Chapter 9

After I'd woken up the next morning to Primarina nudging me awake, I smiled at her as I saw that the fancy grandfather clock in my room said that it was 8 in the morning, meaning we had to get going to Hammerlocke Stadium.

"Okay, I'm getting up, Primarina," I smiled as I got up and saw that the other Pokemon partners were playing with each other while waiting for me to wake up. And Binacle was currently in a double-arm wrestling fight with Pheremosa and Steenee, which made me smirk at how he was winning against Steenee, but struggling against the Bug/Fighting type Ultra Beast.

"Come on, little guy, you don't want to get beaten by a bug, do you?" Pheremosa smirked, taunting Binacle, which made me surprised at how he then put in a lot more effort, which made me start to clap my hands when he trounced both of the other girls with such ease.

"Great job, Binacle! Just for that, next G-Max fight we get, you're the one to G-Max, no matter who the opponent," I smiled, him jumping in place in happiness from me saying that. "Now let's get going. We don't want to see the others getting too far ahead of us," I smiled, them nodding as we then left the hotel and Rotom then showed me a map on his Pokedex body.

"According to the map, the location of Hammerlocke Stadium is located across a bridge to the east of Motostoke and due north. It's quite a walk, roughly a half hours' worth," Rotom said as we then proceeded out of the city... and just in time to see a sight that I had to watch. Bede was having a battle with Hop! And... it looked like Hop was losing... and after Bede connected an attack with what looked like Hattenna's evolved form, Hop looked to be crushed as he fell to his knees. He'd just lost.

"Hmph. Pathetic. I expected better from the champion's brother. It'd be a waste to gain your Wishing Star. Pitiful," Bede said, me gawking at how much of a jerk he was being to Hop!

"HEY!" I shouted in retort as I rushed in and looked at Bede with anger in my eyes. "You have no right to say that Hop is a bad trainer! Need I remind you that YOU tried to steal from me?! Heh. I'm starting to regret not ratting you out to Rose when I met him in Hulbury! Next time I see him, I'm sure as hell going to tell him what you've been doing, you no-good, lousy, bullying thief!" I growled at him, Bede simply scoffing at me and walking off, me growling at him as I looked at Hop and offered him a hand, him sniffling and taking it.

"T-Thanks... he... he said that he'd take my Wishing Star if he won... and demanded I drop out of the challenge..." he said, me frowning at him.

"Well, guess what? I nullify that bet he made, because you are NOT going to take this loss lying down, especially from someone as terrible as him! We're going to go to Hammerlocke together, getting tons of strong Pokemon to help out in the next part of the Gym Challenge. Got it? We're going to prove you deserve to be recognized as a trainer that could one day beat Leon," I smiled, him finally smiling at me.

"T-Thanks... okay, then that settles it! Let's go catch some Pokemon and get through this!" Hop smiled, me smiling back at him. We then went on our way to the east of Motostoke, Hop catching some Pokemon such as a beefy Snorlax and a cute as heck Inkay (a Pokemon that was both Psychic and Dark type!) while I managed to link with a Litwick and a Scorupi, which I decided that both the ghostly candle and the poisonous bug would join the team and that I'd have to send Steenee and Vespiquen back. And just for the heck of it, I also visited one of the different dens that was bursting with a bright light and saw that the one inside of it was a Pokemon I'd never heard of before... and the silhouette was hard to determine. I then decided to wing it and go for it, me then entering a fight against it. And when we did, Rotom scanned the giant Pokemon as it let out a very loud cry.

"BLACEPHALON! ! !" the loud cry shouted, me being shocked at the appearance of it. It looked like it had a detachable head, and its arms and legs were noodle-like and in jester-like attire.

"Oh my! That's a Blacephalon, another Ultra Beast! Only one has ever been encountered before! It's able to use its head like a bomb, which it then regrows in an instant!" Rotom shouted in shock, me then gawking and deciding that Pheromosa would assist in fighting it.

"Pheromosa, use Silver Wind!" I smirked, her then doing so... and I was stunned that it did barely any damage! "Crap! What type is it?!" I asked.

"I believe it is ghost and fire type..." Rotom said, me then looking at Binacle as I then had him use Ancient Power, which managed to get Blacephalon down to a quarter of its health! Blacephalon then attacked with a very strong fire move, one that immediately made Pheromosa faint as it aimed it at her! I then had Skorupi attack with Poison Fang, which, though did smaller damage, got Blacephalon badly poisoned! And after one more hit from Litwick using Shadow Sneak, Blacephalon was ready to be linked with! I then looked at it intently and focused hard... and after doing so, I gawked at how Blacephalon was another perfect link! Not only that, but upon linking with Blacephalon... I felt something incredible happen to me!

"WHOA! I-Is this actually happening now?!" I asked in shock as I felt overwhelming power suddenly overcome me! I then gasped as my armor expanded to be more beautiful with sequins all over, I gained a jester collar from the top of my armor, and my hair turned into a flurry of rainbow colors! I had just achieved WARRIOR TRANSFORMATION!

"OH MY! You look absolutely magnificent!" Pheromosa smiled widely as she then inspected me all over.

"What just happened to you, mistress?" I heard a familiar voice ask... and when I looked at the source, I looked shocked. "Uh... what's with the strange look?" none other than Primarina asked!

"Oh my gosh! I can talk to you guys now! Quick, one of you say something else!" I smiled in excitement as Scorupi then spoke.

"Something else," the poisonous bug snickered, me smiling at him saying that.

"That's great! You're able to speak to us now, huh? Maybe now I can request that we can get some scares for me to get food? Litwick's gotta eat," Litwick said, me smirking as I then had us leave the den and I then looked at another Pokemon in the Wild Area in the form of a shy-looking apple Pokemon, me going over to it from behind and Litwick then proceeding to use Scary Face on it from the back while I roared like a monster, the apple Pokemon yiping and hiding in its apple in fear afterwards.

"EEEK! Don't eat me, please!" it said, me smirking at that.

"Hah, that was a good meal for the flame," Litwick smirked after. "And just for that, I'll be willing to go back to the professor while you take Blacephalon for the journey," Litwick smiled at me.

"I'm very grateful," I smirked as Rotom then warped Litwick away and I then heard Blacephalon speak after.

"Come now, mistress! It is time to perform for the masses! I'll provide the fireworks, haha!" Blacephalon smirked, him sounding like a clown of sorts and for Pheromosa to smile after I healed her up.

"Just make sure this one doesn't find a Xurkitree. Or we'll never be able to stop him," Pheromosa smirked, me nodding as we then moved forward down the road again and all the way to the distant city of Hammerlocke. And when we did, I gawked at how BIG the city was and that the architecture was unlike anything I'd ever seen! Above us were a whole slew of floating items around the stadium using some weird anti-gravity technology to stay in place! And in front of us and waiting by the Pokemon Center was Sonia, Gloria, and Hop, them looking at me in surprise when they saw me.

"Oh, my goodness! When did you change your look so drastically?!" Sonia asked when she saw how I looked right now.

"This? It's just the result of something very rare in Ransei. For some very special warlords like me and my mom, we can achieve something called Warrior Transformation if we happen to find the Pokemon we need to link with to transform. And for me, it was with mister Blacephalon here," I smiled as the performer Ultra Beast then took its head off its body and then twirled it like a basketball before then tossing it in the air and having it explode! The group was shocked at first before a brand-new head then appeared in its spot, puffing up like it were a balloon!

"That's uh... unique, eh?" Gloria smirked at me.

"Anyways, I wanted to ask for you to follow me to a very private place in this stadium. I had to call in some favors in order to get access and I can only bring one other person to do so. It's involved with the Darkest Day," Sonia smirked, me nodding as I stepped forward and she then led me to the area in question, it being an ancient tapestry that was on constant guard by security. And in this tapestry, it looked very familiar to me.

"I've seen this before, too! And I can read the inscription, too!" I smiled, Sonia being surprised.

"Really? Well, go on then! I need to know for research!" she smirked as I then read the inscription, it being in the ancient language of Ransei!

"It's in Ransei ancient language! Ahem..."

"And so it was that on that darkest day, the sky did darken with dangerous clouds, caused by a monster of gigantic proportions. Under its powerful hand, Pokemon all across the land grew to enormous size unless they were linked with previously. Only by calling upon the ancient beasts weilding the Behemoth Blade and the King's Shield could hope to go up against the monster. It took a long, 10 day battle of all of our finest warriors and the ancient sword and shield to finally quell the fury of the Darkest Day and have it fall into a deep slumber... and during so, its power separated into many different stones across the region of Galar and the nearest island settlement. But the damage had been dealt, as our ancient temples had been demolished by the outbreak of giant Pokemon. With this, we shall retreat to the island in the distance in order to start over. And those who remain will be given charge of trying to rebuild our glorious Galar," the inscription said, me gawking at the things that were said.

"Oh my goodness... so, it not only gives a detailed description of the Darkest Day, but it speaks that this Darkest Day was not only an event, but a Pokemon! And it was the sole reason for other Pokemon growing giant?! And ancient beasts wielding a sword and shield? That sounds so cool! Could it be that these beasts were the actual kings of Galar, not the ancient heroes of Slash and Block?" she asked, me smirking at that.

"Who and who? Because I've read everything in Ransei, including this, and never ONCE does it mention anyone by those names," I said, Sonia looking surprised at that. "My only guess, the story became twisted over the years as this nation, it being Ransei's original birthplace, became more reliant on technology, they forgot everything about the history they had," I said, Sonia smiling and writing everything down as we then emerged from the place... and just in time, as I saw Delibird appear from the sky and he looked at me with a big smile.

"Oh, Delibird! Did you get the letter to momma Nene?" I smiled, him nodding at that.

"Yes, the message was delivered! And I now have another one from two different Ransei Warriors. One from Nene, and one from Hanzo," he said, me being surprised about the second message. Hanzo was basically Nene's most fierce follower and ninja supreme, more known for writing than he was for speaking.

"Great! And I have another message to give momma," I smirked as I showed him my letter as we then exchanged. The letter I gave him was to tell mom that the challenge was going well and I was now on my way to the fourth gym. And that I had encountered a no-good thief in the challenge that I planned to defeat in pride and popularity.

"Understood, I shall deliver it right away!... But can I have some food first? I'm a bit hungry," he said, me nodding as I gave him a special treat in the form of some Ponigiri, it being the special Ponigiri he loved that was favorable to flying and ice types.

"Thanks, Lady Jo! This should fuel my trip back! Bye!" Delibird smiled as he flew off again and Sonia looked at me with a smile.

"Is it just me, or were you speaking to that Delibird?" she asked.

"Well, since I transformed, I can understand any Pokemon tongue!" I smirked.

"It's true, we were witnesses," Primarina giggled.

"What did she say?" Sonia asked.

"That she and the others were witnesses," I smirked.

"Okay, let's put it to the test. Can you answer me your age, mister Blacephalon?" Sonia asked.

"If the darling lady with the orange twirls wishes to know, tell her that I am 36 human years!" he said, me then translating and Sonia smirking at that.

"Impressive! Well, that should just about do it, then! You should get a move on to the next town due west. Stow-on-Side is where you'll face Allister, as the rules for the multi-person gyms is that the first of them is opposite genders battle and the next one in Chirchester is for them to battle the same gender, as in, Melony. You've got quite a tough road, since Melony is extremely strong! Her Lapras is like a brick wall made of ice," she smirked.

"Thanks for the warning," I smiled at her as I then had my group go west, and Binacle wanted to get held in my hands for a change, which I obliged to as they then spoke.

"So, are we going to be the one to fight next still?" both heads asked at the same time.

"Yes, you will. And yes, you will be the ones to Gigantimax. I did promise that much after all," I smirked as I then read the letters from Nene and Hanzo and proceeded to gain a big smirk.

Nene's letter read as follows: "Hi, Jojo! I've been expecting a letter from you, but I didn't expect it to be within a couple days! I'm doing great and it's good to hear you're doing the same! I've been hearing on the waves from Ginchiyo's castle that you've been competing in the Gym Challenge and that your special stone happens to be super strong! But be absolutely careful about that Gigantimax thing, okay? Something about Pokemon growing that big is a bit too surreal for me to think of," Nene said, me smiling at that. And then, Hanzo's letter... and this one made me surprised as he spoke.

"To Master Jo. I've heard about your quest to Galar to give Ransei the title of region instead of island. I must forewarn you, that my ninjas have uncovered an unnaturally disturbing bit of history in one of Dragnor's caves. It also speaks of the Darkest Day, and that the beast is still alive that caused it. And that it rests in Galar, just waiting to be revived. Know this. Your Wishing Star in your bellybutton... it is more than meets the eye. It is also the beast's heart," the letter said, me gasping at that. I kept reading as I felt my heart continue to sink. "If the Darkest Day were to happen once again, then you would also be afflicted. How, I am unsure of, but I know that you will either grow to be Gigantimax yourself, or you may be controlled by the Darkest Day. Whatever you do, do not get too full of yourself. If the heart revealed itself to you, it can only mean that it's close to waking up. Proceed with caution in the competition and remember the rule of the ninja: the most powerful is usually the one to be most wary of. Do not trust any of the gym leaders, the champion, or whoever this Rose guy is. I don't want Nene to lose her daughter... Hanzo," the letter said.

I had a bit of a lapse when this happened as I then touched my bellybutton stone again and felt what Hanzo meant. Some kind of hidden consciousness that was within... I then sighed and tried to speak to it. "Um... What's your name?... Heart of Darkest Day?" I asked it, expecting zero responses. And after a good two minutes of walking, Pheromosa asked a good question.

"What are you talking to?" she asked.

"Eternatus," said a very sick, frail voice... and it came from my bellybutton! I then stopped in place at the bottom of a large rock wall, me then looking at the group and us then going up with assistance from Pheromosa, me seeing she wasn't very happy about being touched on her hair.

"Ugh, if only we weren't partners, I'd lose my lid right now," she groaned.

"Um... Eternatus?... How are you right now?" I asked.

"How do you think?... In constant pain... my powers grow, yet are always stolen... and when I get enough power... I will get vengeance on Macro Cosmos..." he said, me being concerned.

"Macro Cosmos?... That couldn't be Chairman Rose, could it?" I asked.

"I do not know... all I do know... is that they siphon my strength... and are unseen in their actions... I will rise soon..." he said, me being concerned at that.

"And... what happens then?" I asked.

"You must meet with me... so I can reclaim my heart... and give all of Macro Cosmos... divine intervention," he said, me gulping.

"I meant what would happen to me?" And when I asked that, he stayed silent as we finally reached Stow-on-Side and I then heard one more thing.

"Later... Can't sense you as good now..." he said, me then feeling no more presence in the Wishing Star on my tummy as I looke at the others in my group with concern.

"I could hear it too... what did he mean by he couldn't sense you as good?" Primarina asked with concern.

"I think he was referring to location... maybe he's closer to Hammerlocke than he is to Stow-on-Side? We'll have to check up on that when we're done here and at the next gym in Ballonlea town. But for now, after all of that, I think we should take the Gym Challenge," I smiled.

"Um, I wanted to say this, but I didn't want to interrupt, but while you were talking to whoever owns that Wishing Star, my data recorded tons of EXP was given to all of your partners! If they were to go into a fight an emerge victorious, everyone on the team that hasn't yet will evolve," he said, me being surprised at that.

"That must mean that what Hanzo said was true. This Wishing Piece is really the heart of the Darkest Day..." I said, saying that part quietly, just in case any of the townies heard me.

"Do we tell anyone?" Rotom asked.

"No. Keep this absolutely secret. We don't want to risk getting kicked out of the gym challenge unless we can get some valid proof. We don't have any dirt on them right now that could link Macro Cosmos to the Darkest Day, but we will find out at some point... wait... idea!" I smirked as I then told Rotom something. "Rotom, can you grab Kirlia from the Professor, and exchange her with Skorupi? Just temporarily? I need to know if Rose is close by," I said, him nodding and doing just that, Skorupi nodding at that as Kirlia then appeared next to me... and we were all in shock at how she'd evolved into a Gardevoir!

"O-Oh my! You turned into a Gardevoir?!" I asked her.

"Um, yes, I did... is something the matter, miss Jo?" she asked with concern, me smiling at her.

"Well, I wanted to ask for a favor," I said, her smiling at how I understood her. "I need to know if you can sense for Chairman Rose, see if he's nearby," I said, her nodding as she then sensed... and then gave me the knowledge of where he was... he was in Stow-on-Side as we spoke and he was on his way to an ancient mural in a rockface. And I saw in that same vision that Bede was at the mural and digging into it with a very large Pokemon of the steel type!

"Uh-oh," I gulped, knowing that something bad was going to happen. I then rushed off to the area in question, and just in time to see that Bede was there and that he was in front of Chairman Rose. And that Rose looked at him in shock.

"Bede! What in the world are you doing?!" he asked in shock as Bede then looked at him with a frown.

"Doing what you told me, finding Wishing Stars and Wishing Pieces. My scanners picked up a lot of them in this wall," Bede said, me seeing that the mural in question... was not at all ancient! In fact, it looked to have been just painted on there nearly 50 years ago with water-proof paint!

"What you're doing is destroying the ancient history of Galar!" Rose shouted at him in anger, me then rushing in and getting onto Bede's side, me looking at Rose and then at Bede, me seeing that the damage to the mural was a lot and that just a single touch would bring it crumbling down.

"What in the world is going on here?" I asked in annoyance.

"Do not concern yourself with this matter, G-Max Jo. It's business affairs," Rose said as he then went up to Bede's coat and then did something that made me shocked! What did he do? He took Bede's Battle Pass and proceeded to shred it to bits!

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" I asked in flabbergasted shock, Rose frowning at me.

"Do not interfere, or I'll do the same to you!" he shouted back, me gawking at him before then growling.

"Need I remind you that you were the one who told him to find Wishing Stars by any means necessary?! THIS is included in that phrase, mister hypocrite! And besides, this mural is NOT ancient history! It's been on there only 50 years, when this place was already formed! As such, watch and learn your mistake," I said as I then simply looked at Primarina with seriousness. "Primarina, use Water Pulse on the wall," I said, her nodding and doing so as the wall then finally crumbled to bits and revealed what was inside... and when we did? I gawked at the sight that I saw. "U-Um... Rotom? Call Sonia. We have a doozy for her..." I said to him. And it was, indeed, going to be a DOOZY!