1 WEEK UNTIL TOURNAMENT:
"Would anyone like to explain to me why we need to be here a week before the Tournament even starts, whereas most would be here two to three days before." A boy with platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes huffed as the large group of Galar League officials. The woman leading the group sighed.
"Chairman Rose felt that it would allow you more time to to get used to the reason before the Tournament." Bede scoffed.
"Welp, I'm not complaining." 14 year old Gloria, crowned champion of the Galar Region just two years prior, chirped. She threw her arms in the air. "New Region, new adventure!" Suddenly, all of the energy she had was pretty much snuffed out as she barely kept from stumbling. "Ugh...!" Oleana shook her head.
"The Chairman also felt it would give you time to adjust from the jet lag."
"Where IS Rose?" Raihan questioned.
"The Chairman arrived a few days earlier due to some important meetings he needed to attend." Oleana waved him off.
"Galarian Trainers have entered the Tournament in the past you know." Ash huffed, looking through a box of archived newspapers Latias had provided. Rose fidgeted in his chair.
"Er... Yes, well, never any official league members." There was silence as Ash riffled through the newspapers.
"... What's your stake in this Chairman?" Ash asked.
"Well, I'm hoping to ease the tensions between Glacias and Galar of course." Ash scoffed.
"That all?"
"O-of course! Why do you-" A newspaper landed in front of the man. The headline was glaringly obvious.
LEGENDARY POKÉMON RAMPAGES IN GALAR; LEAGUE CHAIRMAN AT FAULT!?
"...Oh..."
"News spreads fast Chairman. Especially when it's on this scale." Rose ran his hand through his hair.
"It's been hard. I've been working for the past two years to regain Galar's trust."
"Well, considering you nearly plunged the whole Region into eternal darkness just to..." Ash glanced at the newspaper. "Solve an energy crisis not set to happen for a very long time... Seriously... I don'teven know how to respond to that." He shook his head. "Nearly dooming an entire region isn't something easily forgiven. Nor is it something to be forgotten, so I hope you understand I'll be keeping you under strict watch during your stay in this region."
"I... That's fair..."
"Good." Ash lay his hands on the table. "Oh, and I say this not as a High Prince, but as a father. That Champion of yours, Gloria. If I find out you're exploiting her for your own image, you and me are gonna have some serious problems."
"Crap!" Gloria blanched. They were standing in the lobby of the hotel they were staying at for the week, after which they would be moved to a tower connected to the Tournament Arena set up for League Members from all Regions. During their hotel stay there would be two to a room so as to not take up too much space. Understandable, the lobby was packed.
"What's up?" Hop, assistant to Galar's Professor Sonia as well as Gloria's longtime best friend, asked.
"I'm rooming with Marnie!" The young Champion yelped quietly. Hop blinked.
"What's wrong with that? It's just Marnie."
"Are you honestly that thick?" Bede huffed. "Things have been REALLY awkward between Gloria and Marnie these past two months."
TWO MONTHS AGO:
"Ah..." Gloria's face was flushed with embarrassment as she stared at the apple-like Pokémon the Spikemuth Gym Leader was holding out. "M-Marnie, you're a really good friend, and I'm flattered, really, but... I don't... Swing that way..." If one had been paying close enough attention, they'd notice that something seemed to shatter within Marnie as she lowered the Applin with a blank stare.
"Oh..." With that, she turned and began stumbling towards the door.
"A-are you okay Marnie?" Gloria asked in worry.
"'m fine." She answered simply as she made her way out the door.
"...I think you broke her." Bede chimed in.
"Stuff it ye fockin' prude!" Gloria snapped, whirling to face the Fairy Type Gym Leader as she let her accent slip in.
"I can't help that I'm straight!" Gloria complained. Bede snickered. Hop looked at the list.
"Hey Bede, we're roomies!" Bede's laughter died instantly.
"Crap." The blonde huffed. "Why are you even here? You gave up being a trainer."
"I'm here as Sonia's assistant of course." Hop said proudly. "All of the Regional professorsare gonna be here of course." Bede blinked.
"R-right. I knew that." Gloria rolled her eyes.
"Really? Cause at all the meetings you seem to be more focused with polishing your Pokeballs than what's actually being said."
"Oh hello Marnie!" Bede suddenly called. "I found your roommate!" If looks could kill, Bede would be a smoldering pile of ashes right about now.
"Hi Gloria." Marnie said simply. "Here, we each got'a room key."
"O-oh, thanks. So, you doing ok?"
"Mh-hm. I'm fine." Marnie responded, wringing her hands together.
"So, watch'a plannin' today?"
"Oh, well, I saw a nice looking diner on the way here. I was thinking of getting changed and taking Allister there for lunch." The shy little Ghost Type Gym Leader had become like a little brother to Gloria after she met him in the League's off season. It soon became a regular occurrence for him to eat dinner with Gloria and her mom when the chance was presented. Marnie nodded.
"Ah, I see. Well, I'ma take a nap then. Didn't get much sleep on the plane." As she made to leave, Gloria spoke up.
"Marnie, we're still friends, right? I don't want things to change between us." Marnie sighed.
"'Course we are. Nothin's your fault."
"What's up with that kid? Why's he wearing that mask?"
"Maybe he's disfigured? I dunno. Should we ask?"
"Dude, it is NOT okay to ask something like that!" Allister fidgeted in his seat.
"It's okay, just ignore them." Gloria sighed, taking a sip of her tea. A waitress approached the table, laying out their food, an omelette, some hash browns, and some buttered toast for Gloria and a hamburger and fries for Allister.
"I feel out of place here."
"Guess that's natural when you're in a foreign Region." Gloria responded, taking a bite of her food. Her eyes lit up the same way as when she perfected a curry recipe. "Oh wow! This is really good!" Allister silently nodded as he chewed on his burger. The door to the diner opened just as Gloria accidentally elbowed her bag, knocking a couple of things to the floor. "Aw crap." She scrambled to grab her things, then blinked as her Dynamax Band was held out to her.
"I think you dropped this." Arvo said. For some reason, a blush crept onto Gloria's face.
"Oh, uh... Thank you." Gloria responded, taking the band. Arvo nodded and continued on.
"Why did you bring that?" Allister asked. "You heard Oleana, they won't work outside of Galar due to a lack of Dynamax Energy." Gloria shrugged, craddling her Dynamax Band.
"I got the Wishing Star for my Dynamax Band when I first started my journey. I guess you could call it my lucky charm." Allister nodded silently, going back to his burger.
"Yer' hopeless." Marnie sighed, digging into her bowl of ramen. While a nice nap was her original intention, her Morpeko decided to go into her Hangry Form instead. Luckily, there was a ramen restaurantright by the hotel. That should keep the near bottomless Electric and Dark type satiated for a little while.
"Sendai, you eat too much ramen..." Marnie blinked as the conversation reached her ears.
"What's wrong with that?"
"It's not very healthy..."
"Neither are all the sour deserts and candy you hide under your bed, but you don't see me complaining."
"...You're hopeless sensei." Ruby walked by with Kiriko tailing behind, both in school uniforms. Her other apprentice, Rico, currently attending band practice. Ruby suddenly stopped, turning and pointing towards Marnie. "Ah, you!" The Spikemuth native blinked, startled. "You must be... One of those Gym Leaders from Galar, right? I was told you guys were arriving early." Marnie was silent, stupified.
"Wha- how did-?
"I heard their Dark Type Gyme Leader was a young girl whose partner was a Morpeko. You also don't really have a Glacias vibe about, and I can see the hotel key hanging from your bag."
"She saw the picture in your profile." Kiriko stated bluntly. Ruby froze, a vain popping on her forehead.
"Dammit kid." She muttered quietly. Marnie blinked.
"Right... Who'r you?"
"Just a trainer who likes to learn."
"She's the daughter of the High Prince and the Princess of Glacias."
"Dammit Kiriko I'm trying to mess with her!" Ruby sighed. "So, Marnie right? Your profile said you're a Gym Leader going on two years now. Though I must admit I've never met a Dark Type Gym Leader before. They're so rare you know?" Marnie nodded.
"Ay, took over from my older brother."
"Oh yeah, Piers right? I have all his albums." Ruby smirked. "You just got here right? I wouldn't mind showing you around if you want."
"You into girls now Sensei?" Kiriko asked. A vein popped on Ruby's forehead as she slapped her hand on top of Kiriko's head and started digging it into her head, and act that had the young girl shaking with how uncomfortable it had to be.
Nobody noticed that Ruby's cheeks had a hint of red in them.