Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, or any other property in this work that I didn't make myself.

Bea and the autistic gym challenger

Chapter twenty-eight: For the glory

On the morning of the third day after all of the nonsense that mom had tried to pull off with Commissioners Rosalia and Robin, I had awoken in my room at Rose of the Rondelands. After getting cleaned up and dressed, I was down in the front lobby. While making my way out, I heard the familiar voice of Hop call out to me. "Oi, Bea!" Hop called out, "Over here!" I turned around and saw that Hop was in the lobby, gathered with Nina, Marnie and Bede.

Curious, I made my way over to them. "Yeah, today's the big day," Hop said, "Lee is going to fight Nina in the Championship Match. It won't be until late this afternoon since Lee's still got a few last minute things to take care of, but the battle's going to be awesome."

I nodded in agreement. "What do you mean by 'last minute things', Hop?"

"Champion Leon is helping with providing testimony that the three elder members of the commissionery board and Commissioner Kankuro can use for the case they're trying to build in order to vote Commissioners Malty, Rosalia and Robin off the board following their little stunt from a few days ago," Bede proceeded to explain, "It helps that the three ladies had all been arrested and are being held without bail."

Oh yeah, I remember hearing that from my dad when I called him and Allister like I had promised a few days ago; long story short mom and the likeminded lady commissioners were not only going to lose their positions on the commissionery board for the Galar Pokemon League, but they were all arrested as well, along with all of their followers. Mom and the others will be going away for a long time from the looks of it.

Allister, the innocent and unknowing sweet boy that he is, will probably freak upon being told that he won't be seeing mom for ages. Personally, I think that it's a good thing that mom has been taken out of Allister's life. I'm glad that she was taken out of my life.

Gesturing to me, Hop went on, "Leon and the good commissioners had also taken care of collecting the gym medals of those who had earned their Dragon Badges while Raihan's gym challenge party Pokemon were all drugged. Like I said, those who had earned their Dragon Badges in that manner won't get in trouble for it because they had no knowledge of it, and if they can find endorsements for next year's gym challenge they can try again."

"Which is what I fully intend to do," Marnie spoke up, sounding very upset in the annoyed sense, "I still can't believe that I had won against Raihan at his gym because of those dotty women scheming around. When I try for the Dragon Badge next year, I will be doing things properly, with no such manner of scheming from dotty folks trying to interfere with the gym challenge."

Nina nodded in agreement. "Piers was really upset to hear how those mean ladies messed with your go through the gym challenge. Hop's brother looked upset too. I bet they'll try to make an argument to let you try again next year so you will be allowed to do things right."

"Oh you can totally count on Lee to make an argument to let those whose gym medals were tainted by the cheating of the bad lady commissioners try again legitimately next year," Hop said, "Although I'm not too sure on Bea's friends since they did take part in that one stunt." At the mention of what my friends had done, Nina's mood became a bit down.

"...I still can't believe that they were not only mean to me, but tricked everyone into thinking that it was Bede being mean to me," Nina said, looking down.

"In their defense, they were sort of compelled to act by my mom and Commissioners Rosalia and Robin," I pointed out, having gotten the full details on what all had happened.

Nina nodded in understanding, also knowing the full story. "...I'm still upset with them, but I can appreciate how they did become nice for real in the end, and how the girl I gave a Dusk Stone to was always nice. That's something else I'm upset with."

Looking to the rest of us, Nina said, "I hate that the girl I gave a Dusk Stone to always wanted to be friends with me for real but wasn't able to, and she was pushed into taking part in a really mean trick in order to get it. It she really wanted to be my friend for real, then why wasn't she allowed to do so? I would have been happy to have a new friend."

"She had the unfortunate luck of being born into an upper class family," Marnie pointed out dryly, "And although she had good parents, she got dragged along by the scheming of girls from other upper class families that unlike hers weren't as lucky."

"Thankfully, things are being fixed now," I said, "Marina's family has always been good so I have no doubt that Marina will be able to get back on her feet soon. As for Sashay and Rosie, they will undoubtedly take more time due to what their respective moms had taken part in. At least the respective dads of Sashay and Rosie are good dads like Marina's dad." My own dad Landors is also a good dad like Commissioner Kankuro; I'm thankful for the fact that I have at least one good parent.

The others nodded in agreement, and Nina seemed happy that my friends were going to get a shot at redemption. Stretching his arms into the air, Hop said, "Well, we have some time before Lee and Nina have to duke it out. What say we check out what all Wyndon had to offer us?" The others and I all agreed to Hop's idea of an adventure around Wyndon before the Championship Match later this evening. It would help us relax, and legends know we need to relax.

Given what all had happened, we deserve at least a year-long vacation.

Later that evening, the others and I had all gathered at Wyndon Stadium to watch the Championship Match. I just finished a call from dad who's at home over in Stow-on-Side, as he and Allister are going to be watching the Championship Match on the telly. As for everyone else, were back to where we were prior to the first time the match between Leon and Nina had been interrupted. My friends were all missing, though.

"Thank goodness that Nina's gym medal wasn't tainted like mine was," Marnie said, "Otherwise due to the rules then there wouldn't be a Championship Match period."

Piers nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that would be a total nightmare in the news. A nightmare we were lucky didn't take place." The leader of Spikemuth looked down into the pitch, where Leon was already waiting. "...I can't imagine how Leon would react."

"Knowing Lee, he'd be fit to try and rip off the head of one of the bad lady commissioners," Hop said, "The process of voting them off the commissionery board is still going on, so they're still technically commissioners. But I get the feeling it won't stay that way for very long."

I nodded in agreement with Hop, hoping that mom and Commissioners Rosalia and Robin will get what they have coming. Regardless, the crowds started going wild when Nina, dressed in her gym challenger uniform and wearing her special headphones, came walking out into the pitch. She reached where Leon stood, turned to face him. At long last, the moment that all of the Galar region has been waiting for, the Championship Match of this year's gym challenge, was about to take place.

Leon looked around at all of the cheering fans, a surprised look on his face. "My matches are always sold out, but this... I've never seen a crowd this wild!" He turned to look fully at Nina. "Everyone knows what you did for us this week, Nina... They know you took part in stopping the mad scheming of some of the commissionery board members and helped to save the future of the Galar region."

Leon nodded once in confirmation before he went on. "A real hero, who had battled with the legendary Pokemon Zacian itself under your command. I couldn't have dreamed of a better challenger to help increase my winning streak! Now that I've seen just what kind of strength you possess as the greatest of challengers... Crushing you into the dirt will show everyone just how strong their champion truly is!"

Leon took on a more relaxed stance, although his eagerness to battle did not diminish in the least. "Come on, Nina! Let's make this a final match that'll go down in Galar's history! No! A match that'll change Galar forever!" Leon then struck his signature pose, causing the crowds to go even more wild. "We're gonna have an absolutely champion time!" The two trainers then turned around, walked to their spots for the battle, then turned back around.

As he did for the exhibition match between Nina and Bede, Commissioner Hakurou was acting as the referee for the Championship Match. "This battle will be between Gym Medalist Nina and Champion Leon!" Hakurou called out, "Each trainer may use their respective entire parties for this battle, but only one Pokemon at a time each! The battle is over when all of one trainer's Pokemon are unable to battle! Now then!" Raising up his right hand, Hakurou said, "Ladies and gentlemen! Let the Pokemon League title match, against Champion Leon... BEGIN!"

Leon threw off his cape and, in one swift motion, turned around and tossed the ball that held his first Pokemon in the battle as he called out, "Aegislash, I choose you!"

"Go on, Runestone!" Nina called out as she sent in her Stonjourner, "I know you can do it!"

The battle had begun in earnest, and Leon couldn't help but smile. "It's one of the duties of the champion to get the crowd fired up!" Pointing straight up, Leon said, "Aegislash, use King's Shield!"

"Runestone, use Stealth Rock!" Nina commanded.

Aegislash threw up a protective barrier shield that would block any attack, but that did nothing to stop Stonjourner from setting up a wicked hazard that would harm any and all of Leon's Pokemon that get sent out into the battle going out from here. Stonjourner threw out some rocks that proceeded to float in place around where Leon's Pokemon would be when they come out into the battle.

There's a good reason why Nina would value her Stonjourner so much; Stealth Rock is a widely known entry hazard attack that I have no doubt will put Leon's Pokemon in for a very bad time, his Charizard especially so. But Leon was by no means going to let that slow him down. As a matter of fact, he pushed full steam ahead into the battle. "Aegislash, use Sacred Sword!" Leon ordered.

"Runestone, use Earthquake!" Nina called out.

Stonjourner triggered a massive quake that shook the entire battlefield, sending seismic waves to slam into Aegislash. It did a lot of damage to Aegislash, but it was able to endure due to being in its tankier defensive form. It then switched to its more nimble sword form and, glowing brightly, slashed at Stonjourner, who was able to get out of the way in time to take a serious hit from the champion's Pokemon. It still took a decent grazing hit, however, but it could still go.

Pointing right ahead, Nina said, "Runestone, use Earthquake!"

"Aegislash, use King's Shield!" Leon commanded. Aegislash quickly switched to its more defensive form, then threw up a protective barrier shield that blocked the Earthquake that had been sent its way. A good thing too, as it looked like it would have gone down otherwise. I was wondering if it would go down to another Earthquake from Nina's named Stonjourner, which I figured I'd see from the next exchange of attacks.

"Aegislash, use Sacred Sword!" Leon ordered.

"Runestone, use Earthquake!" Nina commanded.

Stonjourner quickly triggered another massive quake that violently shook the entire battlefield. Aegislash was slammed with more seismic waves, knocking it back. It stood floating there down on the pitch, shaking a bit as it gave out a tired, spacy cry. Aegislash then fell over onto the pitch, having taken too much to continue going. "Aegislash is unable to battle!" Hakurou called out, "The winner is Stonjourner!"

Leon, despite being the first to lose a Pokemon in the Championship Match, was by no means discouraged. "Alright! Now this is the challenge that I have been hoping for!" Leon cheered in excitement as he recalled his fainted Aegislash, "I'm expecting you to pull out all the stops!" Leon then tossed up the ball that held his second Pokemon for the Championship Match battle. "Dragapult, I choose you!"

"Runestone that's enough, come back!" Nina called out as she switched her Pokemon, "Go on, Eunice! I know you can do it!" The crowds cheered wildly when they saw that the battle between Leon and Nina was featuring a Dragapult mirror match. However, the movesets of the two Dragapults varied; I knew from having seen recordings of past Championship Matches that saw Leon fighting that his Dragapult had an all special attack moveset.

Nina's Dragapult, on the other hand, had an all physical attack moveset. The two Dragapults faced one another, although Leon's Dragapult cried out when the Stealth Rocks that had been set up came out and flew into it, damaging it a bit. Throwing his arm in front of himself, Leon called out, "Dragapult, use Dragon Breath!"

"Eunice, use Phantom Force!" Nina cried. Nina's named Dragapult disappeared into a swirling black and purple swirling portal underneath itself, clearly and quickly avoiding the attack from Leon's own Dragapult. The champion's Pokemon looked around for its opponent, wondering where she would come out to strike. Then, Nina's Dragapult dropped down from a portal above and slammed into Leon's Dragapult, striking a sore spot that had been made when Leon's Dragapult came into the battle and took Stealth Rock damage.

Leon's Dragapult was hit hard, but it wasn't just quite yet out of the running. "Dragapult, use Shadow Ball!" Leon commanded.

"Eunice, use Dragon Claw!" Nina ordered.

Leon's Dragapult conjured and cast the Shadow Ball, but Nina's Dragapult, her claws glowing fiercely with draconic power, slashed right through the Shadow Ball and went on to strike right at Leon's Dragapult, scoring a direct hit that threw the champion's Pokemon right down onto the pitch. Nina's Dragapult snarled a bit, and I noticed that her right hand was twitching a bit. Even so, there was no denying what she had done as Leon's Dragapult laid knocked out on the pitch.

"Leon's Dragapult is unable to battle!" Hakurou announced, "The winner is Nina's Dragapult!"

I was even more impressed with Nina that I've ever been before; she took out two of Leon's Pokemon so far, without any of her own going down in the process. Granted, Stonjourner and Dragapult both look like they took some damage, but given that it's Leon who Nina is facing in the battle, the fact Nina currently has a two Pokemon lead is astounding. Raihan, as well as Hop from last year, can't claim as much.

"Dragapult return!" Leon said as he recalled his fainted Pokemon. He tossed up the ball that held his third Pokemon for the battle. "Mr. Rime, I choose you!"

"Eunice that's enough, come back!" Nina said, switching her Pokemon again, "Go on, Usagi! I know you can do it!" Dragapult went back in so Cinderace could come on out. Dragapult could also strike Mr. Rime for super effective damage, but in turn would suffer from an ice attack if its opponent threw one out. Nina probably wants to save Dragapult for later, due to the power it can afford to Nina in a pinch.

And Cinderace had an advantage against Mr. Rime, who looked challengingly at the fire type Pokemon. However, Mr. Rime cried out in pain when Stealth Rock triggered, inflicting some rather bad entry hazard damage before the fight between Mr. Rime and Cinderace could even begin. Due to rock dealing two times the normal damage to the ice type Mr. Rime, it took damage equal to one-fourth of its maximum health.

Pushing through the odds, Leon called out, "Mr. Rime, use Thunderbolt!"

"Usagi, use Pyro Ball!" Nina commanded.

Cinderace kicked up a pebble which became engulfed in a sphere of fire, which Cinderace kicked at Mr. Rime. The champion's Pokemon cast its Thunderbolt attack and tried to push the Pyro Ball away, but it flinched in pain from where it took the Stealth Rock damage, causing its attack to falter and allow the Pyro Ball to fly right on in, striking Mr. Rime and blowing up right into its front side.

Mr. Rime cried out as it was blasted by the powerful, super effective attack. To the surprise of many, Mr. Rime fell over onto the pitch, defeated. "Mr. Rime is unable to battle!" Hakurou called out, "The winner is Cinderace!" Given that it not only took Stealth Rock damage but also a Pyro Ball exploding right up all over its front side, I sort of expected the ice type Mr. Rime to go down in quick order, due to all that was going against it.

Even so, the commentators for the Championship Match were amazed to no end. "Incredible, folks!" one of the commentators called out, "It looks like our undefeated champion is actually in a bit of trouble now! Can he pull things off and win in the end like he's always done?"

Leon certainly seemed to be the 'never say never' type as he recalled his fainted Mr. Rime. "This is where my comeback begins, I'm afraid!" Tossing up the ball that held his fourth Pokemon, Leon called out, "Seismitoad, I choose you!"

"Usagi that's enough, come back!" Nina said as she switched her Pokemon out again, "Go on, Zarude! I know you can do it!" Once more, two new Pokemon faced off against one another on the pitch. Seismitoad did take Stealth Rock damage, but due to resisting rock, it didn't take a lot of damage. However, that was the only thing working for Seismitoad; not only was it facing a grass type Pokemon (Seismitoad as a dual water ground Pokemon had a crippling weakness to grass), but said grass type Pokemon is a powerful mythical Pokemon.

But that wasn't deterring Leon. On the contrary, he seemed even more excited to see that his opponent was using Pokemon thought widely to exist only in lore. "Now this is what I'm talking about!" Leon declared, "This battle truly is going to be an absolutely champion time!" Pointing right on ahead, Leon said, "Seismitoad, use Toxic!"

"Zarude, use Seed Bomb!" Nina called out. Zarude conjured its seeds the size of (Galarian) footballs that it then cast at Seismitoad, striking the champion's Pokemon as it was trying to bring up its attack. The Seed Bomb blew up into Seismitoad, causing it to cough up what Toxic it had willed up, but the attack fell short by at least a meter. It was to be expected of things; Seismitoad was up against a severe type disadvantage, and against a mythical, no less.

As to be expected, Seismitoad fell over onto the pitch, knocked out. "Seismitoad is unable to battle!" Hakurou called out, "The winner is Zarude!"

Leon recalled his fainted Seismitoad, affording Nina a broad, excited grin. "If only you were available for me to face off against sooner, Nina!" Leon called out, "This is the hardest I have ever been pushed! I think I've been slacking! Well, I better pick up the pace!" Leon tossed up the ball that held his fifth Pokemon for the battle. "Haxorus, I choose you!"

"Zarude that's enough, come back!" Nina said, switching her Pokemon once again, "Go on, Stain! I know you can do it!" Taking the place of myth on the pitch was legend itself, as Zarude went back in so Zacian could come out. The hero of many battles gave a skyward howl as it entered battle against the champion's Pokemon. Haxorus looked surprised to be facing a legendary Pokemon, but its surprise was cut off by getting hit by the Stealth Rocks that were set up.

Pointing forward towards the battle, Leon said, "Haxorus, use Iron Tail!"

"Stain, use Behemoth Blade!" Nina ordered.

Haxorus's tail glowed brightly as it took charge at Zacian, who held its sword aloft as it grew larger and glowed as well. The two Pokemon rushed one another, with Haxorus swinging its tail at Zacian as Zacian swung its sword. The two objects collided, but barely pushed against one another for a second until Haxorus started getting overwhelmed by Zacian's assault. Haxorus even used its hands to try to push back against the legendary attack.

However, Zacian won out, pushing its attack through and striking Haxorus across its body in the front, sending it flying back until it hit a wall. Haxorus managed to free itself from the crater in the wall before landing on its feet. However, it swayed a bit before falling over face first, clearly defeated by Zacian's attack. Holding up a hand, Hakurou said, "Haxorus is unable to battle! The winner is Zacian!"

Leon recalled his fainted Pokemon, looking at Haxorus's ball appreciatively. "...Not bad at all." Leon looked up and to Nina as he put his Haxorus's ball away. Leon smiled, eager for the challenge that the spot he's in right now presented to him. "I'm not finished having a champion time here! And I won't let anyone else finish it for me!" Leon tossed up the ball that held his sixth Pokemon. "Charizard, I choose you!"

"Stain that's enough, come back!" Nina said as she swapped her Pokemon again. I was now wondering what Pokemon she would send out next; her Stonjourner since it has a notable type advantage against Charizard? Her Cinderace since I know full well it means the world to her? Dragapult would also be a good choice since it can take a lot of what Charizard has to offer. However, my wondering was brought to an end as Nina called out while sending out her latest Pokemon in the battle, "Go on, Juri! I know you can do it!"

Urshifu, the ultimate fighter, appeared on the pitch, roaring challengingly at Leon's ace Pokemon Charizard. Charizard's flying trumps Urshifu's fighting, but Urshifu's water trumps Charizard's fire, so it should be an even match on its own. But as soon as both Pokemon were facing each other down on the pitch, the Stealth Rocks around Charizard flew into it, making it cry out in a lot of pain. Mr. Rime, when taking damage from Stealth Rock, lost health equal to one-fourth of its maximum health due to having a times two weakness to rock.

Charizard, with its dual fire flying type, lost health equal to one-half of its maximum health to the Stealth Rock damage due to having a times four weakness to rock.

The odds didn't deter Leon obviously. "I'll show you what Charizard can really do!" Leon called out, "It's gigantamax time!"

"R-Right," Nina replied, "Juri is gonna gigantamax too!" ...Say what? Did I just hear Nina correctly? Urshifu can gigantamax? Indeed, I saw both Leon and Nina call their respective Pokemon back to their balls, which grew large before they were thrown back, allowing the two Pokemon within to grow large. Naturally, this led to seeing gigantamax Charizard, something that always amazed the crowds watching Championship Matches.

But what also amazed the crowds was when Urshifu became a white-furred giant with blue highlights, assuming an unwavering one-legged stance that was awe inspiring just to see in the flesh. I know that I am far from the only one in all of Galar who would kneel before such might made real. Some more fanatical practitioners of Galar karate would probably even swear their fidelity to this awesome presence the ultimate fighter commanded.

Leon, that lucky bastard.

Pointing right on ahead, Leon said, "Charizard, use Max Airstream!"

"Juri, use G-Max Rapid Flow!" Nina cried out.

Both titanic Pokemon cast their attacks, but Urshifu was quicker on the uptake. It unleashed a massive torrential water G-Max attack at Charizard, blasting it at point blank range. Charizard was also able to throw out its attack, but it scored only a grazing hit at best on the ultimate fighter. A grazing hit that turned out to be all that Charizard was able to do; losing half its health to Stealth Rock damage before even getting to fight, then taking a water type G-Max attack, was too much for Charizard it would seem.

Energy and power exploded all around Charizard as its gigantamax became undone. When the smoke and dust settled, Charizard was laying on the pitch, clearly fainted. Also, Urshifu's own gigantamax became undone, but that was not for the same reason as what Charizard had. Hakurou held up a hand as he gave the announcement that was going to be talked about in the news for quite some time yet.

"Charizard is unable to battle! The winner is Urshifu!" Hakurou used his other hand to gesture over to where Nina stood on the pitch. "Victory of this battle goes to Gym Medalist Nina!" The crowds erupted into excited cheering as the winner was announced, especially so because it was not Leon, the long-reigning champion who was said to be unbeatable, but rather the very girl that he had given an endorsement to this year.

Leon looked a bit surprised to see that he had been defeated in the Championship Match. He looked down, trying to cover his face with his hat. Then suddenly, he threw his hat upwards, allowing it to fall down on the pitch a few yards behind him. "My time as Champion is over..." Leon said, "But what a champion time it's been! Thank you for the greatest battle I've ever had!"

...

By that time, the waning orange in the sky was practically finished, and the starry night sky had started becoming visible. Celebratory confetti fluttered down from the skies above as the lights of Wyndom Stadium shone down on the two greatest trainers in the Galar region. The cheers were deafening, but we couldn't help it; the Championship Match had just come to a close, the entire gym challenge had just come to a close.

And what a fitting time for it to have come to a close; the sun literally had set on Leon's time as the champion of Galar. Leon looked up from his ball that held his Charizard, who he had called back after it was defeated in battle by Urshifu. There seemed to be a bit of a melancholy air about Leon, but he pushed through it and looked up from his Charizard's ball and right to the very person who had ended his undefeated streak after it had been going on for years on end.

Leon smiled warmly as he looked over at Nina. "...Congratulations, Nina," Leon said, a slightly sad but overall happy and congratulatory smile on his face as he addressed his worthy opponent, "You've beat even the unbeatable champion- making you the new champion of the region! You've become a first rate trainer, all right. I offer you my heartfelt congratulations!"

Nina looked a bit freaked, like she was getting nervous. Leon saw this and, smiling, walked up to her. "Hey, there's no need to panic," Leon said in a reassuring tone, "After all, you've done what many had thought impossible of you, impossible of anyone. You've proven that you can handle even the greatest of challenges and beat them down. If you keep going like that, then there's no telling what you won't be able to accomplish."

The special needs girl looked up at Leon as he went on. "And now that you've grown so strong, perhaps it's time I started looking ahead myself. It's time we adults started working on the here and now, for the sake of all that's to come! And you, Nina! What you ought to do now is... believe in yourself and your partner Pokemon, and keep on blasting ahead! In order to create that bright future we all hope to see!"

The crowds were still cheering as Leon turned to face them. "People of Galar! Here you have it! A new legend born right before your eyes! Your Champion, Nina! Bet you can't wait to see what kind of future a kid with this strength might bring about! I sure can't! Let's watch and see what she can do!" Fireworks went off in the skies above, and the crowds erupted into even more and louder cheering, making Nina wince as she struggled not to give in, banking a lot on the special headphones she was wearing.

But I get the feeling she'll be just fine. Because although the sun had set on the era of Champion Leon, it will be rising on the era of Champion Nina.

END, CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Author's notes;

And with that, the gym challenge has been brought to a close and, like in the games, there is a new champion by the end of it. But Bea still has some stuff to do, and some loose ends need to be tied up. The next few chapters will deal with some more fallout from what the trio of bad lady commissioners had tried to pull, as well as what all will go on due to Nina's new title. There will also be a major move made by Bea, but saying that here will be spoilers.

Stay tuned.