SWSH006: Watch Out!! Strong Rivals

is the 6th chapter of Pokémon Adventures: Volume 1 (SWSH).
==Synopsis==
The group encounters Professor Magnolia's granddaughter, Sonia. As Magnolia is preoccupied at the moment, Sonia accompanies Marvin, Henry and Casey to their first town for a Gym Challenge. On the way, they encounter their new rivals, all of whom are ready to take on the Gym Challenge, starting with Grass-type Gym Leader Milo.
==Chapter plot==
At the Budew Drop Inn at Motostoke, the group gazes at the statue of an armed figure, wielding a sword and shield. Henry and Casey recall they look much like the sword and shield they saw at the Slumbering Weald. Marvin asks Professor Magnolia about the statue's origins, but a deep voice tells him the woman knows little of such matters. Everyone is in shock that the statue is speaking to them, as it knows such answers. The group expects an answer, but the statue utters "bow-wow". Casey is confused, as the statue utters another bark. Casey is annoyed, but the professor demands "Sonia" to come out. A girl and her Pokémon come from behind the statue, for they played a prank on them. Professor Magnolia tells the children that this is her granddaughter, Sonia.
Sonia meets Henry, Casey and Marvin, who introduce themselves. Sonia introduces herself as a researcher-in-training, and occasionally professor's assistant, though Magnolia claims that is a seldom occurrence. Sonia turns to the statue, explaining it represents a "hero". She explains that a long time ago, a dark vortex was opened in the sky of Galar, causing many Pokémon to grow giant in size. With so much power, the Pokémon lost control and went on a rampage. However, this hero, wielding the sword and shield, stopped the chaos, and the statue was built to commemorate him. Sonia admits she didn't think much of the statue when she started her own Gym Challenge, but she grew more interested in it while helping her grandmother. Henry is interested that the hero had so much power to stop the giant Pokémon, but Sonia explains this is all she knows about this figure.
Casey shouts to ask Sonia about her Gym Challenge, which startles her. Sonia evades the question, for to her, it doesn't matter. Still, she asks her grandmother about the story, to which Magnolia believes the described phenomenon to be Dynamaxing. Professor Magnolia is annoyed by Sonia that this is all she learned since she abandoned her home. Sonia defends herself, stating she is not important enough for others to let her investigate ruins or artifacts, but Magnolia claims she did continue to pursue her path when she was Sonia's age. Henry gains the professor's attention, for he wishes to get going to start the Gym Challenge, much to Marvin and Casey's surprise. Henry remarks they can catch up to others, who are Henry's request, to which he and Sirfetch'd smile.
At the motorhome, Magnolia finds out she cannot turn the engine on. Casey looks underneath the vehicle, finding many broken parts, and suspects the wild Pokémon have damaged the vehicle. The professor sees she won't be able to reach Turffield in time to study geoglyphs, to which she requested a special permission for. She asks Henry and Casey if they could go in her stead, but the two don't even know what to search for there. Thus, Sou asks Sonia if she could accompany them, being a researcher and a former Gym Challenger. Sonia is interested, and Magnolia approves of that, making her granddaughter very happy. Before leaving, Magnolia thanks Sou, and points out his Lancelot is drenched in oil from the motorhome.
Later, the group walks near Turffield. Sonia explains this is the place of the first Gym, past the Mine Gallery, led by Gym Leader Milo. As she goes to continue, the group stops, seeing a cave entrance being blocked in. They notice a cave-in happened recently, and encounter three people: a black-haired punk, a mean-looking boy with white hair, and a guy with a jacket, that has white fur - all three wearing Dynamax Bands. Casey realizes these are Gym Challengers, startling the punk by her shouting. The white-haired boy sees they are Gym Challengers as well, while the other guy shouts how they are all rivals, and how it is nice to meet one another. Marvin looks at Sonia, who is starting to cry, inspired by their determination, just as she was during her Gym Challenge.
Sonia suggests they could team up to move the boulder. The white-haired boy claims the difference in power between them is quite wide: his Hatenna uses Confusion to lift the boulder. Casey is surprised by such power, but the punk girl has Morpeko shatter the boulder with Aura Wheel. The boy joins them by having his Corvisquire use Pluck at the boulder. Casey is in disbelief how much they are trying, but Henry suggests they can join in as well. Casey's Scorbunny attacks the boulder with the rest of the group, which lifts the boulder and sends it away. Sonia, Marvin, Casey and the jacket guy cheer, while others remain silent for this success. Atop of the hill, Milo observes them, noting these challengers are quite inspiring. Thinking they will come to challenge him, Milo goes straight away in a cab, carried by a Pokémon that flies him away.
Casey and the jacket guy sprint ahead and shout in excitement, which makes the punk girl a bit annoyed by them. Marvin turns around, seeing Henry leaving a bit, for he has to do something first. The white-haired guy stays behind, asking of Hatenna to crush the boulder by the psychic power. However, he stops, and is angry to see Henry interrupting him. Henry admits he was curious: everyone but him wanted to crush the boulder, and even noticed the guy had Hatenna use Confusion to protect the boulder, so nobody else would smash it before lifting.Henry suspects the guy saw something in the boulder, and didn't want of others to obtain it. Henry admits that, from a family of swordsmiths, he can identify minerals, and the ones from the Galar Mine can produce Wishing Stars. The guy smiles, proudly stating this is none of Henry's business.
Henry introduces himself, but the guy replies he won't remember his name. Instead, he exclaims he was chosen by Chairman Rose as a challenger, his name being Bede. Henry promises to remember that, but is suddenly dragged away by Casey. Bede remains behind to think, and has Hatenna use psychic powers to crush the boulder into pieces, and mutters that there are three around. On the battlefield, Challenger 808 Sou faces Gym Leader Milo. As the battle starts, Sou sends Steeler against Milo's Gossifleur. Casey and Marvin are excited to watch, though the latter examines the rest of the challengers that will face Milo today. Steeler uses Close Combat to strike Gossifleur, which takes the Pokémon down. Milo remarks the strength behind Henry, who was endorsed by the Champion. Thus, his Pokémon, Eldegoss, Dynamaxes.
Henry takes a moment to examine Eldegoss, then switches Steeler for Lancelot. Lancelot goes to attack, yet Eldegoss uses Max Overgrowth. Lancelot manages to evade the attack, and with Sou's band reacting, it Dynamaxes into a giant Sirfetch'd. As the battle continues, Bede contacts Oleana, for he will take part in Turffield's Gym Battle. More importantly, he collected three items near the Galar Mine. With new orders for the "Gathering", he promises to win this Gym Battle, as well as to bring good news with the Wishing Stars. Bede asks of her to pass his regards to Chairman Rose, who is, in disguise, signing fan autographs near Oleana.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Bede
*Sonia
*Hop
===Pokémon===
*Morpeko (Marnie's)
*Hatenna (Bede's)
*Yamper (Sonia's)
*Eldegoss (Milo's)
*Gossifleur (Milo's)
*Corvisquire (Hop's)
===Move===
*Aura Wheel
*Max Overgrowth
==Gallery==
Category:Sword & Shield volume 1 chapters