#dojo uniform gloria
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
firecodex · 8 months ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: What do you think of this training uniform? Do I look cool like Bea?
Gloria: I'll train my hardest while wearing this…
Gloria: in hopes that I can be just as cool as all the other Fighting-type Pokémon Trainers out there!
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: When Master Mustard shows his true strength in battle, his power is incredible!
Gloria: He's the definition of cool!
3 notes · View notes
scarnemo · 1 month ago
Text
Tumblr media
dojo
120 notes · View notes
jadeazora · 7 months ago
Text
A new Message from the Masters Team is out!
Tumblr media
New Mysterious Stones Chapter (A Fateful Reunion) coming on May 1, 2024! You'll need to have collected a total of 600 Mysterious Stones to unlock this story's area. Volo and Rei finally meet face-to-face on Pasio. What will Rei do in response to Volo's intentions?
In addition, they've made improvements that will allow you to easily check successful teams when you are unable to win a battle, and also revamped each 5⭐-Guaranteed Sync Pair Scout found in the General tab of the Ticket Scout menu so that you can scout either x5 or x10. (It sounds to me like you would need to have collected 150 to 300 5⭐ Scout Tickets.)
Tumblr media
Rika will star in Story Event Good Ol' Rika Here beginning on Apr26, and by teaming up with Rika & Clodsire from their Poké Fair Scout that will be available at the same time as the event, you'll be able to invite Rika as a Guest to the Trainer Lodge! You can also get a Clodsire photo frame for the Photo Creator by teaming up with them. Rika can be invited as a Guest to the Trainer Lodge starting May1.
Rika & Clodsire are a Ground-type Support Sync Pair. Their EX Role is Field. Their Rampant Mud Slap Buddy Move can lower all opponents' accuracy by two stat ranks and leave them poisoned. It can also create a Ground Zone and increase all allies' Physical Moves ↑ Next and Special Moves ↑ Next effects by two ranks each. They can also use their Think Fast! Trainer move to raise all allies' Attack and Sp. Atk by two stat ranks. Plus, they have a Passive Skill that restores all allies' HP when Rika & Clodsire get hit by an attack move, and another Passive Skill that lowers one of the following stats of an opponent that attacked them by two stat ranks at random when hit by an attack move: Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, or Speed.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Three different Triple Feature Poké Fair Scouts will begin on Apr27, featuring Sync Pairs such as Skyla (Anniversary 2022) & Tornadus, Palmer & Regigigas, and Gloria (Dojo Uniform) & Urshifu! For each lineup, there will be a regular Triple Feature Poké Fair Scout, as well as a paid-gems-only Triple Feature Poké Fair Scout that comes with a Roll Cake present. Each featured Fair-Exclusive Sync Pair will have an EX Role added, so we hope you look forward to it. (Note: Palmer & Regigigas already have an EX Role.) Also, looking forward to being able to boost Lysandre 👀
Tumblr media
The sequel to the ongoing Costume Event New Heroes Are Born will start on Apr30. Two figures have appeared before our heroes as villains! (Cool how we're getting the PokeStar Studios alts as villains, but pretty predictable. Would have been cool to see some actual villains getting in on the fun, add that sense of urgency/seriousness, but was thinking it might be too much of an ask lol)
Tumblr media
The next High Score Event "Water and Fairy Conqueror" will begin on May 7, 2024. This High Score Event will have two recommended types. Taking into account the difference in battle difficulty based on the available Sync Pairs of the recommended types for this High Score Event, the maximum number of points needed to obtain the featured reward will be changed from 180,000 to 200,000. They plan to make more adjustments to this point total based on the difficulty of future events as well.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Also scheduled are returns of Solo Event Pasio Gold Rush, Daily Battle The Golden Magikarp, and Story Event A Golden Future, as well as the addition of an Ultimate Battle and a new Trainer Files.
The next message is scheduled for late May.
Edit, here's the event schedule from Reddit:
Tumblr media
57 notes · View notes
outfitpolls · 8 months ago
Text
BONUS POLL: Gloria Dojo Uniform
Tumblr media Tumblr media
4 notes · View notes
pokeexehasstoppedworking · 9 months ago
Text
Isle Connections Ch4 Familiar Faces
(Warning: Y/n has a fight with Avery. Mentioning of toxic relationships/families. This chapter will probably cover a period expanding over a few weeks to a few months. Will slightly reference the Twilight Wings series.)
Tumblr media
You were confused about both of those guys to say the least...but you weren't sure about anything right now. And Gloria was right. So far the most either of them had done was be rude and try to cheat, even though Kara's way could've gotten someone hurt. Plus they did apologize and they were being punished instead of Mustard brushing them off which was good..
But you'd still be keeping a VERY close eye on both of them!
Bit enough of that. You were excited to see what surprise Mustard was going to gift Gloria. So after some rest and a quick lunch, you and Gloria both gathered back in the main training room to meet Mustard and see what he had to say.
"Ah. There you are, Gloria," he greeted you both with a smile, "Keeping this old man waiting huh? Since you completed all three trials, I give you the secret of the master dojo." You were expecting him to pull out a new uniform or maybe actual armor but instead he held up a...pokeball? "Now then. Come on out."
The pokeball was given a light toss. Light sparkled out and revealed to you both a... Little bear cub wearing a white sash tied around its head? The strange pokemon got you both to look wide eyed in surprise. It was SO CUTE!! The absolutely adorable little pokemon struck a pose immediately like a martial artist kicking and throwing a few punches before it paused finally seeming to notice you two and Silver staring at it. It froze before gaining a frightened look, and turned to flee and dove behind Mr. Mustard's legs. After a few seconds peeking out from behind him.
"AW! The wee thing's so cute!," Gloria gushed making Mustard chuckle.
"This pokemon is in fact the secret armor of the master dojo," he explained, "Say hello to kubfu. I know. I know. It's tiny. But raise it with diligence and it'll become strong enough to see you through any battle like a suit of armor. No opponent will ever get past it. This one in particular has amazing potential. Problem is it's a bit shy. It doesn't seem to have much confidence in itself.  So I was thinking maybe if it joined you I'm your training here, that'll help break it out of it's shell a little bit. So take good care of kubfu, Kay? It's now in your hands." He held the pokeballs out to her...and she slowly accepted it in awe. 
Wait...The kubfu has a similar problem to Gloria. Did that mean that Mustard planned this out in the beginning? This could actually work out really well for Gloria! 
"I won't let ye down, Sir!," Gloria gave a determined face clutching the ball to herself. "I promise ta train extra hard and help em out!"
Mustard smiled wider. "I'm glad to hear that because the special training I'm going to give you will be hard, but if you're willing to work then I'm sure you'll surpass it soon! Now then the first thing for you to do is to become best friends with Kubfu." Said Pokemon perked out a little more from behind his leg. "You need to build trust. Kubfu really hasn't had the chance to explore the world outside the dojo so maybe it'll help you become better friends if you let it have a look around. Once you're best buddies, we'll start harder training in earnest! Just stop by and let me know once you think you're ready for that." 
Gloria nodded at him before looking down at the kubfu and kneeling slowly. "Hi, lik guy. Oh you're so cute. Do ya wanna have a snack with me?" The pokemon looked back to Mustard who just nodded before it slowly shuffled out and nodded up at her. "Kay then! Let's go n' get us some grub!" 
"Gloria." She looked at Mustard. "You're real training will begin next Monday. If you're really are serious about this training then you shall need to listen to what I say."
She nodded standing back up. "Ya got it! I'm as ready as I'll ever be!"
He smiled wider. "Good. For now focus on bonding with Kubfu over the weekend."
"Oh! M' not done with my dex challenge yet!," she excitedly looked back to you. "We can all go exploring together an' finish it! And we can also go explorin' for those guys missing digletts!!" 
You nodded. "Yeah. I bet exploring places together would be a great idea for you guys to bond."
And so it began. Gloria started training hard with the kubfu and you tagged along on her adventures of finding random digletts and taking pictures left and right. The shy pokemon was still shy hiding from everyone but it seemed to warm up to Silver a bit the longer they were out together and Gloria's contagious adventurous spirit seemed to rub off on it a little bit. Then Monday came and her real training started. She was woken up bright and early with everyone else and made to train alongside all the others including Avery and Klara. Sit ups,push ups, running laps, but most of all battles. Hard battles that Mustard initiated between her and the older more experienced students in front of a crowd always. Forcing her to get out of her comfort zone and work hard to defeat them while everyone watched. It was pretty hard work like he promised it would be but Gloria as you learnt was VERY determined and stubborn so she would push through it in time. You were just stuck watching from the sidelines cheering her on as she did so. You also saw Avery and Klara take part in their punishments. Sometimes you'd see them doing exercises until they were sweating like crazy as Ms. Honey or Mustard watched to make sure they did it. Sometimes you passed a room in the girls' wing and heard Klara whine and grumble as she scrubbed a toilet. Other times you saw them taking care of the dojo's pokemon. One particular day you heard music coming from the kitchen. Wait. Not music singing.
"Hush Little poke don't say a word ~ Avery's gonna pick you a oran berry.~"
It sounded like a pokemon twist on the classic hush little baby song.  And it was coming from the kitchen area. Curious you poked your head in and paused at what you saw. Avery was knelt petting the slowpokes and hummed to their happy faces. You continued to stare at them for a moment before Silver just walked up to you and chirped . Causing you to jump and Avery immediately turn around and you broth froze as you made eye contact. For a long moment none of you said anything before you sputtered.
"Uh...S-Sorry," you held up your hands, "I was just getting a snack for my drizzle! I didn't know you were using the kitchen."
"I-... I-It's perfectly alright," he squeaked out looking embarrassed.
"Yeah..Um. Gloria's waiting for me to help her find digletts. Ok. Bye!"
You quickly fled the awkward scene snatching Silver up in your arms with a loud squeak. Avery still paused watching you retreat before shoving his face in his hat and screaming in embarrassment. It seemed Avery started to avoid you more after that awkward encounter which you also didn't mind. To get over the embarrassment you just focused on helping out Gloria with her side quests outside of her training to put it in the back of your mind. However you both were again be surprised a week later. You'd both just gotten back from your little expedition to find more digletts and their trainer was so happy he kept gifting Gloria Alola Region pokemon. He must've really valued his digletts. When you both walked up to the dojo with your pokemon, you ran into none other than Klara who was sweeping the steps by herself with Ms. Honey watching.
"G' afternoon, Klara!," Gloria greeted waving a hand to her catching her attention. "Tis a nice day huh?"
Klara sighed. "I guess so. If you don't mind working."
"Yikes! Ya still working on that punishment?"
"Master has the last day of our hard work literally marked on his calendar. Until then I'm gonna have to work hard ...But if it means I'll be a gym leader then I'll happily train hard and accept defeat!" Your brows rose. Well..That was certainly a positive response considering how she was before. "Again sorry for everything. Hey. Do you think we can battle again sometime? Fairly this time! I've been training hard and I bet I can beat you this time!"
Gloria lit up! "Yeah! I'd love too! We can totally battle again!"
Klara smiled. "Hehe. I'll be looking forward to it-"
"Look out, Ladies!"
You three jumped back as two of the male students attending the dojo struggling to carry ..A giant vending machine? Behind them two delivery men wheeled past another vending machine and behind them was two more delivery men carrying a rotomi machine. You all watched as the eight men walked by with Ms. Honey guiding them. 
"What the world is that about?," you asked.
"Oh. A couple corviknight came by with a big delivery and a new visitor just a few minutes ago," Klara said. "Apparently Ms. Honey is updating the dojo."
"OH! That's what Ms. Honey meant by a delivery with the watts." You both looked at her. "Y'know? That power supply that comes from the wishing stones n' dynamax dens. Ya can use 'em as currency n' Galar. Ms. Honey said she needed a lot so I gave 'er all the watts I had. I was nay usin' them anyways."
"How many did you give her?"
"Um...I think three million three hundred eighty thousand." You both gawked at her. The broom slipping from Kara's hands and onto the steps. "....What? I told ye I never used 'em."
"Uh...Right. Anyways..You said there was a visitor here?" You looked back to Klara.
Klara shook her head. "Yeah. A short kid like you." She pointed at Gloria. "Only he had this hair color that reminded me of poison types. It was all purple-"
"That sounds like Hop!" Gloria's suddenly yell had you both wincing as she beamed brightly before turning to the dojo. "HOP, HOP, HOP, HOP!!" Throwing up her arms she dashed for the dojo.
"Wow...She sure has spirit."
"Tell me about it. Try stopping her from jumping into danger all the time." You took a moment to look Klara up and down... before sighing making a choice. "Hey, Klara." She looked at you. "I just...Wanted to apologize for how I acted towards you." She blinked surprised. "I was pretty mean to you too and I wanted to apologize for everything I did. Do you think we could forget everything that happened and start over?"
Klara still stared before smiling. "TOTES!! I was a jerk too so I totally deserved it but like now I can start over with everything! I'm still gonna beat your friend though!"
You smiled. "Thanks. I look forward to IT-"
You were interrupted when Gloria just grabbed you by the arm and yanked you by the arm behind her. "C'MON Y/N!! DON'T KEEP US WAITIN'!"
You were yanked along by Gloria across the way and right up to the door that she threw open hard enough to make it slam loudly against the wall catching everyone off guard and to look over as you both came in but stopped just a few feet in the middle of the room. Mustard was there as well and didn't even flinch as Gloria came crashing in only smiling at you both. However you both interrupted him talking to someone. That someone had purple hair and turned to look at you both with bright golden eyes blinking. There was a moment of silence as the two stared before a smile graced his features.
"Oh. Hey!" Hop smiled brightly at Gloria. "Welcome back, Glory."
"HOP!!" Before anyone could stop her, Gloria rushed him. Practically tackling him in a hug that had him teetering back waving his arms before the two friends fell backwards onto the ground. "I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!!"
"It's nice to see you too, Gloria." Hop managed to say from his now sitting position smiling brightly despite having been half tackled to the floor hugging one of his best friends back. "I missed you too!"
"Let him get some breathing space, Gloria."
Hop snapped up hearing a familiar voice. "Y/N!" Smiling he pulled both of them up standing and broke the hug to smile widely at you. "Boy! It sure has been a while! Things haven't been the same without you guys and Victor back at Postwick." He then smiled at Gloria again. "But it looks like you've been working hard keeping up your training here at the dojo eh?" 
"What are you doing here?!," Gloria piped up completely happy. "I thought ya was studyin' under Sonia!"
"Surprise!" Hop held up his hands with a bright smile. "That's just the reaction I was hoping for! I'm here at the Isle of Armor to research more of that dynamax phenomenon and gather a few max mushrooms samples for Sonia."
"Why isn't Sonia doing that?"
"She's doing some really important research in the Crown Tundra for the Chairwoman, so she asked me to take care of things here! And I'm glad I did. OH!" He turned back to Gloria. "I almost forgot! You're never gonna believe this! Victor got picked up as a gym leader in training too!"
You both gasped. "No! Really?!" 
He nodded. "Nessa hand picked him herself right after we saved Galar again!"
"You did what again?!"
"Oh right! You both dunno.  I'll be happy to tell ya everything but first I gotta get settled in." 
"Yes." All of you turned back to Mustard now who smiled ever patiently. "I heard that you two were friends. How delightful! Hop here was just asking permission to camp out on the Isle. But where's the fun in mucking about in the mud? I was telling him he should just stay here at the dojo."
"I mean it'd be loads easier than camping  out for a long while, but are you sure I wouldn't get in the way?" 
"Everyone's welcome to stay here at the dojo. Don't be shy, My Boy. Besides we're practically family already. You're the little brother of our Leon after all! Hmm...We still have some max mushrooms stored away that Gloria got us a while ago. I'll dig those out so you can bring this Sonia person some samples. In the meantime feel free to make yourself at home! I'll have Honey set up a room for you and get you a room key later."
"Yeah. It's true. Lee did train here when we were both kids. Alright. You twisted my arm. Hope you don't regret it because I'm staying." 
Mustard laughed. "The more the merrier. I'm as pleased as a gold plated punch bowl!"
Hop bowed. "Thanks so much, Mr. Mustard!" Hop blinked looking upside down at Silver and Gloria's kubfu. "No way!" He snapped back around startling the tiny bear pokemon. "Is that a kubfu?!"
Said kubfu dove behind Gloria's legs before peeking out. "Yeah! Yeah! I've been trainin' with him forever!"
"That's so cool! They evolve into ursifu but they can only evolve a certain way...but I forgot what that is."
"Ah! That reminds me." Mustard again spoke up. "I've got something I've been meaning to tell you about Kubfu, Gloria. Or it's evolution ursifu. The truth is the lovable rascal is capable of gigantamaxing too."
Gloria looked shocked. "Wait really?!"
"Yes but it's a bit tricky since it can't stand the taste of max mushrooms so max soup is off the menu unless you can find a way to make it more appealing. There's a certain something you can find here on the isle though that'll make even ursifu gobble up the soup. And that certain something is.." he paused for a long time giving you all a serious look..... Looking at them so long Gloria and Hop exchanged glances. .....Mustard suddenly smiled goofily again. "Actually. I forgot what it was. Oopsie daisies."
"Are you kidding me?!" "No!" Both looked defeated. 
"Hahaha! You're more fun to tease than your brother ever was!" Mustard chuckled making Hop give him a deadpanned look. "But the certain something I'm thinking of is sure to make the soup more palatable to kubfu once Gloria manages to evolve him and it has something to do with another pokemon." Another pokemon? That was a big clue right there! "Now I think I'll leave you two to figure out just what it is! Give it a good think! You're on your own kiddos! he world is your cloyster so get cracking!" He turned to leave but paused and turned back to Gloria. "But don't think you can slack off on your training just because your friend is here. I still expect you to join me for training."
Gloria nodded. "Of course, Sir!"
Mustard smiled again before he walked off making Hop shake his head. "Uh...Is this how you're training usually goes?"
"Pretty much."
"Yikes." Hop shook his head again before smiling. "I've got no rapidash in this race, but even I'm curious about this certain something. I think I once read something about ursifu in a book too.." he hummed thinking hard and crossing his arms. "It's the wushu pokemon right? The book said it lives in the mountains of a far off region." 
"Does it really?"
"Huh? You didn't know? Don't you have one?"
"Tis still just a kubfu."
"Oh..right. But I read somewhere ursifu is mad for some kind of sticky honey!" A 'AHA' look of realization came over his face. "Gloria! Honey is made from the nectar of flowers and plants right?! And Mustard said the special thing comes from another pokemon! So maybe we need some nectar made by pokemon that look like flowers and plants!"
Gloria lit up. "Hop, you're a genius!!"
"And if we're looking for those kinds of pokemon I'd reckon they'd be in the forest! I'll be able to look into dynamaxing along the way so count me in on exploring! There's a forest beyond that big marshland right?" Gloria nodded and he lit up. "Bet I can beat you there!"
"You're on!"
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" You held out your arms making them both stop. "It's too late in the day to go out again and we just got back, Gloria! And Hop hasn't even gotten his room yet either!" You rose a brow crossing your arms. "Besides, you also have training tomorrow with Mustard. Remember?"
Gloria groaned. "That's right. I totally forgot."
"It's ok!," Hop assured her with a smile. "We can go the day after tomorrow and look around! And then I can tell you guys everything that happened to me and Vic!"
Gloria again lit up like a firework. "An' I can tell you everything that happened here! And ya can help me find all these digletts and finish up me dex challenge!"
"I'd love to!! This is gonna be awesome! Just like old times!"
Indeed it was. Just like old times. The day after the next you had to stop the two from just taking off without you and grab them back to stick together. Hop and Gloria didn't right away go to try and find this mysterious nectar. Instead they spent most of that day looking for digletts and catching up. Gloria told Hop all about her trials and new rivals here and in turn Hop filled you both on everything that happened back home. Apparently two troublesome twin who you met before had discovered the ancient grave of one of the heroes because they just so happened to be descendants of said heroes and had a book from him passed down. And then they went around Galar releasing wild dynamax pokemon on a rampage in the gyms AFTER stealing the ancient shield from Zacian and Zanazenta. Then Hop and Victor with help from Sonia and Piers had to go around and fight all these pokemon and chase them down only to finally corner them in Hammerlocke where they forced poor Zamazenta to power up painfully. So they had to battle and calm them down. Luckily they were able to get the ancient shield back and have the two troublesome twins arrested and returned the ancient weapons to the pokemon.
..... Y'know. Typical every day hero stuff in the world of pokemon.
You were shellshocked for a while by this but considering every you've been through up til now, quickly had just accepted it. Oh. Also apparently Hop decided to be a scientist like Sonia(which you already knew would happen-) and was studying under her. Good for him! Also apparently Nessa had taken an interest in Victor after seeing his actions during the gym challenge and helping to save her gym. She had offered to train him as the new water type gym leader which he happily accepted and you thought that actually suited him nicely. However Victor had his own problems battling. Being too serious and not having too much confidence in his battling skills unlike Gloria who was VERY confident about battling and only suffered from stage fright. Which she was really getting better at! Mustard's training was really working! Leon also sent him to get training with someone in the Crown Tundra. According to what Hop told you, Victor actually seemed to be getting much better too. He was actually letting loose a little and having fun battling and building up confidence. Good. You were glad Victor was getting better too. 
But back to the present day...
When not training the three of you explored the Forest of Focus. Hop suggested you find a liligant first to try it's nectar. And you all found one...Sorta. You all managed to find a lost petilil. The poor thing had apparently been separated from it's mother and had clung to Hop's leg until you all managed to find her. Gloria laughed the entire time and you had to admit it was funny and pretty cute. The grateful liligant was more than happy to allow Hop to take some nectar from the giant flower on her forehead. Unfortunately it wasn't the nectar you were looking for so Hop suggested you all find an applin instead since apparently they also were a pokemon that created nectar and were actually pretty common pokemon on the isle of armor. You all managed to find an applin but it rolled away quicker than you expected it to and all three of you lost sight of it before you knew it. Stopping at a fork in the clearing of trees. 
"Crud!," Hop stomped down a foot looking left and right down the paths. "Which way did it go?!"
"I don't know. Ugh. What do we do now?"
"The fastest way to find it would be to split up and cover more ground."
"What?!" You snapped to Hop. "Absolutely not! What if you two get lost?!"
"I'll stick with Gloria and we'll go together!," Hop easily assured you. "We have our phones so we can call for help or use a map to get back! And Glory has her cinderance! We can have them shoot fire in the air like a flare if nothing else works!"
"Yeah!" Gloria piped up. "C'mon Y/n. Relax and help."
Well...Mustard did say Gloria needed to do more things herself. You groaned but nodded. "Alright. You guys go that way and I'll go right. But keep your phones handy and call me if you find it or need help. And try not to get lost."
"Don't worry, Y/n! Besides getting lost is Lee's thing not mine."
"Well don't pull a Leon." Both laughed but agreed before turning and excitedly making their way down the left path leaving you with Silver. With a sigh you turned to start walking down the right way. "C'mon Silver. Let's go find that applin and get back with the others. Keep your eyes open for an applin.
With a chirp Silver loyally followed you down the right forest pathway. The warm sun beat down on you and the sun shown brightly above the sky. A lot of wild pokemon could be seen running around the forest between the flora and fawna. Playing, sleeping, eating, and just living out here in general. It was beautiful. You wished you had more of this peaceful life growing up. Such bliss. However you didn't see a single applin anywhere. Darn it! But you kept looking and looking and looking. Farther and farther you went. Looking everywhere and pushing apart tall grass and bushes to peer behind them. No such luck. Only finding every pokemon besides applins. Ugh! Where could it have gone?! You were just about to turn around and call it quits since clearly the applin didn't come down this way or if it did it was already long gone when-
B O O M-!!
What sounded like a giant crash sound sent pokemon running away from you and Silver diving behind you once again as you turned up to the sky. You knew what that noise was by now. Someone was having a pokemon battle out here. But...who? You were practically in the middle of nowhere! Maybe someone was catching some wild pokemon? For whatever reason your curiosity got the better of you and you started to head towards where the sounds came from. Bushes and grass pushed out of your way as the sounds of a man's desperate pleas cutting through the air making you feel a wave of panic and run faster. Someone was in trouble! They needed help!
"Where do you think you're going?!," a familiar man's voice asked. "You WILL battle me again!"
"Aaah! P-Please put me down!", another man's voice yelled out. 
You ran and ran until you eventually rounded around a giant tree and froze at what you saw. A beautiful clearing stood before you beautifully covered in wild flowers however that wasn't what caught your attention. It was the two men in the middle of the field. Standing there clear as day was Avery with his back to you and one hand held up. Above him in the air was another man who bore a panicked look surrounded by the same blue aura that was levitating Avery's pokeballs. He frantically ran through the air kicking his legs and arms about to no avail not able to escape Avery as he levitated him in the air. 
"Please put me down!," the floating man pleaded again almost on the verge of crying. "I-I don't want to battle anymore!"
"Not until you battle me again! I barely have any worthy opponents on this isle so you'll do!," Avery refused bringing him closer. 
You stared in disbelief before you scowled hard at the sight. "YOU PUT HIM DOWN NOW!!!" Avery jumped as whirled around wide eyed. Freezing as soon as he saw your form stomping up to him only to stop right in front of him and pointing at his face. "What the heck do you think you're doing?! Put that guy down!"
Avery still seemed in a state of shock before shaking his head and frowning. "Now you see here! This man is my opponent and I will have another battle!"
"Are you confused?! Or insane?!," you shouted back to him pointing at the still panicking man. "That's holding someone hostage!"
"I don't expect you to understand of course. No one would understand my problems with-"
He didn't get get to say anything else when two hands grabbed his shirt front and YANKED his tall form downwards to stare deeply at your snarling face as your hands balled into tight fists holding his still. "Alright. Listen up you wannabe psychic psycho! Since apparently you can't read minds I'll spell it out for you instead! What you're doing is basic kidnapping and holding someone hostage! You don't seem to realize how bad that is! It's no wonder you never were able to be a gym leader!" Avery flinched. Hard. His face falling into a shocked look of hurt. "You. Put. Him. Down. N O W!!!" You ended your yell with a little shove to Avery.
....The man instantly fell to the ground with a loud thud. Taking the opportunity, the man scrambled up and immediately fled as fast as he could. Dashing across the field and disappearing quickly into the treeline. You waited until he was safely away from Avery before releasing the blonde man and stepping back still scowling.
"Don't you EVER do that again!," you snarled at him pointing, "If I EVER see you doing that again to ANYONE not only will I tell Mustard but I'll tell Leon and the Chairwoman too!"
With that you turned around and stomped away from his hurt face with Silver running to catch up to you. Avery continued to stare helplessly at you before the pokeballs fell from his head pathetically falling to the ground before the first few years filled his eyes.
You didn't see much of Avery after that day. You met up with Hop and Gloria who had managed to indeed find and capture some nectar from the applin after it fell out of a tree and onto Gloria's head. Turns out the nectar wasn't what they were looking for either so it would take Hop and Gloria some research and brainstorming to figure it out. In the meantime as days passed, they buried themselves with FINALLY being able to finish Gloria's dex challenge and going around finding more and MORE run away digletts and trading them back to the guy. Gloria was also able to trade a bunch of other people for other different regional pokemon. Some of which she gave Hop who blushed a bit. Ah. Looks like the crush was still strong with him. Which reminded you-
"Hey. What pokemon did Gloria give you?," you asked him one day while Gloria was busy training. "I know she gave Marnie a purloin and Bede and Victor a pokemon too. So what did she give you?"
Hop blushed deeply and rubbed his neck as he did before chuckling. "well....I guess you'll know anyways once she finally confesses her love to me."
"Say what?"
"She gave me an applin before she left!," he smiked widely. "I knew she liked me better that that cotton for brains Bede! I haven't brought it up yet cuz I wanted her to focus on her training! HA! Take that Befe! In your face!!"
You facepalmed hard. First she gifts Bede a lovdisc without knowing the meaning of that and now she mistakenly gifted Hop an applin. Sigh. Gloria's love rivalry continued. At least you knew what happened to the applin Gloria left in her backpack for so long. Days also passed. Gloria still trained hard and you and Hop Always helped her with her turn in chores. Kubfu and her was getting bolder and bolder and she even got to battle Ms. Honey whom gifted her a special pair of league cards as a thank you for helping to spruce up the place. She also gave Hyde a lot of watts too to power up his strange machine and had gotten a polygon pokemon from his as a thanks. Gloria also seemed to have gotten along better with Klara even having a rematch battle with her. Klara lost but she seemed to be taking it a lot better than she did previously. However...Avery was barely present at all. In fact it was like he was mostly invisible. When he was doing training or some of his punishment chores, he would either turn away from you or do everything he could to avoid eye contact, and would pretend you didn't exist when he was assigned to do chores alongside Gloria. Silent and keeping to himself which was... actually odd. Maybe you scared him a lot more than you meant too. You had found out that Avery did end up rebattling Gloria again too after her training but that was the extent of it. Until one day you spotted something strange. You exited the kitchen after getting Silver a snack and found Gloria and Hop posing with Klara for a picture before she signed something for Gloria and haded her another league card.
Confused you walked up to them as Klara left. "Hey guys. What's up?"
"Y/n!" Hop smiled brightly at you. "We finally found out what that certain something Mustard was talking about is!"
"That's great but what was Klara talking about?"
"Oh! We finally figured out who they are! Turns out Klara n' Avery are gym leaders from the minor division!"
You stared stunned. "Really?"
Hop nodded. "Yeah! Klara just started out a year or two ago but she wasn't exactly ready for the position yet, so she came here to train. Looks like she'll be ready though in no time!"
"What were they doing in Postwick then?"
"They were having a meeting with Lee to see if they could run the gyms again but he didn't think they were ready yet. So they came back here for more training." Smart choice on Leon's part. Hop sighed putting his hands behind his head. "I do feel kinda bad for Avery though."
You rose a brow. "For Avery? Why?"
"His family was really hard on him and they didn't treat him well from what I overheard Lee talking about." Both you and Gloria looked shocked.
"Ah. Ye poor lad."
Hop nodded with a sigh. "You see his entire family has always ran the psychic type gym but once he started making everyone who beat him levitate well ...From what I heard they almost disowned him after nearly getting kicked off the league circuit. Lee was the one who saved his position and Avery came here soon after. I think he's doing a lot better too...But it's weird. He's been really down lately. I wonder why?"
You knew exactly why.  A very bad and guilty feeling settled deep in your guts as you realized that-....You had really messed up. You had messed up BIG TIME. 
"So anyways we can find what we need by taking a flying taxi over to the honeycomb shaped island off the isle. Wanna come, Y/n?"
You numbly shook your head. "Nah...You guys go ahead...I need to think over something."
"Alright then. C'mon Glory! Let's go get that max honey!"
They both left leaving you shellshocked and numb for a while. Somehow you managed to stumble your way outside and sit on the steps of the dojo putting your head in your hands. Arceus you messed up badly. You didn't know Avery was-...That he-...That his family-..You buried your head in your hands groaned loudly again. What were going to do?!
"Y/n?" You jumped up and looked right at none other than Ms. Honey. She was giving you a concerned look. "Sweetie you look down. Did you get into a fight with someone?"
You stared wide eyed. "How did you know?"
"I have my ways." She slowly sat down next to you. "What happened?"
You groaned looking away. "I got in a fight with someone because he was doing something really bad but now I found out he came from a bad family life and now I feel bad but at the same time I don't think I was in the wrong because what he was doing was back. But now he's been down a lot and someone told me he has been working hard to get better so now I feel even more bad and he's avoiding me like the plague. So I have absolutely no idea what to do!!" You grabbed your head frustrated.
Honey blinked and didn't say anything for a real long time before looking down. "You know when my hubby told me he wanted to open a dojo of his own, I have to admit I had a lot of doubts. I was still working at my previous job at the time and there was simply so much work into getting the dojo built. Let alone the question of whether anyone would want to move to an uninhabited island like this just to train at an unknown dojo."
You stared at her blinking widely at her. "What.. happened?"
..She gave a soft huff shaking her head. "We got into a couple fights. I didn't want to put everything in this in case it failed I thought he was crazy to try and start this idea all those years ago going about this all the wrong way...and he was throwing everything at it instead of taking time out to plan it out. But..I eventually realized that fighting with someone who was trying hard in the wrong way wouldn't help them. You have to talk it out and help them." You stared at her wide eyed. "So we did and I finally agreed to give it a shot. My hubby and I put our all into this place and years later when Hyde came along all our previous students pitched in and helped us through it. We've made it to where we are today because we got help from so many people. This has been an entirely different chapter of my life, but it's turned out to be a great one." She looked at you with a smile. "So you see...Whether people need a little or a lot of help, they'll always be better afterwards. For some people it just takes a little bit longer and a bit more help."
You stared at her for a long, long moment before sighing and turning away. "Yeah. I guessed I messed up there."
"Well it's not too late," she assured you patting your back. "You can still apologize."
"I don't even know if he'll forgive me."
"Oh I bet he will. If I know Avery, he'll shake it off and bounce back quickly."
You whipped to her wide eyed. "How did you know it was Avery?!"
She smiled. "I have my ways." She stood up again. "Just think it over. Ok, Sweetie? I'm sure you both would feel better if you talked it out. If you want to find Avery just talk to my hubby. He always knows where he's gone training."
With that Ms. Honey left you sitting there staring.. before you sighed again.
3 notes · View notes
flightlessribbons · 11 months ago
Text
ISLE OF ARMOR (set 3 months after Gloria becomes Champion)
Victor and Gloria take up the Isle in the stead of two trainers at the train station.
When they arrive, they meet two rivals, Avery and Klara, who have been at each other's throats for a long time at the dojo, fighting for the rights of the last uniform from Mustard.
(Since they have a rival to compete with, Avery and Klara are much more irritable and stronger at their introduction)
Seeing Victor and Gloria come from the taxi, the two rivals make a temporary truce to double battle prospective new students, beginning a battle that Victor and Gloria quickly win. Avery and Klara run off ahead to the dojo after defeat.
When Vic and Glo catch up to them inside, Honey gives the two new visitors uniforms and welcome them as students, which causes intense meltdowns from Avery and Klara.
The two new students meet Mustard, and take part in the three trials, Vic and Glo working together to take care of their new rivals, especially after they cheat during the last double battle.
Avery and Klara are demoted to dojo assistants for their behavior, but Mustard tells them he'll still train them as long as they work hard in their studies and on their attitudes.
Mustard declares Victor and Gloria the winners regardless, and gift them both Kubfus. He urges them to become their friends and train at the two towers- separately this time.
Gloria chooses the Tower of Darkness, and Victor chooses the Tower of Water, and their Kubfus evolve into the 2 forms of Urshifu.
When they return to the dojo with their newly evolved friends, Mustard makes them battle each other. Their battle lasts for hours, though Gloria narrowly wins. Victor congratulates her, and the two friends share a hard won dinner from Honey.
In the morning, Mustard challenges them both to one last double battle, saying that seeing their battle from yesterday got him in the mood for a fight.
After yet again, another terribly long battle, Mustard almost wins, but calls off the fight when they were all on their last pokemon. They recall their pokemon, and Mustard thanks them for the battle; slipping them his premium cards.
Cheers are heard from the side, as Hop comes out from the back entrance. Clapping in excitement about the latter half of the fight he was able to catch, he's caught in a group hug from his two friends. Mustard suggests they talk over dinner- where Hop explains he was sent over as Sonia's assistant and representative at Mustard’s request for researching Urshifu’s gigantamax.
With a grin, Victor asks Mustard if he can train with him for next few days- telling Gloria that she should accompany Hop on his trip to find the missing ingredient. Hop jumps at the idea, leaving Gloria to agree to come along. Mustard catches on quickly and emphasizes the importance of the ingredient and begs the two to take their time and be thorough in their search.
The search takes a few days as promised, though they complete the new stew, and both Gloria and Victor’s Urshifus can now gigantamax. Mustard urges them for one more fight, this battle actually landing in a draw.
Mustard invites the three to stay a bit longer for some extra training and research which they accept. The three stay for a few weeks before returning to the mainland, with plenty of promises to visit.
2 notes · View notes
echantedtoon · 9 months ago
Text
Isle Connections Ch4 Familiar Faces
(Warning: Y/n has a fight with Avery. Mentioning of toxic relationships/families. This chapter will probably cover a period expanding over a few weeks to a few months. Will slightly reference the Twilight Wings series.)
Tumblr media
You were confused about both of those guys to say the least...but you weren't sure about anything right now. And Gloria was right. So far the most either of them had done was be rude and try to cheat, even though Kara's way could've gotten someone hurt. Plus they did apologize and they were being punished instead of Mustard brushing them off which was good..
But you'd still be keeping a VERY close eye on both of them!
Bit enough of that. You were excited to see what surprise Mustard was going to gift Gloria. So after some rest and a quick lunch, you and Gloria both gathered back in the main training room to meet Mustard and see what he had to say.
"Ah. There you are, Gloria," he greeted you both with a smile, "Keeping this old man waiting huh? Since you completed all three trials, I give you the secret of the master dojo." You were expecting him to pull out a new uniform or maybe actual armor but instead he held up a...pokeball? "Now then. Come on out."
The pokeball was given a light toss. Light sparkled out and revealed to you both a... Little bear cub wearing a white sash tied around its head? The strange pokemon got you both to look wide eyed in surprise. It was SO CUTE!! The absolutely adorable little pokemon struck a pose immediately like a martial artist kicking and throwing a few punches before it paused finally seeming to notice you two and Silver staring at it. It froze before gaining a frightened look, and turned to flee and dove behind Mr. Mustard's legs. After a few seconds peeking out from behind him.
"AW! The wee thing's so cute!," Gloria gushed making Mustard chuckle.
"This pokemon is in fact the secret armor of the master dojo," he explained, "Say hello to kubfu. I know. I know. It's tiny. But raise it with diligence and it'll become strong enough to see you through any battle like a suit of armor. No opponent will ever get past it. This one in particular has amazing potential. Problem is it's a bit shy. It doesn't seem to have much confidence in itself.  So I was thinking maybe if it joined you I'm your training here, that'll help break it out of it's shell a little bit. So take good care of kubfu, Kay? It's now in your hands." He held the pokeballs out to her...and she slowly accepted it in awe. 
Wait...The kubfu has a similar problem to Gloria. Did that mean that Mustard planned this out in the beginning? This could actually work out really well for Gloria! 
"I won't let ye down, Sir!," Gloria gave a determined face clutching the ball to herself. "I promise ta train extra hard and help em out!"
Mustard smiled wider. "I'm glad to hear that because the special training I'm going to give you will be hard, but if you're willing to work then I'm sure you'll surpass it soon! Now then the first thing for you to do is to become best friends with Kubfu." Said Pokemon perked out a little more from behind his leg. "You need to build trust. Kubfu really hasn't had the chance to explore the world outside the dojo so maybe it'll help you become better friends if you let it have a look around. Once you're best buddies, we'll start harder training in earnest! Just stop by and let me know once you think you're ready for that." 
Gloria nodded at him before looking down at the kubfu and kneeling slowly. "Hi, lik guy. Oh you're so cute. Do ya wanna have a snack with me?" The pokemon looked back to Mustard who just nodded before it slowly shuffled out and nodded up at her. "Kay then! Let's go n' get us some grub!" 
"Gloria." She looked at Mustard. "You're real training will begin next Monday. If you're really are serious about this training then you shall need to listen to what I say."
She nodded standing back up. "Ya got it! I'm as ready as I'll ever be!"
He smiled wider. "Good. For now focus on bonding with Kubfu over the weekend."
"Oh! M' not done with my dex challenge yet!," she excitedly looked back to you. "We can all go exploring together an' finish it! And we can also go explorin' for those guys missing digletts!!" 
You nodded. "Yeah. I bet exploring places together would be a great idea for you guys to bond."
And so it began. Gloria started training hard with the kubfu and you tagged along on her adventures of finding random digletts and taking pictures left and right. The shy pokemon was still shy hiding from everyone but it seemed to warm up to Silver a bit the longer they were out together and Gloria's contagious adventurous spirit seemed to rub off on it a little bit. Then Monday came and her real training started. She was woken up bright and early with everyone else and made to train alongside all the others including Avery and Klara. Sit ups,push ups, running laps, but most of all battles. Hard battles that Mustard initiated between her and the older more experienced students in front of a crowd always. Forcing her to get out of her comfort zone and work hard to defeat them while everyone watched. It was pretty hard work like he promised it would be but Gloria as you learnt was VERY determined and stubborn so she would push through it in time. You were just stuck watching from the sidelines cheering her on as she did so. You also saw Avery and Klara take part in their punishments. Sometimes you'd see them doing exercises until they were sweating like crazy as Ms. Honey or Mustard watched to make sure they did it. Sometimes you passed a room in the girls' wing and heard Klara whine and grumble as she scrubbed a toilet. Other times you saw them taking care of the dojo's pokemon. One particular day you heard music coming from the kitchen. Wait. Not music singing.
"Hush Little poke don't say a word ~ Avery's gonna pick you a oran berry.~"
It sounded like a pokemon twist on the classic hush little baby song.  And it was coming from the kitchen area. Curious you poked your head in and paused at what you saw. Avery was knelt petting the slowpokes and hummed to their happy faces. You continued to stare at them for a moment before Silver just walked up to you and chirped . Causing you to jump and Avery immediately turn around and you broth froze as you made eye contact. For a long moment none of you said anything before you sputtered.
"Uh...S-Sorry," you held up your hands, "I was just getting a snack for my drizzle! I didn't know you were using the kitchen."
"I-... I-It's perfectly alright," he squeaked out looking embarrassed.
"Yeah..Um. Gloria's waiting for me to help her find digletts. Ok. Bye!"
You quickly fled the awkward scene snatching Silver up in your arms with a loud squeak. Avery still paused watching you retreat before shoving his face in his hat and screaming in embarrassment. It seemed Avery started to avoid you more after that awkward encounter which you also didn't mind. To get over the embarrassment you just focused on helping out Gloria with her side quests outside of her training to put it in the back of your mind. However you both were again be surprised a week later. You'd both just gotten back from your little expedition to find more digletts and their trainer was so happy he kept gifting Gloria Alola Region pokemon. He must've really valued his digletts. When you both walked up to the dojo with your pokemon, you ran into none other than Klara who was sweeping the steps by herself with Ms. Honey watching.
"G' afternoon, Klara!," Gloria greeted waving a hand to her catching her attention. "Tis a nice day huh?"
Klara sighed. "I guess so. If you don't mind working."
"Yikes! Ya still working on that punishment?"
"Master has the last day of our hard work literally marked on his calendar. Until then I'm gonna have to work hard ...But if it means I'll be a gym leader then I'll happily train hard and accept defeat!" Your brows rose. Well..That was certainly a positive response considering how she was before. "Again sorry for everything. Hey. Do you think we can battle again sometime? Fairly this time! I've been training hard and I bet I can beat you this time!"
Gloria lit up! "Yeah! I'd love too! We can totally battle again!"
Klara smiled. "Hehe. I'll be looking forward to it-"
"Look out, Ladies!"
You three jumped back as two of the male students attending the dojo struggling to carry ..A giant vending machine? Behind them two delivery men wheeled past another vending machine and behind them was two more delivery men carrying a rotomi machine. You all watched as the eight men walked by with Ms. Honey guiding them. 
"What the world is that about?," you asked.
"Oh. A couple corviknight came by with a big delivery and a new visitor just a few minutes ago," Klara said. "Apparently Ms. Honey is updating the dojo."
"OH! That's what Ms. Honey meant by a delivery with the watts." You both looked at her. "Y'know? That power supply that comes from the wishing stones n' dynamax dens. Ya can use 'em as currency n' Galar. Ms. Honey said she needed a lot so I gave 'er all the watts I had. I was nay usin' them anyways."
"How many did you give her?"
"Um...I think three million three hundred eighty thousand." You both gawked at her. The broom slipping from Kara's hands and onto the steps. "....What? I told ye I never used 'em."
"Uh...Right. Anyways..You said there was a visitor here?" You looked back to Klara.
Klara shook her head. "Yeah. A short kid like you." She pointed at Gloria. "Only he had this hair color that reminded me of poison types. It was all purple-"
"That sounds like Hop!" Gloria's suddenly yell had you both wincing as she beamed brightly before turning to the dojo. "HOP, HOP, HOP, HOP!!" Throwing up her arms she dashed for the dojo.
"Wow...She sure has spirit."
"Tell me about it. Try stopping her from jumping into danger all the time." You took a moment to look Klara up and down... before sighing making a choice. "Hey, Klara." She looked at you. "I just...Wanted to apologize for how I acted towards you." She blinked surprised. "I was pretty mean to you too and I wanted to apologize for everything I did. Do you think we could forget everything that happened and start over?"
Klara still stared before smiling. "TOTES!! I was a jerk too so I totally deserved it but like now I can start over with everything! I'm still gonna beat your friend though!"
You smiled. "Thanks. I look forward to IT-"
You were interrupted when Gloria just grabbed you by the arm and yanked you by the arm behind her. "C'MON Y/N!! DON'T KEEP US WAITIN'!"
You were yanked along by Gloria across the way and right up to the door that she threw open hard enough to make it slam loudly against the wall catching everyone off guard and to look over as you both came in but stopped just a few feet in the middle of the room. Mustard was there as well and didn't even flinch as Gloria came crashing in only smiling at you both. However you both interrupted him talking to someone. That someone had purple hair and turned to look at you both with bright golden eyes blinking. There was a moment of silence as the two stared before a smile graced his features.
"Oh. Hey!" Hop smiled brightly at Gloria. "Welcome back, Glory."
"HOP!!" Before anyone could stop her, Gloria rushed him. Practically tackling him in a hug that had him teetering back waving his arms before the two friends fell backwards onto the ground. "I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!!"
"It's nice to see you too, Gloria." Hop managed to say from his now sitting position smiling brightly despite having been half tackled to the floor hugging one of his best friends back. "I missed you too!"
"Let him get some breathing space, Gloria."
Hop snapped up hearing a familiar voice. "Y/N!" Smiling he pulled both of them up standing and broke the hug to smile widely at you. "Boy! It sure has been a while! Things haven't been the same without you guys and Victor back at Postwick." He then smiled at Gloria again. "But it looks like you've been working hard keeping up your training here at the dojo eh?" 
"What are you doing here?!," Gloria piped up completely happy. "I thought ya was studyin' under Sonia!"
"Surprise!" Hop held up his hands with a bright smile. "That's just the reaction I was hoping for! I'm here at the Isle of Armor to research more of that dynamax phenomenon and gather a few max mushrooms samples for Sonia."
"Why isn't Sonia doing that?"
"She's doing some really important research in the Crown Tundra for the Chairwoman, so she asked me to take care of things here! And I'm glad I did. OH!" He turned back to Gloria. "I almost forgot! You're never gonna believe this! Victor got picked up as a gym leader in training too!"
You both gasped. "No! Really?!" 
He nodded. "Nessa hand picked him herself right after we saved Galar again!"
"You did what again?!"
"Oh right! You both dunno.  I'll be happy to tell ya everything but first I gotta get settled in." 
"Yes." All of you turned back to Mustard now who smiled ever patiently. "I heard that you two were friends. How delightful! Hop here was just asking permission to camp out on the Isle. But where's the fun in mucking about in the mud? I was telling him he should just stay here at the dojo."
"I mean it'd be loads easier than camping  out for a long while, but are you sure I wouldn't get in the way?" 
"Everyone's welcome to stay here at the dojo. Don't be shy, My Boy. Besides we're practically family already. You're the little brother of our Leon after all! Hmm...We still have some max mushrooms stored away that Gloria got us a while ago. I'll dig those out so you can bring this Sonia person some samples. In the meantime feel free to make yourself at home! I'll have Honey set up a room for you and get you a room key later."
"Yeah. It's true. Lee did train here when we were both kids. Alright. You twisted my arm. Hope you don't regret it because I'm staying." 
Mustard laughed. "The more the merrier. I'm as pleased as a gold plated punch bowl!"
Hop bowed. "Thanks so much, Mr. Mustard!" Hop blinked looking upside down at Silver and Gloria's kubfu. "No way!" He snapped back around startling the tiny bear pokemon. "Is that a kubfu?!"
Said kubfu dove behind Gloria's legs before peeking out. "Yeah! Yeah! I've been trainin' with him forever!"
"That's so cool! They evolve into ursifu but they can only evolve a certain way...but I forgot what that is."
"Ah! That reminds me." Mustard again spoke up. "I've got something I've been meaning to tell you about Kubfu, Gloria. Or it's evolution ursifu. The truth is the lovable rascal is capable of gigantamaxing too."
Gloria looked shocked. "Wait really?!"
"Yes but it's a bit tricky since it can't stand the taste of max mushrooms so max soup is off the menu unless you can find a way to make it more appealing. There's a certain something you can find here on the isle though that'll make even ursifu gobble up the soup. And that certain something is.." he paused for a long time giving you all a serious look..... Looking at them so long Gloria and Hop exchanged glances. .....Mustard suddenly smiled goofily again. "Actually. I forgot what it was. Oopsie daisies."
"Are you kidding me?!" "No!" Both looked defeated. 
"Hahaha! You're more fun to tease than your brother ever was!" Mustard chuckled making Hop give him a deadpanned look. "But the certain something I'm thinking of is sure to make the soup more palatable to kubfu once Gloria manages to evolve him and it has something to do with another pokemon." Another pokemon? That was a big clue right there! "Now I think I'll leave you two to figure out just what it is! Give it a good think! You're on your own kiddos! he world is your cloyster so get cracking!" He turned to leave but paused and turned back to Gloria. "But don't think you can slack off on your training just because your friend is here. I still expect you to join me for training."
Gloria nodded. "Of course, Sir!"
Mustard smiled again before he walked off making Hop shake his head. "Uh...Is this how you're training usually goes?"
"Pretty much."
"Yikes." Hop shook his head again before smiling. "I've got no rapidash in this race, but even I'm curious about this certain something. I think I once read something about ursifu in a book too.." he hummed thinking hard and crossing his arms. "It's the wushu pokemon right? The book said it lives in the mountains of a far off region." 
"Does it really?"
"Huh? You didn't know? Don't you have one?"
"Tis still just a kubfu."
"Oh..right. But I read somewhere ursifu is mad for some kind of sticky honey!" A 'AHA' look of realization came over his face. "Gloria! Honey is made from the nectar of flowers and plants right?! And Mustard said the special thing comes from another pokemon! So maybe we need some nectar made by pokemon that look like flowers and plants!"
Gloria lit up. "Hop, you're a genius!!"
"And if we're looking for those kinds of pokemon I'd reckon they'd be in the forest! I'll be able to look into dynamaxing along the way so count me in on exploring! There's a forest beyond that big marshland right?" Gloria nodded and he lit up. "Bet I can beat you there!"
"You're on!"
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" You held out your arms making them both stop. "It's too late in the day to go out again and we just got back, Gloria! And Hop hasn't even gotten his room yet either!" You rose a brow crossing your arms. "Besides, you also have training tomorrow with Mustard. Remember?"
Gloria groaned. "That's right. I totally forgot."
"It's ok!," Hop assured her with a smile. "We can go the day after tomorrow and look around! And then I can tell you guys everything that happened to me and Vic!"
Gloria again lit up like a firework. "An' I can tell you everything that happened here! And ya can help me find all these digletts and finish up me dex challenge!"
"I'd love to!! This is gonna be awesome! Just like old times!"
Indeed it was. Just like old times. The day after the next you had to stop the two from just taking off without you and grab them back to stick together. Hop and Gloria didn't right away go to try and find this mysterious nectar. Instead they spent most of that day looking for digletts and catching up. Gloria told Hop all about her trials and new rivals here and in turn Hop filled you both on everything that happened back home. Apparently two troublesome twin who you met before had discovered the ancient grave of one of the heroes because they just so happened to be descendants of said heroes and had a book from him passed down. And then they went around Galar releasing wild dynamax pokemon on a rampage in the gyms AFTER stealing the ancient shield from Zacian and Zanazenta. Then Hop and Victor with help from Sonia and Piers had to go around and fight all these pokemon and chase them down only to finally corner them in Hammerlocke where they forced poor Zamazenta to power up painfully. So they had to battle and calm them down. Luckily they were able to get the ancient shield back and have the two troublesome twins arrested and returned the ancient weapons to the pokemon.
..... Y'know. Typical every day hero stuff in the world of pokemon.
You were shellshocked for a while by this but considering every you've been through up til now, quickly had just accepted it. Oh. Also apparently Hop decided to be a scientist like Sonia(which you already knew would happen-) and was studying under her. Good for him! Also apparently Nessa had taken an interest in Victor after seeing his actions during the gym challenge and helping to save her gym. She had offered to train him as the new water type gym leader which he happily accepted and you thought that actually suited him nicely. However Victor had his own problems battling. Being too serious and not having too much confidence in his battling skills unlike Gloria who was VERY confident about battling and only suffered from stage fright. Which she was really getting better at! Mustard's training was really working! Leon also sent him to get training with someone in the Crown Tundra. According to what Hop told you, Victor actually seemed to be getting much better too. He was actually letting loose a little and having fun battling and building up confidence. Good. You were glad Victor was getting better too. 
But back to the present day...
When not training the three of you explored the Forest of Focus. Hop suggested you find a liligant first to try it's nectar. And you all found one...Sorta. You all managed to find a lost petilil. The poor thing had apparently been separated from it's mother and had clung to Hop's leg until you all managed to find her. Gloria laughed the entire time and you had to admit it was funny and pretty cute. The grateful liligant was more than happy to allow Hop to take some nectar from the giant flower on her forehead. Unfortunately it wasn't the nectar you were looking for so Hop suggested you all find an applin instead since apparently they also were a pokemon that created nectar and were actually pretty common pokemon on the isle of armor. You all managed to find an applin but it rolled away quicker than you expected it to and all three of you lost sight of it before you knew it. Stopping at a fork in the clearing of trees. 
"Crud!," Hop stomped down a foot looking left and right down the paths. "Which way did it go?!"
"I don't know. Ugh. What do we do now?"
"The fastest way to find it would be to split up and cover more ground."
"What?!" You snapped to Hop. "Absolutely not! What if you two get lost?!"
"I'll stick with Gloria and we'll go together!," Hop easily assured you. "We have our phones so we can call for help or use a map to get back! And Glory has her cinderance! We can have them shoot fire in the air like a flare if nothing else works!"
"Yeah!" Gloria piped up. "C'mon Y/n. Relax and help."
Well...Mustard did say Gloria needed to do more things herself. You groaned but nodded. "Alright. You guys go that way and I'll go right. But keep your phones handy and call me if you find it or need help. And try not to get lost."
"Don't worry, Y/n! Besides getting lost is Lee's thing not mine."
"Well don't pull a Leon." Both laughed but agreed before turning and excitedly making their way down the left path leaving you with Silver. With a sigh you turned to start walking down the right way. "C'mon Silver. Let's go find that applin and get back with the others. Keep your eyes open for an applin.
With a chirp Silver loyally followed you down the right forest pathway. The warm sun beat down on you and the sun shown brightly above the sky. A lot of wild pokemon could be seen running around the forest between the flora and fawna. Playing, sleeping, eating, and just living out here in general. It was beautiful. You wished you had more of this peaceful life growing up. Such bliss. However you didn't see a single applin anywhere. Darn it! But you kept looking and looking and looking. Farther and farther you went. Looking everywhere and pushing apart tall grass and bushes to peer behind them. No such luck. Only finding every pokemon besides applins. Ugh! Where could it have gone?! You were just about to turn around and call it quits since clearly the applin didn't come down this way or if it did it was already long gone when-
B O O M-!!
What sounded like a giant crash sound sent pokemon running away from you and Silver diving behind you once again as you turned up to the sky. You knew what that noise was by now. Someone was having a pokemon battle out here. But...who? You were practically in the middle of nowhere! Maybe someone was catching some wild pokemon? For whatever reason your curiosity got the better of you and you started to head towards where the sounds came from. Bushes and grass pushed out of your way as the sounds of a man's desperate pleas cutting through the air making you feel a wave of panic and run faster. Someone was in trouble! They needed help!
"Where do you think you're going?!," a familiar man's voice asked. "You WILL battle me again!"
"Aaah! P-Please put me down!", another man's voice yelled out. 
You ran and ran until you eventually rounded around a giant tree and froze at what you saw. A beautiful clearing stood before you beautifully covered in wild flowers however that wasn't what caught your attention. It was the two men in the middle of the field. Standing there clear as day was Avery with his back to you and one hand held up. Above him in the air was another man who bore a panicked look surrounded by the same blue aura that was levitating Avery's pokeballs. He frantically ran through the air kicking his legs and arms about to no avail not able to escape Avery as he levitated him in the air. 
"Please put me down!," the floating man pleaded again almost on the verge of crying. "I-I don't want to battle anymore!"
"Not until you battle me again! I barely have any worthy opponents on this isle so you'll do!," Avery refused bringing him closer. 
You stared in disbelief before you scowled hard at the sight. "YOU PUT HIM DOWN NOW!!!" Avery jumped as whirled around wide eyed. Freezing as soon as he saw your form stomping up to him only to stop right in front of him and pointing at his face. "What the heck do you think you're doing?! Put that guy down!"
Avery still seemed in a state of shock before shaking his head and frowning. "Now you see here! This man is my opponent and I will have another battle!"
"Are you confused?! Or insane?!," you shouted back to him pointing at the still panicking man. "That's holding someone hostage!"
"I don't expect you to understand of course. No one would understand my problems with-"
He didn't get get to say anything else when two hands grabbed his shirt front and YANKED his tall form downwards to stare deeply at your snarling face as your hands balled into tight fists holding his still. "Alright. Listen up you wannabe psychic psycho! Since apparently you can't read minds I'll spell it out for you instead! What you're doing is basic kidnapping and holding someone hostage! You don't seem to realize how bad that is! It's no wonder you never were able to be a gym leader!" Avery flinched. Hard. His face falling into a shocked look of hurt. "You. Put. Him. Down. N O W!!!" You ended your yell with a little shove to Avery.
....The man instantly fell to the ground with a loud thud. Taking the opportunity, the man scrambled up and immediately fled as fast as he could. Dashing across the field and disappearing quickly into the treeline. You waited until he was safely away from Avery before releasing the blonde man and stepping back still scowling.
"Don't you EVER do that again!," you snarled at him pointing, "If I EVER see you doing that again to ANYONE not only will I tell Mustard but I'll tell Leon and the Chairwoman too!"
With that you turned around and stomped away from his hurt face with Silver running to catch up to you. Avery continued to stare helplessly at you before the pokeballs fell from his head pathetically falling to the ground before the first few years filled his eyes.
You didn't see much of Avery after that day. You met up with Hop and Gloria who had managed to indeed find and capture some nectar from the applin after it fell out of a tree and onto Gloria's head. Turns out the nectar wasn't what they were looking for either so it would take Hop and Gloria some research and brainstorming to figure it out. In the meantime as days passed, they buried themselves with FINALLY being able to finish Gloria's dex challenge and going around finding more and MORE run away digletts and trading them back to the guy. Gloria was also able to trade a bunch of other people for other different regional pokemon. Some of which she gave Hop who blushed a bit. Ah. Looks like the crush was still strong with him. Which reminded you-
"Hey. What pokemon did Gloria give you?," you asked him one day while Gloria was busy training. "I know she gave Marnie a purloin and Bede and Victor a pokemon too. So what did she give you?"
Hop blushed deeply and rubbed his neck as he did before chuckling. "well....I guess you'll know anyways once she finally confesses her love to me."
"Say what?"
"She gave me an applin before she left!," he smiked widely. "I knew she liked me better that that cotton for brains Bede! I haven't brought it up yet cuz I wanted her to focus on her training! HA! Take that Befe! In your face!!"
You facepalmed hard. First she gifts Bede a lovdisc without knowing the meaning of that and now she mistakenly gifted Hop an applin. Sigh. Gloria's love rivalry continued. At least you knew what happened to the applin Gloria left in her backpack for so long. Days also passed. Gloria still trained hard and you and Hop Always helped her with her turn in chores. Kubfu and her was getting bolder and bolder and she even got to battle Ms. Honey whom gifted her a special pair of league cards as a thank you for helping to spruce up the place. She also gave Hyde a lot of watts too to power up his strange machine and had gotten a polygon pokemon from his as a thanks. Gloria also seemed to have gotten along better with Klara even having a rematch battle with her. Klara lost but she seemed to be taking it a lot better than she did previously. However...Avery was barely present at all. In fact it was like he was mostly invisible. When he was doing training or some of his punishment chores, he would either turn away from you or do everything he could to avoid eye contact, and would pretend you didn't exist when he was assigned to do chores alongside Gloria. Silent and keeping to himself which was... actually odd. Maybe you scared him a lot more than you meant too. You had found out that Avery did end up rebattling Gloria again too after her training but that was the extent of it. Until one day you spotted something strange. You exited the kitchen after getting Silver a snack and found Gloria and Hop posing with Klara for a picture before she signed something for Gloria and haded her another league card.
Confused you walked up to them as Klara left. "Hey guys. What's up?"
"Y/n!" Hop smiled brightly at you. "We finally found out what that certain something Mustard was talking about is!"
"That's great but what was Klara talking about?"
"Oh! We finally figured out who they are! Turns out Klara n' Avery are gym leaders from the minor division!"
You stared stunned. "Really?"
Hop nodded. "Yeah! Klara just started out a year or two ago but she wasn't exactly ready for the position yet, so she came here to train. Looks like she'll be ready though in no time!"
"What were they doing in Postwick then?"
"They were having a meeting with Lee to see if they could run the gyms again but he didn't think they were ready yet. So they came back here for more training." Smart choice on Leon's part. Hop sighed putting his hands behind his head. "I do feel kinda bad for Avery though."
You rose a brow. "For Avery? Why?"
"His family was really hard on him and they didn't treat him well from what I overheard Lee talking about." Both you and Gloria looked shocked.
"Ah. Ye poor lad."
Hop nodded with a sigh. "You see his entire family has always ran the psychic type gym but once he started making everyone who beat him levitate well ...From what I heard they almost disowned him after nearly getting kicked off the league circuit. Lee was the one who saved his position and Avery came here soon after. I think he's doing a lot better too...But it's weird. He's been really down lately. I wonder why?"
You knew exactly why.  A very bad and guilty feeling settled deep in your guts as you realized that-....You had really messed up. You had messed up BIG TIME. 
"So anyways we can find what we need by taking a flying taxi over to the honeycomb shaped island off the isle. Wanna come, Y/n?"
You numbly shook your head. "Nah...You guys go ahead...I need to think over something."
"Alright then. C'mon Glory! Let's go get that max honey!"
They both left leaving you shellshocked and numb for a while. Somehow you managed to stumble your way outside and sit on the steps of the dojo putting your head in your hands. Arceus you messed up badly. You didn't know Avery was-...That he-...That his family-..You buried your head in your hands groaned loudly again. What were going to do?!
"Y/n?" You jumped up and looked right at none other than Ms. Honey. She was giving you a concerned look. "Sweetie you look down. Did you get into a fight with someone?"
You stared wide eyed. "How did you know?"
"I have my ways." She slowly sat down next to you. "What happened?"
You groaned looking away. "I got in a fight with someone because he was doing something really bad but now I found out he came from a bad family life and now I feel bad but at the same time I don't think I was in the wrong because what he was doing was back. But now he's been down a lot and someone told me he has been working hard to get better so now I feel even more bad and he's avoiding me like the plague. So I have absolutely no idea what to do!!" You grabbed your head frustrated.
Honey blinked and didn't say anything for a real long time before looking down. "You know when my hubby told me he wanted to open a dojo of his own, I have to admit I had a lot of doubts. I was still working at my previous job at the time and there was simply so much work into getting the dojo built. Let alone the question of whether anyone would want to move to an uninhabited island like this just to train at an unknown dojo."
You stared at her blinking widely at her. "What.. happened?"
..She gave a soft huff shaking her head. "We got into a couple fights. I didn't want to put everything in this in case it failed I thought he was crazy to try and start this idea all those years ago going about this all the wrong way...and he was throwing everything at it instead of taking time out to plan it out. But..I eventually realized that fighting with someone who was trying hard in the wrong way wouldn't help them. You have to talk it out and help them." You stared at her wide eyed. "So we did and I finally agreed to give it a shot. My hubby and I put our all into this place and years later when Hyde came along all our previous students pitched in and helped us through it. We've made it to where we are today because we got help from so many people. This has been an entirely different chapter of my life, but it's turned out to be a great one." She looked at you with a smile. "So you see...Whether people need a little or a lot of help, they'll always be better afterwards. For some people it just takes a little bit longer and a bit more help."
You stared at her for a long, long moment before sighing and turning away. "Yeah. I guessed I messed up there."
"Well it's not too late," she assured you patting your back. "You can still apologize."
"I don't even know if he'll forgive me."
"Oh I bet he will. If I know Avery, he'll shake it off and bounce back quickly."
You whipped to her wide eyed. "How did you know it was Avery?!"
She smiled. "I have my ways." She stood up again. "Just think it over. Ok, Sweetie? I'm sure you both would feel better if you talked it out. If you want to find Avery just talk to my hubby. He always knows where he's gone training."
With that Ms. Honey left you sitting there staring.. before you sighed again.
0 notes
megazardx2 · 2 years ago
Photo
Tumblr media
One down, two more to go for this month (since I’m not going for Dojo Uniform Gloria), and I haven’t paid a cent for this month yet. Let’s see how long that lasts...
4 notes · View notes
misskikuwrites · 4 years ago
Text
Downpour
Bede/Gloria (dressedinpinkshipping)
Hurt/comfort, fluff, light angst
-
Bede stepped out of the station and surveyed the open, unfamiliar landscape before him. A beach of soft, white sand met crystal clear water of shimmering azure, an endless sea sweeping to the depths of the horizon. Pokemon he had never encountered before lounged on their pink bellies, sleepy eyes drooping shut. He retrieved his Pokedex. Barely a minute off the train, and the Isle of Armour had already proved its worth, and Bede realised that perhaps Ms Opal had been onto something when she suggested that he train here. To reach new heights of pink, or something along those lines.
As pink as Galarian Slowpoke were, Psychic Pokemon weren't cut out for the Fairy Gym, and so Bede decided to let sleeping Slowpokes lie. He sent out his Hatterene, and trained his sights down the beach.
"Well then, my dear Hatterene, shall we find out what all the fuss is about?" he said to her, a resolute smile dawning across his face.
Hatterene chimed in agreement, her dark eyes narrowing as she mimicked her Trainer's grin.
"We'll have to make the most of this opportunity. Ms Opal must have sent us here for a reason, and I won't rest until I find out what exactly the Isle of Armour has to offer."
Bede turned from the blinding white sand and marched along the dirt path, Hatterene drifting by his side.
"The strongest Trainers from around Galar have gathered here to train," he continued, "which means there must be something here that cannot be attained anywhere else."
More Pokemon he didn't recognise darted into the grass. Long floppy ears peeked above the bushes, the chocolate coloured pelt tipped with fluffy clumps of lighter fleece. A brief scan of the Pokemon with his Pokedex revealed it to be a Normal Type, called a Buneary. It tilted its head at him, pink nose twitching as it sniffed the air, and both ears shot upright.
"Hmm, you are rather cute, aren't you? I'm sure Gloria would most certainly fawn over a Pokemon like you."
Bede hid his growing smile behind his hand, a faint laugh escaping him at the image conjured by his mind; Gloria gasping in delight and unable to contain her excitement, her eyes sparkling and twinkling in glee as she practically vibrated with untapped energy, ready to pounce on Buneary at any moment.
A trill of amusement snapped Bede out of his delusion, and he stole the soft smile off his face. Roughly clearing his throat, he took off down the path again.
"Enough distractions," he said, voice coming out tighter and strained. "We're here to train."
He continued down the path, trying to push away the possibility that Gloria was here. Somewhere on the vast Isle of Armour, she could very much be training here as well, and that realisation sent his gaze wandering as if to seek her out, as if an encounter with her could happen at any moment. As he headed past the Dojo, his mind was constantly on alert, distracted and muddled by anyone and anything with a passing resemblance to her.
A flash of dark brown hair in the corner of his eyes made his pulse skip until he looked and saw the face of a stranger instead. Upon seeing that it was someone else, he sighed heavily, frustrated that his attention was so easily stolen. The flutter in his chest, anxious with anticipation, reminded him of how on edge he had been for weeks after finally accepting his feelings towards Gloria. His mind constantly on alert, bracing itself for her to show up at any moment. It was pathetic that after months of dealing with the way he felt towards her, coming to terms with the fact that he was in love with her and figuring out ways to keep himself in check, nothing had changed at all.
Bede couldn't stop himself from jolting as the Dojo doors swung open, heart catching at the slightest chance that it was her, and plummeting when it wasn't. He marched on, away from the building and the Trainers in bright yellow uniforms outside, and decided that he needed - and deserved - to train in peace and quiet.
"Hey, Bede!"
One step short of the wetlands, Bede turned and gave Hop a disinterested stare.
"Fancy seeing you here!" Hop grinned at him, Dubwool at his side. "I had a feeling I'd run into you sooner or later."
"And here I was hoping otherwise," Bede sighed.
It took but a glance for him to determine that Hop was by himself, and that continuing their conversation would be a waste of precious time.
"Look, I didn't come here to mess around. If you'll excuse me, I have training to attend to."
"What, you're not here to see Gloria?"
Having turned on his heels to stalk away, Bede froze with a foot in the air. At the mention of her name, his heart had flopped and heat began to rise across his face. He knew instantly that Hop was taunting him. Dangling information about Gloria like bait on a string, waiting for a bite. Bede refused to react, to give Hop the satisfaction of a response. He marched purposely away.
"Betcha haven't seen what she looks like in the Dojo's uniform," Hop continued, "or that new Pokemon of hers. Glo said she's only introduced him to her closest friends, so I guess if you haven't seen it…"
"I've met Kubfu."
Folding his arms, Bede met Hop's grin with a flat look of his own. Forget propriety, he wasn't about to walk away after that insinuation - at least not before tearing down the smug look on Hop's face. Injured pride swelled in his chest, burning with irritation, and he trooped right back to Hop.
Amusement widened Hop's grin. "Really? Bet you didn't get to touch him though."
"And why would I?"
"Well, Kubfu's super shy. He'd only let you touch him if he trusted you, so if you didn't even manage that much…"
"I had no need to touch Kubfu in order to know whether he trusted me," Bede huffed. "The fact that he no longer cowered behind Gloria said enough."
Besides, his conversation with Gloria had switched quickly from Kubfu to the gift she wanted to give him, the bracelet of woven twigs that hung around his wrist, and he hadn't been able to think about anything else. Even now, he still wore the Galarian cuff she had made for him, amateurish as it was.
"Ah, you've been here before, haven't you?" Hop said. "Must've run into Gloria then; guess that's why you didn't react to my comment about the uniform. You've already seen her in it."
Bede frowned. "No, I haven't. This is the first time I've stepped foot on the Isle of Armour."
He ignored Hop's pointed remark about the Dojo's uniform once again, despite his mind already wandering.
"Then how come you've got a Galarian cuff around your wrist?" Hop pointed at it, an eyebrow raised. "The twigs they're made from are native to the Isle of Armour, you can't get them anywhere else. They're usually made into cuffs to evolve Galarian Slowpoke but… dude, why's it so wonky?"
Hop leant forward to get a better look at the misshapen bracelet, his mouth curling into a crude grimace.
"I'll have you know, this was a handmade gift from Gloria." Bede took a sharp step back, holding the bracelet protectively where it hung beneath his watch. "I would appreciate it if you kept your ill-mannered comments to yourself."
"Wait, Gloria made that for you?" Hop balked. He straightened in surprise, eyes wide. "Gloria did? As in, Champion Gloria? My best friend, the girl you're head-over-heels for, that Gloria?"
Bede's cheeks burned as he glared at Hop. "What other Gloria is there?" he hissed, unamused by having his feelings outed like that.
"Dude, no wonder it looks like that-" Hop cut himself off as Bede's glare darkened, "-uh, I mean, no wonder it looks so… unique. She's never been good at any form of crafts or, heck, anything to do with her hands! It took her years to learn how to tie her shoelaces!"
Heavy thumping in Bede's chest scattered his thoughts, and he looked down at the bracelet around his wrist once again. The bracelet that Gloria, supposedly uncoordinated with her hands, had made for him herself.
"Is there a point to your questions, or am I free to resume my training?" Bede huffed. He absently adjusted the bracelet, his loose golden watch, where they hung. "I have yet to find a place secluded enough so Hatterene and I can work in private."
"What, do I need a reason to mess with a mate?" Hop beamed a cheeky grin. "If you're looking for a place that's quiet and out of the way, then the Forest of Focus might work for you. It's nearby, too - if you head through the Soothing Wetlands, it's on your left."
Bede appraised Hop for a moment, taking in his advice, the comment that they were friends. "I suppose it won't do me any harm to take a look. Thank you."
"No prob!" He sauntered back a step. "But man, she seriously made that for you?"
Hop's insistence over the bracelet made Bede frown. "What about it?"
"Nah, it's nothing!"
The twinkle in Hop's eyes said there was more to it than that, but time was slipping away, and Bede didn't like the look of the grey clouds forming on the horizon. He didn't have the energy, time, nor patience to press Hop any further.
"If that's all, then I'll be on my way."
"Later!" Hop gave him a wave, a flash of a smile, and turned on his heels.
Bede didn't bother to comment that he didn't plan on running into Hop later - or anyone else, for that matter. He was here to train, not socialise, and headed for the Wetlands, for the Forest of Focus, for relative silence.
-
As it turned out, Hop was right. The Forest of Focus was devoid of people, the path overgrown, and the air was filled with the sounds of undisturbed Pokemon. Rustling of bushes, of branches and shrubs, the chattering of Pokemon in the trees and the trickling of a nearby stream was a melody strung by nature itself. Peaceful and serene, there were no strangers in sight. A place where he could truly focus.
"Alright, Hatterene. Let's get to work-"
A dull thump made him pause, and he glanced down towards the noise by his feet. His heart dropped, air leaving his lungs in a sharp, broken gasp, and he snatched his golden watch from the dirt where it had fallen. His fingers trembled as he fastened it around his wrist. Pressed it right to his skin, held it there as the panicked beating of his heart drowned out everything else. The clasp, loose and worn, clicked into place.
Bede took a breath. Then another, and another, deeper and slower than the ones before. He had to be more careful, couldn't let that happen again. Needle-sharp pain sank into his chest with a pang of disgust, loathing that even now, after all this time, he couldn't bring himself to get rid of that watch. After everything that had happened, he couldn't.
He couldn't.
A heavy weight fell over him. The cold metal against his wrist sat as a reminder of his failings, his weakness, his past. It made him work harder. Train harder, to push himself and Hatterene further in the isolated forest. For hours, they trained in the humid air, until sweat and heat soaked into their bones. They trained until the wind picked up, until the forest came alive with creaking and cracking branches and Pokemon began to scatter from the trees. The sky above turned dark and grey, a hint of the storm to come spitting through the canopy as droplets of rain. Bede wiped the back of his hand across his forehead, slick with sweat, and decided enough was enough. The ache in his lungs had become a burn that rose up his throat. Hatterene sagged, drifting slowly over to him, eager for respite.
"That should be enough for today," he said to her with a nod, a faint, exhausted smile that she shared. "You did well, and deserve a break." He returned her to her Great Ball, noting the change in weather. "And I should be getting back before this storm hits."
With a sigh, he rolled his shoulders, and turned to head back the way he'd come. He touched the Galarian cuff in his wrist, his fingers absently tracing the uneven pattern, before he slid his hand up to his watch.
Everything stopped.
Nothing. He felt nothing. No weight, no cold metal, no watch. It was gone. Bede stared down at the empty space on his wrist, his eyes blowing wide. Unable to breathe, to think. Fingers winding around his wrist, grasping the air, his sleeve, his skin.
It was gone.
Heart in his throat, Bede whirled on his feet and swept his gaze over the ground. The dirt, the thick grass, the leaf litter and detritus, his footprints in the soft mud.
No.
It had to be here, he knew it had to be here. He dropped to his knees, brushing leaves and twigs away with hurried swipes of his hands. Scrambling forward across the dirt on his hands and knees, tossing everything out of his path.
It has to be here!
Wind broke through the trees, whistling and rustling. Deafened by the pounding of his heart between his ears, by the panic seizing around his throat like a vice, and he couldn't feel the rain as it fell over him. He felt nothing; not the cold wind, the biting rain, the rocks beneath his hands and knees, the thorns on branches he swept aside. He scrambled to his feet, wiping the rain off his face, unknowingly leaving a streak of mud in its place.
He staggered back the way he came. Kicked and shoved aside leaves and branches, twigs and logs. His hand fumbled for his wrist. Empty. Gone. It was gone. How could it be gone? How did he not notice?
He couldn't breathe. Couldn't see through the rain, his vision blurring, eyes prickling with heat and panic, and he turned around again. Faster this time. Breaking into a sprint, rushing back to where they'd first began to train hours earlier. The dirt, disturbed by their efforts, was now slick with water. The path turned to mud. He hit the ground on his knees, digging through the muck desperately, rocks and branches scraping his fingers raw, burning his knuckles.
No.
He continued. Through the mud, the downpour, the pain.
No, no, no.  
Again and again, searching up and down the path, into the overgrown grass and bushes, tossing stones and logs out his way.
No, no, no, no, no.  
Back and forth. On his knees, on his feet. Wiping away raindrops, the water, the tears on his face, down his cheeks, smearing mud in its place. Gasping with heavy sobs. Breaths of white hot panic, blazing in his throat.
It can't be-
Thunder crashed in the distance. A flash of light, a flash of realisation.
No.
It went dark. Everything went dark. The forest, the sky, his vision. He fell to his knees and felt nothing.
Nothing at all.
-
Gloria rushed into the Dojo, the wind slamming the door shut behind her.
"Whoa!" She breathed a nervous laugh as thunder crashed in the distance. "That's one heck of a storm!"
She stepped into the Dojo as the rain began to fall in earnest, the wind roaring outside. The warmth and shelter of the sturdy building was a welcome relief, and she was ever grateful that she'd made a run for it at the first sign of rain.
"That's not even the worst of it," Hop said. "It's forecast to get worse from here!"
"Oh, gosh. I'm glad I got back in time, then!" Gloria tidied up her uniform, fixed her wind-swept hair back into its neat bun, and settled down beside Hop. "Have they shut down the trains, yet?"
"Yeah, last one left for Wedgehurst half an hour ago. They're not going to be running until the storm's well and truly gone."
That was understandable, and as Gloria glanced around the Dojo, she found it was full of all sorts of different people, not just the students. League staff, Pokemon rangers, odd Trainers who had been caught out by the storm were taking shelter here too. The air thrummed with the noise of dozens of conversations taking place at once, the floor packed with people. Gloria could hardly hear herself think.
"It sounds like we've got the whole island in here," she joked, trying to settle her nerves.
The buzz of noise was reaching an uncomfortable level, swamping her body with a jumble of sounds from all directions. She heard someone laugh behind her, a young girl squeal to her far right. In the kitchen, chairs scraped against the floor.
The storm outside was looking more and more tempting as the seconds ticked by.
"Hmm, not the whole island," Hop commented. "I don't see Bede anywhere."
Gloria perked up. "Bede? Is he here?" She glanced around the room, spying yellow uniforms, League Staff, Trainers she didn't recognise.
"I ran into him this afternoon. He was looking for a quiet place to train, so I mentioned the Forest of Focus to him."
Gloria hummed in thought. Heavy disquiet settled in her gut as the storm raged outside. Thunder shook the building. Lights flickered. Her heart pounded harder in her chest, and she couldn't stop feeling as though something wasn't quite right.
"Do you think he caught the train back?" she asked, pulling out her phone. They still had service, and she fought the urge to ring Bede then and there. Nerves spun in her stomach, and she didn't want to overreact for no reason; there was no need to panic.
"There's no way he'd let himself get caught in this weather, he's too proud to let anyone see him looking like a soggy Wooloo!" Hop laughed, but his reassurance did nothing to calm the anxious thrum in her chest.
"Yeah, you're right."
She tightened her grip on her phone, held it close in her lap. Her eyes swept over the crowd and back again, trying to spy anything recognisable. Platinum blond hair, a magenta jacket, or the colours of the Fairy Gym. A lump sat in her throat that she couldn't swallow down. Something wasn't right.
Where is Bede?
"I'm going to call him," Gloria said.
The pull on her gut, of her instincts, was too great to ignore. Too fierce, too strong, and she unlocked her phone and called him despite the incredulous look on Hop's face.
"Seriously? He's probably in Ballonlea right now, drinking tea or whatever with Ms Opal." He waved off her concerns. "Arceus, I could go for a hot drink right now."
She focused on the ringtone by her ear, her whole body tensing as the seconds ticked by.
"I know, but…" Gloria pursed her lips when she reached Bede's answering bank, his calm voice telling her to leave a message, and she hung up. Not a second passed before she called again.
Hop raised an eyebrow at her. "For all you know, he could be having a shower or something."
Trepidation sloshed in her belly, and she couldn't bring herself to respond to Hop's unhelpful jibe. Her call went unanswered a second time. She stared down at her phone, at Bede's name, at the picture she'd chosen for his contact. It was from their trip through the Wild Area, a cropped portion of a picture she'd taken not-so-sneakily one morning. A peaceful moment in time captured in the early morning, Bede illuminated by soft light as he cooked breakfast, unaware of the phone trained on him. The serene smile on his face stirred another bout of unease inside her.
"Do you really think he'd let himself get caught out in this storm?" Hop scoffed. "This is Bede we're talking about. Didn't you say he was always checking the weather when you two scouted the Wild Area together?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"But what?"
"I don't know!" Gloria huffed. "Something doesn't feel right. He always answers his phone."
"Maybe he's got it on silent?"
"Bede doesn't put his phone on silent!"
She called him again, staring off to the side as her phone rang by her ear so she didn't have to see Hop's bemused expression.
"You call him often, do you?"
Gloria sent Hop a look.
"Hey, you're the one who said he always answers his phone. You must call him pretty often to be so sure of that."
For the third time, her call went unanswered. She went to call again when Hop snatched her phone out of her hands.
"Hey!" Gloria yelped, lunging to try and grab her phone back.
"You're just gonna keep bombarding him with calls!"
"So what?! That's none of your business!"
Hop jumped to his feet, holding her phone high above his head. "You've gotta give him a break! If he's not answering, he's not answering! There's no point in spamming him with calls!"
Gloria got to her feet and stared Hop down. "Give. Me. Back. My. Phone."
"No can do! Not unless you tell me why you're so insistent on calling him like this."
She huffed. "I already told you; something doesn't feel right!"
"You've gotta be more specific than that."
Hop waved her phone above his head, taunting her. She glared at it, at him, and debated tackling him to the ground in order to steal it back. It was tempting.
"I don't know how to explain it, okay?! I just- something doesn't feel right."
Her heart ached.
"I need to know that Bede's okay," Gloria said, and folded her arms across her chest. "I can't help but feel like… something's happened. I know it's probably nothing, and I'm probably wrong, but…"
She couldn't brush it aside. Something hardened inside her, and she turned towards the heavy wooden doors.
"Hold on, you're not seriously thinking of going out there, are you?"
She didn't look back. "You said he was in the Forest of Focus, right?"
"Glo, come on. He's probably fine!"
"I know," she said softly, pressing her lips tightly together, "and I'm probably an idiot. But I need to know. I'd rather be a soggy, wet idiot than do nothing at all."
"This isn't even the peak of the storm!"
"That's why I have to go now. Bede's not answering and you've stolen my phone, so…"
"Wait, wait, here's your phone!" Hop thrust it back to her, and she pocketed it.
"I'm still going."
He sighed. "I know, but now I can call you if he turns up here. Or if he happens to call you back, you'll know."
"Thanks, Hop."
"Yeah, yeah. Just know that if he's cozy and warm in Ballonlea and you get drenched for nothing, I'm going to throttle him next time I see him, okay?"
That made Gloria laugh. "I'll make sure to warn him."
Above all, above the nervous churning of her gut and the anxiety pulsing in her veins, she wished that Hop was right. She took a breath and made for the doors, shoving them open against the roaring wind. Gloria slid between them before they slammed shut with a crash as loud as thunder behind her. She stepped out into a torrent of wind and rain, of blistering, breathless cold. Gusts of wind threatened to knock her off her feet. Blinding rain fell sideways and drenched her as though she'd been hit with a wave from the ocean instead.
Not once did she consider turning back.
Gloria launched down the stairs, slick with water, and broke into a sprint towards the wetlands. A blazing heat burned inside her. It ached in her lungs, up her throat, and drove her onwards. Forward. Fighting through the storm, through the wetlands, the overflowing bog and thick mud, pushing hard enough to stumble and land on her feet before she had the chance to fall.
One thing - and one thing only - kept her going, and she ignored everything else.
Bede.
She wanted to be wrong.
The canopy above muffled the storm as she burst into the Forest of Focus. It became an orchestra of wind ripping through trees, branches rustling and snapping, a million drops of rain pattering on a million leaves.
For once, she wished her instincts were wrong.
It was dark. Bursts of lightning cut through the canopy, followed seconds later by booming thunder. Trees became humanoid shadows in the depths of the forest. Rushing water warned of an overfilled river nearby, a black void opening up into the ground where it ran. Gloria turned from it, forcing down a panicked thought of the consequences if she fell in. She, or someone else before her.
Pain thumped in place of her heart. She no longer felt the cold; the cloak of thick water covering every inch of her body had sapped the heat from her bones and made her numb. She didn't feel the mud flicking up against her legs as she ran through the forest. Her foot twisted. An awkward step on slick grass, and her stomach lurched as she staggered and fell to her knees. She didn't pause for a moment, not even to wince, and leapt to her feet. Onwards again. Following the path from memory, looking left and right and back again, searching the trees, around rocks, over the bridge. Peering into dark bushes, through the shrubs and thicket.
Light flashed. It lasted a split second, enough to illuminate the path ahead of Gloria and the figure slumped in the grass.
Bede.
Something tore inside her chest. She was at his side before she'd realised she'd moved. Before she could take a breath, her lips formed his name. A gasp, a sob, a cry of desperation as she touched his shoulder, upon seeing the hollow expanse behind his eyes. Wide and unseeing. She took his hand, his fingers cold. Too cold. His face, pale and streaked with mud and water, was marked with the trails of tears coursing down his cheeks.
Gloria fell into him. Against him. Her arms wrapped around his back, pulling him into her arms, pulling his head to her chest, as she broke. She shattered and crumbled at the sight of him, and couldn't do anything else but embrace him.
She hated being right.
Bede-
Her heart ached.
He was cold. Soaked to the bone, shivering against her. He shifted slightly, giving the faintest movement in her arms, and she held him tighter.
"I'm here," she said. A broken whisper against the top of his head. His platinum blond curls cold and damp with water, darkened by mud. "It's okay."
Forcing the torrent of emotions down, Gloria pulled away. Enough that she could look into his face, into his eyes, and urge him to move.
"Come on, let's get you out of this storm."
She regretted meeting his eyes when nothing registered on his face when he looked at her. There was nothing. Nothing at all behind his eyes. She glanced away and helped him to his feet, looping an arm around his back when he staggered.
What happened to you?
Her jaw clenched hard with unanswered questions, to stop herself from voicing the agony that lanced through her chest. Questions could wait. The blistering rain and biting wind would only strengthen, and the chill of Bede's skin, his faint, shallow breaths, filled her with a greater sense of urgency. They had to get out of the storm. Without thinking about it, she led Bede down the path, through the forest, and away from the Dojo. Deeper into the island. Away from prying eyes, from noise, from people, to the shelter of a cave nearby.
Out of the wind and rain, in a secluded, quiet nook, Gloria directed Bede to sit. He collapsed to the ground as though his legs had given way. Slumping forward, his damp fringe fell over his eyes. The tips of his hair were speckled with mud.
A tight lump lodged in Gloria's throat. She turned away from him for a moment, shucking off her bag, and dug out a towel. She had to gather enough strength to look back at him. Words she couldn't say built in her chest, in her lungs and throat, and stuck on her tongue. Heat washed over her eyes. Despite finding him, despite leading him to shelter, she felt useless. Unable to do anything with her friend suffering right in front of her.
It hurt.
She couldn't bear to see Bede like that any longer. She stepped over to him and sank to her knees at his side, twisting the towel in her hands, and he didn't react. Didn't glance up at her, didn't move at all. If it wasn't for the slightest rising and falling of his chest, he could have been made of stone.
Gloria blinked back her tears. Slowly, she lifted the corner of the towel to Bede's cheek, wiping away the thin streak his own tears had left through the mud on his face.
He turned his face away.
It broke something inside her. The towel slipped from her hands, and she reached up to cup his cheeks instead. With nothing else she could do, she wrapped her useless arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug once again.
"I'm sorry-" she hiccuped as she spoke. Broke off into a sob. "I'm sorry. I don't- I don't know what happened, but- but I'm here. It's okay."
She squeezed her eyes shut. Her lips trembled as she fought back a sob.
Whatever it was, whatever had happened-
"-I'm sorry." It was all she could say. "You don't have to say anything, or tell me what happened, but… but I'm here. I'm here. Everything's going to be okay."
She couldn't promise that, she shouldn't, but she did. She hugged him close as he sank into her, his head dropping to her shoulder, Bede finally accepting her embrace. He did nothing to return it, remaining still in her hold, but it was enough. Enough for Gloria to know this was what he needed. It was all she could give, all she could do to stop herself from crumbling any further when his shallow, shuddering breaths reached her ears. The trembling of his body gave his tears away.
She said nothing, and held him until silence fell over the cave once more.
-
Gloria had come out of nowhere. Like a bolt of lightning, she had appeared before Bede in the darkness, as though summoned by the flash of light itself.
Why?
She pulled him into her arms and nothing made sense.
Why are you here?
He followed her directions, her urging, and stood. Walked with her to a cave, out of the freezing wind that threatened to draw all the heat from his body. Her arm around his back was firm. Solid. It was real.
It didn't make sense. Why had she been there, in the forest, in the storm, when the world had turned to chaos around him?
Bede's legs gave way. Strength sapped from his bones, his body heavy and numb, and he collapsed to the ground with no will to fight. All he saw was the empty space on his wrist.
Again, it hurt. It stung. Guilt driving a stake into his heart, throbbing with shame. With regret and disgust.
Why-
Why does it still hurt?
The touch of a towel against his cheek scattered his thoughts. She was here. Still here, still real. Still looking at him with heartbreaking concern that only made him turn away from her with regret.
How could he bear to face her like this?
He didn't have to. Gloria pulled him into her embrace, wrapped her arms around him, and his remaining walls crumbled. Everything inside him snapped all at once and he collapsed against her. His head fell to her shoulder, dampening her already wet shirt with his tears, as his heart gave way to her touch. He felt everything. He felt all his pain and guilt and regret, and gave it all to her. With quiet sobs, he let himself cry in her arms. The words she whispered to him soothed the turmoil raging inside his chest, and he succumbed to her.
He gave in.
"It's gone."
His voice, loud in the silence, cracked. Heat swam behind his eyes, further tears clouding his vision, and he squeezed them shut as he took a shuddery breath.
It's gone.
He didn't want to believe it.
Gloria pulled back slightly, settling her hands on his shoulders, and regarded him for a moment before asking, "what's gone?"
Bede couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes, afraid of what she'd see, knowing that he was unable to hide it from her when she looked at him like that.
She always saw right through him.
Instead, he lifted up his right hand, staring down at it and away from her. Gloria followed his gaze. A moment later, she gently took his wrist, her fingers lingering over the spot where his watch used to sit.
"Oh, Bede…"
The anguish in her voice was too much.
"It's gone," Bede repeated in a fragile whisper.
Her hand shifted to hold his, and he squeezed her hand tight in return. Tears threatened to spill again, his face scrunching up to hold them back, to fight the agony blazing in his chest, and he forced his lips firmly together to prevent them trembling. The hand still on Bede's shoulder slid to his arm, soothingly brushing up and down in an attempt to comfort him. Her gaze remained on his wrist. For that, he was thankful.
"How…?" Gloria tried again. "What happened?"
He took a breath, his lungs heavy and rigid, and it felt like it took all his energy just to inhale. His words came out as a sigh.
"I don't know."
He didn't.
"I… lost it."
Somehow.
It was difficult to speak. Exhausting. His tongue weighed down like a stone in his mouth.
"It fell off and I…" He clenched his jaw, disgust towards himself and towards his pain rising like bile up his throat. "I'm finally free of that wretched thing so why does it hurt so much…? Why can't I-? Why-?"
A sob escaped through his teeth. The chain around his wrist was gone and yet its grip around his soul felt tighter than before. The freedom he'd sought had been ripped away and left a gaping hole in its wake. It hurt. The weight of his regrets, his past, remained.
Why, after all this time, could he not unshackle himself from it? The hold that watch had on him endured, a deep scar seared into his flesh.
"Why can't I release myself from this burden?" It came out as a gasp. Following the burning tears in his eyes, the heaving of his lungs for air. Heat washed down his cheeks as he cried. "Why am I still chained to him-?! I should rid myself of it and be done with it but- but- I can't…!"  
His fingers trembled, curled into a fist, as Bede crumbled into Gloria. Shuddering breaths and broken sobs wracked his body. Pain and guilt and everything all at once tore through his heart, and Gloria held on to him through it all. She wrapped her arms around him and shouldered him as he wept.
And he broke down like never before in the comfort of her embrace. The wails that met his ears sounded too close and too far away, foreign and yet familiar, and he knew it was coming from him. He couldn't stop it, like he couldn't stop the pain. He couldn't hold anything back. There was nothing he could do but let it all out; the cries that left his throat raw, the heavy gasps that shook his body, the tears falling from his eyes. Held up by Gloria, he let it happen. Let the floodgates open, his walls collapse, and he held her in return. As tightly as he could, he held her, and it kept him from shattering completely, from letting the darkness take hold.
Bede gave in to her- to her comfort, her concern, her embrace, and they rode out the storm in his heart, sheltered from the turmoil raging outside in the depths of a cave. When his tears had dried, his breathing calmed, when he had no more agony left to voice, he remained in her arms in silence. The shame he felt was not towards how he lingered in her hug, but due to the fact that all it had taken for him to break was a simple, golden watch. A trinket, an object from his past. A chain he couldn't bring himself to remove.
He was shameful. Piteous. Pathetic. Knew he didn't have to say as much for her to know the truth of how deplorable he had become.
It made him laugh. A dry, hollow breath of laughter.
"It's merely a watch," Bede said softly, as quiet as a whisper. Disbelief in his voice. "He didn't deign to gift it to me himself- no, it came wrapped in a box, with assurances from Oleana herself that it was from him. "
Pain flashed behind his eyes.
"For all I know, she could have been behind it, gifted it without his knowledge."
It hurt.
"Why would he have remembered my birthday when he couldn't even recall my name?"
Memories he had buried deep resurfaced. Innumerable, unanswered calls. Awards received without an audience, without recognition. Disinterest in the eyes of the one looked up to the most.
Disappointment.
Movement across his back swept those images away. Gloria, her arms still firmly around him, comfortingly ran her hands across his back. Her touch was tender. Gentle and soothing, and he let his eyes flutter shut from her ministrations. He didn't know how such a simple gesture could be so calming, if she knew how much it would quell the pain in his heart, or if he felt this way because it was her.
Bede sighed. "I should be grateful. Happy, even, to finally be liberated from it-" from him "-yet why? Why does it- why do I feel this way?"
"Maybe... you weren't ready."
He hadn't expected her to answer him, and her voice cut through the silence. It gave him pause.
"I think, and I might be wrong," she continued, "but... maybe it hurts because you didn't have control over it. You didn't actively choose to get rid of it, you had that choice made for you, and… sometimes, that lack of control can hurt the most."
Bede let her words sink in.
"It's okay if you weren't ready. No one gets to decide when you're ready to move on - if you choose to do at all - except you. And Rose, he had such control over your life for so long, a year or two apart from him isn't going to be enough to get over everything he did to you."
Gloria let out a quiet breath, resting her head against the top of his shoulder.
"You've come so far already and, and I know it still hurts. It's still so raw. I'm not able to do much but… but when the storm passes, I'll help you look for it."
Everything stilled inside of him. "You… you will?"
She didn't tell him to leave it. To move on, now that he had a perfect opportunity to rid himself of it for good.
"Why?" He pulled back, pulled out of her arms, and finally met her eyes. He saw then that she had been crying as he had.
She smiled. "Because it means a lot to you. And… and I want you to be able to choose to move on when you're ready." Her expression wobbled as she spoke, as her lips quavered slightly. "How could I not want to help you, Bede? I almost want to drop everything and go out looking for it right now." Admitting that, she laughed. "And- And just because you're attached to that watch doesn't mean you haven't already come so far. You know, it's just a watch. Whether you keep it or not says nothing about you as a person or your past or anything at all. I… I want you to know that."
Bede wanted to embrace her again. His heart ached as he took in everything she said, filling his chest with warmth.
How could he not be so utterly in love with her when she was like this?
Arceus, she… she was everything he needed and more, and he lost himself in her gaze for a moment, unable to pull away, to look away, to see or care about anything else but her. Adoration for her surged in his lungs, rising up his throat with words that formed silently on his tongue, seconds from spilling out.
Everything he wanted to tell her.
Gloria flustered, quickly glancing away. "I- we should, um, try and dry off a bit," she squeaked, jumping to her feet.
The towel that had fallen into her lap dropped to the ground. She went to grab it as he did, their fingers overlapping on the cloth, and she jolted as though the touch of his skin had burned her. Even in the darkness of the cave, Bede could make out the blush on her cheeks. It made his heart skip with a heavy thump.
Gloria snatched the towel, her sudden embarrassment startling him. Nothing he had done, or said, should have elicited such a reaction from her, and his lungs fluttered breathlessly as his mind scrambled to work out why she was acting this way.
"You've, um, got a bit of mud on your cheeks," she said quickly, shoving the towel into his hands.
She wasn't looking at him, and Bede couldn't take his eyes off her. He absently rubbed the towel against his cheek as he studied her, using the cloth to hide the slow trickle of heat that built across his face. Seeing her flustered like this had completely distracted him from his lost watch, a new set of emotions pooled through his veins and washed over the pain. It was as though upon losing it, he had gained even more in return.
The key to his unbroken chains was right in front of him. It had been all along.
-
Something was wrong with Gloria. Her heart galloped at an impossibly fast pace in her chest, thumping like a drum against her ribcage, and she could feel her cheeks begin to flush. All it had taken to set her off like this was a simple look from Bede. In that moment, his eyes raw and red from crying, mud streaked across his face, his damp hair hanging over his brow, something had ignited inside of her. Despite the pain, the cold, the discomfort, he had smiled at her. His expression had eased, light returning to his violet eyes, and it had done something inexplicable to her.
Her heart raced. Blood surged through her veins, her mind dizzy and incoherent. Now wasn't the time for- for whatever this was, and she chided herself for finding Bede adorable in such a vulnerable moment. Guilt pierced her chest, and she tried to shake the giddy feeling in her lungs away. It wasn't right to fawn over how ridiculously gorgeous he managed to be even when he was drenched and covered in mud, when he had been crying on her shoulder minutes earlier. She needed to screw her head on straight and focus.
Gloria peeked at Bede, remaining stiff at his side, and the strings of her heart tugged at the sight of his platinum blond curls damp and plastered to his brow and cheeks. His hair seemed even longer than usual, the weight of the water pulling out some of the curl. Droplets spilled from the tips of his hair and slowly cascaded down his cheeks.
She snatched the towel off him and threw it over his head. Covering his face, his hair, and muffling his yelp of protest, Gloria forcefully ruffled the towel as her heart punched upwards into her throat.
"Y-You should dry your hair as well!" she squeaked.
"Hey!"
She didn't know what she was doing anymore, rubbing the towel over his head because she couldn't bear to look at him for a moment longer. Bede caught her wrists, tugging her hands away from the cloth, and she stumbled to her knees from the motion. The towel fell from Bede's head, revealing his irritated glare. Having fallen to her knees, she was suddenly close to him again- close enough to make out the heat swimming across his face, the embarrassment in his eyes. Her breath caught. His hands, firmly around her wrists, felt like lighting.
"I'm perfectly capable of drying my own hair," Bede huffed.
Gloria opened and shut her mouth wordlessly. She couldn't speak. Not when he was this close to her, not when he was holding her wrists like that, not when the blush on his cheeks melted his glare into something heated and dark. It sent a shiver down her spine and all she could do was nod fervently until he let her go.
She turned away from him, air filling her lungs with a silent gasp, and she fumbled for her bag.
"S-Sorry," Gloria mumbled. She wasn't thinking straight at all. Her heart thumped in her ears, drowning out anything coherent. "It's- It's really cold in here, huh?"
She rubbed her arms up and down, giving an exaggerated shudder, as the cool air in the cave began to gnaw at her skin. Her damp clothes didn't help.
"Do you have a change of clothes on you?" she asked, glancing back at him.
Bede was drying his hair with the towel, and looked over at her from beneath it.
"I hadn't planned to stay here long enough to warrant a change of clothes," he said. "If it hadn't been for me losing my watch, I would have returned to Ballonlea by now."
"Right. Of course." She snapped her gaze back to her bag. Somehow, he'd managed to send her heart rate skyrocketing again. She heard Bede shiver, and almost shivered in return from that faint sound alone.
"I-I have a blanket!" Gloria yanked a picnic blanket from her bag, bundling it in her arms, and gestured with it to him.
"I'm not sure how much a blanket will help, but I appreciate it. It will be better than nothing, I suppose." He took it from her and began to unfurl it.
"You should at least, um, take off some of your clothes…" she trailed off, her cheeks heating as she spoke. "Y'know, since  th-they're wet and it's cold and- and you can use the blanket to, um…"
She wasn't making any sense.
"F-Forget it!" she squeaked, unable to think past the fact that she'd just told Bede to undress when he didn't have a change of clothes to get into, which meant he would be-
"I'm gonna change!" Gloria said loudly. Her voice cracked, and she pulled out her change of clothes. "So- So don't look this way, alright?"
She sent Bede a pointed look over her shoulder, her face ablaze with embarrassed heat, and he blinked at her, his eyes widening.
"You don't have to tell me not to!" he huffed. "Of course I wouldn't…" Bede cleared his throat. "Although, you are right. I should probably remove at least some layers…"
He said that last part quietly, and Gloria snapped her head around so she wasn't looking at him any longer. He was going to take up her suggestion, and that realisation sent a crackle of lightning through her blood. She clutched the dry clothes in her arms to her chest, and tried to shove those thoughts away.
He was her friend, for Arceus' sake! He was getting out of his damp clothing because it was cold and the storm wasn't going to pass any time soon, and the blanket would keep him warm and- and she had to stop thinking about it. Sure, Bede was definitely attractive. He was extraordinarily gorgeous in a way that left her breathless, and she found her gaze lingering on him more often than she'd like to admit, but he was her friend and she shouldn't be gawking over him.
And she definitely shouldn't be flustering over the prospect of him with less clothing on.
Gloria heard something shuffle behind her, the sound of wet clothing being removed, and she jolted. Her mind snapped back to reality. With her heart in her throat, she quickly began to change, and fought the urge to glance over her shoulder to make sure Bede wasn't looking this way.
Of course he wouldn't. There was no need to check, no need to even think about looking behind her, when Bede was most certainly undressing as well. That would be all kinds of wrong.
Gloria took a shaky breath as she pulled on her cozy woolen jumper, and shoved her damp clothes to the side by her bag. Her legs were no more bare now than they'd been in the Dojo's uniform, but she wished she had packed something warmer, or longer, than her pink dress. She undid her hair, shaking out her messy bun to dry it as best she could. As she sighed, silence filled the cave once more.
"Are you, um…" She didn't know what to say, hadn't thought this through. "...decent?"
Arceus. Her cheeks burned with a furious blush, and she squeezed her eyes shut in mortification. She wasn't even facing him, for goodness sake!
Bede cleared his throat. "I am," he said, making Gloria jump.
"Right!"
She whirled on her feet a little too fast, with a bit too much panic, and relief knocked the air from her lungs when she realised Bede had only taken off his outermost layers. His t-shirt and shorts were folded neatly beside him, keeping his long-sleeved top and, presumably, his leggings on. He had the blanket covering the legs and the lower part of his chest, and appeared enviously warm. Gloria's heart stammered in her chest as she sat next to him, with a comfortable distance between them. She faced forward, not letting herself look at him, still feeling awkward- as though he could read the inner turmoil that had been churning in her mind.
It was difficult being friends with someone so undeniably attractive at times.
"Feeling a bit warmer now?" Gloria asked, needing something to fill the silence. She absently rubbed her calves up and down as the cool air seeped into her.
"I am, yes. The blanket certainly helps."
She nodded stiffly. With Bede so close, it felt like her whole body was on alert. Stiff and tense, hyperreactive to the slightest sound, the slightest movement in the corner of her eyes. The situation was so strange, she couldn't bring herself to calm down. Cold wind swept through the cave, the temperature biting, and in a swift movement, the blanket was thrown over her legs.
Bede shifted closer, right up against Gloria's side, wordlessly sharing the blanket she'd given him. Warmth enveloped her. Flooding her veins, her chest, her lungs, and she gaped at him in silence as he looked away.
"That's better, isn't it?" he said quickly.
"You- You don't have to…"
She flustered and stared into her lap. Their shoulders were pressed together, and although they'd hugged before on many occasions, and sat like this before too, it felt different. Worlds apart from their casual hugs, from the time he'd sat beside her like this to comfort her.
"Need I remind you, it's your blanket? It wouldn't be right for me to have it all to myself when you're shivering like that."
Gloria nodded. She'd stopped shivering. "Thanks…"
"Like I said, you're the one sharing it with me," Bede huffed. "If anything, I should be thanking you."
That made her laugh. A short breath of laughter that dissolved the tension in the air. It allowed her to relax, to see how absurd the whole situation was, to realise that she was making a big deal out of nothing. This was Bede. Her friend. There was nothing for her to get worked up about.
With a smile, Gloria leant her head against Bede's shoulder. A comforting gesture that warmed her heart.
"I'm… just glad you're okay," she whispered to him. Her eyes drew closed. She settled against him, relishing in his presence, how calm and peaceful she felt beside him.
She felt safe, and knew everything was going to be alright.
-
When Gloria leant her head against his shoulder, Bede's mind screeched to a halt. Every fibre in his body tensed all at once. He couldn't breathe for a moment, his brain short circuiting in disbelief, as she snuggled into him. The practicality of sharing a blanket for warmth was suddenly lost, thrown out the window, the cave, into the storm, and he glanced at the girl curled into his side in shock.
"I'm… just glad you're okay," she whispered with the sweetest smile on her face, and her eyelids fluttered shut.
He couldn't say anything in return. His heart wedged in his throat, in his mouth, and no words would form. She looked so serene, so peaceful, and he didn't dare move, not wanting to risk disturbing her.
Somehow, she had become something of a panacea to him. Her mere presence at his side was enough to ease the pain, appearing out of nowhere whenever he needed her the most.
In the midst of the storm, she had found him.
"Why were you there?" he found himself asking.
"Why was I where?"
"In the Forest of Focus, where you found me."
"Oh, that." She laughed sheepishly. "Hop said that's where you were going to train."
"But why were you there in the first place? You should have been taking shelter."
"I actually had been taking shelter," she admitted, "in the Dojo."
"So you just decided to go wandering around the Forest of Focus in the middle of a storm?"
Gloria snorted. "No, I'm not that reckless!"
"Then… why?"
Why had she been there?
"I… was looking for you," she said quietly. Sheepishly.
"And you say you're not reckless…" Bede huffed, despite the firm squeeze of his heart. "What on earth would cause you to look for me in the middle of a storm?"
He hadn't given anyone, let alone her, any indication that something was wrong.
Gloria pursed her lips. The bashful look in her eyes, along with the hint of a blush on her cheeks, sent Bede's heart fluttering.
"Well… it's a bit silly," Gloria began. She chewed on her bottom lip as she mulled over her words. "But I… I had a bad feeling about it. When Hop mentioned that he'd seen you earlier, and you weren't there in the Dojo, I just… something felt wrong."
"That's it? You went looking for me based on a feeling?"
"There's more to it than that!" Gloria pouted. "You didn't answer your phone, either."
He hadn't heard his phone ring over the storm, and doubted that he would have answered in that moment anyway.
"I still don't see how that alone would make you venture out into weather like this."
Her expression fell and, for a moment, Bede wondered if he'd somehow pushed that point too far. As though he'd stepped on her toes, hit a sore spot.
"I guess it was a bit ridiculous," she agreed with a sigh. "But I couldn't just sit and do nothing. Not when everything inside me was screaming that something was wrong. Not when… when I've felt like that before."
She went quiet.
"What do you mean?" Bede asked. There was more to this, more to what she was - and wasn't - saying, and he desperately wanted to know. He needed to know, to understand.
"I haven't told anyone about it before," she said slowly. "It's one of the reasons why I'm always going with my gut, trusting my feelings, that sort of thing. Sometimes, most of the time, I'm wrong, but… once, before this, I was right."
Her eyes closed. She took a breath, a slow, deep breath, before continuing.
"It was the day my father died. The day of his accident. He was… hit by a car on the way home from work."
Bede's heart dropped into his stomach. She'd never spoken about this before.
"He was always really punctual, always made an effort to be home before seven at night. But that day… I remember looking up at the clock right as it hit seven and- and I knew. I knew then that something had happened."
She sighed.
"I mean, I obviously didn't know what had happened but… at that moment, I felt like something was wrong. I knew something was wrong. And- And maybe that was just me being an anxious child or finding something in those memories that wasn't there in the first place-"
Gloria caught herself and paused. Again, she took a deep breath to calm herself.
"I just… whenever I get a feeling like that, I can't stop myself. I have to do something. And today, when Hop mentioned that he'd seen you, and the storm was raging, I-I felt like something wasn't right."
Bede found her hand under the blanket and gave it a squeeze. A firm, comforting squeeze, as his heart ached for her.
He didn't know what to say.
"I didn't want to be right," she continued, "I wanted you to be okay. To be wrong, like I have been hundreds of times before this. But I needed to know for myself. I'd rather have wasted my time and got drenched than do nothing at all, if there's the slightest chance that I was right."
"I'm… sorry." It was the only thing that came to him. "I had no idea."
She gave him a faint, appreciative smile. "Of course you didn't. I haven't told anyone about that."
"Well, yes, but I meant that about… your father. And what happened. I'm sorry."
He fumbled over his words, his mouth dry.
"I didn't mean to make this all about me," she said lightly. "But thanks. It's been almost ten years and yet when I get a feeling like I did that day, it's like I'm going through it all again. At least this time, I could actually help someone. I'm glad."
"So am I," he found himself replying.
She squeezed his hand, and Bede's heart skipped. He didn't know if he should keep holding her hand like this or let it go, and the thought that perhaps she didn't mind sent a wave of heat through his veins. He decided to test the waters, to try something a bit more daring, and against all logical reasoning, he threaded his fingers between hers, interlacing them together. She returned his grip, and the air died in his lungs.
Arceus, it was too much. His heart surged, filling with heat and emotion, and he couldn't believe what was happening. That Gloria had found him in the Forest of Focus to begin with, that she was nestled at his side under a blanket they shared, holding hands with her head rested on his shoulder. To be like this with her was more than he could handle, to have her accept him and all his faults, his failings, to offer to go look for his watch with him after the storm passed.
He wondered how on earth he had managed to find someone like her in the first place.
"Oh, I should probably let Hop know I found you," Gloria said, stifling a yawn. "That way, you don't get 'throttled' the next time you see him."
"Excuse me?"
She snorted, pulling out her phone and typing a quick message with her free hand. "Yeah, Hop said that if I went out into the storm and got drenched for nothing, then he'd throttle you the next time he saw you."
"I'd like to see him try," Bede huffed, amused at the thought of Hop trying to fistfight him.
"Hopefully now you won't have to." Gloria pocketed her phone and relaxed again, settling her head further on his shoulder.
It would be easy for him to rest his cheek against the top of her head, and he fought the temptation to do so- holding her hand, their fingers interlaced, was already overwhelming, his chest thrumming and fluttering with heat, and he didn't want to risk pushing his luck any further. This was more than enough for his heart as it was.
Gloria yawned, lackadaisically covering her mouth with her free hand.
"Sorry," she said, catching the end of her yawn and slurring her words, "I had an early start. Went looking for Max Mushrooms all morning."
Bede swallowed the bubble of amusement that swelled in his chest at her sleepy yawn, and bit back a smile. He didn't know how she managed to be so cute all the damn time, constantly tugging on his heart with the most ordinary behaviour. A simple yawn sent his heart fluttering once again.
"Well, since I doubt the storm is going to pass anytime soon, now might be an opportune time to rest," Bede said, as casually as he could.
"Mm… but shouldn't I-" she yawned "-keep you company?"
Her eyes had already fallen shut.
"You don't have to be awake to keep me company," he said softly. Unable to hold back the tender smile on his face. "You've already done more than enough for me."
Gloria grumbled something in thought, in a weak protest, pouting her lips.
"Go ahead and rest. You deserve as much." He reached over and pulled the blanket higher over her so it rested just beneath her chin. As though he was tucking her into bed, urging her to sleep.
She sighed heavily, and sank into the warmth of the blanket. Her body relaxed. The pout of her lips eased. Her breathing slowed as she fell into the depths of sleep, and Bede finally gave in. He lowered his cheek to the crown on her head and smiled. An unbidden, unabashed smile pulled on his lips. His heart, having melted in her presence, swelled with adoration for her.
"Thank you," he whispered into her hair.
The space on his wrist no longer felt so empty.
-
To not fall asleep beside Gloria was an onerous task. Her warmth was comforting in a way that caused him to let down his guard, to relax, to forget the world around them. He found himself dosing on and off, woken by a sudden clap of thunder or the cry of Pokemon deeper in the cave, and chided himself each time for it. Sleep was too inviting next to her. Bede huffed. It wasn't like him to ignore the dangers of sleeping around wild Pokemon, completely throwing aside years of protective instincts he'd drilled into himself, just because of her. Had her naivety rubbed off onto him, or was it because somehow, she made him feel safe?
His worries faded when he glanced at her. Sleeping soundly with the faintest smile gracing her lips, the expression on her face calmed him. Talking with her, crying in her arms, being in her embrace, bit by bit she had chipped away at the cage around his heart and released him from that pain. He knew, with her beside him, that he could forsake the chain that had kept him shackled for so long. He could finally leave it behind.
Her acceptance was what he had needed all along. The Galatian Cuff around his wrist, although not a replacement for his watch, filled the space it had left behind. Just like how Gloria, how Ms Opal and the Trainers of his Gym, how all the people he now considered friends, had filled the gap in his heart left by the wounds of his past.
As the tempest inside Bede began to ease, so too did the raging weather outside. The storm passed. Golden light streamed into the cave as the setting sun breached the dark clouds and bathed the Isle of Armour in warmth once again. He didn't know how much time had passed since Gloria had found him, since they had taken up shelter in the cave, and he couldn't bring himself to wake her just yet. She continued to doze happily on his shoulder, evidently more exhausted than she had let on. As always, it seemed as though she had pushed herself as hard and as far as she could manage, even though no one was expecting her to do so.
That much, they had in common.
Bright light flashed over Bede's eyes, and he recoiled, squinting, and glared at the source towards the entrance to the cave.
"Oh, Arceus this is gold!" Laughter spilled from the person aiming the blinding flashlight from their phone at Bede and Gloria. "I have to get a picture of this."
Bede immediately recognised that cocky laugh, his heart catching in his throat as a shutter sounded. Again and again.
"Delete those right this instant!" Bede snapped.
Heat surged across his cheeks, embarrassment filling his lungs, and he stiffened in shock. With dread at having been caught snuggling under a blanket with Gloria.
Hop snorted. "No way! I'm sending these to Gloria." He flashed a grin at Bede. "And Marnie, and Sonia, and her mum-"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Wouldn't I?" Hop sauntered over, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "Marnie is not gonna believe this unless I have evidence and, hey, I have a competition to win."
Bede bristled with mortification. "What competition?!"
"Nope, can't tell ya. That'd ruin the whole thing!" Hop kept his phone trained on them. His grin widened. "But wow. Wow. This is what you two have been doing the whole time? And here Gloria keeps insisting that you're only friends."
"We- We've done nothing of the sort! Whatever you're insinuating, you must have your head screwed on backwards!"
"Right. Says the guy currently snuggling with Gloria. And aren't those her clothes next to her bag?" Hop let out a low whistle, his eyes wide. "Maybe I should give you two some privacy…"
Heat surged through Bede's entire body. With the blanket covering Gloria up to her chin and the clothes she was wearing earlier bundled up by her bag, he realised what exactly Hop was getting at.
"Sh-She got changed!" Bede barked quickly. "We got drenched in the storm, so she changed! You- You've got this all wrong. We haven't- we didn't- whatever you're suggesting, you couldn't be further from the truth!"
He tugged the blanket down enough so Hop could see with his own eyes that they were both fully clothed. At the sudden lapse in temperature, Gloria grumbled and shifted closer to her only source of warmth, to Bede. Hop watched on, amused.
"Sure, sure. I believe you." Hop's grin said otherwise. "This is definitely something purely platonic that I'm witnessing right now."
"What are you even doing here?" Bede huffed. He pulled the blanket back up to Gloria's chin, scowling as his cheeks blazed with a dark blush he couldn't force down.
"Glo told me where you guys were, and since the storm passed, I decided to come check up on my mates out of the goodness of my heart."
"I don't believe that for a second."
"Ouch, that's harsh."
Hop's cheeky grin remained firmly in place, evidently amused at Bede's growing discomfort.
"How Glo can do something like this and act like she doesn't have feelings for you is beyond me." Hop gestured at them snuggled beneath the blanket. "You should've seen how distraught she was when you wouldn't answer your phone. I doubt she would've acted like that towards anyone else."
Bede's heart flopped. "She was distraught because-"
Gloria's words came back to him, how she'd never opened up about the feeling she'd had the day her father died to anyone before. He realised then why Hop was reading so much more into the situation.
"Because…?" Hop raised an eyebrow, waiting for Bede to finish his sentence.
"It's not what you're thinking," Bede sighed. "Trust me, you couldn't be more wrong. Gloria, she… she can't help but act when she feels as though someone is in need of help. I'm sure you know that well enough."
Hop looked at Gloria and his grin began to fade. Amusement fell from his eyes.
"Yeah, you're right. And Arceus, she'd hate it if she heard what I was insinuating…" He made a sour expression at himself. "I just… want her to be happy, y'know? If she's got feelings for you, I want her to realise that but… ugh!"
Hop ruffled his hair in exasperation, before sighing heavily.
"I guess it's still too early for that, huh?"
"You don't need to tell me that."
Hop quirked a smile. "Good thing she sleeps like a log. If she heard any of this… the Meowth would be out of the bag for sure!"
"Which is why now would be an opportune time for you to can it."
Bede sent a wary glance at Gloria, finding that her peaceful expression hadn't changed one bit. She was still fast asleep. As much as he didn't want to wake her up, now was as good a time as any. He shifted his shoulder gently in an effort to rouse her.
"Gloria? The storm's passed," Bede said to her. "You should get up now."
"Good luck with that." Hop grinned again, phone ready in hand to take more unwanted photos.
Bede decided to ignore that. He'd already fallen for Hop's taunts twice in one day, and wasn't going to give him any more fuel. Gloria's brow scrunched as Bede nudged her with his shoulder again, and she grumbled something incoherent in her throat. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked a few times in a daze, Bede's heart swelling at the adorable, sleepy haze in her eyes, and she lifted her head off his shoulder.
Their eyes met. A moment passed before recognition filled Gloria's eyes, before she realised how close they were.
"Oh! Sorry!" Gloria squeaked, recoiling off Bede's shoulder.
The blanket fell as she startled, and it pooled over their laps and revealed that they were still holding hands. Their fingers were still entwined. A shutter clicked. Gloria snapped her head towards the sound.
"Hop?!" She snatched her hand from Bede's. Heat rushed up her cheeks, and Bede glanced away as an identical blush burned across his face. "What- What are you doing here?! Did you just take a picture?!"
Her embarrassment infected Bede, and he felt suddenly sheepish, as though they had been caught doing something indecent rather than simply holding hands. As though that was somehow worse than sharing a blanket, than her sleeping on his shoulder. He could feel amusement radiating off Hop and focused on folding up the blanket instead as Gloria flustered.
"Delete it!" she cried, leaping to her feet in indignation.
"Too late, already sent it to Marnie," Hop teased.
Marnie again. Bede bit back a frustrated huff. He couldn't voice anything in protest, silenced under the weight of mortification at being discovered holding Gloria's hand after assuring Hop that nothing was going on between them. He knew what it had looked like, and that made it impossible to deny what had happened, or what Hop thought had happened. The furious blush on Bede's face pooled to the very tips of his ears and flushed down his neck. An entirely unhelpful physiological reaction.
"Why did you send it to Marnie?!" Gloria squawked. She stamped her foot, folding her arms firmly across her chest as she stared Hop down.
"How else is she gonna believe me?" Hop flashed a grin at her. "Who knew you two were at that stage already-"
"Gimme that!"
She launched herself at Hop and swiped his phone before he could blink. Bede watched on, impressed.
"How many did you take…?!" Gloria swiped through the photos on Hop's phone, her eyes widening.
"Don't worry, I already sent them to you."
"I don't want them!"
She thrust his phone back at him with a huff. The embarrassment on her face shattered into hurt, and her expression darkened. She turned from Hop, her eyes meeting Bede's for a split second, before she marched over to her bag.
"Forget it," she said through her teeth, stuffing her wet clothes into her bag.
Bede sent a pointed look at Hop, who grimaced apologetically. They both knew he'd gone too far.
"Glo, look, I'll delete them." He tapped away at his phone. "And I didn't send them to Marnie, or anyone. I promise."
Bede stared at Hop in disbelief. He hadn't sent them to anyone at all?
Gloria sent an unimpressed look over her shoulder at Hop. A hard, callous stare that made Bede glad it wasn't directed at him. The hurt in her eyes was obvious, and it made her whole body tense as though she was trying to protect herself from further harm.
"You know how much I hate the paparazzi, taking pictures of me all the time when I'm just minding my own business, always insinuating stuff about me, and then you go and do the exact same thing…"
She pursed her lips. Bede knew it was to stop them from trembling. She always did that when she was about to cry, and it pierced his heart.
"Glo…"
"I should be safe with my friends. To be able to relax without- without you acting like them."
Gloria turned away from Hop. Her bottom lip trembled for a second before she bit down on it. Bede went to stand, moved to step closer to her in order to offer her some comfort, when she picked up her bag and stood.
"I came here to support Bede," she said, turning sharply to face Hop. "You have no idea what he went through, what happened, at all. So don't act like them, don't twist what you saw for your own amusement when you don't even know what happened."
"I... I'm sorry." Hop slumped. "You're right, and… man, I really acted like an ass. Sorry." He gave her a regretful smile, turning the screen of his phone towards her. "I deleted them all. Guess I should've known better, huh? You and the paparazzi are like water on an oil fire."
Gloria's expression eased slightly, the corner of her lips turning up at Hop's analogy. "Yeah, pretty much."
"Can you forgive an ass like me?" Hop lifted his arms, gesturing for a hug.
She looked at him for a moment before shaking her head with a smile, and accepted his hug.
"As long as you don't do that again," she warned.
Hop laughed. "I think I learnt my lesson."
Bede sighed to himself in relief. He was grateful that he didn't have to intervene in any way. Gloria had a glare that was sharp enough to kill, and the last thing he wanted was to give her a reason to level it at him.
He took note to avoid resembling the paparazzi in any way, shape, or form.
"Oh, the storm's over!" Gloria realised way too late. "We should get going, then."
"I was thinking the same." Bede nodded, gathering this folded up Gym Leader shirt and shorts, and handed the blanket back to Gloria. She met his eyes when she took the blanket off him, holding his gaze for a moment.
"Did you still want to…?" she asked quietly, looking deeply into his eyes as if searching for something.
He didn't know how to reply, suddenly put on the spot by the depth in her eyes, the concern on her face, and the question she didn't finish lingering in the air.
Did he still want to… what?
All he could think about was Hop's insinuation from earlier, and his mouth went dry.
Gloria tilted her head as she waited for his answer, the motion adorable in a way that didn't help his ability to speak at all. She leant closer, and Bede's breath hitched in his throat.
"Your watch," she whispered, "did you still want to look for it?"
Oh.
Oh.
Bede swallowed, and glanced away from her face, from the warmth of her eyes, in order to form words on his tongue. Did she not realise how close she was standing to him, or did she not care about personal space?
"No," he said.
The finality of his answer eased something in his chest, and he found himself relaxing. Tension he hadn't realised he'd held finally faded.
"No…?" she echoed. Her eyes widened. "Are you sure…?"
Ahead of them, towards the entrance to the cave, Hop stood with his back to them. Out of earshot.
Bede managed a smile, turning to walk towards the cave's entrance. He looked back at her, a steady warmth filling his lungs, and he knew this was what he wanted. He could finally set himself free.
"I'm sure," he answered. "It's time for me to let it go. I suppose all I needed was a push in the right direction for me to realise that."
She returned his smile and fell into step beside him. "If that's what you want… then I'll support you."
With her next to him, Bede found he could stand a little straighter, a little taller. Each step became easier as they made their way towards the Forest of Focus. Whenever he felt a prickle of doubt, all he had to do was glance at her, to remember her support, her encouragement, her acceptance, and he could move forward. He held his head high as they walked through the forest, not once feeling the urge to search for his watch.
He could finally leave it behind-
Something crunched beneath his foot. Automatically, Bede glanced down at whatever he'd trodden on, and spied a glimmer of gold beneath a mound of mud. A golden buckle covered almost completely in mud, yet still recognisable and familiar. His watch.
"Bede?"
From up ahead, Gloria called to him. Her voice stole his gaze away from his watch, and he could suddenly breathe again. Hadn't realised that he'd been holding his breath, that his heart had been pounding in his ears.
"Is everything alright?" she asked, looking as though she was about to head back over to him.
Bede smiled at her, and took a step, and then another and another, until he was at her side once more.
"Everything is more than alright," he said, and lightly touched her hand. He gave it a quick, gentle squeeze, before continuing on after Hop.
Gloria skipped to catch up with him, her cheeks slightly flushed. She caught his hand as they walked, returning the squeeze he had given her, before releasing his hand. When he glanced at her, she glanced back at him, smiles building on their faces.
Everything was more than alright.
It was perfect.
70 notes · View notes
litteriae · 4 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
UNPROMPTED. always accepting !
@psyleki​​ said: "accidently" spills soup on gloria. oh nooo :) im so sorry :) how thoughtless of me :)
                            aside  from  the  fun  she  spends  dedicating  herself  for  hours  of  training,  dinner  time  was  one  of  her  favorite  times  on  the  isle  of  armor.  the  people  were  incredibly  welcoming.  although  the  spot  wasn’t  originally  hers,  gloria  feels  blessed  to  have  been  granted  such  a  wonderous  opportunity  to  train  with  all  these  talented  people.  the  brunette  hums,  her  feet  skip  slightly  off  the  floor  as  she  makes  her  merry  way  to  the  mess  hall.
                            and  then  it  happens  ....
                            hot  broth  stains  her  dojo  uniform  clothes  in  unsightly  pools  of  liquid.  the  front  was  ruined.  completely  aghast  her  mouth  drops,  but  not  a  single  sound  is  uttered.  instead,  she  stares  into  avery’s  eyes,  his  painfully  fake  apologetic  expression  says  it  all.  tears  fill  the  corners  of  her  eyes.  she’s  hurt.  so  hurt.  but  most  of  all  ...
Tumblr media
                            ❝  WHAT’S  YER’  FUCKIN’  PROBLEM?  ❞
                            she’s  pissed.
                            fire  burns  fiercely  in  the  delicate  autumn  swirls  of  her  eyes.  her  galarian  accent  is  thicker,  angrier  than  the  usual  upbeat  front  she  wears  proudly  with  a  smile.  the  clothes  weren’t  the  issue  here.  gloria  knew  she  could  get  a  replacement  without  a  problem.  but  no,  she’s  had  it  with  this  pompous  ass.  ❝  i  was  raised  to  respect  those  older,  wiser  than  me  and  i  really  did  think  you  were  amazin’...  but  you  don’t  respect  me  one  bit!  ❞  gloria  stomps  forward,  harshly  jabbing  a  finger  in  his  chest.  ❝  and  for  what?  just  cause  i’m  climbing  the  ranks  here  you  feel  threatened  by  a  girl  younger  than  you?  so  you  throw  soup  on  her?  grow  up  already!  ❞
                            she  wipes  away  the  hot  tears  from  her  eyes,  but  they  spill,  she  is  furious  and  pained  by  the  destructive  flames  of  envy  constantly  tailing  her.  wasn’t  killing  her  best  friend’s  confidence  enough?  gloria  slides  her  hands  against  her  hot,  wet  uniform  and  bears  her  teeth,  gritting  them  as  she  glares  daggers  at  the  taller  blond.
                            ❝  do  us  all  a  huge  favor,  go  find  the  caterpie  that  crawled  up  yer’  arse  and  piss  off!  that’s  why  you’re  not  getting  anywhere!  not  me.  YOU’RE  the  bloody  problem!  ❞
                            and  with  that,  she  pounds  her  feet  and  walks  off,  ignoring  all  the  eyes  glued  on  her.
4 notes · View notes
firecodex · 1 year ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: No matter how difficult training can be, you can do your best as long as someone's there to support you!
Gloria: That's how I felt during my training.
Gloria: If I run into hard times on Pasio, I know I'll be OK as long as I have you by my side!
Gloria: That's how I feel!
2 notes · View notes
misc-img-descriptions · 2 years ago
Text
[ID: Art of Gloria from Pokemon Masters in her Dojo Uniform EX outfit. She is seen from the mid-thighs up, smiling with both hands raised into fists playfully. End ID]
Tumblr media
130 notes · View notes
firecodex · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: Water changes shape depending on what it's poured into…
Gloria: Similarly, it's important to adapt to your opponent during battle!
Gloria: That is the essence of water!
3 notes · View notes
firecodex · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: I had this thought…
Gloria: The most important reason to continue training isn't to defeat somebody.
Gloria: It's to improve a little bit every day…
Gloria: so that we're better than we were the day before!
Gloria: It's a bit embarrassing saying that out loud.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: I'll continue to train so I can feel good about myself!
Gloria: I'm gonna grow stronger with Urshifu, one step at a time! I wanna grow stronger with you, too!
4 notes · View notes
firecodex · 1 year ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Transcript
Gloria: I'm wearing my training uniform from the Isle of Armor right now!
Gloria: It's important to look the part, you know?
0 notes
pokeexehasstoppedworking · 9 months ago
Text
Isle Connections Ch3 Trials Ahead
(In case anyone was wondering about where this story breaks off, this side story breaks off around chapters 30-31 of Love Doesn't Do Encores/A Champion Time For The Heart. Also thanks to everyone who sent in pokemon suggestions for this story. The most I've gotten was a ponytail so that's what I went with.)
Tumblr media
Well you knew now why Gloria brought along Victor's old camera and plenty of film rolls. The next morning you were woken up to a banging on your door. Groggily, you pulled yourself out of bed with Silver grumbling from the floor next to the bed. You answered it to Gloria beaming brightly up to you widely wearing a black and yellow uniform of some sort.
"Mornin', Y/n!," she greeted brightly, "Ya ready ta go?"
You yawned reaching out to rub your face. "Go where? And where'd you get the uniform?"
"Ms. Honey gave it to me! Said I needed ta wear the dojos uniform while here. An' to go explorin' duh! We're not doing anything til this Friday so we got some free time to settle in."
Oh right. Mr. Mustard wanted to give Gloria a week to settle in and learn the routines around here before they started any training exercises. That whole week you both spent talking to the many others training at the dojo and most of them were actually really friendly and nice people. You sometimes caught sight of Klara but one glare from you seemed to have her only speaking a few lines of passive aggressive words disguised as a sweet smile usually having you both exchanging looks before she walked off. Weird woman. You didn't see much of Avery either. Often hearing that he preferred to go out finding different pokemon to battle to 'give his psychic perfection a real challenge.' You weren't sure about those two.
"Doesn't those two seem familiar to ye?", Gloria piped up one day while doing her share of chores. "Avery n' Klara."
Also during the week Gloria was getting settled in, she had been doing her share of chores posted on the board by Ms. Honey. That particular day Gloria was assigned to help a few other people clean and mop the dojo's main training room. You always helped despite never being assigned chores, after all you weren't a student at the dojo so you didn't have to do chores but you felt awkward just being there for free without doing something in return so you always helped Gloria with whatever she was assigned to do that day. So currently you were helping to wipe off some of the training equipment as Gloria swept the floor near you. A few other people were also sweeping, mopping, or cleaning the training equipment too. Avery being one of them. The blonde man was currently standing there watching as a levitating moo ring itself out above a bucket of water before starting to mop the floor in front of him again.
.... Seriously. HOW was he able to do that?
"Hm...Now that you mention it, I do think we've seen them somewhere before but I can't put my finger in it."
"Neither can I. It's like a really weird case of deja vu."
It was weird. You could've sworn you saw them somewhere before but ..where? We're they previously NPCs back in the game when you were still in your own world? Were they unlockable characters back in your world? Maybe you saw them somewhere else during the league challenge? You would've thought you would've remembered them though. Especially Avery. A guy with a giant top hat and psychic powers was hard to forget. Oh well. You shouldn't worry about it now. You should just focus on helping Glory and keep an eye on them. Later that week Friday morning came and everyone was summoned into the dojos training room after breakfast. You and Gloria joined all the others with little Silver following behind you looking bored as always. Klara and Avery were there too and you made sure to keep a close eye on them. Mr. Mustard laughed with a bright smile.
"All of you are probably wondering why I called every here today!," he happily chirped, "I was going to host this little exercise earlier but I decided to wait for our newest student to settle in. To see how far you all have gotten, I decided to host a few trials!" He smiled wider. "So.. It's time to really start our training. You all will be facing three trials!" Immediately there was a buzz around the dojo and you and Gloria exchanged a look. "And there's more! The person who completes the three trials or who I think has worked the hardest will receive the secret armor of the dojo!"
Secret armor? Leon didn't say anything about a secret armor. Maybe it was some kind of trophy? You gave Gloria another look and she looked excited at you. This could actually be a good warm up for her. Already she was ready to throw down.
"That secret armor's mine for sure!," he bravely said throwing up a fist.
"Haha! That's the spirit. There will be one trial held every Friday until all three are complete. Now let me explain the first trial-"
"Pardon me, Master!" Everyone looked over as Avery spoke up raising his hand. "But I haven't received my uniform yet."
"Me neither!," Klara added.
He huffed smoothly flipping his long blonde hair back before shooting one look at Gloria before turning away. "I daresay it's unfair for only that child to get a uniform. Unequal even! I demand to be given one!"
"Me too! Me too!", Klara again added waving an arm.
Mustard only listened to him patiently with a polite smile despite Avery's demanding rude tone. You gave him a deadpanned look. What was with this guy? And Klara?
He chuckled at him before smiling wider. "Oh dear. Do you really not have a uniform? My bad. My bad. That's easy to fix though." Without skipping a beat, he pulled his hands from behind his back and held up a neatly folded uniform. "I have another one right here for you, Avery."
Avery's face turned pleased as punch as she stepped over to Mr. Mustard. As he passed you you could've sworn he said, "It does pay to complain sometimes."
You only deadpanned further. Avery walked right up to Mustard and reached out to grab the neatly folded pair of clothes- Klara squealed out as something ran out from under everyone's legs and a pink and yellow blur swooped past his face. Avery was sent stumbling back almost falling and clutching his hat from shock. The folded clothes gone. Everyone screamed as the blur ran past you. On instinct you pulled Gloria by the shoulders away as whatever it was ran past you both and skidded to a stop in front of the door leading to the outside of the dojo. Everyone's shocked and surprised faces followed the blur until it skidded to a stop in front of the door. Your eyes widened as you realized what they were.
Pokemon!!
Slowpokes to be exact.
There was three little pink and yellow slowpokes standing in front of the open doorway staring at everyone. 
"EH?! What in the world?!," Avery piped up blinking confused before looking at his Master's empty hands, "Hey! My dojo uniform! It's gone missing!"
Your eyes widened and you pointed at the slowpokes. "No it's not. Look there!"
Avery looked where you pointed out. The middle slowpoke looked at you all and comically held Avery's uniform in its mouth making the blonde's jaw drop and Klara busted out in giggles along with a few others. You had to admit..It was funny to see after how rude he was before. 
"How dare you?!," Avery sputtered embarrassed turning a light pink from everyone laughing at the sight, "Are you using Trick? Return my dojo uniform immediately!" He demanded. The three slowpokes looked at one another.. before turning and with surprising speed took off out the open doorway. "Oh my- Where do you think you're going?!"  Avery shouted before grabbing his hat and running past all of you and out the door making everyone laugh harder.
Mustard chuckled himself at the antics. "Oops. Guess I let them out of their pokeballs a little too soon. Hahaha!" Everyone turned back to him as he smiled widely. 
"Master, what's up with those slowpokes?," a woman asked confused.
"This is the first trial, my students. You've all gotta chase after those fast slowpoke trained by little old me. But that's not all! You need to defeat them too! And while you're at it, could you get Avery's dojo uniform back? Well that's that!" Wait wha- Mustard just turned and began to Walk his way back towards his home waving a hand. "Off you go. I'm sure you'll do great!"
Everyone looked at one another- Before Klara ran full speed out the door and everyone followed quickly stampeding out the doorway after her. Gloria smiled at you before making a 'come on' motion with her arm.
''C'mon Y/n! Let's go beat 'em!"
"ACTUALLY!!" You both had stopped and looked over at Mustard. He had stopped but turned back around to you both smiling widely. "I'm afraid that'd be against the rules."
You both blinked. "Huh?"
"Only students are allowed to participate in the trials. No outside help. That wouldn't be fair to the others to have extra eyes." He smiled wider. "You are still free to watch however from a distance. I'm afraid this is something young Gloria must do this on her own."
"Oh.." Gloria deflated a bit but nodded. "Ah understand. Would ye mind goin' out n' snappin' some pictures o' the wild pokemon for me? Tis for my Isle of Armor dex challenge." She asked you." 
You happily nodded. "Sure. I can do that. You just go ahead and win that trial!"
She nodded gaining a determined look. "Ya got it Y/n! I won't let ya down!" With that she turned and ran out of the building after everyone else.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience." You blinked turning back to Mustard still smiling. "But it's for the best. Gloria is used to having help with all her challenges that she gets stage fright whenever something she has to do herself is presented. I can surely help her but  I cannot have you interfere."
"Huh?"
"I am full aware Leon sent you to keep an eye on her as he's worried about his surrogate sister but he to needs to realize that she needs to be able to stand on her own two feet as a future gym leader. These trials are only a stepping stone to get her on the right path before I start to really train her. So please, allow her to do these on her own."
You blinked.. before nodding. "I understand completely. I only hope she'll be able to do better."
"In time she will. Now off you go. I do believe you also have an adventure that awaits you."
Ah. Right. Gloria's new dex challenge. You supposed you could help her with that while she was out doing the trials. In the meantime you'll be relaxing yourself doing some bird watching..Or in this case pokemon watching you guessed. So you returned to Gloria's room really quickly, found the Polaroid camera on her bed along with the dex challenge book, and began heading out into the small forest behind the dojo with Silver as usual tagging along behind you. It was a relatively peaceful beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly in the warm air and lit up the world in a glow. The air was filled with the scents of beautiful wild flowers and the distant smell of the ocean. There was an abundance of wild pokemon out and about. A regular smorgasbord of pokemon types running around everywhere. Perfect for Gloria's dex challenge. All you had to do was aim the camera, snap a picture, wait for the film to develop, and then take a moment to put the picture in the book on the page with the name of the pokemon you took a picture of. You caught a lupunny, a wild luxury and it's shinx cubs, and a few others on your way through the lovely forest. You weren't sure how long you were out of how far you had wondered but it . must've been a good two or three hours at least.
You had eventually stopped when you pushed through a bush and came to a beautiful sight. A rather large pond displayed before you. Chalk FULL of water type pokemon! A drednaw, lots of chewtles, a Squirtle or two, LOTS of wooler, a quagmire, and a lot of others! Perfect! You'd be able to get a whole chunk of this dex challenge done for Gloria! So you sat down a little ways from the pond to not disturb the pokemon and just started taking pictures and placing the photos in the book. SNAP! Place. SNAP! Place! Over and over again as Silver sighed boredly and eventually had his attention drawn to a wild berry tree- CHIRP!! He chittered pulling  on your sleeve suddenly and frantically pointing at the tree demandingly. You took time out to look at him and then the tree before sighing.
"Ok, ok. Silver, I'll get you a few pieces of fruit but first let me get a few more pictures. Ok?"
Your drizzle didn't seem happy as he chirped loudly before crossing his arms but thankfully didn't throw a full blown tantrum and scare away the pokemon. You took a few more pictures of a wartle, and the big sleeping drednaw before placing them also in the book. Boy. Gloria would sure be happy with all the progress you've helped her make on the dex. Silver groaned louder grabbing your arm with both hands and tugged harder stomping his feet at he did. 
"Alright, alright! Give me a second. Geez. Your appetite is going to get you in trouble one day you know that?" 
He only pouted harder. Sighing you got up closing the book and quickly stuffing it back in the small bag you carried. Silver followed excitedly on your heels as you walked on over to the berry tree and reached up to grab a few kelpie and orange berries hanging on the lowest branches. Handing them over to Silver who stood on his tip toes and reached out for them making grabby hands. You handed each and every one right over watching as he scarfed them down one after another before chirping for more and you gave him a pecha berry you reached. 
"You sure are a demanding little thing. You know that right?"
Silver opened his mouth to swallow his berry whole..but stopped and looked over suddenly blinking. CHIRP!! He looked up at you suddenly and waved an arm almost panicked! You gave him a look and he pointed at a couple bushes across from you both! CRASH!! CRASH!! RUSTLE!! Before you could even ask what was wrong something came crashing through the bushes making you look up just as a pink blur busted out of the bushes and landed with a thud a few yards away. The sudden noise startled everyone as all the tiny wooper and Squirtle ran away or dove for cover under the water. The bigger pokemon on alert sunk back into the waves. The sleeping drednaw woke with a start looking around. And Silver dove behind your legs with a loud wail of panic before peeking out. You also froze in shock staring at the form of a-...
"A slowpoke?"
A pink and yellow slowpoke stood there with its back towards you before it turned hearing your voice. It turned around and you blinked as it...Held a dojo uniform in its mouth?? The thing tilted it's hard at you holding the yellow and black uniform in its mouth. Wait. Didn't that uniform belong to-
"COME BACK HERE YOU TWO FACED SCOUNDREL!!"
There was even more rustling and crashing before another figure came crashing through the bushes. You watched as a man jumped through the bushes only to trip and faceplant into the grassy dirt. A tall hat fell off his head and pokeballs thudded to the ground. Any other poor pokemon still remaining was scared further away from you chittering in fright as they fled. ..You and Silver exchanged a look before the blur pushed himself up with a grunt and reached a hand up to push frazzled blonde hair from his face-
"Avery?" Said man paused.. before snapping his head your way freezing at seeing your legs.. before he looked up at your face. His glasses were crooked, he had dirt stains all over himself, and a few leaves and twigs stuck out of his hair. You blinked at him. "What are you doing here?"
He took a moment to blink before a frown etched on his face and he reached up to fix his glasses. "I-I was m-merely c-chasing a thief!" He wheezed and breathed heavily as if tired from all the running he did that day. You watched as he grabbed his hat standing up stumbling a bit on shaking legs, and brushed the dirt off his hat. Still heavily panting. "T-That *huff* little bandit-" he pointed his hat at the slowpoke. "-m-m-made off wi-with my u-uniform!*huff huff*" He gasped for air as he spoke. "W-Wait... W-What are you *huff* doing h-here?"
You motioned to the camera around your neck. "Taking pictures of wild pokemon. Are you chasing the slowpoke? I thought you would've been competing in the trial with everyone else."
He huffed before placing the tall hat back on his head. The pokeballs enveloping in a blue glow quickly floated up to circle around his head again. .. Wasn't ANYONE gonna ask how he was doing that? "I can't without my proper a-attire! I'm going to get my uniform back from that little bandit and then go see what it is!"
...Oh right. Avery left chasing the slowpoke before he could hear what the trial was so he had no idea what it was. "You've been chasing after this slowpoke the whole day? I thought you would've caught it by now."
"I try but every time I get close enough to battle it just flees!"
You gave him a look but before you could say anything a crunching noise was heard behind you. Behind your legs Silver was eating his pecha berry loudly. Wait...berries. A flash of memory came forth. Victor lured that slowpoke out of the train station using food. What if you could use the same method for this situation? Taking a moment you turned around and walked back towards the berry tree. Avery turned his head confused as he watched you stop by the tree and reach up through the leaves, eventually plucking a big sitrus berry from. It looked like a yellow pear with orange polka dots. Yeah. This oughta do it. 
With a smile you turned back to the slowpoke. "Hey, boy. Are ya hungry?" You held up the berry. "You must be after running around all day. How about a big juicy berry for your hunger?"
The slowpoke immediately perked up in interest. Staring right at your hand as you slowly approached it leaning over and holding out the berry. 
"It's gotta be uncomfortable holding those clothes in your mouth all day. How about we trade? You give me the clothes and you get this berry." You know were standing right in front of him smiling. "What do you say?"
....In an instant the clothes fell to the ground. You blinked as a blue passed you and the berry was gone. Behind you the slowpoke happily crunched the berry in its mouth chewing. ...Well...That worked. You shook your head before reaching over to pluck the clothes off the ground before the slowpoke changed it's mind about playing keep away. Here we go. With a satisfied smile you turned and walked right up to a surprised Avery before holding out the uniform to him.
"Here you go. It's a bit dirty but it'll be fine when you clean it."
Avery only continued to stare at you in disbelief before looking at his uniform. "You-..you were able to reclaim my uniform all by yourself?...Hmph. You have my thanks." He reached out to grab it from you...only to grimace and hold it out from him at the ends. "YYYuck." Dirt stains littered most of the suit and a large chunk of it was dripping with slowpoke drool you had been careful to avoid grabbing. "That's unsanitary." He grimaced harder before a blue aura enveloped it too and the uniform was floating along with his many pokeballs.
"Well if you're that grossed out why chase after it all day instead of getting a new one from Ms. Honey? I'm sure she has loads."
"Because my dear!" A hand pressed to his chest. "It's the principle of the matter! The pokemon took it from me and I wasn't going to give up! If I just gave up that easily then I wouldn't be able to achieve any of my goals!" His answer.. actually surprised you. It wasn't as condescending as you'd thought it'd be. "Even if I prefer to go at my own pace..."
A hum escaped your mouth before you nodded. "I can respect that." A crash sound went off before you both turned and the slowpoke was gone. Crashing his way through the brush.
Avery sighed. "As much as I adore those elegant creatures, this day has been dreadfully tiring."
"I'd imagine. You look a mess." Without thinking you reached out to grab a small stick from his hair and dropped it. "You must've been really going at it." You then giggled at his expression. ''That kind of determination will get you far though. Keep at it."
He stared before his cheeks turned a light pink- BOOM!! Bird pokemon flew overhead as a loud boom crashed though the sky causing you both to look upwards.
"What my word was that?"
"I don't know..but I'm going to find out. C'mon, Silver."
Silver chirped before running after your form as you ran right past Avery and through the words the source of the noise. Avery blinked before he took chased after you despite the tiredness he felt. Through bushes, shrubs, trees, and tall grass you all pushed through as noises of fighting cascaded closer and closer. Wait...No. Not fighting. A pokemon battle. Someone was having a pokemon battle all the way out here. Why? Who could be in the middle of the woods battling pokemon?...Besides Avery. The sounds soon ended but you didn't stop. Only pushing on towards the direction the noises came from until you all pushed past the branches of a small tree and paused at what you saw.
"Gloria?"
Said teen stopped and looked at you both surprised. In her arms was a knocked out slowpoke she was carrying. Behind her was her cinderance, the fire rabbit pokemon held two more knocked out slowpokes. One under its arm and the other slung over its shoulder.  Both looked surprised to see all you there.
"Y/n?," she asked adjusting the giant slowpoke in her arms. "Wait are ye doin' 'ere?"
"Taking pictures of pokemon for you." You blinked looking at her progress. "Wow. But it looks like you did it!"
She smiled proudly. "Yep! It helps me cinderence is faster than these wee troublemakers!" Her pokemon gave a noise of pride. "It was really hard findin' the last one tho. It just came crashin' out o' nowhere it did."
You smiled at her. "Well since you caught them all, we better return these guys to Mr. Mustard."
Gloria nodded. "But...which way is back home?"
Uh..that was a good question. You've never been here before so you had no idea where you were. In question you turned back to Avery with a lost expression. He was patting himself down and brushing the dirt off his arms when he noticed your look. He blinked for a moment before chuckling.
"Well..Never fear ladies." He pressed a hand to his chest smiling smugly. "For I am here to elegantly save the day from this dastardly situation."
"You know the way back?"
"I know the entire isle like the back of my hand. Come. I'll guide you back-" He blinked as your arm looped around his and you smiled brightly. 
"I knew I could count on you. Such a gentleman."
He...just blinked before clearing his throat and turning away. "Well, of course. A gentleman never leaves a damsel in distress-"
"Why are ye levitatin' yer uniform?," Gloria piped up making him blink.
He frowned again. "Because a certain scoundrel made off with it. It took me all day to track him down!"
"Why didn't ya jus' levitate the slowpoke then ta stop him?"
Avery completely paused staring at Gloria blankly and you had to bite your tongue to not laugh. "..... Let's just get back to the dojo."
It took nearly an hour for you all to get back to the dojo. By the time you got back, everyone else was already there or just filing in. All sweaty and dirty and tired looking from the day's activities. However they all looked shocked at both Avery smugly walking past them all with a beautiful woman on his arm and Gloria walking behind them still struggling to heave the slowpoke in her hands. As you all entered the dojo, you spotted Klara looking just as frazzled as the rest of them but her face dropped in shock once seeing Gloria. Mr. Mustard and Ms. Honey was there too smiling widely.
"Oh Avery. Gloria. Welcome back," Honey greeted you all, "And it seems you brought some guests back."
"Well mustered, Gloria!," Mustard complimented looking over the three slowpokes around her pleased, "You cleared the first trial like it was nothing! Why I think this is the first time since Leon that someone was able to handle all three fast slowpoke on their own!" Gloria lit up happily as Avery again paused... before whipping to Gloria utterly shocked. "The rest of you tried very hard too! You were able to catch up to the slowpoke but I guess you couldn't defeat them. Tell you what. Anyone who was able to at least catch up to a slowpoke gets a pass." A few people sighed and the ones who didn't pass groaned or scowled. "Gloria really out did herself so it's only fair everyone else gets another chance. Try to make a comeback everybody!" There was a grumble all around but Mustard only looked at his wife. "Oh. That reminds me. Dear, where are those little ones?"
"Oh, that's right darling. I nearly forgotten." Ms. Honey looked at Gloria. "Would you mind coming with me for a moment? We have a prize for the trial winner but I think we ought to take of these poor dears first." She gestured to the slowpokes.
"Oh. Sure!"
You all watched as she followed Honey through a door with her cinderance and the slowpokes as everyone grumbled or started to walk away tiredly..but then Avery spoke up in disbelief.
"Battling and catching the slowpoke was the trial the entire time?! So I spent all day wasting away my chances to-..." The expression on his face fell. "So I-...Lost in the first trial already?"
Klara gave a smug look at Avery smiling. You looked at her..then at Avery.. before you turned to Mustard who turned to leave. "Mr. Mustard?" You called out raising a hand. He hummed turning back to you. "I know you said that anyone who wasn't able to catch up with a slowpoke was out, but Avery is still in right?" Klara looked at you wide eyed and Avery blinked. "He was chasing after the slowpoke that stole his uniform all day, and he even managed to catch up to it. He even has proof." You gestured to the uniform still levitating by Avery's head. "He didn't know what the trial was but since he was able to keep up, doesn't that mean he's still in?"
"What?! No! That's not fair!," Klara insisted with a frown, "He didn't even stay to hear what the Master said!"
"Actually.. There's nothing wrong with what she said!," Mustard smiled much to Kara's disappointment. "So Avery is allowed to compete in the next trial! Anyone else who passed the first trial show up here bright and early next Friday morning! Well be having a real workout next time! You all are dismissed for the rest of the day. Work hard now." He gave a small knowing smile to Avery and where your arms were still looped before walking away.
Klara gave you a look- You snapped your head at her making her pause.. before she just turned and stomped off. A few other people walked away before Avery slowly looked at you wide eyed in surprise.
"You...helped me?"
Blinking you looked at him before nodding and finally letting go of his arm. "Yeah. I did."
"But why? You had nothing to gain from it."
"Because you helped me and my friend find our way back, so consider us even. Also you did pass. It's only fair you'd get a chance to compete since you passed fair and square. Don't get me wrong." You hardened your gaze and pointed at him. "I'm still keeping my eye on you but for now... You're just a fellow competitor. Now you better get cleaned up. I have to go give my drizzle a bath. C'mon Silver."
Silver chirped excitedly at the promise of water and excitedly followed your retreating form. Avery watch her go ... before he blinked and a light pink dusted his cheeks as the pokeballs sped up in a circle around his head. You returned to your room and wrestled Silver out of his little hoodie and threw him into the tub for a bath. His hoodie would need to be washed later. In the middle of it all Gloria busted into your room happily holding two pokeballs. 
"Y/n! I got a squirtle an' Bulbasaur!"
You both continued on the same as usual for the next week. You both started exploring a bit more of the woods to try and get a good mental map of the place as Gloria continued to work on her dec challenge. You wondered what would happen if she completed this dex challenge. She had already gotten a bunch of charms for the main dec challenge and a few toys for the curry dec challenge. But what about this one? You guessed you had to wait and see. You both still were avoided by Klara and you honestly didn't see much of Avery again. However Gloria was still paired up with them from time to time when she was assigned to different chores. It was one particular day two days before the next trial that realization seemed to dawn on Gloria.
"Psst. Y)n. I think I finally figured out where Ah recognized those two blokes from!"
Gloria had been assigned a long with a few other people that day to help clean up the kitchen after dinner. A few people were sweeping and mopping the floors as Klara and another girl wiped down the counters and large table. You were helping Gloria wash and dry dishes since no one else seemed to want to help her. 
You paused in the middle of drying a bowl with a towel. "Wait. Really?"
She nodded washing a cup. "Back at Wegherst Station. Remember? Those two got on the train with us." She nodded behind her and you snuck a glance a Klara wiping the table. "They had a meetin' with Lee 'fore he left."
"Those two had a meeting with Leon?" NOW YOU RECOGNIZED THEM BOTH!! Gloria was right! They were the strange people from the station. But what were they doing at Postwick? And why were they having a meeting with Leon? You were really confused. "Why?"
Gloria shrugged. "I have nah idea. I only know they weren't too happy when they left."
Huh. That was strange. You made sure to keep a mental note of it for the future. Two more days passed and Gloria woke you up bright and early by banging on your door. She was already ready to go in her uniform and excited. Like before everyone gathered in the training room after breakfast where Mustard and Honey were already waiting. You looked around and noticed that only the people that passed the last trial stayed. There was Gloria, Klara, Avery, and four other students dressed in the black and yellow uniform. The crowd was really thinned down by the first trial.
"Good morning, Everyone," Mustard greeted, "After the last trial, I expect everyone left to work hard to pass this next one. But before we begin, does everyone know what dynamaxing is?"
Everyone exchanged looks confused. Of course everyone knew what dynamaxing is. Why would he be asking that?
"Dynamaxing. A mysterious phenomenon unique to the pokemon of Galar, and then there's gigantamaxing. A very special way of dynamaxing for very special pokemon. Their moves changes of course but their appearance changes too. Speaking of gigantamax, that's the secret recipe of the Master Dojo." He smiled wider giving a chuckle. "Drinking it makes you gigantic and strong! I call it max soup! I'd love to have a bowl of max soup full of max mushrooms right about now. It sure has been awhile. And that's why your second trial shall be mushroom picking." He explained. Wait.. Mushroom picking? "Max mushrooms are the key to gigantamaxing, and I'm taking  you with finding three. For those who don't know, Max mushrooms are red with a spiral shape on them and I'm pretty sure they grow in dark, humid places. And with that your next trial begins! I'm counting on you!" 
Once again everyone looked at one another before they turned and started running towards the door. Avery was first bolting out of there with Klara and everyone else close behind him. Gloria also-
"Hey, Gloria." Gloria stopped in her tracks before looking around at Mustard. "My bad. My bad. It just dawned on me that you're new to the Isle of Armor. I bet you have no idea where to even begin looking for max mushrooms. C'mon. Let's go for a walk and I'll show you some mushroom hot spots. I'd also like to discuss in depth about your battle performance during your first day here against me."
Gloria blinked and looked at you, but you only motioned at her so she nodded. "Um..Ok. Sure."
"Excellent. Come. There's much to discuss before you start the trial."
You watched as both of them casually walked out of the dojo before sighing. You supposed he wanted to talk to Gloria more about her stage fright problem and see what they could do to help her. You were glad she was getting help for it-
"Y/n?" You hummed and turned around to Honey. "Sorry for bothering you but I was hoping you'd help me with a small favor."
"Huh? Oh sure. What's up?"
"Could you go to the forest of focus and pick a few sweet berries for me?" She held up a rather large basket. "Sweet berry pie is Hyde's favorite desert and I promised to make it for him today. I'd go out and get them myself but Im in charge of training the students who didn't pass the first trial and I can't just leave the dojo or my son unattended. So I figured that maybe.."
"Hey. I get it. I'm totally fine with getting them for you so don't worry." You smiled.
"Oh thank you, Dear! I'll be sure to thank you later."
So it looks like you'd be having another small adventure for today. So off you went with Silver back into the forest. There was plenty of berry trees in the forest so you should be able to find all you needed there. As before the forest was bright, beautiful, and warm. You could spend hours here...And you decided to do that because why not? It's been a while since you had some time just for yourself and Ms. Honey didn't say when you had to be back exactly, so you took your time walking around looking for berry trees and trying to keep Silver from eating all of the berries in the basket. Pushing away his hands and just pulling him a few from the few trees you did find to satisfy him. You didn't remember what berries tasted sweet outside of pecha and oran berries so you decided to grab as much variety as you could. Ms. Honey could sort them out later when you brought the basket back- CHIRP!! A loud noise from Silver caused you to look over at the pokemon. The drizzle chirped again louder looking at you before waving his arms and pointing at a boulder. 
"What is it, Boy?" He only made louder noises and pointed frantically. Well you've learnt by now that whenever Silver alerts you to something it's usually really important. Setting the basket down, you walked on over to the boulder and looked behind it where Silver was pointing at. Your eyes widened. "Well whaddya know."
Mushrooms! Max mushrooms were growing in a giant hole cracked in the side of the boulder. The tiny red mushrooms barely poked out from the hole with pink dots with a swirl pattern on the top. 
"Ah. Hey. Good job, Silver. But we should leave them alone." You thought about picking them and giving them to Gloria..but that wouldn't be fair to everyone else and would only undo the hard work Mustard was putting in trying to help her. "Let's leave them alone for someone else to find. Besides we're looking for berries not mushrooms. Remember? C'mon. Let's get some more and then we'll head back."
You both had grabbed a few cheri berries and added them to your basket and started to make your way back. Hopefully you wouldn't get lost on your way back. You were just passing by a small stream when you heard a loud scream of frustration and looked over to see none other than Avery...Again. You weren't too surprised to see him this time but you did stop to see what he was up to. He looked to be frantically looking through the tall grass near the street in search for those missing mushrooms. His face twisted in an expression of annoyance and almost panic as he did.
"C'mon. C'mon. Where are those elusive things?" He mumbled to himself as he pushed aside a couple large cattails to peer between them. "Surely they all couldn't have been taken!"
"Whatcha looking for?" 
"OH SWEET ARCEUS IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE!!" He jumped whirling around to you in a bit of a spook. Upon seeing you he calmed down rather quickly with a sigh. "You know it is rather rude to sneak up on someone like that!"
"Sorry," you apologized and looked at him. His legs from about below the knees down were absolutely soaked and muddied from trudging through the banks looking for the mushrooms you assumed. "You're looking for mushrooms still?"
"Unfortunately yes." He sighed out before turning away from you to push a few more cattails out of the way to look between them. "I couldn't get any from battling that gym leader trained child and Klara took the last one in the caves! So now I'm resorted to wading through muck trying to find any remaining mushroom before those other students make off with my rightful second place!"
Ah. So he battled Gloria trying to take away some mushrooms from her. You weren't too surprised by that. But for some reason you did feel kinda bad for Avery struggling. ".... Y'know I saw some a while back."
'YOU DID WHAT?!" He instantly snapped to you before jumping before you. You blinked as he frantically grabbed your shoulders. "You saw Max mushrooms?! Where?! You must show me!"
You blinked before pointing behind you. "In a crack in a rock by the berry grove."
"Well then you must show me quickly!" The berries flew from your hands as the basket levitated and he grabbed your hand pulling you quickly behind him back up the way you came from. "Come! We must make hast!"
He dragged you all the way back to where you had found the mushrooms with Silver frantically running to keep up with him. You had to yell directions to him as he ran. All the way up to the same boulder he ran to. He didn't hesitate shoving his hand between the cracks in the rock and yanking out two teeny tiny skinny as a twig mushrooms. They... weren't much to look at honestly but Avery beamed holding them up triumphantly.
"Aha! At least I have found the item I seek! My goals are within my grasp at last! I must get back immediately! Avery, teleport!"
You just blinked as Avery turned around and ran right past you. With your BASKET OF BERRIES still floating behind him. "Hey! Wait! You have my basket still!"
It's a good thing you're used to running after people now and had plenty of time walking to places because you chased after Avery all the way back to the dojo through the woods and right inside. Everyone else still competing was already there gathered around the kitchen area as a heavenly aroma of soup wafted out as Honey minded a rather large lidded pot. No doubt cooking the soup. 
"Hey there, Gloria. Welcome back. Looks like you nailed the trial," Mustard congratulatef Gloria who also must've just arrived. "Congrats on finding the max mushrooms. Trial number two was no problem for you. All my other students competing in this trial ended up getting lost in the forest.  Turns out finding max mushrooms was the least of their problems. It's a shame but I guess everyone other than Gloria and Klara will fail the trial." Gloria looked proud holding all the giant mushrooms. Holy cow those were the biggest mushrooms You've ever seen! And Klara held a single giant mushroom looking smug. "Now first thing's first. A proper meal! Let's have the max mushrooms made into a delicious max soup shall we?" 
Honey hummed from the kitchen smelling the soup. "Hmmm. I've really outdone myself this time. Now all that's left to add are those lovely max mushrooms Gloria and Klara brought us."
"WAIT PLEASE!!" Everyone turned as Avery pushed his way through the crowd as you stopped to lean against the doorway both of you gasping. "I-I beg of You, Ms. Honey! *Gasp*" Avery pleaded between gasps. "W-Wait just one *huff* moment!" 
"Why Avery. What in the world has gotten into you?," Honey asked with slight concern, "I've never seen you in such a flutter. "
With shaking fumbling hands Avery desperately dug through his pants pocket before holding up the two weak looking mushrooms compared to the girls'. "I-I've also *huff* a-attained some m-max mushrooms."
Everyone stared at the weak mushrooms...Klara snorted before looking away but Mustard looked pleased. "Oho! Nice work, Avery!  You must've searched hard for those! That makes you the third person to pass the second trial. "
Avery gained a look of disbelief before in relief. "*Huff*...I did it. Y-Yes. I did search rather hard."
"Aw. Chin up, Avery darling! You did it. This is a cause for celebration!"
"Master. Ms. Honey. If you could grant me a wish just this once, I would be indebted." He gave a hopeful look. "Would you be so kind as to use my mushrooms for the max soup? I feel that everyone here should enjoy the tastes of my efforts."
"Oh Avery. Well if that's all you're asking then I'm perfectly happy to oblige," Honey agreed, "Although  this is hardly the first time you've asked for something, and I rather doubt it'll be the last." Avery suddenly gave an embarrassed look at her-
"Hey! What about mine?," Klara asked shoving the single giant mushroom at Honey, "it's way bigger and there's no way those scrawny things will fill up an entire pot!"
"Excuse me! Did your poison seep into your cranially cavity?"
"Ok, ok!" Honey held up her hands. "Well use both your mushrooms today and save all of Gloria's for a later date." She then smiled at Gloria. "Sorry if it feels like your thunders been stolen, Sweetie. But we're a family here and families share. So we'll go ahead and use their mushrooms today."
"Nah. Tis nay problem!,"  Gloria smiled. "Ah'm totally fine with it."
"Plus it's so rare for him to try hard at something." Avery again froze. "I want to reward him for that."
"M-Ms. Honey!"
Again Klara snickered along with a few other people- "That goes for you too Klara." Klara stopped her giggles.
"Oh. And don't worry about the trial. You passed with flying colors," Mustard assured everyone. "Oh. But I never did explain the big deal about this soup did I? You see when one drinks this dojo's famous max soup, their dynamaxing changes."
"Humans can dynamax?"
He chuckled at Gloria's question. "No you don't. That  kind of thing doesn't happen if a human has the soup. But things are different when certain pokemon drinks the soup. You see there are some pokemon that have distant potential and when they drink the soup their dynamax form will change to a gigantamax form. Now then let's wrap things up. You all did your best on the second trial and I'm proud of everyone here! But now there's only three competitors left. While we wait for the soup, let's all go take a well deserved break. Gloria." Gloria blinked at him. "Come with me for a moment. We'll put those mushrooms in a safe place and I have some to discuss with you for a moment."
"Sure! I'll be right back, Y/n!"
You nodded as she followed Mustard over to what must've been his office before everyone else started to disperse. You glanced over at the floating basket of berries. "...Avery." He turned instantly hearing his name. "You still have my basket." 
He hummed blinking. 'Oh! Of course. My apologies." With a snap of his fingers the basket instantly floated back down into your hands.
You smiled at him brightly. "Hey. Thanks. Congratulations on making it to the last trial by the way." 
He again paused as you walked away to Ms. Honey. Klara leaned over to snicker at his face. "Oooh.~ Does someone have a crush?~ How scandalous.~"
He shot her a scowl. "One more word and I shall be forced to teleport you into the nearest mud bank!"
You paid no attention as you smiled and presented the basket to Ms. Honey who smiled widely at you. "Here you, Ms. Honey. I couldn't remember which ones were sweet so I brought a lot of different ones. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh no. It's perfectly wonderful. Luckily most of the berries you have in here are sweet. We can just store the rest of them away for later dishes." She smiled taking the basket from you. "There's enough here to make everyone pie! Oh it'll be a wonderful surprise! ...Oh. But it'll take me longer to cook everything then."
"I can help you if you want."
She blinked surprised. "You can bake pie?"
"Pie. Cupcakes. Pastries. I took a lot of baking courses online while I'm high school since I wanted to run a bakery one day. I still do but my plans are in a bit of a pause."
She smiled. "Well then I'd love that! I'll give you the recipe and we can get started!"
You both got to work instantly. While Ms. Honey cut the mushrooms up and added things to the broth you just started washing off the berries (the ones that weren't spicy or Silver ate at least-) and started making the crusts from flour and scratch. Then adding the sugar, berries, and other ingredients you needed. In total making four pies before popping them into the oven and not a moment sooner because the soup was ready. 
"SOUP'S ON, EVERYONE!," Honey shouted and instantly everyone came stampeding out quickly.
You along with everyone else was soon sat down and passed around the soup. It was spicy and tasted sorta like cream of mushroom soup. Not bad. Silver dove right into his bowl and had to be given some moonoo milk to calm him down. However there was a moment of awe as the pies were passed around. Everyone digging in and enjoying the tastes of it all.
"Ms. Honey, you have certainly outdone yourself this day," Avery complimented dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "This pie is truly elegantly made."
She chuckled. "Thank you, Avery. But I'm not the one who made it. Y/n made the pies. I only made the soup."
Avery...blinked. "Y/n?" He turned wide eyed at you.
"Oh Yeah! Y/n is a pro at makin' sweets n' stuff!," Gloria piped up. "Tis as good as Sonia's curries an' me brother's campin' treats! I know lots o' good cooks!"
You rolled your eyes. "It's nothing to brag about but I'm glad you like my cooking so much." 
You smiled at Avery. Avery cleared his throat and looked away quickly. Klara gave him a teasing look. Avery glared back. Meanwhile Honey and Mustard exchange knowing looks. After dinner everyone went to bed and fell back asleep. This was it. Only one last trial before Gloria's real training began. You wondered what the last one would be like. So far Gloria seemed to be making great progress by herself as you knew she would. You supposed Mustard was using this as an opportunity to break Gloria into the idea of doing things herself and getting used to doing it around other people which so far seemed to be working. She still seemed apprehensive and a bit shy but making it into a fun challenge seemed to be making it easier for her to do. Guess Leon was right about Mustard being a good teacher. He was helping Gloria through her problems greatly. Another typical week passed filled with the same routine until Friday when you were once again awoken by Gloria insistently knocking on your door.
"Y/n, me last trial tis today! An' Master Mustard wants me ta meet 'em," she explained,  "Would you mind comin' along?"
You nodded. "Sure. But just remember that I can't help you out with any of the trials."
Quickly you got dressed and followed her to the small part of the dojo that was off limits to everyone else being Mustard's actual home. Mustard was there waiting for Gloria as was Klara and Avery. He smiled up on seeing you both. 
"There you are, Gloria!," he greeted with that giant smile. "Thanks for coming! All of you." 
"When I heard you had something to tell me I came as soon as I could, Master!," Avery proudly proclaimed.
"Sooo what's this all about Master?," Klara asked, "What did you wanna tell us?"
"Right. Well I've decided that you three will take on the Master dojo's final last ultimate trial!" 
"Final last ultimate trial you say?" Avery hummed. "So are you saying this would be the last trial?" You wanted to facepalm. It was obvious!
"Ah. Well yes. That's the jist of it. You three are the only ones that finished the second trial, you've pushed each other to greater heights and helped each other grow. So I'd say it's finally time to see who's stronger in a dynamax pokemon battle."
"We are to battle one another? That is the final trial?" 
Mustard nodded. "Yep! The rules are simple. Whoever wins will complete the trial. The winner will be granted the secret armor of the master dojo."
"This is it at last. Can I really..?" Avery mumbled something to himself as did Klara but you weren't close enough to hear what they said beyond a few words.
"The battle will be held in the battle court just outside the master dojo. The court is a power spot so you can dynamax to your heart's content."
"I-I must make haste!,'' Avery declared startling you both, "I must make for the battle court post haste!" He panic mumbled to himself turning suddenly. "I must meditate on my upcoming victory! A good day to you then! I'll be on my way!"
"We're all going to the same place as you!," Klara called after Avery's retreating form before huffing and turning back to Gloria. "I'm gonna go on ahead and ready my pure heart, Kay? You can laze  about like a slowpoke and take as much time as you need." She said in that sickly sweet tone before turning and walking after Avery. Both of you frowned at her. 
Mustard only sighed and shook his head. "Avery. He's got talent that's for sure but it's caused him to slack off. Same as Klara. They've never felt the need to try hard at anything I guess. Even with all the training at the dojo, they just do the bare minimum. But that changed slightly when you both came." He smiled at you both. "Maybe you unlocked some kind of passion and drive in them eh? Still...I hope that motivation isn't put forth to anything mischievous." Again he shook his head before smiling. "Come. You don't want to miss out do you?"
"Can Y/n come?," Gloria asked hopefully. "She can jus' watch!"
"But of course! I'm sure no one wants to miss this."
Smiling you both followed Mustard as he slowly walked out of the back way of the dojo, sliding the door open to reveal a MASSIVE battle court in the back. And EVERYONE was there standing on the sidelines ready to watch making Gloria instantly pause. Ah! This would certainly be a challenge for her. 
"Hey." She looked at you as you grabbed her shoulder. "You're gonna do great ok? Just focus on the battle and don't pay attention to what anyone else thinks. A pokemon battle is all about having fun and believing in yourself. And I believe in you too! You already did so much by yourself."
Mustard paused tilting his head slightly at you as Gloria smiled and nodded. "Her right, Y/n!" Her face became determined. "I'll do me best n' give it all I got!"
"That's all you can do."
"An' if I lose..Well I guess I'll just practice harder for next time!"
"That's the spirit!" You patted her back. "Go get them!"
Gloria nodded before jogging up to wait alongside Avery and Klara. Mustard hummed smiling at you before going back to walking right sat them towards the court. "Looks like the three of you are ready." He walked past the three onto the court. "Now they say ladies first so the first two to battle will be Gloria and Klara. Whoever wins will then battle Avery for the win. I will referee." He walked and walked until finally stopping on the far other side. "Alright you two! Get into your places!" 
Klara gave a look at Gloria. "I'm gonna beat you and get that secret armor then I'll become a poison type gym leader. I've gotta win no matter what so I'm going to totally go all out." She smirked. "You ready?"
Gloria gave her a determined look as a bad feeling settled in your gut. Something was..off. "You're on! Just don't count ye torchics 'fore they hatch!"
"Im not holding a single thing back anymore." Your gaze wondered to the battlefield. Your eyes widened seeing the glint of what looked like purple glass scattered all over Gloria's side of the court. "Time to win this fair and square-"
"Hey. What's all that purple stuff over the court?" Klara froze as you pointed it out and everyone looked over.
Honey squinted her eyes. "....It looks like.. poisonous barbs? Leftover from some kind of poison type pokemon." Instantly her gaze turned to the frozen Klara. "Klara, didn't you clean the court after you used it to practice yesterday?" She then scowled hands on her hips. 
"Um... Oops?"
"That is VERY irresponsible behavior! Someone could get seriously hurt! Klara, when this is over we are going to have a VERY serious talk about this! Avery, would you be a dear and clear the field first?"
Avery bowed slightly as Klara deflated in humiliation and embarrassment under Honey's intense scowling. In an instant all the purple was levitated off the field and yeeted fast and far into the treeline. With both of that out of the way, Gloria silently made her way onto the field. You also glared at Klara as she walked onto the field.
Mustard ever patient only smiled and waited for both girls to ready themselves. "At last the final trial! It's all come down to this! Get ready!" Both girls got their heads into the game holding up pokeballs. "AAAAAAAAND BEGIN!!"
You proceeded to watch as Klara got immediately and utterly destroyed in each of the four rounds they battled. Gloria didn't hold back and besides one found,  had beaten Klara every time leaving Klara deflated in the end before Mustard held up a hand calmly.
"Gloria wins against Klara!" He shouted pointing at Gloria. "Therefore she will battle Avery for the true victory of this trial."
Klara moped as everyone cheered for Gloria and Klara skunk off the battle field- "Klara!" Said pink haired woman froze mid step as Honey pointed to the side. "Come here. Now! I said we were going to have a talk and I meant it!" 
You smiled proudly at Klara getting her karma before focusing back on the field as Avery walked onto the field. "Defeating you will grant me victory and I will at least have what I need to achieve my goals. No matter what it takes I refuse to accept anything but a complete and utter victory. I'm coming at you with everything I have! Are you prepared?" He challenged never breaking eye contact as he stopped in place.
Gloria held up a fist. "BRING IT ON!"
"Heh. Let's have an elegant battle worthy of being called a finale!"
You waited back and watched as Avery...also got completely and utterly destroyed by Gloria. His defeat making the pokeballs fall from his head and thudding to the ground as he stared utterly defeated.
"It has been decided!" Mustard again pointed out Gloria. "The one to complete the third trial is Gloria!" He smiled wider. "An unexpected but great stepping stone for your journey!"
Gloria stared widely before turning to you and waving a hand. "Y/n! I did it!" 
"I knew you could!"
You waved back to her but paused as Klara walked past you and right up to her. Gloria also seemed surprised as she seemed to exchange a few words before holding out something Gloria... slowly accepted. What was that all about? Gloria stared at the thing in her hands before slowly walking towards you staring at it. 
"What's that?," you asked when she was close enough.
"Tis a league card." 
You did a double take wide eyed. "A league card?! But only league members like gym leaders have those." You turned to Klara who looked away embarrassed. "Wait...Are you a gym leader?" Seriously? Someone like THIS was a gym leader?
Klara shuffled on her feet but before she could say anything  someone cleared his throat behind Gloria. All of you looked over and found A very silently looking at her. He stared at her silently for a moment before tipping his hat to her.
"It appears I have lost," he spoke slowly, "heh. How pathetic. I lost even though I resorted to underhanded tactics." Wait. What did he mean by that? "I don't think a young capable child like you can understand how I feel. I am just an average man who gave as much as he possibly could. Perhaps..." He paused looking down at his feet. "It's time I stopped playing around and give up my dream of being a gym leader. After the less than reputable things I did, it's only a matter of time until I'm expelled from the dojo alongside Klara. Please... accept my apologies for everything." HE CHEATED TOO?! "You're free to tell the League board what we've done and we'll accept full responsibility for our actions even if we're kicked from the league."
"Nah. M' good, Mate."
Avery and Klara both paused as if a glass shattering noise went off in their heads. "WHAT?!" "I beg pardon?!" 
Gloria shrugged. "All ya two did was be a wee bit annoyin' and try n's cheat once. Honestly ya jus' remind me of me friend Bede. So don't break a sweat." She waved the two off.
Wait...These two were reminding you a lot of Bede now that you thought about it.
"W-What are you saying?," Avery sputtered, "But I turned to the shadows like a dark type to try to win!"
"That's your strength, Gloria." Both of Gloria's rivals squealed and turned in shock to Mustard standing there. "Showing kindness both towards your pokemon and rivals. I should apologize on their behalf too as their master. What they did was wrong but they just didn't want to be beaten by their rival is all. They're both hard workers. However...I also can't look over such serious actions." Both of them gulped under his gaze as he hummed and placed his hands behind his back. "As for your punishments...You both will look after all the dojos pokemon for the next six months...by yourselves." They looked at one another. "I'm not done yet." They froze looking back at him. "You'll also be forced to clean all the bathrooms scrubbing toilets and every day until your six months are up you'll be woken up bright and early and put through hard training. I'm speaking about push ups and long laps around the courtyard! Oh yes. We'll get you both right into shape!" He spoke all of this with a smile. "Unless you both would rather give up-"
"NO WAY!! IM NOT GOING THAT EASILY!!" "I would rather take my punishment and work harder than before! But.. That's all we'll have to do and you'll forgive us?"
"Of course! Let's focus on strengthening your hearts. Alright everyone! Things are settled here! I'm so proud of everyone! You mustered so much effort and tried hard! I got so teared up I couldn't see half the battle but what I saw was amazing! Gloria you gave your best and triumphed even when faced with an unfair challenge. To you who has completed all the trials I grant you the secret armor of the dojo. It'll take some time to prepare so I'll go ahead and get some things sorted. As for everyone else, go get some rest and enjoy the rest of your day! There will be no training today as a special celebration!"
"C'mon everyone. I'll make everyone homemade pizza as a reward for everyone's hard work!," Honey added.
Everyone cheered and began to file back towards the dojo with the promise of a relaxing day and homemade pizza. 
"Pizza?! Oh sweet! Y/n, this is the best day ever!"
"Miss Gloria?" Again you both turned and paused as Avery stared at her for a long moment before he sighed. "I-... I'll admit to acknowledging your strength just a little."
 He reached onto his Pocket and you stared in shock as he also pulled out a league card to Gloria who also looked surprised but also accepted it. Avery gave a quick glance at you before turning and also quickly leaving with the others. You could only stare silently at the league cards Gloria held. Only league members of gym challenges had those ..But the gym challenge was over so they couldn't have been gym challenges and you certainly would've remembered seeing them last year during the entire gym challenge. So...
Who were these guys?
0 notes