Mega-evolved Gardevoir was even more elegant and breathtaking than in the projected footage.
Just standing there, she radiated an overwhelming aura—
If a normal Gardevoir was a refined lady…
Then, Mega Gardevoir was a true Empress.
Her transformation was a success.
However—
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA! I can't hold it anymore! Sorry—HAHAHA!"
Among everyone present, the simplest-minded—Bruno—finally burst into laughter.
And once he cracked, the other Champions who had been holding it in—
Completely lost control.
A chorus of suppressed snorts turned into full-on laughter.
It couldn't be helped.
If a teenager like Ash had given a "second-year syndrome"-style transformation speech, perhaps it would have passed.
But Diantha?!
That level of dramatic chuuniness erupting from someone normally so graceful and composed…
The contrast was just too much.
Even in films and dramas, Diantha would never take on a role that required such over-the-top lines.
Both her real-life persona and public image leaned toward elegant maturity—
Not second-year syndrome.
The Champions were completely stunned
and simply could not contain themselves.
"We're professionals—normally we wouldn't laugh.
Unless we can't stop it."
"You guys… stop laughing!!
Laugh again, and I'll have Gardevoir fire a Moonblast at all of you!"
"…Ahem. Not laughing. Not laughing."
The Champions instantly straightened up,
faces stiffening into forced seriousness.
But then Alder pulled out his red Pokédex, trying (and failing) to speak through suppressed laughter:
"Um… c-cough… I was… trying to record Gardevoir's Mega Evolution just now… but who knew—cough—"
SWOOSH!
Diantha's face instantly turned crimson.
She snapped:
"I advise you to be kind. DELETE. THE. VIDEO. NOW.
Or you'll find out exactly why flowers bloom red!"
If that recording leaked…
She'd have to disappear from public life forever.
Who knew this guy Alder, who already looked unreliable—
Was she even more unreliable than she imagined?!
If she had known he would record THAT,
she would've erased his Pokédex first!
"This won't do. This is the first recorded Mega Evolution in the entire world!
Once Mega Evolution becomes widespread, this footage will be priceless!"
Alder quickly stuffed the Pokédex into his clothes like a squirrel protecting treasure.
Diantha nearly lunged at him on the spot.
She was this close to throwing hands!
But just then—
The hanging screen in the room lit up.
A solemn, ethereal voice echoed:
"Large-Scale Legendary Battle Tally—beginning now.
Please first view the preliminary recap…"
Hearing this, Diantha could only suppress her fury for now.
Alder would be dealt with after the video ended.
Under the anticipation of the entire world,
the fourth major Legendary battle finally began.
As usual, the tally started with a "previous events" segment.
People were already whispering:
Don't tell me it's another "weak-to-strong, mortal-challenges-the-God" build-up?
If so…
Everyone already knew the rule:
If the tally gives a character a detailed backstory,
their chance of winning skyrockets to 80%.
Forget power-scaling—
This is pure narrative luck!
The footage played—
A massive island appeared, displayed clearly on the screen.
A line of text appeared below:
"Melemele Island."
[Samson Oak.: Huh? Isn't that our Melemele Island in the Alola region? Looks like this tally features someone from Alola!]
The Alola region—
remote, small, isolated,
and lacking famous Trainers.
They weren't even part of the Pokémon League yet.
No annual conference, no large-scale tournaments.
Basically, a countryside backwater.
Professor Kukui had long hoped to bring Alola into the League system—
But the opportunity never came.
Until now.
With Melemele Island featured in the tally,
this could be Alola's chance to appear on the world stage.
The screen zoomed in on the island,
narrowing its focus on a dormant volcano.
A yellow-and-black figure stood there, appearing clearly.
Black body.
Orange crest.
Shell-like arms.
[Professor Kukui: Tapu Koko!! That's the island guardian deity of Melemele!]
Alola Region — Pokémon School
Professor Kukui leaned forward, eyes wide.
Tapu Koko appearing in the intro?!
That was huge—because Tapu Koko was a legendary Pokémon.
Usually, legendaries appeared on the combatant's side, not the victim's.
Yet here it was, presented in the opening recap.
"Professor Kukui! That's really Tapu Koko?! Our island's guardian deity?!"
A blue-haired girl—Lana—asked excitedly.
She and four other classmates were gathered in their classroom.
School was long over—
But none of them wanted to miss the tally, so they stayed to watch together.
Seeing Tapu Koko appear at the very start made them all jump with excitement.
"Yes. That's definitely Tapu Koko!
Which means… one of the featured beings this time is Tapu Koko."
Since this was labeled a Large-Scale Legendary Battle,
there would be more than one legendary involved.
Tapu Koko was only one piece of the puzzle.
Kukui's eyes sparkled—
Alola… might finally be recognized by the world.
…
The footage continued.
Around Tapu Koko stood many Pokémon—
and a group of people.
These people wore uniforms with a large R printed on them.
Faces twisted with hostility.
[Lance: What?! Team Rocket?!
Why are they in Alola?!
And how did they find its guardian deity?!]
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