Bea goes to the Slumbering Weald
It's finally time for the gym challenge to begin, and Ash Ketchum and his friends have landed in Wyndon Airport to begin their journey to the Galar Region.
As they exited the arrival area, however, a new yet familiar face chances upon our heroes.
"Are you Ash Ketchum?"
Ash, Goh, and Chloe turned to see a tall, muscular girl standing behind them.
"That's me," said the Pallet Town native. Pikachu raised a paw in agreement.
"Hello. My name is Bea…"
The morning session of the pre-gym season meeting was over and all the gym leaders were briefed and informed of the upcoming gym challenge.
As Bea got up from her seat, Leon tapped her on the shoulder.
"Bea, it's Allister's turn to run the Stow-on-Side gym this season, isn't it?" he asked, after making sure that no one was in earshot.
"That should be obvious."
That caught Leon off guard. "Um, do you have any plans this season?"
Bea thought for a minute. "Just practice on the dojo, I guess. I will be available for trainers looking for a challenge, however. Is there something you need?"
Leon smiled awkwardly. "Actually, there is."
He handed her a file. On the front was a picture of one of the gym challengers, along with the name Ash Ketchum written on the bottom.
Bea started to open the file but Leon put a hand over it.
"Don't open that here where anyone could see. I've added in a few details there that aren't in the documents included in his League profile."
"Why?"
"Listen," said Leon. "I haven't had the chance to talk about this to the others, but that trainer is very high level. He's already been to a number of conferences and as the first conference winner in Alola, he's an acting Regional Champion too. To call him a veteran would be an understatement."
Bea's eyes widened slightly, but she let out a small sigh.
Curse her luck for not being in the gym challenge. She wanted to fight this trainer.
"I'm going to tell the officiating gym leaders to bring their A-team for him, but there's another reason I'm telling you about this in private," said Leon.
Bea guessed as such. "What is it?"
Leon pursed his lips, a serious look on his face. Absently, Bea noted that this was the first time she had ever seen him serious outside of tough battles. If Sonia was anything to go by, he also did not take desk work seriously.
"Well, at my last Champions' Meeting, we found out that this trainer has been involved in a large number of incidents involving legendary Pokémon, some of which would have had major world consequences if he hadn't been there," he said.
He sighed. "All of them, to be exact."
Bea nodded, her head tilting slightly.
"Okay," she said, motioning for Leon to continue.
"Basically, he's a real trouble magnet, through no fault of his own. He just keeps stumbling upon legendaries and evil organizations. There are other details in the file, but I'd like you to read up on them."
"I'm supposed to follow him, is that right?" said Bea. At Leon's nod, she nodded her head. "I'll do it. I suppose it's better than just sitting around in the dojo all day."
"Thanks, but, uh, don't tell him you're a gym leader."
"I'm the co-gym leader for the Stow-on-Side Gym."
"Pleased to meet you!" said Ash. "I've traveled with a few gym leaders before, they're all really strong."
"Don't tell him you're following him on my request either, he might get suspicious," said Leon.
"Leon has asked me to join you for your gym challenge."
"Uh, he did? Why?"
"And especially don't tell him that you're joining him to keep an eye out for any legendaries or problems that might happen."
"Leon has heard of your reputation as a trouble magnet and wanted me to keep an eye on things," Bea never believed in lying. "Plus, I'm not on gym leader duty right now. Allister and I take turns being the gym leader during gym season, you see, so I'm going on a journey of my own as well, if you will have me."
Ash laughed sheepishly at this and rubbed the back of his head, but looked to his companions first. Goh was fine with it, citing that they'll be able to check out the locations that Professor Cerise indicated faster with an experienced local trainer helping them out.
Chloe hugged her Eevee tighter, but otherwise shrugged nodded. The Pokémon squirmed slightly, but didn't seem uncomfortable.
"Guess that settles it. Welcome to the group!" said Ash, extending his hand to her.
"Pikachu!"
Bea shook it. 'His grip is strong,' she thought. 'I guess him being an experienced trainer was true after all.'
"The Gym Challenge Opening Ceremony doesn't start for a few days, but we're here early because one of the conditions for Professor Cerise allowing Ash to participate is that we gather some data on Galar beforehand," explained Goh as they exited the train. Then it was only a short walk to their first destination, the laboratory of Professor Magnolia.
"I see, and what data did he want?" asked Bea.
"The Slumbering Weald, for one. The Professor's specialty is on Pokemon ecology. He wanted to know why a mysterious mist surrounds the place, far too thick for it to happen naturally."
"I bet there's a Pokémon involved," said Ash, frowning slightly. "These types of things, it's usually because a Pokémon doesn't want something found."
"Pikachu."
"Possibly," replied Goh. "But that's what we're here to find out."
"If there's a dangerous Pokémon in there, why are we going there anyway?" asked Chloe. Eevee barked out an agreement.
"We just have to be respectful of their boundaries, that's all," said Ash. "Don't worry Chloe, if it gets too dangerous, we'll get out immediately, okay?"
"Alright."
Bea put a hand on Chloe's shoulder.
"It will be alright," she said. A smile graced her lips. "I'll stay by your side the entire time."
A light blush entered Chloe's face, and she looked away from the fighting type trainer.
"Well, enough of that," said Goh. He pointed to the Professor's building that was visible on the distance. "We're almost there!"
Even Ash Ketchum couldn't help but blush slightly when Sonia started twirling her hair. The lab assistant smiled brightly when the four of them entered the lab.
"it's nice to meet you! You guys are the research assistants of Professor Cerise, right?" she asked, getting two identical nods in return. She patted down her jacket and ushered them inside.
"They are," corrected Chloe. "I'm just here because it's spring break at my school."
"And Professor Chloe is paying her to do it," said Goh, earning an annoyed look from his childhood friend. He only smirked in reply. "You're on his payroll as a part-time assistant for this trip, didn't you know?"
Sonia laughed. "A journey is always a good way to learn more things about yourself. Who knows, maybe you'll find something you're really passionate about while you're here."
She smiled at the girl.
Chloe smiled, hugging Eevee tightly. The corgi struggled this time, wanting to play with Sonia's Yamper who was wagging its tail playfully. She apologized and set it down, the two Pokemon yapping excitedly along with Scorbunny and Pikachu.
Bea looked at her new friend. "Sonia, these trainers are here to ask permission to go to the Slumbering Weald," she said.
"Right, right, Gran told me as such," replied Sonia, waving her hand. "Can you take out your phones? I'll update it with the map for Slumbering Weald as well as the regional Pokedex."
Ash, Goh, and Chloe took out their phones and handed them to her. She clicked a few buttons, and a second later the new programs were installed.
"There you go!" she said, handing them back.
"Thanks." Said Ash.
"You guys have had a long journey, right?" said Sonia, her hands on her hips. "Why don't you rest up first at the Pokémon Center then head out tomorrow?"
"Rest sounds good," said Goh. He started to yawn, but covered up his mouth quickly. "I could use a bed right about now." Scorbunny echoed the sentiment under him.
"I think I'll take a walk for a bit," said Ash. "Chloe, you want to come?"
"Huh? Oh, sure."
"I will meet with you at the Center. I need to talk with Sonia first," said Bea.
"Got it, see you later."
When all three trainers were gone, Sonia pinched Bea's cheeks. The gym leader didn't resist.
"Bea! It's been a while, how've you been? Why are you travelling with Cerise's research assistants?"
"Just fine. Leon asked me to keep an eye on Ash, the one with the Pikachu."
Sonia raised an eyebrow at her statement. "Why? Is he a troublemaker?"
"More like trouble follows him, but I can't really say any more than that, Leon told me to keep it a secret."
"Huh, maybe I'll badger Leon about it," said the lab assistant. "But enough about that, let's have some girl talk! How's Nessa and Melony doing?"
Bea smiled. It was rare that she got to show her more feminine side to anyone, and Sonia was one of the few who had the privilege of seeing the normally stoic gym-leader act all girly.
"Well, ever since she watched a Pokémon Showcase, Nessa's been trying to copy the poses of the Performers for her modelling. She's been watching the performances of the runner-up from last year in particular. Don't tell her I said this, but I know she practically fell in love with the runner-up's Sylveon when they took to the stage."
Sonia giggled. "Runner-up? Why not the winner?"
"Something about less fancy movements being more compatible for models, I didn't get it either," replied Bea, shrugging. "Oh, she's also watching the Sinnoh League right now, there's a water trainer with an Empoleon that she's been following. How about you, how are you?"
"Oh, nothing much happened with work, Gran always does the more important stuff on her own. I'm just here watching the lab," she said loftily. "But I'm watching the Johto contest circuit right now! Hey, why don't we get some pizza or something? You know, talk into the night?"
"I'll take you up on that," smiled the gym leader.
Sonia grinned as she picked up her phone.
Bea was even more stoic compared to the last day.
Or at the least, struggling to remain awake.
"You okay?" asked Chloe.
"Vee!"
"Just stayed up late last night," admitted Bea, stifling a yawn. She sat down on a nearby sofa and closed her eyes.
Sonia looked at the messy-haired gym leader and smirked.
"Hey, welcome back!" said Sonia. "You just missed Leon. He came here with his brother and two new trainers also looking for a Pokedex."
Ash perked up. "Oh, that's a shame. I wanted to thank him for inviting me to the league."
"You could still catch up with him if you want. He and the new trainers just went back home. You're going to the Slumbering Weald today, right? That's in Postwick, which is also Leon's hometown." Replied Sonia.
"If that's the case, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" said Ash.
"Pikachu!"
"Wait, Ash," Chloe said suddenly.
"Hm?" Replied the trainer who already had one foot on the door.
The purple-haired girl pointed to the couch, where a gym leader snoozed peacefully.
"Sorry about that," said Sonia sheepishly. "We got caught up gossiping and watching Pokémon Contests last night. She isn't used to pulling all-nighters."
"Cool, which circuit?" said Ash." I know a few Coordinators myself."
"Pika-pika!"
Goh took a marker from Scorbunny's hand, the fire-type whistling innocently as it hovered over Bea's face. "I guess we can wait an hour or two," he said.
"Johto," said Sonia. "Which Coordinators do you know?"
Sonia had decided to tag along to the Slumbering Weald.
"It's about time I conquer my fears," she said as she grabbed a few Pokeballs from her desk. "Plus, I'm also interested in the origin of the mist. I've heard you're a good trainer Ash, so if we have you and Bea here, we'll be fine."
(Later on, Bea whispered to the rest of the group that Sonia was a powerful trainer herself.)
Arriving in Postwick, the group were greeted by rolling hills and quaint little houses. Sonia directed them along the main road and into a small dirt path to the side.
"The Slumbering Weald is just on the end of this path. It's also the path to Leon's house."
"Hard to imagine a champion living in a place like this," remarked Goh.
Ash and Pikachu, the two Pallet Town natives, merely chuckled heartily.
As they neared the entrance to the Weald, they saw a familiar face emerging from one of the houses.
"Leon!" shouted Ash.
The Galar champion had a frown on his face, but he perked up at the sound of his name.
"Well if it isn't Ash and Goh! What are you doing here?" he asked as he ran up to them.
"We're visiting the Slumbering Weald!" said Ash. "Professor Cerise asked us to gather data on the Slumbering Weald's thick mist before we're off to the gym challenge!"
Leon's smile turned into a frown. "The Weald, huh? I'm going there myself to find my little brother."
"What happened?" asked Sonia, concerned.
"He and his friends were supposed to meet up with me at our house earlier today. It's been a few hours and no one in town has seen them. I'm worried that they might have gone into the Weald.
"It's not a problem for a strong trainer," said Leon. "But Hop, Victor, and Gloria are all rookies who got their starters yesterday."
Sonia looked as if her worst nightmare has come true. "We have to go find them! The Weald is not a place for beginners!"
"We'll help," said Ash.
"Pika!"
Sonia looked to Leon, who nodded an affirmative.
"Well, if Leon's okay with it, I guess you can come. Make sure you all have your phones, okay?" said Sonia.
"We'll stick together once we're inside the forest. We don't need more people getting lost. Holler if you find yourself alone," added Leon.
Nodding, Bea took out a Pokeball and sends out a white bird Pokémon carrying a lance and shield made out of leek.
"Sirfetch'd," it said. It turned to Bea, who nodded towards Chloe. Understanding the situation, it ambled towards the purple-haired girl and bowed. Said girl was surprised, but offered a curtsy in return.
"Whoa, what Pokémon is that?" asked Goh, as he took out his Pokedex.
"Think about it later Goh," said Ash. On his shoulder, Pikachu mirrored his partner's demeanor.
Leon sent out his Charizard, while Sonia let out a yellow and black dog Pokémon.
"Been a while since I saw your Boltund, Sonia," said Leon.
Sonia grunted an affirmative as she moved to the front of the group, leading them to the entrance of the Weald.
"You weren't kidding about the mist," said Goh. "I can barely see anything in front of me."
"This place is giving me the creeps," said Chloe. Beside her, Bea gripped Chloe's arm. The girl looked at the gym leader, who nodded.
The two adults followed behind them, keeping a close eye at the teenagers in front.
The mist only got thicker as they ventured deeper into the Weald.
"Where could they be?" asked Sonia. She gripped her hair tighter. Worried was clearly shown on her face, and Leon echoed the sentiment.
"Maybe they didn't go to the Weald?" said Chloe.
"That can't be," said Leon. "The fence was open earlier, and this is the only way to the Weald."
Ash suddenly raised his hand.
"Ash?" asked Goh, but the raven-haired trainer and his partner were looking at something in front.
Everyone tensed.
There was a figure in the mist that looked like a Mightyena, but different and far larger. The Pokémon glared at them, its deep blue fur and red markings was a stark contrast to the thick mist that surrounded it.
"Charizard, use—" began Leon, but a sharp cry from Pikachu stopped him.
"Pika!"
"Wait!" said Ash.
"Ash, that Pokémon looks dangerous," said Sonia. Beside her, Boltund growled and took a wide stance. Bea had an arm fully in front of Chloe. In front of the gym leader, Sirfetch'd pointed its leek at the mysterious Pokémon, its shield raised in front.
"It's warning us not to come closer," said Ash. He lowered his hand and took a step forward. With a nod, Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and to the ground, his stance on guard but neutral.
The Pokémon narrowed its eyes, but Ash showed it his empty hands.
"Our friends are deeper inside the forest. Can you please let us through? We'll leave once we find them," he said.
The Pokémon regarded the group with scrutinizing eyes. For what seemed like an eternity, it examined them, but a bark emanated from its mouth, and it turned around, back into the mist.
All around them, the mist started to disappear. They could now clearly see a path through the woods.
"The mist is clearing up," said Chloe. She raised her hand, a look of surprise on her face.
Then, from seemingly everywhere, a howl echoed through the forest.
"It's telling us to hurry," said Ash, smiling. Pikachu jumped back to his shoulder.
"Yeah. Come on, let's go find my brother," agreed Leon.
It was bemusing watching Sonia and Leon tear Hop, Victor, and Gloria a new one, thought Ash. It was nice to not be the first to run headlong into trouble, for once. The rookie trainers clearly looked ashamed, but there was no denying the look of pride they had for themselves.
"And why are you three looking so smug?" demanded Sonia and Leon.
"We just saw this weird Pokémon from the fog!" exclaimed Hop. "Our attacks had no effect on it, and the next thing we knew, we were waking up from the ground and you guys stumbled upon us!"
"Passing out in the middle of nowhere is nothing to be proud of, but what did this Pokémon look like?" asked Leon.
"Like a Mightyena, but bigger and it looked a bit blue," remarked Gloria.
"It had braids that were colored cyan," added Victor.
Chloe put a hand on her chin. "We met something like that earlier, but it didn't have a braid and had magenta colored spots on its fur. Ash said it was protecting something"
"Well, whatever they are, we'll talk about them later," said Leon. "The Pokémon we met told us to hurry up, and now that we've found you, we need to get out of here."
As if on cue, a howl emanated from within the woods.
"And that's what happened, Gran," said Sonia as she recounted their adventure into the Slumbering Weald to Professor Magnolia.
"Two mysterious Pokémon living in the Slumbering Weald, you say?" said the Professor. "Well, now you have a subject for your research. What are you going to do now?"
"Wait, I haven't—"
"A teenager became the Champion of a region using a Pikachu. The boy and the girl with him are working as research assistants for Professor Cerise. Bea is a gym leader at her young age. What about you?"
Sonia was spared from answering when Hop burst through the door, closely followed by Victor and Gloria, and later joined by Ash, Goh, Chloe, and Leon. The males all have wide smiles, but the purple-haired girl was shaking her head and muttering something under her breath.
"Professor Magnolia, hello! I'm Hop, Leon's brother, and this is Victor and Gloria," he indicated to the two trainers beside him. "Can you help us ask Leon to endorse us for the gym challenge? I'm going to become the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world, and to do that I need to beat the gym challenge first!"
Magnolia raised an eyebrow, but turned towards the Champion.
Leon answered the unasked question. "They still have loads more to learn if they want to succeed at the challenge."
"Didn't you become Champion at about the same age?"
"Well, yes, but—"
"Dearie, I thought it was your goal for trainers in Galar to become strong? What better way than to start them young?"
Leon looked at Sonia, who shook her head apologetically.
With a sigh, he smiled. "Alright, how about this, if you can show me a good battle right here and now, then I'll endorse you three?"
"Alright! That'll be easy!" said Hop. "Come on you two, let's show him how great battlers we are!"
He ran outside, followed by his two childhood friends.
"How should we do this?" asked Gloria, her Sobble looking nervous on her shoulder. "Round robin? Or battle royale? I'll take you both on if you want."
"What if we fight the one we have a type disadvantage against?" said Victor, his Scorbunny nodding in agreement. Gloria's Sobble looked apprehensive at the prospect of fighting the hyperactive bunny.
"Actually." Ash said as he caught up with them. "Why don't you guys fight one of us here?"
"What'cha mean?" asked Hop.
"Bea is a gym leader even if she's not on duty this season, and Sonia has done the gym challenge before," he said. "They'll be perfect for testing out your battling skills!"
"Who's going to battle the last one," asked Gloria. "Leon?"
"Me, of course!"
"You?"
All three rookie trainers gave questioning looks at the boy in shorts with the Pikachu on his shoulder.
All three rookie trainers gave awed looks at the boy in shorts with the Pikachu on his shoulder as he and his Pikachu ran circles around Hop during their fight. Pikachu went easy on Hop's Grookey, true, but the outcome was clear from the start.
Bea and Sonia likewise also proved to be a tough challenge to Victor and Gloria.
"Well, what did you think?" asked Leon to the three veterans.
"Victor has a clear head and a knack for strategy," said Bea. "He'll be a force to be reckoned with when he gains more experience."
"Gloria was very aggressive, but she balances it with quick thinking," added Sonia, chuckling. "If she can keep it up, she might give you a run for your money, Leon."
"And Ash?"
"Hop was passionate!" replied the raven-haired trainer. "He plays to his Pokémon's strengths and bam! Suddenly your type advantages have been turned against you! He'll do great at the gym challenge!"
"Pikachu!"
"Well, if you three agree with it, who am I to argue?" said Leon. "Come on, let's go tell those three the good news."
Hop was talking animatedly with Goh while Chloe chatted with Victor and Gloria. The idle conversation stopped when they saw the other trainers emerge from the house.
"Well, how did we do?" asked Hop.
"With battles like those, I have no choice but to give you three these endorsement letters," said Leon. He handed them three signed letters, sealed with the official League stamp.
"Thanks bro!"
"Thanks Mr. Leon."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Don't mention it," the Champion said. "Just remember to not panic and always keep your cool, and you'll be sure to find victory!"
"Huh? What's that?" pointed Chloe upwards.
Everyone turned around. What looked like a spot of light travelled across the sky, landing on the front yard of Professor Magnolia's home. The light burst into six pieces as it hit the ground.
As the trainers admired their new Dynamax bands, Ash looked at his with concern. Pikachu, sensing his trainer's discomfort, nuzzled his cheek.
"Thanks buddy, but I'm fine, just thinking," said Ash, patting Pikachu in the head.
"What about?" asked Bea. Sonia, Magnolia, and Leon walked closer to them.
"This." Ash held up the Dynamax band. "I don't know why, but I have a feeling something big is going to happen soon."
"And you can tell from the Dynamax band?"
Ash shook his head. "Not just from the band, but how we got it yesterday. Is it common for wishing stars to land right in front of a bunch of new trainers?"
"No," said Professor Magnolia. "Wishing stars are commonly found in underground mines or wild area. For one to appear here is rare, and for one to appear directly in front of a trainer is unheard of."
"You've experienced something like this before, haven't you?" asked Sonia. Leon stifled a laugh and Bea looked away. Sonia, noticing this, gave them a stink eye and vowed to wring it out of them later.
Ash nodded. "Well, not Dynamax, but I've experienced a lot of things in my journey, and mysterious objects or legendary Pokémon appearing in front of new trainers is pretty much as obvious of a sign as it can get that things are about to get interesting."
A number of changes has been made to this version of the chapter, to reflect the current state of Pokemon Journeys. I intend for it to have a vague timeline, so we can insert or remove stuff from the anime without messing things up too much.
I'm not consistent with my writing, so instead of writing continuous chapters, I will do a series of mostly connected one-shots. The one-shots may or may not be in chronological order.
Despite real life work and Monster Hunter eating up a lot of my time last year, this story still proved highly popular, so I'm going to return to it, writing it alongside my other story.
Thanks for reading!