"Dark-Tera Meowscarada versus Mega Charizard X—now this is going to be good."
Diantha watched the two Pokémon facing off on the field, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"So, Serena, who do you think will win?"
Diantha asked.
"Meowscarada," Serena answered without hesitation.
"This is Mr. Dylan's starter Pokémon—it has to be incredibly strong. And Charizard X is already badly poisoned."
Serena analyzed calmly.
"I think so too. I'm just curious how strong Champion Dylan's Meowscarada really is,"
Diantha nodded in agreement.
On the field—
Red's emotions were running high. His opponent was Dylan's starter Pokémon, and for many Trainers, a starter held an irreplaceable, special meaning.
A starter Pokémon might not always be a Trainer's strongest—but it was always the most special.
"Dragon Claw!"
Red gave the order without hesitation.
Mega Charizard X let out a thunderous dragon roar, beat its wings, and dove straight toward Meowscarada.
"Sucker Punch!"
Meowscarada grinned, a wicked smile spreading across its face. Black light flashed in its eyes as its figure vanished instantly.
So fast!
Red's expression tightened as Meowscarada appeared behind Charizard X like a ghost.
That speed was terrifying.
"Meow~!"
A low, magnetic purr echoed right beside Charizard X's ear, making its scales crawl.
A chilling killing intent surged from behind. The battle-hardened Charizard X didn't even turn around—instead, it tried to accelerate and evade.
But it was still a step too slow.
A sharp pain exploded across its back, and the powerful impact sent Charizard X crashing uncontrollably downward.
Dark-type Sucker Punch!
Boom!
Charizard X slammed hard into the ground. It hadn't been flying very high to begin with.
It tried to rise immediately—but deep purple poison light suddenly flared, toxic blotches spreading across its body.
The Badly Poisoned status left behind by Mega Gengar!
The second Toxic tick triggered. Charizard X groaned in pain, failing to stand up right away.
"Throat Chop!"
Meowscarada crouched low, claws wrapped in black light, and stabbed viciously toward the grounded Charizard X.
Dark-type Throat Chop!
"Charizard!"
Red wouldn't just sit and watch his partner get torn apart.
Charizard X saw the incoming claws and instantly raised both dragon claws to block.
The Throat Chop was stopped, Charizard X straining with all its strength to hold it off.
Meowscarada lowered its head slightly. Its gem-like vertical pupils were filled with pure, terrifying malice, its smile growing even more sinister.
Its other claw flared with black light—
Another Throat Chop!
"Flamethrower!"
Red reacted instantly.
Charizard X fired a high-temperature blast of flames straight at Meowscarada.
Meowscarada sensed it immediately, leaping backward to evade, tilting its head as it watched the brilliant flames pass by.
Taking advantage of the opening, Charizard X finally managed to stand—
But the moment it steadied itself, its body suddenly stiffened, then began to tremble.
Deep purple toxic blotches appeared again.
The third Toxic tick.
Red's eyes darkened. This poison was absolutely disgusting.
The damage was already significant—and worse was yet to come.
"Throat Chop!"
Meowscarada showed no mercy, darting forward at extreme speed and tearing into Charizard X with its claws.
The hellish pain forced Charizard X to let out a pained roar, its aura weakening noticeably.
"Heat Wave!"
Red immediately ordered a counterattack. At this rate, Charizard X wouldn't last much longer.
Charizard X endured the pain, beat its wings, and unleashed a sweeping wave of scorching heat.
Fire-type Heat Wave, a wide-area attack!
"Sucker Punch!"
But Meowscarada vanished once more, moving so fast that only afterimages remained.
It sprinted behind Charizard X, leaped, and appeared again at its back.
"Meow~!"
That chilling, malicious purr echoed once again.
Charizard X roared—but before the sound even finished—
Meowscarada delivered a brutal kick straight into its back.
Sucker Punch!
BOOM!
Charizard X was blasted backward at high speed, smashing into the battlefield. The impact was so heavy it shook the entire arena.
The sheer power of that strike was undeniable.
Meowscarada landed lightly and gracefully, raised a claw to its mouth, and slowly licked it.
That wild, wicked smile never left its face.
At that moment, the audience completely exploded.
"It's so lewd!!!"
"This is impossible to fight—this Meowscarada is way too strong!"
"I seriously feel like it's not even going all out!"
"AAAAH I love it so much! Meowscarada is so cool!"
"Even though Toxic played a huge role, Champion Dylan's starter Pokémon is just insanely strong!"
Cheers and screams flooded the stadium.
Meowscarada, effortlessly suppressing Red's ace Mega Charizard X, had clearly won over countless fans.
After all, a Pokémon that was wild, sinister, powerful, and stylish was bound to be popular.
"It's exactly the same as back then…"
In the stands, Athena looked dazed, unconsciously licking her dry lips.
Last year in Celadon City, her Arbok and Vileplume had been utterly crushed by this very Meowscarada.
Seeing it dominate again today made her heart race.
"Paldea… looks like I need to take a trip there."
Athena made up her mind. She was going to raise a Meowscarada herself.
On the field—
When Charizard X struggled back to its feet again, it was already panting heavily. Its condition was terrible.
Deep purple poison light flared for the fourth time.
Charizard X groaned in agony.
This time, Meowscarada didn't attack. Its jewel-like eyes calmly watched Charizard X.
As the Toxic damage subsided, Charizard X gasped for air, locking eyes with Meowscarada in defiance.
Red pressed his lips together. He understood—
Dylan was giving him one last chance to shine.
Even though he was already this strong, the gap between them—starter to starter—was still so vast.
Toxic had weakened Charizard X, yes.
But even without it, Charizard X clearly wouldn't have been Meowscarada's opponent.
Just as Dylan had said earlier—
He poisoned Charizard X simply because he was using a Poison-type team.
"Blast Burn!"
Red lowered the brim of his cap and gave the command in a deep voice.
"ROOOAR—!!"
A mighty roar echoed through the stadium.
Charizard X raised its right claw and smashed it into the battlefield.
Fire-type Blast Burn!
Cracks spread across the ground as blazing flames surged upward like a volcanic eruption.
This was its final strength.
"Frenzy Plant."
Dylan's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Meow~"
Meowscarada stood elegantly, green light glowing softly around its body as it raised both arms.
The ground violently split open as massive, withered plant roots burst forth.
Grass-type Frenzy Plant!
Countless roots lashed out like raging dragons toward Charizard X.
Charizard X's infernal flames surged forward, colliding head-on with the oncoming plants.
BOOM!
Fire and vegetation clashed violently in midair. Shockwaves roared skyward, ripples of energy spreading like waves.
The fierce winds even reached the audience—
Yet nothing could suppress the crowd's surging emotions.
Blast Burn and Frenzy Plant—
the ultimate moves of starter Pokémon.
Seeing them collide like this was incredibly rare.
"Frenzy Plant actually matched Blast Burn—this is insane!"
Nemona stared at the writhing plant roots in shock and excitement.
Grass versus Fire, yet not being overwhelmed—
especially when Meowscarada's Special Attack wasn't even that high.
And the opponent was Red's ace Mega Charizard X!
BOOM—!!
A massive explosion erupted as Blast Burn and Frenzy Plant detonated together.
The violent shockwave blasted both Pokémon backward.
Meowscarada slid back, one claw digging into the ground before it stabilized.
Charizard X, however, was sent flying and slammed hard onto the ground, unable to rise.
Its condition had already been too poor.
Seconds passed as the energy finally dissipated.
Charizard X tried to stand—
But deep purple poison light flashed once more.
With a pained groan, its body collapsed.
Light flashed as Mega Evolution forcibly ended.
Charizard fainted.
"Charizard is unable to battle. Meowscarada wins,"
Leaf announced.
"Meow~"
Meowscarada lifted its chin proudly.
Hmph. I barely had to try. Of course I'd help Dylan win.
Red stared at his fallen Charizard, unsure what he was feeling anymore.
"Red's going to lose,"
Blue crossed his arms, brows slightly furrowed.
With only Blastoise left, there was no way he could defeat a Meowscarada this strong.
But then Blue relaxed again.
Well… it is Dylan, after all.