During the late afternoon, Gloria said her hellos to Sonia, who has quite the reason to be hanging around at Stow-on-Side. "You know the Murel here in Stow-on-Side? It's said to tell the story of the hero of Galar as well." Gloria looked to the stair way at her right. "So that's where that set leads." Sonia nodded. "Though what's there today is actually a replica of the ancient art that use to be here. You tend to have a surprisingly sharp insight, so I was wondering what you might think when you see the ruins." Gloria blushed. "Ah me, I'm just there for the sight seeing." Sonia giggled and fondled her hair.

Ka-boom!

The sound of demolition came from the stair way. Sonia whu. "What in the world was that? Sounds like it came from the direction of the ruins, too." Gloria brought out a ball. "Let's take a look and stop that!" She jogged rather swiftly and Sonia yelped. "Woah, she's fast! Come along Yamper!" They jogged all the way up the stairs to the source of noise happening at a flowery murel with a sword and shield.

Bede of all people was commanding a mighty green elephant with orange markings. "Destroy it! Destroy it all! We're going to find those Wishing Stars!"

The elephant blew a nose, wanting to let Bede know that this was a horrible idea, the boy didn't listen. "We've got to bring the chairman more Wishing Stars if we want to please him! Copperajah! If you're truly the chairman's pokemon, then you should feel grateful for the chance to help him find Wishing Stars!" Gloria was seeing the murel already had a crack and the elephant was confused enough to go along with landing another blow. Gloria, in her bewilderment, dashed towards the two and yelled. "Bede, what do you think you're doing?!"

Bede turned to the athletic girl, breaking out of anything elegant and brushed his hair. "Oh my. You again?" He had a hand in his pocket. "So you think that you can start collecting Wishing Stars now and get in the chairman's favor? That's the way of things, is it?"

Gloria shook her head, tensed, widen her eyes and begun yelling. "Wishing Stars, Smushing Cars! Do you realize how much trouble you're going to be in if that falls?!" Bede felt his hair blown back from the hyper voice and blinked, he used his other hand to put a finger under his chin. "Cunning." His eyes widden a bit to a rather fanatical craze. "But I won't have it! I won't allow anyone stand in my way!" He pulled out a great ball, tossed it to his gloved and and gave a smirk before closing his eyes in a beat and sending out a Duosion. Gloria knew an ego gone too far and sent out Brainy. "Come on, we got to stop this idiot!"

The Orbeetle floated to battle and the girl ordered. "Put an end to it with a bug buzz, show him your grown power!" The Orbeetle opened his wings and buzzed so loudly that the normally haughty Duosion's gel rippled.

BLAST!

The cell was knocked straight to the back leg of the Copperajah, knocked out in one blow and causing Bede to make a call back. He turned with a surprised expression and sent out his Gothorita. "Bloody, come on we need to stun this beetle good!"

Gloria blew out from her nostrils. "Again!" The Orbeetle let loose a bug buzz that pushed the foe an inch before she let loose a thunder wave, Brainy hovered far above and bug buzz at an upper point blank rank. The Gothorita fell to her knees and is passed out, Bede made another switch, to his Ponyta. Who jumped back at the sight of an enraged Orbeetle, Bede was realizing he hasn't even come close to dampening Gloria's lead. "...No! "I have to win this for the chairman!" He stomped his foot like a royal rich kid. "Do you really think I'd let you keep me from everything I want?"

Gloria put her hands at her hips, raised an eyebrow and had a face a kin to a lecturing mother. "I'm only doing this because you're making one of the worst mistakes of your life! Brainy, bring out a light screen, there isn't anymore tricks for them to do!" Pew! Bede gritted his teeth. "You've still underestimated us! Pontya, bring about hypnosis!" The Ponyta nodded and gave a hypnotic dance that caused Brainy to dose off, forcing Gloria to match a switch to Acer. "Come on, knock that pony out with your ace skill!"

The Cinderace rolled to battle, saw the Ponyta at the end of a dance and let her know how big he gotten. He took a pebble, played with it a bit until it sparked into a fire ball and kicked it at the horse for a k.o. Gloria whistled sharp to have Acer step aside as Bede was forced to send out his last pokemon, a small pink fairy with a familiar pointed hat. Looking more humanoid and having big enough hair that the pig tails were used as extra legs.

Gloria tossed the next ball and let out the Arctozolt that shivered. He squawked for battle as Bede's moment of astonishment worsened. "You've actually gone to that back alley mortician?! Have you gone mad?!" Gloria cringed. "How was I suppose to know that she was putting together fossils of different pokemon before reviving them? But Franken's still going to kick your entitled butt!" Bede scoffed. "Entitled? How dare you!"

Gloria pointed. "Franken, start off with a thunder fang!" The Arctozolt used the energy from the small jogging lesson to rush at the Hattrem that used her hair to run backwards. Chomp! Bede ordered fast. "Dazzle to get that thing off you!" The Hattrem burst a dazzling gleam that made Franken slide back, the girl ordered. "Pelt her a bit with ancient power and make them cool off!"

The Arctozolt unleashed his ancient power for a slight pelting and glowed while the Hattrem used the chance to fire a psybeam. Franken shivered and crouched, Bede shook his head. "Can't even walk a mile without health problems! Once more!"

Snap! The Hattrem shot the second beam as Gloria realize Franken was halting, on taking the blast, the Arctozolt jerked upward and howled a mighty avalanche that buried the Hattrem in snow. Ending the match in a rare chill. Bede cringed, called his partner back and tighten his grip. "This has to be some kind of mistake. I demand a do-over." The Arctozolt sat down, panting from a hearty battle as Gloria politely refused. "There isn't anymore of those. You lost pretty soundly, again."

Acer agreed, went to Arctozolt and patted him on the shoulder. (Don't worry about what he's got to say, you're a hearty fighter!) The Arctozolt smiled, looked at Bede and opened his eyes to show rather adorable dots.

The boy crossed his arms, not wanting to admit that Gloria actually handled the unnatural life form well enough. "But why...? How can this be?! How could someone like you get in my way?" He tapped his foot. "I was the one chosen by the chairman! I was the one who was suppose to defeat the champion." Sonia put a hand at the side of her head, a migraine was growing. "Not when Leon's been keeping the title of Undefeatable since the last twenty years." She explained. "This is suppose to be a lovely competition, another wanting to break that is bound to happen, love."

Bede turned with astonishment and a refusal to admit that Gloria is straight up a better trainer. "But I'm one of the elite- someone who could shoulder the future of the Galar Region!" Suddenly, members of the staff came rushing in, along with Rose and a rather astonished Oleana. "Challenger Bede?!" The boy turned to see the group of surprised adults, the secretary crossed her arms as the Copperajah turned and is shaking. "I was wondering what you were up to when you asked to borrow Chairman Rose's Copperajah." Her eyes showed something she would rather not have happened. "I can't believe you'd actually try to use the chairman's Pokemon to destroy a historical site!" Bede scoffed. "Who cares for some ancient ruin when the next thousand years are at stake? Did you stand in the path of a Pokémon's Simple Beam or something? How do you expect to support the chairman with that sort of thinking?"

Oleana had a moment to look crossed and simply put a hand on her face. Barely containing the urge to spell out what the boy actually done. Even the Copperajah, was lowering himself in shame and is fearing of being punished. Rose sighed to the Copperajah in pity and was more regretful towards Bede. "*Huff* It pains me to say this, but I'm truly disappointed. It's true, that I am the one who found you, back when you were all alone." He's had a headache. "I saw talent in you. You reminded me a little bit of myself, back when I was young. That's why I sent you to a trainer's school, to give you a chance at success." He tried to get over the ache. "But trying to to destroy the mural- part of Galar's history! That's no love towards Galar! You are clearly lacking, what it means to be a Champion, least of all a challenger for the Gym Challenge."

Bede huhed as Rose suggested. "We will decide what to do with you late. For now, you will return to Hammerlocke."

Bede's pupils shrank, like he's very existence was about to be cut short. "You... you must be joking, right? You're disqualifying me from the Gym Challenge? But you're the one who endorsed me! There are a hundred different ways we could sort this out. Why are you choosing the worst possible option?" Acer, Sonia, Gloria and even Oleana smacked their faces with their palms at the question. The secretary slid her hand down as Rose called back his Copperajah in regret. "Challenger Bede. We are going to have a long talk after I confiscate the Wishing Stars you've gathered."

The staff went to take Bede away, leaving the humans to talk. Rose put the Copperajah's ball away and looked to Sonia and Gloria. He tried remembering their precise names. "Sonia and Gloria too! I'm sorry for all of this. An absolute disaster. I never wish to see a Challenger drop out for this sort of reason." He took a deep breath. "Yet me must do what needs to be done, to keep things fair and sportsman like." Gloria agreed with that, yet is still worried. "Just don't be too hard on Copperajah, he just thought he had to go along with that." Rose raised a finger. "I won't, it's never the Pokemon's fault." The adults turned to leave and left the band alone.

Sonia sighed. "You know, during one of Bede's matches, I heard the announcer say that Bede has no family." That made Gloria's rage turn. "Really?!" Sonia nodded. "Apparently it was Rose who took Bede under his wing, and so Bede was battling for chairman's sake." Gloria cringed. "And since most of us trainers are sent out on our own, that's going to get harsh." Sonia agreed and looked up to the cracked murel. "What an awful turn of events. I hope the murel survived all that."

Franken felt his nose running again and gave a loud sneeze, suddenly the murel cracks spread and caused the whole structure to collapse. The Arctozolt was hearing the crumbling, turned his head and began to run fast to Gloria, he covered his head as the structure completely collapsed and blew in dust. The girl took a moment to process that, realize that Franken is scared for her and comforted him with a pet. "Silly Arctozolt, a sneeze like that wasn't going to do anything!" Sonia noticed in the clearing, two statues that were hidden behind the murel. That of wolves, one holding a sword in her teeth and the other holding a shield. She noticed the image of two kinds behind them and was in a complete brain storm from the tapestry she saw at Hammerlocke as well as something she heard a few days ago. Gloria and her pokemon noticed the statues of the wolves. The girl and her starter also had the tapestry in mind, thinking to the Sword and Shield, while also considering the Wolf in the forest and how it acted. The three had a spark of a connection as Franken chirped. (Uh... is this big?) He looked down to Yamper and asked. (That big, right?) The dog could tell by Sonia's gleam. (Yep!)

The adult admitted. "This wasn't how we'd like to have seen it, but the ruins were brought into the light for us to see! Gloria, what does this tell us about Galar's legends?" The girl clapped. "That the sword and the shield are connected to wolf pokemon. Wolf pokemon that look an awful lot like the one at the Slumbering Weald!" Sonia nodded. "That's right! More so than any hero we've been seeing. Those pokemon seem to be the ones standing out! Not just that, but those pokemon appear to be holding a sword and a shield as if they were using them."

Gloria felt more calm about the dreadful memory of the foggy forest. "Is this connected to the reason that wolf only knocked us out with the fog instead of just going at us with teeth?" Sonia added in. "It might very well be, but what does this tell us? If the Tapestry is correct?" Gloria pondered. "That there were two wolves? Two heroes?" Ding ding! The adult fondled her hair. "That's right. There really were two. But why did only the one statue at the Budew Inn?" She looked back to the ruins. "It's more than what any statue of a hero, or tapestry would tell. These ruins, made in the ancient times must show us the real truth. Which means-"

Gloria's mouth gaped, she looked to Acer in a realization. "That wolf has to be related to this! It wasn't trying to attack us at all." The Cinderace nodded. (It just wanted us to bugger off and made sure we'd be found!) Sonia declared. "Yep! I was thinking the same thing! Seems like at some point, the Sword and Shield were combined with the two actual pokemon and treated as the same. But then what? They just faded from history? Is the only thing left of them now are ghosts in some woods? Two young heroes. The Sword and the Shield were actually pokemon, but why would the truth of these ruins be hidden when their stories were depicted in artwork?"

Franken waddled and squawked. (The stories got mixed up? Like I am?) Yamper and Acer turned in shock as Gloria felt what was intended to be said. "You know, I think you might be right. Someone mixed up what was said and tried to cover it up." Sonia didn't want to think it was that and blushed. "I really feel we made a big discovery here. Thank you all for your help!" She gave Gloria a couple of revives, hugged the Cinderace nice and tight where going to the Arctozolt and giving him a kiss on the snout. The shivering pokemon was feeling warm in side as the adult asked. "Gloria, you and your friends are heading to Ballonlea next, right?" The girl put the medicine away. "Yep! It's in the other path, out of this city. Once we finish with that and find Hop, we'll be trying to look for you to really put this together." She called to her duo. "Come on, let's get going!"

The Cinderace noticed a lot of people gathering to see those ruins as he and the charmed Arctozolt were called back. Gloria jogged down the stairs and to a canyon way going to something of thick leaves. She brought out Fubear and asked. "Alright, if this leads to a fairy gym, then this ought to start the next part of your training. Can that iron head bash through your arch nemesis!"

The Kubfu nodded, smirked and thrust her head forward before joining in the jog. Soon, the path became cloaked in darkness, there were trees blocking the sky way. The only light to guide their way were glowing mushrooms, some green and others were giving a pink glow, showing small imps resembling Morgrim. Gloria had a check at what they are. "Impidimp: the wily pokemon: Fairy-Dark type: Through its nose, it sucks in the emanations produced by people and Pokémon when they feel annoyed. It thrives off this negative energy." The Impidimps noticed the Kubfu and made weird faces. (Hah! Hah! The fighting type think she's smart to come here!)

Fubear quickly ignored them and looked away coldly, causing the two imps to fall over in shock and scamper away. Gloria snickered to the Kubfu. "That's one way to beat those little trolls, but you still need to actually get into a fight with the next one we see." She read the dex to get her knowledge on the name, Glimwood Tangle. The first few pokemon she found in the grass were a good explanation as to where Stow-on-Side. Phantumps and Sinisteas. Some of the pokemon encountered where the likes Gloria had hops for Fubear to encounter, Swirlix, Spritzees, Ponyta's and Shiinotics for the trainer to add to the pokedex. Others, like an Indeedee, were something the girl had Brainy deal with. The local trainers provided more of a challenge. One was a chef with a Milcery, Sinistea and Shiinotic for Fubear and Acer to deal with. The other was a duo of a beauty with a Kirlia and train staff having a Ninetales. Gloria had Shelly join in the exercise, to focus water pulses at the Ninetales while Fubear knocked the Kirlia out in one iron head. The rest of that match ended quickly enough and Gloria kept wandering lost in the forest.

Nothing too much was of note, beyond some mushrooms for the girl to poke and spook an Impidimp over. Something for Fubear to head but to a tree and give Gloria the moment for capture.

A particular treasure was laid out in the middle of the forest, a case containing a bug green t.m. Gloria went to grab it and saw a piece of string that tripped a cotton candy like web. Laughter echo'd and Fubear kept guard, finding that duo of Impidimps and a strange specimen that startled the girl. A blue Morgrem with white hair and purple legs. He was laughing at a plan that gone well and pointed at the Kubfu. (Let's see how well you do when you're friends all tied up!)

The Impidimps scurried to Gloria and balked loud cries that were annoying her. The girl was in a struggle and ordered. "Fubear, what ever you do, focus on the big one, he's a fairy type too!" The Kubfu nodded as the Morgrem scattered close and cackled. (Like one puny move would help end this!) The Kubfu was subjected to some torment, took a deep breath and bulked up. Fubear bashed the Morgrim back while Gloria let out Acer and drop off a dusk ball. "Acer, kick that duskball at that Morgrim!" Acer nodded as the Morgrim was sent rolling back and went on his hands and knees in a surrender, Fubear kept close and was jabbed by the pointed hair. It didn't phase her and she gritted her teeth while hearing the sound of a kick. She tilt her head side ways as the Morgrim back flipped and watched the ball drag the fiend in. Capturing it swiftly. The Impidimps heard that click and realize their leader was caught. Fubear rushed after them for swift knock outs as Acer kicked flames at the net and let Gloria free herself. The girl stomped her feet. "Get outta 'ere! Get!"

The imps were making a run for it and left the girl to box the odd color Morgrim and see her T.M. Her eyes shined. "Oh, I heard of this one! U-turn's fantastic for momentum!" She uploaded it and asked her starter. "Acer, it's time you drop quick attack for something... bouncy."

The Cinderace giggled and watched the image of a ninjask rushing at something and flipping back to his trainer while Fubear raised her arms and roared. Gloria felt it was tolerable. "You brought that big Gremlin down pretty swiftly, think we might be ready for Ms. Opal and her tricks!" She whispered. "We'll talk more when we get to the town. I'm not risking anymore pixies spoiling the moment!"

That is agreed upon and the three jogged through the woods and made it to a clearing towards something of many lights. The town of Ballonlea, almost one with the many trees and kept lit by the giant glowing mushrooms. The Pokemon Center added to the beauty, even if the inside is about as expected. "Teehee! Beautiful town to end a day! But we still can make it through one more gym!"

She had her pokemon given to the nurse and when treatment was over, she sent them out for a pep talk. "Right, we made it to one of the biggest trials for Fubear. I know it doesn't make too much sense, but if she gets a part in this challenge, then we'll be good and ready to make that excuse to head back to the Isle of Armor!"

Sweet Pie and Shelly smiled to one another over that as Fubear and Acer sat side by side. Brainy raised a hand and buzzed. (So, how are we going to go about this? Once we enter, we're at the mercy of the puzzle.)

Gloria imagined an obstacle course of mushrooms and trees. "For starters, we need to ask around, the card said that Opal loves to play quizes and tricks. If we know what's going to be on the quiz, then we'll have an idea on what the answer will be." She raised four fingers. "Shelly, Fubear, Brainy, Acer. You're going to be on the team for this one! Sweet Pie and Franken had the last gym already." Franken and Sweet Pie pouted before getting called back. Gloria chanted. "If we can beat this tonight, we'll have all the time in the world for tomorrow. So let's get it done!" The four chanted. (Get it done!) Pew! She called them back and explored the town, finding little of a hint, though in one building, there was a breeder who spoke about evolution being tricky and a way to have a pokemon be stronger without needing to evolve.

Since Fubear is the only unevolved pokemon remaining, Gloria took the challenge and faced a Dottler. The girl brought out Acer and had him use a pyro ball that didn't knock it out in one blow, he made a fast u-turn to finish it off and the breeder used that as a demonstration. Bringing out a purple stone for the lesson. "Even though my Dottler hasn't evolved, wasn't it strange that he didn't go down that easily?" Gloria nodded. "Yeah, what was that about?"

The Breeder smirked. "You see, the secret is this eviolite!" She gave it to Gloria, who had a brilliant idea. The girl hurried out and gave it to Fubear. "We have a new plan, this will help you take the nastiest of the fairy moves and give you the moment for iron head to matter!" The Kubfu huhed. (Isn't that a little too easy.) The Cinderace agreed. (Well, we don't know how you evolve yet. So this ought to give you an edge.) Gloria added. "It's another fancy rock once you evolve, but that will be another lesson for another day. So what do you say?" The Kubfu thought about it, crossed her arms and decided in a nod. She was given an eviolite to hold. After some looking, they jogged all the way to the Gym, where Gloria called her two back and went in. Finding that Marnie's already finished and waling with her Morpeko.

She saw the challenger and gasped. "Gloria!" The girls dashed and Gloria nearly embraced her. "I finally found you up here! I figured you were blasting through." Marnie nodded. "We're gettn' ahead of you. If you gotten four badges by now, I'm going to have to watch out for you, huh?" Morpeko waved. (Nice work, Gloria!) Marnie tensed. "Look, even Morpeko is wary of you." The Morpeko put her hands at her hips and raised an eyebrow while having a naughty smile, Marnie lost her edge and gasp. "Wait, Morpeko, don't tell me you actually like her?" She groaned. "Ugh! We've already had a serious battle with her, she's an opposin' challenger!" Gloria agreed and raised a fist up. "That I am, but I'm needing some help for a friend. Before you go take off, do you want to come with me to a training spot I know of?" Marnie nearly jumped. "Wut?!" Gloria thought to give the details. "It's where I got my pal, Fubear and Shelly from, as well as where I evolved Sweet Pie. How about you watch and see what I'm takin' about?"

Marnie blushed and thought about it. "Well... I suppose Morpeko could get to know about her opponents." She clenched a fist. "Alright, but only because I got time to kill! I want to see if you can knock those pixies dead! I know you ain't no slacker, to have gotten this far!"

Gloria blushed and confessed. "We gotten through a whole lap through that forest! This shouldn't be much of a sweat." Marnie went off to the audience as Gloria visited the receptionist, an middle aged woman in a pink and blue uniform. The challenger changed into her uniform as custom and went through the door, it looked to the inside of an audition stage, where Opal and Dan were talking. The gym leader approached as Dan looked like he wanted to apologize. "Ah, there you are, my dear Gym Challenger. Though you really are lacking in the color pink." Dan coughed roughly. "For this Gym Mission, Ms. Opal has agreed to take over the explanation in my stead. Good luck."

Gloria nodded and gleed. "Oh, that's a change!" Opal nodded. "You see, I'm looking for a successor to take on the role as Gym Leader here. So my Gym Mission serves as an audition of sorts, too." Gloria ahed. "Which is why Dan is on break for now." Opal assured the girl. "Don't worry, it's simple enough. All you need to do is battle my trainers and answer the questions I'll ask along the way." She giggled. "Think carefully before answering though, child. If you get the wrong answer, the stats of your pokemon will be lowered. Oh, but if you answer correctly, your pokemon will get a boost."

Gloria ohed. "That would make some of Fubears training even easier." Opal smiled at the girl. "Indeed. Just think of it as a little fairy type pokemon magic to make things interesting." She tapped her umbrella. "Now, I want you to go all out. Show me what you can do!" Opal went to the judge table and Dan blew his whistle, signalling Gloria to step into the audition spotlight. A simple one with a multi colored murel of pink and blue. A Gym Trainer named Annette approached and Opal announced. "All right, okay. It's time to start your audition to see if you're worthy of becoming the fairy type gym leader."

The assistant nodded and sent out a Spritzee as Gloria gave a martial pose and punched out a ball. "Fubear, let's knock down this fairy!" Pop! Out came the eager Kubfu as the Spritzee curled her nose, Gloria ordered. "Ram an iron head!" Fubear rushed at the fairy for a flinch and followed with a second blow for a fast knock out. Bringing a switch to a Slurpuff. Opal widen her eyes and called. "Question! Do you know about Fairy's weakness?" Gloria pointed boldly. "It's the firm power of steel and the deadly venom of poison!" Opal tapped a ring. "Correct, they are the two types that will give fairy's a tiresome time!" Fubear flexed from a power boost, rammed Slurpuff for super effective damage and took a draining kiss before using the move once more. Ending the fight and having Annette admit. "I see. I can't say what Miss Opal will think, but you at lease piqued my interest." She took her pokemon and left for another trainer to take her place.

The foe sent out a Swirlix that Fubear wasted little time bashing against, she was drained and countered for a k.o before Gloria gave a switch. "Okay, that's enough for now!" Fling! "Bro!" Thud! Shelly didn't realize she's in an audition as the foe sent out an Aromatisse. Opal called out. "Question! What was the previous trainers name?" Gloria answered. "Miss Annette!" Ding Ding! "Correct, the trainers name is Annette!" The Slowbro had a glow, enhancing her speed for a fast shell side arm. She took a psychic blast and returned with a zen head butt k.o. With that the trainer took her leave with some advise. "Be cautious and be wary- that's the trick of survival!" Gloria felt the idea in that because Opal is known to be a trickster, she might throw a question where basic rules are thrown out the window. The next trainer arrived, starting off with a Morgrem. Fubear was back on stage and the Morgrem giggled like a prankster and whispered flattery, dazing the Kubfu in confusion. She shook and chopped a brick break before ramming for an iron head k.o. She switched out for Shelly as the opponent brought out a Gardevoir.

Opal called out. "Question! What did I eat for breakfast this morning." Gloria's two options were curry and omelets. The girl pointed onward. "It's omelets, there's always that one who doesn't prefer the popular dish!" Ding! Ding! "Well, your reasoning's off, but you're answer is not." The Slowbro felt a defensive boost as the Gardevoir cast a mystical fire, Shelly smacked the embrace pokemon with the shell side arm and ended the fight right there. The trainer's more confused. "We should have been focusing on the Gym Challenge, but Ms. Opal insisted we try this audition instead."

She took her leave as Opal closed her eyes in silence, she gestured that Gloria goes forward to the exit, where Dan awaited. Gloria spotted a score sheet from a long time ago, one for Leon and one for Sonia. The later scored 3 out of 3 and still failed. "So I could pass the mission even if I failed this audition?" Dan nodded. "You've passed the Gym Mission flawlessly, but to meet the standards of a gym leader is a different challenge in itself. Would you like to prepare your team before you go challenge her?" Gloria did so, healed her team, applied a few rare candies and rearrange. Dan stepped aside proudly. "Give my regards to the gym leader!"

Gloria went to the exit and was on her way to the stadium. Themed around pink and blue. Opal was standing at the center, with her eyes closed. Like a trickster elder that could never be understood. Opal opened her eyes and gave Gloria one more inspection. "I suppose it's redundant to introduce myself now. But I'm Opal, the Gym Leader. I've gotten a good look at how you handled those quizzes. The last part of the mission, is me. Let me have a look at how you and your partner pokemon behave." The two went to their sides of the stadium as the crowd quieted down.

Opal faced the girl, placed her parasol down and showed an ultra ball in her hands, the crowd slowly cheered as the elder sent out a black Weezing with top hats that spewed smoke. Gloria tossed and called. "I knew we'd made the right call, let's do this Brainy!"

Pop!

The Orbeetle emerged and extend his arms. (Behold, the power of a plan!) Opal called out. "Question! Do you know my nickname?" Gloria's two options are magic user and the wizard. The girl squinted her eyes and knew of the benefits to come. "A gym leader like you goes by a more imposing title. You're the Wizard of Ballonlea!"

Ding! Ding! "Congratulations, you're correct!" The Orbeetle glowed and felt lighter than air, Gloria spoke fast. "This is a poison type, focus on showing off that awesome brain power!"

The Orbeetle buzzed and started with the first psychic blast, sending the Weezing rolling back as Opal hmm'd. "Too precise! Throw your thought about this back at them with some lovely purple!"

The Weezing spat out a wad of sludge that smacked the bug and left him queasy in poison. Brainy focused another psychic blast and slammed the Weezing to the ground in a thorough k.o. Opal called the Weezing back and sent out an intimidating Mawile. Gloria pinched the air and pressed forward. "Now let's get some protection before you switch, start with light screen first."

The Orbeetle mimic the tap and used his light clay to solidify the barrier. Opal tapped her parasol, queing the Mawile to rush with her jaws and crunch the Orbeetle in place, she twirled magestically and slammed the Orbeetle for a critical blow. Brainy was sent laying on his side, tried getting up and fell back. (Urg! Drat!)

Gloria cringed and called Brainy. "No matter, we've gotten just enough!" Fling! "Acer, let's kick the goal!" The Cinderace flipped to the field, took a pebble and waited for the Mawile to twirl and dance at a particular direction, the right. Spark! The pebble turned into a fire ball and was kicked square at the Mawile's body, she was sent rolling far in a skid and laid on her back. Opal called her back and sent out a Togekiss. "Question! What is my favorite color?" Gloria had two options, pink and purple. She nearly answered pink when she remembered that Opal addressed Purple as a lovely color. "You spoke it when you had Weezing attack! Purple!"

Ding! Ding! Opal giggled. "Yes, a nice, deep purple. Truly grand, don't you think?"

The Cinderace felt protected as Gloria ordered. "One more pyro ball!" Kick! Boom! The Togekiss flew upward and spun to bring about an ancient power, pelting the Cinderace and radiating it's power in a serene grace. She slapped an air slash at Acer and made him flinch, exposing him to another that knocked him to the ground before he had a chance to notice. Gloria's eyes widen. "Oh boy!" She switched for a nest ball. "Shelly, this Togekiss is a real trickster!"

Opal agreed. "Isn't my darling such a serene presence?" The cheering crowd was agreeing to that as the Slowbro entered, Shelly saw the fast spinning and focused. "One side arm smasher would do it! Can you reach there?" The Slowbro glowed and leaped high enough to reach the Togekiss. Smack! With a back hand, the Togekiss was sent spinning to the ground and leaving a skid mark, the Slowbro landed, forgot how she was able to do that and sat on her rear as the Togekiss passed out. Opal called her partner back and perked. "Oof! My morning tea is finally kicking in, and not a moment too soon!"

Gloria called Shelly back and crouched before pushing Fubears ball. The Kubfu was hearing the cheer and braced for the formidable battle. An pink, living blob of cream with a strawberry topping and ruby eyes. The Alcreamie hmph at the Kubfu, closed her eyes elegantly and pressed her hands together as Opal shouted. "Question! All righty then, how old am I?" Gloria's two options were eighty eight and sixteen. It's pretty obvious by looking at the elder, which is the age, yet Gloria laughed elegantly. "I won't answer the correct one, because you are a lady, but I'll say Sixteen!" Ding! Ding! Opal laughed like she's been at that age. "Hah! I like your answer!"

Fubear felt a surge of power, beyond comprehension as Opal tapped her parasol. "Pleasantries aside, are you prepared? I'm going to have some fun with this!" She called her Alcreamie into her ball as Gloria called Fubear into her own ball. The two charged it up as the Audience began to chant. "G Max Finale! G Max Finale!"

The balls enlarged and Gloria hurled hers with strength she didn't notice, Opal almost dropped hers, due to the weight and tossed it upward. Pop! As Fubear grew to a giant, the Alcreamie grew to that of a decorative multi stacked cake. Each having a decore of stars, berries and candies, before leading to the giant Alcremie sitting at the top, with a blue bow tie and a bit of a menace. Gloria punched the air. "We got a boost, but it isn't enough. Power up even more with max knuckle!"

The Kubfu nodded, jumped and slammed a fist at the cake body, the fondant absorbed most of the blow as Opal's eyes spaced out. "Too orange, you lack pink!" She raised her voice in a demand. "Here, let us give you some!" The Alcremie wiggled and spat the Kubfu away before calling to the sky and making it rain a giant glob of cream that washed across the field and make the smell of a pastry shop. The cream made for the punch wound and filled most of it while Kubfu tensed and gritted her teeth. Gloria kicked the front of her in a matter like one at the dojo and ordered. "This is it! Stomp the ground and make a steel spike rise!"

The Kubfu raised a foot and stomped to cause liquid metal to gush, erecting steel spikes that made their way to the Alcremie and made two spikes that punctured the cake to where it was collapsing. The spike slithered back down and the Alcremie tried to regain balance, only for the form to rupture in power and make the foe shrink back down. The Alcreamie fell into her own cake, and laid in a pile of her own sweetness. The Kubfu roared out to the sky and stretched her arms as she shrank down. Bringing the audience to an applause as Opal turned around, saw the damage, flung her parasol by accident and called her partner back. She turned around with an impressed smile. "Your pink is still lacking, but you're an excellent trainer with some excellent pokemon."

Gloria didn't mind that she isn't going to be a gym leader and approached with her celebrating Kubfu, Opal gave where it's due. "Well, good try. You're not bad, not bad at all. Even if your still not what I'm looking for." Gloria guessed. "I reckon I failed that secret quiz you never told me about. Fighting with types that oppose the fairies around 'ere and having a style a trickster would rather mess around with?"

Opal pressed her noggin. "Ding! Ding! But don't worry about it child. It's just a matter of my preference. I'll find that next gym leader elsewhere. In fact, I've already got an idea about where to look." She brought out. "Too bad about this audition, but here's a Fairy badge for making it fun." Gloria was given an edge that fit in between the grass, water and fire badges. Making the ring look like a medal. The two shook hands and Opal brought out a T.M. "Take this with you, too. A little bonus from this old lady." Gloria took it and read the labeled. Drain kiss as Opal had a uniform for the final reward. "And for humoring me. This might add a little more pink to you!" Gloria ohed and took the uniform before returning to the lobby as Opal walked off to get her parasol. "Of course it's not good to neglect your elders, but old folks like me should also know when it's time to step out of the spotlight."

At the lobby, Gloria was finding Marnie smiling uncontrollably, while Morpeko was cheering for Fubear and approached. (That was so super! You went) She screamed loudly and flexed. (and made that cake implode!)

Fubear blushed and scratched the back of her head. (Well... that quiz helped a lot!) Marnie admitted, proud to have found a worthy rival. "Those rascals got a bit of a punch in 'hem, don't they?" Gloria snorted in such an unlady like manner as she burst laughing. "Got to overcome the odds against ya some way. Eviolites are the way to go for training!"

The sound of Opal came from behind. "Until it is time to evolve and finish growing up!" She ahemed. "I've got a few errands to run in Hammerlocke this evening. Care to join me on the journey?"

Gloria knows saying no is ill advised. "Since Circhester's at the other side, we could get everything done if we take the trip together." Marnie nodded. "And it will give us time to see the night at it's brightest!" She turned. "I'm thinkin' about takin' that offer! When is that goin' to be a good time?" Gloria pointed onward. "Once I find my other rival and snap him out of his gloom!"

So they traveled back to Hammerlocke in a surprisingly short amount of time.

The youngsters were impressed by the Opals sense of direction, even if she decided at the moment to go slow. Gloria hurried ahead, thinking Hop would be on route out of the city, when she spotted Bede at the pokemon center, lost and distraught. He noticed Gloria and squinted his eyes. "Come to gawk at me, now that I had my Challenge Band taken away and my Gym Challengers status revoked? Can you really afford to waste time like this?"

Gloria tighten her fist at the accusation of stooping to his level and squinted her eyes back, before relaxing in pity. "You know, that's none of my business anymore. You had that sort of thing coming, ya know." Bede stepped back in shock. "Had it coming?!" He hmphed smugly. "Well, at least you don't have to worry about catching up with me anymore. I'll have you know, though, that I haven't given up." He flexed in some confidence. "I must become the Champion in order to help out the chairman! I will go and ask him to let me rejoin the gym challenge."

Gloria shook her head in defeat at someone who hasn't learned anything as Marnie and Opal arrived, the rival had no idea who the boy is as Opal noticed something about Bede. "Hmm... that boy." She saw the pink attire. "Now that's what I would call pink!" Then to the rest of the boy. "So sincere and straightforward and yet so twisted and misguided." She decided. "I like it! That's the kind of thing that gives people some depth!"

The moment Bede turned to the noise, Opal widden her eyes. "Time for my Gym mission, child!" Bede backed up in shock from the crazy elder. "Whu-" Opal approached fast and placed a hand on Bede's cheek.

"Pink!"

Then she examine his arm.

"Pink!"

Then his shoes.

"And pink!"

Gloria and Marnie took a step back as Opal finished the quiz. "Congratulations, child!" The girls saw Bede, completely confused as Opal circled around, the boy is flabbergasted. "M-Ms. Opal. What in the world has gotten into you?"

Opal sighed in pity. "You were used by Oleana- am I right? You worked so hard to gather wishing stars for her, only to have her throw you away like rubbish once she was done with you." She kept firm on her parasol. "Come with me, child. I might be able to help you out. Of course-"she hmph. "it all depends on how much hard work you're willing to put in, too." Bede huhed. "Are you testing me?!"

Marnie knew a test when she sees one. "I think she is, some extra effort might bring you back into the Challenge one day!" Bede took that idea in pride, as a way to return to the high ranks. "Very well." He turned to Opal and approached. "I accept! In fact, I plan on making you see my full talents and tell me everything you know about the wishing stars." He looked at Gloria with a smirk that promised a comeback, Opal readied to make her leave. "Farewell for now, children. You should see if your other friend is close by and is willing to re-evaluate himself too. A new scenery should show you what makes the color pink!"

As she and Bede were leaving, Marnie guessed while she head to the Pokemon Center. "He has to be on the other route to Circhester! We should catch him before he wanders too far."

Gloria agreed with that and gave one more look to Bede. In one way, he brought something he had coming on himself. In another, he also gotten something he needed to find a new life beyond pleasing an ego. She looked away, hoping if she ever meets Bede again, she find someone a little more humble. The jog was across the bridge and she was tripped by a mighty kaboom. Gloria fell face first and rolled to see what happened, nothing was of note, yet it made her heart leap. "Where did that come from?"

"Oi, Gloria!"

The girl flipped to see Hop leaving a store. She sprinted. "There you are! I've been looking for you lately!" Hop cringed and slumped. "It was that forest, then that mad quiz. I've been lost in every sense of the word! But it looks like I finally caught up with you again. You mind if we have a battle before we turn in? I could use a bit of competition to motivate me."

Gloria thought of a plan. "Yeah, I want to see what team you got this time!" Hop agreed and brought out a ball while practicing a throw. "Yeah. You and I both know that I've got to keep trying different strategies if I'm to get strong enough to catch up to Lee." He corrected himself. "No! Not just catch up! If I want to surpass him!"

Gloria reached for her pocket as Hop sent out a Trevenant, a rather rare pokemon all things considered. She brought out Acer, who was a bit tired out from a long day. "One kick!" The Cinderace kicked up a pebble and launched a pyro ball that caused the Trevenant to shrink his single eye in shock. Boom! He was knocked to Hop as a smoulder, the boy cringed and switched to Heatmor. "U-turn out of there!"

Acer dashed to the tongue flicking, confident ant eater, kicked it in the face and back flipped to Gloria. The girl brought out Shelly as Hop cringed. "That way you battle, it reminds me a bit of Lee!" He ordered. "Tongue lash and keep it coming!" The heatmor lashed at the Slowbro and left a scorch in her hide, Shelly countered with a fast side arm as the girl pointed. "Now water pulse him outta 'ere!" The Slowbro woke up, leaped to make a pillar of water and crashed down with a wave that swamped the Heatmor to a wall.

Hop had to switch once more as Gloria swapped to Fubear. Pop! Thud!

Then came a Snorlax that is wave his arms forward and back in a lazy daze. "Bulk up and brick break that giant pillow until he falls!" The Kubfu bulked as Hop ordered. "Crash down with a heavy slam first!" The Snorlax leaped and readied to sit on the Kubfu, crushing her under his gurf before he felt a firm shove push him forward. CHOP! He was hit in the back with a brick break as Hop ordered. "Body slam backwards!" The Snorlax fell backwards as Gloria ordered. "Back flip and finish him off!"

Fubear did so, felt a shock wave from the attack and smacked Snorlax on the back of the head, making him pass out. Hop switched once again as Gloria called her partner back. She tensed as her rival brought out another stranger, a Bolthund that was giving a bunch of happy barks. "Sweet Pie, this is another easy one!" Fling! Thud!

Sweet Pie plopped as Hop pointed. "Use that speed to nuzzle her stiff!" The Bolthund nodded, dashed at Sweet Pie and nuzzled an electric shock into her, she countered with an apple acid as Hop asked. "Crunch her now! We need to get a knock out somewhere!" Crunch! Sweet Pie was in the jaws of the canine and sprayed at the paw, causing the dog to trip over and whimpered.

Switch!

Gloria switched Sweet Pie out as Hop brought out a gorilla with grassy hair, a set of drums and sticks. Rillaboom recognized Gloria and is looking quite down, the girl sympathized and brought out Brainy.

The Orbeetle read into Gloria's memories and buzzed. (Are you even happy that your friend is doing this to your band?) The Rillaboom shook his head. (No... not really.)

Hop was hearing the down beat mood. "But I'm the guy who's suppose to get fired up to win in these situations." He pointed. "We got to keep trying!" Gloria pointed. "Reflect!" Brainy conjured the barrier as Hop ordered. "Knock his clay off!" Smack! The clay was sent flying and Gloria kept quiet, letting Brainy let loose a bug buzz that sent Rillaboom walking a few steps. Hop chanted. "Drum beat, drum beat!"

The Rillaboom rang the drums and caused roots to erupt, smacking the Orbeetle down and exposing him to a knock off. Buzz! In another buzz, the Rillaboom was knocked to his back in a k.o.

Hop was at the brink of a head ache at another defeat. "This is rubbish! My team can't perform if I can't get my own head straighten out as their trainer."

Gloria pointed in agreement as Brainy used a revive to get Rillaboom up. "Especially if you just switch every partner you had when you lost. You aren't going to learn what the two of you are doing wrong if you don't give them time." She offered a hand. ""How about, instead of doing that. You come with me to a special place you've heard about. I know someone who can help ya get straighten out."

Hop blushed, the place he knows about is quite picky about who's welcome into the dojo. Yet, nothing else seems to be working. "Maybe I just need to look away from this for a spell."

He took the hand as Brainy helped Rillaboom get back on his feet, the two helped their rivals enter a pokemon center, where a Nurse Joy awaited a late night healing. Marnie was sitting at a table and flinched at the serious look on Gloria. "Looks like you've found a lot to frown about. Since we got a room in the back, do you got a minute to talk?"

The girl waved in refusal. "It's not needed anymore. But maybe if I can show you another way, we can start making this competition fun again." She turned to Hop in a promise. "When you started, you were pretty arrogant, but you had that happiness going for ya. I can't stand it if you toss that joy out for the sake of winnin'. We're so ahead in this week that we can afford a day off in training. Then we'll be able to face the last leg of this challenge as those who Leon would get a kick in fighting!" Hop blushed, that would be an ideal dream.