Stadium Auditorium – Wyndon (Palace Gate Arena)
"A prediction activity? Haha, come on, do we even need to guess? Obviously, Miss Diantha is going to win!"
"That's right! Not only is Diantha a world-famous movie star, but she's also the Champion of the Kalos Region. This year, she ranked seventh among the Masters Eight—how could she lose to Ash?"
"Ash still looks like he's just ten years old! How could a ten-year-old beat the reigning Champion of Kalos?"
"I'm voting for Diantha!"
"Same here! She's unbeatable!"
As the prediction segment began, the entire stadium burst into conversation. The votes were pouring in—and the vast majority of them were overwhelmingly in favor of Diantha. The public perception was crystal clear: Ash didn't stand a chance.
Palace Gate Stadium – Champion's Viewing Box
Even among the regional champions present, the outcome seemed obvious.
"Personally, I love Ash's spirit," chuckled Alder, Champion of the Unova Region, "but let's be honest—there's no way he's winning this one. Not at this stage of his journey."
Steven Stone, Champion of Hoenn, nodded. "True. I see tremendous potential in Ash. One day, he might stand among us on the world stage. But right now? He's just a kid."
Lance, the Dragon Master and Kanto's leading Champion, folded his arms. "Ash has admirable tenacity, but his fundamentals are lacking. Even with a bit of travel experience under his belt, it's hard to imagine him defeating someone like Diantha."
Lance, who hailed from the same region as Ash, wanted to believe in his fellow Kanto Trainer—but reality couldn't be ignored. Diantha was on a different level.
Even Leon, the indomitable Champion of Galar, had a similar reaction.
Ash's youthful bravado might one day carry him far—but facing a Champion-level Trainer at such an early point in his journey?
It seemed impossible.
Team Rocket Headquarters – Kanto Region
"What a joke," scoffed Executive Archer, watching the feed from their base. "A prediction poll for a battle like this? It's a waste of time. Who in their right mind would vote for Ash?"
Ariana, another of Team Rocket's top lieutenants, sneered. "The producers must be insane. This kid barely knows how to train a Pikachu. And they're putting him up against Diantha?"
Team Rocket, like many others, understood just how terrifying Champion-level Trainers were.
Despite Diantha's celebrity status, she was far from soft.
Ariana crossed her arms. "She could probably wipe the floor with half the League's Elite Four. Against a ten-year-old rookie? This isn't even a battle. It's a sparring session."
Cinnabar Island – Gym Grounds
Ash stood beside Misty and Brock, staring up at the massive screen in disbelief.
"Hey, Misty, Brock—look! I'm on the video again!" Ash said with wide-eyed excitement. "They're doing a whole segment about me!"
Misty planted a palm on her forehead in exasperation. "You do realize that your next opponent is Champion Diantha, right? The actual Champion of the Kalos Region!"
"Yeah," Brock added seriously. "She's not just famous for acting. She's one of the top eight Trainers in the entire world. The Masters Eight represent the pinnacle of competitive battling."
Ash's smile began to waver. "So… she's strong?"
"Strong?" Misty repeated. "She's in a completely different league. You've barely earned a few Badges—and most of those were gifted to you because of Gym Leader pity."
Ash looked down at Pikachu.
"Pika...pi?" Pikachu tilted its head, as uncertain as its Trainer.
Ash raised his head again and stared at the glowing green screen above them.
"Do I really have no chance to win…?" he murmured.
Palace Gate Stadium – End of Voting Phase
Three minutes passed quickly.
The results were displayed across the stadium and broadcasted to the entire world.
Diantha had received nearly 100% of the votes.
No surprise there.
Even Diantha herself chuckled softly when she saw the results. She appreciated the confidence placed in her.
Still, she had a guess about the upcoming battle.
"Most likely, this was a friendly spar," she thought. "It wouldn't be right to go all out against a child. A simple loss wouldn't hurt his pride."
The Green Screen Flickered. The Battle Began.
[The battlefield appeared—a serene clearing surrounded by nature, rather than an official stadium.]
[Ash stood across from Diantha, holding his Poké Ball firmly. His eyes were serious.]
["Greninja, I choose you!"]
[Diantha responded with grace, tossing her own Poké Ball. "Gardevoir, let's begin."]
[The battle was on.]
Greninja, the fully evolved Water-type starter from the Kalos Region, emerged with swift, precise movements.
Ash's bond with this Pokémon was clearly special.
"Water Shuriken!" Ash commanded.
Greninja moved like a blur, forming shimmering stars of water in midair before hurling them with rapid precision.
The crowd was instantly impressed.
"Look at that Greninja's movement!" exclaimed Wallace. "Fluid, precise, and graceful—his coordination is at the top of its species."
But despite Greninja's impressive speed and elegant ninja-like attacks, Gardevoir dodged every move flawlessly.
Even more—she countered with well-placed Psychic moves, Dazzling Gleam, and Moonblast. The timing, accuracy, and efficiency of her battle rhythm was on another level entirely.
[Within minutes, Greninja was visibly struggling.]
[His breath grew heavier. His movements slowed.]
[Diantha stood poised, calm as ever.]
The spectators nodded in agreement.
"Ash has trained Greninja well, no doubt," Steven observed. "But this isn't a match he can win."
Diantha was simply too strong.
Champion-level strength. Global renown. Unmatched elegance.
No way this battle could end any other way.
Until it happened.
Something changed.
On screen, Ash's eyes sharpened.
"Greninja!" he called out. "Let's do this—together!"
Greninja turned back toward his Trainer—and in that instant, something awakened.
A water vortex spiraled around Greninja.
His aura fused with Ash's.
[Ash and Greninja entered into full synchronization.]
The green screen's colors intensified. Ash and Greninja's energy pulsed together, forming a radiant silhouette. Greninja's form began to subtly shift—the marks on his body transforming, mirroring Ash's very own hairstyle and features.
"Wh-what is that?" someone gasped from the crowd.
"That's…" Cynthia whispered. "That's Ash-Greninja."
A phenomenon so rare it had barely been recorded in history.
Not Mega Evolution. Not Z-Moves. Not Dynamax.
But a unique fusion of will and spirit—a deep, emotional bond between Trainer and Pokémon that transcended normal limits.
Ash and Greninja had achieved something only a handful of Trainers could dream of:
Bond Phenomenon.
The audience was stunned.
"He… synchronized with his Pokémon?" Steven murmured.
"That's incredible," Diantha admitted aloud, now watching her future self on the screen, eyes wide in awe.
Even Leon stood up from his seat, his heart racing.
"He's not a normal kid."
"He's something else entirely."
On screen, Greninja—now in Ash-Greninja form—rushed toward Gardevoir at blistering speed.
The air rippled behind him as Water Shurikens formed in a spinning vortex around his arms.
The battle, which seemed hopeless just minutes ago, had become something no one could have imagined.
The impossible had become reality.
Ash, the ten-year-old rookie from Pallet Town, was now standing toe-to-toe with one of the strongest Trainers in the world.
And the world watched, breathless.