James Davy

Pokémon Galar

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

Pokémon Galar

"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."

Pokémon Galar

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

@bowtiesrcool86

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.

Pokémon Galar

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.

Pokémon Galar

You can roll a die to decide.

Pokémon Galar

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

Pokémon Galar

"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."

Pokémon Galar

Shiranui had yet to return as he was following Zoku while the Thievul sniffed around for the scent he picked up of Max Mushrooms back at the dojo. They found themselves in the Forest of Focus and with Nekomata floating around as lookout, Thievul pointed like a hunting dog at a tree stump and within a hollow in that stump were three Max Mushrooms. "Nicely done, Zoku," Shiranui praised as he picked the mushrooms.

Avery teleported in with his Kadabra and shouted, "Hold it right there! Hah! Just as I expected! Multiple Max Mushrooms growing in a bunch! My psychic powers picked up on these Max Mushrooms aeons before you found them. I believe I should be the first one to get those Max Mushrooms. First come, first served, and all!"
"You're absolutely right," Shiranui rebutted, "First come, first serve—I came here first so I get the mushrooms."
"You dare get in my way? I warned you about my psychic powers, and now you'll experience them firsthand!" Avery challenged, "Kadabra, Psychic Terrain!" Before Shiranui could send out his battler the battlefield got charged with psychic energy.
"Alright, I'll show you how a real psychic battles," Shiranui responded, unmoved by Avery's threats, "Saisei, I choose you!" He sent his Mewtwo out and Kadabra almost immediately felt the pressure from Saisei's glare.
"Kadabra, Swift!"
"Saisei, Laser Focus!" The Mewtwo locked on to Kadabra's weak spot with laser-like precision while Kadabra shot a salvo of star-shaped rays at Saisei and landed a hit.
"Was that supposed to hurt?" Saisei asked, "Hailstones do more damage than that weak excuse for an attack." Avery felt both dumbfounded over how little damage his Kadabra's Swift did and riled up by Saisei's comment.
"Kadabra, give it a Tri Attack!"
"Saisei, use Psystrike!" Kadabra fired off three beams that formed a delta and Saisei copped a Flamethrower, an Ice Beam and a Thunderbolt at the same time.
"Passable, especially with the odds of leaving me frozen," Saisei patronised, "You might have stood a chance then, but it's now time to feel real power!" The Mewtwo launched a wave of psychic energy at Kadabra powered up by the Psychic Terrain. In spite of the attack not being very effective, Kadabra was knocked out thanks to a large disparity in experience, a very low Defence stat and a critical hit made certain by the Laser Focus from earlier. "Compliments of Mewtwo—the world's most powerful Pokémon," Shiranui finished.

"Blast it. Victory still eludes me… What is it that I lack? What do I need? Very well, you can have those ones. I'll go and find myself some Max Mushrooms that are far more elegant! Avery, Teleport!" Before Shiranui could answer, Avery and his now-revived Kadabra vanished from the area.
"The answers he seeks are so obvious even the local Slowpoke can figure them out," Saisei stated.
"No doubt about that," Shiranui agreed, "Saisei, Zoku, return!" He recalled his Mewtwo and his Thievul. "Nekomata, can you fly us back to the dojo?" he asked.
"Can and most certainly will!" the female Meowstic affirmed, grabbing her trainer in a telekinetic hold and the duo floated back to the dojo.

"I return with three Max Mushrooms," he announced, handing the mushrooms over to Mustard and recalling a blushing Nekomata.

Pokémon Galar

"Found one," came a feminine voice in Shiranui's mind that he deduced as Nekomata's telepathic voice. Shiranui followed where Nekomata and Zoku had gone and noticed a bright white light issue from somewhere close by, which he went to inspect.

Nekomata had located a Slowpoke that held a white belt in its mouth with Zoku's help. Through a combination of Nekomata's Covet and Zoku's Thief, the belt was now in the possession of Shiranui's Pokémon. Nekomata held Slowpoke in a telekinetic hold as Zoku started glowing with a bright white light.

By the time Shiranui arrived on the scene he came across his Meowstic levitating Slowpoke over to him and a Thievul with a white belt in its mouth. "Zoku, is that you?" he asked. The Thievul struck a charming refined pose and nodded his head while Shiranui grabbed the Slowpoke out of Nekomata's grasp and scanned the newly-evolved Zoku with his Rotom Phone.
"Thievul, the Fox Pokémon. A Dark type and the evolved form of Nickit. It secretly marks potential targets with a scent. By following the scent, it stalks its targets and steals from them when they least expect it. With a lithe body and sharp claws, it goes around stealing food and eggs. Boltund is its natural enemy."

Shiranui made it back to the dojo and saw Liam back as well. He presented the Slowpoke he held to Mustard and Mustard was pleased.

Pokémon Galar

Shiranui let himself get teleported out of the dojo. "Zoku, Nekomata, come on out!" He sent his Nickit and Meowstic out. "Your task is to bring the Slowpoke with stolen gi back to the dojo. Liam's Corvisquire is providing aerial reconnaissance." Zoku got the Slowpokes' scent and left to track them down with Nekomata following.