Love in the Time of Temerity

Chapter 26: A New Beginning

Somewhere along the way of writing this, the song "Blue Moon" from Tales of Arise ended up becoming the de facto ending song for the trilogy. It's nice. I used it at the end. Yes...the end. See you at the bottom of the final chapter!

Chapter 26

A New Beginning

"Two weeks have passed since the Darkest Day that nearly consumed all of Galar," a voice rang out from one of the screens, still intact around Hammerlocke. People stopped and stared at it, in spite of it being a repeat of the news that had cycled for the last couple of weeks without end. "In that time, a number of sweeping changes have brought themselves to our tiny region which seeks to recover from the damage done. Most notably, repair work continues in Hammerlocke, whose stadium was reduced to rubble and the power plant working on a skeleton crew."

Gloria paused, a medium-sized piece of equipment halfway to being hauled up in her arms. Cinderace and Grapploct were running past her, racing Grimmsnarl as they were carrying bricks, mortar and wood towards the ultimate goal. With a brief blink, Gloria looked away from the screen to see Marnie huffing and puffing. "Guys, slow down! The power plant...ain't goin' anywhere..."

"Come on, Lady Marnie! You can do it! Blokes, drag them construction materials!"

Gloria laughed, Marnie stopping by her side with exhaustion. The girl was wearing completely different clothing, one that made her look uncomfortable, particularly as she tugged down at the tank top to try and make it cover more skin. It only served to highlight the stretchy, healing skin of her burn. "Piers decided to put me through a trainin' program. Says even with the Gym Challenge up in the air, he still wants me to be the best Spikemuth Leader I can be."

"You'll make it," Gloria said, throwing an arm around the girl and looking back at the screen. As if the news reporter, the same one who had filmed much of the final battle with Eternatus, had read her mind or seen their conversation, talk shifted to that of the Challenge, itself. With it, a frown affixed itself to Gloria's face.

"Due to Macro Cosmos's involvement in the affairs of that day, an Inter-regional Board of Review has been called, suspending the company's activities, with Chairman Rose having made a statement during his arrest," she said, quite serious with every word. That same air transferred to the recorded statement from weeks ago, one that likely was the most watched video in all of Galar.

"It is with heavy heart, and the utmost of shame, that I must apologize for my actions," Rose said, a hand on his heart while he bowed to the populace of reporters that were trying to question him. A row of policemen and Officer Jenny were behind him, along with the form of Lance, keeping them in line. "I only wanted the best for Galar, and a place of prominence in the world. However, my foolish ambition led to the destruction of much of Galar, putting it in a yet worse place, and for that I am sorry. Forgive me."

The clamor of reporters on the screen was only matched by the number of camera flashes, nearly blinding Gloria. Someone ran past them back in the real world, the shock of blonde hair confirming to be Astrid, but the woman didn't stop to chat, even as one of the reporters asked the pertinent question that seemed to be driving much of the subsequent investigation. "How much of Macro Cosmos was involved in your plot?"

"I can only vouch for my own actions, and ask that you punish none but myself," Rose said, his words solemn. There was no room left for manipulation, especially with Oleana also in cuffs and standing next to him. Although, on further review, Gloria had heard her own sentence would be reduced due to Astrid and Clemont advocating on her behalf. "Instead, please give due to the next generation of challengers. Those who were able to resolve the conflict where I failed."