The cheers inside the Luminara League Stadium had still not faded. Elior stood in the players' tunnel with all six of his PokéBalls clipped to his belt. His body was exhausted. His clothes were torn from the intense semifinal battle.
Yet...
A smile appeared on his face. He had finally done it.
After everything—
From receiving his first Pokémon...
To battling Gym Leaders...
To facing Team Eclipse...
And Team Umber...
To overcoming rivals stronger than ever before...
He had reached the Luminara League Final.
As Elior stepped out of the tunnel, reporters immediately surrounded him.
Microphones and cameras pointed in his direction.
"Elior!"
"How do you feel after qualifying for the Finals?"
"What's your opinion on Kai?"
"Can Eclipse Lunashade become the strongest Pokémon in Luminara?"
Elior scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Kai was incredible."
"Without every member of my team, I couldn't have won."
"The Finals won't be any easier."
The reporters smiled, impressed by his humility.
Elsewhere in the Pokémon Center...Kai stood beside Baxcalibur. The mighty Dragon was resting peacefully. Kai gently placed a hand on its shoulder.
"We lost..."
"But I have no regrets."
Baxcalibur looked at him and gave a quiet roar.
Kai smiled.
"Let's come back stronger next year."
The giant stadium filled once again. The crowd roared as the announcer stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Our first finalist has been decided!"
The giant screen showed Elior's picture.
The audience erupted with cheers.
Then...
The announcer continued.
"Now..."
"It is time to determine who will face Elior in the Grand Final!"
The giant screen changed.
Second Semifinal
Serena VS Orion
The battle began immediately.
Unlike Elior's grueling semifinal, this battle showed only key moments of the match.
Serena's Milotic elegantly deflected Orion's attacks with graceful precision.
Orion answered with incredible teamwork between his Grass- and Flying-type Pokémon.
The match remained close from beginning to end.
One Pokémon after another fell.
The scoreboard continued changing.
Six became five.
Five became three.
Three became one.
Finally...
Only Serena's ace Milotic and Orion's ace Roserade remained. The entire stadium watched the final exchange.
Serena: "Hydro Pump!"
Orion: "Leaf Storm!"
Water and green energy collided. The explosion shook the battlefield.
When the smoke cleared...Milotic remained standing. Roserade slowly collapsed.
THUD...
The referee raised the flag.
"Roserade is unable to battle!"
"The winner is..."
"Serena!"
The audience exploded into applause.
The giant screen lit up one last time. Golden lights surrounded the tournament bracket.
The words slowly appeared.
LUMINARA LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Elior VS Serena
The crowd stood to their feet. Commentators shouted excitedly.
"What a final this will be!"
"The mysterious power of Eclipse Lunashade..."
"Against Serena's elegant and tactical battling style!"
Later that evening...
Elior stood alone outside the Pokémon Center. He looked up at the stars. Footsteps approached.
It was Serena.
She smiled politely.
"Congratulations."
Elior smiled back.
"You too."
Serena looked toward the stadium.
"Tomorrow..."
"Neither of us will hold back."
Elior nodded.
"That's exactly what I want."
The two finalists exchanged respectful smiles before walking in opposite directions.
Far beyond the Luminara Region...
On the forgotten land of Aether Isle...
The wind howled through the ancient ruins. Umbreal stood silently before the colossal stone gate. Embedded within the seal...Were all three ancient keys.
The runes across the gate glowed with an ominous golden light. Thin cracks spread slowly across its ancient surface. Umbreal placed his hand on the seal.
He could feel it.
The presence sleeping behind the gate was growing stronger with each passing moment. He lowered his head.
"You've already done it, Zeff..."
"The three keys have awakened the seal."
His Eclipse Lunashade stepped beside him, staring at the ancient gate.
Umbreal clenched his fist.
"I know you're out there."
"You're waiting for the right moment."
He looked toward the moon shining above Aether Isle.
"No matter what your plan is..."
"I'll stop you."
A powerful gust of wind swept through the ruins. The ancient gate trembled once again.
CRAAACK...
Another small crack appeared across the seal. Umbreal didn't move.
He stood firmly before the gate like its guardian.
Back at the Luminara League Stadium, golden fireworks lit up the night sky.
The giant screen displayed tomorrow's championship match.
LUMINARA LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Elior VS Serena
As the fireworks illuminated the stadium...The scene faded to black.
Two battles were approaching.
One for the title of Luminara League Champion...And another, hidden in the shadows of Aether Isle, that would decide the future of the world.
TO BE CONTINUED...