Opal (Adventures)

Opal is a character appearing in the "Sword & Shield Chapter" of Pokémon Adventures, who is the Gym Leader of Ballonlea in the Galar region.
==Appearance==
==Personality==
Opal is a polite old woman, but she makes a riddle before the battle to confuse her opponent: how old is she. If they answer dishonestly, they get awarded by a bonus in battle, but if they answer honestly, they get penalized. This is her way to show them the side of being bitter, and she sometimes gets annoyed when the opponent beats her.
She also has an interest in Bede as a successor to her Gym, and has him train vigorously. Despite his behavior, Opal recognizes this to be a way to defend himself, knowing he still is a fair Trainer to his Pokémon.
==Biography==
Some time ago, Opal fought against a friend from Leon, a future Champion. Opal managed to defeat Leon's friend, which made them give up on the Gym Challenge, and this event negatively reflected on Leon, who lost contact with them.SWSH021: Swaying!! Murky Memories
===Sword & Shield arc===
Opal was in Ballonlea City's Stadium. Hearing the news that Leon, the Champion, has recommended two Trainers to take on the Gym challenge, Opal pleasantly smiled.SWSH003: Chomp!! Defeat Drednaw
Opal went to Hammerlocke, to visit the challengers Leon had approved. She heard Casey talking about finding her Kilo, to which she placed her hand on her shoulder, approving of her dedicated goal. Casey was startled and shouted out, which knocked Opal down. Raihan recognized Opal, referring to her as the Gym Leader. Casey became relieved, as she thought of Opal as some sort of a witch. Opal admitted she wanted to see the challengers, in case they would lose. However, she was slightly offended that Casey thought that she would beat her and the other Gym Leader, the masked silent boy, in Stow-on-Side. Opal went with the group in Magnolia's motorhome to Stow-on-Side, and reminded Casey and Henry that she'd battle them in Ballonlea. However, Professor Magnolia was annoyed that she'd have to drive Opal to that place, as the road was known for its bumps and obstacles.SWSH013: Glittering!! The Tapestry in the Vault
Opal sent a letter to Bede, who was at Hammerlocke.SWSH016: Rising!! Opal of Ballonlea When Henry went to Ballonlea, he faced Opal at the stadium. Before the match, Opal wanted to test Henry with a question. She asked how old she was, surprising Sou by this question.SWSH015: Shocking!! Reunion in the Forest Sou halted for a moment, and answered she was 88. Opal smirked, and left, promising to unveil the reason behind this question. She first faced Hop, who answered 16 to her question. Opal claimed he answered good. She later faced Henry, and gave him a penalty to his answer: while she was 88 years old, she stated that was not a desirable answer, and had Henry's Pokémon have their Attack power lowered. Opal sent Galarian Weezing against Henry's Lancelot. The latter got hit by Sludge Bomb, but nevertheless defeated Weezing with Steel Wing. She also sent Togekiss to battle Henry's Steeler, but was defeated by the latter's Rock Slide attack.
Opal remarked Henry was lucky to have gotten so far, considering his penalty. Sou wondered why did she place such unfair advantage, to which Opal explained she tested him as a person, not just as a Trainer. She remarked that Henry could face unfair criticism and slander one day, and this was her test to see how would he handle this, else he would not respond well by being on the top. She sent Alcremie next, and Dynamaxed it into a Gigantamax Alcremie. The latter fired its calorie missiles at Lancelot, who attempted to dodge but failed, and got hit. Henry Dynamaxed his Lanclot, which pleased Opal, for she wanted to have a good final match. She then announced to the audience that this was her last day as a Gym Leader, for she would retire.
Lancelot fired Max Steelspike to harm Gigantamax Alcremie, who fired a G-Max Finale once more. The attack struck Lancelot and healed Gigantamax Alcremie, to which Lancelot used Max Knuckle to boost its Attack. Opal felt Henry was getting desperate to have Lanclot's Attack power increase so late in battle. Gigantamax Alcremie fired its last G-Max Finale to defeat Lancelot. This time, Lanclot memorized the movements of the attack and deflected them. With the last attack, Gigantamax Alcremie reverted to its original form and was quickly defeated by Max Steelspike. Opal realized that Henry was counting on this, and noticed he equipped Lancelot with an Expert Belt. Opal, being bitter, muttered to Henry that he had failed the match. She quickly corrected herself, stating he won and left the stadium.SWSH017: Stealth!! Infiltrate the Energy Plant
Opal took Casey as her next challenger, who used her Gigantamax Toxtricity to battle Gigantamax Alcremie. The latter fired G-Max Finale, to which Gigantamax Toxtricity endured. Casey was confident in her victory, but Opal reminded it was not much of a battle if she could battle the way she predicted to: her Gigantamax Toxtricity was confused by the attack and fainted. Opal left the stadium, commenting that Casey lost.SWSH018: Chomp!! It's Dracovish Bede went to Ballonlea to meet with Opal. Opal admitted she didn't expect Bede to come, but Bede cut the talk, knowing she was trying to provoke him. Opal became impressed, and told Bede that he had passed.SWSH020: Cracking!! Brilliant Tap-Dancing Bede was battling a Trainer, to start his training as a Gym Leader, while Opal was observing him. Bede went to finish the battle, but was distracted by his opponent and his Hattena got hurt by a counterattack.
Opal stopped the match, reminding Bede could not afford to be arrogant in battle to answer questions, If he was close to victory. Moreover, she reminded that he was training to become a Gym Leader, and should stay alert. Still, she praised that he was trying to be honest towards his opponent. Bede cut the talk, so Opal ordered a break. As Bede was healing his Hatenna, Opal noted despite his arrogance, Bede was still a good Trainer: his Hatenna, a sensitive Pokémon, still remained near Bede, who didn't show malice, and felt his way of talking was just a way to defend himself. It also made her wonder why Chairman Rose dismissed Bede so easily, knowing well of his behavior. She wanted to talk to him, but knowing he would be dishonest, decided to talk with other Gym Leaders instead. Thus, she had a conversation with Piers, which made him ponder more about Chairman Rose's behavior.SWSH022: Grrr!! Noble Kidnappers
Opal received a call about Chairman Rose. After ending it, she knew Bede was listening in on her conversation. Bede tried to refute this, but Opal gave him a chance to go with her and find out what Chairman Rose was up to. The two went to Rose Tower at Wyndon, where they were blocked by Oleana. Bede tried to force his way in, but Oleana reminded that Chairman Rose was not here. She did wonder why was Opal here, to which the latter doubted that Oleana would understand the answer. Oleana, seeing that they would not leave, sent her Pokémon to stop them, and in that moment, the Gym Leaders—as well as Henry, Casey, Hop and Marnie—came in as well, sending their Pokémon to battle. With Chairman Rose unleashing the Darkest Day in Hammerlocke, the Pokémon of Wyndon were Dynamaxed, and this caused people to panic. Opal noted that fighting Oleana would have no point anymore. In order to go to Hammerlocke, the group was picked up by Professor Magnolia, who rode away in her motorhome.
Bede was in the motorhome heading to Hammerlocke, which, due to a collapsed bridge, took a bumpy ride on the railway. With the call of Trainers asking of Gym Leaders for support, Opal decided to help her people back home, leaving Bede to join the group to confront Chairman Rose. Thus, Opal remained behind in the motorhome, as Magnolia drove them away.SWSH026: Crack!! The Rusted Sword and Shield Having received word that Macro Cosmos' employees were sent to deal with Dynamaxed Pokémon in Galar cities, Opal decided with the rest of the Gym Leaders to return to Hammerlocke to provide support. As Marvin reported that they couldn't get contact with Henry and Casey, Opal wondered what was going on in there. The motorhome rode away, but stopped when a blast struck a hole in the road.SWSH029 With the Gym Leaders at Hammerlocke having fallen unconscious, Opal and Professor Magnolia went to the hospital. There, they met up with Marvin, who informed them that the Gym Leaders and Leon were in bad shape, but Casey, Marnie, Sonia, Hop and Bede have recovered. Opal noted that, and went to see how the Gym Leaders were doing.SWSH030
==Pokémon==
===On hand===
==References==