Chapter 17: Maxed Out

"What? You can't be serious!"

"Why not?"

"Because that's not how things work, Ash!"

Currently, Ash and Goh were standing outside their hotel, arguing while Lillie sat off to the side remaining neutral. After the match yesterday, Ash couldn't get Leon off his mind, and wanted to battle him. Of course, when he told Goh this, he flipped out.

"I don't see what the big deal is. All I want is a quick one-on-one battle, won't even be official."

"Because if anyone could have a battle with the World Champion off the street, then what's the whole point of the World Coronation Series?!"

"For official matches?"
Goh just breathed a weary sigh and pulled out his phone, bringing up the Coronation Series's website.

"Look, it's not just as simple as that. The World Coronation Series has a whole system of ranking and matching designed to determine who's the best of the best. You can't just challenge someone in the Master Class right off the bat, you have to work your way up."

"Alright, then how do I do that?"

"See, participants in The World Coronation Series are grouped into four different ranks based on their performance in the tournament. Assuming you signed up for the next season, you'd start off in the Normal Class. Everyone starts out here at first, up until they pass 1000. Then there's the Great Class, for participants ranked 999th to 100. After that, there's the Ultra Class, which goes from 99th to 9th. And assuming you can make it all the way to 8th, then you reach The Master Class, which consists of the best of the best in the world. At the end of the season, there's a big tournament for the top 8. Assuming you can make it to the finals, then, and ONLY then, will you even have a shot at the title."

"Woah."

"Yeah."

"That sounds awesome! Man, I wish I had known about this sooner, I would've signed up years ago!"

"Gah! Didn't you hear a single word I just said!"

"What's going on here?"

Their argument was interrupted by Hop and Leon coming up the street.

"Hey guys! Hope you don't mind, but I told big bro here all about you!"

"Oh, you're the researchers from Kanto! Sonia told me all about you the last time I was home! Nice to see Hop's making some friends."

"Excuse me, Mr. Leon?"

"Please kid, call me Leon. Mr. Just makes me feel old."

"Oh, okay Leon. My name's Ash, and I was wondering if you could…have a battle with me? I saw your match yesterday, and I'd love to have a go at you!"

"I'm sorry, I tried telling him that's not how things work, but-"

"Of course, Ash!"

"Really?!"

"Seriously?"

Leon smiled, and nodded.

"Always happy to please a fan. Of course, it won't be an official match, though I'm sure I can get the referee from yesterday to officiate. Just give me half an hour, and we can get going."

"Great! This is going to be awesome!"

Half an hour later, and Leon was good as his word. The two of them stood in the center of the stadium, the referee from before there to keep an eye on the battle. Goh, Lillie, and Hop were in the stands.

"Are you sure it's okay to use the stadium?"

"Don't worry, it won't be needed again until the league starts up in a week. Besides, as Champion I can use it for situations like this."

"Sweet!"

The ref cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him.

"Alright, this will be a 1-on-1 unofficial battle between the Champion Leon and the challenger Ash from Pallet Town. The challenger shall send his Pokemon out first. Any questions?"

"Nope!"

"Uh uh."

"Then let the battle begin!"

"You ready, buddy?"

"Pikachu!"

"Alright, go!"

But the minute Pikachu stepped onto the battlefield, something strange happened, Galar particles flew into his body, shocking him into standing still. Then, he began to grow at a tremendous rate. When he finished growing, he was taller than the stadium, and not as thin as he used to be.

"Pikaaaaaa."

"Woah, Pikachu Gigantamaxed."

Leon smiled, and took out his Charizard's Pokeball.

"Well then, guess it's only fair that we do the same!"

Channeling particles into the Pokeball, Leon threw it, unleashing his partner Pokemon.

"ZAAAARD!"

"Pikachu vs Charizard, begin!"

"Alright Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
"Max Flare, Charizard!"

Pikachu, still struggling with its increased body mass, barely managed to lift his tail. But even that was too much, and he wound up slamming it into the ground, creating massive steel spikes which were quickly burned away to ash by Charizard's attack.

"What was that? That wasn't Iron Tail!"

"When a Pokemon is Dynamaxed, their regular moves get upgraded into Max Moves. Check your Pokedex!"

Ash took out his Rotomphone, checking on what moves Pikachu had at his disposal.

"Alright buddy, use Max Lightning!"

"Max Knuckle!"

Pikachu grunted, still heavily hurt from the last attack, and created massive bolts of electricity, but each of them were easily dispersed by the giant fists Charizard had created to attack with, each one pelting his body like rocks.

"Alright buddy, use G-Max Volt Crash!"

"G-Max Wildfire!"

Pikachu concentrated as hard as he could, and summoned the largest bolt of lightning he could muster, which actually managed to deal some decent damage to his opponent. But all it did was slow him down, while the giant phoenix attack hit him full on. Pikachu staggered for a moment before collapsing, returning to his normal size unconscious.

"Pikachu is unable to battle! Charizard is the winner, and the battle goes to the Champion Leon!"

Ash took a heavy breath, and picked up Pikachu, gently scratching his ear.

"Take it easy buddy. You did great!"

"Chu."

Leon approached them, smiling broadly and offered Ash a handshake, which he was happy to reciprocate.

"You did pretty good for someone going up against the world champ. Get some more experience under your belt, and I'll be happy to take you on!"

"Thanks, Leon. I can't wait!"

Later that night, back in Vermillion City, Ash was lying on his bed, deep in thought. Goh was working on homework for once in his life, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Ash, it's me. Are you alright?"

Ash smiled, opening the door to let Lillie in.

"Yeah, I've just been thinking about today."

"Really? I didn't think losing would affect you that badly."

"Actually, I was thinking more about The World Coronation Series. I mean, a whole competition to determine the best trainer in the world, and I've never heard about it? This could be a whole new world of opportunities!"

"Really? You never seemed so interested in such titles before."

"I'm not, though the thought is nice. But this is a whole new world of challenges for me to face! And if I conquer it, I'll be one step closer to being a Pokemon Master."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to sign up for the next season. And no matter how long it takes, I'm going to make my way up to Master Class and beat Leon again!"

LIllie smiled, and kissed his cheek.

"Well, you know I'll have your back the whole way."

"Thanks, Lillie. I can't wait!"