"Where are you headed next?" Viola asked, standing at the edge of Frozen Canyon. Inside, all sounds had ceased. Both Pokémon within had been captured by Ash and the girl who'd suddenly flown in. Though Ash hadn't caught the Kyurem he sought, capturing Keldeo, who'd fought Kyurem to a standstill, was still a significant gain.
"I'm heading to the World Coronation Series. It's about time I arrived; I should've been there three days ago, but I got sidetracked by Kyurem," Viola said, cleaning her camera as she gazed into the distance.
"The World Coronation Series?" Ash froze at the unfamiliar term. He knew all about the Pokémon League, but this was something new.
"You look like a seasoned Trainer, yet you don't know about the World Coronation Series?" Viola's voice carried a hint of doubt as she turned and regarded him with an expression of complete confusion.
"Of course I know about the Pokémon League," Ash said, a little defensively. "You get eight badges, you compete in a tournament, and the winner gets to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion. But this 'World Coronation Series'... that's different, right?"
"Aha! So you know the basics, but not the big event," Viola said, covering her mouth and chuckling. "The Pokémon League is for proving you're the best in one region. The World Coronation Series is for proving you're the best in the world."
"Wait, really? The best in the world?" Ash's eyes widened, his curiosity ignited.
"Exactly. Since you're so eager, I'll tell you all about it," Viola said, adopting a serious expression. "The World Coronation Series is held every three years and consists of two tiers: the Qualifying Rounds and the Championship Rounds. The Qualifying Rounds pit Pokémon Trainers from all over the world against each other. Through successive battles, the field narrows down to the Top 64, Top 32, Top 12, Top 6, and finally the Champion of the qualifiers."
"Reaching the pinnacle as the Qualifying Champion brings immense honor and wealth. But that's just the beginning. After winning the qualifiers, you advance to the Championship Rounds. That's where the true test lies."
"What happens in the Championship Rounds?" Ash asked, leaning forward.
"Your opponents aren't just one region's Elite Four," Viola explained, her voice dropping to a more dramatic tone. "This time, you must challenge a council of eight Champions, the strongest trainers selected from every region. Defeat all eight, and you will be crowned the Monarch, the strongest Trainer in the world."
"The strongest in the world..." Ash repeated, swallowing hard. The scale of it was staggering.
"Exactly. But this time, the lineup is historic," Viola added. "Previously, the final challenge was against a 4 Champion. Now, it's a full eight Champions. Their stature is immense. Beating this lineup? It's considered practically impossible." Viola shook her head as she spoke.
"So that's how it is," Ash said, lowering his head in thought. This had to be related to the changes the Lust God had mentioned. The World Coronation Series was the final test. As for those eight Champions... he didn't feel confident now, but that didn't mean he couldn't be in the future. He already possessed two powerful Pokémon. With proper training, they could rival Legendaries.
"Oh, and that girl you saw earlier, riding the Rayquaza? She's one of the eight Champions you'd have to face," Viola reminded the pensive Ash.
"Her too?" Ash looked up, shocked.
"Yep. Her name is Iris. She's one of the eight, and ranked in the top three for strength. She's a Dragon-type Master," Viola explained.
"A Dragon Master..." Ash muttered, then refocused. "Wait, Viola, you're going to the Series too? Are you one of the Champions?"
Viola laughed. "Me? You're overthinking it. I'm nowhere near that level."
"Then why are you going?" Ash pressed.
"I'm taking on a different role there. If you join the World Coronation Series, we'll meet again," Viola said, ruffling Ash's hair. To her, he was still just a child. She had no idea he was already a notorious pervert who had assaulted several Trainers using his Lust God Power, and that she herself was on his list.
"Hmm... Since Sister Viola says so, I'll definitely join the World Coronation Series. I'll find you then..." Ash chuckled, thinking, What position to explore with her in bed.
Hearing Ash call her "Sister Viola" left and right pleased her. He looked young, so him calling her "sister" made her feel youthful. Delighted, she ruffled his hair again.
"Well then, I'll be heading off now. Oh, I almost forgot, to join the Qualifying Rounds, you still need to collect eight badges from a single region. How many do you have so far?" Viola asked, looking at Ash.
"Five already. Just three more to go," Ash said, showing his badge case.
She nodded. "Not bad. There are still six months until the World Coronation Series begins. That's plenty of time. The rest is up to you. I'll be waiting for you there." Viola ruffled Ash's hair one last time, then turned and tossed a Poké Ball. A Pokémon Ash had never seen before appeared. It resembled a bat.
Noticing his stare, Viola smiled. "This is my Noivern. It's not from Kanto or Johto, it's from the Kalos region."
"Oh, I see," Ash said, nodding as he added the unfamiliar Pokémon to memory.
Viola rode on Noivern, which flapped its wings. The powerful wind pressure nearly knocked Ash back a step, but with his enhanced physique, he didn't budge.
"Well then, farewell! I'll be waiting for you at the World Coronation Series!" Viola called, waving from high above.
"Got it, Viola. I'll definitely come find you at the World Coronation Series," Ash called back, waving.
"Mhm," Viola hummed in response, then turned to guide Noivern toward the direction of the World Coronation Series. Watching Viola's figure disappear, Ash didn't linger either, continuing his journey toward Saffron City.