Chapter 369: What If Lance Did It on Purpose?

[VIP Chat Group]

[Sidney]: Amazing Lance’s eye bags are so black he could use them as sunglasses.

[Flint]: I used to think I had it rough. Looking at Lance now, my life practically counts as wellness therapy.

[Volkner]: Miserable, sure, but at least something good came out of it. Look, Lance and Bruno have finally tied the knot. (Smirks)

[Raihan]: Sigh... Who says it was an accident? What if Lance did it on purpose? (Smirks)

[Bruno]: Hey! Lance and I have always had a completely pure coworker relationship! It’s brotherhood forged by our bodies colliding in the boxing ring late at night! Do any of you understand that?!

[Lance]: @Bruno, can you shut your mouth?

[Bruno]: What’s wrong, Lance? If there’s nothing shameful about it, why can’t I say it? Did you forget that last week, in the training room, we were still—mmph! (Lance covers his mouth.)

[Lance]: Let me explain. Things are absolutely not what you’re imagining.

[Koga]: It’s fine. We understand. We all understand.

[Steven]: Completely understood. Hoenn sends its congratulations.

[Volkner]: Sinnoh sends its congratulations.

[Raihan]: Galar sends its congratulations.

[Lance]: ...What the hell is wrong with all of you?!

The scene changed again.

The venue of the World Coronation Series.

Indigo Plateau had been completely transformed. The enormous circular battle arena was surrounded by spectators and Trainers from every region.

Aurelia stood at the entrance to the competitors’ tunnel, making her final preparations.

At that moment, Steven suddenly appeared from the side, spinning a Poké Ball around one finger with his usual brilliant smile.

"Niece Aurelia!"

"Uncle Steven."

"Here, here. Take this."

Steven stuffed the Poké Ball into Aurelia’s hand.

Aurelia looked down at it.

"What is it?"

"Dragonite. Your dad asked me to pass it to you."

Steven patted his chest.

"The World Coronation Series is being watched by the entire planet, after all. With this many eyes on you, it’d look a little questionable if you kept pulling out a whole lineup of Legendary Pokémon."

"...All right. I understand."

Aurelia clipped Dragonite’s Poké Ball onto her waist and walked into the competitors’ tunnel.

There was very little suspense in the tournament.

Aurelia unquestionably took the championship.

During the awards ceremony, the host handed her the Champion trophy.

The trophy had the Sun-Moon Group logo embedded into it, and a tiny line had been engraved into the base—Sun-Moon Group Exclusive Title Sponsorship — World Champion Trophy · Global Limited Edition · Ciallo~ (∠?ω＜ )⌒★

Aurelia remained silent for a moment.

Then decided to pretend she hadn’t seen it.

"Contestant Aurelia, you’ve been staring at the base of the trophy for quite a while. Do you have any special thoughts about it?"

The host shoved the microphone toward her.

"No."

Aurelia nodded.

"The craftsmanship is very good."

She had barely stepped down from the podium when her communicator began vibrating like crazy.

Aurelia answered.

Acerola’s voice immediately burst from the other end.

"Aurelia! Hurry to Malie Library! I figured out what that black sphere does! You two need to come here right now! I have to explain this face-to-face!"

"Why?"

"Because saying it over the phone has no atmosphere! Ghost stories have to be told in person or they lose all the feeling!"

Aurelia ended the call and immediately dialed Selene.

The phone rang for a long while before Selene finally answered in a lowered voice.

"Big Sis, what’s up?"

"Acerola says she’s figured out what the black sphere does. She wants us to go there now."

"Now? But I’m still at the Gym..."

Selene hesitated for a moment.

"Fine, fine. I’ll have Zoroark keep covering for me."

Her voice continued through the communicator.

"By the way, Big Sis, what does that sphere actually do?"

"Acerola didn’t explain clearly. She only said it was ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?"

"Then we have to go! Ridiculous is my favorite!"

"Big Sis, wait for me. I’ll be there in three minutes!"

The scene switched back to Malie Library.

Acerola pressed both sisters into chairs, then dramatically switched on a flashlight.

"Welcome to Acerola’s Exclusive Legend Theater!"

"After all these days of hard work, I’ve finally pieced together the complete legend!"

Selene raised her hand.

"Teacher, can you speed it up? I’m in a hurry. I still have to go back afterward and keep pretending I’m reflecting on my behavior."

"No!"

"A ghost story without proper buildup is like french fries without ketchup!"

Acerola cleared her throat.

"Long, long ago, the Blinding One once lost its light."

"During that time, the power of darkness spread throughout Alola. The region’s ecology was disturbed, and even the stability of Z-Power was affected."

"The Beast of the Sun and the Beast of the Moon could only use their own energy to fill the missing light..."

"But even that wasn’t enough."

Acerola suddenly thrust her right hand into the air.

"And then—a mysterious person suddenly appeared!"

"Not only did he stabilize the Blinding One’s condition, he also used this black sphere to open a rift and send the Blinding One back into another dimension."

"And before leaving, he said only one thing..."

Aurelia and Selene exchanged a glance.

"What?"

Acerola took a deep breath.

Then she raised a V-sign beside her right eye and stretched her grin nearly to her ears.

"Ciallo~ (∠?ω＜ )⌒★"

"Seriously?!"

Shock was written all over Selene’s face.

"This meme existed that long ago?!"

"Of course I’m joking!"

Acerola dropped the V-sign and slapped her thigh as she burst out laughing.

"How could someone three thousand years ago possibly say Ciallo?! I made that part up!"

"That’s what makes a ghost story fun! You need sudden surprises, half-truths, a little confusion between what’s real and what’s fake—"

"So everything you just told us was made up?"

"Nope."

Acerola waved a hand.

"The legend itself is real. I only added the Ciallo part."

"I have to give it a little personal style, right?"

"Besides, it’s only a legend anyway. Nobody actually witnessed—"

Before she could finish—

BANG!

The library window was suddenly blown open by the wind.

Outside, the sky looked as though someone had poured a bucket of ink across it.

Black clouds gathered from every direction.

The sea began to churn.

Wild Pokémon across the island fled in panic.

"Wow."

Selene leaned against the window.

"Teacher Acerola, the immersion on this ghost story is incredible."

"I-I didn’t add any special effects!"

Acerola’s face turned pale as she grabbed Aurelia’s arm.

"Aurelia! This one really isn’t me!"

Just then—

The black sphere that had been stored inside its box suddenly erupted with rainbow-colored light.

Then it flew straight toward the open window.

"Wait!"

Acerola reached for it, but the sphere slipped directly through her fingers and shot outside.

Immediately afterward—

Pop! Pop!

The Poké Balls at Aurelia’s and Selene’s waists opened at the same time.

The gold-marked Eevee and silver-marked Eevee sprang out from either side.

The instant their four stubby little legs touched the floor, neither hesitated for even a second.

They sprinted directly after the flying sphere.

"Hey! You two!"

Selene lunged for the silver-marked Eevee and caught nothing but air.

"Big Sis! What’s going on?!"

"Follow them."

The sisters vanished in a flash of Teleport.

Behind them, Acerola shouted:

"Wait for me!"

"I-I’m wearing sandals today too!"

...