An evolution that surpasses Evolution itself?
Hearing Damian say that, Steven and the others all frowned in puzzlement.
What was that supposed to mean?
"Tyranitar."
"Tyranitar~!"
A wild, savage roar shook their eardrums as a massive armored green monster slammed down heavily in front of Damian.
"Alright then～ keep your eyes wide open and don't blink."
Damian's grin turned wicked as the Key Stone in his hand burst into dazzling light.
The Mega Stone on Tyranitar's body flashed in resonance. Blinding rays shot out from the Key Stone again and again, calling back to the Mega Evolutionary stone.
Tyranitar's entire body was wrapped in a brilliant seven‑colored light of evolution.
"What the heck? Tyranitar can evolve again?!"
Nemona's eyes went round. Even as Naranja Academy's star student and the Paldea League's freshly crowned Champion, she was stunned.
"Incredible." Brandon was just as shocked.
"Mega Evolution… so it's real?"
Steven's brows knit tightly. He'd heard rumors about Mega Evolution before, but its actual existence still hadn't been completely confirmed, had it?
"Tyranitar～!!"
Once the light of evolution faded completely, an even more terrifying behemoth towered over the ground, throwing its head back in a roar as its brutal, violent aura flooded outward without restraint.
Mega Tyranitar.
Compared to its form before, Tyranitar's Mega‑Evolved body looked even more vicious and monstrous. Its back had split open from the incredible energy pouring through it, six jagged spikes jutting from its sides. The four holes in its chest were now much larger, like a horrifying ghostly face.
"It really did evolve…"
Cynthia's fine brows drew tight. The savagery rolling off this thing was insane. This post‑evolution Tyranitar was strong.
"Damian."
Giovanni's expression turned grave, his gaze deep and complicated.
"So then—who wants to be first to try Mega Tyranitar's power?" Damian tilted his head slightly, the curve of his lips thick with malice.
"Wallace, Senior Brandon—stick to the plan. Be careful."
Steven's voice was low and steady. There was no doubt this shocking Mega Evolution meant Damian's strength had taken another clear step up.
"Relax! Once we beat our opponents, we'll come help you!"
Brandon nodded and traded a look with Nemona. The two of them headed off toward Zinnia's position.
"Steven, you three better give it everything you've got!" Wallace shouted his encouragement.
"Yeah, you too."
"Relax! I will take Caitlin down!" Wallace was full of confidence.
Last time, he'd only lost because he'd had to fight Caitlin and Zinnia at the same time, and Zinnia's Salamence really had been too strong.
As for Caitlin's Tapu Lele—if Gyarados hadn't carelessly gotten nailed by a Thunder, how could he have lost?
Nothing he could do there. Gyarados was four‑times weak to Electric.
But this time, Wallace was serious. He was going to restore the name of "Wallace"!
With elegant, confident strides, Wallace walked toward Caitlin.
Cynthia glanced once in Caitlin's direction, then quietly turned her gaze back to Damian opposite her.
She opened a Poké Ball; with a roar, a ferocious Garchomp hit the ground in front of her.
Giovanni opened a Poké Ball as well. A powerful Nidoking landed at his feet.
"I see. So you three are going to be my opponents?"
Damian's gaze swept across Metagross, Garchomp, and Nidoking. After flexing his fingers, he opened another Ultra Ball.
"Suicune～!"
One of the Legendary beasts said to have been revived by Ho‑Oh landed gracefully, its cool, distant eyes fixing on the opponents ahead.
"A rare lineup like this… might as well have some fun with you."
Damian flicked his hand.
Akala Island's guardian deity floated slowly forward to stand opposite Suicune, the two of them taking up positions on either side of Mega Tyranitar.
Yeah—Mega Tyranitar got center stage.
Tapu Fini was honestly jealous. It thought it was both beautiful and strong; it should've been the one in the main role.
But it had pouted and begged Damian for ages, and he'd regretfully told it there was no way for it to Mega Evolve. (Tearing up.jpg)
"Suicune—Damian's caught another Legendary?" Giovanni's expression shifted.
"Yup, Dad. You know, after I left you, that was when I really discovered how amazing this world is. And today, it's finally time to say my last goodbye to the 'me' from back then."
Damian's smile was warm on the surface, but whether it was Giovanni, Steven, or Cynthia, all of them could see how distorted that smile really was inside.
"Damian! I won't allow it!" Giovanni's tone was low and suppressed, like he'd already made up his mind.
"If you insist on clinging to the wrong path, then even if I have to break your legs—I'll drag you back myself!"
Giovanni's eyes were rock‑solid.
"Oh?" Damian raised a brow—then finally couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Hehehe—hahahaha～ If you can pull it off, then go ahead and try, my darling father."
Battle!
Elsewhere.
"An uncle and a girl, huh? Pfft～ looks like you're really underestimating me."
Zinnia looked over Brandon and Nemona in front of her, lips curling as she let out a snort.
What the hell. Over there, Damian got Hoenn's Champion, Sinnoh's Champion, plus Damian's dad, who looked seriously strong.
But here, she got an uncle‑and‑girl combo? Even Caitlin at least got Wallace. Wallace might not even be as strong as these two.
"Feels like she's looking down on us."
Nemona was a bit troubled. She really loved battling—really loved it—and if her opponent underestimated her, even with her normally sunny personality, it still rubbed her the wrong way.
"Nemona, if the enemy's careless, that actually works in our favor." Brandon said seriously, taking the chance to teach her.
Nemona blinked. That actually made sense. This wasn't like the old friendly or competitive matches she took part in. This was a battle to protect this land from an evil organization.
"I can hear you just fine, you know." Zinnia folded her arms and curled her lip.
"But you're overthinking it. Damian already told me—you're all Champion‑tier Trainers, right? So I'll go ahead and give a proper introduction."
Zinnia let out a laugh, lifting her chin slightly. Her gaze swept over the two of them like a dragon sizing up its prey—pure aggression.
"I'm Zinnia, of the Draconid people—Zinnia, the Lorekeeper who carries a thousand years of our people's legacy on her back!"
Zinnia's proud, confident voice rang with piercing force. Behind her, Salamence spread its wings and roared to the sky.
The Mega Anklet and Mega Stone flashed in resonance, and Salamence's whole body was wrapped in seven‑colored light of evolution.
"Whoa! Salamence can evolve too??"
Nemona was full of awe. This was the exact same thing Damian had just shown off—Mega Evolution.
Brandon's face grew solemn.
"Roar～!!"
Mega Salamence's violent dragon cry echoed across the sky.
Thanks to Mega Evolution, Mega Salamence's wings had turned into a pair of massive new‑moon blades. Its torso had grown leaner, its tail longer and thinner.
"And right now, my identity… is Team Rocket's Special Admin."
Zinnia stood under Mega Salamence, gray tattered mantle whipping in the wind. Her whole figure radiated fierce, heroic energy.
"But identity doesn't really matter. Because the only winner here will be me—Zinnia!"
At the girl's arrogant declaration, Brandon stayed calm and steady.
"Big talk. But we're not about to lose to an evil organization."
Nemona's blood was pumping.
Even so, she understood this clearly: the people opposite them were part of an evil organization. They had to be taken down.
"If Salamence is the opponent, then—Baxcalibur! Let's do this!"
Nemona threw out a Poké Ball. A hulking, monster‑like blue‑green Pokémon hit the field in front of her.
Its most striking feature was the massive sword‑like dorsal fin on its back—Paldea's own pseudo‑legendary, Dragon/Ice‑type Baxcalibur.
Salamence was powerful, sure, but its typing gave it a four‑times weakness to Ice.
Nemona hadn't picked the main roster she'd just started raising this year. Instead, she'd gone with last year's Champion lineup.
Even with her ridiculous Trainer talent, this year's new main roster had only had a few months of growth. They weren't suited for this kind of battle.
She was here representing Paldea League to help Hoenn Region. Nemona understood exactly what that meant.
"Regirock!"
Brandon threw his Poké Ball. With a flash of white, one of the Legendary titans, Regirock, slammed down in front of him.
The Rock‑type titan, Regirock.
"Baxcalibur and the Legendary Regirock… so you're that Pyramid King Brandon."
Zinnia raised a brow. So that's who he was.
She'd heard long ago about some Trainer in Hoenn who'd caught Regirock, but she'd never met him.
"Now this is getting interesting. Let me see what a Legendary titan can really do."
Even so, Zinnia's attitude stayed just as arrogant. She threw out another Poké Ball.
A powerfully built Tyrantrum hit the field, its fierce dragon eyes fixed on Baxcalibur and Regirock.
Rock/Dragon‑type Tyrantrum.
"Come on then! Let's see if you can actually beat my Dragon‑types."
Zinnia's lips curved into a high, sharp grin. Even going one‑versus‑two, she was completely confident.
Because the only one who would win here was Zinnia.
"So it's you again, Mr. Wallace?"
Caitlin's movements were elegant and natural, with Metagross and Tapu Lele standing protectively at her sides.
Her voice was gentle and even—neither friendly nor cold.
"Miss Caitlin, if you're willing to surrender now, it's not too late."
Wallace stood tall and straight, his relaxed tone clearly showing his current mood.
"Is that so? Mr. Wallace, are you that sure you can defeat me? You're being a little arrogant."
Caitlin's lips curled slightly.
"No, this isn't arrogance, Miss Caitlin. Do you really think, like Damian, that you actually have a chance to win?"
Wallace shook his head and threw the question back.
Damian was as arrogant and self‑centered as they came. They all knew that. But Caitlin should be much more calm and rational than him.
After all, Wallace now knew Caitlin's past. She'd once been the owner of Sinnoh Region's Battle Frontier facility, the Battle Castle—
A noble lady from a prestigious house.
"And why couldn't we have a chance?"
Caitlin slowly lifted her pale, jade‑white arm as she replied in that serene tone.
The Key Stone on her glowed with a mesmerizing light, resonating with the Mega Stone on Metagross.
Mega Evolution.
"!!!"
Wallace's expression hardened at once. Metagross could Mega Evolve too? This girl knew how as well?
"Metagross～!"
A heavy, metallic roar came from within the light.
Four arms raised high, Mega Metagross floated into the air, the weight of its presence crashing down like a ton of steel.
Mega Metagross.
"Mr. Wallace, you really don't understand how strong Damian actually is. Even three Champions like Steven working together can't be Damian's opponents."
As the Mega Evolution finished, Caitlin lowered her arm again, hands folding in front of her lower abdomen. Her quiet, elegant posture was breathtaking.
"And you're not my opponent either, Mr. Wallace."
"Looks like you're underestimating me."
Wallace calmed himself, then couldn't help letting out a helpless sigh as he opened his own Poké Balls.
Milotic and Ludicolo appeared in front of him.
"I should remind you, Miss Caitlin—last time I lost, it was because you had Zinnia backing you up."
Wallace didn't deny that he'd been defeated. But he didn't believe for a second that if he'd fought only Caitlin or only Zinnia, he would've lost.
He was Wallace.
"So that's how you see it?"
Caitlin tilted her head slightly, looking a little troubled. The cute little gesture looked surprisingly adorable on her.
Even Wallace zoned out a bit.
He had to admit it—girls as beautiful and poised and noble as Caitlin were rare.
It was just a shame she'd lost her way and joined Team Rocket.
Damian really deserved to die.
"Looks like I'll have to make you face a truth you don't want to admit."
The corners of Caitlin's lips lifted. Deep, intense psychic light flickered in her eyes.
"Mr. Wallace, I'll bring you back to reality."
Even when she was throwing down a threat, Caitlin still sounded impossibly elegant.
"???"
Question marks popped up all over Wallace's head.
I'm the former Hoenn Champion Wallace, you know!
You're talking like I'm some random Bug Catcher on the side of the road—just saying you'll 'drag me back to reality'? You saying I'm delusional?
Delusional about what?
Wallace was mad. Wallace decided to get serious.
~~~
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