WebNovels

Chapter 426 - Chapter 426: Can Steven Defeat Dylan’s Legendary Team?

Inside the Rota Gym, Dylan and Steven stood facing each other at their designated Trainer spots.

Looking at the black-clad Dylan across from him, Steven felt his heart pounding — a sensation he hadn't experienced before a battle in a long time.

Nervousness? Honestly, it had been ages since Steven last felt this way before a match.

But this opponent was simply too extraordinary.

Dylan — the Rota Gym Leader, Kanto League's Champion and Elite Four member, and widely acknowledged as the strongest Trainer in the world!

And the kicker — thanks to Wallace's jinx, Steven had drawn the "Golden Legend" lineup!

"The Rota Gym challenge battle will now begin."

Leaf entered the field. Today, she wore a blue crop top and a white pleated skirt, looking vibrant and full of youthful energy. Her long, shapely, fair legs immediately drew attention.

"The challenger is Steven from the Hoenn region. The battle format is a full 6-on-6. Gym Leader Dylan will send out first and cannot switch Pokémon."

"The challenge is successful once all six of Dylan's Pokémon are rendered unable to battle."

Leaf popped a lollipop into her mouth and waved a small flag.

"Battle begin!"

After announcing the rules, she gracefully exited the battlefield.

"A Golden Legendary team, huh? I wonder which legendaries Dylan's going to use this time?" Wallace, seated in the front row, spoke with a cheerful tone.

He sincerely hoped Dylan would use those divine, dragon-type legendaries he'd brought out against Leon.

Wallace deeply regretted not being at that battle live!

It still gnawed at him — to have missed seeing those legendary Pokémon in action… What a crime! Hopefully, his dear friend Steven could hang in there long enough…

Or maybe spam Roar and Whirlwind to force all six legends onto the field for display!

As for whether Steven would win? Wallace wasn't trying to belittle his beloved friend, but come on — Steven, against Dylan? What could he possibly do to win?

Hearing Wallace, Diantha and Cynthia also grew curious.

"Lillie, what do you think?" Diantha asked, turning to her.

"Eh? I'm not sure. Big Brother has too many legends, and it's hard to guess what level of strength he'll use today." Lillie blinked and then gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"…"

The three Champions shared a knowing glance.

Ah… yeah…

Even though they stood at the top of the Trainer world, in truth, they'd barely encountered legendaries themselves. They were just too rare.

Meanwhile, Dylan had so many, he didn't even know which ones to pick?

"Legendary Pokémon come in tiers too. Big Brother has standard legends like Entei, high-tier ones like Reshiram, and then top-tier like Kyurem."

"So drawing the Golden Legend lineup doesn't mean there's zero chance of victory."

Lillie explained with a calm expression.

"If Dylan chooses standard legendaries today, then Steven might…"

"He might have a chance to win?" Wallace's eyes sharpened.

"Not quite… but maybe take out one or two? Maybe…" Lillie touched her fair chin, thinking aloud, but didn't sound certain.

In her view, Champions like Leon, Lance, or Giovanni wouldn't be clean-swept by Dylan's standard legendary team.

And on a good day, they might even win.

But the odds were slim. Even among standard legendaries, they stood above regular Pokémon.

Pseudo-legendaries, at the same level, still fell short of even the average legend.

"Oh, then that's fine." Wallace smiled, relieved.

"Actually, Big Brother has had his legends defeated before. I remember Red beat his Entei in a challenge last year, and Nemona took down his Zamazenta once in Paldea."

Lillie added with a laugh. Dylan didn't lose much, and he rarely used his legends against regular Trainers, so Lillie remembered these exceptions clearly.

"Red and Nemona, huh?" Cynthia and the others' eyes flashed thoughtfully.

Red — now the second-ranked Kanto Elite Four, even above Blue — was someone they'd met during the Saffron incident last year.

And Nemona… well, she had come to watch Blue vs. Leon with Diantha not long ago.

"But if Big Brother uses Pokémon like Reshiram, then Mr. Steven…" Lillie trailed off politely.

The others understood. If Dylan brought out Reshiram and the like, Steven would likely be swept.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield—

"Steven, this is your first time challenging the Rota Gym, so as per tradition, allow me to formally introduce myself," Dylan said with a gentle smile.

"Of course. I would've reminded you if you hadn't," Steven replied good-naturedly.

Despite his calm demeanor, Steven was genuinely interested in the Rota Gym's famed pre-battle intro. Every first-time challenger experienced it.

"I'm Dylan, the Master of this Rota Gym."

He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his black shirt, loosened his collar, and elegantly pulled on a pair of black gloves.

"I specialize in all types of Pokémon. Today, I'll be using legendary Pokémon to face you, Steven."

Steven's expression turned serious.

"Legendary Pokémon often possess overwhelming power and are extremely rare. Myths, ruins, ancient texts… all contain traces of their legacy."

"Of course, you've seen them in action before."

Dylan played with a deep red luxury ball, tilting his head slightly toward Steven.

Indeed, Steven had seen legendaries — in Hoenn's waters, during the Saffron incident…

"But this is probably your first time battling a legendary inside a proper battlefield, isn't it?"

"Then please, feel it for yourself — the presence and power of a legend in battle."

Dylan enlarged the luxury ball and, with a flourish, tossed it backward over his shoulder.

"Now then — my first Pokémon is this!"

"Zapdos!"

With a sharp cry, a robust bird-like Pokémon landed heavily in front of Dylan. Its claws raked the floor as its fierce eyes locked onto Steven.

"That's… Zapdos?"

Wallace stared, stunned.

Its feathers were orange, and black, spike-like plumage extended from its wings, tail, and back. Its powerful legs looked like they could crush steel — this thing was terrifying.

This was Zapdos?

Even if he wasn't from Kanto, Wallace knew what the legendary Zapdos was supposed to look like. Aside from the spiky feathers, this thing looked more like a ground-running chicken than an electric phoenix.

"It is Zapdos, but the Galarian form," Lillie explained with a sigh.

"Rotom!"

"On it, Rotom~!"

Rotom Dex flew over and scanned it.

Beep— Zapdos (Galarian Form), Fighting/Flying Type — Strong Legs Pokémon.

Ability: Defiant

Moves: Thunderous Kick, Reversal, Close Combat, Detect, Quick Guard...

Description: Its leg strength is so powerful it can shatter dump trucks with a single kick. It's said to sprint through mountain ranges at 300 km/h. (Galar Form)

Clearly, this Galar Zapdos was no joke.

"Fighting/Flying type… I caught it during my trip to the Crown Tundra," Dylan explained with a smile.

He knew Steven likely didn't know much about Galar Zapdos, but Dylan never cared about small advantages like information gaps.

"A legendary Zapdos, huh?"

Steven's handsome face turned solemn.

"No matter the opponent, I fight with everything I've got — identify the weak point and strike."

That was Steven's battle philosophy: find the flaw, and exploit it.

And Steven was the steel-type specialist.

"Skarmory!"

He flung his arm out, striking his classic battle pose.

Champion Steven — ready to challenge!

A heavy metallic shriek rang out as a steel-plated bird soared onto the field.

Skarmory — one of Steven's favorite openers.

Beep— Skarmory, Steel/Flying Type — Armor Bird Pokémon.

Ability: Keen Eye

Moves: Brave Bird, Iron Defense, Stealth Rock, Steel Wing, Counter...

Description: Its sturdy wings may seem heavy, but the hollow feathers allow it to fly swiftly through the skies.

"Skarmory, huh? Not bad." Cynthia nodded in analysis.

Steel resists Flying and beats Fighting — type-wise, Steven had the advantage.

Plus, Skarmory's physical defense was incredibly high, and Galar Zapdos… just looking at it, you could tell it was a physical attacker.

Big legs, burly frame — definitely a brawler.

Still, that was just conjecture. They'd need to fight to know for sure.

"Good opener. Perfect to test what Galar Zapdos can really do," Diantha agreed.

Judging by its classification as a standard legend, this Zapdos wouldn't be too overpowering.

Looked like Dylan was giving Steven a fair chance — now it was up to Steven to capitalize.

"Skarmory, huh?"

Dylan's smile curved upward slightly.

"The challenger gets the first move."

He gestured politely.

Steven didn't hesitate. He locked eyes with the grounded Zapdos.

"Stealth Rock!"

He chose stealth rock over spikes — Galar Zapdos might prefer to stay grounded, but that didn't mean it wasn't airborne.

Also, stealth rocks can damage even flying Pokémon, depending on the situation.

Skarmory shrieked, spread its wings, and launched shimmering rocks into the air.

"Figures. Traps first," Dylan muttered with a smirk.

Steven was going classic — Skarmory was one of the best entry hazard setters in the game.

"Taunt."

Dylan commanded coolly.

Galar Zapdos raised its head, narrowed its ruthless eyes, and let out a shrill cry. A wave of dark, intangible energy surged across the field.

Taunt — a Dark-type move.

Just as Skarmory scattered most of its rocks, its eyes flared with rage, glaring daggers at Zapdos.

The pulse hit — Taunt successful. Skarmory could no longer use support moves.

But Steven wasn't surprised. Getting most of the rocks up was already a win.

"Brave Bird!"

Steven swept his arm forward, initiating offense.

Skarmory cried out, engulfed in a crimson flame, and dove straight toward Galar Zapdos.

"Not the wisest move, Steven," Dylan chuckled.

"Crush it."

Galar Zapdos' temper was just as fiery as its appearance suggested.

With a sharp screech, it burst into a matching Brave Bird aura and launched upward.

BOOM!

The two Brave Birds collided midair. But the clash was one-sided — Zapdos tore through Skarmory's flame, slamming hard into its chest.

Skarmory grunted, blasted backward by the overwhelming force.

Zapdos dashed to follow up — its wings weren't just for show.

BOOM!

One of the now-visible stealth rocks exploded beneath it, catching Zapdos off guard. It winced but landed solidly, eyes flaring at the airborne Skarmory.

Skarmory quickly recovered, hovering once more and locking eyes with its foe.

"That strength… is unreal."

Steven frowned slightly. Zapdos wasn't just powerful — it hit like a truck.

Skarmory's attack power wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. Yet it was crushed on contact.

Of course, Steven hadn't expected to win the exchange — he was scouting.

"Maybe using hazards to wear it down, then Whirlwind after the Taunt ends?"

Steven calculated quickly.

Whirlwind could force the opponent to switch out, pulling in a random Pokémon.

With rocks now set, that would let him chip the whole team down — his best shot at tackling a Legendary squad.

(End of Chapter)

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