"Mount Lanakila might just melt with all of the people gathered here today, Liza!" a reporter enthusiastically shouted at the camera. "But of course, tensions are rising as our current Champion is expected to arrive any minute. Just about everyone gathered here today is here in protest."

"I don't care who she was!" a lady angrily spat into the microphone, holding a sign that had an X painted over a depiction of Morai's mask. "She abandoned us, and whoever replaced her certainly isn't our Champion!"

"We don't need a bloodthirsty criminal sitting in that chair," another man said.

"She was rotting in prison where she belongs!" another said. "She should've stayed there and handed the title to someone else! Like one of Lusamine's kids! Heck, I'd even take Guzma!"

"Speaking of Gladion," the reporter continued, "The promising young man vying for the Champion's title has decided to be the last challenger in the line of notable trainers trying to take the title away from The Mask Maker's cold, evil hands! Trainers such as the former Team Skull Leader Guzma, Kahuna Hala's grandson Hau, and even Professor Kukui have taken it upon themselves to clear the dark cloud looming over our region and bring pride back to our name. The Professor had this to say:"

"I was the one to hand her her starting Pokémon and watched as she made it all the way to this very peak and battled me to become our very first Champion. I'm very sad to say that I'm trying to reverse that fateful event today," Kukui said.

"I visited our formerly beloved Champion in prison not too long ago. I believe that stripping her of the title is essential to her healing. If it becomes necessary for me to be the one to do it, I'll certainly try my best," Lusamine added.

"Well, it certainly seems like—oh, wait! There she is now!" the reporter exclaimed, ushering the camera to point at the group of police agents filling the area and urging people to step back and turn their phone cameras off.

"I'll go over the rules one more time," Sheridan said as they rode the lift up to the high mountainside. "You are not to speak to anyone, especially anyone with a camera, unless they're a challenger. You're going to battle everyone who wishes to take your title then take your leave, however long that takes. Don't get too close to anyone or let anyone get too close to you...and Morai...should you try to run, you will get caught, and the consequences will be severe. Am I understood?"

"Of course, Mrs. Sheridan," Morai answered with a crafty smile. "Though you're certainly taking the fun out of it."

As the lift became level with the peak, Morai was met with roars of scornful shouts and waving of signs, but she didn't mind at all.

They can spit their venom from a safe distance while I'm handcuffed and seemingly powerless, she thought. But when I'm on the loose most of them will be cowering, locked away in their homes.

"Hello, everyone!" she cheerfully greeted with her wide, unnerving smile. "Where was all this hatred a year ago, when I was still The Mask Maker who wore the face of your beloved Champion as well?"

Sheridan nudged her in the back.

"You're going to incite arguments that escalate," she whispered. "Stop it."

"That was before you became a monster!" someone shouted. "You're not our Champion!"

"Oh? And what if I were to tell you that—"

"Am I going to have to tape your mouth shut in front of all these people? Either hold your tongue or get carried through those doors unconscious. It's your choice, Champion," Sheridan spat through clenched teeth.

"Fine, fine," The Mask Maker sighed, sticking her tongue out and smiling at the man who had called out. She nodded to the group of challengers waiting and made comments to some of them, pointing out that Sheridan had permitted it mere minutes ago.

"The protests are heating up as the Champion arrives," the reporter continued. "Their leader, Yvette Sheridan—"

Morai didn't care to hear the rest of the sentence before shoving her boots into the ground and turning around.

"Keep moving, Morai," Sheridan warned.

"Did I hear...? Hey!" Morai called, throwing her head back as she tried to motion for the woman in question to come to her, but she was talking to the reporter. With some fancy footwork and pure spite, the prisoner managed to wrench herself free enough to take the few steps needed to reach her target.

"Did I hear that correctly?" she said, appearing as close as she could next to the woman, a sharp-toothed smile still spread across her face. When Morai had finally gotten her attention, Yvette moved over the barriers that had been set up and wiggled through the guards' attempts at stopping her, until she was nearly face to face with her former attacker.

"Did I hear that right?" Morai asked again. "Did he say your name was Yvette Sheridan? As in, the daughter of the woman angrily marching toward—"

Yvette slapped her across the face, and Morai had to admit that she hadn't seen it coming. Still, she laughed it off.

"Your mother is a high-ranking International Police commander and she didn't teach you how to strike someone correctly?" she joked, though with a red imprint clearly on her face. "You have to put your whole body into it! Here, try again. I won't bite. I can't."

Yvette looked at her, tempted to do it again.

"Now that I think about it," Morai continued. "I tend to remember the taste of everyone's blood, down to a deep level. Everyone is different, but you and your mother are markedly similar—"

The Interpol commander Sheridan grabbed Morai's tie and pulled it tight before striking her herself. The Champion felt the cold metal of a gun pressed against her neck as Sheridan's furious eyes met hers.

"Don't you ever, ever, speak to my daughter again," she growled, not caring who heard it, "or I will put you on the ground faster than you can say your own name, whichever one that is."

Morai groaned. "That's how you do it," she said, and when Sheridan drove the gun further into her neck she shut up.

"Hello, mother," Yvette said rather cordially, the corners of her mouth turned down in a frown. The scars from the attack were still visible, turning her mother's stomach every time she saw them. "I see the supposed reformation attempt seems to be struggling, as your prisoner seems exactly the same. I would even dare to say she's worse. What kind of idea do you think it was, bringing her out here with all of these people?"

Sheridan matched her daughter's expression.

"The proper precautions have been taken," she answered. "And some progress has been made."

"Doing what, arts and crafts?" Yvette scoffed, nodding to Morai's mask. After she had taken the serum she made a new mask that was nearly identical to Shadow Morai's. In the last week, she had made an even newer one with a slightly different design.

"This is not the time nor the place for this conversation," Yvette's mother answered. "You are free to meet with me after the title defense matches have taken place."

"Let's hope for both of our sakes that we don't meet in the ruins of what should be a proper Pokémon League!"

Morai was ushered inside as Yvette's shout caused others to join in again. There, she was met with Elite Four members Molayne, Olivia, Acerola, and Kahili, none of which had a warm welcome prepared. The paths leading up to each of their chambers had been lit up, meaning that someone had defeated them already.

"The first challenger is waiting for you, as you can see," Olivia said flatly. "I'd wish you luck like old times, but in this case I hope you lose."

"Understood," Morai said, a grin returning back to her face. "And if I don't?"

"You will, before the day is over. Alola will not sit idly by as a monster sits on the throne of the Pokémon League. Someone will replace you, by fair match or force," Kahili said, bringing her golf club off of her shoulder to swing it around to the other side with impressive speed.

When Morai arrived at the Champion's chambers, her handcuffs were taken off and she was able to request her Pokémon for the match. After she received her Z-Ring and walked up the stairs, she saw an unfamiliar young trainer standing on the battlefield. She had to pass her as she took her place on the Champion's side, causing her to step back several steps in apprehension. Sheridan stood by the throne that currently had Morai's old name above it, while Pollie and Maria stood at the side of the field.

"I've never seen you before," the Champion said with a smile. "What color are you named after? I think they've covered just about every one in the book."

"That doesn't matter," the trainer said. "I'm here to battle you and take your place."

"Are you afraid, then, no name?" Morai asked. "Don't lie, I can tell."

"I'm afraid of what will happen if no one beats you," the unnamed trainer replied.

"Good answer. I like you, no name. Let's see if your fears come to fruition."

The trainer sent out her Decidueye with a determined gleam in her eyes and Morai sent out her Hydreigon. Hydreigon took the girl's Pokémon out with Flamethrower and Crunch, leaving Decidueye to lay unconscious on the ground in front of its disheartened trainer.

"It was taken out so easily..." she said.

"Don't give up!" Morai growled, struggling to keep the red in her eyes from showing. "Your fight isn't over. Even if you won't win, it's up to you to battle to the best of your ability and put up an honorable fight."

As predicted, the rest of the battle went the same way it had started, and the girl's Oricorio was the last to be defeated.

"You did well," Morai said. "Thank you."

The trainer bowed her head to hide the tears forming in her eyes, her hands forming into fists by her side.

"Why?" she asked, calling her fainted Pokémon back into its ball. "Why would you fight to remain a Champion if you won't even be here?"

Morai began to walk towards her, causing everyone else to step forward.

"What, do you think I'm going to dropkick her over the edge or something?" she joked. Pollie looked to Sheridan, who sighed and nodded for Morai to keep going. The Champion approached the girl and put a hand on her shoulder, which caused her to tense up.

"It's hard to separate things into black and white, good and bad," she said. "What's important is that you fight for what you believe in."

"And what do you believe in?" her challenger asked. "What do you believe in that brings you back here?"

To her own surprise, Morai stammered.

"Well, I...I...think I've forgotten..." she said, the last words trailing off into inaudible whispers.

Didn't I believe in something? I came here to escape the International Police, but...why else am I here if not simply to fight? Is that enough to believe in? Is it enough to justify what I've done?

"Discover what you believe in and fight for it," she said again, pulling away and returning to her place on the battlefield as her challenger exited the room in defeat. Before leaving, she turned back to Morai.

"I don't believe someone like you should be standing there," she said. "And I'll keep training to change that if no one else does."

Morai nodded in recognition of her determination.

"I think you slapped some...kindness into her," Pollie quietly said, moving to stand next to Sheridan. "Or whatever that is."

"No," Sheridan replied. "She's ruthlessly violent, but she respects a determined opponent who brings their best to a fight, and by extension a battle. She has a strange sense of honor when it comes to these things."

"Hm."

The next trainer to enter through the doors was Alola's Professor Kukui. He had a solemn expression on his face, like his hand had been forced. Instead of taking his place on the battlefield, he kept walking until he was face to face with Morai. Even for this occasion, an open lab coat was the only thing covering his upper body and a baseball cap still adorned his head. He looked at Morai without saying a word for a while, and Morai looked back at him. There was no fear in his mind.

"I guess it really is you, huh?" he said, giving more of a resigned statement than a question.

"I'm not the same trainer you handed a Litten to those years ago," Morai said.

"It's kind of funny. You're not so different from Incineroar now, down to the colors you wear. I don't want to be the leader of a league I built, but I've got to do it justice. You're technically the biggest and baddest, but I'm sorry to say that you're no longer fit to lead this place. There's always time to change that if you'd simply step down for a time. If you come back and you've returned to your old Champion-like self, I'd happily just hand the title back to you."

"That gets rid of the fun," Morai said.

"I'm trying to compromise here, cousin," Kukui offered. "You've got a line of people trying to take your title and all of them are here solely because they care about Alola and think it deserves a proper Champ. These are people who care about you. If you'd just step—"

"I'm not going to change simply because everyone else would like me to," Morai said. "The time has come to battle, and that battle will decide who deserves to sit in that seat."

The Professor hung his head before nodding his acceptance. He walked back to his place on the field and began the battle with his Incineroar, which Morai's Hydreigon took out with Surf. It also managed to take Lycanroc down with Earthquake.

All of the hours spent training on the Battle Subway just to have a chance at beating the twins. Hydreigon has been meticulously cared for and trained to be nearly unbeatable. I guess I owe them a thank you for forcing me to train so much.

"Wow!" Kukui yelled from across the room, a mix of surprise and fear in his voice. He was afraid he would fail at defending Alola from a Champion who'd gone bad. Alola had only had a Pokémon League for a few years, and Morai sitting at the top of it was a disgrace. He sent Primarina out, and his opponent finally switched her Pokémon, sending out a Bisharp. She admitted to herself that due to her type preferences, certain types of Pokémon and moves were harder to come by, so she made do with Sword Dance and Poison Jab. She defeated Primarina with this method, but not before taking damage from its Z-move.

Next up was Kukui's Snorlax. The Champion new she had a speed advantage, but taking a hit from Snorlax's Earthquake would do Bisharp considerable damage, if it didn't knock it out completely. She decided to change Pokémon instead, switching to a rather unexpected choice.

"Marshadow!" she called, sending out the small shadow Pokémon.

"Should she have that? I've never seen it before," Pollie whispered to her boss again, pulling out a Pokédex. "It hides in shadows and goes unseen most of the time. Assuming it spent a fair amount of time with her before, it has all of her martial arts skills, too. Geez, how does she get her hands on these rare Pokémon?"

"It's a shame so much accomplishment and power is dying before our eyes," Sheridan answered. "She all but abandoned battling since she took the serum because she could simply rely on herself to fight...and yet she's here, battling for a seat she doesn't care about...prepare for her attempt to escape, Pollie. It's almost inevitable."

"Assuming she does try," Maria asked after moving to join them, "what consequences will she face?"

Sheridan looked at Maria for a moment before shifting her eyes back to the battle.

"There is a point at which someone becomes irredeemable," she said, not taking her eyes off of Morai. "When that happens, it falls upon our shoulders to ensure the safety of those around them and quell the threat they pose. How that is done is a decision to be made later."

Sheridan's vague words didn't ease Maria's concern.

Snorlax shook the platform as it hit the ground after getting hit with Marshadow's Close Combat. A frown on his face, Kukui sent out Alolan Ninetales, which fell at the hands—or poisoned blades—of Bisharp, and Lucario was put on the ground by Hydreigon's Draco Meteor. Its trainer pulled the brim of his hat down in disappointment.

"I...lost...even though I went all out," he said. "Normally I'd be thankful for our battle, but a battle fought out of necessity is different..."

The professor crossed the field and held his hand out for Morai to shake, which she did.

"I hope you get what you need," he said, a small and almost pitying smile forming on his face. Morai watched with no expression as the man walked down the steps in defeat.

"Please locate your Pokémon and put it back into its ball," Sheridan said, a request that made the Champion roll her eyes.

"It's just doing what it likes to do," Morai argued. "It doesn't like to be seen."

"My order stands."

"It was a great sparring partner," Morai continued, beginning to play-fight with the Pokémon. It dipped in and out of her shadow, making her move, analyze, and try to predict where it would come from. It was almost like a dance, with The Mask Maker moving smoothly and stepping in turns to try to diminish her shadow and give her opponent less real estate to work with. It was shadow boxing in the most literal sense. As the game grew more difficult, Morai grew more excited, and a faint red glow visited her eyes.

"Morai!" Sheridan called. Her prisoner finally sighed and called her Pokémon back into its ball. When she looked to Pollie, she saw that the guard's eyes had squinted in silent suspicion, her eyebrows furrowed. Morai flashed her a smile and moved on, hoping that it was enough. She wanted to get through the line of challengers before her secret was revealed.

Guzma arrived next, walking up the stairs with his hand in his pockets and a smile on his face.

"No matter how this goes, I'm stickin' around. But I've gotta say, after fighting that thing out there and making it out alive, I'm feeling worse about my chances! Either way, I'll do my best to crush you!"

Hyrdeigon and Bisharp took care of all of his Pokémon, with Golisipod being the biggest challenge. Still, Morai thanked him for battle and gave a nod, as she had done with everyone thus far.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, moving to the side and crossing his arms. Lusamine arrived next, and Hau followed after her defeat. He too, was left to sigh in defeat. He wasn't as happy to see Morai as he had been in the prison, and their battle only soured his expression more. Hapu was the next to arrive

"Hapu!" Morai greeted. "It's been a while. How is the life of a Kahuna treating you after these years?"

"Don't talk to me as if we are still friends," she spat, marching up to her former friend, who loomed over her. Still, she had no qualms about approaching the criminal trainer where others often hesitated. "You're a disgrace to Alola. A disgrace to the very battlefield you stand on! How could you stand here and battle for...what? After antagonizing the very people you once stood in front of to protect!"

"I like her," Pollie whispered.

"Hapu—"

"To think we were once even friends! You were my only friend before introducing me to everyone else! Imagine my horror to find that you, you were the one that attacked me that day! Did you even feel remorse? How could you, you outrageous, disdainful, malicious...demon!"

"I did feel remorse!" Morai yelled back, red rushing to her eyes. She had forgotten about keeping them in check. "It tore me in two afterwards! Which is why that serum—that serum...was so relieving...all of that back and forth...was gone...and all that was left...was malice..."

Sheridan had appeared beside Morai, holding on to her forearm. The red had faded from her eyes, and since her back was turned to everyone else, Hapu was the only one to have seen them. She hoped that was the case, at least. She stood staring down at the Kahuna, her chest heaving from the energy of her outburst. The prisoner calmed herself down and regained her composure.

"Well, I'm glad you were absolved of guilt," Hapu said calmly. "Leaving everyone else to try and fix what you destroyed...but we couldn't. Not all of it. You left an important piece behind...you left yourself behind, in all of our memories," she continued, adding Morai's old name at the end. "But the piece doesn't fit correctly anymore. It's changed. We can't rebuild anything without it returning to its proper form...the way it was before."

Morai didn't say anything else, but walked back into her place on the field, leaving Hapu to do the same. Sheridan stood beside Morai this time as the battle began. Once again, the Champion began with Hydreigon, who defeated Hapu's Golurk with Surf. A couple of Draco Meteors and a Crunch managed to take Gastrodon out, but not before leaving the dragon at nearly half of its original health.

Hapu put up a challenge, but was eventually defeated, her Mudsdale receiving a finishing blow from Hyreigon's Surf after taking Bisharp out with Tectonic Rage. After her defeat was confirmed, Hapu stood with a stoic expression on her face despite her previous anger.

"Thank you, Hapu," Morai said. "Alola is lucky to have you on its side, and Poni island is in good hands."

Hapu crossed the battlefield once again, this time silently reaching into one of the small pouches hanging from her side to pull out a picture and hand it to Morai.

"Goodbye," she simply said, adding Morai's old name at the end once again. The still undefeated Champion watched as she walked through the door, the Elite Four members slouching and shaking their heads in disappointment at the news of her defeat. Morai looked down at the picture, which depicted her and Hapu in front of a field of Poni radishes. The Kahuna was smiling, an expression that didn't often grace her usually stoic face.

"Dammit!" Morai cursed, falling to her knees. "Dammit! This is all so ridiculous. Going through all of this, just to..."

The prisoner slashed her fingers against the ground, leaving sporadic marks etched into the glassy floor. She jumped to her feet and rushed to Sheridan, her footsteps heavy and forceful. She grabbed the chief by the lapels of her blazer, causing Pollie and Guzma to step forward, but they were stopped by a raise of her hand.

"Give me that serum and I'll give my title to whoever you want," Morai growled, struggling to keep her eyes from giving her away. "I know you fools have it somewhere. Give it to me and I'll make you Champion, for Arceus's sake!"

Sheridan took a breath of composure before speaking. She let her arms hang by her side and looked Morai in the eyes.

"Are you acting this way because your judgement and the weight of your actions is no longer clouded by the serum?" she asked. "Have you finally realized that losing every one of your friends and turning the world against you in the name of power was a bad idea?"

Morai loosened her grip and her hands fell back to her sides. She walked to the Champion's throne and basically fell into it.

"Fear is what I wanted," she said. "I became something people fear, but I didn't expect to be someone people mourned. Everyone looks past me to who I was before, and they can't forget her. They won't...ah, what's with all of this sappy business! There's still one more challenger. Where is he?"

Maria went to put a hand on Morai's arm, but she moved it away.

"Wait a second," Pollie said, moving in front of the throne. She leaned in and put her hands on its arms.

"I knew it!" she said. Morai feigned confusion.

"What, Pollie?" Sheridan asked.

"There shouldn't be a glow in her eyes!" Pollie answered. "But they were red! It was just for a second, but I saw it clear as day!"

"Reflections," Morai said, waving her off. "Can't you clearly see the poison running through my veins?"

"The true serum and the glow in your eyes can't exist simultaneously."

"Meaning that the 'glow' in my eyes was your imagination," Morai argued.

"Or that the serum is a fake," Pollie said. Morai stood up, looking down at her. Silence filled the air for a few moments, but Pollie didn't back away.

"Are you suggesting that I'm a liar?" she asked. Pollie scoffed.

"Well, given that you've done worse I wouldn't be surprised," she said, pulling her collar aside enough to reveal the aftermath of Morai's attack. Morai drew closer with unblinking eyes, and Pollie reached for her gun.

"Stand down, both of you," Sheridan said, causing them both to look at her. She walked up to Morai and looked her over before meeting her gaze.

"This is your chance to make it easier for yourself," she said. "Is the serum running through your veins a fake?"

"It is not," Morai answered.

"We're going to have to test you on that," the chief said. "Pollie, tell the guards to keep the President's son from entering these chambers until it is confirmed."

"I can prove it right now," Pollie hastily replied. Everyone in the room focused back on her as she positioned herself in the center of the room, facing Morai.

"Oh?"

The guard took a small blade from a pouch on her side, made a small cut on the front of her forearm and held it up as blood began to run down and drip onto the floor. Everyone turned to Morai.

The Champion laughed.