Ash Ketchum was beginning to feel like his home was less a place of relaxation and more of a battlefield. Every day brought new, bizarre challengers from worlds he'd never even heard of. And after facing off against the terrifying duo of M. Bison and Juri, he was ready for at least a few hours of peace.

Pikachu snuggled next to him, just as exhausted from the constant challenges. "Pika... chu..." he mumbled, looking as if he was ready for a long nap.

Ash sighed, sinking into the couch. "I just don't get it, Pikachu. How are all these people even finding me? I mean, I beat Leon, sure, but I didn't ask for a parade of strangers wanting to take me down..."

His musings were cut short by an oppressive aura filling the air. A cold chill ran down Ash's spine, and Pikachu's ears perked up, sparks instinctively crackling from his cheeks.

"Pikachu, you feel that?" Ash whispered, already on edge.

Suddenly, the door to his home burst open, and a figure stepped through, radiating malevolent energy. Clad in dark armor, her long black and white hair fluttering behind her as she strode forward, her presence was undeniably intimidating. Her eyes glowed with fiery intensity, and in her hand, she carried a menacing black flagpole with a banner that seemed to exude hatred and power.

Ash's heart skipped a beat, and he took a step back, instantly recognizing the sheer force of her aura. "Who are you?!"

The woman smirked, her voice low and filled with contempt. "I am Jeanne d'Arc Alter, the Dragon Witch. I have come to claim your so-called 'Monarch' title, and I will not be as merciful as the fools you've faced before."

Ash swallowed hard. He had heard legends about Jeanne d'Arc, the Saint who led France to victory—but this version… there was nothing holy about her. She radiated anger and vengeance, and the title Dragon Witch only made his nerves worse.

"W-what do you want with me?" Ash stammered, feeling Pikachu bristle at his side.

Jeanne Alter sneered, gripping her banner tightly. "I want to test your worth, so-called Monarch. They say you defeated a great champion, but titles mean nothing to me. I crush weaklings like you underfoot, burning them until there's nothing left but ashes. You should feel honored to be judged by the Dragon Witch."

Ash took a step back, glancing at Pikachu, who stood ready to fight. "Look, I don't know why you're so angry, but we don't need to do this! Why does it always have to end in violence?"

Jeanne Alter tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in disdain. "Because, boy, violence is the only language that truly matters. You speak of your 'bonds' with those creatures," she spat the word, glaring at Pikachu, "but that won't save you from the flames of judgment."

With a flick of her banner, flames erupted from the ground in a circular pattern around her, the heat searing the air around them. The sight of the fire caused Ash to involuntarily step back, feeling his palms go clammy.

"Burning people alive?" Ash's voice quivered slightly. "That's not what a hero does!"

Jeanne Alter let out a dark laugh, her expression twisting with malice. "I am no hero. I am vengeance incarnate. And now…" She raised her banner high, and the flames surrounding her grew taller, flickering like the jaws of a dragon ready to devour. "I will show you what it means to face true power."

Ash clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. "I'm not letting you hurt anyone, Jeanne! Pikachu, let's show her what we've got!"

"Pika!" Pikachu cried, surging forward, sparks flying from his cheeks.

"Thunderbolt, now!" Ash commanded.

Pikachu unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity, the energy crackling through the air as it surged toward Jeanne Alter. But the Dragon Witch didn't even flinch. With a casual flick of her banner, she deflected the attack, the electricity dissipating against the flames that surrounded her.

Ash's eyes widened in shock. "No way! That should've hit!"

Jeanne Alter grinned, her eyes alight with sadistic pleasure. "Is that all you've got? Pathetic. Let me show you what true destruction looks like."

With a swift motion, Jeanne Alter slammed her banner into the ground, and the flames around her surged forward like a tidal wave, roaring toward Ash and Pikachu with deadly intensity.

"Pikachu, dodge it!" Ash yelled, diving out of the way just as the flames crashed into the spot where they had been standing. The heat was overwhelming, even from a distance.

Ash quickly stood back up, wiping sweat from his brow. "We can't let her get the upper hand, Pikachu. We've gotta be faster! Use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu shot forward like a blur of lightning, zigzagging across the battlefield, aiming for Jeanne Alter's blind spot.

But once again, Jeanne Alter was one step ahead. She spun around with fluid grace, her banner whipping through the air as she brought it crashing down toward Pikachu. Pikachu barely managed to dodge, but the sheer force of the strike sent a shockwave rippling through the ground, throwing Pikachu off balance.

Jeanne Alter's smile grew darker. "You're wasting my time, boy."

Ash's heart pounded in his chest. This wasn't like any battle he'd faced before. Her power was terrifying, and the way she manipulated fire so effortlessly was unlike anything he'd seen in his world. But there was no way he was backing down now. He and Pikachu had been through too much to give up here.

"Pikachu, we're not done yet! Use Iron Tail!"

Pikachu's tail glowed a bright silver as he dashed toward Jeanne Alter once more, aiming for a direct hit. This time, the attack connected, slamming into her side with a loud crack.

Jeanne Alter stumbled back, a look of surprise crossing her face. But it was brief—her expression quickly twisted into a scowl. "You… insolent child."

Ash grinned. "We got her, Pikachu! Keep going!"

But before Pikachu could follow up, Jeanne Alter's entire body seemed to ignite in flames. Her eyes blazed with fury, and her voice rang out like a war cry. "Enough of this! I'll show you the true meaning of despair!"

She raised her banner high, and from the flames emerged the shadow of a massive dragon, its fiery wings spreading wide as it roared toward Ash and Pikachu. The sight of it made Ash freeze for a moment—this was no ordinary fire. It felt like it was fueled by her rage, her desire for destruction.

Ash had faced down legendaries, fought countless trainers, and traveled the world—but this felt different. This was raw hatred, and it scared him.

But he couldn't let fear control him.

"Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!" Ash commanded, his voice firm despite the fear gnawing at his insides.

Pikachu surrounded himself in a powerful aura of electricity, charging forward with everything he had. The fiery dragon clashed with Pikachu's electric form, the two forces colliding in a burst of light and energy that sent shockwaves rippling through the room.

For a moment, everything was chaos—fire and lightning, clashing in midair, neither force willing to give an inch.

Ash shielded his eyes from the blinding light, shouting, "Come on, Pikachu! You can do it!"

And then, with a final surge of power, Pikachu broke through the dragon's flames, slamming into Jeanne Alter with full force. The impact sent her flying backward, crashing into the wall with a thunderous boom.

Ash panted heavily, watching as Jeanne Alter slowly stood up, her body still wreathed in flames. But her expression had changed—there was no longer pure malice in her eyes. Instead, she looked at Ash with something resembling… respect.

"Hmph," she muttered, brushing ash from her armor. "You've got more fight in you than I expected. Perhaps you are worthy of the title Monarch… for now."

Ash blinked, still catching his breath. "So… does that mean you're done trying to burn me alive?"

Jeanne Alter smirked. "For now. But don't think this is over, boy. If you continue to hold that title, we will meet again. And next time…" She let her words hang in the air, the threat clear.

With a flick of her banner, the flames around her vanished, and Jeanne Alter disappeared in a flash of dark energy, leaving Ash and Pikachu standing in the middle of his now-singed living room.

Ash collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. "Why do I always end up facing people who want to burn me alive?"

Pikachu nodded, equally exhausted but proud. "Pika…"

Ash glanced at his partner, giving him a weak smile. "At least we made it through another one, buddy. But seriously, where are all these people coming from?"

And somewhere, deep in the multiverse, the next challenger was already preparing.