LAST TIME: Danimus and Cinder arrived at Monostoke and reunited with Hop to sign up for the Gym Challenge, crossing path with Leon and Sophia in the process. Later, Danimus and Hop battled Team Yell and took part in the opening ceremony.

After the opening of the Gym Challenge had concluded, Danimus, Hop, and their Pokémon had changed out of their uniforms and exited the changing room.

Hop: Standing there on the pitch…in the stadium…in front of everyone! There’s really no words for it, but… I can barely contain myself! My heart’s racing!

Danimus: I know what you mean!

At that moment, Leon and Charizard approached the duo, accompanied by Chairman Rose.

Leon: You’ve made it at last, Hop, Wooloo, and Grookey! And you, too, Danimus and Cinder!

Hop: Thanks, Lee!

Chairman Rose: *walks closer to the group* So you’re the two Trainers our Champion endorsed himself! Welcome, and it’s a delight to meet you! I’m Rose, of course. Oh, and what’s this?! I see you both already possess Dynamax Bands! How wonderful! It seems you two have been led here by the guiding light of the Wishing Stars. By the way, it was my wonderful company that invented those Dynamax Bands, you know!

Hop: Really? That’s so cool!

Danimus: I agree!

Chairman Rose: I’m glad to hear! I daresay this year’s Gym Challenge is looking to be an absolute blast! Very good-very good indeed! That means the whole Galar region is in for some excitement! The Gym Challenge is an excellent opportunity to show off your Dynamax Pokémon!

Danimus and Hop: Right!

Chairman Rose: Now, I’m terribly sorry, but there is some urgent business I need to attend to, so I must be on my way. Best of luck to both of you!

With that, Chairman Rose leaves the group to take care of something.

Charizard: The chairman certainly seems to be in high spirits!

Leo: I agree, good pal! *turns to the duo* Now, listen closely, you two. You’ve both only just started on your path as Trainers. If you want to win, you need to do more than just train your Pokémon. You need to train yourselves, too.

Danimus: We understand.

Hop: Let’s do it, Danimus! You know the Gym Challenge has a set order that you’ve gotta visit the Gyms in, right?

Danimus: Yeah, and the first one we need to go to is in Turffield!

Hop: Right! And to get there, we need to head to Route 3! So, let’s go! *runs out the stadium*

Danimus: Whelp, there he goes again. Well, my Pokémon and I are gonna do some quick shopping before we head out. Catch you guys later!

Cinder: Bye!

Danimus and Cinder steps out of the stadium, only to encounter a female Macro Cosmos Employee.

MC Employee: Challenger Danimus.

Danimus: Yes?

MC Employee: the chairman asked me to deliver this gift to you. A gift…such a wonderful thing…from the chairman…such a wonderful man…

Danimus and Cinder: Ummm…

MC Employee: *ahem* Excuse me. The gift is access to the Flying Taxi!

Cinder: Flying Taxi?

MC Employee: Yes! They allow you to, in a word, fly! Calling a Flying Taxi will allow you to travel quickly back to areas you’ve already visited! *gives Danimus the Flying Taxi pass*

Danimus: Neat-o! This will make back travels much easier!

MC Employee: Anyway, your next goal should be Turffield, isn’t that right, Danimus?

Danimus: That’s right.

MC Employee: When traveling to a new place, it’s best to get there on your own two legs, don’t you think?

Cinder: I don’t mind walking!

Danimus: Haha. Alright then, we’re walking, but first, we got some shopping to do.

Cinder: Alright!

The duo precedes to travel to different shops to buy some items and uniforms for the others. Along the way, they passed a large crowd of people cheering them on. Many of them received monotype uniforms to represent their current typing, but Sparky wanted the Pikachu uniform, much to Vixen and Bolt’s amusement. Additionally, Sparky was given a Light Ball charm and a snazzy blue jacket to go with it. Danimus had offered to get something nice for the others, but they all declined, with Cinder being happy with her Pyro Scarf and Conner waiting until he evolves into Corviknight to ask for something. After buying some more supplies, they made their way to Route 3 before walking into Hop and his Pokémon.

Hop: There you are! I’ve been waiting!

Danimus: We were getting some shopping done.

Cinder: What about you guys?

Wooloo: I got myself a Silk Scarf. *holds up scarf* Now the three of us have scarves!

Grookey: Mmhmm!

Cinder: Alright!

Danimus: *chuckles*

Hop: Let’s have a 3-on-3 battle, you and me.

Danimus: Huh?

Hop: We’ll get in a bit of training!

Danimus: Well, we could use the extra experience. All right, then! We accept!

Hop: I knew you’d be up for it! We’ve got to stay keener than anyone else if we want to steal the spotlight from our rivals! Wooloo, you’re up first!

Wooloo: You got it! *jumps in front of Hop*

Danimus: *pulls out a Poké ball* Wooper, I choose you! *throws the Poké ball forwards, releasing Wooper*

Wooper: I’m ready to fight!

Hop: Keep up, mate! This is our chance to see if we are up to the Gym Challenge!

Danimus: Then let’s not disappoint! Use Water Gun!

Hop: Dodge and use Tackle!

Wooper precedes to launch a torrent of water and Wooloo, but she managed to avoid the move and prepare the Tackle move.

Danimus: Switch to Slam!

No longer shooting water, Wooper began rushing towards Wooloo. Although Slam was stronger, Wooper was not and as a result, the 2 moves managed to cancel each other.

Hop: Use Tackle again!

Danimus: Counter with Mud Slap!

Wooper shot numerous mud clumps at Wooloo, who managed to dodge most of them before getting hit by one. However, this did not deter her as she managed to land the Tackle move.

Hop: Now use Double Kick!

With two mighty kicks, Wooloo knocked Wooper away, defeating him.

Danimus: Wooper! Are you okay?

Wooper: *weakly* Y-yeah. Sorry I lost.

Cinder: Don’t be, Wooper.

Danimus: Cinder’s right. It was your first battle and you did very well. *pulls out his Poké ball* Now take a moment to rest. *returns Wooper to his Poké ball* Good one, you guys. That Double Kick was well executed.

Wooloo: Thanks!

Hop: Glad you think so, mate! Wooloo, return!

At that, Wooloo returned to Hop’s side while he pulls out another Poké ball.

Hop: Rookidee! You’re up! *tosses Rookidee’s Poké ball towards the battlefield, releasing it*

Rookidee: *chirps excitedly*

Danimus: Your Rookidee, eh? *pulls out a Poké ball* Then let’s make this a sky battle! Conner, I choose you! *tosses Conner’s Poké ball towards the battlefield, releasing him*

Conner: I’m ready to take this to the skies!

Hop: This will be fun! Use Peck!

Danimus: Dodge and use Leer!

Conner managed to avoid the Peck attack and lands Leer, lowering Rookidee’s defense.

Hop: Then we use Leer, too!

Hop’s Rookidee retaliated with a Leer of his own and lowers Conner’s Defense.

Hop: Now use Peck!

Danimus: Counter it with Pluck!

Conner began striking at the rival Rookidee with his empowered beak, matching each other blow-for-blow.

Hop: Switch to Fury Attack!

Danimus: Dodge it, quick!

It was too late, however, as a series of sharp beaks began pecking at Conner before sending him back a bit.

Cinder: Conner!

Hop: Now use Peck!

With that, Rookidee began charging at him, but before he could reach him, Conner’s wings began glowing with dark energy before swiping at Rookidee, knocking it back.

Danimus: What was that? *pulls out Rotom Phone*

Rotom Phone: Power Trip. A Dark-type move. Can become stronger for every stat boost the user receives.

Danimus: Too bad we don’t know any stat boosting moves, but it’s still sweet that you learned a new move!

Cinder: I agree!

Hop: Not bad, but we’re still gonna win this! Use Fury Attack!

Danimus: Counter it with Power Trip!

The 2 bird Pokémon were soon rushing at each other, but despite taking a couple of hits from it, Conner managed to land the Power Trip move again, knocking the rival bid Pokémon out.

Cinder: Way to go, Conner!

Danimus: Nicely done!

Conner: Thanks, you guys!

Hop: *returns Rookidee to its Poké ball* Looks like you won the sky battle, but I still got 2 more Pokémon left. Grookey, you’re up next!

Grookey: Okey Dokey! *jumps onto the battlefield*

Danimus: Think you can keep going, Conner?

Conner: I still got some fight in me!

Danimus: Then let’s use Pluck!

With an empowered beak, Conner rushes towards Grookey, ready to land a super effective attack.

Hop: Now use Branch Poke!

With perfect timing, Grookey lands a critical hit Branch Poke on Conner, interrupting his Pluck.

Hop: Now use Growl!

Danimus: Quick Attack!

Though Grookey managed to reduce Conner’s attack power, he wasn’t able to avoid the Quick Attack.

Danimus: Now use Pluck!

In quick succession, Conner managed to switch to Pluck and land a super effective hit on Grookey.

Hop: Good instinct, mate! Use Scratch!

Danimus: Use Pluck!

The 2 Pokémon collides, their moves managing to land at the same time. However, even though Grookey took super effective damage, Conner was KO’ed in the scuffle.

Danimus and Cinder: Conner! *runs towards Conner*

Conner: *weakly* …Did I lose?

Danimus: Yeah, but don’t worry. You did great and even learned a new move.

Conner: *weakly* Thanks.

Cinder: No worries! I’ll win this, so you just take it easy.

Danimus: *pulls out Conner’s Poké ball* She’s right. You’ve earned a nice break. *returns Conner to his Poké ball before returning to his original position* You are definitely getting better, Hop!

Hop: Thanks, mate!

Danimus: You ready, Cinder?

Cinder: Always!

Grookey: This is gonna be fun!

Hop: I agree! Use Scratch!

Danimus: Dodge it with Quick Attack!

Just as Grookey jumps forward to land the Scratch move, Cinder used Quick Attack to evade the attack just in time.

Danimus: Now use Ember!

Before Grookey could steel himself for a counterattack, Cinder lands a powerful Ember move on Grookey.

Grookey: Ouch. That smarts.

Hop: In that case, use Growl!

Danimus: Use Tackle!

Cinder lands the Tackle attack, but because of being hit by the Growl move, her attack power wasn’t enough to finish him off.

Danimus: Now use Ember!

Hop: Use Growl one more time!

Grookey managed to land the Growl move for the final time before being KO’ed by the Ember attack.

Hop: *returns Grookey to his Poké ball* Man… You have definitely gotten stronger, Cinder.

Cinder: Thanks!

Danimus: Don’t sell Grookey short, Hop! He did great! But now it looks like you’re backed into a corner, huh?

Hop: You got it all wrong, mate! *pulls out Wooloo’s Poké ball* This’ll just make my victory all the better! Come on out and use Defense Curl!

As soon as Hop tossed her Poké ball onto the battlefield, Wooloo came out and used Defense Curl, boosting her defense.

Danimus: Boosting her defense as soon as she entered the battle? I wonder… Use Double Kick!

Cinder: Okay!

Hop: You use Double Kick as well!

Wooloo: Got it!

The duo managed to counter each other’s kicks, dealing no damage to each other. But Danimus noticed something.

Cinder: I thought that would do more damage.

Danimus: …I see what you did. First, you had Grookey use Growl twice to lower Cinder’s attack power, then you had Wooloo use Defense Curl to boost her defense stats. Am I right, Hop?

Hop: *chuckles* Nailed it on the head, mate! I figured if I made it harder for you to deal damage, I’d have a better chance at winning this.

Cinder: I forgot about that.

Danimus: I won’t lie. That’s a good strategy, but you’re overlooking one detail.

Hop: What’s that?

Danimus: That’s only good for defending against physical attacks. Cinder, use Ember!

Cinder: Got it!

Cinder then precedes to launch several Ember moves at Wooloo, some of which managed to hit her.

Hop: I may have overlooked that part, but it won’t stop us!

Danimus: We’ll see! Now use Quick Attack!

Hop: Counter it with Tackle!

The 2 moves collided with each other, but because of Cinder’s nerfed attack stats and Wooloo’s boosted defense stats, Wooloo managed to outmatch Cinder, causing significate damage to her.

Hop: Now use Tackle again!

Danimus: Quick, dodge it!

Before Cinder can regain her balance, Wooloo lands a Tackle attack on her, knocking her back a bit.

Hop: Now use Double Kick!

Wooloo lands 2 powerful kicks on Cinder, the last kick dealing critical damage and sent her flying before she lands in front of Danimus.

Danimus: Cinder!

Cinder, though battered, was able to get on one knee. But she was struggling to get back to her feet.

Cinder: *weakly* D-don’t worry… about me. I…I can s-still fight.

Wooloo: I doubt it. You put up a good fight, but you’re clearly at your limit.

Cinder: *weakly* That’s… where you’re wrong!

Everyone looks at Cinder in shock as she begins to stand again.

Cinder: *weakly* As long as I… can still stand… then I can still fight!

Cinder then shouted towards the sky and at that moment, a bright light enveloped her.

Wooloo: What the-?!

Hop: What’s going on?

Danimus: Cinder! She-!

Before Danimus could finish his thoughts, Cinder’s form began changing as she grew slightly taller. Before long, the light around Cinder began to fade and she was no longer a Scornbunny.

Cinder: Woah. What happened to me?

Danimus: Cinder! You’ve evolved! Awesome! *pulls out Rotom Phone*

Rotom Phone: Raboot, the rabbit Pokémon and evolved form of Scornbunny. A Fire-type. Its thick and fluffy fur protects it from the cold and enables it to use hotter fire moves.

Cinder: I evolved? …I EVOLVED! YAHOO!

Wooloo: Good on you, Cinder, but this battle is still on!

Hop: That’s right! Use Tackle!

Danimus: Dodge it!

As Wooloo approaches with the intension of landing the Tackle move, Cinder avoids the attack by jumping much higher into the air than anyone expected.

Danimus: Now drop down and use Double Kick!

With great speed, Cinder drops from above and lands 2 powerful kicks on Wooloo, knocking her back.

Wooloo: She’s much stronger now!

Hop: Then we need to finish this! Use Double Kick!

Wooloo: Right! *starts rushing towards Cinder*

Danimus: Don’t forget! Cinder’s ability is “Blaze”! That means her Fire-type moves are boosted whenever she’s in a pinch! Cinder, show them what I mean by using Ember!

With Blaze in full effect, Cinder launched a powered-up Ember move at Wooloo before she could reach her. After the dust settles, Wooloo was revealed to have been KO’ed, making Cinder the winner.

Danimus: You did it, Cinder!

Hop: Was that really good training? Looks like I’d better keep my guard up! *returns Wooloo to her Poké ball* Just what I’d expect from my rival!

Danimus: Don’t sell yourself short, Hop! That was a good battle!

Cinder: Yeah! And not only has Conner learned a new move, but I managed to evolve, too!

Hop: You’re right! We’re all getting stronger! You know what? I’ll even give you one of my League Card! That’s how good I think you did in that battle.

Danimus: If that’s how you feel, then allow me to do the same. *exchanged a copy of his League card with Hop*

Hop: Our Gym Challenge starts right now from here in Monostoke! Although the first Gym Leader we’ll have to challenge is in a town way far off from here. Still, you’d better believe I’m going to keep on winning my way to that Championship Match! *runs off towards Route 3* HELLO, GALAR! MEET YOUR NEXT CHAMPION! FROM THE SLEEPY TOWN OF POSTWIK, IT’S ME, HOP!

Danimus: *sweatdrops* Hehe… That’s one way to pump yourself up.

Cinder: *sweatdrops* I guess.

Danimus: Anyway, let’s get you all set at the nearby Poké Center before we set off.

Cinder: Right!

After healing up at the Poké Center, Danimus and Cinder exited the gates of Monostoke and entered Route 3. For the next couple of hours, Danimus battled a couple of trainers and acquired a few items before crossing paths with Sonia.

Sonia: Heya, Gym Challenger!

Danimus: *chuckles* Do you have to be so formal, Sonia?

Sonia: Why not? You looked real ace out there during the opening ceremony!

Cinder: Thanks!

Sonia: Wait, is that little Cinder? She evolved?

Danimus: Yeah! Not too long ago in fact!

Sonia: Congrats, Cinder!

Cinder: Thank you, Sonia!

Sonia: Oh, but where’s Hop?

Danimus: He went on ahead.

Sonia: He can’t sit still at all, can he?

Danimus: Not really. In fact, I’m still surprised that he managed to sit still during the train ride to the Wild Area.

Sonia: Guess he really wants to catch up to his brother.

Cinder: Makes sense to me.

Sonia: Oh, I know! Let me tell you about something a bit interesting.

Danimus: Okay.

Sonia: *points to a building quite a ways off* You see that building over there? It’s a company owned by Chairman Rose.

Danimus: Really?

Sonia: Yup. Just past Route 3, there’s a mine where they dig up ore. That building over there processes it into energy. In other words, the chairman is responsible for providing the Galar region with its energy, too.

Cinder: *in awe* Wow.

Danimus: *also in awe* Incredible.

Sonia: Can’t say I really get him, but the chairman seems like a pretty brilliant guy, right?

Danimus: Yeah.

Sonia: Anyway, here’s a little something for having a chin-wag with me! *gives Danimus an escape rope, 6 potions, 4 antidotes, and 4 paralyze heals* Take this as well. *gives Danimus a strange object*

Danimus: What’s this?

Sonia: It’s a Pocket Relearner. You can use it to shift your Pokémon’s moveset, but only if they learned more than 4 moves.

Danimus: Cool! This will be very handy.

Sonia: The way to Turffield is pretty long, but that’s a kind of challenge in its own right. Good luck, Gym Challenger!

Danimus: Thank you, Sonia!

Cinder: See you later!

With that, Danimus and Cinder parted ways with Sonia and continued their journey. For the next 2 hours, the duo battled a few more trainers before reaching a campsite. At the campsite was a female trainer, a Ralts, a Buneary, and 2 different Ponyta, all of which are female.

Female trainer: Hello, there!

Danimus: Hello!

Cinder: Hi!

Female trainer: Are you by chance a Gym Challenger?

Danimus: Yes. My name is Danimus and this is my partner, Cinder.

Female trainer: Happy to meet you. My name is Georgia, and these are my Pokémon partners Ralts, Buneary, and the Ponyta twins.

Danimus: Wow! A Kantonian and a Galarian Ponyta!

Cinder: Twins?

Georgia: Yup. They came from the same batch of Eggs mothered by the same Rapidash, so they’re twins.

Cinder: Cool!

Danimus: Are you up for a battle?

Georgia: As tempting as that is, my Pokémon are still recovering after battling that white haired trainer.

Danimus: White haired trainer?

Georgia: Yeah. He was a real jerk, too.

Cinder: Sounds like that guy who rudely bumped into Hop yesterday.

Danimus: I believe you’re right, Cinder.

Georgia: In any case, he went into the mine to take care of something. You guys can go ahead if you want, but be careful. My Pokémon and I are gonna stay here for a bit longer.

Danimus: Okay. Take care!

Cinder: Bye!

Danimus and Cinder left Georgia’s campsite and entered the Galar mines. As they travel the mines, they noticed a lot of wild rock-types working with the miners. Although he was tempted, Danimus decided not to try to catch one and continued through the mines. After an hour of traveling through the mine, he sees the white-haired trainer near the exit.

White-haired trainer: Coming this way? I’d advise against it.

Danimus: As the only path out of the mines, I wouldn’t exactly say I had a choice.

WHT: Perhaps, but any trainer with a Wishing Star is in for a beating from me and my Pokémon!

Danimus: All the same, we’re all good.

However, as Danimus and Cinder moves to head for the exit, the white-haired trainer walks in front of them, barring their path while sporting a very smug smile.

WHT: You. You’re the Gym Challenger endorsed by the Champion, aren’t you?

Danimus: One of them, but yeah. I’m-

WHT: What a joke.

Danimus: *annoyed* Excuse me?

Cinder: *annoyed* You’re being rude!

WHT: You are aware that the chairman is more important than the Champion, right?

Danimus: What’s your point?

WHT: I was chosen by the chairman himself, so that makes me more amazing than you!

Danimus: I find that hard to believe, given how rude you’ve been.

WHT: *pulls out a Great ball* Then I suppose I should prove beyond doubt just how pathetic you are and how strong I am. Solosis, standby for battle!

The white-haired trainer tosses the Great ball onto the battlefield, releasing a small, green Pokémon encased in a green substance.

Danimus: Bolt, I choose you! *toss out Bolt’s Poké ball*

Bolt: I’m charged up and ready to battle!

Danimus: Let’s start with Tackle!

WHT: Confusion!

Bolt went in to land the Normal-type move, only for Solosis to use Confusion to push him back.

Danimus: So that won’t work, huh? In that case, use Nuzzle!

Bolt rushed towards the Psychic-type, ready to land the Nuzzle move.

WHT: Confusion, again!

Danimus: Switch to Bite, quickly!

Before the Confusion move could land, Bolt canceled the Nuzzle move and switched to the Bite move, its Dark typing protecting him as he moves in and lands the attack.

WHT: Use Endeavor!

Danimus: Nuzzle him!

Bolt and Solosis charge at each other with their moves and while Bolt received more damage due to the way the Endeavor move works, he was able to paralyze the Psychic-type.

Danimus: Good job, Bolt! Take five! *returns Bolt to his Poké ball and toss out Conner’s* I choose you, Conner!

WHT: Use Endeavor!

Danimus: Dodge it with Quick Attack!

Solosis attempts to land the move, but Conner managed to dodge the attack. This would go on for a bit before the effects of the paralysis kicked in.

Danimus: Now use Power Trip!

Conner: You got it! Take this!

With his wings shrouded in a dark aura, Conner strikes the Psychic type, knocking him out in the process.

WHT: *returns Solosis to his Great ball* Not bad, but I’m just giving your Pokémon a little chance to shine. That’s all.

Danimus: Sure you are.

WHT: If you don’t believe me…*pulls out another Great ball*…then Gothita will take you on!

The white-haired trainer tosses another Great ball onto the battlefield, releasing a Gothita.

Danimus: Use Peck!

WHT: Counter with Pound!

As Conner closes in, Gothita lands the Pound move, canceling the 2 moves out.

WHT: Now use Psybeam!

Before Conner could do anything, Gothita lands a critical Psybeam on him, dealing heavy damage.

Danimus: Are you okay, Conner?

Conner: Yeah. That attack did more than I expected, but I can keep going!

WHT: Not for long. Use Psybeam again!

Danimus: Time for our counterattack! Use Power Trip!

With his wings coated in a Dark-type aura, Conner was abled to cut through the Psybeam and deal super effective damage.

Danimus: Once more, use Power Trip!

WHT: Dodge it and use Psybeam!

Just as Conner gotten close enough, Gothita evaded the attack and lands a powerful Psybeam attack, knocking Conner out.

Danimus: Conner! Are you okay?

Conner: *weakly* Y-yeah, but I don’t think I can keep battling.

Danimus: *pulls out Conner’s Poké ball* In any case, you did very well, so you earned a good break. *returns Conner to his Poké ball*

WHT: How pathetic. Praising a Pokémon for not putting up much of a fight.

Danimus: He put up more of a fight than you realized. *pulls out Bolt’s Poké ball* Just enough for Bolt to get some payback! *tosses Bolt’s Poké ball onto the battlefield, releasing him for battle*

WHT: Let’s finish this quickly, Gothita! Use Psybeam!

Danimus: Dodge it and get close with Spark!

With swift movement, Bolt was able to dodge the psychic-type move and land the Spark move, dealing damage but failing to paralyze her.

WHT: Quick, use Pound!

Before Bolt could react as all, he was struck with the normal-type move, sending him back.

WHT: Use Pound again!

Gothita rushed in to use the Pound move again, but as she does so…

Danimus: Gotcha! Now use Bite!

Bolt lands a powerful Bite move, dealing the super effective damage needed to knock out the Psychic-type Pokémon. The white-haired trainer, without changing his emotions, recalls Gothita.

WHT: Hmph. Oh dear, what I have been doing?

Danimus: *annoyed* I can easily tell you what you haven’t been doing.

WHT: Well, whatever. *pulls out another Great ball* Let’s just get this over with. You’re up, Hatenna!

The White-Haired trainer releases a small, blue-and-pink Pokémon from her Great Ball.

Danimus: Never seen that Pokémon before. *pulls out Rotom Phone*

Rotom Phone: Hatenna, the Calm Pokémon. A Pure Psychic type. Via the protrusion on its head, it senses other creatures' emotions. If you don't have a calm disposition, it will never warm up to you.

Danimus: Looks strong, but we won’t back down! Okay, Bolt! Use Nuzzle!

Bolt: Got it! *rush in with a slight spark*

WHT: Nice try, peasant. Use Confusion!

Hatenna: Right!

Surprised by the rival Pokémon speaking, Bolt was unable to react fast enough to avoid getting caught by the confusion move, receiving some damage and becoming confused.

Danimus: Oh no!

WHT: Finish him off with Round!

Hatenna: Right!

With a powerful Round move, Bolt was launched backward defeated.

Cinder: Bolt!

Danimus: Are you okay?

Bolt: *confused* 3 little Mankeys jumping on the Snorlax.

Danimus: *sighs in relief* Take it easy, Bolt. You’ve earned a good rest. *returns Bolt to his Poké ball*

WHT: Still praising a failure.

Danimus: *annoyed* Those “failures” are very important friends of mine. *pulls out another Poké ball* And this next friend would like to have a few words. Go, Vixen!

Danimus tossed Vixen’s Poké ball onto the battlefield, releasing a battle-ready Vixen.

Vixen: One peeved Nickit, ready for battle.

WHT: So you do have a Dark type. Won’t make a difference to me. Use Round!

Danimus: Counter it with Tail Slap!

Soon, Hattena’s Round and Vixen’s Tail Slap were clashing at each other, with 2 of the Tail Slaps landing before getting pushed back by a Round move.

Danimus: Now switch to Thief!

Vixen then activates the Thief move and began charging at Hattena. But then…

WHT: Hehe.

Danimus: Huh?

WHT: This is a good time to test out a move I’ve been interested in lately. Use Disarming Voice!

Hattena: Gladly!

Hattena launched a powerful Disarming Voice, dealing damage to Vixen and canceling out the Thief move.

Cinder: What was that?

Danimus: That was Disarming Voice, a Fairy-type move.

Cinder: Wait, aren’t Dark-type Pokémon weak to Fairy-type moves?

Danimus: Yeah, which means he was fully prepared to fight Dark-type Pokémon. In that case, use Quick Attack to confuse her!

Vixen: Right!

Using Quick Attack, Vixen blitz around Hattena who’s trying to keep up with her.

WHT: Counter it with Round!

Hattena charges in, hoping to cancel out Vixen’s Quick Attack with Round. But as she closes in…

Danimus: Now switch to Thief!

Vixen: Got you now!

As she got closer, Vixen became surrounded in a dark aura. Hattena, who was surprised by the move change, let her guard down long enough for Vixen to deal super effective damage.

WHT: What a sly stunt you pulled. But I doubt that trick will work again. Disarming Voice again!

Danimus: Try to avoid it with Quick Attack!

Vixen tried to avoid the Disarming Voice move but was unable to. Vixen, unwilling to give up so easily, results using Quick Attack, only to get knocked back by Disarming Voice repeatedly.

Hattena: If you were smart, you would stay down.

Vixen: *panting* What… does that makes… you?

WHT: Now you’ve gone and made this personal. Disarming Voice!

Hattena: With great pleasure.

With one more Disarming Voice, Hattena sent Vixen flying further back. Despite the heavy damage, Vixen continues to stand up.

Danimus: Vixen.

Cinder: Please…

Hattena: Oh dear. It would seem I used up too much energy when I learned the move, so now I can’t use it anymore.

WHT: Indeed, we should have made sure you were energized afterwards, not that it matters. Finish her off with Round!

Hattena charges in, preparing to use the Round move to KO the tired Vixen, when suddenly, Vixen begun glowing in a dark aura, the intenseness causing Hattena to stop in her tracks. Within the aura, every can see images of Cinder, Conner, Bolt, Wooper, and Bounsweet.

Hattena: What the-?!

WHT: What’s this?!

Cinder: What’s happening?

Danimus: Wait, is that-?

Immediately, Danimus pulled his Rotom Phone to check the Pokédex app and sure enough.

Rotom Phone: Beat-Up, a Dark-type attack. The user's fellow party Pokémon appear to pummel the target.

Danimus: Alright! She just learned a new move!

Cinder: And since Hattena used up too much energy, she can’t use Disarming Voice!

Danimus: Which means it’s time for our counterattack! Okay, Vixen! Use Beat-Up!

Vixen: Gladly!

With renewed energy, Vixen charged at Hattena, striking with the power of 6 Pokémon instead of just 1. Despite not taking much damage during the battle, the Beat-Up move managed to deal enough damage to leave Hattena winded.

WHT: Use Round!

Danimus: Counter it with Quick Attack!

The two Pokémon rushed at each other with their respective moves, the accumulated damage the duo had acquired evident in their moments.

Danimus: Got you now! Switch to Tail Slap!

With swift speed, Vixen managed to transfer the momentum from the Quick Attack into her tail and strike at Hattena twice, the second strike dealing enough critical damage to knock out Hattena.

Cinder: You did it!

Danimus: Way to go, Vixen!

WHT: *sighs* I see… Well, that’s fine. I wasn’t really trying all that hard anyway.

As Danimus and Cinder hugs Vixen for her hard work, the White-Haired trainer simply recalls Hattena back into her Great Ball.

WHT: Well, that was unexpected. I suppose you’re more able than I thought.

Danimus: You too, I suppose.

WHT: Naturally. I’ll remember your battle style and strategies now, so I’m sure to easily defeat you if, and when, we face each other in an official match. Now that we’ve established that, I won’t waste any more time on you. I’ve already gathered every Wishing Star in this area.

As the White-Haired trainer turns to walk away, Danimus begrudgingly calls out to him.

Danimus: My name is Danimus and these are my friends, Cinder and Vixen.

Cinder and Vixen: *nods confidently*

WHT: …Bede.

With that, the White-Haired trainer, now known as Bede, exits Galar Mine, leaving the trio behind to reflect on the trainer.

Cinder: I don’t like him. He’s mean.

Vixen: I agree, but I’m not fazed. I learned Beat-Up and taught Hattena some manners.

Danimus: Not to mention that we’re almost out of the mine. With that said, you should take it easy til we reach the Pokémon center. You and the others have earned it.

Vixen: Thanks.

With that, Danimus returns Vixen to her Pokéball while Cinder walks besides him as they leave Galar Mine to reach Turffield, as the journey continues.

To be continued…

NEXT TIME: Danimus and co reaches the first gym and make some new friends