I'm pretty sure this chapter title makes it obvious just who is appearing in this chapter. Let it entertain you! Chapter 5, please like and subscribe!


Chapter 5

A Streamer

"Feeling better?"

Gloria winced at her own words. To a girl that had gone through such an emotional pendulum as Juliana had last night, there was no way to phrase it without sounding insensitive. In an instant, she regretted them, searching for a better question to ask.

Yet Juliana showed no emotion at it. She only looked up at Gloria as she finished packing her bag and threw it on Koraidon. "I'm fine."

"I see…" Gloria said, her words more a breath than actual acknowledgement. Juliana turned away from her, as though she considered the conversation to have no more worth. With large strides, she made back for the road that would take them to Levincia, a still winding route with numerous little settlements along the way. Arven sighed. "Is she okay?"

"Heck if I know…" came Arven's answer. "Juli is good at putting on the mask. Only thing I could say is that she's gonna be driven forward."

"Well, then," Gloria said, hitching her own massive pack and slapping Arven on the back, "to Levincia it is!"

Arven choked a bit, but didn't argue. With Fuecoco continuing to cling to him, the pair sought to catch up to Juliana in her purposeful steps through the dawn.

As they did, Gloria watched Juliana. Whether walking, or dodging rain, or the few moments of rest they took where the girl would let her Pokémon out to gambol around, the Galarian Champion never took her eyes off Juliana. There was little doubt that Serena had been right about this girl's problems, the previous night having shown her saddled with more than her fair share of baggage and no way to let it out. Not healthily at least.

This appeared to manifest in a burning will that stopped for no one. A will that added fuel to the fire on their second day of walking and the pit stop Pokémon Center they managed to find in the wilds.

"Short rest, and then we set off. Should be in Levincia by tomorrow morning. Mid-morning, by my calculations," Juliana said, nodding fervently. At her feet, Lokix was flexing and stamping the ground with his powerful legs. Smoliv was emulating him, jumping up and down, creating little golden cracks.

"Sure we don't want to take some extra rests? Not like Levincia is going anywhere," Arven said. He ordered a Mago Berry tea and turned back, leaning against the counter. Another kid bustled past him, eager to place his own order, and Gloria found herself surprised at just how many students were nearby. She kept her ear on the conversation, though.

"Levincia isn't, but Orthworm might," Juliana said. She was digging in her pack and yanking out sheaves of paper. Gloria snorted at the sight and looked away, towards the shore and the flock of Wingull circling it. Levincia could be seen, too, but was ever-so-distant. "I don't want to wait and have Penny's information turn out to be bad."

"You could do to slow down, you know? But if I told you that, I have the feeling it'd make you push harder." Gloria kneeled, grinning down at Smoliv. The little one stopped, uttering the smallest of squeaks as she turned to look at her. Gloria reached out to pat her on the head. "Your Pokémon have adopted that, too, it looks like. Keep pushing, Smoliv. I can see you have strength with that earth."

"Smol…?"

"We're all determined to get stronger and take on Orthworm. Right, Arven?" It was as though the mask was complete, Juliana now just the girl who moved forward. Gloria would have frowned if Arven didn't choke on his tea.

"S-sure."

"If you're going after that giant Orthworm, I'd turn back," a boy suddenly interjected, he and a tiny little dog Pokémon with a purple flame making their way to the counter. He pushed up on his glasses, relishing the momentary undivided attention. "They say it could attack Levincia any day now. Seems the Gym Leader is keeping attention on it, but you wouldn't know it. She's a bit spotty to me."

"And you know this…how?" Juliana's quirked eyebrows made the boy trip over his own two feet. Arven caught him, and then stepped aside in a bid to move closer to Juliana.

When the boy straightened, he gave his answer. "Rumors of quakes and stuff. There are rumors of restless Titans. It's all in Iono's latest stream."

"Iono?" Arven said, giving a scoff. Fuecoco was confused, but it didn't stop the boy from elaborating. "She's nuttier than a Skwovet's nest and only does things for views. Some content is good, but it's hard to tell the difference between truth and fiction with her."

"It was just a friendly warning…"

"Not one that'll stop us, though. Worth checking out, you think?" Arven had put the question to Juliana, but she was already stuffing her papers back, readying for departure. "Answer received."

"Oh, brother…" Gloria's exasperation fell on deaf ears, but she didn't mind too much. There was something impressive in Juliana's way of moving forward…if that was what she was doing. The almost obsessive fire in her eyes looked more like dying embers.

That was what concerned her most of all. It was also what she kept an eye on as they wasted no more time in traversing the area. The sky grew darker, the lights of Levincia brighter, and its very sheen more than once prompted Gloria to pull out her notebook, the words inside saying nothing of the gleaming cityscape.

Juliana looked at it for a very different reason, her scritching and scrawling echoing into the night when they made camp. More than once, Arven helped, but all Gloria saw were scribbles, likely tracking movements. All else she heard were mere whispers.

"…thing we know," she hissed at one point, Arven bobbing his head. "Levincia could complete the puzzle."

"Think the Gym Leader'll know?"

"We can always ask. But others are bound to know something. We'll find out tomorrow."

Their sights set on the following morning, the duo retired soon after, barely aware that Gloria remained up to watch them, their lamplight shining on her journal and the old, faded picture there. Something about it tickled her brain, but when Gloria's own eyes started to droop, she paid it no mind and snapped the book shut until morning arrived.

The next day proved no different than the last: they awoke, ate and Juliana pushed forward like a girl on a mission. Which, Gloria supposed, she was. It still made her chuckle though; her old, familiar traits on display cut an interesting figure in someone else. This alone gave Gloria her own push to take the lead ahead of the students when the towering buildings of Levincia were a stone's throw away.

"Ah, looks as bustling as Wyndon!" Gloria remarked when the city's interior was more visible. Set on the shorefront, she could already see various restaurants and cafes dotting the edge of town. None was more prominent than that just past a neon arch set against the town's entrance. People were already there, from students to civilians, each lounging with their Pokémon. Deeper in, Gloria could swear to seeing a sort of battle court, well past all the stores selling clothes, accessories and the like. The only thing it was missing in comparison to her own capital city was the gigantic stadium and massive tower that drew spectators and challengers alike. That was enough to draw an unfavorable comparison to another Paldean town. "Well, not as busy as Mesagoza, but maybe a bit more modern?"

"You don't get out of Galar much, do you?"

"Hmph, I get out plenty!" Gloria snorted. She turned her nose up at Arven and strode straight under the arch, arms folded across her chest. She stopped short once inside, staring at the nearest occupant at the café's table. The man sitting there raised a cup of tea to her, but she pivoted to face her companions. "I'll have you know it's simply that since being Champion I've been holed up with, blegh, paperwork. This is the first chance I've had to stretch my legs in forever."

"What? Are you on some kind of vacation?" Juliana asked.

"Maaaybe?" Soon as Gloria said it, her two younger companions walked straight under the arch.

It suddenly exploded with showering sparks.

The neon sign flashed, changing its welcoming words to a bright numeral that read "100!". Juliana and Arven jumped, trying to fight off the shower of sparks raining on them. That was when Gloria heard the long, slow cry and looked up to see a Pokémon atop the arch: a great big toad-looking one whose belly looked like a dynamo that rained electricity upon the hapless visitors.

As it turned out, the Pokémon wasn't without direction, either.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the time is here! A one hundred visitor celebration time on the…" A girl skidded into view, her multicolored hair and wild accessories matched only by her overly long jacket as she struck a pose. "IONO ZONE!"

"Ahhh…" Gloria vocalized, recognizing the name from the day before. Not that it did Juliana or Arven much good, as she was completely overpowered by the young girl whose announcement called more sparks and a cheer from some of the citizens standing around.

Just like that, the girl ran right up to Juliana and Arven and began to shake both their hands. "'Ello, 'ello, hola! Ciao and bonjour! I'm Iono and you're my one hundredth guests to walk through…" she fell into a dramatic whisper, "…the Iono Portal."

"Iono…"

"Portal…?" Neither Juliana nor Arven could make heads nor tails of the sudden situation they found themselves in.

"That's right! And that means, as our hundredth visitors, you get to be special guests on my show! So, bring in lots of subscrib-I mean, let's have a great time with fun and games! You guessed it, loyal viewers, this time we're in for a Blitz Game Special! It's Iono's Hide and Seek!"

"Yeah, we don't have time for that." Juliana brushed Iono off, clearly considering the zany Gym Leader to be anything other than a reputable source of information. Gloria chuckled yet again. That chuckle doubled when Juliana tried to depart, only for Iono to vanish and reappear behind the students, wrapping her overlarge sleeves around them.

"Nope. Nuh-uh! Your eyeballs are mine! Caught in my Electroweb!"

"Belli!"

"Uh, fun as this all sounds," Arven said, slowly working his way out of Iono's clutches, "I'm technically the hundred and first guest."

"Arven, you traitor!"

"BELLI!" The Pokémon atop the arch fell down, right in front of Arven's path. It quickly gathered him up in its stubby arms and held him tight.

"Bellibolt gives his seal of approval! Loyal viewers, what do you say?" A sudden chime rang out, its source revealed to be a Rotom Phone listing off all sorts of data. "Results are in! Let's make the stream an electrifying success! Time for Iono's Disguise Whosit Findit!"

"Gloria!" Juliana whined, still entangled in Iono's comically long sleeves. Already, Bellibolt was marching a crying Arven off, to the cheers of numerous spectators who were following the event with interest. Still, Gloria offered a look of sympathy to Juliana.

Before promptly waving her hand. "Have fun!"

"Why you-"

Neither student could get another word in edgewise. Iono cackled, flouncing off into the city with a booming voice and a posse of subscribers, clutching to her victims all the while. Gloria continued to wave at them until they disappeared from sight, and then her smile dropped. She turned towards the café and approached the man at the table.

"That was a bit cruel of you, no, Miss Gloria? A bit bullying, dare we say?" the man said. His ridiculous pompadour stood out, but did nothing to hide the eyes behind the glasses, nor his elderly voice. Without thinking, Gloria knew his identity, and she sat across from him with a huff.

"Experiencing something outside her comfort zone will be good for her. Trust me, I grew a lot from understanding there was more to the world than battling," she said. Gloria leaned back in her chair, taking a cup of the tea provided, but blanching at its taste. Her eyes found the man, once more absorbing his ridiculous appearance, right down to the mismatched uniform designs and colors. She sighed. "Better question is you. Why are you in Levincia dressed in a getup that even the outcasts would consider out-of-touch, Director Clavell?"

"I'm told I'm wearing the latest fashion!" Clavell said, his voice rising. Some looked at him with alarm before he cleared his throat.

"By who, exactly? You're not exactly inconspicuous if I noticed you in seconds." Clavell coughed again, this time covering it up with a sip of tea. "Seriously, what's up?"

"Just thought I'd lend a hand," was the far more muted answer. He placed his cup in his saucer, running a hand through his pompadour before finally leaning forward with fingers crossed. "News of Schedar Squad's base wasn't exactly lowkey. And I did promise to look further into Team Star where I could. I was simply wondering how things went, if there was anything to help Miss Serena's investigation."

"Didn't feel like there was anything worth gleaning about that," Gloria answered. She tipped her head back, taking in the bright coastal sun before sighing. "They mentioned something about an Operation Star, and I'm pretty sure Juliana knows more, but she clearly considered it a failed endeavor, whatever it was."

"Ah, Juliana…" Clavell's fase darkened. Gloria's lips turned into a frown.

"She's a good kid," Gloria stressed. "Has some issues, but nothing worth condemning."

"Ah, yes, I know. I suppose I'm just…" Clavell trailed off, his eyes wandering as they watched some of the nearby students, joyously laughing, conversing or training off by the sea. "Seeing someone like her reminds me of just how far the Academy has to go. If there's some dark secret to Team Star that I've let fester and be ignored."

"If you have, you should have corrected it sooner," Gloria pointed out, now ignoring her tea. She slumped in her seat, and her journal nearly fell out of her pocket, its pages flipping to a drawing of Paldea, and a sloppy scrawl of the Academy. Like a stark reminder of how actions affected a region, Gloria groaned. "If you let it carry on, then it makes you no different from how Rose made his Galar."

"Honestly, I'm still trying to get a grip on it. The Academy even a year ago when I became director was very different than it is now," Clavell said. Some students passed by, offering him odd looks. When he nodded, they scuttled off faster than one could blink. Gloria, meanwhile, sat up.

"A year, huh? Thought you'd been at the Academy longer."

"No, no. Most of the staff really only became employed within the last year or so. Tyme retired from being Gym Leader, Hassel was appointed an Elite Four member, and various other reasons made them available. Plenty of teachers had to resign prior, as well. Though it helps I was able to pick my own staff. As to what happened with Team Star before then, I couldn't say."

"Interesting…" Gloria tapped her foot, finding Clavell's info more illuminating than she should have. Knowing that, she leaned forward. "I'd tell Serena that. You guys can progress your investigations together."

"Mm, true. Or I could help out on the ground," Clavell said, nodding his head. Dread settled on Gloria's chest. "I think my incognito disguise could be very good. Maybe even fool that Cassiopeia. I can call myself Clive and-"

"Please just stop. Keep your nose out of it." Clavell was crestfallen. Feeling bad, Gloria leaned forward to meet him halfway across the table, her voice low. "I know you want to help, but you're still too obvious. Even if it wasn't for you being director, you're just too old to go around dressing like a student."

"Nonsense! We have students of all ages!"

"And none of them dress as bad as you!" Gloria jabbed Clavell in the chest, and the message finally got itself across. The director hung his head, mumbling at her point. Feeling victory, Gloria sat back, reflecting on the man's words while a breeze blew through. It turned the pages of her book, revealing further pictures, from old to new. She scoffed. "So nothing from two years ago, huh? Maybe you're right."

"Hm? I am?" Clavell coughed again. "I mean, of course I am. What about?"

Gloria swiped her journal and stood, looking at the many students thronging Levincia's streets, an eclectic bunch with only the one common factor. She started to move on, away from the café, but looked back with a grim smile on her lips. "I think there really are quite the older amount of students there. Maybe more than we guess. Start with them."

Leaving Clavell's puzzled expression behind, Gloria departed, deep into the bustling streets.


Iono, Juliana decided, was nothing short of insane.

Of course, her wild and ill-fitting outfit was the biggest giveaway. But more than that, in a few short moments with the Gym Leader, she had proven she was so totally bonkers, that both Juliana and Arven found themselves exhausted. By the time Bellibolt deposited Arven outside a store it was confirmed. Only Koraidon retained energy, nudging and licking at the large Electric type with curiosity. One taste and he shrank behind Juliana with a whimper.

All of it was caught on film and, to their chagrin, many were watching them.

"Ooookay, loyal viewers!" Iono shouted, enough that Juliana winced. "Since our intrepid guests are on a quest to find something special, we're gonna have to make it harder for them! So, smash that like button and pour in the cas…I mean, lovely donations for which disguise you think we should hide in!"

"Disguise?" Arven asked, barely maintaining his wits. It didn't last long. Juliana blinked and watched as the boy was hauled up by two men in suits, each emblazoned with the League insignia on their breast pocket. It took all her willpower not to snicker.

"Wardrobe Time! Like a flash! What will he look like next?!" Iono spun, her movements not too dissimilar from Serena's, but when she stopped, it wasn't with the same amount of grace. She nearly tripped over her own feet, but remained posing in Arven's direction. A Poké Ball slipped from her hands, popping open with confetti to reveal a Mismagius.

"Magius!" Mismagius's cry was joined with a bright Thunderbolt. Applause rang out, but Juliana could only hear it, too busy covering her eyes at the shower of sparks that blinded her. It soon faded, and left standing in front was Arven.

Or Juliana thought it was Arven. He looked like a chimera form of him, with the eyes still showing his kindness, but everything else about him changed. This time, Juliana didn't hesitate to hold back the snort.

"Hah, you look like a sailor version of Des!"

"Huh?" Arven looked down, now free from Iono's loyal bodyguards. He blinked once. Then twice. And soon his face was drawn in an aghast expression, one drawing whoops and hollers and the binging notifications on Iono's stream. "Why am I dressed in a sailor outfit? And what did you do with my hair?"

"What did they do with your nose?" Juliana said, the snickers peppering each of her words. Arven reached up, flicking at a prosthetic nose. It wobbled, just like Des's, the head of the Disciplinary Committee now appearing like a silly clown in her mind's eye.

"Oh, come on! This isn't funny!"

"But you look so handsome! A strapping sailor on a seaside stroll with the sizzling streamer!" Iono announced. She pranced around, her long sleeves suddenly catching Juliana and roping her in until both she and Arven were squeezed against the girl. Koraidon backed up, snorting and shaking his head. "And this is where the game begins! Can you find the sailor?"

"Wait, what?" Juliana now took her turn to blink, turning her head until she caught sight of the vicious shark-toothed grin on Iono's face. "Oh, no, I'm not involved in this."

"No one escapes my Electroweb." In emphasis, her sleeves pulled tighter, all but wrapping around the pair. Her hair adornments turned, keeping the pair locked by their unblinking gaze. Juliana felt her throat go dry. Then, Iono's voice dropped, as if to a harsh whisper that could be heard by no one. "And from what rumors say, you're casting a web of your own. The speeding trainer, racing across the land in a great Treasure Hunt. Looking for something, something she can't find. Or so the Wattrel say on the current."

Juliana looked up to Arven, both wearing a slowly clearing perplexity. He was the first to break the silence, though. "Do you mean…Orthworm?"

"Maaaaybe."

"So, you didn't choose us by chance," Juliana confirmed. Iono didn't acknowledge it either way. She merely let her pointed teeth shine through.

"Iono follows the rumors of the world, all to make the stream a success." She let go of the pair, spinning them around as if to make them dizzy. Koraidon tried to follow their movements but soon slunk down, exhausted from his efforts. When they stopped, Iono paused again. "And if you help me get there, dear guests, I'll tell you all there is to know!"

A tantalizing offer, there was no doubt, but Juliana hesitated a moment. Just a moment. Long enough for Iono's challenge to sink in and Serena's words to echo. There was a bigger world than her. She smacked her fist.

"You're on."

"Wait, wha-? Juli, are you-"

"Magika-disappear-iono!" Arven had no further time to protest. Mismagius appeared once again, as if from shadow, her silky, ghostly form wrapping around Arven. They sunk into shadow, concealed by the light of another Thunderbolt. The crowd cheered, and Koraidon cowered. When it faded, Arven was nowhere to be seen. Iono remained. "Now, it's your turn! Put on your sleuthing skills! Find the Disguised Man!"

"Please tell me you're not serious about that name…" Iono didn't say otherwise, only twirling around to offer a tablet to Juliana, one presenting numerous camera angles. She started to dance, herself and her Rotom Phone rotating around them.

"He's hiding somewhere in the city, a place that only I know! A place of showers, blue and gold! And a place of powers, new and old! Where is he?!" Iono pounced, her hands on the tablet and her grin greater than ever.

Juliana furrowed her brow, realizing she was being spoken to in riddles, but her eyes transfixed on the camera. The answer was clearly meant to be in there somewhere, this game she had allowed herself to be wrapped up into. Yet her knowledge of Levincia failed her (an admittedly scant amount)

Blue and gold? Power? I'd be better off looking for Des… Juliana began to turn the tablet, but it gleaned no further answers. Not until she caught something on the edge of one. A glittering blue of the sea, with a boat bobbing on the light waves, and dancing overhead was a billboard showing an advertisement. Showers…of course. It's not at the sea, but adjacent.

Juliana took out her own phone, pulling up information on Levincia and found the picture in no time. She scoffed. "I hope you didn't want this to be a challenge. He's at the battle court, isn't he?"

"Iono," the Gym Leader said, shrugging. She turned back, fangs glistening. "How about you show me?"

"Koraidon."

"Kor?"

"Let's get Arven." He took that with joy. A cry later, and Koraidon parted the crowd with his bulk and blasted forward. Juliana set off after him, dodging through streets and crowds as the giant billboards revealed themselves. Along with them was the sight of Levincia's battle court, lit up under the brilliant sun and suspended over a harbor, blocked off by a railing. It was here, Juliana stopped and leaned over, down to the boats.

"Korai!" Koraidon's call attracted Juliana's attention, the pair peering over at a spot where the Pokémon sniffed. It gave her enough of an idea and she sunk to a crouch, looking through the bars until she noticed the people below.

One stood out among the rest.

"Found you, Arven. Even that nose can't hide your eyes."

At her call, Arven looked up, a grin on his face, though the rest of him appeared incapable of moving. Seconds later, he vanished with a burst of light, only to appear on the ground again, right at the feet of Iono and Bellibolt, both clapping.

"Congratulations! The mystery is solved! Disguised Man is saved!"

"Yeah, from you…" Arven spat. He pushed at the ground, tossing Juliana a look somewhere between annoyance and elation. There was no hesitation to speak his mind, either. "And come on, Juli. Least you could've done is think about it. I swear you get tunnel vision when the quest is brought up."

"But following one's nose is what makes a successful streamer!" Iono cheered, the crowd matching her. "Now for our next game-"

"So, this is how you're appropriating your time on the job as Gym Leader, is it, Iono?"

"Ack, boss!"

Juliana, still crouching, turned from where she was to see that Iono was stock-still in her latest pose. She wasn't alone, with several passerby and other viewers pausing to mutter and point at who had interrupted the zany girl's stream. Not that Juliana needed to look; she had recognized the voice. With a look, however, she noticed just who was accompanying Geeta around Levincia.

"So, she's the Gym Leader?" Ash asked, craning his head to get a better look at Iono. With the girl distracted, Arven scrambled to his feet to join Juliana. It went doubly so when Iono noticed the Pikachu on his shoulder and moved to poke his cheeks, receiving a jolt for her troubles. "Well, guess there's all kinds."

"Ugh, Ash…" Geeta's labored sigh was obvious. The distraction it provided was enough for Juliana to stand. "You're here to evaluate, are you not?"

"I've done it long enough I can do it my way. Looks like she's having fun."

"Hey, that means you know how to play, Mr. Liaison!" Iono reached her hand out, slapping it against Ash and Pikachu's, as though they were old friends. "And I'll have you know, Geeta, I'm working. My loyal viewers can attest, see?!"

Iono snatched her phone from midair, forcing it up to Geeta's eyes. As if he was interested for himself, Arven took his own phone out and checked the stream, nodding as though impressed. He shared the screen, and sure enough, encouraging comments and donations were flying across the screen.

Geeta, however, was far from impressed. "Mmhmm, and how many battles have you been doing? Or has that time gone to streaming?"

"Urk…uh…" Iono sucked on her cheek, many an eye and ear waiting for her response. Juliana quirked an eyebrow, curious herself. It didn't last long before Iono spun and made a pose. "How silly of you, Geeta! Don't you know it's not about the quantity, but the quality of the battle!"

"Then I expect you can showcase your quality at any time, yes?"

"Of course!" Iono's face fell. "Wait…is that why you're here? You're testing me? Now?"

"When did you think, exactly?" Geeta asked, her face smiling. Looking her over, Juliana felt it was a sharp contrast to Nemona. This woman was all business. Cold. Calculating. Efficient. Another opposite was standing right next to her.

"We don't need to rush it. I can wait until she has an opponent," Ash said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Geeta clucked her tongue at the suggestion.

"I think not. Leave Iono to her own devices and you may have the lowest performing Gym in the region."

"I think you're the lowest performing Champion…" Iono muttered, her former cheer now gone. At least for a second. She plastered it back on in seconds. "But as you say so, boss. I'll break my back to make you happy, even if you're not as kind as my streamers. And they agree! See, even a SalaryMan54 comments that you're a taskmaster."

"Oh, does he?" Geeta's eyes glinted at that. Juliana and Arven recoiled. "Nevertheless, Iono, make it part of the stream if you must, but your Gym's assessment begins now. Or would you rather I strip away some of your…advantages."

The nearby suited men stiffened at the implication, hiding their expressions behind their sunglasses. Ash shook his head, both amused and disappointed by the very transactional way in which Geeta was acting. Still, he waited and watched as Iono shifted her eyes back and forth.

And when her eyes fell on Juliana, she lit up.

"Aaaaaaall riiiight, my loyal subscribers, we have a change in plans for today's stream!" she shouted. All at once, the air changed, becoming charged with an excitement that Juliana had felt only twice before, in Artazon and Cortondo. "Since my boss is a witch with a capital B, we're gonna show her and everyone just the kind of stuff we get up to. The most electrifying spectacle you can imagine! The dazzling adrenaline that can be found nowhere else! You guessed it.

"It's time for Iono's Lightning Round! A Gym battle between yours truly and today's lucky guest star, the Speeding Trainer!"

Just like that, Iono spun and posed, pointing right at Juliana. Her face suddenly flushed at the demand, made worse when she realized it was now her face plastered on the billboards, the event now streaming across Levincia. Juliana shook her head. "Me? N-no."

"Hey, you started this," Arven said. He was scratching at his fake nose, itching to take it off. "Might as well finish it."

"Arven…"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," called another voice, Gloria striding in from a side street. There was no need to ask how she'd found them. "Think of it as a second test."

"Test?" Ash asked. When Gloria noticed him, she smirked in his direction, but all other attention was focused squarely upon Juliana, waiting for her answer.

Iono continued grinning, locking eyes with Juliana. The longer they stared, the more the Gym Leader's words repeated over and over. A promise of information, just like all the others. She sighed. Guess we're doing this again.

Juliana's back straightened. "I accept."

"You heard her, guys! Ready the crew, and prepare the fireworks! It's battle time!"

With Iono's great proclamation, sparklers were fired all around the battle court. Bleachers rose, surrounding the field, and the already enthused crowd watching moved to take their seats. Juliana paled. Maybe she didn't know what she was getting herself into. Arven thumped her on the back. Gloria winked. And Geeta gave a curt, pleased nod, watching as Iono flounced over to the field.

Juli, just what are you doing? She shook her head, but her feet began to move. Another battle.

But if I want to find and subdue Orthworm, this is how we do it.

"So, let's do it." Juliana swallowed her fear, looking towards the bleachers and to Arven. The boy had shed his disguise, looking excited. She couldn't blame him. He had as much riding here as she did. That, at least, was enough to help her step towards the box.

Soon as she did, a loud, throbbing voice came busting out of the speakers around the battle court. "Ladies and gentlemen, today is a special Iono Zone event! Our resident host, channel owner Iono, challenged by guest star, the Speeding Trainer, Juliana!"

"Yeaaah! Iono!"

"Thanks, all! Let's watch us dazzle and shine! 'Ello, 'ello, hola! Ciao and bonjour!" Iono waved to all her fans with increasing twirls, ones that died down as the announcer spoke again.

"As always, the Lightning Round is a three on three, with the battle over when all of one side's Pokémon have fainted. Only our guest will be allowed substitutions. So, battlers… BEGIN!"

"Bellibolt, make a success!"

"Belli!" From Iono's side, Bellibolt jumped forward, his body jiggling as he hit the field and looked fierce. That garnered a number of cheers, but Juliana sucked in a breath, drowning them out.

That world didn't matter. All that mattered was the task before her. Quaxwell won't do well, and there's no doubt Iono knows everything about Wattrel. So…let's figure out her game, first. We'll throw in our own.

"Smoliv, time to debut! Let's get some answers!" Without hesitation, Juliana grabbed her Poké Ball and tossed it. The device exploded with light, and when it receded, Smoliv was on the battlefield, a small dot compared to Bellibolt. She squeaked, but looked back at Juliana. "Don't worry. We got this."

"No, you don't! Because when I'm on stream, I never lose! That's what makes each stream a success! Mud Shot!" Iono's fangs were bared, the wicked grin splitting her face. The crowd ate it up, each of their cheers evident and magnified across the many screens. On the field, Bellibolt acted with swiftness to its trainer's lightning quick demand. Near the dynamo on its belly, a globe of mud was formed, growing bigger by the second, its dopey eyes hiding its strength.

Smoliv rolled back a bit, almost falling over her own two feet, now balking at the thought of a battle she didn't think she needed to fight. Juliana was the same, already finding no reason, but unable to tear her eyes from Iono. Her grin manifest, it proved this Gym Leader wasn't the same as Brassius or Katy; she was a force that refused to do anything but win, and had the strength to back it up. It made the ordeal that much harder.

So why am I doing this? There's no point to the battle, right? She still forced a swallow, watching as the Mud Shot finished forming. Her eyes flitted around, and soon found Arven, ready to cheer. She felt Lokix's Poké Ball shake. Her fist clenched, and Juliana shook her head, eyes sharpening on Smoliv. "No. There is something. The Titan on the other side. Smoliv, no time to be scared. You don't want to let Lokix down, right?"

"Sm-smol?"

"Too late! We're taking you down! Fire!"

"Belliiiii!" Bellibolt's body fired the shot, his blubbery form pushing him back a bit. The dirt splatted through the air, on a swift collision course for Smoliv. She wasn't crying, though. The little olive had heard Juliana and braced, holding back all her tears.

With this, Juliana ground her foot in the surface of the battle court and pointed forward. "Let's see what makes this girl tick! Energy Ball! Intercept!"

"Smol!" The crackling green orb formed at Smoliv's own mouth, and she fired, her little body rocked backwards. Nevertheless, the two orbs met in a collision course that spread dirt and debris around the field. The crowd cheered.

Juliana refused to let Iono gain the momentum, though. They were in this.

"Smoliv, keep it moving! Roll forward, quick!"

"Ooh, what is this new strategy? Belli, get ready!" Bellibolt bounced and prepared for the incoming olive that rolled with surprising speed across the flat surface. They made no move to attack, and Juliana narrowed her eyes.

None of it stopped her follow-up order. Clenching her fingers into a fist, Juliana cried out, "Point blank it! Energy Ball!"

"Mol!" Smoliv's rolling came to her abrupt end, right at Bellibolt's feet. She sprang up, the crackling green orb already forming. The giant Pokémon before her didn't move, though Juliana noticed Iono tensing on the other side. With another cry, Smoliv shot the Energy Ball. Her own body was jettisoned back as the attack blasted into Bellibolt's chest.

"Beeeeel?" Bellibolt tilted, its body no doubt feeling the effects, and yet it just awaited orders. The dynamo in its chest crackled, lighting up.

"Heh, our turn. Put on a show! Time for the donation train! Water Pulse!"

"IONOOOOOO!"

The cry matched the leer that stretched itself across Bellibolt's doughy face. Its body moved, summoning a rippling sphere of water at one of its hands. Bellibolt spun, tossing the water at Smoliv, who just barely managed to land. The attack made perfect impact, exploding with a gushing torrent. Juliana winced. Iono didn't stop.

"Mud Shot, Bellibolt! Keep the stream charged!" Iono spun, tossing a wicked look Geeta's way, as if challenging the Champion to judge her. Juliana kept her own view on the battlefield and grimaced.

"Mol! Smol! Smol! Smooool!" The watery veil cleared for a mere moment, revealing two things: the hurtling Mud Shot and Smoliv, dazed and smacking her head against the ground on which she stood. With each smack, cracks were formed, as though power she had been storing was eking out of her in her confused state.

Juliana bit her lip, unsure how to take advantage, or debating whether she should cry out to snap Smoliv from her delusions. In that debate, the Mud Shot struck, exploding once more against Smoliv and throwing her back. The sphere of dirt and mud split apart upon contact, like shrapnel that battered the edge of the bleachers thronging the court.

Of course…projectiles. Juliana pounded her fist. "Smoliv, if you can hear me, go wild! Energy Ball!"

"Sm…smol…!" Her scrunched eyes tried to regain their lucidity, but weren't quite there yet. She still had the presence of mind to heed Juliana's order, though, as an Energy Ball formed. It crackled, pulsing and vacillating in size before she fired it. The attack went off course but it wasn't the only one. It was joined by another Energy Ball. And then another.

Though confused, Smoliv had created a barrage of Energy Balls that covered the battlefield. She began to spin in that confusion, becoming a gatling gun of Energy Balls. Many missed their target, but some struck upon Bellibolt, whose dynamo grew, and grew.

And Juliana's face drew itself aghast when she saw Iono's smirk.

"Light up the stage, Bellibolt! Charge Beam!"

"BELLLLIIIIII!" The dynamo crackled, all drawing to the point at the center of its belly. The Pokémon's leer matched Iono's, and Juliana felt the pit of dread forming in her stomach. Smoliv had stopped spinning, looking fatigued, but coming out of confusion. She had nowhere to run. "BOOOOOLT!"

The attack finished charging, reaching its zenith. From that center, the searing beam of electricity was fired in a straight line from Bellibolt's body. It pierced the air, screaming with its crackles and tingles. Smoliv blinked, her frightened eyes widening at the sight of the attack barreling down upon her. She shook, and looked back at Juliana.

But Juliana was too busy, observing. Observing the red glow around Bellibolt that said it had been powered up. More importantly, she saw the cracks at Smoliv's frightened feet, a mere second before the Charge Beam made contact and consumed her entire figure.

"SMOOOOOOOL!"

"It's all right, Smoliv. You're fine!" Juliana called, and her shout sent murmurs through the crowd. Gloria had sat forward in her seat next to Ash, who furrowed his brow. Juliana's hair began to stand on end, but she wasn't letting it affect her decisions. Nor would she let Smoliv be affected. "You've got great power. Use that storing that Lokix taught you, and you'll move the earth! Earth Power!"

"Sm-smol." From within the blistering electricity, a shadow stood, Smoliv drawing herself to her full, diminutive height. She took a shuddering step forward, her body glowing with golden energy. That same energy pooled downward, sundering the earth, and with a great and mighty cry, Smoliv let the origins of her true power, the one she hoped to find in courage, spill forth. " SMOLIIIIIIIV!"

The cry ushered forth her great power. The earth split, and the battlefield cracked. A golden glow erupted from underneath her feet, slicing right through the Charge Beam, the attack's once building power ended at last. It stretched along the field, and before Bellibolt knew it, the attack exploded from underneath, rising in a great golden plume that left it smoking.

Iono, however, was a Gym Leader through and through, and before the smoke subsided, the screen showed her smirking and twirling. "Water Pulse!"

"Oh, no you don't! We're getting into this! Sunny Day!"

"Smol!"

"Bell!"

The two made their moves simultaneously. No sooner had Bellibolt finished forming the telltale sphere of water than Smoliv had begun to glow. Bellibolt tossed the Water Pulse forth, while the glow reached Smoliv's olive. It fired in a beam of light that shot to the sky. That light exploded, and in a mere second, heat began to beat down upon the field. The Water Pulse flew forward, sizzling and evaporating under Smoliv's newfound heat.

"Yes," Juliana hissed, her fist refusing to unclench as she threw it out. "Earth Power!"

"Smol!" Smoliv crashed her tiny foot against the ground and her power erupted. The cracks exploded all around her, creating a dust and glow that obscured her figure. In that haze, the Water Pulse disappeared, splashing harmlessly against an unknown object.

"Let's end it. Use the dust cover!" Juliana shouted. Her eyes flicked over to Iono, watching the girl calculate the flow of the battle. There was a plan there, and Juliana couldn't let her activate it. So, we need to end this fast. Juliana tracked Smoliv, rolling through the dust until, like before, she was right at Bellibolt, aiming upwards. "Energy Ball!"

"Smo-"

"Heh. Weather Ball!"

And all at once, Juliana's plan fell apart.

The Energy Ball flew forth, striking Bellibolt's tummy, causing its electricity to begin building once again. Yet it wasn't the biggest threat.

No, that was the burning orb of great heat that Bellibolt summoned. Its doughy face was stretched wide with its trainer's grin, and before Smoliv could move, the attack was hurtled down. It fell like a meteor with a flaming intensity that left streaks in the air. Smoliv's eyes widened, but there was nowhere to run.

It struck, the Weather Ball fueled by the sun burning high above, and it exploded with fire that reached into a high turret.

When it subsided, Smoliv squeaked, and then fell back, swirls in her eyes. Her courageous stand had been brutally cut short.

The referee let her know it. "Smoliv is unable to battle. Bellibolt is the winner!"

"Yeah! Iono!"

"Thanks everyone! Ooh, looks like we have a donation for victory!" Iono spun, but her eyes locked on Juliana. "So, how much can we get for the next bout?"

Her grin seared itself into Juliana's eyes, a challenge that began to light a fire as the girl gripped Smoliv's ball, nearly crushing it. There was no other answer.

She'd take the challenge. Bet everything on it.

Because, for the first time, she wanted to prove she could. Juliana's world widened a little bit.

The battle with Iono was far from over.


Author's Note: A two-part battle?! Yeah, when I was planning this segment, originally it was going to be intro to Levincia and then the battle next chapter. But when I was writing I realized that this chapter without any part of the battle was…boring. So, I threw in the opening salvos of Juliana vs. Iono. Smoliv really gave it her all, didn't she? Wasn't enough, but she's getting there.

In any case, hope you enjoyed this part and please look forward to the conclusion to this battle next time! Until then, as always, I ask that you review and comment and, of course, Dare to Be Silly.