It wasn't long before the crowd was cheering inside Wyndon stadium for the next match of the champion cup finals. Shuichi and Tsumugi each were on the field, Cosplay Pikachu being by Tsumugi's side as always. For this occasion, Pikachu had decided to dress up as Pikachu Rockstar.
"I never thought we'd be facing each other in a Pokémon Battle, Shuichi." Tsumugi smiled.
"Yeah. Me either. To be honest, it's kind of ironic, actually." Shuichi said.
"You mean, back when I was that evil person in Danganronpa 53?" Tsumugi looked away. "When the Coalition revived me, I had lost all of my memories of that whole scandal. Even when they were slowly returning, I had found solace in all of you." Tsumugi then looked. "I may not remember all of what happened then yet but…I want us to have a battle that I can remember as a great and exciting one! So that we can treasure it as friends!"
"On that, I couldn't agree more, Tsumugi. I only request that you don't hold back." Shuichi said.
"I could say the same to you." Tsumugi adjusted her glasses as the two took their positions.
"Now, trainers...BEGIN!" the referee called.
"I'll start off with Sandslash!" Tsumugi said sending out Sandslash.
"Here we go, Drapion!" Shuichi said sending out Drapion.
"The first move is ours! Now Sandlash, Metal Claw!" Tsumugi called as Sandlash charged.
"Go for a Cross Poison!" Shuichi said.
The two Pokémon then clashed claws, Sandslash easily able to resist Drapion's attacks.
"Tsumugi made a great starting choice. Sandlash has great resistance against Poison Type attacks." Hope said.
"True, but if I know Shuichi, he's packing some other stuff too." Kokichi said.
"Now, time for an Ice Fang!" Shuichi said.
"Dodge it using Dig!" Tsumugi called as Sandlash dug underground just in time.
"Get ready, Drapion. Use Hone Claws." Shuichi said. Drapion increased its attack for the time being.
"There! Get him!" Tsumugi called as Sandslash burst up from the ground.
"Now! Ice Fang again!" Shuichi said. This time Drapion didn't miss, biting into Sandlash and landing as Super Effective hit.
"So Shuichi taught his Drapion Ice Fang. That's a smart play." Connor said.
"The many strategies you can come up with when trying to make up for weaknesses." David said.
"Don't give in, Sandlash! Use Magnitude!" Tsumugi called.
"Magnitude? That's a pretty chance move. The higher the number, the more damage Drapion will take." Connor said.
"And Drapion is a Poison-Type, so it doesn't look good on Shuichi's end." Tapu Fini said.
"The Magnitude number is...6!" Tsumugi called as Sandlash unleashed a devastating earthquake, damaging Drapion immensely as he was taken down.
"Drapion, return!" Shuichi said recalling Drapion. "You've been working hard with Sandslash, I can see. He wasn't able to do that before."
"Ever since Kanto, I've been training hard. Being defeated by Simon helped me realize I can get stronger. I don't want you all looking out for me so much." Tsumugi said.
"And it looks like that resolve is carrying you well. But this battle has just started. Let's go, Crawdaunt!" Shuichi said sending out Crawdaunt.
"Against a Water Type, Sandslash still has difficulty but…" Tsumugi said. "I'm not about to lose now! Sandlash, dig!" Tsumugi called as sandlash dug underground.
"Crawdaunt, Harden!" Shuichi said.
Crawdaunt hardened, increasing its defense as Sandlash attacked, but did little damage.
"Now, Crabhammer!" Shuichi said. Crawdaunt then slammed one of its pincers into Sandlashs face, sending it flying as it was knocked out.
"Now they're all tied up. This should be a close one." Hope said.
"You really stepped up your game, Shuichi. Then in that case, I'll kick things up too!" Tsumugi said as she returned Sandslash. "You're up, Victreebel!" she said sending out Victreebel.
"Good Choice. Victreebel's a perfect match for someone like Crawdaunt." Connor nodded.
"Type effectiveness isn't everything, Connor. Some of us have proven that already." David said.
"Okay Victreebel, use Sludge Bomb!" Tsumugi called as Victreebel blasted its Poison Type attack.
"Use Night Slash!" Shuichi said. Crawdaunt cut through Victereebel's attack and hit it.
"Hang in there Victreebel! Use Razor Leaf!" Tsumugi called as Victreebel fired at Crawdaunt, hitting him hard.
"You can take it, Crawdaunt. Use Ice Beam!" Shuichi said. Crawdaunt fired back at Victreebel, Super Effective hit for Super Effective hit.
"This should take down your Crawdaunt! Victreebel, charge up and use Solarbeam!" Tsumugi called.
"We can't let that Solarbeam fire! Go for another Ice Beam!" Shuichi said.
Crawdaunt attacked again as Victreebel took the beam, nearing full charge.
"If you're going down Victreebel, take him with you!" Tsumugi called.
Victreebell held on long enough for his Solarbeam to fire right at Crawdaunt, taking him down. Victerebell then felt the effects of the Ice Beam and fainted too.
"It's a double KO!" Akane called.
Tsumugi then laughed. "This is getting fun, Shuichi!"
"I know. It makes me wish we had time for this more often." Shuichi said.
"So then lets make up for lost time." Tsumugi said. "Here's my next Pokémon! Come out, Corviknight!" she called summoning the familiar Flying and Steel type.
"Let's keep this up. You're up, Golurk!" Shuichi said sending out Golurk.
"Now this'll be an interesting matchup. Ground and Ghost vs Flying and Steel." Hope said.
"Because of Corviknight's Flying-type attributes, any Ground-type attacks are rendered useless. It'll be interesting to see how Shuichi plans to counteract this." David said.
"Corviknight, let's start out strong! Soar into the air, then use Steel wing!" Tsumugi called as Corviknight gained altitude and dived at Golurk.
"Use Phantom Force!" Shuichi said.
Golurk disappeared in a dark mist before Corviknight could even hit him.
"Your Golurk can't hide from us forever, Shuichi." Tsumugi smiled.
"Who said it was hiding?" Shuichi asked.
"What?" Tsumugi asked. "Oh no…look out Corviknight!"
"Now!" Shuichi called as Golurk reappears and lands a blow on Corviknight.
"Impressive sneak attack, moving right behind Corviknight and dealing a heavy blow." Phantom said.
"It's just Shuichi's style, I'd say." Hope said.
"Don't give in, Corviknight! Lock on to Golurk and use Power Trip!" Tsumugi called. Corviknight struck back, dealing a strong blow of his own.
"You've got him on the ropes. Shadow Punch!" Shuichi said.
"Dodge it!" Tsumugi called as Corvinight evaded, Golurk's fists scraping against its armored body. "Now use Payback!"
Corviknight retaliated as it slammed into Golurk, sending it flying past Shuichi and landing on the grass behind him.
"Nice hit!" Hope said.
"Golurk, return." Shuichi said as he recalled Golurk. "(Alright… I don't have anything that can stand against Corviknight… But that has never stopped me in anything before.)" he thought. "You're up, Bisharp!" he said as he sent out Bisharp.
"You're down to the bottom of the barrel Shuichi, you've got three Pokémon left while I have four." Tsumugi said.
"They're just numbers. And it can all completely change." Shuichi said. "Because their strength is all Bisharp needs. Now, use Beat Up!"
Bisharp was able to connect a maximum of three hits with his dark move, one of which was more powerful than the others. This made Corviknight faint.
"Well, I expected no less." Tsumugi said. "When your backs against the wall, you get stronger. But the same can be said for me! Next up is Ninetales!" she said summoning her fire type. "Bisharp's a Dark and Steel Type! So you've got yourself a whole lot of trouble coming your way now! Ninetales, Fire Blast!" Ninetales fired its fire type attack at Bisharp.
"Now, Iron Defense!" Shuichi said. Bisharp coated himself in steel. Though he still took Super effective damage, his increased defense made him hold on to avoid any more damage. "Now for some payback. Use Assurance!"
Bisharp slashed at Ninetales with a counter attack as the fox held on.
"Give it back to him tenfold! Overheat, let's go!" Tsumugi called as Ninetales blasted fire at Bisharp again, landing a direct hit.
"That was pointblank! Even with his defense increased, Bisharp couldn't have survived that!" Betty said.
"But even then, Ninetales would lose a lot of power after that." David said.
"Return, Bisharp." Shuichi said recalling Bisharp. "You're next, Flygon!" he said sending out Flygon.
"Since I had to resort to Overheat, Ninetales Special attack power is lowered. But I have to try something." Tsumugi said. "Use Will-O-Wisp!"
Ninetales attacked Flygon with purple fire, inflicting Burn on it.
"Burns, Paralysis, Poison, send it all! But I won't let up, there's something I need to bring to light!" Shuichi called. "Flygon, use Earth Power!"
Flygon attacked using the Ground Type move and took out Ninetales.
"Good job, Ninetales. Take a break." Tsumugi said. "I've held you back long enough, my partner." she said looking to Pikachu.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu pumped her first.
"Go for it, Pikachu Rockstar!" Tsumugi called as Pikachu jumped into the fight.
"Now why would Tsumugi bring out Pikachu now? Flygon can't be hurt with Electric Type moves." Hope said.
"Hope, you have to learn to keep track of details so people can stop reminding you. Remember that Cosplay Pikachu has a different move depending on the costume she's wearing." David asked.
"Go now! Use Meteor Mash!" Tsumugi called as Pikachu unleashed a powerful Steel Type punch, hitting Flygon dead on. "Now, Double Kick!" Pikachu followed up with two kicks to Flygon, not giving it room.
"We can come back from this. Go for a Mud Slap!" Shuichi said.
"Bring down the house with an Iron Tail!" Tsumugi said.
Both Flygon and Pikachu hit at the same time. But due to the damage Flygon took and the lingering effects of its burn, Pikachu held out while Flygon fainted.
"Alright! Tsumugi got Shuichi down to just one Pokémon!" Kaito said. "Uh…is it weird I'm on her side?"
"Actually, no." Kaede said. "I mean, sure, Tsumugi put us all through a crazy death show, which most of us didn't make it out alive, mind you…But I can tell from here that Tsumugi really has changed for the better since we all came back."
"It was because of James that Tsumugi was the way she was. Now that Danganronpa is over, she's a new person." Hope said.
"Down to my last Pokémon…I need to make this count." Shuichi said. "It's all up to you, Manectric!"
"Don't back down, Pikachu! Go, Double Kick!" Tsumugi called as Pikachu attacked again.
"Now, Fire Fang!" Shuichi said.
Manetrick struck first, biting Pikachu with fangs of fire.
"Follow it up with Iron Tail!" Shuichi said.
Manetric then showed no waste in motion, hitting Pikachu hard and sending her flying, knocking her out.
Tsumugi smiled. "Who would've thought that I would be down to my last Pokemon too? Shuichi, you really are something, you know that. I guess that's why…you ended Danganronpa." she then took out her last ball. "I didn't think I'd use this one. But you're so amazing Shuichi…I have to give it all I've got! Butterfree, let's go!" she said calling out her other link.
"Had a feeling she'd save Butterfree for last." Hope said.
"And given the theme here…I have a feeling I know what she's going to do." Himiko said.
Tsumugi recalled Butterfree as her Pokéball enlarged. "It's time to ascend to the ultimate form of my power! Butterfree, spread your wings across the world and soar! Gigantamax!" Tsumugi said throwing the ball into the sky.
The ball popped out as Butterfree turned giant sized. Its body was the same, but its wings were much larger, colored green and white.
"Whoa, so even Butterfree can do it!" Kaito called.
"That big bug…. Gonta sees its grace and power…" Gonta said.
"Update! Once it has opponents trapped in a tornado that could blow away a 10-ton truck, it finishes them off with its poisonous scales." Rotomphone said.
"Now that's what I call a butterfly!" Eleanor said.
"So that's what Butterfree's Gigantamax form looks like." Shuichi said. "Well, my Dynamax may not be anything special compared to that, but…We'll give this all we've got." he said as he recalled Manectric as the Pokéball enlarged. He tossed it in the sky as Manectric grew larger.
"We shall win with all our might! Butterfree, use G-Max Befuddle!" Tsumugi shouted as Butterfree then unleashed a mass of butterflies flew around Manectric before the attack resulted in an explosion from Manectric as it fainted and shrunk back down. "This is the power of the bond between me and Butterfree!"
"And there you have it! The winner of this match is...Tsumugi Shirogane!" the announcer shouted as the crowd went wild.
"I should've thought you'd win this, Tsumugi. You have more experience when it comes to Pokemon Battles than I do." Shuichi said. "Losing to you means that I still have a lot to learn about Pokemon Battles."
"Yes. But as long as battles continue to evolve...we'll both always have something to learn." Tsumugi said as both shook hands as the audience roared with excitement.
"Phew… That was an extremely close battle." Kaito said.
"Yeah. It was really enjoyable to watch it up close like that." Kaede said.
"Though from the looks of things, they still have a long way to go." Ryoma said.
"Okay. We will now announce the next battle. And it looks like another interesting matchup. Genis Sage...vs...Raine Sage!" the announcer said.
"Siblings battling against each other?" Betty asked.
"That's the part of this you're focusing on?" Leopardmon asked. "Granted, they're both half-elves and are amongst the smartest people we know when it comes to magic."
"And neither of them have been Trainers until we even came to Galar. I'm actually quite interested in seeing how they will perform." Kirumi said.