The party went on for quite some time before everyone finally dispersed.
As soon as he returned to the hotel, Red immediately submitted his challenge request on the app—to battle Geeta, the sixth-ranked Trainer in the Masters Eight.
The news spread instantly. In truth, many people had already been waiting for it.
After all, with both Giovanni and Blue from Kanto's Elite Four having already bared their fangs, there was no way Red would sit still.
But that wasn't the only shocking development.
From Galar came another bombshell—Champion Leon, ranked No. 4 in the Masters Eight, had officially challenged Steven, ranked No. 3!
Another clash between two regional Champions.
Of course, few were surprised. Leon was famously battle-hungry—it was inevitable that he'd challenge both Steven and Cynthia. If anything, it was strange he hadn't done it sooner.
These two upcoming matches instantly became the most anticipated battles in the world.
Yet behind the scenes, another meeting was taking place.
"Miss Diantha, how about a friendly match?" Wallace asked with a disarming smile once the gathering had ended.
"…That's not impossible," Diantha replied after a pause, eyeing the elegant former Hoenn Champion curiously.
It was strange, though. Why a friendly match?
If he wanted to battle her, he could've just issued an official challenge—their rankings weren't that far apart. Was he trying to gauge her strength first? That seemed unnecessary. Neither of them were even in the Masters Eight.
Standing beside him, Steven pinched the bridge of his nose and quietly stepped a few paces away.
"Wonderful! Then shall we set it for tomorrow?" Wallace said brightly, his eyes sparkling.
He would use this battle to prove that he was not the weakest Champion!
"Very well. You can contact me tomorrow," Diantha replied politely with a smile.
"I have something to discuss with Dylan, so I'll take my leave."
"Of course. Goodbye."
As Diantha and Serena walked off, Wallace smiled after them dreamily.
"Miss Diantha really is such a kind person~"
"You sure about that?" Steven said dryly. "If you lose to her, you'll officially have no one left below you."
Wallace's confident grin didn't waver. "Oh, come on, Steven. Diantha's busy acting in films half the time—she hardly has time to train her Pokémon properly."
"Right, right," Steven chuckled. "And you're so much better?"
"That's different—it's art! Besides, trust me, tomorrow I will win. I can go fifty–fifty with Iris, remember?"
His confidence was unwavering. Iris might've fallen from the Masters Eight, but she'd once been one of them.
If he could go even with her, then Diantha should be no problem!
"You will win?" Steven asked skeptically.
"I will win!" Wallace declared firmly.
Meanwhile, Dylan and his companions had returned to their hotel.
"Dylan," Diantha called out as she and Serena approached.
"What is it, Miss Diantha?" he asked curiously.
"Sorry to bother you, but may we have a word?" she said politely, smiling with practiced grace.
Serena's cheeks were faintly flushed—she'd sneaked a sip of red wine at dinner, and it showed adorably on her fair face.
"Of course," Dylan replied.
They found seats in the hotel lobby.
"You saw the battle today," Diantha began. "What do you think, Dylan?"
"Miss Serena is still an excellent Trainer," Dylan said with an easy smile. It was true—the match between Blue and Serena had been extremely close.
Blue had simply performed a bit better at the end, that was all.
"But I want to become stronger," Serena said suddenly, raising her head to meet his gaze. Her clear, determined eyes reflected Dylan's image back at him.
"Strength comes from your own effort," Dylan said gently. "But I think I understand why you're both here."
Serena was clearly driven—the loss to a peer like Blue had undoubtedly stirred something within her.
And for a Champion-level Trainer to continue growing, there were only a few possible paths left: intense training, guidance from someone stronger… or obtaining more powerful Pokémon.
"Paradox Pokémon and Ultra Beasts," Diantha said plainly. "Both discovered by you, Dylan—and you have access to their habitats."
Exactly. The simplest way to grow stronger was reinforcement.
Diantha had little choice. Right now, the honor of Kalos rested solely on her and Serena's shoulders.
And with Serena's defeat today, they both needed to improve.
Of course, Diantha knew her own limits. Even with a Paradox Pokémon or Ultra Beast, she was unlikely to reach Masters level again.
But Serena? Serena had the talent to do it.
"I do have them," Dylan admitted. "With Miss Serena's ability, she could even visit Area Zero herself—it wouldn't be impossible."
He gestured, and his Rotom Dex floated over, displaying entries for both Ultra Beasts and Paradox Pokémon.
The Ultra Space was far more dangerous than Area Zero—even a Champion could struggle to make it out safely.
But Area Zero, while slightly better, was still perilous enough that no one could call it safe.
"Still," Dylan said with a warm smile, "I'd like to do you both a favor. You can each choose one that you like."
If Diantha had gone out of her way to ask him, he was happy to return the kindness.
"Miss Serena is already remarkable," he added. "With the right reinforcement, her potential is limitless. I look forward to the day she comes to challenge me."
He truly meant it—Serena's Champion team was, by all accounts, ordinary.
Yet she had trained them so well that she could stand toe-to-toe with Blue. Proof that there really were no weak Pokémon, only weak Trainers.
"Thank you very much, Champion Dylan," Serena said, standing and bowing deeply.
"No need to be so formal," Dylan said, motioning for her to sit.
He then gave both of them a brief rundown of the available Ultra Beasts and Paradox Pokémon.
In the end, Diantha chose a Roaring Moon, and Serena selected Pheromosa.
Both made their decisions instantly—love at first sight, so to speak.
"Thank you, Dylan. If you ever need anything, you can always reach out to us," Diantha said, accepting the Poké Ball containing Roaring Moon.
"And if I do, I won't hesitate," Dylan replied with a smile.
After a few more words, they said their goodbyes—it was already getting late.
"See you," Dylan waved.
"Bye~"
As his group disappeared into the elevator, Diantha looked down at the Poké Ball in her hand.
"Dylan really is generous," she said softly.
She'd heard that he'd gifted Paradox Pokémon to Cynthia and Steven before—and now it was her turn.
"Champion Dylan truly wants us to become stronger," Serena said, clutching Pheromosa's Poké Ball tightly.
She wouldn't disappoint him. She would grow stronger and someday challenge him head-on!
"You're right," Diantha said with a laugh. "Someone like Dylan must get bored without worthy opponents."
"By the way, Serena, are you planning more reinforcements?"
"Mhm. I've asked someone to keep an eye out for a pseudo-legendary for me."
"Oh? You're aiming for a Goodra? My own Goodra recently had—"
"No, Miss Diantha. I'm looking for a Dragapult," Serena said tactfully.
Goodra just didn't appeal to her—honestly, she couldn't help but wish her home region's pseudo-legendary was anything else.
"…Serena, that's a little hurtful, you know," Diantha said with mock offense.
"Miss Diantha, maybe you should focus on your battle with Wallace tomorrow," Serena said quickly as they walked toward the exit.
They both lived in Lumiose City, after all.
"Still, it's strange," Diantha mused aloud. "Why did Wallace suddenly want to spar with me?"
She couldn't figure it out—but decided it didn't matter.
"Well, it'll be good practice anyway. I'm actually looking forward to it."
The next day.
"What on earth happened to Wallace?"
When Dylan and his companions arrived at the agreed location, they found the usually flamboyant Coordinator pale, dazed, and muttering to himself.
He'd been perfectly fine yesterday—what on earth had happened overnight?
"Emmm…" Steven sighed, rubbing his temple.
"He has… about two days like this every month. Don't worry about it."
"…?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.
Still, he stepped closer, concerned. Wallace was a good friend, after all.
"How… how could this happen? It shouldn't be possible… Am I really that weak?" Wallace murmured to himself, eyes unfocused.
"..."
Across the field, Diantha offered an embarrassed but polite smile. She hadn't expected this reaction either.
Yes—she had beaten him. Fair and square.
Their "friendly match" that morning had been a full 6-on-6 battle… and Wallace had lost again.
Steven could only sigh in sympathy. First Iris, now Diantha.
And next time? There might not even be anyone left for him to lose to.
(End of Chapter)