How to Act as a Pokémon Champion

Chapter 2: Wyndon's Roar

(Ash’s POV) 

The Wyndon Stadium was an impossible thing – a shining steel dragon curled around a battlefield, its roar louder than any Pokémon's cry. Sweat trickled down my back despite the air conditioning. This wasn't Alola, with its warm breezes and laid-back crowds. This was Galar, where every battle was treated like a clash of titans. And I was the challenger.

But I wasn't just some challenger; the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium like a sonic boom. "And now, the challenger with an unprecedented achievement! A Champion of two regions – Alola and the Orange Islands – Ash Ketchum!"

The crowd erupted, and my heart hammered a double-time rhythm against my ribs. Two-region Champion. I still couldn't quite believe it. Sure, I'd faced down legendary Pokémon and criminal teams, but somehow this was more intimidating. More… official.

Then Leon emerged from the opposite tunnel, blinding lights shimmering off his cape. He grinned, waving to the crowd with an easy familiarity.

The announcer's voice blared again, hyping Leon as Galar's own. "And of course, our beloved Champion, Leon! Undefeated since his reign began!"

The words hung heavy in the air. Undefeated. As we stepped onto the field, cameras flashed, blinding me for a moment. Reporters chattered excitedly, but their words were lost in the rush of blood in my ears.

Leon clapped me on the shoulder, the gesture both friendly and heavy with something else. "So, I hear the plan was to change Galar's image a bit, yeah?" He gave a wry smile. "Well, Rose messed that up pretty good, didn't he? Figured the best way to get folks excited again was with a new Champion showing off."

His words cut deeper than a Dragon Claw. Rose's shadow loomed, twisting the simple excitement of the day into something more complicated.

"Don't worry about that," I managed, my voice a little rougher than I'd like. "I'm here to battle."

"That's what I like to hear!" Leon's smile never wavered. "Three on three sound alright? No going easy on you just because you're a new member of the club."

I squared my shoulders. "Wouldn't want it any other way."

The battle began. Leon sent out Aegislash, a blur of spectral steel. "Sceptile, I choose you!" My partner materialized, lean and focused.

"Aegislash, King's Shield!" Leon bellowed. His Pokémon shifted into a defensive stance in a flash.

"Frenzy Plant!" Sceptile's energy crackled, and monstrous vines tore up through the stadium floor. But Aegislash stood its ground, the attack deflected with almost contemptuous ease. It switched to Blade Form, lunging with relentless Shadow Claw attacks that forced Sceptile into a desperate retreat.

"Gliscor, switch in!" My ground/flying type soared onto the field. "Sand Tomb, trap him in!"

The earth churned beneath Aegislash, trapping it momentarily. But even as Gliscor unleashed a flurry of Poison Jabs, Leon barked a new command. "Dragapult! You're up!"

Dragapult materialized with unnatural speed, twin Dreepy missiles trailing from its head. "Thunderbolt!" Leon shouted. The electric attack ripped through the Sand Tomb, blasting Gliscor backwards. I gritted my teeth. Dragapult's speed was dizzying, and its phantom movements made Gliscor's attacks clumsy and ineffective.

It felt like every time I blinked, I was at a disadvantage. Two Pokémon down. I dug my nails into my palm. We weren't out of this yet. With a deep breath, I reached for my third Pokéball…and froze.

A shadow detached itself from the edge of the arena. Before I could process, a lithe figure landed in the space meant for my final Pokémon. The crowd erupted, the noise deafening.

"Greninja!" I shouted, both startled and elated. He'd stowed away on the plane? And why now, not Alola?

His back was turned to me, tension coiling in his powerful legs. Then he swiveled around, water shuriken spinning between his fingers, and his eyes met mine. It wasn't the same Greninja I'd released, not the loner haunted by his past. There was fire in his gaze now, a determination that sparked a matching feeling in my own chest.

"Alright, Greninja," I said, louder so Leon could hear. "Looks like we're finishing this together."