"A battle between Mega Gengar and Mega Charizard X, huh? This is getting interesting."
Giovanni was clearly enjoying himself. As someone who had personally experienced the power of Red's Charizard X, he naturally had plenty to say.
After all, he had ultimately lost to that very Charizard X.
As Red's ace Pokémon, Charizard X's strength was genuinely outstanding.
And Dylan's Mega Gengar needed no further introduction—as the ace of Dylan's Poison-type team, its level spoke for itself.
Giovanni even seriously suspected that Dylan had temporarily "borrowed" Mega Gengar from his Ghost-type team and stuffed it into the Poison lineup.
But Mega Gengar was part Poison-type, so there was nothing technically wrong with it.
On the field—
"Charizard! Flamethrower!"
Red launched the attack decisively. Under Shadow Tag, Charizard X couldn't be withdrawn anyway, so there was no reason not to go on the offensive.
To begin with, when Red chose Charizard X to face Mega Gengar, he had never intended to switch it out.
Mega Charizard X beat its wings and rose into the air, unleashing a stream of scorching blue flames that tore through the air.
"Shadow Ball."
Mega Gengar brought its claws together as a jet-black Shadow Ball formed and shot forward to meet the attack.
Boom!
Flamethrower and Shadow Ball collided violently in midair, but before long, Shadow Ball suppressed the flames and began pushing forward.
"Charizard!"
Red wasn't surprised. As expected, Charizard X's special attack couldn't match this Mega Gengar's.
Charizard X suddenly intensified its Flamethrower. The boosted flames and Shadow Ball detonated together in a violent explosion.
A powerful shockwave burst outward, fierce winds sweeping across the field.
"Dragon Rush!"
In the next instant, Red transitioned straight into close combat.
Charizard X was technically a mixed attacker, but with the Tough Claws ability, close-range combat was clearly where it truly shined.
ROAR—!
A thunderous dragon's roar echoed as a ferocious draconic aura condensed around Charizard X, savage and oppressive.
Charizard X dove straight down, cutting through the lingering smoke.
"Dodge."
Dylan naturally wouldn't let Mega Gengar take this head-on. Mega Gengar cackled as it retreated rapidly, its speed astonishing.
Charizard X's dive was imposing, but catching Mega Gengar like this was nothing more than wishful thinking—
even with Charizard X giving it everything it had.
Just before crashing into the ground, Charizard X beat its wings and pulled up, the dragon aura dispersing.
"All Out!"
But Red didn't give up. Chasing Mega Gengar was difficult, yes—but constant pressure was necessary.
Only through relentless offense could he find an opening.
Mega Gengar's condition wasn't full. Because of Curse, its HP wasn't in great shape.
If Dylan were allowed to use Pain Split, Mega Gengar's condition would improve significantly—so Red couldn't give it any breathing room.
Charizard X erupted in roaring flames, its presence overwhelming.
Fire-type All Out—if the previous attack missed, this move's power doubled.
"Sludge Wave!"
Mega Gengar continued retreating as purple sludge surged like a wave toward Charizard X.
Boom!
Sludge Wave and All Out collided head-on. The raging flames of All Out were ferocious—after a brief struggle, they overwhelmed and shattered the sludge entirely.
But Mega Gengar's speed was simply too high. Even then, Charizard X failed to land a hit.
"Mega Gengar's special attack is powerful, but it lacks truly high-powered moves. That's a major weakness,"Agatha shook her head.
As a veteran Gengar specialist, she knew Gengar inside and out.
Flexible tactics, mastery of status conditions, strong special attack, high speed—but a lack of truly devastating moves.
Ghost-type had Shadow Ball as its main STAB.Poison-type had Sludge Bomb and Sludge Wave, roughly equivalent to Flamethrower in power.
Gengar's strongest attacks were actually off-type—Focus Blast and Thunder.
"But it's not easy for Charizard X to hit Gengar either,"Lorelei observed as the chase continued.
Mega Gengar was extremely nimble. Catching it was no easy feat.
"No—keep defending and you'll lose eventually,"Agatha disagreed."If this keeps up, Gengar will get hit sooner or later."
She smiled faintly.
"Besides… perhaps Dylan isn't planning to give this stage to Gengar at all."
With her experience, Agatha could tell—there were ways to break the situation.
No matter what, a Mega Gengar of this level shouldn't be fighting so cautiously.
Perhaps Dylan was waiting for the right moment.This "cat-and-mouse" game might be entirely deliberate.
And sure enough, Mega Gengar was finally cornered by Mega Charizard X.
"Dragon Claw!"
Red didn't hesitate.
Charizard X raised its sharp dragon claws and slashed viciously toward Mega Gengar.
"Sucker Punch!"
A flash of black light crossed Mega Gengar's eyes as it vanished instantly, reappearing behind Charizard X.
"It's useless, Dylan! Gengar's damage is too low!"Red's eyes sharpened.
Mega Gengar's Sucker Punch slammed into Charizard X's back—but its physical attack was indeed pitiful.
Charizard X let out a low growl and spun around, Dragon Claw swinging back—
"Toxic!"
Dragon Claw struck Mega Gengar solidly, sending it flying with a pained cry.
At the same time, deep purple poison sprayed from Mega Gengar straight toward Charizard X.
Charizard X tried to dodge immediately—
but it was too late.
It couldn't avoid it.
"Kehehe~!"
Mega Gengar pushed itself back to its feet. Its aura was clearly much weaker now—that Dragon Claw had hit hard.
But Mega Gengar didn't care.
What it really wanted was to see what this dragon would look like next.
Charizard X glared at Mega Gengar as dark purple poison light flared across its body. Toxic blotches spread rapidly—
The first Toxic tick.
Charizard X let out a furious growl.
This ghost was truly despicable.
Red frowned deeply. Being badly poisoned made things very troublesome from here on out.
"That's more like it,"Dylan nodded in satisfaction."It is a Poison-type team, after all. Let your Charizard get poisoned—just to show some respect."
Red: "..."
"Alright then. Come back, Gengar."
Dylan recalled Mega Gengar. Its job was done.
"Next is my final Pokémon. Red—Charizard is your starter Pokémon, right?"
Dylan put away Mega Gengar's Poké Ball and took out another, smiling at Red.
"Yes,"Red nodded.
"This one is my starter Pokémon too."
Dylan gently shook the Poké Ball in his hand. Red's eyes immediately lit up.
"I haven't used it in battle for a long time. It's been getting a bit grumpy—so today feels just right."
With a light chuckle, Dylan threw the Poké Ball.
"Meow—let's battle!"
"Meow~"
A low, husky, magnetic cry rang out as Meowscarada landed gracefully, straightened up, and tilted its head slightly, gem-like slit pupils locking onto Mega Charizard X.
"So it's Meowscarada,"Leaf raised an eyebrow. She still remembered this wicked Pokémon vividly.
Back in Celadon City, Meowscarada had utterly crushed Athena's main Pokémon—that feral, overwhelming presence was unforgettable.
"Dylan's starter Pokémon… you don't see that often,"Blue said with interest.
"That's true. Looks like Dylan is taking this match very seriously—even bringing out his starter,"Giovanni said with a faint smile.
No, I think Meowscarada volunteered itself,Lillie covered her mouth and giggled softly. She could practically imagine Meowscarada sulking and complaining to her brother.
But this time, Lillie was actually wrong.
Dylan had deliberately chosen Meowscarada as his final Pokémon.
Meowscarada loved battling, but as Dylan's main roster grew, its opportunities to appear had gradually decreased.
As his starter Pokémon, Meowscarada held special meaning for him.
Ending the World Championship Finals with Meowscarada felt just right.
The stadium buzzed with excitement—everyone had heard Dylan's words.
This was Champion Dylan's starter Pokémon!
"So Champion Dylan's starter is our Meowscarada?"Nemona said in surprise.
After all, her own starter had been Sprigatito as well, and Meowscarada was now her ace.
"According to Dylan himself, he received it as his starter while attending Pokémon School,"Geeta said with a smile.
"Ohhh."Nemona nodded in understanding.
Pokémon schools existed in every region. While few rivaled prestigious academies like Orange Academy, many were excellent.
Some schools even distributed starter Pokémon, including regional trios.Dylan's school had been one of those.
"Using Meowscarada to fight Charizard X—Dylan is really confident,"
After all, as a Grass-type, Meowscarada was at an extreme disadvantage against Fire/Dragon Charizard X.
Charizard X resisted Grass fourfold.
"It doesn't matter,"Nemona said confidently."Meowscarada doesn't rely only on Grass-type moves."
On the field—
"Meow."
Dylan took out a Tera Orb and tossed it toward Meowscarada.
The orb shone brilliantly as crystal enveloped Meowscarada's body. With a crisp chime, Dark-type Terastallized Meowscarada emerged.
"Terastallization versus Mega Evolution.Starter versus starter."
Dylan adjusted his shirt collar and looked straight at Red.
"A fair fight, don't you think, Red?"
Red's eyes burned brightly.
"Then—let the battle begin."