"You did it, Ash!" When we return to the locker room, Alice and Serena envelop me in a warm hug, applauding my efforts. Grateful, I respond, "Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without your unwavering support."

"All right? The big moment's finally here, eh? I came just to cheer you on, you know!" Hop chimes in with a grin. "Still, it's not easy picking sides... After all, it's the showdown between my big brother and my rival... Who should I really root for?"

Gloria reassures, "Of course, we're going to cheer for you. You've come this far."

Dawn adds, "You're absolutely right. You've got to beat Leon! If anyone can conquer the unbeatable Champion, it's you!"

With a smile, I acknowledge, "Well, it seems like the pressure's on..."

As I step onto the battlefield, I make the crucial decision to stick with the team I used when facing Raihan, with a few strategic alterations. The anticipation of the battle ahead fills the air, and I also contemplate the use of Mega Evolution and Z-Moves to showcase my strength.

However, before I can make any further decisions, Leon stands before me, and his words resonate with the electric atmosphere of the moment. "The tense, still air on the pitch... And the exact opposite from the audience, cheering and yelling... They're both fantastic, wouldn't you say?" he begins. "But remember, the audience is also a bit cruel... They want nothing more than to see one of us lose, after all! It can fill you with fear knowing that, but I absolutely love pushing past the fear. I love giving it everything I've got as a Trainer and seeing my team give everything they've got to seize another victory! It's the greatest feeling in the world, and I can't get enough of it!"

Feeling a surge of excitement, I respond, "Me too, I can't get enough of it too."

Leon continues with unwavering confidence, "I can feel my partners itching with anticipation inside their Poké Balls... We're going to have a real champion time! I'm the Galar region's Champion, Leon! Me and Charizard, and all the rest of our team, will use all our knowledge and experience to crush you completely!"

With a determined grin, I reply, "Well then, Leon, let's give the audience a battle they'll never forget!"

As the tension on the battlefield reaches its peak, the unexpected happens. The monitor flickers to life, and Chairman Rose's face appears on the screen, drawing our immediate attention.

"Hello there, Leon and Ash! We have a serious problem..." His words hang heavy in the air, and we all turn to the screen in shock. "The Darkest Day has been brought out! Without any warning! I know it is for the sake of Galar's future, but now we're in a bit of a pickle. The energy released by the Darkest Day is too much for us to contain. I'm sorry that it's come to this. But it's you who forced my hand, Leon. You refused to listen!"

As the stadium's battlefield erupts with towering pillars of ominous red light, we find ourselves in a state of shock and uncertainty. The abrupt interruption forces us to retreat, with everyone rushing to our side. Gloria, her voice laced with concern, asks, "That video stream... That was from Hammerlocke Stadium, right? What in the world did the chairman do...?"

Elena adds, "Papa has warned us... but we couldn't predict when the Darkest Day will wake up... this is awful..."

Leon, taking charge as the Champion, makes a resolute decision. "I've got to go see what's going on... I'm the Champion! I have to go! I should've realized what the chairman tried to warn us before it came to this... I'll take responsibility now for fixing this mess! This is the real Champion time!" With unwavering determination, Leon rushes off, leaving us with a sense of urgency and a growing sense of responsibility in the face of the unfolding crisis.

"But, Lee! You're terrible at directions... What if you get lost along the way?" Hop yells in concern before turning to us, his frustration evident. "I want to help my brother! I've got to! But I can't even manage to beat you, so what sort of help could I ever be...?"

I offer a reassuring response, "If what my Mom and Dad said was true... then there will be Dynamax Pokémon all over the region. We will need to calm those Pokémon down. That's what you can do!"

As the others disperse to carry out their respective tasks, Alice, Serena, Elena, and I remain behind, contemplating our next move. Alice speaks up, "Then what should we do? Should we calm down the Dynamax Pokémon as well?"

I shake my head, determined to tackle the issue at its source. "We're just delaying the problem if we do that; right now, we have to solve the problem from the roots. Back in Motostoke, Sonia said something back then, didn't she... Though it turned out to be wrong, since there were actually two heroes and all that. Still! Those two managed to bring an end to the Darkest Day with the sword and shield Pokémon! Sonia thought the Pokémon might still be sleeping somewhere though, right?"

Elena inquires, "So you're suggesting that we find them?"

"Of course. The last time we saw them is back in the Slumbering Weald. If we're lucky, we'll find something that can help!" I declare as determination fuels our steps, propelling us back to the Slumbering Weald in search of answers and a way to quell the crisis.

Arriving in Postwick, we come across Sonia, who appears surprised by our presence. "Huh? Ah! I completely forgot about the Championship Match! What're you four doing here?"

Serena quickly responds, her tone urgent, "It's not the time right now. Haven't you been watching the news at all? The tournament is off! The region is in a state of havoc right now!"

Sonia, startled, stammers in confusion, "Huh? What?! What happened while I was researching things in the Slumbering Weald?"

I clarify, "Well, for starters, there's a great black storm or something raging over Hammerlocke Stadium. That's the 'Darkest Day!' It's thrown everything into disarray! We got a call from our parents and they're trying to hold the Darkest Day, and now Leon is rushing to assist them."

Sonia gasps in shock, her face reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Did you say 'the Darkest Day'? 'The Darkest Day' is the name for the black storm that nearly brought the Galar region to ruin in ancient times... So what are you here for?"

Alice speaks firmly, "We're going to stop the Darkest Day."

"To stop the Darkest Day... You mean you're going to search for the sword and shield Pokémon?" Sonia gasps as we nod in agreement. "OK! Here, take this. You should head to the Slumbering Weald. I'll catch up with you once I'm done looking into something that's been bothering me."

Sonia hands us three Max Revives, a sign of her support, and we immediately rush into the Slumbering Weald, our determination unwavering as we embark on this critical mission to save Galar from impending disaster.

Entering the Slumbering Weald, I remark, "I wonder if we're going to encounter that thick fog again... But it won't faze us now."

Alice nods, a determined gleam in her eyes. "Yeah, we've both come a long way, and our Pokémon have grown stronger too. Remember when we first ventured into this forest to find Wooloo? That was just the beginning of our legendary journey... I have a feeling whatever lies ahead will be just as legendary. Let's step in and continue writing our story!"

We continue forward, venturing deeper into the forest, where we encounter unusual Pokémon like Orbeetle, Galarian Weezing, and Munna scattered about. As we press on, we eventually reach a bridge shrouded in thick fog, and Serena voices her confusion, "What's with this fog?!"

I respond, equally puzzled, "I don't know! It's even worse than the first time we came here..."

Suddenly, two majestic wolf-like Pokémon materialize before us, and Alice gasps in amazement, "They really are here... The sword and shield Pokémon! I knew it!"

However, to our astonishment, the two Pokémon begin to retreat. "Hey! Where're you going?! We need your help over here!" I urgently call out.

"You four... What in the world are you doing?" We turn to find Sonia catching up to us, her expression one of curiosity and concern.

Elena quickly explains, "Ms. Sonia. Those sword and shield Pokémon! They were right in front of us! But then they disappeared into the forest..."

Sonia appears perplexed, responding, "You sure you haven't lost the plot? There was no one here but the four of you..."

I wonder aloud, "Wha... Then were those just...illusions or something?"

Sonia then shares a revelation, "Listen! I dug into some literature from other regions, and I finally found something! Mentions of the sword Pokémon, Zacian, and the shield Pokémon, called Zamazenta. The writings said that those two Pokémon were born somewhere beyond the Slumbering Weald sometime long, long ago."

Grateful for this newfound information, I suggest, "Even if it is just an illusion or whatever, we did manage to find that Pokémon again... Maybe the sword and the shield that those two used to carry are still here, too!"

With newfound determination, we continue to chase after the elusive Pokémon until the fog eventually lifts, revealing a shrine before us.

"A shrine?" We rush ahead, our excitement growing, and find two items resting on the ground. Elena gasps in awe, "The Sword and the shield... The legends really were true!"

Alice and I reach down to pick up the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield, examining their worn condition. Serena comments, "Would you look at the state of this thing? It seems like it might fall to pieces if you so much as look at it funny."

I agree, a hint of optimism in my voice, "I don't know if these rusty old things will really be able to stop the Darkest Day, but... Well, I guess it can't hurt to have them along! Let's hope they bring us some good luck!"

Alice nods in agreement, her determination unwavering. "Maybe the Pokémon themselves really are still asleep somewhere. So it seems we're on our own if we want to go help Leon. This is all the help we've got!"

With the Sword and Shield in hand, we understand that the fate of Galar rests upon our shoulders, and we prepare to rush back to Hammerlocke City.

As we finally arrive at the stadium, I'm taken aback to find my Mom and Dad engaged in a conversation with Raihan. I can't help but ask, "Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?"

They both turn to us, weariness etched on their faces. My Mom explains, "Chairman Rose has asked us to prevent as many casualties as possible now that the Darkest Day has awakened... we've underestimated the whole thing..."

My Dad adds, "Relena has been back to Hammerlocke Academy to help the students, and Hop just rushed in to help Leon."

The shock of Hop's recklessness momentarily overwhelms us. Raihan interjects with a reassuring tone, "The key thing is that no one's been harmed. We Gym Leaders worked together with the city's Pokémon, and we've got everyone evacuated. And you, you're fixing to help our Champion? To save everyone in the Galar region?"

I affirm resolutely, "Of course we are."

My Dad chimes in, "Our greatest-ever Champion and the greatest-ever challengers... all teaming up against the Darkest Day... I almost feel sorry for it!"

Raihan adds with a chuckle, "With only Leon and Chairman Rose, we aren't sure if they can do it alone. So we need your help as well. Right now, we're waiting for the International Police reinforcements to come, so we're counting on you."

With a firm nod, we enter Hammerlocke Stadium, fully aware of the immense responsibility resting on our shoulders as we prepare to confront the Darkest Day and do whatever it takes to save the Galar region.

Here is a new chapter, and we're here with the beginning of the Darkest Day. The next chapter will be the conclusion.

Ash and Alice's Pokemon:

Venusaur, Charizard x2, Blastoise, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu, Meowth, Machamp, Rapidash (Galarian), Gengar, Kingler, Weezing (Galarian), Lapras, Eevee, Snorlax, Meganium, Typhlosion (Hisuian), Espeon, Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Abomasnow, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Darmanitan (Galarian), Garbodor, Zoroark, Stunfisk (Galarian), Greninja, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha, Decidueye, Lycanroc (Dusk), Mimikyu (Shiny), Melmetal, Rillaboom, Cinderace, Inteleon, Greedent, Corviknight, Orbeetle, Thievul, Eldegoss, Dubwool, Drednaw, Boltund, Coalossal (Shiny), Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Cramorant, Barraskewda, Toxtricity x2 (Amped, Low-Key), Centiskorch, Grapploct, Polteageist (Antique), Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, Obstagoon, Perrserker, Cursola, Sirfetch'd, Mr. Rime, Runerigus, Alcremie x9 (Each Flavor), Falinks, Pincurchin, Frosmoth, Stonjourner, Eiscue, Indeedee x2, Morpeko, Copperajah, Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, Arctovish, Duraludon, Dragapult, Kleavor