Chapter 6:

Don't Look Back in Hanger

Location: Budew Drop Inn

I woke up in one of the comfiest beds in the world. Honestly, having roughed it for just one night in the Wild Area, it felt great getting into a bed in a four-star hotel.

"Oh yeah," I said. "I'm here! And the opening ceremony…" I looked on my Rotom Phone to check the time. "It starts in an hour?! Urgh, of all the days to sleep in! Why didn't I set an alarm?!"

I quickly got into my clothes and knocked on Hop's door. He was already ready.

"You overslept, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yeah…" I said.

"Well?" Hop said. "Don't just dilly dally! Let's get over to Motostoke Stadium. As they say in Kalos, tout suite!"

We got to the Reception Area and as we were about to walk out the door, we saw a commotion. There were four people, two male and two female. They were wearing black with a stylized purple "Y" on their shirt, with the girls wearing them in a cropped top. On their faces, they had purple makeup on and were holding up banners with a girl on it.

"What's going on?" I asked, as I saw a girl with black hair and a pink dress. She looked like the goth type. I put two and two together; the girl on the banner was that very same girl!

"Hey!" Hop said. "What are you doing?"

All four people looked at me.

"What's this?" asked one of the male grunts. "Oh, it's another competitor innit?"

"Not just any competitor!" Hop said. "I'm Champion Leon's brother!"

"Let me guess!" said one of the females. "You're trying to get to Marnie aren't yah?"

"So that's her name," I said. Marnie looked embarrassed. "Who even are you?"

"Team Yell innit!" said one of the males.

"I'll get one of the others!" Hop said.

"Wait, we're battling?" I said. "Tad sudden, but okay!"

"Bring it on sister!" said a male Grunt.

Gloria Vs. Team Yell Grunt

"Zigzagoon, it's your turn bruv!" Out came Galar's black and white variety of Zigzagoon.

Zigzagoon (Galarian form) (ジグザグマ)

#031

Dark/Normal Type

Tiny Raccoon Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

38.6 lbs (17.5 kg)

Thought to be the oldest form of Zigzagoon, it moves in zigzags and wreaks havoc upon its surroundings.

"And I choose Scorbunny!" I replied. "Use Ember!" Scorbunny kicked a flame at Zigzagoon.

"Snarl!" Zigzagoon growled at Scorbunny, firing a black soundwave at it.

"Now use Quick Attack!" Scorbunny charged into Zigzagoon. It was defeated.

"I lost… sorry Marnie."

I saw Hop have Grookey use Branch Poke to finish off the other Yell Grunt's Nickit.

"Marnie!" I said. "You okay?"

"Just… defeat them…" she said. "I'm delayed enough as is." I then saw a yellow Pokémon on her shoulder. It had pink cheeks.

Morpeko (モルペコ)

#344

Electric/Dark Type

Two-Sided Pokémon

1'00" (0.3 m)

6.6 lbs (3 kg)

As it eats the seeds stored up in its pocket-like pouches, this Pokémon is not just satisfying its constant hunger. It's also generating electricity.

Morpeko has no known evolutions but can change form.

"So that's your partner aye?" I said.

"Gloria!" Hop said. "Might need your help with these two!" Two Grunts came up to us.

"Listen you," the female Grunt said. "We're done with your rubbish! Get out of our face! We're her biggest fans! Not you!"

Gloria and Hop Vs. Team Yell Grunts

"Zigzagoon, go!" shouted the male Grunt.

"Nickit, get em!" the female Grunt said.

"Go Lotad!" I shouted.

"Take em down Wooloo!" Hop said.

"Nickit, Quick Attack!" Nickit dashed into Lotad.

"Zigzagoon, Tackle!" Zigzagoon charged into Wooloo.

"Now Wooloo! Tackle!" Wooloo rammed its body into Zigzagoon.

"Lotad, follow it up with Water Gun!" Lotad sprayed water at Zigzagoon, knocking it out.

"Use Quick Attack!" Nickit dashed into Lotad once again.

"Use Copycat Wooloo!" Wooloo copied Nickit's move, dashing into it.

"And now use Water Gun!" Lotad sprayed Nickit with water. It catapulted Nickit into one of the Yell Grunt's, destroying their banner.

"Noooo!" said the female Grunt we had just beat. "We let you down!"

"You're delaying me," Marnie said. "I need to get to Motostoke Stadium."

"Oh…" said the male Grunt we just beat. "Sorry. We'll… leave now. Team Yell! Yeah!"

"Are you okay?" Hop asked.

"I'm a bit tamping…" Marnie replied. "I'm going to be late because of them."

"And they were?" I asked.

"Team Yell. My… biggest fans."

"Guys…" Hop said. "We have half an hour to get to registration!"

"Blimey we do!" I said. "Come on Marnie! Let's head over there together!"

Location: Motostoke Stadium Lobby

The three of us ran to the reception area of the Gym.

"We're here!" I said. "Gloria Smith, Hop Stewart and…"

"Marnie Tywyllwch."

"Tw-Twylll… you must be from Spikemuth," I said.

"That's right," Marnie said.

The Receptionist typed in our names. "Now may you please choose your three-digit uniform number."

Ah yes, I should mention. Trainers taking on the Galar League are given uniform numbers. You can choose from 002-999. Some are taken by Gym Leaders though. And once you become Champion, like Leon, you have the privilege of being Trainer 001.

"I'll choose 227," I said.

"189 for me!" Hop said.

"And I choose 960," said Marnie.

"Okay, you are ready! You have twenty-five minutes to go before the opening ceremony, so please hang around for a bit. It won't be long before you are called in to get changed."

"Will do," said Marnie. "Uh oh."

"What?" I asked. "Team Yell again?"

"Nope," she said. I saw that Morpeko was… different. Instead of yellow, it was purple. Additionally, its face was now angry. "What's going on?!" I shouted.

"It's Hangry mode!" Marnie said. "It needs something to eat!"

Morpeko jumped onto my head and stole my beanie. It then started running off. "Stop that thing!" I shouted. "Scorbunny, Quick Attack!" Scorbunny dashed into Morpeko, forcing it to drop my beanie. "I'll take that," I said as Marnie feed it some Berries. With that, Morpeko went back to normal. "What an interesting Pokémon," I said.

"Howdy!" I looked behind me. I saw a man in a red shirt with a large head that looked like a Pokéball.

"AHHHH!" I shouted.

"Oh no," Hop said. "It's the Ball Guy."

"And?" Marnie asked. "What's wrong with the Ball Guy? He's only the most popular mascot in Galar."

"There was an… incident at Gloria's seventh Birthday party," Hop explained. "A man dressed in some bootleg costume came in and threw Gloria's cake on the floor. Then, Gloria's Dad, when he was still married to Gloria's Mum, started punching him. It was ace, everyone cheered. But it's scarred Gloria. Even I'm a bit freaked out by it."

"What's wrong?" he said. "A Pokéball for you!" He handed me a normal Pokéball.

"I'll take it if you leave me alone!" I said. I took it from him, and he walked off. "Blimey!"

"We're all scared of something at least," said Hop.

"Boo."

From behind Hop came a boy with a white mask and a purple uniform.

"Wah!" Hop shouted. "Who are you?"

"Sorry," he said. "Did… I scare you?"

"You were trying to!" Hop replied.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Oh…" He hesitated a bit. He didn't quite know what to say. "My name is Allister Pendle. I like Ghost Types." He sent out a Pokémon that looked like a purple ball of gas.

Gastly (ゴース)

#073

Ghost/Poison Type

Gas Pokémon

4'03" (1.3 m)

0.2 lbs (0.1 kg)

With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind.

"Just… don't do that again," Hop replied.

"How pathetic."

"What was that?"

Coming up to me was a boy with curly-blonde hair. He had a pink coat on. By his side was a pink Pokémon with what looked like a hat on top of its head.

Hatenna (ミビリム)

#241

Psychic Type

Calm Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

If this Pokémon senses a strong emotion, it will run away as fast as it can. It prefers areas without people.

"Oh hey!" I said. "I'm Gloria and this is my friend Hop and my new friends Marnie and Allister. What's yours?"

"Bede," he said. "And I'm sorry, but I'm too good to be friends with you."

"What was that?!" Hop said. "You're too good? How do you know that?"

"Because…" he said. "My endorsement has faith in me."

"Really?" Marnie asked. "Who endorsed you?"

"Only Chairman Rose himself!" he said.

"Really," Hop said. "Well, let it be known that me and Gloria were endorsed by the Champion and my big bro, Lee!"

"You… are Leon's brother?!" Bede said. "You're having a laugh!"

Hop clenched his fist. "What did you just sa-" I put my arm on Hop's shoulder. I shook my head.

"No," I told him.

"Well then," said Bede. "I guess I'll see you lot in the Stadium. But keep out of my way. Tah tah!" He walked off.

"What was that about?" Allister asked.

"I don't know," I said. "Hey, speaking of endorsements. Who got you into Gyms?"

"Me?" Allister asked. "Gym Leader Bea. We actually battled for position in the Stow-On-Side Gym. I lost, but Bea was so impressed with our battle that she endorsed me then and there."

"As for me…" said Marnie. "I… don't want to talk about it."

"That's fine," I said. Some people do like to keep their endorsements secret.

"Attention!" came a voice over the speakers. "The opening ceremony will start in 20 minutes. Gym clothes are supplied in the changing rooms."

The gates opened. It was time.

I got changed into my white clothes with the number 227 on them. I met up with Hop, Marnie and Allister to.

"Looking good!" Hop told us.

"You to!" I replied. "I can't believe this is happening."

Location: Motostoke Stadium Battlefield

"Welcome!" said Chairman Rose as me and the 256 Trainers stood in a large group. I was even giddier now. "It is another fine year for the Galar Gym Challenge, sponsored by Macro Cosmos! Every year, I come to see who has the honour of trying to beat the Champion, Leon. And speaking of that…" We saw a Charizard fly down as Leon landed next to Chairman Rose and did his famous pose. We all cheered. "Here he is!"

"Woooooohhh!" Hop shouted. "Go for it Lee!"

"Thank you!" Leon said to everyone; the cheering basically killed any hope of Hop's message getting through. "For twenty years, I have been Champion of the Galar region. And I am not ready for retirement just yet! I hope to see some great battles from everyone!"

Everyone erupted again.

"Thank you for the kind words, Leon," said Chairman Rose. "And with that said, it's time to bring in the Gym Leaders! First up, the fighting farmer, it's the Turrfield Gym Leader, Milo Bloom!"

A man wearing a hat and green Gym clothes came out. His number was 831.

"Eyup!" Milo said. "Lerking forward to some great battles!

"From Hulbury, it's the raging wave, the Water Type user, Nessa Fisher!"

Out came a black woman in a Gym uniform that looked like a bikini with 049 on it.

"I expect nutt'n but great battles from yer lot!"

"From right here in Motostoke but originally from Hoenn's Fallarbor Town, it's the ever-burning man of fire, Kabu Todoroki!"

A man with a tucked-in red shirt came on. His number was 187. "Konichiwa. I hope our spirits burn bright."

"Stow-On-Side's Fighting Type Gym Leader, and the Galar karate prodigy, give it up for Bea Hardy!" Next was a woman who was bare foot and had a black training shirt on underneath her Gym clothes. Her number was 193.

"Hah! Don't let me down!"

"Ballonllea's Fairy Type Gym Leader's days are coming to a close on her career, but don't let the master of the fantastic theatre get you! It's Opal Titania!"

An old woman wearing a pink and blue dress with a large nose came out. She had an umbrella the same colour as her dress.

"Thank you," she said. "I love pink."

"Circhester's ice cold professional and mother of twenty-three years, give it up for Melony White!"

Next was a woman wearing a big-white coat. Her number was 361. "Get ready me lovers! I'm about to show you the cold!"

"From Spikemuth… oh. That's weird. Spikemuth's Gym Leader hasn't turned up. I guess we can skip that."

I saw Marnie was a bit embarrassed, but didn't go over to her.

"Finally, Hammerlocke's Tamer of Dragons, it's Raihan Dawson!" Out came Leon's rival.

"Let's do this!" he said, taking selfies with his Rotom Phone.

"Thank you all!" said Leon. "Without further ado, let the Galar Gym challenge..." With that, he did his famous pose again. "COMMENCE!"

All our names appeared on the screen.

We had made it.

Location: Motostoke Stadium Lobby

"That felt great!" I said after changing back into my everyday clothes.

"Our time as Gym challengers has begun!" Allister replied.

"Still though," Hop said. "Don't know why Spikemuth's Gym Leader didn't make it. It's an important event after all."

"Maybe they have some things to get on with," Marnie said. It seemed like she was really trying to change the subject.

"I think we should plan our route," said Hop. "Why don't you three come with us?"

"I'll go my own path," Marnie said. "But we will absolutely run into each other again."

"Me to," said Allister.

"In that case," I said. "Hop, how about we make our first stop Turrfield? It's a bit of a trek from Motostoke but that will at the very least give us some time to get stronger! Plus, Grookey and Rookidee can benefit a lot from this. I might as well take down the one I have a Type advantage against first."

"Sounds great!" Hop replied. "I'll follow suit. I could take on Nessa, but I also need to catch more Pokémon!"

"Then it's settled!" said Allister. "Let's see if we four can make it into the finals!"

"Yeah!" we all replied. "From here on out, we're rivals!" I put my hand in the middle. Hop, Marnie and Allister did the same, and we all nodded, just as Bede came over and put his hand in.

"Oh," said Bede. "Yeah, I'll be your rival, but there is no point in dealing with you."

"That is enough!" Marnie said. "Let's just ignore him everyone! Off to adventure!"