"Glimmora versus Klinklang… not exactly a favorable matchup for Champion Dylan."
Iris's bright, eager eyes were fixed on the Pokémon facing off in the arena.
She was incredibly curious about Dylan.
After all, he'd taken both of Unova's dragon gods and, before leaving, practically wiped out Team Plasma.
And shortly after becoming Champion of Kanto, he had battled Galar's Champion Leon…
And completely swept him. Like, a literal shutout. Brutal stuff.
As the newly appointed Champion of Unova, Iris naturally felt both curious and eager—itching to test herself.
As a Dragon-type enthusiast, she held a deep love for dragons—and Dylan was a Dragon-type Champion too!
Well, okay, technically he was a multi-type Trainer, but the League officially had him listed as Dragon-type. That counted.
"Once N's done, it's my turn next!"
Iris clenched her pink-gloved fists, burning with determination.
After all, the World Championship was coming up this year—and like it or not, she and Dylan were rivals now.
Getting familiar with his strength early was just good scouting.
"That's right. Poison has no effect on Klinklang, and Rock is also resisted—Glimmora really isn't a good pick here," Alder said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.
And Klinklang, being pure Steel, was actually quite a solid Pokémon. Sure, it looked basic and sounded like a low-tier name…
But in-game, its base stat total was a respectable 520—definitely high tier. Besides its lackluster HP and Special Attack, it was solid all around.
On the battlefield—
"Come back, Glimmora."
Dylan decisively recalled his Pokémon. This wasn't a gym match—he was free to switch.
If this Glimmora had the Corrosion ability, he might've kept it in. But with Toxic Debris? No way—not a good matchup.
"Salazzle!"
He sent out his second Pokémon.
A flash of white light, and a sleek, black-scaled lizard hit the field, leaning on her forelimbs. Narrow, slitted eyes and a crooked smirk gave her an unmistakably sinister vibe.
It was Salazzle.
"A Fire/Poison-type… and with Corrosion, I assume?"
N analyzed her quickly. His Pokémon knowledge was impeccable.
Corrosion, plus Fire-typing—Salazzle was easily one of the best Poison-types for dealing with Steels.
N pondered briefly before recalling Klinklang and sending out his second choice.
"Carracosta! I'm counting on you."
A hulking blue turtle with rocky black-blue plates and long limbs lumbered onto the field.
Beep~ Carracosta. Water/Rock-type. Prototurtle Pokémon.
Ability: Solid Rock.
Moves: Shell Smash, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Aqua Tail, Crunch, Rock Slide, Stealth Rock…
Description: Though slower in water, it comes ashore to hunt prey when necessary.
A Water-type this time—another good counter.
Reading the data, Ilene smiled slightly. But thinking type advantage alone would be enough to beat Dylan? That was wishful thinking.
As a Gym Leader, countering unfavorable matchups was practically Dylan's specialty.
"Carracosta, Aqua Jet!"
N made the first move.
Though slow on land, Carracosta had priority moves.
Water energy surged as the turtle prepared to strike.
"Fake Out."
But Salazzle moved even faster—her dark silhouette blurred into a shadow, and she closed in before Carracosta could act.
Smack!
Water burst off Carracosta as it flinched from the hit, stumbling backward in a daze.
Normal-type move, low damage—but it flinched.
"…!" N frowned.
"Toxic."
"Carracosta!"
N's face changed. Getting poisoned would be a huge problem.
Salazzle's throat bulged—she spat a thick stream of deep purple venom.
"Whirlpool!" N shouted quickly.
Carracosta snapped out of it and summoned a spiraling vortex of water just in time, blocking the sludge.
But the swirling, once-clear water was quickly tainted purple—cloudy and dangerous.
N sighed in relief. He hadn't expected Dylan to open with a Fake Out + Toxic combo…
Aren't you supposed to be a noble "hero of truth" or something?!
"Quick reflexes. But…"
Dylan's brow lifted slightly.
"Carracosta!"
N barked an order. Carracosta hurled the poisoned whirlpool toward Salazzle.
"Don't get complacent now," Dylan said with a grin.
Salazzle sidestepped with ease, darting toward Carracosta.
"Aqua Tail!"
Carracosta's tail surged with water as it lashed out.
Salazzle barely moved—just twisted her body with a mocking look and dodged again.
Then, at close range, she unleashed another blast of venom—right to Carracosta's face.
"Again?! Toxic…" N muttered, now visibly annoyed—and this time, it landed.
Carracosta clawed at its face, trying to wipe off the sludge—but the dark purple poison seeped into its body fast.
A sickly glow pulsed from within.
Carracosta winced audibly.
"This is bad. That kind of poison is brutal," Alder muttered.
Badly poisoned status only got worse over time—each turn, the damage would increase.
Right now, Carracosta might just be wincing—but soon? It'd be a lot more than that.
"Using Carracosta to counter Salazzle was a good call, N. But you overlooked something—Carracosta's mobility is nothing compared to Salazzle's."
"And now it's poisoned. So tell me—how do you plan to stop her?"
Dylan tilted his head.
"…A Poison team?" N's brows drew together.
"That's right. Poison was my very first attribute team. I hope you enjoy the charm of these Pokémon, N."
Dylan smiled.
Salazzle's grin widened unnaturally—so sharp it nearly reached her ears. Genuinely unsettling.
Poison's… charm?
"Surf!"
N didn't hesitate—time was ticking.
"Encore."
As Carracosta tried to summon a wave, Salazzle sat up and mockingly clapped her claws together.
A strange light surrounded Carracosta—it was forced to repeat its last move.
Carracosta blinked in confusion, trying hard—but no matter what, it couldn't produce Surf again.
It glanced helplessly back at N.
N: "…"
The last move was Aqua Tail. There was no way Carracosta was fast enough to land that.
Asking a sluggish turtle to chase down a slithery lizard?
"Toxic Spikes."
Dylan gave his next order.
Salazzle backflipped, then launched a glowing purple orb into the air.
BOOM.
It burst—purple needles scattered across the field, embedding into the ground.
Toxic Spikes.
…So this was how Dylan usually battled?
N's clear eyes grew a little blank.
This wasn't the kind of passionate clash he had imagined…
This was supposed to be a clash between the Heroes of Truth and Ideals!
"What's wrong, N? Not going to attack?"
Seeing him freeze, Dylan tilted his head.
N: "…"
Was he seriously asking that?
Just then, Carracosta shuddered again. The deep purple glow returned.
Toxic damage—Round Two.
"Venoshock."
Dylan struck immediately.
Salazzle dashed forward, spraying a jet of acidic venom straight into Carracosta's face.
Already poisoned and caught off guard, the turtle cried out in pain.
Venoshock dealt double damage to poisoned targets.
Even with resistance to Poison, that one stung badly.
Carracosta collapsed—and as it hit the ground, another pulse of purple light flared.
Toxic Spikes—additional damage.
Alder and the others watching couldn't help but wince.
"Come back, Carracosta." N quickly returned his battered Pokémon.
If he waited any longer, Dylan would have had Salazzle follow up.
"N, if you can't fight at your best, you might not even get to see Reshiram."
Dylan smiled, eyes focused.
He had included Reshiram in his lineup for this battle with N.
But if N didn't push himself, he might not get that far.
Dylan knew N had Zekrom—but that didn't mean Dylan needed a legend to beat him.
Power levels aside… Zekrom isn't immune to poison, is it?
Even the Dragon of Ideals can get poisoned.
Kyogre would approve.
"…Understood." N nodded solemnly, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"Archeops! Let's go!"
(End of Chapter)