Kanto guardian deity.
It's more than a title—it's an honor.
Every region has such a title, but earning it is incredibly difficult. Only Pokémon with power at the absolute peak of Champion level can receive this title, and reaching that pinnacle is anything but easy. These Pokémon have survived the test of time, countless life-or-death battles, and the meticulous cultivation and backing of the Pokémon League itself.
Such Pokémon are almost always in the hands of the League's oldest and most respected veterans. The reason Silas could recognize this Tyranitar as a Kanto guardian deity was thanks to his own Grandpa, Professor Oak, who had one just like it. Still, he never expected Takashi to have such a Pokémon—or to be willing to pass it on.
"Kid." Silas was still reeling in disbelief when Tyranitar spoke, its voice deep, steady, and full of authority: "Are you here because you wish to claim my power?"
Silas didn't answer right away. Instead, he hesitated, eyeing Tyranitar warily.
To be honest, a Pokémon worthy of being called a Kanto guardian deity would rank among the very best, even at the Champion tier—how could he not be tempted? But therein lay the problem: Pokémon with that title were always one hundred percent loyal to the League. If his own relationship with the League ever soured, would this Tyranitar still follow him?
"Don't worry." As if sensing Silas's doubt, Tyranitar's voice remained calm. "If you earn my recognition, you will be my Trainer—and no matter who stands in your way, that makes them my enemy. I will fight for you until death."
Hearing those words, Silas's hesitation vanished. "Charizard!"
"Charizard~"
At Silas's call, the Master Ball at his waist popped open, releasing a beam of white light. Charizard appeared, radiating his overwhelming presence, and let out a savage roar at Tyranitar. As a true Champion-tier Pokémon, the Master Ball could no longer suppress Charizard's perception or bind it in any way; it simply served as a vessel now. Charizard was well aware of everything happening outside.
"Champion tier," Tyranitar exclaimed, then shook its head, its lazy green eyes darkening with intensity. "No, more like high-level Champion!"
"No holding back!" Silas shouted, his voice sharp. "Take flight and greet him with Fire Pledge!"
"Charizard!"
Charizard responded, beating its massive wings and soaring into the air. A pillar of fire shot down from above.
But this Fire Pledge was nothing like the one he'd used against Gary yesterday. This time, the flames were more powerful, the colors deeper, and the intensity sent chills down the spine.
"Hmph!" Tyranitar snorted. It clenched its right fist, and a stream of earthy yellow light gathered there—then it punched upward, straight at the descending fire.
The yellow light blasted free from Tyranitar's hand, shooting skyward to meet the fire in midair!
BOOM! The two moves collided, detonating an explosion.
Focus Blast!
A Focus Blast infused with the power of earth.
Silas instantly recognized Tyranitar's move.
But the clash wasn't over. Tyranitar didn't wait for Silas to give Charizard a command; with frightening speed, a dark-purple Hyper Beam gathered in its mouth and launched straight at Charizard!
"Dodge it!"
Seeing the blast, Silas instantly barked the order.
With a sharp swoosh, Charizard twisted away just in time, narrowly avoiding the attack.
The Hyper Beam missed, but even so, it shattered the clouds behind Charizard and left the sky for miles around clear and empty.
Gulp.
Looking at the sky, cloudless where Tyranitar's attack had passed through, Silas swallowed hard. This was his first true Champion battle. He wasn't even sure if Charizard could survive a direct hit like that! But to his surprise, Tyranitar's assault wasn't finished yet.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Tyranitar had become an artillery battery—Hyper Beams fired in rapid succession, like an endless rain of cannon fire, all aimed mercilessly at Charizard. The barrage was so dense that Silas barely had time to react, forcing Charizard to focus solely on dodging—no chance at all to strike back. In an instant, the entire rhythm of the fight shifted; Tyranitar was in total control.
Seeing Charizard forced on the defensive, Silas's eyes flashed with anxiety. He knew if he didn't break this deadlock, Charizard was bound to lose. So he gave a rapid command: "Blaze! Outrage! U-turn flight pattern—hit back with Dragon Rage!"
In the midst of evading, Charizard dove sharply downward, quickly escaping the attack zone. At that same moment, the black flames on Charizard's tail surged larger, and a crimson gleam flashed through its eyes!
"ROAR!"
With a furious cry, Charizard looped back into the sky using a U-shaped flight path, launching a blaze of black fire at Tyranitar with the full force of Dragon Rage.
"Impressive—using Outrage and Blaze to boost your moves and temporarily reach the pinnacle of Champion power."
Seeing the incoming Dragon Rage, Tyranitar's eyes flashed with approval. Without hesitation, it countered with a dark-violet Hyper Beam from its gaping maw, matching Dragon Rage blow for blow.
BOOM!
The two titanic attacks collided—setting off an explosion that shook the heavens.