Since leaving Lucien City, Anna had been training far from home.
The moment the Gyms across the Unova region officially opened, she set out on her journey to collect Gym Badges.
Along the way, she met countless people and experienced things she never could have imagined before.
In addition to her original partner, Zoroark, Anna had captured many powerful Pokémon.
Braviary, Electivire, Magmar, Lilligant, Krookodile.
Moreover, she had followed Lucien's teachings closely, applying his training methods to every one of her partners. Under her guidance, each Pokémon's strength had grown to a remarkable level.
"Zoroark," Anna said, turning toward the Pokémon beside her, excitement shining in her eyes. "Next… let's work together and give Teacher a real surprise."
Zoroark let out a low cry, its gaze sharp and confident.
Opelucid City- Pokémon Flying Taxi Station.
A tall young man pushed his way through the bustling crowd, his expression resolute. In his clenched hand was a Gym Badge, still warm from the battle.
The final Gym Badge had been collected.
Next, it was time to head to Lucien City and await the Final Grand Ceremony.
"Mother…" Derick whispered softly, tightening his grip on the badge. "I'll definitely win. I'll become a great Trainer and give you a good life."
His eyes burned with unwavering determination.
But before departing for Lucien City, there was still one thing he needed to do.
Derick made his way to the Pokémon Center in Opelucid City.
He handed the six red-and-white Poké Balls in his possession to Nurse Joy.
"Please wait a moment," she said with a gentle smile.
Joy placed the Poké Balls onto a small cart, which a Chansey carefully pushed toward the back room.
Inside, Chansey closed its eyes and released a soft, warm wave of energy.
Heal Pulse.
Pink light enveloped all six Poké Balls, continuously mending the injuries of the Pokémon inside.
A short while later, Chansey pushed the cart back into the lobby.
"Chansey~"
It happily presented the cart to Joy.
"Thank you for your hard work, Chansey," Joy said warmly before handing the Poké Balls back to Derick.
"Thank you for waiting, Trainer. All your Pokémon have fully recovered."
"Thank you," Derick replied sincerely.
His gaze lingered briefly on Chansey.
He had heard that this species possessed extraordinary healing abilities.
Carrying large quantities of Potions while traveling through the wilderness was cumbersome. If he had a Pokémon like that on his team, it could save him both time and resources.
Unfortunately…
Such Pokémon rarely shined in battle, falling far short of combat-focused partners like Lucario.
After completing the healing, Derick didn't leave immediately.
He stepped into the backyard, raised his arm, and tossed all six Poké Balls into the air.
"Everyone, come out!"
Clack!
White light flashed as six figures appeared before him.
Lucario, calm and composed, radiating restrained power. Throh, muscular and imposing, clad in its white gi. Haxorus, its armored body bristling, massive axe-like tusks gleaming.
Beartic, exuding icy cold, frost curling faintly around it. Druddigon, a massive Dragon-type, rough and intimidating. And Hydreigon, three-headed, ferocious, and overflowing with violent energy.
These were the partners Derick had gained through blood, sweat, and countless battles.
All six Pokémon looked at him intently.
Compared to the boy who had first set out with his starter Pokémon, Derick's body was now sturdier, his posture straight and steady. Scars marked his face and limbs.
Each one was a medal earned through survival.
The scar across his face, in particular, had been left by Hydreigon.
That battle had been unimaginably dangerous.
But in the end, they had prevailed, overwhelming Hydreigon with sheer determination and strength, forcing it to acknowledge Derick as its Trainer.
Derick took a deep breath.
"Everyone," he said firmly, "next, we head to Lucien City, the capital of the Kingdom."
"There, we'll face the strongest Trainers from across Unova."
"This is the final battle."
Derick's gaze swept over the Pokémon standing before him. His expression grew solemn.
"The final victor will become the strongest Trainer, and the strongest Pokémon team, in the entire Kingdom," he said firmly. "So I ask all of you to give it everything you've got and show everyone our true strength!"
"Awoo!"
"Roar!"
"…!"
One by one, the Pokémon responded, their voices filled with resolve.
Derick smiled.
He extended his hand, and one after another, the six Pokémon reached out, placing their paws atop his.
Trainer and Pokémon, united as one.
"Then," Derick said softly, "let's go."
Kagome Village.
Freya and her Pokémon were currently staying at the home of a local villager.
Ever since the establishment of the Kingdom, many Trainers had begun traveling specifically to Kagome Village, either to train or to capture Ice-type Pokémon.
As a result, the village had developed at astonishing speed.
In just a little over a year, inns, restaurants, and all kinds of shops had sprung up where there had once been little more than empty land.
At this moment, Freya was sitting wide-eyed, listening to a villager animatedly recount a tale from the previous year, how a legendary Pokémon Master had arrived and rescued the villagers after they were captured by a man-eating giant beast.
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Wow… that Trainer must have been incredible!"
Beside her, Patrat, now evolved into Watchog, nodded solemnly, its expression full of respect.
On the other side, Heracross was doing something far more important.
It was happily slurping sweet honey from a can, completely ignoring the conversation.
"Watchog, Swoobat, Heracross, Audino, Lilligant, Chansey," Freya declared, fists clenched with enthusiasm, "we have to learn from that Pokémon Master! We need to become just as strong, and help everyone too!"
Watchog, Swoobat, Audino, and the others all responded eagerly.
Only Heracross remained focused on its honey.
"Hey, Heracross!" Freya immediately felt a headache coming on. "Stop eating already! You've had almost eight cans of sweet honey today!"
"Ahhh!"
She hurriedly rummaged through her coin purse, then froze.
"Oh no."
Freya's face turned pale.
"The allowance Mom sent me is gone… and the subsidy from the Trainer Association is gone too! At this rate, we won't even have enough money left to take a Pokémon flying taxi to Lucien City!"
"Hera?"
Heracross blinked innocently.
Then, somehow, it pulled out a large, glittering object and placed it into Freya's hands.
"Hera!" Take it!
"This is?!"
Freya instantly recognized it.
"A Big Nugget?!"
Her eyes widened.
"Where did you get this from?!"
"Hera~"
Heracross turned its head away, looking mysterious.
Don't ask.
Heracross has its own… channels.