SWSH010: Blazing!! Bede's Feelings

is the 3rd chapter of Pokémon Adventures: Volume 2 (SWSH).
==Synopsis==
Casey has made a broadcast on TV for people, to find her missing Pokémon. It doesn't take much time for the first person, Hop, to answer her call, to find her Arrokuda. As Casey sprints with Hop to find her Pokémon, Henry encounters Bede, who is furious that the chairman has taken a keen interest in his challenger.
==Chapter plot==
Bede is in extreme shock to hear that Chairman Rose has left Hulbury. He is extremely annoyed, reminding Oleana (though the phone call) that he promised he'd be in Hulbury. Oleana confirms that, and explains that he had a meeting with a Gym challenger that made other work delayed, and she will have to hang up soon. Before she does, Bede asks who was the Gym challenger, and it makes him furious to hear that one was Henry. Bede is quite angry, knowing that Rose personally endorsed him, and yet he is off to meet other Gym challengers. Oleana feels there is some misunderstanding here, and dismisses it, because the chairman acts as he wants to. Before logging out, Oleana reminds Bede to collect the remaining Wishing Stars. As Bede is left extremely frustrated, Rose asks Oleana who Bede is, having forgotten about him.
At the motorhome, Marvin exclaims that the morning show is about to start, featuring Casey. She and Henry watch TV, displaying Casey with an image of her missing Pokémon: Kilo (Arrokuda), Mega (Falinks), Giga (Stunfisk), Tera (Toxtricity) and Peta (Eiscue), the team she has been separated from a year ago. Casey kindly asks of the viewers to call the Pokémon by their nicknames, for they are used to being with people and will approach them. Moreover, she asks to contact her if they see any of these Pokémon. Casey and Marvin comment that other stations will display this broadcast, considering Casey earned the moment by defeating the Gym Leader with a type disadvantage. Casey is relieved a bit, then asks Henry about his meeting with Chairman Rose. Henry admits there was nothing notable, save for Sonia and Rose getting excited about Dynamaxing.
However, he remembers something being said about a vault in Hammerlocke, which could contain a clue about unraveling the mysteries of Dynamax. Henry starts wondering if that has a connection with the hero wielding the sword and shield, whose statue they have seen earlier, as well as the sword and shield they found in the Slumbering Weald. Since the two artifacts were emitting some energy they could not discern, Henry surmises that the relics in Hammerlocke could have a proportional amount of power, too. Henry hopes he could take the artifacts and inspect them. Casey looks up, finding that the vault is public institute, governed by the Macro Cosmos' various divisions: Energy, Aviation, Insurance and Lift Production ones. Sou starts thinking why does the chairman have the authority to give people like Sou admittance to the vault.
Suddenly, the motorhome stops, even if Casey knows they haven't even reached Motostoke yet. Casey is called outside, and meets with Hop. Casey greets Hop, who exclaims that he has found one of the Pokémon Casey might be looking for at a camp not far away. Casey phases out a bit, and as Hop says he shouted Arrokuda's name - Kilo - to get its attention, she grabs him and to go to this camp. Casey asks of others to go on without her, to which Magnolia hopes that it, indeed, is Casey's Arrokuda. Henry starts walking away, too, for he wants to harvest some sap for his crafting at a nearby tree. Marvin goes to accompany Henry, until they get attacked. Marvin suspects a wild Pokémon is attacking them, but Sou asks of him to stay back. Henry asks of the figure why he attacked them, mentioning Bede's name. Bede, who appears with a strange Ponyta, exclaims he came to get rid of Henry, his eyesore.
Ponyta uses Fairy Wind, which attacks Henry. Marvin notices its strange features, and surmises it must be a Galarian variant. Henry asks Bede why is he doing this, for the chairman has endorsed him to trust him not to execute sneak attacks. Bede becomes mad, demanding of Henry not to speak of the chairman as if he knows him. Bede points his finger at Henry, proclaiming that being endorsed by the chairman is more important than the Champion's endorsement, and now he is pushed away as Henry had a meeting with him. Henry is confused, for the chairman even invited him. Bede clenches his teeth, repeating the words that the chairman has invited him. He announces if he removes Henry, Bede will get the necessary recognition, and force Henry to retire from the challenge. Sou is unsure why is Bede doing this, and sends Steeler out (as he has not improved the gears of his Twiggy or Lancelot), who uses Hammer Arm, but misses Ponyta.
Bede is even more frustrated, seeing that Henry retaliating means that he wants to stay on the chairman's good side. Henry is silent, whereas Bede becomes more aggravated that Henry wants to call him a coward. Ponyta uses Agility, improving its speed to evade Steeler's attacks. Steeler uses Rock Slide, which causes dust to be spread around the field. Marvin can't see anything, while Bede recognizes this to be a copy of Milo's strategy. However, he reminds that the dust will soon settle outdoors, and as a figure appears, Ponyta goes to attack it. Much to their surprise, Ponyta has struck Steeler's beam. Ponyta turns around to see it. Suddenly, the beam moves: Steeler emerges from the rocks and strikes Ponyta, who is flung away. As Ponyta has fainted, Bede falls to the ground, frustrated about his loss. Instead, Bede starts to smile, and lifts Ponyta up.
He then uses a device to show the other challenger, Marnie, who defeated Kabu at Motostoke. Looking at Marnie, Bede resolves himself to win for the chairman, as the proof he exists to him. He turns to Henry, acknowledging his own loss, and confirming that, he, indeed, is collecting Wishing Stars, just as he did at Turffield. Bede admits the reason he is doing this is at the chairman's request. He walks away, muttering that this job will satisfy the chairman. Marvin sees that this means that Bede has calmed down over Henry eating with the chairman. Henry shows the Pokédex to Marvin: Ponyta has recognized Bede's feelings to be genuine, but without any wickedness. Henry sees that Bede has strong feelings for the chairman, and that his motives are refined. As Henry collects the sap from the tree, Marvin wonders if Chairman Rose wants to mass-produce Dynamax Bands by using the Wishing Stars, it is strange enough that he employed Bede as the single trainer to do that. The two walk to the motorhome, realizing they can only guess what the top company in Galar region really wants with that.
At a lake, Hop and Casey are trying to find Kilo. Casey then shouts out Kilo's name, nearly stunning Hop by the loud noise. She hears a splash behind her, and sees a tail. She is a bit surprised by that, as Kilo should approach her. Much to her and Hop's surprise, they find a Cramorant trying to swallow Kilo.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Centiskorch (Kabu's)
*Galarian Ponyta (Bede's)
*Cramorant (Gulping Form)
*Corviknight
==Gallery==
Category:Sword & Shield volume 2 chapters