Housekeeping:

- So, Interlude didn't go as planned but I'm done trying to figure out what to do with it. It's not that things didn't work, but the information I was going to reveal in the interlude, I've just decided to hold off on until some other plot points get established.

- Also, why not keep things light after a relatively heavy chapter?

- Also Also, I've just spent way too much time working on this and I want to get to the rest of the story (much like you all) and back to the Amourshipping.

- No set date on the next chapter; feeling a little tired and burnt out honestly. With ending my practicum being a bit more emotional than I expected, as well as having to deal with this wedding from this past week, I am drained. So I apologize if I'm also not as responsive as usual.

- Anyway, here is some unhinged nonsense.

Interlude

Viridian City, Kanto

A young page hustled into the bustling news studio, balancing two steaming cups of coffee expertly as he navigated through the maze of cables and crew members. The studio lights were already brightening, casting sharp shadows as the team prepared for the live segment. The page handed the first cup to the cameraman stationed behind the largest camera, giving him a quick nod and a grin. The cameraman, grateful, returned the smile, cradling the coffee like it was precious cargo.

With the second cup, the page then turned towards the control booth, where the news director sat amidst a sea of screens and blinking lights. The director's name was not important. Nor was his personage or character. Even the people who knew him felt this way and they called him "Director" and Director was fine with that. He wasn't exactly sure how he'd gotten here anyway or how he'd ended up in his line of work, but that was neither here nor there. Again, he was not important, and he was absolutely okay with not being important. In fact, the whole premise of his unimportance made him quite happy.

Upon receiving his coffee, Director sighed. "Ah, the elixir of life," he said as he took a careful sip, eyeing the activity on the studio floor through the glass pane. "Here's to another day of pretending to be excited about local traffic updates. May the coffee be strong, and the teleprompter, merciful."

Down below on the studio floor, the atmosphere was charged with the usual pre-broadcast chaos as the crew hustled to get everything in order for the live segment. Chase Stone and Bella Blaze— Kanto's two "famous" co-anchors—were deep into one of their characteristic arguments, a common pre-show ritual that somehow always found its way into the final minutes before going live.

Chase Stone turned towards one of the cameras, practicing his signature smile that was dazzling yet unmistakably forced. "Look," he spoke as though already live, "I didn't call, because you never asked me to," he kept smiling with theatrical insincerity, as if he were auditioning for a role in a daytime drama.

Bella Blaze was in tears. Again. "Well, when I told you not to call, I meant very much that you should call."

"And how the hell does that make sense?"

"Arceus, not this again," Director rubbed his eyes and then placed his forehead against the control panel. "Someone make them stop."

"Uh, Stone, Blaze? We're ready to roll," called out the assistant producer, headset in place, clipboard in hand.

The Director set his coffee down and leaned towards his microphone, a grim expression on his face. "Someone pray for us," he muttered, just loud enough for the nearby audio engineer to chuckle. The on-air light flickered to life, signaling the start of another day in the Pokémon world of live news broadcasting.

"Okay! We're live in three…two…"

Pokémon-themed graphics swirled across the screens. The camera smoothly zoomed in on the news desk, where Chase Stone, with his impeccable movie star smile, and Bella Blaze, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and pending melodrama, were poised to deliver the latest from around the Kanto region and abroad.

"Good evening, Kanto! I'm Chase Stone, and joining me is the ever-radiant Bella Blaze. You're watching Kanto Katch-Up, your prime source for everything happening in our electrifying region," Chase announced with a charismatic flair.

Bella gave a theatrical laugh, her tone dripping with feigned amusement. "You're too much, Chase. If only you meant what you said."

Chase returned the joke with an equally feigned good-natured nod, "Ha ha ha, and if only you meant what you said."

Up in the control booth, Director pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

"But speaking of electrifying," Bella continued, shifting gears to the news, "one story tonight involves a shocking development at the Vermilion Gym. It seems Jolteon has decided it prefers to power the gym's lights rather than battle. Gym Leader Lt. Surge was available for comment and he stated, 'At least the energy bills are down!'"

On cue, someone instructed through a headset, "Okay, cut to Clip 1: Jolteon sparking near the power socket." The footage rolled, displaying a confused Lt. Surge watching his Jolteon energetically light up the room.

Chase chuckled, "Now that's what I call renewable energy, Bella!" His laughter felt as forced as the scripted banter. "In other news, local Diglett have caused quite the stir after deciding to relocate underneath the Cerulean City Bike Shop. The shop is now reportedly offering 'elevated service' until further notice."

The screen showed an image of the bike shop teetering atop several mounds of earth pushed up by the industrious Diglett. "That's Kanto for you—never a dull moment! Ha ha ha…"

Chase's laughter echoed off the studio walls, prompting an audio engineer to mutter under his breath, "Arceus, I want to punch him."

The Director, overhearing the comment, raised his eyebrows but said nothing; the sentiment was not uncommon.

Bella then turned to a side camera, her hair flipping across her back dramatically, her expression becoming more serious. "And now for our top story tonight. Love might be in the air for Monarch of the World, Ash Ketchum, and the Kalos Queen, Serena. The celebrated pair, spotted at a high-profile Paldean event, have sparked rumors of a blossoming romance. Both appeared exceptionally close, reigniting speculations about their connection as Ash competes for yet another League victory. Serena, on the other hand, is promoting Pokémon Showcases in Paldea, but it seems she may also be there to support more than just her career."

As a picture of Ash and Serena dancing intimately appeared on the screen, a collective pause filled the room. Their closeness left little to the imagination about the nature of their relationship.

Chase couldn't help himself, "My, my, my. Looks like Ash Ketchum's catching more than just Pokémon over there."

Bella rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Oh my Arceus, please someone save me from his jokes."

Chase's smile tightened, a retort slipping out between gritted teeth, "You didn't say that last night…"

Back in the control booth, the Director threw himself backward in his chair and groaned, his frustration palpable. At that moment, a nearby Hitmonlee, part of the studio's unique staff, approached to offer him a towel for the sweat beading on his forehead.

Seemingly, Bella continued, "And tonight, our team is ready to bring you this breaking story. We're going to hear from numerous friends and family connected to the Monarch and Kalos Queen. First, we go live to Pallet Town."

The broadcast shifted scenes.

Pallet Town, Kanto

They say that when it comes to their children, mothers may be the last to know but are always the first to understand. Delia Ketchum could not feel any more passionately about this when it came to Ash, who she seldom heard from, but who she really believed she understood completely…or at least, this had been so until this fateful day wherein all her pretenses about her son—whom she still struggled to see as a young man of almost nineteen—were shattered.

It began as a seemingly harmless interview. The news crew from Kanto Katch-Up arrived at the Pallet House restaurant with a professional air, their equipment sleek and their manners polished. They set up their cameras and lights with practiced efficiency, transforming the cozy eatery into a makeshift studio. Max Starling, the reporter assigned to conduct the interview, was a neatly dressed but somewhat nondescript young man whose earnest expression did little to mask his tendency to nod agreeably while occasionally missing the finer points of a conversation.

"We're going to set you up here, Mrs. Ketchum," one of the crew members said, directing Delia to a booth that offered the best lighting yet still felt snug and familiar. Delia, dressed neatly in her usual apron adorned with Pikachu motifs, moved towards the indicated spot, her hands smoothing the fabric of her apron nervously.

Professor Oak, who had stopped by the restaurant ostensibly to enjoy one of Delia's famous berry pies, found himself drawn into the excitement of the media setup. Noticing Delia's slight anxiety, he gave her a reassuring thumbs up from across the room. His presence, always a bit of an event due to his local celebrity status, added an air of gravitas to the proceedings.

"My, my! This is all very exciting, isn't it? What's it all about?" Oak inquired, his voice a blend of curiosity and cheer as he adjusted his tie, peering over at the busy crew.

Delia, adjusting a vase of flowers on the table to make space for the microphones, replied with a slight tremor in her voice, "I-I don't know. But I suppose I'm always being asked about Ash."

Ever the opportunist to share his latest creative endeavor, Oak pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "Well, let me know if there's a pause, so that I can recite my latest poem about the fleeting nature of fame," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling with the mischief of a schoolboy as he brandished the paper like a treasure map.

As the crew signaled that they were almost ready to begin, Delia took a deep breath, trying to settle the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She glanced at Oak, who winked encouragingly, his demeanor suggesting that no matter what was asked, the day was to be enjoyed as one of those rare moments when the quiet life of Pallet Town gleamed under a spotlight.

Finally seated, Delia straightened up as Max approached, his steps measured, his smile professionally affixed. "We'll start with a few simple questions about your restaurant and then move on to talk about Ash," he explained, his voice smooth, rehearsed, but not entirely devoid of warmth.

As the cameras started rolling and Max prepared his notes, Delia clasped her hands under the table, bracing herself to share glimpses of her life, not knowing that today's interview would leave her with more than just the usual proud reflections on her son's adventures.

The camera seamlessly transitioned from the lively studio banter to a much cozier, warmly-lit scene within the Pallet House restaurant. The rustic charm of the establishment was evident, with Pokémon-themed decorations adorning the walls and locals enjoying their meals, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and homely. The camera panned across the patrons, capturing waves and smiles, with the illustrious Professor Oak among them, before settling back on Delia Ketchum.

"Thank you for taking the time Delia…" Max Starling was saying as he began the segment.

Delia, the epitome of maternal warmth and hospitality, sat across from the visiting reporter. With a gracious smile, she welcomed him, attempting to look relaxed amidst the familiar surroundings of her restaurant, with her faithful Mimey by her side.

"It's my pleasure. I love Kanto Katch-up and I'm glad you could join us here in Pallet Town to talk about…whatever it is we're going to talk about," Delia said, her voice carrying a touch of nervous anticipation for the questions to come.

Max looked amused but nodded, "Well, first of all, I want viewers to know that you have a lovely restaurant. Could you tell us a bit about what inspired you to start this place?"

Delia, momentarily puzzled as she tried to gauge the direction of the interview, replied, "Well, I've always loved cooking and bringing people together, and—,"

"Yeah, it certainly feels like a home away from home," Max cut in, clearly not listening to a word. "Now, Delia, apart from running this fantastic establishment, you're also known to many of our viewers as the mother of the renowned Pokémon Trainer, Ash Ketchum. How has Ash's fame impacted life here at Pallet House?"

"Oh, it's mostly fun. Sometimes trainers come here looking for Ash and end up staying for the pie. I like to think I'm the second-best reason to visit Pallet Town!" Delia said, her laughter echoing softly around the room.

Professor Oak, sitting unobtrusively in the background, gave Delia a supportive thumbs up, his other hand occupied with a delicious slice of said pie.

"A hard second to beat, for sure. Speaking of Ash, there's been quite the buzz about a new development in his life. He's seemed to have made the spotlight again," Max said, his smile widening as he prepared to delve into the more personal aspects of the interview. "Care to share any details?"

Delia blinked, taken aback by the shift in conversation. "I beg your pardon?" she asked, her confusion clear.

Back at the studio, the assistant producer watching from one of the screens leaned into his headset, "Show her the picture."

Delia sighed deeply and lifted her eyes to a prompter beside the camera. Really, she was used to seeing Ash on the news at this point, and she expected to see some footage of her son in some dramatic battle against a Legendary Pokémon. That had become the norm. And while Delia's heart always skipped a beat hearing about these escapades, she had grown accustomed to her son's perilous lifestyle while remaining confident in his abilities. Therefore, as she turned to the prompter, Delia's face remained calm, a practiced mask of mild concern.

Of course, Mrs. Ketchum was not prepared to see Ash standing beside a very pretty girl, intimately holding her…as it seemed. Delia tilted her head, not computing the significance of this right away. Instead, she deflected to studying the young woman next to her son. "Oh, what a beautiful young girl." Her tone was thoughtful, tinged with curiosity but also a hint of recognition, as if trying to place where she might have seen this girl before. "She looks so familiar."

Reporter Max Starling was startled back into action and he issued Delia an enthusiastic grin. "Familiar? Well, that's Kalos Queen Serena, and she's rumored to be dating your son!"

Dating your son…

No, these words did not compute. Ash had plenty of friends. Very pretty friends, Delia had always noted. This girl was no exception, though Delia had to admit she surpassed the mere category of "pretty." Of course, Delia, as much as she had been waiting for him to, knew that Ash was never one to act upon physical attraction, and she wondered if he had yet to notice such things…

But…

The way Ash was…dancing? Was he dancing in that picture? The way Ash was dancing—or holding—this girl, smiling down at her, suggested a closeness that went beyond mere friendship. Honestly, Delia had never seen that look on her son before. Just from that one picture, she saw that Ash and this girl had felt themselves alone in that crowded room. On Ash's face, always so firm and independent, Delia saw that look that had struck her: a look of complete adoration and of an uncharacteristic gentleness. And there was a light in his eyes—which looked down softly at the girl—and he was smiling but in a way that made it seem as though he were out of breath. The honey blonde, Delia noted, seemed to be making an effort to control herself, to try not to reflect Ash's expression, but it came out on her face all the same in a brilliant, though restrained smile.

And still, Delia didn't seem to compute what she saw. She was just trying to figure out how she knew the girl…and thank goodness Ash wasn't in any danger…and…

With the camera still rolling, Delia, still lost in her own thoughts, murmured softly, her gaze distant. "My goodness, what a pretty girl…"

Max Starling, momentarily unsure how to steer the conversation back to relevance, glanced into the camera, concerned.

Viridian City, Kanto

From the studio, Director's frustration was mounting and he growled under his breath, "Ask her why Serena looks familiar, you simple idiotic Doduo!" He was truly surrounded by incompetence.

At Director's comment, the floor manager winced. "Hey, man, Doduo is offended," pointing towards a Doduo who, quite insulted, was now storming off, its job of holding up a stage light abandoned.

Chase Stone, noticing the disruption and its implications for the lighting on his perfect on-air look, immediately showed concern. "Get him back here! I can't have shadows on my face!"

Pallet Town, Kanto

Max was cringing slightly as he received a flurry of instructions in his earpiece. He tried to navigate back to the interview. "You said she looked familiar…? In what way…? Have they dated before…?"

Delia snapped back to reality, her voice trailing off, "Ash is dating…"

"That's right!" Max interjected, attempting to regain control of the interview. "They were recently seen dancing quite closely at an event in Paldea. How do you feel about Ash finding love during his adventures?"

At this revelation, Delia began fanning herself with a menu, her composure visibly faltering. Within seconds, the overwhelming news took its toll, and she swooned, fainting gracefully.

Max jumped up, his usual composure replaced by flustered concern. Quickly, Professor Oak and Mimey rushed to Delia's side, catching her before she could hit the ground. Professor Oak, trying to inject some humor into the situation, chuckled nervously, "I guess this is as good a time as any to remind Ash to change his sheets."

As the medical team efficiently swept in to take Delia off the air, Professor Oak found himself alone in the shot with Max, who was visibly unsure how to fill the airtime.

"Oh, she's fainted. Great." Director muttered, rubbing his temples as he observed the unfolding chaos from the multiple screens in the booth. He began chewing on a pen. "Just great."

Seizing the moment, Professor Oak pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. "Perhaps I can recite a quick poem to prolong the time while Delia recovers…"

From the control booth, the Director's voice was a blend of disbelief and urgency, "Get him off the air right now," he commanded, signaling for an immediate commercial break to regroup after the unexpected turn of events.

Viridian City, Kanto

After the commercial, Director was adamant not to have any more mishaps. He signaled to Bella Blaze, who was quick to launch into the next segment. She smiled blindingly into the camera.

"Even a week after the glitzy gala in Paldea, the festive atmosphere of Mesagoza still hums with lingering excitement. In one of the city's quaint plazas, we have our very own team on the ground about to interview three of the gala's elegant guests—and they certainly have a lot to say about the night. Nora Ninetails is here to take it away…."

Mesagoza, Paldea

"Thank you Bella," a dark-haired woman intercepted the transition easily, "We're here in the lively streets of Mesagoza with—,"

Before Nora Ninetails could continue, the woman beside her, her hair a striking shade of magenta, suddenly interrupted. With a dramatic flourish, the woman ripped off her disguise, which had been nothing more than tourist apparel and a pair of sunglasses.

"Oh, there's no point to these disguises if they're going to prevent us from being famous!" Jessie declared, her voice loud enough to turn heads in the busy plaza. "We're Team Rocket, and I've been waiting for someone to finally recognize our merits."

Beside her, James and Meowth followed suit. James, with an overly theatrical sigh, removed a fedora and shook out his long lavender hair, his disguise falling to the ground as he stepped out of his assumed persona. "Indeed, why hide what is so obviously meant for the spotlight?" he proclaimed, striking a pose that drew bewildered glances from the camera crew.

Meowth simply shrugged out of his child-sized sweater and wiped off the fake mustache (which indeed was ironically paired) with a paw, grumbling, "Yeah, and dese things itch like crazy!"

Momentarily taken aback by the sudden reveal, Nora Ninetails quickly regained her composure. "Thank you for taking the time, er, Team Rocket? Can you share a bit about your night?"

Jessie wasted no time in seizing the attention, her eyes gleaming with the same intensity as the sun against the cobbled streets. "Our night, dear reporter, was an exquisite blend of elegance and entrepreneurial opportunity," she began, her tone rich with self-importance. "We stole the show. No one outdid us in beauty and grace. By the end of the night, everyone believed I was some foreign royalty—which I am."

James, always eager to add his own dramatic flair, draped an arm around Jessie's shoulders, nodding vigorously. "Indeed! While the high society of Paldea dazzled with their gowns and jewels, we dazzled with our unique charm. Of course, we kept an eye out for any particularly... ahem... unattended Pokémon that might appreciate new managers."

Meowth jumped in, his voice a mix of pride and mischief, "Yeah, and I almost had my paws on a very fancy-looking Ceruledge! But den, a nerdy twerp got in da way!"

The trio shared a brief glare at one another before bursting into their signature cackles, momentarily forgetting the camera and the reporter.

Back at the studio, Director was pounding his skull against his palm. Meanwhile, the assistant producer was talking into the headset, "Get back on track, Nora…"

Regaining focus, Nora Ninetails shifted the conversation towards the talk of the gala. "Speaking of the event, there's been a lot of buzz about Monarch Ash Ketchum dancing with Kalos Queen Serena. How did you react personally to this development? It must have been very exciting to be there!"

Jessie's expression momentarily flickered with annoyance before she recovered her poise. "Twerp Ketchum? Dancing with a queen? The only thing more shocking would be if his Pikachu started singing opera. I mean, what's next? Meowth winning a beauty contest?" To the side, she couldn't help but growl, "That twerp is always stealing my show!"

Adopting a rather serious tone, James sighed and cupped his cheek with a hand, "It was quite a sight, I must admit. Our little twerp, all grown up and dancing with such a beautiful young woman, all in love and smitten. It almost brought a tear to my eye—," Seeing Jessie's expression, James pivoted, "Tears of laughter, that is! I never knew the twerp had it in him to move with such... grace, if you can call it that."

Meowth snickered, adding, "He's got two left feet, dat kid. I bet miss twerpette was using all her Queenly twaining to avoid his big toes! But 'ey, if she can handle his dancing, den maybe they're meant to be!"

Nora Ninetails, slightly bewildered by their responses, thanked Team Rocket for their candidness. "Well, thank you, uh, Team Rocket…It was a pleasure…"

As the reporter began to sign off, her microphone was swiftly and dramatically commandeered by Jessie, who seemed thrilled at the chance to have the last word. With a flourish typical of her flamboyant style, she leaned into the camera, her face alight with mischief and a devilish grin.

"Thank you, dear viewers," Jessie began, adopting a tone dripping with faux sincerity. "Remember, wherever there's a high-profile event drawing the elite of the Pokémon world, you can be sure Team Rocket won't be far behind. After all, what's a gala without a little unexpected excitement and drama?" She winked ostentatiously, "And don't forget, I was first a celebrated actress, accustomed too—,"

James, not to be outdone, quickly jumped into the frame beside her, adding, "We are both celebrated actors, so don't forget, if your party needs livening up, just add a little Team Rocket sparkle. We guarantee it'll be unforgettable!"

Meowth, not wanting to miss out, managed to squeeze in front of the camera. "Yeah, and we even do everything from birthdays to mysterious events organized by high society, legal and illegal!"

As they all posed dramatically, the reporter tried to regain control of her microphone. With a final flourish and a chorus of "Team Rocket's blasting off again!" the trio finally relinquished the microphone, leaving the reporter and the viewers with a memorable end to an unusual interview.

Viridian City, Kanto

By this point, Director had given up and decided to add something a little stronger to his coffee as the next interview rolled.

"We have the peer interview ready," the assistant drolled, also clearly done with life.

Direct waved a lazy hand for the live feed to begin.

Mesagoza, Paldea

The camera zoomed in on a familiar dirty blonde-haired trainer, who was visibly shaking despite the reassuring presence of his Mabosstiff beside him. The large, imposing dog Pokémon glanced up at his trainer, sensing his discomfort, and let out a soft whine, nuzzling against him for support. Despite the serene park setting, the dirty-blonde trainer looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else, his gaze darting around, hoping perhaps for a sudden distraction to end his misery.

"So, Arven," began Nora, who had accosted the student upon seeing his uniform, "you attended the big Homecoming event where Ash and Serena returned as a couple? Tell us about that!"

Slightly swaying, Arven looked up at the sky and just sighed; a bead of sweat trailing down his forehead. "Yes, I was there," he avoided making any eye contact with the camera, "Lots of... um, people. And decorations. Very... decorative. You know, these things…they have, well, decorations."

Nora Ninetails smiled widely and probed further, "Decorative, I see! And with Ash and Serena—the stars of the night—making such a splash, what was the atmosphere like?"

"Splash," Arven blinked, his response slow as he seemed to process the question at the speed of a sluggish Snorlax. "Splashy, yes. Lots of splashing. Well, not water splashing. More like clapping splashing. Because of the clapping."

Mabosstiff, perhaps sensing his trainer's distress, let out a loud bark, causing Arven to jump and laugh awkwardly. "Uh, Mabosstiff loves clapping."

"Clearly, he's quite the fan!" Nora responded professionally, "Now, about Ash and Serena—did you see any special moments between them?"

Arven scratched his head, his eyes squinting as if trying to visualize the night so as to figure out what details he should not reveal. Truly, he wanted to get out of here. And where was Nemona? She had literally told him to wait here while she went inside some store to get orange gel-pens.

"Oh, right, them," Arven pursed his lips as though remembering the reporter and the camera existed, "They…danced. Or at least, I think they were dancing? Maybe not dancing—no. It could have been an elaborate way to dodge a Beedrill. Hard to tell from where I was hiding—I mean, standing."

Nora, now more gently as though realizing she might be speaking to someone with the mind of a small child, prompted with a slow patience designed for those with little mental acuity, "Hiding? Were you playing a game of hide and seek?"

Arven's eyes widened, realizing what was happening. "Uh, no! Just, you know, enjoying the event from... behind a bush—Just kidding! That's a joke! I'm joking! But, I mean, the Better view is always in the, uh, leaves."

"Why don't you just end with your overall impression of the new couple and the night," Nora looked at Arven with a mildly pitiful expression and her bottom lip even protruded in a sympathetic pout, "do you think you can do that, sweetie?"

Arven gave up. By this point, he didn't even know what he was saying. "It was…it was a lot of happy, I guess."

"Good job, Arven," Nora Ninetails gave Arven a pat on the shoulder and a supportive thumbs up. "Thank you so much. I know that must have been really hard for you."

For the next few weeks, Nemona and Aliquis would greet Arven with "Splashy splashy."

Viridian City, Kanto

"So…we can't find anyone normal to interview?" Director was blinking at the screens, watching as they aired a commercial for Pokéshorts designed specifically for Pokémon with tails…

This was his life.

"We actually have our Kalos correspondent with the Kalos Queen's mother?" the assistant producer winced, "Maybe she has better things to say?"

Director sighed. As long as no one else fainted…

Vaniville Town, Kalos

The scene was set at the racetrack on the outskirts of Vaniville Town, the ground still vibrating from the recent Rhyhorn race. The dust was settling as Grace, clad in her racing gear, her face flushed with the thrill of competition, dismounted her Rhyhorn. She had just clinched another victory, her prowess as a racer undeniable. Kalos correspondent Kasey Karp, eager to capture her in her post-race euphoria, approached with a microphone in hand.

"Grace, congratulations on another spectacular win! How do you feel after dominating the track once again?" Kasey threw the microphone beneath Grace's lips.

Grace, wiping a smear of dirt from her cheek, turned to the reporter with a beaming smile. "Oh, it feels fantastic! Each race is a new challenge, but when you trust in your Rhyhorn and, of course, put in the training, it's exhilarating to cross that finish line first."

Turning her body towards the camera, Kasey nodded and placed a friendly hand on Grace's shoulder, "Your bond with your Rhyhorn seems stronger than ever. Any secrets to maintaining such a powerful connection?"

"Plenty of hard work and treats," Grace laughed, patting her Rhyhorn affectionately, which snorted in response. "But truly, it's about understanding and respect. These creatures are mighty, but they've got a soft side too. It's all about balance and mutual respect and trust. Those are the ingredients to a healthy bond."

"Speaking of bonds," Kasey's brows wiggled, "seems like Monarch Ash Ketchum and your daughter are forming a close one. Serena and Ash have made headlines recently after a photo of them dancing at a prestigious gala has gone viral. As Serena's mother, what can you tell us about their relationship?"

And suddenly the excitement of the racetrack had given way to a more subdued atmosphere as Grace's victory glow vanished like a light upon the flick of a switch. The Rhyhorn racer's smile tightened, her eyes narrowing just a tad, a clear signal that this shift in topic was less than welcome.

"Oh, well as a mother, you know how I love hearing about my daughter's personal life from strangers…" Grace's voice carried a sharp edge, one that did nothing to conceal her irritation.

Kasey, taken aback but quick to catch on, replied with a cautious chuckle, "I sense sarcasm..."

"You're observant, my dear," Grace retorted, the smile not quite reaching her eyes. She added with a forced wink, which twitched slightly betraying her agitation, "I have no comment. But since you're so invested in my daughter's personal life, why don't you tell her to give me a call…It'd be nice to hear about all this from her…"

As the interview concluded, Grace turned to leave, her posture stiff and her steps firm. The camera crew, sensing more to the story, tried to follow her. However, Grace was quick to assert her boundaries. She grabbed her Rhyhorn racing helmet, still caked with dust from the track, and swung it deftly in a broad, warning arc towards the cameras.

Suddenly, the feed went black.

Viridian City, Kanto

Director tapped his chin. "Hell hath no fury like a mother scorned…"

"It's 'woman' scorned," the assistant producer corrected with a raised finger.

"I know that, but I changed the quote for the occasion."

"I see," the assistant producer muttered, biting his lip and exchanging glances with the audio engineer. "Well, I guess this is why we're the laughing stock of the cable news channels…"

The audio engineer, leaning back in his chair and adjusting a dial nonchalantly, smirked before responding, "Well, at least we're not running reruns of 'Magikarp Jump' competitions. Now, that would be a real splash in the ratings!"

The assistant producer chuckled, shaking his head. "You're right. Could be worse. We could be covering Fearow migration patterns live... 'Watch as they fly... and keep flying...' Riveting content."

Director just looked at them.

"I'm quitting."

Okay, now onto the real story lol

We'll see other people's reactions as we continue on little by little over time, haha. Some of you were asking about Misty and Kukui and, quite honestly, that is too much work for my Type A/Perfectionist brain to handle right now. I have a very hard time doing anything— even writing fanfiction—at only 50%, which is why I struggled so much with this interlude? And so, I just needed to let the interlude go and "not care" and just have fun with it. Sorry if it didn't land, but we'll get back to the main event soon.

I did want to at least get Delia and Grace's reactions as they will soon be inserting themselves for better or for worse, haha.

Thank you to TheVigilantSpider for just being encouraging and editing this hot mess since I was so done with this lol. You're a pal.