Chapter 3:
When You've Wished Upon A Star
Location: Postwick
I got up. Well, okay that's a lie. To be VERY honest, I was up since 4am like a kid on Christmas because I was so excited. Today, VERY POTENTIALLY, I would be getting my Galar Gym challenge endorsement! And Hop to!
"Gloria," Mum said. "Please will you calm down. They won't endorse you if you're hyperactive."
"Don't worry!" I said. "Besides, me and Scorbunny will take on the League together!" I threw my Pokéball and sent out Scorbunny.
"Great job," Mum said. "Now, what if you were to battle… what was her name? Natalie? Nora?"
"Nessa," I corrected. "Yeah… good point. Scorbunny, if we come across a Water Type, that could spell trouble. So… we need more Pokémon!"
"That's the spirit!" Mum said. "Now, you go and make the Galar region chuffing proud!"
"Got it!" I said as I headed out the door.
"Wait!" Mum shouted. "You haven't had your breakfast!"
Oops. Can't beat Leon on an empty stomach!
Location: Route 1
Well, this wasn't helpful. The plan was to meet Leon in Wedgehurst so he can lead us down Route 2 to see Professor Magnolia. But there were lots of Wooloo blocking the road without the tall grass.
No matter anyway; I had Scorbunny now! "Let's do it!" I said. So, I went into the tall grass. "I wonder what I will find first…"
And sure enough, I had an encounter! This was a Caterpie, a squirmy Bug Type Pokémon.
Caterpie (キャタピー)
#013
Bug Type
Worm Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
6.4 lbs (2.9 kg)
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
"Scorbunny, go!" I shouted. Out came my partner. "Okay, this is a Bug Type! It'll easily go down! Use Ember!" Scorbunny kicked a flame at Caterpie. It hit Caterpie, knocking it out at once.
Nice and easy! But I knew for a fact that's not what a lot of battles in Galar were going to be like.
"Let's try and find something a bit harder," I told Scorbunny. Scorbunny nodded; it was up for a challenge.
Just then, I spotted something new and a bit harder! It was red and fluffy with black spots on the end of its tail, ears and feet as well as around its eyes.
Nickit (クスネ)
#029
Dark Type
Fox Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
19.6 lbs (8.6 kg)
Aided by the soft pads on its feet, it silently raids the food stores of other Pokémon. It survives off its ill-gotten gains.
Nickit started off by dashing into Scorbunny. "That's Quick Attack! Okay Scorbunny, use Ember!" Scorbunny kicked a flame at Nickit. It was a direct hit that also burned it! "Nice shot Scorbunny! Now use Tackle!" Scorbunny charged into Nickit, knocking it out.
"Nice work!" I said, allowing Scorbunny to somersault onto my shoulder. "Okay, how about we get you to a Pokémon Center?"
Location: Wedgehurst
Back in jolly old Wedgehurst! Now whilst Scorbunny hadn't took a horrible battering, I decided it was a good idea to heal it up.
The Pokémon Center had a red roof and some of those hanging baskets of flowers which are a chore to upkeep. Trust me, Mum has tried every year to grow them, and the blooming things keep dying. We just gave up this year; too much work.
Location: Wedgehurst Pokémon Center
I walked into the Pokémon Center to see Nurse Joy waiting for us happily at the counter.
Pokémon Center's in the Galar region are quite vast. They even have their own Staryu's Coffee Shop (owned by, of course, Macro Cosmos Beverages), Pokémarts and then of course the actual healing. I went over and gave Scorbunny's Pokéball to Nurse Joy.
"Welcome!" she said, healing Scorbunny. "We hope to see you again! Oh, and I had a message from Leon's brother. He said he's waiting for you at the start of Route 2."
"Thanks!" I said.
Location: Route 2
I ran east of Wedgehurst to find Route 2. There was a large road leading down to Professor Magnolia's Laboratory next to a huge lake called Lake Pokémere. The air was fresh, and the trees danced subtlety in the Galarian breeze.
"There you are!" Hop said, running over. "Come on, Lee is waiting for us!"
We saw Leon waiting just in front of some tall grass. "Hello Trainers!" Leon said. "Today I'm going to teach you how to catch a-"
"We know that," I said with Hop. Weaken a Pokémon, throw a Pokéball and potentially catch it. Things haven't changed much in two decades you know.
"Oh, go it!" Leon said. "In that case, here you go!" Leon gave us some Pokéballs. "Since you are so confident which isn't a bad thing. Good luck to both of you!"
"Last one to reach Magnolia's is a Bad Egg!" Hop said, running off.
"It's fine," Leon told me. "Take it at your own pace. That's what I did, and I became Champion." He looked out over the route. "As a kid, I remember seeing Red and his Charizard on television and I wanted to be just like him so-"
"Yeah yeah," I said. "I've read your autobiography. Twice. I'm off to make some new friends!"
I ran down the path, excited to think about what Pokémon I will find next. The Galar region is home to so many species of Pokémon and I was going to see each and every one of them!
And the next one I saw? It was a feathery blue, yellow and black Pokémon with a sharp beak. It gave off a tweeting sound.
Rookidee (ココガラ)
#021
Flying Type
Tiny Bird Pokémon
0'08" (0.2 m)
4 lbs (1.8 kg)
It will bravely challenge any opponent, no matter how powerful. This Pokémon benefits from every battle-even a defeat increases its strength a bit.
"What do you say Scorbunny? Shall we give this a go? Use Ember!" Scorbunny kicked a flame at Rookidee. It was a direct hit. Rookidee then used Peck on Scorbunny. "A Flying Type will do wonders! Okay Pokéball, go!" I threw a Pokéball at Rookidee and it went inside.
I watched in awe as the Pokéball wobbled to and fro… before clicking shut!
"My first catch!" I shouted, holding up the Pokéball. I took out a Potion and healed Rookidee. "Not bad at all. Now let's try it in battle."
I ran over to a patch of small grass and paced around for a bit. Sure enough, something appeared. It looked like an acorn with legs and two-round eyes.
Seedot (タネボー)
#039
Grass Type
Acorn Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
8.8 lbs (4 kg)
It if remains still, it looks just like a real nut. It delights in surprising foraging Pokémon.
"Rookidee, go!" I shouted. "Let's start with Leer!" Rookidee stared at Seedot, lowering its Defense. Seedot then used Absorb. It did very little. "Now Peck it!" Rookidee pecked at Seedot, doing lots to it. Seedot then used Tackle, ramming its body into Rookidee. "And now, another Peck!" Rookidee pecked at Seedot once more, knocking it out.
Great stuff! Two Pokémon on my team and both of them had shown their strength!
With that though, it was time for my next challenge; I wanted to battle a Trainer. Spotting a Youngster in his Primary School clothes, I walked in front of him.
"Oh boy, my first battle!"
Gloria Vs. Youngster Jake
"Okay Skwovet, go!" Jake yelled, sending out his regional rodent.
"And I'm using Scorbunny!" I replied. "Use Ember!" Scorbunny kicked a flame at Skwovet, doing half damage to it.
"Tackle!" Skwovet came back by ramming its body into Scorbunny.
"And finishing with another Ember!" One last flame and Skwovet was toast.
"My first battle! A loss!"
Following that, I decided it was time to maybe catch another Pokémon. So, I ran over to the tall grass to have a rummage about. Sure enough, something jumped out. It was blue with a yellow mouth and a lilypad on its back.
Lotad (ハスボー)
#036
Water/Grass Type
Water Weed Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
5.7 lbs (2.6 kg)
Its leaf grew too large for it to live on land. That is how it began to live floating in the water.
"Okay Rookidee, go!" I shouted. "Use Peck!" Rookidee stabbed Lotad with its beak, almost finishing it. Lotad then spat water at Rookidee. "That's Water Gun! Yeah, Lotad! You're mine!" I threw a Pokéball and Lotad went in. "Come on, come on…" I said…
Lotad stayed put!
Pokémon #3 was mine! Things were going great! So, what I did was heal up Lotad for my next battle. And who would that be against? Another Trainer that's what! This one was a Lass wearing Secondary School uniform.
"OMG, sure I'll have a battle!"
Gloria Vs. Lass Lauren
"Chewtle, come on out you cutie!" My opponent was a blue Pokémon with a large head and a small blue shell. It had orange cheeks and an orange spike on its head.
Chewtle (カムカメ)
#042
Water Type
Snapping Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
18.7 lbs (8.5 kg)
Apparently the itch of its teething impels it to snap its jaws at anything in front of it.
"Perfect! A Water Type! Lotad, let's make your battling debut!" Lotad was sent out for the first time.
"Chewtle, Tackle!" Chewtle charged into Lotad who went flying back.
"Come back with Absorb!" Lotad sapped some of Chewtle's energy. Quite a bit actually.
"Now Chewtle, use Bite!" Chewtle then bit down on Lotad, almost knocking it out.
"Finish with Absorb!" Lotad sapped the last of Chewtle's HP away.
"OMG, I lost!"
Following that, I finally crossed the bridge over to the Magnolia Laboratory. It was essentially a small mansion with a battlefield outside. It had a garage, and plants were growing up it. It was clear that the house wasn't cleaned often, but Professor Magnolia is 84 years old, so that's not surprising.
I went over to the house and knocked on the door. "Hello?" I asked. "Is Professor Magnolia in?"
However, it wasn't Professor Magnolia who opened the door. Instead, it was a woman wearing a brown coat with a green top underneath. Her hair was orange with heart accessories in it and she had black glasses resting on them.
"Oh, hello!" she said.
"Is the Professor in?" I asked. "I promised Leon and my best mate that I would meet them here."
"Now listen here!" she said. "Leon is not your best mate! I'm his best mate!"
"I didn't say that at all!" I responded. "Leon, and my best mate! Hop! His younger brother! He's my best friend!"
The woman looked at me a bit embarrassed. "Ohh… I'm so sorry. Well, do come on it. My name is Sonia, Professor Magnolia's Granddaughter and her assistant researcher."
Location: Magnolia House
"Just take your shoes off," Sonia said as I slipped out of my trainers. She took me into the living room where a yellow Pokémon was waiting. It was on four legs and was VERY cute.
Yamper (ワンパチ)
#046
Electric Type
Puppy Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
29.8 lbs (13.5 kg)
This gluttonous Pokémon only assists people with their work because it wants treats. As it runs, it crackles with electricity.
Yamper got up and started yapping happily.
"Want to pet it?" asked Sonia.
"Sure!" I said, as I stroked Yamper's fur. Bits of hair went up on end as I did this.
"So, our guest is here." With her walking stick, glasses and labcoat was the one and only Professor Magnolia. "You must be that impatient friend that Hop told me about."
"I am not impatient!" I said.
"Now hold on," she replied. "Who's the one who rushed into Slumbering Weald without thinking?"
"I did!" I said. Then, I looked back and thought about it. "Well, for the most part."
The Professor smiled. "Your friends are waiting in the kitchen. Come on, I've made you a cup of tea each."
I saw Leon and Hop drinking some tea on a table.
"Hello!" Leon said. "Now, I believe that we need to have a discussion about… endorsements."
"Really?!" I said. "Okay then, give it to me!"
"Hold on!" Hop said. "Leon would like to see us have another battle first. We are stronger after all."
"Well?" I said. "What are we waiting for? Let's… actually let's have our tea first."
We heard clapping. It was the Professor. "My my, you are a quick learner. I know life is short. At my age, I know how that feels. But it's good to slow down and appreciate the short time we have on this planet."
Well, she didn't need to go that existential, but I got where she was coming from. I sat down and drank my tea and shortbread provided. "So," I said. "How is Dynamax Research going on?"
"Very well!" Sonia said. "And Professor Magnolia will certainly be making notes at the League this year! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask her!"
Leon leaned over to me and whispered (through light chuckles), "Ask her if it's similar to Mega Evolution."
I could see Hop holding in his laughter to. "I do have one question. Is Dynamaxing similar to Mega Evolution?"
"IT IS NOTHING LIKE THAT KALOSIAN RUBBISH!" she shouted. Leon and Hop went into hysterics.
"I always love that reaction," Hop said through tears. I just sat there awkwardly.
"No, Dynamaxing requires Energy Spots dotted around Galar and Galar only. In the right place, that's when Dynamaxing can commence. It is nothing like Mega Evolution."
"What about Z-Moves?" I asked.
"IT'S NOT THAT EITHER!"
Leon and Hop continued to lose it, though I didn't find it as funny. "I'm glad you two babyish imbeciles find this funny!" I said. "I'm frightened!"
"There is nothing to be scared about!" Sonia said. "Grandma Magnolia is very nice."
Following that, I drank my tea. "Okay, I'm finished! Hop, let's do this!"
Location: Route 2
The five of us (well, Yamper to) all went outside to the battlefield.
"The battle between Gloria and Hop will now commence!" Leon said.
"Oh yeah!" Hop replied. "Let's do this! For Galar!"
Gloria Vs. Hop
"Okay Wooloo, go!" Hop shouted.
"And I'm using Scorbunny!" I replied. I remembered Wooloo's Fluffy Ability, which means the user takes half damage from moves except Fire Type attacks which do 2x damage. "Ember!" Scorbunny shot fire at Wooloo.
"Tackle!" Wooloo rolled into Scorbunny.
"Ember once more!" This time though, Ember missed!
"And now Tackle!" Wooloo charged into Scorbunny once more.
"Finish it!" Scorbunny finished Wooloo with one last flame.
"No!" Hop shouted. "Great job Wooloo. Okay Rookidee, go!" Out came a Flying Type of his own.
"Hey, you have a Rookidee to?" I asked. "Nice! Okay Scorbunny, Quick Attack!" Scorbunny darted into Rookidee.
"Use Peck!" Rookidee pecked at Scorbunny. Critical Hit! Scorbunny was down.
"Thanks," I told my partner. "Okay Lotad, go!" I was aware of the Type advantage, but if Rookidee went down, I couldn't do much against Grookey.
"Use Peck again!" Rookidee pecked at Lotad for Super Effective damage.
"Now use Water Gun!" Lotad sprayed water at Rookidee. It was a Critical Hit!
"Finish with Peck!" Rookidee attacked on last time, and Lotad was done.
"Uh oh," I said. "Okay Rookidee, go!" Out came my own Rookidee. "Use Peck!" Rookidee pecked at Hop's Rookidee, knocking it out.
"Blimey, you're strong! Okay, last Pokémon! Go Grookey!" Oh yeah, I had the Type advantage.
"Peck!" Rookidee lunged forward but missed!
"Now Grookey, use Scratch!" Grookey scratched at Rookidee, quite harshly to.
"Now use Peck again!" Rookidee came down, but another miss!
"Scratch it!" Grookey swiped at Rookidee once again.
"And again!" Rookidee used Peck again, this time nailing it!
"And now use Branch Poke!" Grookey took the stick from its head and jabbed Rookidee with it. Whilst not effective, Rookidee had too lower health to survive it. I had lost.
"Well, I'm gobsmacked," I told Hop. "You actually beat me!"
Hop, a bit embarrassed, gave his usual cheeky grin. "Yeah, I guess I did. And this will not be my last victory! Lee, I'm going to work my way through the League! Your days as Champion are numbered!"
"Are they now?" Leon replied.
Just then, Yamper started barking at the sky. "What's wrong?" Sonia asked.
"It probably just wants another treat," said the Professor.
"No," I said. "I think it's looking at that thing!"
Something red was coming down! "Look out!" Leon said as we all jumped out the way. It landed with… a thud. Not an explosion. Not a bang. Just… a thud.
"Good Arceus," Sonia said. "Could that be?"
Leon got a closer look. "It is!" he shouted. "It's a Wishing Star!"
"Shut the front door!" I shouted. "These contain the energy needed to Dynamax in the correct spots! They are usually supplied are they not?"
"Yeah!" Hop said.
"It must be fate that they landed right after our battle," Professor Magnolia said. "Leon?"
Leon nodded and, from his robe, got out some tickets. "Now Gloria. Let's do you first. Please do as I say."
I couldn't believe it. It was happening.
"Repeat after me. I, state your full name."
"I, state your, wait no. Sorry. Excited. I, Gloria Sophie Smith…"
"Will be endorsed."
"Will be endorsed."
"In the League Challenge."
"In the League Challenge."
Leon handed me the envelope. "Congratulations."
I shook his hand and cried. "I can't believe it!" I shouted. "I'm taking on the Galar gyms!"
"And now for you. Repeat after me."
I got excited for Hop. "Go get em buddy!"
"I, Hop Spencer Stewart."
"I, Hop Spencer Stewart."
"Will be endorsed."
"Will be endorsed."
"In the League Challenge."
"In the League Challenge."
He was handed an envelope to. "You did it bro."
"Thanks Lee!" Hop said, hugging Leon.
"Well?" Leon asked. "You joining?"
Of course I did. I cried. "We did it! We've been endorsed!"
"And so, you have," Professor Magnolia said. "Leon, if you may hand me the Whishing Stars, I will prepare these for the two of you tomorrow into Dynamax Bands."
"Thanks!" I said. "So… what now?"
"First thing we need to do is tell our parents!" Hop said.
"And tomorrow you will grab the bands from my Laboratory in Wedgehurst," the Professor said. "After that, you will head to Motostoke. The opening ceremony starts in five days, and all challengers are to be there."
"And Motostoke's entrance is in the Wild Area," Leon told us.
"The Wild Area National Park!" Hop replied. "Gloria, the Wild Area is amazing! Lots of lakes and environments along with many strong Pokémon to find! I can't wait!"
"One step at a time," I replied. "Let's head home first. We need our rest."
Location: Postwick
"YOU DIDN'T!" Mum replied. "An endorsement?"
"Yeah," I said. "I'm still trying to process it to."
"Wow!" Mum said in tears. "I can't believe it! My baby, taking on the League! I'm going to see you on TV!" She almost suffocated me with a hug. "I'm guessing that means you are going away tomorrow?"
"Yeah," I replied.
"Well," she said. "If you ever feel lonely, don't hesitate to give me a bell. But also remember, you will be making new friends to. And Hop will be there as well." She loosened her grip. "Now you go and get em! Do not let me down at all!"
"I won't," I said.