[Da Ye: Damn! Does that mean I can go to Kanto and snag a Moltres?]
[Dragon Master Lance: Don't even think about it! If you dare come, I guarantee you'll never leave the Orange Islands alive.]
[Da Ye: Then I'll pass. Just thinking about it is enough.]
It wasn't that he was cowardly.
It was simply that he really couldn't beat Lance.
Even among the Four Elites, there was a gap in strength.
Lance wasn't officially Champion, yet his power was already on par with most Champions.
If not for the fact that he was in Kanto,
Lance would have become Champion long ago!
…
On screen—
Professor Professor Kukui's impassioned speech had ignited the atmosphere of the venue.
"Ash, I'm really starting to enjoy this battle more and more."
"Me too!"
Ash's burning gaze met his opponent's.
Although the previous League had crowned him Champion,
Only this match against Professor Professor Kukui had truly rekindled the long-lost passion in his heart.
"Incineroar!"
With a flick of Professor Kukui's hand, a Pokéball soared onto the field.
Incineroar appeared once again.
The moment it landed,
the crowd erupted with even louder cheers.
Restored in the Pokéball, Incineroar was now at full strength.
Even the scratches from Stone Edge had completely healed.
This was Incineroar!
The greatest Pokémon in the universe!
"Come, let's continue the fight!"
Professor Kukui flung his coat dramatically and pointed straight toward Melmetal.
"Incineroar! Charge! Use Darkest Lariat!"
"Incineroar!"
Incineroar raised its arms.
Flames burst to life in its palms.
The next moment,
its whole body spun like a blazing top,
sweeping across the battlefield as it charged straight toward Melmetal.
"Melmetal! Use Flash Cannon!"
Ash's voice rang out, equally fiery!
Melmetal raised both arms high as a white light condensed at its head.
In an instant,
The Flash Cannon was fully charged.
The beam shot out, piercing across the field,
slamming straight into the onrushing Incineroar.
That same move had badly wounded Braviary earlier—
yet now, even with the beam crashing down on its body,
Incineroar, still spinning in Darkest Lariat, blocked it with ease.
Even more terrifying—
it kept charging forward, pushing through the beam unhindered.
"More power! Melmetal, maximum Flash Cannon!"
Ash commanded loudly.
But he didn't even need to say it.
Melmetal had already begun ramping up its strength.
The white beam visibly swelled larger and brighter.
Yet still,
it couldn't pierce through Incineroar's guard.
Seeing Incineroar getting closer and closer,
Ash knew he couldn't drag this out.
Incineroar was a hard counter to Steel-types.
Even Melmetal's overwhelming power—
might not be enough to win.
After all,
Incineroar was Professor Professor Kukui's ace as the Masked Royal!
Ash's thoughts raced.
He instantly switched tactics.
"Double Iron Bash!"
His words shot out fast and sharp.
Melmetal immediately cancelled Flash Cannon.
Its body began spinning at high speed,
just like Incineroar.
Double Iron Bash vs. Darkest Lariat!
Flames clashed with steel.
The two forces collided head-on.
Yet the moment of impact—
Incineroar abruptly stopped spinning.
The reason?
It had caught Melmetal's massive fists with its bare arms.
Just like when Melmetal had once gripped Empoleon—
but now the roles were reversed.
Melmetal, firmly restrained,
I couldn't believe it was losing in raw strength.
Even against Incineroar, this was unthinkable!
"Thunderbolt!"
Ash seized the chance.
Being caught didn't mean being helpless.
Not at all.
The instant the order left Ash's lips,
golden lightning enveloped Melmetal's body.
Zzzaap!
Electricity burst outward, wrapping both Pokémon in blinding light.
Incineroar had just bared its fangs in a grin of victory—
but was suddenly engulfed in thunder.
Thunderbolt.
Ash's signature move.
The move he knew best.
Even though Melmetal had just evolved,
its mastery of Thunderbolt was already flawless.
The crackling gold arcs spread everywhere,
turning the entire field into a storm of electricity.
But Professor Kukui only laughed.
"As expected of you, Ash! To find an opening even now…
But this time, you've miscalculated. This is my Incineroar!"
"IncineTyranitar!!"
Incineroar roared defiantly.
Even under Thunderbolt's torrent,
it forced Melmetal backward,
inch by inch,
its strength is overwhelming.
That was the might of Incineroar!
"Now! Incineroar, unleash Blast Burn! Let Ash feel our passion!"
Professor Kukui's command thundered across the arena.
Incineroar grinned wickedly.
The flames on its belt flared violently,
shattering the golden lightning around it.
BOOM!
A colossal fireball shot forth,
like the end of the world descending.
Melmetal, the closest target,
was instantly swallowed whole.
Flames engulfed its body,
overpowering even the electricity.
"Melmetal!"
Ash shouted, but it was too late.
Wrapped in raging fire,
Melmetal staggered back—
then crashed heavily to the ground.
KO.
The winner was Incineroar.
The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
"Incineroar! Incineroar! Incineroar!"
"My Incineroar, how's that?"
Professor Kukui finally exhaled in relief.
If Melmetal hadn't just evolved,
his Incineroar might not have won.
This victory came only by leaning on type advantage.
[Da Ye: Damn, that was badass! Fire truly is a man's romance! Denji, quit playing with electricity—come study fire with me!]
[Denji: …You don't actually think you can beat me, do you?]
[Ash: So cool! I could almost see Charizard's shadow in it. That flame really sets my blood boiling!]
[Da Ye: Ash, just for saying that, I recognize you now!]
The match showcased Incineroar's true strength.
Every punch, every blaze—
was breathtaking in its beauty.
Even those who knew little about Incineroar
couldn't help but be captivated by its presence.
[Kiawe: As expected of Professor Professor Kukui! As expected of the Masked Royal! That was way too cool!]
[Drake: Interesting… It's been so long since I've seen such a battle. Ash, five years later, your growth is terrifyingly fast!]
The highlight reel not only let Ash's old friends witness his growth,
It also introduced countless new spectators to his journey.
Whether it was the whimsical Rowlet,
the unstoppable Melmetal,
or the indomitable Litten—
Ash had always fought alongside his partners,
showcasing their growth together.
…
On screen—
The battle reached its climax.
Incineroar stood tall in the center,
like an undefeated war god.
This time,
Professor Kukui didn't recall it.
Instead, his blazing gaze locked on Ash.
Ash immediately understood.
"A destined battle… I accept this challenge!"
He recalled the fallen Melmetal.
Then threw another Pokéball.
Litten leapt onto the field.
Its bell glowed red-hot,
pulsing with the power of all the flames it had absorbed earlier from Blast Burn.
Even through the projection,
anyone could feel the heat.
This was destiny.
The true fated showdown.
Litten landed,
instantly glaring at Incineroar.
"Torracat!"
Incineroar didn't move. (Still stiff from Blast Burn.)
Seeing its taunt ignored,
Litten grew angry.
What was this?
Looked down on the moment it entered?
"Ash: Litten, Fire Fang!"
Ash wouldn't waste such an opening.
Flames flared in Litten's jaws.
With a leap,
its fangs sank into Incineroar's arm.
The searing pain snapped Incineroar out of its stiff state.
With a shake of its arm,
Litten was flung off—
but it twisted mid-air and landed gracefully.
Then, with a casual lick of its paw,
it wiped soot off its face.
Right in front of Incineroar.
Provocation, pure and simple.
"IncineTyranitar!!"
This time, it was Incineroar's turn to be enraged.
Such disrespect was unforgivable!
But—
"Incineroar, Bulk Up!"
Professor Kukui's command came calmly.
"???"
Litten blinked in confusion.
Lucario: What? I taunt you, and you… buff yourself?
Yet no matter how much Incineroar wanted to fight,
it obeyed its Trainer first.
Muscles bulged,
orange light flashed across its body.
Attack and Defense rose sharply.
After two Bulk Ups,
even the bite marks from earlier could be ignored.
"Good! Now, use Throat Chop!"
Professor Kukui followed up instantly.
"Litten, Flame Charge!"
Litten couldn't power up like Incineroar.
Its only path was speed.
With each Flame Charge,
its movements grew faster and faster.
And indeed,
that speed let it dodge the terrifying Throat Chop.
If that move had hit,
it would've been over instantly.
[Bruno: What a pity… If only Incineroar had a Fighting-type.]
[Bea: Yes! That muscle, that physique! Too perfect!]
[Lorelei: Don't bother. Incineroar is Fire/Dark. No Fighting here.]
[Bruno: That's why it's a shame. With Fighting, it'd be unstoppable.]
[Wallace: I don't see Litten lasting much longer. Two Bulk Ups… Incineroar's attack is terrifying. One hit, and Litten's done.]
And the truth matched their words.
Litten had no choice but to strike first.
"Flamethrower!"
Still glowing with Flame Charge,
Litten leapt up,
slamming a paw down—
a massive blazing kanji for "大" (Great) erupted,
crashing down toward Incineroar.
Having absorbed Blast Burn earlier,
Litten's flames burned brighter than ever.
The Incineroar of before would've shredded it easily.
But now?
It caught the attack in its arms.
The fire seared its chest before it crushed the flames apart.
Ash's sharp eyes caught the scorch marks left behind.
Even buffed twice,
Incineroar wasn't invincible.
That meant—there was a chance!
"Litten, keep using Flame Charge! Don't stop!"
Ash's spirit burned higher.
If speed was their advantage,
then they'd push it to the max!
Litten became fire itself,
a darting spark across the battlefield.
One strike, two, three…
But then—
"IncineTyranitar!"
Incineroar's eyes locked on.
"Got you!"
With one swipe,
it caught the charging Litten mid-attack.
Litten struggled furiously in its grip,
but Incineroar only smirked cruelly.
"Throat Chop, end it! Destiny will have to wait until next time!"
Professor Kukui's voice rang out.
The purple-glowing hand chopped down with crushing force.
SMASH!
Litten was sent flying,
crashing heavily to the ground.
"Torracat! Are you okay?!"
Ash cried out anxiously—
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