I know reception was slightly mixed on last chapter, largely in regards to TRio. That said, they're not some parasite on the story, and we all know Gloria had to meet them eventually. Not their fault she jumps to conclusions. Anyway, time to arrive in Hulbury with Chapter 15!

Chapter 15

A Showcase

The morning before Hulbury saw a marked change in the breeze. When Gloria left her tent, stretching alongside her team, she could taste the salt on the air, signaling their close approach to the seaborne town at last. After more than a few days and quite the number of events, she was ready to take on a Gym once more, and her energy was boundless. As Ash helped Serena cook breakfast, Charizard lending his flame where he could, he saw fit to comment on that much.

"You're looking real fired up."

"Gotta be. Meeting Marnie and those three jerks has motivated all of us, and since Hulbury is a three-on-three, we have to pull out all our strength!" Gloria did some swift jumping jacks, ones that Chewtle tried to emulate before falling on her face. Rookidee laughed at that, earning a swift glare from Gloria that shut him up. She was getting tired of them bickering with each other, no matter the smidgen of respect he'd shown the day before.

"Just make sure your Pokémon are on the same page," Astrid noted, swiping a berry from the table before Serena could cook it up and tossing it to her three Pokémon. Pyroar sliced it to pieces before Meowstic levitated it over to all three of them in turn. Gloria got the feeling Astrid had done that on purpose.

"All of us are aiming for the top, and we've got an unbeatable strategy! Especially now that we've worked out the Chewtle speed problem."

"Chewtle!" the turtle cried with victory. Ash gave a chuckle at her gusto.

"Don't put all your efforts into one strategy," Ash said. He emulated Astrid in grabbing a berry to feed Pikachu with, but his wife was much faster and he heeded her tired eyes. It appeared she hadn't gotten that much sleep the night before. Once Serena let go of his hand, he continued. "You're facing a Water type Gym, which means you need to be fluid and adjustable. I guarantee the trainer you'll fight will be."

"Oh, it'll be fine. I can adapt!" Gloria waved off Ash's suggestion boldly, but filed it away for later use. Her exercises finished, Gloria joined Astrid at the table, eagerly awaiting breakfast. Serena served it up moments after, a plate of eggs and berries set before her, along with some pan-fried toast. She immediately began wolfing it down, talking as she went. "I know Nesha ish a tough Leader, sho we'll be ready."

Astrid flinched at some of the eggs spraying on her, eliciting a sheepish grin from Gloria. "And how tough is that?"

"Well, her Gym Leader card says she considers Milo a rival," Gloria said, drinking some milk from the table. Her plate was already empty, a feat which even Ash had yet to accomplish, but Gloria remained hungry. She reached for the large apple on the table. "I've watched her matches, but she always does something a little differently, so it's hard to pin down. Still, she's said to be one of the easier Gym Leaders in Galar, so it should be fine. I'll beat her down the second we get to Hulbury."

"Assuming she's not already having another match."

Gloria nodded, admitting that Astrid had a point. Whether she could secure a match that day or not, she would be ready either way. Leaning back nonchalantly, acting as unbothered as she could, Gloria bit into the apple.

She nearly broke her teeth.

"Ah!" The hard surface of the apple made her jaw hurt instantly, and she pulled it away from her mouth. "Uh, who was responsible for buying an apple as hard as rock?"

She realized what a stupid question it was, as only she and Serena ever seemed to manage the majority of the food shopping, and Serena was no fool when it came to picking fruit. She proved it even more so when she addressed Gloria's concerns. "We didn't buy any apples."

"Then what's-" Gloria figured it out as soon as she started to ask, staring down at the apple held in her hands, watching as the little green leaves and tail unfurled to the familiar pair of eyes. It blinked at her, and she blinked at it. "Oh, you're that Applin!"

Her voice had clearly raised itself when she didn't mean for it to, because Applin squeaked, suddenly rolling out of her hands, to the ground and under the table. Gloria was quick to follow, dropping to her hands and knees. Soon as she had, Applin rolled further away, hiding now behind one of the table legs, avoiding the feet that threatened to trample it. With a shuffle, Gloria moved to get a better look, noticing the eyes peeking back at her. It soon noticed. "Ap!"

Applin hid again like a shot and Gloria sighed. She didn't dare reach out for fear of scaring the poor Pokémon. Instead, she sat back on her knees and decided to talk to it. "Have you been following me?"

"A…applin…" The response was tentative, but to Gloria's ears, a positive one. From behind, the rest of her team made their way over, causing Applin to hide again by rolling behind Astrid's feet. With a quick motion, Gloria got them to back off and then crawled along the ground so she could put herself even with the poor apple. The others watched her, a mix between amused and concerned.

"You don't have to be afraid here. No one's gonna hurt you."

"Pika!" Gloria was surprised, and a little exasperated, when Pikachu dropped down from the table next to Applin, holding his hand up and patting the apple on…Gloria guessed it could be considered its back. To her surprise, that actually calmed it down. Gloria closed the gap.

"So, what've you been following me for?" Her hand reached out, touching to the top of Applin before Astrid could threaten to kick her for invading her space. Applin appreciated the attention, and soon rolled out of her hold.

"App! Applin! Appapp!" The apple rolled back and forth with great energy, Gloria quirking an eyebrow as she attempted to figure out just what the little Pokémon was trying to tell her. It only became clear when she remembered Marnie's words of a few days before: Applin was impressed with her strength.

"What is it? You want to get stronger?"

"App!" The squeak sounded like confirmation enough for Gloria, and she reached down to grab the apple before she could roll away again.

"Then you've come to the right place. If you watch me and my team, you'll get stronger for sure!"

"Pika pikachu!" Pikachu's ringing endorsement pleased Applin, her little black eyes beaming at Gloria in spite of her lack of mouth (which began to raise other questions that Gloria chose to ignore).

"Pikachu's right," Ash said, himself pitching in. His breakfast was finished, and he was stretching his body. Sobble emulated his trainer, beginning to lead the other Pokémon in doing the same. "You watch Gloria in a Gym battle and you'd probably get stronger for sure."

"Lucky for you, we have one comin' up. You wanna watch?" Her team expressed surprise at the offer, but Applin wasn't hesitant at all, suddenly bouncing from her hands to the top of her hat with a pleased squeak. Once it had settled in, Gloria grinned up at her. "Awesome. If you thought we looked strong before, wait until you see us there!"

"And just like that we have a tagalong," Astrid remarked. She was finished, too, yawning a bit. "Make sure you take care of that Pokémon while you're fighting your heart out. Let's get going."

"Ignore her, Applin. She's always grumpy." Ash's comment nearly earned him a kick. Gloria, meanwhile, was dealing with her own problems, namely that of Rookidee hovering near her head, glaring at Applin, while Scorbunny jumped up and down in agitation.

"You two, stop it. Applin's a guest right now, so treat her with respect. That goes double for you, Rookidee," Gloria said sharply, pointing straight at her bird to get him to behave. He chose to, fluttering down to his Poké Ball and sucking himself back inside. Scorbunny didn't do the same, but pouted. "Come on, Scorbunny, we have a Gym battle to win. Show her your best side and get concentrated! You, too, Chewtle!"

The turtle didn't show any such problem, her glare focused on Rookidee's ball from his treatment of Applin, but she soon greeted the apple, allowing the group to focus on breaking down camp and setting off for the seaborne city of Hulbury.

It wasn't even midday when they arrived at the top of the paved hill leading down to the port. The sound of the surf was the first thing to greet them, and with a breath, Gloria soaked in the site of her very next Gym battle. Applin was still atop her beret, looking comfy, while Scorbunny rode her shoulder. With a tap, he brought Gloria's attention to the Gym, floating on the ocean at the far end of town, past the marketplace and restaurants, even through the curving road lined with bicycles and houses. The city looked bustling, too, far more than the quaint Turffield, with the majority not even gathered at the Gym, to Gloria's surprise, but rather at an old lighthouse bordering the other part of the sea. She wondered what was going on there, but the thought of her Gym battle was too consuming.

"Right! Nessa, get ready! My team's about to whup your arse!" The adults behind her would no doubt have predictable responses, whether it was Astrid scoffing, Ash cheering her or Serena being the clear voice of reason. Of course, reason left Gloria entirely when she took her first step into Hulbury and began a race down the hill. Applin nearly flew off, but Scorbunny caught her, allowing Gloria to wave back. "Meet you at the Gym!"

"Don't crash into anything!" Astrid shouted for her, but Gloria kept running backwards.

"Almost sounds like you care, Astrid!" The predictable scoff followed, permitting Gloria to turn and continue on down her path.

A Pokémon Center sat on a corner, trainers in and out, though it looked surprisingly quiet for a Gym town. Almost everyone appeared to be heading in the same direction, to the promenade where the lighthouse sat, and Gloria was more intrigued by what was happening there. She turned another quick corner, dashing along a row of houses that were bordered by watery canals. A fisherman sat atop one of the walls, a Farfetch'd next to him and using its leek as a fishing rod, while a pair of older teen girls were at the end of the lane, clutching handbags and deep in conversation that rose the closer Gloria came to blowing past them.

"Did you hear they plan to model the newest line from some region called Alola?"

"No way. I love Miss Akela's designs!"

"Apparently, they're even getting Nessa to model it today."

"Ugh, considering that and the recent designs from Paris Fashions, we have to go. Do you know what time they're modeling them?" Gloria slowed at the mention of the Gym Leader's name, her interest piqued, but as the first girl checked her phone, she quickly became bored. Dresses were not her forte, and though she liked a new one from time to time, it wasn't enough to sustain her interest over that of the stadium. She moved on.

Approaching the waterfront that surrounded the Gym, Gloria came to a stop, taking hold of the railing that prevented people from falling into the drink and looking up to the glistening and reflective Gym. The site of her second battle. Part of her wanted to look up statistics on it, but with the Pokémon Center so far back, she thought better of it. There would be time for it after she'd won her badge. Tapping the railing, Gloria strode for the entrance to the Gym, down its boardwalk with confident strides, ready to announce she was here…

…only to bump into the doors that refused to open.

She fell down, Applin sliding off her head and to the ground. She cried out, receiving a soothing pat from Scorbunny, but Gloria was more concerned with why the doors weren't opening. The sign made it very clear.

"Gym closed today due to…a model shoot?!" Not thinking, Gloria kicked at the doors. They refused to part and she received only a stubbed toe for her troubles. "I thought the Gym was supposed to always be open during the Challenge!"

"Nibbah?"

"App?"

"I'm not mad. Just frustrated. I didn't know Gym Leaders were allowed off-times…though I guess modeling does have to do with Nessa's popularity…" It was a disappointment to be sure, and Gloria hung her head at the reveal she would most definitely not be getting her battle that day. It was becoming too common a story of late. The worst part was figuring out what to do next…and dealing with her traveling companions, one of whom she knew would have prepared a snide retort.

Too tired to think of a potential comeback, Gloria leaned against the seaside rail and fiddled around with her phone. Part of her hoped it would share the current League rankings and statistics, but even the most rudimentary attempt to access that information proved too much for Rotom, resulting in her perusing information about Hulbury's best tourist sites, including the promenade and the Captain's Table. Both were even listed as a "Top Galar Dating Locale", a fact that made her blush and immediately shut off the phone, trying to suppress whatever images of whatever people she refused to mention came into her head after that.

Thankfully, her doing so marked the arrival of Ash, Serena and Astrid. Pikachu was the first ahead, leaping down and running up to Gloria with a confused expression.

"Kapika?" he asked, allowing Gloria to bend down and pet his head.

"Gym's not open. Model shoot."

"Oh?" Serena noted, though Gloria saw that she wasn't surprised in the slightest. "That must be what's going on at the lighthouse."

"Wanna check it out?" Ash asked. Gloria sighed in spite of Serena's tired enthusiasm. She really wasn't all that interested, containing too much energy for a side event to get out of her. Her response held very little sway over the adults, though, and she found Ash and Serena hooking her arms to drag her off, a grin on both their faces. Astrid was worse, guffawing and cackling the whole way. "Come on, Gloria. It's okay to relax and enjoy something else. You're too wound up."

She couldn't help that. And she definitely didn't want to enjoy something else. Her energies were focused on battling, and to have to let go of them would mean losing everything she had gained to that point. Yet Ash and Serena weren't letting her go anywhere, and so she surrendered herself to the flow, and towards the pulsing music that was coming from the lighthouse, a statue of a pair of Pokémon appearing to stand guard outside. Gloria wanted to scan it, but was unable to get her arms free, and soon found herself pulled through the crowd to the dark interior of the lighthouse, where strobe lights flashed and the music thrummed with a beat that sent the crowd inside just as wild as a Gym battle.

"And now, presenting the newest Fall fashion from the Paris line, it's a Hulbury Gym trainer, Julia!" The announcer's excited voice brought Gloria's eyeline to the stage. She was finally able to break free of Ash and Serena, nearly knocking into a boy tapping his feet to the beat. Out of the three of them, Serena was the most interested, but with nothing better to occupy her mind, Gloria decided to watch the fashion show, a young woman walking down the stage with a Corphish at her side. She was wearing a periwinkle dress that flowed like water around her confident stride, something that excited the crowd, from those taking notes to the absurd number of males that were salivating. Gloria's disgust became evident from that and Ash inched ever closer to his wife, looking just as uncomfortable from it.

Julia strode down the stage, her Corphish escorting her with a bow attached to his torso, and when she reached the end, she turned back around. The more Gloria looked, the more impressed she was by the dress: it covered the whole body but for a part near the legs that allowed a freedom of movement. Striking, stunning and practical, much to her surprise. "Something you definitely wouldn't find in Wedgehurst…Big cities really have all different sorts of fashion."

"See? It's good to experience a different thing," Serena said with a smile. Gloria was inclined to agree, smiling up at Serena. The smile also made her realize that, somewhere along the way, Astrid had split, avoiding the throbbing tune playing, one that changed as Julia disappeared and the lights got even darker.

"And now for our last piece in today's show," the announcer said, drawing even more anticipation. Gloria found her hands rising to her chest, eager to see what was going to be revealed for herself; she had never been so excited about a dress in her life. She blamed it on the atmosphere, but it didn't dull the feelings that rose, especially with Scorbunny banging his head to the beat. Applin appeared to have fallen asleep. "From the Alolan imported line of one of the world's most premier fashion designers, Miss Akela, it's a dress titled Summer Seaside, modeled by the gorgeous and well-known Gym Leader, Nessa!"

The music exploded with sound as, from behind the curtain, Nessa strode on stage. As the announcer had said, she was a beauty, one that even Gloria couldn't deny. Her darker skin and long black hair stood out amongst the crowd, a perfect fit for the red dress on her figure. At her feet and stomping down the runway was a larger turtle who appeared to receive just as much attention as his trainer. A flash of light burst out from Gloria's pocket, and before she knew it, Chewtle was on the ground and racing for the runway.

"Ah, Chewtle!" Careful to ensure that Applin wouldn't fly off, Gloria pushed through the crowd after Chewtle, but kept her eyes on Nessa. The red dress was spectacular, and the way the woman waved to the crowd showed a geniality that Gloria wasn't familiar with from her televised matches. As she stood, though, she looked like a flower in the sea, one that had some man in the audience yelling "Marry me, Nessa!". The woman ignored it.

She ignored most things, her smile trained and practiced for the crowd, but her eyes as diligent as a trained model's, allowing not a single thing to let her trip. Not even a little Chewtle that got so close to the stage that her larger turtle noticed.

"Dreeead…?" The Pokémon stopped, looking down at Chewtle and taking an interest before Gloria could scoop her up. She had a momentary thought of chastising her, but stopped that entirely when Nessa nearly walked past, her movement slowed, and her actions emphasized. The Gym Leader turned her head, making an expert pirouette that kept the dress intact, but allowed her to pivot in the direction of her Pokémon's interest.

"What is it, Drednaw?" Her question caused her Pokémon, Drednaw, to nudge her ankle and point at Chewtle. Gloria locked up, the attention from the Gym Leader and the nearest members of the crowd going to her. "Oh, what an adorable Chewtle. Is she yours?"

"Erm…yes," Gloria said. Chewtle tried to escape her hold, but Gloria held tighter, pulling the tiny turtle to her chest. Nessa was smiling, and to the rest of the world, she looked like the perfect model: engaged, kind and beautiful. Gloria saw something else: the ruthless Gym Leader buried underneath, sizing Chewtle up like a piece of meat that she would almost take pleasure in schooling. It made Gloria's blood boil, her Pokémon being considered that way. "And you're Nessa. I wanna challenge you to a Gym battle."

"Surely not now," Nessa said, keeping her smile active. The glint of her eye told a different story, but both Gloria and the Gym Leader kept themselves restrained for the crowd.

"Well, not now now," Gloria assured her. She nodded her head, nearly dislodging Applin, but refused to break the stare-off that Nessa initiated. Chewtle began a similar one with Drednaw, until the larger turtle turned away with a scoff. That enraged Chewtle. "I mean I want to be the first to battle you as soon as available."

"A go-getter. I like that." She reached over, tousling what was available of Gloria's hair before she stood back to her full height and continued down the runway, showing the dress off in a way that only she could. Gloria had to admit, she may not have been considered the strongest in Galar, but her popularity was enough to compete with Leon, and she knew how to flaunt it.

"Hey, isn't that the girl who challenged Kabu?"

"See she hasn't learned her lesson."

"Ah, you shoulda seen her Turffield match." The last one invigorated Gloria, but not enough to stop the other speculative insults. Nessa was making her way back, the two meeting eyes again. This time, Nessa was signaling wordlessly, or that was how Gloria took it. The Gym Leader was amused, and she was going to show just how "amusing" she could be.

Ignoring the rest of the trash talk, Gloria doubled back, finding a less dense patch of people to push through. She wasn't very successful, rebuffed by many that were watching Nessa return backstage. It began to make her frustrated, and she started to jump, if just to get a glimpse of how to follow the Gym Leader. It did little good, and with how eager Chewtle was to break free, she was starting to get angry.

"Calm down, Gloria. Think I found the door you're looking for."

"Pi." Pikachu and Ash's voices told Gloria that her companions had found her, bolstering her presence in trying to break through. She had a sneaking suspicion that Serena's pregnancy played a role in the sea of people being parted, but Gloria couldn't be sure. The woman traveled with her either way, all the way to a guarded door where a muscular man in a suit with sunglasses was standing, the familiar Macro Cosmos symbol on his jacket.

"Permission allowed," he said, opening the door to let all three inside. Gloria found it a bit creepy, how instantly he had identified them, but that fled once they were inside, finding it to be a madhouse full of dresses and models.

"Huh, does Chairman Rose run the model circuit, too?" Ash asked, his brain working to figure out more of Galar's structure. Gloria didn't have the answer this time, only a guess.

"Never heard of him doing it before, but I wouldn't be surprised if he farms out private security or something."

"Still, it's amazing how many people were so excited for a model shoot," Serena said, clasping her hands and looking younger than Gloria had ever seen her. She looked like she had unearthed gold, continuing on with her thoughts. "It might not be battling, but there is an interest somewhere in the crowd. Even people who love battles need alternate means to pursue and ways to smile."

"If you say so," Gloria said, not wishing to argue. She tossed her hands behind her head, occasionally peeking in the rooms to see if she could find Nessa. "But for a Gym Leader or Challenger, popularity is a huge thing. This is just one way Nessa maintains it, but they all sort of do their own things. Like Raihan taking selfies, or Leon just…existing."

"So, you're behind the ball on this one, then? The way you run right into challenging everything that moves."

"Ash, sounding like Astrid doesn't suit you."

"Gloria's right, Ash," Serena said, pursing her lips at her husband. Pikachu shook his head. "Besides, you're no different, and you know it. Or do you remember the number of times you tried to start battles when you shouldn't have?"

"Hey, that was…" Ash's words failed before his wife, who was more than a little smug of reminding Ash of his own impulsive tendencies. It was just in time, as Gloria stopped outside the last room on the block, its door ajar and showing Nessa, already changed back into her most well-known uniform, her acolytes surrounding her. Gloria knocked.

"Enter." Nessa's voice had changed, a little lower that the one she'd used on the stage, sending shivers down Gloria's spine when she entered. The Gym Leader looked up, brushing her long locks behind her back and putting one leg over the other. Her predatory eyes were on the girl in seconds, the same way her Drednaw snapped to Chewtle, now free of Gloria's grasp. "So, you must be Gloria."

She wasn't asking the question, and with it, Gloria sighed, resisting the urge to facepalm. "No one's gonna let the Kabu thing go…"

"Oh, that was you?" Nessa's voice was dismissive, a show that she didn't care about whatever foolhardy stunt Gloria had pulled back in Motostoke. "I'd heard some trainer took Kabu up on his offer. He must have kicked you good, yet you still found your way here. I'm impressed at that alone, and after having beaten Milo, no less."

"Wait…you didn't know about Kabu?" Gloria asked, more than a little confused over how things were proceeding now. One of the trainers in the room, Julia, tapped on Nessa's shoulders, but the Gym Leader had attention only for Gloria.

"I like to evaluate trainers and their Pokémon with my own eyes. It's how I know which way to comport myself in battle." Nessa didn't stand, but she shifted the position of her legs, making the message quite clear. She was still far above Gloria as a trainer, and she didn't need to tower over her to prove it. "In your case, you impressed Milo, and Sonia seems to sing your praises, but I see a girl with her head underwater."

"What's that even mean?" Gloria asked, not really wanting to know the answer, but feeling indignant all the same. Now Nessa's other acolyte tapped her on the shoulder, still ignored as the tension in the room rose. "Look, are we gonna have a Gym battle or not?"

"Of course, we are. Tomorrow. It'll be my pleasure to sink any of your plans."

"You're the one that'll be sunk!"

"Nibbah!"

"Chew!"

It was Chewtle's response that received derisive laughter, but not from Nessa. This one came from Drednaw. "Dre-e-e-eadnaw!"

The rumbling chortle almost toppled Chewtle over, and Drednaw fixed its eye on the poor turtle, trying to menace her. Like Gloria, herself, she refused to back down, glaring at the much larger Pokémon. Nessa tacked her own laughter on, less mocking, but just as ruthless as her previous comments.

"It would seem even Drednaw considers you a small fry, and your Chewtle especially so. She might be big for her species, but has nothing on her evolved form."

"Oh, come on…" Ash groaned, unable to hold back any longer. Gloria blinked, remembering she wasn't alone in the room when Ash and Pikachu stepped forward. "There are tons of Pokémon that beat their evolved forms, and tons of trainers who turn odds in the opposite direction."

"If you're trying to tell me the sea is fickle, I'm well aware, but with how headstrong Gloria is, she'll need a massive sea-cha…cha…" Nessa looked gobsmacked, her words obliterated while her finger lifted to point at something beyond Gloria. The teen turned only to see Serena there, examining the dress that Nessa had been wearing on the runway. It seemed an odd thing to point about, and Gloria looked to Ash, whose eyes lit up with a grin. "You! You!"

"Me?" Serena asked, turning away to find Nessa was staring at her with all manner of composure gone. So, too, was her ability to form words. The same could be said of her trainers, each wearing starry-eyed expressions at Serena's presence in the room, enough to override the bad vibes between Chewtle and Drednaw. "Oh, you were the model wearing Miss Akela's dress. Her designs are as beautiful as ever, don't you think? And Paris's clothing line is wonderful, too. My friend Dawn helped design some with her own offshoot brand. Really gained a lot of attention."

"Serena, I think they're less interested in the clothes and more in you," Ash pointed out. The change in the room finally clicked into Gloria's brain, and she could see this outpouring of admiration coming from Nessa as she reached Serena and took her hand, quivering the whole time.

"I-I'm a big, big big fan of your work. Serena Ketchum, from Kalos, right?" Gone was the stoic and sweet model, and the harsh, ruthless Gym Leader. What Gloria saw instead from all three members of the Hulbury Gym was nothing but starstruck admiration. "Your work in the Performance industry these days is nothing short of legendary, and the dresses you've worn in Showcases have gone on to inspire countless fashions. I never thought I'd actually get to meet such a celebrity, though."

"Oh, I'm flattered, but I'd say you all are the celebrities."

"She's so modest, too!" Julia said to the other trainer, clasping their hands together. Gloria stepped back with Ash, having no intention of intruding on Serena's moment.

"How did you like our show?" Nessa asked, composing herself once more and clearing her throat.

"It was very nice. From everything I'd seen so far, I never imagined the modeling scene would be so big in Galar," Serena said. She sucked in a breath, and the women realized what a state Serena was in, quickly procuring a chair for her to sit upon. "I was under the impression that Showcases and the like were a bit removed from the norm."

"Oh, they are," Nessa said, sitting opposite her. "I was just extremely interested in such things as a child. Battle culture is extremely competitive here, and I was a big part of it, but there was something about the beauty of Showcases and Contests from other regions that captivated me. Seeing a contemporary, albeit one older than me, almost achieve such an influential role as Kalos Queen…ah, it was inspiring!"

"We all shared that same passion," Julia said, leaning forward to get as close to Serena as possible. "Between that and Water Pokémon, it was no wonder we all gravitated in the same direction. Right, Lynn?"

Lynn, the other trainer, nodded. She was as bowled over as any of them. Gloria just remained surprised; had she been so removed from all the parts of Galar to not realize that something like Serena's performing would have a place in it? Nessa apparently was proof of being so, because she took Serena's hands again. "Your kind of popularity and elegance, the way you made smiling so effortless, it's crafted who I am as a Gym Leader. The League circuit here is just as much about popularity and cultivating an image, and the things you did helped me find the one I wanted to create."

"Well, the industry isn't just about an image…" Serena said with a laugh. She looked to Ash, as though overwhelmed by the number of fans she happened to find in Galar, but he gave her a thumbs up to encourage her onward. Serena smiled, eliciting an excited squeal from Julia and Lynn. "It's wonderful to know that I've helped a little bit of that come into Galar culture, though. Gives me hope that maybe there's room for more of it."

"More of it?" Nessa questioned, her puzzled expression bringing Drednaw away from his stare-off. Gloria seized the opportunity to grab Chewtle.

"I received an offer," Serena started to explain. She dug into her bag, pulling out the tacky fliers from before and handing them over to the young women. "A Performer School. It seems small, and not well-known against something like the Gym Challenge, but it's something I've been giving thought to. I just wasn't sure if there'd be enough interest in it. Looking at your modeling, though, I think there's something for it, and if it could even be tied to the Challenge, well…I've seen success in other regions by doing so."

"Really?" Gloria asked of Ash in a whisper. He nodded, though Scorbunny remained skeptical side-eying Ash..

"Yeah, the former Champion of Hoenn used to be a Top Coordinator, and when I did some trials in Alola, I had to do some performances there." Pikachu nodded, confirming his trainer's words. Gloria had to admit herself impressed. She hadn't considered that the two worlds could collide in the way that Serena had.

"You're looking for trainers to expand their horizons. Is that it?" Nessa asked, looking over the posters. She grimaced at them, as did her acolytes, but when she looked up, Gloria could see the calculating side surface within Nessa.

"I am. As a Gym Leader, is it something you'd be up for? I think that kind of partnership would-"

"No can do, unfortunately," Nessa said with a sigh. She looked genuinely disappointed at being unable to take Serena's offer, but the older woman took it in stride with her usual smile. "As a Gym Leader during the current season I can't really take time to go teaching classes. At best I could promote interest in the profession before my matches, but-"

"No, it's all right. Just knowing you'd be even interested gives me some solid ideas."

"But I could spare a trainer."

"Spare?" Serena waited for Nessa to elaborate, and Gloria was just as interested in the outcome when Julia stepped forward, leaning over her leader.

"Ness, you sure? There's only two of us. Dropping down to one…"

"You're surprising me, Julia. You're the one most interested in Performing out of anyone. A natural on the runway and stage," Nessa said, leaning back with her own smile. "I think it would do us all some good to help cultivate that kind of profession in Galar, so I don't mind being a man down to help one of the most inspiring figures of the era."

"Oh, I don't know if I'd say that," Serena said, looking more embarrassed than Gloria could ever remember feeling. "I'm just trying my best, and I'm grateful for any help. I think with it we can create something truly beautiful for the region."

No one disagreed, and Gloria could feel how happy for his wife Ash was. It was that kind of vibe that permeated the whole room, which seemed to be the ambience that Serena had wanted to create in the first place. A nice feeling. One that made Gloria understand the merit behind Serena's goals and dreams. One that inspired her to do her very best.

"Ow, you don't need to grab so hard, mate!"

"Then you shouldn't have tried to sneak into the ladies' changing rooms!" The bulkier, deeper voice of the guard from outside resonated in Gloria's ears, but not enough to replace the other voice, one familiar to her. Serena's conversation with the ladies was over, and in its place came the security guard, grasping hard a purple head of hair. "Miss Nessa, caught one of those bottom-feeders trying to get a peek."

"I was not trying to get a peek, mate. I thought I saw a friend of mine go inside and wanted to talk to her."

"Likely story!"

"Hop? That you?" Soon as Gloria said it, the boy in the guard's hold turned to reveal the face of her best friend, grinning like it was just another morning in Postwick. He looked different, though; broader in the shoulders and just a little seasoned, an observation that sat uncomfortably with her.

"Gloria, mate! Help me out of a pickle!"

"You can let him go. I know him," Nessa said. The vouch for Hop's character made the guard let go of him in an instant. Hop brushed himself off, sticking his tongue out at the guard when his back was turned. When he faced them, he looked apologetic.

"I didn't mean to cause an issue, promise. Just thought I heard Gloria here and wanted to see her."

"What do you mean you thought you heard me?" Gloria questioned, stepping close to Hop. He retreated a step, waving his hands in front of himself.

"I mean, no one else is as suicidal as you, challenging a Gym Leader in the middle of a fashion show and nearly runnin' your best mate over."

"I don't need you to say that, Mr. I Forgot to Ask Leon." Hop grimaced at her reminder, one that only caused mass confusion. Ash leaned in, interjecting himself into their argument.

"You guys think you should take this elsewhere?" Gloria suddenly remembered where she was at the query, and found him to have a good point. In one deft movement, she spun to address Nessa.

"Tomorrow, you're gonna see what Gloria from Postwick is like."

"Looking forward to it," Nessa said with a smirk. Drednaw offered a booming chortle.

"And I'll look forward to your support. Thank you," Serena said, bowing what little she could. The women in the room instantly rushed to assure her that the thanks was all theirs, but Gloria was out the door with Hop, proceeding back towards the base floor of the lighthouse, now brightly lit and empty.

"So, don't have your second badge yet, mate?"

"What, are you saying you do?" Gloria asked. Hop grinned in a way that she didn't like, and when he fished inside his coat pocket, Gloria took the chance to return the now calmed Chewtle. Applin had truly fallen asleep, her leaves tucked in, and Scorbunny waited until Hop pulled out his badge case to open it, both the Grass Badge and the Water Badge sitting pretty inside it. "No way! Even you are ahead of me?!"

"What'd you expect, Gloria?" Hop said with a cheeky grin that made her want to punch him. They pushed open the doors to the lighthouse, emerging on the promenade together to the amber glow of the slowly setting sun. Gloria's absorbed information about the spot came back to her and she whipped away from the badges and Hop in an instant. "I am the brother of the Champion. Moving fast and earning badges is just part of my legend."

"Then why are you still here?"

"You don't want me to be?" She hadn't said that, and Hop took it as her approving his presence. "Maybe I just wanted to check up on my greatest rival."

"That so?" Gloria said, eyeing him with suspicion. He didn't give the appearance of any other ulterior motive, and if she knew Hop (which she did) he didn't have one. That was enough for her. Gloria affixed a cheeky grin on her face, knocking against him when the creak of the lighthouse doors echoed, and up ahead a familiar, and bored, Astrid awaited. "Yeah, guess you could stick around to watch me crush Nessa."

"Lookin' forward to it, but if Nessa gave me some trouble, there's no way it'll be easy for you. Want some tips?"

"Not at all. We're gonna beat her on our own." She shared a high five with Scorbunny, and when they reached Astrid, she addressed the older woman. "Have a fun time without us?"

"Fashion's not my scene. I see you found your boyfriend, though. Planning to stick around?"

"I am."

"He's not! Astrid!" The blonde cackled, walking off as Gloria prepared to give chase. She was waylaid by the sight of Hulbury Stadium, glittering with the ocean. Her steps slowed for a fraction of a second. She'd take her next step there. Nodding at it, Gloria set her sights back on Astrid, hoping to shut her mouth with a good kick on their way back to the Pokémon Center. Hop laughed the whole way there.

Author's Note: There was more than a bit going on this time (as I'm wont to do with my chapters). Applin gets a bigger debut (but not caught), Hop returns and we get a major Serena scene. Which is actually the crux of this chapter. Gloria challenging Nessa and getting taunted is standard fare, but this finally begins giving that more concrete direction for where Serena's headed. There were also some other little details, but if I pointed out what they were it'd give the game away. Hope you enjoyed, in any case.

Viroro: And so, we are finally in Hulbury, and we just had our first encounter with Nessa! We wanted her to play an important role in Serena's current arc, and we hope this introduction to her character in regards to both her and her future match against Gloria matched your expectations. We also had the return of Applin and even Hop, all of which set the stage for the upcoming Gym battle of our protagonist. A lot of little elements brewing, but I think Epicocity made an excellent job bringing everything forward at a brisk pace. Here's hoping you enjoyed it too, and that you'll look forward to what's to come!

Before the sign-off, as usual, people to show gratitude for: CocoaBeanie144 for following; and a bigger thanks to Tenzalucard123, ahmedpikamaster, Cottonmouth25, FantasyLover88, MythGirl Writes, ChE clarinetist, KnightDay19, UltimateCCC, Fury, Ander Arias, Mezamun, potat lasaro, Rajiv A. Rajaram, AmourshippingCanon and Captainsquid12 for reviewing!

The battle with Nessa is next time, so until then, please Review and,

Dare to Be Silly.