[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220808/ad97e8ab1fde2e20c156f26c09f67c94.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=E38AAE][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color] [color=FFE6E8]Iris [[@Serei2477]], Bianca [[@Majoras End]] Holly [[@Fabricant451]], Mika [[@Solace]], Astrid [[@LuckyBlackCat]], Sebastien [[@King Cosmos]][/color][/center]
[color=FFE6E8][center][h3][i][b]One week since Hyacinth’s emergency meeting…[/b][/i][/h3][/center]
It was strange to see so many of them gathered in Postwick. Not everyone had decided to come and watch the first of Iris’ challengers come to battle her, though it was definitely more than a handful of them. Bianca was there along with Holly, which was nice. Mika was there as well, though that was less of a surprise; he probably came by both to watch the battles and scour the Slumbering Weald for anything interesting. What surprised her was that even Sebastien and Astrid had opted to observe the battles. Then again, it was off-season for them– and if any of the trainers failed too many times during the course of the challenge, then they would be relegated to competing against the Minor League gym leaders the next winter. It was smart for them to come and watch the trainers at the end of the day. As for those in the Major league, it would be absolutely idiotic to not attend at least one or two of their comrades’ gym battles. Attending such things gave them a very early and important sneak peak towards what they should expect in the coming weeks. 

Hestia sat on the bleachers near the very front of the arena. She often sat in the front row so that she would be able to see every moment of the battle. How the Pokemon moved, how the trainers gave them orders, if there were any delays in a trainer’s decision making… it was very easily overlooked if one decided to sit in the back portion of the gym. And that wasn’t the only issue with sitting further away from the ring. Other onlookers would often jump up in excitement during the length of the battle, which could block potentially important parts of the battle or large segments overall. 

She cleared her throat and sat up straighter, her eyes peering straight into the arena. Iris looked more than prepared to meet her challenger– a young boy with shaggy black hair and crooked glasses. He trudged forward to face the Ghost-type gym leader, albeit a bit too jittery for her liking. It was like he had just seen a… well, a [i]spirit[/i]. This drew a little chuckle from Hestia, who cast Mika a sidelong glance with a sneer on her lips. 

[color=E38AAE][b]”This kid’s gonna faint before he even sends out his first Pokemon.”[/b][/color]

[hr] [/color]
[color=FFE6E8][center][h3][i][b]As for everyone else...[/b][/i][/h3][/center][/color]
[center][color=E38AAE][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color] [color=FFE6E8]Fiona [[@Psyker Landshark]], Sawyer [[@Vertigo]], Nordrin [[@Yankee]], Isaiah [[@PrankFox]][/color][/center]
[color=FFE6E8]... the day went about normally. Fiona, Sawyer, Nordrin, and Isaiah carried out their daily duties as they had done for the past week or so. It was stale work, and specifically annoying when they were constantly approached by fervent fans that asked if Ryker had returned yet or not. Hyacinth had told them he was going to do something about the people that pestered them, but as of now, nothing had changed. Yeah, it had been only a week since the “beginning” of the Galar Regional Championship and Ryker’s disappearance, but their constant questioning had probably made it seem like it had been forever.

Yep. The day went about normally, until a very specific phone call from one of Hyacinth’s secretaries. He might have been recognized by the pitch of his energetic voice, which he always carried with him no matter where he went. However, this time young Cane bore a tone that brimmed with panic and urgency. 

[b]”Hello, hello! Listen, Hyacinth can’t call you right now. Something’s happened– something terrible! Someone broke into Wyndon Central Laboratory only a few minutes ago, and the cops need help fending them off! They have Pokemon in their arsenal, some of them we haven’t ever seen before! They’re too strong! Hyacinth said to get over there for backup, immediately!”[/b]

The call ended a moment after; he probably went off to call the other gym leaders. Obviously, there was no time for chit-chat or questions. They had to move, now.[/color]