THE SUCCESSOR'S RETURN

Note: The relationships/bond between the characters is NOT CANON! I don't know for certain if it is true

The Quartet—Azalea, Charles, Solar, and Eclipse—returned to Professor Magnolia's laboratory, taking a moment to rest before continuing their journey. Solar played with Sonia's Yamper, his Umbreon, and Mudkip frolicking alongside them, while Eclipse assisted Sonia in organizing the many books and research papers scattered around.

Meanwhile, Azalea and Charles sat with Professor Magnolia, answering her questions about the two legendary Pokémon they had encountered in the Sinnoh region—Phoboslash and Mindweaver. Though they tried to provide as much detail as possible, there were still mysteries about the legendary Pokémon that remained unsolved.

Now, with the sun dipping lower in the sky, Charles and Azalea were relaxing on the couch, watching a recorded battle between Raihan and Leon at Wyndon Stadium. The grainy footage, taken from someone's phone and uploaded to Pokétube, played on the TV. Charles chuckled as he watched the intense rivalry unfold on screen. "Those two are something else, huh?"

Azalea nodded silently, her eyes fixed on the screen. As the battle raged on, she turned slightly towards Charles, her tone unusually direct. "What's your relationship with Leon and Raihan?" she asked bluntly, her gaze never leaving the TV.

The question hung heavy in the air. Charles's eyes widened slightly at the suddenness of it. He had always known this moment would come—the moment he'd have to share a piece of his past with Azalea, Eclipse, and Solar. But he hadn't expected it to be today. He let out a quiet sigh, leaning back against the couch. "Where to start with those two..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Azalea, arms crossed, continued to press, her voice steady but probing. "You mentioned once that you traveled with Raihan across Galar with two other people..." She hesitated for a moment before adding, almost cautiously, "...Was one of them Leon?"

Charles chuckled softly, nodding. "You got me," he said, but his usual playful smirk was gone, replaced by a small, subtly saddened smile.

He began to speak, his voice low and almost nostalgic. "Leon, Sonia, and I were childhood friends. We faced the Gym Challenges together, always pushing each other to be better. Along the way, we met Raihan, and the four of us became inseparable—laughing, getting into trouble, and dreaming big. We took on the world together. At the Galar Pokémon League, I faced Raihan in the semi-finals and lost." A small, rueful laugh escaped him. "I thought we'd be rivals forever, Raihan, Leon, and I."

Azalea listened intently, her face stoic but her eyes revealing a glimmer of understanding. She could hear the weight of loss in his words, the unspoken pain of a friendship that had drifted apart. She spoke softly, almost as if guessing, "Did they... leave you behind for their own goals and dreams?"

Charles turned to her, a bit taken aback by how easily she had pieced it together. He hadn't expected her to see through him so clearly, yet he knew Azalea was more perceptive than most. His eyes closed slowly as he nodded, the admission almost painful. "Yeah," he whispered, his voice carrying a sense of resignation. "Raihan wanted to be the greatest Gym Leader and Leon... he became the Champion. They had their own paths, and somewhere along the way, mine got left behind."

There was a moment of silence, heavy with unspoken emotions. Azalea remained quiet, but her presence was steady—a silent acknowledgment of his pain.

Charles opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling as if searching for something he'd lost. "It's funny, you know," he continued, his voice softer now. "I'm proud of them, really. But sometimes... I wonder if they even remember those days like I do."

The room seemed to breathe with his words, a sense of melancholy lingering. Azalea, feeling the weight of his confession, simply nodded. She didn't offer empty comfort or platitudes. Instead, she let the silence speak, knowing that sometimes, just being there was enough.

The TV screen flickered, the recording of Raihan and Leon's battle replaced by a live news broadcast. Azalea hummed softly, her eyes narrowing as she studied the man being interviewed by the anchor. "Who is he?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Charles recognized the face immediately. He sighed, leaning forward. "That's Kabu. He's the third Gym Leader in Galar, specializing in fire types. His Gym is in Motostoke City." He continued, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of familiarity. "Kabu's challenge is known as the first real hurdle for trainers in Galar. A lot of them hit a wall there and end up giving up."

Solar and Eclipse walked over, catching the last part of Charles's explanation. Solar's eyes widened with awe. "Wow, really? That's so cool!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.

The anchor's voice cut through, starting the interview.

"Mr. Kabu, is it true that you're retiring as a Gym Leader?"

"Yes," Kabu replied, his tone weary yet resolute. "And I expect everyone to respect my decision."

"I understand. What led you to this decision to retire so suddenly?" the anchor pressed, clearly intrigued.

"I've found someone who will be a better and stronger Gym Leader than I ever was," Kabu responded with conviction. "I made that choice a long time ago."

Kabu then turned toward the camera, his gaze seemingly piercing through the screen. "If you're out there watching this, I want you to know that you're officially the new Gym Leader of Motostoke Stadium. I'll be waiting for your arrival."

"Thank you, Mr. Kabu, for sharing this news. We hope the new Gym Leader will uphold your legacy and continue to inspire the Galar region. This is Galar News, signing off."

As the broadcast ended, Eclipse raised an eyebrow, her curiosity deepening. "Wow, I've never heard of a Gym Leader retiring before," she mused, her dark eyes still focused on Kabu's image on the screen. "Then again, he doesn't look all that young."

Sonia walked into the room, her expression thoughtful. "His successor is even stronger than Kabu himself," she said. Eclipse and Solar exchanged a look, both surprised. Azalea, however, remained stoic, as if she had already expected this.

Solar's face lit up with excitement. "Ooh, this new Gym Leader sounds amazing! Can we go see them?"

Eclipse chuckled, tapping her chin in mock contemplation. "If I remember correctly, Kabu's Gym is..."

"...in Motostoke," Charles interrupted abruptly. His voice was flat, his expression unreadable as he stared at the screen, lost in his thoughts.

The weight of his response hung in the air, and for a moment, the room was silent. There was a tension there, a sense that something important had just shifted.

As the Quartet left Magnolia's research lab and began their journey to Motostoke, Azalea couldn't shake the unsettling silence from Charles. Normally, he'd be chatting away, gushing about how much he missed Sonia, but today, his face was set in a stern expression. Azalea noticed this change, while Eclipse and Solar were too absorbed in their conversation, excitedly speculating about Kabu's successor to notice Charles's unusual quietness.

Upon arriving in Motostoke, they were immediately engulfed by a massive crowd. The throng of people was so dense that they quickly lost sight of one another. Eclipse, Solar, and Azalea managed to weave their way out of the mob, but Charles wasn't so lucky. Azalea spotted him just as he was swallowed up by the crowd, being dragged away by the surging mass of bodies.

"Charles!" Eclipse, Solar, and Azalea shouted in unison. Eclipse and Solar's faces were etched with worry, while Azalea, usually composed, was caught off guard by the sudden separation.

They pushed through the crowd, determined to reach Charles. As they hurried toward the Gym, Eclipse noticed something odd. "Are all these people heading to the Gym?" she wondered aloud, her voice tinged with confusion.

Solar nodded, keeping pace with them. "Seems like it. Maybe it's for the new Gym Leader announcement."

When they finally reached the front of the Gym, the sheer number of people gathered there left them speechless. Solar's eyes were wide with astonishment. "Are all Gym Leaders in Galar this famous?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd.

The trio struggled to spot Charles amidst the sea of faces. They managed to push through to the front, hoping to catch a glimpse of what was happening. As they scanned the crowd, Solar and Eclipse's jaws dropped in unison—they couldn't believe their eyes. There, standing in the flesh, was Kabu himself.

Kabu's gaze swept over the crowd before he pointed into the throng. "Ahh, there's the successor I was talking about." His words sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd, leaving Eclipse shocked and Solar bubbling with anticipation.

People surged forward, each one trying to get closer, assuming the successor was among them. Then, suddenly, someone tripped and fell at Kabu's feet. It was Charles. Before he could gather himself, Kabu reached down, silently pulling him to his feet. With a firm grip, Kabu raised Charles's hand high in the air.

The words that followed sent a shockwave through the trio.

"Your new Gym Leader has now arrived. My son has returned!" Kabu announced, his voice carrying over the crowd.

The revelation left Eclipse and Solar utterly stunned. They had traveled together for weeks, months even, and not once had Charles mentioned being the son of a Gym Leader, let alone being a powerful Pokémon Trainer in his own right.

"I can't... believe it," Solar muttered, his voice trembling as he stared at Charles, his Mudkip and Umbreon mirroring his shock.

Eclipse whispered, still reeling from the revelation, "Charles is..."

Charles looked pale, his usual bravado replaced with visible panic. His eyes darted to Eclipse and Solar, taking in their stunned reactions. But what unsettled him the most was Azalea's lack of surprise. While the others were floored, she seemed almost expectant, as if she had known all along.

The moment hung in the air, heavy with unspoken words.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted into chants of Charles' name, causing his panic to spike. Gradually, the mob dispersed, leaving only Azalea, Eclipse, and Solar behind, which caught Kabu's attention. Azalea noticed two figures standing with Kabu and Charles.

One of them, a young woman named Gloria, eyed the trio and asked, "Who are you three?"

Azalea, arms crossed and unfazed, replied, "I think we should be the ones asking questions."

Before Charles could intervene, the young man beside Gloria spoke up, "I'm Victor, and this is Gloria." He paused, and with a grin, added, "We're Charles' little siblings."

Solar and Eclipse were left stunned once again. What other secrets is Charles hiding from them?

Kabu stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the three travelers. "And who might you be?" he asked.

Eclipse, without hesitation, replied, "We're Charles' friends." Solar nodded in agreement. Their response seemed to surprise Kabu, Gloria, and Victor. Gloria, however, focused her attention on Azalea, noticing the small Zorua perched on her head. She muttered under her breath, "So... that's her..."

Ignoring Charles' protests, Gloria walked toward Azalea, her eyes narrowing with intent. Azalea, calm and unbothered, asked, "What?"

Gloria pulled out a Pokéball, holding it up close to Azalea's face. The tension built as Azalea's expression remained indifferent, but before Gloria could speak, a familiar voice broke through the tension.

"They're... huff... not... bad people..." Raihan panted as he came running toward them, clearly out of breath but trying to defend Azalea, Eclipse, and Solar.

"Raihan?" they all exclaimed in unison.

Kabu sighed, noticing the stares from bystanders. "Let's talk about this inside the stadium," he suggested.

Kabu, Charles, and Victor led the way, while Azalea hesitated for a moment. She caught Gloria glaring at her again, which only served to irritate her further. "What in the Arceus is her problem?" Azalea muttered under her breath.

Raihan, still catching his breath, apologized, "Sorry about that, mate."

Inside the Gym, Eclipse and Solar noticed its spacious lobby, reminiscent of Raihan's, but the stadium itself had a different, more intense atmosphere. Once they reached the battlefield, Kabu turned to Charles, his eyes stern. "So, mind telling me what all this is about, Charles?"

Charles hesitated, sweat beading on his forehead. "Father, I..."

Kabu's expression hardened. "Where were you when I needed you at the Gym?"

Charles gulped, feeling the weight of his father's expectations. He took a deep breath, recalling the memories he'd made with Azalea, Eclipse, and Solar—the good, the bad, the laughter, and the fears. Those memories were precious, and he wasn't ready to let them go.

"I've been on a journey with them," Charles finally said, meeting his father's intense gaze.

"A journey?" Kabu's eyebrow arched, and Charles could hear the hint of anger in his voice.

Charles's eyes narrowed, and he spoke with a newfound confidence. "Can you blame me, old man? When I was here, battling challengers, it felt like I was locked in a cage. I had to hold back and let them win, all so they could earn a badge and compete in the League. I'm tired of pretending to be weak just to satisfy some tradition." His voice grew raw and vulnerable. "I wanted to feel alive again, to explore, to laugh, to face challenges that weren't scripted... and these friends of mine made that happen."

Charles's words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. He glanced back at Azalea, Solar, and Eclipse, who watched with a mix of awe and concern. Then, turning back to Kabu, his tone shifted to something cold and distant, "I'm done being your successor and a Gym Leader."

The silence that followed was thick and tense. Eclipse and Solar were shocked, while Raihan, watching from the side, felt a sense of pride for his friend. Even Azalea, usually so composed, seemed taken aback. Kabu's eyes widened—this was not the son he knew.

Breaking the silence, Kabu approached his son. "If you want to continue this journey," he said slowly, "you'll have to win a Pokémon battle against me. If you win, I'll let you go. But if you lose, you say goodbye to your adventure and officially become Motostoke's new Gym Leader. Does that seem fair?"

The challenge hung in the air, shocking everyone, including Raihan and Charles.

Solar's eyes went wide, worry spreading across his face. "What, but—"

Charles cut him off, determination burning in his eyes. "Deal."

Eclipse and Solar shared a look of concern. "He can't be serious," Eclipse whispered under her breath.

Charles turned to them with a cocky grin. "Make sure to record this, okay? I want to see how I kick my old man's ass."

Solar nodded, still worried despite Charles's bravado. The group made their way to the bleachers to watch the upcoming battle. As Kabu and Charles took their positions on the battlefield, the tension in the stadium grew palpable.

"This will be a three-on-three battle with no switching allowed," Kabu announced.

"Fine by me!" Charles shot back, gripping his Pokéball tightly, his confidence unwavering.

"You two, bring out your Pokémon!" Raihan's voice boomed.

Kabu, without missing a beat, hurled his Pokéball into the air. "Ninetales, come forth!"

The elegant Fox Pokémon materialized, its golden fur shimmering like flames under the stadium lights. Its nine tails swayed hypnotically, an ancient, fierce beauty radiating from it. Eclipse's eyes widened slightly, her curiosity piqued. "A fire type, huh?" she murmured, quickly pulling out her Rotom Phone to scan it. The voice echoed from her phone: 'Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. Said to live a thousand years, its nine tails are imbued with a mystic power.'

Charles, standing tall with fierce determination in his eyes, readied his Pokéball. "Diggersby, you're up!" he shouted, releasing the hefty Ground/Normal type.

The hulking Diggersby slammed into the ground with authority, its powerful arms—a mix of muscle and dirt—flexing with readiness. Solar's excitement overflowed as he cheered from the sidelines. "Let's go, Diggersby!"

Raihan's gaze shifted between the two combatants. "Let the battle begin!" he declared.

Kabu wasted no time. "Ninetales, Fire Blast!" He commanded with precision.

Ninetales's mouth erupted in flames, launching a blazing star-shaped inferno straight toward Diggersby. The heat radiated across the field, scorching everything in its path. But Charles was already one step ahead.

"Diggersby, Dig—now!" Charles ordered, his voice sharp.

With a powerful leap, Diggersby burrowed deep into the ground, vanishing before the flames could touch it. The Fire Blast exploded harmlessly across the battlefield, leaving nothing but charred earth.

Kabu's eyes narrowed, aware of what was coming next. "Stay sharp, Ninetales!"

But it was too late. In a split second, Diggersby erupted from the ground beneath Ninetales with brutal force. "Hammer arm!" Charles shouted.

Diggersby's massive arm swung forward like a wrecking ball, slamming into Ninetales bone-crushing power. The fox Pokémon yelped in pain as it was sent skidding across the field, struggling to regain its footing.

"Don't let it recover! Gunk shot!" Charles barked, his voice cold and decisive.

Diggerbsy wasted no time, hurling a toxic, dark-purple sludge from its powerful arms, the projectile hurting toward the still-reeling Nintales. The gunk smashed into it, exploding with a sickening splitter, and Ninetales staggered, poisoned by the potent attack.

Kabu clenched his teeth. "Ninetales, Solar Beam! Charge it now!"

The stadium lights dimmed as Ninetales gathered energy, golden rays forming into a deadly beam of light. Charles' lips curled into a confident smirk, eyes gleaming.

"Stone Edge!" he commanded.

Before Ninetales could unleash its Solar Beam, jagged stones erupted from the ground around it, tearing through the battlefield. The attack hit dead-on, and Nintales let out one final cry before collapsing to the ground in defeat.

"Victory to Charles!" Raihan announced, eyes gleaming with admiration at the flawless execution.

"Hooray! Go, Charles!" Solar cheered, his excitement lighting up the stadium.

Eclipse chuckled softly, eyes glinting with amusement."Diggersby's got some serious power," she remarked, impressed by the dominating performance.

But beside her, Azalea's expression remained stone-cold, her white eyes fixed intensely on the battlefield. The celebration in her friends' voices didn't seem to sway her at all. Sensing the tension, Eclipse glanced over at her. "Isn't that great? Charles just needs to take down one more Pokémon, and he wins!"

Azalea's voice was low, almost a whisper, yet firm. "He mustn't let his guard down. He's fighting his father, Eclipse. Gym leaders in Galar... they don't pull punches. Not even family."

Eclipse frowned, her amusement fading, replaced by concern. "Are you saying... you don't want Charles to win?"

Azalea shook her head slowly, her gaze never leaving the field. "I want him to win," she said, her tone sharp, unwavering. "But with the way he's fighting now... overconfident, cocky... I'm not sure he'll be able to pull it off."

Eclipse's eyes widened in surprise. "His attitude.." she muttered under her breath, now sensing the weight of the battle in a different light.

Kabu's eyes glinted with determination as he tossed his next Pokéball into the air. "Salazzle, let's heat things up!" he called out, and the Toxic Lizard Pokémon emerged with a hiss, its sleek, poisonous form radiating danger.

Eclipse narrowed her eyes, watching closely. "A Poison and Fire type," she murmured, quickly pulling out her Rotom phone. It scanned the Pokémon and read aloud, 'Salazzle, the Toxic Lizard Pokémon. A Poison and Fire type, and the evolved form of Salandit. Its poisonous gas contains pheromones that attract male Salandit.'

Charles stood firm, still riding high on his previous victory. "Diggersby, you're up!' he commanded, his confidence unwavering. Diggersby squared up, ready to face his new opponent.

"Battle, begin!" Raihan announced, signalling the clash.

Charles wasted no time. "Diggersby, use Dig!"

Diggersby burrowed beneath the ground in an instant, aiming for a sneak attack. But Kabu wasn't fazed. "Salazzle, use Sludge Wave!" he ordered with precision, Salazzle's eyes gleamed as it released a toxic wave that spread across the battlefield. The ground beneath trembled, and in a flash, Diggersby was forced out of hiding, caught in the poisonous surge.

"Diggersby!" Charles shouted, his confident facade faltering as his Pokémon staggered.

"Flamethrower, now!" Kabu barked, and in an instant, a jet of flames erupted from Sazzle's maw, striking Diggersby head-on. The Fire-type attack proved too much—Diggersby crumbled, knocked out before it could recover.

Eclipse gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "He didn't stand a chance..."

Charles fist clenched. The overwhelming defeat hit him hard. The confidence from his earlier win evaporated, and now, doubt started creeping in. He bit his lip, trying to keep calm, but he couldn't shake the sudden nervousness that gnawed at him.

Charles exhaled slowly, his voice soft but filled with gratitude as he recalled Diggersby. "Thank you, Diggersby. You were amazing out there."

With a flick of his wrist, he returned Diggersby to its Pokéball, his grey eyes flickering with determination as they locked onto Kabu. Then he glanced back at his friends—Eclipse, Azalea, and Solar—who watched intently from the sidelines. His gaze briefly rested on Victor and Gloria, his younger siblings, before closing his eyes and retreating into his thoughts.

I must win. I can't lose. I want... His memories surged, recalling the adventures, the laughter and even the dangers he faced with Eclipse, Azalea, and Solar. Every moment etched in his mind fueled his resolve. I need more of that. I want to keep traveling with them. Create more memories. I HAVE to win this!"

His fist clenched tight with determination as he took out another Pokéball. "Braviary, let's go!"

With a fierce cry, Braviary burst into the battlefield, its powerful wings flaring wide as it took flight.

Solar, nearly leaping out of his seat, pumped his fist. "Go Braviary! You got this!"

Kabu's eyes narrowed, sensing his son's newfound resolve. "Salazzle, get ready!" he called the Toxic Lizard Pokémon hissing in anticipation.

"Battle, begin!" Raihan's voice echoed once again, and in a heartbeat, the air exploded with action.

"Braviary, Double Team!" Charles commanded, his voice sharp.

In an instant, Braviary multiplied into several afterimages, circling Salazzle from all angles. Kabu remained calm, reading the battlefield like a seasoned veteran. "Sludge Wave, now!"

Salazzle unleashed a poisonous wave, its noxious energy spreading out like a shockwave. The attack swept through the illusions, but Charles was ready. "Aerial Ace, go!"

The real Braviary darted from above like a missile, its talons gleaming as it struck Salazzle hard. The force of the attack sent the lizard reeling back, but it was far from defeated.

"Flamethrower!" Kabu barked.

With binding speed, Salazzle retaliated, spitting flames that tore through the sky. Braviary barely dodged, its wings catching the edges of the fire. The tension mounted as both Pokémon circled each other, waiting for their next move.

"Braviary, Brave Bird!" Charles roared, his voice filled with intensity.

Braviary shot forward with incredible speed, its entire body surrounded by a fierce blue energy as it homed in on Salazzle. The collision was immense, shaking the battlefield. But just as Braviary struck, Kabu countered.

"Dragon Pulse!"

A pulse of draconic energy erupted from Salazzle's mouth, meeting Braviary's charge head-on. The sheer force of both attacks colliding sent shockwaves rippling through the air, rattling the stadium. Both Pokémon pushed each other to their limits, neither willing to back down.

But the strain was too much. Braviary's wings faltered, as Salazzle's form wobbled, its energy fading. The battlefield fell into a tense silence as both Pokémon swayed, exhaustion overtaking them.

With a final cry, both Braviary and Salazzle collapsed, fainting simultaneously.

The crowd went wild, but Charles barely noticed, his heart pounding in his chest as Raihan raised his hand. "Both Pokémon are unable to battle! We're down to the final round!"

Charles took a deep breath, his fists clenched tighter than ever. This was it—the deciding round.

Kabu stood tall, his expression unreadable as he reached for his ace Pokémon. "Come on out, Centiskorch!" he declared, his voice filled with the authority of a seasoned Gym Leader.

The massive, coiling fire-bug emerged, its body with heat as it slithered onto the battlefield. Eclipse's eyes widened in shock. "I've never seen that Pokémon before..." She quickly pulled out her Rotom phone, scanning the creature as her curiosity peaked.

The phone's monotone voice spoke, 'Centiskorch, the Radiator Pokémon. A fire and Bug-type. Its body temperature runs at 1,500 degrees, and it launches attacks while moving aggressively.'

Charles watched the flames ripple along Centiskorch's segmented body, feeling the heat even from his side of the field. He took a deep breath, muttering under his breath, "Knowing my old man... he's definitely going to use Gigantamax. I can't risk bringing out Golurk or Mamoswine. That leaves only one option..."

With steely determination, Charles grabbed his last Pokéball, his eyes fixed on the battle ahead. "Corviknight, let's go!"

In a flash of light, the towering black raven appeared, its wings spread wide, glinting with its shimmering metallic feathers. Solar gasped, his eyes wide with wonder. "Amazing! Charles has another Pokémon we've never seen before!" His excitement was infectious, but the tension in the air remained thick.

Azalea, who had been silent for most of the match, brought out her Rotom phone, scanning the majestic bird. 'Corviknight, the Raven Pokémon. A Flying and Steel type. Corviknight has no rivals in Galar's skies. Its shimmering black steel body daunts opponents and causes fear.'

Azalea's white eyes narrowed in thought. Don't hold back, Charles. I want to see your true power.

Kabu's eyes softened ever so slightly, noticing the fire in his son's gaze. He could feel the intensity radiating off of Charles, the unspoken desire to prove himself, to win not just as a Gym Leader's son but as a man in his own right.

"Battle, begin!" Raihan shouted.

"Corviknight, Brave Bird!" Charles shouted without hesitation. The steel raven launched itself into the air, its body cloaked in a blue aura as it dived toward Centiskorch like a speeding missile.

"Fire Lash!" Kabu ordered. Centiskorch moved with eerie speed, its fiery tail whipping out to meet Corviknight head-on. The collision sent a shockwave through the stadium as the raven staggered back, flames licking at its steel wings. But Corviknight stood firm, eyes locked on its opponent.

The battle raged on. Corviknight soared, dodging Centiskorch's devastating Crunch attack, retaliating with Iron Head that sent sparks flying. But Centiskorch fought back with Lunge, slithering with speed and aggression as its flaming body coiled tighter.

Kabu, always calm under pressure, saw the perfect moment and raised his arm, his eyes narrowing. "Time to bring out our true strength. Gigantamax, Centiskorch!"

Charles rolled up his sleeves, revealing his own Dynamax band as he gritted his teeth, determination blazing in his eyes. "You're not the only one, old man. Corviknight, Gigantamax!"

The ground trembled as both Pokémon grew to their towering Gigantamax forms, filling the battlefield with their immense presence. Eclipse, Solar, and Azalea were in awe, the sheer power of Gigantamax overwhelming the senses. Eclipse's heart raced as she watched in disbelief. "Incredible..."

"Corviknight, G-Max Wind Rage!" Charles roared.

The air swirled violently as Corviknight flapped its massive wings, sending hurricane-like winds tearing through the battlefield, aiming to dismantle Centiskorch's fiery defenses. But Kabu was unyielding. "Centiskorch, G-Max Centiferno!"

A spiraling column of fire burst from Centiskorch's body, crashing into the winds, and creating an explosion of heat and energy. Both Gigantamax Pokémon clashed with earth-shaking power, pushing each other to the brink as the stadium shook from their titanic battle.

Move after move, they exchanged brutal blows, neither side giving an inch. But as the smoke from their final clash settled, the battlefield fell silent.

The smoke began to clear, revealing the aftermath. Corviknight, having returned to its normal size, lay fainted on the ground, its once shining steel feathers dulled from the gruelling fight.

Charles stood frozen for a moment, his breath caught in his throat. He had fought with everything he had... but it wasn't enough. His father's Centiskorch remained standing, albeit battered, but still victorious.

He looked at his fallen Corviknight, sadness creeping into his chest. He had lost. This means... he won't be able to travel with Azalea, Solar and Eclipse anymore.

Charles stood tall, despite the emotions swirling inside him. His fists clenched tightly, but he forced a small smile as he whispered, "You did great, Corviknight. Thank you."

A/N: Cliffhanger guys! Looks like Charles will say goodbye to his journey with Azalea, Solar and Eclipse. Well...we won't know unless the next chapter comes, am I right? Oh and, I am not sure if Victor and Gloria are siblings or somehow related. Nor do I know if Kabu has a family of his own. So this is all just fanon, not real.