SWSH012: Thump!! The Gazing Sage

is the 5th chapter of Pokémon Adventures: Volume 2 (SWSH).
==Synopsis==
As Casey meets up with Hop, who has won his Gym Battle against Kabu, Henry goes to Hammerlocke to find the vault. He is intercepted by Raihan, who has a quick battle to take some images for a magazine, in which he is featured in. Going to the vault, the two encounter Sonia, who is being chased by an angry Oranguru. Raihan goes to battle it, but Henry has another idea in mind.
==Chapter plot==
At Motostoke's Stadium, Hop has won the battle. Casey and Marvin arrive to him in the hall to congratulate him, surprising him they haven't left already. Casey admits she wanted to see how was he doing Cramorant, who swallowed Kilo. The two are enthusiastic, until they are approached by Milo, Nessa and Kabu, the latter congratulating the two challengers. Milo explains that most challengers give up after this point, because Kabu is quite an obstacle for them. Hop understands: one can't simply win Gym Battles by being good at battling alone. Kabu adds that he sees off challengers that defeat him, and just as Hop and Casey want to thank him, he shouts out a loud cheer to the two, which startles everyone. He encourages the two with his loud voice, believing in both Casey and Hop that they can defeat the rest of the Gym Leaders of Galar region. Casey and Hop thank him, still stunned by his voice.
Hop bids Casey farewell, who drives off in the motorhome. Inside, Casey tells the professor about Kabu's loud voice. Marvin notices that Kabu looks cool, but gets quite frustrated when he loses battles. Magnolia reminds them one cannot become a Gym Leader without some confidence to make it through the Championship Cup. In fact, one has to work hard to be able to reject others' insults and criticism, and hopes that the child could do that as well. Suddenly, Casey points out the window, displaying the Hammerlocke Stadium. She remembers this is where the power plant is located, to absorb particles to power Galar region. Marvin wonders if Sou has made it there yet. Henry, however, dismounts from his bicycle, seeing there's some time left to register to gain entry to the vault. He sends Lancelot, Steeler and Twiggy out. He notes the fearsome entrance, nearly hesitating to enter. A man comments that he's right, for in the Middle Ages, defenses like these were erect to keep unwanted intruders away.
The man welcomes Henry, the Trainer recommended by Leon, to Hammerlocke, but Henry wonders who this is. The man explains he is Gym Leader Raihan, to which Henry apologizes for his ignorance. Raihan notes that Henry really doesn't know much about the Gym Challenge, but reminds that is what makes such challengers interesting. Henry remarks that Raihan has heard about him, to which he exclaims that he does his research on the Trainers that come to challenge him. In fact, he is aware of Henry's skills of crafting "Gears", as well as that he came to enter the vault. While Henry is nervous by Raihan, the latter dares Henry to battle him. Raihan wonders whether Lancelot, Twiggy or Steeler is his ace, shocking Sou at how much Raihan knows about him. Raihan decides to take the first attack, and sends Sandaconda out. Sandaconda uses Sandstorm, engulfing Henry, who reminds there is not much time for the vault registration. Raihan dares him to defeat him quickly, which overwhelms Henry at how demanding this guy is.
Henry sends Lancelot, who defends itself from Sandstorm. Raihan sees that Lancelot's shield is used to deflect the attack. Sandaconda uses Skull Bash, to which Lancelot dodges and uses Leaf Blade. Raihan smiles, for Sandaconda uses the moment to hit Lancelot with Slam. However, Raihan was simply filming everything with his phone. Henry is quite confused by Raihan, who now asks of Henry to follow him to the vault. Henry asks what was the point of this battle, to which Raihan explains that he and Leon got featured in the Pokémon Journal. Since Leon got covered first, Raihan is taking pictures to beat his "Charizard poses". Henry takes a look, seeing there's some pictures of battles. Raihan confirms that, but believes they aren't that good to be used, considering these were the ones in which he lost.
Henry sees he just took the pictures just to get featured in this journal, but Raihan reminds he can't use pictures if his opponent is a wimp. Raihan points out he is still excited to face Henry someday, since he needs to defeat more Gym Leaders before properly facing Raihan in battle. The two stop at a door, the location of the vault. As they enter the vault, Henry does not see Sonia around. Raihan adds that she was enthusiastic enough to enter, so he permitted her. However, they hear a scream coming below, so the two guys go to investigate. They find Sonia and Yamper being chased by an Oranguru. Raihan is confused at this sight, and reminds Sonia she can retaliate, being a former Gym Challenger. Sou notices that Yamper is chasing her around, too, which makes Raihan believe it is confused. Sonia is unsure, as it simply came out of its Poké Ball and acted on its own.
Oranguru grabs Sonia by her jacket, so Henry has Lancelot attack Oranguru. Lancelot starts attacking Henry, who gets protected by his Steeler. Raihan sends Duraludon to attack, but Henry stops him, pointing out that Oranguru's fan lets it order other Pokémon around. Thus, they aim to grab Oranguru's fan. This time, Yamper goes to attack Oranguru, leaving Lancelot under control, to which Raihan realizes Oranguru can control only one Pokémon at a time. Sandaconda and Duraludon face Oranguru, who takes control of Duraludon to strike Sandaconda. However, as Lancelot, Twiggy and Steeler attempt to attack Oranguru, the latter takes control of Yamper to electrocute the rest. Henry notices that Oranguru has a hard time to take control of the Pokémon it wants to. Henry asks Sonia how did she even upset Oranguru, to which she remembers having stepped on its fan, and got tangled its leaves among her boots.
Henry has an idea, and whispers to Raihan, who is shocked at that idea. As everyone is fighting, Henry sneaks behind, and grabs Oranguru's fan, while the rest hold that Pokémon down. Henry notices that the fan is messed up a bit, so he uses a brush to trim it. Oranguru calms down, fascinated by its fan, thus stopping the battle. Sonia thanks the guys, whereas Raihan remarks that Sonia damaged the fan when she stepped on it. Sonia bows down, apologizing to Oranguru. As everyone goes to the vault, Oranguru takes control of Steeler, to get Henry back to itself. Henry sees that Oranguru wants to join him, to which he complies. Sou throws the Poké Ball and catches Oranguru, nicknaming it Fannyn. Without further ado, the group goes deeper into the vault.
Sonia believes she found something big: while they saw only one statue of a hero at the Budew Drop Inn, here, they can see two paintings of two heroes.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Henry's Oranguru
*Sandaconda (Raihan's)
==Gallery==
Category:Sword & Shield volume 2 chapters