Pokemon Scarlet and Violet fans have been enjoying their foray into The Teal Mask DLC’s land of Kitakami, with its new setting, Pokemon roster, and story to explore. Its main narrative centers on the sibling duo Kieran and Carmine, two battle-hardened locals of the area whose backstories and motivations leave quite an impression. Though there is still much to develop for these characters in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero’s Indigo Disk content, the legacy that Carmine honors already alludes to Nemona from the base game, with two other DLC side characters playing a similar role.

As the lead rival for the player in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, much of Nemona’s characterization is in her love for Pokemon battling. Setting a series’ first in being a Champion at the start of the game, Nemona’s energetic nature and desire to see the player rise to their potential help to cement her as a favorite among many in the fanbase. This eagerness to challenge the player resembles Kieran and Carmine’s own ambitions, with the former vowing to grow stronger after conflicted emotions over the events of The Teal Mask’s story, and the latter promising to be a new friend with capable battle prowess herself.

Nemona’s Presence is Felt Through the Side Characters of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Teal Mask DLC

Carmine’s dual nature between friend and rival mirrors that of Nemona’s status with the player, as the two make for formidable female trainers with lively spirits and confidence to match. Carmine’s appearance in The Teal Mask confirms just how important battling is to those who hail from the Blueberry Academy; from what has been said about the setting, it looks like the Indigo Disk will feature a whole cast of Nemona-like NPCs ready to take on the player’s team. This second-part of the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC could likely have the character return herself, as others from the Uva/Naranja Academy seem set to make appearances

The resemblance that Carmine shares with Nemona might not be the only way her legacy is represented in The Teal Mask, however. Two other NPCs who can be discovered among Kitakami, the travelling billionaires aptly named Billy and O’Nare, have left many to speculate on their supposed ties to the rival. Fans have theorized that they are Nemona’s parents, as she discloses her rich family background to Penny, Arven, and the player during the events of the Area Zero expedition. Though the two NPCs are portrayed in a humorous and out-of-touch way, the female of the duo, O’Nare, is the one to challenge the player to a battle, which could further strengthen this connection.

A few discrepancies have been caught with this theory, as some have noted that Billy and O’Nare make references to owning a real estate company rather than the Rotom Phone Company that Nemona mentions. However, it could be that both of her parents are business tycoons, with one owning the former company and the other the latter, which would coincide well with just how rich they come across. If their connections to Nemona are true, then their appearance in The Teal Mask works as a humorous nod to the character while potentially setting up more backstory to be explored in the future.

With The Indigo Disk slated for release this Winter, it’s unlikely that players have seen the last of Nemona. A short cameo in the second-part DLC could be a more direct reference to the character, as the setting seems perfectly molded to her personality and motivations. Though it’s evident that Scarlet and Violet‘s add-on content is focusing on establishing new characters and backstories, it’s nice to know that connections to the Paldea rival continue past the base game’s adventure.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.