"Hydreigon!"
Before everyone's eyes appeared a massive, three-headed dragon covered in dark blue and black scales, its entire form resembling a fierce, prehistoric carnivore. Three pairs of black wings unfurled from its back, and the air around it trembled under its power.
The Dark/Dragon-type pseudo-legendary of the Unova region, Hydreigon!
Unlike the pseudo-legendaries from other regions, Hydreigon's form carried a much darker and more menacing presence. Perhaps because of its Dark typing, its entire appearance exuded a feral, terrifying aura—an overwhelming combination of dragonic might and malicious intent.
"Hydreigon, huh? Interesting." Lucas smiled faintly. "Then, I'll change your opponent as well."
He lowered his head slightly, a calm smile forming on his lips as he withdrew his Arbok.
Originally, he had planned to continue the battle with Arbok. But upon seeing Hydreigon, an idea stirred in his mind.
"This opponent," Lucas said, pulling out another Poké Ball and meeting Iris's eyes, "is far more suitable for your Hydreigon."
"Hmm?" Iris frowned slightly, a sense of anticipation flickering in her gaze.
"Let's begin." Lucas's tone carried quiet confidence as he threw the Poké Ball.
"Prepare for battle, Salamence!"
"ROAAAR!"
A thundering, violent dragon's roar shook the entire arena. A majestic dragon with crimson wings spread wide descended heavily onto the battlefield.
Its blood-red eyes gleamed like molten fire, and its sheer presence was suffocating.
"Salamence…" Iris's lips parted slightly as she recognized the Pokémon standing opposite her.
As a Dragon-type specialist, she could recognize it instantly—the fierce dragon also known as Bloodwing Salamence, or Bloody Salamence depending on regional dialect.
The moment Salamence appeared, the entire audience erupted in excitement.
In a world dominated by Pokémon Trainers, powerful Pokémon were the ultimate dream—and the pseudo-legendaries of every region were especially revered.
And now, the stage hosted two of them, Salamence and Hydreigon, the pseudo-legendaries of Hoenn and Unova respectively!
Both were Dragon-types, and both were known for overwhelming power. This battle would determine which dragon truly reigned supreme!
"Hydreigon will win! Unova's pseudo-legendary is the strongest!"
"Hah! Don't make me laugh! Salamence is no weaker! And Salamence can Mega Evolve—can yours?"
"Mega Evolution isn't everything! Four-times weakness to Ice is still a death sentence!"
"Stop arguing! Snorlax is the strongest anyway!"
"Ahem, actually… I think Goodra is still decent…"
Within seconds, the online chat exploded into chaos again.
Meanwhile, in the stands—
"Lucas actually has a Salamence too?!" Raihan blurted out, staring wide-eyed at the screen.
This guy didn't just have Legendary Pokémon, he even had multiple pseudo-legendaries?!
So far, Lucas had already revealed his Dragonair from the Dragonite line and his Tyranitar. And now this Salamence made it three pseudo-legendaries under his command!
Not to mention, judging by Lucas's calm demeanor, this Salamence was clearly an extraordinary specimen.
What Raihan didn't know, however—
was that this Salamence was personally gifted to Lucas by their Chairman Rose of the Galar region.
"The growth rate is incredible…" Steven muttered as he frowned, sensing the tremendous aura emanating from Salamence.
He had seen this Salamence before. Back during the Mount Pyre incident, when Lucas confronted the Team Magma, he had used it briefly.
At the time, it was merely at the Elite level. Yet in only half a year, it had already reached such an overwhelming strength!
"Incredible… that dragon's become this powerful already…"
In Galar, Chairman Rose watched the broadcast with a faint, satisfied smile on his face.
He had personally given that Salamence to Lucas as a gift and now, seeing it shine on this world stage, he couldn't help but feel proud.
He had truly chosen the right Trainer.
Back in the arena—
"Is this opponent to your satisfaction?" Lucas smiled faintly, his tone relaxed yet teasing.
"Of course!" Iris grinned, her eyes shining. "But don't think my dragon will lose so easily!"
She loved dragons—and even more, she loved battling strong dragons!
"Then I hope you won't be too frightened later," Lucas replied casually, raising his left hand.
Iris's pupils contracted sharply.
On Lucas's wrist, the Keystone embedded in his bracelet began to shine brilliantly.
"Mega Evolution!" she gasped.
Simultaneously, Salamence let out a thunderous roar and soared into the sky. Its body was enveloped in dazzling, radiant light—the light of evolution.
The battlefield trembled as its form changed before everyone's eyes.
When the light finally dispersed—
A majestic, awe-inspiring Mega Salamence emerged, its crescent-shaped crimson wings spreading like blades of blood and moonlight.
The mere sight of it made hearts pound.
"Mega Evolution…" Iris bit her lip, her eyes filled with a complex mix of admiration and frustration.
She knew all about Mega Evolution—it had swept across the world as the new pinnacle of Pokémon power.
But no matter how hard she searched, she had never been able to find a Mega Stone for her Haxorus—or even for her Hydreigon!
It was infuriating!
Now, watching her opponent's Salamence undergo Mega Evolution right before her eyes, she couldn't help but feel envy.
Mega Salamence's blood-red gaze locked onto Hydreigon, its overwhelming dragon aura crashing forth like a storm.
When dragons met, there was no room for civility.
They were beings of pride, dominance, and power and above all, dragons never bowed to their own kind!
"Salamence," Lucas said softly, snapping his fingers, "greet our opponent properly."
"Dragon Pulse!"
Mega Salamence roared, and a burst of draconic energy shot forward like a beam of pure destruction.
"Dodge it!" Iris commanded immediately, her tone steady despite the sudden attack.
Hydreigon's six black wings flapped powerfully, its body twisting gracefully as it soared upward, narrowly evading the Dragon Pulse.
"Draco Meteor!" Iris shouted.
Hydreigon's central head glowed brightly as it formed a massive orb of condensed draconic power.
The orb shot skyward—and then burst apart at its apex, raining down countless blazing dragon meteors!
"Dragon Claw!" Lucas countered instantly.
Mega Salamence's crescent wings flared, and with a deafening roar, it accelerated like a bullet toward Hydreigon.
"Dragon Pulse!" Iris ordered, her eyes narrowing in concentration.
Hydreigon's three mouths glowed with blue light, releasing a torrent of energy toward the oncoming Mega Salamence.
But Salamence tore through the Dragon Pulse head-on—its claws shone with brilliant azure light as it shattered the beam and continued forward!
"So strong…" Iris thought in shock.
Hydreigon excelled in special attacks, while Salamence was a physical powerhouse.
Now, in its Mega form, Salamence's brute force was terrifying.
And it was closing in fast!
"Dragon Rush!" Iris called, realizing evasion was impossible now.
Hydreigon's wings beat furiously as it tried to build up energy, gathering fierce draconic power around its body for a desperate charge.
But Mega Salamence was simply too fast.
With no time left, Hydreigon launched itself forward, meeting the attack head-on!
Dragon Rush vs Dragon Claw!
The two dragons collided midair with a thunderous explosion, shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
For a brief moment, they seemed evenly matched—until Mega Salamence's roar tore through the air.
Hydreigon was flung backward like a comet, crashing through the air uncontrollably.
The spectators gasped collectively.
Even though Hydreigon's attack had been hastily prepared, Mega Salamence's Dragon Claw had already been weakened earlier by Dragon Pulse—yet it still overpowered Hydreigon completely!
"In terms of sheer physical power, Mega Salamence dominates," Cynthia commented calmly, her sharp eyes analyzing every movement.
It was undeniable—from that single clash alone, the difference was clear.
"Dragon Pulse!" Lucas ordered without hesitation.
Mega Salamence opened its maw, unleashing another beam of dragon energy straight toward the tumbling Hydreigon.
"Hydreigon!" Iris cried out urgently.
Hydreigon barely managed to open its eyes, seeing the glowing blast racing toward it. It quickly gathered its remaining strength to launch its own Dragon Pulse in return.
The two beams collided violently midair—BOOM!
The resulting shockwave sent Hydreigon spiraling backward again, though it narrowly avoided being struck directly.
Iris exhaled with relief. At least her Hydreigon wasn't completely overwhelmed yet.
And more importantly—her earlier Draco Meteor was now falling!
But then Lucas's voice rang out calmly across the battlefield—
"Don't relax just yet, Iris."
Her heart skipped a beat.
When she looked up, her expression froze.
"Dragon Rush!"
Mega Salamence had already launched itself again, its body surrounded by fierce blue draconic flames as it charged straight toward Hydreigon!
"Outrage!" Iris shouted desperately.
Hydreigon roared as its three eyes turned blood-red. Savage, uncontrollable power flooded its body as it met Salamence head-on.
The air itself quaked.
Their attacks collided—Outrage vs Dragon Rush!
But within seconds, Mega Salamence's power began to overwhelm Hydreigon completely.
With a roar like thunder, it broke through Hydreigon's defense and slammed into it with crushing force!
"Hydreigon!" Iris gasped.
The three-headed dragon let out a pained cry as it was sent hurtling downward like a meteor, slamming heavily into the ground with an explosive crash.
Dust and debris rose skyward as the shockwave rippled across the entire battlefield—
a testament to the devastating might of a Mega-Evolved dragon.
(End of Chapter)