Chapter Summaries

Nemona prepared to challenge Paldea’s Champion Assessment in the high-difficulty Gauntlet format while Iono’s livestream drew viewers from across the regions. As Nemona headed for the first battle room, Elite Four members Rika, Aoki, and Hassaku took their positions, with Hassaku confidently predicting he would win.

• Luo Mu watched Iono’s popular livestream and hoped her audience would make Nemona’s Champion Assessment widely seen.
• League staff prepared Headquarters for Nemona’s Gauntlet challenge, and Nemona chose to wear her Naranja Academy uniform before encouraging her six Pokémon and Duskull.
• Nemona left the waiting room for the first battle room, while viewers from other regions joined Iono’s livestream.
• Rose watched the broadcast with Ollie and considered Nemona a remarkable prospect who might have been recruited to Galar.
• Rika sent the other Elite Four members toward their rooms and reminded Hassaku that Luo Mu’s Mimikyu had nearly swept his team the previous year; Hassaku insisted he would win this time.

Nemona began her Champion Gauntlet against Elite Four Rika and defeated five of Rika’s Pokémon through Tauros’s furious offense and her other Pokémon’s strength. The battle reached its final stage as Rika sent out Clodsire and Terastallized it against Nemona’s Goodra.

• Rika opened with Diglett, whose Sandstorm let it evade Tauros’s attacks, then switched to Torterra to withstand Earthquake.
• Tauros overcame Torterra, Diglett, and Donphan with a powerful Rage Bull assault before Nemona recalled it to conserve its strength.
• Nemona used Decidueye to trap and defeat Whiscash, then sent Ursaluna through Camerupt’s smoke and flames to knock it out.
• Arven, Shizuka, Zhen Si, and Botan watched the livestream as Rika praised Nemona and prepared her final Pokémon.
• Rika sent out Clodsire, called for Spikes, and Terastallized it while Nemona had Goodra on the field.

Nemona defeated Rika and moved on to face Aoki, who used a Flying-type team in the second Elite Four room. Nemona opened with Pawmot, which swiftly knocked out Aoki’s Braviary and impressed Rika.

• Rika Terastallized Clodsire into a Ground type, but Nemona’s Goodra endured its Earthquake and defeated it with a powerful wave.
• Nemona thanked Rika, who encouraged her to continue and invited her to call her Sister Rika.
• Nemona entered the second room and found Aoki, who explained that he would use Flying-type Pokémon instead of his usual Normal types.
• Nemona sent out her ace Pawmot, and Aoki recognized the strategy as one Nemona had learned from Luo Mu.
• Pawmot countered Braviary’s Crush Claw with Thunder Punch, then used Thunderbolt and another Thunder Punch to knock it out in under thirty seconds.

Nemona and Pawmot defeated Aoki’s team, leaving him to watch as she faced Hassaku in the next Elite Four battle. Just as Hassaku sent out Duraludon against Ursaluna, the livestream cut to Iono introducing its sponsor.

• Aoki used Tropius, Oricorio, Altaria, and Staraptor against Nemona, but Pawmot defeated them one after another.
• Aoki Terastallized his final Pokémon, Flamigo, as Nemona and Pawmot remained in fighting condition.
• Rika dragged the exhausted Aoki to watch Hassaku’s battle, while Nemona briefly tended to Pawmot.
• Hassaku welcomed Nemona as his challenger and sent out Duraludon against her Ursaluna.
• The livestream cut away from the battle, and Iono began an advertisement for the livestream’s sponsoring Farm.

During Nemona’s Champion Gauntlet battle against Hassaku, she and her Pokémon overcame his team through strength and determination, though Pawmot had to use its trump card to defeat Dragalge. Meanwhile, Luo Mu finalized his decision with Geeta, who welcomed him to League Headquarters as a Champion-Level Trainer.

• Iono interrupted the livestream battle with an advertisement for Luo Mu’s farm, drawing a flood of frustrated comments.
• Nemona’s Ursaluna defeated Hassaku’s Duraludon and Haxorus, but she recalled it when Hassaku sent out Noivern.
• Nemona’s Goodra wore down Noivern, then she sent in an exhausted Pawmot to face Dragalge.
• Pawmot used Spark Double Hit to defeat Dragalge despite taking Draco Meteor, leaving it gasping and unable to continue fighting.
• Luo Mu called Geeta and confirmed his decision, prompting her to void the cancellation process and welcome him to League Headquarters as a Champion-Level Trainer.

Luo Mu restored his Champion-Level Trainer status and headed to the Champion Assessment with Dragonite and the Zygarde Core. Nemona defeated Hassaku after a fierce battle in which Ribombee’s Quiver Dance strategy culminated in Ursaluna countering Baxcalibur’s Giga Impact, leaving Nemona closer to the assessment’s final challenge.

• Luo Mu asked Geeta to restore his Champion-Level Trainer status, then left for the assessment with Dragonite and the Zygarde Core.
• Nemona recalled Pawmot after it defeated Dragalge and sent Aqua Breed Tauros against Hassaku’s Salamence.
• Aqua Breed Tauros triggered Anger Point and defeated Salamence, giving Nemona a chance to face Hassaku’s ace with Ribombee.
• Hassaku Terastallized Baxcalibur into a Dragon type and attacked while Ribombee built up its power with Quiver Dance.
• Ribombee battled through Baxcalibur’s attacks, then Nemona used Baton Pass to bring Ursaluna in against Baxcalibur’s Giga Impact.
• Ursaluna endured the impact and struck Baxcalibur with Double-Edge, winning Nemona the third Champion Assessment battle.

Luo Mu returned to Paldea League Headquarters and accompanied Nemona to the terrace for her final Champion Assessment battle against Geeta. Geeta led with Glimmora, whose Toxic Spikes poisoned Decidueye and set up a hazardous field before Geeta ordered Glimmora to use Parting Shot.

• Luo Mu found that the League still recognized him as a Champion-Level Trainer and entered Headquarters, where he reunited with Nemona and the Elite Four after her battles.
• Nemona received the announcement to proceed to the terrace, and she and Luo Mu rode the elevator to meet Geeta for the final assessment.
• Geeta told Nemona that defeating her would earn the Champion title, then revealed that she had changed her team structure and battle order.
• Geeta led with Glimmora while Nemona sent out Decidueye, which used Energy Ball and Spirit Shackle as Glimmora laid Toxic Spikes and gained a boost from Ancient Power.
• Decidueye charged through Glimmora’s attacks with Leaf Storm and struck it with Leaf Blade, but Glimmora slammed Decidueye down and poisoned it with the Toxic Spikes.
• Geeta had Glimmora lay another layer of Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock, then ordered it to use Parting Shot.

Nemona used a carefully planned Endeavor and Last Resort combination to draw with Geeta’s Avalugg, then continued the assessment with Goodra against Chesnaught. After Goodra’s Sap Sipper absorbed Leech Seed and boosted its Attack, Geeta recalled Chesnaught and sent out Espathra.

• Geeta’s Glimmora used Parting Shot on Decidueye before fainting, lowering its Attack and Special Attack after setting Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock.
• Nemona switched Decidueye for Tauros, which battled Avalugg while suffering from poison and repeated damage.
• Nemona had Tauros use Endeavor to bring Avalugg down to its stamina level, then used Last Resort to knock both Pokémon out.
• Geeta and Nemona sent out Chesnaught and Goodra, and Goodra absorbed Chesnaught’s Leech Seed with Sap Sipper, raising its Attack.
• Nemona ordered Goodra to use Acid Armor, but Geeta recalled Chesnaught and sent out Espathra.

Nemona used Ursaluna to overcome Geeta’s Espathra and Chesnaught, clearing the battlefield hazards and gaining momentum in their Pokémon League battle. Geeta sent out Dragapult, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Geeta’s Espathra copied Goodra’s Acid Armor with Opportunist and used Luster Purge to lower Goodra’s Special Defense, but Nemona switched Goodra out for Ursaluna.
• Ursaluna endured Espathra’s attack and used Earthquake to damage Espathra and scatter Glimmora’s Toxic Spikes across the battlefield.
• Geeta used Baton Pass to switch Espathra for Chesnaught, which inherited Espathra’s Defense boost and faced Ursaluna.
• Ursaluna powered through Chesnaught’s Stone Edge and Spiky Shield, then used Chesnaught as a weapon to smash all the Stealth Rock and knock Chesnaught unconscious.
• Geeta sent out Dragapult as Nemona’s side held the advantage, with the battle still unresolved.

Geeta’s Dragapult trapped Nemona’s team in a relentless setup strategy, leaving Goodra to face it after four Dragon Dances. Nemona used a Rindo Berry and Rest to keep Goodra standing, then called Sleep Talk as the battle’s next move became uncertain.

• Geeta sent out Dragapult, which used Double Team to confuse Ursaluna before Dragon Tail forced it back into its Poké Ball and brought out Ribombee.
• Dragapult trapped Ribombee with Infestation and defeated it with Shadow Ball and Phantom Force, while Goodra received healing from Ribombee’s Pollen Puff.
• Geeta had Dragapult use Dragon Dance four times as Goodra rested and recovered from its earlier injuries and poison.
• Dragapult’s Dragon Darts badly injured Goodra, so Nemona had it use Acid Armor and Rest while consuming a Rindo Berry to reduce the Dragon-type damage.
• As Dragapult attacked Goodra again, Nemona ordered it to use Sleep Talk and left the outcome to the move it selected.

Nemona’s battered team overcame Geeta’s Dragapult and Espathra, but Geeta sent out her final Pokémon, Bisharp, and revealed its Flying Tera Type. Bisharp’s Tera Blast overwhelmed Ursaluna, leaving the battle’s outcome uncertain as Nemona’s last Pokémon, Pawmot, remained to fight.

• Goodra used Sleep Talk to draw Power Whip, knocking out two Dreepy before Dragapult defeated Goodra with Dragon Rush and Draco Meteor.
• Nemona sent out Ursaluna, which fought Dragapult until Decidueye used Spirit Shackle to trap it; Ursaluna then returned and defeated Dragapult.
• Ursaluna chased down and knocked out Espathra, giving Nemona two consecutive knockouts.
• Geeta sent out her final Pokémon, Bisharp, and Terastallized it into a Flying type to evade Ursaluna’s Earthquake.
• Bisharp’s Tera Blast overwhelmed Ursaluna despite its Guts-boosted Facade, while Nemona still had Pawmot available.

Nemona's Pawmot fought Geeta's Bisharp through Trick Room, broke the twisted space, and ultimately fell after a punishing exchange. Before losing consciousness, Pawmot used Revival Blessing to restore Ursaluna, leaving Nemona with another chance in the Champion Assessment.

• Nemona sent out Pawmot, but Bisharp used Trick Room to gain the speed advantage and battered it with Iron Head, Kowtow Cleave, and Air Cutter.
• Pawmot avoided Kowtow Cleave with a burst of light, then survived Bisharp's Flying-type Tera Blast by combining Terastallization with Protect.
• Nemona directed Pawmot to stab the tangible edge of Trick Room, and Bisharp's Kowtow Cleave helped Pawmot shatter the move's spatial barrier.
• With its speed restored, Pawmot traded blows with Bisharp using Thunder Punch and repeated Spark Double Hits, but Bisharp endured and retaliated with Metal Burst.
• Pawmot collapsed, then rose long enough to use Revival Blessing and send its light into Ursaluna's Poké Ball.

Nemona defeated Geeta’s Bisharp and became a new Champion-Level Trainer, then learned that Luo Mu was waiting to meet her. Geeta also acted on Luo Mu’s advice and assigned Aoki to prepare a Champion Hall for Paldea.

• Pawmot used Revival Blessing to revive Ursaluna before fainting, and Nemona ordered Ursaluna to finish the battle.
• Ursaluna resisted Bisharp’s feint, countered Kowtow Cleave, and defeated it with Facade.
• Geeta praised Nemona’s battle and recognized her as a new Champion-Level Trainer before the livestream ended.
• Geeta told Nemona that Luo Mu was waiting for her, and Nemona hurried to the Pokémon Center before heading to meet him.
• Geeta assigned Aoki to handle Nemona’s certification and prepare a Champion Hall for Paldea, leaving Aoki dismayed.

After Nemona’s Champion Assessment, Luo Mu reflected on his year at Uva Academy and discussed Lei He’s new lead about the Treasures of Ruin. He then went to Mesagoza’s Central Plaza to await Nemona for their Master-Disciple Succession Battle, which would mark her graduation from his guidance.

• Battle fans reviewed Nemona’s Champion Assessment and wondered who the Elite Four and Geeta had called her teacher’s teacher.
• Luo Mu returned to Uva Academy, where he let the Zygarde Core place Cells on campus and settled into the library to read while waiting for Nemona.
• Lei He told Luo Mu she had found a possible purification lead in Suicune and new information about the Treasures of Ruin’s stakes, but Luo Mu declined to search for Suicune and told her to focus on locating the stakes.
• Luo Mu left Uva Academy for Mesagoza’s Central Plaza, where Clavell and others had cleared a battle field for his match with Nemona.
• Luo Mu prepared to face Nemona in a battle between Champion-Level Trainers, after which she would graduate from his guidance.

Nemona challenged her teacher Luo Mu to a full battle in Mesagoza after earning Champion status. The battle began with Serperior overwhelmingly defeating Nemona’s Tauros, leaving the crowd stunned and the rest of the matchup ahead.

• Geeta invited Aoki, Rika, Hassaku, and the senior trainer to watch a battle in Mesagoza, where they discovered that Luo Mu and Nemona were preparing to face off.
• Nemona arrived at Sun Plaza, reunited with her friends, and accepted Luo Mu’s challenge before a large crowd of spectators.
• Clavell announced a full six-on-six battle between Champion Luo Mu and Champion Nemona, with Terastallization as the only permitted special mechanic.
• Nemona sent out Tauros, while Luo Mu chose Serperior as his first Pokémon.
• Serperior overpowered Tauros with Leaf Blade, then trapped it with Frenzy Plant and knocked it unconscious before Nemona could recall it.

Luo Mu’s Serperior and Mimikyu defeated Nemona’s Tauros and Ribombee, forcing her to reconsider her battle style. Nemona’s Decidueye pushed Ceruledge into a fierce duel, but Ceruledge countered its Phantom Force and won, leaving Nemona to choose her next Pokémon.

• Serperior defeated Nemona’s Tauros, and Luo Mu praised Nemona for regaining her focus before sending it against Ribombee with Leaf Storm.
• Serperior used Taunt to interrupt Ribombee’s Quiver Dance, then Luo Mu switched in Mimikyu, whose Will-O-Wisp and Hex defeated Ribombee.
• Nemona recognized that she needed to rely on her own battle style, then sent out Decidueye against Luo Mu’s Ceruledge.
• Decidueye used Spirit Shackle, Shadow Claw, and Feather Dance to pressure Ceruledge, then landed a surprise Phantom Force attack.
• Ceruledge used Phantom Force to appear behind Decidueye and counterattack, then finished it with Bitter Blade.
• Clavell declared Decidueye unable to battle and asked Nemona to send out her next Pokémon.

Nemona and Luo Mu sent out Goodra and Dragonite for their fourth-round battle, where Nemona’s rain-based strategy let Goodra endure Dragonite’s attacks and strike back. Dragonite overwhelmed Goodra with its extraordinary speed and a devastating Hurricane, leaving Geeta to wonder whether Luo Mu was becoming a Battle Legend.

• Nemona and Luo Mu recalled their defeated Pokémon and sent out Goodra and Dragonite.
• Goodra summoned rain while Dragonite used Dragon Dance, then the two Pokémon clashed with Surf, Dragon Claw, and Dragon Pulse.
• Goodra endured Dragonite’s attacks and returned one with Endure, while Nemona tried to trap Dragonite with Power Whip.
• Dragonite used an extraordinary form of Extreme Speed to outmaneuver Goodra and slam it into the ground.
• Nemona ordered Goodra to unleash Draco Meteor across the battlefield, but Dragonite created a powerful Hurricane that shattered the attack and swallowed Goodra.
• Geeta was astonished by Dragonite’s power and considered whether Luo Mu might become a living Battle Legend.

Nemona challenged Luo Mu in a full-strength battle, but his Swampert, Luxray, and other Pokémon defeated her team. Instead of crying, Nemona celebrated the battle as a chance to grow, and Luo Mu declared that she had graduated before she immediately asked to challenge him again the next morning.

• Dragonite defeated Nemona's Goodra, and Nemona sent out her Ursaluna to face Luo Mu's Swampert.
• Swampert overpowered Ursaluna in a brutal strength contest and knocked it out with Aqua Jet.
• Nemona sent out her final Pokémon, Pawmot, and Terastallized it to battle Luo Mu's Luxray, which defeated it with Wildbolt Storm.
• Nemona covered her face, prompting the onlookers to worry that she was crying, but she laughed and praised the battle instead.
• Luo Mu told Nemona she had graduated, and she thanked him before asking to challenge him again the next morning.
• Luo Mu froze while taking out the Decidueye Z-Crystal, surprised by Nemona's plan to battle him all day again.

Espeon trained its Confusion control under Oranguru before Nemona arrived to challenge Luo Mu, who defeated her again. Luo Mu then considered his plans for Giant Dragonite and went to Thunderclap Lake to check whether the Dragonite Leader was ready to see its deceased Trainer through Tapu Fini’s Special Mist.

• Espeon opened Luo Mu’s bedroom door without Confusion and practiced delicately sorting vegetables under Oranguru’s guidance.
• Nemona arrived early, challenged Luo Mu, and lost after he used Mega Evolution, Terastallization, and a Z-Move; she left eagerly with gifts prepared by Sebastian.
• Luo Mu considered taking Giant Dragonite to find Giant Tentacruel and recalled possible plans involving time travel, Hoenn, Lund Dr., and Wallace.
• Luo Mu went to Thunderclap Lake, where Tapu Fini had gathered enough power to use Special Mist and help the Dragonite Leader see its deceased Trainer.
• Luo Mu saw the Dragonite Leader wearing its carefully kept hat and remembered that it had once worked as a Pokémon postman with its Trainer in Paldea.

Luo Mu and Calyrex helped the Dragonite Leader confront its longing for Lia and ask whether it wanted to see its Trainer again. The chapter recounted how Lia saved a wild Dragonair, built a life with it, and how Dragonite later formed a family with three Dratini.

• Luo Mu approached the Dragonite Leader, and Calyrex urged him to let the Dragonite Leader make its own choice about meeting Lia again.
• Luo Mu asked the Dragonite Leader whether it wanted to see its Trainer, breaking through its self-deception and prompting it to ask if it could really see Lia again.
• As a wild Dragonair, the Dragonite Leader was injured by a Gyarados and rescued by Lia, a postwoman who spent her savings to treat it.
• Dragonair joined Lia, helped deliver letters, and grew into Dragonite while Lia gave up her dream of becoming a traveling Trainer to build a life with it.
• When Lia grew old, Dragonite worked as a courier and later rescued three Dratini, making a home with them on an island in Casseroya Lake.