Previously on Galarian Days...

Zander and Wufu take on the 18th and final Dynamiasma in Wyndon Stadium and destroy it, but when they confront Chairperson Elle and Turner, it becomes revealed that they were being used to carry out Phase 1 of something called "Operation: Lil' Helpers, a working title," before both anthros are escorted out of the stadium so the Champion's Cup finals can continue...

-

Back at the Rose of the Rhodelands, Zander and Wufu were back in their suite since they couldn't go back to their seats in the stadium, forcing them to watch the rest of the finals on TV. Good thing I thought to eat before the last Dynamiasma showed up, Wufu thought.

Zander, however, had other thoughts and feelings swirling around in his brain. He was thinking about how he was used by the current chairperson of Macro Cosmos and the Pokemon League... the same woman who he shared a meal with once, who he let hug him on one occasion and pet him twice, who even gave him his phone as well as her and her assistant's League Card. How could he let himself walk into such a trap? Because he was such a sucker for affection, that's why.

Wufu seemed to notice, though, so he tried to hazard, "Hey, Zander?"

"What?"

"Do you want to hear the rest of my Dojo story?"

"Why, because I was used by Elle and Turner just like you were used by Klara and Avery?" Zander said, his words sopping with sarcasm. "You think just because someone took advantage of me to accomplish their goal, it automatically puts us both in the same boat? That I'd suddenly understand what you went through on the Isle of Armor, and we'd both feel empathy for each other? Well, you're wrong! Klara and Avery didn't get away with what they pulled! Elle and Turner did! And once the Cup's over, they'll be off to who-knows-where to do who-cares-what, and I'll have let Zacian and Zamazenta down!" 

"You're not letting anyone down!" Wufu said. "And I'm not telling you the story so you'll feel like you're not the only one here who's been used!" He then paused and took a breath before continuing with, "It's so I can tell you that, yes, I was used, but it was how I got past the fact of it that mattered."

Zander let the words sink in before turning to face Wufu and said, "Okay, I'll bite. How did you get past the fact of the matter that you were used?"

"Well," Wufu started, now that he had been given the green light to continue, "after Klara, Avery and I returned to the Master Dojo with the Max Mushrooms we got..."

-

(Flashback)

-

The door to the Master Dojo had opened up, and Klara, Avery, and a still-cinnamon Wufu entered the building to rush to the kitchen area and say in unison, "Master Mustard! Ms. Honey! Look what we got!"

As it turned out, Mustard was sitting at the table while Honey was at the stove, ready to cook some of her famous Max Soup. "Oh? What is it, loves?" the Dojo Matron asked.

"Well, go ahead, Wufu!" Klara pressed.

"Yes, tell Ms. Honey what we have obtained," Avery egged on.

"Three Max Mushrooms, as per the second trial's conditions!" Wufu said as all three students presented their treasures. "One from Klara, one from Avery, and one from me!"

"Well, fancy that!" Mustard said in pleasant surprise. "Two of my best students working together with our newest recruit... and getting along so well, might I add!"

"True, Master Mustard," Avery conceded, "but not all the credit for that belongs to us. After all, your guidance did have a hand in this as well!"

"That's right, Master Mustard!" Klara agreed. "Because you put the both of us on the straight-and-narrow, we can give it our all and have a good time with our new friend, Wufu here!"

"Eh, bit of a stretch," Mustard supposed, "but congratulations! All three of you pass the second trial!"

"Now, if you'll just give me those Max Mushrooms you have there," Honey said, "I can get started on our lunch today."

As the three handed their findings to Honey, the other students came inside and groaned in disappointment, only having burnt out their Pokemon rosters on battles in the Forest of Focus... with some of them even suffering some poisoning due to lapses in judgement.

"Ah, everyone else is back?" Mustard said at the sight of the rest of his class returning. "And did you also manage to get three Max Mushrooms?"

But all the group was able to do was shake their heads no.

"Well, that is disappointing," Mustard said. "But I suppose nothing can be done about it now. Come, it's almost time to eat!"

Back in the kitchen area, Klara, Avery and Wufu had already taken their seats at the table while the large golden pot was simmering on the stove. "Man, I don't think I've ever tasted soup made with Max Mushrooms before," Wufu said.

"Well, then get ready to taste, Wufu," Avery said.

"Because you're in for a special treat!" Klara added.

Just then, all the other students were gathering at the table along with the Dojo Family themselves, and just when the last person had sat down... "It's ready!"

The golden pot was then set in the middle of the table, with three wisps of cerise smoke wafting around its lid to signal the hotness of its contents. Everyone had a bowl of the Max Soup ready to eat in front of them when Mustard said, "Now, everyone, before we begin our meal, I have an announcement to make. While, once again, a majority of you have failed the second trial, I am pleased to say that we have beaten last year's record of two passing students by one this year! Klara, Avery, and our newest member Wufu, you three must meet me after lunch to discuss your participation in the third and final trial. But for now, let's dig in before the soup starts getting cold!"

"Time to dig in!" the whole group said before they scooped up a spoonful of soup and popped it in their mouths.

Wufu let the umami of the mushrooms wash over his taste buds before his eyes lit up! "Whoa! This is surprisingly better than I thought it would be!" he exclaimed in amazement before he took more spoonfuls, until he finally polished off the whole bowl. "Whew! When you two said I was in for a special treat with this stuff, you weren't whistling Dixie!"

Klara and Avery nodded with a smile... before looking towards each other with the same smile. The meal then continued uneventfully until the last bowl was cleaned out. "Thank you for the food!"

Not forgetting what Mustard said, the three Dojo students in question put their dishes in the sink to be washed before meeting up with the Dojo Master in the entertainment room. "Ah, good, you remembered," Mustard said before putting his game on pause. "Now, as you three already know, you are now eligible to participate in the final trial, the completion of which will grant you access to the secret armor of the Master Dojo. But this year, three students have made their eligibility known instead of just two, which brings me to a difficult situation... Two of you will have to team up against the third, which may provide an unfair advantage."

"And you want us to decide amongst ourselves who should be the team whilst the other is left out?" Avery guessed.

"Actually," Mustard said, "I was thinking that we should let our newest recruit decide. He has managed to surpass the first two trials so far, which proves to be a good show of character and judgement."

"Oh," Klara said. "Well, whatever you say, Master Mustard! You're the boss!"

Wufu was suddenly taken aback, but he still knew better than to question the decisions of the Dojo Master-slash-previous Champion. But he also didn't want to risk putting himself in the crosshairs of a grudge between a Gym Leader-in-training, either. So, after a few seconds of thinking, he spoke up. "I have made my decision."

"And?" Klara and Avery pressed.

"Klara and Avery should work together, and I should face them myself."

"Yay!" Klara cheered. "Did you hear that, Avery? We get to have our team-up after all!"

"Hmm," Avery supposed. "A wise decision, Wufu. I commend you for your choice."

"Alright then," Mustard said, pleased with Wufu's choice. "Off to the Battle Court!"

"Race ya there!" Klara said as she sped off to the location in question.

"Ah! Wait for me!" Avery exclaimed as he gave chase.

Wufu followed the two Gym Leaders-in-training at his own pace as he thought to himself, I hope I didn't just seal my own fate with what I said... 

As he stepped through the double doors leading to the Battle Court, Wufu steeled himself for the trying battle he would face once he reached the field at the end of the long walk. When he did, though, Klara and Avery were waiting for him on one side of the court as the bear took the other.

"So we're all aware of the rules here, then?" Wufu asked. "I get to dip into my full 6-slot roster, but you two have to choose three of yours each. Other than that, it's just the basic 'whichever side still has conscious Pokemon wins' deal, got it?"

"Oh, we understand completely," Avery said with a smirk.

"No problem with those conditions," Klara agreed.

But after they said their pieces, both of them then said together, "But that's all we'll agree to."

Just then, Wufu saw that the battlefield was covered with magenta energy wisps and bubbling purple tacks! "Wha- Toxic Spikes AND Psychic Terrain? Are you both crazy!?"

"So what if we are!?" Klara shouted, throwing her cutesy facade out the window. "The both of us have been told to shut up far too many times to count because we 'don't conform to their standards!' Well, WE'VE HAD IT!!!"

"Correct!" Avery yelled as he did away with his gentlemanly air as well. "Becoming full-fledged Gym Leaders means nothing to us anymore! All we want is just one victory to prove that we are not the losers everyone makes us out to be, and we will attain such one by any means possible!"

"So prepare yourself!" both said together. "For now you pay... honey-bear!" And with that, Klara sent out Galarian Weezing while Avery sent out Swoobat, and Wufu started off with Wigglytuff and Luxray. Wigglytuff hit Weezing with Body Slam and paralyzed it while Luxray struck Swoobat down with Wild Charge, forcing Avery to send out Galarian Rapidash. Taking advantage of the situation, Weezing tried to use Toxic on Wigglytuff... but couldn't move due to its paralysis. So, Rapidash stepped in with Mystical Fire, sending a blast of magical flames from its horn at Wigglytuff and managing to burn it.

Luxray then used Crunch on Galarian Rapidash, and Wigglytuff hit Weezing with Gyro Ball, knocking it out and getting it replaced with Drapion. But, as if getting hurt by its burn wasn't enough, Drapion then finished the balloon Pokemon off with Poison Fang. So, Wufu replaced Wigglytuf with a third Pokemon: Bisharp. And since it was a Steel-type, it was immune to the Toxic Spikes... but suffered a hit from Rapidash's Mystical Fire.

Bisharp retaliated with Iron Head, puncturing Rapidash's flesh with the blade on its helmet and knocking it out. Avery then sent out his last available Pokemon, Alakazam while Luxray struck down Drapion with another Wild Charge, making Klara send out her last available Pokemon, Scoliopede... but making itself faint from the recoil. So, Wufu sent out his fourth Pokemon: Krookodile. Alakazam used Reflect to put up a barrier while Scoliopede used Smart Strike on Krookodile.

But all that did was allow Bisharp to slash Alakazam with Night Slash and Krookodile to burrow underground with Dig, knocking Alakazam out and making Scoliopede waste a Protect. With the impact of Dig knocking out the megapede Pokemon, Wufu emerged from the battle victorious!

"But we pulled out all the stops!" Klara said in shock.

"Impossible! This cannot be!" Avery exclaimed in disbelief.

"And my name is Wufu!" the bear told the two cheaters. "Not 'teddy-boy,' not 'honey-bear,' not even 'fish-eating teddy-graham river-bum!' Just! Wu! Fu! Two syllables, four letters, one word! It's not that difficult to say!"

"That's enough!"

All three turned their heads to the voice, and saw both Mustard and Honey walk up to Klara and Avery with disapproving scowls on their faces. "So, I come up to the Battle Court to see how much you two have matured since last year, and I find you both pulling the same stunts you did with the current Champion again. Perhaps I was too naiive in believing you learned your lesson..."

"Master Mustard, if you could-"

"Both of you, stop!" Honey cut in. "Your actions here at the Master Dojo have been disruptive and disrespectful to the other students, and you two have just admitted that you will never change your ways."

"Therefore," Mustard said, "it is with a heavy heart that I must deem your membership here at the Master Dojo to be terminated... and have you denied access to the Isle of Armor." 

"But Master Mustard!"

But Honey quickly silenced their protests with a dagger-glare and said ominously, "Our word here is final. Any choice to defy it will be met with consequences. Is. That. Clear."

"SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY-" both ex-students repeated ad-nausem as they fled in horrible fear... leaving Wufu standing where he was, shivering down to the bottom of his footpaws.

"Terribly sorry you had to see that, love," Honey said with a reassuring smile. "I usually try to keep that side of me hidden from the newcomers, but sometimes hard times call for hard measures."

"But enough about that," Mustard said as he patted Wufu on the back, making him jump a little before he relaxed. "You have successfully completed the three trials, and as such... have earned the secret armor of the Master Dojo!"

"I... I did it? Really?" Wufu said with budding joy. "Even after the part when I tore off the Slowpoke's tails with my bare paws and ate them in cold blood!?"

"Of course!" Mustard reassured. "Slowpoke tails are meant to be eaten, and they always grow back, so no harm done!"

"Now let's get back inside and present you with what you've earned!" Honey said, and the Dojo Couple escorted Wufu back into the Master Dojo...

-

(End of flashback)

-

"And that's how I conquered the trials of the Master Dojo," Wufu wrapped up, "by not letting the trap I was caught into hold me back from achieving my goal."

Zander let the words wash over him and tried to absorb the message, until finally he said, "You're right, Wufu. I shouldn't let what happened in the past keep me from continuing towards the future... especially a future I'm trying to preserve." 

"That's the spirit, buddy!"

"However," Zander punctuated as he stood up, "Elle and Turner are still planning to go somewhere to enact the next phase of their grand master plan, so we'll have to get there before they do and stop them. Plus, we'll also have a look into this "third messenger" we've heard about along the way."

"Okay," Wufu said. "And where would we be able to find this third messenger?"

"The only place in Galar we haven't been to yet... the Crown Tundra."