Now that the big legendary fight is over, what comes next for the heroes? Lets find out! Thank you to my readers for staying this far in the story!

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Her eyes slowly opened to whiteness. A bright, white place with heavy fog everywhere. No sounds, nothing else in this space.

"Wonderful job, Fiora."

Turning around, Fiora was met with Zamazenta and Zacian.

"Is it...?" Fiora tried to ask.

"Eternatus is sealed away, for good this time." Zamazenta confirmed.

Fiora breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. What will you two do since Eternatus is sealed?"

"We are the sword and shield of Galar. We will keep protecting this land now and for however many years to come." Zacian answered.

"We'd like to see what became of this region in the time we were asleep. Much has changed in several millennia." Zamazenta agreed.

"Will we see each other again?" Fiora asked.

"I believe our paths will cross again." Zamazenta responded. "Now that we have a bright future ahead, I look forward to seeing you find your place in the world, such as other gifted humans have before you."

"Any ideas where your path will lead?" Zacian asked.

"I think I have a pretty good idea what to do now." Fiora told them. "Thank you both, for everything."

"No, thank you. The earth had called on you, one of the few remaining gifted, for help and you carried the burden for us all." Zamazenta bowed his head.

"Thank you." Zacan also bowed. "And until we meet again..."

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After what felt like forever, Fiora's eyes opened to more whiteness. Not the same whiteness as before though. White walls, white blankets, white curtains through a sunny window...

"Fiora! Whew, you're finally up!"

And then there was Hop, right beside her.

"Hey." Fiora's voice came out groggy. "Where...?"

"Hammerlocke Hospital. You've been out cold for three days. Doc says it's probably stress and exhaustion or the like caught up with you." Hop told her.

Fiora nodded, her mind trying to assess what happened. She felt achey and sore all over, though most of it came from her right arm. Glancing over, it was wrapped up in bandages.

"They said your arm'll heal up soon enough. They're impressed how you faced Eternatus with blood loss but hey, you're- " Hop was saying.

"Eternatus?!" Fiora tried to sit up, cringing at the pain of her injuries.

"Relax, it's gone." Hop assured. "Eternatus was caught in the pokeball. Right now, Sonia and Professor Magnolia have it locked away somewhere secret. They'll talk to you about what to do with it later."

"So...everything's ok? Galar is safe?"

"A little bashed up but still standing strong. You did it. You saved everybody."

Fiora's eyes watered up. Thank goodness. It was finally over. Galar and all those within it were going to be ok. The threat of the Darkest Day would never harm anyone ever again.

"And now I've gotta ask. What the heck happened back there? The glowing you did to that capture?" Hop asked.

"Right. Well, kind of a long story..."

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At the same time, in another room of the hospital, Leon heard a knock on the door. He set aside his phone as the door opened. The nurse ushered the visitor in before leaving to attend to her duties.

"Gone stir crazy yet?" Sonia greeted.

Leon laughed. "Somehow no. But this is the first time in ages I've had more than a day off. Is it weird that I'm enjoying it?"

"You more than earned it." Sonia took a seat beside the bed. "Any news on discharge?"

"Doc says I'll be clear tomorrow morning. Good thing too. Gotta prep for the championship match!"

"Eh?! Already?!"

"Of course! We got interrupted last time. Just imagine it; The Unbeatable Champion versus The Legendary Hero. It's a match for the ages! This will be the biggest championship match Galar's ever seen! Trainers all over the world will come pouring in when they see how strong we are here!"

Sonia shook her head. "Take it easy please! The nurse said you opened up your stitches last time you got worked up about battling."

News reports were still flooding in about the Darkest Day. There had been a lot of damage to certain cities and pokemon habitats but a little hard work could patch things up. Injuries and casualties were kept minimum, thanks to the gym leaders helping evacuation and protection. Even the gym challengers and experienced trainers stepped up to assist them. Leon was proud to see his home region banding together in crisis. But he was even more proud of the trainers under his wing. Hop and Fiora had come so far since their first steps in Postwick. Despite the danger, they didn't hesitate to charge into the fray and risk their beings to stop the chaos. Their teamwork, their bonds with their pokemon, how they used their experiences to combat the threat, those two were true heroes.

And Fiora. Leon was especially impressed with her progress. That girl grew into quite an amazing trainer. The region was calling her Galar's Hero and the Modern Legend. He had sensed something great in her but even he didn't think she'd rise to these heights. Leon had been excited to battle her before the Darkest Day. Now? He could tell this match would be the biggest one he's had in his career so far! The hype was enough to numb any burns, scrapes and pain that the champion felt.

"You think you'll be able to take on the Modern Legend?" Sonia asked.

"Dunno." Leon smiled.

"Really? You're usually pretty confident in your team."

"No, I still believe in my pokemon. But I also believe in Fiora and her team. Really, anything can happen. Kinda exciting, not knowing what happens next. I had forgotten what that felt like."

"So let's say Fiora manages to beat the unbeatable champion? What's next?"

"I have a few ideas I've been mulling over."

"Yeah, I wouldn't expect you to retire quietly."

Chairman Rose had turned himself over to the authorities after everything the insanity died down. Immedietely, Leon was asked to take over as the League Chairman in his place. He was asked to take over the Marcos Cosmos company as well but Leon decided it was best to divide it into its own subsidiaries and have different people take over the different avenues. Best not to let someone have that much power in the business world again. Not like Leon knew much about business anyway. Corporate stuff would get in the way of the plans Leon had been brewing on for awhile, things that he might be able to complete now that he had the position of Chairman.

"Hey, even if I stay busy, I'll make sure to find time to pester ya." Leon joked. "How's all the research going? Bet you got a lot of good source material."

Sonia immedietely launched into an excited lecture about how recent events had contributed greatly to her studies. Even more so when it was uncovered that the missing source material from the Hammerlocke Vault had been in Rose's possession all this time. Inbetween helping her grandmother with Galar recovery, Sonia had been writing up her research for a book. On closer inspection, Sonia had dark circles under her eyes. She must've been skipping sleep. Yet she didn't seem fatigued at all. Her eyes were lit up, sparkling like diamonds. Was this what he looked like when he first became champion?

"Eh? What's with that look?" Sonia noticed his warm gaze.

"You're a lot more confident than before. Found your own path and proudly moving forward. I'm happy for you, Sonia. Don't lose that flame, 'kay?"

"Oh! Um thanks?" Sonia blushed for a brief moment. "Anyway, where's Hop? Thought he'd want to be by his brother's side during recovery."

"He's been in and out. Mostly keeping an eye on Fiora."

"Feelin' left out?"

"Nah. But man I feel old. Those kids are growing up too fast." Leon chuckled.

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After Leon was discharged, it was only another day before Fiora was released from the hospital. While she wanted to be at home to see her mother and rest a little longer, the media was eager to get interviews of her. Leon arranged for her to stay in the Rose Hotel in Wyndon for privacy, along with Hop (who was noted to play a big role in the events as well). If Fiora had to leave the hotel for any reason, she was accompanied by League Officials as bodyguards. Though Fiora didn't leave too often. Just to the stadium during specified times for pokemon training.

Despite the insanity Galar had just gone through, Leon pushed to get the championship match back up and running again. Not like anyone would stop him. Rather, Galar was more hyped for the match than before. Regions outside of Galar, having heard the events, were anticipating the big match online too. It was like a thousand spotlights were cast onto the unbeatable champion and the newly appointed hero. The match was arranged for a week after Fiora's release. Enough time for both sides to train and for the league to prepare the massive event.

The night before the big match, Fiora and Inteleon sat on the balcony outside the room. Lights of Wyndon were shining like stars. In the distance, the stadium looked like a glowing rose, a beacon summoning the strongest of all trainers. The destination set for tomorrow. This was the big match, for real this time.

"Are you nervous, Miss Fiora?" Inteleon asked.

"Not anymore." Fiora answered. "After everything we've been through in this journey, it feels like I can do anything as long as I have you and the others by my side. If we can face against Eternatus, then we can take on anything!"

"Agreed. Together, we make a formidable team. I believe we'll be able to claim the champion's throne for ourselves." Inteleon said.

"Hey Inteleon? Win or lose, I think I know what I want to do afterwards."

"What would that be?"

"There aren't many gifted like me out there. And over time, fewer come into the world and more of the secrets are lost. It's miraculous I uncovered a sliver of what gifted can do. For whatever reason, the world picked me for the fight."

Fiora took a deep breath, gazing at the skies.

"Chairman Rose was seeking to push technology and urbanization forward, claiming it would benefit civilization for eons to come. And it's not just him. Others in the world have that ideal, even if they're not as extreme. It's fine to move forward and look for innovations. But so many are losing connection with nature and throw off earth's balance. Destroying environments, driving pokemon species to near extinction, prioritizing convenience over safety...yet it goes ignored. If the world can't create any more gifted, what will become of humans and pokemon?"

Galarian reefs destroyed, changing Corsola's natural evolution to protect itself. The lack of appearances from peaceful pokemon in nature such as Togekiss or Celebi. Pokemon of ancient past, such as Hisui, erased due to over-development and excessive hunting. Certain resources growing scarce, with companies choosing to go to extremes for getting more rather than finding alternative solutions. The world had been crying in pain for a long time, unheard by ones hurting it.

"I want to help this world recover. There's got to be some sort of middle ground between nature and urban development. A way we can move technology forward without harming the environment or the connection of people and pokemon. I think if we change our ways now, we can someday create a peaceful, healthy world for everyone to thrive in. I think that's what I'm meant to do." Fiora sighed. "I don't know how exactly to do that but I'll figure it out, step by step. If I become the champion, I'd have a lot more influence. But even if I lost, I might have some fans who will still listen to what I have to say. Little by little, step by step, I think I can make a difference."

"Wherever you go, whatever you decide to do, I will follow." Inteleon said.

"Us too!"

The other pokemon came out onto the balcony to join them. When did they start listening in?

"That sounds so cool! I'm gonna help you and senpai make that dream real!" Sylveon said, wrapping his ribbons around Fiora's hand.

"Oh it'll be a beautiful world! I can't wait to see what it will be like!" Altaria agreed.

"Probability of success is high. Fiora's influence as a strong trainer and determination are key factors. More data needed to achieve results, therefore I must analyze as many locations and experiences as possible." PoryzonZ stated.

"Seriously? That's the next goal? Aiming a little low, aren't we?" Tsareena scoffed.

"You're not supporting our trainer?" Altaria asked.

"I never said that, dummy!" Tsareena responded. "But really, we're the toughest team out there. We could be thrashing other champions and take the title of World's Strongest! Heck we could go find legendaries! I never got to face that Eterna-thing and I want a fierce opponent!"

"We can do that too! I would love to meet other trainers and pokemon, get to see more sides of the world." Fiora told her.

"Showing our strength in battle can give others insight into our goals and show our conviction to this goal. Our road will be a long one, though it is more about the journey than the destination. Step by step, we can change the world together." Urshfu said.

Everyone was on board with the idea. Fiora felt blessed to be surrounded by caring pokemon like them. For ages, she always wanted pokemon friends to travel and make memories with. Now she had a little family of pokemon with whom she shared countless experiences. And they were more than willing to continue onwards together, to walk toward the future.