"We're nearing Turrfield." Seb said calmly.
"Any sign of Eternatus yet?" Goh asked.
"Seeing as we are still in the air, and not being tossed around like beans in a maraca, I'd say it's not here." Seb said sarcastically.
"Doesn't mean that Sordward isn't here trying." Goh said.
"Hate to ruin this budding bromance, but even if we find Sordward, stop his plan and capture him, you said he doesn't have either of the ancient weapons." Serena pointed out.
"And Ash's team hasn't responded so we have no idea if Shielbert has them either." Seb reminded.
"What, do you think they have a third brother named Gunther?" Goh joked. "Get it because Eternatus is a cannon and, never mind."
"We're landing, get ready to head for the stadium." Seb said in a serious tone.
In the gym
"Goh, it's been a while, is Ash here?" Milo asked.
"No, he's elsewhere in Galar, but let me guess, rampaging Dynamax Pokémon?" Goh said.
"I'm guessing that's why you're here, come on I could use the back up." Milo said leading the group.
Inside the arena was a large Tsareena, several gym trainers were holding it back with little to no luck.
"I've got this. Cinderace its time to Dynamax!" Goh said tossing the pokeball.
Upon exiting the pokeball, Cinderace looked a fair bit different than it had at its normal size.
"The Gigantamax factor." Seb said in shock. "Xatu let's help them out!"
"If firepower is what we need, Delphox can help out too." Serena said tossing out a Pokeball.
"Flapple, let's give them some assistance!" Milo called out.
"Cinderace use GMax Fireball!"
"Delphox Mystic Fire!"
"Xatu use Air Slash!"
"Flapple use Sludge Bomb!"
The Tsareena was knocked back by the large fire attack, and then stumbled from the other three.
"Seb, Sordward has to be close! Go look for him!" Serena said.
"Why not newbie?" Seb pointed out referring to Goh.
"Because mine is GMaxed, and we both have Fire Types, plus I lost to Shielbert!" Goh scolded. He wasn't proud to admit his loss, but he knew Seb was the better trainer.
"Fine, I'm going!" Seb relented, ducking out of the way of another attack.
"Cinderace draw Tsareena's attacks toward you with Max Airstream!"
"Delphox use Fire Blast!"
"Flapple use Fly!"
Seb calmly walked through the tunnels of the stadium. In his experience rushing into a fight resulted in a loss, except for Ash. Five years he'd trained with that boy and he was no closer to figuring out how to beat him.
"Ah, you made it a few seconds earlier than I expected." Sordward taunted. "Though I imagine for someone with your history, a few seconds can mean a lot."
"Your mind games won't work on me." Seb said, pulling out his pocket watch.
"No mind games, just facts. How does it feel being placed at number eight, twice in a row. Then to add insult to injury, a new World Coronation Tournament hasn't been announced since." Sordward said.
"I'm proud of where I ended." Seb said calmly.
"Except you almost didn't. There's video evidence of that battle at the bay. A few seconds is all it would have taken for you to lose. That's why you've stuck around them this long, isn't it." Sordward pointed out.
"Ash is a strong competitor, and a good training partner, but he isn't the only reason I've stayed this long." Seb said.
"No, but he was the first." Sordward said. "You know if you were to help us, all of his accomplishments would be put up for questioning."
"Not going to happen." Seb said, his eyes glowing momentarily.
"Ooh, is that a power I see trying to surface. Yet another thing, that if put to the test, young Ash would beat you at. Even I saw his bubble earlier." Sordward said.
"You have no idea what I'm capable of!" Seb shouted.
"No, but I knew I could push your buttons eventually. Eternatus isn't here, my work here is done." Sordward said with a wave, walking off.
"Not so fast." Seb said. Feraligatr standing in the path of Sordward.
"A battle, honestly?" Sordward said, grabbing a Pokeball. "Doublade, come out. Use Sacred Sword."
"Feraligatr clamp down on one with Crunch and throw it away." Seb said.
One of the Doublade was tossed and stuck into the wall. The other clearly concerned for its own well being.
"Ash may be a strong battler, but I time out every attack accordingly, you won't win." Seb said calmly.
"Doublade use Night Slash."
"Feraligatr use Slash."
Feraligatr managed to disrupt the Doublade's attack, leaving it open for a clear shot.
"Use Hydro Cannon."
The half of the Doublade not in the wall was blasted back, and defeated.
"Very well, you win. I'd give you a prize, but I don't have any." Sordward said.
"Where are they." Seb said angrily.
"Far enough away to keep those pesky legendaries from interfering." Sordward said. "Au revoir."
"Seb, we could use your help!" A gym trainer said, running around the corner.
Seb ran back into the field to see Delphox and Flapple get flung into a wall.
"I leave for five minutes." Seb said grabbing a Pokeball. "Mamoswine use Ice Fang!"
The Tsareena stomped down on Mamoswine, as the tusk Pokemon bit its foot. Dynamax energy dissipated through the arena, as the now smaller Tsareena hung from Mamoswine's mouth.
"He's no help, gave no clear answer even after beating him as to where the sword and shield are." Seb said, informing Goh and Serena.
"Hopefully Ash and the others are having better luck than we are." Serena said.
"I'll try calling them again." Goh said pulling up his phone.
"Wait, you've been trying?" Seb asked.
"Yeah, why?" Goh asked.
"We have new numbers, same phones and Rotoms, but a better plan." Serena said.
"Why did no one tell me?" Goh whined, as Serena walked off calling Ash.
"Simple, you're dead." Seb said walking past Goh.
"I'm not dead!" Goh complained.
"Goh, quiet, it's Ash." Serena said. "Yeah, no luck so far. Okay, understood. Yeah we'll stop for the night as well. We're doing fine otherwise. Wait who did she fight?"
"So, I'm guessing we're stopping for now." Seb said.
"Yeah, and you won't believe what they just had happen." Serena said.