Later on in the day, Gloria, Hop and Marnie watched some of their pokemon be given instructions from the move tutor. Acer has a scorching trick involving kicking sand, Sharpedo has a particular dragon move for when she dynamaxes, Hop's Raichu has a rising voltage that would work marvelously in an electric terrain and his newly evolved Corviknight has a use for both wings in a beat. Gloria read a list of rare battle items that could do in the long term. "So, according to Hyde, some of the rarer items only need some pretty common items, in a set to get. While some of the others require those we'd normally sell. We need to search everywhere we can and get a haul of treasures before feeding it to the Cram-o-matic!"

Marnie thought about another plan. "And use the raid dens around here to prep up some last minute training. We're going to have a whole evenin' to ourselves, you know." Gloria agreed with that. "There's also some nocturnal pokemon you can nab at around that time, if you still have the temptation to go catching."

Marnie shook her head politely. "I've been raisin' another buddy on the Main land. You'll only find that out when we get to fightin' again." Hop however, was contemplating. "I do need to catch that sixth pokemon soon and get everyone caught up with Rillaboom." He ha'd at a particular rascal he's been hearing about. "There's this popular one, around 'ere, that's sounding pretty good for me. I need to see what it will turn into first and catch that for a challenge."

Gloira has an idea on which pokemon he's talking about. "I've been hearing that training one at that stage is nowhere near as easy. But if anyone can pull it off, I don't see why it isn't gonna be you." Marnie had an idea from exploring. "I've also been hearin' that if you raise one as a pup, it will follow you anywhere. But that isn't the kind of challenge you're lookin' for."

Hop shook his head and is wanting to head out. "And it will keep me focused, instead of just switching a pokemon every time something doesn't work." He called his pokemon back. "Come on, we got a mountain to camp at!" The Raichu in particular, worried about what's going to be up there as he and the others were called back. Hop sprinted out of the dojo with him and left the ladies to stroll out.

Most of their adventure was that of beach combing and hunting for regular old mushrooms. They gave a few raid dens a go with some of the dojo students and used it as a chance to test out Scorching Sands and Scale Shot, while getting a haul. Hop in comparison, was studying a pokemon that could only be found in Challengers Road. Lycanroc, the light brown wolves were rolling in the rocky dirt, sun bathing and even giving light howls. The boy had a look at a dex entry, show casing not one, not two, but three variants.

Blip! Blip! "Lycanroc: The Wolf Pokemon: Rock type and of the Midday variety. This Lycanroc is calm and cautious. The rocks jutting from its mane are razor sharp. With swift movements, this Pokémon gradually backs its prey into a corner. Lycanroc's fangs are always aimed toward opponents' weak spots." Hop had one peak at the wolf's potential speed and woahed. "I know what this pokemon is really good at." Rillaboom, Raichu and Wartortle thought about it for a second and realized, that high speed and power could be used for "There's a hazard move that's really popular with the rock experts. It especially hurts any pokemon who's got a weakness to them, once they land in the field." The Wartortle's eyes glittered and he was ready to go into a fight with a wolf pack, Raichu eeked and held him in a psychic hold while Rillaboom wagged a finger. The starter grunted. (So, what else can we fight?)

Hop gave a read on the red furred Lycanroc that was standing upright and resembled a werewolf. "Ah. Here's the deal with the Midnight one. This form of Lycanroc is reckless. It charges headlong at its opponents, attacking without any care about what injuries it might receive. It's invigorated by powerful opponents—the stronger the better. A full-force headbutt from one of these Lycanroc can shatter giant boulders. It's definitely slower and we got enough pals who are good at charging right in, but I'll bet one that is raised and trained is pretty dependable."

He checked the third, an orange wolf with green eyes, a posture like the midday Lycanroc but having a similar mane to the midnight variant. "And this is the rare one of the two, who's in between. The Dusk Form. These Pokémon have both calm and ferocious qualities. Their temperamental nature makes them a difficult species to raise." The Raichu eeped for some reason and kept back while Wartortle was acting more excited, Rillaboom was keeping caution as Hop didn't notice and kept reading. "Only a really special kind of Rockruff can evolve into them and it's right around a sunset. It hit's harder than the both of them and it's a tad slower than the Midday ones. What I'd give to see how that one fights."

Woof! Hop was startled by a woof, looked up to see three of the Mid day Lycanrocs right at his face. The boy fell off a rock and stood up fast while the lead Lycanroc sat down casually. A trio of Rockruffs came by to get a look at the commotion. Hop kept by Rillaboom as Raichu readied for a warning shock. "Ack! How long were you listening to that."

The right side Lycanroc barked. (Long enough!) The left one wagged his tail and panted. (We knows a pack mate that you're talking about.) The leader turned to the left one and growled. (Do not give that away.) The leader barked. (It would be easy if you just catch an older one, would it?) The Rillaboom cringed. (That's not the idea. We want to see if one of you are wanting to join the band, that experience could help us make it big at the main land.) The leader calmed himself and snorted. (Ah. Well, we have a pack mate that could learn about that balance. But she'll only come at the evening, if you're willing to wait that long, then you could ask her.)

Two lycanrocs approached, hearing the commotion and giving a battle stare with those blue eyes. Raichu shivered. (But, you're not just going to let us sit around and find out?) The three Lycanrocs shook their heads and the right one explained. (Can't let any human walk off with her. So you'll have to deal with the pack if you want the right.) The left one barked happily and had something of a dance. (So we're gonna have to fight.) The middle one nodded and called to the new arrivals. Hop knew a challenge and looked to Wartortle. "They're challenging us for this spot! Come on, Wartortle, let's pay off that training!" The water type nodded ignorantly and braced himself as the first of the Lycanrocs tossed floating rocks. Hop ordered. "Start with a water pulse and spin these rocks away!"

The Wartortle nodded and shot out a fast pulse before the wolf went in for a fast sucker punch. Spin! The rocks were scattered away and the Lycanroc stepped back before tossing a collection of rocks at the turtles way. "Dodge and finish him off!"

The Wartortle spun out of the way of a rock tomb and blasted a pulse that knocked the Lycanroc out. Hop had Wartortle retreat and brought out a Corviknight as the second Lycanroc arrived. She howled and Hop pointed. "Give her a taunt and one scary look!" Rooki nodded and cawed a taunt that irritated the wolf. She flung a rock slide that the Corviknight shrugged off and countered with a fierce scary face. "Now bring her down with steel wing!" The Corviknight dashed for a strike, dodged another rock slide and knocked her out in one blow. The right Lycanroc joined in the battle and Hop felt a spark of a plan. "Give this one an ol' scary face!" The Corviknight spooked the wolf and was roared out of the battle, bringing the Raichu out, like Hop hoped. "Alright, bring out an electric terrain!"

The Raichu sparkled the arena into a charge. The Lycanroc rushed for a bite as the boy pointed. "Zap her away with a rising voltage!" The Raichu hovered back and let loose a voltage that sent the Lycanroc flying to the rockruffs. The left one ceased his ignorance and gave a distinct howl (Woah!) He went in for a fight, barking fiercly as the boy called Raichu out of battle and sent out Dubwool. "We got the rest of these wolves! Curl up and wait for that moment!" The Dubwool nodded as the Lycanroc charged in a thrash, the sheep took the blow, curled in defense and Hop called. "Body press!" The Dubwool rolled a leap onto the Lycanroc and pressed him to the ground for a k.o. Bringing the leader to the eve of the match. He barked and pressed his claws to the ground to unleash a stone edge, it sent the Dubwool in a roll and saw it wasn't out. "One more time!"

The Dubwool flipped a body press and knocked the Lycanroc to the ground. K.O. Hop squeed and cheered to his band. "And that's the leader!"

Dubwool leaped a turn and gave one of the happiest baas the boy hasn't heard since he started out. The Lycanrocs stood up and shook off the battle. The leader barked in good sportsmanship and smiled. (Now that was a hearty one! You got a pretty good trainer there.)

The Dubwool blushed and smiled to a boy who was trying to regain some composure. (Yeah he is!) Rillaboom and the others agreed as the Lycanrocs went back to what they were doing. The leader warned them. (You're free to use this spot, but know that the one of Dusk isn't going to hold back. After that, you may want to leave the mountain before night comes.) He insist. (Trust me, our midnight pack mates aren't the ones to ever back down.) Hop blew out air and begun setting up a tent. "We'll let Gloria know we're going to be a bit late. I'll bet we'll topple the rest of the Gym Challenge as soon as we can get back tomorrow!" That is what Rillaboom is hoping for as he step up some drums. "Y'all mind?" The Lycanroc's do not and gathered with the Rockruffs to listen to some beats.

At the lowlands.

Gloria, Marnie and some dojo students, finished a raid battle against a giant Tentacruel and left with enough of a treasure haul for what they're wanting to do. The punk princess had a small smile at a days worth of hard work. "This ought to be enough candies for Morgrem and Sharpedo to catch up with. You know this trip is only gonna make us that much stronger, right?" Gloria didn't mind. "That's gonna make the competition even sweeter! You had that Morpeko go loose once Brainy gave out those screens."

Marnie's pig tails had a twitch. "Mogrem's got a light screen that's even faster. Prankster's a pretty handy ability, don't ya know?" Gloria added as the dojo was in sight. "That gremlin's going to be a complete menace once he evolves!" She had an idea. "I think I know just who we can have a spar with, before calling this day. Let's see how well we can battle together." She blushed. "If you don't mind that we travel the last bit of Galar together."

Marnie blushed and had a hidden pout. "Well, you aren't ever gonna leave me alone. So why not?" Blip! Gloria was given a text from Hop. "I'm going to be up in the mountains till dusk. Hope you're ready to face the future Champion once you get a look at my team for the rest of the Challenge." Gloria ohed. "I'll be he's going to have a really cool Lycanroc as that lead! That's why I've had Brainy be my lead most of the time, those screens are hard to get rid of and so are any spikes."

Marnie felt it made sense and found she and Gloria are at the dojo. They went in and found Avery and Klara being most odd, the psychic is doing push ups while his Slowking was sitting on his back. The poison type expert was lifting heavy weights while her Slowbro was sleeping.

Gloria had her hands at her hips in surprise while hearing Klara count. "And... this... is-" She raised the weight high. "One hundred!" Avery had that final push up and had his Slowking get off. It's clear the two were in a sweat. Gloria waved. "That's pretty impressive there! Do you got a minute?" Avery used both his arms and mind to stand up in style while Klara used a towel to wipe the sweat off her face. Taking off her make up and showing to be quite healthy without it. "Great, you're back already."

Gloria took the comment as casual talk. "We'd did a little treasure hunting to feed into that machine Hyde's got. I've been wanting to ask, do you and Avery mind if you have a multi battle with me and Marnie? Hop's gonna be busy for a spell and we need a final bit of exercise before we start getting ready for our trip back to Hammerlocke." Avery hmhmed. "What a coincidence, I've been predicting that you were going to ask."

Klara was willing to give him the credit. "Well, since you're all coming here for training and re evaluating, I figured you'd want to know that you're really there." Her Slowbro started waking up as Avery called his Slowking back. "We could be of assistance for that. Let us head to the Battle Court." He went to the back door guard as Klara petted her Slowbro and called her in. "We've been training none stop since yesterday, try not to melt." She followed her counterpart to the court and left the girls to make a slight arrangement. "They're gonna be fighting more seriously. So expect some really strong, really fast pokemon." Marnie had one pokemon in mind. "I could use a sweat, I've heard that Spikemuth isn't an easy one to beat."

With a little rearrangement, the girls went to the Battle Court, to face the senior students. Some of the trainees went to the audience to have a watch, while Klara and Avery give each other a glance of a rivalry and prepared their lead. Klara pressed a finger on a ball and gave a rather fierce battle face as Avery gave a slight bow, brought a ball to his right hand and pressed the back to make it fly. Pop! Out of the balls came a Drapion and an Alakazam. Gloria had a more professional battle stance, fitting for the dojo and swipped out Acer while Marnie readied her ball like one a baseball, sending out Morpeko. Avery had a smile of a plan as Klara breathed out. "We're still working on this, so don't go laughing if we don't do well!" Avery laughed merrily. "Come now, our confusion will leave their heads in a spin."

Gloria could see an obvious trap from the Alakazam and pointed at the Drapion. "Acer, kick some scorching sand at that big bug!" Marnie followed on that. "Morpeko, give that spoon bender a fierce crunch!" The Cinderace rushed to a fierce looking Drapion and kicked hot sand at her arms, leaving a stinging burn while Avery pinched the air and lifted his finger. Alakazam glowed and conjured a barrier while the Morpeko crunched, dealing quite the damage as the psychic stepped back. The Drapion whimpered as Klara shook her head. "Saw that coming! Lay out those lovely toxic spikes, that poison's going to be quite lovely."

The Drapion nodded and scattered spikes, Gloria eek'd. "This isn't good! Acer, go knock that Alakazam out with a u-turn!" Marnie ordered. "And spark that Drapion a little while you're at it!" The Cinderace dashed to the Alakazam for a knock out kick and returned to his trainer as the Morpeko turned dark and applied a slight shock, the Drapion let loose a cross poison as Avery sent out a Swoobat and Gloria, an Urshifu that felt the prick of poison. "This is going to bite, but I need you to brick break this reflect!"

Avery had a glace towards the Morpeko that shifted to her normal form. "We'll teleport that away when we're through with this one. Air slash the Morpeko!" The Swoobat gave a flinching blow to the Morpeko as Fubear dashed to the Drapion and chopped the reflect away. Klara wasn't too worried and advised. "Get rid of that Morpeko, I know just the darling to take care of this bear! But first, Drapion, give a little cross poison for me!" The Drapion slashed a cross poison at the Urshifu as the Swoobat dived in for the k.o.

Gloria smirked. "She isn't looking, get 'em!" The Urshifu rushed for a sucker punch that knocked the Swoobat to the side of the arena, causing Avery to dropped a ball in shock.

The Morpeko turned to her hangry form and rushed the Drapion for a k.o. The rivals called their pokemon back, Avery was forced to send out his haunty Slowking as Klara brought out the Galarian Weezing that is lazily spewing steam. Gloria acked as Avery kept a cool head. Marnie thought of an idea and called her partner back. "You did a great job out there!" The Morpeko turned to give a thumbs up. (Yeah, me and Fubear walloped them!) The starter was back in her ball and Marnie switched for the Morgrem that spun in grace. Gloria took a deep breath. "That Weezing's going to knock Fubear out. But I don't think Avery knows about our secret fist." "Fubear, knock that Slowking out with a wicked fist!"

The Urshifu charged herself with a dark aura, disappeared in a dash and collided her fist with the royal foe, sending him all the way to the rocky back of the arena in one blow. Avery looked on in bewilderment as Klara accepted that she's fighting alone. "And that's why we're using strange steam on that bear! So get that done!"

The Weezing's mortified by the attack and blasted out the mist in earnest, sending the Urshifu into a roll. Fubear landed on her feet as the steam enveloped her body and she's holding in a yelp, she tried to stand up and found herself falling on her knees. She panted and gave a thumbs up before passing out. Gloria gave Fubear a thumbs up and brought her back in the ball. "You were amazing." She kissed the ball and sent out her third pokemon. "Come on Brainy, we got a match to finish." Marnie nodded and ordered. "While he takes care of that Weezing, set up a light screen to make it real easy." The Mogrem laughed and conjured a light screen as Brainy let loose a psychic blast on the Weezing. Klara looked at the Morgrem and ordered. "We're taking something out! Soften that gremlin with sludge bomb!" The Weezing shook off the blast and fired the sludge that sent the gremlin on a roll.

The Orbeetle used a psychic blast to send the Weezing on her back and forced Klara to her last pokemon, her Galarian Slowbro. She had the ball aimed and brought her in for a dynamax charge. "All righty, Slowbro! Time to dream bigger—and be bigger!" She held the enlarged ball, wagged a finger to her right eye, winked, gritted her teeth into a war face and hurled the ball to the back of the arena. Bringing about the giant Slowbro as Avery was getting his Slowking into the ball.

The Slowbro looked down at the Morgrem that is in complete bewilderment, clearly in a quick draw focus as she aimed her shellder. Klara stomped her foot and was through pretending. "That Mogrem isn't going to laughing anymore, once we give him a coat of venom!" The Slowbro agreed, fired a glob of venom at the tiny one and caused it to erupt, sending the fairy type flying to the back of the arena and in a carefree daze. Brainy ohed and looked up to the Slowbro as Gloria exhaled. "This isn't looking cute anymore. Change it up to bug buzz, stat!"

The Orbeetle buzzed a sharp noise as Marnie called Morgrim back and brought out the net ball. "You two aren't too shabby. But we're still going to do what it takes to win." Fling! Out came the shiny Sharpedo that saw she was in a fight and snapped her jaws to a deadly effect. Marnie called the Sharpedo into the ball, had it enlarge and turned to fling it up into the air. Pop! The growing Sharpedo made herself known to the all, blew out of her snout and roared.

The Slowbro eeked and in her focus, fired another max ooze that shoved the Sharpedo back and powered herself up more. Brainy blasted a fierce bug buzz as Marnie ordered. "Let's use that attitude at her and bring this match home!"

The Sharpedo let loose coils of max darkness at the Slowbro and let loose a pulse that left her vulnerable. The Slowbro panted and was out of focus as the Sharpedo used the max move again, causing an explosion that shrank the Slowbro back down. The Sharpedo was allowed to shrink and came through with some concern. (Did I over do that?)

The Orbeetle shook a no. (That was necessary to win and you're trainer needed that exercise more.) Marnie turned to the Sharpedo and gave her a gentle embrace as Klara blew out air and called her Slowbro back. She gave a smirk that Avery and girls found quite endearing. "I was expecting that, but that was fun." The psychic agreed. "We'll remember that trick for next time." They approached the girls that were calming down and gave that handshake. Klara admitted. "You two are as strong as I thought you were going to be. I think once your friend gets back and finishes learning that lesson, you'll all be set for the rest of the Gym Challenge."

Gloria's feeling hungry for a snack. "Hop's finally having the patience to catch this special pokemon, he'll have the patience to fill that niche his band was missing. So, anyone feeling for a light curry dish? I got a food tin I want to try out!" Honestly, the exercise and the fierce battle worked up an appetite.

Out in the mountain, at around dusk.

Hop was at the end of his waiting, with most of the day spent, doing nothing but hanging out with the Lycanrocs and picking fights with the pokemon of the mountain, Gloria and Marnie were bound to have sneaked a few new tricks by now. "Is this what Charizard had to deal with, everytime Lee wanders off somewhere?" The Dubwool groaned and baa'd. (Hey, at least you know how to get back to the Dojo.) The Wartortle asked. (Maybe we'd get into a rough one with that Lycanroc!)

Sniff! Sniff! Sniff!

They heard fast sniffing, prompting the Rockruffs and Lycanrocs to take their leave, the Dubwool took a few sniffs at around where the camp fire was and spotted some faint spice that didn't quite make it into the pot. (Well, something's coming around here.) Leap! Crumble! Leap!

An upper torso of an orange Lycanroc emerged from a cliff side, using his paws to claw into the earth and climb to get at a ledge. He had a magnificent set of green eyes that showed some confidence and a carefree view of his day. He sniffed again and looked on to the Dubwool, he stepped back in shock and stood firmly while shifting his eyes to get a view of Hop and the others. He tapped his paws and barked. (You're here to battle the Dusk Howler!) He kept barking until his eyes flashed to a frenzied red.

Dubwool kept a firm ground as Hop had a more practical idea, took a quick ball and tossed it at the wolf. Tap! It dragged him in and landed on the ground. Shake...shake...shake... click!

That, was relatively easy and Wartortle was quick to whine. (Come on, I wanted to battle him!) Hop went to pick up his new capture and gave a scolding frown to the water type. "I'm already going to have a handful with you all, plus him. So I'd say we get to work as soon as we can." He smiled wide and let out the Dusk Lycanroc, who was standing there awkwardly. Embarrassed that he'd put on a show and was captured unceremoniously. Hop had that feeling before. "It's just how a quick ball works. We got a Challenge to do in the main land and I'm thinking I got a team that can get us to the championship. Do you want to come along and fight tougher opponents?"

The Lycanroc heard the word fight and tougher, he wagged his tail and panted. (Oh boy a challenge!) Woof! (Count me in!) Ruff! (It beats having to fight the midnight howlers again!) He stopped at the mention and tried taking off to the low lands. (Speaking of them, we need to get out of here.) The band followed and Hop kept up. "Hey, hey. Don't go running off ahead of me yet!" The Lycanroc wasn't apologizing. (Ya got to be fast to avoid those guys, because they are crazy!)

Hop grumbled and kept up in a jog, not quite the sprint he's been use to doing. Wartortle and the others picked up the pace and got into a race down the mountain, through the woods and all the way back to the Dojo. Where Gloria and Marnie had a bags worth of stuff and were puzzled by what Mustard was talking about, the mentor noticed the stampede and simply stood there as Hop and his party came to a fast halt. "See, he went about this by his own and he's found his way back right at the nick of dusk."

Hop smiled wide and realized, that might have been pointing out his brother's bad habit. "Were you talking bad about Lee just now?" Mustard waved a hand as Gloria shook her head. "Not really, we're just hoping you learned a little something." Hop crossed his arms and put thought into it, he felt something connect and looked to his team. "Alright, I think I'm getting it. The whole Gym Challenge is about proving we can take the Champ on, but it's more about us than it is about him." He had a deep breath as Gloria asked. "There's a lot of good reasons that most of us look up to Leon. That's a given... but if any of us got a shot at beating him-" Hop finished. "We need to beat him as ourselves, instead of just trying to copy him or using him as an excuse to think we're the best. What's the point in beating him if I'm not going to step out of his shadow?"

Mustard nodded. "If you don't, then you won't ever have hope in besting him. None of us have to be perfect, to be the best. We just gotta be ourselves and just have fun when the battle comes!"

Gloria smiled to the mentor and back to the boy. "If it's certain that making the adjustments aren't going to work, then you can go ahead and change pokemon out again. But give your partners a chance to get better before going wild again. I want our adventure tomorrow to be a whole lot of fun and I want to see if we can all finish this medal before we focus on the next thing."

Marnie kept a frown at the matter. "Which is likely, the part when we got to beat each over for the chance to get a go at Leon! We can get serious then." She had a look at the Lycanroc. "So this is the Lycanroc we've been hearing about? I like that mane of his." The wolf blushed as Hop looked up what it could do. "I'm thinking, that speed and power could be a real good one for the gyms." He read what Tough Claws even is. "So you both better watch out!"

Gloria heeded the warning. "Alrighty, so, Honey's said we can use this Dojo as a resting spot for the night. But we need to be up first thing in the morning, to get back on the mainland and get to Circhester! So here's for one of the best Challenges this year!" The kids cheered as Mustard closed his eyes in thought. "It's only a matter of when, now."