I hope people realize that Gloria's relationship with Ash really isn't broken. She knew she crossed a line. But for now, Dynamax attack in Chapter 22!

Chapter 22

A Hero

A beam of light was fired from one of the Dynamaxed Pokémon, and Astrid rolled to the side, the juiced up Hyper Beam colliding with the walls and leaving a gash in the brick. Absol hunkered down on all fours, growling, while above, Alastair surveyed the mess. She scowled in his direction, forming a fist on the knotted grass, but the imminent threat of all the Pokémon was her primary concern.

"Dark Pulse!"

"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"

"Arcanine, Flamethrower!" Their combination of attacks flew out once again, striking against the nearest Dynamax Pokémon and toppling it over. The gigantic Bewear fell backwards towards the lake, spinning its arms. It was unfortunate (or not so unfortunate in Astrid's view) that it just so happened to catch Alastair's blind spot.

The thrashing arms clipped Aerodactyl's wing, bringing Pokémon and trainer down while Bewear hit the lake, shrinking the moment it did. Alastair fell, aiming for a collision with the ground that Aerodactyl was too slow to catch. Astrid scoffed; the man was too tenacious to die, and soon as she ordered a Megahorn to stop a stampeding Excadrill, she saw the shadow pool on the ground.

Alastair touched down unscathed, only to be met by Ash's fist, his trench coat grabbed.

"What's going on here, Alastair?!"

"You ask as though I'm the perpetrator."

"Well, aren't you?" Ash's argument was nearly cut off by the Excadrill's steel spikes racing for them. Astrid changed direction, nodding to Kabu, who covered her back. Hop was still in the middle, shaking at Wooloo's downed form. Thwackey bonked him on the head, trying to get him started up, but he was too busy watching as Absol flew forward and cut straight through the Max Steelspike with a Shadow Claw.

"Relax, Ash. For once, Alastair isn't responsible." It was an unexpected voice, enough that Ash's hold loosened, and Alastair slapped him away. Astrid turned her eyes skyward, looking for the source of the voice when a Hydreigon floated down, and from atop it came Serena's father. Slumped at his feet were the familiar forms of Jessie, James and Meowth.

"You guys are here?!" Ash asked, his brain making the connection between the two, but Y brushed him off. He had a bigger quarry to chase, and Astrid decided she would have to let him chase it, backing up to Kabu.

"No Dynamaxing yet?"

"For some reason, the Power Spot that was here has vanished. I would need to go further into the storm if we had a hope of utilizing that power," Kabu answered. The older Gym Leader took notice of Hop at last, right as Arcanine blitzed into Excadrill, trying to hold it off. Pikachu slapped its face with an Iron Tail. As he did, Kabu leaned down, pulling at Hop. "Up, my friend. Dynamaxed Pokémon are nothing to fear."

"Of…of course…" Hop still looked shaken, unable to form more words than what he had spoken. Hoping to calm him, Astrid put a hand on his shoulder.

"If you're wondering why the Power Spot has vanished, ask Alastair. Or is that not what you've been doing, running around Galar." Alastair stood, brushing his coat off and backing away. Marshadow, emerging from the pooled shadows, glared at each individual there, saving an especially nasty one for Ash and Pikachu, but he didn't freeze them. At the very least, Astrid took it as a good sign that he didn't consider them the enemy.

"Yeah, you've been smashing Wishing Stars and making us run all over the place, chap!"

"It's makin' us dead tired." Y shushed James and Meowth, his attention fully on Alastair. They appeared oblivious to the rampaging Pokémon around them, something Ash seemed to realize when he put his own attention back to the Excadrill. Without command (at least, verbally), Greninja ran forward and slashed through it with a Water Shuriken, causing it to explode and shrink back down.

That appeared to make things worse. A chittering cry, deep and resonating, flew across the Wild Area, and the green glow that Astrid had noticed before got worse. From that nexus, the sound of approaching stomps was heard. Whatever was there, it was driving all the other Pokémon into a frenzy that pushed them in the direction of Motostoke. Absol floated back to her side, and they both watched it; that was where they needed to go.

It became an annoyance that Y and Alastair were still in a deadlock, however, leaving the two exposed to the army.

"Why are you really here, Alastair?" Y asked. His Hydreigon came closer, each head alighting with a different element, prepared to defend and attack at a moment's notice. Astrid figured that it would all depend on the IDEAL member's answer. After a second, Alastair clutched his shoulder, and when he released, gave his answer.

"To prevent a world overtaken by power, the likes of which you're witnessing now."

"That answer's not good enough!"

"Gengar." Alastair swung Aegislash, stabbing the ground with full force. It acted as a beacon, Gengar emerging from Marshadow's shadow and summoning a Shadow Ball, right for Y. Hydreigon snapped forward, its Tri Attack spewing forth the three elements to intercept the large, ghostly attack. The collision of the two forced Y away from Alastair, nearly tripping over Jessie.

"Do you freaks of strength mind not battling where it could kill us?!" she screeched, but both men were oblivious. Astrid chose to be the same thanks to a giant Palpitoad waddling over, looking enraged. Green glitter surrounded its face, and every step caused an earthquake. Astrid gripped Hop tighter.

"Help me out, yeah?" Hop hesitated, but nodded. Astrid tossed her head back. "Ash, we have no more time to waste. Get moving!"

"Yes, Ash, don't worry about Alastair. Myself and these three can handle him and whatever his plans are."

"Is that why you've been tracking me, Michael?" If Ash was going to run off, he froze at that name, and Y liked it no better, the revulsion on his face at being referred to as his counterpart quite evident. It was all the distraction Alastair needed. "Rock Slide."

"Y!" The shout wasn't just from Jessie, James and Meowth, who realized the man that appeared to be their newest boss was in danger, but from someone else, surfing across the lake on a Swampert. Overhead, Aerodactyl had recovered, sending a stream of rocks down to cut Alastair off from his pursuers. Taking a brief glance at him, she could see the focus in his eye: he was a man on a mission for which nothing would be stopped. "Brine!"

"Swahm!" Swampert fired its orb of racing water, piercing a straight line through the rocks and reducing them to rubble. In that time, Alastair had climbed aboard his Aerodactyl, rising to the sky faster than Y or his cohorts could follow.

"My thanks, Cedric." Astrid blinked, barely recognizing the man whose counterpart had once been their enemy in DARC. It was becoming too much, and she put her eyes back on the more important issue of Palpitoad choosing to assail Motostoke's walls.

"Absol, Psycho Cut!" Astrid turned to Hop. "You've got a Grass type, so use it."

"Y-yes, ma'am!" Absol ran forward, and Thwackey joined him, leaping atop his back. The Disaster Pokémon closed the gap, his giant horn glowing before he slashed it forth. The attack struck Palpitoad, setting it off balance due to its size, and Hop called for Thwackey to strike, an order drowned by Alastair's booming voice.

"There's something wrong with this land," he repeated, an echo that turned many a giant eye towards him. "I will set it right, by striking at its very core."

"Alastair!" Y screamed, but Astrid could see his limbs straining, barely able to attain movement. The reason was obvious until Alastair had gathered enough distance that his body was let loose. Y fell forward, caught by his comrade. In front of Astrid, Palpitoad fell, though Thwackey was already looking exhausted.

"Let him go," Cedric said. "We have a bigger issue to deal with. There's a Butterfree driving them all into a rage."

"Some perversion of Rage Powder, is it?" Kabu was the calmest of all of them as he approached, Arcanine growling at the looming Dynamax Pokémon on their approach to Motostoke. "This explains much. Tell me, you three, have you gained some respect for nature yet?"

"Long as it doesn't trample over us," came the response from James. Kabu nodded.

"Very well. A Butterfree must have Gigantamaxed, and combined with its Rage Powder, its scales are pushing all the wild Pokémon into a frenzy. If we wish to stop it-"

"And what about the Power Spots?" Astrid questioned, dragging herself and Hop closer to form ranks. "Those giant Pokémon will keep coming until those power down."

"I can't attest to know much beyond their utility."

"Leave them to Alastair, then!" Ash shouted. Astrid looked up, realizing the young man was already running some distance from the gathered group. "I don't like it, but that's clearly what he's up to. You guys stop that Butterfree from wrecking Motostoke, and I'll grab Gloria and Marnie."

"Yeah, just be safe out there!" Astrid shouted, cracking her knuckles as they faced their newest target. Jessie, James and Meowth scrambled to their feet, having the intention of running after Ash.

"Wait, twerp, we're going with you!"

"Oh, no, you're not," Cedric said, Swampert barring their path. "We need all hands on deck. Myself and blondie here will form the vanguard with our Mega Evolutions. Y, you and the Gym Leader protect the rear. You three bozos keep the kid safe."

"I'm not a kid, I can fight!" Hop was summarily ignored. So were the trio's cries of indignation over being called bozos, no matter how apt a term Astrid found it.

"Get me close enough and I can Dynamax, myself. Then we'll stop the Butterfree," Kabu added, taking his position alongside Y.

"Let's go already!" Astrid shouted. Absol growled, and without hesitation, accepted his trainer placing herself on his back. She patted his fur, and he set off with a gallop.

The clouds that gathered grew darker, and Astrid could feel that power which the Pokémon had absorbed seep into her skin. There was no doubt that the Power Spot was still active here, and the Pokémon had begun to take notice of their group walking into the midst. Worse yet, spores hung in the air, courtesy of the Butterfree, whose wingspan had grown to ridiculous sizes, glowing under the dark light. Its eyes were flitting about, and it was making a harsh buzzing noise that increased the further they got, enough to make Absol growl in pain and anger.

It was no normal Butterfree.

"Incoming attack. At your ten, miss," Cedric shouted. He gagged a moment, revealing a Mega Stone and clasping it. Swampert began to change, while Astrid turned towards the lumbering Ludicolo, its eyes red and angered as between its hands a geyser was forming.

"Dark Pulse!" Astrid leapt off, their group finally getting in range of the thicket of giant Pokémon. Absol jumped, gliding on the wind before opening his mouth to let the inky black swirl come crashing into Ludicolo. He was left in a dizzying state, Astrid and her partner leading the charge past. It was Y and, to Astrid's surprise, James and his Inkay, who cleaned up what she left. Swampert had taken down an Onix with a well-placed punch.

"FREEEEEE!" The deep cry resonated. All of the giant Pokémon faced the intruders, fully enraged and ready to trod on them, their former habitats fleeing as the land and water was displaced.

"That is no normal sounding Butterfree!" Jessie yelled out, holding tight to her Gourgeist as both shook.

"Maybe we should flee!"

"Yes, siree!"

"It is merely Gigantamaxed," Kabu said, walking through the trio and keeping his eyes on the Butterfree. "Matched with appropriate power and we can put an end to this frenzy."

"Power, huh?" Astrid said, her eyes trailing right up to the Bug type. It was still crying out, each minor change in sound sending more spores upon the air from its gigantic wings. Those that were Dynamaxed attacked all at once, receiving the signal, and Astrid finally saw it. "Not just power…aggression. It's angry, and this is how it's taking that out."

"Why are we in the middle of this again?!" Jessie demanded, her cry almost as shrill as Butterfree's. It was certainly enough to attract it, as Butterfree began to flap its wings, more spores wafting outwards in all directions, the powder taking control.

"Nice job, Jess. Shut ya trap next time!"

"Take cover!" James insisted. Butterfree gave one final flap of its wings, but instead of the rage-inducing powder, it resulted in a whirlwind of air that cleaved the space before them, churning up ground and water without stopping. Some of Butterfree's own collected hive were knocked aside by the Max attack, while the sturdier ones remained where they were. Against all odds, Astrid began to grin.

"Now that's a Max attack," she said, just before impact could be made.

"Brick Break! Split the air!" Swampert's bulky body dashed forward, its arm beefing up and glowing. The Max Airstream was upon them and Swampert cut downward, making impact with the tornado and splitting it in two. Astrid's grin grew wider; she liked having this guy on their side. "Y, go! Take the clowns!"

"We're not clowns!"

"Just do it! Dragon Pulse!" Y's irritated scowl and order was immediately obeyed by the former Team Rocket trio, all of them abandoning their previous fears to call for all of their present Pokémon to attack. Astrid considered them lucky that Butterfree had created a path to itself, and she put her own attention to the Dynamax Pokémon still standing, creating the light of multiple Max Strikes in their hands. They punched for the ground.

"Huddle close. Centiskorch, I know you are tired, but give me what fight you have! Gigantamax!" This time, Kabu's gambit did not fail. Centiskorch's Poké Ball grew larger, and with a toss, the same Pokémon that had managed to fell all of Gloria's team stood tall. It looked haggard, but the glint in its flaming form showed what fighting spirit it still had left. "Max Guard!"

"Skaaa!" The eerie noise was followed by Centiskorch wrapping around their group, a shield forming. The multitude of Max Strikes cracked the ground, breaking a bridge over the lake and even cracking at some of the Power Spots. Some of the Dynamaxed Pokémon shrank without warning, and the air overhead cleared by a miniscule amount. Their group was protected, as was Butterfree, who erected its own shield with its spores. Y's group proved entirely ineffective.

"Free!" It was a sharp, deep call, and the spores dropped to the ground. Soon as they landed, great vines laced with fungi crawled out from the ground with speed. They ensnared Hydreigon and all the Pokémon that had attacked, and Astrid could see it likewise feed upon the Dynamaxed Pokémon that remained.

It made one point very clear to Astrid. "That Butterfree is just attacking randomly. It's using its Max moves like they're its base. Rage Powder, Giga Drain, Gust, and its coordinated efforts are a Bug Buzz. It's one crafty Pokémon."

"And the longer it stays up the more damage could be done to Motostoke, right?" Hop's voice had cracked on asking the question. Thwackey was holding both sticks, crossed in defense. Astrid could see how shaken the two were, and remembered how useless Wooloo was. He was no spitfire like Gloria, that was for sure, and her instinct to protect him warred with the impressive Butterfree before her. She exhaled, and patted Hop atop his head.

"We'll handle it. You three idiots!"

"Hey, no one calls us idiots but us! And who are you to boss us around?"

"Just protect the kid. Kabu, I'll need your help." The Gym Leader was more than willing to oblige. Looking back, they were some distance off from Motostoke, but Astrid knew if they failed here, that distance would close fast. "You other two, keep those Dynamaxed Pokémon off our back!"

"Centiskorch, G-Max Centiferno! Let's make ourselves a battlefield!" Centiskorch moved like a shot, uncoiling itself from around the group and speeding along. Fire spewed from its segments, becoming the same whirling fire that had proved so troublesome for Gloria. This time, it was working in their favor, separating them from the hordes of Dynamaxed still awaiting, and providing a straight line to Butterfree.

"Absol, Dark Pulse!" As the inferno raged forward, Butterfree's plants were incinerated, dropping the ensnared Pokémon, but Absol flew over them. Butterfree hardly saw him coming before the swirls of dark energy pierced one of its wings.

"BuFREEEEE!" The sharp screech preceded the spores again, this time manifesting as a Max Flutterby.

"Match it!" Kabu shouted, his voice revealing his burning passion. Centiskorch skittered around, raising its body high above Butterfree and sending its own army of insects out. The two armies clashed, allowing Astrid the chance to get her own strike in.

"Shadow Claw!" As Absol flew with its giant dark claw, the sounds of Hydreigon and Mega Swampert holding back their foes were heard loud and clear. A quick glance back told Astrid that Jessie and company were holding their own, too, from the stray Max attacks that were breaking the ground. Absol soon reached Butterfree, flying through the storm of insects, and slashed straight on its giant torso. It screeched, falling backwards, but the assault wouldn't end.

She knew it wouldn't, not without a decisive blow that could leave the Wild Area torn asunder, its delicate ecosystem set off-balance.

Astrid made a quick decision, reaching behind to grab a Poké Ball from her belt.

"That won't do you any good!" Kabu yelled. His call put hesitation in her arm as Butterfree recovered, its bulbous eyes finding her amidst the burning fields. It didn't look entirely happy at Absol's attack, and that rage was building, the clouds overhead growing darker. A black wind picked up, forcing Astrid to cover her face as it built. Even Centiskorch was having a hard time staying steady. "That is a Gigantamax. You cannot catch it with a normal Poké Ball!"

"Then lend me your stupid band and let me catch it. Otherwise, that Butterfree'll get up again and again!"

Proving her statement again, Butterfree let loose an unholy screech. The black wind that had started with it became a tempest accompanying it. It washed over the battlefield, raising the waters and dousing the fires. Centiskorch was pushed back, slumping, while behind, many of the other Pokémon were suddenly weakened. Hop, in particular, was blown back only to be caught by James, who planted his foot against the storm.

"Just you and me, then…Absol, get close and Megahorn!"

"SOL!" Absol's passion could be felt in their bond, and while he landed on the ground, it was solely for a moment, his claws digging deep in the earth before using it as a springing point. His horn glowed, just the same as Butterfree's wings did.

With that mighty flap, the cyclonic tunnel emerged, buffeting Absol in midflight. His wings expanded further, and his horn grew bigger. He pushed on, and Butterfree attempted to blow him off course, but neither wavered.

They wouldn't. Their strength had built for this moment. Strength to protect what mattered.

That unspoken feeling shared, Absol steadied out and rammed into Butterfree, sending the giant Pokémon flipping through the air. Absol got above it.

"Don't worry, I'll save you from that rage. Psycho Cut! Kabu, now!"

Kabu hesitated, only for a moment, until he saw Absol's wings grow yet larger, even without the power of Dynamax.

He was the winged Disaster Pokémon, and as Butterfree tumbled, it saw that disaster would fall upon it.

The purple glow was shaded in red, and then Absol fired the crescent, one as big as Butterfree's body. Kabu ripped his Dynamax Band off, his partner instantly shrinking, and he tossed it to Astrid, who caught it in hand. Not bothering to slip it on, Astrid held her Poké Ball out.

Power radiated from the ground into her hand, and the capture device glowed. Before her very eyes it grew larger, adorned with the same diamond-studded design that she had seen in the battles through Galar. It felt a little heavy, but with a smirk, she spun it on her finger and then tossed it forward, right for Butterfree.

It made contact, opening wide and sucking Butterfree deep inside. The gigantified Poké Ball fell, slamming to a tree and snapping it in two. Absol floated back down, and both trainer and Pokémon watched as the giant ball shook back and forth, waiting with agony.

Then, after a held breath, it shrunk and clicked closed, stars shooting out.

Astrid had caught Butterfree.

With a breath, she tossed the Dynamax Band back to Kabu and went to grab her newest capture. Some muttered cries showed a clarity coming to the disturbed Pokémon, but a single look up told her that the storm hadn't ended yet. Motostoke was still in danger.

Holding tight, Astrid put her attention on the lesser threats, dearly hoping that Ash had managed to find Gloria. She and the others leapt forth to battle once again.

"Corvisquire, Drill Peck! Raboot, Bounce!"

"Morpeko, Aura Wheel!"

Gloria found her back pressed against Marnie's, the snow howling around them in the black storm of energy. She felt cold, but the capricious winds were already starting to change, bringing with them a sun that couldn't be seen. Not the least of which was because of the towering Pokémon above them. She swallowed as she watched Raboot's bandaged body spring from Corvisquire's back to get some air. Her bird spun, his beak aiming straight for the Dynamaxed Diggersby.

"Diggah!" The irritated voice made Gloria tighten her back with Marnie's. The giant Pokémon didn't appreciate being beset upon, and its massive ears whipped around, catching Corvisquire mid-strike and sending him straight down to the ground. Raboot was out of range, but flinching from whatever pain had been inflicted. The split-second hesitation was enough for the Diggersby to angrily whap upwards, catching her rabbit and sending him flying.

"Raboot!" she screamed, the terror creeping its way into her voice at seeing his limp body. Chewtle and Applin cried out, and Corvisquire pushed at the ground. Images were entering her head, of her fallen Pokémon against Kabu, the Diggersby becoming an Arcanine, and then a Centiskorch in her mind.

"Gloria, pull it together!" Marnie said, though she was no less fearful. Morpeko slammed upon a giant Liepard, electricity shooting all about until the hamster ground to a halt. The Liepard laughed, a deep chortle before its giant claw slashed at Morpeko and sent him flying back into Marnie's chest. The two girls knocked against each other, both almost collapsing under the jelly of their legs. "I know these are some giant Pokémon, but there's gotta be a way out of 'em."

"I know…" Gloria said, trying to find some of her boldness. Some of that resolute determination.

Corvisquire found it for her, snapping his wings like whips against the air and shooting up. He was unsteady, but with a cry, his talons grabbed to Raboot and circled back to Gloria, just as Diggersby stomped, cracks in the ground coming straight for them.

"Chew!" Chewtle wriggled out of Gloria's hold, landing on the ground and beginning to charge forward with Headbutt. Applin was with her, the duo fast-tracking across the fissures. Applin bounded upwards, her frightening face of Astonish distracting Diggersby just long enough for Chewtle to ram the giant Pokémon in the stomach. With its giant ears out of control, Diggersby fell on its butt, and Gloria's Water and Grass types returned to her.

More Dynamaxed Pokémon filed in behind, a mix between a Steelix, and Kirlia and a Roselia. The same was on the opposite side of Marnie, a Tranquill and other fliers, along with an ornery Dusclops helping to surround them. Whether they were angry at the humans intruding on their habitats, or just overcome by the power they suddenly found themselves with, Gloria didn't know, but they weren't suffering the girls and their Pokémon to pass in any direction.

"They just keep comin'…" Marnie commented. Morpeko was panting, his body sparking between yellow and black, the exhaustion putting a very loose control over his form shift. "Calm down, Morpeko. This is no time to be gettin' angry."

"Morpekopeko!" Marnie continued holding tight, reaching for a Poké Ball to call someone else.

"I'm starting to get the feeling the only way out of this is Dynamaxing," Gloria muttered, holding her wrist where her band sat. Yet she hesitated, remembering Kabu's cutting words: power was not the only way out. Looking over her Pokémon, she knew that to be true. They were running on fumes, and she'd just be putting them in further danger with their wounds as they were. Dynamaxing for themselves was looking very out of the question.

"Hagaaaa!" The sharp cry of the Steelix caused the girls' eyes to widen, and they looked in its direction, just in time for the Steel type to slam its tail into the ground, where the fissures yet lay. They grew, the ground churning, eaten through, and soon it grew soft underneath their feet. Worse yet, the rumbling beneath showed that Steelix's tail was in the ground, and in a second, burst upwards.

The girls fell back, separated from one another, and Gloria's ankle twisted. A sharp hiss left her mouth as she landed atop Chewtle, and she could already see her ankle begin to swell. An attempt to stand later and she winced, the pain shooting up through her leg. Chewtle tried to support her, but was too tired.

Steelix's tail retracted, but the other Pokémon had moved closer, the Liepard laughing at Marnie and Morpeko, its claw descending. Gloria pushed on, trying to ignore the debilitating pain in her ankle, and she ran across the broken earth, flinching with every step. She might not have turned out a very good Gym Challenger, but she wasn't about to be a bad friend. With a leap, Gloria tackled Marnie and Morpeko, pushing them out of the way. Her Pokémon joined her, forming a protective barrier between her and the Liepard.

The claw finished descending, and Corvisquire caught it with his talons. He was forced towards the ground, and Chewtle rammed against him, adding extra weight. Even Raboot, who tipped towards exhaustion came running in to kick at Applin, sending her rocketing to strike Liepard in the face. It was just a bit, but the tension eased from Liepard's swipe for Corvisquire to keep pushing.

"Well, would ya look at that?" Marnie laughed, herself pushing from the ground. "If ya ask me, Gloria, you got what it takes to be a Challenger, after all. Your Pokémon defendin' you like that is all ya need to prove you've grown. Now, Morpeko, let's prove we've grown, too! Aura Wheel!"

"Peko!" Morpeko, still vacillating between its forms, hit the ground, charging up all of its power and racing for Liepard. It bounced off of Chewtle's shell to strike where Applin was falling from.

Liepard didn't like that, and with a sudden screech, one that resonated from the ground itself, a black wind rolled across. Corvisquire lost his grip, and they all went falling back down to the ground, the claw slashing against her bird's prone form. He slumped on the ground, passed out, and at their exposed group, the Tranquill dove in with murderous wings.

There was nothing more they could do. Gloria closed her eyes, waiting for the end.

"CHUUUUUUUUU!"

The searing bolt of lightning flashed out, striking right upon Tranquill. It hung in midair, convulsing, and then exploded in an array of colors. Heat washed over Gloria, her eyes widening as smoke from the defeated Dynamax filled the air. Marnie was coughing, covering her eyes, but Gloria kept looking, a watery shape slicing at the air and impacting with Liepard. The Cruel Pokémon fell back into its compatriots, knocking them over.

In the haze, a shadow appeared directly in front of the two girls and their Pokémon, but it wasn't alone. A much smaller one was in front of it, and four others quickly formed a protective ring. Gloria could feel her body tremble as the smoke cleared. A frog with a giant shuriken that was caught. A hooded archer nocking an arrow of shadows. The monkey who blazed forward with a grin. And a Charizard, who bellowed into the air, daring the Dynamaxed Pokémon to get close, his fiery tail snapping at the ground in threat.

"I found you." Gloria looked up, her breath catching.

Ash had arrived, Pikachu at his side and Sobble on his shoulder. His grim smile spoke to the seriousness of the situation they had found themselves in, but his eyes conveyed relief all the same. She could only utter one word, seeing his Pokémon all around him, as if plowing through the Pokémon to get here was a mere walk in the park. "How…?"

"Vague feelings. Believing in my Pokémon. You know, all that stuff from a self-help book." The smile turned to a grin, and Ash slammed his fist into an open palm. Greninja did the same. The Dynamaxed Pokémon, aware of the threat in the area, all zeroed in on Ash and his entire team. "I'll make a path. Both of you, get to Motostoke."

"There're too many of 'em!" Marnie shouted, but Ash cocked his head back.

"Not when all of us are together! Infernape, Mach Punch! Decidueye, Spirit Shackle and Leaf Blade! Lock 'em down!" Ash stepped forward, pointing towards the Liepard and others. Decidueye leapt up, his arrow brimming with ghostly shadows that were fired. They became a rain that struck upon the gigantic creatures. Each tried to move, but none could. On the other side, Infernape's fist made contact with Steelix, throwing it into the air. "Flamethrower!"

"Rrawr!" Charizard shot up, and from his jaws came a rolling flame that blasted the Steelix. It exploded in one hit, causing Gloria and all her Pokémon to shake further.

A different Pokémon broke out of the horde, like a towering skyscraper with a shining claw that descended on them. Ash turned, and Greninja as well. He nodded, no need to speak, and Pikachu leapt up. His Iron Tail spun around and cracked right into the Pokémon's chest. Greninja, meanwhile, found purchase and clambered up the Pokémon, one Gloria now recognized as a Duraludon, and with a single glowing limb, smashed into its head with an Aerial Ace. Not yet enough to topple it, Greninja pulled out a pair of kunai, and slashed straight down. With a final Thunderbolt, the Duraludon was thrown back, exploding once more.

"Greninja, Water Shuriken! Infernape, Flamethrower! Make a path!"

"Fernape!"

"Gren!" Ash's two Pokémon of diametric types turned their attention towards where Liepard once was, the remaining gathered Pokémon swatting at Decidueye as he slashed about with leaves of green. Some had shrunk, but the remaining continued to loom large.

Or they did until Infernape bellowed his flame and Greninja created copies of himself around the field, absorbing each to create a giant Water Shuriken. Fire and water joined, spinning with destructive force and cutting straight through the line of Pokémon. At once, they exploded, breaking the ground and snapping trees, leaving just one, a lone Braviary, looking fatigued.

"Sahhh…" Sobble watched Greninja with joy as he landed, tapping fists with Infernape, and Ash turned back.

"Go."

"Gloria…" Marnie was crawling over, slowly standing, but all Gloria could do was stare at Ash and his perfect team.

It wasn't the giant Pokémon that had been causing them trouble, but Ash Ketchum who was the titan. It was he who towered over them. He who showed what it meant to be a Pokémon Master.

Ash wasn't Leon.

But for the first moment, Gloria found tears streaking from her eyes: he just might've been better.

"Gloria, let's move!"

"R-right. Everyone return." Marnie was insistently shaking her arm, as Gloria was moving too slow considering the situation. She just couldn't stop watching. Especially not as Ash's Charizard nailed the Diggersby with a Steel Wing and let loose a torrent of fire that consumed it. Ash patted her on the back, causing her to look up at him, taller than she remembered. He pointed his other finger outward, calling for Pikachu to send Electro Balls raining down, the sky overhead clearing slightly.

"Gloria, you need to go. Serena can protect you in Motostoke."

"But you-"

"I got this covered. I'm a janitor, remember? We clean up." Ash sent another grin and then pushed her along into Marnie. The black-haired girl got the message and began dragging Gloria away, through the scores of defeated Pokémon and towards Motostoke. It took all of her effort to stop watching Ash, but she started to move under her own power.

Every hit was a defeated Pokémon. Every command a precise finale to the battle.

"He's pretty strong," Marnie commented, huffing as she ran with Morpeko in her arms.

"Yeah…he is…" Her Poké Balls all quivered at the thought of it, and Raboot nodded in her arms, staring back at Charizard and Greninja sweeping through.

"SNOOOOR!" The lone giant Snorlax that remained cried out, and in her flight, Gloria turned. Her ankle twisted further than she intended, its already swollen joint crying out with pain. She tumbled, hitting a rock and beginning to roll down a hill, straight to where Snorlax was lifting its leg and slamming down. Multiple giant stones began to rise, but Gloria couldn't pay attention to them, her head ringing and her knees bleeding. Marnie called for her, but didn't give chase.

"Ra…Raboot, use…"

"Charizard, go!" Ash's shout should have been expected, but Gloria found herself beginning to smile. Three shapes flitted in front of Charizard, one with a fist and two with blades that sliced straight through the solid rock, leaving a path open to Snorlax, looking stunned. In a sudden panic, it erected a shield around itself, protecting itself from harm, while Gloria felt a hand pulling upon her, lifting her high. "I got you. Pikachu, it's time. Let's end this!"

"Pikapi, pika!" Gloria realized she had been hauled atop of Charizard's back, Ash also sitting there. His eyes were burning, focused; that shade she had seen back in the mines was now a raging fire, and at last she understood, Ash crossing his arms while Pikachu fell. "Pi-ka-ka-ka…PIKA PIKA!"

A brilliant light shined from Ash's wrist, more illuminating than any Dynamax Band, and that power flowed out into Pikachu. Electricity hung in the air, like the colors of the rainbow that eclipsed even the darkened sky. On the ground, Marnie watched in awe, neither of the teen girls able to take their eyes away from the scene. "Pikachu, Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt!"

The light flashed once more, and the seven orbs streaked out, combining into one bolt so powerful, Gloria felt her hair changing shape. It collided with the shield, Snorlax straining to hold it until it was cracked through. The shield broke entirely, the bolt zapping straight into Snorlax and blowing the field apart. It didn't stop there, the sparks traveling through the fissures to burn at the very Power Spot they were upon.

It was nothing more than the most beautiful sight Gloria had witnessed, and when it was done, an explosion resounding through the Wild Area and rippling the lakes, not a single Dynamaxed Pokémon remained.

"Nice job, buddy."

"Pika!" Ash's hand met Pikachu's tail, a grin on both their faces. Sobble continued to beam down at Greninja, who returned the affection with a nod. The situation quelled, Ash returned Greninja, Infernape and Decidueye before turning back to Gloria.

"You okay?" She couldn't form words, though the lump returned to her throat. For all her impulsivities, she didn't know where to begin. So, she let her action talk instead, leaning forward and wrapping her arms around his torso, holding tight. "Good to know. Let's regroup with the others. Charizard, take us high!"

"Rawr." Charizard's light growl preceded the flap of his wings, bringing them higher towards the darkened storm. Yet as he climbed, it was as if someone turned a light switch back on, the clouds dissipating and all those Pokémon that had grown were now shrinking, a shriek on the air like a curdling death. It didn't change the damage to the land that the battle had done, a number of Pokémon homes likely ruined, and the ecosystem of Galar offset forever.

Ash wasn't as worried about that, though, gliding over the Wild Area in silence. Gloria tried looking with him, wondering what was on his mind, when she was distracted by the same purple and pink coat on the outskirts of where the battle had been. She tried to figure out if she was seeing things correctly, only for Charizard to pull to a short stop.

They were over one of the lakes, Ash looking down to see where the ground had split. Slashes covered the exposed ground, what was once glowing now having reverted to a dull piece of earth. Ash scoffed. "So, he did destroy it…"

"Who?" Gloria asked, but wasn't surprised when she didn't get an answer. They were diving again, this time for where Gloria could see Astrid standing amidst a scene of carnage on par with what they had left.

"Gloria!" Soon as they had landed and Gloria hopped off Charizard, she found herself smothered by Hop's embrace, the girl flushing horribly until she removed him. "I was worried about you."

"Well, I'm all right. Don't be so touchy feely," Gloria said, pushing him to arm's length. He nodded, and the longer she looked, the more Gloria realized something was off with her best friend. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it was just…" He glanced down to a Poké Ball in his hand, and when Gloria realized Thwackey was out, tapping Raboot to check for vital signs, she also saw that Wooloo wasn't. "That was something else…"

"Tell me about it," Gloria said, sneaking a glance at Ash as he reunited with Astrid, Kabu, and some of the others.

"See you guys took care of things here. Did you see Alastair?"

"No. Too busy catching that troublemaking Butterfree." Astrid spun her new Poké Ball on her finger before clasping it with her hand. "I see you rescued our resident sparkler."

"Yeah. Awesome catch, though." Ash gave a grin to Astrid, but Gloria could see their joy over whatever events immediately fall off. "But still…what the heck happened here?"

"It is most unusual," Kabu said, stroking his chin. Gloria waited, watching the conversation between the adults. From near Motostoke, the girl could see Marnie running to catch up, looking like she was ready to pass out. "A couple Pokémon Dynamaxing is common enough, but on this level…and then for them all to stop at once."

"I think the Power Spot was destroyed by Alastair," Ash responded, pointing towards the lake where they had seen the sundered spot.

"Yes, that does appear to be his aim,. Which means he knows something…" This had been a different voice, and when Gloria tried to peek, she could only see a honey-blonde-haired man with a striking resemblance to Serena standing nearby, stroking his chin. "'There's something wrong with this land'. A very deliberate choice of words…Did he mean Galar, or…?"

"Y?"

The man tapped his foot on the ground, frowning as he looked at the lake. "There's a connective thread here. One I can't spot yet. We have work to do. Send Serena my love."

"Wait, Y!" Ash's words fell on deaf ears, the man with whom he was speaking offering only a nod before the familiar trio with him tossed a box. Smoke covered them, and when it had cleared, they were all gone. "What connective thread?"

"Leave it to him to figure it out, Ash," Astrid said with a huff. Her own legs finally gave out, and she leaned against Absol, her Pokémon resting on the scorched grass. Ash didn't appear to appreciate being told that, but soon sighed and gave a shrug.

Silence fell between the adults, causing Gloria to continue watching, her vision exclusively on Ash. A quiet shame and guilt bubbled up, but eventually, Gloria cleared her throat. Words were finally coming to her, and with discussion ended, she walked forward, hands behind her back. Raboot, injured as he was, nudged her along. "A-Ash…"

"Oh, Gloria. Sorry about the bumpy ride. Charizard's more a fighter than a flier." Charizard looked proud at that statement instead of insulted, folding his arms and nodding. Gloria hesitated, unsure if her words would be good enough. She opened her mouth, but Ash beat her to the punch. "But, I'm sorry. I haven't really helped you much, have I? Not in the way you needed. You wouldn't have ended up in that situation if I had."

"N-no, I'm sorry!" Gloria said, stepping closer. Marnie had caught up, Hop watching the girl with a curious expression for a moment before everyone returned to watching Ash and Gloria. "I…I said a lot of mean things back there, because I was just so frustrated and I felt like…"

"I get it," Ash said, placing his hands behind his head. "We've all been there. I guess, to me, I just thought teaching the way I always did things would be enough, but…you're not me."

"But you took out those Pokémon so fast!"

"Yeah, but that's because I just…I mean, I just believed in my Pokémon, and they trusted in me. I knew their strength, and they knew I could give the right commands. We're partners that way."

Gloria stood back, her eyes widening. It hadn't connected with her, all the moments she'd shared with him. He hadn't done some technically precise moves or commands. He hadn't been a strategic handbook.

No, the whole time he fought, it was only through his passion and bonds.

In his own way, he had been teaching her, and she had just been too stubborn to see it.

Now, however, her eyes were opened.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I didn't understand."

"And it's okay to not understand. Just like I didn't understand what you really needed." Ash put his arms down, closing the distance and holding his fist out to her. "That was my mistake. So, let's start over. What do you say, Gloria?"

She met his eyes, seeing the forgiveness he held, and in that moment, her own awe and desire to grow took precedence. She met Ash's fist with her own. "Sure thing, Ash."

Their knuckles tapped against each other briefly, but when they were done, he slung an arm around her, and as a group, they started to make their way back to Motostoke. Once they had, at the top of the stairs, Gloria paused and looked out as new conversations started amongst their group. The Wild Area had been damaged by the sudden event, and part of her forgot about training or her failures, too many questions taking residence in her brain over why it had happened.

Or, perhaps more importantly, just what had happened.

Yet when Ash called her name, waving her down with a grin, she decided that none of those questions mattered in the moment. The city was safe, she was safe, and her squabble with Ash had ended.

For now, that was good enough.

Author's Note: And so, the day is saved. A short climax, but not one we felt could extend past this chapter. There are a lot of lingering questions, of course, like what caused such a chain reaction of Dynamaxed Pokémon and why Alastair is smashing Power Spots, but the crux of this chapter is two: Butterfree and Ash and Gloria. Yes, Butterfree is the capture for Astrid in this trilogy. There's a reason.

As for Ash and Gloria, this is what we built to. This moment where Gloria finally sees the Ash Ketchum that everyone knows. Not the perfect Leon, but one hell of a trainer. The moment she realizes just where she screwed up and is willing to start over. Not because he's strong, though, but because in that moment he helped to save her, validating all of his experiences in her eyes. Ah, I could ramble on a while, but I won't. I hope you enjoyed.

Viroro: And with this, the climax of Traveling is now over. Quite more quick than prior book closures in the Ancienverse, but not without reason: while the Dynamax crisis is something Gloria and the other current main cast wasn't really capable to handle, it was absolutely something in Ash and the other veterans' ballpark, which was something we wanted to highlight especially in the wake of the previous chapter. This was the first time Gloria truly got to see Ash the hero, and you can bet it will have a significant impact on the rest of the story. That said, we still wanted to allow a lot of the cast to pitch in and help in tackling the Dynamax menace, between Alastair, Y and the former Rocket trio, and even Kabu and especially Astrid getting some moments of attention. And in regards to the latter, she ended catching her own Pokémon for this trilogy, not just a Butterfree but one capable of Gigantamaxing as well.

Overall, this incident is going to be a major turning point for the story, and I hope you enjoyed the road so far and will look forward to where it will head towards next.

Naturally, a final word of thanks before the end of this chapter, all for reviewing: XDiamondX90, FantasyLover88, RRV55, Fury, Tenzalucard123, oomoepoo, ChE clarinetist, Battlefieldfan, UltimateCCC, Ander Arias, Rajiv A. Rajaram, MythGirl Writes, potat lasaro, Captainsquid12 and Cottonmouth25!

The next chapter is the last of Traveling, and we'll make the announcement regarding the next book then. Please look forward to it, and in the meantime, Review and,

Dare to Be Silly.