The morning over Pallet Town burned bright and clear, but the air above Professor Oak's private training field shimmered with a quiet tension. Rows of reinforced barriers hummed with energy, flickering faintly blue as security drones circled the area.
Tharion stood at the center of the arena, his hands gloved and ready — Z-Ring glinting on one wrist, G-Max Band glowing a dull crimson on the other. The faint wind ruffled his coat as he turned toward the figure soaring down from above.
With a deep, thunderous roar, Charizard descended, wings spread wide — a living inferno cutting through the morning air. The moment his claws touched the ground, heat radiated outward, forcing the temperature sensors around the lab to flicker red.
Professor Oak shielded his eyes, smiling despite the intensity. "Still as fierce as ever. I haven't seen that kind of aura since you defeated Lance's Dragonite in Kalos."
Tharion smirked faintly. "He hasn't lost a single match since the day I caught him. I figured if anyone should test this G-Max Band, it's him."
Charizard growled, folding his wings with pride, flames flickering brighter from his tail.
Oak nodded, his scientific curiosity fully awakened. "Everything's ready. I've adjusted the arena's atmospheric pressure to mimic Wyndon Stadium's Gigantamax conditions. The energy conduits should synchronize once you activate the Band."
Tharion looked down at his wrist, feeling the faint vibration pulsing through the G-Max Band. It reacted like a living thing — resonating with his aura, his heartbeat, and the fiery soul of the Pokémon standing before him.
"Alright, partner," Tharion said softly. "Let's show the world what happens when the sky itself bows to fire."
Charizard's wings flared, his growl deepening to a roar that shook the earth.
Tharion's eyes hardened, and he raised his hand toward the heavens.
The G-Max Band flared crimson-red, surrounded by spiraling rings of molten light.
"Charizard! It's time to burn brighter than the sun — GIGANTAMAX!!"
The command struck like thunder.
A column of scarlet energy erupted from the Band, swirling upward in a vortex that tore through the clouds. The sky darkened instantly, the clouds forming a flaming halo around the arena.
Charizard roared, engulfed by a surge of scarlet light that expanded his body in a blinding eruption. The ground trembled beneath his feet as his form ascended — wings growing jagged and immense, flames bursting from his horns like rivers of molten fire. His eyes gleamed like twin stars in the dusk.
From above, it looked as if the sun itself had been reborn.
"GIGANTAMAX CHARIZARD!" Tharion's voice cut through the heatstorm.
Professor Oak watched in awe, his data scanners nearly overloading from the energy readings. "Incredible… the energy signature is tenfold higher than standard Mega Evolution! The thermal output alone could melt the arena's shielding if not regulated!"
But Tharion's focus never wavered.
Charizard let out a roar that split the air — a triumphant cry that sent ripples across the energy field. His wings unfolded, each movement scattering embers like shooting stars.
Tharion smiled up at him, his eyes gleaming with pride. "How's it feel, partner?"
Charizard's gaze met his, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to pause.
"(Like the sky itself is mine to command.)"
Flames ignited along Charizard's wings as he spread them wide, unleashing a torrent of energy skyward. The fire coiled and burst into hundreds of flaming trails, forming a blazing phoenix above the field. The drones' sensors screamed as the firestorm painted the horizon in orange and gold.
Tharion stepped back, hand shielding his face from the heat. "Easy! Don't turn Oak's field into a crater!"
Oak laughed from behind his console, voice cracking through the comms. "Good heavens, Tharion! You'll vaporize my instruments if he keeps that up!"
Tharion grinned, raising his Band hand. "Alright, partner, that's enough. Let's bring it home!"
Charizard roared once more — the flames condensing around him before collapsing inward in a burst of white light. The air shimmered, and the massive form began to shrink back to normal.
Moments later, Gigantamax energy dissipated like a dream — leaving Charizard standing tall, breathing hard, but eyes still burning with feral pride.
Tharion approached, placing a hand against the dragon's snout. "Perfect control. Not a single stray burn mark."
Charizard snorted, puffing a small cloud of smoke that curled like a smirk.
Oak walked forward, still visibly overwhelmed. "I've seen hundreds of trainers test Gigantamax potential, but… none have harmonized energy flow so cleanly. The Band didn't overload, not once!"
Tharion looked down at the faintly glowing G-Max Band. "It's like it was made for me."
Oak nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps it was. Giratina's energy could've stabilized its resonance. This balance — chaos and order, flame and void — it's unnatural, but… beautiful."
Tharion chuckled. "Then I guess it's time to take the next step."
Oak blinked. "Next step?"
Tharion raised his right hand, where the Z-Ring gleamed faintly. "To truly master the other half of this power, I'll need to earn it — not receive it."
Oak's smile returned, proud and knowing. "The Island Trials… in Alola."
Tharion nodded. "Exactly. Gigantamax was a gift. Z-Power will be something I earn."
As Charizard spread his wings, the morning wind caught his flame, scattering it like golden petals across the air.
Tharion looked up at him, eyes steady. "Rest for now, partner. The sky's next test waits across the sea."
The morning light over Pallet Town was golden, cutting through the crisp air as Tharion secured the small travel cradle beside Selene. Aster, only a few weeks old, cooed softly, tiny fingers gripping his father's thumb. The Champion adjusted the strap and smiled faintly, though his gaze carried a familiar steel.
Today wasn't just another journey — this was the beginning of something grand.
Selene stood beside him, Gardevoir hovering protectively behind. "You're sure it's safe?" she asked softly. "After everything with Giratina and Darkrai… the world's energy feels strange."
Tharion nodded, though even he could sense it — a faint vibration of power in the air. The Z-energy. It pulsed faintly beneath the skies, something that shouldn't exist in Kanto yet was spreading like a whisper through the ley lines of the world.
"I'll find the reason once I reach Alola," Tharion replied. "If Z-energy is appearing here, it means the balance between regions is starting to blur. And I need to understand it… before someone else does."
Selene looked down at Aster, her expression softening. "He'll be proud of you one day."
"I hope he'll never need to fight the battles I did," Tharion murmured, kissing her forehead.
Moments later, the sleek white jet emblazoned with the Oak insignia landed at the Pallet Town field. Professor Oak himself approached, his lab coat fluttering. "Tharion! Everything's prepared," he said, eyes twinkling. "Alola's been expecting you. And you'll be meeting my cousin — Professor Samson Oak. He'll handle your registration for the island trials."
Tharion smiled. "I appreciate that, Professor. You've done more than enough."
"Nonsense!" Oak chuckled, waving a hand. "Just promise me you won't blow up any volcanoes or summon legendaries this time."
Selene giggled softly. "No promises, Professor."
As the jet rose into the blue sky, Tharion gazed down at the receding sight of Pallet Town — his home, his sanctuary. He could still sense faint pulses of Z-energy somewhere deep beneath the earth. Something ancient had stirred.
Several hours later — Alola Airspace
The jet descended through a sea of pink and orange clouds as the islands of Alola came into view — vast, sun-soaked, and teeming with life. Palm trees swayed beneath the breeze, and waves glittered under the evening sun.
As they landed, a broad-shouldered man with bronzed skin and a flower-patterned shirt waited at the runway's edge. His hair was slicked back, and a pair of sunglasses perched atop his head.
"Yo!" he called, waving. "You must be Tharion! Samuel's told me plenty about ya!"
Tharion smiled faintly. "Professor Samson Oak, I presume?"
"In the flesh!" Samson grinned, shaking his hand firmly. "Man, you really are taller than I expected. No wonder Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh crowned you Champion. Anyway, we've got a lot to set up — Kahuna registration, trial initiation, and the Z-Crystal resonance check. You'll need approval before you can wield any of them."
Tharion raised his wrist, showing the Z-Ring glinting in the tropical sun. "Then let's begin."
Samson blinked, stepping closer. "That's… huh. You already have one? You must've got it straight from a legendary source."
"Let's say it was a gift," Tharion replied calmly, recalling Giratina's ominous yet peaceful visit.
As they walked toward the regional lab, Tharion's Pokémon appeared one by one — Charizard soaring above, Gardevoir floating gracefully, and Lucario walking beside him with quiet pride. The locals stopped and whispered in awe.
Selene followed behind, carrying Aster in her arms, her eyes soft as she watched Tharion surrounded by the creatures he'd raised from the start of his journey.
That night, as they reached the seaside villa arranged by Samson, Tharion looked up at the moon-drenched ocean. The faint shimmer of Z-energy danced in the waves.
Gardevoir stood beside him. "You feel it too, Master Tharion," her telepathic voice whispered.
He nodded slowly. "The world's energy is changing… and Alola might be the key to understanding why."
As the waves crashed below, Tharion clenched his fist — the G-Max Band glowing faintly in one hand, the Z-Ring pulsing on the other.
The stage was set. The trials awaited.
And somewhere deep beneath Alola's volcanic heart, something ancient stirred in response to his arrival.