AFTER SLIPPING THE LEAFY FRAGMENT INSIDE HIS POCKET, Jack Napier and Sergei gets teleported to Hammerlocke. Sergei has not yet visited Galar; he has only seen photos and videos of it in the web. He cannot tell if this is real or not.

"I didn't say I was raised Galar, silly." He corrects Jack Napier. "My ancestors are, though."

One thing is for sure: if this is their way out as what the High King CALYREX has said, then they have to fulfill their roles as this epic's 'heroes'.

"Seems like more people are going north. Let's meet at the West end and I'll catch you there."

Unlike Jack Napier, Sergei's body is a sculpted marble. There is something he must do first.

🐉

The Hoennian delegates takes control of the situation, ensuring the high morale of the Galarians and aiding them from the threat that is about to come. Sergei only noticed the people seem like they are from another epoch, adorned with peasantry fashion he is not accustomed to. It must be because they are in the tale that the CALYREX has written for them. But is he really the author of this shit show?

Sergei does not peg himself as charismatic so he tries to work in the background.

"Let me help you." He assists one of the farmers who piles up some wooden carts for the barricades. Should the peasant be inclined to answer, Sergei will try his luck for being curious. "Do you know how this started? Do you know what's the source of this poison?"

There is always a prelude to the world's greatest epics. If they are to resolve the root of the problem, then he figures they must go to the very beginning.

🐉

The first thing he notices is the tapestry on the walls smudged with poison. As if depicting something, he begins to help Jack Napier and a lady (Lucette Castellane) in taking care of the dirty embroideries.

Sergei brings out Commander Wise, who, like her curious trainer, inspects her surroundings with an inquisitive gaze. "Help them out, Commander. Let's wash the poison out!"

The Tatsugiri then channels its power, spitting water from its mouth to SOAK the tapestries in cleaner liquid.

---

f8tnbfTJ

TL;DR
- SERGEI slips the leafy fragment in his pocket
- SERGEI teleports to HAMMERLOCKE with Jack Napier
- SERGEI tells Jack Napier he is gonna help the peasants with the barricades
- SERGEI asks a peasant: "Do you know how this started? Do you know what's the source of this poison?"
- SERGEI goes to the vault and observes the tapestry drenched in poison
- SERGEI calls TATSUGIRI
- TATSUGIRI uses SOAK to clean the tapestry (PRIORITY!)

RAID: GOODBYE GALAR, RUSTED SHIELD
Jack Napier Lucette Castellane

THE FELINE EASILY BREAKS FREE FROM THE ROARING MOON'S WINGS, with the help of the STONE EDGE TALONS by the Aerodactyl the dragon loses its grip. Zeraora then leaps a gigantic height to which it shoots the light's speed ELECTRO BALL into Enigma.

But despite the situation, Sergei just smiles. "Don't think you get us yet."

Contrary to what Jackie might expect, the Garchomp breaks free from the land and dashes like a bullet into the feline's direction. It matches the speed of the projectile, the dragon feeling the tingling, stinging sensation that tickles its skin as it dives into the ELECTRO BALL, and then into Zeraora with its fins first.

It is Enigma that retaliates at the fossil Pokemon. Grimacing from the attacks it has survived, the Roaring Moon's paws glow a bluish white light and pounces with a BRICK BREAK into the Aerodactyl's right wing.

---

TL;DR
- ROARING MOON is hit by AERODACTYL's STONE EDGE; letting go the ZERAORA from its wings
- GARCHOMP uses DIG at ZERAORA; GARCHOMP is hit by ZERAORA's ELECTRO BALL
- ROARING MOON uses [BRICK BREAK against AERODACTYL, targeting its right wing

GYM: QUICK BADGE
Josh Devlin

METEOR FALLS IS THE PLACE TO STUDY DRAGONS.

While they rarely frequent in open areas, the cavern has been home to the folkloric creatures. Catching one like Enigma strikes his curiosity to further study the dragon they affectionately call Roaring Moon. Similar to the celestial body when at crescent, the dragon boasts a plummage in vibrant hues of blue and scarlet; also similar to a familiar Pokemon called Salamence.

Sergei hopes to find one Salamence today to study with Enigma, but it seems he doesn't have to catch one now.

"Can I help?" He interjects with the stranger (Josh Devlin) mounting on a similar Pokemon as well with the company of a Salamence. "I have the same boy back there." Pointing towards Enigma hovering behind him. "Is there something we can help with?"

---

MISSION: A PARADOX PROBLEM
Josh Devlin

"SORRY, WHAT?" The pressure from whatever number above sea level they are is almost too much in Sergei's ears. He laughs as he starts to squinch his nose and blow through it, "Sorry, I forgot to equalize Shalin."

He can tell they are already high enough since all he sees below and above him are clouds, and that there are still a lot more storeys they have to cover before reaching the summit of this incredibly high pillar. "Yeah, I realized flying isn't really yet my strongest suit. Especially out there!"

There is a tinge of embarassment as he says it, his cheeks flushing as his hands comb through the strands of his red hair.

"I think we can take it from here. After all, Winter has to shed down those fats for the upcoming summer months. You see how flabby he is, right?" He points to his baby dragon who is acting aloof with his surroundings. "But the help is super appreciated! You also make me want to luck out on some commissions myself to buy a sygna suit myself, heh."

---

MISSION: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Shalin Nariya

IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE, Sergei is quick enough to let out his roto-tablets: one to record the battle and one on his side to take note of live observations.

"I hope you don't mind! This is a research work, after all!" He happily squeals.

"Looking like a Volcarona, then that must be a bug-type as well. Especially with that move!" Sergei watches as the SLITHER WING cannonballs itself into Enigma. The Roaring Moon did not foresee the attack and is dragged down into the ground. Valiant, on the other hand, is targeted by the Togekiss's FAIRY WIND on its own: but the Garchomp makes the clever attempt to DIG and dodge the attack while waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"Nice moves! Let us get retaliate with this." Roaring Moon soon finds it footing once more and soars into the sky. It mimics the shape of a crescent moon with its wings but the creature reveals its deceit upon sending a solar HEAT WAVE into the Slither Wing's direction.

---

MISSION: DAUNTLESS SHIELD (RR)
lam logan

Michael Navidson IS DEFINTELY RIGHT ON THAT ONE: Gym Leaders of Hoenn compared to other region's is on a different, Sky Pillar-high level! Where other regions take Pokemon battling as a hobby and recreation of sorts, Hoennians need to treat it as a way of life and to survive.

"Yeah, no, the thing is I haven't been to Galar and I'm not really familiar with its Pokemon battling culture but I figured that much from watching the streams."

Sergei thinks of the time he has tried the Unova Gym Challenges on his own and fail. Unova has a different approach too, in the same way that Hoenn has its own. He like this time that there's a focus on teaching. Why, learning is at the core of being a researcher as well.

He gives a cheers to what Michael Navidson says. That's right: one month in on Hoenn and nothing is ever boring.

"Say what: when the time comes your gym is already all set up and running, invite me in for an 'educational moment' of yours." He winks as he chugs his own share of the battle. "I'd like to believe I just let you win the last time so I can snag a badge from you this time. Ha ha!"

---

MISSION: ZERO TO ONE HUNDRED
Michael Navidson

"THEY'RE NOT YOURS EITHER. SO I SAY GIVE THEM BACK."

Sergei may not be that powerful to combat the two but he is resourceful and not dumb. As he keeps the two busy bickering over his "heroic entrance", his fingers start fidgeting on the phone in his pocket sending an S.O.S. to any authorities nearby, nevermind if there are actually authorities there to help him. At least, for now, he has to keep them entertained.

"How cocky of you, miss. I'd love to see your face if ever you're the one who fails." Words stinging like a POISON HEMLOCK, he returns the smug into the other. He regards the warning signs of both the Luxray and the Zorua but wastes no time to have his Pokemons show their power as well.

Volante eyes the SCARY FACE of the former but makes no mind as he SHIFTS HIS GEAR before posing for a strike. The Roaring Moon, on the other hand, settles into the space between them as it uses its tail to do a BREAKING SWIPE against the two Pokemons.

"That's right: the name's Sergei Dachev and I am here to stop you both." He similarly poses like that of a hero as he gives his speech, thinking like he's in some straight up an action movie. "Now give me back my swines!"

---

MISSION: PEARLS BEFORE SWINES
Cillian Quinn Mirabella Fontaine

VALIANT IS THE FIRST TO COUNTER. Upon seeing the Aerodactyl's chilling fangs, the Garchomp swiftly swoops down into the ground using DIG to escape.

Meanwhile, Enigma embraces the incoming impact of the Zeraora's attack. Wincing, the Roaring Moon uses the opportunity to trap the feline in its ruby-colored wings as it CRUNCHES through its flesh.

"Those are really flashy moves!" Sergei exclaims with excitement. "But I gotta show you my partners' zing too!"

---

TL;DR
- GARCHOMP uses DIG; GARCHOMP evades AERODACTYL's ICE FANG
- ROARING MOON is hit by BOUNCE; traps the ZERAORA inside its wings
- ROARING MOON uses CRUNCH against ZERAORA

GYM: QUICK BADGE
Josh Devlin

THIS IS HIS FIRST TIME RIDING A FLYGON. For most dragons who can learn how to fly, they are not as thrilling as for one that is a dragonic insect. Sergei once rode his Garchomp when it finally evolve and learned how to fly, but the Pokemon can no longer carry his trainer with him and soar into the sky especially now that Sergei is an adult.

"Wahoo!" Sergei shares the same excitement as Shalin Nariya. The andrenaline rushes inside him, the thrilling excitement is something he cannot contain anymore. He wonders if Winter is also feeling the same.

But the tower is as high as it can get. Atop the clouds, beneath the blanket of white that covers the sky, a few more miles of the spire continues to crawl into the space. The pressure is almost too much for Sergei to handle, but he is holding on for his life as he continues to brace for what is to come.

Are we there yet? He can only tell himself.

---

MISSION: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Shalin Nariya

VALIANT THE GARCHOMP TAKES CARE OF THE REMAINING MEGALOPOLANS WHO EVADED THE FALLING RUBBLES. Sergei agrees with Remiel Calcifet, the only way out is to fight or find the exit. He watches Saki Shitachi lift off the ground with her Metagross and speaks, "Tell me you'd find the exit and come back for us."

Regardless, he will have Valiant take care of the task at hand.

"Valiant here can't learn FLY but he certainly can lift himself up in the air like any other Garchomp and find us the exit," Sergei tells Remiel Calcifet, with a quite tone of pride as he SPEAKS ABOUT HIS KNWOELEDGE OF DRAGON-TYPES.

But without the move, the Garchomp needs to improvise. Catapulting himself in the air with a hasty STONE EDGE, the dragon is in the air in no-time.

---

TL;DR
- 03 encounter hostile zombie-like MEGALOPOLANS that have been driven mad by the darkness. you may encounter any amount from a single one to a large swarm.
- 04 discover permanently defunct and dull Z-CRYSTALS scattered about the city.
- 07 discover barely working vending machines that dispense odd-tasting energy drinks in exchange for defunct Z-CRYSTALS.
- 🗺️ SERGEI DACHEV's expertise with dragon-type pokemon must be advantageous in some way.

EXPEDITION: LESSER MEGALOPOLIS I
Remiel Calcifet Saki Shitachi

SERGEI FAILS. And not only that he fails miserably, he losts his ace in attempting to protect the creature that doesn't want to be protected. CALYREX wails beneath the STONE EDGE shield as GLACIAL LANCES spring out of the rock formation, striking Valiant to knockout.

Moreso, the CALYREX chooses to ignore his questions. Jack Napier's point shares the same sentiment that Sergei has. "But we still got answers to questions we didn't ask."

The High King mentions the Hero of Many Battles and the 'Skeleton'. It mentions about creating the story that will spark the flames of the Galarian's will. It mentions about the last vestiges of human life in the remaining Galarian cities.

If they can find a way to piece the puzzles together in that short period of time, it would be great.

Sergei watches the High King dies and transform into a tree of portals, beams warping across four locations the redhead can only surmise as the four standing cities of Galar. Jack Napier informs him he'll be following him where he goes. Sergei laughs at the idea of teasing him to be a very possessive booty call but dismisses it for more important things.

Like getting out of here.

"Let's go to Hammerlocke."

Before jumping into the portal, he checks the remnants of the CALYREX and sneaks a part of the petals that fell off, as some sort of souvenir for his almost death in Hoenn-slash-Galar-slash-wherever-they-really-are.

---

_7|L2pBI

TL;DR
- GARCHOMP faints. SERGEI has no Pokemon outside as of the moment.
- SERGEI ponders over the responses by CALYREX to other people.
- SERGEI tells Jack Napier he'll go to Hammerlocke.
- SERGEI tries to grab a piece of petal or whatever from CALYREX as a souvenir

RAID: GOODBYE GALAR, RUSTED SHIELD
Jack Napier

SERGEI WATCHES AS THE OTHER GUY CACKLES HIS BOTTLE but does not share his cheeriness. Michael Navidson then talks about how things will always get worst here in Hoenn but gets back by saying he has an incredible partner.

"Don't say that!" He leans his hands against his shoulders. "Look, I haven't been much here but all I can see is that whatever challenges the Universe throws at Hoenn, it always manages to get back up. Things will be better, I bet!"

When Navy invites him for a job, he just smiles. "Don't think you'd be too obssessed with me right after our second meeting." He teases Michael Navidson as he chuckles. "Sadly, I already have a job. But I'll take you up on the latter; you'd be surprised at how often I will be crashing your place!"

---

MISSION: ZERO TO ONE HUNDRED
Michael Navidson

"HE'S A FRIGIBAX: A RARE PALDEAN DRAGON WHICH I SOMEHOW FOUND IN HOENN!" He squels of excitement as he slowly approaches Shalin Nariya.

The suit rider explains how she got the suit and Sergei is even more amused. But what catches his attention is how Shalin Nariya describes how Sygna Suits work. He even brings out his roto-tablet just to take notes.

Sergei stops when she asks about him wanting to go to the top of the tower.

"Right! Winter, let's go!" Nodding, he takes the earplug just to be safe and then scoots into the Flygon; his Frigibax trying to get to the premium space of having lifted by the green dragon's limbs. "You sure you and your Pokemon don't mind? We must be a lot for you guys."

---

MISSION: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Shalin Nariya