Love in the Time of Temerity

Chapter 6: A Fulfillment

Last chapter brought to my attention something that needs to be cleared up. Leon is not an accomplice. He's a tool. A victim. One who trusts Rose because he has no reason to believe otherwise for the good of Galar. He believes in Rose's vision for the future and has not been given enough evidence to truly doubt. Also, Ash and Serena are married. They're in a stable relationship. To the guest that keeps asking for them to argue, it's not gonna happen. Now, back to the currently more important story of Gloria's in Chapter 6!

Chapter 6

A Fulfillment

Walking through the empty lobby for the changing room, Gloria tried to keep herself composed.

It had taken longer than she expected, but it was finally time for her Gym battle against Gordie. Her chance to truly show Galar once more what she was made of, that she and her team could get to the Wyndon Conference, where Ash would wait for them. And yet, she couldn't manage to keep her mind on it. Even with how important that match was, she still couldn't help but worry about Hop.

She could feel it; just like her, her friend had been lost for a while, trying to make sense of where he stood as a trainer and failing at it, looking for an answer just out of reach. And it only made her want to help him out all the more.

That maybe if she could, it would help herself.

Gloria sighed, trying to tuck her growing worries in the back of her mind, keeping pace with Raboot as they entered the changing room. It was hardly different from the ones before, comfortably familiar and most importantly empty, the best place to gather one's thoughts.

Or at least that was what Gloria was thinking, until the slow tapping of steps brought her attention to the side, finding the object of her ruminations not far from her. He had changed into his traveling clothes and slung his bag across his shoulders, but his expression was still the same as on the battlefield, his face creased in doubt and his eyes on the floor.

Clenching her fists and seizing her chance, Gloria stepped forward towards her friend.

"Hop." The call caught the boy's attention, making him realize she was there. He gave a weak smile.

"Hey, Gloria." He scratched the back of his head with unease. "Guess I really did bite off more than I could chew, mate. Sure was 'special', though, ha ha...ha..."

"You put on a great fight anyway. I'm sure Dubwool would've won...eventually."

"But he didn't. We didn't." He shook his head, giving her a half-hearted shrug. "Maybe being a trainer isn't for me, if I can't overcome something like this."

He looked unsure, as if that wasn't even the real takeaway, completely unlike the boy that confidently treated every step like a new page of his legend. It made Gloria's frustration boil, and she punched the boy's shoulder.

"Shut it. You're one of the best trainers Postwick has ever seen." She stared straight into his eyes, the boy still lost and confused. "Look, I get you, and..."

Any attempt to form a coherent answer died in Gloria's mouth, her mind putting a stop to her thoughts. She could empathize with Hop, sure, but what was the correct answer? She had just gotten past the worst of her own doubts, and she hardly was in a position to give any learned advice. Yet, she couldn't just leave Hop hanging when he needed her the most. Not again.

Taking a deep breath, she focused on Hop. She really wished to have some sort of big speech ready, and her inability to get one out only made her feel more powerless. Digging her fingers in her palms, she leaned closer to her friend.