Around Latios, wisps of miniature energy dragons spiraled, boosting its speed and physical power through the move Dragon Dance.

Tobias, of course, knew about Misty Terrain.

As long as Latios didn't physically touch the battlefield, the terrain's suppressive effects wouldn't apply to it.

But soon, the battlefield was blanketed in a soft, pale mist—light, almost illusory… yet very real.

Still, it only affected Pokémon in direct contact with the ground.

And yet, as Mega Gardevoir activated the move, her entire form radiated an amplified elegance.

Up in the stands, Diantha's heart stirred.

She had to make her own Gardevoir achieve Mega Evolution—no matter what it took!

Latios had appeared—and surely that meant Tobias had Latias too.

But Ash had already accounted for both.

Mega Gardevoir held two distinct counters:

Misty Terrain for Dragons

Imprison for Psychic-types.

Imprison—an underused, rare move.

Few Pokémon could learn it naturally.

Even fewer trainers understood its true potential.

But Tobias did.

And the moment Ash called out Imprison, he knew exactly what was coming—

His face turned pale.

He shouted a desperate order for Latios to attack!

Originally, Tobias had planned to let Latios boost up with Dragon Dance several times.

Now Ash was forcing him into a direct clash with Mega Gardevoir!

Latios, at Champion-tier, was powerful.

But Ash's Gardevoir—even before Mega Evolution—was level 69.

And now, after Mega Evolution, the power inside Mega Gardevoir completely overwhelmed Latios's!

"Use Disarming Voice!"

"Gaaaardevoooir"

The battlefield began to echo with the mesmerizing, lilting tones of Mega Gardevoir's voice.

"Latios—Dragon Pulse!"

Tobias roared in panic.

But it was too late.

Imprison had already sealed all Psychic-type moves that both Pokémon shared.

And since Latios and Gardevoir had overlapping movesets, nearly all of Latios's Psychic-type techniques were now unusable!

Only Luster Purge—Latios's signature move—remained.

"Teleport!"

Whoosh!

Latios aimed Dragon Pulse at the grounded Mega Gardevoir—but in the blink of an eye, she vanished!

She reappeared instantly—right beside Latios!

Her delicate hands grabbed Latios by both arms—

And in a stunning display of elegant brutality…

Over-the-shoulder slam!!

Latios was slammed straight into the ground!

The moment it touched the terrain, Misty Terrain activated.

Latios's already-restricted Psychic moves were useless, and now its Dragon-type attacks were halved in power!

"Moonblast!"

A radiant, rippling beam of power shot from Mega Gardevoir's hands—

Smashing into Latios with massive force!

The battlefield couldn't take the pressure any longer—

It collapsed entirely.

Thankfully, League-appointed Pokémon had been deployed to protect the spectators and absorb residual force.

After all, this battle had already gone far beyond the expected power scale of any official tournament.

Latios was knocked out cold!

Mega Gardevoir had defeated it cleanly—and the 10x Experience Multiplier activated again!

And with the EXP surge from a Legendary Pokémon…

Mega Gardevoir finally broke through to Champion level!

Her aura intensified!

Tobias then sent out his next Pokémon: Latias.

As expected, he had both.

But it didn't matter.

Mega Gardevoir was still in her evolved state.

Misty Terrain and Imprison were still in effect.

And now that she had officially stepped into the Champion tier—

Latias was quickly overwhelmed.

Crushed.

Just like her brother.

Tobias stood dumbfounded.

In the blink of an eye, half his team had been utterly demolished.

But he wasn't the only one stunned—

The entire stadium had gone completely silent.

Even when Ash finally commanded Mega Gardevoir to revert, no one could recover from what they'd just witnessed.

Darkrai.

Latios.

Latias.

Three Legendary Pokémon—gone.

Tobias had achieved the impossible by capturing them.

And yet… Ash had just destroyed them with a new, era-defining power!

This was more than just a battle.

It was evolutionary dominance—a revelation of strength that crushed the very concept of legendary status.

Tobias sent out his fourth Pokémon: Articuno.

Ash grinned—this one's for Pikachu.

Pikachu entered the field, lightning crackling—

And took down Articuno with overwhelming force!

Another EXP burst!

Pikachu leveled up continuously, his strength pushing toward Level 90!

Then came Tobias's fifth Pokémon—Moltres!

Same result.

Pikachu, relentless and electric, brought down the firebird effortlessly.

His EXP climbed again.

Nearing Level 90.

Tobias… was cornered.

He was down to his last Pokémon.

His hand trembled as he held up his final Poké Ball.

Then—he laughed.

A wild, almost maniacal grin on his face.

___

"Ha ha ha! Your Pokémon are strong—but can they stand against this one?!"

His eyes gleamed with desperation and madness.

From the ball emerged—

Regigigas.

A Legendary Pokémon whose level surpassed 80.

Tobias was confident.

He didn't know Ash strength—he had no idea of Ash's Pokémon levels.

But based on common logic, it was impossible for a trainer like Ash to have Pokémon over Level 80, right?

That was Tier-3 Legendary level.

Almost no one in the world could reach that!

Ash recalled Pikachu to his side.

Frowning, he examined Regigigas.

He had seen Articuno and Moltres before…

But Regigigas—Ash owned one.

This one?

Something felt off.

It didn't radiate the overwhelming pressure a true Legendary should have.

That aura… that terrifying divine presence… it wasn't there.

Something's wrong.

Even more suspicious—there was no sign of Slow Start.

Ash narrowed his eyes.

This Regigigas is… fake?

He was beginning to understand.

Tobias isn't what he seems.

"Charizard—your turn!"

Ash raised his hand.

The Mega Stone on Charizard's neck flared.

The Key Stone in Ash's hand responded!

The flames ignited—

Mega Evolution: Activate!

The Charizard everyone knew was gone.

In its place stood a Blue-and-Black Beast of Raw Power—

Mega Charizard X.

From its jaws, pale blue flames licked out like fangs of a dragon god.

Its wings—broad and powerful.

Its tail flame—now blue-hot and wild!

Its entire form radiated destruction.

BOOM!

Charizard roared—his voice thundering through the stadium!

This was Ash's Charizard.

His partner. His pride. His final ace.

Stronger than any other!

Tobias's Regigigas charged in—Level 85 and reckless!

Ash smirked.

"You think 85 scares me?"

"Charizard—Dragon Claw!"

The massive claws of the black Charizard glowed with explosive energy—

And with one crushing strike—

Slammed Regigigas with fury!

--------------

T/N:

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