"And here we are! This is an epic battle of the most amazing kind. Here we have David Ishihara, champion of Hoenn, facing off with rising challenger, Titanica. Winner of this epic match will face off against the champion, Leon in a title match!" The announcer said.
"Be honest, Alice. You were hoping it was going to be me, were you?" David asked.
"Maybe I was deep down. Yeah...I definitely was." Titanica said.
"Do you remember way back when? When my group first started out and we met in Hoenn?" David asked. "Yeah…I was pretty much a handful back then, wasn't I?"
"When we first met, it really was something." Titanica said. "And you've grown so much by being with us."
"Back then, all I could think about was how much of a devastating loss I had against Invel Yura of the Spriggan 12. Beaten down within an inch of my life, unable to do anything about the situation that was happening, it was pretty much the lowest point for me. I kind of felt a little broken after that." David said.
"Yeah. But you got back up. You got stronger." Titanica nodded.
"That's right. Back when we visited the DC Sector of the Hero Universe, Cheetah's dimension, of course, when we fought the rest of the Spriggan 12, I felt like a phoenix rising from the ashes, because every time I get knocked down, I kept getting back up, stronger than ever, just to make sure a loss like that doesn't happen again." David said. "My determination and confidence shone through when it mattered the most and I always stuck to what I believed in. People like Diana and others of the same mindset can call me stubborn, fool, punk, or anything else for that matter. I am who I am, and nothing that anyone says is going to change that, because at the end of the day, the one thing that should matter in your life is staying true to yourself."
"David…" Titanca said before taking out a pokeball. "You've always been…so cool. Then I'm gonna do it."
The camera then panned to Titanica as she showed her Pokéball.
"I'm gonna challenge my resolve to your own! We'll clash in a battle of wills with our Pokemon, and see who goes on to face the Undefeated Champion!" Titanica gripped her ball. "David Ishihara…. It's time to battle!"
"Alright then. I will expect nothing less than your best." David said.
The ref then opening his eyes. "Let the final match of the Champion Cup finals…..BEGIN!"
(Cue- The New Legend- Soul Calibur III)
You are challenged by Hoenn Champion David!
"I'll start things off with Bronzong!" David said sending out Bronzong.
"So he's starting with Bronzong like with Genis. So let's do this. Go, Boltund!" Titanica said sending out Boltund.
"Let's start with a little something special. Use Confuse Ray!" David said as a bright light hit Boltund, confusing it.
"It's okay Boltund! Just focus on this...use Roar!" Titanica said as Boltund let out a confused roar before Bronzong was returned to its ball. In its place came Corviknight. "I knew for a fact Boltund wouldn't cause much damage to Bronzong...so I decided to see what else you had in your stock."
"Well, well. Time to see what you're made of, then. Corviknight, Flash Cannon!" David said.
"Boltund, it's' okay. Use Spark and charge right into the Flash Cannon." Titanica said as Boltund charged right through the Flash Cannon, taking lots of damage before striking at Corviknight directly.
"That's a pretty risky move. Heh. And people call me crazy." David said.
"What can I say? Tends to happen with my leader." Titanica said. "He's the one who set me on this path. I wouldn't be here without him."
"I guess some habits really do tend to rub off. Now, Steel Wing!" David said.
"Sorry...but that's not going to play out like in Tsumugi's battle. Boltund, tag out." Titanica said recalling Boltund. "Let's go, Toxtricity!" she said sending out Toxtricity as it got hit by Steel Wing.
"Interesting tactic. However, he won't be able to poison Corviknight due to Steel-typing, so you're limited on options." David said.
"True but who said anything about poison?" Titanica asked. "We're ready to rock! Toxtricity! We're kicking this battle into overdrive! So...use Overdrive!" she shouted as Toxtricity plucked its chest organs as electricity surged across the battlefield and struck Corviknight, taking it down.
David recalled Corvikinght. "Not bad. But it's still too close to call. You're up, Dustox!" he said sending out Dustox.
"Dustox huh? We won't cause much damage to that. Return, Toxtricity!" Titanica said.
"I won't give you the chance! Infestation!" David said as Toxtricity was covered in bugs.
"Not good. I can't switch now. Hmm. Well...guess we're going to have to go a little longer." Titanica said. "Cause we're still ready to rock!"
"Oh, believe me honey. No one knows rock and roll better than me. Dustox, give them a light show with Psybeam!" David said.
"Nice little light show...but I think you're missing the sound. Use Boomburst!" Titanica said as Toxtricity unleashed a powerful burst of sound.
"Pull it together, Dustox. Use Confusion!" David said.
"Come on Toxtricity! Discharge!" Titanica said as Toxtricity let loose one final twang before being taken down by the attack as Dustox fell not too soon after. "You rocked it hard." she said recalling Toxtricity.
"Excellent job, Dustox. We'll take it from here." David said recalling Dustox. "You're up to bat, Ninetales!" he said sending out Ninetales.
Titanica then set up another ball. "It's so amazing… this feeling of battling. Have I really changed that much? Heh...guess I have." she thought. "Let's do it! Go, Sandaconda!" she shouted sending out Sandaconda.
"Hey, check it. Silicobra evolved." Connor said.
"Alice…" Hope said. "Battling, bonding, and even training Pokémon so well.. It really has been that long since I first met you."
"Use Sand Tomb!" Titanica called as Sandaconda blasted sand from its nose.
"...Energy Ball." David said. Ninetales shot a green energy ball right at Sandaconda, dealing major damage to it. "I've been down this road before, you know. Relying on weaknesses, switching out Pokëmon to meet those weaknesses. Ninetales is weak to Water, Rock, and Ground types. That's why she has Energy Ball, because that moves counters them all. Therefore, it wouldn't matter if you sent out Sandaconda or Drednaw."
"True. But...you've forgotten Sandaconda's ability." Titanica said as sand escaped Sandaconda's nostrils and started up a sandstorm.
"Like that's any issue. Sunny Day!" David said.
"(I know this strategy. I gotta prepare)" Titanica thought. "Sandaconda, use Coil!" Titanica said as Sandaconda tightened itself.
"Slight problem. Coil raises Physical stats and accuracy, which doesn't matter when it comes to Special Attacks. Now, Solar Beam! Full Power!" David said as Ninetales blasted Sandaconda with a powerful burst of solar energy.
"Sandaconda...thanks." Titanica said. "Now...let's go, Boltund!" she said sending Boltund out. "Dig!" she said as it dug underground.
"Stand your ground, Ninetales." David said.
"You've prepared for Pokémon with a typing advantage over Ninetales but Boltund doesn't into any of them. I know its still not recovered from the attack but….I have faith...that it can strike with precision!" Titanica said as Boltund came up, striking Ninetales from underground.
David allowed the attack to hit before Ninetales was sent in the air and lands on its feet. "Knew you would survive that. Now, Flame Charge!" he said as Ninetales coats herself with fire and charges.
"Counter with Spark!" Titanica said as both Pokemon charged into one another, taking both of them out.
"Excellent job, Ninetales. Leave the rest to us." David said recalling Ninetales. "Whew… I have to admit… It wasn't until I fought Cheetah at KOF that I was backed into a corner like this. You know how to push your Pokémon to their limits."
"It's something I learned by watching everyone. And all of you." Titanica said. "Hope always tries his best to be as strong as everyone else. So if his teammates aren't stronger in return, then who is he, and who are we?"
"What the hell is that girl even sayin?" Inosuke asked. "Strong are strong, and those weaker wanna fight them to become stronger."
"That might be how you see things, Inosuke, but it's not how Hope sees it." Gemini said.
"People are strong in their own way, it does not matter if they are weak or strong, we are all equal." Tsuki said.
"I've...come to a conclusion. I'm going to rise above you in battle." Titanica said.
David saw one of his Pokéballs shake. "Looks like Bronzong is ready for another go. You ready?"
"Yeah. Cause this Pokémon is about to make a debut! Go, Drakloak!" she said sending out a strange dragon like creature with a smaller dragon on its head.
"What is that?" Glimmer asked.
"Bzzt! Drakloak, the Caretaker Pokémon and the evolved form of Dreepy! A Ghost and Dragon Type! It's capable of flying faster than 120 mph. It battles alongside Dreepy and dotes on them until they successfully evolve." Rotomphone said.
"Interesting. I think I can work with this. Okay, here it comes!" David said sending out Bronzong.
"Let's start it off! Use Lock on!" Titanica said as a red target appeared on Bronzong. "Now, use Phantom Force!" she said as Drakloak vanished in midair.
"Get ready. Iron Defense!" David said.
"Now strike!" Titanica said as Drakloak appeared behind Bronzong and dealt a powerful strike against it, sending it flying.
"Steady…Steady…Now, Shadow Ball!" David said.
"Use Dragon Rush!" Titanica shouted as Drakloak moved past the Shadow Ball and struck Bronzong, taking it down. "That was smart, baiting in Drakloak like that to take it out up close. But, like Boltund and Cinderace, it's one of the fastest Pokémon on my team."
"And of course, the bragging. Hope really did rub off on you there. Well, I'll just have to bring you down to earth. Let's go, Swampert!" David said sending out Swampert.
"We can keep going, Drakloak. Use U-Turn!" Titanica said.
"Oh no you don't! Ice Beam!" David said.
A beam of ice then hit Drakloak as it fell to the ground. "Return! We aren't giving up like that! I need to keep calm. Think it through. Wait...that's it. Let's do it right! Go, Rapidash!" she said sending out the Galarian Rapidash.
"If it was a normal Rapidash, this would've been easy, but since it's not…I guess I'll have to take this seriously now." David said.
"Let's go! Use Psycho Cut!" Titanica shouted as Rapidash ran at Swampert with its horn glowing bright as it cut into it.
"Now for a taste of your own medicine. Use Dig!" David said as Swampert burrowed underground.
"You can take it. Because we're going to use your power against you. Thanks...to the gift you gave us." Titanica said. "Use Sunny Day!" she said as Rapidash's horn glowed bright as the sun re-intensified.
"Just one problem. Sunny Day lowers Water-type moves, not Ground-type moves. But, I guess it doesn't matter since this attack wouldn't take her out anyway." David said as Swampert rockets from the ground.
"Yeah. But...weakening Swampert's water moves wasn't the reason I had Rapidash learn Sunny Day." Titanica said as Rapidash took the strike. "When I caught it awhile back in Glimwood Tangle...and the way Bede and I battled, I decided the best way to use Rapidash...is to focus more on its horn." she said as Rapidash's horn glowed green and grew longer.
"Oh, this looks like trouble." David said. "Looks like we're putting the last of our energy into this. Rock Slide!"
"Solar...Blade!" Titanica said as Rapidash cut through Swampert before it could strike, taking it down.
"I'm down to my last Pokémon now… And if you know me as well as you think you do...then you know who it is." David said.
"Yeah. I knew before we even battled." Titanica said recalling Rapidash. "There's no way you would enter battle without it. Just like how you know I wouldn't enter without this Pokémon." she said.
"Well, then. I guess the time has come." David said sending out Froslass.
"Yeah...guess it has." Titanica said sending out Cinderace.
"Time to show you the power of the bond we share." David said recalling Froslass. Her Pokeball enlarged as David spins it on his finger like a basketball before sending it in the air, Dynamaxing Froslass.
"Let's go, Dynamax!" Titanica said Dynamaxing Cinderace as it stood high above the stadium with Froslass. "Let's finish this! One final move!"
"Max Phantasm!" David said.
"Max Flare!" Titanica said as the moves of the two colossal pokemon raged against each other which was getting the audience on edge. "We've been through a lot haven't we, partner? No way...no way we'll back down now!" she shouted as Cinderace was quickly overtaking Froslass.
"Looks like this is the end of the road. But we're not the type to lie down and die on anyone's say-so! If we're going down, we're going down fighting. Max Hailstorm! Full power!" David said.
"Burn Bright...Cinderace!" Titanica said as Cinderace's Max Flare glowed brighter as it and Max Hailstorm collided causing a massive explosion. When the dust cleared, both Cinderace and Froslass stood side by side. Cinderace raised a paw and smiled as it and Froslass fistbumped before Froslass fainted and shrank back down.
"I don't believe it! What a battle! The winner and the one moving on to face the Champion is...Titanica!" the announcer shouted as the audience roared with excitement.
"I...I did it. I actually did it." Titanica said panting.
"Well, shucks. Looks like I lost." David said. "But I'm certain that I didn't make any mistakes. I fought that battle the best I could, and that was all that mattered."
"I couldn't agree more." a voice said as Leon entered the stadium. "The two of you battled with everything you had. It was definitely amazing."
"Leon." Titanica said.
"In fact, the battle was so amazing…" Leon said before he posed. "That I could barely contain myself! Charizard and I were feeling so pumped, we wanted to join the battle ourselves! But...that would have spoiled the mood."
"What?! You coulda made this fight more exciting, jackass!" Inosuke ranted from the stands.
"Inosuke, calm down!" Glimmer called as everyone tried to keep him from running wild.
"Haha… Oh man. Looks like it'll take some time before they settle down about it. Nonetheless, congrats, Alice. You truly deserved that win." David said.
"Thanks." Titanica said as they shook hands.
"Now then, we should see about getting the stadium ready for our fight and…" Leon said before the monitor in the stadium changed to Rose.
"Chairman Rose? So what Shuichi said was true…" David said.
"People of Galar. Though it pains me to do so, I am cancelling the Champion title match for I am about to bring about the Darkest Day. All for the future of the Galar Region. That is all." Rose said before the people in the stadium noticed a dark cloud growing in the distance.
"That's all the way back in Hammerlocke. He's actually serious about this." Connor said.
"Son of a...When he talked about doing this, I didn't think he'd actually go through with it. No choice. I gotta stop him." Leon said as he ran off.
"Leon, wait! You can't go alone!" Shuichi said before Leon was too far to hear him. "...And he's gone."
"Shuichi, what's happening? What did you discover that is so dangerous?" Hope asked.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think that it would come out this way." Shuichi said. "During the Semifinals, I snuck out of the group to try to get information out of him, but ran into Oleana. When I finally got past her, I overheard Leon and Rose talking about the Darkest Day and how Galar will be out of power resources in 1000 years."
"A crisis...in a thousand years?" Jexi said. "That's insane!"
"But why did the issue have to be pressed now? Couldn't this wait until after the Champion Cup?" David asked.
"That's what Leon suggested too. But it actually coincided with something else I figured out. Those wild Dynamaxed Pokémon were the result of experiments made with the Wishing Stars." Shuichi said.
"And in turn opened those rifts." Mari said. "If this keeps happening, there may be consequences to it."
"Somehow I'm not sure that's exactly true. I do believe he's behind the Dynamaxed Pokemon but that shouldn't cause the rifts. There's something we're missing. But it can be worked out later." Shuichi said.
"But what are we going to do? The only Pokémon that can stand a chance against what he's trying to summon are…" Raine started before realizing. "Of course…! It all makes sense now!"
"We've reached the same conclusion. Zacian and Zamazenta, they're the only ones who can stop this." Hope said.
"Is there a way to find them?" Stoj asked.
"Find them, no. But… We know what we can use to summon them." Cheetah said.
"And I have a pretty good feeling where they are." Hope said looking back in the direction of Postwick. "All roads of adventure at its greatest point…always lead back to the beginning."
"The Slumbering Weald. That's where we encountered them. Going back might lead to finding a clue." Fuyuhiko said.
"I can teleport us there to get there faster." suggested Emo.
"Inadvisable. There's no telling how much damage Rose is causing with those beacons. Only two of us can go and retrieve the items." David said.
"David, you and Cheetah are pretty quick. You two have to go back and get Zacian and Zamazenta to help. In the meantime, we'll keep the chairman and his plans busy." Hope said.
"Are you sure that's the best idea? The two of us aren't exactly the best pairing." Cheetah said.
"True but you two might be strong enough, physically and with weapons, to tame them. It's a gamble...but we need to take it." Hope said.
"He's right. We don't have a lot of time to debate." Jexi said.
"Alright then. We'll leave Rose to you guys." David said.
"Thanks. Now...let's go pay that chairman a visit." Titanica said.