Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners.

Minutes After It Was Discovered Ruby Ran Away

"Aaagh!" Ruby slammed into the ground as the Zeraora had destroyed her scroll. She quickly flipped her scythe into its gun form and shot at the Zeraora. It responded by blocking the attack with its arms, then charged up an attack as Ruby jumped up and tried to slash at him again, but the Zeraora grabbed her and unleashed a Plasma Fist to send her flying out of the den.

"Zeroar!"

"YAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Ruby yelled as she was launched out of the Den as she landed into North Lake Miloc, startling a few Barboach. "Ow…" She groaned after coming up for air. "That could've gone better…" She muttered as she swam to shore, glancing over at a Stunky and a Bunnelby looking at her. "Well, what are you looking at?!" She said, causing the two to run off. "Alright… ooof… ow… alright… time to see if I can't retry that…" She said as she saw another Den light up near her. Her eyes shifted toward it. "I got a good feeling about this!" She grinned as she immediately ran toward it and hopped inside.

"Saaaaaawk!"

"Alright… let's begin!" Ruby said, pumping her scythe.

A few hours later, at Gloria's house…

BGM: Postwick (Pokemon Sword and Shield)

Gloria's Rotom Phone went off. "Mmm…" Gloria moaned, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and wiped some drool from her mouth. She had gone back to bed after Bea rudely woke her up early. "'Ello…?"

"Gloria! You're not gonna believe this!"

"…Hop, can it wait, lad…? Do you have any idea what time it is…?"

"Uh… noon?"

"Huh?" Gloria looked at her clock. "Oh… must've slept in… sorry, Bea woke me up early in the mornin'… I wanted to go back to bed after bringin' Ruby here to Galar…" She yawned.

"It's about Ruby!"

"What about her…?"

"Turn on the Telly!"

"Alright, alright… let me get in the living room…" She yawned as she walked into the living room.

"Hey honey! Sleep well?" Her mother asked with a warm smile.

"Yeah…" Gloria said as she turned on the TV. "Ugh…"

"What do you mean "ugh"?"

"Sorry, mom had a soap opera on… or somethin'… fockin' Sleepless in Unova…"

"It's a good movie, hon~!"

"Hurry up!"

"Don't rush me…" Gloria muttered as she changed the channels.

End BGM

BGM: News (Pokemon Colosseum)

"-Dynamaxed Pokemon are getting injured or shot at by the nefarious Galarian Grim Reaper-"

"Galarian Grim Reaper…?" Gloria wondered as her mother handed her some biscuits and tea. "Thanks mom." She said, taking a bite out of her biscuit.

"Authorities are trying to apprehend her, but the Wild Pokemon are preventing them from doing so. This is a photograph of what the Galarian Grim Reaper looks like." The news reporter showed a picture of Ruby.

"HMPH?!" Gloria yelped, choking on her biscuit as she punched her chest while coughing, before forcing it down with tea. "Haaaah…" She sighed. "What the hell?!"

"Told ya!"

"Authorities are asking everyone to steer clear of the Grim Reaper, lest they get targeted."

"Shite… this is bad!" Gloria said, quickly finishing her lunch. "I gotta go, mom! Something just came up!"

End BGM

"Okay, have fun, my beautiful champion! Stay safe!"

"I will!" Gloria said as she rushed out the door, quickly looking into her Rotom Phone. "Corviknight Taxi… Corviknight Taxi… where the hell is it?! Oh, there it is!" She said, quickly calling them on her phone while running past Route 1.

"Baah?" A Wooloo looked at her curiously.

"Come on, pick up… pick up!"

"Corviknight Taxi services."

"Hey, this is the champion. Meet me at Wedgehurst… and step on it!"

"Sure thing."

Gloria arrived at Wedgehurst, tapping her foot impatiently. "Come on… come on! I got a lass to save here…" She said as a few locals walked by. "AUUUUGH! WHY DOES EVERYTHIN' HAVE TO GO SO DAMN SLOW WHEN YOU'RE IN A HURRY?!" She yelled, as some locals looked at her weirdly… and then the Corviknight Taxi landed near her. "Fockin' finally!"

"Where to?"

"The Wild Area! Step on it!"

"Whoa… you want to go there? I mean, there's a Grim Reaper-"

"TAKE ME THERE NOW."

"Alright alright… feisty!" He said with a sweatdrop as Gloria hopped in as the Corviknight flew off and what seemed like forever to the young champion, the Corviknight landed on the ground. "Here ya go!"

"Thank you!" Gloria said as she ran around, then called out Zacian. "Alright lad, help me find Ruby!" She requested as Zacian nodded.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" A voice yelled as Gloria and Zacian turned to the source of the voice as they saw Ruby get launched out of the Dappled Grove.

"Oh… that was easy." Gloria said as she saw Ruby get back up.

"Rrrgh… I'm not done with you yet!" She said as she hopped back in.

"Lass! Wait a minute!" Gloria yelled before groaning. "Shite… come on, let's go." She said as Zacian nodded as they jumped inside the Den.

"Raaaant!" Durant cried, grabbing a hold of Ruby with its pincers.

"Nnngh! AAAAGH!" Ruby cried, trying to cut herself free.

"BEHEMOTH SLASH!"

"Lrrroooooaaaard!" Zacian cut through the Durant.

"Duuurrrr!" Durant cried, dropping Ruby as Zacian got underneath her and had her land on her.

"Lrroard!"

"And we're out of here!" Gloria said, running off with Zacian right before Durant got out of its daze.

Once outside…

"Ah shite lass… what did you get yourself into?" Gloria wondered, having put Ruby underneath a tree and saw her cloak and outfit torn up, holes all over it as there was a gaping hole in her front and back of the cloak, but luckily Ruby was alright. "Come on, lass… come on…" She said, shaking her. Zacian let out a whine as she walked forward and licked her cheek.

"Mmm… Zwei, that tickles…" Ruby giggled as she opened her eyes and saw Gloria and Zacian. "…Oh! Hey you two." She smiled.

Gloria sighed in relief. "That's a relief. Glad to see you're in one piece." She said, glancing at her cloak. "…Mostly."

"Huh? Ah geez… I didn't realize I'd-"

"…What the hell is wrong with you…"

"Huh?" Ruby wondered, turning her gaze back to Gloria who had her fists clenched and a shadow cast over her hat.

"I said… WHAT THE FOCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" She yelled, slapping Ruby hard on her cheek.

"OW!"

"ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF FOCKIN' KILLED?! YOU COULD'VE DIED OUT THERE, AURA PROTECTION BE DAMNED." She yelled, gripping her shoulders tightly. "OR WORSE, YOU COULD'VE BEEN SENT TO PRISON DUE TO YOUR ANTICS!"

"What-… what are you talking about?" Ruby asked as Gloria pulled out her Rotom Phone.

"Read this!"

"…Galarian Grim Reaper?!"

"Yup… you made the headlines and it's just been your first day here." She said as she sat down in front of her as did Zacian. "Tell me something lass… is it Dark Ruby?"

"Yeah…"

Gloria let out a sigh. "Figures. If I had to take a guess, she's messing with your mind."

"No… my mind is perfectly fine. It's my dreams that she's terrorizing."

"Are you sure it's just your nightmares? It could be more than that."

"No… I'm pretty sure…"

Gloria sighed. "Goodness lass, you can't even think straight."

"I'm fine!" She insisted.

"Are you? Are you really?" Gloria asked. "For all I know, you could just be playing into her hands… but what do I know, I never had a clone." She said and then looked at Ruby who was looking down on the ground. "You know what we need to do, lass? We need to get your mind off things." '

"Huh?"

Gloria stood up and reached her hand out to Ruby. "Get you mind off things. Come on, you still haven't explored all of Galar."

"But how? The authorities are looking for me and… based on what I'm reading, the Wild Pokemon are holding them back!"

Gloria smirked. "Don't worry, I have an idea." She said as she took off her hoodie. "Take off your cloak."

"Huh?! Right now?!"

"Relax, no one will see us."

"But Zacian-"

"Zacian's a girl. She won't mind at all." Gloria said.

"Oh… okay…"

One clothing change later…

"I feel weird…" Ruby said, her hands in Gloria's sweater.

"You'll be fine. You'll only be wearing it temporarily." She said, taking Ruby to Motostoke while putting Crescent Rose in her bag.

BGM: Motostoke (Pokemon Sword & Shield)

Ruby, having put on the hoodie was led to clothing department as her eyes came into contact with a few policemen. "Eeep!"

"Oh hi Gloria!" One of them waved. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh… her name's… uh… Rose! She's a bit shy."

"Ah, I get ya. Have fun!" The cop waved as Gloria and Ruby walked through.

"Did you just lie to the authorities?"

"I only spoke the truth."

"You said my name is Rose!"

"Ruby Rose." Gloria pointed out.

"…Oh… wouldn't that be a half-truth?"

"Look, do you want to be in prison or not?"

"…Okay fine." Ruby sighed as they walked into the clothing shop where Gloria pushed Ruby into a dressing room. "Wah!"

"Stay in there lass. I'm gonna get you somethin' nice." Gloria said as she walked off to find some clothes suitable for Ruby. "Ah, here we are!" She said, paying for the clothing as she then tossed them in. "Put these on!"

"Ack!" Ruby yelped, getting clothes piled on to her. Gloria would patiently wait for Ruby to come out as she would walk out wearing a White Loose Top, a Red Hoodie, a Dark Type Sport Cap, a brown leather trimmed bag, blue leather trousers and some Berry Forest Casual Trainers. "I feel… way different."

"There, you're blending in now!" Gloria smiled, taking back her hoodie. "Come on, let's go for a walk." She said as she walked out with Ruby.

"Wow, this place looks so cool!" Ruby said.

"It does, doesn't it?" Gloria smiled. "…Alright, listen lass… there's something I gotta tell you."

"What is it?"

"The next time you're in the Wild Area… don't attack them with-" She glanced over at a cop who was walking by. "-Your gardening tool. They don't like that. You have to use your Pokemon."

"My Pokemon? But why would I sic my darling Scarlet, Grim or even Primrose on a giant Pokemon? I don't want them to get crushed."

"You'd be surprised." Gloria winked. "Trust me, you'll go a long way if you have Pokemon with you."

Ruby sighed. "Oh, alright…" She said as they kept walking.

"Hey Gloria!" A voice called out as Gloria turned her head to see Nessa approaching them.

"Oh Nessa! Good to see you!" Gloria smiled. "What's up, lass?"

"Just doing a bit of shopping… and wanting to see if the Galarian Grim Reaper was actually real." She said, causing Ruby to sweatdrop. "Oh, who's your friend?" She asked as Ruby sighed and took off her hat, causing Nessa to let out a gasp. "You're the-"

"Shhh!" Gloria shushed her. "She's having a bad moment." She said and whispered in her ear.

"Oh… oh! I know…Ruby, was it? Let's go to Hulbury, I know we can relax over there."

"Hey, I was just suggesting she take a look around Galar." Gloria said. "Hulbury'll do her some good!"

"Right!" Nessa nodded as they headed off to Route 3.

Later…

BGM: Hulbury (Pokemon Sword & Shield)

"Welcome to the indoor pool!" Nessa said.

"Uh… it's just a gym." Ruby said, now decked out in a modest scarlet red one piece swimsuit as Nessa flipped a switch as the floor opened up to reveal a huge swimming pool in front of her. "Whoa!"

"Just a gym?" Nessa smirked as she hopped in. "Come on in, the water's great!"

Ruby dove on in, calling out her Pokemon to have them join in on the fun. "Aaaah… this is nice!" She said as Gloria dipped herself in, dressed in a plaid swimsuit.

"Just need some R&R." Gloria said, as they heard footsteps where they turned to see Bea and Alister walk in.

"Ah, I see the Grim Reaper is taking it easy now." Bea teased.

"You too?"

"It's all over Galar." Bea said as she sat down, sitting on the edge and dipping her feet in the water. "Still, I'm surprised you got past the authorities. How'd you do it?" She wondered.

"It was me!" Gloria said.

Bea chuckled. "Why am I not surprised." She said. "Oh, Ruby, meet everyone's surrogate little brother. Alister."

"H-hi…" Alister shyly waved as Ruby swam over to him.

"Hiya!"

"Eeep!" Alister hid behind Bea.

"He's really shy…"

"Oh… sorry." Ruby quietly said.

"I-it's okay…" Alister quietly spoke as Ruby started swimming around, letting out a relaxed sigh as did Gloria while Nessa did some breast strokes underwater.

"So… are there any hot tubs nearby?" Ruby asked after a few minutes of swimming.

"Well, there's a hot spring in Circhester." Gloria said. "But uh-"

"Take me there!"

"…Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

End BGM

Later, at Circhester…

BGM: Circhester (Pokemon Sword & Shield)

"Yaaaagh! Cold cold cold cold cold cold cooooold!" Ruby said, running through the snowy town as she dove into the hot spring. "Aaaaaah~"

"Told you that you needed a coat." Gloria said, wearing a coat as were Nessa, Bea and Alister.

"I didn't think it'd be that cold!" Ruby shivered as they heard hearty laughter as they saw Melony approaching them.

"It seems our dear Ruby hasn't gotten used to our climate here!" She said.

"Why did you talk me into coming here in just my swimsuit?!" Ruby said.

"Hey, we warned ya… you just didn't listen." Gloria pointed out, causing Ruby to pout.

"Oh, do not feel too bad, my dear. That is how we learn in life!" Melony said, happily giving Ruby a smothering hug.

"Mmmph!"

"Ah, I remember my first hug from Melony… though it wasn't in the hot spring." Gloria said. "She's a hugger!"

"And quite motherly too." Nessa said.

"I can see that… gack!" Ruby yelped as she spotted a few Snom wandered near the hot spring, one of them looking at Ruby in curiosity before scurrying off.

End BGM

One tour around Galar later..

"So, what do you think lass?" Gloria asked.

"This place is beautiful!" Ruby said, now back in her Galarian attire. "I think I'll do some training in Dens before calling it a night. Is there a way to sleep there without getting killed by wild Pokemon in the Wild Area?"

"Hmm, I do have an extra set of camping gear… but it's back at Postwick. I'll be right back… just try not to get yourself killed."

"I won't." Ruby nodded as the two of them split off where she would find a Den and hop inside, finding herself in contact with a Bounsweet.

"Sweeeeeet!"

Ruby reached for her scythe, but stopped herself as she called out Grim instead. "Alright, Grim! Use Flamethrower!"

"Doooour!"

Later…

Gloria returned to the Wild Area, humming to herself and spotted Ruby coming out of a Den with a handful of items. "TRs, Dynamax Candy… what are these?" She wondered. "Eh, I'll save 'em for later." She said as she put them away. "Nice job, Grim!" She praised as her Houndour barked happily… before suddenly glowing. "Oh!"

"Oh, she's learned so fast!" Gloria giggled as she walked over right as Grim evolved into Houndoom.

"Ooooh! You look so fierce and strong!" Ruby's eyes sparkled and hugged Grim tightly as he licked her cheek in gratitude. "Look at you, you're becoming a natural already!"

"Took some getting used to, but I'm getting the hang of it." Ruby said.

Gloria smiled. "That's good to hear, lass!" She giggled. "Here, let me show ya how to pitch a tent." She said as she showed Ruby how it's done. "And that's all there is to it!"

"Thanks!" Ruby smiled, hugging Gloria.

"Well… have a good night lass. I'll see ya tomorrow." She said and walked off as Ruby pulled out her sleeping bag from the tent and put it outside.

"It's a nice night out here… I might as well sleep under the stars." Ruby said and got in her sleeping bag, putting her hands behind her head and looked at the stars. "I wonder how the rest of them are doing… mmm, I'm sure they're fine." She said as she closed her eyes. "Zzzz…"

BOOOOOOM!

"WAH!" Ruby yelped at the sound of a thunderclap as it was raining hard on her. "What the heck?! It was clear just a few minutes ago!" She said as she moved into the tent and dragged her sleeping bag inside. "Brrr!" She shivered, wrapping herself in a blanket after closing the tent as another thunderclap echoed throughout the Wild Area. "Mmm… back to dream land…" She said as she slept soundly.

The next morning…

Ruby woke up and stretched. "Oh hey, it stopped raining… YAY!" She cheered as she opened up the tent and ran outside… only to see that snow had been dumped everywhere and it was also foggy. "…What." She flatly said as she spotted a Delibird flying by.

"Deli!" Delibird waved to Ruby and kept flying as she also saw an Eiscue going about its day.

"Where did this snow come from?! Why is it foggy?!" She yelled as she let out a sigh, watching a Snover walk by. "This Wild Area's weird…" She muttered before letting out a smirk. "But no matter… I can work with this!" She said as she saw a Den light up near by. "Weiss. Blake. Yang… everyone… I'll be home before you know it! Dark Ruby better watch out!" She declared as she immediately ran into the Den and hopped in.

Little did she know... it'd take about a week before the search party finds her.