Chapter 18: The Final Battle – Part 2

The time has finally come!

After a heartfelt reunion with Hatterene and her shiny Mother, Elegance, the most epic battle in both of the lives of Leon and Karthaniel were upon them in just mere moments away and their brave glares of determination overshadowed their excitement by just a small bit. After everything was settled down, the same young male Caucasian referee came out between the two contenders, which prompted them both to approach him, having Hatterene join Karthaniel hand-in-hand.

"First of all, let me start by saying that on behalf of the entire staff here in Wyndon, we congratulate you on your reunion with your beloved Mother." The ref started towards Hatterene, who nodded twice in response with a heavenly smile of honor. "Now, on to business. Leon, as the current champion of Galar, you have the option to choose which battle format you'd like against Karthaniel Davis: Single or doubles. Which will it be?"

"I'm breaking the tradition just this once, Joe." Leon announced proudly, making all but Karthaniel's friends and family gasp with astonishment. "After everything he's been through since he survived the potentially fatal shipwreck, I'm letting him choose which one he wants. His battle against Raihan inspired me to make this decision."

"Wow! I see. Well, it has been said from the champ and so it shall be. Sir Davis…" The referee turned towards Karthaniel and Hatterene with a smile that said 'no worries' as he continued. "…what say you, then?"

"You're… letting me choose?" The young trainer had to ask first. Leon made a single nod in response and never said another word as he held that glimmer of confidence in his famous golden eyes. "Whoa! Interesting proposition. Well, in that case, it is safe to say that my battle against Raihan was indeed intense in the double's format, but it was only with four pokémon. This time, let's see if we can make it happen again with all six." At that last word, Leon nodded twice with expectancy this time as he performed a fist bump with the young trainer, making Hatterene see this with a cute smile of appreciation. "May the best team win."

"Alright, then! Let's begin! As always, the winner is decided with the last pokémon standing on either side of the battlefield. Dynamaxing is allowed, but only once for each side, so choose wisely. Good luck to both of you. You may begin when ready."

After that last word from the ref, he stood back towards the left side to observe the entire field, ready for anything. Within the field on Karthaniel's half, Hatterene gave him a loving embrace for three seconds before she stepped forward and at that last step, Dragapult volunteered to pop out next to her. As she saw this, she nodded once with acceptance. The Stealth Pokémon returned it with a smile of honor before they both faced Leon with bravery in their eyes, getting the crowd pumped up. As for Leon, he never cowered as he pulled out two pokéballs and professionally tossed them into the air, bringing out Inteleon and Rhyperior first. They too showed utmost determination.

"Challengers start first." Leon announced casually. Karthaniel nodded once in response before he stood back and allowed his pokémon to do as they pleased. Hatterene's eyes lit up green as she gracefully used her hat claw to summon her Giga Drain towards Rhyperior while Dragapult made a dash for Inteleon for a bite from his Psychic Fangs, but both of Leon's companions were very well prepared. Rhyperior glistened up with Rock Polish before he made an impressive dash to the left to completely evade the grass type sapping move before he ran for Hatterene with his head shining silver for his Iron Head attack. She saw that coming and fired a Moonblast before he got too close, making him fall on his back upon impact. As for Dragapult and Inteleon, the Secret Agent Pokémon was able to match the Stealth Pokémon speed and fired an Ice Beam from a single finger in a casual pose, but Dragapult was much faster and dodged it at just a millimeter away from the beam and disappeared into the ground with his ghostly aura. It baffled Inteleon for a few moments and Leon had to respond: "Inteleon, don't let his Phantom Force hit you. Find a way to counter it when he appears!"

"I don't think so." Karthaniel spat back smoothly before he nodded once towards Hatterene, who returned it before her Pokérus X2 power kicked in by using Psychic with the hat claw to hinder Inteleon's movement while she used her both of slender hands to summon up another Giga Drain upon Rhyperior, who just stood up and roared with pain when he couldn't dodge in time. Leon was beyond impressed by how much skill Karthaniel has gained throughout his journey, but that never made him turn away from this challenge.

"Rhyperior, resist it and use Smart Strike!" The Drill Pokémon heard his trainer's words and fought through the powerful Giga Drain as he was quick to approach for someone with short legs. Still, Hatterene never ceased the grass-type attack, even as she saw his famous drill shimmer silver. When he was just inches away, that's when Dragapult reappeared behind the suspended Inteleon with his Phantom Force, making a direct hit from behind with his long half-transparent tail, knocking him to his right with extreme force, which rendered him unconscious. Seconds after that, he fired his Dragon Darts towards Rhyperior from behind as well, having both Dreapy missiles make direct hits towards the Drill Pokémon. That adding to the massive damage from Hatterene's Giga Drain made him fall forward just inches away from the anthro Silent Pokémon. She looked down at this display with expectancy, making her appear regal towards Leon while Dragapult returned to his position beside her on her right. The current champion was impressed so far as he summoned both of his fainted pokémon back into their pokéballs. "Huh! That Pokérus infection is indeed nothing to be trifled with, Sir Davis. I'm glad to see this strength after all you've been through."

"Heh, heh." The young steel-type expert chuckled. "I'm just getting started."

"I see. Well, let's up the ante a bit." Leon tossed up his next two pokéballs and out came Haxorus and a Rillaboom of his own and, as soon as the Drumming Pokémon's feet contacted the arena grounds, his Grassy Surge immediately came into effect. Seconds later, the champion didn't waste a moment: "Rillaboom, use Grassy Glide and Haxorus, use Outrage!"

Both pokémon followed their commands in blinding speed towards Hatterene and Dragapult respectively, which made the Stealth Pokémon panic a bit and fired his Dragon Darts as a counterattack while Hatterene remained calm and used her hat claw to summon her Mystical Fire. Miraculously, the opposing Drumming Pokémon and Axe Jaw Pokémon both seemed like they saw those specific attack coming and Haxorus was able to swiftly dodge both darts like a football player performing the spinning dodge maneuver before his Outrage contacted the ghostly dragon, giving him severe damage that was enough to render him down and out. Hatterene saw this, but never backed down from Rillaboom approaching her. However, her Mystical Fire attack missed the grassy gorilla and the Grassy Glide made direct contact with the anthro Silent Pokémon by means of a hard shove, which made her fall on her back with moderate damage and her famous hat falling off her head along the way. Seeing this made the audience of Karthaniel's friends and family gasp with absolute shock, especially Elegance. She immediately clasped her hands together in prayer, but never closed her eyes.

Back in the battlefield, Karthaniel was taken aback by the defeat of his Dragapult for a moment before he reluctantly summoned him back inside his pokéball. Hatterene was able to slowly regain her energy as she sat up in a seemingly graceful pose as she shook off the dizziness, grabbing her hat afterwards. During that moment, Sir Davis just had to say it and get it out of the way:

"And you haven't even brought out Charizard yet."

"At this rate, I won't need him." Leon spat back with confidence as Haxorus and Rillaboom were on standby before him. "With these two before you, they're the best that I have next to him." After that last word, Haxorus took that as a cue to perform his Earthquake while Hatterene was still readjusting and it caused her even more damage as she fell backwards after she stood up. Karthaniel was able to catch her before landing back down. Seeing this made them both get pretty pissed off. "See?"

"You bastard!" They both exclaimed at the champion before the Silent Pokémon continued alone: "That wasn't fair!"

"When it comes to challenging for the title of Galar Champion, fairness in all shapes and sizes are thrown out like garbage. We battle with no holds barred here."

"It's just like with Raihan." Karthaniel pointed out before he tended to his beloved serene Hatterene. "Can you go on, love?"

"…I think so." Hatterene replied with a struggle in her heavenly British accented voice as she finally stood up to her feet, dusting herself off along the way. Seconds afterwards, Duraludon volunteered to step out of his pokéball on his own for assistance, which shocked everyone, except Leon and his pokémon.

"What the…?!" Hop exclaimed from the audience, making everyone else around him listen in. "What's Duraludon thinking? Didn't he feel that Earthquake?!"

"I'm pretty sure he did." Sonia replied. "He just doesn't care at this point. He wants Karthaniel to win, no matter what."

Back down in the arena…

Duraludon roared with utmost fury before he prepared for his Breaking Swipe attack on both the opposing Rillaboom and Haxorus. The good news is that it made a direct hit towards them both without hesitation. The bad news…

"That's all you've got?" Leon asked rhetorically as a threat before Haxorus was quick to react with another Earthquake. This time, before it reached Hatterene, Corviknight was quick to escape his pokéball and take her into the skies upon his back, making the audience gasp with astonishment first, then cheer at their loudest with utmost support later. Karthaniel was beyond impressed in all of his pokémon at this point and took two steps back from the action to watch it play out with crossed arms of satisfaction.

As for Duraludon, he took that Earthquake with all the strength in the world, but since Haxorus was hit with Breaking Swipe, it wasn't as strong. That didn't stop him from performing Close Combat on the Alloy Pokémon as an alternative attack. That move did it for him. I gave him a decent enough amount of damage, but thanks to the Earthquake before it, Duraludon was down and out immediately. Karthaniel nodded twice with expectancy before he summoned him back inside his pokéball and focused on Hatterene and Corviknight in the air just below the arena lights.

Leon never cowered as he commanded his Rillaboom to perform his famous move: Drum Beating. He did so and the massive grassy roots that came out from the ground and aimed right for them, stretching forever! Corviknight saw this and flew in all sorts of directions to avoid the deadly vines. During that time, Hatterene placed her Mystical Fire into to excellent use along with the Raven Pokémon's Air Slash. He used that move's wind strength to double the size of the flaming attack and it shocked Rillaboom so much that he had no choice but to stop his drumming and take it in, seeing that there was no way around it. It was a direct hit and with double the weaknesses, it was down and it made the crowd continue their ear-splitting cheers. Haxorus was still standing and was at wit's end at this point. Hatterene giggled at this scene below her and decided to make a graceful leap off of Corviknight and during that daring dive, she professionally tossed her famous hat and the claw appeared to have a mind of its own as it summoned up her biggest Moonblast ever seen by anyone while she performed Psychic with her own hands, which not only provided more damage to the fairy-type attack, but it made her slowly make an elegant landing along the way.

Haxorus was finally defeated!

Leon was at a loss for words for a moment as he summoned both of his fainted pokémon back into their pokéballs and he just had to take a few minutes to look around the crowd to see how much of a frenzy they were having. He even saw all of Karthaniel's supportive friends and family, including Hatterene's mother, Elegance, keeping her hands clasped together in prayer with a look of hope in her glowing baby blue eyes. When he turned his focus towards Karthaniel, he saw that Corviknight had just made a landing before his trainer while Hatterene casually picked up her signature hat while making her heavenly stroll towards her human lover, who had a raised eyebrow with an impressed smile on his face. As soon as she approached him, the two didn't even hesitate to perform their most passionate kiss before everyone, even allowing them to see their tongues go insane between a few smooches. Corviknight watched this with the highest honor with a smile drawn upon his beak.

Leon remained speechless and stunned for a little while longer, even while only the men in the crowd sang out various erotic howls and wolf-whistles towards that steamy scene below them. As for Karthaniel's support team, Hop didn't even look away while all of the adults in the group were just speechless with smiles of compassion, especially Elegance and Karthaniel's parents.

"They are in love!" The shiny anthro Silent Pokémon exclaimed towards nobody in particular. "Master Mustard and Wallace didn't make this up!"

"Told ya!" Hop agreed. "What do ya think, though? Are you okay with this?"

"…of course. How can I not accept it? If they do truly love each other, then I'll support them alongside Sir Davis' parents."

"May Arceus bless you." Extonia replied with praise as the two parents embraced Hatterene's mother with all the love the world.

Back down in the arena…

Karthaniel and Hatterene just finished their kiss of epic proportions before they both turned towards Champion Leon with smirks of absolute confidence, including Corviknight. As for the young champ, he just had to say this to start:

"I just can't believe this."

"Ya better believe it, Sir Leon." Karthaniel replied. "You're down to two left and I know your trusty Charizard is one of them."

"Indeed, but you haven't the slightest idea what you're in for. Might I suggest you turn away and forfeit now while your precious Hatterene is still on her feet…"

"Not a chance!" Hatterene and her lover protested in unison, having the anthro Silent Pokémon release her embrace from him and stand alongside Corviknight with bravery. She continued alone: "As long as I still stand and as long as Sir Davis keeps his hopes alive, we will never give up!"

"Humph! Very well. I warned you." After that last word, Leon held up his last two pokéballs, which made the crowd finally become silent for the first time in, what seemed like, forever. Seconds later, he tossed them up into the air and out came Cinderace and Charizard. Just milliseconds afterwards, Leon activated his Dynamax bracelet and everyone was amazed to see the famous Gigantamaxed Charizard, a first for Karthaniel, his parents, Hatterene, and her Mother. He even roared his loudest with extreme fury, intimidating everyone instantly. "Charizard, Cinderace… let's not dilly dally any longer. Take them out!"

The two pokémon sure didn't waste any time after that was said from their champion and Cinderace got ready for an Iron Head attack towards Hatterene while Charizard roared his loudest once more before his G-Max Wildfire erupted from his flaming mouth, aiming for Corviknight. The latter pokémon of Karthaniel's didn't waste a moment as well as he started to fly back into the lights with Hatterene hitching a ride once more. It made them both miss and Cinderace was extremely disappointed. Charizard, however, made a snarling laugh before he opened his mouth and it lit up for another shot of his famous move while the Raven Pokémon was still flying around him. This time, it was homing in on him and he tried to fly faster with his wings flapping as fast he could. Hatterene dared to look behind them both and her black with white pupil eyes were at their widest as she saw how fast the flaming bird-like silhouette was approaching. She tried to verbally plead him to go even faster, but it was to no avail! G-Max Wildfire finally gained up on them and it somehow only hit Corviknight directly, making him squawk at the very top of his lungs with extreme pain before he started falling to his demise. Hatterene fell with him as she screamed with maximum horror in her soul and this made the crowd panic after their all gasped with terror!

"HATTERENE! CORVIKNIGHT!" Karthaniel screamed as well, but remained brave as he continued. "Hatterene-love! Use Psychic and grab Corviknight!"

Fortunately, her screams weren't loud enough to drown out that command and she regained her senses as she did so with her hat claw. Leon wasn't having none of it.

"I don't think so. Not this time! Charizard, use Max Airstream!" Leon called out and Charizard didn't even hesitate!

The strong winds of that move blew Corviknight at high speed past Karthaniel and Hatterene in the air, making him make a seemingly fatal crash landing towards the back wall. As for the anthro Silent Pokémon, she was blown downward towards Cinderace, who was preparing his famous Pyro Ball. By the time the Striker Pokémon made that professional kick to his fireball, Hatterene's hat claw became protective and was ready to block it, despite the potential damage that may follow.

Everyone in the audience as at the very edge of their seats and Elegance couldn't bear to watch her only daughter become defeated at last since her existence. Klara was beside her to comfort her while Extonia on the other side of the shiny anthro Silent Pokémon doing the same.

But, just mere milliseconds before the Pyro Ball made contact…

"WHAT?!" Leon screamed with absolute disbelief. Hearing this made everyone witness the truly impossible feat ever seen in any pokémon battle:

Rapid Strike Urshifu was the last to emerge from his pokéball and made a graceful leap and dash upwards towards Hatterene and, in slow motion, she made a perfect landing within his strong arms and it was a successful catch with the Pyro Ball completely missing them by a single millimeter! While he was still somehow in the air, he positioned Hatterene to ride piggyback for a moment. She was quick to obey by hanging on to his strong neck for dear life while he professionally performed his signature Surging Strikes when he was right at the giant Flame Pokémon's chest. Hatterene saw his smirk of permission as he performed the first of three strikes and she became fearless as she made a graceful spinning leap off of him towards his left and she used all her strength with the Pokérus X2 power within her to charge up her biggest Psychic burst ever in her entire life during Urshifu's second Surging Strike.

Then, they both harnessed their respective maximum energy simultaneously at full charge and Hatterene's Psychic was blasted at the exact same time as Urshifu's final and most critical Surging Strike towards Charizard's chest and it made him roar even louder in excruciating pain before he shrunk down back to normal size and was laid on his back before the champion with the famous swirls of defeat replacing his eyes. Seconds after that, Hatterene and Urshifu both made a ten-point landing back on the arena grounds before they both turned towards the lone standing Cinderace, who still didn't back down. He prepared another Pyro Ball, but this time, Urshifu swiftly stepped in front of his adoptive Silent Pokémon sister and made one single water-type punch towards it, which extinguished it immediately upon contact! This finally got the Striker Pokémon a little nervous and Hatterene got playful on her end and used her hat claw to casually summon a Shadow Ball this time. The ghostly purple ball grew bigger twice along the way and it knocked him out instantly.

It became silent after all of that and only Wallace, from a seat behind Elegance, tapped her hat to silently tell her to open her eyes. She did so and was overjoyed before the referee made it official through his headset connected to the PA system:

"All of Leon's pokémon are unable to battle! Hatterene and Urshifu are left standing, which means that Sir Karthaniel Harrison Davis is the winner!"

Leon's stunned silence was completely taken over by the cheering crowd that was as loud as a jet engine at this point! Karthaniel joined in the cheers for a few seconds before Hatterene ran up to him for a celebratory embrace that nearly tackled him and they just spun around with joy for the next ten seconds. Urshifu just casually walked over to the unconscious Corviknight, professionally grabbing a Max Revive from his trainer's bag along the way. During the celebration, Behemoth and Extonia Davis both ran down the bleacher steps alongside Elegance and they all joined in the ultimate family hug that was full of all the warmth and love they could give towards each other. The rest of the support group of friends made their way down as well to join them after just five seconds. Meanwhile, all of the other Gym Leaders of Galar came out on Leon's side of the arena, having Melony approach the now distraught ex-champion with a reassuring pat on his right shoulder and Raihan on his left with two of those same pats.

"You alright?" The dragon-type expert dared to ask. Leon still never said a word as he used his signature baseball cap to hide the glare of disappointment within his golden eyes. Melony tried so hard to look underneath, but it was to no avail. "Give him a minute, Melony."

"Of course." She replied sweetly. "Besides, we need the crowd to calm down as well."

Three minutes later…

"Sir Karthaniel Davis…" Leon finally spoke after he regained his senses, even through those seemingly endless cheers. The said trainer approached him with honor in his one blue eye and one brown eye, having only Hatterene alongside him whilst holding hands. "…your journey up to this point was a dangerous one and somehow, you managed to persevere through it all and still have more than enough strength to challenge and defeat me. It's because of this serene Hatterene that you were able to make it. Although only one of your pokémon never got to battle, you all still deserve to have all of your names engraved into the Galar Champion Hall of Fame along with my very own. You have officially dethroned me and you are now crowned the new Galar Region Champion. Congratulations!" At that last word, Raihan was given the honors to take Karthaniel's Badge Medallion from the trainer and hand it over to Leon, who made it official by placing on the final wedge: The Champion Wedge. When that was done, he handed it back to the now overjoyed young trainer and he tried so hard to cover his tears with one hand. Hatterene did the honors of wiping them away with a soft cloth she just so happened to get from inside her dress. "How do you feel?"

"Just… overwhelmed…" Karthaniel replied in between sobs, even while Hatterene continued to wipe his face. That was done within seconds. "(Sniff)… thank you, love. Leon, I honestly don't know what else to say except thank you for your assistance during my challenging journey. You really did have the skills worthy of a champion and it was a well-fought battle."

"Thanks! I must agree! Now that you're the new Galar Region Champion, what do you plan to do next?"

"Hmmm…" Karthaniel thought hard about the definitive answer to that fateful question and everyone around him was in high anticipation for his answer, especially Hatterene. The heavenly glow upon her face made her human lover smile his most handsome to date and it was a surefire hint that only Elegance and her only daughter could figure out…

…and the two of them slowly started to shed small waterfalls of pure happiness.

To be continued…