The morning came and Mustard had everyone gather. He had a whiteboard displayed on a tripod. That board showed the bracket with the matchups.

1. Liam 
2. Klara
3. RP
4. Chuck 
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui 

He reminded the eight participants that they were each allowed to use three different Pokémon, but only in the final could they use all three and that it was one-on-one matches until then. He then said that it was time for the first match, Champion Coleman vs Klara. Mustard then called for them to begin. While walking out to the field behind everyone else, Klara told Liam that she had left a "special surprise" for him at the battlefield.

Klara and Liam tossed out the balls with the selected Pokémon in unison. Klara called out Galarian Slowbrow while Liam sent out Duraladon. Purple spikes shot up out of the ground around Duraladon, but seemingly did nothing. Liam instantly recognized those and became furious. Klara looked upset as she Dynamaxed her Pokémon. She ordered Max Mindstorm, which did moderate damage.
 "I was going to take it easy on you, but you can forget that now," Liam said. "Laser Focus!" Liam called. Duraladon took aim at the opposing Pokémon
(Klara Dyna 1)
Liam now Gigantamaxed Durladon, with the hit guarantee from Laser Focus and called for G-Max Depletion, the guaranteed critical hit tore a huge chunk out of the Galarian Slowbro's health, and it retaliated with another Max Mindstorm as it is the only attack it had that wasn't half effective or worse.
(Klara 2, Liam 1)
Klara letting her anger get to her slipped and ordered for Max Ooze which did nothing.
 Liam called for another G-Max Depletion which KO'd the Slowbro. As Duraladon reverted to its normal size, Liam was not celebrating. With an angry look, he marched straight up to Klara, who was now on the ground sobbing.

 "How [i]dare[/i] you!?" He yelled. "Trying to cheat your way into a victory? I expected better from an aspiring Gym Leader. You know, my friends and I have dealt with a [i]literal[/i] mafia head, TWO teams of eco-terrorists [i]at the same time[/i], a homicidal maniac that was trying to cause the end of the world, a team a street thugs, many poachers, and a horribly misguided organization messing with extraterrestrial Pokémon. But None of them tried a dirty trick like that. Give me [i]one[/i] good reason why I shouldn't call up the Gallar Leauge and tell them of the dirty trick you pulled?"
 Klara looked away from Liam. "You're right, there is no excuse for what I did. Banished from the dojo, be blacklisted from the Galar Leauge. I deserve both of them." 
 Mustard approached the pair.  He turned to Liam first. 
      "Congratulations on the victory, Champion Coleman. Though, as Klara's Sensei, I feel I must apologize on her behalf. What she did was wrong, but she didn't want to get defeated by her rival."
       "With all due respect Master Mustard," Liam replied. "From where I stand, that doesn't really matter. Cheating is cheating. It is one of the few things I find unforgivable."
 "I understand how you feel Champion Coleman, but she is my student and I will deal with her punishment." He then turned to Klara. "Klara, you have brought shame on this dojo with your actions. As punishment you will be allowed to stay on one condition: You must take care of every Pokémon at this dojo, both owned by the people here and the wild ones that live within the grounds by yourself for six months." He then turned back to Liam.
 "You have persevered even though the deck was stacked against you, I can see why you are a regional Champion. Now, if you will step to the side we will see who you are facing in the next round." Mustard walked back over to his position. As Liam started to walk away, Klara stopped him.
 "How did you know?"She asked. "How did you know to have a Steel-type ready for me?"
 Liam looked at her. "I didn't go in knowing you were doing this, I would have told Master Mustard if I did. I used Duraladon because I knew you specialized in Poison-types. Nothing more." Liam then begrudgingly held his hand out to the sobbing Klara to help her up.


1. Liam  [Durladon/?/?]
2. [s]Klara[/s] [G. Slowbro/-/-]
3. RP
4. Chuck 
5. RP
6. Jen
7. Avery
8. Shiranui