Chapter 43: The Darkest Day

After the battle, Hop gave a quick goodbye to Ash and the trio before heading out to train some more before heading to Hullbury. The research trio were just about to head out as well when they spotted a large image carved into the nearby hill. It appeared to be of a giant creature surrounded by clouds, people and Pokemon fleeing in terror.

"Woah, this is creepy."

"Yeah, no kidding. Looks like some kind of abomination."

Lillie, on the other hand, was staring at it intensely. She couldn't place her finger on it, but the image seemed…familiar.

"Checking out Galar's history, huh?"

Coming up the hill behind them was Sonia, who took a few pictures of the geoglyph with her Rotomphone.

"Sonia? What're you doing here?"

"Galar's history is what I want to study as a Professor, so I come up to these kinds of places as often as I can."

"Can you explain what this geoglyph is supposed to depict?"

"Certainly. This is a depiction of a major event in Galar history known as The Darkest Day."

"The Darkest Day?"

Sonia nodded, and began her story.

"About 3,000 years ago, a massive storm overtook the region, causing Pokemon to Dynamax and rampage all over the region. The cause of this was a massive creature, named after the event it caused. But two brave heroes rose forth to stop him, and ended his reign of terror once and for all!"

"Woah."

"I know. My theory is that this event is what made it possible for Pokemon to undergo Dynamax in the first place."

"That's amazing!"

"Yes, history truly is amazing, isn't it?"

Coming up the path behind them was Chairman Rose, though he was looking very different from when they had last seen him. Instead of his fancy suit, he was decked out in a T-Shirt with a Pokeball on it, a pair of athletic shorts, some sunglasses and a vizor hat. In all, his outfit was very mismatched.
"Aren't you the…"

"Shhh!"

Before Goh could ask him about his identity, the Chairman ran over and covered his mouth, Goh's muffled response drawing a few stares from the other people before they returned to what they were doing.

"Keep it quiet! I'm wearing this so I don't get mobbed with fans."

"But what are you doing up here?"

Instead of answering Ash right away, Rose stepped closer to the geoglyph, admiring it for a minute before responding.

"Like Sonia here, I have quite the interest in our history. After all, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Rose took a deep breath, smiling as he gazed into the magnificent carving.

"The past is truly remarkable, isn't it? To think, there once existed a being capable of such power."

The other four present with him began to feel uneasy.

"Right, well…I think it's time we leave, then."

"Wait!"

Just as Ash was about to leave, the chairman rushed over and stood in his way.

"Tell me, are you Ash Ketchum?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Battle me!"

"Huh?"

Realizing he was coming on a little too strong, the chairman laughed and backed off.

"Sorry, I got a little excited there. But Leon's been talking about nothing but you and your Pikachu, so I just had to see how strong you were for myself."

Ash grinned, always up for a challenge.

"You're on!"

After finding a battlefield, the two of them were ready for battle.

"Just a simple 1-on-1, deal?"

"Works for me! Ready, buddy?"
"Pikachu!"

"Alright then, I choose you!"

"Cufant, go!"

Ash gasped in awe as the small elephant-like Pokemon appeared, giving a cute trumpet from his trunk as he got ready for battle.

"Woah, a new Pokemon!"

Out of curiosity, he raised his Rotomphone and scanned it.

"Cufant, the Copperderm Pokemon, a Steel Type. If a job requires strength, this Pokemon will excel at it. Its copper body tarnishes in the rain, turning a vibrant green color."

"Alright Cufant, no holding back! Start with Rollout!"

Cufant snorted before curling up into a ball and charging at Pikachu. Pikachu, trusting that Ash had a plan, stood perfectly still until…

"Use Iron Tail right as he approaches!"

Pikachu nodded, swatting the steel type away with a single swat of his tail. It didn't do too much damage, but it did knock him off course.

"Use Tackle, followed by Stomp!"

"Electro Ball, Pikachu!"

Pikachu launched a ball of electricity at his opponent, but it did little to slow down the charging pachyderm. He just barely managed to dodge Cufants foot, only to be smacked with his trunk.

"Bulldoze!"

"Use Thunderbolt for height!"

The ground began to shake as Cufant stomped about, Pikachu just barely managing to leave the ground before it could do too much damage.

"Iron Tail!"

"Strength!"

Pikachu growled, his tail ready to meet Cufant's raised trunk when…

"Chairman Rose! Thank goodness I found you!"

Pikachu and Cufant immediately stopped their battle as a blonde haired woman came running up, clearly not happy with the effort it had taken to find her boss.

"What is it, Oleanna?"

"What is it? Have you forgotten about your trip to the children's hospital! You were supposed to leave an hour ago, and now I have nurses complaining about how you've upset the patients!"

"Oh man, I forgot!"

Chairman Rose hastily returned Cufant to his Pokeball and prepared to leave, but not before walking over to shake Ash's hand.

"That was a great battle, Ash. You're as strong as Leon says."

"Thanks, Mr. Rose. I had a great time as well."

"Oh, before I forget, Leon wanted me to give you something."

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a Dynamax band and handed it to Ash.

"He told me that your Pikachu is capable of Gigantamaxing. This band will help you control it better."

"Wow, thanks!"

WIth that, Rose and Oleanna walked away towards their meeting, leaving Ash staring at his new gift.

"This will certainly make our battles in Galar more interesting, huh buddy?"

"Pika!"

Chairman Rose sighed as the helicopter took off, having quickly changed into his suit before boarding. Oleanna handed him a thermos full of tea, which he happily accepted.

"Thank you. Whatever would I do without you?"

"Be as lost as Leon in Tangwood Tangle, most likely. So, was the child as talented as Leon made him out to be?"

"Even more so. It's too bad he's not competing in the league. Galar might have a new champion."

"I see. Speaking of which, you should know that Leon won his match."

"Excellent. And our other project?"

"More wishing stars are being found as we speak. All is proceeding as expected."

"Excellent!"

As the helicopter flew towards its destination, Rose watched the scenery below pass them by.

"Look out, Galar. Big changes are on the way."