Pokémon Sun & Moon: The Challenge of a Lifetime!

by NegaiFreak

The Ketchum twins are now 10 years old! That means they can travel the world as Pokémon trainers! And their adventure has just begun as they head off to the Alola region to make new discoveries with their family and friends! Pokémon X Fairy Tail Crossover! SHIPPINGS INCLUDED! PLEASE READ, REVIEW, AND ENJOY! THANKS FOR OVER 45,000 VIEWS!

75. Calvin VS Guzma

Alola again, everyone! This chapter will mark 75% of this story completed! It's been quite the endeavor to have as much of this story done, especially with quite a bit of content left. Not to mention that I've been thinking about working on other projects alongside this. By the time I've started writing this chapter, I'll have seen new content for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. And by the time this chapter is released, I'll be playing those games full time!

But enough about all that! We're now in the fifth round of the Lanakila Conference, and the Ketchum twins are closing in on getting that title! But they've got quite a few hurdles to overcome! Erika's up against Gordie, while Calvin is going to have one more battle against Guzma!

The stakes are set for this fifth round, so stay tuned for what's ahead!

POKÉMON SUN & MOON

THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME

"I have to admit, the Battle Royals were a real eye-opener as to what potential many of the Top Sixteen still have," Argenta admitted from the TV in Erika and Pyrrha's room, being part of an analysis portion alongside Dahlia.

"No surprise there!" her partner responded, "Obviously, a lot of people were left surprised by Bea, whose Sirfetch'd tanked a Z-Move!" she pointed out excitedly, "I think she's still one to watch tomorrow," she admitted.

"Hmm…" Erika huffed, puffing her cheeks while sitting on her bed. She didn't like how Dahlia was making light of Pyrrha from the sound of it. She herself didn't seem to mind.

"If we're going to talk more about the remaining Galarian gym leaders, why not bring up Gordie and his future opponent?" Argenta suggested, causing the Ketchum girl to perk up in surprise, "I'd argue that Erika may prove to be a challenge for him, especially with how well she did in her battle today," she noted.

"Well, I'm certainly excited to see where she's going," Dahlia confessed, "After how the third round went, I was worried she'd be too worn down to really continue," she admitted on.

"That battle against Plumeria's team did take its toll, I think," her fellow Frontier Brain agreed.

"Ugh…" Erika groaned, lying down in her bed as a replay of her battle against the former Team Skull admin played, "Kill me already…" she muttered out.

"It'zzz good to look back on your other matchezzz, zzt," Rotom buzzed as it floated over.

"And besides, they're complimenting you for being part of the Top Sixteen," Pyrrha mentioned. Her friend opened her eyes, looking up at the ceiling in thought.

"We're both up against gym leaders…" she noted aloud, "How do you feel about it?" she asked of the red-and-yellow-haired girl.

"Honestly, I'm not that nervous…" she admitted, "I'm really excited about the chance to actually battle Bea," she pointed out, "Her mom and mine are close friends, so we kinda grew up together," she recalled, "She's one of my best friends," she added with a smile. Erika sat up and grinned.

"Well, I hope you do your best," she remarked to her rival, who giggled. Meanwhile, Calvin and Gladion were watching the highlights from Guzma's match in the last round. The capped boy clenched his fists as he saw Golisopod take down the last of his opponents, earning the victory.

"He's a lot different from back when we last fought at Aether Paradise…" the former enforcer noted as he walked over.

"Yeah…" the Ketchum boy agreed, "He's more focused than I remember…" he mentioned with narrowed eyes.

"Do you have a plan for him?" Gladion inquired. Calvin took a deep breath, trying to relax his body.

"I will," he affirmed in response, "Until then, I'm just gonna get some rest…" he decided, heading over to his bed. The fifth round was already looking to be a very intense one.

OPENING

Insert "Rise Above" by Rainych

Opens with the sun dawning over Mount Lanakila. In spite of its freezing air, Calvin and Erika stand firm alongside their full teams of Pokémon as the wind rushes by. Near the base of the mountain is the site of what will be Alola's first ever Pokémon League, where Kukui stands with an excited grin on his face.

A rainbow of flower petals washes over the logo as we cut to Calvin lamenting on the boardwalk of the Seafolk Village, sitting alone and wondering if he can really take on the rest of the island challenge. At the same time, Erika is lying on her bed upon her side, thinking about the exact same thing. They both clench their fists determinedly, ready to see things through.

We cut to Calvin flying aboard a Charizard, while Erika's aboard a Pelipper. They fly throughout each of Alola's islands, smiling all the while. They see Ilima, Lana, Kiawe, Mallow, Sophocles, Acerola, Mina, Hala, Olivia, Nanu, and Hapu along the way as they arrive at the Pokémon League.

There, they're greeted by their parents and their big sister, who encourage them as they enter through the doors into the stadium. Inside, they find Hau, Pyrrha, Paige, Trent, and Gladion there. Others like Ryuki, Plumeria, and even Guzma are present. The Ketchum twins both grin excitedly, prepared to engage in some amazing battles.

The scene changes to Calvin commanding his Toucannon to use Beak Blast to take down a Machoke, while Erika has her Lurantis use X-Scissor to down an opponent's Bisharp. Hau's Decidueye goes up against Gladion and Silvally. The Synthetic Pokémon evades his foe's arrow quills before landing a powerful Fire-type Multi-Attack. Decidueye endures it, while Hau prepares a green Z-Crystal with a symbol similar to his partner, cracking a smirk.

We cut to Paige revealing a Key Stone around her neck as she uses it to Mega Evolve her Blaziken, who speeds out to attack Pyrrha's Typhlosion with a Blaze Kick. He counters by using Flamethrower. In the meantime, Trent commands his Alolan Ninetales to use Blizzard on Ryuki's Turtonator. The Blast Turtle Pokémon endures the freezing winds, unleashing a Flamethrower that appears to engulf his foe.

Calvin and Erika are then facing off, with Incineroar and Primarina battling for them. The two collide via a Flare Blitz/Aqua Jet, resulting in a powerful blast. As it clears, we witness Lycanroc slamming his clenched paws against the ground for a Stone Edge aimed to take down Araquanid. However, the Water Bubble Pokémon blasts the incoming stone pillars apart with Liquidation. Oricorio in her Baile Style comes out to unleash the searing fireball of a Revelation Dance toward Toucannon, who endures the attack and retaliates with Hyper Voice.

As the dust settles, we see Lurantis enduring Trop Kicks from Tsareena, gathering sunlight to unleash a Solar Blade onto the Fruit Pokémon. Mimi comes out from the dust, unleashing Shadow Claws onto Starbright, who endures them. She then strikes back with a Meteor Mash, merely busting the costume of the Disguise Pokémon as she chases after her opponent. Finally, we have Marowak using Shadow Bone to bash the incoming icicles of Sandslash, who dives down at him with an Iron Head.

The dust clears again, revealing the Ketchum twins staring at each other confidently with their teams. They're prepared for whatever else is ahead for them as they stand outside the stadium as the sun sets…

END OPENING

Calvin VS Guzma

"I really can't believe this!" Melony exclaimed excitedly outside of Manalo Stadium, having met up with Ash, Mirajane, Leslie, Hau, Lisanna, Pikachu and Jangmo-o, "My son against your daughter!" the Galarian gym leader noted with her hands upon her cheeks, "It reminds me of the time we battled, Ash…" she mentioned with a smirk toward the Pokémon Master, who blushed a little.

"Y-You were pretty strong…" he stuttered out, scratching at his right cheek sheepishly. His wife and his eldest daughter looked at him in surprise, while the Mouse Pokémon on his shoulder sighed. Melony giggled.

"I'm sure Gordie will give your little girl quite the match today," she remarked as she headed off and waved goodbye, "Best of luck!" she called out.

"Huh…" Ash sighed with relief.

"You really can't talk to any girls, can you?" Leslie assumed with her hands at her hips, causing her father to flinch.

"Not ones that he's not so close to," Mirajane answered for her husband, who lowered his cap over his eyes as they laughed.

"Sure, sure, rub it in…" he muttered out.

"So, who's match is first today?" his daughter inquired curiously, "Did they say?" she asked on.

"I don't think so," Sawyer replied, "But I get the feeling that it won't be long before we see our kids out there," he affirmed.

"Yeah!" his wife agreed with a nod.

"Well, no time like the present!" Leslie remarked before she and the others headed off into the stadium. Inside the locker room, Erika was seated at her locker, looking at the Poké Balls in her hands, while Rotom was floating beside her. She had a good idea as to what kind of team she wanted to bring against Gordie, knowing that he was a Rock-type trainer. But a part of her knew that some of her Pokémon had yet to fully recover from their previous matches. So she was going to make do with what she had available. With a deep breath taken, she stood up.

Others in the room appeared to be psyching themselves up in their own unique ways. Ryuki was strumming an electric guitar, Hau was stretching his legs, Bea punched a sandbag, and Calvin stared off at the wall in deep thought. Thinking about when he and his twin sister had encountered Guzma in the Ultra Deep Sea, he remembered just how frightened the former Team Skull leader had been. But he still helped to save Lusamine in the end.

The Ketchum boy looked over to see Guzma seated at a bench, rolling a Net Ball in his hands. Remembering what Kukui had told him about the former Team Skull leader's past, he wondered what kind of life he would've led if he became a trial captain like he dreamed. Could he have become a kahuna as well?

It seemed like he would never know. All he could focus on was the battle that lied ahead. Just then, another figure entered the room.

"Alright, everyone," Oleana said, getting their attentions, "You'll all be heading out onto the pitch soon," she informed the group, "Any visitors, please vacate this room," she requested firmly.

"Good luck, Erika!" Rotom called out in farewell, floating off out of the room. The Ketchum girl waved with a giggle. She felt sure of herself. She and the other 15 remaining trainers made their way out the tunnel onto the pitch. Standing at the center was none other than Rose, alongside a man dressed in uniform with bright blonde hair and a moustache. Kukui was also there, perking up and smiling upon seeing the trainers making their way towards them.

"Ah, welcome!" the P.L.F. chairman greeted as Oleana led the competitors over, "Congratulations are in order to each of you who've made it this far," he pointed out, "Truly, you've made this first Pokémon League in Alola truly memorable for—"

"Can you get on with it?" Guzma interjected in question, much to his surprise along with some of the others around him, including Calvin, "Some of us are itching to battle here…" he grumbled with his hands stuffed into his pockets. Oleana gave off an angered glare toward him, but he didn't care. Meanwhile, Rose chuckled.

"Yes, of course!" he responded, "I'm sure everyone's excited to see what the order of matches will be for today!" he affirmed, pulling out a microphone, "Hello, everyone!" he greeted as the crowd cheered excitedly, "Welcome to the fifth round of the Lanakila Conference!" he exclaimed, "From today, we'll have Galar's very own Dan Portsman as our referee!" he introduced, gesturing to the uniformed man, who bowed politely, "And shortly, we'll be revealing the order of matchups scheduled to take place!" he confirmed on. Paige clenched her fists, Trent took deep breaths, Pyrrha wiped the sweat already forming along her brow, Hau rubbed his hands together, Erika gulped a little, and Calvin stared on ahead determinedly. Dan then stepped forward, allowing Rose to hand him the microphone.

"Hello, trainers!" he greeted, "Congratulations for making it this far!" he complimented, "In case you weren't aware, these upcoming matches are three-on-three single battles," he confirmed, "Trainers are allowed to use three Pokémon each, with the addition of being able to substitute between Pokémon at any time," he explained to the competitors, "When all three Pokémon of one side are unable to continue, the battle will be decided," he mentioned firmly, "Now, we'll reveal the order of the fifth round matchups!" he declared, gesturing toward one of the many big screens in the arena. Appearing upon it were the eight scheduled matchups that were revealed yesterday. They were shuffled around, being flipped over beforehand.

Everyone watched on with bated breath. When the matchup tiles stopped, they flipped over, with the numbers one through eight appearing upon them. The first match was to be Erika against Gordie. Trent's match would be next against a young woman named Monica. The third match would feature Hau battling a boy named Vince. Pyrrha and Bea's match was to take place after, followed by Paige facing a veteran trainer known as Caleb. Ryuki's battle was sixth, up against a girl that went by Saph. Gladion was going to be up against a boy named Hunter for the seventh match. And last but not least would be Calvin and Guzma's battle.

'That probably isn't going to make him happy…' the Ketchum boy realized with a grimace, glancing over to his opponent. He merely scoffed, turning around and heading back toward the tunnel. Some of the other trainers joined him.

"Erika and Gordie," Dan called out, getting the attentions of the two competitors, "you may go ahead and take your positions as you see fit," he instructed of them.

"R-Right!" the Ketchum girl stuttered, while the Rock-type gym leader chuckled.

"Erika's match is first…" Leslie noted from the stands as the other trainers left the field, along with Rose, Oleana, and Kukui.

"And Calvin's is last…" Mirajane added, "I feel like it's going to be a long day for us…" she admitted with a sigh.

"At least we'll get to see a ton of fun battles in between," Ash affirmed with a grin.

"Peekah, pika!" Pikachu agreed upon his shoulder. Meanwhile, Jangmo-o stared down intently at the pitch where his trainer stood, about to witness her battle. She took a deep breath to calm herself, smacking her cheeks with her hands to maintain focus. Her opponent adjusted his shades and smirked.

"After I win this match, Erika," he began to her, causing her to blink in surprise, "I'll be happy to give you my autograph!" he declared. The Ketchum girl was a bit baffled for a moment, but then chuckled.

"When I win, I'll give you my autograph!" she retorted.

"Sounds like there's already some words being exchanged between Gordie Umbar and Erika Ketchum," Jim noted from the broadcast booth, "What kind of a match are you expecting from these two, Tom?" he asked of the color commentator.

"Erika definitely has Pokémon capable of dealing with the Rock-types that Gordie specializes in," he pointed out in reply, "But that also means as a gym leader, Gordie will know how best to counter them," he mentioned, "Doesn't seem that clear-cut to me, Jim," he admitted to his colleague.

"Well, we are about to get underway as both trainers are readying their Poké Balls," he said as both trainers enlarged a single Poké Ball in their hands respectively.

"And begin!" Dan yelled, swinging his arms up.

"Lurantis, let's go!" Erika called out.

"Rock on, Barbaracle!" Gordie shouted. Both trainers threw out their Poké Balls, which bounced off of each other before they popped open. Their lights spilled forth onto the ground, taking shape and dissipating to reveal both the Bloom Sickle Pokémon and the Collective Pokémon.

"Lurraaahh!" the former exclaimed. The latter narrowed the eyes at his head onto her.

"And the first battle pits Lurantis against Barbaracle!" Jim pointed out excitedly over the loudspeakers, "It's going to be quite the battle to kick off the fifth round, folks!" he proclaimed on.

"Stay sharp, Lurantis!" Erika warned of the Bloom Sickle Pokémon, "Even if you've got a type advantage, he still might have some tricks up his sleeve…" she pointed out with narrowed eyes.

"Got that right!" Gordie responded, adjusting his shades, "Barbaracle, X-Scissor!" he commanded. The Collective Pokémon's arms glowed a yellowish-green as he crossed them and charged forward.

"Petal Blizzard!" the Ketchum girl ordered. Lurantis had pink petals swirl around her body. As Barbaracle approached, she swung her arms out to send the petals towards him. However, he slashed through them, continuing his charge and slashing her back.

"Lurrraaahhh…!" she groaned out, shaking her head.

"And Barbaracle breaks through that Petal Blizzard to land a super effective X-Scissor!" Jim noted through the microphone, "Guess being at a disadvantage doesn't matter to him!" he remarked.

"Ergh…" Erika growled out, "Lurantis, Sunny Day!" she instructed.

"LURRRRAAAAAAAANNNHHHHHH~!" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon sang upon into the air. The sunlight suddenly brightened, causing Barbaracle to flinch as he shielded his many eyes.

"Stone Edge!" his trainer ordered. The Collective Pokémon regained his composure, bringing his arms up and slamming them against the ground, causing light blue stone pillars to shoot up, trailing towards his foe.

"Solar Blade!" Erika commanded. Absorbing the harsh sunlight above, Lurantis has a ball of yellow light form above her head. She raised her right arm, having the ball form into a blade over it as it went high up into the air. Before the incoming stone pillars could reach her, she swung the blade of light down in a powerful blast.

"A quickly charged Solar Blade counters that Stone Edge!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers as the crowd cheered excitedly.

"Now Petal Blizzard!" the Ketchum girl ordered. More pink petals swirled around Lurantis' body before she swung her arms out, releasing them into the smoke. They flew through it, striking Barbaracle as he stumbled back. Gordie grimaced a little.

"Poison Jab!" he commanded. The clawed fingers of the Collective Pokémon's arms glowed purple as he charged forward again.

"Counter with X-Scissor!" Erika called out. The Bloom Sickle Pokémon's arms shined a yellowish-green. She swung them out in an x-shaped pattern to block off the attempted jab of her foe, resulting in a shockwave that blew them both away from each other.

"Barbaracle, X-Scissor!" Gordie ordered.

"We'll go for that, too!" Erika decided in response. Both Pokémon had their arms glowing in a yellowish-green light, trying to swipe at each other. The Collective Pokémon almost caught his opponent by surprise, but she suddenly flipped over him, slashing at his back to make him slightly keel over as he stumbled again.

"Lurantis is going all-out against Barbaracle right away!" Jim noted excitedly over the broadcast.

"Type advantage aside, it seems like she has the speed to deal with him as well," Tom mentioned.

"Way to go, Erika!" Leslie cheered.

"Jah, moh!" Jangmo-o chirped out.

"Guess we oughta' step up our game a little…" Gordie realized, adjusting his shades again, "Barbaracle, Shell Smash!" he instructed.

"Baaahhh!" the Collective Pokémon bellowed, making his body become outlined in a white glow. A faint red glow surrounded him before disappearing in a burst. A light blue aura flowed down his body, while a reddish aura flowed up it.

"Huh?" Erika uttered in confusion.

"Now Poison Jab!" the Galarian gym leader commanded. Barbaracle dashed forward in an instant, making the clawed fingertips at his right arm glow a bright purple. Lurantis blinked in surprise before she found herself jabbed fiercely in the stomach by her foe, making her slide back.

"Lurantis!" her trainer screamed, seeing her fall down onto her knees as she grimaced.

"And a super effective Poison Jab makes its mark, powered up by that Shell Smash!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers, "Will Lurantis be able to counterattack?!" he wondered loudly.

"Use Petal Blizzard!" Erika ordered with a swing of her right arm.

"Stone Edge!" Gordie commanded. As the Bloom Sickle Pokémon had pink petals swirl around her body again, Barbaracle slammed his arms against the ground, making more light blue stone pillars shoot up and surge toward his foe. She swung her arms to send out the petals, but they were brushed away by the incoming rocks instantly, which struck her.

"Lurantis, no!" her trainer cried out.

"Heh!" the Galarian gym leader laughed, "Now Poison Jab!" he ordered on, pumping his right fist forward. Barbaracle had his clawed fingertips on both arms glow a bright purple as he charged forward, heading toward his foe as she was still falling.

"Quick, Solar Blade!" Erika yelled. Perking up, Lurantis started to make a yellow ball of light appear over her head as the sunlight shone over her, though now less harshly. That made the ball grow slower as the Collective Pokémon closed in and jabbed her in the stomach, making her wince. However, she steeled herself to his surprise. The ball of light over her head finally grew large enough for her to bring her right arm up, allowing it to cloak it in the form of a blade. "GO!" her trainer screamed.

"LURRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon screeched, bringing down the blade of light onto her foe fiercely in another blast, covering the field in smoke. As it slowly subsided, Gordie could make out the figure of his Barbaracle stumbling back. He then collapsed onto the ground, much to his trainer's surprise. Dan ran over to see the swirls in the Collective Pokémon's eyes.

"Barbaracle is unable to battle!" he confirmed, raising his right arm, "Lurantis wins!" he announced on, gesturing to the Bloom Sickle Pokémon, who was breathing heavily as a purple glow shined upon her body, making her wince with bubbles and sparks. The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers.

"Lurantis pulls out the first victory for Erika in this three-on-three match!" Jim exclaimed into the microphone.

"But as you can see, she must've been poisoned from that last Poison Jab that Barbaracle hit her with," Tom mentioned, "If the effects of Sunny Day were still up, then maybe she wouldn't have ended up poisoned," he added.

"What does he mean by that?" Mirajane asked.

"Lurantis'zzz ability izzz Leaf Guard, zzt," Rotom responded as it floated over, "When there'zzz harsh sunlight, that ability preventzzz Lurantis from receiving any statusezzz like burn or paralysizzz…" it explained.

"Or poison…" Leslie added with a grimace.

"Lurr… ahh…" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon breathed out tiredly. Her trainer knew she wasn't going to be able to battle much longer if she were to stay in. As Gordie returned his fainted Barbaracle to his Poké Ball, she pulled out her own spherical container, aiming it toward her partner.

"Great job out there, Lurantis," she complimented, "Now take a nice long rest," she advised, recalling the Bloom Sickle Pokémon to the Poké Ball in a beam of red light.

"Looks like Erika's made the decision to switch Lurantis out for now," Jim noted over the broadcast.

"I'd say that's a good move on her part, especially if her team doesn't have stronger type advantages against what remains of Gordie's," Tom mentioned. The Galarian gym leader looked up at the big screen, seeing Barbaracle's icon grey out, while two Poké Ball icons were beneath it.

"Hm," he huffed, adjusting his shades, "Now where's I hit my stride!" he declared, enlarging an Ultra Ball in his right hand with a press of its button, "Rock on, Shuckle!" he exclaimed, flinging the spherical container in a backflip. It popped open, with the light forming upon the grass and dissipating to reveal the Mold Pokémon, who poked his yellow limbs and head out from his shell.

"Shuhhhh…" he uttered out.

"Shuckle?" Erika said, both confused and surprised.

"So Gordie brings out Shuckle for his second Pokémon of the match!" Jim pointed out through the loudspeakers, "Who will Erika send in?" he wondered. The Ketchum girl pulled out a new Poké Ball, enlarging it in her right hand with a press of its button.

"Let's go, Drifblim!" she called out, flinging the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light spilling out into midair, dissipating to reveal the Blimp Pokémon.

"Blimmm!" he exclaimed excitedly as he spun around.

"Drifblim?" Calvin uttered from back in the locker room, watching on with the rest of the competitors.

"In a surprise twist, Erika decides to go for Drifblim in order to face off against Gordie's Shuckle!" Jim noted excitedly, "Just what'll be the outcome of this?!" he inquired loudly.

X

"A Shuckle, huh?" Ash noted from the stands, folding his arms over his chest, "I bet things are about to get complicated for Erika…" he said.

"Huh? Why?" Lisanna asked. In another section of seats, Melony chuckled.

"Let's set 'em up and knock 'em down, Shuckle!" Gordie called out, "Stealth Rock!" he yelled.

"Shuh!" the Mold Pokémon responded, having glowing rocks appear in front of his body. After they stopped glowing, they were thrown toward Drifblim, landing on the ground around him.

"Blimm?" he squeaked in confusion.

"Shuckle goes ahead and lays out a Stealth Rock, making things a bit more complicated for Erika and her team…" Jim explained into the microphone.

"If Erika switches out her Pokémon now, they'll take damage from Stealth Rock…" Leslie noted.

"And I doubt she'll be able to go all the way with Drifblim against two Rock-types…" her father added in agreement.

"Pika…" Pikachu squeaked out of worry.

"Drifblim, let's keep up the momentum!" the Ketchum girl called out to her partner.

"Blimm!" he responded, taking on a determined expression.

"Use Phantom Force!" his trainer commanded. A purple portal appeared beneath the Blimp Pokémon, who sunk into it before it disappeared. However, Gordie just smirked. Drifblim reappeared, emerging from another portal that appeared behind Shuckle. He swiped at the Mold Pokémon with his arms, though he barely budged. "Huh?" Erika uttered in surprise, "In that case…" she continued, "Shadow Ball!" she ordered on.

The Blimp Pokémon formed a purple-and-black ball of energy with sparks in front of his face, firing it out at Shuckle and striking him in a powerful blast. However, as the smoke cleared, the Mold Pokémon appeared to be relatively unaffected. Those of the Ketchum Family and others in the stands gasped.

"And Shuckle tanks those attacks like they were nothing to him!" Jim pointed out over the broadcast.

"Shuckle is one the most, if not the most defensive Pokémon in the world," Tom noted, "He can definitely take quite a few hits," he mentioned on.

"Shukul…" the Mold Pokémon uttered, looking back at the surprised Drifblim.

"Time for a little trick of our own, buddy!" Gordie called out, "Use Power Trick!" he instructed. Shuckle's body then glowed in a multicolored light, much to the confusion of the Ketchum girl. "Now Gyro Ball!" the Galarian gym leader commanded. The Mold Pokémon pulled his head into his shell before making his other limbs glow a bright blue. He started spinning rapidly to float up from the grass, followed by zipping right up into Drifblim, knocking him away.

"Ah!" Erika gasped.

"And the Gyro Ball lands a brutal blow on Drifblim!" Jim excitedly noted.

"Gordie's using the same strategy with Shuckle that I had to worry about a long time ago…" Ash recalled with a grimace, "Erika's really gonna have to think outside the box for this one…" he pointed out.

"You okay, Drifblim?" his youngest daughter asked of her partner, who shook his head to regain himself.

"Drifff!" he squeaked assuredly in response.

"Then use Payback!" his trainer commanded. The cloud-like tuft at the Blimp Pokémon's head was shrouded by a dark reddish aura as he zipped toward his foe.

"Shuckle, Rock Slide!" Gordie ordered. The Mold Pokémon had several small boulders appear and orbit around his body in flashes of white light. However, his opponent struck him hard before he could launch them. He slid back several feet, but recovered as he swung his head to fire the boulders. They struck his foe, piling onto him one after another.

"DRIFBLIM!" Erika screamed. As the cloud of rubble settled, it revealed the Blimp Pokémon trying to pry himself free from the pile of rocks, with his arms being stuck between a few.

"Rock Slide again!" Gordie commanded, pumping his right fist out. More small boulders appeared around Shuckle in flashes of white light before they flew out towards his target. The Ketchum girl grimaced, but then blinked in realization.

"Dodge with Phantom Force!" she called out. Perking up, Drifblim had a purple portal appear beneath his body. He sunk into it just the boulders could pile over him.

"Tch," Gordie scoffed. He watched as the Blimp Pokémon re-emerged from another portal that appeared in front of his trainer.

"Drihhh…" he exhaled tiredly.

"It's okay, Drifblim," Erika assured, getting his attention as he looked back to see her setting the Ghostium Z onto her Z-Power Ring.

"Looks like Erika's ready to make a counterattack with a Z-Move, folks!" Jim exclaimed over the loudspeakers. The Ketchum girl crossed her arms over her face, swinging them around them throwing them out in front of herself as a violet aura built up around her. She then crouched down before bringing herself upright in a wavy motion, all while having her hands in front of her face.

"Let's do this!" she called out, letting the aura around her shoot out in streaks to her partner, merging with his body. The Z-Move symbol flashed in front of him.

"Blimmm!" he exclaimed, taking on a determined expression.

"Be careful, Shuckle!" Gordie warned of his partner.

"Shuh!" he responded. Erika stuck her right hand out.

"Give 'em a Never-Ending Nightmare!" she yelled. Drifblim then made the scenery change into an illusory dark area, much to opponent's surprise. A large shadow was cast beneath him before multiple shadowy hands rose up from it. They lunged out towards the Mold Pokémon, who seemed surprised.

"Quick, Power Trick!" his trainer cried out. A multicolored aura shrouded Shuckle just before the shadowy hands wrapped around him, resulting in a powerful blast. The illusory setting vanished as everyone looked on at the cloud of smoke on the field. As it subsided, it revealed the Mold Pokémon sticking his head out from his shell, along with his appendages. Erika gasped.

"And Shuckle tanks that Z-Move from Drifblim!" Jim yelled over the broadcast, "A well-timed Power Trick to swap his defense and attack back to normal saves him from what could've been a quick defeat!" he added as the crowd cheered wildly.

"Driiff… blimmm…" the Blimp Pokémon breathed out raggedly, exhausted from using a Z-Move. Gordie smirked as he adjusted his shades.

"Power Trick again!" he instructed. Another multicolored light shrouded the Mold Pokémon as he grinned.

"Quick, Drifblim!" Erika called out, regaining her focus, "Use Shadow Ball!" she commanded. The Blimp Pokémon prepared another purple-and-black ball of energy with sparks upon his front arms, firing it out at his foe.

"Gyro Ball!" the Galarian gym leader commanded. Shuckle withdrew his head as his limbs glowed a bright blue. He spun around, lifting himself off of the ground before heading forward. He burst through the ball of purple-and-black energy, colliding head on with Drifblim in an instant.

"Ah!" the Ketchum girl gasped.

"Hm," Gordie huffed, "Sorry, kid," he apologized, "but as a gym leader, I'm not gonna—" He stopped himself upon noticing the Blimp Pokémon's body glowing a bright white. All of a sudden, he exploded, catching Shuckle up in the blast.

"Whoa!" Leslie yelped out.

"What the heck was that?!" Lisanna inquired as she blinked rapidly.

"I think it wazzz Drifblim'zzz Aftermath, zzt!" Rotom responded, "But that meanzzz…" it started to realize. As the smoke finally settled, it revealed both him and Shuckle lying on the ground. Dan ran over to assess their conditions, seeing the swirls in their eyes and hearing their groans.

"Both Drifblim and Shuckle are unable to battle!" he announced with both arms raised.

"Unreal!" Jim exclaimed into the microphone, "Drifblim's able to pull off a last-ditch move to take Shuckle down with him!" he noted excitedly.

"Drifblim's Aftermath can be a real threat to trainers, especially ones who underestimate how tough their Pokémon are," Tom chimed in thoroughly. Both trainers returned their respective Pokémon to their Poké Balls in beams of red light. Erika looked at hers and smiled.

"Thanks for hanging in there as long as you did, Drifblim," she said with gratitude, "I promise we'll make it worth it…" she vowed firmly, putting the spherical container away.

"With one Pokémon left now, things aren't looking that good for Gordie…" Jim pointed out through the loudspeakers.

"But that'll all depend on what Pokémon he has left," Tom responded, "Don't forget, Erika has only one Pokémon herself that hasn't seen battle today," he pointed out, "Plus, her Lurantis is still poisoned from her earlier battle," he mentioned seriously. The Galarian gym leader pulled out his next and final Ultra Ball.

"Might not be able to Gigantamax like usual…" he noted to himself, clutching the spherical container in his hand after enlarging it, "But I'm sure she won't see you coming," he affirmed confidently.

"You've got this, Gordie!" Melony cheered. Meanwhile, Erika pulled out another Poké Ball, opening it.

"Come on back out, Lurantis!" she exclaimed, letting the bluish-white light from the container streak out onto the field, shaping into form and dissipating to reveal the Bloom Sickle Pokémon.

"Lurraaaahhh~!" she sang, followed by wincing a little.

"She's going back to Lurantis, huh?" Hau noted from the locker room.

"I wonder if she's saving her last Pokémon's energy for when she needs it…" Trent said, putting his hands onto his hips. Calvin narrowed his eyes with worry. All of a sudden, the rocks spread about the ground around Lurantis exploded beside her. She stumbled back out of the smoke with no lasting damage, but breathed heavily. Her trainer grimaced, having just remembered Shuckle's Stealth Rock from before was still in play.

"Last one!" Gordie remarked as he flipped again, throwing the Ultra Ball out, "Rock on, Coalossal!" he yelled. The spherical container burst open, with its light spilling out onto the turf field. It took shape followed by dissipating, revealing a Pokémon that resembled a massive goliath with a body of coal atop him. He had a large, coal-black body, with two legs and a pair of stubby arms, alongside two massive spikes atop his shoulders. He bore a head consisting of a pair of eyes and a mouth, atop which he carried a large amount of heated coal.

"Kolll!" he bellowed as he stepped forward.

"Gordie's gone ahead and brought out his signature Coalossal to face off with the rest of Erika's team!" Jim noted over the broadcast.

"Coalossal?" Calvin uttered in confusion from the locker room. Up in the stands, Rotom brought up an image of the Coal Pokémon upon its screen.

"Coalossal, the Coal Pokémon," it began, "Coalossal is usually peaceful, but the vandalism of mines enrages him. Offenders will be incinerated with flames that reach twenty-seven hundred degrees Fahrenheit. While he's engaged in battle, Coalossal's mountain of coal will burn bright red, sending off sparks that scorch the surrounding area," it explained thoroughly.

"Coalossal's a Rock-and-Fire-type, right?" Sawyer inquired of Ash, who nodded, "And Erika doesn't know that…" he realized with a grimace. On the field, the Ketchum girl narrowed her eyes onto the sight of the Coal Pokémon.

'He's definitely a Rock-type like the others, so let's go ahead and wrap this up quick!' she declared inwardly, clenching her fists.

"Lurantis, Sunny Day!" she called out.

"Lurrraaaahhh~!" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon sang up into the air. The sunlight brightened, turning quite harsh. However, Gordie smirked.

"Incinerate!" he commanded, causing Erika to gasp. Opening his mouth, Coalossal released an orange fireball with a bright center and black highlights from it. Lurantis widened her eyes before being struck in a fiery blast.

"Lurantis!" her trainer screamed.

"Heh," the Galarian gym leader chuckled.

"Coalossal surprised Erika and Lurantis with a super effective Incinerate!" Jim pointed out over the loudspeakers as the Bloom Sickle Pokémon stood up from the dissipating smoke, wincing as the purple glow of the poison she obtained earlier reappeared along with bubbles and sparks.

"So he's a Fire-type, too?!" the Ketchum girl assumed, grimacing as she clenched her teeth together.

"Caught you by surprise, huh?" Gordie guessed, getting her attention, "Well, we got one more for ya!" he proclaimed, "Coalossal, Meteor Beam!" he ordered. The Coal Pokémon took a step forward.

"Kolll…" he echoed, forming a light blue orb of energy in front of his body as a wavy, spatial aura shrouded his body. A reddish aura flowed up his form soon afterward.

"What move is that?" Paige wondered from the locker room.

"Meteor Beam," Bea answered as she approached, getting her attention along with those of the others, "It's a Rock-type attack similar to Solar Beam in that it takes time to charge," she explained, "It also raises the user's special attack," she mentioned.

"That's not good for Erika…" Trent realized.

"But she's got a shot to get a good hit in on him!" Hau affirmed confidently.

"Lurantis, Solar Blade!" the Ketchum girl ordered as she thrusted her right fist out. The Bloom Sickle Pokémon steeled herself, forming a ball of yellow light over her head. It grew rather instantaneously thanks to the harsh sunlight, allowing her to bring her right arm up through it, forming a blade of light. Meanwhile, Coalossal glanced back to his trainer in confirmation.

"Yeah, light 'em up!" he yelled. As Lurantis swung down her blade of light, the Coal Pokémon unleashed a powerful beam of yellow energy toward his foe. Both attacks collided with their targets in fierce explosions, forcing the two trainers to brace themselves as everyone watched on in anticipation. The smoke was slow to settle. As it did though, it revealed both Pokémon still standing. And then, Lurantis fell over onto the turf grass.

"Lurantis!" Erika cried out. Dan jogged over to assess the Bloom Sickle Pokémon's condition. There were swirls in her eyes.

"Lurantis is unable to battle!" he announced, raising his left hand, "Coalossal wins!" he declared.

"Kolllaaahhh!" the Coal Pokémon bellowed proudly as the crowd cheered.

"And Coalossal ends up getting the better of Lurantis, even after taking a Solar Blade!" Jim noted into the microphone.

"It didn't help that Lurantis was poisoned prior to being sent out to fight him, but Erika probably wanted to preserve whoever she has left in her arsenal of three Pokémon," Tom explained additionally. Meanwhile, the Ketchum girl returned the Bloom Sickle Pokémon to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light.

"Thanks for all your hard work, Lurantis," she said with gratitude, "You deserve a good long rest," she affirmed as she gave off a smile. She pressed the spherical container's button to shrink it, putting it away before regaining a determined visage.

"Who does she use now?" Mirajane wondered from the stands, "You'd think that she'd try for her Primarina or maybe her Clefable at this point…" she noted aloud.

"I think she's got another idea, Mom," Leslie affirmed, causing her to blink in surprise. She looked down to see her youngest daughter pull out a new Poké Ball, enlarging it with a press of its button.

"I'm counting on you," she whispered to the spherical container before rearing her arm back, "Let's go, Palossand!" she exclaimed, firing the Poké Ball out. It popped open, with its light spilling forth onto the ground, taking shape before dissipating to reveal the Sand Castle Pokémon.

"Pahhhlohhhh!" he echoed out.

"Palossand, huh?" Gordie noted as he adjusted his shades again, "Definitely seems a beach day now!" he remarked with a chuckle, "Let's go and finish this, Coalossal!" he yelled.

"Koll!" the Coal Pokémon responded. He and his opponent glared each other down, determined to finish the battle for their respective trainers.

X

"Good call for Erika to go for a Ground-type," Gladion commented from the locker room.

"Yeah, but Coalossal's already really strong, especially with the sun and that boosted special attack from using Meteor Beam…" Paige thoroughly pointed out.

"I don't think that's a problem for Erika," Pyrrha affirmed suddenly to her surprise.

"Yeah," Calvin agreed with a nod, "She'll win," he affirmed on. On the field, the rocks around Palossand glowed a bright red and exploded around him, enveloping him in smoke. When it cleared though, it revealed that he appeared to be fine.

"Ready to go, Palossand?" his trainer asked of him.

"Palohhh!" he bellowed in response. The Ketchum girl glanced up for a moment, flinching from the harsh sunlight as she held her right arm over her eyes.

'First thing we need to do is make sure he can't use the sun to his advantage…' she noted inwardly.

"Coalossal, Incinerate!" Gordie commanded. The Coal Pokémon opened his mouth, releasing another orange fireball that flew toward his foe.

"Sandstorm!" Erika called out. Sand flew up from Palossand's body, spreading about the field and snuffing out the incoming fireball.

"And Palossand's Sandstorm does quick work to save him from taking a strong Incinerate from Coalossal!" Jim pointed out through the loudspeakers.

"All while negating the harsh sunlight in the process," Tom added.

"Not bad, kiddo…" Gordie remarked with a smirk, "Use Scald!" he ordered. The Coal Pokémon's coals atop his body glowed red with heat. He then released a stream of boiling water from his mouth, heading toward Palossand.

"Counter with Shadow Ball!" Erika yelled. The Sand Castle Pokémon formed a ball of purple-and-black energy in front of his mouth with sparks, firing it out. It struck the incoming stream of scalding water, resulting in an explosion of white steam.

"Alright, nice!" Hau cheered back in the locker room.

"She was smart to remove the sunlight with that sandstorm," Bea commented with her arms folded underneath her chest, "But only time will tell if it'll be worth it…" she mentioned.

"Coalossal, Meteor Beam!" Gordie ordered. The Coal Pokémon formed another blue orb of energy in front of himself. Erika smirked.

"Earth Power!" she commanded, causing her opponent to gasp.

"Paaahhh… LOHHHHHHHHHH!" Palossand bellowed. Glowing cracks suddenly appeared along the ground, trailing towards Coalossal, who widened his eyes. The earth burst beneath his feet, sending him flying back.

"Earth Power hits, dealing a devastating amount of damage!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast.

"Nice one, Erika!" Leslie cheered.

"Jah, moh!" Jangmo-o chirped excitedly. However, Coalossal was able to regain himself, unleashing the orb of energy he was building as a yellow beam that struck his foe in a powerful blast. However, the smoke settled to reveal that he was seemingly fine.

"Shore Up!" his trainer instructed.

"Loh!" he responded, having sand build up around his body from the sandstorm before a greenish, healing aura flowed up his body.

"And with that Shore Up, Palossand is basically back to full health!" Jim noted through the loudspeakers.

"The Sandstorm helps him heal more, too," Tom mentioned to the play-by-play commentator. Gordie grimaced, clenching his fists. However, he grinned, adjusting his shades again.

"You think I've used up every card in my book, kid?" he inquired of his foe, getting her attention, "Nah, we're just getting started!" he proclaimed fiercely, "Coalossal, Tar Shot!" he called out. The Coal Pokémon had a black, gooey substance build up in his mouth before unleashing a ball of it out toward his foe. Palossand blinked in surprise before he was splattered by the substance.

"Pah… palohh…" he groaned out, shaking his head while trying to wipe himself off.

"What the heck?" his trainer uttered in confusion, arching an eyebrow.

"What move was that?" Mirajane asked from the stands.

"Analyzing… Analyzing…" Rotom repeated as a loading wheel was upon its screen.

"Now Incinerate!" Gordie ordered. Coalossal unleashed yet another fireball from his mouth with black highlights, as it zipped out and struck the Sand Castle Pokémon in a fiery blast.

"PAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" he shrieked out.

"Palossand!" his trainer exclaimed with worry, while the Galarian gym leader smirked.

"Oh my!" Jim yelped, "Seems that Incinerate really hurt!" he noted out of surprise.

"That's thanks to Coalossal's Tar Shot," Tom chimed in, "A signature move of his that not only is meant to lower a Pokémon's speed, but also make them weaker to Fire-type attacks," he explained.

"A heavy blow there for Palossand, who seemed to have the upper hand just a second ago!" the play-by-play commentator remarked.

"You okay, Palossand?!" Erika asked of the Sand Castle Pokémon.

"Pahloh…" he responded with a grunt, shaking his head to regain his composure.

"Then use Earth Power!" his trainer commanded, sticking her right hand out. Palossand had several gold-glowing cracks appear in the ground again, trailing towards his opponent.

"Use Scald to dodge!" Gordie instructed. Opening his mouth, Coalossal sprayed out a stream of boiling water at the ground at his feet, shooting himself upward before the earth burst. Erika grimaced again, while the Galarian gym leader smirked. "Coalossal, Incinerate!" the latter ordered. The Coal Pokémon opened his mouth, shooting out multiple fireballs with black highlights down at his foe.

"Quick, Shore Up!" Erika called out. Just as sand gathered around Palossand, the fireballs struck him in a fierce blast, blowing away the sandstorm in the process. Coalossal landed down in front of his trainer, who grinned. The smoke cleared, revealing that Palossand was still up, but breathing heavily.

"Palossand withstands that last barrage of Incinerate, but he's not looking so good…" Jim noted into the microphone.

"We'll settle this with a signature!" Gordie decided, "Meteor Beam!" he commanded. Coalossal prepared another blue orb of energy in front of himself, making it grow larger.

"Shadow Ball, Palossand!" Erika ordered. The Sand Castle Pokémon formed another purple-and-black ball of energy in front of his mouth with sparks coming off of it. He fired it out, striking his target in a strong blast. As the smoke settled though, it seemed as if the Coal Pokémon was still preparing to use his intended attack.

"Game over, kiddo!" the Galarian gym leader confidently remarked. However, the energy Coalossal had been building up suddenly vanished. "Huh?" his trainer uttered in confusion. The Coal Pokémon toppled over backwards, falling onto the grass with swirls in his eyes. Dan ran over to assess his condition, hearing him groan. He raised his right arm.

"Coalossal is unable to battle!" he confirmed, "Palossand wins!" he announced, gesturing towards the Sand Castle Pokémon and his trainer, "And therefore, the victory goes to Erika!" he declared, "She advances to the quarterfinals!" he yelled. As the image of Coalossal greyed out on the big screens, a wipe cut changed it to an image of Erika with the word 'WINNER' underneath her. The crowd erupted into a flurry of cheers.

"Alright!" Leslie yelled as she shot up from her seat.

"Jahng moh!" Jangmo-o chirped delightedly.

"Way to go, Eri!" Hau cheered from inside the locker room.

"Guess there wasn't really any need for us to worry…" Trent realized with a shrug.

"Yeah," Paige agreed. Calvin and Pyrrha smiled, glad for the victory of their fellow competitor. On the field, Gordie returned Coalossal to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.

"We really got rocked out there…" he admitted as he looked at the spherical container, "Thanks for putting up a good fight, bud," he said with gratitude, putting the Ultra Ball away before walking over to his opponent, who was petting Palossand while crouched beside him, "Great battle!" he complimented, getting her attention, "Sorry for all the quips," he apologized as he placed his hands onto his hips, "I kinda get into a zone…" he sheepishly admitted.

"It's no big deal," Erika assured as she stood up, "Thanks for the battle!" she remarked gratefully, holding her right hand out. With a smirk, Gordie accepted into his own, engaging a firm handshake. The crowd cheered again.

"With that thrilling first match, Erika is the first of the eight to make their way into the quarterfinals!" Jim noted excitedly through the loudspeakers, "Who will be the next one to join her?" he wondered aloud.

X

Trent's match against Monica was easily one-sided. Her team of Slowking, Houndoom, and Meganium was helpless against Vikavolt, Mightyena, and Greninja. In the end, the dark green-haired boy won without letting a single of his Pokémon go down.

Hau was up next, battling Vince. His Darmanitan turned out to be a lot of trouble for his Tauros, forcing him to switch over to Ariel in order to regain an edge. Though she managed to best the Blazing Pokémon, she was rendered helpless against the opposing Heracross, who defeated her with a Megahorn. The ponytailed teen countered with Noivern, who managed to win thanks to a well-timed Dragon Pulse.

His opponent's last Pokémon was an Absol, who knew Ice Beam to down the Sound Wave Pokémon. Being brought back out, Tauros managed to prove his mettle to defeat the Disaster Pokémon, winning in a clash of who could best use Megahorn. Hau pumped his fists as the crowd cheered for him.

"That's my boy!" Sawyer exclaimed, only for his wife to giggle at his enthusiasm, along with Ash and Mirajane.

"And that's three quarterfinalists!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast as Calvin and Erika were watching on from the locker room, "So far, I don't really see who could be a clear favorite…" he admitted.

"Trent's battle was really eye-opening, especially with how his team perfectly countered what Monica was throwing his way," Tom noted, "But you never know," he remarked on, "Maybe the next match will show off an even more likely favorite…" he inferred. Listening on with closed eyes, Bea tightened the black bow below her bust. Pyrrha took a deep breath. The two of them then headed to their respective tunnels.

"Loser buys dinner for us?" Rumi suggested to Sunset in the stands, causing her to chuckle as she was sitting right next to her.

"You're on," she responded, making the Rabbit Hero grin.

"And so, we're finally at the fourth match of the fifth round!" Jim noted through the loudspeakers, "We've got Bea Usagiyama, a karate prodigy in Galar and an expert martial artist as a gym leader!" he exclaimed as the barefooted girl made her way out onto the field with a determined visage, "She'll be up against Pyrrha Eucliffe, another challenger who's made herself known with incredible matches throughout this tournament!" he mentioned as the red-and-yellow-haired girl arrived from the other side. The two took their positions, each readying a single Poké Ball in their hands.

"Trainers, please select your Pokémon at the same time!" Dan instructed of the two competitors, who reared their arms back, "And… BEGIN!" he yelled, swinging his arms up.

"Sirfetch'd!" Bea called out, flipping her Ultra Ball forward.

"Let's go, Cinder!" Pyrrha exclaimed, firing her Poké Ball out. Both spherical containers bounced off of each other before popping open, with their lights spilling out onto the ground. They dissipated, revealing the Wild Duck Pokémon and the Volcano Pokémon respectively.

"Sir," the former chirped.

"Tyy fraahhh!" the latter roared out, igniting the flames at his back.

"Typhlosion against Sirfetch'd to start, huh?" Leslie noted from the stands, "Bet this could go either way…" she mentioned over to her parents, who nodded in agreement.

"Start off with Flamethrower!" Pyrrha commanded, pumping her left fist out. Rearing his head back, the Volcano Pokémon unleashed a powerful stream of orange fire toward his foe, who took on a ready stance.

"Brush it away with Brutal Swing!" his trainer instructed. Making his leek glow pink, Sirfetch'd swung it into the incoming flames, blowing them out before they could reach him.

"Already, we're starting off with a flourish as Sirfetch'd counters that Flamethrower!" Jim noted excitedly over the broadcast, "Is there anything he can't do?!" he wondered loudly.

"Now Leaf Blade!" Bea ordered. The Wild Duck Pokémon had his leek shine a bright green and sharpen as he charged forward, heading for his foe.

"Thunder Punch!" Pyrrha commanded, enticing her Typhlosion to encase both of his fists in orbs of yellow electricity. As Sirfetch'd closed in, he used his left fist to parry his leek, followed by thrusting his right fist out at his foe. However, the Wild Duck Pokémon was able to block the punch with his shield of hard leaves. He slid back a few feet afterwards, coming to a stop and narrowing his eyes onto his foe.

"Brutal Swing!" his trainer yelled. Sirfetch'd made his leek glow a bright pink again, swinging it at his foe.

"Cinder, block and use Flamethrower!" Pyrrha called out. The Volcano Pokémon held his left arm up to block off the leek, being at a deadlock with his opponent as they glared at each other. He then reared his head back and launched another stream of flames from his mouth. The Wild Duck Pokémon was quick to block them off with his shield of hard leaves. But the fire proved to be too much for him handle, sending him tumbling back along the field.

"Oh, and Typhlosion's Flamethrower forces Sirfetch'd back on the defensive!" Jim pointed out over the broadcast, "How's he going to counterattack?!" he wondered loudly.

"Sirfetch'd, Meteor Assault!" Bea commanded, thrusting her gloved right fist out.

"Sir!" the Wild Duck Pokémon responded, aiming his leek forward. His body became surrounded by a yellow aura, which built up and surged through his weapon. It formed into a ball of light that burst into a mass of energy that surrounded the leek and its wielder.

"Cinder, Flamethrower!" Pyrrha ordered.

"Frah!" her Typhlosion responded, expelling another spray of fire from his mouth toward his foe.

"Go!" Bea yelled. Sirfetch'd charged forward, going through the orange flames in spite of the burning pain and closing in on his target, striking in a powerful blast.

"Atta' girl!" Rumi cheered from the stands, while Sunset grimaced a little. The smoke was slow settle. But once it did, it revealed Cinder wincing in agony from the blow he had taken. However, his opponent also appeared to be in a similar situation as he wasn't moving.

"Okay, Solar Beam!" Pyrrha commanded. Her Typhlosion raised his head, opening his mouth as yellow orbs of sunlight appeared around it. The orbs came together slowly into the form of a bigger one.

"Wait, what's going on with Sirfetch'd?" Erika wondered, noticing that the Wild Duck Pokémon still wasn't moving.

"I guess that attack he used must take a lot of energy… like a Hyper Beam…" her twin brother assumed, "And Pyrrha's taking advantage of that…" he mentioned.

"Hmph," Guzma huffed from afar as he took notice.

"Go, Cinder!" the red-and-yellow-haired girl on the field yelled, enticing her Typhlosion to aim the orb of sunlight forward, unleashing a beam of yellow light from it. Sirfetch'd attempted to block the beam with his shield of hard leaves, but he couldn't withstand it, becoming enveloped in a powerful blast. His trainer grimaced.

"Sirfetch'd takes a direct hit from Solar Beam!" Jim exclaimed into the microphone, "Even with that tough shield, he's still in a tight spot…" he noted.

"That's the risk you're running with Meteor Assault," Tom chimed in, "It's a move similar to Hyper Beam, where the user has to recharge after using it," he explained. The smoke settled, revealing the Wild Duck Pokémon slowly standing back up with his armaments in hand.

"Figured it wouldn't be that easy…" Pyrrha remarked with a grin, "Your team's tough, Bea!" she complimented.

"Yours as well," the barefooted girl responded.

"Cinder, Thunder Punch!" the red-and-yellow-haired girl ordered. Her Typhlosion encased his arms in orbs of yellow electricity, charging toward his foe.

"Detect!" Bea instructed. Sirfetch'd eyes flashed orange. He swiftly slid away from each of his opponent's attacks before he could even touch him. "Now Leaf Blade!" his trainer commanded.

"Sir!" he squawked, making his leek shine a bright green and sharpen. He swung it out and swiped the Volcano Pokémon across the face, making him stumble back and wince.

"Brutal Swing!" the Galarian gym leader ordered, enticing the Wild Duck Pokémon to have his leek glow pink as he swung it around to slam into his opponent's stomach, making him slide back.

"Cinder!" Pyrrha cried out, seeing her Typhlosion come to a stop, breathing heavily as he fell onto his hands and knees. However, he had a flaming, orange aura build up around his body.

"TYFRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he bellowed as the flames at his back erupted.

"Whoa nelly!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers, "Looks like taking those last two attacks from Sirfetch'd has triggered, Typhlosion's Blaze!" he pointed out excitedly.

"That's the same ability your Incineroar has!" Erika noted to Calvin, who nodded.

"Let's settle this!" Bea decided, thrusting her gloved right hand out, "Meteor Assault!" she commanded.

"Sir!" Sirfetch'd responded, making a yellow aura build up around him and his leek once more.

"Cinder, use Blast Burn!" Pyrrha ordered.

"FRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" her Typhlosion roared again, bringing both of his arms up as the flaming aura hadn't left his body. He slammed his arms against the ground, sending a wave of energy through the earth as orange lights spewed out from it. The Wild Duck Pokémon became shrouded in a yellow aura, along with his leek before lunging forward. Just as he reached his target, they were both caught up in a giant explosion of red-orange flames.

Both trainers braced themselves from the powerful blast, with smoke billowing about the whole field. Everyone watched on with bated breath at what resulted from it. The smoke cleared, revealing both Sirfetch'd and Cinder still standing. Simultaneously though, they fell over onto the turf, much to the surprise of their respective trainers. Dan ran over, assessing their conditions as he looked back and forth at them.

"Both Typhlosion and Sirfetch'd are unable to battle!" he announced, raising both of his arms. The crowd erupted into cheers.

"Just like that, Typhlosion and Sirfetch'd do each other in to start this match!" Jim yelled over the broadcast, "It's still anyone's game, folks!" he added. Erika clenched her fists over her knees.

"Come on, Pyrrha…" she pleaded quietly. On the field, the red-and-yellow-haired girl returned her Typhlosion to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light.

"Thanks for your hard work out there, Cinder," she said with gratitude, putting the spherical container away. Bea did the same for her Sirfetch'd, letting out a deep breath before reaching back to grab another Ultra Ball. She enlarged it with a press of its button.

"Falinks!" she exclaimed, flipping the spherical container forward. It burst open, with its light spilling forth onto the ground and dissipating. Her second Pokémon was a group of small, bipedal creatures. They were a formation of six individuals, similar to an Exeggcute. They consisted of five troopers and a leader, organized a single file line headed by the brass, giving their formation the appearance of a caterpillar.

The individual trooper had black, spherical bodies with two stout, trunk-like legs. They also had blue, ovular eyes. Each one had a golden, armored shell resembling a spartan helmet that covered their dorsal half. These shells were topped with a red crest that terminated in an anterior horn and flanked the lateral sides of the trooper with two horned plates resembling shields. Each of these shields featured a red, central horn ringed in white. Each trooper also had a small red horn on their posterior resembling a tail.

The brass was larger than its five troopers. It had a larger crest with an extendable red horn. It was supported by a golden anterior strut absent in the troopers. The brass' golden shell extended to the ventral half of its body. Unlike its troopers, the brass' lateral shields could be opposed, as they looked chipped.

"And Bea decides to go for Falinks, another staple Galarian Pokémon!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast.

"I've never seen that Pokémon before…" Leslie admitted as she blinked in surprise.

"Leave it to me, zzt!" Rotom buzzed, bringing up an image of the Formation Pokémon upon its screen, "Falinks, the Formation Pokémon," it began, "The six of them work together as one Pokémon. Teamwork is also Falinks' battle strategy, and they constantly change their formation as they fight. Five of them are troopers, and one is the brass. The brass' orders are absolute," it explained thoroughly.

"Falinks is a tough one…" Sunset noted, putting her left hand onto her chin.

"Heh!" Rumi chuckled, "Bet your kid's quaking in her boots trying to think of a way to counter!" she inferred confidently with a grin. The Equestrian Magic user chuckled.

"We'll see…" she said. Her daughter readied another Poké Ball in her right hand, rearing her arm back.

"Come on out, Starlight!" she exclaimed, tossing the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light spilling out into midair before dissipating to reveal the Meteor Pokémon, whose body sparkled upon entry.

"A Minior comes out for Pyrrha!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers, "Folks, I'm getting really excited to see where this match leads!" he admitted to the crowd.

"A Flying-type against my Fighting-type, hm?" Bea noted with a small smile, "Well, we're not going to give in!" she declared, "Falinks, No Retreat!" she instructed.

"FAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!" the Formation Pokémon bellowed, organizing themselves in V-formation. A reddish aura flowed up their bodies.

"What move was that?" Erika wondered from the locker room.

"No Retreat, Falinks' signature move," Gladion responded, getting her attention as she and Calvin turned to see him approach with his arms folded over his chest, "They raise their attack, special attack, defense, special defense, and speed all in one go," he listed off in explanation.

"Whoa, that's a little scary…" the Ketchum girl admitted with a shudder.

"How's Pyrrha gonna counter that?" her twin brother wondered aloud.

"Shell Smash!" the red-and-yellow-haired girl called out from the battlefield. A white glow outlined Starlight before a faint red glow appeared, followed by bursting. A bluish aura flowed down its body before a reddish one flowed up it.

"Trying to match up to our power, hm?" Bea assumed with a grin, "In that case, Megahorn!" she ordered. Falinks charged forward, with the brass having its horn glow in a yellowish-green light as its troopers followed.

"Acrobatics, Starlight!" Pyrrha commanded. Her Minior's body glowed a bright blue before it zipped forward, slamming into its opponents one after another to knock them down.

"Minior's Acrobatics does some hefty damage to Falinks' formation, knocking them all down in an instant!" Jim noted into the microphone excitedly.

"Now Power Gem!" Pyrrha ordered on. Starlight formed a sparkling mass of pale pink energy in front of itself surrounded by white light. It fired off a beam, heading towards its targets.

"Dodge!" Bea called out. The brass and the troops of the Formation Pokémon all hopped back, evading the beam as it struck the ground. They got into formation, taking on determined expressions. "Now Close Combat!" their trainer ordered.

"Fay!" the brass responded, "Fay, fay links!" it called out to its troops.

"Fay!" they replied, scattering about around their foe. One after another, they leapt up at Starlight, attempting to bombard it. The Meteor Pokémon evaded the first two troops that lunged its way, but once the brass struck, the others followed with hard head-butts and kicks.

"Falinks retaliates with a strong Close Combat!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers as the Minior flew back, its shell cracking. Upon noticing with a blink of surprise, Pyrrha cracked a small grin.

"Acrobatics again!" she commanded, thrusting her right hand out. A blue light shined off of Starlight as she zipped towards her foes.

"Counter with Throat Chop!" Bea called out.

"Fay!" the brass responded again, getting its troops into a stacked formation with it like a pyramid. It made its horn become engulfed in a purple light, swinging it out to counter its incoming foe. The Minior's shell cracked even more before it flew back.

"Now Megahorn!" the Galarian gym leader commanded, thrusting her left fist out. Falinks organized themselves into a singular line again, with the brass' horn glowing in a yellowish-green light. They charged forward together, ramming into their foe head on again. The rocky shell around Starlight finally shattered apart, revealing its shiny black body.

"Meeee…" it buzzed.

"Close Combat!" Bea ordered.

"Fay!" the brass of Falinks responded, having its troops jump out at the Meteor Pokémon once more. However, Pyrrha smirked.

"Dazzling Gleam!" she commanded, causing the Galarian gym leader to gasp in surprise. A field of rainbow-colored energy shrouded the shiny Minior, expanding outward to strike Falinks, blowing them back.

"Oh my!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast, "Minior retaliates with a super effective Dazzling Gleam after having its shell broken!" he pointed out excitedly.

"Minior have an ability known as Shields Down, which coincides with that shell it usually has," Tom noted as the shiny Meteor Pokémon was zipping around its opponents as they were reorganizing themselves, "When that shell's gone, it's a lot faster and stronger," he mentioned.

"Certainly looks like a sight to behold!" Jim remarked.

"So that's what you were counting on with that earlier Shell Smash…" Bea realized, clenching her fists tightly, "You're quite clever, Pyrrha," she complimented to the red-and-yellow-haired girl, who chuckled.

"Starlight, Acrobatics!" she commanded, swinging her right hand out.

"Mee!" the shiny Minior squeaked, cloaking itself in a blue light as it zipped about rapidly before closing in on its targets.

"Close Combat!" the Galarian gym leader yelled out. Falinks took on a v-formation, jumping out at their incoming foe. They collided in a burst of smoke. One by one, the troops and brass of the Formation Pokémon fell down onto the turf field, tumbling to a stop with swirls in their eyes as they groaned. Dan quickly assessed their conditions, seeing Starlight fly out from the smoke.

"Falinks is unable to battle!" he confirmed as he raised his right arm up, "Minior wins!" he declared, gesturing to the shiny Meteor Pokémon. The crowd erupted into cheers.

"Tsk…" Rumi scoffed, pouting as she turned away from a smiling Sunset.

"Falinks end up falling to Minior, leaving Bea with just one last Pokémon for this match!" Jim noted through the loudspeakers, while the Galarian gym leader was returning the Formation Pokémon to their Ultra Ball in a beam of red light, which expanded to get hold of each of them.

"Thank you, Falinks," she said with gratitude, putting the spherical container away. She adjusted and tightened the bow beneath her bust again, still determined to emerge victorious. Another Ultra Ball was pulled out in her right hand, enlarged with a press of its button. "Grapploct!" she called out, tossing the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light spilling out onto the ground and dissipating soon after.

On the field now was a blue, amphibious, octopus-like Pokémon with a yellow jagged eyemask-like marking, suckers, and what appeared to be a breathing organ on the side of his head. He had a dark blue underside and cyan eyes. Four of his eight tentacles act as arms, three acted as legs and one was wrapped round his waist. His mouth was hidden under the bottom flap of his head.

"Grapp!" he exclaimed, waving his tentacles.

"Grapploct, huh?" Pyrrha uttered, taking on a serious expression herself. Up in the stands, Rotom pulled up an image of the Jujitsu Pokémon upon its screen.

"Grapploct, the Jujitsu Pokémon," it began, "A body made up of nothing but muscle makes the grappling moves this Pokémon performs with his tentacles tremendously powerful. Searching for an opponent to test his skills against, Grapploct emerges onto land. Once the battle is over, he returns to the sea," it explained thoroughly.

"He definitely seems like the kind of Pokémon that would be waiting in the wings to try and turn the tide…" Leslie noted with narrowed eyes.

"We'll settle this quick!" Pyrrha declared, pumping her right fist forward, "Starlight, Acrobatics!" she commanded.

"Meeorrrr!" her shiny Minior squeaked, cloaking its body in a bright blue light again before zipping out at its opponent. Now Bea was the one to crack a smirk.

"Octolock!" she called out. Keeping a close eye on his foe, Grapploct let himself get struck by the Meteor Pokémon in order to reach out and grab hold of it with his tentacles. He pulled it in, squeezing it tightly.

"Ah, Starlight!" Pyrrha yelped.

"Uh oh!" Jim exclaimed into the microphone, "Looks like Grapploct's got a hold on the speedy Minior!" he remarked loudly.

"Quick, Dazzling Gleam!" the red-and-yellow-haired girl ordered of her partner. A rainbow-colored glow was flickering off of the shiny Minior's body, but it was unable to expand it upon being squeezed too tightly by its foe. Seeing that, Bea grinned.

"Now Liquidation!" she commanded. Bringing up the tentacle around his waist, the Jujitsu Pokémon had water erupt and swirl around it before slamming it against his opponent sending him flying back out of his grasp. It struck the turf, tumbling across it to a stop in a cloud of dust. Once it subsided, it revealed that it was still down.

"Starlight!" Pyrrha cried out. Dan ran over to assess the shiny Minior's condition. After a few moments, he raised his left arm.

"Minior is unable to battle!" he announced, "Grapploct wins!" he confirmed, gesturing to the Jujitsu Pokémon. The crowd cheered again.

"And just like that, the match is evened back up at a win apiece!" Jim noted over the broadcast, "Looks like it's still anyone's game here!" he affirmed on.

"Dang it…" Erika muttered, clenching her fists over her knees, "Starlight was probably her best bet to win that…" she pointed out, lowering her head out of frustration.

"Battle's not over yet, sis," Calvin said, causing her to perk up, "She's still got one Pokémon left," he mentioned with a confident grin. Back on the field, Pyrrha returned her shiny Minior to its Poké Ball in a beam of red light.

"Thanks for the hard work, Starlight," she said with gratitude, shrinking the spherical container before putting it away. She then took out a Dusk Ball, enlarging it with a press of its button. "You're up, Kimiko!" she called out, backhanding the special Poké Ball out onto the field. It burst open, with its bluish, purple light spilling forth onto the turf. Shaping into form, the light dissipated to reveal a Mawile there.

"Mah!" she exclaimed.

"And for her final Pokémon, Pyrrha brings out a Mawile!" Jim announced through the loudspeakers.

"Interesting…" Bea noted with a grin, "Be ready, Grapploct!" she advised of her partner.

"Lock!" he responded, holding up his four tentacles determinedly as if they were fists.

"Kimiko, Iron Head!" Pyrrha commanded. Her Mawile charged forward, cloaking her body in a whitish light as she lunged toward her foe.

"Liquidation!" the Galarian gym leader ordered, enticing the Jujitsu Pokémon to make water swirl around his four, arm-like tentacles. He thrusted them out at his incoming opponent, colliding with her in a fierce blast of smoke. They both blew each other back, sliding to a stop in front of their respective trainers.

"Looks like there's still a bit of an even match in this brawl!" Jim remarked over the broadcast.

"Grapploct, Close Combat!" Bea commanded, pumping her right fist forward. The Jujitsu Pokémon charged forward, readying his tentacles.

"Counter with Play Rough!" Pyrrha instructed. Kimiko's eyes flashed pink before the same color outlined her body. She ran out and met her opponent in another flurry of smoke. He struck her multiple times with his tentacles as if they were fists, while she retaliated with her jaws smacking him. They blew each other back again, breathing somewhat heavily.

"Looks like this could go on for a while…" Leslie noted from the stands.

"Well, if Grapploct's able to use that move he did on Minior earlier, I'd say Bea would win…" Mirajane pointed out.

"I'm not so sure about that…" Ash admitted with his arms folded over his chest. His remarks earned him a curious glance from Pikachu. Back on the field, Pyrrha took on a determined expression.

"Kimiko, Crunch!" she ordered.

"Mah!" her Mawile responded, rushing forward. Her jaws at the back of her had their teeth shine a bright white and sharpen.

"Detect!" Bea instructed. With his eyes flashing orange, Grapploct slid out of the way, ending up behind the Deceiver Pokémon just as she turned to try and catch him with her jaws. "Now Close Combat!" the Galarian gym leader commanded. Having caught his opponent by surprise, the Jujitsu Pokémon proceeded to strike her multiple times with his tentacles, sending her flying back before she landed upon the ground hard, coming to a stop as she grimaced.

"Kimiko!" her trainer cried out.

"Now Octolock!" Bea yelled. Grapploct crawled over to his opponent, taking hold of her in his tentacles as he squeezed her tightly, also making sure that the jaws at her head were shut as well.

"Maaahhh…wyyyy…!" she grunted out, trying to break free of his grasp.

"Grapploct's got a strong hold on Mawile, just like he did earlier with Minior!" Jim noted into the microphone, "Looks like we might be seeing the end of this match sooner than we think!" he inferred on.

"I appreciate your effort in this battle, Pyrrha," Bea said to her opponent, getting her attention, "But this is where it all ends," she declared.

"You're right," the red-and-yellow-haired girl responded to her confusion, "Because you just gave us the best chance to do this!" she yelled, "Kimiko, Attract!" she called out, causing the Galarian gym leader to gasp. The Mawile in her Grapploct's grasp suddenly smirked, much to his surprise. She then winked, releasing several pink hearts that swirled around the Jujitsu Pokémon, who looked on in confusion before he found himself struck by them.

He glowed a bright pink for a few seconds, followed by looking down at his opponent. From his perspective, she was suddenly mesmerizing. He blushed a bright red as hearts appeared in his eyes.

"Graaahhh…" he uttered, completely infatuated as he released the Deceiver Pokémon from his grasp.

"G-Grapploct?!" Bea stammered out.

"Hey, what the hell is that?!" Rumi yelled from the stands, scaring a few spectators, "That's cheap!" she exclaimed angrily, all while Sunset just chuckled. Her daughter cracked a grin, closing her right hand into a fist.

"Now Iron Head!" she commanded.

"Mah!" Kimiko responded, cloaking herself in a whitish light before ramming head first into the Jujitsu Pokémon, sending him flying back. He landed down standing up on his three tentacles, still enamored as hearts were in his eyes.

"Finish him off with Play Rough!" Pyrrha ordered. Her Mawile's eyes shined a bright pink before she went ahead and dashed up to the enamored Grapploct, bombarding him with several blows using her arms, legs, and jaws. Eventually, the smoke around them cleared to reveal the Jujitsu Pokémon falling onto the ground in a daze, having swirls in his eyes. Dan ran over to check on him, assessing the result.

"Grapploct is unable to battle!" he announced as he raised his right arm, "Mawile wins!" he confirmed, gesturing over to the Deceiver Pokémon, "And therefore, the victory goes to Pyrrha!" he declared. On the big screens, Bea's image was wiped away as the red-and-yellow-haired girl was moved to the center, with the 'WINNER' sign beneath her image appearing. The crowd cheered.

"Pyrrha employs an excellent strategy along with power to fell Bea and her Fighting-types, moving on to the quarterfinals!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast.

"I gotta tell you, between how Pyrrha did against Bea and Erika against Gordie, I'm not sure who's better suited to take on Galar's Gym Challenge," Tom admitted thoroughly. Meanwhile, the Galarian gym leader on the field returned her Grapploct to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.

"Thank you for your efforts," she said with gratitude, putting the spherical container away after she shrunk it. She turned around, ready to leave.

"Hey, Bea!" Pyrrha called out, getting her attention as turned back to see her former opponent jog up to her alongside her Mawile, "That was a great battle!" she complimented, "You really are an awesome gym leader!" she added on, much to the barefooted girl's surprise.

"Thank you, Pyrrha," she replied gratefully with a small smile, holding her right hand out to her, "I hope you'll give me the honor of battling you again someday soon," she mentioned. The red-and-yellow-haired girl blinked twice. And then she giggled.

"Of course!" she responded, lunging out to embrace Bea, who yelped, "Anything for a friend!" she remarked with a big grin. The Galarian gym leader silently chuckled, hugging her back.

"Yes, of course," she agreed. The crowd applauded the sportsmanship, while Rumi pouted, especially as Sunset put an arm around her shoulders. Half of the fifth round matches had been settled. Only time would tell who else would join those who already made it to the quarterfinals…

X

Paige's battle against Caleb featured her Mandibuzz and Flygon easily besting his team of Braviary, Manectric, and Tropius. She didn't even need to call upon her third Pokémon during the match, much to Calvin's surprise. She had gotten a lot stronger since they last met.

Ryuki practically swept the floor with Saph, defeating her with Dragonite, Goodra, and Kommo-o. Her team of Mr. Mime, Eelektross, and Donphan just couldn't find an edge against the Dragon-type trainer. His grin was big as he walked back into the locker room.

Gladion went into his battle with different approach. He started with his Zoroark against Hunter's Vivillon, besting him with a well-timed Flamethrower. Afterwards, the former enforcer switched over to his Crobat, who outmaneuvered the opposing Hippowdon with ease before defeating him thanks to Acrobatics.

In the final battle of the match, Gladion called upon Silvally to take on his foe's Golem. Hunter thought he had the advantage, but prior to the match, the former enforcer had granted his partner with a drive that made him a Steel-type. With one Multi-Attack, the Megaton Pokémon was defeated.

"Now we've got seven of the eight competitors scheduled to compete in the quarterfinals!" Jim announced over the broadcast, "Only one match left before we're wrapped up for today!" he confirmed on. In the locker room, Calvin stood up, noticing Gladion returning.

"Nice going, Gladion," he complimented as he approached, getting his attention as he blinked in surprise.

"Thanks," he replied gratefully, "You probably should get ready for your match now," he advised.

"Yeah, I know," the Ketchum boy responded, glancing over to Guzma. He was seated at his locker space, having his eyes closed in concentration. He then opened them, standing up and walking toward his tunnel to the field. Both Calvin and Gladion watched him go.

"Good luck out there," the latter of the two remarked to his rival, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Gladion," he replied, heading off into his tunnel. As the former Team Skull boss was making his way down the tunnel, he was reminiscing over all the times he had lost to the Ketchum twins. In spite of how he bested Erika the first time, ever since, he had essentially been made to look like a fool with each defeat. He stopped for a moment, letting out a deep sigh.

"Troubled?" a familiar voice assumed, getting his attention as he looked ahead to see Hala standing there with his arms folded over his chest, "That doesn't seem like you," he remarked with a grin.

"Tsk," Guzma scoffed, "Get outta my way, old man," he grumbled as he trudged forward, passing the Melemele kahuna, "I've got a match to win," he affirmed seriously.

"Hm," Hala huffed out, "Whether or not you end up winning, I'd be happy to train you," he offered, causing the former Team Skull boss to stop as he blinked in surprise, glancing back at the kahuna, "I think you've great potential, Guzma," he mentioned, "Whether you put that to practice here or in another far-off land," he continued as he looked over his shoulder at the former Team Skull boss, "I'll help you get there," he promised. Guzma's eyes shook for a moment. He gave off a smirk a moment later.

"'Preciate the offer, old man," he remarked in response as he walked onward, "But I'm still gonna win this whole thing," he vowed on, causing Hala to chuckle.

"We're in the final stretch of the fifth round with this last match up ahead!" Jim declared through the loudspeakers, "Entering the stage now is Calvin Ketchum, a fierce competitor throughout this tournament!" he introduced as the Ketchum boy walked out onto the field, waving as the crowd cheered for him.

"You've got this, Cal!" his older sister yelled from the stands.

"His opponent is a Bug-type trainer's who's shown just how brutal in battle he and his Pokémon can be!" Jim continued as Guzma walked out onto the field, "Presenting Guzma Kestor!" he introduced on.

"GUZZZMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" a sea of former Team Skull members cheered loudly, much to everyone's surprise.

"Guess he's got a big rooting section…" Lisanna noted.

"No kidding…" her husband concurred, quite shocked as were several others around the stadium. The two trainers took their positions on the field, staring each other down. Dan stepped out in front of them.

"Trainers, please select your Pokémon at the same time!" he advised of them. Calvin readied a Net Ball in his right hand, while Guzma pulled out an Ultra Ball. They both enlarged their containers with a press of their buttons.

"Araquanid, go!" the Ketchum boy yelled, flinging his special Poké Ball forward.

"Scizor!" the former Team Skull boss exclaimed, throwing his spherical container up. Both of them bounced off of each other before popping open, with their lights spilling forth onto the ground and shaping into form. They dissipated to reveal the Water Bubble Pokémon and the Pincer Pokémon respectively.

"Looks like we're starting out with a battle between Bug-types!" Jim noted into the microphone, "The water-wielding Araquanid against the steel-clad Scizor!" he mentioned aloud.

"I haven't seen a Scizor in battle since you fought Mister Wikstrom's back in Kalos," Leslie pointed out to her father, who nodded.

"Gingka's Scizor is a tough one, too," he mentioned, "But we'll see how Calvin and Araquanid deal with Guzma's," he affirmed with a confident grin.

"Pika," Pikachu squeaked in agreement.

"And… BEGIN!" Dan yelled, swinging his arms up.

"Araquanid, Lunge!" Calvin quickly commanded. A yellowish-green aura shrouded the Water Bubble Pokémon as he leapt up about to come down onto his foe.

"X-Scissor!" Guzma ordered.

"Ssiz!" Scizor responded, making his pincers shine a bright green. He crossed them over his head, using them to block off Araquanid before swiping to push him back.

"Now Bullet Punch!" the former Team Skull boss commanded. A light blue aura shrouded the Pincer Pokémon's claws as he dashed forward, rapidly striking his opponent multiple times to make him slide back along the field, coming to a stop just in front of his trainer. He shook his head to regain himself.

"Kwaaaahhh…" he growled out.

"Scizor's Bullet Punch hits its mark as we're already off to a strong start in this last fifth round match!" Jim pointed out over the broadcast.

"Agility!" Guzma called out. The Pincer Pokémon flew forward instantly as a white trail of energy followed him, speeding around his foe as he watched on, wondering what he'd do next.

"Stay calm, Araquanid!" Calvin yelled, "Use Aqua Ring!" he instructed.

"Kwah!" the Water Bubble Pokémon replied, making a ring of water appear around his body, following by a greenish, healing aura flowing up his body.

"Tsk," Guzma scoffed, "X-Scissor!" he commanded. Closing in, Scizor had his claws shine a bright yellowish-green before slashing at his foe in an x-shaped pattern, blowing him back a few feet.

"Liquidation!" the Ketchum boy ordered. Water erupted from the bubbles at Araquanid's front legs before he aimed them forward, attempting to strike his opponent with them. However, he easily sped away, coming to a stop in front of his trainer.

"Zor?" he asked of him, causing him to nod.

"Bullet Punch!" he yelled. A light blue aura shrouded the Pincer Pokémon's claws as he charged in and landed a flurry of blows onto Araquanid, making him grimace.

"Araquanid, use Liquidation!" Calvin commanded. Regaining his composure, the Water Bubble Pokémon had the water swirling around his front legs concentrate. While he was still being struck by Scizor, he lifted his front legs up and struck him squarely in the stomach, blowing them back.

"Araquanid endures a powerful barrage from Scizor, following up with a direct hit!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers. The ring of water reappeared around the Water Bubble Pokémon, making a greenish healing aura flow up his body again. Guzma narrowed his eyes on the sight.

"Tsk," he scoffed, "Scizor, U-Turn!" he called out with a swing of his right arm. The Pincer Pokémon had a yellowish-green aura shroud his body as he sped out and slammed against Araquanid. As he turned around, he turned into a reddish light that zipped right back to Guzma's belt.

"Huh?" Calvin uttered in confusion, seeing the former Team Skull boss ready a Net Ball in his right hand, enlarging it with a press of its button.

"Scolipede!" he yelled, flinging the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light forming upon the field. Once it dissipated, it revealed the Megapede Pokémon.

"Skolll!" he bellowed out.

"Now this is a turn of events!" Jim remarked over the broadcast, "Thanks to Scizor's U-Turn, Guzma's switched him out for Scolipede!" he noted on.

"Why'd he switch?" Erika wondered aloud from the locker room, arching an eyebrow.

"Probably because he thought Scizor wouldn't be able to last in a battle against Araquanid, especially with Aqua Ring up," Gladion explained as an answer, "Though I've never seen him use a Scolipede before…" he admitted, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Poison Jab!" Guzma commanded back on the field. The Megapede Pokémon had his horns glow a bright purple as he charged forward.

"Use Icy Wind!" Calvin ordered, sticking his right hand out. Opening his mouth, Araquanid expelled a wind with light blue sparkles. It washed over his opponent, making frost form along his body. But he endured it, closing in and slamming his horns against his foe's right side, making him grimace before he stumbled back. A purple glow then appeared upon his form, followed by bubbles and sparks.

"Uh oh!" Jim yelped into the microphone, "Looks like that Poison Jab from Scolipede's enough to leave Araquanid poisoned and in a tight spot!" he noted aloud.

"And that'll offset any healing from Aqua Ring," Tom mentioned, "Smart call on Guzma's part to bring Scolipede out for this battle," he added in a complimentary tone.

"Agility!" the former Team Skull boss called out. The Megapede Pokémon started to speed up as a white trail of light followed his body. He ran around Araquanid, who was struggling to keep track of him.

"Use Icy Wind on the ground!" his trainer instructed, making him perk up. He expelled another chilling wind from his mouth onto the turf around him, making it slowly freeze up in ice. His opponent ran along it, slipping and falling over.

"Nice!" Leslie cheered as she stood up from her seat.

"Now Lunge!" Calvin commanded, pumping his left fist out. Araquanid leapt up from the ground, shrouded by a yellowish-green aura as he was about to come down onto Scolipede, who was just standing back up.

"Dodge and use Steamroller!" his trainer called out. The Megapede Pokémon managed to hop away from his incoming foe, making him strike nothing but the ground. A yellowish-green light then outlined his body before he hopped up, curling into a ball and rolling forward.

"Araquanid, watch out!" the Ketchum boy yelled to his partner. The Water Bubble Pokémon took notice of his incoming foe. He was about to move, but was suddenly hindered as the glow of poison reappeared on him. It left him wide open for Scolipede to ram into him in a huge blast of dirt and dust.

After a few moments, the dust settled. Araquanid was still standing, but stumbled before he fell over onto his stomach. Dan ran over to assess his condition, hearing him groan.

"Araquanid is unable to battle!" he confirmed, raising his left arm. The section of former Team Skull members cheered excitedly.

"Just like that, the Araquanid that brought Calvin into the fifth round falls to Scolipede!" Jim remarked over the broadcast as Erika grimaced in frustration from the locker room, while everyone else watched on. Those in the stands were just as surprised.

"I didn't think Cal would be losing a Pokémon first…" Leslie admitted.

"Yeah…" her father agreed, "It just goes to show how serious of an opponent Guzma is…" he mentioned on. His son returned Araquanid to his Net Ball in a beam of red light.

"Thanks for your hard work, Araquanid," he said in gratitude, putting the spherical container away afterwards.

'I wasn't expecting Guzma to use a different Pokémon than the ones he's used up until now…' he noted inwardly, 'Still, Scolipede and Scizor are both Bug-types,' he added to himself, 'so we have to counter that!' he declared inwardly, readying another Poké Ball in his right hand, enlarging it with a press of its button.

"Togedemaru, let's go!" he yelled as he threw the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light spilling out onto the field and taking shape, dissipating to reveal the Roly-Poly Pokémon.

"Toh geh!" he squeaked. However, he paled at the sight of the Scolipede looming ahead of him. "M-M-Mahhh…" he stammered, shuddering all the while.

"It's okay, Togedemaru!" his trainer assured, getting his attention, "You're gonna take him down for sure!" he promised, clenching his right fist.

"Mah roo!" the Roly-Poly Pokémon responded confidently.

"Good choice on Calvin's part," Sawyer noted from the stands, "Not only is Togedemaru immune to Scolipede's Poison-type moves, his Bug-type attacks won't affect him that much either," he explained.

"But we'll have to see if Calvin can make use of that," Mirajane pointed out in response.

"Scolipede, Agility!" Guzma called out. A white trail of light streaked out from behind the Megapede Pokémon as he sped around his opponent, who was struggling to keep track of him.

"Use Discharge!" the Ketchum boy ordered. Making his spikes stick up, Togedemaru had yellow electricity build up around him before unleashing a flurry of lightning bolts that streaked about randomly. However, Scolipede weaved around them as he closed in.

"Megahorn!" his trainer commanded. With his horns glowing a bright yellowish-green, the Megapede Pokémon struck his foe, sending him flying back.

"Ah!" Calvin gasped, seeing the Roly-Poly Pokémon bounce along the turf before coming to a stop in front of him, slowly sitting back up.

"And Scolipede lands a brutal blow to Togedemaru, putting that increased speed to use at such a big stage!" Jim excitedly pointed out through the loudspeakers. Hearing that, the Ketchum boy blinked in realization.

"Now Steamroller!" Guzma ordered. The Megapede Pokémon became outlined in a yellowish-green light, curling his body into a ball before rolling forward toward his opponent.

"Togedemaru, Nuzzle!" Calvin called out.

"Mah!" the Roly-Poly Pokémon squeaked in response, making his cheeks spark with yellow electricity just before Scolipede collided with him in a burst of dust.

"Scolipede makes his mark once again as a Steamroller crashes over Togedemaru!" Jim remarked into the microphone. As the dust settled, the Megapede Pokémon emerged, though with sparks of yellow electricity flickering off of his body. His trainer noticed, blinking in surprise.

"Now Zing Zap!" Calvin commanded. Bursting out from the remnants of the dust cloud was the Roly-Poly Pokémon, whose spikes stuck up as his body crackled with yellow electricity. He spun over and hopped up, about to strike his target.

"Dodge!" Guzma yelled. Unfortunately, Scolipede found himself immobile in that instant, being struck hard upside the head by his foe. He stumbled a few feet back, wincing all the while.

"Whuh-oh!" Jim yelped over the broadcast, "Looks like that Nuzzle from Togedemaru was able to leave Scolipede paralyzed!" he noted aloud.

"Skolll…" he groaned out.

"Togedemaru, use Zing Zap with Iron Tail!" Calvin instructed of his partner.

"Mah rooh!" he responded, making his spikes continue to crackle with electricity as he spun forward. However, he also had the tail-like needle on the back of his head shine a silvery-white. He leapt up toward his foe's head.

"Scolipede, Megahorn!" Guzma ordered. The Megapede Pokémon managed to make his horns glow in a yellowish-green light, aiming them at his incoming opponent. They collided, making sparks fly wildly as everyone watched on intently.

After a few moments, electricity crackled along Scolipede's body, causing him to falter. That allowed for the Roly-Poly Pokémon to strike, slamming his tail-like needle against the head of his foe. He toppled over onto the turf field in a flurry of dust. Dan immediately ran over to assess the result, noticing the swirls in the eyes of the Megapede Pokémon.

"Scolipede is unable to battle!" he confirmed with his right arm raised, "Togedemaru wins!" he announced.

"Yes!" Calvin exclaimed with a pump of his right fist. Most of the crowd cheered. On the big screens, the image of Scolipede underneath Guzma's card turned grey.

"Togedemaru comes in clutch, besting Scolipede to even the score!" Jim pointed out excitedly through the loudspeakers, "It's still anyone's game!" he affirmed on.

"Way to go, cuz!" Hau cheered from the locker room.

"Togedemaru's definitely a great match for Bug-types," Paige complimented, "That's just like Calvin to be so strategic…" she mentioned as she folded her arms over her chest.

"Now there's just two more to go…" Trent noted aloud. Erika stared at the screen seriously. She wasn't going to smile until her brother actually won the battle. Back on the field, Guzma returned his fainted Scolipede to his Net Ball before pulling out an Ultra Ball, enlarging it with a press of its button.

"Scizor, go!" he called out, throwing the spherical container forward. It burst open as its light spilled forth onto the field again, dissipating to reveal the Pincer Pokémon.

"Guzma goes back to Scizor to try and take on Togedemaru!" Jim pointed out over the broadcast, "Who'll emerge victorious this time?!" he wondered aloud.

"Togedemaru, Zing Zap!" Calvin commanded.

"Mah!" the Roly-Poly Pokémon responded, making his spikes stick up again before having electricity crackle around his body. He spun forward, heading toward his opponent.

"X-Scissor!" the former Team Skull boss ordered. Scizor had his claws glow a yellowish-green, swiping them in an x-shaped pattern to block off his incoming foe and blow him back. He slid to a stop, gritting his teeth in frustration.

"Use Iron Tail!" his trainer yelled out. With his tail-like needle glowing a silvery-white, Togedemaru leapt out at his target again.

"Bullet Punch!" Guzma roared. A silvery-white aura shrouded the Pincer Pokémon's claws as he thrusted them out rapidly to counter his incoming opponent again, making sparks fly between before they separated.

"The battle continues to heat up as Scizor withstands some possibly powerful blows from Togedemaru!" Jim noted through the loudspeakers.

"Come on, Calvin!" Leslie cheered from the stands.

"You've got thizzz, zzt!" Rotom buzzed.

"Togedemaru, Discharge!" the Ketchum boy commanded. Leaping up into the air, the Roly-Poly Pokémon made yellow electricity crackle all around his body as his spikes stuck up again.

"Dodge with Agility!" Guzma called out. As Togedemaru released the electricity he was building up in multiple bolts of lightning, his foe sped away from them, leaving a white energy trail in his wake. He zipped and weaved around the electricity, finding himself right behind his opponent.

"Ah!" Calvin gasped.

"Now X-Scissor!" Guzma commanded.

"Quick, use Nuzzle!" the Ketchum boy yelled out. Before Togedemaru could turn around in time, Scizor made his claws glow a yellowish-green as he swiped down in an x-shaped pattern, striking his foe and sending him crashing down onto the ground in a flurry of dust. As it cleared, it revealed that he was slow to get back up.

"Looks like Togedemaru wasn't able to get that Nuzzle off like he did against Scolipede!" Jim noted into the microphone.

"It'd definitely be huge if he did," Tom chimed in.

"Bullet Punch!" Guzma ordered. A silvery-white aura shrouded the Pincer Pokémon's claws as he dashed forward instantaneously.

"Togedemaru, Nuzzle!" Calvin called out again. Turning around, Togedemaru made his cheeks spark with yellow electricity just before Scizor struck him multiple times, blowing him back. His body started to spark as he winced, struggling to move.

"Nuzzle finally makes its mark, paralyzing Scizor!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast, "Will it be enough for Calvin and Togedemaru to turn the tide?!" he wondered loudly.

"Use Zing Zap!" the Ketchum boy commanded.

"Mah rooh!" the Roly-Poly Pokémon responded, having his spikes stick up once more before having his body crackle with electricity. He spun forward, heading toward his paralyzed opponent.

"X-Scissor!" Guzma ordered. Wincing, Scizor made his claws glow a yellowish-green. However, as he brought them up, the electricity around his body started to spark wildly, rendering him immobile. That allowed for Togedemaru to leap up and strike him squarely in the chest. He managed to steel himself though, swiping at his foe in an x-shaped pattern to blow him back before falling onto the ground. Dan ran over to assess their respective conditions. Both of them had swirls in their eyes as they groaned.

"Togedemaru and Scizor are both unable to battle!" the referee declared, raising both of his arms. The crowd cheered wildly.

"Unreal!" Jim yelled through the loudspeakers, "Through valiant efforts and sheer determination, both Scizor and Togedemaru manage to take each other down, leaving their trainers with just one Pokémon each!" he noted excitedly. In the locker room, Erika gulped a little.

"It'll be okay," Pyrrha assured, placing a hand onto her shoulder for comfort, "Calvin's always found a way to come out on top, right?" she inferred with a grin. The Ketchum girl didn't respond, keeping her eyes glued to the screen. Her brother returned Togedemaru to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light from back on the field.

"Thanks for all your hard work out there," he said with gratitude, giving off a little smile, "You deserve a good long rest," he affirmed, putting the spherical container away. He watched as Guzma recalled his fainted Scizor to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light, shrinking it with a press of its button before pocketing it in favor of another that he enlarged. He tossed it forward, letting it pop open as its light spilled onto the field. It dissipated after forming, revealing Golisopod.

"Gohhh…" it growled out.

"Golisopod…" Calvin uttered.

"So that's Guzma's ace, huh?" Leslie noted aloud, folding her arms over her chest.

"Yep," Rotom confirmed, "He'zzz really scary, zzt…" it mentioned with a shudder.

"Does Calvin have a good option for fighting Golisopod?" Sawyer asked of the Ketchum family, "I mean, like a Rock or Flying-type?" he inquired on.

"I think we should wait and see what he decides to do," Ash advised of those around him, "I've got a feeling that he'll be just fine," he affirmed with a grin. His son readied a Poké Ball in his right hand, pressing its center button to enlarge it.

"Incineroar, let's go!" he called out, throwing the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light forming upon the turf field and dissipating to reveal the Heel Pokémon.

"RRAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRR!" she roared out as her flame belt burned passionately. She and Golisopod glared each other down, prepared to do battle.

"The final battle of this fifth round match is coming down to Incineroar against Golisopod!" Jim pointed out into the microphone, "Who will end up being the one to join the other quarterfinalists?!" he inquired aloud.

X

FLASHBACK

"Dammit, dammit!" Guzma cursed, slamming his right fist against the wall of his room as his knuckles were bloodied. He looked back at the second place trophy he got with disgust, rubbing his hurting hand.

"W-Wimm…?" a voice stammered out, getting his attention as he looked over to see his Wimpod skittering over. He let out a deep sigh.

"No, I lost again," he confirmed in frustration, going over to sit down on his bed, "Shit…" he cursed again, slamming his right fist against the wall, "I couldn't be a trial captain, and now I'm just some pathetic loser?!" he yelled, gnashing his teeth together while clenching his eyes shut.

"Wimmm…" the Turn Tail Pokémon uttered, approaching him.

"There are lots of awesome Bug-type trainers out there that I've heard of…" his trainer remembered, "Bugsy from Johto, Aaron from Sinnoh, Burgh from Unova, Viola from Kalos…" he listed off, "Hell, even Unova's former champ's a Bug-type trainer!" he recalled on, putting his right hand over his face, "I'm nothing like any of them… and I don't think I'll ever be…" he admitted in frustration, tearing up a little.

"…Wim!" Wimpod squeaked, getting his attention as he saw him trying to crawl up his right leg, "Wimm, poh!" he proclaimed, having a determined expression.

"…You wanna battle?" Guzma guessed, "You do know that you can't just turn tail and run like usual, right?" he inquired on.

"Pod!" the Turn Tail Pokémon responded, nodding in confirmation.

"Tsk," his trainer scoffed, letting off a grin, "All right…" he uttered, petting his partner's head, "I'll give you a shot, buddy," he promised.

END FLASHBACK

From that day on, Guzma had become a better trainer. Wimpod was to thank for that, especially after he evolved. He essentially became the ace of his team.

But over time, as the former Team Skull boss had gotten into tougher and tougher battles, even the Hard Shell Pokémon was unable to keep fighting forever. That was made evident with his ability, Emergency Exit. When his trainer first learned about it, he was furious, claiming that his partner was wimping out like he did before evolving. Most of the time, he didn't even want to use Golisopod unless it'd be for a single battle.

That time had passed. Because he knew that his partner wasn't going to run away. Not while they were on the biggest stage.

"First Impression!" he commanded. A yellowish-green aura shrouded the Hard Shell Pokémon before he zipped forward instantaneously.

"Incineroar, Darkest Lariat!" Calvin ordered. Dark red flames billowed upon the hands of the Heel Pokémon, who spun around to counter his foe's attack before they blew each other back, sliding along the grass to a stop in front of their respective trainers. "Now Flare Blitz!" the Ketchum boy commanded.

"Sehh raaawwwrrr!" Incineroar bellowed, enveloping her body in orange-red flames before lunging out at her opponent.

"Liquidation!" Guzma ordered. Water swirled around each of Golisopod's arms as he aimed them forward, having them collide with the Heel Pokémon in a huge burst of steam.

"What an intense start!" Jim exclaimed over the broadcast, while Incineroar jumped out from the cloud of steam, "Neither side is willing to give even an inch for this battle!" he affirmed on.

"Use Cross Chop!" Calvin yelled. Making her arms shine a bright orange, the Heel Pokémon crossed them over her face before diving toward the cloud of steam where her opponent lurked.

"Block it!" the former Team Skull boss called out. Golisopod held up his large forearms to shield himself before Incineroar swiped at him fiercely, making him slide back a few steps. "Now Liquidation!" his trainer commanded. The Hard Shell Pokémon brought his large forearms down before making all of his arms have water swirl around them. He slammed them against his opponent before she could react, sending her flying back.

"Incineroar!" Calvin cried out. The Heel Pokémon tumbled along the turf field, but managed to bring herself up onto her feet before coming to a stop.

"Rraaawwwrrr…" she growled out.

"Incineroar takes a super effective Liquidation, but still stays standing!" Jim noted through the loudspeakers.

"Calvin's really at a disadvantage here…" Paige admitted from back in the locker room.

"Incineroar is weak to Water-types, but…" Trent chimed in.

"She'll win for Cal's sake!" Hau affirmed to their surprise, "After all, we're cheering them on!" he mentioned with a big smile. They grinned back in agreement, all while the other quarterfinalists watched on curiously.

"Flare Blitz!" the Ketchum boy commanded. The Heel Pokémon enveloped her entire body in orange red flames again, lunging out at Golisopod.

"Pin Missile!" Guzma ordered.

"Gohhhh… pah!" the Hard Shell Pokémon bellowed, firing off multiple white orbs trailing with green energy from the gap between his armored plates on his back. They closed in on Incineroar, who widened her eyes. However, she crouched down and leapt over them, letting them harmlessly strike the ground in multiple blasts.

"Ah!" the former Team Skull boss gasped, while his partner widened his eyes.

"GO!" Calvin yelled. Incineroar dove at her foe head on, colliding with him in a powerful blast. She blew him back several feet, all while red sparks appeared along her body, making her wince.

"The Flare Blitz lands as Incineroar goes on the counterattack!" Jim exclaimed into the microphone, "How will Guzma and Golisopod retaliate?!" he wondered loudly.

"Liquidation!" the former Team Skull boss commanded. Water erupted and swirled around the Hard Shell Pokémon's arms as he charged forward.

"Incineroar, Darkest Lariat!" the Ketchum boy ordered.

"Rawr!" the Heel Pokémon responded, having dark red flames ignite upon her hands again. She spun forward, colliding with her opponent in a powerful blast. Again, they were both blown back.

"This is intense…" Leslie commented from the stands.

"Peekah…" Pikachu agreed with a nod.

"Come on, Guzma!" A cheered from the rooting section for the former Team Skull boss.

"You're gonna be Alola's best trainer, right?!" B yelled out.

"Hm," Guzma huffed with a grin, "Of course that's what I want, you brats…" he grumbled out, "Swords Dance!" he called out.

"GOHHHH!" Golisopod bellowed, having several blue energy swords appear and orbit around his body, pointing towards him before a reddish aura flowed up his form.

"And Golisopod decides to amp up the attack power with Swords Dance!" Jim pointed out over the broadcast, "Can Calvin and Incineroar counter?!" he questioned on.

"Darkest Lariat!" the Ketchum boy commanded. Once again, the Heel Pokémon had dark red flames ignite upon her hands before spinning forward.

"Liquidation!" Guzma ordered, enticing the Hard Shell Pokémon to have water swirl around his six arms. He thrusted them out at his incoming foe, knocking her away in a powerful blast. She slid to a stop, keeling over onto her right knee as she grimaced.

"Oh no…" Mirajane uttered worriedly from the stands.

"Pin Missile!" the former Team Skull boss commanded fiercely. From the gap in his shelled armoring at his back, Golisopod released several white orbs with green energy trailing off from them.

"Quick, dodge it!" Calvin cried out. Unfortunately, Incineroar winced as she tried to move, ending up struck in a fierce flurry of blasts.

"Heh," Guzma chuckled with a smirk, while the Ketchum boy gritted his teeth. The smoke settled to see the Heel Pokémon standing back up, breathing heavily with exhaustion. She looked back to her trainer.

"Sehh, rawwrr!" she yelled insistently, making him blink in surprise. He looked at his Z-Power Ring, seeing the Incinium Z upon it. Now was the best time to use a Z-Move.

'But…' he uttered inwardly, noticing the barren wrist of his opponent. In spite of how much he hated Guzma, Calvin couldn't help but respect that he was trying to be the best Bug-type trainer without needing to rely on things like Z-Moves. And he wanted to honor that kind of respect. He grabbed his Z-Power Ring… and pulled it off of his wrist. Everyone gasped, even the former Team Skull boss.

"What's this?!" Jim exclaimed in question through the loudspeakers, "Calvin's forgoing his Z-Power Ring, and I can't fathom why!" he noted, sounding quite befuddled.

"It doesn't feel right to try and beat you with something you don't have," the Ketchum boy said as he set his trinket down gently beside himself, "We'll win with our own strength," he declared, "Isn't that right, Incineroar?" he questioned of his partner.

"Roaaawwwrrr!" she responded, clenching her fists determinedly as she grinned.

"Your own strength, huh?" Guzma repeated with a smirk, "Then bring it, kid!" he challenged, "Liquidation!" he commanded, pumping his right fist forward.

"Goh pah!" Golisopod responded, making water swirl around each of his six arms once more.

"Incineroar, Outrage!" Calvin ordered, clenching his right fist.

"RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRR!" the Heel Pokémon bellowed, having a reddish aura burst around her body as her eyes flashed red. She rushed in at her foe, who aimed all of his arms out at her. However, she flipped over him, much to Guzma's shock. She landed down and turned around, landing several strong punches and kicks to the Hard Shell Pokémon's back, all before he could even turn around.

"What a turnaround!" Jim remarked into the microphone, "Incineroar gets behind Golisopod and lands some critical blows with Outrage!" he noted excitedly.

"Question is, will it be enough?" Tom inquired. The Hard Shell Pokémon did falter forward slightly, but didn't fall as he turned around and glared at his foe.

"No way…!" Calvin gasped out. Incineroar was stumbling around, fatigued from the relentless bombardment of strikes she dealt. Guzma grinned.

"Finish her off with Liquidation!" he commanded. Water swirled around the arms of Golisopod as he charged in toward his dazed foe.

"Watch out, Incineroar!" Calvin screamed. But he was too late as the Hard Shell Pokémon slashed past her, resulting in an explosion of white smoke that enveloped the Heel Pokémon. Everyone was left shocked. Erika clenched her eyes shut back in the locker room, while Hau's fists shook. Nothing but silence filled the field as the smoke started to clear. And then…

"ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Incineroar roared as a blazing, fiery red aura burst to life around her, blowing the smoke away instantaneously. Golisopod braced himself, quite shocked, as was his trainer.

"What's this?!" Jim yelped over the broadcast, "It seems Incineroar's got one last trick up her sleeve!" he remarked.

"That'd be her Blaze ability, which increases the power of her Fire-type attacks whenever she's low on health," Tom explained.

"Rawr!" the Heel Pokémon called out to her trainer, getting his attention as he nodded.

"Let's show off that amazing firepower, Incineroar!" he insisted as he thrusted his right fist out. With the aura around her still burning brightly, Incineroar brought her arms up and slammed them down against the ground. It started to crack as orange lights erupted from it, trailing towards Golisopod. He had nowhere to go, ending up caught up in a powerful blast of fire, followed by smoke.

"And Incineroar uses that Blaze to land a fearsome Blast Burn!" Jim exclaimed through the loudspeakers, "I'll say, she's really shown a lot of resilience out there!" he added excitedly.

"Rrrr…" the Heel Pokémon winced out as smoke emerged from her flame belt. Calvin grimaced. He knew that using such a powerful move meant needing time to recharge afterward. He could only hope that the match had already been settled.

The smoke finally cleared, and it revealed that Golisopod was lying upon the ground in a daze. Dan ran over to assess his condition. He tried to get back up, but to no avail as he fell down. After a moment, the referee raised his right arm.

"Golisopod is unable to battle!" he announced, gesturing toward the Heel Pokémon, "Incineroar wins!" he declared, "And therefore, the victory goes to Calvin!" he added, "He advances to the quarterfinals!" he proclaimed on. The crowd erupted into cheers.

"He did it!" Leslie cried out as she hopped up to her feet excitedly.

"Peekah!" Pikachu cheered as he leapt off of Ash's lap, pumping his right fist.

"Huh…" Mirajane sighed, sounding very relieved.

"I'm glad, too," her husband said, putting a hand over hers comfortingly.

"Woohoo!" Hau cheered, jumping up and down in the locker room. Pyrrha looked over to Erika, seeing her bright smile of relief. The battle was more intense than hers, and she was very happy with the result.

"There you have it, folks!" Jim exclaimed into the microphone, "Incineroar takes the victory for Calvin, earning him the final spot in the quarterfinals!" he pointed out. The Ketchum boy ran over to his partner, sharing a smile with her. In the meantime, Guzma approached the downed Golisopod. For a moment, he saw the Wimpod that had grown into his trusted ace. Crouching down, he helped lift him up onto his feet.

"You did your best," he confirmed, much to the Hard Shell Pokémon's surprise as his eyes slightly widened, "Just rest for now," he advised, returning him to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light. As he put the spherical container away, he looked over to the rooting section where his former Team Skull cohorts were. Most of them were crying in dismay at his loss, but he noticed Plumeria giving him a little smile. With a scoff, he turned and headed back toward the tunnel he had come out of prior to the match.

"Guzma!" Calvin called out, making him stop for a moment, "Thanks for the battle!" he yelled with gratitude. The former Team Skull boss huffed, continuing to the tunnel. As he went inside, he took notice of Hala standing ahead of him.

"That was a fine battle, Guzma," he complimented, "Perhaps you don't need my training after all…" he assumed, folding his arms over his chest.

"Nah…" Guzma responded, making him perk up in surprise, "I wanna be the best Bug-type trainer I can be, even against Pokémon I know we'd have a tough time against," he told the Melemele kahuna, "So yeah, I'll take your offer for training," he decided, "I don't plan on losing, though…" he mentioned with a grin. Hala smiled under his moustache.

"I don't doubt that," he remarked back. On the field, Calvin picked up his Z-Power Ring and placed it back onto his left wrist.

"We're all set to head into the quarterfinals tomorrow night!" Jim noted over the broadcast, "Let's shuffle things up and see who'll be facing who!" he decided as upon the big screens of the stadium, the eight cards of the remaining competitors flipped over, moving about randomly. They separated into four pairs, each being placed in their own box. The cards flipped over, and many people gasped.

The first match would be Erika against Pyrrha. Both girls looked to each other in surprise. Next, Hau and Gladion would face off. The ponytailed boy took on a more hardened expression, clenching his fists tightly. After that, Calvin and Paige were going to battle. The silvery-haired girl felt herself tremble a little. And lastly, Trent was going face Ryuki, who shot him a smirk.

The quarterfinals were set. And they would prove to be even more intense than any battles that had happened thus far…

ENDING

Insert "Who Are You?" by PELICAN FANCLUB

Opens at Aether Paradise as Lillie is with her bedridden mother, sleeping by her side. In her dreams, she's imagining becoming a Pokémon Trainer herself, journeying through regions with her Pokémon by her side. She starts running along the pathway, excitedly smiling all the while.

Throughout her journey in her dream, she comes across many great things. She encounters amazing Pokémon, strong trainers to battle, and memorable sights. Her Pokémon of choice is a Clefairy which she happily lifts in her hands.

All of a sudden, the area around them darkens as a shadow looms over them. Lillie looks up in horror to see a giant version of Lusamine engulfed by Nihilego overhead. She cowers in fright momentarily, but then notices a bright light shining up above.

It turns out to be Solgaleo, who comes down with Calvin and Erika aboard. They both offer their hands to Lillie, who happily accepts them as she climbs onto the Sunne Pokémon. They hurry off, avoiding the giant rocks Lusamine chucks their way. One is about to strike, but it's destroyed as Gladion appears aboard Silvally, slashing it apart.

Together, they lunge up to attack the Aether Foundation president, engulfing her in a shining, golden light. Lillie opens her eyes, lifting her head. She finds her mother awake in bed, giving her a weak, yet thankful smile.

Lillie smiles back, gripping her hand tightly. As Wicke wanders in to check on them, they turn on the TV as the Alola League is starting. Lillie giggles at the sight of the Ketchum twins in battle once again, happy that they're seeing their dreams through…

END ENDING

Well, that was fun! I didn't think this chapter would end up being this long. Back when I originally outlined it, the focus was just going to be on Calvin and Guzma's battle. But with the new inclusions of Bea and Gordie, I figured I'd give some other characters a chance to shine. Anyways, next up is the full battles of the quarterfinals. And oh boy, we're starting off with a bang!

Here's a summary to hold you over until next week!

SUMMARY

The quarterfinals of the Lanakila Conference begin! Erika and Pyrrha are matched up in an intense full battle, the first that either of them have ever had! With their parents and friends cheering them on, who'll come out on top?!

END SUMMARY

See you all later, everyone!