"It took Zoku a while to find some mushrooms that were ripe enough to be picked," Shiranui explained, "When I did find some, our uppity telekinetic 'friend' challenged me for them and got some humble pie thrown in his face thanks to my ace in the hole."

Mustard waited a bit longer and right as he was about to call it, Avery ran up with the three Max Mushrooms. He announced that he did it with a pant between each word. Mustard was pleased and said that the people who passed the 2nd test would face off in a tournament for the third test, the winner would get the Dojo's "Secret Armor".

"When is this tournament taking place?" Shiranui asked.

Jen guess she be sitting out on this your entire and doubt Master Mustard will let her be in the tourment.

Mustard explained that the battles would take place on his battlefield outback and that it was a Power Spot, so Dynamaxing would be possible. Mustard said each trainer could bring three Pokémon, however you can only use one per fight except in the finals where you can use two. He also said that in an hour he would announce the layout for the fights.

(Liam, Shiranui, Chuck, Klara, and Avery. Am I missing someone who gathered the max mushrooms?)

Mustard realized he had an odd number of participants. he picked three students at random (Jen was one of them) so that an elimination bracket could be properly formed. He said that they would happen on the battlefield outback. He then revealed the bracket he quickly made randomly placing participants on the bracket.

1. Liam
2. Klara
3. RP
4. Chuck
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui

Mustard then explained that no one was supposed to go out there until morning when they would have the battles, It was evening, so everyone had a couple of hours to explore the island if they so wished, but he wanted them back by nightfall.
"Sweet," Liam said. "I'd love to explore the island some more."

Jen and Aura bows deeply towards Master Mustard as they were both very grateful to him. Jen agrees with Liam to explore more and check out some Pokémon.

While Liam explored, He ventured into the forest. While adventuring he felt something tap his back and he turned to see a Heracross.
"Heracross, the Singlehorn Pokémon. A Bug and Fighting-Type. Heracross loves sweet sap and will go looking through forests for it. The Pokémon uses its two antennae to pick up scents as it searches. This Pokémon takes pride in its strength, which allows it to lift things 100 times heavier than itself with no trouble at all. "
"Hi," Liam said with a smile to the Pokémon. "How are you Heracross?"
The Heracross began talking happily and fast. It then grabbed Liam and began to fly off with a big smile.

"Hey, let me go Heracross!" Liam called. Heracross didn't let go until Liam was at a bunch of Heracross and a few other assorted Pokémoon. It then began talking to the other Herarcoss, who all cheered. The one that dragged Liam pointed to a huge tree in the forest and pantomimed something. Liam eas trying to piece this together.
"So, that tree was your home and some Pokémon intruded in and took it over?" Liam asked.
The Heracross nodded in confirmation. Liam pulled out some binoculars to see what was going on.
"I see a Vespiquen, some Combee, and a pair of Whirlpede." He turned to look at Heracross. "They took the tree?"
"Hera!"
Liam approached the tree while the Heracross stood behind him nervously peaking around him. Some male Combee swarmed down to try and stop Liam.
"Beckham!" Liam called out his Raboot and used Flame Charge and bashed Combee away.
"This tree belongs to the Heracross," Liam said sternly. "Give it back."
The Whirlpede began to fire Poison Sting, which Heracross grabbed Liam and yanked him out of the way of. Liam called out Duraladon and had it tag team with Beckham to deal with the invading Bug-Types. Eventually, they got it down to just Vespiquen, who used Attract, infatuating Beckham. Liam tried to recall Beckham to negate the Infatuation, but he kept jumping around giving lovey eyes to the Vespiquen.
"Dragon Pulse!" Liam ordered. The attack hot Vespiquen dealing a good deal of damage. Vespiqueen used Attack Order on Duraladon, summoning a swarm of Combee, and the infatuated Beckham to attack Duraladon. Duraladon took significant damage from the attack. Duaraladon managed to fire off one last move, KOing. Vespiquen, but passed out from exhaustion in the process. Heracross cheered and called out to its friends. The mass of Heracross came carrying the assorted other Pokémon such as Emolga and Foongus as they all cried in joy. The one that came with Liam was the only one that didn't rush over to the tree. He looked concerned as Duraladon before rushing over to a different tree and returning with some berries to Duraladon. Heracross was trying to ensure Duraladon would be alright. Liam was touched by the concern the Heracross had.
He then heard rustling as Jessie, James, and Meowth jumped out of the bushes. Liam sighed.
"Now I have to deal with you three?" Liam said annoyed.
"Actually," Jessie started, but James rushed past them and into a hole at the base of a tree existing a moment later carrying a box. He exclaimed with joy that he found his bottle cap collection and hugged the box tight.

An elderly Heracross using a branch as a cane approached Liam. The others rushed over to it and surrounded it with joyful expressions. Liam hypothesized that this was the swarm's leader and it was being held hostage in the tree. The Heracross thanked Liam for helping them. It then turned to the Heracross that brought Liam to him and said something.
Liam turned to Meowth. "Hey, thanks to me James was able to get his bottle caps back so you guys owe me. Translate for me"
Mewoth started to mouth off but stopped when Liam glared at him. He knew Liam could easily beat them so he caved.
Meowth explained that This tree was their home, Vespiquen took over the tree, the elderly Heracross was the only one that didn't get away.
"The old Heracross is thanking the Dragon Twerp for saving them and wants her son to go with him and see the world beyond the forest like he always wanted. He saved the swarm, and so she feels he has earned the right to go and travel like he wants."
"Is that true, Heracross? You want to travel?" Liam asked.
"Hera!" Heracross replied. Liam pulled out a Luxury Ball and tossed it at Heracross, who gleefully leapt toward the ball and went in. The Ball pinged shut instantly.

"Heracross has been registered to your Pokédex."
Liam decided on the nickname Heracles and called him back out. Liam and Heracles waved good-bye to the Pokémon and escorted Team Rocket out.
James protested the escort and Liam reminded him that they are the bad guys. Once they were out of the forest, Liam saw a Meowth Balloon with a red capital "R" on the basket.
"Now, leave before I change my mind on being merciful," He said pointing at the balloon. Once they were gone, Liam recalled Heracles to its ball and proceeded to return to the dojo.

Shiranui's wandering led him to the southeast corner of the Forest of Focus with Nekomata riding in his arms. The Meowstic pointed out a Larvesta and Shiranui sent his Drizzile out. One Aqua Jet did enough damage to render Larvesta ready for capture and Larvesta in retaliation hit Sogekishu with a Struggle Bug. Shiranui threw a Net Ball and Larvesta was drawn in. After three shakes, the ball snapped shut and Shiranui's Rotom Phone chimed, "Larvesta has been registered to your Pokédex."
"What info do you have on Larvesta?" Shiranui asked his phone.
"Larvesta, the Torch Pokémon. A Bug and Fire type. The people of ancient times believed that Larvesta fell from the sun. Larvesta's body is warm all over. It spouts fire from the tips of its horns to intimidate predators and scare prey." Shiranui named his new catch Himushira.

Nekomata noticed the sun getting low in the sky and reminded Shiranui to return to the dojo; so unlike before, Shiranui walked back through the forest with Nekomata riding in his arms.

She Jen and Aura are walking in a field as the sun is setting as they notices a bunch of Slowpoke fighting with each other. Aura stops Jen as this is a ritual to evolve into a Slowking and the leader of the pack. Aura picks up the item and hides it in Jen’s bag, Jen and Aura heals the Slowpokes as the Slowpokes run off into the distan Luxary Ball at a Slowpoke splashing Aura with water. The ball bing and was registered in her Rotomdex. She puts the Luxary ball in her bag Jen and Aura runs back to the Dojo before nightfall.

Liam returned to the dojo. Liam went to his room and proceeded to use potions to heal all of his Pokémon back to full, including sending one to storage since he now had seven

Jen and Aura returned to the Dojo, they walked to their room. Jen healed her Pokémon before curling up next to Aura and falling asleep.

Chuck explored the island, watching all the different kinds of Pokemon from different regions, before heading back to the dojo.

The morning came and Mustard had everyone gather. He had a whiteboard displayed on a tripod. That board showed the bracket with the matchups.

1. Liam
2. Klara
3. RP
4. Chuck
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui

He reminded the eight participants that they were each allowed to use three different Pokémon, but only in the final could they use all three and that it was one-on-one matches until then. He then said that it was time for the first match, Champion Coleman vs Klara. Mustard then called for them to begin. While walking out to the field behind everyone else, Klara told Liam that she had left a "special surprise" for him at the battlefield.

Klara and Liam tossed out the balls with the selected Pokémon in unison. Klara called out Galarian Slowbrow while Liam sent out Duraladon. Purple spikes shot up out of the ground around Duraladon, but seemingly did nothing. Liam instantly recognized those and became furious. Klara looked upset as she Dynamaxed her Pokémon. She ordered Max Mindstorm, which did moderate damage.
"I was going to take it easy on you, but you can forget that now," Liam said. "Laser Focus!" Liam called. Duraladon took aim at the opposing Pokémon
(Klara Dyna 1)
Liam now Gigantamaxed Durladon, with the hit guarantee from Laser Focus and called for G-Max Depletion, the guaranteed critical hit tore a huge chunk out of the Galarian Slowbro's health, and it retaliated with another Max Mindstorm as it is the only attack it had that wasn't half effective or worse.
(Klara 2, Liam 1)
Klara letting her anger get to her slipped and ordered for Max Ooze which did nothing.
Liam called for another G-Max Depletion which KO'd the Slowbro. As Duraladon reverted to its normal size, Liam was not celebrating. With an angry look, he marched straight up to Klara, who was now on the ground sobbing.

"How dare you!?" He yelled. "Trying to cheat your way into a victory? I expected better from an aspiring Gym Leader. You know, my friends and I have dealt with a literal mafia head, TWO teams of eco-terrorists at the same time, a homicidal maniac that was trying to cause the end of the world, a team a street thugs, many poachers, and a horribly misguided organization messing with extraterrestrial Pokémon. But None of them tried a dirty trick like that. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call up the Gallar Leauge and tell them of the dirty trick you pulled?"
Klara looked away from Liam. "You're right, there is no excuse for what I did. Banished from the dojo, be blacklisted from the Galar Leauge. I deserve both of them."
Mustard approached the pair. He turned to Liam first.
"Congratulations on the victory, Champion Coleman. Though, as Klara's Sensei, I feel I must apologize on her behalf. What she did was wrong, but she didn't want to get defeated by her rival."
"With all due respect Master Mustard," Liam replied. "From where I stand, that doesn't really matter. Cheating is cheating. It is one of the few things I find unforgivable."
"I understand how you feel Champion Coleman, but she is my student and I will deal with her punishment." He then turned to Klara. "Klara, you have brought shame on this dojo with your actions. As punishment you will be allowed to stay on one condition: You must take care of every Pokémon at this dojo, both owned by the people here and the wild ones that live within the grounds by yourself for six months." He then turned back to Liam.
"You have persevered even though the deck was stacked against you, I can see why you are a regional Champion. Now, if you will step to the side we will see who you are facing in the next round." Mustard walked back over to his position. As Liam started to walk away, Klara stopped him.
"How did you know?"She asked. "How did you know to have a Steel-type ready for me?"
Liam looked at her. "I didn't go in knowing you were doing this, I would have told Master Mustard if I did. I used Duraladon because I knew you specialized in Poison-types. Nothing more." Liam then begrudgingly held his hand out to the sobbing Klara to help her up.

1. Liam [Durladon/?/?]
2. Klara [G. Slowbro/-/-]
3. RP
4. Chuck
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui

Shiranui returned to the dojo, healed Sogekishu and was surprised when Nekomata popped out of her Poké Ball and curled up with him when he went to bed, purring like the cat she was. "Not that I'm complaining, but what's with the affection?" Shiranui asked telepathically so as to not wake up the others.
"Most feline Pokémon are choosy of who they want to befriend and we Meowstic queens are very selective about making friends," Nekomata answered, "It started when I saw you send out that handsome purple-tailed feline that calls itself Mewtwo, but answers to Saisei."
"You have a crush on Saisei?" Shiranui asked, astounded at that bombshell.
"I'm into the edgy ones and no tom can compete with Saisei's edge," Nekomata answered, "Like any psychic, I took a peek into your memories and; wow, the charisma it would take to befriend some of the most powerful beings in the world. You're going to have a lot of queens who want what I have."
"I don't know if Saisei is capable of reciprocating your feelings," replied Shiranui, earning a 'please explain' look from Nekomata, "They're immune to the move Attract so you're dealing with a non-gendered Pokémon. I'm not saying getting them is impossible as it's been documented that some legendary Pokémon can have children and Saisei already has a family of sorts; I'm saying you need to find the right way."
"I love a challenge," came Nekomata's response. With a bid of good night to each other, Shiranui and Nekomata both fell asleep.

The morning came and Mustard had everyone gather. He had a whiteboard displayed on a tripod. That board showed the bracket with the matchups.

1. Liam
2. Klara
3. RP
4. Chuck
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui

He reminded the eight participants that they were each allowed to use three different Pokémon, but only in the final could they use all three and that it was one-on-one matches until then. He then said that it was time for the first match, Champion Coleman vs Klara. Mustard then called for them to begin. While walking out to the field behind everyone else, Klara told Liam that she had left a "special surprise" for him at the battlefield.

Klara and Liam tossed out the balls with the selected Pokémon in unison. Klara called out Galarian Slowbrow while Liam sent out Duraladon. Purple spikes shot up out of the ground around Duraladon, but seemingly did nothing. Liam instantly recognized those and became furious. Klara looked upset as she Dynamaxed her Pokémon. She ordered Max Mindstorm, which did moderate damage.
"I was going to take it easy on you, but you can forget that now," Liam said. "Laser Focus!" Liam called. Duraladon took aim at the opposing Pokémon
(Klara Dyna 1)
Liam now Gigantamaxed Durladon, with the hit guarantee from Laser Focus and called for G-Max Depletion, the guaranteed critical hit tore a huge chunk out of the Galarian Slowbro's health, and it retaliated with another Max Mindstorm as it is the only attack it had that wasn't half effective or worse.
(Klara 2, Liam 1)
Klara letting her anger get to her slipped and ordered for Max Ooze which did nothing.
Liam called for another G-Max Depletion which KO'd the Slowbro. As Duraladon reverted to its normal size, Liam was not celebrating. With an angry look, he marched straight up to Klara, who was now on the ground sobbing.

"How dare you!?" He yelled. "Trying to cheat your way into a victory? I expected better from an aspiring Gym Leader. You know, my friends and I have dealt with a literal mafia head, TWO teams of eco-terrorists at the same time, a homicidal maniac that was trying to cause the end of the world, a team a street thugs, many poachers, and a horribly misguided organization messing with extraterrestrial Pokémon. But None of them tried a dirty trick like that. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call up the Gallar Leauge and tell them of the dirty trick you pulled?"
Klara looked away from Liam. "You're right, there is no excuse for what I did. Banished from the dojo, be blacklisted from the Galar Leauge. I deserve both of them."
Mustard approached the pair. He turned to Liam first.
"Congratulations on the victory, Champion Coleman. Though, as Klara's Sensei, I feel I must apologize on her behalf. What she did was wrong, but she didn't want to get defeated by her rival."
"With all due respect Master Mustard," Liam replied. "From where I stand, that doesn't really matter. Cheating is cheating. It is one of the few things I find unforgivable."
"I understand how you feel Champion Coleman, but she is my student and I will deal with her punishment." He then turned to Klara. "Klara, you have brought shame on this dojo with your actions. As punishment you will be allowed to stay on one condition: You must take care of every Pokémon at this dojo, both owned by the people here and the wild ones that live within the grounds by yourself for six months." He then turned back to Liam.
"You have persevered even though the deck was stacked against you, I can see why you are a regional Champion. Now, if you will step to the side we will see who you are facing in the next round." Mustard walked back over to his position. As Liam started to walk away, Klara stopped him.
"How did you know?"She asked. "How did you know to have a Steel-type ready for me?"
Liam looked at her. "I didn't go in knowing you were doing this, I would have told Master Mustard if I did. I used Duraladon because I knew you specialized in Poison-types. Nothing more." Liam then begrudgingly held his hand out to the sobbing Klara to help her up.

1. Liam [Durladon/?/?]
2. Klara [G. Slowbro/-/-]
3. RP
4. Chuck
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui

Shiranui saw the battle between Klara and Liam and was astounded at Liam's wrath that he believed would even make a Nurse Joy quiver. He didn't blame Liam at all as not even he would stoop so low as to set a trap on a battlefield before the battle officially started.

Even with everything they'd been through together, Chuck didn't think he'd ever seen Liam that angry. It even gave his own dark side a run for it's money. Honestly, he felt bad for Klara. He could understand the feeling of desperation, facing an opponent you know is stronger than you, and seemingly having no way to defeat them, to overcome that challenge. However, she went about it the wrong way, though he didn't think she deserved that kind of beratement. But, before he knew it, it was time to prepare for his own match. For the most part, he decided on what his team would be, as well as who he would start with, and who he would keep in reserve as his ace in the hole.

“Everyone has a breaking point, you just need to control it,” Jen said as she feels bad for Kiara. She felt a bit weak as she saw some dark sides of her friends as Aura nudge her. Aura tells her you don’t need a dark side to be strong as Jen pets Aura.

"It's that reason why I do nine particular hand movements from time to time," Shiranui added, describing the kuji-kiri, "It helps calm me down and stay focused on the task at hand if my emotions threaten to get the better of me."

Unknown to the group, the battle was being watched by a mysterious group of pokemon, the older one seemed to be generally put off by all the dark aura he could sense among the group. But his eyes were drawn to Jen, before saying something to the group who vanished once more leaving no trial but a faint aura trace.

Serina sensed the presence but said nothing to the group so they could focus on their battles, though she did not seem too phased by Liam anger. "To be fair to Liam, that's still a hell load more tamed then it could be. Beside's all this talk about dark side and so on, just makes me annoyed. None of you have darkness quite like mine or Veronica" Selina said with a pout.

Mei sensed the presence and was already aware of what it was, but she had to stay hidden for a little longer, while Master Mustard and Mrs Honey were aware of her and her sisters alteration. No one else at the dojo knew so she had to play it safe.

"I fail to see how that's a problem," Shiranui replied to the notion of having a dark side as something enviable.