"Leon's Charizard," Raihan said gravely.
As Leon's greatest rival in Galar, he knew Charizard's strength better than anyone—and understood the bond Leon shared with it.
Their opponent: Johan and his Gengar.
Though Leon only had Charizard and a battered Cinderace remaining...
Johan still had a fatigued Ceruledge and Dragonite, as well as a battle-ready Gengar, Ninetales, and two unused Pokémon.
With Charizard's entrance, Leon's confidence surged, as if he now held the upper hand.
Some Trainers are just like that.
Take Flint, for example. Even after losing to Cynthia 149 times, the 150th time, he'd still believe he could win with Infernape.
Leon was even more formidable.
While Flint was a pure emotion-driven Trainer—fiery, passionate—
Leon combined emotional spirit and cold, calculated tactics.
Even in the games, his team setups, movesets, and item selections all reflected a meta strategist.
In that sense... he and Johan were very much alike.
Just look at his tactical Mr. Rime, dual-wielding Inteleon, Libero Cinderace, Dragon Tail Dragapult—
A fellow quality player.
Which is why Johan wasn't taking Charizard lightly.
No Dynamaxing allowed here—but Leon might pull out a Mega Charizard X or Y, or even something sneakier like Solar Power.
In the original story, Leon's Charizard went toe-to-toe with Lance's Dynamaxed Gyarados—type advantages be damned.
As the audience erupted in cheers, the final showdown began!
"Charizard, Scorching Sands!"
Charizard spread its wings and howled. Scalding sand erupted around it, spiraling into a furnace-like storm rushing toward Gengar.
Johan wanted to scream—
Give my Gengar its Levitate back!
Without Levitate, Gengar could be hit by Ground-type moves.
Though now a Dark-type thanks to Libero, Gengar wasn't weak to Ground—
but Scorching Sands could burn, and that was annoying.
"Substitute, Thunder Wave!"
Gengar split from his own shadow, leaving behind a decoy to soak up the sandstorm's fury.
Then, sliding through the shadows, Gengar popped up behind Charizard and zapped it with a golden wave of static.
Leon didn't even need to shout.
Charizard, instinctively synced with its Trainer, flared up—its tail blazing hotter to burn away the interference.
Now Gengar and Charizard faced off at close range.
Their stances screamed "Clash Incoming."
Their Trainers shouted simultaneously:
A flash of energy swapped their Abilities.
Gengar now had Solar Power.
Charizard had Libero.
Charizard's Brick Break, now a Fighting-type attack, punched straight through the illusion.
Raihan explained excitedly:
"Johan's signature move—Preemptive Reading!
He predicted Leon would use a Fighting move to counter Gengar's Dark form.
So Gengar switched back to Ghost/Poison—immune to Fighting!"
And with Charizard now a Fighting-type due to Libero...
He couldn't touch Gengar.
"Holy crap—this man really made Libero into a weapon!"
"Gengar: Thanks! Your ability is awesome!"
"Isn't this just like how he used Raihan's weather against him?"
Even Leon and Charizard were stunned.
That was a complete tactical checkmate.
Leon bit his lip, then smiled wide.
"No wonder you're Johan."
"But now begins the final round!"
Flames roared higher, wind howled across the field.
Leon pulled out a Keystone, glowing in rainbow hues.
Charizard's tail fire dimmed... revealing a matching Mega Stone.
Leon had hidden the Mega Stone in Charizard's tail flame.
"Oh you sneaky son of a—"
This was a full-gear world. No regional restriction nonsense.
Of course Leon had Mega Evolution tucked away.
Rather than X (Fire/Dragon), Leon's stone evolved Charizard into Y—retaining Fire/Flying but buffing Special Attack and Special Defense.
Mega Evolution overwrote the Libero swap.
Charizard now had Drought—summoning harsh sunlight!
"Wait—why does Charizard get two Mega forms?!"
Gengar popped his shades back on.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Charizard launched into the air, sunlight amplifying the fire.
A molten stream of flame poured from above.
Johan squinted, considering Mega evolving in response.
But even then, the blast couldn't be dodged.
Better to go stealth—
"Gengar, Phantom Force!"
Gengar dove into the shadows.
Audience: "Mega vs Mega when?!"
Leon: "Watch your back!"
Mega Charizard Y spun around—
From behind, Gengar clawed out of the void.
One more time, their Abilities switched—again.
Now Gengar had Drought.
Mega Charizard Y... didn't.
Audience: "Wait. What was the point of that?"
Johan smiled faintly.
"Gengar, turn it off."
Gengar smirked and reached out.
You can turn off the weather??
Yes—because in this real-world Pokémon battle, abilities like weather weren't always "always-on."
Gengar had practiced stealing and toggling Abilities constantly with his team.
"Charizard, Shadow Claw!"
Even a special attacker like Charizard could hit hard physically.
Lightning crackled—not from the sky, but from Gengar's hands.
They clashed—mid-air.
Shadow Claw met crackling fists.
But even that, he burned away with sheer willpower.
Fire and darkness exploded.
Mud and filth met scorching heat—sizzling, stinking clouds rose.
Leon shouted joyfully:
"Yes! This is it! This is what I love—battle, partnership, the thrill!"
Winning didn't matter.
For Gengar, direct slugfests weren't ideal.
Gengar's true strength was deception.
They had to match fire with fire.
"Dazzling Fire vs Dark Meteor."
Gengar compressed a massive Shadow Ball—enhanced with mental focus.
Leon: "Block it—Scorching Sands!"
Charizard tried to knock it aside—
Charizard slammed into the dirt.
Raihan: "Wait—that wasn't normal. That was physical impact?"
A hybrid—psychic technique layered onto a special move, like a spiritual armor-break.
Even Gengar's growing.
"Don't give up, Charizard!"
Gengar gave him a nod.
You've earned my respect.
Only three Pokémon had.
Garchomp. Metagross. Now Charizard.
"One more! Flamethrower!!"
"Shadow Ball—one last time!"
Shockwaves rippled. Dust clouded everything.
Everyone held their breath.
As the smoke cleared—
Charizard had de-Mega evolved, lying motionless.
Gengar—panting, sitting on rubble, popped his shades on.
Cheers for both warriors.
"Ch-Charizard is unable to battle!!"
Though Leon still had Cinderace, the match was over.
Next time, he'd make sure Gengar didn't go off-script.
Leon looked at Gengar, still soaking in applause.
Then at Johan's grin.
He'd train harder. Next time—he'd win.
From the stands, Red and Green sat stunned.
But in each other's eyes—
Someday, they'd battle on this level too.
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates