The Pink Old Lady

Please don't tell me this is your best.

Do I need to teach you the basics of Fairy types again?

Heh! Whatever. Keep on talking from your high horse. It won't last long!

I'll send you home crying in no time!

Then show me you're not all talk.

Oh?

And since when have YOU been in a position to teach others, hm?

Ack! Ms. Opal!

Bede...

You've gotten a bit too big for your boots while I've been away, child.

... ... ...

You may be my successor as Gym Leader...

but last I saw you, you still had lots to learn.

You don't have to lecture me the moment you arrive...

What did you say? These old ears didn't hear a grumble, did they?

Er...no, I didn't say anything...

Hahaha! Look at you!

It's rare to see YOU all flustered! Serves you right!

Laugh if you must, but I'd be careful if I were you.

Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

Never mind.

I believe some introductions are in order.

This here is Ms. Opal, a long-standing Gym Leader from Galar.

She's been training me as her successor.

Of course with my talents, I'll be taking over in no time.

Never one to stop bragging, are you, child.

Ohhh... So this is the old lady he told me about.

Ms. Opal, this boy here is from the Paldea region, and his name is...

Ortega, I presume? I saw your battle earlier.

So sincere and straightforward and yet so twisted and misguided... Yes, you've got potential, child.

Now that's what I would call pink! Congratulations!

Wh-what are you even talking about?!

Wouldn't you like to be a better Fairy-type user?

I'd be happy to take you under my wing and train you alongside Bede.

Bede?

Hmph! Fine! I'll prove I'm WAY better than HIM!

Right, then.

*sigh* You fell right for it...

It's like watching myself from not so long ago...

Here's the deal... A survey was taken on Pasio to see how popular different towns and celebrities are.

And we're here to announce the results!

How'd Spikemuth do?

Oh. We're down near the bottom.

Piers the Melancholy is a well-known singer...

But I guess people aren't tuned in to where I'm from, huh.

All I can do as a singer is sing my songs...

Well, that ranking may be a shock...

but we did learn somethin' useful, we can't just rely on Big Bro to carry our name!

Let's get all of Team Yell together and figure out what we can do!

That's our Marnie for ya!

Let's all give 'er a proper cheer!

And so...

We're trying to think up ways to show off Spikemuth's charm.

Any ideas, Chairman Rose?

Let me see...

What if we held a tournament featuring celebrity Trainers from each region?

So...like a battle of the regions?

Precisely!

Gathering well-known Trainers from all over should attract a diverse audience!

Perhaps we could describe each contestant's hometown, too.

That sounds great!

Yeah! It'll be a chance to share what makes every town and Gym Leader special!

Thanks, Leon! You too, Mr. Rose!

OK, time to get started.

Hang on, Sis.

What?

In this tournament, I want to show off all the new charm you've brought to Spikemuth.

So I'd rather you represent Spikemuth Gym than me.

Me? Really?

OK! I'll do it!

I'll do everything I can to help!

I'm gonna train proper hard for this tournament!

I suppose this is how the next generation will help forge the future.

Yeah! Everyone's gonna get stronger together and keep building on our history.

That's the Galar we all love!

I talked to Gloria and the others, but you'll join too...right, Bede?

A tournament for celebrities to become better known?

Very well. Count me in.

I'll cover everything in the color of Bede!

I GUESS I could represent Paldea.

Oh, um... The participants for Paldea are already full.

WHAT?! No way!

Bede, I'll leave this tournament to you. Good luck handling it on your own.

That was the plan... But where are you going?

I've something to discuss with Rose, the young chap.

Hey, Bede.

I'm joinin' this tournament to put Spikemuth on the map.

Are you gonna battle for Ballonlea Gym?

No. I'm doing this for myself.

This isn't for anyone else.

Is that so?

Yeah, I wouldn't expect a guy like you to do his best for anyone but himself!

Oh hush.

Well, if it isn't Ms. Opal! I'm pleased to see you in good health!

Likewise. I didn't think I'd get to see you again.

Never mind. I'm not here to discuss that.

In the upcoming battles, don't take your eye off my young Bede.

He'll show you that future you're always yapping about.

Indeed. I have high hopes for him.

I expect much more from him than just the strength to carry the future!

I see...

You've changed too, Rose.

I'm back. You haven't been slacking, I hope.

Of course not.

You have nothing to worry about. We were training properly.

You say that, but it doesn't look like you've made much progress.

That may be true... But rest assured, I WILL show you results.

Hey! What's the deal?! You didn't have to be THAT mean!

Be as mean as you like to me, but at least give Bede a few words of encouragement!

Oh? Do tell me more.

Thanks, Bro.

I'm ready for tomorrow's matches... all thanks to you!

It's the least I could do.

But why call me to train all of a sudden?

I wanted to study your tactics as much as possible.

... ... ...

Marnie... Back in Galar, I stepped down as Spikemuth's Gym Leader so you could take over.

But I never wanted you to replace me.

Huh?

I want you to represent Spikemuth Gym in your own way.

Even if you make mistakes, no one will blame you.

In fact, recovering from mistakes is where we Spikemuth Trainers shine.

If we hit rock bottom, we'll all find our way back up together.

Yeah! But don't worry!

I'd never do anything to hurt OUR hometown's hype!

Let's shout Spikemuth's name and show the world how great it is!

On the day of the tournament...

For today's tournament, we've gathered talented celebrities from every region!

I'm sure many of their hardcore fans are in the crowd!

Some of you may discover new sync pairs to cheer on!

Are you ready, everyone?

Let's make some noise for your favorite sync pairs!

The mysterious masked wrestler from Alola, the Masked Royal, is attacking boldly!

Opposing him is Clair, the dragon master from Johto's Blackthorn City, who elegantly countered his attack!

Brycen, the famous actor from Unova, has launched a barrage of attacks against Hoenn's contest idol, Lisia!

Who will steal the audience's heart in this Pokémon battle?!

And now, it's time for the next match!

Here comes Marnie, from Galar's Spikemuth!

She's the talented younger sister of the famous singer Piers! She's also garnered lots of secret fans!

Will these siblings claim victory for Spikemuth, their hometown?!

(They're saying "Spikemuth" a lot!)

(Thanks, Mr. Rose!)

In the other corner is the Supercharged Streamer!

It's Iono, the Gym Leader of Levincia, from the Paldea region!

She's a popular influencer with view counts on the rise like an Eelektross crawling out of the ocean, even here on Pasio!

Wowee! That uniform!

Bzzzt! It's givin' all sortsa "Let's do this!" vibes!

Thanks! All of Team Yell's hearts are in it!

With it on, I've GOT to win!

Aw yeah! I'm always down for a battle that brings the drama!

Plus, I'm live streaming as we speak! All my loyal viewers' eyeballs are on us!

Promote away! Show 'em what Spikemuth's all about!

You bet I will! That was the plan all along!

Grimmsnarl! Let's show 'em our teamwork!

Oh noes! This isn't good! Loyal fans, I need to hear you cheerin'! Gimme all you got!

Let's go for the win, Grimmsnarl! Gigantamax!

That outfit suits you quite nicely!

Is it true it's a Fairy-type Gym's uniform?

Indeed. You're well informed.

I was told, ad nauseum, that today I should wear an outfit befitting Ballonlea Gym.

*chuckle* I imagine Opal told you that.

... ... ...

I heard what happened to Bede.

When he was all alone, you saved him, right?

That means you're pretty much family! Shouldn't you be a little nicer to him?!

Goodness, child.

Your parents must've spoiled you rotten.

Wha, ?!

No matter what anyone says, I don't plan to change how I educate Bede.

I need the child to stand on his own two feet as soon as possible.

But why push him so hard?

That child doesn't need a guardian.

What the lad needs are companions, rivals who'll walk beside him, toward the same future!

In fact, he's already found just that.

Marnie! Bede! Good luck, both of you!

You two are the only ones from Galar who're still in the tournament!

You can do it! There's always a way to win!

Companions and rivals who'll walk beside him, toward the same future...

The spectators are getting restless. Perhaps I should end this.

We'll show you a truly great pink. It's time for my dear Rapidash to Dynamax!

Wow, look at them go! What a match!

Would you like to join them, Leon?

Huh? Oh, but...

Is it not a Champion's duty to hype up the crowd at tournaments?

Chairman Rose!

Oh, what's this?! A new challenger joins the fray!

Check it out! Spikemuth's trending on social media!

That's great, Marnie!

Hey, all!

You've been battling in the tournament, so you must be hungry.

I prepared some food. I SUPPOSE I could extend an invitation, if you like.

Well, well. How considerate of you.

Oh, shut it! Are you coming or not?!

We'd love to!

Then it's decided! Let's go!

Hurry up, before the food gets cold!

Ah, excuse me.

I have something to take care of. You go on ahead.

OK! See you later!

I'm sure you saw my battles, Ms. Opal.

You've seen what it looks like for a Fairy-type user to surpass you.

You can rest easy now. And retire.

Sheesh. That tongue of yours keeps getting more and more twisted.

But of course.

I'm sincere and straightforward...yet twisted and misguided. Just like my teacher.

Cheeky as ever, that successor of mine.