Pokemon: Gym Leader

Though the explosive blaze had temporarily forced Galarian Moltres back and disrupted its Hurricane, it ultimately didn't do much to change the outcome.

"Ancient Power."

Dylan gave the next command.

As Galarian Moltres flapped its wings, glowing boulders formed around it and began to rain down on the Incineroar below.

Still stunned from the recoil of its own Blast Burn, Incineroar couldn't dodge—its eyes widened as the rocks crashed down and buried it with a pained roar.

A bright white glow rippled over Moltres's body—Ancient Power's secondary effect activated, boosting its Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, all by one stage!

"Tch..." Selene clicked her tongue. This fight was already difficult, and now Moltres had gotten buffed? Great.

Under Dylan's calm orders, another Ancient Power followed, and Incineroar was buried again. When the dust settled, it was unconscious.

"Incineroar is unable to battle. Galarian Moltres wins!"

"Challenger Selene's six Pokémon are all unable to battle. The Rota Gym challenge ends in failure."

Leaf announced the final result.

It was over. Incineroar had been Selene's last Pokémon. Its defeat meant the battle—and the challenge—was lost.

"Aww, what a shame."

Selene didn't look too upset though—after all, defeating her teacher wasn't going to be easy.

Sure, she'd dared to hope.

If she'd actually won, she'd have been the first ever to earn a Rota Badge by beating Dylan in battle.

As the audience buzzed, Dylan stepped forward to meet her.

"You've grown a lot stronger. You didn't let me down."

Seeing the hopeful sparkle in her eyes, Dylan didn't hold back his praise.

"Hehe~" Selene beamed, squinting with pride.

"Keep it up. Next year, maybe go for the Kanto Champion title."

"Eh? You mean I'd have to beat you to do that?"

"If you're up for it, I won't stop you."

Dylan chuckled. Truth was, he was planning to retire from the Champion position next year anyway—but if Selene insisted, he wouldn't mind sticking around a little longer.

"Hmph~ Do what you want, Gym Leader Big Bro~" she giggled. She understood his implication.

Challenging Dylan the Gym Leader? Fun.Challenging Dylan the Kanto Champion? A death wish.

Hadn't she seen what he did to Leon?

"You little brat..." Dylan shook his head, amused. Selene really was sharp.

"You were excellent today. Here—this badge is yours."

He pulled out an ornate velvet box and opened it to reveal the sleek, black Dark-type Rota Badge.

"Thankies, Gym Leader Big Bro~!"

Selene snatched it up without hesitation, absolutely glowing with joy. Her voice even turned syrupy sweet.

"Yes! I—this lady—finally got my Rota Badge!"

She held it up, admiring the fine craftsmanship. Sure, she didn't beat Dylan to earn it outright…

But who cared? As long as it was a badge Dylan gave her, she didn't mind one bit!

"Oh, by the way, if I happen to lose it by accident… you won't be mad, right?" she asked with a big innocent smile, blinking at him.

"Of course not. It's yours now. Do what you want with it," Dylan said, eyeing her suspiciously. He knew that look all too well.

"Ehehe~ But I won't lose it! I'm gonna make it into a necklace and wear it every day!"

"Your badges are worth a lot these days, you know."

She kept flipping the badge over, admiring it. So shiny, so rare!

Selene knew that on the black market, Rota Badges were selling for insane amounts.

Normally, a Rota elemental badge went for over 10 million. But now? Wealthy collectors were offering 20 million to buy just one.

Not that anyone was selling. No one was stupid enough to part with something so hard to earn.

The number of people Dylan had given badges to was tiny—and they were all elite Trainers. Even the "weakest" recipients were people like Lijia, an official Gym Leader.

They weren't exactly hurting for cash.

"Yeah, well, I set the bar pretty high," Dylan shrugged.

His standards for badge distribution were notoriously strict. But now that he was the Kanto Champion, who could argue?

Anyone who wanted recognition from him had better earn it.

"Now then, let's talk about what you could've done better during our battle."

Dylan returned Galarian Moltres to its ball and looked at her with a serious expression.

Selene's eyes sparkled—this was the best part. When Dylan gave her feedback, it meant he cared.

…

Far away, in the Johto region's Mahogany Town—the northernmost settlement and home to an air of quiet suspicion.

Known as the Village of Ninjas, it was ironically quite peaceful.

Its Ice-type Gym, led by the aging Pryce, was one of the more respected in the region.

Within the gym, cold mist hung in the air, a silent frost coating everything. Dozens of beautiful, lifelike ice sculptures lined the walls.

On his wheelchair, Pryce stared at a screen.

"Dialga..."

He murmured the name of the Temporal Pokémon, eyes reflecting the flickering footage on screen.

He hadn't cared much at first. But that morning, hearing townsfolk talk about "Time" and "Dialga" had caught his interest.

A Legendary that surpassed even Celebi in controlling time.

If he could gain its help…

He gently stroked the Swinub on his lap, mind spinning with possibilities.

He didn't want power. All he wanted… was to go back and fix a single tragedy.

To let Lapras reunite with its parents.

"No matter what…"

His voice was low, his resolve chilling.

…

Two days later, the Indigo Plateau's prestigious Indigo League Tournament came to a dramatic close.

And the winner was… Jeanette from Crimson City.

When Dylan heard that, he was genuinely surprised.

He'd always thought she had talent—she'd chosen the perfect type specialization. But to take the championship? He hadn't seen that coming.

The final match was between her and Gary. She barely clinched the win.

Ash had lost in the semifinals—to Jeanette as well.

Which had also surprised Dylan. Ash's Charizard wasn't nearly as disobedient as it used to be—his overall team was stronger than in the anime.

But the rest of Ash's Pokémon were still weak. Charizard had dragged the whole team to the semifinals.

And this year's tournament quality? Thanks to Dylan's influence, way higher than the original "baby cup" standard.

"Gary, you moron. I told him to prep for Poison-types," grumbled Blue from his Elite Four office.

If it had been him, he could've taken Jeanette down with just one of his main team.

Still… his kid brother was the runner-up. Red's brother only made it to Top 4.

So yeah. He felt better.

"The Indigo League's done. Why are we even talking about this?" Dylan chuckled as he scrolled through forums.

"Let's focus on the real issue," he said to Chairman Goodshow.

They'd all been called together for a reason—the full Kanto Elite Four was assembled, even Giovanni.

"Our intel says that Lance and his crew are currently on an island called Suo." Goodshow's voice was heavy.

"Former Champions, huh? What's up with them?" Blue asked lazily, arms crossed.

Red stayed silent. Leaf filed her nails. Giovanni sipped tea. Dylan kept scrolling.

Goodshow frowned. Were they always this relaxed? But… at least they were competent.

"This is serious. Please pay attention."

"Yes, sir, go ahead."

"Lance has been recognized by the Ideal Dragon God. His goal… is to purge the world of all evil."

"That sounds... noble?" Blue blinked.

He probably meant criminals and Pokémon hunters, right? Who would object to that?

"There's a problem with the man holding that ideal," Giovanni said flatly.

"Exactly," Goodshow nodded. "His heart was in the right place. But he's gone too far."

"In Lance's eyes, evil is absolute. He believes even those who commit crimes out of desperation should be erased."

"He's willing to sacrifice innocents if that's what it takes to eliminate 'evil.'"

Goodshow rubbed his temples, exhausted.

Blue looked thoughtful. Red's eyes flickered.

"The Pokémon League exists to foster peace and harmony between humans and Pokémon. Life only comes once. People may stray, but they can still choose to atone," Goodshow said solemnly.

If someone committed unforgivable crimes, fine—justice would be served.

"But Chairman," Blue muttered, "you're too soft."

"Let me ask you this: a man who gave to charity for sixty years… one day, starving, he steals a loaf of bread. Is he evil?"

Blue hesitated.

"The answer is yes. But we would also offer him support and fairness," Goodshow said firmly.

"Lance's logic is flawed. Mass killings won't bring a better future. That's why we—the Pokémon League—must stop him."

"I'm asking you, the current Kanto Elite Four, to defeat him. Show him what true justice means."

The room went quiet.

Then—

"Hell yeah! We get to beat up our predecessors? Say no more." Blue's eyes gleamed.

All that moral philosophy was a bore—but this? This he could get behind.

"That's right. I'm justice! Anyone who opposes me is evil!"

"For the sake of the League and Kanto, we will not back down!"

Giovanni adjusted his dark suit, a serene smile on his face.

"Chairman, don't worry. As the head of the Kanto Elite Four, I—Giovanni—will bring Lance to justice."

No ulterior motives at all. No personal vendettas. Just pure, selfless loyalty to the League.

Goodshow smiled, proud and relieved.

(End of Chapter)