1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 47

The following day, we reach the Hotel Lobby, and a staff member approaches, saying, "Challenger Ash? The finals will be starting shortly. I'm here to escort you to the stadium."

Suddenly, Hop exclaims, "What's all this? Didn't you learn your lesson yesterday?! If you need another helping of Hop and his trusty Inteleon, I'll be happy to give you one!"

"No! Wait, please!" The staff gasps in horror. "I'm not like those other League staff! I'm one of the good ones, if I may say so myself... I heard about what happened yesterday. Ms. Oleana can be a little extreme in her desire to assist the Chairman with his goals, I'm afraid. It seems she was secretly cultivating her own group of League staff for... well... situations like that disaster last night. But you've no need to worry about today's staff! All of us are here for the right reasons."

I reply, "I trust you. So, it's time, huh?"

We then follow the League staff to make our way to the Wyndon Stadium. Dawn chimes in, "So, this is what replaced the Elite Four battles in Galar, right? The so-called 'Finals'?"

"It's a 16-trainer tournament with the Galar League winner and 15 of the Gym Leaders," Flora explains.

Hop adds with enthusiasm, "You're going to show everyone the greatest battle ever, mate, and set the world on fire! So go get yourself checked in!" I nod, fully prepared to enter the tournament.

The staff member continues, "Since you won your way through the Galar League, or what we call the 'Semifinals,' you must face off against the Gym Leaders in the finals. And they won't be holding back. Whoever makes it through this final bracket will earn the right to challenge the Champion... So, are you ready to head to the locker room now?"

I nod, realizing it's time to bid farewell to my friends and make my way to the locker room. Upon entering, I see a group of gym leaders, and my eyes fall on my first matchup: Opal.

As we make our way to the battlefield, Leon takes the stage for the opening. "It probably goes without saying, but... hello, Galar! I'm your Champion, Leon! The chairman is tied up with some business, so I hope no one minds me stepping in on his behalf... in order to lead you all to greater heights as Pokémon Trainers of the Galar region! The time has come for you to battle it out until only the greatest challenger remains! So, on behalf of the chairman, allow me to say... let the Finals matches begin!" His words echo through the stadium, signaling the start of the intense battles ahead.

My battle is the first one, but to my surprise, I hear a voice cry out, "Wait, you!"

To my shock, the one who stands in front of me is not Opal, but Bede, clad in the Fairy Type Gym Uniform. The audience starts murmuring amongst themselves. "Who's that?"

"Bede? What are you doing here?" I gasp in surprise.

"A moment, if I may. Does anyone here even remember me? I am Bede, the challenger who was forced to withdraw from the Gym Challenge!" Bede yells at the crowd.

"Bede! He's the challenger endorsed by Chairman Rose himself!" an audience member exclaims, adding to the confusion and intrigue surrounding the unexpected turn of events.

Bede says, "I have a score to settle with Challenger Ash here. I'm aware that this is against the rules, but I must ask nonetheless... I might have Opal's permission to take her place. But let me battle him! I'll stake my career as a challenger on this battle. If I lose, I'll retire from being a Trainer."

Gasps ripple through the crowd as we can't believe what we're hearing. Instead of facing Opal, I now find myself up against Bede. The commentator says, "What an unexpected turn of events! Former Challenger Bede has come for one last battle! We are currently debating what to do with Challenger Bede. To all our viewers, both here in the stadium and at home in front of the telly, we ask that you please be patient!"