Flap! Flap! Gloria finished waving off the Corviknight carrying the taxi cab as Hop took the lead back to the Wedgehurst Lab. He nearly kicked the door open on his way in and saw Sonia, Magnolia and oddly, Oleana, confronting the royal twins, who were sitting on a tea table, making demands. The secretary was in a mode very much like the time the trio confronted her at the tower, eyes twitching and looking like she's about to destroy something. "For the last time, we don't have anything to give to you. Please, for the good of this lab, leave!"

Sordward laughed at her attempt to be intimidating. "Silly refuse, we know all the Wishing Stars that Chairman Rose has gathered are hidden here. We celebrities have an enhanced level of insight into such things!" Magnolia scoffed. "Insight that you bought from others!" Shieldbert ignored her lecture. "You noncelebrities are not suited to having such valuable things. Hand them over to us."

Oleana closed her eyes, took a deep breath and went for her binder bag. "Actually, it is written here." She brought out paper work. "That should there no longer be a need for those things, those who were associated with the Chairman's project were to be delivered the Wishing Stars as per safe keeping." She gestured to Sonia and Magnolia. "The Professors have contributed towards advancing that goal and halting it, should it be deemed necessary. There fore, those Wishing Stars are officially their property."

Sonia appreciated that she had some authority at her back and yelled at the brothers. "What you're doing here, is completely illegal!" Hop added. "And completely dangerous! Have you seen the damage that was done at the Stadiums?"

That much Magnolia has seen from the news and she tapped her cane to lecture the brothers. "After how you abused the Dynamax Phenomenon, you are in no claim towards the Wishing Stars! You have no need for them in your lives!"

The brothers realize they're being denied, Sordbert asked his brother. "Goodness. What ever should we do, younger brother?" Shieldbert nearly snorted in laughter. "They believe that the law could even touch us, older brother!"

Marnie scoffed and pointed at them. "It will once we're through with you crooks!" Hop listed the things the brothers have done thus far. "Forcing Pokemon to Dynamax against there will and letting them out in populated towns! You've gone way out of bounds here! And I haven't forgotten that you mugged the Rusted Shield, either."

Sordward closed his eyes smugly. "Well, well, well! I'd certainly believed the Champion would come, but I didn't think losers would continue to follow her." Gloria flared her nostrils and brought out a ball. "Hey! If you didn't tied Hop down like that, he would have wiped the floor with your brother as easily as I did with you!"

Oleana half turned her head and saw a surprising amount of fury, she thought of something convenient as Sonia raised her hand to Gloria. "These goons are just trying to get to you, because they think they can. Don't let them bait you like that."

Gloria pressed her hand to her chest and looked to Hop. "Right, first things first. Let's get these weirdos out of here!" Sordward stood up in shock and blabbered. "W-w-w-w-w-w. Weirdos!?" Shieldbert was just as outrage. "Oh, how they wound me, older brother! To be called so terrible of a thing as "weirdos" by these ruffians."

Oleana laughed to them in revenge. "True, you're lucky you haven't been called criminals either." She gasped. "Oh wait, you have." She asked. "I'm going to make a call now."

She turned to dial a number as Sordward was more offended. "How dare you! To address royals such as ourselves in this manner cannot-will not- be forgiven!" The brothers gave a gracious bow of a challenge. "This time we've brought much stronger pokemon to thoroughly trounce you with!"

Marnie readied to step in for the challenge as she heard someone arriving, a black haired, dirty looking woman in a lab coat. "Got here in the nick of time! Hey, I got those Pokemon that you asked for!" Marnie recognized from the description and stood in the way. "Drat, they brought the Fossil lady into this too?" She called to Hop and Gloria. "I'll keep her from handin' over some freaky pokemon! You rough these low lives up, ya hear?"

The duo were on it as the brothers sent out a Golisopod and a Bronzong. Gloria thought about making things precise, as to ease the damage and sent out Fubear, who was outraged at fighting the same duo from the woods. Hop thought to himself and brought out Dubwool.

On the back, Marnie sent out her Liepard as Cara sent out a Dracovish that flailed his neck around and splashed water everywhere. Hop signaled to his rival, that he'll focus on setting up. Gloria promised she'll go for the offense. The Golisopod went for a first impression blow on the Urshifu as the girl ordered. "Crack that bell with a wicked blow!"

The Urshifu channeled her aura and rushed at the content bell that realize it's about to be in a world of hurt. POW! The Bronzong was sent an inch and collapsed as Hop had Dubwool puff up a cotton guard. Shielbert forced himself to switch to a squadron of Falinks. Fubear turned to the Golisopod and Gloria punched in an order, delivering a wicked blow that sent the isopod running back to his ball. The Dubwool flung himself at the Falinks for a body press and baited Shielbert into ordering a close combat assault, the fluffy wool soaked each blow.

Marnie had her Liepard fake the Dracovish out and deliver a sucker punch before Cara ordered. "Try that fisheous rend out, let's discover how it does compared to bolt beak!" The Dracovish waddled back, dripped water out of it's jaws and swiped them at the Liepard, sending her flying in a one hit knock out. Marnie woahed and switched for a Toxicroak that countered with a fast gunk shot that finished the fossil off. Cara called the fallen fossil back and sent out the next draconoid abomination, a Dracozolt that wagged his tail in excitement. Marnie licked her lips and had Toxicroak fire a focus blast that made it's mark, the dragon roared in an outrage and beat the frog back to the girl. Marnie made a fast switch to a Grimmsnarl that took the outrage, flexed a boastful laugh and delivered a spirit break strike that sent the fossil on his back.

Sordward sent out a Doublade with a particular stone. Gloria had a fixed glare and ordered. "One more blow!" The Urshifu nodded and with a single punch, sent the swords flipping to it's back as Dubwool body pressed the Falink squad in a double knock out. Sordward cringed and sent out his Golisopod as Shieldbert was in complete denial and sent out a Klinklang. The Golisopod struck another first impression on the Urshifu that shielded herself, kicked the isopod back and rushed at the Klinklang for close combat.

Shieldbert rolled his eyes back in disbelief and called the gears back as the Dubwool gave a double edged rush at the isopod. Gloria phewed and switched Fubear for Franken as the Golisopod slashed a liquidation blade at the Dubwool and took another blow. Franken stepped back and breathed a freeze dry that knocked the bug type out.

Cara Liss readied to switch and was distracted. "Hoo wee! Franken's no joke!" Marnie gave a what. "How'd you know his name?!" The questionable scientist sent out an Arctozolt that is more frantic. "I tune in on my t.v as soon as I heard of a girl making it big with an Arctozolt! I knew that had to be the one!"

Grimmsnarl bulked up fast, took two bolt beaks and countered with a darkest lairate before flipping over a blizzard and delivering a spirit break blow. Marnie switched for her trusty Morpeko as Cara switched for an Arctozolt that is having a hard time seeing where he even is, the fish flailed and whined. The hamster flung an aura wheel that set the Arctozolt back and had it counter with an icicle crash. Morpeko took the blow in a flip, felt hangry and rushed to the chin for a finishing crunch. Cara cringed, called Arctovish back and raised her hands in a surrender.

Sordward was in a corner as he sent out a Bisharp that gave a precise dance for battle, only to be knocked out effortlessly by Dubwools body press. The older brother called his fallen pokemon back and his eyes went to the back of his head. "This can't be, the exquisite pokemon we trained actually lost?!" Shielbert harumphed to that. "You only won because you two teamed up. Still, I suppose we offer you ruffians our praise."

Marnie and Morpeko scoffed at the two. "Oi, the two of you teamed up as well!" Even Cara Liss had to agree with the girl. "And Cara Liss only got involved, because I was busy trying to find you!" Hop stomped his foot in impatience to the twins. "Give back the Rusted Shield, and stop forcing pokemon to go all crazy!"

Suddenly, Mayson appeared with a bag. "Ah, sorry is this a bad time?" She approached the twins. "My apologies for the intrusion." Sonia eeked. "Be careful Mayson, these men are danger-" She realized something and smacked her face with her palm in frustration at what was happening. The turncoat assistant gave the twins the bag and was given praise. "Well done, your infiltration mission was a resounding success, it seems." ""Have you gathered the wishing stars?" Mayson nodded. "Yes, thanks to Masters Sordbert and Shielbert buying me so much time."

Gloria yelled out in bewilderment. "Were they setting this up since yesterday?" Sonia cursed the lack of foresight. "Fraid so. Darn it." Magnolia was even less amused. "Seems we'd been completely had!"

Sordbert took the bag and gloated in laughter. "Why this moment is so sweet, I don't think I'll need any sugar in my tea later." Shielbert joined in the chortle. "Our battle was just a little trick! We'd won before you'd grabbed a single pokeball."

They activated a beacon and begun blinking out of space. "And with that, farewell!" Pew! Cara Liss realize she was ditched and hurried her escape. "Hey! Don't ditch me here!" As the scientist escape, Sonia was both furious at Mayson and hurt. "Mayson, why? Was everything just a lie, right from the start?" The turncoat turned for her leave. "There was no helping it. It was necessary for the plan." She walked off as the children were left in shock. "Our plan to put Galar under the control of the royal lineage once again."

The children realize she could know more and gave chase. Only to find the assistant flying off on the back of a Mandibuzz. Sonia caught up with the children in desperation. "Wait! Don't just leave without saying anything!" Gloria turned to the Professor with just as much confusion. "But if we don't follow them, they're just going to dynamax a bunch of pokemon out in a city again!" Hop agreed with that urgency. "We also didn't want to say anything that would make it worse." Marnie nodded to that. "We'd figured you needed to be alone for a while."

Sonia agreed with heart break over a lost friend. "Of course I'd be down on myself! It was my fault for being tricked by a Nickit in Wooloo's clothing!" She perked in determination. "But that's it. No more feeling sorry for myself! That lot made off like bandits with all those Wishing Stars! It be awful if they use them to cause more trouble, there's no time to be feeling down." Hop felt that determination. "Oh?"

Marnie snickered. "You got spunk, Professor, I'll give you that much."

"You've certainly grown strong in the face of adversity, dearie." Out comes Magnolia and an Oleana that finished a rather vital call. The elder was concerned for the ongoing crisis. "Dynamaxing draws out the true strength from the trust between a Pokémon and their Trainer. But that group is likely pouring the Galar particles emitted by the Wishing Stars into Pokémon, forcing them to Dynamax." Gloria sighed in sympathy for the bigger victims. "And I'll bet the pokemon are the most hurt out of all of this."

Oleana agreed with the girl. "Those two are just deplorable. We have help on the way, but it will take a moment for their agent to even make it to Galar." Gloria sighed at the lack of time available. "The theft of the Wishing Stars was just the start. Things could get a lot worse from here on."

Sonia thought out loud. "But why? What reason could they have for forcing all those pokemon to Dynamax?" Hop shook his head at the nonsense. "Those weirdos said that they wanted to revel the true natures of Zacian and Zamazenta." He crossed his arms in disgust towards the royalty. "Those two really helped us all when we needed it the most! There's nothing for those pokemon to hide!"

Sonia felt a buzz on her phone and checked it out. "True. But I'm curious what that woman meant about a royal lineage. Who were actually the heroes of that story?" She gasped. "Eek! Gloria, Hop, look at your map!" The two did so and found exclamation marks spiking in the northern reaches of Galar. One of which had Marnie concerned. "Ah crud! Bede's over at Ballonlea right now!"

Magnolia had no idea if she should be impressed or not. "They know how to get around, don't they?" Oleana planned out loud. "At the least, this would provide enough evidence that we're going to need for later. They won't be getting away with this."

Gloria raised an eyebrow at the odd woman out. "Hey, I know we've gotten on the wrong foot, but why are you helping us out with this? There's got to be more to it than making sure the Chairman's company doesn't topple over."

Oleana didn't feel like it would hurt answering. "Interested, are you? Let's just say nearly everyone is a victim of the royal family. My upbringing." She lowered her arms in a gloomy lump. "Wasn't the happiest, because of them." Marnie thought a bit. "So I'll bet you're loyal to the former Chairman, because he saved you a big one once you made a bit of a name for yourself?" Oleana nodded. "You'd be correct. I still owe him everything." She insist. "But right now, it's more important to stop those two as soon as possible."

Hop agreed and started a lead. "Righto. Marnie, Gloria, we don't got time lying about! If people and Pokemon are in trouble, why're still here? Let's get right out there and lend a hand!"

He and Marnie hurried to the town square as Sonia apologized to Gloria. "I'm sorry to leave it to all of you, but you'll have to take care of this one too. We'll find Piers and get to searching for those sword and shield weirdos in the meantime!" She readied to make an important call and left Gloria to follow her friends. With her out of hearing, the professor asked the secretary. "So who were you calling, anyways?"

Oleana crossed her arms determined to set things right. "The International Police! Now, let's see how much we can accomplish before the representative makes her arrival." Sonia hoped a lot and dialed fast.

At Stow-on-Side.

Allister and his Gengar worked together to get the last of the civilians out of danger, once the last body was running, the two closed the door together. Gengar gave off a pulse of super natural power as Allister felt his hair twitching. The boy sensed a presence of three and turned, finding Gloria and her friends eager to resolve a crisis. "Oh, you!" He relaxed. "You came to help me?"

Marnie nodded and imagined a rather simple brawl. "We got to! How're things lookin'?" Allister raised his head up in gloom. "It's been dreadful. We just got the people all out... but since I'm a gym leader. I'll have to challenge the dynamax pokemon." Hop heard someone approaching and asked. "If that's so, how about we all work together?" "You mind if I help out, too?" The group turned to find a girl Gloria was familiar with, the champion waved. "Sure thing, Bea, the more the merrier!" Marnie blinked in recollection. "I think I heard of you. You're one of the gym candidates?"

Bea nodded to that. "I might not have gotten the spot this year, but that doesn't mean I don't come over to watch my school partner maintain that position he's earned." Gloria remembered more. "And I can tell you specialize in fighting type pokemon. Hop, Marnie, she's helped me and Fubear prepare for Ballonea when we over came Allister's ghosts."

Bea smiled at the honor. "That's nothing. We've seen a lot of pokemon dynamax in there, so we're going to have to do something a little different." Hop guessed. "We're going to have to take on those pokemon by ourselves, one at a time?" Gloria didn't mind. "We're in for a titanic free for all in there!"

She and Allister lead the charge into the pitch, where a Dusknoir, Polteageist, Runegrigus, Drifblim and Gorgeist were going on a rampage. Gloria made her charge to the Dusknoir and sent out Fubear. Allister called upon his Gengar to go against the wailing Gorgeist. Hop sent his Rillaboom against the giant stone slab, Marnie had Morpeko go against the Drifblim and Bea had her scrappy Sirfetch'd face off against the fuming Polteageist. Gloria was tempted to dynamax and realize this was a big arena for this many giants. "Fubear, exorcise the power from this spirit!"

She gave a battle pose as Fubear channeled her aura and rush at the Dusknoir that was glaring down at the two. The Urshifu disappeared and rushed to the head of the gripper for a punch that sent him skidding an inch. The Dusknoir howled and unleashed a max quake that didn't do much and channeled an icy power to the sky. Gloria spun a kick. "And sucker punch!"

Fubear spun a round house kick that caused the Dusknoir to burst in dynamax power and shrink. Allister Gigantamaxed his Gengar and had him make short work of the Gorgeist, Marnie and her Morpeko were quick to knock the Drifblim out. Bea had her Sirfetch'd begin with a night slash, take a max phantasm and counter with a heavy meteor assault that finished the tea pot off. Hop and Rillaboom had a scuffle with a Runegrigus that wasn't going down so easily, Gloria had Fubear rush a wicked blow that made the grudge pokemon shrink back down. The danger was lessened and the ghost types were gathered, too dazed and tired to argue with their rescuers. Allister petted the Gorgeist as his Gengar lessen his aura. "There, there. That ought to have been a scary one." He turned to his aid, in gratitude. "Looks like we got all these pokemon to calm down. They can rest here... they should be fine in time."

Bea pressed a hand to her palm and gave a bow of respect. "Alli, if you ever need help, you know I'm here for you." The ghost expert blushed in appreciation and advised to Gloria. "Y-you can leave things here to me. If there's some place that needs a Champion, you should hurry." The Champion accepted that there wasn't much of a chance to talk and lead a fast route to the taxi that flew them straight to Ballonea.

Where a red cloud, over the stadium, was dying down for some reason. The three were confused at the matter and made their way to the gym as soon as they landed. Bede and Opal were announcing something and tried calming the staff down over the crisis. The curly haired trainee felt someone approaching, turned and crossed his arms smugly. "Hmph. You lot took your time to arrive."

Gloria growled and wasn't in the mood to tease. "Now's not a good time to rile each other. What's happened here? Did you calm all those pokemon down already?" Bede relaxed and smirked. "Naturally, do you think I, an elite amongst the Fairy Type trainers, would have any kind of trouble against those?"

Hop ohed. "Right you're a Gym Leader now. Though, I don't know about any "elite", or what ever." Marnie asked curiously. "Do you got any idea on how this started, or should we phone you in?" Bede gestured to the civilians. "I'm in much of the dark as these lot." He insist to the crowd. "But by all means, indulge me a little." Marnie clenched her fist at the boy. "You really are obnoxious. A couple of rich bloaks are riling up a bunch of pokemon, by Dynamaxing them in crowded areas. We just beaten a whole bunch of ghost pokemon and we're thinkin' the gyms around here are goin' to get totaled if we don't do somethin' fast."

Gloria finished bluntly. "They've stole something Hop had and they made off with all the Wishing Stars that Sonia had for safe keeping. We think they're using them to make a bigger ruckas." Bede relaxed his left arm and put his right at his hip, he stared into space as he thought about what he heard. Hop asked with some hope. "You happened to have seen some weirdos that have freaky hairstyles?"

Bede snapped out of his trance and shook his head. "I haven't, but I think I'll know if I see them." He swallowed and asked. "Would you acquire some aid on this matter? We'd just had this exact crisis a few days ago." Hop and Gloria were quite surprised by the offer, the boy of the group was eager to say yes as Marnie bit her tongue and shook her head in a regretful frown. "I'd appreciate that offer. Really, I do. But, those weirdos hired pals all over the region. They could be anyone we wouldn't have thought of."

That insight gave Gloria a reason to decline as well. "If you leave this gym to go help us, they might Dynamax a bunch of pokemon while our backs our turn. The people here, need someone like you, with that kind of talent, to keep them protected until this is over."

Bede gave Gloria a particular look, disappointed that his chance at amends was squandered before he could begin. "That... makes a lot of sense."

Opal turned to the conversation and smirked to the boy. "He did give you some precious time. Bede's life is no longer bound by what other people say any longer. Although, I certainly influenced a few of his decisions not too long ago." Hop and Marnie were well ready to make use of that time, while Gloria gave Bede a hopeful look, appreciating that the offer was down out of earnest. "How's about instead, once we stop this crisis, we take Bede off your hands for a day and bring him to a place where he can test those skills even further. It's sort of a second home for me." Bede flinched in a blush as Opal asked with an unchanging smile. "You mean Mustards Dojo? I'll allow that, if you can teach our royal, dull greys a firm lesson."

Bede gasped at his chance of a vacation. "For real? Madam?" He turned to Gloria and asked in earnest. "Make sure they don't do this again. You understand?" Gloria let him know she does and took off with her friends, taking a flight all the way to Circhester, where a sandstorm was brewing around the gym.

Inside, they found Melony was finished escorting some staff members while Gordie was readying for a show down. The mother noticed the arrivals and gasped. "Goodness, it's you three!" Hop nodded at a heroes welcome. "We got half of these gyms checked out already. How many Dynamaxed pokemon are beyond that door?" Gordie raised four fingers. "With four of us, we can take them head on!" He went to open the door. "Let's hurry up in a pinch!" He and the children hurried to the pitch, where a Gigalith, Solrock, Crustle and a Sudowoodo were raising the earth in their panic. Gloria sent out her Appletun to stand against the Gigalith as Hop went for a little redemption with his Rillaboom. Marnie sent out her opportunistic Toxicroak against the Sudowoodo and Gordie flipped to unleash his Barbaracle upon the Crustle. "Alright, any of you want to Dynamax with me? There's enough room here for two more mountains!"

Gloria was already calling Sweet Pie into her ball. "I'm on it for this one!" She charged her ball as Gordie called Barbaracle into a ball for a dynamax charge. Fling! Fling! The Gigantamax Appletun made herself known in a great roar as the Barbaracle joined in the bellow. The Rillaboom let loose a beating of drums and sprouted roots that knocked the Solrock down as Marnie had her Toxicroak throw a focus blast that connected and sent the giant waddling back.

The Barbaracle fired a max geyser at the Crustle and was countered by a rock fall. The Solrock let loose a desperate mind storm upon the Rillaboom and the Sudowoodo let loose a max strike on the Toxicroak. Sweet Pie let loose a wyrmwind upon the Gigalith and wit stood the blow of rocks. Rillaboom let loose another drum beat that made the Solrock rupture in power and shrink. Marnie had Toxicroak deliver a sucker punch that made the bonsi tree shrink down and Gordie had Barbaracle deal another max geyser that knocked the Crustle out good. Gloria saw her chance. "Now, max sweetness!" The Appletun let loose the seeds and generated exploding apples that shrunk the Gigalith down.

With the battle over, Gordie smiled in pride while noticing Melony catching up. "I got this one taken cared of, mum!" He turned to the trio. "Nice work everyone. No one's hurt, are they?" Hop blew out in confidence. "Hah...hah. We managed just fine! Fighting that many dynamaxed pokemon, on your own would have been pretty hard work." Gordie pressed a finger to his glasses and had a bit of a shine. "Hehe! That's why I didn't expect any less from you three. You're all quite the reliable trainers."

Hop flinched. "We are?!" Gloria admitted. "You and Marnie kept catching up to me, every change you got! These wild pokemon are nothing compared to us!" Marnie laughed to that. "Compared to you! So if we've been givin' ya a sweat, then that ought to say somethin'"

Gordie went to the topic. "My Mum and I will take care of these pokemon. So we got the others to worry about." Gloria corrected him. "We got one more at Hammerlocke and if they're a bunch of dragons, then it ought to be real easy if most of them get distracted." She tapped the side of her head. "This is gonna be a really good exercise for one of my pals!"

Hop considered that an idea. "I think he might help make it as quick as it can be." He waved to the gym leader and his mother. "Thanks a ton! We'll be over this in a giffy!" He turned for a sprint and had the ladies follow, Melony hummed. "Looks like the next decade's gonna be an interesting one. You've done excellent in this emergency, Gordie." The son blushed. "It's nothing Mum, it's just part of the job."

At Hammerlocke Stadium.

Raihan finished escorting the staff away from a rampage in the pitch and found Piers leading two ladies to an elevator. The musician guessed. "Some of my folks have been sayin' that they saw a band of weirdos goin' down 'ere." Oleana went to press a few buttons and found it not working. "Drat! They changed the code!" Sonia used her Rotom Dex to try an figure out the input. "Don't worry, I can at least do this!"

Raihan raised a brow and asked. "What's you doing over 'ere? We got some dragons that are on the loose over there." He looked to where the pitch is as Piers answered bluntly. "We're lookin' for these low life crooks in fancy suits. They've been causing pokemon to Dynamax all over Galar." Oleana tapped her foot and gave a second take. "If we don't track them down, they'll start another rampage. If they haven't gone this way, then the elevator wouldn't have been locked." Pop! Out of Sonia's ball, came a concerned Yamper, Raihan felt the detective work was accurate. "Makes sense to cover your tracks when you cause a storm to blow."

"Professor Sonia, we calmed down most of the rampages! Do we got a lead on those weirdos?" In a sudden, Gloria and her friends arrived. Piers tilt his head towards the three and frowned. "And I think this is the bunnelby hole!"

ROAR!

The roaring from the pitch worsen and Marnie asked the dragon specialist. "We should get that taken cared of first before we get to talkin'" She cheered for the three. "Crack open that door and we'll get to bustin'" Sonia gave Marnie a thumbs up. "You can leave this to me!" With that, Raihan lead the way to the pitch, where a Haxorus, Goodra, Drampa and Turtonator are going into a roaring fit with one another. Marnie and Hop handled the Turtonator and Drampa, with the aid of Grimmsnarl and Blastoise, while Raihan sent out his Duraludon to deal with the giant Goodra. Gloria readied a heavy ball in a pitch. "Alright Eterny, let's show these dragons who's the alpha of the perch!"

Fling! Pop!

Out came Eternatus, who gave a twirl in the air and brough the Haxorus into a roaring fit. Gloria closed her eyes content as Eternatus took that roar as a challenge and charged his core. (You're not ready for the power forced upon you! Let me) BLARG! (take care of that!) The blast consumed the haxorus and caused him to burst in energy, the dragon shrank down as the power flowed to the core of Eternatus.

Grimmsnarl's screens and Blastoise's ice did well to distract the titans and Gloria pointed onward. "Now take care of the others!" Eternatus grunted and flew towards the Turtonator first, with the blast of his cannon, the dynamax energy was forcibly removed from turtle and knocked him out for good measure. Leaving a confused Drampa to also be given a blast. Duraludon applied a fast breaking swipe at a Goodra that let loose a max strike. Raihan called his partner to step back and watched Eternatus make short work in finishing the dragon off. Leaving four depowered pokemon to lay in a daze. Raihan hummed and looked to the legendary. "You guys are the greatest! You took this tough spot and cleared it like it was child's play."

Eternatus laughed to that as Gloria called him down. "Now's not a good time to be snapping photos. But I've figured if Eterny's big cannon can do a lot of damage to a Dynamaxed pokemon, then a dragon type would be easy to manage." She petted the legendary on a job well done as Raihan sighed in defeat. "I'll have to ask another time. Go check to see if Sonia has cracked open that elevator, I'll take care of these pokemon in the meantime."

The children nodded to their task, Gloria called Eternatus back and whispered to the ball. "You've been fantastic, but now we got those crooks to catch. Stay in there, regardless of what you might hear." The ball gave a shake as the button was pressed and shrank down to fit in a pocket. The trio turned back to the elevator and found Sonia in a fritz.

She turned to find the children had finished fast. "You're back already?! Hold on a moment! I've think I've almost got it" The Yamper tapped his paws, rushed to the elevator buttons and let loose a fast shock that caused the elevators lock to go from red to blue. "What?! It opened?" She squeed, picked up the canine and nuzzled him. "Yamper! I should've known! Thanks for your help!"

The Yamper panted and wagged his tail as Oleana gave a clap. "Can't argue with the results." She had the door open and offered to escort. "Those two criminals are likely to be ahead, be careful." The band took it to heart and followed the secretary into the elevator. All the way down to the power plant. At the other end of the hall way is Sordbert and a retinue of five civilians. The bizarre looking criminal heard someone coming and turned all the more smug. "Well, well, well? It seems you've broken the lock and rescued the stadiums from their perils. As expected of the Champion, who's commanded Eternatus oh so valiantly!"

He turned to his goons. "You, followers- give her your praise." They clapped at the order, disturbing Gloria to where she got defensive. "I wasn't the only one battling those giants. Me and my friends." She looked to Hop, Marnie and Piers. "All chipped in to stop that!" Piers shook his head on a warning. "Don't encourage them, Gloria! These people will only get more weird."

Hop agreed. "Why are you even forcing Pokemon to Dynamax? How does this have anything to do with Zacian or Zamazentha?" Sordward scoffed. "It's all the lies and fake stories that you all believe. We did it in order to expose the true nature of those two wolves!"

Hop shook his head at the foolishness. "Zacian and Zamazentha saved all of Galar, two times over!"

Sordbert crossed his arms. "Pah! What a fool! We have always been revered as the resplendent descendants of the real hero." The goons looked at Sonia in scorn as their idol continued. "It's all because you ruffians had to go and save Galar from Eternatus," He set his gaze on Sonia. "and that woman went and wrote a whole book about it all!" The goons boo'd Sonia. "That's right! That's right!" Sonia was stepping back at the bile as they continued. "You should be ashamed!" Sordward pointed at the professor. "You said that the real heroes were Pokemon! You just carelessly changed history! What does that mean we are? You dare say that our esteemed ancestors were liars?"

Sonia took a step forward, clenched her fist and had a pout of anger. In a sudden, a high heel made a distinct stomp, Oleana had a hand on the professor shoulder and was looking especially crossed. "That's enough! If that was the case, why was the evidence covered up in the first place? Why are you ripping Galar apart over that? If your ancestors were what you say they are, they would be ashamed of you all!"

Sonia had the nerve return and barked. "Yeah! I could believe that you and your brother are descendants of a Galarian King! But I was only focused on uncovering the big mystery that was close by home! This is only affecting you, your brother and that so called Royal Family."

Sordward took a step back in shock. "So what if it does? Compare the way things were, to the way they are now. It's obvious the old history was better! It was right! To suddenly start creating heroes left and right, it's complete rubbish."

Gloria growled and stomped her foot. "That's not the way history works! We dug up what actually happened and the Professor wrote it as a way for it to be memorialized! Zacian and Zamazentha were the ones protecting the Galar region through the ages! We only came along to help them out!" Sordward readied a ball in sync with his goons. "Well then! If we are at an impasse, perhaps we should test which truth is the most truthy! If things are really as you say, then even if we bombard the wolves with Galar particles, they should remain calm and stalwart!"

In a sudden, Gloria's heavy ball enlarged and begun shaking in rage. The girl kept a firm hand on it and reached for another ball. "Not right now Eterny! This is a horrible spot!"

Fling!

Out came Acer, who flexed a dramatic landing. Piers shook his head and felt what the dragon's intentions were. "That's seriously, what those experiments were about?"

Hop felt it odd, that the villain of the ancient tale, is taking the side of the heroes of the present. "You actually want the pokemon, that saved us all, to run amok and hurt more people?!"

Oleana and Marnie made their way against the goons as Sordbert hmphed. "It seems you are indeed, capable of understanding something! My adorable younger brother is wrapping up the preparations above." Hop snarled. "You think we'll let you get away with this?" He and the trainers stepped forward for a match and Sordward laughed. "Oho! So you want to take the lift up? Then you'll have to defeat us!"

He sent out his Sirfetch'd as his goons sent out a Kantonian Mr. Mime, a Rhydon, Golduck and a Wigglytuff. As the band readied an ideal counter, Gloria ordered. "Acer, let's start with a scorching sand kick!" Acer nodded and kicked sand that left a burn, the Sirfetch'd rushed in for close combat and was parried by fast punches and kicks. Acer back flipped and Gloria kicked the air. "Hi ya!"

The Cinderace knew what that was a que for and kicked a piece of rubble to make a pyro ball. Knocking the Sirfetch'd out and forcing Sordward to switch to something more handy, a Dracovish. Marnie and her Morpeko handled a Golduck rather effectively and notice the fossil. The rival cringed. "Watch out for that one, Gloria! It's jaw is a lot tougher than it looks!" Gloria considered that a wise warning. "Then it's time we punch our way through! Acer, u-turn out of there!"

The Cinderace rushed at a dracovish that dripped his jaw and made a u-turn kick back to his ball. Gloria sent out Fubear, who took the fisheous rend moderately well and channeled a black aura to go with her life orb. Gloria punched forward and had Fubear deliver a wicked blow that knocked the fossil out with little effort.

Sordward eeked and switched to his Golisopod as Gloria made a fast switch to Franken. The Golisopod struck a first impression blow as Gloria ordered. "Stun him with a thunder wave!"

The Arctozolt nodded and let loose a jolt that paralyzed the isopod, leaving the foe exposed to "Get him with a bolt beak!" The fossil rushed for a jab that crackled across the isopod and left him to fall over on his back. Gloria made a fast switch to Acer as Sordward was realizing nothing he was doing was working that well. He sent out his Duoblade. "How annoying! Be rid of this plebeian!"

The duel swords grunted as Acer kicked hot sand at it's face and inflicted a burn, the foe went at the rabbit in close combat and fared even less than the Sirfetch'd. Acer back flipped and kicked a pyro ball to knock it out. Gloria made a fast switch as Sordward desperately switched to an Arctovish that wasn't even aware it was to face Fubear. The Urshifu rushed in for close combat and forced out a Bisharp that took a more brutal beat down. Sordward and his Bisharp were shoved to a wall as the underlings were getting backed into a corner. Fubear looked around in disgust, flexed in sync with her trainer and together, let loose a fierce roar that startled the crowd, sapped their will to fight and caused them to flee.

Sordward stuttered and called his Bisharp back. "This can't be, I'm still defeated?" Hop and the others were both impressed an intimidated by Gloria and her partner. The boy shook his head in a blush. "That definitely drove them off. Now we can head to the roof and stop this!" In a sudden, a wolfs howl echo'd from above. "Guoo!"

Sonia looked above. "What was that?!" Sordward looked up in content. "Well, it appears my younger brother was given enough time." Piers hurried to the elevator. "We need to head up!" He pressed a button as Oleana went to hoist Sordward up by the collar. "We have one brother caught, so let's get the other one."

The band hurried to the elevator and ascended to the roof of the tower, still in ruins from the battle with Eternatus. Shielbert and a Mayson who was operating a device, were standing before an unarmored Zamazentha, lured into a trap by the rusted shield and having red energy pouring into him. The wolf was growling as Shielbert laughed to the results. "Fwahaheho! I did it! I did it, older brother! It came following after the rusted shield and I've bombarded with with the Galarian particles!"

Zamazentha was twitching in an attempt to control himself and howled as a cry for help. Sonia cringed and pleaded. "Stop, don't you see that Zamazentha's in pain because of this?"

Hop was feeling a building fury as Shielbert ignored the plea and triumphantly approached the wolf. "Yes! Expose your true barbaric, brutish nature! And reveal to us exactly who the false kings are." Zamazentha flinched, head butted Shielbert to where the shield was knocked off and swatted the device off of Mayson. Shielbert eeped as Sordward wiggled free from Oleana's grip. "Younger brother!"

He rushed over to find a particular device was shattered and reached for his own, which was crushed in the previous scuffle. He cringed as Shielbert pleaded with the approaching wolf. "D-don't attack us! Go into town and sow as much destruction as you can!"

That made Zamazentha snarl in righteous fury and Hop put his hands at his hips in a thought. "Zamazentha's trying to calm itself, but he can't handle all that power and the noise is making it worse." Marnie cringed in agreement. "This isn't gonna work like the others." Piers agreed with that. "This is a legendary pokemon! If you're thinkin' about catchin' it like you did with Eternatus, think again."

That is agreed upon and Gloria gave a nod to Hop, the boy approached and waved. "Hey, over here!" Zamazentha turned in a confused bark. (What more is going on?) He recognized the boy that sent out a Rillaboom, the wolf kicked the dirt back and gave the ape a firm head butt. Hop ordered. "Push him back and Dubwool ought to do the rest!" The Rillaboom beat the drums and used vines to flip the wolf back. Hop sent out his trusty sheep, that took a fast rushing play rough. "Now puff up with a cotton guard, let's show Zamazentha that he's not the only one with good defense!" The Dubwool puffed up, took an iron head blow and puffed up again. "Now use body press until he backs off!" The Dubwool baah'd and flipped to the wolf for significant damage. Zamazentha harden in an iron defense and was body pressed for a blow that caused him to stutter. He side stepped to the left and sprinted in a direction Gloria was in. The girl eeked and saw a flash of white, something blocked the charge, the unarmored Zacian.

The cyan wolf howled to her brother. (Stop, you don't know what you're doing!) Gloria phewed in relief. "Nice timing Zacian!" Zamazentha was in a dazed haze and howled back in apology before turning to a ledge and leaping for an escape. Hop felt an urge in his heart and called his partners back. "Look like he still can't control himself."

He turned to the twins who realized they were that close to dying. "I don't like this, not one bit. I'm going to go after Zamazentha!" He went to the Rusted Shield, that was knocked off the criminal and gave a glare. "and this belongs to him. Not you!" He took the shield back and made a sprint back where he came from. Gloria took a deep breath at a resolved crisis. She looked upon Zacian, who was doing her best to ignore the royalty and their underling. ""I guess, while he's doing that. I'll take care of this. Zacian, go over there and I'll give you your sword back!" The wolf barked and turned to the center of the platform, the girl pulled out the rusted sword and stared Zacian in the eyes. She approached as Marnie and Piers begun apprehending the royal brothers.

The Champion felt Zacian looking her square in the eyes and presented the sword in gratitude. "We've always meant to return these to ya. I'd guess a direct delivery would have been safer?" Zacian blushed and grabbed the hilt with her teeth. She gave a distinct glow of cyan and armored up into her crowned form as Gloria sent out Acer to be a distraction. Zacian gave a regal growl for an anticipated battle and Gloria brought out the Master Ball. "Let's see if this will be legit. Go, Master Ball!"

The ball was flung in a whistle and Zacian tilted her head in confusion, the orb tapped her on the crown, open and dragged her in. It landed on the ground and gave three distinct shakes before clicking. With that accomplished, Sonia giggled. "Tee. It looks like you've been recognized by real royalty!"

Gloria turned in a giggle, picked up the master ball and let out Zacian, who was realizing she got caught with no effort and had a blank stare of embarrassment. Gloria scratched the side of her chin. "In case she was a tad angry, I'd thought I'd use that ball to get this over with in a jiffy. Hop might be in a trouble though." That was something Sonia was worried about, the brothers were quite impressed as they tried getting up. "How sublime." Piers had a firm grip on Shielbert's arm while Marnie had a harsher one for Sordward. The former Gym Leader looked ready to thrash the two for what they've done. "It's a little late to be learnin' manners now. Give us one good reason, why we shouldn't thrash you now?"

Swoop! "Because they're gonna be in for it for everything I've been reported on!" The group turned in shock and Oleana was the first to find, to her surprise, a Salamence that dropped off a brown haired, teenage woman with her hair tied in a bun, a black suit and set of black glasses that covered a furious set of grey eyes. The woman raised a police badge. "I'm with the International Police." She had a burgundy colored Rotom Phone check a picture and pointed at the secretary. "Miss Oleana, correct?"

The woman nodded. "I wasn't expecting them to bring about someone of your age." The girl called her Salamence back and reached for something at her belt, a set of handcuffs. "Just call me Ms. Ocul! I got on Arbitro as soon as I had word about what was going on."

Gloria and Marnie had a bit of a connection and gasped. "Wait, you're that movie star from Unova?!" Ms. Ocul turned to the girls and winked. "The very one, but now's not a good time for autographs or anything." The royal twins were a bit astonished. "What does an entertainer want with us any hoo?" "Are those two handcuffs?"

Ms. Ocul nodded and started by cuffing Shielbert. "You two and your accomplices are under arrest!" Shielbert rolled his eyes back in shock as Sordward found he was about to be cuffed in an alarming speed. "Wait, who gave you permission to bind our wrists like this?!" Ms. Ocul growled fiercely. "By my boss! Mass endangerment, theft, political corruption. One of these, alone, would warrant the attention of the police." She gave Mayson a firm look and asked the bystanders. "Anything else they've done before that call ended?"

Gloria turned to take her leave as Marnie listed one. "Forcin' wild pokemon to Dynamax, regardless of how they feel." Ocul had that on the list as Sonia took a deep breath and asked. "And this one that got them all riled up into this. You see-" Gloria hurried her legs, wanting to catch up with Hop.

On the trial in the Slumbering Weald.

Hop retraced his route, all the way to where the crisis began. The Shine to the Two Heroes, where Zamazentha was at the point of stressing out, due to all the dynamaxed energy forced upon him. The wolf sensed someone coming, turned fast and barked with bare fangs. Hop took a deep breath, brought out the Rusted Shield and slowly approached before placing it down. He backed away and raised his hands to his face as a way to show he is not intending to be a threat. Zamazentha snorted out a pitiful whine and approached the shield as Hop asked. "As soon as you get your shield back, there's a sure way that can help you calm down. Be ready for a fight!"

Zamazentha groaned in concern as the boy insist. "You don't have to worry about losing control. You can manage this. I know you can." He brought out a ball. "You're the true hero who protected the Galar region, after all." The wolf took a deep breath, exhaled and calmed down. "Wrr." Hop smiled to him. "See! You're doing fine, champ!" With another deep breath, the dynamax power dispersed, Zamazentha felt his adrenaline lessen and phewed. He picked up the shield and caused it to glow before turning to the shrine, armoring up into his regal form and turning around to face the boy.

He pressed a firm paw and lifted his head up, like he was issuing a challenge, to see of Hop truly is worthy of being a suitable partner. The boy eagerly accepted. "Be ready for one Champion of a capture, Zamazentha!"

He sent out his Rillaboom, who readied a particular beat with his drums, the Zamazentha leaped at the ape and played roughly as the boy took a step. "Alright, use drum beat until he's all nice and slow!" The Rillaboom played and used the roots to catch the Zamazentha in a tangle, the wolf realize Hop wasn't fooling around and shifted his armored main into a shield, before rushing in for a behemoth bash. Rillaboom was sent into a flip, leaped on the back of the wolf and use him as a platform to jump back to his drum set, snaring the wolf good while the trainer crossed his arms. "Now give him a high horse power kick! Every blow's gotta count!"

The Rillaboom gave a firm kick that sent the Zamazentha rolling and prompted the wolf to make another leap. The Rillaboom lifted his drum and rolled back to avoid the play rough jump. Hop took a deep breath and called his starter back. "Good work!" He switched out to his Alolan Raichu, who was caught in a rough play. "We got a capture to get done, give him a good nuzzling and Dubwool will have the rest!" The Raichu slammed his cheek against the wolf and let loose a spark that caused him to stiffen in paralysis.

Hop had the chance to switch to his trusty sheep as the Zamazentha growled and charged a behemoth bash. The Dubwool rolled in a bounce, set up a cotton guard and the boy ordered. "Now, rush him with a body press!"

The sheep baa'd and rammed the Zamazentha in a body press, the wolf was laying to his side and was struggling to get up, that was the boy's chance. He thought of a ball, suitable for a pokemon of legends, a timer ball that had been winded up for a few turns. Fling! The ball tapped on Zamazentha and dragged him in, it fell the ground and begun shaking. Shake! Shake! Shake... click! With that, Zamazentha was caught. Hop and Dubwool cheered, the boy gave his sheep a hug and laughed. "Ha! We did it! We caught one of the Heroes of Galar!"

"That you did, Hop!"

The boy yelped and turned around to find Gloria at the end of an effortless jog. The girl showed off her master ball. "And you did it without using one of these!" Hop blushed and went to pick up his prize. "Well... if there's one thing I've learned from the Gym Challenge, planning out fast is the way to go." He noticed Sonia arriving in a jog of her own and waved. "Zamazentha's calmed down and challenged me for a capture! So now we have them and the Rusted Treasures with us at all times!"

Sonia slowed down and huffed. "Wow! You two really are something." Gloria asked with a concern in mind. "So, what I'd miss when I ran off?" Sonia didn't wish to think about it. "That agent is going to take it to Leon before deciding on what to do with those two criminals. There might have been some suspicion, that the Galar Royalty tried to take all the credit and have been covering up the truth all this time. If that's the case, I don't want to imagine the kind of hot water they're gonna be in." She fondled her hair. "Our friends are going to help make that final decision in the meanwhile. I just need to record one little detail, about how this Legend is going to truly end."

Gloria snickered, let out Zacian and brought out a couple of full restores, offering to treat what ever wounds were dealt during the encounter. Hop let out Rillaboom, Raichu and the rather embarrassed Zamazentha. "I've been meaning to think about that. Even after what's happened, I still don't feel like I'm this epic hero in a legend. Gloria, you and I were only meaning to return the Sword and Shield back where they belonged to."

The girl blushed and started doing field work. "Hop, you still sought to set things right with these two heroes, even after those crooks did every scummy thing to keep the truth covered. You were the one who faced Zamazentha while he was hurting and chased after him to be sure he would be alright." She pressed a hand on her chest. "I might have went big when dealing with all those dynamaxed pokemon, but I was kind of making a gamble out of an idea I have for Eterny."

That nick name drew the dogs attention, Zacian gave a light woof. (We've sensed that, what was that about anyways?) Gloria turned to the sword wielding wolf and asked. "A way so that Darkest Day thing never happens again, and so Galar's future is going to stay a bright one. I did get Eterny to help us set right, even if he isn't thinking at our level, he's got the idea why it needed to be stopped. I just need to bring him somewhere that will really start his training. For that, I'll need your help."

That much the wolf was willing to do. (Someone needs to ensure Eternatus doesn't threaten Galar again.) Zamazentha wondered. (But what kind of place is the girl speaking of?) Zacian shrugged as Hop was feeling a little better about himself. "I think I'm starting to see what I'm good at, maybe I can make that a little bit more than just battling a Champion cup. Gloria, I got one more favor to ask of you today."

He looked to the Shrine. "May we have one more battle? With Zamazentha and Zacian fighting alongside us?" Gloria blushed. "I'd love to, but we're going to have to figure out who's going to have to sit this one out." She thought of one who would be redundant and let Fubear out. The Urshifu felt something amidst and crossed her arms as the trainer asked. "Fubear, we have an important battle for Zacian and Zamazentha to go through, I'll need you to sit this one out."

The Urshifu groaned and found a log to sit on. (You know, I'd like it if that was the only noise that mattered around here.) She smiled to Zacian. (Welcome to the team!) The wolf smiled and gave a respectful nod. (It be an honor, I won't take your spot for too long.) Hop took a deep breath and looked to his sheep. "Dubwool, having another defensive partner on this team would be a little redundant. Do you mind? I won't do this again unless it's an emergency." The sheep gasped, pouted at having to be left out again and looked at Zamazentha, who is obviously taking his spot. (Okay!) He ba'd in a rally. (Rough them up for me! He really needs this.)

Hop went over to the shrine as Gloria took a step forward. The boy had that cheeky grin and readied a fast ball, on sync to Gloria readying a pitch. The Dusk Lycanroc flipped to battle to face off against his nemesis, the Appletun. The Dusk Lycanroc's eyes went red and he howled, Zamazentha was quite impressed by that show case as Hop took a deep breath. "Alright, let's try this again! Lycanroc, use stealth rock to keep Acer from messing us up!"

The Lycanroc grunted and let loose the pointed rocks as Gloria ordered. "Like before, apple acid and we can knock him out!" Sweet Pie grunted and sprayed the liquid, the Lycanroc held on with a sash as Hop ordered. "Go for a rock slide!" The Lycanroc stomped the ground with his paws and unleashed rocks that caused the Appletun to flinch. Gloria's eyes widen. "Ah, bugger!" Hop realize he has a chance. "Now follow in with close combat!" The Lycanroc barked and rush in for a swift swiping of claws that sent Sweet Pie on her back, the Appletun was dazed at the intense blow, tried getting up and passed out. Gloria's eyes widen and she took a deep breath. "Not bad, Hop!"

She called the Appletun back and thought for a moment before readying the next pokemon. "Come on Shelly! We can get this fight back into our favor!" Out came the Galarian Slowbro that had a distinct zen. Hop wasn't taking that risk. "Go for an accelerock and she'll be hurt good!" The Lycanroc rushed head long and was back handed by the shellder side arm.

Hop called his lead back and sent out his trusty Raichu. Shelly kept a zen with her quick claw and Gloria ordered. "Do it again!" The Slowbro rushed for a fast bash as Hop thought quick. "Let's get the odds back in our favor with a nuzzle!" The Raichu zapped the Slowbro into a paralysis and halted her movement, giving himself a chance at a fast psyshock. Shelly fought through her nerves and Gloria shouted. "Give a surf wave! We're almost there!"

The Slowbro breathed in and let loose a wave that washed over the Raichu for a knock out. Hop called his partner back and closed his eyes in a strange bliss. "My was always to surpass Lee, but he's not the Champion anymore. That goal's kind of pointless, with you taking the title and going farther than he has." He sent out his Rillaboom and saw Shelly was losing her zen. "Now finish her off with a high horse power!"

The ape grunted and rushed at Shelly to deliver the kick, sending the Slowbro rolling past Gloria. The girl didn't mind it and switched. "So what kind of dream are you having now? Can you make it happen?" She sent out Acer, who felt the sharp cuts of stone as Hop was feeling confident. "I think I can! You and Sonia followed your own paths, I was the only one who was left behind, because I kept trying to catch up to someone's foot steps. For something that's only going to keep going until I get beaten again." He pointed. "Wait for that kick and kick him back!" Gloria snickered. "Acer, jump around a bit and use one of those rocks!" The Cinderace dashed right to a stealthy rock and kicked fast, causing it to spark alive and fly left. The Rillaboom rolled out of the way and rushed for a high horse power kick, Acer rolled right and kicked another pyro ball in point blank range. Knocking the Rillaboom out, but making Gloria drop a sweat.

She called Acer back on sync to Hop. The girl sent out Brainy as the boy sent out the bubbly Blastoise. "But I found something out, after I went to helping all those pokemon out, with you, Piers and Marnie. With this kind of strength, we could help people a ton!"

Gloria appreciated that. "Brainy, that stealth rock is pretty nasty, but go for a light screen! Stat!" The Orbeetle was on it and conjured a barrier as Hop ordered. "It's now or never, shell smash and hydro pump them away!"

The Blastoise tapped his shell to make it crack, leaped in a flip, went into his shell and opened his shoulder slots to fire the water. Brainy cringed and was pushed into the ground, knocked out but rather content. Gloria made a fast switch. "Alright, Franken! He's all yours!" Out came the Arctozolt that took the rocks and screeched, the Blastoise landed, went on all fours and aimed low. "Fire again!"

The Blastoise fired a hydro pump, Franken eeked and danced out of the way to avoid the attack. Glora saw that chance. "Thunder wave!" The Arctozolt rushed at the Blastoise and let loose a stunning pulse. "And bolt beak!" The Arctozolt jabbed a fast jolt that sent the Blastoise laying on the ground. The fossil jumped back as Hop switched for his Corviknight. "We're not through yet! Rooki, go for an iron head!" The bird shined his head and flew forward as the Arctozolt rushed for a bolt beak peck and took the blow. Gloria swipped sideways. "Now go for a trusty freeze dry!"

The Arctozolt blasted frigid air that sent Rooki laying on his side. The rivals called their pokemon back and looked to the wolves. Zacian and Zamazentha glowed with their weapons and leaped to a friendly sparing. Zacian felt the cut of the rocks as Gloria admitted. "That was a sweater. I'll bet the people of Galar are really going to love just what kind of person you're turning into."

Hop blushed and scratched the back of his head. "You might have me in this one. But battling with you is what I needed, Gloria! So don't expect us to hold back!"

Gloria ordered fast. "Zacian, go for a sacred sword and slice through that defense!" The Zacian woofed and rushed to her brother in arms for a fast slash. Hop saw his partner took the blow and ordered. "Go for a behemoth bash, we still got a shot!" The Zamazentha shifted his mane and rushed Zacian to a wall, scoring a critical blow that caused a yelp. Zamazentha jumped back as Zacian landed on her paws and give a fierce stare, Gloria laughed to that. "Ha! Nice one! Zacian, go for the behemoth blade and this match will be over!"

The wolf nodded, shifted her sword into a giant blade and rushed to Zamazentha's side, making a collision that made an explosion and sending the wolf falling to his back. Zamazentha rolled lazily and laid on his side. K.O.

Despite that, Hop didn't feel like he lost anything too important, just a match. He smiled wide and readied some medicine. Gloria cheered for the boy. "No matter what, you got me, Lee and many others to keep pushing you to bigger heights! Never forget that!"

Hop laughed to that. "That's our greatest Champion for ya. You're about as strong as you are a good friend, Gloria! That felt great, even if I did lose there."

Gloria admitted. "A bit of a plan, a bit of luck where you needed it and the muscle to back it up. It made a pretty fine match right there." She sent out her team and readied to tend to them as Sonia looked to Fubear and Dubwool to admit. "Keep that up and you'll never run out of surprises for us."

The duo went back to their trainers and Hop thought more about what he should do. "I think I know how I can keep helping people. I think I found a new dream!" He vowed. "I want to be someone who can help pokemon that are in trouble, wherever they are. I think I want to become a Pokemon Professor!"

The wind blew towards him as the ladies were quite surprised, Hop admitted proudly. "I still don't know a lot about Pokemon yet, and I've got no experience for this sort of thing, but now's a good time to get to studying and learning a lot! Someday, I'll become the sort of Professor that you, Gloria and you, Sonia... well" He was nervous. "The sort you would be proud to know. I'm gonna be taking a different path than you and Lee are taking, Gloria, but..." He was a bit teary eyed. "You've always been my true rival and my best friend. That isn't ever going to change."

Gloria felt teary eyed and shook his hand. "It's gonna be an honor to see where this is going Hop." The boy agreed as Sonia felt charmed and approached with her own tears. "Ahh! It's no fair. You two are too young and cute to be acting like adults. It's tearing me up."

Hop snickered. "Getting a bit weepy in your old age, Sonia?" The Professor took offense. "What?! I'm still young and energetic! I got a couple more decades before I'm over forty here." She thought about something that could help. "Say, Hop. Fancy becoming my assistant at the lab?"

Hop flinched. "What?!" The Professor insisted. "I've got all the books and data on Pokemon you could ever want! Since you want to be a Professor someday, I'll oversee your studies!" Hop blushed at the honor. "Then I definitely want to! Only... you sure I can really be of any help to you?"

Sonia didn't mind the complications. "Of course! Mind you, it'll be a lot of work. It's been really pilling up since I lost my first assistant!" Hop guessed. "So what you really mean is that you're offering me the position to help yourself out?"

Gloria didn't mind the idea. "Since we'd trust you with our lives, it would be a nice way to catch up on the new data." Hop shrugged in agreement. "Ah, fine! I'll still do a bang-up job!" He asked. "You'll have my back, too-right Gloria?"

The girl showed her Rotom Phone. "I still got a dex worth of pokemon I need to record in a log. With that, we'll really get started." The phone had a fast scan on Zamazentha as they heard a fast whistle.

"Dang, looks like you all are going to be set for one fine career."

The band turned to find Agent Ocul, Marnie and Leon approaching. Sonia gasped. "What're you lot doing here?" Miss Ocul had a list. "We're in the middle of processing this big conspiracy with the Royal Family. They might have descended from the original Kings and all, but they're going need a huge wake up call if they're going to move on with life."

Marnie expected. "They're gonna owe all of Galar one big apology." Leon admitted. "As soon as we see what's happened to Zamazentha, I'm going to keep a close eye on them with Miss Oleana and Piers." He cringed. "Sorry I wasn't around to be of any help. I was stuck at Rose Tower, trying to take care of the mess that the chairman left behind."

Ocul hand waved. "That's going to be something else I want a word with you on. Macro Cosmos is too big towards Galar for me to be of any major help besides a few warnings. It's so big that there might be a few scars here and there that the Chairman wasn't exactly keeping an eye on. Until then, let's try to make this clear. Sonia, your book says that Zacian and Zamazentha are the true Heroes of Galar, by all accounts they are royalty alongside their partners!"

Sonia nodded. "That they are, but now that Gloria and Hop has captured them, we've been meaning to ask." The wolves approached as Ocul asked them. "Did you challenge these two, to see if they're worthy of being Galar's protectors?"

Zacian smiled a woof as Zamazentha grunted in respect. (That courage and kindness are what makes a true monarch for these lands!) Gloria showed a master ball. "I'd used a bit of quick wit to catch Zacian before she could give me a humbling." Hop showed the timer ball. "And I'd thought on how to prepare Zamazentha to go into one of these." Miss Ocul nodded and pressed her hands together. "Excellent, excellent! Some brain power can help you win fights before they could become those. In this day and age, being a King or Queen means about as much as a title, especially in this age. But you might live up to that responsibility later on in life."

The wolves wagged their tails in agreement and gave Gloria and Hop a respectful bow, christening them as the monarchs that would preserve the future of Galar. The children realize the responsibility given to them and gave a combined squeak as Marnie yipped. "Don't act too dramatic! Like the Miss said, it's just a title right now!"

Ocul agreed with that and took off her sunglasses to show a rather proud smile. "One that's definitely earned, expect just about everything that's going to come with it once more people see what you really are. So, what are you going to do now?"

Gloria thought about it. "Besides completing the Pokedex around here and making sure Sonia and Hop get what they need. There's one more place I need to revisit again, if we're to make the next big discovery."

Hop knows what that is. "It might make for a good page in a book, Mustard is knowing a lot more than he lets on." Ocul's pretty impressed by the goal, even if she knows little. "Then I can trust you all to get that done, along with the other project I've been hearing about. I've seen that kind of idea work with this one other pokemon that had been hurting for a long time and he's became the light of a whole region."

She drew out a card and gave it to Gloria. "If you ever need any help on the matter, you'll know to call me." She gave a nod to Leon and took off. "I'll be back at the Tower, don't dawdle too long!" The Spikemuth Princess wiggled her lips and admitted. "She's definitely rough around the edges, makes you wonder what kind of region she came from."

Leon wondered as well and admitted to Hop. "Just so you know, Hop. I saw your pokemon battle against Champion Gloria." He laughed. "You've sure gotten a lot stronger since the Champion Cup!"

The little brother jumped as the former Champion admitted. "It was getting so good, I nearly sent out Charizard without thinking, wanting to join in on the fun!" He's quite proud. "It seems like you've found your own path to walk in life, Hop. As your older brother-" He stopped. "No, as your rival. You have my full support 'ere."

Hop felt his heart skip a beat. "I do?!" Leon gave his signature pose and let the feeling sink in. "If you only focus on the sport, you won't have anywhere to go once you've burned out. Having that bigger future in mind, will help you in the long run." He turned. "Now, I got to get back and sort the last thing out before too long."

Marnie hoped Leon doesn't get too lost and watched Gloria and Hop perform a mass call back. "That's some pretty high praise you got there, Hop. Did a meowth caught your tongue?" The boy got defensive. "Ah, zip it, Marnie. He did not!"

Sonia teeheed. "Alright, alright! I guess we should get going back home too!" Hop agreed to that. "Right! Then it's a race to see who gets back home first!" The four cleaned up and had a bit of a jog back where they came from, leaving the Slumbering Shrine to glimmer to a mid day shine.