Down the road, Gloria and Scorbunny caught up with Hop, who was seeing that a flock of Wooloo were sleeping on the easy road. As the rival decided to go train in the tall grass, Gloria has a different plan in mind. While she's in the area, she might as well see if there's a pokemon of her interest before she makes it to the town and visits a building with a purple roof and a logo of a pokeball. Gloria and Scorbunny had a few uninteresting encounters with the caterpies, wooloos that kind of annoyed her by this point, skwovets that gave Acer the motive to try a quick attack and potentially, rookidees that tried getting into a power trip.

She readied to settle for the birds when one particular was hoping out of the grass all the way to Hop. Left distracted from a tap on the shoe. The girl looked down to find a strange larva with glasses like eyes. It was purple at the upper half of its head, neck and rear. Having growths around the neck that look like a yellow bowtie. It's belly was yellow and the rest of the body was cream colored white.

It gave an echo like cry, like it was asking something. (Excuse me, you seem like the intelligent type. Do you care for a traveling partner?) Scorbunny ohed (You look strange from the others!) and looked up to Gloria who recognize the kind of pokemon. "Hah! I didn't think a Blipbug would come all the way here. Guess when we get that Pokedex, we can have some study buddies to pass the time."

The Blipbug huhed and gave a jump back. (Those catalogues?!) The Scorbunny nodded and hoped a step. (Darn right! But you know what's got to be done first?) The Blipbug nodded and wiggled a distance, initiating a battle. Gloria took a deep breath. "Alright, since he's a bug type. We should try to use the weaker move. Acer, quick attack!" The Scorbunny gave a rush that sent the Blipbug flipping in a wiggle, he struggled and buzzed out a weak noise that irritated some of the fire types focus. Gloria bobbed her head and tossed a ball at the bug. It brought him in and gave three rolls before clicking.

Gloria and Acer had a cheer at the potential friend, before taking the ball and letting the Blipbug out. The bug shook and adjusted himself. (That was a shakes worth.) Gloria used a potion to heal the bug and let him climb on her shoulder. "Once we get our pokedex, we're going to see a much bigger world. So hold on a bit and get stronger with us, kay?"

The Blipbug blushed at the girl willing to learn, listening in on something going on by the road. The two turned to see Hop and Wooloo working together to catch a particularly courageous Rookidee. Blipbug gave the bird a wave a good lucky while Gloria kept to thought and marched on. "I think I'm going to call you, Brainy!"

The Blipbug felt it was adequate of a name, he and his new friends make it to the town, where the towns people were doting over Charizard. The girl made her way to the lab, where Leon, who was pretty impressed. "Well done! You reached the goal and managed to find the Pokemon Research Lab." He admitted. "You did a far better sight than I did my first time. I'm hopeless with directions." The Blipbug turned to see Charizard followed as Leon asked. "See how your world has already grown, all thanks to having pokemon with you?"

He rubbed the back of his head. "I know I'm sure glad I've got Charizard with me, to keep me from getting lost all the time." The Charizard grunted as the Blipbug hummed, Gloria smiled to her new partner as the Scorbunny looked up to ask. (Speaking of which, where did you hear about Blipbug from?)

Gloria answered fondly. "I've known from some old school books, that Blipbugs are some of the smartest you'd find around. I might not know a whole lot now, but if Brainy and I work together, we'll have a whole books worth of knowledge!" Leon smiled wide and went to get the door. "Then in we go!"

The band entered the insides of a laboratory, having a back rooms worth of books on shelves and a in door green house behind windows. Quite a stunning sight, especially for aspiring book worms. Leon looked around in respect. "I got to give it to Professor Magnolia. Everything in here looks fascinating" "Baw rak!"

The group were a bit astonished by a squeaky bark and looked down to find an electrical brown dog with stubby legs, a tuff of yellow fur and yellow spots at the ears and electrical yellow eyes. Leon crouched and let the dog lick his face as a voice asked from above. "What is it today, Leon?" Gloria and Leon looked up at the second floor, to see an orange haired scientist, having a side ways pony tail, green eyes, a brown coat, a green under shirt, grey pants and heart themed decore. Looking quite lovely with the glasses over her eyes. "Looking for info on a never-before-seen, super strong pokemon?" She pouted at him. "I wish you'd stop with these outlandish requests."

The woman went to take the stairway down while Leon wasn't denying his sillier times, he petted the dog in good will. "Good to see you, too, Yamper!" He turned to Gloria to explain. "Yamper here is a real champ when it comes to helping you find your way around. He came to my rescue plenty of times back in the days, when I got lost on the road." He introduced the girl to the woman. "This is his trainer, Sonia."

Gloria realize something and had a look at the young woman a second time as Leon tried to think of what to say about her. "What can you say about Sonia? Well, I like the way she cooks. She makes food that you would gobble down in a flash." Sonia was even more crossed. "Tsk. What kind of an introduction is that? Did you forget that we were rivals during our Gym Challenge?"

Gloria's eyes glimmered. "This kind of stuff is tastier than any gossip a magazine can give ya!" Brainy agreed. (History straight from their mouths and their actions!) Sonia puffed her cheeks at the chattering Blipbug. "It wasn't just Yamper who helped him out. I did, too!"

She calmed down and introduced herself. "Anyway, nice to meet you! Name's Sonia. I'm the professor's assistant." Gloria's charmed. "Name's Gloria, I'm new to being a Pokemon Trainer." Leon asked his old friend. "Set her on the right path, would you?"

Yamper scurried to Leon, give a hearty bark and went outside with Charizard, giving the man a reason to follow and leave the ladies be. Sonia sighed and put a palm on her face. "What does he think I am? He's always got his head in the clouds. It's no wonder he gets lost all the time." Sonia noticed what's in Gloria's pocket. "Oh. Looks like you've got a Rotom Phone!" She waved. "Hey there Rotom!"

Gloria's phone flew out of her pocket and showed a small face before buzzing. Sonia explained to the confused girl. "Rotom Phones are handy little things, aren't they? They've got a map and a navigational tool. That said, Leon still gets lost, so..." Sonia went back to the subject. "Sorry. So tell me, do you know a lot about Pokemon?" Gloria admitted. "Just some of the more advanced basics."

Sonia's pleased by the intelligent girl. "Well said. In that case, I'll make it so that you can use the Pokedex on your Rotom Phone!" She spent a few minutes installing an app on the Phone, a Pokedex for the girl to use when she can. Gloria got to work on seeing the entry for Blipbug. "Blipbug: The Larva Pokemon: Bug type. Often found in gardens, this Pokémon has hairs on its body that it uses to assess its surroundings. A constant collector of information, this Pokémon is very smart. Very strong is what it isn't."

Gloria giggled. "Until he evolves and shows more of himself." Blipbug uhed. (Actually) He chose to keep quiet as Sonia chose to keep things a surprise. "Just so you know, that Pokedex is a gift from my gran!"

Yamper returned chipper as the woman asked. "Could you let Gran know that you received the Pokedex? She lives in the house down along Route 2." Gloria and Brainy nodded to that and took off. Finding Hop by the local pokemon center, the boy noticed with some envy. "Got your pokedex from Sonia? Then it's time to meet lots of different pokemon and start building up a strong team!"

Gloria flexed. "I'm already working on that. Congratulations on catching something too." Hop's charmed. "Thanks." He advised. "Don't go battling a strong wild pokemon without a plan. It can leave your team in a bad way. Not to mention what a strong trainer could do."

He directed the girl to a red building with a logo of a pokeball. Gloria understood. "So keep by a pokemon center, just in case I'm low on potions or if a friend gets knocked out?" Hop nodded and escorted her in. "These are dead easy to spot too! The look the same where ever you go!" The two entered a coozy center that had a cafe on the left, a shop on the right and a nurse with a machine in the central back. Gloria looked to the right first. "I know this is a shop if I want to restock." Then to the nurse. "And this is who I go to if I want to heal my pokemon."

She looked to the left. "But who's this man?" Hop explained as he lead her to the nurse. "This guy's good at helping your pokemon remember moves and find those they couldn't learn at the time. Give it a go when your pokemon evolve." Hop turned. "I'll be heading to Route 2, come find me when you're done here!" Gloria nodded, had the Blipbug jump off to the nurse and gave her the Scorbunny's ball. "I'll like to give my pals a bit of a check up before we go out there." The nurse nodded and gave the pokemon their treatment. "It's always refreshing when there's a trainer starting out here, far away from the busy road around the city."

In a minute the Nurse got a quick summary of the duos condition and gave them back to the girl. "There you go, your pokemon are in perfectly good health." She gave a bow. "Good luck out there, Gloria." The girl promised she will and had both Brainy and Acer with her on the sprint to the north of town. Where Hop is waiting for them, lost in thought, he noticed them and waved. "Listen, Gloria. I've been thinking, if you're a pokemon trainer now, you must want to try your hand at the Gym Challenge, right?"

Gloria nodded. "I've been hearing about that, it's got to be the reason Leon came all the way down here to get us started." Hop tensed and looked her seriously in the eyes. "It's the annual competition where Trainers can battle it out for the right to challenge the Champion! But the trick is that you've got to be endorsed if you want to take part. And Lee doesn't seem to think I'm up to snuff. So I'm thinking I ought to talk to the professor and see if she could help! You've got to take part, too! A proper rival is just the thing every Trainer needs to keep growing stronger, after all. Keeps you motivated, right?"

Gloria agreed and pointed onward. "And if we can make a mark over here, then getting started ought to be the easy part." Hop turned and looked to the road. "The professor's house is way down at the end of Route 2." He faced the girl. "So let's head there and give our teams the chance to train a bit along the way." He sprinted once again and Gloria had the chance to spot the house out in the route.

She and her partners climbed down some stairs, went over the bridge and found Hop by an entry of grass. He asked. "Alright, Gloria? It's time we see if our teams are full enough." Gloria nodded and showed the pokedex. "The last route had the Wooloo's and just about any pokemon we need to start out. But I'm thinking about being picky and seeing if there's a partner I should consider from here."

The Dex showed that Rookidee, Blipbug and Skwovet are around. "Think, is there a pokemon that no one is going to see coming?" Hop groaned. "Gloria, we're not even going to register on time if we try picking up the rarest pokemon on the field. We can pick any pokemon we want and they'll help us win!" Gloria had a counter point. "Unless we meet an opponent who would beat our strongest mon and quickly go through a typical team. I'm not thinking of anything rare, just strange. You still got an extra pokemon over me, you know. I'm thinking it might be a good rival for Brainy one day." Hop had that vigor. "Yeah, I'm going to go catch a lot more pokemon! The Professor will be shocked when she see's."

He rushed into the grass to find more partners as Gloria went to her destination. A long the way, she's encountered a nuzzling yamper, a mischievous nikit, a rowdy black and white zigzagoon and most daunting, a foul tempered Chewtle that gave Acer an ordeal, leaving Brainy to take the damage while his trainer catches it. The girl put the haul away and had them fight some pesky trainers. Each one, making Acer more energized and making Brainy less of a carry weight. Eventually, they bested a trainer that had a Chewtle that simply tackled and a Nikit that was quickly bested by a struggling bug.

Tired out from the exercise, Gloria slowed her pace and used a duo of potions while taking in the scenery of the nearby lake and realize the house ahead had a larger arena. Ahead was Leon, talking with an elderly woman, with greying brown hair and a walking cane. Hop caught up with Gloria, who guessed. "I think that's the professor right there." They approached and heard Leon ask. "So have you unraveled all the secrets of the Dynamax phenomenon yet?"

The Professor scoffed. "Oh goodness, no. That whole thing is still full of questions. I'd hope that my granddaughter would take over my research but-" She noticed the children approaching and was embarrassed. "Dear me, I'm sorry. I didn't even noticed my guests." She approached, adjusted her glasses to give a good view of the youngsters, with light green eyes much like Sonia's. "My name is Magnolia. Welcome, young trainers!" She went to the door. "Come, let's head indoors."

The group took the offer at a table in the kitchen. Nice and quiet in the middle of nowhere. The professor noticed Hop having three pokeballs. "Why, Hop dear. I see Wooloo has made some new friends." She turned to the girl. "And you must be Gloria."

The youngsters let her know the pleasure is theirs. Magnolia guessed from Gloria's curious look. "I trust you received the Pokedex from Sonia. I'm sure you'll have that complete and make good use of it in no time!" Leon asked the two. "You must already know about Dynamaxing, right?" Gloria ohed. "I know it, it's a power you use to make a pokemon gigantic!"

Leon nodded. "Professor Magnolia's been doing research into the Dynamax phenomenon for years and years. And it takes a proper understanding of the thing if you plan to use Dynamaxing to the fullest!" Magnolia groaned. "There you go again, Leon, always talking about Pokemon. There are other things that are worth knowing about, too, you know. Like how many different types of tea there are!"

Hop folded his arms upward and rested the back of his head on his hands. "Hey, Professor, do us a favor, would you? Help me convince Lee he should endorse us for the Gym Challenge!" Magnolia's surprised and turned to the Champion. "Leon? Why haven't you endorsed them?"

The grown up blushed. "Hop and Gloria just started out as pokemon trainers, there's still loads they don't know yet." Magnolia chuckled to that and tapped her cane. ""Dearie, I thought your dream was to have everyone in the Galar region become strong Trainers. Isn't that right?"

Leon shyly agreed. "Well yeah...you're not wrong. That goal's precisely the reason I gave them both Pokémon, in fact. Right then. In that case...how about this?" He turned to the two that were getting more and more excited. "Let's see if the two of you can show me such a brilliant battle that I'm left with no choice but to endorse you." Gloria ohed "This is going to be good!"

Hop called for another battle. "Right, I'll be waiting outside Gloria!" He dashed out while the girl had a plan in mind. The group gathered to the front yard arena, with Leon being the referee once again. Hop whispered quick to Gloria. "I'm going to become the greatest Pokémon Trainer there is! And to do that, I need that endorsement to take part in the Gym Challenge! Come at me with everything you have so we can prove to Lee that we've got what it takes!"

Gloria winked to that. "Just do what you can do while I work on some of that brain power!" Magnolia over heard that and joined with Leon amidst the small audience. "That would be interesting to see, deary." Leon agreed to that and advised. "Listen, you two. The reason I'm unbeatable is because I learn from every battle I see or take part in. That's how I've gotten to where I am today. So show me something good in this battle!" Gloria and Hop nodded, went to their respected sides and readied for a match. Hop smacked a ball holding fist against a hand and boasted. "It's time for my legend to begin!"

He smirked, tossed the ball proudly and sent out Wooloo as Gloria sent out the Blipbug. Hop saw that determined look in the bug and asked. "Have you gotten a bit stronger? Me and my team will put you to the test and see!" He ordered. "Tackle him!"

The Wooloo rolled at the bug that flipped as Gloria ordered. "Just keep using struggle bug until it goes down! This Wooloo is the biggest wall we got!" The Blipbug flailed and buzzed a loud noise that the sheep didn't like, it repeated the attack again and was blasted in the ear for about as much. At the third trade of blows, the Blipbug was nearly tired out and gave a fast buzz that sent the Wooloo on it's back. K.O.

The Blipbug rested on his back as Hop called his partner back. "Let's see how well you can handle this. Go, Rookidee!" Pop! Out came the bird that is seeing a friend that gave it his all. Gloria called Brainy back. "Alright, Acer can do the rest now!"

She tossed the ball to send out the Scorbunny as Hop gave a leer. "Not if we have anything to say about it, give him the eye!" The Rookidee gave a leer that unnerved the rabbit, Gloria phewed. "Hit with that ember first!" The Scorbunny kicked the ember and sent the bird in a spin before the girl ordered. "Now follow with quick attack!"

The Scorbunny rushed at the bird for a kick, flipped mid air and dived as Hop ordered. "Peck him good, Rooki!" Peck! Acer took that and back flipped before giving an annoyed glare. Gloria ordered. "Nice one, again!" The Scorbunny rushed for a fast kick and sent the bird on his back, leaving Hop to his last pokemon. "Come on, give it a good scratch and we got this!"

Gloria snickered. "Like with Rooki, ember and quick attack!" The Scorbunny kicked the ember at the Grookey that rolled through the fire and clawed at his chest. The rabbit back rolled and rushed for a quick attack k.o. Ending the fight rather effectively. Hop cringed. ""Oof! Gutted that I lost… But I'd expect nothing less from my rival!" He called Grookey back and cursed. "And I even got my poke ball throw perfect too!"

Leon entered to give the final judgement on the both of them. "Gloria, Hop, after seeing a mach like that one." He smiled fast. "I suppose I have little choice but to give you both the endorsement as Champion!" Hop gasped in disbelief as Gloria cheered with her Scorbunny and let out her Blipbug. "Did you hear that guys? We got our endorsement!"

Pop!

On letting the Blipbug out, Gloria noticed a glow that wasn't going away. Brainy enveloped in glow and his larva form split open into a round pupa. Acer gasped. (This was what he meant?) Pew! The glow ceased and in place of the larva, is a pupa at roughly the same size as before. Yellow with dark blue spots across a dome shaped body. Having tiny dark blue feet, a set of feelers attached to an orange and those glassy eyes. Brainy looked up to Gloria in embarrassment. (This was what I was talking about.)

Gloria wowed and wanted to use the Dex as Leon gave her and Hop a letter of endorsement. The man admitted. "That Blipbug is a load of potential once he evolves, keep up that thinking and you'll see why a Dottler won't ever let you down." He looked to Hop, who promised. "And that's going to be worth figuring out in order to beat him!"

Leon agreed to that. "You may both be young still, and plenty rough around the edges, but it was a proper battle. Charizard and I were both feeling the excitement in every last cell in our bodies!" He does have one thing to criticize on with his brother. "Hop, you've always tended to get caught up in things like how you throw your Poké Ball out. Things that have nothing to do with real strength. Honestly I'd still worry about you obsessing over that sort of nonsense. But it seems you have grown a bit, Little Brother."

Hop took the critique as Leon turned to Gloria. "And I'd like to see more thrilling Pokemon battles out of you, too." Hop looked to his rival and promised. ""All right, Gloria! You and me are going to train up against one another to aim for that Champion's title!"

Gloria phewed. "Absolutely! The more we try, the more we'll learn." Hop agreed. "And the more our pokemon will grow!" Just then, Hop noticed a red shooting star flying in the sky. "Hey, what's that?" Gloria and the others turned to see the star descend and make a crash landing by a bench overlooking the lake. Glitter! Gloria and Hop went to pick up the glimmering material, trying to make sense out of it. Hop realized just by looking at it. "Would you look at this? They're Wishing Stars!"

Gloria ohed. "That's mighty convenient!" She looked at a purple piece of meteor that has red lining as Hop had something in mind. "With one of these, our pokemon can Dynamax! They're going to be massive!"

Leon and Magnolia approached to get a closer look, the Champion's rather pleased. "Trust you to pull something like this. They say Wishing Stars fall down for those who have a true wish in their heart, you know."

Hop vowed boastingly. "I'll be the great trainer ever! I WILL be the greatest trainer ever!" Gloria, Acer and Brainy closed their eyes and sighed at the delusion as Hop chanted. "I WILL BE THE GREATEST TRAINER EVER!" He asked. "There! I've said it three times, so surely my wish will come true now, right?"

Brainy buzzed. (Wishing doesn't guarantee anything.) Magnolia had a good idea on what the Dottler said. "That's correct, Brainy. Those Wishing Stars are composed of a curious sort of rock containing unknown power. They're one of the most precious resources we have in the Galar region. But they won't do a thing for you in that state." She offered some assistance. "Give them to me now, and I'll have you sorted."

Gloria felt it made sense. "You're the expert on this!" Hop agreed with her there and together, gave the professor their stones. "Please, give Gloria and me the power to Dynamax our Pokemon!" He was getting more excited. "First we got to battle against that mad Pokemon in the Slumbering Weald, and now this." Gloria felt it too. "It feels like we're in for the adventure of a life time!"

Magnolia's amused by the impatience. "I do understand your excitement, children, but don't get carried away. You want to save your energy for tomorrow's journey!"

Gloria whined at having to wait one more day and noticed Sonia arrived. She flinched as the young woman was caught in a misadventure. "Seems I came back home right in time of all the excitement!"

Sonia fondled her hair and asked. "Hey, you lot, why not gave some dinner. You must be hungry, right? I've been totally obsessed with making the latest trendy curries." Acer huhed. (Trendy?) Gloria had a bit of an idea. "We can figure out what would make the dish, out there." Brainy considered it tantalizing. (If I needed to eat, then I'd say that be scrumptious.) Acer gasped to an idea. (If we can tell you how it taste, would be enough?) The Dottler nodded. (Until I evolve again and can actually eat.)