Ash's first Indigo League match had just ended.
Soon after, Gary too defeated his first opponent, and so far, the League's opening day was going smoothly.
But after Ash's victory, things took a turn—
One Champion after another sought him out, eager to meet this boy who had become a living legend through the Heavenly Record.
They were just as curious about his Pikachu, whose strength seemed to fluctuate wildly.
And so, in a brand-new house Steven had just purchased near the stadium, everyone gathered together.
For the first time, Ash found himself surrounded by so many Elite Four members and even Champions.
Even Ash, usually fearless, couldn't help feeling overwhelmed.
These were Champions—his lifelong goal! And now, so many stood right in front of him.
He was more nervous now than he had been during his first League match!
"…Ash, right? Don't be nervous. We're only here to meet you. You've raised this Pikachu quite well."
Leon reached out and patted Pikachu's head. Normally aloof with strangers, Pikachu didn't shy away from Leon.
Maybe it was Leon's natural affinity with Pokémon—something he shared with Ash.
"Y-yes, Mr. Leon!" Ash stammered.
From the sidelines, Misty and Brock couldn't help laughing a little at his stutter.
This boy had traveled so far, but they had rarely seen him this nervous.
Misty kept her eyes on Ash, while Brock's were shamelessly locked on the women in the room.
"Diantha! Cynthia! Lorelei! Oh my heavens! So many breathtakingly beautiful women gathered in one place! Is this heaven?!"
"Whack—"
"Forget heaven! With all these Champions here, can't you at least try to look serious?!"
Misty yanked Brock's ear until it stretched long, snapping him out of his daze.
"Ash, could we see the Pokémon you're carrying right now?" Cynthia asked curiously.
Beyond Krabby, Bulbasaur, and Pikachu, who else had Ash brought with him?
"O-of course! Come out, everyone!"
With a flash, five Pokémon appeared: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Krabby, Pidgeotto, and… Charizard!
"Rooaar!!"
As usual, Charizard greeted Ash with a Flamethrower straight to the face, leaving him blackened with soot.
Leon's eyes lit up with excitement the moment he saw Charizard.
"Ash, you have a Charizard too?! Hah! Excellent choice!"
As a lifelong Charizard fanatic, Leon adored every Charizard in existence.
Though… he couldn't help noticing Ash looked a bit underdeveloped.
The other Champions exchanged looks as well. All of them had encountered powerful Charizard before—
And this one was noticeably smaller than most.
But after seeing what Ash's Krabby had become, no one dared to write it off.
Small body or not, it could very well pack immense power.
"Rooaar?"
Charizard finally noticed the crowded room.
He had thought Ash summoned him for a battle, but clearly not.
So, with a snort, he padded to a corner, flopped down, and promptly fell asleep.
"Uh… haha… sorry, Mr. Leon. My Charizard still won't obey me. I guess my level as a trainer is too low… but it's fine! One day, I'll earn his respect!" Ash's laugh was awkward, his face tinged with disappointment.
Leon simply grinned, ruffling Ash's hair with a big hand.
"I believe in you, Ash! Someday you'll command Charizard for real. And when that day comes… your Charizard will battle mine!"
From the corner, Charizard cracked an eye open.
This man… he had a Charizard too? The scent was unmistakable.
So what? He didn't care. He wouldn't obey Ash—because he was strong, and Ash wasn't yet worthy.
"Haha, Ash, it seems your Charizard has great potential. But you should know—Leon's Charizard is said to be the strongest in the world!"
"The… strongest Charizard?" Ash looked at Leon, momentarily dazed.
Would he really one day command Charizard to fight Leon on equal footing?
"ROOOAR!!"
Before anyone realized, Ash's Charizard had strode forward.
With a roar, he pointed a claw at Leon, challenging him outright.
He had just heard it—someone else's Charizard was the "number one"?
As far as he was concerned, there could only be one king.
"You… want to battle my Charizard?" Leon asked.
"Rooaar!"
"But don't you refuse to follow your trainer's orders?"
"Rooaar!!"
Charizard didn't even glance at Ash, just snorted flames from his nostrils. He'd fight under his own will, not because of Ash.
"…I see. Then let me show you a few things." Leon's eyes sharpened.
"This place is too cramped. Let's take it outside!"
"W-wait, what?! Ash's Charizard is challenging Mr. Leon?!" Misty was stunned. How had things escalated so fast?
"Even here in Kanto, Leon's reputation is well known," Brock explained like a scholar.
"His mentor was Master Mustard, who held the Champion title for eighteen years straight! Leon inherited his teachings, and since debuting, he's never lost a single battle."
"In fact, some say he even surpassed Master Mustard himself! He's hailed as the strongest Champion in Galar's history—and nicknamed the 'Uncrowned King of the World'!"
Uncrowned King—
It meant he hadn't officially claimed the title of World Champion, but nearly everyone believed he would one day.
"And his strongest ace… is none other than his Charizard! A Charizard said to be capable of Gigantamaxing!"
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