A week has gone by, since the grand adventure in the Isle of Armor. Sonia was packing heavily in a brown winter coat while Hop was assisting in organizing a contact station. The Professor instructed her protege. "Once Gloria and I rent a cabin at this town. I'll call you for the next step of our research plan. If we need more help, don't hesitate to come on over." Hop vowed. "Don't worry, I'll keep the data safe in the meantime." He noticed Gloria entering the lab, with a pack stuffed to the brim with supplies. She waved to the two and explained. "My Mum said the Tundra's extra cold compared to Circhester. But I think we'll stay warm for a while."

Sonia picked up her bag of supplies as the Champion advised to her friend staying behind. "Tell Marnie and Bede that I'm off to another adventure!" Hop promised with confidence. "We'll keep each busy and surprise you when you come back!" Gloria imagined a challenge for her title. "I'll come back with some fancy strong pokemon and counter surprise ya!"

That brought a laugh and Sonia hurried. "Come on, our train's going to be ready in a few!" Gloria followed post haste, to the train station and booked a kart to share with Sonia. In a few moments, the train set off to a strange split in the tunnel, instead of going right to the Corviknight station, it went left and made a turn south as the lights of the train lit up.

Sonia considered the atmosphere forboding and is heating up from a coming chill. Shortly, the light of the outside world returned and the ladies were at a chilly train station. Gloria took a step off and gave Sonia a ladies escort to a tundra, covered in snow. Trees, Snoms and a duo of dancing Jynx's distracted them for that moment. "I heard of this one." She tested out her updated Rotom Dex App to get a log on the newer sights. "Jynx: The Humanshape pokemon: Ice-Psychic. The Jynx of Galar often have beautiful and delicate voices. Some of these Pokémon have even gathered a fan base. In certain parts of Galar, Jynx was once feared and worshiped as the Queen of Ice."

Gloria thought out loud. "I've heard that in certain parts of the world, this pokemon is often with a set. I wonder if we'll find Magmar or Electabuzz down here?"

Sonia fondled her hair in excitement. "We'll go see after we head to the nearby town and figure out what-" "Come on, dad! Lay off and quit following me already!"

The ladies blissful experience was interrupted as they notice a teenage girl with dark skin, hair that was light blonde, curly and having hints of pink and a black school uniform. Arguing with a a familiar looking man in a dark orange expedition outfit, baseball cap and a short black beard and mustache. Gloria checked out the girl's blue hand band, embarrassed looking emerald eyes and a stance of defiance. She listened to the girl's scream. "I'm gonna go on a Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair, and I don't need you breathing down my neck! I'm here to battle loads and loads of rare Dynamax Pokemon!"

The father didn't get the que of a teenage daughter seeking independence and laughed. "Gahahahah! Don't you fret! I know somewhere way more fun than that musty old place! Get ready for loads of quality time with the coolest dad ever!" The teenager dismayed. "What a generous and totally unwanted offer! 'Fraid I've got to say, "no thanks!"

Gloria approached to break up the fight and listened in to the adult. "Come on, Nia! Be reasonable! Or get ready to be ultra-mega-embarrassed as I unleash the Noble Roar of Dad!" Nia reeled in horror. "Gah! I'll take a hard pass on that, thanks!" She noticed Gloria and waved. "Excuse me? Hello! Yes, you- the girl over there!" The adult turned as the daughter pleaded. "My dad is stubborn as steel, and he won't leave me alone! Back me up, would you?"

Gloria was pretty confused, yet find the scenario relatable. "Let's break this up and go about this step by step." Sonia had a moment to realize something and gasp as Nia spoke quick. "Thanks! Have a great time with this geezer, then!" The man approached the Champion. "Now hold on, lass! Can't say I approve of you buttin' in blindly. But if I give you a trounchin', this young lady here ought to see reason! The name's Peony! You better brace yourself- I'm pretty fierce in battle!"

He cheered loudly, drew out an ultra ball and gave a distinct throw like a veteran sportsman, letting out a pretty mellow Copperajah. Gloria sent Brainy out in a pitch and ordered. "Hurry, use reflect and we'll have this!" The Orbeetle conjured a reflect as Peony raised a brow. "Setting one of those up, are ya? Copperajah, smash against that with a heavy slam!"

The Copperajah leaped at the Orbeetle, pressed him to the ground and was pushed off by psychic might. Gloria made a fast switch. "Alright, come on back!" She punched out a ball to let out her Urshifu. "Come on out, Fubear!" Pop! Fubear rolled to battle and saw the Copperajah rush in to play roughly, she rolled to dodge her adversary as Gloria pointed. "Close combat!" The Urshifu rushed to the Copperajah to deliver a fast beat down and kick her back to Peony. Bringing him to letting out an Aggron that flexed in fortitude. Gloria didn't want to take a risk. "Soften him up with an iron head and go for close combat!"

Fubear rammed the Aggron into a flinch and followed with a fast beat down, ending the demonstration soundly and swiftly. Peony called his Aggron back and hid behind his hat. "Guess it's not my place to brag." Gloria noticed the shaved head that applied the cap back on, Peony admitted heartily. "Look at me, takin' a thrashin' from a youngster like you!" He, Gloria and Sonia noticed a body missing, the teenage girl that threw the Champion under a bus as a way to escape. Peony screamed out. "My darlin' daughter's disappeared?! Where've you gone, my sweet Nia?!"

Sonia had a quick guess. "Mr. Peony, I'm reckoning that she took off to that Max Lair while we were so busy on that match." She approached and asked. "I've heard a lot about you, you're the former Chairman's younger brother and the previous Champion before Leon took that title!" She offered to shake hands as Peony's in a bit of a panic. "There's no time to be introducin' ourselves, Professor! My darlin' Nia's missing. I brought her out here so we could have a proper father-daughter trip. First one in ages! And now that we've got here, she grabs the first trainer she finds, makes 'er a decoy, and legs it! That's my dear Nia for you!" He laughed to try and keep his emotions under control. "That's just her backwards way of showin' her papa she loves him! Gahahah!"

Gloria felt a question mark over her head. "Must be!" Peony didn't realize that was said out of confusion. "That's the type of girl she is! Ultra-mega-charmin', isn't it?" He thought about his predicament. "Still, without her, I can't start this Adven-tour of legendary spots I've planned for us! She mention wantin' to have a gander at someplace called the Max Lair, didn't she? Sounds to me like she wants good old Papa to chase after her! Well, she needn't worry— I'm not one for wastin' time! Which means it's time I got a move on." He turned to a trial to a mountain side and waved off. "Cheers for a fine battle!"

He dashed off and left Gloria be with the Professor, she turned and hand wave. "I'd be able to afford a fancy dinner, each night, if I'm given a nugget for every weird moment I wander into. So who was that?" Sonia fondled her hair curiously. "That's the younger brother of Chairman Rose. Peony, a renowned Steel Type Expert who've became a Gym Leader and even a Champion, a little before Rose took the position as the Chairman. He retired some time after and has been settling down ever since. Looks to me like Nia's behavin' like a typical teenager and used us a way to explore the Tundra on her own."

Gloria gasped. "Younger brother?! I'd knew I was seeing something similar! Looks like there's a place somewhere that has a ton of Dynamax Power, want to go check it out?" Sonia sighed. "It be a fine topic for our research, but I need to get our cabin ready. Go see what Peony's looking for and see if you can't find clues on these legendary spots!"

Gloria nodded. "We might be able to save this tour if we play our cards right too! I just need to give that girl a good talking too!" Sonia had her hands at her hips. "I know you're the Champ and all, but there are somethings even they won't solve in a day." Gloria agreed bitterly. "But if I don't try, Peony might rush into danger again when it's clear his daughter can take care of herself for a spill. I'll meet ya soon!"

The ladies split off, Gloria jogged with Fubear right behind her and found a mine kept lit by glowing heaters, in front of it was Peony, who guessed. "This must be the Max Lair that Nia was talking about." Gloria called out. "That took no more than half a minute!" Peony turned in surprise. "Oh, it's you again! Well, kid, maybe you ought to come as well!"

Gloria and Fubear got close in an answer. "We've traveled down here for some research and we can help each other out. This calls for a kids touch!" Peony didn't get what that meant and charged to the Max Lair. "Just you hold on, Nia, my dear!" The girls made it in to a toasty cave way, made into a laboratory. A scientist by a trio of Dottlers was at the left and to the right was a hiker with some goods. Guarding the way deeper in was a black haired scientist with a braided pony tail and a tan, keeping Peony form barging in. "Sir, I can't let you-" The adult wasn't listening. "Oh, I think you can! My precious daughter's in there, and I'm goin' in after her!"

The scientist waved a hand. "I understand, sir, but-" Peony interrupted. "But what?! I'm here to have an adventure, and I want to kick it off right now!" The woman insist against that. "I simply can't allow it, sir!" Fubear gave a roar to break up the dispute as Gloria asked. "Oi, what the Drifloon is goin' on 'ere?! Is somethin' the matter?"

Peony answered impatiently. "Nothin's all right, and everythin's the matter! This ultra-mega-numpty of a scientist insist on getting' in my way!" The scientist took offense. "Numpty of a- I beg your pardon, sir! If you'd be so good as to simply listen to my instructions, I'd gladly let you through! Dynamax Adventures are quite fraught with peril, I'm afraid, and-" Peony gahed. "I got no patience for standin' here listenin' on to you rattle off the fine print!"

The scientist sighed. "We're just going round in circles." She looked to the Champion. "Champion Gloria, you seem to know this gentleman. Would you listen to my explanation about this place? If so, I can allow you the two of you to join our latest expedition team as a pair." Gloria nodded. "Will do Ms." She notice a name tag with a distinct logo she's only seen in a magazine. A golden T flexing two crystals and having a giant crystal in the upper center. "Jennifer." The scientist coughed as a way to clear her throat and looked to the path ahead. "The Max Lair is a labyrinthian underground cavern where rare pokemon dwell- the likes of which are normally not found on Galar. Some could even be spoken about in legends or would be so alien to the mind that you won't know if you're in danger or not. We've only gathered rumors, but you would find only Dynamax pokemon down here."

Gloria whistled. "That's a lot of particles in one place." Jennifer agreed. "Such exposure to those particles, could result in your dear pokemon to grow out of control. To counter act this, we've prepared pokemon that are able to resist those particles and travel alongside you." Fubear huhed and whined. (Ah man! I wanted to see those aliens for myself!)

Gloria sighed and readied to call her back. "You've heard her, this isn't the kind of adventure for you." Pew! Jennifer was disappointed in not being able to see a rare specimen take on the challenge. "Those are the rules, unfortunately. This is a dangerous place!" Peony was completely at a lost. "Sounds like there's a bunch of stuff 'ere that's beyond me! So, I'll just go on in and get crackin'!" He charged in. "I'm coming, Nia!"

Gloria cringed. "Peony, don't-" She sighed. "drat! Now we gotta get them both outta 'ere." Jennifer groaned. "This is worse than the news I had about the Chairman. They look so much alike, but this one doesn't even try to hide that impatience."

Gloria patted the scientist on the shoulder. "Nia could be in immediate danger, so give her pop a break." Jennifer was willing to. "I'll contact some of our expedition teams, to keep an eye out for him. Are you ready to begin this?" The girl nodded and was given an escort to a cave gathering.

Two members of the squad, a little girl in an Eevee costume and a gentlemen that Gloria recalled was black listed for sabotaging Max Raid Battles, were given a watchful glare by a familiar boy. Bede. "Whu?!"

The boy's hostility was interrupted by the sound of the girls voice and turned to listen. "What are you doing down here, Bede?!" The boy brushed his hair with a hint of grace. "I've been caught up in my training and a thought has been occurring to me. Should someone try to put Galar in danger again, we need to have extra surprises in store. I'd thought reuse a team I don't see myself using for Challenges anytime soon."

Gloria bobbed her head. "You're going to actually work on that psychic team of yours and catch pokemon you'd find over here?" Bede nodded. "That's correct. This cavern holds some... interesting mysteries. The common folk say they saw pokemon of legends down here, if that is true- what are we going to find along the way?"

Gloria imagined it as a miner strolled in with a cart of pokeballs to choose from. "So that would be an excuse to get an easy partner?" Bede raised a finger. "And, the pokemon you'd find here, regardless if it is a legendary or not, have a tendency to cloak their true colors with the power of Dynamax. They'll only do so when we bring them out of the cavern." Gloria huhed and realized what the words meant. "HUH?! You mean like the Red Gyarados we've read about? Or that white haired Morgrem I've caught weeks ago?"

Bede gave a mischievous smile, letting his true plan be known. Gloria shrugged and smiled in good will. "Well, you'll earn the glamour alright!" The Eevee girl picked out a ball with the label of a Togetic as the Gentleman picked out a battle with the label of a Tentacruel.

Gloria found one with the image of a surf board as Bede picked one with many red eyes. An Alolan Raichu with a mellow wave and a Claydol with a duty bound aura. The start of the cavern was divided up into two paths that span across multiple. The Champion took the lead and used a radar for the two cloudy paths, one leads to something of the grass type, the other of water. Bede had a look at a vague shape and took the path of grass. Gloria eeked. "Are you sure about that? We have some buddies with a flying type and a poison type that can make the other one easier."

Bede tapped his foot in temptation. "It is and the other looks to have a pokemon I'm looking for. But are we going to pull it off with these lot?" The Eevee trainer puffed her cheeks as Gloria squinted her eyes at the blissfully unaware Gentleman. "I think the two of us could, if we pull off the right moves. Let me Dynamax and it will all be settled quickly!"

The band decided on going for the water path, where a Starmie awaited them. Gloria's plan to dynamax a max bolt and increase her speed worked like a charm, even with the Starmie using icy wind to slow the masses down.. The Claydol let loose an ancient power and was given a healthy boost as the Tentacruel let loose a swords dance and the Togetic a mystical fire. The Raichu let loose mightier bolt as the Tentacruel was ordered to use swords dance yet again, Bede cringed. "Ah bloody! Claydol, go for a hyper beam, we need to finish this fast!"

The Claydol begun charging as the Tentacruel was sliced by a critical psycho cut. The Eevee girl was realizing the Gentleman was being useless and had her partner sprinkle a life dew that was most appreciated. The Claydol unleashed the full blast of a hyper beam and caused a chain reaction in the Starmie.

Gloria gave the signal and commanded. "Alright Bede, it's all yours!" Bede was on it and charged up a great ball to use on the starfish. It was a simple three shake capture before he picked up the ball and put the Claydol away in a ball that is sent back to base. The path split into three and had an assortment of berries in the middle. The right path had pickings of a ghost type, the left had that of a dark. The middle had the readings of a normal type that ought to be relatively simple. The band picked that and marched on to confront a Porygon. Bede took the chance to Dynamax his fast beeping Starmie as Gloria had Raichu let loose a psychic blast. The Starmie let loose a mind storm as the Tentacruel set up a swords dance yet again and the Togetic use mystic fire.

While the Gentleman was being absolutely useless, Gloria, Bede and the youngster worked together to bring down a Porygon that is quite dangerous with his electricity, hyper beams and ice. Upon capture, Gloria took the charge and allowed the youngster to have the Porygon in place of the Togetic that was more than helpful.

With some newfound confidence, the band ventured to a final split in the road, one having a path with a scientist that the Gentleman was more than eager to trade his Tentacruel for an Exeggutor. Ahead of the scientist was the readings of a rock type and beyond the presence of powerful water type. The next foe that caught some interest was a Relicanth. Bede raised his hand in suggestion. "I've read of this one, if we focus on special attacks, this should be simple. But watch out if this one has physical moves!" Gloria gave a thumbs up as her Raichu and the Eevee girl's Porygon begun working together to charge a combined paralyzing thunder bolt, the Gentleman had his Exeggutor charge in solar light as Bede had Starmie blow out an icy wind for good measure. The Relicanth unleashed a scale shot upon the Starmie that cartwheeled a dodge and was given a triple blast before getting knocked out clean by the Exeggutor. The Champion took charge of this capture and offered it to the partners, the Eevee girl waved her hand in refusal as Bede, surprisingly, took the Relicanth, in distrust for the Gentleman taking the worse deal.

The four let go of a potential argument and made their charge to the end, using some berries as a pick me up and going beyond the dark storm. Finding a blue leopard that blew against the power with the north wind. Gloria gasped. "A Suicune?! The Suicune?!" Bede hmph! "So it seems!" The four sent out their pokemon and Gloria went to Dynamax the Raichu. "Just keep using max bolt until you can't use it no more!"

The Raichu was on that and let loose an intense bolt, the Suicune let loose extrasensory power upon the Relicanth. Bede cringed as the Eevee girl had Porygon let loose a sharp thunder bolt that paralyzed and the Gentleman had Exeggutor unleash terrain pulse. The Relicanth shook off the blow and the boy ordered. "Smash against that crystal, we got an adventure to finish!"

The fish rush for a bash and exposed the Suicune to a more intense max bolt from the Raichu, the Suicune let loose a mind storm blast on the Porygon as a way to dispel the psychic power and brought about a weaker terrain pulse from the Exeggutor before Relicanth head smashed yet again.

Gloria growled and had Raichu use the max bolt to bring the terrain back, the Suicune looked upon the Raichu and let loose a max geyser to bring about rain, it wasn't as much damage as the girl thought it would do. The Porygon and Exeggutor had better odds dealing electrical damage and the Relicanth missed the legs. Bede gritted his teeth. "Drat!" Gloria signaled all is fine and watched the Suicune calm it's mind and use extrasensory on the Porygon. It was a combined blast of electric moves and a head smash before the Suicune was bursting in power. Gloria brought about a dive ball and used it to capture the Suicune, feeling the rush that Nia promised. With that settled, Gloria and Bede gave each other and the Eevee girl a high five. "Alright!"

She gave the Suicune an inspection with the Rotom, found the color normal and gave it to Bede. "Go head back to the Lobby, I got to find this girl and her father before too long." The rival figured that was the main reason. "I'll go my own way and see if I can't be of assistance. Could you describe either of them?" Gloria nodded. "The girl has puffy hair like you do and her father kind of looks like the Chairman." Bede's eyes widen. "Whu?! Peony?! I've been told about him." He marched on. "The Chairman doesn't speak too highly of him, they've gotten into fights."

Gloria guessed. "Is it like how Siblings are?" Bede nodded. "As much as I can picture." He sprinted and left Gloria to wander the way back, the girl looked around and heard a voice meeting with her. "Hang on- I recognize you!" Gloria turned around to find Nia with a bit of a sweat, quite a satisfying sight to behold. "Glad to see more familiar faces are lurking around here!"

Nia felt it was mutual. "Are you here for a Dynamax Adventure too? Guess we're on the same wave length!" She closed her left eye and emit a charm. "I'm Peonia. Nice to properly meet you." Gloria tensed. "Gloria's my name. You know it wasn't cool to toss me towards your problem!" Peonia felt that the girl didn't forget and pouted. "Sorry about that, but I needed to get away from my old man for a moment. I've only agreed to come along, because I've heard the research group at the entrance has set up a fun way to study the pokemon you'd find down here. There's a top shelf reward if I gather enough of this ore, that my Tyrantrum would absolutely adore."

Gloria nodded. "Then you'd play along with the Tour or what ever, but your dad might have overdone it for the adventure?" Peonia nodded. "Bingo, Ms. Champ!" The Champion had ill news to give. "Unfortunately, he came down here to look for you and might have gotten himself into a into a lot of trouble. That lady was pretty serious about using rentals and the captured pokemon around here."

The teenager eeked. "No way! My old man actually charged through like that?! Is he crazy?!" She stopped and thought about the answer while the younger girl offered a hand. "I've got a friend that's keeping an eye out for him. But we need to turn around and let him know that you're going to be fine here. Then I'll fill in your spot and see if those Legendary spots are going to have something to live up to the name. Kay?"

Peonia considered it a deal and followed Gloria out of the canyon. The two found Bede and a duo of dancers keeping watch of a Peony that was on his back. Nia gasped in a sprint. "Dada!?" Gloria cringed and looked around, finding the distraught scientist. "What happened?!" The woman saw the daughter get close and try to shake her father awake. "This fine gentleman appears to have tripped on a rock and struck his head before he went in too deep. It was good luck that one of our returning adventurers found him on the spot."

Peony groaned. "Urgh. Adventures aren't to be taken lightly." Peonia rolled her eyes and helped him up. "You're fine!" The father felt his headache lessening. "I'm up! No little bump's gonna keep me down long. That kip's got me feelin' right as rain."

Peonia took a step back and breathed deeply. "Look, I'm glad you're alright and I guess if I'd went in too deep over my head, it wouldn't have hurt that someone was looking out for me. But I'm much of a little kid anymore. I came here, to find my own fill of an adventure before anything else."

Peony huhed. "But I've found the three clues that are layin' in waitin' in the Tundra!" The daughter understood that as Gloria intervened. "It's been decided. Peonia would explore the canyon for a while and come back with some juicy details about the pokemon that are waiting here. If a Suicune could show up, then expect something more outlandish to show up." The school girl appreciated the support. "Yeah, I can handle that by myself and the buddies I'm making in here. That would be my adventure."

Gloria put a hand to her chest. "In the meanwhile, I'll help you uncover the rest of the legends out in the Tundra. Once Peonia gets bored, she might give these a look to as well?"

She gave the two a wink that the school girl groaned to. "Fine! I guess that would be fair, which ever happens first." Peony in comparison, was feeling those words are appropriate for a teenager who's at the age where they don't want their parent tagging along for everything. It wouldn't be an ideal parent, to force their kid towards something they wouldn't want to do. Besides, sooner or later, one of the two parties will check out what the other adventure has to offer. "If you've run into a rough one, Dada's gonna to be here in a flash to help you snag that legend!"

He asked the Champion. "I've seen you on the telly. Gloria's your name, right?" The girl nodded. "The one and only!" Peony cheered. "Cheers, Gloria! My name's Peony! What- have I already told you so?"

He laughed at his carelessness as Peonia sneaked to Bede and whispered. "Hurry, while they're distracted!" They and the scientist took their discussion elsewhere as the explorer announced. "Let's have ourselves a smashin' adventure that my dear Nia'll be itching to join in the fun!"

Gloria cheered back. "Let's!" The adult liked that response. "Now that's an ultra-mega-great response! Just what I'm hopin' to hear!" He laughed heartily. "We're goin' to have ourselves a real treat of a Legendary Pokemon hunt! So that's decided. Now then, Gloria! Let's get ourselves to Freezington! It's a town just a short way's off." The Champion smiled wide. "That's where my chaperone was heading to for our base! Let's go meet up with the Professor and tell her what's gonna happen."

Peony nodded. "I'll fill you two in on the details once you get there! I say, let's reconvene posthaste!" He laughed to his own joke. "Ha! Just pullin' your leg! Can you imagine if I actually talked like that?" He jogged off and waved goodbye to Nia, Gloria turned around to give a wave of goodbye. "You'll know where we'll be when you decide to stop by!"