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Chapter Text

It was a sunny morning in Pallet town. The light began to illuminate the inside of the Ketchum house, where in a room upstairs, was Ash Ketchum. On a dresser nearby were a few glass cases each containing his previous Gym Badges and Frontier Symbols as well as a series of mementos, such as a golden trophy of a pokeball with white wings, a wooden Teddyursa carving, half of a contest ribbon, a silver bell with some tassels on it, and his Z-Power Ring with an Pikashuium Z equipped.

Sleeping at the foot of a twin-sized bed was a Pikachu, who had a red hat with a black shape of the letter C covering part of its face. The Pikachu slept soundly until the silence was broken by the chirping of an alarm clock on the nightstand beside the bed. The Pikachu awoke with a weary expression as it moved to turn it off, when it was silenced by a still sleeping Ash who threw it at the wall, breaking it...again.

With the alarm clock broken, Pikachu groaned as he resorts to zapping Ash to get him up, but this also fails. Pikachu was getting ready to give up when the door clicked open, and in came Delia Ketchum, Ash's mother who sighed. "Ash, don't you remember you need to get off to the airport with Professor Oak?" 

Brown eyes snapped open as Ash Ketchum awoke in a state of panic. "Mom, why didn't you wake me up?!"

"Because you insisted you could get up on your own!"

A moment later, Ash had rushed out of the door as he slapped his hat on, with Pikachu following close behind.

"Professor Oak!!" Ash's voice rang out across the lot, loud as usual, and the Professor turned towards it, grinning as his pupil jogged towards him.

"Ash! I was starting to think you wouldn't make it," He teased, voice graveled with age. Ash laughed, playfully glaring at the older man even as his Pikachu hopped up onto the Professor's shoulder.

"I would never miss a battle! I've been wanting to meet him ever since you told me about him and this is the perfect chance!" Bumping a fist to his chest, he puffed it out slightly and Pikachu used Oak as a jumping post to hop to his trainer's shoulder, crying out in agreement and bumping a tiny paw to his tiny chest as well. Oak laughed, eyes fondly rolling at the teen and Pokémon's antics.

"Well, don't just stand there!" Oak grinned. "It's going to be a long flight, y'know!"

As soon their plane enters Galarian airspace, the lights inside the plane suddenly go out. As a stewardess tries to keep the passengers calm, Ash noticed Pikachu's tail sparking. "Hey, buddy, what's wrong?"

Pikachu didn't respond, instead pressing his face into the window as if it sensed something coming closer. Ash followed his partner's glance and saw something flying past the plane, its form obscured by the clouds. In response, Pikachu's tail sparks a little.

As the Pokémon flies away and its silhouette disappears from view, the lights turn back on. "What was that about, I wonder?" Oak mused.

"I don't know, but it must have been some unknown Pokemon! I can't wait to find out what!"

“You never cease to amaze me with the love you have for all pokemon.” Professor Oak chuckled. “Is it still your goal to be a Pokémon master Ash?"

"You bet, Professor!"

"It's huge!" Ash exclaimed as he hopped off the bus, looking upwards at the stadium before turning to his partner. "It must be bigger than the stadium in Lumiose, don't you think Pikachu?"

"Accordingly, the stadiums in Galar are built to accommodate a unique battle method called Dynamaxing." Professor Oak explained, reading from a guidebook. "Trainers apparent are able to make their Pokemon gigantic and use moves unlike no other."

"really? That's so cool!" Ash exclaimed. "Are you ready, Pikachu?"

An excited 'Pi-ka!' was his response and he chuckled, rushing up the stairs with his partner in tow. As they got closer to the building, Ash was only even more in awe with it, the size and sight of it stunning. 

He was caught off guard when the sound of barking came from in front of him and he nearly missed a step before he looked down. He made eye contact with a small, yellow and white dog Pokémon that continued to yap away at him even when he acknowledged it, fur raised on end and little bolt tail moving a hundred miles per minute. Excitement bubbled to the surface at the sight of a Pokémon he'd never seen before and he found himself crouching fairly fast, reaching out a hand to pick it up. "Well look at you! You're a Pokémon I've never seen before!"

His hand almost made contact when Pikachu hopped down from his shoulder, catching the little dog Pokémon's attention and bringing it to a halt. Ash could only watch in awe as it approached Pikachu and the two began sniffing one another before sparks quite literally began flying between the two. A fond smile curled his lips upwards as he watched his partner begin playing with this strange Pokémon, hands raising to support his head, elbows resting on his knees.

The sound of footsteps rising from behind him wasn't enough to make him look up, though he did begin to speak. 

"Professor, look at-" He cut himself off when he saw someone who was very much so not the professor appeared in his peripheral vision, his gaze rising to see a young woman with orange hair done in a side ponytail at his side. The dog Pokémon looked up when it noticed her arrival and excited barking left it, the Pokémon immediately running towards her and circling her legs. Laughter bubbled from the girl's chest and she smiled down at it, eyes fond even though she didn't try to touch it.

"There you are, Yamper!" The Pokémon - Yamper, Ash made a note to remember - barked happily and looked towards Pikachu once more. It was if when it did that, that was what made the woman finally notice Ash's presence and her form bristled. It was like she shut down, expression unsure, and he found himself smiling slightly, standing and moving to the side to allow her past. He could see the grateful gleam in her eyes as she quickly shuffled past, leaving the building he'd been approaching.

It wasn't until a heavy hand landed on his shoulder that Ash was snapped out of his thoughts, instinctively flinching away for a brief moment, only for him to relax when he saw it was Oak touching him and not some stranger.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, I forget sometimes." The professor pulled his hand back, offering the teen an apologetic smile, before looking towards the building. "We should hurry up or we'll be late for the match."

Ash smiled, shaking his head slightly at the apology and following his gaze, voice loud and excited, "Right! Let's go!"

"Welcome! Welcome, all to Wyndon Stadium!" A brown-skinned man with a grey suit emerged riding on a cube-like elephant Pokemon, followed by a yellow drone that resembled a Rotom that broadcasted his face onto the big screens around. "My name is Rose, and it’s a pleasure to be here. It’s time for Champion Leon’s exhibition match!”

Suddenly, small explosions erupted from the center of the pitch and out came the Champion of Galar, a grinning violet-haired man in sporting attire, white leggings, a cap, and what looked like a cape with sponsors emblazoned on the back. Leon waved at the crowd before suddenly spinning around, flinging his cape in the air as he struck a pose. The crowd erupted in cheers as they followed suit. Opposite him, was a dark skinned trainer with bright blue eyes who was much taller than Leon, his black hair covered by an orange bandana and his hoodie resembled that of a dragon's maw and underbelly.

"And now!" Rose disembarked from his mount and stepped onto the side of the field. "In the name of Their Royalties, this exhibition match between the challenger, Gym Leader Raihan of Hammerlocke, and the defender, Champion Leon of Postwick, will now commence! Each combatant may use only one Pokémon; the match will start when both Trainers send out their Pokemon, and end when either one is unable to continue!"

“Exhibition or not, Leon, your pristine record is about to end - when I finally beat you here today!” He roared, snapping a selfie as he hurled an Ultra Ball.

"You know I don't lose battles, Raihan!" Leon simply grinned in response before tossing his Pokeball. "Let's have a champion time!"

"Gym Leader Raihan brings out his trusty Duraludon." A metallic dinosaur-like Pokémon landed from Raihan's side, while opposite it was a familiar sight of an orange draconic Pokémon. "And Champion Leon has chosen his undisputed ace, Charizard!"

Upon Rose's signal, the match began with Duraludon rushing forward with Breaking Swipe, moving surprisingly fast despite its metal-covered body, and Charizard was hit hard in the gut, before responding by using Brick Break, which Duraludon endured with its impressive defensive capabilities.

"Another Breaking Swipe!"

"Dig!" As Duraludon charged forward once more with a light purplish tail, Charizard spun around rapidly as it dived into the ground before the attack can connect. Even Ash flinched when he saw Duraludon getting uppercut as Charizard burst out, before continuing the assault as it charged forward with a bluish-white fist. Duraludon got ahold of itself and slammed its hands to the ground, sending out sharp light blue rock pillars that dished out super effective damage.

"Duraludon's strong," Leon commented as Charizard tried to get up. "Just as I thought."

"I'll wipe that smile off your face." Raihan hunched over with his arms outstretched and curled upwards with a wide, toothy grin. "Time to finish the match! Steel Beam!"

'Ladies and Gentlemen, feast your eyes as we witness Duraludon prepare to attack with one of the strongest Steel-Type moves ever - Steel Beam, an attack that sacrifices stamina from the Steel-Type Pokémon for a devastating attack!' As Charizard got back up into the air, Duraludon got on all fours and gathered an orb of bluish silver energy in front of its mouth, skidding back a little from the recoil as the Steel Beam clashed with the spiraling stream of light blue fire with rings of dark blue fire stream blasted from Charizard midway. 'It overpowers Charizard's Inferno and makes a direct hit, but even so, Charizard's still on its feet!'

"Still standing strong, eh?" Raihan huffed, seeing Charizard let out a defiant roar. "Then it's time for us to bring the storm! My partner will send everyone in the stadium flying!"

It was then Ash saw something on Raihan's wrist glow red as he recalled Duraludon, before the Pokeball began to grow in size, expanding to the point that even someone as tall and large as him had to cradle it in his arms. His Rotom phone snapped a toothy-smile photo of him before he threw it effortlessly into the air. Duraludon remerged bigger and looking different, gaining glass-like plates on its body as it landed. 'And here it is - Gigantamax Duraludon!'

"Very good! I'm not done with this battle, and I forbid anyone to finish it for me either!" Leon grinned before he did the same to Charizard. "Now I'll show you what Charizard can really do! It's Gigantamax time!"

'And Gigantamax Charizard makes its debut!' Rose called out as Charizard reentered the battle. It too, grew from the energy, with its wings made of burning flame, and gave a triumphant roar upon crashing down. Ash was mesmerized by the two, fidgeting in his seat. 'This battle has turned from a regular battle to a Gigantamax clash!'

"Let the winds blow! Stream forward, Sandstorm! Max Rockfall!" Raihan ordered.

With a mighty roar, Gigantamax Duraludon summoned a massive slab of rock that burst from the ground, tall as a skyscraper, which Gigantamax Charizard counters with Max Knuckle, shattering it to pieces that were blocked by the audience barriers and dealing damage to Gigantamax Duraludon. It was still standing, however, and retaliated with Max Steelspike.

"If that's what you want, then let's have a champion time to turn up the heat! Charizard, time for our G-Max Wildfire!" Gigantamax Charizard's fiery wings glowed bright red and yellow before it was fired out as a giant bird-shaped flame that sliced through the spikes and covered Duraludon with fire. The barrage was too much for it to take, and it shrunk down, unconscious.

'Duraludon is unable to continue! The winner is Champion Leon!' Rose declared. 'Give it up, for your undefeated Champion - LEON!'

As the crowd cheered, Raihan shook his head as he kneeled down to help Duraludon up. "We're going to need polish our skills at the Gym before rechallenging him, don't we partner?" He mused. Duraludon gave a disappointed grunt as it watched Charizard shrink down to normal and landed next to Leon who had come over.

"It was a great battle, y'know?"

"Whatever." Raihan forced a grin as the two shook hands. "I'm still going to break your winning streak someday. Mark my words."

"And I look forward to the day when you - huh?" That was when a huge crash shook the whole stadium, before the sight of a large cyan snapping turtle with a tank horn emerging from the caught their eye. "A Gigantamax Drednaw?!"

"That's not good." Raihan muttered as he snapped another photo. "Evacuate the stadium!"

Chapter Text

Ash and Professor Oak were among the first few who had been evacuated, though the former was rushing elsewhere - more specifically the source of the problem. He'd never shy away from danger, after all. Oak had somewhat reluctantly followed. They rush outside, where Drednaw has retracted its long neck and looked down on them. "Hey, you gotta calm down!"

Unfortunately, Ash's words irritated the Drednaw as it extended its head nearly biting them if not for Professor Oak, who sent out his Dragonite that knocked them off course. "Dragonite, Hyper Beam!"

"Slow it down with Electroweb!" Although Hyper Beam managed to cause it to stagger, and Electroweb ended up momentarily slowing Drednaw down, and it narrowly managed to bite them until it extended its neck to its maximum length, preventing it from chasing them any further.

"Red lights...?" The duo and their Pokémon have stumbled upon a bunch of glowing red cracks in the ground, with red lights flowing out of them and into Pikachu, who was then engulfed by the energy, causing it to swell to enormous proportions before it remerged, now Gigantamaxed.

"It seems that Pikachu has dynamaxed!" Oak commented. All of them, including Pikachu, are surprised by this sudden transformation, but their moment of astonishment is cut short as Drednaw gave another roar. "Now might not be the best time to dwell on this, though!"

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack anyway!" With Pikachu's new, massive form, his usually great speed is reduced to slow lumbering. giving Drednaw to slam its forelegs into the ground, creating a shockwave that shook towards Pikachu, who stumbled back when a strong wave of water bursts out of the ground from underneath him, scattering several glowing rocks and causing Pikachu to hit into the stadium barriers, shaking it and causing panic inside.

As Pikachu tried to stand up, Raihan and Leon came running onto a nearby balcony. "There it - whoa, where did the Pikachu come from?!"

"Think that's its trainer?" Leon pointed to Ash below, who had Pikachu go for an Iron tail. "Wait - it can't be! He's in a Dynamax battle without a Dynamax Band!"

"You're jokin'?" Raihan's Rotom Phone immediately snapped a photo before zooming in, confirming Leon's statement. Meanwhile, despite getting hit by the Max Steelspike, Gigantamax Drednaw slammed its forelegs into the ground, causing a giant stone slab to rise from the ground. "That Max Rockfall doesn't look good." Raihan noted, before cupping his hands. "Oi! Get your Pikachu to use G-max Volt Crash!"

“Raihan? Leon!?” Ash exclaimed in shock.

“Your Pikachu can do it! G-Max Volt Crash!” Leon yelled out.

“Okay! I’ll try it!” Ash called out back to him before turning his attention back to Pikachu, “Pikachu! G-Max Volt Crash!”

As Drednaw slammed its head Pikachu fires a bolt of yellow electricity into the clouds above it. Moments later, multiple bolts of lightning came striking down from the clouds, which not only ends up stopping Max Rockfall in its tracks, but also sent Drednaw flying back. Upon landing, it quickly reverts to its normal form and size.

"Did...did it work?"

"It certainly did." Professor Oak nodded as Pikachu also reverts to normal, while the Champion and the Hammerlocke Gym Leader came down. "Good job, Pikachu." 

"Well, I'll be darned." Raihan chuckled. "What's your name, kid?"

"Uh, I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. This is Professor Oak." Ash introduced himself. "Would you please have a battle with me?"

Leon was stunned by Ash's bravado, while Raihan burst out laughing. Before anyone could talk, a League staff suddenlyy came on the scene. “Oi! Don't you know it's illegal to Dynamax Pokemon in public areas!You know you can’t Dynamax your Pokemon here, what do you think you’re doing?”

"Given the circumstances, I believe it was alright. Without them the Stadium would have been destroyed. At least treat them with respect,” Leon stepped in, giving the latter a wink while Raihan chuckled. "Speaking of which, can you reserve the stadium for a private match?"

Within a few hours, the two lined up with a Rotom Drone at the stadium, with Professor Oak and Raihan sitting from the stands, overseeing the entire battle, as well as a final exchange.

"Here, take this." Leon tossed Ash a blue and red wristband. "It's called a Dynamax Band; I noticed while you were battling against that Drednaw you didn't have one. Trainers usually use one to control Dynamax."

"...Dynamax?"

"Here in Galar, our culture is built on Dynamaxing. When a Pokémon Dynamaxes, the names of its moves also change. For example, Normal-type moves become Max Strike, Steel-Type moves become Max Steelspike, and Electric-type moves become Max Lightning, though since your Pikachu can Gigantamax, his Electric moves become G-Max Volt Crash instead." Leon explained. "Oh, and I should add, Dynamaxing is triggered by recalling the Pokémon into its Poké Ball and loading it with power from the Band before sending it out again."

"Huh. Pikachu hates going into his Poké Ball." Ash remarked as he put it on. "But I'm sure we'll find a way to manage."

"Suit yourselves, although I should warn you, Ash." Leon grinned as a Rotom Drone descended. "Your Pikachu may have a type advantage, but when it comes to Charizard and Champion Leon, we never lose!"

As the Rotom Drone started the battle, Pikachu charged with Quick Attack and followed up with an Iron Tail, but both attacks were blocked by Brick Break. Ash gritted his teeth before going on the defensive, calling for an Electroweb.

"You can't stop us! Use Air Cutter!" Charizard's wings glowed light blue as it ascended into the air. It then flapped its wings, firing off multiple light-blue glowing blades of energy that sliced clean through the electricity and landing a direct hit. Despite of this, Pikachu is still standing strong, and Ash has him use Thunderbolt. Charizard retaliated with a stream red fire with expanding fiery rings which, after a moment of clashing between the two, starts pushing the Thunderbolt back, leaving Pikachu with only a struggling barrier of electricity to protect him from the flames. 

"Come on, Pikachu! Don't give up!" Fueled by Ash's determination, Pikachu started applying more power into his attack, slowly pushing back the flames. Responding to this, Ash's Dynamax Band started to glow and sent Dynamax energy into Pikachu, causing him to start growing again. As the Gigantamax process takes effect, Thunderbolt is transformed into G-Max Volt Crash, overpowering the Mystical Fire and knocked Charizard to the ground, with sparks of electricity showered around its body. "Wow! We achieved Gigantamax without a Pokeball!"

"Amazing." Leon responded as he recalled his Charizard. "But you're forgetting Ash, so can we!" With one hand, he hurled Charizard's Pokeball. "This is what I call, a real champion time!" 

Ash felt his heart race as Gigantamax Charizard remerged. "Alright Pikachu, use Max Strike!"

"Charizard, dodge with Max Airstream." Gigantamax Charizard jumped back from the column of yellow energy bursting from the ground before unleashing a powerful swirling blast of wind that had Pikachu skidding back to the wall, nearly trampling Ash. Ash called for a Max Steelspike, which Charizard sheared off using Max Knuckle. 

"It's time! G-Max Volt Crash!" 

"Now let's enjoy the climax! Charizard, use G-Max Wildfire!" 

Both G-Max moves connected with their target, but while Charizard manages to endure the Electric attack, G-Max Wildfire's secondary effect of continuous damage proved to be too much for Pikachu to handle, and he shrinks back down, defeated. 

"Pikachu, you were awesome out there." Ash comforted his partner who gave a weak 'pika'. "Thanks for going all out on me."

"Battles aren't fun unless both Trainers and Pokemon take them seriously." Leon came over, reverting his Charizard to its normal size and form. "Though I hope you can have some more entertainment value for the audience's sake, y'know?" 

"I guess you're right." Ash nodded, and handed out his Dynamax Band. "Thanks for letting me use this."

"You hold on to that." Leon dismissed to Ash's surprise. "I like Trainers with rough edges like you, but if you really want to satisfy me, I want to 'break out'!"

"Break out?"

“Do your best, push your limits, cause you have the potential alright.” Raihan explained as he walked over with his hand in his pockets, his Rotom Phone snapping photos of Ash. “Actually, given that battle, I'd say you might even be a challenge for me - and they say I could be a Champion somewhere else if I wanted. C'mon Leon, Hop might be getting rifled up if you spent too long."

"Augh right. Don't need my 'legendary sense of direction' getting chewed out again..."

As the two Galarian Trainers headed forwards the exit, Ash had one last thing. “Leon! Let me have a battle with you in the future, okay!?”

Leon stopped for a moment, turning back and tipped his hat with a grin. “The next time we’ll battle, it'll be in a tournament Ash!”

As the two exited the stadium, Ash let out a cry of excitement, “I’ve decided! I’m going to battle Leon again, no matter what! And I’m going to win it too!” Ash jumped out in excitement, turning back to look at the stadium one more time, imagining himself facing Leon in front of a huge, cheering crowd. “That’ll be my next step into becoming a Pokémon Master!”

Chapter Text

Postwick was a small and quiet town that had at most fifteen people living in it. Cultivated fields and green pastures spread out far and wide, filled with the flocks of Wooloo and the occasional murder of Rookidee fluttering over. Among the things that did make it worthy of interest was the dense, dark forest right next to the town known as the Slumbering Weald. Rumors floated around about a mysterious Pokémon sighted in the heart of the forest, though the mist was so thick within that no one could confirm or deny it; the other thing was that it was the hometown of the Champion, but other than that, it was just Postwick, quiet and quaint.

Well, today was one of the days when it wasn't.

"Oh man, we're are sooooo late!" Hop yelled as he raced from his home as fast as his legs could, down the dirt path to the neighboring town of Wedgehurst. "Of all the things I could have missed, I had to have forgotten Lee's endorsement!"

It was true, today was the most important day of his life so far, the day that he set out to start his Gym Challenge, competing against the eight Gym Leaders to collect their Badges, and competing in the Wyndon Conference for the chance to compete against the champ and prove his worth as Trainer.

Well, at least that's what his mum hammered into his head ever since Lee came back.

Running - actually, rolling next to him - was his partner Wooloo, an adorable sheep Pokemon that, from a distance, could easily be mistaken for a large fluffy cotton ball. A little known fact was that it had been the first Pokémon Leon had ever caught, back when he had first started out his Gym Challenge. A distraught Hop had snuck into Lee's bag, relenting on the condition that he walked with him to Wedgehurst, and it was through the tall grass where they had their fateful encounter.

"A ticket to Motostoke, please!" He gasped, finally reaching the train station while Wooloo had spiraled out of sight.

The attendant waited for him to catch his breath, before patiently telling him that the last train had just departed, to his dismay. The next one, unfortunately, wouldn't depart until the next day.

"Great, guess we're taking the train tomorrow, Wooloo." He sighed, when he realized that his partner wasn't next to him. "Wooloo?"

"Pika pi!" There was a mild commotion further inside, and Hop had an inking of what had happened.

"Oh no, Wooloo..."

Sure enough, a dizzy Wooloo was getting up next to a young man with a blue vest with yellow outlines over a red T-shirt with rolled-up sleeves, black fingerless gloves with a blue line across the cuff, ripped blue jeans with a tartan green pattern for the pockets and black sneakers with red highlights. Next to them was a Pikachu who seemed embarrassed over the whole thing, and to be honest, Hop felt so too.

"Thanks for the scones, Hop!" Ash Ketchum exclaimed as he dug in. "Mmm...they're good!"

"It's the least I can do after my Wooloo rammed into you." He chuckled as he sat down, ignoring Wooloo's feeble 'behs' of protest. "So, Ash, you mentioned that you're from Pallet Town - that's all the way in Kanto as far as I'm aware; what brings you to Galar?"

"Well, I originally came here to see this match between Leon and Raihan." Ash didn't notice Hop's eyebrows rise in surprise for a moment. "And then there was this giant Pokemon that was attacking the stadium! Me and Pikachu helped stop it, and then I got to battle Leon!"

Hop's eyes widened as he leaned back in his chair, looking to his partner and turning back to Ash with a curious look. "Did you now?" 

"Yup! He even gave me this Dynamax Band!" Ash pulled down his sleeve to reveal his red and blue tipped Dynamax Band. "It was so cool! We even got to, uh... what was it, oh yeah! We even got to use Gigantamax!"

"No way." Hop's eyes looked as if they were ready to fall out, scrambling for a better look. "Those Dynamax Bands are quite rare! Only a few Gym Challengers even have them!"

"We battled real hard, though we couldn't beat him," Ash admitted, pulling back up his sleeve. "Then he promised that we could battle someday in the future in a tournament. I figured that since Leon is the champion, I could join the regional league for a chance. But then I just found out from Nurse Joy that it works differently than what I expected..."

"Excuse me, Nurse Joy!" Ash rushed to the Pokemon Center. "I'll like to register for the Pokemon League!"

"Very well. May I see your endorsement?"

"...Endorsement?" 

"Yup. One second." Hop paused momentarily to finish his scone. "You have to be endorsed by a respected trainer to even be eligible for competing. I remember Lee saying that it was so there wouldn't be as many dropouts."

"...Lee? Who's that?"

"Oh, he's my brother. And funnily enough..." Ash's jaw dropped as he watched Hop pull out the sealed letter from his bag, with Wooloo bleating proudly. "...the one who just so happened to have given me my endorsement."

"No way!" Ash's eyes sparkling with renewed hope, before he suddenly stood up. "Do you think I could get one from him too?"

"I don't see why not." Hop had to admit, he was curious about this trainer who had impressed his brother. Maybe he'd be able to find out more.  

The Pokémon Research lab wasn't as grand as Professor Oak's, but it didn't take away any excitement from Ash as he stepped inside. There were two levels, the first being filled with strange beeping contraptions and desks, the second lined entirely with shelves and shelves of tomes, each one thicker than the next.

As they went further in the room, they were greeted by the quiet barks of a Yamper behind a stack of books. It barked at Hop again, momentarily standing on its back legs and waving its front paws in the air before running up to him.

“Hey, boy!” Hop cooed, kneeling down to scratch the small Pokémon behind his ears. "Mind showing us where's Lee...?"

“What have I said about barging in, Hop! There’s a thing called knocking!” An rather annoyed voice came loudly, before an elderly woman in a labcoat and a cane with some sort of bird Pokémon slowly hobbled over. 

“Sorry about that, Professor Magnolia!" Hop grinned sheepishly. "Find out anything brilliant about Dynamax?”

"Don't you change the subject." The woman, Professor Magnolia, turned her glance at the other Trainer in the room. “And who is your new friend here?”

"Uh, I'm Ash Ketchum - I'm from Pallet Town in the Kanto region; and this is my good buddy Pikachu!" Pikachu let out a friendly 'pika' in response. "Nice to meet you!"

"You wouldn't happen to also be the same Ash Ketchum who won the first Manalo Conference, would you?" The Professor walked up to Ash and scanned him for a moment, before eventually extending her hand for him to shake. "In that case, welcome to Galar. I've read many things about you."

"Uh, thanks!" Ash hesitantly returned the gesture. "Nothing bad, I hope?"

"You're the official champion of Alola. If there's anything bad about you then you've either hidden it well and the press hasn't discovered, or not worth telling others. What brings you to my lab?"

"Well, long story short, me and Pikachu were going to start a new journey here, take part in the Gym Challenge, that kind of stuff." Ash looked back at Hop, who was having a mild breakdown over Ash's status as a Champion. "But then I just found out from Hop that things work way differently compared to the other regions I've been.”

"Just like Leon, aren't you? Always going on about Pokémon battling.” Magnolia chided, shaking her head. “There are other things that are worth knowing about, too, you know. For instance, the best type of tea!”

Ash was tempted to ask Magnolia was the best type of tea was, but before he could, the door opened again and a familiar woman stepped in. “Hey, Gran, You got here awfully early, and with Hop and - oh!" She exclaimed. "You're that Trainer with the Pikachu!”

"Wait, you've met?" Hop seemed more annoyed than anything before shaking it off. "By the way, where's Lee? I've got a favor to ask him!"

"Oh, you're too late. Just walked him over to the train to Wyndon. He's got a meeting with Rose again, something about an incident with a wild Gigantamax Drednaw." Ash could have swore he saw the faintest glimmer of...bitterness, maybe...in Sonia’s eyes as she spoke. "I thought you asked him everything last night?"

"True, but it's not about me. It's about Ash here." Suddenly all attention was back on Ash. "I was hoping to convince Lee he should endorse Ash for the Gym Challenge, seeing as he's the one who gave Ash his Dynamax Band! That really sucks...”

"Very well. If your brother can't endorse the boy..." Magnolia walked towards her desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a envelope and a piece of parchment. "...then I will."

"What?!" Sonia looked flabbergasted. "Gran, you can't be serious!"

"But I am." Magnolia pulled out a pen and began writing. "The boy's competed in more conferences than you think, Sonia. He's not some youngster who's going to stall in the beginning, with a bit of experience, I daresay he could surpass your man-candy in due time."

Sonia's face flushed red and began stammering. "However," Magnolia sealed the letter. "Before I can officially endorse you, I'm rather interested in seeing how you battle."

Hop had to admit, he was expecting the Professor to be kidding. However, here he was, getting ready to face off against this Champion of the Alola region. Despite this, he felt excited. How many could say they faced off a Champion? Let alone a foreign one on the first day of their Pokemon training?

Ash, on the other hand, stood confidently on his side of the clearing, looking up Wooloo on the Rotom Phone Magnolia gave him, with Pikachu holding himself with a sense of confidence in the way that, without even looking back at Ash, conveyed his readiness to go and battle. Magnolia stood over the side, overseeing the battle with a strict glare. “Go on dearie,” Magnolia put her hands on her cane. “I want to see what that Pikachu of yours can do.”

"Thanks!" Ash adjusted his hat with a smile, and gave his first command. "Pikachu, let's start things off with Iron Tail!"

"Defense Curl!" Wooloo curled into a ball, with a blue aura appearing around its body to show the increase of his defenses, and his Fluffy wool heavily reduced the impact when Pikachu slammed his tail into it. Wooloo bounced backwards, then uncurled and slid to a stop, mostly unharmed. "Nice try, but your physical attacks are pretty much worthless against us! Payback!"

Wooloo's body was surrounded by a red-and-black aura before slamming back with incredible force. Pikachu stopped his momentum by digging his tail into the ground before responding with Quick Attack, which sent the sheep Pokemon skidding back like a cotton ball in the wind, leaving it wide open to a followed up Thunderbolt. 

"You're pretty good, Wooloo's obviously been raised well." Ash gave Hop an appraising look as Wooloo got up, shaking off the static in his wool and let out a shaky, yet defiant beh. "I reckon you could go far with some training."

"You're right, Ash. And that's why I'm going to win this! Tackle!" 

Wooloo bleated and charged, throwing himself into Pikachu with all he had, finally landing a direct hit. Ash was unphrased and merely smiled, calling for an Iron Tail that finally took it out. "Oops, put a little too much power into that one," Ash said, coming over to pet Pikachu. "Still, good job, Pikachu."

"Well, that was a shock! Guess I know now why Lee thought to give you a Dynamax Band..." Hop muttered that last part under his breath. "Well, that settles it! You're now my rival, got it? We are going to train up against one another to aim for that Champion’s Cup!”

Wooloo interrupted them as he suddenly glanced up. Everyone turned to see a bright ball streaking across the sky, purple from the setting sun, landing a few feet away from them in a smoking crater. “Huh?! What is that?” Ash asked as he and Hop rushed to see.

“A Wishing Star.” Ash heard Magnolia behind him. “They are said to fall down to those who bear earnest wishes in their hearts, though they're nothing useful in that state, Hop." She plucked the small, sparkling stone out of Hop's hands. "I'll have that sorted out for you by the time of the Opening Ceremony.”

"This is it! My legend begins!" Hop declared, before cupping his hands to his mouth. “I will be the greatest trainer ever! I WILL be the greatest trainer ever! I. WILL. BE. THE GREATEST. TRAINER. EVER!"

Most of Wedgehurst had opened their windows to see who was making the noise, but Hop didn't care. He had Wooloo, a worthy rival, and soon, his very own Dynamax Band. What more could one ask for?

Chapter Text

To say Ash was impressed by the sight of the Wild Area was an understatement.

"It's massive!" Ash's eyes were glued to the window of the train, wide in awe as they watched the green fields that seemed to have no end flying past. Herds of Wooloo grazed peacefully, before a Yamper nipped at their heels to move them along.

"Calm down, Ash." Hop shook his head. "I swear, the way you're looking at this like you've never been out."

"But look at it! I've never seen anywhere that's as large as this!" Ash raised his fist to the air. "We're gonna have a fun time, aren't we Pikachu?"

The train suddenly stopped, causing Ash to lose his balance and faceplanted onto the floor. “What’s going on? We can’t be there already!” The passengers onboard looked around in confusion until a voice came across the PA. 'Attention passengers. We have stopped near the Slumbering Weld due to thick fog and what appears to be a Snorlax sleeping on the rails. We will not be able to proceed until we have resolved all issues, which will take an undetermined amount of time.'

"Come on!" The passengers erupted in complaints amidst their anger and annoyance, but quieted when the conductor spoke again.

“We will provide accommodations for everyone until we can get running again. We are also in communications with the Corviknight Taxi service to escort our most vulnerable passengers to the nearest town, however that journey will be several hours in length. We will also be opening some of our doors to let you stretch your legs. Once again, we apologize deeply for the inconvenience.”

"Man, that sucks. Just when we're so close as well..." Hop grumbled, before a loud bleat interrupted his thoughts. "Wooloo, what's-"

The sight of a dark blue bird Pokémon with its yellow underbelly separated by a black feathered stripe that gave it a mask-like appearance eating their scones stunned the two into silence, before promptly recovering. "A Rookidee?!" Hop exclaimed, as Ash grabbed his Rotom Phone and looked it up.

'Rookidee, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. A Flying-Type. Jumping nimbly about, this small-bodied Pokémon goes around bravely challenging any opponent, no matter how powerful.'

Quickly realizing that it had been caught, the Rookidee gave a loud caw before snatching as many scones as it could and hopped out of the open window, with rather slow speed due to the extra weight. "Hey! Get back here!"

Ash and Pikachu quickly rushed out of their compartment, followed by a bewildered Hop. The two dashed out of the train as the Rookidee half hopped and half flew past the fence and into the nearby forest, gobbling its stolen loot. Ash moved to climb over the fence, only to be stopped by Hop. "Hey! Let me go!"

"Ash, that's the Slumbering Weald - it's off-limits, nobody's supposed to go in there! I remember Lee heading in once and coming back in a real state... and that was nothing compared to the earful he got from our mum and Sonia afterward!"

"I don't care! No one gets away from stealing my food!"

"Ugh! Why did I get the feeling he'd still go in..." Hop sighed before looking at Wooloo who also sighed. "Ash, wait for me!"

"Where did it go?" Ash squinted his eyes s he tried to look through the fog. "This fog's thicker than I thought..."

"Ash! Up on that tree!" Ash followed Hop's hand and saw the Rookidee greedily finishing up the scones it had stolen.

"There you are, I'm going to catch you for those scones!" Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder and shouted a battle cry, attracting the Rookidee's attention who scoffed down the scones and laughed at the two.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Rookidee's eyes widened the moment it saw the bolt of electricity incoming, and hopped onto another branch in the nick of time. Taking a moment to admire the power of the Electric attack, Rookidee gave a defiant caw, angled its wings and flew directly at Pikachu with a glowing beak.

"Dodge it and use Iron Tail!" Pikachu jumped clean over Rookidee just before the Peck could make contact, though Rookidee wasn't done. Its claws extended and glowed red as it spun around, with an orange glow shooting up along its body signifying the increase of its attack power and accuracy, and made contact the second time, following up with Rock Smash, smacking Pikachu several times with a glowing red wing.

"I know you can do it, Pikachu!" Ash calls out, giving Pikachu the will needed to land the Iron Tail, sending Rookidee into a nearby tree hard enough to leave a dent in the bark. Ash took the chance to throw the PokéBall, hitting Rookidee on the forehead before it went in.  

The two of them looked still as the Pokeball kept shaking, and Ash was briefly surprised when the Rookidee emerged, looking annoyed and immediately going on the attack with another Rock Smash. Pikachu leapt up to escape before delivering a direct Electroweb at his target. As Rookidee was entangled in the electric web, Ash took a deep breath as he prepared his Pokeball again, finally catching the Tiny Bird Pokemon.

"Yes!" Ash grinned as he picked up the Pokeball. "Now...how do we head back?"

"Great..." Hop smacked his face as he took out his Rotom Phone. "Ugh, and the signal's weak. Let's see..."

Crunch. Scrunch.

Hop came to an abrupt halt, and his voice hushed to a whisper. “...what was that?”

Ash stopped, straining to make out the sounds.

Scrunch, scrunch, scrunch.

Footsteps. Coming towards them, growing faster and louder.

Until it stopped.

There was a tense silence as the two tried to find whatever had come close, and a shiver went up Ash’s spine as he felt a shadow loom over them. They spun around to face the source, and it took everything they had to not scream.

It was a pair of wolf Pokémon - large enough to dwarf them easily. Both of their pelts were addled with scars, and one of their ears were missing their top. But of most note were their eyes - glowing eyes that pierced through the fog and had their sights set upon them.

One of them, the one with cyan fur and two pink fringes of fur present on its back, growled at Pikachu and Wooloo in warning who rushed out in front of them to protect them. Hop nearly tripped as he stumbled back, his hand shaking as he raised his Rotom Phone and tried to scan it, only for nothing showed up. "No data?!" Hop gasped, just as the other, one with red fur and a blue ponytail let out a haunting howl and leapt at them.

"Just what I hoped for!" Ash grinned as he and Pikachu leapt to the side, turning his cap. "Let's battle! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu's cheek sparked as he unleashed a Thunderbolt, but the move had no effect, in fact passing right through the Pokemon whose gaze fixed on them. 

“It didn't do a thing!” Ash gritted his teeth and ordered an Electroweb while Hop called for a Stomp, which still did nothing. Both Pokemon howled again, their eyes glowing white, and a thick white fog rolled into the clearing. Ash squinted to try and get a better look at the opponent, but he could not see. 

"Ash! I can't see anything! You okay?" He heard Hop's panicked shout. "Ash! Say something-!"

That was the last thing he could recall, before his vision went dark.

Meanwhile, a certain trio who had been wandering around all night, collapsing from exhaustion. “Who'd have thought..."

"...That the large Drednaw that chased us..."

"...couldn't be chased back!"

"Wobbuffet!" the Patient Pokemon popped out again.

"You're one to talk! You stayed in your Pokeball for the whole time!"

The Team Rocket Trio sighed again, before James leapt up with a yelp, causing Meowth to almost fall off of his shoulder. pointing at Jessie's hair. Turning around, they noticed a turtle Pokemon, whom was known as a Chewtle according to their guidebook, biting at her hair, seemingly in an attempt to climb up it.

Jessie of course freaked out, and in trying to get it off, it fell onto Meowth's amulet. An odd cycle began when Meowth tried to get it off and it returned to Jessie's hair and vice versa, and was only stopped by a pokeball hitting the Chewtle’s head, which barely managed to not hit Meowth instead. Surprisingly, Chewtle remained inside, which caused Meowth to let out a sigh of relief.

"Alright! One small step for Jessie, one big step for Team Rocket!"

Ash slowly opened his eyes as he felt something pushing on his cheek. In front of him, Pikachu was trying to shake him awake. He smiled and sat up, looking over and seeing Wooloo doing the same with Hop. He patted his head and looked around, the mystery Pokemon nowhere to be found. “Hey, you okay?”

“Tired as the Distortion World, but alright otherwise." Hop, although shaken, nodded as he got to his feet. "What was...that? I’ve never seen anything like that before!”

“Were they Pokémon?”

“Maybe - there were always stories about a mysterious Pokémon hidden in here, but I never thought it was real…” Golden eyes glitter with excitement, and Hop’s lips split into a grin. “We might have just seen something Legendary, Ash!”

“You'd think a Legendary would drop us off a little more gracefully.” Ash brushed bits of grass from his hair, before realization struck him. "Wait, how are we getting back to the train?! Where are we even?" 

Hop looked around the area as his senses sharpened; they seem to have been moved to some kind of clearing in the forest. 

“Dunno - still in the Slumbering Weald.” Hop raised his arms above his head and stretched. “And - hey! I think that's the Motostoke Outskirts over there! That Legendary must be nice enough to have brought us closer?"

"Whatever, I'm not complaining!" Pikachu hopped onto Ash's shoulder as he ran off. "Motostoke, here we come!"

As the two trainers ran off to the fields, the two wolves from before emerged from the woods behind, watching as they left. Nodding to each other once more, they let out a final howl, and vanished into the incoming fog.

Chapter Text

At the Battle Cafe, the Cafe Master Jack was busying serving customers. Beside him was his Indeedee, who was levitating dishes around diligantly. Unbeknownst to them, a group of reddish brown fox Pokemon with brush-like tails had snuck in. Quickly, they began stealing food items from the shelves.

"Hey!" Jack shouted, finally seeing the theft. He tried to get them, but they all squirmed out of his grasp, much to his frustration. "Come back here!"

Moments later, a blond, chubby man in a cyan uniform and a yellow dog Pokémon with minty green limbs and a lightning bolt shaped tail arrived. "'Ello, what's this about?"

"Officer Bobby! Those Nickit are at it again!" 

"Boltund, you know the drill." The officer sighed. Boltund barked before sniffing the ground, picking up a scent and took off. The Nickit yelped upon seeing the larger Pokemon intercept them. One even dropped its loot in fear. 

Before the Boltund could apprehend the group, something hot suddenly seared against its backside and it yelped in surprised pain. As Boltund scampered away, the Nickit cheered as a muddy bunny Pokémon landed in front of them, looking pleased with its actions.  

"Vul!" A snarl echoed from above, and the Nickit immediately scattered. The bunny looked disappointed as it leapt up to the rusty stairs, arguing with its leader. The bigger fox shook its head in response and turned to leave, followed by the pouting bunny.

Even though he was no stranger to conference stadiums before, Ash had to contain himself as he saw the sheer amount of people milling about.

“Look at that… the place is packed with challengers! Every one of these folks is another rival!” Hop looked around as he came in front of Ash, paused to catch his breath. “Let’s get-”

"Hopscotch!" Hop screamed slightly when he was suddenly picked up and hugged tightly from behind by none other than Leon, followed by none other than Charizard who had also picked up Wooloo. “It's great to see you! How are you?!" 

Hop turned red when as he squirmed in Leon's arms, embarrassed that his brother would do this in public. Ash chuckled awkwardly next to him and that's when Leon finally saw his brother's companion.

"Ash! What are you doing here?"

"I, er...I'm here to join the Gym Challenge...?"

"But how? You need an endorsement to do so-"

"Professor Magnolia gave him hers, Lee." Hop finally got down to the ground. "I wanted you to endorse him, but you left before we could find you."

Leon was dumbstruck, before Charizard finally set down Wooloo and nudged his Trainer, reminding them that they were in public. "Well, congratulations. Come on, let's get you...two...registered."

They headed over to the registration desk, where the League Staff responsible for registration was clearly surprised by Leon's presence. “Champion...what are you doing here?" 

"Oh, I'm just here to see the Trainer I endorsed get signed in." The League Staff was clearly shocked, even with his eyes hidden behind his glasses as he took hold of the letter of endorsement. Hop grinned and put his thumbs in his pockets as Leon put his hands on Hop's shoulders. “This is Hop! My little brother – and in fact, the one to be the next Champion! Get him all signed up, would you?”

“W-well, yes, I’m trying to... let’s see...” The man stuttered, punching some keys on his computer as sweat dripped onto his cheek. "Alright, and can I have your uniform number?"

"Uniforms?" Ash asked.

"Yeah - here in Galar, Gyms Battles are something of a formal event." Leon explained, turning back to Ash. "You got to book your battles beforehand and wear a uniform for every Gym Battle."

“Alright, you have been registered.” The League Staff continued, wiping off the sweat off his brow. “The opening ceremony will be held here tomorrow. All the Trainers taking part have been booked a room at the nearby Budew Drop Inn.”

“Woohoo! That’s Rose for you!" Leon clasped Hop in the back while Charizard let out a happy growl, they must have finished registration. "I bet you must be starving. I know a place that's good! C'mon!”

Ash couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the siblings rushing down the lobby, with Leon carrying Hop and Charizard carrying Wooloo, before he turned back to the League Staff and handed over his endorsement. "Alright, here's mine!"

"A foreigner endorsed by the Professor?!" The League Staff did a double take as he opened the letter. "This year's Gym Challenge is going to be interesting..."

Outside the Battle Cafe, the three are enjoying various kinds of curry with their Pokémon as they talked. Leon and Hop in particular were as they listened to Ash recount his past journeys.

"You've really been to that many regions? And that many conferences?" Hop asked, eyes sparkling.

"Yup. All of them with Pikachu here." Ash rubbed his partner's head. "But I suppose I have to give thanks to my other Pokemon. Without them, I could have never done it."

"Speaking of which, where are they?"

"Oh, most of them are in Kanto. It's become something of a tradition of mine to start a journey with a new team. Pikachu's the only exception." Ash paused to swallow his food. "After all, what's the fun in beating a new region with some overpowered team? Besides, I'll love to meet some new Pokemon!"

"I'll admit, if I had known you were that strong, I'd have given you an endorsement right on the spot as well." Leon nervously chuckled. "I thought you might join the Gym Challenge a year later or two."

As they continued to talk, a pebble came flying out from nowhere causing the trio of humans to look at it in confusion.

“What was that?” Ash asks as Pikachu went to investigate, picking up the pebble just as another came flying. “It came from - is that a Pokémon?”  

"A Scorbunny!” Leon exclaimed, noticing a dirty Scorbunny nearby who was kicking up embers with its feet. "It's muddy, though..."

'Scorbunny, the Bunny Pokemon. A Fire-Type.' Hop's Rotom Phone scanned it. 'Scorbunny has special pads on the soles of its feet that, after a warm-up of running around, help boost the fire energy coursing through its body.'

While the humans are distracted by the muddy Scorbunny, a group of Nickit scurried up their table to feast on their curries. It was Pikachu and Wooloo who took notice, the former calling out to their trainers while the latter ran after them.

“Hey! That’s my backpack!” Ash cries out, Pikachu failing to stop one of the Nickit from stealing from them.

“It’s getting away too!” The muddy Scorbunny pulled its eyelid down and took off, joining up with the Nickit. ”Looks like they're friends!”

“Come on!” Leon said, rushing after the four Pokémon.

"Wait! Lee! You'll get..." Hop couldn't finish in time. "...lost. Ash, change of plans. You go after that Scorbunny, I'll find Lee."

"Got it!"

Pikachu and Ash rushed after the Scorbunny who was probably having more fun than it ought to be. Even as it ran, it kept showing off - kicking off embers and doing somersaults along the way. 

"Get back here!" Ash's voice echoed along the alleyways. "Now I wish I didn't leave Rookidee at the Pokemon Center..."

Scorbunny smirked, before kicking a pebble towards a nearby bicycle and rung its bell, hiding in the opposite direction and nearly laughed out loud as it watched its chasers run away from it, unaware of a pair of eyes watching it from a railing above. 

"Vul..." It commented, watching as Scorbunny ran off to join its brothers, and thought back to the day it first met. 

It had been a usual day of stealing from the Battle Cafe. Another day of swiping the leftovers from the selfish humans.

That day, he had managed to swipe a bag of berries. He sniggered at the Indeedee whose Psyshocks failed to even reach him before he vanished around the corner.

Then he heard the shouting.

He paused, turning to the alleyway next to it and saw a human girl with a colored female Pikachu on her shoulder. Clinging to her leg was a Scorbunny, begging her to not release him. He raised an eye, before creeping along to try and make out what was going on. It may have been a long time since he had a trainer, but he could still grasp a few words of the human's angry shouts.

"Get off me! Go find some other Trainer to bug! I released you already, why are you even still here?" 

"No! Alice, please! I - I don't want to go!" He brawled, before he was kicked off her leg and she took out a round object. He recognized it as a Pokeball, more specifically, a Premier Ball. A colored Shinx emerged, growling.

"Alyn! Get him packing!"

"Yes, Harmony!" An orb of yellow electricity gathered in front of the Shinx's mouth and Scorbunny was sent skidding close to where he had hid. 

"N-no..." Scorbunny groaned, watching as the Shinx was recalled before she vanished. "Harmony..."

"Young Scorbunny." He decided to make his entrance. "What troubles you?"

"My...my Trainer..." Although frightened, the Scorbunny still had some strength. "I couldn't win a single battle even with all the training she put me through...I was her first...and I let her down."

"Humans are fickle creatures, perhaps one day you can find one worthy of you." He set down his stolen loot. "How would you like to join with me for the while?"

He shook his head. His son was stronger now. Perhaps it was time he had a new Trainer.

Opening his mouth, a dark purple ball of energy surrounded with purple static was launched at the direction of his son's path, causing a loud noise that would be heard. Satisfied with the change of footsteps, he leapt up the railings to watch the show. 

“There it is!” Ash growled out, pulling his phone as he saw his targets to scan the Pokémon. "Let’s see what you are..."

'Nickit, the Fox Pokémon. A Dark type. Cunning and cautious, Nickit survive by silently raiding the food stores of other Pokémon and surviving off its ill-gotten gains. It erases its tracks with swipes of its tail as it makes off with its plunder.'

Ash looked up to see as Scorbunny splitting the spoils to its friends from his bag, and that was the final straw. "Alright, I've had enough! Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"

The four Pokemon leapt apart in horror as the Iron Tail landed where they sat mere seconds ago. In response, Scorbunny kicked Ash's backpack up onto a nearby lamp post, as the Nickit made a break for it. A shadow briefly loomed over them all before Charizard landed in front of the fleeing culprits with a huff, letting out a Flamethrower that sent them skidding to a halt. Scorbunny paled as it looked back, while Hop and Leon made their entrance. "Hey, mate! I see we've got the rest of 'em cornered."

"Sure thing!" Ash gave a quick thumbs up and resumed the battle. "Use Iron Tail!"

As Pikachu's tail glowed a metallic white, Scorbunny's body flashed black before it ran around Pikachu at a high speed, momentarily surprising Pikachu before he was suddenly kicked in the face. Grinning, Scorbunny's body flashed red before leaping up to deliver a spinning Double Kick that was blocked by Iron Tail. Growling, Pikachu responded with a Thunderbolt, but Scorbunny quickly kicked up a cloud of sand, accompanied by a light brown flash from its body. The Thunderbolt made contact, yet Scorbunny was unaffected. "It didn't do a thing!"

"Scorbunny's ability must be Libero!" Hop shouted, as Scorbunny pulled its eye again. "It changes Scorbunny's type to the one as the move it last used! I've never seen one able to utilize it so well! It's amazing!" 

"In that case...Quick Attack!" As Pikachu rushed forward in a white blur, a orange-maroon blur emerged from nowhere and howled, causing a bright red palm shaped barrier of energy to form in front of Pikachu, sending it to a stop.

"A Thievul!" Leon exclaimed as the Quick Guard dissipated and Pikachu retreated back. "It looks like this one's the leader, too!"

'Thievul, the Fox Pokemon. A Dark-Type, and the evolved form of Nickit. Thievul secretly marks potential targets with a scent, which it uses to help stalk prey and steals from them using its lithe body and sharp claws.'

"Thievul!" It turned back to the Scorbunny, angrily snarling. 

"Scorbun, scor scor scorbunny!" The Scorbunny wailed back. Around them, the Nickit sweatdropped upon seeing their father and brother arguing. Again.

"Hey, stop right there!" The five Pokemon stopped, and everyone turned to see Officer Bobby rushing to the scene. Boltund snarled at the Nickit while Bobby picked up Scorbunny by its ears. "Finally got you!"

"Wait! That's my Pokemon!" Hop interrupted, shocking everyone.

"Thank you for your help in securing these Pokemon, Champion." Bobby bowed. "They have been a real headache."

"It's no problem." Leon turned to the other two. "But I think the real help comes from Hop and Ash here. Ash, this is Officer Bobby, one of many police officers of Galar."

"Officer Bobby...so, you're like Officer Jenny?"

"Ah, then I see you have met my sisters!"

"Your...sisters?"

"Indeed! Officer Jennies are a commonplace in many other regions. Here in Galar though, we Bobbies are a more common sight." Bobby explained, before turning to the Boltund who was engaged in a tug of war with the Thievul over a piece of rope. "And let me introduce you to my partner, Boltund!" 

'Boltund, the Dog Pokemon. Electric-Type. This Pokémon generates electricity and channels it into its legs to boost their strength.' 

"By the way, I know you're lying about the Scorbunny being yours." Hop looked surprised. "The Thievul's been leading this group for some while now, it's been robbing the local stores of their scraps to feed them."

"Scraps." Hop repeated, crouching down to look at them. "They're...homeless?"

Bobby nodded, watching Thievul smack the Boltund playfully before heading back to its group.

"So, what's the deal with Scorbunny anyway?" Ash asked, turning to the captured Pokemon. "Why's it all dirty?"

"My guess? Scorbunny deliberately covered itself in dirt to fit in with its friends." Bobby shrugged. "I don't know how, but it started showing up with this group about a year ago, and they treat it like one of their own."

"What happens to it now?"

The Thievul grinned, before snarling again at the Scorbunny. Startled, it came forward, only for Thievul to pick it up by the scruff and plop it in front of Hop. Scorbunny tried to talk away, only for the Nickit to grab it with their tails and do the same. "...what's going on?"

"I think it might be their way of saying that Scorbunny joins you, Hop." Ash came forward. "Isn't that right?"

The Thievul nodded, while one of the Nickit had produced a Pokeball from Hop's bag, rolling it forward. Hesitantly, Scorbunny looked back at its father who simply nodded. Nodding back in understanding, Scorbunny made a fist bump with the Pokeball, effectively catching itself.

"Welcome to the team, Scorbunny."

Chapter Text

"Excuse me?!"

It was early in the morning, and a high pitched shriek filled the air inside Motostoke Stadium. A shriek belonging to a redheaded woman who had a blue haired man and a Meowth behind her.

"You heard me right, Miss Jessilee." The League Staff replied. "I'm afraid that to compete in the Gym Challenge, you need an endorsement from a respected Galarian Trainer. No exceptions - even if you are a foreign celebrity - which, off the table, I'm a huge fan." She then produced an album alongside a pen. "If you don't mind, could I have your autograph?"

'Jessilee' simply gave a huff, signed the album before storming off, seething. "Well, great! How are we going to join now?"

"We could always do what Team Rocket does best." Meowth chimed in. "Just go swipe someone else's endorsement and walla! We get to join!" 

"Pardon me." The Rocket Trio looked up to see a girl in a pink dress with ribbons holding up her double horned ponytails, accented by a studded black leather jacket and matching boots, a black choker with a pendant around her neck, and black nail polish. Hung on her shoulder was a pink satchel. They let her pass, before doing a double take.

"Hey!" Jessie shouted. "Are you a Gym Challenger?"

The girl simply kept on walking, seemingly ignoring the trio, much to their frustration. "Oi! Where do you think you're going?"

"...to register." The girl finally stopped. "And I take it you're plannin' to mug me?"

The Trio were baffled as to how someone saw through them, but decided to wing it and threw off their disguises.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"A talkin' Kantonian Meowth... I thought it's just rumors... guess you're not some made up legend." That last sentence actually made her pause, before she took out a Dusk Ball. "Still, lemme tell you somethin'."

"Oh, what's that?" Jessie sneered. Marnie simply stared at her before the tips of her mouth moved up in amusement.

"You don't go muggin' some folk from Spikemuth." She tossed up her Dusk Ball. "Aura Wheel!"

In their room at the Budew Inn, Ash and Hop were snoring away. At their bed, Scorbunny had awoken earlier, and was currently exploring their room. It looked so fancy, compared to the bins he used to sleep in. Scorbunny looked back at Hop; maybe it wasn't so-

A loud trumpeting sound suddenly pierced their ears, startling them and causing them to fall off. Scorbunny paled and rushed into his Pokeball as Ash fell off his bed. "What was that?"

The two quickly rushed out of their room, throwing on their clothes as a few other doors opened, with their occupants wondering what made that sound. They skidded towards the lobby and soon found out.

A group of rowdy-looking folk, dressed in black and pink and their hair styled with undercuts and mohawks, were making a real ruckus at the hallway with their vuvuzulas. Some of them were busying plastering posters of a goth girl onto the walls, others were spray painting a ragged pink Y on the walls. A pair were even laying out a red carpet at the door.

“Hey, what’s going on here?”

One of the punks - presumably the leader of this group - turned around and loitered menacingly, raising his microphone. “Oi, listen up! We're Team Yell, an' we came to help after all - helpin' one special gym challenger, that is!"

"Team Yell?" The name soon spread across the corridor as the Gym Challengers murmured among themselves. 

"We wanna make sure she gets cheered on nice n' proper." The grunt continued, staring hard at the Gym Challengers who had come around. "So a word of warning - get in our way, and you’re gonna help us make. some. noise!”

The rest of the grunts cheered, some of them unleashing a series of vuvuzela blasts. 

"Hey, cut it out!" Ash came down to the ground floor. "You can cheer, but you don't have to be this loud!"

"So you wanna be a hero, eh?" The grunt sneered, pulling out a Nest Ball. "Let's see how you like this! Night Slash!" 

Ash leapt out of the way of a white Pokemon with several black stripes on its back and star patterns around its eyes emerged, its claws glowing purple as it slashed at them. "Looks like they aren't leaving without a fight." Hop quickly rushed forward to join Ash's side. "Wooloo, use Stomp!" 

Wooloo gave a defiant bleh before he went ahead and stomped his hooves onto the Pokemon's tail, who yelped in pain before it flipped back, only to get a face of Iron Tail that sent it flying back to its Trainer.

“Oi! Gimme a break here. Team Yell! Get revenge for me, wouldja?” 

"Course we gotcha covered, mate!" The rest of the grunts stalked forward menacingly, sending out half a dozen Pokemon consisting of what seemed to be the pre-evolution of the Pokemon Wooloo had defeated, as well as a few Nickits and Sneasels. A showdown seemed almost inevitable as the grunts sneered.

“What are you lot doin’ here?” A soft but stern voice rang out across the lobby, following by a soft clanking of boots meeting against the marble floor. The grunts actually staggered backward in shock, reduced to stammering messes, as everyone's attention was turned to the newcomer.

It was the same girl who was on the posters, and next to her was a small black and purple rodent Pokemon with pink cheeksacs, red eyes and short, stubby limbs. Neither of them looked pleased as they glared at Team Yell.

“Mar - marnie?!” The leading grunt stuttered out, sweating a river as the seconds passed. “N-n-nothin’... We was just...” 

"Leaving. Right?" The girl – Marnie – slowly stalked forward, crossing her arms. "I know you all are terribly curious 'bout the other Gym Challengers." Cold blue eyes pierced into every single member. "But you gotta show a bit of restraint; I better not see you givin' the other Gym Challengers a hard time again, y'hear?"

Team Yell looked at each other in shame before mumbled out apologies. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Marnie. "Good, now back home with you!" She ordered, jerking her head toward the door.

The rodent Pokemon squeaked with her, as though reinforcing her threats. The grunts gulped and immediately shuffled out of the lobby, stuttering apologies as they left. Marnie sighed as she watched them leave, while the rodent next to her glowed yellow and changed form, becoming primarily yellow and the right side of its head brown as it looked up to her Trainer.

“So... you’re a Gym Challenger, too?” Marnie gasped quietly before recomposing herself and slid her gaze over to a grinning Hop who put his arms behind his head. “Pretty impressive that you already have a set of fans to call your own!”

"Sorry if they caused you any troubles. They're just so caught up with wantin' to support me and all that they tend to get a bit shirty with other Gym Challengers, I think they've let it all go to their heads a bit..."

“That’s okay! Excitement gets the better of us." Hop extended a hand. "Names' Hop, and this is my best friend Wooloo.”

"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and this is my partner Pikachu." 

"Name's Marnie, an' this is Morpeko." She looked down to her partner, whose bead like eyes were looking at Pikachu with marvel.

'Morpeko, the Two-Sided Pokemon. Full Belly Mode. Dark/Electric Type.' Ash's Rotom Phone announced. 'It carries electrically roasted seeds stored up in its pocket-like pouches as if they're precious treasures,  not only satisfying its appetite but also boosting its strength.'

Marnie nodded, before looking back at the spectators who were murmuring about her. "Oi, shows over! Sorry again for the ruckus!"

The crowd finally dispersed, though Ash caught whispers of people talking about Marnie. Apparently this wasn't her first time competing.

"So, Marnie, you're here for the Opening Ceremony?" His grin widened after her nod. "Awesome! Then I guess we're rivals, now!"  

Marnie raised an eyebrow, before turning to Ash. "Is he always this impulsive?"

"Uh - to be honest, I only met him a few days ago...?"

"Nevermind." She shook her head. "Why don't we have a battle? I suppose I do owe you two something for my fanclub's actions."

"Really?"

"Why not?" Marnie shrugged. "People do show who they are in the heat of battle after all." She looked back at them. "So? Who'll it be?"

That's how Hop found himself overlooking this match between Marnie and Ash, who had agreed almost immediately. They had found a nice spot on the Outskirts outside the city, and both were eager.

"Alright, 'Peko. You ready?" 

The Two-Faced Pokemon was bouncing all over the place, switching between her two forms. "Urara!"

"Right." Hop looked back at Wooloo, who too was taken aback at Morpeko's enthusiasm. "Ash, Marnie? Good luck to you both. Battle begin!"

"Use Aura Wheel."

Morpeko chittered and spun into a wheel of electricity, rolling towards Pikachu. Pikachu leaped into the air, whipping around, and brought his metallic tail crashing into Morpeko's momentum. Static raged across the battlefield; Pikachu's superior strength won out, sending Morpeko falling back, reducing the damage to a minimum. "Jump and use Thunderbolt!"

Marnie narrowed her eyes and snarled. "Block with Bullet Seed, Aura Wheel!"

Pikachu used his tail to springboard into the air, cheeks sparking, and unloaded a vicious bolt of electricity that sent the smaller electric type flying momentarily. Morpeko dragged a paw against the ground to recover, hissing in anger before returning fire. The Bullet Seeds collided with Pikachu's Thunderbolt, generating an explosion that resulting in a furious Hangry Morpeko reemerging with a black Aura Wheel that did a number on Pikachu. 

"You alright?" Pikachu coughed a response back. "How did it do so much this time?!"

"Hunger Switch." Marnie smirked. "Morpeko's form determines the type of damage Aura Wheel does - in this case, it's Dark! Bullet Seed!"

"Quick Attack!" Morpeko took a deep breath before spitting out another volley. Pikachu rushed around the battlefield, dodging the barrage that kicked up a cloud of dust that obscured their sights. "Good job, buddy! Now, Iron tail!"

"Aura Wheel!" 

Morpeko quickly began spinning, but Pikachu had learnt his lesson, instead striking to the side - out of the Aura Wheel and into Morpeko. The Two-Faced Pokémon was flung out of the battlefield almost immediately, and struggled to get up.

"Alright, I forfeit." Marnie laughed silently, her cold blue eyes studying him briefly as she went to scoop up the Dark/Electric type. "You're very good at battling. This can't be the first time you've battled, right?"

"Nope!" It was Hop's turn to laugh. "This cheeky bloke's actually a Champion!" 

Marnie's eyes widened, before her poker face broke. "That was funny. I'm looking forward to our next fight, Champion Ash." She reached into her satchel and took out something. "Here, you can even have one of my old League Cards."

"League Card?" Ash looked confused as he took one of the palm sized cards. On it was a picture of Marnie's poker face in front of a metal wall filled with graffiti of a Galarian Zigzagoon as well several goblin Pokemon littered around, finished with an enthusiastic Morpeko trying to to sneak in the background. "What's this?"

"Oh?" Marnie's eyebrow rose before looking at Hop. "You're the Champion's brother, an' you never told 'im about League Cards?"

"Uh..." Now Hop looked really embarrassed. 

"Just kiddin'." Marnie chuckled. "You're easy to fluster, y'know. Let us meet again on the battlefield, Challenger Hop."

As she walked away, Ash was marveling over the card while Hop felt his heart racing. "Marnie..."

Looks like Ash wasn't going to be the only one in the way. 

Chapter Text

"So, Ash Ketchum has come to Galar."

Rose wore a fond smile as he stared out over Wyndon from the top of Rose Tower - the beautiful plazas, the soaring stadium, the ferris wheel, and beyond the tundra stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was magnificent, nature and humanity coexisting, all made possible by the clean, renewable energy produced by his company Macro Cosmos and the revenue generated by the Pokémon league. This view never failed to give him hope for the future and inspired him to push Galar further to become the very best it could be. Once, he had been an selfish patron – now, a modest philanthropist.

"With all due respect, father." The door opened and a boy with unruly white curls stepped in, followed by a small pink Pokémon that resembled a walking orb with a blue and pink hat. "I fail to see what's so important of this Ash that has your attention. He's just a mere kid with a Pikachu."

"Bede." Rose closed his eyes. "Once again, you fail to see beyond the bigger picture. Ash Ketchum is not a mere kid - he has competed in no less than six League Tournaments and is the current official champion of the Alola region as well as a Champion of the Orange Islands. Not only that, but he was the leader of the Aether Foundation's Ultra Guardian division and has been reserved as a potential Frontier Brain."

"So he's a powerful Trainer. But you have me, father-"

"Oleana has informed me that he has befriended at least two legendary Pokémon, he currently possesses the only living Melmetal remaining in the world, previously owned a Greninja that's capable of the Bond Phenomenon, thought to be mere stuff of legend dating back during the time of Aura Guardians, and first discovered the Dusk Form of Lycanroc, of which his specimen is currently in the Alola Region under the guardianship of Kukui alongside the Melmetal." Rose finally turned around, a look of disappointment visible. "So you see, Bede. Ash Ketchum is not some 'mere' kid."

Bede went silent for a moment. And yet his eyes never faltered from Rose's disapproving glare.

"I asked Oleana." He spoke again, albeit quieter. "She said the only consistent on his team is his Pikachu. With all due respect, father, this is a Pikachu we are talking about."

"A Pikachu who has defeated a Regice, one of the Tapu of Alola as well as tying with a Latios. Not to mention, I hear from Leon, a Pikachu who can Gigantamax." Rose fixed a glance at Bede. "Perhaps we are seeing another potential champion - should you fail, that is."

Hattena squealed in fear as her grip on Bede's leg grew tighter, as did his fist.

"...Yes, father."

"Where in the name of Arceus could it have gone?!"

Raihan almost tore his hair out as he dumped out his bag onto the hotel room bed, having somehow managed to misplace his orange headband, before getting down to the floor and looking underneath his bed. A loud buzz echoed from the bathroom, while his Goodra stepped in from the balcony shaking her head, much to his exasperation as he looked up. "Ugh, where could it be?!"

"Ralu!" He heard Duraludon’s triumphant cry, and glanced up. The Dragon/Steel Type had moved the mattress off the bed, revealing that his headband had somehow managed to get underneath.

"Thanks, partner. I've no idea how it got there.” Raihan let out a sigh of relief, pulling the headband on and turning around to adjust it in the mirror behind him. Duraludon gave another little roar, before nudging at the door at the same time a message buzzed from his Rotom Phone.

From NotANesbian: Rose's madwoman's interrogating me for your whereabouts. Where r u?!

He quickly snapped a selfie, recalled his Pokémon and typed a reply. On my way! Hang on, babe! 

The lobby of the Budew Drop Inn was crowded, mostly with Gym Challengers, some already in their uniforms. Raihan weaved through the crowd, snapping a few selfies with the Challengers that turned to look at him. There were more Challengers filing into the stadium, but that wasn't where he had to be. Instead, Raihan headed to the side door of the stadium, where the League staff guarding the door nodded at him, before swiping his key card to let him in.

Most of the veteran major division Gym Leaders were getting ready - Milo was speaking with Opal, while Kabu was wiping his sweating face, no doubt having gone for another jog prior. To his surprise, he saw Allister stepping back meekly from Gordie and his Coalossal, which surprised him for a moment; the two of them haven't exactly in the Major Division for long, and that meant that Bea and Melony were probably taking a break. Shaking his head, he finally crossed the locker room to Nessa who, true to her text, was backed against the wall by an very peeved Oleana.

"Alright, alright, I'm here." He raised his hands. Nessa's face brightened while Oleana turned in disappointment. "Leave my babe alone, alright?"

Nessa giggled as she watched Oleana walk away, this time muttering about the Champion being late, before turning back to Raihan. "So, what took you so long?"

"Headband somehow ended up underneath the mattress."

"...How did it get down there?"

"Must be during all the fun we had last night." Raihan brushed a finger up her chin, which Nessa coyly pushed aside. "How was your work?"

"Same as always. Predictable, just like the outcomes of your battles with Leon."

"Hey, at least this time I managed to get him down to just Charizard-"

The locker room door suddenly flew open with a bang, causing everyone to turn and stare in shock at the person who stepped in. 

"...Whacha' staring at, eh?"

On the floor below and a few rooms further, a ll the League staff in the room were rushing around, organising the Gym Challengers for their appearance. Ash grinned back at Hop as he spun around in his newly minted Gym Uniform. "Not bad, right?"

"Cool! But check this out!" Hop pointed at his wrist, where a familiar wristband now sparkled. "My very own Dynamax band! How cool is this!"

"Ladies and gentlemen!" They turned to a nearby tv screen that had broadcast the stadium to the changing rooms. "I am Rose, chairman of the Galarian Pokémon League!" 

The crowd cheered as Rose emerged onto the stadium, riding on top of the same elephant Pokemon Ash had seen before. Ash barely had time to react from his Room Phone's dex as he was ushered out.

'Copperajah, the Copperdem Pokemon. Steel-Type. Copperajah's green skin is resistant to water, while their trunks have incredible grip strength, strong enough to crush giant rocks into powder.'

"It is my pleasure to announce that finally - the Galarian Gym Challenge will start!" Rose smiled, throwing open his arms as his Copperajah waved its trunk around. "Participants must conquer the eight Gyms and gather their Gym Badges to prove their skills as a Trainer! Only the most worthy will have the honor of challenging the greatest Champion in history! And now, I would like to invite the participating Gym Leaders of this season to show themselves!"

The lights dimmed, before relighting as the eight Gym Leaders of the Major Division stepped onto the field and towards the center of the field.

"First, the fighting farmer! Here’s the Grass-type expert, Milo of Turfield!" The Grass-type Gym Leader was met with warm applause from the audience that he gave friendly waves to in return. His Flapple flew around him hazardously, though Milo didn't seem to mind. 

"The raging wave! It’s the queen of Water types, Nessa of Hulbury!" The Water-type Gym Leader was met with an echo of wolf whistles, which she blew a couple kisses toward the crowd in return. Her Drednaw marched across the field, its shell looking slick and shiny; clearly it had just been in the water.

"The ever-burning man of fire! Here comes the Fire-type veteran, Kabu of Motostoke!" The Fire-type Gym Leader was met with respectful applause as he kept his eyes forward. Each step taken was rigid and deliberate, a product of decades of discipline. Even his Centiskorch held itself up just so, with the same amount of control as its trainer.

"The silent boy of mystery!! Nobody is a better friend to Ghost types than Allister of Stow-on-Side!" The Ghost-type Gym Leader dragged himself across the field like a broken marionette and nervously glanced at the cheering crowd. Some chatter started in the changing room about where his partner was - until there was a shriek from the audience as the camera turned to see a cackling Gengar, who floated back down to the field next to Allister's side.

"The master of a fantastic theatre! It’s the charming Fairy wizard, Opal of Ballonlea!" The Fairy-Type Gym Leader met with the same respect as Kabu. Despite her age, she and her Alcremie walked with refined grace and style benefiting of one of Galar's oldest Gym Leaders.

"The hard-rock crusher! Please welcome the master of Rock, Gordie of Circhester!" The Rock-type Gym Leader smiled as he waved at the audience, shooting back cocky grins. Next to him was a tough-looking Coalossal, who flexed with every other step it took.

"The anarchic singer! Specialising in Dark Types, I give you, Piers of Spikemuth!" The Dark-type Gym Leader didn't bother to look up at the surprised audience as he walked with a look of annoyance. Next to him, his Obstagoon snarled at anyone who even glanced at them.

"The tamer of Dragons! Behold, Raihan of Hammerlocke!" The Dragon-Type Gym Leader was met with uproarious hollers from the audience. He blatantly snapped selfies with his Rotom phone, and more than once did his Duraludon sneak itself into the background, a gesture Raihan gladly welcomed.

Chairman Rose smiled and gestured to all the Gym Leaders once they were lined up on the field, before he had one last introduction. "And last but not least," The lights shot up to the sky, and the audience went wild upon seeing the figure that was soaring down. "Our beloved Champion, Leon of Postwick!"

"People of Galar." Leon leapt down to the ground as Charizard shot back up, firing a Fire Blast into the confetti filled air as Leon struck his signature Charizard pose. "Let's have a Champion Time!"

"Indeed! Now..." Rose waited until the applause died down. "I would like to introduce to you our challengers of this season!"

And just like the Gym leaders before them, the crowd of Gym Challengers came out, accompanied by their partner Pokémon perched on their shoulders or walking beside them. Leon scanned the crowd as they came closer, thinning out and lining up, eventually catching the few that stood out.

Hop of Postwick, number 189, his brother was grinning wide with confident eyes and bouncing slightly on his feet, with Wooloo rolling excitedly around him. Leon had to fight the urge to break off and lift him up in a hug to show everyone who his brother was; it would be too unprofessional.

Bede of Wyndon, number 908, and most importantly the Chairman's adopted son. Leon frowned as he remembered the boy; he was too vain and proud for his liking.

Marnie of Spikemuth, number 960, was blank-faced and casual; her Morpeko was much more energetic, bouncing around her feet and squeaking happily. Piers’ little sister, Leon looked back to the line Gym Leaders to see him finally looking up, the faint hint of a smile on his face. That's why he decided to show up.

And at the very end of the line, Ash Ketchum of Kanto's Pallet Town, number 314, his eyes flaring with determination and his grin confident. Pikachu sat on his head, looking at the crowd and bright lights in awe.

"These are our challengers of the season." Rose finished. "Now, I'll like to step back, and let our Royal Family say a few words to our competitors of this season."

Everyone's attention turned as three people stepped into view. The first was a gentleman who wore a blue suit, bowtie and whose blonde hair shot upward and curved into the shape of a sword; the second gentleman looked similar to the first, with the exception that his suit was red while his hair flowed behind his head and rounded out near the bottom, akin to a shield. The last was a lady who wore a magenta dress, a necklace of diamonds, grey gloves, and whose hair was styled in a set of ringlets.

"On the occasion of the opening of the fiftieth Galarian Gym Challenge, Princes Sordward and Shielbert and I, Princess Diamona would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all." The princess smiled. "To all foreign competitors and spectators, as one of the last remaining living members of the Galarian Royal Family, I hope that you will enjoy your time in the Galar region, as I am sure that you will find a warm reception awaiting you."

"This will be the first Gym Challenge we have hosted." The blue brother, who Ash guessed was Sordward, pushed forward. "Why, my grandfather helped open the very first Challenge back during Mustard's reign at Stow-On-Side, my father helped open the nineteenth Challenge at Motostoke for Steel Peony and the twenty-fourth Challenge at Cliffard for Scafell Pike, and now I will take pleasure in helping declaring open the fiftieth Challenge for at Wyndon."

"Over recent months, WE know that many have waited with growing excitement of the Gym Challenge, drawing people together as families and communities." Shielbert calmly gestured his brother back as he took the center. "To us, this spirit of togetherness is a most important part of the ideals of our Gym Challenge; and we Galarians can be proud of the part they have played in keeping the spirit alive."

"There is so much of which we can be proud: groups of Trainers of all genders and ages dedicated to excellence and achievement across numerous sporting disciplines." Diamona took back center place, slightly annoyed and embarrassed. "And these trainers are ably endorsed by the many Gym Leaders, as well as the efforts of Marcos Cosmos who will be following the action all over Galar. For all these reasons, I wish you all a successful, enjoyable and memorable Gym Challenge."

"Thank you, Princes and Princess." Rose smiled and threw open his arms. "And now, it is my great pleasure to say...let the Galarian Gym Challenge begin!"

Chapter Text

Ash had never felt so pumped up before. Gyms were previously just enclosed areas, large for perhaps a dozen people to spectate. Here, every stadium was like a League Conference Match. As they stepped out of he changing rooms, they heard someone calling out a familiar nickname.

"Hopscotch!" Leon smiling as he approached them. "So, how'd you find the experience?"

"It was awesome! Standing there on the pitch… in the stadium… in front of everyone!" Hop was jumping all over the place, before he eventually calmed down. "Course, I bet you're familiar with that feeling, right Ash?"

"Not exactly. In the other regions I participated, there's no opening ceremony - well, maybe except back in Alola, but they didn't have a Pokémon League until recently, so I'm not sure if it counts..." Ash grinned sheepishly before his attention turned to a huge golden statue of an armored warrior wielding a sword and shield that stood in the center of the hall. "Hey, is that a statue of you, Leon?"

"That? Leon as the hero?" A familiar chuckle came around the corner. "Well, at his current rate he might as well be, but sadly not yet. It's actually of a legendary hero well-known among Galar."

"Sonia!" Leon seemed somewhat overly pleased upon seeing the orange headed girl. "Here on an errand from your gran?"

"Actually, here researching the mysterious Pokémon your brother encountered in the Slumbering Weald. I reckon that I might figure something out if I look into some of Galar’s legends. Gran certainly agrees, seeing as now it's my homework."

Leon turned to Hop, his face a mixture of shock and worry. "You found what?! Come to think of it, no one saw either of you leave the train too!"

"Uh, Leon? That might be my mistake." Ash jumped in. "A Rookidee stole our scones while the train was stopped because of a Snorlax. I...get a bit reckless when food's involved."

"Just like you back then..." Sonia rolled her eyes, "Anyway, here's a quick run down run through the legend: Long ago...a great black storm covered the Galar region, and the land was assaulted by gigantic Pokémon... but they were defeated by a single young hero bearing a sword and shield, becoming the first ruler of Galar after."

Hop’s eyes widened in amazement. “Wow! That guy must’ve been as strong as Lee!"

"This statue here is courtesy of Rose, perhaps to appease the royal family, although now they're just the royal siblings..." Sonia sighed. "Still, there's a lot from the legend that has been lost to time. Where did the sword and shield they used - whatever it was - went. This “black storm” is supposed to be is just another mystery...but whatever it was, it blotted out the skies all across Galar. I suppose that tracks with it being called the Darkest Day, but still..."

"Seems like you’ll have your hands full with plenty of research, Sonia.” Leon scratched the back of his head. "Y'know, I could come with you, since I, uh, don't have anywhere to go..."

Sonia's face took on a pink tinge. "Well, I do, in fact, uh, have somewhere to go..."

"And I think we should leave!" Hop quickly grabbed Ash by the shoulder as he rushed off. "Nice seeing you, Lee!"

"What's that all about?"

"Lee and Sonia...they've got history with each other." Hop quickly looked around, before quieting. "I swear Lee even had a ring somewhere, but now they're trying to deny anything ever happened. Keyword being trying, though. Just look back."

Ash took one last look back inside, where Leon and Sonia had now fallen into a shouting match. 

Love is...odd.

Those thoughts didn't last very long, though. Soon, they were buried away as they arrived down route three. According to Hop, the quickest way to Turffield from Motostoke was through one of the local mine.

"Huh, Hop?" The dark entrance of the mine loomed overhead as they approached. "Do you have a light or something?"

"Hm? No need! Just come in yourself!" 

What caught Ash’s attention immediately as they went further into the mine were the beautiful glowing gems glittering against the golden walls. They shone red, green, blue, and every color in between, casting colored shadows over the mine tunnels. It was still relatively dim, but the stones and the few artificial lights provided more than enough light to see.

There were also a few workers here and there, which Hop explained were responsible for helping mine coal that would power the region. Occasionally one of the wild Rock types, which Ash learnt was called Rolycoly, got too close, but they left them alone.

"Hey, check this out mate!" Hop's voice came echoing from a corner. "Looks like I found one of those Gems that could boost - what was that?"

Ash stopped moving and was silent. There was nothing except for a clacking sound, which seemed to be growing louder...

Turning on his heel quickly, his eyes widened as a minecart filled with coal came into view, with no signs of stopping anytime soon. It was then he also realized that they were standing on the rails. "Move!"

While Hop narrowly managed to leapt off the rails, Ash winced as he took the full brunt and was sent flying to the wall. To their surprise, the cart then derailed itself and spun around to revealing a laughing face. "What was that?" Ash whipped out his Rotom Phone.

'Carkoal, the Coal Pokemon, and the evolved form of Rolycoly. Rock/Fire Type. By rapidly rolling its legs, it can travel at over 18 mph. It forms coal inside its body, which once helped fuel the lives of people in the Galar region during a harsh winter.'

"Doesn't look like this one is friendly." Hop noted. "But it's still a Pokémon! That means I can catch it!" He sent out Scorbunny, who reared up for battle. "Scorbunny! Use Double Kick!" 

As Scorbunny rushed forward, Carkol roared before the coals on its body glowed red, and it charged forward in a fiery blaze. Scorbunny was hit rather hard, though it managed to land a Sucker Punch that almost knocked the Carkol off balance. "Good job! Now try Double Kick again!"

Scorbunny leapt forward, finally managing to land the fighting type attack. Despite this, it didn't do much, and Scorbunny was soon knocked by an incoming Smack Down. 

"Drat." Hop cursed as he watched the Coal Pokemon escape on the rails. "There goes our catch."

Bede did not particularly enjoy getting his hands dirty. Having to dig around in the dusty old mines by hand was torturous. Still, he was glad he decided to head in here at night - who knew how many Wishing Stars could have been taken by someone else if he was late?

"Anymore?" He snarled. Hatenna almost whimpered before hesitantly shaking her head, dropping one more at his feet. "Umph. No matter. We're leaving."

He recalled, Just as he got near the exit, he heard footsteps. He turned, and his blood boiled. It was them - the Alolan Champion and the Champion's brother.

He practically shoved Hop out of the way, leading Hop to comment on the other boy's rudeness. Not that that know-it-all would know anything.

"Take it easy, Hop." The Alolan Champion tried to calm his companion down. "It's probably just because she's old, that's all." 

Bede suddenly stopped, turning back at Ash with a furious expression. "I beg your pardon." 

"Uh, yes?" Ash asked, confused and unsure.

"What, don't even recognize your competition?"

"Compe..." Hop's eyes lit up in recognition. "Ah, you must be one of the other Gym Challengers, then!"

"True." Bede gave them a haughty look. "Maybe you'll start catching up to me, then."

"...what did you say?"

"I know who you are, Hop. Brother to the Champion, as well as the one he endorsed." He brushed back his curls with a flair. "What say we have a little battle, hm? See who made the better pick."

Hop raised an eyebrow, shaking his head a little. "Whoa, hold on, you want a battle right now? Who the heck do you think you are?"

"Making excuses, are we? I didn't realize you were a coward." The boy smirked, plucking a Great Ball from his belt and tossing it up and down in his left hand. "Perhaps the Champion ought to rethink that endorsement and send his baby brother back home."

Hop's dark eyes were suddenly set alight, and Ash felt as if the temperature had suddenly shot up. His lips curled in a snarl and his hand gripped onto a Pokeball. "You've got a lot of nerve calling me a coward! Okay, fine, you wanna fight?!" 

Hop threw the ball out with much more force than necessary, with Bede actually having to duck to avoid getting hit, and a furious Wooloo popped out from it. “Challenge accepted, prick!”

Bede recomposed himself before resuming his haughty facade. "Then allow me, Bede, to prove beyond doubt just how pathetic you are and how strong I am." He tossed his Great Ball, and came out a orange geometric shaped shell with a pair of crystalline visors. 

'Dottler, the Radome Pokémon. Bug/Psychic Type. While growing inside its heavy shell, Dottler uses its psychic powers to keep itself protected and gather information about its habitat until it evolves.'

"Wooloo, you ready?" The Sheep Pokémon nodded as he stepped forward, digging his calf into the gravel.

"Whatever." Bede scoffed. "Dottler, Screens, now."

Dottler's eyes illuminated for a moment, before a pair of barriers shimmered into existence. Wooloo looked uncertain, as did Hop. Whatever move Wooloo used next would deal less damage now. "Use Payback!"

Surprisingly, the Dark-Type attack was enough to knock out the Dottler. Perhaps it wasn't as tough as it looked.

“Tch!” Bede closed his eyes in apparent anger, glaring at the Great Ball. “I’m just giving your Pokémon a chance to shine. That’s all.”

“How generous of you!” Hop mocked. Bede narrowed his eyes and pushed out Hatenna from behind him, who squealed in fear upon seeing the much larger - and angrier - Wooloo.

'Hatenna, the Calm Pokémon. Psychic Type. A reclusive Pokémon, it has a strong sense of emotion, being able to sense other creatures' emotions via the protrusion on its head. It never warms up to people that do not have a calm disposition."

"Use Stomp! Squash that thing!"

Hatenna squealed as Wooloo raised its hooves. Bede scoffed and ordered Disarming Voice, which did actually make Wooloo stumble for a moment, and knocked him down by a point-blank Psybeam. 

"C'mon Wooloo, hit it with Stomp!” Hatenna cried feebly as Wooloo crushed her to the ground. Bede retaliated with another Psybeam, at which point Hop noticed that the barriers which had been reducing the damage from Wooloo were fading and he smiled.

“It’s over,” Hop announced. "Payback!" 

Wooloo's body was surrounded by a dark aura before he charged forward. Hatenna could only squeal as she was hurled straight into Bede's chest.

“Well, that was...unexpected. But then again, I wasn’t really trying all that hard anyway. Nope, not at all.” Bede recalled his Pokemon and turned his body away in a fit of anger. "Nevertheless, I know your tricks so I will be better prepared next time we meet. I’m sure I can defeat you in an official gym battle!” 

Hop and Wooloo both growled in disgust, while Ash watched in concern as Bede walked out of the mine.

The moment Bede had deposited his Pokémon over to Nurse Joy, he went outside and took out his Rotom Phone, dialing for a number. To his frustration, it went to her voicemail. Not the first time, either. 

"Ms. Oleana?" He spoke, better to report his progress than nothing. "It's me. I have scoured over the first mine, and have secured all the Wishing Stars inside - at least those that do not require specialist equipment to dig out. During my exit, I have encountered the brother of the Champion as well as his companion, the Alolan Champion. None of the Wishing Stars were lost, however. That is all."

Deciding that was enough, he cut off the call and headed back in, one thought echoing in his mind.

I won't fail you, father.

Chapter Text

Turffield was a small little town known for its many terraced farming fields and of course, its local gym which was - usually - the first gym all Gym Challengers went to before any other.

“Look! Just take a look at that, Hop!" Ash grinned. "That’s got to be Turffield’s stadium down there!”

Turffield Stadium was a huge, circular building that sat proudly in the centre of the town, any building nearby looking pretty insignificant by comparison. If the stadium was a person, it would be like those kinds of people that felt the need to stand out from the crowd and look visually impressive and stunning to onlookers, Pokemon Trainer or not.

"And here we are, just minutes away from the stop of your first Galar Gym!" Hop said, his voice soft and whimsical. "But first, we gotta register!"

"...We got to what?"

"Register! You don't think we can hust go in and challenge the Gym Leader, do you?"

"Err...yes?"

"Wha-?" Hop did a double take before smacking his forehead. "Oh, right. First time." He stretched his arms. "Well, allow me to explain!"

Hop began moving his arms around as if a whiteboard appeared behind him.

"So! In addition to the uniform, the opening ceremony, you gotta schedule your battles! There's almost dozens, maybe hundreds of people participating in each Cup, which for each city, means tourists and even people who cone to spectate! Therefore, the League's got to milk it for all its worth, cause as you know, Pokémon battling's our bread and butter!"

Ash looked completely confused, Wooloo just laughed.

"...nevermind." Hop shrugged. "Let's just head down and register.

"Are you even sure we can?"

"Bli-mey, that's a lot." Hop stopped and peered down at the enormous crowd at the door. "Wonder what's going - oh, hey there, Yamper!"

A quiet bark and a tugging from his pants alerted Ash to the adorable Yamper. "Ah! You again!" Immediately, he kneeled down and began rubbing the Electric Type all over. "As adorable as ever! Who's a good boy!"

The Yamper gave happy yips as he was bathed with attention, rolling over for a better angle - until he decided to nuzzle Ash.

"Yamper? Where are you, boy?"

Hop looked up from the paralyzed figure of Ash and caught a speck of orange looking around. "Oi, Sonia! Over here!"

Sonia came around, followed by a rather startling figure. "Yamper, come on!" She took a knee and scratched her Pokémon behind the ear. "You know better than to run off by now! Especially when I'm helping royalty!"

It was then Ash and Hop realized who Sonia was with. Even underneath the beret and the baggy clothes...

"Blimey!" The boys both scrambled to present themselves. "It's an honor, your royalty!"

Princess Diamana simply chuckled and took each boy by the hand. "Please, none of that 'your highness' nonsense here. I am but a humble lady still learning her craft - the craft of becoming a ruler, that is."

"Gran used to be the Royal Family's tutor, but nowadays she's helping Marcos Cosmos on their work." Sonia shook her head. "Which means I've got to take her job for now. No offense, Diamana."

"None taken. I imagine it must have been more troublesome for you, having to give up your own free time for my sake." Diamana sighed. "A shame my brothers refused to come."

"If I may," Ash interrupted. "What were you two doing?"

"Well, I was teaching Diamana here about the geoglyph over at the...the..." She smacked her head. "Gosh, why can't I remember what's its called?"

"Either way, I was a bit stumped at her question when a Wooloo came knocking into us. Their Trainer, the local Gym Leader, apologized-"

"Wait, Milo was out? That explains the crowd." Hop remembered the crowd outside the stadium before whipping out his phone and frowned. "Ah, darn. Should have registered us by now."

Diamana raised an eyebrow. "I shall speak with the staff. Consider it my gratitude towards Sonia, any friends of Sonia are friends of mine."

Ash thought he saw a glimpse of disappointment across Hop's face, but he quickly smiled. 

"Well, thanks, your royal - Diamana." He quickly corrected himself. "Now, where were you again?"

"We were in the midst of discussing our thoughts of the geoglyph before Milo's Wooloo interrupted and Yamper here scuttled off to you." Sonia paused. "Actually, why don't we get your input as well? As they say, two minds are better than one."

Ash and Hop looked at each other. Since it's not like they could challenge Milo...

"Count us in!"

Meanwhile, in another area, Team Rocket was busy fishing in a lake, trying to catch some Pokemon. 

"Ugh...seriously?" Jessie groaned as she reeled in another Magikarp. "How many have I gotten already?"

"Wasn't counting." 

"Hang on, I've got-" James began reeling in his catch, though he sounded baffled. "Something?"

"Whatcha got, pal?" Meowth came around and too, found the Pokemon strange.

Hanging from the seaweed, was a black sea urchin Pokemon with grayish spikes and two yellow...mouth parts.

"What on earth is that?"

"Hang on..." James took out a deck of cards; they had ditched their Rotom Phone after it talked back to them too many. "Aha! Pincurchin, the Sea Urchin Pokemon! Apparently, its an Electric Type that stores its electricity in its spikes, which persist for many hours even after broken!"

Jessie, on the other hand, remained unimpressed. "Sounds lame."

"Wobba, wobba, wobbuffet." The Patient Pokemon replied, before his fishing rod was nearly snatched away. "Wobbuffet!"

The trio immediately whipped behind Wobbuffet and pulled. Whatever it was, it was big. "Here we go -"

From the surface of the lake burst a familar Pokémon. A blue, scaly serpentine Pokemon with a cream underbelly and angry eyes.

"- Gyarados!"

The Trio paled, stepping back involuntarily. Jessie shakily took out a Pokeball and hurled it out, sending out Chewtle. "Use...use Water Gun!"

Chewtle opened its mouth again, but the very slow pace left it vulnerable as Gyarados blasted the poor thing out with a single Hydro Pump. Team Rocket squealed as Chewtle landed in their lap, now very vulnerable to the Gyarados...

...or would be, if it hadn't been distracted by something else. Team Rocket followed its sight to Pincurchin, who they had forgotten after Wobbuffet.

"What are you doing? Get away!" James shouted.

The Electric Type stood firm, however, and its spikes lit up, before unleashing multiple bolts of yellow electricity from its spikes. Gyarados reared in pain before diving away.

"Pin." It muttered, happily satisfied, while Team Rocket stood there, baffled.

"Did...did that thing just beat a Gyarados?"

"I'm sure it did!" Meowth exclaimed. "With power like that, we could even catch the twerp's Pikachu!"

"Alrighty!" James pulled out a Pokeball. "Pincurchin, join in!"

"Over here!"

The ginger woman lead the three atop a slope with a fenced off area with some drinking fountains, a few benches and a photograph board with pictures of a Stonjourner and a Skwovet with their faces missing so people could put their own faces through for photographs around.

"And there it is!" Sonia pointed at a massive geoglyph that was proudly displayed on a hillside nearby. The geoglyph was a rather interesting piece of art, depicting a swirly cloud of some kind with lightning bolts coming from it, a giant figure and several smaller figures at its feet. "Turffield's famous geoglyph! What do you think of it?”

Ash looked at the image depicted in the field. And his mind went blank.

“It looks like… some sort of giant?” 

“Oooooh, hang on, hang on!” Hop snapped his fingers. “The gigantic figure surrounded by the little ones, they don't seem all humanoid, which means...Pokémon! And giant Pokemon in Galar -I thought that was the sun at first, but now that I think about it, it could be a Power Spot! It's about a Dynamax Pokémon!"  

“Ding ding! We have a winner!" Sonia grinned. "If you were born a couple decades ago, you'd be in Gran's shoes, with a mind like yours!" She ruffled his hair. "It's true people thought it was some giant person, though Gran proposed that it could also be of a Gigantamaxed Pokemon, and it caused a sensation." She frowned. "What kind of Pokemon it depicts though, is still a mystery."

Ash squinted at the image. It seemed... felt... so familar. But where had he seen it?

"Thanks for giving your thoughts on the matter. I appreciate it." Sonia said sweetly, "Now don't let me hold you up anymore, you've got a gym battle to do. Get over there and battle yourself silly!"

"I'm dunno if that's the thing to say to a trainer before a battle but thanks anyway." Hop chuckled, "Bye Sonia. See you again soon!"

She waved goodbye as she quickly legged it back over to the stadium while Sonia looked one last time over at the geoglyph.

"That's your boyfriend's brother, correct?"

Sonia spluttered at Diamana's innocent enquiry. "I...he's...well..." 

"Why yes, I can see the resemblance. The same hair color, that cheerful grin...though I do not think I have seen this Ash before."

"Ash is from the Kanto region; Gran says he's a rather excellent Trainer, and his records back it up." Diamana raised an eyebrow. "He's been in no less than six League Tournaments, acquired all the Symbols of the Battle Frontier of Kanto, and believe it or not, he's the current official Champion of Alola."

Diamana's jaw fell, before giggling. "Compared to your boyfriend, he seems much more qualified to be our Champion." 

"Leon's not my boyfriend!"

Chapter Text

On a grassy field outside of Turffield Stadium, Ash looked on as he got ready to train. Hop had decided to challenge the Gym first, and since Ash wanted to train with Rookidee, he didn't argue against the matter either.

And now, after probably driving the local Skwovet population unconscious, they were ready to battle against Howie, a Trainer with purple and blue hair in a ponytail.

"Alright! Here's my partner!" They swung their arms around and sent out their Pokémon: A horse Pokemon with chalk-white fur; long, purple-and-blue, cloudy fur that is also on top of its dark-purple hooves; purple eyes with light-blue irises; and a purple-and-white horn on top of its forehead let out a proud neigh.

"Is that a...Ponyta?" Ash's eyes widened before consulting his Rotom Phone.

'Ponyta, the Unique Horn Pokémon. Galarian Form, Psychic-Type. Ponyta's horn is capable of healing slight wounds if rubbed, and sees the content's of one's heart through looking in their eyes.'

"A regional variant. So cool!" Ash grinned as he looked back on his shoulder. "Alright Rookidee, let our first Trainer battle be a memorable one!"

"A foolish choice!" Howie laughed. "Ponyta! Use Fairy Wind, one hundred percent! Then Stomp it down!"

Ponyta took a deep breath before unleashing a strong gust of sparkling wind, which Rookidee attempted to dodge up, only for Ponyta to have leapt up under the cover and slammed its hooves down. "Aha! Bet you didn't see that coming!" Howie grinned. "Now for the finishing move! Ponyta, use Wild Charge!"

"Rookidee! Brace using Hone Claws, then Power Trip!"

Ponyta's body was surrounded by yellow electricity as it rushed forward, slamming into Rookidee who was spinning out of battle. To Howie's shock, a red aura flared around Rookidee as she skidded back, her wings glowing red as she struck back. Combined with the recoil, Ponyta had - perhaps unsurprisingly emerged unconscious.

"How?!" Howie sighed, recalling Ponyta before shaking hands. "You gotta teach me how to do that someday!" 

"Hey, Ash!" Ash inwardly cringed while Howie looked genuinely surprised at the volume, as did a few others as a familiar person rushed in sight. "Guess who's back!"

"Did you get your badge?"

"See for yourself!" Hop thrust out a metal ring with a small piece of metal with a green leaf pattern etched into it. "Got it on the first try, too! Though I'm sure you'll do it better than me - you're a Champion after all."

"Hold on, you're a Champion?" Howie interrupted them. "NO WAY! Of where?!"

Ash was stunned by their reaction, while Hop chuckled. "Of Alola. The region's first ever Champion?!"

Ash chuckled nervously. "Y-Yeah, but uh, it's only in name now. I've relinquished most of the official duties to the founder, Professor Kukui, after I left."

"Pika pika," Pikachu added, nodding in affirmation.

"You...You relinquished your Champion duties?! But...why?! Don't you know how many would kill to be in your place?! Why would you throw away such a title of power?!"

"Because that's just what it is," Ash replied, his voice more steady and earnest now. "In all my years of traveling, I wanted to be a Pokémon Master. Being a Champion used to be something I aimed for back when I was starting out. But looking back, it's kinda a rather outdated thought."

"Oh my Arceus." Howie's mouth was gaping like a fish, before they recomposed themselves. "Then, could I watch yours? I want to see how you battle."

"I don't see why not." Ash grinned at his companion. "Hop?"

"Sure thing, mate!" Hop grinned, before striking his hand in the air. "C'mon! Let's have a champion time!" 

"Awesome!"

One quick trip to the Pokémon Center later, Ash fiddled with his Gym Uniform as he walked through a narrow hallway that opened up into the expanse of the stadium, where he was greeted by a blond man. "Welcome, challenger! My name is Dan! Are you ready to take the Turffield Gym Mission?"

The last bit caught Ash off guard. "The Gym...Mission?"

"Yes, before you can challenge the Gym Leader for the badge, you must complete a Gym Mission first to reach them! And here in Turffield," Dan threw his arm out to the field, where flocks of Wooloo were peacefully grazing. "Your mission is to chase our unruly Wooloo to that blockade we've made from our bales of straw over there! You are permitted the assistance of only one Pokemon, but you are not allowed to use any moves on any of the Gym's Pokemon!"

Ash looked out at the fields, taking it in at the moment. It had been so long since he actually challenged a proper Gym - the Kantonian Gym aside. Maybe things were indeed different in some regions, apart of the Dynamaxing aspect.  

"Welcome, one and all! I'm the Ball Guy, and it's always a pleasure to see you all!" The announcer's voice bounced around the stadium. "Our first challenger of the day! Hailing from Pallet Town, all the way from Kanto, Ash! He might be new to Galar, but let it be known that he has competed in league conferences around the world, winning the inaugural Manalo league to become the first ever Champion of Alola, and I have it on good word that he has even conquered the Battle Frontier in the midst of that! But enough chatter - let's see if his alleged skills in battle can translate for Wooloo wrangling! Let the timer begin!" 

Ash paused - Dan didn't mention anything about a timer! Sure enough, when he looked up to the announcer stands, there was indeed a timer that was ticking down.

"Ready for this, Pikachu?" His partner gave a determined 'chaa' as he leapt off, rushing towards the field and a group of Wooloo. They rolled away from him as he stepped closer, and he realized the challenging part of this Gym mission. 

In the audience, Hop and Howie managed to grab front row seats and were busy cheering him. "Go Ash!"

"Oof, Ash may have the battling touch, but he's not best mates with Wooloo." Ball Guy commented, watching Ash as he and Pikachu tried to corral the Wooloo towards the hay bale blockade with much difficulty. Some Wooloo ran in the opposite direction, while others flat out ignored them. "And would you look at that - the clock is already halfway down! That means it's time for the Yamper to come!"

"What?!" Ash exclaimed as a pair of Yamper came leaping out from the gates and towards the rolling Wooloo, causing more than a few to scatter away from the main flock they so desperately gathered. Sighing in irritation he chased after them, finally sticking it in with the others to clear the challenge with a few well-placed Electrowebs against the Yamper.

"Gym Mission complete!" Ash sighed in relief, wiping the sweat off his brow. "And now, he may advance to the stage you've all been waiting for!"

At that moment, the hedges dropped down, while the Wooloo pens were retracted back into the walls, forming as a grass battlefield. All around him, audience members cheered when Milo emerged from the tunnels, who waved back as he and Ash stopped at the center of the pitch, in the middle of the large Pokéball pattern. “My Gym’s the first one people face, so we get a lot of challengers,” He said gently. “That’s why I try to keep the Gym mission challenging, but that didn’t stop you from completing it, Ash! Proper job!”

"Thanks! I had fun too!"

“Sure seems like you understand Pokémon real well." Milo patted his belt. "This is gonna be a doozy of a battle! I’ll have to Gigantamax my Pokémon if I want to win!”

That caused a shock to everyone in the crowd. "Milo's known for being easygoing, heck, the only times he ever uses Gigantamax is during the Leader's Cup." Hop crossed his hands and leaned forward. "Now this is worth it!"

"Who is this Ash?" Howie found themselves asking.

And with that, they turned away from each other and went to their respective sides, before grabbing their Pokeballs. Dan got to the side of the battlefield before announcing the rules. "In the name of Their Majesties The Royal Family, the battle between Challenger Ash and Gym Leader Milo is about to begin! The Gym Leader may use only two Pokémon, while the Gym Challenger is allowed to use as many as they prefer! Furthermore, only the Challenger gets to substitute Pokemon! Trainers, bring out your Pokémon!"

The noise of the crowd started to rise, seeing the battle was about to begin. Milo grinned at the sight of Rookidee emerging from Ash's side before calling out for a green cotton Pokémon whose yellow leaves formed a shawl drifted down in front of him, winking at its opponent.

'Eldegoss, the Cotton Bloom Pokemon. Grass Type. Eldegoss's cotton fluff acts like a cushion to protect its head from attacks, and the seeds attached to its cotton fluff are full of nutrients.'

"Challenger Ash chooses his Rookidee, while Gym Leader Milo surprisingly brings out his Eldegoss! This is unseen before, folks!"

"It's true that I usually bring out and Dynamax one of my dear Eldegoss last, but you're a special case! I feel like I'll be letting you down by not facing you with one of my stronger teams!" Milo explained cheerfully. "So Eldegoss, use Magical Leaf!"

"Just like those Skwovet, Rookidee. Rock Smash!" Rookidee's wings glowed red as she took to the air as multiple light green glowing leaves were fired from Eldegoss' glowing shawl. "Peck!"

Rookidee's beak glowed white before connecting with Eldegoss, but Milo was unfazed - even with Eldegoss taking several hits. "As a Grass-Type, Eldegoss is weak to Flying-Type attacks like Peck." Ball Guy commented. "Does Gym Leader Milo have a plan to fight back?"

"Is it just me, or does it seem like Rookidee's getting slower?" Howie pointed out to Rookidee, whose movements seemed sluggish.

"Eldegoss' ability must be Cotton Down." Hop thought back to every time Rookidee landed an attack, parts of the cotton on Eldegoss' head would have fallen off. "Those cotton spores must be restricting her movement." His eyes widened. "Milo's counting on Rookidee to slow itself out, so it can-"

"Now, Eldegoss, Sing!"

"Outstanding! Although Rookidee avoids taking damage and dishes out several blows, Eldegoss manages to put her opponent to sleep!" Rookidee was too close to avoid the sound notes, and promptly skidded a few feet in front of Eldegoss like a rock. "Will this be a key factor to Gym Leader Milo's win?"

"Splendid, Eldegoss! Now let's see what they do, use Rapid Spin." Eldegoss nodded, spinning rapidly as she tackled Rookidee, her body glowing red with every hit. 

"Rapid Spin raises their speed if it connects." Howie noted. "If Rookidee doesn't wake up soon, it'll be unable to land any attacks soon."

Ash to get more frustrated as Rookidee was taking more and more hits. “Come on, Rookidee! You gotta wake up!"

But it seemed like Rookidee wouldn't awake. Just when Milo ordered a final Magical Leaf, Ash gasped in surprise as Rookidee became encased in a bright blue light,  In the split seconds that followed, she grew larger, her wings and tail elongated as they deflected the attack, her talons becoming sharper, and the crest of feathers on her head become much more pronounced. Letting out an angry caw, her beak glowed white and elongated before charging at the startled Grass-Type.

"Would you look at that! Rookidee - no, Corvisquire - is coming back with a Plucking vengeance!" 

"Pollen Puff!" Milo panicked. The cotton ball on Eldegoss' head glowed purple before it swung its head and hurled it forward. Although surprised at the purple mass that exploded in her face, Corvisquire plowed through and dealt the finishing blow.

"Eldegoss is unable to continue! Corvisquire is victorious!" 

"You were awesome, Corvisquire!" Ash praised Rookidee's evolution, before pulling out his Rotomphone.

'Corvisquire, the Raven Pokemon. Flying Type. Over the course of many tough battles, they learn to assess the strength of prospective opponents before engaging them, having been seen to throw rocks at their opponents or use vines to entangle them.'

"And Corvisquire takes the win with a surprising evolution! Can Gym Leader Milo clutch this battle back?"

"Woohoo! We’re not going to be done in that easy! We’re tough as weeds!" He looked down at his belt, pausing between two Ultra Balls. "Time to show you our harvest! Go, Flapple!"

A small green worm-like Pokemon with a cream underside emerged, but what made it stand out was that it seemed to have donned parts of an apple as armor - there was a piece that covered the top of its head like a helmet, while its arms and tails were covered in pieces that seemed to help it fly.

'Flapple, the Apple Wing Pokemon. Grass/Dragon Type. It flies on wings of apple skin and spits a powerful acid capable of causing chemical burns. It can also change its shape into that of an apple to hide itself from predators and prey.'

"Corviquire, can you continue?" A defiant caw was her reply. "Good! We're staying in! Use Pluck!" 

"Acid Spray!" Corvisquire charged in with her glowing beak, only to be met with a surprisingly large glob of purple acid, far beyond she or Ash expected from something like Flapple. As she tried to get rid of the glob that drenched her face, Flapple's body glowed green as it shot up in the air, before folding up and diving into a freefall - and knocking her out. "Corvisquire is unable to battle! Flapple is victorious!"

"Although Corvisquire is newly evolved, Flapple's Grav Apple bonked them gnoggin real hard - just like the late Sir Newton! Who will Challenger Ash choose next?"

"Thanks, Corvisquire. You did your best - we'll take it from here." Ash closed his eyes for a moment before turning back to Pikachu. "Well, buddy. Guess it's your turn."

"And Challenger Ash chooses Pikachu. I wonder, is there some secret underneath those cute electrifying cheeks?"

“I was hoping you would use that Pikachu of yours!” Milo called from across the pitch. “Show me what he can do!”

"Alright." Ash grinned back. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" 

"Acrobatics!"

Both Pokemon charged at each other in glowing bursts, but neither seemed to be able to land a decisive blow. Milo seemed to have noticed this, and ordered a Grav Apple. Pikachu responded with an Iron Tail, smacking it back towards Milo who quickly returned his Pokémon to his ball and activated his Dynamax Band. "Well, you're making us look like amateurs. Come on, then! It’s Gigantamax time - you’re about to be uprooted!” He patted the enlarged Pokeball before launching it into the air with one hand.

Ash gasped as he looked up. A gargantuan apple reappeared, landing with a earth shaking thud before the top broke off to reveal Flapple's head from within while a thick tail burst from behind, kicking up a massive cloud of dust. 

"Pikachu, it's our turn!" Ash grinned as his Dynamax Band glowed, before directing his wrist towards Pikachu.

"And would you look at that!" Ball Guy exclaimed, watching as Pikachu reacted. "Challenger Ash's attempting an unrestrained Dyna - no, Gigantamax! You don't see that nowadays!"

"What? But why doesn't he use his Pokeball?"

"Apparently, Pikachu doesn't like going in it." Hop explained, his eyes watching as Pikachu grew. "Gotta say, I always wondered what would it look like to do a Dynamax like that. It's...incredible!"

Pikachu growled, now matching Flapple in height, though Ash was unsure whether they matched in technique. They couldn't really practice Gigantamax battling - it's not like the stadiums were open for public use, anyway. "This will leave you in shock and awe. It’s our Gigantamax move - G-Max Tartness!" 

Flapple dipped itself inside its apple shell, sending out waves of juice overflowing and swamping the area. Pikachu stumbled as he got a mouthful, shivering as his face contorted to one of horror from the taste.

"Pikachu, let's finish this - G-Max Volt Crash!" 

Pikachu's body sparked as he tried to jump in the air - keyword being tried, dropping back down to the ground like a giant fluffy marshmallow before firing it off.

The crowd roared in excitement as Flapple shrunk down in a burst of red lights, and Ash was momentarily shocked before he remembered that there was an audience. Milo grinned widely as they met in the middle. "That must have been a fulfilling Pokémon battle for you. As proof that you have defeated a Gym Leader for the Gym Challenge, allow me to present you with your very own Grass Badge." 

"Thanks!" He took the small piece of metal and held it up for everyone to see. "I just got, the Grass Badge!"

"This, was definitely an experience!" Ash exclaimed as he and Hop stepped out, out of his Challenger uniform and looking at his new badge as it glistered in the setting sun. "The Gyms I used to go to aren't as extravagant - that was like the League Conference!" 

"Challenger Ash!" Milo's voice followed them. "I'll like to congratulate on your victory again. I admit that I don't use those two unless it's for the Champion Cup, so to see you beat them with ease is really surprising."

"It's alright! What matters is we had fun, right Pikachu?" Pikachu nodded happily.

"It's a pleasure." Milo gave them a cheerful grin. "By the way, I noticed your Pikachu seems to have some difficulty battling when it was Gigantamaxed."

"Yeah - we're used to uh, traditional battling than Dynamaxing." Ash scratched the back of is head. "But then again, its not like there's some wild Dynamax Pokémon for us to fight, is there?

Milo looked thoughtful for a moment, before he pulled out his green Rotomphone. "Actually, there are. Have you heard of Dens?"

"Dens?" Ash looked confused as he looked at the image Milo had pulled up - a glowing red circle of stones. 

"Yeah. They're places where one can find wild Dynamax Pokémon, actually. Trainers are usually discouraged to go there, but since you have a Dynamax Band, I see no reason not to tell you about that." Milo put back his Rotomphone. "By the way, the Gym Challenge has a set order, so that means your next stop should be in Hulbury - it’s just beyond a trek past Doraby.”

"Alright." Ash and Hop let it set in for a moment, before getting fired up. "Hulbury, here we come!"

Chapter Text

The sky had started to turn orange when they made it to the marked campsite on Route 5, though it seemed that they were the only ones who would be there for the night. Ash took the time to help set up the tent while the Pokemon were playing with a pink ball with splattered green stripes. 

"Right..." Hop slammed down a big cooking pot over the firepit, startling Scorbunny who was setting up the fire underneath by kicking up a few Embers. "Let's see if I got everything..."

"What are you making?"

“Just some good old Galarian Curry." Hop grinned, heading to his bag and pulling out ingredients. "Speaking of, I don't think you've ever made some before, have you?”

"Um...I don't think so?" Ash rubbed the back of his head. "I'm fairly sure the curries I've had were Alolan ones..."

“Why don’t I show you how to do it?” Hop looked enthusiastic over teaching Ash another aspect of Galarian culture. "Here, take this and start fanning the flames..."

Five minutes later, Hop internally regretted his decision to teach Ash Ketchum; between causing the fire below the pot to practically erupt from his inhuman fanning and almost spilling the curry via stirring it too hard, Hop mentally thanked Arceus as he managed to salvage their dinner.

"Sorry, I'm not exactly good with cooking food." Hop joked, sticking the curry onto some plates and passed them around. Ash sheepishly took his with thanks and chewed it with a big, satisfied grin. "Mmm...this is good!"

"You bet, mate! Probably not as good as how Sonia does it, but hey, it's the best we've done!"

Ash raised an eyebrow as he went for another serving. "Sonia taught you how to make it?"

"Yeah, back before she and Lee started their Gym Challenge, Sonia came over to help with the cooking whenever mum came down with the flu." Hop took another bite out of his curry. "To be honest, I miss her cooking sometimes. I think Lee might as well. But well, "

Ash opened his mouth to ask a question, but paused. A image of Leon and Sonia's shouting match back in Motostoke flashed in his mind. 

And as they settled in, none of them managed to detect the foreign presence in the camp.

When the sun rose up to the sky, Hop didn’t want to get out of his sleeping bag. The air outside was frigid, after all.

"Look at me, mum..." He mumbled. "Are you...proud of - Ow!" 

A sharp pain snapped him out of his dream, and he - quite reluctantly - woke up. What he wasn't expecting however, was for a pair of eyes to stare back.

Hop didn’t know he could emit such a blood-curdling scream.

“Hop-? What’s wrong-? What’s-?” Ash bolted upright, looking around frantically before he noticed the Pokémon on Hop's head. "Whoa, a new Pokémon! Where did it come from?!"

'Grookey, the Chimp pokemon. Grass-Type. It attacks with rapid beats of its stick, and the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area.'

"Ow! Ash, I get your excited - ow!" Hop tried to push aside the Grookey who was now using his head like a drum. "But can we - ow! - talk after this Grookey's off my head?"

"Sure - ow!" Ash shouted as Grookey landed on his head. "Okay, okay! I take it back! Ow - it hurts!"

"Right, if it's a fight you're picking, then we'll beat you down!" Hop turned towards his team. "Scorbunny, Sucker Punch!" 

The Rabbit Pokemon's foot connected with Grookey's gut, who shrieked before escaping out of the tent. The two rushed out to follow, only to stop when they saw the mess outside. The ashes from the campfire were spread out, while their bag's contents were spilled over. The Grookey had a mischievous smirk as it hopped around, holding a stick in one hand and Ash's hat in the other, while rings of light green energy emitted from its feet and spread out.

"Grassy Surge, eh?" Hop got pumped up. "No matter! Our flames are burning bright! Ember!"

Scorbunny began scraping the ground with his foot, creating sparks that slowly grew in size before launching one at the Grookey, who blocked it with Ash's hat before responding with several Scratchs. 

"I think I might need to step in." Pikachu nodded, blazing forward with Quick Attack. Grookey lost its grip on Ash's hat, before jabbing its stick up Pikachu's rear.

"Pikachu, are you alright?" Pikachu winced, and Ash sighed. "Good. Use Thunderbolt!"

The electric attack coursed through Grookey, enough to knock it out. Hop quickly tossed Ash a Pokeball to catch it. What he wasn't expecting, however, was for the PokéBall to simply bounce off, alongside a message from his Rotom Phone. 'Don't be a thief!'

"It was blocked..." Hop stared at the Pokeball in surprise. "Then that means-"

"Grookey has a Trainer already?" Ash confirmed his thoughts. "But who is it?"

"I think Doraby's just up ahead." Hop noted as he tried to pry the Chimp Pokemon off of Wooloo. "We could ask around there?"

Doraby turned out to be a quaint village that was made up of a few houses, the most prominent of which turned out to be the Pokémon Center, while a sizable stadium was located in the centre. "So, where do we begin?" 

“Dubwool! Come back!”

Before they could react, something round and fluffy crashes into Ash head on before he could turn to see, knocking him onto his back. "Ow..."

“I'm so, so sorry!" He looked up to see a young, chubby boy rush over, accompanied by a Torracat. "Are you OK? You took that Take Down head on…”

"It's alright." Ash shrugged it off. "We were hoping to ask if anyone lost a Grookey recently? We found this one, well, playing in our campsite when we woke up."

Upon seeing it, the Torracat and the boy had two different reaction; the former looked agitated, while the boy was relieved. "So that's where you've been. Please, follow me. We've been looking for her since dawn."

He led them towards a building with sloped, tiled roofs and pink brick walls with an egg-shaped window on the door. "I take it its your first time to a Nursery, Ash?"

"I knew someone who helped ran a Daycare." Ash looked up at the logo perched above the door and was written with the words 'Pokémon Nursery.' "I think it's the same, right-?"

"Neville? Who have you brought-?" Upon entrance, they was met by an old lady wearing grey overalls over a slightly-patterned white cut with some black elements in the sleeves as well as her footwear and shoes. "Blimey, new visitors! And one of them's the Champion's brother!!"

"Yes Gran. They found that Grookey, Gran." 

The old lady eye's lit up as her attention was focused onto the sleeping Grass type on the boys arm. "Well, I'll be damned! There's you are, you rascal!"

The Grookey groggily awoke to the sound of its name, before almost snarling. "Oh, but where are my manners. The name's Joan, I help run this town. This lad here's my grandson Neville." The woman introduced herself. "Thanks for returning this rascal back, she's been nothin' but a pain in the arse since I hatched her."

"It's our pleasure." Ash said politely. "You wouldn't mind if we took a look around, would you?"

"I don't see why not - provided you don't try to cause a ruckus." She turned to Neville. "Neville? Be a dear and show these Gym Challengers around, will you?"

The playpen was a absolutely large field that had several species roaming around. Hop saw Eldegoss, Mincinno, Espurr and many more. "Look at all the Pokémon here."

"Gran's helped keep the Nursery alive for a long time." Neville explained. "But between her duty as Doraby's Gym Leader and this, it's a tiring job. I'm trying to help her out, but as you saw with Dubwool, well..."

"Hold on." Ash stopped. "Miss Joan's a Gym Leader? I thought that there were only eight gyms here."

"Ash, the Galar region works a bit differently regarding our Gym Challenge. Yes, you have to compete in eight gyms, but it's not always the same eight every year."

"Hop's right. Doraby's one of those currently in the Minor division, meaning that they get to be the ones used for Trainers to hone their Pokemon's skills." Neville shrugged. "Sure, it doesn't seem all that glamorous, but we're still respected among Galar. Besides, we're a small town. We don't need the fame that comes with it."

Hop nodded, before his eyes widened and rushed forward to see a shelf of eggs incubating. "Whoa! Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these Grookey eggs?"

"Yup." Neville nodded. "Marco Cosmos sends over a group of Eggs for my Gran to raise before she hands them over to Professor Magnolia." He paused in front of one. "Someday, I'm gonna have one of them as my first Pokémon."

"First? Isn't that Torracat yours?"

"Well, to be honest, he's more of a family pet." Neville looked sheepish, scratching the Fire Cat Pokemon by the ears. "Sure, he listens to me more than anyone else, but officially? I don't have ownership over - ah!"

Just then, the vents opened and a familiar green chimp came out triumphantly. She looked around before setting her sights on a Cubone and launched herself over, knocking it down and started to beat her stick on its head.

"Hey! Stop it!" The Grookey paused in her merciless drumming of Cubone, pulled down her eyelid and launched herself across the room. "Cut it out!"

"Oh no!" Neville paled as he saw where Grookey had landed - the pen of a purple infant lizard with a layer of skin around its bottom that resembled a nappy. "Cover your ears!"

Before Hop could respond, the Pokémon began screaming out silvery sound waves that distorted the air, causing everyone in the vicinity to cover their ears. Wooloo looked disorientated as he rolled around unconsciously, while Ash struggled to pull out his Rotom Phone.

'Toxel, the Baby Pokemon. Electric/Poison Type. Toxel stores poison in an internal poison sac and manipulates its chemical makeup to produce electricity.' 

"It sure doesn't mention anything about Toxel's cry!" 

The door slammed open as Joan stepped into the room, slapped on a pair of earmuffs before pulling out a Pokeball and recalled the Grookey. "Of all the places it could have emerged..." She muttered. "Now the whole place is echoing that Metal Sound." 

"Can we help out?"

"Careful, your Pokedex forgot to mention that Toxel's body is covered in that poison." Joan warned, already pulling down a pair of gloves and approaching Toxel. "You stay in contact for too long, you could get paralyzed."

"I think we can take the risk!" Hop rolled up his sleeves. "Right, Hop?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you." Joan said before handing it over to Hop. Immediately, he felt a tingling sensation creep up his spine, but he didn't let it discourage him. Soon, to Neville and Joan's amazement, the Toxel calmed down, and the sound waves ceased.

"Well, I'll be damned."

Joan insisted on taking a look at Toxel's condition, and Hop begrudgingly agreed. However, the presence of the Grookey, who had escaped from her Pokeball and was making a ruckus made things difficult.

"Blast that Grookey." She muttered, catching a box the Grookey had knocked over before handing Toxel to Neville. "Can't even let her near the other ones; they're too terrified of her."

"If you don't mind, what's going on with that Grookey?"

"She's too boisterous for her own good. Magnolia's offered about sixty Trainers that rascal, and none are really willing. And it's starting to become a problem for me, between keeping her locked here so that she can't cause trouble and trying to give this Toxel the attention and care he needs." 

"Speaking of..." Hop paused to duck. "Toxel aren't exactly common Pokemon either. And correct me if I'm wrong, but that one doesn't seem old either. When did it hatch?"

"Hmm...'bout a week or two. Why'd you ask?"

"...Where’s his trainer then?”

“His trainer... well, she left a Toxtricity - his evolved form, if you're wondering - here with my Ditto to try to, uh, make some eggs that would hatch into powerful Pokémon she could train for battle." Joan's face darkened. "We hatched two eggs, she took one, said this one wasn’t strong enough for her standards and she just...left him here.”

"What!" Hop sprung up in anger. "How could she do that! It's like abandoning a child!"

"Believe me, I tried to give that lass a piece of my mind, but she just shrugged it off." Joan sighed as she hung her coat. "You know, you could adopt him if you wish." 

"I...could?"

"Sure. You're the Champion's brother, aren't you? That sounds like a good resume on paper, don't you think?"

Hop looked stunned, and pondered on it. He was a Trainer, not a Breeder. Training them was one thing, but could he really care for a newly hatched Pokémon?

The door slammed open, and Neville burst in. "Neville? What's the matter?"

"Gran! Someone has broken into the playpen!" Neville panted. "They got this balloon and a talking Meowth! I left Torracat to buy some time so I could get you!"

"Well, what are we standing here then?" Joan got up. "Get moving!"

The four of them rushed over, where a Meowth balloon with a mechanical hand had just opened up a hole in the ceiling and was in the process of kidnapping several Pokémon.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

"Team Rocket! Not you three again!"

"Hmm, I take it you've met these ruffians before?"

"Yes." Ash gritted his teeth. "They're a group of Pokemon thieves who I've encounter more times than I care to admit."

"You bet, twerp! But seeing as there are so many Pokemon to be taken!" Jessie grinned, before reaching out to the next Pokemon - who happened to be Toxel. "Then don't mind if I do!"

"Oh, who said you crooks are going?" Joan cracked her neck as she readied her Friend Ball. "Snorlax, aim a Seed Bomb at that balloon!"

A half asleep Snorlax emerged. It rolled around for a moment before spatting out a large hard seed. Team Rocket looked dumbfounded as they saw the projectile approach at breakneck speed before exploding in their faces, sending them crashing down. Hop quickly sent Wooloo to help catch the falling Pokemon, himself diving to catch Toxel.

"Ugh, no fair!" Jessie screeched, before hurling her Pokeball. From it emerged the Chewtle they had caught. "Chewtle! Water Gun!" 

"Snorlax! Body Slam!" The Chewtle opened its mouth to release a stream of water at Snorlax's face. The Sleeping Pokemon looking unamused as it awoke. It took one look at Chewtle who sweatdropped before falling over and squashing it flat, fainting instantly. "Now, you were saying?" 

"I think we can take it from here." Ash grinned. "Pikachu, send them flying with Thunderbolt!"

One bolt of electricity later, Team Rocket were sent flying, and the hole was soon patched up. "Well, thanks for the help." Joan swiped her brow. "At least things won't be."

Ash turned to Hop who was looking at the Toxel in his lap. "You made your mind, Hop?"

"Yeah." Hop stood up. "I'll like to take care of Toxel, Miss Joan."

"I had a feeling you'd say that." Joan chuckled before producing a Luxury ball. "Here's his Pokeball. Take good care of him, alright?"

Hop nodded as he grasped his new responsibility. "Yes. I will."

Chapter Text

For the next week or so, Hop had began experimenting with curries to try and figure out his new Pokémon's diet.

"Alright, let's see if you like this..." He scooped up a handful of curry and carried it over to Toxel. The Baby Pokémon gave it a sniff before smacking the spoon off the table, with Hop reaching out to grab a towel. "Okay, okay, no more sour berries, got that."

"Toxel's throwing another tantrum again?" Ash's tired voice could be heard as he and Pikachu stepped in, the latter wearing his food bowl like a helmet and passing out, before Grookey followed them in and began drumming it. 

"Yup! At least I've finally narrowed down his taste preferences." Hop grinned, wiping away some of the mess. "How's Grookey, by the way?"

"An nightmare to keep track of." Ash panted, finally dropping to the ground. "Just had to separate her from the Cubone again."

"...Ash, have you ever cared for a baby Pokémon before? And I don't mean like what the Pokedex classifies as Baby Pokemon; I mean, from-the-egg-kind of baby Pokemon."

"Yup! Three of them, I think." Ash put up his hand to count. "The first was a Phanpy who evolved into Donphan - think of a Ground-Type, stumpier, circular Copperajah."

Hop chuckled at the image. "Who was the next?"

"A Scraggy - I had to deal with it being kinda headstrong. My last was a Noibat who had flight issues at the start." Ash mused. "Don't worry about messing up, my friend Brock said that every Pokémon is different - there's no one right way to raise one."

Hop was silent as he took in Ash's advice, wondering if he really was doing it right.

"By the way, have you seen all these people coming in recently?"

"What?" Ash pointed to a set of tables where several people were placing plates on. "Oh yeah. Wonder what's going on?"

"Just our monthly Eating Contest." The duo turned around to see Joan passing by with a bucket of berries in her arms. "Every year, Galar's hungriest come to Doraby for a chance to win the title of Galar's Grand Glutton."

"Not the best sounding title, I know, but who am I to argue with years of tradition that everyone doesn't mind keeping around?" The sound of footsteps alerted them to someone approaching. "Good day, Joan."

"It's always a pleasure to see you, Milo." Joan was shaking hands with the Turffield Gym Leader shook hands before Milo saw the two Gym Challengers behind her.

"And Challengers Hop and Ash! I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"We're here on a slight detour to, y'know, train! Are you competing in the Doraby Eating Contest?" 

"Why, yes I am." Milo grinned, before pulling out an Ultra Ball. "And here, is my partner for this competition."

An green draconic Pokemon with a pie-like back decorated with red and green leaves emerged. It looked somewhat goofy, especially with the apple skin helmet it wore. Pikachu and Wooloo stepped forward to greet it, before stepping back in surprise when the Pokémon tossed its head up, revealing what they thought were ears were actually its eyes.

'Appletun. The Apple Nectar Pokémon. A Grass/Dragon Type. Appletun produces a nectar-like scent which attracts Bug-type Pokémon, which it preys on. The skin on is back is said to be tasty, and children used to eat it as a snack.'

"Appletun's got the record in Galar for consuming the most foods within a time frame." Joan grinned. "Course, the fact that he Ripens his food probably helps."

"Oh? You two are thinking about joining the Doraby Eating Contest?" Milo smiled. "It's always nice to have new folks join in. Who are you going with?"

"Well, I'm definitely going with Pikachu!" Ash patted his partner on the head. 

"And I'm going with Toxel!" Hop held up the baby Pokemon up proudly, who gurgled something inaudible.

"I dunno." Milo looked concerned. "Doraby's Eating Contest gets attention from a lot of trained eaters. You'll have to be pretty lucky to win your first one without any prior training."

"So what? This is brilliant! Having so many veterans would be the perfect way to help bond with Toxel here." He turned to Joan. "I'm sure baby Pokémon are capable of consuming solid foods, right?"

"Well, generally speaking, at yours's age, this is the right time frame." Joan said thoughtfully. "Though are you sure? Wouldn't want to make Toxel too stuffed."

"Yup! Count me in!"

The sound of vuvuzelas punctured the air suddenly, and everyone turned around to see a familiar goth-punk girl approach the sign-in table, accompanied by a group of familiar grunts. "Marnie!" Hop exclaimed. "So you're joining the Doraby Eating Contest too?"

Marnie responded with a simple nod while Morpeko hopped down from her shoulder and began squeaking indignantly at Appletun. 

"Cool! So, uh. Who are you competing with?"

"...Morpeko."

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Doraby Eating Contest!" The Ball Guy announced. "I'm your favorite Ball Guy, here to commentate on the annual tradition of Doraby! Once again, proud gluttons from all over Galar have gathered here to compete for the title of Galar's Glutton!"

"Standing against the confident newcomers are our regular eating fighters, including last year's winner, hailing from Doraby here, Joan's Greedent!" No less than eight Pokemon stood on a platform alongside their trainers, including a bipedal, squirrel-like Pokémon with a tan and brown plump body and a tail that was almost larger than itself. "And this year we have a special guest; the one who holds the record of most food eaten in the history of the Contest, Milo of Tuffield's Appletun has returned to break his record!" 

There was a roar of applause as Milo stepped onto the stage, followed by Appletun. Out of the corner of his eye, Hop noticed Marnie gritted her teeth and Morpeko snarling. "I wonder what's going on...?"

"The first round of the contest, the berry plater! The top eight contestants will make it through the second round!" "Three, two, one...START!" 

As soon as the bell rang, everyone began to dig in. Ash and Hop noticed many Pokémon were making use of their natural capabilities to eat them as fast as possible, such as a Zwelious using both of its heads, a Scyther slicing up the Berries, and even a Heatmor melting its meal. Joan's Greedent in particular, was chipping them in half with its sharp teeth.

"A show of eating like you've come to expect! But of course, this Pokémon is on a whole other level!" Ball Guy pointed at Appletun, who was regurluating an acidic liquid over its meal before eating the berries at a constant pace. "Such marvelous display of elegance and gluttony! Will we see the birth of a new record from Appletun?"

"And for the rookies..." Ball Guy turned towards the table Ash, Hop and Marnie were in. Some of the competing Pokémon are small newcomers who avoid seeds in order to avoid filling up too quickly, which is, however, making them slower than the big Pokémon. "As you might notice, some of them are avoiding consuming the seeds. A strategic and legal move - though you lose precious time in doing so - oh my!"

Despite being amongst the smaller competitors, Morpeko was the only one among the rookies whose momentum had been skyrocketing, having turned into Hangry Mode as it devoured berry after berry whole. "Such ferocity! How deep does its anger go?!"

"Here's your dish, 'peko!" Marnie swapped out another plate as Morpeko enthusiastically roared. "Go 'head and eat all you want!"

"Well, Morpeko are known to be fierce eaters." Joan sweatdropped. "Though I am concerned about its stomach..."

Her concerns were not without reason, as Morpeko's belly was already budging like a balloon. Marnie seemed unfazed, however, as she wiped her partner's mouth before ordering a Bullet Seed.

"Amazing!" The announcer exclaimed as Morpeko pelted out a barrage of light green seeds. "Contestant Morpeko has come with a way to split the seeds and the berries with minimal time loss! Good job!" 

It wasn't long until the lesser contestants began to drop out. "Zweilous, c'mon! You can eat more!"

"Not surprising! It may have two heads, but it's only got one stomach!" Hop chuckled. "It just filled itself twice as fast!"

A loud crash caught their attention, and they saw the Scyther panicking, pieces of the table and dishes scattered at its feet. "Oh my! Scyther's hand slipped and cut the plate! Unfortunately, in doing so, it has been disqualified!"

"They weren't kidding when you said not everyone's up for the challenge." Ash sweatdropped as the contestant next to them - an Emolga - had to be carried away. Pikachu nodded in agreement, he was starting to choke.

"And...time's up!"

"Morpeko was really strong!" Hop praised "You must have had some special training, didn't you?"

"My big bro used ter compete in these all the time, I'm no stranger to 'em." Marnie brushed them off. "How did you fare out?"

"I think we did good!"

"Not for us..." Ash chuckled awkwardly, looking at Pikachu who, at that point, was swollen just like Morpeko before she used Bullet Seed. "Pikachu...isn't the heaviest eater."

"Attention! The results are in! And the eight Pokemon continuing onto the next round are..."

The screen board lit up, and among those appearing on the screen were Appletun, Greedent, Toxel, and Morpeko, to Hop's delight and Marnie's relief. 

"Awesome!" Hop punched the fist up. "We're still going strong, Toxel!"

"Well, guess I'll go cheer you on in the stands-" Ash began before his hat was ripped off from his head. "What the-? Grookey! Not again!" 

"What's that Grookey doing here?" Milo wondered out loud as Ash ran off. Joan whispered something in his ear, and realization dawned on his face. "Ah. I understand."

Hop looked worried as he sat in a tent behind the stage, where the contestants waited while they set up the next stage.

"You doing fine, Toxel?" Hop asked as he rubbed Toxel's back. The baby Pokemon gave a loud burp. "Don't worry! Keep up that momentum, and we'll be having a good shot winning!"

"Well, well, well, an amateur, darling." Some of the other competitors had gathered around Hop. Judging by their expressions, Hop could sense that they weren't here to congraulate him.

"Here's the thing, lad. With the exception of your Toxel and maybe that lass' Morpeko, everyone here has participated in the Doraby Eating Contest before. We've got the skills you don't." The Gentleman twirled his mustache as his Munchlax sniggered. "You'll fade away like the nobodies you are!"

"Oi!" Marnie grabbed the Gentleman and pulled him down. "Tryin' to intimidate the competition? You really must be scared."

"I've seen you before. Aren't you that lass who lost in the finals of the Champion's Cup last year? You tried so hard, but street thugs like you will never win." A white haired Scientist's Mamoswine let out a frosty breath as a show of intimidation, only to be startled instead when Morpeko turned into Hangry Mode and nearly snapped at its tusk. "Keep your Pokemon under control!"

Marnie's face darkened before she snapped her fingers, and as if they had teleported, Team Yell appeared and surrounded the bullies. "You're mockin' our beloved Marnie, eh?" The leading grunt sneered, his Linoone snarling as did the other grunts who looked ready for a fight.

Meanwhile, Ash had returned with his hat, a happy Grookey on his head, and an exhausted Corvisquire. "Grookey, this is getting tiring..."

The Chimp Pokemon simply jumped up and down while Corvisquire squawked. Ash could do nothing but sigh as he sat down.

"Thanks for waiting! Here are the competitors in the second round!"

"Huh?" Ash blinked as he looked again - the only Pokemon on stage were Appletun, Greedent, Toxel and Morpeko. "I thought there were more competitors...?"

"Unfortunately, due to an accident, competitors Munchlax, Mamoswine, Shuckle and Lickilicky were forced to withdrawn due to... health concerns." Ball Guy explained. A number of people voiced complaints, but they held up a hand. "Worry not! We still have some veteran eaters in our line-up!" 

"The second round will consists of paired eat-offs, with the winning Pokémon from each pair advancing to the finals." They continued, as a lottery was pushed on the stage. "Now let's see who gets to face who!"

"The first pair - is Appletun and Greedent!" Ball Guy dramatically gasped. "What a shocker to have our two champions face off in the semi finals!"

"Well, it must be fate." Milo grinned. "May the best eater win!"

"Which leaves Morpeko and Toxel!" There was polite applause as the two trainers shook hands. "Now, may one Trainer choose the menu!" 

Joan chose Milcery Tart, while Marnie selected the Spicy Seasoned Curry. Hop looked relieved - at least it was something Toxel would like.

"The first table may be feasting on some creamy tarts, but there's nothing sweet between this rivalry!" Ball Guy exclaimed. "Both contestants are previous winners of this competition! And they're downing the dishes with dignity worthy of a gluttonous god!"

"And the second table is a clash of curries! Contestant Morpeko is diving into its dish with anger blazing hotter than it! It's not bothered by the spiciness nor heat at all!" Morpeko gave a shout of defiance as she continued to dig in, while Toxel was downing his curry rapidly. "But its opponent is faring well, too! Only time will tell who will win!"

"Your Toxel likes spicy food, doesn't it?" Marnie suddenly said. "I...tasted the curry you were preparin' earlier for your Toxel." 

Hop looked shocked for a moment, but then confusion set in. "Wait, but then why did you choose this dish? You had the advantage, and you just...gave it up?"

"You were bein' harassed by those snobs, I don't have the heart to ruin its appetite. Besides, we do have one advantage." Marnie had not lost her composure. "We've trained to stomach anything, no matter what. I doubt your Toxel has the same endurance, though."

"What?" Hop turned around, only to discover to his horror that Toxel had indeed stopped eating and looked ready to throw up. "C'mon, not now! Not so close!"

"And time's up!" The announcer declared. "And let's see who gets to advance to the finals..."

Hop didn't bother to look up as they announced the finalists - he knew he wasn't one of them. "Sorry, Toxel." Hop hugged the Electric/Poison type, flinching for a moment when the Baby Pokemon threw up over him. "It's alright, you did all I can ask you to do."

"Our finalists - as expected, on one hand, one of our reigning champions, Appletun - on the other, relative unknown Morpeko!"

"Y'know, I was hoping I'll get to face you." Milo admitted. "Your brother gave us a serious run for our money, back in the day! A shame he's decided to quit."

"I wouldn't call it a shame." Marnie retorted. "He's happy doin' what he does best, alright? Get ready to lose!"

"How's Toxel?"

"Toxel's fine. But he'll need time off from eating." Hop looked guilty, joining Ash in the spectator stands with a clean shirt. "I hope I didn't push him too far..."

Toxel seemed to have felt Hop's discomfort, for he tried to reach up to comfort his Trainer. Hop looked surprised, before relenting.

"For the last dish! The newest specialty from, G-Max Caramel Flapple!" 

As the bell rings, Morpeko started eating furiously. To everyone's surprise, however, Appletun hadn't eaten a single bite, and instead was paralyzed into staring at its dish.

"Appletun and Flapple look the same when they're Gigantamaxed." Hop muttered. "To him, it must be like eating another of its own kind..." 

Milo was comforting Appletun looked sad as he stared at the candy Flapple, who was seemingly taunting him. Then, without warning, he let out a loud yell and began gulping down the dish.

"Astonishing!" Ball Guy exclaimed. "Appletun has swallowed its pride for a chance to eat its victory! But is it too late?"

The tension was now tense as the crowd watched the two Pokemon mushed as much in as possible food in as possible. Although Appletun started later, he had recovered rather impressively, and Marnie tensed as their tower of empty plates was soon catching up.

"Time's up!" Ball Guy exclaimed. "Despite Morpeko having an early lead, Appletun recovered not too late! Who will win?"

Marnie herself held her breath as they counted the plates, a single drop of sweat dripping from her forehead. Milo, on the other hand, was comforting his now crying partner.

"And the victor, winning by a single plate, Morpeko!" Although it was extremely swollen, Morpeko looked proud of herself as Marnie accepted the prize quietly. "You've seen it here folks, the newest Grand Glutton of Galar - Marnie from Spikemuth, and her Morpeko!"

Chapter Text

Hulbury was a pretty little seaport that, rather appropriately enough was built on the edge of the sea. Ash could see the Stadium in the distance, as well as a red and white lighthouse on the water with a pair of statues standing nearby, overlooking the ocean for incoming ships. Houses lined the road inland, and they could see a market to the right before the road curved and disappeared into another tunnel. 

"Thank you for registering for the Hulbury Gym!" The League Staff looked over the forms they had filled in. "Your matches will be scheduled as soon as possible - we will notify you soon after." 

"Thanks!" Hop grinned as they walked out. "Now, to start planning the next page of my legend!"

"Do you know what Pokemon does she use?"

"...well, I know that she specializes in Water Types and had a Drednaw at the Opening Ceremony, so that's a start." Hop sweatdropped. "My best choices would be Wooloo and Toxel, we can take any physical moves from Drednaw and Toxel's Nuzzle could help out with speed control. Scorbunny's probably a no go, I don't think Double Kick is going to do much anyway..."

The first thing Hop noticed when he entered the stadium were the pipes.

Large, plastic pipes hanging from the ceiling, belching out gallons of water onto the steel platforms that were elevated from a pool of water. From what he could guess, it was a long drop till the bottom.

"Now that you are ready, here is the Hulbury Gym's mission!" Dan began, gesturing towards the obstacle course behind him. "A challenging maze, one you must traverse to clear the mission. However, some paths in the maze are blocked by powerful torrents of water. Be warned that you are not allowed to swim over to the platform you’re trying to get to - not only is it cheating, but it’s also dangerous! Are you ready?"

Hop took one last look at the pool, before peering up at the audience stands. A cheeky grin spread out when he saw Ash hollering at the top of his lungs.

"I sure am! This is gonna be fun!"

"Welcome, one and all! I'm the Ball Guy, and it's always a pleasure to see you all!" The announcer's voice bounced around the stadium. "Our first challenger of the week! Hailing from Postwick, endorsed and related to our beloved Champion, Hop! Does Pokémon Battling run in the family? We'll just have to see - after we test his wits with the help of Hulbury's infamous obstacle course. Let the clock start!"

Since there were no proper barriers around the platforms to prevent anyone from falling overboard, Hop cautiously walked towards one of the torrents to see just how strong the pressure is. He winced after a slight touch - those torrents were probably capable of punching steel.

Looking to the right, he noticed a series of switches near the pipes. Looking back at the course, he grinned and went to work, fiddling with the switches to turn off the torrents. “That’s going to open up that path, which means I can go to the red switch and that path will be open...” 

"Man, Hop's on a roll!" Ash commented, watching Hop traverse the maze.

"He's always playing with puzzles, that Hop."

Ash turned around, wondering who said that, before nearly jumping in his seat.

"Leon?" Even with the pair of sunglasses and jacket, the Galar Champion was still recognizable. "What are you doing here?"

"'After I missed his Gym battle in Turffield?" Leon grinned as he sat down next to Ash and clasped his back. "There's no way I'm missing his next one. I was worried he might be struggling, but it seemed I was just being overcautious."

He gestured down to the course, where Hop already made it to the last leg of the puzzle, which was obviously the hardest part of the challenge. Jogging through the last lap, she noted the inclusion of the blue pipe, which would make the puzzle a bit more complex being an added variable. 

"Red and yellow pipes are off, and there's a blue one's on..." Hop muttered as he jogged down to the last platform. "In that case...yellow..." He switched off the yellow pipe, "Red..." The red one was sealed. "And blue!"

"Gym Mission complete!" Hop punched the air victoriously, waving at the audience. "And now, he may advance to the stage you've all been waiting for!"

Just like in Turffield, the battlefield was transformed from the Gym Mission stadium. The obstacle course sank to the bottom while the water levels rose, leaving behind a few floating platforms visible on the surface. A series of wolf whistles could be heard as Nessa's head popped up from the water in front of her podium, gracefully flicking her damp hair over one shoulder as she pulled herself onto the pitch. Dressed in a turquoise bikini and trunks with the Gym Logo marked on the side of her hips, the Hulbury Gym Leader left little of her body to the imagination.

"Welcome, honored Gym Challenger. I think you already realize, but I'm Nessa. Sorry to have made you look for me."

"It's alright!" Hop shook it off. "You can makes it up with a great battle for my legend, alright?"

"Then let us get this show going." Nessa's hair whipped behind her as she turned to move to her end of the pitch. Hop slapped his cheeks and went to his side. "No matter what kind of plan your refined mind may be plotting, my partners and I will be sure to sink it!"

"In the name of Their Majesties The Royal Family, the battle between Gym Challenger Hop and Gym Leader Nessa will now begin! The Gym Leader may use only two Pokémon, while the Gym Challenger is allowed to use as many as they prefer! Furthermore, only the Challenger gets to substitute Pokémon! Trainers, bring out your Pokémon!"

Nessa's calm demeanor was replaced by a sudden surge of energy as she raised her leg high into the air and fired out a barracuda Pokémon with brown and tan scales, small fins and a long grinning jaw that showcased its sharp teeth. Hop, momentarily stunned by her flexibility, sent out Wooloo in response. 

'Arrokuda, the Rush Pokémon. Water Type.' Ash's Rotom Phone reported. 'Should Arrokuda see any movement near it, it will charge in a straight line using its sharp pointed jaws, though its movements tend to become sluggish when it eats too much.'

"Challenger Hop chooses his Wooloo, while Gym Leader Nessa has sent out her Arrokuda!"

Arrokuda started off with Rain Dance, creating swirling thunder clouds over the battlefield that start a heavy downpour. Hop, deciding to play it safe, ordered a Defense Curl. Nessa smirked and ordered a surprisingly fast Scald that nearly sent Wooloo into the water.

"Arrokuda's ability must be Swift Swim." Hop stared at the rain for a moment. "She set up the Rain Dance to boost both Arrokuda's Water-Type attacks and speed. Wooloo, get back!"

"Challenger Hop substitutes his Wooloo for a...Toxel?" Ball Guy seemed stunned. "Is there some secret I'm not aware of?"

Nessa was just as confused as the announcer, but she didn't think of it much. It was just a baby after all, right? "Night Slash! Wash them out!"

"Arrokuda's faster than I can see! Seems like Toxel might be - hold on!" Arrokuda sliced through the air with glowing purple fins and knocked a startled Toxel onto his back, but that was what Hop was counting on.

To Nessa's surprise, Toxel's body was surrounded by an orange aura and managed able to grab hold of the Rush Pokemon before it could drop back into the water and furiously rubbed his face against it. "Aha! Challenger Hop must have been counting on Arrokuda to get close with that speed so it can Nuzzle it!"

"I see..." Nessa closed her eyes. "Trying to paralyze us? We can keep this up all day."

"Oh yeah? Don't underestimate our power! Flail!" Toxel's let out a loud cry as he flails around its arms and legs, smacked Arrokuda in the face. "Good job! Now keep up the pressure!"

"Push them back with Scald!" 

Arrokuda fired a powerful stream of boiling water from its mouth, but Toxel was able to take the hit as it flailed its fists around. Nessa gritted her teeth as the storm clouds soon faded, while Hop grinned and ordered a knock out Flail.

"Arrokuda is unable to continue! Toxel is victorious!"

"Alright, Toxel!" Hop cheered as Toxel gave a happy gargle. "Just one more to go!" 

"Looks like I'm down to one last Pokémon." Nessa complimented. "You've got some good Pokémon and some unorthodox thinking, but I've been saving the best for last!" 

The light from the Dive Ball burst out, revealing her ace Drednaw who opened its jaws wide and roared with anticipation. 

"Man, I wish I had a Grass-Type attack right now..." Hop winced. "Toxel, let's try and whittle it down as much as we can! Tearful Look!"

Toxel's eyes became teary as red and black streaks of energy come out of its face, morphing into a tearful look as it traveled across the battlefield, causing the Bite Pokémon to rear back in discomfort. Nessa remained stoic and ordered a Jaw Lock.

"Ouch! That's gonna hurt." Drednaw marched forward and snapped its jaws around Toxel, who shrieked even louder. 

"Nuzzle, quick!" That was Toxel's last move before Hop called for Toxel's forfeit. Drednaw looked back to its Trainer, saw her nodding and let go. "I'm sorry, Toxel." The Baby Pokemon was quickly slipping into unconsciousness as he returned to his Luxury Ball. "Wooloo, let's give it our all!"

'Challenger Hop sends out Wooloo, who took a splashing from Arrokuda. Will it be able to stand against the mighty jaws of Drednaw?'

"Flood the stadium and make it our ocean!" Nessa recalled her Pokémon before activating her Dynamax Band. "Drednaw! Time to Gigantamax!"

"Gigantamax..." Hop slapped his cheeks again before activating his own as Drednaw reemerged. "Hang in there, Wooloo!"

"This is a little gift from us...I hope you can take it!" Nessa smirked. "G-Max Stonesurge!" 

"Max Strike!"

Drednaw and Wooloo slammed their forelegs into the pool, creating a pair of shockwaves that rushed towards each other before exploding, followed up by a mutual Max Darkness. 

"All right!" Leon stood up and cupped his hands. "You can do this, Hop!"

"Hey!" "Watch it!" "Get it under control!"

"What's going - ah!" Ash felt something land on his head before his hat was pulled off his head. "What in the - Grookey?!"

"Groo!" The Chimp Pokémon looked very pleased with herself as she began smacking the hat with her stick. 

"You know this Grookey?"

"It's a long story." Ash tried to take it back, and grew frustrated when Grookey dashed out. "Come back here!"

"Ash!" Leon made to follow, but his attention was torn when a loud, triumphant 'meh' echoed through the stadium, and saw Drednaw shrinking down, defeated. Looking back at the disappearing sight of Ash and an excited Hop, Leon finally smiled and headed to a different path.

“How can this be?!” Nessa stumbled back in surprise, letting out a frustrated scream before recomposing herself. “Ugh, well done, Challenger Hop. Continue to seize victories in the Gym Challenge with your Pokémon, and you may even be strong enough to challenge your brother!”

"All right!" Hop grinned proudly as they met in the middle, shaking hands as he took his the Water badge. "Two down, six to go!"

While Hop was celebrating his win, Ash and Pikachu were giving chase with the mischievous Grookey. To their surprise, the pursuit quickly ended when the Chimp Pokemon simply threw it back to him with a hearty chuckle. "Well, that was easy. Why'd you do that, anyway?"

"Groo!" Grookey hopped onto Ash's other shoulder and nuzzled him. That behavior was something Ash has seen too well.

"Alright, but no more trouble, okay?" Ash grinned and headed towards the Pokemon Center. "I imagine Joan might be ready to give us both an earful, though..."

Chapter Text

Joan did indeed give Ash and Grookey a earful when she took the call, before sending over the latter's Pokeball. After that was just a matter of getting used to battling with each other.

"Pika!" The Mouse Pokemon shouted, his tail glowing a metallic grey as he prepared to slam it down on Grookey.

"Dodge, and use Branch Poke!" Ash commanded. Grookey grinned and leapt back acrobatically, causing Pikachu to strike the ground before she jabbed the Mouse Pokemon with her stick.

"Way to go!" Hop exclaimed, watching Ash train while Scorbunny was playing tag with Wooloo and Toxel. "You shouldn't have any problem with Nessa, really. With Pikachu's Electric Moves and Grookey's Grass ones, you have super-effective coverage."

"I know that, but if I know anything about Gym Leaders, that might not really matter!" Ash watched as Grookey fired multiple razor-sharp leaves from the crest on her head tuffs to counter Electroweb. "Besides, she could have coverage against us, too."

Hop stared at him for a moment, before he chuckled under his breath. "You sound just like Lee..."

As they stopped to rest, they saw a group a people running, as if they were late to something. "Huh." Ash wondered out loud. "They seem to be in a hurry."

"Haven't you heard? They're shooting the next Agent Pond movie near the lighthouse!" One of them shouted before chasing after the others. "Hey guys! Wait up!"

Hop couldn't help but exclaim while Ash had a look of confusion. "...what's that?"

"It's this movie series starring Nessa as this really cool secret agent, partnered with this amazing Inteleon!" Hop exclaimed, quickly searching up images on his Rotom phone after recovering from his facepalm. "It's a sleeper hit that blew up in Galar, and people have been petitioning for a sequel since!"

"When you put it like that - it does sound cool." Ash said slowly. "Do you think they're still filming?"

"Only one way to find out." Hop had already grabbed his bag. "Come on!"

When they arrived at the lighthouse, there was already a huge crowd. A barrier was put up as well as a line of Marco Cosmos employees, likely so that there would be no interruptions. Looking around, Hop soon spotted Nessa who was being fitted into a harness connected to a string of wires by a Golett, who gave a thumbs up afterward.

"Alright, take twenty three!" A young brunette man with a pair of glasses called out from the director's chair. "Ready, start!"

Nessa's face morphed into one of slight panic as she was released from the harness, sliding down from the walls off the lighthouse and tried to run. only to halt when three dark-clad men jumped from behind a green screen in a triangle, their white hair flowing behind them and their faces masked beyond their eyes, accompanying by two Pawniard.

"End of the line for you, Agent." The one in front of the 'agent' commented in hushed tone.

"Hand over what you have taken..." The one on the left hissed, his voice hoarse and scratchy.

"...or you will be, silenced." The one to their right finished, his smooth tone somehow managing to create an eerie contrast to the other two. 

"You don't scare me, Shadow Triad." 'Agent Pond' looked around for an opening. "And I'm not going to let you brainwash people into abandoning their partners."

"Take her!" 

As the Pawniard leapt forward, two shots of water suddenly came out of nowhere and sent them skidding back. Moments later, the air in front of 'Agent Pond' glistened, revealing a a bipedal, reptilian Pokémon whose skin patterns resembled a suit. "Thanks, partner."

The sound of tires screeching suddenly emerged, and many of the bystanders exclaimed as a red car came flying onto the set, smashing into the Shadow Triad and skidded to a stop. A red haired woman and a blue haired man stepped out, and sitting in the driver's seat was a short figure.

"Agent Pond! We were sent to pick you up." The red haired woman claimed. "Come on!"

"Um...was this part of the script?" Nessa wondered quietly to Inteleon, who shook its head. Meanwhile, the crew was uncertain what to do.

"Luke, should we-?"

"No, keep the cameras rolling." The director, Luke, held his hand. "I want to see how this will turn out." 

"Who are you to mess with the Shadow Triad?" One of the 'Shadow Triad' roared, struggling to get up. "Night Slash!"

"Oh yeah, well, too bad!" The woman scoffed. A round blue face popped in front of her, glowing orange before the Dark-Type attack could make contact. Pushed back by the Counter, the Pawniard were blasted back into the 'Shadow Triad' and knocked into the sea. "Good job, Wobbuffet."

Likely sensing danger, Inteleon shook its head as 'Agent Pond' took a step forward. The Secret Agent Pokémon simply raised its hand and fires a shot of water at the car from its index fingertip.

"Oh really now." The short figure purred. "I guess then you've made your choice."

The three suddenly threw off their outfits, revealing themselves to be Team Rocket and recited their motto. Luke looked surprised for a moment, and made to reach for his Rotom Phone. In the audience, Ash was fighting the urge to facepalm and rush past the guards. "Team Rocket? Again?"

"Well, Inteleon. You've got skills, skills that Team Rocket would love to use." Jessie sneered as Inteleon put a safe distance between them and Agent Pond. "Well, if you're not going to come peacefully, then we'll have to take you by force!" She tossed up a Pokeball. "Chewtle, Water Gun!"

The Snapping Pokemon landed in Jessie's hand, before unleashing a powerful torrent of water. Inteleon immediately pushed his partner away and took the blast, causing a cloud of water to explode in the air. To their surprise, Inteleon had seemingly vanished into thin air. "What? Where'd it-?"

"To be able to differentiate between friend or foe, I think that's the basic requirement of a master spy." 'Agent Pond' stood up and pointed at the trio. "Sucker Punch." 

Faster than the Patient Pokémon could react, Wobbuffet looked confused as he tried to find his target until he saw a fist colliding momentarily into his face, sending him flying into the rest of Team Rocket and sent them all flying with a spinning Snipe Shot.

"And cut!" Luke exclaimed. "I might need to rework on the script and some more post editing, but that was brilliant!" 

"Wasn't she awesome?" Hop's eyes were glittering with admiration. "It's no wonder she's a hit! No one could improvise like that!"

"Yeah!" Ash agreed, before his stomach growled loudly. "Man, I'm starving..."

"Hey, I know a place! Lee recommended it to me while he was congratulating me." Hop pulled out his Rotomphone to search for the address. "Come on!"

When they arrived the restaurant, they are greeted by a long queue. "Aw, shucks. This is going to take awhile."

"Well, Hulbury is a seafood town." A passing woman commented. "If one is going to eat here, then obviously they'll have to try the local cuisine. And you'll have to wait for awhile." She said, before pulling down her sunglasses, revealing a pair of turquoise eyes. "Unless you'll like to share a table?"

"You're-" Ash began, only to be shut up by Hop who nodded as they followed her. 

"Nessa, always a pleasure to serve you at the Captain's Table." The host bowed. "Your usual table, I presume." 

"Yup. These two are with me." The host nodded as he led the three towards a table with a seaside view, where Nessa sent out her Inteleon once more.

Ash's eyes were practically sparkling from the dishes as they arrived.

"Slow down, Ash. You're going to need something to-" Hop shook his head when Ash began to cough. 

"Look at them. Reminds me of the time we started the Gym Challenge too, don't you?" Her Inteleon nodded, calmly sipping his tea. "Of course, we came a long way from the little fisher girl and the timid Sobble of Hulbury."

Hop looked surprised. "Inteleon's your first Pokémon? Not Drednaw?"

"It's a common misconception, just like people mistake 'Actor Nessa' and 'Gym Leader Nessa' as two different people." Nessa thought back to the moment her Sobble encountered the brash Chewtle. "Drednaw was the first Pokémon we battled and caught, she became a staple on my team ever since." She shook her head. "But no, Inteleon's been my partner from the get-go."

“It must be hard juggling your careers." Hop said. "I mean, you're the second Gym Leader for this season. And uh, no offense to Milo, but hardly anyone gets stuck with him."

“Funny you mention that. When I first took up acting, the Chairman once made an... indiscrete suggestion that I stick to one career path so I can hone my skills to the fullest. He not-so-indirectly implied it made me a weaker gym leader, and to be fair, I was suffer a bit of a losing streak when he said that.”

Nessa closed her eyes and leaned back against the railing, while Inteleon looked out to the sea with a somber smile on his face.

“When we started our Gym Challenge, we met a Feebas who was being bullied by other Pokémon. Maybe because they thought she looked ugly, maybe they thought she was weak."

"What happened after?"

"My love for water Pokémon couldn’t stand it, so we took care of the bullies and took her to a Pokémon Center." Inteleon made a shooting gesture with his finger as she said that. "We told her not let anyone push her around. To stand up for herself. And then she returned the favor when I needed it the most."

"Wait." Hop paused for a moment, pulling out his Rotom Phone and, after a while, found what he was thinking. "This commercial of you riding a Milotic  - it was the same one you helped?"

She and Inteleon shared a knowing look before producing one of her league cards - this one depicted her posing alongside Inteleon, Drednaw as well as a few other Pokémon inside the Hulbury Stadium. "I had this one commissioned recently." She slid it across the table, her finger brushing past the image of the Milotic Nessa was leaning on. "Milotic are Pokémon who are both beautiful and strong. And that’s who I’m striving to be - beautiful as an actress, strong as a Gym Leader."

"Wow..."

"But enough about me, I want to hear more about - oh my." Nessa gasped as she saw Ash digging in. "My, you sure are a ravenous one."

Ash opened his mouth to respond, spilling some food onto his plate when the lights in the city went out at once. "Huh?! What's going on?"

"Not again." Nessa shook her head and peered outside, the entire city was under a blackout. "That's the third time this week!"

"Third time this week?"

Nessa nodded, "Power outages have growing more and more frequent across Galar. Hulbury had their waterwheels installed by the lighthouse, but it's not exactly reliable, especially when the tide's gone down."

"Will this affect the Gym Challenge?"

Nessa was silent for a moment before plastering a reassuring smile on her face. "Not to that degree..." She looked back out to the darkened city, and briefly, her smile felt forced.

"...yet."

Chapter Text

Unfortunately, the power had not been fixed the next day, as Nessa learnt the next morning.  

"...I don't care what you do, get me the power or it's your job on the line!" She shouted into a phone before hanging up, burying her face into her hands and let out a frustrated, muffled scream.

"Whoa, easy, Ness." A pair of hands wrapped around her shoulders. "Ness, you need to chill-"

"Chill? Rai, this is another region's Champion we're talking about. Not some run-of-the-mill rookie, a bloody Champion." Nessa was getting more agitated by the minute. "And if Kabu's claims are to believed with, that - that electric bugger of his took down a bloody Latios -"

"Champion or not, he's still just a gym challenger. And well, I hate to say this, but you're-"

"Meant to be beaten, I know, but I don't want to get wiped out. Because usually I'm the one wiping people out." Nessa wringed her hair so much Raihan was worried she might actually rip part of it off. "What would Hulbury look like then if I did? I'm the second Gym for this season, the second Gym. I was the sixth last season!"

Raihan opened his mouth, then closed it. He didn't really have an answer - after all, Hammerlocke had been the final gym in trhe seasons since he became Gym Leader.

"Forget it." Nessa flung open the door. "You probably don't know. And I ought to get ready - being late would look worse."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The audience, though diminished, still gave a strong response. "We apologize for the blackout, but rest be assured that today's battle will be worth your ticket!"

"Well, well, well...I've got to hand it to our Professor, she's got a proper eye for talent." Nessa put on an almost mocking smirk on her face as Ball Guy was introducing Ash, who looked drenched. "You may be the Champion of Alola, but you'll never become the Champion of Galar. Do you know why? Because I, Nessa, am going to defeat both you and Leon!" She cracked her knuckles together, shooting a discreet glance at Raihan who was sitting in a VIP booth above the audience stands and looking amused. "I'm not going to underestimate your skills - I'll use Gigantamax to wash you out to sea and beyond the horizon!"

And with that, Dan got to the side of the battlefield as the two went to their respective side. "The battle between Challenger Ash and Gym Leader Nessa is about to begin! Both Trainers may only use two Pokémon, but only the Challenger gets to substitute! Trainers, bring out your Pokemon!"

"For this special occasion, let me pull a page out of my rival's book." Nessa unclipped a Dive Ball from her shorts and reared her hand up high. "Drednaw, wash 'em away!"

The Bite Pokemon roared as she emerged, growling at Ash who grinned. "Time to see if our training will pay off. Grookey, I choose you!"

Nessa looked frustrated as she stared at the Grass Type, of course the foreign Champion would have Super-Effective STAB. If he gets a good hit with something like Razor Leaf, Drednaw's going down soon. She thought, before shoving said thought to the darkest parts of her mind. "Bury them with Rock Slide!"

Ash seemed prepared by the move, and he ordered Grookey to jump onto the Rock Slide, something she never expected to hear. 

"You're not seeing things, folks! That Grookey's using the Rock Slide as footing!" Ripples of surprise crossed the audience as the Grass-Type was moving faster and closer. "Could this battle be over before it began?"

"Branch Poke!" 

Nessa forced the rising anxiety back down her throat. "Not a chance! Liquidation!!"

Grookey thrusted her stick forward while Drednaw's horn became covered in water. To Nessa's relief, Drednaw's attack overpowered Grookey's - and then her panic came washing up as Grookey used the momentum Drednaw pushed into her attack to climb onto her shell and began whacking it. 

"Oh! How the tables have turned!" Ball Guy commented as Drednaw began to wildly shake herself in a vain attempt to get the Grass Type off, all the while said Grass Type was happily whacking at the Bite Pokemon like a drum. "Grookey's gotten herself onto a rough ride - and enjoying it, by the looks of things!"

"Sink yourself!" Drednaw rushed towards the water as quick as she could, forcing Grookey to dislodge before she fell into the water. Not that Ash was deterred in anyway if his next command was of any indication. 

"Razor Leaf!"

Nessa's heart stopped. She didn't bother listening to the referee, already absentmindedly raising her hand to recall her defeated Drednaw. She gripped at her Dive Ball before looking up at the VIP booth. Raihan's concerned eyes met hers, and he was shaking his head.

Right. She was banking too much onto this one battle. 

Nessa let out a deep breath before smirking at Ash. "I see why you're a Champion. Your strength is really surprising, but it makes it much more sweeter when I finally drown you into my ocean. Inteleon, wash 'em away!"

"What a surprise!" Ball Guy exclaimed as the Secret Agent Pokémon flipped onto a platform, doing some stretches in preparation for a fight. "This is the first time we've seen Inteleon - Nessa's acting partner - in battle, folks! Looks like there's something hiding behind that silky face, and it's no rusty iron!"

"Just like old times, huh?" Nessa called out to her first partner, who grinned back. "Snipe Shot!"

"Block them with Round!" 

Grookey took a deep breath and let loose a of sound waves, but Inteleon's blast of water easily overpowered the attack and blasted Grookey in the air.

Nessa was determined to eliminate this threat. "Fell Stinger! Finish her!"

A purple glint surrounded one of Inteleon's eyes, before springing a sharp blade from his tail and leapt up. In what seemed to be in slow motion, Grookey could do nothing as the blade impaled her. "Grookey is unable to continue!" The referee announced as Inteleon landed, briefly glowing red as he dusted himself off.

"It's alright Grookey, you did your best." Ash recalled Grookey before turning to his side. "Okay, Pikachu, it's all up to you, buddy!"

"That Pikachu..." Inteleon and Nessa shared a look as Pikachu stepped onto the field. "No holding back anymore - not if we want a chance for victory. Snipe Shot!!" 

"Counter with Quick Attack!"

Both of Inteleon's fingers began to rapidly fire blast after blast of high velocity water, each just barely able to hit Pikachu's afterimages before taking an Iron Tail to the face. As he descended back to the field, Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt that brought Inteleon to his knees, blowing a hole in the stadium’s ceiling.

"Sucker Punch!" Inteleon quickly shook off the residue electricity before speeding around Pikachu in an almost invisible blur, bidding his time to attack. As Sucker Punch connected, Pikachu was thrown into the air. Ash is quick to respond however, ordering an Electroweb aimed at the ceiling, allowing Pikachu to rebound a spinning Iron Tail with added velocity.

"Dodge it!" Nessa screamed. Inteleon shook out of his stupor and quickly dropped and rolled into the pool, mere seconds away from Pikachu shattering the platform he was standing. "I should have known you'll come up with such an idea. This battle would be over if Inteleon didn't dodge in time."

"Turning challenging situations into opportunities is what we do!" Ash exclaimed back. "That's how we battle, alright! To do the unexpected!"

"Well, Mr. Ketchum, I expect you to drown right now." Whether Nessa was channeling a character or not, Ash didn't know, but even he flinched at Nessa's sudden change. "Flood the stadium and make it our ocean!" She recalled her partner and activated her Dynamax Band. "Inteleon - time to Gigantamax!"

"Would you look at that!" To Ash's surprise and the crowd's amazement, instead of Inteleon Gigantamaxing completely, its tail was the one which began to change. Everyone watched as Inteleon sprung up into the air as its tail formed a coiled platform underneath it, while a blue watery harpoon was attached to one of its index fingers. The white sclerae in its eyes changed to dark red, the same color of the clouds circling around the coiled tail platform a short distance below. "Gigantamax Inteleon makes his debut! You do not want to be on the other end of that gun, trust me!"

"Indeed." Nessa flung out one hand to direct her target. "G-Max Hydrosnipe! Let's wash 'em out to sea!"

Inteleon had a cold look as he cocked his water rifle, laid down and took aim, mirroring his Trainer's expression as a glowing light blue ball of water forming in front of the barrel.

Even from the distance, Ash knew better than to sit around. "Pikachu! Get out of there!"

The Mouse Pokemon took heed and ran, but the moment the trigger was pulled, that ball expelled forward in such a powerful blast, it detonated the water surface and sent Pikachu flying.

"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, looking at his wrist before directing the Dynamax energy to the falling figure of Pikachu, the crowd roaring as Gigantamax Pikachu landed with a mighty splash. "All right, use Max Strike!"

"Max Flutterby!" 

Inteleon's tail glowed a vibrant green, forming into light green orbs of energy that burst into multicolored butterfly-shaped energies that crashed into a flailing Pikachu, briefly bathing him in a blue glow as his power decreased. "Inteleon is unstoppable! Will Challenger Ash be able to prevail?"

That was when Ash noticed something. With the exception of G-Max Hydrosnipe, Inteleon's Max Moves seemed to be launched around his tail, and as far as he was aware, Nessa had opted for an all-out offense. While he could dodge one...

"Pikachu, use Max Steelspike all around you!" 

As he hoped, Inteleon had used Max Airstream to push back, and it was the opening he needed. "Now! G-Max Volt Crash!" 

The crowd was wowed when Pikachu unleashed his G-Max move, and Nessa's mouth fell as Inteleon - who had been pushing back to dodge the less effective Max Steelspike - now slid in place for the more effective G-Max Volt Crash to hit. She could feel as if the electricity was surging through her skin as Inteleon fell in a burst of red lights, sinking underneath the surface.

"I don't get it." Nessa's mouth moved on her own. "I...I lost?"

In that moment, Nessa was so dumbfounded with shock, she still hadn't recalled her Inteleon. It took Ash suddenly taking off his jacket and diving in to help him up was until she finally went into action. 

"...I have my best Pokemon, and even with our experience..." Nessa shook her head in marvel. "You surely are something, aren't you Ketchum?"

"So I've heard!"

Nessa couldn't help but smile as she reached into her pocket. "Then it is my pleasure to give you this Water Badge."

"Thanks!" Ash held up the badge up high for everyone to see. "I just got - the Water Badge!" 

Chapter Text

"Use Iron Tail!"

Pikachu yelled as his tail glowed a metallic sheen before swinging at the Thievul. Its teammate, a Liepard quickly slid under and tried approaching with Night Slash, only for Wooloo to intercept with Payback.

Earlier that day, Ash and Hop were traversing Galar Mine 2.0 when they were approached by a duo of Team Yell Grunts, itching for a fight. Long story short, Hop made a joke of being the next one to beat Leon, which got the Grunts rifled up.

"Man, you're good!" One of the Team Yell Grunts exclaimed, recalling their Pokemon. "Guess that's what happens when yer bro ain't useless..."

"We'll be back, you hear?" The other yelled. "Gotta go heal up, of course! We'll make sure you'll be worth standing against our dear ol' Marnie!"

"I wonder why they're so fixated on her." Hop wondered out loud as the Grunts scampered off. "I mean, sure she's pretty, but-"

Before he could continue his thought process, he was interrupted by the sound of clapping, and turned to see a Copperajah approach, ridden by a familiar person. "Aha! Pardon me!" 

"Blimey, it's Chairman Rose!" Hop exclaimed, quickly brushing his hair. "Uh, Ash? How do I look? Is my hair a mess?"

"No need to be so formal, Hop." Rose climbed off his partner. "Your brother and I are colleagues, after all."

"If I may ask, why are you here?"

"Oh, I'm here for an routine inspection. But where are my manners?" The Chairman clasped his hands to Ash. "My name is Rose, and I am the Chairman of the Galar Pokémon League. You must be Ash Ketchum, right? I've been meaning to meet you for awhile; our Champion has sung praises about you and your skills as a Trainer. I can see that it's not exaggerated."

"It's a pleasure." Ash smiled inward, but something about Rose made him uneasy. "Oh, by the way, do you know what happened to that Drednaw? The one who gigantamaxed?" 

"Unfortunately, we were unable to find out what had caused that Drednaw to Gigantamax." Rose closed his eyes in thought. "Is this a threat to Galar..." His tips of his mouth curled up. "Or maybe a trial for our future?"

The way Rose asked that was a lot more sinister, and both Ash and Hop knew that the Chairman was hiding something. A trial for our future? What trial would involve a rampaging Pokemon? 

"Ah! I just had a good idea, as I tend to do!" Rose snapped his fingers. "You’re going to face Gym Leader Kabu soon, yes? I’d like to get to know you a little better, after..."

Rose suddenly stopped, looking upwards. Ash and Hop followed his glance to see a burst of red energy soaring through the sky and descending towards the sinkhole above. 

"Is that a...Wishing Star?" 

"Everyone, get out of the way!" Rose pushed the two back while Copperajah put itself in front of them - a big mistake.

Figuratively and literally. 

The moment the burst landed, it cracked the ground, sending tremors of energy around that threatened to blow. To Rose's horror, Copperajah was bathed in a familiar red glow - one which Ash had seen back in Wyndon and in his Gym Battles.

Copperajah reared on its hind feet as it grew, its body becoming even more block-like, as the raised bumps on its trunk extended into overlapping, serrated ridges. Its growing trunk slammed into the walls of the mine, sending the workers inside scrambling in a panic as the ceiling began to cave in, exposing even more of the sky.

"Copperajah!" Rose yelled in fear. "What's gone into you?"

The Gigantamaxed Steel Type turned around, and bellowed. Evidently, she was not in any state to answer.

"Chairman!" An older man in a red uniform with a towel around his shoulders jogged towards them, followed by a red, flat, centipede-like Pokémon with yellow and orange circles alongside each section and orange flames that were simulating antennae and telsons. "What seems to be the problem here?"

"Ah, Gym Leader Kabu!" Rose looked relieved, before pointed to the now rampaging Copperderm Pokémon. "It would seem that my Copperajah was struck by something that caused her to Gigantamax uncontrollably."

"Is that so?" The man shared a look with his Centiscorch who nodded. "Then allow me to assist."

Never one to back down, Ash stepped forward. "We'll help too!"

Kabu was about to turn them down when he did a double take at Ash. "Ah, you must be the Gym Challengers we've been hearing about! Hop and Ash, am I right?" The two Gym Challengers nodded. "Excellent! Then we shall take on the Chairman's Copperajah in a Max Raid Battle!"

"Alright then." Rose plucked out an Ultra Ball from his jacket. "Escavalier! Come forth!"

The four scattered around the Gigantamaxed Copperderm Pokémon, who was unamused by her opponents. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Scorbunny, Double Kick!"

Despite making contact, the two moves seemed to be ineffective. Infuriated, Scorbunny tried to repeat the tactic, only to be flung into a wall by Copperajah's trunk, barely caught by Hop. A Fire Lash and Gyro Ball only managed to make her stumble slightly, before she slammed her trunk onto the ground, creating a series of jagged copper spikes that spread out, scattering a series of copper shrapnel. "We'll need something stronger!" 

"I understand." Kabu's wrist glowed as he recalled Centiskorch and Gigantamaxed it. The Radiator Pokemon now looked longer, fierier and more importantly, stronger, "Apologies, Chairman. G-Max Centinferno!"

Centiskorch began to coil up, its lower sides glowing bright yellow as a massive fireball formed before its body. Copperajah bellowed as the fireball connected, leaving behind glowing radiator marks on her trunk, before collapsing into the wall.

Ash was the first to break the silence. "Is...is it over?"

He got his response when Copperajah began shrinking, much to the Chairman's relief.

"Copperajah..." He rushed over and placed his hands over in worry, flinching when Copperajah winced. "You'll be restored to health, I'll make sure of it."

Chapter Text

Days had passed since Bede had...dirtied...his hands to look for Wishing Stars in the mines. Unfortunately for him, it seemed he ought to invest in a pair of gloves.

"Yes, Miss Oleana, I am at the site of the Wishing Star that struck the Chairman's Copperajah."

Nearby, his newly evolved Hatterem trembled as her ponytail-like growths cautiously picked up a fragment of the remains of the energy burst, which still pulsed a faint red every so often. 

"It is of remarkable mass. To think it came out from the sky rather recently..." 

A whirling noise blurred his next words as his (also) newly evolved Orbeetle examined another fragments before levitating them in the containment chest Bede had brought along.

"No, Miss Oleana, I'm not slacking with ny training, either. The Ponyta you gifted me..." His fingers unconsciously twirled around the Great Ball hung in his coat pocket. "Y es, I know. Very good, then. I will return with the Wishing Star, no matter what!"

As he ended the call, he heard the sound of pebbles chipping, and whipped around. Hatterm and Orbeetle also turning defensive. Turning around, he looked around and saw moving shadows behind a boulder.

"Brutal Swing! Infestation!"

The ponytails of Hatterem glowed pink before she leapt up, while Orbeetle glowed green before the glow scattered from his body down to the ground.

The moment the boulder shattered, Bede saw a very odd looking duo alongside a Wobbuffet and a...Kantonian Meowth?

"How long have you been eavesdropping?"

The duo, having recovered from the shock of haing their cover blown, immediately resorted to fleeing, only to be caught by the glowing pulses of the Infestation latching on and dragging them down.

"Don't feel like talking?" He crouched down. "I suppose I'll just hand you over to Officer Bobby-"

"Oh no!" The Meowth exclaimed, before clasping his mouth shut.

Bede's eyes widened. "...or not."

Over at the Motostoke Stadium, Ash and Hop just finished registering for their matches. "Huh, we've got the same timeslot."

"I've heard from Lee that most people get stuck with Kabu. They say he's got years of experience leading Gyms, even before he came to Galar." Hop commented. "Accordingly, he could have been part of his native Elite Four, but he lost to - what's going on?"

A crowd had gathered around a fork in the road. Greeting them was a familiar looking, dark skinned man whose outfit was grey and white with interspersed bits of neon green. "Ghahaha! Don'cha fret!" The man laughed boisterously as he bent down to shake hands with the excited crowd. "You can have an autograph! And you can have one too! No one's gonna be going without one - not if I can help it!"

"Is that, uh, the Chairman?"

"I don't...think..." Hop suddenly gasped in recognition. "No way! It's Steel Peony!"

"Who...?"

Hop turned to Ash with a shocked expression and nearly shouted.

"Ash, Steel Peony is the most brilliant Steel-Type trainer in Galar!" Hop exclaimed, shaking Ash in excitement. "He held the record for the longest undefeated streak when he was Motostoke's Gym Leader. For a brief time, he even was Galar's Champion, too!" 

"Woah! He sounds amazing." 

"I know, right?" Hop was already reaching into his bag, pulling out an card album. "Now that he's here, I can finally have my vintage Steel Peony League Cards signed!"

As the two joined in the crowd, they could start to catch a few snippets of conversation, where Peony had just snapped a picture with a blue-haired lass with a Dewpider in her arms. "Thank you so much, Mr. Peony!"

"No, thank you for your appreciation!" Peony patted the girl on the back. "Now, who's next?"

More than a dozen pairs of arms rushed forward, including Hop who was trying to make his way through. Peony's eyes washed over the crowd, before his cheerful face turned to a begrudging hiss as they landed on something.

Ash and Hop followed to see two people rushing forwards the former Champion. One of them was a badly dressed man wearing a white sports jacket, a cap, sunglasses and garish blue shorts with smiley faces on them, followed by a woman in heels that looked too high to be comfortable. 

"Is that...?"

"That woman's Oleana. But then it means... can't be..."

"Everyone, please disperse!" Oleana ordered. "You are obstructing the road to the Pokémon Center!"

Most of the crowd reluctantly dispersed, with only a few straggling behind, some of them taking out their Rotom Phones. 

"Peony." 

"Rose." The former Champion spat out. "What are you doing here?"

"Watch your tone." Oleana warned, her hands wrapped around a Luxury Ball. "You will address the Chairman with the proper-"

"Oleana, enough. This is between me and my brother." The CEO of Marco Cosmos took off his shades. "It's been a very long time, Peony."

"Shut yer Snap Trap." Peony snapped back. "What in the Distortion World do you want? What, broke all yer toys already?" 

"Peony, I'm here asking for a chance of reconciliation." Rose took a hasty step. "I know that-"

The crowd gasped as Peony responded with a punch to Rose's face, the blow so hard that the Chairman fell to the ground with a bloody nose.

"Huh. Yer actually got some humility." Peony crouched down - even still, he towered over Rose easily. "Where was it when Ma got sick? Where was it when Pa died? When I finally did what ya couldn't, eh?"

Oleana sprung into action, hurling the Luxury Ball and released a Mawile. "Iron Head!"

A jagged shiny pattern appeared on the Deceiver Pokemon's forehead before spreading onto its jawlike horn as it made an attempt to charge at Peony - keyword being attempt. While Ash himself often took a hit or two from his Pokemon, even he had to marvel at how Peony made the Mawile look sily. The man simply turned around and spread out his arms, catching the Steel/Fairy Type like an oversized rugby ball.

"And here I thought ya couldn't stoop any lower." For a moment, panic flashed by Oleana's eyes as Peony tossed her Pokemon aside. "Didn't ya hear yer boss? This is a family matter. Stay out of our business!"

Rose gulped as Peony's steel glare drilled into him, but he remained his cool. "All these years, who was it that cared for Ma during the winter? Who was it, eh?" Peony continued, grabbing Rose by his collar and hoisted him up. "It was me! While you, platinum boy, left us all behind to become some corporate Mudsdale!"

"Peony! There you are!"

Footsteps rushed from behind before Kabu, of all people, appeared to defuse the situation. "I was wondering where you've been." He said softly. "Our exhibition match is due to start in a few minutes."

Peony's eyes softened, before turning back to Rose.

"Yer lucky I've got sonewhere to be." He spat back, dropping his brother to the side of the road. "And I better not see yer ugly mug in there!"

"Welcome, citizens of Motostoke!" The announcer exclaimed. "Be ready for the showdown of a lifetime!"

Ash and Hop settled in, the former curious to see this clash and the latter tagging along after that mess outside.

"On one hand, give it up for our Gym Leader, Kabu!"

The crowd cheered as Kabu jogged out, although he didn't look too cheerful. The affair with Peony and Rose must have been weighting on his mind.

"Now, make some noise for our former Champion, the one, the only - STEEL PEONY!"

The audience was divided; more than three-quarters hollered out their love much more enthusiastically than they did for Kabu, while the remaining gave respectful applause.

Dan - the referee for League matches - stepped up to set the rules. "This will be an one on one match! No substitutions allowed! The battle will be over when either Pokemon is unable to continue!"

"Alright, Kabu." Peony and Kabu both grasped their Ultra Balls and hurled. "Let's show 'em what us edgy old blokes are made of!"  

'Kabu sends out his Centiscorch.' The Radiator Pokemon curled up like a serpent as his antennae ignited, letting loose a shower of embers, while his opponent, a huge, bipedal Pokemon covered in green metallic armor roared as he landed in a cloud of dust. "And Peony brings out his trusty Aggron! May the battle begin!!" 

"Fire Lash!" Centiscorch's eyes darkened, before uncoiling and zigzagging towards Aggron with brilliant speed as its antennae flared up, extending into a pair of long, fiery whips that lashed into Aggron's face, sending sparks flying from the impact against his faceplate before wrapping around Aggron's horn and slammed the colossal Pokemon against the audience barriers. 

"Ouch! That's gonna hurt!" Aggron responded by giving him a left cross of his own, sending him clear across the field, ploughing up tracts of dirt and slid to a halt, obviously dazed. "Aggron's response looked more painful - and he's getting closer!"

"Not yet...not yet..." Kabu muttered under his breath, watching carefully as Aggron closed the distance. "Now!"

Centiskorch leapt up and dished another Fire Lash at Aggron, using the momentum to overcome the Armor Pokemon's brutal knock-down power and tank-level physique, crashing down with a cloud of sand.

"Astounding! Centiskorch has toppled down the mighty Aggron!" The crowd roared as Aggron struck another blow. "But it seems he's not staying put now!"

Kabu wiped his brow and called out towards Peony. "I have been saving this technique just for you, Peony! Coil!"

Centiskorch's body glowed a light indigo as its back end caught onto Aggron's horns and pulled in, wrapping himself from head to tail, tensing up as it put Aggron into a chokehold that began to crush his armoured plates.

"So, that's your ace, eh?" Peony clapped slowly, and Kabu's look of dawning horror was not unnoticed by our protagonists. "How sweet."

As Kabu was baffled by Peony's comments, Aggron attempted to stand, only for Centiskorch to roll, turning Aggron over onto his belly with enough momentum to make another crater.

"Alright, we're done with defense!" Centiskorch's eyes widened as Aggron's own turned red. "Gimme One! Gimme Two!! Gimme Three!!!" 

Aggron's body glowed metallic before releasing a bright burst of energy that ripped the Radiator Pokemon off, freeing itself in the process. His eyes tightened before abruptly sprinting like a speed demon in a whitish-blue aura and slammed Centiscorch into the barrier. 

"Whoa! Now that's a combo!" Hop involuntarily jumped up with excitement. "Aggron's been using Centiskorch's attack to bide his time, recovering and dishing back using Metal Burst! That Head Smash has got to hurt!"

Kabu gritted his teeth, before pulling out his Dynamax band. Peony's own eyes narrowed as Aggron's finishing Head Smash missed thanks to Kabu's swift recall, before activating his Band and sending it out again.

"Really? Kabu?" Peony sighed, before pulling out what appeared to be a hardhat and put it on. "Well, if you're pulling the big guns, then don't mind me!"

A flash of light reflected off from a particular spot as the camera shone in, a small stone with a multicolored sigil that shined alongside a small spot on Aggron...

"Rose! I hope yer seeing this!" Peony roared as he activiated his Key Stone. "Kabu, let's give 'em an Ultra-! Mega-! BATTLE!"

"And Peony responds with a gift native to the Kalos region - Mega Evolution!" The announcer exclaimed as the crowd went wild as Aggron roared, his body growing heavier, bulkier, and tougher until the Mega Evolution was complete.

Kabu flinched at the sight, before deciding not to go down without a fight. "Max Quake!" 

Centiskorch roared before burrowing underground, reemerging with a massive focused wave of tectonic force focused towards Aggron. Even though it made contact, Kabu gritted his teeth as the move didn't seem to do much than he expected.

"My turn." Peony simply laughed. "One last time! FINISH THEM!"

Aggron readied himself as he was engulfed by the whitish-blue aura, slowly but surely putting on more momentum. Centiskorch responded with G-Max Centinferno, coiling up once more before launching a fiery blast. Aggron simply took the move head-on, even as it was scorched with pulsing radiator burns, Aggron didn't let the injury faze him, and - as Gigantamax Centiskorch's eyes widened in realisation - roared as it connected its move. 

"Gigantamax Centiskorch is unable to battle!"

The crowd hollered as Peony rushed onto the field and practically tackled his now-reverted Aggron, before both of them struck a pose, pointing their thumbs at themselves. Ash was applauding before he was struck with a strange thought. "Did Leon get the idea of his pose from Peony?" 

"Who cares?" Hop grinned. "Now, I'm even more excited! Come tomorrow, Kabu better be ready, because we’ll be coming for him, just like good ol' Steel Peony!”

Chapter Text

Despite his earlier confidence, both of them didn't have the same night's sleep.

Ash, once again, was sprawled around his bed, snoring happily, mumbling about Pikachu using some attack. Hop, on the other hand, was still struggling to doze off.

"Ugh..."

Deciding that he probably wasn't going to get much sleep, Hop got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. As he splashed his face, he heard the sounds of Pokeballs opening.

"Meeh?"

Grabbing a towel, he smiled as Wooloo walked in, Scorbunny popping up from his fluffy wool a few seconds later.

"Hey, ready for tomorrow, you two?" He kneeled down and gave his partner Pokemon a big rub. Wooloo gave a happy bleat while Scorbunny nodded. "Splendid!" Hop winced as Ash gave snoring snores from the other side, before lowering his volume. "Still, I'm going out for a bit of air - I suppose you two can join me if you -"

They were bouncing out the room before he finished.

Rose was not in a happy mood.

Copperajah made a full recovery, to his relief, though her attempts of cheering up her trainer were unsuccessful.

Of course, if she knew why, she might understand.

If she remembered why.

Rose had been maybe nine, approaching ten, when he joined his father in the mines. It was very tiring and often dangerous - the aged blisters on his hands reminded him of the work every day.

"C'mon, Rose! I can't wrap your hands if you keep squirming!"

The blisters seems to bleed as Rose lost himself in the memory. There he was, in their old, worn down house, wincing as his younger brother wrapped a bandage over his hands, burnt once again from handling raw deposits.

"Seriously, Rose, you're gonna lose a hand if you keep this up!" Peony chided. "Pa certainly won't like that, mind you!"

"I have to. How else am I going to pay for Ma's bills?"

Marnie's thoughts were only on the battle in front of her, as her Pancham grabbed the opposing Linoone and hurled it to the alley wall.

"Linoone is unable to continue! As usual, our beloved Marnie is victorious!"

The crowd of Team Yell hollered as the grunt cheered his Linoone. Marnie simply waved him off to the Pokémon Center as she leaned down and handed a Sitrus Berry to her tired Pancham.

"Good job, you." She patted it on the head. Her Morpeko scuttled off the bench while Crogunk simply sat there, looking bored.

“Marnie! Fancy seeing you here.” An unexpected voice called out. “Out givin’ it your all, even this late, huh?”

"Challenger Hop." Marnie brushed aside her bangs as she stepped up to greet the Trainer. "I suppose you're here doing the same."

She was aware of Team Yell's scowling behind her back, but to Hop's credit, he didn't seem too intimidated. Good for him.

“Couldn't sleep, to be honest. Must be the adrenaline.” Hop grinned sheepishly. "And what's a cute gal like you training so hard at this time?"

The words were out of his mouth before he registered, it seemed.

Marnie’s face flushed pink while her Pancham and Morpeko dissolved into giggles, her Crogunk chuckling quietly.

"Well..." She put her hands behind her back and tilted her head cutely. “I wanted t’see if I’m ready for the next leg of the Gym Challenge. That Kabu cost Croagunk a few burns, and Pancham took quite the beating."

Her Croagunk leapt off the bin she was sitting and gave a taunting look at Scorbunny, who was riled up.

"Hey, speakin' which, could 'cha battl' me? I know most of these folks strats, could use a bit of diversity."

Hop blinked, before cautiously looking at Team Yell for approval. They didn't seem to mind, surprisingly.

"Uh, you sure? I don't mean to sound bias, but your fan club..."

“Don’t worry. City folks’re used to this kinda noise,” Marnie cracked her knuckles. “I’ll feel awful if I lose… But there’s no way I’m gonna!”

"C'mon, Rose! Your assistant isn't going to catch itself!"

Rose gave a tired chuckle as Peony dragged him out with one hand while balancing the family Meowth on his shoulders with the other. Honestly, one had to admit Peony seemed to never get tired - even as a baby, Rose remembered the many nights Peony had kept him awake.

The Wild Area back then was not as different as the one he now knew. The only difference was the attitudes of the wild Pokémon living there.

"Peony, I feel like this sidequest is hopeless." He panted after escaping from an furious Onix as he plucked an Oran Berry from a nearby tree, crossing his fingers that nothing dangerous would leapt out.

"Nonsense! So what if we can't find one now? Your partner's bound to be somewhere, ain't it?" Peony grinned, before his eyes sparkled and pointed behind Rose. "Like that cute one!"

“Hmm?” Rose looked in the direction that Peony was pointing. Approaching them was a deep green Pokemon with stout legs, casually milling about. “Oh, that’s..."

The Pokemon approached Rose warily, seeming to be as interested in him as he was in it. It cautiously stepped forward to investigate. As it got closer, it extended its trunk, resembling its own form of a greeting.

"Uh..." Rose was unsure of what the Cufant, he finally remembered, was trying to do. "Are you trying to say hello?"

"Cu?" The Cufant looked confused for a moment, before stepping forward and pushing Rose down with its trunk.

“I think it likes you,” Peony smiled as he watched his brother interact with the Pokemon, who was now tickling the human. “Catch it, Rose!”

“Alright, alright.” Rose agreed, picking himself back up. "But I'm not the one with the Pokemon, am I?"

“...Ah. Right.” Peony had quickly lifted the drowsy Pokemon off his shoulders and tossed it forward. "Go, Meowth!"

Several minutes of Meowth getting curbstomped literally by Cufant and Cufant running away from Meowth's wild Fury Swipes later, Rose seized his chance and threw a Pokéball at the Pokemon. The boys watched in suspenseful anticipation as the Pokeball shook from side to side before hearing the faint noise of a click, securing the newly caught Pokemon.

"We... we did it, didn't we?" Peony broke the silence. "We caught something!"

Rose shakily picked up the ball, afraid it might slip away if he wasn’t careful with it, and pushed the button on the front. After a bright flash of light, the Cufant materialized in front of the young boy, looked up at him with wonder and bewilderment in its eyes.

Those same eyes - now older, wiser but still loving as ever - looked back at the older Rose who was lying on the ground, reminiscing about their first encounter.

"I've...done so much, Copperajah." He sat up, looking at his office.

Hung on the walls were the numerous awards Marcos Cosmos's had achieved, as well as the newspapers that chronicled his path to fame. Absentmindedly, he got up and went to pick one off.

Marco Cosmos to tear down Champion Stadium amidst protests and lawsuits.

He remembered facing the crowd, most of them former Gym Challengers and even a couple of Gym Leaders. 

He'd also remembered a certain purple haired boy with a Charmeleon telling him he could die in the Distortion World for all he cared that same day.

"...Was this...all worth it, though?"

"Poison Sting!"

"Payback!"

Croagunk let loose a shower of purple darts before Wooloo rushed forward, braving the stings, and dealt back a strong blow that had the Toxic Mouth Pokémon skidding back.

"Finish this! Stomp!"

"Sucker Punch!"

As Wooloo raised his hooves, Croagunk dashed forward and struck the poor sheep in the gut, the blow finally too much for Wooloo to handle.

"Croagunk wins!"

"Scorbun!"

"Alright, you wanna avenge Wooloo, huh?" Hop grinned. "Ember!"

"Poison Sting!"

The shower of embers against poison darts clashed, before Croagunk came charging in with Power-Up Punch.

"Sand Attack!" Scorbunny flashed a sandy brown before ducking down and kicked a cloud of sand into Croagunk's eyes. "Great, Ember!"

Unlike the previous attempt though, Scorbunny's scraping to gather heat soon spread to the rest of his body, a sight that had Hop confused for a moment before realising what it meant. 

"Wait, Scorbunny! You're learning Flame Charge!" He exclaimed. "Alright, Marnie! Our flames are burning bright!"

Marnie said nothing as her Poison/Fighting type was shaking as she took the hit, silently recalling her to her Pokeball. Morpeko soon scampered up to take her teammates place. 

"Aura Wheel."

As Morpeko began generating the familar wheel of energy around its body, it was as if time slowed down as Hop remembered the last time he saw Marnie battle.

That Aura Wheel is a pain to deal with head on, The image of Ash's Pikachu almost flying from taking it up close flashed back. But I don't need to face it down. The memory of Pikachu swinging his Iron Tail to the side appeared briefly, as he caught Scorbunny's glance back at him. We just need to knock her off!

"Sucker Punch!" 

Morpeko swiftly growled as Scorbunny flashed black, before suddenly dashing off. She barely had time to react before a foot kicked her out of her Aura Wheel, followed by an incoming Double Kick.

"Parting Shot!" Morpeko released dark soundwaves from her mouth before returning, sending out Marnie's Pancham in her place. "Storm Throw!"

Pancham grinned as it took the momentum from Scorbunny's descending Double Kick, before hurling it down fiercely. 

"And that's enough."

Hop was about to give another command when Marnie recalled Pancham, while Morpeko let herself out again.

"I know you gonna battle Kabu soon, yeah? You gotta keep yer strength." She snapped her fingers and a couple Team Yell grunts tossed Hop some berries as they scampered. "I wanna see yer mug at the send off, y'hear? Don't let me down."

Morpeko waggled her tongue tauntingly as Marnie turned the corner and vanished, all the while Hop felt he had something more at stake than just a Gym badge now.

Chapter Text

"So, this is the infamous Team Rocket?"

The familar Team Rocket Trio squirmed a bit as they felt the pair of eyes drilled into their very souls. Bound and gagged in an unfamiliar place - is this what the twerp's Pikachu felt like whenever it was captured?

"Still not talking, huh?" There was the sound of a Pokéball opening. "No matter, we have our own methods to make you talk." 

The Trio paled slightly when they saw a blue Bisharp readying an attack, its blades glowing metallic as they were raised up high.

"Alright, alright!" Meowth finally cracked. "What is it yer wanna know?"

"Oh, nothing much." Two silhouettes stood up amongst the shadows. "Your reputation exceeds you, Team Rocket. Why, just the other day we heard you managing to send a Gigantamax Drednaw on the rampage!"

The Rocket Trio blinked, their faces paling by the minute. Who knew that one accident was still lingering around? 

"So, wouldn't you like to brush arms with royalty?"

"Good day to you wonderful people! I'm the Ball Guy, and welcome to another day at Motostoke Stadium!"

The Ball Guy's voice was met with cheers as the challengers stepped onto the battlefield.

"For the Gym Mission in Motostoke, we'll be taking you to the basics of being a Trainer! Hidden in the patches of grass are Pokémon of various species. Some native here to Galar, others from our Gym Leader's native region, Hoenn!"

Ash leaned in and whispered. "Kabu's from Hoenn?"

"Course he is, mate. Didn't his face give that away?"

Ash thought back to all the people he met in Hoenn. The only face Kabu's could arguably match up was Koga's, really.

"...think about what your opponents might do, and try to take the best action to rack up points!"

Wait, what?

"...from Doraby, we have the evergreen florist - Pia!"

Ball Guy's dramatic hyping snapped him out of his thoughts. It seemed he missed some of Dan's instructions.

"Hop, what are we supposed to do again?"

"From Postwick, we have Hop - brother and endorsee of Champion Leon himself!"

"Okay, basically..." Hop gave a quick wave to the audience. "You have to catch some Pokémon using these Park Balls or something. The rarer your finds are, the more points you score. You can also use only one of your own Pokémon to help out, and that's it."

"...not least, the Alolan Champion all the way from Pallet Town in Kanto, Ash!" The applause for Ash was the loudest of them all. "Who will earn the right to challenge Kabu first, and who will be the first to triumph over him? Three, two, one, GO!"

Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder while Hop sent out Scorbunny. Both of them grinned at each other as they looked at their other competitors, the Pikachu skidding past Pia's Shiinotic who began illuminating the spot and gills on its mushroom.

"Alright, let's see what we got..."

In the changing rooms below, Kabu was still wiping the sweat from his forehead as he stared at the screen, having just gotten back from some last minute training. 

Admittedly, the brunette lady had done her homework, using a Pokémon with Illuminate for this mission, her odds of encountering increased, as proven by the Litwick that leapt out of the patches that she quickly put to sleep with Spore. 

The Champion's brother displayed similar strategy, as his Scorbunny ran all over with Flame Charge, trying to trigger something. He got his response as a Larvesta let loose a Struggle Bug attack and Kabu had to hold back his laughter.

The last, though...

Ash Ketchum.

Now, Kabu himself had left Hoenn a very long time ago, the only reason he still had an idea on how things were doing there, was that as he couldn't bring every member of his team along to Galar (owing to the strict environmental laws set up by one of the old royalty), he had to leave them behind with family back, who sent back postcards and letters that kept him up to date.

And amongst those postcards was how a certain Trainer with a Pikachu helped bring the new Gym Leader of his hometown up.

He had to admit, he was intrigued, but then his surprise came when he looked deeper.

Ash Ketchum...was an anomaly to fight against.

Of course, you couldn't tell that based on looking at him now, trying to grab a Sizzipede with his bare hands and yelping as its Flame Body kicked in, but he remembered the old saying back in Hoenn...Tricksy like a Mawile, to warn youngsters against something innocent-looking which could surprise you.

"And times up!" He heard the announcer shout. "Please wait a moment as our referee makes notes on our Challengers results..."

Well, time he got to the battlefield. 

"Welcome, challengers!"

The four Gym Challengers stopped in their tracks and looked back up. 

"I am Kabu, the Fire-type Gym Leader. The fact that you are here means you've bested both Milo's Grass-type Pokémon and Nessa's Water-types, itself quite an accomplishment! You might think you're putting in the effort to suceed, but that also means your opponent is also working hard to win. In the end, every match is decided by which side is able to unleash their true potential. And today, I shall be the judge of your training."

He stared at them one by one, his eyes staying longer on Ash than he should be.

He pointed at Hop dramatically. "Now, Challenger Hop. As the first to pass my test with flying colours, step forward!"

Hop slapped his cheeks as Ash patted his back for luck, and with that, both participating Trainers headed to their respective sides, itching for their Pokéballs.

"You can do this, Hop!"

"The battle between Gym Leader Kabu and Challenger Hop will now commence!" The referee declared. "Each side may use up to three Pokémon, no substitutions allowed! Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"

Hop sent in Toxel, while Kabu led with a Ninetales, wasting no time trying to inflicting a burn, its eyes glowing as fiery wisps appeared around it.

"Dodge it!" Hop called out. "Nuzzle!"

As Toxel stood up, he made somewhat of a run at Ninetales, miraculously avoiding most of the wisps by sheer luck. The moment Toxel's cheeks made contact, Ninetales let loose a spiral of flames that wrapped themselves around the Baby Pokémon. Being trapped in the Fire Spin soon left Toxel vulnerable to a successful Will-O-Wisp.

"Hex!" Ninetales' eyes glowed purple and light red, before unleashing dark purple wisps of energy that splashed onto Toxel, who flailed around, unable to move. "You have fought honourably, but now I feel I must grant you a swift mercy. Quick Attack!" 

Ninetales briefly glowed white before making a dash towards Toxel, but just as it almost reached, static suddenly appeared around its body. The paralysis had kicked in at a most unfortunate time. And Hop wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste.

"Power-Up Punch!" 

And with that, Toxel began battering the paralysed Ninetales repeatedly. 

"Ninetales is unable to battle!"

"Arcanine!" 

The Legendary Pokemon wasted no time getting onto the battlefield, its fiery fangs already seeping out smoke...

"Extreme Speed!"

...as well as removing its already weakened opponent in a literal flash. Hop recalled the Baby Pokemon and muttered his thanks before moving to his next Pokeball. Wooloo stood proudly as he emerged, pawing the dirt with his hoof.

"Let's just hope we can take those hits." Hop was aware that Fluffy's vulnerability to Fire-Type moves, but right now, it was a risk he needed to take. "Tackle!"

"Double Team!"

The Tackle was easily avoided, and Wooloo was left rolling. The inside of Arcanine's jaw ignited as it readied to attack with Fire Fang, but Hop had an idea.

"Keep rolling, Wooloo! Whatever you do, don't stop until I tell ya!"

Wooloo's eyes became determined, and by sheer luck Arcanine's initial Fire Fang missed. A follow up similarly yielded no damage, but it was noticeably closer.

"Now, Payback!" Just as Arcanine's third Fire Fang finally seemed to make contact, Wooloo's body flashed black before he kicked Arcanine as hard as he could.

"Impressive. You used Arcanine's Fire Fang to power up your Payback." Kabu nodded in approval as Arcanine managed to stay on its feet, although the fact that it wobbled slightly meant that it couldn't take many more hits. "Let us keep our distance! Dragon Breath!"

Light blue waves of energy start swirling around Arcanine, before it fired a light blue beam of energy from its mouth at Wooloo. While it didn't do much, it did have one noticeable effect.

"Wooloo's been paralysed from the Dragon Breath!"

"Fire Fang!"

Arcanine's jaw ignited once more, and as it leapt forward to bite onto Wooloo, Hop made the strategic choice.

"Come back for now!" He yelled, quickly saving Wooloo for later and causing Arcanine to bite air. "Okay, Scorbunny!" 

The bunny Pokemon immediately began jumping up and down, ready for battle.

"Dragon Breath!"

As the waves of energy began swirling around Arcanine, Hop had a plan this time. Scorbunny briefly glowed a yellowish brown before swiftly kicking up a cloud of dirt that nullified the Dragon-Type attack. "We'll need to get faster! Flame Charge!"

Scorbunny became outlined in orange flames as he began running. Arcanine responded with Extreme Speed, and while it had the advantage at the start, it became clear that Scorbunny had caught up.

"Let's finish this! Sucker Punch!" 

As Arcanine was still trying to keep up, Scorbunny briefly glowed black before jumping up, over Arcanine's head - and planted his foot into a knockout blow.

Kabu nodded, withdrawing his fallen Pokemon before picking his final choice.

"Burn, bright! Centiskorch! Let Gigantamax change your size and your form!" Kabu thrust out his Pokeball and activated his Dynamax Band. "Flame always burn upwards! So we will always aim to go higher. You understand, don't you? G-Max Centiferno!"

As Gigantamax Centiskorch emerged, the coils on its underside already glowing hot, Hop looked upward in awe as he did the calculations - Wooloo couldn't take a G-Max move, let alone last through the effects, while Scorbunny might be able to dodge the worst of it, maybe with precise timing...

"Scorbunny! I have a plan! Keep using Flame Charge, but get ready to move on my count!"

Scorbunny looked back and shot back a thumbs up and a grin, the soles of his feet already igniting before the flames enveloped his body. Centiskorch coiled up, forming a massive fireball before its body that it launched as Scorbunny rushed to take it head-on.

"Not yet... not yet..." Hop muttered until the fireball closed in within a few inches. "Sand Attack!"

There was a brown flash momentarily before G-Max Centiferno crashed into the ground, and Hop held his breath as he waited for the smoke to settle.

"G-Max Centiferno makes its mark..."

Ball Guy announced as the Rotom Drones closed in, revealing Scorbunny's silhouette within the burning dust that was settling...

...a silhouette that was now glowing.

Hop's smile widened as Scorbunny grew larger, its head tuffs growing upward into small fringes and its ears drooping downward, until at last, the light dissipated.

"...and set ups a remarkable stage for Raboot to make its debut!"

"Raboot..." Hop quickly shook off the awe and now pointed at Centiskorch, both him and his newly evolved partner pumped up with adrenaline. "Flame Charge, up and away!"

Kabu was confused by the statement, until he saw that Hop had meant that statement quite literally. 

The Rabbit Pokemon, rejuvenated by its evolution, charged onto the Gigantamaxed Pokemon and began running, scraping its burning feet against the Radiator Pokemon's body as it charged upward, something which Centiskorch clearly didn't expect nor appreciate. With a startled roar, Centiskorch tried to shake the comparatively tiny Raboot off itself, but its efforts were futile. Raboot jumped, slid around and even managed to jab into Centiskorch's eye at one point with the agility of a street-smart Pokemon that had been running for its whole life.

"Centiskorch!" Kabu, who up until now had never had to learn or develop a strategy against something like this, was stumped hard. "I need you..." He looked around and finally spotted the Rabbit Pokemon. "Slam yourself into the ground and roll!"

Centiskorch did as it was told, at last finally dislodging Raboot off. 

"Well, I know that's not gonna work twice now." Hop smacked his forehead self-depreciatingly. "But I've got a date to head to, so..." With a cheesy grin, he recalled Raboot and activated his Dynamax Band. "Okay, partner! Time to show ol' Kabu that our flames are burning bright too!"

Raboot growled as he landed back out, scraping up a cloud of ash. Centiskorch, who could now properly battle, flared its antenna in taunting motion.

"Max Flutterby!"

"Smash 'em with Max Knuckle!"

Multicolored sparkles of light appear around Centiskorch's upper body and form into light green orbs of energy, exploding to release butterfly-shaped masses of energy that Raboot initially had trouble smashing withs its fists of energy. 

"We're getting there!" Hop could see that Centiskorch was beginning to pant, a clear sign that Raboot had done well. "Keep up with 'em Max Knuckles, Raboot!"

"Max Guard!"

The Fire-Type starter roared as his fist glowed, before it punched forward, sending an additional fist of energy that was stopped in time by the glowing barrier. Centiskorch, however, began shrinking as soon as it dissipated. 

"I have to admit, Challenger Hop. I did not foresee that you would have Raboot climb over my Centiskorch like a mountain. But that is exactly why I am proud of today's generation! To keep innovating enough to stump your elders!" Kabu laughed, a sight that did not go unnoticed. "So, let me take a page from your book! Centiskorch? Power Whip!"

Centiskorch's antenne extended in a vibrant green glow, before moving around as it did during its battle with Aggron. Within seconds, it had leapt up and smacked Raboot in the face. 

"Ouch..." Hop winced, feeling the blow as Raboot fell. "Alright! Grab it!"

Raboot got back up, and in an odd sense of deja vu, found himself facing what he did to Centiskorch mere moment ago. But unlike Centiskorch, Raboot had one important advantage over its insectoid opponent.

And so, despite heavy resistance from Centiskorch, Raboot picked up the Radiator Pokemon with one hand and tossed it upward, with one final Max Knuckle to boot. 

And just like that, Kabu fell to his knees as his partner landed in a 'splat' as the referee declared, "Centiskorch is unable to battle! The victory goes to the challenger, Hop from Postwick!"

"And by the skin of her teeth, Pia manages to snag her victory against Kabu!"

Ash joined in the applause as the green haired lady leaned in to hug her burnt Ferrothorn, both overjoyed at their victory as Kabu recalled his Pokemon and went over to present her badge.

"Now, for our last challenger, from all the way in Kanto, Ash!"

"Ash Ketchum." Kabu's eyes stared at the Alolan Champion. "At long last, we meet."

Ash smiled as he ran up the podium where he gave everyone an excited wave.

"Trainers who have half a mind regarding type matchups can beat Milo, while those without strategy might struggle with Nessa. After me, though, there is nothing holding my colleagues back. Therefore, whether you can pass on to even participate in the League Finals, the responsibility of deciding that lies on my shoulders."

Kabu's words echoed around the stadium, and everyone quieted down. It was rare enough that Kabu himself decided to not immediately keep his battling streak going, this seemed... different.

"While my standards are usually lax, I have heard and witnessed many things, Ash Ketchum, and therefore, you will not be exempt from any shortcomings." Kabu's eyes seemingly sparked as he hurled his Ultra Ball. "Now, Torkoal! Ignite!"

Chapter Text

"Now, Torkoal! Ignite!"

Ash smiled at the sight of the Coal Pokémon landed on the stage, and responded by sending out Corvisquire, whose wings lit up in the intensifying sunlight.

"Corvisquire, Pluck!"

"Allow me to show you a technique I have learnt during my travels in Kanto!" Kabu clenched his fist. "Retaliate with Rapid Spin!" 

Corvisquire's beak was surrounded by a white glow and extended, before charging at Torkoal. The Coal Pokemon let off a puff of smoke before retracting its limbs into its spinning shell to deflect the blow. "Initiate counter shield!"

"...Wait, what?"

That was something Ash had not heard in a very long time.

Using the momentum from crashing back from the Pluck to aim, the holes on Torkoal's spinning shell glowed red before erupting out a mixture of smog and flame, detonating everything around it. Corvisquire flapped around in a panic as she tried to dodge, but the effort was futile.

"Incredible! Torkoal utilizes the momentum from Rapid Spin to deliver a decisive blow!" Ash himself was alarmed as she was grounded. "Powered up by the harsh sunlight, Lava Plume deals massive damage!" 

"Body Press!"

"Dodge it!" Corvisquire pushed herself back mere moments as Torkoal crashed back down. "Swift!"

"Solar Beam!"

Numerous yellow orbs of sunlight appeared to float around Torkoal, who condensed it into a larger ball in front of its body, quickly firing a yellow-greenish beam of energy that shredded the glowing yellow stars unleashed by Corvisquire, who in turn paled as she did some quick acrobatics to circle around the beam.

"Torkoal is relentless! A specimen trained by Raihan itself is no joke!"

Ash was about to make his next move, when he caught Ball Guy's words. "Wait, what?"

"Raihan may claim he's the best Dragon-Type Trainer, Ash Ketchum, but that's not what he's most well known for." Kabu pointed at Corvisquire. "So focus, and bring us your next move!"

"Alright..." Ash nodded, pushing the thought behind his mind. "Hone Claws!" Corvisquire cawed, rising up in the air as her talons extended and glowed as she spun. "Follow up with Pluck!"

Kabu's eyes narrowed. Was Ash trying to redo what he had already attempted?

"Rapid Spin!"

As Torkoal tucked itself in and began spinning, Ash saw his chance.

"Dodge to the side and strike upward!"

Kabu's eyes widened. Torkoal had been moving in a curve for better mobility, but Ash right now that found his path. The coal Pokemon flailed as it landed back first, unable to get up and vulnerable. "Flip yourself up with Lava Plume!"

"Not a chance! Pluck!"

Corvisquire beak extended once more, as Torkoal blasted itself upward - and into a knockout blow.

"Torkoal is unable to continue!"

Kabu nodded as he recalled his lead, before sending out his next Pokemon. "Magmortar, ignite!"

The Blast Pokemon skidded a few feet as it landed, letting out a few loose flames from its cannon-like arms.

[Magmortar, the Blast Pokémon and the evolved form of Magmar. Fire-Type!] Hop's Rotom Phone explained. [Living in the crater of a volcano has caused this Pokémon's body to resemble its environment - it has an organ similar to a magma chamber.]

Ash looked between Corvisquire and Magmortar. The former had already taken heavy damage from Torkoal, and Grookey was certainly not ready here. "Whatever we're gonna do, let's make it count, alright?" Corvisquire called out in response. "Use Pluck!"

While the attack had successfully hit, Corvisquire's body suddenly sparked with flames, and Ash was suddenly treated with an mental image of one fateful battle back during his time in Sinnoh.

"No, we're not repeating our mistakes again." Ash calmed down. "Rock Smash!"

"I'd find that unwise. Rock Slide!"

Despite the burn chipping at her stamina, Corvisquire steeled herself with glowing red claws as she charged in against the boulders fired in by Magmortar. One by one she crushed the boulders, reducing them to dust as she closed the distance.

"Clear Smog!"

Before Corvisquire could make contact one more time, Magmortar took in a deep breath before blenching out a stream of white smog that had Corvisquire coughing.

"Now, Fire Blast!"

With Corvisquire still incapacitated, there was nothing Ash could have her do as Magmortar's hands retracted into its arm cannon, before it unleashed a ball of red-orange fire that exploded in a dai-shaped explosion.

"Corvisquire is unable to battle!"

Ash gave a solemn nod as he recalled Corvisquire, before pondering what to do. 

"Grookey, I choose you!"

The Chimp Pokemon hopped out, beating her stick on the ground, before she looked ahead and saw who she was facing.

"Mag!" Magmortar sneered, before raising its arm cannons and unleashed another Fire Blast.

...And just like that, intimidated by the fiery display of power, she retreated onto Ash's head, with tears in her eyes as she pointed at the 'big scary Magmortar'.

"Yeah, I know, Grookey..." Ash winced, prying Grookey off before she would start whacking him right now. "I know this isn't ideal, but I need you to trust me, alright? I believe in you, and let's give that big, scary Magmortar a lesson, alright?"

Grookey still looked unconvinced, so Pikachu stepped up to give a pep talk. Grookey slowly turned to look back at the Magmortar, then back to Pikachu, then to Magmortar once more, this time a bit more confident.

"Alright. I'm counting on you!" Ash cheered, as Grookey leapt back in. "Use Razor Leaf!"

"Foolish, but bold." Kabu shook his head. "Fire Blast!"

Grookey almost ran back to Ash's head as she fled the dai-shaped inferno, prompting Pikachu to beg her to stay on. Ash was aware that Grookey that he'll probably have to spoil Grookey for the next few days to make up for the experience, something that he was all too willing to do.

"Rock Slide!"

Multiple gray rocks materialised around Magmortar that were soon launched to entomb the Chimp Pokemon. Grookey did her best to dodge the Rock-Type attack, constantly jumping around. That's when he noticed something about the boulders every time she perched on one and readied herself to jump to the next.

"Hang on..." Ash was struck with inspiration. "Grookey! I need you to jump above Magmortar!" Grookey looked back as if wondering if her Trainer was alright. "Just do it!"

Grookey gulped before jumping upward, where Magmortar directed its next Rock Slide. Ash winced slightly as while Grookey's leaps were doing what he thought it might, they were not sufficient enough to change direction.

Kabu raised an eyebrow. "I see what you're trying to do. Impressive, but not enough - at least not with your Grookey. Fire Blast!"

There was nothing Ash could do as Magmortar raised its arms and unleashed another dai-shaped blast of fire. As the flames dissplated, Grookey was left standing there, her body covered in soot and her stick charred.

"Grookey is unable to-"

Dan's declaration was suddenly interrupted by a loud shout from Grookey, who snapped out of her funk and began drumming her stick again. Small bits of the wooden tool began to fall off, much to Ash's surprise and Kabu's concern, before she began to glow.

Slowly, she grew larger, her leafy hair tuffs extending and splitting apart, until...

"Thwackey!"

Ash grinned in joy at the sight of his new Pokemon, and took out his Rotom Phone.

[Thwackey, the Beat Pokémon. Grass type. Using its two sticks, Thwackey beats out a high-tempo rhythm in battle, sometimes getting so caught up in the rhythm that it won't even notice that it's already knocked out its opponent.]

The newly evolved Thwackey screeched, rejuvenated and more importantly, pissed.

With a harrowing screech, Thwackey raised the stick that had grown along with her and brought it down against her knee, snapping it into two. She looked up at Magmortar, fire burning in her eyes as a crimson aura flashed briefly. Before Magmortar could comprehend, Thwackey screeched and unleashed multicoloured sound waves from its mouth as she and unleashed a barrage of blows.

[Uproar, Normal-Type.] Ash's Rotom Phone was able to identify Thwackey's new move. [A sound-based attack that sends the user into a temporary frenzy and prevents all Pokemon in the vicinity from falling asleep.]

"That's awesome, Thwackey!" Ash cheered on. "Give 'em all you got!"

Thwackey looked back at her Trainer briefly, and gave a very deranged grin that had Magmortar terrified. Once again, it tried another Rock Slide, except this time, Thwackey was prepared.

With one final screech, she launched herself at the first boulder, flipped over, planted her feet into it, and pushed. Magmortar was helpless as it took on its own, super effective attack. For a few seconds, all anyone could was the stunned look on its face, before it toppled over, unconscious.

"Blaziken! Ignite!"

[Blaziken, the Blaze Pokemon. Fire/Fighting type.] Hop's Rotom Phone announced. [When facing a tough foe, it looses flames from its wrists to deliver punches that leave its foes scorched and blackened. Its powerful legs let it easily clear a 30-story building in one leap.]

As a Hoenn native, it really should come as no surprise that Kabu's last Pokemon was, very likely, his own starter. Ash was hit with memories of the times he ever fought against them, and smiled.

"One more time, Uproar!" 

"Blaze Kick." 

Flames erupted around one of the Flame Pokemon's legs as it went up against the thrashing Grass-type; even with the boost of evolution, one sweep was enough to knock the wind out of her.

"Thwackey!" Ash ran onto the battlefield, waving to Dan to stop as he helped up his barely conscious Pokemon, still determined to fight. 

"Thank you, Thwackey." Ash smiled at the Beat Pokemon, brushing her head in comfort as she calmed down, before recalling her shortly. 

"Pikachu, it's all or nothing. Let's not let Thwackey down!" 

Pikachu slapped his cheeks, letting loose a couple of sparks before running onto the battlefield. Kabu nodded from the other side, before suddenly raising his wrist. 

"Key Stone, ignite my fiery passion!" The fire in his eyes ignited as he revealed a Key Stone bracelet underneath his Dynamax Band. "Push beyond our limits, Blaziken, and mega evolve!" 

Ash couldn't help but feel excited as he watched Kabu's Blaziken mega evolve. It was almost like the Kalos league again. 

"Alright, let's show them what we can do!" Ash declared. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu briefly flashed white before dashing forward in a blur.

"Blaziken, get in close and use Blaze Kick once more."

"Iron Tail!" As Blaziken's leg ignited, Pikachu's own tail turned metallic as he leapt up, parrying Blaziken's move. "Now, Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu's cheeks sparked, and Blaziken's body lit up as it held up against the electrocution. "You have the first counter, so here's mine! Focus Blast, and make it hot!" Blaziken puts its hands together and forms an orange orb of energy, while its still burning leg began stomping on the ground, before kicking out a Focus Blast with a hot sandy trail. 

"Break it apart with Iron Tail!" Pikachu's tail glowed metallic again and sliced the projectile into two - just in time to see Blaziken charged within the exploding orbs in an orange, bird-shaped aura.

"Incredible!" Pikachu cried as Blaziken slammed into him with the full might of its Brave Bird. "Gym Leader Kabu takes a page out of Challenger Ash's book, using one move to cover for another! This could go anywhere, folks!"

"Excellent hit, Blaziken." Kabu praised as his Blaziken landed in front of him, winced slightly from the recoil. "Let's keep up the pressure. Use Blaze Kick!"

"Pikachu, counter every one of them with Iron Tail!"

A ferocious clash soon erupted on the battlefield, with Blaziken and Pikachu clashing like a pair of fencers around the battlefield. Occasionally, PIkachu would try to sneak in a Thunderbolt, while Blaziken retaliated with Scorching Sands to neutralise most of the electricity.

Ash had not been blind to the occasional glows that Blaziken exhibited, however. Its ability, if he remembered right, was Speed Boost; there would be a point which Pikachu could not keep up.

"Focus Blast!" Blaziken cupped its hands again and launched another energy orb, this one Pikachu had the sense to fling right back. Unfortunately, Ash's fears were starting to be true - Blaziken leapt over it in the blink of an eye before its whole body lit up in an orange, bird-shaped aura.

"Quick Attack!" Pikachu's body flashed white before all Blaziken hit was the outline he left behind. "Pikachu, I know we haven't exactly tried this before, but here it goes! Keep up the Quick Attack, and use Thunderbolt!"

Still in the velocity of Quick Attack, Pikachu's body crackled with electricity. Blaziken, still using Brave Bird, rushed forward to challenge him. The two move clashed against each other, energy against electricity, until it all blew up into a large smog of burning dust.

"Blaziken!" Kabu shouted as the dust settled. Both were still standing, torn out. For a moment, both Trainers held their breath.

Then, Blaziken's beak curled up into a smirk, before its legs wobbled, reverting to its normal form with swirly eyes.

"Blaziken is unable to battle, the winner of the battle is the Challenger, Ash Ketchum!"

"Great Pokémon, great battle and a great Trainer!" Kabu fell to his knees in defeat. "I expected no less from a Champion of another region!"

Ash looked sheepish at the praise.

"I will admit, it has been an honour that I could battle you today! Let me give you a Fire Badge as proof that you've defeated me." He produced the same badge that he had given to Hop mere moments ago, and just as Ash had it in his hand, he did something unexpected.

"People of Galar, let it be known!" He raised Ash's badge hand up high, to Ash's own surprise. "He just got - the Fire Badge!" 

Chapter Text

The week after, as Ash and Hop were collecting their Pokemon from the Pokemon Center, Hop marvelled at the process they had achieved.

"Look at that, three down, five more to go!" Hop stared at his badge case, holding it high in admiration. "Not bad, if I do say so myself. Figured that if anyone could do it, then we would be the ones...but still!"

"Alright! So, where's the next gym?"

Before Hop could answer, he was interrupted by the familiar face of Dan the referee.

"Ah, Challengers Hop and Ash!" Dan bowed. "I see that you've done a fine job collecting the Gym Badges from the Grass, Water, and Fire Gyms; in fact, I'd think you’ll be well enough to try your hand against the Gyms that await you starting in the city of Hammerlocke." He reached into his bag and produced two envelopes. "Before you leave, however, I am contractually obligated to deliver your invitations."

Ash looked confused as he took the dull-looking envelope. "Invitations?"

"Correct! I would explain more, but sadly I have a match to referee in Circhester that starts within the hour. Farewell!"

While Ash stared at Dan's retreating figure, Hop had already opened his and was scanning the document line by line. "Blimey! So that's what she meant..."

"Who meant what?"

Hop's face shot red almost instantly. "Er...Sonia! Yeah! She said that she...er...wanted to see me at the send-off!" He looked at the invite again and muttered. "So this is what she meant..."

"Send-off?"

"Well, as I've said, most people never get past Kabu. So he organises this whole party to congratulate those who have. Pretty good motivation, if you ask me..." 

"Do we have to?" Ash, on the other hand, wasn't as convinced. "I've been thinking about catching something new, y'know. Kabu could have won if it weren't for Thwackey evolving..."

"Er... Ash, you do know that this party also has an all-you-can-eat buffet, right?"

Ash's attitude immediate did a one-eighty as his stomach growled in agreement.

The battle cafe was packed when the duo arrived, though that was more related to the amount of food ready than Challengers showed up.

Hop looked around, quickly spotting the familiar pigtails of the Spikemuth native. “Marnie!" He went over with Wooloo tagging behind. Morpeko grinned in joy and jumped over her trainer, landing headfirst into Wooloo's woo and getting stuck. "Well, here I am, as promised!"

Marnie kept her facade as she turned around to pull her partner out. "Challenger Hop, it's nice to see you too."

Morpeko waved a paw as well, before squirming out of her trainers grasp to greet Ash's Pikachu.

"What's with the poker face?" Hop grinned, elbowing Marnie lightly. "C'mon, it's not like we haven't talked before-"

The door were thrown open, before Kabu strode in, followed shortly by Nessa and Milo.

"Milo? Nessa?" Ash ran ahead to greet them, the appearance of the Gym Leaders of Turffield and Hulbury did not go unnoticed. "I didn’t know you’d also be showing up!”

"Hello, Challenger Ash!" Milo smiled, picking him up with one arm with surprising restraint. "Thought it was only gonna be Kabu, did you?"

“Ash, Hop, congratulations!” Nessa cheers. “It’s pretty amazing you two defeated Kabu - on your first try, even!” 

Kabu came over after quietly greeting the other two challengers. “As you may know, there are many trainers who never manage to gather three gym badges, and they just give up on the Gym Challenge altogether. So we make a point to see off any trainers who are able to defeat me, as a way of showing support."

"Though, to be honest, it's becoming more obvious just how many bother to show up.” Nessa noted. “I suppose most get cold feet..." 

"Intimidated?"

Kabu looks lost in thought. "Who knows. Suppose most of them want to plough on ahead with their Gym Challenge though. Can’t blame them."

The party is seated and the pots are boiling when one of the other challengers asks if the dinners are a sponsorship arrangement.

“Good eye,” Kabu nodded. “It was a bit of a perk we negotiated.”

“Brilliant perk, in my opinion,” Ash says probably too soon after swallowing a mouthful of fishcake. “I’m glad we got to do this! Like that time we had at that restaurant!" 

“Mhm.” Hop nods, his mouth too full of noodles for a proper response. "Bak wen you wah doin' tat...'cuse me." He finally swallowed his bite before continuing. "Back when we were on the set of Agent Pond, I think?" 

"Ah, after that carbuncle?" Nessa grinned. "Funny you should mention that..."

Milo immediately flailed his arms and covered his ears. "No! Please, no spoilers! The one thing that would ruin my off days other than my brother spraining his knee!"

Nessa turned to Milo and struck her tongue out in mock protest. Hop leaned in to take his chance. "So! What's the scoop on the other gym leaders? Anything we should know? Big gossip?"

"Well, nothing that you won't find on the web. Circhester's run by Melony's son this year, and the town's still split after that battle between the two, while dear Bea's taking a sabbatical to train on the Isle after Leon practically humiliated her."

"...oh, you must be talking about the Master Dojo!"

Kabu raised an eyebrow. "Have you been there?"

"Once, dun't remember much, just that Lee and Sonia got their starters and trained there for awhile before they entered the Gym Challenge. I wonder how's old man Mustard's doing..."

"Hmm, interesting." Ash made a note of that for later. "Are there going to be more dinners for winning?"

Hop shoves his shoulder. "Always thinking with your stomach, you."

"Not sure. Though most of them are quite lively at parties,” Milo chuckled.

"Except for you and Rai 'cause they're no fun and don't drink," Nessa laughs, bumping Milo and offering him a glass, which he politely refuses. "My point exactly."

Hop suddenly looks interested. "So who's the most fun at parties?"

Kabu's reply is immediate. "Depends on what's going around. Melony was dancing on the table one year after several glasses of pinot."

Milo nods solemnly. "Don't let her icy demeanour fool you. She's has a warm heart."

"Yeah, once you thaw it!" Nessa barks. "Bants! Bants! She's great!" 

"Oi, Nessa, I recon you've had enough," Kabu couldn't help but smile.

She pours the rest of her drink into Ash’s glass before pointing a finger back at Kabu. "And I reckon you haven't!" 

“She absolutely has,” Hop assures Nessa as he nicks Gloria’s glass and downs it impressively quickly, as though afraid she would take it back. "Cheers!"

“I’ll decide for myself thank you!” 

Somewhere in Hammerlocke, underneath the ground in a laboratory, two well dressed people in blue and red suits smiled as they entered the room.

"So, this is the famous Power Plant?" One of them sneered. "And to think, brother, that bounty bar claims we'll have a crisis in a few decades or so!"

"Still, brother, we can't let our guard down." The another stepped forward. "After all, he still has most of the region under his control."

"An issue we'll soon rectify, dear brother."

The rest of the night consists of fun stories, delicious food, and definitely too much to drink. Most of the challengers seem to have had enough at some point and take their leave. 

"...and then, we were like 'AGHHH"! And then it all changed again!" Ash was recalling another story from Alola.

They all laugh.

“Gonna be the 'ery best! Like no one else was!" Hop slurs, chugging another glass as Kabu returned from the kitchens. 

"Now. Food’s done. We’re all tired. Nessa might be unconscious—”

“I’m alive,” The Hulbury Gym Leader's mumbling could be heard despite her lying face-down on the table.

“So, allow me to send you off with a proper, sporty chant!”

“Oooh!” Milo and Nessa said in unison, the latter suddenly alert and ready in anticipation.

Kabu stands up tall and inhales deeply, raising his glass. “Hustle, hustle, hustle Hop!”

“Whooo!!” Hop hollers, pumping his fist in the air to Nessa’s laughter. 

"Beat them, beat them, beat them Marnie!"

Marnie simply raised her glass in a salute.

“You can do it, you can do it, you can do it, Ash!”

“Yeaaah!” Ash and Hop cheer in unison. She can feel the muscles in her face hurting from grinning so widely all night. 

The six of them make some noise, emptying their glasses and slamming them onto the table

“The gym leaders you will face ahead are all tough opponents,” Kabu warns. “But I believe you will prevail! Believe in your Pokémon and keep pushing on!”

Hop sniffs, sounding extremely moved. “Thanks, you lot! We’re…we’re gonna keep winning! We’ve gotta if we want a face-off in the Champion Cup, after all!”

"One last toast!" Ash called out, eying Hop. "To the next chapter of our legends!" 

"HEAR, HEAR!"

Chapter Text

"Hello again, Wild Area!" Hop shouted. "Here we are again!"

The duo stopped at the gate of Motostoke, with the vast wildness of the Wild Area awaiting. Invigorated by the praise the first three Gym Leaders had given them, both of them were ready to continue to be the best.

"Alright! Time to catch some more Pokemon and do more training!" Hop grinned, patting his chest. "Then off to the Gyms and into the League!"

"Don't waste your efforts. It's not like either of you would ever make it through the Gym Challenge, anyway." An unpleasant voice came up behind him; belonging to no other than Bede. "The first three Gyms are more of a warm up, really. The Champion really must have been off his rocker to endorse the likes of family than someone truly talented."

Hop narrowed his eyes and pointed at Bede. “Who do you think you are to speak about Lee that way?!”

“Just that I'm going to be Galar's next Champion." Bede boasted. "After all, no one is truly unbeatable. I've studied the Champion's strategies, and I've prepared the exact countermeasures against him. Although, it's not the Champion I have a problem with; rather, it's with his pathetic little brother who can’t even toss a pokeball properly.”

“Rubbish!” Hop shouted. “You don’t know anything!”

Bede smirked. “Let’s settle this with a battle then, shall we? I can show you just how weak you truly are...”

"More like you don’t know enough to recognize greatness when you see it." Hop gritted his teeth and his fists clenched tight. "I've beaten you before, remember? Or did you forget that?"

"...That was merely a fluke. You ought to learn better throwing techniques, by the way. I get that the Champion's not good with directions, but hey, at least he's a good tool."

"Hey! My throws are the greatest, and Lee's the finest Champion the world has ever seen!" Hop shouted, getting defensive. "You can insult me all you want, but I’m drawing the line where you insult him!"

"All this prattle about your brother and whatnot...do you not have anything of your own to show?" Bede scoffed, turning to leave.

"That's it! You want a battle? Then fine!" Hop's temper was flaring up to levels Ash had never seen before. "Bede, I challenge you to a battle!" 

Bede stopped, turning around with a dark look on his face and chuckled. "Fine. I'll battle you over there. Maybe that will help you finally understand just how weak you are."

Ash frowned worriedly as he glanced between Hop and Bede. Even he could sense that this might not go as well. “Hop…”

"Just sit tight, mate. ‘Cause this’ll be over real quick when I’m through with this wally!"

The two moved out onto a field near North Lake Miloch, where Ash was watching from the sidelines. Pikachu had a similar expression as he watched the two Galarian trainers walk onto their side of the battlefield they agreed. "Pika..."

"Alright, time to get this show on the road!" Hop snarled. "Wooloo, you're up!"

Bede smirked, before swiping a Premier Ball from his belt and sent out a ladybug-like Pokemon with a shell-like head sized body, connected to a smaller, thinner body of sharp limbs. 

'Orbeetle, the Seven Spot Pokemon. Bug/Psychic Type. The large size of its brain is proof that of its high intelligence, and it possesses immense psychic power capable, to observe and study up to six miles around it.'

"Wooloo!" Hop decided to make the first move. "Come back for now!"

Wooloo was taken aback by that call, as did Bede, though he didn't look different. "What's the matter? Forfeiting already?"

"Nah, just getting a proper advantage." Hop retorted. "Raboot, Flame Charge!"

The Fire-type emerged on the battlefield and began scraping the ground, before flames surged around his body.

"Infestation."

Orbeetle glowed green before the glow scattered from its body down to the ground, like a swarm of fleas that soon halted Raboot in his tracks. 

"Now, smash that pathetic Pokemon with Psychic."

Orbeetle buzzed a mechanical whirl, before its eyes glowed blue. A similar outline covered Raboot before it was lifted off the ground, as if it was being picked up by an invisible hand and swung around like a ragdoll.

"Feel how pathetic you are under the power of an elite trainer such as myself." Bede said smugly. Orbeetle agreed with the sentiment by finally smashing Raboot into the ground.

"Raboot!"

To Hop's relief, Raboot was still conscious. "Hmph. So you're still standing. Whatever. Psychic."

"Sucker Punch!" 

Raboot's body flashed black before its connected its foot into Orbeetle's shell. It tried to use Psychic in revenge, but became perplexed when the move had no effect. Raboot took the chance to finish the Bug-type with a final Flame Charge.

"Tch. That's the only victory you'll get from me this time." Bede recalled his Pokemon, taking a moment to glare at the Great Ball his Orbeetle had been caught in, before putting it aside and unclipped a Premier Ball. "Ponyta!"

Hop didn't see much point, and so ordered another Sucker Punch. Bede, however, saw this already and thus prompted a Double Kick. As Raboot came charging in, with his body flashing black, Ponyta seemed to sense where it was landing, and turned back to plant its own hooves into Raboot's face.

"Thanks, mate." Hop didn't look too bothered. "Go, Toxel!"

Ash felt worried when Toxel emerged on the field. Bede also laughed. "Well, if you're throwing the towel, I'm not going to judge." His expression darkened. "Psybeam!"

Ponyta reared up, its horn pulsating pink before a pink beam of energy blasted into Toxel, sending it flying - and to Hop's shock, knocking it out almost immediately.

"What...?" Hop blinked. The image of Toxel's unconscious body laid there, like the rest of Hop's strategies... like Hop's dreams...

"Looks like I was right." Bede scoffed. "You're nothing but an embarrassment. You're weak, a lightweight. You coddle up with a Champion such as Ketchum and have the unbeatable Leon as a brother, but it seems like you can't even make anything-"

"SHUT UP!"

Wooloo angrily sent himself out as Hop shakily recalled Toxel. With an angry bleat, he charged forward with the glow of Payback to deliver some payback for his friend.

"Dodge it." Bede lazily ordered. Ponyta simply sidestepped, neatly avoiding Wooloo's attack, and dodged once more. 

Ash could see it before it happened. He remembered himself in a similar battle, next to a lake. Trying to prove his battle strength to another rival that was his polar opposite...

"Double Kick."

Ponyta turned around and raised its hooves, planting them into Wooloo with such force, it felt like it was Double Kicking Hop in the gut. Followed by Wooloo literally crashing into his gut, unable to battle.

Hop dropped to his knees in anguish, tears springing to his eyes. Bede patted his Ponyta by the mane and recalled it, before stepping over and loomed over Hop, condescendingly peering down at him. “See? I told you. You're an embarrassment to the Champion. You think you can be a Trainer? More like a failure." He leaned over and mockingly slapped Hop's face. "Why don't you go back to school and learn about your type matchups?”

Ash sprang to his feet and stomped down towards Bede. “Oi! That's enough! You won, alright? You don't need to rub it in!” Beside him, Pikachu’s cheeks sparked menacingly, yet Bede paid no mind.

“I believe my comments are well-earned, as he believed himself to be superior, but clearly was not.” He jabbed him in the chest, his smirk growing wider. “Aw, don't have anything to say? What would your dear brother-?"

Hop quickly rose to his feet and, to Ash's shock, punched Bede. The proud trainer gasped as he whipped a hand to his mouth, which was quickly bleeding. Hop picked up his unconscious Wooloo and ran, tears streaming down his face.

"Hop!"

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Chapter Text

Ash had no idea where Hop had ended up after his defeat - he hoped that maybe he at least went back to the Pokemon Center, but to his alarm, Hop had never even set foot. Which led to him to him running over everywhere he knew in search of the lilac haired boy.

"Where could he have gone..." Ash muttered under his breath. "Pikachu, you don't think?"

Pikachu shook his head, but Ash could tell that he was just as concerned.

Both of them knew what Hop was most likely feeling. Against another trainer who was their own personal opposite, with starkly different views. 

The sun had already set by now, and Hop was in possession of most of their camping gear. Ash could head back to the Pokemon Center, but-

"Whoa!"

He nearly run into something else. A green, blocky something with a long trunk, in fact."

"Ah! Champion Ash!" 

Ash peered up from the Copperajah to see Chairman Rose, sitting on her back. It seemed like the two of them were out on a walk.

"My, this is unexpected, but welcome. I hear from the system that you just won the Fire Badge, right?" The Chairman chuckled, stretching out an inviting hand. "How about a dinner to commemorate your victory? I'll treat you to plenty of Galar's most favorite dishes." 

Ash had half a mind to decline, given he was still looking for Hop. Still, the growling of his stomach overpowered rationality.

"Fine. But it can't be too long, alright?"

"Bleh...?"

Wooloo looked up warily as he watched his trainer almost loose his footing again, trying to pick a Berry off the tree. He had run off to who-knows-where in the Wild Area, and some part in Wooloo was feeling guilty for losing. 

He should had been strong enough! Who cared if that stupid pink horse knew a Fighting-type attack! All of Hop's honour was on the line, and he failed.

Hop, meanwhile, had been replaying the battle in his head: how Bede's Pontya took out his entire team, how his poor judgment made him send out Toxel despite his inexperience, how Bede belitted him to his core.

That he was nothing without Ash. That he was a disappointment to Leon...

"Bleh!"

Wooloo's shout startled him, and he lost his grip. His landing was softened, however, by Wooloo managing to cushion him in time. Toxel and Raboot, despite their injuries, also popped out of their Pokeballs as he winced. 

"Why'd you do that? You're already hurt enough..."

His Pokemon ignored his protests and cuddled up towards him, trying to reassure him that he wasn't to blame. 

Hop wasn't as convinced, however.

He'd seen Leon had been able to adapt strategies in the nick of time. He'd seen Leon able to raise any Pokemon he wanted and turn them into powerhouses. He'd seen Leon able to keep his cool and a smile on his face no matter what.

...So, why couldn't he?

Staring down at Wooloo, a grim thought passed his head.

Maybe he should let him rest for awhile.

"This is great!"

In a high-tech-looking tower, with blue crystals spiraling up like ice, Ash set on the penthouse floor, eating with Chairman Rose and his assistant Oleana. It was weird to be alone with him—or mostly alone, again, with Oleana standing nearby. He was, again, overly nice, and Ash could not tell if he was genuine or not.

"Splendid, isn't it? Just like the view from up here." Chairman Rose turned his eyes to the window outside. "Each and every one of these flickering lights, housing countless lives and dreams of their own."

Ash chewed his curry, and Pikachu licked at his ketchup. His buddy was being a lot less eager about his favorite snack tonight, in favor of keeping his eyes locked on Chairman Rose. It was odd. Ash was glad Pikachu had his back.

"Galar itself is what allowed me to rise out of poverty and let me become who I am now." Rose shook himself out of his memory, a more determined look on his face. "And I intend to make sure that this prosperity - this gorgeous nighttime view - would last forever for generations to come, no matter the cost."

That last comment didn't sit well with Ash. To protect something beautiful forever...

The image of a multicolured Z burned in his mind.

Rose was now looking directly at Ash and it felt serious. "By the way, I strive to guide talented young Trainers to the best of their potential. In fact, I'm sponsoring a young boy I took under my wing. His name is Bede-"

"Bede?!"

Something about the meal seemed a little off-putting now. Even Pikachu suddenly decided the ketchup was bland.

"Why, yes. In time, I hope he will be a worthy champion not unlike Leon, but of course, you do seem to have the same potential."

"Huh?" Ash didn't know why, but he felt a growing sense of dread nagging at his heart. "I - I'm not sure what you mean."

"Let me be frank. I can, and would, support a Champion like yourself with everything I have and can provide in my power." Rose clasped his hands together. "All I ask, is for your support in helping me secure the future of Galar."

Oleana spoke for the first time, and she was even more peculiar. “Oh my, how wonderful it must be to accept an invitation from Chairman Rose.”

Ash furrowed his brows at the way she spoke, because…this was really vague. It sounded - well, he always wanted to help people, but it sounded a bit like the type of thing where he’d be roped into a strict contract. He didn’t want that, and he always wanted free rein to do what he wanted and get stronger with his Pokemon.

He was going to refuse. He was. But something…

...seemed...

...odd.

“Thanks, but…I don’t know."

His response was slow, hesitant. Oleana's eyes began to narrow further, more than Ash thought they were possible.

"You see, I’ve been wandering the world, meeting all kinds of pokemon. I want to get stronger with them! But still... You really need my help?”

Rose nodded, this time slightly quicker. 

“I guess I could…help you, as long as I’m allowed to keep doing what I want to. I could just be - an option, I guess, for when you need help. If I’m allowed to back out whenever I want. What about that, Chairman Rose?”

He’d shifted the power, and everyone could tell. Oleana was glaring daggers at him, and if looks could kill, he’d be dead already. The chairman’s eyes widened, before they narrowed, and changed, looking at him like he was…a challenge, or something.

Rose smiled. “If you would allow me to ask for your help, and occasionally mentor you on your Gym Challenge, I would be happy to work with you.”

They shook, Ash only okay with this because this was in his flavor. It was no springs attached, he could back out whenever he wanted.

"As a sign of my promises, I do have a few gifts for you. Oleana?"

Ash visibly flinched when Oleana, still very peeved, had brought up an envelope, which he opened with shaking hands. "What is this?"

"Oh, destinations that I thought would be fitting for a Champion." Rose explained, rather casually. "There's a prestigious training dojo opened by one of our former Champions on the Isle of Armor, and the Crown Tundra's a magnificent tourist spot to find Pokemon." He smiled. "Perfect for someone like you, wouldn't you say?"