Love in the Time of Turmoil

Chapter 18: A Stage

I know some people were confused by the whole "Gym Battle now?" deal, so to put it simply: it's a giant show to keep whoever's watching blind to the fact that they're evacuating the town. That way, nothing should unexpectedly happen before then. Anyway, time for Chapter 18!

Chapter 18

A Stage

"Okay, everyone. Keep calm and move towards the side exit! Move quiet, and once outside, get as far away from Spikemuth as you can."

"You 'eard the lady! Get a move on!" The Yell shout was matched by Morpeko tackling the one who had shouted it, silencing him. Another ran down the main street, corralling the citizens into getting moving.

"Oi, you three! Need you to keep that entrance open!"

"We're trying our best, all right?" James shouted. If Astrid squinted, she could see the former members of Team Rocket using a tower of their Pokémon, led by Wobbuffet, in holding the gate they had snuck through open. It was just a bit wider than what they had forced it to, but the act of remaining silent was a more difficult task than usual, especially with Jessie.

"That's right, come on. Move those flabby, gray butts! Get out of this town and move to Motostoke, where the Performing School is!"

"Do ya hafta advertise, Jess?" Meowth asked, marshalling them along himself. The trio had shed their disguises, looking weary. At Jessie's words, Astrid considered calling Serena, but there was no time, not with the gathering of voices back in the plaza. The blonde turned away, hearing James yelp and scream something about Cramorant behind her.

Jogging back down to the plaza, Astrid passed by Marnie, offering a nod to the teen as she helped all of the grunts lead the evacuation. Now, it was just down to their part in cheering Gloria on for the best show Spikemuth had ever seen. Thankfully, Absol's fur hadn't raised, and Astrid could spare a look for Butterfree. "You doing all right?"
"F-freee..." The nod was uncertain, but Astrid tried to give him confidence, patting him on the head.

"Don't worry. We won't let Motostoke happen again."

"Damn straight, it won't!" Gloria said, her voice evident and pumped up for battle. She and Raboot were stretching, and across the way, Piers was preparing for battle in his own way, clearing his throat. In his hands was a microphone, while the Toxtricity flanking the stage were set to amp it up to max volume. They weren't alone, either, the Yell grunts cheering for Piers on one side of the chain fence that surrounded them. "I'm puttin' my all into this battle. We'll make it a hell of a ride."

"Just keep it entertainin'," Piers shouted across the way. Astrid slipped past the pair, soon to battle, and a small contingent of Yell grunts moved forward to finish setting up a whole barricade of metal around them, reaching upwards. "We don't have fancy stuff like Dynamax here, so all we can do is battle with our hearts' passion. That's why we box it in. Nowhere to run. Nothin' but a straight street brawl for the Dark Badge. You in?"

"Of course, I'm in. Marnie vouched for me, too. I can't let her down." Piers cracked a smile at that as Astrid pulled behind the second layer of chains, joining Ash, Gordie and Bonnie on the other side. They were dwarfed by those Yell grunts planning to sing and cheer for Piers.

"I'm glad my sister has good friends. I was worried." His smile dropped off, his pasty fingers gripping tight to the microphone. "But I ain't goin' easy. Ya get one chance to win this badge, and that's it. No encores. You accept that deal?"

"If I didn't, I couldn't call myself a trainer!"

"Is she really that confident?" Astrid muttered to Ash, peering through the links to get a good view of the battle to take place. Ash and Pikachu shrugged.