Chapter 42: Dynamax in Bloom

The day after the opening ceremonies, the three research fellows set off to their work. After a morning trekking through the Galar wilderness until they reached a small farming town.

"Here we are, Turrfield! According to the guide, this is the first gym in the Galar League Challenge."

"Great! We should be able to get some great data on Dynamax here."

"Hey guys, are you here to watch my match today?"

Coming towards them from the Pokemon Center was Hop, refreshed and ready to get his first gym badge.

"Hop! Man, you got here quick."

"Yup! I wanted to get my first badge before Gloria did, so I traveled all through the night to get here."

"Well, good luck."

"Thanks, I-"

"Look out!"

Suddenly, a Wooloo bounded into Hop, knocking him off his feet. Milo, the gym leader, came running up, concerned.

"Are you alright? So sorry about that, the little guy got away from me."

Ash and his friends were almost taken aback by his voice. For such a big guy, he had a very high pitched voice. Hop shook it off, and handed the Wooloo back to him.

"Nah, it's alright. Hey, you're Milo, right? I'm Hop,and I'm here to challenge you!"

"Alright, my first challenger of the season! Let me go heal at the Pokemon Center, and we can get started!"

"Great!"

Milo ran off to the Pokemon Center to heal his team, leaving the quartet of teens.

"Are you guys coming to watch?"

"You bet! We'll be right there in the stands cheering you on!"

Hop chuckled, and started walking towards the stadium.

"Well then, you'd better hurry. Otherwise, you won't be able to grab any seats."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

The trio soon found out when they saw the huge line of fans trying to get into the stadium. By the time they had gotten to the front of the line, the stadium was packed. Luckily, it was being broadcast regionwide, so they managed to watch it from the lobby of the local Pokemon Center.

"Ah man, I was hoping to watch it in the stadium!"

"Yeah, this stinks!"

"Shh! It's starting!"

On the screen, Hop and Milo entered the battlefield while the announcer began his chatter.

"Welcome folks, to the first match of the season! I hope you got all of your snacks beforehand, because you won't want to miss a single second of this exciting action!"

The crowd went wild as Milo and Hop shook hands before going to their respective sides of the field.

"Our Gym Leader Milo will bring the heat, or should I say the wheat! But his challenger is no pushover either! Give it up for Hop, sponsored by the Alola Region's mysterious Champion!"

The crowd gave Hop a big round of applause, the young trainer waving excitedly to them before the referee floated down on his Aegislash to explain the rules.

"This will be a 2-on-2 battle with no substitutions. There shall be a 30-minute time limit, and the Gym leader shall send out his Pokemon first. Any questions?"
"Nope."

"All Good here!"

"Good. Battle Start!"

"Go, Gossifleur!"

Hop grinned when he saw what Pokemon his opponent had selected.

"Alright, I've got this! Go, Rookidee!"

"Gossifleur, use Magical Leaf!"

"Dodge, then use Peck!"

The tiny flying type expertly weaved around the leaf barrage, ramming his beak into the poor Grass Type, making her cry out in pain.

"Rapid Spin, Gossifleur!"

While Rookidee kept on Pecking, Gossifleur began to spin round like a top, throwing Rookidee off of her and spiraling up into the air, though he managed to catch himself. Hop began to sweat. As long as Gossifleur was spinning like that, he couldn't get in for any Physical attacks. Which was a problem, since those were Rookidee's best moves. If he was going to beat Milo, he'd need to think of a new strategy, and fast.

Leon sat on the couch in his private locker room, meditating until a knock was heard at the door.

"Come in."

A member of the league staff popped their head in.

"One hour to your match, Leon."

"Thanks, Bud."

The staff member nodded, and shut the door. Knowing he wouldn't be able to go back to meditating, Leon decided to turn on the TV, flipping through the channels until he came to the League Battle channel.

"It looks like our battle has reached a stalemate, folks! Challenger Hop can't get in close as long as that Rapid Spin up, but as long as Rookidee stays in the air she can't get to him either! How will they get out of this!"

Hearing his brother's name, Leon leaned in closer, soaking up every minute of the battle.

"Come on Hop, you can do this! You just need to focus!"

Hop stroked his chin in thought before it hit him. It was crazy, but it might just work.

"Rookidee, use Tailwind!"

It took considerable effort, but the tiny flying type managed to create gusts of wind large enough to pick Gossifleur up off the ground, her spinning stopping when she realized her sudden change in elevation.

"Perfect, now use Drill Peck!"

As Gossifleur fell to Earth, Rookidee flew in and delivered a hard peck to her forehead, sending her crashing to Earth. When the dust had settled, she was knocked out.

"Gossifleur is unable to battle, Rookidee wins!"

"Incredible, folks! The Challenger Hop turned a move meant for defense and turned it into a perfect offensive combo!"

"Alright, way to go Rookidee!"

"Dee!"

"Good job, Gossifleur. We'll take it from here."

Milo took out his next Pokeball, but didn't throw it just yet. Instead, he held it in his hand for a moment and allowed Galar Particles to build up in it, increasing its size until he had to throw it with both hands before chucking it into the air, unleashing a Dynamaxed Eldegoss.

"GROSS!"

Hop remained undeterred, and did the exact same thing to his Rookidee. Now the two giants stood on equal ground.

"Alright Rookidee, let's show him how to do it right! Go for a Max Airstream!"

"Max Overgrowth!"

Rookidee created giant gusts of wind, sending them straight for Eldegoss. Eldegoss wasn't scared, and created a bunch of giant mushrooms to block the hit. She still took some damage, but not as much as Hop would've liked.

"Come on Rookidee, Max Airstream once more!"

"Max Guard!"

Once more Hop went for the same attack, but Eldegoss created a barrier, completely blocking the attack. Hop was starting to get worried.

Leon stared at the television intensely, soaking up every minute of the battle.

"He's not thinking clearly. He's going for the same attacks every time instead of adapting to the situation. I told him he wasn't ready…"

Hop watched as the Dynamax was starting to wear off. While that would give Rookidee more maneuverability, he could tell the flying type wouldn't have the energy in it to keep going much longer. With that in mind, he had one last desperate plan in mind.

"Go for a Max Strike, Rookidee!"

"Max Gu-"

"Combined with Max Airstream!"

Rookidee cawed, using the gusts of wind to throw himself right at the grass type just as she was about to throw up another Max Guard, striking her just as the dynamax for both of them ended. Once they were back to normal size, Rookidee keeled over from exhaustion, unable to move even another inch.

"Rookidee is unable to battle! Eldegoss wins!"

Hop gulped, not liking the outcome. Now he was down to his last Pokemon, and while he did have faith in him, Sobble was weak to grass types. Still, he didn't have much other choice.

"Sobble, I choose you!"

When the crowd saw the little lizard, they burst out laughing, nearly making the poor Pokemon cry.

"Just ignore them, buddy. You'll do great!"

Encouraged by Hop's kind words, Sobble got ready for battle.

"Water Gun, Sobble!"

"Razor Leaf!"

Sobble hit his opponent with a weak burst of water, managing to inflict some small damage. Eldegoss's Razor Leaf, on the other hand, did much more damage, knocking him off his feet.

"Sobble!"

"Now use Leaf Tornado!"

Before Sobble could pick himself up, he was encircled by razor sharp leaves, their edges cutting into him as he struggled to stand.

"Sobble, use Water Pulse!"

Sobble tried his best, but between the flurry of leaves and his injuries his aim was thrown off, and he only managed to hit the side of the arena. Hop growled anxiously.

"You can do it, Sobble! I believe in you!"

Then, to everyone's amazement, Sobble began to glow and evolve. Even Eldegoss was shocked, and in her shock stopped her attack. When the glow had settled, Sobble was now a Drizzile.

"Drizzile!"

"Sweet! You evolved into Drizzile!"

"Lucky break, but that won't stop us! Eldegoss, go for Leaf Tornado once more!"

"Sucker Punch, Drizzle!"

Drizzle closed the gap between the two quickly, decking the grass type hard before she could set up another attack.

"Now Water Pulse!"

Eldegoss recovered from the punch, only to be hit by a blast of water right to the face. Now soaking wet, she was more determined than ever to finish off the water type.

"Eldegoss, use Magical Leaf!"

"U-Turn, Drizzle!"

Drizzile nodded, and built up energy in himself before launching himself at the grass type, breaking the leaf daggers with ease before hitting her head on, knocking her out at long last.

"Eldegoss is unable to battle! Drizzile is the winner, which means the battle goes to the challenger Hop from Wedgehurst!"

"And there you have it, folks! It was a long fought battle, but our small town rookie managed to pull out the win!"

"Hop! Hop! Hop! Hop!"

Hop soaked up the cheers, flashing the victory symbol as the crowd cheered his name.

Back at the Pokemon Center, Ash, Goh, and Lillie smiled, happy for their friend.

"Man, that was awesome!"

"Totally! I thought Hop was a goner for sure, but then he pulled it off!"

"And I made sure to take some notes on the Dynamax battle to send to Professor Cerise later!"

Lillie's Sobble clapped happily, proud of the success of another Sobble.

Leon smiled, happy for his brother's success.

"Maybe he is cut out for the league after all."

Just then, someone knocked on his door.

"Leon, your battle begins in 10 minutes. Better make your way to the arena."

"Got it, thanks!"

Turning the TV off, Leon decided to text Hop later to congratulate him. Meanwhile, he had a title to defend!