Meanwhile, in Hesperus City:

Out in the ruins of a forgotten ancient kingdom, a fierce battle took place. A young man with a Sliggoo battled fiercely against an older woman with a Snubbull. The young man was on the ropes – it was clear he and Sliggoo were not getting along. The gooey jelly-like Pokemon had disobeyed him twice now. 

[color=ed145b][b]“Alright, let’s put a pretty bow on this match Snubsie! Dazzling Gleam!”[/b][/color] The blonde haired woman issued a command to her precious baby. The Pokemon in battle let out a happy little roar before letting loose, a brilliant pink sparkling light filling the area.

[b]“Sliggoo, use Flail! Er, dodge it! Do SOMEthing!”[/b] The young man stamped his foot in frustration, kicking up a cloud of dust. His Pokemon, probably confused at the multiple commands, ran back and forth in panic until the light hit it. Once the Gleam cleared, it was unconscious.

[b][color=ed145b]“Aw, looks like your baby is unable to battle, sweetheart. This match is mine.”[/color][/b] The woman spoke up. [color=ed145b][b]“Come back to Mama, Snubsie!”[/b][/color] She lifted her very well-decorated Pokeball and beamed the pink victor inside. Then she approached the young man. [color=ed145b][b]“Not a bad battle. But I think you and your Sliggoo will need to bond better before you can take on any more Overseers. You’ll need to temper it’s strong nature with a guiding hand. Got it?”[/b][/color]

She patted his shoulder in a motherly way. [b][color=ed145b]“Now, go get to the Pokemon center so you can get everyone rested. Including yourself.”[/color][/b]

The young man sighed but nodded, not wanting to be a poor loser. [b]“Yes ma’am. Thank you.”[/b] As he too, beamed his Pokemon back home. He trudged away, back toward Hesperus.

As her challenger departed, the older woman sighed. As much as she loved winning, she hated crushing the dreams of the young. It got a little harder every day.

Her phone started to ring with a cheery tune. [color=ed145b][b]“Norah Kingsley here!”[/b][/color] Her voice showed no hint of the exhaustion she felt.