Pokemon Paldea [275-276] (Patreon)

Chapter 275: Lucas vs. Alder

"Next, please give a warm round of applause to the Teacher and students from Naranja Academy who have traveled half a planet to be here. At this academy that exalts battling, what kind of spectacular showdown will they bring us?"

As Briar's voice expertly roused the crowd, Lucas led four students toward the center of the stage—the battlefield for this match.

Waiting there already were Champion Alder, Director Cyrano, and four members of the Blueberry League.

Polite applause filled his ears, but Lucas knew it was just that—polite. Like playing away on a visiting court, the crowd belonged to the other side, their emotions tuned for the home team, and they would exert unprecedented pressure on Nemona and the others.

Still, the students' conduct was decent—at least no one was booing to rattle them.

Besides, Lucas had prepared for the worst. He'd already had Nemona's group experience a run at Montenevera's Gym.

Laim—the popular rapper and Gym Leader—puts on shows that shake spectators' souls.

And for this exchange event, the exhibition match would be first. Whether Blueberry Academy wanted to maximize their home-field advantage, or use Alder's battle to light a fire under the Blueberry League's quartet—either way, it didn't matter.

Appearing in the role of teacher today, his job was simple: carve out a battlefield for Nemona and the others where they could fight without distractions, unaffected by external factors, and unleash their full power.

Reaching center field, Lucas ignored the students' chatter. He only needed to focus on the two in front of him.

For once, Cyrano seemed reliable and hadn't forgotten anything. He introduced Alder: "Champion Alder, this is Teacher Lucas of Naranja Academy—your opponent for the exhibition match."

Lucas extended his hand. "Hello, Champion Alder."

"Hello, Teacher Lucas. I'm Alder." Alder shook hands, subtly sizing up the man before him, ending with a faintly impressed look.

This teacher was even younger than he'd expected. And they'd be battling next in an exhibition. Considering the relationship between Unova and Paldea's leagues… it seemed he might need to hold back a bit.

After a few pleasantries, Briar announced the opening exhibition match was about to begin.

As Alder turned to walk to the far side of the field, Cyrano suddenly said, "Champion, please don't underestimate Teacher Lucas. Why do you think Ms. Geeta, Paldea's Top Champion, felt comfortable sending him alone? And why did we invite you as our guest instead of Lacey's father, Clay, or Drayden, Drayton's grandfather?"

Alder paused, thoughtful. "He's champion-level?"

Cyrano shook his head. "That would be Paldea League's secret. I don't know."

"…"

After a moment's silence, Alder's hand left the Poké Ball in his pocket and went to the six red-and-white Poké Balls hanging at his waist.

That meant he would be sending out his main force.

Lucas didn't miss the change in Alder's behavior. He smiled softly and murmured, "That's more like it."

He was curious too: after half a year of honing himself, had he narrowed the gap with a regional champion—or surpassed it?

"This exhibition match will be a 3-on-3 singles battle. Both sides may freely switch Pokémon. When one side has three Pokémon unable to battle, the other side wins."

Briar's amplified voice rang out over the arena. Lucas, ready for doubles, looked a bit surprised. Alder gave him an apologetic smile.

He preferred singles to doubles.

"Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"

As Briar spoke, Lucas and Alder exchanged a glance. With the full-throated cheers of Nemona and the others behind him, Lucas decisively threw his ball. "Serperior!"

Alder threw his as well. "Krookodile!"

Crimson light flashed. The proud, high-crested Serperior and the deep-red Krookodile with black stripes and a vicious aura appeared on the field.

A wave of gasps broke out a beat later—students at Blueberry hadn't expected Lucas to send out one of Unova's signature starters.

In the stands, a League Club member beside Carmine asked, "Carmine-chan, who do you think will win?"

Carmine smiled confidently. "Naturally, Champion Alder."

Hiding behind Carmine, Kieran peered quietly at the two trainers and their Pokémon, lost in thought.

Even Alder looked surprised. "Serperior, huh… that brings back memories."

The sun blazed overhead, and energy within Serperior coursed to life.

Lucas felt a little sorry for his long-prepped Politoed, but this was Alder's request for singles—no chance for it to see the field.

After a breath, they commanded at the same time.

"Sandstorm!"

"Leaf Storm!"

Krookodile roared, whipping up a sandstorm that swallowed the field in an instant. Visibility plunged into a blur of yellow grit.

As Unova's champion, Alder knew Serperior's special ability well.

The clear weather, the high spirits at Serperior's entrance—its energy intake was active. One look, and Alder got serious.

Cyrano was right—this was a strong opponent!

Serperior raised its tail tip, its body flashing deep green. Countless razor-sharp leaves fused into a howling gale that shredded the all-encompassing veil of sand and roared toward Krookodile!

"Don't flinch—Rock Slide to block!"

Krookodile's fierce eyes flared. It stomped hard, and slabs of rock rained down, forming a wall before it!

A heartbeat later, Leaf Storm slammed in. The force exceeded Alder's expectations—the tearing leaves sliced the boulders to rubble and drove on toward Krookodile with slightly diminished momentum.

"What power!"

Alder couldn't help but praise, though his expression stayed steady.

Krookodile wasn't idle. Without waiting for a command, it opened its jaws; heat gathered into blazing fangs that bit down on the incoming storm!

Boom!

A dull blast sounded. Through the smoke, Krookodile's intact silhouette flickered into view.

Even against Serperior's signature, Alder's Krookodile didn't fall behind.

This was a League Champion's poise.

Lucas's face didn't change. "Again—Leaf Storm."

The second Leaf Storm rose with force enough to tear the sandstorm itself away.

So it's Contrary, Alder thought. Then we'll go in close.

His gaze sharpened. "Dig!"

Krookodile slashed into the earth with claws that could shear rebar, vanishing underground. The late-arriving Leaf Storm whiffed; red light of boosted power flared again over Serperior's scales.

Krookodile tunneled silently and fast. Even Serperior's keen senses couldn't track it at once—clearly Alder had done targeted drills for this.

But there was a way.

Within the sand haze, arms folded, Alder noticed Lucas's expression change.

Sensing something off, Alder's pupils tightened. "Out of the ground, Krookodile!"

"Too late. Frenzy Plant."

At Lucas's words, oceanic energy surged from Serperior; thick roots erupted skyward, tossing the sandstorm into chaos as they hammered down!

Boom!

Outside, students squinted into the sand, straining to see.

The next moment, colossal roots rose, the whole arena shuddered violently, students without footing toppled in rows, and cameras wobbled on their tripods.

Underground, Krookodile bore the brunt, leaping out in a battered hurry.

Watching Frenzy Plant thrash like a wood dragon, Alder knew how deeply this Serperior had mastered the move. But Krookodile had used the damage to close the gap.

Now it was his turn!

The instant Krookodile surfaced, Serperior drove the roots down again. Alder barked, "Charge—High Horsepower!"

"Rrroar!"

Red vapor boiled off Krookodile, energy eddies swirling as it charged the Serperior at arm's length, fearless against roots thicker than itself!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Four blasts in a row—Serperior's Frenzy Plant, which could even stall fire for a time, was ripped apart by sheer brute force.

Serperior's body weaved with lithe grace around Krookodile's slashing claws. Then, in a heartbeat, its ruby eyes flashed—Leaf Storm had finished charging for the third time.

At point-blank range, Krookodile could only throw up a green barrier—the "Guard"—an almost unmatched "invincible frame" at equal tiers, as the gale of leaves blasted it and the sandstorm away.

With the sand gone, sunlight poured back over the field. Bathed in it, Serperior looked radiant; Alder's expression turned grave.

"This… is trouble."

He'd hoped to stop Serperior from ramping up via Contrary. He hadn't expected it to be adept in Frenzy Plant and close-quarters too.

Now he faced a Serperior maxed on Special Attack, with solar energy aiding it.

Even sending out ace Volcarona might be a headache.

In roughly two minutes, to the students' disbelief, Krookodile collapsed under Serperior's stormlike onslaught, its body crosshatched with wounds.

Serperior, which felled it, bore only the scrapes from Krookodile's desperate counters. Fully boosted, it now had the power to sweep.

Champion Alder lost the first Pokémon!?

 Blueberry's students were stunned. Behind them, Nemona's lone cheer rang out in the hush, weighing down the home crowd's once-confident hearts.

Alder recalled Krookodile with a rueful shrug. "You did well. Rest."

He accepted falling behind quickly. He pulled another ball—before he could decide how to handle Serperior, Lucas raised his hand.

"Come back, Serperior."

Alder blinked. "You're…?"

Lucas smiled. "This is an exhibition."

There was no need to fight to the bitter end. They should save each other some face—just as Alder had initially intended to hold back against him.

"Hahaha, I see!" Alder laughed, looking at Lucas with more appreciation. "Then let's keep going. Bouffalant—run wild!"

"Luxray, your turn!"

Unlike the earlier duel shrouded in sand, Luxray vs. Bouffalant showcased the champion's world—power and grace.

Bouffalant, with Reckless, launched ferocious charges heedless of its own recoil. Luxray, wreathed in lightning, matched it with flash-speed clashes. Students and media didn't dare blink, afraid to miss any decisive moment.

During the hospitalization of Alder's former ace, Volcarona, Bouffalant had served as a second ace, staying active until a descendant—another Volcarona—was raised.

Bouffalant's strength was indisputable. Even Luxray needed real effort, finally sealing the win with a sky-cracking Thunder that toppled the already-scarred Bouffalant.

In the ensuing silence, Lucas recalled his lightly winded Luxray—more tired from Bouffalant's reckless tempo than from damage.

The comparison gave Lucas a clear read on his current strength.

Next, he'd test the limits.

Alder looked at Lucas with amazement—and a touch of envy.

Amazed that Lucas could stand toe-to-toe with him and beat two of his mainstays without Alder holding back; envious that Paldea had birthed such a dazzling talent.

With his original ace Volcarona laid up, Alder hadn't had a true fight in a while. He hadn't expected that a casual exhibition would become a showdown with a peer.

One more to go. He would give his all.

After this, he would roam Unova, seeking talent—new blood to uphold Unova's sky.

Wearing his hearty smile, eyes leonine and fierce, Alder cast his last ball. "Shine upon Unova like the sun—Volcarona!"

The ball burst and Volcarona rose into the air.

Its eyes were crystalline blue; red antennae curled along its cheeks. Its stout torso was wreathed in white down, above which perched two pairs of small legs.

With a beat of its three pairs of great orange-red wings, dazzling fiery scales shook loose. Its body was ringed by blazing flames, like a solar monarch, its presence awing the arena.

The temperature spiked. Countless faces tilted up. In the sky, Volcarona burned with endless light and heat, like a brilliant scarlet sun, illuminating the Blueberry League students' lost hearts.

Youngest of the Elite Four, Crispin, exhaled in relief. In his memory, whenever Alder sent out Volcarona, victory followed.

Drayton stared, dumbstruck—this was the goal he'd always chased.

Penny read from freshly pulled data: "In Unova, Volcarona is called the embodiment of the sun. When volcanic ash once veiled the heavens and the land fell into darkness and cold, Volcarona became a sun to bring light and warmth to Unova."

"It was revered in ancient times as the God of Fire."

Nemona's eyes sparkled. Volcarona—she really wanted to catch one!

Despite Volcarona's dazzling entrance, Lucas wasn't nervous—he even felt a flicker of disappointment.

This Volcarona's aura was only a bit stronger than Bouffalant's. Even if Luxray fought on, without Terastallizing, it could likely win without too great a cost.

So Alder's true ace was either gravely weakened… or already gone.

"With respect—Swampert, to the field!"

Lucas's tone was calm, like a sea before it breaks.

Swampert appeared with an aura no less than Volcarona's. Before Alder could speak, Lucas touched his Key Stone.

"Swampert—Mega Evolve!"

Radiance burst forth, and the audience—students and media alike—were stunned.

Swampert can evolve? You've got to be kidding!

 "Could it be… that Kalos phenomenon?" Alder's eyes flickered, unsure.

The light faded. Muscles swelled—Mega Swampert roared, its pressure heavy. High above, Volcarona's expression tightened as it fixed on this dangerous foe.

Alder's voice was solemn. "Volcarona—Fiery Dance!"

With a chime-like cry, Volcarona's six wings flared deeper crimson. Starry sparks of flame rained down, blossoming into a sea of fire; heat shimmered the air, forcing students to step back.

Lucas grinned, as if the attack didn't faze him. "Rain Dance!"

Thunderclouds gathered, the sky dimmed, and sheets of rain fell. Steam billowed where fire met water. In the blaze, Mega Swampert stood nearly unscathed, flashing Volcarona a taunting smile.

Volcarona's anger flared, but Alder halted it. "The weather's bad for us. First—Sunny Day—!"

Volcarona began to charge solar energy—when Mega Swampert, presumed earthbound and out of reach, blurred into a streak, vanishing across the shattered field.

Alder's pupils shrank. This upended his expectations. He looked skyward, urgent. "What speed—No, Volcarona, careful!"

Too late.

From Volcarona's view, Mega Swampert materialized point-blank, right fist's air sac fully primed. Jets of water blasted, amplifying a titanic punch—Waterfall detonated on Volcarona's body!

The blazing sun hanging overhead was struck from the sky.

Boom!

With a pained cry, Volcarona crashed down, the ground webbing with cracks, its regal form smeared with mud.

No time to reset. As Mega Swampert dove, Volcarona beat its wings—Hurricane howled up, catching flaming scales to lash at Swampert.

Boosted by the rain, the gust had real bite. Awkward midair, Mega Swampert crossed its arms, forced back, buying Volcarona a breath.

Volcarona rose, evaporating every drop close by. In a beautiful white mist, it danced—Alder's fusion of Quiver Dance and Fiery Dance, letting it, like Serperior, grow stronger as it fought.

But Mega Swampert turned its supposedly heavy body into a deep-blue afterimage again, closing instantly. Bitter frost burst—water, mist, even Volcarona itself glazed over.

Blinding flame flared; ice melted in a flash. Volcarona's motions lagged slightly, but it kept dancing.

Alder's awe lingered. If he guessed right, Mega Swampert's ability had changed to Swift Swim!

Facing a foe like this, Mega Swampert only got more excited. Wreathed in surging water, it ignored heat that could melt steel, and, like an armored land tank, slammed into Volcarona with absolute force.

Fire and water clashed, mesmerizing the crowd. But as the duel wore on, some students paled. "Hey… isn't Volcarona moving slower and slower?"

Indeed, despite stacking Quiver Dance and Fiery Dance, Volcarona's rhythm faltered against Swampert's unreasonable power; its flame was drowned beneath Swampert's surging Surf.

Until, when a critical hitch broke its flow, Mega Swampert's Liquidation smashed it into the ground. The firestorm that had even checked the rain guttered as if its pillar had vanished.

The battlefield was unrecognizable, a wreck. There stood Mega Swampert, scarcely scratched by the fierce fight, looming like a mountain—while Volcarona lay nearby, no longer burning.

When Briar, her voice trembling, declared the result, students and reporters snapped out of their daze.

Unova's Champion Alder… had lost to a mere teacher from Naranja Academy!

They had never imagined this outcome.

While Blueberry Academy sagged as if a pillar had collapsed, Nemona and company were already cheering.

Pushing up her glasses, Penny had to admit Teacher Lucas was even stronger than she'd thought.

Crispin, who had looked to Alder's Volcarona as a savior, wavered. "No way… Mr. Alder actually lost…"

Chaos spread through the League Club. Behind Carmine, Kieran stared at Lucas and the now-un-Mega'd Swampert, eyes shining. "So strong… so amazing."

Alder recalled Volcarona, shrugged helplessly, then smiled in relief. "I lost fair and square. You were better."

He didn't wonder whether things would be different if his original partner Volcarona were here. A loss was a loss—and a decisive one. He wasn't shameless enough to make excuses.

This might be his last all-out battle. The moment Volcarona fell, Alder had decided.

From now on, he'd devote himself to training Unova's youth. The duty of safeguarding Unova—he would, shamelessly, hand off to the Elite Four.

But Lucas's slightly regretful reply made Alder blink. "I really wish I could have crossed blades with your first partner too. I imagine that heat could even burn away Mega Swampert's Surf."

He wasn't satisfied yet?

 Alder's face dimmed, but he rallied and promised, "If my old buddy ever recovers, let's battle again."

Lucas paused. So the Volcarona was still alive?

After a beat of hesitation, Lucas asked, "Mr. Alder, would it be convenient to ask—what's your Volcarona's present condition?"

No one would hear their private exchange. Respecting Lucas's strength, Alder gave a wry smile. "No harm telling you. Years ago, to protect the League and me, it overused its power and damaged its essence."

"Without a way to replenish that essence, I've tried everything, but even now it can only lie in a hospital, growing weaker as time passes."

Chapter 276: A Sweeping Victory and Arriving at Eindoak Town for the Harvest Festival

From Alder's account, Lucas drew two conclusions.

First, Alder's original Volcarona has not yet been laid to rest in Unova's Celestial Tower—hence why he still has the fighting spirit to battle Lucas today.

Second, Volcarona's problem is an irreparable deficit at its very source. There's no way to make up for it, and he can only watch as a Volcarona—supposed to be among the longest-lived of Bug-type Pokémon—grows weaker day by day and dies.

There are ways to heal Volcarona, and Lucas can think of several, but they would require seeking out elusive Legendary Pokémon—like Ho-Oh, which can revive the dead, or Xerneas, which can share eternal life, and so on.

These ideas are a bit unrealistic; thinking from a practical angle…

Lucas's gaze, deep in thought, suddenly fell on the excited Arven behind him, and in that instant inspiration bubbled up like a spring.

In the games, Arven's Mabosstiff also had an unhealable injury/deficit like Volcarona, and could only waste away day by day.

Arven's way of saving Mabosstiff was to have it eat sandwiches made with the five Herba Mystica flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—directly pulling Mabosstiff back from the brink!

"Maybe there is a way."

After finishing Volcarona's story, Alder had been watching Lucas. Hearing that almost-whispered line that he thought he might have imagined, a spark of hope suddenly kindled in Alder's heart.

"You have a way!?"

Ignoring the students and reporters around them, Alder grabbed Lucas's hand like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline.

In countless midnight hours, he had lain awake, tormented by memories of Volcarona.

If he could save Volcarona, he would do anything that didn't harm Unova. He'd even sell off everything he owned.

Lucas was startled by Alder's sudden intensity. He didn't want to make promises he couldn't keep, but Alder's face, a mix of sorrow and hope, made him fall silent.

After a few seconds, Lucas said slowly, "There is a way, but I'm not one hundred percent sure. Let's finish the exchange event first and then talk in detail."

Alder paused and looked around. Lacey, a few others, students, and reporters were all staring blankly at them. They couldn't hear the conversation, but Alder suddenly grabbed Lucas's hand—who knew what was going on.

Thankfully, the reporters admitted into Blueberry Academy today were proper and perceptive—not reckless. Otherwise, headlines like "Alder Loses Battle, Emotionally Agitated, Won't Let Winner Leave" would be everywhere tonight.

Realizing he'd lost his composure, Alder cleared his throat. "Then let's proceed with the next two doubles matches."

After Alder lost 3–0 to Lucas, the Blueberry Academy students' overall morale slumped, even affecting the first-round doubles pair Crispin & Lacey.

Compared to Lacey—disappointed yet composed and precise—Crispin, younger but very gifted, became inconsistent.

Even though Lacey did her best to take down Eris's Breloom and Penny's Jolteon, they still couldn't turn the tide and lost the 6v6 double battle.

The second pair, Drayton & Amarys, did much better. As a Steel specialist, Amarys maintained calm, meticulous tactics like Hoenn Champion Steven, while Drayton showed the domineering side of a Dragon-type trainer.

Unfortunately, they faced Nemona & Arven.

Whatever Arven's shot-calling, at least the Cloyster set Lucas recommended—Shell Smash into Icicle Spear to the face caught Drayton off guard.

Amarys's support was blocked by Nemona's fierce offense, and from that moment the momentum swung decisively to Nemona and Arven.

Nemona's style is truly savage—reckless at first glance, yet she dissolves every crisis perfectly and even screens for Arven to deal damage safely.

Ursaring crushed Amarys's Empoleon, then combined with Cloyster to take down Flygon. After Cloyster fell to Amarys's Scizor, Ursaring tanked attacks from the Pokémon called Archaludon, leaving solid damage before going down.

Then Pawmot came out and showcased Nemona's strength far beyond her peers, trading rapid blows with Scizor and beam-for-beam with cannon-like Archaludon.

Arven and Mabosstiff were basically supports, mostly protecting the carry from tricky angles of attack.

After Scizor and Archaludon both fell, Drayton stared in surprise at Nemona, who seemed about his age. Her overwhelming strength actually inspired a bit of fear in him.

Watching the whole time, Lucas was thrilled, though he couldn't figure out why Lacey's ace was Excadrill—doesn't she like cute Pokémon, especially Fairy types?

And Drayton's ace, Archaludon—seems like an evolution of Duraludon. If Duraludon, which can wrestle Tyranitar, can still evolve, is it like Scyther to Scizor?

Surely it doesn't just ascend into a pseudo-legend with a 600 base stat total?

During the match, Lucas also reviewed his battle with Alder.

Conclusion: Alder's biggest issue is that his absolute ace, Volcarona, is gravely ill, so his current strength is only somewhat above an average Elite Four member.

Cynthia's Garchomp, Diantha's Gardevoir, Steven's Metagross, and Leon's Charizard are absolute aces that can decide matches.

Right now, Alder is roughly like a buffed Raihan from Galar—supposedly Champion-tier elsewhere, yet he uses Duraludon's Gigantamax.

By contrast, after nearly half a year of growth, Serperior and the others have improved a lot since the challenge against Geeta, and he's added Mega Swampert to his roster.

All these factors combined produced Lucas's terrifying 3–0.

That's also why he wants to fight Alder at his peak—fading heroes always leave a sense of regret.

As Blueberry Academy's students wore expressions of sorrow and frustration, the "harmonious and friendly" exchange with the sister school ended. Reporters beamed, having bagged great stories.

Nemona's group was energized by a sense of achievement; Director Cyrano looked satisfied, everything going as planned. Proper losses and pressure only give Unova's younger generation stronger motivation to grow.

As the crowd dispersed, among the dejected students of the League Club, a short, timid boy named Kieran glanced quietly at Lucas's departing figure.

From today on, the powerful trainer he admired equaled Lucas in his mind.

…

As soon as the event ended, Alder hurried to find Lucas. Arranged by Director Cyrano, they went to a quiet, empty room.

No sooner had they sat down than Alder asked, "About what we just discussed—"

Lucas raised a hand to stop him, sighing. "Don't rush. To be frank, I probably can't produce the thing itself right away."

Alder's face fell at once.

Sighing, Lucas continued, "It's a peculiar plant from Paldea called Herba Mystica. If you eat dishes made with all five flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty—it's said even a gravely injured Pokémon on the brink can be saved."

In the games you can just snatch Herba Mystica from Titan Pokémon, but Lucas had never heard rumors of Titans in reality.

Fortunately, his farm is growing them.

Seeing Alder's hopeful expression, Lucas recalled the small plot with subtly different leaf patterns and shapes and said slowly, "My farm is cultivating Herba Mystica—just so happens I have all five."

"However, this plant not only needs massive energy to grow but also has a long growth cycle. I planted them at the start of the year, and even with Pokémon bathing them daily in Grassy Terrain, they probably won't mature until the end of the year—maybe even next year."

"Can Volcarona last that long?"

Alder was silent for a moment, then said quietly, "I'm not sure. It gets weaker every day. I don't know how long it can hold on. If there were a way to replenish some of its source energy, maybe it could hang in there."

"Replenish energy…"

Lucas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. As it happened, after leaving Blueberry Academy for Eindoak Town, that Pokémon would be there.

But he didn't bring it up. Giving Alder nebulous hope would only add worry and pressure.

After discussing Volcarona's condition further, Lucas and Alder exchanged contact info.

With a real hope of healing Volcarona, Alder stood and bowed deeply. "I'll entrust the Herba Mystica cultivation to you. Regardless of the outcome, I'll pay you."

Lucas didn't refuse; it was Alder's sincerity and hope.

When Alder asked what kind of payment he wanted, Lucas's gaze happened to fall on the Terarium map hanging on the wall.

After Lucas left, Alder looked at the Terarium map, thoughtful.

Lucas mentioned his main business is running a farm—could he be very interested in Terarium construction tech?

…

That night after the exchange, Geeta called. She first praised Lucas and the students for their performance; before Lucas could speak, she volunteered to double the prize money.

It was clear Geeta was very pleased with the results.

Over the next two days, Nemona's group basically became exchange students at Blueberry Academy, enjoying youth.

Lucas, meanwhile, often carried around Alcremie, Comfey, and Vulpix—the three cute little ones—and wandered the academy like a street loafer. Lacey even asked if he planned to specialize in Fairy types.

He thought Lacey was talking nonsense—until that night when a Mimikyu crawled out of his shadow, and he remembered Dachsbun, Arcanine's underling. Counting five current and future Fairy-types, Lucas fell silent.

He quickly made peace with himself. On his farm, the most common type is definitely Grass.

Come to think of it, he couldn't recall a Grass-type Elite Four member—there's even a Bug specialist. Maybe he should go be a "Grass Elite"…

Two days flew by. On the morning of the third day, as Lucas's group of five prepared to leave Blueberry Academy, seeing them off were Director Cyrano and Lacey. Drayton, with heavy dark circles from staying up late, suddenly ran over and asked to battle Lucas.

It was a brutal, lopsided match—so one-sided that even years later Drayton would blush just recalling it.

Lucas's Dragonite left a deep impression, making Drayton seriously consider raising a Dratini. That dragon was even stronger than his grandfather Drayden's ace, which thrilled him.

On the morning of June 5th, the five took a cruise ship and left Blueberry Academy.

When the ship docked at an unnamed port, they set off by map and toward Eindoak Town, the city nestled among mountains.

On the way, the Vulpix Lucas kept by his side behaved like a curious baby, fascinated by everything, which delayed their progress a bit.

They should have reached Eindoak Town before noon, but with all the delays they only got to the mountain path at the city's entrance around one or two in the afternoon.

Before entering Eindoak Town, Lucas saw a few greenish-blue Sawsbuck. Sawsbuck is the evolved form of Deerling, and likewise changes appearance with the seasons.

The Sawsbuck he saw were in their summer form—the same as the ones Ash and friends encountered before entering Eindoak Town in the movie.

This meant their timing matched the movie: every summer, Eindoak Town holds the Harvest Festival.

However, there was no scene of a Sawsbuck trapped on a cliff, and the mysterious invisible Mythical Pokémon Victini didn't show even a shadow.

Lucas wasn't in a rush. He'd deliver the letter first, then rely on that system in his head—which is only good for directions—to look for Victini and set up a "recruitment" plan.

Legend has it Victini brings victory. A trainer with Victini will be invincible—likely because Victini can generate infinite energy and share it with humans and Pokémon, enhancing their abilities.

These past few days, Lucas had been thinking: if it's Victini, could it slow Volcarona's decline, amplify his farm Pokémon's Grassy Terrain effects, speed up Herba Mystica growth, and thus save Volcarona?

He had already planned to "recruit" Victini; Alder and Volcarona's situation simply firmed his resolve to try establishing a bond with it.