The next day, Gloria was finding herself in a rush out of the hotel, realizing that her long night has caused her to sleep in. Hop and Marnie were missing and must have gone up ahead. To her misfortune, there was quite a long line that was going at a snails pace. She groaned loudly and let out her Raboot. "Drat, look at this Acer! It's going to take all morning and past lunch time!"

Acer saw what was wrong and agreed before looking up, putting his paws in his fur and smirking. (This is a problem we can't solve now.) He tapped his foot. (So, should we go look for that apple again?)

Gloria felt she understood what was asked and looked around. "Yeah, if we can't find one here, then we got to head back to Wedgehurst and see if they've delivered that far!"

And with that, the two went exploring the markets, only to find that while some of the pastry restaurants serve apple dishes, there is nothing about the tart or sweet apple. So they took a taxi straight to Wedgehurst and did some exploring. To their misfortune, the market place has naught the kind she's looking for either. Gloria kicked, down on her luck and is about to head to the train station for a route to the wild area. "Guess coming home to cry about it isn't working either!"

Raboot tilted his head and looked up. (Were we crying?) Gloria cringed. "You know what I mean, Sweet Pie's mood is going to keep getting worse!"

Just then, a brown haired man came rushing past them, in a panic to flee for his life. Something was going on at the station and they needed to check. They made a quick rush and found a strange pokemon, walking out of the train way. A pink salamander with a dopey look and yellow on it's head, ears and tail. Gloria had a check on the Dex. Blip! Blip! "Slowpoke: The Dopey Pokemon: Psychic type and of the Galarian variant: Although this Pokémon is normally zoned out, its expression abruptly sharpens on occasion. The cause for this seems to lie in Slowpoke's diet. Because Galarian Slowpoke eat the seeds of a plant that grows only in Galar, their tails have developed a spicy flavor." Gloria checked a level that could use some improvement and thought. "Maybe she can help us against Kabu... if we take the time to train her."

She had Acer stand in the way of a slow wit that only just noticed the two and ready a nest ball. "I knew this was going to be handy! Go nest ball!" Whistle! The ball made contact with the Slowpoke and dragged her in. Shake! Click! With that, the Slowpoke was caught.

Gloria went to pick up her new partner and consider a mood brighten as a woman's voice panted. The duo turned to the ticket and found a pink haired woman in a fluffy white coat, having a sports uniform of purple and slime green. Her hair was quite short and she had a hair bow like that of a white winged moth. The woman has purple eyes, a mole at the left side of her cheek and a suspicious aura around her, she was slightly impressed by the fast capture. "There you are, right on time, too! Nice capture by the way!" Gloria snickered. "Thanks, I've been working on that a lot!"

The woman admitted. "You're pretty punctual for a kid!" Gloria sensed a rather odd thought behind the woman's eyes, the stranger took two tickets and waved it. "So, you're ready to head to the Isle of Armor and get started on your training? I'm suppose to pick up the newbie and show you around." Gloria huhed. "But I-" The woman smiled. "Super!"

She gave Gloria the ticket and had her go to the Ticket master. Gloria swallowed. "I guess, since I need to do something while I wait. One passage to the Isle of Armor, please!" The train master's a bit confused, but allowed it anyways. Gloria thought to play along and asked the woman. "So, what's exactly there at the Isle?" The woman sighed and shook her head before leading the girl to the train, that is enroute to a station in the middle of nowhere. "It's home of the Dojo, belonging to Master Mustard, I don't want to repeat myself, since you look like a smart kid. So what's your name?"

Gloria gave hers. "I'm Gloria," She looked to her partner before stepping on. "And this is one of my partners, Acer!" The woman stepped on and found a train seat to sit with. "Just call me Klara! Me and this jerk face have started out a week ago and there's a trial that's going to be coming today. Just don't get any ideas, just because you're the new girl. Got it?"

Gloria sat and was weirded out by the tone. "I don't plan to, I'm just a bit of a natural." They arrived at the station that has a Corviknight flown cart awaiting them. They shared one together and were on flight from the main land, into a rather large island that's awaiting. One with two distinct towers, one by the beach in the north west and another on top of a mountain in the north east. Gloria and Acer woahed while Klara's charmed by the open minded behavior. The cart arrived at the flight station and dropped the band off, allowing them to make way to a beach overlooking the ocean. Gloria looked left and was about to ask more when she noticed a young man with long blonde hair, in a gym uniform of a familiar purple, with multiple colors at the sleaves and stomach area. Bellow his neck is a puffy blouse He has a set of glasses, blue eyes, a black top had and a collection of poke balls floating around it. He was pretty astonished by Klara returning with someone and passively asked. "You've came back a lot sooner than I predicted. So, who's the arrival?"

Gloria put a few things together from what Klara warned her about and tried to hide some hostility as the woman approached the stranger and half dropped her eye lids. "Some kid that calls herself Gloria. She's a bit lost already." "Or she's making fun of me. But I'm the colorful, caring and charismatic."

She let go of that thought and shook her head. "She's at least good with her catching arm and caught a slowpoke that sneaked through the stations under my nose." Gloria asked. "How you'd suppose a dopey pokemon like that got in there in the first place?" The stranger's eyes twitched and his iris and pupils shrank to comedic effect. "Who does she think she is, ruining my plan to embarrass that lowly popstar." He blinked and kept calm. "But I'm the elegant adult. I'll make sure she gets the message." He coughed. "That will have to be for another day. You've known the other senior trainee, Klara. I'm Avery, consider me her rival."

Gloria snickered. "You look like you've came from the Gyms before! So I'll bet you got some surprises to teach me about? Yay?" Klara sighed. "Yeah, sure. How about, so we can make things clear, we have a battle... right about now?" She nodded. "Yeah, an initiation to see if you got what it takes for what the dojo has to offer!" She brought out a ball with her gloved hand and used her other to press a finger on the ball while Avery kept a glare at her and adjusted his glasses. "Very well, we'll see who does this better!" He took a bow at Gloria and had a ball fly off the hat, letting out an Abra that's half asleep without much of a care. Klara gritted her teeth and sent out a Venipede that's seeing the duo and gave a passive glare. Gloria looked to Acer, had him step forward and sent out Brainy. "Well, I'm warning ya now. I've just gotten into this kind of fighting!"

Avery smirked. "Then this ought to be fast. Abra, unleash the power of-" Gloria ordered. "Acer, use flame charge to take that Venipede out! Brainy, I think a struggle bug ought to do the trick for any surprises!" The Raboot was on it and rushed at the Venipede in the record of a young athlete, tackling her head on and sending her flying past Klara in smoulders. Venipede was firmly knocked out, Abra really woke up in the shock and fired a psybeam with his hand. Blasting Acer back an inch as Brainy hopped and blasted a sound. Gloria pointed. "Now bring the Abra down with another flame charge!" The Raboot nodded and bull rushed the Abra for a very familiar k.o. Klara was too busy turning and calling her partner back while Avery's floating balls fell and he was cringing. "Such strength!"

Klara couldn't believe it either. "No, no, no, no! This has got to be a mistake!" Avery was keeping silent. "Improbable... No, impossible! What kind of Trick did this kid use? If a Trainer of this talent arrives at the dojo, then the people there very well may suffer Amnesia about my very existence! If only I could get rid of her."

Klara was having a similar thought. "If this kid joins the dojo, nobody's going to pay attention to my strength anymore! I could tell her to buzz off." She shook her head. "No, they asked me to bring in the new student." The two called their partners back while Brainy's almost lost to the sites. Avery turned, used his mind to pick up his balls and addressed the girl. "Ahem! You have potential. Why, you made me use a whole three percent of my strength. Still..." He pretended to hesitate. "How should I put this. Our dojo is a respected place, where even the famous Champion Leon trained! What I'm trying to say is, I don't think you're up to stuff."

Gloria laughed and heartily disagreed while Klara was giving her rival a wicked eye. "Why didn't I get told about that sooner! If we made a whole lap from Motostoke, to the two towns and back again in one whole day, then we can go for more punishment!" The grown woman realize that what ever plan she had was already used and shook her head. "Great, she's determined!"

Avery insist and looked over to the road. "But I insist that you ignore Master Dojo, standing over there on the road and head home as soon as you're done seeing the sights." He had an idea of words. "And picking what ever pokemon you might need for the challenge in the main land." Gloria's smiling wider. "Or, since I've just caught a new friend, I'll have her trained and prepared before I go. So what better to spend this day than at the dojo!" Avery cringed and went for his pocket. "Then... maybe this would give you an idea to be prepared on time? Take this as a parting gift!"

He gave Gloria a black card with a golden image of a person and stars, a style card. "Show that when you visit a boutique or hair salon and I'm sure you'll be able to find more- elegant garb like mine!" He turned. "Now then!" He made a run for the dojo. "Farewell! I doubt I'll see you again! Avery, teleport!" He failed to do that while Gloria was having an idea to get herself up to style when she can.

Klara's peeved at what Avery pulled and turned to guess. "You didn't fall for that, did you?" Gloria shook her head and picked Brainy up as a way to balance herself. "Nope! Kabu's going to be busy by now and I could be waiting a whole day before I get to fight him again. You're not going to pull a trick like that on me, are you?" Klara cringed. "Not right now. Uh... well if you step one foot into that dojo, we're going to be some pretty tough rivals. Are you sure you want to go there?"

Gloria blew out air. "I've got a rival that likes to battle me every chance he gets, one that has a huge fanbase following her and this one jerk who's been worse at this that Avery has been so far! Two more won't do me any harm!" Klara gave up on her scheme and turned. "Well, I guess that's that." She hurried. "See you real soon!"

Gloria perked and called to Acer. "Come on, let's catch up with her!" She and her partner jogged all the way to the view of a bridge going to a simple dojo. Finding Avery talking with somebody where Klara was sprinting fast and stopped when she was close enough to catch a breath. Gloria was saw a brown haired woman in a green sweater that shows bare shoulders and hips. She has a set of long white pants, short hair that resembles a character Gloria's seen before and a motherly voice. "Oh, fiddlesticks! So our new student decided to go back home?"

Gloria puffed her cheeks and hurried while Klara whezed, Avery closed his eyes in shame. "It would appear so. I'll have you know, once Klara brought her here, I decided to test her in a battle. But alas, that student abruptly absconded after our battle!" Gloria arrived at a joggers pace and has a glare at the psychic, the woman noticed and gasped. Well, hello? And who are you, love?"

Gloria still had enough energy to put Avery in his place and was about to introduce herself. The psychic cringed and nearly dropped his balls as the woman realize. "Of course! You're the new student that's suppose to join the dojo today!" Gloria decided instead to answer. "I sure am!" Avery rushed to her side and tried to cover his behind. "Yes, right! That's correct ma'am!" He passed off his trick. "I swear, I thought you had used teleport or something, you disappeared so quickly!" Brainy gave him a look. (I know who I'd want to teleport out of here!)

Klara eased her breather. "Yeah, it's nice that you were able to come at all! I'm soo happy about that." "He's got another thing coming if he's going to say my escort ran off!" The strange woman appreciated the arrival regardless. "Oh, everything's just coming up roses! Now, I'm quite sure they already told me your name but." Gloria waved. "It's Gloria and these are my partners." She showed the Raboot glaring daggers at Avery. "Acer!" And to a smug glowing Dottler. "And Brainy! I have an applin named Sweet Pie, who needs to find an apple soon and a Slowpoke I caught along the way here." The woman didn't want to say ill about the Applin's luck. "That's right! Your Gloria! Of course you are, love." She's concerned about something. "Though I'm sure that's NOT the name I was told before." Gloria wondered what was even going on prior and looked up at the sign of the dojo, resembling a grey bear. The woman introduced herself. "My name's Honey. I help keep this place running. You can consider me the lady of the house. Not that the Master Dojo is just any old house!"

Klara blinked, realize something's going on and turned to face away. "That wasn't the name she was expecting? Then who did I pick up?" Avery had his own reason to face away. "Bagh! Why? For what purpose is she here?! My Future Sight must be off! I must think, before Miss Honey figures out I told an innocent lie." Honey asked the newcomer. "Seems that you've already met Klara and Avery. Bit of odd duckletts, but they're two of our own! They've been training hard here so they can become gym leaders some day. I can trust that you three will get along, right?"

Gloria nodded. "I think we will!" Avery found his chance. "Heh, it's an honor to make your acquaintance." Klara giggled more. "Heh, heh! I'm sure we'll be best friends!" Honey realized how long they've been talking and called to Gloria. "Oh dear, but look at me! Here I am making you stand outside after you've come all this way!" She gestured and went to the front door. "Come in, come in! Don't mind faint strench of sweat!" As the woman was out of hearing range, Avery and Klara pulled Gloria over.

The girl was having a smug smile as Klara advised. "Listen, you. If you dare tell Miss Honey that I've picked you up by accident, I will melt you down to size! You understand?" She pointed a thumb to Avery. "As much as I want Avery to get it for ruining everything, keep what he pulled to yourself. Because if he gets in trouble, I'll get in trouble." The psychic felt his words were read. "And I didn't need to speak that, my psychic power can be quite potent you know." Gloria zipped her mouth shut. "I won't say no to free training!"

The two felt there was an agreement and went into the dojo. Acer wasn't amused by what Gloria said, the girl smiled nervously. "We didn't really ask for this when it didn't make any sense. But what else are we going to do now?" Acer felt it was a point and noticed something standing on top of the dojo. Gloria and Brainy looked up to find nothing. With that, the girl walked into the dojo and saw a plethora of students, most in yellow kung fu gear and accompanied by a Poliwrath. Waiting for an tan, elderly man in a green sports jacket with black sleeves to turn around.

Gloria looked around to see a few side way doors going somewhere and the main room having exercise equipment and posters of foreign writing. Honey called to the people of the Dojo. "Everybody, I have an announcement to make! We've got a new student joining us today!" She and the people turned to the girl. "Please welcome Gloria!" The girl waved hello as Honey continued in good spirit. "I'm sure you'll all have lots to teach her!"

The students, save for Klara and Avery gave a disciplined flex. "Hi-yah! Welcome to the dojo!" Honey is quite proud of the welcome. "Our students are so good and hardworking. Everyone really gives it their all around here." Approaching from the right room is a boy with light brown hair and a pink shirt with a blue logo of that bear. Having grey eyes and an inquisitive look. "Now here's someone who's not listed in my database of students."

Honey waved. "Hello, sweetie pie! It's not usual for you to bother greeting a newcomer." She introduced him to the newbie. "This is Hyde- my darling only son." Gloria ohed as Brainy jumped off to get a closer look at the boy. The Dottler beeped in excitement. (Someone who's trained his mind too!) Gloria giggled. "There's a bit for everyone here!" Hyde's smiling at the Dottler and put his hands at his hips while looking up to Gloria. "Are you some kind of outlier? Here, you should give this a try."

He gave Gloria a charm with a hexogonal bauble with a kind of machine in side. "But don't open it, okay?" Gloria know that would break it and put it in her bag. "It would make everything all busted if I do!" Hyde nodded and walked off, the Dottler wanted to come with him but know his trainer needs him. Honey sighed. "He's so good with his hands, always making something new. Such a clever boy." She addressed to the elder who's facing the back door. "And that handsome gent in the back is my darling hubby and the very master of the Master Dojo!"

Gloria had a look to see the jacket has a matching bear logo. The elder turned to show two long grey strands of hair dangling over his eyes and a short grey goatee. He opened his brown eyes and looked like he half forgotten about something before remembering fully and giving a pose in martial arts, addressing the newcomer. "Hey, hello there! My name is Mustard! I'm rather good at pokemon battles, you know!"

Gloria and her misfits approached the man that's welcoming. "I'm pleased as cheese that you could join us!" The girl had a bit of a mischievous streak and gave a respectful bow. "Cheese to meet you!" Mustard had a chuckle from that. "Heh, heh, I see you have a sense of humor too! Good, good!"

Honey turned to Gloria and advised. "Don't let him fool you into thinking he's just a silly old man. He's a real beast when he gets serious." The girl's imagining a certain Unbeatable Champion and his mellow Charizard being absolute menaces when they get into a serious match. "I'm getting that one!" Honey appreciated the understanding and turned to her husband. "Well, darling, I'll leave the rest to you." Mustard cheered over that. "Yay! This is my favorite part! I wanna see just how good you are! So, why not have a battle with little old me?"

Gloria tensed in glee as the old man let her know. "Just let me know when you're ready!" The trainees looked to the girl that approached ready. "I gotten a little bit of a warm up, now we can get to the fun!" The trainees made for the sides and cleared out a small arena, the girl took the left as Mustard took the right. "All right! Let's get this show started! This is the best way to get to know new students! He put his hands behind his back and smiled before drawing out an ultra ball and sending out a jumpy Mienfoo that posed swiftly. Gloria looked to Brainy and pointed onward. "Let's get this done Brainy!"

The Dottler jumped into battle and crossed eyes with the confident fighting type. "First things first, use reflect, I'm seeing a physical attacker right there!" Mustard pointed. "Fake you out!" The Mienfoo snickered, rushed at the Dottler and clapped to his face, making him roll back in shock before kicking him and flipping in a u-turn. Shockingly, that was a lot of damage. The Dottler formed the barrier and phewed as Mustard used the ball to catch the Mienfoo and switch to another. Letting out a sparkling, energetic Shinx. "Yipee! Oh, I just can't wait to see where this is going!" He ordered. "Give him a fast bite!"

The Shinx rushed to the Dottler for a chomp as Gloria felt one part of the fight is done. "Just use confusion once and Acer will take care of the rest!" Dottler buzzed and used his psychic power to push the Shinx off, the lion cub sparked electricity and tackled for a k.o. Gloria called the bug back and looked to Acer, who jumped in and put his paws in his fur. "Charge!"

The Raboot ignited in flames and rushed the Shinx so hard that he was knocked over backwards to Mustard. The master whistled "Uh-oh! Looks like my little old self's been cornered." and called the cub back before sending the Mienfoo out that is realizing he's before a strong pokemon who hasn't been dealt a serious hit. "This is giving me shivers!" The Mienfoo agreed, shivered and gave a serious stare. He sprinted for a fast fake out and Acer half dropped his eye lids before giving a flame charge and knocking the foe a distance. Mustard shoved a palm forward. "Give him the old palm!" The Mienfoo smacked a palm at Acer and left him shaking stiff in paralysis. Gloria cringed. "Drat! Paralysis! Come on, Acer, one more!"

Acer tried to stand up, sparked his feet and tackled at the Mienfoo, sending him rolling towards Mustard and falling to his side. The match was over and Mustard called his partner back before twiddling his beard. "That was everything I hoped for and more!" Gloria exhaled and gathered some medicine for her partners as the mentor laughed. "I lost there! You're pretty strong, aren't you?" People in the audience were taking that in. "Hey, the newbie won! Master wasn't going all out, but that's still pretty impressive!" "Who is that kid anyway?"

Gloria sprayed a paralyze heal and brought Brainy out for a revive. "It's all about the brain work! Once I set up that reflect, I had that fight under control!" Mustard agreed wholly. "Indeed you did! The way you battle really shows me how much you care about your pokemon! Even if you'd came because of a misunderstanding, as long as you have the will to learn" Gloria and her partners were a bit startled as Mustard smiled warmly. "then you're welcome at the Master Dojo! I think we can all help each other become stronger! I'm happy you've come to join us! So on that note-" A student came with the yellow dojo uniform. "here's your dojo uniform!"

Gloria saw the wear, gasped and took it. "Tee hee! I'll be right back!" She made her way to the changing room, switched her clothes out for the uniform and marched back out to give a battle pose.

Raboot huhed and tried to find a clock as Mustard saw that spark. "With that on, you'll fit right in with the students at my Master Dojo." He went towards the back door. "Now then, with Gloria here now, the dojo's at max capacity! It's time to really start our training! You'll all be facing three trials!" Gloria woahed. "Three trials?" A bystander asked. "Wait. Why is there a max capacity for the dojo?" Mustard didn't answer that. "And there's more! The person who completes the three trials will receive the secret armor of this dojo!"

Gloria's imagining herself in a fancy suit of armor and was all in. The master heard the many wanting to partake. "Heh, heh, that's the spirit! Now, lemme explain the first trial-" Klara was really envious of the uniform as Avery's felt left out. They both approached and the lady whined. ""Aww! But, Masterrr! You haven't given me my uniform yet!" Avery complained just as loudly. "I daresay it's unfair for only the child to get the uniform. Unequal, even! I demand an item swap!" Mustard realize he did forget. "Oh dear. You really don't have uniforms? My bad, my bad!" He went to get two outfits and presented them. "That's an easy fix, though! I have more uniforms right here for you two."

Klara giggled. "Hee, hee! The squeaky wheel gets the grease!" Avery agreed with her for once. "It does pay to complain sometimes!" They took the uniforms and turned to show them, right as they felt like celebrating, something pink leaped from nowhere and swiped the two away.

Klara and Avery looked around, the poison specialist asked. "It's gone, where did my uniform go?" Gloria spotted behind her, two slowpoke that are wiggling right into the wears. Not really fit for either of them, but they're not complaining. Just then, Gloria felt something pulling from her bag and turned around, seeing a third putting on her hat. "Po po po!" Gloria squeaked. "Whu! My hat!" She tried to grab the trouble maker, only for it to slip to her left and join with the others. Brainy was at a complete loss for words. (Are these things really slowpokes?)

Avery's eyes twitched. "How dare you? Are you using trick?" Klara demanded. "Give me back my uniform!" The Slowpokes looked to each other dumbfounded before making a break for the door. The two adults ran after them. "Oh my! Where do you think you're going?" "Get back here!" Gloria was about to follow as Mustard gave off a whoops. "Guess I let them out of their pokeballs a little too soon!" The girl took a moment to ask. "Master, what's up with those Slowpokes?" Mustard answered. "That is the first trial, my students!" He had a malicious smile. "You've all got to chase after those fast Slowpokes, trained with care by little old me! But that's not all, you need to defeat them too!"

Gloria groaned. "Since one of them stole my hat, I gotta if I want to get it back!" She put Brainy on her head and was ready for a jog while Mustard suggest. "And while you're at it, could you get Avery and Klara's Dojo uniforms too?"

Gloria might as well as the master waved for good luck. "Do your best, you lot!" Gloria started her jog and made it out the dojo, being quite surprised with the crowd of students that were keeping up with her. They found Klara and Avery trying to get the three Slowpokes in a corner, leaping as one. The Slowpokes saw their chance and made a break for the path way to the wet lands. Gloria had a ding in her mind, brought out her bike and had Rotom attack to the socket. "They want speed, they're going to meet speed! Come on Acer!"

The Raboot jumped onto her back as the legs made for the peddles and cycled fast. Klara's eyes had a twitch. "And she's got a bike too?!" Gloria was completely out of hearing range and made it to the wet lands, where water from the river pools over on it's way to the ocean and the strange tower on the beach. There were dust clouds in three distinct places, Gloria spotted one circling around a pond and cycled close. It was a Slowpoke wearing a uniform. She realize if she tries to chase it around, it might try to divert course and escape. She decided to cycle around it and collide with it head on.

Stopping just short and making the Slowpoke halt. She pointed. "Let's go Brainy!" Leap! The Dottler was prepared for a fight and the Slowpoke started with a fast water pulse. Splash! It wasn't too much damage and Gloria ordered. "Take care of that special attack first!" The Dottler shined a light screen and the Slowpoke gave a sharp glow, disabling the use of that move. Brainy went for his other option of using struggle bug and trading head butts until the Slowpoke rolled over in a k.o.

Brainy used that chance to pull the uniform off the Slowpoke, forcing it to make a run back to the Dojo. She put the uniform in her bag and turned to see the students trying and failing to so help as catch up to the Slowpokes, one was wearing a uniform and circling wide around a tree, while the other, who was wearing a hat, was making a lap by the river. She spotted, Avery who realize the tree lapper was going to be too much to chase and instead turned around to collide with it head on. Knocking him firmly on the but as the Slowpoke stepped back. Avery was trying to shake off the impact and let out his Abra. "These Slowpoke have got to have a special trick room or something! Use shadow ball and let us be finished with-" The Slowpoke head butted the Abra into a flinch and used another to knock him out. The psychic was dumbfounded as the Slowpoke turned, wagged his tail in a taunt and scurried. Only to run into Gloria, who had Brainy by her. "Going somewhere?"

Brainy stood in the Slowpoke's way and crossed eyes with the dopey trouble maker. The Slowpoke lunged a head butt against something more durable and caused a flinch before head butting again. Brainy set a reflect, took another more proudly and let loose a struggle bug that blasted the Slowpoke into a roll. The dopey pokemon shot acid as a counter attack and was knocked out in another blast. With that, Dottler took the uniform off of the Slowpoke and had it run back to the dojo.

Gloria took a deep breath and put the clothes in her bag. "We'll talk about this one later, nice work on stopping that Slowpoke." Avery groaned and adjusted his glasses. "I don't need your sympathy!"

"Come on, Venipede bite that Slo-"

They turned at the sound of Klara, Gloria had Brainy jump on the head of the bike and cycled to a fight at the river. Catching a hat wearing Slowpoke, bashing a Venipede in a flinching zen head butt and ramming it again to shove it towards Klara. Who had her back at a river. Both the trainer and pokemon were shoved into the water and the Slowpoke made the same pose the other one did to Avery.

Gloria got in the way. "You got something of mine, Slowpoke!" The Slowpoke sensed the tone, tilted her head and waited for Brainy to jump down. It started with a fast acid blast as the Dottler conjured a light screen. Brainy blasted a struggle bug sound for a similar result as before, was shot with a fast water pulse and used one more struggle bug to knock the Slowpoke to laying on her rear. Brainy took the hat and placed it back on Gloria. "Hee, hee! It's about time!"

Splash!

They turned to the sound of water and found Venipede in a foul mood and Klara with her make up being run and having a similar, eye lid dropping expression. "Come on, I had it!" The Slowpoke went running to the dojo and Gloria admitted. "Sorry about that, looks like that's all the Slowpokes! I'll see ya at the dojo if you want your uniforms back!" She waved and cycled off, leaving the poison specialist to let herself sink most of her body in the water.

The three were back to the dojo, with a smile of pride. They found the three Slowpokes before Mustard, sleeping away after the day they had. The master and the lady waved a welcome, the elder asked. "Hey, Gloria, welcome back! Looks like you got your hat back!" The girl nodded and brought out the stolen uniforms. "I thought to use my bike to catch up with the others, but I knew those crafty ones were only going one way. Avery and Klara caught up with two of the others, but got flinched by head butts!" The door opened to let the rivals and the students in, Klara was completely soaked as Avery wanted to scream. "Why did you tell him that?!"

Gloria presented the uniforms to the two. "At least you caught up with them! So here's your stuff back!" The rivals took it and blushed in embarrassment as Mustard waved a hand. "Well mustered, Gloria! You cleared the first trial like it was nothing! Why, I think this is the first time since Leon that someone was able to handle all three fast slowpokes on their own!" He turned to the others. "The rest of you tried very hard, too! Some of you might have been able to catch up to the Slowpoke, but I guess you couldn't defeat them." Avery tch'd as Klara's make up had a distinct look of venom while she gazed upon Brainy, Mustard sighed. "Tell you what. Anyone who was able to catch up to a Slowpoke at least once gets a pass!"

Gloria huhed as the master explained to the others. "Gloria really outdid herself, so it's only fair that everyone else gets another chance. Try to make a comeback everybody." Avery's a bit surprised while Klara phewed and wiped some of her eye shadow off. The bystanders were quite relieved while others were disappointed. "How generous." "Ugh! Either way, I'm still out."

Avery and Klara went to the changing rooms as Mustard turned to his wife. "That reminds me. Honey, where are those little ones?" Honey ahed. "Oh, that's right darling, I had nearly forgotten." She called. "Squirtle, Bulbasaur, come in sweeties!" From the right room, came a Squirtle that was spinning in on the back of his shell and a Bulbasaur who's hopping carefree. The Squirtle landed at the mat with a flip that was nearly a trip as the Bulbasaur landed by Gloria in a miss timed jump. Gloria ahed. "Cute!"

She petted the Bulbasaur as Honey explained. "These are our sweet pokemon, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. We've all been taking care of them together. And I say that they're more than a little curious about your strength as a trainer. Why don't you pick one for yourself? You did succeed in the trial, after all." Gloria had her heart leap as Honey explained. "And just so you know, these two have been raised in a very special way. When they evolve, they'll be able to gigantamax."

This is the first time Gloria's heard of the term, yet something about it is familiar. "That... explains it! Gigantamax, it's basically Dynamax but the pokemon changes it's form too? That's got to explain how Leon met that Charizard!" Honey nodded. "You're correct, sweetie! I knew you had a good eye." Gloria appreciated that, looked to the two and is remembering. "But, I'm going to just bring another pokemon with me, after I went through so much trouble for the one I have. There's another pokemon I have with me, that's in a pickle due to something I can't find and it's how I got wrapped up in all this in the first place."

She brought out a pokeball and let out an Applin that is waking up. The Squirtle huhed while the Bulbasaur had a sniff and is intrigued. (I'm getting it.) He hopped to the Squirtle to explain something as Gloria explained. "I've caught her as soon as I was able to get to the wild area and it took me a whole lap to figure out what I need to evolve Sweet Pie and it's been a hassle just finding the two fruits." Sweet Pie sighed and tried to hide more in the apple as Mustard nodded. "Well, you don't see a lot of those apples around here. Plenty of Applins though and I think someone mentioned that they got knocked in the head by a flying apple once!" Gloria gasped. "Then that means, you can find those apples here!" Honey had a bit of an idea as Mustard remembered. "Speaking of foods you can find, there's that secret recipe of the Master Dojo!"

Klara and Avery stepped out in their uniforms, the lady kept her white bow on while Avery feels strange without his hat. They realize they've missed something and the master explained. "Drinking it makes you gigantic and strong! I call it max soup!" He's remembering more. "Ah, I'd love to have a bowel of max soup full of max mushrooms right about now. It sure has been a while!" He declared dramatically. "And that's why your second trial shall be mushroom picking!" The trainees were a bit astonished as Mustard explained. "The max mushrooms are the key to gigantamaxing, and I'm tasking you with finding three! Max Mushrooms are red with a spiral pattern. I'm pretty sure they grow in dark, humid places! And with that, your next trial begins! I'm countin' on ya!"

The trainees that had the free pass took off while Honey advised. "Gloria, while your out there. Do you mind if I look after Sweet Pie here, it hasn't really been fair for her to be left out of this."

That Gloria agreed with. "I'm going to be in a juggle between finding those mushrooms and the apple. I've heard that in case those aren't growing, there might be something that will spring more. It's just a visit to a dynamax den or two!" Klara and Avery would remember that and a dojo assistant asked. "Gloria, if you want that Applin to learn a new move, you can leave that to me!" Honey looked to the Applin that is confused. "If she wants it." She explained to the girl. "This lovely lad is always so kind. Give him a bit of armorite ore from the dens here, and he'll teach your darling pokemon a new move. You should give it a try when you get the chance." She gave Gloria five pieces of the ore and went to the kitchen with the three pokemon.

Gloria turned to her rivals, who've had quite the ordeal and whispered. "So, that's my story. Looks like I'm going to find the thing I was looking for after all." Avery crossed his arms and squinted his eyes. "Perhaps. But I'm not fated to accept your capabilities as of yet." Klara nodded. "You better think twice before I let that story get in the way of finishing this trial before you mate!" She sprinted out and Avery cringed, he followed after her. "Teleport!" If there's one thing Gloria was a little appreciative of, is that these two were willing to ease up on the Applin. She called her partners back. "Alright, just to be safe, let's give a den or two a try!" As they left, the Applin was in a rather well kept living room with some video games and was looking up at fridge Honey was using. Squirtle and Bulbasaur were patting Sweet Pie on the back as the adult pretended to not find something and looked down to her. "Let's see, you seem modest so-"

In a max raid den.

Gloria and a trio of trainees were having a fierce battle against a giant Fomantis that was quickly getting overwhelmed by Acer and his fire. It was bursting in power and Gloria charged up a nest ball for a quick capture. In the after math, there was a technical record labeled energy ball and a small collection of candies that her Slowpoke could use. "And that ought to be number three! I think there's enough particles to get some mushrooms growing and more than enough to catch my Slowpoke up as well."

A dojo buddy, a teenage girl with black hair tied in hair buns, smiled wide. "If you'd raised her like you did with Acer and Brainy, then it's going to be amazing!" She asked. "Hey, if you were suppose to battle Kabu, why not take the time after the trials to go catch a Rockruff! They're pretty cute and they evolve into a really handy pokemon depending on the time."

Gloria's imagining. "I might give that a try, as long as I don't got to bench anyone later on, then it's going to be filling like that soup's gonna be!" She stepped out and found low lands to a mountain before waving to her buddies and taking off. She brought out Slowpoke and presented her with twelve triangle shape candies and a cube shape candy piece. "Have a bit of a perk em up before we get going! I'll bet you're going to be a quick wit star of Hammerlocke by the end of today!" The Slowpoke sniffed the candies and engulfed them in one bite, feeling a strong perk and thinking quick in her advised. "For now, forget about confusion and acid, learn that water pulse and zen head butt. Yawn and disable can be useful later." The slowpoke grunted before completely forgetting what she was even doing. Gloria tried to jog and saw she really wasn't moving. It's going to take a while before she's able to keep up with those three Mustard had been raising.

She called the Slowpoke back and explored the lowlands before finding a tunnel with some cubones, sandshrews and a napping torkoal. In her sights is a three cap cluster of red glowing mushrooms. She jogged at a faster pace, in hope someone isn't going to snatch it along the way. As she was in grabbing distance, someone came yelling. "Hold up a sec!"

Gloria turned to find Klara catching up and getting in a wheeze. She noticed the three cap cluster. "H...Hello, what's this?" She saw an easy way to a cleared trial. "Here I thought I'd need to find them one by one!" Gloria stepped in the way. "Well, I'm already set on these, so bugger off!" Klara cringed. "Come on, I saw those mushrooms first! I swear! I've been at the dojo long and all." She whistled. "Soo.. it's only fair if you let me have them, right?"

She gave a pouty face with glistening eyes, Gloria wasn't fooled. "No way!" Klara paused, half dropped her eye lids and tsked. "I'd figured that's what you say!"

She went with plan c and drew out a ball, pressing a finger on the button. "Gosh, you're a pain in the neck. You just show up out of nowhere, looking for some sweet apple and you just happened to be young and talented." She shook her head. "If you're looking to get in my way after tricking me to let you in here, then I think some vile poisons will take care of that." She gritted her teeth and sent out a slowpoke. Gloria smirked and sent out Brainy. "Another warm up already? Why don't mind if I do!" The Dottler buzzed as Gloria ordered. "Start with a struggle bug and set up a reflect!"

The Dottler let loose the wave as Klara winked. "Sorry, that not allowed!" The Slowpoke caused a sharp stare that Gloria was familiar with, the girl cursed her luck. "You disabled that?! Fiddlesticks!" Brainy agreed and used a reflect as the Slowpoke shot a water pulse as insult to injury. Brainy was confused from the blast and Gloria went for her next plan. "Come on back!" She sent out her Raboot. "Acer, let's finish this Slowpoke off!" Pop! The Raboot entered the battle and perked as Klara ordered. "Grr! Shoot him away with water pulse, I want those mushrooms!" The Slowpoke shot a super effective water pulse that Acer didn't appreciate and was finished off by a fast flame charge. Klara switched for a Koffing, having a plan in mind as Gloria ordered. "Again!" Acer charged for a kick as Klara ordered. "Clear that heat out and keep going!"

The Koffing inhaled and puffed a clear smog, the Raboot felt his heat dying down and flame charged again, trading a clear smog blow until he blazed up and finished the Koffing off. Klara called him back and hoped. "Am I really gonna lose again? Is there something wrong with me?" She sent out her Whirlipede. "Go on! Get 'em! Knock 'em flat! And give 'em a little venom for good measure!" Acer sighed, blazed up a flame charge and knocked the already defeated looking bug type to the tunnel wall. Klara's bow tie lowered in defeat and she called her Whirlipede back. "Just what have you got that I don't?" Gloria shrugged as Klara asked once more in a argh. "Why can't I win?! I'm trying as hard as I can! What am I missing?" The girl pointed outside. "Well, I did tell some buddies about a theory to grow more of those mushrooms, so try to look elsewhere while I pass this trial."

Klara was about to be in another outburst. "You know what, fine! You can have those silly mushrooms! I'm going to find better ones, anyway! So there!" She stuck her tongue out and ran for it. Leaving Gloria and her tired partner to collect their bounty. With the mushrooms plucked, the Rotom Dex gave a ring. "Hello, hello? Is this Gloria's phone? How's the trial coming love?" Gloria reported. "I've gotten my three mushrooms and I'm about to head back. The people and pokemon here are pretty amazing!" Honey giggled. "Thank you darling. You've already managed to find three of the max mushrooms?" She sighed in pride. "I've been checking everyone's progress, but it seems like you're in first place once again! You really are our new rising star, aren't you?" Gloria blushed. "I do have plans on defeating the Undefeatable one of these days. So that feels nice to hear."

Honey knows that Gloria's talking about Leon. "With that wit, you might be able to do that. I suppose I'd better put the pot on the stove but be careful on your way back! Ciao!" Blip! Gloria and Acer turned, to jog out of the cave. The girl called her friend back and kept going the pace, all the way back to the dojo, where Mustard was talking with some distraught students over a failure to gather something.

Gloria showed the mushrooms proudly. "I'm back with those mushrooms!" Mustard ohed and approached. "Hey there, Gloria! Welcome back! Looks like you nailed the trial!" Gloria heard drums as Mustard congratulated her. "Congrats on finding the Max Mushrooms! Trial number two was no problem for you!" He explained about the others. "My other students either got lost in the forest or spent a little too much time in the dens when they couldn't find anything!"

The hair bun girl nodded. "We couldn't find those three fast enough!" Mustard found that a pity. "It's a shame, but I guess everyone but Gloria will fail the-" Slam! In a sudden, the dojo door slammed open, Klara and Avery were pushing each other with a cluster of mushrooms. Klara yelled. "Hold it! We found those mushrooms too!" Avery nearly fell and dropped the floating balls. "It took a miracle eye to find the last one at the edge of the cavern!"

One of the male students ohed. "So that's where you ran to after we found that Larvesta!" Gloria huhed. "A what now?" She used the Rotom Dex to see the white fur larva as the student explained. "It's a rare pokemon that takes a long time to evolve into one of the most powerful bug types you'd find here!"

At the word evolve, Sweet Pie rolled by to say hello, along with a Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Gloria gave Avery a rather envious smirk and guessed. "Congratulations on finding those there! Bet that didn't take long once you know where to look." Klara pointed at her in silence. "Yeah, once I made like Whirlipede and got rolling!" Despite seeing the obvious hostility, Mustard was more than pleased that the two put in some work. "Looks like that makes two more that passed the second trial. So, first things first, a proper meal! Let's have the max mushrooms made into a delicious soup, shall we?" Gloria nodded and went to the kitchen, finding Honey with a pot of broth that's boiling. To the point the lid is giving a dance. "Mmm, mmm, mmm! I've really outdone myself this time!" She turned. "Now all that's left to add are those lovely Max Mushrooms you've brought us!"

Klara's getting teary eyed as Avery thought of something. "M-Ms. Honey. I beg you, wait just one moment!" Honey huhed. "Why Avery? What in the world has gotten into you and Klara? I've never seen you two in such a flutter." Avery ahemed. "We've also obtained some Max Mushrooms. Master, Ms Honey, if you would grant me one wish, just this once, I'll be indebted. Would you be so kind as to use my Max Mushrooms in the max soup? I feel that everyone here should enjoy the taste of my efforts."

Honey had some pity. "Oh Avery. Well! If that's all your after, then I'm perfectly happy to obliged." Gloria simply put her mushrooms away and stepped aside as Honey recalled. "Though this is hardly the first time you two asked for something, and I'd rather doubt it'll be the last." Avery blushed. "Ms. Honey." Honey looked to Gloria, who was pretty content. "I hope you don't feel that your thunder's being stolen Gloria. But we're a family here and families share! So we'll go ahead and use Avery's mushrooms today. You and Klara can keep yours for now." She looked to the two. "It's so rare for him and Klara to try hard at something. I really want to reward that."

Gloria insisted that she didn't mind at all. "I didn't exactly consider that this was a competition, so my advise could have went the wrong way." Mustard added in. "Oh and don't you two worry, you still passed with flying colors. Think of those extra max mushrooms as a reward!"

Gloria understood and helped set the table for some lunch while Honey cooked the mushrooms into the soup. They gave off red clouds, reminiscent to those found on Dynamaxed pokemon. By the stroke of noon, the soup was ready and Honey lifted the big pot and put it on the center of the table. Causing a mighty thud most intimidating. Gloria was having a seat next to Avery, Klara and Mustard while Hyde was next to a spot for Honey. The lady of the house declared. "All right, everybody! Soup's on! The famous max soup of the Master Dojo!"

Mustard spoke the minds of everyone around the table. "Well, I'm famished! Time to dig in! Let's eat!" The household enjoyed the nice, rich broth and Mustard realized he forgot something. "Oh, I never explained the big deal about this soup, did I? You see, when one drinks this dojo's famous max soup." Gloria's feeling a spike of power welling up inside her. "They get to dynamax like their pokemon!" Mustard corrected her. "No, we don't! That kind of thing doesn't happen if a human has the soup. But! Things are a bit different when certain pokemon drinks the soup! You see, there are pokemon that have distinct potential. Like that Raboot you've been training with. And when they drink the soup, their dynamax form will change into a gigantamax form!"

Honey nodded. "I'll keep one of the lads in the kitchen on soup duty from now on, too. You can ask if you want a fresh bowl of Max Soup, when ever you need it!" One of the students from the far table waved for that job as Mustard wanted to conclude something. "Now then, let's wrap things up! You all did your best on the second trial, and I'm proud of everyone here! But last but not least." "Thanks for the soup, Honey!" The lady of the house blushed as the students gave thanks. "Thanks for the soup, Ms. Honey!"

After a clean up in the kitchen, Gloria stepped back to the dojo, where Mustard had a request. "By the way, Gloria! Meet me in my room when you have a moment!" He walked off to the living room as the girl made a turn to the soup volunteer and gave three mushrooms. "I got a little while I'm doing that. Could you make a bowl for Acer while I settle business?" The volunteer nodded. "Sure thing!" The girl let out a Raboot that is smelling something good, the student remembered. "Oh and Ms. Honey wants to talk with you about something, once you're done with what is to come."

Gloria wondered and hurried to the living room, finding that Honey's hiding a little package and is pretending otherwise. The girl made it and found Mustard, Klara and Avery. "There you three are. Thanks for coming!" Avery nodded. "When I heard you had something to tell me, I came as soon as I could, Master." Klara wondered. "Sooo... what's this all about, Master? What did you want to tell us?"

Mustard announced with his eyes closed. "Right! Well! I've decided that you three will take on the Master Dojo's." He opened them to show menace. "final... ultimate... third trial!" Gloria and her rivals gasped, speaking at once. "A final, ultimate, third trial?!" Avery asked. "Are you saying that this would be the last trial?" Mustard nodded calmly. "Ah, well, yes. That's the gist of it. You three are the only ones who successfully finished the second trial! You've pushed each other to greater heights and helped each other grow. So, I'd say it's time to finally see who is stronger in a free for all, Dynamax pokemon battle!"

Klara huhed. "We're going to battle? That's the last trial?" Mustard nodded. "Yep! The rules are simple. Who ever's the final winner will complete the trial! The winner will be granted the secret armor of the Master Dojo!" Klara and Avery had a moment of an opportunity, give Gloria and each other a sneaky glance as Mustard explained. "The battle will be held at the Battle Court behind the Max Dojo! The court is a power spot, so you can dynamax to your heart's content." Klara stuttered. "Then I...I need to get going!" She hurried. ""I need to go there right away to prepare my pure heart for this! I'm going on ahead, 'K? You can laze about like a Slowpoke and take as much time as you need!"

Avery cringed. "I say!" He coughed. "I... also need to make haste to the Battle Court and meditate on my upcoming victory! Take all the time you need to get ready!" He chased after his rival and made for the back door.

Mustard sighed. "Those two, they got talent- that's for sure- but it's caused them to slack off and bicker. They never felt the need to try hard at anything but arguing, I guess. Even with their training at the dojo, I can tell they're doing just the bare minimum." He smiled to Gloria. "But things have changed since you've arrived, Gloria. Maybe you've helped awaken some sort of passion and drive in them, eh?" He closed his eyes and frowned. "Still, I hope that motivation isn't put towards anything mischievous."

Gloria's expecting the worst. "I get thinking outside the box, but there's got to be line you need to know about before you cross it. Once you find a way, someone's going to see it too and that can lead to some really bad ideas." She thought. "Like handicapping yourself with a pokemon that's only going to get better later. Instead of keeping them to training while you make your way through the harder stuff." Mustard nodded. "It's like raising a Magikarp or a Jangmo-o. Oh they'll get strong, but you're setting yourself up a big hill to get there. So what are you going to do now?" Gloria thought. "I'll go see what Honey has for me before I pick Acer up and go check on those two. I don't want them getting each other hurt."

Mustard found that a wise choice and sat on a couch to think about things while Gloria went back to the main room and found Honey. The woman brought out the box and asked. "Looks like you have one more trial for today before you got to go back to that Gym Challenge. Would you mind if we talk in the kitchen?"

Gloria doesn't and followed her in, finding Acer drinking a soup and looking like he had a very gourmet lunch. Honey placed the box on the counter and opened it. "I don't know what you and Sweet Pie had to go through before you ended up coming here. That challenge isn't forgiving for anyone who makes certain mistakes in their training." She turned. "Not that you were doing anything wrong. Some pokemon can't even learn anything better at that stage."

Sweet Pie made a jump on a chair and to the table as Gloria took a deep breath. "I want her to have that adventure with me and not get cheated out of one because I get impatient over bad luck. Once we get that sync, we'll be able to make it to the top of Galar and show Leon that we'd make it to his level! Even if we run into a jerk who would make fun of her for being weak now, we want to wipe that smirk of their face when they see us later." She admitted. "I'm glad those two lighten up with her, even if they don't seem to like me that much."

Honey sighed. "Darling, some people are only talking down on you, because got talked down as well and don't want to feel bad when they're put under pressure. When they realize you won't crack, they'll take it out on anyone weaker, just to feel better about themselves. Has this trainer been doing this to you and your pokemon... often?"

Gloria raised a finger and remembered some of Bede's words. She tapped the side of her head. "Well, he talks that stuff about me a lot and the latest one is because I tried finishing him off with Sweet Pie as a way to make her feel better. But... he did say she had potential. He just didn't care about it." Honey huhed. "Well, that's a relief at least. So if you're going to show him that you've been working hard, here's something for Sweet Pie to think about."

She opened the box and brought out two distinct apples, held by a decorative, cloth net. One has a tart green hue, the other has that spell of natural candy. Gloria's mouth dropped. "Are these apples?!" Honey nodded. "One tart apple and one sweet apple! I've been in the business for a while, so I know where to look around here. Now, you and Sweet Pie can only make this choice once!"

Gloria looked at the two apples and felt the weight. One apple, would lead to the path of a pokemon she's seen the potential of, the tiny but fearsome flapple. The other is of a pokemon she knows little of and making that choice without a plan could be costly. Yet, she brought out the Pokedex and saw the entry of Rockruff. Showing the two more common evolutions, variants of Lycanroc. The one of day is frail but faster, the one of night is slower but is more likely to take a hit. "Maybe... the other one does that instead." She asked. "Sweet Pie, which apple do you want? Because I'm thinking the one we don't know about might be worth it."

Sweet Pie agreed and made a hop to the sweet apple, she stuck her head out of her shelter and took a bite into the fruit, devouring more and more until she nearly wiggles out of it. At the moment she finished, she glowed and swelled. Becoming roughly the size of Brainy and growing a set of legs, before her back burst into a hump and sprouted two leaves. The hump oozed lumps and the apple broke in two before flipping onto Sweet Pie's head. Pew! The glowing stopped, the witnesses were amazed at the green, quadrupedal wyrm that's stalks were tucked under an apple hat and having a back that resembles an apple pie.

Gloria read the entry out loud. "Appletun: The Apple Nectar Pokemon: Grass-Dragon: Eating a sweet apple caused its evolution. A nectarous scent wafts from its body, luring in the bug Pokémon it preys on. Its body is covered in sweet nectar, and the skin on its back is especially yummy. Children used to have it as a snack." She sighed. "I hope that means the nectar." She giggled. "Sweet Pie, you're looking plump!" The Appletun huhed, turned to a reflection and saw she gained weight. She yelped and showed her ear like flaps to be eye stalks. (How fat did I get?!) Acer eeked. (Hey, hey! So you might have put on some pounds, that didn't stop that Drednaw from sprinting!)

Gloria agreed. "Besides, a lot of slow pokemon tend to take a good hit or two. Now we got to teach you some moves." She asked. "You think that guy can help Sweet Pie remember some moves that can come in handy?" Honey hummed. "I'm thinking that can be arranged!" She hurried. "Come on, I want to see this wyrm smile!" The three were on it and Sweet Pie had to sprint and hop to adjust to the weight, it really isn't any worse than when she hid in her apple. In fact, she might be a little faster with the effort. Gloria asked the move tutor. "Excuse me, I just evolved my Applin and I need some good moves for her, stat!" The gentleman yelped and brought out a list. "Let's see. Right now, the options aren't too terrible, but if you try a little more, she could learn a very powerful move." Gloria looked over and had the Dex analyze the options. In place of Astonish and Withdrawel is a hefty assortment. Headbutt was learned on evolving, bullet seed sounded convenient, leech seed would be amazing in a longer match and recover even more so.

The practice brought about confidence in the Appletun and she gave a gurgling roar. Rumble! Rumble! Just then, there was a quake that came from the back yard. Honey gasped. "Goodness, what are they doing?" Gloria sighed and readied to call Sweet Pie and Acer back. "I'll go check it out, I can't say I didn't see this coming."

She, Honey, the students and Mustard rushed out to see the end of a rather intense battle. A Slowpoke, standing up with a shellder on her arm, was battling against a Slowpoke standing up with a royal tuff around the neck and a strange shell crown with eyes in place of his own. Klara was wailing. "No, no, no! There's no way I'm losing! I ain't letting go till the bitter end!" She pointed. "Slowbro, get that Slowking with a mind storm! We have him!" The Slowpoke huhed as Avery smirked. "My unbelievable psychic powers will utterly humiliate you!" The Slowking raised his head and charged a psychic power in a gem at the crowns tip, before unleashing a pulse of power that caused the Slowbro to rupture in power and shrink down.

Avery smirked as Klara wanted to sit down. "But I didn't hold back! I gave it everything I got!" Mustard woahed. "Looks like you two got started without us!" Gloria approached as Avery was realizing what is about to happen. "M..Master, I can explain." The girl guessed. "You couldn't stop yampering and started the round without me?" Mustard thought of something. "Heh, heh! Well, since Gloria was ahead of you two, I think this might have changed the rules! So who won?" Klara half dropped her eye lids and pointed at Avery. "He did! Even when I tried to cheat a little!" Avery sighed as Gloria is imagining that he was trying to cheat as well.

Mustard sighed at the both of them. "We'll talk about that later. Avery, go get your pokemon healed!" Avery did so as Klara stepped aside, fearing the worst was going to happen. After a minute, Avery approached Gloria smugly. "Defeating you will grant me the secret armor." He folded his arms. "Then I'll have what I need to become a psychic-type gym leader. No matter what it takes, I refuse to accept anything but a complete and utter victory." His stare tensed. "I'm coming at you with everything I have. Are you prepared?" Gloria had a plan in mind. "Sure do!"

They readied to approach as Mustard declared. "Looks like you two are ready." The students wished them good luck as Mustard went ahead, volunteering to be the referee. "Alright, you two, take your place!" Gloria and Avery dashed ahead, the girl took the left as the adult took the right. Mustard was looking forward to this moment. "The Master Dojo's final trial. Ready!" Gloria tensed as Avery's glasses give a distinct shine. "Aaaaand go!" Avery gave a gracious bow as Gloria tossed out a ball. "Come on, Slowpoke!" Pop! "Slow!" Plop! Avery was a little surprised, but was building up something as a vain Ponyta entered. "Heh. Let us have an elegant battle worthy of being called a finale." He spin a ball with his fingers and give off an unhinged smile. "Prepare to sink into despair and into a weird battlefield beneath your feet!"

The battlefield pulsed a psychic terrain, Gloria ohed. "I'd knew you be trying something weird!" Avery laughed and pointed. "Pontya, sweep this Slowpoke away in the mist of confusion!" The Ponyta glowed a psychic pulse that was quite strong, Gloria ordered. "Two can play at this! Disable that and yawn!" The Slowpoke give the Ponyta a glare and disabled the move. The Pontya went for the second plan, a fairy wind and was given a yawn. The Slowpoke dashed in a zen and head butted the Ponyta by a good amount. The horse dosed off asleep and Avery cringed. "Come on, it would be embarrassing to fall asleep now!"

The Slowpoke used another zen head butt and Gloria aimed. "Now use water pulse!" The Slowpoke opened his mouth and gave off an echo, the Ponyta woked up with some confusion and glowed his horn, only to fall over and hurt itself. The terrain wore off and Gloria had Slowpoke use zen head butt once more before the horse shook it off and used confusion. Pow! The Slowpoke dealt a finishing blow and knocked the Ponyta down.

Gloria cheered as Avery realize the thing he set up was used up for nothing. "My elegant pokemon. We still have" He twirled and sent out another. "more!" Pop! Out of the ball came a Swoobat that is spinning in grace. Gloria called Slowpoke back and tossed. "Acer, it's time to join this dance!" Pop! The Raboot entered and sized up his opponent, Avery pointed. "Once more, confusion!" The Swoobat twirled and jerked forward at the Raboot. Pow! Confusion hit and he flame charged the foe. The Swoobat spun high in the air and Avery directed. "Cut through the air!"

Gloria yelled. "Just keep using that move, I know it's getting old but it's worked so far!" The Raboot leaped high and kicked back before having a full blast of sharp air and landing on his back. That was a critical hit that made him blaze up and rush a finishing flame charge. Avery let his partner back and let loose a Kadabra that floated mid air and had a matching glare. Raboot huffed and sprinted for a k.o, or so he thought. The Kadabra kept back and held on with a focus sash before firing a fast psybeam and knocking the Raboot out.

Avery laughed. "Finally! My future sight's foretold that one!" Gloria woahed and called Acer back. "That's definitely stopped that. But now I can bring out my darling Sweet Pie!" She tossed the ball and let out the Appletun. "Acer might have weaken this one, but it's different this time!" The Apple Wyrm grunted as the Kadabra realize it's victory was cut short and shot a psybeam, Sweet Pie pushed through that as Gloria ordered. "Now hit from afar with bullet seed!" The dragon puffed her cheeks and spat out a barrage of seeds, quickly sending the Kadabra to his back in a knock out and forcing Avery in a corner. "We shall awaken our true psychic power here and now!" He raised his hands to the air and had the final ball spin up like fire works and land to let out the Slowking. Who put his hands to his hips and smiled proud.

Gloria called Sweet Pie back and had the Rotom Dex check out the creature. "Slowking: The Hexpert Pokemon: Psychic-Poison and of the Galarian variety: A combination of toxins and the shock of evolving has increased Shellder's intelligence to the point that Shellder now controls Slowking. While chanting strange spells, this Pokémon combines its internal toxins with what it's eaten, creating strange potions." Slowking raised his hands up and taunted. (You won't be able to defeat us that easily!)

Gloria sent out Brainy. "If that's a Slowking, then what's up with the Slowbro?" Avery laughed. "You will talk with Klara about that, very soon! With a one, two, three-" He aimed a floating ball at Slowking and called him back. "this pokemon will be gigantic!" He fed dynamax power into the ball, pointed a finger to show the one psychic trick he's able to master and flung it back with the effort of a finger. Popping out a Slowking that enlarged and give off a haughty laugh. (We are the supreme ones on this island!) Briany woahed as Gloria aimed a ball at him. (We're... going to correct that.)

The ball drew him in and was fed Dynamax power. "We ought to see how well he can go through this! Brainy," The ball enlarge. "Let's get big!" Fling! Pop! The Dottler was at the size of a giant as Avery ordered. "Though uncouth, this toxin will amplify our power!" Gloria saw her chance. "Not if we make a lot of noise! Brainy, max flutterby!" The Dottler shot out the butterflies as the Slowking conjured a blast of sludge. Powering up the damage that was weaken. The two kept trading blows, though Brainy wasn't doing anywhere near enough damage to even it out. The two shrank at a up hill stale mate and the Slowking dangled his arms menacingly.

Brainy realize. (Now that is done, he won't power up anymore!) Gloria realize. "Keep using struggle bug!" The Dottler obeyed and sent a blast that lowered the Slowking's power, Avery cringed. (Gah! If she keeps using that, I won't be able to do enough damage!) He took a deep breath and chanted something, the Slowking joined in that and let loose an eerie sound that circled the Dottler and made him feel depowered. Gloria gahed. "What is that?!" Avery asked. "What's the matter, mesmerized by our eerie spell? You won't be depending on that move for long!" That was a hint that the Dottler's energy for struggle bug was going to get sapped to spent if she keeps using that, she changed plans. "Alright, here we go! Light screen!"

The Dottler let loose that barrier as Avery pointed, quing the Slowking to spit acid, melting through the defense and forcing Brainy to go back to using a struggle bug. Gloria phewed. "One more and we can change our gears!" Brainy and Slowking traded blasts, the hexpert is hitting weaker than before while the Dottler let loose a blast of confusion. The two engage of a battle of the mind, blasting each other with psychic power until the Slowking began to tire out.

He and Dottler breathed heavily and waddled, the Hexpert readied to cast one more and fell over on his back. K.O. Avery couldn't believe it as his balls dropped, he lost to a half evolved bug. "Oh I could just imprison myself right now!"

Mustard blew a whistle. "The victor has been decided!" He directed to the girl. "The one to complete the third trial is you, Gloria!" The audience, baring Klara, cheered to their hearts content. The poison type expert shook her head. "I'm so getting expelled for this."

Honey cheered. "Oh, well done! You both gave it your all!" She turned to Klara. "And it looked like you were giving it everything before we saw the end of it! Go over to them." The lady sighed. "Yeah, might as get it over with." She approached as Avery called his Slowking back and approached Gloria, surely defeated. "It appears, I have lost." He laughed bitterly. "Heh, how pathetic. I lost, even though I resorted to such underhanded tactics. I don't think young, capable children like you can understand how I feel."

Gloria's imagining that Avery is a bit scared inside. "I am just an average man who gave everything he possibly could. Perhaps it's time I stopped playing around and gave up my dreams of being a Gym Leader. After the less-than-reputable thing I did, I'm likely to be expelled from the dojo." He groaned. "Gloria, you are free to tell the Master about the awful things I did." The girl raised a hand and picked Brainy up, the Dottler was sensing enough feeling to know he's punishing himself greatly. Gloria phewed. "I'm not. I think you still got a chance to learn." Avery huhed. "Wh-what are you saying? But I turned to the shadows like a Dark type to try to win!"

Mustard had to interfere. "That's your strength Gloria. Kindness and forgiveness for both your pokemon and your rivals!" Avery's shaking. "M-master?!" The Master frowned to the girl. "I should apologize on both Avery and Klara's behalf, too, as their master." He looked to the both of them. "What they did was wrong, but they just didn't want to be beaten by their rival, that's all. They're both good, hardworking students." Avery and Klara were getting into tears as Gloria agreed with the master. "I think they gotten the wake up call they needed. What they ended up putting each other through and where that amounted to was more than enough for what I could do to them."

That one really had the rivals sobbing, Klara burst out in tears. "All that dirty stuff and it didn't get us anything!" Avery agreed as his glasses fogged up. "All it did was hinder us even more!"

Mustard pressed his hands together. "As your punishments, Avery, Klara, you're going to look after the Pokemon in the dojo for six months. By yourselves!" The two were startled, Klara asked. "What?! I mean.." Avery breathed easily. "That is all we'll have to do and you'll forgive us?" Gloria patted the two on the back as Mustard answered gleefully. "Of course! Let's work on strengthening your heart!" The two took it in respect as the Master went to the others. "All right, everyone! Things are settled here!" Honey gave the three were it's due. "I'm so proud of the three of you! You mustered up so much effort and tried so hard! I got so teared up, I couldn't even see half of the battle, but what I saw was amazing!"

Mustard turned to the girl. "Gloria! You gave it your best and triumphed, even when faced with an unfair challenge. To you, who accomplished all the trials." The drums rang. "I grant the secret armor of the Master Dojo! It'll take some time to prepare, so I'll go ahead and get things sorted."

Gloria had a question mark over her head. (Why would it take that long to bring out the fancy armor?) Mustard called the trial over. "And that's all gang! As you were!" The group were heading in and Gloria readied to follow, Klara called. "Hey... Gloria." She and Avery gave the girl some cards. The adult blushed. "Um! I...well... you're really strong!" Avery agreed. "I'll acknowledge that, it's going to take a true fool to deny that you've earned that."

Gloria put the cards away and felt better about herself. "It might have happened because I got mixed up in a prank. But I'm glad you brought me here!" She blushed. "How about, since it's still early in the afternoon... you'd come watch as I fight Kabu?" Klara sighed. "That would give us time to think about all this." Avery nodded and looked away. "Are you like this to all your rivals?" Gloria thought about it. "I'm thinking so, but there's one that needs to be woken up too." She jogged. "So come on, we got to see what this Armor is all about!" The two gasped and hurried behind her. Back in the dojo, where things are calming down from the days activities.

After ten minutes, Mustard was at the center of the dojo. Calling Gloria for the event. "Ah, there you are, Gloria. Not wanting to keep an old man waiting, hmm?" Gloria shook her head and gave a matching flex to the locals of the dojo. Mustard announced. "Since you've completed all three trials" he smiled and had his arms behind his back. "I give you the secret armor of the Master Dojo!" He took out a pokeball. "Now then... come on out!" He tossed the ball and let out a rather surprising specimen, a small, bipedal, grey bear with black fingers, a light yellow muzzle, white fluff on the forehead, a tie like pattern of white fur on the chest and white ribbon fur on the back of it head. The bear looked quite disciplined as it punched and kicked in the air. It dashed to Mustard to unleash a flurry of punches that the elder blocked with his hands, leaped to a practice dummy for a kick back flipped and took a deep breath.

Then Gloria crouched to have a closer look, spooking the creature to where it hid behind Mustard. Earning a bit of a laugh. The Dex showed the info on the creature. "Kubfu: the Wushu pokemon: A Fighting Type: Kubfu trains hard to perfect its moves. The moves it masters will determine which form it takes when it evolves. If Kubfu pulls the long white hair on its head, its fighting spirit heightens and power wells up from the depths of its belly."

Gloria had a check on a few things, especially gender and waved. "You're as much as new girl to this as I am, Fubear!" Mustard coughed. "This Pokemon is in fact the secret armor of the Master Dojo! I'm thinking you picked a good name for Kubfu here!" He admitted. "I know, I know, she's tiny. But raised with enough diligence, and she will become strong enough to see you through any battle, just like a suit of armor. No opponent will be able to get past it!"

He looked back to Fubear. "This one in particular has amazing potential! Problem is she's a bit shy. She doesn't seem to have much confidence in herself." Gloria raised her hands to confess. "When I started out, I was as nervous as wimpod in a thunderstorm!" Mustard nodded. "So that's why I was thinking, Gloria! Maybe if she joins you on your adventure, that'll help her break out of her shell a little. So take good care of Fubear, 'K? She's in your hands now!" He tossed Gloria the ball, the girl let Acer out and let him know. "Hey, we got ourselves a new trainee here! Say hello!"

The Raboot turned to see the nervous Kubfu, smiled and waved. (We got a thing going here, but you'll fit in after a few minutes.) The Kubfu huhed and slowly approached, she pressed her right fist to her left palm. (We're going to start training soon?)

Mustard advised. "Now then... The first thing for you to do is become best friends with Kubfu! You need to build trust! Kubfu hasn't really had a chance to explore the world outside the dojo. So maybe it'll help you become better friends if you let her have a look around! Maybe that Gym Challenge would be a good start if you can get her up to the others level."

Gloria had that to heart and brought ought every small candy and medium sized candy she could find. "These ought to do the trick." Mustard nodded in a smile. "Once you two are best buddies, we'll start Fubear's training in earnest. Just stop by and let me know once you think you're ready!"

Gloria nodded and jogged out with her two, Fubear was taking each candy piece by piece as a way to level up while Klara and Avery followed behind. All the way back to the taxi station. Klara's half glad she didn't have to get stuck with a pokemon that really didn't suit her and ask. "Wait, before we take off. There's one more thing we ought to do. Are you wanting to keep that Slowpoke with you?"

Gloria nodded and asked. "Could you please tell me how you evolved your Slowpokes! That Slowking was crazy strong and it looked like the Slowbro was giving him a rough go!" Avery was flattered and went to his bag. "Gladly! Normally it would be... complicated, if you don't know someone who can make this craft out of galarcian twigs." He brought out a wreath as Klara hurried to get a cuff out. "Depending on who you ask, you can get these made and it will do the trick. A cuff will help a Slowpoke evolve into a Slowbro, while that wrath helps her evolve into a Slowking."

Gloria guessed. "Slowbro's another psychic and poison type, is he?" Klara nodded. "And has a neat ability in quick draw. Every often, Slowbro will get his act together and go before anyone else, with a few exceptions like quick attack users. They even have a strong move right as you evolve one!"

Avery laughed to that. "As does Slowking, you know. Eerie spell, as you know, will limit the use of certain moves your opponent uses. It's quite an investment if you're predicting a match of attrition." Gloria put thought into it and sent out her Slowpoke. "Let's see... I already have a slow pokemon who can do exactly that." She smiled in apology to Avery and turned to Klara. "I think Shelly would be a lot wittier as a Slowbro. Once someone is caught by surprise, they won't get back up easily!"

The poison expert shook her head. "Especially if they get poisoned from that." She lowered herself to the Slowpoke and put the cuff on the left paw while Avery looked around. Fubear wondered why as the Slowpoke noticed the accessory, waddled to the shore on instinct and waved it around.

Splash! Avery smirked. "And there's our guest!" Gloria turned to find a Shellder at the shore, drawn to an old instinct. It dashed fast to the wrist and clamped down, causing Shelly to grunt in a delayed shock and glow. Growing bigger, standing upright and having the shellder change shape from a scallop to a cone shell. Pew! The evolution ended and showed the Galarian Slowbro, who is looking at the shellder side arm and giving a mellow. "Bro?" Gloria checked the dex info. "Slowbro: The Hermit Crab Pokemon: Psychic-Poison: A Shellder bite set off a chemical reaction with the spices inside Slowbro's body, causing Slowbro to become a Poison-type Pokémon. If this Pokémon squeezes the tongue of the Shellder biting it, the Shellder will launch a toxic liquid from the tip of its shell."

Gloria ohed. "So, which ever one Slowpoke becomes, one of the two will get more out of it? That's interesting to know." She advised. "Shelly, treat your Shellder well or she might end up letting go!" The Slowbro eventually yelped to that and pressed a fist to her chest, promising. (I'll take care of it like it's been... been...been.) She sat down and forgot. Earning a giggle while Fubear finishes her candy and felt a perky boost. Gloria readied to call them back. "Alright, let's get back to the Gym Challenge!"