SWSH008: Toasty!! Battle Against Toxapex

is the 1st chapter of Pokémon Adventures: Volume 2 (SWSH).
==Synopsis==
The group ventures to Hulbury, where Henry has his training with Marvin before the upcoming Gym challenge against Nessa. The two are visited by a suspicious man, who is sparked by their passion, and shows them a video of Nessa as the fashion model, in which Henry notices an important detail for his Gym fight.
==Chapter plot==
At Hulbury, Nessa has done finishing her training. Suddenly, she receives a call from Sonia, with whom she wanted to talk with. Sonia tells her about the numerous challengers that have fought against Milo, and half of them have lost that battle. Nessa smiles, thinking about her victory, for this could prove that she is stronger than Milo. Sonia is surprised to hear Nessa still thinks Milo as her rival, while Nessa asks her about the standing stones. Much to her surprise, Sonia found the treasure, a piece of cloth. Sonia invites her to talk things over, but Nessa is unable to: her other job prevents that. Sonia understands, to which Nessa describes she is being filmed to sponsor Hulbury as a tourist attraction. She also invites Sonia to come by anytime.
The next day, Henry trains his Twiggy, who is hitting the ground with its stick. Marvin and Sniffler face him in battle, and the former recognizes this as a strategy to lower their guard down, so Twiggy could close in and attack. However, Marvin knows this won't work: every time this strategy works, Sniffler bursts in tears, even from hearing Twiggy hitting the ground with that stick. Thus, Sniffler starts to cry, to which Marvin commands it to run. Sniffler does so, and uses Water Gun on Twiggy. Henry commends Marvin on this tactic: soaking Twiggy will cause it to distract itself, letting Fniffler stay invisible for a bit. In that moment, Twiggy uses Branch Poke: it throws the stick, which flies around, nearly hitting Marvin, who dodges the stick. The stick unveils Sniffler, whom Twiggy nearly pokes. Marvin and Sniffler raise their arms up, as they forfeit the match.
Marvin notices the stick is slightly bent, which was used as a boomerang to fly around to clear the mist. Marvin complements Henry, who is flattered. However, Henry made this new tactic as Marvin and Sniffler were able to counter his first strategy. In fact, Henry is glad this is over, for he can focus on battling the next Gym Leader, Nessa, the Water-type expert. While Henry is counting on type advantage, he doubts Nessa hasn't figured out to cover her weaknesses. Suddenly, Twiggy starts to shake: Henry believes it is time - Twiggy evolves. Marvin is fascinated, as Sou describes it evolved into a Thwackey. A man starts clapping, applauding them for this achievement. He compliments Henry for such a promising future with his Pokémon. Henry thanks him, while Marvin asks who is this man. However, the man dodges the question, pointing at a zeppelin showing Hulbury town.
Nessa appears on the advertisement, declaring this is the town she was born and raised in. She describes it is famous for the market, where many freshly caught "treasures of the sea" are sold, as well as numerous tools. She also presents a local restaurant, which cooks whatever is caught, even making one's own dish. She also presents the lighthouse, where she can focus herself to prepare for her next steps. Marvin recognizes this model, and admits he didn't know she was from Hulbury. The man shouts out that this woman was determined enough to be a model and a Gym Leader at the same time, and she succeeded. Marvin is taken aback, to which Henry confirms this is, indeed, Nessa, the Gym Leader. The man anticipates to see Sou in this Gym battle, and asks him to the meal at Captain's Table upon his victory.
Oleana arrives, advising the chairman not to plan rashly. She measures the time, explaining that by the time Henry finishes his Gym battle, the chairman would have to leave Hulbury. The chairman is disappointed, stating Oleana is not the fun type, who reminds him he has no time for other activities, as the project will soon be completed. Seeing she is right, the chairman leaves with Oleana, bidding farewell to the boys. Marvin starts pondering who this man was, as he seemed important. Henry is silent for a moment, and proposes that they should go. Marvin notes that Twiggy has two sticks, which have to be maintained. Henry acknowledges that, but he has to do something first. At the stadium, Casey shouts out that it is time for the Gym matches to start, urging others to participate. Marvin sees that neither Hop, Bede nor Marnie are here today. However, the Gym match starts, as Henry and Nessa walk to the battlefield. The two sides send their Pokémon out: Toxapex and Thwackey confront each other, with the latter tapping its stick to the ground.
Casey and Marvin smile to see Sou executing his special strategy. However, nothing particular happens: Toxapex is standing in one spot, and does not attack Twiggy. Twiggy becomes agitated, and strikes Toxapex. However, the latter is uninjured, while the former suffers a blow: Twiggy becomes poisoned. Henry remarks this was Baneful Bunker: Toxapex defended itself, so a physical contact move would get the Pokémon poisoned. Nessa smiles, as she fooled Henry for the lack of movement. Henry remarks that this climate is a bit cold for Toxapex. Nessa asks what does he mean: Henry reminds in her commercial, Toxapex was shown to be shut in. While this will prevent Toxapex from opening itself, there's a solution: Twiggy uses Sunny Day, which makes Toxapex reveal itself. Quickly, Twiggy uses Branch Poke to defeat Toxapex. Henry wins this battle, and proudly announces that he could not have won without seeing the advertisement. As he sprays an antidote to cure Twiggy, Henry admits he bought a Sunny Day TM and arrived just in time for the battle.
Nessa is impressed, and sees she has to improve her tactics: she sends a Dreadnaw out. Henry remembers having faced Dreadnaw before, and remarks it is a Rock/Water type Pokémon. Nessa doubts it will be that easy: Casey notices she will Dynamax it. Nessa corrects her that this will be much different: with a change in its appearance, as well as its size and strength, it turns into a Gigantamax Dreadnaw.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Toxapex (Nessa's)
*Thwackey (Henry's)
*Nessa's Drednaw
===Move===
*Baneful Bunker
*Branch Poke
==Gallery==
Category:Sword & Shield volume 2 chapters