Gallant Adventures

by zcritic88

At the Region of Galar, a young girl's adventure begins in earnest. To go as far into an event as she could. What kind of adventure is in store for Gloria and her misfit band?

19. The Sweet Taste of a Second Home

At the Train Station in Wedgehurst, Gloria was pacing back and forth for a fateful meeting. It's been three days since the disaster from the so called Royal Family and there was a Pokedex to fill. Most of the data was recorded, save for a few remaining. In between that and some title defense cups, it's been quite a busy life style for the young champion. "Morning Gloria!"

The Champion turned to find Hop, Marnie and a Bede in his jacket, she waved hello. "Morning all! What's going to be our plan, once we reach the island?" Bede hummed in thought. "Besides this mystery that you're trying to resolve, the lot of us intend to train, see some sights and perhaps have an insight as to how this pushed you towards overcoming the Champion Cup. It could be useful for later." As he smirked, Marnie rolled her eyes. "Maybe help out with the Dojo as a little thank you, while thinkin' about how we're going to run our Gyms."

Hop crossed his arms at two valuable goals. "I'm onto the next topic for our research. Gloria, is there a reason why Fubear didn't want to try that soup when you offered it to her?" The girl thought about it. "I think there is and Master Mustard knows why. I didn't want to say anything at the time." Marnie woke her self up and gave her rival a lecture. "Gloria, there's a thing as havin' too many manners."

Gloria blushed. "We had a Gym Challenge to get back to. But now that we got all the time we need, I'll ask to see what I need to do. In the meanwhile, you all can be on your own for a spill." She showed the heavy ball, containing Eternatus. "Once that discovery is finished, I'll like to use the back arena as a way to start Eterny's next step towards helping Galar." Bede's eyes widen at the heavy ball. "Gloria, are you mad?! That thing would seethe at you, the first chance it gets!"

Hop raised a hand. "He might, but Eternatus did help us with the Dynamax outbreak the other day. So, I'd say he gets a shot. He is the source of Galar's Power, so just keeping him locked in a ball wouldn't do us any good in the long run."

Marnie agreed with that. "The last thing we need is to have more places end up like Spikemuth, come the next couple decades. He might be able to save Galar in the end, rather than try and wreck it." Gloria pointed to the Princess in agreement. "Exactly! He's been locked away for so long, that he's got to learn that helping one another has it's benefits. If we can make progress on the island, then I think the rest of his training ought to be a lot easier to manage."

That was something Bede was coming to an agreement with. "While I'll give credit to the wolves for saving our lives, three times over, Eternatus is still our only sure shot at securing the future. It's nothing short, for a Champion like you." He gestured gracefully, letting Gloria take the lead to the train way that brought them to a taxi station. Bringing them all the way to the nearby Isle.

The change in scenery is a pleasing sensation for Bede, who was feeling stuffy in his jacket. He took it off and showed a t shirt and short pants in the colors fitting of Ballonlea. The traveling three hurried on and forced him to hurry in putting the jacket away and jogging. Gloria opened the door to the dojo and found little has changed beyond the students doing their morning training with their pokemon. The girl waited until the near end and waved. "We're back fellas and we brought a friend over."

Bede hurried in and is surprised by the laid back atmosphere of the dojo, it was a pleasing one that had him smile and feel quite envious of Gloria's luck. "I'm seeing how you all were able to have caught up as you have. It's air feels more suited for those who wish to take it at Hitmons pace." The folks at the dojo heard that like it was a compliment as Gloria turned with a smug smile. "Since I've been traveling here while taking on the Gym Challenge, I couldn't stay for long. But those few hours here made the difference for all of us."

The group noticed Klara and a rather peeved Avery approaching. The pop star waved all friendly as the psychic specialist asked in despair. "Why have you brought this one here?! He's skill swapped psychic types altogether for fairy types!"

Klara turned to Avery, with her eye lids half dropped and Bede squinted his eyes in annoyance. The Champion stepped in between the two parties, speaking in defense of her friend. "I did it because he's going to better himself for the next season. I'd say being a Gym Leader is the next best thing for him." Avery gave a what as Bede confessed. "I still have my other two psychic types at my call. It's just they're not part of my specialty anymore."

Mustard stepped out of his living room and asked. "What's all the ruckus out here?" He noticed the new arrival. "Looks like we're making a new pal already!" Avery flinched and turned. "Master Mustard I..." The Master pointed to Bede with a crossed scowl. "I saw you on the tely the other day. What you did was completely uncalled for, against the rules of the cup and made my pupils tournament more tiresome than it needed to be." He smiled wide as a surprising reveal. "Welcome to this dojo Bede! How's Opal doing?"

Bede was rather surprised at the welcoming. "Fine, she's allowed me a day off to see what this place has to give." He approached to give the elder a hand shake. "You must be Master Mustard?" The elder took the hand shake as Gloria introduced one jerkish rival to the other two. "Bede, this is Klara and Avery. A pair of rivals I made when I came here and they were the reason I ended up caught up in here in the first place."

Marnie joined in the conversation. "I still didn't get the chance to thank you for what you all did that night. We figured out that there's somethin' odd about how Fubear didn't want that soup. Once a certain pokemon slurps that up, they can Gigantamax instead of Dynamaxing." In a sudden, Fubear popped out of her ball and growled a whine. (Why do I got to eat that?)

The Master admitted that he withheld information. "I've been waiting to tell you, when you're ready for that legend. The truth is, this rascal's capable of Gigantamaxing too. But it's a bit tricky to get them to eat the soup. They can't stand the taste of Max Mushrooms. So they're off the menu, unless you can make it more appeasing to it."

Gloria gave an ah. "The secret ingredient that an Urshifu won't be able to resist? The right one is about as important as any technique, after all." Mustard was proud that his pupil figured that out. "And that ingredient, can be found here on the Isle of Armor. That'll make even Urshifu gobble up a bowl of Max Soup... And that certain something is..." He stopped and thought. "That certain something... it's actually." He became nervous. "Actually, I forgotten what it is-" The crowd tilted their head backwards in frustration. "Whoopsie doopsie!"

Bede snapped out of that comedy and asked. "Is this how your training usually goes, Gloria?" The Champion admitted. "Well, at least it gives us a reason to think about this by ourselves." Mustard continued in giving the knowledge he could give. "The certain something I'm thinking of is sure to make Max Soup more palatable to Urshifu... and it has something to do with another Pokémon!"

Hop felt something connecting as the Master wished them luck. "But I think I'll let you figure out what that is. Give it a good think together, cause you kiddos are on your own! The world is your cloyster, so get cracking." The aspiring professor spoke out loud. "I think I got an idea what that ingredient is now. Gloria, do you mind if I tag along?"

The Champion didn't and asked the other two rivals. "While we're looking, make yourselves at home and try to find something to do. I'll be tagging along that once I get the chance." Marnie thought about one thing that could be a real boon to the Dojo. "I think Honey could use a hand or two before we get the students up to our date." Bede didn't mind doing something that humble. "So long as it has nothing to do with a pop quiz, I'll lend a hand." Klara felt an idea in mind. "Come to think of it, there is something she was talking about." She and Avery lead Bede and Marnie to the living room as Hop, Gloria and Fubear stepped out of the dojo.

The Urshifu used a lower set of stars to sit down and slump in thought as Hop explained. "While I was reading about Urshifu, I learned a few things about where Fubear came from and what she might like." Gloria was curious and her eyes sparkled. "What's ya learned, Mr. Hop?" The boy appreciated that he was being treated as an adult. "For one, Kubfu and Urshifu are native to some mountains in a faraway region. They're absolutely mad for some kind of sticky honey."

Fubear perked as Gloria felt her mouth salivating. "That's a sweetener that you sometimes put into soups anyways. It changes the texture and everythin'" She gasped. "So we got to find a pokemon that's either flowery, or works with flowers." She took out a ball and let out Sweet Pie, who was happy to be out in the place of her upbringing. "Sweet Pie, can you sniff out some nectar for us?"

Hop and Fubear pieced together what the plan was, the boy spoke out. "Right. Sweet Pie makes a big nectar filled apple for herself when you Gigantamax her!" Gloria nodded and was feeling peckish. "And she sweats out a bunch of nectar too. When you have one at home, it's like there's an apple pie waiting for ya."

Fubear grunted to her partner in arms. (We know that Applins, Flapples and Appletuns live on this island. Think you can help us?) The Appletun grunted and sniffed around. (Yeah, their scent ought to be close by.) She picked up a scent and followed it. (Someone's been picking apples around here.) The humans and Urshifu followed in hope they find an effective clue.

At the Dojo.

Marnie and her fellow rivals listened to what Honey had to say, as they were gathered in the living room. The Spikemuth Princess repeated what was told. "So if you can get them Watts, you can order some upgrades to make this dojo all the more coozy for trainin'?" She looked to Bede, who brushed his hair humbly. "I might have acquired some, but it's nowhere near the amount to cover the full expense." He brought out his Rotom Phone and showed a rather substantial quantity. Honey shook her head. "You're right, darling. It's too small to order a vending machine for all those vitamin drinks."

Avery offered his own phone as Klara confessed. "We've gotten far enough for the other one, but those things are expensive for training. This might get us a quarter of the way to the new machine." Avery nodded. "But not enough to store it's fullest potential." Bede crossed his arms and asked in a pout. "How are we going to get all of the expenses covered, in one day?" Klara winked. "It took us a while ourselves, but once we found a spot, those watts were just dropped over on us like a pokemon that got stung by a Venipede." Honey has an idea for what is being talked about. "At this point, it doesn't matter where those Watts come from, only that we'll be needing a ton to get everything we could need. Just don't hurt yourselves, okay?"

The veteran students promised they won't and lead the youngsters out of hearing range. Klara half dropped her eye lids and spoke honestly. "She's found out we've been using the armorite ore as a way to pay a Digging Pa. He can dig up a lot depending on if he gets in the mood. It isn't cheating if the Miss doesn't care about where it comes from."

Marnie agreed to the idea. "What ever it takes to get the job done, I suppose." Avery took a lead. "And we'll be finished, long before night fall." Dash! "Teleport away!" The others felt that was a complete failure and followed to the Warm up Tunnel on the back of the isle, where a middle aged hiker with an energy back pack. He was standing bored while leaning on his pick axe.

He noticed the travelers and waved. "Hey it's you kids again. Here to have more watts dug up?" Klara brought out eight pieces of ore. "Yep! We need to harvest a ton, so we can do this all day if we got to!"

She gave it to the digger, who places a battery storage on his drill and went to a wall. "Okay, stand back." Tink! Tink! Tink! Each precise strike caused the back pack in red power and spark in energy, eventually he tired out. "Phew! 50,000. That's all the digging I got in me." He felt something beat in his heart and raised a hand. "Hold on, I can still keep digging!"

GRAH!

He kept tapping in fast intervals, for what felt like half an hour. Marnie and Bede looked to each other awkwardly, the girl whispered. "So... if we want to get more ore, we're going to have to find them in the raid dens. Think you're up for it?" Bede's rather impressed by the man's dedication. "Of course, they'll be child's play with me here." Avery gave Bede a spiteful glare as Klara had a passive aggressive smile. "Good, because we're going to be on this until we are done!"

At the Forest of Focus.

Gloria, Fubear and Sweet Pie were standing under a tree with a grouchy looking Applin that was woken up from a nap. Hop was keeping watch, incase something happens. Sweet Pie finished explaining that they're looking for clues about where to get honey. The Applin hissed and dropped on top of Gloria's head. Bonk! "Ow!" The girl tapped her head as the Applin bounced off and rolled away, infuriating the Appletun to where she tried to chase in her own hissing fit. Hop noticed orange liquid on the girl's hair. "Oi, there's something in your hair!"

Gloria felt something moist and checked her fingers, finding a runny liquid with the tart smell of an apple. "This has got to be Applin nectar." She rubbed her fingers and hummed. "It's a bit more like juice." She rubbed it on her hip, ignoring that she's going to have a hassle washing her hair. Hop crossed his arms in thought. "I kind of figured that Applins nectar wasn't what we needed. It's all mixed in with the juice of an apple, that it becomes more like one of them pies!" He asked. "Maybe we can find our clue from any flower pokemon that has had their nectar used for something. Blastoise and I spotted two that we've kept clear of."

Gloria thought about it. "If we can find those two, we'll be able to chase our honey maker. I think the flower pokemon we're thinking about is Lilligant and this posy picker, Comfey." Hop snapped in an idea. "That's the one! Although, I think that pokemon was trying to wear those flowers, rather than using the nectar for anything special." Gloria lead to a split road. "How about we split up and see if we can find a trial!"

Hop found that a sound plan and split off to the bridge, while Gloria, Fubear and Sweet Pie made a slow enough jog to get a view of nature towards the lowlands. It wasn't long until they found a Lilligant, wandering lost, looking for someone. "Lilli?"

(Petilil, where are you?)

Fubear growled and asked. (Are you missing someone?) The flower pokemon turned fast and looked upon three trust worthy looking chaps. She gave a respectful nod. (I am, I'm looking for my daughter. She wandered by the bridge and there hasn't been a trainer for the morning.) She blushed as Fubear nodded relaxed. (At least, until me and Gloria came along. But no one else besides Hop came out of that dojo. You seen another human just now?)

Lilligant shook her head in worry as Gloria thought out loud. "Someone close to ya's wandered off and might be in some trouble. I'll bet with Hop out here, your friend ought to be fine." She head to the Low Lands. "Let's wait out here until Hop comes around. He ought to have found something by now."

The band kept to the road and waited a good five minutes, before finding Hop making his way, with a Petilil by his feet. The mother and daughter squeed, dashed to each other and gave an embrace, charming the boy at his good deed for the day. "Glad to be of help, Princess Petilil!"

The bulb jumped off her mother and chirped happily. The Lilligant gave a bow of gratitude. (How can we thank you for this?) Gloria knew that was a question and asked. "Well, we've been trying to look for clues about where we can find some honey around here. Fubear needs it if she's going to eat this soup." The Petilil blinked unaware as the Lilligant flinched, Hop asked politely. "We'd figured that a pollinator would look for nectar if they can find flowers." The Lilligant nodded and lead the party towards the Tower of Water, on the beach overlooking the sea.

Gloria squinted her eyes and found, towards the north west, an island with a distinct tree. Lilligant warned the band. (The Queen you're looking for is over there, but something's been wrong with that tree for a long time.)

The humans didn't quite understood that and heard something buzzing close by. A trio of Combees that were quite puffy in yellow powder and flying straight to the island. Gloria gasped to the solved puzzle. "Combees live over there! That's where we can find that honey!"

Lilligant placed her hand at her hips and squinted her eyes in a mood. (You don't even know a word I'm saying? Are you just guessing?) Sweet Pie shrugged and gurgled. (They'll figure it out. Besides, we got friends that can take that queen on, if she's not willing to share.)

Gloria called the Appletun and Urshifu back. "Wait in here ladies. We're going to have to cycle our way there." Hop was already on a bike and cheered. "Come on, Gloria! Last one at the island, cooks lunch!"

As much as Gloria adores cooking, she isn't one to loose a challenge. She put her pokeballs away and got on a bike before waving to the grass types. "Thanks again for the help! We'll be fine from here!" Lilligant smelled the determination and waved back as her daughter jumped in a cheer. (You can do it, you can do it! Get that honey from the queen!)

Gloria and Hop looked to each other before starting their cycle race, the sea air was quite a sensation to go with the stimulation of their legs. RIPPLE! RIPPLE!

The two turned their gaze to the left and found a ripple of a blue fine jetting right at them, they over drive their bikes motor, dodging the Sharpedo that was rushing head long to open waters. Then come another Sharpedo that was trailing the two from behind. Hop cringed and focused on reaching the Honeycomb Isle as Gloria tried to ignore the danger. They felt a buzz from Rotom right as the Sharpedo was catching up to them and over drove again. Hop reached the shore by a centimeter's worth and skid to the sand in sync to Gloria. They two watched the Sharpedo rush his snout at the shore and barked in a temper before snorting water and diving back into the sea.

The girl phewed. "They weren't kidding about those guys, it's crazy how they'd still gang up on ya." Hop agreed with that. "I think Rooki can fly us back, with no problems. But first, let's think about where that hive ought to be." He looked up to the single tree on the island, it's certainly a big one, but you'd think the Queen would make herself known by this moment.

Gloria sent out Fubear and tried to have a look around. "There's got to bring that Vespiquen out so we can ask for more clues." She yelled out. "Hey, Vespiquen, we want to talk with you about this Honey we're been hearing about!"

She waved with Fubear and made noise. Nothing was happening, beyond a few Combees fluttering blissfully. Blip! Blip! Blip!

Hop huhed and brought out a Power Spot detector, he closed his left eye. "What's going on now?" The boy followed the signal to the tree. "?! Gloria, don't you think there's something off about the tree." The girl thought about it as Fubear gasped and growled. (It's like what Lilligant was warning us about!) She went to the tree and was ready to try the risky move of climbing up. Gloria kept by her and guessed. "It be weird for a Max Raid Hive to be hiding up in there. But they're always a lot smaller than what they hide."

She climbed on Fubear's back and had a cloying smell of rich thick honey in her nostrils. Sniff "But this one has the goods we need! Are you feeling hungry too?" Fubear had a sniff and laughed. (We've had breakfast less than an hour ago! But this is smelling good!) She made sure Gloria was holding firm and leaped higher and higher into the tree, everything went black and the two found themselves in a familiar looking, palace of a bee hive. Greatly resembling a Max Raid Den. The two looked around and found a dark red cloud clearing way for a giant Vespiquen that is buzzing awkwardly at the intruders. (You've come to take the honey we've toiled to craft?)

Fubear was a little intimidated by the deep buzz and nodded. (Well... yeah.) She readied for a battle. (And if we're going to take it, we need to beat you, ya?) The Vespiquen was taken aback by the honesty and waved her arms for a dramatic battle pose, fit for a queen.

Gloria eeked and readied to dynamax her partner. "I'd figured there was no talking our way to that honey! So let's get to the point!" She called Fubear into her ball, powered it up, enlarged it and tossed the ball to the back of the den. Fubear grew to the size of a giant and roared in power as the girl turned with an order. "Start with a steel spike until you feel you're nice and coated in armor!" The Urshifu stomped steep spikes that made the queen zip, the metal flowed around the wushu as the royal flapped an air stream to do significant damage and give herself an air boost.

She blew another stream of wind as Fubear used another steel spike. Gloria punched the air. "Now unleash the rawest of darkness!" The Urshifu punched a stream of max darkness that encircled the queen and caused a burst of power. The Vespiquen ruptured in power as Fubear shrank back down, the bear and girl stood in anticipation for anything particularly strange. The bee buzzed. (Urk! If you wanted the treasure that badly, bear of armor.) And let loose a gale. (take it and begone!)

The storm blew against the two and sent them flying out of the den. Fubear landed on the grassy grounds as Gloria landed right on Hop. The boy was knocked on his back and was in a complete daze, the girl rolled off and was on her stomach. "Urg!" Hop shook back to reality and sat up. "Urk! What happened, up there, Gloria? Are you and Fubear alright?"

Gloria shook off a battle. "Y..Yeah, got into a solo Dynamax battle." She looked around to find Fubear sitting up, with a honey comb of red chambers by her legs. "Hey, what's that?" The two got up and Hop felt the Power Spot Detector going off from the honey comb. "That's a lot of power in there!"

Fubear huhed and looked down to find the honey comb, she picked it up and stood up as Gloria had a closer look, the honey with in had a distinct glowing color, like that of the Dynamax power. She showed it to Hop. "I think that's the big secret with the soup, this honey's been filled with Dynamaxing goodness!" The boy gasped. "Oi, do you think it will go well with that mushroom soup?"

Gloria nodded and was ready to call Fubear back. "An ingredient of gigantic potential ought to be worthy of a huge dish!" Hop breathed out in optimism. "There's so many things we don't know about and this has got to be one of the strangest." He readied to send out Rooki. "Let's head back to the Dojo! We got the thing we're looking for." The two ladies give a yep, yep in preparation for the trip back.

Meanwhile.

The rivals had a few quick laps to the Dynamax Dens and were completely puzzled by how much the Digging Pa was excavating. He was sweating even more than the four have been in the half an hour and Digging Pa was about tuckered out. "Phew! That's another 500,000. That's all the digging I got in me right now." In a few seconds, the Digging Pa went into another adrenaline craze. "Hold on, I can still keep digging!" Avery shook his head. "No! No! 8 million watts is more than enough!" He had a brief focus of adrenaline and suddenly, he, Klara, Marnie and Bede were right back to the dojo.

The group blinked and Klara realize. "Well, look at that! You've actually teleported!" Avery paused for a moment and his face froze in a thousand yard stare, it was something he found difficult to believe as Bede smirked. "Give a mind enough reasons and anything would be possible!"

Avery blushed. "Erk...Of... Of course, that's what I've been training daily for, after all!" Click! The dojo door opened, showing Gloria, Hop and Fubear with a particular honey comb. Mustard approached, welcoming the crowd like nothing insane happened. "Welcome back, my wandering Wooloo's." He sniffed something, not quite seeing what was obtained yet. "Oh, and what is that sweat scent I detect."

Marnie had a sniff and looked over to Gloria, who was holding the comb. "Gloria's smelling as sweat as honey!" The Champion blushed and let Mustard see the treasure. "Me and Fubear did have a fight in a max beehive!"

Hop explained. "Then the Vespiquen tossed the two out with the Max Honey that Urshifu's love so much." Gloria nodded. "A big enough haul to mix in with the soup." Mustard was quite surprised. "Did you now? Already?"

Hop crossed his arms in a boast. "You put me and Gloria on it, old man! There's nothing the two of us can't do together!" Mustard laughed to that. "Fufufufu! You did a real bang up job finding that Max Honey with hardly a hint from me!" He gave them a thumbs up. "Nicely done, Gloria! And our little Hop, too!"

The boy realized out loud. "You didn't forget for a second what that "certain something" was, did you?" Mustard had a smile, that might have been part of the test. The student that monitors the kitchen approached the girl with a suggestion. "If we add Max Honey to our soup, even Fubear would be sure to want a sip!" Fubear salivated to the idea and gave a light roar. (This is gonna be so good!)

Mustard looked forward to the next step and admitted to his top student. "Well, it's been real, Gloria. I think you've learned just about everything the Master Dojo has to teach you. Which means that you and I can finally have a proper battle- with absolutely no holding back!"

He turned to the back door. "I could use a bit of preparing if I'm going to be ready for what's to come, after all." He warned the girl. "I won't be pulling any punches this time, kiddo. If you think you'll be ready for me when I'm serious, then come to the Battle Court out back!"

He took his leave for the arena and left Gloria a tad nervous. "That worrying has made me a bit hungry. So how about we whip up that soup before we give this one a try." Bede raised an eyebrow. "It's nowhere close to noon, how could that stomach of yours be empty right now?"

He realize, Gloria has what is considered an exotic ingredient for an exotic dish. "Unless, of course, you wish to try that dish out?" The Champion let him know that was the point and lead on the kitchen. "So, where have you all been? You looked like you ran laps around the island for a good hour or two."

Marnie sighed. "That was what happened. We got a bunch of watts dug up and it ought to be enough for Honey to get the supplies she'll need." Klara thought. "Once we see that soup get started, we ought to hand over the charge while we can. It could take the whole day for everything to be here."

The band reached to the over with the giant pot of broth. Gloria gave the chef some mushrooms and waited for him to chop them up in preparation before using a spoon to dig out the globs of red honey. The odd mixture caused the broth to turn creamier than usual, making Fubear ravenous for a taste. The girl thought to take over stirring and thought out loud. "I'm gonna expect Master Mustard to be using some pretty strong pokemon, some of them might be those from this very island and even-" She gasped. "The other bear!"

Fubear huhed and scratched the side of her head as Hop felt it was logical. "The one who's technique you didn't learn anything about?" Gloria nodded and took a small taste, the texture was like that of a dream. "Mmm! And one who has an advantage over Fubear, for fighting types always rush through the sneaky darklings! But I got an idea for how Fubear can overcome that!" Fubear was immediately thinking something like a psychic move or a flying move as Avery was impressed. "You've put yourself in a zen already?" Gloria shook her head. "Not yet. But a good plan, will always prepare you for what's to come. Even if something goes wrong, you got ways to improvise."

She saw the soup blending together finely. "It's like when you've missed a few ingredients for a dish and you don't have time to get them, so you made due with what have. You might make something entirely new." Klara half dropped her eye lids at the student acting like a mentor. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and called. "Come on, food's smelling like it will be ready soon." Marnie, Bede and Avery agreed and made their way out, leaving the girl to experience culinary she'd have a once in a life time to taste.

Half an hour later.

Mustard was waiting patiently in the Battle Court and found his students making their way to a front row seat of a showdown. He saw Gloria taking her step to the pitch, aware she might have done some preparations for her Urshifu to prevail over a particular disadvantage. He couldn't have it any other way, to showcase some cunning after solving a particular puzzle. The Master and Student crossed eye to eye, for a battle that many have been looking forward to. Gloria breathed in and breathed out as a way to calm herself. "Alright, Master. Let's see if I actually learned something from all this."

Mustard chuckled a bit. "Well, telling me isn't going to work now. But this ought to do." He wanted to admit something between a teacher and a student. "You know, I've been thinking more and more these days, about how fortunate we were to have you join the dojo, even if it was by mistake at first!" He sighed in gratitude. "I can't thank you enough, Gloria."

The girl felt the gratitude to be mutual and readied a pose. "If I didn't get dragged here by some prank, I wouldn't have had the nerve to keep going and beat the Unbeatable." She tensed as Mustard grinned to heighten it. "It's been a while since I've been so excited! I can feel my blood burning and my heart just dancing with anticipation! I just can't resist a battle against a worthy opponent- no matter how old I get. Now then." He readied his own pose. "Let's get things going! This is the most fun time in the world!"

His face turned serious as he tossed his hat up and flipped out of his jacket, revealing the Masters Attire. He and Gloria readied a ball and spun a mighty throw, the trickster Meinshao and the Slowbro of questionable zen. The Master declared. "Time to see exactly what all this training has made of you!"

The Meinshao rushed for a fake out clap and kicked a u-turn as Gloria whispered. "Blow an icy wind on who ever comes out!" The Slowbro aimed as Mustard sent out a scratched up Corviknight that perched, took the gust of wind and flapped up to the air. Gloria readied a fast switch as she saw the foe chilled. "Alright, come back and wait for that chance!" She tossed out a ball as Mustard squinted his eyes. "Nice try, body press that Arctozolt!"

Gloria gasped as Franken came out to caw and was pressed to the ground on entry. "Wuh! Counter with a bolt beak!" The Arctozolt jabbed fast and sent the Corviknight on his back in a k.o.

He sent out a midday Lycanroc that had quite a regal hue of grey in his fur, the wolf howled as the Master pointed. "Let's not take any risks, finish Franken off with an accelerock strike!" The Lycanroc grunted and rushed like a spear, knocking Franken on his back for a k.o. Gloria cursed her luck and switched. "Don't worry, we're doing fine!" She sent out her Appletun. "Sweet Pie, we need to bring this Lycanroc down before he stays around for too long! Ready those apples!"

Sweet Pie grunted and licked as Mustard leaped a spin. "Scatter the jagged rocks into the arena! Let's see how they deal with that!" The Lycanroc shook his mane and scattered the stealth rocks as the Appletun quickly knocked him out with the apple acid. Mustard switched out for a Mienshao that faked Sweet Pie out and gave a super effective u-turn out of the battle.

Sweet Pie took a step back as Mustard brought about a Luxray that gave an intimidating roar and rushed in to play rough with the wyrm, sending her rolling into a k.o. Gloria cringed and switched back to Shelly. "We're going to be in a frintz if we let this Luxray catch us off guard! Go for a side arm bash!"

Mustard countered the order. "Go for a crunch! That would be more than enough!" The Luxray grunted and dashed for a bite to the side arm shoulder. Shelly eeked, shook the Luxray off and bashed her with her side arm. She went into a zen as the Luxray looked purple in a hue, Gloria went into a zen. "Go for a zen head butt and finish her off!"

The Slowbro grunted and blitz a head butt that sent the Luxray in a roll, she tried getting up and gave out. Mustard was impressed and made a fast switch to a formidable foe, a Kommo-o. Mustard wasn't going to take a particular risk. "Go for a flash cannon first, then we'll finish this Sis off!" The Kommo-o gave a dignified flex and glimmered his scales to the light as Shelly lost her zen and was shot by the fast light.

Gloria barked. "One more time!" The Slowbro rushed for a super effective bash and sent the Kommo-o in a back flipped, He and Mustard raised their hands back, like one of talons. Giving a melody of clangerous scales before unleashing a blast of sound that sent Shelly rolling far past Gloria. It was a k.o that the girl didn't mind. "Nice work anyways!"

Fling! "Come on Acer!" Out came the Cinderace that took the jagged cuts from the rocks and adjusted his expert belt. "One more zen head butt and we got that Meinshao and that Urshifu!"

Mustard admired the planning and had his Kommo-o go into a strange dance as Acer rushed in a focus. Gloria chanted. "Left step, right step! Show her those moves!" The Cinderace hopped left and right to match the Kommo-o's preparation and landed a head butt right at her shoulder, sending her spinning into a fall. Mustard switched to the Meinshao and confessed. "Now that was a step in the right direction! How'd you figured out that she was trying to dodge?"

Gloria wiped a sweat. "I never fought a Kommo-o before, but I know that you don't just jump out of the way. That dancing was preparation for that charge! Now it's time that Meinshao puts up a real fight!"

Mustard took that as a greater challenge as the Meinshao hummed and sprinted for a fake out. "Hmm... Okay, we will!" The Meinshao back flipped and tensed as Acer took a few steps back and kicked a low pyro ball, connecting a burst of flames as Meinshao back flipped from the damage and sprinted for close combat. Acer kept his arms raised and tried blocking the blows, only to be knocked out with a round house kick.

Gloria made a switch to her Orbeetle, who was sensing a plan and hovered left and right. The Meinshao kicked a blaze in his step and lunched for a fiery kick. Brainy floated right to dodge and Gloria ordered. "Reflect!" The Orbeetle conjured a barrier as the Meinshao spun a blaze kick that connected. "And psychic!"

The seven spotted pokemon gave off a glow and blasted the Meinshao back to Mustard, the martial artist passed out on making contact with the floor and left the Master with his final pokemon. Mustard raised a stretch in confidence to his final stand. "My skills are only getting sharper! Try not to get captivated by my might!" He sent out the long anticipated Urshifu, who's pose is more relaxed and his head band like fur was lower and in a flow of water. Gloria decided to honor the showdown and switch Brainy for Fubear. "Alright, this is it! This is where all this training has lead to!" She sent out the Urshifu that tensed. "Let's show the Master that we've learned everything we needed for our career!"

Fubear grunted and locked eye to eye with her rival. The Yin, to the Yang. Mustard unleashed a fast kick and punches in preparation for the big moment. "Now, become the gigantic fists that breaks your opponent- as one would a board!" He called his Urshifu into a ball as Gloria called her own. "Not if another fist is there to greet ya!" The two powered the balls up, turned and readied a throw. Gloria's was oddly an attempt at a full strength hurl that was serviceable, while Mustards caused his ball to spark as he hurled it fast. Letting out Urshifu's that grew and showed fur of white. Fubear's black fur pattern turned to that of red, while her opponents turned into blue. One Urshifu, resembled a mighty mountain with an ever reaching stream of water, the other looking like a mountain of rage.

The two gave off a fierce roar, Gloria pressed her fists together. "Bright out the first knuckle and punch back the river!" Mustard laughed in a battle craze. "If you could wit stand it's might! Show me what you're made of!" His Urshifu readied his knuckle and rushed for a collision. Fubear punched fast and landed a blow as the opponent switched to his left knuckle and punched the challenger in the face. The Rapid Strike Wushu spun to get his landing as Fubear was sent skidding. Even with the reflective barrier set up, that punch caused a scrape in her teeth.

Fubear adjusted as Gloria focused in a zen, Mustard called out his attack. "Now the rapid river, flows against the pillar!" Gloria snickered as Fubear calmed herself. "Ah, but how will it overcome us, if it's burst never comes to pass! Fubear, finish this!"

Fubear made a sprint as her opponent channeled water in his fists, the dark wushu gave a glow of zen and thrust her head forward, unleashing a mind storm blast that consumed the opponent and caused a weird ripple across the arena. A burst was let loose and the opposing Urshifu begun to shrink, falling on his knees as he reverted back to normal. Fubear gave a firm flex and powered down, dispelling the Dynamax power and smiling in victory. She turned to the crowd and raised her fists up. (Yeah! We did it!)

Gloria in comparison, relaxed in respect and watched Mustard flip out of his battle stance, put a hand under his chin and laugh heartily. He crossed his arms and congratulated his student. "Strength ebbs and flows in an endless cycle. One moment you grasp it, and the next, it slips from your hand. But the strength you have now-the strength that let you defeat me-it is unwavering! Congratulations, from the bottom of my heart!" Gloria took a nod as Fubear went over to help her counterpart up. "That was worth the wait." Mustard agreed with that. "Fuhaha! I held absolutely nothing back, and yet you still defeated me! The apprentice surpasses his master. A true moment of pride for the master!"

He and Gloria shook hands in sportsman ship, ready to admit defeat. "It seems, I will have to redo my own training from scratch!" Gloria huhed and turned to the crowd, Honey in particular was distraught at what happened to her husband. "Darling, did you actually lose?"

Mustard didn't mind. "So I have." Honey swooned at the attitude. "Aw. You know I can't resist seeing you get all serious about battle, you cheeky thing! You looked utterly dashing, darling!" She looked over to Gloria, who had that mature air to her. "Look at me getting all distracted. You were absolutely amazing, Gloria!" The crowd were bantering about how they're going to celebrate later on in the day, the back door guard had a bit of envy to Gloria. "I knew you weren't just a new student! I think I'll call you Master Newbie from now on!"

Marnie broke into a laugh and made the way for her and the rivals. "It won't surprise us. We'd knew Gloria was gonna win 'ere." That was something the matriarch was trying to accept and looked over to Fubear, who was giving a chipper growl to her opponent, like she wanted to have a spare like that again. Honey squeed at the behavior. "Fubear has grown to be such a fabulous pokemon too!" She rushed over and hugged Fubear from behind, causing the wushu to blush like a typical teenage girl. Klara and Avery approached the top student, letting some envy go. The poison specialist blushed. "Um, Gloria... I-I just...well...I guess I should congratulate you."

Avery scoffed. "Why should we? Now she's never going to move on from this place!" Klara half dropped her eye lids in a glare, forcing Avery to admit. ""But, we can't hold a candle to a trainer that defeated the master at his full strength." The pop star shook her head. "Not a single chance." She turned to the girl and promised. "The next time we battle you like that, we'll give it our all as fair as it can get! You'll see."

Gloria snorted a laughter, looking forward to an enlightening battle. ""You two might surprise me that day! I'll have to wait and see when it will come." Klara gasped, took a step back and stomped her foot. "You're even worse at this than I am." Marnie shrugged at that. "Least you're admittin' to your problems."

Mustard turned to his top student and asked. "Well, that wraps up the last of the training here at the Master Dojo! So what are you going to do, now Gloria?"

The girl put a hand at her chest and calmed herself. "Once we get the chance to relax a little, I'm wanting to borrow this place for some training. I have a spooky pokemon that needs a good talking to if he's to start. He's very important for Galar and if I can make that start, then I'll know he'll be incredible one day." That could be arranged and Hop thought. "I'll have to gather all this data for Miss Sonia, anyways." He turned to the others. "So, what have you all been doing?"

Bede gave a look to Honey, who was returning from her affection. "Mmm... Something important for the dojo." The matriarch heard that. "They've helped me order some supplies that ought to be here in an hour. In the meanwhile, the Dojo's all yours to use for the rest of the day. I'm sure the Professor is going to be delighted to hear about all this." The air of battle calmed down and the crowd readied to head back in, for the day is only half way over.

An hour later.

The trainees were settling back into their routine after witnessing a spectacle of a battle. Hop and Gloria were relaxing in the living room, letting Hyde help them document their discoveries. Outside, Marnie, Bede and the local rivals listened to what Honey finished doing. Klara blurted out. "You're setting up a restricted Sparring Match?"

Honey nodded while waiting for an order to arrive. "The challenge, is you have to fight through five trainers, only using pokemon that share a type together. For example, let's say Avery signed in and brings his Rapidash, his Alakazam and his Slowking." Marnie understood how it could be doable. "The second type ought to cover the weaknesses that psychic types have with them!"

She smiled. "It ought to be worth a try while we kill some time." Bede smirked with her. "And this is something that Gloria and Hop won't be able to stand in our way for." He took a deep breath, looked over to the door and asked. "Now, who amongst us is going to talk to our champion, in regards to that pokemon?" Klara and Avery have no idea what Bede was talking about, the Spikemuth Princess pointed at the newly appointed gym leader. "You're suggestin' it, so how about you tell them what you're thinkin'"

Bede nodded and went in, finding Hyde and Hop working on a document while Gloria was about to take a nap with her retinue of poke buddies. It was almost a sin to interrupt the serene scene. Hyde noticed Bede arriving. "Thanks for helping Mom out with the supplies! We should be at max efficiency by the end of the day."

The gym leader brushed his hair at the gratitude. "Just so you know, I was doing that for the convenience we'll have later." Hop rolled his eyes. "Sure you were." Gloria snapped out of her trance and looked around in a sweat. "Whu...whu!"

Bede turned to the Champion and waited for her to wake up. "My apologies for interrupting your rest, but there's something we need to be concerned about." Gloria tried calming herself down. "I've heard Klara blurt it out from over here. Looks like there's a challenge I'll have to wait on for another day." She smiled while Bede looked away in a blush. "Don't make me regret that. Now that you're finished uncovering the mystery of Urshifu, you now have another to tend to?"

Gloria tried relaxing once more. "If I have Zacian with me, when I let Eterny out, we can try to talk some peace between the three legends. You didn't have the chance to see it, but Eterny was a real help when those Royal Dirt bags were making chaos across the region."

Bede nodded. "He might, but why did he aided you in the first place? You were the one who imprisoned him again, after all." Gloria thought about it. "There might be a few reasons. It make a lot of sense, that he didn't like the idea of someone abusing his power like that. He's feeding off that Dynamax power, when he blast a the giant out of the pokemon."

Hope imagined. "Is he trying to turn into that big hand again, or something?" Gloria imagined. "It might be that step, but it requires a lot of Wishing Stars to bring him to that state. So he could just be ventilating all the power before letting it out again. What he giveth, he'll taketh. He also got real mad at what that brother was saying about the wolves and who was who in history."

Hop cringed in approval. "Because he was there when Zacian and Zamazenta beat him the first time. He isn't going to ever like them, but he definitely respects them enough to know where the credit belongs to." The Champion puffed her cheeks cutely. "Eterny just needs a bit of communication, so we can understand him more. Then he can put in the work to help Galar." That could be an idea, Bede thought into that. "It could work, but I'm going to be sure nothing spirals out of control if it doesn't." He asked Hop. "Speaking of Galar's future. Do you know what the Professor is doing for all of this?"

The boy answered with faith in Gloria's plan. "She's busy setting up for a trip to the Tundra south of the region. Well over Postwick." The Champion ohed. "Never heard of it! It might have more strange Pokemon that could be worth studying though."

Hop smirked in good will. "If you ask, I'm sure she'll let you tag along and be the extra muscle." Gloria gave a flex with her right arm and show distinct muscles. "I'm in!" Bede had the feeling of x's in his eyes and shook off the idea that Gloria's enroute to another journey. "One thing at a time. If Eternatus's meeting goes... smoothly, then we simply need to give it time while you research how he's going to help us willingly. You'll find a way to surprise us all soon enough."

That, Gloria was hoping. Bede turned around with a rather charming smile to hide and went back to the group. Deciding, while there was time, the try the restricted sparring match.

He was brought over to the guard of the battle court and registered his Mawile, Azumarril and Hatterene. The first of the five teams, composed of a Marowak, Crawdaunt and a dangerous Porygon-z. Bede had Mawile lead with an intimidate, swapped to Azumarril and had the aquatic rabbit set up a belly drum before knocking the first two out with liquidation and using super power to knock the Porygon clear off. The second of the five teams composed of an Amoongus, Bisharp and a plate holding Ribombee. Haterene was switched for Mawile and bounced back the spores before using psyshock to make quick work of the mushroom. Once Bisharp arrived, Bede had Azumarril take a night slash and counter with super power. Then come the Ribomee that Mawile was sent out to slowly manage.

The third team was of a Wishiwashi school, a strange special move using Corviknight and a Runegrigus. The Mawile used a simple intimidate and was switched for a Hatterene that took an earthquake rather well and was Gigantamaxed to bombard the fish school. The Corviknight was sent to do as much damage with steel beam as possible and was blasted by a max flare. Leaving a Runegrigus to let loose a night shade and get hit with a max phantasm. Bede switched to Azumarril and had her apply a liquidation knock out.

The fourth lead with a Morpeko that used a parting shot to get away, a Sandaconda and Centiscorch. The boy switched to the Azumarril, as a way to deal with the snake and saw it spray a scorching sands. Bringing Bede to use liquidation and take a rather crippling burn before knocking the serpent out. The Morpeko returned and flung an aura wheel that knocked the Azumarril out. Bringing a Hatterene that took the second one well enough and counter with a dazzling gleam. The Centiscorch started with a burn up, took a psyshock and followed with a skitter smake. The Hatterene cast another psyshock and finished off the dreadful foe.

The final team was one with a Coalossal, a Skarmory and a dreadful Scizor. The Mawile intimidated and switched out for Azumarril, who made short work of the Coalossal and belly drum as the Skarmory set up spikes. The rabbit struck the Skarmory down with one liquidation, took the Scizor's bullet punch and slashed again for a knock out. That is five victories and a rather substantial amount of battle point credits as a reward. Bede brushed his hair at a marked accomplishment and had Azumarril follow him to a small crowd of rivals. "T'is only natural." Marnie scoffed. "You managed to get through a fairies biggest weakness. That's only somethin' a Gym Leader ought to know about by now. But it's still good work."

Klara admitted to it as Avery tensed. "A psychic specialist should best this twice as fast! Obs-" He sensed a distinct sound of a door bell and turned. "Did you hear that?" Klara nodded and stood up. "I think something arrived. Should we help Ms. Honey before we take our turns?" Avery nodded and adjusted his glasses. "We'll help her set that vending machine up, then we'll continue this."

A few minutes later.

Gloria was woken up by the sound of something being installed and stretched to get her body awake. "*Yawn* That did put a lot out of me! She noticed Hop finished sorting out a document and asked. "So it looks like you got done with what you needed from here. Want to check out that noise?"

Hop thought about where it was coming from. "I think that Vending Machine just got 'ere. Those fellas don't look like they were kidding when they said they got a haul of them watts." Hyde was keeping himself reserved in excitement. "If Mom is correct, it will be enough that we won't have to visit the mainlands for supplies, when we can have them all right here. Hence, we can spend more time training."

The band saw Honey and the rivals setting the power drink machine by the one with the water bottles, soda cans and lemonade cans. The Matriarch tested the machine out and had a canister of calcium dispensed. "Marvelous!" She gave a fast warning to the bystanders. "Our pokemon's supplements have arrived, but be careful with your wallets!"

As she readied to announce something, Bede saw Gloria and her jolly band were wide awake. "Looks like her majesty has finally awoken from her slumber. Looking for something to do?"

Gloria didn't know what to make of that comment and asked in confusion. "Well, since that delivery was handled. We just got to wait for the next delivery to haul in." Marnie had ill news. "This is the last one we need right now! Miss Honey said the rest of the watts are goin' to be for an important business call."

The Matriarch nodded with excitement. "It's nothing too important, I think it would help the students fine if they learn more from the best the regions have to offer."

Gloria and Hop were immediately thinking of the various Champions from across the world. The boy whistled. "No wonder you needed a million watts! There are some pretty big names out there." Gloria agreed and looked to her heavy ball. "If they show up soon, we won't get the chance to continue Eterny's lesson if we dawdle any longer."

She looked around to find Mustard teaching some students and the Move Tutor show casing a Sawk coaching a Luxray. "Master Mustard, Mr. Tutor! I'm going to let out my big pal at the Court! Once he's settling in, I'd like to see what kind of fancy move he can use that will come in handy."

The Dojo master nodded to that. "Alright, that ought to be enough on team work. When you get into a big one at the dens, remember that it's better to sync together and earn victory, than it is to take all the glory in defeat!" Klara and Avery were curious as to how that lesson went and wanted to chat with the students as Honey imagined pure chaos and advised to the top student. "If Eternatus is acting rude, don't be afraid to show some discipline, you hear?"

Gloria gave Honey a thumbs up and lead to the Battle Court. The trainers kept a close watch as Gloria's partners had a front row seat at what is to come. Gloria took a deep breath and opened the ball to let out Eterny, who coiled up to the feeling of fresh air and laughed at his freedom. He noticed the Court has a distinct energy that caught him curious. (So my power has reached here too? Now what has happened all the way here.)

Gloria waved to the entity. "Eterny, can we talk a bit?" Shelly called out. (It's pretty important!) Eterny heard the voices and hovered down towards the band, tilting his head. (I knew this wasn't for pleasantries, what is it this time?)

Gloria looked the entity in the eyes boldly in her answer. "This was what I had in mind as a way to introduce you to the team. What you did a few days ago was tremendous and it's proof that you can do a lot more besides all the destruction you were causing. Hop and I have someone you'll need to meet, so we can figure out how we can all coexist. Eternatus stared in a blank, realized just by looking at the master ball what the girl was talking about and floated back in a hiss. (You dare bring those beasts to me?!) He snarled. (Do not mistake my outburst as a sign I care for them! What those pathetic creatures were speaking of them was simply too outrageous to ignore!)

Marnie cringed. "Drat, that set him off good!" Hop readied a timer ball and whispered to the Champion. "He's gonna start something if we don't calm him down." Gloria raised a hand, she knows. She took a step, gave a fierce stare down and barked. "Listen to me, you overgrown skeleton! That's more than enough!" Eternatus was surprised as his supposed trainer wagged a finger. "That attitude right there, is why Zacian and Zamazenta had to bash you into a rock for three thousand years and it's why they bashed you into this ball a few days ago! Do you not even care that there's a reason they've went to fight you? Why we had to?"

If Eternatus had visual eyes, they would be astonished, he kept blank at an answer that proved Gloria's point. "Or you didn't had the scope of it. Despite that, we need you Eterny. Like it or not! The power of Dynamax is vital to Galar and everyone on it, but it doesn't just last forever! That limit is why someone went and brought you out in the first place. If we're to try and make something so we'd both get what we want, you need to let us help you!"

She saw Eterny was going into thought and smirked. "In turn, you'll get to know us for real. What do you say?" The entity lowered to the ground and thought about it. He had a look to his trainer and to the bystanders who clearly never seen the likes of him before. He breathed out calmly. (If that is what you wish.) He raised a talon. (But before we try, how is teaching me a move, before knowing enough about me, going to help anyone?)

Gloria guessed it was a critique on the lesson. "We do have some raid dens that need some clearing if we want to practice for if someone tries Dynamaxing wild pokemon again. But anything that would give you and edge in battle would make you hard to stop for any small time crook. Having you learn sludge bomb was a good start, so let's try another move." She turned and showed her Rotom Phone. "Mr. Tutor, Eternatus is both a poison type and a dragon type. Do you think the moves of that type will help?"

The assistant approached and tapped a few buttons. "Let's see, corrosive gas-" He saw an x mark. "would not." He looked at Eternatus's skeletal structure and doubted. "And Eterny doesn't have any scales. According to this Dex log, Eternatus fell from a meteorite twenty thousand years ago." He realize. "He might learn that move that Franken has learned."

The Arctozolt waddled and glowed in cosmic power while Gloria imagined. "Right, if the pokemon is related to a rock or looks pretty alien, they could learn meteor beam." She asked the entity. "Eterny, try watching Franken and copy what he does. Meteor beam gives you a healthy boost before letting you unleash that space power upon a foe. With the right item, you'll be charged up quick and really will be a menace in battle."

Eterny watched the Arctozolt jerk forward and fire an intense beam, bringing amusement that hasn't been felt in days. He gave a similar glow, aimed deeper in the field and fired a beam that was even greater. He spun to the sky and fired a sludge bomb at the crater to add insult to injury. Gloria squeed. "Eeeh! Like that! That will work over old dragon pulse any day. Now for the next part. I've seen enough films to know that dirt bags like those twins are always gonna be out there. Having dumber excuses to go about hurting people, pokemon and misusing any power they can get their hands on. Zacian and Zamazenta managed to defeat you twice over, by working together with other. So if you get some coordination with the lot of us." Eternatus nodded. (Then they'll be taught their lesson without having to expend too much of our power.)

Fubear raised a hand. (Or we'll stop those crooks when they try something that is too much for any one of us.) Eternatus was about to boast to that and recalled how quickly the Urshifu forced him to unleash his true power. (You're onto something.)

Marnie approached the Champion, with supplies to make into testing dummies. "You got him to listen again, you mind if we help out?" Gloria doesn't. "It's going to require a lot of team work to stop a crook right. Let me in on a few ideas and we'll start making this fun."

In the Dojo.

Honey's attempt at booking an appointment with the regional champions were going south alarmingly fast, due to there already being a place for trainers to gather and battle to their hearts content. The business woman sighed her disappointment out. "I see, thank you for informing me of this." Click! She leaned her back to the wall and covered her face. "Oh, what am I to do? Our students are going to be more miffed than a Sharpedo when they realize that surprise isn't happening."

Hyde had a bit of an idea. "That wasn't going to happen when we heard about that World Tournament. But there's one more person that Gloria hasn't battled yet. If she's handled Pop, she can handle the other one." Honey cringed. "Do I got to do that, to that sweet girl? It's been so long since I had to show her... that side of me."

She took a deep breath and thought about it, Gloria has overcome one daunting trial after another, whether it is the three trials of the Isle, the Gym Challenge itself, saving the Region two times over and even besting the Master of the Dojo at his full strength. "Maybe... she could." She smiled to her son. "Yeah, I'm sure she won't get roughed up too badly. I just need to think about what I am to say." Hyde didn't mind. "She'll take the challenge anyways, this is going to be a good way to end off the day."

Back at the Battle Court

Gloria and Marnie reset a training dummy with a biker helmet, having been blasted, covered in sludge and heckled. The Champion was pleased by how fast Eternatus is to action. "Okay, let's try this again. Some crook is trying to snare you or a someone for something really evil and are thinking they can enslave ya. What are you going to do?" Eternatus laughed at the exercise, reared up like a snake and fired a meteor blast by the dummies feet before flying back and firing a sludge bomb, sending it flying to Fubear, who dashed in an attempt to capture the villain. Hop had a whistle blown. "And-" Whistle! "We got em!"

Eternatus flew back to a perch, smiling in pride as Gloria let him know he impressed her. "Your output is still a bit extreme. But if we're to keep Galar going, we're going to need to protect it when bad people make another mess. When they know of the legends, they'll go running." Mustard clapped in applause as Bede gave where it was due. "You'll be making a point across."

Hop put the whistle away and scratched the back of his head. "If Eternatus is going to help take care of the region, what are the heroes of the Sword and Shield going to do?" Gloria admitted as she rummage through her back pack. "To be honest, I don't think they and Eterny are ever going to really get along. But once they know they're are all on the same page for Galar's future, that bright time ahead is a certain."

She pulled out a camp set and brought out supplies for curry. "Eterny, for that to happen, you and the wolves are going to have to meet and talk about this. As long as you keep calm, they'll hear us out." The gigantic pokemon groaned and covered his face. (This is going to be a complete disaster.)

Gloria brought out a shaker of strange, red glowing spice. "Not if we talk over curry! I'm getting that you feed off the power you emit, so this special spice I've been hearing about ought to supplements that. According to the camping expert, one sprinkle ought to make the curry turn into a feast worthy of legends!" Eternatus tiled his head. (Giganta what?!) He turned to Fubear and Acer. (Is there anymore ridiculousness that is done with that power?!) Acer shrugged. (Who knows! But it's the first time we're going to try that.)

Gloria had her pick of two liechi berries, a salace berry, two ganlon berries, a peteya berry and a apricot berry. It didn't take long, with the help of her rivals, to get the curry broth heated up and the rice boiling. Gloria had the berries poured in and used a small pinch of the Gigantimix to make the brew give off red smoke. The campers heated up the pot and Marnie had her turn to mix. "Now, get that meet'a'bout started while I keep this mixin'!"

Gloria and Hop nodded and together, sent out Zacian and Zamazentha, who gave off a pretty cheerful howl that made Eternatus slither back. (No! No! No! No! No!) Gloria lowered her eye lids and had a distinct smile. "This is happening, whether we like it or not." The wolves looked around to ask the bystanding pokemon what's going on and smelled the curry being made.

The two wagged their tails and tried to lower themselves in patience, until Zacian noticed Eternatus keeping to a wall. She stood up fast and barked. (What is he doing here?!) Sweet Pie jumped in between the wolves and the dragon to squeak out. (Just listen!)

Gloria took a deep breath and kept in between the heroes and the villain while Sweet Pie whispered to Zacian and Zamazentha. The dogs were completely confused at the idea and looked to the Champion inquisitively, Gloria waved a hand. "Think about this, if this idea works. Eternatus would start helping the region, like what you two have done. Rather than being the danger to it again. A couple decades from now, all the power that's kept Galar alive would start getting sparse and will throw everything out of balance. If at the least, you three find a way to protect Galar and keep it going, the idea should stick around this time." Hop added. "Rather than end with someone taking all the credit again."

The wolves felt that idea to be quite fair and reasonable, Zamazentha kept a stern mood. (So this trust exercise, could work in the long run. If given time.) Zacian turned to Eternatus with a lessen stare. (The humans today are more than willing to make the effort.) She snorted. (And perhaps succeed where their ancestors have failed.)

That much, Eternatus agreed with. (And keep the irrational ones from doing something asinine.) The hostility lessened even more and Eternatus had a closer look at the curry pot while Zamazentha looked to his sister and give a deep bark. (Just don't sour our friends trust. This is your one and only chance.) Eternatus sighed. (Alright, alright. Just so long as we don't have to see each other again, save for this occasion. Have you have this morsel before?)

Zamazentha smelled the hint of Dynamax power. (Not in this form, but I've seen the spice. Think we should have more join in on the feast?) Zacian gave a vote and Eternatus raised a talon. (Definitely!)

The rivals took the que to let their pokemon out and join in on the festivity, Marnie sat the curry let out steam and called. "Curry smells about done!" The trainers set up various plates of rice and applied the red glowing curry to the boiled grains. The rice turned into the red hue of Dynamax and caused the servings to grow to the size of large digletts. Gloria ohed and brought out a spoon. "Looks like our lunch has Dynamaxed in front of us! Shall we get that first taste?"

Bede groaned. "Didn't you just eat two meals for breakfast?" The rich smell was pretty tempting as Gloria imagined. "We're definitely going to be full till late tonight! Let's dig in and find out if this is any good!" The trainers took a spoon and watched Acer, Rillaboom, Morpeko and Hatterene join in having a taste.

Their eyes glittered to stars and they were tempted to start digging in. They signaled the others to chow down at a delicacy that even royalty would only dream of. Eternatus took a step back and drew the glowing energy from his plate, he tasted the flavor in the energy and had a burst of draconic power, giving a distinct noise of pleasure that was amusing to the dogs.

After Lunch.

Honey was in a bit of a debate with Klara and Avery. "So, I'll have to provide with the next best thing for that girl and anyone who would have the nerve." Klara shrugged. "I'd been wondering why you'd know that much about battling." Avery felt a pretty ruthless battle phase and shivered. "The moment you know the unleash that stored power, is the moment your opponent will know that they've lost." He took a deep breath and is shaking off a vision. "Shall we be allowed to watch?"

Honey allowed it. "After that incident you and my Hubby ran into the other day, I think you can handle watching ol' me have a go." They took a step to the back yard and found Mustard attempting to return to the dojo. "You'd miss out on a good one, Honey! Something tells me things are going to be fine later on in the future. Regardless of the hiccups life has to give."

Honey huhed as Klara and Avery caught sight of Gloria and her friends performing a mass call back, among them was the two wolves of legends and Eternatus. The band of four begun putting away the camping equipment all the while. Honey's charmed by the likely hood. "A lot of things changed, the moment that girl was brought here. Even if it happened because someone was taking a few pranks too far, I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Avery blushed. "It's worked out superbly, beyond our foresight." Klara laughed to him. "At least we got an idea of what we need to be decent Gym Leaders. So, Miss Honey... how are we going to announce this?"

The Matriarch answered with clarity. "Just leave the announcement to me. I'll know how to say it without scaring her." Mustard blushed and took his turn watching over the trainees as the lady of the house made her way to the pitch. Having a watch of Gloria making a pretty hearty burp and patting her stomach. "That worked out pretty nicely. All we got to do now is deliver the news to Leon and keep the process steadily."

Bede shrugged in approval. "And make preparations for the day he'll be ready." Hop imagined a helpful idea. "Maybe me and the Professor could brainstorm an idea for that one." Marnie noticed the arrivals and whispered. "Psst! Look who's comin'"

Klara and Avery offered to have the rivals take a watch as Gloria waved. "Hello, Ms. Honey. How did that call go?" The Matriarch sighed. "Not the best it could have been. Galar's just a bit too far to come for a friendly pick up match with the top trainers of the world." She put a few fingers under her chin. "So after a few debates, we've decided to let you battle another top trainer! If you are ready to take on that challenge, say the word." Gloria drew out a ball. "I could use that after napping and eating today!"

Honey hid a mischievous smile. "Well, well. You've been prepared. Very well." She made her way to one side of the pitch. "I've been preparing this challenging battle, just for you, my dear Gloria." She raised a finger to declare. "And you're opponent will be-"

"I'm here to battle!"

A voice declared from the entrance of the Battle Court, a brown haired man that no one was familiar with. Honey felt interrupted. "What?"

The stranger approached and felt an exclamation mark over his head. "Hey, wait. Aren't you..." He gasped. "Oi! You were the one who took my place, when I ran from that station! To think, I might've been standing where you are right now if I'd only had the guts. Cripes, that would have been a disaster."

Klara and Avery were surprised by the disrespectful words as the man continued. "Letting you go to the Master Dojo in my place is the best thing that's ever happened to me!" He laughed. "Thanks to my cowardice that time, I was able to join an even better dojo than this old place. The Wile Dojo! As the strongest, wiliest, and wildest trainer the Wile Dojo has got..."

Klara's eye lids half dropped as Avery had a distinct rage in his face, aware that he is glowing in a distinct power. The stranger was completely unaware of that and the growing scowl of anger Gloria has. "I'm here to show the fusty old Master Dojo that it's time you all pack up and make way for the new hotness that's about to replace you."

Gloria had a sharp frown, ready to physically toss the disrespectful low life out of the island. Honey was looking at the students, about to lose a lid and tried calming them down. "Now, now, let's all settle down. You know this person, Gloria?"

The girl shook her head. "We never even got the chance to talk before I walked into the Station to meet Klara and Shelly. He was running for the hills." Honey cringed. "Ehk. I must say, his manners leave something to be desired. We should pick up our new arrivals more wisely."

Klara gritted her teeth. "Sorry about that, Miss Honey. We were only told to pick up who ever decided to need to training." The stranger stomped his foot at the poison type gym leader and the matriarch. "Nobody asked you! Who are you to be judging me!"

Glora brought out Fubear's ball and tried to keep calm. "Honey is the woman who's made sure this Dojo's working as fine as it is and Klara's my friend. You're making a grave mistake."

The stranger was acting like a typical toddler in a tantrum. "Oh really? Then bring out the strongest you've got! I'll show you that this dojo is done for!"

Gloria readied to answer and felt a hand at her shoulder, she looked side ways to find Bede having a pretty miffed scowl, Avery raised a finger and shook his head. "No. You're hardly worth her attention."

The stranger was feeling that he was hovering mid air, Honey cringed, knowing Avery was about to fling the stranger out of the dojo. "Avery, please don't! This wasn't what I had in mind."

The psychic closed his eyes and clenched his hand as a way to contain his psychic power, letting the rude vagabond back on his feet and having to listen to an outburst. "Seriously?! Disappear already, would you?! I'm not here to beat up someone's mum." Avery was the first to realize that was directed at Honey, Klara's eyes gave a distinct aura of a serpents slits as she was about to draw out a ball. Bede laughed at the ignorant man. "I would watch that tongue if I were you. You won't know who you've disrespected until they've decided to prove you wrong."

Honey agreed and brought out a ball, her last nerve was struck. "You know, love, you're really being quite the bother here." She apologized to the top student. "I'm sorry, Gloria, but could I ask you to wait just a little big longer for that battle?"

Gloria was looking to want to sit down as Honey sent out a disciplined Gallade with blue in place of green and an orange heart horn on his chest. The stranger gave a blunt what and tried to send out a Quagsire that was cut down in a single leaf blade. The rest of his team, a Hitmonchan, Linoone, Magmar, Thievul and Cramorant, didn't even last a turn before the blade pokemon that was feeling Honey's disappointment. The stranger called his last pokemon and whined. "But, I'm the strongest person in the Wile Dojo! How could this lady have destroyed me like this?"

Marnie had a blood vessel pulsing at her cranium and looked ready to beat the man up. "She's married to the Dojo Master and helps run the place along with him. Do you want to keep waistin' everyone's time?" Honey felt the words were taken right out of the darkest depths of her subconscious. "You haven't even mastered the basics of understanding how moves work. You sure you don't want to come start over from scratch at the Master Dojo?"

Gloria flexed to show her muscles. "You'll be whipped to shape in no time!" Honey smiled maliciously at the stranger shaking his knees. "Once we tear you down completely, I promise we'll build you back up as a proper trainer."

Klara found her chance to put a hand at the man's shoulder. "Of course, you'll have to work under us until you've started learning the most important lessons you'll need. We could use someone to make a club." Avery's eyes sparked and his smile looked quite malicious. "Oh we'll definitely bestow the wisdom we've had to learn from our own humbling!"

The rivals loomed over the man that eeped, wiggled free from Klara's hand, turned tail and ran. "This place is nuts! I can't take it!" With him making his leave, Klara and Avery reached a new low of disappointment as Honey realized. "Oh sugar! Did I do it again?" Bede groaned and crossed his arms. "He's more pathetic than he's let on if a little pressure like that, was enough to break him."

Hop didn't imagine he'd agree with the curly haired rival. "There's nothing wrong about starting over if you know what you're doing isn't working. You'd grow even stronger once you fix up what's been working."

Honey sighed and was looking teary eyed. "But this still scared off a potential student and everything." She looked sorrowful to Gloria in particular. "I've been looking to surprise you all too. But that silly sausage went and ruined everything." The Champion closed her eyes in sympathy and put Fubear's ball away, she looked to Klara and Avery to admit. "That fooling around you did, saved this dojo in the long run. Thanks for picking me up when you did, instead of asking questions."

The two wouldn't say that was a praise worthy compliment and Honey wiped her eyes. "Sometimes fate plays things out in funny ways. But there's no need crying over spilled moomoo milk." She felt her Gallade pat her on the shoulder, rubbed his arm and shared a smile of pride. The matriarch called her partner back and went to her end of the arena. Gloria had her friends head to the rafters and prepared her team as Honey announced. "So, now you know! That strong Trainer I've been preparing, is me! Honey!"

Her voice was like a welcoming melody and the girl admitted. "I was kind of figuring it out. I guess this is a good way to say, thank you for giving me the help I needed." Honey winked. "Much obliged, darling. You think you're ready?"

Gloria went to her side and went into her pose. "I am now!" The Matriarch smiled in delight. "Perfect! I am about to blow your mind!" She brought out an ultra ball and give a fast throw that nearly skipped past the blink of an eye, bringing about a Blissey that gave a whistle. Gloria whistled at a bad timing, but sent out her lead. "Come on Brainy, a reflect and a light screen ought to help us out!" The Orbeetle buzzed and conjured a reflect as Honey found that quite useful. "All right now, Gloria. Let's have a little bit of fun... and I'll try not to hurt you."

She whistled sharply at her Blissey and had her conjure a light screen. Brainy conjured his own light screen and watched the Blissey inhale for a fire blast. The Orbeetle eeked and dodged, Gloria cringed and made a switch. "Okay, come back, that light screen's gonna make it difficult for you, Franken and Sweet Pie." She sent out Fubear, who took a bolt of thunder and pressed her knuckles together. "Get at her with close combat!" The Urshifu rushed to the nurturing, if energetic egg holder and beaten her out of the match in swift punches and a round house kick.

Fubear rolled back with a lessen guard as Honey switched to a Togekiss that twirled in a serene hymn. Gloria eek'd and called her nervous Urshifu back. "No, no, no!" She sent out Shelly was Honey was fast on the order. "Cut that zen down with an air slash!" The Togekiss nodded and unleashed fast slashes at Shelly, she snapped to a greater focus and pointed. "Give a side arm bash!" The Slowbro rushed at the Togekiss in a leap and smacked her down for a super effective blow that left a hint of poison.

The Togekiss spun downward and let loose an air slash that made the Slowbro roll back in a flinch. Shelly's quick claw shined and Gloria ordered. "Zen head butt!"

The Slowbro caught her landing and charged for a head first bash. Knocking the Togekiss out and bringing about that shiny Gallade that is looking to the Slowbro and especially to Gloria, he smirked confidently. (Sorry about that, the Mistress was bottling up a lot of negativity... you see.) Shelly gave a mellow nod. (I get what happened, it's hard to take all that in.) Gloria licked her lips. "Go for a shell side arm bash and we'll have this!" Shelly sprinted, apologized in advance and smacked the Gallade to the side with her shellder, Honey had a sweat. "Now get her with a throat chop!"

The Gallade twirled, rushed to the side of the Slowbro and gave a firm karate chop to her throat, causing the Slowbro to gag and fall over in a knock out.

Gloria phewed and called her partner back. "Good work!" She sent Fubear back out, the wushu gave the Gallade a bow that she was given back to in kind. Honey squinted her eyes in suspicion. "Come on, darling. We got to stop that Urshifu before she tries something!"

The Gallade pressed his hands together and charged for close combat as Fubear knocked the Gallade into a dirt roll with a sucker punch. K.O. Honey ohed and called the shiny blade back. "Such determination! Now this is where the fun begins." She sent out a Salazzle that stood upward and puffed her chest in pride. "Heat our star with a flamethrower, one burn ought to do it!" The Salazzle smirked and blasted a flamethrower that scorched against the fading barrier and left a burn on Fubear. Gloria eeked. "Darn it! Go for a wicked blow, stat!" The Urshifu channeled her dark aura and punched the Salazzle to get her to roll back, the light screen disappeared and the lizard inhaled for another flamethrower. Fubear disappeared and went to the lizards side to deliver a telling sucker punch. Honey switched to a jolly looking, Galarian Darmanitan that punched the ground in a rhythm. "We're to the wire now! I hate to rain an icicle crash on your victory-" The Darmanitan leaped in a snowy aura. "but we don't like holding back."

Fubear braced for the gorilla tactics and flinched from the heavy spears before getting smashed again for a knock out. Gloria breathed out and switched. "No worries, we don't hold back either!" She sent out her Cinderace, who landed in an elegant tap and perked. "I think we know who Honey is keeping secret. We beat this Darmanitan, we'll give our hello to Venusaur!"

Acer smirked as the Darmanitan rolled into a snowball and rolled to the far right, the Cinderace kicked a pebble towards that direction and leaped after it. "Right there!" Acer kicked the pebble into a fire ball and kicked it at the giant snowball, knocking the Darmanitan into a rolling knock out. Honey switched, brought out a pokeball and appreciated that Gloria figured it out. "Then it's time to play our ace in the hole. Come on out, my dear Venusaur!" She sent out the plant pokemon that hopped out like it was going to be a sunny match.

The Matron aimed a ball at the grass type and called him in for a power up. "We're going to have to turn gigantic for this one!" Gloria called a prepared Acer back and at sync, powered up the ball. Honey caused the ball to enlarge, held it like it was little effort, turned around, brushed her hair to get a clear view and hurled it with one hand. Letting it pop to unleash a Venusaur that has his flower petals grow large enough to cover his whole back and make the stigma open like a yellow crown.

Thud!

The Venusaur roared as Gloria was impressed. "Nice throw!" Fling! She let loose the Gigantamax Cinderace as Honey blushed. "You'll have a lot to learn before you can toss a dynamaxed ball like that. Now try not to get buried in the chasm, love." The Venusaur sprouted two vines that dug into the earth as Gloria knew what was coming. "Eek. Go with a flutterby before that quake erupts! Then it's a kick to the goal!"

The Cinderace flexed a bombardment of burning butterflies that got in the way of the Venusaur's focus, he burrowed his body in the ground and gave a shout that made the quake erupt from under the rabbit. Shielding himself with dirt as Acer back flipped with the fire ball and hurled it at the plant, causing an eruption that shrank the Venusaur back down. Acer flexed as the power expelled from his body and shrank him back to normal size. Honey went over to the dug up hole and checked on the beaten Venusaur that was realizing he lost and mellowed a bark. (Wouch!)

The Matron realize the grass type was pretty chilled and petted him. "Looks like we got beat, sweetie. Come back in here and I'll see if we can't set up a play date with Blastoise." Pew! Honey clapped to Gloria and her Cinderace. "That was a delight! Nice battling, love!"

Gloria and Acer approached with a hand shake in mind. "Thanks, you were pretty intense too." Honey admitted. "It got my pulse racing, to say the least. That was really good time. Honestly, my darling hubby would be the first tell you that he and I are on the same level when it comes to our strength in battle."

A statement that is believed amongst Gloria and the audience. "And yet you beaten me too, Gloria. You really are strong! It's no wonder you've ignited a new fire into my darling hubby and our other students." Gloria didn't wish to brag too much. "Since we've beaten the Unbeatable Champion, all of Galar have been looking up to us. In a year or two, we'll be in for a right good challenge to keep our title."

Honey imagined quite the duty. "I don't meant to ask more from you, but I might. Please, do carry on as part of the Master Dojo family, and help all of us learn and grow!"

Gloria considered that an honor. "Don't worry, you won't be seeing us rest too long on our laurels. We got to keep those surprises alive out there." She and Acer gave Honey a hand shake and even a loving embrace before breaking it off. "Let's have another battle like that again soon! Kay?"

That is considered. Honey took a deep breath and looked to the young ones. ""Since we still got a lot of day, would you all mind going for a little stroll with me after a bit? There's somethings I want to speak about." Hop gave a sure. "Once we all finish packing some things away, we'll be sticking around until sundown." The band returned to the Dojo for a quick rest and preparations for a return to what would be considered a mundane life.

Half an hour later, Honey and the band of top students and guest made their way to the shore by the Corviknight station. It brought about a tranquil feeling, knowing so much has been accomplished in one day. They took some time to drown out the noise of the busy day and Honey turned to Gloria in gratitude. "You know, Gloria, there's so much to thank you for."

The Champion turned in silence as the Matron continued. "Because of you, our student's are even more determined to train and challenge you. Because of you and the trainers you've encouraged, we're able to make the Master Dojo into the fine facility it is today!" Gloria smiled wide and rubbed her nose. "Ah, that's nothing! I just needed to get that battle spirit is all." She turned to her band of friends. "Right guys?"

Hop and Marnie agreed without hesitation and even the trio of jerkish rivals looked to each other and gave a mutual agreement. Honey's in a trance, looking at the fine people the band are making themselves out to be, she confessed. "You know, when my hubby first told me that wanted to open a dojo of his own. I have to admit, I had a lot of doubts. I was still working at my previous job at the time and there was so much work that went into getting the dojo built." Hop laughed to that. "You don't know if it's worth it until you give it a go." Honey agreed with that. ""Hard to think about moving to an uninhabited island like this one. Just to train in an unknown dojo."

It is something hard to believe possible, at first glance. "My hubby-wubby and I gave it our all. When Hyde came along, the students all pitched in and helped out with everything." She had joyful tears. "And of course, you've all helped out as well. We've made it to where we are today because we got so much help from so many people..." She took a deep breath. "This has been an entirely different chapter of my life, but it's turned out to be a great one!"

The band were warmed and gave the Matron a well earned group hug, Gloria promised. "This might not last forever, but all the good it's done is going to carry along with us for a long time. I'm glad that we got to see it all come to something fruitful, ya know?"

The work put into reaching as far as they have, felt the most rewarding. Klara and Avery noticed something waddling on the beach. "Hey, the Slowpokes are sunbathing here again." "Resting up after a whole day of nothing." Honey teehee'd. "Acting all, lovey-dovey. Haa! This has been so lovely! It's been a while since I was last able to simply take a nice stroll without worrying about a thing!"

Feeling the breeze blow against the face with a hint of bliss. The band took a breath, putting a whole adventures worth behind them. "If we stay out here too long, I suppose everyone will start to worry about us. We should head back home!" Klara whined. "Can't we stay out here a little longer? It's been a long day."

Honey gasped. "Oh? Are you all trying to hog Ms. Honey's attentions for yourself?" Klara blushed. "Mmmmmaybe?" That earned a laugh before they head back to the Dojo and think about where the next tale would bring.