TN: Guys, if I'm wrong about stuff about Dynamax or Gigatamax or just Galar generally its because I never played it and I'm editing this right now without internet so some stuff might be wrong.
"Wow~ that's huge!"
As she stared at the Gigantamax Cinderace on the battlefield, Green's eyes instantly lit up.
A normal Cinderace stood only about 1.4 meters tall. Leon's Cinderace, having been extremely well trained, was already considered outstanding at around two meters in height.
But after Gigantamaxing, even a rough estimate showed that this Gigantamax Cinderace stood at over thirty meters tall!
"The minimum height for a Gigantamax Cinderace is usually around twenty-seven meters. Leon's is already exceptionally impressive," said Marnie calmly. Coming from the Galar region, her composed demeanor formed a sharp contrast with Green, who looked like someone seeing this for the first time. "That said, it really is insanely cool. And that size, the sense of oppression it brings is just absurd."
Clair frowned slightly. She had some understanding of Dynamax and Gigantamax from the Galar region, but ever since she learned that Dynamax could not be used outside Galar, she had lost interest.
After all, with such harsh limitations attached to the form, she naturally had no motivation to study it in depth.
Wasn't Mega Evolution way better?
But now that she was seeing it with her own eyes, she had to admit—the sheer presence was genuinely intimidating…
"It's not as exaggerated as you think," Marnie shook her head lightly.
Spikemuth lacked Dynamax Power Spots, which meant Dynamaxing was impossible there. Yet even so, her brother Piers was still considered one of the strongest Trainers in Galar. Why?
Because with no access to Dynamax, Piers had decisively abandoned its use altogether—yet when battling other Galar Gym Leaders, he still won far more often than he lost. The fundamental reason was simple: Piers himself was genuinely strong.
And this, from another angle, proved that Dynamax wasn't actually as overwhelmingly powerful as it appeared.
"The formation of Dynamax energy points comes from fragments of Eternatus's body energy, which accumulated over time after it was defeated by Zacian and Zamazenta three thousand years ago," Marnie explained calmly. "A few years back, Miss Oleana developed the Dynamax Band, which allows this energy to be redirected and utilized, thus giving rise to what we now call Dynamax."
"However, according to Professor Magnolia's research, Dynamax works by distorting the surrounding space through the Pokémon's internal Dynamax energy, making it appear enormous. In reality, the Pokémon's true physical size doesn't actually change, though it can still physically interact with its surroundings."
"And aside from the increase in size, Dynamax doesn't truly enhance the Pokémon's base combat abilities."
After hearing this explanation, Cassius, Green, and Clair all froze.
"No enhancement at all? Are you sure?" Clair looked at Marnie in disbelief.
That really didn't match what they were seeing!
Gigantamax Cinderace was standing there in plain sight—its overwhelming size and aura were terrifying!
"There really isn't," Marnie replied with absolute certainty, shaking her head. "Dedicated researchers have already tested this."
"If we have to say something, Dynamaxed Pokémon do seem to gain increased stamina, and the sheer mass of their bodies adds to the impact of their movements but none of their core stats actually change."
"However, after Dynamaxing, the power of Max Moves does increase compared to normal moves."
Because Spikemuth had no Dynamax capability, it was ostracized by the rest of Galar once Dynamax became mainstream. As a result, Piers developed a strong dislike for Dynamax.
He would occasionally mock Dynamax in front of Marnie, which was why she remembered its advantages and disadvantages so clearly.
Dynamax and Gigantamax—aside from stamina—do not increase any of a Pokémon's base attributes.
That's right. Even though the Pokémon becomes massive, its strength, defense, and other stats remain completely unchanged!
In game terms, Dynamax only increases HP and grants access to powerful Max Moves; all other attributes remain exactly the same.
In reality, however, there were still subtle differences. With such an enormous body, every movement naturally carried additional momentum and impact.
The kinetic energy and force brought by sheer mass could, in a sense, be considered a kind of indirect strength increase—couldn't it?
"In that case… it's a double-edged sword," Clair pondered for a moment before giving a fairly balanced assessment. "But putting everything else aside, the design alone is way, way cooler than Mega Evolution."
She looked at Gigantamax Cinderace again. There was no denying that its visual impact was enormous.
Not just Green and Clair—truthfully, aside from Galar natives, most spectators from other regions were seeing Dynamax for the first time.
Faced with a Gigantamax Cinderace towering dozens of meters high, shock and awe were inevitable.
And even for Galar locals, who had already seen Dynamax many times before, every appearance of Dynamax still stirred excitement in their hearts.
Thus, at this very moment, the entire Wyndon Arena was filled with continuous cheers and gasps.
…
On the battlefield
"Lucas, I'm going in!" Leon said in a deep voice to Lucas.
Unlike Mega Evolution, Dynamax had a strict time limit.
Every second counted—there was no time to waste. Leon naturally had to press the attack immediately.
"I'll meet you head-on," Lucas replied, glancing at him.
Though his tone remained unhurried, Leon could hear that Lucas wasn't brushing him off.
"Max Flare!"
Leon gave the command without hesitation.
Standing atop the massive fireball beneath its feet, Gigantamax Cinderace leapt high, locking its gaze onto the Gardevoir below. A spark flew up, and Cinderace kicked it down with tremendous force toward Gardevoir.
With its gigantic size, every movement of Gigantamax Cinderace was clearly visible to everyone, sending waves of shock through the crowd.
After all, the largest publicly known Pokémon was Wailord—but even Wailord didn't feel as massive as Cinderace did right now!
The spark transformed into a roaring flame as it streaked toward Gardevoir at extreme speed.
Max Flare!
A Fire-type Max Move converted from a standard Fire-type attack!
"Moonblast!"
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly and issued the order.
"Garde~!"
Gardevoir let out a soft cry and spread her arms. A radiant phantom of the moon appeared behind her.
Moonblast!
A pink beam tore through the air, colliding head-on with Max Flare in midair.
BOOM!
At the instant the two attacks met, they exploded violently, and terrifying flames dyed the sky crimson.
Moonblast's pink glow was almost completely swallowed by the raging inferno, leaving nothing but a sea of fire filling the heavens!
At this sight, the entire stadium erupted in astonished cries.
Leaving power aside—this visual spectacle was ridiculously over the top!
"Flashy, but hollow."
Lucas's bangs fluttered slightly under the shockwave of the flames. Firelight reflected in his eyes, painting them a fiery red.
Yet he merely curled his lips faintly. The effects were undeniably spectacular—but the power itself wasn't all that exaggerated.
If he remembered correctly, Gigantamax Cinderace's exclusive G-Max move only had a base power of around 160.
This was just a standard Fire-type Max Move, so its power was naturally even lower. Trying to overwhelm Gardevoir with this? Not that easy.
In fact—
"Gardevoir!"
Lucas suddenly called out.
Gardevoir immediately understood his intent. The Moonblast, which had been engulfed by the sea of fire, suddenly swelled in intensity, breaking through the flames with renewed force.
BOOM!
Moonblast detonated squarely against Gigantamax Cinderace's body.
Cinderace let out a pained cry, its massive frame tilting as it nearly fell off the fireball beneath its feet.
And with Moonblast no longer blocking it, the sea of flames cascaded downward.
Gardevoir calmly raised a layer of green protective light. The falling flames struck the barrier but were unable to scorch her at all.
"Gardevoir still seems to have the upper hand," Blue remarked with interest. Despite being at least ten times smaller in size, Gardevoir had clearly gained the advantage in direct confrontation.
"Tsk… although the power of Max Moves does increase significantly, Cinderace itself doesn't seem any stronger," Zinnia analyzed. Max Flare's power was indeed impressive—certainly stronger than Cinderace's usual Pyro Ball.
But in a head-on clash, it was still pierced straight through by Moonblast.
"Still, it is flashy," Blue laughed.
"Even Max Moves can't suppress it?" Leon's expression remained solemn. He hadn't expected Dynamax moves to fall short of his expectations.
If that was the case…
"Cinderace, G-Max Fireball Breakthrough Formation!"
Leon shouted his command at the top of his lungs.
If standard Max Moves weren't enough, then he'd go all out!
Gigantamax Cinderace let out a roar, leapt into the air, and slammed its right foot down hard onto the enormous fireball beneath it.
The massive fireball began spinning at high speed, shooting straight toward Gardevoir like a blazing meteor!
Gigantamax Cinderace's exclusive G-Max Move—G-Max Fireball!
"Gardevoir!"
Lucas's eyes flickered slightly as he called out.
Gardevoir instantly understood. A deep blue light shone in her clear eyes.
And at that moment, the G-Max Fireball slammed into the ground!
RUMBLE—!!!
A deafening explosion erupted as the colossal fireball crashed into the battlefield. Terrifying flames surged skyward, engulfing nearly the entire arena.
Lucas squinted, raising a hand to shield his face. All he could see ahead was a vast expanse of orange-red firelight. Waves of scorching heat rolled over him, and the dry wind was almost unbearable.
Time passed—perhaps a long while, perhaps only an instant.
When the explosion finally subsided, the spectators—who had been unable to look directly at the flames—hurriedly turned their eyes back to the battlefield.
"Gasp—!"
Sharp intakes of breath echoed everywhere.
The battlefield had been transformed into a massive scorched crater, with streaks of red "magma" flowing across its surface.
That was molten rock, formed by stones melted under extreme heat!
Nearly the entire arena looked like this, clearly showing just how terrifying the power of G-Max Fireball Breakthrough Formation had been.
But… where was Gardevoir?
"That power really isn't bad," Lucas raised an eyebrow as he looked at the crater. It seemed having Gardevoir dodge with Teleport instead of taking it head-on had been the right call.
"Max Airstream!"
Leon's shout rang out once more.
Another fireball condensed beneath Gigantamax Cinderace's feet. Extending its arms, it unleashed tangible silver-white cyclones that surged forward and downward.
The target was Gardevoir, who was floating in midair under her own psychic power.
"Alright, I've learned enough. Time to counterattack."
Lucas smiled faintly. He had already grasped the full extent of Gigantamax Cinderace's strength.
It was time to end this.
(End of Chapter)