Through the last twenty hours, Oleana struggled to keep her cool. Galar Particles had escaped the core twice, once when the scientist tested the machine, and then shortly after, she and Chairman Rose returned to the Energy Plant. Venarge was still missing, and Timothy's companions, who she ordered Venarge to follow, suddenly left, making her believe that her suspicion against them was warranted. If that wasn't enough, she received word from her head agent that Professor Magnolia's granddaughter was seen investigating the geoglyph with a group of people and Pokémon. He didn't get a good look at who was with Sonia, but they were likely up to something against her beloved boss.
Still, even with her short-tempered nephew missing and Professor Magnolia's granddaughter up to something, Oleana couldn't deny that the chairman's plan was going well. Leon and Ezria have dealt with several rampaging Dynamax Pokémon. Timothy and his friends, Ash and Serena, helped, and the hangar was reinforced. Suspicion against Timothy's friends aside, she began to believe that Ezria was right to suggest Timothy be a part of the operation despite her bias for her crush. Plus, her boss seemed to have found two more skilled trainers to recruit after witnessing how Ash and Serena did battling a Gigantamaxed Coalossal with Leon. Even so, the loyal secretary wouldn't ease up until all potential hindrances were dealt with.
When the chairman's limo arrived at Wyndon, it was night, and the sky was covered with countless stars. Ash, Serena, and Pikachu beamed as they looked through the window, having never been to Wyndon at night before. Chairman Rose chuckled with his mouth closed, pleased to see the trainers and Pikachu admire the beauty of Galar's capital thanks to the power he provided. The tips of Oleana's mouth curled up, delighted that the results of the chairman's work were being admired. Ash, Serena, and Pikachu's faces lit up more as the car stopped in front of Rose Tower, and the chairman's smile grew. They went inside and went up the elevator to the dining floor. A server was waiting to take them, having been informed of their arrival ahead of time. The server took them to their table next to a window, and Ash, Serena, and Pikachu sat next to each other with Pikachu standing on a cushion. Rose sat opposite from them, with Oleana standing behind.
They waited a few minutes until a waiter came with a tray with plates of food, a bowl overfilled with Pokémon food, and a green drink in a wine glass. The waiter put the plates and bowl in front of Ash, Serena, and Pikachu, then put the drink in front of Rose. The chairman gave his employee a friendly nod in thanks before his guests dug in. Ash and Pikachu cheerfully stuffed their mouths with food while Serena ate at a regular pace. Chairman Rose smiled again before taking a sip of his drink.
"This is the best," Ash said with his mouth full.
"It's delicious," Serena agreed. "Thank you for treating us to this, Mr. Chairman."
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"My pleasure," Chairman Rose said. "I'm more than happy to treat you after your hard work. Even then, it's a pleasure to do this for the friends of Leon and Timothy."
Ash's eyes widened, and he swallowed hastily.
"That reminds me. Do you know how Timothy's doing collecting Gym Badges?" He asked.
"Why, yes. He just won his final badge yesterday along with Oleana's niece and nephew, Ezria and Venarge," the chairman answered.
"Really? That's great," Serena chirped. "You must be thrilled for your niece and nephew, Oleana."
"Yes, I am pleased with their hard work," Oleana answered bluntly.
Serena grew confused with how Oleana spoke until Ash stood up from his seat with his hands turned into fists.
"I hope I get to see Timothy complete more of his dream by winning the Galar League," he declared with a grin. "But I also hope he doesn't expect to beat Leon because I'm beating him first in the World Coronation Series."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said with a competitive smirk.
Serena looked at her beloved and his partner with a loving smile while the chairman let out a hearty chuckle.
"Ah, to be young and competitive with one's rivals," Chairman Rose chortled. "Though, I must say I admire that you're also rooting for Timothy at the same time."
"Of course, I'm rooting for Timothy. I want to see all of my friends complete their dream," Ash said with a toothy grin as he sat back down.
"Me too," Serena said with a smile.
Chairman Rose chuckled again with his mouth closed and looked out the window with a fond smile.
"Wanting everyone to complete their dream. That's a noble thing to wish for," the chairman said. "You know, Ash, Serena, I love the view from here. Every one of those flickering lights out there is someone living their life along with a dream. I was raised from humble beginnings to the position I now occupy, and I have Galar to thank for it. I want this gorgeous nighttime view to be here a thousand years from now, and I intend to do everything that I possibly can to see that it is."
Ash, Serena, and Pikachu looked at Rose, confused. To them, the chairman went off subject entirely by talking about the view. Rose looked away to see his guests' puzzlement and he smiled.
"Let me be frank. I am in the process of recruiting such talented young trainers like Leon, Ezria, Venarge, and Timothy into my fold," he said. "Trainers like you two. What do you say?"
"Like us?" Ash asked.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"I make it my business to support strong trainers just like you," Chairman Rose explained. "It's all for the future of Galar. Please work with me and lend us all a hand."
For the first time in a while, Oleana allowed herself to smile. She cheerfully clasped her hands, confident that her dear boss's dream was sure to be secured with two more allies.
"Oh, my. How wonderful it must be to receive such an invitation from Chairman Rose," she said.
Serena stared at Oleana, finding it odd that she was happy about the chairman recruiting her and Ash over her niece and nephew's accomplishments in the Gym Challenge. She turned to Ash, and the couple smiled, silently agreeing on what their answer was.
"Thanks, but no," Ash said.
Chairman Rose and Oleana's faces fell with the chairman's mouth hanging open.
"You see, I've been wandering around the world with my own power, meeting all kinds of Pokémon," Ash said. "I want to get stronger with them."
"And it's my dream to see lots of different people watch me perform with my Pokémon. I want people around the world to smile because of the performances we give," Serena said.
Chairman Rose stared at Ash and Serena with his mouth still hanging open. Then he closed his eyes and smiled.
"I see. I understand your position," he said.
Ash chuckled cheerfully, and Serena smiled in appreciation, but then they looked past the chairman, and their hearts grew still. Oleana glowered at Ash and Serena with a twisted face that made her look like her mind could snap, and she could attack them like a carnivore mauling its prey. The young couple chuckled nervously while Rose took a sip of his drink, oblivious to what was happening. As Ash and Serena awkwardly returned to their food, a server walked to Chairman Rose and whispered into his ear. The chairman smiled and stood up, catching Ash, Serena, and Pikachu's attention.
"It looks like Timothy and Ezria just made it here," Chairman Rose announced.
"Really? Timothy's here?" Ash asked, beaming. "I want to see him."
"Me too," Serena said.
The chairman chuckled with his mouth closed and said, "Well, they should be right up momentarily, so let's go meet them at the elevator."
Ash and Serena happily nodded, and they all got up from their seats with Pikachu and headed to the elevator with Oleana. They waited until the elevator doors revealed Timothy, Ezria, and Electchu. Pikachu happily screamed Electchu's name in its language, and the two mouse Pokemon ran over to catch up with each other. Timothy chuckled as he got out of the elevator with Ezria, just as Ash ran over to him with a grin.
"Timothy, Chairman Rose told us you got your last badge for the Galar League," Ash said.
"That's right. I did," Timothy said with a smile.
"Awesome. You must be excited to compete," Ash said.
Timothy hesitated and said, "Well… I am relieved that I have my badges to qualify. Gym Battles are a whole different deal with Pokémon Dynamaxing."
"Suits me just fine," Ash said. "If I get the chance, I want to go on a journey to collect Gym Badges and compete in the Galar League. Of course, that'll also depend on whether there's something Galar has for Serena to pursue her dream too."
Serena looked at Ash with another loving smile while Chairman Rose stepped in and said, "I'm sure if you stay long enough, you will find Galar a special place to do just that. Why Timothy has found a place here."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"Oh, you mean you haven't had a chance to tell them, Timothy?" Rose asked.
"Honestly, Rose, this is the first I've seen Ash and Serena since before the Gym Challenge started," Timothy said.
"Then allow me to break the news," Rose said. "Timothy has agreed to be under my employment as part of my new task force for stopping rampaging Dynamax Pokémon."
"Whoa, really?" Ash asked.
Serena turned to Timothy and asked, "But what about your dream?"
"It's not going anywhere, Serena," Timothy said with an assuring smile. "I just need to do my part in protecting the Galar region. I think constantly facing Dynamax Pokémon might help my Pokémon get stronger. Maybe strong enough to make my way to Steven Stone."
Serena smiled back, relieved that her friend hadn't suddenly given up.
"That reminds me, Timothy. We haven't discussed the terms of your employment yet, and yet you've already taken down a few Pokémon for us," Chairman Rose said.
"That's alright, Rose. Stopping those Pokémon is more important than getting paid for it. Consider Rapidash, Claydol, and Lapras on the house," Timothy said.
Rose looked at Timothy, taken aback, then smiled and said, "Very well. If that is what you want, I will ensure you're well compensated next time. I will not take no for an answer."
"Of course," Timothy said. "On a different note, how are you doing in the World Coronation Series, Ash?"
"In the Great Class," Ash said. "Currently, my ranking is-"
"Hey, wait a minute," Ezria said, stepping up. "Are you guys going to ignore that I'm even here?"
Timothy chuckled nervously as Ezria glared at him like an angry spouse, and he said, "I'm sorry. Ezria, these are my friends, Ash, Serena, and Pikachu. Guys, this is Ezria, my co-worker."
"Co-worker? Is that any way to introduce people to your girlfriend?" Ezria rebuked.
There was a long pause. Timothy squirmed while Ash and Serena looked at him and Ezria, flabbergasted. The chairman's face lit up, and he firmly shook Timothy's hand.
"May I express my deepest congratulations, my good man?" He said. "I knew there was something special between you two."
"Uh, thanks, Rose," Timothy said.
"Indeed, I am happy for you, Ezria," Oleana said with a hint of a smile.
"Thank you, Uncle Rose and Aunt Oleana," Ezria said.
"Wow, you found yourself a girlfriend, Timothy? That's awesome," Ash said.
"Yeah, I'm happy for you," Serena said.
"Thanks, guys," Timothy said hesitantly.
Ezria smirked, satisfied that her claim got the attention she wanted. Then she looked at Oleana and asked, "Is our table ready?"
"Ready and waiting for you," Oleana answered.
"Table?" Timothy asked.
"Oh, I haven't told you?" Ezria asked with a fake sheepish grin. "I asked Aunt Oleana to reserve a table in this floor's private section for just the two of us… and Electchu."
"Oh, what a stupendous idea, Ezria," the chairman said. "Why don't we let you lovebirds to it? Ash, Serena, and I should get back to our meal anyway."
"Thank you, Uncle Rose. It was lovely meeting you, Ash, Serena," Ezria said.
"Same here," Ash said.
"Enjoy your date," Serena said.
With that, Chairman Rose, Oleana, Ash, and Serena headed back to their table, and Pikachu wrapped up its conversation with Electchu. Ezria grabbed Timothy's hand and led him to a restaurant section separated by a gate with a waiter waiting for them. The waiter let them in through a gate and led them to a two-person table next to a window wall. Ezria lightly cleared her throat, and Timothy helped her to her seat.
After making their order, Timothy, Ezria, and Electchu they waited a few minutes before their food was delivered. Electchu sat beside Timothy, eating a mountain of berries from a Pokémon bowl while Timothy and Ezria silently ate together. Timothy looked up from his food and saw Ezria eating with a smile. He mentally sighed, figuring Ezria's mind was on the two of them dating even though they were only technically together because she claimed they were. Timothy worried about Gwen finding out about it, hating that he let his guard down so Ezria could kiss him, and hoped Ezria didn't try any more ideas.
As they finished their food, Timothy decided to tell Ezria off, eager to make her publicly retract her claims. Ezria sighed blissfully and rested on the back of her chair.
"Ah, nothing beats a gourmet meal after a hard day's work fighting Dynamax Pokémon. Don't you agree, Timothy?" Ezria said.
"Yeah, it's nice," Timothy said half-heartedly. "Listen, Ezria. There's something we need to discuss."
"You don't have to say anything, Timothy. I know what's on your mind," Ezria said.
"You do?" Timothy asked.
"Yes. You're thinking about how I declared we're together without your consent," Ezria said.
Timothy and Electchu looked at each other, taken aback.
"Uh, yes, actually. That's exactly what I'm thinking," Timothy said. "You can't just say we're together when I haven't agreed, nor have you asked me if I want us to be together."
Ezria tinted and played with her fingers.
"I know. You're right. I just couldn't help myself. I guess I just chose to believe that we already are after I made my promise to you and have been keeping it since then," Ezria said.
"And I appreciate that considering what we were up against, but it's still not okay. Especially when, if we're being honest, I don't want to date you," Timothy said.
Ezria's face twitched, but she continued smiling as though Timothy hadn't said anything.
"That's okay. I don't want to date you either," she said.
Timothy and Electchu stared at the raspberry-haired woman, and Timothy said, "I'm confused. I thought that's what you want."
Ezria looked down, and her cheeks turned to a deeper shade of pink.
"It was, but I had a lot of time to think after we left the port town, and I don't think it makes sense anymore," Ezria said. "If anything, I think our next step is entirely different."
"What do you mean?" Timothy asked.
Ezria paused before she looked back up at Timothy.
"The thing is, Timothy, I've spent two years wishing to find someone who will become one of Galar's new heroes should we ever face something like the Darkest Day again. A loyal knight to fight alongside his queen," she said. "I've had my doubts it will ever happen, but after today battling alongside you, the two of us saving each other, Doublade and Knightblade finishing off Lapras, I realized I don't want to beat around the bush anymore. I want my dream made clear. I want you to understand how much you make me happy, and I want to give it all I've got to make you happy. That I am the queen Galar needs, and you are the knight."
"Ezria, you're not making any sense," Timothy said. "First, you talk about wanting us to be a couple, and now you're talking about us being a knight and a queen? Just what are you saying?"
Ezria smiled, and her cheeks went from pink to maroon. She reached into her dress pocket and took out a white, blue Pokéball with two pink circles and a white M. Timothy and Electchu's eyes widened, and Timothy turned his upper body to grab his backpack lying next to his chair. Ezria grabbed his hand with her free hand and gave him an assuring look that she didn't take the Master Ball. She pressed the button at the center of the ball, revealing a silver ring with an emerald-shaped diamond on top. Ezria felt goosebumps all over her body as she answered Timothy's question.
"What I'm saying is I choose you."