You’re sitting on a bench in the town of Circhester, just outside of the stadium. You’re a gym challenger, and though you’ve been doing well so far, you’ve just been harshly defeated by the town’s gym leader. You’ve heard talk of her being strong, but you didn't expect her to shred through your team like that.

As you sit and mope, humiliated by your loss, you hear boots crunching in the snow. When you look up, you see the gym leader herself, Melony. You’ve got no idea what she’s doing here, and you find yourself feeling wary at first. A smile appears on her pale, lined face, and she stands right before you.

“I was wondering where you ran off to, dear.”