In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
"Welcome back, everyone, to the Indigo Plateau Stadium!"
From the high platform, the slick-haired host's passionate voice echoed through the entire arena via the microphone.
At this moment, the Indigo Plateau Stadium was completely packed.
Above the stadium, the torch bearing Arceus's Sacred Flame burned fiercely, swaying in the wind.
"Today marks the final match of the World Championship Masters Tournament!"
"The very last battle to decide the strongest king in the world!"
The moment the host finished speaking, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the stadium.
On the giant screen, half-body images of Dylan and Red appeared side by side.
"Throughout this tournament, these two have fought against countless powerful opponents, advancing step by step—"
"And now, they have finally reached the highest stage of all!"
"And now… the final moment has arrived!"
"Who will seize ultimate victory and stand at the very peak of the world?"
"Let us witness it together!"
The host's impassioned voice stirred the entire audience, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.
Cheers exploded once more.
"Now then—let us welcome our finalists with the loudest applause possible!"
The host didn't bother with excessive formalities.
This wasn't his style—and besides, none were needed.
In Pokémon battles, strength spoke for itself.
"Dylan!"
"Red!"
As the host shouted those two names with all his might, a massive wave of sound swept across the Indigo Plateau Stadium.
From the two competitor tunnels, Dylan—dressed in black—walked out calmly.
From the opposite side, the cap-wearing guy pressed down his brim and advanced at the same steady pace.
"AAAAAA!! Champion Dylan!!"
"LMAO, the host still says 'stay tuned'—what suspense is there?!"
"I'd believe Wallace beating Leon before I believe Red beating Dylan."
"Not necessarily—Dylan hasn't used Legendary Pokémon since the quarterfinals. If he still doesn't today, Red might actually have a chance."
"Are you serious? Red barely beat Giovanni. He might not even get past Selene, and she only beat three of Dylan's mains."
"The match hasn't even started and you're already surrendering? Who taught you to be a Trainer like that?! Red, go crush the Demon King Dylan!!"
The stadium was on fire.
Online, the livestream chat was completely flooded with comments.
That said, the vast majority believed this match held little suspense.
After all—Red's opponent was Dylan.
The universally acknowledged strongest Trainer in the world.
The true, uncrowned king.
On the battlefield, Dylan and Red had already taken their positions, and the roar of the crowd gradually subsided.
Dylan lifted his gaze and scanned the stands, effortlessly spotting Old Oak, Diantha, Giovanni, Blue, Lance, Karen, Steven, Wallace, and many others.
For this final, nearly every famous Trainer had arrived in person.
Of course, a few were absent—
Like Agatha, who was currently fishing in Alola.
But beside her, Anabel sat with a laptop, watching the live broadcast together with her.
"The atmosphere really is on another level compared to before," Dylan said with a light chuckle.
After all, this was the final—the audience's passion far exceeded that of earlier rounds.
The referee began to enter the field.
But when Red saw who it was, his eyes flickered slightly.
"…Leaf?"
Dylan was also a little surprised.
That's right—the referee walking onto the field, holding two small flags, was Leaf.
Today, she wore a black dress, her bright smile radiant.
"Huh? She can be a referee too?" Hop said in shock.
"Hehe~ Surprise!" Leaf waved her flag cheerfully.
"I applied specially with the chairman, you know. I'm a professional referee!"
"Your very first battle together was officiated by me too," Leaf said with a playful smile as she stepped between them.
"So today—it's the same."
Dylan laughed softly.
Red stared at Leaf… and then at Dylan, his crimson eyes momentarily unfocused.
This moment…
Was exactly like that moment back then.
For some reason, Red's heartbeat suddenly sped up—
Faster and faster.
"Now commencing the final match of the World Championship Masters Tournament!"
Leaf raised her flag, her clear voice echoing across the stadium.
"The competitors are Dylan and Red!"
"The format is a full 6 vs 6 battle, standard field!"
"All power-up methods are permitted!"
"Both sides may switch Pokémon freely!"
"When one side's six Pokémon all lose the ability to battle, the other side wins!"
"Battle—begin!"
Leaf brought the flag down, her bright eyes glancing at both Trainers, her smile never fading.
"Good luck to both of you~!"
She then retreated from the battlefield.
On the big screen, the pointer began to spin.
"I wonder what kind of lineup Dylan will use today," Wallace said curiously.
"Who knows?" Steven shrugged.
"It could be his registered Champion team, a Legendary lineup to give the tournament a perfect ending, or even a randomly chosen mono-type team."
Wallace froze for a moment—then nodded.
Indeed.
Red was a member of the Kanto Elite Four.
Dylan was the Champion of Kanto.
Using his official Champion team would make perfect sense.
Or, since this was the final match of the World Championship, Dylan might choose to display his overwhelming strength with Legendary Pokémon.
Or… he might do something completely unexpected.
The pointer slowed… and finally stopped on Dylan's portrait.
Dylan would move first.
"Nice," Dylan said with a smile.
He didn't immediately take out a Poké Ball.
Instead, he calmly unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.
"Red, you know… when I found out you'd be my opponent in the finals, I was genuinely happy."
"As for the reason—I already told you."
As he spoke, Dylan took out a pair of black gloves and slowly put them on, his movements unhurried and elegant.
Red's eyes flickered slightly.
He understood.
"I was actually troubled at first," Dylan continued.
"Wondering what Pokémon I should use in the finals."
"But once I knew my opponent was you—these Pokémon came to mind immediately."
He took out a Luxury Ball, raised it toward Red, the smile on his face deepening.
Red tilted his head slightly.
"Have you ever fought against Poison-types?" Dylan asked calmly.
"Poison leaves you helpless… flustered… slowly cornered."
Red's eyes lit up instantly, shining brilliantly.
"Raw power alone isn't everything," Dylan said, his tone steady.
"So today—experience the fear and terror of Poison-type Pokémon."
The tone was different from that day.
But the words…
Were exactly the same.
Red's heart began pounding wildly again.
An intense emotion surged in his chest, making him want to say something—anything.
Leaf's eyes sparkled as well.
"…That is—"
In the audience, Ash froze.
"Ah! It's that battle in Vermilion City!" Misty shouted excitedly.
"That was Dylan and Red's first battle, right?!"
"Dylan really is…" Brock sighed deeply.
"He's way too gentle, seriously."
Using a callback like this—on the stage of the World Championship finals?!
If Red were a girl, he might've already jumped onto the field.
But even so, just looking at Red's close-up on the big screen—
That sparkling gaze said it all.
Dylan had completely maxed out Red's favor meter.
"If that's the case…" Misty whispered, eyes glued to the field.
"Then Dylan's first Pokémon must be—"
"Then my first Pokémon… is this one!"
Dylan flicked his wrist and threw the Poké Ball.
"Arbok! Ready for battle!"
A sharp hiss rang out.
A massive, deep-purple cobra landed before Dylan, its forked tongue flicking as its cold, sinister eyes locked onto Red.
As expected—Arbok.
Red's chest rose and fell slightly, but he forcefully suppressed the emotions surging within him.
Yes.
The team he most wanted to face Dylan with—
Was this very Poison-type team.
The team from their very first battle.
The first time he had lost to a peer other than Blue—
And a defeat etched deeply into his memory.
"Come on, Red," Dylan said, making a polite please gesture.
"Show me whether the you of today can defeat me—using this Poison-type team."
He clipped Arbok's Poké Ball back onto his belt.
He had hesitated about which team to use in the finals.
But once the opponent was Red—
Poison was the only answer.
Not only because it was the team from their first battle—
But because Poison was also where he began.
His first team.
The origin of Dylan as a Trainer.
On the final battle to claim the world championship—
What team could be more fitting than this?
"Blastoise!"
Red showed no hesitation, throwing out his first Poké Ball.
Blastoise landed heavily in front of him, its fierce eyes locked onto the massive cobra.
Arbok narrowed its pupils, swaying its tail slowly, coldly watching Blastoise.
"Blastoise, huh?" Dylan raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly.
"Back then, your Blastoise suffered quite a bit at Arbok's hands."
"Not today," Red said.
He pressed down the brim of his cap slightly.
Beneath the shadow, his crimson eyes burned.
"Dylan—today's me… is completely different from back then."
Yes.
If they fought again—
The outcome would never be the same.