NOTE: Credits to Man on the Internet on YouTube for the lyrics used later on in this chapter.

TEAM: Twigs (Rillaboom) & Zap (Toxtricity), Spike (Drednaw) & Tilda (Vileplume), Hook (Galarian Slowbro) & Cress (Vikavolt)

Flare's POV

I wondered if the Dark type theme of Spikemuth was taken a bit too literally, because walking through that passageway felt like entering the alleyway of an alleyway. There a massive metal barrier was built around the whole place, with the only light coming from the dinky light bulbs up high and the many neon signs on the buildings. It did have this unsettling underground feel with how isolated it felt, but Marnie said it felt like home with how shut off it was from the world.

I guess I get it. It was dark and mostly quiet, but it was somewhat well lit, so I could see it had its charm. I liked the neon signs, very retro.

After that battle, we agreed to head to the local Pokémon Center, which still bore its signature design and its radiant red dome of a roof. That was where I was surprised to find a few trainers lurking about, but they were just Team Yell locals. Even the ones running the Poké Mart section were those black and pink clad punks. But not Nurse Joy, shockingly enough.

"You know, I'm surprised there's an actual Nurse Joy working all the way out here," I commented, making sure everything was in my satchel as we headed back out.

"I was expectin' that," Marnie replied with a nod, giving William some head pats before recalling him. "Even in a place as remote as this, with the stuff us Spikemuthers get into, we'll need all the healthcare we can get."

I remembered when I met Team Yell in the desert and they offered to be a human ladder. "I can see why."

I started to warm up to this place the more I strolled around. There was no large Dark type stadium that stood out, surprisingly enough, so I began to feel curious about that. As we paced around the dark brick streets, well, street, of this dark town, Marnie led me further down the hallway-like path that Spikemuth was. Compared to the other cities, this was a place that looked right out of a movie, so I wasn't opposed to the idea of Marnie touring me around for a bit.

"... Apparently this place used to be one of those 'Join Avenues' but it kinda got run down from lack of activity. Kind of a shame." Marnie held her hands behind her head, clearly lax about this. "Course, this all happened long before I was born so I wouldn't know what it was like in its heyday."

"Guess that explains all the shop-looking buildings." I looked at the facilities that lined the walls, though I was only met with closed shops that probably stayed that way for a while. My eyes landed on a neon sign with only half of its letters still functional. "Doesn't look like there are a lot of places to shop, though…"

"Mostly just abandoned buildings and apartments." Marnie's gaze was tilted upwards to where the old lightbulbs hung. "If you wanted to get some good eats, I would just sneak over to this hole in the wall in Hammerlocke I could show you sometime. The boutiques here are mostly alright. I just prefer somethin' more glamorous, but if you're lookin' for some threads like what Team Yell wears, be my guest."

And I was just starting to wonder why the colours of Marnie's vest and blouse looked so different than the colours Team Yell wore. "Oh, so like goth style stuff?"

Marnie stomped her boot and glared at me. "It's punk, not goth, know the difference."

"O-Okay, okay." I didn't expect her to be so passionate about this, but then again, this is her hometown. Though now that I think about it, I'm not exactly a Postwick expert, that one goes to Hop.

Thinking about a place with actual sunlight had me glance back at the shutter way behind us. It was probably the only thing that could be opened to let sunlight in, but now it was locked shut. Locked shut from both sunlight and angry Gym Challengers, apparently.

"Oh, that?" Marnie must've caught me staring. "Another one of Team Yell's ridiculous stunts to put me ahead in the Gym Challenge, apparently. The lot from Spikemuth's tellin' me they locked down the city for my sake. But if I'm too busy trying to buzz 'em off to actually get my badges, it's not really doin' much, is it?"

"Oh." I briefly remembered the first time I ran into Team Yell in Motostoke. "Still about that 'first come, first serve' motivation, is that it?"

Marnie nodded, slowly swaying her arms by her sides. "Right, that's no way to help someone at all! I tried tellin' 'em this was a rubbish idea, but they refuse to hear me out. I could just rat them out to my brother since he's in charge, but they won't even let me get to him. Stupid Linoone…"

"Then I could get to him." I proposed the idea without a second thought. "I mean, I'm going to need my seventh Gym Badge anyways, so I might as well."

"I was hopin' you'd say that!" Marnie smiled, looking excited. "Alright, you can't miss my big brother Piers. He's at the very end of the corridor doin' another one of his concerts. Just follow the rock music."

"I-"

I couldn't even get another word in before Marnie grabbed my hand and pulled me ahead once more. I really shouldn't be surprised, but I was still caught off guard at how insistent she was at bringing me from zero to fast.

"W-Wait, right now? Don't I have to prepare for this and stuff?" I tried to protest, but she still kept hauling me. "I'm not even wearing my Gym Challenger uniform!"

"We don't have the time or changin' rooms for that! I don't even think my bro knows that he's been picked as one of this year's Gym Leaders, so I'm sure it's no fuss!"

At last, Marnie finally let me go before I could worry about stumbling over a brick or something. She didn't seem nearly as winded this time, though.

She kept excitedly continuing with her pointers. "Just keep headin' through the road of abandoned buildings. You might get ambushed here and there, so I'll go on 'ead to try to get the lot to clear off for you. I know you can handle yourself!"

I didn't know what was more disorienting, being hauled around by Marnie or being left alone in a place as dim as this as she ran off. I think I would've preferred the former just because I was really enjoying her company.

It didn't help that I felt even more unsettled when I walked past a tattered poster of Chairman Rose. Maybe they just didn't like him for some reason, but I was afraid of what that meant for me. Like as if this was a bad corner of town.

Okay, so it's Gym time now, I guess? I took a breath and tried to compose myself, holding one of my Pokéballs close. Even without Marnie, I was never entirely alone, after all. Just have to follow the abandoned buildings. Even in the deathly silence that was composed of nothing but my own footsteps, I tried my best to think of it as nothing but a leisurely stroll, and-

Ow.

I ended up walking face first into some sort of wall I probably didn't see because it was so dark. Then as I felt around it I realized it was some sort of invisible wall in front of me. And then I saw the Mr. Mime lounging on the other side of it.

"I'm still yellin' for no reason!"

I quickly turned around just in time to shield my eyes as a pair of people jumped out of a nearby window and onto some sacks on the street. After their ungraceful landing I found myself face to face with some moderately disgruntled but still peeved Team Yell grunts.

"'Old on, mate! I recognize you!" One of the big guys started blowing his horn and stomping. "Y'think you can just stroll on 'ere into Spikemuth to see Piers, do ya? Well, this is an ambush!"

"Dis our territory, y'hear? Get out or get shivved!" The other one pulled out… a knife?!

"Oi, mate. She's a Gym Challenger. We're supposed to battle 'er."

"Bugger."

… okay? The split second of panic that peaked slowly dissipated as I watched the guy put away his shining blade for a Pokéball. Okay, okay, Pokémon battle, he said bugs, time to send in my own.

I nervously dropped my Pokéball which sent Cress out, who buzzed between me and my assailants and waved her claw teeth at them.

I tried to focus for the sake of commanding her. "We're a bit cornered here because of this Mr. Mime. Do you think you can still handle this?" I was a bit worried just in case these Team Yell thugs weren't actually pushovers.

"There's only one thing to do about it!" Cress' wings started beating faster as she charged up her attack. "It's time to beat 'em up!"

Okay, they actually were pushovers. Either that or Cress was just that strong. I would be satisfied with either outcome, really. A few Bug Buzzes dealt with those Dark types easily, and that got the Mr. Mime to head off too.

"We'll get you next time, you yank!"

"H-Hey, I'm not a yank!" I called after them as they ran off. "I just… grew up on a lot of foreign movies!"

I spotted a neon sign that only had the word 'Go' lit up and quickly continued back the way forward.

Please don't get ambushed again pleased don't get ambushed again-

I just tried to pretend this was just like the last time I brought Cress into a Gym, which was in Turffield. There I had to run down a path and have her deal with minor interruptions along the way, and it was the same deal here. Except here I had to deal with the potential danger of getting mugged. I knew how this stuff worked in movies.

-ow! Could do with less invisible walls, though! I thought these Mr. Mime were from Kanto, where did these guys get them?

Still, even if battling them wasn't anything special, the way these Team Yell grunts introduced themselves caught me off guard with their flourish. After bumping into that wall, I turned around to see a pair of Team Yell ladies backflip somersaulting towards me. They did one last flip up close and held out their towels like weapons.

"My hands hurt from doin' that!" One of them boldly declared. "That's why my Pokémon do the fighting and not me!"

"Agreed! But with these Spikemuth exclusive Marnie towels, you can bandage those bruises with a pretty face or even cause 'em for the low low price of-" The other one stopped to stare at me. "'Ey, 'old on, you're one of Marnie's friends!"

"O-Oh." The sudden change in tone caught me off guard. I gave her a sheepish smile and wave. "Yep, that's me. I think I remember you from… the way to Stow-on-Side, right?"

She squealed. "That's me! The Silicobra lady! Can't believe Marnie's friend remembers me, I'm a big fan!"

I awkwardly chuckled. It was enough of an odd sight seeing an actual adult fangirling over somebody like me. If you're such a big fan you could start calling me by my actual name…

"Hope you don't mind us battlin' you and stuff. That's jus' rules."

I figured that was fair enough. What wasn't fair was that with Cress buzzing by my side, her Weavile didn't last very long. With that over with, the Team Yell ladies left me be and backflipped away into the darkness. They're really not that bad, actually.

As I continued some more, I started to understand what Marnie meant by following the rock music. Very faintly, in the distance, I could barely hear the sounds of a concert. Shouldn't be much longer now.

And then a Team Yell grunt leapt out of a pile of boxes and in front of me. Cress and I readied ourselves.

"Pincer attack!" he yelled. "Come on, I said pincer attack!"

That's when I heard the panicked footsteps from a Team Yell grunt behind me. Or at least, that's what I thought he was, but he seemed to lack the punk coat as well as the face paint.

"Sorry, boss!" The panicked man stumbled into position with his Pokéball. "I was in such a hurry to get my costume on that I forgot! I really don't want anyone to know that us Team Yell guys are just Spikemuth's Gym Trainers!"

I blinked at him. "You're actually Gym Trainers?" Oh, wait, Marnie already told me that.

"She knows too much!"

They sent out their Pokémon at the same time, one in front and one behind me. I didn't expect to have to deal with a Double Battle here, but I tried not to let that deter my stride. I knew Cress would deal with the Liepard easily, but I kept my eye on Hook as a Drapion approached him.

He just calmly hovered in place, pointing his shelled arm at a part of the ground near the Drapion. Then a hole burst through a part of the floor it stepped on, immediately knocking it out with the debris from the crater Hook manifested. Well, that's one way to use Dig.

My Slowbro looked at me with a well deserved smug grin. "Was there ever any doubt?"

"None from me, big guy!" Cress proclaimed, and a buzz later, I looked to see her perched atop the fainted Liepard.

With those last few Team Yell grunts being sent packing, it was a hopefully clear path to the concert area Marnie told me about. The rock music was probably as loud as it could be, I guessed. It looked like there was some of gathering just a bit ahead, maybe a line of sorts, and-

"Shut your gob!"

I picked up the pace and continued running ahead at the sound of Marnie's voice. She was facing a group of Team Yell grunts, with a part of her sleeve pulled up again to reveal a fist. "It's just Gym Challengers outside, what're you gettin' at?!"

The cowering grunts seemed to shrink under her glare. "I-It's not just 'em! We saw those shady league blokes in our stakeouts, coverin' Pokémon in those creepy red glows!"

Wait a minute… I remembered hearing Team Yell speak about that last time I ran into them, so I silently stepped closer. "What's going on?"

Marnie turned to me and quickly rolled her sleeve back down. "Oh, Flare. Just tryin' to get these guys to scram but nothin's workin'. They still won't let up on their whole act, I'm still gettin' complaints about 'em cheerin' on random wild Pokémon just because they don't have anythin' better to do." She faced them again. "Seriously, you mongs? Silicobra and Morpeko? People need to use the Route 7 tunnel, y'know!"

"W-We don't exactly have anywhere else to go! We have restrainin' orders!"

Marnie tried stepping to the side, but a wall of grunts followed. She sighed and glanced back at me. "I'll keep 'em distracted. Now go confront the Gym Leader!"

"Hmm? Uh, okay!" I would've liked to get another word in with the Team Yell guys, but they were already busy shimmying back and forth along the corridor.

Guess now's my chance. While they were doing that, I quietly sent Hook out so he could levitate me over the masses.

With those sliding footsteps over with, I found myself in front of the concert area where the music was coming from. I could barely hear my own footsteps over the sound of rock. It looked like there was a stage where Piers would be, but I couldn't see him with the audience of Team Yell grunts blocking the way. But I could still hear him over the speakers propped up on the nearby wire fencing.

"Pretty lights don't shine so bright down here, neon fades 'til only dark remains!

Hear that sound, the cry of the underground, in the shadows of your darkest day!"

I tried to faintly recall what Piers looked like from battle tapes I remember seeing, because that voice had soul . It was loud, yet still harmonic. If that was how Marnie's big brother sang, then I started to wonder if she could sing like that too. The thought of fighting someone that talented at a place like this made me quake in my shoes.

Maybe I should get into rock music…

Still, I found the courage to look around for a way forward. This area isn't nearly as big as the stadiums I'm used to… and how am I going to reach Piers over that crowd?

"Oh 'ey! Marnie's friend! Flare! Over 'ere!" It was a Yell grunt's voice, and I looked around to see one waving to me from behind a nearby desk against the wall. I followed his call to see him standing behind some sort of DJ equipment, and even wearing headphones. "It's me, the guy who owns the boombox! Just takin' over for the guy who's normally here, but it's me!"

"Oh, hi… guy." I didn't expect this many reunions coming here, but it was nice to see another… friendly face? He seemed delighted to see me at least, so that was a good sign.

"Was kinda hopin' to see you in good ol' Spikemuth eventually. So what brings you 'ere?" He leaned over his desk, speaking loudly over the music. "Want some of our newly discounted Marnie merch? A Team Yell outfit? A Mr. Mime?"

Some of that stuff does sound tempting, but… I tried to stay focused. … maybe later. "I'm actually here to see Piers? The Gym Leader?" I tried my best to raise my voice so I could be heard, which felt a bit awkward.

"Oh, Piers!" The grunt ducked to rummage through a nearby box before bringing something out. "'Ere, you'll need this."

He handed me a microphone of some sort. I gave him a confused look. "What's this for?"

"It's already hooked up to all the speakers 'ere, yeah." He pointed to all of them as if to demonstrate. "You'll need it to call 'im over and also for the battle and all that jazz. Good luck!" He gave me two thumbs up at that.

"Okay then…" I couldn't hear my own hesitation over the blaring rock. It suddenly occurred to me that there was very little I knew about Piers' battling, and Hop wasn't here to give me pointers. I looked back at the grunt one more time. "I've never actually seen what a Spikemuth Gym battle is like. Do you have any more tips?"

"Right, right." He nodded. "He's been feeling kinda out of it lately, but don't underestimate him. Piers likes doin' things different, so he actually sings his strategies out loud for you to hear. That might sound like it makes things easy, but don't let the loud banger rock distract you, that's how he gets ya."

He… sings? I looked down at my microphone and silently hoped I wouldn't have to sing too. With a gulp, I stepped forward and got ready to speak.

"Hello?"

I immediately flinched at hearing my voice echo all around me from every speaker in the area. I did not expect it to play back that loud. At that moment, it was like all the music stopped so the silence could focus on what I just did.

"A shrill voice… If it's another one of those chairman representatives asking me to move, buzz off." I heard Piers' voice, not over the speaker, but normally. "I've said it before, our barrier has kept us safe and it's all we need." I was a bit surprised to hear how different his speaking voice was compared to his singing voice. It was as if all the flavor from it was sucked dry.

Then the audience saw me and cleared away, making a path for Piers. And there I got to see him in person. I thought Marnie was pale, but Piers was absolutely bleached compared to her. He still had that rocker's outfit and hair, but his heavy eyes and his hunched over stance spoke a different energy.

"Oh. A Gym Challenger." His tall glowering eyes seemed to glance at my wrist. He leaned back with a sigh before continuing. "So those league bums still think I'm a great Gym Leader? Let's see about that… So." His unamused sneer seemed to pierce right through me. "Here to challenge me, are you?"

It was a very awkward spot to be in, interrupting a concert, and being surrounded by the audience while the Gym Leader scrutinized me. Still, I persevered. "Yes I am."

Piers calmly continued. "Some things you should know then, this is a simple Gym stadium. We can't even Dynamax our Pokémon, but well… I still hope you enjoy the battle."

So… no Dynamaxing? Explains the small battlefield. This all felt very unconventional, but at this point, I tried to adapt. With the way Piers stepped back and the crowd cleared away, I figured this was the part where we took our positions, so I did the same.

"Now then…"

And right as I did, I turned around at the sound of feedback to see Piers whip out his mic stand. A tall black rod with a skull microphone atop. He pulled it out like it was nothing, then kicked it to do a perfect spin with it.

His stance ended with him holding to his leaning stand as he pointed at me. "I'm the Gym Leader of Spikemuth, Piers, the Dark type user!"

The shredding rock music was kicking back in full force around me. Piers was tapping his foot in time with the rhythm and his glower was back. Everything about his demeanor was menacing now.

"You wanna challenge me, even though you know you'll lose? Then this song's for you, foolish Trainer!"

I gulped. The audience of Team Yell members beyond the fencing looked like they were all waiting with bated breath.

"Get ready for a mosh pit with me and my party! Spikemuth, it's time to rock!"

With one hand, I clung to my mic, and with the other, my Pokéball. I was stirring up the confidence to match Piers' energy, but I just knew this battle would be very different.

Author's POV

The air was thick with the tension of battle before the fight even started. Cheers roared from the Spikemuth audience and the formidable tones of Piers' theme song shook the atmosphere. Piers spoke again, his voice this time going from his mic to booming through the speakers of the concert area.

"Here's a number I had saved just for this! You lot in the stands better cheer me on!"

And cheer they did, going wild as Piers swayed on his mic stand and hurled forward his Dusk Ball. As Piers' Scrafty took the field, Flare mustered the resolve to send Cress out. She quickly reminded herself that she was used to battling in front of an audience, and this was no different. Neither was the Pokémon she was fighting.

"Dominate, Intimidate!"

"Thunderbo-"

The Scrafty leapt forward with a Fake Out attack, clapping Cress' mandibles together and disrupting her charge. The Vikavolt tried again, except this time the Scrafty disoriented her with a kicking Sand Attack to the face.

Flare had to shield her eyes from the swirl of dark dust, losing sight of both Pokémon over the disturbance. She frantically tried to make out where Cress was, as well as the Scrafty, until she saw a figure leap into the air.

"Kick you down, seal your fate!"

Hearing the boom of Piers' lyrics, Flare clutched her mic and yelled. "Air Slash!"

Her Vikavolt followed her true aim, dispelling the swirling sand with a piercing gust of air. The attack struck the Scrafty before it could land, messing with its aim and sending it crashing to the ground.

Piers' expression barely shifted as he lowered his face to the mic, sending out his next Pokémon. "Contrary to popular belief, if you look underneath, there's nothin' special about me…"

As a Malamar took the field, Flare briefly wondered about the melancholy shift in Piers' lyrics. But not for long, recalling the advice she was told. She pressed the advantage while she could.

She gripped her mic for her witty comeback. "You wanted me to buzz off so bad? Here you go!"

From Cress came Bug Buzz, and from the Malamar came a dark flurry of Night Slash. Both attacks clashed against each other, pushing for power with each trainer's resolve. And all the while, Piers kept singing.

"... 'cause the fire's fadin' fast, and this season is the last, seen the best, now try the rest, 'fore we fade to memory."

The might of the Bug Buzz overwhelmed the Malamar's Night Slash and sailed towards it.

"See, once I had a dream, and now I've got my team, and we're here to test yours…"

Piers looked up from his mic to see his Malamar fall to the ground.

"... so don't disappoint me."

And still the sounds raged on, as did the crowd, while Flare allowed herself a smile at how the music started playing in her favour. Piers smirked at the sight, tapping his foot as he brought out another Dusk Ball.

"For a brawl, give your all."

His Obstagoon took the stage.

"Proud high roar, scream for more!"

The following yell from trainer and Pokémon alike drove the Team Yell crowd even wilder.

All the while, Flare knew it was her turn to make some more noise. "Bug Buzz!"

Cress' wings continued to beat loudly over the music, and in response, the Obstagoon put its arms up towards the incoming blast. An X-shaped barrier formed to Obstruct the blow. Then, with blinding speed, it rushed towards the Vikavolt, claws aimed for an uppercut swipe. The chop shattered Cress near her abdomen, and the Obstagoon haphazardly tossed her to the ground.

The worried trainer briefly felt the world fall silent as she rushed to her Pokémon's side. Her hands fumbled for a Hyper Potion. "Cress, are you-"

The Vikavolt coughed. "Fine. Battered, but still fine…" Her voice was weak.

With a quick sigh of relief, Flare steadied herself and applied the healing spray. "Of course Throat Chop would disrupt Bug Buzz, why didn't I prepare for this?"

It was a hefty blow, so she just needed a little more time to let Cress recover. That meant she had to let Hook take the field to stall for time.

"Just one attack, hopefully…" She quietly whispered to herself as she tended back to Cress, hoping this wouldn't be the last time she'd see Hook either. "Please…"

"Face the lights, leave them bright,

toss a quiet spell, take this thrust from hell!"

Hook held his Shellder up to block the incoming claws, but the Obstagoon swatted his arm away and nailed the piercing jab. The super effective thrust slashed at the hide near his throat, digging into it. For a desperate moment, in that second of unbearable pain, Hook wanted to scream, yell, plea, but no sound came out.

But yet, his strength didn't falter.

"I will not be silenced!"

His voice was strained, but he knew his power wasn't. With the Obstagoon up close, Hook easily landed a Yawn bubble before rearing his Shellder back. The physical poisonous strike alongside the drowsiness left the Obstagoon reeling and groggy.

"My turn!" Cress zoomed back into action, quick to the draw with her buzzing wings and her incoming blast.

With drowsy, weakened eyes, the Obstagoon couldn't maintain focus over the music and gave in to the cacophony of Cress' wings.

Flare let out a sigh of relief so heavy that her microphone picked some of it up. The display she just witnessed had her heart do several backflips and she quickly tried to get her head back into the game.

As for Piers, his heavy displeased stare watched as his prized Obstagoon fell. He was down to one last Pokémon, yet his fans in the audience were still roaring and cheering for him, as if they were still clamoring for more.

"On my last legs and they're still rootin' for me…" he muttered. "Even if the music is still goin' I thought they'd know better by now." His forceful voice boomed through the speakers as he looked back to his challenger. "I don't do encores, get it? Not songs, not moves, not Pokémon!"

Flare watched as a Skuntank took the field and she had Cress try to end this quickly with a Thunderbolt. The blast rang out, but the impact didn't connect, as the Skuntank promptly zipped away from the attack and Sucker Punched Cress from behind.

"This world Sucker Punches all, who haven't had a fall, it lets you know that pride will come before."

Again came the faltering tragic tone that Flare raised an eyebrow at. "Can't focus on that, I need to focus on the battle…"

Cress shrugged off the blow, nodding back at Flare as they remembered how to counter this. She hovered in place, deliberately not preparing an attack as the Skuntank zipped around some more.

Piers smirked. "Whiffing your attack, eh? Get a whiff of this, then."

Instead of a swipe, the Skuntank fired a glob of poison from the tip of its tail. It struck Cress right in the face and left her in a coughing fit as her hovering started to falter.

"And the culture's Toxic too, seeks conformity of you, leaves you by the wayside when you can't give more."

"Oh, this isn't good…" Flare muttered, realizing that she had to end this fight now or never.

In a fit of panic, all Cress could do in her poisoned state was fire off more Thunderbolts that missed because of Sucker Punch. Flare tried to counteract this with an Antidote spray, but the Skuntank immediately fought back with another application of Toxic. Nothing was working and the chaos of turmoil was starting to get to them.

"Think, think, think!" She tried to come up with a plan, but the roaring cheers and the blaring music and the sounds of Sucker Punching made it hard to concentrate. All through this battle she tried to counteract Piers' musical strategies and yet, even if she was winning, the music wasn't letting up in the slightest. "How am I supposed to counteract…?"

She then looked towards the mic in her hand. The grunt said she needed it, but she didn't quite understand until that very moment. Piers' melancholy lyrics made his faltering spirit evident, but regardless of that, his powerful presence in the thrilling beats of battle still lingered. There was no silencing that, and all Flare could do was go along with the music.

Flare took a deep breath and focused. She held her mic close and started tapping her foot. Despite the danger, the music was still going, and it was her turn to harness its strength. Its cacophony brought about a powerful melody that tore through the air, and she was there to brave the storm. With Flare's returning resolve, she landed a healing spray on Cress and started to come up with a plan.

While their Pokémon were going at it, Flare focused her gaze on Piers, recognizing his sorrowful flow, and stepped forward. The chorus was coming on, and it was time for her to put her spin on it.

"But the fire's burning bright,"

Piers caught on. "I can see some hope tonight,"

"Because you stand above the rest,"

"And you're the best in memory."

Cress weaved through the air, trying her best to bait out Toxic attacks instead of Sucker Punches. All the while the Skuntank kept leaping around with evasive lunges, swiping and blasting as it pleased. The constant healing sprays of Antidotes helped, but the Vikavolt knew she had to wait a bit longer.

"See, once you had a dream,"

Hook appeared in front of Cress.

"And now I've got my team,"

He blocked the incoming Toxic with his Shellder.

"And we're here to test yours,"

He concentrated his energy on where the Skuntank would land.

"So don't disappoint me!"

Rather than a defeated mutter, both trainers shouted that lyric in a finale of powerful triumph. The resulting echo was a clash of heart and soul turned into booming harmony. At the same time, as if rocking the earth, the ground beneath the Skuntank burst open, blasting it with debris. The whole room, music and audience and all, fell silent just as the sounds of battle did.

Then came the erupt of pained cries from the audience of Team Yell. Some were upset that Piers lost, some were deeply moved by the performance, but all of them were just as vocal. And with the dust settled, the sound of feedback reverberated throughout the arena as Piers crumpled down in front of his mic stand with a look of anguish.

Flare had her own brief moment of celebration with her Pokémon, but that was short lived. "O-Oh no." Seeing Piers in this state, she wondered if running forward to comfort him was a good idea. "Are you-"

"Okay? I'm not too fussed. Never better, actually."

The whole stadium watched in silence as Piers propped himself up back to his feet. He collapsed his mic stand and tucked it back into his vest pocket. And then he recalled his fainted Skuntank, still wearing his stoic expression, but he did so with a smile. In his tired state, he slowly walked over to Flare from across the battlefield.

"Looks like you win this fight. I'm glad we were able to battle. Seems like my Pokémon feel the same way." He offered her his hand. "Me an' my team gave it our best, and that battle helped remind me I still had another team who I know always got my back. We may have lost, but at least we drove the audience wild."

Flare smiled back and accepted his gloved handshake. There was a lingering moment of relief that washed over the two, like the calm silence that followed an intense struggle that still rang in their ears.

"Okay, now that just leaves one more… huh?" Flare stared her empty hand in confusion.

"Oh, the Dark Badge." Piers lifted a finger to point towards the desked Team Yell grunt nearby. "You can get one of those trinkets from the souvenir shop free of charge with my permission. Maybe get a Dark type uniform on your way out to show your Spikemuth spirit. Because if you ask me, even with your bright golden locks, I think you still got it."

"Oh!" Flare found herself sheepish at the flattery, and quickly remembered she was wearing her black jumper and black trousers instead of her Gym uniform.

She sheepishly went over it in her head. "I'm not actually punk, I've actually only grown to wear this because it's what Hop wears…"

"That was actually kinda sweet."

To their surprise, Marnie stood by the entrance to the concert area, looking pleased with herself.

Piers stifled an amused breath. "So you were watchin', sis. Does this mean you're here to challenge me, or were you just here to watch me lose?"

Marnie pouted as she walked up to him. "You know I got my battlin' style from you, right? Don't go gettin' upset over your losses like you always do." She stomped her boot. "And if there's anythin' to be upset about, you know your lot is causin' a bunch of trouble around Galar, right? They say they're helpin' me out by leavin' the shutter closed, but I haven't even gotten my fifth Gym Badge because of all their rubbish! They keep goin' on about shutting the town off from this weird red glow they've been seein'!"

Piers exhaled again, barely fazed. "Makes sense. They likely don't even know what a Dynamax is. I heard about the restraining orders."

"Erm…" Flare hesitated. She felt like she had something to say on the matter, but she felt as if it wasn't her place. She just backed away and let the siblings continue going at it.

"... Sure, sure, I'll call 'em off." Piers nodded, rubbing his shoulder. "I'll make sure they don't perform any other stunts like this. I can tell your battle spirit's really showin' now, Marns. 'Sides, can't keep a leash on the kind of natural talent you'd need to run this joint."

Marnie was flattered for a second, but she quickly waved his praise away. "Save me the talk. I know you planned to retire after this Gym Challenge and all so I could take over, but I think you're a great Gym Leader, even if you refuse to Dynamax your Pokémon. I love you, but my answer is a big fat no." Her determined smile followed. "I mean, I can't be a Champion and a Gym Leader at the same time, and I only have my sights set for one of those!"

Piers chuckled once more, his gaze softening into something fond. "You always were more focused than me when it came to this kind of stuff, Marnie."

Marnie smiled back, but she still jabbed at his arm. "That's just because you're too laid back, y'know."

Piers slowly lifted a hand to gently pat her head. "I like to call it goin' with the flow. And speakin' of, shouldn't you go follow yours?"

Marnie nodded. "Got it. Don't get too comfy without me, 'k? I'll be back to kick your butt before you know it."

"And I'm lookin' forward to that."

Marnie looked around for a second before her eyes landed on Flare, who was busy checking out the souvenir desk. Piers watched as his eager sister sped away, tugging her friend along. It was an amusing display, and while she was still here, he found himself at ease.

"She's really comin' out of her shell. Champion or not, I'm still proud of 'er. Either way, I know she'll be the change Spikemuth needs."

Flare's POV

And to think I was so close to finally getting some merchandise…

After returning the microphone, I was looking forward to getting some nifty novelties at the souvenir desk. The box the Team Yell guy showed me had quite the selection, but I spent too much time gawking at Marnie merch that the real deal came along and hauled me away. So close, yet so far…!

At the very least, I still got the important thing I was supposed to snag. While I was still being tugged away by the sleeve, I took out my Dark Badge as well as my Challenger Band.

Okay, now that just leaves one more…

I watched as the piece magnetically stuck into place with a satisfying snap. I have seven badges now. That just leaves one more. One last Raihan-shaped hole in my badge collection. The thought of it excited me with how close the number eight was.

"Admirin' your stash, are ya?" Marnie glanced back at me. "I'm definitely not lettin' you lot get to Wyndon without me, then!"

I wasn't really looking where we were going, so I was surprised when Marnie suddenly changed directions for a detour that led out her secret path.

"So wait…" I had to shield my eyes from the sunlight as we stepped out. Well, whatever sunlight was there. "If you wanna catch up so badly, why'd you go out of your way to bring me along?"

"Well, I just thought I'd show you the way out since they're still openin' the shutter and all." Marnie nodded proudly. "Plus… I have to admit I really enjoy your company. Runnin' into you in Glimwood Tangle reminded me how much I enjoyed havin' someone to travel with. I could at least accompany you back to Hammerlocke, since you seem to be headed there anyway."

She seemed a tad flustered at that last part, but her words made me smile. I didn't mind having a friend for this part of the journey, so I gladly inched closer to her.

I took my phone out. "So should I call a flight to Hammerlocke or Ballonlea?"

"Oh, no need." Marnie waved the suggestion away as she led me back through the tall grass. "There's actually a shortcut back to Route 7 through that big pipe tunnel over there."

I followed the direction she was pointing to see-

Something crackled through the skies. The loud boom of thunder made me flinch with how sudden it was. We both froze, staring at the skies above.

"Thunderstorms aren't usually this bad…" Marnie muttered.

It was with horror that I noticed something about the clouds above. "It's… not just a normal thunderstorm."

Oh no…

My eyes lingered on where the thickness in the sky gathered, right past the pipe tunnel where Route 7 was. The thunder boomed once more, but the more I listened, I realized most of the noise was coming from stuff breaking. My suspicions were confirmed when I noticed something glaring about the clouds that hovered over that area.

They were red.