It was a bright and sunny day Vertress Stadium in Vertress City, Unova.
The vast stadium was filled to the brim, its enormous stands packed with spectators. The roaring cheers and the sea of people made the entire place feel as if it were on fire.
Such grand scenes were rare outside of the Unova Conference itself. After all, unlike the Galar region where battles were treated as grand spectacles for the public to watch other regions usually held matches in smaller, less theatrical venues.
Yet today marked the second time this year that the Vertress Arena had reached full capacity.
And the last time? It hadn't even been that long ago.
Yes — it was when Wallace had come to challenge Alder.
That day, the entire Unova region had been thrown into a daze.
When Wallace defeated Alder right here in this very arena, countless people across Unova had felt their world crumble.
To see their own Champion on their own home soil fall to an outsider from another region… that humiliation burned like fire on their cheeks. Many were left furious and heartbroken.
Fortunately, Iris had stepped up soon after and restored Unova's honor.
And today, once again, they had returned to this familiar arena. But this time, every Unovan Trainer in the stands firmly believed, Iris would not lose!
…
"Wow, the crowd's insane…"
From their seats high in the stands, Green scanned the enormous audience. Every seat was taken — not a single empty space could be seen.
It was hard to believe how popular the World Championships had become.
"Iris is already considered Unova's next official Champion," Cassius explained patiently. "By the end of this year, she'll be replacing Alder."
"After her match against Wallace, she completely entered the global spotlight. Her popularity here in Unova is sky-high."
It was only natural that the arena would be this full. Though Iris had not yet been formally crowned, everyone knew her promotion was inevitable.
Alder had grown old — especially after the humiliating loss to Wallace. Anyone could see how weary he had become.
But Iris… Iris was a rising star blazing across the skies of Unova.
…
"I wonder if Lucas will be all right," Clair murmured, her bold brows drawing together slightly. Truth be told, she was nervous.
After all, her cousin was challenging a member of the Master Class' Ranking — one of the strongest Trainers in the world.
Green, however, was as confident as ever. "Totally fine! Come on, it's just Iris! Even Lance couldn't beat Lucas if they went head-to-head."
Her tone was filled with pride and absolute certainty.
It was almost laughable, in Saffron City, Lucas had fought eight Champion Level trainers at once and utterly crushed them!
Facing a single Iris now? That was practically a formality. All they needed to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
Clair gave Green a curious glance. She still didn't have a clear grasp of Lucas's true limits, she knew he was Champion-tier, yes, but how strong exactly?
Since their battle together, she'd accepted that Lucas was on the level of a Champion-class Trainer. But to what extent, she still didn't know.
"I know Lucas' strong," Cassius said calmly, a faint smile on his lips. "But I've never seen him battle a Champion-class trainer before. This will be interesting."
It was his son's battle — of course he'd come in person. He'd even temporarily put his clan's affairs aside just to witness it firsthand.
Green smiled sweetly, leaning against Marnie. "Oh, Uncle, you're missing out! You should have seen him before. Don't worry — when we go back, Marnie can show you Lucas's battle recordings. She filmed a ton of them!"
Marnie's expression froze, and she quietly pushed Green away. This scheming woman! Using my videos to score points with the family? Unbelievable.
Cassius chuckled warmly. He was quite fond of both girls — Marnie was his future daughter-in-law, and Green seemed rather close to Lucas as well. Both of them were good matches in his eyes.
…
Elsewhere in the crowd, Rosa and Hilda sat side by side, munching on chips as they chatted.
"So, it's Lucas versus Iris, huh? Who do you think will win, Rosa?" Hilda asked, cheeks puffed adorably as she spoke between bites.
"Who knows," Rosa replied, her brow furrowing slightly.
Of course she remembered Lucas — how could she not? Half a year might have passed, but she could never forget what happened at Dragonspiral Tower.
Right before her eyes, the legendary dragon of truth, Reshiram, had chosen its true hero.
That man, Lucas had left an unforgettable mark on her.
But now, he was facing Iris… Unova's pride and symbol of strength.
"If it weren't for Iris," Hilda said wistfully, "we probably could've tried challenging Alder ourselves by now."
Her tone held a trace of regret.
Both she and Rosa possessed exceptional talent, and now, at eighteen, they were entering their second year of travel. By the end of the year, they would likely reach the Champion tier themselves, strong enough to challenge Alder.
But alas… Iris was just too fast.
They'd sparred with her before and she'd defeated them both handily.
"Oh well!" said Rosa, brightening up. "Hilda, once Iris officially becomes Champion, we can aim for the Elite Four spots instead!"
"As long as the three of us work together, we can definitely earn good rankings in the League!"
She clenched her little fists and waved them enthusiastically, trying to hype herself up.
They might not reach the title of Champion, but becoming members of the Elite Four was still within reach!
Especially now, Unova's current Elite Four lineup was… well, less than ideal. Some of their spots were even being threatened by Gym Leaders from other regions.
That was just unacceptable!
They had to restore their homeland's glory.
"Okay, okay, I get it! Stop shaking already!" Hilda groaned, holding her forehead and looking away.
Rosa's enthusiastic movements had certain… distracting effects.
"Ugh, that stupid Rosa … what does she eat to grow like that?" Hilda muttered under her breath.
"Huh? What's wrong, Hilda?" Rosa tilted her head innocently.
"Nothing! I'm fine!" Hilda blurted out quickly.
"…Oh. Okay then."
…
In another VIP section of the stands—
"Mother, do you think Brother Lucas will win?"
Lillie looked up, her golden hair shimmering like silk beneath the sunlight. Dressed in an elegant white dress, her clear eyes held a touch of worry.
"Don't worry, dear," Lusamine replied softly, gently brushing a hand over her daughter's hair. "That man… there's no one who can defeat him."
Her expression was tender — yet her eyes flickered with emotion far more complex than she let on.
If not for Lillie's insistence on coming, she would never have agreed to attend Lucas's match.
After all…
That guy might ask for a month of battle again, something she could never hope to win.
Yes… it was complicated. Very complicated.
…
At exactly 11:00 a.m., Chairman Loki and the Chairman of the Unova League took their seat at the viewing platform.
Down below, the host, dressed in black walked to the center of the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Vertress Arena!"
"Today's match is part of the World Championships, a Ranked challenge between Lucas Blackthorn, currently No.19 in the Ultra Class Rankings, and Iris Aurelian, No.5 in the Master Class Rankings!"
"The challenger, Miss Iris, should be no stranger to anyone here. Just one month ago, she defeated Hoenn's Champion, Wallace Waterford, right here in this arena earning her current position in the Masters Ranking!"
The host smiled warmly at the camera, flipping through his info cards.
"As for Mr. Lucas Blackthorn, perhaps not everyone is familiar with him… but I'm sure none of you are unfamiliar with his family name, are you?"
"Indeed!" he said with growing excitement. "Lucas is the cousin of the Champion of Indigo, Lance Blackthorn! His direct cousin! And the heir of the Blackthorn Clan! His strength is without question — this battle is bound to be spectacular!"
The host's voice was filled with passion, though deep down he couldn't help but worry for Iris.
As an official Unovan announcer, his heart naturally leaned toward her but facing a man like Lucas, with that lineage and that reputation, even he felt uneasy.
And as expected, the crowd and the online viewers exploded into noise.
"What the heck?! Lance's cousin? The Blackthorn Clan's heir? How come no one's ever heard of him before?!"
"Probably a hidden prodigy! Maybe he's been training in secret this whole time?"
"You're wrong, I live in Johto's Blackthorn City, and I can confirm that until a few days ago, the Blackthorn family had no official heir!"
"Well, this should be exciting then! If he's related to Lance, he must be pretty strong, right?"
"Pfft, just because Lance is strong doesn't mean his cousin is. Iris will win for sure!"
"Oh, please! The battle hasn't even started yet. Go Lucas! Indigo's pride!"
And thus, the live chat dissolved into a full-blown flame war, Indigo versus Unova fans, trading colorful insults across the screen.
Even though many had never heard of Lucas before, his title as Lance's cousin and the Blackthorn heir was enough to draw overwhelming attention.
Especially among Indigo Trainers, every one of them eagerly awaited his performance.
After all… he was that man's blood relative!
"Enough chatter," the host finally declared. "The battle will speak for itself!"
"So now, let us welcome our two Trainers onto the stage!"
As he spoke, spotlights illuminated the twin tunnels on either side of the arena and from them, Lucas and Iris emerged.
"Wooo! Iris!"
"You're the best, Iris! Go, go, go!"
"Unova never surrenders! Show them what we're made of!"
The moment Iris appeared, the arena erupted into a deafening roar that shook the very air.
Her popularity was astonishing especially since her victory over Wallace. She had become not only a hero to Unova but an idol to countless fans around the world.
Young, confident, radiant — who wouldn't love her?
…
"The rules for this Master Class Ranked Challenge are as follows: a full six-on-six battle!" the referee announced, raising his flag.
"The match will continue until one side's six Pokémon are all unable to battle. The other side shall be declared the winner!"
"If the challenger, Lucas, wins, he will take Iris's current rank. If Iris wins, her rank remains unchanged."
"Now then… may both Trainers fight with honor!"
He bowed slightly to both of them before stepping back to the edge of the field.
"What a passionate crowd you've got, Iris," Lucas said with a relaxed smile, his white robes swaying gently. "I'm almost jealous."
"You sure like to joke around," Iris replied, twitching slightly at the corner of her mouth.
Popularity wasn't something Lucas could ever lack. In this world where power defined everything, anyone that strong would naturally attract adoration.
If Lucas simply revealed himself as a Legendary Trainer, his fame would explode overnight.
Lucas chuckled softly. "Well, I've started walking under the light side again it's only natural I start wanting fans too."
He spun a Poké Ball lazily on his finger, his eyes glinting as he looked her up and down.
"By the way… that outfit really suits you. I've been meaning to say, your old look was honestly pretty outdated."
His tone was teasing, but his gaze held an appreciative gleam.
Iris's new outfit was stunning — a flowing dress of pink and white, twin ribbons trailing behind her, a green crown resting elegantly atop her head. Her long purple hair was tied into a high ponytail, exuding confidence and strength.
It was the very same Champion outfit from the original series and she wore it beautifully.
"This was a gift from my teacher, Lucas," she said with a proud little smile. "I love it."
"But don't think I'll go easy on you! If you want to take my rank, you'll have to earn it!"
She inhaled deeply, her bright eyes sharpening into something dragonlike — fierce, focused, unyielding.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued.
"I am Iris Aurelian!" she declared, voice ringing through the arena. "The future Champion of Unova, the strongest Trainer on this land! Even against you, I will never back down!"
She lifted her Poké Ball high, brimming with fighting spirit.
The crowd erupted in wild applause and cheers, the noise like a crashing tide.
Lucas met her gaze for a long moment — then smiled.
"What perfect resolve," he said softly. "Then show me that strength of yours, Iris. Just make sure…"
His expression darkened slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.
"…you don't bore me too quickly."
With a flick of his wrist, Lucas enlarged the Poké Ball in his hand and threw it into the air.
"Your first opponent… will be it."
"Let's fight, Go Guzzlord!"
A blinding burst of light erupted across the battlefield.
(End of Chapter)