Marshal took a deep breath to calm his nerves under the evening sun as he walked into Tulip's gym, still shaken to say the least after the ordeal he had experienced. Yet he carried on all the same, not sure what else to do and tight on time.

Marshal approached the doors only for them to be held open for him. He turned to see Nemona with a gentle sadness to her expression, "Hey man... you doing OK?"

"It's been one of those days," Marshal sighed shaking his head, "Did Iono tell you what happened?"

"She said to check on you," Nemona replied, "But also that she couldn't tell me what happened as it wasn't really her place to say."

"Well I appreciate her respecting my privacy but you can go ahead and tell our family about this," Marshal sighed looking up at the gray cloudy skies. "Ubel confronted me the highest peak of Paldea and he just... Arceus what do I even say?"

"Whatever you're comfortable with I guess," Nemona shrugged. She sighed, "Sorry I... really don't know what to do here? Worst stuff I ever dealt with was helping Arven cope with his dead parent in Area Zero and... well he was kinda already half to accepting that."

"He showed me her body, Nemona," Marshal wiped a tear from his eye half sobbing. "And he was gonna cut my arms off. I couldn't do... anything to fight back."

Nemona froze, unsure what to say. What could she say to something like that? She tried to think of anything to cheer Marshal up and forced a smile. "Silver lining: we can give Madeline a proper burial. That's something right?"

Marshal chuckled. She wasn't wrong, that was a small upside, and maybe it would give him some closure. "Yeah I guess it would be nice to properly have a funeral. Though she always wanted one of those celebration of life things instead so... when we do that we should keep that in mind."

"Yeah that sounds like her," Nemona nodded, "She was always so full of life wasn't she?"

The two fell into silence for a moment unsure what to say.

Nemona opened her arms to offer a hug in an attempt to comfort Marshal. Marshal accepted, embracing his sister for a moment, the gentle hug offering reminder he may have lost Madeline, but he still had other family. Afterwards Marshal inquired, "Any tips for battling Tulip? Cause I do need to continue on that."

Nemona nodded, "She's a psychic type specialist and overall she's a kind person. I think this is nothing Wick couldn't handle honestly. If you haven't healed your Pokémon yet you could-"

"Sweep through with Wick using Last Respects and a choice scarf cause the rest of my team fainted on the journey?" Marshal inquired with a grin like he was proud of himself.

Nemona high fived Marshal, "Yeah exactly! You got this dude." The two walked into the gym together, Marshal and Nemona each tried to hold the door for the other before Nemona nodded insisting Marshal enter first to be polite.

Marshal sighed up for the gym trial before the receptionist inquired, "You're Marshal?"

Marshal nodded, "Yes, why?"

The receptionist explained with a smile, "Oh don't worry. Tulip simply wanted to speak with you is all. She'll be here shortly."

"OK," Marshal shrugged before sitting in the reception area next to Nemona. He inquired to her, "Hey so do you just wanna hangout while I get this badge?"

Nemona nodded, "Yeah." She took a somber tone, "Honestly... Iono mentioned she didn't want you traveling alone. So she asked me to accompany you for a bit. Given what you told me we don't want Ubel coming back."

Marshal sighed with a deep sadness. He felt the sense of fear return, "You're right he could. Ugggghhhh. I hate my life."

Nemona assured, "Hey. Hey. It's OK. We'll get through this. All of us will."

"I hope so," Marshal sighed slouching now, looking down at the floor in despair. "This is just terrible it's all terrible. How was it ever allowed to get this bad?"

"I don't know but when this is done we'll make sure it never happens again," Nemona assured with a gentle smile and a hand on Marshal's shoulder. "It's darkest before the dawn."

"You're right," Marshal sighed, "But it's as dark as Darkrai..."

The doors to the gyms opened, and a woman in a beautiful purple dress entered talking on the phone. "I'll be discussing a new fashion line I'll call you back. Yeah. That one. I will not be able to answer a bit. Goodbye."

The woman turned with a gentle smile and graceful walk towards Marshal, shaking his hand. "You must be Marshal. I'm Tulip. I have a matter I would like to discuss with you. Would you join me for a moment?"

Marshal nodded and followed Tulip outside as she directed the duo to a back room where she revealed a collection of dresses and suits of all colors and sizes. She explained, "You know, I never did like certain aspects of the beauty industry. Namely that all the models can look kinda the same and a lot of the standards are toxic and unrealistic for a lot of people. I've always believed beauty is subjective and the only objectively ugly thing is poor health."

Marshal nodded, "Yeah but don't you fall under the like, stereotypical traditional beauty?"

Tulip nodded, "Yes but I want more people who are different kinds of beautiful in this industry. This collection of clothes is a line that was going to have such a theme we had a bunch of models ready for photo shoots. I was even going to do a shoot with an actor from Unova. An ice gym leader named Brycen. Unfortunately the release was blocked due to "promoting degeneracy" by Ubel."

"What a scumbag," Marshal glared, "Of course he would pull some crap."

"Yeah," Tulip nodded. "See a large part of the marketing was to denounce gender roles. I was to model the suits and Brycen was to model the dresses. Gender roles... they're all smoke and mirrors, lies told by insecure people who can't face truly finding themselves. If only they did they would be so much happier, big bigots like Ubel feast on their insecurity. How that journey even if worthwhile can be scary at first. I do strongly prefer dresses but that's because that's who I am not cause of some gender role nonsense."

Tulip sighed, "I've heard the rumors. I don't know what dirt you have on him but I know that nice clothes lend credibility. Makes you look professional. We both want Ubel gone he's a scumbag and I want to sponsor you."

"I appreciate the offer but fashion isn't my cup of tea," Marshal replied.

Tulip chuckled, "Oh no I'm not asking a long term commitment but I am offering you to help model the suits for this collection on the stream at the end of the month with Iono. I'll pay you well and you can keep the suit."

"I don't follow how this helps us stop Ubel?" Nemona interjected. "Like, I don't follow."

Tulip sighed and sat down, "OK let's cut to the chase. This collection was started to fund a charity helping trans people leave the region before Ubel takes power. Marshal has become something of a hero to those who despise the bigot. You all have. If we get you on bored it shows people they can stand up to him. It sends a message, and that message is Ubel can't stop us. I want to help you and we need to rally the masses behind us. They're afraid. We need to show them what courage looks like."

"Why can't you?" Marshal inquired. "It's a good plan, but why don't you do it?"

"My plan is we both do," Tulip replied. "I respect if you don't wanna but..."

"Nah would be fun to do if only once," Marshal shrugged, "And if it dunks on Ubel it sounds great. So I wear this suit and you start selling the collection?"

"And you get payed," Tulip reminded, "I'm not gonna, not pay you."

"Yeah that sounds like a solid deal," Nemona nodded.

"Is there gonna be a photo shoot?" Marshal inquired.

"Just one or two," Tulip nodded.

Marshal thought for a moment before nodding, "Well we're on the same side and if people are trying to get out before the crap hits the fan I don't blame em. This would help a lot of people. Sounds like a win win, and hey, I don't see myself doing this as my main thing but, would be fun to do for a little bit. I'm in."

Tulip nodded and handed Marshal a contract, "Read this over make sure it's to your liking. I'll go prepare for our battle."

Tulip began to leave before adding, "You're a good kid Marshal. I'm sorry you have to go through all this."

"I got my family," Marshal assured, fist bumping Nemona.

Tulip chuckled, "I guess that's true. I have your back. We all do. Come to the gym when you're ready."

Tulip left Marshal to renew the contract as he read it over. Nemona looked over his shoulder, "Pay is pretty good, it's fair hours a lot is going to trans charities. Yeah Tulip seems to be on our side. This looks like a great opportunity for you and a ton of fun."

"Yeah I would love to sign this just one problem," Marshal sighed, "I... legally can't. Look here. Legal guardian signature. I... have no legal guardian."

"Oh," Nemona froze, "Uhhhhhhh... yeah I don't have anything here to help. You're just kinda... yeah I got nothin. Maybe ask Arven? Arven would know what to do right?"

Marshal nodded, "Good idea actually. Yeah. I'll do that."

Marshal grabbed a nice blue suit, the color ocean of the with an elegance to its form and left with Nemona. He stretched, "Aight imma go get dressed you wanna meet at the arena?"

Nemona nodded, "Yeah sure. Cya there!"

With that Marshal and Nemona split to meet back up at the arena. The battle to the crowd seemed a standard affair until Marshal won and accepted the badge. He whispered to Tulip, "I can't legally sign the papers yet but if you wanna reveal the collection now's the time. Imma go before Ubel shows up."

Tulip nodded and began to speak, "Ladies and gentlemen! These are horrific times in Paldea for many of our LGBTQ community. We will be launching a new fashion line which has proceeds going towards assisting in the evacuation of LGTBQ people who feel endangered by Ubel..."

Marshal slipped away to grab a cab. Nemona inquired, "Where to next?"

Marshal checked his Rotom phone, seeing a text from Arven. "The last Titan was spotted. Can you meet me?"

"Arven needs help with the last Titan," Marshal replied.

"I'll ride with you," Nemona stated, "In case Ubel shows his face."

Marshal got in the cab and nodded, "Sounds good. Let's hit the road!..."