Hulbury. Five minutes remained before the next Gym Challenge began.
All company and League staff received the same notice at once. Gym Leader Nathan had fallen gravely ill and could no longer continue. His daughter, Lina, would serve as his replacement for the upcoming challenge.
It fit neatly. Lina herself had recently been defeated by Nessa and lost her right to compete as a challenger. Becoming acting Gym Leader did not conflict with that.
When they found her inside the gym, she was still dazed. Surrounded by a crowd of busy staff, she was hurriedly pushed into the narrow corridor that led to the battle stage reserved for the Gym Leader.
Ahead, the battlefield shone under bright lights. The camera crew had already set up, waiting for her arrival.
"What… what's going on?" Lina asked, panic in her voice as she looked around.
The staff exchanged confused looks before someone gave a quick answer. "Your father's sick. You're replacing him as Gym Leader."
She froze midway through the corridor, full of disbelief. "My... my dad? Sick? I'm taking his place?"
"That's right." Everyone nodded.
Lina was at a loss for words. How sick would her father have to be not to be able to battle? Hadn't he gone missing just moments ago? How did that suddenly turn into an illness?
And since when did she, his daughter, not know her father was gravely ill while the company sent out a notice first?
"I want an explanation!" she said, face hard.
The staff looked at one another. One of them activated his communicator, directly connecting to Oleana.
"If you don't want the position, there are plenty of others who'd be happy to take it," Oleana said curtly. "If you refuse you can leave now. Hulbury is full of qualified trainers who can serve as acting Gym Leader."
The words choked off Lina's protests. She knew her father had already lost, and her own challenge had failed too. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have the chance to become Gym Leader. Now that this opportunity was handed to her, how could she turn it down?
"Time's short. You have five seconds to decide." Oleana issued her final warning.
"I agree!" Lina answered before the countdown even began. She bolted out of the corridor.
Acting Gym Leader or official Gym Leader, either way it gave her the right to pursue the Champion Cup. As for her father's condition or disappearance, that could wait. The gym's legacy came first. Once everything settled, she'd investigate properly.
Her father would understand.
* * *
In the arena.
"All eyes on the show!" Ryan opened with practiced energy. "I'm sure everyone's been eager for the continuation of the Hulbury Gym Challenge! After a brief half-hour break, the battle resumes! However, we've run into an unexpected turn of events during the intermission. It appears our Hulbury Gym Leader, Nathan, has fallen seriously ill. This morning's battle has completely exhausted his energy, and he won't be able to participate in the upcoming matchs..."
He paused for a moment, then added, "We'll put Gym Leader Nathan on the line now. He wishes to address the audience personally."
The broadcast switched to a pale, clinical hospital room. White sheets and white walls. Company staff stood nearby, adjusting IV bags.
On the bed lay Nathan, his face swollen and lips tinged blue. He struggled to lift his head. His blurred eyes drifted slowly from the ceiling toward the camera. With effort, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "I... I'm sorry... everyone... viewers... forgive... me…"
After the stiff apology, a nurse medical staff rushed over to press him back down, urging him to rest. The camera cut. The broadcast returned to the battle site.
But in that sterile "hospital room," Nathan soon stopped moving. From beneath the bed, a gray bandage slithered out.
Not far off a Dusknoir retracted the bandage with a pale grey hand. The eerie crimson light in its single eye gradually faded away.
A group of a dozen black-uniformed company operatives quickly tore down the white walls around the hospital bed. They dismantled the makeshift floor panels, the bed, and everything else.
The trees on either side were still lush. The dirt road remained the same.
They reburied Nathan's body at the roadside near Route 5.
Edgar collected his Dusknoir with a Poké Ball and muttered, "What a hassle…"
He strolled back along the dirt path toward Hulbury.
* * *
Back at the gym battlefield.
"Ladies and gentlemen..." Ryan called out with a mournful tone. "Gym Leader Nathan showed great dedication. Even while ill he pushed through and completed two battles. Per his request, his daughter Lina will temporarily act as Hulbury's Gym Leader and continue against challengers. Please welcome her."
Cameras moved in on Lina. The brown-haired girl walked onto the field with a smile. But it vanished soon after.
As the acting Gym Leader, her opponent this round was Raihan.
"Hulbury Gym Leader Lina. Challenger Raihan from Hammerlocke. Both trainers are on the field. Release your Pokémon… battle, begin!"
On camera, Raihan wore a gentle smile as a Dragon-type Pokémon swept through and defeated all six of Lina's Pokémon. He then returned to the stands.
"That was a bit ruthless," Marvin teased, shaking his head. "I thought he might go easy for a show."
Raihan ignored the jab. He sat back down and looked toward Shiro. After a moment he said quietly, "Was that you...?"
Shiro answered with a mild smile, "Not sure."
Raihan didn't press the point. He turned his head away.
The company had suddenly found Nathan… and he was gravely ill? Ill enough to need a Ghost-type master like Edgar on the scene?
Everyone there understood what really happened. Nathan had likely met with foul play, so the company staged a fake illness to hide it.
But who killed Nathan? Among the people present only Shiro had vanished after his match, and Nathan disappeared after facing Lina too. The suspicion was obvious.
Marvin wanted to step forward and ask, but was sternly held back by the watchful Shae with her cane and a look.
Shiro didn't notice and offered no explanation. He was thinking about the most important thing right now: how to leave Galar without a hitch.
Under company surveillance he'd be detected the moment he disappeared. Any ship entering Galarian waters would be stopped and inspected. That blocked simple departures.
But he still needed a ship. He had to contact Professor Rowan again and get ready.
Maybe he could use Dynamaxing combined with some Water-type Pokémon…
Time was tight.
The Champion Cup was the finish line.
When he reached the Cup, he'd make his move to escape.
**
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