"So do you want to explain where those came from, or should I just start guessing?" Marnie asked.
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.
"Those." Marnie said pointing at Ash. "When we left the wild area, you were flat as a cutting board. Mind you they aren't anything to write home about, but you didn't grow them mid flight."
"Oh, I was wearing a binder, it gives me the look of not having anything up here." Ash said. "You see there's this…"
"Spare me the odd details, Goh explained it to me, at least the general gist of it." Marnie said. "Vengeful Darkrai, amnesia, yadda yadda yadda."
"You believed him?" Chloe said surprised.
"Wouldn't you." Marnie said.
"Oh, I guess I should, but…". Chloe trailed off.
"I know he hurt you two, but he's worked hard to change." Marnie said. "And I'm doing this for him, not just me."
"Either way, we're glad to have both of you helping us out." Ash said.
"Look, Ballonela is coming into view." Chloe said.
"Great, I get to see Opal again." Ash said sarcastically.
"Opal isn't the gym leader anymore." Marnie pointed out.
"Then who is?" Chloe asked.
At the gym
"Well well well, look who finally decided to show up at a gym again." A white haired boy said.
"Bede, you're looking especially like cotton candy today." Marnie quipped.
"We're investigating a string of rampaging Dynamax Pokemon, we believe they may be targeting your gym next." Ash said.
"Oh that foolish thing, I took care of it already." Bede said. "But since you're here, Marnie of Spikemuth, I challenge you to a rematch!"
"A rematch?" Chloe said confused.
"I've done that a few times, mostly to settle a score of what's believed to be an unfair battle." Ash said.
"I get that, I just mean it's weird to do it now isn't it?" Chloe said.
"It's kinda late for us to try and make it to Circhester today, and I don't think it's a good idea for us to fly at night, so why not." Ash said. "We'll pick up any lost time by leaving early tomorrow."
"I guess that's fine." Chloe said.
"Not that my opinion would matter in a battle involving me, but I accept anyways." Marnie said.
"Good choice, follow me to the battlefield." Bede said.
"Mawile, come on out!" Bede said.
"Morpeko, I choose you!" Marnie said.
"Mawile use Play Rough!"
"Morpeko use Aura Wheel!"
The two small Pokémon collided into each other, neither giving in. Ash saw Morpeko's colors change as it jumped back, prepping itself for another attack.
"Mawile use Iron Head!"
"Morpeko use Thunderbolt!"
Mawile charged straight through Morpeko's attack, sending it tumbling into a wall.
"Mawile use Play Rough!"
"Morpeko use Aura Wheel!"
Morpeko spun forward, meeting Mawile much quicker than the other could react.
"Mawile return. Gardevoir come out! Use Dazzling Gleam!"
"Morpeko use Aura Wheel!"
Morpeko's attack this time was purplish in comparison to the usual yellow, pushing back against Gardevoir's attack.
"Morpeko come back, let's try someone a bit bigger. Liepard come out and use Snarl!"
"Gardevoir use Dazzling Gleam!"
The energies blasted at each other, stray beams going in random directions.
"Liepard use Torment!"
"Gardevoir use Dazzling Gleam!"
A strange aura surrounded Gardevoir as its attack didn't even begin.
"Now Liepard finish it with Snarl!"
The odd energy struck Gardevoir, knocking it out and giving Marnie the win.
Later at the Pokémon Center
"I'm going to go for a walk, somethings not adding up and I need to think." Ash informed Chloe and Marnie.
"Wanna wake up Pikachu?" Chloe asked.
Pikachu, Eevee, and Morpeko had fallen asleep on top of each other not far from the group.
"I should be back before he wakes up, and I shouldn't run into any trouble." Ash said.
Ash had gone into Glimwood Tangle, it was the only way out of town not by air, and they would've seen Shielbert get away otherwise, and Bea would have sent him a message if he'd gone back through Stow-on-Side, which meant he still might be in the woods. Carefully making his way between branches, Ash only hoped he didn't make a noise alerting Shielbert to him.
"I'm telling you, there's more of them than you expected." Shielbert's voice mumbled.
"Excuses! I gave you two the information and power, and yet you bring me no results!" A mysterious figure scolded.
"We were told four trainers, only one competent. Now we have two of the top trainers and a former gym challenger to deal with." Sordward complained.
"And what of Eternatus?" The figure asked.
"The one trainer, Ash. They scared it away." Shielbert said.
"Of course they did. No matter, when the time is right, everything will work out." The figure said.
"And we will be kings, right?" Sordward asked.
"You will get everything you deserve and more." The figure said.
"Who is that?" Ash whispered, trying to see the accomplice. Suddenly his phone started ringing.
"We've been spotted!" The figure shouted retreating.
"Serena, nows not a great time." Ash said seeing Sordward and Shielbert running further into the woods. Ash put her through his earpiece as he chased after the two. "Impidimp run ahead and cut them off!" Ash shouted throwing out a Pokeball.
Ash chased the two surprisingly fast trainers to a clearing, where they were simply standing there, as if they knew he'd come.
"Look at that brother, he followed us." Shielbert said.
"Though if I looked like that, I'm not sure I'd be a he." Sordward laughed.
"Ah, but from what I read it's true, truly unfortunate." Shielbert said.
"Who was that third person?!" Ash barked.
"Ah, our beneficiary. They've taken quite an interest in you specifically." Sordward said.
"Me, what did I do?!" Ash questioned.
"He never said, just that we were to leave you for him." Shielbert said. "Interesting that such a strange child would peak the interest of such a powerful being."
"I'm eighteen, not really a kid anymore, besides I've peaked your interests, haven't I?" Ash replied.
"Our interests only lie in proving our royal lineage." Sordward countered.
"See, that's just it, it's been five years since it was proven who the knights were, you don't want to just disprove that, you want to discredit everyone involved, and if I'm remembering correctly, I was pretty involved." Ash said. He saw Impidimp along with others out of the corner of his eye, they were simply waiting for Ash's permission.
"Oh, a battle, is that what you want?" Shielbert said.
"Doesn't have to be that way, you can stop this madness now, and end it peacefully." Ash said.
A loud whirring sound filled the field, as strong gusts of wind flew about.
"No matter, this is our ride, too bad you don't have one." Sordward said grabbing onto a rope ladder.
"I'd say it was fun, but we all know the truth." Shielbert said grabbing onto the other side.
"Impidimp come on!" Ash shouted, scrambling for a Pokeball. "Charizard after that helicopter!"
Hours later, the Helicopter finally landed on top of Rose Tower. Ash and Charizard ran up to it, only to find it empty.
"How'd they leave here?!" Ash said looking around for clues.
In the back he found a bag with a note on it.
'See you soon Ash Ketchum.'
Inside the bag was the sword and shield.
"Who are you working with?" Ash said holding the note.