Just before, it had been Logan's Gible that evolved into Gabite.
But now, it was Deino that had evolved into Zweilous.
"This is…?! Deino has evolved into Zweilous! Once again, the Kanto Champion shows us an incredibly rare Pokémon! Some of our audience may not know this species' origin—the final evolution of this line is Hydreigon, one of Unova's most powerful and rare dragons!"
The commentator immediately threw himself into his role, enthusiastically explaining for the crowd. To the average Kanto native, the most they understood were Pokémon from their own region or from Johto. Anything beyond that—like Unova's dragons—was foreign and mysterious.
After hearing the explanation, the audience only needed to know one thing: this dragon was extremely rare. That alone was enough to set off another storm of flashing cameras, the stadium thundering with cheers for their champion.
Yet, almost as soon as it evolved, Zweilous's two heads started glaring at each other. Right before the crowd, they snapped and tore at one another with hostile bites. Logan frowned deeply and gave a low, commanding voice:
"...You two behave yourselves. Finish the battle first—then fight later."
At his words, the two heads abruptly ceased their infighting. Instead, both turned as one, their glaring eyes fixed on Iris's Axew, unleashing a savage, guttural roar.
"A-Amazing…"
Iris was stunned. Just a moment ago, the heads had been at each other's throats. Now, they were united, standing in perfect hostility against her Axew.
To outsiders, it looked like a spectacle. But Iris—born in the Village of Dragons, raised on lore of dragon Pokémon—saw the true depth.
Hydreigon was a Pokémon said to rival "gods" in Unova. It was also her dream's pinnacle, the goal she one day longed to pursue. Even though it was far beyond her current power to travel to Unova and obtain a Deino, she knew much of its lore.
Each head of Zweilous possessed its own will. They were natural rivals, always competing. Coupled with the inherent violence of dragons, they were notoriously difficult to tame—some even said the most difficult dragon in the world.
But Logan had just obtained his Zweilous, freshly evolved from Deino. In this fragile stage, with no time to forge strong bonds, most Trainers would struggle even to stop the two heads from tearing each other apart. Yet, with a single command, Logan not only silenced their bloodlust but directed their ferocity toward his opponent. Iris knew in her heart: she could never accomplish such a feat.
In the Village of Dragons, Iris was called "the girl who knows the hearts of dragons." Everyone admired her gift, believing she could one day rival the legendary Dragon Tamer Lance himself. Proud of her talent, Iris had defeated countless peers and even elders in her hometown, earning ninety-nine straight victories before finally setting out on her journey to become a Dragon Master.
But the world was vast, filled with people beyond her imagination. And now, facing Kanto's Champion, Iris realized it for the first time. The way Logan controlled his violent Zweilous was something that broke her very understanding of what was possible.
If she was "the girl who knows the hearts of dragons," then Logan was "the man who commands the power of dragons."
"What's the matter, little one? Not going to attack first? I'm giving you the courtesy of a Champion here…" Logan's tone was deceptively light, almost mocking. "Relax. I only obtained this Zweilous recently. Though I've trained it strictly, compared to its senior dragons, its power is still lacking. You still have a chance to win."
His words were like a devil's whisper, luring her on, making her heart quiver.
"Don't underestimate me! Axew, Dragon Claw!"
Spurred by his condescension, Iris's fighting spirit blazed. Her Axew slashed forward with glowing claws, striking at Zweilous.
"It landed!"
Her eyes lit up as Zweilous, still awkward in its new body, failed to dodge. Axew's claws raked across its back, leaving a deep scarlet mark.
Dragon-type energy was super-effective against dragons. That was why dragon battles were always so ferocious, why the species was called "the race of self-conflict."
Iris's face brightened. Taking a Dragon Claw head-on should have left Zweilous heavily wounded.
But reality defied her expectation. Though its flesh was torn, Zweilous barely reacted. It dismissed the wound as if it were nothing more than a scratch.
"H-How?! Axew's Dragon Claw landed clean, but it did nothing?!"
"Lesson one…"
Logan's calm, cold voice cut through the chaos. "…A Trainer must never panic or rejoice too early. When you land a hit, don't freeze in excitement—press the attack until your enemy falls, dead or unconscious. Save your joy for after victory."
"Bite."
One of Zweilous's heads lunged, its jaws clamping down on the stunned Axew.
"Gyaaahhh—!!"
"Axew!!"
Iris screamed as her partner writhed in agony.
"Focus Energy."
The other head reared back, a surge of raw dragon energy gathering at its crown.
"Headbutt."
THUD—!
The impact echoed like a bell, slamming into Axew with brutal force and sending it crashing across the battlefield.
"Axew…"
Tears welled in Iris's eyes as she tried to run to her partner. But the devil's voice returned.
"Lesson two. This isn't a tournament battle—it's a real fight. In such battles, you must have the resolve to send out another Pokémon to save your partner, not run blindly yourself. A wounded Pokémon's aura weakens. If you stand beside it unprotected, you'll be struck down with it. A Trainer's life is just as fragile as their Pokémon's."
"Zweilous…"
Logan didn't even open his eyes. He simply gave his next command.
Both heads puffed up their throats, their mouths glowing with condensed power.
"Dragon Pulse."
Unlike other dragons, Zweilous's twin heads doubled the toll on its body when using moves—but in return, the power was devastating.
"Waaaaaaahhhh—!!"
The twin pulses ripped the air apart, screaming through the battlefield. The shockwave tore loose the stone beneath their feet, and Axew, caught dead center, was hurled skyward, its small body wracked by violent tremors before crashing down, blood staining its scales and mouth.
Dragon Pulse didn't just strike flesh—it rattled organs, shaking the body from within.
And Iris, inexperienced in true combat, made the worst mistake possible: she stood unguarded, no Pokémon shielding her. Even grazing the outer edge of the Dragon Pulse was enough to fling her small body across the floor. She tumbled violently, hitting the ground with scraped knees and arms already swelling with bruises.
The pain was sharp, but Iris had endured worse in her childhood adventures. She bit back her tears and forced herself to rise, trembling but defiant.
"Foolish girl. If I hadn't ordered Zweilous to limit its range, your body would have been torn apart just like your Pokémon's organs. You're not alive because of your skill—it's because I held back."
Logan's cold words froze her blood. Her body shook uncontrollably, and she dared not speak another word.
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