Silence.
The entire Luminara League Stadium had fallen into complete silence. Not a single spectator spoke. Not a single commentator dared interrupt the moment.
The giant scoreboard displayed the final battle.
Grand Final Score
Elior
1 Pokémon Remaining
Serena
1 Pokémon Remaining
The wind swept across the battlefield.
On one side...
Garchomp.
Its body was covered in injuries from battling four of Elior's Pokémon. Its breathing was heavy. One arm trembled. Yet its eyes never lost their determination.
On the other side...
Eclipse Lunashade.
Its black-and-gold markings glowed beneath the darkened sky. The mysterious Eclipse Phenomenon slowly spread above the stadium.
The atmosphere itself felt heavier.
The referee raised both flags. His voice echoed across the entire League.
"This is the final battle of the Luminara League Championship!"
"Begin!"
Serena wasted no time.
"Garchomp!"
"Dragon Rush!"
Blue dragon energy exploded around Garchomp as it charged like a meteor.
The ground shattered beneath every step.
Elior remained calm.
"Shadow Sneak."
Lunashade disappeared into its own shadow. Garchomp rushed straight through empty space. The audience gasped.
Then—Lunashade emerged behind Garchomp.
"Dark Pulse!"
A wave of black energy slammed into Garchomp's back. The Dragon-type stumbled but refused to fall.
Serena smiled.
"Excellent."
"Earthquake!"
Garchomp slammed the ground.
The battlefield cracked apart. Massive shockwaves surged across the arena.
Lunashade was thrown backward before recovering in midair.
Elior: "Moonblast!"
Silver light burst from Lunashade. The attack struck Garchomp directly. The Dragon-type roared in pain. Smoke covered the battlefield.
When it cleared...Garchomp was still standing. The audience erupted into applause.
Minutes passed.
Dark Pulse.
Dragon Claw.
Shadow Ball.
Stone Edge.
Moonblast.
Outrage.
The battlefield became almost unrecognizable. Large craters covered the ground. The stadium walls were scarred by the force of their attacks. Both Pokémon were reaching their limits.
Elior clenched his fists. He understood. If this battle continued...Garchomp's raw power would eventually overwhelm Lunashade.
There was only one choice. Only one attack powerful enough to finish the battle.
He whispered...
"Partner..."
Lunashade looked back. Trainer and Pokémon understood each other without another word. Across the battlefield...Serena made the same decision.
She smiled proudly.
"Garchomp..."
"Let's bet everything."
Garchomp roared. A crimson dragon aura exploded around its body.
Everything...Or Nothing.
Elior slowly raised his arm. Black-and-gold energy surrounded Lunashade. The Eclipse above the stadium expanded. The sunlight disappeared completely.
The entire battlefield became covered in darkness. Golden lightning flashed across the sky. The audience stood.
Some Trainers instinctively stepped backward.
Professor Solan whispered,
"That power..."
Kai stared in disbelief.
"He's using it again..."
Serena raised her arm.
"Garchomp... Outrage!"
The Dragon-type roared with every ounce of strength it had left. Its entire body became wrapped in crimson energy.
The pressure alone shattered the remaining rocks on the battlefield.
Elior looked directly into Lunashade's crimson eyes.
His voice echoed throughout the silent stadium.
"Lunashade..."
"ECLIPSE BURST!!"
Black and golden energy erupted from Lunashade like a collapsing star. The Eclipse Phenomenon reached its peak.
The sky itself seemed to split apart. The two ultimate attacks rushed toward each other.
The entire stadium shook violently. Everyone closed their eyes. The attacks were only meters apart...
Three meters...
Two...
One...
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A blinding explosion swallowed the entire battlefield. The shockwave blasted through the stadium. The giant screen went black. Dust rose hundreds of meters into the sky.
No one...Could see anything.
Not the referee. Not Elior. Nor Serena.
Only the sound of the explosion echoed beneath the dark Eclipse.
The stadium was consumed by dust. No one could see the battlefield. The giant screens showed nothing but swirling smoke. Thousands of spectators sat in complete silence.
No cheers.No voices.
Only the sound of the wind. The referee stood motionless, waiting for the dust to clear.
Slowly...Very slowly...The smoke began to fade.
Two silhouettes appeared.
One was standing.
One was on one knee.
The entire stadium held its breath.
The smoke completely disappeared. Eclipse Lunashade stood in the center of the battlefield.
Its breathing was heavy. Its body was covered in injuries.
But...It was still standing.
Across from it...
Garchomp tried to rise one final time.
It looked toward Serena. A proud smile appeared on its face.
Then...Its legs gave out and It collapsed onto the battlefield.
THUD...
The referee immediately rushed forward.
After confirming both Pokémon's condition... He raised the green flag high into the sky.
His voice echoed throughout the stadium.
"Garchomp is unable to battle!"
He took a deep breath.
Then shouted with all his strength—
"The winner of the Luminara League Grand Final..."
"...AND THE NEW LUMINARA LEAGUE CHAMPION..."
"ELIOR!!"
For a heartbeat...There was silence.
Then—The stadium exploded. The cheers were louder than anything heard before.
Fireworks burst across the sky. Confetti rained from above. People stood from their seats, applauding and shouting Elior's name.
Kai smiled proudly.
"He really did it..."
Mira wiped a tear from her eye.
"Congratulations..."
Professor Solan laughed softly.
"The future of this region is brighter than ever."
Serena recalled Garchomp. She gently held its Poké Ball.
"Thank you."
She walked across the battlefield.
Elior met her halfway.
For a moment...
Neither spoke.
Then Serena smiled.
"You're stronger today."
Elior smiled back.
"Only because every battle—including ours—helped me grow."
She extended her hand.
Elior shook it firmly.
The crowd applauded once again.
Two rivals.
Bound by respect.
As evening fell, the center of the stadium transformed into a grand stage. Golden banners bearing the Luminara League emblem waved proudly. The finalists stood before the League Chairman.
Thousands of spectators watched in anticipation. The Chairman lifted an ornate golden trophy high into the air.
Its polished surface reflected the lights of the stadium. He smiled warmly.
"Elior."
"Today, you proved that true strength comes not only from power.....but from trust, courage, and the bond between Trainer and Pokémon."
He handed the trophy to Elior.
The moment Elior lifted it above his head—The stadium erupted once more.
His entire team appeared beside him.
Infernarx.
Lucario.
Mystveil.
Skyrend.
Thundrion.
Eclipse Lunashade.
The six Pokémon gathered around their Trainer. The cameras captured the unforgettable image of the new Champion surrounded by the partners who had walked this journey with him.
Fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant colors.
Far away...On Aether Isle...
Umbreal suddenly looked toward the distant horizon. His expression changed.
"...No."
The ground beneath his feet trembled. The ancient gate behind him began to glow violently.
Umbreal clenched his fists.
"It's starting..."
Back at the Luminara League Stadium...The celebration suddenly stopped.
RUMBLE...
The earth shook violently. The Champion's Trophy slipped slightly in Elior's hands. The audience looked around in confusion.
Another tremor. Even stronger.
RUMBLE!!
Cracks spread across the center of the League battlefield. The entire stadium began to shake. People screamed.
The Gym Leaders immediately stood.
Professor Solan's eyes widened.
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The battlefield exploded upward. Countless tons of stone were thrown into the sky. From beneath the League...An enormous ancient castle slowly rose from the depths of the earth.
Its black stone walls were covered with glowing golden runes. Towering spires pierced the clouds. Ancient banners, untouched by time, fluttered in the wind.
The castle dwarfed the League Stadium itself.
Everyone stared in complete disbelief. Elior tightened his grip on the Champion's Trophy. Eclipse Lunashade's crimson eyes glowed.
Somewhere inside that ancient castle...
Something had awakened.
End of Volume 4.
Season 1 End...