Chapter Text
The Galar Region- 25 Years Ago
The stadium shook as the two Gigantamax Pokémon clashed with each other as the crowd cheered. The two’s trainers, both young boys that looked similar, yelled commands at the two, watching as they collided. “Use G-Max Rapid Flow!” One of the boys ordered his Rapid Strike Urshifu. “G-Max One Blow.” The other boy countered, his Single Strike Urshifu ready to fight. The two attacks hit the intended targets, but the Rapid Strike Urshifu didn’t seem to be as hurt as the Single Strike Urshifu. “Now end it with Max Fist.” The Rapid Strike Urshifu’s trainer commanded, his Pokémon managing to knock out the opposing Pokémon. “AND THE WINNER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT IS REX, WHO JUST TRIUMPHED OVER HIS BROTHER AND RIVAL CALY!!!” The stadium announcer screamed, excited after the intense battle that followed. Caly, the losing trainer, returned his Single Strike Urshifu with a look of frustration on his face clear as his defeat. “Thank you for the awesome battle, Caly.” Rex said, offering his hand to his twin. Caly ignored it and walked away; his anger toward his brother blocking any rational thoughts. “PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEW CHAMPION, REX!!!” The announcer announced, the crowd cheering for their new Champion. Rex smiled at the crowd, taking in his moment of glory with much joy.
Twenty-Five Years Later…
A boy of about 14 years of age with brown hair watched the battle, his grey eyes glued to the screen as he watched the inauguration battle of the 25-year champion Rex. Since then, the Galar region changed up the Gym challenge, where only children over 14 could participate rather than 11, due to the Champion’s new safety protocols which protected younger trainers from the harsher side of Pokémon training. The endorsement system was still required however, as the Champion wanted to make sure that all trainers were recognized for their prowess rather than getting in without having received training. This year was special as only twelve trainers were allowed into the gym challenge, with only one endorsement coming from the twelve most respectable trainers or people in the Galar Region. The eight Gym leaders, the Pokémon League Chairman, the Master Dojo owner, the Regional Professor, and the Champion himself made up this group, and this boy was selected by the Pokémon League Chairman Caly himself, and received two other Pokémon from him. “Blade, you need to start heading out, the Motostoke Opening Ceremony is in a week, and I want you to at least be in Motostoke two days before the event.” Blade’s mum, Zara, called to him from the kitchen. Blade shook himself and went over to his mom, tucking away his Rotom Phone and helping her ready his things. “Alright Blade, now it’s time for you to go and discover yourself on the journey of a lifetime, also, be sure to have fun!” Zara told her son, giving him a large smile. “I will Mum, besides, I have Commander and Sobble to help me out.” Blade said, his Pawniard and Sobble respectively crying in affirmation. “Alright, now head out there and make me proud.” Zara said, hugging Blade tightly. “I’ll call when I make in to Motostoke Mom!” Blade said, walking out into the early morning, heading from Postwick to Route 1.
In the far north of Galar, the city home to the amazing Wyndon stadium and the strongest champion in over 300 years, a young red-headed girl awoke to her alarm going off. “Beeeh.” A Wooloo cried next to the girl, trying to wake her up.” “Five more minutes Dubby.” The girl said, trying to shake the persistent Wooloo. “Beeeh.” Dubby cried out, ramming into the girl’s bed. “OOF!” The girl cried out, falling on the floor as her blue eyes opened in suprise. “Dubby!” “Beeh.” The Wooloo replied, jumping slightly. “Oh, right! It’s almost time for us to head out to Wedgehurst and grab a Pokédex.” The girl said, jumping up and quickly getting ready. “Cynder, come and get breakfast before you take the flying taxi!” Her mother called out, having made pancakes for the explorer. “Alright Mum, be there in a second.” Cynder replied, walking down with Dubby right behind. Cynder was surprised to see her mother and father both in the kitchen, the man the world knew as the Galarian Champion stopping by to greet his daughter. “DAD!” Cnder said, giving a strong hug to her father. “Hey there champ, nice to see you again.” Rex said, the man of 36 happy to see his daughter after a few months away from home. After Cynder finished hugging her father, she jumped excitedly. “Which Trainer are you going to endorse this year? I already saw the other trainers, and Mum’s trainer is rumored to be super strong.” Cynder exclaimed, excited to learn about her father’s choice. “Well champ, that trainer is none other than my own daughter.” Rex said, flashing his signature smile at Cynder. His daughter’s reaction was priceless, her mouth agape and eyes sparkling, she was simply stunned at her dad’s statement. “What, me?” Cynder said incredulously, not sure if her dad was joking or not. “Of course, Cynder, you’re about to go to Wedgehurst, so I don’t see why you shouldn’t take the Gym Challenge on the way back home.” Rex said, his wife nodding with him. Cynder took a second, her mind catching up to her father’s words. “THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKOU!!” she exclaimed, scaring her parents and Wooloo. “Beeeh?!?” Dubby cried, catching Cynder’s attention. “Sorry Dubby, but I can’t wait to head out there and challenge them, and I’ll be the one endorsed by the champion too. Thank you, Dad!” Cynder said, hugging her father again. Rex smiled, holding his daughter tight. “Alright, now head to Wedgehurst and then after you pick up the Pokédex call us.” Cynder’s mother said, a stern look on her face. “I will, bye mum, bye dad.” Cynder called, quickly running to the Taxi. “Are you sure, I remember you having your doubts regarding her entering the gym challenge.” Cynder’s Mum said, her husband rubbing the back of his neck. “I still do, but this is what she wants. Besides, Caly won’t come after us anymore Darla.” Rex said, sounding less than sure. Darla eyed her husband before letting it go, knowing that he had already been thinking about this. “Oh, wait, I forgot!” Rex said, quickly running to where the Corviknight Taxi was. “Cynder, take this Pokémon with you.” Rex called, throwing a Pokéball at his daughter. Cynder caught it and waved to her dad, “Good-bye, I’ll be ready to beat you soon enough!” she declared, her father chuckling at her antics. ‘I hope that she’ll be safe, maybe find a friend or two to travel with, after all, I had Caly with me.’ Rex thought, his eyes following the two-day taxi to Wedgehurst.
In the distant Isle of Armor, a student was running through his supplies, making sure everything was packed. “Okay, clothes, food, water, water bottle, Pokéballs, Pokémon, Potions, Revives, Escape Rope, endorsement, drumsticks, miniature drum set, okay, I’m all set!” He declared, his green eyes flashing as he straightened his messy black hair. “Well, the day has come young Drummer, it is now time for you to spread your wings and fight your way through the gym challenge.” The Dojo Master, Shifu, said to his endorsed trainer. “Of course, Master, and after I become champion, I will head back to the Dojo to complete my training.” Drummer said, bowing to his elder master. “Well, I hope that your idea on sound being linked to strength will lead you far, and that one day you will discover the power you seek.” Shifu said, nodding at the young boy. Drummer quickly went to the only station on the Isle of Armor, carefully avoiding the Pokémon that lurked around the Master Dojo. “Oh, before you go, I have something for you.” Shifu said, suddenly appearing next to Drummer. “AH!” Drummer exclaimed, freaked out by his master’s sudden appearance. “Here, this Pokémon was specifically picked for you.” The elder man explained, handing a Pokéball to the young Dojo student. “Thank you, and I will make sure I train it as hard as my other two Pokémon.” Drummer said, his tone sincere. “Good, now I would recommend joining up with a trainer that knows Galar, as you have not had that experience as of yet.” Shifu said, giving last words of wisdom to his strongest student. “Yes Master, I will do my best.” Drummer said, nodding as he turned to the station. ‘I do hope that he will be able to find friends, he doesn’t have any person out here except for me.’ Shifu thought, his mind then wandering to sweets. “Though I could go for some chocolate right about now.” He said aloud to no one, humming his way back to the Master Dojo.
In the frigid Crown Tundra, a small town known as Freezington was abuzz as everyone was saying their goodbyes to one of the residents leaving their town for the gym challenge. “Blast, make sure you win for us, alright?” One of the younger residents called out, gaining the attention of the red-eyed raven-haired girl. “Of course I will, I have to bring fame to this place one way or another, and I will be able to show Galar how tough the Crown Tundra is.” Blast said, earning a smile from the young girl. “Okay, I’ll watch all your matches from now on, I can’t wait to see you win!” the young girl exclaimed, bouncing up and down. Blast nodded before leaving, heading out to the station where she would leave. As she got there, the professor, who had endorsed her, called. “Hello Professor, I am on my way as you are calling me, what can I do for you?” Blast answered, her Rotom Phone popping in front of her. “Well, I need you to make sure that you’re ready for the gym challenge, the opening ceremony is in a week, and you’ll need to be ready for matches after that point. Also, make sure that you have your Rotom Phone charge and ready for the Pokédex update I’m handing out, I already have three other trainers heading to the Pokémon Lab for that purpose.” Professor Lydia said. “On my way ma’am.” Blast said, making sure she had everything she needed. “Okay then Blast, I’ll see you in a few days.” Professor Lydia said, ending the call. Blast put away her Rotom Phone and entered the train that would take her to the Galar region, thinking about the challenge and the mission of filling the Pokédex as she dozed off, her Darumaka and Snover sleeping beside her. Professor Lydia let out a sigh of relief, glad that Blast would be alright. ‘That girl was always more business than remembering things for herself, I hope that she’ll find a trainer that can help her not be as super uptight as she is, though that isn’t as much as a problem as being carefree.’ She thought, remembering a certain trainer she explored Galar with back in her gym challenge long ago.
Up in the impressive Galarian Pokémon League Headquarters, the Pokémon League Chairman Caly sat staring at the Galar region, his eyes wandering the massive city of Wydon and the snow-covered Route 10. “Sir, you have a message from your benefactor.” Caly’s assistant, a young woman with straight blond hair and auburn eyes, informed him. “Of course, make sure no one interrupts me, Helen.” Caly said, his assistant immediately going to deter anyone attempting to bother the Chairman. Caly looked around before activating the metal shutters that closed the windows on top of the Galarian Pokémon League HQ. After the shutters finished closing, Caly pressed a button on a remote and a large screen emerged from the ground, powering on as soon as it was fully out. “Operative Shadow King, I hope that your efforts are starting to produce results.” A dark voice said, the person obscured from Caly’s view. “Of course my Liege, but I unfortunately cannot bear that news, as I have been repeatedly refuted by the Champion numerous times, and I cannot pass anything legally without his approval.” Caly spat out, his distaste for his brother obvious. “Well then, do you have a way to get around this obstacle?” The hidden figure inquired. “I do, I have hand picked a trainer that will enter the gym challenge and do my bidding, and after he becomes Champion, I shall pass the plans and begin a new age not only for Galar, but for Cipher as well.” Caly said, his purple eyes flashing with a mixture of hatred, excitement, and awe. “Good, and no one knows that you are involved with our organization?” The figure asked of Caly. “No one except Helen, who is blindly loyal to me, and no one will stand in your way, the Master of Team Cipher!” Caly proclaimed, saluting the leader of one of the evilest organizations in the world. “Good, Shadow King, and make sure that you don’t lose your position in Galar, Cipher cannot afford to lose a region like we did in Orre.” The Cipher Leader said, his voice dark. “Of course, my liege, Shadow King, signing off.” Caly said, shutting the screen off and re-opening the shutters. ‘I will succeed where the fool Rose failed, he only sought to use Eternatus’ power to give energy, but I will use it to raze the region and finally put my brother in his place.’ Caly thought to himself, his eyes blazing with hatred. On the other side of the room, his team of Pokémon sat looking at him. His Escavalier, Klingklang, Copperajah, Perrserker, and Ferrothorn all looked eager, but his Single Strike Urshifu seemed distasteful of Caly, and was visibly unnerved by the actions that his trainer was taking.