Gloria and Bede had reached the Dojo in the nick of time. A few drops began to fall just as they climbed up the steps and took cover under the shade. The rain grew in intensity within seconds, soon, sheets were descending upon the island. They were able to stay dry, but Gloria could feel goosebumps under her sweater from the wind.

"Ugh, this humidity is going to get my hair all frizzy." Bede muttered.

Gloria looked at him and giggled, "Forgive me for saying it seemed that way already."

Bede scoffed, "You always have something to say, don't you?"

This made Gloria laugh, "I always have something to say? You have no idea how funny that sounds coming from you of all people."

Bede gave a sneer, "I hope you can keep that up when I finally crush you in battle one day."

Gloria retorted, "I'm looking forward to it! Be warned, I won't make it easy for you!"

Bede lowered his voice, "I don't want it to be easy. If that were the case it wouldn't be satisfying." He spoke with a smug grin.

That's when the door to the dojo opened, it was Miss Honey. Her eyes widened seeing the two, "Oh my! You two should get inside this instant! Hurry now! Chop chop!"

Gloria agreed, "Yes, Miss Honey! Come on, Bede."

Bede reluctantly followed Gloria inside. There were a few of the Dojo students gathered near the backdoor. All had their eyes glued on their fellow students who dared to take sparring turns in the rain. Miss Honey looked at them in exasperation, "Oh those students! I tried to get them all inside yet they were insistent. I told them not to make a fuss if they end up getting sick from this!" She rushed over to make an attempt to dissuade them once more.

Gloria chuckled, "Poor Miss Honey… She's always so thoughtful despite having her hands full."

Bede shook his head, "Hmph, I can't imagine having to deal with so many people at once like that."

"Don't you kind of do that at the gym?" Gloria inquired.

"There are much less people. So, it's manageable." Bede answered.

Steady footsteps caught their attention, and the two turned to see Mustard entering the room. A smile on his face, "Ah, Gloria! It's so good to see you again!"

Gloria returned a smile, "Hi Master, it's been a while hasn't it? How are things?"

Mustard kept a grin, "Things are amazing of course! As long as you disregard the sudden bad weather. Heheh!" His eyes went to Bede, "I see you brought a friend with you. Wait a minute! I know who you are! Your name is Bede, correct?"

Bede returned a refined glance, "You are correct."

Mustard nodded in approval, "I heard about you from my dear friend, Opal. She often has quite a bit to say about you! I'm happy to hear she's found a successor."

Bede pushed a part of his hair back, "Yes. And one day, I will reign as the top trainer in the world."

Mustard replied, "That's quite an undertaking. But I know you have it in you! Just understand you'll be up against Gloria here! Hee hee hee!"

Gloria laughed nervously, Bede responded with vigor, "And I'll draw out every last bit of strength from her, and triumph!"

Mustard laughed and smiled, before his eyebrows raised, "Oh, that reminds me! Gloria, could you wait here for a spell? There's something I gotta show you."

Gloria was curious, "Sure thing, Master!"

"I'll be right back!" He turned and left the room. As they waited, Gloria turned to Bede and saw his troubled expression. She asked, "You okay Bede?"

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing Gloria. I'm just hoping the stadium is being cared for properly while I'm away. It's not like me to worry about such things."

Gloria smiled knowingly, "You want to make sure it's the way Opal would want it to be."

Bede appeared uneasy, "Y-Yes. After all, it's because of her that my life has changed so dramatically. And for the better too. Do you have anybody like that Gloria? A person so intense that they changed your life?"

She was caught off guard by that question, but she knew the answer, "I… my answer to that is Leon."

"Of course." Bede responded in a way that he knew that she would say that.

"He wasn't just Hop's older brother. He was like that to me too." Gloria explained, "When I was a child, watching him battle was like watching a fireworks show during New Years. In my eyes, he was an amazing superstar. Someone I wanted to be."

"And you defeated him in the Championship Cup." Bede stated.

Gloria nodded, "mm-hmm. He's still someone I look to for inspiration. Even if he's not the champion anymore. It's one of those things that'll never leave me."

Bede crossed his arms, "I had some… frustrating experiences with my Gym Challenge. But that helped me realize something. You should be the one to decide how to live your life. Your own dreams and goals should be the ones you choose yourself. Otherwise, what's the point?"

Gloria looked toward his eyes. He calmly declared, "I will walk this path and reach the pinnacle of what Fairy types can do."

Gloria smiled energetically, "I believe in you Bede. I'll be cheering for you, got it?"

Bede's eyes widened slightly, and he turned to her with a bewildered expression. But he quickly regained his refined demeanor and cleared his throat, "Your consideration is quite admirable… I do appreciate it."

At that moment, Mustard returned. And he wasn't alone, The Pokémon called Urshifu appeared by his side. Gloria's face lit up at the appearance of the Pokémon that she had nurtured as a Kubfu. The Pokémon that she had trained and had shown the Scroll of Darkness.

"It's you!" Gloria exclaimed with joy in her eyes.

Urshifu let out a cry for joy and rushed to embrace the young girl that took him under his wing when he was a mere cub, lifting her off the ground and hugging her tight. Mustard laughed out loud. Bede on the other hand appeared somewhat uncomfortable.

Gloria was laughing too, "Oh, you're so strong! Ack! You're crushing me!"

Mustard intervened, keeping a delighted smile, "All right Urshifu, don't break her now!"

The Pokémon understood and released Gloria from his grip. Gloria took a much-needed deep breath, "Wow, I'm so happy to have seen you again Urshifu!"

The fighting/dark type was equally as joyful. He struck a heroic pose with his right arm extended to his left, and his left arm bent at a ninety-degree angle under his right arm. As if to show off how far he had come. Gloria giggled and hopped beside him to strike the same pose.

"Quick, someone take a photo!" Gloria laughed out loud.

Mustard eagerly volunteered, "I've got you!" He took his rotom phone and snapped a few pics of the dynamic duo, "Oh you both look so wonderful!" He enthused.

Bede rested the tips of his fingers on his forehead and sighed, "Gloria, you look ridiculous…"

"Don't say that, Bede!" Mustard teased.

Flustered, Bede replied, "I'm just saying that a champion should act more sophisticated. That's all…"

Mustard laughed, "Oh, she doesn't have to act that way all the time! What would the fun in that be?"

Gloria couldn't help but grin even wider as Bede turned away with his face reddening. She didn't mind what he said about her at his point. She was enjoying herself.
Suddenly, a loud bang from the front door startled everyone. There stood Avery, soaked to the bone. A look of pure aggravation on his face.

"Avery!" Mustard greeted him, "I take it you've finally corralled the Slowpoke?" He smiled mischievously.

Avery softened his expression, "Y-Yes, master… I have…"

Miss Honey just about had a heart attack seeing him, "Avery! Go dry yourself off this instant! You're going to get sick!"

He flinched, "Y-Yes Miss Honey!" And took off to the kitchen. Gloria decided to follow him. She saw him at the corner of the big table with a towel and his glasses off his face.

"Avery?" She spoke, catching his attention.

"Gloria? I'm a little surprised to see you're still here. I thought you had left already."

"Nope! Bede and I decided to come here to hide from the rain. You look like you've been standing under a waterfall."

He sighed, "Don't remind me. Those Slowpoke had me chase them all over this blasted island… I thought they would never give it up!"

Gloria couldn't help but giggle, "I remember chasing those guys, it certainly isn't easy…"

Changing the subject, Avery made an off-handed remark, "I see that fairy boy is still here too…"

Gloria was offended, "Don't call him that! His name is Bede!"

Avery was taken aback by Gloria's reaction, but he shook it off, "Fine, very well… I still think he needs to return to the wonderful Psychic types."

"He's much happier now then he was before. What does it matter if he switched types? It's important to do what makes you happy."

Avery put his glasses back on and raised an eyebrow, taking in what Gloria said. He then responded, "I… suppose that's an excellent way of seeing things. You're quite the wholesome person Gloria. I… suppose I wish to become more like…" That's when he stopped himself, "Ah, never mind. Use amnesia, forget what I said."

Gloria smiled impishly, "Sure thing, Avery."

Unbeknownst to both, Bede was standing right around the corner having heard the conversation. He felt a bit of stirring in his heart hearing Gloria defend him. He also didn't notice Mustard approaching. The dojo master waited a few seconds, then cleared his throat to get Bede's attention.

Bede whirled around, "Ah! Wh-why are you sneaking up on me like that!?"

Mustard chuckled, "Hehehe, my apologies young man. I just couldn't help but notice."

"Notice what?"

Mustard lowered his voice, "That you seem to really like Gloria a lot."

"Wh-what!? No, I don't!" Bede denied.

Mustard couldn't help but chuckle again, "Heheh… It's okay, Bede. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's a natural emotion!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Bede crossed his arms, looking away.

Gloria had walked away from Avery, noticing Mustard and Bede speaking. She approached them, "Hey guys! Whatcha talking about?"

Steam came out of Bede's ears, he replied frantically, "N-Nothing!"
Mustard simply smiled, shaking his head.

Gloria was confused, "Um, okay?"

Still flustered, Bede stated, "I… I must excuse myself now. I've been away from the gym too long." He began walking quickly to the door without waiting for a response. Gloria called out to him, "Wait, Bede! Did you want to meet again?"

Bede stopped and hesitated before replying, "S-Sure!"

Gloria ran up to him, "Here, let me give you my number." She whispered. His eyes went wide while she used her rotom phone to connect to his. Successfully exchanging numbers.

"This'll make meeting easier." Gloria smiled, "Okay, I'll let you get back to the gym. Bye!"

Bede gave a short wave before retreating from the dojo and hurriedly calling a taxi to take him back to Ballonea. By then, it had stopped raining. While in the taxi, he was so excited and embarrassed at having gotten Gloria's number that he was struggling to keep poised.

"She gave me her number!" He screamed in his mind.

Back at the dojo, Gloria was equally as excited at having exchanged numbers with Bede that she ran outside into the wet grass and began jumping around like a Buneary.

"Yay! I got his number! I got his number!" Her mind cheered.

Mustard peeked out the front door at Gloria hopping about. She was giggling at the same time. He smiled and whispered to himself, "Ah, young love…"

"AAAAUUGGGGHHHH!"

Avery's yell of frustration barely fazed him. Mustard calmly walked out of the way just in time for the Slowpoke to come running past. With poor Avery barely managing to keep up.

"Get… back… here… right… NOW!" He shouted and ran past Mustard, then Gloria. Who watched in shock. She looked at Mustard, who nodded his head in assurance. Gloria nodded back and then decided she was ready to go home. She waved at Mustard once again before calling a taxi. When it got there, she asked to be taken to Postwick, and she climbed in. As the train was lifted, she saw Mustard waving goodbye. Urshifu burst out the door to stand beside Mustard and waved excitedly. Gloria smiled and waved until she couldn't see them anymore.

On the ride back, she was waving her fists excitedly. She had a ton of energy from the excitement. She couldn't wait to tell Sonia about the recent Bede events.

It was progress well made.

Author's Note: Tee hee, I love the ship teasing so much!

Hope you all enjoyed! See you next time!