The hem of the white skirt fluttered lightly. Its inner lining was a soft blue, with matching blue hair that curled down beneath the head, and vivid red structures on the chest and back.
This was a shiny Gardevoir.
"So beautiful!"
The psychic trainer in the audience was completely entranced. Gardevoir had always been a fan-favorite among Psychic-types, and shiny Gardevoirs were incredibly rare.
"That elegance, that poise, that figure…"
He swallowed hard.
The woman beside him and the birdkeeper instinctively scooted a little farther away. Especially the birdkeeper, who couldn't stop twitching at the corners of his eyes as he eyed the psychic guy.
This dude didn't have any weird thoughts, right? Like, come on, be a person.
Wait—wasn't there that one trainer who actually married his Gardevoir? Wonder if the kid's been born yet…
"But seriously, this shiny Gardevoir is gorgeous," the woman said enviously. The Gardevoir's serene, graceful aura was simply unmatched.
'Beep~ Gardevoir, Psychic/Fairy-type, Embrace Pokémon
Ability: Trace
Moves: Future Sight, Dream Eater, Moonblast, Psychic, Calm Mind, Thunderbolt...
Dex entry: It has the power to warp space using psychic energy and can create miniature black holes. It will do anything to protect its Trainer.'
This one looks even stronger than that Hatterene from before.
Reading through the data, the older girl smacked her lips in awe. Then again, that was just Dylan's style—the strongest Pokémon always came out later.
On the battlefield.
Gardevoir's eyes shimmered with eerie colors as she stared at Hitmonlee. Her body gave off a brief flicker of light.
Trace activated! Upon entering battle, it copied the opponent's Ability.
Bruno noticed and relaxed a bit. Hitmonlee's Ability was Reckless—not exactly helpful to a Gardevoir.
"A Gardevoir, huh."
Another Pokémon that quadruple-resisted Fighting-types.
Bruno recalled Hitmonlee and took a moment to consider, then threw out his fifth Poké Ball. He needed to deal with that Psychic Terrain.
"Hitmontop!"
A flash of white light, and a brown-bodied Pokémon landed in front of him, balanced on one hand with blue armored limbs and bandage-like markings. Hitmontop had entered the field.
'Beep~ Hitmontop, Fighting-type, Handstand Pokémon
Ability: Technician
Moves: Reversal, Counter, Close Combat, Dig, Sucker Punch, Detect, Rapid Spin…
Dex entry: If you get caught admiring its beautiful spinning kicks, you'll be greeted with a brutal strike.'
Hitmontop, huh?
Dylan raised a brow. Finally, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hitmontop, Rapid Spin!"
Bruno barked.
Hitmontop planted a hand and flipped over, spinning rapidly as icy-blue energy surrounded it.
Rapid Spin was a move that could break the terrain. That's right—Bruno had had enough of Psychic Terrain.
He knew Dylan would try to stop him, but he had to try. Otherwise, the Psychic Terrain was just too disruptive.
"Psychic."
Dylan chuckled softly. No way was he letting Bruno succeed that easily.
Gardevoir extended her arms and aimed at Hitmontop. Her eyes lit up with deep blue light—Psychic-type move, Psychic.
Hitmontop was quickly enveloped in a blue aura. His previously rapid spinning slowed, and his body began lifting off the ground. Even though Rapid Spin was still active, the spinning speed…
Was far too slow! And since he wasn't touching the ground, he couldn't destroy the terrain either.
"Such strong Psychic!" Bruno tensed up.
"Send him flying."
Dylan's smile deepened.
Gardevoir gave a soft hum and raised her hand gently. Hitmontop continued floating upward.
"Hitmontop, Rock Slide!"
Bruno couldn't take it anymore. He had to break Gardevoir's concentration.
Hitmontop canceled Rapid Spin, summoning a cascade of boulders above Gardevoir's head. Rock-type move, Rock Slide.
It wasn't super effective against Psychic or Fairy-types, but Gardevoir's physical defense was low. If those rocks landed, it'd hurt.
But Gardevoir didn't try to control him anymore. Instead, she sidestepped effortlessly, the rocks tumbling harmlessly past.
With Psychic's effect gone, Hitmontop began to fall. Bruno exhaled in relief.
But then—
"Teleport."
Gardevoir vanished in a blink of blue light.
"Hitmontop!"
Bruno's eyes widened. Gardevoir's graceful figure appeared right behind him.
Sensing a presence, Hitmontop instinctively turned around.
Only to meet her eyes—glowing with psychic energy and radiating hypnotic ripples.
Hitmontop stared.
Suddenly dizzy and dazed, his once-vigilant gaze faded into drowsiness.
Thump—
Hitmontop dropped to the ground, snoring. Gardevoir landed lightly beside him, white skirt swaying, her gaze calm and serene.
"Hypnosis!"
Bruno practically spat out each syllable. No doubt about it—this was Psychic-type Hypnosis!
Hypnosis usually wasn't easy to land, but come on—eye contact? She teleported right behind him. Even without his warning, Hitmontop would've turned around.
So cheap!
Such a gorgeous Pokémon using such underhanded moves—it felt like a betrayal.
Bruno debated whether to recall him.
Then—
"Mean Look," Dylan said nonchalantly.
Bruno's eyes shot open.
Gardevoir's gaze turned dark and ominous, the shadow beneath Hitmontop flickering unnaturally.
Normal-type move, Mean Look.
Now he couldn't recall Hitmontop.
Seriously, Champion Dylan… wasn't this a bit excessive?
Bruno's rugged face was filled with bitterness. Hitmontop was already asleep—why not let it go?
"Expanding Force."
Gardevoir raised her right hand, and colorful waves of psychic energy began to swirl.
Psychic Terrain was still up, so Expanding Force had the bonus damage and area boost. Dream Eater wouldn't even hit that hard—and Gardevoir didn't need to heal right now anyway.
"Hitmontop, Sleep Talk!"
Bruno wasn't giving up. With his Pokémon asleep, this was his only option.
Hitmontop suddenly moved again. Balancing on his hands, his legs began spinning with a bright white glow—Sleep Talk pulled a triple kick combo.
But before he could land the hit, Expanding Force erupted, blasting him midair.
The wave sent him flying—despite being asleep, his face twisted in pain.
Bruno watched helplessly.
"One more Expanding Force."
"Hitmontop, Sleep Talk!"
This time he lucked out—Sleep Talk gave him Aerial Ace. But it wasn't enough.
Expanding Force ripped through the flying energy and slammed into him.
He crashed to the ground and didn't get back up.
"Hitmontop is unable to battle. Gardevoir wins."
Leaf announced the result.
This round had been a total stomp. Once Hitmontop was put to sleep, the match had already been over.
"They're just not in the same league! That Gardevoir's a beast!"
"Mostly, it was that Hypnosis—it was executed so perfectly. Otherwise, Dylan probably still would've won, but it would've taken more effort."
The birdkeeper chimed in.
Gardevoir was stronger than Hatterene, but not overwhelmingly so.
"Champion Dylan really is something else."
Bruno smiled in admiration as he recalled Hitmontop.
"You're not bad yourself," Dylan replied with a polite smile.
"Haha, Champion Dylan, don't say that—I'm getting steamrolled over here," Bruno laughed heartily.
"Now it's time for my final trump card. This is the Pokémon that's been with me since I first became a trainer!"
"My strongest partner—Machamp!"
Bruno tossed out his final Poké Ball with a fiery aura.
A hulking Machamp landed on the field, flexing its four muscular arms with vigor.
"A Guts Machamp, huh. That's Bruno's signature Pokémon."
Asha's eyes sparkled—she recognized it from the old Elite Four poster.
Bruno's signature Pokémon had always been Machamp!
"Very impressive," Dylan said after a brief assessment. "You've raised him well."
"Heh! That's my pride and joy!" Bruno beamed, his voice deep with pride.
"He's been with me since he was just a Machop. We've trained together every day!"
"Though it's a shame... I've been trying to find a Mega Stone for him ever since Mega Evolution was discovered, but no one's seen a Machampite yet."
He sounded genuinely disappointed. If only Machamp had a unique Mega Evolution...
Bruno had even looked into Dynamax—he'd seen photos of Gigantamax Machamp from Galar. It looked insanely cool!
Too bad that was a Galar-only phenomenon. You couldn't Dynamax in Kanto.
"Mega Evolution is Pokémon-specific," Dylan said kindly. "Some Pokémon simply don't have a Mega Stone. Mr. Bruno, I'd recommend trying Steelix or Lucario instead."
He didn't say it outright, but... your ace is just like Lance's. It ain't getting a Mega Evolution anytime soon.
"Ah?"
Bruno looked heartbroken. Really? His ripped, manly Machamp didn't get a Mega Evolution?
"I'm afraid so. So maybe it's best not to waste too much effort searching."
Dylan confirmed gently. At least in his original timeline, Machamp had no Mega Stone.
Bruno sighed. He trusted Dylan.
"You've mastered Mega Evolution, haven't you?" he asked, eyeing Gardevoir.
"Of course." Dylan nodded like it was a given.
"Then could you show me?" Bruno asked earnestly. "Honestly, I've never fought a Mega Evolved Pokémon before."
He was genuinely curious.
"Of course. Gardevoir can Mega Evolve," Dylan said. "But once she does, her power will increase significantly."
"You don't have a Mega Evolution yourself. It wouldn't be fair."
Dylan raised a brow in warning.
"No worries! Don't hold back, Champion Dylan."
Bruno waved it off with a big smile. He wasn't here to win—just to enjoy the ride.
Heck, if he'd drawn his Legendary team, he'd have told Dylan to use Kyurem already!
He still regretted not getting a closer look at Kyurem back in Saffron City.
If he could take a selfie with Kyurem during battle—that would be incredible clout.
He could brag about it forever:
"I once challenged Rota Gym, and Champion Dylan used Kyurem to demolish me!"
Now that would be something to talk about.
"Alright then, Champion Dylan. I'm ready!" Bruno grinned with excitement, motioning for Dylan to begin.
He was probably about to become the first trainer to get clobbered by Dylan's Mega Evolution.