Paldea Pokémon League Headquarters.
In front of the main gates, the Dragonite descending from the sky didn't attract much attention from the Elite Trainers on guard. They didn't treat the Dragonite's sudden appearance as a sign of intrusion.
Instead, two middle-aged men who looked somewhat familiar to Lucas waved and greeted him.
"Hey, isn't this the Champion? What kind of secret mission were you on? It's been almost a year since you last came back to the League Headquarters."
The other man chimed in immediately: "Yeah, we watched you become Champion after all. It's rare for you to come back—want to grab a drink tonight? We'll invite Elite Four Larry too. Though if he's working overtime, forget it."
Hearing them, Lucas finally recalled who they were. About a year earlier, during his Champion assessment, these two had been the staff checking IDs at the entrance and guarding the doors outside the Hall of Fame.
But why were they calling him that? He had clearly retired. Although he'd just called Geeta and received verbal approval to restore his status, a whole year had passed—could news travel this fast? Or had the Paldea League become so hyper-competitive under Larry's overtime culture that efficiency had skyrocketed? Nothing about it made sense.
After a moment's reflection—and feeling the faint, invisible weight on his right shoulder—Lucas tactfully explained his situation. He told them he had retired. Although Geeta had just given verbal consent to restore his identity, he probably still couldn't enter the League Headquarters immediately. He asked if they could check with their superiors and help him with the paperwork to open the doors.
The two men exchanged glances. "Retired? We haven't heard anything about that."
"You must be joking, right? Champion Lucas—that's what everyone calls you, isn't it?"
To them, nobody had mentioned his retirement. From beginning to end, no notification had reached their ears. They had even been chatting about the young girl who had been challenging the Champion assessment—come to think of it, it had been about a year since the person who passed last year had appeared.
Listening, Lucas fell into rare silence. Most of his acquaintances—including Geeta—still referred to him as Champion. People who mentioned his retirement outright were few: core League members like Kofu and Gurusha, those Geeta trusted.
At that moment, as if sensing something, the invisible Zygarde Core on his right shoulder looked up and urged him telepathically: "There's no more fighting sounds inside. Has it ended already? What are you still dawdling for?"
Remembering his important business, Lucas set the issue aside and turned back to the two men. They stepped forward, placed their hands on his shoulders, and gently pushed him in front of the access camera. One of them muttered, "Huh? What's this? It feels… soft?"
No matter how he looked, there was nothing on Lucas's shoulder.
"What rude humans," the Zygarde Core sniffed, suddenly offended, and lay down on the top of Lucas's head, pressing his hair slightly.
From a distance it looked odd.
"Haha… they can't see you, right?" Lucas mentally reassured himself and focused on the camera again.
Access control systems were everywhere and worked similarly: only registered faces, fingerprints, voiceprints, or irises could enter. Logically, his records should have been deleted after he retired a year ago. To his surprise, after scanning his face, the system paused, then emitted two short beeps. The indicator light turned green, and a synthesized voice announced: ["Identity verification successful. Champion-level Trainer: Lucas. Welcome back to the Paldea Pokémon League Headquarters."]
Lucas: "?"
This wasn't right. He tried to rationalize it: given Geeta had been on the top-floor battlefield when he called, perhaps she'd immediately instructed her staff to restore his Trainer identity and register him into the access system, even without him present. It wasn't impossible. That was enough.
After passing the access control, the path into the League Headquarters opened. Staff he barely remembered recognized him and greeted him warmly; he responded vaguely. Passing interview rooms led to the four connected Elite Four battle chambers. Though he'd only walked the path once, he was already familiar with it. Face recognition cleared him through each door without impediment. Even he felt bewildered.
The Zygarde Core observed and commented on the surroundings while urging Lucas to hurry. In its perception, the young girl's presence should be in a room not far ahead.
The first three battle rooms still showed traces of combat: the first was largely repaired, the third had the most damage, and many maintenance workers were busy there. When Lucas had left, Hassel had only his ace Baxcalibur left—the third room should have ended not long ago.
Thinking that and remembering the Core's earlier hint, Lucas quickened his pace and entered the fourth room. This one bore the scars of a fierce fight: craters dotted the field, smoke curled from pits, and energy-absorbing walls were damaged in multiple places.
In a corner, Rika, Larry, and Hassel gathered with an elderly man.
The old man smiled warmly as he treated Nemona's Ursaluna and Goodra. Both Pokémon were heavily injured but would likely recover in half an hour; they wouldn't be at absolute peak.
The elderly man was a senior predecessor, an Elite Four member not recorded in the games. Lucas vaguely remembered that the man had considered retirement years ago but delayed it because the Paldea League couldn't find a successor. Lucas had battled him last year; as a veteran he was strong—stronger than Hassel—but he hadn't forced reductions in Lucas's team during the assessment, nor apparently against Nemona. Perhaps he'd been subtly holding back—or retirement was making him cautious. In any case, this wasn't the moment to dwell on it.
Lucas, who had been silent, stopped softening his footsteps and walked in. Because everyone's attention was on Nemona and her Pokémon, they didn't notice him until Rika reacted: "Hey, a rare guest! Why did you finally decide to show up at the League Headquarters today?"
When they saw Lucas and the Dragonite following him, expressions shifted. Larry looked away to minimize interaction. Hassel averted his gaze—afraid Lucas would mock him.
The senior predecessor stroked his beard with a cheerful smile and asked, "Have you finally thought it through?"
Nemona was the most excited. "Teacher, you're here!" she stood quickly, flustered but radiant.
"I came to watch the battle," Lucas said, smiling reassuringly and signaling Nemona to calm down and focus on restoring her Pokémon.
The more recovery time Pawmot and the others had, the greater the chance of defeating Geeta. He had explained this before; Nemona was smart—she suppressed her excitement, nodded, and went back to tending Ursaluna and Goodra.
Lucas chatted with the four. Hassel was someone he saw often at Naranja Academy. Larry was similarly familiar. Rika was someone he hadn't seen since the Montenevera Town meeting with Anabel, Looker, and Gym Leader Ryme about ambushing Hunter J. Hunter J should still be in prison. Looker had recently sent a thank-you letter to the farm with a banner from International Police Headquarters and a Poison-type Z-Crystal as thanks for help in the Terminus Cave. Thanks to the Zygarde Core's interventions, their memories had been altered so they credited Lucas with defeating the Glutton King and retrieving the Z-Crystal—meaning Lucas had passively collected many Z-Crystals.
By the time Lucas arrived, the battle had ended some time ago.
Ten minutes later, a broadcast sounded: ["Will the qualifier who passed the second round of the Champion assessment, Challenger Nemona, please proceed to the terrace immediately for the final test."]
It repeated three times. The elevator in the fourth room unlocked and opened.
Everyone realized: this was it.
Rika draped an arm over Nemona and teased, "Alright, Nemona! Give it everything you've got~"
Hassel looked away. "The Champion is really strong, but… since you beat me, there shouldn't be problems next, right?"
The senior predecessor patted Nemona, "May fortune favor you, child."
Even reserved Larry offered, "…Good luck."
Above them was the Champions' domain. Until the battle ended, the four would remain below, waiting.
"Thank you, everyone. I'll do my best!" Nemona carefully checked her Pokémon, recalled them into their Poké Balls, and then turned to Lucas: "Let's go. I'll watch from the side."
"Mhm," he agreed.
Nemona felt a surge of motivation—before the person she admired most, she believed she could even defeat the Champion. Under the four Elite Four members' gazes, the elevator doors closed and it began to ascend, the floor numbers ticking upward like scaling the League's peak.
Lucas's feelings were complex. When he first came here he'd been alone with six partners. Now he had a home, a registered residence, and the farm's Pokémon. Today he was riding the coattails of his student, climbing to the League's summit to witness the battle. After two years of experience, he realized he'd been fortunate.
Nemona's eyes were full of battle spirit, honed by four high-intensity fights. With a ding, the elevator reached the top floor. Fresh air, tinged with the Paldea Great Crater's distinctive scent, rushed in. Natural sunlight poured down—the weather was excellent, a rare fine day at winter's end, perfect for battle.
The terrace offered an open view—ideal for aerial battles or weather moves. A pair of shiny leather shoes accompanied a figure with their back turned as Nemona and Lucas stepped out. When the person turned, a dark, well-fitted formal suit, a neatly buttoned collar with a gold-striped cravat, and blue gloves bearing a golden six-pointed star and compass pattern were revealed.
It was Geeta—the Chairwoman of the Paldea Pokémon League, Academy Director, Champion, and final examiner.
Her attire showed how seriously she took this test. It also hinted at the pressure Nemona would face. The professional cameras hadn't started yet, so there was a brief chance to talk. Lucas wanted to ask about his Champion status, but Geeta anticipated it: she raised a finger to her lips. "Any questions, we can talk after it's over."
Her gaze fell on Nemona. Compared to Lucas—already established—Nemona was like a fresh dish in need of careful cooking. Geeta smiled: "I knew you could break through the four of them and meet me here. This is truly a happy occasion. Listen well, Nemona. The final test is a battle against me—the Champion, Geeta. If you defeat me, you pass. Simple, right?"
Nemona nodded, half-understanding. Lucas felt speechless. Simple indeed—could Geeta go easy? But Geeta's next sentence dashed his hopes.
"The reminder your teacher gave me earlier was very helpful. Today I'll make a small adjustment to my team's structure and sending order. I hope you can bring me a surprise."
"Really!?" Nemona's eyes widened—not nervous, just eager. She'd reconstructed an incomplete recording of Lucas's battle with Geeta from last year and studied it obsessively. Geeta's change raised Nemona's expectations.
Only Lucas sighed inwardly. He felt guilty—why had his advice inspired Geeta now? He was confident he could win, but Nemona had already fought four continuous battles. Could she handle this?
A reminder came from the camera area. Geeta and Nemona took their positions at opposite ends of the terrace. Lucas stayed near the cameras, out of shot, and recalled Dragonite into its Poké Ball; the Zygarde Core settled on his shoulder to spectate.
The livestream started on time.
Lucas saw Iono commentating on his phone.
The League's installed speakers cued a battle theme: Battle! Top Champion.
Brass and dense drumbeats set the summit match's atmosphere.
Geeta struck a pose and delivered her prepared lines.
The first part matched what she'd told Nemona.
The key part followed: "However, before that, I apologize. As League Chairwoman, I have a bad habit… when it comes to Pokémon battles, I cannot compromise. Perhaps because of that, no one passed the assessment in the past year, which troubled me. But if it's you, perhaps you can accomplish a miracle like your teacher did last year." Her gaze flicked to Lucas and returned. "So, are you ready? Let me witness your talent… thoroughly!"
At the drumbeat climax, Geeta threw a Poké Ball. "Please be sure to defeat me and become the Champion. Come out, Glimmora!"
A flash of red. Glimmora spread crystalline petals and revealed a conical body; bright yellow eyes stared unblinkingly at Nemona. Nemona reacted immediately: "Decidueye!"
Geeta's signature Pokémon—Glimmora, Rock/Poison type.
Nemona led with Decidueye. In type matchup terms, neither side held a clear advantage: Decidueye wasn't weak to Poison, and Glimmora's Poison neutralized Grass's Rock weakness.
Seeing Geeta lead with Glimmora, Lucas realized things had changed. Once the habit of saving Glimmora for last was broken, Geeta became harder to tackle.
Nemona's expression shifted—last year's Glimmora had given Luxray trouble with poison. She had to be careful. She struck first: "Energy Ball!"
Decidueye launched a spinning emerald Energy Ball at Glimmora. Nemona had studied last year's footage and knew Glimmora's ability: Toxic Debris—when Glimmora takes physical damage, it scatters Toxic Spikes across the field. Toxic Spikes poison Pokémon that switch in, and without a clearing move the poison can escalate to Toxic. Nemona's team had only one Pokémon that could help—Decidueye—but it lacked Defog.
Aside from Decidueye and Ribombee, the rest couldn't fly. If Toxic Spikes were set, they'd be poisoned upon switching in. That was troublesome.
To avoid triggering Toxic Debris, Nemona abandoned Spirit Shackle and opened with Energy Ball.
The attack struck Glimmora. Geeta didn't have it dodge; she stood calm and commanded, "Glimmora, Toxic Spikes."
Glimmora spun its crystalline petals and fired a barrage—arrows of light carrying toxin—scattering Toxic Spikes across the field. The spikes sank into the ground like traps. Decidueye dodged them nimbly—Toxic Spikes weren't just triggered on switch-ins in this battle engine; contact while being set could also poison.
"Completely ineffective? Then Spirit Shackle!" Nemona realized she probably couldn't stop Glimmora before it finished setting spikes, so she decided to pin it down and defeat it quickly, denying it the chance to switch out.
Decidueye's wings shivered; feathers slipped off and were nocked as arrows.
The tricky triple twang of Spirit Shackle tore through the air. Two arrows struck petals as Glimmora dodged; the third embedded itself into Glimmora's shadow. From that moment, even a Poké Ball's light couldn't recall Glimmora—it would be blocked by Spirit Shackle. Another layer of Toxic Spikes fell.
Geeta praised Nemona's judgment and commanded, "Please continue battling Glimmora this way—Ancient Power!"
A circle of earthy yellow light formed around Glimmora and burst into rock fragments that shot toward Decidueye, mixed with Toxic Spikes. Decidueye dodged the rocks and spikes. If it touched the ground it would suffer multiple layers of Toxic Spikes and be badly poisoned. Worse, a bright red glow flared on Glimmora—Ancient Power had raised all its stats by one stage.
Lucas's fingers twitched. Wait, did she activate something? Was this legal? Whether legal or not, Geeta seized the momentum. Glimmora pursued Decidueye with a fiercer barrage. Despite Decidueye's agility, it couldn't avoid being grazed; on top of fatigue from consecutive battles, its precision declined.
They couldn't be worn down by a long-range specialist. After a Leaf Blade clash with Glimmora's Power Gem and facing more spikes and Ancient Power, Nemona decided to go all in.
"Decidueye, use Leaf Storm to clear the obstacles!"
Leaf Storm's whirlwind swept the hazards away, at the cost of Decidueye's Special Attack. The real goal: close in on Glimmora. Decidueye dove. "Leaf Blade!"
Wings became sharp blades. The strike hit—a critical blow that blasted Glimmora backward.
But Geeta and Glimmora remained composed.
"Glimmora, Mortal Spin!"
The petals spun at high speed; poisonous liquid struck Decidueye during its recoil, slamming it to the ground. Purple lights poured into Decidueye—Toxic Spikes' poison had entered its body. From that moment it was on a countdown.
Glimmora's stamina had dropped from Decidueye's critical hit and earlier Spirit Shackle, but it had already achieved its core mission: Toxic Spikes were set and Decidueye badly poisoned. Even so, Geeta didn't gamble. Rather than prolong a struggle that might backfire, she had Glimmora deliver its maximum tactical value. Narrowing her eyes, she ordered Glimmora to add another layer of Toxic Spikes, tank Decidueye's second Spirit Shackle, and she also scattered Stealth Rock for the first time. Then she issued a new command: "Glimmora, Memento."