Motostoke City.
The last time Summer had visited this city, it was to cheer for Marnie's match, a trip filled with good memories. Now, it was his turn to take the test.
"Looks like I'm one of the first to arrive."
Riding on Corviknight, Summer flew straight to Motostoke Stadium, which stood on the upper main road of the city. The entrance was quiet, with only passing pedestrians and no lingering trainers—understandable, considering the Gym Challenge rush had long passed. Any challengers still struggling at this point had probably been crushed by Kabu and left in utter despair.
Nicknamed "The Scorching Path," Motostoke Stadium was the first true hurdle in Galar's Gym Challenge. Kabu was a seasoned trainer who had once been a Gym Leader in Hoenn, even challenging the Champion multiple times—but he had failed every time. His obsession with victory led him to use underhanded tactics, costing him his Gym Leader status.
Realizing his mistakes, he came to Galar to rebuild himself in a far stricter system, where he eventually reclaimed his title the right way.
As Corviknight landed, Summer leapt off, gave his thanks, and returned it to its Poké Ball. The people around barely reacted—Corviknight was a staple of Galarian travel, and seeing one used as transport was a common sight.
There was even an old saying: "If Corviknight disappears, Galar is doomed."
If Corviknight could understand human speech, it'd probably laugh loudly, puff out its chest, and say, "Damn right!"
Shaking his head at the thought, Summer straightened his slightly windblown clothes and stepped into the stadium.
The waiting area was spacious, designed for Gym Challengers with numerous seats and a rest zone. Today, however, the seats were occupied by Rangers, all identifiable by their uniforms.
Scanning the room, Summer spotted four Rangers already waiting. Among them was a familiar face—Mido, the Ranger from Sunlight Forest, easily recognized by his massive backpack.
Instead of heading to the front desk immediately, Summer walked over to greet him.
"Good morning, Mr. Mido."
Mido, who had been studying a cookbook, looked up. Stroking his thick beard, he grinned.
"Afternoon, Summer! It's been a few days—you've matured quite a bit! Hahaha!"
"Is that so?" Summer chuckled. "You got here pretty early."
"Just because I live nearby," Mido said, waving a hand. "But you came all the way from Sunset Forest—now that's far."
"I flew in with Pokémon. The faster I get this done, the better."
"Heh, thought you were just eager for the prizes with how motivated you are," Mido teased. "But hearing you say 'quick and efficient,' you must be confident in your strength. That's good—you've grown."
Setting his book aside, Mido turned to the others.
"Since we've got the chance, let me introduce you to some fellow Rangers. Usually, you'd have to travel to their forests to meet them."
"Oi, Mido! You don't seem too nervous about the exam."
The voice came from a rugged-looking man lounging on a nearby couch, lazily draping one arm over the side.
Mido smirked. "That's Paralysis, the Ranger of Heaven's Canopy Forest. As for his hobbies—"
Before Mido could finish, Paralysis took off his red hat with purple spots and cut in.
"Bug-type Pokémon! I used to be a Bug-type Gym Leader, you know!"
Summer raised an eyebrow. Galar had a Bug-type Gym?
"Hah, nah. Just a minor Gym," Mido said bluntly. "A system to train promising trainers. Any type not represented in the major League can apply for one—even as a solo leader."
"…Couldn't let me flex in front of the kid a little?" Paralysis sighed. "Well, whatever. I do genuinely love Bug Pokémon. But thinking about battling Kabu and his Fire-types makes my heart ache."
"Yeah? You think that's bad?"
A deep voice joined the conversation. A broad-shouldered man with slicked-back hair turned toward them.
"If you fail and have to train under Kabu, that's way worse."
Mido nodded. "That's Badan, Ranger of the Second Mine Forest. His hobby? Digging for rocks."
Summer silently noted that if Badan loved mining, he'd probably get along well with a certain Champion.
"Used to be a miner," Badan explained. "But when I realized how much mining harmed the forest, I quit and became a Ranger."
"The Second Mine Forest is beautiful. You should visit sometime," he added, grinning. "Just be careful—if you see a Poké Ball lying around, don't pick it up. There's a 97% chance it's a Stunfisk. Getting bit hurts."
Paralysis groaned. "Man, I'm jealous. Your Pokémon are all Rock-types—you'll pass this exam easy."
"Not necessarily," another voice chimed in.
A flamboyantly dressed man with fiery red hair leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Kabu's Pokémon know Ground, Steel, and Grass-type moves."
Mido smirked. "That's Matahari, Ranger of Motostoke Forest. As for his hobby… probably Kabu himself."
"Damn right!" Matahari grinned. "I'm Kabu's biggest fan! To me, training with him is the reward!"
Raising his arms dramatically, he declared, "TRAINING NEVER ENDS! UNTIL DEATH!"
Then he hesitated.
"…Maybe I should purposely lose. That way, I can train with Kabu longer. Hmmm… I could stay until the Championship starts…"
A sharp voice snapped at him from the front desk.
"That's disrespectful to Kabu-sensei!"
It came from a dark-haired woman, one of the Rotating Stadium Assistants, who trained at Gym facilities.
Matahari looked horrified.
"W-WHAT?! Are you saying I'm a fake fan?!"
"And besides," the assistant continued, "Kabu-sensei won't be available until the Championship begins. He's aiming to defeat Leon this year. For the last two weeks before the tournament, we will handle the training of those who fail the exam."
Matahari's eyes filled with tears.
"Of course… Kabu-sensei is always striving for the top…"
Clenching his fists, he declared, "I can't let myself fail! I need to pass—to relieve his burden!"
"Good." The assistant nodded.
Then she turned to Summer.
"Feel Kabu-sensei's passion yet? New Ranger, would you like to join his fan club? Sign up now, and you'll receive a free Fire-type uniform!"
Summer glanced at the assistant.
Then at the crying Matahari.
…Are you guys seriously not part of some paid promotion?
Just then, the arena doors swung open.
A girl with twin pink ponytails and an extravagant outfit walked out, grinning ear to ear.
From her expression, she had clearly passed the exam.
"…Annie?"
"Oh, Summer! Hehe, didn't expect to see you here so soon!" Annie waved.
"I was about to say the same thing," Summer said. "Your forest is near Ballonlea—how did you arrive before me?"
Annie's star-shaped pupils sparkled with excitement.
"This… is the power of Teleport!" She placed her hands on her hips.
"I trained ten Alakazam just for this!"
(End of Chapter)