Liam had his team healed and was ready to go.

Shiranui did likewise and was ready to face Allister.

Jen was ready, “who wants to go first?”

"You went first last time," Shiranui answered, "You want to take this one, Liam, or shall I go first?"

"You can go first," Liam offered.

“Good luck,” Jen said as she smiles at him.

Shiranui walked out onto the battlefield of the Stow-on-Side Stadium and saw a dark grey-haired boy wearing a mask. "Allister, I presume?" Shiranui asked, earning a nod from the masked gym leader, "Whilst I like your mask, O ye of few words, here's a breakdown of what's happening: one, you're facing a challenger you yourself endorsed—something few gym leaders past Kabu go through; and two, I'm not like most challengers as I can tell how people like you think."
"…A-are you sure?" Allister questioned with glowing purple eyes lighting up in his mask, "I may not be the first Ghost type gym leader you defeated, but I have some tricks of my own. H-here…I go…" With that, Allister opened with a Yamask, which Shiranui scanned with his Rotom Phone.
"Yamask: Galar Form, the Spirit Pokémon. A Ground and Ghost type. It's said that this Pokémon was formed when an ancient clay tablet was drawn to a vengeful spirit."
"Sogekishu, I choose you!" Shiranui sent out his Inteleon and the match was underway. "Start with Scald!"
"Yamask, Disable!" Sogekishu fired a jet of scalding hot water from his finger gun and blasted Yamask for enough damage to knock it out with one hit. "Yamask, return; Mimikyu, you're up!" Allister swapped his fallen Yamask for a Pokémon that was familiar to Shiranui.

"Mimikyu, Shadow Sneak!"
"Sogekishu, Aqua Jet!" Both Pokémon charged at each other; in Sogekishu's case the Inteleon was a saurian water missile. Mimikyu's attack did minor damage and Sogekishu's attack broke Mimikyu's Disguise. "With that formality out of the way, Sogekishu, give Mimikyu a shot of your Shadow Ball!"
"Mimikyu, Slash at Inteleon!" Sogekishu fired a Shadow Ball and landed a hit that Mimikyu barely survived. Mimikyu took the opportunity to slash Sogekishu for a big hit. "Mimikyu, Shadow Sneak!"
"Sogekishu, finish Mimikyu off with a Snipe Shot!" Mimikyu came out of Sogekishu's shadow and struck the Inteleon for a critical hit that Sogekishu barely survived. The Inteleon pointed a finger gun at Mimikyu and shot a powerful jet of water at point blank range. Mimikyu fainted dramatically from the hit.

Allister swapped out the downed Mimikyu and sent out a Cursola. Vaguely recognising the Pokémon, Shiranui scanned it with his Rotom Phone. "Cursola, the Coral Pokémon. A Ghost type and the evolved form of Corsola: Galar Form. Be cautious of the ectoplasmic body surrounding its soul. You'll become stiff as stone if you touch it."
"Sogekishu, Shadow Ball!"
"Cursola, finish off Inteleon with Hex!" Sogekishu managed to get off one more Shadow Ball shot before getting assaulted by Cursola's Hex and fainting from the powerful hit.

Shiranui switched out his downed Inteleon and sent out his Meowstic. "Cursola, let rip with a Hex!"
"Nekomata, finish Cursola off with a Night Slash!" In spite of Cursola's Weak Armor ability boosting its speed, Nekomata powered through the Hex it resisted and through ninja-like trickery, popped out behind Cursola as the Zoroark he was and slashed a "Z" on Cursola's back, causing the bleached coral to faint from the hit.

"My very last Pokémon… How lonely… How frightening…" Allister commented as he sent his Gengar out in lieu of his Cursola. "G-Max Terror… It's like Shadow Tag… You won't get away… I won't let you!"
"Zoro, Dynamax and use Max Darkness!" Both Allister and Shiranui recalled their Pokémon, activated their Dynamax Bands and threw their respective enlarged Poké Balls back towards the rear of their sides of the battlefield. Two Dynamaxed Pokémon emerged with the Gengar in its Gigantamax form. Lots of large objects flew at Zoro and did some damage. Zoro in response conjured a large dome of dark energy similar to his signature move around Gengar and caused a devastating amount of damage, making Gengar revert to its base form and leaving it prone.

"I nearly lost my mask from the shock… That was…wow. I can see your skill for what it is," Allister commented as the eye lights in his mask went out, "Here… A Ghost Badge…"

Jen walked onto the stage as she notices Allister did not talk much. Jen nods as Allister’s eyes of his mask flickered, “I choose you Mimi.” Jen said as her Galajan Slowpoke came out onto the battlefield. “Yamnask, come out of the shadows and use Hex,” Allister said as Yamnask a powerful attack at Mimi. ok“Mimi, Icy Wind,” Jen said as her Galaian Slowpoke summons a chilly wind at Yamnask. As both Pokémon got hit by each other attack they were bothknocked out. Jen and Allister recalled their pokemon Jen sends out Carkol and Allister sends out Mimikyu.

“Gyro Ball,” Jen said as Coal iron body rush into the shadows. “Shadow claws,” Allister said as Mimikyu hits Coal. Coal grakúnóobs Mimikyu from the shadows and hitting with a iron arm knocking out Mimikyu. Allister recalled Mimikyu and semds out Cursola as Jen switch out Carlos for her Galaian Ponyta. “Al is, Confusion,” Jen said as her Ponyta confuse Cursola. “Hex,” Allister said as Cursola was confused as the attack missed Ponyta. “Psybeam,” Jen said as Ponyta’s horn glowed and a beam at Cursola, it hits Cursola and knocking. It out.

Allister recalled Cursola and sends out Gengar. Jen switches our her Galaian Ponytail for her Lucario. Both trainers Dyno Max their Pokémon back . “Courageous Gas,” Allister as his Gengar surrounds Aura in posionous gas. “Aura Psychic Eye Sore than used Zen head butt,” Aura create a psychic field then will her mind to attack Gengar. After Aura turn back to normal size Jen obtained the Ghost badge.

Liam went next. Dreepy timidly floated behind him. Alister sent out G. Yamask first while Liam sent out Flapple.
"Leech Seed!" Liam ordered.
The Pokemon was seeded. Yamask responded with Brutal Swing. The shiny dragon was hit by the move and Leech Seed sucked some health away.
"Use Grav Apple," Liam ordered. An apple feel from high above, striking Galarian Yamask for considerable damage.
"Use, Disable," Alister commanded, putting a temporary stop to the STAB Super Effective move. Leech Seed zapped more health away.
"Dragon Pulse!" Flapple launched the attack, but missed. Yamask used Brutal Swing and got a critical hit, lowering Flapple's attack low enough to activate the Orren Berry it held, which had a boosted effect due to Flapple's ability, Gluttony.
"Use Acrobatics!" The attack did extra damage since Flapple no longer had a hold item. But, as Flapple made contact, a black aura went from Yamask, to Flapple and back. Liam was surprised by that and Allister explained that it was Yamask's ability. Liam looked it up in his Pokedex.

"Yamask, Galarian Form has the ability: Wandering Spirit. When a pokemon with the ability takes a physical hit, it swaps abilities with the one who hit it."

"Yamask, Hex!" Allister called. This attack hit and KO'd Flapple.

Liam next sent out Beckham. Leech Seed took the last of Yamask's health and it was replaced with a Mimikyu.
"Flame Charge!" Liam ordered. The Raboot charged forward with the attack and broke the disguise.
"Hone Claws," Allister commanded. Mimikyu sharpened its talons, getting a buff to its attack and accuracy.
"Ember!" Liam ordered. The attack got a burn on Mimikyu. Mimikyu used Hone Claws again.
Liam called for Agility, allowing Beckham's speed to be buffed. Allister called for Hone Claws one final time. The burns had taken a decent chunk of Mimikyu's health when Allister called out for Slash.
Beckham was hit with a critical hit, but used the chance to score a direct hit with Ember, getting a KO.

Allister sent out Curesola next. Liam was about to give Beckham an order when Dreepy began to float in front of Liam's face.
"You want to fight?" Liam asked, Dreepy nodded in confirmation. Liam called to Beckham to come back. Beckham drudged back, obviously a bit upset he didn't get to continue.
"Curse!" Alister called. Curesola sacrificed a chunk of its health bar to place a curse on Dreepy.
"Infestation!" Liam called. A swarm of bugs took refuse in the opposing ghost, locking it into battle.
"Ancient Power!" Alister called.
"Sucker Punch!" Liam interrupted. Dreepy quickly jabbed Curesola in its figurative gut, activating Weak Armor, lowering its DEF, but sharply raising its SPD. Yamask then did its attack, getting the omniboost. Curse and Infestation take their course (2 of 5)
"Double Team!" Liam called. Multiple copies of Dreepy appeared on the field. Curesola tried to attack with Ancient Power, hitting a duplicate. (Curse, Infest 3 of 5)
Liam called for Double Team again as Curesola used Hex, hitting another clone. (Curse/Infest [4 of 5])
Liam knew Dreepy wouldn't last much longer. "Use Rest!" Dreepy went to sleep and restored its health, waking up instantly since it snuck a Berry from Liam's pack when he wasn't looking. Curesola managed to hit with Ancient Power this time, but got no boost. Infestation took its final toll on Curesola. Liam called for Bite, scoring a hit and KO'ing Curesola.

ALister sent out his final Pokemon, Gengar. Liam called for Baton Pass Dreepy's clones merged into a floating baton as he returned to his ball. Beckham ran back out and grabbed the baton, spawning the same number of clones. In unison, Liam and Alister recalled their pokwmon as the Dynamax bands activated. The Pokemon remerged with Beckham Dynamaxed and Gengar Gigantamaxed.
Allister called for Max Ooze to be used as Liam called for Max Flare. Beckahm's Sp Atk went down and intense sunlight began to rain on the field, effectively negating the debuff on Beckham, if he's using a fire move.
(Dyna 1, Sun 1)
Liam next called for Max airstream, which hit boosting his SPD, but Gengar's Cursed Body activated, disabling the move. Allister called for Gmax Terror. Beckham could not be recalled.
(Dyna/Sun2)
Liam called for Max Darkness, getting a good hit and lowering the Gengar's Sp Def in the process. Gengar used one last Max Ooze. Both Pokemon returned to their normal sizes. Beckham was clearly in worse shape of the two. Gengar launched a Shadow Ball, and made a direct hit on the real Beckham.
"Ra...Ra-Raboooooooooooooot!!" Beckham was engulfed in blinding white light, seemingly even more so than usual due to how dimly lit this gym was. He changed form into a taller and more humanoid rabbit.
"Cin-Cinderace!" Beckham called.

"Cinderace, the Striker Pokemon. A Fire-Type and the fully evolved form of Scorbunny. It juggles a pebble with its feet, turning it into a burning soccer ball. Its shots strike opponents hard and leave them scorched. It's skilled at both offense and defense, and it gets pumped up when cheered on. But if it starts showboating, it could put itself in a tough spot."

Beckham then did its signature move, Pyro Ball while it was met with another Shadow Ball. Beckham saw out of the corner of his eye that Dreepy was watching with huge eyes as the blasts hit. Gengar survived but barely and Beckham was on the ground, and offically declared "unable to continue" Beckham weakly drudged back over to Liam's side and gently pet Dreepy on the head, and made a "go get'em gesture before sitting down next to his trainer." Dreepy flew back out to take Beckham's place.

"Shadow Ball," Alister commanded.
"Use Bite!" Liam called out. Dreepy managed to avoid the attack and connected with its own. Gengar survived and used Hex. The attack hit but Dreep y remained up, it launched one last Bite and won, earning Liam the Ghost Badge. He shook Alister's hand after getting the badge. He praised Dreepy for its hard work, and for coming out of its shell. He recalled it and turned to Beckham who was still sitting there.
"First off, congratulations on the evolution Beckham." Liam said with a smile. "But, I want you to level with me. Did you take a fall on purpose for Dreepy?"
"Beckham nervously chuckled as he looked away from Liam and blushed.
"You really are sweet, you know that?" Liam asked.
"Cin!" Beckham replied as he jumped up onto his feet and hopped in place while shadowboxing."

Shiranui smiled at Beckham's display of teamwork and started pondering if the newly-evolved Cinderace was a Passimian in a previous life.

Liam said that he thought it would be best to go heal up at the center. He stepped outside the gym and heard a huge "boom". He looked up and saw a huge column of dust rising through the air in the direction of a mural. He called out his shiny Corvisquire. told it to go find Officer Jenny and bring her to that location then hurried off to see what happened.

Shiranui looked over at the dust column and was horrified. "What would possess someone to blow up a mural?" he asked, following Liam.

Upon reaching the site, Liam saw Bede with a huge Pokemon that Liam had never seen before.

"Copperajah, the Copperderm Pokemon. A Steel-Type. They came to Galar from another region long ago and worked together with humans. Their green skin is resistant to water. These Pokémon live in herds. Their trunks have incredible grip strength, strong enough to crush giant rocks into powder."

"Bede, what are you doing?!" Liam asked horrified.
Bede turned to see the heroes standing there. "It's you dorks again, jealous of my plan to get more Wishing Stars? Well too bad, I'm not letting you in on it." He tossed out a Great Ball and Duosion emerged.
Beckham popped out of his Ball

"I'm the one chosen by the Chairman, I'm the one to defeat the champion, I'm an elite, someone who can shoulder the future of Galar on their shoulders." Bede pointed at Beckham and started to order an attack, but before he could there was a sharp whistle sound as Liam's shiny Corvisquire flew down and landed next to its trainer.

Officer Jenny arrived on the scene with a officials of the Galar Leauge.
"Challenger Bede," one of the officials scolded. As this was said, Chairman Rose and Olena walked up as well.
Olena spoke next. "I wondered what you were upto when you asked to borrow the Chairman's Copperajah I can't believe you would use it to destroy a historic landmark!"

"Who cares about a hisotircal landmark when the next thousand years are at stake!?" Bede cut in. "Did you stand in front of a Pokemon's Simple Beam or something? How do you expect to support the Chairman with that sort of thinking?"

Rose looked sadly at Bede. "Youbg Bede, I didn't want you to do this. As much as it pains me to do so, I must disqualify you from the Gym Challenge. It is true that I found you when you were all alone. You reminded me of myself when I was younger. That's why I sent you to Trainers' School to help give you a chance at success. But today, by destroying this site you have shown that you have no love for Galar."

Bede was flabbergasted. "But, there are hundreds of other ways this could be resolved, why are we going with the worst one?" At Olena's orders, the two officials confiscated the Wishing Stars that Bede had on his person.

Rose told Bede to return to Hammerlocke and they will discuss things further then. The officials then escorted Bede away. Rose turned and saw the heroes. "Ah, hello challengers," he said. "I apologize that you had to see that. I wish we didn't have to competitors in that fashion, but we have to keep things fair and sportsmen-like. I apologize, but I must get going. Good luck with the rest of the gym challenges." Rose and Olena then walked off while Jenny was roping the area off for safety.

There was a bit more rumbling as the damaged mural crumbled away. When the dust settled, there was a statute inside. It appeared to be of a pair of wolves. The one in front had a shield in its mouth as if to use it, and the one in back had the same with a sword.

“What are Wishing Stars and what they have to do Galar Legands,” Jen ask as she wonders what Beda Kent that Galar was in danger?

"Rotom, analysis!" Shiranui commanded his phone.
"Wishing Stars are the source of power of every Dynamax Band in Galar," Shiranui's phone reported in answer to Jen's question, "Rumours have been told that the Wishing Stars are parts of a Pokémon known as Eternatus."
"Elaborate please," Shiranui requested.
"Eternatus, the Gigantic Pokémon. A Poison and Dragon type. The core on its chest absorbs energy emanating from the lands of the Galar region. This energy is what allows Eternatus to stay active. It was inside a meteorite that fell 20,000 years ago. There seems to be a connection between this Pokémon and the Dynamax phenomenon," Rotom clarified, "As for a cross referential connection to local legends; historical data is written of an event that occurred 3,000 years ago called the Darkest Day where Eternatus tried to stay alive through absorbing all the energy in the region, causing a black storm that Dynamaxed and Gigantamaxed all Pokémon in Galar. The increase in power caused the Pokémon to go berserk and almost destroy the region. The end of the Darkest Day was signalled by the defeat of Eternatus by Zacian and Zamazenta." Shiranui had a feeling of déjà vu as it wasn't the first time he heard about shards of a legendary Pokémon being used to boost a Pokémon's power and hearing of the Darkest Day gave him a lot of food for thought along with the shock of witnessing a trainer getting disqualified from a Pokémon League-sanctioned Gym Challenge.

"Zacian and Zamazenta huh,?" Liam thought aloud. He looked at the statue. "I'm willing to bet my bottom Pokedollar they are whose portrayed in that statue" Liam commented motioning to the hole that was now taped off by Jenny.

Jen sadly no do at what Liam said as she looks at the hole.

"Two lupine Pokémon statues are in that hole," Shiranui described to Jen, remembering she was blind, "One of them carries a sword in its mouth and the other has a shield-shaped mane."

Liam snapped a picture and sent it to Sonia with a brief blerp about it. "Sonia might want to know about that," He commented. "So, what shall we do next?"

"We make our way through Glimwood Tangle to Ballonlea where the next gym is," Shiranui answered, "I believe that gym specialises in Fairy type Pokémon."