The funny part about this chapter is that I originally wanted to call it "A Storm"…until I realized that was taken by Chapter 17 (18?) of Tropics…ironically against Lana. I'm sensing a theme. Anyway, Chapter 16!

Chapter 16

A Rainstorm

"Macro Cosmos issued a statement late last night in regards to the incident at the Galar Mines a week ago," a reporter echoed over the screen early the next morning. Ash rubbed at his eyes, barely able to pay any attention, but trying all the same. Early rising to watch the news was not something he had foreseen himself doing, but he was hardly the first one up, with Astrid on an early morning jog alongside Hop and Gloria, while Serena appeared to have been using the bathroom for about the sixth time. He worried for her, but the reporter's continued cadence made him try to keep his attention. "Speaking from the site, Chairman Rose's personal assistant and head of the Dynamax Division, Oleana, made a statement to the press."

"After careful consideration, Galar Mines has reopened for business and traversal," a woman on the screen said. Her heavily lidded eyes and long ashen hair spoke to a woman done with the proceedings, but professional all the same. "Most of the damage done was on a lower level, away from our workers, and our Health and Safety Board has deemed it safe. We will be sending a team of researchers from our Hammerlocke facility to investigate the strange disturbance at the Power Spot and to search for the unknown assailant that appeared to trigger it."

"Miss Oleana, there are rumors of previously dormant Power Spots growing erratically active the past few weeks. Is Macro Cosmos looking into this?" Ash tilted his head, beginning to feel curious, himself. He hadn't thought these incidents were unusual, not with the way Gloria talked.

"Yes. In fact, Chairman Rose is finding it of particular interest and is due to receive intel from someone who may know more sometime tomorrow. This conference is over." Her bluntness raised more questions from the crowd, but the images shifted back to the reporter, having nothing further to say on the incident.

"In other news, with the Gym Challenge season in full swing, one of our reporters had the chance to sit down and interview our esteemed Champion, asking his own thoughts on the current season and current events."

This time, Ash was interested, so much so that when Serena came out of the bathroom to join him, she just let him watch, stroking Yamper's fur with a special brush. The reporter was cut off, but his voice could be heard as crisp as anything. "How are you finding the season so far?"

"It's been a brilliant one. Chairman Rose has worked to bring out all the stops this year, and I'm training up in anticipation of the challengers coming for me," Leon said, grinning at the camera. He was certainly telegenic, not missing a beat at being before the cameras.

"You must be busy, preparing for the Wyndon Conference and your scheduled tours of the Gyms. How have you managed it with the recent incident?"

"Oh, the issue at the mine has been a minor scuffle that's taken up little of my time, but if it comes to securing the vision of safety and security that the Chairman sees, I'll gladly give it."

"He really is this region's Champion, isn't he?" Serena asked, setting Yamper down to go play around the Center. Pikachu didn't move from Ash's shoulder, the two of them humming and nodding. "Not like you to watch the news, though."

"Lance said I should. Kinda boring, though," Ash admitted with a laugh, no longer interested in the interview. It seemed a bit fluffy; nothing he couldn't learn through a battle, which Leon was clearly lacking lately if he was busy enough to give interviews like that. "I feel kinda bad for Leon."

"Why so?" The couple took a seat in the quiet Center, waiting for the rest of their companions to return so they could head for the Gym.

"I dunno. He just seemed kinda…rattled? Like, the situation with the mine wasn't something he was used to. I'm probably seeing something that isn't there."

"Pika!" Pikachu said, patting his paw on Ash's cheek to assure him. Ash reached up to pet him a little and then his partner scampered off to where Yamper was, watching people going past the window and barking at them. Alone together, Ash intertwined his hands with his wife.

"I'm glad to see you finding the path you want."

"So am I. In fact, I…" Serena's face became grave, and Ash wondered if she was showing her exhaustion. She didn't say as much, but squeezed his hand tighter. "I'm starting to think about what's best for the baby, and for us."

"What's that mean?"

"Just that I'm starting to think about what to do if I decide to commit to this school, and what you need to do for your job. We can't be together every day."

"But what if the baby-" Serena wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, their foreheads touching.

"Ash, the baby's not going to be born tomorrow. Or even in a month. We have time. I know that when they are born, you'll be there. Neither of us are our fathers, regardless of their reasons." To help get this through to him, she met her lips with his and then the doors to the Center slid open, ending the moment.

"No, Hop! You didn't beat me here! No!"

"I totally had you beat by a millimeter!"

"You're trying to be Leon and no one has that kind of precision sight. Not even you!"

The pair of teens made Ash and Serena descend into laughter, the second they walked through the door in the midst of their argument. Astrid was with them, rolling her eyes and approaching the couple as she downed a bottle of water, Absol trotting at her side. "Those two don't let up. You'd think they were a couple if they didn't deny it every second. They're so invested in beating each other it makes them oblivious to everything else. Nearly ran a woman over in the street."

"Sounds like something Gloria would do," Ash admitted, bending his body to catch sight of Gloria sitting with Hop at a table, her team out and chowing down. "Was the woman all right?"

"No clue. She just brushed me off and went stampeding around the city. I think she was looking for someone that disappeared on her watch." Astrid looked more displeased at that than at the pair that was continuing to argue over their food. Seeing them start to grapple over a bottle of ketchup, she left to go intervene. Ash was sure Pikachu would get there first.

Feeling hungry, himself, Ash joined the growing group for breakfast, one that Gloria and her team were quick to consume, including their guest in Applin. The more Ash watched her, the more he began to believe it was less about her wanting to get to the Gym as soon as possible and more about quelling the nervous energy inside of her. No one else noticed, but it made Ash keep an eye on her, eager to watch her newest Gym battle. He did so all the way out of the Center and to the stadium itself, where Gloria stopped at the changing rooms, removing Applin from her head after registering.

"Okay, Applin. You just watch, and you'll see the kind of strength you want to see."

"App!" Applin rolled a bit, nodding in Gloria's hands. That said, Gloria approached Hop to hand Applin over, only for a sudden blush to rise on her face. She instantly pivoted towards Ash, and thrust the Apple Core Pokémon into his hands.

"Look after her for me?"

"Sure," Ash said, looking down to the apple in his hands. She beamed up at him and Pikachu, making Ash smile back. "Go get 'er."

With a wave, Gloria darted inside, and the group of four made for the visitor's entrance, making their way up into the stands. The din of the crowd grew louder, surprising Ash at its size. He had seen just how many people attended the matches in Turffield, but Hulbury dwarfed them in both size and volume. Either Nessa was incredibly popular (which he knew she was) or the size of the city alone gathered many more people to watch.

Thanks to the number of people, it took them a bit of time to find a place to sit for all four of them, with Ash sandwiched between Hop and Astrid, his hands holding tight to Applin as she turned to face the pitch below. He leaned forward a bit, seeing that the battlefield looked just a bit different from Turffield's, with small gaps on the side, water running beneath them. Hop was quick to explain, already feeling comfortable with them and eager to show himself as knowledgeable. He clearly liked to be competitive with Gloria even if she wasn't there.

"Since Nessa is a water trainer, and Hulbury is on the sea, they installed the stadium so the pitch wouldn't get flooded," he explained, nodding his head with every few words. "Still, if Gloria's not careful, Nessa'll wash her away anyway. She's ruthless and strategic."

"Well, Gloria has the ruthless part down, at least," Astrid said with a chuckle. Her voice barely faded before a much louder one took its place.

"Welcome back, lads and lasses, it's another beautiful day in Hulbury, and another chance for a blowout Gym battle!" Keeping Applin in his lap, Ash found himself clapping as the audience around him cheered. "As always, I'm your official commentator, Perry, bringing you the blow-by-blow of today's match. Without further ado, let's introduce our combatants. First, she's one badge in and has a spitfire personality to boot, it's the Challenger, Gloria!"

The cheers were a little louder than they had been in Turffield, but not by much. Gloria didn't look as rattled this time, striding on the field with a grin. Scorbunny was with her, not deterred by the smattering of applause. In Ash's lap, Applin shot up, squeaking with joy at seeing Gloria take to the field. "You really like Gloria, don't you, Applin?"

"App! App!" Hop raised an eyebrow next to Ash, but sat back with his hands behind his head, waiting for the next introduction.

"And defending her badge, it's the most stunning seaside beauty you'll ever find! Time to cheer for Hulbury's Gym Leader, Nessa!" The crowd did, indeed, cheer, and louder than they had for Milo. Nessa's popularity was undeniable, and she walked on the field waving. The men in the crowd were particularly cheery, and with one sitting (or jumping) next to Astrid, the blonde looked less than pleased. Serena's nervous laugh showed her own thoughts, but Ash and Hop were more interested in the field, where Gloria and Nessa met in the center to shake hands.

"Let's have a good match," Nessa said, her voice amplified around the stadium. Though she said it, from Ash's perspective, she looked to be trying to crush Gloria's hand. The intention of sinking her was still very clear when they separated, taking their spots in the trainer boxes. The crowd quieted as the referee stepped forward.

"This will be a three-on-three match between Challenger Gloria and the Gym Leader, Nessa," the referee said, glancing to each of the combatants. Gloria looked ready to rumble, and Ash had to hold Applin back from rolling right for her. He didn't think she'd make it through the shining shield around the stands, anyway. "The battle will be over when all three of one side's Pokémon have been defeated. Furthermore, only the challenger is allowed substitutions. Trainers, begin!"

He lowered his hand and Gloria pointed forward. "Scorbunny, let's go!"

"Nibbah!"

"Is she mad?!" Hop shouted, flinging forward in his seat. Applin jumped at that, causing Pikachu to whap the boy with his tail for scaring the poor Grass type. "Sending a Fire type against a Water trainer is insane."

"Not like she has any better options…" Astrid commented from the corner of her mouth. "Besides, if typings ruled the battlefield, then none of us would be anywhere. She just needs to play smart rather than insane."

"Pelipper." Nessa's pick brought immediate spotlight to the Gym Leader, her Poké Ball exploding with light to reveal the large bird, flapping in the air above Scorbunny. He was tensed, ready for a command, at least until something hit his nose and he flinched. Trainer and Pokémon both looked up to see the sky above the stadium grow dark with clouds. Rain began to fall, striking the pitch and becoming a downpour that matted Scorbunny's fur and made the ground slick.

"Nessa's Pelipper enters the battle with an advantage as its Ability Drizzle starts this battle off as rather wet!" Perry said, informing the crowd of what had just happened. Ash looked down to Gloria, her grin gone and replaced with a thin line on her lips. She was at a disadvantage from the start and she knew it, but didn't hesitate to make the first official move.

"Scorbunny, let's start off fast! Flame Charge!"

"Nibba-nibbah!" Scorbunny's feet whirled fast, the fire igniting on his fur, one that the downpour of rain could not stop. At Gloria's order, he charged forward across the stadium ground with all the speed he could muster until he was within range of Pelipper. Nessa didn't call for a move, smirking at Gloria's command.

The reasoning became known soon enough, for when Scorbunny jumped for Pelipper to slam the Water Bird Pokémon, his foot slipped on the now drenched surface, sending him to the ground. The crowd laughed, rather derisively in Ash's opinion, while next to him, Hop facepalmed.

"Looks like you weren't thinking ahead. Pelipper, Tailwind."

"Pellepa!" Pelipper's wings flapped out at Nessa's orders, and though Ash couldn't feel it through the shield, he could see the winds stirred about in the stadium. Gloria's uniform rippled, her already drenched hair barely moving from the gust that buoyed Pelipper forward. Scorbunny struggled to stand.

"And Whirlpool." Ash sat a little forward in his seat, gripping Applin tight as the wind beneath Pelipper's wings allowed it to move fast enough to get within range of Scorbunny. From the tips of its feathers, the bird created a whirling rush of water that was flung straight for the rabbit. Gloria screamed for her partner, watching him get picked up and tossed about the vicious and unrelenting riptide. "Air Slash."

"C'mon, mate, don't let her control those currents…" Hop said through gritted teeth, bouncing his leg up and down. Ash didn't try to quell his concerns, having some of them himself, but he watched Gloria. She wasn't panicking, not even as the sphere of compressed air flew from Pelipper's wings to strike Scorbunny in the water. His head dipped under for a second and came up gasping for air.

"Double Kick!" Gloria called, clenching her fist. Scorbunny tried exactly that, but Ash found himself shaking his head. With no foothold like the leaves against Milo, there was no chance of the tactic working twice. Another Air Slash was fired, but Scorbunny's attempts at escape made it miss its mark, piercing the water and creating a tiny hole. Ash's eyes lit up, and so did Gloria's. "Dive for it! Light up with Flame Charge!"

"Our tenacious challenger is making a run for beating the Whirlpool! Will she manage it?" Perry yelled to the crowd, the laughter now giving way to interest. Scorbunny allowed himself to get pulled under, riding the currents to where the hole was rapidly shrinking. Just before he reached it, his matted fur was stoked and sputtered, the flames struggling to come to life. Ash saw her game, and from Astrid's scoff, so did she.

"Just as insane as ever. She could start giving you a run for your money." The fire blazed, just enough to keep the gap open from evaporation, and Scorbunny slid through, hitting the ground. Where he stood caused the droplets to turn to steam. Gloria had found a way forward.

"Now, hit it hard!"

"Scornibbah!" Scorbunny wasted no time once he hit the stadium floor. Wherever he stood, the water vanished, the heat of the flames boiling it off the surface. Nessa called for Pelipper to pull up in the air, but it wasn't enough to avoid the jump's height. Scorbunny sailed right for Pelipper's underside, striking it with his flames, and Gloria wasn't done.

"Double Kick!" Soon as his flames had petered out, Scorbunny twisted in midair, bring a kick around to drive into the bird's stomach. It cried out in pain, but Nessa remained calm, folding her arms.

"Air Slash." Pelipper's wings steadied its body before Scorbunny could land the second kick, and its wings soared forth to catch Scorbunny. Where he was caught, the sphere of Air Slash was formed, grating against the bunny who cried out. Scorbunny's body twitched inside the sphere, jerking and convulsing as he was caught in its grip. Then Pelipper flung it, sending Scorbunny to the floor, slipping across it until he was nearly at Gloria's feet. Bruises lined his body, but his paws pushed to stand, panting. Nessa wasn't giving him the moment to breathe. "Whirlpool."

"It's just gonna be another cycle at this rate if Gloria doesn't step it up…"

"She'll figure a way," Serena said to Astrid, much to the latter's disbelief. Ash, however, sided with his wife. Gloria had seen something.

It didn't stop her from calling a predictable command, though, one that even Scorbunny looked confused on hearing. "Flame Charge, straight ahead!"

"Ni…nibbah." Scorbunny shook his fur off, the rain still falling in sheets, but the fire he lit around his body gathered more speed into him, burning away the precipitation. Pelipper finished forming the deadly whirl that had trapped them once before, but Gloria had no intentions of having Scorbunny stop, even when Pelipper sent the Whirlpool raging out. The crowd gasped in anticipation, wondering how the girl could be crazy enough to have Scorbunny dash right into the waters that had wrung him out before.

When Gloria smirked, though, it proved she had no intention of it.

"Now get low and slide!"

"What?" Nessa's deadpan remark showed that she had never seen it coming. Seconds before the Whirlpool crashed into Scorbunny, when it was close enough to raise the hairs of his fur, Scorbunny dropped to one foot. The lack of friction did the rest of the work, with all of the water on the stadium floor allowing Scorbunny to slide. The Whirlpool flew overhead, missing its target, while Scorbunny continued on, to the other side of the field, and Pelipper's backside.

"Now, up we go! Bring it down with Double Kick!" In spite of the Tailwind blowing through the area, Scorbunny's increased speed brought him springing up, his flames acting like a rocket. One foot struck out, bouncing off Pelipper's backside to gain more height.

"Get it with Air Slash!" Nessa shouted, but it was too late. Scorbunny was faster. With a diving kick, he struck Pelipper square in the back, and as if he was shooting a ball into a goal, sent Pelipper careening down. Unable to control itself, the bird crashed into its own whirls and sank beneath the surface.

"Now, let's finish it off! Quick Attack, into the waters!"

"Nibbah!"

"Pelipper, ride the wave! We'll take it out the second it gets close!"

"Pellipa!"

Scorbunny dashed forward with a blinding light, right for the Whirlpool that had ensnared him. He leapt up, falling to the top, but keeping his Quick Attack active. Pelipper rose on the waves, but flinched, its own attack sapping away its stamina. Gloria's partner hit the surface and ran along it with speed. Before Pelipper could fire any attack, Scorbunny rammed into it, sending it beneath the surface once more.

"Double Kick!"

"Air Slash!"

The dual commands achieved instant results, the crowd cheering over the battle heating up. Applin bounced in Ash's hands while Scorbunny leapt up and came soaring back down, his foot extended, while Pelipper coughed and spluttered above the whirls to create its sphere. Scorbunny struck down, right into the sphere that rippled and distorted his body.

Not enough to stop him, though.

Scorbunny continued through, breaking the Air Slash and striking Pelipper straight between the eyes. His other foot whirled around and made a final decisive kick that sent Pelipper straight through the Whirlpool and down to the floor with a sickening thud.

The Whirlpool dissipated. Scorbunny dropped, landing shakily on the floor. Both bird and bunny looked to each other, the trainers waiting.

Then both flopped over, swirls in their eyes.

"Both Scorbunny and Pelipper are unable to battle!"

"Ah, what a first round, my lads!" Perry shouted, as if he'd nearly had a heart attack in the stands. The crowd certainly did, their gasps and cheers enough to shake the shield on the stadium. Across the way, Ash even noticed a poorly dressed (and oddly familiar) man clapping with gusto at the result. "After some quick thinking, Gloria takes out Nessa's first Pokémon, but at the cost of her own. This has effectively turned into a two-on-two."

"Not a bad play," Nessa said, enough for the entire audience to hear as she returned her Pelipper. Gloria had run on the field, taking her precious partner in her arms and walking back to her box. "How did you know Scorbunny could avoid Whirlpool by sliding?"

"I didn't," Gloria admitted. It was Astrid's turn to facepalm, but Ash found himself laughing, Pikachu sharing in it; they'd had their share of harebrained schemes, after all. "I just saw the way he slid when you hit him and figured to give it a try."

"Dumb luck then," Nessa said, reaching for her next Pokémon. "Well, luck won't save you this round. Mareanie, go!"

As Nessa's second and, to Ash's chagrin, very familiar Pokémon appeared, Astrid scooted forward in her seat. "She's right. She sacrificed her best player to get in one solid hit. Luck won't keep on her side if she keeps acting so impulsively."

"Some of Ash's best moves have been impulsive," Serena reminded the young woman, leaving Hop in confusion.

Astrid was less kind. "Gloria isn't Ash."

He couldn't argue with that, and had to admit that the blonde had a point. At the same time, however, he couldn't deny Gloria's huge win on the battlefield. At a disadvantage in so many ways, Scorbunny had still defeated Pelipper. That must have been what helped Gloria for her next match, sending her own Poké Ball flying out.

Chewtle hit the field with a roar, and the crowd cheered in appreciation.

"Water against water! How will this tiny turtle fare against the devourer of all seafolk? Let's find out on this rain-soaked battlefield!" Indeed, Perry's comments called attention to the fact that even with Pelipper's defeat, Drizzle was still in effect. The only benefit Gloria seemed to have culled was that Tailwind had disappeared. The two Pokémon were on even speed footing once again.

"Chewtle, it's your time to shine! Headbutt!"

"Chew!" Chewtle's cry preceded her stampede forward. Unlike Scorbunny, she had no problems with the slick conditions around her, and with her head angled downward, she was beginning to pick up speed as she raced for Mareanie. Pikachu tensed on Ash's shoulder, remembering their own battle with Gladion's Mareanie, and what a defensive threat it was. Whether Gloria was aware of that was still up for question.

If she wasn't, it hardly seemed to matter, for Chewtle was picking up speed and on a collision course for Mareanie. Her trajectory allowed Ash to slide his eyes over to Nessa, recognizing the confidence of one with the upper hand.

"And this is what I mean," Nessa called across to the younger trainer in an attempt to rattle her, "you have no idea how to handle your tiny Chewtle. Mareanie, Icy Wind!"

"Mareeeee!" Mareanie sang as its tentacles rose. The frost particles came with it, and it seemed to be left open for Chewtle's smashing move. Or would have if the rain wasn't transforming. It became more visible, and transferred into a solid state rather than that of the liquid it had been just seconds before. Those chinks of ice pattered upon the already wet surface, making it icy, and Chewtle's already unstable speed caused her to place her foot just wrong upon one of the chunks.

"Chaaa!" Chewtle pitched forward, her overlarge head pulling the weight of her body down, leaving her exposed. The newfound hailstorm, courtesy of the Icy Wind that was freezing the weather, came storming down upon the pair, burying Chewtle under a mountain of ice.

"Chewtle, you can get up! She's only hurting herself! If Scorbunny could do it, so can you!"

"That so?" Nessa asked, far too humored. "Scald."

"No! Chewtle, Headbutt!" Chewtle struggled to stand, her tiny legs floundering on the ice, while right before her, Mareanie's tentacles stopped producing frost. She spun, much like the dancer that Nessa was inspired by, and a searing burst of water fell around Mareanie's body. It didn't touch Chewtle, controlled in a perfect radius that saved Mareanie from its self-produced hail, but left the turtle wide-open as she stood and tried to regain traction.

"Not a chance. You won't overcome our combination! Poison Jab!"

"Ma!" Its Scald having finished, one of Mareanie's tentacles shot out, glowing purple, and struck Chewtle straight on the head. She was driven back, crying out, and coughed seconds later, a horrible, purple rash spreading across her face.

"Poisoned…" Serena muttered, bringing her hands to her chest in worry.

"Gloria's in it now…"

"Venoshock!" Nessa's command proved exactly that and Ash found himself flinching with Pikachu, as Applin thrashed about in his hands. He knew the combination all too well, and when the purple globules flew out, striking upon Chewtle and causing her body to smoke while she screamed in torturous agony, he knew Gloria would be concerned, too. A brief look showed her biting her lip and clenching her fists as Chewtle recovered, shaking on her legs, but beginning to charge from the last order all the same. "You and your turtle never learn. This is why I said you're underwater! Poison Jab!"

"Swerve!" Gloria shouted, throwing a hand out. The purple tentacle flashed out, and Chewtle attempted to move aside, only for the attack to catch her. Her stubby feet stomped forward, unable to move fast, but unwavering as the hail fell upon her. She broke the ice, taking the Poison Jab head on. Gloria untensed, and then looked up to see Mareanie pull its tentacle back into a spin that sent the heated water upon itself again. Up above, the hail was wavering. "Chewtle, pick up speed! Dash around!"

"What's she up to?" Hop asked, placing both his hands on his knees as he watched Chewtle turn away from Mareanie to run around the arena.

"Stop it in its tracks, Icy Wind!" Nessa's plunging hand emphasized the order, and Mareanie's tentacles rose upward to create the ascending chill. The clouds were beginning to shrink, but they did not stop the rain from freezing and falling down upon Chewtle. She flinched in her run, but refused to stop. Then Nessa gave her follow up, and Gloria brought a fist close to her chest. "Scald."

"Ram it now!" Chewtle changed directions. It wasn't without effort, but Ash grinned, noticing that Chewtle was too close for Mareanie to cease her attack in time. The boiling water flew up, raining down, and with her resilience, Chewtle ran forth, through the burning water to strike Mareanie, the powerful hit driving them both back towards Nessa. The Scald ended as suddenly as the dancing had begun, and what remained of the hail descended, striking both. Chewtle coughed from the poison, but held on.

Mareanie was less fortunate, the ice like knives on its skin.

"Venoshock!" Nessa's command sounded scared, never having expected the sluggish Chewtle to get that close. Mareanie's tentacle began to create the purple globs, whipping out.

Gloria wasn't one to suffer any further attacks. "Jaw Lock! Bite it!"

"Cheeew-TLE!" Chewtle's mouth opened wide, and before Mareanie could fire, she bit down into the tentacle. Mareanie cried out, its other tentacles flailing this way and that in an attempt to break free.

"Now, slam it! Over and over!"

"She's barking." Hop said with a smile halfway between impressed and eye-rolling.

Chewtle planted her feet, and with the tremendous strength of her jaw, lifted Mareanie into the air. Before Nessa could issue a counter order, Chewtle brought the Brutal Star Pokémon slamming into the field, cracking it but slightly. That wasn't the end, and she lifted again, tossing her head to the side to bring Mareanie crashing down once more.

It took one more time of Chewtle whipping Mareanie around like a rag doll for the opposite Water type to finally manage one blast of scalding water into Chewtle's mouth, forcing her to let go. It hardly made a difference, as Mareanie's tentacles slumped.

It had been a battle of defense, and Gloria was coming out on top.

"Headbutt!" Chewtle gave one final cry, flinging her head forward towards Mareanie's widening eyes. Her horn struck head on with powerful force, enough that Mareanie hung in midair for a moment before flying off to the edge of the stadium. It smacked into the wall, leaving a dent, and came crumbling down.

Chewtle coughed, but with a powerful glare, stood tall in victory.

"Mareanie is unable to battle! Chewtle is the winner!"

"Yes!" Hop cheered along with the rest of the crowd. Serena and Astrid gave him a funny look to which he cleared his throat. "I mean, of course my best rival would do no worse. I-Isn't that right?"

"That so?" Astrid questioned, but Hop didn't deign to give her a response. "Still, Chewtle is made of stern stuff. I have to wonder if Gloria saw that or just kept trying random things for a good result."

"Well, she is insane, mate," Hop said, now leaning back. Ash chortled, looking down to Applin in her hopping up and down.

"You like that?" he asked of the fruit, and her little leaves bent in a nod. "Then just keep watching, 'cause Gloria's about to win this fight."

"You say that like you know the future."

"I don't. I just know what I see, and if there's anyone I've seen so far with the will to see her dream through, it's her. I'm gonna believe in her. How about you, Astrid?"

"Pikaka."

"Hmph, yeah, all right."

Perry's voice cut in amidst the cheers, drowning them out over Nessa recalling Mareanie. "Our challenger has been a bold one, taking down two of Nessa's prized Pokémon of the loch, but now she faces the special challenge. The one and only, DREDNAW."

He said it with such ominous finality, that when the Poké Ball was tossed on the field, its bright light eclipsing the space, Ash knew that regardless of his belief, Gloria was in for a hell of a fight.

Drednaw landed on the field, shaking the floor and looking down at Chewtle with a wicked grin. She didn't balk at her evolved form's size, glaring up and ready to rumble. Gloria was the same, and after a quick breath, one in which Scorbunny awoke at her side, she gave her order. "Jaw Lock!"

"Jaw Lock."

Nessa's near simultaneous order was met with Ash's heart plummeting. Chewtle ran in, her jaws wide and snapping down upon Drednaw's bulky leg, only for the larger turtle to bring his jaws into her whole torso. The fangs bit in, causing a screech to echo with tortuous agony.

"CHEEEEEW!"

"Na-a-a-aw…" The rumbling laughter was enough to unsettle anyone in the audience, the conclusion obvious to anyone watching.

Chewtle was outmatched.

Gloria must have realized it, for she grabbed her Poké Ball and sent the red light out to bring Chewtle back…only for it to bounce off. The return had been denied. Nessa had forced her into a corner.

"You've been using Jaw Lock and weren't aware of its effects?" Nessa said, chiding the girl. It led to some laughter from the audience, but most had grown tense over the newest development. "Come on, girl, you're out of your league!"

"Then we'll take you on regardless. Water Gun!" Chewtle turned her head and opened her mouth again, but instead of snapping down, she sent a torrent of water into Drednaw's mouth, allowing her to push out of his grip and back on the field. Overhead, the clouds finally faded to a sunny stream, the rain tapering off at last.

"Still outmatched. Liquidation."

"Naw!" Drednaw stomped, and where he did, spears of water emerged to batter into Chewtle's body, pushing her further away. She slipped on her feet, panting from exhaustion. Ash narrowed his eyes.

"What's she up to?"

"Chewtle, run with Headbutt!"
"Head Smash."

Ash's eyes widened, realizing only now what Nessa was doing, and the demoralizing effect it was intended to have. Both turtles charged at each other, only Drednaw was covered in a blue light, each gathering speed. Ash flicked over to Gloria, wondering what she'd do against the strength she could not overcome.

"You might've been slower than Mareanie, but even we can out-speed a tank like Drednaw! Turn and dodge it!" Gloria said, punching forward. At her words, Chewtle changed the trajectory of her body, slipping right past Drednaw's overwhelming force. "Now hit it!"

"Chewtle!" she screamed, jumping with what little strength her body could muster, fighting through the poison to strike Drednaw with her full force. Her horn drove into the turtle's side, holding as long as she could until, almost imperceptible to all but the most observant trainers, a small crack appeared in the shell. Gloria's body language changed, herself seeing it, but it proved too late for Chewtle to continue on.

She coughed, the poison wracking her body, and then Drednaw's head turned, crashing into her and sending her flying, all the way back towards Gloria. She slid across the ground, splayed on all fours, fainted.

"And that's Drednaw's win!" Perry shouted. The crowd was overjoyed, stamping and cheering, and eager for the inevitable climax of Gloria's match with Nessa. The girl put on a wan smile, recalling her turtle and thanking her for a job well done.

It didn't hide the fact that what Nessa had done was hitting her hard, something even the poorly dressed man across the way noticed where many others didn't, stroking his beard.

"Anything you can do, I can do better," Astrid said with a sigh. "That's the lesson Nessa is giving her."

Hop swallowed at that, turning back with his bouncing knee once again. "And she's at a disadvantage again. Drednaw is a Rock type and defensive. There's no way she can-"

"Well, I'm not giving up!" Gloria said, slapping her cheeks. Hop was surprised, as if she was responding to him. "We've come this far. That Water Badge is ours. Rookidee, time to fly!"

"Rookoko!" Rookidee emerged, flying on the scene to the cheers from the crowd. They were indiscriminate, not caring that it was the challenger's Pokémon, only that it was the final bout. Whoever won this one would walk away the victor. Rookidee turned back to his trainer. "Ko?"

"Chewtle and Scorbunny are down. It's up to you, Rookidee. Ready to go all out?" Rookidee nodded, carrying the weight of Gloria's dreams in that moment and the pride to go with them. The two were as in sync as Gloria and her best partner. Her Dynamax Band lit up, and the crowd started to chant when Gloria called back the same Pokémon she had just summoned, his ball getting larger and larger until it was tossed forward. With a dazzling light show and display, Rookidee emerged, larger than ever and towering over Drednaw. It was an advantage she needed. "Max Airstream!"

"Kooooo!" Rookidee's giant beak opened wide, all of his massive feathers rustling with the gale that was forming. It coalesced, and fired, consuming the entire arena. The cyclonic wind hammered Drednaw, but within the gale, the Bite Pokémon was steadfast. Only the chip in his shell growing larger was indication that he was affected in anyway.

"Liquidation."

"Naaaaw!" Drednaw's indomitable cry was met only by his stomping of the floor, where the liquid spears shot once again. Rookidee, unfortunately, was too large to dodge, and the water struck with full-force. Rookidee stumbled back, his claws digging trenches in the floor while his deep voice cried out with pain.

"Even a Max move isn't enough against the wall that is Drednaw…" Hop said with a sigh, shaking his head. "Come on…"

"She's continuing it…" Astrid said, frowning with displeasure. Her meaning was obvious: Nessa was proving still that no matter what Gloria attempted to try, she would one-up her all the same. The strength of Liquidation alone was enough for that.

Gloria, of course, refused to be deterred. "If range won't work, use a Max Airstream, point blank range with your beak!"

"Roooook!" Rookidee's massive wings snapped out, carrying him just a little bit on the air before he sailed forward, his beak whirling with winds. They streamed past his body, their buffeting gales striking on the shields protecting the screaming audience. Speed was on his side despite his size and he drove into Drednaw's body, finally pushing it back.

"Counter."

The call for such a move was devastating, drawing an equal reaction from the audience. Drednaw's body glowed red, and with Rookidee in range, he ran him down, striking so hard against his body, the tiny (or not so tiny) bird was sent reeling, crashing into the floor and breaking it to pieces. His wings pushed up, straining.

Nessa smirked, and held her Poké Ball aloft.

"Is this what I think it is?" Perry cried out, the chant yet again rising in the stadium. Ash gulped as Hop did, while Applin almost rolled off in worried anticipation. "It is. Time for Dynamax!"

"Let's complete your lesson, girl. Drednaw, Dynamax!"

"Anything Gloria does…"

"…Nessa tries to do better," Serena finished, shaking her head. Nessa tossed her giant Poké Ball high, and from it emerged the ever-towering Drednaw, now looming over Rookidee. It grinned, causing even Rookidee to become flustered. Gloria remained steady, her body language screaming otherwise, but holding it together for her Pokémon's sake. "But why did she wait?"

"Max Geyser!" Drednaw finished growing large, the titan's maw opening wide to create an enormous, pressurized jet of water. Seeing it had to have created some panic inside Gloria, because she tossed her arm out.

"Max Guard!"

"Did you forget which direction a geyser comes from?" Nessa asked. Applin screeched in Ash's hold, already sensing where the danger was coming from. Drednaw's head angled downward, courtesy of its long, bending neck, and he fired his water deep into the floor. A pearlescent shield was erected between Rookidee and Drednaw, but just as Nessa said, the threat was never from the front.

Instead, the bubbling waters came from below, blasting in an upwards column that threw Rookidee into the air and sent another cloud of rain rolling across the stadium, darkening the already black and purple skies. The only thing it did for the pair was bring Rookidee out of Drednaw's direct range. Gloria took advantage. "It can't use Counter now, so hit it with all the Max Airstream you can!"

"Roookooo!" Rookidee dove, his massive form aiming straight for Drednaw's even larger bulk. The rain poured upon them, spilling off the edge of the stadium, and as Rookidee streaked, Ash noticed something else. Something that Hop spoke of first.

"Time's up," he said. "Nessa must've been waiting for Gloria to use up her Dynamax. That full power she's had is something she can't rely on anymore."

True to his words, Rookidee was shrinking, even with the massive winds surrounding him. Drednaw was too slow to move, and unable to avoid Rookidee striking his sides with the winds that sent him back but a few feet. It further chipped at the shell, exposing a bruised skin beneath. It was all the bird could do before its form flickered and shrunk, reducing it to its small, orb-shaped form before the towering Drednaw. Nessa had to suppress a laugh.

"Our challenger's in a tight spot," Perry said, whipping the audience to its frenzy. "Her Dynamax is gone while Nessa's is going strong. Is she finished?"

"Not likely," Gloria said. She stood tall, Scorbunny pushing up next to her and cheering with his own might. Ash could see her eyes flit around the battlefield, straight for the wound she had steadily been inflicting. "Right now, we're just getting ready to topple a titan."

"Go ahead and try." Ash leaned forward, gripping his arm rests. The true climax of the battle was here, and Rookidee's eyes grew sharp. "Max Geyser!"

"Fly straight through!" Gloria said, punching with both arms. Rookidee sped forward as Drednaw aimed the geyser back for the floor. This time, it wasn't one, but many, geysers that gushed forth, fueled by the rain falling around them. They were like twisters and land mines packed into one, hoping to take Rookidee out in one blow. "Hone Claws while you weave!"

"Rook!" Rookidee flashed through, turning at tight angles to avoid the geysers attempting to consume him. His body glowed red, and Ash found himself standing while Applin bounced up and down, screaming for Gloria. Pikachu led his own cheer and Hop sported a wide grin.

"How in the-"

"You forgot one important thing, mate," Gloria said as Rookidee got close to Drednaw, streaking for the one exposed spot they had created. "Just because we're smaller, doesn't mean we can't hit hard. It just makes us harder to hit! Peck!"

Rookidee struck forth, his beak extending with a shining glow before he drove it straight into the giant gaping wound, even larger since Drednaw had Dynamaxed. "NAAAAAAW!"

Drednaw's cry shook the stadium, his giant feet stampeding the ground and causing further tremors. Nessa could see his pain, the way his eyes unfocused, and Ash already saw the end result coming. "Max Rockfall!"

"Up and over! Let's show them our own combo move, Rookidee! That badge…is ours!"

Drednaw roared, and with one stomp of his forelegs, the slab of earth rose from the ground, towering above Rookidee and threatening to take him out. He shot up, his speed and attack power reaching their max. Further and further, he climbed as the rock toppled, but Rookidee shot past, and with a swift change in direction, he hurtled for Drednaw. The orb of air he and Gloria had worked so hard on formed at his beak, which shined and glinted in the rain. The further he fell, the greater his speed and impact became.

The clouds cleared as the stone slammed down, just for a moment, and the sun blinded Drednaw, just enough for Rookidee to slip past.

And in one blistering move, Rookidee's Air Thrust and Peck struck into the gaping wound with full force before exploding.

Drednaw's body was rocked, his one side damaged and taking the brunt of the pain. The winds lifted the once sturdy beast upwards, and then his balance was gone. The Bite Pokémon fell onto his side, and with a mighty explosion that rattled the shield of the stadium, the ace Pokémon of Nessa was defeated.

True to her word, Gloria had toppled a titan.

"Drednaw is unable to battle. Rookidee is the winner. The battle goes to the challenger, Gloria!"

"All right!" Hop shouted, jumping up with full gusto and holding his hands for Serena to high five. The crowd erupted with cheers, more than they ever had before for her victory, and Ash sat back, letting out a breath. Astrid was politely clapping while Pikachu and Applin began a dance of sorts, ecstatic over the win.

On the field, Gloria and Scorbunny ran for Rookidee, the bird crowing over his victory. Opposite them, Nessa looked shocked, a scowl marring her features for a second as she reached up to mess with her hair. She looked frustrated, but all too soon affixed a smile on her face to approach Gloria. The two quickly shook hands, the referee approaching with the badge, but Ash found himself more drawn to the man across the way, clapping with a strange pride before he was swallowed by the swelling crowd.

"Applin!" The shout of the Apple Core Pokémon told Ash that the little one had escaped him, no doubt rolling along to see Gloria, and he took it as their cue to go and greet her. Pikachu was the first to follow, but Ash wasn't far behind, racing for the changing room. The crowd was thick with people discussing the match, trying to flood the hallways, but Applin was an expert at weaving through and leading them to the lockers. With a few apologies and pardons, Ash followed and moments after strode right inside to see the young girl having just entered, soaked but thrilled. She beamed at them the second she saw them.

"Applin, did you see us?" Gloria asked upon seeing the little Pokémon. She responded by bouncing upwards and striking Gloria upon the forehead, something that caused Serena to cry out, but Gloria to smile further.

"App! App!" Applin began to roll along the ground, as if emulating Scorbunny, and then Rookidee. Her leafy eyes were shining, and when she stopped, Gloria snatched her from the ground.

"Yeah, I get you!" she said, grinning the whole while. "I can tell you watched every second. And I know you'd be just as great. I can feel it just holding you. So…How about we make it official then? Wanna get stronger with me?"

"App! App! Applin!" The enthusiastic answer was obvious, and without delay, Gloria took out a Poké Ball and pressed it against the Grass type. She was sucked inside, the ball rocking slowly until it closed with a ding and a burst of stars. Ash let out a breath, leaning against the nearest wall with his own smile. The same feeling he'd always had exuded off of Gloria, and he folded his arms with a nod.

"All right, you guys! We won the Water Badge, and I caught Applin!" Gloria cried, holding both Poké Ball and badge high to the ceiling.

"Scorbun nibbah!" Scorbunny cheered with her, before Gloria scooped all of her team up, including a bruised Chewtle that had emerged. She hugged them tight, just as Nessa strolled in, looking refreshed.

"All of your Pokémon did well. You've trained them exceptionally. Even this little one." Nessa tapped Chewtle with a little bit of affection, and her previous downcast mood brightened up considerably. "I look forward to your future matches."

"Yeah, you were pretty brilliant out there, mate," Hop said, throwing himself into the conversation. Gloria leaned forward, a teasing smirk on her lips.

"Of course, I was. You shouldn't have doubted me."

"I think you both have a bright future."

Whatever conversation followed between the Galarians, Ash just smiled at Pikachu and watched. The battle with Nessa had helped her to grow, and now, Ash knew that Gloria was finally starting to come into her own.

And he couldn't wait to see how far she would go.

Author's Note: Second badge down. How did you find it? I think this one was more complex and fast-paced than the last battle to be certain. The interesting thing to note now is that, again, while I wrote it, Viroro did plan this one. It's notable because, well…let's just say Viroro planned it to the teeth. And I mean blow by blow. The outline for this chapter was like 4 pages long! I had to add some stuff in for pacing, but it's kinda wild! I hope you all enjoyed it, though.

Viroro: And with this, Gloria triumphed over her second Gym battle and properly gained a fourth teammate in Applin! It probably felt relatively more standard in weight compared to the fights with Kabu and Milo so far, but we hope that the strategy involved was still enjoyable to follow and we managed to deliver an entertaining battle. This was also the first Gym battle where we get to play around a bit with the usage of Dynamax, as we're not planning to have every matchup go for the predictable route of a giant versus giant battle all the time. You'll be the judge of how we did, however! For now, the next chapter is the final one I wrote in full for Traveling, and one of my favorites to work on overall.

Thanks for reading so far and hope you'll keep looking forward to what's to come!

As usual, before we head off, time to thank people, all of which are for reviewing: MythGirl Writes, Fury, UltimateCCC, Tenzalucard123, FantasyLover88, ChE clarinetist, bankerrtx01, Ander Arias, Cottonmouth25, potat lasaro, AmourshippingCanon, Captainsquid12 and 1 guest!

We're still not quite done with Hulbury, but I hope to see you all next time. Until then, please Review and,

Dare to Be Silly.