Well, here it is, the thirty-fifth part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. Sorry for the delay, IRL stuff came up so I didn't have the time to update like I'd hoped before I went traveling last month but I'm back and even if this will take a bit longer than planned I will finish Champions. Anyway, Ash has had his lunch with Leon and Dawn her chat with Sonia (sorry that is going to cover similar things to Ash's chat with Leon so rather than double up I'm going to release it in an eventual Supplement) and they've checked into the Wyndon Pokémon Center. Of course that had its own issues but now that those are over it's time for dinner and a catchup with some old mentees as Ash and Dawn finalize their plans for Galar and learn a few things that they'll need to learn as they take on this new region. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and while there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer there is a notice to give regarding the current issue with email notifications on this site and a potential way around it. Do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all.

The notice is that once again the email alerts have gone down on the website so to avoid the issue I recommend getting the app if you don't have it and downloading your favorite stories on it as the notification system there is still working. You can also PM on the app and it will have notifications as well though it's separate from the PMs on the website which at the moment you have to manually check due to the email situation. This will eventually be resolved, it always is, but it's happened before so the app is the best way around it especially for stories like mine which are not cross posted anywhere else.

That is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CCXXIV: Preparing for Galar.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Part CCXXIV: Preparing for Galar

"Dawn, Ash, over here!"

The call came from a female voice at one of the tables in the dining section of the Wyndon City Pokémon Center and reached the couple almost as soon as they walked into it with their dinner. All Pokémon Centers provided food for the trainers and their Pokémon who stayed there so it made sense to enjoy the food here though they had been held up pretty much ever since getting to the Pokémon Center so it was fairly late by the time they finally got food.

In all honesty they should have expected that there would be some issues once they arrived at such a major Pokémon Center. After all. Ash was a regional Champion so almost as soon as he checked in after his lunch with Leon he was mobbed by trainers wanting to have a battle with him or get tips from a regional Champion or just to meet him in general as the new had gotten out that he was in Wyndon.

Additionally Dawn should have been prepared for this as she had arrived before Ash had. However, after a nice walk through Wyndon with Sonia during which the researcher explained Dynamaxing and the history of Galar to Dawn so she was caught up, Dawn wasn't thinking straight when she arrived. To top it off she'd even had a nice lunch with Sonia at a local café before coming to the Pokémon Center where Sonia helped Dawn check in for her and Ash and get settled before Ash made it so it had really slipped Dawn's that Ash would get mobbed when he arrived.

To make matters worse, Dawn was still in their room when Ash actually arrived and had to quickly hurry out to try and save him. Emily and Adam weren't around, apparently they were out in the city trying to deal with something of interest to Adam which Emily had mentioned in her message to Dawn so they weren't around either. That was fine with Dawn, they had their own lives to live after all and they'd see them later, and besides no one would want to be caught up in what Ash was dealing with.

Thankfully between Dawn and the Nurse Joy on duty they were able to sort the situation out and while Ash didn't battle anyone as there were too many people present for that, he did give an impromptu class to several trainers on how to raise certain types. After that he talked about a few of his more notable battles and gave tips on how to improve from battles after you lost.

That had taken most of the afternoon and gone into the early evening so by the time they were able to get away from everything, and Ash was able to drop his bag off in their room, it was pretty late. Thankfully there was still food available so they were able to get some for themselves, Pikachu, and Piplup, and head into the nearly deserted dining area for a meal.

That had been when the call came and they looked over to see a girl with brown hair cut in a bob and two strands framing her face wearing a light pink sweatshirt and a green skirt with black tights waving them over to a table she was at. Next to her was a boy with messy green hair in a black hoodie and jeans who looked just as eager as the girl for them to arrive.

"We waited up for you!" The girl said as Ash and Dawn began to make their way to the pair. "Figured it would be a while so we opted to just get a table here and hold it down until you made it."

"We're going to get hounded for knowing you but we're not staying for much longer so it's not too much of an issue and I'll get some good battles out of it which will be good." The boy said. "Plus, I have a set schedule to keep so even with the distraction here and the upcoming Contest to the south we've got to get back on the gym order soon."

"Yeah but we can be here in Wyndon for a bit." The girl said. "I'm so happy you could make it. I didn't expect you to say yes when I sent that message but the timing really worked out so I'm happy."

"Well your offer was too good to pass up, Emily." Dawn said as she and Ash approached the table were the two younger teens sat though Dawn noted that Emily didn't appear to have confessed to Adam yet which was fine, the girl had time she felt as Adam didn't seem to be like Ash and attract girls left and right. "As you said, the timing worked in our favor as we needed a place with a Contest that was within a week of arrival or so. Also, you dangled a strong Pokémon for Ash to challenge so our choice after Alola was set at that point."

"Yeah I want to ask about that." Ash said as he and Dawn sat down across from the other two so that Dawn was opposite Emily and Ash opposite Adam. "What is it?"

"Oh it's a Galarian Farfetch'd." Adam said almost at once as he launched into it without preamble while Ash launched into his dinner with similar enthusiasm. "And it's a really strong one that fights anyone who challenges it."

"There are other things to catch up on but as that Farfetch'd was the main reason for this detour to Wyndon when we'd spent most of our time in Galar either in Ballonlea or south of Motostoke so we may as well start with it." Emily said though Dawn noted there wasn't any resignation in her tone. "It's been giving Adam fits ever since we got here so he figured that Ash might want a crack at it, well after another one today that failed. When I told him that I was going to message you anyway as it was clear you were nearing the end of your time in Alola with Ash's battle there, well it had to go into the message."

"Yeah well I did only come to Galar with my Makuhita to really test myself and grow as a trainer but so far I've only caught a Falinks and Clobbopus since getting here." Adam said and there was a note of resignation in his voice at that. "However, we're going to head out to the Isle of Armor after my next gym victory. I hear there's a fighting type there that's hard to find elsewhere so I want to see if I can get it and turn things around after failing to beat this Farfetch'd."

"Going to a region with only one Pokémon is a way to get stronger." Ash said. "I did that with Hoenn and Unova. I had Aipom as well for Sinnoh as she followed me there, which turned out to be a good thing as she found her true passion with Dawn and Buizel realized what he want as well, and then Riolu for Kalos but that was because I'd caught him after the Indigo Conference. This year is a little different but I'm still going to prioritize new captures like Florges, Rowlet, and Meltan."

"I'd heard that you'd done that and after we saw you win the Lumiose Conference I knew that I had to try that tactic as well though as I didn't catch anything new before the end I only came here with my starter." Adam said. "My other Pokémon are strong but if I am to grow I need to restart in a region and see what happens, plus my mom could use the help back home. It's worked for you so I figured it might for me. Even Max did well with that strategy, Owen explained as much when we were with his family in Ballonlea."

"Just remember that what works for me might not for you." Ash said before getting back to the topic at hand. "But anyway, tell me about this Galarian Farfetch'd. I take it that it's a regional form given the preface and thus a different type. Given your interest it has to be at least part fighting, right?"

"Yup, and unlike that Kanto one which is a normal and flying type, the Galarian form is a pure fighting type hence why I want it." Adam said surprising Ash as he was expecting it to be a dual flying and fighting type not a pure fighting type. "And the one in Wyndon is notably strong, it will face anyone who wants to battle it and hasn't lost yet. I've challenged it for the last three days straight and lost with each of my Pokémon."

"That's impressive." Ash said. "I've known a few wild Pokémon like that in my time, they're always interesting to interact with whether or not you catch it."

"Yeah this one is good though admittedly it is a pure fighting v. fighting type so there are no advantages or disadvantages going on." Adam said. "But all that means is that it's showing me how strong it is. That's actually why we weren't here to great you, I'd tried with my two new Pokémon the last two days but failed so it was Makuhita's turn as I thought that he'd win. Alas, while he did better even he couldn't win so I know that this Farfetch'd is tough."

"That is tough, your Makuhita's no pushover and to vex a fighting specialist really shows how strong it is." Ash said thinking on it and deciding that he had to test this Farfetch'd himself though he was always going to if he was being honest. "I wonder how that came to be. From what we learned in Alola regional forms are like that due to some regional difference that forced a Pokémon to natural evolve differently."

"Correct, here it's a fighting type in part because the leak that it carries is bigger and heavier than the ones in Kanto so it got developed a stronger frame from carrying them." Adam said with a nod. "They are also renowned for their courage in battle however that's not all that's different."

"It's not?" Ash asked as he finished his first dish and moved onto the second eager to learn more about this regional Farfetch'd, and possibly in time other regional forms in Galar. "What else is?"

"It's like Owen's Obstagoon." Adam says. "It's regional form evolves unlike the original one or whatever you want to call a Kantonian Farfetch'd."

"Really?" Ash asked his eyes wide recalling how Owen'd Obstagoon was an evolution of a Galarian Linoone, the first Galarian variant that Ash met, which was different to a Hoenn Linoone that was the final stage of a Zigzagoon. "That is interesting. I knew that there were a few different evolutions in Galar, I have faced Owen's Obstagoon before, and it turns out that the Farfetch'd here is the same. I'm definitely going to try my hand at facing it, the strength alone is worth it but the fact that it can evolve is an added bonus. What does it evolve into?"

"A Sirfetch'd." Adam said. "And get this, apparently it can only evolve after a Galarian Farfetch'd has experienced and survived many battles though I'm sure there's more to it as it seems to be a special evolution. When it does evolve the leak it carries changes with it as the leaves become a shield it carries and the stalk is sharpened like a lance. Apparently a Sirfetch'd will take great care of its leek as it's a Sirfetch'd's most prized possession so when it withers the Sirfetch'd will retire from battle for good. It's a fascinating fighting type that is quite revered here due to how noble it is in battle."

"Sounds it." Ash said with a nod. "I've never heard of a Pokémon evolving like that. Yes experience is key in most evolutions that aren't stone, friendship, item, or trade based but from the sounds of it a Galarian Farfetch'd evolves differently. Well whatever the case Alright I'll take a crack at it tomorrow. It was part of why we came here."

"Yes part of why we're here." Dawn said as she finished her meal. "And I take it that there's time between that and the Contest that I'm hoping to enter."

"Yes the Contest is in 5 days' time and it's less than a day's walk to the south." Emily said which pleased Dawn as she wanted Ash to have the time for this Galarian Farfetch'd as well. "Most Contests aren't actually in the cities though there are several that are as every single city and town in Galar hosts at least one, if not two, Contests during the season. This one isn't, however, it's just one of the many Rural Contests as Galar calls them. Same rules and requirements of course but the stadium will be an outdoor one and smaller rather than indoors like they are in the cities."

"Really that is different." Dawn said thinking on it. "I mean Alola does their Contests outside, it's part of their unique approach, and plenty aren't in cities but I just though that that would be limited to Alola due to its size. Galar is pretty big if I recall."

"It is but the cities are spread out and the Contest Committee wants to embrace a region's culture and aesthetic which this apparently does." Emily said. "I don't really mind it though as the Contests are pretty nice and when it's a sunny day it's a whole event as the locals come out and put one a bit of a festival around the small stadium with the Contest as the highlight of it."

"A whole day event?" Dawn asked. "Ok that is new but it does sound interesting. I've only experienced that with the Wallace Cup and Grand Festivals so it does sound like a lot of fun."

"Oh it is as there's stuff for everyone, not just coordinators." Emily said. "It's all very different to how Kalos and Kanto did things but at the same time there are some similarities. Contests are basically everywhere here, in fact part of why we're going to the Isle of Armor is because there's going to be one there in a month's time so it's two birds with one stone for us as Adam can get a lot of fighting type training out there."

"Well then as Contests are our focus, what are the rules and differences here in Galar?" Dawn asked as Ash and Adam devolved into a discussion of Ash's battle with Diantha where upon Adam pulled a notebook out from who knew where and opened it to go over the battle with Ash and Ash was more than willing to detail it from his personal experience with Pikachu leaping up onto the table to help out neither of them disturbed by the sheer amount of detail in Adam's notebook. "I think our men will be a bit distracted with that battle."

"Adam has been wanting to discuss that particular battle with Ash ever since we watched it and I don't blame him it was one hell of a battle as you don't see a Champion lose every day, especially not to someone you admire and lost to yourself." Emily admitted as her rosy cheeks flushed a bit. "And, um, he's still not, you know…"

"Yeah I figured but if I can land Ash you can land Adam as he can't be as dense as Ash is." Dawn said with a smile. "Though I did have an assist to break through his density."

"You told me but it worked and look at you now, engaged." Emily said and Dawn saw her eyes glance to Dawn's ring. "And he used a Mega Stone for the ring no less, you have to tell me the story."

"Later, I promise." Dawn said with a smile. "For now though I do want to focus on the Contest so I can really prepare for it. My requirements aren't easy and I'm barely on schedule with 2 Ribbons."

"Of course, that is why you are in Galar so it should be prioritized but I am looking forward to your engagement story." Emily said with a nod. "I guess it's best to start with the rules and what is or isn't different from other regions."

"Yeah that's a good place to begin." Dawn said. "I know that there are occasionally some nuances between the regions like with Kalos's 4 Pokémon requirement and no double appeals and battles outside of the Grand Festival. Are there any in Galar? I am aware of the no Dynamaxing thing, Sonia confirmed that to me on the way over not that I'm surprised as the Contest Committee has only just figured out how to factor in Mega Evolution. That is allowed in Galarian Contests, right?"

"Yes Mega Evolution is allowed though I still lack the tools for that and the only Pokémon I have that is capable is my Mawile who's not on me but I won't reveal what I have with, I want that to be a surprise." Emily said with a smile and then raised her arm and pulled back her right sleeve to show Dawn a band on her wrist that Dawn recognized as the same type as what Sonia showed her earlier and what she'd seen Owen and Paul wear. "And you're right, Dynamaxing isn't available for normal Contests. Both Adam and I have acquired Dynamax Bands while but only he's done it so far in his 5 gym battles, he's won 3 of them by the way it took two cracks at Turffield and Motostoke, so he can do it and I will be able to should I need it."

"I'm jealous, Dynamaxing is on my list to get along with a Z-Ring of my own." Dawn said. "Ash got one for beating Gladion in Alola but I didn't have the time to get one to go with my Z-Crystal that I got for winning the Iki Town Contest. It's not too much of a concern though as Z-Moves are banned in Contests anyway, well other than the Alola Grand Festival Wildcard, so I can wait."

"Ah that makes sense and actually it's similar here in Galar, the Dynamaxing is going to be allowed in the Grand Festival but that's it." Emily said. "However it's in both the Wildcard and the Grand Festival itself."

"It is?" Dawn said her eyes widening a bit. "That is a surprise."

"Yup, they're using Wyndon Stadium for it so there's no reason not to allow Dynamaxing and as such one of the two Wild Card Appeals is a Dynamax appeal and the second Grand Festival one is a Dynamax appeal." Emily explained. "It's not going to be in the battles but if it works in the appeals they may allow it in future editions. Otherwise it's not allowed in the regular Contests."

"Makes sense." Dawn said. "Any other rules?"

"Only that there is either a two or four Pokémon requirement depending on the Contest type." Emily said. "They're either singles or doubles here and you won't know until the day before the Contest which it is. If they're singles you must have two and you can't use your appeal Pokémon in the battles and vice versa. If it's a doubles Contest it's a double appeal and battle with the same restrictions. Of course 8 advance to the battles and you can use 3 to 4 Pokémon in them depending on the nature of the Contests so there is no hard limit on Pokémon and no rule like in Kalos where you have to change, just the appeal and battle limits."

"Interesting." Dawn said thinking on it. "Well I've got a full team with me so that's not an issue and a few new Pokémon who I want to get Contest experience while here so I can't wait. I will need to brush up on the double appeal and battles, been too long as the last double battle I had was against Miette I believe but I'll just bring in a few of my experienced Pokémon to help out there."

"I can't wait to see what new Pokémon you've caught." Emily said. "You always did end up with a few out of the box Pokémon. Well for the most part, your Spiritomb is so far out there that there is no box with that one. It's inspired me a bit as well but you'll have to wait and see on that front."

"Well my new ones are interesting at least though nothing will compare to my Spiritomb but I can't wait to see your new Pokémon as well." Dawn said. "Anyway the rules here are a little different but nothing too radical. Now the more important thing, attire. Can I dress up here? I am a Sinnoh girl, I still feel a bit out of my element in a Contest unless I dress up."

"That is very you even though you won it all in Kanto in your normal clothes." Emily said and Dawn had to admit that that was true but it didn't lesson the fact that she liked to dress up. "But to answer you question yes and no."

"Yes and no?" Dawn asked confused. "What does that mean?"

"It means that yes you dress up, you have to in fact as it's a requirement like in Kalos, but no in the sense that you get a choice." Emily said. "It's a bit like the Laverre Contest where Valarie dressed Serena, Brianna, and me, and the other coordinators for that matter. That's the closest comparison that I can make."

"I recall, and I know that personally as well as it was earlier this year so May and I hit it as our second Contest in Kalos after a small upset to start our quest for the Majestic Festival." Dawn said. "I still liked it as Valarie knows her clothes. So I take it there's a specific outfit we wear."

"More a general guideline and style with the clothes provided for you to choose from." Emily said. "For us girls at least. It's easier for the men as it's just a suit in one of the cuts and styles that Galar favor. It does include a top hat and a cane for the men if they want which is a bit odd but apparently that's what men wear as part of their formal wear in Galar."

"It usually is easier for men to dress up." Dawn said a bit surprised by the fashion styles here for men as it was something she'd not seen before but she figured it was a regional preference and left it at that. "At Pierre's party the guys were basically wearing the same thing only with different colors. That's fine with me though, I prefer having a variety to choose from when I dress up."

"I'm still getting used to it but it's not too bad here as they provide the outfits for you." Emily said. "It was actually harder for me in Kalos where I had to wear something fancy and only really had the one outfit. I don't really wear that sorta stuff and most of the money I earn gets sent home so I didn't see the point in wasting it on more fancy outfits that I'd only wear in Contests."

"Still looked cute on you." Dawn pointed out. "And one is fine, May pretty much has one style she wears as she's not like me and doesn't really get the whole dress up thing."

"Thanks, Adam liked it so that's all that I cared about." Emily said flushing a bit again which Dawn smiled at and waited for Emily to recover and continue telling Dawn what the required styles were. "Anyway, for us girls we have to wear white and it has to be a skirt or full dress and meet the formal requirements set by Galarian society but as all stadiums have outfits that they will loan out to coordinators so it's not too bad."

"White works for me and I feel natural in a dress in a Contest so this is perfect for me." Dawn said with a smile glad that she'd get to wear something formal here and it would give her a sense of how good she looked in white. "Though can we at least wear underwear or have some special allowances for if it's our time of the month."

"Yes, there's always a woman on staff who sorts out the girls before the Contest and any who are active can get special outfits that will avoid any kind of embarrassment." Emily said. "They're really well prepared for it so you don't have to worry about that kinda thing. They'll even wave the white requirement if you have an actual medical condition though I've never seen them wave the skirt or dress requirement."

"Good just making sure that certain things are covered but it sounds like they're on top of things here." Dawn said. "It seems like this will be nice and fancy, just the way I like it but with a slight party atmosphere."

"It is and in fact many have what they call garden parties here around the Contest with food and drinks and even some games and amusements." Emily said. "Add in that Contests are always midafternoon in Galar and it's basically a whole day event. Very nice if a little formal and that formality extends to the Contests."

"Well yeah we dress up for them here." Dawn said. "Not a bad thing in my book. I'm looking forward to experiencing a Galarian Contest."

"There is a bit more to them then all this but you'll have to wait and see what it is." Emily said. "I won't reveal all the nuances of Galar Contests."

"That's fair." Dawn said deciding not to push Emily for more. "Alright then, it all sounds like great fun regardless so I can't wait to compete in one."

"Same I've got so much to show you as I'm improving every time." Emily said. "I've already gotten 2 ribbons here; a win will secure me the Wildcard though I'm gunning for 4 before the Wallace Cup."

"Ah and then you will go to Unova for it but with one to spare just in case." Dawn said seeing where Emily was going with it and while the younger girl hadn't said it, Dawn was certain that after Kalos Emily was considered a favorite on the Galar Circuit this year. "Well I'll be in Unova for it, it's going to be my Unova ribbon after all."

"It may bear your name now but this year I will win it." Emily said and Dawn smiled at the conviction in Emily's voice, she'd really grown since they'd met in the Cerulean Contest a little over two years ago. "Though I hear that there will be stiff competition. May's going to be there and Serena is already in Unova on the circuit, she's one of the favorites apparently which is understandable after her run in Kalos last year, so I can expect them. I've also heard that Mollie is going to go for it, she did win the first Unova Grand Festival after all."

"I heard as well and good; I want here there." Dawn said with a grin. "She's one of two coordinators I've not beaten in a Contest, well three now with Amelia, so I hope to face her in the Wallace Cup. She's talented for sure."

"Well yeah she beat the Prodigy of Sinnoh in her Ribbon Cup year." Emily said. "Amelia beat you when you were rusty, I was surprised by it but I recall watching her in the Wallace Cup and her technical skill are off the charts so between that and your time off she had a good chance at upsetting you, according to Adam's analysis."

"Amelia's talented, possibly the most talented of any native from an expansion region, but she does have a bit of an attitude which is why she's not as good at Showcases as she'd like." Dawn said. "But Mollie is something else as she's got the talent and personality to appeal to the crowd. She and Zoey are the two I want to beat this year and the Wallace Cup will give me a shot at Mollie at least. Not sure when I'll cross paths with Zoey but it will be good to see her when I do as she is my best friend and a fellow Sinnoh Top Coordinator in addition to being a great rival."

"I've never met her but I've seen her in action, she more than earned her status." Emily said. "I may see her though what with the Majestic Festival requirements as Zoey has yet to make it to Galar."

"She'll be here in time and hopefully down the road we'll be in the same region together but if not I'll see her at the Majestic Festival." Dawn said. "It's just a shame that we won't see much of Galar. As great as the requirements are, trying to get the ribbons in a single season leaves little time to explore."

"You will see some though, right?" Emily asked. "The Majestic Festival is still 8 or so months off if I recall."

"Oh we will, don't worry." Dawn said with a nod. "Especially because regardless of what happens in the upcoming Contest, Ash will no doubt have a battle with a notably trainer here though probably not Leon. On that front actually, hey Ash, what's the plan?"

"Huh, oh right we've been so busy I forgot to update you on what happened with Leon during lunch." Ash said, he'd only gotten through half of his battle with Diantha as Adam had been thorough with his notes, but now that Dawn got his attention he turned back to the topic at hand. "I'm going to face two of the Gym Leaders in Galar, the final two in fact, and hopefully get a Dynamax Band from Piers so he's the first one I want to face."

"Wait you got to meet Leon?" Adam asked his eyes lighting up as Ash looked at him. "So cool! What's he like. Personally I really want to meet Mustard and Bea but Leon is the current Monarch so I want to meet him as well and see if he'll give me a battle. What's he like?"

"Pretty nice, we had a good lunch where he explained Dynamaxing to me and helped me determine my path in Galar with a recommendation for a path to Spikemuth regardless of how Dawn's Contest as it will put us in the vicinity of Circhester around the time that they have a Contest." Ash said. "So it will work out well. Who are Mustard and Bea?"

"Circhester Contest, that's a city that actually has two Contests this year as they technically have two different gym leaders so to honor that the city is going to have two Contests one with a rock battlefield and one with an ice one." Emily whispered to Dawn. "And in about 2 weeks' time the first of the two is going to take place so should be in your schedule. Ash isn't wrong, it's between here and Spikemuth and within the time if you head straight from the next Contest."

"Thanks, good to know that Ash was thinking ahead, or at least Leon was." Dawn whispered back. "We'll get a full story soon, I'm sure."

"They're fighting specialists." Adam said to Ash while Emily was whispering to Dawn. "Bea is one of the two gym leaders of Stow-on-Side out to the west of Hammerlocke and in fact she or Allister is the next one I have to face so we'll head there right after the Contest so that I can face her on one of her days in. Owen really looks up to her and she's a tough, hard, direct specialist really different to Brawly and Korrina's styles so I can't wait to see what she'll teach me about fighting types."

"I think I heard about the alternating Gym Leaders as Circhester has them as well." Ash said which Emily had just confirmed to Dawn. "It's not something I've seen before, well I guess Straiton has three that you can choose from, but it's still cool."

"You ok with that?" Dawn whispered to Emily. "You got a bit jealous of Korrina back in Kalos."

"Yeah, Bea's not the type to be a threat like that according to Owen." Emily said. "He's got a crush on her so he knows her personality and he really described her to me when Adam geeked out over facing her. She'll face and test Adam for sure but it won't be like Korrina apparently but we'll see. If it comes to it, well I can unofficially challenge her and see how she handles my fairy types."

"Alright just checking." Dawn said.

"And Mustard, man that's the guy I want to meet most of all." Adam continued clearly not hearing Emily and Dawn as Ash listened also not hearing the girls. "He's a former Monarch of Galar, Galar's version of a Champion, and while he does use non fighting type Pokémon, he's still got many fighting types and runs a dojo on the Isle of Armor that's the main attraction there so going to that place is huge for me on so many levels. We'll go after I either beat or lose to Bea. If it's the latter I'll need it more for the help they can provide and even if it's the former, next up is Opal in Ballonlea and she's a fairy specialist now and I still need to work on facing that type. Emily's a great help there though so I know I'll be fine."

"Sounds like you have a good plan." Ash said. "A lot of travel but you know what to address and how to get stronger if you lose."

"Same to you." Adam said. "If you're going to Spikemuth via Circhester then I take it you're going directly to Hammerlocke from there. You said you were facing the final two Gym Leaders and those are Piers and Raihan so you have to be going to Hammerlocke in the end. Man that will be a great battle to watch, Raihan is really good so I know he'll give you a challenge."

"That's the plan so long as Dawn agrees to it." Ash said looking at her. "And maybe checking out the Wild Area as well. If there is time of course."

"I'm down for all of that so long as I get my ribbon." Dawn said. "We do have a month a most here given the schedule limitations but if we can see a good portion of Galar it will be worth it."

"It won't be much but it will be some." Ash said. "But thanks, I want to face those two Gym Leaders if possible so I feel like this route works best."

"Well how about you tell us about your lunch with Leon." Dawn said. "Then we can see how the path works with the Contests and this Farfetch'd and make final plans for taking on Galar with travel times factored in. It's larger than Alola and we'll be traveling a fair bit of it on foot so we should prepare tonight so that starting tomorrow we can hit the ground running."

"Of course." Ash said with a nod. "Well, I'll start with Piers as he's different for a few reasons but most importantly he's a dark type specialist and the only dark type Gym Leader in the world. That I really can't wait for as I've faced all other types of gym but dark. Basically, Spikemuth is…"

From there Ash devolved into a full on explanation of his lunch with Leon, what the two Champions talked about, and the plans that he wanted to achieve around Dawn's Contest or Contests. From there he explained how Spikemuth was a must for him given the potential Dynamax Band there and the dark type gym, before moving onto everything else that he and Leon discussed.

The others all asked questions of course and as they did Dawn broke out a map of Galar to plan their route and check estimated travel times to see if they could accommodate everything. It might be a little tight but it all looked doable and between what Ash had learned at lunch and suggestions from Emily and Adam they had a good plan for their time in Galar.

By the time they were done it was pretty late so they all retired to their rooms, Adam and Emily shared one but it had a bunk bed unlike a double bed that was in Ash and Dawn's room, to get some sleep and prepare for tomorrow. Ash and Dawn hadn't even been in Galar a full day but they'd already met some of the most important people in the region and now had plans for how to maximize their short stay here so as they got into bed and turned in for the night and some private time they couldn't wait for the morning.

Their Galar journey would begin in earnest in the morning and it started with a fighting type that had made a reputation for itself in Wyndon. It was time for their next great regional adventure to kick off in spectacular fashion.

I think that's a good place to end the chapter. As revealed, the next chapter will at long last deal with Ash's Galarian Farfetch'd and while this will be the same as the canon one he caught the impetus for going for it is of course different. I'm sure y'all know what is to come so there really isn't much more to say about the next Part when Ash and Dawn truly kick off their time in Galar and this chapter is nice and straightforward. The only other thing to add is that after almost 2 years, the next Problems chapter is set to come out in the coming weeks around the time of the next Part in Champions so for those who follow that heavier story look out for that one though of course I won't reveal which of the girls will be the focus of the chapter. Anyway, that is all that I have for y'all so I will leave this Part off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.

Stringdog