AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. I am now back with more of this series, doing so around a month ahead of schedule. (Also, considering how I heard the latest volume of rwby ended, this fanfic might have predicted more than I thought it would for interactions). So, we return to the Tiple R Team as they touch ground in Galar. In it, I get a lot of nice moments, a temporary traveling buddy, and a cool capture near the end. As well, if you did not read the save state chapters, I now have a rotating cover of all six rwby characters here with their starter Pokemon! This is something I am super excited to show, the amazing art was done by hazel0217 on twitter. Please go show them some love for all the effort they put into the commissions. Right now, I have the Ruby and Eevee one set, which is one of my favorites. You may think something is a little off, but once you read the chapter, it will make sense. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.

Chapter 18 – Guts and Galar

The Corviknight Taxi descended from the sky, landing in front of a red-roofed building. Exiting were Ruby, Rosa, and Roman. Upon examining the area, the hooded trainer gasped in wonder at this town. The roads were brick and multiple large gears were affixed to the walls of some buildings, "Wow," she said with glee, "This place, it almost looks like Vale."

"Hm?" Rosa reacted, "I don't know what town that regions from. But this is Motostoke." She said before crossing her arms with a smirk, "Which means we have just stepped foot into Galar."

"Right," Roman said while checking his Poketch, "According to this, there is a gym just up the road that way." He said before walking, "Let's go."

"Hey, hold up!" Ruby said as she and Rosa followed. While walking down the street, the hooded trainer saw multiple shops catch her eye: flower stands, record stores, and even a bookstore.

However, Rosa saw some that causes her eyes to glitter, "Oh, they have a salon and fashion store." She said before grabbing Ruby's arm, "Come on, let's go pick you out a whole new getup for the gym."

"That's a bad idea," Roman responded, looking back to Ruby, "We don't want people to mistake you for someone else."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." She said before getting to pull away from Rosa's grip, "Sorry, maybe after the gym battle."

"Fine, that will be your victory gift then." Rosa said with a smile, "And Roman will pay for all of it."

"Focus, we need her to win the battle here first," Roman said before the trio reached a slight ramp to a bared area in front of a wall and large gear. In stepping through to the platform, the gear rotated clockwise, lifting them to the next level of the city. Before they stood a large red brick building with blue and white decorations, "This is the gym? Definitely a lot more organized than the last one." Roman said before looking back to Ruby, "If you're not going to win, try to at least embarrass yourself so they show reruns of it a lot."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Ruby sarcastically said before having a lot of focus, "But don't worry, because I'm gonna win another badge."

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" Rosa said, "Now, onward to badge number two!" she said before leading the three into the build.

The three entered and made their way to the front desk before a man in a black and white tracksuit and orange sunglass, "Hello, welcome to the Motostoke Stadium." He responded, "How can I help you?"

"We have a challenger for this gym." Roman said before pointing to a waving Ruby, "When can she have a match with the leader?"

"Okay, if you reserve a time now," the desk clerk said while typing on a computer, "You can have a match in seven months."

"Seven months!?" Roman and Rosa said as Ruby stopped waving, "Why such a long wait?" Rosa asked.

"Well, this new tournament sparked a lot of people to go to our region for a battle on the big stage. We aren't like other gyms where you can walk in and challenge the leader." the clerk responded, "Sorry, but all gym battles have been booked for the Galar Stadiums like this one."

"Is there a way I could pursue you to make an opening?" Roman responded with a grin before reaching into his pocket.

However, Ruby pulled at his arm and spoke to the clerk, "It's okay, thank you for your time." She said before pulling Roman away from the front desk, while Rosa and the clerk looked on in confusion. As the two go out of earshot, the hooded trainer looked to Roman with a glare, "You're not bribing me into a match here! That's not who I am."

"Oh, quit being a wet blanket, Red." Roman responded, "I heard you got into that Huntress school when you are too young, that doesn't count?"

"I didn't lie to get into Beacon Academy," Ruby responded, "I got in early because the Headmaster saw me prove myself by taking you on."

"Exactly, it's thanks to me you got into that school." Roman retorted with a smirk, "And now it will be thanks to me that you get into this Stadium."

"Roman, no!" Ruby said, her gaze focus, "I am not challenging the leader here if it means I have to take someone else's chance."

"You-" Roman said with his teeth grit, his fist clench, and his anger boiling. However, he then had an idea that made him smile, "…Fine, you don't have to challenge here." He said with her having a look of confusion, "I will."

"What? You said you didn't want to be in this tournament." Ruby asked.

"Oh, I don't. But all I need to do is make this match a grand show so that Neo can see it from wherever she is." Roman responded before smirking, "And I am very good at getting people's attention." He said before walking away, "You and your energetic friend can watch the show from the stands."

Ruby scowled before seeing Rosa walk by, "Come on, let's go and leave him be." Rosa said with Ruby sighing causing the two to leave.

Roman handed off something to the clerk, causing him to nod. "Excellent, we can have your match shorty." The clerk responded, handing a clipboard, "Fill this out, pick a number, and you will be given a uniform.

"Got it." Roman responded, "What is this leader like anyway?"

"Kuba uses powerful fire types at his disposal," the clerk responded, "I warn you; he is not to be taken lightly."

"Thanks," Roman said before picking up the clipboard and turning around, "I'll just finish filling this out over-AH!" he said before seeing someone that made him gasp.

A man with black shorts, white tights, and a redshirt. However, this guy also had on a large smiling Pokeball helmet that was near a meter wide, "Hey there, buddy!" he spoke, "Thanks for rolling in and challenging our gym." He said before putting his hands on his waist, "I'm the Ball Guy!"

"The Ball Guy!?" Roman responded, "What? Were clowns not weird enough for this region's standards?"

"Don't be so rigid. Kids love Ball Guy." Ball Guy said while doing a little dance, "I'm here to give you a little gift before the match." He said before reaching out a placing something in Roman's left hand. The orange-haired criminal looked down to see something like a pokeball. Hoverer, the normally red part was green with little divots on the front. "That's a Friend Ball, which makes us friends now!" He said with a slight chucking in his voice, clasping his hands over his head while bending his legs into a diamond shape, "Even if you are dressed a bit odd. I mean, that white coat with orange hair, you look like a giant candle. Hahahahaha!"

"…" Roman glared as he gripped the Friend Ball.

Outside the Stadium entrance, Ruby and Rosa walked, "So, where did you want to go to first?" Rosa asked.

"I don't know, maybe we could try-" Ruby was saying until hearing the stadium doors open again. She and Rosa turned to watch Roman being forcibly carried out by two men in a tracksuit, who then threw the orange-haired criminal to the curb and left him there.

"Ouch," Roman said as he rubbed his head, the bowler hat had fallen off. He then saw Ruby looking down on him with arms crossed, "Hey Red," he spoke.

"What happened?" Rosa asked, "We were gone for a few seconds?"

"Did they find out about your bribing?" Ruby asked.

"No, it was not that." Roman said as he picked up his hat, "I kicked someone in balls, so I was banned from all gym battles." He said before dusting himself off, "Now, I just need a drink."

"I think I saw a coffee shop on the way here." Ruby offered.

"I didn't mean that kind of drink," Roman responded with a sigh, then putting on his hat, "But that will have to do."

A short while later, the trio found themselves in the café at a table. Rosa and Ruby sat next to each other on the booth side, while Roman sat opposite them in a chair. While each had a cup of coffee, the orange-haired criminal took his black. He sipped it while seeing the two girls pouring packet after packet of sugar into theirs, "So, what's next?" Ruby said before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Well, I guess we go to another region that has more available gyms." Rosa said, "If we stick around and wait to challenge here, the whole tournament could be over by then." She said before the smile, "However before we go, we can visit the Wild Area to maybe catch you some new Pokemon."

"That sounds good," Ruby said with a smile, but looked over to Roman with a glare, "You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

"Just don't waste too much time," Roman responded. "I'll be looking up where we should head next."

Ruby nodded before looking up, her mind being to wonder, "What new Pokemon I should catch?" she thought before giggling, "Heh, I wonder if they have one that looks like Zw-"

"Yamp!" Suddenly, Ruby's thought was cut off by a light bark. She looked near her feet to find a small brown and white corgi with a yellow tail and mane, "Yamper!" it barked at her feet, panting with a loveable smile on its face.

"Awe!" Ruby said as she looked down in wonder, then picked up the Pokemon, "It's a corgi!"

"AWE!" Rosa said before taking out her Pokedex.

However, someone walked by and spoke before the device could, "Yamper, the puppy Pokemon. This Pokémon is extremely popular as a herder in the Galar region." The trio and Pokemon saw the person, who was revealed to be a young woman with light orange hair that was tied in a ponytail to her left side. Her teal eyes match her sweater top and boots. She wore a white lab coat and light blue pants, her hands in her pocket. "As it runs, it generates electricity from the base of its tail."

"Wow, so cool! And so cute!" Ruby said in amazement at Yamper, then looked to the person, "Who are you?"

"My name is Sonia, I'm the professor of this region." She said before giggling, "Though, I don't really know what a corgi is."

"Doesn't matter," Roman interjected.

"Yamp!" Yamper barked before jumping out of Ruby's arms, making its way to Sonia's right leg before nuzzling next to it with sparks of electricity.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you three." Sonia said with a smile, "But I was visiting that stadium at the time when I saw you try to enter for the Pokemon World League."

"Yeah, but we couldn't get in due to the wait time." Rosa said, then smirked at Roman, "And this guy also being an idiot." She said with Roman glaring back at her.

"I overheard," Sonia said, then looked to Ruby, "But, I think I know of a gym you can go to that's not as busy in Galar."

"Really?" Ruby responded, "Where?"

"It's in Spikemuth. They had a new gym leader take over, and its gym is not like a stadium like the others here." Sonia said before winking, "It's got more of a concert setup. And I can tag along to show you the way."

"Why?" Roman responded, "What do you have to gain from all this?"

"…I'm bored." Sonia said before slouching, "My Grandma has been piling work on me ever since I took this role, and I need a break. So, why not help some challengers while I dodge responsibilities." She said before smiling back at Ruby, "Besides, I look at you and almost see the girl that won the Galar league challenge and helped save our region." She said with the hooded trainer having a look of shock, "Long story, don't ask."

"Well, thank you!" Ruby responded, then turned to Roman, "Let's leave right now then." She said with him nodding, both then chugging their coffee.

"Hold it," Rosa responded, "I want us to do one thing before leaving this town."

A short while later.

Outside of the salon, Roman and Sonia waited. The Galar professors were twiddling her finger around her hair, while the orange-haired criminal had his arms crossed. Suddenly, they heard the chime as the doors opened. Walking out first was a smiling Rosa, "Tada!" she said, despite not looking any different. However, behind her was a new Ruby. Her normally black hair was much redder, as well as being smoother cut to frame her face, which was now blushing.

"Awe!" Sonia commented, "You look so cute!"

"R-really?" Ruby responded, "Thank you, my sister was always against me dyeing my hair." she said before smiling upon looking at her red locks, "But I always kind of wanted to try it once and see how it would look on me."

"Well, I would give it a ten out of ten." Rosa graded, her hand on her chin, then glanced over to the orange-haired criminal, "What do you think?"

"Eh, don't see much of a difference," Roman commented, "It sort of just looks like you pulled your hood up." He said with Ruby and Rosa pouting.

Sonia sighed, "Just like a guy not to pick up on things." She said before having a giggle, "Maybe you should dye your hair, that way you won't look so candle-like." She said with Roman gritting his teeth, while Ruby and Rosa giggled.

"Let's just get going," Roman said before he started walking towards the front gate of the town.

The three others followed right afterward, each going down the stairs. Upon seeing the vast open land of Pokemon, Rosa's eyes gleamed with joy, "Wow, it's so …wild!" she said with her hands on her face, "Ruby, we're going to catch so many Pokemon."

"That reminds me," Sonia asked as they started walking down the path to their left, "Do you have a PC set up."

"Uh?" Ruby said.

"That's a no, which means you can only have six Pokemon at a time." Sonia responded, "I could set something up for you, but it might take some time."

"No rush, she only has three Pokemon right now anyway." Rosa answered, "Which remains me, what gym are we heading to? Ruby already has a rock type badge, so we cannot challenge a leader of the same type."

"Don't worry, I already planned for that." Sonia said, "This gym is the only one of its type, a Dark gym."

"Oh," Rosa said with her hand on her chin. She then turned back to Ruby, "So, you want to catch something fighting, bug, or fairy. Or teach a move of those types to your Pokemon."

"There's a fairy type?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, it was a surprise to me too." Rosa responded, then put her hand on her chin, "Hm, with what you have, I don't know of any moves they could learn."

"What are your Pokemon partners?" Sonia asked.

"Eevee, Budew, and Staravia." Ruby answered.

"Hm, all three don't have easy access to any moves of those types." Sonia answered, "Unless your Staravia is close to evolving."

"Uh, he already just did from a Stary." Ruby answered with an uneasy smile, "I don't want to push him that hard?"

"Then just try to catch something else," Roman said before looking around, pointing to a nearby Pokemon, "Like that thing?" he said with Ruby looking over, seeing what could only be summarized as a walking pile of garbage, "The two of you already have a lot in common." The orange-haired criminal said with Ruby looking back up at him with half-open eyes.

"Garboder not something I would recommend," Rosa responded, "I caught one as a Trubbish, and I could still smell her through the pokeball."

"Whatever," Roman said before the group of four reached a bridge. Upon crossing halfway, they found something large resting on the bridge. A bear-like Pokemon with greenish-blue fur and a large white face and belly, "What is this fatass Pokemon!?" Roman commented.

"Oh, I've heard of these before." Rosa said with her hand on her chin, "The elusive Snorlax blocking a traveler's path."

"Correct," Sonia responded, "However, Snorlax of this region do not tend to rest directly on the bridge here."

"So, then this one is extra lazy?" Roman asked. "How do we move him?"

"That depends, do you have Pokeflute?" Sonia responded, "Or even know how to play one?"

"No," Ruby answered, "I only played the recorder when I was little."

"Okay then, Plan B." Rosa responded, then patted Ruby on the back, "Be for Battle, go fight this thing and catch it."

"What? But its asleep." Ruby asked, "Isn't that unfair."

"Hm, you're right," Rosa said with her hand on her chin, "Move onto Plan C." she said before handing Ruby pokeballs, "C for Catch, start chucking balls."

"Oh, okay," Ruby said before reeling back her left arm, then tossing the ball. Snorlax was ensnared in the ball, which then hit the planks. However, the ball did not shake at all before opening with the sleeping Pokemon returning to the same position.

"This uh, might take a while," Rosa commented.

Sixty pokeballs later.

The sun began to set as Snorlax broke out of another pokeball. Ruby's arm was beginning to cramp as her breathing was heavy. Rosa watched with her hand on her chin, "Wow, not even one shake." The energetic trainer said, "And I think that's our last one."

"Gotta be honest, Red." Roman commented, "I don't like your odds of catching this thing."

"I'll not giving up," Ruby said, gripping a pokeball, "We're going to get past this obstacle." She then saw Sonia walk next to her.

"Well, let me make a suggestion." Sonia offered with the hooded trainer having a look of confusion. After a short preparation, Ruby readied for her last throw, while the others had a matching look of focus. She threw the pokeball, ensnaring Snorlax like before. "Now!" Sonia said before everyone dashed across the bridge before the ball hit the planks. Just as Roman crossed last, the sleeping Pokemon broke out after not a single shake. However, all four were now on the other side of the bridge.

"Ah, always go for Plan D." Rosa responded, "D for Dash."

"Yep, I was able to pace out the time Snorlax was in the ball. Which was just enough for our run across," Sonia said with her hands on her hips, "It's what makes me a Professor."

"Couldn't we have just taken that bird taxi to the next town over?" Roman commented.

"…Yes," Sonia responded, causing Roman to cross his arms, "Hey, you didn't suggest it until now either." She said with a pout.

"In any case, we got past Snorlax," Ruby spoke before looking back at the sleeping Pokemon. However, she had a look of confusion as it started to yawn, "Oh, I think it's waking up."

"Now it decided to move?" Roman groaned as Snorlax stood up, "Why would this lazy thing decided to get up?" he said before it looked over to Roman. While its eyes were closed, a gleamed red rage was seen, "Oh S-"

"SNORLAX!" the sleeping Pokemon roared as it woke up in a grumpy rage.

"RUN!" Sonia said before she and the others began to sprint, but Snorlax gave chase. "If we get far enough away, it shouldn't follow."

"Is that coming from a Pokemon Professor!?" Roman retorted as they ran.

"You're not helping!" Ruby responded.

"Well, you didn't do anything except through balls and didn't catch that that stupid fat-" Roman shouted before his right foot hit a small rock, causing him to trip. Before the orange-haired criminal could get up, he felt a slight tremor. In looking back, Snorlax had jumping high into the air, its body aimed to slam. Roman's eyes widened as his life flashed before his eyes.

However, he then saw Ruby stand before him, a pokeball gripped in hand, "Staravia, use Ste-"

Suddenly, Rosa stood before Ruby, a Pokemon gripped in her hand, "Serperior, use Dragon Tail!" she said while tossing her pokeball. Emerging was a long green and white serpent Pokemon with a lefty-like tail and regal collar. Its body coiled while the end of the tail glowed a deep blue aura before whipping into Snorlax's. Ruby and Roman watched the massive Pokemon flew back before slamming into the ground near the bridge. With the dusting settling, the sleeping Pokemon returned to its slumber. The regal snake Pokemon landed before its trainer, raising its head back with an unamused expression, "Nice save, buddy." Rosa said before recalling her Pokemon to its pokeball, "Boy, that was close." She said before looking back to Roman and Ruby, both of whom were speechless, "What?"

Sonia then walked back to the group, having caught her breath, "I think maybe we should just walk a little further and rest for the night."

"Good idea," Rosa said before she and Sonia continued to walk.

"Uh," Ruby said before turning around, seeing Roman already standing and dusting himself off, "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Roman said before walking away, following the others. Ruby sighed before putting her pokeball away, following him down the path.

After a bit of travel, the sun had fully set with night covering the Wild Area. Ruby, Rosa, and Sonia waited outside of a house at the right end of the ridge, then saw Roman exit with a large bed, "The caretaker said they don't have any rooms, but they do have an old camping kit from a past traveler."

"Lucky us." Rosa said before her stomach growled, "Hope it has some food as well."

"Leave that to me," Roman said with a smirk. After a quick campsite and bonfire set, the orange-haired organized the cans of food before cooking. With the fold-out table set, four plates of steaming curry were served, "Well, eat up."

"How do you know how to cook?" Rosa said with her hand on her chin, "You don't look the connoisseur type."

"I'm full of surprises," Roman said before seeing Ruby still glaring at the food, "It's not poisonous, Red." The orange-haired criminal commented, "If I wanted to do that, I would have slipped it in one of you ten packets of sugar you use in your coffee."

"Shut up," Ruby said before her stomach growled. She then let out a sigh before sitting down before her meal. With slight hesitation, she picked up a spoon, filled it with curry. She moved the meal to her mouth, closing her eyes before biting down. In opening her eyes, a sliver glow gleamed, "MMMMM!" she spoke in joy before shoveling more down into her mouth.

"It's good?" Rosa asked before taking a spoonful herself, Suddenly, her eyes sparkled, "Yum!" she said before eating more of the curry, "It's so good!"

Sonia blew on her portion before taking a bite, smiling before looking back to Roman, "Spicy, yet sweet." She said before having another spoonful, "You have a talent for this."

"I've had to make do with the basics before." Roman responded, a smile on his face as he crossed his arms.

"This is unreal," Ruby said still in awe at her plate, "This is almost as good as her cooker was."

"What do you mean almost as good as-" Roman said in slight rage, but then stopped himself. He saw Ruby smiling at the food, a slight tear in her eye as she continued to eat, "…Tsk," Roman said before turning away towards the pot of rice, "I'll make up some portions for the Pokemon."

"Yamp!" Yamper barked with a pant of joy on his face.

The next morning.

After a restful sleep and packing up of the camping equipment, the group continued their travel. However, a sudden sandstorm, clouded most of their vision as they walked through the stony wilderness. To avoid the sand from getting in their eyes, Roman held his hat down, while Ruby had her hood up. Sonia held Yamper in her coat with her sunglass protecting her eyes. Meanwhile, Rosa walked without much of a reaction to the sandstorm.

Upon reaching, the top of the hill, the sandstorm subsided. However, an intense heatwave ran through the area, "What is with the weather here?" Roman commented before taking off his hat, then started batting the sand off it.

"It's a Galar thing," Sonia responded before letting Yamper jump out of her coat.

Rosa walked over to seeing Ruby pulling down her hood, but a frown was on the face, "You okay?" Rosa asked.

"Yeah, but I wish I still had a pokeball to catch one of the Pokemon we ran into." Ruby said, "They all looked so cool! Especially that mole with drill-like arms."

"Yeah, I have one on my team too." Rosa said before winking, "Don't worry, we'll find you a new partner soon."

"Yeah, and I can buy more balls in the next town over. Just don't waste them this time." Roman said while still getting the rest of the sand off his hat, "In any case, you just need to make sure to catch something st-"

Suddenly, as Roman was about to put his hat back on, a Pokemon jumped onto his back before snatching the hat from his grip. The three girls watch the Pokemon leap through the air, while the orange-haired criminal landed face first in the dirt. As he looked up in a rage, he saw the assailant. It was an orangish-red canine with black strips and tuffs of white fur on its chest, mouth, tail, and head. Roman heard the Pokemon growl while it had its teeth sunk into the rim of his hat, "Growl…" the canine Pokemon snarled.

"Awe!" Ruby gushed, "It's another cute puppy Pokemon!"

"Yes, it's a Growlithe." Rosa said as she took out her Pokedex, "It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes. Growlithe are extremely loyal and will fearlessly bark at any opponent to protect its Trainer from harm."

"Well then why is this dog acting like a b-" Roman said while pushing himself up.

"Growl!" the canine Pokemon howled, its eyes focused on Roman.

"Hm, if I had to guess." Sonia said while twiddling her hair, "I think this Pokemon views Roman as evil and is trying to defeat him."

"Thing wants to fight, fine." Roman said as he took out a pokeball of one of his partners, "Murkrow, come on out!" he said with a throw, and the blackbird Pokemon emerging with a swack.

"Mur!" Murkrow said before glaring down at the canine Pokemon.

"Use Night Shade." Roman ordered, "And don't hit my hat!" he said before the blackbird Pokemon shot dark beams of energy from its eyes. However, Growlithe dashed to his left to evade, "There!" Roman said while pointing, "Use Thief and take my hat back!"

"Murkrow!" The blackbird Pokemon said before swiftly dashing in and slamming its beak into the side of Growlithe's face. While the canine Pokemon was stunned, Murkrow snatched the hat out of the jaws before flying away. Growlithe skidded on its side, while Murkrow landed on Roman's right arm. The orange-haired criminal then took the hat back, smirking while putting it back on.

"You like that hat?" Ruby commented.

"Listen, I care about three things." Roman responded, "Myself and this hat are two of the three."

"Murkrow!" the blackbird Pokemon said before perching itself on his trainer's head, "Mur!"

"No, you are not the third thing," Roman said with a look of irritation on his face. He then looked over to see Growlithe pushing itself up, "Oh, this underdog wants more?" the orange-haired criminal said, "Fine then, Murkrow, hit him with another Night Shade!"

"Murkrow!" the blackbird Pokemon said before taking flight again, then shooting dark beams from its eyes.

However, Ruby looked over to Growlithe, then gasped as the canine Pokemon radiated a red aura. "Grooowl!" the canine Pokemon said before it breathed fire and rolled its body forward. The Night Shade connected with an explosion but emerging out was a type of wheel of fire that lunged towards Murkrow. It slammed into the back bird Pokemon before the flames dissipated around Growlithe.

"What!?" Roman exclaimed.

"Oh, that was Flame Wheel." Rosa commented, "But was that aura before?"

"Well, I think it was Just-" Sonia was saying until Roman cut her off.

"Murkrow hit it with Thief again," Roman said the blackbird Pokemon recovering midair, then sweeping back to slam its body into Growlithe's. While Roman sneered at the direct hit, he gasped at that red aura returning.

"Justified, a hidden ability that increases the attack power after being hit by a Dark-type move," Sonia said before Growlithe charged into Murkrow, creating a white dust cloud with the sound of biting and squawks being heard. As the smoke settled, Roman gasped as Murkrow was passed out beneath a proud standing Growlithe, "And that move right there was Play Rough, a strong Fairy-type move."

"Fairy-type!?" Rosa said as a lightbulb went off, "Ruby, you need to catch this."

"But I ran out of pokeballs." Ruby responded.

Suddenly, Ruby felt someone nuzzling at her left leg, "Yamp." She looked down to see it was Yamper, who had a pokeball in its mouth.

"It looks like Yamper saved one thanks to its Ball Fetch ability." Sonia commented, "Which means you have one shot."

"Thank you," Ruby said as she knelt to take the pokeball, petting Yamper while doing so. She then turned back to Roman, "Leave this one to me now."

"Fine, knock yourself out," Roman said as he recalled his fainted Murkrow.

Ruby had a focused gaze as she took out a pokeball of one of her partners, "Staravia, let's go!" the hooded trainer said as she tossed out a pokeball, causing the starling Pokemon to emerge.

"Staravia!" the starling Pokemon said as it expanded its wings, glaring down at the canine Pokemon.

"Growl." Growlithe snarled at its next opponent.

"Go, use Wing Attack," Ruby ordered.

"Star!" Staravia screeched before swooping down with his wings in a white light. They slammed into Growlithe's body, knocking the canine Pokemon back.

"Grrr." Growlithe growled upon recovering from the hit. Ruby then watched as the Pokemon now glowed in a pink aura, then dashed at high speed.

"It knows Agility," Rosa commented, "Careful, that Growlithe just got a whole lot faster." She said before the canine Pokemon began to spin and breath fire again, "Lookout, it's another Flame Wheel."

"Staravia, Quick Attack!" Ruby called out with her Pokemon encompassed in a white aura, charging in at high speed. The starling Pokemon collided with the canine Pokemon's Flame Wheel, launching both back with an explosion. "Hang in there and use Endeavor!" Ruby called out with Staravia's eyes focusing.

"STAR!" Staravia cried with a clear pulse wave running through the area, causing Growlithe to recoil in pain matching the level of health as its opponent.

"Yes, it's getting weaker." Ruby smiled as Staravia was in front of her. However, she gasped as the starling Pokemon spontaneously combusted into flames for a moment, "What!?"

"He got burned by that Flame Wheel," Sonia commented, seeing Staravia panting.

"Okay, that's enough Staravia." Ruby said as she recalled her Pokemon, then took out another ball, "Budew, your turn!" she said as the bud Pokemon emerged from the ball.

"You're sending a plant to fight a dog that breaths fire?" Roman commented with his arms crossed, then saw Growlithe rush in with another Flame Wheel.

"Budew, Water Sport!" Ruby called out.

"Bud!" Budew said before opening the section over its head, spurting out a blast of water that soaked Growlithe.

"Growl!" the canine Pokemon recoiled as its flames went out, stopping the attack.

"Oh," Roman said in slight shock, then saw Rosa smirking at him, "Tsk," the orange-haired criminal then scowled before turning his head and crossing his arms, "Just catch the thing already."

"Not yet," Ruby said with her eyes focused on Growlithe, seeing the canine Pokemon panting, but the will to fight still in its eyes. "Budew, use Growth." She said with her Pokemon standing firm its body storing energy as it got slightly large. However, Growlithe rushed in, crashing into the bud Pokemon with Play Rough. Budew was smacked around in the smoke cloud before being slammed out. However, she skidded back with a look of focus in her eyes to match her trainer. "Now, let's finish this with Solar Beam!" Ruby said with Budew gathering sunlight.

"Grooowl!" Growlithe said as it rushed in at high speed for another Play Rough. However, just as it was about to collide, Budew's body flashed as it finished charging.

"Budew!" the bud Pokemon called out before launching a point-blank solar beam into as gasping Growlithe's face. The canine Pokemon was encompassed in the blast and flung high into the sky.

"Nice one!" Rosa called out, then slightly looked up, "With this intense sun, that attack charged in no time." She then looked to the hooded trainer with her hand on her chin, "You're getting the hang of this."

Ruby giggled before seeing Growlithe hit the ground. The canine Pokemon tried to push itself up, but fell back in a weakened state, "Now's my chance," Ruby said as she took out her empty pokeball, "You're mine!" the hooded trainer said before tossing the ball. Growlithe barely saw the pokeball collided with its body before it was ensnared inside of it. Everyone watched in silence as the ball started to shake once, then twice. After the third shake, a slight pause was heard, then a small click. Ruby's eyes lit up as she ran over, "I did it!" she said as she picked up the pokeball, holding it up the shining sky, "I caught a Growlithe!"

"Budew!" Budew cheered as well, jumping in joy.

Rosa ran over to hug the hooded trainer. Sonia looked on with a smile, then looked over to Roman, who slightly lowered his hat to hide his expression. The Galar professor then let out a slight giggle.

A short while later.

Upon entering the gate and healing at the Pokemon Center, Ruby held the ball of her new partner in her hand, "Growlithe, come on out!" she said with the canine Pokemon emerging.

"Growl!" Growlithe growled with a loveable smile on his face.

"Yamp!" Yamper said as it walked over to the fellow puppy Pokemon.

"And that makes four team members," Rosa commented, "With your party now, badge two should be a sinch."

"Don't think it will be easy," Sonia commented, "The new Gym Leader ranked pretty high in the last Galar Tournament." She said before winking, "So be prepared."

"Right," Ruby said with a nod before kneeling and petting Growlithe, "I'm so glad to have a cool dog like this on my team." She said while gushing over the canine Pokemon.

"Grooowl!" Growlithe howled in joy.

"Well, at least this mutt mellowed out after it was caught," Roman said as he knelt, extending its hand to pet the Pokemon under its chin.

"Grrr." Growlithe sneered before flaring its fangs, "Growl!" it said before biting down on Roman's hand.

"OUCH!" Roman screamed in pain, pulling his hand out of the jaw before a second bite could lock down on his fingers.

"I guess he still sees you as a bad guy," Rosa commented.

"Red, do something about it," Roman said while sitting, holding his bitten hand in pain.

"Grrr." The canine Pokemon snarled before feeling its trainer pat his head again, "Growl?"

"It's okay, you don't have to hurt him." Ruby said as Growlithe looked back at her, a smile on the hooded trainer's face, "For now, he's not that bad of a guy." She said with the canine Pokemon looking back at her, then to Roman. Growlithe then walked up to the orange-haired criminal, who scowled back at the canine Pokemon. However, Roman had a look of shock as Growlithe started licking his bite wound.

"…" Roman was speeches for a second before standing up, "Just…make sure it doesn't happen again." He said before walking towards Nurse Joy, "I need to make sure I don't have rabies now." The orange-haired criminal said with Ruby watching him leave, a soft smile on her face.

AN: There you go, Ruby gets a Growly. I knew she needed a dog Pokemon to pay slight homage to Zwei, but only a couple could get Flame Wheel. Plus, this one having Justified makes it a perfect fit for the huntress against evil. And finally, if you have read my other series, Fates Collide, you know I had to give Ruby a dog she could ride at extreme speed. This was not her only upgrade, as she gets a little Pokemon customization to make her hair slightly redder, which I personally think looks great on her. While Roman gets the short end most of the chapter here, there are some good character moments for him. And the trio is joined by another orange-haired companion, the lovely Sonia. She tags along and informs Ruby of a leader to challenge, which you should all be able to piece together by now. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.