Love in the Time of Temerity

Chapter 8: A Remise

Rematch time! Hope it's a good one! Please enjoy Chapter 8!

Chapter 8

A Remise

"And Hop's Rillaboom lands a devastating blow to Melony's Lapras! This isn't a repeat of last time, gents!" Gerry's voice echoed to Gloria in the waiting room, and she looked up at the screen, fists clenched for her...friend. She shook her head at the thought, getting her head in the game as Rillaboom moved to the side of the Gigantamaxed Lapras. With a mighty strike of a Brutal Swing, Lapras was injured. It set the stage just enough.

"Drum Beating!" Hop shouted. He wasn't smiling like his brother, though from the way his eyes shined, Gloria could see he was having a good time. As the Rotom Drone pulled back, the thick vines walloped Lapras, allowing a single smash down with Wood Hammer. Through his strategic positioning, Hop had managed to secure his win, and the explosion of the Dynamax energy rippled the screen.

"Right, then!" Gloria stood from her bench and turned around to face her team. All of them were out and waiting, with Grapploct and Toxtricity flexing. "Hop's got his sixth, so we need to get our seventh. We're not gonna stumble. But even if we do, we'll be a team who picks each other back up. You with me?"

Gloria put her hand out, grinning to all of them. Cinderace placed his in, followed by Corviknight's wing and Drednaw's horn. Toxtricity was quick to join, and Grapploct's tentacle snaked in. Flapple landed on top, and once gathered, they threw themselves skyward. It was time.

With a flick of her wrist, Gloria returned all of her Pokémon, Cinderace included. Much as she enjoyed his presence, both would've felt awkward with him standing there through the battle. Feeling prepared, Gloria sucked in a breath and walked towards the corridor to the field. Approaching from the other end was Hop, flushed with victory. He raised his hand, slapping it against hers, but they each continued their own way until Gloria reached the edge of the tunnel.

The gears grinded on the other side, the once slippery surface of ice transforming into a rocky battlefield with a single flip. The stage was set for the battle, and once it was, Gerry's voice echoed around the stadium.

"In case you thought of leaving those seats, folks, I suggest you hang on to your hats!" he cried, allowing the crowd to ratchet up in volume and anticipation. "Just like a couple days ago, we've got a double feature Gym battle for you! Let's welcome both combatants to the field: it's Challenger Gloria versus Gym Leader Gordie!"

There were cheers, louder than the ones from last time, when Gloria stepped out to the familiar rocky field. She raised her hand, waving to the crowd, but keeping her eyes focused. Many were applauding her return to the battlefield after her loss, and while some still had skeptical eyes, holding on to the rumors of her involvement in the recent power outage, most of the crowd simply wanted the battle. Gloria wanted it, too, having no desire to prove them wrong or right or anything.

She just wanted to win for herself and her Pokémon.

Looking up, Gloria locked eyes with Astrid and Bonnie, the pair cheering in hopes for her comeback match. They were drowned, however, when Gordie strode onto the field, winking, grinning, and showing off his friendly demeanor. The crowd ate it up, loudly cheering for him like they had during the last match. It wasn't a bother, however, when they met in the center. Gloria gripped his hand tightly.

"I'm keeping my promise, Gordie," she said, looking through his glasses and into his eyes. He grinned back, his own grip crushing. "Time for a comeback."

"Bring it on, Gloria."

They separated, each retreating to their side of the stony battlefield. They hunkered down, grabbing their first picks and waiting for the referee. Gerry was saying something, likely about this being her tenacious rematch, but Gloria filtered him and the Rotom Drone out. It was just her, Gordie and their Pokémon, waiting to strike the first blow. They didn't need the rules of the three-on-three spoken, either, both waiting for the arm to lower.