Misty's Adventures in Galar

by Brian Sheil

33. On The Road Back to Hammerlocke

After getting her seventh gym badge, Misty and her friends are heading back to Hammerlocke. They were pleased that the city of Spikemuth have opened it's doors to others.
"I still can't believe that these Team Yell guys are actually trainers from Spikemuth." Misty said.
"Neither can we." Firefly added. "I guess these guys are so determined to help Marnie be in high places, they'll do anything to achieve their goals."
"That's true. At least they acknowledge that there are great trainers out there. Including me."
Just then, Hop rushed in. "Hey, guys. You wouldn't believe what happened."
"What's wrong, Hop?" Paradise asked.
"There were power spots in Hammerlocke! Pokémon grew to city wrecking preportions. But, my brother and his Charizard handled this situation surprisingly good." He shows a picture from his Rotom phone. "Look at this!"
The girls see a picture of Leon and his Charizard standing proudly after the Gigantamax Pokémon fell.
"Wow!" Misty gasped. "Leon doesn't fool around."
"You bet!" Hop replied. "Now, I'm pumped more than ever. Now, that Spikemuth is open, I'm going to train to get my next badge,"
As Hop rushes off, Misty and company make their way through a tunnel. As they travel through, they thought about their journey.
"To think," Misty thought, "this all started when that puffed up penguin, Mr. Charlatan, threw me out of Canterlot High School."
"That was a bad blow to you." Firefly added.
"Then, Miss Porcina, my guardian, suggested that I travel here to Galar to be a Pokémon trainer. That's when Leon gave me Sobble."
"It wasn't long before me and Firefly joined you." Paradise said happily. "We've been very helpful ever since."
"Yes, you have. We traveled to a lot of places and met some good people."
"And, one bad person." Firefly added. "Bede."
Misty cringes, thinking of how this young man is mean to her and her friends. Thinking that she, her friends, and Hop are unworthy opponents is one thing. But, wrecking a mural at Stow on Side is another.
"I'm still fuming when Bede and the chairman's Copperjah wrecked that beautiful mural!" Firefly said angrily.
"I'm with you." Paradise added. "He's desperate to find those Wishing Stars for the Chairman."
"Let's hope he's doing better." Misty said. "Don't forget. Opal is taking him under her wing."
The girls realized that Misty was right. After going through a few barriers, they made their way out the tunnel. They looked and saw the path they took to Circhester. This means, they're close to their next destination. After a little more walking, they arrived at Hammerlocke.
"I remember the first time we came here." Misty said, thinking back. "We had to go through an area of the Wild Area to come here."
"That's after you defeated Milo, Nessa, and Kabu." Firefly reminded.
"Right. We saw plenty of sights in this town. Even clues to the two heroes and the Darkest Day."
Paradise's eyes widened. "Hey. There were clues at where that mural was broken. Wasn't there?"
"You got that right." Misty continues. "During the travels we took, we saw tapestries, statues, and other signs of the legends Sonia is studying."
"You also bested Bea, Opal, Gordie, and Piers to get their badges." Firefly added. "That's how you got seven badges. There's still one more to get."
Just then, the vicious woman who watched one of Misty's gym battles showed up.
"Getting that last badge is something you will not do!" The woman said.
The girls looked at the woman as a ghostly looking sword went to her side.
"It's Hydia, a worker of an education association." Firefly said. "And it looks like she has a Honedge."
Misty's Pokédex comes alive. Honedge, the Sword Pokémon. People often try to grasp the handle. But, the blue cloth wraps around their wrist and drain their life energy.
Misty is confused about something. "Why are you picking on me?"
"I heard about your problems as a child." Hydia said. "I think your parents are ashamed of you. That's why you were taken to that orphanage!'
"I was adopted. Now, I'm on the verge to get my last gym badge."
"You brat! Your journey was a waste of everybody's time. That's why I sent my daughters to try to discourage you, make you go home in disgrace!"
"WHAT?!" Misty gasped. "Your daughters are Reeka and Draggle?"
"Correct. Now, I shall pick up where they left off. Honedge, Slash Attack! STRIKE AT THAT BRAT!"
Honedge rushed over to Misty. This time, she was ready. "Come out, Lampent! Use Inferno!"
A ghostly looking lantern came out and fired a barrage of flames at Honedge. When Hydia saw that her Pokémon fainted, she recalled it and ran off.
"You haven't heard the last of me!" Hydia shouted as she ran from Hammetlocke.
Firefly looked at this floating lantern. "What's that thing?"
Paradise got out her tablet and looked it up. "Lampent, the Lamp Pokémon and the evolved form of Litwick. Spirits of the departed fuel it's flames."
"I figured to give Corviknight a rest and train Litwick for a bit." Misty explained. "After a while, Litwick evolved into a Lampent."
"Well, at least now there's nothing stopping you from getting your final badge." Paradise figured.
Meanwhilein Kalos, Sting was resting from traveling through Frost Cavern near Dendemille Town.
"That Frost Cavern wasn't easy to travel through." Sting said to himself. "It was worth it. I found a good ice Pokémon. Now, after some rest, I'm on my way to Anister City and my seventh gym battle."