Dragapult twisted its body, struggling to break free from Goodra's grip. With a powerful swing of its thick tail, Goodra struck Dragapult hard, sending it flying.
Just like that, Dragapult was out.
Dragon-type Pokémon in Outrage state are truly terrifying!
"Ohhh!" The commentator shouted excitedly from the sidelines, "Raihan's Goodra successfully defeated Leon's Dragapult using Outrage, but Goodra has now become confused.
Can it defeat Leon's next Pokémon while confused? Or does Raihan have a way to overcome Goodra's confusion? This is so exciting!"
As the commentator's voice faded, Goodra began to go berserk on the field, repeatedly striking itself with its tentacles. Despite Raihan's attempts to snap it out of confusion, Goodra didn't respond.
That's when Leon's fourth Pokémon appeared — a Mr. Rime.
Mr. Rime is a Pokémon unique to the Galar region, evolving only from Galarian Mr. Mime.
Seeing this Pokémon in real life for the first time, Cole couldn't help but stare, finding it quite adorable.
Leon's Mr. Rime performed a graceful tap dance for the audience and gave them a gentlemanly bow.
But Goodra paid no attention to these pleasantries. Though it had been hurting itself moments before, upon noticing Mr. Rime, it immediately focused on its new opponent.
As Goodra charged forward, Mr. Rime simply waved its cane, releasing a blast of cold air that instantly froze the entire field — including Goodra's legs trapped in the muddy water.
The rain had turned the field into a swamp, giving Mr. Rime the perfect opportunity to freeze everything solid.
As the rain gradually stopped, snow began to fall — Mr. Rime had used Hail.
With its feet frozen to the ground, Goodra pounded the ice with its tentacles, creating cracks in the surface as it struggled to break free. The falling snow struck it continuously, dealing damage, but Goodra ignored the pain.
Mr. Rime waved its cane again, sending an intense cold wave toward Goodra. Unable to hear Raihan's warning, Goodra was frozen solid, losing its ability to battle.
As Goodra fell, Leon's supporters erupted in cheers while the commentator's excited chatter energized the atmosphere.
Raihan gritted his teeth as he recalled Goodra and drew his last Poké Ball.
"Raihan only has one Pokémon left! What could it be? Will it bring him victory? Let's wait and see!" The commentator's voice rang out.
Of course, Raihan's last Pokémon was his ace, Duraludon!
"Duraludon, my partner! Let's cause some chaos!"
"Dura~~~"
As soon as it appeared, Duraludon unleashed a mighty roar, creating a gust that repelled the falling snow.
The roar — containing the move Noble Roar — sent waves of sound that struck Mr. Rime, making it slide across the ice.
Mr. Rime stabbed its cane into the ground to steady itself, but was pushed back regardless, its cane leaving a deep scratch in the ice.
Seizing the opportunity, Duraludon charged forward and landed a Metal Claw on its opponent's abdomen, sending it flying. Though made entirely of steel, Duraludon's specially polished body was light enough to move nimbly.
This unique body structure came with drawbacks — Duraludon's body rusted more easily than other Steel-type Pokémon, making it particularly vulnerable to rain.
Pressing its advantage, Duraludon formed a blue-purple energy ball in its mouth, firing it as an energy wave.
However, Mr. Rime conjured a Light Screen just in time. When Duraludon's Dragon Pulse hit the barrier, the energy scattered like sparks, barely damaging Mr. Rime.
Immediately after, Duraludon swung its arm, unleashing another energy wave — this time a black Dark Pulse following its Dragon Pulse.
Though Mr. Rime's Light Screen blocked this Dark Pulse too, Duraludon didn't relent. It kept swinging its arms, firing Dark Pulse after Dark Pulse in rapid succession.
The barrage was so intense that Mr. Rime could only maintain its Light Screen defenses, unable to mount any counterattack.
Finally, Mr. Rime's timing slipped — just a moment too slow to renew its Light Screen. The barrier shattered, and the Dark Pulse engulfed Mr. Rime completely.
When the dark energy cleared, Mr. Rime lay motionless on the ice.
"Raihan's Duraludon has overwhelmed Leon's Mr. Rime with sheer power! With this momentum, it might go all the way! Can Duraludon defeat Leon's final two Pokémon? This is incredible!"
The crowd erupted as Raihan's supporters took their turn to cheer.
On the battlefield, Leon recalled Mr. Rime and paused in thought. After a prompt from the referee, he released his next Pokémon.
"ROAR!!!!"
A mighty Charizard materialized in the sky, its wings beating steadily as it released an earth-shaking roar.
"Finally here? Finally!" Raihan's eyes lit up with excitement.
Though everyone expected Leon to save his ace for last, he surprised them by sending out Charizard early.
"This is exactly how it should be!" Raihan exclaimed, pulling a white band from his pocket and fastening it to his wrist. The crowd erupted at the sight.
The white band was the Dynamax Band — essential for Dynamaxing Pokémon in battle.
"Duraludon, let's go!" Raihan shouted, gripping his Poké Ball.
"Dura!"
Duraludon gave Raihan a confident nod before being recalled into its Poké Ball.
✲ Gigantamax! ✲
Dark red energy surged from Raihan's Dynamax Band into Duraludon's Poké Ball, which swelled until it was larger than Raihan's head.
When Raihan threw the massive Poké Ball, Duraludon emerged and began to grow, towering dozens of stories high.
This was Dynamax — a phenomenon unique to the Galar region. But Duraludon's transformation was even more special: Gigantamax!
Under Gigantamax, Duraludon didn't just grow larger — it transformed completely. Its body took on the shape of a skyscraper, with an office building-like upper body and a base that mimicked modern architecture.
"So this is Dynamax?" Cole marveled from the sidelines, "Its presence is truly overwhelming!"
Lysandre nodded in agreement, "It's remarkable indeed."
Then he turned to Cole, changing the subject.
"Did you know? We have our own special phenomenon in Kalos."
Cole already knew what he meant.
"You mean Mega Evolution?"
"Oh, you know about it?" Lysandre asked, surprised.
Cole nodded, "Do you know Professor Sycamore?"
Lysandre nodded, "Of course — he's a young Pokémon Professor who's made many recent achievements in the League. You know him?"
"That's right, he's actually a customer at my orchard. He's researching Mega Evolution, but with so few documented cases of this phenomenon, he hasn't been able to fully understand it yet." Cole replied.
Lysandre nodded thoughtfully, "I see. Well, even though Mega Evolution is rare, I could help you look for it if you're interested!"
Cole quickly shook his head, "That won't be necessary. The items needed for Mega Evolution are too rare — I don't want to take advantage of you."
Lysandre grinned, "You could pay me in berries!"
"How many berries would that take? Are you trying to bankrupt me?" Cole replied with mock exasperation.
Lysandre stifled a laugh to avoid disturbing the other spectators.
"Are you interested in Mega Evolution?" Cole asked.
Lysandre nodded, "Indeed, I'm particularly curious about the principles behind this phenomenon."
Cole thought to himself: As expected of a tech expert with many laboratories — his thirst for knowledge is impressive!
"Why don't you collaborate with Professor Sycamore? He has the expertise, you have the resources — you'd make a perfect match. If you're interested, I can introduce you."
Cole was really going out of his way to keep his friend on the right path!
Lysandre's eyes lit up, "You're right! Why didn't I think of that? When we return to Kalos, you must introduce me to Professor Sycamore!"
Cole thumped his chest confidently, "Leave it to me!"
For the past two years, he had been privately selling Professor Sycamore Grade A berries that weren't available to other customers.
Professor Sycamore's Gible had evolved into a Gabite, and all its Pokémon food was now made from Cole's Grade A berries.
Its stomach had been completely won over!
Maintaining good relations with Professor Sycamore was certainly proving useful, wasn't it?
While Cole and Lysandre were chatting, the battle continued on the field, and Leon's Charizard completed its Gigantamax transformation.
The Gigantamax Charizard underwent dramatic changes in appearance.
Its belly turned white, while its skin became more vibrant elsewhere, displaying diamond-shaped patterns in yellow, white, and brown across its belly and lower limbs. Flames no longer appeared only on its tail — they now wreathed its horns, wings, neck, and mouth.
Scholars had determined that Pokémon don't actually grow larger during Dynamax. Though their enlarged forms can be seen and touched, these aren't their true bodies.
Cole thought it resembled Pokémon piloting giant mechs.
Raihan swept his hand dramatically, "Duraludon, use Max Rockfall on Charizard!"
"Dura!"
Duraludon roared and conjured enormous rocks, hurling them at Charizard.
Unable to dodge due to its massive form, Charizard could only counter with its fists. Though it shattered several rocks, others found their mark.
As Max Rockfall activated, a sandstorm began howling in the sky — the move's additional effect.
Charizard endured both the pelting rocks and the ravaging sandstorm — a brutal combination!
Leon wasn't about to back down, "Charizard, G-Max Wildfire!"
At Leon's command, countless flames erupted from Charizard's mouth, forming a massive fire dragon in the sky that roared as it charged toward Duraludon.
G-Max Wildfire was Gigantamax Charizard's exclusive G-Max move — not only did it attack the opponent, but it also inflicted a special condition causing continued damage over time.
Duraludon wouldn't take the hit passively. Under Raihan's command, it used Max Steelspike, causing countless steel pillars to rise from the ground, surrounding and protecting Duraludon.
But the defense proved futile — the fire dragon crashed through the steel pillars, shattering them completely, and slammed into Duraludon with undiminished force.
"Dura~~" Duraludon cried out in pain.
"Charizard, use G-Max Wildfire again!"
As Duraludon wobbled back to its feet, Leon commanded Charizard once more.
"Duraludon, Max Rockfall!" Raihan wouldn't let his Pokémon take another hit without fighting back.
The roaring fire dragon and countless rocks collided, filling the field with thick smoke.
"Ohhhh! What an intense battle! But what's happening in there right now?" The commentator leaped with excitement.
When the smoke finally cleared, it revealed the outcome — Duraludon had reverted from its Gigantamax form and lay motionless on the ground, while Charizard stood triumphant.
"Ahhhhh!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers for Leon's victory.
The commentator shouted enthusiastically, "The results are in! The results are in! The winner is our Champion Leon! Thank you to both Leon and Raihan for giving us such an amazing battle!"
✲✲✲
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