"Ursaluna."
Ursaluna's breathing was heavy.
Its claws dug in with brutal force, slamming Incineroar hard into the ground.
BAM!
Fire Blast collapsed completely.
Incineroar was pinned to the battlefield, struggling desperately, both claws trying to pry Ursaluna's grip away—but the difference in raw strength was undeniable.
"Incineroar! Flamethrower!"
Selene snapped back to her senses and shouted the order.
Even with its throat locked, Incineroar could still release fire-type moves from its waist.
"Earthquake!"
Ursaluna's left paw slammed down beside Incineroar.
RUMBLE—!!
The entire arena shook violently as a crushing seismic wave rolled through Incineroar's body.
Incineroar let out a pained growl.
Earthquake was super effective—its damage was massive—and the Flamethrower was forcibly interrupted.
This couldn't continue.
Selene's expression darkened.
If this kept up, Incineroar was nothing more than a punching bag.
"Incineroar! Cross Chop!"
"Earthquake—again!"
Dylan gave no room to breathe.
Ursaluna lifted its left paw once more and smashed it down, while Incineroar extended both arms, swinging with everything it had toward Ursaluna's head.
Fighting-type Cross Chop!
RUMBLE—!!
Cross Chop struck Ursaluna squarely in the head.
Ursaluna roared in pain, instinctively loosening its grip.
But Incineroar didn't have time to retreat.
The shockwave from Earthquake had already arrived.
Wave after wave of seismic force tore through Incineroar's body, pinning it to the ground.
Ursaluna's STAB Earthquake hit far too hard.
"Incineroar's reaching its limit," Leon said, shaking his head.
"That Ursaluna is simply too much. Two super-effective Earthquakes—no way Incineroar can take that."
"Ursaluna isn't in good shape either," Gloria added.
"That Cross Chop hit wasn't light."
Even so, Ursaluna's ferocity only intensified.
On the field—
"Ursaluna! Headlong Rush!"
Dylan glanced at Incineroar and issued the command calmly.
Ground-type Headlong Rush—even stronger than Earthquake.
A devastating move comparable to Close Combat, usable by only a few Pokémon.
Like its counterpart, it sharply lowered the user's Defense and Special Defense afterward.
But if this hit, Incineroar would never endure it—so the drawback didn't matter.
Ursaluna roared, charging forward with overwhelming pressure.
"Eruption!" Selene shouted without hesitation.
Incineroar's face twisted in fierce determination as blazing red light erupted across its body.
It slammed a fist into the ground.
Cracks split the battlefield—
—and incandescent crimson light surged upward.
One of the strongest Fire-type moves: Eruption!
BOOOOM!!
A volcanic inferno exploded skyward.
Yet Ursaluna charged straight through the flames without hesitation.
Ground-type energy wrapped around its body, briefly shielding it from the firestorm.
BANG!
Ursaluna crashed into Incineroar like a runaway armored vehicle.
Incineroar was hurled away, its body flung across the field.
At the same time, Eruption detonated fully.
A tidal wave of fire engulfed the battlefield.
Scorching heat and hurricane-force winds blasted outward, forcing spectators to shield their eyes.
Even the stands were swallowed by the crimson glow.
Seconds ticked by.
At last, the flames subsided.
On the cracked battlefield, Ursaluna stood gasping for breath, its body covered in wounds.
In the distance, Incineroar lay sprawled on the ground, utterly drained.
Both Pokémon had reached their limits.
Finally, Incineroar's consciousness faded—it collapsed completely.
Ursaluna bared its teeth in grim satisfaction—
then its legs gave out.
THUD.
"Incineroar and Ursaluna are both unable to battle!"
"Because Selene has lost all six Pokémon, this match is won by Dylan! Dylan advances—Selene is eliminated!"
The referee's voice rang out.
"Victory is decided! After an incredibly fierce battle, Selene is defeated here by Dylan!"
As the announcement ended, the slick-haired host's passionate voice echoed throughout the stadium.
"AAAAH! My Selene!"
"You heartless Champion Dylan—that was your student!"
"He's eliminated two of his own apprentices already!"
"Poor Selene—she really had the worst luck!"
"Let us celebrate! The Dark Overlord continues his legend! Who will finally end his reign?!"
"So close, Selene…"
The crowd erupted in noise, while livestream chats filled with rows of 'RIP'.
"She even managed to trade Ursaluna in the end—impressive," Steven said, applauding.
"When Incineroar got grabbed, I thought it was over for sure."
"To still take Ursaluna down like that—remarkable."
"Even without Legendary Pokémon, Champion Dylan is terrifying," Gloria murmured, eyes sparkling.
Selene, going all out in a full battle, had only managed to take down three of Dylan's main Pokémon.
That alone spoke volumes.
On the field—
"You did great, Incineroar. That was an excellent performance."
Selene knelt beside Incineroar, spraying it with a healing mist and gently patting its shoulder.
Incineroar growled softly, filled with frustration.
If it hadn't been careless enough to get its neck grabbed…
Maybe they would've forced Dylan to reveal another Pokémon.
"You really did perform well," a warm male voice said.
"It's clear you've grown much stronger than last year."
Dylan approached, Ursaluna—now awake—walking behind him.
Incineroar and Ursaluna locked eyes, sparks practically flying between them.
"Hehe… but I'm still pretty far from you, Gym Leader big brother," Selene said shyly.
Her earlier arrogance was completely gone.
She was always good at reading the situation—when weaker, act obedient.
"That's true," Dylan nodded bluntly.
Selene twitched, rolling her eyes.
"But Selene," Dylan continued gently,
"you've truly become very strong. I'm proud of you."
She froze.
Then, moments later, she tilted her head and smiled brightly—eyes curved into crescents.
The battle ended.
Dylan became the first trainer to advance to the finals.
No one was surprised.
Anyone following the World Championships knew this was inevitable.
The real question was—
Who would face him in the final?
Because the other semifinal was—
Giovanni vs Red.
"I think Giovanni will take it," Wallace said seriously.
"His strength is undeniable."
Both were Kanto Elite Four members.
And Giovanni was their leader—though rankings hardly mattered anymore.
After all, a certain Elite Four member ranked third hadn't even made the semifinals.
And honestly—who still thought he deserved that spot over Selene?
"Hard to say," Steven shook his head.
"Red won't be weaker than Giovanni."
"All right!" the host shouted excitedly.
"Both trainers are ready! Let's welcome them with thunderous applause!"
"Giovanni!"
"Red!"
Two figures slowly emerged from the tunnel.
The stadium exploded.
"Elite Four Giovanni! We'll always support you!"
"I bet everything—Red's winning today!"
"Show that kid the true power of the earth!"
"I don't even know how Giovanni could lose!"
"Hey—doesn't anyone think Red can win? He already beat Blue once!"
The cheers were deafening.
For Kanto fans, this was a joyful dilemma—they didn't know who to support.
Still, Giovanni's popularity clearly surpassed Red's.
After all, Giovanni had long served as Viridian Gym Leader, widely respected.
Red was popular too—but reserved and quiet, rarely speaking.
Neither of them cared.
The referee announced the rules and stepped back.
The initiative indicator landed on Giovanni.
He calmly took out a Poké Ball and looked at Red.
Red lifted his head, crimson eyes locking onto Giovanni—burning fiercely.
"Heh… so we've finally arrived at this day, Red."
Giovanni chuckled softly, meeting his gaze with ease.
"For some reason, I always felt this match was inevitable."
"And today—it's finally here."
He lowered his head slightly, half his face cast in shadow, staring at the Poké Ball in his hand.
Red: "..."
Red watched Giovanni closely.
Something felt different—subtly, unmistakably.
But that wasn't important.
"I lost to you before," Red said, tugging down his cap.
"But today—I'll defeat you."
"Oh? You remember that?" Giovanni laughed quietly.
Red was referring to their old battle for the top position of the Kanto Elite Four.
Back then, Giovanni had defeated both Blue and Red consecutively.
"That won't change today, Red."
Giovanni slipped one hand into his pocket, a dark, arrogant smile spreading across his face.
A rare display of his domineering nature.
"You can't defeat me."
"I, Giovanni, am the strongest man in the world—second only to Dylan!"
He grinned, looking down at the boy before him.
"Understand this, Red."
"You don't stand a chance."
"I am the head of the Kanto Elite Four."
"And I will become the new Champion of Kanto."
Red: "..."