Chapter 0835: Tyranitar: So You’re the Weather King, Huh?(Two-in-One)

Galar Region.

Night had fallen, and the neon lights of Wyndon wove through the sprawling city.

The grand Wyndon Stadium loomed, with streamers and hot air balloons floating above the arena. Light refracted off the outstretched wings of the Corviknight statues, while the plaza bustled with crowds and lively vendors.

“Hurry up, Natsume-sensei and Raihan’s ranked match is about to start!”

“Wait, this Gengar plushie is adorable~”

“I’m headed to the Corviknight statue, can you take a pic for me?”

With the Natsume vs. Raihan match about to begin, Wyndon practically emptied out—everyone was swarming the iconic Wyndon Stadium.

In the night sky, a Wailord-shaped blimp drifted by, its LED screen looping intense battle videos.

On one clip—Raihan, hands in his pockets, grinning roguishly, one eye squinted in that familiar greeting. Duraludon, his partner, stood stoic at his side.

In the next frame—Natsume, back for the first time in ages in his black-and-gold Champion outfit, windcoat billowing, one hand on his hip and gaze calm.

Beside him, Gengar flashed a wide grin: “Gengar! (≧▽≦)”

Everyone knew: Natsume-sensei had two signature looks. The “casual shirt” style, and his Champion skin—the “Cynthia lovers” set, a.k.a. the ‘Absolute Fashion Suit!’ (Joking… sort of.)

(Note: In the mobile game Pokémon Masters, “Absolute Fashion Suits” give Trainers a stat boost on the field.)

To the west of Wyndon Stadium, a strikingly modern skyscraper towered over the city.

Chairman Rose stood atop Rose Tower, clad in a silver suit, looking down on Wyndon Stadium, shaped like a blooming rose.

Once, Rose had stood atop that same arena, taking home a runner-up trophy. Later, he traded the battlefield for business, devoting his prime to building Galar’s future.

“Doing it all for Galar” sounded selfless, but Rose had certainly benefited—and sometimes lost his way.

Luckily, Galar had an ever-burning, sun-bright Champion—Leon.

Rose’s lips curled gently in a smile as he raised a finger and snapped.

In an instant—

Rows of spotlights roared to life, their beams slicing through the dark as Wyndon Stadium prepared to host tonight’s battle!

“Come on, John, let’s get to our seats!”

“Ah… do you think Mr. Leon will show up?”

“Champions are busy! We’re here to watch Natsume-sensei wipe the floor with Raihan!”

Amid the river of people surging toward the arena, two young men craned their necks in anticipation. One wore a Rookidee on his head and had soft hair, the other was bursting with energy.

Those two, once gravely ill children in the hospital, had grown up to become trainers, finally setting out on their own journeys.

In the crowd, John squeezed his Rookidee tighter, Leon’s gentle laughter echoing in his ears.

“Just watching isn’t enough…”

“You want to become a trainer too, don’t you?”

Next thing he knew, John was in his seat, surrounded by a wave of cheers.

“And now—”

The host stood on the emerald field, receiver in hand, voice booming:

“Let’s welcome, from Hammerlocke, the Dragon-type Master—Raihan!!”

Cameras flashed, the stadium thundered under the night sky, and spotlights swept across the stands.

Raihan strode from the contestant tunnel, tall and broad-shouldered, a cocky grin on his face, one hand in the orange jacket, headband tied tight, basketball shoes squeaking on the grass. He waved to the roaring crowd.

Standing at 6'5" (195 cm), Raihan towered even over Leon and Natsume, both just over six feet, and measured up to the model-like Wallace.

He was a social media sensation, always snapping Rotom selfies during matches (though half were sandstorm-whited out).

As the crowd went wild, Marnie turned to her brother in the stands:

“Brother, Raihan’s up.”

Marnie’s brother, the long gray-haired Piers, nodded gravely.

“Not that I’m a fan of his style… but his weather strategy is top-notch.”

“If you’d just use Dynamax, you could beat him,” Marnie said.

“Silly girl.” Piers, shadowed by sleepless circles, laughed softly. “A real trainer sticks to their own principles. Gain power by breaking your rules, and it never really belongs to you.”

“So who do you think’s stronger, Natsume-sensei or Raihan?”

“Natsume, obviously.” Piers’s gaze sharpened. “He’s even the reason I pursue music.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you know that ‘Aim to Be a Pokémon Master’ song? Whatever, forget the battle—here, take this half of my headphones.”

Brother and sister stood among the crowd, each half-wearing a Bluetooth earpiece, concentrating with a touch of awkward cuteness.

Raihan stood on the pitch, hands in pockets, staring into the darkness of the opposite tunnel.

That’s probably… the only opponent in Galar more dangerous than Leon.

But, as the Dragon-type Master, I swear on my pride to crush him with my signature weather system!

In a way, getting thrashed by Leon ten times and still believing he can win takes real guts…

“And now—”

The host’s voice rose enthusiastically:

“Please welcome, from Tokyo City—Champion Trainer Natsume!!”

A pressure swept from the darkness of the contestant tunnel.

Slowly, his sharp jaw, chiseled features, jet-black hair, and steady gaze came into view—clad in his black-and-gold trench coat, with a certain purple fatty perched on his shoulders.

“Gengar! ψ(*｀ー′)ψ” Gengar was locked and loaded.

Ready to throw down!

Natsume: “…Wait, is that Blue Oak’s Alakazam’s spoon?”

“Gengar~ (′▽`〃)” Gengar slipped the spoon back into his pocket, scratching his head sheepishly.

Didn’t even spend money on it.

Not exactly something to brag about!

Suppressing a cough, Natsume made his way to the center of the field for a traditional handshake.

“So, what’s your game plan? Just saying, most status moves won’t work on my Gigantamax Duraludon.” Raihan bared his canines.

“Weather.” Natsume smiled.

Raihan blinked, turning to his command post, fingering his bandana.

Weather…

That’s my specialty.

Raihan, both hands in his pockets, narrowed his eyes.

If you underestimate my dragon storm, you’ll pay for it!

The cheers crescendoed as the two took their respective places. The grassy field sank away, revealing a new battlefield of rivers and craggy rocks.

Raihan was closer to the water, while Natsume’s side was a forest of stone pillars. Master-level matches always hinge on using the terrain to your advantage.

Famed world-class referee Dengpei, riding his Aegislash, glanced between the two trainers and raised his flag:

“Contestants, get ready—!”

On the jumbo screen, Natsume and Raihan’s faces appeared, each with three Poké Balls igniting with fiery effects.

“Battle, begin!”

Raihan hurled his Poké Ball with force.

“Go, Goodra!”

With a flash, Goodra appeared, shaking its twin purple antennae. Its body, protected by viscous sap, was pale violet with a deep purple belly.

As a pseudo-legendary that can only evolve in rain or thick fog, Goodra’s weather mastery was legendary.

With a splash, Goodra hit the river, its skin growing even tougher in the swirling current.

At the same moment, Natsume tossed a Dusk Ball.

“Tyranitar, prepare for battle!”

A dazzling light crashed onto the rock field. With Tyranitar’s arrival, the crowd exploded—energy in the stadium at a fever pitch!

“The Desert Tyrant, Tyranitar!”

“Tyranitar, tear ‘em apart!!”

Tyranitar’s form materialized, back bristling with spikes, gray-green armored body riddled with triangular holes as sand exploded out, instantly blanketing the entire arena.

The grains rattled off the stone pillars and the field barriers. Even through the shield, the front row could feel Tyranitar’s dominance!

“Knew you’d bring Tyranitar.” Raihan grinned. “But what are you gonna do against Goodra? Let’s go!”

Raihan’s fist clenched, his gaze focused: “Goodra, Surf!”

“Goodra!!”

Goodra trumpeted, stirring the river with wild energy, then a massive tidal wave rose behind it—like a sky-high river about to crash down on Tyranitar!

Sandstorm was Tyranitar’s best cover.

Even against a type disadvantage, sand whittled down the force of water, while bolstering Tyranitar’s special defense.

“Tyranitar.” Natsume called. “Dragon Dance!!”

“Tyaaaan!”

The tidal wave roared in, but Tyranitar dug in, feet crushing the earth, howling skyward as a dark red aura spiraled around its frame!

BOOM!

The colossal wave crashed down, momentarily halting the sandstorm. Tyranitar shook the wet dust off its armor and, with a deadly glint in its eyes, lunged at Goodra, massive strides flowing with Dragon Dance’s rhythm.

“Nicely done.” Raihan commanded, “Goodra, Power Whip!”

“Goodra!” Goodra’s antennae lit up with shimmering white, overflowing with Grass-type energy.

THUD!

One tendril lashed Tyranitar’s breastplate, leaving a vicious scar. The other was seized—crushed in Tyranitar’s iron grip.

“Tyranitar,” Natsume called, “Ice Punch!”

Goodra’s pupils shrank.

Tyranitar’s right fist crackled with frost, the massive ice chunk swirling with biting cold.

WHAM!

“Goodra!” Goodra shrieked, staggering and splashing.

And Tyranitar wasn’t done yet—a second, icy uppercut shot straight into Goodra’s deep purple belly, blasting it skyward!

The enormous Goodra was actually lifted clear off the ground, then crashed back into the river with a splash.

“TYRANITAAAR!!”

Tyranitar stood tall in the river, half its armor dusted, half gleaming. It threw its head back, unleashing a thunderous roar—utterly dominant!

In that instant, the sandstorm—only briefly calmed—swirled back into a raging fury, even cloaking the river’s surface.

Raihan peered into the swirling darkness and felt a rare twinge of fear.

What a ridiculous sandstorm!

I can’t battle against his Tyranitar in this weather!

“Goodra!” Raihan shouted. “Rain Dance!”

Goodra struggled up, eyes resolute, howling at the sky as storm clouds churned above, lighting crackling within.

Water vapor swelled, raindrops fell in ripples on the river, quickly becoming a torrential downpour.

Goodra’s wounds healed in the rain. It locked eyes with Tyranitar across the downpour and bellowed, “Goodra!!”

Natsume’s eyes flickered with calculation.

It was true; Tyranitar’s mastery of Sand Stream was terrifying.

But Raihan was the so-called “Weather King,” with Goodra—a pseudo-legendary known for its command of the elements—resetting the field with a fresh downpour!

In the driving rain, Raihan’s gaze hardened, and he roared:

“Goodra, Surf!”

A new tidal wall—five meters high—towered over the arena, about to crash down on Tyranitar.

Tyranitar stood her ground, staring at the oncoming wave. “Tyaaaan…”

The spectators held their breath.

Sheer power or not, tanking that Surf head-on was cutting it close for even Tyranitar!

Natsume stared at Tyranitar’s back, eyes sharpening as he flexed his gloved fingers—embedded Key Stone bursting to life!

“Tyranitar, Mega Evolution!!!”

BOOM!

Thunder crashed as the tidal wave smashed down, water and foam flooding over Tyranitar. Pillars crumbled, the surface churned… but from the chaos, a spherical rainbow glow shattered the crest!

“Mega Evolution, huh…”

Raihan grimaced, glancing at the sky.

“Sandstorm’s… roaring back, huh.”

Water sluiced into the drains, leaving the field a wreck of flooded crags. Mega Tyranitar stood on the riverbank, head crowned in spiked horns, belly etched with a savage black-red pattern, six jagged dorsal blades fanned behind.

With Mega Evolution, the sandstorm returned in force, swallowing the rain clouds, sweeping across the entire stadium!

In the stands, Piers gaped.

“He’s actually suppressed Raihan’s entire weather system…”

“Brother, I’ve faced that Tyranitar myself.” Marnie said seriously. “Its sandstorm is crazy strong!”

Beneath the roiling sand, Natsume’s coat rippled as his eyes burned.

As a strategist, how could I not master weather strategy?

Within weather, there’s sun, rain, hail, and sandstorm.

And among every weather user, Tyranitar stands at the very top—no contest!

Raihan drew a deep breath, face set in grim determination:

“Goodra, Focus Blast!!”

“Goodra!!”

Bruised and battered, Goodra forced itself to inflate its body, unleashing a dazzling white sphere!

“Focus Blast is a Fighting-type move—a massive threat for Tyranitar!” Commentator cried.

Right now, Dragon Dance-buffed speed was the game-breaking key.

“Swing wide!” Natsume commanded, “Tyranitar—Stone Edge!!”

Tyranitar pounded down the riverbank, Goodra’s eyes growing wide.

In a flash, Tyranitar smashed the ground, jagged stone pillars erupting to form a wall.

BOOM!!!

The Focus Blast obliterated the front columns, but the Stone Edge still crashed toward Goodra—a razor peak bursting forward, launching Goodra skyward in a blast!

KA-BOOM!!!

Clouds of smoke. Goodra crashed back down and lay motionless.

Referee Dengpei raised the flag:

“Goodra—unable to battle!”

At the same time, on the big screen, one of Raihan’s Poké Balls faded out.

Raihan’s face was grim as he recalled Goodra, scanning the black-haired Trainer and his Mega Tyranitar.

So this is Battle Legend level pressure…

Leon… no, this is even heavier than facing Leon!

Raihan steadied his breathing, then met the challenge with a defiant grin.

But that’s what makes this so fun!

“Let’s go, Flygon!”