Gloria was awoken by the sound of her rotom alarm. She did her usual routine of pushing the covers off and reaching to silence it. When she sat up, she noticed that her normal attire was not where she tossed it when she changed into loungewear last night. She left her room to hear her mother humming from the laundry room.

"Mum?"

Thea turned around, "Oh Gloria! I'm washing your clothes right now. You've been wearing the same things for a while now and I'm a little concerned about that! I took them from your room and they're in the wash now."

"Oh, thanks mum!" Gloria thanked, "I suppose I have. Heheh… that's just what I like to wear, you know? But it's okay, I'll find something else!"

She went back to her room and opened her dresser drawer. Keeping the weather in mind, she dressed in a maroon cable-knit sweater and a black pleated mini skirt with matching modesty shorts. She then put on thigh high black socks before lacing up her boots. Looking in the mirror, she pushed her right sleeve up her arm somewhat so she could wear her dynamax band. She looked at her green beret. But decided to leave it hanging on the mirror in favor of a red one that she had bought on impulse a while ago.

"Aaauugghhhh!" Her father's yell startled her, she ran out into the hall.

"Dad!?"

Connell barreled out her parent's bedroom door with his blazer only half on, "I'm late for work!"

"Don't forget your satchel!" Thea yelled, rushing to him while holding his satchel out to him.

"Thanks honey!" He grabbed it from her, gave her a quick kiss and ran out the door. Two seconds after slamming out the door, he poked his head back in to wave at his daughter, "Have a good day, Gloria! I'll see you later!"

"Bye dad!" Gloria waved back while laughing as her dad rushed out again.

Thea shook her head chuckling, "Oh that father of yours! He's such a goof."

"He overslept!" Gloria observed, "He's so funny."

"Indeed, he is." Thea agreed, "Are you going to try to talk to Bede today, Gloria?"

Gloria thought about it, "I'm not sure mum."

That's when her rotom phone began to ring, she looked down at it and saw Honey from the Master Dojo calling her. She picked up the phone, "Hi Miss Honey!"

"Hello Gloria! It's so good to speak to you again! How have you been?"

"I've been great!" Gloria answered while walking back to her room to take the call privately, "Yeah, there's been some things on my mind but other than that I'm doing awesome!"

"I see, very good! Okay, so you're probably wondering why I'm calling you so early. I went outside to check on the plants we have growing, and I found this note had been stuck between the doors."

This got Gloria curious, "A note? What did it say?"

"I know this sounds quite odd. But it said they wanted to meet with you at Challenge Road in an hour. There's no name on it or anything to indicate who left the note."

Gloria raised an eyebrow, "Huh, how bizarre."

Miss Honey chuckled, "Oh, I bet it was Avery! He probably wants to challenge you again but is too nervous to invite you directly. So, he's playing this silly little game! How funny!"

Gloria laughed, "That sounds like something he would do. I'll get going then! Wouldn't want to keep him waiting too long, you know how impatient he can get. Heheh…"

"It makes sense considering I haven't seen him all morning and he's usually one of the first I see here. Well, all right then I'll let you go so you can meet with him. Just be careful out there, okay?"

"I will Miss Honey, thanks!"

After saying bye and hanging up, Gloria went over to her mirror to check her appearance once more. Once she was satisfied, she picked up her rucksack and took off. Next destination, Challenge Road.

Dark clouds covered the island today. Gloria hopped up the steps to the first plateau of Challenge Road and looked around.

"Hm, where could he be?"

Her question got answered quickly when Avery ascended the steps with a smug look on his face. Gloria returned the grin, "Ha! I knew that was you Avery!"

Avery chuckled, "Who were you expecting hm? Of course, It'd be me! I saw you in the Forest of Focus and I couldn't let you just prance away without seeing the fruits of my training! I didn't know it was you at first, seeing as you're wearing something different today. But no matter! I want to battle you!"

Gloria remarked, "I guess Miss Honey was right, you're just playing a game leaving that note on the door of the dojo. Ah, no matter! I accept!"

Avery looked confused, "Note on the door? I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm very pleased that you accept my challenge! Now let's get going already! I'll send your head spinning, just like this pokeball!" He used his finger to rotate one of the pokeballs floating around his head. The two got into battle positions, then Avery used his psychic powers to send out Slowbro.

"I think you'll be the one spinning at the end!" Gloria retorted, "Go Zamazenta!"

The shield legendary landed onto the battlefield with graceful focus. It gazed upon the dopey looking poison/psychic Pokémon with confidence, trusting its trainer to come up with the best strategy.

"Zamazenta, use Crunch!" Gloria commanded. The legendary crunched upon its target with sharp fangs, the dark type move was super effective. The Slowbro fainted, it was a one-hit wonder.

Avery's eyes were wide with disbelief, "Super effective!? Your nature certainly isn't calm, is it?" He recalled his fainted Pokémon.

Gloria smiled impishly, "Avery, you should know that about me by now!"

Avery grinned back, "All right. So, you've got the upper hand now. But I'm not giving up! Go Rapidash!"

Avery sent out the proud Pokémon. It's long, curly mane shone even without the assistance of the sun. Streaks of pastel cyan and pink brushed the ground. Gloria couldn't help but admire the prideful Pokémon.

"That looks like the one Bede has…" She thought to herself.

Speaking of, neither trainer had noticed that Bede had arrived and was watching the battle from a distance. He took cover behind a large rock that rested near the stairwell, keeping his eyes mostly focused on Gloria.

Although Gloria knew Zamazenta's Behemoth Bash could've easily taken out that Rapidash with one hit. She wanted a little bit of a challenge.

"Return Zamazenta!" Gloria recalled her legendary. She looked through her team and quickly made a decision, "Indeedee, go!"

The parent-like Pokémon emerged from the light. She took a bow to greet her opponent before listening for her trainer's orders. Rapidash looked down on the maid Pokémon with snooty eyes.

"Don't get to comfortable now Gloria." Avery jabbed, "Rapidash, use Dazzling Gleam!"

Rapidash's hair flashed white and emitted sparks, striking Indeedee. It had done considerable damage, but Gloria remained calm, she commanded, "Indeedee, use Swift!"

Indeedee summoned star-shaped rays and shot them at her foe. Rapidash tried to evade but this attack was always guaranteed to hit.

"Rapidash, use Mystical Fire!"

Rapidash attacked by breathing a special, hot fire. Hitting Indeedee with a colorful flame. She was starting to get tired, but still had a bit of fight left. Gloria began to sweat a little, "Indeedee, use Magical Leaf!"

Indeedee scatters curious leaves that she sent chasing after Rapidash. This attack was also not able to be evaded, and struck Rapidash. This attack took all of Rapidash's HP and it fainted.

Avery was also beginning to sweat, "Since when have you gotten tougher!?"

Gloria took a sharp exhale, "I'm always getting tougher." She responded with a low voice. Noticing her Indeedee was exhausted, she recalled her, "Return Indeedee!" She then whispered to the Pokeball, "Take a nice long breather."

"Swoobat, go!" Avery sent out a blue, flying Pokémon with a heart shaped nose. At the same time, Gloria sent out her Alcremie. The two heart-patterned Pokémon faced one another.

"Swoobat, Air Slash!"

"Alcremie, Draining Kiss!"

Swoobat attacked with a blade of air that slices even the sky. It struck Alcremie, causing her to flinch.
"Uh oh…" Gloria muttered.

Avery chuckled, "What's wrong? Have I caught you off-guard? That was an elegant move choice on my part, wouldn't you agree? Now Swoobat, use Energy Ball!"

Swoobat drew power from nature and fired it at Alcremie. It struck her and she went flying. This proved too much for her and she fainted.

Gloria's heart raced a bit, "Alcremie return!"

Bede continued to watch, "Come on Gloria, you can do this…" He whispered very quietly.

Avery chuckled, "You'd better be careful Gloria. If you let your guard down too much you'll end up losing!"

Gloria nodded, "Don't worry about a thing! Flareon, go!" She tossed the pokeball into the air. Flareon landed upon the field and let out a cry.

"Swoobat, use Air Slash!"

"Flareon, Fire Fang."

Flareon gracefully evaded the Air Slash and pounced at the flying Pokémon, chomping down on it with flame-cloaked fangs. Avery yelped with shock.

"Now Flareon, Quick Attack!"

Flareon lunged at her target, moving at a speed that made her almost invisible. Swoobat was struck by her, which exhausted the last of it's HP. Knocking it out.

"Swoobat, return!" Avery recalled.

Bede continued to watch the battle. He watched Avery send out an Alakazam. Gloria kept her Flareon in battle. His mind had gone to what his plan was. He was the one that had left that note at the dojo and wanted to meet with her. He certainly wasn't expecting Avery to barge in on his plan and challenge Gloria to a battle. He reluctantly accepted the entertainment.

"Hmph…" Bede scoffed in annoyance, "Gloria, you better finish this fool off quickly…"

When he focused his attention back on the battle. He noticed that Avery now had a Slowking, and Gloria had her Milotic out on the field. Both had ignited their Dynamax bands which distorted the air around them. Both Pokémon had grown into giants, facing off one another.

Avery chided, "My power only grows when my back is to the wall. You've no one to blame for this but yourself!"

Gloria snorted, "Are you forgetting I like challenges? Bring it on!"

Avery's glasses sparkled, "Witness my ESP! Which, of course, stands for Elegant Spectacular Power!"

Slowking unleashed a Max Mindstorm which inflicted damage and caused the battlefield to turn into a psychic terrain. Gloria retaliated, "Finish this off Milotic! Max Geyser!"

Milotic unleashed a torrent of water to strike Slowking. This caused rain to fall from the sky. Slowking fainted, emitting an explosion of flames and shrinking back down to normal. Avery recalled it quickly. Gloria had won the battle. She jumped and stuck an arm in the air, "Woo hoo! We did it!" She cheered while Milotic changed back to normal.

The floating pokeballs around Avery's head collapsed to the ground, "More! I require more! Show me your Stored Power!" Avery yelled out, clenching his fists.
Bede sighed in relief, "Impressive." He whispered. He glanced up to see the two battlers shaking hands.

"Just as my Future Sight predicted!" Avery complimented, "Even though I lost, I was still able to learn from that battle. Thank you, Gloria."

Gloria smiled warmly, "You're getting stronger each time we battle Avery. Just keep up that momentum and I'm sure you'll be unstoppable!"

"You're too kind…" He replied.

"Maybe you should eat some more Max Soup! Haha!"

Avery grew flustered, "You and that mouth of yours! Well, I suppose that isn't a bad suggestion…"

Bede felt a terrible feeling in his chest. He took another step out from cover to get a closer look. At that moment Gloria had turned in his direction, laying her eyes right on him. Both sets of eyes widened in surprise.

Gloria gasped lightly, "Bede!?"
Bede flinched a little, but kept his composure and approached them, "That was an entertaining battle."

Avery hesitated before replying, "Well now, I didn't realize we had an audience! And look who it is. It's the one who turned his back on the psychic types!"

Bede rolled his eyes, "Tsk… You're a little disquieting, you know..."

Avery made a growling noise from is throat, "You clearly have the Sassy Nature I see… Whatever. Gloria, I'll challenge you another day, and I won't make it so easy next time!"

Getting impatient, Bede responded, "Are you done yet? I would like to speak with Gloria here and you are kind of distracting."

Avery scoffed, "Well you're quite abrupt, aren't you? What's the hurry?" His eyes lit up and he smiled in a devilish manner, "Ah, I see…" He looked at Gloria and pointed at Bede, "Gloria, I think somebody's got a crush on you!" He teased.

Bede's eyes flew wide, "Aah! Wh-what!? Don't be ridiculous!" Steam was emitting from his ears.

Avery laughed, "You're blushing!"

A red-faced Gloria rushed over to Avery and kicked him in the legs, "AVERY!"
Avery almost stumbled, "OWW!" He whirled around to face her with his mouth agape and his eyes wide, "Ouchhh! Sheesh, you've got some strong legs for someone so little!"

Suddenly there was the sound of pattering. It started soft, but then it grew in volume. The three looked around confused.

"What's that noise?" Gloria inquired.

Avery was filled with dread realizing he recognized that noise, "Oh no…"

The three fast Slowpoke came dashing across the Training Lowlands, and up the stairs where the three were standing. They looked like little pink dots moving across the green grass with a trail of dust behind them.

"Watch out!" Gloria shoved Bede out of the way before taking a massive leap herself. Avery wasn't quick enough and he was bowled into by the three dashing Pokémon. In a comical manner, he was sent flying to the ground as the Slowpoke dashed by him. His glasses had been knocked off. Using his hand, he felt around for his glasses. When he found them, he hastily put them back on his face and jumped back to his feet. A look of exasperation on his face, "Why you little…! You troublemakers get back here this instant and I mean NOW!"

He took off running after them. A minute later, Gloria and Bede watched the Slowpoke rush by them again. They were going back the way they came. Avery was lumbering behind them, trying to keep up.

"AUUGGGHHH!" He yelled in frustration, leaving Gloria and Bede alone.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Gloria snorted before busting out in laughter. Bede shook his head, trying to suppress the growing grin on his face.

"You're far too energetic Gloria." Bede stated, with his mouth threatening to twitch.

Gloria giggled, "I couldn't help it, that was so hilarious! Is it weird that at I feel bad for him at the same time?"

Bede replied, "Not at all. I don't feel bad for him one bit though." He chuckled.

"So, what brings you out here Bede? Did Opal make you come back out here?"

Bede turned away, "Not quite. I just… had some extra time today." He didn't want to tell her that he was the one that left that note.

"Ah, I see. So um…" Gloria became a little embarrassed asking this, "Did you… want to hang out for a bit?"

His eyes lit up, but he tried to stay refined, "Oh! Um… I suppose I can chat with you for a bit."

Gloria smiled, "Great!"

Bede observed their surroundings, "Could we go elsewhere? This area looks just like that town with the mural." A bit of regret slipped in his voice, "Gosh, what was I playing at when I went and destroyed that thing..."

Gloria looked at him with worried eyes, she put a hand on his shoulder, "That was a while ago. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Come on, let's go back to the grassy area!"
Bede agreed and followed her down the steps.

Bede looked around the grassy fields of the Training Lowlands, "What a carefree, tedious island this is!"

"I always see different Pokémon each time I come here." Gloria replied.

"I've noticed that." He nodded.

Gloria felt a little nervous asking this question, "So Bede, how much of that battle did you see?"

Bede gave a sly smile, "All of it. I knew you would win. But you'd better not let your guard down. I still need to have a battle with you."

Gloria chuckled, "Yeah, I know that. Don't worry, I'll save my best performance for you."

"You'd better. I'll draw out all of your potential!"

Gloria could tell from the determined smile on his face that he was serious, and that her next battle with him would likely be a close one. Nonetheless, she was excited for it.

"Can't wait!" She replied.

The sound of thunder rolled in the distance over the ocean. Gloria and Bede looked out to the horizon.

"Uh oh, looks like it's gonna rain." Gloria observed.

"We should find shelter." Bede suggested.

"Let's go back to the dojo. They'll let us stay!"

Bede was hesitant, but he agreed, "Very well."

The walk to the dojo was a long one. Gloria was thankful that Bede was somewhat behind her, or she was worried he would've been able to hear her heart pounding. She didn't know what had gotten into her all of a sudden. Other than she was excited at accomplishing her goal of breaking the ice with Bede. Suddenly, it wasn't enough. She really wanted to peel back the layers and see who he really was.

She wanted to know what was underneath.

Author's Note: Hahaha. Poor Avery. I couldn't resist making him suffer a bit.

Hope you all enjoyed!