Love in the Time of Turmoil

Chapter 20: A Pedestal

Oh, look, it's the theme word as the chapter title! Whatever will this mean! Find out in Chapter 20!

Chapter 20

A Pedestal

Gloria couldn't believe the look on Ash's face.

For a man usually so warm and genial, the grim line that his lips were set in upon demanding an answer from Leon made him seem far older than the Champion he was squaring off against. A man more world-weary and experienced. It reminded her of all those times before, where he would jump into action, but on a far greater magnitude. His Pokémon were just as tense, prepared to defend their trainer with the littlest of actions.

Hop was also in a state of disbelief, but far more vocal about it. "Hey, there's no reason accuse Lee of that. He's here to help. Right?"

"That machine is made by Macro Cosmos," Ash said, sending a glare to Hop that caused him to stumble into Marnie. "So, I need to know if you're here to defend it, or to save Spikemuth."

"I would never want to harm anyone," Leon finally answered, but Gloria could hear it, the strangulation in his voice. There was a rattled doubt, something he didn't know, and wasn't sure of. Looking between the two men it became more obvious that one stood taller than the other without even meaning to. "But let's not jump to conclusions here."

"Did you or did you not come here on Oleana's orders? It's not a hard question, Leon!" Ash was tightening his fists, and across from him, Leon's Charizard was coiling, tensing. Hop tried to intervene, pulling on Ash's arm.

"Hey, cut it out! Lee is here to-"

"Shh!" Gloria shushed him, pulling Hop away from Ash as he faced down the Champion. He looked at her like she was crazy, and no matter the flutters she had felt before, she didn't have any of them when facing her friend down now. "Let them handle this. We should focus on that machine."

"I wouldn't go anywhere near it," Leon interjected, having heard the exchange. Gloria froze, her hand still on Hop's wrist as all the teens stared to their beloved Champion. He had moved forward just a bit, but Ash had refused to shrink the line even a little. "You have no idea what that machine is."

"I think we can guess," Ash spat. There was anger present now, and an unflinching capacity for battle that Leon could only have guessed at. To Gloria, it wasn't a growing clash between Champion and Liaison, but rather battler and warrior. Or a hero. Ash refused to relent. "But you haven't answered my question: Spikemuth, or Macro Cosmos?"

"I'm here for all of Galar."

"And what decision does that mean?" Ash demanded. "Because before, you sided with Rose when he went a step too far. This is even further than that."

"Rose is my benefactor. I trust his judgment," Leon said. He was sounding a little miffed himself, clearly not enjoying the way that his authority was being challenged like this. Gloria wasn't quite sure what to do, in any event, her eyes darting between the two men and the machine that continually pulsed with its sickening energy.

She had to do something.

"Does that mean you trust his judgment on who he hires, too? Does that mean you just trust Oleana's words?" Ash had broken the line, getting up into Leon's face. Hop tried to stop him, but Marnie was now the one to yank him back, shaking her head furiously. "Was she who sent you, Leon? Because if she was, then she doesn't care what happens here so long as you protect her precious machine. So, tell me now, Leon!"

Ash's statement echoed, all eyes drawn to the Champion. Both Charizard were prepared for a fight, and the other Pokémon were no less so. The flashing lights from the generator bathed their faces in purple, neither saying a word in that bated breath.