While the others, Piers, and Leon were dealing with the flux of Dynamax Pokemon on Stow-on-Side, Hammerlocke, Circhester, Motostoke, Hulbrey, and Spikemuth, Sarah and Race both managed to apparate with his team and her family to Ballonea where they regrouped with Victor, Hop, and Gloria. They immediately raced over to Ballonea Stadium where they found the newly-reformed Bede waiting for them inside the stadium lobby as he was speaking with a gym official.

After he was disqualified from the Gym Challenge after destroying the mural that was blocking off the statue of Zacian and Zamazenta, he was discovered by Opal and when she saw him wearing pink with his jacket on, she took a liking to the boy and took him in as her student. Being the old woman that she is despite her remarkable battling prowess as the original Ballonea Gym Leader and her previous accomplishments, she doubled her gym as an auditioning stadium to decide who would be her successor that would take her place as the new gym leader. And, by the time Gloria, Hop, and Victor competed in the Champion Cup, she had successfully taught Bede everything she knew and passed down her gym leader mantle to him but she would still be around to give him some advice when he needed it.

Victor, Gloria, and Hop's former rival had to smirk as his cocky demeanor (which had softened but never went away) kicked in, "Hmph, you lot. I might've known you'd be here to see what the matter was."

"Bede?! You're the Ballonea Gym Leader now?" spluttered Hop in surprise.

"Bede, what happened, where's the Dynamax Pokemon that was meant to be rampaging?" Gloria questioned.

"Ha, do you muppets really think that I, the new Elite Fairy Type Gym Leader of Ballonea, would have that kind of trouble with the Dynamax crisis popping up across the region?" Bede continued to smirk.

"Of course, you're the new gym leader succeeding Opal, but the 'elite' part..." Victor said but then scratched his head in confusion over Bede's last words.

"Bede, look, I know this may not sound like much but Pokemon in the entire region's cities are Dynamaxing and causing havoc. All of them Dynamaxed by two people who don't know what they're messing with, you have to trust us that if this crisis is happening right now, we'll deal with it. Together, since we'll need your help," Sarah began slowly, having heard about Bede's reformation by the Postwick Trio prior and trying to put the situation to him gently.

Please, please... Don't you simpletons tell me you came all the way here to help us, do you? First of all, you're a bit late with whatever you're doing to be a bit of use to us and second, I didn't need your help."

"Oh, no," groaned Mai as she facepalmed with her shadow claw.

"Well, some things never change," Camo sighed.

"Not soon enough, I still don't like that creep," Mulan noted in disgust as Stufful gave Bede a small angry raspberry while she rested on Ching Wan's shoulder.

"But, why would you know we'd say that if Ballonea was about to suffer from the Dynamax crisis, too? We did come all the way here just to give you a hand," Hop continued, raising an offended eyebrow in disbelief.

"By the cosmos of Arceus, what an obnoxious gym leader that little ruffian is," muttered Calyrex in disgust, his sons sharing his sentiments as they gave two snorts of disbelief. "I must say, if Ms. Opal chose him as her successor, then Ballonea Stadium is definitely shaping up to be something."

Sarah sighed as she started to lose patience with him and Race did his best to reign her in as he held her right shoulder to calm him down while she said, "Bede, we don't have time for your 'I Want' games right now. What's happening to us and all of Galar is much bigger than you think, there are two people out there who are trying to hurt Zacian and Zamazenta and if we don't work together and stop their madness now, we could end up having a repeat of the Darkest Day but much, much worse!"

But, Bede didn't care as he continued on with his rant, "It's not as simple as you think, m'dear. You see, when I was kicked out of the Gym Challenge and lost my endorsement from Chairman Rose before his crimes came to light, Oleana used me and tricked me when my back was turned! I was ruined, humiliated, betrayed, discarded, cast aside, abandoned by the very people who once saw hope in me! From now on, I'm the only one who decides how I should live. By that, I've decided that the only one I can truly trust is myself. And, right now, what I think I should do right now is to have a battle with you, right here, right now, Your Highness!"

"Bede, mate, I'm sorry! But, the truth is we're running out of time! We don't have time for your battle as long as the future of Galar is at stake again!" Victor pleaded.

"Don't always be in such a hurry, my boy," a voice rang out with a knowing chuckle. "You've already aced my quiz when I took you in as my student so please, try to show a little composure to our region's saviors."

The voice belonged to the former Ballonea Gym Leader, Opal, who arrived to hear everything that went down and (feeling amused over Bede's antics) came over to pacify the situation and to clarify a few things regarding everyone's current situation.

"Ms. Opal," Victor, Gloria, and Hop gasped in surprise as Opal smiled and nodded to her former challengers and gave a small bow towards the princess.

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but what my student has told you and your friends and family is the truth. He's already managed to quiet three Dynamax Pokemon when they started to go wild in the stadium, he's given you all the luxury of extra time. Rest assured, Bede's life won't be bound by what other people say to him any longer now that he's safely out of Rose and Oleana's hands. Hmm-hm-hm, although, I've certainly influenced a few of his decisions not too long ago."

Opal laughed as Bede sheepishly said, "Um, now that you mention it, I suppose you did..."

"Ahem, but enough about that. Now, that your Dynamax crisis here is over, this one will be for us to handle alone. Don't dillydally, Princess, come with me to the stadium. Your only option right now is to battle me and my Pokemon, right here, right now!"

Sarah groaned as she realized Bede was going badger her and her family and friends further until she agrees to battle him. But, in the back of her mind, she was also curious as to whether or not he had really learned his lesson after succeeding Opal as her successor and Ballonea's new gym leader. So, she turned to Opal and asked her, "Opal, would I really have to battle him now that he's taken care of things here?"

Opal smiled as she just said, "I don't see why not, this will be a good opportunity for you two to test your skills with each other this time. See how much my teachings, his works, and where he is now have led him nowadays under my wing just as your adventures led to where you are now as the person you are."

Victor, Hop, and Gloria, despite still being irked Bede's slightly unchanged cocky nature, were also curious to see how different he is now that he was Opal's student and the new Ballonea Gym Leader so, with reluctant sighs, they and their teams also joined Sarah and her family along with Race and his team (sharing Sarah's sentiments after she told her boyfriend about the Postwick Trio's former rival) as they joined him inside Ballonea Stadium.

Once the two of them have taken their positions, Bede readied himself as he stated, "I should warn you, Princess; my Pokemon have risen from the ashes and we've grown much stronger in the previous year ever since Opal took me in as her student and my days as a Gym Leader have changed me. I didn't become the new Ballonea Gym Leader for nothing, you know, so I'll be sure to give you a glimpse of how amazing we've truly become now!"

"I've learned plenty on my end, Bede. Just be sure not to underestimate me as you did before," Sarah called back knowingly.

"I assure you, things will be much different from before. Mawile, let's go!" Bede shouted, sending out his Bite Pokemon (which did look stronger than ever given his time as Opal's student and as the new Ballonea Gym Leader).

"We'll see how different things really are! Alright, Flareon, go!" Sarah called, sending out her Flame Pokemon as she and Mawile exchanged determined glares despite the latter's Intimidate Ability kicking in.

"I'll go first for this round! Mawile, start with your Crunch attack!" Bede began, taking the first move as Mawile jumped forward for a Crunch attack.

"Dodge it, Flareon!" Flareon, hearing Sarah's call, immediately dodged Crunch as she tried to gauge her Steel Type opponent as she smirked at her as it kept using Crunch.

Mawile didn't give Flareon much time to counter as she continued to chomp and follow her with Crunch. And then, when she felt like she caught the Flare Pokemon off guard after seeing her trip from her latest dodge, she and Bede saw their chance as he then showed, "Now, use Play Rough!"

Mawile managed to grab the startled Flareon when she drew in close and then used Play Rough on her as she started beating her up. Flareon, however, wasn't going to take it lying down as her ire at Bede and his chosen Pokemon grew, and with a determined glare, she bit on Mawile hard with Fire Fang and got her to stop. Mawile panicked as she felt the burns from Fire Fang as she flailed about with Flareon managing to hold on for a few seconds until she was finally thrown back and she rolled along the ground to Sarah's side as she recovered before giving the smirking Fire Type an insulted glare.

"Hmm, you seemed to have a few tricks up your sleeve with that one if she was to escape from Mawile's Play Rough," Bede mused thoughtfully.

"You're not too bad yourself this time with that one," Sarah admitted.

Bede nodded as he continued, "But, of course, there's still much to be done and I'm not through yet. Mawile, now use your Fake Tears!"

Mawile used her Fake Tears to lower Flareon's Special Defense so she would be vulnerable to another attack but Sarah sighed as she shook her head and said, "Didn't you remember my friends and I telling you that pride always comes before a fall when you battled us at Stow-on-Side last year? Flareon, hit her with Flamethrower!"

Flareon nodded as she fired off her signature Fire Type attack and burned a shocked and horrified Mawile to a crisp before she then coughed and fainted, having been unable to dodge in time while she was doing her Fake Tears attack.

"Urgh, okay, a minor setback with that one. But, we're not finished yet as I said. You did good, Mawile, return," Bede remarked with a disappointed grunt before he brought out his next Pokemon which was a Gardevoir (having evolved from his Kirlia). "Come on out, Gardevoir!"

"Come on back, Flareon, you battled hard with that one!" Sarah shouted to Flareon, allowing her to come back and have her turn to her mother's Persian (whom she and the entire Tomoe Squad were permitted to join their daughter by her owner and her husband). "Ready to rumble, girl?"

Persian purred knowingly as she jumped into the field and faced down Gardevoir, everyone watching with anticipation as a possible catfight between them could break out should they begin the next round.

"Since I'm feeling generous for this round, given that you also have an Alolan Persian on you, why don't you have this one, Princess?" Bede remarked slyly.

"Don't say we didn't warn you. Let's go, Persian!" Sarah shouted, signaling Persian to begin as she charged forward to attack. "Use Iron Tail!"

"Stop her with Psychic!" Bede countered, allowing his Gardevoir to stop Persian in her tracks and cancel her Iron Tail attack just when she was about to hit her and knock her back to the ground hard with Psychic.

"Hang in there, Persian!" Sarah reassured as Persian got up.

"When did Bede get so tough and calculated?" questioned a surprised Hop from the audience seats.

Gloria and Victor couldn't answer him as they, Cinderace, Rillaboom, and Inteleon also looked on in surprise at Bede, seeing how much better their former rival was faring now that he's become the Ballonea Gym Leader. All the while, Opal was smiling at what she was seeing from her student and Sarah, her family along with Race and his team watching with bated breath and interest as the princess and Bede continued to battle with Gardevoir and Persian still duking it out.

"Gardevoir! Moonblast and Magical Leaf, go!"

"Lash Out and Night Slash, Persian!"

The Emotion Pokemon and the Classy Cat Pokemon clashed once again but with combo attacks now as Moonblast and Magical Leaf met Lash Out and Night Slash as Persian met her opponent's combo and broke through it, only for it to be a feint as Gardevoir charged forward with Dazzling Gleam and knocked back the Dark Type before she used Magical Leaf to keep her down and rolling towards Sarah's feet. Persian was knocked out as Gardevoir got back to her earlier position, having won the second round but panting a little bit from the energy she had to use to beat her Dark Type opponent.

"...Looks like you win Round 2," Sarah admitted, coming towards the downed Persian as she slowly woke up and gave a saddened purr for her defeat. "You did well, Persian, I'm proud of you. Just take a good long rest."

She then gently picked up her mother's Classy Cat Pokemon and brought her to Zorro and Sokka as they gently brought her back to her family and laid her down with Blossom while the princess returned to her battle with Bede.

"Well, Bede, I must say, you have grown stronger now that you've become the Ballonea Gym Leader. You have a lot of untapped potential on you, I can see now why Opal would choose you as her successor and teach you everything she knows about being a true gym leader," Sarah admitted as one of her Pokemon got ready to keep the fight going. "But, this time, you two don't stand a ghost of a chance! Arrietty!"

Hearing her name called, the female Hisuian Zoroark quickly jumped into the fray while her son watched from atop Wang Lun's head as she got into position and took Persian's place on the field.

"Momma, be careful!" Sho cried out, his mother giving a soft smile and a wink towards him as she readied herself for battle.

"Arrietty, use your Shadow Ball!"

"Counter Shadow Ball with Moonblast!" the two trainers screamed, pointing at each other's Pokemon.

Gardevoir fired Moonblast just as Arrietty fired back with her Shadow Ball, the two special attacks clashing with one another before they ended in a stalemate and they exploded after a few seconds of push-pull and engulfing the field in a cloud of smoke, the Emotion Pokemon and the Baneful Fox Pokemon taking the initiative to attack each other again on their trainers' behalf and using the smoke as cover.

When they landed their hits on each other after nearly half a minute (with everybody wondering what was going on between them in the smoke), both Pokemon were then revealed on either trainer's side as Gardevoir used Calm Mind and Dazzling Gleam while Arrietty used Shadow Claw and Night Slash together as their last attacks in their smoke catfight. At first, Arrietty groaned and got down on one knee once she had her move but after a few tense seconds of worrying and watching, Gardevoir finally groaned and she lost consciousness as she fell, the Hisuian Zoroark having clinched the third round and left Bede with half of his team left.

The others cheered for Sarah and Arrietty with Sho being the loudest as he saw his mother emerging triumphant, Persian giving a grateful smile as she gave an approving nod to her after she recovered and saw everything.

Bede was surprised but he let out a small huff as he then brought out his Unique Horn Pokemon, having evolved into Rapidash throughout his time as Opal's student and the new Ballonea Gym Leader, Sarah watching as she was up against another familiar Fairy Type.

"Your Ponyta has evolved, too, during your time with Opal and being her successor, then," she remarked, a little impressed.

"She has been one of my forerunners ever since I became the new Ballonea Gym Leader and I've always trusted her with my life ever since she was a little Ponyta despite our faults," Bede nodded confidently. "Let's see how she does against your ghost fox or another one of your Pokemon on you. Not hard considering we're having a 4-on-4 battle and we're going for Best of 5, right?"

"Not hard, at all, I've got the perfect one for her here. Let's make it a little interesting, my Rapidash against your Rapidash for this match, what do you say?" Sarah offered.

Bede smirked, liking the idea of a battle of the Rapidash, "Fine, let's jump right in."

The princess returned a determined nod as she turned towards Scorch, Yamper, Wooloo, and Ponyta's mother, "Rapidash!"

Rapidash neighed in agreement as she galloped to meet with her twin Pokemon, her Twisted Spoon Necklace being shown proudly around her neck as the only thing to denote her so as to not have anyone from the audience seats confuse her with Bede's Rapidash as her children eagerly watched her begin to battle.

"I'll let you have the first move this time, Bede!"

"My pleasure. Rapidash, Quick Attack!"

"Agility, Rapidash!"

First, it became a contest of speed for the two Rapidash as Sarah's motherly Fairy Type increased her speed to dodge Bede's Rapidash as it came at her with Quick Attack and dodged it at every turn. Both of them were diligent in their speed as Scorch, Wooloo, Ponyta, and Yamper cheered for their mother to win before Sarah and Bede decided to go for two more attacks for each of them.

"Rapidash, use your Dazzling Gleam and Stomp Attacks!"

"Use Megahorn and High Horsepower!"

The two Unique Horn Pokemon charged at each other as they exchanged combo attacks with their chosen moves, the Fairy/Psychic Pokmong going at each other to hold on to their pride as Galarian Rapidash.

But, even though Sarah's Rapidash was putting up quite a fight and doing more damage to her counterpart, Bede's Rapidash was just as relentless and it was not going down without a fight, knowing that it and Bede's honor were both at stake given what they went through on their own journey. Eventually, the two Fairy/Psychic Types knocked each other back to their respective trainers' sides with both of them sporting an equal amount of wounds and bruises from their scuffle, having just enough energy for one last attack to see which one of them is the best Rapidash standing.

"Man, those two are really going at it," Hop breathed in awe.

"I'll say, Bede is sure different this time now that he's the Ballonea Gym Leader after Ms. Opal chose him and taught her everything she knew," Victor added in agreement.

"He's definitely not the same trainer in battle as he once was before," remarked Gloria, feeling impressed with Bede's improved battling.

"That dude may be a jerk but you gotta admit, he's quite a tough cookie," Race put in, sharing the trio's sentiments about Bede as he is now.

Opal smiled proudly as she stated to them, "This is what I saw from that boy the moment I laid my eyes on him and not just his pink wardrobe from before, hmm-hmm-hmm. He's got the makings of a true Pokemon Trainer and a gym leader; he just needed someone to point him in the right direction and show him that he has to take charge of his own destiny to make his own greatness happen. The Bede you now see before you is a changed man and he's truly one of the best gym leaders we have from this generation who will do us all proud despite his cocky nature."

Bede shared knowing smirks with Sarah as he stated, "Your Rapidash is quite skilled for her age."

Sarah nodded back as she stated, "We've been training for months along with her family and mine; never lost her touch as far as I know."

"Maybe it's time we see who truly comes out on top here."

"One last attack for this round, winner take all?"

With one final smirk, Bede threw a nod her way as they both shouted, "Rapidash, use your Psycho Cut!"

Using the last of their strength, both Rapidash fired Psycho Cut at full power until both attacks ended up at a stalemate. The two Psychic attacks pushed each other back as everyone watched to see who would eventually come out on top for Round 4. However, much to everyone's surprise, when the Psycho Cut attacks broke through, they ended up scraping past each other and hitting both Unique Horn Pokemon, knocking them out entirely and leaving both Sarah and Bede in a draw, the former with two Pokemon remaining and Bede with his last one.

"They're both down and out!" Wooloo cried in alarm and surprise.

"Mama!" Ponyta boomed frantically.

"Wow... I guess this is a draw, then," Sarah blinked.

"I...guess so," agreed Bede as he returned his Rapidash while the princess signaled for Shadow, Winter, Nyasi, and Umbreon to carry Rapidash back to her family while she sent out Flareon to see what he'll bring out as his final Pokemon as he prepared his last Great Ball.

Amazingly, Bede felt something strange brewing from inside him as they battled. He had initially intended on proving to Sarah that he would be able to beat her with all of his training and after becoming the Ballonea Gym Leader after Opal once he and his Pokemon had gotten stronger, especially to clear the baggage he had been left with after he was dumped by Rose and Oleana. But, he was also starting to genuinely smile in addition to showing off his trademark smirk towards her as they got to the tail end of their battle as if he truly wanted to show her that he had changed ever since he was accepted as Opal's student in the back of his mind. After being humbled by his ultimate defeat by her and his former rivals' hands at Stow-on-Side last year, he felt something he had never felt before: relief, as if something had bothered him before and he felt at ease now despite wanting to deny it back then.

Now, that he was showing his true potential as a Pokemon Trainer and a gym leader in his own right and he was halfway through his match with Sarah, he was feeling a different sense of pride in himself and his Pokemon that he had never felt before. He didn't know what he was feeling but to Bede, it was something that felt good in him, something warm, like he had finally opened his heart and welcomed in him a strength that allowed him to fully show what he and his Pokemon are truly capable of.

"I'm impressed, Sarah... From what I'm seeing in our battle so far, after knocking out two of your Pokemon in one round and our previous draw with us getting to where we are now, I see now why you might be the strongest trainer in all of Alola," he began calmly and with a growing sense of personal pride no longer fueled by his own arrogance.

"I am, even if I still got a-ways to go," Sarah admitted humbly.

"If that's what you think, I'll gladly carve my name into Galar's history as well along with those of Leon and Gloria, by defeating you with honor! Hatterene, let's finish the job!"

Then, for what would be the last two rounds of their battle, Bede sent out a stronger-looking Hatterene, the Silent Pokemon ready to finish the match and either come out as the ultimate victor on her team or go out with a bang of honor. Flareon braced herself as she prepared to fight her with whatever strength she has left on her.

"Okay...Flareon! Let's rocket, use Double Edge!" Sarah screamed, going first for the second-to-last round.

Flareon howled as she charged forward and unleashed one of the strongest attacks she has in her move set but thanks to Opal's lessons and her and Bede's personal training, Hatterene braced herself for what was to come and trusts her trainer to attack when she can and get a one-up on the Flare Pokemon through her Anticipation ability.

"...Hatterene, Psychic attack!" Bede signaled on his mark, allowing the Silent Pokemon to grab Flareon using Psychic and stop her dead in her tracks, causing her to flail in panic (and leaving Sarah in surprise) as she tried to break loose from her powerful mental grip. "Now, slam her to the ground and finish it with Calm Mind and a full-powered Dazzling Gleam!"

Strengthening her Special Attack and Special Defense power, Hatterene then unleashed her combo attack after slamming Flareon to the ground and rolled her over to the princess with a final Mystical Fire, the Fire Type attack (while not as effective) landing a hit on her Fire Type opponent that added to the damage done to her by Dazzling Gleam and after being thrown by Psychic at the Psychic/Fairy Type's full strength.

Once again humbled and down to her last Pokemon being Arrietty, Sarah rushed over to Flareon and picked her up before giving her a gentle kiss and a smile as she whispered, "I'm proud of you, Flareon. You've fought well and you got us this far along with Rapidash and Persian."

She then returned the beaten Flareon to her family as her sisters and Umbreon took care of her while Sarah and Arrietty got together for the final showdown in a classic match-up of Psychic/Fairy and Normal/Ghost. This final round between Hatterene and Arrietty would be the ultimate clincher that will decide who would be the victor in the match between Sarah and Bede.

Bede soon sighed as he gave a soft smile before he said to Sarah, "Hey, Sarah, I just want to you to know... I'm sorry for everything between my rivals and you and for what happened at Stow-on-Side last year, and, thanks. I've learned a lot since then and I'm grateful that you've all shown me the light along with Opal after I was kicked out of the Gym Challenge but I just want you to know, I don't plan on losing this match any time soon."

"I'm with you on that, this will be the last round between us in our match. But, even so, whether or not one of us wins or loses, no hard feelings," the princess nodded.

"You got it," Bede agreed before he regained his smirk and they began their final battle, both of them making the first move, no longer as rivals and enemies but for the first time ever, as firm friends.

"Hatterene/Arrietty, use your Mystical Fire/Dark Pulse, go!"

Hatterene and Arrietty shared their trainers' last sentiments for their final battle as the two of them fired off Dark Pulse and Mystical Fire, the two attacks causing a smokescreen before they charged at each other and broke through the smoke as they used Dazzling Gleam and Shadow Claw, clashing and bashing at each other as they went all out in their final duel before they traded their other attacks in the process. Everyone else smiled as they saw Bede and Sarah having fun and the former having proved to everyone that he really did change and was now a far different person than when he once was before even if some things about him haven't changed.

It was clear to everyone that after being lost once he was kicked out of the Gym Challenge and after having no purpose in life (something Gloria, Hop, and Victor knew all too well given their run-ins with him on their own journey prior), he was given a new path in life by Opal and that resulted in his and his Pokemon's rebirth, allowing them to achieve so much now that he's her successor as the Ballonlea Gym Leader and to unleash their true potential that they couldn't have in the Gym Challenge when Bede was running on arrogance and prestige over Rose's endorsement of him.

Finally, when they felt like they were reaching their limits with their little scuffle, Hatterene and Arrietty stopped and prepared themselves for one final clash. The two of them were sporting heavy bruises from their brawl but they were also having the time of their lives as they exchanged smirks while they panted.

Once their Pokemon were ready and after they shared knowing, friendly smiles, Bede and Sarah made their last calls toward Arrietty and Hatterene as they screamed, "Finish it now, Arrietty/Hatterene! With one last Shadow Claw/Dazzling Gleam!"

Arrietty covered her paws and claws with Ghost Type energy and Hatterene charged herself with Fairy Type energy for their final clash, waiting several moments for something to tip them off and attack after they focused their energies and prepared to strike, their wills to win powered by their trainers' happiness and newfound friendship. Finally, after hearing the wings of a stray Pidgey/Taillow/Starley/Pikipek/Pidove/Fletchling/Rookidee/Hoothoot after twenty tense seconds, with two final battle cries, Hatterene and Arrietty charged forward and rammed and sliced at each other before coming to a stop on opposite sides.

Nobody dared to breathe for fear of calling the end results too soon as they waited anxiously for a winner to be declared. But soon, the winner was then decided as Hatterene coughed and then, she started to laugh in awe and disbelief as she said to the Hisuian Zoroark, "...W-Wow, ha-ha, ha-h-ow! I-I guess I see now, why, your trainer...is still the best between her and Bede...!"

With a final cough and a small groan, the Silent Pokemon finally fell with a crash and lost consciousness, Arrietty relaxing her stance and wearily standing up as she looked back and saw Hatterene on the ground. The battle was over; by the skin of her and her caretaker's teeth, she had clinched the match and won with the best 4/5 as she was the only Pokemon left standing and Bede had lost all of his.

The silence was amazing before loud cheers and applause eventually rang out from her family and son along with their friends with them. Bede was humbled once again by his latest defeat but instead of feeling disappointed about it, he had to smile as he returned Hatterene, "Hatterene, return. I'm very proud of you..."

He then watched as Sarah and Arrietty congratulated each other as Sho happily ran over to his mother and snuggled her for her victory with everyone else in her family along with Gloria, Hop, Victor, and their Pokemon offering their congratulations as well. Even Opal offered her congratulations to Arrietty and very soon, they even extended the same to him and his Pokemon when they approached him, the new Ballonlea Gym Leader at a loss for words from the newfound praise he was given.

"Hey, Bede, congratulations on an awesome battle out there!"

"Yeah, mate, you were awesome and your Pokemon were smokin' it while you all battled Sarah. We sure like to battle with you again if that's alright with you!"

"You really had changed, good job there," the Postwick Trio smiled, eventually getting a smile out of Bede as he forgot about his personal pride for once and accepted a handshake from all three of his former rivals.

He then turned to Sarah as they both shared knowing and congratulating smiles towards each other before they shared their own handshake, the former saying, "Congratulations, Sarah, you and your Pokemon were phenomenal. I can accept you as a future champion once the Alola League finally takes shape but any time you come to Galar to see Victor, Gloria, and Hop, or even me here at Ballonlea, I'll be ready for you next time. While it is painful for me to admit, I think I can finally see a few of my weaknesses thanks to you and our battle. I'll act on them as soon as I can and my Pokemon and I will become stronger and when we do, I'm sure we'll show everybody the pinnacle of what Fairy Types can really do."

"I look forward to that, Bede. You got a long journey ahead of you but I'm sure you'll do Ballonlea, Opal, and all Fairy Type trainers proud," Sarah smiled back.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to do what a responsible gym leader does and clean the stadium. Until we meet again, my friends."

And, with that, the newly-matured Ballonlea Gym Leader that is Bede took his leave and officially began his duties as a true gym leader and the Pokemon Trainer that he is now. The heroes couldn't help but look on in awe and happiness for him, noticing how much happier and humbler he is now becoming after finding some new friends in them, especially Sarah, and after accepting his new position.

"Now, that's what I would call a perfectly pink Pokemon Battle!" Opal smiled brightly as she turned to them. "Thank you for that wonderful battle, Your Highness. It's good to know that from now on, Young Bede will have friends like you to help him whenever he needs it so that he can continue to unmask his and his Pokemon's true potential. I can never repay you enough for helping him find his true strength."

"Thanks, Opal. Now, that I think about it, we're now glad that he actually took care of all those Dynamax Pokemon before we even got there," Sarah chuckled.

"I can see now why you saw so much in him and why you took him on as your student and your successor," Gloria added in agreement, smiling.

"It's good to know that he's happier here and now has a duty to perform not just as the new gym leader here but as a Fairy Type Pokemon Trainer," Victor concurred.

"With him around, I'd say this town is in good hands," Race finished, giving an approving nod.

"Please give him our regards and that we wish him the best of luck going forward," Hop noted.

"I'm sure he'll be glad to hear that from you all. Until next time, children, Your Highness. Goodbye..." Opal purred warmly before she left the heroes alone to think back on Bede's completed redemption and what it would mean for him and them going forward.

"You know, I guess we were wrong about him, after all, you guys," Hop told Gloria and Victor with a warm smile. "Even after he was kicked out of the Gym Challenge last year, Bede still found his own way to crash the Champion Cup and become stronger in his own right..."

"Yeah, I suppose he'll finally be a force to be reckoned with. He'll give other trainers specializing in other types a run for their money being our region's new leading Fairy Type Trainer and Ballonlea's new gym leader after Ms. Opal," Gloria nodded happily.

"That's definitely why he was chosen the moment she saw him; he may have been a jerk sometimes-more often than not, really-but he's a fierce trainer and he's got so much hidden potential that not even Oleana and Rose can see it unless it would be someone like Ms. Opal," Victor agreed.

"He's definitely strong and I think being Opal's student and her successor really took a lot off of him and my battle with her removed all of that previous baggage he once had on him. Maybe something like that is what he needed after doing everything else to carve himself a new path to follow," Sarah replied.

"And, given what we've seen out of that guy and the changes you all made in him, he's definitely gonna be an ass no more," Race remarked, getting a chuckle out of everyone before Sarah's Wrist Com eventually rang and she had to answer the call for them.

The call came from Sonia, who was looking in a right panic and she looked to be in danger from the frantic tone in her voice, "Sarah, are you there? Come in, come in! We need you guys back at the lab!"

This alarmed everybody gathered as Sarah answered, "We're all here, Sonia! What's happened, are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay! We're in trouble, big trouble! Those two weirdos I told you about earlier; guess what, they just showed up at the Pokemon Lab! They kept on rudely demanding that I hand over the Wishing Stars I've gathered and no matter how many times Gran and I told them 'No', they wouldn't back off! And, Sarah, you're not going to like this! Officer Jenny is here and she's demanding that we hand over Eternatus to her! These guys are creepy but we're alright for now, get back here as fast as you can! I don't know if we can stall them for much longer, hurry!"

Sonia was forced to cut the call short due to the danger she and her group were in, leaving the others speechless over how dire the situation had just become. It was already bad enough when they had the resurfaced Dynamax crisis as the only thing on their minds but now, with Sordward and Shieldbert rearing their ugly heads again and Officer Jenny finally in the know about Eternatus for the wrong reasons, they were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"What?!"

"How did they-?!"

"Why would Officer Jenny know about Eternatus, now?!"

"This is not good, Sordward and Shieldbert must've jumped everybody back at the lab while we were all gone, even with all the odds in our favor!"

"Oh, man! Sonia and the others are in trouble! But, this could be our only chance; we've got to get back and retrieve Zacian and Zamazenta's powers before they keep doing who-knows-what with them!" The five trainers fretted.

Without a second to spare, they all rushed outside and Sarah and Race quickly apparated everyone back Wedgehurst. When they arrived, they found the rest of the gang, the Cat Pack, Piers, Liberty, Raven, the Swords of Justice, Leon and his Charizard, and the Dragonstone Patrol waiting at the Pokemon Center after dealing with the Dynamax Pokemon in the other cities.

"Heeey!" Hop shouted, getting their attention as they reunited.

"Did you guys get the other cities cleaned out?" Sarah asked.

"Sure did, Sarah, all of the Dynamaxed Pokemon we battled are back to normal!" replied Ash, smiling brightly as he and the others revealed their full Particle Holders.

"And, we got everybody in the stadiums out of there safely so no lives were lost," Zoey added. "But, you guys knew what was happening here just as we did when we finished our jobs, right?"

"Yeah, we got a call from Sonia and it sounded urgent. Sordward and Shieldbert just barged into the lab and are demanding Sonia and the others here to hand over the Wishing Stars she gathered from Rose to them," Victor explained.

"Oh, no!" Lillie cried in alarm as the others gasped in shock.

"But, it gets worse; it's Officer Jenny, Sonia told us she came to the lab, demanding that Eternatus be handed over to her immediately," Hop added frantically.

Everybody was now horrified as they went, "Huh/Huh/Huh?!"

"We think that Sordward and Shieldbert had gotten their fingers around the police and are still telling lies about Zacian and Zamazenta and are now pushing fake stories about Eternatus, trying to frame everything that Sonia had published and was pushing out to the public as nothing but a big joke like it was still some kind of fairy tale used as a bedtime story," Gloria theorized to everybody.

"And, that also means pinning the blame on Eternatus since he was initially the one responsible for the Darkest Day incidents back then and last year. They think he's gone rogue again despite trusting Island Girl with him under her custody and with the Macro Cosmos Board of Directors' blessings for him to change and be at peace with humanity and all of Galar, too," Race put in.

"Those madmen, they'll stop at nothing to ensure that they make their crazy dreams come true!" Leon seethed.

"We should get back to the lab as soon as possible!" Raven suggested, getting nods from everybody.

"Everybody, skedaddle!" Liberty screamed as all of them hurried back to Magnolia's lab.

When the group returned, they found Sordward and Shieldbert smugly sitting at a table having tea and cakes while they watched everything play out; Nikki, James, Tsukumaro, Doug, Delilah, David, and Donna (former queen) in a shouting match with Officer Jenny over the matter with Eternatus with Caraxes, Vermax, Dreamfyre, Meleys, and Seasmole giving searing glares at the royal brothers, unable to do anything but watch helplessly through the windows.

Even Sonia's Yamper, Growlithe, and Rockruff stood protectively in front of her with Magnolia's Ninetales doing the same as they growled and bared their fangs at the brothers.

"You won't get away with this!" Sonia shouted, trying to fight through her fears despite giving the brothers a glare as well.

"Now, now, we know you and your grandmother have them here, Professor. We did our research on their current location and we know that all the Wishing Stars you've gathered from Chairman Rose when he was ousted from his own company. We celebrities obviously have an enhanced level of insight to learn such things, even those of the classified and trivial types," Sordward sneered.

"You noncelebrities are obviously not suited to handling such things with the greatest of ease. Hand them over to us and we'll make your lives easier for you," Shieldbert added with a smug smile.

"Professor Sonia, I don't want to make this any harder for you and your friends. Hand over Eternatus now or prepare to face the consequences as a result of your insubordination," Officer Jenny demanded, slowly losing her patience after deciding to turn her attention to Sonia.

"Celebrities and Wishing Stars have nothing to do with each other! I don't know how you two knew about this but there's no way we're ever going to give them to you!" Sonia barked angrily to the brothers before she turned towards Officer Jenny as she softened her glare at her. "Officer Jenny, I'm sorry but Eternatus has nothing to do with all of this! It's not his fault the Dynamax incident is happening again and I promise you, Sarah and everyone else here can vouch for his innocence!"

"Indeed, Officer. Eternatus has been nothing but a blessing to all of us thanks to Sarah's compassion and empathy for him and he's been here with us the entire time ever since I asked Sarah to leave him in the lab," Magnolia agreed, unimpressed with what she's seeing. "What's more, you two have no need for all those Wishing Stars because you have no idea how important they really are!"

"Goodness, these two are feisty ones, Little Brother. Whatever shall we do?" sighed Sordward, still feeling as smug as ever.

"It would seem we've reached an impasse, Older Brother. These fools here have been less than cooperative to our wishes and Officer Jenny's demands for the Darkest Day. I suppose it seems that we've been inconvenienced but I'm sure they'll agree to our demands if we...persuade them, the old-fashioned way, if they like it," Shieldbert commented.

"Those Wishing Stars are not even worth all the trouble you're going through!" spat Sarah as she and the others finally arrived in the main room, much to the relief of Sonia, Magnolia, their Pokemon, the other adults, and the giant dragons outside as they watched while the brothers gawked and Officer Jenny was left in surprise.

"Sarah!" Sonia sighed with relief.

"Children, Leon, Piers, our friends! Thank heavens you're alright!" Magnolia cried happily as they arrived along with the Mist Twister and the new Night Light family.

"Well, now... It seems that the Princes of Alola would come back here but I didn't think that a couple of losers would follow in her wake," Sordward stated in his smug, snooty fashion.

"You fools! Do you still not understand?!" snapped Tsukumaro angrily, not taking the brothers' demeaning of his goddaughter. "You two stand before a full-fledged princess of yore from 500 years ago who was part of the Last Alola Royal Family along with her mother and father and her grandparents with us before the Ultra Beast War commenced, you will behave accordingly!"

The Elder Night Light seemed to share the old advisor's sentiments towards the brothers as well as he growled at Sordward and Shieldbert, giving off a seething glare of his own. It was obvious that like with everyone else, the two brothers were rubbing off on everyone the wrong way.

"I can't believe you two! What were you freaks thinking doing all this?!" Hop snapped as he glared at Sordward and Shieldbert. "Forcing all those Pokemon to Dynamax against their will for your own stupid wishes, you've gone way out of bounds there with your stunt!"

"Don't think that we've forgotten about Zacian and Zamazenta's powers, either!" Victor added in agreement, glaring at the brothers as well. "Give them back right now or I swear we'll take them back by force!"

"And, yet, even after being beaten by us, you're still willing to hold on to such childish fantasies regarding those two Pokemon. Must my brother and I have you meddling kids once again experience the succulent taste of defeat?" Shieldbert went on, still sneering.

"...You-!" Gloria began, all three of them and their Pokemon partners seething with rage at the brothers as they laughed in the trio's faces.

"Don't let those goons put you down like that, guys! That's just what they want, they're looking for a reaction from you," Sonia warned, quickly coming over to them to calm them down before they would retaliate.

"That's right! You may have lost a battle but you've never lost that rockin' spirit so don't you dare lose it now!" Piers reassured.

"Hop, Gloria, Victor... It's okay, you've done all you could," Sarah put in gently to the Postwick Trio. "Let Race and I handle them this time, we'll give them the old Pokemon 1-2 for you guys and the others."

The Postwick Trio looked at Race and Sarah in surprise before Race gave them a nod and the latter gave them a smile, the others giving them reassuring nods as well as if to tell the trio to trust the pair, which is all they wanted to hear before Hop gratefully replied with,"...Sarah, thanks."

"You're the best, mates," Victor added.

"Now, go and give those weirdos a one-way ticket out of here for all of us!" Gloria said, putting her trust in the princess and her boyfriend.

"W-w-w-w...W-W-WEIRDOS?!"

"Ooh, of all the nerve, Older Brother! To have the gall to call us by such a derogatory term, we will not stand for this!"

"Agreed, you kids will rue the day you disrespected us! And, this time, we've now much stronger Pokemon to trounce you with!"

"But, enough talk...

"HAVE AT YOU!"

In no time at all, everyone (sans the Elder Night Light, both Haydens (scientist and Spy Pup, and oddly enough, Abby)) were outside to watch the four trainers battle, Officer Jenny deciding to step in as referee between the match. But, before they could begin, Sarah thought it would be best to talk some sense into Sordward and Shielbert one last time to make them realize the error of their ways and the danger that they'll be putting all of Galar in through their reckless actions to 'expose' Zacian and Zamazenta's so-called true nature and continue to decry the legend surrounding them in favor of making their ancestors the real heroes.

"Listen, you guys, what you're hoping for is nothing but a pipe dream. As far as we can tell, there might be no evidence as to whether or not the Two Kings themselves were solely responsible for the end of the first Darkest Day and Galar's initial salvation," Sarah pleaded gently but firmly. "You have to realize that your actions to defraud Zacian and Zamazenta are crazy and downright evil and it won't do all of Galar any good if you also frame Eternatus for the entire Dynamax incident repeating itself because of you!"

"That's your opinion, Princess! My brother and I have heard enough out of you and your high praises for Zacian and Zamazenta but we will gladly tell you that they're merely tools for our ancestors to use to save Galar from Eternatus 3000 years ago. Even if what you say is true, how would you know they were acting on their own accord or if our ancestors made them do it because they were once partners?" Shielbert sniffed snootily.

"You don't understand-!" Sarah pleaded until Race gently grabbed her right shoulder and shook his head, trying to convince her that the brothers were not worth their time and that they must battle them to get them to see sense.

"No more talk! If you want to stop us from achieving our goals, you'll have to beat us in a Double Battle, first!" Shieldbert then continued with a haughty cackle.

"And, just to make things interesting between the four of us, since you're so desperate to retrieve the powers we've rightfully stolen from your wolves, why don't we put a little wager on one of them to see if you're right or whether the truth is with us," Sordward smirked with a cocky sneer.

Sarah's family and friends were stunned and angered by Sordward's bizarre proposal and even Officer Jenny was taken aback (even if she tried not to show it) as Ash snarled, "What did you say?!"

Sordward continued as he eyed Sarah and Race, "Win the battle and we'll give up either Zacian's sword or Zamazenta's Shield."

"But, don't think it will be easy for you to get both of their powers back. We'll still need one of them to complete our goal and if you really do want to win both of them back, you're gonna have to pry them off of our royally, splendid hands," Shieldbert finished as he and Sordward got out two Pokeballs.

"Okay, then... This trainer's ready to rock and roll," Race snorted, he and Sarah nodding to each other as they took out two Pokeballs of their own with their Pokemon of choice.

"The Double Battle between Sordward and Shieldbert and Sarah Tomoe and Race Konami will soon begin! Our trainers will each have three Pokemon to use against each other's team in a three-team Double Battle system which means they'll use three teams of two Pokemon to square off against each for possession of either of or both of Zacian and Zamazenta's powers. No random Pokemon substitutions will be allowed by any trainers during the match unless they deem such a switch absolutely necessary, understood?" Officer Jenny announced.

"Yes!" the four trainers declared.

"We won't keep time; the contest will thus be decided only when one of the teams before us finds all of their Pokemon unable to battle further. If that is understood, you may begin when ready!"

"We'll go first if you don't mind. Go, Golisopod!"

"Go, Bronzong!" the brothers shouted, bringing out their chosen Pokemon.

"Come on out, Kaji!"

"Rama, I choose you!" Sarah and Race bellowed, summoning her Jungle Charizard and his Slowking.

"We'll go first, if you don't mind, Princess. Go, Golisopod, show her your First Impression!"

"Bronzong, show that Latios what you're made of with your beloved Light Screen!" the brothers began as Bronzong summoned Light Screen and held it at the ready while it raised it and Golisopod's Special Defense.

Golisopod, in the meantime, charged forward at blinding speed to land a hard hit on Kaji but the Flame Pokemon wasn't deterred by Sordward's powerful Pokemon as he kept a sharp eye out for it and his ear horns open for any sound it would make. Any normal Pokemon that wasn't used to First Impression by a Golisopod would be on the ground indefinitely but thanks to his training at the Isle of Armor, Kaji was able to sense the Hard Scale Pokemon coming from behind him and he turned and reached out with his right hand, grabbing onto the Bug/Water Type's claw with his own (even if he had to slightly wince from the power of First Impression reaching his hand after he caught it).

"Kaji!"

"He caught Golisopod's First Impression!"

"This is impossible, Golisopod was trying to attack him and blinding speed no normal Pokemon would've been able to overcome even if they tried!" Lillie, Sophocles, and Rotom-Dex gasped in shock and surprise.

"Wh-how did y-how did your Charizard do that?! No one's been able to overcome my beloved Golisopod's powerful First impression attack so far!" Sordward cried in total bewilderment.

"You can thank the training he had in the Isle of Armor before I chose him during my time I was a student of Dojo Master Mustard from the Master Dojo," Sarah replied simply before she snapped her fingers, and Kaji, knowing what his trainer wants, grabbed Golisopod and flew into their before diving back down and unleashing a Seismic Toss as he let go.

That just left Bronzong as the last one left standing for this round as Race and Rama turned their attention to the Steel/Psychic Type next.

"Your Bronzong's Light Screen is powerful but even the strongest of shields can only last for so long before they finally crack under immense pressure," Race noted to Shieldbert before he continued, "Rama, knock out that Light Screen with Brick Break and then use Disable!"

The powerful Slowking charged up his Fighting Type attack and then darted toward Bronzong, breaking through Light Screen with a powerful Karate Chop from Brick Break. Then, before the Bronze Bell Pokemon could have time to recover to unleash an attack upon initiative or bring Light Screen back up again, the Royal Pokemon used Disable to halt it in place, allowing Kaji to see this and join him to give it a beating. This, however, didn't deter Shieldbert as he then smirked as if he was setting Kaji and Rama up via a trap.

"Okay, Bronzong, m'dear, how about we send them to sleep with your Hyponsis?" Sheildbert sneered, his Bronzong then casting Hypnosis on its opponents as both Rama and Kaji gasped before they fell asleep.

"Oh no!" the baby Jungle Pokemon cried in alarm.

"Hey, that wasn't fair!" Ash bellowed in shock.

"This is not good! Bronzong put them both to sleep when they least expected it, that Light Screen from before was nothing but a trap!" Rotom-Dex flailed in panic.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Surely, Princess, you would've learned by now that if you want to be the best in battle and show your enemies what you're truly made of, you prepare for the worst. Isn't that what you did when you once went up against Little Bede when he was once causing trouble at Stow-on-Side after stealing Rose's Copperajah for his blind and foolish pursuit to be the best in the Gym Challenge before he was dumped?" Shieldbert laughed smugly.

"At least he learned his lesson and found his true path! Besides, this battle isn't over yet!" Sarah spat back rebelliously.

"I'd say it has since your Pokemon have slipped into Dreamland and won't be waking up after we give them a little wake-up call. Bronzong, attack those ruffians with your Gyro Ball attack!"

"Sword Dance and then, Throat Chop at the Charizard's throat, Golisopod!" Sordward followed, seeing his Hard Scale Pokemon getting up despite the damage it took and beefing up its attack strength before it went on the attack with Bronzong, using Throat Chop with its claws glowing with menacing-looking purple energy and Bronzong charged up Gyro Ball before it fired at the pair.

"Not so fast! Kaji, Sleep Talk, go!" Sarah countered, making the brothers gasp in shock as Kaji, despite being asleep, quickly got up onto his feet and used Thunder Punch and Metal Claw in a Metal Thunder Punch combo, ending in a deadlock with the pair via a power struggle before he forced them back.

Sordward and Shieldbert couldn't believe their eyes as they realized that Sarah's Charizard knows Sleep Talk which was a perfect counter to Hypnosis, the former shouting in disbelief, "Sleep Talk, that means my dear Bronzong's Hypnosis attack has been nullified as it allows a Pokemon that's been put to sleep to use it and keep the battle going even if the Pokemon affected by Hypnosis is still sleeping! And, all the while, using random attacks it knows from other Pokemon!"

"I knew we would be facing off against a Pokemon at some point that knows Hypnosis and would make good use of it so Kaji and I had been training for months on how to attack and defend while sleeping so your Bronzong's Hypnosis was simply a walk in the park, Shieldbert! Kaji, use Sleep Talk again!" Sarah retorted, allowing Kaji to attack again, this time using Keldeo's Focus Blast as he fired at Golisopod and Bronzong, leaving them with no time to counter again as the latter started to lose altitude from the damage it took and Golisopod got on one knee.

Soon, Hypnosis wore off and Kaji and Rama were soon back on their feet and wide awake.

"Now, where were we? Rama, Psychic attack!" Race commanded, pointing towards Golisopod.

"One more Focus Punch, Kaji! Full power on Bronzong!" Sarah finished, pointing towards the weakened Bronzong.

Kaji and Rama unleashed their respective attacks as they went after their chosen Pokemon, the Royal Pokemon immobilizing the exhausted Golisopod with his Psychic attack and slamming it down on the ground multiple times while Kaji fired a final Focus Blast on Bronzong and the Bronze Bell Pokemon giving off a pained yell and ringing as the Focus Blast made its mark on the Psychic/Steel Type.

Both Pokemon didn't stand a chance as the dust settled and they were revealed to have been defeated by both Rama and Kaji as they stood proudly toward their downed opponents from the first round.

The others cheered happily as Officer Jenny announced, "Bronzong and Golisopod are unable to battle, Round 1 goes to Charizard and Slowking!"

Sordward and Shieldbert were surprised by the turnaround but they scoffed snootily as they returned their Pokemon, the former then saying as he took out another Pokeball, "A minor setback to our plan but you got lucky having the foresight to know and use Sleep Talk to counter Little Brother's Hypnosis attack from Bronzong. Bisharp, your assistance, please!"

"Come out and join us, Falinks!" Shieldbert added, he and his brother now summoning their Formation and Sword Blade Pokemon to fight in Round 2.

"Wow, that looks familiar," Sarah admitted, seeing Shieldbert's Falinks and being reminded of the wild Falinks and their leader she and Koko had once helped out and rescued as she and Race returned Rama and Kaji and brought out their next Pokemon.

"Let's get wild, Tyrantrum!"

"Kit, time to rumble!"

This time, Race's Latios and Sarah's Tyrantrum stood up to the playing field as they faced down against Sordward's Bisharp and Shieldbert's Falinks. The two Pokemon glared at each other as they all waited to see who would make the first move this time.

"Tyrantrum, use Ancient Power!" Sarah began, now making the first move as he summoned giant rocks and threw them at Bisharp and Falinks.

"Slice and break through them with Sword Dance and Night Slash, Bisharp, dear!" Sordward countered, allowing his Bisharp to strengthen himself with Sword Dance and use Night Slash to slice through each rock from Ancient Power thrown at it and Falinks.

"Falinks, Megahorn!" Shieldbert then said, pointing towards Tyrantrum and Kit as the Formation Pokemon leader's front horn glowed and grew long before it then went at their opponents, joining Bisharp on the offensive.

"Dodge 'em!" Sarah and Race signaled, allowing Kit and Tyrantrum to dodge as best they could once Bisharp and Falinks continued to use Megahorn and Night Slash on them while trying to parry them as if they can't dodge forever.

"Curse you! Hold still so our exquisite Pokemon can land a hit on you meddling brats!" Shieldbert reacted angrily on impulse.

"Steady now, Little Brother, our Pokemon will deal with them. They won't last too long until they finally call an attack," Sordward reassured, still keeping his confident smirk on his face.

"Block, now!" Sarah screamed to Tyrantrum as he immediately blocked Falinks and Bisharp when he got in front of Kit, taking on Night Slash and Megahorn with his large size and tanking the attacks despite some damage he got in the process. "Hit 'em back with Dragon Tail!"

Tyrantrum then knocked them back with Dragon Tail before Race shouted to Kit, "Luster Purge, go!"

Kit immediately shot Luster Purge at Falinks and Bisharp before they could react and slowly but surely, Sordward and Shieldbert were both starting to become very annoyed with how unpredictable Race and Sarah were becoming in their attack patterns as they and their Pokemon were being forced into a corner.

"Bisharp, don't lose yourself! Use Iron Head now and follow through with Stone Edge!"

"Use No Retreat and then Close Combat, Falinks!" the brothers called out.

"Not gonna happen! Kit, Giga Impact plus Mystical Fire, full power!"

"Tyrantrum, use Draco Meteor!" Sarah and Race countered just as Falinks and Bisharp made their move, Tyrantrum firing Draco Meteor into the sky before it exploded into several more meteors that the two were forced to dodge or take hits from before Kit came charging in with Giga Impact and shooting Mystical Fire, slamming into the two Pokemon after they were huddled together from Draco Meteor.

The immense power Kit put into his attacks after Tyrantrum trapped Bisharp and Falinks with Draco Meteor and boxed them in was so great that, with extra damage dealt to the Sword Blade Pokemon (being part Steel Type), this was enough for the two opposing Pokemon to finally call it quits as they fainted from the pain they couldn't handle. The others cheered loudly once again for Sordward and Shieldbert's second defeat at Race and Sarah's hands while the brothers were left seething at being one-uped once again by whom they saw as meddling kids.

"Bisharp and Falinks are unable to battle, Latios and Tyrantrum win Round 2!" Officer Jenny declared once more, raising her right hand to Sarah and Race's side to once again signal their victory.

"We must bring out the last of our exquisite Pokemon if we were to make a comeback, Older Brother!"

"I most certainly agree! Let's bring out our best, and then, our comeback will begin!" the brothers bantered before they brought out their final Pokemon, a Doublade and a Klinklang, commencing Sarah and Race to have recall Kit and Tyrantrum and have them tag out for their final two Pokemon: Torch and Polar.

"We're not beaten yet, you kids! Our Doublade and Klinklang will avenge our other fallen Pokemon and you will rue the day that you messed with the likes of Sordward and Shielbert, the descendants of our ancestors of yore: the Two Kings!" Sordward snapped.

"You morons are so out of your league," Race snorted, still unimpressed by what he was seeing from the two brothers.

"Huh? HOW DARE YOU!" Sordward and Shielbert snapped, Klinklang and Doublade also not taking too kindly to Race's insults to their masters as they went forward and they boomed, "Doublade/Klinklang, use Shadow Claw/Gear Grind!"

"Like I said, you're both out of your league! Island Girl!"

"Got it! Polar!"

"Go, Torch!"

"Double Kick!" Race and Sarah cried, allowing Torch to use their shared Fighting Type attack together as they charged toward Doublade and Klinklang, reared back as they spun with their back legs facing the two Pokemon, and then bucked the pair hard as they sent them back to Sordward and Shieldbert.

After crashing at the brothers' feet and trying to get up from the powerful attack that would've very well ended the match had they not had remarkable stamina that allowed them to stand, Doublade and Klinklang braced themselves to keep up the battle as Sordward and Shieldbert tried to issue a combo attack to help them gain advantage on Race and Sarah despite the odds that were stacked against them.

"Nobody, nobody makes a monkey out of Sordward and Shieldbert! Do you hear us?!"

"Hear, hear!"

"Doublade/Klinklang, Sacred Sword/Wild Charge!"

Doublade and Klinklang, this time, used Sacred Sword and Wild Charge as they tried to hit back at the Bustallion and Reliquine standing before them, only for the princess and her boyfriend to finally seal the deal as they called out what would be their final combo attack for this battle.

"Polar!"

"Torch!"

"Iron Defense plus Stomp!"

The two Cyber Pokemon increased their Defense using Iron Defense as they tanked the Sacred Sword and Wild Charge attacks being thrown at them as the pair's unpredictable attack pattern got into the brothers' skin as they seethed in anger and humiliation while Doublade and Klinklang were baffled yet again as they tried to come up with a new plan. But, it was too late as the Winged Beast and Dragon Horse Pokemon neighed proudly while standing on their hindlegs, and then...

With a loud crash and the sound of two pairs of front hooves slamming down coupled with two screams (or also, panicked and pained buzzing) from both Doublade and Klinklang, the Sword and Gear Pokemon knew no more as they fainted and didn't get up. It was over; Sordward and Shielbert had lost the Double Battle for possession of Zacian's sword or Zamazenta's shield and Sarah and Race had emerged victorious without even one loss in Pokemon on their side.

"Doublade and Klinklang are unable to battle! Reliquine and Bustallion have won, three to none! The victory goes to Sarah and Race of Iki Town, Alola!" Officer Jenny finished, calling the battle and declaring Sarah and Race the winners, much to the delight of the heroes and their allies as they went nuts.

Sordward and Sheilbert, on the other hand, were incensed at being humiliated three times in a row and having not one a single round against the young couple, "Dargh! I can't believe it, not even the finest and most exquisite Pokemon we've trained were able to overcome those little sneaks! Tch, quite the vexing predicament we found ourselves in, Older Brother!"

"Surely, there must be some mistake! This can't be happening, Little Brother! We never lose, never!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You better believe it, morons, you lost!" Race chuckled slyly as he and Sarah joined Polar and Torch and gave them congratulatory pets and rubs before the princess glared at the two brothers as she stepped forward and crossed her arms.

"Okay, you two, a deal's a deal. We've beaten you in our Double Battle on behalf of Hop, Victor, and Gloria as well as our friends, fair and square, and you promised you'd give us Zacian's sword. So, where is it?"

"Hmph, you two ruffians only one because you teamed up and jumped us with your unpredictable battle tactics! But, we suppose you ought to be congratulated and you've earned our praises," snorted Sordward as Shielbert nodded in agreement before he took out Zacian's sword and threw it over to her.

"Here, take your precious Zacian's sword back. We've no use for it, anyway, compared to Zamazenta's shield," Shielbert added as Sarah picked up the sword. "If you want it back as well, you'll have to catch us and battle one of or both of us again, if you can!"

"'Oi, the two of you also teamed up against the princess and Mr. Konami, you know," murmured Piers sarcastically.

"Believe us, you muppets! You'll hand that shield over to us once we find you and beat you again!"

"This is far from over, you hear us? And, stop making all of those innocent Pokemon you're Dynamaxing go crazy!"

"We're not going to let you keep stomping all over Zacian and Zamazenta and let you restore the Galar Royal Monarchy with your crazy plans to Dynamax all those Pokemon again!" the Postwick Trio threatened dangerously.

"Ah, sorry, is it a bad time for me to interfere with your personal affairs regarding Zacian and Zamzenta's fates?" Abby quizzed slyly as she appeared, surprising the heroes as Sofia's old friend and Hayden along with Tsukumaro and the elder Night Light also arrived, glaring darkly at the assistant but looking battered. "My apologies for the intrusion but it seems like things were getting rather heated between our guests and these two celebrities here."

"Abby, what are you doing?! Those two are dangerous, come back here!" Sonia begged as she stepped forward, only to be stopped by Hayden (scientist) as he continued to glare at Abby.

"Sonia, don't! That woman's not who you think she is, she can't be trusted!" he spat angrily.

"Hayden, what are you talking about?! Why would you say that about Abby, what happened to you guys?" gasped Sonia in surprise and disbelief, watching Abby make eye contact with the brothers and give a sly smirk to them as she nodded while seemingly whispering something to them that made them return her smirk.

"Tsukumaro! Are you alright?"

"Tsukumaro, what happened back at the lab? What is that woman doing, you're hurt!" Doug and Delilah gasped as they checked their old friend's condition as they examined the wounds he got.

"I'm fine, our friends with me are, too... But, it appears that those two scoundrels have a mole in Magnolia's team listening in on everything that was discussed earlier and she made her move while you're gone..." Tsukumaro panted while groaning, still glaring dangerously at the traitorous assistant.

"Well done, Abby. It seems your mission to infiltrate the Wedgehurst lab and worm your way through the ranks to become this meddling teenage prodigy's assistant was a rousing success," Sordward praised Abby.

"Did you get the Wishing Stars while we were busy?" Shielbert questioned as Abby presented a chest containing the Wishing Stars Sonia and Magnolia had gathered from Rose and handed it over to them, shocking everybody gathered including Officer Jenny.

"Yes, thanks to you two buying me all the time I needed, Masters. Although, I did run into a little trouble with a few interlopers who were in the know about my ploy and your plot," she nodded, giving a knowing glare at the ones who were already suspicious of her.

"What?! Abby, stop! You can't, give back those Wishing Stars, those are dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands!" Sonia cried in alarm.

"Oh, dear... It seems we've been completely had while Sarah and Race were battling those two fools," Magnolia gasped in horror.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted, lady!" Hayden (Spy Pup) snapped.

"Hey! You jerks, think you're tough now that you got those Wishing Stars thanks to that she-devil of a lab rat? Battle me next!" Silvally snarled furiously at Sordward, Shielbert, and Abby.

"Hold it, you guys! Hayden, what do you mean that woman can't be trusted?" Sarah asked, looking confused as she looked towards her Spy Pup for answers.

"Think about it; Abby being left alone in the lab with Sonia's old friend, Tsukumaro, the Night Light Elder, and I with the Wishing Stars within her vision while you guys were having your battle with those two dorks, what are the odds of something like that happening on a whim, Princess?"

Sarah was surprised as she tried to figure out why since she never suspected a thing about Abby as her attention was fully on Sordward and Shielbert. "It's not very likely if Magnolia had tight security on her and Sonia as well as their assistants, but..."

Hayden (Spy Pup) nodded as she continued, "So then, it isn't totally unreasonable to think that this was intentionally a fakeout to draw our attention away from what is a crucial part of their goal to reestablish the Galar Royal Monarchy and snuff out Zacian and Zamazenta, committed by the very people who wanted Sarah and Race to either win or lose!"

Everyone gasped again as they turned to Hayden (Spy Pup) in total shock and disbelief with Gloria, Lillie, and David spluttering, "What-?!"

"An entire act of deception for us!"

"But, why would those bastards and their accomplice do that?"

Hayden (scientist) stepped forward in order to explain what he, Hayden (Spy Pup), Tsukumaro, and the Night Light Elder found out while the battle was going on, "The person responsible for all of this would have to be just as or extremely more knowledgable about the Wishing Stars and the power they contained which results in the usage of the power of Dynamax, somebody like Chairman Rose before he was ousted from his own company long after he discovered how to use Galar Particles as an energy source and how to make the Dynamax Bands that came from the Wishing Stars themselves."

Abby hitched as she then looked behind her towards everyone else while they gave her wide-eyed stares before she composed herself and smirked slyly as she cooly retorted, "That's just crazy talk you're all coming up with, why would I do such a hideous thing?"

Hayden (Spy Pup) along with Sofia's friend, the Night Light Elder, and Tsukumaro just continued to glare at her as she told everybody and the traitor scientist, "Because, you're a lying, selfish, and conniving witch who bought into Sordward and Shielbert's lies the moment I laid my eyes on you and saw your dirty smirk. My friends with me along with Sonia's Pokemon have been watching you right from the off when we made our thoughts about you known to each other. We made inquiries to you about why you're here on Sonia's request while she was busy with her research and your interest in the Wishing Stars when you perked up upon her mentioning of them and we now know that when you went to them and we tried to stop you, everything you said was a pack of lies when you attacked us."

"What?!" Sarah cried in alarm.

"I know from our questioning of her and her knowing Sordward and Shielbert along with their plan when we asked her about them that she said she wanted to help Sonia with her research and to safeguard the Wishing Stars she and her grandmother gathered from Rose. But, the truth of the matter is...When she stole the Wishing Stars despite us and Sonia's Pokemon trying to stop her, that witch was in cahoots with those royal weirdos!"

"That Abby is really the enemy along with Sordward and Shielbert, helping them to achieve their mad dream of proclaiming themselves as kings and denigrating Zacian and Zamazenta so that they can rule all of Galar and tell everyone that it was their ancestors, not them, that saved all of Galar!" Tsukumaro confirmed angrily.

"Are you, serious?!" Kiawe screamed.

"Totally not cool!" snarled Lana, incensed over Abby's betrayal.

"I don't believe this!" Mallow bellowed, outraged as she glared at Abby along with Sordward and Shielbert (the two brothers both chortling in their wake).

Officer Jenny was gobsmacked as she quietly breathed, "Then, the ones who are truly responsible for the Dynamax incident resurfacing are really...!"

"HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! My, my, my, there's more drama here than even we can handle!" cackled Sordward. "But, it's true; this moment is so sweet, why, I won't need one lump of sugar in my tea later!"

"Of course, what you've heard is true! That Double Battle of ours is all just a little ploy to keep your eyes on us so that we'll have our spy take the opportunity to nab all those Wishing Stars you brats have on you so we'll make better use of them! You might've gotten Zacian's sword back but despite the resistance a few unexpected members put up against her, we already won before your princess and her man even picked up a single Pokeball!" Shielbert laughed haughtily.

"I believe that's our cue. If you'll excuse us, we'll bid you all farewell," the brothers finished as they scrambled out of the lab. "Ta-Ta! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! AAAAAAAHA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"

"Stop, thieves!" Leon bellowed, enraged.

"Abby... Abby! Why?!" Sonia screamed to Abby, feeling betrayed by her own assistant who turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Professor Sonia... I'm sorry," Abby replied simply.

"Abby, no... Was, was everything you said, what we've been through ever since you were accepted... Was it all a lie, everything, right from the start? All of it...?"

"...You wouldn't understand, there was no helping it even if you did figure it out. My betrayal does hurt but it was necessary, all according to my masters and their plan, to put Galar under control of the royal lineage once again," Abby finished as she frowned darkly and left.

"Cowards!"

"NO!" Shadow and Winter roared in anger and horror.

"TRAITOR!" cried Melody.

"FIGHT BACK! YOU COWARDS, FIGHT BACK!" Blitz shrieked before he got on his knees and slammed the ground, forcing Curly to comfort her future mate as she hugged him, tears forming in their eyes as they sobbed with worry for all of Galar, its Pokemon, and especially, Zacian and Zamazenta.

Everybody didn't know what to say; the brothers were much more clever and more cunning than they first thought and they even had the foresight to have an interloper amongst Magnolia and Sonia's assistants to not only find out about the Wishing Stars from Rose but also to steal them from under their noses despite the two Haydens, Tsukumaro, Sonia's Pokemon, and the Night Light Elder already finding out that Abby was not what she appears to be.

Sonia, however, took it the worst; she was devastated as she got down on her knees and cried as the person she once trusted turned out to be nothing more than a traitor who was in allegiance with Sordward and Shielbert and who was bought onto their plan to reestablish the Galar Royal Monarchy and have them rule over their region with an iron fist. All the while, doing so at the expense of Zacian and Zamazenta, the heroes knowing that they're several steps behind in protecting them and all of Galar despite their best efforts and even after retrieving the former's sword. Not even Officer Jenny could believe herself as she realized that the true culprits were the very people that lied to her about Eternatus and the resurfaced Dynamax incident and leaked his current location to her through Abby.

With no time to waste, the entire group made their way back to Magnolia's lab where they told Burnet and Kukui (who had also been busy trying to find out more about the resurfaced Dynamax incident and uncover any more information about the brothers and the Galar Royal Monarchy) everything that went down and agreed that they should confront the brothers head-on as they should've done. Seeing as how they've managed to save the Pokemon Sordward and Shielbert had recklessly Dynamaxed already, they now have a clear path toward their enemies and Abby.

Deciding to leave Sonia with her Pokemon (who had recovered after Abby attacked them following their group's failed attempt to save the Wishing Stars) and Magnolia for comfort, everybody quietly went out where they found Officer Jenny waiting for them. She had something to say to Sarah and her family as she and her partner Pokemon (a normal Arcanine) joined them, the former having a remorseful look on her face as she addressed the princess.

"Your Highness, I'm so sorry I framed Eternatus for the Dynamax incident returning and for what Abby, Sordward, and Shielbert had done to you all," she said sadly.

"I should've known better than to jump to conclusions before knowing the truth as I did and since he wasn't released from your Master Ball holding him and he was left here with Magnolia by you upon her request for his personal safety, it's clear to me that he really is a far different Pokemon and he truly has changed. I only wish I could've seen it sooner and we would've done something about all of this when we found out that the brothers' real objective was the Wishing Stars and their dream to put Galar under the rule of the Galar Royal Monarchy again..."

"It's okay, Officer Jenny, they pulled the wool out of all of our eyes. We didn't know what they were truly up to until my Spy Pup, my godfather, one of our new Night Light friends, and Sonia's old friend hadn't found out about Abby's treachery," Sarah soothed gently.

"How is she now?"

"...It's really hard for her ever since Abby betrayed us, it's almost like she's in a coma," Ash replied solemnly. "She truly thought that Abby was a friend and a great help with her research when she brought her into the lab but with the news that she was in league with the brothers, she looked as though she's now broken..."

"I never thought someone as clever as Abby would be a traitor out of all people here in Professor Magnolia's lab," Sophocles admitted.

"And, we didn't know until too late," Hop sighed solemnly.

"Well, let's all give her as much time as she can to recover from the ordeal. In the meantime, I've got to get back on patrol to see what damage Sordward and Sheilbert had done that can be restored," Officer Jenny suggested kindly. "I hope you can help her through this because what she needs now is your support and your friendship, knowing that she needs the comfort of her friends and those she loves more than anything."

"Yes," the kids all agreed.

Officer Jenny nodded kindly before she saluted and they saluted back before she and Arcanine left to continue their duty. Not long after Officer Jenny left Wedgehurst, the Postwick Trio and the entire Alola gang along with Race wondered what they should do once they do confront Sordward and Shielbert wherever they might be in the region.

Sensing that his trainer was stuck between a rock and a hard place along with everyone else, Eternatus finally had enough and decided to come out of his Master Ball (once the princess and Magnolia had deemed the situation safe for him to be taken around again) and looked at each of them in disbelief, "Pipsqueak, what's gotten into you and your stooges? I've seen much wimpier smiles when you're frolicking about in some stupid field or something."

"Eternatus, look, the others and I just made a big mistake," Sarah lamented. "Race and I battled Sordward and Shielbert and we won back Zacian's sword but not only did we fail to get Zamazenta's shield back as well but we also lost the Wishing Stars that Sonia and Professor Magnolia had gathered from Rose."

"Turns out that battle was just a distraction to keep everyone's eyes off of them so Abby, one of their assistants, would nab them and make off with both them and the shield even though Hayden, Sonia's friend, her Pokemon, Tsukumaro, and the older Night Light grew suspicious about her unknown treachery," Kiawe sighed.

"...Bad enough for you sad sacks to actually throw yourselves a pity party, huh?" the Gigantic Pokemon deadpanned.

"I can't believe we were all played for fools," Mallow sighed with a groan, eventually punching the nearby wall of the lab in frustration.

"We just got pwned," Lana agreed.

"Why didn't we see this coming when it became so blatantly obvious?!" groaned Hop, growling as he held his head before he snarled, "Ugh, when I see those two again, I'm gonna give them a right strangling for what they've done to those Pokemon and what they'll do to Zacian and Zamazenta!"

"..." Unlike the others, Race was silent as he stewed in his own anger and foolishness and slammed his right fist into his left hand, mentally beating himself up for not realizing the real danger sooner as Robbie and Bella did their best to comfort him.

"Man, and I thought I was all doom and gloom," the Gigantic Pokemon remarked, albeit with a little hint of sarcasm.

"Eternatus, we're not in the mood for your sass right now," Sarah moped, her mood swing and the defeated tone in her voice ultimately getting through to Eternatus as he snarled.

"...Stop whining like a bunch of big babies on this so-called Christmas Day and do something, alright?!" he barked angrily, finally getting the heroes' attention as they stared at him in bewilderment over how he spoke to them. "Do you morons really think you could just throw in the towel and let those rats run wild while they make this crazy region their royal playground after you got the damn rug pulled out from under you?"

The heroes continued to stare in bewilderment as they never heard Eternatus make comforting remarks before, especially as meaningful as the ones he is saying right now but he continued regardless, "If you quit now, do you really think it's going to save everybody and keep my old enemies out of their dirty little hands if they make them go rogue and turn everybody against them? If you really feel bad about letting those Royal Brothers Grimm dupe you like that, you should act now and quit monkeying around while we still have time."

"...If you allow those bastards to reestablish their so-called monarchy and have them rule it with an iron fist while smearing the good names of the Crowned Shield and the Crowned Sword, they'll never know peace again, dead or alive. There will be a day when everybody here will finally know true peace once they know that I'm a changed Pokemon and what you meddling kids and your eccentric professor of a woman discovered about them last year is the truth. But, if you all just give up now without putting up a fight, it's over..."

"...I couldn't have put it better myself albeit not as blunt as you made it out to be, Eternatus," a familiar voice concurred, as the owner stepped forward.

Everyone turned to find Zacian, the first Hero of Many Battles and the Crowned Sword, standing before them in his physical form again. He was smiling softly at Eternatus as he gave him and the entire group a knowing nod as if to give his approval to his and his brother's former enemy and full trust after that speech of his.

"...Zacian," Sarah breathed, quickly running over and getting down to her knees for the younger Warrior Pokemon who gently prompted her to get back on her feet with his front right leg.

"I trust you know what is going on around Galar ever since the Dynamax incident resurfaced?" he asked knowingly, to which Sarah nodded.

"I see, my brother and I have sensed everything that has happened and we've been doing all we can to help out wherever we are, even without our powers. But, I see that the humans responsible for denigrating us and the truth about our legend have taken everything they're doing a step too far. Seeing as how they had stolen our powers for their wish to restore the Galar Monarchy and put the royal family back in power after 3000 years, and putting you all in such a bind, I shudder to think what would happen if they went through with their ambitions."

"Zacian, the two brothers, they still have Zamazenta's shield!" Ash informed.

"What?!"

"It's true, they only gave us back your sword after Sarah and Race beat them in a Double Battle but it was all just a big joke!" Lillie told him.

"They wanted our attention solely on them while one of Sonia and Professor Magnolia's assistants, Abby, joined forces with them to steal the Wishing Stars they had gathered from Rose and are planning to use as many Galar Particles as they can find from Dynamaxing all of the Pokemon they targeted across the region! All while continuing to mock you and Zamazenta and make everybody dismiss the truth about you guys and your legend!"

"Galar Particles?! So, that's what the surge of Dynamaxing in places such as Turffield, Stow-on-Side, and Hammerlocke is all about!"

"They thought that by using them on both you and Zamazenta, they'll reveal your true nature to the region and show everyone that what we and Sonia found out about you and what she published in her studies were all lies," Hop continued with a nod.

"But, how did you know about the entire incident, anyway?" puzzled Sophocles to Zacian in genuine confusion.

"You didn't think my brother and I wouldn't catch wind of our powers being stolen after those scoundrels jumped you at our old shrine, did you?" Zacian smiled towards the Electric Type student before he turned towards the Night Light family and the Mist Twister. "Who'd you think told this fine pack of dragons living with us in the Slumbering Weald to come to your aid when we found out that you were in danger of that out-of-control wild Tsareena after it Dynamaxed?"

"...I should've known you two would be behind our little miracle run back in Turffield," Sarah replied, shaking her head as she smiled and petted Zacian on the head.

"But, if Sordword and Shielbert still have Zamazenta's shield, he'll try to go after them himself!" Gloria gasped in realization, remembering Zamazenta. "Doesn't he know that it's possible those two have set up a trap for him? It could be the ultimate trap for you two!"

Zacian nodded gravely as he told everyone, "I know, but still, this region has always been our home and we cared a great deal for it and all the Pokemon living here, even the dragons that managed to escape from Berk during the Dragon Wars and made each secluded area in all of Galar their home. It's only natural that we'd feel offended that those buffoons have transgressed against the Galar Region by doing what they did to futilely restore the lost Galar Monarchy after all this time. Zam has always been the one who cares about Galar in a deeper manner, much more personal given what we had to do 3000 years ago when our masters trusted us to do what we must in order to stop the Darkest Day from engulfing everyone back then."

"I don't like it, you guys. As long as those royal nutcases are being a bunch of wild cards and fooling around with his shield and whatever Galar Particles they've managed to collect after Dynamaxing all those Pokemon, then this world can kiss the entire Galar Region goodbye once they have their way," Race informed.

"But still, don't you think Zamazenta's taking a gamble going after Sordward and Shielbert alone to retrieve his shield, especially if it means coming out of hiding for your own protection?" Hop inquired worriedly.

"If it means getting our powers back from those that want to harm everyone else with them, Hop, then it's a risk he's willing to take; I would, too, if I had been in his fur at this time. We care not for our own safety apart from your own and for all of the good people and Pokemon that we look after with eternal vigilance, even in death."

"I guess we got no choice but to do what we must no matter what the cost," Sarah sighed before she got a determined frown on her face before she faced Zacian again and gently held his face. "Do you know where Zamazenta could be with them right now, Zacian?"

"Last I heard from Zam, he's currently heading for Hammerlocke Stadium. That's where those two royal wild cards would be as well."

"Okay, guys, this is all riding on us. Either we get to Sordward and Shielbert and get back Zamazenta's shield and keep him off of them or bust!" Kiawe declared, knowing what they must do.

"Let's go save all of Galar and its people and Pokemon!" Ash finished as everyone else (sans Zacian and Eternatus) gave a hearty and determined, "YEAH/YEAH/YEAH!"

"Hmph, I knew you'd see things my way, eventually," Eternatus snorted in amusement as Zacian gave an approving nod and smile.

"WAIT!" cried Sonia as she and her Pokemon rushed outside to see the group after noticing them preparing to leave for Hammerlocke. "DON'T JUST LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING!"

"Sonia, please understand..."

"You were still upset over everything including Abby's betrayal. We didn't want to make you feel any worse than you are now."

"So, we thought we'd leave you here for your sake, knowing that time alone is what you needed right now," the Postwick Trio told her sadly, feeling sympathetic for their friend.

"We were trying to be considerate of your feelings, but..." Piers added before he trailed off, also unsure of what to say to make Sonia feel better.

"Of course, I'd feel down on myself! It was my fault I didn't run a complete background check on Abby and got myself tricked by a Nickit in Wooloo's clothing," Sonia replied knowingly. "But, still... I, I... Urgh, screw it, I want to come, too! No more feeling sorry for myself!"

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to tag along with us while we storm Hammerlocke Stadium for those royal morons, Professor," Terrakion warned gently.

"Yeah, things could get pretty dangerous if Zamazenta's already there and fighting Sordward and Shielbert for his shield and we get in the middle of it all to stop those two," agreed Keldeo. "Do you really think it's wise to come along and prepare for the worst, even if it meant facing the ones who are continuing to demean your work and make a complete fool out of you?"

"Even so, I still want to help! I'm through being a coward and as gullible as gullible gets! Even if I don't reach the heights of many famous professors with their achievements like my gran, Kukui, Burnet, or even, Professor Oak, I just can't wait here at home for this madness to end anymore! I have to learn to stand on my own two feet and take that first step into a larger world and be proud of my own work no matter what anybody else thinks of it!"

"Sonia..." Sarah breathed in awe.

"I'm really ashamed of myself; that whole lot including Abby not only made utter fools out of us earlier and made off with all of those Wishing Stars from Rose but also they're putting everyone in danger and all I've done was just sit back and not bite back on their claims about Zacian and Zamazenta, all while relying on others to help me solve my problems! If I hold back now and let Sordward and Shilebert do as they please with them, there's no telling what'll happen so there are no more tears left for me to cry anymore!"

"Sonia, we..." breathed an awestruck Hop.

"Heh, well now, you got guts, missy," Piers sniffed approvingly with an amused smile.

"You've certainly grown strong in your own way in the face of adversity, dearie," Magnolia announced proudly as she, Kukui, and Burnet arrived from the lab, all of them sporting proud smiles for the up-and-coming Pokemon Researcher.

"Sonia, a true Pokemon Researcher knows when to draw out their true strength from within when they're at their lowest. And, just now, you've drawn on your own strength of heart, to do what must be done as long as you draw out the bond and trust between Pokemon and trainer through the art of Dynamaxing," Burnet added proudly.

"But, unlike you kids, Sordward, Shielbert, and Abby have likely poured all of the Galar Particles from the Wishing Stars they've been collecting into the Pokemon they've targeted, forcing them to Dynamax without warning," Kukui noted, seeing what the villains did wrong.

"How awful..." gasped Primarina.

"That would explain the theft earlier and why they're so desperate for them," Turtonator agreed.

"Indeed, such an awful thing to do to all of those dear sweet Pokemon that had nothing to do with their games," Piers nodded gravely as if he could understand Turtonator and Primarina's thoughts.

"The theft of the Wishing Stars, I'm afraid, was just the start of their grand plan. Even if you've managed to quell the Pokemon that had been Dynamaxed across Galar, I'm worried things would get a lot worse from here on, especially since Zamazenta and Zacian are now involved," Magnolia continued gravely, turning her attention to Zacian as they exchanged nods despite this being their first official meeting.

"You don't think that they're planning to use the Galar Particles from the Wishing Stars to reveal what Zacian and Zamazenta's true nature is to them, do they, Professor?" Hop asked Magnolia, the Galar professor nodding gravely as she also heard what Sordward and Shielbert were implying.

"And, why would they bring up the Galar Monarchy, my former assistant did mention something about the royal lineage but it's been abolished for years ever since the events of the first Darkest Day. Did she really mean it when she said that her betrayal was part of their plan to restore it?" Sonia put in thoughtfully.

"Hey, Leon, if Zacian said they're at Hammerlocke Stadium, wasn't that the same place where you guys once stopped Eternatus from carrying out his revenge plot when he broke away from Rose and went on a power trip?" Kiawe questioned.

"I heard that," Eternatus snorted, unamused.

"Yes, and it seems like they're going there to harness all of the Galar Particles and their power to lure Zamazenta out of hiding as long as they have his shield. If they're trying to weed him out into the open, one of them must be down at the basement while the other is up top lying in wait for him," Leon confirmed with a knowing nod.

"And, if they force him to take in all that energy and he doesn't Dynamax from all of that energy..." Rotom-Dex added, starting to look worried as Zacian finished (now sporting a worried look for his brother) with, "Yes, he's very likely to go on a rampage and he'll very likely, kill..."

"Then, I suppose we better get to Hammerlocke now," Sophocles suggested.

"Yeah, if there isn't another Pokemon nearby that Sordward and Shielbert forced to Dynamax nearby since the Dragonstone Patrol already took care of that one with Raiden's help, I'm sure we'll be in the clear to catch up with them," Sonia nodded in confirmation.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Zorua remarked.

"Yeah!" Sho agreed, sharing his Unova counterpart's sentiments.

And so, it was arranged; while Burnet, Kukui, Doug, Delilah, David, Donna (former queen), and Hayden (scientist) stayed with Magnolia to monitor the region and spot anything out of the ordinary from her lab, everybody else went off to Hammerlocke Stadium to catch up with Abby, Sordward, and Shielbert to stop their plans and save Zamazenta before he would into their trap. Race and Tsukumaro apparated a majority of the group to the city while the Mist Twister lowered its two heads and urged some of the smaller and non-flying Pokemon onto its necks to ride there with Zacian jumping up onto its back before the dragons and the Flying Types flew everyone else to catch up with them.

When they reunited, the entire group scrambled over to the stadium and went over to the elevator. Leon and Sonia tried to get it working to have everybody go down to the basement where Eternatus was once kept and reborn into the waking world, but to their disgruntlement, they found that it couldn't work and they were trying to figure out how to get it started again.

Suddenly, Sonia's Yamper blinked and his ears twitched as he realized what was wrong with the elevator, "Mommy, Mommy! Gangway, arf! Give me room, zappity-zap-zap!"

The young scientist's Galar Puppy Pokemon shot Spark at the elevator controls and before long, the red light for the controls turned green, causing everybody to turn to the little Electric Type in awe and amazement as the doors finally opened.

"Wha-It opened! And, all it took was one Spark attack," gasped Sonia before she turned to her Yamper and happily snuggled him. "Oh, Yamper, thank you so much! Who's a good wittle boy? Who's a smart boy, you are! Yes, you are!"

"Arf, he-he-he-he-he-he!"

Once she was finished, she turned to the group and then said, "Okay, everybody, now that my Yamper's got the elevator working, those weirdos should be straight ahead. It's very likely that one of them will indeed be inside the basement and the other will be waiting for Zamazenta on the roof. Just be careful if they show up to stop us, okay?"

"But, we can't all fit in the elevator let alone try to squeeze into the basement once we get there, can we?" Victor pointed out.

"We'll stay and keep an eye out for Zamazenta should he appear to get his shield back and take on Shielbert himself," Ash suggested as Pikachu nodded in agreement to the idea. "If he's around here or if those weirdos end up toying with us again by using the Galar Particles from the Wishing Stars they and Abby stole, there's bound to be trouble."

"We'll shout if he shows up," Lana nodded, Primarina, Sandy, the rest of the gang, and their Pokemon nodding in agreement over the suggestion.

"We'll stay, too, Sarah. Your friends will need all the help they can get," Leon said, he and Charizard joining the gang.

"Okay, but be ready for Sordward and Shielbert if they try to get the drop on you guys once they know we're here. And, if things go from bad to worse, we'll call you," Sarah agreed as she, her family, the Postwick Trio, Sonia, Eternatus, Zacian, the Night Light family, the Mist Twister, Race, and his team all apparated into the basement area where they found Sordward waiting for them, looking smug.

"Well, well, well, Princess! I knew you and your posse would come down here, eventually," Sordward sneered as he cackled. "It seems that not only have you saved all of the cities and their stadiums from their perils before we're even aware of it and broke through the lock we've set up, as expected of you!"

"My friends, please sing the young lass your praises!" he then chortled to four other people behind him who are supposedly his and Shielbert's other followers that bought into their propaganda, which they did in no uncertain yet haughty terms.

"Urgh, what is with those weirdos? They're giving me the creeps," Piers shuddered.

"Scary," Camo and Rosa's children shivered, looking at Sordward's followers uncomfortably as their parents tried to shield them while they glared at them.

"Ugh, I don't like those guys, they're way too creepy for my liking."

"You and me both, brother," Wyveon and Andres bantered, both of them shuddering as they eyed the followers.

"Give it up, Sordward! You've crossed the damn line when you and Shielbert did what you did and while we've yet to keep Zamazenta away from you, Galar has been saved! It's all over for you, now give us back his shield and the Wishing Stars you've stolen from Sonia and Professor Magnolia!" snapped Sarah, drawing her family's sword and pointing it threateningly at the smug older royal and his followers, not in the mood for his games.

"Come on, you freak! Answer us, why are you so bent on forcing all those innocent Pokemon to Dynamax just for your sick dream of re-establishing the Galar Royal Monarchy?" Hop questioned, looking at Sordward in disbelief. "It's been 3000 years since it had been abolished following the events of the first Darkest Day, why can't you get that it's all over for it? What did those Pokemon ever do to you?!"

"Hmph, it's quite simple; all those fake lies and the stories you're led to believe," Sordward sneered, glaring at the heroes as he then eyed Zacian darkly (who returned his glare and was indifferent to his and his younger brother's propaganda about him and Zamazenta). "All of this was necessary, we did it all in order to expose the true nature of Zacian and Zamazenta, they're not all that they appear to be! And, you've led one of them straight to us!"

"That right there is a lie!" Victor snapped back angrily.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Gloria barked, incensed as the Night Light family, the Night Light Elder, and the Mist Twister snarled and stood protectively in front of the younger Warrior Pokemon.

"Zacian followed us on his own accord when he and his brought caught wind of your stupid mess!" Hop defended, growing more furious than ever.

"What you're saying out is pure nonsense, you imbecile! Both Zacian and Zamazenta did wonders for everybody and their partners, your ancestors: the Two Kings, 3000 years ago before they met their end; they've saved all of Galar! It would be criminal of them to not honor what was their last wish to them, to salvage the future of Galar in their honor and memory, which they did!" Virizion shrilled in disgust as she glared at Sordward.

"You...PAH! You're all fools! What exactly do you kids and your pathetic creatures know anything about our ancestors?! YOU'RE ALL LOST!" Sordward snapped, finally losing patience as he glared at Sarah and Sonia with utter hatred.

"We've always been revered by one and all in this region as the resplendent descendants of the real heroes, our ancestors themselves! But, then there's you two; You Princess, had to meddle in this region's affairs by answering the call to save Galar from the likes of Eternatus along with your little circus show, and *that woman* with you went and wrote a book about the entire thing! You both and your posse said that the real heroes 3000 years ago were actually Pokemon! You just carelessly changed history without our consent! What does that mean we are, do you really think you're in the right to deny the fact that our esteemed ancestors were liars, nothing but cads, imposters, a pair of charlatans who did nothing to stop that crisis?!"

Sonia was shocked but she grew determined as she frowned and said, "Well, I could believe that you two were indeed the descendants of either one Galarian King or the Two Kings, Sordward."

"Exactly! Now, compare the way things were back then to the way things are now with your rubbish about Zacian and Zamazenta!" Sordward spat, disgusted. "Tch, it was obvious that the old history written beforehand was right, it was better and nothing can change that! And, suddenly, you're here with the princess taking the liberty to change history and start creating heroes left and right? What utter nonsense!"

This was the final straw for Sonia as she found herself fighting through the negativity from Sordward continued put-downs and sneering and furiously clapped back at him as she stepped forward and looked him in the eye, "NO!"

Sordward and his followers (along with everyone else) were shocked by her response as she continued in her enraged rant, "That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard from people like you! And, you couldn't be more wrong; my findings about Zacian and Zamazenta and the truth about our region's legend were not lies! In ancient times since, with the approval, love, and care of the Two Kings before their friends' deaths, Zacian and Zamazenta have been protecting all of Galar and they've never failed to fulfill their duties done in their memory! I would never imagine them putting themselves first compared to all of Galar and the people and Pokemon living in it! The statue of the four of them that was once hidden away in Stow-on-Side is proof of the trust they shared and the Warrior Pokemon's promise to protect their home should they die!"

That was all Sordward and his followers with him could take from the furious scientist along with the glares from the heroes and they finally glared at their enemies as the former finally sneered, "Imbeciles... It seems we've reached an impasse over this touchy subject of secrets and lies. It seems that I can't convince you about the truth regarding your so-called Heroes of Many Battles or otherwise and if that's the case, then why don't we settle things here and now?"

He then turned to Sarah again as he gave a mocking bow and twittered to her, "Princess, there is only one way to decide whether or not what you and your friends are saying is correct or whether the truth is with me and my sweet little brother! If things really are as you fools said, even if we do manage to bombard them with all of the Galar Particles we've acquired thanks to Abby, they should remain calm and stalwart!"

Zacian's eyes widened in shock and anger as he gasped along with everyone else on the heroes' side while Piers then voiced, "I get it, all of those previous efforts of Dynamaxing Pokemon were your little experiments for your true targets..."

"You, y-y-you fools!" Tsukumaro snapped, enraged. "Do you have any idea what you've just done to all those Pokemon and what you're about to do to Zacian and Zamazenta?!"

"Everything you did, this was all a set-up to bombard them with Galar Particles and make them brainless beasts and see if they really are or nothing like Sonia, Island Girl, and the rest of their friends said they are ever since their first trip to this region!" Race seethed.

"You're saying you're doing all of this just to make the two Pokemon responsible for Galar's salvation 3000 years ago run amok?!" Hop spluttered, shocked.

"Hmph, of course! It seems as though you are capable of learning something and it was all done according to plan," Sordward sneered again. "Even as we speak, my adorable little brother has wrapped up the preparations for your precious Zamazenta from above."

"GAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

A pained, agonizing scream from a familiar voice chilled the hearts of the heroes as they recognized who the scream belonged to. Zacian was left in total horror as he realized that the scream belonged to his older brother and his worst fears were finally realized; Zamazenta had already fallen for Sordward and Shielbert's trap and now, he was at the mercy of both them and the Galar Particles he was being bombarded with.

"ZAAAAAAAMMMMM!" he howled in furious agony, feeling his brother's pain as his screams continued.

"...I'd say he's finally done it. If you want to take the lift and see the beauty of his work, you'll have to make it past us first," Sordward sneered once more as he and his followers got themselves in fighting positions.

"Do you think we'll let you get away with all this?!" Gloria gritted.

"You're all gonna kill Zacian and Zamazenta and all of Galar with your crazy plan!" Hop cried, angered.

"We're not gonna let that happen!" Victor finished, he, his friends, and their partners preparing to fight their way through to save Zamazenta until...

"No!"

Everyone turned as Zacian, angry tears welling up and falling from his eyes, stepped forward and gave Sordward and his followers a death glare; his common and greatest enemies from humanity had crossed the line when Shielbert unleashed the Galar Particles on his brother and the two brothers stole their treasures despite the people, Pokemon, and creatures he and Zamazenta trusted managing to retrieve his sword. Now, with his brother's life on the line, all bets are off, and now, he has only one thing on his mind: revenge.

"I will never let you monsters hurt my brother ever again!" he bellowed, ready to fight as he called forth his sword and transformed into the Crowned Sword.

Sarah, feeling the pain and agony in the two Warrior Pokemon, understood that Sordward and Shielbert were beyond mercy for their actions and all of it for their plan to reestablish the Galar Royal Monarchy in the craziest way possible. She also stepped forward and glared at Sordward and his followers as she said to everyone else on her side, "Guys, leave this to me and Zacian. This fight is now personal..."

Even though they were worried about Sarah and Zacian going at Sordward and his followers alone, after hearing Zacian's brother's screams while he was being bombarded with an unbearable rush of Galar Particles by Shielbert, they knew that this was no longer their fight and the Warrior Pokemon standing before them had no patience or restraint left in him.

"Zacian, be careful," Sonia whispered on behalf of everyone gathered on the heroes' side, seeing Zacian and Sarah join their enemies on the main platform of the energy plant to begin their fight, only for Eternatus to make a surprising move as he joined his trainer and his former enemy on their right.

The princess and Zacian started in bewilderment before Eternatus (shaken by the agony his former enemies were feeling no thanks to Sordward and Shielbert) said to their common enemies, "Nobody hurts my friends, my family...!"

Sarah and Zacian (through his tears) couldn't help but look at Eternatus in awe and amazement over this complete change in him. They were astounded; after so many months of being rough around the edges, his immense amount of sarcasm, his blunt nature, his sometimes-demeaning attitude, and his nonchalant, non-caring demeanor, he had finally accepted the people who had cared for him and were worried for his well-being, even his former enemies, as his friends and family. Even the rest of their party couldn't help but gawk in bewilderment, gasp in awe, or eventually smile warmly at the Gigantic Pokemon and the change that made him the Pokemon he is now.

"Grrrrrrrrr...! When this is all over, MY BROTHER AND I AND OUR LOYAL FOLLOWERS WILL KILL YOU ALL!" bellowed an enraged Sordward, sending out a Sirfetch'd along with his recovered Golisopod in a Double Battle against Zacian and Eternatus while his followers also sent out their own Pokemon to box the two enemies and the Pokemon in.

"Sirfetch'd, destroy Eternatus with Sword Dance followed by Meteor Assault! Golisopod, take out Zacian with Liquidation!" he barked, pointing at the Pokemon before him and his team as Sirfetch'd powered up his Attack stats and they charged at the Crowned Sword and the former Darkest Day.

"Zacian, Eternatus! Venom Drench plus Sacred Sword!" Sarah bellowed, Zacian and Eternatus heeding her commands as their righteous fury took them over.

Eternatus went first as he fired his poison at both Sirfetch'd and Golisopod, canceling their attacks and lowering their Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats and leaving them wide open for a vengeful Zacian to charge his sword with his own energy and unleash a devastating slash at them, knocking the pair back hard as the attack did some major damage on them.

"I'm not through yet! Use Leaf Blade and Sucker Punch!"

"Not so fast! Zacian, Behemoth Blade! Eternatus, use Fly before Golisopod can hit you! GO!"

Golisopod and Sirfetch'd attacked again despite the wounds they were given but they were unable to react in time as Eternatus flew up into the sky before the former could attack him and Zacian's sword once again became three times its original size as they prepared to meet them. Then, without warning, as a baffled Golisopod looked around after canceling Sucker Punch, Eternatus came down with a battle cry as he rammed at the Hard Scale Pokemon and Zacian and Sirfetch'd clashed blades with Zacian's Behemoth Blade immediately winning, sending the two flying towards each other and they were out cold with a hard "KONK!" as they bashed heads and collapsed with swirls over their eyes.

Sordward was baffled as he returned his downed Pokemon and even his followers couldn't help but reel back in shock over seeing Zacian and Eternatus working together to beat Sirfetch'd and Golisopod in only four moves.

"Your Pokemon's blades are nice, Sordwart! Pity about your hairdo and how they broke, though," Eternatus sneered, the heroes laughing at the savage joke being thrown towards the older royal, leaving him to snarl and respond by sending out Bisharp and Doublade again for a rematch.

"You might as well be attacking Zacian and Eternatus with water blades and a toothpick leek, Sordward! No matter how many Pokemon you and your followers throw at us, we know how this will end when you go up against the former Darkest Day and the Crowned Sword!" Sarah spat, glaring at Sordward.

"Now, I'm annoyed! Bisharp, Doublade, defend your honor with Sword Dance and Iron Head!" he barked once more, allowing Doublade and Bisharp to power themselves up and make a mad dash for Eterantus and Zacian.

Sarah just narrowed her eyes and simply said, "That won't help you either!"

Zacian and Eternatus, knowing what Sarah was thinking, met them with Close Combat and Flamethrower, the former pummeling Bisharp with no mercy as he let his anger out and the latter burning up Doublade as they forced them back.

"Stay down and force your brother to stop hurting Zamazenta and return his shield to him! Otherwise, we'll be forced to take drastic measures to ensure that he and all of Galar are safe from you," Sarah offered after Bisharp and Doublade landed in front of their trainer but on their backs as they reeled from the damage they've taken from Flamethrower and Close Combat.

"SILENCE, YOU PRAT! BISHARP, DOUBLADE, GET UP AND FINSIH THE JOB!" Sordward screamed at his nearly-defeated and now-terrified Pokemon in fury, his supporters and their Pokemon becoming more and more scared as they realized what they and their 'idols' have brought upon themselves.

"...Okay, then," Sarah replied simply before she issued her final orders to the Warrior and Gigantic Pokemon to end the battle quickly, "Finish them with one final Behemoth Blade and your Eternabeam!"

"You can't do this!" Sordward bellowed in defiance as Sarah glared at him again.

"I thought you should've known by now, Sordward; nothing, not even you and your brother, should ever get in between the true heroes of Galar! And, I happened to be standing with one of them in addition to the Darkest Day!"

Zacian and Eternatus, on that note, prepared themselves once more as they summoned Behemoth Blade and Eternatabeam, setting their sights on the now-panicked Bisharp and Doublade as they held each other and screamed in total fright at the end of the battle as they know it. Sordward couldn't help but scream as he now realized that he lost for a second time to a true royal standing before him and he was indeed out of his league with her, Zacian, and Eternatus in this rematch.

"You're finished, Sordward!" Sarah finished, allowing Zacian and Etenratus to strike as they unleashed their attacks with the former darting forward and slashing at the Sword Blade and Sword Pokemon before he got out of the way and Eternatus' Eternabeam blasted them, ending the battle as they were knocked out cold, swirls forming over their eyes.

"NO! My noble Pokemon, beaten once again!" Sordward gasped in horror before he snarled in defeat. "You still won't stop my little brother, Zamazenta will soon be finished! You can't hope to save him!"

"Get lost, Sordward!" Victor snapped.

Sordward's supporters didn't know what to think as they debated on whether or not they should attack in retaliation to their idol's defeat but one glare from Zacian and a contemptive "SCRAM!" from Eternatus, were enough for them and their Pokemon to go into a panic and abandon Sordward as they screamed and fled Hammerlocke without even putting up a fight.

"You did it, Sarah! You, Zacian, and Eternatus drove them off!"?

"And, you've beaten Sordward, too!" smiled Hop and Sonia ecstatically as Zacian reverted back to his Hereos of Many Battles form and gave Sarah his sword before they and Eternatus turned to the others.

"Thanks, guys, but we still have some unfinished business," Sarah smiled back before she frowned once more. "I'm worried about Zamazenta if his screams are anything to go by. We should hurry."

Nodding and sharing their agreement, leaving Sordward behind, Sarah took Zacian to the lift with Blitz and Curly following her inside along with Hop, Victor, Gloria, and their partners while Race and Tsukumaro apparated the rest of their party to the roof to meet with them.

When they arrived on the roof, they found Ash and the others tending to their beaten Pokemon as they all glared at Shielbert and Abby as they witnessed Zamazenta being corrupted by the Galar Particles he was being bombarded with. The younger royal couldn't help but cackle in delight at the success of his and Sordward's mission, seeing how their plan had gone without a hitch and they were still able to succeed regardless of the setbacks they'd suffered from.

"Yes, yes... I-I did it! Older brother, can you see this?! I've done it," Shielbert sneered. "He came for his shield, just as we thought! Zamazenta is finally bombarded with Galar Particles!"

"GAAAAH! STOP...STOP, IT! THE PAIN, IT, IT HUUUUUUURRRRRRTTTTSSSSSSSSS!" Zamazenta roared in agony, unable to bear the pain any longer as Shielbert continued to cackle and Abby gave off her devious smirk along with Sordward (having recovered from his loss to see their success).

"Shielbert, stop! Don't do this! You're killing Zamazenta, he's in pain from all of the Galar Particles you've given him!" Sonia pleaded as Leon and Charizard finally joined the group.

"Damn it! This is all our fault, guys!" Hop grunted in self-loathing.

"Zamazenta is suffering and it would've been worse had Zacian also been with him, too!"

"All because we let them take their sword and shield from under our noses earlier," grumbled Gloria and Victor in agreement.

"Guys! Are you okay? What happened, I thought you all and Leon were-!" Sarah gasped, seeing her friends and rushing to them to see what happened to their Pokemon.

"We're okay but our Pokemon weren't," Ash seethed, clutching his fist in anger.

"Zamazenta arrived earlier than we expected, we tried to call you after we saw him but he just charged towards the roof and crossed paths with Shielbert for his shield," Lillie grumbled.

"We were forced to try and fight him to get Zacian's brother away from him but even though we defeated his Pokemon, we were too late and our Pokemon were thrown back by the influx of Galar Particles he was bombarded with before we could stop that creep," Kiawe loathed in anger.

"It's okay, guys. You've done all you can, even if we could've, there was nothing we could do given how many steps Sordward and Shielbert were ahead of us," Srah reassured as she glared at Shielbert as he snootily approached the now-enraged Zamazenta.

"Yes! Now, Zamazenta, since you've been infused with all the Galar Particles we've acquired, it's time!" he cackled again. "Expose your true barbaric, brutish nature, and reveal to us exactly who the false kings are! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-!"

But, his cackling was cut short as Zamazenta let out another agonizing roar and bellowed as he gave a hard, predatory swipe at the arrogant royal, "Don't, you, UNDERESTIMATE MEEEEEEEEE!"

"EEEEP!" squeaked Shielbert in terror, stumbling back as he flinched and his eyes shrunk in panic.

Abby reeled back in horror as she covered her gaping mouth with her hands, losing whatever words she wanted to speak as Sordward gawked in fright and concern for his brother, "AH, LITTLE BROTHER! NO!"

Everyone else was also horrified by the now menacing-looking state of Zamazenta after the Galar Particles and their power had completely overtaken him, leaving him unable to Dynamax and going rogue as he maintained his deadly gaze at Shielbert. Not even Zacian could process what had happened to his brother at that point, feeling helpless as more tears started welling up in his eyes and he was left unable to speak, his fear of losing his brother growing and threatening to overtake him.

"Zamazenta!"

"He just attacked Shielbert!"

"Oh, no!" the Postwick Trio cried in alarm, seeing Zamazenta only growling at Shielbert. The power of the Galar Particles he was infused with was too much for him to handle as he lost himself in his uncontrollable state.

"N-N-N-N-N-NO! You utter beast! S-S-STOP! D-Don't you attack me!" Shielbert shuddered, his actions coming back to bite him in the ass as he shook, still in terror of Zamazenta's rage unleashed. "I-I-I command you, go into town, and sow as much destruction as you can! AHHHHHH!"

"Zamazenta, don't!" Sarah pleaded in horror, now not wanting to see Sordward and Shielbert suffer for their foolish decisions given how much pain Zamazenta is in and how uncontrollable he's becoming.

"You fool, what have you done?!" Tsukumaro bellowed in agonizing anger at Shielbert over Zamazenta's current condition.

"He's trying to suppress all that power he was given and calm himself but he can't seem to control it!" Sonia fretted, feeling helpless.

"Zamazenta..." Hop breathed worriedly.

"Oh, dear... I was hoping we could calm the poor fella down as we did with the other Pokemon but we're talking about a Legendary Pokemon here and he's a force to be reckoned with along with his brother. If any of you are thinking about catching 'im, think again," lamented Piers.

Hop looked towards Sarah and the condition of their friends' Pokemon along with the thunderstruck and horrified Zacian as he was frozen in place, his tears streaming down his face again as he couldn't break away from his pained brother. He then looked at his best friends and gave a nod towards them, the two of them returning his nod before they looked at Sarah with something in mind from them.

"Sarah, as much as we hate to say it given the circumstances, you're our only hope!"

"If anybody's gonna stop Zamazenta before he goes mad with all that power, it's got to be you!"

"We'll keep watch over everyone else back here so you don't worry about a thing! Just focus on stopping Zamazenta and bring him back to us in one piece!" they said to her, Leon nodding in agreement after realizing what his brother and their friends are on about.

The little princess nodded knowingly with a determined frown as she stepped forward while Magearna, Wang Lun, Calyrex, Zeraora, Nebby, and Nebula (all recognizing their caretaker and mother's wish to save Zamazenta from the pain he was feeling) joined her to battle the corrupted older Hero of Many Battles and bring him back from his current state.

"Here he comes!" Sonia warned, Zamazenta now ready to attack as he got into his battle stance and eyed Sarah and her chosen team dangerously.

"For the sake of everyone in all of Galar, my friends, my family, and your brother as well as yourself, Zamazenta... I DEMAND YOUR POWER!" Sarah challenged determinedly as Magearna, Wang Lun, Calyrex, Zeraora, Nebby, and Nebula got into their battle stances and prepared to fight back to rescue their pained friend from danger.

With that, she pulled out her Panthera Charge Morpher and a Panthera Charger as she began to morph into her Dino Charge Ranger alter ego.

"Panthera Charger, ready!" she bellowed, activating her charger and inserting it into her morpher.

***Panthera Charger, engage!***

"Energize! Unleash the power!" she declared, activating her morpher and becoming the yellow Mega Lion Ranger once more to help her Pokemon battle against Zamazenta. "Mega Lion! Power Ranger, Yellow!"

Victor, Sonia, Hop, Leon, Gloria, Abby, Piers, Sordward, and Shielbert reeled back in shock as they saw Sarah morph into the Yellow Dino Charge Ranger as she (with her Panthera Morpher at hand) and her chosen Pokemon started to brawl with Zamazenta. The others, however, looked on in surprise since it has been some time since Sarah had used her powers from the Dino Charge Rangers.

"Hey, that suit and morpher!"

"The Yellow Mega Lion Ranger's back!"

"We haven't seen those in a while!" Mallow, Lana, and, Sophocles blinked in surprise.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Zamazenta roared again as Wang Lun, Magearna, Calyrex (in Shadow Rider Form), Nebula, Nebby, Zeraora, and Sarah surrounded him as he then lunged towards the little princess.

Seeing Zamazenta charging straight for his mother with Wild Charge, Nebby darted forward and tanked his attack although he winced when he felt his legendary opponent's uncontrollable power fueling it. He then retaliated by using Wild Charge and Flamethrower to bash him back and burn him while Sarah fired several shots from her Panthera Morpher and got a few hits in on him.

"Why, you-!?" the older corrupted Warrior Pokemon snapped, going in with Dazzling Gleam only to be stopped by Wang Lun as he got in his way and grabbed him before he used Surging Strikes and Wicked Blow to force him back once more.

Even without his shield to unleash his Crowned Shield Form, with the Galar Particles bombarding him, Zamazenta was still a worthy opponent to his suppposed "enemies".

"Nebby, Nebula! Try Moonblast and Focus Blast in a combo!"

"*Yes, Mama!*"

The princess' grown-up Ultra Beast babies nodded as they fired Moonblast and Focus Blast, their attacks converging as Zamazenta noticed the combo attack and took the hit. But, even with all that power thrown at him, he was still not done as he boosted his Defense stats with Iron Defense and then unleashed Iron Head at Sarah.

"Calyrex, Reflect!" Sarah called to her High King Pokemon, allowing him to get in front of her and conjure a transparent shield that bounced the older Warrior Pokemon back to his original spot.

"**He's not even backing down even with all those attacks!**" Zeraora cried.

"*Princess, I don't know if we can break Mr. Zamazenta free of this horrible curse on him!*" Magearna fretted.

"We got no choice, Magearna! His life is on the line, Zamazenta's depending on us to help him break free and Zacian needs his brother back!"

Zamazenta growled as he then targeted Magearna, who let out a frightened squeak as he then prepared to pummel her with Close Combat. "Magearna, Zamazenta's coming after you this time! Try Double Team!"

Magearna braced herself as she created several copies of herself and surrounded the older Fighting/Steel Type who was forced to stop and tried to figure out which clone is the real Artificial Pokemon, taking his chances as he attacked the clones on his left. He only took out fakes as he broke the circle and he was subjected to several Brick Break attacks along with several slashes from Sarah as the two of them joined forces to jump him (the princess having converted her Panthera Morpher from Blaster Mode to Sword Mode for melee combat). They landed one final Brick Break and slash in a combo but they were knocked back when Zamazenta used Dazzling Gleam on them, forcing Zeraora to step in and use Close Combat on him (the Warrior Pokemon proceeding to use Close Combat as well, both of them now trading punches, kicks, parries, and blocks as they fought).

"Master! He's not letting up, he still wants to fight!" Wang Lun spluttered in disbelief.

"*Can't we do something?*" Magearna questioned, reaching her wit's end.

"It's risky but we gotta try this!" Sarah replied, pulling out the Emerald Green Move Card as an idea came to her.

"**Your Emerald Green Move Card!**" Zeraora cried in surprise, making Sarah give a knowing nod to him before she turned to Calyrex.

"Calyrex, I need you and Spectrier to drain Zamazenta of his energy before those Galar Particles destroy him! Cover us with Emerald Green!"

"Got it!" the High King Pokemon nodded as he and Spectrier were covered in a sparkling green aura after the princess pointed the move card at them.

Once the two of them were fully charged and the Swift Horse Pokemon neighed loudly to get Zamazenta's attention, Zamazenta growled once more as he then proceeded to charge towards them with Iron Head. But then, Calyrex unleashed the aura surrounding him and Spectrier in the form of a green sphere and it hit the older Warrior Pokemon as he howled in pain before it started draining him of his energy, leaving him with only a fraction of his current power.

"Now, for the energy drain! Come to papa!" Eternatus said, quickly draining Zamazenta of the Galar Particles that had been causing him no end of trouble.

The battle was finally over as everyone else breathed a sigh of relief, seeing Zamazenta now starting to relax once Eternatus had managed to extract the Galar Particles from him and leave him weakened for his own safety. Worried for the older Hero of Many Battles, Hop carefully stepped forward as he saw him trying to get up, the magenta aura surrounding him having now disappeared as his eyes returned to normal, losing their maddened yellow light.

"Zamazenta... Zamazenta, are...Are you okay?" he asked, getting Zamazenta's attention only to have him growl at the sight of him, the influx of energy drained leaving him in an angered state and not fully relaxed as hoped.

"Human... Now, DIE!" he bellowed, charging at Hop as he reeled back in horror and everyone else on the heroes' side was left screaming in panic for him.

"Hop, watch out!" Sonia called in alarm, Hop bracing himself to be attacked.

Hop shivered as he waited for Zamazenta to bite him but the assault on him never came and he felt himself still standing. He lowered his arms and opened his eyes very slowly until, to his and the heroes' astonishment, there was Zacian with his confidence restored at the sight of his brother still standing despite not being fully normal as he can tell.

"Zacian!" gasped Hop in surprise and relief.

"Zam! Are you alright, what's gotten into you?!" Zacian began worriedly, a scared look on his face at his brother's condition. "This isn't like you! I've never seen you this insane before, you almost attacked one of the humans we saw potential in, one of our friends!"

"I, can't...Control, Galar, Particles from Eternatus...! Those, those two, did it...!" Zamazenta struggled to say, referring to Sordward and Shielbert as he looked at the two brothers, both of them still reeling over the overall failure of their plan. "Energy, given...to, me...by, force...When I tried, to take, back, my, shield...!"

"Zacian, thanks... I owe you one, mate," Hop thanked with a soft smile as he walked next to the younger Warrior Pokemon.

"I-it's, it's too much for me, I, I-I, I can't-!" Zamazenta continued to struggle as he gritted his teeth until he was forced to run away, back to the Slumbering Weald with a pained scream as the others tried and failed to catch him as he left. "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"ZAM!" Zacian cried again, devastated as he lost sight of his hurt brother.

"Zamazenta, come back!" shouted Sarah in alarm.

"He's gone!"

"Aww, man! There must be still some energy from the Galar Particles that latched onto him once Eternatus started to drain him!" Ching Wan and Hashimoto groaned.

Hop, feeling worried and helpless over Zamazenta's fate, couldn't bear to think any more of what could happen to the poor older Hero of Many Battles. Steeling himself for what he must do to help him in his time of need, he turned to his friends and said with a determined frown, "This isn't good, looks like he still can't control all of that power even if Eternatus did manage to drain him of all his Galar Particles. You guys, I don't like this, not one bit... I'm going after Zamazenta, I have to get back to the Slumbering Weald to help him!"

He then turned to Zacian as he gently rubbed him, "Don't worry, Zacian. I'll help your brother calm down, I promise..."

Hop noticed Zamazenta's shield next to Shielbert as he prepared to head back to Postwick Town and the Slumbering Weald, seeing that the frightened royal dropped it when he was attacked after his corrupting the older Fighting/Steel Type backfired on him and Sordward. He furiously walked up to the scared man and took the shield back as he angrily spat, "And, just to make it clear if you didn't already know, that shield belongs to Zamazenta and Zamazenta alone! And, you can't have it!"

He then raced back to the Slumbering Weald as fast as he could, hoping to meet up with Zamazenta and calm him down before the leftover power from the Galar Particles would make him go bananas again. Gloria, Sonia, and Victor could only watch with worried looks on their faces as they watched their best friend disappear out of sight, determined to save one of their region's saviors of yore.

"You..." Zacian began darkly, turning his death glare on Shielbert as he slowly stalked towards him, leaving a very worried Sarah to watch along with everyone else as he started to let his emotions get the better of him and began to rant to the terror-stricken and humbled royal in red.

"...This is all, your, FAULT! I can't believe that there would be people in this world who would be foolish enough to not only denigrate and smear the role my brother and I played in the legend surrounding us and Eternatus! And, that's on top of dishonoring the very people that trusted us with our region's well-being when they died during our first war against him! You also stole our powers, claimed to be the Two King's descendants when you didn't even learn about the relationships they both have with us 3000 years ago, told lies and false stories that gave us and Ms. Sonia a bad reputation, shamed all of Galar and its people and Pokemon by Dynamaxing all those innocent Pokemon in such a reckless fashion, AND bombarded my brother with an uncontrollable amount of Galar Particles that would've very well KILLED HIM!"

He stopped just a few feet short of Shielbert as he then spat with such fury (punctuating his hatred for Sordwad and Shielbert with his bared teeth and a powerful stomp of his front right foot at the end of his sentence), "Even now, death will be too good of a punishment for a bastard royal such as YOU!"

"GYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Shielbert shrieked, finally broken as his terror washed over him while an equally terrified and humbled Sordward ran in front of the furious Legendary Pokemon to save his little brother from his brotherly wrath.

"P-Please! Zacian! We're sorry, we had no idea this was gonna happen!" Sordward begged miserably.

"This-It, it was all a big joke! Y-Y-Yeah, that's it! We only preached what we said and did what we did just to see if everything Sonia and the princess said was the truth! It was just a misunderstanding! Don't hurt my little brother, spare him and me as well and we'll be on our way, we'll never bother or hurt you again for as long as we live! We promise, just let us go! PLEASE, ZACIAN!"

Zacian snarled dangerously as he bared his teeth, unwilling to forgive the ones responsible for his brother's pain.

Everyone watched in horror as Zacian let his anger take him over and he was about to put Sordward and Shielbert out of their misery as he only thought about getting revenge for the near-death of Zamazenta. Nobody on the heroes' side knew what to say for fear of setting him off further and having him turn his ire on them and thus, have him attack them by mistake. This was all too much for Sarah as the little princess was forced to quickly step forward and try to plead with him to stop and not kill them even if everything the two brothers did warranted such a punishment.

"ZACIAN, STOP!" She finally screamed, startling the younger Warrior Pokemon out of his hate-filled stupor and making him turn to her in bewilderment as she continued regardless (eventually deciding to take her helmet off to address him better).

"Look at their faces and their eyes, they mean it! I know you want revenge and you want to hurt them badly for what they did to your brother but if you kill them now and do so out of pure hatred, you'll be no better than them! Look, it's not the prospect of revenge that's scaring me and everybody else right now; I, I'm...I'm worried that you would become a monster in front of my eyes, and now, I can see it happening. They will be punished and you and all of Galar wouldn't have to live in fear of their mistakes and their attempt at reestablishing the Galar Royal Monarchy with them on the throne but not by death, they're not worth it anymore. Especially after seeing how Zamazenta attacked Shielbert when he was still infused with those Galar Particles... Please, don't do it..."

Soon, Sarah started to cry as she dropped her helmet and got down on her hands and knees, tears of horror and sorrow over what would be Zacian's attempt at murder making her lose one of the very Pokemon she held so dear to her heart. The others watched on sadly as they saw Sarah let her own emotions out on the matter after she made her powerful heartfelt plea to Zacian.

The younger Hero of Many Battles realized how close he had come to killing the two humans responsible for his and Zamazenta's earlier suffering in cold blood and how much the prospect of such an act had terrified Sarah and her friends. He looked around and saw the frantic and equally scared reactions of her friends and family and even Eternatus looked admittingly worried for him. Eventually, he gave a remorseful sigh as he steeled himself and snuffed out all his hate, turning his back towards the two brothers as he gently approached the little princess and knelt down before her before giving her a gentle nuzzle.

This got her attention as she slowly looked Zacian in the eye again and saw how truly apologetic he is for terrifying her with his lust for vengeance. Finally, he gave her a few loving licks to wipe away the tears that had built up in her eyes as he then solemnly said, "Little Bird, I'm sorry..."

Sarah sniffed as she slowly reached out towards Zacian and hugged him as he returned it with another nuzzle, finding the words he wanted to say through their combined sorrow as he began, "Little Bird, I understand now..."

"I know where you're coming from, you really do have your mother's compassion and in my haste for vengeance for my brother's suffering and mine, I've forgotten about that. As we've discovered, you are much different from the other humans we've seen just as your friends from Postwick Town are. You valued the lives of everyone even if some had done wrong and you only punished the ones that are truly despicable and unremorseful of their actions if they don't have the capacity to love... I'm sorry if I scared you as I did..."

Sordward and Shielbert (along with Abby) could only watch in astonishment and fascination as they saw Sarah manage to plead to Zacian to spare their lives and not become a killer but also realize that if he followed down the same path as they did, he would be no different from them in a sense.

The princess' family and her remaining friends with them can only smile warmly as tears also stung their eyes while they watched, they were relieved and glad that Sarah had managed to convince the Steel/Fairy Type to not become a killer as they knew he would only be proving the two brothers right if he did. Eventually, the two of them broke away as they eyed each other with tears still staining their eyes with relieved yet hurt smiles thrown towards each other.

"I promise, I'll try to hurt them or anybody else as I did for your sake. They really aren't worth it now and it is never my place to judge them for what they did," Zacian continued wholeheartedly as he then decided to take one leap forward to fulfilling his promise. "Princess, I can't think of another human that my brother and I would like to be with other than you..."

Sarah blinked as she stopped crying and stared at him, "...What?"

Zacian just smiled as he then clarified, "What I'm trying to say is, since you have shown me your true strength as well as Zam, you have proven yourself worthy of having us by your side."

It was then that Sarah realized what he was getting on about as she then said, "You, you want me to...Capture you?"

Zacian nodded again (his kind, loving smile never leaving his face) as an impressed Piers remarked, "As expected of the champion... You took complete control of the situation before it got worse and now that you've shown your strength of heart, he's accepted you. It looks like Zacian is waiting for you to do it."

The others looked on in amazement as they realized that Zacian had chosen Sarah to be his trainer and on Zamazenta's behalf as well since he extended it to him as well, all done out of gratitude and in response to the princess' compassion as well as the goodness from her heart. Sarah, after realizing what his intentions were regarding his offer, just smiled as she brought out one of two spare Luxury Balls she had on her for the royal pair.

"Oh no, you're not thinking of having them with us full-time, are you, Pipsqueak?" Eternatus griped when he saw the Luxury Ball.

"Easy, Eternatus, you've gotten along easily with Zacian when you both finally battled together earlier. I don't want to put you in time out for whining your tail off non-stop about having him and his brother with us and besides, I owed him a favor before Zamazenta took off and after we stopped him," Sarah scolded, raising a knowing eyebrow and throwing him a stink eye which made the Gigantic Pokemon cringe before he groaned in defeat and said no more with a huff.

"Cool!" the female Night Light hatchling cooed happily.

"Awesome!"

"YIPPEE!" her Night Light hatchling brothers cheered as they bounced up and down in delight.

The wild Night Light couple, the Elder, and the Mist Twister had no qualms after seeing Sarah prove herself to their friend and rescue Zamazenta with the help of her Pokemon after he had gone berserk. Knowing that she would be the one to look after their royal friend, they simply nodded their approval with warm, knowing smiles as they watched Zacian stand in the middle of the field and prepare to battle the little princess, royal to royal.

"However, before I join you, I want to see how strong you and your family had gotten since our last meetings," he told Sarah once he was ready, a challenging smirk plastered on his face. "After all, what's the fun if we don't have a battle? I wonder if we'll change our minds once I've beaten you."

Sarah, knowing what Zacian meant by his last-minute request, took out his sword and handed it to him. The sword lifted out of her right hand and an orb surrounded it as it glowed before it darted toward the younger Hero of Many Battles before another larger orb covered him once it had touched him. The orb broke apart and vanished and donning his old armor with his sword fully restored, he had regained his powers and become one with his personal treasure again.

"Your previous team of six has done well in subduing my brother when he was going crazy. Who will join you to deal with me this time?" Zacian challenged again.

Sarah looked towards her family as she eyed them carefully until she spotted the Swords of Justice and had her eyes trained on Cobalion; knowing that he was the most proficient and a real master of Sacred Sword and swordplay amongst the four Swords present, she pointed to him and he nodded in response, Virizion, Keldeo, and Terrakion smiling and smirking as he stepped forward to meet with Zacian.

"Go get 'im, Cobalion," Terrakion encouraged with a knowing chuckle, he knew which one would emerge victorious in the upcoming duel.

"The Sword of Iron Wills, Cobalion...Excellent choice," the younger Warrior Pokemon nodded in approval as he looked Cobalion in the eye.

"I've heard many a tale about your gaze that can strike fear to even the most unruly of Pokemon and your prowess with your team's signature attack in the Unova Region and the fact that you and your fellow Swords have taken on a pupil who's now become a master after a second bout against the likes of Kyurem. My humblest congratulations to you for your achievements in ensuring the safety of Pokemon and kind-hearted humans wherever your travels have taken you."

"You flatter us and as we've already known, your sword knows no boundaries when used against the Darkest Day that was once Eternatus 3000 years ago and last year when you returned," Cobalion nodded back to the Warrior Pokemon. "You and your brother were just as remarkable with your powers and your determination to protect Galar and all who live in it, humans and Pokemon alike."

"Our human friends, the original Two Kings, helped us recognize such a prize greater than gold or luxury during our time with them. The well-being of our home region and the happiness they get from everyone living here is their greatest wish and we've always upheld it even while in slumber or death..."

Zacian sighed with nostalgia running through his mind before he steeled himself and prepared to fight, his sword at the ready, "But now, our future lies with you as Galar will soon be in good hands. Come, let us see what your Sacred Sword is made of! En garde!"

Cobalion steeled himself as well, preparing to take on Zacian in a Legendary Pokemon battle (the latter activating his signature Intrepid Sword ability as his body briefly glowed in a bright orange light). The others could help but watch in awe and excitement as two more Legendaries prepared to square off against one another but now, with the danger most likely over after Zamazenta was saved and Sordward and Shielbert's plan had bombed, this will be a personal match to determine if Sarah really is the one that will have Zacian and Zamazenta by her side from now on.

"Keep your and Cobalion's guards up, Sarah! Zacian's activated his Intrepid Sword ability so he's gonna give you a rough time during this fight even if you try to capture him!" Rotom-Dex warned.

"I got it!" Sarah called back to the living Pokedex.

"Zacian..."

"He's going to battle Cobalion," Lana and Mallow breathed, awestruck.

"That's so cool!"

"Can't wait to see how this would turn out," Ash and Kiawe remarked, excited and impressed just as Zacian made the first move with Sacred Sword.

"Cobalion, watch out!" Cobalion, hearing Sarah's warning, immediately summoned his own Sacred Sword attack and met with Zacian in a deadlock as the two clashed and traded sword slashes after breaking free.

"Flash Cannon!" Sarah commanded, allowing the Iron Will Pokemon to fire a glowing beam of silver-white energy only for Zacian to cut through the Flash Cannon attack in half like it was made of butter before he charged forward with Iron Head.

"Double Team plus Metal Claw!" Cobalion responded to Sarah's orders as he created clones of himself and forced Zacian to stop in surprise as he was then attacked with Metal Claw, dealing him considerable damage.

Surprised by the unexpected assault, Zacian shook off the pain given to him as he gave a knowing smile towards Sarah and Cobalion, directing his words toward the princess, "Not bad, Little Bird, you definitely have improved and so have your family, particularly Cobalion here. I see now that the Swords of Justice do indeed live up to their reputation. But, I feel like you're not showing your true strength in battle; where's the girl who stood tall before her adversaries and took them down when all is said and done? Show me the strength of the true Sun Princess of Alola, show me the strength of the leader of the Power Rangers Ultra Rescue, show me the strength that allowed you to take down Eternatus!"

The Crowned Shield struck again but this time, he was now using Behemoth Blade as his sword once more grew to three times its own size.

"Behemoth Blade!"

"Sarah, Cobalion, watch out!" Sophocles and Lillie cried in alarm.

"This is not good! If Cobalion gets hit with Zacian's most powerful attack before Sarah can issue a counter, they're both gone!" Rotom-Dex flailed in panic as Zacian charged forward with a battle cry, ready to end the battle quickly with one attack via Behemoth Blade.

"Defend yourself with Double Team again!"

Cobalion created more clones of himself to try and distract the Crowned Sword again but Zacian was now wise to the old fakeout trick as he sliced at one of the copies and created an explosion that destroyed some of the other fakes, forcing the leader of the Swords of Justice to make more clones to throw him off. But, with each clone made, Zacian would destroy another as he dwindled them down to his real opponent until he finally destroyed them all, the blast from the explosions causing Cobalion to stumble back as the Crowned Sword went back on the attack.

"Dodge and use Metal Claw but not on his Behemoth Blade, Cobalion, quick!" Sarah screamed just as Zacian slashed and Cobalion jumped to his right side and struck him with Metal Claw again.

"He did it, that Metal Claw was a direct hit after using the smoke as cover to fool him!" Keldeo smirked.

"A well-placed blow to his right side, indeed, but it won't be enough to put down the Crowned Shield should he finally go all out," Virizion warned.

"*Heh, Zacian has no idea who he's messing with, Virizion! This is Cobalion we're talking about here, he's bound to one-up him and put him in his place!*" Terrakion smirked as he laughed.

Zacian stumbled and fell after he took Metal Claw twice but he got back up as best he could, vowing before he lunged at Cobalion again but with Close Combat, "Alright, Little Bird, no more clowning around! HAAAAAAH!"

"Now, use Close Combat with Quick Attack!" Sarah countered, Cobalion meeting Zacian halfway using Quick Attack before they then started to trade kicks, headbutts, sweeps, parries, and blocks at each other as they both used Close Combat before they broke apart again with both Pokemon now powering themselves up with Sword Dance and Work Up.

"I gotta go for a surprise attack to try and get Zacian to use Behemoth Blade again and make him drop his guard; every move he makes against Cobalion matches or surpasses his own with each second and if this goes on, I don't know how long they can keep this up. I'll have to take my chances with this one," Sarah thought just as Zacian once again moved forward to attack the Iron Will Pokemon.

"Cobalion, jump him with Secret Power!" she cried, allowing Cobalion to use Secret Power that caused him to exude a burning sensation as a fiery aura surrounded him and he shot a powerful orb of fire, the orb hitting Zacian dead center as he howled in pain.

"Unbelievable, Zacian's burned! Cobalion's Secret Power turned into Incinerate!" Rotom-Dex gasped in awe. "Since we're in an open area and the sun was beating down on them with no clouds for it to hide behind, Cobalion used a Fire Type move against Zacian since he's also a Steel Type which is weak against Fire Type moves!"

Zacian shook off the pain as best he could as he looked at Cobalion and Sarah despite feeling the strain of Incinerate as he felt some burns on his body where the orb had hit him and spread; he had to admit, he hadn't expected something such as an attack that makes use of a Pokemon's environment such as Secret Power and that little surprise was what allowed the princess and the Swords of Justice's leader to get an edge on him.

"I must say, you've surprised me with that stunt of yours. Creative, I'd say; you had an attack on you that varies in effectiveness and what type it is based on the environment around you. But, you still haven't beaten me!" he bantered as he howled and prepared to use Behemoth Blade once more.

"Just what I was waiting for," Sarah thought, narrowing her eyes as she saw Zacian use his signature Crowned Sword attack. "Cobalion, Sacred Sword, again!"

Cobalion nodded in agreement as he summoned his Sacred Sword attack, his long glowing blue sword blade emerging from his forehead as he charged back at Zacian, the two swordsman-like Pokemon clashing with their blades in a duel truly worthy of the likes of two master swordsmen. Then, they both ended in a deadlock as sparks flew from their blades as they pushed back against each other, both of them seemingly equal in power and strength as neither of them gained quarter nor gained advantage.

"You're strong but you can't hope to match my Behemoth Blade! All those who are victim to it tremble in fear of its power whenever I'm awakened as the Crowned Sword of Galar!" Zacian declared as they continued to push against each other.

"Your swordsmanship is remarkable but even with all your experience, you still have much to learn sometimes about humility!" Cobalion retorted as he honed his Steel Type energy from within his body and from Zacian's own attack before he black back a few feet from the Crowned Sword back to pull off a photo finish.

Zacian was confused as he kept his Behemoth Blade at the ready but he widened his eyes when he saw Cobalion firing Steel Beam at full power and blasting him hard before he could have time to react. He screamed in pain as the Steel Beam made contact with him, sending him skidding back before he stumbled and he landed on his right side, panting heavily and struggling to get up from the massive blow that got him good.

"Is it over?"

"I think it is!"

"Zacian's down!"

"He can't get up now!"

"Sarah has a chance thanks to Cobalion!" Lana, Sophocles, Mallow, Ash, Lillie, and Kiawe cried in realization and amazement, the others murmuring in awe as they saw the little princess and Cobalion finally beat Zacian as they left him vulnerable to being captured.

"Now's your only chance, Sarah! You've got to throw a Pokeball at Zacian before he has time to recover!" Leon warned, seeing Zacian still trying to get up.

"Right! This is it, you're mine, Zacian! Luxury Ball, go!" Sarah shouted, deciding to throw a Premier Ball (which she bought and had on her the previous year) at the downed Crowned Sword and it captured him with Zacian's approval, the ball shaking and the light on the lock blinking wildly before it gave three final shakes and it eventually clicked shut.

The silence was amazing as everybody realized what had just happened; the Sun Princess of Alola has officially caught and claimed Zacian, the Crowned Sword of Galar as well as the second half of the Heroes of Many Battles, as her own. Sordward and Shielbert were left in stunned awe over the remarkable battling prowess between her and Cobalion as they defeated the younger Warrior Pokemon, a feat that not many trainers in the entire Galar Region couldn't even begin to claim and live to tell the tale.

Sarah was speechless as she walked over to the Luxury Ball and picked it up, trying to process the end result of the battle until she finally said, "...I, I did it, I really did it! YEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

She held out her Luxury l Ball after giving off a victorious fist pump and declared proudly before dancing excitedly and finally pumping her hands on her knees ecstatically (while still holding her Premier Ball), "YES, YES! I CAUGHT THE CROWNED SWORD, ZACIAN! YES, YES, YES, YES, YES! YEEEEESSSS! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"

"Registration on Zacian confirmed, data update complete!" Rotom-Dex buzzed, having acquired the available data on Zacian into his databanks.

"You did it, Sarah!"

"Absolutely remarkable!" Victor and Gloria praised as they, Leon, and Sonia, along with Ash and the gang all came over to congratulate her and Cobalion came by her side as the Swords of Justice came to them, too.

"That was magnificent of you and Cobalion to pull it off out there!"

"Looks like you've been recognized by true royalty from Galar, Sarah!" Leon and Sarah smiled brightly.

The gang and Ash were not short of praises either as their Pokemon, Sarah's family, the Night Light family (including the elder), and the Mist Twister cheered for the little princess, "You and Cobalion were awesome, Sarah!"

"You managed to capture Zacian!"

"So cool!"

"I gotta admit, Sarah, you and Cobalion got cuts to take them on like that!"

"Congratulations, Sarah!"

"That was the most amazing battle between Legendary Pokemon I've ever seen!"

"That was remarkable of you and Cobalion to pull it off as you did," Leon replied, impressed as Charizard gave an approving smile and nod as the other Swords of Justice came over and extended their praises to their leader.

"They're right, Sarah! Seems like you've been recognized by real royalty from Galar but I suppose we already know that given your relationship with Zacian and Zamazenta," Sonia smiled.

"What an exquisite battle," Shielbert breathed in awe and remorse, garnering everyone's attention as they turned to him and Sordward. "How uncouth of us, especially since we were so preoccupied with trying to find out who the true king was..."

He looked at Sarah with great shame as he stood on his feet and gave her a bow of acceptance and defeat to admit his wrongdoings and his brother followed suit, saying to the little princess, "Princess, our deepest apologies, everything we did to prove what we believe is right and the correct history of the Legend of Galar is wrong and our greatest series of sins we've ever committed... We know now that no human king or two kings saved all of Galar from Eternatus; it was Zacian and Zamazenta all along, and our followers and we are all too blind and arrogant to realize the truth."

Sordward nodded in agreement as he remorsefully told her, "Nothing we can do now will be enough to make up for all the trouble we've caused for all of Galar, your friends, your family, our former champion, and especially you, Sonia, Zacian, and Zamazenta; you four have suffered badly because of our crimes and all we did was made things worse for you, all because we were too stubborn to realize that history is written by the victors."

He eyed the Premier Ball holding Zacian sadly as he continued, "Our ancestors had no part in saving all of Galar themselves because they've placed their trust in the two Pokemon that were once their partners and best friends. And, when they died and left the Galar Region to them, they had to honor their final request, their greatest wish for them and their people and Pokemon, and they were forever engraved into history following their defeating Eternatus 3000 years ago. Words cannot even begin to describe how sorry we are that we've nearly brought the entire region to ruin because of our foolish and short-sighted lies about Zacian and Zamazenta as well as the truth behind the hero-or, should we say-heroes of Galar."

None of the others knew what to say as they gave the brothers contemptuous glares at them (while some of them even extended their glares to Abby for stealing the Wishing Stars from Sonia and Magnolia for them, making her wilt in shame, too).

The Night Light Elder narrowed his eyes at them with a contemptuous frown as he rolled his eyes at the brothers' apology that came too little too late but they didn't notice (if they did, they know better than to cross them), turning to Piers as Shielbert requested, "You, Spiked One, my brother and I have done so much wrong to all of Galar and those that are involved in our selfish affairs. If you can escort us, we'll gladly answer to all of our crimes."

"Hmph, I suppose you are ready to acknowledge everything that you've done but what's with that high and mighty and posh attitude of yours? Eh, whatever," Piers snorted in acknowledgment before he turned to Sarah and her friends. "Princess, I'm glad that this crisis is resolved but if you and your Postwick Stooges can, please don't go calling me anymore. It seems that I'm rung and only being dragged out whenever you well-meaning meddlers get yourselves in some sticky situation."

Gloria, Victor, and Hop snorted, trying to hide some sniggers as if they were amused or embarrassed by Piers' little yet subtle jab at them for getting themselves into trouble at times, those times requiring his assistance when they needed it (Sarah also blushing when she realized what he's getting on about). Then, Abby, still remorseful for her allegiance and crimes on behalf of her masters approached Sonia and twiddled with her thumbs, genuinely feeling bad about what she did to her former superior and friend and Professor Magnolia.

"Profes-No, Sonia... I, I apologize, I misjudged the entire situation and everything that lead us and our region to where we are now, badly," she began apologetically to a surprised Sonia. "I can't ask you to forgive me, not after the way I betrayed you... But, I hope that, with time, you understand that I'm truly sorry for deceiving you as I did."

Sonia felt bad for Abby, now; even if her betrayal did sting, she had to admit that she only did what she did for the two brothers and their greater good.

"No, Abby, it's okay, really... In fact, if it hadn't been for you and your stealing all those Wishing Stars earlier, I wouldn't have found my true strength to be the Pokemon Professor that I am now," Sonia reassured gently, a sad yet pitiful frown plastered on her face. "I was hurt at first but I've rallied and I've gotten stronger from that incident. I don't mean to sound sarcastic, but thanks to you, I've ended up learning so much..."

"I...I understand, I still hope that we won't end up on bad terms with each other as a result. Well, I better get going, I'm going with Piers and my masters to the nearest police station so the three of us can confess to Officer Jenny and repent for our sins. Good luck in your future endeavors, Sonia," Abby finished as she joined Sordward and Shielbert, allowing Piers to escort them to the nearest police station to confess to their crimes, leaving the heroes alone as they contemplated what to do next.

"Do you think they'll be okay, even your assistant, Sofia?" Ash pondered worriedly, concerned for the brothers and Abby's fates.

"I think this entire incident has not only made them realize how dangerous their actions really were but they now understood that the two Heroes of Many Battles are not to be trifled with. It'll go on their records once everybody hears of it but thanks to Sarah and her plea to Zacian, they'll most likely think twice about pulling something like this again and at the very least, they'll stay out of trouble now," she admitted with a sympathetic sigh.

"I wonder how Hop is doing with Zamazenta ever since they went back to Postwick and the Slumbering Weald," Kiawe pondered, concerned for Hop and Zamzenta.

"My brother may be in a bit in over his head when he gets like this but his heart is in the right place despite being so reckless," Leon reassured.

"I think we should go meet up with him and see how our mate's been getting on with Zamazenta while we were busy here," Gloria then suggested.

The entire group agreed and knowing they had to check on Zamazenta and Hop, Sarah, Race, and Tsukumaro apparated everyone back to the Slumbering Weald. When they arrived, they found Hop continuing to do his best to calm down the older Hero of Many Battles and rid him of the remaining energy left on him from the Galar Particles and he was making good progress.

"G-G-Go, go away!" Zamazenta strained, still glaring daggers at Hop as he growled and bared his teeth (his eyes glowing yellow as the light in them blinked).

"There, there... It's okay, Zamazenta, you're alright now," Hop reassured gently as he reached out with his right hand.

"Those jerks are gone, you don't have to worry about them anymore." "N-N-NO!" Zamazenta barked again, snapping at his hand as he quickly pulled back and tried to reach out again, undeterred. "Get back!"

"Zamazenta, it's okay... I know you're not a monster, my friends know it, too! We've seen it when you and your brother saved us while Eternatus was going bonkers with his revenge plot last year! You're none of those horrible things those jerks, Shielbert and Sordward, have been bragging about! You're not a monster, you're a living, breathing Pokemon who's more than he looks in the eyes of many people and other Pokemon who got to know you! You are one of the true heroes of Galar, after all, the ones responsible for saving everybody 3000 years ago and recently!"

Zamazenta's eyes started to shift back to normal as the yellow-orange glow started to blink on and off faster, his rage in his berzerk stage slowly fading away as Hop continued to talk to him. But, the clincher that helped to speed up the process was when Zacian (still bruised from his duel with Sarah and Cobalion but now awake) released himself from his Luxury Ball and saw his brother and Hop's efforts to save him.

"Zam!" he cried, catching Hop and Zamazenta's attention as they turned to him, the latter's eyes widening to see Zacian looking at him with great worry.

Zamazenta stared at his brother as his eyes continued to shift back and forth between normal and his predatory state from the Galar Particles, the younger Hero of Many Battles rushing over to him and giving his older brother a loving nuzzle as tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his face again. The older Warrior Pokemon stiffened in shock and bewilderment, his brother's nuzzle suddenly making a shift in him as he started to witness memories of the times they shared together along with the Two Kings, their old partners, long before the Darkest Day happened and when they were awakened once more by Sarah and her friends after Eternatus was resurrected and went on his revenge tirade coupled with their meet-up with them and the princess' family in their final confrontation with Rose flashed in his mind.

Hop's words then rang in his mind as he recalled everything that occurred during his and Zacian's previous adventures before he was forcibly infused with the Galar Particles by Shielbert as he remembered that he really was a true hero to all of Galar. He started to grunt, straining as he fought against the last remaining bits of dangerous energy from the Galar Particles he was once infused with, gasping as he finally remembered who he really was.

"I, I, I... I am a hero, to all of Galar," he panted, feeling lightheaded as he stumbled back and his heart ran miles with his heartbeat going faster and faster in panic before he screamed, "I remember now, Zash, Zash...! ZAAAAAAASSSSHHHHH!"

With that final scream, the aura from the Galar Particles covered him one last time before it immediately dispersed in a small explosion as everyone was forced to shield their eyes, the explosion finally ceasing as Zamazenta was now revealed to have fallen on his side in exhaustion with his eyes closed.

"ZAM!" Zacian cried, rushing to his brother again and nudging him. "Zam, Zam! Come on, Zam, don't do this to me! Wake up! You're alright, wake up, WAKE UP!"

Zamazenta started to twitch after a couple of moments and slowly opened his eyes, the yellow-orange glow now gone along with the remaining energy from his unwanted Galar Particles but he was feeling weak from the final strain to get rid of the bad energy. Realizing what they have to do to help the older Legendary, Audino and Snivy quickly went up to the two brothers and used Nature's Blessing and Heal Bell on Zamazenta to restore his strength while the two brothers reconnected again but even so, it wasn't enough to fully heal him as he had used up all of his energy.

"Zash, I'm sorry... I knew those bastards had a trap waiting for us there, especially me since he had my shield. But, I was so scared that you would be more vulnerable to them and all those lies they said about us even though the princess got your sword back," Zamazenta sniffed tearfully as he shared a relieved nuzzle with his equally-relieved brother. "I didn't want to lose you just as we lost our old friends and how we nearly lost all of Galar... To make sure you all weren't in harm's way, you especially, I had to do it; I had to confront them myself to protect you from those monsters...!"

"Zam!" Zacian replied tearfully as they continued to share their nuzzle, Audino and Snivy deciding to stop healing them as they soon realized that each other's company was all the two Pokemon brothers needed as they can hear them crying with everyone else watching with relieved smiles and contented faces for their safe reunion.

They soon brought Zacian and Zamazenta (after he allowed himself to be captured when he heard that he and Zacian were to go with Sarah which he warmly and gratefully accepted) to be checked over and looked after at the Wedgehurst Pokemon Center once the two of them had calmed down; they were both put through so much throughout the last several minutes so they would have to spend the entire night healing and resting before they could be back at full health once more.

Occurred Events

- Sarah and her friends save the Galar Region once more

- Sarah catches Zacian and Zamazenta adding them to her Pokemon Family