Deep within the heart of the beautiful Galar Region, in the sleepy farming town of Postwick, Duncan Baxter and also his best friend and longtime rival, Hop, soon meet up with the famous Galar Region Champion known as Leon, who is actually Hop's older brother. After returning to Hop's home, Leon allows them to both choose their own Starter Pokémon, with Duncan choosing Sobble as his preferred Starter and with Hop also choosing Scorbunny. But the next day, just after having a practice battle with their Starters, Duncan and Hop soon venture into a forest called the Slumbering Weald to help rescue a Wooloo who had accidentally wandered off, but they are subsequently driven off by a very powerful Pokémon who is believed to be one of the two Legendary Pokémon who live deep within the Slumbering Weald. Eventually, after returning home and after receiving an endorsement from Leon, Duncan and Hop both set off on their journey to hopefully beat Leon and become the Galar Region Champion, whilst also hoping to stop the Darkest Day from ever happening again.