Previously on Galarian Days...
Zander and Wufu enjoy an intimate (yet innocently wholesome) moment with each other in the waking world, and share a dream of seeking council with their mentors: Zacian, Zamazenta, and both forms of Urshifu, who decide that the time has come to include another messenger into the mix. Once both wolf and bear wake up, they proceed with their course of action to interfere with the opposite crisis...
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With their goals clear in their minds, Zander and Wufu exited the resort and rode the monorail to Wyndon Stadium. Once there, they passed the Pokemon Center, walked up the stairs and entered the stadium's lobby.
Recognizing one of the two enterers, the desk worker said, "You again? Didn't I already tell you the roster for battling Trainers is already full?"
"Now, now, calm your waters, sir," Zander said as he and Wufu approached the desk. "I'm not here to participate in the Cup, I'm here as a spectator. My friend and I would like to purchase two tickets, please."
"Very well, then." Zander then paid for the tickets, and he and Wufu were allowed to pass the gate. With that out of the way, Wufu asked Zander, "Why couldn't I have paid for my own ticket?"
"Did you have any money?" Zander challenged.
"As a matter of fact, I did," Wufu said as he grabbed his inro and opened the bottom compartment. Inside was a pile of coins organized into stacks.
"Huh." Zander said in mild surprise. "Forgot about the little box you had on your gi. Never thought it was a coin wallet."
"Not only that," Wufu explained, "it's also a pill caddy and a small toy holder. Basically a hammerspace for small items."
"Cool."
Wufu then put his inro back just as they entered the stands. The two anthros then took their assigned seats indicated on their tickets and watched as the crew on the pitch was wrapping up their setup. As the countdown clock on the LED display counted down to zero, the crowd hushed, and floodlights were switched on and off to get everyone's attention to the pitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice boomed, "welcome back to Wyndon Stadium for the finals of the Champion's Cup! For those of you just joining us today, the semifinals had met an unprecedented end in a draw, so this year the current Gym Leaders will be facing each other. And here they are now!"
At that, all eight Gym Leaders ran onto the pitch to greet the cheering audience: Annie, Selene, Raphael, Basil, Monty, Winston, Parcel and Lady Cona. Joining them were two Pokemon League workers; one male and one female.
"Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Wyndon Stadium!" the male worker said through a microphone. "Once again, I'm Hank..."
"And I'm Heather!" the female worker chimed in hrough her own microphone.
"And it's time for the pre-battle commentary, with the actual battles of the finals to follow!" Hank said. "So, take it away, Heather!"
"You got it, Hank!" Heather said as she walked up to the Gym Leaders, then said, "Okay, current Gym Leaders of Galar, big fan of yours, by the way, as you know, you'll be pitted against each other in the finals since the semifinals ended in a draw. Now, the audience wants to know: how does it feel?" She then pointed her microphone towards the group to accept their responses.
"Well," Annie started off, "to be honest, we're a little disappointed that all those Trainers who worked so hard to get our Badges won't be advancing..."
"But, on the plus side," Raphael added, "this gives us an opportunity to show our capabilities as Gym Leaders to each other, so we'll have to give it our all to make up for it!"
"In fact," Parcel interjected, "I know for a fact that some of our challengers will still be here in spirit to cheer us on!"
"Did you hear that, Wufu?" Zander said in the seats, tail wagging because he was referenced. "Parcel referenced me! Granted, other Trainers may fit that criteria, but so do I!"
Back on the pitch, Lady Cona said, "And thus, we owe them and the rest of our audience a memorable series of unwavering spirit, for who knows when a situation like this will come around again?"
"Wow, very inspiring!" Heather remarked. "The rest of you, anything to add?"
"Well," Basil said, "we could've mentioned that the beaten Trainers trying again was what the open invitationals are for-"
"But why spoil their moment?" Monty cut in.
"So, what are we waiting for?" Selene asked rhetorically.
"Let's get these battles started already!" Winston wrapped up.
"Well, there you have it folks!" Heather said as the Gym Leaders broke from the group. "Eight powerful Pokemon Trainers are raring to give us all a day we shan't easily forget! Back to you, Hank!"
"Thanks, Heather!" Hank said. "And now, let's have a look at how that unforgettable day will go according to the lineup!"
With that, the LED display showed the audience a tree diagram of the Gym logos and how they were arranged: on one side, Bug vs. Flying and Poison vs. Psychic, and on the other, Electric vs. Ground and Normal vs. Steel.
"Looking a bit one-sided, don't you think?" Wufu commented.
"Ooh, looks like we're in for a real treat today, everyone!" Hank said. "So don't move from those seats, or you could miss out on something amazing! Until then, she's Heather..."
"And he's Hank!" Heather said.
"And we'll see you later!" they both said together before they vacated the pitch.
"Wow, that was campy," Zander said while the audience waited for the first battle of the finals...
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