(This was originally written to be a two-part chapter with the next one, hence the delay. But I liked the individual titles for them so much I've decided to just make them separate entries. This is going up today, and the next chapter will go up tomorrow.)

A month passed by very swiftly for everyone in both Paldea and Blueberry Academy.

For Juliana, to call it an eventful month would be an understatement.

In that amount of time, she had successfully defeated all eight of the Gym Leaders in Paldea, challenged the Pokémon League, and against all odds, won against the Top Champion of the League Geeta aka "La Primera", becoming Paldea's newest Champion Rank Trainer.

And that's not to mention two days before that, where she conquered the last of the Team Star bases, leading her mysterious contact Cassiopeia to reveal that she had been the big boss of Team Star all along!

So now, as Juliana approached Mesagoza, the town where her whole adventure had begun, destiny was awaiting her from two directions.

"Any second now...Ah!"

Nemona turned around with a delighted smile.

There you are, Juliana!"

Juliana marched up to her friend with a face of maximum determination, a much different and more confident girl than the one Nemona had first met.

"What, did you think I wasn't going to show up?"

Nemona giggled. "Never had a single doubt. You ready for a battle between Champions?"

The senior Champion gazed at the scene of Mesagoza slowly forming, where multiple Uva students started running up, whispering to each other as they gathered near the square where the two girls stood.

"'Cause all these folks here seem ready to watch. Word got around, I guess!"

Juliana watched in awe at the crowd that was slowly forming. Having only been a Champion for about a day, it was beginning to set in on the young girl that this was the first of many times she was going to feel like a real celebrity in Paldea.

"Wow… this is what it's like to have the whole region looking up to you, huh?" Juliana observed with a slightly nervous face.

"It's not too much pressure, is it?"

Juliana swallowed her anxiety. "Nah! I've always wanted to be someone who people can depend on. Guess this is just the next step!"

"Good. Because out of every single person gathered here…" As Nemona monologued, the two girls playfully circled each other on the big Poké Ball shaped symbol. "…I'm the most excited by a mile!"

"Yeah. Me too!"

Juliana looked around and was even more surprised at how many familiar faces had gathered around the center of Mesagoza. It wasn't just the faculty of Uva. Rika of the Elite Four was there watching calmly, with a very eager Poppy by her side.

Director Clavell was stood right next to La Primera herself right in front of the hair salon. Hassell was also there, watching intrigued with his pupils.

Larry briefly glanced their way, but he was only in Mesagoza for an important meeting and had to make haste. Glad to see Geeta and everyone else could clear up their schedules for this… he mused to himself.

Feeling very nervous and yet emboldened by all the faces watching her, Juliana planted her feet on the ground and took position, eyeing Nemona confidently.

"So what are we waiting for?" she asked.

"Too true! The stage is set!" Nemona declared. "It's my all-out power versus your strength in full motion! Let's see who comes out on top, Juliana!"

She eagerly stretched out her arm in her definitive pose, ready to send out her first Pokémon.

Juliana made her fighting stance and declared just as confidently, "And may the best Champion win!"

She blushed shyly at the calamitous yells this elicited from her fellow students.

"Let's do this."

"Let's do this."

"Pon-pon!" Ogerpon gave a cry signaling that she was ready.

The ogre stood alongside Sinistcha in a Blueberry standard Double Battle, on a battlefield within the tropical hillside of the Terrarium's Coastal Biome.

Carmine gripped the translucent black orb in her hand. "Alright, so we just do this… Do I gotta hit the button?" She fumbled with it.

She heard Lacey chuckle from the picnic table nearby.

"You have to hit the button really hard, Carmine!" she shouted out.

"I AM hitting it!" she yelled back. "It's like, stuck or something! I can't—"

Then at that moment, the Tera Orb finally reacted, and Carmine jittered in shock as the Terastal energy surrounding them started charging up inside the Orb's crystal.

"WAAAAGGGGHHH!"

"Now toss it over Ogerpon!" Lacey instructed. "Hurry!"

"Yeah, before it burns your hand off!" Crispin chimed in. "Trust me, it hurts!"

Carmine belted out an anxious yell as she tossed the Tera Orb over Ogerpon, and it began to light up.

TERA-PO-GOO!

The familiar sound of the Terastal phenomenon sounded, and her Tera Orb sparkled over Ogerpon, generating a wall of crystals that encased the Mask Pokémon, and then…

"PONIOOOOOOOO!"

Carmine had already seen Ogerpon Terastallize once before, but none of that took away from how incredible it still was to witness.

Ogerpon and her Hearthflame Mask became one. The small ogre all but disappeared behind the mask as it enlarged and lit up like a giant sparkling face. Yellow flame-like tendrils surrounded its backside, and as Ogerpon cried proudly, huge swirls of fire roared in the air around her.

Amarys and her team, which consisted of Metagross and Reuniclus, looked up at the spectacle in awe.

"…Well then," she uttered, adjusting her half-moon specs.

"WHAAAAAT!?" Lacey screamed. "I mean, I knew you wouldn't make up such a fantastical story about the way Ogerpon Terastallizes, but—but I really thought you were making it up! What kind of power is that!?"

"That's so COOL!" Crispin was so excited he jumped right out of his seat. "Where do I get me a mask that lets ME do that!? I wanna burn bright too!"

Carmine giggled at the reactions of all her friends. And Ogerpon made an excited noise to suggest she was happy with all the attention too. The windy air of the Coastal Biome blew through her hair, increasing her aura of a confident battler.

"You'd better check that watch again Amarys… because I think your time is about to be up!"

"Oooh, that's a good one," Lacey whispered.

"Ogerpon! Go for a super-charged Ivy Cudgel on that Metagross! And Sinistcha, put a Hex on 'em both!"

Carmine's Sinistcha released a wave of sinister hex energy over both Metagross and Reuniclus.

"Protect yourself, Reuniclus!"

Amarys's Reuniclus put up a protection barrier to withstand Sinistcha's wave. But in the time that had happened, Ogerpon had finished charging up her Ivy Cudgel and smacked a huge whammy of sparkling fire over Metagross.

"Meeeeeta…"

Metagross's Tera Jewel shattered, and the huge metal behemoth fainted.

"Yes!" Carmine pounded her fist. "Great work, Ogerpon!"

"Ponyo ponyo!" Ogerpon cheered from behind its colossal Terastallized mask.

"Now Sinistcha… use Stun Spore so we can fry that green jelly menace!"

Sinistcha spread a bunch of paralyzing powder all over Reuniclus.

"We still have one more gambit within our arsenal." Amarys's glasses went opaque over her eyes. "Reuniclus… set up a Trick Room."

"Eeeunn!"

With the use of psychic projection, the spatial dimensions around Reuniclus and its opponents were completely warped.

Carmine gasped. "But that means Reuniclus will…"

She saw a glint of an evil look from her crafty friend.

"Now Reuniclus… Psychic."

"EEEUNN-EEEEEE!"

Taking advantage of the speed priority this bizarre change in dimensions had granted it, Reuniclus released all its psychic energy in a huge burst that hit both Ogerpon and Sinistcha.

Ogerpon remained standing from the blast… but it took up the last of Sinistcha's energy, and the Matcha Pokémon melted into its teacup.

"You did good, Sinistcha. Rest easy for now." Carmine recalled her matcha partner. "I'm still pretty rusty with some of these higher-level strategies…"

"Time is short," Amarys remarked, sneaking a look at her silver watch. "But not for me. Your ace partner has been downed, and even with its unique and amazing Terastallized state, your Ogerpon appears to be nearing its limit."

"Oh yeah? Wanna know how it really feels to have your time shortened? Ogerpon, time to use that brand new move! Horn Leech!"

"Pon-yo-pon!"

Ogerpon locked in the huge horns on her Hearthflame Mask and jousted Reuniclus with them, sapping its energy and rejuvenating Ogerpon to peak fighting condition again.

"Og-uh-pon-PON!" she cried determinedly.

"Oh… now my glasses have fogged up from the excitement," Amarys lamented. "Reuniclus, I think another Psychic attack is on order."

"Reeee—YUNN!?" Reuniclus was about to ready an attack, but paralysis struck it at the most inconvenient time, rendering it unable to move.

"Oh."

And a wicked smile entered Carmine's face.

"Ogerpon… NOW! With all the might you have! Roast Reuniclus to smithereens!"

"PONIO!"

Ogerpon bounced on her two feet, essentially a happy ritual of exorcising all thoughts of mercy, and readied her Ivy Cudgel one more time. Burning with the passion of a thousand suns, Ogerpon laid it down like a hammer upon Reuniclus.

And through the fire and the flames… mitochondria was the powerhouse of the cell no longer.

"Reeeuuuuuun…"

Amarys recalled her last Pokémon, and with a proud nod, she clapped softly for her friend's victory.

Carmine squeed and picked up Ogerpon in excitement.

"Great job, Ogerpon! That went way beyond just being a showcase! You're so talented!"

"Pon-pon!" Ogerpon blushed and cried happily.

"Woooo!" Lacey called out. "That was an amazing show, Carmine!"

"Truly an exhilarating battle, Carmine." Amarys slowly walked up to Carmine and gladly shook her hand. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity to witness Ogerpon's power up close. It's rare that I feel the urge I do right now, to regroup my team and think of brand-new strategies just to have a chance at out-maneuvering your Pokémon's strengths the next time we battle."

"Ha-ha! Thanks for the shower of compliments, Amarys," Carmine beamed. "And thanks a million for letting me borrow this Tera Orb. Here ya go."

She held out the Tera Orb she had used. But to her surprise, Amarys shoved it back and threw her arms up in a "no, no" gesture.

"No. It's yours to keep."

"What!?" Carmine reared back. "Bu—but I'm not even at Ultra Rank, remember? The rules say—"

"The rules only specify that the BB League is obligated to bestow a Tera Orb to members who achieve Ultra Rank," Amarys interjected. "There's nothing stating that I, as president of the student council, can't also grant someone an orb from our collection just on personal approval. And… our friendship means more to me than arbitrary expectations anyway."

"Ohhh, Amarys! Thank you! Thank you!" Carmine wrapped Amarys in a grateful hug. "You're a one in a million friend! I'm so glad to have you in my lane!"

She didn't see it, but Amarys smiled a soft smile behind her shoulders.

"Quack-quack-qua-quaaack…"

Quaquaval's flamboyant dance moves were cut off once again as the Dancer Pokémon's wings were clipped for good. Its Fighting Tera Jewel shattered, and Nemona recalled her partner in shock as it fell.

Meowscarada yowled a mighty cry of victory and took a graceful bow for its large audience. Its Flying Tera Jewel in the shape of colorful balloons glistened and slowly dissipated. The Magician Pokémon's show was complete.

Slowly but surely, the crowd of students surrounding Juliana and Nemona began to murmur and whisper in surprise. They just witnessed something they'd never seen before. Nemona, the president of the student council, was known to everyone as the youngest person to ever become a Champion and one of the strongest Pokémon Trainers in Uva Academy.

And now… this girl. Half a year younger. Having only just become Champion within a few months of starting out as a Trainer… had not just proven herself evenly matched against Nemona, but won a exhibition match with her.

Juliana looked all around her and smiled. She felt a great sense of importance around her that was completely new and unexpected. This was huger than when she beat Geeta.

All of her classmates and teachers' eyes were fixed, not on Nemona, or on their Pokémon, but on her.

A few of them were even chanting her name.

She spied La Primera herself among the crowd, giving Juliana a proud nod of approval while standing next to an equally impressed Director Clavell.

The Top Champion's words echoed in Juliana's head.

"Champion Juliana… It is now your duty to set an example for all of the Trainers of Paldea."

Then the cheers stopped.

Juliana looked around, confused, to see everyone's expressions change. Then she turned back to her friend and noticed that Nemona had her eyes buried into her arm, in a pose that looked… distraught.

Juliana silently recalled Meowscarada and eyed her friend, concerned.

The rest of the crowd watched with surprised faces too, wondering how Nemona was taking this. Even the normally chill Rika was stretching along with Poppy to try to get a read on the girl's face. Clavell and Geeta's mouths were agape.

"…Nemona?"

Juliana calmly inched forward closer to Nemona, not sure if she should intervene.

"You…"

Juliana gulped.

"YOU DID IT!"

Suddenly, Nemona's face jumped out at her. Her eyes were wide like saucers, she had the hugest smile on her face, and she yelled at the most excited octave.

Juliana stepped back in shock as Nemona began to throw her arms around and bob up and down in joy.

"This is legit incredible! You're the strongest out there, Juliana!" Nemona raved. She charged right up in Juliana's face, startling her even more. "I mean, you knocked me flat! And I was giving you absolutely everything I had! Everything I… I…"

Nemona clenched her face. And then, for yet another surprise, she started laughing. She laughed a real big, hearty cathartic laugh, right in Juliana's face. Juliana could even feel a bit of spit.

"Ha haaa! Hahaha! Oh man! Pokémon battling, am I right? It's so much better—so much more fun than I ever knew!"

Clavell and Geeta both nodded emphatically.

Nemona held out her hand. "Thanks for that incredible match. You beat me for real this time!"

And Juliana finally realized it. She had finally given Nemona something meaningful: the battle she'd been longing for where she could give her full strength—and with Juliana reigning victorious over her strongest team, the satisfaction in knowing that she had a rival she would never have to hold back against ever again.

Juliana smiled a big smile, feeling wonderful all inside herself that she could give this much to Nemona, and gladly returned the handshake. The impact of their hands reverberated, and everyone around them clapped and cheered.

Then it was Juliana's turn to give Nemona a shock, as she playfully gave her a light push.

"Man! You really need to quit playing with my emotions already, Nemona!" she sniped, giving her own cathartic giggle. "The only thing you're just as good at as battling is playing little tricks on me like that!"

"Ha-ha-ha! Well, get used to that because you're in it with me for the long haul, amiga!" Nemona laughed back. "Now! Let's give ourselves a minute and have a quick break, Juliana…" She held up a Poké Ball. "…before round two!"

Juliana's eyebrows jumped up. "Wait, what!?"

Geeta threw up her hands and Clavell brought his face to his forehead, both resigned to Nemona's unstoppable energy and feeling sympathetic towards poor Juliana, who began to back away in awkward fear.

"Nemona…"

"Which Pokémon should I bring out this time?" Nemona wondered, now holding multiple Poké Balls. "Decisions, decisions!"

"Nemona…"

"WAIT! I could totally hit you with my new teammates you traded me from Kitakami! Oh, you're going to be so thrilled when you see what Hakamo-o and Ribombee have beco—"

"NEMONA!"

Nemona almost dropped her Poké Balls in surprise.

"Look…" Juliana chuckled awkwardly. "You and I have all the time in the world to battle now. But… I just became Champion yesterday, okay?"

Nemona looked down, starting to feel a little guilty.

"And—and this was one of the most exhilarating battles I've ever had! Someday, I'd love to battle… our hearts out, like you always say! But, but my legs are killing me right now."

She stopped to stretch out her back and grasp both of her legs with a loud grunt. Miriam, the school nurse, watched Juliana do all this with a puzzled and… slightly concerned look in her eyes.

"Besides, well… I actually have to meet someone else here at school after dark for something important."

She gave a side glance over to Director Clavell, who sympathetically frowned in response as he looked down. At least until, seeming to realize he was dropping his mask, he pretended he was brushing his coat, and then shyly looked away. Geeta gave him a confused look.

Juliana snicked. "Think I haven't figured out who you really are, Clive…?" she whispered.

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Juliana, I am so sorry." Nemona was looking down at her apologetically. "I… I got so excited by our battle, that I—I forgot about boundaries! Champions have to be understanding of each other. That's what Director Clavell said, right? Of course we can finish up for today if you want. As your amiga, I should always remember to give you the space you need."

Juliana smiled warmly at her, glad to hear Nemona was so understanding.

"And I mean…" Nemona started to twiddle with her fingers. "If—of course, the battle we had was so wonderful for you that—that you don't need someone like me weighing you down anymore, and getting all up in your face, so you can find stronger opponents, then—then I totally understand if you, you…"

She trailed off, looking a little sad. She knew what she wanted to say, but Juliana could tell she was feeling anxious.

Nemona almost squinched her eyes shut, but stopped when she saw Juliana's pinky in her face.

"Huh?"

"Hey…" Juliana grinned. "Rivals to the end, remember?"

Nemona beamed widely. She eagerly returned the pinky.

"Yeah! Rivals to the end!"

The two friends stood and giggled with each other for some time, their friendship stronger than ever.

"And this one lets her Terastallize into the Water-type. And this one…" Carmine laid out the Cornerstone Mask. "I think she becomes Rock Type? Am I right?"

She looked at Ogerpon, sitting next to her maskless at the picnic table with Amarys and Lacey, who nodded affirmatively.

"That's so cool, and these faces are all soooo cute!" said Lacey, eyeing each of Ogerpon's adorable painted masks in delight. "There's only a handful of Pokémon out there that can change their types like that. And she can do it just by wearing a different mask? That's so special!"

Ogerpon smiled. Then she sniffed the air and started bouncing around excitedly.

Sure enough, the steamy smell of fresh, hot dishes accompanied Crispin as he arrived to the table with several cloches full of food.

"Bon appetit, everyone!" he declared. "I'm experimenting with vegan recipes today, so enjoy this sesame pineapple roast a la plancha! With sweet potato fries!"

Everyone dug into the delicious lunch plates Crispin set out.

"Mmmmm." Carmine couldn't help but make noises as she ate. "You know what, kid? I know I gave you a hard time when we first met, but you and I are going to be fast friends if you keep on bringing out delicious food for me to eat. I'll make you my personal chef when I become famous!"

Crispin chuckled. "Well… I've got much bigger dreams than just cooking for one person. But I dig the compliment!"

Lacey took a big bite of roasted pineapple and radish and addressed the girl sitting directly across from her.

Lacey giggled. "What are your aspirations, Carmine? I know you mention wanting to be famous all the time, but you never really talk much about what your actual dreams are."

Carmine, surprised by the question, just shrugged.

"I mean… I dunno. I want to be a really well-known person who everyone respects but… I haven't figured out how I actually want to get there. My only big claim to fame is carrying the high score in our festival's Ogre Oustin' game for three years in a row."

"Pon?" Ogerpon reacted in confusion.

She gently rubbed Ogerpon's head affectionately and giggled. "New name still pending, of course."

Lacey giggled. "Well, there's always time to dabble around and figure that out! My daddy didn't start his first business until he was in his mid-20's! He was just a humble miner before then!"

"Well, we can't all hope to strike oil like Clay did," Carmine snarked.

"You just have to find your special talent!" said Crispin encouragingly, stoking his frying pan. "Figure out the one thing you're really good at and focus on being the best at that! That's how I got into cooking!"

Lacey rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "You know Carmine, you really should take another shot at the BB League."

Carmine pouted. "Come on now, Lace…"

"I'm serious! With all that power Ogerpon brings, you could make a serious dent in the ranks now! None of the other members would know what to do against your one-of-a-kind queen of masks!"

"Ponio?"

"With the unpredictable strategies you and that Ogerpon would deliver, you may even stand a chance of becoming an Elite Four member like us," Amarys noted.

"Yeah!" Lacey agreed. "Wouldn't it be great if we could hang out together all the time as a team? And not just when you're out of class and we both happen to be free?"

Carmine chuckled lightly as she fidgeted with a radish piece on her plate.

"Come on, girls. You know I only pound my way through the BB League when I need something to let off steam. I don't know that I have the discipline to make it all the way through to the end of all those tough and obnoxious Trainers. I always go my own path. And besides…" she made a sour face. "Hanging out with you girls all the time sounds fire. Having to be around Drayton all the time? I'd rather be set on fire."

Lacey laughed and Amarys lightly chuckled. Crispin looked around and started laughing too, even though he clearly didn't get it.

"Well, now that you got a Tera Orb for yourself, whole avenues are open up to you!" said Lacey. "I'm so glad both you and Kieran can Terastallize now!"

Carmine's smile dropped.

"Wait… Kiki's got a Tera Orb? He's made Ultra Rank already!?"

Lacey's expression went from happiness to puzzled shock. "You… didn't know that?"

Carmine squirmed uncomfortably. Amarys spoke up for her.

"Kieran has been a… sensitive subject for her. Evidently they haven't been getting along well since Kieran started the BB League challenge."

"Oh, I'm sorry Carmine." Lacey had her hands over her mouth. "I didn't know that. I was just trying to cheer you up."

"'s okay," Carmine glumly responded. "It's just that… Kiki has been so focused on all this that he hasn't even spoken a word to me in weeks. I don't think he's eating or sleeping, either. He's changed so much I…" Her head drooped. "I feel like I don't recognize him anymore."

Lacey and Amarys both looked at her sympathetically, and Amarys put her hand on Carmine's.

"These conflcits should work themselves out," Amarys tried to reassure. "They typically do between siblings… at least, from all the research I've conducted."

Carmine chuckled. "Thanks, Amarys." She took a big sigh. "I mean… maybe I'm worrying over nothing. Maybe he'll push himself so hard that he'll just burn out." A smirk grew on her face. "And then he'll be crying into my arms again, wanting his big sister back. Wouldn't that be swell?"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that!"

The sound of that voice made her smirk vanish, and Carmine's face sagged like a dark cloud just formed over her.

"Great," she grumbled. "This was a good day."

"Ouch. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

Drayton had a sway to his rhythm. His hands tucked behind his head. He was wearing his classic ensemble, with a dragon patterned cape descending from beneath his academy shirt like a waistcloth, and a black coat with a logo on its sleeves and back resembling a dog Pokémon of some sort.

"Sorry to hear you and your bro aren't on speaking terms, Carmine. But what about your pal the Drayster, who hasn't even gotten a full sentence out of you since you've graced us all with your presence again?"

"That's because I've been doing my best to avoid you and your dumb hair," Carmine growled, crushing her soda can. "The last thing I need right now is your bad vibes, so buzz off."

Ogerpon shook her fists and grumbled at Drayton. Not because she had any animosities towards the Champion of the BB League, but simply because she was imitating Carmine's motions every time she witnessed the two interact.

"And how's my little buddy Ogerpon doin'?" Drayton casually addressed her. "I saw you battling from way off in the distance, you're quite the little star!"

Ogerpon gave a confused reaction, and then giggled quietly.

"Don't fraternize with the enemy," Carmine mumbled.

"Well, who finally decided to show his face around here!" Lacey scolded. Her pleasant, friendly demeanor seemed all but gone in Drayton's presence. "Never attends a single meeting, but of course you stride up and join us while we've got a bunch of food and no itinerary! That's just not right!" She made an X with her arms to emphasize that.

"Hey, blame whoever's rule it was that the Champion should be doing all the League's dirty work!" Drayton complained. "I've got way too much on my plate for long meetings and all that jazz. I've barely even got time to chat now! Forgive me if I wanted to take some time out of my busy schedule to come and say hello."

Carmine rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure your schedule is jam-packed. So many classes for you to skip, so little time."

"See, you get me!" Drayton smiled at her. Carmine just seethed in her seat. "Besides, I am here on official duty! I wanted to make sure the whole Elite Four is prepared. And luckily, everyone's here! …Well, almost everyone. Where is our finely feathered friend Tayon?"

"I believe they're splitting their time with the Aviary Club they recently started," Amarys explained.

"Heh! Tayon finally started that up, huh? Good for them. But they'd better not go lack-a-daisy on training, because like I said, all of us need to be on our feet."

"What are you even yapping about?" asked Carmine.

"Because… I think the Elite Four will be welcoming into a new member into its ranks very shortly."

Everyone at the table gave him confused looks, until horror began to draw on Carmine's.

"You're not… talking about… Kiki?"

"Bingo," he pointed. "I guess you really are out of the loop. As we speak, Kieran is about to partake in the battle that determines whether he makes Elite Rank right now."

Carmine spit out her soda so hard it came out her nose. Her eyes were wide as could be.

"Wh—Are you serious!? L-Lacey! You didn't say anything about him being THAT far beyond Ultra Rank!"

"I-I didn't know either!" Lacey stammered, just as shocked. "That's where he was at last time I checked on the scoreboard website! And that was only two days ago!" Her hands cupped over her mouth. "Oh my gosh… You weren't kidding. There's… there's no way someone could be moving as fast as him unless he really hasn't been eating or sleeping a single bit. Just battling his way to the top!"

"To have forgone his hygienic routines and still come out victorious in every battle speaks to the sharp incline his team's levels and his battling techniques must have taken," said an equally astonished Amarys.

"Wow! He must be REALLY determined to win!" Crispin remarked, seemingly oblivious to everyone else's reaction.

He looked confused though as Drayton suddenly straddled over and hunched over him.

"I wouldn't be just sitting around and flipping pans all day long if I were you, Crispin," Drayton warned. "You might really have to turn up that fire."

"Huh?"

"Well if you want to keep your seat on the BB Elite Four warm…"

He patted Crispin on the back a few times and walked away from everyone.

"Laters."

Crispin just looked confused.

"What—what did he mean by that?"

"Pompus jerk…" Carmine muttered under her breath.

Amarys dug out her pocket watch. Carmine thought it was just her tic again, but this time she gave it a serious look and stood up from her seat.

"Are you… done already, Amarys?" Carmine wondered.

"Mm-hm. If Drayton speaks the truth then… we may indeed be facing your brother very soon. I'm going to need to put in extra training hours for my team in order to prepare."

"Yeah, she's got a point," Lacey had to concede, getting up and gathering her things as well. "We should probably go and watch Kieran's match so we know what we're up against. Especially because… well, if he is going to become an Elite Four, then I guess we should show our support." She noticed Carmine's glum expression. "Oh but… you don't have to come if you don't want to, Carmine."

Carmine stayed fixed to her seat, her hand clutching her chest, as she agonized over her thoughts.

Her eyes stayed closed for a while, and then, with a slightly less dour expression, she went to stand up too.

"No… No, I should go too. Regardless of how I'm feeling about Kiki right now… he's still my brother. And Grandma said she wants me to be more supportive of him so… that's what I'm going to do." She tried to force a smile. "Who knows? Maybe he's gotten over his weird angsty phase by now and will be happy to see me."

Lacey smiled sympathetically for her friend. "That's keeping the positive spirit, Carmine. I'm very proud of you. Umm… I am going to have to rush over though. Sorry."

"Don't wait up for me," Carmine replied as she watched Lacey and Amarys run off.

Carmine sighed to herself as she worked up the courage to get up from the table.

"Ponnn…"

She looked next to her and saw Ogerpon was still sat down, looking a little nervous. For some reason, Ogerpon seemed even more cautious about avoiding Kieran than her. She figured the small Pokémon must have grown scared of him after everything that transpired in Kitakami.

"Don't worry…" she said softly. "You don't have to come."

Ogerpon gave a questioning cry, then a look that seemed relieved.

"You can go run around in the Terrarium all you want. I'll come find you after we're done."

Ogerpon nodded, and allowed Carmine to walk away.

…Which just left Crispin there to stand and huff.

"Okay seriously, does nobody know what he meant by the whole 'warming your seat' thing?"

"Juliana…"

Juliana, looking all around the dark, empty schoolyard, turned around to see the Big Boss of Team Star face-to-face.

"Thanks for coming. And congratulations on becoming Champion. That was a terrific battle in the town square earlier."

Cassiopeia lifted down their hood. Juliana looked surprised, but only for a brief moment, to see the same girl wearing an Eevee hoodie and fluffy backpack with a head of red-and-blue hair who she met on the Academy stairs and had been serving as Cassiopeia's—her own supply unit.

"Penny."

Penny smirked. "That's right. The big boss… Cassiopeia… They were both me all along."

Juliana stepped forward. "I had a feeling."

"…You did?" Penny was admittedly a little caught off guard now. "What was it that gave it away? Was the whole 'supply unit' thing too obvious?"

"Well… not at first," Juliana answered. "But I started wondering, and then, well… I guess it was the last conversation we had. I mean, the last time you showed up as Penny."

"Mmm." Penny looked down for a moment. "…What was it I said?"

Juliana shrugged. "It was just when you started talking about how Team Star became the bullies in everyone's eyes and complaining that the teachers got it all so wrong…"

Penny winced a little. "I guess I let the mask slip back there, huh…?"

"It's not just from that. I mean, call it experience, I guess."

"…You used to get bullied too, Juliana?"

"No, but…" Juliana began to smile a little in reminiscence. "I met another girl, not too long ago, who said she went through a lot of the same things you and Team Star did. And she talked about how she felt the only way to overcome those bullies was to hit back at them. So when I met you and you talked about that incident a year ago… you reminded me a lot of her. And I guess that's when it clicked."

"I see…"

"But…" Juliana took on a stern expression. "I knew she was wrong to look at it that way, and I feel just the same here. Team Star going after the same bullies who tormented all of you was never going to fix anything!"

"I know…" Penny replied bitingly. "I know. We went on our big pushback operation… and it backfired. Hard. And I whined about the teachers and all that, but deep down I know it was really all my fault. I'm the one to blame for all of it. That's why I took sole responsibility for Operation Star and disappeared, back to Galar. To save my friends from my mistakes…"

Penny looked down glumly at her feet.

"But… I didn't just create Team Star as an anti-bullying measure, you know."

"I know…" Juliana sympathized. "You did it so that all those misfit kids and outsiders could find a family in each other. That's—that's what I realized, after we talked to each and every Team Star boss. They all became… Team Star became their greatest treasure. That was you, thinking with your heart."

Penny closed her eyes and smiled.

"…They're my greatest treasure too. But I never realized all that until it was too late. Solving our problems with force didn't help anybody. We just made it worse for everyone… I made it worse. And now Team Star has become everything it was meant to counteract against. And we're all going to pay hard for it… My friends, they're all so lost. And so sad. Nothing like how I remember them."

But Penny, with a look of determination, pulled out her fluffy Eevee bag and took a Poké Ball out of it.

"That's why we're fixing all of that here tonight. You and I, Juliana."

Juliana gulped. "Do you really want it to go down like this?"

Penny nodded. "I do. This is the only way to make things right."

She gripped the Ball, containing one of her Veevee friends, tightly.

"So you'd better give it everything you've got, Champion."

Carmine picked up her pace as she ran to the battlefield. Nobody had told her that Kieran's determination match was happening on one of the highest points of the tall, mountainous Canyon Biome.

She was out of breath by the time she'd finished traversing all those staircases and bridges to get to the battlefield, where several students were gathered in a crowd around the combatants.

She spotted Amarys in the crowd and ran over.

"Hey… am I late?" she sputtered.

"Sufficiently so. Both of them are down to their last Pokémon, and I'd say they're on their way to making their final turns. Roderick has just Terastallized his Pokémon, but Kieran had to recall the Pokémon he used it on."

Kieran, his hair still tied up in that crazy purple bun, was facing a student who looked like he might be in Carmine's year or older. He had an Electivire and an Alolan Ninetales, Terastallized into the Fairy Type, against Kieran's… Grimmsnarl and Incineroar!?

Carmine was spellbound.

"I know he had an Impidimp back at home. He must have finally raised it up…" she said quietly.

But… when on earth did he get an Incineroar!?

"Viiire…"

The other student Roderick's Electivire had just fallen to an attack from Incineroar. The electric sparks running around the Pokémon indicated it had managed to set up Electric Terrain before fainting.

This left just his crystallized Alolan Ninetales, but this student wasn't deterred.

"Leave 'em blind, Ninetales! Dazzling Gleam!"

"Ninetales!"

"Put out a Light Screen before it commences its attack, Grimmsnarl!" Kieran sharply commanded.

Kieran's Grimmsnarl quickly put up a barrier that covered both itself and Incineroar.

"Niiiiine… tales!"

The Tera Jewel shot out bursts of Fairy energy and all nine of the snowy fox's curled blue tails lifted up as Ninetales unleashed a dazzling burst of light. It echoed through the Light Screen and hit both Pokémon for lessened power.

But it was enough power to still take Grimmsnarl down for the count.

Kieran growled… rather loudly and boorishly, which Carmine worryingly noticed as uncharacteristic for him.

"I should've put a Focus Sash on it instead of a Focus Band… Stupid, stupid, stupid."

"Hey, don't feel too bad," said Roderick. "It's all a part of the learning experience. We're still not done yet, and you've done really great just to make it this far!"

This didn't seem to bring any solace to Kieran. In fact, the way his face twisted and his yellow eyes flared up in response suggested it was doing the opposite, and making him angrier.

"Incineroar…" he growled between his teeth. "Burn that arrogant thing to the ground. Go Flare Blitz!"

"Huh!?" Roderick was surprised.

A few of the students clammored among each other.

"His Incineroar took so much damage!" a girl whispered. "How does he know the recoil from Flare Blitz won't make Incineroar faint and end it in a draw?"

"I don't think he does!" the guy next to her answered. "I think he's just taking the risk!"

"Gambling with an unknown variable can be a reckless strategy…" Amarys bemoaned.

Incineroar wasn't going to back down from the challenge though.

"INSHINNUH!"

Incineroar gathered up all its energy and took a huge charge forward, tearing up the ground in its burning passion. It grappled the Alolan Ninetales with full force and crashed to the hard dirt with the Fox Pokémon in tow, setting off a crackling wave of fire.

The crowd of students gasped.

Ninetales was down for sure. Its eyes were all in swirls and it was covered in vicious burns.

"Ninetales, return…" its Trainer gulped.

Then all attention was turned to Incineroar, to see if it still stood.

The Heel Pokémon was covered in scrapes as well, and struggling to get up from the ground with all its might.

"Grrr… Roar…"

"Come on, you…!" Kieran gritted.

But, slowly but surely, a finger rose up as high as it could. And became a fist.

Like a pro wrestler on the ropes, Incineroar refused to take it laying down and remained steady.

Everyone broke out in surprised applause. Even Carmine was compelled to clap wildly for her brother's victory. "Whoooo!"

Kieran whipped around, much to her shock, and locked eyes with her, having recognized her yell. She couldn't read his expression. It didn't seem angry with her… but he also didn't look too joyous, even though he had just won.

As the crowd began to patter out, whispering vibrantly among each other, Kieran's opponent walked over and humbly offered his hand.

"Hey… great job. Kieran, right? That was one heck of a match, dude."

"Hmmph." Kieran just crossed his arms. "Your strategies don't really match your cocky attitude."

"W-what?"

"Is this what the BB League's strongest Trainers have to offer? All hot air and no challenge?"

Roderick was extremely taken aback, having expected a much more sportsmanlike response. "Wh—What are you…!?"

"How ridiculous. You should be taking your position in the BB League seriously, not treating it like a cutesy game on the playground. When I'm the Champion of this whole League, things are going to be a lot different around here," he asserted.

His opponent wasn't sure how to react, and Carmine was rather shocked by his callous attitude.

"Uhhh… r-right. Well, like I said… good match and all that."

"Whatever."

Flustered, he decided to let Kieran be and take his leave.

As Roderick walked past Carmine, she heard him mutter, "Drayton had better wake up and put that kid in his place."

She heard Crispin moan as he walked past too.

"Man… it really is gonna be either me or Tayon losing our seat, isn't it? I need to go train my buds as hard as I can…"

Carmine decided to approach apprehensively after seeing this display.

Kieran eyed her, and she hesitated for a second. He still didn't look… angry with her? But it was so hard to tell. She had never felt this out of sync with her bro before.

As she walked up, she decided to speak first.

"Hey, Kiki."

…"Hey."

Okay, so he's willing to talk to me at least.

"Ummm, that was such an awesome battle. Like, really, really fantastic!"

"Thanks."

"Your team… they all looked so cool out there. They seem so much powerful now! And you're so much more confident now! You really are a whole different person."

She smiled bigly to show him how impressed she was. He cracked a subtle expression at that, but then he began to simmer a bit.

"It's still not enough… I need to beat everyone in the Elite Four. And then, Drayton. After that, I'll be Champion. And finally have the respect that I deserve."

And he started to pack up his Poké Balls. Carmine's eyebrows furrowed.

"Ummm… yeah. Of course. Everyone should respect you. That's what I've been saying this whole time! But…" She winced a little, knowing that she was about to step into a minefield. "All that stuff you said to that guy after you beat him. Wasn't that all… a little harsh?"

Kieran stopped. His back stayed turned to Carmine for a solid few seconds as he stood up. Then, he gave her a side-eye.

"Really? You're the one to tell me that?"

"What do you… what do you mean by that?" she asked, confused.

He didn't say anything else until he finished packing up. Once he had, he said without facing her…

"You wrote the book on harshness, sis. I only learned it from the best. Who cares what a bunch of weak Trainers think, anyway? I don't need people like him being all smiley and acting like doofuses around me."

Carmine didn't say anything else. She felt a little shellshocked by that last comment. So, shaken, she decided not to speak another word and just started walking away.

Kieran didn't even seem to notice.

She spotted Amarys walking up, with Lacey in tow.

"Hey, Carmine," said Lacey.

"So that's it, huh? He's made Elite Rank."

"That's right. Now it's our duty to congratulate Kieran for his success, and tell him how challenging all of us is going to work."

Carmine bundled her arms tightly.

"Great. Good luck out there. … You and Kiki."

"You okay, Carmine?" Lacey asked concerned.

"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine."

But as she left them to their devices and started her long trek down the mountain, she suppressed a loud sniffle.

"At least he called me 'sis' again… That's a good thing, right?"