A tale to the children
« Galar is known for its powerful trainers. As Jack said, we've had unbeatable champions for quite a long time already, and today's champion is another beacon of hope we have to look at. So... All of you know about the famous Leon, because your parents may have been fond of his battle style and charisma during his ten-year streak at being Galar's Champion... Do you know any other champion, though ? »
Again, children excitement is just fascinating. All of the eight students raised their hand while shouting their favourite trainer. I couldn't make many names, but just the thought of Piers being Galar's champion made me chuckle a little
« Alright! One at a time. Britanny, you won't bribe me if you look at my brother that way.
— But, wasn't Piers Galar's Champion right after Leon?
— Course' not! Well, he did a lot for Galar the year it happened... »
The children went on and poke fun at Britanny, not realising I am Piers sister... Maybe Jack does, too... Come to think of it, those two are close...
« There must be someone who knows who was Galar's Champion two years ago!
— It was Gloria! »
All the pupils shouted at once. I couldn't help but smile seeing their eyes sparkle; those children didn't know how to read, they already knew about her... I guess she won't be coming today either...
« Do you have anything to say about this champion, beside her name litteraly meaning she's a winner? »
She's strong! She's cool! She's an artist according to one's dad. She's also Galar's most bittersweet champion...
« Brittany, what do you mean by "bittersweet"?
— My mom said she was very harsh on herself. »
All the children were taken aback with what she said.
« Miss Rosemary, what does "bittersweet" mean?
— When something is sweet, you smile. When something is bitter, you frown. Now if something was always sweet, but left you a bitter taste in the throat, would you eat it again?
— I like sweet things! I would!
— Even if it leaves a bad aftertaste in your mouth?
— My brother told me that brushing your teeth is important, and my brother's always right! I'd eat it because I know the bitter part is only for the greedy people! »
... And with that, Cecile smiled with her two missing front-teeth... Now, the children are arguing wether or not one must brush his teeth once or twice a day, or even if you should brush them after each meal...
« Attention, please. »
I'm going to tell you this bittersweet story.
« Galar's Champions are recognised not only because they have the best of all the trainings and Pokémon, neither because their bond with their partner is a unique sight even among the best trainers, or either because they are gifted by an undeniable talent: they are a part of Galar Legends because they were the strongest of all the trainer sharing these same powers.
— But miss, they are way stronger than others, right?
— That's what I'm saying, Katell, they are strong, but that's the case of everyone here. It's called potential... »
Potential is what anyone can achieve, given the right circumstances. Gloria's adventurous personality made her potential bloom; the event of the Darkest Day some of these kids will learn in Current History books don't mention that to fight the strongest of all opponents, Gloria managed to the defeat giant, Dynamaxed Pokémon. In our culture, Dynamax is one of the peak performances a trainer and its Pokémon can attain; with a friend of her, she drove off the Darkest Days and its giants, proving her power. »
Jonathan bragged about witnessing a match directly in a big stadium, where two of these giants were fighting against each other. It was a thrill.
« You know that Galar champion have to be able to reach for their fan. That is why we offer such battle in these stadiums. Gloria was no different. In fact, she fought against the way people started to be afraid of Dynamax Pokémon to such an extent that she was titled as the most bittersweet champion of Galar.
— Because she couldn't keep up with her fan's expectations?
— Nope. Because she was too good at it. In two or three years, people forgot their trauma about teh Darkest Day. That was the problem. Enormous pressure was put on her shoulder. Have you ever heard of the idiom "With great power comes great responsibility"? Because she was way too good, she had to tackle everything by herself and ended up alone. »
Yup, the Champion is able to create such incredible performances that she captivated the audience. No one was up for a fair match against her, that's just how strong she is. Due to her responsibilities, she could hardly be seen anywhere and couldn't really keep in touch with her family or friend.
« Miss Rosemary, asked Florian, do you personally know Gloria?
— I do.
— You were one of her friend she couldn't keep in touch with, right?
— You're quite perceptive. Who told you that? »
Then, he ratted Jack out
« I told you it was a secret!
— It's not fair if you keep secrets with Miss Rosemary! »
Youngsters really tend to explode over little nothings. With a snap of my fingers, they were brought back to the story
« Indeed, I was one of her former friends. I always looked up to her with admiration because back then, I couldn't grasp who I wanted to be... You'll understand what it means at some point. Gloria is the proud type. She's capable, and she can take on overwhelming weights on her shoulder, carry on, and just smile with it. That, children, I'll ask you that: don't learn to be that way.
— Is't that supposed to make us stronger?
— That would have been the case if it didn't make too strong to efficiently rely on your partner. Amy, do you remember what I told you about having great friends? »
She was in the corner all along. I wanted her to participate a little.
« I don't...
... She' avoidind the other's eyes
— It's alright. I'll briefly talk about myself then. You know, I was pretty much like you when I was your age. »
She looked surprised, yet she didn't answer back.
Gloria is a great person, but she thrives for honesty. That's what makes true friends according to her. It doesn't mean never lying, only liars do that. Funnily enough, having someone to be open with was her priority. Even though she carried everything by herself, she really wanted to be heard, and someone on whose shoulder she could rest for a bit. That is why she had friends such as I, and also how she managed to remain good friends with all of us during these times we were together. When she lost her title, the first thing she did was to teach people to be confident in themselves. When our relationship tore apart, our lack of confidence was the one thing to separate us.
« Because you couldn't fully support each other?
— That's an interesting thing to say, Morgan. What made you feel that was the reason?
— Because my mothers often want to help each other, but they are often afraid of not being able to do so. They've explained me that adults have to deal with different hardship, and even within a couple, it is often difficult to say what one should do. »
... Seriously, Morgan and Amy are always like that. They don't say a thing, but the gap between two years really changes a child...
« You're right. We were afraid not to be enough for the Champion, as some of us rarely even participated in Pokémon Battle back then...
— Were you strong as a trainer? »
... Some of them already had asked me this question... By now, they all knew I don't train any Pokémon anymore, but I hid part of the story... I just smiled and told them I was as good as I needed to be, but that I wasn't mature enough. They proceeded telling me I wasn't old, that I was pretty and ladylike, definitely mature but still young...
« We were kind of sidetracked. I wrote something better somewhere, I'll give you an exercise about the legend of Gloria.
— Eh?! An exercise?! But we'll be on holiday next week!
— Don't worry. You know I'm only interested in what you can write, there is no need to be afraid. Then, let me give you some other details! »
Virtues Gloria put so much effort into seeking were not strength. She knew she'd someday fight against someone stronger than her, and it was ok. She sought for confidence, because that feeling deeply move the people and Pokémon at your side; she sought for creativity, because art is a way to express what you can't say. To be honest, her creativity was quite a double-edged sword; who would even try to make a curry with syrup and decorate it with leeches? I laughed, seeing how the children reacted when I presented them the culinary experiences the Champion has done. They asked me about the super Pokémon she fought along, and I told them a tiny part of this legend we have in Galar, about the Darkest Day.
Children are always so full of questions... The story repeatedly drifted away from its original purpose. I couldn't finish the tale, and they learnt so much that wasn't even written... Maybe I should consider rewriting...
« Yo. »
She awkwardly approached me, both hands in her trousers' pockets
« You're getting back to your place? she asked
— Work has ended. Everything's ready at home, so yeah...
— You mind if I come over? »
I... don't think so... I told her to hop in, and we were going promptly.
« How is it, I asked, mood's down?
— Quite. Mom's at the hospital...
— This kind of things... I heard a part of the story. Do you know how long she will be there?
— She was quite weak these days... I hope it won't be for too long.
— My doors are open anyway. Have you told anyone else yet? »
She shook her head. Hop knows, probably. She told me she can't live in their house by herself... Her mother got sick some years ago, maybe due to her age, but it makes her pretty weak from time to times. She's recovering fast, though. Gloria will visit her as soon as possible. My house's pretty tiny, but if she doesn't mind, I wont either.
Author Notes : Greetings. This chapter was... Strange. You see, I'm not used to slow histories. I'm used to large timeskip, throwing my reader in a war while the latest chapter was the two main characters dining together, and sudenly the reader learn one of them is dead and humanity is at stake... That's something I enjoy pretty much. Now, I want to write about an unsure character and about repressed feelings. I lack this experience, but I hope you can enjoy this exercise of mine.