"Palafin, huh?"
Wallace studied the Palafin thoughtfully. As a specialist in Water-types, of course he understood how peculiar this Pokémon was.
But the real problem now was whether or not he should lead with Pelipper.
Drizzle was a great ability for a Water team—but when your opponent also used Water-types, that advantage could flip in an instant.
"Ludicolo!"
After a brief hesitation, Wallace decisively threw out his first Poké Ball.
Why lead with Pelipper? Dylan hadn't started with it, so why should he give his opponent a free weather buff? No way.
A flash of white light—Ludicolo landed on the field, wobbling its plump body as it danced cheerfully.
Grass and Water typing gave it a natural edge against other Water Pokémon.
But still…
"Smart choice."
Dylan smiled approvingly at Wallace's decision not to open with Pelipper.
"Come back, Palafin." Dylan recalled it immediately.
"Now then—Samurott!"
Dylan threw another Poké Ball behind him.
A tall, cold-eyed Samurott landed with a thud, its aura cutting sharp as a blade.
But when Wallace saw it clearly, he froze.
"Is that… a Samurott?" he asked uncertainly.
It looked different—too different.
Ordinary Samurott had blue armor and yellow shells. But this one was darker, with deep navy armor etched with crimson markings that looked almost sinister.
And the feeling it gave off—far colder, more merciless.
"It's a Samurott, yes," Dylan replied with a faint smile, "but from Hisui."
Indeed—it was the Hisuian Samurott.
After months of simulated journeys, Dylan had finally cleared every known region—but Hisui had remained a mystery.
That is, until he asked Dialga to send him back to the ancient Sinnoh. Once there, the system had finally unlocked the Hisui region simulation.
"Behold," Dylan said, "the blades of Hisui's Samurott."
'Ding~ Hisuian Samurott, Water/Dark type, Formidable Pokémon.
Ability: Sharpness.
Signature move: Ceaseless Edge, along with Knock Off, Razor Shell, Swords Dance, Megahorn...
Description: A ruthless and merciless warrior whose strikes crash like a thousand waves—an evolution seen only in the ancient Hisui region.'
"Hisui's Samurott… Cynthia, wasn't Hisui the old name for Sinnoh?"
In the stands, Dawn turned to Cynthia in surprise.
As a native of Sinnoh, she knew that name well—it was what their region had once been called.
"Yes," Cynthia nodded, then sighed. "But since it's Dylan, I'm not surprised anymore."
Time travel using Dialga wasn't exactly a normal thing—but for Dylan? Par for the course.
"The Hisuian Samurott's Water and Dark typing makes it formidable," Dylan said pleasantly. "Better be careful, Wallace."
"Water and Dark, huh…" Wallace narrowed his eyes.
"Ludicolo, Fake Out!"
Without hesitation, Wallace called his move.
Ludicolo bounced forward, moving surprisingly fast for its round body—
Smack!
Samurott flinched as the hit landed, stumbling back slightly.
"Perfect! Energy Ball!"
Wallace seized the opening.
Green energy condensed between Ludicolo's palms, firing like a cannon toward Samurott.
Fake Out into Energy Ball—a classic combo. Normally, it worked like a charm.
With the short distance between them, dodging should've been impossible.
"Block it."
Samurott's eyes flashed coldly as it raised its forelimbs.
Boom!
The Energy Ball exploded against its guard, waves of force rippling outward.
Wallace grinned. Even if that thing looked terrifying, it had to take solid damage from a Grass move.
"Sacred Sword!"
Dylan's voice cut through the smoke.
"What?!"
Wallace's eyes widened. No way it could counter that fast!
But before he could react, a gleaming blue arc sliced through the haze—Samurott's leg-blade glowing like steel.
"Ludicolo, dodge it!" Wallace shouted desperately.
Ludicolo tried to leap aside, but the Hisuian Samurott's speed was monstrous.
A flash of blue—and the blade cut across Ludicolo's side.
Sacred Sword—
A Fighting-type slash boosted even further by the Sharpness ability.
"Ceaseless Edge!"
Samurott pivoted, both leg-blades glowing red-black as it unleashed a torrent of strikes.
The blades rained down like crashing waves, slashing over and over until Ludicolo was sent flying and crashed to the ground, fainted.
"Ludicolo is unable to battle—Hisuian Samurott wins!"
The referee's voice confirmed what was already obvious.
Wallace's eyelids twitched violently. One of his signature Pokémon—down in two hits?!
Samurott stood tall, expression unreadable, then calmly returned to Dylan's side.
"Man, that Hisuian Samurott's brutal!" Hop muttered in awe.
"Of course," Selene said around a sip of juice. "It's Dylan's Water ace. And with Sharpness? Sacred Sword hits like a truck."
It wasn't an insult to Wallace—just reality. The gap between his and Dylan's power was enormous.
On the field—
"Swampert!" Wallace sent out his next Pokémon.
The bulky amphibian landed with a heavy thud, glaring at Samurott.
"Return, Samurott." Dylan recalled it smoothly.
Wallace blinked. "You're switching out? But Samurott's still fresh…"
"I'll give you a new dance partner." Dylan smiled faintly.
It wasn't every day he got to fight in an official arena—he wanted all his partners to stretch their legs.
"Walking Wake!" Dylan called, throwing his third Poké Ball.
A deep roar echoed.
The ancient beast resembling Suicune landed before him—two long tails swaying, eyes fierce.
'Ding~ Walking Wake, Water/Dragon type, Paradox Pokémon.
Ability: Protosynthesis.
Moves: Steam Eruption, Hydro Cannon, Outrage, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Dive...
Description: A savage creature of myth, said to match the "water monster" of ancient explorer legends.'
"Dylan, I swear I've never wronged you…"
Wallace's eyelids twitched again. That thing's aura was terrifying.
Walking Wake—Dylan's unique Paradox Water-type.
Some even said it was the ancient ancestor of Suicune itself. Its power rivaled many legendaries.
Bro, we're friends! You're using that against me?!
"I don't know why you sound so formal, Wallace," Dylan said with mock disappointment. "We're good friends."
"Then recall that monster, you lunatic!"
"Wallace, you know," Dylan continued, tone almost gentle, "it's been a long time since I've fought in an arena like this."
"Walking Wake has never even gotten a gym match before. I've always felt bad about that. So I thought—why not let it stretch its fins today?"
He sighed dramatically.
Walking Wake, completely indifferent, just flicked its tails—it was already used to "training sessions" with Dylan's other beasts in the backyard.
Wallace's mouth twitched. Why make it sound so emotional? You just want to use me as target practice!
"And besides," Dylan added with a grin, "we're just getting started. I've got a big surprise waiting for you."
A chill ran down Wallace's spine. Bigger than this thing?
No—Dylan wouldn't… he would, wouldn't he?!
"Wait," Wallace stammered, horrified. "You didn't… you didn't catch Kyogre, did you? You're not actually gonna use it on me, right?!"
(End of Chapter)