The route spanning between Santalune City and Lumious City is a hilly pass, abundant in flora and fauna. While the area remains largely wilderness, it is becoming a destination for Rhyhorn races.
"We've been walking a while." Hilda lays a blanket next to a tree and sits down.
"Yeah." As she opens a cookie jar, Emma stretches.
"Check this out! The Pokédex says fairy Pokémon live nearby." Citrata skims through a few encyclopedia entries. "I wonder what they're like? The cards popular back on TCG Island don't use that type classification."
Fairy-type Pokémon in particular are vexing to describe and categorize. They don't possess the sorts of common physical or elemental attributes that readily identify most other Pokémon types. Such as living underwater, wings capable of sustained flight, or the like.
"There's so many flowers!" Emma watches a swarm of Ledyba in the distance, collecting nectar, until a noise startles her. "Shh! I think I hear something up ahead."
Curious about the sound, our heroine and her friends slowly approach a nearby pond. They soon discover a person swimming in it; whose graceful motions indicate considerable talent.
"What should I be doing now?" The young woman speaking to herself, turns around upon realizing she isn't alone. "I arrived too late to compete in the Champions Pokémon Gala, and I don't want to abandon my gym by staying… Hey!"
Exiting the water, the slender gym leader dries off using a towel from her basket. She is wearing an athletic two-piece outfit, designed to be practical for battling or swimming alike.
"Sorry about sneaking up on you." Hilda apologizes.
"I'm not going to be here very long anyhow." The woman's tone seems distant. "Nessa, by the way. I'm a Galar region gym leader."
Our heroine's group introduces themselves.
"That's quite a story." The tale slightly lifts Nessa's mood. "My homeland has giant Pokémon, but they aren't mechanized!"
A distinctive feature of the Galar region are its "Power Spots", areas that emit a strange energy capable of temporarily growing most species of Pokémon to towering sizes; a phenomenon known as Dynamax. Certain rare Pokémon can even achieve a greater Gigantamax form.
For this reason, Galar's gyms and prominent battle facilities are usually built in the vicinity of Power Spots.
"Nice to meet you." Expecting to leave, Emma puts away the food.
"Wait a second, where are you all going?" Nessa grasps one of her Dive Balls. "Battling a TCG Island trainer is an occasion I can make time for!"
"You're on." Accepting the challenge, Citrata sends out a Pokémon. "Let's do this, Axew!"
Nessa calls forth Goldeen, a small fish Pokémon. Goldeen are especially popular for their wavy, dress-like fins, which have inspired magnificent fashion.
"Distract it with Leer!" Citrata makes the first move.
Axew tries to taunt its opponent by making a creepy face, but it doesn't yet quite know how to be frightening.
"Is that supposed to be an attack?" Nessa holds back her slight laughter. "Follow Axew's lead, and use Splash!"
Goldeen bounces around, to little effect except disorienting Axew.
"Ew?" Ignoring its trainer, Axew begins to dance! At least, the best it can manage without experience.
"Cici, I don't think your strategy is working!" Despite her words, Hilda giggles a bit.
"I'm not sure what..." After a moment, the scene jogs Citrata's memory. "I've got it!"
Our heroine explains that Axew displayed interest in dancing earlier, during Heather's song. With the battle something of a stalemate, Nessa permits Goldeen to follow Axew's lead.
"Say, little Axew has some groove!" Emma sets up the miniature boombox that Citrata had brought along for her adventures.
The disc inside plays a pop album by The Shuffles, a band from TCG Island. Though they've had to suspend their local shows, ever since Team GR's invasion.
"Clefairy Doll On!" Feeling nostalgic for her home, Citrata starts to sing along. "It might not fight, but your prize cards will be alright!"
"Why didn't you tell me you can sing?" Hilda says, pleasantly surprised.
"It's dancing I don't understand, you know." Citrata observes Axew slowing down, as it gets tired.
As the impromptu party draws to an end, Citrata and Nessa return their Pokémon.
"Have you heard of Pokémon Showcases?" Nessa asks.
"Not really." Citrata hasn't paid much attention to the customs and traditions of the various regions.
"They're a competition where Pokémon perform on stage." Nessa shows an advertisement to her new friend. "I'd like to try it while I'm in Kalos. Your Axew might have a lot of fun too."
"Wow." The colorful, sparkly attire of the entrants and their Pokémon, impresses even Citrata. "Look here, these are my pals Heather and Regina!"
"If you're interested, maybe I'll help with your costume." Nessa's beauty has landed her fashion modeling work, but it's usually not the pop-idol style typical of events like showcases.
The most established circuit of competitive Pokémon performing arts, are Hoenn region Pokémon Contests. Fighting is not allowed in these events. Rather than combat, Pokémon must display rhythm and glamour to impress the judges. Contests also have a strong presence in Sinnoh.
Similar competitions found elsewhere include the Pokémon Musicals in Unova, and Pokémon Showcases in Kalos.
"Mimi!" Somehow, the singing and dancing has stirred Emma's foggy memory. "Aww, I forgot to let Mimi play with us."
"Mimi?" Citrata checks around for any interlopers.
"Nobody is hiding in those bushes." Emma grins. "It's my Espurr's nickname."
Some trainers nickname their Pokémon. This does however complicate trading; a traded Pokémon may resist their new trainer's efforts to rename it.
Taking up Nessa's offer, for Mimi's sake, Citrata and company decide to follow her into Lumious City. The modern metropolis is one of the largest cities in the Pokémon world, as well as the geographical and cultural hub of the Kalos region. Fine shopping and cuisine are waiting to be discovered around every corner.
Beneath the glitzy surface, however, a certain unsavory element is brewing. Tourism has begun to slip due to the recent escalation in Team Flare activity…
"Get back here!" A woman in a blue catsuit is chasing someone.
"That Wooper doesn't belong to you!" Following close behind her, is a similarly-dressed man.
"Later, kiddos!" Tossing a smoke pellet to cloud his precise location, a middle-aged man runs down an alley, disappearing from sight.
"Phooey! We've lost him, this time." The woman pauses to catch her breath.
"Hi." Emma waves to the exasperated duo.
"Emma?" The man seems to recognize her. "I'm Agent Barnacle, Barnon."
"Agent Coral, Cora." Sipping a water bottle, Cora shakes Emma's hand. "We work for the Quagsire Bureau."
Citrata, Hilda, and Nessa introduce themselves.
"What brings a Galar gym leader to Kalos?" Cora asks.
"It's nothing really." Unsure how to answer, Nessa points toward the shopping district. "Right now, Cici and I have a Pokémon Showcase to prepare for."
Going about their business, Cora and Barnon continue to search for the kidnapped Pokémon.
"Do you know those people, Emma?" When Hilda checks Wooper's entry on her Pokédex, it brings up two results.
Several Pokémon species have diverged into what are called "regional forms". These forms display considerable physical and behavioral differences, they may even evolve into a separate Pokémon altogether.
The rarer Paldean variety of Wooper is less amphibious, spending a greater portion of their lives on land. Paldean Wooper also cannot become Quagsire; they instead evolve to the bulkier Clodsire.
"My memory is still fuzzy." Emma frowns as she reads the Pokédex description. "What is this? I've never heard of a brown Wooper."
"Let's leave the sleuthing to the professionals." Nessa interrupts. "We'll miss the showcase if we play cops and robbers."
Moving along, the quartet enters a vast shopping mall. The architecture inside and out reflects the city's posh lifestyle. Thousands of customers are roaming the countless vendors and kiosks that deal in merchandise of every description.
"How cute!" Emma glares at a blonde wig wearing black hair accessories, whose shape and stripes vaguely resemble an Umbreon's tail.
"Sinnoh champion Cynthia popularized that." Nessa holds a slim red dress next to herself. "How about this one?"
"It's good, but not quite the idol look." Hilda gives an ambivalent response.
Wandering from shop to shop, our heroine and company pass by a beachwear display. It features a selection themed around Misty trading cards, such as "Misty's Wrath", "Misty's Determination", and "Misty's Favor".
"Heather might like this." A white one-piece swimsuit catches Citrata's attention.
"The shrine maiden you were telling me about?" Nessa has little knowledge of the knights. "She doesn't sound into swimming, but maybe."
"Cici, over here!" Emma leads the group to a cosplay shop. "There's so much amazing stuff."
Now these outfits are more relevant to stage performers. Although most contests, showcases, or similar events don't officially require uniforms or specialized gear, presenting the best image for oneself is nevertheless too important to neglect.
"These are all so cutesy." Citrata examines a rack of bright skirts. "It's not me."
"No, hmm…" Nessa takes a basket of clothes to a fitting room. Her tastes are somewhat more refined, as it were.
Trying on different ensembles, several hours unwittingly pass by our heroine and her friends.
"Look at the time!" As Hilda struggles to fit into something too small, she notices the clock on her Pokédex.
"Am I rocking now?" Citrata shows off an edgier style of idol costume, popularized by artists who play music like heavy metal.
"Somehow it reminds me of Marnie." Nessa smiles. "She's a new Galar gym leader."
"I've got everything the Pokémon should need." Ribbons and other Pokémon accessories fill the sack Emma is lugging around.
"Are you going to be okay, carrying that?" Hilda assists Emma by moving a few of the items into the group's cart.
After checking out, Citrata and company proceed to the city's central tower. The tall building in the heart of town ordinarily serves as the Pokémon gym, but during the leader's absence it has been hosting other activities.
In another room, the disguised Team Rocket trio are preparing Jessie to compete.
"You've got to keep your composure, Jessilana!" James shouts, as he dresses up Meowth. "Team Rocket poses will get us caught!"
"I know that!" Jessie resists the urge to practice the motto.
"Meow." For some reason, Meowth has considerable difficulty behaving like an ordinary Pokémon. "Can we get this over with? I'm not used to standing on four legs!"
Meanwhile, Citrata and Nessa visit a set of temporary dressing rooms. Hilda and Emma aren't competing, but they'll help out by getting Axew and Goldeen ready.
"Heya, Cici!" Believe it or not, Regina has stepped up her love of princess garb. What appear to be tiny gemstones are attached to several places on the costume.
"Hello." The more modest Heather chose a subtle approach to keep her miko style intact.
"I see we'll have tough competition." Favoring aquatic Pokémon, Nessa's look incorporates a Frillish motif. "Oh, I'm Nessa."
"Regina, she's Heather." Regina adjusts the flowers in her hair, until Citrata shows her the list of contestants with an annoyed stare. "Is something wrong?"
"I think Team Rocket plans to crash the show." Citrata says. "Who else could this 'Jessilana' be?"
Compared to the regular "twerps" and "twerpettes", our heroine isn't so easily fooled by Team Rocket's endless, often absurd identities.
"Hah, they don't learn." Regina's smug face is priceless. "Even the scrap salvaged from their robot was hardly worth it."
Regina laughs when Citrata less-than-convincingly attempts to copy her expression.
"I'm not that awesome, am I?" Citrata's remark is met with a moment of silence.
Fancied up for the showcase, Citrata and Nessa retrieve their Pokémon and join the rest of the contenders on-stage. The choice of venue creates an unusual atmosphere, as the room's design resembles the interior of a computer.
Hosting the proceedings, is a man known as Monsieur Pierre. His charm and mysterious background have won him admiration throughout Kalos. He's also accompanied by a Pokémon assistant, Klefki.
On the other hand, Pierre's speech can be tricky to decipher. He has a habit of inserting foreign-language words from time to time. This narrator will provide an indicator for that.
"(Welcome) to the Pokémon Showcase!" Pierre twirls his staff. "If I may have your attention, the drawing to select today's competitors will now begin!"
Emma and Hilda are seated in a row near the action.
"I figured there were too many people, for everyone to compete." Hilda has her Pokédex handy, in case she sees a rare Pokémon.
"Do you think Pierre can tell apart Nurse Joys who enter?" Emma's eyes pan the room, looking for celebrities. "I dunno which ones are just cosplay."
A large monitor displays the names and portraits of everybody lined up on the stage. After a moment, several of the names change color.
"We have our contestants!" Pierre has the selected entrants step forward. "Say hello to Flannery of Lavaridge Town, Bianca of Nuvema Town, Citrata of TCG Island, Selphy of the Sevii Islands, Catherine of GR Island, and Nessa of Hulbury Town!"
"I traveled all the way from the Orange Islands, for this?" A determined teenage girl puts away her Poké Ball.
"Don't give up, Melody." Bianca says.
"If it isn't the stray rocket." Catherine glances at Citrata. "The boss told me about you."
"Well, he's wrong." Citrata's voice has a frustrated tone. "I'm not a coward."
"I'll let your performance decide that." Being unfamiliar with our heroine, Catherine is more civil toward her, than other Team GR members would be.
"Why didn't they pick me, the great Jessilana!?" Jessie grumbles as she walks away.
When Citrata explains that Jessilana is actually Jessie from Team Rocket, Catherine's mood improves.
"Okay, that's funny." Catherine manages a brief smile. "I don't know why the TCG has cards of those guys."
"Go show those judges, Cici!" Even though she wasn't chosen this time, Regina encourages her friend in a way that still makes herself sound cool.
"A fellow gym leader!" Nessa greets Flannery. "How are you?"
"I'm still learning." Flannery takes a moment to breath. "Roxanne was too busy, she asked me to enter in her place."
"Bianca, I presume?" Citrata asks. "I saw your match at the gala."
"Both of us lost, huh." Bianca pauses to think back to the event. "But standing up for Chespin like that, it was inspiring."
Our heroine tells Bianca about her most recent battle. How Axew wanted to dance, not fight.
"Get to know your Pokémon partners, they have dreams and wishes too." Bianca advises. "Oh! Have you tried Poké Puffs?"
"What's that?" Dietary needs of Pokémon are yet another area Citrata is inexperienced.
"A gourmet snack loved in Kalos." Bianca takes a wrapped Poké Puff from her handbag. "They aren't sold in Unova, where I'm from."
Good feeding habits build friendship, so it's fortunate there are many kinds of treats for Pokémon. Most commonly confections with berries blended in to achieve the desired color, taste, and texture. A Kalos region specialty are cake-like Poké Puffs, they're typically more elaborately decorated than the signature poffins of Sinnoh.
Some favor simpler, more portable options. Hoenn's Pokéblock candy, despite its cubed shape, has similar ingredients and effects.
"Thanks." Citrata puts away the gift. "It's new to me, there's barely any Pokémon on TCG Island."
"It must be lonely without Pokémon." The remark piques Bianca's curiosity.
"Yeah, but we manage." Island life is one topic Citrata knows well. "Like Melody here has become a bit of a hero to the locals. They say she helped save the islands from destruction."
"Kinda, Ash did most of the work." Melody clarifies.
The Kanto sea and its fringes are home to far more than just card players. The warm Orange Islands host the Orange League, whose format is different from the Pokémon gyms of other regions. And the Sevii Islands attract many Pokémon native to Johto.
Legendary Pokémon make the area their home as well. Melody and Ash once led an adventure to rescue a flock of mighty birds from a thief, and stop an unnatural blizzard that threatened to destroy the Orange Islands, if not more.
Strangest of all, are the rumors surrounding New Island, where a team of scientists were tragically lost in a lab accident. People have since been afraid to visit the now-deserted isle.
Up first, Flannery sends out Numel. A slow, camel-like fire-type.
"You've got this, make your heat a spectacle!" Flannery spins around to demonstrate what she expects from her partner. "Fire Spin!"
"Nuuu!" Numel launches a spiraling flame above itself.
"Now for the dazzle finish, blast it away with Earth Power!" Grinning, Flannery taps her feet.
Numel hops, then emits an energy wave downward to dispel the flames in every direction.
"(Good show)! Our first contestant started us off with a sizzling performance!" Pierre comments on the action.
Second are Bianca and her Snivy. The green, reptilian Pokémon loves sunlight and is happiest among plants. To help present their move, an assistant stands a tall log on the stage.
"Are you prepared, Snivy?" Bianca understands the species dislikes crowds. "Show us Leaf Blade!"
Snivy charges energy into its tail as it hops around, slashing at the log from several directions. A moment after the wood breaks apart into blocks and chunks, the room's lights begin to flicker erratically.
"Ack!" Emma covers her eyes, as the lighting gets sometimes blindingly strong.
"My Pokédex isn't working either." The screen on Hilda's device turns scrambled. "I can't look up Snivy's data."
"(My word!)" Pierre sends his Klefki toward the ceiling for a closer look.
"Attention everyone." A public address system issues an evacuation notice. "Please make your way to an exit in an orderly fashion."
Most of the crowd disperses quickly; only a small group has chosen to stay. Including Hilda, Emma, Team Rocket, and several of the contestants.
"Are you doing this, Meowth?" James asks.
"Do I look like a light bulb!?" Meowth scowls back.
"Who cares?" Scared of the electrical equipment breaking apart. Jessie cowers next to a seat. "I wasn't prepared for trouble."
"Maybe not, but I am!" Having seen through the disguises, Citrata grabs Axew's Poké Ball. "You're Team Rocket!"
Identified, the Team Rocket trio tosses away their stage-show costumes. But before they can summon their Pokémon, a bizarre creature leaps down from the upper part of the tower. It is shaped like a block, with a smaller block for a head, and its white body is covered in unsettling tan, black, and purple markings.
Crash! The impact from the creature's immense weight shatters objects all around it. Most of the lights crack apart, spraying glass in every direction.
"Ahhhh!" Selphy narrowly avoids being hit by a large shard of glass.
"Come on, Pokédex." Citrata attempts to look up the mystery Pokémon. "Tell us what this beast is!"
"No data." Our heroine's Pokédex fares slightly better, but is still unhelpful.
"Missss!" The creature glows, suggesting it's charging up an attack.
"Regina sees what you're doing!" Regina calls a Pokémon from its Poké Ball. "The knights lent me Corsola for this show! Use Protect to shield yourself!"
Expecting a powerful incoming strike, Corsola envelopes its body inside a force-field.
"Ingno!" The creature launches itself through the air, directly at its target, colliding into Corsola's protective barrier. In spite of its mass, it has learned to utilize basic flying-type moves. "No!"
"Miss...ingno?" Citrata watches the Pokémon recoil from its unsuccessful move. "How did it perform an attack like that!?"
"I don't know." Nessa is surprised by Missingno's reckless tactics. "But I'm sure the move was Sky Attack!"
"Axew, let's take it down while it's disoriented!" Citrata at last summons her Pokémon. "Start strong with a bite!"
Axews lunges at Missingno, clamping its jaws on the creature's head.
"This twerpette might be a smarter trainer than I expected." James laughs, relieved he's not the victim this time. "My Pokémon constantly nibble on my poor noggin!"
"Help Cici out!" Bianca commands her partner. "We'll try Leaf Blade again!"
Snivy rushes behind Missingno, followed up by a slashing swipe of its tail. Seizing the opening, our heroine swiftly hurls a Poké Ball from her bag.
"What are you doing, Cici!?" Emma is awestruck how outlandish a Pokémon that Missingno really is.
"Just watch." Citrata smirks, almost displaying the confidence Regina has tried to teach her. "If it's a Pokémon, we can show it to a professor."
The alert observers stand by, waiting for the Poké Ball to take effect. It's not going well. Missingno continues to shake uncontrollably.
"Stay back!" Heather seems to sense the capture is about to fail.
Missingno roars as it bursts out of the ball! Using Sky Attack again, it springs upward, disappearing where it broke into the tower.
"It's too fast!" Accepting she's unlikely to catch Missingno any time soon, Citrata returns Axew to its own ball.
"Not to worry, I snapped a bunch of great pics!" Alexa emerges from the row of people impressed by our heroine's courage against a most unimaginable foe.
"Alexa?" Citrata greets her friend. "I didn't notice you were here."
Alexa describes how she chased Missingno through town, until it leapt too high up the tower to follow.
"Professor Sycamore's lab is nearby." Alexa shows Citrata and company the pictures stored on her camera. "We should ask him about this strange Pokémon."
"Thanks." Citrata says. "We'll meet you there."
Her showcase efforts ruined, Citrata reverts to her casual clothes, joining Emma and Hilda outside the tower. The trio finds Catherine standing around, looking like she wants a Pokémon battle.
"Hold it." Catherine raises a palm in front of her. "I believe we have unfinished business."
"You're on, sister." Crossing her arms, Citrata reaches for Chespin's Poké Ball. "Meet my first Pokémon, Chespin!"
In response, Catherine sends out a Pikachu. It is one of several variations of the species; the tip of its tail is heart-shaped, with a small patch of black. This variety has become known as "Cosplay Pikachu" for its tendency to enjoy performing in costume more than usual.
Other rarer Pikachu forms may have differently colored eyes, a tuft of forehead hair, or the like.
"We'll disrupt their rhythm with Fake Out!" Catherine opts for a speedy attack that interrupts the foe's first move, though it only works properly the moment its user enters battle.
Pikachu dashes forward, landing a hit by evading Chespin's Vine Whip.
"What was that!?" Citrata continues having difficulties with her Pokémon not following orders. "I didn't yet give instructions!"
"Too bad." Catherine taunts. "Nuzzle will slow you down even further!"
Electricity surrounds Pikachu as it unsuccessfully tries to rub the voltage onto Chespin.
"How cute, but the close range was a mistake!" Citrata makes a motion like she's tossing seeds around. "Have a sprinkle of Leech Seed!"
Chespin emits tiny pellets that sprout energy-draining shrubs around the battle area.
"Pika!" Gradually losing vitality, Pikachu lets out a whine.
"Nice going." Catherine sarcastically states. "We're not down yet, counter it with Thunder Shock!"
A moderate-strength electric burst strikes Chespin, inflicting the paralysis status effect. Paralyzed Pokémon suffer from reduced speed, and their attacks become more likely to fail.
"Pin, piin!" Upset by the damage it has sustained, Chespin's body momentarily flashes with some sort of energy.
"Is everything okay, buddy?" Emma's eyes widen.
Our heroine has the Pokédex scan her partner's status. It's the special ability Overgrow, which boosts grass moves used at low health.
"One final strike, Iron Tail!" Catherine boldly commands.
"We'll see about that!" The adrenaline somehow perks up Citrata too. "Bullet Seed on my cue!"
Right at the moment Pikachu's tail stiffens to deliver a powerful swipe, Chespin sprays a rapid barrage of seeds at it. Dizzied by the interruption, Pikachu spins around and smacks itself with its own tail! The exciting fight is over!
"Pikachu is unable to battle, Chespin is the winner!" Hilda imitates how a referee would affirm our heroine's victory.
Satisfied it was a fair contest, Catherine and our heroine bow to each other in the traditional boxing manner.
"Pikachu, return!" Catherine retrieves the defeated Pokémon.
"I feel…" Citrata takes a second to breathe, then performs her celebration gesture. "Yeah!"
"Is this where you decide to storm GR Island on a quest of vengeance?" Catherine says, somewhat in jest.
Citrata gently laughs, signaling her acceptance that she isn't adept enough at the card game to join Team GR, let alone defeat them.
Even though the battle wasn't in the form of a TCG match, Catherine gives our heroine a Magnemite coin as proof of the victory.
"If we meet again, better hope I don't catch you stealing any cards." Citrata places the coin inside a storage case for TCG medals and other tokens of achievement.
Although our heroine may not be any nearer to showcase stardom, she has earned something more valuable, respect. Both from her Pokémon, and a Team GR member alike.
Exploring the city has also left many questions on Citrata's mind. What is Missingno and where did it come from? Is there any connection to the Quagsire Bureau, or the Wooper they're after?
In the next chapter, the trail of clues begins at Professor Sycamore's lab...