SWSH009: Splish Splash!! Gigantamax Battle

is the 2nd chapter of Pokémon Adventures: Volume 2 (SWSH).
==Synopsis==
Henry continues his battle against Nessa, who displays a new power called Gigantamax. Henry uses his power to enlargen his Twiggy, but it is not enough to stop Nessa's Drednaw, who displays unusual abilities. Casey, who has also undertaken the Gym match, starts feeling the pressure of the lack of her team.
==Chapter plot==
As Nessa has Gigantamaxed her Drednaw, Marvin wonders if this is a special Drednaw that can do that. Casey denies that, for all Drednaw have this ability. Marvin is a bit relieved, since its strength is the same as an ordinary Dynamax Drednaw, but Casey is not so sure. Nessa declares Max Strike: Twiggy falls down from Drednaw's impact. Marvin is in shock, for Twiggy didn't even have an opportunity to escape its attack, and realizes its strength has changed significantly, too. In fact, despite Twiggy having the advantage, it struggles to prevent itself from getting crushed. Twiggy fires a Razor Leaf, which deals a blow to Gigantamax Drednaw, pushing it away and releasing Twiggy. Twiggy is exhausted, which worries Marvin for it did have a hard time fighting Toxapex. He wonders if Henry will switch his Pokémon, but believes Nessa has predicted such an outcome.
Nessa declares it won't matter if Henry shifts his Pokémon: she will blast them away to the edge of the world with Gigantamax Drednaw's G-Max Stonesuge. The impact pushes Twiggy away, while the announcer explains the move turns the stadium into a beach-like environment. Moreover, Henry and Twiggy are surrounded by sharp rocks, which look like the ones from Stealth Rock. Knowing his Pokémon would take damage if it is shifted, Nessa asks him what will he do next. Henry uses his Dynamax Band, shifting his Twiggy into his Dynamax form. The announcer is surprised, as this could indicate that Henry will aim to win the match with just one Pokémon. Twiggy leaps, using its stick to strike Gigantamax Drednaw, but avoiding its attacks. In fact, Twiggy outperforms Drednaw by its speed, but Drednaw has a hard shell, which makes the outcome of the match hard to predict.
Nessa feels insulted, as this is her match: Gigantamax Drednaw goes to bite Twiggy, who takes steps away to dodge. Marvin is certain Twiggy will evade the attack, until Drednaw extends its neck to grasp Twiggy. Twiggy uses a stick to block its attack, and goes to use another to attack Gigantamax Drednaw, who spurts water out to disarm it. Nessa reminds Henry of the strength her Drednaw possesses, for it can easily break Twiggy's stick. Nessa is certain of her victory: Twiggy cannot attack without its sticks. Henry confirms this, but only if one of the sticks was blown away: the other disarmed stick flies around Nessa. Marvin realizes this is the boomerang trick he witnessed when battling Henry, as the stick flies to deal a blow to Gigantamax Drednaw. The attack wounds Gigantamax Drednaw, who is defeated from the blow, and reverts to its original form. The announcer declares Henry to have won this battle.
Nessa is extremely frustrated by his tactic to pretend that Twiggy's stick was disarmed. She realizes that he made sure that Twiggy took steps back for the stick to hit Gigantamax Drednaw properly. Henry confirms this, for he had to make sure to strike its weak spot. However, he remarks this strategy would not have worked against such a trainer - a Gym Leader - that switches between offense and defense. Nessa is a bit angry that Henry is talking down to her, but recognizes her defeat, and shakes hands with him. A moment later, Marvin and Sniffler meet up with Henry and Twiggy, who thank Marvin for the battle to deploy this tactic. Since Twiggy's stick is gnawed up, Henry plans on sharpening it immediately. Marvin sees that he won't watch Casey battle Nessa, due to Scorbunny's type disadvantage.
Suddenly, Henry is called by Sonia, who is with Oleana. Sou recognizes the latter, who reminds she is Chairman Rose's secretary. Sonia admits she got invited for a lunch with Rose, and wonders if Henry got invited, too. Oleana lets it known that Rose is a very busy man, and she had to make time for this lunch, as Rose insisted that they eat with him. Henry separates from Marvin, though he advises he could go and cheer for Casey. At the restaurant, Chairman Rose has Sonia and Henry eat, pointing out that Hulbury is known for its fine dishes. Rose is impressed by Henry's hard training, then turns to Sonia, thinking she is still not able to watch the matches of the Champion's Cup or Gym matches. Sonia becomes tense at the mention of being Nessa's dear friend. Rose sees he has asked a personal question, and admits he often watches the matches at the Champion's Cup, and reminds himself that he is still indebted to Professor Magnolia.
He shows the Dynamax Band, reminding he did craft this with Professor Magnolia, turning Pokémon to gigantic size with the power of the Wishing Star. Sonia is dazzled that he shaped the Dynamax Band, more so when she remembers that he became the Chairman of the Champion's Cup after ranking the follow-up position of the Galar League. Combined with the fact he is the president of Macro Cosmos, Sonia deeply admires the man. Still, Sonia admits she is still worried about Dynamax, as is her grandmother, for there are still many mysteries to it. Chairman Rose is concerned as well, and hopes the relations between Dynamax, Power Spots and Galar particles will be illuminated, in hopes to bring peace and prosperity to Galar. He suspects there is a hint in history. Sonia believes that to be the case, so Rose invites her to come to Hammerlocke. Sonia realizes that is where the vault is, to which Rose compliments her quick wit, as it is expected from a future researcher.
Rose asks of Oleana to make a schedule so Sonia can inspect this vault. With the lunch over, Sonia thanks Rose for the lovely meal, and the two sides part ways. Sonia is excited to have the chance to visit the vault. Henry congratulates her, and walks away to do other business. Suddenly, Sonia gets a call from Nessa, who finished all of the Gym challenges. Sonia becomes in shock, hearing that Casey won by only using her Scorbunny. At the lighthouse, Nessa shouts out how Drednaw and Toxapex have not recovered fully from their previous battle against Henry. Moreover, Scorbunny evolved in the middle of the battle into a Raboot, and confused Drednaw, which let Casey gain an advantage to win the battle. Thus, she is postponing all matches until Drednaw's dizziness is cured. Sonia dashes away, promising to hear the entire story over a cup of tea.
Elsewhere, Casey is sitting on a bench with Raboot, who is not pleased about her victory: she barely won it. While she compliments Raboot, she is still displeased that it is her only Pokémon on the team. In fact, she thinks of the rest of her Pokémon team, wishing that they would return to her soon...
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Raboot (Casey's)
===Move===
*Max Strike
*G-Max Stonesurge
==Gallery==
Category:Sword & Shield volume 2 chapters