The Alola Friendship Tournament has officially ended.
In the last round—Leon vs. Cynthia—Cynthia, concerned about Garchomp and Lucario potentially suffering long-term injuries due to their already exhausted state, decided not to let them fight. Instead, she sent out Milotic and Spiritomb, who were part of her second-tier team.
This led to the final match being somewhat underwhelming. However, both the live audience and online viewers largely expressed understanding. After all, the bitter lesson from Steven's Metagross was still fresh in everyone's minds.
Although Leon's Pokémon are nowhere near as destructive as Shadow Lugia, Cynthia felt that risking her two ace Pokémon for a mere friendship match wasn't worth it. She decided to save her full strength for a formal competition in the future.
Another reason why viewers across the continent didn't criticize Cynthia too harshly was that tomorrow would feature the highly anticipated showdown between Leon and Stephen—the ultimate battle!
Tonight, Alola was especially lively.
Even though Stephen had already demonstrated his incredible strength to the world during the Indigo Battle, the thought of him defeating the Unbeatable Champion Leon and claiming the title of the top trainer filled the Alolan people with pride. Normally low-profile, they now brimmed with excitement.
The residents of the four islands showed the highest level of hospitality, warmly welcoming visitors from around the world. Many restaurants even put up signs offering free meals today.
If there were any region dissatisfied with this, it was likely Johto.
After all, Stephen was originally from Johto, but his decision to settle in Alola was a lingering source of frustration for Johto locals. What made it worse was Stephen's ever-increasing strength, solidifying his position as the number one in the league. This was like rubbing salt into Johto's wounds.
Seeing Stephen's poster next to the Alola League logo on the big screen at Manalo Stadium, many Johto trainers felt an indescribable bitterness.
["As many online netizens predicted, Galar's champion, Leon, claimed victory in the Alola Friendship Tournament. Although President Lusamine awarded him a trophy, everyone knows it's merely a consolation prize. Tomorrow, Leon will face the greatest defeat of his career. Countless netizens have said this match's result is already predetermined. The only suspense is how long Leon can last against Dr. Stephen."]
This was tonight's evening news being broadcast on Alola's Manalo Channel, with anchor DJ Mary narrating the story.
Inside a hotel room, Sheena turned to Cynthia and teasingly said:
"This trip has been… unusually entertaining. It's my first time coming to such a faraway region."
"Mm… Once we finish watching tomorrow's match, we'll head back to Sinnoh."
Cynthia forced a faint smile. She had just contacted Professor Carolina from Sinnoh and learned that Zoroark's illusions could not only mimic other Pokémon but also transform into humans.
And Joker… had a Zoroark.
Although this wasn't definitive proof, it deepened Cynthia's suspicions.
"What's wrong, Cynthia? You've seemed a bit off these past couple of days," Sheena asked, noticing Cynthia's unease.
"It's nothing. Let's go out and enjoy the festival. It's so lively outside," Cynthia replied, pulling Sheena out of the room to change the subject.
Cynthia hadn't shared her suspicions with anyone—not Sheena, not Diantha, not Caitlin, or even Nanu. The matter was simply too grave.
If confirmed, it would cause an uproar far greater than the Shadow Organization's all-out war against the League a month ago.
...
Meanwhile, on Aether Paradise…
After the evening news ended, Karen turned off her phone and glanced at the giant tree at the center of the conservation area. The wild Pokémon cared for by the Aether Foundation seemed to sense warmth emanating from the tree and gathered under its shade.
This tree, of course, was the Tree of Eternity—Xerneas in its dormant form—that they had brought back from the Kalos region two days ago.
"It doesn't look like it's waking up anytime soon," said Will, voicing what Karen was thinking.
"That's just how it is," Stephen replied calmly.
Although he held onto a sliver of hope, Stephen didn't genuinely believe that Xerneas would conveniently awaken within three days.
In anime, last-second miracles often occur—like Goku arriving just in time to save his friends or Yugi drawing the perfect card when his life points are critically low.
Reality, however, wasn't so kind. In real life, you don't draw a game-changing card in a pinch. More often, you lose outright if you don't gain an early advantage.
"It's fine. If everything goes according to plan, even if Pryce defeats Dialga, his two ace Pokémon won't be at full strength. Then, with me and Uncle Giovanni teaming up to take him down, there shouldn't be an issue," Stephen said confidently.
He refrained from uttering the classic "We'll win" phrase, knowing it was a surefire way to jinx things. Still, truthfully, unless something unexpected occurred, if he and Giovanni couldn't defeat a weakened Pryce, they might as well quit altogether.
"I'll help evacuate the residents of Michina Town," Will offered. "It's sparsely populated, so it shouldn't take too much effort."
After discussing the plan, Will left under Karen's disapproving glare. As soon as he was gone, Karen leaned into Stephen's arms and asked with a playful tone:
"So, Stephen, are you planning to take Leon down with Bewear in one hit tomorrow?"
"Well… actually, I was thinking about using Altaria first and borrowing one Pokémon from you and Will. I want to avoid risking Bewear getting injured before facing Pryce," Stephen explained earnestly.
"Oh, sure. It's not because Rose sent you a couple of girls, right?" Karen teased with a knowing look.
It was clear that Stephen planned to go easy on Leon.
Even though Stephen had agreed to help Rose capture Eternatus for Leon, the benefits Rose offered were simply too good to pass up. Stephen didn't want to utterly humiliate Leon in return.
Suddenly, feeling something strange below, Karen blushed as Stephen pushed her onto the conservation area's grass.
She gasped as his weight pressed against her, his body pinning her deliciously to the ground. Their lips crashed together in a desperate kiss, tongues dancing as Karen moaned into his mouth.
"Please..." she whimpered as his skilled fingers slid under her shirt, tracing patterns on her sensitive skin. He roughly shoved the fabric up, exposing her black lace bra. Her medium breasts heaved with each panting breath as he unclasped the front, letting them spill free.
"You're perfect," Stephen growled, lowering his head to capture a hardened nipple between his teeth. Karen cried out and arched her back as he sucked and nibbled, his other hand kneading her neglected breast. Her thighs squeezed together as wetness pooled between them.
He hiked her plaid skirt up around her waist, revealing matching black panties already soaked through.
"So wet already," he teased, hooking his fingers in the waistband and sliding them aside. Karen whined as the cool air hit her dripping pussy.
"Ahhhh! Stephen!" she screamed as his hot tongue delved between her folds, lapping hungrily at her clit. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he devoured her, bringing her right to the edge. When he slid two thick fingers inside, curling them just right, she came hard, her whole body convulsing.
Stephen didn't give her time to recover. He quickly freed his throbbing cock and lined up with her entrance. "Ready?" he asked roughly. Karen could only nod frantically, still trembling from her orgasm.
He slammed into her in one powerful thrust, stretching her tight walls deliciously.
"Oh god, oh god, oh goddddd!" Karen wailed as he set a brutal pace, his cock hitting spots deep inside that made her see stars. Her nails raked down his back as another climax built rapidly.
"That's it, cum for me again," Stephen commanded, pounding into her g-spot relentlessly. Karen's eyes rolled back as pleasure exploded through her body, pussy clenching rhythmically around him. The sight of her blissed-out face pushed Stephen over the edge and he buried himself to the hilt, flooding her with hot cum.
They lay there panting in the aftermath, clothes disheveled and bodies sweaty. Karen's thighs trembled as his seed leaked out of her well-fucked pussy.
Still buzzing from her previous orgasms, Karen pushed Stephen back to sit on the grass. Her delicate fingers wrapped around his semi-hard cock, still slick with their combined juices.
"Let me clean you up," she purred, lowering her head to take him into her hot mouth.
Stephen groaned, watching his length disappear between her soft lips. Karen's tongue swirled expertly around his shaft, tasting their mingled essence as she sucked him back to full hardness. Her head bobbed eagerly, taking him deeper with each pass until he was rock hard again.
With a lewd 'pop', she released him and crawled into his lap.
"I need you inside me again," she whimpered, positioning herself over his throbbing member. Stephen grabbed her hips as she slowly sank down, both moaning as he filled her completely.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, tongues dancing as Karen began to ride him.
"Mmmmm... you feel so good," she moaned against his mouth, rolling her hips in a way that made them both see stars. Stephen's hands slid down to grip her ass, helping guide her movements as she bounced on his cock.
"That's it, take what you need," he encouraged between heated kisses. Karen's pace increased, her tight pussy gripping him like a vice as she chased her pleasure. Their tongues tangled desperately as the intensity built.
"Oh god, Stephen! I'm gonna cum again!" Karen cried out, her movements becoming erratic. Stephen thrust up to meet her, hitting that perfect spot inside that made her whole body tremble.
"Cum with me," he growled, feeling his release approaching. Karen's walls began to flutter around him as she screamed into their kiss, triggering his intense orgasm. They held each other tightly, bodies shuddering as they rode out the waves of pleasure together.
When they finally broke apart, both were panting heavily. Karen rested her forehead against Stephen's, a satisfied smile on her flushed face. "I love you," she whispered, placing soft kisses along his jaw.
"I love you too," he replied, holding her close as their racing hearts slowly calmed. The afternoon sun warmed their tangled bodies as they basked in the afterglow of their passionate encounter.
...
Half an hour later, a disheveled Karen returned to her room, walking unsteadily.
After dropping Karen off, Stephen headed to Lusamine's room
Stephen's footsteps echoed down the hallway as he approached Lusamine's room, his body still burning with unfulfilled desire after Karen. The moment he entered, Lusamine's eyes lit up with understanding - she could see the raw hunger in his gaze. Her full lips curved into a knowing smile as she sauntered toward him, her hips swaying hypnotically.
Their bodies crashed together in a desperate embrace, lips meeting in a deep, passionate kiss. Lusamine moaned into his mouth as his hands roamed over her curves, squeezing and caressing through her clothes. She ground her hips against his growing bulge, feeling him hardening against her.
"Mmm, someone's eager," she purred, helping him strip off her blouse to reveal her massive breasts straining against black lace. Stephen growled and roughly yanked down her bra, watching her tits bounce free. His mouth latched onto one stiff nipple while his hand kneaded the other breast, making Lusamine arch and gasp.
They stumbled toward the bed, leaving a trail of discarded clothes. Lusamine's mature body was a work of art - full, heavy breasts topped with rosy peaks, a trim waist flaring to wide childbearing hips, and long shapely legs. Her pussy was already dripping wet when Stephen pushed her onto the mattress.
"Take me," she moaned, spreading her thighs wide. "Fill me up with that thick cock..."
Stephen didn't need to be told twice. He drove into her soaking cunt in one powerful thrust, making her cry out in pleasure. Her huge tits bounced wildly as he pounded her, his hands gripping her soft flesh. Lusamine wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.
"Yes! Harder!" she begged between moans. Stephen captured her lips in another searing kiss, swallowing her cries as he hammered into her g-spot. Her inner walls clenched around him, milking his shaft.
The bed creaked rhythmically as their bodies moved together in perfect sync. Sweat gleamed on their skin, the air thick with the sounds and scents of sex. Stephen buried his face in her neck, inhaling her intoxicating perfume as he rutted into her like an animal.
Lusamine's back arched off the bed as her orgasm approached. "I'm going to cum! Don't stop!" she screamed. Her pussy spasmed around his cock as she came hard, her whole body shuddering in ecstasy. The feeling of her climaxing pushed Stephen over the edge and he erupted inside her with a roar, filling her with hot spurts of cum.
They collapsed together in a satisfied heap, both panting heavily.
...
The next morning, at Manalo Stadium.
"Morning, Doctor!"
As Stephen entered the backstage area, Bea greeted him with a bright smile.
"Morning, Bea-chan," Stephen replied, walking alongside her to the second-floor viewing platform.
When he asked how she was adjusting to Alola, Bea admitted it was fine, though she found the region's relaxed climate a bit too comfortable. She sometimes wished for harsher conditions to better aid her training.
The seats at the venue gradually filled up. Lusamine, as the president of the Alola League, entered the stage to give her opening remarks.
At that moment, Lusamine's speech reached its final segment. She raised her fair hands high and announced:
"Next, let us welcome two of the Pokémon League's most outstanding trainers to conclude this extraordinary event—Mr. Leon, champion of the Galar League, and—"
"The pride of Alola, Dr. Stephen!"
The Manalo Stadium erupted into a frenzy of cheers.
The crowd overwhelmingly chanted Stephen's name.
Even though Leon's fans were fewer, their enthusiasm was just as intense.
The Galar fans had a unique perspective: Stephen's signature Pokémon, Bewear, had formed a bond with Galar's guardian deity, Zamazenta. That made Stephen half a Galarian in their eyes.
To them, no matter who won, it would be a victory for Galar. It was only a matter of whether it was a small win or a big win.
"Has Lance already left?"
In the audience, seated with the Indigo League group, Flint from the Sinnoh League noticed Lance's absence.
Erika replied, "Lance said he wanted to work on recovering his strength. He left the day before yesterday after losing to Cynthia."
Lucian stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Losing his ace Dragonite had a huge impact on Lance. Without that, it would've been hard for our champion to win the last match."
Lucian spoke honestly, without bias, even though Cynthia was their champion.
Having witnessed the Indigo Battle firsthand, Lucian had seen Lance's true strength up close.
To be fair, Lance's loss to Cynthia was largely due to the absence of his signature Dragonite.
"Unless that strange drug can be neutralized, the only option is to change his battle style," Flint added to the conversation.
There was no way Lance could train his replacement Dratini from scratch and evolve it back into Dragonite. Even if its combat experience was retained, pseudo-legendary Pokémon had notoriously long growth cycles. Lance's original Dragonite had taken ten years to reach its high-level champion-tier status.
Training a new one… would take at least five years.
"Or he could just catch a Legendary Pokémon, like Joker did," Volkner joked with a grin.
The atmosphere around them grew noticeably colder.
"That's not funny, Volkner," Erika said irritably.
Joker and his Shadow Lugia were like a nightmare looming over the League.
Not to mention, his Umbreon was no pushover either.
"It's fine! We have Dr. Stephen!"
Excited, Flannery from the Hoenn group, who was around the same age as Mary and Iono, cheered. When she saw Stephen enter, she stood up, cupping her hands around her mouth to shout:
"Dr. Stephen—no, Champion! Go! Go!"
Wallace chuckled. "She's right. Let's put these worries aside for now and enjoy this incredible battle."
Steven nodded. "Devon Corporation is still researching that stone Champion Diantha gave Dr. Stephen. It's said to hold the power to help Pokémon break through their limits. If successful, we might gain the upper hand against Joker."
A little further back, Cynthia and Sheena watched the unfolding events.
When they heard their colleagues pinning their hopes on Stephen, Cynthia's expression turned slightly strange.
Meanwhile, Sheena's expression shifted when Volkner mentioned catching a Legendary Pokémon.
The power of aura, after all, made it significantly easier to bond with Legendary Pokémon.
But she had no talent as a trainer herself.
...
In the arena, Stephen and Leon now stood face to face.
"I've been looking forward to battling you, Dr. Stephen!" Leon's eyes gleamed with excitement as he grinned, showing off his large white teeth.
Winning or losing didn't matter. What mattered was enjoying the thrill of the fight.
After all, many trainers spent their entire lives without ever standing on such a grand stage.
"I've prepared a very special partner for you. Look forward to it," Stephen said with a chuckle.
"Huh?" Leon blinked, watching Stephen walk over to his command station. He couldn't shake a vague sense of unease.
Surely Stephen wouldn't bring Zacian, right?
… No, surely not.
Leon could accept losing, but he didn't want to be a one-shot.
"I'm honored to referee a match of this caliber," Kukui said with a grin as he stepped into the referee's box. He quickly announced:
"The battle between Champion Stephen and Champion Leon will now begin! The rules are 3-on-3."
"Positions ready... Battle, start!"
As soon as Kukui's voice fell, Leon placed his right hand on his left shoulder, dramatically flipping his cape aside with a flourish that revealed his tight short-sleeve shirt.
"I am Leon, the Champion of the Galar League! I am a man who trains endlessly to ensure Galar's trainers are unbeatable!"
"As a trainer, I know the gap between us, Dr. Stephen. But it's precisely because of that gap that I strive to grow stronger and cultivate an unshakable heart."
"Here I come! Go, Dragapult!"
With an impassioned declaration, Leon threw out his first Pokémon.
The Galar pseudo-legendary, Dragapult!
The second-strongest member of Leon's team!
"Leon's taking this seriously—he's leading with Dragapult," Raihan observed from the sidelines. He turned to look at Stephen. "What will he use? We know he has that special Altaria, and…"
Raihan trailed off, swallowing nervously as memories of Stephen's Bewear from the Indigo Battle resurfaced.
"Dr. Stephen has a good relationship with Chairman Rose, right? He probably wouldn't send out Bewear, would he?" Piers muttered weakly.
"Piers, you sound exhausted. Is it all the Galarian sunshine? Not used to the heat?" Melony teased with a laugh.
Piers silently turned his head to the other side.
He thought to himself, If your son idolized Joker, you'd feel just as frustrated.
Yesterday, his precious little sister Marnie called him again, saying she wanted to travel to Kanto to see if there was a chance to join Team Rocket.
Piers felt a strong sense of defeat.
Boom—!
At that moment, a white light shot skyward from the Pokéball Stephen had thrown.
In the blink of an eye, a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the battlefield in front of Stephen.
The still-pondering Piers, along with countless spectators, was startled.
They turned their heads toward the battlefield.
As the lightning gradually faded, what stood there was… one of the four Pokémon that had performed at the opening ceremony a week ago.
"That is…"
Back in Pallet Town, the group who had received Pokédexes from Stephen instinctively opened them.
"Tapu Koko, the Land Spirit Pokémon, the curious guardian deity of Melemele Island. Though called a guardian deity, it will attack humans and Pokémon that upset it."
Ash lowered his Pokédex and murmured in a daze:
"Did Brother Stephen capture that Pokémon?"
On Ash's shoulder, Pikachu stared at the Tapu Koko, whose body crackled with lightning, its eyes filled with longing.
...
"Let me, the Alola Champion, use Alola's guardian deity to battle you, Leon."
Stephen chuckled.
As he spoke, Stephen turned to the Tapu Koko standing with its back to him and called out, "Fight alongside me, Koko."
Tapu Koko glanced back, looking somewhat exasperated—not at Stephen, but at the Pokéball on Stephen's belt.
Through the translucent cover of the ball, Bewear inside waved her fist at Tapu Koko.