Castelia City.
Several days later, Derick returned to the Fire-type Gym that symbolized blazing flames, bringing along Riolu and his newly captured partner.
"So, Trainer," the Gym Leader Alex said with a grin as he looked at the boy, who was roughly the same age as himself. "This is your second time challenging the Gym. Are you fully prepared?"
"We definitely won't lose as easily as last time!" Derick clenched his fists, his voice firm.
"Very well." A sharp glint flashed in Alex's eyes. "I'm looking forward to your performance."
Phwee.
With a clear, piercing whistle, the gym referee stepped forward and announced the rules.
"This Gym Battle will be a 3v3 match. Each side may use up to three Pokémon. The battle will end only when all Pokémon on one side have lost the ability to battle!"
"The match begins now. Please send out your first Pokémon!"
Alex chose not to change his lineup. Just like last time, he sent out Magby first.
He wanted to see how the challenger would handle the same opponent and tactics after suffering defeat once.
More importantly, Trainers weren't the only ones who grew stronger through Gym battles.
As a Gym Leader, Alex also refined his Pokémon's strategies with every fight, identifying weaknesses and improving through real combat.
Derick tightened his grip on the Poké Ball in his hand.
This time, he didn't immediately send out Riolu.
Instead...
"Go!"
With a sharp shout, Derick hurled the Poké Ball forward. A burst of white light erupted, and within it appeared a Pokémon nearly one and a half meters tall, its body covered in white feathers and crowned with an enormous yellow beak.
Alex's pupils shrank.
He recognized it instantly.
"Pelipper…!"
The evolved form of Wingull, Water- and Flying-type.
And the moment Pelipper appeared, a mysterious force surged outward from its body.
Dark clouds rapidly gathered above the battlefield, spreading unnaturally fast.
The next second, rain poured down in torrents.
"Drizzle, huh?" Alex chuckled softly. "So you really did take my advice seriously. But don't think this will be easy!"
"Magby, use Smog!"
"Pelipper, Water Pulse!"
The commands rang out simultaneously.
Both Pokémon moved at once.
Magby locked its gaze onto Pelipper hovering above and spat out a thick cloud of murky purple gas.
Pelipper's body surged with deep-blue water energy. The condensed water vibrated violently, releasing powerful shockwaves that surged forward.
The Water Pulse tore straight through the poisonous mist, dispersing it instantly before slamming into Magby's body.
"Magby!"
Magby cried out as its small body was sent flying backward, tumbling across the battlefield.
Alex's eyes widened.
Derick didn't give him even a second to breathe.
"Pelipper, Water Pulse again!"
"Magby, hang on! Dodge it, now!"
Alex reacted immediately.
But it was already too late.
The second Water Pulse struck true.
The impact blasted Magby backward, its body skidding to a stop as it collapsed onto the ground.
"Magby is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "The first round goes to the challenger, Derick!"
Alex's expression turned serious.
'So strong.'
He stared at the boy across from him.
In just a few short days, Derick's strength had risen to this level.
A sudden thought crossed Alex's mind.
'Was this kid… a natural-born Trainer?'
But Alex quickly shook his head.
'No, so what if he was a genius?'
Magby was only a Pokémon he had recently captured. That loss didn't represent his true strength at all.
"Alright, Derick," Alex said, his expression sharpening. "I'm not holding back anymore!"
A flash of white light erupted as he released his starter Pokémon, his strongest partner.
Emboar landed heavily on the battlefield.
Even under the pouring rain, its towering, muscular suggest of power only grew more imposing, steam rising faintly from its body as water slid off its burning frame.
The second round was about to begin.
...
Kingdom Calendar, Year 151, Mid-July.
Within the royal castle, Lucien received news that the overseas exploration fleet was fully prepared.
A messenger reported in detail: the fleet consisted of sixteen steam-powered giant ships. Each vessel carried eighty sailors, along with a first mate and second mate. In addition, there were chefs, maintenance workers, barbers, and other essential personnel aboard.
Every sailor was partnered with two Pokémon, one Flying-type and one Water-type.
The cargo holds of the ships were filled with honey, cheese, coffee, carpets, and other high-quality goods. These would serve as gifts, or trade commodities during the Great Voyage.
"Your Majesty," Elif reported, "the fleet departed yesterday."
Lucien nodded lightly, showing he already understood.
However, Elif's expression carried a hint of unease.
Lucien noticed at once. "What is it, Elif?"
"Your Majesty…" she hesitated. "I'm only worried that if the fleet passes through barbarian territories, the wealth aboard may become a target."
Lucien smiled faintly.
"There's no need to worry. I've already made arrangements. If we encounter those with malicious intent, the navy stationed on the ships is not something they can treat lightly."
"We are going forth in the spirit of friendly exchange, but that does not mean we will allow ourselves to be preyed upon."
Elif finally let out a breath of relief.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Lucien turned toward the window, gazing at the vast, boundless sky beyond.
Which land would the fleet reach first?
Hisui? Alola? Kalos? Galar? Hoenn? Or perhaps Paldea?
For now, even he could not know.
The fleet would not return to Unova until at least next year, or perhaps the year after.
Regardless, Lucien set himself a modest initial goal.
To bring those rare and precious Pokémon, those that would one day stand on the brink of extinction, their numbers dwindling to almost nothing, into the Unova region, and protect them.
Whether now, or thousands of years in the future.
Lucien would build Unova into a sacred land, a true holy ground belonging to Trainers.