"Wow…"
Awe. Wonder. Amazement. Overwhelming.
Words flicker, but it boils down to one: huge. Stepping off the train at the Meeting Ground, the Wild Area unfolds—vast grasslands, a distant lake, Pokémon soaring, sprinting, swimming, thriving in untamed nature. It's beyond a Safari Zone; comparing them feels absurd. The landscape stretches far past what I can see.
"This is the Wild Area… insane…" I mutter.
"Always a killer view," Hop says.
"It's my first time really exploring," Yuurie adds.
"You only looked before?" I ask.
"I didn't have Pokémon, so I needed Mom and could only go a little ways," Yuurie explains.
"Same for me!" Hop says.
We're all buzzing to dive in. Ready to take our first step—
ZAP!
Something orange streaks past, leaving electric sparks and scorched ground. Too fast to track.
"What was that?" I gasp.
"Just a shadow…" Yuurie murmurs.
"Like thunder!" Hop exclaims.
Stunned, we miss our chance to move. Then a voice calls, "Still here?"
Sonia stands behind us. I recall her serious talk with Magnolia, her troubled expression.
"Sonia?" I say.
"Why're you here?" Hop asks.
"Done talking?" Yuurie adds.
"Seeing your battle and drive lit a fire under me," Sonia says, her face now clear and determined. "Grandma's words hit hard. I can't stay stagnant. So, I'm joining you—part-time! I'll guide you as a Gym Challenge veteran, but I'm also curious about those Pokémon you saw in Slumbering Weald. Help with my research, okay?"
She thumps her chest confidently. She seems fine, not forcing it.
"Let's go! You want to explore the Wild Area, right? Don't miss registration!" Sonia urges.
"Hey, we're going first!" Hop protests.
"Wait up!" Yuurie calls.
Sonia's lead breaks the awkward air, and we race after her. Compared to my synchronized first step with Koki's crew, this feels chaotic—but fun, their style. "Don't leave me behind!" I shout, chasing their shadows, a grin creeping up.
That joy feels distant now.
"AAAAH!" we scream, sprinting across the Gentle Grassland.
The Wild Area's calmer zone has tame Pokémon, but some are fierce. Like the Onix chasing us.
It started innocently—exploring, battling wild Pokémon and trainers, resting at a rocky spot. We noticed the "rock" shifting. It was an Onix, enraged at being a seat. Hop and I sent out Sobble and Grookey, aiming for its 4x weakness with Water Pulse and Razor Leaf. But it shrugged them off, knocking Grookey out with one Tackle.
(Physical Razor Leaf, fine, but Water Pulse is special! Why's it unfazed?)
My Pokédex and Yuurie's Rotom Phone blare: "Caution! High-level Onix! Danger!"
We bolted, recalling our Pokémon. Onix isn't slow, and we can't outrun it. Hence, our frantic escape.
"No one said it'd be that strong!" Hop yells.
"I can't… keep running…" Yuurie pants.
"Sonia, any ideas?" I plead.
"Don't ask me!" she snaps.
Hop and I have stamina, but Yuurie's fading. (Need a plan…)
"Sonia, didn't you get a doll when you first came here?" I ask.
"A doll? Maybe a Clefairy… for emergencies?"
"Exactly!" I dig through my bag, slowing slightly. I find it—a Clefairy doll, a favorite toy of wild Pokémon. They handed them out at the entrance for a reason.
"A Clefairy doll?" Hop asks.
"This!" I toss it upward, turn, and kick it at Onix. "Clefairy doll, shoot!"
It flies erratically, distracting Onix. "Now, run!"
We sprint, hiding in a tree's shade as Onix chases the doll. "We… escaped…" I pant.
"You okay, Yuurie? Water?" Sonia offers.
"Thanks," Yuurie says.
"Sorry, Grookey. Here's a Revive," Hop says.
"I've got Potions if you need," I add.
"Thanks, Furia," Hop replies.
It's not my first wild Pokémon chase, but this level gap was brutal. My old team never struggled with wild encounters. "I knew the Wild Area was tough, but this early?" I say.
"I forgot how rough it can be," Sonia admits.
"Strong ones here mean crazier ones deeper in! I'm hyped!" Hop says.
"I'd prefer calmer…" Yuurie mutters.
I nod with Yuurie. "Trouble's part of the journey," Sonia says. "Dande and I got into messes, but enjoying it depends on you."
"I'm all in!" Hop grins.
"Maybe some stability…" Yuurie says.
"No trouble, no adventure," I add. "It's part of the deal."
Yuurie's relaxed smile shows she's enjoying it too. Trainers thrive on this chaos.
"Ready to explore again?" Hop asks.
"Let's move before we're late for Engine City," Sonia says. "Want to try Dynamax?"
We nod, stretching, when I notice fog. "Was it this misty?"
"No, it was clear earlier," Yuurie says.
The Wild Area's weather shifts—a pinkish mist blankets the grassland, forming a Mist Field. "Not just weather, but a field change," I marvel.
"Natural Mist Fields are rare," Sonia says. "Fairy-types will be more common now. Maybe something unique…"
Hop scans the area, and I spot a glowing purple pillar. "What's—" I start.
"A nest!" Hop runs toward it, followed by Sonia and Yuurie. I catch up to see a hole with the pillar at its base.
"That's a Dynamax nest," Sonia explains. "The light means it's brimming with energy."
"A strong one too," Hop adds.
"What happens then?" I ask.
"Try it," Sonia grins, pulling me into the hole. Hop and Yuurie follow. Inside, a vast cavern opens, a red-black cloud looming in the center.
"Furia, you're up," Sonia says.
"We've got your back!" Hop adds.
"My first raid battle… exciting!" Yuurie says.
"Uh, what?" I stammer.
They release Yamper, Grookey, and Scorbunny. The cloud parts, revealing a massive Ralts, the Emotion Pokémon, Dynamaxed.
"That's… huge…" I gasp.
My Dynamax Band glows red. "Furia, hold a Poké Ball and wish hard!" Hop shouts.
I grab a ball, close my eyes, and wish: (Let me fight with everyone!) The band's light surges into the ball, which glows and grows heavy. I feel its warm, powerful energy. "Furia!" Yuurie calls.
I hurl the ball skyward. It opens, releasing a giant Sobble under a red-black cloud. "Let's go, Sobble!"
I check my Pokédex: Sobble's moves are now Dynamax Attack, Dynamax Stream, and Dynamax Wall—water moves become Stream, normal moves Attack, and status moves Wall, a Dynamax Protect. Bind and Pound are both Attack, likely based on their original power.
First Dynamax, here we go. "Sobble, Dynamax Attack!"
Sobble stomps, sending a shockwave that staggers Ralts, slowing it. (Dynamax moves have effects—speed drop here. Gotta plan for Gyms.)
Ralts retaliates, raining psychic energy. Dodging is tough with Sobble's size, though its stamina's boosted. The energy hits, spreading a Psychic Field.
"Keeps changing the battlefield," I mutter.
"No time for that!" Hop yells. "Grookey, Razor Leaf!"
"Scorbunny, Ember!" Yuurie commands.
"Yamper, Spark!" Sonia adds.
The attacks hit, but Ralts endures, its Dynamax boosting durability. I hesitate—Dynamax Stream will trigger rain, weakening Scorbunny.
"Don't worry about us!" Yuurie shouts. "Hit it!"
"Dynamax Stream!" Sobble's water surge strikes Ralts as rain falls. Scorbunny winces. (Sorry, I owe you an Oran Berry.)
Ralts' shockwave hits Yamper, then a Draining Kiss restores its health. "Normal moves too?" I gasp.
"Wild Dynamax Pokémon use them," Sonia explains. "Tricky or versatile, take your pick."
Ralts unleashes Psychic, knocking Grookey and Scorbunny back. Sobble catches them. Another attack looms—three stars above.
"No time to counter!" I shout. "Sobble, brace for the stars! Everyone, disrupt Ralts!"
"Got it!" they reply.
As the stars fall, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Yamper charge. Sobble catches the stars, enduring as a Mist Field spreads. The trio reaches Ralts.
"Grookey, Branch Poke the right leg!" Hop orders.
"Scorbunny, Double Kick the left!" Yuurie commands.
"Yamper, Spark its head!" Sonia yells.
Ralts stumbles forward, head dipping. Yamper's Spark sends it reeling upward—perfect.
"Furia!" they shout.
"Sobble, Dynamax Stream!"
Sobble, glowing blue with its Torrent ability, unleashes a rain-boosted water torrent. It slams Ralts, causing an explosion. Ralts shrinks, its Dynamax fading.
We won the raid battle.
Sobble reverts, exhausted. "Great job," I say, petting it.
"Awesome Dynamax, Furia!" Hop cheers.
"Can't wait to try!" Yuurie says.
"Impressive for your first," Sonia adds.
"Thanks to your support!" I reply, high-fiving them. That last disruption was clutch. Raids might be addictive.
As they heal their Pokémon, I check on Ralts. It didn't do anything wrong. I treat its wounds. "Ral…?" It tilts its head, confused.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Maybe it was rampaging, unable to control its Dynamax," Sonia says. "Gym Leaders or Champions handle those, but trainers and wild Pokémon usually manage. Nests keep them contained."
I nod, petting Ralts and Sobble, who's lounging on my head. "All set," I say, finishing Ralts' care.
"Nice work," Sonia says.
"I've traveled a region; I'm used to rowdy Pokémon," I reply, petting Ralts.
Hop and Yuurie join us. "Next nest? You two need Dynamax practice," Sonia suggests.
"Definitely!" Hop says.
"Before the ceremony, yeah!" Yuurie agrees.
As we step forward, Ralts tugs my sleeve. "Huh?"
"Ral! Ral!" It stares at me.
"Think it likes you," Sonia says.
"Me? I didn't do much…"
But Ralts' gaze is unwavering. "Want to come with me?"
"Ral!" It clings to my leg.
I tap an empty Poké Ball on Ralts. It enters, shakes, and clicks. I release it, and it hugs me. "Whoa!" I laugh, petting it. I don't know why it's so attached, but I'll cherish it.
"Welcome, Ralts," I say.
"Ral!" It grips my clothes.
My second Galar partner. Another reliable friend joins my journey.