Like the previous two chapters, this and next chapter were those born from a single chapter. At the risk of excusing ourselves for this chapter seeming light on events, I'd like to ask you to consider it more like Part 1 of a two-part set. It'll probably make more sense that way! Now, time for Chapter 5!
Chapter 5
A Detour
As dawn broke above Route Two, Gloria woke up much lighter than she'd ever felt. She bounced off her bed alongside Scorbunny as soon as the light peeked through the window, brushing her teeth and dressing herself in the same timespan it took for her roommates to slowly awaken. It wasn't hard to notice each action done with a huge, infectious grin on her face.
It was the first day of the rest of her life, and she sure wanted it to start as best as it could.
And that was why, as soon as her stomach rumbled, the Postwick girl decided it was time for breakfast. Upon arrival downstairs, the girl was pleasantly surprised at the rather bountiful amount of food their boarders prepared for them, between sandwiches, mushrooms, tomatoes and even pudding. She and Scorbunny rushed for their seats, grabbed their forks, and quickly began wolfing down the food, taking it all in with no regard for manners.
"Aaaah, this is some chow!" Gloria said between bites, dreamily consuming everything on her plate. She turned to her side, spotting the research assistant and giving her a thumbs up. "Thanks a lot, Sonia!"
"Nibbah nibbah!" the Rabbit Pokémon agreed, stuffing his mouth with whole sandwiches as he nodded along. Rookidee, next to them, stared at his comrades in baffled confusion without touching any food.
Sonia simply nodded back, Gloria not dwelling on her reaction as she continued to gobble down her plate. The girl and her starter kept feeding, even as Ash, Serena and Astrid both joined and finished their own breakfast. Each moved on to wait around the living quarters, while Sonia brought the emptied dishes back to clean on the kitchen sink, a green and yellow dog-like Pokémon Gloria didn't recall seeing yesterday following after her obediently. All the while, Professor Magnolia tried her best to not look utterly horrified at the girl's lack of manners, bringing her attention to the news program on the television.
"Well, you're just a natural spitfire, huh?" Astrid commented, leaning on a chair and eyeing Gloria with a chuckle. Gloria swallowed, pulling off her widest grin.
"We need to be at full energy for the trip to Motostoke!" She thumped her chest with pride, smirking alongside Scorbunny. "It's going to be our debut as Gym Challengers, after all!"
"If Ash manages to finish that letter, that is."
Astrid's remark gave the girl pause, bringing her attention to Professor Magnolia's work desk on the other side of the room, where a fairly stumped Ash was staring at a piece of paper intently alongside Pikachu. He kept pressing the pen rhythmically on the blank page as he glanced over to Serena.
"Can't I just write 'Gloria is good, let her in'? That's still an endorsement, right?" Ash asked, tapping the pen to his temple, almost sounding pleading. His wife had none of it, shaking her head firmly.
"Ash, you are a League Liaison, you need to make an effort to sound professional for this. How about this: 'I, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, Kanto, as the officially recognized Pokémon League Liaison currently on duty in the Galar region..."
Ash groaned, semi-reluctantly following along Serena's lead and writing it down. "Too many words! I didn't think I'd have to do paperwork..."
Seeing the 'Pokémon Master' being henpecked like that couldn't help but make Gloria and Astrid snicker on the side. Sonia walked closer to the desk, glancing over the written letter with interest.
"You don't have to worry; letters of endorsements aren't that difficult to get right once you've got the general wording down. Gran kept hers short and simple," she explained, giving a nonchalant shrug to the wedded pair. Ash seemed slightly reassured by it, but continued to follow Serena's suggestion, clearly wanting to get it over with.
Realizing that Ash and Serena probably needed some time to focus, Gloria returned to her almost finished breakfast as she took a sip of water. At the same time. Astrid looked over the redhead assistant and her Pokémon with curiosity.
"You know, I wouldn't have taken you for a former Gym Challenger," the Kalosian trainer remarked, leaning closer to her. Sonia brought the last of the dishes to the kitchen sink and shrugged.
"Is it really so surprising? Everyone wants a shot at glory here." Sonia's lips curled upward, kneeling just enough to pet her Pokémon's head gently, pride beaming on her face. "Boltund here was the best partner one could ask for, too."
"Woof!" the 'Boltund' agreed, standing proudly on his four legs and closing his eyes. That made Sonia chuckle, scratching the Pokémon's ears as a reward. The discussion made Magnolia turn away from the television, sharpening her stare towards her granddaughter and the upcoming trainer.
"The Gym Challenge is an extremely cutthroat and competitive climb to the top. It's not unusual for several trainers to drop out as it continues, well before even going past the midpoint." Her tone was severe, harsh, but her expression softened up as she kept speaking. "But it is a growing experience, and even if you fall, you end up learning a lot about yourself along the way."
"I never tried facing Gym Leaders, but I know what you're talking about," Serena said, as she waited for Ash to catch up. Gloria nodded along, also having not faced any Gyms yet, but realizing what the elderly researcher was trying to say. Or she thought she did, at least. "Although, it makes me wonder…Do you not have other activities besides the Gym Challenge?"
"There's a few other goals trainers can undertake, like accepting contracts with big companies and working for them. But trying to be the best is what everyone becomes a trainer for in this region. Most live, breathe and eat the Gym Challenge from when they're wee tots, be it watching or strategizing. It's a way of life for Galarians."
"She's got that right!" Gloria slammed both hands on the table, earning herself another scowl from Magnolia. The Postwick girl didn't care, immediately looking back to Sonia with renewed interest. "So how was it, going on an adventure with the Champion?"
The question gave Sonia pause, taking her off-guard. Still, she laughed it off, playing with a lock of her hair.
"He's always been just Leon for me. We were rivals working for the same goal, aiming for the stars." She then shook her head, her smile faltering. "But sometimes, one star can easily outshine all others."
Professor Magnolia looked fondly to her assistant, adjusting her glasses. "She had a pretty good run. Even reached the semi-finals of the Wyndon Conference. I was on the edge of my seat the whole match!"
"But Leon won in the end, and I only became a footnote in his success story," Sonia concluded with a shrug. She didn't sound too bitter about it, however, almost as if she accepted she was never going to make it. Gloria furrowed her brow; that whole reaction really rubbed her the wrong way. Ash seemed to share the same sentiment, as he diverted his attention from the letter.
"Don't sell yourself so short. If you made it up to a League Conference, you must've been a great trainer!" the man told Sonia, Pikachu raising his paw with an agreeing "Pika!"
Sonia sighed and shrugged the whole discussion away, looking weary. Gloria wondered if, perhaps, it was something she was already told more than once.
"I wasn't the worst, but in the end, Pokémon training wasn't my real calling." She moved to grab a few pieces of paper scattered on the desk, straightening them into a solid stack. She glanced over its content. "Maybe this thesis for Gran will be, once it's finished."
"I wouldn't entrust something that big to a no-name without skills. I have great expectations for it," the Professor said, her severe stare trained on Sonia. The young woman shook her head, bringing her attention back on the stack of paper, going through the pages with lips pursed into a frown.
As she munched over the last of her food, Gloria tried to peer over the distant papers with no luck, wondering what exactly that 'thesis' was about, and why Sonia seemed hardly thrilled to get to it. Her curiosity was put aside, however, as she felt a soft paw pressing over her shoulder repeatedly, and the girl eyed Scorbunny pointing his free paw towards the TV screen with excitement. She turned that way, just as the familiar jingle of the Galar League News channel played over a Macro Cosmos Television logo, the change in program attracting everyone else's attention at the same time.
Then, the newscaster appeared on the screen, only a short distance away from a large and familiar stadium, with several people going to and fro behind her, the whole place in the middle of preparations.
"For the main story of today, we bring our attention to the Gym Challenge, due to begin tomorrow afternoon right here in Motostoke. The city is already bustling with activity, ready to welcome the large amount of visitors eager to know the upcoming rising stars of the Pokémon training world. Chairman Rose has already confirmed his presence for tomorrow's entrance ceremony, with the local Gym Leader Kabu providing his own confirmation for the event in Motostoke Stadium. No official statement has been given on whether Champion Leon will make an appearance, but much like the last several years, there's no reason to expect otherwise."
Gloria instinctively grinned alongside Scorbunny as more scenes of Motostoke ensued, already imagining herself on the field, ready to start her Gym Challenge in earnest. Astrid whistled as well, sounding fairly impressed as she side-eyed the young trainer. "You really don't do things halfway here."
"Did you expect anything less?" Gloria smirked, pride swelling inside her. That was short-lived, her excitement subsiding as a realization sunk in. "Still, just tomorrow, huh..."
Sonia seemed to understand the question between the lines, approaching Gloria with a smile. "You don't have to worry about missing it. Taking a train from Wedgehurst Station to Motostoke should bring you there before the day ends, just in time for the entrance ceremony."
"Then, we should head out now!" Gloria declared, standing up from her seat, fists pumped. A second later, everyone's eyes went to her and Gloria realized what she said. She switched to a sheepish grin, rubbing her neck with unease. "Well, if it's okay for everyone else, of course."
"No problem, we can complete the endorsement on the road!" Ash said, quickly standing as well, rolling up what he had written so far and placing it in his pocket.
The sudden, overly enthusiastic reaction earned the man a scowl from his wife. "Ash, you need to take this seriously."
"I am. It's almost finished, and this is just a piece of paper anyway, Sonia said it herself." He traded a look with Gloria, sending her a wink. "It'll all be pointless if we aren't in Motostoke in time for the ceremony, right?"
The Postwick girl's cheeks became redder, taken aback by the support. She kept rubbing her neck, smiling back at the man.
"Thank you, really." Not wanting to forget the others, she turned back towards the houseowners, bowing to both women respectfully. "And thanks to you too, Professor Magnolia, Sonia. For everything."
"There's no need for it, it's been a pleasure." Magnolia adjusted her glasses once more, a twinkle in her eyes as she checked out Gloria. "I'm curious to see the sort of trainer you'll end up being. I have a good feeling for you and your friend Hop."
"And I'll make sure the Dynamax Bands arrive right on time. You'll start your Gym Challenge with a bang!" Sonia reassured, giving the young trainer a victory sign.
Gloria could feel her lips twitch upward, a warm feeling making its way inside her. She had always seen her dream as something to strive for on her own, never expecting to get so much support right from the starting line. She nodded her head vigorously in silent agreement, then placed her hands on her hips with authority.
"What are we waiting for, then?" She twirled on her foot, making a one-eighty to point at the door dramatically. "It's time to leave! For Wedgehurst Station!"
"Nibbah nibbah!" Scorbunny proclaimed, hopping and holding onto Gloria's arm.
"Rook rook rookidee!" The prideful bird indulged in Gloria's proclamation as well, perching up on his favorite spot on the girl's hat, wing spread doorward as well.
Everyone had a good-natured laugh at the girl's enthusiasm, and it didn't take long for Ash, Serena and Astrid to nab their belongings to set off with the upcoming Gym Challenger. After bidding farewell to Magnolia and Sonia with a promise to see each other again in the future, the quartet of travelers and their Pokémon headed back for Wedgehurst. Gloria remained in front of the group as she and Scorbunny scampered through Route Two, Rookidee having elected to return to his Poké Ball. The duo felt far lighter and more carefree than they did the previous day, enjoying the quiet, grassy hill path separating Magnolia's house from the nearby city.
Before the clock struck midday, the band of trainers had stepped back into Wedgehurst and made their way inside the local Station, luckily arriving just in time to board a new train. As her adult companions went to get their tickets, Gloria approached the nearest mart for some Poké Balls. As she did so, she looked back to the entrance, framing the streets of Wedgehurst. She could make out the path of Route One from there, and if she squinted, even the shapes and roofs of Postwick's buildings could be seen. What had been her whole world until then only felt smaller, seen like that.
Gloria contemplated the view in silence, taking in the familiar sights for the last time. Over her shoulder, she knew that Scorbunny was doing the same. Trainer and starter locked their gazes together, a shared decision in their eyes as a silent promise was made: next time, they would return there as winners.
And with that promise in their hearts, Gloria and her rabbit took their new capsules and rejoined Ash and the women, the quartet boarding the train to Motostoke, ready for the long trip to their destination. Mere moments after being seated, the train pulled out of the station.
On their way, Gloria had the opportunity to take in the train's details. The inside of the train was pretty modest, suited for fast travel between Galar's cities, the blue seats filling the wagon contrasting the dull grey of the walls quite nicely, as the gold-rimmed windows showed the scenery scrolling past at high velocity around them. Most of the seats were filled, and it was easy for Gloria to guess they were all getting ready for the big event at their destination. The eyes of Galar would be on Motostoke Stadium regardless, but no one could deny the appeal of seeing the start of the Gym Challenge in person.
Settled in, they all started to relax in their own way: Ash and Pikachu looked over the blurry Galarian scenery outside the window with rapt curiosity, while Serena and Astrid discussed of personal topics Gloria had little clue of. As they talked, Astrid seemed to eye one of the train's magazines with interest, perhaps trying to gain more insight on Galarian lifestyle and culture. Gloria was quick to lose her own interest in what her companions were doing, however, letting herself sink into her seat as she pulled her Rotom Phone out of her bag, opening it and absentmindedly looking over the various apps it contained, trying to kill time with Scorbunny. After an eternity of monotony that was really half an hour, Gloria finally grumbled and yawned out her boredom.
"Rotom, how much time before we reach Motostoke?" she asked, trying hard to fight back the instinct of sleeping.
"According to travel estimates, the train will reach Motostoke Station in two hours and twenty-four minutes at the current conditions."
Even expecting an answer like that, Gloria groaned once more, slapping her forehead with a frown. "Man, this is gonna get boring..."
While rubbing Scorbunny's head absentmindedly, Gloria resumed swiping through the apps left and right, settling on none in particular, a part of her mind wondering if perhaps Rotom felt tickly as she did so. Her constant messing around with the device eventually caught Serena's attention, as the blonde woman gave the Postwick native a curious glance.
"So, what functions does this Rotom Phone have?" she asked, a smile on her face. Gloria flipped the Rotom Phone towards her, giving the pregnant woman a better look of the device's features as she pointed to each of them.
"Pretty much everything a phone does. Beyond the Pokédex, it has a Town Map function, can be used to call, can take pictures, and all that jazz." As Gloria said that and Serena followed her words, she pressed over the camera app, the screen transitioning to photo mode right away. Almost immediately, a sudden idea flew in her mind. "Actually, you know what? We should take one!"
Astrid lowered her magazine just a bit, quirking an eyebrow in the girl's direction. "Right now?"
"Of course! If we're gonna travel together, we should make the most out of it, no?"
"I'm down for it!" Ash said, prying himself off the window. Pikachu held a paw high in agreement as well.
Serena shared the same sentiment as she nodded. "I agree, it's a wonderful idea."
Astrid didn't verbalize her reply, but her sardonic chuckle was enough to get the point across. Without further prompting, the three adults moved their heads closer to get into frame. Gloria tinkered with the camera settings, making sure no one's face was cut off. As Scorbunny crawled over her head and placed himself over his trainer's beret, everything was now in perfect position for the shot. She smirked with personal pride, seeing everyone ready to smile and looking at the phone's frame together. She hovered her thumb on the button.
"Say cheese, everyone!" As she and the rest of the team pulled off their brightest grins, Gloria pressed the button, snapping the picture in an instant.
She turned the Rotom Phone around and observed the resulting photo: all four humans, plus Scorbunny and Pikachu, were smiling happily at the camera, each ready for a big, fun adventure. Gloria chuckled at her work, just as everyone else observed the end result.
"Nibbah!" Scorbunny squeaked, puffing his chest with a pride only Pikachu matched.
Serena, instead, offered Gloria a pleased nod. "It came out really well."
"Thanks. Shame the scenery is just a blur, though," Gloria remarked, comparing the background of the picture to the fleeting landscape from the train's window and frowning just a bit.
"It's inevitable with how fast we're traveling," Ash said as he gave a shrug, joining the girl in watching the outside view, trying to make out the details of the large grassy fields and hills the train car was traveling through. "But the region looks great even from here."
Gloria adjusted her hat, turning back to the man. "And the best has yet to come. We should reach the Wild Area soon!"
"Professor Magnolia mentioned that place, too. What is it?" Serena asked. Gloria twirled back to her, beaming with barely veiled pride.
"Oh, just the coolest and vastest place in all Galar!" She brought up her phone triumphantly. "Rotom, pull up some pictures and videos!"
The Pokémon inhabiting the device obliged immediately, and Gloria turned it towards her entourage, showcasing all the images the Rotom Phone was grabbing. From plains to lakes to hilly sides, everyone could observe a high diversity of environments, all with two things in common: several red lights shooting skyward, and most notably a rich variety of Pokémon everywhere. Gloria kept the slideshow scrolling for the foreign trainers, her grin growing wider as she noticed their intrigued looks.
"The Wild Area is the name of the large tract of land between Wedgehurst, Motostoke and Hammerlocke. It's the largest untamed area of the whole Galar region, where no civilization has ever been able to flourish, allowing it to be fully claimed by the local Pokémon."
"All these pictures are from there?" Serena asked, a hand over her chin.
"Yep! Plains, lakes, ruins, deserts, the Wild Area has it all!" As Gloria swiped her finger over the screen, the device started to showcase short videos, portraying the same locations under heavy downpours, scorching heats and much more. "Its weather is just as varied and unpredictable as its terrain, as well! You can go from hail to heat to everything in between without warning!"
Her enthusiasm turned infectious quickly, as Ash tightened a fist with a huge grin of his own. "A place where everything can change any second? Sounds exciting! Maybe we'll find some new Pokémon friends there, huh, Pikachu?"
"Pika-pikachu!" Pikachu agreed, cheeks sparkling with electricity.
"And we haven't gotten to the best part yet!" Another swipe, and the focus of her impromptu presentation changed once more, this time showing several Pokémon up close, in particular showcasing Pokémon like Tyranitar, Hydreigon, and many others in their final stage, sizing each other up and duking it out in fierce fights. "The varied locales and harsh patterns created an environment that was both home for an incredible amount of different Pokémon and fiercely competitive enough to ensure all of them would be powerful. Whether one wants to catch or train Pokémon, this place has you covered!"
And with that said, Gloria continued to slide the remainder of the pictures, showing even further glimpses of the Wild Area and letting the images do the talking for her. She felt something warm inside of her as she saw Ash, Pikachu, Serena and Astrid continuing to observe all the images, their eyes lighting up with curiosity, knowing that her region had something even experienced trainers could be impressed by.
Astrid in particular grinned, instinctively touching her earring. "Now this is what I call a trainer paradise..."
"You're really knowledgeable about this, Gloria," Serena said, her attention going back to the young trainer. Gloria blushed, a sheepish grin on her face as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Oh, it's just all stuff I've got from the telly. Mum loves her nature documentaries..." Her smile turned more confident, joining her companions in admiring the pictures she provided and trying to imagine herself exploring all of those vast areas. "I was always more about battles, but I've always wanted to explore it, you know. You could probably fit thirty Postwicks in it. The stage for the ultimate adventure!"
"Man, makes me want to go right now and camp out! Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
"Heh, perhaps later. As cool as it is, we'll have all the time to explore the Wild Area eventually. First, we've got a ceremony to attend!" Gloria said, closing her Rotom Phone and readjusting her body in her seat, knowing that there was still a lot more time to wait.
Ash nodded, before grabbing the rolled-up piece of paper from his pocket and placing it on their seat's central table, grabbing and setting his pen on it again. "I should finish this letter, then."
As she glimpsed the piece of paper, Gloria noticed that Ash seemed to barely have progressed past where his wife had told him to write. Serena appeared to notice it too, frowning at her husband. "You're still there?"
"Even if it's short, I'm no good at formalities..."
Serena rolled her eyes and sighed, but was quick to shrug it away to join Ash's side again, looking over the endorsement as well. Gloria giggled at the scene, and she then brought her attention to the window once again, a part of her hoping to still catch a glimpse of what they just talked about. The scenery was still passing by, endless green hills nothing but a blur, but it didn't take long for her to be able to make out the outside of the train more clearly. Too clearly, as what was once a blur became far easier to discern, the train slowing down to almost a stop. Gloria tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face shared among everyone in their train car.
"What's happening? Are we there yet?" Astrid asked, looking left and right, similar questions flying by in a crescendo of murmurs and confusion among the rest of the passengers.
Gloria shook her head, scratching over her hair with a frown. "No way, we were two hours from Motostoke."
Fortunately for them, the answer didn't take long to be provided, as the peppy jingle of the train company played, heralding an announcement from the train conductor, himself. "We apologize for the inconvenience, but the presence of a sleeping Snorlax on the tracks is preventing the train from proceeding to Motostoke as scheduled. We're going to stop at the Wild Area South Entrance Station for the time being, to allow people to look for alternate means of travel."
Hearing that, Gloria's face lost all her color, the whole message sinking in and leaving a pit in her stomach. She turned to the window again, barely making out said Snorlax's blissfully sleeping form blocking their intended path. The train shifted gear into a different one, away from their goal. Both her and Scorbunny ground their teeth. She then slammed both hands on the table, scowling.
"No way! We can't stop there for a stupid sleeping Pokémon!" she shouted, as if that would have any effect. She turned to her companions, hoping to find a shared anger, only to find all of the adults looking at each other like it was no big deal.
"I get it, waking up a Snorlax is tricky business..."
"Pika..."
"Let's just prepare for now. We'll see what to do once we're at the station."
Gloria stared at the married couple wordlessly, really wanting to go against their comments and force the train to head back to Motostoke somehow. She sighed away her stupid desire, shaking her head in resignation. Serena had more of a point than she wanted to admit. She turned away, trading an annoyed glance with Scorbunny.
"I guess..." She adjusted her beret, extending her arm towards her Rabbit Pokémon. "Hop on."
"Nibbah!" Scorbunny bounced over, taking his place on Gloria's shoulder with a huge grin. His boundless enthusiasm was enough to let Gloria smile just a bit, scratching his chin and eliciting a pleased squeak from the bunny.
Gloria tried to keep her frustration at bay as she prepared to leave the train, she and the others grabbing their belongings and heading for the exit as their vehicle came to a stop in the new station, right at the cusp of the Wild Area. Several passengers quickly flooded the platform in an attempt to look for ways to continue their trip.
If it had been any other occasion, Gloria would've probably been more excited to be there, sparing more than a glance at the vast fields and pillars of red light already visible from the station. But she was a girl on a mission, and that mission was to get to Motostoke as soon as possible.
Thus, she started to push through the crowd of people to make her way into the station proper with the rest of her much calmer entourage, impatiently shoving people out of the way. After a few futile seconds, the little group finally managed to make their way through to the wall of the station, right next to the exit, where an electronic time table of the local bus stop was provided for anyone who couldn't make it through the Wild Area proper. And as soon as Gloria laid eyes on it, she froze, jaw slackening in shock before her anger flared up inside her.
"You gotta be kidding me. Next bus for Motostoke is in seven hours?!" the young trainer shouted, fist shaking and ready to strike at the offending time table. It was loud enough to catch the interest of everyone else in the room, only blocked by Ash, Pikachu and Scorbunny holding her back by the arm.
"Looks like they're busy fetching other people to the city for tomorrow's events," Ash said after a look of his own, pulling up his hat with his free hand as Gloria kept trying to break free.
"And then it's five hours to reach Motostoke." Astrid remained much calmer, hands in her pockets as she glimpsed over the rest of the information provided, perhaps trying to find some alternate routes to take. She shrugged. "Guess all we need to do is wait."
Gloria managed to disentangle herself from the older trainer's grip, sending Scorbunny falling to the ground as she scowled once more. It was still the time table earning most of her scorn, the girl staring at it with a burning glare. It made sense that a Snorlax would be hard to wake up, and it made sense for the bus stops to be working overtime, but that didn't make it any less frustrating.
And she was sick of it. All of it.
Of how many years it had taken to become a real trainer. Of the failure of getting Leon's endorsement. Of whatever crazy incident would bar the way to Motostoke. She had always been at the mercy of fate, constantly pushed back from reaching her starting line. Over and over again.
Gloria stood tall, adjusting her beret and grabbing Scorbunny in her arms, striding on her own path almost instinctively, a singular thought in her mind.
Enough.
"Gloria? Where are you going?" Serena asked, and from the corner of her eye, Gloria could see the woman looking at her in confusion. Only Ash seemed unsurprised.
Gloria hugged Scorbunny tighter, looking in front of her without missing a step, eyes on the vast green plateau in the distance. "The Wild Area."
"What?" Even without turning around, the puzzled tone of the woman was enough to make Gloria pause, a frown on her face as she turned back to her companions. Her stare was severe, focused only on her purpose.
"It's the fastest way. You can wait for the bus or whatever, I don't care. I need to reach Motostoke in time."
"Weren't you the one who told us how dangerous the place is? You've been a real trainer for what? Two days now?" Astrid folded her arms, her piercing stare enough to match Gloria's own. The known truth only made the girl's lips quiver, her body shaking ever-so-slightly.
"I'm not going to be put on hold again. I waited way too long!" Gloria shouted, more to herself than anyone else, not even caring as everyone's eyes went back to her again. She tried to stand firm on her feet, scowling back at Astrid as Scorbunny removed himself from her grip, the little bunny standing by her side in scowling at the Kalosian trainer. The support of her partner emboldened the young trainer, fists balled tightly; years of waiting with no end in sight all coming back to her at that moment. With Astrid, to Serena, even Ash, all observing her with various degrees of incredulity, all her frustrations converged together.
"I don't care if it's dangerous, or immature, or whatever. Some peril never stopped a real trainer!" She turned on her heel back towards the exit, jabbing at the adults with her finger. "And don't you try changing my mind. I'm not going to miss the chance of a lifetime again!"
And with that said, not even a second later, Gloria turned around and strode back towards the Wild Area alongside Scorbunny, a tinge of guilt weighing down on her. She knew they weren't to blame for everything she had to go through, but right at that moment, she needed to let it out. She could make it, whatever the others said about her, and if that would cost her the friends she just made...too bad.
Her grand departure was stopped just a few steps from the exit, however, as Gloria felt her arm being pulled back. Gloria groaned, once again turning to meet the unsurprising sight of Ash and Pikachu, the man staring intensely into her eyes.
"Gloria," he said, his tone even as he held the girl in place. She frowned back at him, already knowing what to expect.
"What? I told you, I'm not going to-"
"That's the spirit!"
That compliment, and the radiant grin on Ash's face, completely shut down Gloria's track of mind, her jaw hanging open wordlessly as the man pat her on the back. She almost thought it was a joke, an ironic preface to the complaints she was expecting. That wasn't the case, as Ash only grew sunnier and grabbed her shoulders.
"It's your journey. You're in charge of where you want to go next. If you want to go through the Wild Area, you should. I'm sure you'll gain something important that way."
Ash's smile continued to shatter whatever other expectation Gloria had, her gaping mouth unable to produce any response as she tried to look back to the just as surprised Scorbunny, like the rabbit didn't know how to react to the man's words. Her attention went back to the man, reflecting on his declaration. He sounded so...genuine, as if he truly got what she was going through and wanted to support her all the way through, just like he did the night before. She could feel her heart racing just a bit, her whole body feeling warmer.
"That's...uh..." She turned away, removing herself from Ash's grip as a sheepish smile lit up her face. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Ash let go of her, and Gloria locked her gaze with the man soon after, his enthusiasm still not gone as he glanced over to the outside's view. "But even if I won't stop you, we should all come along. Adventure is great and all, but it's better to face it with friends, don't you think?"
The sheer, familiar glee in the Pokémon Master's words made Gloria's grin wider, her frustrations set aside by the kinship she was feeling with the man. They spoke the same language, and that filled her whole body with more excitement than ever before.
"Admit it, you just wanted an excuse to see the Wild Area for yourself." Astrid chuckled as she paced closer to Gloria and Ash, an amused glance directed to the man.
"Hey, I'm supposed to give my opinion of the Galar League as a liaison. The paths a Gym Challenger would take are part of the job!"
For as sensible as the man sounded to Gloria, none of his companions appeared fooled by them, with even Pikachu joining in the collective, knowing shrug at his expense. The man took it in stride with a chuckle of his own.
"You never change, Ash." Serena's tone held no real frustration as she joined the others' side. "But it's okay. I was curious to visit this Wild Area, myself."
"If it has strong Pokémon, it's absolutely worth a trip. Besides, this way we get to see Ash struggle with writing that letter along the way," Astrid said. She leaned over to Gloria as Ash's face went pale, giving her a gentle elbowing of encouragement. "So, what are we waiting for? Lead the way, Postwick girl."
Gloria's bright grin was a far cry to the frustrated, scowling mess she had been just moments before, the realization that everyone was onboard with her idea leaving no space for negativity. She put her foot down, sharing a smirk with Scorbunny as she adjusted her cardigan once again, embracing the role Astrid entrusted on her by pointing to the wilderness.
"Alright! Onward for Motostoke, everyone!"
And with that single declaration, Gloria's group left the station and Meetup Spot of the Wild Area, taking their first steps together in the untamed wildlands ahead.
"Whoa, it's huge!" Gloria almost laughed at Ash's comment, he and Pikachu charging ahead to get a better look of everything as the quartet of trainers went past the station's gate and straight into what a nearby signpost identified as the 'Rolling Hills', his wanderlust overflowing.
Gloria took in her surroundings as well: a vast, green plain that extended as far as the eye could see, almost completely untouched by man if not for the train tracks stretching away from the Wild Area and the several ruins scattered in the distance. Several trees dotted the landscape, some thick enough to form small patches of forest surrounded by tall grass, while several rocks popped out of the ground irregularly.
Of greater interest was what could be seen all over: from the field in front of them to the river cutting through the land, more Pokémon than Gloria ever saw before could be seen. From measly Caterpie and Skwovet hidden in the grass to Tyrogue running about freely. Even Wingull, Combee, Butterfree and Pidove were flying about, alongside many other ones she couldn't identify.
Despite seeing the photos of the place, being there in person truly made Gloria feel like a child again. With a breath, she lost herself in trying to see how far the fields stretched out, the only recent signs of civilization on the horizon being the high, imposing walls in the distance, roughly a day's trip, distractions included. Further along, several pillars of red lights shot for the sky from everywhere they could see, only making Gloria's desire to explore the land grow further, regardless of the fact she couldn't waste time at that point.
As her companions observed their surroundings with just as much wonder, Gloria stepped forward with decision and took a deeper breath of the Wild Area's air, feeling so different from Postwick's and Wedgehurst's. The whole world was their oyster, and no endorsement, no Snorlax, and no other incident would stop her anymore.
"Are you feeling it, Scorbunny?" she asked, facing her trusty partner now sitting on her shoulder.
"Nibbah Nibbah!" Scorbunny squeaked, beaming with excitement as he leapt off to the ground and pumped his tiny paws.
Her friend's reaction was everything she needed to know, their hearts united by a singular desire. "Then let's go!"
With a wordless glance, trainer and Pokémon sprinted forward, feeling unburdened by everything. They didn't hesitate to leave everyone else behind as Gloria basked in the freedom of being a trainer, headed for Motostoke.
At least until her toe hit against a rock on her path, and her face met the soft ground. She rolled over the grass, crying out at the sudden development, before coming to a stop with a sharp pain washing over her body.
"Scor!" Her partner halted his race, turning back and approaching Gloria. The trainer took Scorbunny's paw, rising back up as she winced and rubbed over her back.
"Ow..." she muttered, cleaning the grass off her clothes once she stood again. She scowled. "Who put that stupid pebble there...?"
"Gloria! Watch out behind you!"
Serena's sharp warning put Gloria on high alert, wondering what it could be as she turned back in the direction of the offending pebble.
Her question was answered in the worst way possible as the 'pebble' turned out to be the large, imposing body of an Onix unearthing itself and staring down at her with a rather angry scowl on his features, looking barely awake. Gloria froze in place, eyes wide at the large Pokémon looming over her, all her bravado and confidence melting away in front of the sudden danger.
The Onix growled, preparing himself to charge against the girl with its gigantic frame. Gloria remained still, blankly staring at the opposite Pokémon, feeling smaller than she already was as the stone snake lunged forward, too shaken by the suddenness of it all to jump to safety.
In her moment of uncertainty, Scorbunny hopped between her and the Pokémon, taking on a battle stance. Seeing that, Gloria felt united with her partner, fists clenched as she looked over the Pokémon, swallowing and preparing to battle.
But she wasn't the one to call the first move.
"Iron Tail!" In the time it took for Gloria to even think of an attack, a tiny yellow blur flew right past her, a shimmering tail slamming into Onix's head powerfully enough to blast it several feet away. The Rock-type Pokémon gouged the earth on its path and sent some of the surrounding Pokémon scampering away. Pikachu landed skillfully on all fours ahead of Gloria and Scorbunny, just as Ash caught up to them and the Onix weakly got back up.
Gloria could feel the tension leaving her body as she saw the Pokémon Master and his partner stare down the recovering Onix, Pikachu's tail already glowing again to dish another round of pain. To the Postwick girl's surprise, the small Pokémon's intimidation seemed to do the trick, as the Onix slithered away in the other direction in a hurry, any trace of aggression gone.
As Ash and Pikachu turned to each other and shared a fist bump, Gloria and her own partner Pokémon could only observe, speechless, the fleeing Pokémon still visible in the distance. The same Pokémon that looked so intimidating not even a minute before.
Her attention went back to the man and his Electric type as they approached her, checking if she was okay while Astrid and Serena caught up to them. Gloria rubbed her neck with unease. "Thanks."
Ash gave her a reassured smile, before his attention shifted back to the upset ground that housed the Onix. "So, that was one of the powerful Pokémon you mentioned?"
"I guess..."
Ash folded his arms, unusually contemplative as he checked over the rest of the area. "Better to stick together until we reach Motostoke. I'd rather not take chances."
"Good point...Though, that one is easy. It's that way."
Gloria pointed ahead of them, towards the large, reddish castle walls in the distance, barely discernible in its details save for the large round of stairs leading into the city proper. It looked ancient, no doubt a result of whatever Pokémon attacks the city had to deal with for thousands of years, yet still stood as tall and imposing as if they were just recently built. Even with the significant distance separating them from it, Gloria still felt a jolt of excitement as she took in every detail she could make out.
Astrid scratched her head, squinting her eyes. "That looks awfully far from us...you sure we can make it in time?"
"Sure I'm sure!" To corroborate her view, Gloria grabbed her Rotom Phone again, firing up the Town Map App to show their prospective trip, tracing the path with her finger. "The optimal route is roughly a day of sustained walking. So, let's just leg it straight up!"
Her boundless confidence reignited and with no further words to add, Gloria returned to her march forward with no care of leaving everyone behind, trusting they'd follow along. As they treaded through the green plains under the overcast skies, no other Pokémon attempted to get close to them, perhaps as a result of Pikachu's show of power, but the unexpected peace only allowed the quartet to increase the pace, each of them dealing with the trip differently.
Ash stood by Serena's side on the rear, while Astrid was on the lookout for anything interesting around them, tossing one of her Poké Balls up and down to be ready for further attacks. Gloria, in the meantime, was using the time to enjoy the sights some more, occasionally checking some interesting Pokémon far away from them or eyeing Scorbunny and Pikachu playfully racing each other ahead of the group.
But every time, her gaze eventually returned to Motostoke's walled entrance. One, ten, one hundred steps later, it still looked as far away as it initially did, a knot in the girl's stomach forming as a result. Her goal was there, taunting her with its vicinity, yet never feeling like she could reach it.
Gloria shook her head, telling herself that she would get there in time, only for those more negative thoughts to crowd her mind once more, pushing her to walk forward with increased drive.
"So, I didn't ask before, but what's the deal with all the lights around?" Ash's question brought Gloria out of her thoughts, noticing how the man was staring at the crimson pillars shooting from the ground, only then realizing how she had neglected to explain that particular facet.
"Oh, that's a natural phenomenon taking place in the Wild Area. Though I don't recall what it was about..." Gloria sighed, really wishing she didn't fall asleep right as her mother's documentary was getting to that part. She briefly considered asking the Rotom Phone for a detailed explanation, only to decide against it, not wanting to spend several precious minutes thinking of a stupid natural lightshow. "Well, for now, let's avoid them. We gotta jet."
Gloria hastened her pace some more, setting her sight once again for the faraway walls, shutting off any outside thought, ready to just walk for hours if she needed. They had already wasted enough time, and they didn't need more distractions.
At least, that was what Gloria thought, before hearing a thud from behind. She turned around alongside Astrid and Ash, and their eyes went wide as they saw Serena kneeling on the grass, a hand over her chest and another holding her head.
"Pipika!" Pikachu sprinted immediately, joining Ash and Astrid at the woman's side, the man helping his wife stand back up. All the while, Gloria could only look, worry crawling on her back as she joined them.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked, concern evident in his voice. His wife took deep breaths, clearly having trouble doing so, yet still managing to smile to everyone else.
"I'm okay, just...some fatigue." She almost doubled down again, leaning on Ash's shoulder. "I can still...go on for a while."
Ash wasn't fooled, keeping close to the woman and preventing her from moving further. Gloria remained speechless as she contemplated Serena's state, how tired she looked, and most importantly the noticeably swollen belly she displayed. The same one she should've been much more mindful of, like the day before.
The young girl swallowed, the realization hitting her like a sack of bricks as a sense of guilt wormed its way inside her. She clenched her fists, frowning at the honey-blonde woman. "No, we're stopping. You need to rest."
"I thought you wanted to get to Motostoke as early as possible." Astrid's neutral remark cut sharply into Gloria, the younger trainer frowning in her elder's direction.
"And it won't move! Serena's health is more important." Her snappy reaction quickly faded away as a frown affixed itself on her face, bowing her head apologetically. "I messed up. I'm sorry."
"You did nothing wrong," Serena reassured, already starting to breathe more steadily, with Ash and Pikachu in agreement. That didn't make Gloria feel any better, but she sighed and shook her head, trying to move on as she observed the plains surrounding them alongside Scorbunny.
"Well, given we need to rest, maybe we can camp here for a bit, plan an optimal route, the works," she suggested, scratching her head.
"Sounds like a good idea."
Ash's agreement allowed Gloria to pull off a smile again, turning back to the recovering Serena as she sat on a nearby rock. "You rest up here. We're gonna get this set up in no time!"
"Nibbah Nibbah!" Scorbunny added, already hopping over Gloria's backpack, pulling out the necessary equipment and handing it to his trainer.
As Serena continued to rest, and Ash and Pikachu remained by her side, Gloria led the tent building operation by herself, placing the poles firmly on the ground. She was quick to set the foundation of the tent correctly, sending out Rookidee to help her and Scorbunny in placing everything just right. She skillfully handled every piece so it would snap right into the pole hub, making sure they were curved correctly and able to withstand the shifts in the weather. It took a lot of care, but a few minutes later, the preparations were complete.
"You've really got a knack for this," Astrid mused as she passed the layers of sheets to Gloria. She grabbed the first inner tent and draped it over the pole hub, while Scorbunny and Rookidee cooperated to place the rain fly above it.
"Me and Hop used to camp up in Route One all the time when we were younger. A good trainer needs to know their stuff about sleeping outside, after all."
Astrid smirked at that remark, staying silent as she let Gloria and her team focus on the finishing touches. As they went through with them, Gloria spied what Ash and Serena were doing, finding the married couple once again working on the endorsement letter, finally having finished it if Ash's incredibly relieved expression and Pikachu's joyful celebrations meant anything. His wife laughed it off with a mirthful expression. Astrid almost looked disappointed at having missed the show. Still, seeing Serena enjoy herself made Gloria feel just a bit less guilty, and shortly after, the tents were complete.
"Ta-dah! We're done! Now we're ready to relax!" Gloria said, as she whipped out a foldable table from her bag and set it up for good measure.
Her declaration caught the attention of the Ketchums and Pikachu, all nodding in approval. Astrid was of a similar mind as she chuckled, glancing back to the girl. "Not bad, for a newbie."
"Hey. Who do you take me for?" Gloria asked rhetorically, arms folded at her chest. Both Scorbunny and Rookidee emulated her, basking in the attention.
Ash hopped off the rock with Pikachu on his shoulder, stretching his limbs as he turned to both of his older companions. "I think we should let the rest of our Pokémon out, too."
As both Serena and Astrid agreed and prepared to throw their Poké Balls, Gloria's interest was piqued. "You've got others with you, aside from Pikachu?"
"Of course!" After grabbing four Poké Balls, Ash tossed them skyward with a grin. "Everyone, come on out and meet our new friend!"
As the devices hit the ground and unleashed the Pokémon within, Gloria's interest was sparked as she was met with three Pokémon she had never seen before, and one she and Scorbunny very much had.
"Whoa, you've got a Charizard! And... those other ones!" Gloria made a beeline for the orange dragon, looking him over with a bright, excited grin alongside her partner Pokémon. It was enough to make Ash's Pokémon smirk, letting out a powerful tongue of fire skyward. He looked powerful, even if not as much as Leon's, and in the moment, he looked like the coolest of Ash's Pokémon. It took her several seconds to turn around to check the other ones, the white-furred monkey and the hooded humanoid owl not seeming particularly enthused by their draconic comrade stealing all the attention, even if they still took it in stride. A different story was the blue, frog-like Pokémon wearing his tongue as a scarf, staying still with his eyes closed and arms folded to the chest, completely unperturbed.
"They're Infernape, Decidueye and Greninja. They're just a few of my Pokémon, but some of the most reliable. By now I rotate them in and out as I need."
"Ape!"
"Desai!"
The monkey and owl's greeting and enthusiastic waving made Gloria focus back on both, approaching them alongside her own partners. "Nice to meet you! My name is Gloria, and these are Scorbunny and Rookidee!"
"Nibbah!" Scorbunny rushed to both of Ash's fellow Fire-types, thumping his chest and taking a battle stance in a show of confidence that didn't match his size at all. Neither Charizard nor Infernape seemed anywhere close to threatened, but they both humored the little Fire-type's behavior. Rookidee was instead locked into what appeared to be a staring contest with Decidueye, the little grin both birds were sharing making clear it was in good fun for both sides.
Glad that her Pokémon were already forming some friendships with Ash's, Gloria glanced over the remaining Greninja, expecting another warm welcome. Contrary to her expectations however, the blue Pokémon simply gave a curt nod and brief wave as his eyes opened, revealing purple irises, frowning at his surroundings. He traded a nod with Ash, and then leapt away without a word. All the while Gloria scratched her head, wondering what came to him.
"Greninja must've sensed the danger around us and decided to stay on alert. Don't worry, he can handle it," Ash reassured her, completely calm as he looked over Greninja patrolling the area while staying close to rush if needed.
Gloria continued to look after Greninja's vigilant efforts, the Pokémon looking ready to strike down anyone that dared getting too close. Seeing him like that, Gloria remembered of having heard some buzz about a 'Greninja' owned by Ash Ketchum on the occasional trainer-related report, but compared to Pikachu she wasn't sure why that was. Her attention was quickly diverted from the question as the distinct sound of Poké Balls opening brought her to turn around, finding both Serena and Astrid letting their own Pokémon out. She turned to Serena's side first, and a pleased smile lit up her face.
"You've got some cute Pokémon!" Gloria asked, checking over the bipedal, stick-wielding fox, the small and stubby black-and-white panda. With a further look, she also noticed a graceful-looking pink Pokémon, the rather striking and much larger siren-like white and blue seal, and the tiny white Pokémon that looked to be made out of an igloo. She was quick to check them all with her Pokédex, identifying them as a Braixen, a Pancham, a Sylveon, a Primarina and, to her surprise, a Sandshrew.
"Thank you. Not as many as Ash has, but we are a tight-knit bunch." Serena grabbed all of the five Pokémon into a hug, which they all eagerly reciprocated.
"Braixen brai!" Braixen cried, a hand to the sky as she winked to Gloria. The rest of Serena's team proved just as warm, introducing themselves to the trainer in their own ways, be they a wave of flippers and feelers, puffing their chests, or just an eager cry.
Scorbunny's Fire-type bonding session was put on hold as he also noticed the newly arrived quintet, rushing to Gloria's side to make his own introduction. He seemed to strike a fast friendship with the similarly-sized Pancham, both Pokémon looking ready to challenge each other at a second's notice. The Postwick trainer let out a bemused giggle, noticing how happy and energetic each of Serena's Pokémon felt before she turned back to Sandshrew again, wearing a puzzled frown. The species wasn't exactly common on Galar's mainland, but as far as she recalled, they looked pretty different than Serena's did. After some contemplation, she quickly wrote it off as some regional form she wasn't privy about, bringing her attention instead to the seemingly missing Rookidee.
Gloria initially assumed her Flying-type was still deep into his staring off with Decidueye, but a quick turn to her left proved that to not be the case, as he was instead circling and checking out Astrid's own Pokémon. Aside from Absol, that group now included a lion with an impressive red-and-yellow mane and a white and blue, rather bored-looking cat. Much like Ash's Pokémon, they all exuded a sense of power, already on alert as they looked over Rookidee in turn.
"Rook rook! Rookidee!" the Tiny Bird Pokémon chirped, wings spread open as he stared down the two new Pokémon, flying just a bit higher as he did so.
Astrid laughed the bird's behavior off. "Tell your bird that Pyroar and Meowstic would make short work of him."
"You can't say that until we fight." Gloria stepped in, a cocky grin on her face to match her bird's.
"Still hotheaded, huh?"
Gloria said nothing, both she and Astrid continuing to look at each other. They still had a promise to battle on hold, after all, and the Postwick girl was just as eager as before to try her hand at facing a foreign Pokémon. From reading Astrid's expression, she could tell the older woman was considering the idea, as well.
Ash seemed to agree, stroking his chin as he and his team of Pokémon (sans the still vigilant Greninja) observed the two trainers. "Now that's interesting..."
Gloria grinned, already running several ideas on how to face the woman's Pokémon as blood pumped into her veins. A rush of excitement that came to an abrupt end as Astrid shrugged things off, breaking eye contact.
"Not yet. You're good, but you'd still stand no chance, small fry."
"Hey!" The woman's matter-of-fact statement struck a nerve in Gloria, almost prompting her to scamper towards her, Ash looking mildly disappointed, himself. How dare she string her along like that?!
"Don't take it the wrong way." Serena rose up from her seat on the rock, managing to give Gloria pause while giving her a reassuringly bright smile. "You'll be able to have your battle with Astrid eventually."
The girl didn't reply immediately, taking in Serena's words. Then, her confident grin returned back to her.
"Oh, you can bet on it." Gloria told the woman, still side-eyeing Astrid with increasing smugness. "Guess I need to give you all a taste of my other talent first, then."
"And what would that be?"
Gloria raised a finger, turning to Serena. "Tell me, have you ever had a serving of Galarian food yet?"
"Not yet, we landed at Wedgehurst's outskirts just a few hours before we met. Why?"
"Ohohoho, I see." Gloria adjusted her beret as she walked for her travel bag in a hurry, already stretching her fingers. "Then you're in for a treat! Scorbunny, let's get to work!"
"Scorbunny Scor!" The girl's trusty partner immediately dropped out of the race he was having with Pancham, heading for the bag as well. They didn't need words to know what they were doing, as they started grabbing the requisite tools together.
"What are you doing?" Serena asked, head tilted as she observed the girl and her bunny partner take out a large pot, placing it over a small platform. The question made the younger girl grin, winking back to her crowd.
"Something astounding! You'll see!" was Gloria's answer. She opened her bag's contents on the ground, taking out several packages of rice, curry roux and even some mushrooms among an assortment of already prepared ingredients. Girl and rabbit were quick to place everything inside the pot with trained carefulness. As the whole pot was filled with the ingredients and Scorbunny ignited a flame underneath, the rest of their entourage, including Rookidee, continued to look after Gloria as she started to firmly stir the pot's contents.
Scorbunny, for his part, rushed back to the bag and fetched what appeared to be a Magikarp-shaped paper fan, hopping back near the fire and fanning it rhythmically, increasing its size.
"Keep going, Scorbunny! Put your heart into it!"
"Scor scor scornibbah!" The Fire type obliged immediately, fanning up and down in a consistent, fast rhythm as the girl continued to stir the ingredients, the flame remaining as high as necessary. Meanwhile, Gloria checked the way the various parts were intermingling inside the pot.
"Good! Just like that!" Gloria smiled. Knowing that the two were observed only made her more excited to show off, taking a few Wiki Berries and tossing them in the developing mix. She sniffed it immediately after to ensure the smell was just right.
After several minutes of working on the stirring blend, Gloria finally put a stop to her motion at the same time Scorbunny ended his fanning. Trainer and Pokémon shared a grin and a nod, and they both knew what to do as Gloria took a green, full Lum Berry and tossed it up and down.
"And now, for the final touch!" Gloria shouted, launching the berry skyward, high above the pot. Without prompting, Scorbunny hopped onto Gloria's shoulder, using it as a springboard to the heights above, reaching the berry's height seconds later.
"Nibbah!" With one powerful, precise flaming kick, Scorbunny sent the berry meteoring downward, straight into the pot with a satisfying plop, crispy as it should've been. As it sunk down and Scorbunny landed on Gloria's shoulder again, the two enjoyed a fistbump before grabbing a plate and a ladle, serving the pot's contents into it.
"And finished! A serving of Dry Mushroom Medley Curry, from yours truly!" she held the completed dish triumphantly in front of her for everyone to see, with Scorbunny joining in by pointing both paws towards it, flashing the brightest grin he could pull off.
She extended the dish for everyone to smell, everyone's pleased expressions making Gloria grin back at them.
"Man, it smells amazing," Ash said, already salivating and ready to chow down, with Pikachu in full agreement.
"And it tastes even better! Fetch your plates and give it a try!"
Every human and Pokémon was onboard with Gloria's remark, and it didn't take long for everyone to have a nice, warm plate of curry in their hands, starting to eat together whether on the table or on the ground.
"Mhhhhm! Itsh weally ghwood!" Ash confirmed, going through several large spoonfuls of curry at a time, uncaring of manners in a way Gloria found oddly familiar.
"Pwikah pwikachew!" Pikachu also agreed, cheeks filled with curry as he swallowed them down.
All around them, the rest of the Pokémon were voraciously wolfing down on their own portions, with the only exception of the stoic Greninja in the distance, expressionless in his vigilance. Serena and Astrid were eating their portion at a much more measured pace than Ash and his Pokémon partner did, but the way they were smiling between each portion said everything Gloria wanted to know. She shared another brief fistbump with Scorbunny, and the two ate their own curry slowly, Rookidee feasting on a larger plate not too far away.
Serena looked over her plate, carefully glancing over the curry roux and mushrooms layered over the rice. "I thought it would taste spicier, but it's just mild enough to savor it."
"Getting the correct balance is tricky, but once you do, it really enhances the taste. You gotta be careful with the mushrooms and make their umami seep in the sauce just right."
"Might I ask you for the full recipe later?"
Gloria laughed, swallowing down another bit. "Sorry, it's mum's secret one. Well, one of them, at least...she drilled into my head one-hundred fifty-one ways to make curry, and other dishes besides."
"That many?" Astrid quirked an eyebrow, observing the curry and probably wondering how one could make one-hundred fifty more varieties. Gloria didn't blame her, having thought the same back then.
"Mum used to work at a restaurant when she was younger, and here in Galar we've got a rich tradition of curry-making. I asked her some tips on how to cook one day, and after way too many attempts, I can serve Charizard Class stuff without problems."
Gloria puffed her chest, remembering all the trials she faced on the way to master curry-making under her mother's strict guidance. From the corner of her eye, she could spy Ash's Charizard looking fairly confused, poking at his plate and wondering about the class his species was namesake of, but Gloria thought against delving further into it. They were not yet ready to dive into the darkest depths of Galarian curry culture.
All the adults seemed to be fairly impressed, which only made Gloria's pride swell further. Astrid in particular gave an amused chuckle as she finished her plate, staring right at the girl. "Camping, cooking...you're like a one-girl traveling department."
Gloria shrugged. "I had way too much time to kill, might as well have prepared myself. You never know what you may need, after all."
She sighed to herself, shooting another, fleeting gaze at Motostoke's walls in the distance. It was so close, yet still so distant, a part of her wondering if she was even going to get there in time.
The girl turned away, shaking her head as she focused back on her plate with a frown, while her companions resumed eating, as well. It was no time to be impatient again. She just had to wait for their break to be over, and then it would all go well. It had to. What else could happen before that, anyway?
"Grenin!"
With a sudden and loud thud, Ash's Greninja jumped right next to the table, almost making Gloria jump to her feet from the surprise. The girl narrowly avoided spilling the sauce on her shirt. She set her food on the table and clutched her chest as she shook, everyone's attention moving to the Ninja Pokémon. It stood back up, eyes immediately locking with Ash's, who replied with a frown. Left to guess, Gloria tilted her head.
"Uh, if you want some curry, there's still some more-"
Ash held a hand over to her, staring right into his Water-type Pokémon's eyes as he stood. "No, it's not that. Greninja sensed something approaching."
Greninja nodded in confirmation, and seconds later, a nearby bush started to rustle, whoever was moving through completely obscured by the tall grass blades. At the sudden movement, Gloria lost her grip on her silverware, spoon tumbling on the table as everyone around her went on alert. Rookidee and Scorbunny both abandoned their plates to close in near Gloria, just as every other Pokémon did for their respective trainer. Seeing all their companions on guard, Gloria swallowed.
"Which Pokémon is it?" she asked, rising from her seat, a frown on her face. It was an awful moment to forget which species of Pokémon dwelled around those parts.
"No idea, but let's stay on guard."
Humans and Pokémon agreed with Ash's words, tensing, whether it was Serena's small Sandshrew or Ash's bulky Charizard. Greninja, in particular, leapt to land several feet forward, closer to the bush, and ready to strike down whatever was coming. Pikachu similarly sparked his cheeks as Ash moved ahead to join his Ninja Pokémon. Gloria and her partners remained in wait, alongside Serena and Astrid, continuing to look at the rustling grass, worry creeping inside her.
There was no way to know what sort of creature was coming for them. It could've easily been far stronger than any of their Pokémon. Her heart raced at the unknown challenge, but her legs were shaking, still remembering the Onix of not long before.
The grass kept rustling. Whoever was inside strode closer. Everyone readied themselves for an arduous fight.
And as the grass blades parted to reveal a tiny, light blue, shaking Pokémon, they were all taken off guard.
"Saaah..." the Pokémon stood frozen on his four thin limbs, staring nervously with his blue eyes towards all the gathered humans and Pokémon. The large, yellow fin on his head twitched constantly, the way the Pokémon's body shook making him seem moments away from an anxiety attack. All in all, a far cry from whatever Gloria expected to see.
Astrid seemed to agree, leaning down and squinting her eyes. "Huh...that tiny thing was the threat?"
The wild Pokémon continued to just stand there, doing nothing, looking ready to run away at a moment's notice. While everyone else relaxed at least a bit at the seeming lack of danger, Gloria pulled out her Rotom Phone, wanting more information.
"Rotom, what's that?" she asked, aiming the screen to frame the small Pokémon.
"Sobble, the Water Lizard Pokémon. A Water type," Rotom responded without delay. "Timid by nature and quick to cry in the face of danger, this Pokémon is able to turn invisible when coming into contact with water. Its tears are said to pack the chemical punch of one-hundred onions, often relying on them as a defense mechanism against predators."
"Well, guess we don't have much to worry about, then." Gloria put her Pokédex aside, glancing over to the harmless Pokémon once more.
Sobble continued to stand in place, fidgeting nervously, taking in everyone's looks as sweat accumulated over his face. Gloria wondered what the Pokémon had come there for, but it was hard to discern since he hesitated to make even a single step.
Ash seemed to be of a similar mindset, moving towards the Water type. As his foot touched the ground and snapped a twig, however, Sobble flinched and rushed back, pressing against the nearby rock.
"Saaah! Sahbble!" he cried, sweat finally falling down, vanishing from sight. His shuffling steps and the disturbed grass could still be seen however, allowing the group to see the Water Lizard Pokémon moving on the other side of the rock and remaining there, away from the perceived danger, leaving everyone with just mild irritation in their eyes.
Even after the Pokédex description, Gloria kept wondering what was scaring him so much. Before she could try and ask it herself, however, Ash walked closer to the rock, with Pikachu and Greninja joining him without any prompting, all making sure to keep their distance from the invisible Pokémon. As Gloria exchanged glances with Serena and Astrid, both nodding at her, she decided to let the man handle the situation for them.
"Hey, sorry if we got worked up. We thought you were some dangerous Pokémon," Ash explained, kneeling to what he assumed was eye level for the Pokémon. He gave him a beaming smile. "You don't have to be scared. We aren't going to hurt you."
No response came from the Water type, and in the moment, Gloria wondered if the small amphibian had just decided to leg it out of fear. The rustling grass and short steps she heard proved her wrong.
"Saah..." the invisibility faded back, enough to let Sobble's small head peek from behind the rock. He was still shaking and clearly nervous, but at the same time a twinkle of curiosity lit up his face. Little by little, he made his way closer to Ash, head tilted between him and his two Pokémon, perhaps trying to discern if he really could trust them. Then, his stomach grumbled rather loudly, freezing Sobble on the spot as his cheeks grew much redder. Ash took it in stride with a good-natured laugh.
"Are you hungry? Can't blame ya, the curry was great." He turned to the pot, and then back to Sobble. "You can have some, if you want it."
Ash threw a gaze to Greninja, the frog immediately understanding the silent request and leaping to fetch a plate of the curry, serving it just as Gloria had done and returning to his trainer's side.
"Grenin, ninja." The Ninja Pokémon placed the plate a few feet ahead, at a short distance from Sobble. He remained kneeling and in wait, just like Ash and Pikachu.
Sobble remained where he was, still looking over the man and his Pokémon, swallowing down loudly. It was only after the smell of Gloria's curry filled his nostrils and his stomach rumbled again that the Water Lizard Pokémon took a few tentative steps forward, slowly making his way to the plate. He shifted repeatedly between the food offered and his fellow Water-type, much larger than he was, yet looking him over with kindness and patience.
There was no attempt to get the small Pokémon to eat right away, allowing him to take his time. After what felt like an eternity to Gloria, Sobble finally grabbed a small piece of rice and curry roux and placed it in his mouth, munching on it. Seconds later, his face became tenfold sunnier.
"Sahbble sah! Sahbble!" Sobble started digging through the plate with much more enthusiasm, licking his face to savor the whole taste. All traces of his previous hesitation were nowhere to be found as he devoured the meal in front of him.
Ash chuckled, placing his hand over Sobble's head and caressing it softly, careful not to upset the fin. The small Water type didn't resist, blushing at the touch with his smile only growing bigger.
From the sidelines, Gloria had no words. The same Pokémon that seemed so scared and unapproachable not even a few minutes before was now trusting Ash with no complaints.
"Huh…he's pretty good at this," she commented, watching as the man continued to caress the small Pokémon, eliciting pleased giggles from him as he kept eating. He made it seem so effortless, so simple, but what surprised her the most was how aside from her and her Pokémon, no one was finding the event weird at all, Ash's own team in particular.
"That's Ash. He's always been great at bonding with Pokémon."
Gloria put her hands behind her neck, thinking about Serena's words as she continued to look over Ash and Sobble. She then glared at Rookidee, filled with sudden annoyance. "Why couldn't you be this easy to befriend?"
"Rook rook..." Rookidee fired a glare of his own, turning the other way. Gloria grumbled; she really wasn't anywhere close to that. Not yet, at any rate.
Sobble continued to feast over the curry eagerly, cleaning up the plate quickly under Ash's watchful eye. Things seemed much calmer than before, and Gloria thought that they could go back to enjoying their little lunch break before preparing to move forward.
That thought was immediately dispelled when a sudden cry echoed from nowhere.
"Chew! Chew! Chew!"
Hearing the sharp, high-pitched cry, Sobble froze mid-bite, swallowing it down as his head fin twitched again. He turned around, alert and nervous, yet without crying this time. That reaction was enough to bring everyone on alert again, searching for the source of the call.
"What was that?" Gloria asked first, already annoyed at seeing the song and dance repeated minutes after.
Thankfully her question was answered quite quickly, as a Pokémon rushed through the grass blades in a hurry to reach them, almost falling flat on its face to do so. It looked very disproportioned, with a tiny blue shelled body and a head just as large as the rest of it, with a sharp yellow horn on top of its grumpy-looking face.
But what startled Gloria was that its jaw was open, revealing a lone, large tooth ready to bite down. It may have been of similar size to Sobble, but in that moment, its scowl superseded its stature, putting Gloria on edge.
It was angry and ready for a fight.
Author's Note: Long chapter, though we're worried this has been the doldrums of the story. Necessary part, but with the split, we feared it would bog down this chapter specifically. That said, I'll leave Viroro to address most of this part, as usual, as we make our way towards Motostoke.
Viroro: Fifth chapter, and once again one that had to be split in two. I apologize if this ended up as a somewhat slow entry, but I'd like to think a more relaxed pace works well after the more packed four chapters that preceded it. We also got to see the rest of Ash's current team (alongside Serena's and Astrid's) and we got to meet up with some fairly significant Pokémon. I hope there was still enough enjoyment out of this part of the journey through the Wild Area, however, and that the next chapter can bring this little adventure to a satisfying close.
Thanks for reading, and hope you'll keep enjoying what's to come!
Before we go, some people to thank: Perkaholic, SunsetScrewball and Alphajaguar for following; and a huge thanks to GalarianMike, ThePikachuMaster, Tenzalucard123, oomoepoo, StoutShako42Refined, Mezamun, FantasyLover88, AwesomeFury, MythGril Writes, ChE clarinetist, Cottonmouth25, jeannot2978, Captainsquid12, Ander Arias, aliensinnoh, AmourshippingCanon, UltimateCCC and potat lasaro for reviewing!
Your feedback is much appreciated, and I hope we continue to grow as we move forward! Please do Review and, as always,
Dare to Be Silly.