Grant opened with Rook as Leon opened with Mr. Rime. The frosted tap dancer opened with Teeter Dance which confused Rook. Rook then attempted to use Steel Wing, only for the flying feathers to ricochet off the metal floor and stab him, making him hurt himself in confusion. Before Rook could give attacking another go, Mr. Rime taps its feet twice and clicks it heels. Energy from within its body manifests as electircty it shoots from its cane, fainting Rook with Thunderbolt.

Grant sends out his second Pokémon deciding it beat to counter with Wick. The Chandelure cried out as the flame within the center of her body burns. She blasts Mr. Rime with Flamethrower, melting its defenses and cane, and fainting it.

"Super effective hit..." Leon muttered with resignation as he avoided eye contact, "You truly are a skilled trainer. I'm sorry I rigged the gym challenge against you."

The whole of Galar watched in shock as Leon sent out his second Pokémon. Rhyperior. Grant knew he couldn't afford to switch out as anything that took a hit from such a Pokémon could faint but...

If it survived...

Grant returned Wick and exclaimed, "Dopey this is your chance! Do us proud!"

Rhyperior used Stone Edge, calling upon jagged rocks from the floor beneath, only for Dopey to roll onto her back, just out of the way before flipping back over.

She than began to glow with a mystic power and disappeared in a blur of motion, reappearing behind Rhyperior.

"What?" Leon asked, shocked.

"Quick claw boys!" Grant exclaimed, "Dopey! Use surf!"

Rhyperior's armor was shredded by a suddenly, massive wave which crushed it under an immense amount of force on impact and fainted it. However, next was Ageislash, which switch to its sword form and used Shadow Ball, which fainted Dopey.

It was 4 to 4, an even match as Leon elaborated, "In truth... that Vespiqueen, all those years ago I tried to save your parents. I did all I could I swear but I failed. I... I'm sorry."

Grant didn't respond as he sent out Kiss. The Obstagoon cried out, ready for combat.

Grant had a sharp eye for defensive moves and ordered, "Don't attack yet! Use Obstruct!"

Kiss braced herself as Ageislash did the same, converting to its shield form and using King's Shield.

Grant's hunch was correct, and his foe now wide open for Kiss to charge forward. Kiss's claws glowed with dark energy as it shattered the metal shield that protected her foe, a critical hit with Night Slash that fainted her enemy.

3 to 4. A close battle still as Leon continued his confession, "I did however take the Vespiqueen's eye. That's how I knew which one it was all these years later. I did stack the gym challenge against you as well, ordered the gym leaders to stack the odds. For this too, I am sorry."

Seismitoad was the next out and struck suddenly, its own Quick Claw activating, with a powerful strike right to Kiss's neck which proved to much for her, fainting her with Drain Punch and absorbing her power.

3 to 3 now as Grant sent out Wick once more, this time ordering her to focus. The flames in her body began to grow as she cleared her mind, using Calm Mind to boost her special attack and defense.

Meanwhile, Seismitoad Earthquake, splitting the ground below with a mighty stomp and crushing under the sheer force of the shaking arena, which was sadly not enough for...

Wick held on using its Focus Sash!

All according to plan, which allowed Grant to give the order, "It's over! Sweep him!"

Wick complied, focusing before blasting Seismitoad with a massive sphere of spectral energy, fainting the frog with a boosted Shadow Ball that tore through its flesh with supernatural and intense power.

Dragapult emerged and quickly struck before Wick could react, shooting two Creepy clean through the spherical head of the spectral Pokémon, and fainted it.

2 to 2.

Grant sent out Dracozolt who used Dragon Tail, slamming his tail into Dragapult, which sent the ghostly dragon flying across the room and into the reinforced glass. It cried out in pain as its eyes closed and it fainted.

1 to 2.

Leon sent out his last, Charizard, which he Gigantamaxed before he expalined, "All I did I did... because before Hop was born... I was broke. Destitute. I made a deal with an evil person to get the Charmander that evolved into this very Charizard. I was promised the ability to provide for my newborn little brother. I see now this does not justify my actions, and I am sorry. I came from nothing and had a chance to make a better life for my family and... I did horrid things to you to protect my family, and I'm sorry."

With G-max Wildfire, Dracozolt was consumed by immense flames that scorched his entire body and fainted him.

Grant knew it was now or never. This attack would be the last. He Dynamaxed Terrakion and took a deep breath. The flames from the previous attack scorched Terrakion and weakned it as the burns caused it to wince in pain. Charizard cried out and began to charge Max Overgrowth, which would surely finish the battle, so Grant ordered, "It's not or never! We have to strike!"

Terrakion called out and used Max Rockfall, crushing Charizard under a massive wall of stone just before it could strike, and fainted it.

The battle was over. Leon had lost. He fell to his knees as he was overwhelmed by guilt.

"And that's it," Hop shrugged, "It's over..."

Grant remained silent.

"Bro?" Hop asked.

Grant walked over to Leon, and looked up at a camera in the room, from which all of Galar saw the battle. All of Galar knew the truth...

And Grant did the last thing any expected...

He extended a hand.

"I forgive for," he explained.

He helped to his Leon feet and spoke to Galar, "I am Grant! Tamer of Terrakion. Son of Melony. The Feral Survivalist. I ask a favor of you, Galar. Leon and I are the same. We both started from nothing. He took care of his family. He did wrong, but I request your forgiveness. He did what he did not because of blood ties, that slanderous concept, but love. He is a good man at heart."

Grant added as he smiled at Leon, "And furthermore, while in therapy I have conquered my fear of bugs. In an odd way he pushed me to get the help I needed. I am happy. I care not for the fact I lost for Victor would have defeated me anyways. I have a family. I have a future as a successful trainer. My blood parents are in Heaven and after a full and happy life, I will see them again. Leon..."

Grant smiled at him, "Will you accept my hand in friendship?"

Leon smiled, "You truly are a good person Grant..."

With that, Grant returned home to his mother and brother Gordie. Hop hugged Leon, silently forgiving him, and Leon's friends accepted him once more, not excusing, but forgiving his crimes.

So...

If this was a game there would be a final scene of Grant going home, greeted by Sonia, Gordie, Bede, and Melony. He is happy and content. Then the credits roll...

But...

This story isn't over.

If this was a game, like many games, there is a post game story, and after the hypothetical credits have rolled and the curtains closed...

They reopen... on a new scene.

Rose sits, cuffed in a chair in an integration room. A man in a brown trench coat, hidden in shadows as his partner, a women in a black suit, inquired, "And where is Eternatus now?"

Rose explained, "Owned by the champion, Victor."

The man explained, "Rose if what you say is true there is a bigger threat and if you help us, we will pardon you of all charges."

The man revealed himself to be Looker as he asked, "You turned yourself in to the International Police as a last ditch effort to stop her I assume?"

Rose nodded, "I prayed to Arceus you would see what I have seen yes. As for help... I knew a some. Two trainers and all their little friends would be strong enough."

"And what trainers are they?" The women, revealing herself to be Anabel, "And their freinds?"

"You should first seek out the only two go surpass Leon," Rose explained, "Victor, the one endorsed by him, and the Feral Survivalist, Grant..."

Post Game Story: Royal Blood Ties, Royal Blood Lies.

Coming Soon.