When Timothy and Electchu came to the lobby, Coovers was grinning from ear to ear, trying to contain his excitement, and Gwen was holding Winnie with a smile that made Timothy's heart leap. Coovers raced over to Timothy to give Timothy a noogie, but Timothy ducked before Coovers could wrap his arm around his head with his eyes still on Gwen. Coovers looked at Timothy, confused that he was walking past him, and turned to Electchu.

"Does he know I'm here?" Coovers asked.

Electchu smirked and shook its head. Coovers turned to Timothy and then to Gwen, realizing he was focused on her. It took a moment before his face lit up, and he put his hands on his cheeks, watching Timothy walk over to Gwen like a giddy schoolgirl watching her classmate confess her feelings to the boy she likes. Timothy didn't know what he would say or do, but he knew he wanted to be near Gwen.

"Timothy!"

Timothy stopped in his tracks as his view of Gwen was blocked by an enraptured Ezria racing toward him. Before he knew it, Ezria had wrapped her arms around him and lifted him up to spin him. Timothy heard Chairman Rose chuckling as he watched with Oleana and Venarge beside him. Coovers gave Ezria an angry pout, and Electchu huffed in annoyance. Venarge watched Ezria spin his rival with a grumpy glare.

Oleana kept a calm expression as though nothing was happening, but she glanced at Gwen and Winnie, who stepped back, instantly uncomfortable with the chairman. A subtle frown entered Oleana's face. Even though Ezria told their boss that Timothy's companion wasn't against them, Oleana didn't like that Gwen was still uncomfortable around the man Oleana admired as though Rose were the king of the world. The vice-president still believed Rose's former employee was up to something, and she was determined to find out what.

Ezria put Timothy down and squeezed him before she finally broke the hug.

"I'm so happy for you," she chirped. "And I heard you finished the battle with Knightblade. I knew it would be a perfect Pokémon for you."

"Thanks, Ezria," Timothy said, trying to hide his disappointment. "Knightblade working with Shockwave was the key to a tricky battle."

"Indeed. I consider Raihan among the very best Galar has to offer alongside Leon, Venarge, and, of course, Ezria," Chairman Rose said. "My deepest congratulations for completing the Gym Challenge, Timothy."

"Thank you, Rose," Timothy said as he shook the chairman's hand.

"May I see your ring of badges?" Chairman Rose asked.

Timothy nodded and took out the ring containing his eight badges. The chairman observed each badge, and his smile grew. He turned his gaze to Ezria and gave her a short nod. Ezria's face lit up even brighter with her heart full of hope, while Venarge scoffed.

"Big deal. I have all of my badges, too," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, this just means I get to have payback at the Championship Cup. In fact, beating you in front of thousands sounds perfect, Durbin."

"I'd be worried if it didn't take you more than one try to beat Gym Leaders like Kabu and Opal," Timothy said.

Venarge scoffed again and looked away, pretending Timothy's words didn't annoy him.

"Ah, to be young and have rivals," the chairman said. "I think we're in for a memorable Championship Cup this year. Wouldn't you say, Oleana?"

"Undoubtedly, sir," Oleana said, her eyes still on Gwen.

"Let's not think that far ahead, Uncle Rose. I still have my Dragon Badge to win," Ezria said.

"Of course, you're right, Ezria," Rose said. "Timothy, would you and your companions like to join Oleana and me in cheering Ezria on in our private box?"

Timothy's eyes immediately went to Gwen, whose face turned pale with fear. Neither knew for sure if the chairman wasn't still on to Gwen despite tricking Ezria. Even so, saying yes would mean they would have to maintain the lie while Gwen was around the man responsible for losing her mother. Timothy tried to think of a way to say no without offending the chairman in a way that might compromise the mission after coming so close, but he couldn't think of anything.

Luckily, as Timothy struggled to say something, Coovers remembered his instructions from Looker and cleared his throat.

"Actually, Mr. Chairman, while I would love to watch our dear companion fight for the eighth badge, I have some private business to attend to that cannot wait," Coovers said.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Rose said. "But at least Gwen can -"

"I actually am helping Coovers," Gwen spat out.

Coovers looked at Gwen confused and said, "What? No, this is something that only -"

"No, you begged her to help you," Timothy said.

Coovers opened his mouth to say no but stopped when he noticed Timothy giving him a pleading look. At that moment, Coovers remembered Timothy behaving similarly when the group was in Rose's private box at Hulbury Stadium. It was clear that Timothy knew something about his crush and the chairman behind why she insisted that she joined Coovers. Coovers made a mental note to ask what was going on before he forged a smile and slapped his forehead.

"Oh, that's right. How could I have forgotten?" Coovers said. "You're right, Gwen. I'm sorry."

"That's fine, Coovers, but we better hurry," Gwen said.

Oleana's subtle frown deepened while Ezria smirked, not caring what was going on as long as Timothy was there to watch her battle. Rose frowned before he sighed and put on a cheerful smile.

"Well, I hope your business goes well, though you will be missed," he said. "But you will still come to watch Ezria, won't you, Timothy?"

"Absolutely," Timothy said without missing a beat. "I want to see Ezria win her final badge more than anything. How about you, Electchu?"

"Raichu," Electchu replied with a fake smile.

Ezria turned to Timothy with a sweet look, and Rose nodded with a pleased smile.

"Excellent," he said. "Why don't you follow us back to our box while Ezria gets ready for her match?"

"Sounds good," Timothy said before turning to Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie. "See you guys later."

"See ya," Coovers said. "And best of luck, Ezria."

Ezria rolled her eyes and waved her hand, uncaring of Timothy's companions. Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie began making their way toward the stadium entrance, not noticing that Oleana was watching them. Venarge took a step to the entrance as Timothy and Rose wished Ezria luck when suddenly, Oleana grabbed him by the shoulder.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I want you to follow Timothy Durbin's companions. Find out what they're up to," Oleana whispered into Venarge's ear.

"What? No, get one of your subordinates to do that. I've got to go heal my Pokémon," Venarge said.

"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you as your superior in Marco Cosmos," Oleana hissed.

Venarge clenched his teeth, glaring daggers at his aunt before he scoffed and waved his hands to say, "Fine. Whatever." He half-heartedly wished his sister luck before he stormed out of the stadium like a child told to go to his room while Timothy, Electchu, Rose, and Oleana headed to the elevator. Venarge grumbled as he followed Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie, expecting them to go to the Pokémon Center.

Coovers stopped and looked around with a look that made Venarge curious. He hid behind the brick pillars holding the drawbridge just as Coovers looked back to make sure no one was following from Hammerlocke Stadium. Coovers then took Gwen's hand and led her and Winnie in the opposite direction from the Pokémon Center.

Venarge raised his eyebrow, instantly intrigued with the way Timothy's friends were behaving. He covered his head with his hood, crossed the drawbridge, and quietly followed Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie. They stopped in front of the Hammerlocke Police Station, and Venarge saw Coovers look around again before telling Gwen to wait by the entrance. Venarge hid behind the bushes by the sidewalk just as Gwen turned around to rest her back against the wall. He looked around to make sure no one noticed him before he took out his Rotom Phone, set it to silence, and took a picture of Gwen and Winnie waiting outside the police station. As soon as the doors opened, he took a picture of Coovers coming out carrying a black briefcase. Coovers looked around again to ensure no one else was around before he took his arm to Gwen.

"Take my arm. We'll look less suspicious," Coovers said.

Venarge's interest grew as Gwen wrapped her arm around Coovers' arm, and they walked back in the direction of Hammerlocke Stadium and the Pokémon Center. He emerged from the bushes and set the camera on his phone to video record. Venarge carefully walked a few yards behind Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie as he hit the record button just as Coovers struck a conversation.

"Gwen, can I ask you something?" He asked.

"Are you asking for the sake of not looking suspicious?" Gwen asked.

"No, more because this might be the right time while we're not around Timothy, Ezria, or the chairman," Coovers said.

Gwen glanced at Coovers and hesitated before she said, "Alright, shoot."

"What do you think of Timothy?" Coovers asked.

Gwen turned to Coovers, confused.

"What do you mean? As a trainer or as a companion?" She asked.

"I mean do you like him?" Coovers asked. "Do you see him as someone very special?"

Gwen froze, stopping in mid-step with her cheeks a small shade of pink. Venarge nearly did a misstep that gave himself away while still holding his phone up to his targets. Coovers grew hopeful from Gwen's sudden reaction, and Winnie looked at its partner curiously. After several seconds Gwen frowned and looked away coldly as she began walking again.

"Are you asking this yourself, or is Timothy asking through you?" She asked.

"Timothy has no idea I'm asking or suspect anything," Coovers assured. "I only realized you might like each other just minutes ago."

"Seriously?" Gwen asked, giving Coovers a dead-panned look. "First, you didn't catch Ezria crushing on Timothy, and only now you're noticing how I'm feeling? You're kinda dense when you're not fawning over Sonia."

"I am not. I resent that. You don't know density till you've spent a day with Ash. I just haven't been paying attention," Coovers said, pouting until he realized what Gwen said. "Wait, so you admit you're feeling something."

Gwen's cheeks tinted again, and her eyes widened. Coovers cackled as Gwen looked away, mentally kicking herself in the head for her mistake. Venarge resisted the urge to chuckle as he thought of Ezria blowing her top off if she watched Coovers and Gwen with him. Gwen looked down to see Winnie staring at her flabbergasted with a look that said, "Is it true?"

"Alright, fine. I've grown to...admire Timothy and tease with the idea of something happening," she confessed.

Coovers let out half a squeal before remembering they were out in public.

"When? How long?" He demanded.

"Uh, I guess it's been going for a while, but I only started to dwell on the idea when we were in Circhester," Gwen admitted reluctantly.

"Really? That's wonderful," Coovers chirped. "I've been hoping Timbo would find somebody special for so long. I can hear wedding bells already."

"Wait. What?! I didn't say anything about marrying him!" Gwen shouted with her face beet red. "I'm not like you when you think about Sonia, weirdo. I'd settle for establishing that maybe he might feel something for me."

"Well, if that's the case, then I think you're set, Gwen," Coovers said. "After seeing how he acted toward you before Ezria stepped in minutes ago, I think I can say he feels the same."

"What makes you so sure?" Gwen asked.

"Gwen, I've known Timothy since we were kids. He's never been dense about these feelings like Ash, but he has shown just as little interest in romance as Ash did before he fell for Serena," Coovers said. "And I've never seen him look at someone the way he was looking at you in the lobby. It's almost like he was a different man over there."

"You're exaggerating," Gwen said.

"I'm serious," Coovers said. "Surely, you've noticed something that implies he might like you."

Venarge smirked and turned to Gwen, hoping to record something that could really enrage his sister. Gwen hesitated and looked away as though everything but Coovers was interesting.

"Well, I have noticed he can be very caring and protective, and the way he supports me is touching," Gwen said, subconsciously playing with her mural necklace. "I mean, I shouldn't jump to conclusions when I don't interact with many people, but his demeanor toward me is... is comforting."

"Then, that proves it. He likes you," Coovers chirped. "If Ezria is out of the picture, maybe he would have made a move by now."

Venarge grinned mischievously from Coovers' declaration. His competitive side was relishing this conversation, learning that Timothy liked Gwen as a chance to crush Ezria's spirit. He still didn't know what Oleana hoped to find by following Timothy's companions, but he didn't care so long as the video he was recording helped his chances of winning the Championship Cup and beating Leon. Gwen looked at Coovers with the edge of her mouth curled up, but the feeling of hope disappeared as soon as it came, and she looked away again.

"I don't know if Timothy would make a move even if we didn't have to deal with Ezria," she said.

"What. You think he'll be too shy to make a move?" Coovers asked with a smirk. "Don't worry about that. I'll get Timothy to man up."

"I'm not talking about him having the courage to do it. I mean if he would want to make a move," Gwen said.

"What do you mean?" Coovers said.

"You said it yourself, Coovers. Timothy has never been interested in something like that before," Gwen said. "He said once that he would visit Galar even if he won the Championship Cup and beat Leon, but he still has a dream that leads him all over the world, and my dream - my life is here. Can you assure me that Timothy might care so much that he'd put his lifelong dream on hold just to be with me?"

Coovers stared at Gwen, taken aback, before he slowed to a halt and looked down in thought. He wanted to believe his best friend would take his feelings so far as wanting to stay with someone like Gwen, but he also knew how much Timothy's dream meant to him. The more Coovers thought about it, the less it made sense. Gwen felt her heart ache the longer Coovers took to answer. By this point, Venarge was loving the complications coming out of his two biggest rivals having romantic feelings. His mind on how he could sabotage both Ezria and Timothy emotionally. Revenge at its sweetest. Finally, Gwen shook her head and forced a smile.

"You know what? It doesn't matter," she said. "Timothy has more important things to focus on, and so do we. Let's just get the recording equipment to the Pokémon Center and be ready for Timothy to put them on before Ezria takes him to the Energy Plant."

Venarge's face fell, and he froze in place, unsure if he heard Gwen correctly. Coovers opened his mouth to protest, worried his silence might have cost Timothy his chance for happiness, but he closed his mouth, accepting there was nothing he could say.

"You're right," Coovers said. "He's got all the badges, but we still need to prove the chairman has Eternatus. After that, we can -"

"TEDDIURSA!" Winnie screamed.

Coovers and Gwen looked down to see Winnie pointing past them with horror in its eyes, and they turned around to see Venarge standing several feet away from them. Everyone stood still with Coovers and Gwen's hearts frozen, and Venarge awkward that he was caught. After several seconds, Venarge ran past them, shoving Coovers and Gwen aside. He heard Coovers and Gwen running after him as he raced to Hammerlocke Stadium as fast as he could. Venarge turned to the entrance and charged towards the entrance when he heard Coovers and Gwen shouting.

"Krookodile, Chandelure, block him!"

"Cufant, Mudbray, get behind him!"

Before Venarge knew it, four Pokéballs snapped open, and Krookodile and Chandelure blocked the drawbridge. Krookodile growled with its claws pointed at Venarge, and Chandelure's flames burst to life menacingly. Venarge backed away only to bump into Cufant, who pushed him back with its trunk while Mudbray took an offensive stance. Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie caught up, standing behind Cufant and Mudbray as Venarge glared daggers at them.

"Let me pass!" He growled.

"Oh, sure. You just explain why you were spying on us with your Rotom Phone, and we'll consider it," Gwen said, taking out her phone. "Better yet, since you heard what we said, why don't I record a video of you admitting you knowingly work for someone who contains a dangerous Pokémon?"

"You don't know who you're messing with!" Venarge barked. "I am Venarge Markenel, future Champion of Galar, and I work for the most powerful man in the region."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I see your 'future Champion of Galar' and 'most powerful man in the region,' and I raise you an 'officer of the International Police,'" Coovers countered, holding his badge. "So, I suggest you make things easier for all of us by coming in quietly and admitting what the chairman is doing. If you even take us to Eternatus right now, I'll personally make sure you get the lightest sentence possible."

"Even if I had the security clearance, I would never do that!" Venarge screamed as he took out two Pokéballs. "Alakazam, Toxtricity, crush them!"

Venarge tossed the balls into the air. With a flash, his Alakazam appeared in front of Krookodile and Chandelure, and his Toxtricity appeared in front of Cufant and Mudbray. He would have summoned more, but the rest of his party were either unconscious or too weak to battle. In an instant, Coovers and Gwen began shouting commands, and their Pokémon attacked, forcing Alakazam and Toxtricity to defend themselves. Alakazam surrounded itself with a blue barrier as rocks and blue and purple streams of fire flew toward it. Toxtricity shot electricity at Cufant and purple darts and Mudbray to fend off its opponents as Mudbray tried to kick it with its hind legs, and Cufant tried to punch it with its trunk glowing orange. With his enemies on both sides, Venarge struggled to hold his ground.

But as the battle raged on, Coovers and Gwen's Pokémon began to tire from staying on the offense, and Venarge began to counterattack. Alakazam caught a Shadow Ball from Chandelure using Psychic and sent it back to the Luring Pokémon. Toxtricity punched Cufant right between the eyes with its fist surrounded in fire, sending the little elephant-like Pokémon several yards away before crashing into a lamppost. With two Pokémon beaten or severely damaged, Venarge took the opportunity to order his Pokémon to switch sides. Alakazam turned to Mudbray with its eyes glowing blue and sent it crashing into the same lamppost and falling on top of Cufant. With no one to attack it, Toxtricity darted toward Krookodile and jabbed its throat with purple energy surrounding its hand. Venarge grinned as he ordered his Pokémon to finish the job with the Pokémon blocking the drawbridge.

"Oh, no, you don't!" Coovers yelled as he threw another Pokéball. "Klinklang, use Thunder Wave on Venarge and Alakazam, now!"

The Pokéball burst open, and Klinklang came out with its right eye fixed on Venarge and Alakazam. The Gear Pokémon released rings of yellow electricity from its body, hitting Venarge and Alakazam, before the latter could attack again. Alakazam grunted while Venarge got down on his knees with yellow sparks appearing all over their bodies.

"Coovers, what are you doing?!" Gwen shouted in disbelief.

"Keeping my mission from being compromised," Coovers said. "Chandelure, Shadow Ball! Krookodile, Earthquake!"

Chandelure fired a ball of black and purple energy, hitting Toxtricity in the face. The attack left Toxtricity in a daze, leaving it helpless when Krookodile created a powerful shockwave that knocked out the Punk Pokémon instantly. Toxtricity fell two feet from Venarge with swirly eyes, and Venarge clenched his teeth in pain as he glowered at Coovers.

"That's not fair! You can't have your Pokémon attack me, then gang up on my Pokémon that isn't paralyzed!" Venarge screamed. "Take defeat like a man!"

"This isn't an official battle. You had your Pokémon attack Gwen's Pokémon when she wasn't looking when we first met. Following an officer of the International Police with your phone recording is enough legal grounds to have you questioned at best, and you can earn jail time for not cooperating. Plus, you didn't exactly deny that what we believe Chairman Rose is up to is true," Coovers said. "I admit this is unorthodox, but I can't let you get in our way when we're so close to stopping your employer."

"You can't stop Uncle Rose even if Durbin tricks Ezria into revealing our operation!" Venarge snarled. "If your precious International Police couldn't stop Team Rocket, they can do nothing to prevent Uncle Rose's dream from coming true!"

"I hope you're wrong," Coovers said before turning to Gwen. "Gwen, do any of your Pokémon have moves that can knock them out?"

Gwen hesitated and said, "Well, Noctowl knows Hypnosis, but I don't know if I feel comfortable using it on Venarge."

"And I don't blame you, but he knows what we're up to," Coovers said. "We need him contained until Timothy gets what we came here for."

"Then let's just take Venarge to the police so that he's at least being questioned for spying on us," Gwen said.

"We can't. If we take them there, the police will have to notify his family and the chairman that he's in the station while being questioned. With us being the people he followed, there might be suspicion while we still want them focused on trusting Timothy," Coovers said. "If Timothy gets the proof, I can get a warrant from Looker to have Venarge arrested, and then we can safely turn him in. Until then, we have to keep him from warning the chairman."

Gwen tried to counter Coovers's argument, but she stopped herself as she thought about it and realized he was right. Chairman Rose and his people were suspicious when they learned she hid her identity. The thought of Venarge ruining everything when Timothy was close sent shivers down Gwen's spine. She felt Winnie put its paw on her leg, and she looked down to see it give her a sad nod. Gwen sighed as she took out a Pokeball.

"Noctowl, come on out," she said.

She tossed the ball into the air, and it opened to reveal Noctowl flying in the air. Alakazam and Toxtricity took defensive stances with yellow sparks still appearing all over their bodies, and their trainer clenched his teeth again as he glared at Noctowl.

"Alakazam, use Psybeam on that stupid bird!" Venarge screamed.

"Krookodile, Night Slash!" Coovers shouted.

Alakazam crossed its spoons and prepared a multicolored beam aimed at Noctowl, but Krookodile slashed Alakazam's thin back with its claws extended with purple energy. Alakazam fell on its front beside Venarge, with a large cut on its back, giving Gwen the opening.

"Noctowl, use Hypnosis on them!" She shouted.

Noctowl's eyes glowed red, and it released red circles that expanded as they moved toward Venarge and Alakazam. Their eyes grew heavy, and they tried to push themselves up in vain. As Venarge lost consciousness, he glared at Gwen.

"Durbin...will...never...pick...you...over... Pokémon," he snarled.

And then he passed out.