I quickly heal up my team as Poppy asks, “Oh wow! Did you lose, Rika?”

  “Yeah, I did… she’s no pushover, let me tell you! I’ll be watching from the side. Avenge me if you can, eh?”

  The tall, princely girl slopes off to one side, leaning against the wall. Poppy nods fiercely.

  “You bet I will!”

  She approaches, and I swallow, slipping Galde’s Pokéball out and slotting it into the first spot on my belt. Taking another deep breath, I ready myself to face the music again.

  Poppy cps her little hands.

  “It’s so cool that you made it this far! But this is where you say bye-bye, miss! All my Pokémon are super tough! Your weak attacks won’t work on them at all! They’ll bounce right off- you’ll see!”

  She beams up at me.

  “I can’t wait for you to meet my friends, so… here they come!”

  The first behemoth Poppy unleashes on me is a gigantic Copperajah. Luckily, it’s a Pokémon form my home region of Gar, so I deal with it with a single Sacred Sword, courtesy of Galde. Next is Poppy’s Corviknight, another beast from my home. I doubt many others have this kind of advantage. Switching into Azumarill, I use an Ice Punch and a Liquidation to bring the bird down.

  Back to Galde, and Poppy uses a Magnezone against me. I’ve trained one of these, so I also know its weaknesses, putting it down in two hits.

  Next, Poppy’s Bronzong comes out, eating a brutal Sacred Sword and going down, the bell-shaped Pokémon cnging as it hits the floor. Then, I pivot Galde out for Azumarill to take on Poppy’s Tinkaton.

  I have Azumarill use Ice Punch as Poppy Terastallizes her Tinkaton, the tiny gremlin swinging its huge hammer around like an angry war-god, Azumarill’s Ice Punch freezing the diminutive pest in its tracks long enough to nd a Liquidation as the Tinkaton thaws out, just too te to avoid the finishing blow.

  Poppy… is down! And then… she bursts into tears?!

  “Waaaaah! Waaaaaaaah! I wanted to take revenge on you, Rika!” she wails, the older girl sauntering over to comfort her fellow Elite Four member.

  “Pretty sure you mean ’Take revenge FOR’ me, squirt. I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong by you. Hate to say it, but you lost, Poppy. Better call the next guy, eh?”

  “Oh, that’s right! I haven’t had to do this in a looong time!”

  Taking the chance to patch up my team again, I wait for the next challenge. Then, my ears prick up.

  “It’s your turn, Mr. Larry!”

  LARRY?! THE MEDALI GYM LEADER’S AN ELITE FOUR MEMBER TOO?! Wow, what… staggering work ethic…. But I doubt he’ll use Normal-types against me again…

  The familiar form of the tired adult enters.

  “Hello there… it’s me, Larry.”

  This time, Azumarill’s going to be my lead, and I step forward to take up the challenge.

  “Hello, Larry. I guess I can’t count on you using your Gym Leader team, yeah? Then let’s do this.”

  “So, you made it this far. I serve as an Elite Four member, too… unfortunately for me. At my Gym, I sue Normal-types, since I feel they have a lot in common with me. But, well, the boss told me to use a different type here. So, if you have any compints, please take them up with La Primera. Anyway, time to get to work.”

  Larry sends out a Tropius, a bizarre pnt-reptile thing with bananas growing from its chin. Azumarill’s Ice Punch fttens it, though, and I ready myself for the next round.

  Staraptor comes forth, and it nds a Brave Bird, smming Azumarill back as my aquatic rabbit charges up an Ice Punch, cold-cocking the Flying-type in the side of the head and downing it. Larry’s Altaria repces it, and a Py Rough from Azumarill downs the cloud-bird.

  Larry’s Oricorio meets the same fate, and I tamp down my building excitement. I can’t get cocky, not yet…

  The st of Larry’s Pokémon, Fmigo, is brought out and Terastallized, but Azumarill still has an Ice Punch to spare, taking advantage of Fmigo’s use of Brave Bird to get the hit in under its guard.

  Larry… is out!

  I sag, catching my breath. I’m already exhausted, and I’m not even the one fighting! The Elite Four really does live up to the name. These st three fights have been the toughest battles I’ve been in yet, and there’s still one left!

  “You’re a lot stronger than I recall. No wonder La Primera likes you. Now then… I suppose the final member of the Elite Four is next. It’s your turn, Hassel…”

  I dig a bottle of water out of my bag and sipping from it, sharing the bottle’s contents among my team. Then, I turn to face my art teacher.

  “Hello there, Carmina. It delights me to see you here. I was, of course, absolutely certain you would make it to me eventually. Young sprouts truly do grow with astounding speed, yes… But I never for a moment imagined we would be facing each other so soon! Now, a teacher’s duty is to guide students and aid their growth. But… I think I shall forget about my role as a teacher for a moment… and WIELD ALL MY MIGHT FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DEFEATING YOU! I AM HASSEL! THE DRAGON GUARDING THE FINAL FORTRESS OF THE ELITE TEST! PREPARE TO LEARN FIRSTHAND HOW THE FIERY BREATH OF FEROCIOUS BATTLE FEELS!”

  I draw out my Azumarill, sending it out to start throwing out Ice Punches, dodging a Super Fang as the Noivern on Hassel’s team goes down like a lead-coated Drifloon.

  Hassel sends out his Dragalge, forcing me to use another Ice Punch to bring it down, but suffering a case of Poison Point in return. Then, Hassel throws an apple out. Is that his lunch???

  “Wait, is that- Ah!” I start as the apple unfurls, revealing a tiny lizard, using part of the apple’s skin as wings. A Fpple!

  I go with Py Rough to bring it down, before Hassel’s Haxorus storms into battle. A Py Rough hits hard after the huge green dinosaur uses Iron Head to inflict a mean blow.

  Finally, I’m down to confronting Hassel’s Ace, Baxcalibur.

  With no other choice, I watch it Terastallize, commanding my Azumarill to use Py Rough as it shrugs off an Icicle Crash. The Tera Baxcalibur reels, staggers… and falls. Hassel has no other Pokémon left, and is forced to admit defeat.

  The Elite Four… has been beaten!

  I slump, panting, as I recall Azumarill. Rika starts cpping, eyes wide.

  “Y-you really did it…”

  Poppy squeals, “Oh wow!”

  Larry simply nods, before Mr. Hassel…. Bursts into tears, blubbering inelegantly.

  “Wo…WONDERBUL! I’b… I’b just so proud ob you… BWUUUH huh huh hoi hoi!”

  Poppy scampers over and pats his knee.

  “Aww, don’t cry, Grandpa Hassel! There, there- wanna hug?”

  Rika shakes her head.

  “Sorry about all this, Carmina. The old man can get like that sometimes.”

  “So wha dib I do?! I’b jusd-jusd so oberwhelmed!”

  Rika sighs. “Guess I’ve gotta do the talking… Anyway, your result for the Elite Test of the Champion Assessment is… a pass! No doubt about it!”

  Poppy jumps up and down.

  “Yeeeaaah! You’re tougher than steel!”

  Larry shrugs. “Yep.”

  “Y-you did so BEAUDIFULLY!”

  Rika grins. “Congratutions! I’d say you’re good to go, but... There’s actually just a wee bit more to the Champion Assessment. This’ll be your final trial. See the door back there? Our fearless commander- the final opponent you’ll face for your trial- is waiting beyond it. Her skills are so amazing, she was able to strong-arm all of us into joining the Elite Four. You won’t find a mightier Champion. Though I think you’ll do find, kiddo. You beat me, after all! I’ll patch up your team for you, so don’t lose, you hear?”

  Poppy runs towards me.

  “I really love your Pokémon, miss! So I’ll cheer for you as hard as I can!”

  Larry starts to add, “Well, good lu-” before Hassel roars, “Even a baby dragon can breathe fire!”

  “Whoa! Guess you got over your sobs, huh?” Rika blinks, as Hassle continues, “You can do this… we all know you can. Now go, young Carmina. Your hands may be small, but let them seize a great victory!”

  I nod, and step towards the door, slipping Galde’s Pokéball into the leading spot. Pushing through the door, I step into a lift, then out onto the roof. The top of the League building is an open-air stadium. Standing in the centre is Ms. Geeta.

  “Welcome, Carmina. It gives me great joy that you’ve managed to make it all the way to the pinnacle of the Pokémon League. The final test is a battle against me, the Top Champion. To pass, all you need to do… is win. But, before we get started, I should apologize for one thing. You see, I have a trait that some might say is inappropriate for the League Chairwoman…”

  Ms Geeta stares at me like a ravening hawk.

  “I am utterly incapable of holding back when it comes to Pokémon battling. Maybe that’s why no-one’s passed this test recently. It’s a bit of a problem, to be honest. But you… you might manage something wonderful, like Champion Nemona did. So, are you ready for your final test? I want to see the true measure of your talent!”

  I skip back a couple of steps, releasing Galde to face whatever Ms. Geeta sends my way. Her first Pokemon is an Espathra, a powerful Psychic-type. I start with Hypnosis, hoping to put the Espathra to sleep and allowing me a clean switch. Luckily, the mental attack nds, allowing me to bring out Annihipe instead.

  A Rage Fist brings the bird down, and Geeta’s next Pokemon is a Gogoat. Azumarill comes in to Ice Punch it, managing to outspeed the Grass-type and swapping out for Galde, whose Sacred Sword attack shatters the Iceberg Pokémon.

  Mabosstiff takes out the Top Champion’s Veluza with Crunch, and Annihipe comes back out to stomp her Kingambit with Close Combat.

  Finally, with Geeta’s Ace, Glimmora, on the field, I bring out my own Ace, Garchomp, who immediately charges as Geeta Terastallizes her st Pokémon, burrowing into the ground with Dig, before smming up out of the ground, using its tail to sm the Top Champion’s st team member down, out cold.

  I stare. In just a few minutes… I’ve triumphed over La Primera to become a Champion-ranked Trainer!

  “You go beyond my imagination so easily…” Ms. Geeta smiles, gently appuding.

  “Such overwhelming power… such amazing skill… It seems Paldea has gained another wonderful Trainer to be proud of. Congratutions. It’s my honour to call you Champion Carmina.”

  Rika calls from behind, “Congratutions is right! Now I can really say you’re good to go!”

  Apparently, the Elite Four were watching. I heal my team up yet again, hopefully for the st time today.

  Poppy squeals, “Yaaaaay! You did it, miss!”

  “Congratutions.”

  “J-j-just ABAAAZIIING! I gan’t… I GAN’T HOLD ID IN ANYBOOORE!”

  Rika sighs, shaking her head.

  “Oof, crying again?”

  Ms Geeta approaches.

  “You Pokémon Trainers are the treasure of Paldea. And, amid that treasure, Champions are the jewels that shine brightest of all. Champion Carmina… It is now your duty to set an example for all the Trainers of Paldea. Now, allow me to walk you back to the entrance. I’m certain you’ll find a familiar face awaiting you.”

  I hold a hand up. “Um, before that… I have one request, Chairwoman. I would rather not appear on television, livestreams, recorded visual media, or any form of publicity if at all possible. I have deep-rooted personal feelings about it, I hope that’s understandable.”

  “Very well. I will make sure that Iono doesn’t drag you into one of her streams, or that you end up in the news. Now, let us go.”

  Back down the elevator, out through the battle chamber, through the interview office, and back out through the main doors. The sun beams down, and I blink, shielding my eyes with a hand as I dig in my bag for one of the snacks I’d bought, offering one to Ms. Geeta, who accepts graciously.

  Nomming on the sugary piece of goodness, I take a minute to unwind. The strain and tension of preparing for the Champion Assessment and then going through five tough battles, one after another with only a minute or two between each is easing, and I can hear feet pounding towards us.

  I bet I know who THAT is…

  “Carmina! Carmina!”

  Her ponytail flying, the girl I’ve been waiting to see charges towards us, grabbing both of my hands in hers as she almost cannons into me.

  “Ohhhhh, man! I can tell just by looking at you! You did it, right? You became a Champion?!”

  I smile, squeezing Nemona’s fingers lightly.

  “Yes, Nemona. I did it!”

  “Ha haaaah! I knew all along! I got word from La Primera when you cleared the Elite Test! Oh man, Carmina! I’m a Champion, and now, YOU’RE a Champion! This means we’re true equals! You and me, both Champion-ranked Trainers! This is amazing! Now that you’ve made it here, I’ve got one thing to say. Let’s you and me be best rivals for life!”

  I smile, and shake my head.

  “Actually… I have something to ask YOU. Remember, back at Grusha’s Gym, I said I had something I wanted to tell you when I reached Champion-rank? Well... I’m ready. Nemona… will you be my girlfriend?”

  Nemona’s eyes widen as she stares at me. I swallow, nervous energy coursing through my whole body like a Pikachu’s Static.

  “Chica… you… you mean, GIRLFRIEND-girlfriend, and not girl-who-is-a-friend girlfriend, right? I’m not… reading that totally wrong?”

  I nod. “I-I mean it like the romantic way… Nemona, I… I love you!”

  Nemona rears back, a blush bzing across her cheeks as she gasps.

  “Y-yes! Yes, Carmina, I’ll be your girlfriend!” she pulls me into a hug, then, heedless of La Primera watching in amusement, Nemona’s lips crash into mine as she kisses me, full-force. I reciprocate, leaning up to make it a little easier since I’m a short-arse. About three minute go by before we need to break apart for air, and I think my brain is melting.

  Once my brain’s stopped bubbling, I look up at my new girlfriend. “Now, Nemona… shall we have a battle? I want you to bring your true team’s potential against me. No holding back, sweetie. I want to see you shine!”

  Nemona’s eyes light up. “YESSS! Toma ya! Alright, let’s battle our absolute hearts out! I’m gonna hit you with EVRYTHING this time! You ready?!”

  Ms. Geeta steps forwards, but I smile. “Let’s take this to Mesagoza. The pce we set out on our journey. And, I think, if we battle there, I’ll be able to show the world my greatest treasure…”

  Nemona smiles. “I’ll be waiting for you at the battle court in Mesagoza’s central pza. I love you!”

  She runs off. I smile, take a few long, slow breaths, before walking back down towards the city, finishing off another few sweets on the way. No matter how many I eat, though, I can still taste Nemona’s lips on mine…

  It’s only been an hour at most since I became a Champion-ranked Trainer, but the world seems… different. Almost as though a filter has been peeled away and revealed the true vibrancy of the world. Or maybe, it’s because I finally managed to tell Nemona how I felt about her and she agreed to be my girlfriend.

  Stepping out into the central pza of Mesagoza, I see a rge crowd gathered. Students, shopkeepers, tourists, and even those I’d gotten to know on my travels. Rika and Poppy. Larry. Penny, Giacomo, Eri, Atticus, Ortega, and Me. Arven and his Mabosstiff. Ms. Geeta, Director Cvell and the teachers. And, standing there, waiting just for me, eyes locked to mine… is Nemona. She smiles at me, and I draw a Pokéball from my belt at random, holding it lightly.

  “There you are, Carmina. Ready for a battle between champions? ‘Cause all these folks here seem ready to watch. Word got around, I guess! And, out of every single person gathered here… I’m the most excited by a mile! The stage is set! It’s my all-out power… versus your strength in full fruition! Let’s see who comes out on top!”

  Nemona and I stand poised on the brink. Silence surrounds us. Then… two bursts of light erupt from the battle court as we both send out our first Pokémon.

  “Azumarill, go!”

  “Lycanroc! You’re up!”

  Lycanroc delivers a punishing Stone Edge, before sucking down a one-hit K.O from Liquidation. Then, as Nemona brings out her Pawmot, I pivot for Garchomp, going all-in with an Earth Power to level the arena, unching the Pawmot into a corner as Nemona recalls it. Her Goodra comes out, ready to bring the pain, but my Garchomp soaks up a Dragon Breath, retaliating with a Dragon Cw. My Ace ends up knocked out against her Dudunsparce, and I have to send in Annihipe to carry on the fight, punishing the Dudunsparce with a Drain Punch.

  Annihipe took a huge hit from Dudunsparce’s Take Down, though, so I call it back and send out Galde to face Nemona’s Orthworm.

  A Sacred Sword drops the giant steel worm, and then… Meowscarada struts onto the field to face off against my Azumarill.

  “It’s all down to this- my st Pokémon. We’re gonna fight with everything we’ve got!”

  From somewhere at the front of the crowd behind me, I can hear…

  “That’s my daughter! You go, sweetie!”

  I turn and spot my mum waving at me! She’s beaming at me as I wave back, before returning to focus on the match as Nemona Terastallizes her Meowscarada.

  I Terastallize my Azumarill, too, the Fairy Tera Jewel shining atop its head as I throw my hand out towards my girlfriend.

  “ICE… PUUUUUUNCH!”

  “FLOWER TRICK!”

  Nemona beams, then covers her face as the force of our two Pokémon cshing sends a gust of wind throughout the square… as…. Meowscarada colpses, knocked clean out.

  “You…”

  When Nemona lowers her arm, the look on her face…. Is one of radiant and absolutely pure… joy.

  Then, she shouts, “YOU DID IT! This is legit incredible! You’re the strongest out there, Carmina! I mean, you knocked me ft, and I was giving it everything I had!”

  Nemona rushes towards me, practically nose-to-nose.

  “Everything I…I Hahaaaaah! Hahahaha!”

  She throws her arms around me.

  “Oh, man. Pokémon battling, am I right? It’s so much better… so much more fun than I ever knew!”

  Hugging me a little longer, Nemona step back, holding out her hand.

  “Thanks for the incredible match! You beat me for real this time.”

  I slowly take her hand, and then wink at her, before pulling Nemona into a kiss, right in front of the crowd.

  After a few stunned seconds, the pza erupts into cheers and appuse, as we separate. Nemona breathes heavily for a moment, before beaming.

  “Now… let’s give ourselves a minute and have a quick break, Carmina… before round two!”

  We battle over and over, both of us going all out. Nemona wins some of the time, while I win some as well. The sun sets, and our fun eventually comes to a halt, thanks to the darkness, and our own growling stomachs.

  After dinner at my house, Nemona heads back to her pce, despite my mum offering to let her spend the night. When I wake up, it’s nice and early, and I take my pills before breakfast, fending off mum’s probing questions about me dating Nemona, and flee out into the early sunlight.

  “Bye, mum! I’m off to school!”

  “Get back here young dy, and tell meeeeee!”

  I sprint up Poco Path, where Arven’s been waiting for me. I’m gd I gave him some time to reaffirm his bond with Mabosstiff. He looked so much happier and full of life yesterday when I was battling Nemona, and so did his big doggo.

  As I get near, I find the pce deserted. I shrug. Well, it IS early. I could go and see Nemona, if she’s not too heavy a sleeper-

  “Seriously, you beat me here? Just what time did you get up?! Didn’t that battle maniac keep you going for hours yesterday??”

  Arven sprints up, out of breath. I smile.

  “Good morning to you, too, Arven. And, no, I made sure to get a full night’s sleep!”

  Arven waves a hand in understanding as he straightens.

  “Well, this is the b. I used to come here to py all the time when I was a kid. There’d better be a good reason for calling us out here like this…”

  Arven reaches into his pocket, producing a strange-looking key.

  “Let’s find out.”

  He approaches the door.

  “Everyone always says… she’s some kind of genius. Absolutely brilliant as a Pokémon Professor… my mom, that is. But let me tell you- as a parent? She’s the worst. All she ever does is work. She never… comes home. I don’t have a single memory of her even pying with me her own kid… Mabosstiff’s the only one who was there for me. Always.”

  Unlocking the door, he steps aside.

  “Anyway. It’s open now. Go on in.”

  I slowly step past him, pausing to y a hand on his elbow.

  “You’re okay, Arven. Mabosstiff’s strong again, and you can count on me, too.”

  “Yeah… I just wanna get this over with…”

  I push the door open, Arven in tow, and make my way into the dusty, long-abandoned b. There are books and screens everywhere. The ft, gssy bck surfaces of the bank of computer monitors flicker on, bathing half the room in sick greenish light. On one of the monitors is Professor Sada. I can hear her speaking.

  “I need your help.”

  I notice Arven get tense as he scowls at the screen containing his mother’s image. The Professor continues,

  “I am currently at the deepest point of Area Zero, in the Great Crater of Paldea. I have been researching the unique Pokémon here for a very long time. I’m asking the two of you to lend a hand- to help carry out the final step of the great Professor Sada’s glorious research.”

  Arven double-takes.

  “The final step…?”

  “But there is something we need first. Something that can be found within my b. What we need… is the Scarlet Book.”

  Arven’s eyes widen, and he pulls that battered book he showed me out of his jacket. It’s bound… in red leather.

  “wait… do you mean THIS book?”

  “Ah. So you took it from the b, did you, Arven? This expedites things. Bring the Scarlet Book to the deepest depths of Area Zero. I promise it will be an experience worth treasuring if you come. I must note, however, that Area Zero is both home to vicious Pokémon and outfitted with powerful cybernetic security systems.”

  Arven looks mulish, and I can sense him seething.

  “It seems to me that the two of you might struggle if you were to enter alone. You may take the time to gather some reliable allies before you come, if you feel the need. I will be awaiting you in the deepest part of Area Zero, whenever you arrive.”

  The Professor’s image vanishes, and I realise that she’s freakin’ HUNG UP on us. What the hell, cavewoman???

  Arven mutters, “Area Zero…”

  He looks pale, and I remember that he went there, once before, and that’s how Mabosstiff got so badly hurt.

  “In all honesty, I’d be perfectly happy to never see that pce again… are YOU gonna go?”

  I nod. “I am. Not because of the stupid book, or anything that cavewoman said… I’m gonna go because I want to drag her out of that oversized hole in the ground and make her apologize to my friend!”