Pokémon: Rebron as Red, The Strongest Champion - 287

Chapter 287: Red’s Victory, A Place in the Final Four

“Contestant Gary, do you wish to…”

Before the referee could finish asking whether Gary intended to send Scyther back in, Gary shook his head slowly. He then looked ahead to Red with a warm, congratulatory gaze.

“Congratulations, Red. I look forward to the day you become the Indigo Champion!” Gary said with a genuine smile, offering his closest rival his highest blessing.

“Don’t worry, Gary. The Indigo title belongs to me this year. You have my word,” Red replied with a calm smile.

“Blastoise is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner of this match is Red from Pallet Town!”

Upon seeing Gary forfeit the remaining round, the referee raised the red flag and announced the final result.

“With that, a wonderful match comes to an end. Please give both contestants a round of applause for their incredible performance. Congratulations as well to Lord Red for advancing to the semifinals. What exciting battles might await us next?”

The audience erupted into cheers and thunderous applause. Although Gary had not managed to defeat even one of Red’s Pokémon, most spectators still acknowledged his strength. After all, Gary was also a newly minted Trainer. Reaching the quarterfinals in his very first League Conference was already an excellent achievement. There was no reason to disparage him.

“Gary, may today’s match help you grow,” Professor Oak murmured. If Gary committed himself to traveling earnestly, perhaps his strength would improve even further.

After the match ended, Gary quietly withdrew his unconscious Blastoise, pressed a gentle kiss to its Poké Ball, and whispered, “Thank you for your hard work, Blastoise.”

“And thank you too, Alakazam,” Red said playfully, patting Alakazam on the shoulder.

“It could be called hard work,” Alakazam muttered.

(It feels like the match ended before I even used many moves…)

“Pokémon: Mega Alakazam (Shiny: silver)
Type: Psychic
Ability 1: Magic Guard
Ability 2: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Trace (Copies the opponent’s Ability upon entering battle.)
Moves: Teleport, Confusion, Kinesis, Psybeam, Psychic, Psychic Shock, Psycho Cut, Future Sight, Energy Ball, Shadow Ball…
Nature: Upbeat and optimistic, with a charming contrast between aloofness and dramatic flair.”

“Not bad. It matches my aesthetic,” Red said after taking a long look at Mega Alakazam’s appearance.

Compared to the standard purple robe of a regular Mega Alakazam, Red preferred his shiny Alakazam’s golden robe, which had an aura that felt both sacred and regal.

“…”

Alakazam chose silence, as if ignoring Red’s compliment. But Red noticed the subtle smile in Alakazam’s eyes. Even with its face hidden by a long beard, the joy shimmering in its gaze was unmistakable.

“Dummy…”

Because Alakazam had been the first Pokémon in this year’s Indigo Conference to reveal Mega Evolution, Red and Alakazam immediately found themselves surrounded by crews from multiple TV stations. They were eager for Red to explain how Alakazam had managed to evolve again.

Even though the thesis had been published, the concept of Mega Evolution remained vague in Kanto. Most people simply couldn’t grasp it. It shattered too many assumptions about Pokémon.

Helpless, Red offered a few modest answers. Then, with a mischievous glance toward the stands, he caught Professor Oak peeking through his fingers while laughing at him.

Feeling playful, Red used Teleport and yanked Professor Oak from the audience to his side, leaving the esteemed researcher as the authority to handle the press.

“Wait, Red, don’t—”

Before Professor Oak could finish, Red vanished again with Teleport, leaving the innocent professor to shoulder a barrage of questions from reporters.

“Please, no…”

“Grandpa is unexpectedly embarrassing…” Gary muttered, speechless.

“Ash, next is our match,” Leaf said suddenly.

Misty and Brock both jolted in surprise.

Even after watching Red’s match with Gary and witnessing Alakazam’s Mega Evolution, Leaf quickly reset her focus. She turned with a clear fighting spirit toward Ash. Her intent was obvious.

“Don’t worry, Leaf. I’ll give it everything I’ve got, too,” Ash said. He was startled at first, but after seeing Leaf’s determined gaze, he clenched his fists and answered with excitement.

“Pikapi!”

On Ash’s shoulder, Pikachu sparked its cheeks in response, echoing Ash’s resolve toward Leaf’s challenge.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Leaf said, then turned to leave.

“What should we do, Ash? Your next opponent is Leaf,” Misty said with concern.

“She’s right. Leaf is much stronger than your previous opponents,” Brock added.

“It’s okay. I absolutely won’t lose,” Ash replied confidently.

“Maybe we should start packing our bags early,” Misty teased.

“Come on, Misty…” Ash groaned. Still, the lighthearted banter eased his nerves a little.

Indigo League — Main Stadium — Sixth Round

“We now enter the sixth-round match on the Main Stadium field. On one side, Ash from Pallet Town! On the other hand, Leaf, also from Pallet Town! This is Pallet Town’s second civil war of the day. What spectacular performance might these two deliver?”

As the announcer finished, Ash and Leaf stepped onto their marks, eyes locked with resolute intensity.

“Each side may use six Pokémon. The first team to have all their Pokémon lose the ability to battle will be declared the loser. Switching is permitted at any time. There is no time limit. The sixth-round match begins now!”

After the rules were read, Ash and Leaf simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.

“Squirtle, I choose you!”

“I’m counting on you, Ditto!”

White light flashed. Ditto, with its pale lavender, gelatinous body, and Squirtle, with its light blue body and sturdy shell, appeared together.

A second later, Ditto transformed into an exact copy of Squirtle. The two stared each other down, mirror images at the starting line.

“Squirtle! Squirtle!”

Seeing Ditto take on its form, Squirtle immediately bristled.

Under Leaf and Ditto’s curious gazes, Squirtle calmly took a pair of sunglasses from inside its shell and put them on—an emblem of its former glory.

The bell rang.

“Ditto, use Water Gun!”

“Squirtle, Water Gun too!”

Both fired streams of water that collided mid-field in a surging pillar.

“A stalemate?!” Ash exclaimed, surprised.