Chapter 16: To Be the Very Best

A few days after their adventures on Dragonite Island, Ash and Lillie were enjoying some quiet time in the dorms. Between all of the researching they'd done for the institute and traveling, they hadn't had much time to relax, so they welcomed the day off Professor Cerise had given them.

"Reminds me of back when we were in Alola."

"I hear you! I could get used to this."

Just then, Goh flung open the doors to their room, sending them to the ground in shock.

"Guys, guys, guys!"

"Breathe, Goh. Breathe."

Goh did just that, calming down just enough for them to understand him.

"The World Coronation Series Championship match is this weekend, and I got us front row seats!"

"No way! Those must have cost you a fortune!"

"Nope! Managed to win them in a contest. All I had to do was guess which Pokemon had the National Pokedex number 365. Obviously, it was Walrein..."

"What's the World Coronation Series?"

Ash and Lillie stared at him awestruck.

"What's The World Coronation Series? Only the biggest Pokemon Competition ever! The strongest trainers from all over the world compete to earn the title of World Monarch!"

"How have you never heard of this?"

Ash just shrugged his shoulders.

"Its just never come up. Where's it being held?"

"Wyndon Stadium, Galar. The match is 2 tomorrow evening, so we'll need to fly out tomorrow morning."

"What about our work here?"

"Don't worry, I've already cleared it with Professor Cerise. I would've gotten one for Chloe too, but these were the last three available."

"Sweet! Let's start packing!"

By tomorrow afternoon, the trio were on the plane as it began its descent into Wyndon. Goh was reading up on the match on his phone.

"The match will be between Lance of the Kanto Elite 4 and the Galar Champion Leon. They've both had a lot of close matches throughout the season, so its bound to be a tough battle."

"Lance is battling? Man, I haven't seen him in ages!"

"Please, like you've met a former champion."

"I have so! I met him in Johto..."

"Yeah, right!"

Lillie tuned their squabbling out, turning her attention instead to the window. At the moment, all she could see was a thick layer of clouds as the plane descended towards the city. But just as she was about to turn away, she thought she saw something in the clouds. She couldn't really make out what it was, but it looked like a large, serpentine Pokemon, electricity dancing off its body.

"See something, Lillie?"

"Huh? Oh, its nothing really."

Ash shrugged and got ready for landing. But Lillie couldn't stop thinking about it. She knew she saw something unusual outside her window, but what?

By the time the plane had landed and they were on solid ground, the strange encounter was in the back of her mind. Once they stepped out into Galar, Ash sniffed the air.

"Ah yeah, you guys smell that? That's the smell of excitement!"

"Really? Man, excitement smells like pollution."

"Oh my gosh, its Leon!"

"I've got to get his autograph!"

Everyone turned to see a purple haired 20 year old signing autographs and posing for pictures, the crowd chanting "Leon! Leon! Leon!"

"Wow, he sure is popular."

"As he deserves to be."

Coming up the street was Hop, grinning proudly as usual.

"Hey Hop, you here to see the match as well?"

"Of course! I've seen all of Leon's matches, why would this one be any different?"

"Man, you're a big fan on him, aren't you?"

"Why wouldn't I be? He is my older brother, after all."

His friends just gaped in shock.

"What?"

"LEON'S YOUR BROTHER!"

"Shh! Keep it down, will ya? Yes, he's my brother, but I don't like flaunting it too much. I don't want people thinking that I'm gonna get a free pass just because I'm related to him."

Ash nodded, understanding.

"Ok, sorry."

"Thank you. Anyway, where are you guys sitting? I'm assuming you're here for the match too."

"Yep, front row seats! Got the last three."

Hop chuckled.

"Oh, you don't want those."

"What? Why wouldn't we?"

"You'll see. Tell ya what, as the champion's family I have access to a private viewing box. Why don't you guys sit with me?"

"Really? Sweet!"

"But...what about my tickets?"

"Hey, you can still sit down there if you want. But trust me, the view from my place is even better."

Not wanting to be left out, and also wanting to see for himself if the view really was better, Goh relented and joined his friends in the viewing box. Surprisingly, it was a rather spacious place, with a small buffet off to the side and big, comfy chairs for all of them.

"Man, this is luxurious! Your brother knows how to watch a battle."

"Meh, it was the league's idea. I only have access to as long as he remains champion. Not like I have to worry about that! Big bro is undefeated!"

"You never know, Hop. There's always a first time for everything."

"Yeah, and it'll be me!"

"Shh, guys! Its about to start!"

Down on the battlefield, the competitors took their sides of the field. After the crowd had died down, the announcer took over for the introductions.

"Ladies and gentleman! Welcome to the conclusion of another exciting season of the Pokemon World Coronation Series!"

Again, the crowd exploded, the announcer having to wait for them to stop before he could continue.

"In the red corner, we have Lance of the Elite 4! Its been a long road for him after he lost his title of Kanto League Champion, but that hasn't stopped him! But can he take on the unbeatable Leon?"

Lance bowed as his fans cheered, some of them even shouting "We Love you, Lance!"

"And in the green corner, the undefeated champion of Galar 5 years in a row, Leon! But has his luck ran out?"

Leon struck a pose while his fans cheered even louder. Once everything had settled down, the judge stepped forward to explain the rules.

"This battle will be a full 6-on-6 battle. There shall be no time limit, and the battle shall continue until all Pokemon on either side are unable to battle. Both trainers shall send out their Pokemon at the same time. Are both challengers ready?"

"Ready!"

"Ready!"

"Then let the battle begin!"

The battle was a long, well-fought battle. Both side's Pokemon were evenly matched, and for a while it looked like the battle might end in a draw. Each time one Pokemon went down, the other side managed to get a win until both Lance and Leon were down to their last Pokemon.

"Go, Gyarados!"

"Charizard, I choose you!"

Goh laughed at the matchup.

"Talk about bad luck! Lance will wipe the floor with him."

But Hop just smiled.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Goh. You don't get to be a champion if you don't know how to work around Type Matchups."

Lance, thinking the same thing, took out his Key Stone.

"We're not taking any chances! Gyarados, Mega Evolve!"

Gyarados roared fiercely as its body changed, transforming into its Mega Evolved state.

"Yeah, well neither are we!"

Then, to Ash and company's surprise, Leon returned his Charizard to his Pokeball.

"What's he doing? He doesn't have any Pokemon to switch out too."

"Is he giving up?"

"Just wait."

A small bracelet on Leon's arm glowed, and before their very eyes the Pokeball grew to giant proportions. With both hands, Leon threw it up into the air, revealing a now giant Charizard, with giant flames across its body.

"Woah! That is so cool!"

"Is that Gigantamax!"

"Sure is. Lance won't know what hit him!"

"Charizard vs Gyarados, begin!"

"Gyarados, use Hyrdo Pump!"

"Max Airstream, Charizard!"

Charizard began flapping his wings, creating massive gusts of wind that buffeted Gyarados about. But the attack failed to dispel the massive blast of water, which hit and soaked him.

"Aqua Tail, Gyrados!"

"Max Lightning!"

Charizard unleashed brilliant bolts of electricity, shocking Gyarados as he charged forth. Despite the pain, Gyarados landed a swift strike on Charizard's legs, making him howl in pain. Leon noticed that Charizard's Gigantamax was starting to wear off. He knew that he needed to finish this fast if he wanted to win.

"Charizard, use G-Max Wildfire!"

"Hyper Beam, Gyarados!"

Charizard growled, charging up fire energy in his body while Gyarados charged up a powerful Hyper Beam. At the same time, they unleashed their attacks, Charizard's attack manifesting as a great Phoenix that flew right through the Hyper Beam and hit Gyarados, creating a great explosion that covered the entire stadium in smoke. When the dust settled, Gyarados was on the ground unconscious, while Charizard wearily landed on the ground, both back in their base forms. After taking a moment to confirm, the battle judge raised his green flag.

"Gyarados is unable to battle! Charizard is the victor, and the match goes to Leon of Wedgehurst!"

"And there you have it, folks! After a long battle, we have a new Monarch! Let's hear it for Leon!"

"Leon! Leon! Leon!"

Hop was jumping up and down in excitement.

"Yes! See, I told you! Didn't I tell you? Of course I told you!"

"Yes, you told us. Don't need to rub it in..."

"Leon sure is strong, isn't he Ash?"

Ash remained silent for a minute, watching Leon in amazement as he soaked up the crowd's love.

"He is. And I'm going to challenge him!"