Group Chat: "Wallace and His Good Friends"
Wallace: Dylan, you're insane—you actually shut out Champion Lance! 😱
Steven: Dylan is as strong as ever.
Dylan: Keep it low-key, keep it low-key. Lance was just unlucky—he happened to draw my Ice-type team. 😅
Wallace: I watched the replay. Lance really got wrecked… Speaking of which, the World Cup Tournament is about to start.
Wallace: Guys, what if I build a Water/Ice team to beat Champion Lance? 🤩
Steven: …?
Cynthia: …??
Dylan: …???
Iris: Um… Wallace, don't you think that's a little extreme? 😓
Steven: Are you dreaming again? You really think you can beat Lance?
Wallace: The problem is, I don't know who I'm going to challenge, guys… I really want a Water-type duel with Dylan. 😭
Wallace was clearly stressed. Since he wasn't the current Champion of Hoenn, he wasn't part of the initial Masters Eight lineup.
As the current No.1 in the world, Dylan couldn't be challenged unless someone entered the Masters Eight.
But who could Wallace challenge?
Lance, ranked No.8, was a tough matchup. It was widely known that for Lance and the others, that No.8 ranking was only temporary.
Ranked No.7 was Iris, the new Champion of Unova, who also specialized in Dragon-types.
Honestly, Wallace didn't feel confident about beating any of them.
Wallace: Should I challenge Leon instead? His ace is Charizard—perfect Water-type matchup.
Wallace considered the No.6-ranked Leon. His exact strength was still unknown, especially since his match against Dylan didn't give much away.
Because, let's face it—no one else would've done any better in Leon's place.
Dylan: I wouldn't recommend it. Wallace, you'll regret it. 😅
Wallace: Huh?
Dylan: Leon is really strong. Even Lance might not beat him. If you challenge him, your loss will be very thorough. (gentle warning)
Steven: 🤭
Wallace: (ಥ﹏ಥ)
Iris: So that means one of us is Leon's next target…
Relaxing at the Rota Gym, Dylan burst out laughing at Wallace's reaction. The guy was just too funny.
Anyone who had seen Wallace in the anime already knew he was a fabulous goofball, but seeing him up close? Adorable.
At the moment, Dylan was watching a video—an interview with Lance.
That classic line: "No comment."—it had become a meme.
The public was living for it. A battle between Kanto's past and present Champions? Instant viral content.
Word of the match had even spread to other regions—everyone knew about it now.
But the media buzz didn't affect Dylan's daily life. In fact, some new challengers had trickled into his gym recently.
The journey had resumed for many eager trainers.
A few days later, the Johto League was officially established at Mt. Silver, and Lance was formally appointed as its first Champion.
The Johto Elite Four lineup:
Agatha, Ghost-type specialist
Karen, Dark-type specialist
Bruno, Fighting-type specialist
Lorelei, Ice-type specialist
"Moshi moshi~"
"Here. What's up?"
"Champion Dylan, you have to support me. Agatha and Bruno are fine, and Lance is manageable, but Lorelei? She's seriously giving me attitude."
On the video call, Karen rested her chin on her hand, pouting.
"You'd think I stole her man or something, with that icy stare of hers."
"Well… you did clash with her back in Saffron."
Dylan rolled his eyes. That battle in Saffron City between Karen and Lorelei had nearly caused a breakdown in relations.
And to be honest, Karen nearly gave Lorelei a heart attack.
Karen was sharp-tongued, mischievous, and a Dark-type specialist through and through.
"That was ancient history! And she calls herself Champion-level? So petty!" Karen scoffed.
"I've changed, okay? Totally reformed! But when she stands near me, the temperature drops by ten degrees! I get goosebumps just from her presence!"
"I mean, who's ever going to marry someone that cold?"
Karen wouldn't stop ranting. Honestly, she'd been totally stunned when Dylan reached out and offered her a spot as Johto's Elite Four.
They did know each other—kind of—but back in the day, Dylan had been the one chasing her.
And now he was suddenly assigning her one of the most prestigious positions in the region? Wild.
"Okay, okay! Let's avoid personal attacks, please." Dylan's eyelid twitched.
Sure, he enjoyed some good old female rivalry, but Lorelei had always been a kind mentor to him.
"Tch. Champion Dylan, my mentor entrusted me to you. Now I'm one of your Elite Four. You have to back me up." Karen said, batting her lashes pitifully.
"I'll support you if you're in the right. Just don't provoke Lorelei, okay?" Dylan sighed.
Karen was obviously trying to feel out his stance. After all, Johto's new Elite Four had been formed from Kanto's existing lineup, and Karen was the outsider.
With her past affiliation with Team Rocket, it wasn't easy for the others to accept her.
Lance and Lorelei had their doubts—but Lance wasn't antagonizing her. Lorelei, though…
Yeah. That was personal.
Their feud from Saffron had run deep.
"I'm a model citizen now! I never cause trouble." Karen smiled brightly.
She'd been nervous about joining the League. Despite her confidence, she was still a former "villain."
But with Dylan backing her? No problem.
Besides, she was way better off than Silver. After getting out of prison, Silver had been assigned to the Cianwood Gym as a junior trainer.
Meanwhile, Karen was now his superior. Not bad at all.
—
A few more days passed.
Then—it happened.
The biggest announcement in Pokémon history dropped.
"Dear trainers, we are thrilled to introduce a new initiative: the World Cup Tournament! To foster global connection and competition, we are launching a worldwide ranking system open to all trainers—regardless of region. Anyone, anywhere can join!"
"The highest peak in the world is before you—dare to climb it? Step by step, fight for your place and challenge the greatest Champions!"
"Will YOU be the first to become the strongest in the world?" —The Pokémon League
At the bottom of the announcement: an official poster.
No.8 – Lance
No.7 – Iris
No.6 – Leon
No.5 – Serena
No.4 – Diantha
No.3 – Cynthia
No.2 – Steven
No.1 – Dylan
Each trainer struck a powerful, stylish pose with their signature Pokémon behind them.
Dylan's backdrop? The majestic white dragon, Reshiram.
It had become synonymous with him. Wherever you saw Reshiram, you knew Dylan was near.
This was common knowledge.
Unsurprisingly, the announcement exploded across the internet, lighting a fire in every trainer's heart.
Previously, each region held its own League. But this was different.
The World Cup Tournament unified all trainers under a single competitive ranking—including Elite Four members and regional Champions!
It was unprecedented.
"AAAAAH I CAN ACTUALLY BATTLE CHAMPION CYNTHIA SOMEDAY?! NOBODY STOP ME, I'M GOING FOR IT!"
"Bro, you gotta get into Master Rank first. Chill."
"Wait, why is our Champion Leon ranked sixth?! I'm calling foul!"
"Cope harder. Why is Diantha only fourth? I'm mad."
"LMAO Leon got destroyed by Dylan and he's still ranked higher than Iris? Wild."
"What about our Alola Champion? Didn't even make top eight…"
The comment section was flooded with reactions. Debates raged.
At the same time, trainers around the world began registering in droves.
There was no doubt—the World Cup Tournament was going to dominate the scene this year.
—
Indigo Plateau
"What the hell?! I'm ranked 17th?! This is BS!"
In the Elite Four office, Blue slammed the table.
He, the great Blue Oak, third of the Kanto Elite Four—ranked seventeenth?! Ridiculous.
"Heh. Don't get worked up, Blue. The tournament's just starting," Giovanni said calmly, sipping tea in a sleek black suit. He was currently ranked 13th.
Red sat silently nearby. His rank? Sixteenth—just above Blue.
"You've got it good, Blue. Yellow just signed up—she has to start from the bottom," Leaf added with a smile.
The World Cup Tournament had tiers:
Poké Ball Class: all new participants, unranked
Great Ball Class: ranks 999–100
Ultra Ball Class: ranks 99–9
Master Class: ranks 8–1
"Hmph. I'm challenging someone tomorrow." Blue crossed his arms. No way was he letting nobodies outrank him.
"Who do you have in mind?" Dylan asked.
As No.17 in Ultra Ball Class, Blue had several opponents he could challenge.
Red? No way. He'd just lost to him last year and was still salty about it.
Skip him.
Rank 15: Mustard. From Galar? Meh.
Rank 14: Raihan. Also Galar. Boring.
Rank 13: Giovanni. Not yet—not ready.
Rank 12: Agatha. That old lady? Pass.
Rank 11: Alder. The former Unova Champion? Getting too old—skip.
Rank 10…
Wallace.
Former Hoenn Champion.
Blue's eyes narrowed.
"I hate pretty boys like him."
"I'm challenging Wallace!"
Bold words, full of righteous fury.
"Wallace isn't weak," Giovanni remarked.
"Hah! And what, I am?" Blue scoffed.
"Listen up, boys. They dared to rank us in the teens like we're nobodies?" Blue rose to his feet.
"I'll show 'em. I'll lead the charge for Kanto's Elite Four!"
"I'm taking down the former Hoenn Champion myself! Let's GO!"
(End of Chapter)