1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 41

As we prepare to depart from Spikemuth and revert from our Team Yell-inspired Dark Type uniform, a sudden commotion disrupts the tranquility. A man's voice pierces through the noise, exclaiming, "Hey! There's some trouble over on Route 9! It's so bad, even the Champion's come to sort things out! Oh hey! You gave Piers a thrashing, didn't you? You should head over there to help. C'mon, then! I'll show you the way."

Intrigued by the commotion and guided by the man's urgency, we step outside and unexpectedly encounter Leon, the esteemed Champion of the Galar region, actively engaged in handling the ongoing situation at Route 9. He addresses our presence, acknowledging the situation at hand, "Thanks for coming, but I've got a handle on this! Whatever's making that noise, I'll see to it!"

Curious about assisting, I inquire, "Are you sure you don't need our help?"

"I already told you, didn't I? Keep your eye on the goal! And for you, that's winning the Gym Challenge! The only Gym Badge left is the one you'll get from the Dragon Gym's Leader, Raihan. Right? Raihan is the only Trainer out there I consider a real rival. He's that good, you know!" Leon responds with his characteristic confidence. "And there I go again! Sorry, but I suppose this is no time for me to be stopping for a chat. There's a bit of trouble here with my name on it. But don't you worry about a thing! The unbeatable champion is here to look after things and keep you all safe!"

Suddenly, the ground begins to tremble once more, prompting Leon to exclaim, "That came from the tunnel, wouldn't you say? Seems I'm about to have a champion time!" With those words, he swiftly dashes off to handle the emerging situation.

"Bit cocky, isn't he?" Alice remarks.

"Well, if he can handle it, then perhaps we should let him," I agree, acknowledging Leon's confidence and determination to manage the situation on his own.

Entering the tunnel, we encounter a crowd of people observing the spectacle, all seemingly cheering for Leon's intervention. Rumors circulate about wild Dynamax Pokémon emerging outside of the typical Wild Area, a highly unusual occurrence.

Upon reaching Route 7, we encounter Hop, who appears agitated. "Guys! This is mad... You know what I mean?"

"Where's Leon?" Flora queries.

"That's what I'd like to know! That noise—it was like some massive explosion! There was this huge surge of red light, and then wild Pokémon just started Dynamaxing around me, brazen as you like!" Hop reveals, showing us the Rotom Phone's news feed. "Take a look at the news!"

We view the news coverage, witnessing Leon and his Charizard swiftly defeating a Dynamax Perrserker. "See! There's Lee! He really is the greatest, right? Lee and his Charizard took down that Dynamax Pokémon in the blink of an eye!" Hop excitedly points out.

After stowing away the phone, Hop continues, "I knew Lee was strong, but this! Really makes you appreciate how great he is, eh? Let's go meet up with him! He should be at Hammerlocke Stadium!" With a sense of urgency, Hop suggests regrouping with Leon at Hammerlocke Stadium, indicating that we should head there promptly.

Upon reaching Hammerlocke Stadium, we encounter Sonia and Leon gathered there. Sonia remarks, "Well, if it isn't you guys." Addressing Leon, she adds, "I'd expect nothing less from you and your Charizard, Leon! You took down that Dynamax Pokémon in no time at all!"

"Well, I am the unbeatable Champion, after all! But what all is going on here?" Leon queries.

"An overflowing red light... Pokémon Dynamaxing without a Power Spot?" Sonia murmurs.

"Yeah, but why?" Hop inquires.

"I'm not sure... What's going on? That red light could suddenly appear again at any time and we'd have no way of knowing," Sonia replies, puzzled.