Love in the Time of Turmoil

Chapter 6: A Seria

Some big things happened last chapter, things that will inform the future of the story, but for now we have further progression! Chapter 6 is here!

Chapter 6

A Seria

To Gloria's utter gratitude, the trio had managed to escape the rolling storm clouds that descended on the Lake of Outrage. With effort and speed, they succeeded in climbing up the Hammerlocke Hills well before lunch where calm, drifting clouds awaited them, a breath of fresh air with it. Continuing on, Gloria hummed a pleasant tune as they neared the large walls of the citadel, polishing the egg between her arms while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Astrid was looking pensive, fingering Butterfree's Poké Ball much of the time, but Ash remained cheery the entire way, excited about seeing the new location.

"A Gym, a whole vault of treasures, and even an energy plant! This Hammerlocke City seems to have it all!" he remarked, their final ascent begun. The stairs up into the main city presented themselves to the trio, relieved to be leaving the dangers of the Wild Area behind. Ash and Pikachu were the first to climb up, eagerly taking in the black walls of the city with all the glee of a child.

"Having it all or not, we should go to the Pokémon Center first," Astrid said, finally recalling Absol when they had made it to the stairs. "And keep an eye on that Clobbopus of yours. Hammerlocke's on a Power Spot, right?"

"Yeah, there's a Gym," Gloria said, skipping a few steps at a time. Raboot bounded ahead of her, remarkably frosty since their departure from the lake. "But I'm not worried. It was an accident that he Dynamaxed. I'm sure it won't happen again. Which, Astrid, give it over."

The woman cast Gloria a look of incredulity as they arrived at the gate into Hammerlocke, a towering set of doors manned by some people and a pair of Throh. They waved them in, but Gloria stopped short just within the city limits, her arm outstretched. Astrid sighed. "Ugh, fine. And here I thought you'd be so focused on forging ahead, you'd forget."

"Like I would. You can't just steal things." Astrid slipped the Dynamax Band from her wrist, tossing it back to Gloria, who fit it snugly back into position. "Besides, Astrid, I'm not all about running ahead without thinking."

"Uh-huh..." The sarcasm was not appreciated.

"How about we argue later and explore the city now?" Ash suggested.

"Pikapi! Pika pikachu!" Pikachu's call attracted the attention of his trainer, and soon the eyes of the others around them. Gloria and Astrid drew closer, looking up to the great edifice before their eyes.

"Whoa...Is that the Gym?" Ash asked, covering his eyes to block out the peeking sun.

He needn't have bothered, because the large structure that formed the very spine of Hammerlocke did much of the work for him. It was a tower, larger than any Dynamaxed Pokémon, thrumming with what seemed to be the energy that coursed through the city. Like a castle at the center of a fortress, it loomed over the city, something taken for granted by its residents who walked past them with chuckles. Their reaction seemed to not have been an uncommon one. Gloria took her own step forward, seeing the wings of stone fan out from the tower, giving it a suitably draconic look and confirming, at least in her mind, just what they were looking at.

"Only one way to find out!" Ignoring Astrid's protests and call for the Center, Gloria raced forward, Raboot running at her side with speed. Ash and Pikachu were quick to catch up, the both of them making a line straight for the main building. Some of the people of Hammerlocke moved out of their way, continuing on with the day, while others forced the pair to evade them. No one minded, in any case, more distracted by a loud horn down a different street where a colorful gathering of musicians was taking place.