The next day, Timothy, Coovers, Gwen, Electchu, and Winnie woke up early to ensure they ate breakfast as soon as the Poékmon Center's cafeteria was open. After they had eaten, they went to the supermarket for supplies, ensuring they were ready to leave as soon as Timothy's battle was over. When they walked over to Stow-on-Side Stadium, only a few dozen people were in line for tickets, for most of the town's citizens had their share of watching gym battles, and Timothy's battle with Bea was the only one scheduled. The group went inside, and Timothy showed his ID to the staff member standing in front of the door before turning to Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie.
"Alright, time for badge number four," he said.
"You got this, Timbo," Coovers said, grinning. "Bea doesn't stand a chance."
"You got that right," Timothy said. "With Shockwave, Blitzwing, and Knightblade on my team, we're guaranteed to win."
"I'm holding you to that, Timothy," Gwen said. "Don't hold back. Make this battle as short as you can."
Timothy turned to his crush with a smile and said, "As you wish."
Gwen smiled back appreciatively. Without another word needing to be said, Timothy and Electchu walked past the staff member and weren't through the doors, entering the hall leading to the men's dressing room and the waiting room. Timothy changed into his uniform, and he and Electchu sat down on a bench, waiting for Timothy to be called out for his battle.
At eight fifty-five, a ding was heard through the speakers, followed by a staff member saying, "Number seven, Timothy, please proceed to the field for your battle. Number seven, Timothy."
Timothy and Electchu looked at each other and nodded, smirking before they stood up and walked down the hall to the field. The stadium was filled with so few people and Pokémon that the announcer introduced Timothy with less energy than he usually would. Timothy and Electchu could see Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie sitting alone in the front row seats on the west side of the field, waving to them.
Timothy and Electchu waved back as they walked over to their side of the field. On the other side, Bea was waiting for them. The young, fit Gym Leader looked calm and collected, yet Timothy and Electchu could not help but notice a look of restlessness and impatience in her gray eyes.
"I'm guessing you're as eager for the battle to be over as I am since I'm the last challenger you're going to battle this year," Timothy said.
"Indeed. I have made many Gym Challengers give up on the challenge save for a handful, and after I face you I will begin traveling to face competitors in the Great Class in the World Coronation Series," Bea said.
"You're in the Great Class? That's a shame," Timothy said. "I wouldn't mind using this battle to go up the ranks and win my fourth badge at the same time."
"I'm afraid it would not matter," Bea said. "There can only be one-on-one or two-on-two battles in the Normal and Great Classes, whereas there can only be four-on-four battles when competing against me as the Stow-on-Side Gym Leader. So, this cannot be both a Gym Battle and a World Coronation Series battle."
"That makes sense," Timothy said.
A referee flew over to the field on a platform attached to his Aegislash. and said, "This is a four-on-four battle between Bea, the Gym Leader, and number seven, Timothy, the Gym Challenger! The battle will be over when all four Pokémon from either side are unable to continue, and only the challenger can substitute Pokémon! Are the contestants ready?!"
"Ready," Bea said.
"Ready," Timothy replied.
"Then let the battle begin!" The referee shouted.
The several dozen audience members applauded, and Bea threw a Pokéball into the air.
"Now Hawlucha, let's go!" She shouted.
"Shockwave, let's go!" Timothy shouted, also throwing a Pokéball into the air.
Shockwave and a Hawlucha came out of the Pokéballs, both filled with fighting spirit. As she made the first move, Bea punched the air and then made another fighting stand on one leg.
"Hone Claws followed by Karate Chop! Let's go!"
Hawlucha's claws extended and glowed red as Hawlucha jumped into the air and spun around. An orange glow shot up along Hawlucha's body, and it charged toward Shockwave, with its claw and wing glowing white.
"Shockwave, use Psyshock!" Timothy shouted.
Shockwave summoned a blob of psychic energy and unleashed a purple beam at its opponent. The beam hit Hawlucha square in the chest, sending it flying into the air and crashing onto the ground. The referee levitated to find Hawlucha having swirly eyes and raised his hand to Timothy's side of the field.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle! Shockwave wins!" He announced.
The audience applauded, and Timothy, Electchu, and Shockwave smirked, pleased with their head start.
"Rai Ra, Raichu," Electchu said.
"You heard Gwen: no holding back," Timothy said. "If she tells a pure Fighting type to attack with a Fighting type move, there's no reason not to hit it with Shockwave's most powerful Psychic attack. Right Shockwave?"
"Gardevoir," Shockwave replied, nodding.
Bea returned Hawlucha and whispered thanks to it before taking out another Pokeball.
"Grapploct, let's go!"
She threw the ball into the air, and a blue octopus-like creature emerged. Timothy, Electchu, and Shockwave looked at it in confusion as Timothy took out his Rotom Phone to scan it.
"Grapploct. The Jujitsu Pokémon. A Fighting type. Grapploct's entire body is made of overlapping muscles. Its tentacles have terrifying power for squeezing attacks," Rotom said.
"Interesting, but it had me at it being only a Fighting type," Timothy said. "Shockwave, use Psyshock again!"
"Use Detect followed by Liquidation, now!" Bea shouted.
Shockwave unleashed another purple beam, but Grapploct's eyes glowed light blue for a moment, and it dodged Shockwave's Psyshock. Grapploct then charged at Shockwave with four of its tentacles covered in water. Before Shockwave realized what was happening, the Jujitsu Pokémon began beating it relentlessly with the water surrounding its arms.
"Octolock followed by Liquidation again!" Bea instructed.
Grapploct tackled Shockwave to the ground and wrapped its arms around Shockwave's arms and legs. Shockwave struggled to free itself, but its efforts only tightened Grapploct's hold on it. Water surrounded Grapploct's arms again, and it began beating its opponent on the head.
"Shockwave, use Psychic now!" Timothy shouted.
But Shockwave couldn't do anything because the beating was too much to open its eyes. Finally, Grapploct gave Shockwave one more powerful pounding with its right tentacles, and Shockwave instantly became unconscious on impact. Grapploct released its hold on its opponent and stood up to let the referee see Shockwave's swirly eyes.
"Shockwave is unable to battle! Grapploct wins!"
The audience cheered louder to Bea, who paid no attention to their support. Timothy returned Shockwave to its Pokéball.
"Get a good rest," he whispered before putting it away and taking out another Pokéball. "Knightblade, let's do this!"
The Royal Sword Pokémon burst out of its container, and it let out a battle cry, but Bea and Grapploct were unfazed. Timothy and Electchu looked at the Gym Leader and her Pokémon in confusion, wondering if they understood they were at a disadvantage until the former shook his head and went back into the matter at hand.
"Knightblade, use Shadow Claw!" He shouted.
"Grapploct, use Detect again!" Bae shouted while making karate moves.
Knightblade charged at Grapploct with its dark gray and red blade covered in black aura. A blue shimmer briefly appeared in Grapploct's eyes, and it jumps high into the air just as Knightblade swung at it. The Royal Sword Pokémon looked up, realizing its opponent was hanging in the air above it.
"Liquidation!" Bea commanded.
"Knightblade, protect yourself with your shield!" Timothy shouted.
Knightblade held its dark gray and gold shield above itself just seconds before Grapploct attacked. The Jujitsu Pokémon slammed its arms against the shield repeatedly, but it could not break Knightblade's defense.
"Knightblade, wait for the right moment and then use Flash Cannon followed by Shadow Claw and Sacred Sword!" Timothy instructed.
Knightblade created a white ball in front of it and kept its shield up, waiting in anticipation. As soon as Grapploct let up, Knightblade moved its shield away and unleashed a white beam onto Grapploct's face. The impact sent Grapploct flying into the air, leaving it helpless to stop Knightblade from swinging its blade down on its back with Shadow Claw, thrusting it to the ground. The royal sword Pokemon charged again with its blade glittering blue and pointing at Grapploct, but Bea had caught on.
"Detect followed by Liquidation!" She shouted.
With another shimmer in its eyes, Grapploct moved away before Knightblade could stab it. Water surrounded the octopus-like Pokémon's arms again, slamming Knightblade in the face repeatedly.
"Knightblade, block with your shield again, quick!" Timothy shouted.
Knightblade held its shield up, protecting itself, and Grapploct continued to attack, once again trying to break its opponent's hold on its shield.
"Now, use your shield to ram Grapploct, then use Shadow Claw and Sacred Sword!" Timothy instructed.
With a glare in its golden eye, Knightblade waited for the right moment before it thrust at Grapploct with its shield just as it was going to take another swing, and it slammed its shield in Grapploct's face. The Jujitsu Pokémon wobbled and disoriented, leaving it open for Knightblade to hit it two more times with Shadow Claw and Sacred Sword, respectively. Grapploct fell on its back, limp, and the referee raised his hand to Timothy's side of the field.
"Grapploct is unable to battle! Knightblade wins!" He declared.
Timothy looked at the fallen Pokémon with an edge of a smirk, and Knightblade cheered in triumph. The audience clapped again, and Bea closed her eyes and calmly returned her Pokémon.
"You battled very well," she said to her Pokéball.
Bea put the Pokéball away and breathed through her nose. Then, her eyes snapped open, and she took out another Pokéball.
"Go, Machamp!" She shouted.
Bea's Machamp came out of its Pokéball, flexing its muscles. Timothy and Knightblade chuckled until Bea suddenly returned Machamp to its Pokeball. She stretched out her arm, and Galar Particles came out of her Dynamax Band. The particles merged into the Pokéball, and the Pokéball began to enlarge.
"Your skill is worthy of respect and Gigantamaxing!" Bea shouted.
The audience roared, surprised yet excited, as Bea threw the ball to her side of the field. The sky grew dark, and the ball burst open to reveal Machamp growing ginormous. Its bluish-gray skin was darker, its head's middle ridges were longer, its brown eyes' sclera became bright yellow, and its fists were colored dark orange with yellow lines connecting to two orange spots on each arm. Electchu tilted its head at the sight of the Superpower Pokémon and turned to Timothy.
"Raichu Chu Rai Rai Rai Raichu?" Electchu asked.
"Yeah, this is a four-on-four battle," Timothy said. "But if I had to guess, Bea's other remaining Pokémon either doesn't have particularly powerful attacks against Knightblade or only has Fighting type attacks, in which case it can't hurt it. That is probably why she chose Grapploct as her second Pokémon. If her last Pokémon couldn't stand a chance against Shockwave anymore than Hawlucha, then she had to pick a Pokémon who can. Now she is facing a Ghost type immune to Fighting attacks, and if her strongest Pokémon is the only one that stands a chance against Knightblade, then there's no sense leading her fourth Pokémon to instant defeat. It's a logical move."
"Raichu," Electchu said in understanding. "Rai Rai Rai Raichu?"
Timothy smirked again and said, "We're gonna find out. Knightblade, ready to Dynamax?"
"Aegislash!" Knightblade exclaimed.
Timothy's smirk grew, and he returned Knightblade to its Pokéball. Galar Particles came out of his Dynamax Band and merged into the Pokéball, causing it to grow and glow pink. Timothy threw the ball to his side of the field, and Knightblade came out gigantic. The Royal Sword Pokémon roared and held its shield up, pumped to fight in Dynamax form.
"Let's not waste any time, Knightblade!" Timothy shouted. "Use Max Phantasm!"
Dynamax Knightblade lifted its shield up, and a giant boot, teapot, mug, and two chairs appeared out of thin air, glowing pink and purple. Dynamax Knightblade pointed its shield at Gigantamax Machamp, and the objects flew over to the opponent and exploded into a ball of black and purple energy. Gigantamax Machamp screamed in pain, but Bea kept her calm demeanor as she performed several karate moves.
"Use Max Darkness!" She shouted.
Timothy and Electchu's eyes widened. Gigantamax Machamp roared, and two black and red beams appeared out of thin air in front of it. The beams wrapped themselves around Dynamax Knightblade and exploded upon impact, creating a black, red, and pink ball of energy. Dynamax Knightblade screamed in agony with its body covered in scratches, and Timothy's heart sank as he realized his Pokémon couldn't take another hit.
"Knightblade, use Max Phantasm on the double!" He yelled.
"Max Darkness!" Bea shouted.
Flying objects appeared in midair around Dynamax Knightblade, and it sent them flying toward Gigantamax Machamp, but the superpower Pokémon unleashed two more beams before the objects hit. The beams wrapped around Dynamax Knightblade and exploded, and the Royal Sword Pokémon howled before it disappeared in a white and red flash. Timothy's heart sank further as he found Knightblade lying on the field, limp and in its regular size.
"Knightblade is unable to battle! Machamp wins!" The referee shouted.
The audience cheered louder than before, and Gigantamax Machamp beat its chest triumphantly. Timothy stared at his unconscious Pokémon in disbelief before he hung his head and returned it to its Pokéball.
"Rai Rai Raichu?" Electchu asked.
Timothy furrowed his brow in thought and sighed before he took out another Pokéball, He threw it and Blitzwing came out flying high up into the air with its eyes on the Gigantamax Superpower Pokémon.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Timothy shouted.
"Use G-Max Chi Strike, now!" Bea ordered.
Blitzwing swooped down and, with a small flap of its wings, zoomed toward Gigantamax Machamp. Gigantamax Machamp let out a roar, and each of Gigantamax Machamp's fists became surrounded by an orange fist-shaped energy. It waited until the right moment to punch downward at Blitzwing with its top left first, sending it slamming into the ground. Gigantamx Machamp punched Blitzwint with its top-right fist, then its bottom right. After punching Blitzwing with its final fist, Gigantamax Machamp paused for a moment before lifting its hand, revealing Blitzwing lying motionless with its body covered in cuts and bruises.
"Blitzwing is unable to battle! Machamp wins!" The referee shouted.
Timothy and Electchu froze, staring at their fallen comrade in shock. Timothy turned his head to Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie, who stared at Blitzwing in disbelief. Gwen turned her gaze to Timothy, and his heart sank again, seeing the worry in her opal eyes. Just then, Machamp shrank down and returned to its normal form. It had several cuts and bruises that showed Knightblade's Max Phantasm did its work, but it stood firm as though it wasn't injured.
"Raichu Rai Raichu Chu Rai Rai Rai Raichu," Electchu said.
"Yeah, Professor Magnolia did say your Pokémon can Dynamax for a short time," Timothy said. "And it already took serious damage, so we still can win this. I am not letting Gwen down."
Electchu ignored the last thing Timothy said to give him a smirk and a nod. Timothy took out his fourth Pokéball and took a deep breath with his eyes closed before he threw it.
"Poliwrath, let's go!" Timothy shouted.
Poliwrath burst out of its container with a flash and cracked its knuckles. Machamp let out a low cackle and flexed its muscles again to express its superiority.
"Poliwrath, use Surf!" Timothy shouted.
"Charge in and use Cross Chop!" Bea shouted.
Poliwrath summoned a wall of water heading towards its opponents while Machamp crossed its top two arms to form an "X" and its arms started to glow. Machamp ran straight toward the water and struck at the center of it with its crossed arms. The wall of water collapsed, taking Timothy and Poliwrath by surprise.
"Now, use Cross Chop again!" Bea shouted.
With Timothy and Poliwrath still surprised, Machamp struck Poliwrath with its arms crossed again. Poliwrath took several steps back, grunting before giving Machamp a hard glare.
"Poliwrath, use Hydro Pump!" Timothy shouted.
"Use Strength!" Bea shouted.
Poliwrath unleashed a large stream of water from its stomach, hitting Machamp, forcing it to step back. The Superpower Pokémon got down on one knee, giving Timothy and Electchu hope until Bea performed several karate moves and made her next move.
"Get behind Poliwrath and force it down using Strength!"
As soon as the words came out of Bea's mouth, Machamp jumped towards Poliwrath like a runner starting a race. It went around Poliwrath, grabbed Poliwrath's arms, and pushed it down, making it fall flat on its front. Timothy's eyes widened, realizing Poliwrath couldn't use any of its moves with it down on the ground with Machamp still holding its arms.
"Use Cross Chop multiple times!" Bea shouted.
Machamp crossed its top two arms to form an "X," making its arms glow again, and it struck Poliwrath in the back repeatedly. Timothy and Electchu could only watch as Poliwrath's groans in pain grew weaker with every strike. Finally, Machamp spun Poliwrath around and threw it at the wall, missing Timothy. Poliwrath rammed into the wall, creating a hole, and fell to the ground on its back with swirly eyes.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle!" The referee announced. "Machamp is the winner, which means the victory goes to Bea, the Gym Leader!"
The crowd cheered at the top of their lungs for their beloved Gym Leader, while Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie also stared at Poliwrath, dumbfounded. Timothy stood still for a moment before he fell to his knees and got on all fours. Electchu put its hand on Timothy's side, sharing his shock of defeat. Bea returned it to its Pokéball before turning to Timothy.
"It was a good battle. I thank you," she said with a short bow.
With that, Bea turned around and began walking to the exit from her side of the field. Timothy continued to stare at the ground as though he didn't hear her, then his face grew serious, and he sprung back up, pointing at Bea.
"Don't get comfortable. You hear?!" He called out. "As soon as my Pokémon are healed, we will do a little training, and then we're coming back here to rechallenge you!"
Bea stopped walking and turned to Timothy with impatience in her gray eyes again.
"You are the last challenger I have to face this year," she said. "I'd rather you give up or try your luck with Allister so that my Gym Leader duties are done, and I can begin my journey going up the ranks in the World Coronation Series."
"I can't do that," Timothy said. "It's my goal to win every Pokémon League, and I'm already pressed for time to catch up with the other challengers. I have my heart set on earning my fourth badge from you, not Allister, and I'm not leaving Stow-on-Side without it."
The edge of Bea's mouth curled down slightly, and her hands turned into a ball of fists. Then she closed her eyes and sighed through her nose.
"Very well. I'll wait for you to rechallenge me," she said. "Don't take long."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Timothy replied.
Bea gave Timothy a short nod and a hum before she continued walking to the exit. Timothy watched her until she was out of sight before he sighed and hung his head. He took out Poliwrath's Pokéball and returned it before he and Electchu began walking to the exit on their side of the field. As they headed to the exit, Timothy dared to look back and see Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie as he walked away. His heart grew heavy at the sight of Gwen's devastated face.