While Yuri was still engrossed in her collection of League Cards, Sonia and Marie had already made their way to a rest area and taken a seat.
"That kid's so sweet. She really reminds me of myself back when I first started traveling."
"Then why don't you go traveling again? Kalos would be nice I've always been curious about Mega Evolution. Or even Alola. Z-Moves are super interesting too."
"Hmph, that's just your personal taste talking... If you're that interested, go yourself. Don't count me in."
Marie chuckled and didn't press further, instead switching the topic.
"So what are you out investigating now, Sonia?"
"Me? Honestly, I'm not even sure what I'm investigating. I'm starting with the legends scattered around the region."
"You mean that shadowy, phantom-like Pokémon?"
"You know about it? Oh, wait Yuri must've told you."
Sonia was surprised at first, but quickly figured it out.
"Mhm. I'd love to explore Slumbering Weald myself if I get the chance. Places that are off-limits always spark my curiosity."
"No way! That place is way too mysterious. And now with that unknown Pokémon appearing... You kids better not go poking around in there."
Sonia's tone was firm and serious, like she was some kind of elder, even though she was only in her early twenties. Marie didn't mind, resting her chin on her palm with a small smirk.
"Well then, this little 'kid' might have some intel you'd be interested in. Want to hear it?"
"...What are you planning?"
Sonia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She'd known Marie long enough to recognize that look Marie was definitely fishing for something in return.
"You're already on guard? Come on, it's nothing major. I just remembered you have a Milotic, right?"
"Yeah, why? You want it?"
"What would I want your Pokémon for?"
Marie gave her a sidelong glare, already anticipating Sonia's teasing.
"I just wanted to ask if your Milotic has laid any eggs. You remember that Prism Scale I found, don't you?"
"You're too late! She laid an egg two years ago, remember? You passed on it. Now it's long gone."
Sonia puffed up, clearly enjoying her position of advantage, and tilted her head with a mischievous grin. Marie's face flushed slightly, equal parts embarrassment and resignation.
"I didn't want to take it for free back then... Besides, my brother had just promised to help me find an Eevee, and I didn't feel confident taking care of another Pokémon."
"That's what I like about you, Marie. You're always so serious about every one of your Pokémon."
Sonia genuinely admired Marie's sense of responsibility. She had studied so much about Pokémon care, even allowing her Eevee to choose its own evolution path.
"Well... whatever. Since you don't have one now, I'll just owe you a favor. Maybe I'll need it later."
Marie waved a hand, letting the matter drop.
"Don't give up so fast. Go fish near my house. That's where I got mine."
"...Then maybe keep your Milotic away from the water when I'm trying to fish. Every time I go over, it circles around like it's teasing me. I can't even catch a Magikarp, let alone a Feebas!"
"Hehe... then go talk to her yourself. Tell her she's being a pest."
Sonia's grin grew even more delighted. She knew full well Marie couldn't say something like that to her Pokémon. Milotic genuinely enjoyed spending time with Marie, and to be fair, Sonia had once seriously considered letting Marie raise her for a while.
Plus, Sonia didn't have many hobbies outside of research watching Marie's usually cool face twist in frustration was one of her favorite guilty pleasures.
"...Are you even human?"
"Ahahaha!"
Marie gave up trying to argue, pulling out an Oran Berry from her bag to snack on.
"Alright, enough joking around. Let me tell you what I know about that Pokémon."
As soon as the tone shifted, Sonia sat up straighter and even pulled out her Rotom Phone, ready to record the conversation.
"No need to record. You know the legends about the Darkest Day, right? One caused the disaster, the other saved Galar. You remember?"
"Mhm. Wait... don't tell me..."
"That shadowy figure? It's tied to the hero."
"...What? Hold on. Wasn't the hero just one person?"
Sonia blinked, clearly skeptical. After all, the image of a lone hero wielding sword and shield was iconic across all of Galar.
"Then go investigate. Isn't that what you're out here for? I'm giving you the lead you do the digging."
"...Fair enough. But seriously, where are you even getting this stuff?"
Sonia didn't expect Marie to give solid proof. Even if she believed every word, without evidence, she'd have to track it all down herself anyway.
"If you really want to know... I heard it from a Pokémon."
"Wait, don't tell me it was in the Slumbering Weald? There's something in there?"
"..."
Marie went silent. She hadn't expected Sonia to hit the nail on the head so quickly. But it wasn't the right time yet. If she leaked anything too soon and those two idiotic nobles caught wind of it, they'd come swarming immediately.
And if that happened, could Eternatus still be stopped?
Marie couldn't remember every detail, but she still had a vivid memory of that final Pokémon. The one with a base stat total of over 1100 when Dynamaxed. Even stronger than Arceus and Necrozma...
"There's definitely something, but you can't get in. You already forgot what happened to Yuri last time?"
"...Good point. Guess I'll have to start looking elsewhere. Still, thanks. Didn't think I'd get this kind of lead right after starting my research. I must be lucky."
"Hey, look! This is my League Card! Don't I look like a top-class Trainer?"
Yuri came running over, proudly holding a few freshly printed League Cards and handed one to each of them.
"Looks cute."
Marie took a look Yuri's bright smile and peace sign made her short haircut stand out. She was surprisingly photogenic.
"Oh, right! I've still got a Leon card around here somewhere. Want it?"
Sonia seemed to remember something, pulled out her League Card binder, and handed Yuri a card.
It was one of Leon's standard Champion-style cards, but with his signature on it.
For a die-hard fan like Yuri, it was a dream come true.