After Brassius comes across Scarlet appreciating his "Surrendering Sunflora" statue, he is moved to tears. Noting her Uva Academy uniform, Brassius asks if she is one of Hassel's students. When she tells him she has never taken an art class before, Brassius is fascinated, believing her to be an artistic prodigy. He insists that they collaborate together, and right as she declines, Nemona finally catches up to her. Nemona reveals to Scarlet that Brassius is the Gym Leader of Artazon and could provide information on the treasures of ruin. Recognizing Scarlet as the Trainer Katy had told him about, Brassius explains he will give her information if she agrees to make a collaborative art piece with him, annoying her. He then elaborates, revealing that this collaboration would be a Pokémon battle. Scarlet begrudgingly accepts Brassius's challenge.
Before she can begin, Nemona gives her a sandwich so she will not go hungry during the Gym Test. To Nemona and Brassius's astonishment, Scarlet tries to eat the entirety of the sandwich at once. Nemona is shocked that Scarlet would eat something from her without hesitation, but the latter bluntly states that Nemona is too simple-minded to try to poison her. She then admits that, despite Nemona's noisiness, she could be useful to her. Nemona is merely flattered that Scarlet does not mind having her around.
The Gym Test soon begins, and Scarlet is challenged to round up ten Sunflora scattered across the town. She reluctantly sets off to do so, and her serious expression leads Nemona to worry that observers will mistake her for a thief. The test proctor assures Nemona there is no problem, as most residents are used to suspicious behavior from witnessing Brassius's strange tendencies. Scarlet soon rushes in with a group of Sunflora behind her, as well as a few residents who had been chasing her out of concern.
After the proctor announces Scarlet's success, she makes her way to the battlefield by the windmill. Leaping down from behind the spinning blades, Brassius commences the battle by sending out a Petilil. He commands it to use Sleep Powder on Scarlet's Tarountula, but his plan is foiled due to Tarountula's Insomnia Ability. With a powerful Bug Bite attack, Scarlet's Pokémon swiftly defeats Petilil. Brassius's next Pokémon is Smoliv, which begins by using Sunny Day. It then launches a Fire-type Weather Ball at Tarountula, leaving it scorched. Despite being weakened, Tarountula bites down on Smoliv and knocks it out, forcing Brassius to switch to his Sudowoodo. This prompts Scarlet to recall Tarountula and send out a Palafin, to Nemona's surprise. This baits Brassius into Terastallizing Sudowoodo into a Grass-type. Scarlet then swaps Palafin for an Armarouge, shocking Nemona even more. Brassius is caught off guard as well, pointing out that Scarlet must have used a rare item to evolve the Pokémon from Charcadet
This leads into a flashback from one year prior, in which Scarlet is shown preparing to leave a Team Star base as a Charcadet follows her. Two silhouetted people find her, and one of them offers to let her keep the Charcadet, saying it was the one who rescued her after her fall. The person hands her an Auspicious Armor, but Scarlet refuses, as she knows the item is too valuable to be given away. This angers the person, making Scarlet realize it would be easier for her to accept it.
The flashback ends, transitioning to Armarouge blasting Sudowoodo with Lava Plume. Sudowoodo endures the hit, but is left burned and unable to continue fighting, giving the win to Scarlet. Amazed by Scarlet's performance, Brassius eagerly awards her a Gym Badge. She tries to refuse it, but Nemona offers to hold on to it, revealing she had kept the badge Scarlet won from Katy. Now inspired, Brassius attempts to leave and start his next project, but Scarlet stops him. He assumes she would like information on the treasures of ruin, but Scarlet surprises him by asking about a buffet, as she expected Brassius to present her with one for winning. Nemona bursts into laughter, to Scarlet's confusion.