There was an awkward feeling of tension in the group for the rest of the journey to Circhester. After Timothy and Ned had their heart-to-heart chat, Ned apologized to everyone for his behavior, and Coovers, Gwen, and Ezria forgave him. Though, it was clear to everyone but Ned that Ezria accepted Ned's apology out of obligation to keep a positive image in front of Timothy. The group said goodbye as Ned left to go to continue his journey to Hammerlocke before they spent the rest of the day making their way to the other side of the ruins.

The next day, however, Ezria was in a foul mood, constantly glaring at Gwen and keeping closer to Timothy than usual. It was as though she was behaving like a child unwilling to share her toy. Timothy wondered if Ezria overheard him admitting his feelings for Gwen to Ned, and Gwen thought Ezria could still be peeved because her plan to use Timothy and Ned was foiled. Ultimately, both ruled out their respective guesses, noting that she didn't behave like this until the day after Timothy and Ned's battle. As far as anyone could tell, Ezria had slept on the wrong side of her sleeping bag one morning, and somehow that advanced her respective feelings regarding Timothy and Gwen.

Not long after they went through the ruins, the group put on winter clothes before going up a snowy mountain. Timothy put a scarf around Electchu's neck before they got back on his Rotom Bicycle, while Gwen kept Winnie inside her coat as they rode up the mountain. When they entered Circhester, it was late at night, and Ezria used her reputation to secure the group a room at a lavish hotel called Hotel Ionia. Everyone was tired of Ezria showing off her wealth and fame at this point, but they couldn't deny the beds in their room were extremely comfy and warm after spending the entire day out in the cold.

The following day, Ezria woke up before everyone else and went out in the hall to call the manager in Circhester Stadium to make sure hers and Timothy's gym battles were scheduled as Oleana reserved. When she finished, she opened the door to the room and waited until Timothy, Coovers, Gwen, Electchu, and Winnie woke up. She entered the room, pretending to hang up with her phone as she walked over to Timothy's bed, smiling.

"Good morning, Timothy," she greeted. "Slept well?"

"I did," Timothy replied, yawning. "You're in a good mood."

"I sure am," Ezria chirped. "I just got off the phone with the people at Circhester Stadium. I was going to schedule battles for us, but it turns out Uncle Rose arranged it so that we have our battles reserved to happen back to back as soon as we arrive in the city. I'm going to face Melony, and you will face Gordie."

"Seriously?" Coovers asked. "Sounds a little redundant when you two might be the only ones challenging either Gym Leaders today."

"True, but it's still very thoughtful of him," Ezria said. "Besides, he specifically wanted our battles to be in the morning and that Timothy has his battle right after mine since we're challenging different people. That means we can spend the rest of the day enjoying everything this city offers before leaving for the next Gym."

"You sound confident you'll beat Melony on the first try," Gwen remarked.

Ezria gave Gwen a death look that Gwen was used to at this point. Then Ezria returned her cheerful demeanor and said, "As a matter of fact, I know beating Melony will be a breeze. Her Pokémon are Ice types, which make them weak against powerful Fighting, Steel, and Fire type attacks that my sweet Doublade, Sirfetch'd, and Coalossal have. And, I know Gordie doesn't have a prayer against Timothy because he has Water, Steel, and Fighting type attacks he can use against Gordie's Rock type team with Knightblade, Poliwrath, and Odyssey. Isn't that right, Timothy?"

Timothy paused before he shrugged and said, "Well, Gordie and Melony's Pokémon could be dual types that might not make beating them so easy, but other than that, I can't argue with that logic. When are we having our battles?"

"My battle with Melony is in an hour, and your battle with Gordie comes shortly after that," Ezria said. "I suggest we all have breakfast before we check in at the stadium. And since we're in a city, I recommended we put on our disguises."

"Why? Do you have a lot of fans here in Circhester?" Timothy asked.

"Let's just say when the Circhester Stadium staff announced online that there's going to be Gym Battles today, people want to see it knowing there's only a select few that could be challenging Gordie or Melony today. And some of those Gym Challengers might be people who have gained a considerable amount of attention lately, " Ezria said.

"Meaning us?" Timothy asked.

Ezria nodded.

"Alright, that makes sense to me," Timothy said.

"Raichu," Electchu said.

Timothy, Coovers, and Gwen changed from their pajamas, and everyone went to the ground floor for breakfast with Timothy and Ezria in their disguises. When they finished eating, they walked over to Circhester Stadium, where Timothy, Coovers, Gwen, Electchu, and Winnie were surprised to see people standing in separate lines for tickets. Ezria pulled her Macro Cosmos hat and the top of Timothy's hood down to further cover their faces as the group went inside.

"Don't you think you're making us look suspicious doing that, Ezria?" Timothy asked.

"Can't be too careful. Some of these people might be hoping to see us together and hope to clear some things up as Ned did," Ezria said.

"You say that like it isn't your fault," Gwen muttered.

The group squeezed their way through the lines until they were at the other side of the lobby, where Timothy and Ezria showed their IDs to the staff member out front. The staff member used his walkie-talkie to send for a security officer to escort her to her private box. When the security officer arrived, Ezria turned to Timothy and lowered her sunglasses to give him a sweet look.

"See you with only two badges left," she said in a singing voice.

"Two badges left," Timothy agreed.

Ezria's smile grew, and she winked at Timothy before she followed the security officer. When she was out of sight, Gwen huffed and turned to her friends.

"Two badges left, and then my home region is safe, and we don't have to be around her anymore. What a lovely thought," she said.

"Teddiursa," Winnie said.

"Yes, you've become a broken record when it comes to expressing your feelings for her," Coovers said. "Although, I will admit it'll be nice not to worry about keeping our true motives a secret after about a month."

"Good grief. Has it been that long?" Timothy asked.

"Give or take a few days or so," Coovers answered.

"Huh. Feels a lot longer than that," Timothy said. "Anyway, I better get going. See you guys after the battles."

"Raichu," Electchu said.

"See ya," Coovers and Gwen said simultaneously.

"Teddi," Winnie said, cutely waving.

By the time Coovers and Gwen got their tickets, there were barely enough tickets left for them to reserve seats at the top level. When they got to their seats, the stadium was packed as though they were watching the Gym Battles at Turffield, Hulbury, or Motostoke again. Some crowd members held posters and banners of Ezria or wore dark orange outfits to express their support.

When Ezria entered the field along with Melony, the Gym Leader, everyone in the crowd stood up and cheered at the top of their lungs. As soon as the referee shouted, "Battle begin!" Ezria took out Sirfetch'd, and Melony took out a Frosmoth that Sirfetch'd took down less than half a minute into the match. Melony tried to retaliate with a Galarian Darmanitan, but Ezria simply switched Sirfetch'd out with Doublade, who took out Darmanitan at roughly the same time. Melony's third Pokémon did no better, for it was a small, penguin-like creature with a block of ice for a head called Eiscue. Eiscue battled nobly despite having little to do in terms of offense, but Doublade ruthlessly beat the poor creature in less than half the time it took to defeat Daramantian.

Finally, Melony took out her Lapras, making Ezria grin deviously as she switched Doublade with Coalossal. Melony returned and Gigantamaxed her Pokémon first with Lapras' shell resembling a cruise ship with four spikes on top of it and one steel spike resembling a funnel. A light blue ring of fine thin lines resembling a musical sheet created from ice particles circles around its shell. Ezria Gigantamaxed Coalossal next with the Coal Pokemon's spikes on its shoulders split into two each, and its front featured three open spots, which exposed intense heat radiating from its body, making it appear like a stove oven. Melody made the first move telling Gigantamax Lapras to use Max Geyser, but Ezria showed no fear. At her command, Gigantamax Coalossal caused a giant stone slab to rise from the ground, protecting itself from Gigantmax Lapras' attack. The stone then fell on top of Gigantamax Lapras, shattering into pieces as it made contact with the Transport Pokémon's head. Ezria wasted no time commanding Gigantamax Coalossal to use G-Max Volcalith once more, and another stone slab rose and fell on its opponent. Gigantamax Lapras' head wobbled before it fell forward, and it reverted to its regular form, limp.

The crowd screamed until their voices gave out. Coovers and Gwen quietly applauded as Coalossal returned to normal size, and Ezria hugged it before returning her Pokémon and receiving the Ice Badge from Melony. The crowd cheered again until the announcer's voice was heard from the speakers.

"Don't go away, folks. We will have our second and final battle of the day in a few minutes between Gordie and Gym Challenger number seven, Timothy!"

The cheering died down instantly at the sound of Timothy's name. The crowd was quiet for a moment before they began whispering amongst themselves.

"Timothy, as in Timothy Durbin?"

"That guy Ezria was talking about?"

"Are they a thing?"

"Their battles are close together, so maybe there's also traveling together as a couple?"

"Oh, man, I hope they aren't! I haven't gotten a chance to tell Ezria how I feel!"

"I get the feeling Ezria purposely arranged the battles to go back to back instead of the chairman to imply what's going on with her and Timothy just like with Ned," Coovers said.

"Of course she did," Gwen grumbled. "What else could she be up to?"

"Excuse me, miss."

Coovers, Gwen, and Winnie turn their heads to see two League Staff members standing next to them. They looked at Gwen as though she were a suspect in a crime, making her uneasy.

"Is there something wrong?" Gwen asked.

"Just come with us," the first staff member said. "And leave your Pokémon here."

Gwen stared at the staff members before she and Coovers looked at each other. After a moment, Gwen stood up and followed the League Staff members up the stairs to the exit. Coovers and Winnie watched them leave until they couldn't see Gwen anymore and turned to each other.

"Maybe there's some security issue, and they are mistaking her for a suspect?" He guessed. "I hope it's nothing to worry about."

"Teddi," Winnie said.

Coovers turned his body back to facing the field, taking a sip of his soda while Winnie sat in Gwen's seat. Suddenly, just as Coovers put his soda back in the cupholder, he felt his phone vibrating.

"You have a call from Sonia. You have a call from Sonia. You have a call from Sonia," his Rotom Phone said.

Coovers froze in place for a moment before taking out his Rotom Phone to see an image of Sonia smiling cutely on the screen. He silently prayed that what he was looking at was for real as he accepted the call and held his phone up to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Look ten rows behind you on your left," Sonia said.

Coovers' heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head around to see Sonia wearing a teal coat and standing up ten rows behind him, waving. His face lit up like a massive flame, and he waved back vigorously before gesturing to Sonia to come over. Winnie stood up from its seat to see Sonia making her way toward it and Coovers, and it jumped over to Coovers to hide behind him. Unfortunately for the little bear Pokemon, Coovers stood up from his seat to meet Sonia, leaving it completely open to being seen as Sonia walked over to them.

"What are you doing here? I thought you're researching for the Darkest Day," Coovers asked.

"I am. That's what led me to Circhester," Sonia said. "I've been having trouble finding anything lately, so when I heard that there are some Gym Battles happening today, I decided to take a break and watch some. Didn't think I'd be here just in time to bump into you and watch Timothy battle. Talk about great timing."

"Great timing indeed," Coovers said. "Why didn't you call earlier?"

"I didn't realize you were there until you turned your head back," Sonia said before she looked around. "Where's Gwen? Shouldn't she be cheering for Timothy with you?"

"She was taken by security for some reason, so it's just Winnie and me right now, " Coovers said.

Sonia gasped as soon as Coovers said Winnie's name and looked down to see Winnie on Coovers's seat. She reached out to pick Winnie up, but it jumped off the seat and hid behind Coovers's legs. Sonia pouted and bent down with her arms open.

"Aw, come on, Eddie-Benny, cutie pie. Don't you want to say hi to me?" Sonia begged.

"Yeah, Eddie, don't make Sonia sad," Coovers rebuked.

"Teddi," Winnie whimpered.

Sonia huffed in disappointment, her bottom lip sticking out as she pouted. Then her pout turned into a mischievous smirk as she reached inside her coat.

"Oh, Eddie, look what I got for you," she said in a singing voice.

Winnie dared to peek from the back of Coovers's leg, and its eyes widened as Sonia took out a bottle of honey twice the size Gwen would carry. Winnie's mouth watered as Sonia held it out to it.

"That's right, Eddie. A jumbo-sized, top-of-the-line bottle of honey," Sonia said as she gestured to Winnie to come over to her with her finger. "All you have to do is come to me, and it'll all be yours."

Winnie bit its lip, knowing what the peach-haired woman was doing. It knew Gwen would stop Sonia and point out it just had a lot of honey when it ate its breakfast, but a large bottle of honey was so tempting. Finally, it decided it would be worth it and jumped into Sonia's arms. Sonia squealed in delight as she stood back up and cradled Winnie like a baby as it held up the bottle, opened the cap, and began pouring the honey into its mouth.

"That's my Eddie-Benny," Sonia said.

Coovers smiled at the sight of his crush so happy and said, "Would you like to sit down?"

Sonia nodded and sat on Gwen's seat while Coovers sat beside her. They sat silently with Sonia watching Winnie eat honey until Coovers cleared his throat.

"So, did you find anything about the Darkest Day?" He asked.

"Not really," Sonia said. "The most I managed to find was a giant gold statue of the hero at the Wyndon Stadium entrance hall. Nothing to write home about."

"So, what brought you to try your luck here?" Coovers asked.

"Honestly, I just came here just so I can tell myself and Gran that I've looked for clues all over Galar," Sonia said. "I tell you, Coovers, doing homework for my Gran is so exhausting. I don't know where else in Circhester to look after we watch Timothy's battle."

Coovers gave his crush a sad look and rubbed her back for comfort. Then he got an idea and said with a smile, "Well, if you'd like, we could go sightseeing after Timothy's battle and use our raincheck to have a meal together. Maybe a little time away from homework will help you relax?"

For a moment, Sonia didn't say anything, and Coovers grew worried that she didn't hear him or was going to say no. Then Sonia sighed and gave Coovers a cheerful smile that made his heart race.

"You know what, Coovers? That sounds perfect," she said. "What's the point of traveling to a city I've never been to before if I can't enjoy its wonders?"

"There you go," Coovers said with a toothy grin.

With a small blush, Sonia placed her hand that wasn't holding Winnie on top of Coovers's, and he flushed.

"Thank you, Coovers. You always find a way to support me," Sonia said.

Coovers sputtered gibberish and began playing with his long hair like Sonia.

"I-I-I-I do my best," he said.

Sonia giggled with her mouth closed and went back to watching Winnie eat its honey. Coovers closed his mouth to hide a squeal, realizing Sonia's hand was still on his. His free hand shook as he suddenly found a new reason to hope Timothy's battle would be quick.

Gwen was feeling uneasy as she followed the League Staff members. She wondered what could be the problem, making guesses such as something wrong with her ticket or there was some crime done by someone who looked similar to her. Gwen ruled out her theories, thinking they were flimsy at best, but it still didn't make sense that the staff would want to take her somewhere.

The League Staff members led Gwen to an elevator and went up several stories before taking her to a small, gray hall with a door on the other side. They opened the door and gestured to Gwen to come inside to reveal a barely lit room with no windows. Standing at the center of the room was Ezria with their arms crossed and a chair in front of her. Her trenchcoat and Hat were hanging on a coat rack in the corner. Gwen's unease grew as she went in while Ezria smiled.

"Thank you for bringing her to me, gentlemen. You may wait in the hall," Ezria said. "Gwen, have a seat."

"Ma'am," the staff members said before they left the room, closing the door behind them.

The room was silent, with Gwen standing still until Ezria gestured to her to take a seat. Gwen hesitated, feeling a sense of suspicion and loathing behind Ezria's friendly face that made her uneasy before she complied. Ezria began to pace with her hands behind her back, making Gwen more uncomfortable.

"I hope you don't mind that you'll probably miss Timothy's match," Ezria said.

"T-that's okay. Like you said, it's going to be an easy win," Gwen said awkwardly. "Congratulations on beating Melony, by the way."

"Oh, how sweet of you to say," Ezria said. "And here I thought I'd go through the entire Gym Challenge without a kind word from the daughter of Dr. Lettie Weaver."

Gwen's eyes widened, and she froze in place. Ezria's friendly smile turned into a smirk, and she stopped pacing.

"Yes, Uncle Rose and Aunt Oleana found out who you are," she said. "It's an understatement to say finding out a former member of the research team to find Eternatus lied about her identity was suspicious, especially when she's the daughter of the person who discovered its location. I can't say I'm a big fan of yours, but even I was surprised that you've been hiding your real identity all this time."

Ezria stepped closer to Gwen until they were inches apart, her shadow looming over Gwen from the only light hanging on the ceiling.

"Now, I'll give you one chance to tell the truth," Ezria said. "Why did you lie about being from Johto instead of Galar?"

"I didn't," Gwen said without thinking.

"Really?" Ezria questioned. "Then how do you explain you and your mother living here in Galar when Uncle Rose hired you?"

"We moved to Wedgehurst several years ago," Gwen lied, struggling to keep her cool. "I was born in Azalea Town in the Johto region, where my mother grew up."

"Interesting tale," Ezria said. "Almost as interesting as you claiming to be shy around people at Hulbury, and thus claiming you've never met Uncle Rose. Now, why would you say a thing like that?"

"To keep Eternatus a secret," Gwen said.

"Explain," Ezria said without missing a beat.

Gwen paused with her mouth twitching and said, "I don't know if the chairman or your aunt have told you this, but my mom and I signed a contract that legally forbade us from saying anything about the chairman's special project."

"What does that have to do with lying that you don't know Uncle Rose?" Ezria questioned.

"Think about it. Chairman Rose is not a subtle man," Gwen said. "Do you think Timothy and Coovers wouldn't find it odd that I am treated differently just because I'm a former employee who was part of a project he wants to be a secret?"

"Hmmm. I see your point. Uncle Rose is not very subtle, and he is protective when it comes to his dream," Ezria admitted. "And I assume you haven't told Timothy or Coovers of the project?"

"I already told you I am legally forbidden to do that. Timothy and Coovers have no idea," Gwen claimed. "That's why when the chairman asked if he knows me, I said no, and Timothy backed me up by saying I'm from Johto, ignorant that I worked for the chairman or that I've lived in Galar long enough to know it by heart as opposed to having looked up where to go through the Gym Challenge through maps."

"You lied that you live in Galar? You should be ashamed of yourself even if you haven't lived in our beloved region your whole life!" Ezria rebuked.

"Yeah? Well, I'm not a patriot like you," Gwen said. "For the sake of secrecy, Timothy and Coovers have no idea I've ever officially lived in Galar."

"And yet you have traveled together for years?" Ezria questioned.

Gwen took a couple of seconds to brainstorm and said, "Not always. We parted ways a few years back so I could help my mother with her research. That's why I wasn't around when Timothy saved the world."

"And do they know what happened to your poor mommy?" Ezria asked.

The question made Gwen flinch as though Ezria had slapped her. The edge of Ezria's mouth curled up, watching the woman she hated being miserable. Gwen's hands began to shake as she struggled with the urge to cry from the cruel way the chairman's follower spoke about her mother. After several seconds, she put it in the back of her head and said the first story that came to mind.

"As far as Timothy and Coovers are concerned, she was crushed in a rock avalanche while we were traveling through the mountains," Gwen answered with a frail voice.

"Ha! An avalanche? An avalanche killed your mother? That's a little over-the-top," Ezria said mockingly.

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?! YOUR MOM DIDN'T GET VAPORIZED!" Gwen screamed.

"Ooooo. Struck a nerve," Ezria said in a singing voice. "You're right, though. I don't know what that's like, but at least your mother died for something bigger than herself. Don't you agree?"

"NO, I DON'T!" Gwen yelled. "I DON'T CARE IF ETERNATUS CAN PROTECT THE FUTURE OF GALAR! IF I HAD THE CHANCE TO CHANGE TIME, I WOULD GLADLY MAKE IT, SO MY MOM AND I NEVER TOOK THOSE JOBS, AND YOU ALL CRY A RIVER OVER NOT HAVING YOUR SOLUTION!"

Ezria's smirk melted into a sullen look, and she snarled, "You'd rather Galar suffer a millennium from now so that you can have your mom back?!"

"Without a doubt," Gwen said with a cold voice.

"And what good were the two of you before Uncle Rose hired you?" Ezria questioned. "You were a pair of so-called researchers trying to find answers regarding the Darkest Day and never found anything new about it, just like generations of researchers and historians before you. Honestly, I'm worried about how you influence Timothy with your silly ideals."

"What? What does Timothy have to do with it?" Gwen asked.

Ezria bent down and leaned toward Gwen until their faces were inches apart, her hands on the chair's arms. Gwen's nervousness returned as Ezria scowled at her with her rose-red eyes.

"If it's not obvious to you, then let's not beat around the bush. I. Want. Him," Ezria said with venom in her voice. "He is the perfect match for me, and I for him. He is the only one who has beaten me in a Pokémon battle, and we are the only ones who have not lost a gym battle even once. He knows the importance of sacrifice for the greater good, just as Uncle Rose and I do, and would send every soul to battle to achieve victory. If that doesn't scream perfection personified, I don't know what does, yet you keep getting in our way."

"How am I in your way? Timothy is my friend. I don't like him like that," Gwen said.

"No, but you distract him from the big picture," Ezria said. "All that talk he said about the importance of knowing our history for our future is nonsense, and I will bet all of my wealth that belief comes from you talking about your little goal, blinding him from looking at the future. Even if you don't feel anything toward him, that, more than anything about you, is what holds him down from who he needs to be. You're stuck in the past while he must focus on his destiny, being a hero fighting for the greater good and being with me."

Gwen looked back at Ezria, astonished by her proclamation.

"Wow. You are more consumed with your romantic ideals than I thought," Gwen said. "Do you honestly expect me to let you try to win my friend over to become some trophy?"

"Firstly, I'm offended that you think I think of Timothy as some object," Ezria said. "Secondly, letting me take him as my own is exactly what I expect. We will spend the rest of our journey together with you, not doing anything to keep my future knight and me from further developing our relationship. Of course, that is if I allow you to keep traveling with Timothy and me."

"And how are you going to prevent me from doing that? Convince Timothy and Coovers to abandon me?" Gwen asked. "Timothy would never do that to anyone."

"True. He is astute, so it will be tricky, but I'm sure I can think of something that will make him see things my way," Ezria said. "Of course, how I'm going to execute that depends on what Timothy will say when I ask him if anything you've said is accurate. To be frank, I hope it is because if he knows too much, I may have to do something to get rid of the person who isn't what I thought he was."

Gwen's face grew pale as Ezria moved away and put on her trenchcoat and hat. She walked over to the door and lifted her arm to knock but paused and turned to Gwen.

"Oh, and one more thing. Are you still in contact with Professor Magnolia?" She asked.

Gwen stared at the wall, looking like she hadn't heard Ezria. Then she lowered her head and said, "I-I haven't spoken to her since my mom's funeral. I blame her for what happened to my mom as much as I do the chairman."

Ezria raised her eyebrow and let out a, "hmmm." She knocked on the door, and the league Staff members instantly opened it from the other side.

"We're done here. I will question Timothy and see if his claims match Ms. Weaver's. Keep an eye on her in the meantime," Ezria said.

"Yes, Ms. Markenel," one of the staff members said. "Also, Mr. Durbin has just won his battle against Gordie."

"Excellent. Did any of his Pokemon faint?" Ezria asked.

"No, ma'am. His Raichu took out Gordie's Barbaracle and Shuckle, then used his Poliwrath to beat Stonjourner and then Coalossal in a Dynamax battle," the second staff member explained.

"Just as I figured," Ezria said with a smirk before turning to Gwen with a smug smile. "He's probably changing clothes before meeting us at the lobby with Coovers and your Teddiursa. Let's not keep him waiting."

Gwen stayed silent for a moment before standing up and turning to Ezria with a fake smile.

"No, let's not keep Timothy waiting," Gwen said.

Ezria's smug look grew, and she gestured to Garb with her hand to follow her. Gwen silently exited the room with Ezria, walking behind her while the staff members walked behind her. Gwen continued to smile, but her mouth was shaking, her hands were twitching, and it took all of her willpower not to scream. She tried to think of a way to warn Timothy without Ezria knowing, but she couldn't think of anything to do when security kept an eye on her.

At the same time, she felt a pain in her heart ever since she said Timothy was only her friend.