The Unbeatable Champion

I hereby announce the start of the second Neo Champion Stadium!

The head judge will be me, Leon!

Therefore, I've decided the criteria the next Neo Champion will be judged on.

We'll be judging your passion for victory and determination to grow stronger together with everyone!

Show me your best teamwork in three-on-three battles!

Your opponent is...

Us, the ultimate Galar team!

Now, challengers! Try and beat us!

What?! Are they seriously asking us to beat Leon's team?

Winning isn't the only way to become a Neo Champion.

But I want everyone to challenge us as if truly trying to beat us!

I can't give the Neo Champion title to someone whose heart isn't in it!

Not while I'm the judge!

Assemble your best team, and make sure you're all in perfect condition and ready to work together on the day of the tournament!

I look forward to battling everyone!

Lee...

Gloria and Victor...

We have to beat them, huh.

The next day...

Nice teamwork, you two!

Not bad yourselves.

Hehe! Our hard training paid off!

But who should we invite to be our third team member?

A lot of our choices didn't work out.

I thought you'd definitely team up with Piers.

Sorry. Big Bro was invited to join Raihan's team straight away.

He's so unfair, just deciding his own team like that.

It is what it is... Piers definitely wants to win this one.

Sonia and Nessa teamed up as well.

They've always really wanted to beat Lee.

Bea also looked more fired up than usual...

And surprisingly, Gloria and Victor are judges.

I was so shocked! There's no way those two aren't interested in being Neo Champion, right?

Yeah, they must have their reasons...

Well, I guess there's no point talking about what's already decided.

After we train a bit more, let's go find a teammate!

Sounds good!

Whoa!

Wh-what?!

Is this...Galarian Articuno?

My oh my...

If you haven't decided on a teammate, shall I give you a hand?

A hand from myself and Articuno, the most elite sync pair of them all!

How about it, you two? If you team up with me, I won't accept defeat.

You talk all high and mighty...but aren't you in the same boat? You're looking for teammates because you couldn't find anyone to join, right?

There simply wasn't anyone who could match my skills.

Sure, whatever. Well, we're lookin' for a teammate, too. Wanna join us?

I didn't expect the three Legendary bird Pokémon from Galar to come together like this.

I remember my Zapdos running around so fast that it was a pain to try to catch...

I was troubled by Articuno's behavior of toying with people.

I had trouble with Moltres because it was so finicky and intimidating...

I have to say...

All three of them are kinda rebellious, aren't they.

Whoa! What happened?

Hey, Moltres! Shut your gob!

L-looks like they've calmed down...

I'm kinda worried whether we can show Lee the kind of teamwork he's expecting...

*sigh* Please don't hold me back...

Listen here, you...

I think we Trainers need to get on the same page first.

Thanks for helping me out, Gloria, Victor.

As judges, you forfeit the right to become Neo Champion...

But I...I really wanted to ask you two.

I know everyone's gonna be super passionate about beating me and becoming the Neo Champion!

Raihan and Sonia, and not just them...

I thought you two would be the best pair to help me face such feelings.

Those words are enough for me.

For you to acknowledge our skills, Leon...

It's just as good as becoming the Neo Champion!

We also want to see everyone's conviction, and face it head on!

That's why we took you up on your offer.

I guess I was right in asking you two.

But there sure is a lot of pressure, isn't there!

I bet Hop and the others are just burning to beat us.

Yeah, I can definitely see that!

Are you looking forward to battling Hop the most?

Of course! We're rivals, after all!

That's why we're gonna battle all out with no regrets!

Yes! I feel the same way!

Right! Let's train so we can be ready to take on the challengers!

So our opponents are Lee, Victor, and Gloria.

We won't win by just attacking randomly.

It'd help if they had a weakness or habit...

Habit, huh...

Honestly, Lee is so strong, I'm not sure we could beat him three-on-one...

But in a heated battle, he can sometimes get so into it that he gets tunnel vision!

Gloria is very strong on offense...

But I think her defense could be better.

Victor always makes the optimal choice in battle, and he usually takes the win.

Just thinking about it is getting on my nerves.

Yeah! That IS how Victor battles!

Which means there's a good chance Victor will be the one calling the shots!

Smart thinking! I'd expect no less from someone who's gonna be the best professor!

But that's his strength. Does Victor have any weaknesses?

Let's see...

There are times when he overthinks tactics, which can slightly delay his instructions to his Pokémon.

I've got an idea!

I see. Good plan.

We might be able to catch the three of them off guard that way.

Right! If we use that plan against Lee's team...

we'll absolutely take them down!

Of course. I won't tolerate failure.

Now then, let's start our final push!

On the day of the tournament...

The challengers were attacking relentlessly!

And facing them were the Champion team, who'd been steadily but consistently battling their way through any and all opponents.

Seems you're serious about taking the Neo Champion title!

You being the only Champion of Galar is a bit boring, right?

Today's the day we wash away all the frustrations we've had up till now!

Champion Leon...

I'll be getting my revenge for that humiliating defeat at that stadium in Galar!

So brace yourself!

Not gonna get me with that!

Huh?!

We're here, too!

So don't forget about us!

Darn...

No way!

What?! I'm the only one left?!

Y-you took them both out?!

Gordie! Piers!

Yeah, request queued up.

Let's show them our bond's as strong as a monolith!

Let the winds blow! Stream forward, Sandstorm!

We can't let our opponents use the field to their advantage! Leon! Gloria!

On it!

Sure thing!

Nope, I can't let that happen. We've got to win.

(Please watch this, Sis!)

Raihan! Gordie! Now's your chance! Go!

Leave it to me!

All right!

Quite impressive, but...

I guess there's no encore...

You made it.

Hop! Marnie! Bede!

Can you hear that? The excitement is nearly through the roof.

All of you! Hit me with all you've got!

Of course! Brace yourselves, Lee, Victor, Gloria!

You too!

I've no intention of losing!

We're gonna win and become Neo Champions!

I'll cover the heat of the crowd in the color of Bede!

We're gonna show everyone the greatest battle ever, and set the world on fire!

They made it into a one-on-one!

Are you trying to take us down individually? Not good enough!

Have a taste of our true power! Don't take us lightly, Lee!

Sorry, but we're gonna win today, Gloria!

That's my line, Marnie!

They're after something... What is it?

If taking us down individually isn't the plan, then maybe...

Heh. Now, time to begin...

Oh no! Everyone...

Articuno! Stop Rillaboom from moving!

Great! Our turn!

Go, Zapdos!

What?!

Now, Moltres!

Huh?!

Don't let the other two get all the best bits!

I knew it! They were after me from the start...

Overthinking much, Victor?

You're too fired up, Lee! You've gotta look around!

No way!

Should you really be looking away, Gloria?

You're next!

Whoa!

Tch... Gloria!

Hey now! I'm your opponent, Lee!

Hop...

Awww...

Gotta work on that defense, Gloria!

The only one left is...

You got me! I didn't expect to be cornered like this!

But...I won't give up, no matter what!

It's not over yet! I'm gonna show you a champion time!

I know better than anyone you're not easy to beat, Lee!

But still!

The three of us are gonna open up a new future!

Congratulations, Hop, Marnie, Bede!

After deliberation, the other judges and I have chosen you all as Neo Champions.

You did your research on us and came up with an excellent strategy, and that showed us your passion for victory!

Furthermore, your teamwork utilized each of your three sync pairs' strengths...

That proved your determination to get stronger together!

As frustrating as it is, you completely crushed us!

Well, I'm sure that plan would only work once.

None of you are foolish enough to fall for the same thing twice.

We know you the best, so we know you're not that easy to beat.

You were able to claim this victory because you three are close to Leon and his team members.

That's right! You always face them with everything you've got, and that's how you came up with that plan!

We tried our best, but...we've still got a ways to go.

Truly well done! We're all so happy you actually won!

The crowd will definitely remember how gallantly your team fought.

Sis... You all... From now on, everyone will be watching what you do...

I know, I know... Be a good role model, right?

No need to worry. I wouldn't make a fool of myself.

Yeah! I won't let this title go to my head.

We're gonna carry on, and get stronger together!