Part of the way I look at this book is that it's three acts with an intermission. Through Circhester was Act 1. Last chapter and these next two are the intermission. So, let's get rolling! Chapter 10 time!
Chapter 10
A Weathering
"The Wyndon Conference is almost here!" the voice echoed, reflected on each screen strategically placed around Hammerlocke. Gloria slowed in front of Bonnie, forcing the lemon blonde to reduce the pace of her steps. Astrid was far more nonchalant about the whole deal, but kept a very shrewd eye on the television that was nearest them. "Preparations are continuing in earnest, with Chairman Rose and Champion Leon each excited for the upcoming festivities."
"It brings me great pleasure to preside over the Conference this year," Leon said, his winning grin plastered all over the screen. Bonnie frowned, and judging from the expression on Gloria's face, she wasn't all that happy about the news, either. It wasn't the same for the rest of Hammerlocke, watching with rapt fascination. "In years past, I've typically just waited to see the result and who would be competing in the Champion Cup, but this year, I'm most excited to be there in-person. This is a great chance for the region. Challengers, I invite you to bring your best and give us all…"
"A CHAMPION TIME!" the crowd around them cheered. Neither Bonnie nor Astrid saw the sense to, and despite being a Galar native, Gloria didn't join the crowd. If anything, she looked elsewhere, her thoughts drawn to something beyond Leon.
"There are assurances from the Security and Dynamax divisions of Macro Cosmos that this year's conference is intended to be both the grandest and safest yet, with the intent to roll out pre-celebrations in every major city across Galar," the news anchor said, adjusting her blonde hair with a gleaming smile. "In Motostoke, the recently established Performing School is planning on celebrating the opening of the Conference in style. You can even see a preview at the multiple exhibitions they have been running across Hammerlocke."
"Serena's certainly keeping up the act," Astrid muttered under her breath. Bonnie wanted to blanch at the thought, but it had nothing on Gloria's tightened face, Cinderace looking at her with worry. "She knows about Rose, so she's definitely playing a part…"
"What's that gonna do?" Bonnie asked, but she didn't receive an answer. Instead, she looked up to the sight of the power plant. Dedenne ran up her shoulder, sharing a look with his trainer as they remembered their previous excursion into it, and continued to wonder what secrets that place could hold.
As if sensing the plot forming in her mind, the man whose secrets she wanted to unlock appeared on the screen, dressed as finely as ever and sporting a grin wider than Leon's. "The Wyndon Conference being less than two weeks away means that this year's Gym Challenge is set to come to a close all too soon! However, we've no intention of leaving it anything less than momentous. To that end, I am very proud to announce the attendance of not only our own Champion, but six others, as well! That's right! Champions from Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos and Alola will all be in attendance! This is sure to be the most extravagant Wyndon Conference yet, and I hope you'll all stayed glued to your screens!"
"So…Ash managed to actually do it…" Astrid said, shaking her head. The screen shifted to some other babble, including an interview with the head of Macro Cosmos Security, speaking of their measures for the Conference. "All of the Champions in Wyndon. They must be taking Rose seriously as a threat."
"Rose…" Gloria said, clenching her fist. Bonnie didn't need to be a mind-reader or have any connection to the girl to know what was on her mind. It was written all over her face, the way she had been used in the chairman's game to get to the top. "Wonder what he's really up to…"
"Well, whatever it is, he's keeping it close until the Conference."
"Mm…yeah," Gloria said, nodding. Her eyes traveled to a distant spot in Hammerlocke, her thoughts now concealed to Bonnie. "Guess there's not much to be done until then. Other than winning my match against Raihan, of course."
"Speaking of…" Bonnie said, pointing to the screen, which was now showing a number of faces, a mere twenty.
"With the League soon approaching, the deadline for qualifying is also coming close. Twenty competitors have managed to attain eight badges in order to battle in the League, with some managing to score two badges from Circhester or Stow-on-Side, an order passed by Chairman Rose to alleviate Spikemuth after the recent incident." The reporter's face briefly appeared, pointing out all of those that had qualified, the ones Gloria was soon to face in the Conference. She didn't look particularly worried about them by Bonnie's observations.
"Only twenty… That's a steep number. You sure you can handle it?" Astrid asked of Gloria. She and Cinderace bumped fists.
"No problem. Raihan is known as a tough roadblock for trainers, so I'm not surprised by the low number. But I'll make it!" Gloria pumped her fists, Cinderace mimicking her in both determination and action. They took their own quick glance at the screen. "Oh, looks like he's already battling today, though…and it's Marnie!"
"Cindah!" The two inched a little closer to the screen, watching as Marnie's Morpeko and a much larger Pokémon that the commentators called a Grimmsnarl faced off against some other Pokémon. Exciting as it was to view the match, the reporter soon cut away, leaving Gloria more fired up than ever.
"All right! We have a whole day to get ready! Cinderace, let's go!" Hitching her bag on her shoulders, Gloria tore off into Hammerlocke. Bonnie raised her voice.
"Hey, where are you going?!"
"It's a secret! Catch ya later!" Astrid couldn't help but laugh as Gloria went tearing off, more than a few citizens noticing the brunette as a Gym Challenger. Many more however, were eager to talk about the upcoming League with full excitement.
"Gloria never cools down, does she?" Astrid managed to say, starting their forward movement again towards the Pokémon Center. Bonnie tagged behind, but couldn't take her eyes off the power plant, even as she continued to converse.
"I guess. You still worried about her? She always tends to run off on her own when she has something on her mind," Bonnie said, putting her hands behind her head. The chattering of the crowd around them started to get to her, making it more difficult to listen to Astrid over the racket they were making about the League and all of the "cool, upcoming Gym battles".
"Usually, I would, but I think Gloria's past that. The only answer she's looking for now is what part she plays in all of this. I would wonder, too, being kept out of it for that long, but she's completely focused on winning. Everything else…well, we'll just have to trust her with," Astrid said, pulling to a stop. She winked at Bonnie, causing the younger girl to throw her hands behind her head and grin. "We're only going to get ahead of this by working together. I think Ash knows that, and Serena definitely does. I'm going to trust in Gloria. How about you?"
"For sure!" Bonnie's words of agreement sat right with Astrid, the woman continuing to make strides for the Center. Bonnie would have followed, but she still couldn't scratch that itch; that need to know just what was underneath Hammerlocke that Rose and his assistant were protecting so eagerly. "Hey, you go on, Astrid. I'll, uh…I'll catch up."
"Uh-huh…" Astrid said, slowing long enough to give her a look of doubt. Bonnie tried to assuage her doubt with a grin, but that made Astrid furrow her brow further. "Don't get in trouble."
"Me? Never!" Astrid was hardly convinced, but waved the issue off, completing her journey. Now left alone, Bonnie faced the Gym and power plant, the cheers rising from the former. There was no greater time than now. Dedenne and Squishy poked their head out, the former excited and the latter looking resigned. "Secret Agent Bonnie Time part two!"
"Dene!" The pair flitted their eyes, looking for anyone who would notice them. Once confirmed they were in the clear, they dashed for the drawbridge. Not that they could go fast. Many people were in the area, watching the screens outside the stadium in awe as Marnie continued her fierce battle with the Gym Leader. Others were split off to the sides, Gym Challengers no doubt planning to make a name for themselves in the hopes of taking down Raihan. Bonnie wasn't sure that any of them had the chops to make it, not with some of their nerves getting the better of them, or some paying more attention to Marnie's skill than their own.
"This year's Challenger crop is looking more skilled than ever!" a pair of middle-aged women could be heard discussing, the closer Bonnie came to the drawbridge. "Think any of them can take down Leon?"
"Ain't no one who can take down Leon, Miriam! Not a challenger, or a Gym Leader. Heck, I doubt even Chairman Rose could take 'im down in his prime!"
"Oh, Rose was so handsome back then, wasn't he, Frank? Now he's really putting his all in for Galar," a third woman said, clearly looking enamored over the idea of Rose in his youth. Bonnie wanted to vomit over the mere thought. "He's really raising the stock this year, too. All them foreign Champions! Galar will be a top region after this, mark my words!"
Yeah, not that way if we can help it…Bonnie thought, her savage snarl causing the trio to watch her walk by. She didn't voice any of it, but it took all of her control to not burst out at the thought of it. Seeing all the Challengers working so hard merely doubled that thought, bringing her back to Gloria, and how willing the Chairman was to control her dream and manipulate it to his own ends. I just wish we knew what he had planned…
"Well, time to find out!"
"Bonnie has a bad idea again," Rotom said in warning, but Bonnie just hit the Pokédex to shut it up.
"Bonnie has a great idea," she whispered excitedly in defiance, running the rest of the distance into the stadium lobby. It was just as packed as the outside, those unable to get tickets for the stadium trying to crowd and get a peek at the battlefield deeper in. Not that Bonnie cared, especially if it wasn't Gloria heading into the fight. She was more concerned with the lone door, and the lone guard that stood outside it. Ignoring everyone there, including those coming in and out of the bathroom that she nearly knocked into, Bonnie came just close enough to get a good glimpse while still being hidden. A mad grin crossed her face and she bent down, taking Dedenne in hand. "Okay, Dedenne, you're up."
"Is that really a smart idea right now, Bonnie?" The sudden voice caused Bonnie to jump, sending Dedenne sky high. She fell back on her butt, and tilted her head back to find a very familiar and very bespectacled face in front of her. "Honestly, Bonnie, what were you thinking? Getting into trouble by accessing restricted areas and making more problems for Ash and the rest of us?"
"Clemont, you're here!" Bonnie shouted, turning some heads. She didn't care about them or her brother's babble, quickly springing to her feet and throwing her arms around him. He tried to remove her to little success until she did so herself. "Wait…why are you here? You're not dragging me back to Lumiose are you? Dedenne, Squishy and I are free spirits who won't be tied down without good reason!"
"Brblbl." Clemont looked to Squishy, who had made the noise, and sighed, adjusting the glasses by their bridge.
"I'm here to study Macro Cosmos's power structure…for as much as they allow me to see it," Clemont said. He was glowering at the same door she had hoped to infiltrate, clearly already familiar with it. The way he had said it, too, brought no good feelings, either.
"Then you haven't seen it?"
"Hm? Oh, you mean the cocoon Ash mentioned? No, I don't think they'll let me anywhere near it." That made Bonnie kick at the ground, her mind still whirling towards how she could break in to discover more. "I know that look, Bonnie, and don't you dare think it. No more running off and getting caught."
"When did you invent a mind reading device?"
"Last spring, I think, but it didn't work when I tried to read Clembot, so…"
Bonnie sighed at her brother missing the point, she and Dedenne shaking their heads. "Either way, we have to do something. None of us are kids anymore so-"
"That doesn't mean there aren't ways we can help," Clemont said, throwing a hand atop her head with a smile. It made her brother look so mature, and helped to quell the queasiness of whatever was beneath their feet. "You've already found some key info, so all I need to do is put my current research into their more complex power structure together with what you found. I'm sure we can arrive at an answer. Rotom can even help."
"At last, someone recognizes Rotom's greatness."
"Yeah, it's the only thing you're good for," Bonnie snapped at the Pokédex, but handed it over to Clemont nonetheless. Her plans foiled, Bonnie turned on her heel, sighing and walking away. Her brother was quick to follow. "How long do you plan on staying around for?"
"Through the Conference. There's a greater need for me here, after all. I look forward to meeting this Gloria you guys have talked about so much. I'm pretty sure he's looking forward to this battle, too."
"Yeah, wait until you see her! Gloria's great! She's gonna nab that eighth badge tomorrow!" Bonnie chattered on. Her brother beginning to talk with her again served as a balm to her worries, pushing aside all thoughts of the cocoon and Macro Cosmos. Like Gloria, Bonnie faced the immediate future with a smile, ready to cheer for all she was worth.
"Okay, everyone, great job, today! Tim, make sure you work on your steps with Sawk, and Liv, I think you'd be better with a Petal Blizzard, but go lighter." Gloria quickened her steps at the familiar voice, the smile stretching her face wider. Her steps quickened and she dashed across more of Hammerlocke to reach the grassy park she had been aiming for all along. Looking forward, Gloria could see the Performers of the school all gathered and packing up their things for the day, a long and strenuous training done. Some citizens of Hammerlocke were busy watching, or otherwise leaving, themselves. At the very least, it looked to have been a very fruitful day.
"Serena!" Gloria shouted, waving at the honey blonde when she turned. To her surprise, Serena was even bigger than a couple weeks ago, the birth of her and Ash's child clearly imminent. Yet none of it stopped the brilliant smile from coming to her face when she saw Gloria and Cinderace running at her.
"Wampa!" Yamper's sudden bark brought them to a near halt, the dog running past Serena and jumping into Cinderace's arms. He licked his face, which gave enough time for Gloria to reach Serena and catch her breath.
"I'm surprised you're here so soon, Gloria…and with an evolved Pokémon, no less!" Cinderace dropped Yamper lightly, moving in to give a hug to the pregnant woman. He was careful to not hurt her, and Serena soon returned the hug to Gloria. "Is this Raboot?"
"Cindace!"
"Sure is!" Gloria proudly proclaimed. Some people in the park were whispering, pointing her out as the Challenger that had succeeded at Circhester's Gym. The thought made her more than a little embarrassed, something that Serena took notice of. She tapped Gloria on the back, starting them on a walk back in the direction they had come from. "My whole entire team is evolved now! Wait till you see 'em in action!"
"I can't wait. You'll be challenging Raihan, right? There seem to be a lot of trainers doing that these days. Not many succeed, it seems." Gloria nodded, keeping the thought in her mind while her hand found Serena's back, supporting the pregnant woman down the road. Many gave her a wide berth, respecting her state and what seemed to be her status. It amazed Gloria in a sense, something that the woman elaborated on. "Our Performance was very popular, so we've been giving smaller ones every day. It's made the school a bit of a staple in Hammerlocke, enough that Heather wants me to set up a satellite location. Once the baby is born of course."
"Of course! Don't want a pregnant woman to tip over!" Gloria insisted, nodding strongly. Serena giggled over the fact, but both of their eyes soon found the nearest screen, watching as Marnie's Morpeko landed a powerful blow, the battle close to ending. "Not a lot of Challengers left to make it, huh? I'm not sure if that should make me excited or scared to face Raihan."
"I'm sure you already have the answer to that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have looked for me." Serena's words rang true, though Gloria had no response to give for them. The woman didn't mind that, giving labored breaths despite the support, but never losing her smile. "It seems to me you found your path forward."
"Yeah…wasn't easy, though." Gloria stopped a moment, allowing Cinderace to support Serena as she turned to her. Many passed by them, but very few paid attention, too interested in the ending of the match on the screen. Morpeko and Grimmsnarl were exhausted, but victorious, a sign of the wringer Raihan had put Marnie through. Gloria steeled herself. "Serena, I wanted to see you because…I don't want to fall that low ever again and be unable to pick myself up. I did a lot of thinking, about who I wanted to be, the kind of Champion I think I should be, or the kind of legacy I'm inheriting under your and Ash's tutelage."
"Gloria, you don't need to-"
"I don't know all the answers, though. And, while I still want to live up to everything you both and Astrid taught me, I want to do it my way. Be a trainer who stands on her own two feet." Gloria whipped around, grabbing Serena's hands in her own. "That way, I know I can stand as a testament to everything around me, by being me. I want you to watch that battle with Raihan tomorrow and see it for yourself. If you can."
Serena pursed her lips a moment, and then removed one hand from Gloria's grip to cup her cheek. "Of course I will. I know Ash will be watching, as well. No one can wait to see the kind of trainer you are. Though…to do that, you need to register, don't you?"
"Ah, crap! Cinderace, we gotta hurry! No doubt they'll all be lining up to battle Raihan!" Cinderace nodded, both trainer and Pokémon about to race off before they paused mid-stride, the only thing more awkward looking being the trio dressed in unflattering trench coats, passing by. "Oh, sorry, we can help you to the Pokémon Center if you-"
"Go ahead, Gloria. We'll catch up. Wouldn't want you to miss registration." She gave a rather knowing wink, and called Braixen out to help move her along. Gloria nodded her gratitude, watching only enough for Serena to face the conspicuous trio. They didn't matter; not to the Gym battle, at least. With speed in her steps, Gloria raced for the stadium, Cinderace much faster than her, even as they reached the glutted crowd filing out of it, nattering about the battle well-seized.
Just wait for tomorrow! Gloria declared internally, continuing to push past the crowd until she reached the stadium's lobby, empty of all fellow Challengers. She approached the uniformed trainer at the desk. "I want to register for a battle tomorrow!"
"Well, that's a relief…and here I thought no one else was wanting to battle him. Most are going for the dual badges in Circhester or Stow-on-Side. Name?" Surprised at the information, Gloria blinked, but handed over her Rotom Phone, the information logging itself in and registering her in the spot for the battle. "Good luck, Challenger."
"Thanks," Gloria said, tapping the desk and turning away towards the door to the changing room. It opened exactly at that moment, Marnie and a panting Morpeko emerging. "Marnie, congrats!"
"Ah, Gloria!" The two girls ran for each other, joining hands and sharing their smile. Morpeko perked up, hopping over to Cinderace and crawling all over his body in surprise at how large he had gotten. "I saw parts of yer match in Circhester. Yer team got real strong."
"Hee hee, you, too." Gloria rubbed at her nose, projecting the confidence for tomorrow that she could feel swelling up. "You sticking around or-"
"Nope," Marnie said. Her blunt response was followed by an equally blunt step away, making tracks to leave the stadium behind. "I got some trainin' to do on Route 10. Can't let this win dull me. After all…I still plan to become Champion by beatin' you in Wyndon."
Marnie's smirk communicated all, and Gloria found her lips stretched wide. "You're on."
There were no more words for the rivals, just the implicit promise that Gloria would win her badge the next day. That was enough for Gloria to follow Marnie out of the stadium, the two splitting their separate ways: one to a sea of reporters, and the other back to the Pokémon Center where Astrid awaited them. Serena joined soon after, but by then, the sun was starting to sink on Hammerlocke, and the group feasted on a hearty dinner, ready for the next day.
Sleep soon took them, too, an early night that Bonnie had returned sometime in the middle of. She was still bickering with her Pokédex the next morning.
"No, you're not helpful to me when you're like this. Why didn't you just stay with him if you wanted to flaunt that kind of attitude?"
"Because Bonnie is helpless without Rotom, of course."
"You're just a computer program! Gloria, back me up!"
"Can't talk! Prepping hard." Bonnie was flabbergasted at the response, no doubt, but Gloria didn't stop shoveling her food in, even accepting a surreptitiously shoved plate from Astrid. Her team was no different, fueling themselves up with specially made Pokémon food, courtesy of Serena and, as Gloria caught through snippets, Bonnie's brother. She was grateful, either way, pumped with energy and dashing straight out the door towards the stadium.
It loomed higher than ever before, the tower casting a shadow in the light of dawn, but Gloria wasn't intimidated. The size of the crowd going to the stadium, eager for another match with Raihan, didn't intimidate her, either. She puffed her chest.
"Go get 'em, hot stuff," Astrid said, patting her on the back. Bonnie offered a thumbs up and a wink, too, while Serena smiled softly. She had everyone supporting her.
"All right, team! Let's go get that win!" Her team cheered with her, charging forward into the stadium until they reached the changing room. Once changed, however, they each returned to their balls, ready for the call towards the ultimate Gym battle.
Said call chimed out sooner than expected, but Gloria stepped into the tunnel, full of determination. That didn't waver when she began to emerge on the field, where the sounds and lights reached a whole new level. Raihan's popularity as a battler was clear, even without him present, and the commentators made that ever more crystalline.
"It's a bright and shiny day in Hammerlocke, and the stands are packed!"
"The crowd's anticipation swells high, and that can only mean one thing in our castle town, lads and lasses! I'm Perry."
"And I'm Gerry, co-host for today's exciting Gym battle!" The crowd roared with approval, no distinction among the masses that Gloria could see. The pair of commentators above certainly didn't let it deter them either, continuing their announcements as a Rotom Drone swooped on to the field. "That's right, ladies and gents, we've reached the end of the Gym Challenge, another match against the esteemed Raihan! He's the toughest of the lot, scales as strong as armor!"
"Fangs as piercing as a sword!" Perry pitched in. "Many have tried, many have failed. How will our challenger succeed today? Will she slay the dragon or be left on the ash heap? Let's find out. Here she is, our drama-stirring, comeback-giving spitfire of a challenger! It's Gloria!"
Gloria was surprised by the cheers that were issued from that, walking on the field and waving at everyone in the crowd. Feeling right, Gloria pumped her fist into the sky, something the audience ate up without delay. The girl tried to find her supporters, but in the sea of faces, it was made impossible to do so.
That was rendered null seconds later, anyway.
"And the one she'll be facing is none other than Leon's greatest rival! The master of dragons, it's the one and only RAIHAN!" The explosive volume of the crowd dwarfed Gloria's appearance, and she looked across to see the familiar Gym Leader come walking in. It was effortless for him, gesturing to the crowd, snapping a selfie here and there with his wide, pointed grin. That fell away as he reached the center.
"Made it after all, eh?" Gloria reached out, shaking Raihan's hand. His grip was tight. "Been following your battles real closely, especially with how you challenged me before."
"Then you'll know I intend to win."
"Everyone does," Raihan said, cracking a smirk in her direction. "Not everyone gets what they want. This'll be the toughest Gym battle you've ever had."
"Of course, it will," Gloria said. She retracted her hand and began to crack her knuckles. "So, let's get on with it."
"Hah, I like your style. Ref, read 'em off!" The two combatants turned away, striding to opposite sides of the field as the referee stepped forward. Everyone grew quiet, allowing Gloria to listen to the rules.
"This is a Gym battle between Challenger Gloria and Gym Leader Raihan," he called, echoing over the entire stadium. "This will be a battle fought in three sets of double battles, with no substitutions allowed. The Challenger must win two of these three battles in order to obtain the Dragon Badge."
Marathon battle, then…Gloria breathed in, planting herself firmly in her spot. She didn't know what Raihan would do, but she was beginning to understand why so few wanted to even attempt to challenge him for his badge. She didn't let it frighten her. I chose this path, and we'll all see it through to the end.
"Begin!"
"Corviknight, Drednaw, time for battle!"
"Scorch the skies, Turtonator and Torkoal!" All four Poké Balls exploded with blazing light, the crowd driven to peak intensity. It wasn't the only thing, either. The second Torkoal hit the field, the sun seemed to brighten considerably, forming sweltering heat on Gloria's skin. They were already at a marked disadvantage.
Swallowing thickly, Gloria stared across to the pair of turtles, and then down to her own. This wasn't going to be like the battle with Kabu. Torkoal was serving a very different role here, and she knew she had to be careful. But not too careful…Let's get into it.
"Drednaw, Liquidation on Turtonator!" she shouted, holding her arm out. Drednaw roared, water coating her horn and feet. She stampeded forward, straight for the larger of the two turtles opposite her.
"Hah. Shell Trap!" Raihan said with a grin. His Rotom Phone zipped by him, snapping shots of the battle. Turtonator hunkered down, his large shell firing up, but Drednaw wasn't about to stop. Gloria turned to Corviknight. "And Solarbeam!"
"Torkoaaaal!" From the other side, Torkoal opened its mouth, summoning a bright light. It took no time to charge under the bright sun, and fired straight for the charging Drednaw. Gloria planted her feet.
"Corviknight, get her out of the way!" Gloria shouted. Corviknight dove, his speed as evident as ever, claws extended. Just as the Solarbeam was set to make contact, Corviknight's talons gripped the shell on Drednaw's back and lifted her out of range. The beam struck the ground, peppering a small hole into it, but the duo had otherwise escaped harm.
Not that Raihan would leave it for long, grinning. "Heat Wave!"
"Drop and take to the sky! Drednaw, use Liquidation on your whole body!" Gloria shouted. She could feel the sweat on her brow, from both the sun and the fact that Raihan wasn't giving even a single moment to breathe.
"Corna!" Corviknight let go of Drednaw, and her trusty turtle summoned her Liquidation back, this time covering her whole body in the water. It was weaker than hoped, thanks to the sun, but provided her enough protection as Turtonator turned. From his mouth billowed a wave of fire that swept across the arena. Gloria shielded her eyes, the heat blistering at her skin as the horizontal blast of heat swept across the ground. Drednaw shuddered under it, but held fast, while Corviknight climbed, free from harm and ready for the attack.
"Steel Beam!"
"Dragon Pulse, get it!" Raihan's fangs glistened as he gave the order. Corviknight pulled back, his wings shining and coalescing into the steely laser that shot from his body. He dropped slightly in height, but it didn't prove detrimental. His attack flashed through the air, colliding with the draconic beam fired from Turtonator. They exploded in midair, straining against each other to see which could manage to win out first. Of course, Gloria looked to Drednaw, Raihan refusing to let up. "Weather Ball!"
"Rock Slide!" Gloria punched at the air, her eyes narrowing with their fierce expression.
"Naw!" Drednaw shouted. Torkoal began to rear back, but Raihan's eyes flashed, putting Gloria on the defensive. Drednaw fired, rocks appearing in midair and slamming down on the battlefield to aim for Torkoal.
"Gyro Ball!" The crowd gave a cheer, and Torkoal spun rapidly. It began to move, shaking off one of the rocks hitting its head and smashing through the rest to build up a great amount of speed. Once it managed to break on the other side, Raihan continued. "Weather Ball on Corviknight, then Solarbeam on Drednaw!"
"Koaaal!" Torkoal's flaming ball of energy was formed, and it spun out of its previous attack to fire. Corviknight couldn't pull away in time, still locked in its contest. The Weather Ball struck home, throwing him off, while Dragon Pulse broke through to snap its jaws upon him. Torkoal turned around, opening its mouth and firing the Solarbeam.
"Take it!"
"Heat Wave!" The grin was starting to be infuriating. Above, Gloria could hear Gerry and Perry lauding Raihan's great combo moves, making Gloria only grit her teeth. It was getting almost impossible to gain momentum.
Both of Raihan's attacks came out at once. The beam struck upon Drednaw, though she held her ground with as much strength as she could, while the blistering wave shuddered out. Drednaw took the brunt of it, but Corviknight was struck, too, causing him to fly back. He looked to his partner, both already damaged enough, but showing just as much grit as she'd come to expect from both of them.
"Time for a counterattack! Air Slash, break it up! Cover for Drednaw using Liquidation!"
"Our challenger is on the move! Will she succeed?" Gerry shouted. Gloria didn't care for their analysis, focusing only on the battle. Overhead, the sun seemed to lessen in its intensity, a surer sign than any that Gloria had chosen the right time to attack.
Corviknight flapped backwards, creating the large orb of air. He flung it, the Air Slash breaking up into ribbons of wind. They collided upon both Turtonator and Torkoal, the pair flinching long enough for Drednaw to come racing in, covered in her water. She rammed forth for Turtonator.
"Shell Trap!" The call was quick, and the action quicker. Just as Drednaw made contact, Turtonator's back glowed red-hot. Drednaw crashed into Turtonator, straining for all of a second, causing damage to the Blast Turtle Pokémon. It was rather pyrrhic, though, as the shell exploded, sending Drednaw flying off. "Gyro Ball!"
"Raihan won't let this lass catch a break! How can our plucky challenger turn it around?!" Torkoal spun, shooting off and nailing Drednaw in her underside. It grated against her, even as they landed back on the field, the grating sound causing a horrible reaction throughout the stadium.
"Jaw Lock!" Drednaw shouted, extending her neck and clamping down on Torkoal. It reduced the rotations of the spinning, black and orange sparks firing everywhere. Torkoal slowed, just enough for Drednaw to spin her head with a quick Liquidation. They separated.
"Dragon Pulse!"
"Counter it with Steel Wing!" Turtonator reared back, and fired the undulating dragon that aimed for Corviknight. He flashed a wing out, flying forth with the steely blade and cutting deep into the Dragon Pulse, sailing right for Turtonator.
It left Drednaw completely exposed, enough for the swift-acting Raihan to make a move.
"Yawn! Let's knock 'em out!"
"Tooor!" Torkoal breathed out. Gloria bit her lip, but knew that Drednaw could never move in time, not as the pink cloud belching from Torkoal's mouth wafted across the battlefield. Corviknight avoided it, slashing at Turtonator and pulling upwards, but Drednaw was hit, her eyes growing weary, and her stance wobbly.
"Combo time! Solarbeam! Dragon Pulse! Take that shot, Rotom!" Raihan grinned, making multiple poses as his phone snapped various shots. Both Turtonator and Torkoal rounded on Drednaw and fired their pair of beam attacks. They mixed and mingled, becoming a brutish purple that seared across the drowsy Drednaw, who soon closed her eyes to oblivion, body slumping.
He's relentless…and keeping track of both is difficult as it is…Gloria tightened her fist. She needed a way out of it, but her mind couldn't work as fast as Raihan's usual style. She breathed in. They needed to stall, and Torkoal was quickly becoming the much bigger threat. "Steel Beam on Torkoal!"
"Heat Wave!" Gloria wanted to curse loudly. With Drednaw asleep, there was no chance of Corviknight being so successful in getting both. Thankfully, Corviknight was high enough for the Heat Wave to fail to reach, and he gathered his energies, sending the cutting beam straight into Torkoal's body and driving it back just long enough for the bird to get some air above the climbing heat. Drednaw was starting to slump further, her energies nearly wearing thin.
Above them, the sun dwindled, turning back to its usual brightness. It was a one spot of relief.
"Not for long. Sunny Day!"
"Turta!" Gloria felt her throat dry, her entire body shaking as Turtonator faced upward and fired a blazing orb. It soared right for the sun, bursting upon it and sending the sweltering heat back over them once again, much to the crowd's enjoyment. Raihan grinned across to her, asking her silently how she would stop it.
"There it is, folks! Raihan, master of the double battle! Master of the weather!"
"How will our spunky lass get herself out of this pickle?!"
Double battles…weather… I can't control that one, but if there are two of us…Gloria grinned. It was time for a little risk. "Corviknight, do what you do best! Pick on Drednaw with a Steel Beam!"
"Say what now?" Raihan asked, and the crowd laughed at his reaction. Or perhaps they laughed at what would be seen as an insane move.
It didn't stop Corviknight, the leering grin crossing the raven's beak. He floated up, facing his comrade and bringing all of that silvery energy to bear. His body coasted along the stadium, making sure he wouldn't be hit, but he was too fast for Raihan to call a move, firing the lustrous beam right at his partner, and slamming straight through her.
Drednaw was tossed high, leaving a hole behind where she had once been, and the crowd laughed. Not for long, though, as Drednaw's eyes snapped open.
"Glad you're back with us! Liquidation!"
"Oh, not today! That Drednaw's tired, so take it down with Gyro Ball!" Gloria grinned at Raihan's command. Even as Torkoal bounced forward, spinning with rapid rotations and shooting for Drednaw, she kept the grin. Drednaw kept plummeting, the razor of water extending from her horn.
"Air Slash! Knock it down!" Gloria cried, punching both fists through the air. Corviknight swooped in, earning a rather miffed look from his partner, and formed the orb of air. He flung it. The Air Slash collided with Torkoal's body, causing the rotations to slow just a little. More importantly, it changed his trajectory, tossing him into the hole left behind. "Now nail it with Liquidation!"
"Dragon Pulse!" Raihan's cry was a little too late. Corviknight took off, his speed bringing him out of the way of the flurry of draconic beams, while Drednaw slipped past entirely. Torkoal, meanwhile, was entirely stuck.
"Drednaw!" the turtle roared, and she slashed right into the ground, her elongated horn of water gouging the floor and cutting straight into Torkoal's underbelly. It cried out, but soon, Raihan's Pokémon was flung out of the hole. It spun through the air, and then landed with a thud, swirls in its eyes. Drednaw slammed down on the ground, and turned to face Raihan's remaining Pokémon of the match.
In spite of the loss of his Pokémon, Raihan never broke the grin. "Heat Wave!"
"Air Slash!" Gloria slammed her fist into her palm. Turtonator aimed upwards, pumping out the searing wave for Corviknight. He responded in kind, flinging an Air Slash for the turtle's head, only to have it broken apart. "Rock Slide!"
"Dred." Drednaw stomped, and the rocks formed between Corviknight and Turtonator, breaking down and providing enough of a barrier for Corviknight to get away from the fire that blasted through the stones.
"Now's the chance to attack! Liquidation, Steel Beam, let's go!"
"Forgot about one thing, Gloria," Raihan said, wagging his finger. The crowd gasped at the same time Gloria recognized her folly. Expending his energy, Corviknight fired the beam while Drednaw made the smash through Turtonator. The turtle was waiting for them. "Shell Trap!"
"Turta!" Turtonator's back lit itself on fire, glowing red, and the second both attacks made contact, damaging Raihan's Dragon type, the shell exploded. Drednaw was thrown back, caught by Corviknight's talons to prevent them from losing any momentum.
"Then we'll attack from a distance! Rock Slide!"
"Won't make a difference!" Raihan said. He snapped, just as Rotom snapped another picture. Drednaw roared, creating the rocks above Turtonator's head and sending them raining down. They struck the shell, which soon exploded and sent many pieces of stone raining out. Gloria kicked out, refusing to give up.
"Body Slam, straight through!" Drednaw charged once again, her hurtling body deflecting all of the stones that sought to wear her down. She collided with Turtonator and drove it back, the Fire and Dragon type crying out, looking exhausted. Shell Trap didn't activate. "That's how we can…"
"Dragon Pulse on Drednaw! She's the real threat!"
"Air Slash! Deflect it, and Drednaw, charge right in with Liquidation!" Let this work…
Corviknight spun sending the orb to meet the Dragon Pulse head on. The two attacks met, their power equal, and they exploded, allowing Drednaw the opportunity to coat herself in water. She made the final charge for Turtonator. It turned, firing up its shell in preparation for the incoming attack. Gloria looked up to her bird and then to Drednaw. He nodded, understanding.
"Corviknight, Drill Peck!"
"Well, this is certainly a bold move! What is our challenger planning?!" Corviknight dove, spinning with his beak first. He surpassed Drednaw's speed without issue, striking upon Turtonator before the Liquidation could hit.
There was a pause, everything slowing down for just a second in Gloria's eyes.
Then, Turtonator's shell exploded, sending Corviknight flying back, his body smoking as he did so. There was no chance for Corviknight to walk away from that. He slammed and skidded across the floor, out of commission.
But Drednaw was still running.
"Punch it! Liquidation!"
"DREDNAW!" Drednaw finished her charge, ramming into the brittle shell of Turtonator that remained, cracking it and slashing with all of her limbs as she charged through to the other side. Water exploded around Turtonator's figure, causing its body to go rigid. Her job complete, Drednaw came to a stop and looked back, just in time to see Turtonator's body drop, slamming on the ground with its dazed expression.
"Turtonator and Torkoal are unable to battle! The winner of the first round is Gloria!"
"And she's done it, gents!" Gerry shouted, trying to overpower the excited crowd. Gloria let out a breath, some of the tension relieved from her body. Drednaw looked relieved, too, though the spark of pride didn't diminish for a second. She stomped forward, approaching her partner and lifting him up on her back, where he stirred. They basked in the victory. "One down for the challenger, which means if she wins the next matchup, the badge will be hers! This is the way an ace challenger fights!"
"Have to admit, I didn't expect you to win the first round. Most trainers don't." Raihan's words made Gloria look up from her Pokémon as they approached her. She patted them both, eyes locked on the Gym Leader across the way, returning his pair of Pokémon and preparing his next. "Difficult start, but you kept a cool head in the heat."
"Yeah, well, we've been through more troubles than we can count. Helped us become a team, and to know how to act. Right, guys?" Drednaw and Corviknight nodded, nuzzling against their trainer. She laughed. "Yeah, I know. You did your job. Leave the rest to me and the others."
Gloria returned them with all speed, grabbing her next pair. In spite of the win, Gloria refused to let herself grow complacent. This was already going to be tough enough, if Raihan's wicked grin was anything to go by. When he opened his mouth, it just confirmed it. "Good to know you're not expecting an easy win, though! Let's make it rain, Seismitoad, Goodra!"
"Your turn, Flapple and Toxtricity!"
"And the second round is ready to start, lads! Will Gloria overcome the tide for victory?"
"Or is Raihan going to wash her out?"
"Let's find out, yeah? Seismitoad, Rain Dance!" Raihan's grin sent chills down Gloria's spine, made all the more real as the sky clouded over, becoming dark and crackling with thunder. The rain was unleashed on the battlefield, soaking all four of the Pokémon and both of the trainers. Raihan looked at home, while Gloria swept her quickly drenched hair out of her eyes. It was just in time, too. "Goodra, Thunder."
"Gooooo!" The electricity hummed through the stadium, the clouds overhead yet more stormy. Gloria's whole body tingled, and then her breath hitched.
A peal of thunder sounded as with a blinding flash. The horrific strike of electricity seared out from the clouds and engulfed Flapple's entire body.
Raihan was far from finished.
Author's Note: And so, the battle against Raihan begins! This is all a pretty complex affair, of course, given there are a minimum two double battles at hand. They can be tricky even at the best of times, but given this is the final Gym, we wanted to make it feel like a final Gym. A simple double battle like the anime usually does wouldn't do the trick. But it would also be weird to treat it like the games with tossing out a new Pokémon. Rounds, we decided, were the best way to handle it.
Of course, we also have some familiar faces returning to the story, so there's some excitement there, but right now we're fully focused on this Raihan battle! Hope you enjoyed!
Viroro: And with this, Gloria is finally back in Hammerlocke, and already halfway into her final Gym match! A best two out of three format is most unusual, but it was the best way me and Epicocity could think of to give everyone clear focus while giving Raihan his signature focus on both double battles and weather.
Of course, the battle isn't the only point of interest, with our first meeting with Clemont on Galarian ground and a reunion with Marnie ahead of the upcoming League. These are only some of the moving parts we're setting up for the near future, but we hope you're interested for where the story is heading.
Next chapter, the battle between Gloria and Raihan will reach its climax, and we hope you'll be looking forward to what's to come!
Now, a time for thanks, all for reviews yet again: MythGirl Writes, AmourshippingCanon, Fury, Tenzalucard123, Purim Popoie, FantasyLover88, ChE clarinetist, UltimateCCC, potat lasaro, RRV55, Ander Arias, Rajiv A. Rajaram, TheAuraLucarioGamer, StacheKing, aliensinnog, XDiamondX90 and Captainsquid12.
The battle continues next time, so please be excited. Until then, please Review and,
Dare to Be Silly.