Grant entered the gym as Raihan spoke on his phone, "I'm afraid I can't do that Piers."

Piers explained, "He's not a bad person! He deserves a fair chance!"

"I agree but it's not like I'm the one who wants to stack the match," Raihan sighed, "Look, the best I can do is let him skip the gym trial but any more than that and Leon will get suspicious. That's all."

Grant is lead to the main arena. He inquired to Raihan, "Isn't there a gym trial or something?"

Raihan replied, "I'm not going to lie to you Grant. I'm sorry. We all are. You deserve a fair chance, even if Victor would wipe the floor with you, you deserve a fair chance and... I'm sorry. No one wanted this for you. It's all Leon. All of it."

"And I'll expose him," Grant smirked, "When I face him, in front of everyone, I will expose his crimes!"

Raihan smiled, "Then let us see if you can reach him. No tricks. No gimmicks. Just a strait double battle."

Grant nodded and the battle began.

Grant opened with Rook and Kiss as Raihan sent out a Tryanitar and Flygon.

Grant immediately knew when Tyrantiar's Sand Stream called forth a blinding sandstorm that he was in trouble, but he was ready for the fight. He smirked as he ordered, "You guys know the plan."

Kiss used Obstruct as Tyranitar and Flygon attacked. However, at least one of them took the bait. Flygon used Thunder Punch, throwing a left hook that was electrically charged only for Kiss to catch the fist and slam Flygon into the ground which sharply lowered its defense. However, Raihan was no fool, and ordered Tyraitar to strike at Rook, who sharpened his claws with Hone Claws. The jagged rocks called upon by Stone Edge impaled Rook's metal outer layer of protective feathers.

Then came the plan though.

Kiss's claws glowed with dark power as she slashed through Flygon with Night Slash. Rook meanwhile, turned on Tyranitar, striking with a barrage of metal feathers that shredded Tyranitar to bits.

The battle went on, but Raihan was about to turn things around as he sent out Sandaconda and Gigalith. Rook used Steel Wing to impale Gigalith, who stood strong despite its rocky skin being cracked by the sharp daggers as it struck with a barrage of rocks, Rock Blast, which shattered the metal outer layer around Rook's wings, fainting it. Kiss also fell to Sandaconda's Earth Power, which called force immense force that blasted from the ground as a critical hit.

4 to 3 now.

Grant sent out Zappy and Wick, ready to finish the fight. Wick struck first with a ball of shadowy energy, Shadow Ball, which consumed Gigalith's body and fainted it before being taken out by a torrent of energy from below, fainted by Sandaconda's Earth Power.

3 to 2.

Terrakion entered the fray as Raihan sent out Kommo-o.

The sandstorm finally subsided, not that it did anything of note. The battle was close, and tension filled the air. Grant knew he was in real trouble if he didn't make a big play. Both of his opponents had a type advantage over Terrakion and if the match became two on one it was as good as over.

He was desperate and preformed his hail mary maneuver, Dynamaxing Terrakion which then used Max Knuckle, crushing Kommo-o under its massive horn like a giant blade which fainted it in a single mighty strike as its attack increased, the Dynamax energy filled its body with power as Zappy used Dragon Tail on Sandaconda which countered once more with Earth Power, the torrent of energy fainted him.

It was now two on one. Grant had two turns to make some big plays of fall here.

Raihan commented, "We fight much the same Grant! Savage! Feral! You are a man who knows that we must fight to survive sometimes! I admire that! Show me that feral survival instinct! Show me your will to live with your back against the wall!"

With that Gigantamax Duraludon emerged, bringing the crowd to a climax as Grant began to sweat.

Grant nodded as he decided to make another desperate play. He knew he could not take out Duraludon in a single blow yet. He needed to even the odds while also boosting his attack once more.

When Sandaconda caught his eye, he knew he had a chance.

"Max Knuckle!" Grant ordered, "Remember! Our cause is just! Not only that Terrakion! Remember! You are my friend! My family! I believe in you!"

Terrakion stomped on the snake, crushing and fainting it as its attacked was boosted once more.

Terrakion was suddenly impaled by massive metal pillars as Duraludon used Max Steelspike, and while it held on so Grant would not be upset, Duraludon's defense increased.

Terrakion was in immense pain now as Grant pleaded, "Please! We can win! I believe in you! You can beat him!"

One turn left.

Terrakion could take no more damage.

This attack, this clash, would be the last.

Terrakion kicked up dust and charged as its horn glowed. Duraludon prepared as it struck with Max Knuckle one final time which wouldn't be enough with the defense boost that the Dynamax energy provided Duraludon...

Well...

Unless...

Terrakion landed a critical hit wishing to be praised, slashing apart Duraludon's metal skin as an explosion filled the arena and the titan fell.

Grant fell to his knees from exhaustion as Terrakion limped over to comfort him, concerned for its best friend.

"Good show," Raihan smiled, "Maybe you can stand up to Victor after all..."

Raihan helped Grant up as he elaborated, "But you're spreading yourself to thin man. Pushing yourself to hard."

"Just..." Grant replied catching his breath, "One more fight. One more... Just... the tournament..."

Grant left as he replied, "You're a cool dude Raihan. Let me know if you ever wanna hangout."

"Maybe we can have a pratice match sometime," Raihan replied, "Best of luck kiddo."

Grant left as Raihan checked his phone.

He texted Leon, "You know what Leon? Screw this and screw you. Grant has suffered enough. We're no longer friends..."

Meanwhile Leon kneeled to his mysterious benefactor.

"He's winning Leon," she hissed.

"He won't beat me I swear," Leon pleaded, "Please. I beg of you..."

"He will be facing Hop in the first match during the semi finals," the old crone explained, "You know what to do."

Leon nodded.

"And don't you get any ideas of trying to defeat me in battle," the women chuckled, "I'm far stronger than you and you know it."

"As long as you provide for my family I will never betray you," Leon replied, "Before you helped me, before Hop was born, we had nothing. My father had been fired and we were going bankrupt. I knew I had to provide for those I loved somehow."

"And I saved you," the women replied, "If nor for me you all would be in the poor house. Never forget that, Leon."

Leon nodded and walked away, at last the truth layed bare. Leon was poor and desperate all those years ago, and it is only thanks to his mysterious and malicious benefactor he has managed to provide such a lavish life for his family.

"I know what I'm doing is wrong," Leon sighed to himself,  "But my heart's in the right place... I'm not evil... Am I?..."

Grant got to the train station where Melony, Sonia, Bede, and Gordie all awaited him to see him off.

"Oh hey guys!" Grant exclaimed.

"Hey bro!" Gordie exclaimed, "Just here to wish you good luck! Also tell you where to stop cause, you know, you can't read."

"What?" Sonia asked.

"Remember man," Bede added along with a one armed hug, "Our cause is just. See it through."

"I will," Grant replied, "I appreciate this."

"Hold on though," Sonia chuckled, "You can't read?"

"Nope," Grant replied, "Maybe you can teach me?"

"Yeah that would be great he needs to know that," Melony chuckled.

Sonia nodded, "Yeah."

Sonia kissed Grant's cheek, "You're gonna win. You can do this. Get rid of the endorsement system and show Leon what for."

Melony hugged him and added, "I love you son, win or lose, you've come so far both mentally and physically. We're all so proud of you."

"I appreciate it but save it for when I win," Grant replied.

Grant added, "Thank you. All of you. This... means a lot to me. You guys being here. I love you all. You guys and Hop are the best family a guy could ask for. Not you Sonia. As I said I love you romantically. Hey by the way was that night in the hotel a one night stand or we going steady? I would rather go steady if that's-"

Embrassed and hiding her flustered face Sonia replied, "We're going steady but please don't talk about that here."

"Right sorry," Grant apologized, "Well, this is it. I'm going to win. See you guys soon!"

Grant got on the train and waved farewell to his family as he approached his final destination. After the train passed through a tunnel, leaving his cart pitch black, Tom appeared when light returned across from him.

"You really think you can win!" Tom laughed.

"That or I go back in the wilds," Grant replied, "Everyone abandons me and..."

"Darn strait!" Tom lied, "But how do you plan to defeat Victor? The kid's a prodigy! We don't stand a chance!"

"We'll find a way," Grant replied, "Now I need to make some strategies so..."

Grant took out a sketch pad and began to draw hypothetical battle situations.

"We can't read," Tom reminded.

"We can still draw," Grant retorted.

The train stopped suddenly.

"What's going on?" Grant asked as he looked around.

Grant turned to look out the window to see a Galarian Slowpoke blocking the tracks.

A train employee inquired, "A Galarian Slowpoke has wandered into our way. Is there any trainer who can capture it?"

Grant stood up, "Grant, The Feral Survivalist. I got it."

Grant got off the train and threw a quick ball at the Slowpoke. With three shakes it was caught.

"Finally a full team," he smiled, "You're a slow little gal aren't you? I'm calling you Dopey."

With that Grant got pack on the train.

"You're lucky you know," the employee explained, "Those are rare outside the Isle of Armor."

"Then maybe I'll go there someday," Grant replied, "Would be nice to get more rare and powerful Pokémon to defend my title as champion."

With that the train continued, and Grant arrived at his final destination, making a bee line for the arena where what awaited him...

Was an undefeatable foe...