The next morning, sunlight crept over the horizon, warm and steady.
Chen Shi, Steven, Cynthia, and Phoebe were already prepared and heading toward the quarterfinal venue. Of course, Phoebe wasn't preparing for anything serious—she was just here for the excitement. Whether she battled or not stopped mattering long ago.
Professor Oak, Ash, and Gary weren't with them. After dinner the previous night, they were escorted elsewhere by League staff, saying accommodations had been arranged.
Soon, the group arrived at the stadium and made their way into the resting lounge.
As spectators filed into the arena, the sound of voices grew louder—anticipation thickening in the air.
Right on cue, the host walked onto the field, microphone in hand, voice full of energy.
"Welcome back, everyone!"
Cheers erupted instantly.
"After days of fierce competition, we now have our final Top Eight contestants!"
"These trainers are the brightest rising stars of their generation — let's give them a roaring round of applause!"
The giant screen behind him lit up, displaying the portraits of all eight finalists.
The crowd went wild, chanting names like a roaring tide.
"And now, without wasting any time, let's allow the system to randomly select today's battle order!"
The portraits scrambled and began spinning rapidly.
Everyone held their breath.
A few seconds later—they stopped.
Match Ups:
Chen Shi vs. Lorelei
Cynthia vs. Leon
Steven vs. Wallace
Lance vs. Diantha
Inside the lounge, Chen Shi let out a helpless sigh.
Yesterday he was the opening match—today, it was the same.
And his opponent was Lorelei, of all people—someone whose typing countered him perfectly.
Dragapult might not survive an Icicle Spear.
Steven glanced at the screen and shrugged helplessly.
"Well… looks like at least one of us from Hoenn is getting eliminated today."
Chen Shi ignored him. Instead, he took a slow breath and touched the necklace beneath his shirt—then stood.
"Time to show them something different."
The stadium was fully alive now—voices, excitement, electricity.
The host raised his microphone again.
"For our first match of the quarterfinals—please welcome from the Hoenn region: Chen Shi!!"
At the cue, Chen Shi stepped through the tunnel, calm expression paired with a faint smile.
The stadium exploded in cheers.
"Though known publicly as a prodigy breeder, Chen Shi has shocked the world by entering the Top Eight through pure battle strength—one of the biggest dark horses of this year's tournament!"
"Let's see what he brings today!"
Somewhere in the crowd, he faintly heard two familiar voices:
"Go Chen Shi!!"
"Master Chen—WIN!!"
He didn't turn—just smiled and muttered inwardly:
Leave it to me.
"And next—representing the prestigious Silver Academy of Kanto—Lorelei!"
The opposite gate opened.
Lorelei stepped forward with confident grace—black training suit, heels tapping sharply against the battlefield floor.
The cheers doubled—almost deafening.
Being a beautiful girl definitely shifted the audience bias.
Chen Shi only sighed internally.
Yeah yeah. Can't compete with that. Whatever.
The referee raised a flag.
"Both contestants—send out your Pokémon."
Lorelei didn't hesitate.
A flash of light burst across the arena.
Cloyster.
Her ace.
Chen Shi immediately opened his system interface.
Pokémon: Cloyster (League-grade Focus Sash)
Level: 64 (Mid Elite)
Potential: Champion
Ability: Skill Link
Moves: Whirlpool, Spikes, Leer, Tackle, Razor Shell, Swift, Icicle Spear, Drill Run, Poison Jab, Iron Defense, Withdraw, Ice Beam, Shell Smash, Water Gun, Hydro Pump, Supersonic, Aurora Veil, Protect, Light Screen, Icicle Crash, Liquidation, Blizzard.
Chen Shi let out a quiet dry laugh.
"...Starting serious right away, huh?"
Lorelei pushed up her glasses slightly, tone confident and calm.
"Against you, no level of caution is excessive."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Chen Shi replied with a faint smile and tossed out his Poké Ball.
A roar followed—
Charizard.
Almost three meters tall, wings flaring aggressively.
The stadium erupted in confused shouting.
Because—
Charizard's level was only peak Gym-tier.
Lorelei's expression darkened instantly.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Why not send out Dragapult? Or Swampert?"
She wasn't angry at losing—she was angry at not being taken seriously.
Chen Shi shook his head lightly.
"No. I'm using Charizard because I'm taking you seriously."
Lorelei paused—eyes narrowing.
What are you planning?
Before she could press further—
Chen Shi reached into his shirt and pulled out a necklace.
A shimmering rainbow jewel hung from it.
In the lounge, Steven and Cynthia both sat forward simultaneously.
Up in the stands, Professor Oak—hidden by a hat and mask—softly chuckled.
"So… it begins."
The referee raised his arm.
"This match is a 3v3 free rotation format. With both sides ready—"
"Battle—START!"
Chen Shi lowered his head slightly.
"You ready?"
The question wasn't just for Lorelei.
It was for Charizard.
For the audience.
For the world.
Because Mega Evolution…
was about to be revealed.
"Charizard—MEGA evolve!"
The Key Stone shimmered with blinding radiance—linking with the Mega Stone embedded in Charizard's collar.
Light burst outward—dazzling, overwhelming, swallowing Charizard whole.
Everyone watching—from the arena to lounges to living rooms worldwide—froze.
Eyes widened.
Breath caught.
Because before their eyes—
Charizard—
evolved.
When the light faded, standing in Charizard's place was—
A dragon cloaked in black and blue flame.
Mega Charizard X.
Dark slate scales.
Sky-blue underbelly.
Sharp horned crest.
Claws wrapped in sapphire flame.
Wings reshaped—powerful, dangerous.
Blue fire burned at his mouth and tail—alive and roaring.
And its aura—
had skyrocketed—
to mid Elite tier.
The stadium fell silent.
Then—
BOOM—!!
The crowd exploded.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Wonder.
Mega Evolution had descended upon the world.
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