Journeys: A Beginning

Rockets in Galar! The Battle of Wedgehurst: Part 1

Summary: Chaos descends upon Wedgehurst as a fight breaks out between Ash and his friends against the forces of Team Rocket!

~ Chapter 7 | Rockets in Galar! The Battle of Wedgehurst: Part 1 ~

As machines were hooked up to the egg, since Ash and Gary were still relatively new to the Galar region and everything it had to offer, Sonia decided to explain what her and her grandmother's research was all about.

"While my grandma's research has always been focused on the Dynamax Phenomenon, I always found the history of it all more interesting, hence why I'm currently investigating the region's biggest historical crisis, and it's where the story of Dynamax truly begins," Sonia explained.

"The Darkest Day?" Ash and Gary asked, unfamiliar with the terminology she was using.

Sonia swiftly acquired a book from the bookshelf, opening it up to a page with a picture on it. It showed an artist's depiction of what looked to be massive Pokémon rampaging across the land under a dark sky. In the center, a man holding a sword and shield stood bravely.

"Thousands of years ago, an object from outer space struck Earth, giving rise to a powerful Pokémon that emanated particles it absorbed from the ground. These particles would eventually become known as Galar Particles. However, eventually this Pokémon became overloaded with this energy while attempting to stabilize itself, resulting in a massive crisis where a huge amount of energy was released around the region, creating these armies of Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon. Luckily, a hero wielding a sword and shield was able to stop it and save the region."

"Of course a lot of the legend is still shrouded in mystery though, that's basically the extent of what they teach us," Goh commented.

Sonia nodded, closing the book and putting it away. "And that's why I'm aiming to uncover the truth about it all!"

"Wow, this stuff is intense," Ash admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "Well hopefully you're able to solve the mystery! If you ever need help, I'd be glad to do so in any way I can!"

Goh suddenly pushed himself in front of Ash. "But I'll do even more work than he will! It'd be an honor to work alongside you!"

Gary frowned, patting the two on the shoulders. "You two seriously don't know how to act your age, especially in front of talented, respected individuals like them."

"Oh, no, it's quite alright! Actually, their enthusiasm to learn and investigate is what I wish more kids their age had. Everyone thought I was weird for being so interested in this stuff at such a young age, instead of doing something that a girl would normally do," Sonia twirled a strand of her hair, sighing as she reminisced about her younger years, just starting out in the field she was in. "It's really nice to see."

"Well, either way, you knuckleheads better not make work hard for me, I am technically one of your bosses after all," Gary smirked as he made that revelation, one he already knew Goh wouldn't like.

"Professor Cerise is the only boss I'll listen to," Goh uttered through gritted teeth, giving Gary the exact kind of satisfaction he was looking for.

Ash just shrugged his shoulders. "Gary's not as much of a jerk as he used to be, so I don't really see much of a problem in it."

'As he used to be ?' Goh quietly thought to himself, only wondering what kind of psychological torture Gary put Ash through when the two were younger if this was a more 'tame' version of him.