Dad, I have a large project due later this week. I will be late coming home from school today because of it.

I sighed, reading the message over again. I was happy Opal was becoming more accustomed to school in the big city--overjoyed, even--but I couldn't help but be a bit saddened as she adapted and grew up with every day that passed. However, as much as I would have liked to take the time and reminisce, I had a Pokemon Gym to run.

"Mr. Bede?" Cassandra, a fairly new addition to the staff of Fairy-type Gym Trainers, asked. "Yes, Cassie?" I put my phone away to give her my full attention.
"I just wanted to let you know that Chairman Dande sent all the major league Gym Leaders a letter regarding the minor league along with your regular post," she said, gesturing to her Whimsicott, who balanced my mail on her tuft of fluffy cotton.

"Of course, I'll read when I get home," I said, walking off.
"Sir, the Chairman really wanted you to read it as soon as it arrived—"

"Mr. Bede? I have a few questions about the new Gym Mission," Kessem, another new Gym Trainer asked, trotting up to me with their Kirlia. "When the Challengers are performing, do we go on to battle during or after their performance?"

"During; the performance is half the battle," I explained. "The other half is an actual Pokemon match to test the Challenger's ability to maintain poise in tricky situations." I'd come up with the idea for the Gym Mission after Opal (the former Fairy-type Gym Leader, not my daughter) showed me videos of Kalosian performers with their Pokemon to teach me how to battle like I was "on a stage, performing for the audience".

Pokemon battles are just as theatrical as they are powerful, I recalled her words to me when she first saw me battle. It's much more than two Trainers brutally hurling Pokemon at each other; a true battle requires grace, finesse. A reason for the crowd to get excited and cheer for both sides. So, I made my Gym Mission to test a Trainer's ability to show off for the crowd as well as their strength.

"Alright, thank you," Kessem smiled, walking off to their fellow Gym Trainers who were getting ready for their performances. "Mr. Bede, I really must insist you read the letter-"
"Not now, Cassandra," I sighed as my phone buzzed again. I whipped it out and sighed; Opal had texted again.

I'm not sure when exactly I'll be back; I will try to be home for dinner. My project partner can ferry me home.

Wonderful, I typed back, hitting send and putting my phone back in my pocket. "Bede, you need to reply to Nessa about her offer for an exhibition match," another Gym Trainer reminded me as I passed her by. "Tell her I'm busy that Tuesday and I'll consider next week," I said, and they rushed off to write back to Hulbury. "Mr. Bede-"

"What?!"

Cassandra froze, then swallowed. "Well, sir, the letter said—"
"Bede! What are you doing backstage?!" my secretary panted, sprinting towards me and skidding to a stop just a few feet shy of crashing into me. "You need to be in the lobby welcoming the minor league Gym Leader!"

"Excuse me?" I asked, before it clicked. The letter. The Chairman talking about the minor league. The Gym Leaders.

"God, I haven't had enough coffee for this," I groaned to myself before walking up the stairs that lead to the battlefield, crossing it quickly and going through the tunnel that led to the lobby. "Now what did the Chairman say about these minor league Gym Leaders—?" I started to ask, before stopping in my tracks and gaping at who was standing in the lobby of my Gym.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked, unable to mask the surprise and confusion in my voice. "Waiting for you," Avery replied, sky-blue eyes staring me down; at times like these, I really hated the height he had on me. "I mean, you are supposed to be a professional, yes? It doesn't do well to be late. Perhaps if you used Speed Swap with that Rapidash of yours, you'd be on time, for once." That got a laugh from the Gym Trainers behind him, and I tightened the fists my hands had formed.

Public rivals, I reminded myself, taking a deep breath and letting my fists unclench. We don't like each other. "Well, maybe it's because I actually had work to do, unlike your barely qualifying Gym," I replied, giving him a smirk. "If you actually had Challengers, you'd realize how difficult it is to manage time."

That was low, but it was what the media was used to from us. We were quite a duo, Avery and I. The Mind Bender and the Fairy King, formerly a Psychic-type Trainer like said Gym Leader. Bitter rivals, without an ounce of kindness between the two of them. Oh, if only they knew what happened behind the cameras, away from the blinding lights of the battlefield.

"I didn't have the time to read the letter Chairman Dande sent to the major league Gym Leaders," I said, the masked face the cameras knew all too well plastered on. Remember to smile. "Would you care to tell me why you're here?"

"The minor league Gym Leaders and their Gym Trainers have been assigned to each of the major Gyms of Galar for the day to take inspiration for their own Gyms," a young girl in a Psychic uniform (who I assumed was a Gym Trainer of Avery's) piped up from behind him. A Natu was perched on her shoulder, eying me questioningly with one of its big, black eyes.

"Ah, of course," I clapped my hands together. "Come along, then; I suppose I should give you a tour and introduce you to my Gym Trainers." As I herded the Psychic Gym Trainers through the sliding doors to my Gym Challenge stage, I took note of how many there were.

Seven in all; three girls, four boys. People of varying races, skin tones ranging from pale ivory to deep ebony, all accompanied by various, low-level Psychic-type Pokemon. Then, of course, there was Avery.

"Why are you here?!" I hissed quietly to him after he'd let his Gym Trainers wander off to talk with my own. "The Chairman requested the entire minor league to spend a day with a Gym Leader of his choice," he answered, confused. "Don't tell me you've used Amnesia and forgotten already."
"Oh, stop it with the puns," I snapped. "You know what I mean."

Avery leaned down to my ear and lowered his voice. "Darling, you know as well as I that the Chairman is unaware of our...situation," he whispered.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'd call bitter rivals in the public eye getting married and having a child," I muttered back.
"Bede, even I had used Confusion when I first read my letter. If we can just get through today, we should be fine."

"Mr. Avery?" Kessen approached us and we were quick to back away from each other. "Yes, young Gym Trainer?" he replied, and they smiled.
"I've been wanting to teach Kirlia a Psychic type move for Gym Battles, but I'm not sure what I should do," they explained. "So far, she knows Triple Axel, Charm, Disarming Voice and Life Dew. My choices as far as Psychic type moves go are Psychic or Psybeam. Do you have a preference?"

"Well, if I were you I'd replace Charm with any move you choose, seeing as Kirlia has potential as a healing Pokemon," he explained, walking off with my Gym Trainer. As soon as they were out of earshot, I groaned and pressed my fists into my eyes. I wanted a pillow I could scream all my frustration into, but since there were no available pillows handy, the best I could do was hit myself in the forehead and curse for being stupid enough not to read the official League letter sent to me.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, STUPID!!! I wailed in my mind, raking my hands mercilessly through my hair. Alright, alright. Calm down. It isn't the end of the world. It's just one day of having Avery in my Gym; what could possibly go wrong? I thought, turning to where he was laughing, twirling Kessen's Kirlia around and around with his hand like he would do with Opal when she was younger. Immediately, a spike of affection rose in my stomach, coloring my face the color of my Fairy uniform.

No. I am certainly and without a doubt, screwed.