Pokémon from Galar

Mary, Yuri, and the others entered the Mech Arena together and received their respective arena uniforms.

The long-sleeved shirt and shorts are paired with a white base and red and blue accents. The selected numbers are printed on the back and the legs of the shorts.

Mary went to the locker room and changed into her own competition outfit, which she would wear for a whole year. Hopefully, the quality would be reliable.

The arena has a preparation room for challengers, which is now being used as a temporary rest room. There is a large screen in the room, broadcasting the opening ceremony that is taking place outside.

The number of participants in the Gym Challenge varies from year to year and is not fixed. However, since some time ago, many trainers who are qualified to send invitations have started to send invitations to new trainers.

I don't expect them to win the championship, but the gym challenge can train those newcomers. The battle guidance from experienced trainers with different personalities is a rare opportunity for them.

Therefore, gym challengers are generally divided into two categories: one is rookie trainers who come here to grow and hone their skills, and the other is seasoned veteran trainers whose goal is the real championship.

Of course, in reality, only a handful of people can break through the gym challenge each year. Gym leaders take good care of newcomers, but they have no intention of showing mercy to veteran trainers.

However, with the gentle Grass-type Gym Leader, Yarrow, there won't be too many players who can't even break through a single Gym.

Of course, it's quite rare to see super rookies like Yuri and Hop, who just became trainers a few days ago and are already planning to battle the Gym Leader. You can only say that a champion is a champion; even their invitations are so unique.

After briefly surveying the challengers, Mary sat in an inconspicuous corner, leaned back in her chair, and looked up to watch the speech by League President Loz.

If his memory serves him correctly, a few months from now, he will awaken Eterna, triggering another Dark Night, and simultaneously solving the problem of Galar's energy depletion after three thousand years.

"what……"

Marie sighed. According to Galar's historical records, three thousand years ago, Eternatus caused the Dark Night, creating Dynamax and Wishing Star. This energy, a combination of Galar's energy and Eternatus's own power, was...

This use... lasted for three thousand years, and it can continue for another three thousand years.

Even though Eternatus was unconsciously absorbing Galar's energy while asleep, generating Dynamax energy that spread outwards... it still made Marie sigh with emotion.

Is this kind of enemy really something that humans and ordinary Pokémon can defeat?

A single Pokémon can provide energy for the entire Galar region for six thousand years.

If Groudon, who created the land, and Kyogre, who created the ocean, are still just legends to Mario, Rayquaza is rarely seen in the sky; and Necrozma is also barely mentioned in Alola, like a vague and ethereal phantom.

But the energy crystal of Wujitana... is currently being worn on his wrist.

Reaching out to touch the Dynamax Grip that had been with her for a whole year, the realistic feel of it left Marie somewhat bewildered. And Yuri's somewhat silly appearance made it impossible for Marie to bring herself to leave all those enemies to her to deal with…

Just as Mary was lost in thought, a warm hand suddenly grasped her palm.

"what happened?"

The gentle voice instantly snapped Mary back to reality. She turned to look at Yuri, who was watching her with concern.

"Are you nervous? Do you want to lie down and rest for a while?"

"call……"

Mary glanced around. Her slightly out-of-control reaction had probably attracted the attention of some people, including Peter with his blond curly hair.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little nervous. I don't really like being in front of people."

Mary waved her hand to indicate that she was fine, and gave Yuri a slight smile, which reassured her.

"Really……"

Yuri was a little confused, but she swallowed her questions. However, she just wouldn't let go of Mari's hand...

Turning our attention back to the screen, President Loz's speech was nearing its end.

This middle-aged man, dressed in a suit and tie, with a small mustache and a bit of a beer belly, waved his hand and invited out ten dojo masters.

"Huh??"

Mary looked at the images playing on the television with a terrified expression.

"W-wh-what happened?!"

Yuri was also startled by Mary's reaction, and anxiously asked while tightly holding Mary's hand.

"...Brother, my brother actually made an appearance?!"

"ah……??"

Yuri, thinking it was something terrible, was momentarily stunned by Mary's words.

"It's that one who's dressed in flashy clothes and looks the least motivated."

"I know, I know, I've seen him before... But it really is the gym leader. I've never seen him at the opening ceremony before, I didn't even know."

"Yes, my brother usually misses the opening ceremony, so I was surprised that he actually made it this year."

"Hehehe~ You must have come out especially to cheer me on, Mary-chan!"

"...No, I don't think so."

Mary looked at her older brother standing in the corner in the camera's view, thought for a moment, and decided not to voice her guess. After all, there were still quite a few contestants here, so she should save face for her brother.

"Well, it's almost time for us to make our appearance."

After standing up and waiting for the gym leader to finish his introduction, it was the turn of this year's challengers to enter.

Standing in the corridor leading into the arena, Mary looked at the gym leaders in the center of the arena, and then at Yuri beside her.

"Oh no... what should I do? I'm starting to get nervous!"

Yuri nervously fiddled with her bangs, her voice trembling.

"...Calm down. You'll just go in and show your face today. You won't even have to say a word. There's nothing to worry about."

"I can't wait! Mary, and Yuri, let's have a match after the opening ceremony!"

Hopp's emotions were fully stirred by the atmosphere of the venue; at least in terms of adaptability to the competition, Hopp did a better job than Yuri.

Mary glanced at her hand, which was still being held free, but didn't say anything. She simply nodded in Hep's direction.

"Sure, let's do a 1v1, since you'll be fighting Yuri too."

"Then it's settled!"

Hep pumped his fist excitedly.

After listening to the host outside finish introducing Chibana, Mari released her hand, which she had somehow managed to grip again, then patted Yuri on the back encouragingly.

"Let's go, it's our turn to perform."

"Um!

P.S.: I feel like I've written over twenty chapters just for the prologue to a gym challenge lol.

However, I still haven't figured out where to find the baby tits.

Speaking of the last one, what do you guys think of Litwick? Or maybe a Shiny Gyarados would be good too. I don't even know how to write the training for Magikarp. Am I supposed to train it with Hydro Pump...?

Chapter Twenty-Three: Silk-chan's First Battle, vs. Chizuru (Part 1)

The opening ceremony didn't really involve the athletes. Mary and others made a brief appearance at the venue, stood for a while, and then stepped down.

After changing back into his own clothes in the changing room, he left the arena. The arena in Motostoke City is a Fire-type gym, and according to the rules of gym challenges, it is the third gym to be challenged. The current challengers are not qualified yet.

"I'm finally making my debut in the Pokémon Stadium! I don't know what to say, I'm so excited and nervous! My whole body is shaking! Let's battle!"

As soon as he stepped out of the gym, Hop couldn't wait to say those words.

"Hi, you must be the trainers favored by the champion. Nice to meet you, my name is Rose, welcome."

After the opening ceremony, Chairman Rose and Dante came out together and then approached the three of them.

Mary glanced at Dante with some confusion, because it seemed that President Rose's words had included her as well.

If it were Yuri and Hop who had champion recommendation letters, that would be one thing. Recommendation letters from gym leaders are quite common among challengers, and Marie didn't think anything would attract the attention of the league chairman.

Either Dante said something extra, or it was just some polite talk from Chairman Rose. Of course, Marie was more inclined to believe the latter.

"Hello, President."

Mary reacted the fastest, while the other two only realized they should greet her after hearing her voice.

Seeing the children's panicked reaction, President Rose gave Mary a second look, then smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"It's alright, it's alright, just relax. You guys are so young and you've already obtained Max Bands, it seems like this gym challenge is going to be quite interesting."

It didn't take long. After exchanging a few words with the president, he left first to handle the next tasks.

"The chairman seems to be in a good mood."

Standing to the side, watching President Rose's departing figure, Leon muttered to himself, then looked at Yuri and Hop, crossing his arms and reminding them:

"Listen up, Yuri and Hop, you two are still newcomers. If you want to win, it's not enough to just train your Pokémon. You also need to improve your own strength."

"Uh-huh!"

An idol's sermons aren't sermons; they're golden words of wisdom. At least Yuri and Hop nodded in complete agreement, indicating that they had taken it to heart.

After giving his instructions, Dan Di left, and the atmosphere at the scene immediately relaxed.

"Let's go to the battle arena at the Pokémon Center next to Route 3; it'll be more convenient."

Mary pointed in the direction of Grass Road Town and made this suggestion to the impatient Hop.

"Then let's hurry over there!"

Hep rushed out first, I don't know what she was planning to do in such a hurry... her opponents were still halfway there.

……

The battle arena at the Pokémon Center isn't very big, so even strong Pokémon can't battle here. However, it's big enough for weaker Pokémon, such as those that haven't evolved yet.

So, in the center of the battlefield, Mary patted Sis's little head and said to Hop in front of her:

"Then I'll have to trouble Yuri to be the referee. One-on-one, is that alright?"

"no problem!"

"Ok!"

Watching Hop turn and walk towards where the trainers were standing, Marie crouched down, put Ralts down, looked down at her, and smiled, saying:

"Sis-chan, good luck in your first match!"

"Ralu! (I understand!)"

Sis knew that this was a battle that Mary had prepared for her, so she readily agreed, full of enthusiasm.

"Don't panic during the battle. If you feel that my instructions are wrong, you can follow your own ideas. In short, you must not let your own actions stop."