Previously on Galarian Days...
Zander has a conversation with Zacian and Zamazenta in his dreams, where they explain that he is chosen to become the Wolfen Knight of Galar. They also tell him that he must get an endorsement from the Isle of Armor, but their conversation is cut short. Zander then discovers that he has weapon-based powers from the royal colors his fur has, and they help him fight two giant monsters in the Wild Area. Meanwhile, Elle has plans that involve Zander somehow...
-
Zander had come back to the train station, trying to piece together how to get to the Isle of Armor. It had been a day since he felled the giant monsters, so he was running out of time before the ceremony was about to begin.
"Those two Gym Leaders in training came here from the Isle of Armor before," he remembered, "because they both had something called an Armor Pass. But how am I supposed to get one myself?" As he sat in his chair, he sighed and said the only thing that came to mind: "If only I had an Armor Pass of my own..."
Just then, a brown-haired boy had disembarked the train and entered the station saying, "Whew! If I ever see either of those two creeps again, it'll be too soon," then took a yellow card out from his pocket and added, "Guess I won't be needing this..."
Zander's ears perked up at that, as the yellow card was actually an Armor Pass! "Um, excuse me?" he called out, getting the boy's attention. "If you don't want that yellow card there, I'd be happy to take it off your hands for you if you'd like."
"Well, that's oddly convenient," the boy said, "but who am I to look a gift Ponyta in the mouth?" He then walked up to Zander and handed him the Armor Pass. "Here you go, sir. Good luck when you get to the Isle of Armor!" then exited the station and muttered under his breath, "You're gonna need it..."
Zander looked at the Armor Pass in his paw and said, "Huh. Maybe those talking bath toys were on to something back then." He then stood up and said with newfound spirit, "Well, there goes Phase 1 of the plan. Now, time for Phase 2!"
-
After boarding the train to Wedgehurst and showing his new Armor Pass, Zander was on his way to the Armor Station. Once he was there, he happened upon a girl with dark hair in twin buns. She was wearing a brown short-sleeved shirt, white jean shorts, and gray sneakers with pink socks. She was also carrying a sport satchel, but she was standing nervously for some reason.
Deciding to be bold, Zander asked the girl, "Uh, are you okay?" But the girl only yelped and flinched in response, forcing him to backtrack. "Whoa, easy there! I wasn't trying to scare you!"
The girl only opened her eyes to see a two-toned wolf, but when she saw his soft, apologetic expression, she calmed down enough to say, "Oh, you're all right. It's just, something outside has got me on edge, that's all."
"Well, I'm still sorry if I scared you, though," Zander said. "I know us wolves can give off a frightening aura, but I can assure you I'm not mean."
The girl smiled warmly in response and said, "Well, you're forgiven, and I believe you. What's your name, by the way?"
"I'm Zander. What's yours?"
"My name's Sophia. Sophia Zuker."
Upon hearing her name, Zander said, "Say, that name sounds familiar. Could I have heard of you from somewhere?"
"Not unless you were at the Battle Cafe in Wyndon," Sophia answered. "That's where I work part-time."
"I actually was there the other day after the gathering in Wyndon Stadium!" Zander exclaimed.
"Oh, man! I just clocked out of my shift after getting my paycheck back then!" Sophia said. "We could've seen each other and didn't know it!"
"Maybe!" Zander said, happy that he made a new friend so quickly. His tail started wagging as he said, "You know what, why don't I help you with what's out there that's making you so skittish?"
"Sounds good to me!" Sophia said as she and Zander walked out of the station... only to come face-to-face...to-face...to-face with two people in Gym Trainer uniforms; one Poison, one Psychic.
"Hello, new arrivals, and welcome to the Isle of Armor!" the woman in the Poison uniform greeted. "I'm Klara, nice to meet you!"
"And my name is Avery," the man in Psychic garb added. "We have been tasked to escort newcomers to the Master Dojo immediately, but first, I must test the two of you to determine if you are fit to withstand the isle's trying dangers."
"Um, don't you mean WE should test them, Avery?" Klara asked cutely.
"Er, could you two please excuse us for a moment?" Avery asked politely. "Klara and I need to discuss a few matters."
Both trainers turned away from Zander and Sophia, then their true colors started showing. "Are we really going to give this nonsense another go-round!?" Avery whispered sharply under his breath.
"Hey, you were the one going all 'I' instead of 'we' here!" Klara retorted quietly.
"I already told you, I'm trying to better myself so I can get my course to becoming a Gym Leader righted!"
"Well, I want to get my dream of being a Gym Leader back on track too, but you don't hear me hogging the credit to do it!"
"Oh, just be quiet, Poison girl!"
"No, you shut up, Psychic boy!"
"Toxic diva!"
"Brainiac!"
"Caustic venom vial!"
"Overgrown brain jar!"
"Washed up whore!"
"Bastard failure!"
While Klara and Avery were arguing amongst themselves, Zander said uneasily, "Starting to get the feeling you had the right idea to stay back, Sophia. Those two are making my wolf senses tingle something vicious."
"I can see that," Sophia concurred. "So, wanna bolt while they're distracted?"
"After you."
As soon as Zander and Sophia were out of sight, Klara and Avery were wrapping up their... "discussion."
"Okay, how about this?" Klara suggested. "One-time-only teamup, and we challenge them to a Double Battle. Sound good?"
"Very well," Avery conceded, "but just this once."
Both Gym Leaders in training regained their pleasant expressions and turned back around. "So, special treat for you two today-" Klara started, but neither wolf nor girl were anywhere to be found.
"What!? Where did they go!?" Avery demanded as they looked around.
Meanwhile, Zander and Sophia just crossed the bridge to the Master Dojo, breathing heavily.
"Alright, I think we lost them," Zander said, panting.
"Me, too," Sophia agreed. "Guess we should start looking for this Master Dojo they were talking about before they lost their cool."
"And found it," Zander said as he looked up. Indeed, the building was right in front of the two, clear as day. "Man, things are starting to rollercoaster for us, aren't they?"
"Let's just go inside before those crazies catch up," Sophia said.
"Right, sorry," Zander said, and the two approached the door and each grabbed a knob. "Well, Phase 3... start."
Both of them opened the doors, bracing for what would happen...
