The battle against Kofu was of little issue to Marshal and his team, granted Kofu's use of Iron Bundle caused issues for them, but Grips was able to easily take the blows as Perish Song wore it down. Marshal took the badge and shook Kofu's hand, "Thanks for your help with those titans."

Kofu gave a hearty laugh, "No worries young man. Stay safe out there. Paldea is in trying times to say the least."

Marshal nodded in agreement, "Yeah. That's an understatement."

Kofu assured, "Should you ever run into trouble again give me a ring. I have your back."

"Thanks," Marshal smiled, "Cya later."

The two parted ways, Marshal deciding to head towards the next gym which was in Levincia.

Marshal arrived in the evening to a bustling town full of lights and electronic billboards and the bustling of city life. Marshal didn't much care for it. Sure there was fun to be had in the city but he preferred a more quiet atmosphere. However he decided to grab dinner and find a hotel to crash at.

He found a place where he had a good view of the arena in the middle of town, where he could see Iono battling a trainer. The battle was intense, sparks flew from the battlefield as the Pokémon clash and after a flash of golden light the trainer had been defeated. Iono spoke into a camera, closing her stream out for the evening and leaving the arena.

Iono went to get a bite to eat, sighing with mental exhaustion. "What a day," she muttered to herself. She then spotted someone sitting with his Pokémon by his side sitting next to his table. She had just seen him on a news report about Titan Pokémon attacking a town earlier that day.

"Marshal," she greeted him, "Right?"

"You're Iono aren't you?" Marshal inquired extending his hand for a handshake, "Nice to meet you I was planning to take on your gym tomorrow."

"Mind if I join you?" Iono inquired.

Marshal pulled out her chair and sat back down. Iono inquired to him, getting right to the point, "So, the rumors about Ubel-"

Marshal lowered his voice, "All that and far worse."

Iono nodded in understanding, "I see."

The tell sat in silence for a moment. Iono knew she was taking a risk but if Ubel was what she thought he was she couldn't ignore it. She needed allies. No. She needed friends she could truly open up to. Iono inquired, "Can we speak more privately somewhere later there's something I need to ask you."

Marshal nodded, "Is it related to Ubel?"

Iono nodded.

"Where and when?"

"I have an apartment meet me there tonight."

"Mind if I crash I was gonna find a hotel later."

"That's fine, sure."

Iono smiled, "Cya later kid."

"You're only what 20?" Marshal jokingly retorted.

"Says the 16 year old you're still a kid," Iono replied.

"Fair," Marshal conceded.

After his meal Marshal headed towards Iono's place, deciding that if Iono knew about Ubel this could be helpful in getting the bigot out of the picture. He took his medication after his meal, and noticed he had run out and would need to refill his prescription.

"We'll have to handle that," Marshal muttered to himself before knocking on Iono's door. The woman answered and let him in, locking the door behind her.

She seemed anxious, afraid, but not of Marshal.

"Marshal," she asked, "Mind if we cut to the chase?"

"Yeah go ahead," Marshal replied.

"You're trans right?" Iono inquired.

Marshal gripped his Pokéballs. He half expected Iono was no different than Ubel. "If I am?"

Iono continued, reassuring him, "Dude. Relax. My hair is literally trans flag colors."

"Oh," Marshal replied, "Sorry."

Iono sighed, "Not like I blame you. Listen, so we both know Ubel is a transphobe, and I think he's planning something."

"How so?" Marshal inquired, "Did something happen?"

Iono sighed, shaking her head, "I can't get estrogen ANYWHERE. I think he's quietly cutting off supply."

Marshal sighed bitterly, "I might have known." He stretched, "I know this don't help much but, you're valid as a woman regardless."

Iono smiled wearily, "I mean it helps a little, but all the same. I'm scared he's gonna try to slowly pick people like us off one by one."

"Yeah that sounds like him," Marshal agreed. "So what are you gonna do?"

"Well I started streaming to make money to fund my transition," Iono replied, "I have ways to get my gender affirming care in other regions, I just heard you had dirt on Ubel and I was thinking if we work together-"

"He killed my sister," Marshal stated his voice full of a deep hatred.

A heavy silence filled the room. Iono wasn't sure how to respond. She couldn't say she was surprised per say. Ubel seemed the type to do something such as that.

She decided she would do whatever she could at least bring Marshal some peace of mind. She recalled battling Madeline. A very skilled trainer who claimed gym badges with each.

"I'm sure Madeline would be proud of you," Iono assured, just trying to say something, anything, "The man you've become. You're clearly a skilled trainer."

"Thanks," Marshal sighed wearily, but eased by the thought if only a little. "She was such a kind person. I just... sometimes I feel it should have been me. You know?"

Iono sternly, now with resolve due to concern, retorted, "Hey. No. Madeline wouldn't want you think like that. It's just not true. You're a talented trainer with a kind heart. Going out of your way to help protect that town from those titans. If this was only about revenge for you you could have just charged down Ubel right now. You were someone worth protecting, Marshal."

"Thanks," Marshal replied, unsure what else to say. "I just... Ubel is a real scumbag and now he's gaining more power as time goes on. I'm gonna stop him but it hurts watching him hurt people."

"Yeah I feel that," Iono sighed solemnly, "I've never... been openly trans on stream. I was thinking it was about time to open up, but then Ubel came back and... yeah no."

"I'll figure out a way to get him out of his position," Marshal assured.

"Let me help," Iono offered, "I know I act all greedy on stream and yeah I like having lots of money but this is more important than any of that."

"What do you have in mind?"

"I'm having a big stream to celebrate a huge viewer milestone at the end of the month. Become champion before that stream, and we can accuse him in front of everyone."

"Sure that would be great actually. Would really mess up his reputation."

Iono stood up and pat Marshal on the shoulder, "You got this man. I'm here for you."

"As I am for you," Marshal replied, he spoke off the cuff, without thinking, "You remind me of Madeline, in a way."

"How so?" Iono inquired, confused by the comparison.

"I dunno," Marshal shrugged, "You just feel like, trustworthy. Like someone I can open up to."

Iono smiled and pat Marshal on the head, "Yeah that makes sense. We have each other, I know I don't know you well right now but it's better than nothing."

"Yeah sure is," Marshal replied yawning, "Well I should get some sleep. Good night Iono."

"Good night Marshal," Iono replied before going to bed. Marshal laid on the couch. Iono really did remind him of Madeline but in a way he couldn't fully articulate. Maybe it would become more clear as he got to know her better. With that he fell asleep...

The next day Marshal awoke to an alarm from another room. He stretched and scratched Wick's head, the hound sleeping on his chest. "Time to get up Wick," he yawned.

Marshal rolled out of bed, his Pokémon by his side. He felt a hefty weight on his arm. Screechy had fallen asleep on his shoulder, holding his arm in its tail. He let Screechy sleep and entered the living room to see Iono about to leave. She greeted him, still half asleep, "Morning."

Marshal waves back,"Morning. You sleep OK?"

Iono nodded, "Yeah. Hey I'm streaming today if you wanna battle. Come on down to the gym."

Marshal nodded, "Will do."

Iono and Marshal left the apartment. Marshal waved, "Thanks a ton for... I dunno being so understanding about all this."

Iono assured, "Marshal, I know I don't know you that well but, I think we're gonna be good friends. Just a guess and I could be wrong but... you feel like someone I can trust. I'll have to back as long as you have mine dude."

"Thanks," Marshal smiled.

Iono took out her rotom phone which had a trans pride flag case, "Here, give me a ring when you're on your way."

Marshal and Iono exchanged numbers. Iono continued with a smile, "Cya later man!"

The battle against Iono itself was... normal at least from the outside looking in. The duo couldn't show any signs anything was wrong, playing along to the false normalcy as not to draw attention from Ubel to soon. As Marshal received his badge Iono whispered, "After your next gym badge we should talk more about the... situation." Marshal nodded in agreement before Iono went back to being the bubbly energetic streamer.

Marshal left town, heading towards his next trial, he saw the lights shining from the city like a second sun on the horizon. He smiled, happy with his new friendship with Iono.

He had to stop Ubel. Not just for himself or Madeline but everyone Ubel would hurt if he continued to gain power.

As he walked down the road he pulled out his Rotom Phone and looked at his options for what to do next, and decided he should take on another gym. Larry's seemed to be next...