"Congratulations, Cynthia."
Though he had just lost, Steven still showed grace as he offered his congratulations.
Being dethroned left a sour note in his heart, of course—but that was only human.
Regardless, he had given everything he had. Losing at the end, there was nothing more he could do.
"Thank you." Cynthia shook his hand, then turned her gaze toward the viewing room, her beautiful eyes glimmering faintly.
With this victory, Cynthia had officially defeated Steven and risen to the No. 2 seat among the Masters.
News of her triumph spread across the world like wildfire—but that was only the beginning.
Barely an hour after the match ended, another announcement shook the globe.
Masters No. 2, Cynthia, challenges Masters No. 1—Dylan!
The second strongest trainer in the world was challenging the very strongest!Without question, this news was far more shocking than her battle against Steven. The internet exploded.
"No, Champion Cynthia! Please don't do something so reckless!"
"A true trainer must face hardship head-on! Strongest in the world? Has he proven it? He's never beaten Cynthia—what gives him the right to be first?"
"Yeah, and then she'll get utterly crushed?"
"Hilarious. She just made it to No. 2 and already she's flying too high, challenging Dylan?"
"Place your bets, place your bets! How many of Dylan's Pokémon can Cynthia take down?"
"I'll start—my money's on a clean sweep!"
The hype was already off the charts. Since the World Cup Tournament began, no one had dared challenge Dylan's seat as the world's strongest.
Some admired her, some mocked her, others worried for her.
But none of that mattered to Cynthia. The reason she had sought Steven's challenge was simple: her true goal was Dylan.
She ignored the gossiping reporters. Once the match was over, she left the Lilycove Arena immediately.
She needed to adjust her state of mind and body, to be at her absolute peak for what came next.
"Impressive, Miss Cynthia—going straight for Dylan."
Leon admitted, he genuinely admired her. Only those who had stood across from Dylan could understand the crushing weight he radiated.
As for Leon himself? Since that humiliating clean sweep, he hadn't once entertained the thought of facing Dylan again.
"This is gonna be a good show." Alder laughed, sounding far livelier than he had in months.
Maybe it was the fire of the younger generation, battling tooth and nail for rank in the World Cup Tournament, that had rekindled a bit of his own spirit.
He no longer cared for climbing the Masters' ladder—but watching battles at this level? That thrilled him.
Especially when someone challenged Dylan.
Dylan, for his part, only smiled without answering. Truth be told, he was looking forward to this match.
Three days later. Indigo Plateau, packed to the brim.
"Lady Caitlin?"
Outside the waiting room, Dylan leaned against the wall, idly scrolling his phone. He looked up, surprised, as Caitlin approached.
The young lady was, as always, elegant. Her hair was so long she had to use her psychic powers to keep it lifted off the floor.
"Good day, Leader Dylan."
She hadn't expected to meet him here, but quickly offered a graceful bow with her polite smile.
"I just came from Cynthia. What a coincidence."
She explained lightly. It wasn't odd—she and Cynthia were close friends, after all.
"I see. In that case, might I trouble you for a small favor?" Dylan smiled warmly, tilting his head at her.
"Please, go ahead."
Caitlin tilted her head, porcelain-pale face carrying a hint of curiosity.
"Would you press this for me?"
He pulled out a small spinning wheel.
Still confused, Caitlin pressed the button. The wheel spun rapidly before stopping… on a little ghost icon.
"Ghost, hm. Not bad." Dylan nodded.
"Leader Dylan… what exactly is this?" Caitlin suddenly felt a bad premonition.
"Well… I have a bit of decision paralysis. I've raised too many Pokémon, so I can never decide which to bring for matches. This makes it easier."
Dylan scratched his head, smiling sheepishly, sunshine-bright.
"…Huh?"
Caitlin's lips parted in shock, her little pink tongue visible as she gawked at him.
This… this kind of thing…
"But now I don't have to worry. Since you drew Ghost, I'll use a Ghost-type team against Cynthia."
He tapped the Poké Ball thoughtfully.
"And since it's not a Gym match, I'll mix in two other types for balance."
"Leader Dylan… I recall your official Champion team is Dragon-type…" Caitlin tried gently.
If Cynthia learned that she was the one who picked Ghost for him…
This wasn't good!
"Sure. I used Dragons against Leon. But if I only ever use Dragons, that wouldn't be fair. My other partners deserve a chance to shine on the world stage too." Dylan said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Fair. To him, all his Pokémon were family—he couldn't favor one group over another.
"Anyway, thanks for the help, Lady Caitlin."
"You're… too kind…"
Caitlin forced a smile, though she couldn't shake the feeling she'd just doomed her best friend.
It should be fine. Ghost-types weren't unbeatable. Cynthia could handle it… right?
And Dylan did say he'd bring a couple of others too…
Indigo Arena.
"Welcome, everyone, to Indigo Plateau! The weather's great today."
Up on the platform, Goodshow beamed as he spoke into the mic.
He was clearly in excellent spirits—so much so that he'd taken up the host's role himself.
"Without further ado, let's welcome our two challengers to the stage!"
"Dylan!"
"Cynthia!"
As their names rang out, the two trainers emerged from opposite sides of the stadium.
The arena erupted.
"Woo!""Champion Dylan! Invincible!""Cynthia, please! I bet you'd take down at least two of his Pokémon!""Dylan's so handsome—my husband is the best!""No one is unbeatable! Cynthia, crush him for us!""What Pokémon will Dylan use today? I can't wait!"
The cheers were deafening. Most of the crowd, naturally, was in Dylan's corner—this was Kanto territory, after all.
And Dylan's record was simply too terrifying. Even fans from Sinnoh didn't feel fully confident in Cynthia here.
This was the man who had clean-swept Leon and Lance, after all.
Dylan walked to his trainer's spot, smiling and nodding at Cynthia.
"The challenge match of the World Cup Tournament begins now!"
"The challenger, Sinnoh Champion Cynthia! The defender, Kanto Champion Dylan!"
"Battle rules: full 6 vs. 6, with two forms of enhancement allowed. When one side's six Pokémon can no longer battle, the other side wins."
"Begin!"
The referee bowed slightly, then stepped aside.
On the big screen, portraits of Dylan and Cynthia appeared. The pointer spun—and landed on Dylan. He would send out first.
"I've been waiting for this day, Cynthia."
Dylan slowly pulled on black gloves, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, striking a casual, almost roguish figure.
"From the moment I became a trainer, I dreamed of this—whether against you, or Steven, or Lance."
He rolled a Poké Ball between his fingers, gaze locking on Cynthia—the elegant, commanding Sinnoh Champion.
She gave no answer, only met his eyes with her own sharp, determined gaze.
"To me, you're all special. To share this stage with you, before the whole world… it's an honor."
His smile was warm, voice calm.
"But there can only be one result."
He flicked the Poké Ball into the air.
"My first Pokémon—let's go!"
"Gholdengo, battle ready!"
With a flash of white light, the golden humanoid Pokémon landed, striking a jaunty pose with one hand on its hip.
The evolved form of Gimmighoul—Gholdengo!
Beep—Gholdengo. Steel/Ghost-type.Ability: Good as Gold.Known moves: Make It Rain, Nasty Plot, Power Gem, Recover, Shadow Ball…
It's said its body is made of 1,000 coins. Friendly by nature, it gets along instantly with anyone.
"Now that's a rich-looking Pokémon. Very fitting for Dylan!"
From the stands, old man Itto nodded sagely as the Rotomdex rattled off data.
"Look at the name, look at the ability—'Good as Gold.' So classy! Perfect match for Dylan!"
"…As long as you're happy, Grandpa." Lillie gave a weak laugh. Perfect match, my foot…
Still, Gholdengo was special indeed. Its evolution was costly, and she knew Dylan had paid handsomely to collect enough coins for it.
Calling it a "pay-to-evolve" Pokémon wasn't wrong—most trainers would never manage it.
"Gholdengo, huh…"
Cynthia narrowed her eyes. A Steel team? A Ghost team? Or a mixed lineup?
"Exactly. Cynthia, let me show you the charm of Ghost-types."
Dylan spun the Poké Ball on his fingertip, grinning.
Ghosts, huh… troublesome.
Cynthia frowned slightly. Tricky, elusive Ghost-types wouldn't be easy to deal with.
"This type was chosen for you, Cynthia—by your dear friend."
"…???"
(End of Chapter)