Dylan hadn't known about Iris's secret battle challenge with Wallace.
But somehow — maybe on purpose, maybe not — Steven had casually let the news slip.
So, the next afternoon, behind the Unova League headquarters, a battle arena had been set up. It wasn't exactly public, but there were spectators.
Iris had brought along Alder and Rosa, while Wallace arrived with Steven and Dylan.
Seeing that, Wallace felt a little more at ease. When Iris had asked him yesterday, she hadn't said he couldn't tell anyone (in truth, she'd just forgotten to).
Still, he felt a bit awkward about it.
But since Iris had her own "support crew," it was all good.
"Thank you very much, Wallace! Please take care of me."
Iris bowed sincerely. No matter what, she truly appreciated that Wallace had agreed to her sudden, personal challenge.
"No need to be so polite," Wallace replied with his usual graceful smile. "But Iris, be careful — when I'm serious, I can be very strong."
He might've been chosen as her "confidence test dummy," but that didn't mean Wallace was taking it lightly!
If he was going to be used as a measuring stick, he'd make sure it was one she'd never forget!
"Perfect!" Iris grinned — that was exactly what she wanted.
"I'll referee," Alder volunteered. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl.
Just look at her — once a bright new Champion determined to restore Unova's pride, now she'd been reduced to challenging Wallace just to rebuild her confidence.
The rules were a full six-on-six, agreed upon the day before. The random draw gave Wallace the first move.
"Iris," Wallace said smoothly, tossing a Poké Ball in hand, "I am an artist of water. And though the ocean may seem calm, even its gentlest surface hides raging tides beneath."
His calm, deliberate voice carried poise and confidence.
"Let me, Wallace, test the bond between you and your Pokémon as Unova's Champion."
"My first Pokémon — this one!"
Every movement he made was elegant — even the way he threw the Poké Ball was like a performance.
A burst of white light revealed a Pelipper.
"Drizzle Pelipper," Iris murmured, recognizing it immediately.
Wallace had used the same lead against Blue in his previous match.
As the famous Water-type Champion, his team was naturally built around that typing — and Drizzle couldn't have suited him better.
After all, rain boosted Water-type moves across the board.
"Hydreigon, let's go!"
Instead of leading with her trusty Haxorus, Iris chose Hydreigon — the three-headed dragon's guttural roar filled the field.
Dragon resists Water.
That was precisely why she'd chosen Wallace as her opponent.
And Hydreigon could also fly — great for maneuvering.
"A tough matchup," Lillie observed from the sidelines. "Pelipper's not exactly built for a slugfest."
Indeed, Pelipper wasn't weak, but it wasn't powerhouse material either.
As a weather setter, its real job was to come in and out repeatedly, keeping the rain active.
Rain clouds gathered overhead as the downpour began.
"Who do you think wins this one?" Leaf asked curiously.
"If it were the old Wallace, no way he could beat Iris," Dylan said with a chuckle.
Wallace's strength had always been on the lower end among Champions. In the past, he was practically the floorboard of the Champion tier.
Why?
Because his team composition had been a mess. Too many of his partners were dependent on aquatic environments — Pokémon like Tentacruel, Whiscash, and even Wailord.
And really — a Wailord? That thing's so huge it can barely turn around on a standard battlefield! Not to mention it's the biggest target in existence.
Sure, that might be fine in the games, but in real life? On solid ground? Their effectiveness dropped hard.
That was the water type's greatest flaw — devastating in their element, but crippled without it.
And in official matches, the arenas were all standardized — no ocean, no advantage.
Honestly, if Champion and Elite Four power gaps weren't so wide, Wallace might not have even made it past the Hoenn Elite Four to begin with.
But now Wallace was different. He had undergone a "glorious evolution!"
He'd added a proper weather lead, swapped out his aquatic deadweights, and built a team of amphibious Water-types who could fight effectively on land.
Pelipper, a Shiny Greninja, Swampert, and even an Iron Bundle Dylan had gifted him — combined with his original Ludicolo, Gyarados, and Milotic, he even had an extra slot for flexibility.
Wallace had been working hard to grow stronger.
"So now," Dylan continued, "it's not so clear-cut. The gap between them isn't that big anymore."
Iris was still a bit stronger overall, but not by much.
Wallace had always been seen as one of the weaker Champions — and it was true he'd spent half his time focusing on contests instead of battle.
Meanwhile, Iris was a pure prodigy — driven, focused, and determined to improve.
In the anime's World Championships, Wallace hadn't even made it into the Masters Eight. That said enough.
"So it all comes down to performance," Lillie said thoughtfully.
"Exactly. And Water-types often carry Ice moves — Iris's team is pretty weak to Ice overall," Dylan added with a shrug. "Plus, Wallace has that Iron Bundle."
The ensuing battle was fierce. Both Trainers fought seriously, holding nothing back.
Minute by minute, the momentum swung back and forth — until finally, it came down to the last match: Iris's ace, Haxorus, versus Wallace's new ace, Iron Bundle.
Both were Tera'd out.
Wallace had never been this focused in years. This wasn't just a match — it was a matter of pride!
There was no way he could lose! He wouldn't!
He'd prove himself to this junior once and for all — show her the true strength of Hoenn's former Champion, Wallace!
He could already picture her starry-eyed face saying, "Wallace, you're incredible!"
That thought alone filled him with power.
And then—
"Iron Bundle is unable to battle! Haxorus wins! Wallace has no remaining Pokémon. The victor — Iris!"
Alder's announcement hit like thunder.
Wallace staggered back a step, clutching his chest, staring at his fainted Iron Bundle in disbelief.
How… how could this happen?! My pride… my honor… my very artistry!
"Ah~ still couldn't do it, huh?" Dylan sighed.
Not that he was surprised — Iris beating Wallace made sense.
"Honestly, if he just trained more…" Steven said, rubbing his temples. "He's got talent. For a Coordinator to reach Champion level — that's rare. It shows his natural skill."
But Wallace simply never poured his all into training.
Still, lasting until a 6v6 finish wasn't bad — Steven had expected him to be wiped out 3–5 Pokémon earlier.
He hadn't really believed Wallace could win anyway.
"Ahhh~! That was amazing! What an awesome battle!"
Iris was practically glowing, sweat glistening on her forehead after that nerve-racking finale. One move's difference had decided everything.
This was what battling was supposed to feel like!
Champions like Leon and Giovanni? Ugh, those were nightmares. Wallace, though — he was perfect.
If not for him, she might've forgotten what a proper, evenly matched battle even was.
Choosing Wallace had been the best decision of her life!
"Wallace, you really are an amazing Trainer!" Iris praised him sincerely.
She felt so much better now. She wasn't useless after all — just a little stronger than Wallace, maybe.
And that was fine! She was still young, with room to grow.
"Thank you," Wallace said with a forced smile, his voice barely holding steady. Iris, lost in her excitement, didn't even notice.
I couldn't defend my dignity…
She'd used his defeat to restore her confidence.
Who could understand his pain?
Poor Wallace — was he really the weakest Champion of them all?
It couldn't be! He was the artist of water, after all!
He sank into thought, reviewing every region in his mind, trying to recall any Champion he could confidently defeat.
After careful consideration… maybe just Kalos's Diantha and Galar's Master Mustard.
Alder? No, he couldn't bring himself to do that.
And Mustard… well, he could practically be his grandfather. No, that wouldn't do either.
Was he really not even Diantha's match…?
Wallace's eyes hardened. No — he refused to accept that!
He, Wallace, would prove that he was not the weakest Champion!
His next target — Diantha!
(End of Chapter)