Returning from Galar to the Kanto region happened the following day.
Roses personally saw them off at the airport, fully fulfilling his role as host.
He truly was a master of etiquette—but unfortunately, Dylan had no intention of settling in another region.
After landing in Viridian City, Dylan and his group rode Reshiram back to Rota Street.
It had only been a few days, but seeing the familiar Rota Gym again filled him with warmth.
And then—
"Gym Leader Boss~!"
As soon as they entered the gym, a sweet and enthusiastic voice called out, making Dylan's eyelids twitch.
A girl wearing a straw hat and an orange floral crop top came running up excitedly.
"When did you get back, you rascal?"
Dylan laughed as he gently pushed the girl's head out of his chest and looked at her curiously.
Yes—this was Selene.
"Hehe~ I just got back to the gym yesterday, and I heard you'd be coming back today, so I came early this morning!"
Selene's smile was sweet and cheerful, her big eyes bright and full of energy.
Behind her, noticing the commotion, Asha, Yellow, and Silver came out from inside the gym.
"She really did come back yesterday afternoon," Asha confirmed.
"Not bad—you seem to have grown a little taller."
Dylan sized up his eldest apprentice. Although she had been away on her journey for three months, Selene was still very much herself.
Full of life, bright and energetic—just like she always claimed, her energy didn't lose to the sun or moon.
"Of course! I've been traveling with my own two feet every day!" Selene proudly puffed up her chest.
"Sister Leaf, Lillie, long time no see!"
Selene turned to greet the other two girls warmly.
While the group chatted, Dylan turned to head for the backyard to release his Pokémon.
But it didn't go as planned.
"Wait, wait—Boss, are you tired from your journey?"
"Not really, why?"
"Then I want to challenge you, Gym Leader Boss!"
Everyone froze at her words.
But Selene's fighting spirit was blazing. She opened a badge case and proudly held it up.
"Hehe~ Look, Gym Leader Boss! I've already collected all eight official gym badges. It wasn't hard at all!"
She beamed. Even when she asked the gym leaders to go all-out, she still breezed through them.
Viridian Gym? Oh, that was her first gym—it was before she got all "cocky."
"Wow! Selene, you've made such fast progress," Asha exclaimed.
"Hehe~ it was easy!" Selene smiled brilliantly.
"Not bad—you didn't disappoint me."
Dylan glanced over the badges. He wasn't surprised; with Selene's strength, it was only natural she'd gather them all.
"So now I want to challenge you, Gym Leader Boss! I've reached Champion level!"
Selene's bright eyes gleamed with excitement. Of all the gyms out there, the one she most wanted to challenge was still her teacher's.
Her Gym Leader Boss was the one she wanted to defeat the most!
She was going to be Kanto's Champion!
That's right—this was her master-challenge arc!
"Wooo~ let's gooo!" Leaf grinned mischievously, fully enjoying the upcoming show.
"Selene's going to challenge Gym Leader Boss..." Yellow and Lillie blinked, anticipation lighting up their faces.
Silver said nothing but studied his senior apprentice closely.
"Alright, you know the rules," Dylan said with a smile, motioning toward the giant type-selection wheel.
"Yay!" Selene cheered, running over to the wheel and pressing the button excitedly.
Usually she just watched others spin it—this time, it was finally her turn.
The pointer spun quickly, clicking from one type to another before stopping on... black. Dark type.
"Ugh... Dark, huh..."
Selene's cheerful expression didn't waver, but she still pouted a little. Lame!
Soon, the two stood on opposite ends of the battlefield, ready for the match.
"Now commencing the Rota Gym challenge! Challenger: Selene, of Rota Street."
"Battle format: 6v6 full team battle. Gym Leader Dylan must send out first and cannot switch Pokémon. The challenger wins when all six of Dylan's Pokémon are defeated."
"Begin!"
Leaf raised her little flag to signal the start and stepped off the field.
"Selene, you can do it!"
"Got it!"
Selene flashed Leaf a radiant grin in return.
The scoreboard lit up with both trainers' portraits. The match was on.
Selene looked at the man standing across from her, his black coat flowing behind him.
Her breathing quickened.
Thump—thump—thump!
Her heart was pounding.
Standing across from her was Dylan—her teacher, the man who gave her her first Pokémon, her greatest inspiration.
She still remembered what he'd said when they first met:
"I may not be a famous trainer, but I'll give you my all."
Back then, the Rota Gym wasn't well-known. But for her—just a rookie—being accepted as a student of a gym was already a dream.
And now?
Dylan was the Champion of Kanto. Rota Gym was the most renowned gym in the region.
Selene had always known how lucky she was—incredibly lucky.
Dylan guided her patiently, gave her rare and powerful Pokémon, and never held back his support.
So Selene never slacked off.
She would prove—she was strong! She was worthy! Dylan hadn't chosen wrong!
"Didn't think this day would come so soon."
Dylan lightly adjusted his collar, then pulled a black glove from his pocket.
"Selene, from the moment I met you, I believed you were a natural-born trainer with incredible talent."
He smiled gently as he slowly pulled on his glove.
Selene's eyes sparkled with emotion as she stared at him.
"I was sure you would one day stand at the top of the world, one of the strongest. And you haven't let me down."
Her grin widened involuntarily. Her eyes squinted like crescent moons.
That recognition from her Gym Leader Boss—it made her so, so happy.
"You've been on your journey for some time now. So today, as your teacher, I'll test your progress."
He didn't use his usual opening speech—this wasn't just any challenger. This was his beloved first disciple.
"Yes, sir!!"
Selene straightened up, bursting with energy.
"Show me everything. Let me see how far you've come."
Dylan enlarged a Poké Ball and tossed it underhanded.
"Your first opponent will be... Umbreon! Ready for battle!"
With a flash of light, a sleek, black-furred fox-like Pokémon landed quietly before him.
Its crimson eyes were sharp, golden rings glowing on its body.
Umbreon—the Moonlight Pokémon. A Dark-type Eeveelution and one of Dylan's newly trained team members.
'Beep~ Umbreon. Dark-type. Moonlight Pokémon.
Ability: Synchronize
Moves: Mean Look, Screech, Moonlight, Quick Attack, Toxic, Light Screen, Reflect...
Info: Evolves influenced by the moon's waves. Stalks from the darkness, its rings glow before it strikes.'
"Not leading with Incineroar? Makes sense. His Incineroar might be too powerful for a fair gym battle now," Leaf murmured.
"Umbreon, huh?"
Selene eyed the Pokémon. If she remembered right, Dylan hadn't had this one before she left.
Must've been trained recently.
Still, she wouldn't underestimate it—not with Dylan behind it.
He trained like he had cheat codes and battled with pure unpredictability.
"Incineroar! Let's go!"
She threw out her own first Pokémon—her starter, her trusty Incineroar.
It roared as it landed, baring its fangs at Umbreon.
But when it spotted Dylan standing behind the Umbreon, it paused, question marks practically floating above its head.
Of course it recognized him—he was the one who had given it to Selene.
"Incineroar! Stay sharp! We're up against Gym Leader Boss today—no slacking!"
"Roooar!!"
The feline wrestler roared again, now fully focused.
Its Intimidate triggered, lowering Umbreon's Attack by one stage.
Umbreon remained still and composed, blood-red eyes narrowing coldly.
Meanwhile, several curious visitors filtered into the gym, drawn by the rare chance to see it open.
When they saw Dylan and Selene facing off—they erupted.
A student challenging her master!
"Let's go, Selene."
Dylan gestured for her to make the first move.
"Alright! Incineroar, Fake Out!"
Dylan didn't move.
As the highest-priority move, Fake Out was nearly impossible to dodge.
Incineroar blurred forward, a red streak, and smacked Umbreon across the face with a heavy paw.
Its head tilted slightly from the impact—but a second later, Umbreon straightened, its glare even colder.
"Taunt!"
"Calm Mind."
Dylan smiled faintly. Of course he knew Incineroar's classic combo.
Incineroar placed its hands on its hips and taunted Umbreon with a stream of insults. Umbreon began to breathe more heavily.
Still, it centered itself.
Gentle ripples of psychic energy shimmered—Calm Mind.
Its Special Attack and Special Defense both rose.
Incineroar vanished in a flash of light, returning to its ball.
"Gengar!"
Selene quickly sent out her second Pokémon.
The grinning purple ghost floated beside her—Poison/Ghost-type: Gengar!
"Like teacher, like student..." Leaf sighed.
Fake Out → Taunt → Gengar switch-in. Classic Dylan tactic.
Selene really had inherited the style perfectly.
(End of Chapter)