At the ranch, on the grassy battlefield.

Ash and Red stood at opposite ends of the field.

Lillie and the others watched from the sidelines, eager and excited.

"The battle will be a 3-on-3 full match. No need to go over the basics, you both know the rules," said Naoki with a warm smile, acting as referee. "Let's begin!"

"Alright then, Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash called out energetically as Pikachu leapt forward onto the field with a cheerful "Pika!"

Red, as usual, said nothing. Instead of choosing Pikachu, he reached into his jacket and drew a different Poké Ball.

A flash of white light burst forth, and in Pikachu's path appeared a sleek, feline-like Pokémon. Its lavender fur shimmered in the sunlight, its deep violet eyes calm and focused. A radiant ruby gleamed from its forehead.

"Espeon?" Naoki murmured in surprise and curiosity.

He remembered this Pokémon well. Red's Espeon had a remarkable past.

Originally, it had been a victim of Team Rocket's cruel experiments, genetically altered so that it could evolve into Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon and then revert back to Eevee. An unnatural ability that should not have existed.

But those repeated transformations took a toll, causing it great physical and emotional pain.

Eventually, Red rescued the Eevee from Team Rocket and, with Bill's help, healed it. Though the special ability was lost, it was no longer in pain.

Later, through the strength of their bond, the Eevee evolved naturally into Espeon, a permanent evolution that symbolized its freedom and trust in Red.

As Naoki recalled its story, the battle between Espeon and Pikachu had already begun.

Pikachu launched the opening move, zipping across the field like a bolt of white lightning, Quick Attack aimed straight at Espeon.

Red remained silent, issuing no verbal commands.

But Naoki knew the truth: Red possessed a rare gift. He could communicate telepathically with his Pokémon, sending thoughts and strategies directly to their minds.

The ruby on Espeon's forehead flashed brightly.

With a graceful sidestep, Espeon dodged the incoming strike like a whisper of wind.

"Pika?" Pikachu skidded to a halt, eyes wide in surprise.

Before Pikachu could recover, an invisible force suddenly lifted it into the air. Its limbs trembled as if its very soul had been gripped by something immense and unseen.

Psychic + Psyshock combo!

"Pika...chu!" Pikachu cried out in pain as the psychic waves slammed into its body.

Ash's expression turned serious. He immediately realized how strong this opponent was.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

Electricity surged from Pikachu's cheeks, bursting outward in a dazzling arc of golden lightning that cracked through the air and struck Espeon head-on.

The Psychic hold broke, and Pikachu dropped to the ground with a thud.

Ash didn't hesitate. "Now, Iron Tail!"

Pikachu's tail gleamed with a metallic sheen as it spun forward, striking Espeon cleanly across the body.

The blow connected hard, Espeon staggered backward from the hit.

Red was unlucky this time.

Thunderbolt's static effect triggered paralysis. The sudden stiffness in Espeon's limbs left it a beat too slow to dodge the follow-up.

Ash seized the opportunity. "Quick Attack, again!"

Pikachu shot forward, a blur of white light once more.

But Espeon managed to rally.

Gritting through the paralysis, it twisted just enough to narrowly dodge the charge.

The ruby on its forehead flared brilliantly again.

Gathering a massive wave of psychic energy, Espeon unleashed another Telekinesis + Psyshock blast directly at Pikachu.

Pikachu was thrown backward, landing with a pained grunt, panting heavily. Its fur was singed, its breathing ragged, but it still stood.

Ash clenched his fists. He could see that Pikachu was nearing its limit.

He had to end this quickly, charging in again could risk Espeon taking control of Pikachu's movements.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

The electric current crackled through the air with a deafening roar, surging straight toward Espeon. It was fast, precise, and relentless, so much so that even with all its agility, Espeon could barely dodge.

But instead of retreating, Red made a move no one expected.

Espeon stood its ground and cast Morning Sun, bathing its body in a gentle, golden glow. Just as the full force of Thunderbolt struck, the healing light poured over Espeon like a protective veil. Electricity danced around its fur, but the recovery from Morning Sun balanced out the damage.

The attack landed... and Espeon endured it.

As the crackling current faded, Espeon's ruby forehead gem lit up with a fierce glow. With a psychic pulse that distorted the air itself, it hurled Psychic straight at Pikachu.

"Pikaaa!" Pikachu cried out, flung backward by the sheer mental force, its small body hitting the ground hard.

Naoki couldn't help but sigh in admiration. "As expected of Red!"

He raised his hand decisively. "Pikachu is unable to battle! Red wins the first match!"

"Ash!" Lillie gasped from the sidelines.

Ash ran over and gently picked Pikachu up. The Electric-type weakly opened one eye and gave a soft, "Pika~…"

"Thanks, buddy," Ash said softly. "You did great. We'll take it from here."

Meanwhile, Red silently returned Espeon to its Poké Ball. Without hesitation, he reached for his next one.

Naoki looked to both sides and announced, "The second match begins!"

Ash tossed his next Poké Ball high. "Melmetal, I'm counting on you!"

Two white lights burst across the battlefield.

From one side emerged the towering, gleaming frame of Melmetal, a Mythical Steel-type Pokémon with fists like hammers and a liquid metal core.

From Red's side roared a flame-winged dragon, the legendary Charizard.

A murmur ran through the spectators.

"Isn't that a huge type disadvantage?" Kiawe whispered.

"Melmetal's Steel-type is weak to Fire," Sophocles noted.

Mallow frowned. "Ash is going to have a tough time…"

True, Ash was famous for battling against type advantages, but this was Red's Charizard.

Ash didn't flinch. "Melmetal, use Double Iron Bash!"

Melmetal's massive fists whirled into motion, spinning around with punishing force as it lunged forward. But Charizard, nimble despite its size, soared up with a powerful wingbeat and effortlessly evaded the attack.

Then, from above, it countered.

A stream of blazing fire rained down like a dragon's wrath.

"Melmetal, hold steady!" Ash called out.

Melmetal planted its arms into the ground and braced itself. The flames washed over it, heat distorting the air, but Melmetal endured, steam hissing from its metal body.

"Nice! Now, Flash Cannon!"

With a metallic hum, a focused beam of energy blasted from Melmetal's eye like a laser cannon. But Charizard twirled mid-air and dodged again, completely unharmed.

Red remained silent. With a thought, Charizard let out a roar and unleashed a second Flamethrower, this time pouring down in a relentless barrage.

The temperature soared, and with a thunderous boom, a fiery explosion engulfed the field.

When the smoke cleared… Melmetal lay on the ground, completely still.

"Melmetal is unable to battle," Naoki declared. "Red wins the second match!"

"Amazing…" Kiawe whispered, awestruck.

"Red's really strong…" Sophocles muttered.

Mallow clenched her fists. "Ash, don't give up!"

Ash's expression turned serious. He was a Charizard trainer himself, and he could sense it. Red's Charizard wasn't just strong. It was terrifying.

"In that case…" Ash drew out his third Poké Ball. "Lycanroc, I'm counting on you!"

With a flash of light, Dusk Form Lycanroc landed on the field, claws scraping against the grass, eyes glowing with fierce resolve.

Red chose not to recall his Charizard. The flame-winged dragon remained, its eyes locked on its new opponent.

"Begin!" Naoki called out.

Facing Red's formidable Charizard, Ash launched the opening move without hesitation.

"Lycanroc, use Stone Edge!"

Lycanroc howled and slammed its forepaws into the earth. The battlefield trembled as jagged stones erupted from the ground like fangs, rocketing upward toward Charizard.

Charizard shot into the air with a powerful flap of its wings, skillfully dodging the spiking rocks. Then, swinging around in mid-air, it released a burst of fire.

Flamethrower!

A torrent of flames rushed toward Lycanroc from above.

"Dodge it!"

Lycanroc's keen eyes followed Charizard's movements. With agility rivaling a wild wolf, it sprang atop one of the Stone Edge boulders and launched itself sideways.

"Now, use Accelerock!"

Ash's command rang out just as Lycanroc's form blurred with explosive speed. Surging through the flames like a comet, it struck Charizard mid-flight with a crashing blow, sending the fire-type spiraling toward the ground.

But before it could crash, Charizard roared and countered. Its body became wreathed in flames that twisted into a Fire Spin, engulfing both Pokémon in a swirling inferno.

The entire field vanished behind the fiery vortex.

From within the blazing prison, Lycanroc snarled in pain as the heat licked at its fur. Still, it didn't back down.

"Hang in there, Lycanroc!" Ash called out.

Lycanroc heard its Trainer's voice through the flames. Without hesitation, it broke free from the vortex, leaping through the fire with its fur singed but spirit unbroken.

Red gave a subtle nod. Charizard, still airborne, immediately dove.

"Aerial Grab," Naoki muttered. "He's going for Seismic Toss."

"Stone Edge!" Ash countered quickly.

Another spike of rock jutted from the ground in Charizard's path, but the dragon spun around mid-dive, narrowly weaving past the projectile.

With a mighty flap of its wings, Charizard slammed into Lycanroc, wrapping its claws around it in a crushing grip.

Then it ascended.

Higher and higher it soared, the ground shrinking below them.

Lycanroc twisted and struggled, but Charizard held firm.

And then, Charizard flipped, wings folding.

With a roar, it dived toward the earth in a deadly freefall.

Charizard's claws released.

Lycanroc was hurled downward by gravity's pull, spinning uncontrollably.

BOOM!

A thunderous crash echoed through the ranch as Lycanroc slammed into the battlefield, sending shockwaves across the field.

The dust cloud rose slowly.

Lycanroc collapsed onto the ground, its eyes rolling back as it fainted from the intense impact.

...

Three minutes later, Pikachu, Espeon, Lycanroc, Melmetal, and Charizard were all sitting together on the grass, sipping fresh Moomoo Milk that Naoki had poured for them.

Ash glanced curiously at Red, unable to hold back his question. "Hey, where are you from?"

Red stared quietly for a moment.

"Pallet Town," he finally replied.

Ash's eyes widened. "Pallet Town? You're from there too? No way! How come I've never seen you before?" Pikachu also tilted its head with a confused "Pika?"

Red turned his gaze toward Naoki, clearly uncertain how to answer.

Naoki chuckled and stepped in to explain. "That's because Red is from a different Pallet Town, one in another world."

"Another world?!" Lillie and the others gasped in astonishment.

But Ash just blinked and nodded, completely unphased. "Oh, I see!"

After all, he'd seen stranger things before, from traveling to the Ultra Space with the Ultra Guardians to getting stuck in the Mirror World back in Kalos, where everything looked the same but the people acted completely different.

Red stayed silent, letting Naoki continue.

"I told Red about your journey, Ash. He was really interested and wanted to meet you in person."

Ash's expression lit up with understanding. "So that's why! That's really cool."

He leaned closer, curious. "What's your Pallet Town like? Do you have a Professor Oak? Is there a Gary over there?"

Red nodded slowly. "Professor Oak exists."

"Whoa!" Ash grinned. "Then it really is similar!"

Red looked thoughtful, his gaze drifting toward the sea. After a pause, he said softly, "Maybe someday, if you'd like, I can show you my world."

Ash's eyes sparkled. "Really?! Deal!"

Before long, it was time for Ash and his friends to leave. Their duties with the Ultimate Defense Force in the Alola Region still awaited them.

That afternoon, they waved goodbye to Naoki and Red, boarding the ship bound for the next part of their journey.

Naoki and Red stood on the dock, quietly watching the ship pull away from shore.

"He's really something, isn't he?" Naoki said, smiling as the wind swept his hair. "Ash is different from most trainers."

"Every time he travels to a new region, he leaves his old Pokémon with Professor Oak and starts fresh, bonding with the local Pokémon instead."

"He has a Charizard, a Bulbasaur, and a Squirtle, just like you… but they're a bit unique. Many of his Pokémon prefer not to evolve, so he respects that and lets them stay as they are."

Red remained silent, his face unreadable.

Naoki didn't push for a response. He just smiled quietly, the breeze carrying the scent of the sea as the ship vanished beyond the horizon.

After sending Ash off, the two returned to the ranch.

"Dad!"

Red turned, slightly surprised, as a little girl came riding toward them, on the backs of the three Legendary Beasts.

Naoki waved her over proudly. "That's my daughter," he said with a grin. " She's going to be a great trainer one day. Elara, come say hello. This is Brother Red."

The girl hopped off Entei with practiced ease. She looked up at Red with bright eyes and, just as her father had taught her, called out, "Brother Red!"

Red blinked. "Hi."

Naoki chuckled.

"Want to stay for dinner at the ranch tonight?" he asked casually.

Red shook his head. He had already finished exploring the World Tree. His next goal was clear, return there and continue training. There were powerful Legendary Pokémon still waiting to be challenged.

"I see," Naoki said. "In that case, I won't keep you."

He stood up and turned to his sister. "Indeedee, can you bring a box of Life Goat Milk from home?"

A few minutes later, she returned with the package, and Naoki handed it to Red.

"This is milk from my Gogoat. It has healing properties like Ho-Oh's Sacred Ash. No matter how badly a Pokémon is injured, one bottle is enough to fully recover it. I think it'll come in handy during your training."

Red paused for a moment, visibly surprised. Then he nodded, softly saying, "…Thank you."

So Red did have manners! Naoki smiled and said warmly, "Go on, then."

Before leaving, Red turned and asked, "Could I borrow a notebook and a pen?"

Naoki was a little confused at first but quickly figured Red must want to record observations of the rare Pokémon at the World Tree. That made sense.

He returned with a bundle, several blank notebooks and a handful of pens.

"Take these," he said. "Should be more than enough."

Red nodded, accepting the supplies. With a final wave, he departed the ranch alongside Pikachu, heading once again toward the World Tree.

That evening, Iono returned home as well. Late autumn had arrived, and the air in Paldea had grown brisk.

Naoki prepared dinner, and the whole family gathered in front of the warm fireplace. Plates clinked, soup simmered, and laughter filled the room as they watched the semifinal match broadcast on TV.

It was Leon vs. Cynthia.

As expected, Leon emerged victorious.

Tomorrow, it would be Naoki's turn, his match against Steven Stone.

Naoki leaned back in thought, considering his team.

According to the anime, Steven's usual lineup included Cradily, Aggron, and Mega Metagross. But this time, his opponent wasn't Ash.

It was him.

He had to be ready for surprises.

"In that case," Naoki muttered to himself, "I'll start with Dragonite… keep Pawmot as backup. That should give us balance."

It was a cautious team, but reliable.

Still, when he thought about Pawmot, a sudden realization struck him.

It was well-known that both Zacian's Behemoth Blade and Zamazenta's Behemoth Bash dealt double damage to Gigantamax Pokémon.

Now that Pawmot had been blessed by Calyrex and carried the same sacred power as Zacian and Zamazenta… could its Behemoth Hammer also deal double damage to a Gigantamax?

If so…

It might just become his trump card against Leon's Gigantamax Charizard.