After their business talk ended, Elias stayed in the office to chat a bit longer with Lysandre.
He also mentioned a few points about Team Flare's future direction.
He'd always cared deeply about the criminal organization he'd helped build with his own hands.
Lysandre was capable enough. Even without Elias around in the future, he should have no trouble running things smoothly.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head out."
"Keep tracking Yveltal closely these next two days, and seal off the area it's staying in. Don't let anyone else near."
After checking the time, Elias spoke calmly.
There was still time left before he had to meet Dianna; he didn't need to rush.
Preventing anyone from interfering and eliminating all unnecessary variables was the safest approach.
"I understand."
Lysandre nodded in agreement.
...
[Soon after, you take the elevator and leave the underground base.]
[Lysandre tries to have Xerosic see you off, but you refuse.]
...
Watching Elias step into the elevator, Lysandre clenched his fist.
The anxiety still hadn't faded.
Especially when Elias had discussed Team Flare's future with him earlier, Lysandre had felt as though it was a farewell.
But…
Just as Elias had said, even if Lysandre paused his own plans and mobilized all of Team Flare's forces…the areas where they could genuinely help were pitifully few.
If that was the case, he couldn't let Mr. Elias down.
He had to capture AZ!
...
Exiting through the hidden back door, Elias returned to the noisy arcade.
Night had fallen, but there were still plenty of customers inside.
With one glance, Elias found the blonde girl standing by the claw machines.
Just as they'd agreed, Korrina was waiting for him.
Except…
Elias eyed the two baskets beside her—now completely empty—and the corner of his mouth twitched.
If he remembered correctly, those baskets had been overflowing with tokens when he'd entered earlier.
But now, not only were they empty, but Korrina didn't have a single plushie beside her.
"Ugh…"
When Elias approached her, all he heard was a frustrated little groan.
"Burned through them already?"
Glancing at the Clefairy plushies inside the machine, Elias asked softly.
Hearing his voice, Korrina froze, then turned her head in delight.
"Elias!"
At the sight of Elias, some of her frustration at not winning a single plush all evening faded.
But immediately after, as if realizing something, she awkwardly hid the basket behind her.
"I… I played other games earlier. I just started the claw machines."
Seeing Korrina's obvious cover-up, Elias's mood brightened.
"How many tokens left?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"O-oh… two. Elias, wanna try?"
Clearly caught off guard, Korrina paused briefly before hurriedly responding.
She carefully opened her palm, showing the two remaining tokens.
Elias casually took the coins, his eyes scanning around.
Clefairy was the smallest plush here—clearly Korrina's previous target.
But…
Considering her personality, she probably liked Lucario plushies more.
Click—
Elias walked over to the Lucario machine and inserted the two tokens.
Korrina quickly followed.
When she saw it was Lucario, her eyes lit up—but then she hesitated.
"Um… isn't that one pretty hard?"
The Lucario plush was large—almost half her height, second only to the Tyranitar plush.
In Korrina's mind, winning something that size from a claw machine was nearly impossible.
Pop!
Elias didn't respond. He simply raised a hand and lightly tapped the button.
The claw plunged down.
Grab—lift—drop!
Under Korrina's astonished gaze, the enormous Lucario plush dropped smoothly through the prize chute.
"Consider it a gift for a valued customer."
Elias picked it up and, smiling, placed it into Korrina's arms while she was still processing what just happened.
This arcade was Team Flare's business, and a big spender like her was essentially an investor in their funding.
There was no reason to let such an "important shareholder" leave empty-handed.
As for how he'd done it…
With his psychic powers, retrieving a plush was nothing.
Even if there'd been a Golem inside, he could've easily pulled it out.
After leaving the arcade, Korrina happily hugged the Lucario plush to her chest.
Even though she hadn't caught it herself, she'd spent the tokens, hadn't she?
Korrina always had a great attitude about things like that.
Walking beside her, Elias didn't forget why she'd waited for him in the first place.
After checking a nearby map, he said, "There's a battle spot ahead. Shall we go there?"
At that, Korrina's excitement returned instantly.
Battling Elias was something she'd wanted for years. Now that she finally had a chance—how could she not be thrilled?
"Of course!"
Without hesitation, she nodded.
It was a shame it wasn't at her family's Gym, but she couldn't wait any longer.
Besides…
He promised her earlier, didn't he?
Next time they met, he'd visit the Gym with her.
Then both her wishes would come true!
...
[Before long, you and Korrina arrive at the battlefield.]
[Because it's nighttime and surrounded by trees, you two are the only ones present.]
[Soft moonlight bathes the battlefield.]
...
"Lucario, I'm counting on you!"
Korrina skated gracefully into position, pulling the Poké Ball from her waist and throwing it energetically.
Once in battle mode, she lost some of her usual playful air, replaced by fierce enthusiasm.
Pop—
In a flash of white light, the tall canine Pokémon appeared.
Lucario's sharp gaze scanned the arena.
But the moment it saw Elias standing opposite, the intensity in its eyes faded.
Due to Korrina, it naturally recognized Elias.
It knew he was the one its Trainer had been desperately trying to lure back to the Gym.
But what truly left an impression on Lucario was Elias's terrifying Aura.
Though untested, Lucario was certain: Elias's Aura was absolutely no weaker than its own.
For a human—or even a Ghost Form resembling one—that was utterly unbelievable.