The next day, in the early afternoon. Gloria and her friends arrived at Wyndon Stadium, to prepare for semi finals of their long journey. It's a simple, two round event, where four trainers are to compete in the ladder. Hop crossed his arms, in reminiscence. "Kind of lousy that Bede couldn't make it."
Marnie remembered that name and expressed her lack of care as Gloria felt a strong disappointment that the other rival ended up disqualified. "He was lucky he didn't get arrested for what he did to that landmark. Maybe, by next year, he'll be straightened out enough that he'll try again." Marnie had a little caution. "I've seen him around before, someone with that attitude wouldn't just take gettin'' disqualified, by laying in the dirt. But I guess it is what it is."
Gloria agreed. "Let's head to the locker room and make some last minute preparations. What ever happens, we ought to let the world know that we're going to be at our absolute best!" It was agreed and the trainers took off in their own chambers of sanctuary.
Gloria in particular, used that as her chance to bring her pokemon out. The girl gave Fubear the life orb, made sure Acer has his expert belt on, saw Shelly waving her quick claw and watched Brainy playing with his light clay. She only had two particular items to give, for Franken, he was given the never melt ice. "So, we're going to go up against my friends. You haven't had the chance to really fight Hop yet, but he's washed Raihan away faster than we did." The Arctozolt ohed as the Appletun stomped her forelimbs. (We can take that!)
The girl hoped so and counted her sitrus berries, there were plenty to go through the tournament. "As for you, that ripen's really done us wonders, time and time again. As long as we don't go snacking, these sitrus berries will be that pinch we need." The Appletun kept the fruit hidden in a pouch as an voice announced. "Attention, Gym Challengers who have made it through Gym Challenge. The Semi Finals will be starting soon! Please head to the Stadium Pitch when you are ready." Gloria thought into her plan and performed a mass call back. "Alright, if we do it like we have been, then we'll be coming out of this as winners!"
She made her way to a stadium with rows, upon rows of people, through out multiple floors. Roaring up for one of the most promising matches yet. Gloria reminded herself that despite the numbers, there are even more watching and she should approach with a level head. Approaching, was Marnie, in the matching uniform. The rival silently cursed out something as Gloria was more vocal. "Ah, bugger!"
The feeling was mutual, the rivals met at the center and looked at one another, eye to eye. Marnie admitted. "Yeah, I'm wishing it be a while before this. I know there's a lot between us, what with my big brother, Team Yell, helpin' Spikemuth and all that." She blew out her frustration. "But the truth is, when all's said and done, I just really wanna become Champion for myself."
Gloria shrugged and admitted. "That could help the town get better, I'll give you that much." Marnie nodded. "And that's the only slack you're gonna give me. So don't take it personally, when I finally kick your butt!"
Gloria hoofed and blushed at the audacity. "You, Hop and everyone else haven't beaten me yet. It's only that the two of you are the closest, short of the Champion himself! I'm wanting to see if I can topple him too, so let's see who's leaving a winner!" Marnie nodded and blushed as she and Gloria went to their sides and prepared. The Spikemuth Princess lined up a pitch and sent out her Liepard as Gloria pitched fast and brought out Brainy. Marnie smiled, having an idea on what Gloria's about to do. "I've gotta win this if I'm gonna get any shot at bein' the Champion! I'm comin' at ya with everythin' I've got!" The Liepard sprinted a fast fake out and let loose a snarling pulse as Gloria waved a hand. "Brainy, before that get's too much. Set up those screens!" The Orbeetle started with a light screen and took a snarl that made his buzzing all the more quiet, he conjured a reflect and turned to Gloria on her sync. He was called out in place of Fubear.
As expected, Marnie had a smile as a plan was carried out. "You think you're clever, doncha. Liepard, give Fubear a little torment!" The Liepard giggled and danced around the Urshifu, whispering things that really got under her skin. Gloria yelled out. "Hiya!" Giving Fubear the que to knock the Liapard out in a brick break chop. Leaving her to lay there. The life orb siphoned some vitality in exchange for the strength as Marnie made a switch and pitched in a Grimmsnarl that gasped to the Urshifu and pressed his fists at his hips. He laughed heartily as Gloria readied to aim the ball at Fubear, seeing Marnie grab on to the returning ball and doing similarly. "My bro might not use it. But I'm gonna Gigantamax if it's what it takes to win!"
Pew!
The Grimmsnarl was called in as Gloria called to Fubear. "Couldn't have it any other way, Marnie! Let's go Fubear!" The wushu braced for a brawl and was brought in. The trainers fed power into the ball, caused them to enlarge and tossed their partners to the back of the arena. Fubear enlarged to that of a titan while Grimmsnarl showed a body completely covered in hair, only the face and a red diamond like mark on the chest were made bare. The hairs on his head rose to look like smoke and the hair around his neck rose to look like a spiked crown. The Urshifu roared a challenge while the Grimmsnarl laughed wickedly.
Gloria punched the air. "Hurry and use the power of the Steelspike before that Marnie and Grimmsnarl tries something!" Fubear stomped the ground to unleash the metal spikes, Grimmsnarl felt the jab and had his hairs push against them, like a bunch of tentacles. Marnie pointed at her rival. "It might not look like it, but this color's one of my favorites! Time to see if you can handle some pink!"
The Grimmsnarl aimed his right hand and fired a star that blasted Fubear to the back, a fairy move of that power would have knocked Fubear in one blow had it not been for the reflect and steel coating. Gloria kicked the air. "Hiya!" Fubear flipped forward and threw a max knuckle at the Grimmsnarl's chest, causing an explosion as the foe was knocked over and was falling on his back. Marnie called him back and smiled to a plan going smoothly. "Alright Scrafty, let's get rid of this Urshifu!"
Pop!
Out came a Scrafty with left overs. She saw the giant Urshifu that took a beating, put her hands at her hips and tilt her head casually while Gloria admitted. "Because of that torment, I can't just max knuckle! But we're not giving up! Try steel spike again!" Fubear unleashed the spikes that sent Scrafty in a juggle, Marnie saw the life orb bringing the Urshifu at the end point and ordered. "Get rid of that reflect with a brick break!" The Scrafty grabbed a spike, chomped the left overs, used the spike to fling herself at the Urshifu and broke the reflect before striking a super effective blow. Fubear shrank down and was about tired out, she dashed at the Scrafty and delivered a final brick break that knocked the fighting type to the side.
Marnie called the fighter back and gave a perky spin as she sent out a Morpeko with a cute red vest. "We got her on the ropes! Give her a bit of a spark." Gloria realize that's an assault vest and gasped. "Oh crud! Fubear, try a wicked blow first!" The Urshifu was dizzy and glowed a dark aura as the Morpeko sparked fast and sprinted for a tackle that knocked the Wushu to her back.
Thud!
Fubear was putting together what happened, looked up to see the Morpeko back flipping a landing and was ready to pass out. She gave her opponent a thumbs up and growled. (Ya got me.) She layed her head to the grassy ground and passed out. Gloria didn't mind and called her back. "You've done fantastic!" She pitched out Sweet Pie. "Let's bring this Morpeko down!"
Pop!
The Appletun landed firmly as the Morpeko felt a rumble in her stomach and turned dark, getting quite hangry. Marnie had an idea for some humor. "That nectar comin' out of Sweet Pie's back looks awfully tasty. Peko, get a taste of that!" The Morpeko screamed out and leaped at the back to give a firm crunch, the Appletun shook the rodent off as Gloria ordered. "Apple acid! Then we got her!"
The Appletun agreed and sprayed the liquid, the Morpeko rolled back and sampled a glob of nectar she ripped out. Turning to her mellow form again and waving. (That tasted pretty good!) She gasped. (Say, you thinkin' about helping out in a bakery?)
The Appletun blushed as Morpeko apologized. (Think about that after I chomp ya again!) She rushed at Sweet Pie and crunched, the Appletun shook the Morpeko off and ripen a sitrus berry for consumption. Gloria ordered. "Dragon pulse!"
Gulp!
The Appletun swallowed her berry and blasted the Morpeko into the dirt, the foe laid on her side, tried to roll on her feet and was only able to be on her back before passing out. Marnie switched out for the purplish pink Sharpedo with a life orb. "We've warned ya! Now ya gonna get nipped!" The Sharpedo flopped to battle as Gloria thought to give an estimate. "We've been hit with worse before! Sweet Pie, use the-" The Sharpedo looked at the grass type, frosted her teeth and rushed at her to deliver a bite of icy fangs. She thrashed her for good measure and tossed her aside before flipping to Marnie and speeding up. Sweet Pie was laying on her side, completely dazed. (Ow!)
Gloria woahed and made a switch. "We got to handle this Sharpedo, fast! Come on, Franken!" Pop! Flop! Franken entered the arena and gave a squack as Marnie ordered. "Now, hit him with dark pulse!" The Sharpedo glared, chomped the air and let loose a pulse of dark emotions that sent Franken back a few inches, he held his ground, took a step and frosted up. "Nice one! Now use freeze dry!"
The Arctozolt jerked his head forward and blasted frigid air that sent the Sharpedo flipping backwards. She growled, looked back in a glare and shivered to the point that she passed out. Suddenly, a group of voices cheered behind the Spikemuth Princess. "Oh Marnie! She's gonna rough her rival friend up and outta here!" "Oh, Marnie! She's the pride and joy of Spikemuth." Marnie called her Sharpedo back, whispered sweetly. "We've got everyone cheering back at us!" She switched to her final pokemon and demanded. "We're gonna win this time! Got it?"
Gloria and Franken readied for the Toxicroak as voices cheered behind them. "Go, Gloria! Go, Gloria! Show our Marnie why you're her rival!" Gloria smiled wide. "We still got the edge, but that can still change! So let's finish this!" Marnie smirked and sent out the sporty Toxicroak that hopped to battle and had a bit of a step. The Postwick commoner ordered. "Stun her good with thunder wave!"
The Arctozolt crackled as Marnie looked like she wanted to toss something. The Toxicroak put her hands together and made a focused orb of energy before spinning and hurling it. It made it's mark, oddly, and let loose a blast that sent Franken on his back. K.O.
Gloria gapped in aw and put her left hand on her cheek before calling Franken back. "So it's dodgeball, eh?" She sent out Acer, who made a few steps to energize himself. "Then let's play! Acer, use pyro ball!"
The Cinderace kicked a pebble and turned it into a fire ball for a kick. Marnie ordered. "Dodge that and go again!" The Toxicroak leaped out of the way of the impact and charged up a focus blast, Gloria yelled. "Flip over that!" Acer rolled over the focus blast that went even more off direct and kicked a pebble to try again. KICK! BOOM!
The pebble was turned into a fire ball and went for where the Toxicroak leaped towards, sending her falling to her side in a scorch. She croaked a rather silly giggle and passed out. The match was set and Marnie's mouth was wide open. She called her frog back and put the ball away. "Ah man, we lost!"
Gloria cheered with Acer and approached her friend as she raised a hand over her ear and heard the crowd. Some were cheering, others were crying, but all were swept by the spectacle. "But you and your pokemon went really strong 'ere."
She was close and pointed to the crowd behind her rival. "Do you hear that crowd? They loved every bit of this and are going wild." Marnie listened to the distinct voices, closed her eyes to let the emotions flow and nodded before opening her eyes. "Yeah. This isn't too bad." She asked. "I might go see if my brother's around here and watch with him. It's our turn to start cheerin' for you and Hop."
Gloria approved. "That's a pretty good idea." She watched her partner show boating, called him back humbly and gave Marnie a firm hand shake before leaving for the locker room. Where Hop was near speechless. "Gloria!" The girl brushed her hair nervously. "It's gonna be your turn next. Knock your opponent down so we can have that go!" Hop promised on that. "Then I'll be waiting for you at the final match of the day! Don't fall asleep yet! After seeing that battle, I can't accept any outcome besides finally beating you at your peak!"
Gloria smiled wide. "You're on fire! So go get 'em!" Hop smiled back and sprinted to the door, letting the girl have a break with a healing machine. Getting her partners back in shape while listening to the sound of a Lycanroc and a Wobbuffet having a go. Then the sound of giant Rillaboom knock that down and sweep through a Torkoal, knocked something off a Vanilluxe and made way for a Dubwool to buff up in a cotton guard and sweep through that, a Lucario and fight off against a Ditto that transformed.
Gloria hurried to look at the climax, where the Dubwool set up another layer of cotton and body pressed the imposter that set up and took another. In a clash of wool, the real sheep knocked the other to the ground and caused it to splatter into pink go. A teenage boy with orange hair, freckles and a bandage on his nose was putting his hands to his head and yelling out in anguish while Hop was celebrating with his partner.
A League Staff member woahed. "That was a handily victory!" He coughed. "Looks like it's time for you to be ready again." Gloria agreed, sent out Sweet Pie and gave her another sitrus berry. "That was real good work, but now it looks like Hop is giving it everything. So let's change our order a bit and catch him off guard." The Appletun grunted and was called back, the girl head back to the Stadium and was seeing that Hop was missing. It made sense, due to how the boy just finished his match.
A few minutes passed and Hop came sprinting out, looking like he was nostalgic about something. He was out of breath by the time he reached the center and looked to Gloria. "Sorry about that, I just had this sort of flashback, you know. Remember? Back when we were still in Postwick."
The girl remembered. "The moment Lee came around and gave us our starter pokemon! It isn't even a week ago, Hop." The boy smiled wide. "That's the point! There were times where I thought I wouldn't end up standing here. Facing you, of all people."
The girl nodded and felt a strange mellowed joy. "It was a rough one. But it gave us the grit we needed to make it all the way here, so I guess it's time to get this finished! Only one of us is going to be advancing to face Leon!" Hop tensed to that. "And it's gonna be me!" Gloria ohed and went to her end of the Stadium, as Hop was at his own end.
The boy tapped the side of his head, in order to properly wake up. He readied a heavy pitch and sent out the Dusk Lycanroc. Gloria stood firmly and tossed a pitch to send out the Appletun. Hop took a deep breath and ordered. "Lycanroc, let's lay out the stealth rocks for later and follow through on a rock slide!" The Lycanroc nodded and scattered rocks as Gloria had a bit of confusion and ordered. "Spray that acid!" The Appletun nodded and shot the apple acid, the Lycanroc held on as a focus sash broke off.
Hop smiled and pointed at the two. "I knew you'd be aiming for a super effective hit like that, so I'd thought to use one of those sashes I've been treasuring!" The Lycanroc smiled and used his hind legs to kick a boulder barrage out of the earth. Sweet Pie yelped and was smashed by the rocks, she wiggled out of the rubble, ripen the sitrus berry and ate it for a heal. Gloria was more than impressed. "Alright let's get a bit greedy and sap that last bit of health!"
The Appletun nodded and spat out a leech seed that wrapped around the Lycanroc and sapped the last bit of health to where he fell over. Hop cringed and called the wolf back. "Don't think that will do you good, Gloria!" Fling! "Get her, Rooki!"
Pop! Out came a proud Corviknight that prompted Gloria to switch Sweet Pie out. "Come on Franken, we got to get through this wall!"
Pop!
Out came the Arctozolt took the cuts from the stone and danced at the cheering crowd. Half of the audience chanted. "Rooki! Rooki! Smite this beast!" "Zap him, Frankenstein! Zap him, Frankenstein!" Gloria felt that was a sound idea. "Bite him with thunder fang until he stops moving!"
The Arctozolt nodded and dashed at the Corviknight, Hop ordered. "Fly over!" Swoop! The Corviknight flew left to dodge the bite. "And set up that light screen!" Pew! A light screen glimmered, Gloria knew her option's are limited. "Clever! Jump after him and pull him down!"
The Arctozolt leaped to the birds talons, bit down and sent an electrical shock that made him fall down to the earth. "Counter him with iron head!" BASH! Rooki bashed Franken at the shoulder and pulled free to nibble on some left overs, Franken shook the blow off and leaped at the bird for a thunder fang to the neck. Rooki spun in the air, slammed Franken to the ground and bashed him in the back before taking flight. Franken flipped back to his feet and leaped at the Rooki for a bite to the wing, the Corviknight yelped and was sent falling into the ground, he wasn't getting up. Franken felt the foe was knocked out, let go and cawed to the crowd. Hop woahed and called his old partner back. "Nice work Rooki!"
He lined up a pitch. "Let's get him, Dubwool!" Out came a baaing Dubwool, Gloria smirked. "Franken, we know what's coming but maybe we can stun him good! Thunder wave!" Franken crackled as Hop wagged a finger. "Not if I say so, body press!" The Dubwool leaped at the Arctozolt and bashed him to where he fell side ways to the ground, he whined and laid there as he tried out. Gloria sighed. "Well, it was worth a try." Pew! "Let's get in there Shelly!"
Pop! The Slowbro made it to the arena, took a scratch from the rocks and sprinted forward before waving to the crowd. She looked on to the Dubwool in a quick focus as Gloria ordered. "Let's start with a shell side arm!" The Slowbro jumped back and fired the purple liquid, inflicting poison that Hop cringed at. "Drat! Still, go for cotton guard before the light screen goes and give her a double edge!"
The Dubwool puffed up as the Slowbro spaced out and used that as the chance to ram for a double edged blow, hitting Shelly square in the body and sending her to a flip. Hop gasped and cheered. "All right, a crit! Now we're really getting up to our full speed!" Gloria snickered. "Not if we got a say! Blow in some icy wind there!"
Shelly flew the frigid wind that slowed the Dubwool down, the light screen flickered away as Shelly gained her focus back. "Use shell side arm again!" SPLAT!
The Dubwool was sent on a roll and pulled out a sitrus berry to munch on, recovering the damage that was inflicted and making the girl snap her fingers. Shelly was rammed again and swiped with her quick claw. "Icy wind and we have this sheep down for the count!" Woosh! The Dubwool took the windy chill and rushed a double edge one more time, knocking the Slowbro to the ground in a knock out.
Gloria gave credit where it is due. "Hop, that Dubwool's really sturdy once he's given a chance. It's not every day it ends up taking two pokemon, just to bring him down!" Fling! "Get back out there Sweet Pie!"
Plop!
The Dubwool shivered as the Appletun called out to the crowd. Hop planned out as the girl ordered. "Finish this sheep off with a dragon pulse!" Sweet Pie grunted and let loose a blast right where the sheep leaped to, Dubwool was sent flying and into a bounce while Hop paid attention and called him back. "Don't worry buddy, I got a plan!" He thanked his opponent. "Now let's see how many it's going to take to knock-" Fling! "this one down!"
Pop!
Out came the pokemon that Gloria was honestly afraid of facing, a bubbly Blastoise that was quick to realize he's in a battle and give a rather tense frown not unlike Hop's. Gloria saw the turtle adjust an expert belt and asked her nervous Appletun. "We just got to avoid that one attack and we'll be good! Run right and fire the acid!"
The Appletun grunted and waddled in speeds that are unconcerning, Hop ordered. "Ice beam!" The Blastoise opened his shoulders, brought out the two canons and had one aim square where the Appletun was going, shooting her off the ground and leaving her knocked out. Gloria snapped her fingers. "Well shoot!" She called the Appletun back. "But we got a plan!"
Fling!
Brainy was next to get cut by the rocks and Gloria ordered. "Before that Blastoise get's to smashing us in water, light screen!" The Orbeetle conjured the barrier as Hop gave a clap. "Shell smash and surf away!" The Blastoise tapped his shell to make cracks and shot the ground with a water jet.
He elevated to high grounds and unleash a wave of water that shoved the Orbeetle several feet. Gloria ordered. "Use bug buzz to push that water away and shake the Blastoise! Then use the time we got to set a reflect!"
The Orbeetle let loose a fast buzz at the Blastoise with chipped defenses. SWOOSH! He was engulfed in another tidal wave and conjured a reflective barrier before Hop pointed. "Now finish him with ice beam!"
Blastoise back flipped and fired beams of ice at the Orbeetle, sending him crashing down to the earth and laying on his side. "Bzz." (Ow!) Gloria phewed and called Brainy back. "Good work! Now we have this match!" Hop laughed. "You still got another trick up your sleeve?" Gloria nodded and sent out Fubear. The wushu saw the damage Blastoise has done and stretched. The Blastoise aimed at his front as Hop pointed. "Surf up again and Raichu will-" Gloria whispered. "Psych!"
The Urshifu rushed at the Blastoise and sucker punched him in the right chin, sending him falling leftwards and in a limp. Fubear caught him, saw he was passing out and gently placed him on the ground. She closed her eyes in regret and back flipped while Hop was having a moment of disbelief. His smile of confidence wasn't wavering. "I should have seen that coming." He called Blastoise back. "Best work yet!" Fling! Pop!
Out of the next ball is an air surfing Raichu that kept himself close to the ground in a carefree sit. Gloria knew the Raichu was up to something. "It's too risky to sucker punch, give him the big one!" Fubear grunted as Hop asked. "Raichu, if you would lead to this victory!" The surfer sparkled in understanding, smiled and zipped close to the Urshifu before spinning a point blank thunder wave, the Wushu stepped back in paralysis. Gloria had a sweat as she watched the Raichu pulse an electric terrain, consumed a charged up seed and zip far away from the struggling bear. Fubear channeled a dark aura as Hop yelled. "Now get her with a rising voltage, light screen or not, this will bring her down in two hits!"
The Raichu shot lightning from his cheeks and applied it to the eletrical terrain, causing a pillar of lightning to engulf the Urshifu and making her roar. The lightning's yellow glow turned black and Fubear rushed out. She disappeared and applied a single blow that sent the Raichu flying all the way to a wall.
K.O!
Fubear was on her knees and struggled to get up as Hop called his partner back and turned. "Think you still got me in a corner?" He shook his head and brought out the ball of Rillaboom. "Uh-uh! This is just making my victory all the sweeter!"
Fling!
Out came a Rillaboom that saw he was the last of the band and slammed his drums down fiercely. He flexed a roar as his trainer put all his desires into his wishing star. "It's time to Gigantamax!" He called the Rillaboom into the ball, charged it up and tossed the enlarged orb, letting out a Rillaboom with a quickly growing drum that became a set of wooden drums. His green hair became four extra arms with wooden sticks and his lower half is with in the central drum. Hop had a face that was willing to let go for just one moment. "Now have a taste of our power! A drum solo that's gonna pave our way to the legends!"
Rillaboom flipped a stick and played a tun fitting for the deep forest, Fubear attempted to go at a sucker punch and couldn't move due to paralysis. A root grew out from bellow the drum and Gloria cringed for the worst, the root rushed through the ground and erupted under the Wushu, sending her flying towards Gloria's side in a definitive k.o.
Fubear groaned and looked up to her trainer. (Acer's got to win this! Is it going to be enough?) Gloria called Fubear back. "I think so." Pew! She sent out a Cinderace that felt the sting of the rocks. "Alright, this is it. Hop's not holding himself back anymore! Are you ready to take the fight back to his level?" The Cincerace shook off the cuts and gave a thumbs up as he was called into the ball. "Let's get Gigantic and make for that goal!" She charged the ball with the strange power, enlarged it and tossed the ball back, letting out the Cinderace with the giant burning orb.
Acer roared out his power as Gloria hut. "Give a warm up with Max Knuckle and start the finale!" The Cinderace leaped to the air and let loose a punch that powered himself up. Hop stomped the ground. "Not before we pave our way in a quake!" The Rillaboom tapped a stick in the drum and caused the root bellow to make a tremor, bursting under the Cinderace that had a reflect shielding the damage. Dirt flew all around and blew against the trainers as the Cinderace grabbed the Fireball, jumped and spun to give a hurl. The Rillaboom realize what was about to happen and was smacked by the inferno that made a rupture of the Dynamaxed power, shrinking him back to normal, drum included and leaving him to fall on his back. He spaced out and looked to the sky, realizing the fight was over.
Acer shrank back down in a landing and listened to a crowd going ballistic. Hop started at the aftermath, then to his partner. He clenched his fist for a moment and was having something bursting. Laughter. "Ha! Ha!"
He looked like he wanted to cheer at Gloria, only for the noise to come out in half a sob. The Rillaboom tried to get up and see what was wrong, only for his body to keep still. Acer helped him sit up as Gloria rushed over to Hop. "Hey, hey! That fight was amazing! You're hearing that crowd?" For Hop, that cheering was part of a swirl in his mind. Cheering directed at both him, his partner as well as his opponents. "Gloria, this fight was one of a kind! Why does this hurt and feel good, all at once?"
Gloria thought about it. "Is it..." She gasped. "That's it. Hop, you said you started doubting that you would even make it here. Least of all pull of all this. There were people who definitely said that to your face..." She had tears dripping. "And you proved them to be full of it!" She took a deep breath as Hop smiled wide and begun crying. "Yeah. That's the feeling! I wouldn't have been able to do that if I just kept wallowing in the downs. Then you went and be there for me, helped me get my head out of the clouds. And now, you're the one here with me for this."
He sniffled and rubbed his nose while Gloria held his hand with both of hers. "Tee! What can I say, that's what a good rival's for!" They looked to Acer, patting Rillaboom on the back and pointing to the crowd, the ape was feeling better about himself as Hop thought about it. "You know, even when Sonia was saying that you and me looked like we could become heroes, I never really felt like one. But you, mate! You didn't just let a story get to you, you made yourself a hero anyways. I think maybe, you can keeping doing all sorts of great things, you, Acer and all the rest of your team."
He used his other hand to hold Gloria's and give an earnest handshake. "Good on you!" Gloria blushed. "We can keep learning about ourselves and see what we can't do to make a future going. Even if this tournament is a step towards something even bigger." She offered. "So, meet you back at the lobby? We got another big day ahead of us." Hop took it. He and Gloria called their starters back, returned to the locker rooms to change back into their casual wears and return to the lobby by an elevator.
Where they found Leon talking with Piers and Marnie. They and a crowd of people were awaiting one of the high lights of the Champion Cup, to make their debut. The Champion approached. "Hop, Gloria!" He nearly squeed. "That was incredible! Brilliant even! Honestly, there were even tears rolling down my face before I knew it. To think that the two of you set out together from the same town, built up the greatest teams, and arrived here at this point to throw everything you had at one another."
Marnie nodded. "That was more than a desire to win by the time it got to a point! Every move, every call, was filled with nothin' but the good stuff!" Piers agreed. "A passion went into every beat of that song and that feelin's gone now."
Leon looked to the two who've played a part in the youngsters journey. "It was battling at it's very purest, in every possible way! Even though there were some trainers who weren't sure whether you were fit to be endorsed for the Gym Challenge at first." Hop pointed at his brother. "That was you, Lee!" Leon smiled wide. "Well then, all the more reason! My team members and I will give everything we got in us to defeat our challenger. And that challenger standing before us-" He looked to the girl. "might be you, Gloria!"
The challenger promised. "It isn't a might, we will be facing you tomorrow night and it's gonna be the biggest fight Galar has ever seen!" Leon hoped that promise was kept as Hop warned the girl. "Today was just an appetizer for the real challenge that's coming tomorrow." He stretched. "I don't know about you, but I want to go back to the Hotel and lay down for a spell."
Marnie felt the tiredness was mutual. "You and me both!" Gloria's disappointed that not more is going to happen today as Leon looked to Piers with an idea. "Well, after everything you three have gone through, it's best to refill those energy stores! Why don't we get some dinner together? On me!"
Gloria ohed as Marnie felt honored to be invited. "You mind if I stick with my friends tonight, bro?" Piers don't see why not. "Ya got knocked out of the Cup, so there's no point in being rivals anymore." Marnie passed a smile. "At least not right now. We can get straight to bein' chums!"
Hop waved his hand. "I wouldn't say no to a get together either. It's just that Lee wouldn't care at all what food tastes like. A night like this deserves than rubbish takaway or something you can cook at a campfire." He asked his brother. "So try to pick something good!" Gloria imagined quite the fancy dishes to try out. "Something we won't get the chance to have again. This city ought to have something really one of a kind!" Leon laughed to that. "I think I can remember a place, but it's going to take me a while. Just give me some time and I'll pick a real treat!"
At that promise, the three returned to the Hotel to freshen up for their night. Suddenly, the two person camera crew caught them off guard. Gillain wiped something off her face and hurried. "Challenger Gloria! Hey, Challenger Gloria! Got time for some questions about today's battles?" Gloria felt she could answer a few. "I got some time!"
Gillain nodded. "Alright, first question. You and Challenger Hop were both endorsed by the Champion, making the two of you rivals in a sense. Wouldn't you say? How does it feel, to have defeated your rival at the Cup?"
Gloria took a deep breath and pushed something away. "It isn't beating him that mattered. It's how that match went overall. It feels really great that I'm making my next step." She looked to Hop, who was mellowing. "But it means that someone lost, despite giving it everything. He and I are close friends, so you get that I'm feeling a little down for him too."
Gillain ohed. "Interesting. Question number 2. If you wanted to tell Challenger Hop something right now, what would it be?" Gloria cringed at the question and the hard answer. "Only that the match means something a lot more than a Tournament." She looked to her friend. "It's just gonna be up to him to figure out what it is."
Gillain felt it was insightful. "Question three! Level with me, kiddo. Your honest thoughts here. Think you can win the Finals, too?" Gloria took a step and waved her hand. "Absolutely!"
Marnie gave the camera duo a firm glare. "All right, that's enough! We're all tired from battlin' today and that question is rude right around now!" Hop nodded. "We've got ourselves dinner plans with my brother, so sorry, but clear off already, would you?" Cam stepped back as Gillain accepted the request with some grace. "Yes, yes, I understand!" She winked to Gloria. "Looking forward to seeing the birth of a new star!" They took off and left the trainers by themselves.
Hop shook his head at his rival. "Sheesh! No wonder you've been trying to avoid these fellas. Famous people sure have it rough, eh?" Gloria agreed and looked ready to lay down on a soft bed. "Never enough time for some privacy. Let's go clear the stink out and get freshen up for somewhere a tad fancy." Marnie cringed. "But Gloria, the clothes over here would cost us our arms and legs! I got a spare dress for the road." Gloria eeked. "Yikes!" She blushed. "Well... we've only been sweating in our uniforms for most of the day. So maybe if we're quick about this?" Hop felt it was a salvageable plan. "It will give Lee time to get here. If not, I'd be eating my arm by the evening!"