Inside the spacious and well-lit battle hall, the central heating vents hummed. Lucas looked at the three people lined up before him, noticeably steadier and more mature compared to when they set out two months ago for their treasure-seeking journey. A smile of contentment appeared on his face.
"You've all achieved your goals admirably. To each of you, what you've gained is a unique and unmatched treasure."
After a few succinct words, Lucas clapped his hands—no pointless chatter—and proceeded to distribute the promised rewards.
With the help of Shizuka, Penny, and Paul, three peat blocks were placed in the hands of the three young trainers.
Paul handed the peat block to Arven's Ursaring, then stared at the block for a long time—the determination he'd felt since the Silver Conference only grew stronger.
Holding the somewhat heavy peat block, Nemona asked in slight surprise, "So this is the item that can make Ursaring evolve? It's pretty heavy!"
Eri sighed helplessly at her. "Two months of hiking, and yet your physical strength hasn't improved at all?"
Not to mention, Nemona's current outfit looked just like that of an athlete!
"This is...peat?"
Arven, being the child of two Professors, immediately recognized the essence of the item with his wealth of knowledge.
However, he sensed that this peat was somehow different from the ordinary variety.
No point in talking more—better to see what it does in practice.
Lucas glanced out the window, then smiled, "Let's go. We'll evolve them outside."
At this hour, students and teachers should have all returned to their dorms—which were a good distance away from the battle hall—so there was no need to worry about disturbing anyone.
"Yay!"
Upon hearing this, Nemona leapt up excitedly and bolted for the exit, leading the pack.
"Careful, don't trip!" Eri followed, nagging in a motherly way.
Arven rubbed his forehead and sighed, following at a leisurely pace, as if used to such antics.
Penny watched the three departing backs in thoughtful silence, her eyes faintly showing a trace of loneliness. She muttered softly, "After two months of traveling together, their bond has grown much deeper…"
Still, even though she hadn't joined this trip—having stayed to take care of her Flareon so it could recover healthily—Penny had no regrets.
It wasn't until Shizuka gently pulled her hand that Penny returned to herself and was tugged outside.
As for Paul, he too was full of energy. For once, he ditched the usual hands-in-pockets-cool-dude walk and jogged to catch up with the group.
By the time Lucas came outside, the six had gathered, heads craned, peering up at the sky in confusion.
Hadn't Teacher Lucas said tonight's moon would be full? It should be a perfect round full moon!
Yet…they couldn't see any moon at all.
At some point, thick clouds had gathered and completely covered the moon. Not even moonlight could slip through that heavy barrier.
Lucas noticed this, but he'd already confirmed during his earlier bird's-eye trip on Moltres to the Naranja Academy: tonight's moon was very full—it was indeed a traditional full moon—just hidden by clouds.
Would the cloud cover affect Ursaring's evolution? There was only one way to find out.
If not, then let nature be.
If so, just blow the clouds away for now.
"Aaaooo—!"
No elaborate preparation was needed. At Lucas's signal, Nemona and the others released their Ursaring.
The four Ursaring looked at each other, sniffing and bumping as if encountering so many kin for the first time.
Typically, Teddiursa and Ursaring are solitary by nature. After evolving, a Teddiursa usually leaves home to find its own territory.
Three of the Ursaring belonged to Nemona, Eri, and Arven. The fourth, brought out by Paul, was just here to observe.
As Paul put it, his Ursaring would be inspired to train harder after witnessing the evolution of its brethren.
After all, the instinct to evolve is etched into the very bones of most Pokémon.
So eager are they to become stronger!
Among the three main Ursaring, Nemona's still had the sly, clever personality from its days as a Teddiursa—always plotting mischief.
Eri's was a martial bear, its "Bear Paw" techniques fierce and practiced.
As for Arven's Ursaring…well, it was currently scratching a tree with all the playfulness of a child bear.
The three trainers brought their somewhat heavy peat blocks to their Pokémon and offered the items.
The three Ursaring seemed to sense what was coming, all growing serious and carefully accepting the peat blocks.
The "Peat Block" is much like a Fire Stone or Thunder Stone—an evolution item.
Aside from the full moon requirement, it works the same way. Upon contact, its energy triggers the Pokémon's dormant evolutionary genes.
Everyone expected that as soon as the blocks were touched, the Ursaring would be engulfed in intense evolution light—ascending to a higher plane of existence.
Lucas even set up his camera on video mode, ready to capture what could be the first-ever modern footage of Ursaring evolution.
Other transmigrators could probably use such a discovery to claim the title of Pokémon Professor!
But instead…nothing happened.
The Ursaring stood stock-still. Nemona and the others blinked; Lucas, whose head had been lowered, slowly looked up.
For a moment, one could almost hear a passing Murkrow cawing "Dummy! Dummy!" overhead.
Under the group's puzzled stares, Lucas felt immense pressure, coughed, and said, "Looks like no moonlight is reaching us."
So, he casually tossed out a red-and-white Pokéball and ordered, "Moltres, blow the clouds away."
Having been briefed in advance, Moltres didn't shriek as always. Instead, it silently flapped its brilliantly fiery wings and soared upward.
At the Naranja Academy Dorms—
Many teachers and students witnessed this scene—a blazing figure shooting into the sky. Moments later—
A fierce wind swept out. The thick cloud cover that had blocked out the moon could not withstand the gale, scattering in a handful of breaths. The night sky brimmed with stars. The brilliant full moon reappeared in all its glory.
"H-Heavens…"
Those who noticed could only whisper in shock, eyes wide at the spectacle—not just at the moon, but at the sheer power of that Pokémon.
To be able to change the weather with its own strength!
Lucas's lips curled up slightly. After all, Moltres was a legendary Fire/Flying Pokémon. After learning wind control techniques from Dragonite, even without the "Defog" move in its arsenal, it could work wonders just by stirring up a tempest.
Nemona and the others were equally stunned, but all attention quickly returned to what was about to unfold.
They didn't even notice Lucas take out a higher-level Pokéball and release his own Ursaluna.
Bathed in the golden moonlight, the three Ursaring holding the peat blocks let out cries of surprise as their bodies heated up, and a brilliant white light burst from within, enveloping them.
Their forms began to change drastically.
Their stance grew even more upright, gray fur expanded over their torsos and limbs, brown fur interspersed with squarish patches, limbs growing burlier, claws sharper.
Most notably, a pale yellow circular mark appeared above the mouth on the forehead—like a full moon in the night sky, partially veiled by gray "eyebrow clouds." The "moon hidden by clouds."
This was the ancient, long-lost evolution of Ursaring from the Hisui region—Ursaluna!
Lucas recorded the entire process, even capturing the group's amazed expressions, quite satisfied.
Nemona, Arven, and Eri cautiously approached their new Ursaluna, tentatively feeling out the thick new fur.
Fortunately, the trainers' familiarity with their Ursaring meant that even after evolving, none of their Ursaluna became as temperamental as a Charizard.
The sly remained sly, the boxer kept boxing, the honey thief kept scratching trees.
The three Ursaluna sat in front of their trainers, curiously exploring their newfound strength.
Paul stood side-by-side with his Ursaring, gazing at the powerful Ursaluna, his resolve hardening once more.
Several minutes passed.
Lucas put away his camera and tripod and approached with his own Ursaluna.
"Ursaluna—Ground and Normal type. These Pokémon are masterful at close combat, only rarely attacking from afar, and are quite resilient. Their power can shatter stone, and they dig with ease, gifted at finding buried treasures. Sometimes, they can even sense true treasures."
Lucas glanced at Nemona, Eri, and Arven as he gave the brief introduction.
All three listened carefully. Paul, Penny, and Shizuka also paid close attention.
When he finished, the group noticed the Ursaluna standing behind him.
"Teacher Lucas, this one is—?"
Shizuka asked in surprise.
It looked similar to Nemona's Ursaluna, but there were many subtle differences.
"It's also an Ursaluna, but its appearance and abilities have changed over the course of centuries."
Lucas briefly explained where his Ursaluna came from, emphasizing that this one excelled at energy attacks, whereas regular Ursaluna was better at physical attacks.
"I call it… Bloodmoon Ursaluna."
Moltres, having descended from the sky, fanned its wings as Lucas finished speaking.
And when Nemona, as expected, eagerly asked to battle, the match began—and they finally understood the true meaning behind the name "Bloodmoon Ursaluna."
Nemona's request for a battle was both ardent and anxious—Lucas wasn't surprised in the least.
If anything, he was impressed Nemona had managed to wait this long!
By her character, she would've challenged him the instant she saw him.
And with a brilliant full moon overhead, the timing was perfect for the Bloodmoon Ursaluna to shine.
Lucas accepted the challenge. After all, he was eager to gauge her progress after clearing all eight gym challenges, especially the full-power trials.
Without the proper skill, he wouldn't even suggest Nemona try for the Champion's examination.
They found a secluded spot on the edge of the Naranja Academy grounds—right up against the wilds, far from the city's Mesagozas.
Battling here meant not disturbing anyone, and the Pokémon could go all-out.
Lucas gave Nemona and her Ursaluna some time to acclimate themselves to their new form and practice their freshly learned moves.
After all, his role at the Academy was that of a teacher.
He wasn't there just to win, but to educate.
…
Night approached ten o'clock. After an hour, a now well-prepared Nemona and her Ursaluna stood at one end of the field.
The sharp wind painted her cheeks red, but even the coldest wind couldn't stifle her pounding heart or the excitement burning in her veins.
Finally—finally, the day had come.
After only a scant seven months as a trainer, at last, she was qualified to challenge her teacher.
Even if it wasn't an all-out Pawmot vs. Luxray showdown, a contest between Ursaluna would be enough to set her blood racing.
With enthusiasm, she called out, "Ursaluna, get ready!"
At first, Ursaluna had been caught somewhat against its will—but these past seven months, Nemona's personality had thoroughly won it over. Now, it fought for her of its own accord—even against an ancient ancestor whose depth of power could not be measured.
There were no official referees—Penny, Arven, Eri, Shizuka, and Paul watched from the sidelines. Those with Ursaluna or Ursaring snuggled into their fur to keep warm; the others found places near Moltres or their own Pokémon for warmth.
No one would be left cold tonight.
Seeing both sides ready, Lucas and his Bloodmoon Ursaluna took their places.
"You have the first move," Lucas said.
"Yes!" Nemona nodded, without hesitation. "Headlong Rush!"
A move newly learned after evolution—one with immense power, especially given Ursaluna's physical stats. Lucas himself had explained both the name and effect.
No doubt about it, Nemona already had her own battle style.
"Awooo!"
Ursaluna slammed a paw into the ground. Earthy yellow energy gathered around it as it charged toward Bloodmoon Ursaluna, shaking the ground with each thunderous step.
The force of the charge made Lucas's eyes light up.
Even with the evolutionary boost, Ursaluna's improvement had exceeded Lucas's expectations.
If that was so, he'd respond seriously, fulfilling his duties as a teacher.
"Block it," he commanded.
Bloodmoon Ursaluna smirked, bracing itself, arms spread—clearly ready to meet the attack head on, not dodge.
Boom!
The collision of flesh and bone resonated across the field. Ursaluna found itself unable to so much as budge its opponent and froze in confusion.
Hadn't Nemona just said Bloodmoon Ursaluna, despite being better at energy moves, was weak at close combat?
Seeing the junior's confusion, Bloodmoon Ursaluna—having played it lazy for so long—snorted. Time to teach the rookie a lesson.
Gripping Ursaluna by the arms and staring it down, Bloodmoon Ursaluna slowly opened its mouth.
Lucas quietly put on earplugs and reminded Nemona and Arven's group to do the same.
Next moment—
"ROAR—!"
The Ursaluna's bellow thundered skyward, a near-physical sonic shockwave slamming into Ursaluna, dazing it and sending its bulky frame flying.
Hyper Voice.
Bloodmoon Ursaluna's favorite long-range move. The results were obvious—after what seemed like forever, Ursaluna finally staggered up, ears still ringing.
"Ursaluna!" Nemona called anxiously.
"Awooo!" Ursaluna shook its head and growled reassuringly.
It could endure—it could still fight!
The two squared off again, Ursaluna roaring and lunging at Nemona's command.
"Swords Dance, then Earthquake!"
Ursaluna howled, phantasmal red swords swirling round it. Lifting a heavy paw, it stomped down.
BOOM!
A thunderous roar shook the field, the ground cracking in spiderweb patterns as surge after surge of earth energy swept out.
The combination was incredibly powerful—even Bloodmoon Ursaluna found it uncomforMesagoza to withstand.
So it simply countered with its own Earthquake, clashing energy waves to cancel each other out.
Then, with a burst of incredible agility for its size, Bloodmoon Ursaluna leaped right in front of Ursaluna.
The two locked gazes. With a wicked grin, Bloodmoon Ursaluna swung its arm, ready to smash Ursaluna full in the face.
"Hammer Arm," Lucas intoned.
Crimson red energy cloaked the arm—a blow that could shatter even the sturdiest rock with ease.
Bloodmoon Ursaluna knew very well its kin's weaknesses, having brawled with them countless times in the past.
Still, Nemona's Ursaluna was the second most heroic Pokémon throughout her gym circuit. Once used to its new body, its reaction speed shot back up.
It roared and countered, putting everything into a Bulldoze to stop Bloodmoon Ursaluna's attack.
Crash!
Fist met fist—Ursaluna, stunned, realized it was just a hair weaker in terms of strength.
But there was no time to ponder.
That move was coming!
"Ursaluna, watch out for that move!" Nemona called urgently.
Once locked in close combat, Bloodmoon Ursaluna would use its tricks again.
Ursaluna disengaged and backed up, arms crossed defensively.
But—
A crimson glow burst from Bloodmoon Ursaluna's mouth. Massive energy gathered, the air vibrated with pressure.
Lucas's voice sounded again:
"Hyper Beam."
…