Since it's been asked, and it was a guest reviewer, we call this the Coda Trilogy because it's a coda to the story that is the Ancienverse. Not Ash's story, but Gloria's. The actual story finished in Tomorrow. This is more a nice little addition after the end. But anyway, back to Gloria and her next battle in Chapter 14!

Chapter 14

A Friendship

The energy of the stadium was electric, if not the battle taking place below. Gloria sat forward, watching with great interest. Already, Marnie was proving to be her own force of nature. Around her, the lights of the stadium now becoming the beacon of illumination at dusk, the crowd writhed and cheered as Grimmsnarl landed a Spirit Break atop a Kingler's head. Both trainers were down to their last, and both had their trump cards.

Marnie didn't play hers, but her opponent did.

"And Kingler is recalled for a Dynamax!" Kalas…well, Gloria supposed it was all of the Kalas family, cried into their microphones, fighting for dominance. "Yet Marnie isn't pulling hers out! Has she made a tactical blunder?!"

"Not likely…" Gloria turned her head, watching as Kahili tapped her foot up and down. "Girl's got a pragmatic head. The kid's Dynamaxing to try and give himself an edge he won't get."

"Kahili, aren't you supposed to be with the other Champions?" Ash asked, only to get a knuckling. Gloria covered her own head, really not wanting the same result from the woman claiming to be her older sister.

"It's boring and stuffy there. The number of eyes they throw at that Leon…"

Gloria could only imagine, and Ash didn't look particularly enthused. The brunette threw it away, however, to lean over the railing. "Come on, Marnie! You got this!"

"Calm down…" Astrid snapped, dragging the girl back with Clemont's help. It was followed by Delia's calming pat, but Gloria refused to rip her eyes from her rival's action.

The Kingler fired a Max Geyser, but with a cross of his arms, Grimmsnarl took it, using Bulk Up as it did so. Then it charged, cutting through with Hammer Arm until it swung against the Kingler's spindly leg. In one move, it destabilized it. The crustacean began to crash down, floundering. Marnie's opponent called for a Max Hailstorm, sending ice to try and freeze Grimmsnarl whole.

It didn't work, and Marnie's ace leapt up the ice before spinning down with a Spirit Break that cracked through the shell. The larger target had left it wide open, and in an explosion, Kingler fell, defeated. Marnie was the victor.

"And we have it, lads and lasses!" Perry cried ahead of his cousin. "Our four semifinalists are decided! Take a look at the holograms as we see who will be facing off in the semifinal round tomorrow!"

Gloria didn't stop with her anticipation, one that could not match the crowd, at least not in the same way. She did pay attention to the rather uncanny holograms, though, her own sporting a very discomfited grin. It was amazing how far technology had come to present it, and just above her, Clemont was eagerly cleaning his glasses, despite this being a regular occurrence at this point. Alongside her own projection were Hop, Marnie and another boy's, whose name escaped her.

Their holograms began to swirl and shuffle, becoming orbs of light that obscured their identity until, after some time, they locked in place with a burst of light, a golden cord tied between the matchups.

"And there we have it, folks! Tomorrow's first round is Graham against Hop! And the second, closing match is Gloria against Marnie! Everyone, please look forward to these thrilling and exciting battles!" Kalas yelled, and with a wave, the holograms disappeared. Ash shook his head.

"Science is super amazing… Clemont, you gotta bring that kind of stuff to other Leagues! Or at least your Gym battles." The man nodded in agreement but said nothing, allowing for Ash to lean across to Gloria. "Looks like Marnie's up next. You got a plan?"

"Heh, you'll need one," Kahili said. Gloria glared over to her, feeling like she was being looked down upon for a moment. "Just saying. The girl's a pragmatist. Quick and dirty."

"Yeah, I noticed," Gloria said, coming to a stand and stretching. Astrid laughed, but when Gloria matched gazes with her, she knew that the woman meant it as a sign of belief in her capabilities. There was nothing to say there, and no strict plan that Gloria felt she should follow. "I have a couple ideas in mind, but I'm not committing to any. Gotta be flexible."

"Sign of a good trainer, don't you think, Kahili?"

"Hah! Fair enough," the woman said. She stood, herself, reaching out to pat Gloria on the head, to much annoyance. "Looking forward to it. For now, I have to go deal with the Gloom Squad. Fun times…"

They looked like they were anything but, Kahili leveling a glare at the Champions' box and all those who were leaving it. With a sigh, she clapped Ash on the shoulder and joined the rest of the crowd in departing the stadium. Astrid was quick to follow at the very vocal request of some of Seamus's students, while Gloria noticed that Clemont had slipped into the shadows, muttering passionately. It left only Gloria with Ash and Delia, though she had a suspicion of not for long.

"Guess I'll call Serena. See how she's doing," Ash said as he rubbed the back of his head. "Hopefully all this excitement isn't too much for the baby."

"I'm sure Serena will be fine, Ash. Though, yes, it's good to check in so close to the due date," his mother agreed. It was clear the plan was set, and Gloria opted for walking away with a wave.

"I'm gonna go check the stalls. Tell Serena hi for me!" the girl said, catching the mother and son's well-wishes before she was out of earshot. Once they were, she hopped over a few seats to make her way out of the stadium. Some cheers followed, wishing her the best of luck on the next day's match. Gloria returned the platitudes, knowing they really only cared to see a good battle, and not who won. "Puts a lot of pressure on us…Oh! Everyone, come on out!"

Standing on the steps just outside the stadium, Gloria called out everyone on her team. Many of the reporters nearby took a snapshot, and some of the lingering crowd expressed great interest, with a few running to the stalls to look for figurines of her team. "Cin!"

"That's right, Cinderace, no training today. I figure we've earned a good, relaxing stroll," she said to her team, spinning around and marching right forward into the fleet of market stands. Voices could be heard selling food or wares, though one stand had set up a sign reading "Sold Out" before anyone could blink. To no surprise, it was selling Leon memorabilia, making Gloria's mind drift to Hop. It was the closest he had been to his brother since the events at the generator, and she couldn't help but wonder how that could be affecting him.

"Grappo…" Gloria stopped midstride, noticing that Grapploct was left behind, staring at a different stand. Well, it was more like glaring by Gloria's estimations, the octopus intensely keeping his gaze on a row of plush dolls made of the various Pokémon in the competition. Flapple landed on her head, and Gloria doubled back, kneeling a bit to her Pokémon's level.

"You like them?" Grapploct reacted, a faint blush spreading as he realized what he had been staring at. His head turned away, but one of his tentacles had a mind of its own, pointing at a doll of Grimmsnarl. Gloria wasn't sure if it was cute or if the plush would be doomed if she bought it, a target of the octopus's wrath.

"Either buy the merchandise or stop star-oh, it's you." Gloria looked up to the sellers at the stand, noticing them as the very familiar, if very harassing, trio of Jessie, James and Meowth. Still in disguise, they nevertheless acknowledged her, setting some food out on the counter. "I thought you were a paying customer…how boring."

"Competition that fierce?" Gloria asked. Grapploct kept pointing, but when Gloria frowned, he retracted, accepting a back pat from Toxtricity.

"Like ya wouldn't believe! And trust me, we know concessions!" Meowth said, the wig on his face standing out to her, but ignored by everyone else. "Dere are just too many people here, all wantin' dat sweet Leon memorabilia."

"Wobbuffet!"

"Ya, I know, ya blue lug. Yer right. We just gotta wait until da finals and plushes of dese fine Pokémon will sell like hotcakes!" Meowth's claws were rubbing together, his scheming eyes doing their stall no favor in attracting customers. It caused Gloria to shake her head, at least until she realized just what they seemed to be saying.

"Wait…you guys think I'll win? What happened to all those attacks?"

"Hey, just because we attack twerps doesn't mean we don't support them!" James snapped, placing a box down to reveal further boxes and boxes of cookies inside. Jessie swiped one and tipped it down before her blue-haired companion could say a word.

"Ish true," the woman said, swallowing whole. "Besides, we put in a lot of work to train you, so if you lose it's a poor reflection of us!"

"Dough I'm pretty sure we do dat well on our-ow!"

Gloria was surprised to hear the words, especially from such a band of thugs. Yet at the same time, it felt oddly…comforting. Even if they had caused her no end of grief, she couldn't help but think back to Circhester Bay, and their attack. It had helped her find the path forward. She smiled. "Thanks…it means a lot."

"Twerpette!" the three cried, tears streaming down their face.

Or they did, until Gloria spoke again, effectively ruining the moment. "By the way, know any good places to visit around here?"

"Say what?!" Jessie leaned over the counter, apoplectic rage on her face that caused Gloria to back into Corviknight. "Is our product not good enough for you?! Get lost already!"

Gloria certainly did scram, not wanting to incur any further wrath of the already incensed woman on a hair-trigger, especially when Corviknight swiped a cookie with a taunting leer. Drednaw was the slowest to follow Gloria's retreat, of course, but she soon passed out of their view as well. Deciding it was better to not continue trawling through the stands, Gloria instead turned towards the village, figuring it was likely a safer place than the madhouse out here. She was soon proven correct as what appeared to be a fanclub of sorts suddenly stormed the stalls, leaving barely any breathing room.

So tight it was, that even Grapploct and Cinderace holding the crowd off provided just enough space for Gloria to slip into a makeshift alley between stalls, where it was a little quieter. Not that she was alone.

"Morpekpek!"

"More like this?" Gloria craned her neck, unable to find the words for what she was witnessing before her very eyes. Yet she did, watching as Morpeko was grinning up at his trainer, and Marnie responded in kind with a wide, and almost unsettling, grin.

"Uh…Marnie? What's this all about?" Marnie jumped, though not enough to be noticed by the swelling crowd.

"Gloria! I, uh…well, ya see…"

"Morpekopeko!" Whatever Marnie wanted to try and explain, the air of awkwardness coming about because of it, was interrupted by Morpeko launching himself at Cinderace with a grin. He looked fully happy, almost overjoyed, and Gloria wondered if part of it had to do with the fact they were paired up to face off the very next day. Marnie was less so, her fingers touching to each other in embarrassment.

The crowd around them probably didn't help, so Gloria took the girl by the wrist and started to drag her away, back towards the village. She didn't resist, and they remained attached to each other until they had broken away from the crowd and were at the village gate. Marnie still didn't say anything, though for a second, Gloria could swear to feeling eyes on the back of her head. Yet when she turned around, there was nothing there, unless one counted a Macro Cosmos employee slinking into the crowd…or at least one dressed as one. She began to think the adults had a point after all, and it ended up bringing Rose to the unfortunate forefront of her mind.

It didn't last long, as when the girls passed over the threshold into the village, a greater silence surrounding them, Marnie finally found it in her to speak. "I was thinkin' of a way to repay my brother and Team Yell for all their support."

"Really?" Gloria asked. She matched pace with Marnie, the two of them walking down the road to their lodgings together. "How do you figure?"

"Well…I thought maybe by smilin' more, it would show how much I appreciate 'em," Marnie admitted, tacking on a rather nervous laughter. "I know, stupid idea…"

"No, not at all!" Gloria said, throwing an arm around the girl. "I'm sure they'd love it. Though I don't think you need to try so hard. Your smile looks best when you're just having fun. I'm sure they see it the same way."

"Fun, huh…?" Marnie stopped, looking up to the moon that was now showing itself. The stars had come out, their glittering array shining down on all of them, with only the unnatural glow of the square behind them attempting to outshine their radiance. "I think I have had fun. I mean, it hasn't always been, of course. Spikemuth really hurt, especially after all that time I spent just wantin' to save it…but…without it, I don't think I would've figured out why I want this."

"To make sure nothing like Spikemuth happens again, right?" Gloria kept her eyes on the stars, feeling Marnie's nod from next to her. "It's really noble of you. I don't think my reasons are so lofty or…burdensome."

"I'm not really burdened by it," Marnie said, and with a turn of her head, Gloria could see that small smile peeking out on her face. "They're my family, and I love 'em. I genuinely don't want to have to see anyone else suffer like that. Not because of Leon's ineffectuality, or Rose, or anyone else."

"Rose…" The name held its weight on the conversation, and while it got them moving again, it was at a far more sluggish pace than it had been prior. "I can't help but keep thinking about why he wants to do all this, and I know Ash is concerned about Leon. And on top of it all, I still want to win all this and become Champion, but, like…part of me still doesn't know why. It certainly doesn't stack up to your reasons. Makes me wonder if I'm worthy of it."

"I don't think there's anythin' wrong with that," Marnie said. It was her turn to hook her arm in Gloria's, wearing that winning smile as she did so. "It's still a reason all yer own."

"Not sure I really have one."

"Then just do it 'cause yer a Challenger. Simple enough, right?" The bluntness of Marnie's thoughts brought a chuckle to Gloria's lips, and she let the laughter rip out, doubling over at how simple it sounded. "That's what I'm gonna do tomorrow, ya know? Spikemuth, Leon, Rose…it's not gonna matter. I'm gonna fight as Marnie, Gym Challenger. And I'll beat ya."

"Not if I have anything to say about it! Just like Hop would say, my legend's only ending with me on top, so I won't be going easy."

"Can't wait to finally go all out, then." The girls gripped hands, done staring to the stars far above them, instead focusing on the barrier that the other posed. Yet it felt right. A battle between rivals, but between friends. No looming threat or plan, but a simple exchange of the vow to see who was stronger. That made Gloria feel more confident and closer to Marnie than she ever had.

And it made it such a shame when the scraping of footsteps was heard, pointing the girls and their Pokémon in the direction of a newcomer, emerging from near a lamppost.

"Thought I was being followed…what do you want, Bede? I thought you were running errands for your precious Chairman Rose." The girls watched as Bede finished coming into the light. This time, his Pokémon weren't at his side, and Gloria noticed the dark circles under the boy's eyes. Time and the Conference had not been kind to him.

"Who said I'm not, second-string?"

"Cut the crap," Gloria snapped. The harsh inflection caused the boy to wince, a shadow of the ruthless, arrogant boy he had been before. Against her better judgement, Gloria's heart went out to him. She asked him again, softer. "What do you want?"

There was a moment where she thought, just maybe, Bede would be honest. Less abrasive. His lip trembled as he regarded her, but soon firmed up. He lifted a Poké Ball up, looking like the one containing Mawile. It brought back all the memories of their tussle in the ruins. "We have unfinished business, you and I. From the ruins."

"I beat you there."

"That was an unfair fight!" he yelled, approaching Gloria. Marnie stepped in between, though she was preceded by the pair of Cinderace and Morpeko, causing both to stop short. "You…I want a rematch! One to prove once and for all that I'm the strongest! You advance to the finals, and we battle it out!"

It sounded desperate, crazed almost, and Gloria sighed. "What would be the point in that?"

"Because, we can decide once and for all who the real Champion material is! After all, we know that third-string Ha wouldn't be able to beat me! But if I can prove myself against you-"

"You really haven't learned anything at all, have you?" Gloria said with a bite. Cinderace's body tightened, but with a lift of her hand, the rabbit stilled. Bede didn't advance any further, but he clearly refused to retreat, as well. Gloria sighed. "I really thought I could make a difference, beating the crap out of you, but it didn't. Thanks for showing that. Proof of where I went wrong. I shouldn't have done that.

"So, no. I won't battle you, Bede. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever again."

Gloria turned away, hooking her arm with Marnie's and beginning to walk the pair towards their lodgings. Bede remained dumbstruck for a moment, but when the wall retreated, he stomped forward. "Coward! You're just scared you'll lose!"

She shook her head, ignoring the spewing vitriol. He continued on, however, every word growing hoarser than the last.

"You can't say you're better than me, you know! Every win you've had was a fluke!" he screamed. Some of the trainers still remaining in their lodgings turned their lights on, paying witness to the deranged screaming. "You only got by because of that damn janitor! So, come on! Prove you're actually worth something, you nobody!"

Gloria paused, and Marnie gripped her arm, but didn't stop her from facing the boy. His eyes were popping out, an effect only enhanced when she began to regard him with pity. "I worked my own way to get here. I can't help it that you got kicked out and thought lashing out at everyone around you would somehow work."

"Then we'll make a bet! I win, and you give your spot to me! You win and I'll give up my trainer's license forever! I'll-I'll even throw in an apology to that worthless lump the Champion calls his brother."

"Why would I ever want that?" Gloria said. She left Marnie, approaching Bede and watching as his grin grew. He was waiting for her to push him, or hit him, or some sort of false move, but she didn't give in. She just stood there, and then reached out to put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're an arse, Bede, but I never wanted you gone. I just wanted you to…"

Bede gripped her cardigan, holding it tight, the sheer desperation eking through his higher-pitched syllables. "Just accept it…accept it, you nobody. Accept it, so he can…he can…"

"Bede…let Rose go. There's nothing in this fight for either of us if you keep holding on to him."

"NO!" Bede was the one to shove her away this time, in full view of everyone. They kept staring, and the curly-haired boy finally started to notice. "What are you all looking at?! You filthy plebians! I don't need you! I don't need any of you! Go away! Stop looking down on me!"

There was nothing but pity left for Bede. The boy was lost, drowned in his sole obsession. It made her turn away, even as he yelled for her to face him again, each word becoming less intelligible. It was only when he reached her, managing to grab her sleeve when she and Marnie had reached Gloria's lodgings, that the girl turned one more time. "I won't fight you, Bede. Not for me. Not for Hop. Especially not for you."

"You need to," he pleaded. "I need to show you…to prove… I'm still…he can still… I'm still going to be Champion!"

Gloria lightly tugged away, climbing up the steps and opening her door. She paused at the threshold. "If that's what you think, then maybe start thinking about what, and who, brought you here.

"You can't be anything if you keep focusing on being something for somebody else."

She crossed over, her Pokémon and Marnie with her, and shut the door behind. It took a moment before she heard the sound of Bede kicking the side of the building and walking off in fumes. Marnie watched him go before releasing a low breath. "Right ball o' sunshine, isn't he?"

"He's obsessed with Rose, to the point the chairman reduced him to that. Guess he fell a long way…" Gloria sat on her couch, blowing upwards while her Pokémon made to curl near the fireplace. "He'll need to realize that, himself, or have it beaten into him before he finally gets it. That's how it was for me and Hop."

"Hop, huh?" Marnie flopped down on the couch next to her, wearing a wily grin that made Gloria recoil. "What's Hop got to do with anything? Tell me!"

"Not you, too! There's nothing, Marnie!"

"Suuuure there isn't," Marnie said, beginning to poke her cheek. "But I see the way he looks at you."

"That's because we're rivals," Gloria insisted, even as her face was flaming.

"And what about after? Friends first, rivals now, so what about next?"

"Th-there i-is no…n-next…" Gloria pointedly faced away from Marnie, and then stood. Her eyes found the kitchen and she stomped over, prepared to make herself busy while her other rival began to cackle up a storm on the couch.

"You can't tell me you haven't thought about it. Didn't that boy today, Lloyd, ask you out?"

"So what?"

"You turned him down." Marnie's point simply made Gloria's face heat up further, a fact she blamed on the peppers she pulled from the fridge. "I'm not sayin' you should treat him any different but…with how much time the two of you spend together…a consideration?"

Gloria stopped mid-chop, listening to Marnie's words. She wanted to deny it so badly, what had been growing there, hoping to excuse it as their intense want to defeat each other. Yet she knew it wasn't true, and her hand quavered on the knife. His broad shoulders. His comfort. The way they pushed each other, not with the intent of defeating one another, but to make the other better.

Like Ash and Serena.

And then there was that almost-kis-

"Marnie, either help cook some dinner or get out!" Gloria declared, facing away to slap her cheeks. All of that could be saved for later. With a laugh, the two girls got to work, enjoying a good meal before their own rivalry was to come to its conclusion.

"What a blow, ladies and gents!" Gerry echoed over the screen, but Gloria paid no attention. Making sure her laces were tightened, and her uniform ready, she stood, facing the tunnel out as the crowd screamed and cheered. "With a well-timed strike, Hop's fluttering Frosmoth has brought this battle to an end! He's in the finals!"

"We have our first finalist for this year's Wyndon Conference! Hop, brother of Champion Leon, and already showing his own chops in battle!" Kalas roared. At the same time, Perry began to whip the crowd into a chant for Hop's name. Gloria chuckled under her breath.

So, he made it…she thought. Sucking in one more breath, she looked up and faced the tunnel. Then I have no right to falter here. Sorry, Marnie. This fight, you lose.

Gloria took a step forward, every step echoing, before it began to bounce off the walls in a clashing symphony with those of Hop's, the boy running down with his sweaty grin. They raised hands, slapping against each other and lingering there for a tad longer than was comfortable.

"Clean up out there, mate!" Hop called, his hand sliding off hers. He began walking backwards, still grinning as he spoke, but she was focused on the pitch. "I expect to be facing you tomorrow, you hear?"

She didn't answer, not verbally, at least, and especially not with Kalas beginning his next wave of announcements. It made her choose to answer with the only symbol of victory that she could claim, one that spoke as her, entering the battlefield. "And now, let's welcome our other semifinalists to the pitch, ready to give us yet another blistering full battle! Hailing from Spikemuth and cute as a button, it's Marnie!

"And from the sleepy town of Postwick, grit and guts on her side, it's Gloria!"

The two girls stepped on the battlefield, shifting before their eyes. Gloria raised a fist into the air while Marnie put on her best smile, thrilled by the excitement of their coming battle. The crowd loved all of it, though nothing more so than the blasting horns that took up a good chunk of the stadium. Right behind Marnie, Gloria could see them when she took position: the wave of Team Yell grunts. Front and center of all of them was Piers, rocking out with a microphone as his Obstagoon headbanged to the inaudible music.

"Yeah, come on Marnie, show 'em yer best!" he screamed. Or sang. Gloria wasn't sure which. "Yeah, come on Marnie, you'll win the rest!"

"Come on, Gloria, don't let them get you down!" That was Astrid's own shout, emboldening her enough to stand firm and face down Marnie and her entire cheerleading army. They nodded across the way.

It was time.

The arena finished transforming, locking into place. Wind whistled through the trees now on the field, the pine boughs rustling along with the others. The water on the lake that covered part of the arena was stirred by those same winds, providing an almost calming effect. Gloria knew who she would go with, and Marnie looked no different. In the stands above, the crowd quieted down, and the referee flew down to the field, flanked by the Rotom Drones.

"This is a six-on-six full battle between our two semifinalists, Gloria and Marnie! Substitutions are allowed on both sides, and the winner of the match will be determined when all six of one side's Pokémon have been defeated!" he shouted, his voice booming to audience and combatant alike. "When three of one side's Pokémon have been defeated, there will be a brief intermission and field change. Trainers…begin!"

"Drednaw, let's show Marnie we mean business!"

"Tear 'er up, Liepard!"

"Woo!" Kalas cried as the thrown Poké Balls called both picks to the field, giving cries to announce their arrival. On the scoreboard overhead, the first image of a Poké Ball was replaced with their choices. "These girls are showing high energy right from the off! I know I can't wait to see how this battle will play out!"

"Then let's start it! Rock Slide!" Drednaw let out a roar, the rocks beginning to form overhead for the first attack. Gloria watched, keeping her eyes peeled on Marnie as the girl reached up and brushed her bangs away.

"Fake Out!" Gloria's jaw clenched, and Liepard moved. With a snarling cry, the Cruel Pokémon leapt into the air, sailing at Drednaw with unprecedented speed. Before her turtle had the chance to move, the leopard clapped its claws together, sending a stunning wave through the stadium, and forcing Drednaw to flinch. The rocks disappeared before they could finish materializing. "Thunder Wave!"

"Pard!" Liepard cried. It landed on the ground and opened its mouth. From it came rings of electricity, battering right into Drednaw's body without a blink. Jolts ran up Drednaw's spine, the turtle shaking her head and facing forward.

Pragmatic for sure… Can't let Marnie control this. Gloria tightened her glove, looking up to her opponent. The girl was showing nothing of her plan, the thinnest of smiles on her face. She was fully stoic for the crowd, and it gave her an advantage. Gloria refused to let it continue. "Headbutt!"

"Naw!" Drednaw stamped at the ground and then charged forward for Liepard.

"On the move!" Marnie called. Liepard made one noise, and then ran, so fast for Drednaw it was like the Dark type had vanished. Drednaw turned her body and continued charging, the two of them aiming towards the rippling lake.

"Extend the head!" Gloria shouted. Drednaw complied, her neck snapping out. Liepard leapt out of the way. "Turn and do it again!"

"Torment!" Marnie called, and Gloria narrowed her eyes. Not a single attack had been fired, yet bit by bit, the girl was sealing away her options.

"Liepaaaaaaard!" Liepard's shout echoed, causing a shudder through Drednaw that, when combined with the paralysis, prevented her from doing anything. Each attack was failing.

"Now we can strike! Dark Pulse!" Liepard acted, swifter than before. It leapt high up, calling the swirls of darkness to its mouth before firing upon Drednaw. She looked up, and received the attack right to the face, pushed further back towards the lake.

"Don't let her get the upper hand! Rock Slide!" Drednaw made her own stomp on the ground, her own howl with it, and the rocks finally appeared overhead. They couldn't use the same attack twice, and she knew that, but it didn't mean they were defenseless. The rocks appeared overhead, circling and whirling around the air before they pelted down to the battlefield in a wide array.

"Don't let 'em hit you!" Marnie called. Liepard went on the move. A rock slammed next to it, but the Dark type dodged, weaving between the falling objects. One by one, it dodged the attacks, moving with an alacrity that Drednaw could never achieve. It put Gloria on the backfoot, especially with how relentless Liepard was now becoming. "Dark Pulse!"

"Lie!"

"Take it!" Gloria shouted. Liepard leapt atop the last rock, crashing to the ground, and then used the vantage point to send the inky beam crashing straight upon Drednaw's form. She was pushed further back towards the lake, but endured the hit easily. "Liquidation from underground!"

"Dred!" Drednaw slammed her feet again, the blades of water extending from those legs and burrowing deep into the ground. Liepard and Marnie looked around, unable to know just where the attack would come from, not until Drednaw gave her cry and yanked her forelegs from the ground. The aqueous blade ripped out with it, colliding with Liepard's body and knocking it skyward.

"Now, use another Rock Slide!" Gloria ordered. She would have succeeded, had it not been for her trusty turtle's body locking up, dropping her with a touch of exhaustion.

Marnie took immediate advantage, Liepard's eyes flashing in midair. "Dark Pulse!"

"Pard!" Liepard hurtled downward, maw opened wide and sending the attack crashing straight into Drednaw's utterly prone body. The ground sunk just a little bit beneath the weight of the attack pushing into her.

"We can't keep this up…" Gloria muttered, drowned by the cheers from Team Yell that reverberated around the stadium. The commentators were having a field day, but Gloria's mind was working at a breakneck pace. She considered recalling Drednaw, saving that bulk for a less speedy opponent, when she finally noticed what was framing Drednaw, and the incoming attack. "Keep taking it! Let go of the ground!"

"Naw!" Drednaw let go, and Liepard's next Dark Pulse struck home. It lifted her bulky body, the blast flinging her backwards…straight for the lake. Drednaw quickly sunk beneath the surface, to the astonishment of the crowd. Liepard landed, prowling around the edges of the water, unable to pierce its depths.

"What could our intrepid Gloria be planning?" Kalas cried from up top, and much of the crowd wondered the same. "Or is Drednaw down and we just can't see it?"

Gloria smiled, though Marnie was the one to act first. "Dark Pulse on the water! She's underneath, so draw her out!"

"Doesn't mean you'll find us! Rock Slide! Use it like a shield!" Gloria shouted. Liepard leapt up high, the dark beam coalescing in its mouth and then firing with force. The water was disturbed before it ever reached. Large boulders rose from the waters before angling themselves at Liepard and beginning to fall. The Dark Pulse smashed against them, destroying a couple rocks, but leaving it open for the rest to pile up on its body. "Headbutt!"

"Drednaw!" Drednaw emerged from the water, her opening made from her sole moment of invisibility. Liepard was emerging from the rocks, panting, but unable to escape the pile as Drednaw slammed into Liepard, bowling it over with her entire body.

"Dark Pulse! Send 'er high where she's prone!" Liepard turned underneath Drednaw and fired, the dark blast flinging Drednaw just a couple feet into the air. The Cruel Pokémon tried to remove itself, but Gloria was already ready.

"Liquidation, slash it down!" Drednaw roared, her horn becoming a crescent blade of water, no different from Absol's. She brought that watery blade soaring down. Liepard couldn't move in time, its entire, fragile body consumed by the blade before it crashed into the ground. Drednaw landed.

"Liepard is unable to battle! Drednaw is the winner!"

"And we have our first Pokémon down, folks!" Kalas called, much to the approval of the crowd. Marnie looked a touch disappointed, but still returned Liepard, facing Gloria with the same stoic intensity she had borne all battle. "Marnie's practical stoicism in using the speedy Liepard was no match for Drednaw's power of resistance! How can she turn this around?"

Gloria wondered, herself, fingering her Poké Ball. Drednaw could take plenty more hits, that was for sure, but the paralysis was a problem. The glint in her eye, however, told Gloria that no matter what opponent was to come for her, they would have to keep fighting at the strength they had. There would be no use in a switch. Marnie called her next. "Bisharp, let's go!"

"Bisha!" Bisharp emerged on the field, sliding along and glaring at Drednaw. She returned it with her own glare, the pair facing off and waiting for the first move. It took a shuffle of the feet, and both trainers acted at once.

"Rock Slide!"

"Rock Tomb!" Bisharp raised its arms, creating darkened rocks that fired out, while at the same time, Drednaw howled, creating her own rain of stones. They flew at each other, crashing and colliding before breaking to pieces. But Bisharp was on the move. "Metal Claw!"

"Match it with Liquidation!" Gloria cried. Drednaw's horn expanded with the water, and she slashed it. Bisharp's arms formed silvery claws that it slashed down, meeting with the Liquidation. Or one did. The other came at her side, striking against her and beating her to the side. She flinched.

"Guillotine!"

Gloria's eyes widened, knowing what that could mean, and she raised her voice in a quick command. "Jaw Lock!"

"Dredna-" Drednaw shivered, the paralysis taking over her entire body with her jaw half open. Worse yet, Bisharp was already upon her, his arms like horrific blades the cut straight through her body. Everything turned red and white for a moment as Bisharp emerged on the other side…and then Drednaw exploded.

No one needed the referee to tell them the result of that match.

"And they're tied up, lads and lasses! In one blistering move, Bisharp fells the resilient Drednaw!" Gloria breathed out at Perry's comment. That was one to watch for, and one Marnie clearly wanted to rely on for a pinch, returning the Pokémon with ease. Gloria recalled her own. She had fought well.

"How'd ya like our Guillotine, Gloria? All it needs is one clean hit!" Marnie called across the battlefield. Their conversation was enjoyed by the crowd, especially Team Yell, who was trying to whip the crowd into a chant of Marnie's name. Gloria didn't let it perturb her.

"Not bad. But you're gonna need more than that if you want to beat me! Corviknight, you're up!"

"I'm countin' on ya, Sableye! Will-O-Wisp!" It was a tactic Gloria was familiar with, one she should have seen coming, but before they had the chance to process the start of the round, Sableye was acting, manifesting a large, dark flame in front of itself, and around itself.

"No way out, huh? Then we'll take the bait! Corviknight and I are fans of it! Steel Wing!" Corviknight screeched and then snapped his wings out. He flew forward, both wings taking on the metallic glow. The crowd sounded surprised at such a move, but Gloria didn't worry; they had both the strength and the speed to make it through. In seconds, Corviknight was upon Sableye, his wing flashing out and striking into the Darkness Pokémon. The second he made contact, the flames of the Will-O-Wisp attached to his body, burning him.

"Shadow Ball!" The flames gone, Sableye transformed their lingering embers to the crackling orb of ghostly energy. As fast as Corviknight, it fired, forcing the bird to pull away at Gloria's call to avoid it. "Calm Mind."

"Saaaaaab…" The hiss was uncomfortable, and the eyes unreadable as the glow of Calm Mind pervaded Sableye's figure. She wasn't going to let them keep that up.

"Drill Peck! Nail it!" Gloria shouted, punching at the air. Corviknight flapped back for a moment and then dove, spinning as he did so. His beak elongated, shining as it split the air, and he soon crashed upon Sableye's chest with force.

"Foul Play!" Sableye's arms extended. Like shadows, they wrapped around Corviknight, and before the full impact of the attack could go through, it tossed Corviknight into the air, sending him spinning in a different way. "Shadow Ball!"

"Air Slash!" Corviknight's wings stabilized his body and his steel feathers rippled with the air to create his orb of wind. At the same time, Sableye manifested the ghostly orb. They flung them for one another, causing them to clash in midair, holding against each other before they exploded, the pines and other trees rocking back and forth from the attack. Gloria tightened her fist. They'd be pelted with Shadow Ball so long as they stayed away, but getting close meant dealing with Foul Play. "Then we keep them occupied! Air Slash, into Drill Peck!"

"Corna!" Corviknight called, creating another quick Air Slash and sending it ripping out. This time, the attack broke into the razor-thin ribbons of air that collided with Sableye's body and the ground around it. Corviknight dove, spinning through as Marnie's Pokémon tried to recover.

"Shadow Ball." The cry was short, and the attack was even blunter than the command. Corviknight was nearly upon Sableye, when the Shadow Ball struck at close-range. It didn't stop Drill Peck, but was just enough to slow him down. "Foul Play!"

"Sable!" The same arms snapped out, grabbing to Corviknight's body. This time, it didn't toss him high, but rather used his strength against him to bring him crashing to the ground. Corviknight bounced along it, but recovered, shaking his head. Fire snaked up his body, a reminder that the burn was still active, but soon as it passed, he flapped upwards. Already, Sableye was preparing another Shadow Ball. Gloria grimaced. Then, her peripheral vision widened, finding the trees, bending and cracked in some places, leaning towards Sableye and covering the crowd up.

"You want to play dirty? We can, too! Let's cover 'em up! Steel Wing on the trees, and go straight for Sableye!" Gloria shouted. Corviknight nodded, and then dove into cover. The Shadow Ball fired, but missed entirely. In fact, the only thing that could be seen of Corviknight was his shining wings, cutting into the massive trunks and bringing the trees toppling down one by one.

"Keep firin' Shadow Ball! That burn'll make sure they can't dodge forever!"

"Who said we're dodging?" Gloria said, sporting a grin. Corviknight ripped through yet one more tree, just as Sableye fired another Shadow Ball. The glowing wing sliced straight through it, even with the reduced strength, and the attack landed on Sableye. At Gloria's call, Corviknight pulled up, out of the range of the now falling trees. Sableye was too distracted to move, unable to get out of the way of the toppled foliage that soon covered its entire body up, reducing its visibility. "We can strike from a distance, too! Steel Beam!"

"Corknight!" Corviknight's cry was matched only by the smirk upon his beak and the glowing of his body, one that fired out in a rain of lustery beams. They all converged on the same spot, blasting into Sableye's body. The boughs of pine and leaves were rustled, and while some were blown away, many more were left intact, with Sableye tangled up in the branches.

"Steel Wing!" Corviknight dove, still retaining his silvery glow. Sableye tried to break free, but even Marnie knew not to contest it. She just got ready.

"Foul Play!" It was an attack Gloria knew was coming, but just like every other part of Corviknight's style, she let him face it head on. The wing collided with Sableye's neck, carrying it out of the branches and into the air with him. In that moment, Sableye struck, wrapping its arms and preparing to throw.

"Drill Peck! Spin it off!" Corviknight spun, taking Sableye on a wild ride. First one of its arms disengaged from the rotation, while the bird's beak extended outwards. Then, Sableye began to slip, barely hanging on until Corviknight spun out. Sableye fell to the ground, dazed and staggering. "Finish it!"

"COR!" Corviknight sailed in, and before Sableye could recover, he struck. His beak drove home, sending a force of air through Sableye and then sending it flying through the air. It landed against a stump with a mighty thwack. With a grunt, it slid to the ground, and Corviknight flinched, the fires blazing around his body.

In that moment, it didn't matter. "Sableye is unable to battle! Corviknight is the winner!"

The crowd cheered, though Gloria couldn't find it in herself to be relieved. Marnie wasn't, either, even if her lips were showing a slight upturn to themselves. "Yer pretty resourceful, Gloria."

"Not too bad yourself, Marnie. Keep it going?" she asked of the girl. Of course, Corviknight understood she was asking him, too, and he nodded. He had some fight left in him yet. His eyes narrowed, no hint of a taunt on them as he waited.

"Of course. Toxtricity, let's rock out!"

Gloria was surprised, not expecting the call at all. Certainly not expecting the Pokémon. The crowd, however, loved it as Marnie's next call appeared on the screen, its image moving front and center on the scoreboard against the blacked-out images of Liepard and Sableye, with Bisharp's merely grayed out. Behind Marnie, Team Yell looked to be crying, something about matching her brother.

"Yeah, give 'em a good show, Marnie! Rock on, Toxtricity!" Piers shouted into his microphone. Some of the crowd laughed, but a great many more cheered. Gerry kept the enthusiasm pumping.

"And it looks like Marnie's taking a lesson from her big bro, Gym Leader Piers, gents," Gerry yelled out. Corviknight flapped back, keeping a slight distance from Marnie's Toxtricity, one very different in appearance from her own, lined with blue electricity over yellow. "Her Low Key Toxtricity is on the field and ready to dazzle! Will this one turn the tides?"

"I plan to. Toxtricity, Sludge Wave!"

"Toxaaa!" It was a deep, guttural growl, very unlike anything her own Toxtricity had put out. It was matched with the same intensity of the wave. Marnie's Toxtricity plunged its hands down, and from the grassy ground emerged a wave of poison that swept over the arena. The trees were melted and moved aside, and the wave rose high, covering both Corviknight and Gloria's visibility.

"Just push forward, then! Steel Wing!" Corviknight answered with a cry and dove into the sludge, unaffected by its poison with his wing shining. Soon as he broke out the other side, the wave subsided and Corviknight was upon Toxtricity, bringing his wing slamming into the lizard.

"Power-Up Punch!" Toxtricity barely made a noise. Its fist just glowed orange and then made an uppercut straight into Corviknight's chest, one that sent him flying up.

"Steel Beam!" Gloria shouted, tossing her arm out. Corviknight pulled back, the drag of wind slowing his body as he gathered the silver energy. This time, it fired in one focused beam for Toxtricity, who didn't make a move to dodge at all. It took the attack head on, only crossing its arms to defend itself. "Now, Drill Peck!"

"Power-Up Punch."

The two clashed in the center of the field, beak against fist. They each fought for dominance, pushing one and then the other back. Neither had the upper hand until Gloria saw the other fist, glowing orange and aiming to clock Corviknight on the side. "Air Slash!"

"Cor!" Corviknight let his Drill Peck go, enough that the first Power-Up Punch went through, but helped him avoid the second. He flipped in the air, creating the orb of wind that he sent battering down. It broke into numerous ribbons that barraged Toxtricity with force.

"Sludge Wave!" Toxtricity plunged, bringing up the barrier of sludge. The second it appeared, the remaining parts of Air Slash battered harmlessly against the poison. "Power-Up Punch!"

"She keeps doing the same thing…" Gloria muttered, eyes narrowing at Marnie's unreadable face. There was no doubt some practicality to it; the girl wasn't one given to frivolous orders. Unable to discern them, however, and with Corviknight still shuddering as the flames flumed up his body again, she knew she had to stick with her own strategies. "Steel Wing! Match it!"

Corviknight dove at Toxtricity, his wings shining with all of their power. The orange punch met it head on, crunching against Corviknight's body. Her bird refused to stop, nailing Toxtricity on its long body to send it backwards.

And that was when Gloria saw it, the red glow of the attack increase.

Marnie cracked a smile. "Stored Power!"

"TOX!" Toxtricity glowed, its already blue and purple body glowing a further purple, all of it gathered at the Pokémon's chest. The process didn't take long, and with a single strum, the purple beam fired with the full brunt of Toxtricity's increases. Corviknight had nowhere to run, his body soon consumed by the full force. The beam cut into a part of the stadium's shield, but the audience was left unharmed. The same could not be said for Corviknight, whose body was smoking.

"Not much left? Steel Beam!"

"Corna!" Corviknight circled in the air, calling all of his energies to himself, trying to keep out of range for any other attack that was to come. Not that Marnie attacked…not until Corviknight fired.

"Overdrive!" With a planted foot, Marnie's Toxtricity strummed the same familiar beat as Gloria's was used to. Only the electricity that pulsed out this time was blue, barreling through the air for the prone Corviknight. Toxtricity took the Steel Beam, but Corviknight remained exposed, the Overdrive jolting through his entire body and making further smoke waft up from it.

"C…cor…" Corviknight hung for a moment, and then the fire flashed out. He fell, crashing on the ground with little more than a whimper.

"Yeah! Marnie! Show 'er the power of yer rock!"

"Keep the beat, Toxtricity! Whooooo!"

The crowd was excited, the score evened up again. Across from Gloria, returning Corviknight after his strong battles, Marnie's Toxtricity was showing small signs of fatigue. With the crowd buzzing around them, it made her choice inherently obvious. "Let's put on a real show. Toxtricity, counter rock!"

"Toxisss!"

"Gloria calls her own Toxtricity to the field to battle Marnie's! We have a double Toxtricity battle here, folks!"

As if in proof to Kalas's claims, both girls stepped forward at once. "Overdrive!"

The two lizards were planted in place, and together they struck a single chord that resonated around the stadium. The crowd cheered wildly as the waves of electricity blasted out, colliding against each other. A couple lights popped from the collision of electricity, but everything else remained steady. Gloria broke the stalemate first. "Poison Jab!"

"Sludge Wave!" Gloria's Pokémon ran at Marnie's, arms wreathed in purple glowing goop, but the long-range attack managed to move first. The wave rose, covering visibility once again. Toxtricity tried to beat against it, but to no avail, the wave swallowing him. Worse yet, on the other side, Marnie had cracked a grin, the Stored Power she was going to unleash ready. And at once, she gave the command.

"TOXAAA!" The same as with Overdrive, Marnie's Toxtricity strummed. Like before, it blasted out the purple beam that consumed Gloria's Toxtricity, blasting all the way into the wall. When it was over, Gloria's Pokémon fell towards the ground, smoking. He pushed against it, struggling to get up.

Marnie wasn't going to let him. "Power-Up Punch!"

With a single leap and a glowing fist, Marnie's Toxtricity leapt in for the finish.

Author's Note: And so we're deep in the thicket of the Marnie battle! I hope to have captured her pragmatic style well while keeping the battle fast-paced and engaging with Gloria's own multitude of styles. Not that it's the only thing to say about the chapter, namely pointing to Bede's rather pathetic display showing just how deep in the rabbit hole he is. How will he crawl out of it? Will he? Time will tell.

Viroro: And with this, we're halfway into Gloria's first major battle in the Wyndon Conference, a battle that we hope really showcases Marnie's skills and strategy. This was one of the looser-planned battles, but I like to think Epicocity did a good job translating it into the fast-paced battle you saw. Even if Gloria and Marnie are very good friends, neither of them has any intention to give the other an easy victory.

Beyond this, though, we also had fun with a moment of quiet with Gloria and her team the night before, with fun interactions with both Team Rocket and Marnie (who really sees through Gloria more than our girl does), and a much more important meeting with Bede. As Epicocity said, he's really sunk extremely deep down from how he used to be with his desperate need of affirmation, and it's clearly something that's weighing heavily on him, but only time will tell where his path will lead him.

For now, hope you enjoyed the first half of the Marnie battle, and that you'll keep looking forward to what's to come!

Now, some gratitude: to Lion Assaulter for favoriting; and the biggest of thanks to MythGirl Writes, Purim Popoie, FantasyLover88, Nostradamus, Tenzalucard123, ChE clarinetist, potat lasaro, AmourshippingCanon, Captainsquid12, RRV55, Fury, Ander Arias, UltimateCCC, TheAuraLucarioGamer, StacheKing, aliensinnoh and 1 guest for reviewing.

The battle with Marnie continues, so until then, please Review and,

Dare to Be Silly.