"Centiskorch is unable to battle! Coalossal is the winner, so the victory goes to challenger number twelve, Ezria!"

The people and Pokemon of Motostoke let out deafening cheers all around the battlefield. Some of them held up banners of Ezria and chanted her name, enraptured that she defeated Kabu with one Pokémon. Others had their Pokémon use their moves like Psychic or Circle Throw, to send roses over to her as if she were a prima donna who had just finished her performance. Ezria blew kisses just as Coalossal returned to its normal form. With only a few scratches to show the extent of Kabu's Pokémon's efforts, Coalossal smiled proudly as Ezria walked over to hug its head.

"Mommy's very proud of you, my sweet," Ezria said before she kissed the top of Coalossal's head.

"Coal," the Coal Pokémon said.

Ezria gave Coalossal's head another squeeze before she returned it to its Pokéball. She turned back to the other side of the field just as Kabu walked over to her, having returned his Centiskorch. The Gym Leader had a look of unconditional respect for Ezria despite his defeat.

"Congratulations, Ezria. You and Coalossal have shown amazing strength and skill," he said. "The fight between Gigantamax Centiskorch and Gigantamax Coalossal is one I will never forget."

"I should hope you don't, Kabu. I aim to leave that kind of impact throughout the entire Gym Challenge," Ezria said.

"I don't doubt it," Kabu said as he reached into his pocket and took out a badge. "Here is your Fire Badge with my best wishes."

"How sweet of you," Ezria said, taking the badge with a warm smile.

She took out her ring and attached her badge to it. She held it up for everyone to see, and the crowd screamed again. As the cheering died down, Kabu exited the field on his side of it while Ezria picked up the roses, held them together as though they were wrapped in a bouquet, and left through a special exit, blowing kisses again as she left. However, as soon as she was out of sight, she huffed in annoyance and tossed the roses into a trash bin.

"Always roses because they match my eyes," she grumbled. "If my public image wasn't so important, I would have told the entire region to knock it off years ago."

With so many residents of Motostoke watching the Gym Battles, the streets were nearly empty, making it easy for Ezria to head to the train station without needing her disguise. She changed out of her uniform in the nearest women's restroom, and made her way to the main lobby and exited the stadium. As she walked, she took out her phone and opened the gallery app to look at the picture of her and Timothy. Ezria gave the photo a loving smile, her cheeks turned pink as she gazed at it. She began to think of having it printed and hanging on a frame at her house in Wyndon when the Gym Challenge was over. Ezria was so entranced with her selfie that she bumped her head with someone.

"Ow! Watch where you're going l!" A male voice barked.

"I'm sorry. I was just -" Ezria began before she looked up from her phone and her eyes widened. "Venny?"

Venarge looked back at his sister, equally surprised, then he backed up and turned his head away from Ezria with a cold expression.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Venny, is that any way to say hi to your loving sister?" Ezria asked, pretending to be hurt.

"It is when we're opponents during the Gym Challenge," Venarge said.

Ezria smirked and put her free hand on her hip.

"Well, I just earned my third Gym Badge, and I'm going to the train station to take a train to Hammerlocke," she said smugly. "Speaking of which, why are you still here in Motostoke? Didn't you get here before anyone else?"

Venarge flinched and kept his eyes away from his sister. Ezria grew more puzzled until she realized that he was walking in the opposite direction she was heading. She turned her head back to where Motostoke Stadium was still visible and turned back to Venarge.

"No way," she chortled. "Did...did you lose to Kabu?"

Venarge turned his head away from his sister, his face red. Ezria snorted before she moved her head back and burst out laughing. Venarge's face went from red to maroon like his short hair as his sister's laughs made him more embarrassed and angry.

"This is too much," Ezria giggled as she hugged her stomach. "How on Earth did that happen? His team should have been easy with your Rhyperior."

"Shut up!" Venarge screamed, facing his sister again. "Kabu got lucky, alright?! His first two Pokémon did enough damage to Rhyperior that Centiskorch was able to take it down before it could use Max Rockfall!"

"And you couldn't take down Centiskorch with your other Pokémon," Ezria said with a snicker. "Too funny. I didn't expect you to lose to the third Gym Leader."

"Well, don't make a thing about it, alright?!" Venarge snarled. "I'm on my way to face him again, and I'll be prepared this time."

"But by the time that happens, I'll be long gone because I beat him with just one Pokémon," Ezria mocked. She leaned into Venarge's ear to add salt to the wound. "And so will Timothy."

"So what?!" Venarge shouted as he backed away from his sister. "You probably only won because you can Gigantamax your Coalossal."

"Timothy can only Dynamax his Pokemon, and he still won with one Pokémon, too," Ezria mocked. "Face it, Venny. You're slipping."

"I am not!" Venarge whined like an angry eight-year-old boy. "I just underestimated my opponent. I'm going to crush Kabu this time, and it'll be easy."

"Whatever you say, Venny," Ezria said.

Venarge clenched his teeth and gave Ezria a dark look that only amused her more. But while they were behaving like little children, three TV news vans were driving by, each one representing a different news station. They were on their way to Motostoke Stadium, getting ready to interview Kabu as soon as he was done battling Gym Challengers. Suddenly, the leading van came to a halt, stopping beside Ezria and Venarge. Ezria saw through the front windows of the van that the reporter inside was looking at her ecstatically. She mentally beat herself up for not wearing her disguise just in case. Within seconds, reporters and cameramen came out of the vans and surrounded the twins in a semicircle.

"Ms. Markenel, Mr. Markenel, Thelma Mendez of Motostoke News. May we please have a moment of your time for questions?" A reporter asked.

"Of course," Ezria replied with a professional smile. "We'd be happy to oblige those who deliver news to all our beloved Galar. Isn't that right, Venarge?"

"Absolutely," Venarge replied with a forced grin.

The reporters simultaneously shouted Ezria and Venarge's names, and Ezria held her hands up for silence before pointing at a different reporter.

"Ms. Markenel, Anastasia Roger's of Galar News. How do you feel about your victory against Gym Leader Kabu?" The reporter asked.

"I feel marvelous, Anastasia. Simply marvelous," Ezria replied. "Kabu and his Pokémon were powerful foes, and I am very proud of my Coalossal."

"And Mr. Markenel, how do you feel about your loss against Kabu yesterday?" Anastasia asked.

Venarge clenched his teeth again and opened his mouth to shout, but Ezria elbowed his side, and he bit the inside of his mouth to control himself before he brought back his fake grin.

"I would be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed, but as Ezria said, Kabu is a powerful opponent," Venarge answered. "But fear not. I have spent the time since my defeat training my Pokémon for my rematch, and this time I will win without a doubt."

"And I have every confidence that you will, my dear brother." Ezria said, pulling Venarge into a side hug.

The reporters and their cameramen smiled, oblivious that it was an act. Then the third reporter held up his microphone.

"Ms. Markenel, Abraham Welker of the Galar-wide Press. What are your feelings about the rise of reported Pokémon Dynamaxing?" He asked.

"Oh, I hardly call a poor Drednaw Gigantamaxing in Wyndon a rise in Pokémon Dynamaxing, Abraham," Ezria said.

"With all due respect, miss, that Pokémon endangered civilians," Abraham said. "And it's not the only one to randomly Dynamax in the past couple of weeks. There was a Snorlax who Gigantamaxed on the tracks of a train that nearly hit it, and just recently, there was a report of a train that was going to Hammerlocke from Motostoke encountering a giant Dragapult hovering above the tracks out in the Wild Area."

Ezria's smile disappeared, and she asked, "How recently did this train leave for Hammerlocke?"

"Just a couple of hours ago." Abraham said.

"How did it get past the Dragapult?" Ezria asked.

"A group of trainers took it down." Abraham answered.

Ezria stared at the reporter, leaving Abraham unsure of how to react. Then a happy grin entered Ezria's face, and she said with pride, "That simply proves that Galar has nothing to worry about. There will always be people and Pokémon who will stop any Dynamax Pokémon from causing any harm, and I do not doubt that the leader of the trainers that stopped the Dragapult will always be there to do just that."

"But you don't even know who those trainers are," Anastasia said.

"Au contraire, there's only one person I know who would do so without hesitance,'' Ezria said. "One I know for a fact was on that train right after he won his Gym Battle against Kabu: Timothy Durbin."

The reporters stared at Ezria, confused, and their cameramen looked away from their cameras to give her puzzled looks.

"Er, who is this Timothy Durbin?" Thelma asked.

"Why, Timothy Durbin is the savior of the world," Ezria proclaimed. "He was the one who freed the Psychic type Pokémon from the control of the villainous Team Rocket. If you ask every doctor and Nurse Joy in Galar who treated the poor Pokémon injured from the battle, they will tell of how a man in a gray shirt with three letters led a cavalry against Team Rocket with his Raichu nicknamed Electchu. He is competing in the Gym Challenge and will also compete in the World Coronation Series."

Venarge gave his sister a funny look as though she were raving like a mad person.

"But how do you know that this man did these things or that he battled the Dragapult?" Abraham asked.

"Lance, the bi-regional Champion of the Kanto and Johto regions, wrote Timothy's letter of endorsement, writing about his deeds against Team Rocket on top of winning the Johto and Hoenn Pokémon Leagues and beating Lance in a battle. Chairman Rose contacted Lance himself, and he confirmed it," Ezria answered. "Plus, I personally wished him luck when he and his companions left to catch the train right after he gained his Fire Badge from Kabu. No one so courageous to do what he did against that crime organization would hesitate to help others in a situation like a Dynamax Pokémon blocking a train."

"You seem to admire this, Ms. Ezria," Anastasia said.

"And why wouldn't I? Pokémon who are family and friends to many people in Galar are safe because of Timothy. He has even proven himself to be a talented trainer to defeat me in a Pokémon battle. He is also a kind soul and is handsome as can be," Ezria declared.

"Oh brother," Venarge mumbled.

"Ms. Ezria, do you have any special feelings toward Timothy Durbin?" Abraham asked.

Thelma and Anastasia looked at their fellow reporter in shock, realizing his question made sense. They held their microphones closer to Ezria, silently praying they would get such a big scoop from one of Galar's most beloved citizens. Even their cameramen were eager to find out. But instead of answering, Ezria smiled and looked up at the sky, making it look like she was lost in her own little world. The longer she stared at the sky, the more the reporters were left in suspense. After half a minute, Ezria took out her Rotom Phone and looked at the time before giving the reporters a sad smile.

"I'm so sorry, everyone, but I'm afraid that's all the time we can spare," she said. "I have things to do before leaving for Hammerlocke, and Venarge has a Gym Battle to win."

Thelma, Anastasia, Abraham, and their cameramen looked at Ezria devastated like a group of Rockruff tricked into expecting a treat. They hung their heads, not noticing Ezria and Venarge smirking in amusement before they looked back up at the twins with fake smiles.

"Okay, thank you for your time, and best wishes to both of you on the Gym Challenge," Anastasia said, struggling to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"Thanks," Venarge said half-heartedly.

"Thank you so much," Ezria said with a sweet smile. "Please, give my love to your viewers."

"I will, Ms. Ezria," Anastasia said.

"So will I," Thelma said.

"You can count on me," Abraham declared.

With that, the news crew returned to their vans and continued their drive to Motostoke Stadium. Ezria waved until they were out of sight and huffed in annoyance.

"That's what I get for thinking I won't need my disguise until I'm at the station," she said before turning to Venarge with a grin. "Still, we kept our image in a good light, and they were very useful."

"By useful, you mean making sure everyone knows what your boyfriend did?" Venarge asked.

"That, and hinting at my feelings for Timothy," Ezria answered.

Venarge raised his eyebrow and asked, "Why did you only hint at it? Wouldn't you rather express your undying affection to the whole world?"

Ezria grinned mischievously and said, "Of course, I would, dear Venny, but there's no reason to make anything official when Timothy and I aren't together yet. Besides, when I was traveling with Timothy and his companions, we were flirting and he tried to hide his feelings to his Pokémon partner."

"So?" Venarge challenged.

"So, Timothy is beginning to fall for me as I have predicted, but he can't bring it upon himself to admit it yet," Ezria said. "If I make it official to the public that I am romantically interested in him, the poor dear might be pressured by the public to say how he feels about me. Not to mention it might keep Timothy from focusing on the Gym Challenge, and I don't want to cause interference in pursuing his dream."

Venarge furrowed his brow and barked, "Then why on Earth did you say all of those things?!"

"Because my fans will watch our interview as soon as it is aired, and they will take my implication as confirmation," Ezria said. "After all, Uncle Rose is the only man I've ever publicly praised in all my time as a public figure in Galar. As of now, the only other man I've ever sung praises to like that is Timothy, who is our age. Thus, with me hinting that I'm romantically interested in him on top of some of my fans seeing me wishing him good luck on his Gym Battle earlier today, it'll be obvious who I desire."

"And what about all the guys trying to impress you in the Gym Challenge? They will be crushed," Venarge said.

"I'm counting on it," Ezria said. "More than likely, they will be so devastated that they will lose the will to further compete in the Gym Challenge whether they make it past Kabu or not. Not that many of them will succeed in completing the challenge anyway."

"Ah, I see," Venarge said. "So, with them out of the way, the only man left in the challenge who likes you..."

"... Is the one I want to be with," Ezria finished.

Venarge raised his eyebrow and gave his sister a sinister smirk as he said, "I must say I never pegged you as someone so cruel and cunning, Ezria. Not that I disapprove of putting your fans in their place, but don't you think this is a little much?"

"Not at all," Ezria answered. "The way I look at it, it's better the poor fools know that their efforts are in vain now than when Timothy and I eventually get together. It would be more painful if any of them go pretty far into the Gym Challenge by some miracle only to learn that it was all for naught."

"Heh. Yes, I suppose that's true," Venarge said before he took out his Rotom Phone to check the time. "Well, as much as I would love to talk more about your fans being in misery, I must be off for my rematch."

"Of course," Ezria said before she added with a teasing smirk. "And remember, Venny, Fire type Pokémon are weak to Rock and Ground type attacks. Not the other way around."

Venarge gave his sister a stern glare that only amused Ezria. He stormed toward Motostoke Stadium, grumbling as he went, while Ezria playfully waved at him. When Venarge was out of sight, Ezria opened her backpack and put on her disguise before she continued her walk to the train station.

"I guess all of the trains heading to Hammerlocke are delayed thanks to that Dragapult blocking Timothy's train," she said. "Oh, well. That leaves me with more time to watch the video of his gym battle."

She took out her Rotom Phone again as she walked and opened the picture of her and Timothy. Ezria once again stared at the photo with a heartfelt smile and stroked Timothy's face in the picture.

"Oh, my dashing knight, I know you wouldn't approve of what I've done, but I promise you will understand when the only Gym Challengers left are the two of us, giving us the chance to spend more time together."