The sky is perfectly clear.
Not a single cloud mars the ideal day for embarking on a journey.
From the airplane window, the view is breathtaking—endless sea sparkling under sunlight, as if celebrating the start of an adventure. A Wailord breaches the surface, its spout forming a rainbow arch. Wingull and Pelipper soar gracefully through it, while Mantine and Mantyke glide below in a dazzling display, like nature's grand circus. I'm glued to the window, but my mood…
Sigh…
Dark clouds loom within me.
"Ugh… nobody told me…" I mutter under my breath, careful not to disturb the passenger beside me.
The source of my gloom? The single Poké Ball at my waist.
Back in Sinnoh, I traveled with a full team of six Pokémon, companions who shared every triumph and hardship. Irreplaceable partners I trusted completely. But now, only one remains at my side.
Why? The Galar region, particularly its Wild Area, is fiercely protected. To preserve its ecosystem, non-native Pokémon are restricted, especially with a major event approaching. My team of six? Five aren't native to Galar. I had to send them home, leaving them with my parents.
I called Professor Rowan to complain, only to hear:
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Haha!"
(Haha? Seriously!)
I scream internally, mindful of the plane's quiet cabin.
The loss hits hard. It's not just a metaphor—it feels like half of me is gone. The absence of my trusted team leaves me lonely and anxious in a way I never expected. They say you don't realize what you have until it's gone, but this is overwhelming.
Sigh…
I lose count of my sighs as the flight continues.
"Wow… incredible…"
After hours in the air, I step onto solid ground, awestruck by the sight before me. Stretching to ease my stiff body, I'm struck by a towering, modern structure—an emerald dragon seemingly coiled around it. This must be Rose Tower, as described in the pamphlet I read during the flight. Surrounding it are a Ferris wheel, monorail, and other futuristic marvels, like a theme park. Beyond a wide river lies a charming residential area, parks, cafés, and boutiques. To the east, a massive stadium; to the west, a grand clocktower and hotels. Compared to Sinnoh's Jubilife City, Shoot City is on another level—vibrant yet immaculate, almost like a work of art.
Shoot City: Galar's largest, meticulously planned metropolis.
"Jubilife felt big, but this… makes it look tiny," I murmur, feeling like a country bumpkin. I know I shouldn't gawk, but it's impossible not to.
"Jun would lose it here. Hikari would dive into that boutique, and that café has Koki's favorite drink… I wish they were here."
There's so much to see, but I snap myself out of it. "Focus! I've got a job to do!"
Torn but determined, I prioritize my mission. Sightseeing can wait until I deliver the package.
"Let's see… Professor Magnolia's lab is in Brassie Town…" I unfold a map from the airport. "Shoot City's up north, and Brassie's way south. A full Galar trek, huh?"
The region's long, narrow shape makes the distance feel daunting. Why isn't the airport more central?
"Hm, the fastest way is the Flying Taxi… but the price!?"
It's reasonable for a cross-region trip, but tough on a young trainer's wallet. Plus, the taxi stop has a long line—probably a half-hour wait. The taxis are baskets carried by large bird Pokémon, likely limited to two passengers at a time, explaining the delay.
What about flying my own Pokémon? Galar requires a license due to the Wild Area's chaotic weather—clear one moment, snowy or sandy the next. The turbulent air currents make flying risky without training. Even if I had a license, my current Pokémon… well, it'd be a stretch.
So, land it is. "The subway from Shoot City Station. Five stops. That's my best bet."
It's affordable and straightforward, even for a first-time traveler. "A train, huh? Never ridden one before."
Sinnoh didn't have trains, at least not where I traveled. Half-nervous, half-excited, I pass through the gate and board the subway.
"Where… am I?"
I said I wouldn't get lost. Sorry, that was a lie.
Here's the deal: after a few dozen minutes enjoying the train's gentle sway and new scenery, I dozed off. A sudden brake jolted me awake, mildly annoyed. The announcement explained: a group of Snorlax decided to nap on the tracks, halting the train. Waking or moving them wasn't feasible, so I had to disembark and walk to Brassie Town. I was close enough, and with no sense of the area, I figured I could manage. The result?
"This place… it's creepy…"
A dense forest enveloped in thick fog. The map and conductor pointed me to this route as the shortest path, but it's a nightmare. Visibility is poor, the ground overgrown, and eerily, no Pokémon are in sight. It's like the haunted Ilex Forest back home.
"Ugh, it feels like something's gonna jump out…"
I rest my hand on my lone Poké Ball, ready for anything. With vision limited, I sharpen my hearing.
"…Eee…"
"…Ooo…"
A faint voice. (Not far… maybe someone who can help? Worth checking.)
In this disorienting fog, I'll take any lead. Cautiously, I move toward the sound, using tree shadows to gauge distance. Soon, two shapes emerge.
"Meee…"
"Meso…"
"Pokémon…?"
Closer, I see two Pokémon: one resembling Mareep, the other a small, blue, four-legged creature, about Eevee's size. Both are new to me—Sinnoh doesn't have them.
Curious, I pull out my Pokédex, but it reads No Data. "Right, I didn't update it for Galar Pokémon. Guess I'll learn the old-fashioned way…"
I inch closer to observe when—
Flap, flap, flap!
A loud wingbeat approaches. Instinctively, I sprint forward, startling the two Pokémon. Ignoring their reaction, I scoop them up, roll to the side, and dodge as a large, black shadow swoops past where we stood.
"You okay!?"
"Meee…"
"Meso…"
Noticing minor scratches, I consider a Potion but opt for Oran Berries instead, handing them to the Pokémon. I turn to face the attacker.
"That Pokémon…!"
It's the bird from the Flying Taxi—a black, armored-looking creature, possibly Steel/Flying like Skarmory.
(Time to fight—)
"RROOOOAR!!"
A deafening howl interrupts me, radiating overwhelming pressure. My body freezes as the sensation crawls over me, reminiscent of a past encounter.
The bird vanishes, replaced by two new shapes: cyan and magenta, four-legged Pokémon exuding an aura like those legendary encounters.
(Are these… legendary Pokémon!?)
They step closer, their presence suffocating. I stand firm, shielding the trembling Pokémon behind me. "I don't know who you are, but you won't hurt these two!!"
I shout to steel myself, but they only stare silently. Time drags on, feeling endless.
Finally, they turn and vanish into the deepening fog.
"…"
"…Ugh, I didn't even do anything, but I'm exhausted… Were those even Pokémon?"
As the fog clears, the oppressive pressure lifts, and the shapes are gone. I turn to the two Pokémon. As expected, they're too shaken to eat the berries.
"It's okay now," I soothe, applying Potions and using Pokémon Refresh to calm them. After a few minutes, they're healed and relaxed, safely in my care.
"Now, to get out of this forest—"
The Mareep-like Pokémon suddenly rolls off, scampering away. I chase after it, struggling to keep up in the fog. Its movements seem purposeful, like it's following a homing instinct. (Might as well follow.)
The blue Pokémon, meanwhile, perches on my head, relaxed after the Refresh. (Kinda cute…) It reminds me of old times.
The fog thins as we move. The forest's end is in sight when two more shapes appear. The rolling Pokémon speeds up toward them.
"Wait—! …People!?"
Two humans lie unconscious—a boy and a girl, about my age. The boy has tanned skin, a black undershirt, a denim jacket with fur trim, and track pants, giving a fluffy impression. The girl wears a pink dress, a green beret, and a gray hoodie.
(Just unconscious, no obvious injuries… probably okay.)
I'm no doctor, but they seem fine. The Mareep-like Pokémon nuzzles them, likely their partner. I gather leaves for makeshift beds and settle them in, deciding to wait.
"Hop! Yuurie! Where are you!?"
A deep, anxious male voice echoes. Assuming it's their guardian, I shout back, "Over here! Please help!"
"I'm coming!"
Footsteps approach, revealing a man with tanned skin, a red cape, and a black-and-white uniform. His purple hair and golden eyes resemble the boy's—maybe a brother?
"Hop! Yuurie! …They're okay. Who are you?"
"I'm Furia. I got lost in this forest, and these Pokémon led me to them."
"Wooloo… and Messon. You saved them. I'm Dande. Thank you for helping them."
We shake hands, his grip strong yet warm, reminding me of my dad. I learn the rolling Pokémon is Wooloo, and the one on my head is Messon.
"No problem. Wooloo guided me, so… thanks, buddy." I pat Wooloo, who seems pleased.
"Are they both yours?" I ask.
"Messon's mine, but Wooloo's from a nearby town."
"Oh, okay. Messon, time to get down." I try to lift Messon, but it resists, clinging to my head.
"Messon…?" Dande mutters, then pulls out a Poké Ball. "Return. Sorry, Furia, it must've been terrified in the forest."
Messon's ball trembles slightly as it returns. (I should've done more Refresh…) I feel a twinge of guilt.
"Furia," Dande says, his expression resolute.
"Yes?"
"If you're willing, I'd like to—"
"Nngh…"
A groan interrupts us. We turn to see the boy—Hop, I presume—sit up, shouting, "Wooloo!!"
Relieved he's awake, Dande and I pause our talk and approach him.