Love in the Time of Temerity

Chapter 1: An Impetus

Welcome back, one and all! It's been but a short time since Turmoil finished, but nevertheless, I hope you've all been waiting on tenterhooks for this story to begin. Of course, last time we ended on a really big chapter that I hope people have been waiting to see how it's followed up on. Regardless, a quick refresher: Dynamax in Spikemuth, exploding generator, Gloria disqualified, but at the last moment Rose reveals his true nature and manipulates Ash into a deal that causes him to leave and gather the Champions. And at the end, Alastair confronts Rose in Wyndon. Now, at long last, the final chapter begins...

Author: Epicocity, Viroro

Rating: T for minor innuendo and violence

Pairings: Amourshipping, Laserbladeshipping (reference), Postwickshipping

No cover yet. Will update.

DISCLAIMER: No own Pokémon.

Love in the Time of Temerity

Book Three of the Ancienverse Galar and Coda Trilogy

Book Ten of the Ancienverse

Chapter 1

An Impetus

"A region where Gym battles are fought before a live audience?"

There was something he saw in her eyes that day, so beautiful and fierce, that inspired him. With her inquisitive nature stoked, the man leaned in, a rather giddy expression upon his face. "It's nothing less than the greatest of events!"

"I can see that," she said, smiling at him. Rose was taken aback, not expecting such a soft smile from her. "Though I'm not entirely sure it's the kind of Gym battle other regions need."

"Oh...I had thought, due to your profession..."

"It's an idea, of course, and not one I'm dismissing out of hand," the woman said, going through some papers that sat upon her desk. She carried such poise and dignity, and Rose could not help but admire her. No matter the recency of her position, or her relative youth, it brought to him pride. "I just believe that a quest to get Gym badges is a very personal one. Your region almost sounds like it attempts to mass-produce Champions."

"It keeps competition up! The grander the stage, the greater the attention! This way, all Champions know they are not infallible. They can be toppled."

"A wise sentiment. Rose, was it?" The woman looked up from her papers, finding a page tucked in amongst the rest. He began to nod with fervor, noticing the name of the company he had been nursing upon it. "You're quite the accomplished man, yourself. Running a company that seems to have a hand in infrastructure at such a young age, and you competed in your home region's League?"

"Ah, it was some years ago. I never quite made it to Champion. Not strong enough."

"Nonsense. Not all strength lies in the battlefield," she said, continuing to flash that dazzling smile in his direction. "Sometimes, strength lies in pure leadership, a good hand on the wheel in helping guide future generations."

"Oh, I wholeheartedly agree! In fact, our very own Gym Challenge is due to start soon, and I think I've found a most promising candidate!"

"You must be very busy!" she said, laughing the whole way. It made Rose lighter, knowing a woman like her was taking his ideas seriously. Trusting him. With the swish of a pen, her name was inked upon his proposal. "I can't say we'll bring the concept of stadium battles or this Dynamax to Gyms, but...I think you're heading in the right direction for a bright future. I've no doubt we'll work together for a long time. Macro Cosmos might be just what the League needs."