Timothy was sleeping when he felt something poke his nose. He whimpered and swatted away what was poking him but was met by something shaking him with its paws. He rolled away from what was disturbing his sleep until the figure leaned closely into his ear.

"RAICHU!"

"Ow!" Timothy shouted as he sprung up into a sitting position. "Electchu, what did you do that for?!"

"Raichu! Chu Rai Chu Rai Raichu!" Electchu shouted as it pointed at the window.

Timothy looked out the window to find the sun was up over Wyndon. He grabbed his phone from the bed stand and turned it on to find it was half past seven. It took a few seconds before what Electchu was saying hit him, and he jumped out of bed with an "Ah!"

"Ash and Serena should be awake now!" Timothy shouted, panicking. "We gotta find them quick!"

"Rai Rai Rai Rai Rai Raichu," Electchu said.

"Yeah, they might be having breakfast right now. Let's just hope Rose and Ezria aren't there too," Timothy said.

Timothy quickly showered, changed into his regular clothes, and together, he and Electchu exited the room and rushed to the elevator. The elevator took them down to the dining floor, and they went in to see Ash, Serena, and Pikachu eating at a round table for three people. Pikachu was once again munching on a mountain of Pokémon food and berries, and the teenage couple was chatting as they ate. Timothy couldn't help but smile at how Ash and Serena were enjoying their time together. It became more real for the man in the "H.A.K." shirt that they were deeply in love and very happy together. He looked around to make sure Rose, Oleana, and Ezria weren't around before he and Electchu walked over to Ash, Serena, and Pikachu.

"Morning, guys," he said.

"Morning, Timothy. Sleep well?" Serena greeted.

"Well, enough that Electchu had to wake me up," Timothy said.

Serena sighed and shook her head.

"Yeah, Pikachu had to do the same thing with Ash," she said. "Sometimes, he just sleeps like a log."

"I can't help it when I'm in a nice, comfy bed," Ash chuckled while scratching under his nose.

"That sounds like you," Timothy said. "So, what are you guys planning to do today?"

"We're going to fly to Stow-on-Side to meet with Goh there," Ash said. "He said he's going to investigate some ruins."

"Yeah, and he said he's doing that with Sonia, Coovers, and a woman named Gwen," Serena said. "Did you know Coovers is with them?"

"Actually, yes," Timothy said. "As a matter of fact, there's something very important I need to tell you guys."

"Stop right there, Mr. Durbin."

Timothy and Electchu's hearts froze, and they slowly turned around to see Ezria exiting the elevator and walking over to them. She was looking at Timothy with a kittenish look.

"H-how much did you hear?" Timothy asked.

"Just that you have something very important to tell your friends," Ezria said. "And I must say I'm disappointed in you, my darling. I would think you'd wait until after you give your answer to say anything."

Timothy and Electchu eased up, relieved Ezria didn't hear anything about their friends going to Stow-on-Side. Their ease lasted for a moment, however, when they realized what Ezria thought was going on. Ash and Serena looked at each other, confused.

"Waiting until after he gives you an answer?" Ash asked.

"Oh, dear. It looks like I might have said too much," Ezria said, smiling as she bit her lip.

Timothy furrowed his brow, knowing Ezria intentionally said enough to catch Ash and Serena's attention.

"I'm confused. What's going on?" Serena asked.

"Well, we may as well tell you now," Ezria said. "I asked Timothy to marry me last night."

"WHAT?!?!?!" Ash and Serena shouted.

"PIKA?!?!?!" Pikachu squealed.

Timothy mentally groaned, with Ash and Serena oblivious to what was really happening. Ezria took out the Pokeball painted to look like the Master Ball and opened it to show the ring. Ash and Pikachu looked at the ring in amazement while Serena stood up to get a better look at it.

"It's beautiful," she said.

"Isn't it, though? I got the best diamond possible for a man's engagement ring. Nothing but the best for my loyal knight," Ezria boasted.

"That's so sweet," Serena chirped. "But wait a minute. Did you say yes, Timothy?"

Timothy opened his mouth to answer, but Ezria stepped in front of him, still holding the ring.

"I'm afraid I didn't give him a chance because Uncle Rose and Aunt Oleana broke our moment, so I said to wait until we have a chance to discuss it privately," Ezria said. "Obviously, he came to you guys to ask for the best way to say yes when we shouldn't talk about it to others. Not when our engagement isn't official yet."

"That makes sense. Timothy is just as new to being in love as Ash is," Serena chuckled. "But I'm so happy that he has found someone that he -"

"ENOUGH!"

All eyes turned to Timothy, whose face was red, and he breathed heavily with his teeth clenched. Ash and Pikachu were taken aback, and Serena looked worried that Timothy would do something to ruin his chance at happiness. Timothy looked back at Serena sadly as he realized she assumed Ezria was the person he admitted to having a crush on. At this point, his heart grew heavy with guilt, not just for yelling but for how far the lies and manipulation went. Unable to bear it anymore, he turned to Ezria.

"Look, Ezria, I can't do this anymore," Timothy said. "I thought I could deal with taking things this far, but I've had enough. I'm going to hate myself for telling you now, but it will hurt you either way."

"Timothy, what are you saying?" Ezria asked.

Timothy took a deep breath and said, "Ezria, I'm not who you think I -"

"Ms. Markenel!"

Timothy growled in frustration as several agents came in from the elevator. Many agents had worried faces, but the one leading them was looking at Ezria with a severe look. Ezria, Ash, Serena, and Pikachu looked at them, confused as they rushed over to them while Timothy's frustration grew.

"Agent Lydon, what's the trouble?" Ezria asked.

"Police cars. Over a dozen of them. They're heading this way with their sirens on," Agent Lydon replied.

Ezria looked at the agent funny and asked, "Are you sure they aren't heading somewhere else, and they just happened to be going in our direction?"

"They passed any turns that would imply that," Agent Lydon said. "And as we were going up the elevator, we saw through the glass window that they were entering our parking lot. Since the chairman and Ms. Oleana are in Hammerlocke, you're the only leading authority here right now."

Ezria furrowed her brow and said, "Very well. Timothy, come with me."

"I'm right behind you," Timothy said reluctantly.

Ash and Serena looked at each other, and Ash said, "We better check out what's going on."

"Right," Serena said.

Ash stood up from his seat, and he, Serena, and Pikachu followed Timothy, Ezria, Electchu, and the agents to the elevator. As the elevator went down, Timothy, Ash, Serena, Electchu, and Pikachu looked out the glass window to find police cars parking in front of Rose Tower. Coming out of the car closest to the entrance was Looker. He had a smirk on his face that showed he would enjoy what was to come.

"Oh great. Thanks for coming now, Looker," Timothy muttered.

"Hey, it's Looker down there," Ash said.

"Why is he here with so many police officers?" Serena asked.

Timothy turned to his young friends and pursed his lips. He considered telling them what was happening, but he decided against it, thinking it wasn't a good time with Ezria and several agents close to them. He let Looker tell them, knowing that Ash and Serena would trust him more than someone they had only met the night before. The elevator stopped on the ground floor. The doors opened just in time to see Looker enter the main lobby with Officer Jenny and multiple other police officers following him. They walked over to the receptionist, who was growing uneasy as Looker greeted him with a smug smile.

"Good morning. How are you on this lovely day?" Looker said.

"Uh, fine, sir," the receptionist replied. "How can I help you?"

"I'm glad you asked," Looker said as he took out his badge. "I am Looker of the International Police, and I require your cooperation on something that should only take a moment of your time. Would you kindly give me the location of Chairman Rose, his secretary, Oleana, and her niece by the name of Ezria Markenel?"

"I am Ezria Markenel," Ezria said. "What can I do for you?"

Looker turned to Ezria, and his smirk grew.

"What beautiful timing," he said. "Ms. Markenel, you are under arrest."

"Wait. What?" Ash asked.

"Under arrest?" Serena asked.

Looker saw Ash, Serena, and Pikachu standing behind Ezria.

"Ash, Serena, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"We spent the night here. Chairman Rose treated us to dinner and a room here as a reward for defeating rampaging Dynamax Pokémon," Ash said.

"Is that so? Well, you two should know Chairman Rose is responsible for those Pokémon rampaging," Looker said.

"What do you mean?" Serena asked.

"He has a dangerous Pokémon called the Darkest Day, a.k.a. Eternatus, hidden in a hanger underneath a Pokémon stadium," Looker said. "Eternatus contains power that can Dynamax Pokémon, and its energy is running loose, causing the Pokémon in this region to Dynamax and go on a rampage against their will."

Ezria, the receptionist, and the agents' eyes widened in shock.

"The chairman and his people know about this problem, and yet they continue their operation in extracting energy from Eternatus," Looker continued.

"Are you serious?" Ash asked.

"Don't believe me? Ask her," Looker said, pointing at Ezria.

Ash, Serena, and Pikachu turned to Ezria, who stared at Looker in shock.

"Is it true?" Serena asked.

"That's confidential information," Agent Lydon said.

"She's not asking you," Ash said.

"That's not your concern," Agent Lydon said.

"Wait a minute," Serena said, turning to Timothy. "Timothy, did you know about this?"

Ezria snapped out her shock and glowered at Serena.

"It is not your business what my knight knows or doesn't know about Uncle Rose's private business!" Ezria shouted before turning to Looker. "And I am not going anywhere with you! You have no proof that we are doing anything you accuse us of!"

"Yes, they do."

Ezria's heart sank, and she slowly moved her head to see Timothy and Electchu walk over to Looker and the police. They stopped next to Looker, and Timothy turned around to give Ezria a sad look. Ezria shook her head in disbelief and took a step back.

"No," she said. "Timothy, you swore! You swore you wouldn't tell!"

"And I didn't," Timothy said. "I was wired with a mic and camera on my suit when you took me to the Energy Plant. Everything about Rose's project, its problems, and your role in it; the International Police heard it all from your mouth."

"So, it is true," Serena said.

"No way," Ash said.

Suddenly, one of Timothy's Pokéballs fell out of his pocket and burst open. Knightblade appeared floating between Timothy and Ezria with a devastated look on its golden eye. Timothy's heart grew heavy with guilt, and he looked at Knightblade apologetically, confirming what it heard from inside its Pokéball. Ezria covered her mouth and took another step back as tears began to come out of her eyes.

"Timothy...how...how could you?" She whimpered.

"Well, considering Rose is knowingly risking lives, it was pretty easy to be against him," Timothy said.

"But we're doing it for the sake of Galar," Ezria protested. "We're supposed to be its new heroes. Heroes whose names no one will forget. We're supposed to become immortal."

"I don't care. I wasn't battling Dynamax Pokémon yesterday to be a celebrity, and I in no way fought Team Rocket for fame," Timothy said. "The truth is, Ezria, I didn't compete in the Gym Challenge or the World Coronation Series just because of my dream. I was using my accomplishments to grab Rose's attention and gain his trust so I could get the proof the International Police needed to stop him. You weren't supposed to be part of the plan, but after you showed so much interest in me, I was willing to be your friend and hoped to use our friendship to get you and Rose to see reason. To keep anyone from going to jail. But after I realized how you feel, and Rose supported the idea of the two of us, I had to compromise. I wish I didn't have to risk you and Knightblade getting hurt, but there was no alternative."

Serena's eyes widened, and she turned her head to Ezria.

"So, Ezria's the one Timothy had to be on good terms with for a mission Coovers is on," she thought. "Then, who is 'Anna?'"

"What else have you been hiding from me?!" Ezria asked.

"Well, let me think," Timothy replied, using his fingers as he listed his answers. "It took me two tries to beat Bea for my fourth badge. I despise that you manipulated Ned into forcing me to have a battle with him and that you've been playing with his feelings along with many other men. Three other people led the battle against Team Rocket besides me. I was third-in-command leading the trainers from Kanto, while Lance led the trainers from Johto single-handedly. Coovers led a team to rescue the International Police, who were captured by Team Rocket. Our friends, Brock and Holly, protected the camp used to heal Pokémon. Using the Master Ball to capture Arceus was Eletchu's idea, not mine. And finally, the plan only worked because Serena destroyed the Gieldanstone before Giovanni could make Arceus come out of the Master Ball and attack everyone, making my efforts useless. Bottom line, I'm not an all-powerful trainer, Galar owes a lifetime of gratitude to my friends for also stopping Team Rocket, and I'm sick of pretending I'm the sole hero of the entire world."

Timothy let out a sigh of relief before he continued.

"Oh, yeah. I've met Professor Magnolia, who told me Rose's plan, and Coovers' crush, Sonja, is actually the professor's granddaughter, Sonia."

Ash and Serena looked between Timothy and Ezria, feeling awkward with all the drama between them. Ezria stood motionless as she felt her whole world crashing down. Timothy looked at Knightblade, who was also stunned, and sighed before turning back to Ezria.

"I know this is a lot to take in, Ezria, but frankly, I'm thankful you asked that question," he said. "I hated hiding all this from you and so many others who owe their lives to every soul who fought to protect the world."

"So, you are so devoted to their side that you would gladly break my heart?!" Ezria asked. Her voice cracked as tears ran down her eyes.

"Gladly? Oh, no. No, I may be a lair, but I'm not cruel," Timothy said. "I tried to prevent things from ending this way, Ezria. Really. I tried to gently let you down, making it clear I see you only as a friend. I poured my heart into trying to make you, Knightblade, and Doublade realize that what Rose is doing is wrong. I even tried to reject your proposal. But no matter what I did, you wouldn't listen. I don't doubt that, in some manner, you truly love me, but I could never love, much less marry, someone who knowingly risks lives for an idea. A premonition. A cause that idolizes a place rather than the people and Pokémon that make it the place special. I am truly sorry it went this far, Ezria."

With Timothy's last words, Ezria felt her heart break as though it was made of thin glass. She fell to her knees, and two of the agents rushed to her side as she wept. Knightblade watched Ezria grieve with a devastated look in its eye and turned to Timothy. Timothy felt his heart ache with guilt for the Royal Sword Pokémon again, and he took a step toward his friend.

"I'm sorry you were a part of this too, Knightblade," he said. "Please understand you are part of my team, my family, regardless of how you became my Pokémon. I wanted you also to understand how damaging their plan is and hope that you would-"

"Knightblade, Flash Cannon!" Ezria screamed.

Timothy had a moment to react before Knightblade unleashed a white beam heading straight toward him. The beam hit him in his stomach and sent him crashing into a wall.

"Raichu!" Electchu screamed.

"Timothy!" Ash and Serena shouted.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted.

They rushed to Timothy's side as he lay on the ground, curled up in a ball. His chest and back were in agony. Ash and Serena carefully helped Timothy up.

"Yup. Yup, that's fair. I deserved that," Timothy moaned.

He looked up to see Ezria standing up with her eyes red and puffy. Knightblade flew over to the raspberry-haired woman, and she wrapped her arms around its shield. The Royal Sword Pokémon quietly cried, and Ezria shushed it and kissed the tips of its sword like a mother comforting her bullied child.

"There, there, sweet pea. Mommy's here. Mommy's got you," Ezria said in a soothing voice. "Mommy's very sorry she gave you away to that evil man."

Timothy winced at the sight of Knightblade choosing Ezria over him. Electchu equally felt its heart ache from seeing its new friend abandon them. Looker gave Timothy and his partner a sympathetic look, not knowing all the facts but understanding what he had to deal with to help Coovers. His sympathetic look melted into a serious frown as he turned to Ezria, who was still comforting Knightblade.

"Here's what's going to happen, Ms. Markenel; within less than 12 hours, we will find your employer, shut down the Energy Plant, and see to it Eternatus is kept from harming anyone," he said. "And in that cycle, you will be convicted as a conspirator along with your brother and aunt. Your fame and trust with the people of Galar will be ruined when word gets out about what you've been supporting. But, if you come in quietly and give us the location of the chairman, your image might be salvaged. Do the right thing, and tell us where Chairman Rose is."

"I would rather take on every police force in the world than to tell you where Uncle Rose is!" Ezria snarled. "In fact, if you don't leave my region right now, my Pokémon and I will force you and any other police force you throw at me to submission. How does that sound?"

"You overestimate your skills as a Pokémon trainer," Looker said.

"I don't think so. You are in my region, and even if Leon is the Champion, the reality is I am the queen Vespiquen of Galar. The most powerful trainer there ever was or ever will be again," Ezria declared. "If we were in a power spot right now, I would crush you and your little band with one of my Pokémon Dynamaxed, even with Timothy to back you up. Uncle Rose hired me to protect his dream, and you won't stop me from saving my kingdom even if Arceus itself were here to aid you."

She turns to Timothy and points at him with a warning glare.

"And you. You were lucky to beat me in battle when we met. I had staff members record your Gym Battles so I could watch them behind your back. I know all your tricks and your little strategies, and the fact that you lost to Bea proves that you are nowhere near as powerful as me. Even so, you are still well accomplished and had the courtesy to hate that you deceived me, which makes you still the only man worthy of being my husband. I don't care if I have to discipline you to love me unconditionally like a baby Growlithe learning to be a family pet. I am carrying out Uncle Rose's operation, possessing a man after my heart for all eternity, and I am not ruling all of Galar without one. One way or another, Timothy, you will come crawling back and begging me to accept your heart. I might even give Knightblade back when you do."

"You can't force Timothy to return your feelings like that!" Ash shouted.

"That's right. A love gained by force is no love at all!" Serena shouted.

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu shouted.

Ezria released a high-pitched cackle and said, "Aren't you an adorable couple? So young and naive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than deal with you."

"You're not going anywhere," Looker said. "Officers, arrest them all!"

"Weezing, use Smog!" Ezria shouted, throwing a Pokéball.

The Pokéball opened, and immediately Weezing released thick black smoke. The smoke covered Timothy, Ash, Serena, Looker, Electchu, Pikachu, and the police officers, making them shut their eyes and cough violently. The smoke cleared just in time to see Ezria, Knightblade, and Weezing race to the exit.

"Ezria!" Timothy shouted.

Timothy, Ash, Serena, Electchu, and Pikachu began running to Ezria and Knightblade when suddenly, three agents threw a Pokéball and a Durant, a Galarian Stunfisk, and a Mawile appeared in front of them. The tower entrance doors slid open, and Ezria stopped to return Weezing and looked at Timothy with a severe look.

"I'll be back for you, my love. I promise," she said.

"Coward!" Timothy yelled.

Ezria scoffed and exited the building, but Knightblade kept looking at Timothy. Timothy's face softened as he looked into Knightblade's golden eye. The Royal Sword Pokémon was conflicted between following its original trainer and returning to its new one. Timothy gave Knightblade a pleading look, and Knightblade hesitated until it heard Ezria shouting.

"Come on, Knightblade, let's go!"

Knightblade whimpered, feeling more pressured into choosing. After a couple of seconds, it turned back and followed Ezria, who had just summoned Doublade and climbed on top of it. Timothy watched as they flew away until the sound of Durant, Stunfisk, and Mawile getting ready to attack caught his attention. Pikachu and Electchu prepared to counter with sparks coming out of their cheeks, and Serena took out a Pokéball, preparing to take out Delphox.

Suddenly, streams of fire and beams of electricity hit the opponent Pokémon, forcing them back. The trainers turned to their right to see two Growlithe and white, yellow and black canine-like Pokémon named Boltund charging at the agent's Pokémon. Timothy, Ash, Serena, Electchu, and Pikachu turned around to see the agents and the police officers taking out their Pokémon and battling each other. Looker shouted orders before he ran over to the trainers.

"Where's Coovers?" He asked.

"He's on his way to Stow-on-Side with some of our friends," Timothy said.

"He's what?! He was supposed to stay with you!" Looker shouted.

"He was, but then Galar Particles began escaping from the Energy Plant shortly after Coovers sent you the evidence. Long story short, two of our friends, Gwen, and Professor Magnolia's granddaughter, Sonia, are trying to solve the Galar region's legend, believing they might be able to subdue Eternatus before things get worse. Coovers volunteered to join them for protection from Dynamax Pokémon."

"And Goh is with them too," Ash said.

Looker frowned and sighed in frustration before saying, "I'll need to talk with Coovers over when it's right to alter his mission, but if your other friends are doing what is necessary to stop the chairman, then I hope they succeed. Meantime, you three go after Ezria Markenel. We'll deal with the chairman's security here.

"Right," Timothy, Ash, and Serena said simultaneously.

With that, the three trainers, Electchu and Pikachu, exited the tower while Looker went back to focusing on the battle. Ash threw a Pokéball into the air, and a Dragonite came out with a roar. Ash, Serena, and Pikachu hopped on Dragonite's back while Timothy and Electchu realized they were without transportation.

"Uh, Ash, you wouldn't happen to have another flying Pokémon Electchu and I can ride in, would you?" Timothy asked.

Ash rubbed his chin in thought and snapped his fingers.

"Yeah, I know just the Pokémon," he said as he took out a Pokéball. "Gengar, use Psychic on Timothy and Electchu!"

The ball opened, and a Gengar came out cackling as it stuck out its tongue. Its eyes then glowed light purple, and Timothy and Electchu were lifted into the air with a light purple aura surrounding their bodies.

"Whoa! Not only do you have a Dragonite, but you also have a Gengar that can use Psychic?" Timothy asked.

"Yup and I got a Riolu too," Ash said with a toothy grin.

"Seriously? Sounds like we have to talk about both of us having a Gengar and you having Odyssey's pre-evolved form when this is over," Timothy said.

"I was hoping you'd feel that way," Ash said. "Anyway, let's go. We need to catch up with Ezria."

"But how are we going to do that when she has a head start, and we don't even know where she's going?" Serena asked.

"She's going to a city called Hammerlocke. Chairman Rose is holding Eternatus there, and he told me last night that he was going there today. Just get us in the air, and I'll show you the way."

"Sounds good, but you should bring us up to speed with what's going on on the way," Ash said.

"Deal," Timothy said. "Meantime, we're going straight south to Hammerlocke."

"Right. Dragonite, Gengar, let's go!" Ash shouted.

Dragonite lifted itself into the air with a mighty flap of its wings while Gengar levitated into the air while carrying Timothy and Electchu. As Dragonite and Gengar flew south, Timothy brought Ash and Serena up to speed on what was happening. But while talking to friends, his mind was on how to confront Ezria with Ash and Serena or if it was possible with Knightblade by her side. But even if they did, there was no telling how much he could do past that with Looker occupied and Eternatus still endangering the region. All Timothy could do was hope Gwen solving the mystery with Sonia, Coovers, and Goh would stop the chairman's plan once and for all.