The Glimwood Tangle Affair

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Guilt is for losers.

The last gym challenger said this after Piers defeated him.

The guy was a hothead, pumped full of confidence. Piers almost felt sorry for him when his Skuntank obliterated his Clefable with a Poison Jab.

So many gym challengers came with their fairy pokemon, hoping to wipe out the Dark-type gym leader.

Few of them managed to adapt when he sent out his poison pokemon to wipe out their fairy pokemon instead.

The guy was slackjawed as he watched his Clefable topple on its face, down for the count. He had no other pokemon left.

As he silently returned Clefable to its pokeball, his friend chattered beside him. “Come on, man, no need to feel guilty. Clefable tried her best and you did too.”

The defeated trainer shook his head with fury. “Of course, of course. Guilt is for losers, anyway.”

For some reason, that statement struck Piers.

The trainer dipped his chin. “Thank you for the battle, Mr Piers. I hope I can challenge you again.”

“I hope you will,” Piers said, trying to be encouraging.

But the guy hurried away without a second word. His friend looked at Piers before jogging away as well.

Gary, one of the Team Yell grunts, strutted over to the Dark type gym leader with a snicker. “Congratulations on another victory, boss!”

A small smile lifted Piers’ lips. “It was nothin’. I jus’ got lucky that the trainer wasn’t prepared, is all.”

Gary shook his head. “You’re too humble.”

Piers rubbed the hair around his neck, as he felt awkward receiving compliments. He wanted to practice another song with his band before the next challenger arrived. But a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Yo, Piers!”

A ridiculously tall, brown-skinned man with dragon-themed clothing waved at him, grinning ear to ear. Despite how obnoxiously goofy the guy was, he also looked very good. Piers tried not to stare at the other man’s muscled arms.

Piers smirked. “What kinda trouble are ya blowin’ my way today?”

Raihan, the Dragon type gym leader beamed. “You’re always such a snarky little shit, aren’t ya? But I love you anyway.”

Piers’ heart beat a little faster. He knew that Raihan was openly affectionate with all his friends, so that wording didn’t mean anything. But still, it was hard not to have a reaction when a handsome man said he loved you, even if just platonically.

The other man broke his train of thought as he continued, “So if I can get some time with Your Busy Highness, Allister told me about some weird things happening in Glimwood Tangle. Wanna come with me to investigate?”

Piers shot a glance at his Team Yell crew, but they just smiled at him, with a gesture not to worry. The gang could be doofuses sometimes; they even blocked off entire routes to slow down the other gym challengers, from what his sister Marnie told him.

But Team Yell’s devotion to Piers and Marnie was sincere, and he was grateful that they could take care of the gym while he was absent.

Regardless, he didn’t want Raihan to think he was easy to invite. So he gave the taller man an assessing look. “What kinda trouble did Allister find?”

Raihan chuckled. He seemed to always be in a good mood, at least compared to Piers. “Apparently, some wild pokemon went rogue, attacking travelers with no warning.” He raised a hand as if anticipating Piers’ objection. “Of course, wild pokemon typically attack trespassers on their territory anyway, but these pokemon are especially powerful. It’s like they won’t rest until they’ve chased everyone out.”

Piers arched an eyebrow. “So these are like the very strong pokemon in the Wild Area, except they’re far more aggressive?” When Raihan nodded, the Dark type gym leader asked, “And which pokemon are they?”

Raihan grimaced, silent for a moment, almost like he was embarrassed. “Well, a Galarian Rapidash was one of them.”

As far as Piers remembered, Galarian Rapidash were native to Glimwood Tangle, so he didn’t know why the dragon leader looked so abashed about it.

When Piers didn’t respond, Raihan went on, babbling now, “If he wasn’t so caught up in his gym duties, Allister would investigate it more himself. Since his ghost types can handle the psychic types there, especially Galarian Rapidash. His Gengar’s poison makes him a great counter to those fairies, too.”

Piers got an inkling of where Raihan was heading with this. “So you want help because your dragons can’t touch the fairies?” he asked bluntly.

The dragon tamer’s eyes widened in a comical way. His laughter was strained. “My dragons do know other moves than dragon ones. Torkoal isn’t even a dragon type, and his fire type resists fairy moves.” He shrugged. “Both you and I have trouble with fairy types. But unlike me, you have an edge against psychic mons. Psychic moves can’t even touch your Dark type pokemon!”

Piers felt a surge of pride in that. It was one thing to be aware of his strength, but it was another to hear a fellow gym leader say so out loud. He rested his chin on his hand, making a show of hesitation just to rile the dragon leader up. At long last, he said, “Fine. I’ll come with you.”

He wanted to laugh at Raihan’s relieved face. But Piers was worried. Yes, Raihan had a type disadvantage against the many fairies in Glimwood Tangle. But he was still the strongest trainer in Galar after Leon. Why was he so eager to recruit Piers’ help? Especially as they both had a weakness to fairies?

Regardless, Piers left instructions to the Team Yell troop; they would tell any new challengers to wait till he came back. Piers also asked them to please stop causing trouble for other people. They were to cheer for Marnie, not to obstruct other trainers. The Team Yell members agreed with no small amount of embarrassment.

But Piers had a feeling they would get back to their mischief once he looked away. He sighed. Perhaps he was too soft on them, but he didn’t have the heart to do more than give them a gentle reprimand.

Raihan was positively giddy when he got Piers to agree to come with him.

As always, the Dark type gym leader was effortlessly beautiful, even when he was being snide. Raihan thought it was unfair how a man could be this gorgeous.

Piers wasn’t very open about his personal life, but from what Raihan could gather, he was still single. Raihan felt sorry for all his drooling fans at his concerts, and Raihan was one of them.

But back to business!

Raihan grinned down at the smaller man beside him. “Come ride on my Flygon with me.”

“I can take the Corviknight taxi.”

“My Flygon is faster than the taxi. Or are you just avoiding my company?” Raihan teased.

Piers snorted. He made a nonchalant, one-shouldered shrug. “All right, then.”

The dragon master tossed out a pokeball, and a green sand dragon popped out, flapping his wings and letting out a cry. Raihan leaped onto his back, and reached a hand out for Piers.

The Dark type gym leader ignored it. “I can climb up myself.”

Raihan sighed inside. Why did he have to be so stubborn?

“Hold tight,” Raihan said as his Flygon began to take off. He tried not to shiver when Piers wrapped his arms around his waist. Raihan hoped Piers, who was huddled up close, wouldn’t hear the rapid beat of his heart. But Piers was a musician with sharp ears, so he probably would.

Along the way, Raihan tried to make conversation, but the other gym leader didn’t seem to be in the mood, and only gave him short answers. Maybe Raihan was asking for too much.

At long last, they landed at the entrance to Glimwood Tangle.

It was eerie and mysterious. Before Raihan could recall Flygon back to his ball, a familiar figure dashed out of the woods.

It was Allister, the Ghost type gym leader at Stow-on-Side. He was heaving behind his usual mask. “I’m so glad you two arrived. My pokemon got smacked and tired out. I’m heading to the Pokemon Centre to rest.” He palmed his forehead. “I still have so many gym challengers waiting for me.”

Raihan wanted to tell him that he had the freedom to cancel his matches for the day, if he wished. But Raihan held his tongue, since he didn’t like it when others told him how to manage his schedule, either.

The Ghost type gym leader rushed away without another word.

“Hmm,” Piers said, frowning with his arms crossed over his chest. The steel ring from his choker necklace reflected the light.

“Are you scared to go inside?” Raihan taunted.

Piers rolled his eyes. “Please! I’m a Dark type trainer. Why would I be afraid of dark places? Let’s go in.” Piers only glanced back at him once, before disappearing into the murky obscurity.

Raihan cursed. He returned Flygon to his pokeball and marched in after his friend, hoping it wasn’t too late.

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