As Hop and Wooloo step out the car they feel really woozy and dizzy after all that driving in which Sonia asks, "are you alright" and Hop faintly replies "I guess" without her hearing Hop tells Wooloo "Sonia's driving leaves a little bit to be desired", Sonia then calls Hop over "Hop your gonna want to look at this" so Hop walks up and is amazed by the sight of what seems to be a giant picture of a Pokémon edged into the side of a hill.
Hop then realises "so that must be the Turffield geoglyph" Sonai adds on "It has been said that the legends of Galar are depicted here" Hop then recalls the story he heard "If I remember the Galar region was engulfed in a huge black vortex and giant-sized Pokémon went on a rampage, it is then that a young hero with a sword and shield appeared and finally put an end to the rampaging" he then asks "so wait does that mean you're investigating the connections between Dynamaxing and the hero legend" Sonia replies "right it's a homework assignment from my Gran" she then asks "now what do you see in that picture" Hop looks at the picture and states that "a gigantic Pokémon is going on a rampage perhaps…oh look that's a vortex" Sonia commends him "yes it is but don't you think that seems uncannily similar to what we're experiencing now" in which he replies "now that you mention it". Sonia then starts to think deeply now "I'm thinking about the black vortex that brought such disaster so many years ago, I believe that the Darkest Day might just be in the process of appearing here in the Galar region once again" Hop then starts to vaguely remember something similar but can't quite remember "wow black vortex darkest day huh" Sonia also theorises " I thought that maybe coming here would lead to some answers, but...nothing", Hop then starts remember similar events like this "It's a lot like those times" Sonia then becomes confused by what he meant and then Hop explains it more thoroughly "I was in a raid battles once with a few trainers against Lugia" hearing this impressed Sonia "Lugia That's impressive" Hop then describes what was happening "yeah the clouds were spiralling and swirling, and it wasn't just Lugia, I watched online raid battles with Pokémon like Zapdos, Entei, Latias, Heatran, Darkrai, Terrakion and even Tapu Bulu in which spiralling clouds also formed so maybe when a Legendary Pokémon arrives it's with a spiral of some kind, so on the Darkest Day maybe a Pokémon with great power appeared" Sonia then put two and two together and figured Hop was right "that's brilliant you may be onto something" Hop also remembered something Ash told him "and come to think of it when Ash came to the Galar Region he said there was a huge Pokémon with dark purple spikes hidden in the clouds, is it possible that Pokémon is somehow related to all of this" hearing this leaves them both with much to question.
Meanwhile at a facility the large sphere chamber started emitting more red lights bursting up to the surface and above ground on the surface at a mine a beam of red light bursts out the ground in the distance but the hits a Pokémon that looked like a pile of coal in which it turns huge and changes appearance.
In the hanger Oleana and Chairman Rose witness what's happening in which Olean suggests "Chairman Rose until the hangar is reinforced shall we halt the release of the Galar particles" however he doesn't answer her and simply states "Isn't it stupendous Oleana energy so strong we can't even begin to control it, once there was a time when the entire region was brought to the brink of destruction but that Darkest Day will now be the salvation of Galar's future a revival of Eternatus" inside the chamber was large glowing red and purple shelled Pokémon getting more angrier by the second. As it's rage continues the lights continues to burst through of Galar particles, Olean then talks on the phone with someone "I see just make sure that you don't lose sight of her no matter what".
Back at Turffield the suspicious man following from earlier was on the other end of the phone call "Ma'am I'll handle it if I stay right here..." he screams in panic as Sonia's car almost hits him but thankfully breaks and drives away. In Sonia's car Wooloo was shocked badly and Hop was trying to make sense of why Sonia did that risky manoeuvre "uhm Sonia what happened, happened again now where were you supposed to be heading when we crossed paths again" Hop replies "Wedgehurst it's important we see your grandma Professor Magnolia" Sonia feels relived she can stay on course "ah then we're heading in the same direction because it's important I see my gran too". As they continue driving the guy from earlier continues to follow them in his car.
Hop then takes a look at Sonia's tablet and questions her on the weird pictures she took with it "what is this photograph of" Sonia then answers, "it shows four tapestries that were discovered within a vault located in Hammerlocke" Hop then reads the descriptions of the pictures "two youths watching a wishing star, a disaster occurs and tow bewildered youths, the youths looking on at the sword and shield that stop the disaster, the youths being crowned" Sonia then explains that they mean "it said the tapestries show the story of how Galar was created, but I'd like to know what you think of it" Hop then says "all four of these pictures depict the same two people, did they become the heroes who dispelled the darkest day, that means the hero is actually two heroes not one" Sonia replies "an interesting conclusion I was thinking the exact same thing myself". Hop then realises something and questions "but the hero statue in the stadium is only one person" Sonia then theorises "right but over the years there may have been mistakes in the retelling" Hop then figures "if so might there be other parts that they might told differently" in which Sonia excitedly states "that's a possibility for sure, wow it's all so exciting I want to report all of this news to my gran, and soon I'll be a Pokémon Professor although things never work out quite smoothly" Hop then assures her "don't worry if your right about this then I'm sure you will be although we all know the reason you want to be a Pokémon Professor" Hop smugly looks at her while she looks embarrassed says "don't you dare say it" Hop cockily says "you just want an excuse to see Leon more…" Sonia then exclaims form the top of her lungs "WE'RE NOW PLAYING THE QUIET GAME". Despite being annoyed Sonia still worries about Leon right now "although I wonder if him and Ash are having better luck stopping the Gigantamax Pokémon".
At a mining station both Leon and Ash arrive flying in on their Charizards then they spot the Gigantamaxed coal mountain Pokémon in which Ash holds up his phone to see what they're dealing with "Coalossal (Gigantamax Form) the Coal Pokémon: a Rock and Fire Type, Its body is a colossal stove with Gigantamax energy stoking the fire which burns hotter than 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, When Galar was hit by a harsh cold wave, this Pokémon served as a giant heating stove and saved many lives" Leon then tells Ash that they're about to attack "we're going in keep your eyes peeled" they fly closer and ready their attack in which Leon also sends out a Pokémon with a large flat head and long body and then it soared in the air alongside Charizard. Ash pulls out his phone and checks it in the Pokedex "Dragapult the Stealth Pokémon: a Dragon and Ghost Type, When it isn't battling it keeps Dreepy in the holes on its horns but once a fight starts it launches the Dreepy like supersonic missiles in which apparently the Dreepy inside Dragapult's horns eagerly look forward to being launched out at Mach speeds" Leon then orders Ash "Ash send out Hawlucha we're gonna need a lot of force to take this thing down" Ash nods and shouts "Hawlucha I choose you" Hawlucha emerges in a pose and glides in the skies alongside Charizard.
Dragapult attacks with Dragon Darts and launches the both the Dreepy while Hawlucha gains enough height and altitude and launches a flying press, the Dragon Darts manage to wobble it a little but Hawlucha's Flying Press really got it to almost stumble. However, Coalossal gets mad and uses Max Rockfall to rise the ground out and as it falls and breaks, a lot of debris gets scattered everywhere but Hawlucha then attacks all the falling rocks using Karate Chop and breaks them all before they harm the miners on the ground. Leon then states, "we can't let this go on for much longer so we have to stop it here in one shot" Ash agrees in which Dragault and Hawlucha attack with Dragon Rush and X-Scissor and land direct and powerful hits, Pikachu then jumps off Charizard and uses Thunderbolt on Coalossal all while falling to the ground but Ash and Charizard manage to catch him. Coalossal then starts to shrink back down to his regular form and becomes very confused about what exactly just happened, Ash and Leon then return Hawlucha and Dragapult as they land on the ground. Coalossal started to walk off but the miners were happy with what it did so they started throwing rocks at it in frustration but Ash gets in the way and takes the rocks for him and tells them "knock it off it's not like Coalossal wanted to do it" the miners then leave annoyed.
Leon placed his hand on Ash's shoulder assuring everything was okay now in which they became surprised by someone saying "stupendous just from what I expect from our undefeated champion and the talented young trainer that accompanied him", Leon becomes surprised seeing that it was none other than Chairman Rose himself "Chairman Rose what are you doing here" in which he replies "I was going to inspect the site but when I heard there was trouble I rushed over" Leon then introduced Ash to him "ah yes let me introduce you, Ash this is Chairman Rose the president of Macros Cosmo the company that develops and supplies energy to Galar, he discovered me as a young trainer and helped me get to where I am now and I owe him a lot" Ash was about to introduce himself but Chairman Rose already recognised him "you are Ash aren't you the trainer saved Wyndon Stadium, I've wanted to meet you ever since I heard about you" a little overwhelmed but Ash politely thanked him "it's nice to meet you too" Pikachu though didn't seem so trusting of him. Leon then asks an important question "Chairman Rose have you discovered the reason for all the rampaging Pokémon" in which he answers "we've been researching different possibilities but none have quite panned out, this may simply be a present danger or perhaps it's a test needed to jumpstart Galar's future" Leon felt a little confused by those words but then stated "something must be done quickly, if we do nothing the safety of Galar's people and Pokémon will stay at risk…" he was then cut by Ash's stomach growling "sorry I didn't eat much on the train" Chairman then happily proposes "I know let's celebrate our meeting let me treat you to a gourmet dinner Galar style", Ash then became excited hearing those words but Leon said "now that's a rare invitation indeed, go have fun I'll help repair the mines".
Meanwhile in Wedgehurst Hop and Sonia arrived at Professor Magnolia's research lab in which Hop says "well we're here do you think we'll find out the truth about everything" Sonia replies "let's hope so and I hope this gets me one step closer to being a Pokémon Professor", as they were about to go inside Wooloo spots something in the sky in which they see a ball of bright light falling to the ground and crashes which concerns them. they get closer to see some sort of weird glowing rock in which Hop thinks "is that a meteor" but Sonia theorises "amazing I think that's…" she was interrupted by someone finishing her sentence "a wishing star" they turn around to see an old woman in a lab coat who then explains it "they say that when one makes a wish from their heart it falls near them" they then see it was Professor Magnolia.
Inside while having tea professor asks Hop a few questions "so Hop have found any reason why the Pokémon are dynamaxing out of control" but Hop sadly has no news for her "I'm afraid not I still don't know why they usually grow huge in stadiums or the wild area to begin with", Professor Magnolia takes a sip and says "I see well of course most of it is still shrouded in mystery since it's a special power that only exists in the Galar Region but we do know that Pokémon and this special power are related, that relationship has to do with Galar Particles" Hop then becomes confused by those words in which she continues "I'm curious have you ever witnessed a Pokémon dynamaxing on its own in the wild area" Hop then answers saying "no but I did hear that a Snorlax Gigantamaxed in the wild area and caused a train to almost crash but the thing was there was no trainer in sight", the Professor continues to explain "Galar Particles can be seen as a red light given off at special power spots, the particles are part of that light as they bring out a power that lies within Pokémon and beckons them to Dynamax" hearing this overwhelms Hop a little in which he looks at Wooloo "a special power that lies within Pokémon" the professor also states "and after further research we discovered that the Wishing Stars falling from the sky have within them the very same Galar particles" Hop replies "you mean the meteor we saw" and the professor states "the wishing stars have certain properties that attracts and absorbs Galar particles I had a theory one could utilise this ability to control the enlargement of Pokémon and with that in mind I approached Chairman Rose and we successfully developed the Dynamax band" Hop was truly amazed by this story "that's incredible". Sonia comes into the room presenting something to Hop which happened to be a Dynamax Band "which brings us too ta-da take it it's a present I whipped up from the Wishing Star that just fell" Hop was so happy that he was given such a thing "cool" and Sonia says "given current events if you're travelling though Galar having one is better than not right", Hop then questions something important "so you why is that Dynamax only works in the wild area or in stadiums" in which the professor simply states "power spots, Dynamaxing is only able to occur within a power spot, there are many possibilities contained within Galar Particles so in cooperation with Chairman Rose I've researched the possibility of converting this power into useable energy but now…" she slowly trailed off as if something was wrong but then Sonia asked "wait has something gone wrong with your research" however the professor simply says "no no it's fine, which reminds me you haven't forgotten about your homework have you" Sonia studders but nods assuringly in which the professor kindly asks "then why don't you show me the fruits of your labour from researching the legend" in which Sonia kindly shows her.
After a couple of hours showing Professor Magnolia the research Sonia had gathered the professor then took a deeper look into the legend "I see there are two heroes and I see the darkest day is actually a Pokémon, a fascinating bit of research your hard work shows Sonia" Sonia sighs in relief but states "of course I'll admit I did get a little bit of help from Hop" in which Hop replies "ah thanks I appreciate it", but the Professor also needed to say "however I cannot give you a passing grade just yet, exactly where are the legendary sword and shield, precisely how did they dispel disaster, we must have the answers to all these questions". Sonia and Hop sigh but were ready for tomorrow in figuring out more of the legend of the Sword and Shield.
Meanwhile all the way back in Wyndon at Rose Tower Chairman Rose had treated Ash and Pikachu to a delicious dinner "this is the best" both Ash and Pikachu were really enjoying their meal while Chairman Rose looks out the window and admires the view "I must say I love the view from here, everyone of those flickering lights out there represents someone living their life along with a dream, I was raised from humble beginnings to the position I now occupy and I have Galar to thank for it you see I want this gorgeous nighttime view to be there for a thousand years from now and I intend to do everything I possibly can to see that it is" Ash then becomes confused by this but Rose then explains "let me be frank I am in the process of recruiting talented young trainers such as Leon into my fold and trainers much like you Ash" Ash replies "really trainers like me" Rose then says "of course I've heard a lot about your accomplishments even before Leon told me about you such as conquering the Battle Frontier, mastering Mega Evolution without a either a Key or Mega Stone, becoming the first Alolan League Champion, receiving high praise from Legendary Pokémon and Regional Champions not to mention even saving an entire stadium of people from a rogue Gigantamaxed Drednaw, so Ash what do say I make it my business to support strong trainers just like you it's all for the future of Galar so I ask please work with me and lend us all a hand", Oleana then states to encourage Ash "oh my what an honour to receive such an invitation from Chairman Rose". Ash thought about it but then gave his gave his answer "you see thanks but no I've been wandering around the world on my own power meeting all kinds of people and Pokémon I want to get stronger with them", though surprised Chairman Rose did understand Ash's point "I see and I understand your position" Ash then became shocked and little terrified as Oleana looked really angry at him and as if she was combusting fire out of her.
Later Ash and Pikachu are then shown to their guest hotel room and immediately they jump on the and lay bed and admire how comfortable it was "man this bed's so soft, too bad Hop or Leon isn't here to see this" Ash sits up he releases "hey didn't we say we were going to meet up…" just then Ash's phone began chiming "you have a call from Hop, you have a call from Hop" Ash picks it up and answers "hi there Hop". After a little while of talking they catch each other up to speed in which Ash then asks, "huh you're at Professor Magnolia's place" and Hop replies "yep she's putting me up for the night isn't that cool and tomorrow I'm gonna head out with Sonia to the ruins" Ash is amazed by this "no kidding then I'll head there tomorrow too" and Hop finishes the conversation "right see you there" they both then hang up.
Meanwhile at Hammerlocke Stadium Leon looking confused about something but he then remembered the words Chairman Rose said about a test securing Galar's future and then questions himself asking "does Chairman Rose know something about all the rampaging Pokémon, I wonder what's actually going on in this underground plant". Leon stands in front of it and walks towards it in order to find out the answer to some important answers.
The next day Sonia and Hop were just about to head out to the ruins and Sonia bids farewell to her grandmother "we'll see you later Gran" and Hop adds on "you can leave the researching to us" however before they leave the professor informs Sonia of something "Sonia dear there's something I need to tell you why I withdrew from the research I was doing with Chairman Rose, you see I saw a certain madness in his eyes, Chairman Rose will stop at nothing when it comes to realising his dreams so the incidents of Pokémon Dynamaxing although I have no proof I have a bad feeling, so that is why I need the legend's mysteries solved as quick as you can" but Sonia assures her "don't you worry I'll get to the bottom of it just you wait and see" and Hop says "you can count on me too" the Professor nods in giving them Goodluck. However, what they didn't know that lurking behind the house was the stranger who kept stalking them and he was on the phone with Oleana who tells him "we must root out the weeds before they spread".
So when Hop and Sonia get on the road again the stranger follows them until they arrive at what seems to be a badly painted and possibly graffitied mural at Stow-On-Side which they become baffled by the fact it didn't look very professional or even ancient in which Sonia became a little disappointed "this is the ancient mural of Stow-on-Side I expected something a little bit more, I mean it looks less legendary and more like it was drawn much later" in which Hop comments "it actually looks more like graffiti". They then accepted that this wasn't exactly what they were looking for so Sonia states "well it was worth a shot" and Hop tells her "never mind why don't we just go and check out the next ruin…" they then become interrupted by Oleana's agent who finally confronts them "I think not, the two of you will be coming with me instead" but Sonia demands to know "who the heck are you" but the agent simply says "as long as you come along quietly I promise no one will get hurt". Sonia and Hop become defensive but Wooloo jumps in front of them ready to attack. The agent wasn't fazed by Wooloo and held out a poke ball along with the fact hat as his sleeve lowers it's revealed he has a Dynamax Band "if you choose to resist then good luck" energy flows into the poke ball and he tosses it into the air "all right Garbodor Gigantamax", a Garbodor then drops onto the ground but then grows much bigger and bigger until it looks like it's nothing but a humungous pile of garbage and debris from vehicles and buildings almost like a literal mountain of trash.
Seeing this surprised them in which Hop figures out "it Gigantamaxed, so I guess this a power spot" Sonia then noticed particles traveling out of the wall "it looks the Galar Particles are coming from behind the wall", Hop then says "then that means, Wooloo return" he returns Wooloo back into its poke ball and then his Dynamax band flows energy to the poke ball "time to Dynamax" he says. Hop throws the poke ball as it glows and expands in which it then releases Wooloo who then becomes the size of the giant Garbodor and Hop tells it "alright Wooloo let's do this now Max Starfall", as Wooloo executes this move giant stars come crashing down from the sky and directly landing on top of Garbodor and damages him but Garbodor uses his special move G-Max Malodour and creates a tidal wave of sewage which forces Wooloo back and makes him crash into the mural which makes everyone fall away from it. As Wooloo gets up everyone then sees that behind the wall was large statues of two men with two Pokémon that looked similar to the ones Hop and Ash saw but they both were holding a sword and shield.
It seems there is more to this legend than meets the eye and what is Hop and Sonia's fate, we'll find out as the journey continues.