Pokemon: Gym Leader

The battle between Dylan and Leon was over, and word of the match—and its outcome—spread like wildfire across the world.

News articles and forum threads began popping up like mushrooms after rain.

All across the regions, online forums were abuzz. Countless trainers flooded Galar's forums just to enjoy the show.

"LMAO—y'all hyped up the 'Unbeaten Champion' 24/7, but the guy couldn't even take a single win off Kanto's Champion Dylan. What a joke."

"You laughing at what, exactly? Fine, Kanto fans can gloat, but you? A Kalos trainer? Why don't you send Diantha over here and let's see if Leon doesn't wipe the floor with her!"

"Oof, someone's mad. What gives you the right to compare your boy Leon to Diantha? Just 'cause he got steamrolled by Dylan?"

"Psh, anyone with a brain could see Dylan's just too strong."

"Exactly! Kanto supremacy, baby!"

The forums were in flames.

Many Galar fans were understandably disgruntled—the loss was humiliating.

But there were still plenty of Galar loyalists who stood their ground. Leon was beloved in Galar. He had the respect of nearly every trainer there.

So sure, he lost to Dylan. Fine. Dylan was Kanto's Champion, and Kanto had always been the seat of the Pokémon League. Losing to someone like him wasn't shameful.

But the sheer one-sidedness of the battle? Yeah, that stung.

Still, what right did other regions have to laugh? You think your Champions wouldn't get steamrolled just the same?

Please.

Yeah… the internet in Galar had exploded.

Meanwhile, Dylan was completely unaware of the online chaos. After the match, he returned backstage to rest. Once Lillie and Leaf arrived, the three joined Leon and headed for Rose Tower.

Chairman Rose was already waiting in his executive office.

"Truly impressive, Dylan. Absolutely incredible."

He applauded warmly. He'd always known Dylan was strong, but having witnessed his battle with Leon…

He now understood: this guy wasn't just strong. He was inhuman.

Oleana served tea, her usually indifferent eyes resting on Dylan with… a distinctly wary glint.

In her view? Dylan was a monster. Even Leon looked like a green rookie next to him.

"You flatter me, Chairman," Dylan replied humbly.

"No, no flattery here. I'm sure Leon agrees," Rose said in his deep, composed voice.

Leon gave a helpless smile but nodded in agreement.

"Still… I'm afraid our public image in Galar might take a bit of a hit."

Rose knew the optics were going to be rough. Leon hadn't just lost—he'd been demolished.

But that wasn't Leon's fault. It was Dylan's—for being on an entirely different level.

"Leon is plenty strong," Dylan said. "Turning that narrative around is easy. Just have him battle another Champion from a different region and win clean. That'll shut down all the noise."

It was a simple fix.

Leon was powerful. All he needed was a solid win to remind the world of that.

"You really think Leon is that strong?" Rose looked intrigued.

Leon groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Why did that sound so weird coming from his boss?

Of course he knew Rose wasn't mocking him. But it did feel ironic—after being utterly flattened, someone was calling him strong?

"Of course. Out of all the trainers I know, only Lance and Giovanni could rival him."

Dylan said it plainly.

Rose's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"You can just call me Leon," Leon interjected. "And… Giovanni? You mean the Viridian Gym Leader? He's the current head of Kanto's Elite Four, right?"

"Correct," Dylan replied with a nod. "If you ever visit Kanto, I can introduce you."

"Deal!"

Leon agreed without hesitation.

Compared to Dylan, he was far more curious about Lance and Giovanni. Once was enough when it came to battling Dylan and those terrifying dragons.

Unless… Dylan didn't bring out those legendaries next time.

"Dylan, what are your plans next?" Rose asked, smiling. "Shall I give you a tour of Galar?"

"Oh?" Dylan raised a brow. "Where to?"

"Stow-on-Side."

Dylan's gaze flickered.

Stow-on-Side—once the heart of Galar—was rich in ancient history and home to Galar's strongest Gym: Raihan's.

But that wasn't the important part.

What mattered was what lay beneath it.

"Then I'd be honored," Dylan agreed with a smile. He was curious what Rose wanted to show him.

"Oh, right. Leon, this is for you."

As if remembering something, Dylan pulled out a small velvet box and handed it over.

"A badge?"

Leon opened it and blinked in surprise.

Inside was a deep blue emblem in the shape of a stylized dragon's head.

The Dragon—Rota Badge.

"You're giving me a badge?" Leon asked, baffled.

"A very expensive one at that," Rose chuckled. "I've heard the Rota Badges are worth over ten million Poké."

Of course, that meant nothing to Rose.

What made them valuable was that you could only earn one by battling Dylan and gaining his approval.

"Just a memento. If you want the other badges later, come challenge me again," Dylan said.

Leon fell into thought.

So to earn the other elemental Rota Badges, he'd just need to challenge Dylan's non-dragon lineups.

Meaning…

He wouldn't have to fight those dragons again.

His eyes lit up.

Perfect.

"Great! I'll challenge you in Kanto someday!" Leon said, stowing the badge with renewed vigor.

If he didn't have to face the legendaries again, he'd gladly battle Dylan.

"I'll be waiting," Dylan replied with a grin.

After chatting a while longer, Rose treated them to a hearty lunch. Dylan, Lillie, and Leaf then returned to their villa.

Dylan checked his phone: tons of missed calls and congratulatory messages. He replied to each one before hopping into the shower.

Meanwhile, Leaf and Lillie were sprawled on the couch, gleefully scrolling through all the chaos on the forums.

Calyrex was also staring at a phone nearby—completely absorbed in its chess game.

The next morning, Rose arranged two Flying Taxis and headed for Stow-on-Side.

They arrived around noon.

Stow-on-Side was a fascinating city, a blend of medieval ruins and vibrant local culture. The architecture had a strong historical flair.

As they walked through the streets, Rose narrated the city's long history with his usual eloquent charm.

Soon, his tone shifted.

"Dylan," he said, "I heard you're quite well-read on regional history. Is that true?"

"Not especially," Dylan replied modestly. "I just loved books growing up, so I've picked up a bit here and there."

"Then you've surely heard of the disaster that struck Galar 3,000 years ago?" Rose asked smoothly.

Leaf and Lillie perked up at that, curious.

"Of course," Dylan nodded. "Three thousand years ago, a Pokémon tried to absorb Galar's energy to survive. It brought about the phenomenon known as the Darkest Day."

"A black vortex appeared in the sky, enveloping the region and triggering widespread destruction."

Rose looked surprised. Dylan really did know.

"The vortex caused many Pokémon to undergo uncontrolled, extreme Gigantamax transformations. They went berserk, ravaging everything."

"Galar fell into chaos. It almost led to the region's collapse."

That means… the Pokémon that caused it was the origin of Gigantamax energy?

Lillie immediately connected the dots.

Just like how Terapagos was the source of Tera Energy in Paldea, this Pokémon must've been behind Dynamax.

"Exactly," Rose said, impressed.

"So what happened after that?" Leaf asked.

"At the height of the crisis," Rose explained, "two heroes appeared—wielding a sword and shield—and together they defeated the beast, saving the region."

That was the Galarian legend.

The heroes of old had vanquished the dark Pokémon and restored peace.

"Are you interested in that Pokémon, Dylan?" Rose asked meaningfully.

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Chairman Rose, do you know where it is?"

"Come with me," Rose said with a knowing smile.

This time, he didn't take them sightseeing.

Instead, they headed to Stow-on-Side Stadium.

From there, Rose led them to a hidden underground facility via elevator.

"This is the Power Plant," he explained. "It supplies Dynamax energy to every stadium across Galar."

"The energy here is vital. Access is strictly limited."

He guided them through the corridors—until they reached a steel door.

"But the most important thing in this facility…" Rose typed in a passcode. The door slowly creaked open, revealing a crimson glow from within.

"…isn't the energy itself."

"It's this: the legendary Pokémon that nearly destroyed Galar 3,000 years ago—Eternatus!"

A massive, nightmarish skeletal dragon lay coiled within the chamber, its form pulsing with ominous red light.

The bringer of the Darkest Day.

The origin of Dynamax.

Eternatus.

Dylan's eyes lit up.

A Poison/Dragon-type.

(End of Chapter)