We originally wanted our cover for this chapter. Unfortunately, as it's not going to be happening, I ask you to be a bit more patient. Instead, let's get right into Chapter 12!
Chapter 12
A Conference
"You're late."
Oleana didn't excuse her own coldness, nor her harsh tones. She barely even looked up from her desk at the entry to the room. When she did, she caught a glimpse of the ratted, pink jacket and the pair of Pokémon at the boy's side. He looked like he could have been better, though Oleana didn't quite care. He didn't, either, shoving off the man that had escorted him.
"Not my fault. Blame your henchman. He couldn't be bothered to fetch me from the training room on time." Bede patted down his jacket, trying to smooth its folds rather unsuccessfully. It was almost nauseating, but Oleana didn't lose her cool. There was no need to when Rose's ambition was so close at hand. At least, she felt, for now she'd be able to run diversions.
"Have you seen the qualifiers?" A couple taps, and the holographic screen popped up, showing thirty-two faces on the board, each those of a Gym Challenger that had made it to the esteemed Wyndon Conference. Bede's nose wrinkled, and while the Hatterene at his side showed no emotion over it, his Mawile glanced up in worry.
"Why should I care about a bunch of nobodies?" He had said it, but Oleana noticed his eyes were looking elsewhere. It caused her lips to purse. "Tell me, what was the plan with the-"
"Bede, we agreed to protect you from arrest for your hand in the incident on the understanding you wouldn't ask questions." Oleana stood, her eyelids closing even further as she approached the confused young boy. Her hand found his shoulder, a smirk coming to her face in an attempt to seem comforting. "You know full well that everything about that mission was for the good of Galar."
"But Spikemuth. And Circhester…"
"Don't have doubts now," Oleana added, reaching up to ruffle his hair. He slapped her away, his lips twitching, and she gave a sigh. He was becoming more impossible by the day, his time in the training room focusing on nothing but that stupid girl and her friends. "In fact, with the Wyndon Conference beginning tomorrow, I'd loathe for you to start doubting your place in all this. After all, Chairman Rose has a very special mission for you. One of redemption."
"That's what you said about the last one. All I got was a swollen lip for my trouble." Bede's defiance didn't sit well with her, the woman making a rather loud "tch" that attracted the attention of Mawile. "I need to know."
"All that you need to know is that this comes from the Chairman, himself," Oleana said, waving the issue away. Bede looked up, tracking her, and she eventually came to sit back in her chair. "As a bonus, I'd say it will allow you the chance to deal with that troublesome girl. I have fear she'll become a thorn in the chairman's side. Her and her pathetic friends. So, your duty is to ensure they stay where the chairman wills them: focused entirely on the League. Do you think you can do that?"
Bede looked conflicted, and Oleana didn't need to read minds to know what was racing through that tiny, cloying brain of his. That desperate need for acknowledgement, and the thirst to prove himself against a foe. It didn't take long for him to look up, sporting his smirk. "If it is what Chairman Rose desires, then even if I am not a Gym Challenger, I will do anything."
"Good. My subordinate will give you the details and your new uniform. You start work immediately." Her hand dismissed him, the same subordinate that had escorted Bede in arriving seeing him out. He still looked back at her, confused, and his mouth opened, likely to ask why Rose wasn't delivering the request himself, but it was cut off by her phone ringing. She answered it. "Yes?"
"Milady, it's time," came the voice on the other end, words that could only have one meaning. She stood, prepared to leave, and the voice made plain what she already knew. "The Champions are arriving."
"All right, guys, that's enough for now!" Gloria shouted, her voice echoing over Hammerlocke Hills. At the call amidst the sunny fields, her Pokémon stopped their training and ran over to her, each coming to stand with attention. Corviknight was jittery, and Gloria knew the weather was going to change soon. It made her words all the more important to hear. "You guys have all been hard at work out here in the Wild Area the last week, so I know you're as strong as ever. We'll be leaving soon, so this is the last chance I really get to say this before we're into the League: let's win it all!"
Her Pokémon cheered loudly, raising whatever appendage they could to salute their trainer. As they finished, a lone applause rang out, and Gloria turned to see Ash approaching from the gate into Hammerlocke. "Sorry, couldn't help myself. You've been busy."
"Sure am, but I think we're all ready now!"
"Just in time, too. The train's leaving soon." Ash's remark nearly caused a panic in Gloria, and she returned all of her Pokémon, including Cinderace. With a quick retreat, she dashed towards Hammerlocke's gate, only to find Ash right at her side. It slowed them both, placing a foot on the steps, neither entirely sure of what to say. Ash was the first to sigh. "You know, I've been thinking of what to say since I left, and this last week, I wasn't sure if I knew. You were so focused, and I didn't want to ruin that."
"You don't need to say anything, Ash," Gloria said, turning back to smile at him. "I screwed up back there, even with you warning me. And you had to clean up that mess. I can own it."
"That might be true, but…I shouldn't have locked you out in the first place," Ash said. He joined her further up, wrapping an arm around her. "That was my mistake. I just…wanted you to have fun. I never thought Rose would use you or anyone else in such a way. I'm sorry for that."
"I'm sorry, too."
They held that for a moment, and then their breath was left out in laughter, neither able to hold it in. Ash thumped Gloria on the back, and while she watched, his gaze grew sharper. "I won't leave you out again. I just want you to focus on the League for now, of course, but…I also want you to be there with the rest of us for whatever happens. Sound good?"
"No problem! But we should get going!" Gloria grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him forward, back into Hammerlocke, where things were much more chaotic than she expected. "Way too many people!"
"Well, you've practically been camping out in the Wild Area the last week, so I'm not surprised," Ash said. She stuck her tongue out at him, but he accepted it with a good-natured laugh, the pair pushing through the many people lining the streets to get to the train station as fast as possible. The screens around the city were displaying news, namely those thirty-two trainers that had managed to qualify, though their pictures slid by so fast, Gloria had no time to catch them all. "It's gonna be big. Two events, right?"
"Yup. First the Wyndon Conference, and then about a week after that, the winner enters the Champion Cup for a chance to beat Leon. Can't wait!"
"Leon, huh…" Ash's rather low tone told Gloria that things still hadn't managed to work out between the two, but he never changed his expression, especially not as the pair arrived at the train station and Pikachu jumped on his trainer's shoulder. "Well, we'll deal with that in time."
"What time? You two barely made it!" Astrid snapped. Gloria grinned, quick to apologize for the lateness, but just as quick to turn and face Serena.
"Don't be so hard on them, Astrid. The train is fast. You'll make it to Wyndon in time," the pregnant woman said. She breathed heavily, supported by Bonnie in that moment. After a couple more breaths, Serena settled her eyes on Gloria. "I'm sorry I can't come to Wyndon, myself. I'd have loved to see you compete in person, but I'll watch every match. Besides, Clemont can take my place."
"I'm no replacement for Serena!" Clemont whined, their newest companion seeming exasperated at the very thought of it. He quickly fixed his askew glasses, however. "Though I have my own reasons for going to Wyndon. I need information from Rose Tower that the power plant here won't give me. That's the only way to get some insight. I'm trusting in you to hold the fort, Bonnie."
"Yeah, I know!" Bonnie took her hand off Serena, moving forward to hug Gloria. The girl returned the hug, even joined by Dedenne. When they separated, Bonnie pumped her fist. "You go and win the whole thing, Gloria! Dedenne, Squishy and everyone will be cheering the whole way!"
"You got it!" They bumped fists and the horn sounded. The train was readying itself to depart. Gloria hitched her bag, taking a steadying breath. "Well, this is it. Next time we meet, you'll be talking to a Champion!"
"Looking forward to it. Watch out for each other, and whatever is going to happen in Wyndon, stick together," Serena said. Ash chuckled, scratching the side of his face as they all contemplated how motherly the woman was sounding. "Say hi to Seamus, too."
"Will do," Astrid said. To Gloria's surprise, she looked more at peace than before. Perhaps she had for a long while, and Gloria had been too lost in her own mind to notice. Whatever it was, Gloria was glad to have Ash and Astrid back by her side, the three of them and Clemont waving as they said goodbye and boarded the train before it could leave the station.
Not too soon after, the doors were shut and the train was hurtling northward, an announcement on its banner that they would arrive at Wyndon within a couple hours. It filled Gloria with excitement, matched only by Clemont's. "The power plant was really quite interesting. It's not the most efficient design, since it appears to draw power from one source. That source goes, and Galar could be out of energy. This is no doubt why Rose's generator plan was so successful, but it makes me curious to see more of Wyndon."
"Yeah? What's that like?" Astrid asked of Ash, the man halfway to feeding Pikachu an apple.
"Um…big…and…shiny?"
"Pikapi…"
"You'll see," Gloria said, sitting back in her chair with a wink. She took her Rotom Phone out, sliding through some potential tourist locations to visit, only to stumble across the picture she had taken on the very first train she had taken with Ash. They all looked so different now. Not necessarily less happy, but more…determined. Her own feelings matched that; she was no longer the girl in the photo.
Knowing that, Gloria looked out the window, eyes set upon the snowy wastes that comprised Route Ten, the final road to Wyndon. It reminded her of Circhester Bay, and with it, all of the roads and trials she had found herself in. Each was just a smaller piece of the path that had made her Gym Challenge, and she, herself, was just a piece of the larger world beyond. She was at peace with that, grinning at her reflection while she mused, sinking further into that reverie. It made the time fly by, and soon, the train was squealing to a stop, pulling in the entrance of Wyndon Station.
Of course, she wasn't the only one excited, many on the train more than enthusiastic for the upcoming event. All of Galar's eyes were focused on it, and knowing she'd be standing on that stage, Gloria tore out of the station, the other three following (though Clemont was a fair bit slower).
"All right, Wyndon! Your next Champion is here!" Gloria declared, both of her arms stretching to the sky with the declaration. It made her immediately noticed.
"Look, mum, there's Gloria!"
"Wonder if she really will win the Conference. That Hop and Marnie are no slouch!"
"Simmer down, hotshot," Astrid said, flicking her on the back of the head. The action allowed Gloria to stop her grandstanding and instead look around the newest and most opulent city they had arrived in. Of course, it wasn't completely the first time Gloria had seen it, remembering once coming to the city when she was little. Now, however, it was like a brand-new world that stretched itself out before her.
The enormous Corviknight fountain sprayed glittering water into the air, appearing as a popular meetup spot, while a turn down any number of streets showed rows upon rows of stores, from merchandise for the League, to clothing, to restaurants with Pokémon-shaped food. Running further into the square, Gloria could see all the way to a fancy hotel where only the richest could stay, no doubt booked for the upcoming event. There were, of course, numerous houses and flats, but those bore little mention, especially with how dwarfed they were by those which sat in the direct middle of the sprawling city.
Continuing to wear that giddy smile, Gloria dashed for the fountain and climbed up it, giving her enough height to see the Ferris wheel that spun round and round. Just beyond it was the spiral tower, connected by beautiful lawns and a monorail that ran itself through the city for ease of access. The most notable construct, however, was that of the giant stadium and its surrounding populace of buildings. It was shaped like a giant rose, befitting of the man who named it after himself: Rose Stadium, the site of the Wyndon League.
That let the air out of Gloria's sails and she dropped back down to the ground. While the rest of the plaza hummed with excitement, she found a frown coming to her face.
"It is a bit gaudy, isn't it?" Clemont noted, staring in the same direction she had been, the top of Rose Tower still visible from the lower vantage point. "Though, in hindsight, I guess Rose means it that way. A symbol of his overgrown control."
"Yeah, well, I don't like it," Gloria said, spinning in the direction of the stadium and stomping towards it. "I won't let him use it to make a mockery of how far we've come. We'll all show him what it means to be Gym Challengers! We're more than pawns!"
"Hoo, someone's fired up," Astrid said, slapping Gloria on the back and pushing her further forward. "Put that fire into the Conference!"
"I plan to!" Gloria declared, upping her speed to lead the group of adults in their move towards the large stadium. Its details, as well as the area surrounding it, became clearer the closer they became. The stadium was massive, as much as two of the Gym stadiums combined, bedecked in the color and shape of a rose that bloomed outward. It wasn't quite as active, though a few people were purchasing tickets from those outside.
More numerous were the other merchandise stands. Some were selling Pokémon memorabilia, while others were busy hawking miniatures of the Gym Leaders and Leon. One of the stands was even selling a rare collectible of Rose in his Challenger days, and a man who looked like him, though no one was interested in that one. Still other stands were frying foods, the delicious smell making Ash and Pikachu's mouths water, a scent that nearly lost them to the crowds were it not for Clemont.
"Perhaps we should stick together, Ash."
"Oh, right. Let's check it out, though," Ash said. He was clearly excited, as if it was his own League to be taking part in. That had to be the biggest reason he was with Gloria when they were at a stand selling trainer cards, her own displayed in both matte and holographic. "Hey, look, it's you! Wonder where they got the picture?"
"It's a little embarrassing, don't you think?" Gloria questioned, grimacing at the unflattering picture of hers. Next to that card were those of Hop and Marnie, both looking much better than her own.
"Embarrassing, maybe, but there's nothing like your first League." Gloria nodded her head, agreeing with Ash's assessment. She still didn't want to think about her own League card, or the win record on the back of it. Instead, she took to strolling through the stalls, some still setting up in real time. Many Corviknight Taxis were arriving, carrying with them the goods needed for the hawkers to sell their wares.
Among them included a very familiar face.
"Hop! Hop!" Gloria pushed aside some people to make her way to the boy, who turned and smiled at her voice. More than a few took notice, beginning to whisper about the pair as they reunited, which included more than fair few questions about what their relationship was. She ignored them. "So, you made it after all?"
"Of course, I did. Didn't think I forgot our promise in Circhester, did you?" The two clasped hands, even as the three that Hop seemed to have come with worked to set up their own stand without delay. Ash arrived, munching on a cotton candy with Pikachu and staring at the trio that avoided his eyes. "Looks like you and I both managed to beat Raihan. That puts us at the top of the crop!"
"It better. I don't want to face you until the very end!"
"Naturally. You'd be kicked out of the tournament if you faced me any earlier." The teens leaned into a glare before noticing how close they were and backing up. Ash just watched, continuing to munch away until his teeth bit on the stick, realizing that Pikachu had eaten it all. He sighed and turned to the trio that rapidly assembled their stand of concessions.
"Didn't realize you three were here… Serena send you from Hammerlocke?" Gloria's bafflement could not be expressed in words, her eyebrow quirking alongside Hop's as the three people the boy had arrived with turned around to shush Ash. She very quickly realized one of them wasn't a person, but a Meowth atop a Wobbuffet.
"Ah! What are you doing here?!"
"Quiet, twerps, we're still keeping a low profile until we need to do something!"
"Don't you see the costumes?!" James snapped back angrily. He soon put on a smile for the crowd. "Come and get some food! We've got all the best to offer! Leon shaped crackers!"
"It's da best you'll ever have!" Gloria balled her fists, preparing to give chase, only for Ash to hold her back, shaking his head. It wasn't worth the chase after them. Or that was what she felt he was saying, allowing herself to relax.
"Friends of yours?" Hop asked, but no one could answer. Not the least before the loud horns echoed their discordant tunes through the area, coming from somewhere deeper in the city. Gloria knew exactly what that sound meant, and it seemed that Hop knew, too, for they both turned in that direction. They weren't the only ones to understand.
"Looks like Team Yell is back…" a nearby vendor said, shaking his head in amusement. "You'd think they'd keep a low profile after it was outed that they were Spikemuth trainers."
"I think it's kind of cute how they support their challenger."
That was all the proof Gloria needed, dashing through the crowd and nearly bumping into someone else. A quick doubletake showed that it was Seamus, dumbfoundedly staring at the growing group of Yell trainers that heralded the arrival of Marnie to the plaza. He was accompanied by his students, but they were too busy buying things.
"Lady Marnie, she is here!" the Yell grunts were singing, blowing their horns at off-tune rates and repeating after one another. "She'll put yer boots all in fear!"
"She'll put yer boots all in fear!"
"Cut it out, guys!" Marnie could be heard yelling, garnering laughter from the crowd. "I thought I shook ya, but yer relentless."
"Must've learned it from somewhere," Gloria remarked. Marnie turned, her own smile blooming across her face. Morpeko was the first to leap off, running for the pair of Gloria and Hop, but soon confused to find that Cinderace wasn't out and about. Dejected, he leapt back on Marnie's shoulder as the girls and Hop all joined hands with one another. "Looks like we're all here."
"Here and ready to kick some arse," Marnie confirmed. That felt as though it was already implied. The thinly veiled threat hung, and all three trainers wore smirks across their faces, ones that only dropped when a wave of cheers emerged over the whole crowd. A shadow passed over the square, and Gloria could feel Hop tense.
Sure enough, a Charizard landed with grace, and its trainer hopped off, throwing his hand high to the sky. "I hope everyone here is having a Champion time in preparation for the Conference!"
"Yes, we are, Leon!" the crowd shouted with excitement. All of them wanted an autograph of some kind, or even just a picture with the famed Champion, yet the man only had eyes for the three gathered Challengers, each staring at the man with pursed lips. The events of Route Eight were far from forgotten. From the way his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat, he was more than aware of that.
"I'm most glad to see the three of you here, however. You're the big talk of the Conference. You all have your rooms sorted?"
"We just got here, Lee. There's more than enough time. Not all of us get lost, you know." Hop's words appeared to cut deep to his brother, and neither Gloria nor Marnie saw any need to say otherwise. It wouldn't have done much good, either, because Leon was soon distracted by Ash approaching the three.
The aura of tension was palpable to all but the masses. Even Seamus, finally broken away from his class, froze at the sight of it. Ash nodded his head. "Leon."
"Ash," the Champion replied in kind. "It's…good to see you. Are you looking forward to the Conference?"
"I'm looking forward to seeing the battles. Not so much everything else."
"Mm…which does remind me, if you haven't heard: you're requested at a dinner tonight, at Rose Tower, with the other Champions." Leon looked out of his depth, discussing such things, and Ash looked no better, but he nodded all the same.
"Looking forward to it." His arms extended out, wrapping around the trio of trainers and putting a grim smile on his face. Pikachu emulated him, but it did little to encourage Leon's cheer. "But like you said, these guys should definitely get settled in. See you tonight."
With unseemly strength, Ash turned Gloria, Hop and Marnie away from the stands, and towards the gated huddle of buildings at the stadium's side. Leon watched them go, but when a little girl approached him, his persona slipped back on, the comfortable nature of his celebrity status becoming a magnet for all others.
At least it allowed them to walk on in some peace, and for Seamus to catch up to them. Glancing back, however, Astrid and Clemont were lost somewhere in the crowd, though Gloria figured they would catch up. "What was all that about?"
"Just some League related stuff. Sorry, Gloria, looks like we won't be able to catch dinner tonight. I doubt Rose would allow you guys to join."
"That's fine. Wouldn't want to tire myself out, anyway!" Hop and Marnie nodded their emphatic agreement, just as the loud noise of an airplane overhead split the air. Gloria briefly looked to it, noticing that it was landing in an airport just past the stadium. Pikachu's tail twitched, and even Ash shivered a bit, as though sensing some strange presence, but Gloria couldn't understand why. She didn't even bother trying when their group arrived at the Macro Cosmos attendant minding the entrance to the trainer's village.
They already knew what he wanted, handing over their phones and medallions to certify their placement in the League. After a quick check, the man handed over keys to all three, solidifying their lodgings and permitting them and their guests inside. Hop almost started dancing. "Ah, can't believe it! We're actually here in Wyndon and ready for the Conference!"
"You guys must be excited. I know my class is. It's one thing seeing a League on television, but I can say for certain how different it is watching the matches in person," Seamus said, letting out a low whistle at the no-expense-spared housing of the trainers' village. "The former can lead to some…gross misinterpretations."
"You don't say?" Ash said, elbowing Seamus and sharing a laugh with the man. It made them almost lose track of the teens, running down the row of buildings. Some Flying types were perched on the lodgings, while others circled overhead. An unfamiliar bird gave a very loud squawk and then sped off. Ash suddenly gripped Pikachu.
Gloria ignored their weird double act, and stopped outside the building with her number on it, only to find Hop's on one side, and Marnie's on the other. From in between, she could hear a sweeping noise, someone clearly hard at work in keeping the village spick and span. That didn't stop her from laughing. "Looks like we're all together!"
"Well, isn't that just great for you…"
Gloria poked her head around the side of her lodgings, the others all with her, each surprised to see just who was between them, sweeping dust off the path alongside his Mawile. He didn't look much happy about it, either. "Bede?! What are you doing here?"
"Not in the Gym Challenge at the very least. You look more like an errand boy, or a janitor," Hop said. This drew a scowl from Bede, the boy tossing his broom to the side and stomping over.
"You want to laugh it up, third-string?!"
"Look, mate, you can get angry all you want. I'm not scared of you," Hop said, not even flinching at how close Bede had gotten. Gloria chewed the inside of her lip, her mind going back to their last encounter, and the way they had traded blows. Her screams wanting to save him. They didn't look to have done much good, and with a single movement, she interjected herself between the boys.
"Okay, that's enough. Bede, how've you been?"
"Piss off. I don't need you rubbing it in." The curly-haired boy turned away, swiping the broom from Mawile as she offered it. He paused mid-sweep. "Though if you must know, I'm accomplishing a very important task for the chairman. Something your minds couldn't understand. Once I've fully worked my way back into his good graces, I'll make sure to wipe the floor with all of you. Mark my words."
"Oh, brother…" Hop remarked, rolling his eyes. Even Ash and Pikachu were shaking his head at the comment, though Seamus was a fair bit more concerned, looking fidgety at Bede's biting comments. "You really have problems…"
Gloria crossed the distance, hoping to approach Bede. He had to have heard her coming, and at first, he didn't move away. That gave her the opportunity to speak. "Bede, you don't need to be a Challenger to be a good trainer, you know. Rose, he's…he's not worth it."
"Yeah, what do you know? I told you to piss off. I don't need your help, nobody." This time he threw the broom down with force, walking away from his post. That changed by the time he walked to the end of the path opposite, a Macro Cosmos employee appearing and shouting for him.
"Hey, newbede! Got a task for you!"
"It's just Bede!" the boy snapped. Mawile cried out in defense with him, but the employee didn't care, dragging him away as if he was never there. Except for the abandoned broom, of course. A loud sigh echoed behind them, Seamus shaking his head.
"What a bother…" the man said, turning heel and beginning to depart. "Good luck in the Conference, Gloria. Me and the class'll be watching."
"Hey, where're you going, Seamus?" Ash called out, but the man didn't answer. He just sent a parting wave, walking back in the direction of the stadium that loomed over their tiny village. "Guess he must be pretty worried about Bede."
"Well, he was in a pretty bad way," Gloria admitted. "Wouldn't even listen to me!"
"You did punch him last time," Hop pointed out. She responded by hitting his shoulder, drawing out a laugh.
"I wouldn't worry about 'im," Marnie said, herself now becoming part of the conversation. "He might be havin' a hard time, but it's clear he just wants to battle with the rest of us. That's the only thing we should be focusin' on."
"True!" Gloria said, spinning around to face both of her rivals and sticking her hand out. They got the message, throwing their hands in the ring. Around them, Gloria could hear voices of other trainers entering the League, or even some visitors for those trainers, approaching, but she remained in a bubble with Hop and Marnie, all sporting the same grin. "We've all gotten this far, earned our eight badges, gone through struggles. That deserves nothing less than all of us battling on the same stage. Whoever comes out on top, no hard feelings. If we lose early, we support the others.
"Let's show the people of Galar who we are!"
"That's a promise!"
"Tear 'em up, mate!" They threw their hands up before meeting in a fist bump, solidifying their promise to one another. It was a moment full of confidence, one that prepared her for the next day more than any other.
It was also a moment that appeared to have been heard by some new guests, one that sent a visible shiver down Ash's spine when the clapping was heard.
"Ash, when you mentioned what a go-getter she was, you never mentioned how cute her attempts at psyching others up were." Gloria pulled away from her rivals, all of them rather confused as they turned in the direction of the new arrival. It was a striking woman, with long, light-blue hair and the stature of someone who had seen many life experiences. She was accompanied by someone else, a woman with Ash's eyes and a camera in hand.
"Kahili, you made it…and mom?! What are you doing here?!" Ash cried, pointing to the woman behind Kahili. Gloria's eyes widened, having not expected that, and she took a step forward, only to find that Kahili was right in front of her, examining her up and down with the most scrutinizing of looks. "Kahili, why'd you bring her here?"
"Ash, is that any way to talk to your mother?" the woman asked, her stern voice cowing even Ash into a quiet submission. "Kahili invited me along, and with Serena about to give birth, I wanted to be here in person to meet my grandchild! Grace will be coming, too, after she clears up some commitments."
"And Y is already here…somewhere… Oh yeah…I'm gonna be a father soon…"
"Ash, it's been two hours since we left!" Gloria said, bending her body around Kahili to look at her mentor. Hop and Marnie were both shrugging at each other, not understanding what was going on and soon after splitting for their lodgings. "You haven't forgotten she's pregnant already, have you?"
"I've had a lot on my mind, okay?!" Ash snapped back, shoving his hands in his pockets. Pikachu facepalmed, but it only received a laugh from Kahili.
"Ah, I like you already! Gloria, right? Nice to meet my little sister." Kahili took Gloria into a sudden, tight, one-armed hug. She felt the air squeezed from her lungs, unable to formulate a response to the woman's claims. She also felt extremely confused. "Ash, you didn't tell her?"
"I didn't want to subject her to your brand of torture."
"Mean." Kahili aimed a kick at Ash, one he narrowly avoided. "You should listen to your big sister when she talks."
"Stop calling yourself that!" Ash cried. "You're too scary to be my sister."
"Why's she scary?" Gloria asked, looking up at the older woman when she finally released her. Other than the commanding aura she carried around effortlessly, nothing about her came off as "scary". If anything, the more Gloria looked, the cooler she seemed, and knowing she was so close to Ash (if looking nothing like an actual sister) just made her want to talk with her more.
"You…you don't want to know…"
"Pika…pikachu pika…"
"There, there, Ash. I'm sure Kahili has always meant well," his mother said, patting her son on the back. "It's good to meet you, though, Gloria. Serena's spoken quite a bit about you."
"Oh…r-really? I didn't know…" Gloria managed to chuckle out, her sudden introduction flushing her with the awkwardness of the situation. At the same time, watching Delia smile at her in greeting, reminded Gloria of something else far more important, and she felt the sudden urge to depart. She still engaged in the small talk. "It's nice to meet all of you, too. Here for the League?"
"I'm Champion of Alola, so duh. Can't wait to see you put out, sis."
"Sis?" Gloria shook her head, not letting the offhand comment confuse her. "Well, I'll make sure to give everyone some great battles! But first, I have a call to make! Let's tour the city afterwards."
"Sure," Ash said, turning towards his mother. "Serena's in Hammerlocke, by the way, mom, so I don't know if you want to stay here or-"
His voice cut off before he could continue, Gloria entering her housing and closing the door with a snap. It was a nice location, with a couple rooms to rest in and kitchen that she could easily make use of. For Gloria, however, it also provided a couch upon which she flopped, the tension of all the meetings finally leaving her body. Not that it stopped her from digging into her pocket and withdrawing her phone, punching in a number with swiftness.
It was answered just as quick.
"Well, if it isn't my wayward daughter! Look who finally decided to give me a call!"
"Hey, mum," she said, calm in her words and peaceful in her smile. Her mother shared in it on the other end of the line, and she didn't seem to be alone. Looking in the background, she seemed to be at a barbecue held at Hop's house, a number of people partaking behind her. "Well, I made it to the Wyndon Conference."
"I know, honey. The whole town is celebrating. Two trainers from Postwick. I don't think anyone from Postwick has made it since Leon! Even Professor Magnolia and her granddaughter have come by, though I think they just want to look at the Weald," her mother expressed. The jubilation of the moment drew Gloria's smile out further, lightening her, until her mother's countenance changed. "Gloria, I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. I'm…I'm glad I could do this."
"So am I. You look different. Not the same girl who was always causing me trouble." Gloria and her mother shared a laugh at what they knew to be the truth, though it soon tapered off into silence. "So, as your mother, I have just one request: win."
Gloria bit her lips, holding back the tears and nodding. "I will. I love you, mum."
"And I, you. Go on, Champion Gloria."
The call ended. Gloria stood, walking over to the nearest window and staring out to the still visible stadium, its rose-colored complexion glittering under the Wyndon sun. She breathed out. Champion Gloria.
There was no guarantee she was ready for all that, still not knowing what she really wanted out of that position. But hearing her mother say it made her determined to face it head on. That was all she needed, and with it, she rejoined Ash and the others.
Tomorrow, the Wyndon Conference would begin.
Ash felt markedly out of place that night. If it wasn't for the personage at the table with him, or the gleaming lights of the banquet hall at Rose Tower, it was most definitely the staff surrounding the room. With even the most hesitant of glances, the Macro Cosmos guards that lined the room looked less like standard security guards and more like enforcers. Of course, Ash suspected more than once it was his own mind, wary of Rose and his plans, that was building them up in that way. But every time they took an order from Oleana, his suspicions ratcheted.
"No expense spared indeed…" Kahili commented from next to him, eyeing the room with her hawklike stare. Her eyes eventually settled on Rose, the man daintily eating his dinner, not once noticing that every Champion gathered in the room had barely touched their food. "Was Clemont able to figure anything out?"
"Whole tower is on high alert…what do you think?" Ash muttered from the corner of his mouth. The non-answer appeared to be some sort of signal, though, for Rose placed his fork down and stood with a wide smile.
"Is the food not to your liking, my friends?" the chairman said. Ash looked up, his own plate almost entirely untouched, managing to meet Leon's eyes across the way. He looked just as uncomfortable, though Ash guessed it was for entirely different reasons. "I apologize for not greeting you in person. The League preparations have kept me quite busy, especially with how grand this conference promises to b-"
"Cut to the chase, Rose," Malva said, one of her legs propped against the other. She was the only one in the room besides Rose who had managed to eat anything, the others reserving their energy for watching the chairman. "You didn't call us here for dinner and platitudes. This is not a business negotiation. You want something."
"Must we act with such distrust?" Rose said, placing a hand against his heart as though he was wounded. Kahili scoffed, but held her tongue. Ash was finding it difficult to hold his. "I've called you here in good faith, all to make this Galar League the greatest debut the world has ever seen. I want the rest of the world to witness it with their own eyes, through those of its many esteemed Champions."
"Yeah, that doesn't really sound well-meaning," Alder expressed. Ash was surprised by how much he was picking up on things, but the Unovan Champion wasn't playing around. "It sounds more like you're taking advantage of a vacuum."
"Yes. Ever since the IDEAL incident, we've been busy rebuilding. Your request is peculiarly timed," Cynthia agreed. "Forgive me for saying we don't quite trust your intentions, especially while you keep them veiled."
"I understand," Rose said, nodding his head. He paced the front of the room, putting a hand on Leon's shoulder. Many Champions watched Galar's, though Leon remained silent. He appeared to be at even less of an advantage than Ash in such a setting, his smile doing no good to the scrutinizing eyes. "However, I want you all to understand that we are, in fact, on the same side. Perhaps I've taken…some alternate methods, but all I want is the safety and security of the world. IDEAL showed that. And speaking of…Oleana."
The cold woman clicked a couple buttons, and a holographic screen emerged in the middle of the table, its three-sided display rotating for everyone to get a good look at what was depicted.
It was Alastair, chained up.
"So…this is where he's been…" Lance said, rubbing his temples. Ash swallowed, unsure how to take such a development, and Kahili was no different. Her growl was almost noticeable, and she touched to a scar that had no doubt lingered from the fight with the man.
"Alastair, Defense of the mighty IDEAL. My olive branch." A couple presses later and the screen vanished, with Rose seated once again. "Marshadow is likewise contained. He was quite the quarry, and taking him down was no easy feat, but I managed."
"Thanks to Dynamax, probably," Ash finally spat out. Pikachu, having remained silent, looked up at him in worry, an expression shared by many Champions in the room. Leon's stood out. "Alastair was all about shutting down your Dynamax program. You didn't capture him because of his past, but because of what he was doing to you now!"
"It doesn't stop him from being a criminal," Leon finally piped in. The two glared across at each other, and Ash stood. "One should be grateful such a terrorist is in custody."
"Is there any action of his you won't defend?!"
"Ash." Kahili tugged him back down, and the second he was in his seat, she rounded her eyes on Rose. "I hope you know this changes little. You haven't told us anything. Offering up Alastair doesn't change that."
"Trust is a two-way street," Malva said, tilting her glasses down to regard Rose. "You knew that, once upon a time, Rose. Diantha would have seen you be forthright, especially if we truly are on the same side."
Rose drummed his fingers at the table, watching them all, considering them. Ash could see his mind working, and knew to his displeasure that the chairman was holding all of the cards. Eventually, he spoke. "The League is in danger. IDEAL ripped its wound open wide, left it to fester. The loss of Diantha, her dreams for a better world…they left a hole that could not be filled by replacing her. No offense to your esteemed self, Malva."
"We're well aware of what happened," Steven said, interlocking his fingers and leaning over his plate, "but we're more focused on reconstruction than another attempt at reform."
"I'm sure you are, but it remains to be said. I want to build a stronger League. One that will keep those renegade elements in check. For that, I need Galar to be accepted."
"And how do you plan to do this?" Rose winked to Cynthia, keeping coy nevertheless at her question. He stood, smoothing his suit out. A call rang out from Oleana's pocket, as though the move had been anticipated.
"By showing you the Wyndon Conference. Why else do you think I've requested you all? So, please, friends: enjoy your food, the battles. We'll discuss more in the days to come. For now, however, the final preparations for the League must be dealt with." Rose clapped another hand on Leon. "I can trust you to make conversation, Leon. It's what you do best. Be well."
He was off, leaving the room of Champions behind. Ash sighed, and as the Champions started to talk amongst themselves, discussing the development regarding Alastair, he stood. Kahili looked over to Ash, frowning. "Not gonna stay?"
"Nothing I can do here," Ash said, petting Pikachu. Malva was watching him, but said nothing, even as Lance spoke about the implications of Rose capturing Alastair. "Besides, I really think my best thing is supporting Gloria. You guys can handle this…"
"True. You do better breaking things than talking them out."
"Like you're one to talk! I still have bruises from eight years ago!" Kahili reached up, taking him in a headlock and knuckling him, but still let him go. None of the other Champions said a word either, even if Ash settled his eyes on Leon.
He was still a puppet, dancing on Rose's strings, and it made Ash feel sick. This was what Galar looked up to? Letting loose a soft breath, Ash finally left the room, descending through Rose Tower as quickly as possible. Many eyes watched him go, each belonging to a different staff member of Macro Cosmos. That alone unsettled him and Pikachu, a reminder of the vast expanse of power that Rose held.
Thankfully, that claustrophobic space of control diminished after Ash was out of the building. Wyndon was still lively, even at night, though perhaps a bit less so, an atmosphere that got quieter and quieter the closer Ash got to the trainers' village. He hadn't realized quite how late it had gotten, but many of the buildings were dark, including the one Gloria was staying in. Ash paused, hand on the door, when he heard a rattle.
Pikachu jumped off, but when he rounded the corner, there was no one there.
"Looks like we're getting jumpy, buddy…" Ash said. Pikachu sighed with agreement, even if neither could shake the feeling someone was watching Gloria's lodgings. Pushing it aside, the pair entered to find that everyone inside was already asleep, save for Astrid, watching a crackling fire.
"Didn't go well, I take it."
"Went as expected…" Ash said, sitting across from her. "Gloria good to go?"
"Good enough. You should get some rest, too," the woman informed him. She stood and stretched, looking ready to catch some sleep. Before she could find a bed, she looked back. "Just remember, Ash, none of us are in this alone. Rose has the Champion and that snake on his side, but you have us. Just like Ancien City…if we need to, we make a path."
"Yeah, thanks." Astrid left him alone, and Ash felt all the exhaustion take over his body. He collapsed on the couch, Pikachu on his chest as both stared at the ceiling. She was right, after all. Just from seeing how Gloria had pushed through, and the peace in Astrid's eyes, Ash knew they stood a better chance than ever. Holding to that confidence, he allowed himself to sleep.
Of course, he didn't feel rested when morning came. Wyndon was abuzz, the voices of reporters echoing on loudspeakers across the city, and Gloria was already in her rush. Clemont attempted to tell her to slow down, but Ash knew it wouldn't take, so he silently ate his own breakfast until their group was en route to the gigantic stadium.
"It's time, Gloria!" Ash said when they stopped outside it. People streamed around them, heading for their seats. Some snapped pictures of the girl, or wished her well in battle, but she was laser-focused on the goal ahead. "Go out there and do your best!"
"We'll cheer for you," Astrid confirmed. Butterfree popped out, chittering his own well-wishes and landing on Astrid's head. Gloria huffed and then turned around.
"Thanks! Just watch! We're gonna clear the first round without problems!" She slapped her hands against theirs and ran in.
The adults were slower to follow, joining the crowd that was moving in towards the stands. Entering, Ash could see the multiple tiers and sections, dwarfing the Gym stadiums in seating options. Thankfully, it didn't take long for Clemont to point out the massive section populated by Seamus and his classmates. Ash's mother was there as well, looking amazed by how large the location was. When they reached the seats, Ash sat himself next to her. She patted his knee in comfort, but he looked up to the box where the Champions were visibly seated and drawing some reaction from those in the crowd, just as Rose preferred.
The chattering was reaching deafening levels, with talk of odds on who would win, or what Pokémon would be seen. Some were already looking beyond the base Conference, while others were pointing out if they could spot any of the Gym Leaders in the crowd. Delia was simply amazed by the size. "I've never seen so many people at one of your Leagues, Ash."
"The scary part is that this is, like, way bigger than even their Gym battles, and those are plenty packed," Ash admitted. He turned his eyes to the stadium pitch, currently a grassy field…until it went dark.
Then it exploded with light. Fireworks flew into the air, peppering the sky with the shapes and colors of Pokémon. Sparklers lined the top and bottom of the stadium, flickering and sputtering, their brightness sending dancing light across the entire arena. Next to Ash, his mother clapped her hands in amazement, while Ash quirked his eyebrow. Astrid was almost amused, but it hardly matched the fervor of the crowd, shaking the entire stadium with their cries. More lights appeared, shining down like spotlights on the field, and the beating of a helicopter could be heard overhead, drowning out the descending trio of Rotom Drones, recording all aspect of the opening ceremonies.
It was also displayed on the screens, flickering between shots of the field where the various challengers were emerging, to short profiles of those who had made it. Gloria's face was briefly visible, but soon overtaken by a shot of the commentator's box as a firework shot up behind it and illuminated that space. Clemont's glasses nearly fell off his face at the sight.
"Hello and welcome, folks, to this year's esteemed, spectacular, sure-to-blow-your-mind Wyndon Conference!" the lead commentator said. He was joined on either side by two others, those who had provided their own running commentary throughout the region. Ash was more focused on the man speaking, at the expense of his ears being assaulted by the screams. "Thirty-two challengers have made here, each intending to battle it out to see who will be the best! The cream of the crop, the tournament of those aiming to be Champion! It all begins now! I'm your very special commentator for this very special event, Harry Kalas, and with me are your favorite announcers, my cousins and craftsmen of our noble trade: Gerry and Perry!"
"Get ready for mind-blowing battles, lads and lasses! The Wyndon Conference is here!"
"And introducing the start of it is none other than the one, the only, the great proprietor of our League…CHAIRMAN ROSE!"
Ash's eyes narrowed, but he and his friends' reactions were hardly shared by the crowd. They screamed, some of them standing on their feet, others shouting "we love you!". Every bit of it was accepted by Rose, walking on to the pitch and greeting each of them with waves and giant grins. The Challengers watched him, too, and when he reached the center of the stadium, microphone in hand, he raised his other and silenced all.
"Welcome one and all to this year's glorious Wyndon Conference!" the chairman cried, his voice echoing around the stadium to great applause. "What a challenge this year's has been! Yet here we stand, thirty-two trainers ready to give it their all and show the world that Galar is here! Paying witness to that are none other than six esteemed Champions from faraway regions, and our own Champion, Leon!"
"LEON!" the crowd cheered, singing the praises of their undefeated Champion. Ash scowled, but Rose was quick to silence the crowd again.
"Of course, only one of these trainers will have the opportunity to even try and face him in the Champion Cup. Who will it be?! We're about to start finding out!" Rose threw his hand and, in the air, the holographic tech activated. It looked almost real, displaying life-size models of all the challengers. If they weren't in the air, Ash felt he wouldn't have known the difference. They were even moving! "To that end, the Wyndon Conference is comprised of five rounds! The first round is the final screening process for our trainers! A sudden death of one-on-one! There is no safety net! Following that, we'll have three-on-threes, and for the semifinals and finals, of course, we'll have ourselves some full battles! No League would be complete or proper without them! Trainers, prepare yourselves!
"The Wyndon Conference is now officially open!"
At his shout, the crowd roared, while the holograms above began to shift and shuffle, pairing themselves off into their matchups for the very first round. A quick glance told Ash that Hop was first to battle, with Gloria following the match after. Seeing their matchups, Ash looked down, watching Gloria and Hop nod to each other before most of the trainers cleared off. The arena rumbled, the grassy field lowering away before being replaced by a desolate wasteland. Hop took his position opposite his opponent and Ash leaned forward.
The referee stepped forward, explaining the rules of the one-on-one, and then lowered his hand without delay. Hop's Poké Ball went high, his Rillaboom emerging, opposite a Pokémon that Delia clapped at. "Why, it looks like a rather dapper Mimey. Did I say that right?"
"Mr. Rime, I've heard it called," Clemont commented.
It didn't matter much what it was called. Mr. Rime started to spin, creating a frozen beam of Freeze-Dry that arced across the field for Rillaboom, only for Hop's partner to beat it away with his drum. He charged across the battlefield, the frozen drum swinging brutally around to slam into Mr. Rime and send it flying upwards. The crowd gasped and groaned, drowning out some of the trainers' commands. Ash just kept watching, already certain of the result.
Sure enough, after a Wood Hammer swung down on Mr. Rime, the Comedian Pokémon gave a nasty Ice Punch to Rillaboom. And as expected, that wasn't enough to stop Rillaboom. A single beat of its drum sent vines ripping through his opponent, an end to the match called.
"No wonder she considers him her rival…" Astrid said, clucking her cheek a bit. "Well…more than her rival."
"And Hop takes the first win, advancing to the second round! Coming right after her is another from Postwick, a Challenger I'm told has had quite the checkered journey! Everyone cheer for Gloria and her opponent, Roy!" The crowd cheered for both in equal measure, though Gloria's name seemed to get the most response. She didn't react to it, striding on the field that was once more changing out, replacing its desolate location with one just as dead and striking: a marshland with swampy puddles and dead trees.
"This is a one-on-one match! The winner is the trainer whose Pokémon remains standing!" the referee announced, looking between both the young trainers. "Begin!"
"Runerigus, show them we mean business!"
"Cinderace, let's go!" Gloria called, the greatest grin on her face. "Headbutt!"
"Hah! You fool!" her opponent shouted, but Gloria never lost the grin. Ash didn't either. He believed in Gloria. Cinderace ran at Runerigus, the ghostly Pokémon creating a bevy of Shadow Balls and firing them at the rabbit. He dodged, his charging Headbutt causing him to pick up speed.
"Bounce high!" Gloria shouted and Cinderace acted. He soared upwards, his speed bringing him into the sky where all could see. Then he came speeding back down, his body lighting on fire. "Pyro Ball!"
"Ciiiiindah!" The fire became its flaming orb, and before Runerigus could turn, Cinderace struck. First the ball of flame broke upon it, sending cinders all around the marshland, and then the Bounce hit, the excess gravity effect driving Runerigus into the ground.
Already, it was over.
"Weeding out the competition… She certainly did that…" Astrid said with a laugh. It became full-bellied, and Ash soon joined her. Seamus and his class were the same, the entire stadium cheering for Gloria's show of dominance.
It was a cry she made, raising her fist into the air. Not for anyone else. Not for Rose. Not for Leon. Not even for Ash.
Gloria had told the entire world that she was here, still standing.
And she would win it all.
Author's Note: Pre-writing this note and whatever site shenanigans exist, this was about 9.3k words, my personal longest in this story so far. Ironic as a far cry from when I routinely put out 10k chapters like breathing. That said, there was just so much to do with this chapter. Ash and Gloria's moment, the arrival at Wyndon, the rivals' promises, Bede, Gloria's mom, Kahili and Delia, the League dinner and the opening of the Conference, itself! Whew! I'd like to think I streamlined it the best way possible, and hopefully created the right atmosphere for all of these interactions and moments.
In either case, the Wyndon Conference has now begun!
Viroro: And so, the Wyndon Conference begins! Even with how we have made clear where the story priorities lie, this is still an immensely important stage for Gloria and her rivals's story, and we hope this beginning chapter made a good job at it. It was important to highlight where everyone is and how the atmosphere in Wyndon is like, as the biggest event in the region is about to begin. It was also pretty fun to have Delia arrive here, too: while this story has heavily focused on Galar matters, Serena is still due to give birth soon, and no way we were going to have Ash's mother absent once the time comes, and it also allows us to have her introduced to Gloria, as well. And on a similar note, it was very important for us to show the moment between Gloria and her own mother, because for all the sass they trade the two do care a lot for each other and we wanted to show how she sees her daughter after everything she went through. This is Gloria's time to show she's still there and she's more than Rose's pawn, and she's ready to prove it to the whole world.
But of course, they're not the only characters we caught up on, between Hop, Marnie and even Bede, now reduced to actual janitorial work rather than partaking in the Conference itself. You'll see how the events will unfurl for all of them, but suffice to say, important developments are looming here. Also, there's a very small nod to the games in the chapter, if you can catch it.
Next chapter will be my very last directly written chapter of the Galar Trilogy. Hope you'll enjoy it, and that you'll keep looking forward to what's to come!
Before we go, offering some thanks: to Melody1818 for favoriting; and a really big thanks to MythGirl Writes, Purim Popoie, FantasyLover88, Tenzalucard123, AmourshippingCanon, UltimateCCC, ChE clarinetist, RRV55, potat lasaro, XDiamondX90, Fury, Ander Arias, Captainsquid12, StacheKing, TheEnigmatic97, TheAuraLucarioGamer and Rajiv A. Rajaram for reviewing!
Viroro's final chapter of the trilogy awaits us next time as we get our first big battle of the League. Please look forward to it. Until then, Review and,
Dare to Be Silly.