Leon was on all fours as he looked up at Ezria. His Charizard rubbed its side, where there was a small block of ice formed from Avalugg's Ice Beam. Ezria stood tall with a sinister grin, relishing the sight of Leon on his hands and knees before her. Leon looked up, where Eternatus was still collecting Galar Particles from all over the region, and pushed himself up to face Ezria.

"Ezria, listen to me. Eternatus will be fully restored at any minute. We have to work together to catch it and seal it away," Leon said.

Ezria let out a high-pitched laugh, with Doublade, Knightblade, and Avalugg joining in.

"Did Uncle Rose say he mentored you to catch Eternatus?" Ezria asked mockingly. "Well, too bad. Uncle Rose gave me the assignment first, and I'm gonna see it through."

"This is no time to treat this like a competition!" Leon shouted.

"Oh, but I think it is," Ezria said. "In fact, if you want to be the hero of the day so badly, I'll battle you for the honor. A full battle deciding who gets the honor of Galar's Champion and its hero with only the challenger making substitutions."

"You can't be serious. You're so obsessed with proving you're better than everyone that you'll want to battle before trying to save everyone?" Leon asked. "You can't make me battle you."

"Are you sure? Cause if you ignore battle Eternatus and me, my Pokemon will attack you and make sure you're out of my way just like that," Ezria said. "At least by battling me, you have a fair chance to prove your worth for all of my beloved Galar."

Knightblade's proud stance faded and it turned to Ezria in disbelief. It was behind battling for Ezria both for taking Eternatus and showing she was stronger than Leon but threatening him to fight was too far to the Royal Sword Pokémon.

"Eternatus could be fully restored before we even finish a battle!" Leon pointed out.

Ezria rubbed her chin and hummed, pretending to think about it.

"You know something? I'm okay with that possibility," she said. "The way I see it, by capturing Eternatus in its full state, by having it submit to me, I'll prove that it can be tamed to power Galar for all eternity. That'll show you and certain parties that you've feared this blessing for nothing."

"You don't know the full extent of Eternatus's power. It may be too much for either of us," Leon said.

"I don't expect it to be easy, but that's the way I want it to be. I mean, what's a heroic deed without some difficulty?" Ezria said.

Leon growled in irritation and said, "Even if you beat me in battle, your Pokémon will be too weak to go against Eternatus."

"You just watch me crush you in battle Leon. Leave Eternatus to me," Ezria said. "I've been waiting all my life to put you in your place and to see Uncle Rose's dream fulfilled. After so many years of growing strong for me, I will not allow my lovelies to let anyone stop me. Not you, Eternatus, the police or even the love of my life. Now, face me in a battle or get out of the way. I have a region to save and a heart to claim."

Doublade and Avalugg exclaimed calls of confidence. Knightblade, on the other hand, looked at Ezria in stupefaction. Two months ago, it would have joined her party in cheering while holding its shield up in the air with pride. Still, as Knightblade listened to her, she sounded less like someone caring about the people and Pokémon of the region and more about how she wanted to be a hero for her image. Even the way she spoke about Knightblade and the rest of her party felt off. It sounded less like she was confident she would win because she trusted her Pokémon and more as she said so. Knightblade's first trainer sounded less like a wise and skilled person and more delusional and reckless at that moment.

It was then that Knightblade wondered if it was wrong to leave Timothy. Despite having a rocky start, Timothy treated Knightblade as an equal to his other Pokémon, gave it a name (albeit at Ezria's request,) and his other Pokémon treated it like family. Timothy treated his Pokémon as individuals and called Ezria out on looking at Galar as an idea. At the same time, however, Timothy still accepted Knightblade as a gift to be on good terms with Ezria and manipulated both of them. The more Knightblade thought about it, the more it deemed neither trainer innocent, leaving it unsure who it should be siding with.

Leon's hands turned into balls of fists, livid that Ezria was blind to the chairman's ideas and her delusions of grandeur. By this point, it felt as though everyone in Macro Cosmos he's been around are delusional, arrogant fools. The only people he could trust now are people he only knew for a short time like Ash, Serena, Timothy and Coovers. Left with no choice, he took out a Pokéball.

"If there's ever a time I need Sonia's teachings to help me, it's now," he said. "Go, Aegislash!"

He threw a Pokéball and an Aegislash in regular colors came out, ready to fight. Ezria and her Pokémon chuckled except for Knightblade.

"So, it finally begins," Ezria said with a prideful grin as she took out a Pokéball. "Coalossal, go!"

The Coal Pokemon came out and stomped on the ground with the coals in its back burning bright. The tower was silent apart from Eternatus roaring as it collected Galar Particles. Leon brainstormed what moves to make against Ezria's Coalossal while his opponent stood calmly, showing no hint of concern about what Leon would do.

"Aegislash, Sacred Sword!" He shouted.

"Ha! Just as I thought," Ezria said. "Coalossal, wait until it's close enough, and then use Incinerator!"

Aegislash switched to its blade form and charged toward Coalossal with its blade glowing light blue. Coalossal stood still until its opponent was a few seconds away from striking it, then unleashed a beam of orange, yellow, red, and black fire from its mouth. The fire hit Aegislash before it had a moment to react and sent it hitting the ground with burns all over its body.

"Now, use Rock Tomb!" Ezria shouted.

Coalossal waved its little arms, creating wisps of sand that surrounded Aegislash. Before the Royal Sword Pokémon tried to get up, it was suddenly encompassed in a swirling sand vortex. Aegislash tried to free itself, but no matter what it did, it was trapped in the vortex.

"Now, use Incinerator again!" Ezria shouted.

"Aegislash, use King's Shield!" Leon shouted.

Grunting, Aegislash turned to its Shield Forme and light blue hexagonal shapes appeared in front of Aegislash until they formed a shield. The fire exploded upon hitting the shield, but Ezria's smirk didn't falter.

"Burn Up!" She shouted.

With the balls of fire reduced to nothing but smoke, the hexagonal shapes disappeared in front of Aegislash, who was still stuck in the Sand Tomb. When the dust cleared, however, Leon and Aegislash saw a massive wave of fire coming toward Aegislash. Before Leon had a moment to make a command, Aegislash was sent flying from the vortex of sand and landing a couple of feet to Leon's left.

Ezria's Pokémon cheered and laughed at Coalossal's fallen opponent. Leon stood dumbstruck that Ezria's Pokémon had beaten his Aegislash in just three moves. His face turned serious, and he looked back at Ezria, who enjoyed seeing him so flabbergasted.

"You do realize that your Coalossal is no longer part Fire type thanks to that, right?" Leon asked.

"Oh, I'm aware," Ezria said in a singing voice. "Now, take out your next Pokémon."

Leon gave her a sullen glare as he returned Aegislash to its Pokéball.

"Go, Dragapult!" He shouted, throwing another Pokéball.

Dragapult came bursting out of its container, the Dreepy in its horns joining it for a battle cry. Ezria chuckled with her mouth closed and turned her head to Avalugg as she took out Coalossal's Pokéball.

"Coalossal, sweetie, come back. Avalugg, your turn," Ezria said.

Coalossal gave Dragapult a smug look before it stepped in front of Ezria while Coalossal returned to its Pokéball. Leon's frown deepened and he began thinking of a way to take the Pokémon his Dragapult was weak against.

"You may have the first move," Leon said.

"Well, what a gentleman," Ezria said. "Avalugg, Crunch!"

Leon's focused face disappeared as Avalugg charged toward Dragapult. Even though Dragapult was weak to a Dark type move like Crunch, Leon expected Ezria to tell Avalugg to use Ice Beam or some other ranged Ice type attack. He put back his game face, thinking Ezria's arrogance might have given him the opening he needed to turn things around.

"Dragapult, dodge, and use Flamethrower!" Leon shouted.

Dragapult moved to the left to avoid Avalugg's jaws and unleashed a massive stream of fire from its mouth. Avalugg groaned and moved back, its Ice type body severely hurt from the Fire type attack.

"Now use Dragon Darts followed by Dragon Rush!" Leon shouted.

The Dreepy launched from the holes in Dragapult's horns like missiles and hit Avalugg's face. As the Dreepy went back into the holes on Dragapult's head, the Stealth Pokémon's body became outlined in light blue for a moment before it was surrounded in a light blue aura. It slammed into Avalugg's side, nearly making it lose its balance. Avalugg cried out after each hit, but it stood its ground, ignoring the burns and bruises.

"Use Flamethrower again!" Leon shouted.

"Blizzard, now!" Ezria shouted.

Dragapult took a deep breath to use Flamethrower again, but before it could unleash the fire from its mouth, it was blown back by a powerful Blizzard. Leon covered his face with his arm as Charizard used its wings to cover its face from the blizzard. Dragapult tried to stay in the air with its eyes shut but its body rapidly grew weak from the Ice attack. The Blizzard sent Dragapult flying back and landing in front of Leon.

"Now, use Ice Beam!" Ezria shouted.

Leon and Charizard still covered their faces when they heard a beam shot out, and Dragapult and its Dreepy screamed until their voices were silenced. When Leon and his partner uncovered their faces, Dragapult was trapped in a block of ice. Its eyes were still shut and its mouth wide open from screaming in pain. Leon closed his eyes and breathed through his nose to contain his emotions before returning Dragapult.

"You tricked me into thinking I had the upper hand," he said.

"Yes, I did," Ezria said.

"You put a little too much faith in your Avalugg defense. Don't you think, Ezria?" Leon asked

"Considering the state it's in, and how quickly it put your puny Dragapult in its place, I'm going to say no," Ezria said.

"Yeah? Well, you better be careful how far you're gonna take that confidence," Leon said as he threw another Pokéball. "Haxorus, let's go!"

"Avalugg, come back! Weezing, your turn!" Ezria shouted.

Haxorus came out of its Pokéball in a flash while Avalugg disappeared and Weezing appeared in its place. Leon frowned and raised his eyebrow as he looked at the Galarian Poison Gas Pokémon.

"Does Ezria know Haxorus knows Earthquake and Iron Tail, both of which are powerful against a Poison and Fairy type?" Leon thought. "If so, she's taking a risk. Galarian Weezing has a lot of defense, but nothing like Avalugg. If I'm clever, I might be able to use Ezria's trust in her Pokémon's stability against her."

"Haxorus, use Iron Tail!" Leon shouted.

"Weezing, dear, use Smog followed by Gyro Ball," Ezria said.

Weezing opened its mouth on its larger body and released a stream of thick black smoke just as Haxorus charged toward it. Haxorus stopped running and covered its eyes as the smoke appeared all around it. The Axe Jaw Pokémon then felt something ram its side with a powerful force, knocking it off its feet.

"Haxorus, use Earthquake, now!" Leon shouted.

Haxorus stomped on the ground, creating shockwaves, and everyone heard two raspy wails followed by the sound of something falling on the ground with a thud. The smoke cleared, and Weezing was lying on its back a few yards away on Haxorus' right.

"Now, use Iron Tail multiple times!" Leon shouted.

"Weezing, use Dazzling Gleam!" Ezria shouted.

Both heads of Weezing were in a daze for a moment before they saw their opponent charge at them again with its tail glowing white. With no time to lift itself back into the air, Weezing quickly surrounded its body in a field of energy. Before it could do anything else, however, Haxorus slammed its tail on Weezing's larger head, forcing it down. Haxorus swung its tail back and forth, hitting both of Weezing's heads to keep it incapacitating. For the first time since the battle started, Ezria's proud face faded away, for she knew even with the defense it had, Weezing wasn't going to last long.

"Weezing, block with Gyro Ball, then use Dazzling Gleam now!" She shouted.

Weezing's eyes snapped open, and it spun around with its body surrounded by a light blue aura, blocking itself from Haxorus' tail. With its moment of respite, Weezing raised itself into the air, and the blue aura around its body changed into another field of rainbow-colored energy.

"Haxorus, Earthquake!" Leon shouted.

Haxorus raised its foot and stomped on the ground, creating shockwaves again. At the same time, the rainbow energy around Weezing expanded outward. The shockwaves and the rainbow energy hit their respective targets, sending the Pokémon flying away from each other. After a few seconds, Haxorus and Weezing got up with their bodies decorated in scratches and bruises. Then both of Weezing's heads shut their eyes, grunted, and wobbled before it fell on its side with swirly eyes.

Ezria, Doublade, and Knightblade looked at Weezing, devastated. Even though she was in the lead and Haxorus was badly hurt, Ezria felt disillusioned after things didn't go the way she intended after preparing Weezing to face Leon's Haxorus for years. Leon and Charizard felt at ease with the battle not as one-sided. Haxorus was smiling at Weezing, ignoring the damage it took from Dazzling Gleam.

Ezria lifted her head toward Haxorus, and her shock turned into anger. She returned Weezing to its Pokéball and took Avalugg out of its Pokéball again. Haxorus' smile faded and it took another battle stance. Leon's face also turned serious, knowing what Ezria was planning.

"Haxorus, Outrage!" He shouted.

"Blow it back with Blizzard!" Ezria screamed.

Haxorus's eyes glowed red, and its body briefly became surrounded in a red aura. It charged at Avalugg with its tusks ready to slash at it with its tusks, but the Iceberg Pokémon summoned another Blizzard that kept it from advancing. Haxorus clenched its teeth, feeling its body grow weaker but it kept its ground. It took slow steps toward Avalugg, who showed no concern. Haxorus was halfway toward Avalugg from where it started until its eyes grew heavy. Finally, the Blizzard sent it flying, letting out the agony it was feeling until it hit the ground. The Axe Jaw Pokémon lay on its side facing Leon and Charizard and gave its trainer an apologetic look before it lost consciousness.

Ezria sighed through her nose as her Pokémon cheered for Avalugg. Leon also sighed in defeat as he begrudgingly returned Haxorus. He wasn't entirely surprised his third Pokémon lost against a Pokémon it was weak against so quickly, but Ezria's moment of payback proved even with one Pokémon down, she still had him where she wanted him: coming off as weak despite being the Champion. He looked back at his opponent as she returned Avalugg again.

"You love relying on moves that your opponent's Pokémon are weak against, don't you?" Leon said.

"I believe you've said it several times when battling in the Championship Cup and the World Coronation Series that aiming for super effective hits is a surefire way to victory," Ezria said, smirking again.

"You watch a lot of my battles?" Leon asked.

"Of course," Ezria said. "Like the Gym Leaders, I've studied your battles for as long as I can remember, even before Uncle Rose gave me Doublade and Knightblade. I captured my other Pokémon when most were in their evolved forms and trained them according to what I planned for our eventual battle. Each one is trained with one of your Pokémon in mind. Granted, I can't act like Weezing didn't disappoint me immensely by failing to beat your Haxorus after training it to do so for so long. Still, the setback has been corrected, and I assure you that won't happen again."

"Don't make any promises you don't know you can keep," Leon said, taking out his fourth Pokéball. "Rhyperior, let's go!"

"Sirfetch'd, make Mommy proud," Ezria said as she also threw a Pokéball.

Sirfetch'd appeared in front of Rhyperior as it appeared in front of Leon. The Drill Pokémon grinned at the little bird less than a third of its height. Rhyperior's trainer, on the other hand, didn't share its confidence.

"Just by being a Fighting type, Ezria's Sirfetch'd is resistant to half of Rhyperior's attacks," Leon thought. "For all I know, she wanted a Fighting type Pokémon in her team because Rhyperior's weak to Fighting types, but because it knows Megahorn and Stone Edge, making only the other half of its moves effective. But, wait. If she knows all of my Pokemon's attacks, then she should know Rhyperior knows Heat Crash, which is more powerful the smaller the opponent is. Given the size of Sirfetch'd, one hit from Heat Crash would instantly take it out. Is she relying on its shield to protect it somehow, or is this supposed to be another trap?"

"Sirfetch'd, Brave Bird!" Ezria shouted.

Leon snapped out of his train of thought to find Sirfetch'd running straight toward Rhyperior with its leek aimed at its target and its body surrounded in an orange bird-shaped aura.

"Rhyperior, Earthquake!" Leon shouted.

Rhyperior created shockwaves that knocked Sirfetch'd off its feet, and it fell on its back. Leon turned his eyes to Ezria, who glared at Rhyperior with her teeth clenched and her hands turned into fists.

"That's the second time I've made a move that's made her stop smirking," Leon thought. "Earthquake is not super effective against a Fighting type like Sirfetch'd, but it still causes serious damage. If Ezria's not happy that her Pokémon is so badly damaged on top of ordering Sirfetch'd to use a risky move like Brave Bird, her arrogance might get the best of her. I better take my shot."

"Rhyperior, Heat Crash!" Leon shouted.

Rhyperior jumped high into the air and surrounded its body in a sphere of yellow-orange flames. Rhyperior came falling like a meteor toward Sirfetch'd, who was still lying on its back with closed eyes. Ezria watched in frustration, giving Leon hope until her frown suddenly turned into a maniacal grin.

"Now, dodge and use Solar Blade!"

Sirfetch'd's eyes snapped open, and it grabbed its leek and shield before rolling away just in the nick of time. Rhyperior landed on the ground with an earth-shaking thud, creating a hole in the floor. The flames around its body disappeared, and it looked down, confused that it didn't feel a small body under its feet. Yellow light could be seen from the corner of Rhyperior's eye, and it turned its head to see a giant blade of energy coming from Sirfetch'd's leek. Rhyperior's eyes shrank, and the blood drained from its face as Sirfetch'd slammed the blade down at its opponent, creating an even bigger hole in the ground. The energy disappeared to reveal Rhyperior lying on its side with its eyes closed and its body covered with cuts and bruises from head to toe. The Drill Pokémon grunted and tried to push itself up, but Ezria wasn't having it.

"Brick Break! Don't stop until it's down!" She commanded.

Sirfetch'd smacked Rhyperior in the face with its leek glowing yellow. It waited to see if Rhyperior was still trying to get up before hitting it a second time. Rhyperior's arms felt like rubber as it tried to get up one more time before Sirfetch'd slashed its head into the floor with its leek, instantly knocking it out.

"But...but how?" Leon asked.

"It's quite simple, really," Ezria said matter-of-factly. "With my sweet Sirfetch'd resistant to Megahorn and Stone Edge, it was only logical that you'd disrupt its attack with Earthquake and then, after thinking about it, follow with Heat Crash. I pretended to be frustrated, so you'd take the time to think I've gotten too cocky, giving Sirfetch'd enough time to come to its senses in time for it to dodge and take out its opponent with an attack it is extremely weak too. Frankly, I'm impressed your Rhyperior was still conscious after getting hit with Solar Blade. Not that it mattered in the end."

Leon growled with his fists closed and barked, "You let your Pokémon get badly injured!"

"A necessary sacrifice," Ezria said while returning Sirfetch'd. "One completely worth it just to see you be tricked so easily."

"You're toying with me," Leon said.

Ezria let out a high-pitched, maniacal laugh that made Leon and Charizard uneasy.

"Of course I am, Leon. And what fun it is," she said. "Now, your next Pokémon, please."

On the outside, Leon was looking daggers at his opponent. On the inside, however, fear and doubt were overtaking him. Two Pokémon left, his opponent still having a whole party, leaving out Weezing and Eternatus growing more powerful by the minute. Never before had Galar's Champion felt at risk of losing for the first time in his life or felt the pressure of letting everyone down when they needed him the most. There was no telling what Ezria's fifth Pokémon was going to be, how it was powerful against his next Pokémon, or how it was resistant to its attacks. There was also no telling how she planned to beat Charizard with either Doublade or Knightblade. Leon considered having his partner go next, but he needed it for Gigantamaxing, and it was his best card for taking down Eternatus. Muttering under his breath, Leon took out another Pokéball from his pocket and threw it.

"Rillaboom, I'm counting on you!"

The ball opened, and in a flash, Rillaboom came out beating its drum with a roar. Ezria ley out another cackle that worried Leon as she returned Sirfetch'd and threw her next Pokéball.

"Scyther, make Mommy proud!"

Scyther came out, clashing its scythes together to intimidate its opponent. Leon's fear grew, his mind thinking of all the possible ways the Flying and Bug type Pokémon might swiftly beat Rillaboom.

"Scyther, dear, Air Slash!" Ezria shouted.

"Rillaboom, protect yourself with Drum Beating!" Leon shouted.

Rillaboom banged its drum again, and two large vines came out and blocked the light-blue, glowing energy blades from Scyther's scythes.

"Now, use Acrobatics!" Leon shouted.

"Dodge and use Acrobatics as well!" Ezria shouted.

Rillaboom picked up its drum and both it and its drum became surrounded in white aura. It then charged toward Scyther, aiming its drum at it like a swordsman about to ram his enemy with his shield. Scyther flew up to avoid the attack, and its body glowed light-blue. It quickly zipped through the air and tackled Rillaboom. Ezria's grin stretched to the side of her face until she felt a vibration inside her pocket.

"You have a call from Aunt Oleana. You have a call from Aunt Oleana," her Rotom Phone said.

Ezria scoffed and took out her phone to hit the decline button. Unfortunately, Leon took her distraction as a chance to retaliate.

"Rillaboom, use Endeavor!" He shouted.

Rillaboom stood up and banged its drum, creating waves of energy that hit Scyther. The Mantis Pokémon screamed, taking the same amount of damage its opponent took from its Acrobatics attack. Ezria grumbled in irritation as she watched Scyther slowly get up with scratches all over its body.

"Now, use Acrobatics again!" Leon shouted.

"Assurance!" Ezria shouted.

Scyther lifted itself back up in the air and avoided Rillaboom's drum before smacking Rillaboom in the face with its sharp scythes. The Drummer Pokemon howled and grew dizzy, feeling so much of its strength disappear after taking twice the amount of damage Assurance delivers typically. Ezria grew excited, knowing victory was in her Pokémon's grasp until the moment was disrupted by her Rotom Phone vibrating again.

"You have a call from Aunt Oleana. You have a call from Aunt-"

"Rotom, shut up!" Ezria barked. "Scyther, X-Scissor!"

Scyther crossed its scythes, and they started to glow light purple. It then flew towards Rollaboom and sliced them in an 'X'-like fashion, knocking the gorilla-like Pokémon off its feet. Rillaboom fell on its back and raised its head in an attempt to get up before it fainted with swirly eyes.

Leon struggled even more to keep his cool as he returned Rillaboom to its Pokéball. He hung his head low as he heard Ezria laughing louder and Scyther returning to its Pokéball. Deep down, he felt like a new trainer struggling to battle with his Pokémon for the first time rather than a Champion. He was thankful Sonia wasn't there to see him so humiliated despite all of her teachings in Pokémon battling.

Charizard stepped in front of him and gave him a smirk, proving it was ready to fight. Leon smiled back for a brief moment before his gaze turned to Doublade and Knightblade. He knew Ezria would choose one of them as her final Pokémon, but he didn't know how she intended to beat Charizard. If anything, it didn't make sense that she'd choose either Ghost and Steel type Pokémon when they were weak to Fire types. Could Ezria be using his doubt as the key to winning the battle or did she have a special strategy to beat Charizard with moves it wasn't weak against? At this point, nothing was certain.

Just then, the moment was interrupted by Rotom announcing that Oleana was calling again. Ezria growled and took out her phone to answer.

"What do you want?! I'm busy!" She barked.

"Ezria, abort your mission and make your way to the landing platform immediately," Oleana said.

"What are you talking about? I'm minutes away from beating Leon in a full battle and capturing Eternatus!" Ezria shouted. "Uncle Rose himself assigned me to capture it!"

"This order is from the chairman. Hammerlocke Stadium has been compromised," Oleana said.

"What are you talking about?!" Ezria growled.

"Ash has beaten Chairman Rose in a Double Battle and his companion's partner has beaten my Milotic," Ezria said. "Furthermore, Timothy and his friends started a riot attacking Venarge and our security team. The police have come to arrest them, and Timothy's attempting to break his way in."

Ezria's eyes widened, and she rushed over to the edge of the tower. Leon, Charizard, Doublade and Knightblade looked at each other before they followed Ezria and looked down below. Timothy, Coovers, Serena, Looker, and multiple civilians were at the end of the street with their Pokémon pulling the drawbridge down. Dozens of police officers had Venarge and the security team in cuffs. Leon watched the civilians work together with his friends in amazement. Knightblade watched Timothy stand beside Shockwave with Odyssey, holding the Embrace Pokémon's hand and patting its back. The Royal Sword Pokémon felt its insides melt from witnessing the love and care its former trainer gave his friend.

Ezria, on the other hand, looked at Timothy with her hands turned into balls of fists. Part of her was frustrated with how far Timothy had gone to interfere with Chairman Rose's goal, but at the same time, she adored his persistence and how Timothy's attack on the stadium felt like a taste of him taking the fight to Team Rocket.

"Blast it all, my love. Why do you have to be so daring?" Ezria muttered to herself.

"It seems people don't share Chairman Rose's confidence in controlling Eternatus as you do," Leon said.

Ezria's face turned red, and she tightened her grip on her phone to fight the urge to blow a fuse. Doublade and Knightblade floated beside her, trying to tell her to calm down in their respective language, but she paid no mind. Finally, as her face started to become as red as Venarge's hair, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out before turning to Leon.

"That's fine. I won anyway," she said.

"What? What are you talking about?" Leon asked.

"My precious Doublade was next, and even if your already damaged Charizard defeated it you'd still have the rest of my team ready and able to finish Charizard off. So, if I didn't have to flee right now, I would have surely captured and tamed Eternatus on top of beating you, and I'd have saved everyone with most of my team still conscious. By getting this far, I've proved that being Galar's new Champion and its hero is my destiny because I can do what the great Leon can't. Now all you have is your Charizard, and it won't be enough to stop Eternatus. Nothing can stop it by battling but me. Uncle Rose and Aunt Oleana lost to boys, a mob beat my brother, and now everyone's defiance is forcing us all to leave. Granted, the love of my life still has most of his Pokémon and probably intends to use the Master Ball, so at least with him, Galar will be safe."

"The what ball?" Leon asked.

"Never you mind," Ezria said. "The point is only I can save our region without a sword and shield or a Pokéball that instantly catches a Pokémon, and I am the strongest trainer in all of my beloved Galar. I don't know how I'll fix things with my knight without catching Eternatus, but what the heck? We found each other by sheer luck. We'll find a way to be together in the end."

Leon looked at the raspberry-haired woman in disbelief. First, she was forcing him to battle when the region's fate hung in the balance, and then suddenly, she was leaving when she had the best chance to capture Eternatus and save lives. Knightblade also looked at Ezria, surprised and worried about how she was leaving things to chance. It agreed that the Master Ball would ensure Eternatus' capture. Still, despite not knowing what Oleana said to Ezria, whatever reason there was to run should not be as important as saving everyone. Once more, the Royal Sword Pokémon grew conflicted about which side it should be on, but its train of thought was interrupted by Oleana's voice coming from the receiver.

"Ezria, what are you doing? Get over here now!" she shouted.

Ezria lifted the phone to her ear and said, "I'm on my way, Aunt Oleana."

She hung up the phone and Doublade turned its back on her for her to climb on it without needing to say a word. Ezria's partner lifted up in the air, and Ezria gave Leon a sad smile.

"When Timothy catches Eternatus, tell him I'm proud of him, and I'll be waiting for us," she said.

Before Leon could ask what she meant, Doublade and Knightblade flew away, with the former carrying its partner. He growled again, furious with how far his mentor's twisted ideals have blinded so many people close to him. Leon turned to Eternatus, who was still collecting Galar Particles, and he felt the weight of trying to capture it with only one Pokémon. Charizard had never let it down, leastways in its Gigantamax form, and yet it was still damaged, and there was still no telling how close Eternatus was to being fully restored after spending so much time focusing on a battle.

Charizard nudged Leon with its snout, breaking his train of thought, and gave him another confident smirk to cheer up its partner. Leon smiled back, but this time, it was more sincere, and he was appreciative of his dearest companion. His face turned serious, and he slapped both sides of his face to focus before he looked up at Eternatus and pointed at it, driven once again by the desire to see Sonia's smiling face again.

"Charizard, return!"

Charizard growled in compliance before it turned into pink energy and was sucked into its Pokéball. Leon stretched out his arm, smirking.

"Time for some Gigantamaxing!" he shouted.

Galar Particles came out of his Dynamax Band and entered Charizard's Pokéball. The Pokéball glowed pink and began to grow for a few seconds before it shrunk back to size. Leon's smirk disappeared as he realized the Galar Particles were drained from the container and went up to Eternatus' core. Eternatus let out a roar and fired a pink beam at Leon. He jumped away from the line of fire, and the beam destroyed another chunk of the floor. Leon covered his face from the debris until the smoke cleared up. He looked back up to find Eternatus gathering Galar Particles again, with many more being sucked into its core at once than before.