"Hello!"
"Pardon us!"
After chatting with Sonia and Dande for a while, the lab door bursts open. Hop and Yuurie arrive from Hallon Town, their faces brimming with excitement for their Pokédexes. I smile, remembering that thrill, and we pause our talk to greet them.
Our conversation was mostly about my Sinnoh adventures, with a bit about Dande's Pokémon at the end. I had no idea Dande was Galar's Champion—wish we had time to discuss Gyms and the Elite Four.
"Sonia! Where's my Pokédex?!" Hop demands.
"Sonia, mine too!" Yuurie adds.
"Calm down, both of you. I've got the data. Got your Rotom Phones?" Sonia replies.
They nod, pulling out their phones. Sonia connects them to a device, transferring data. (So, in Galar, phones double as Pokédexes?) It's a contrast to Sinnoh's separate devices—fascinating how regions differ.
"All set!" Sonia hands them back. "Your Rotom Phones are now Pokédexes."
"Thanks, Sonia!" Yuurie says.
"This is it! I'm fired up!" Hop exclaims.
"Take care of them and don't lose them. You'll learn best by using them," Sonia advises.
"Got it!" Hop nods.
"Yes!" Yuurie agrees.
Their joy at receiving their Pokédexes feels familiar. The start of an adventure carries the same weight, no matter the region. As I watch, they each grab a Poké Ball.
"Come out, Scorbunny!" Yuurie calls.
"Go, Grookey!" Hop shouts.
Two starter Pokémon appear, likely their first from a professor. Curious, I test my updated Pokédex.
Scorbunny. Rabbit Pokémon. Fire-type. Running raises its body temperature, boosting its fire energy.
Grookey. Chimp Pokémon. Grass-type. Its stick attacks gain speed and intensity as it gets pumped.
"Scorbunny and Grookey… like Sinnoh's Chimchar and Turtwig," I muse. "Wonder about the Water-type…"
They seem built for long battles, growing stronger as they get into the groove. I'm excited to try my Pokédex more—it's thrilling to learn new things.
"Water-type? You've already met one," Dande says, tossing a Poké Ball.
"Gah!" My vision turns blue as something latches onto my face.
"Messon!?" I peel it off, revealing the Sobble from Slumbering Weald, chirping energetically.
"Mesoo!"
"Haha, Messon really likes you, Furia," Sonia laughs.
"I thought it might hate me for not comforting it enough," I admit.
"Far from it," Dande says. "It bonded with you for saving it. That's why it clung to your head."
"Oh, that's why…"
I recall Messon refusing to return, its ball trembling—not from fear, but reluctance to leave me. (Hope that's not just my ego.)
"Thanks, Messon," I say, petting it.
"Meso!" It nuzzles back, delighted, and I can't stop petting it.
"You two make a great pair," Dande says. "I meant to say in the Weald—would you take Messon?"
"Me? Is that okay? I'm an outsider…"
"You built a bond so quickly. That's why I want you to have it."
I meet Messon's big, determined eyes. "Will you come with me?"
"Mesoo!" It leaps into my arms.
"Thank you, Messon!" I hug it tightly, feeling a new connection—my first Galar Pokémon.
"Here's its Poké Ball," Dande says. "Messon's yours now!"
I scan it with my Pokédex: Sobble. Water Lizard Pokémon. Water-type. Its skin changes color when wet, blending into its surroundings.
"Let's do this together!"
"Meso!" We high-five, the sound ringing like the start of my Galar adventure.
"Time to go, Furia," Dande says. "Can't keep Professor Magnolia waiting."
"Right."
After a late lunch from Sonia, we decide to finish my errand.
"You're going to Magnolia's house?" Hop asks.
"Yeah, she asked me to bring the package there," I reply.
"Can we come?" Yuurie asks. "I want to see this through."
"Me too!" Hop adds. "Plus, I owe you, and I'm curious!"
"I'll tag along as her assistant," Sonia says.
Everyone stands, ready to go. A big group visiting her house feels odd, but fun.
"It's fine," Sonia reassures. "Grandma's house is huge, and she'll love meeting honest kids like you. Unlike me, apparently…"
"Huh?"
"Nothing!"
If Sonia says it's okay, I trust her. "Let's go!"
"Yeah!" we cheer, leaving the lab for Route 2.
The sun dips as we reach Route 2, cooler with rivers and ponds. Water sounds accompany our chatter. Hop catches a Rookidee with Dande's guidance, Yuurie battles trainers for experience, and I…
"Sobble, Water Gun!"
"Mesoo!"
"Gotcha, Caterpie!"
Sobble's attack downs the Caterpie.
"Winner: Sobble!" Yuurie declares.
"Nice, Sobble!" I high-five it, and it hops onto my head, munching an Oran Berry.
I thank my opponent, offering a Revive and Potion. "Great battle. Your Caterpie's tough!"
"Thanks! I'll win next time!"
"Bring it!" We shake hands.
Pokémon battles—meet, fight, become friends.
"You're strong, Furia. Experience?" Yuurie says.
"Thanks! Sobble's doing the heavy lifting."
"Mesoo!"
"You two are tight already," Yuurie notes. "Hard to believe you just met."
"You and Scorbunny are just as close," I point out.
"Bunny!" Scorbunny chirps, nuzzling Yuurie.
Their bond is heartwarming, like lifelong friends. "Your teamwork's great. You'll be big someday," I say.
"Maybe…" Yuurie murmurs, petting Scorbunny, her eyes reminiscent of my old dreams.
"Furia! Yuurie! I caught a Rookidee!" Hop shouts, a blue bird circling him.
"Congrats!" I say.
"Nice, Hop!" Yuurie adds.
"This is my first step to my dream!" Hop beams.
My Pokédex identifies Rookidee as Armorouge's pre-evolution. Given its ferocity in the Weald, it'll be strong—and it's already fond of Hop.
"You two catching anything?" Hop asks.
"Not yet," Yuurie says.
"Same," I reply.
"What about your Sinnoh team?" Hop asks.
"I'm curious too," Yuurie adds.
Their eager eyes make me hesitate. "I have a team, but Galar's rules banned non-native Pokémon. I'll introduce them someday."
"Bummer," Hop says.
"Too bad," Yuurie adds. "But you brought one, right?"
"Yup, one made the cut. Wanna see?"
"Yes!" they chorus, eyes sparkling.
I reach for the Poké Ball, but—
"Hey, we're almost at Grandma's!" Sonia calls.
"Next time," I say.
"Ugh…" they groan.
"Sorry!" My Poké Ball wiggles, annoyed. (Bad timing, buddy. We'll go for a walk later.)
We reach Magnolia's grand house, rivaling the lab, complete with a battle court.
"Here we are," Sonia says, ringing the bell.
"Yes, coming!" A woman's voice answers. A white-coated woman with a monocle and a staff shaped like a grown Rookidee appears—Professor Magnolia.
"You're Furia," she says. "I've heard from Professor Rowan."
"Nice to meet you. I'm here to deliver this." I hand her the package carefully.
"Received. Thank you for coming so far. Tired?"
"Not really. I met great people who made it fun."
Hop, Yuurie, Dande, and Sonia's company, plus new Pokémon encounters, have made this journey vibrant.
"What's that package?" Sonia asks.
"Something from Professor Rowan for Galar Particle research," Magnolia explains. "After finishing Hoenn's Tokusane studies, we're moving to Sinnoh's Tobari. It may advance our Dynamax research."
"Dynamax?" I ask.
"It's a phenomenon where Pokémon grow massive, unique to Galar," Magnolia says. "It requires Galar Particles and specific locations, tied to meteors and shooting stars."
"So, Tokusane's Space Center and Tobari's meteor craters," I realize.
"Exactly," Magnolia confirms.
The others look puzzled.
"When I was a kid, I visited Hoenn's Tokusane, known for meteor research," I explain. "Tobari in Sinnoh has meteor craters too. If Galar Particles are linked, it makes sense to study there."
They nod, impressed. But Dynamax—giant Pokémon?
"Seeing it's faster," Magnolia says, showing a video.
In a stadium, Dande and another trainer recall their Pokémon. Their bands glow red, enlarging the Poké Balls. Tossed skyward, they release massive Pokémon—a blazing-winged Charizard and a towering, building-like creature—battling like kaiju.
"Wow… that's Dynamax…"
"Galar's Gym battles and tournaments use it for unique excitement," Dande says.
"It draws attention from other regions," Sonia adds.
The clash of giant moves ignites something in me. "Can anyone do it?"
"With a Dynamax Band, yes," Dande says. "Get one at Gyms or Rose Tower. Some say fated trainers catch falling Wishing Stars."
"Wishing Stars?"
"Rare red shooting stars in Galar," Sonia explains.
I glance at the now-crimson sky and spot a red streak heading our way.
"Danger!" I dodge as it lands, leaving a crater.
(That could've hurt…)
"Wishing Stars! Three of them!" Hop exclaims. "Let's split them!"
"You okay, Furia?" Yuurie asks.
"Yeah… Hop, you're fearless."
"Haha…" Yuurie laughs.
Maybe "rare" means "frequent" here. No one's hurt, and getting Wishing Stars feels lucky.
"I'll make Dynamax Bands for all three," Magnolias offers.
"Really?!" Hop and I gasp.
"It's no trouble," she smiles.
Yuurie's excitement confirms it's a big deal.
"With Big Bro's endorsement and Dynamax Bands, our Gym Challenge prep is perfect!" Hop says.
"Gym Challenge?" I ask.
"It's like your League," Dande explains. "Collect eight badges in a set period, then compete in a tournament. The winner enters a tournament with Gym Leaders and the Champion for the title. No Elite Four here."
"Gym Leaders compete too? That's intense."
"There's more," Dande adds. "Top eight Gym Leaders are 'Major,' others 'Minor.' You need an endorsement to join."
"Wait, no endorsement, no Gym Challenge?"
"Correct."
"No way…"
I planned to challenge Gyms after my errand, but without an endorsement…
"You've got one, right?" I ask Hop and Yuurie.
"Yup, from Dande," Yuurie says.
"Big Bro, got one for Furia?" Hop asks.
"Sorry, endorsements are limited, and the Gym Challenge starts in two days. Unless you know someone famous…" Dande trails off.
I slump, thinking of Shirona. Then I remember the envelope she gave me. Digging through my bag, I find it and check inside.
"Dande, can other regions' Champions or Gym Leaders write endorsements?"
"Yes, though it's rare."
"Will this work?" I show him.
He examines it. "From Sinnoh's Champion? Perfect. You're in!"
"Yes!" I pump my fist. Shirona foresaw this—she gave me the key to join.
"I didn't expect a Champion's endorsement," Dande says. "She saw your potential. I'm excited for your Gym Challenge!"
"Awesome! We're all aiming for Champion!" Hop cheers.
"A Champion's endorsement… Are you secretly amazing, Furia?" Yuurie teases.
"N-No way!" I stammer.
Their excitement and expectations fluster me, but… (I'm not amazing. If I were, I'd have stood by Koki.) This Gym Challenge is my chance to grow and catch up to him. I clench my fist, resolved.
"Stay over tonight," Magnolia says. "Rest for the Gym Challenge."
"I'll make dinner," Sonia adds.
We thank them and head inside. The Gym Challenge is exclusive, meaning tough battles ahead—without my usual team. (It's scary, but I'll do this!)
Over Sonia's spicy curry, I think about the battles to come, my tongue tingling with anticipation.