Hiss Hiss~"
"Yes, yes, yes~ Come on, Beedrill, it's very cool."A young man was holding a cup of ice cream on a snowy day, raising a spoon to feed his Beedrill.
"Hiss, beep, beep, beep~"The giant hornet buzzed anxiously and flew in circles around him, shivering from the cold.
"Hahaha..."
On top of a streetlamp, a sleeping Cuckoo perched peacefully, its brown feathers dusted with snowflakes.
Two housewives strolled by with vegetable baskets, chatting as their dogs nuzzled each other affectionately, occasionally letting out contented, buzzing sounds.
"Wuo~""Saaame~"
In a nearby café, a group of stylish girls were gathered, sipping drinks and snapping selfies. Their Pokémon—fluffy Pompadoos and sassy Parias—posed cutely for the camera alongside cakes and accessories, sparking laughter that tinkled like silver bells.
Walking down the British-style street, Hisoka exhaled a warm breath into the winter air, a rare ease settling in his heart.
"Ding ding ding ding~"
A familiar chime rang as Hisoka stepped into the Pokémon Center. A warm breeze carrying a faint fragrance welcomed him.
"Please check my Pokémon. Thank you."
Although Ralts wasn't seriously injured, it had spent a long time in the wild. A thorough checkup would be wise.
Nurse Joy took the pure white commemorative Poké Ball and passed it to the butler-like assistant, who took it to the treatment room. She smiled gently and asked,"Please show me your League Card."
"...I'm not a registered trainer with the League," Hisoka said, shaking his head. He pulled out his wallet. "How much is it?"
In Galar, only trainers registered with the League possess League Cards, granting them free treatment at Pokémon Centers, and eligibility to challenge gyms or join the Champions Cup.To get one, you either need an invitation, a contribution to the League, or... 200 Alliance Credits or you can also use 20,000 PokéDollar
None of which Hisoka currently had.
Unfazed, Nurse Joy responded kindly,"150 Alliance Coins."
As Hisoka prepared to leave after paying, Nurse Joy suddenly called out,"Wait."
He turned around and saw her take out a small medical kit from under the counter.
Seeing his bandaged right arm, he quickly declined, "No need. It's just a scratch—"
He had only 3,500 credits left. He still needed to buy food for Ralts.
' No matter how tough life gets, my Pokémon won't go hungry.No matter how poor I am, I won't let it affect their health. '
"Come here," Nurse Joy said firmly, pulling him by the wrist toward a sofa. She set the kit down beside them.
"This may be a Pokémon Center, but we're trained to treat humans too," she said, opening the kit and taking out scissors.
"...Thanks. How much?" Hisoka asked, sensing her determination.
"It's included in the 150 credits. Take off your coat."
Technically, it should have cost extra.
"You didn't disinfect or stop the bleeding properly," she scolded, cutting away the stained bandages."You trainers always care about your Pokémon, but what about yourselves? Look at you."
She muttered as she sprayed antiseptic.
Hisoka was momentarily stunned. He had never seen a Nurse Joy like this in the games or anime.
But now, she wasn't just some string of code or scripted dialogue—She was real.
He smiled softly. "...Thank you."
"Hmph." She clicked her tongue, but didn't lecture him anymore.
After a moment, she suddenly said,"Tomorrow we're holding the Freezingtown Festival - Green Snow Festival. There'll be a Pokémon battle tournament. It's mostly for fun and training new trainers, but the top three teams will get decent prizes—100,000, 50,000, and 10,000 PokéDollar. And the champions will get a Pokémon Egg." (T/N - Their is another Festival, in the context of Pokémon, refers to an event called Calyrex festival , the Freezingtown main festival where Calyrex, a Pokémon introduced in The Crown Tundra, is worshipped as the king of bountiful harvests.)
Then she added, "You don't need a League Card to enter."
Hisoka nodded, quietly grateful. She had noticed his situation, but chose not to say it aloud.
"Raise your arm," she reminded him as she wrapped the new bandage carefully.
"What's the Green Snow Festival?" he asked.
Nurse Joy tapped her chin and explained,"It's a celebration we hold when the Kangaskhan migrate through Green Snow Town. It's like a harvest festival."
Kangaskhan?
Weren't they native to the Isle of Armor?
"Due to human interference, Pokémon often can't remain in their natural habitats..." she said, trailing off.
She meant poachers.Whether they came from Lonely Isle or far-off regions, many Kangaskhan now migrated through Galar.
"Every winter, they move south to escape the cold. Some settle down. Others return north in spring. Every year, a few pass through Green Snow Town..."
"On that day, the town celebrates the harvest, and the Kangaskhan share strange items they've collected during their journey. Anyone who receives something from them is considered blessed~"
"Over time, this became what we now call the Green Snow Festival."
Ding-ding-ding~
The mechanical butler rolled in, carrying Ralts' Poké Ball on a tray.
"Yue~" it chimed, handing the ball to Hisoka.
"Thanks." Hisoka gently patted the small horn on its head.
"Chang~" it purred, pleased.
Nurse Joy watched with a smile.
"If you want to participate in tomorrow's battle, you should find a teammate today."
"Teammate?" Hisoka blinked.
"Yup~ It's a double battle format." Nurse Joy teased with a wink.
"Maroa~"A bandaged Marowak poked its head out of the infirmary.
"Ah! You're not healed yet! You shouldn't be walking around!" Nurse Joy bowed to Hisoka and hurried to the Marowak, gently scolding it.
Hisoka sat in the park, watching snowflakes fall into his hand. He sighed.
He was low on money. Competing might be the fastest way to earn some. Even if he didn't win, at least he could try.
But… doubles?
Where was he supposed to find a teammate?
Maybe he could head to the venue tomorrow and pair up with a solo trainer? As long as there weren't any surprise betrayals, they might just make it—
"Hey, doubles !"
"Hey, doubles !"
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
He turned around at the same time as the speaker.
Behind him, sitting on a bench, was a girl—around fourteen or fifteen—with short twin tails, a pink dress under a black jacket, and a black scarf wrapped around her neck.
Her pale green eyes reminded him of melted spring snow—clear, distant, and soft.
In her arms was a Pokémon that resembled a standing hamster. Its brown-and-black fur was split by a lightning-like stripe of bright yellow, and its cheeks were marked with pink electric sacs.
"Morpeko~" the Pokémon tilted its head adorably.
(T/N- Scream out for Marnie!!!)
——Pokémon Research Notes——
Team Yell.They wear punk clothes and have wild red mohawks.Anyone who sees them instinctively wants to stay away.
But in Galar...Who isn't a Team Yell fan?