Longer chapter ahead, but I think you'll understand why. Please enjoy the newest Chapter 12!

Chapter 12

A Relief

"How horrible…"

Juliana's mournful comment accompanied their dirge of a ride back to Cortondo. Sitting atop Koraidon, their steed took it slow to navigate what remained of the olive fields. It wasn't an easy task, as the entire land had become pockmarked with pits, the ground churned apart without distinction. Some of the olive trees yet remained standing, a seeming testament to the hardiness of the people, but the devastation was more apparent than what had survived.

The sun started to crest from behind, rising upon them and throwing the wrecked landscape into even sharper relief.

"Nym…" Nymble commented, shaking atop Koraidon's head as they took their slow march. At first, Juliana would have thought it was fear, much like the injured Smoliv she still held to. The longer she looked, however, the more she could tell it was a mixture of shame and anger. As if he truly thought of himself as the Great Hero Nymble, only to have failed.

"Nymble, don't blame yourself," she said as Koraidon now started to move at a trot. "We've no idea what could have caused this, and no idea how to stop it. The weight of the world isn't yours. Just your own road."

She didn't know if he agreed.

Not that it mattered all that much. The closer they got the Cortondo, the better it got, though not by too much. Instead of pits and destroyed fields, the ground was merely cracked, the quake having not completely reached the town, but affecting it all the same. Workers were streaming out, with some carrying injured Pokémon while others were being carried by Pokémon. The remaining were running on to the fields, taking measures of the soil and checking what had become of their beloved crop.

No matter how it was sliced, Juliana was certain of one thing: it would take either a lot of hard work or a miracle for the next year's harvest to be plentiful at all.

That was what made her feel the worst, and it was that feeling she carried as they finally arrived back on the doorstep of Cortondo. The state of the town became immediately apparent. Buildings had some cracks, with splintered wood peppering the streets. The lights that had previously been hung up around the town had either shattered or fallen. Some people were outside their homes, if the integrity had been compromised by anything, but not everyone packed the streets. In fact, walking past the square, Juliana could see that there was barely anyone there, even if a small shelter was set up.

The most miraculous survival was that of Katy's bakery, its frame intact and a table set up out front where the woman's assistant was handing out portions of leftover food. It made Juliana wonder just where the Gym Leader had gotten to, though there were more pressing matters growing in her mind.

Continuing down the road, Juliana got a fuller view of what had happened to the vendors and their stands. Most of them were intact, though their goods had cracked, shattered or spilled. Wattrel flapped down to one, pecking at a lone, dirty olive before emitting a doleful cry. It fit the scene perfectly; all of them were more or less abandoned save for one or two nearest the Pokémon Center. That was where Juliana set her eye, the largest population of people set up just inside or outside the establishment.

Before she made it, the sound of hammers was heard, and she turned away but continued to walk. Already there were some construction workers, few though they were, boarding up some of the cracks or fixing what could be fixed. Like the olive farmers outside, they showed a heartiness and a refusal to stay down even after their livelihood had been attacked. It gave Juliana respect for them, and a willingness to help however she could. She faced forward and immediately bumped into someone.

"Whoa, careful there!" shouted the boy she'd bumped into. He paused, lowering the big pot he was carrying and nearly dropped it. "Juliana, you're here!"

"Arven? What are you doing?"

"Serving up. Katy, I brought that soup you asked for! Quick dish style!"

"Thank you. Just set it right here," Katy called back, her voice leading the pair over. She turned out to be the one set up right outside the Center, serving either her baked goods or helping some of the town's cooks (and Arven) to feed the citizens. The older woman looked up, bearing the same kindness that Serena often showed, and cast an inquisitive smile at her. "Are you all right, miss?"

"I'm…" A tussle somewhere in the crowd showed that people were fighting over something, distracting the Gym Leader. She snapped, sending her Tarountula over the crowd. Juliana turned instead to Arven. "This Smoliv is hurt. Where can I…?"

"Inside. Though it's a bit of a mess. Power's out to half the town. They're trying to get it back on, but only the area around the square and the bakery are operational," Arven informed her. He ladled some soup in a bowl, passing it to a hungry mouth. Thanking him for the advice, Juliana left to enter the open doors. "Juliana. Glad you're okay."

"Yeah. You, too." She passed through the doors.

At first, she had to adjust to the general darkness, with only the emergency lights on to give her a visual. Once her eyes had acclimated themselves, she glanced around, Koraidon and the others with her in surveying the scene before them. In all honesty, she had expected much worse than what there was.

Instead of a triage unit, it mostly seemed that they had moved some Pokémon to cots, where Nurse Joy and her Flittle helpers were making their way from injured to injured. Upon hearing her footsteps, the nurse turned. "Another injured Pokémon? How is she?"

"Huh? Oh, just…" Juliana felt like she was babbling, unsure of what else to say. Nurse Joy swept over, taking Smoliv in her hands.

"Looks like it's a minor injury. You can take her over there. Our volunteers can help." Nurse Joy swept her hand outward, gesturing in a rather general direction, and Juliana found herself nodding. She turned and headed over there, to where a few people were treating the less injured of the Pokémon.

"And there you go," said a soft, familiar voice as she approached. The owner had finished patching a Hoppip's head, something to which the Pokémon reacted joyously.

"Hop op! Hoppip!"

"Just be careful, okay. Sandshrew, how's the ice for Mareep's fever coming along?" Sandshrew gave some sort of affirmative, running over with a bag of ice to an ailing Mareep. Yamper was right next to it, acting like a lightning rod for its excess electricity. Confident everything was going well, Serena turned. She dropped everything. "Juliana, you're okay!"

Before she could manage a single syllable, Serena had reached her and wrapped her in a tight hug. It would have been crushing, but she was rather gentle and soon withdrew to hold her at an arm's length. In Juliana's arms, Smoliv stirred, blinking up at her. "Smol…?"

"You're not hurt, are you? Or your Pokémon?" Juliana didn't know what to say, the warmth of the hug continuing to linger. She shook her head. "That's such a relief. With you running off, I'd feared you'd gotten caught up in it."

"Well, we did. Kinda. Smoliv took the worst of it," Juliana said, at last finding her voice and holding the injured Grass type forward. Serena leaned in and examined her before nodding. With very few steps, she cut a bandage and placed it on Smoliv's head, right over the wound, though not before spraying it with a Potion.

"Should be all good, though I'd keep an eye on her." Heeding the woman's words, Juliana finally put Smoliv aside, right next to Nymble, who put an immediate eye on her. Serena went back to work.

"I was out in the fields but…what exactly happened?" In lieu of answering, Serena foisted some items on her, and the expectation was clear. Still hoping for an answer, Juliana moved in and began bandaging and applying medicine to the less-injured Pokémon. After a bit of time, she wasn't sure how long, Serena finally started to talk.

"I'm not entirely sure," the woman answered. "The festival was winding down and then the whole ground shook. It was definitely worse than the previous night. Katy had some Vivillon looking into it. All I really know right now is that it shut the power down and damaged some houses. The worst part seems to really be the food aspect. Everyone's hungry and with not enough people to fix the power situation we've had to make do with manual labor to get it done."

"Couldn't you contact people from Mesagoza for help?" was the follow-up question. She was mid-spraying on a Fletchling's wing, receiving a sharp peck for her troubles, only for Serena to sigh. In that brief moment, Quaxly moved in and pinned Fletchling, allowing Juliana to finish her task.

"Katy contacted the League for help," Serena said. She wiped at her brow and placed her tools down. "And the League is gathering all sorts of people, including volunteer workers from Mesagoza, but that'll still take the day. Meanwhile, all that's really left is olive-based stuff and we've no idea how to get anything else contributed to the pot. The situation has a lot of people rattled and unwilling to contribute."

"I mean, I get it…" Juliana muttered. The easier thing would have been to undoubtedly run away; she couldn't blame people who just wanted to hide out with their own peace.

"So do I, but I don't think my usual methods of inspiring hope will help here. This is too raw a situation." Serena wiped her hands off and placed them on her hips. "Ah, but at least the Pokémon are doing good. What say we check on Katy?"

"Sure?" Juliana did a doubletake, making sure the injured Pokémon were, in fact, doing well. Serena hadn't lied, the spirits of them being lifted, including those of Smoliv, who Nymble was consoling. Juliana's own lifted when she noticed her bag tucked in a corner and she swiped it before they started moving. At once, all of them moved outside, where the crowd had dwindled, as had the food. Katy was mopping the sweat from her hair.

"Any news?" Serena asked, pulling a chair out for Katy to sit upon. Arven was there, too, he and Fuecoco looking at the large pot with disgust. All turned to their arrival, and Juliana noticed that a Vivillon was there, too, eating a tiny piece of cake. It looked stale, but the Bug type treated it like mana from above.

"It was an Orthworm. A big one."

Juliana stopped short, her eyes flicking up to meet Arven's. She looked back to Katy. "Orthworm? But they're usually so docile."

"Indeed," the woman said. She sounded a bit tired, until Teddiursa pushed a piece of her own goods towards her. A bite later and she was back to pep and vigor. "This one, not so much. From what Vivillon says, it's not even from around here."

"So, a displaced Orthworm," Serena mused, tapping at her chin.

"Or something else," came Arven's suggestion. "Large? Frenzied? Sounds like a Titan to me. What do you think, Juliana?"

It made sense, at least at first blush, yet the more she thought about it, the less it made sense. She started to tap her foot. "Maybe. But does that suggest there's an Herba Mystica around here? Do you use it in your baking, Katy?"

"Herba Mystica?" Katy folded her arms, taking the time to think about what was being asked. She frowned but eventually shook her head. "I've heard tell of the legendary plant, but around Cortondo there have only been rumors. The occasional bug on the wind tells me of different plants, but the closest I've heard of something like that was of a bitter leaf in the mountains to the north. But that way is dangerous."

"Dangerous how?" All three asked the question at once, the Gym Leader taken aback. She, too, started to tap her foot and eat what was left of her sweet without thinking.

"These are just things I hear, but they say another giant rests on the mountain, smiting all who come near it. That's a big part of the reason Tulip made sure a Gym barricade was set up along the road northwest."

"Gym barricade?" Serena asked, her eyes showing the briefest sign of recognition. Juliana didn't care. None of that mattered with the newest piece of information. She leaned in towards Arven, catching only part of Katy's explanation to the Performer.

"Oh, it's something the League has given Gym Leaders authority to do in Paldea. Certain areas are too dangerous to approach without a Gym Leader or proof of one, like the northwest, or Casseroya Lake, so we-"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Juliana asked, whispering so that only Arven could really hear. It didn't stop Serena from trying to listen to both conversations.

"A Titan, clearly. But two so close together? I wouldn't have thought it possible. Unless Orthworm is also trying to get after this Herba Mystica." The theory held some merit, but neither student could be sure of its veracity.

"Could be, but then, the rumor is that it's from the other side of Paldea, right? Maybe…Area Zero?" Arven grimaced at the mere thought of it, but Juliana had no other speculation. She started to pace back and forth. "Maybe, like Klawf, the Herba Mystica drove it into a frenzy and it went seeking another out? It wouldn't care about territory lines at that point."

"Or maybe something else disturbed it. Miss Katy," Arven said, placing his pot down at last, "what do you know of the giant Pokémon on the mountain? Has anything about it changed recently?"

"Changed?" Katy's curious head tilt didn't inspire much confidence. Nor did the shouts in town, some fight breaking out over someone hoarding food. "Well, I know the Alfornada Caves were deemed as more dangerous recently by the League. It's the second reason Tulip put her barrier up. On both sides, no less. But I guess there were some travelers and challengers that mentioned the rain of boulders. Like the Pokémon up there had gotten more aggressive."

"Then it would make sense. Two frenzied Pokémon butting heads with each other," Arven concluded. He nodded his head in an almost smug fashion.

"We can't even say they'd be frenzied by the same thing," Juliana shot back. The students leaned in, glaring at each other, which elicited a laugh from Serena. Only Katy was able to break it, however.

"Indeed, I doubt it. Orthworm came through indiscriminately, far removed from its territory, either searching for something or simply having no care," Katy explained. She had finished her food and had begun to pat Teddiursa on the head. "This…well, some have taken to calling it the Sky Titan, seems to stick to its territory. If anything, I'd say the encroachment of Team Star on its land is what's caused its aggression."

Juliana shrank, stumbling away from the table. Her hands went clammy with the very thought of it. Serena appeared to notice, as did Arven, but he took the concern upon himself.

"Well, I'm sure the Titan pushed them right back then," he said, nodding. It was like he thought he could convince himself. Juliana sucked in a breath, and leaned on the table, tightening her hands and knuckles.

"Which squad?" she asked, attempting to keep herself even. "Do you know which squad?"

"Vivi." Vivillon's statement was short, something for Katy's ears only, and then it flapped off to parts unknown. The woman appeared thoughtful, and then looked right at Juliana.

"Segin."

Then they probably won't have been driven off. Not if they've expanded their base…

"Is there a problem?" Serena asked. Her probing look felt heavy, her eyes focused on Juliana's whitening knuckles. The girl retracted her hands and attempted to put voice to her scattered thoughts.

"Only everything." She pounded a fist on the table, her lips twisted now into a sneering frown. "There's a Titan rolling through the land, destroying everything. Another is north but we can't reach it because there's a barricade and Team Star and who knows what else. Might as well just jump into one of Orthworm's pits and follow after it for all the good it does. Who knows? Maybe it'll lead us straight to Area Zero and the truth of Terastallization!"

She threw her hands up in the air, the frustration evident, and as she did, Katy stood. Like Serena next to her, the older woman looked chastising, ready to remonstrate her until she was brought to heel. Also like the woman next to her, she softened after seconds. "That would be a foolish thing to do."

"Can't think of a better idea."

"But there is a better idea." Juliana met Serena's eyes, the woman appearing more like a strict teacher than ever. "The Gym barricade isn't an obstacle if you win Katy's Gym Badge."

It was the option she hadn't considered; or maybe she didn't want to consider it. Looking northward, towards the mountains, she could imagine the flags of Segin Squad flying. Even if they got past the barrier, that was still something she didn't want to tangle with. Not now or ever. And yet… Juliana swallowed. "And Team Star?"

"I can't say to know much about them," Serena said, her words now falling into the cadence of a lecture, "but are you really going to let them stop you from reaching your goal?"

Do you really want to live life separate from everything else?

When are you going to engage?

Both questions, from two different sources, reached the same point inside Juliana. Both were the unspoken truth of what was being asked before her. The next Titan, the next attempt at truth, was within her reach, hers for the taking, and all that stood before it was a barricade and an encounter there was no guarantee of having.

Or perhaps it was all but guaranteed. The sight of Schedar Squad's torn flags bubbled up, like a symbol of what was brewing.

Maybe that's why they expanded territory. Maybe they plan to have a war break out. But with who? Phantom Zero? Such an unfortunate truth rested heavy upon her head, and too many eyes watched her, waiting for her, to her immense discomfort. They all communicated the same thing, and she looked back to the Pokémon, to Koraidon. There really was no other path forward or back. Not if she wanted to, as Serena said, reach her goal.

I can't keep running forever, can I?

"Okay. You're right. I can't. I have to move forward. Right, Arven?"

"Of course. You know I'll be with you every step of the way. And Fuecoco, too."

"Fueco fue!"

"And that just leaves the barrier. Once we get over it, we're golden. Serena, you're a teacher, can you-" Serena held a hand up, stopping her words dead. She stepped forward, and the kindly teacher gave way to the instructive one, a side Serena had only shown a couple times in the classroom.

"Juliana," she said, her mere presence towering over her, "this is your dream. Your goal. Not mine. I can walk with you, but I will not do it for you. No matter who I know, or what I am. If you want past the barricade, you need to win that Badge. Whether you want to or not. This is the path before you."

"Who you know?" Arven asked, but he went ignored. Juliana had the good sense to gulp.

"But a-a Gym battle? Now? With all this?"

"Oh, I don't see a reason not to," Katy piped in, all smiles. That alarmed Juliana, looking for something, anything, to say she didn't have to do this. "A Gym battle doesn't just have to be for the purpose of a Badge. Here in Cortondo, I use it to entertain customers as well. I think we could put it to great use in encouraging the townspeople to gather and give food while we recover."

"But I-I'm not prepared. I'm not into… Serena!"

"Juliana." She was giving her no leeway, and in that moment, Brassius's challenge rang clear to her. Sink or swim. Dive in or go home. Either she could aim for the badge, or she should turn away from her quest altogether. "What will you do?"

Katy quirked an eyebrow, her soft smile suggesting the answer she was hoping for. Serena remained resolute. Having no comfort from them, Juliana looked to the Pokémon that would battle for her. They weren't hers, and she didn't want to ask them for it, but looking over at Quaxly, thumping his chest, she knew he would help. Nymble nodded, speaking to Smoliv as though telling her to watch. She jumped a bit, sounding like a cheer. Koraidon nodded his head.

Last but not least was Wattrel, flapping down to sit on her head again and stare at her. His feathers bristled; his eyes sharper than she'd ever known them. He wanted to fight. Fight for her. The same way he tried to drag her out of the pit, but failed.

Juliana found Arven. He watched her, leaving it up to her, and guilt rose. It was her dream…but his was in that direction as well.

And though their paths were only crossing, she knew she had to give him that chance. That way, it could mean something. Arven smiled, and threw his thumbs up.

"Go get 'er."

Juliana broke. "All right." She slapped her cheeks and rounded on Katy. "Gym Leader Katy, I challenge you for your badge."

"Ah, excellent!" Katy said, clapping her hands together. As she did, the lights of the Pokémon Center came on, the backup generator fully kicking in and restoring some semblance of normalcy to the town. The Gym Leader stepped inside, and moments later, Katy's voice echoed across the town. "Attention, citizens of Cortondo. Power to the Pokémon Center has been restored. If you have any injured, please bring them here. If you do not, I ask that in the spirit of our Harvest Festival, please make your way to the square outside my bakery and bring any food and supplies you can. Let us share in the bounty of our harvest and enjoy the thrill of a battle to lift our spirits. We'll begin in half an hour!"

Just like that, the board was set.

"Now's the easy part," Serena said with a wink. Juliana deflated. "Any idea who you'll use?"

"Gyms…aren't really my forte."

"You're telling me. I'm a Performer," Serena said. She walked a little forward, like she was leading the way to the square. Arven was quick to follow, Fuecoco riding on his shoulders. "But I do know the value of a good battle. My husband isn't one of the top trainers in the world for nothing, after all."

"Have any suggestions for her, then? I'm not much of a battler, either. Last time I tried, I got wrecked," Arven said, clutching tight to his pockets.

"You and Fuecoco were fine against Klawf. Don't undersell yourself."

"You shouldn't either, Juliana. You have matched Nemona." That didn't help much. Those feelings magnified when she saw that people were indeed moving towards the square, a section cordoned off for the battlefield. It surprised Juliana that they weren't using what seemed to be the normal field atop the bakery, but she supposed it made sense. The volunteers collecting goods probably helped, too. "Still, no prep time."

"Then I'll go with the two who might not need it. Not against someone with Bug types. Quaxly, Wattrel, you're up." Both gave sharp cries, ready to make up for their perceived failures of the previous night. Nymble shrunk. "I know you could, Nymble, but for now just watch. You can, too, Smoliv, Koraidon. I'll get the badge and we'll get on the move."

"Smol!"

"Kor!"

Juliana slapped her cheeks again and, for the final time, faced Serena. Her curt nod said it all, as did her hands on Juliana's shoulders before her final encouragement. "Win."

"I have to." Juliana pulled away, going against the grain of the crowd with her two battlers. She came to stand opposite the entrance to the square and the bakery, waiting for Katy. Her hand dug in her pack, pulling out her Tera Orb and watching Quaxly and Wattrel stretch. It was all they could do to get ready.

Then, the murmurs and cheers came. Katy had arrived, bringing her assistant with her. This drove more people to the square, gathering more of the food and encouraging the town. Juliana could feel it, the air lightening as the sun brightened the town. For the briefest of moments, it was if the incident hadn't happened. It had helped bring them joy. Juliana found Serena and Arven, both ready to cheer with the bystanders.

The referee, Katy's assistant, stepped forward. "Muchachos and muchachas of the crowd, you're about to witness a battle between Katy, the Sugar Bug Gym Leader of Cortondo, and Juliana, the challenger. It shall be a two-on-two match, with the winner declared when both Pokémon of either side have been defeated. As always, only the challenger is allowed substitutions. Trainers, choose your Pokémon."

"Right. Quaxly, you're up."

"Quax." He waddled on the field, fanning his feathers out and sending a look of challenge Katy's way. The woman sized him up and down, her face adorned with the sugary sweet smile. For the first time, however, Juliana noticed it was a concealing one.

"Teddiursa, let's make this a sweet affair. Come on out!" Katy tossed her Poké Ball high, and in the flash of light, Teddiursa appeared. Some of the crowd cooed at the adorable sight, but Juliana remained on high alert. The referee lowered his arm.

"Begin!"

Each took action at once, in a blitzing move that excited the crowd. "Wing Attack!"

"Fury Cutter!"

A flash of light came from both duckling and bear. The crowd swelled with a cheer, making Juliana feel more than a little self-conscious. It didn't stop the two little ones from dashing. Quaxly's wing was extended, glowing with light, while Teddiursa's claw was extended, glowing a sharp green. They met in the center, their attacks colliding with one another. Sparks grated outwards before they disconnected and their other limbs whirled around in attempt to hit the other's blindside. This time, they locked places.

But Quaxly had one advantage.

"Water Gun! Push it back!" she shouted. Those watching cheered, making her even more nervous, but she pushed it down. She needed this; there was no time to let the crowd in her head. All that could matter was the goal.

That was the exact tactic that Quaxly took. His bill opened, the water forming as a pressurized jet. It struck Teddiursa on the face, causing it to disengage and pushing Quaxly away to a safe range. "Quax."

The feeling was short-lived.

"Payback!" Katy's sweet voice became steel, as tough as the webs her Pokémon wove.

"Teddi!" Teddiursa shook its head, the water removed from his fur, and between his tiny paws an orb of darkness formed. No sooner had Quaxly landed from his backwards movement, than the bear fired with impunity. "Urse!"

"Do-" The call came too late. The orb, pitch as night, hit Quaxly right in the chest and jettisoned him backwards.

"Ku-wack!" The cough was shuddering, and the crowd was wincing right along with her. Quaxly shook his head in an attempt to recover his senses.

"Now, time to serve up. Sweet Scent."

"Tediiiii!" Teddiursa began to spin, its movement carrying the little bear straight for Quaxly. From its claws, a pink cloud began to form, wafting on the air. The crowd was drawn into it, and even Juliana began to find herself lulled by it. Like the fresh, rustic bakery she ran, it was as though they had discovered a mountain of sweets, enough to make even the fully-fed man woozy with hunger.

Juliana slapped herself again. There was no time for this. "Focus up, Quaxly! Don't stop moving!"

"Quax!" Quaxly slapped one of his feet down, the red aura pulsing upwards. His focus running through him, Quaxly ran forward, this time making to circle Teddiursa.

"Wing Attack! Make it fast and get ready to dodge that Payback!" Juliana shouted, finding her fists were clenched. Her whole body was shaking, feeling the dread that Katy was hiding Teddiursa's truest claws. Quaxly flashed in, cutting across his own arcing circle with the brightly shining blade of his wing. He reached Teddiursa and, with a cry, dug the wing into the poor bear's chest.

Teddiursa took it, only one glance cast back to his trainer.

Katy's sickly-sweet smile of steel remained. She nodded and Teddiursa grabbed the wing with one hand. Then the claw was revealed with Katy's next order. "Thunder Punch."

"What the-?"

"Oooh!" The crowd winced at the command, but it had nothing on what Juliana or Quaxly felt. Even Nymble, watching intently, had to shield Smoliv's poor frightful eyes from what followed.

"TeddiURSA!" The other claw crackled with electricity, setting the air abuzz. Wattrel hopped forward, staring intently at the sparking form. Then Teddiursa's claw sailed up with the punch, plunging into Quaxly's gut with a fierce uppercut. He cried out, the lightning shooting out his other side. The punch finished and Quaxly was sent careening into the air.

His other element.

Juliana stamped the ground and threw a hand out. "Now, straight down! Wing Attack! Hit it where Thunder Punch can't reach!"

"Quaxlyy!" The duckling shifted in midair, both wings flapping to get him just enough stability. His body narrowed, all of it shining with the bright light of the Wing Attack. Teddiursa looked up, but gravity was too fast. Quaxly fell. With a vertical, cleaving strike, he left his mark upon the bear. Teddiursa was blown back, dropping to a knee.

"Oh my. I think I underestimated you," Katy said, her gloved hand moving to cover her giggling lips. Quaxly straightened but shook his head with a light sneeze. The Sweet Scent was still active, and Juliana didn't need to look further to know. She saved her eyes for the Gym Leader, blocking out the sounds of all else. "I think I assumed, given your reluctance, that a Gym battle was something you couldn't handle. But your Quaxly is a natural-born fighter, isn't he?"

"He's not mine, but he's survived," Juliana confirmed. Her skin started to sweat, a threat rising as Teddiursa clashed his claws together. His once-cute mouth opened to reveal an almost feral grin and his muscles tightened in preparation. "That's what we're gonna have to do: keep surviving. I need past that barricade."

"Sorry, but that wasn't me conceding the battle to you. And besides," Katy said, reaching into her apron with a grin, "you'll have to overcome this battle first. Teddiursa, sweeten up!"

"Teddi!" His body began to glow. Behind him, Katy withdrew her Tera Orb and Juliana found herself cursing; after Brassius, she should have expected this would come at some point. It swirled with energy, a power that shot out and enveloped Teddiursa. Very soon, his body was encased in crystal before it shattered, now revealing the bear with crystal skin and two antennae sticking out above his head.

"Bug Type Tera," she muttered. Quaxly matched Teddiursa's stance, though he flinched, showing the damage he had already taken. "Gonna have to match quick. Get those feet moving and dance over with your Wing Attack."

"We won't let it happen that easy. Sweet Scent!" Teddiursa began to run forward, right for the clash with the dashing Quaxly. As they were nearly upon each other, the bear began to spin, the pink mist mixed with crystalline dust. Quaxly leapt forward, but before his wing could make contact, the sickly-sweet smell enveloped him and he paused.

"Quax-lax!" His sneeze came loud and violent. Worse yet, the duckling pulled to a stop.

"Hey, don't stop moving, Quaxly! Keep going!" Arven shouted over the crowd, but Juliana knew it to be a futile effort. She bit her lip.

And then Teddiursa was there, his claws extended with a horrible green glow, making for a mighty slash. Katy snapped. "Fury Cutter!"

"Teddi!" Teddiursa slashed, first with an uppercut that sent Quaxly backwards. Then he skirted to the side and made a horizontal slash that forced him to the ground.

"Quaxly, you need to dodge!" Juliana shouted, the smell starting to get to her. Both of her hands were sweating, losing their grip, an effect that only got worse when yet another Fury Cutter slashed down. Quaxly shook his head, attempting to dance to the side, but tripping over his own feet when a diagonal slash sent him flying. Damn it, what can I do…?

Quaxly hit the ground, splayed on his wings, but pushing himself up. His breaths were heavy, that same fire of defiance from when they fought Brassius swelling. It was undeterred by Teddiursa standing over him, readying another consecutive strike of Fury Cutter that would beat him into the ground. The scent was overwhelming. Juliana's fingers slipped from their balled state.

Wait…sweat? She brought her hand up, sniffing it. There was an odor, to be sure, but not that of the Sweet Scent. Her eyes lit up; Quaxly still had a chance. "Right. Time to make your steps work for you. Use that move you learned in battle class, Quaxly. Rain Dance!"

"Quaxalyyyyyyyy!" He pushed, barely avoiding the Fury Cutter that rammed itself into the stone. His wings rose, calling upon the heavens as his feet moved a furious jig, turning the prayer to an actual dance. The sky began to cloud over, rumbling with the deluge that held itself in the sky before letting loose and pouring upon all the crowd. Some screamed, but others, like Serena, continued watching with calm. Katy quirked an eyebrow.

"They're standing still, Teddiursa, so make short work. Thunder Punch."

"Ted!" Teddiursa's fist crackled once more, the lightning providing an ambient, frightening glow amidst the rain that was now falling. It sprinted, aiming right for Quaxly, expecting him to be just as prone as before. Juliana's teeth clenched.

"Dodge, now!"

"Quax!" Teddiursa punched downward, aiming to smite the duckling. He was fast, though, dancing out of the way like an elegant Performer. Serena's class had done some good, after all. Juliana called her next attack, and Quaxly went on offensive, his wings shining bright.

"Counter it, dear!"

"Teddi!"

"Quaxly!" The bright white of the Wing Attack clashed with Thunder Punch, the two attempting to circumvent each other and find an opening each time their attacks met and disengaged. Juliana watched, her lip curling, looking for that very same opening and hoping she'd find it before Katy did.

It happened soon after, Quaxly's feet moving in a cadence that allowed him to slip under the Thunder Punch. Time slowed, just enough, and Juliana shouted her order before it was too late.

"Uppercut, now!" Quaxly planted himself, and with a slice up, it was his turn to send Teddiursa flying for the sky. This time, it lacked any advantage. "Focus Energy, and then let loose with Water Gun!"

"Quax quax lyyyyyyy!" Quaxly's body flashed red, pulsing and undulating with that wave of power. Teddiursa continued to spin through the air, helpless to resist. Then Quaxly opened his bill and fired the blast of water. It consumed the air upwards, powered by the rain around it until it was mere inches from Teddiursa.

"Payback!" Katy's last call was far from desperate. If anything, it showed in a split second why she was considered Gym Leader. She was leaving no chances on the table.

Teddiursa caught the wind, forming the black orb. He flung it, and then the water hit, consuming its entire being. The orb sailed fast, gathering wind and energy around it before it struck Quaxly. Dust exploded, pushing his small form down, cratering a piece of the square. The water finished, dissipating into mist, but the swirls in Teddiursa's eyes were undeniable. The crystal cracked and shattered as it fell, crashing upon the ground, fainted. When the dust cleared on the other end, Quaxly was no different.

"Both Quaxly and Teddiursa are unable to battle!"

The crowd was enraptured, the tie putting more interest in the battle than could have been thought possible. So taken by it they were that as Katy returned Teddiursa, thanking it, Juliana could swear to seeing people just absentmindedly passing food without thinking about it. That, at least, was a success.

And we had a success, too, she thought, stepping over to pick Quaxly off the field. She ferried him to Serena's arms and then made her way back to where Wattrel was waiting. The rain continued around them, dampening everything, but Wattrel looked right at home. We sacrificed something, but we're still in it. That badge, that barricade, will be ours.

"Ready, Wattrel?"

"Trrrel!"

"Your time to shine, Tarountula!" Katy's ball arced through the air, bursting with light to the sight of the spiderlike Pokémon. It landed on the field, its great ball of string wobbling as it skittered forth, keeping eyes on Wattrel as he flapped before them. A smirk looked to appear upon the Bug type, as if it knew what was to come. Its trainer being quick proved that right. "Let's make preparations. String Shot!"

"Taron!" Tarountula's little smirk widened and its body turned over. From the bundle wrapped all around it, the string fired, but unlike a normal, single stream, it was a web of quick-woven bindings racing right for Wattrel. Juliana wasted no time.

"Air Cutter!"

"Trel!" Wattrel flapped back, his eyes showing less of his usual dopey nature, becoming fierce as the winds he summoned around him. With a single beat of his wings, the razor-sharp blades of air came flying out, slicing at the string and dicing it to pieces.

"Spark!"

"Headbutt!" Katy's arm flew out, gesturing her Pokémon to move forward. Once again, Juliana found her nails digging into her skin. Down to the last, they were both playing for keeps, and the crowd loved every second of it.

Wattrel's body sparked, the electricity surrounding him, and he blitzed forward. At the same moment, Tarountula's string shot upwards, latching on to one of the lampposts around town. Using it, the bug flung itself forward with force, and the two met in midair. Sparks flew off, showering the crowd in a light show that got them cheering wildly. Arven looked to get into it, as well, with him and Fuecoco both cheering.

"Watt!" Wattrel pushed through, slashing out the other side and leaving minor sparks clinging to Katy's Pokémon. She wasn't diminishing their fast pace, however.

"String Shot," she called, now clenching her fist. Tarountula fell, skidding across the broken cobblestones. In that, it turned its body around on its back, aiming high and firing right for Wattrel. Recovering from his attack, the string struck him. Katy yanked her fist back. "Leech Life."

"Tarountu!" came the clicking and hissing. Using its legs, the arachnid began pulling on the string, drawing Wattrel to it with amazing speed. At its smirking mouth appeared bright green fangs, ones Wattrel couldn't avoid before they clamped down on him. Tarountula's body glowed, sucking energy away from the trapped bird.

"Not for long. Spark!"

"Wattrel!" Wattrel's body blazed with electricity yet again, his body building up the shock like a generator until, at last, he rammed right into Tarountula's body and sent it flying back. The green glow from both stopped. Wattrel shook his head.

"While it recovers, Air Cutter!" Juliana punched forward, her heart beginning to hammer. She looked across the field to Katy, the woman doing little but scanning her eyes across the field. Yet inside that, there was the pressing feeling that she was in control. Even with the rain coating her from sight, the droplets continually hitting the pavement with their plinks, she was unworried.

And indeed, as Wattrel flapped to send the blades of wind out, her command relayed that self-assuredness. "Protect."

"Taroun!" Tarountula's legs were directed upwards, a hexagonal shield being formed. The strikes of wind hit effortlessly against the honeycomb barrier, leaving the Pokémon unharmed. In the resultant din, Katy called her next command, and her bug responded. String flew out, striking first one of Wattrel's wings and then his body, but doing nothing to pull him down.

And that only meant…

"Wattrel, get ready with Spark!"

"Headbutt!" Tarountula pulled, but this time its own body was catapulted into the air, right on a collision course with its avian foe. Wattrel attempted to spark his own body, but his eyes widened as Tarountula hit him. He careened off, his eyes scrunched in, flinching at the hit. "Leech Life."

Not that again… Juliana cursed. It was the one move she couldn't deal with, its prolonging of the battle doing far too much harm. She started to clench her shorts, frustration welling inside at the same situation growing again.

And that was when she felt it. The orb, resting in her pocket.

The proof of an exceptional student.

The sign she could win the battle.

Her gaze took in the entire battlefield, everything slowing around her. The crowd cheered like an undulating wave. Arven pumped his fist. Koraidon, Nymble and Smoliv all roared their approval, cheering Wattrel on to give her victory. Serena nodded.

All of them were joined to Wattrel, and Wattrel to her. Their well-wishes were pushing them on. She felt it. The Tera Orb glittered in her pocket.

Juliana sucked in a breath, watching as Tarountula's gleaming fangs spread wide to engulf the bird. She wouldn't let it. Gripping tight, she ripped the Tera Orb out of her pocket and held it high.

"Wattrel, time for some support! Duck and use all the power of lightning! Let's blitz!" Her fingers curled around the cool orb, growing warm in her hold. Crystal and stars swirled, the sky becoming like sunset. All of the energy gathered, and then shot forward, right for its target. Tarountula paused for only a second as the light consumed Wattrel.

Crystal spires emerged in midair, the crowd screaming at the sight of it. Lights came on around town from the power of electricity flowing out. Katy began to smile, a wider smile than any Juliana had seen. She didn't share it, but stomped forward as the crystal broke and revealed Wattrel's form, brimming with electric energy and surrounded by a crystal that was undaunted. The whole air shook with it.

"Spark!"

"Trel!" He disappeared, tucking his wings in. That gave him just enough cushion to get beneath Tarountula before he flashed up. The crystal flashed with its matching power, and Wattrel rammed Tarountula upwards. Sparks ran along the bug, turning it rigid, and the string upon its back began to unravel, the upper rains drenching it.

Of course… Juliana's eyes narrowed. She tossed her Tera Orb. "Wattrel, get height!"

"Stop it with String Shot!"

"Taro-" The arachnid's words were cut off, the sparks shuddering up and down its figure from the paralysis taking hold. It fell, landing on the wet pavement and looking up. Wattrel climbed too high, but Juliana watched, his glowing form disappearing into the rain.

"Spread wide!" Katy ordered. Her eyes had found Juliana, a challenge for her to face. With no target in sight, Tarountula began to spin, sending its webs around every corner of the square. It clung to lampposts and streamers and even the ground itself, creating a net that would no doubt ensnare Wattrel. "Can you overcome this barrier?"

"Watch me! Wattrel, spin on down! Air Cutter!"

"WaaaatRELLLLLLL!" Like the beacon of a lighthouse, Wattrel began to hurtle down, shining bright for all to see. His eyes glinted and his whole body became that of a crimson ballerino. From it flew the blades of wind. They gathered the water of the rain around them, hitting the string, dampening them, and then striking. The strings were cleaved in two. In mere seconds, they had cleared a path to Tarountula, but the bird did not stop spinning.

"Protect!" Katy shouted. Tarountula dropped the smirk, immediately erecting its paling. And already Juliana knew the battle was ready to end. This was a last, desperate move.

"Spin past it! Gather everything around you and ram it home! SPARK!"

"WATTREL!" Wattrel's shout showed he understood. His body spun on down, becoming a drill of wind, water and electricity all mixing and mingling together. Tarountula tried to expand its shield, but already the bird was upon it. He grated the side of the shield, every element cracking part of its surface until the bird was on the other side. Then, with another mighty cry, his beak tore right into the orb of string. With one pluck, it began to unravel, sending Tarountula flying into the air, through its remaining, dangling strings.

"We're breaking your barrier in half!"

"Quaxa quax!"

"Nym!"

"Smoliv!"

"KORAIIII!"

"Come on, Juliana!" Each cry was a surprise, but buoyed Wattrel forward, his crystalline body shining and fizzing with all its electric energy. The lights in the square glowed to an intense zenith, covering up everything else. Then they shattered, leaving only Wattrel, ramming through Tarountula with a mighty spark that sent his electricity raining into the sky.

It met the rain, dispersing along it before it turned to a shower of fireworks that glittered and glowed before all faded away. Tarountula, now smoking, was flung up and then spiraled back down, hitting the ground with an almost satisfying thud.

The crowd went silent. The referee stepped forward. Everyone waited with bated breath. Then… "Tarountula is unable to battle. Wattrel is the winner and the battle goes to Juliana!"

"YEAAAAH!" The crowd lifted in cheer, and just like that, the spell was broken.

The crystal around Wattrel vanished, the sky returning to normal, and the bird hopped in her direction. He looked fatigued, but had enough energy to flap up and join Juliana, chirping and jumping around. In his eyes, she could see the determination that had paid off. He felt vindicated for his failures. She reached up to pet him.

"You did good."

"Watt!" His chirp was infectious, a smile stretching from his beak to the other Pokémon that joined them. Quaxly was looking better, if marginally, and Juliana looked up to who held him. Serena was smiling.

"So did you," she said. She reached a hand out, and Juliana clasped it, suddenly pulled into a hug. "You took your step forward."

"Huh?" Serena retracted, and Arven took her place.

"You made that look so easy! Even easier than Brassius!" he said, looking excited to replay almost every detail of the battle. "With those skills we can deal with any Titan that comes our way. Right, Fuecoco?"

"Fue!"

"At least you'll be ready for the northwest reaches," interrupted the voice of Katy. She was striding through the crowd, all of them energized with the thrill of battle and the return of light and food. "And Cortondo has gained strength from the battle, too. Thank you for sharing that."

"Well, it's not like we did much," Juliana admitted. She scratched the back of her head, embarrassment now visiting her.

"Even a little can be a lot, just like how a pinch of sugar can sweeten a long way," Katy said, winking towards her. She closed the gap and extended her hand, a gleaming badge sitting within it. Their rite of passage, sitting right in front of them.

Juliana looked away from it, just for a second, towards the mountains where the next Titan lay…and the possible reckoning beyond. Her mind hesitated a second, fear visiting it, knowing what taking the badge would mean.

Yet watching Quaxly and Wattrel revel in accomplishment, she knew the reckoning could no longer be avoided. Not without rendering all their achievement pointless. There was truly no way but forward.

Let's get more answers.

Juliana reached forward, clasping Katy's hand and receiving the badge within.

Author's Note: Part of the challenge in this trilogy is coming up with reasons for Juliana to challenge Gym Leaders. This isn't about her wanting to win a League, so there needs to be more concrete reasons. Hopefully they all work. Of course the fun of these battles is that due to the way Terastallization works, I can slot it in anywhere in the battle. First battle? Yup. Middle? Sure. Final climax? Let's do it! Makes for an exciting matchup.

Hopefully this particular matchup was exciting, as well as the mysteries that were revealed with the rampaging Titan Orthworm! We're off from Cortondo soon, so hopefully you're still enjoying. In the meantime, thanks for everyone that reviewed and commented. I hope you continue to review and comment and, until next time, Dare to Be Silly.