Pokémon: Rebron as Red, The Strongest Champion - 296

Chapter 296: VS Ryden, The Finals Begin

“The top four is already an incredible achievement. Up to now, no rookie Trainers from Pallet Town in past tournaments have ever come this far.”

Professor Oak nodded in approval, his words filled only with pride for Red and the other three.

In his eyes, Red’s generation was the most promising he had ever seen. Their future accomplishments would almost certainly reach the very peak of the Pokémon world.

(Being born in the same era as Red… whether that is their fortune or misfortune remains to be seen…)

“Or maybe Leaf’s run won’t end at the top four,” Red said suddenly, breaking Oak’s train of thought. It sounded like he was already planning something.

“Third place? But didn’t Leaf’s Pokémon all… oh.”

Gary started to question it, then suddenly realized what Red meant and shot him a knowing, teasing look.

Originally, in the name of fairness, Red had no intention of using the Viridian Power to heal Leaf’s entire team before her third-place match. That would have skewed the balance of competition.

But Yohei’s stunt had genuinely annoyed him. In order to preserve his strength and secure the third-place slot more easily, Yohei had forfeited against Red, which led to nearly every Trainer in the tournament despising him.

To restore fairness, Red planned to wait until Leaf’s semi-final was over and then use the Viridian Power on her main team, rapidly healing their injuries so that her match against Yohei would not be affected.

“I’m more excited about Red’s match with Ryden in a few days,” Brock said, eyes bright.

“Yeah. With Red’s strength, he can definitely beat Ryden, even if he was last year’s Silver Conference Champion,” Gary said confidently.

“That’s right. With big bro’s power, taking down Ryden and winning the Indigo Championship is more than doable,” Ash chimed in.

For once, the two childhood rivals were completely in agreement about something: Red’s overwhelming strength.

Even if their usual bickering would resume soon enough.

Three days later

Indigo League—Main Stadium—Finals

The finals. The pinnacle showdown between the two strongest Trainers of this year’s League. This was the match that would decide the Indigo Champion.

The League always reserved three full days before the final, so both Trainers could rest, prepare, and adjust to their peak condition.

Now, the day to decide the champion of the Indigo Conference had finally arrived.

“Welcome, everyone, to the main stadium of the Indigo Conference. There is only one match today: the grand finals to determine this year’s Indigo Champion. This is the most prestigious match of the entire tournament. Let us greet our two finalists with thunderous applause!”

As soon as the announcer finished, the stadium erupted. Some spectators were so excited for this day that they had barely slept over the past three nights.

Because it was the Indigo Conference final, even the farthest, worst seats were filled. Not a single spot was empty. The arena was beyond packed.

“Entering now from the green side is Ryden from Blackthorn City. He is the Ryuu family’s leading Dragon Trainer of the new generation, last year’s Silver Conference Champion, and this year’s top seed!”

“Ryden has always looked up to his cousin, Dragon Master Lance, as his role model. He is a Trainer who specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon and possesses tremendous strength!”

After the announcer’s introduction, Ryden stepped out. His bright red hair, striking looks, and black outfit lined with a red cape drew countless eyes.

“I have finally made it to a battle with you, Red. Joining this boring Indigo Conference was worth it after all!”

His battle-hungry gaze locked onto Red, who was walking out from the red-side tunnel.

“Next, entering from the red side is this year’s second seed. He is the powerhouse from Pallet Town who, relying on his own strength alone, has foiled Team Rocket’s evil schemes time and again: Lord Red!”

As the words fell, Red walked out from the tunnel, meeting Ryden’s burning gaze and giving a slight nod.

“Both Trainers, please perform the pre-match handshake,” the announcer said.

Red and Ryden stepped to the center of the field and extended their right hands to each other, a gesture of respect that said: friendship first, battle second.

A moment later, they took their places on the Trainer platforms.

“Each side may use six Pokémon. When all of one side’s Pokémon are unable to battle, that side loses. Pokémon may be switched freely, and there is no time limit. The final round’s official battle begins now!”

As soon as the rules were read, Red and Ryden threw their first Poké Balls.

“Dragonair, go!”

Twin flashes of white light burst open. Two Dragonair appeared on the field, their long, scaled bodies glimmering, with a white horn on their foreheads and small wing-like fins on either side of their heads.

Compared to Ryden’s Dragonair, whose scales shimmered with blue gemstones, Red’s Dragonair, with amethyst-like purple scales, was a Shiny. Its appearance was so striking that it instantly stole the spotlight from the regular Dragonair.

“A Shiny Dragonair?!”

Ryden could hardly believe his eyes. He had not expected Red to have a Dragonair at all, let alone a rare Shiny one.

“Relax. I just want to give Dragonair more battle experience,” Red said lightly.

Right now, the Shiny Dragonair’s strength is not yet fully matured. Rather than focusing on winning the opening exchange, Red wanted this match to hone Dragonair’s mind and power.

(But this Dragonair’s aura… what is with this pressure?)

Ryden glanced at his own hands, noticing the faint tremor in his fingers, and his expression tightened.

Dragonair, on his side of the field, was already shaken. Under the weight of the Shiny Dragonair’s ancient draconic presence, its battle composure was beginning to crumble.

“Dragonair, use Ice Beam, now!”

Ryden barked the command, snapping his Dragonair out of its spiraling thoughts.

A freezing beam surged from Dragonair’s mouth, racing toward the Shiny Dragonair.

“Flamethrower,” Red said quietly.

The Shiny Dragonair spewed intense flames. In an instant, the fire turned into a blazing pillar that erased the Ice Beam and filled the field with billowing steam, obscuring vision.

“Twister.”

Seeing the Shiny Dragonair vanish into the fog, Ryden reacted immediately.

His Dragonair lashed its long tail and whipped up a violent Twister, blowing away the mist in an instant.

“Extreme Speed.”

A flash of purple cut through the clearing haze. The Shiny Dragonair shot straight into Ryden’s Dragonair, striking with blinding speed and dealing heavy damage.

“Follow up with Dragon Tail.”

The Shiny Dragonair’s tail glowed emerald green as it snapped forward, aiming a clean Dragon Tail strike at Dragonair’s head.

“Not that easily. Dragonair, use Dragon Rush!” Ryden ordered sharply.

Dragonair erupted with killing intent, trying to intimidate the Shiny Dragonair’s spirit, but it had no effect at all.

A teal aura cloaked Dragonair’s whole body, reshaping it into a massive dragon-shaped energy construct.

The energy dragon lunged, jaws wide, and bit down on the incoming Dragon Tail, stopping the Shiny Dragonair’s attack dead in its tracks.

“Use Agility to escape,” Red called.

The Shiny Dragonair relaxed its body, becoming light as air. With a smooth twist, it slipped free from the energy dragon’s jaws, neatly evading Dragon Rush.

“Dragon Breath.”

Shimmering green Dragon Breath poured from the Shiny Dragonair’s mouth and struck Dragonair a heartbeat later, landing a clean, super-effective hit.