leapt back gracefully, dodging the Stone Edge.
Then a beautiful shimmer of aurora cascaded down from above.
Aurora Veil—an Ice-type move that could only be used in hail—reduced both physical and special damage taken by the user's team.
Essentially, it combined the effects of Reflect and Light Screen.
Broken, yes—but the weather requirement balanced it. Once the snow stopped, Aurora Veil would vanish.
"Charge in! Go all out!"
Lance's gaze was sharp as a blade.
Too late to stop Aurora Veil—he had to press the attack!
Mega Gyarados howled and charged forward, wreathed in fierce flames.
It was using Outrage—no, wait—Flare Blitz?!
Actually, it was Flame Charge. A move that boosted speed if the previous attack missed.
The fierce flames melted the falling snow as Mega Gyarados surged forward.
Meanwhile, Aurora Veil had enveloped Ninetales.
"Dazzling Gleam."
Ninetales stepped back and glowed with pink light.
Fairy-type Dazzling Gleam.
But before the light could hit, Gyarados crashed through it, the momentum of Flame Charge slamming into Ninetales.
Thanks to Aurora Veil, most of the damage was mitigated. Ninetales let out a pained cry as it was pushed back.
What should've been a devastating, super-effective hit was reduced to something more manageable.
"Iron Head!"
Lance didn't let up.
Gyarados' head gleamed with metallic light as it lunged again.
Ninetales was 4× weak to Steel. Even with Veil, it'd still be a heavy hit.
"Nasty Plot!"
Ninetales raised its head, dark energy flickering in its eyes.
Its Special Attack surged.
Just as Iron Head landed.
Boom!
Ninetales cried out and was flung back.
Now it was at +2 Special Attack!
"Dylan, even with one Nasty Plot, your Ninetales can't beat my Mega Gyarados."
Lance narrowed his eyes, already sensing what Dylan was doing.
"Patience, Lance. We're just getting started."
Dylan smiled, completely composed.
"Hmph! Let's see what tricks you've got left."
Lance wasn't too concerned—Ninetales' base Special Attack wasn't that great, even at +2, it couldn't bring down Mega Gyarados.
"Gyarados, Iron Head again!"
In hail and behind Aurora Veil, Iron Head was still his best option.
"Another Nasty Plot."
Dylan ordered calmly.
Dark energy swirled again. Ninetales now hit +4 Special Attack.
Gyarados slammed into it with Iron Head once more.
Ninetales flew back again, battered—but not out.
"Is this all setup for Baton Pass?" Lance squinted.
If so, whatever came in would inherit those buffs.
Well, it didn't matter. Even if it was a setup play, weakening the weather-setter and screen user was always smart.
Two Iron Heads and one Flame Charge—Ninetales had to be hurting.
Even with the buffs and Veil, Gyarados' raw physical power wasn't to be underestimated.
"Iron Head again!"
"Dodge it."
This time, Dylan wasn't having Ninetales take it.
The fox crouched low, then leapt, narrowly avoiding the third Iron Head.
"Flame Charge again!"
Lance didn't hesitate.
"Pain Split!"
Wait, what?!
Lance's eyes twitched.
Ninetales cried out. A white orb left its body—and another left Gyarados. The two merged midair and split evenly again, returning to each Pokémon.
Suddenly, Gyarados' energy dropped noticeably, while Ninetales recovered significantly.
Pain Split.
The two Pokémon's HP was averaged.
"…."
Lance's face twitched again.
Alright, Dylan. So this was your plan all along!
"Iron Head!"
Lance's voice turned cold.
Pain Split was dirty, but whatever—it just reset the field. He'd just beat Ninetales anyway.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
Ninetales glowed again, releasing another burst of pink light as Gyarados charged.
Boom!
Now at +4, Ninetales' attack couldn't be ignored.
The blast clashed with Gyarados' Iron Head midair. Energy crackled as the two forces met.
Lance's expression grew grim.
He knew now—Dylan was no pushover. That Dazzling Gleam had real force behind it.
Before, it shattered instantly. Now, it matched Gyarados blow for blow.
Not surprising, given Ninetales was now at +4.
When the energy finally exploded, both Pokémon were blown back.
It was obvious who had the upper hand.
Ninetales now had the power to go toe-to-toe with Mega Gyarados. And thanks to Pain Split, their HP levels were roughly even.
"Dylan, the hail's almost over. Once it ends, Aurora Veil will vanish!"
Lance stayed calm, noting his coming advantage.
He was right—snowfall was weakening. Once it stopped, Veil would drop.
Dylan couldn't afford to reset weather—that would be handing Gyarados a free hit.
Without hail or Veil, Ninetales was 4× weak to Steel.
He had a chance.
"Oh? You sure?"
Dylan chuckled and looked up at the light snowfall.
"Baton Pass."
Just as Lance predicted.
"Dragon Dance, Gyarados!"
He needed to prep for what was coming. Whoever Dylan sent in would be at +4 Special Attack—he had to keep pace.
Gyarados began to glow, its power and speed rising.
Ninetales turned to glowing white light and returned to its Poké Ball.
Dylan threw another ball.
"Ready for battle—Ninetales!"
"…?"
Lance blinked. "Ninetales?"
A familiar but slightly slimmer figure landed before Dylan.
Another light-blue, elegant Alolan Ninetales.
Lance's eye twitched.
He went silent.
Dylan… had brought two Alolan Ninetales?
(End of Chapter)