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pokeexehasstoppedworking · 10 months

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Applin Of My Eye Ch1 The Apple Shaped Heart Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree (plus story summary)

Part 5 of the Galar Soulmate Series spin off of Love Doesn't Do Encores/A Champion Time For The Heart and side parody of Dragon's Treasure/Diamond In The Rough (This story will be much shorter than the others but I didn't want to leave out the last guy. This will also be the final installment of the Galar Soulmate Series.) Everything was fine now. Eternatus was defeated. The bad guys caught. No more things to worry about...Or at least for Y/n. A small encounter with a certain farmer has made him realize that he never apologized for bowling her over with a wooloo. So when the woman who helped save Galar shows up on his doorstep with an injured wooloo he may realize that maybe he had some secret feelings he never expressed to her in the beginning.

(Before we begin keep in mind that I do not know the actual name of Milo's little brother so his name is only cannon for this story, and his backstory is also not cannon and just for the story.)

It was a funny thing how crushes often worked you see.

You couldn't really control when cupid would shoot you with his arsenal of arrows through your heart and piercing your brain with that fuzzy feeling that made you all warm inside. However he felt as if he might've been hit with a whole sledgehammer. He still remembered the first time he saw her there. Last year pretty early in the year too actually. It was when he was getting his wooloo ready for the Gym Challenge but unfortunately one of the little rascals had slipped out and started running all over the gym with him chasing right after. Eventually it was able to escape right out of the gym and rolled faster than a tumble weed in a tornado out of his gym and right up the dirt road leading right out of town. Well he went chasing right after it one hand holding his sun hat. To his horror the pokemon was heading right towards two women walking their way down the dirt road chatting oblivious to the danger. Unfortunately speed was never his strong point, he was more of a strength guy himself.

Gloria smiled and pointed to it as the two of you walked down hill on the path. "Look! See? I told ya it was a good idea to take the short cut."

You looked down at her deadpanned, the baaing becoming louder the farther you two walked. "Uh huh. And those people chasing us in the beginning was part of the 'good idea'?"

You two didn't see the thing coming towards you from down the path or the man giving chase to it. "Oh come on! It wasn't that bad. We got here faster and now we can rest up and see 'bout that gym.

"Oh yes. And battling someone inside a mine is a good idea too-"

"Nonono! Miss! Watch out-''

Something hard rammed into your legs and they went flying back, sending your front shooting forward and in an instant you faceplanted the dirt road hard. A resounding 'THUMP!' sound echoing out as whatever rammed into you just as suddenly disappeared. It was like a your legs were pins and you just got ran over by a bowling ball. Stunned your body just sat there face first on the ground with your sobble thrown from your shoulder a couple feet away. You didn't move even as a gasp reached your ears, along with baaing and running footsteps. Your sobble chirping in annoyance upon being flung sat itself up and shook itself off, but scurried away and burried itself under your limp noodle of an arm when someone bigger nearly ran it over. Still you laid there stunned.

"OH NO! OH NO!!" A man's worried voice reached your ears just as your brain finally started to register you had been knocked over. "I AM SO SORRY!! MISS!? ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?"

"Y/N!!" Gloria shouted and you felt her shake you frantically. "NO! This can't be how you die! Bowled over by a wooloo isn't a good way to die so please get up!!"

....You coughed. And groaned. Your vision blurry as your now dirty face slowly lifted itself from the ground and looked up. Blinking at the two faces before you. Gloria who was obviously concerned, but the other was a man one hand clutching a hat on his head as he looked you over with worry. "What was-"

"I am SO sorry, Ma'am!" The man you assumed kneeled down letting you get a better look at his freckled face. "My...Are you ok!? You took that tackle head on!"

"What happened?," you mumbled and your answer was being easily lifted by the man by strong hands grabbing your shoulders.

"One of my wooloo! I'm so very, very sorry! She keeps running away everytime someone leaves a door open and I need her for the gym so I keep having to chase her down and bring her back!," the man quickly stated holding you up on wobbly legs as you shook your head as your poor sobble refused to let go of your arm. Hanging onto it like a koala bear would. Hands dusted you off. "Oh no. You're all a mess because of me. I hope you're not hurt, Ma'am."

You waved him off. "It's fine. Wouldn't be the first time I had to deal with troublesome wooloo," you grumbled remembering the Slumbering Weild incident. "I feel fine. Just a few dirt stains aren't gonna hurt."

The man sighed in relief. "Oh thank goodness. I was really worried when you fell so suddenly." His face quickly snapped with a frown to the wooloo who baaed at him. "And you! What did I tell you about running off like that!? This time you did hurt someone!" It baaed louder at him. "Don't you talk back to me! You're in big trouble young lady!......Hm?" He looked to Gloria who was currently staring at him in surprise before he suddenly smiled at her. "Oh. You must be one of the Gym Challengers, right?"

"I- W-Who me!?" She sputtered before nodding quickly. "Y-Yes, Sir! I am!"

"Ah! I thought so." His polite smile widened. "I saw you at the Opening Ceremony earlier this week! My name's Milo. It's nice to meet you."

"I know! AH! I mean!" Gloria sputtered holding up her hands. "I s-saw you too with everyone else! I'm so sorry!"

held up his hands. "Oh no. If anything I should be the one apologizing to you and your friend here for the trouble I put you through."

"Milo?," you asked confused gaining his attention.

He nodded. "I'm a Gym leader here and partial to Grass Type pokemon. And if I'm not mistaken your friend here is one of the ones Leon keeps going on about. I've been itching to see just how good the Champion endorsed Gym Challengers are..." he sighed moving his hands to his hips. "But I'm afraid you might have to wait your turn."

"Huh?" Gloria blinked.

"I know usually my gym's the first one trainers pass by on their trip, but I didn't expect so so many to come here right after the ceremony. I've been completely swamped and I still have three trainers waiting for their turns with me right now. And it doesn't help this one keeps running off the first chance she gets."

You mean I gotta wait until you have more time off just to fight me?" She groaned with a pout. "Maybe we should've taken the train to get here faster after all."

"Hey. The man's busy" You patted her back with a frown. "And obviously he's having a hard time right now. You said we had what?....A whole year until those finals come up? It hasn't even been a whole week yet. We can wait a lil bit longer and let Mr. Milo here sort himself out."

Milo gave you a surprised look and Gloria sighed before nodding. "You're right. We're here and that's the most important thing! I can wait a few more days if I have too."

You smiled. "That's the spirit!"

Even Milo eventually smiled. "Well then. Let me find out at the Gym Stadium when you're ready." He pointed behind him. "Just head on down this route and you'll run right into my stadium. See you there!" He then turned to the wooloo. "Come on now. Back to the stadium with you too. We can't keep the Gym Challengers waiting." It baaed at him in protest but didn't give too much of a fight when it started to follow him as he turned and gave one wave back to you two. "Again sorry for the trouble! Hope to see you soon!"

With a sigh you brought your arm up and your sobble blinked at you...before grabbing your cheek with a questioning chirp. "I'm fine. Just a little sore."

He thought that would've been it. You see he wasn't expecting to see her again. He thought he saw her the next day when he battled her friend in the stadium, but that was that. He lost, congratulated the young girl who looked about the same age as his little brother and off she went. He thought that would be it until he saw the next challenger. But he was surprised when night fell and he stepped out for a few moments to himself.

The night was peaceful. The night was quiet. It was one of the times he could actually get a bit of breathing room to himself and he always gave one last look around anyways. The wooloo were all snug back in their barn. The gym was cleaned up and closed. And most of the farm's chores were already done. All that was left was to do one last look around before bed. The night was pretty. The sun had just started going down over the horizon leaving sn assortment of yellows and oranges and pinks to be chased away by a dark blanket of black filled with millions of tiny stars. It was beautiful among the silent fields. Although he was never expecting to run into another person. Quite literally. He was just walking around the side of his barn when he almost ran face first into a woman. A woman with a sobble clinging to her shoulder. The sudden face to face encounter had her jumping back with a yelp jumping back and the sobble terrified ducking behind her head with a chirp. He himself took a step or two back from the sight as the two of them just...blinked at one another for a good second. Who was-

"Milo?," The woman asked with a blink. "What are you doing out here?"

He blinked. Why did she look familiar? "I...I own this farm? And who are you?"

"I'm Y/n." He still stared. "Your wooloo bowled me over the other day."

It all clicked in an instant. "Oh! You're that woman!" He remembered now. "What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

"Camping." She gestured behind her towards the back fields and when looked over her, he noticed there was two tents set up right in the middle of one of his fields. "My friends and I are camping out here before we leave tomorrow morning, but we had no idea this place belonged to you. I heard someone walking around out here so I came to check it out." It was then she held up her hands and apologized. "But we don't want to cause any trouble. If it's a bother, I'll have them move our tents somewhere else. I'm sorry."

"Oh no. It's no trouble at all," he insisted with a smile. "As long as you all don't litter, I don't mind at all. "

"Oh. That's actually really nice of you. Thank you so much. That battle you had with Gloria today was great!"

He paused all of a sudden caught off guard by what she had said. "Pardon me?"

She smiled at him. "I said your battle with Gloria was really fun to watch. You put up a good fight out there today. No wonder you're a gym leader!"

And in that moment he paused. She was complimenting him? HIM?! He had to look around real quick to make sure that there wasn't anyone else there for her to speak too even though he knew there really. He then looked back to her with that perplexed took. By now the small sobble had timidly poked his head from behind hers.

He pointed at himself. "You mean me?"

"Of course I mean you! You're the only gym leader in Turrffield. Who else would I be talking to?" She rose a brow.

"Oh. I-I meant no offense, Ma'am. It's just...well I'm not used to compliments actually." A hand reached up as an embarrassed smile graced his features. "I don't get a whole lot of them outside my friends and little brother."

"Really? I'm surprised. You put up such a good fight against Gloria." Ah. That must be her friend's name. The young girl who he battled today in fact. "You're also the first official gym leader I've met so far."

He blinked in surprise. "Really?"

She nodded. "You see. I'm uh... Visiting Galar. It's my first time ever being in this region. So today was my first time ever seeing a live gym battle and you're the first ever gym leader I've spoken too....Ever actually."

"Huh? You mean you've literally never met another gym leader before me? Like ever?"

"Nope! First time ever today. Or night as it happens to be now." ...She smiled again. "But I'm glad it was you. You're really kind, I could tell by how you treated your Pokemon during the battle." She then turned and waved a hand good bye. "Well it was nice meeting you Mr. Milo. Sorry again for the trespassing. Have a good night."

"Uh...Good night."

That was it. He didn't see the strange woman again when he went to inspect the fields the next morning. The tents and people were gone, if he didn't find the small holes in the ground from the tent spikes, he would've believed he'd just dreamt up the whole thing. Oh well. She was kind though! It made him happy to be complimented for once but he soon forgotten about the whole thing when he just got on with his life. A lot of wool was harvested from him wooloo and so many crops were harvested from the fields this year! In fact this might've been the most plentiful harvest Turrffield has ever had.

His little brother was making his way through the gym challenge as well! He was so proud of him! He really grew from a bud to a giant blossom this year. He was so proud watching Felix battle his way through the gym leaders one after another and make his way through the gym challenge. He always knew Felix was a much more stronger and capable trainer than he ever was. He'd grown so much than he'd ever could, one day when he was older he'd make an even better gym leader! If Ma and Pa could see him now, they'd think the same thing he was sure of it! So it came to no surprise when months passed and he saw Felix again sometime in August. The biggest smile on his face when he busted through the door of their home, almost scaring Milo into dropping the giant sake of potatoes he was handling, and with a confident smile presented his full badge circle with all eight badges.

"Milo! I'm competing in the semifinals this year!"

He was then given the biggest hug and welcome Milo could ever give. His own little brother was going to be in the semifinals this December. And it was then that he saw her again. When he and his brother traveled down to Wyndon city near Christmas time. Felix was getting ready to battle the other three finalists and he was patiently waiting for it all to start from the V.I.P lounge with most of the other gym leaders. But they couldn't until Leon showed back up, which was sooner than he expected when the door opened and the smiling Champion came walking in-

With one mighty push, Leon pushed the door open and walked right in. "Hey, Everyone." He called back into the room. "Sorry I'm late!"

"Leon. Don't tell me you got lost again! I thought one of us were gonna have to rescue you like last time.," came a woman's voice that sounded familiar from the inside, "I swear sometimes you're more confusing than a spinda."

You both slowly shuffled in as Leon chuckled a bit embarrassed. "C'mon, Nessa. That's a bit harsh." Shaking his head he smiled behind him as you brought up the rear. "I got a bit distracted on the way here and invited some friends over."

You stepped in and blinked at what you saw. The room you were all in was almost as big as Gloria's hotel room but less fancy. Warm thankfully, with some couches, a table with a few chairs, a big flat screen TV, and over in one corner was some kitchen stuff. By kitchen stuff there was a counter with a few cabinets, a sink, full sized fridge, microwave, and a coffee maker. And within the room around you was all ten gym leaders!! Ms. Opal was sitting at the table with a cup of presumed tea with Kabu who seemed to be meditating or asleep by the way he was just sitting there eyes closed and arms crossed. Gordie had been standing by the fridge leaning against the wall, but looked up from his drink when the door opened. Melony standing with him. Nessa sitting on the couch next to Bea, and across from them on the other couch was Raihan glancing at you with a surprised look with Alister sitting next to him on the opposite side of the couch. Milo was the closest one standing to you all looking to have been in the middle of eating some kind of doughnut in his hand when you walked in, and last but not least there was Piers. He had been the only one visibly standing and looking out the window as the stadium was filling up with people, but had side glanced over his shoulder just seeing Leon before turning back to the window before he could see you walk in behind him. Disinterested in whoever Leon brought with him. Oh if only he knew. And...HEY! It was the three trainers of Raihans. Sebastian, Camilla, and Aria. The triplets were encircled around the fridge most likely getting something to eat also.

Good morning," Victor greeted politely and a bit more confidently than you as he waved. "It's really nice to meet all of you."

You were going to say hi as well. Most probably to Nessa since you've spoken to her before or maybe Ms. Opal and ask how Bede was doing. Or....maybe Raihan if you were feeling a bit more brave. But it was one soft voice that interrupted all thoughts.

"Y-Y/n."

A lot of everyone around you (you included-) looked surprised as ALLISTER of all people spoke out and you watched in surprise as he slowly scooted himself off the couch until his feet hit the floor. With a turn of his head towards you he slowly walked towards you...and you smiled. 'y/n. Milo instantly paused, His emerald green eyes going wide all of sudden, and the doughnut he was holding nearly dropped. And his brows instantly shot up upon seeing YOU of all people standing there next to Leon.....YOU!? HERE!? WHAT WERE YOU DOING BACK HERE?! WITH LEON!? HUH-

"Hey, Allister." You greeted and to everyone's surprise you instantly lowered yourself to sit on your knees finally placing Silver down to your side to be eye to eye with Allister. This seemed to make him more comfortable to talk with you as he slowly walked up to you now being closer to his height. "Wow. You look great! Did you grow taller from the last time I saw you?"

He instantly nodded his hands into fists in front of his chest. "Uh huh. L-Leon s-s-said I grew three inches this year!"

You gave a small gasp. "No! That's so cool! You're growing up fast. Soon you're going to be even taller than him."

"Y-You think so?"

You nodded again smiling wide. "Oh yeah. A big strong person like you? I bet you'll be the tallest person I know!"

That seemed to make him happy as he smiled from behind his mask at you before reaching around to his pokeballs. You watched patiently as he fumbled before holding up a pokeball. "I-I made a new f-f-f-friend! W-Would you like to meet him?"

Still smiling you nodded. "I would love to meet your friend, Allister." You gestured to Silver next to you who chirped when you acknowledged him. "I want you to meet my friend too. Allister this is Silver. He's been with me for a while now. Say hello, Sil."

In response Silver have off some kind of noise towards Allister who stared for a moment. "H-Hello..." Before turning back excitedly to you. "H-Here! Y-You're gonna really like him!" You knew that you would either way. Everyone was now staring at you two in surprise. Even Kabu had opened his eyes to peer over at what was going on. A flash of bright light from Allister gave way to something white, floating, and very pretty. And you smiled wider realizing what exactly what it was. Floating there by Allister in all it's white glory, was a Froslass. "I m-m-met him w-w-when it snowed by the stadium. He really likes playing hide and s-seek with us."

"Ooh. He's absolutely beautiful." You turned to the pokemon, and as if he was another human, you greeted him. "How do you do? It's very nice to meet you, Sir."

The pokemon blinked at you seeming to be taken a back a bit but made some noises while smiling proudly at itself. Allister slowly pointed at him. "H-He s-says you're v-very polite and i-it's n-nice to see s-s-someone recognize h-h-his looks."

You chuckled. "Well thank you! I'm glad he thinks so." Slowly you stood back up to stretch your legs still smiling. "I'm glad to see you're making new friends to play with. Are you here to watch the semifinals too?"

Allister nodded again before pointing over to the couch. "B-Bea's going to take me to the h-h-haunted houses in the c-c-city for Christmas."

You glanced from him to her and smiled. "Well doesn't that sound great!" You waved to her. "Hi. I don't think we've met. Or seen each other really."

Bea seemed to still be staring at you totally bewildered but it was nessa who spoke up next. "Oh yeah. I remember you." More surprised glances were sent between her and you as she gestured towards you. "You were Sonia's friend with the sobble! Er.." She glanced between you and Silver who shook off snowflakes. "Well, it looks like he's not too much of a sobble anymore."

You gave couple laughs before reaching over to pat Silver's head. "Nope. My lil guy's practically all grown up now. Takes a lot of love and care and food, but Silver's worth it." You waved a hand to her. "But it's good to see you too Nessa. Hope things been well. My friend showed me your new line in the ads." You added remembering Gloria showing you a magazine with an article of her. "I really like the 'Sea Emerald Delight' dress."

She smiled your way before turning her gaze to Raihan who blinked at her. "I told you. Green dresses will look good on anyone all year round." the Dragon Gym leader rolled his eyes in response and stood up.

You also shook your head...but paused feelings eyes on you. And it wasn't just the others around the room. Your head turned over towards the windows and you paused seeing Milo staring right back at you cheeks stuffed with a doughnut , brows raised at you. You both stared at one another for a moment before you went back to smiling, crossed your arms, and rose a brow back.

"Hello there Milo! It's nice to see you again too!" Finally a familiar friendly face besides Lee. "You're here to cheer on your brother right? I believe he's going to be competing against my friends."

He still stared at you as you smiled back patiently before swallowing down the food in his mouth and forcing a smile. "Y-Yeah! Felix is going to be fighting out there an-and I don't want to miss it when it happens."

Ah." You nodded. "I'd expect nothing less from you all. It's real sweet of you to be here to support him!" You smiled wider. That just makes you a good big brother! I knew you were sweet !"

He nearly choked on his doughnut as his face blossomed a bright pink.

You chuckled and you would've said something back if a voice didn't startle you. "Nice to see you too.~" You jumped with a yelp and backed away from the taller guy that walked up to you two. Raihan smiled that fanged grin of his as you blinked at him. "You didn't even say hi to me.~ I'm wounded.~" His gaze shifted from Milo to you as you blinked. "Hey there, Sassy.~ Wasn't expecting you to come rolling up here with Lee! You have a knack for hanging out with famous people?"

You blinked a moment before raising a brow. "Not really. Leon just offered to be nice and I didn't want my water type out in the freezing weather."

"Aw. And here I thought you came all the way to see me.~" He faked sadness making you roll your eyes. Milo glancing between you both. "Y'know if you're free sometime that dinner date's still up for the taking!"

"No thanks."

You never really gave it a thought? Really?" Raihan asked blinking surprised for a moment as you shook your head no before he smiled and leaned down closer to you making you lean back. "Well that's a first I've heard. Usually I'm something people can't get off their minds.~ You've certainly been on my mind for a while.~"

.......You reached for a nearby magazine. "Uh huh. I'm ....flattered I guess but dude. You might as well be flirting with a rock."

Behind you all Nessa gave a small snort which Bea slapped her shoulder. "Aw. I guess you're right. But you are cute.~" He gave that smirk that could've made anyone swoon. You raised your magazine. "You're like a short cute firecracker making my heart explo-HMPH!?"

Milo yelped when you all of a sudden you grabbed his arm and pulled him in front of you. With you now half hiding behind him now, you brandished your rolled up magazine like a sword....A harmless sword but something to ward him off non the less. Raiham blinked having been bonked harmlessly by you. You scowled using your Milo-Shield and Magazine-Sword to swing at him a couple times. Piers blinked wide eyed at you not sure what was going on. The doughnut all but forgotten about, what was left of the poor food dropping to the floor as his face blossomed an even thicker red.

"Bad Gym Leader! Down!,'' you firmly said scowling swinging at him, "Go to h0rny jail!"

"Wha- Jail??" He asked but held up his arms from your harmless magazine attack. "H-Hey! I was joking, Sassy! Seize fire there!"

"Silver help!!"

Raihan's eyes suddenly went wide before snapping his head when he heard a loud chirp and stumbled back when Silver eye narrowed starting walking towards you. "Hold it hold it hold it!!" Raihan held up his hands to Silver and ended up having to literally jump over the couch he was previously sitting on and stood in front of the lady gym leaders to avoid Silver who now stood between you and Milo and the couch. He narrowed his eyes at Raihan and gave a loud chirp. "Geez. You weren't kidding when you said he was protective."

Piers ended up giving a loud bout of rare laughter at the sight of the display and Leon was able to pry her off of him to let him recover from the sudden jolt. If he wasn't so flustered by the sudden action. Oh well. They parted ways and he soon forgot about it when the semifinals actually started. Felix sadly lost first round but that was ok. He was proud of him and he came farther than so many other people in the gym challenge. He didn't really think he'd see her again after that but again he was sadly mistaken when Christmas came around. It was that wonderful time of year when the spirits were high and the laughter was everywhere. And after all what better way to spend time with his little brother on Christmas than to take him to the Festival? Milo wasn't expecting to see her yet again but here he was, just waiting for his little brother to get off a ride when she just walked right up to him.

The park was actually beautiful this time of year. A slightly frosty patch mostly cleared went through the quiet parts of the park lit up by the faint lights of the festival and a perfect full moon above you. It was starting to snow again now, not too much, only enough for it to look really pretty and fluffy falling from the otherwise clear skies. The smells of the parks pine trees filled the air with the faint scents of foods from the festival, giving it a balanced mixture of nature and dinner time. The snow on the ground shined reflecting the moon light from the darkened sky making it look like a forest of glitter against the cold.

He shivered from the cold, rubbing his hands together from the cold and sinking further into his coat. It was always chilly out this season. He'd be glad when he was able to get back to their hotel room. It would just be after the parade after all. The gym leader was so wrapped up in his own worlds he didn't notice the woman walk up to him or the footsteps crunching through the snow until they were right next to him.

"Hey."

"Gah!" He practically jumped out of his skin and whirled around to the woman next to him who blinked and held a few objects in her hands. "Wha-...Oh. I -Its you. *Sigh* Please don't do that."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you...Again. That's just another thing I need to apologize to you for while I'm here."

"Huh?"

Her answer was to just hold up the objects in her hands. Which was two small bags and a cardboard cup holder holding two cups of hot chocolate, he could tell from how they smelt. "Seeing you the other day made me realize that I didn't apologize for all the inconveniences I gave you. So I'm sorry we trespassed on your farm. And I'm sorry for scaring you..Twice. And I'm sorry for using you to get away from Raihan. And I'm also sorry for making you drop your food. Here." You held out the food at him. "I got you and your little brother some replacement food as an apology gift." He opened stared at her, before looking at the food, then back to her, then opening his mouth- "Take it. My drizzlie would only eat it if I took it with me. And I have no place for it anyways."

....He slowly took the objects handed over to him with an unsure expression on his face...before giving a small smile. "I-...Thank you. Wow. Doughnuts and hot coco. Heh. Not a bad Christmas gift."

"Oh. That reminds me. I do have something for you." He again looked surprised when she dug into her coat pocket and pulled out two small metal keychains shaped like wooloo. They shined in the light as she held them out with a smile. "Here. Merry Christmas."

He could only stare at them. "A...gift? For me?"

"And your little brother. I got all my friends some and I figured you'd guys like one too."

...He took a moment longer to stare at them more before shifting the food into one arm to reach a free hand over to take them from her. A... Christmas gift? For him? But...he never got any Christmas gifts except from his few friends and little brother. He certainly didn't have that many fans so all the unexpected kindness was...So sudden. But...not unpleasant. In fact..the gesture struck something in his which made his heart pick up a beat and his face turned a darker pink than his hair.

"Well I'll see you later. Good luck in the Champion Cup tomorrow, Milo. Merry Christmas."

And then she turned and left, leaving him to look on after her red faced as her eyes glittered in the Christmas lights, the snow gathering prettily on her f/c hair, and the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen on her face.

BU-BUMP!!

He nearly crushed the cups of coco as he felt his heart place a beat and his face burnt.

"O-O sweet wooloo knitted sweaters."

#pokemon shield #pokemon sword #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon swsh #pokemon reader #Pokemon Milo #Pokemon Milo x reader #Pokemon reader x Milo #Milo x reader #Reader x Milo #Milo #Reader

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yeehawbvby · 2 years

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Old Friends, New Battles (Leon x F!Reader)

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Summary: Your best friend’s duties as the Chairman of Galar's Pokémon league have taken priority in his life, and you miss him. So, you decide to pay him a visit. Things don’t go according to plan, but in the best way possible.

Author's Note: Edited one last time. Now featuring the Charizard Pose(tm)!!

I hope you all enjoy the final product, despite the v gratuitous and slightly ooc Leon! :’) Keep in mind, MC is NOT supposed to be Gloria or Victor!! And she is in her 20s/roughly Leon’s age

Please let me know what you think, and take care! x

Give it some love on ao3!

The Battle Tower: The former Champion of Galar’s soaring glory, right at the heart of Wyndon. Tall, shiny, and easy as cheri berry pie to find. Even easier to navigate internally, being that there’s no winding hallways or finicky stairwells to get lost in. Perfect for someone who’s bad with navigation! Perfect for Leon.

You’ve been lifelong friends with Leon, attached at the hip and unconditionally loving supporting one another since childhood. It’s pretty common knowledge too, now, given his time in the public eye. Arceus, it took you guys months after his grand victory to get reporters off your backs.

Headlines everywhere speculated what you were to him, calling you the Galarian Queen, the Champion’s Champion, and so on. Paparazzi took pictures of the two of you relaxing with one another in cafes, walking side by side through the city, even just sitting together and idly scrolling through your rotom phones on the train. Trainers and Challengers envied you, ladies and gaydies feared you. It was only once you defeated him and became the new Champion of the Galar region that people laid off. Somehow, your win shifted the general public opinion from “Ooo, they’re totally dating!” to “Wow, they must’ve trained together!” You don’t get it, but it’s whatever.

It’s not like you minded that people thought you two were together. But only because you wanted to be a good friend, and ease Leon’s stress by not making a big deal about it! Of course!

When Leon was the Champion, he barely had time for you friends. You two hung out every chance you could, but ex-Chairman Rose had put a ton on Leon’s plate.

Now, Leon’s the Chairman.

Your best friend is your boss.

And he lets you do anything you want.

You’ve used some of your prize money to travel around Galar and catch up with old friends. Professor Sonia and her new assistant Hop are killing it as researchers. Marnie, the new Gym Leader at Spikemuth, is more powerful than ever; and Piers is still the adorably caring guardian and older brother he’s always been for her, because why wouldn’t he be? And of course, Bede is still a little shit, albeit he’s now a little shit that’s being progressively humbled by Gym Leader Opal’s vigorous training.

After that, you traveled back up to Wyndon, taking the long way through all the Wild Areas and side roads to train up your Pokémon. Can’t hurt to get them stronger, if you want to keep on being the Champion.

But now… fuck. Now what?

The Battle Tower: Chairman Leon’s soaring glory, right at the heart of your new home city, Wyndon. Tall, like Leon. Shiny, like Leon’s winning smile. Sweet as a cheri berry pie, just like Leo– wait. No.

All this thinking about Leon the Battle Tower made you realize something. You’ve never actually utilized the Battle Tower. What better way to train and see Leon than to join in on the fun?

From what you’ve gathered via Leon’s stories of his new career, every time you’re about to tier up in the tower’s own mini-league of sorts, you’ll face off against him. The only way to actually tier up is to beat him in a battle, which sounds simple since you’ve done it before. The issue is, you can only bring three Pokémon, you can’t use potions or revives, and each Pokémon can only hold one item. If your Pokémon is too overpowered, its level is temporarily scaled down, for fairness.

You knew what you were up against when you were just a Challenger, but this is a whole new and nerve-wracking experience for you. Then again, when have you ever turned down a challenge? Your fiery passion and competitiveness as a Pokémon trainer is what brought you this far, after all. It’s one of the reasons you and Leon have gotten on so well for all this time too.

With your new goal in mind, you trek along the outskirts of Wyndon, scavenging for items that’ll be of use as well as battling enough to raise your Pokémons’ stats. You manage to trade with some other trainers you come across too, giving them wishing pieces or pearls or whatever in exchange for items and moves that’ll help your team. After a short week or so, and with a little research, you decide it’s finally time to enter the fight… but you found something interesting in your studies that’s giving you pause.

Because of the mysterious and intense nature of his tower, Leon holds a strict no-rotoms policy once you enter the elevator. If you have one on you, it’s imperative that you give it to a staff member until your departure from the vicinity. Leon prefers people don’t talk about their experiences within the tower in detail either, and for the most part, that’s respected.

Someone snuck their rotom in, though. And this someone leaked a video of their battle with Leon. They’re one of the rare trainers with a dynamax band, meaning both sides’ Pokémon were able to go all-out. The poster lost, but it looked like they put up an immaculate fight. You can’t help but wonder if they’ll become a Challenger and take you on, someday.

You’d watched the footage plenty before it got taken down, despite how dirty it felt. Like you were cheating, almost. But eh, whatever. It truly was helpful to figure out Leon’s current fighting style, as well as the style of his opponent. You wonder if all the Battle Tower competitors fight in such a fashion.

Something that’s been reluctantly lingering in your mind though, despite how much you want to focus on the battle you saw, is how good your best friend looked.

You feel like a dumbass for focusing on something so trivial, but Arceus, he looked hot out there. Maybe it’s ‘cause you miss him outside of your almost-daily texts. Maybe it’s ‘cause he’s gotten better looking. Who fuckin’ knows, dude? Not you. Not like it matters anyway. It’s just a dumb little crush.

A dumb little crush that’s haunted you for… well over a decade. Ugh.

In the footage, Leon sported a red, caped suit jacket, tight tan dress pants, and black boots. No hat, which is a normal sight for you, but it had the public quakin’ in their boots. According to various forum-goers, Leon wears the same outfit at work every day. It’s his new “default” look, now that he’s retired the Champion jersey and corny, regal cape.

Since you’ll be seeing him again – and surprising him, too – you try to think of the ways you can make your ~grand reveal~ more interesting, since he’s gotten more interesting. You think of your previous pranks on one another. None would really work in the tower’s setting, because of how strict regulations understandably are in there. You think of something you can say that might dazzle him or whatever, but nothing comes to mind. You’ve been boring lately. You think of his time as Champion, translated into the beginning of your own reign… oh, that’s it!

The first time he saw you in your Champion uniform, he thought it was hilarious. You’d worn his clothes in the past, for spontaneous sleepovers and rainy day emergencies. But you’d never worn his uniform (he kept it strictly off-limits), and never owned the same outfit as him before that. He reveled in how dorky you two looked, walking around while wearing the same shit sans his “crown” from head to toe. He kept giving you dopey compliments, like, “Hey, nice jersey, where can I get one like that?” and so on.

It was so fucking corny. Infuriating after a little, honestly.

But it was adorable the way he beamed at you for no reason every here and there, and it’s a funny memory to look back on, and you’ll be damned if you don’t try and get that reaction out of him again.

So, it’s decided! You stop at a boutique the afternoon of your first tower appointment, purchase a replica of his Champion jersey (on clearance, which is nice), in his size to add to the effect. Stopping home to change, you pair it with tall white ribbon socks and plain black trainers, skipping any sort of pants. Don't want 'em, don’t need ‘em! His shirt size is basically a dress on your shorter form anyway. With that, you head off.

It’s a tough first few battles, but being the current reigning Champion comes with its privileges. For example, a few people were so taken aback by the concept of battling you that they practically let you win. You were bothered when whole adults did it, but took it easy on the occasional kid that showed up all starstruck. When the battles didn’t turn out so poorly, though, you had a blast. It’s the first true adrenaline rush you’ve had since the Finals, and you decide to make training here a more regular occurrence.

Finally, the time comes to battle Leon. You stand in the center of the floor, back straight, Pokéball in hand and clasped within the other behind your back. You want to keep a serious facade, but slip up once the door across the room slides open, revealing your opponent.

Leon takes a few steps, and once he processes who he’s about to face, he yells “Whoa, holy shit!” and breaks out into a sprint towards you. Both of you have goofy smiles plastered on your faces as he slams into you for a hug, picking you up and squeezing the crap out of you.

“Dude, stop!” you strain, laughing through the pain of your back being cracked like a walnut. He’s still as strong as ever.

“I’m so happy to see you,” he giggles, large hands still cupped onto your shoulders. “How are you doi–” he cuts himself off, face freezing as he notices what you’re wearing. You stifle another laugh as he scans your body. He sternly says your name.

“Hm?”

“What the fuck is this?” he asks, although it comes out more like a statement.

“What the fuck is what?” You snort back a chuckle, watching him watch you.

When his eyes raise to meet yours again, your own eyes widen. There’s something sinister about the way he’s looking at you now. His laugh has turned into a proud and cocky smirk, and he’s squinting down at you through long lashes and dilated pupils. Oh Arceus, why is this hot?! He hums inquisitively, and before you can ask what’s up, he turns and walks towards his place on the field, letting Inteleon free from its ball mid-stride.

You note to yourself how much more muscular he’s gotten since you’ve last seen him in person. You didn’t feel it up close, but the way his suit clings to the curvature of his arms is making you feel some sorta way.

“Wait, we’re starting already?!” you laugh, cheeks flaring with heat as your brain snaps back to the reality of your situation.

“You’ll get hit with a water pledge in about 5 seconds if you don’t ready your first Pokémon, Champ!”

With that, you begin your usual pre-battle ritual: You shake your head to rattle out any nerves, hop and roll your shoulders a few times, and finally, you pitch out your beloved Umbreon and begin.

_______________

Leon kicked your ass.

You were too distracted by how good he looks to fight to your full potential. Well, that and that look he gave you before the competition began.

Like, what was that?

Both of you are breathing heavy through the thick air as you stand opposite from one another. Sweat clings your new jersey to your body in weird ways, and Leon’s bangs are threatening to stick to his forehead. He ties his hair back into a high ponytail, and you follow his lead, noticing the way your own tresses are plastered to your neck and temples.

“I know that wasn’t the best you’ve got, mate!” he taunts. He strides towards you, shaking his head and glaring menacingly despite his wide smirk. “You think this is some kind of game?” Leon asks, crouching as much as he needs to with his hands on his thighs, to match your eye level. “You already took my title, now you think you can just waltz in here looking like me and run me out of my own tower, too?”

The corner of your mouth quirks up as you try to ready a snarky reply, but he continues.

“You know I don’t go easy on anyone,” he mutters, punctuating the end of the sentence with your name.

He’s never talked to you like this before. Something about the way your name lulled out of his mouth brings a new heat to your belly. Sure you’ve shared angry quarrels and bull-headed debates, but he’s never really had such an obvious fire in his eyes. You didn’t notice it in the video that one trainer captured, and you’ve definitely never noticed it in your own battles against one another. Not even during your title match.

“I-I’m just a little distracted today, I guess,” you stutter out when his gaze doesn’t falter.

He bites his lip as he studies your face, and you look down, as if a mild tilt would cover up the pink bulbs of your cheeks. You wonder nervously if it’s obvious how this new treatment is making you feel. When you glance up, you see his eyes flickering down your form again, drinking in the way your jersey that’s also kinda his jersey folds along your curves. You suck in a breath and look down again when he catches you staring at him, staring at you. He stands up straight and wraps around to your left, slinging a heavy right arm over your shoulders.

“You were my last battle for today,” he announces with a deep sigh, nodding towards the door “Let’s get outta here.”

The two of you make small talk as he leads you a few floors down. Yes, you read that correctly – Leon led you somewhere, and he knew where he was going! You’re so proud!

As you two ease into conversation, the butterfrees dissipate from your stomach. This is the Leon you’re used to. This is comfortable. It’s not confusing. It’s not sexy well like it totally is but like it’s easier to ignore when Leon is being Leon and not whatever the fuck that incubus back there was. It’s goofy and cozy and friendly and sarcastic and you missed it. Not that you were complaining about that other stuff… This is more familiar.

He’s bringing you to the locker rooms to freshen up before you two head out. ‘Cause you both reek. The facilities here are mainly used by staff, he says, but they’re rarely used at all by anyone other than him. It’s rare that the staff really need anywhere to change or store things, being that their work is so sedentary – although, he’s trying to change that. He wants them to get more involved! He has no plans to abandon his dreams of making Galarians the greatest Pokémon trainers in the world. You smile as he reassures you of it, and you believe with 100% certainty that he truly can achieve that.

When the two of you enter the locker rooms, you’re in awe of how pristine it is. Locker rooms are a weird thing to get excited over, but you’d be surprised by how many of them are just tiny lil’ sweatboxes. This is like a frickin’ spa, amidst a bunch of abnormally large lockers. Leon-sized lockers. Wyndon Stadiums’ changing room, the most clean and efficient locker room you’ve ever entered, doesn’t hold a candle to this.

Once you’re done voicing how cool it is in here, and once Leon’s done teasing you over how nerdy you sound, you head off to look for the showers. But little did you know that Leon was following you… At least until you thunk against cold metal. Leon’s got you trapped – your back against a probably vacant locker, and his arms on either side of you. He has that look in his eyes again.

“W-what’s up?”

“Why are you wearing my jersey?”

You give him a shit-eating grin, and despite your racing heart, you’re able to manage a sassy answer to match your face. “Technically, it’s not your jersey,” you prod. “It’s just got your numbers on it.”

His eyes narrow more, and so does the gap between you. “You went out and got a duplicate of my jersey… in my size?”

Refusing to give up your bravery, you nod, a smirk still present on your face. “Yeah. Just got it today. Ya like it?”

He breathes deeply, looking annoyed, but with a hint of amusement there. “I do,” Leon admits, his voice gravelly. “But why?”

“A lady can’t show some support for her predecessor?”

“Sure she can,” He chuckles. “But I need a real answer, please.” He waits for you to reply with raised brows and thinned lips.

“…To get a reaction out of you.”

“To get a reaction out of me.” You nod. “What kind of reaction?”

“I thought it would be more along the lines of the one you had when I started wearing my own Champion uniform,” you answer, “not… whatever this is.”

“Do you know what this is?” he growls.

You answer honestly, “Still trying to figure that out.” Well, it’s at least half honest.

You’re starting to get the idea, given his overall demeanor today and now this, that he feels the same things you’re feeling right now.

He sighs your name, sounding almost disappointed. “I know you’re smart enough to figure out what this is. You’re a clever woman.” His eyes pan from yours, to your lips, and back up, making your heart skip a beat. “I don’t doubt that your initial idea was to get a cheeky laugh out of me…” His voice softens, “But I haven’t seen you in weeks. Over a month, at least. You’re my best friend, but you’re also the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, and you show up to my tower looking like this?”

Your eyes widen at his pseudo-confession. You know he thinks you’re cute, as you’ve both tossed plenty of looks-oriented compliments at each other before. But you always thought it was in a friendly sorta way. He’s never called you beautiful or anything. Your face feels like it’s been fire blasted by a charizard, and Leon’s cheeks are looking a little pink too.

A moment passes.

And then another.

And then a wave of courage overtakes you, so you act on it.

“So… you want me to take it off?” you whisper, your hands finding the hem of your jersey, and slowly beginning to lift it up.

You’ve seen each other naked before. You both needed to strip down to bathe while you camped together back in the day. But that was just pals being friends, doing what you needed to do to stay healthy in the Wild Area. This is much, much different.

You wonder briefly if the distance that’s grown between you two as his new duties took priority is the reason there’s such a newfound tension, right now.

But that thought is cut short when Leon’s gaze on you darkens and his hands cup around your cheeks and his lips crash down into yours. Arceus.

You let out a surprised squeak, but quickly adjust to the situation at hand, melting into his touch. Abandoning your grip on your shirt, you cling onto his jacket instead. He deepens the kiss, and you loosen your clutch, opting to rub lightly up and down his chest. You could swear you felt him shiver a little at the motion.

Leon’s always had a powerful aura about him, but he’s been known for being a gentle giant of sorts. Behind closed doors he can be an absolute nuisance, but that’s something only people dear to him – like you – know. And besides, he counteracts it by being… a genuinely amazing guy.

That being said, it catches you by surprise when his fingers find your neck and he squeezes. You can still breathe, but the restricted airflow is intoxicating as your vision is tickled with little stars. A soft moan slips out of you and you feel him smile against you before pulling back. He looks down at you like you’re his prey. As if he’s drinking in the sight of you, flustered and shivering beneath him, wearing his hands like a necklace. As if it’s something he’s imagined doing before.

He dips down again, kissing the corner of your mouth, then nibbling your jawline, and then removing one hand off your neck just to replace it with his teeth.

In between love bites, he purrs, “Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to do this?”

His tongue swipes a sensitive spot, prompting another moan. One of your hands finds his ponytail and you absentmindedly play with his hair to self-soothe. You shake your head in response to his question, not knowing he felt this way at all until today.

“I always kept my jersey off-limits for borrowing for this exact reason…” You never would’ve expected Leon to be kinky about something like that. It’s so hot. “And you just waltzed in here wearing practically nothing but it.” His head comes back up to level with you, but his eyes quickly trail to your lips. Leaning in until his lips graze yours, he murmurs, “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

You’re both smiling now as you go in for another kiss. As if his last sentence made the both of you realize that you two aren’t just lusting after anyone, you’re lusting after your best friend.

You know each other better than anyone else. You’ll be able to figure out each other’s bodies so easily just from being so familiar with each other’s preferences and reactions… even just from being comfortable enough around each other to always openly communicate how you feel. None of what’s happening now feels awkward, and neither of you are worried about your friendship being ruined by it, because your bond has always gone so strong. Why would this put a screw in things?

You deepen the kiss with a widened mouth, gently sucking his tongue as your hands trail down his body, toying with the waist of his pants. “If I’d known I’d get this reaction out of you,” you lilt, cupping his length through the fabric, “I would’ve worn your jersey years ago.” You feel him twitch beneath your touch.

You’re about to strip away the cloth between your hand and his cock – which is gigantic when it’s hard, apparently, good lord – when he cups his hands around your thighs and lifts you, wrapping your legs around his waist and pinning you against the lockers. You quietly curse to yourself at the feeling of your cores making contact like this, but your pleasure is interrupted by a stifled giggle from the Chairman.

Your foreheads are pressed together, but he won’t look you in the eye.

He’s up to something.

“Are you ready to have a cha–”

“For fuck’s sake, Lee, don’t say it…” you whine.

“A Champion time?”

“Leon,” you scold his name in the same way you’d scold a Pokémon doing something naughty. You still laugh, though. He’s chuckling against you, his laugh rumbling from his chest into your own as he plops his head into your shoulder. “You’re literally the worst.”

“I’m great.”

“You’re not even the Champion anymore.”

His head shoots back up, and he still looks like he’s in a silly and goofy mood, aside from his eyes boring into you like he wants to ravage you as punishment for saying that. He’s probably conflicted on how to feel about this. Does he take the insult to heart, or will he brush it off? Whatever. If it means Leon’ll be more rough with you, then maybe you should taunt him more.

One of his hands finds your throat again, and he squeezes harder than previously. You groan and roll your eyes shut, and he whispers against your earlobe, “At least I’m not a bottom bitch.”

It was supposed to be a cheeky roast, but instead, his words turn you on more. Arceus, you really are such a bottom bitch! You’d laugh if you could, but instead you just smile, drinking in the pleasurable pain of mild asphyxiation.

Once he lets go and you’re able to use your words, you suggest that you do this stuff in the showers. Two pidoves with one stone, and all that. He agrees, but rather than putting you down, Leon opts to just carry you there.

“I can walk, you know.”

“But you’re fun to toss around.”

That shuts you right up.

From the moment you two enter the small, sauna-like capsule – The showers have their own rooms, rather than being tiny little stalls here! This place rocks. – you begin stripping one another. You point out that Leon’s gotten more buff since you last saw him, poking at his abs while he flexes them for show. You also admit that you were very much ogling at him because of this during your battle, but he already knew. Damn.

As soon as the two of you are fully naked, you can’t keep your hands off of each other.

“Hey, these have grown since I last saw them!” he points out, massaging your boobs with both hands.

You snort and swat him away, turning the water on after. “I’d hope so,” you laugh, “We were barely adults the last time you saw them.”

“Your boobs will always have a special place in my heart, you know,” he teases. “They were the first ones I saw in person.”

“How sweet,” you sarcastically enthuse. “Now get down here so I can kiss you or something.”

He obliges before lifting you up again, just to seat you on the bench below the showerhead. Feeling Leon’s bare chest in this context is weird. Not in a bad way, by any means. It’s just… different. You feel his muscles ripple below your palms as he tugs you closer to him, perfectly aligning his cock with your entrance.

“Mmmf!” You moan into his mouth at the contact, embarrassed by how easily the tip threatens to slide in.

Leon pulls back, his face beaming with a devilish pride. “Mother of Arceus, you’re wet.”

“Shut up.” You cover your face, feeling bashful.

“How often do you get this wet for me?” he muses softly, teasing the tip of his penis along your folds. Making you want to scream.

He removes your hands from your face with one of his, and pins your wrists above you. You bite down hard on your bottom lip, a poor attempt to quell the lewd mewls Leon’s drawing out.

“How many times have you touched yourself, wishing it was your Champion doing the work for you instead?” he prods, despite you not having answered his previous question.

The sounds of water pattering against the floor and your skin, Leon’s heavy breathing, and your heady whines fill the small room. It sounds disgusting, but like, in a good way. You pity the poor staff member that might have to walk past you two and hear all this.

You feel so delectably small writhing beneath Leon, while he admires you like a damn trophy. His pupils are blown wide as he takes in the sight of you, almost-silently muttering something about how perfect you look. Finally, he slips the head past your entrance, proceeding slowly while you both adjust to each other’s sizes. You moan in unison, and he scans you for consent to start moving. After a few short moments, you nod, desperate to feel more of him.

“Fuck, you’re way too tight, mate,” he groans endearingly, steadily picking up speed.

Chuckling amidst your moans, you force out, “Maybe you’re just too big, Has-been.” You learned earlier that your bratty nature brings out a new side of Leon, and you want to see more of it.

Your plan goes swimmingly. Leon’s award-winning smile is on full display as he laughs, but there’s something hellish in the way his brows furrow above his narrowing eyes. He tightens his grip on your side, nails threatening to dig through your skin, as he slams into you.

“Holy fuck, Lee!”

You begin slipping, and noticing the scrunched-up position you’re being forced into with each movement, Leon repositions so that you can lay down fully.

You cheekily thank him for the gentlemanly behavior, to which he responds with a firm slap to your tit.

You moan out in surprise as he latches his hand around it, pounding into you harder again now that you’re comfortable. He smiles at the positive response, and repeats the action, prompting the same one again.

“You like that, princess?” he purrs, making your stomach do a flip. Fuck, that was so cool.

“Princess?” you strain out, starry-eyed and reveling in the new nickname.

“Ahah~,” he pauses to curse your name under his breath, “you’re more like a queen now, I guess.”

“N-no I– fuck!– I prefer princess, actually.”

Leon laughs at your effort to talk, bending down to give you a sweet forehead kiss. As if he isn’t ravaging your lower half right now. “Good, so do I,” he agrees. “My filthy fucking princess,” he lilts.

“Oh Arceus mate, that’s so hot,” you half-giggle and half-moan.

“I can tone it down, if you want,” he mumbles, stifling a chuckle. “I can, like…” He sits up and slowly, as if wanting you to stop him, begins to morph into his signature Charizard pose.

”Lee for the love of all that is holy do NOT—“

He thrusts into you as he snaps into formation, and you’re disappointed by how good it feels. Leon’s chest vibrates as he holds back his laughter, while you nearly cackle him right out of you. Your companion’s nose scrunches with laughter as he turns his face towards you again, readjusting as to not be completely ejected.

The conversation falters, and you comfortably focus on each other instead. He toys with your nipples and you with his, discovering that you’re both only kinda into that. He knows now that you’re into being choked and slapped at, but you find out soon enough that he definitely isn’t. Fine by you, since it means you don’t have to do as much work. He is into having his hair pulled, though, but he retracts it after discovering that you do too. He won’t let you touch his amethyst tresses anymore. At least not this time.

He roughly flips you over, flinging your body as though you weigh nothing. Both of your legs are slotted between his now, one of his kneeled beside you for support and the other planted on the tile ground. Leon has you face down, booty up. Old faithful.

Having had very few sexual partners prior to this, you’ve never been with somebody this big... So it’s only natural that such a deep-reaching position would feel so much more intense than before. The noises you’re making are animalistic, and he’s adoring every second of it. Leon does you the favor of tugging your head up by the ponytail with one hand and choking you with the other. You reward him by thrusting your hips back into his, not only making his job easier but heightening the pleasure for both of you.

“Shit, just like that,” he growls, demanding that you move faster consequently.

It’s only a matter of time before you’re both reaching your limits. Leon removes his grip from your soaked hair and relocates the respective hand to the small of your back. He moans your name like a prayer, nails deliciously carving into the skin of your throat as he approaches his climax. The added pain is like a dopamine hit, leaving you blissfully apathetic to the marks Leon’s adorning you with.

“H-how close are you?” he grunts, “I’ll never live it down if you don’t finish first.”

You grin back at him over your shoulder, knowing he’s right, but not confirming nor denying anything. “Harder, Lee,” you moan. “Please, I’m so fucking close!”

Both hands move to grip your ass, and he takes full control, bouncing you against his hips with a second wind to finish the two of you off. As fate would have it, you manage to cum together. Aww. Once you’re both finished, he collapses atop your back, squishing you against the bench. You giggle as you try to squirm him off of you, and he suddenly gives up, realizing that he just came inside you.

“Oh no–”

“You’re good,” you wave him off. “I’m still on birth control.”

“Oh thank Arceus.”

He pulls out and helps you up atop wobbly legs, guiding you to the soap so you can actually freshen up now. The two of you chat as you bathe together, catching up a little more in-depth than your usual texting allows. Enthusing one another about cool Pokémon you encountered, and whatnot. It’s just like old times.

Once you’re both done and wrapped up in towels, you exit the shower room and sit on the bench nearer to Leon’s locker.

“We should probably talk about, uh…” he gestures between the two of you as he falters, “Us. Or something.”

“Yeup,” you agree with a nod. “Can we grab takeout or something, first? I’m starving.”

“Good call,” he answers, scruffing his hair dry with a towel. “Paldean sound okay?” he asks, peaking at you adorably through the fabric.

You groan with pleasure, “Please.”

“Arceus,” he laughs, “That sounds so weird now.”

“You sound so weird always!”

“Speak for yourself, Champ,” he taunts, proceeding to pitch up his voice and imitate your moans. You swat at his pec, he swats your boob back, and the two of you proceed to smackdown at one another for a few seconds like a bunch of feral rhyperiors.

“I forfeit,” you announce, standing up to change. “Do you have anything I can borrow? My jersey probably stinks.”

With a dastardly grin, Leon pulls his actual Champion jersey out from his locker. And you proceed to wear the shit out of it as you two eat food, talk about your feelings, and roam each other’s bodies some more.

185 notes · View notes

aceoflilies · 10 months

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do you have any interesting pokemon hcs or theories? love your writing btw :]

Hi????? Oh my god, I had to stop and check that this wasn't one of my other blogs getting this ask. Thank you so much, I really appreciate the compliment!!

As for my headcanons/theories... most of them are generally character-based, but i have a few I'd be happy to share! (readmore because this gets long ^^")

General headcanons:

All of the Pokémon Leagues in the world vary on strength and community investment. Near the bottom are leagues like Alola's (brand new, little support), Paldea's (made for multiple Champions, one of their leaders double-dips as Elite 4), Kanto's (prolonged, unresolved absence of one Gym Leader, lack of a Champion until your rival), and Unova's (consistent turnover in leaders, champions, and gym locations; only league to canonically be defeated by a Team). From there, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Kalos are all relatively similar in "solid league" territory, with Galar's being the most heavily invested-in and supported league in the series.

Humans with psychic powers, medium abilities, special type affinities (think Iris's "understanding the hearts of Dragons", rather than typical gym leaders), or otherwise inexplicable abilities (whatever the Shadow Triad is doing?) tend to have slightly Pokémon-influenced genetics, as ties back to the infamous Japanese Canalave City library entry. This tends to go many generations back, rather than direct. (No, N is not a Zoroark. Could he be distantly related to one? Maybe.)

The average age for gym challenges varies by region. (Our protags do not necessarily hit that average.) Kanto through Sinnoh skew younger, from 10-12 (since they're all geographically in similar areas). Alola is solidly at 11. Unova and Kalos tend to be somewhere from 13-15. Paldea is literally any age, hence the adults in uniforms. Galar trends older, more towards an average of 16. Yes, this makes Leon's refusal to involve you in any situation ever look sillier. (Leon is considered exceptionally young for the challenge at 10, and all of your potential challengers in the Champion Cup look generally in their older teens. Also, I refuse to believe Marnie's wearing a crop top for her League uniform before she's 16.)

"Official" starter Pokémon are endangered species. Professors generally hope that by giving them to young trainers, they'll encourage species awareness and growth.

Battles follow anime rules more than game rules. Terrain advantages, move combinations to create effects, etc. are all a part of battles. The only exception, for the sake of my sanity when creating content, is that fish Pokémon float. And even I'm aware that's not realistic, even if it's funny.

Character headcanons:

The "main" protags in my mind are Red, Ethan, May, Lucas, Hilda, Rosa, Calem, Selene, Gloria, "Akari", and Florian.

In order of public perception from "weird kid" to "popular kid" for protags: Red, Gloria, Lucas, Selene, May, Hilda, Ethan, "Akari", Calem, Rosa, Florian.

None of the members of either the Galar Gang or the Paldea Gang are normal.

Hop is trans. While his being trans is in no way related to Leon, his attempts at proving himself and trying to live up to his brother's example of masculinity are at least a little related.

Bede's time in the orphanage is a result of parental neglect rather than money or being orphaned by definition.

Nemona is not a stalker, JFC. She's just excited to have a friend equally interested in battling as her for once in her goddamn life. She is very touchy, huggy, clingy without realizing it, though.

Penny is very heavily involved in whatever the Pokémon equivalent of Tumblr and AO3 are. She convinces Arven, Nemona, and Florian to watch anime with her on the regular.

#pokemon #pkmn headcanons #tw neglect #<-mention but still

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echantedtoon · 6 months

Text

A Champion Time For The Heart Ch12 Battle Gym Leader Kabu

You had been so, so confused at first when Gloria all of a sudden announced she wanted to use your sobble against Kabu. And to be honest you weren't really too keen on the idea either. Your little cute roll-y poll-y sobble who'd cling to you when scared?? Fighting against the second strongest gym leader in all of Galar??......Yeah. You really, REALLY weren't feeling up for the idea, and had asked her why for goodness sakes!? Her answer was simple.

"The tears ability! Sobble's tears will be my winning strategy against Kabu. I already gotta plan in mind but I can't do it without your pokemon's help since I ain't got a sobble 'o my own! Please Y/n! I'm beggin' ya!"

Well.....You really didn't want to just hand over your sobble even if you trusted Gloria by now, but you also didn't want to make her lose the gym challenge either. After all completing the game was your only shot at making it back home so far. If Gloria couldn't beat Kabu and was snuffed out of the challenge by him then what would you do? So...You agreed. Your sleep didn't come easy to you that night but somehow you managed to fall in a deep dreamless sleep. The next morning literally having to make Gloria push you off the bed in order to wake you up as she shook you. Not on purpose of course, as she had just been trying to get you to wake up but the moment your groggy body fell to the floor with a thud she began apologizing profusely.

"Y/N!!" Your body rattled more than a maraca as you suddenly began pulling out of the darkness blinking rapidly at the blurry vision of everything shaking before you like an earthquake. "WAKE UP ALREADY!! WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!!"

"WHAT- AH!!" Your world tumbled as you fell from the comfy bed and was met with the hardness of the wooden floor by Gloria's feet. "OW!!"....You groaned as the blanket slowly fluttered down to messily cover you.

Gloria's hands shot to her mouth, making a hissing sound as she watched you experienced pain. "Y/N!! Oh my Arceus! I'm so so sorry!," she quickly apologized.

"...Good morning to you too, Gloria," you mumbled before kicking the sheet off you and pushing yourself off the floor, your hair a mess, and yawning. "What time is it?"

"Um..Seven in the morning I think?" You turned to her tiredly and noticed she was already wearing her white challenger uniform and all ready to go.

"Did you get the others up?," you asked stifling a yawn as you stood.

"Um..." She chuckled nervously as you stretched your back and rose a brow at her as she held up a hand. "Uh..About that...They're gone." Her face frowned more as you paused...and blinked at her.

"...What do you mean 'They're gone'?"

"They weren't there when I knocked on the door, so I guess they left early! I'm sorry I didn't know!"

"Oh for the love of-..." You sighed and waved her off. "Nevermind." Quickly reaching over, you bent down and pulled the blanket off the floor, throwing it back neatly over the bed before going for your bag. "Are you all ready?" She nodded. "Good. We'll find them later. For right now let's just worry about getting to the stadium and seeing what's up! Ok?"

She had quickly agreed to that and you wasted no time throwing yourself together, tossing your bag over your shoulders, and grabbing your sobble's pokeball. From what she told you last night, you thought it'd be best to put the little critter into it's pokeball and give it to her before her battle to avoid any complications should your sobble start acting up. Which lead to now. The two of you were already in the elevator on your way down to the lobby. Anxious tension in the air so thick you could cut it with a knife as you lightly gripped the pokeball in your hand slightly harder. After a moment or two of silence Gloria went digging through her bag and pulled out something that looked pretty much like the goggles you'd see a diver wear before entering the water.

"Did you eat anything?," you asked glancing at her as she slipped the straps over her head making you give a confused look. "...And what are those for?

She silently shook her head slightly as her head was bent down and you watched in silence as she silently tightened the black straps tightly around her head. When Gloria finally managed to look up at you, the goggles were tightly clamped around her eyes and she shook her head no. "No. I was too busy tryin' too get ready. 'sides I feel pretty queasy. I don' know if food's a good idea right now." She blinked obviously noticing the look you were giving her goggles. "What are you- Oh these?" You nodded and she smiled. "Well last time he cried ya'll didn't stand a chance. But I figured if I covered my eyes real good I won't get affected by whatever's in those sobble's tears that makes ya cry rivers!"

You stared....."That's bloody genius!! Why didn't I think of that!?"

She chuckled. "To be honest it really ain't my idea anyways. I remember Hop telling me the idea back when I got my toxel. I remembered it when I thought of usin' your sobble and stopped by that clothes shoppe in town. They were sellin' swim wear n' stuff since it's summer and picked up these lil babies. Like I said. He's a genius."

Ah! That must've been why it took her a while to get back to the hotel. She really was preparing for her gym battle. As the elevator went you had reluctantly handed over your sobble's pokeball to her and she gently took it. Giving it a look before deeply inhaling and slowly exhaling, most likely psyching herself up before relaxing her posture and slowly slipping the pokeball into her pocket. You watched as she did so with worry and a little bit of guilt eating away at your stomach. You weren't sure if this was really the right thing to do after all, especially without telling your pokemon. This was surely going to be quite the shock for it, and you weren't too sure what the outcome could be. A ding interrupted any of your thoughts as the both of you looked back towards the doors as they opened, and you were lightly surprised to see the girl there. The same girl you had been worriedly thinking over last night. Marnie!

She was standing there in the lobby kneeled down handing her hamster like pokemon some kind of fruit to eat, which it took eagerly, but upon seeing you two blinked and slowly stood to her feet. "Mornin' Gloria. ..Oh. And you too Miss."

"Uh hi!," Gloria greeted a little unsure since she must've looked a bit strange in the swimming goggles. "Are you headin' off to battle Kabu too?"

She shook her head no. "No. We were 'bout to shove off on the next leg of our journey now. That friend of yours already went off to challenge the next gym, tho."

"He did?," you asked and Marnie politely nodded towards you. "...How early did those two wake up?"

"I couldn't say for sure, but by how happy they were it seemed like they had a plan."

"Oh! Well we have a pretty great strategy too!" Gloria smiled proudly. You were glad at least her nerves were seeming to be getting better.

Marnie only nodded. You looked at her for a moment and it didn't seem as if she had any nefarious schemes or malicious intent behind that polite exterior of hers. But still last night's questions swirled in the back of your mind as you narrowed your eyes in thought, raising your brows as she calmly reached into her leather jacket pocket and pulled out a small reddish card before handing it out to Gloria.

The brunette blinked at it for a moment before raising a brow in question. "What's this?"

"Kabu's League Card," she replied calmly, "It's supposed to help against him, but I ended up with a few copies, so I'll give you one." A look of surprise passed on both your faces as you two exchanged looks before looking back to Marnie. "Don't look so chuffed. It's no big deal. 'N I already got two others already."

Gloria stared for a second longer before smiling and taking the card from her. "Wow. Thanks!"

Marnie nodded in reply. "Oh. Here." She reached back into her pocket and pulled out a second card before holding it out towards her. "Take this too. A little somethin' for our battle yesterday. As a thanks for helpin' me out."

"What's this?"

"My own league card. Your friend gave me one of his so I figured you could have one too."

"Whoa! Thanks!" Gloria gladly accepted the other card with a smile. "That's real nice 'o ya!"

Marnie gave the smallest of smiles. "I bet you'll have no trouble beatin' that ''man of fire'' Kabu chap, right? Why don'cha get over to Motostoke stadium and get that gym badge already?"

...Gloria jumped. "OH!! RIGHT!! We need to get to the stadium!" She stuffed the cards into her pocket as fast as she could as Marnie peered up towards you and you blinked at her. ...You opened your mouth to ask her about the Team Yell involvement that's been going on. Not expecting really any answers outta her, but before you could say anything something tightly gripped around your arm and you yelped as Gloria yanked your forward in a run. Almost making you hit the floor for the second time that morning. "THANKS MARNIE!! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEXT STEP!!"

Marnie waved a hand back at your retreating forms. "Good luck out there!"

Gloria yanked you along, nearly tripping down the steps and over your own two feet as she raced ahead putting one arm out to shove the door open in her mad dash to the stadium ahead. Thank goodness the Budew Drop Inn was literally right next to the stadium. You didn't think you could last too long with Gloria's way of yanking you forward in a frenzy without falling over for too long. Cheers and loud noises were clear as day as soon as the two of you stepped out the doors and started running over towards the stadium. How early did these people wake up around here!? Thank goodness at least you two didn't have to worry about bumping or tripping over other people. It was a short distance, but with the adrenaline pumping and worry in your systems it felt as if you two ran a marathon by the time Gloria moved the two of you towards the double doors she had gone through previously during the Entrance Ceremony. Her sudden stomp making you stumble and catch your self clumsily on your knees and free hand as she still gripped your arm tightly, thankfully not smacking into the ground, as she skidded to a stop. Low and behold guess who was already waiting for you two? Victor gave the two of you a raised brow before sighing and reaching up to rub at his temple, as Hop chuckled and crossed his arms at the sight of you two girls.

"Slow moving aren't you, Glory?", Hop teased.

"O-Oh...S-S-Shove...o-off!," she forced out back at him between deep breaths. Letting lose your other arm. You hissed in sourness as you pulled it towards you, reaching up to rub where Gloria had gripped it.

"Where had you two been?," Victor asked frowning, "We spent half an hour knocking on your door before we left."

"I've already gone and earned my fire badge," Hop said in agreement, "The man of fire Kau is just what you'd expect. Nearly got burnt in my battle with him."

"LITERALLY," Victor added, "I'm surprised his pokemon weren't turned to ash when he barely made the second round. .....Was a very lucky close call that made him win."

"Even with my strongest team it was definitely tough- and - go .....but I still won in the end!"

"Just barely. He lost the first round, won the second, and third ended with a tie. Since no one won or lost the third round it counted as a win towards Hop as well and he managed to walk away with a two out of three win victory."

"SERIOUSLY!? How early did ya'll get up!?"

"Nevermind all of that!" Hop interrupted everyone waving a hand. "You need to get a shift on, Gloria. I bet you could beat the man of fire toooo....." He blinked. Staring right at her face seeming to FINALLY notice the swimming goggles on her face. "...Hey. Whatcha wearing those swimming things for? Afraid you'll get fire blasted at ya?"

She blinked as Victor was nice enough to walk over and help pull you up to your feet, pointing to her face. "Y'mean these? It's sobble protection."

he gave her a confused look. "Sobble protection? But Kabu doesn't have a sobble on his team."

"Not for Kabu's pokemon." She gestured to you as you thanked Victor. "I'm borrowing hers. I remembered what you said about using goggles to maybe help block the effects or their tears, so I'm tryin' it out."

Hop gained a look of surprise. Not sure if it was from what Gloria said or the fact she was using Sobble. "You...remembered t-that." He asked shyly. Yep. Def from what Gloria said.

She nodded. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I? By the way, how was the challenge?"

"Huh?" He blinked before turning an embarrased pink. "Oh uh r-right. *ahem* It went well. I mean you have to catch t-three pokemon but it's no big de-"

"WHAT!?" He blinked at her shout and watched silently as she quickly patted her pockets. "We have to catch pokemon!? B-But I didn't bring any empty pokeballs!!"

"Gloria, calm down-"

"Calm down!! CALM DOWN!?," she snapped towards her twin shouting with a look of panic, "I don't have any pokeballs on me except the ones that already have pokemon in them! How am I supposed to battle the gym LEADER if I can't make it past the gym CHALLENGE, Vic!?"

"You can borrow some of mine!," he shouted back at her.

Gloria shut up and stared at him blankly for a moment. "......Come again?"

Her brother groaned giving an eye roll before slipping the large (suitcase-) pack off himself. Silently you all watched as he brought it up and opened it before shoving his hand quickly inside for a second before pulling out a trio of pokeballs. "I was stocking up when it was my turn ta face 'em, but ye can borrow a few." Shoving them all at Gloria who barely managed to catch them all fumbling as she did. "Here!" He insisted already starting to close his bag. "Don't worry 'bout paying me back. You can keep 'em. But for crying out loud, Glory!! Come more prepared!"

Her brown eyes glanced between the poke balls and her brother. Looking to be at a loss for words. "I-....Uh....T-Thanks??"

"Don't thank me yet! You still have to get in there and beat him. So get to it, Glor! I know you can pass this challenge like you do every other- AH!!"

"THANK YOOOUUU!!! You're the best brother EVER!!"

Victor groaned as she hugged him before squirming his way free like a worm. "Yeah, yeah. Nevermind that now, you have a battle to win! Remember?"

"YEAH RIGHT!!......Um."

"What now?"

"You might want to stay out here instead of going inside, I uhhhh...Don't know how this might turn out."

"That might be a good idea," you commented. "Especially if those tears are gonna get BIG from Dynamaxing....But would you be able to do it without us there?"

"Yeah!...Wait." She glanced back to Hop with a slightly worried expression, "You'll still watch me from the live footage, r-right?"

Hop nodded without hesitation. "Of course we will!,'' he smiled whipping out his phone, "You don't even have to ask us. As your best rival and friend it's my sworn duty to support you in your journey even if it's from behind the scenes! We'll be here cheering you on all the way!"

"But first she actually has to go inside and do the challenge before Kabu decided you're not coming at all."

"R-Right! Yeah." With a turn of her head Gloria faced the doors before her before with another inhale and exhale, her face steeled and she started forward. "Wish me luck!"

"You don't need it!" "Go get 'em, Glory!" "Good luck!" The three of you shouted at her as the doors opened and she slowly walked her way in.

The worry feeling in your gut increased as you realized you wouldn't be watching your sobble battling within the stadium, but it might be better you all weren't affected by the giant tears if Gloria really was going to be dynamaxing the sobble. Hop pointed over towards a bench nearby where the three of you could sit and watch and you agreed, following the boys over as the cheers from the stadium was ever present. Guess the crowd must've gotten wind of another challenger on their way in to challenge Kabu. Hop had turned his rotom phone on and went to what he said was the Gym League's official website where you could find everything from past Gym leader's biographies, to their pokemon, to even content the Gym Leaders themselves posted. You could even find live footage if they currently battled anyone to watch if you couldn't be at the stadium. How convenient! It didn't take Hop too long to pull up a video turning his phone sideways to full screen as you and Victor huddle around to watch. What was shown on screen was the inside of the stadium, the many people in the stands, and an empty field. Gloria must've still been just starting the challenge presented to her. To which Victor commented it might take a bit to catch all three pokemon. So all the three of you could do was wait it out for the moment, which you did. You sat there for the longest time just staring at the phone screen mind wondering off into space as the boys chatted among themselves next to you glancing at the phone every so often. Would this really work out ok? You were starting to feel like maybe you shouldn't have let Gloria borrow sobble but you also really wanted to get home so if this really was the way she could win you were doing the right thing.....Right?

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!" You jumped at the loud man's voice that shouted out in what sounded like two different directions. And it kinda was, the announcer's voice was loud enough to be heard outside the stadium and came from the live feed being recorded live from Hop's phone as well. "The battle between Gym Challenger Gloria and Gym Leader Kabu shall now commence!!" The three of you quickly snapped to attention at the phone Hop held as the camera recording the live feed zoomed it just close enough where you could watch the battle at it's fullest, but also too far away to see their faces sadly. You hoped Gloria wasn't feeling too anxious. The crowd roared again in cheers as at last both the figures of Gloria and Kabu jogged their way towards the very center of the big field before stopping. Here we go. "Battlers please take your place on opposite field and face one another!!" It looked like they exchanged a few words before turning and walking a decent amount away from one another. " SET!" They faced one another. "Pokemon at the ready!! BATTLE BEGIN!!"

In a flash of bright light, both parties sent forth their pokemon as the crowd cheered. Kabu a fox looking pokemon, Nine tales if you remembered right. And Gloria her Roselia.

"Wha- Why's she using a grass type?," Hop asked confused, "Grass-type pokemon are usually weak against fire-types. Shouldn't she know the type disadvantage? "

You were confused at first too. Why would she be using a ro-...Your eyes widened remembering something from your past encounters. "....Stun spore."

"What?," he asked turning to you.

And you them as you spoke. "I bet you more than anything she's going to use that stun spore move on that thing."

...Hop's eyes widened. "Of course! Stun spore leaves a paralysis effect on it's opponent! She could use that to get an edge up on Ninetales if she's able to land the hit!..If she can that is. Ninetales has the time advantage and more speed than any other nine tales I've seen. I couldn't even get passed it."

You said nothing after that and turned back to the screen as a flame thrower type move nearly hit the roselia by a couple inches. OH Crap- The battle must've started while you weren't paying attention! So far Gloria seemed to be doing ok. With a point from her form she must've been giving an order, because that roselia in all it's agility used tackle and ran straight towards the ninetales. ..!? WHAT WAS SHE DOING!? She was gonna get that poor rose pokemon hurt! A tense and cold feeling grabbed a hold of your body as the fox pokemon opened it's large mouth, and filled with the burning fire as it shot towards the roselia. A collective aw reaction coursed through the crowd and you three as the roselia....slid. That's right. SLID. The grass pokemon suddenly dropping back as it it slipped and fell to it's knees (Or you guess what counted as knees on it) and as if in a rock star pose, leaned all the way back as the fire passed above it literally inches from it's face. No doubt the speed from the tackle added in it's aid of sliding across the grassy field. As if time slowed down, the fire soon left the ninetales's mouth, and it turned it's head down towards the roselia sliding towards it at break-neck speeds. Lifting the roses on it's arms surrounded by burst of electricity, you could've sworn the fox thing gave a look of panic, before there was a flash of light as bright as a camera's flash as the roselia continued it's journey under the ninetales as it was enveloped face first by electricity. Now if you thought the corvinkight's loud cries when you crashed into it's nest was terrifying, it was nothing compared to the high pitched dog like wails that came from this pokemon really made your stomach flip. Through the static shock surrounding it, the ninetales gritted it's fangs and looking as if pain, forced itself to snap towards the roselia who stopped just behind it. And in one swift motion, in a white blur the pokemon turned and swiped at it. HARD. With a cry from the pokemon it went flying across the field, tumbling head over heels, round and round in summer salts until finally with a thud the poor thing landed with half it's body crossing one of the perimeter lines.

"MATCH!!" The announcer's voice called back through and it honestly made you jumped by how it surprised you, too lost in the battle to notice. "THE GYM CHALLENGER'S POKEMON IS OUT OF BOUNDS!! GYM LEADER WINS FIRST ROUND BATTLE!!"

The crowd roared out again at Kabu's obviously win, and you weren't too surprised since he is supposed to be the second strongest gym leader. So it shouldn't be surprised that the ninetales was still able to move like that after Gloria's stun spore surprise. Tho you were a bit sad at her loss.

"Aw man! She totally got canned out there!," Hop sighed lowering the phone a little disappointed as both battlers returned their pokemon

Victor hummed. "Well, yes. Glory lost first round but it's not a total loss. Stun spore's affects increases the more the recipient of it moves, so it'd be dumb if Kabu forced his ninetales to battle again for the second round. It'd just be giving her a better chance at winning. So she still managed to widtle down them to an equal two pokemon each."

....Hop nodded. "Yeah! You're right. But it doesn't mean the other two won't be just as powerful."

"SECOND MATCH START!!" The voice returned. "POKEMON AT THE READY!! SECOND ROUND BATTLE BEGIN!!"

Two more bright lights appeared and the BIGGEST arcanine you had ever seen appeared before you! That thing was huge! Much better than the ones in game. And Gloria had sent out her raboot. A fire type against a fire type. They should be equaled out but you had a feeling the arcanine was the more powerful in terms of strength and skill. Gloria better have had a trick up her sleeve for this one. Kabu was the first one to make a move. As it quickly leaned his head forward just an inch and the raboot jumped a good yard back away in fear.

"That's arcanine's intimidate. Hope that raboot's not too scared."

The arcanine took a step forward the rabbot took another step back. Kabu pointed and in an instant it charged. Flames spewing from it's mouth the moment it opened it's maw and it fell. Well at least you thought it did by how fast it dropped, only to flip using it's back legs to kick off and a envelope itself in fire to perform Flame Wheel- Raboot. Charged! It's feet gaining fire with it's speed when you realized what was going to happen. Was Gloria attempting to use Flame Charge as a way to counter the Flame Wheel like back when she used her Scorbunny's move to deflect Hop's Wooloo's tackle? That may have worked out back then but Arcanine was much bigger and stronger than an ordinary wooloo! There's no way as strong as raboot was they could deflect that flame wheel....Except..Well...That wasn't what they did at all. As soon as that raboot jumped and made contact with that fire hoop of death, it was like a catapult suddenly went off under it's feet. Using the momentum of the moment that crafty little bunny used it's own fire as a shield for it's feet from the flames of it's enemy to leap itself into the air. The three of you watched in awe as the raboot launched itself a decent twenty or so feet in the air above the arcanine who had stopped and then looked up in confusion as it most likely didn't expect that. That's when it struck. With a surprising speed for being in mid air, the raboot shot back back down straight towards the arcanine. The dog pokemon in retaliation growled and opened it's maw WIDE to catch it within it's fangs at the same time as the raboot flipped, and landed a perfect double kick to the upper part of the pokemon's face. The. Arcanine. WAILED OUT!! The jerk it's head gave shoving the rabbit pokemon to the ground with a loud squeak as it hit the dirt but as quick as ever sprung itself back onto it's feet to face it's enemy. The much taller fire type shaking it's head and pawing at it's eyes.

"A Quick Attack and Double Kick combo!! How'd they do that so fast!?"

None of you had time to answer that before Gloria was already pointing at the arcanine and the raboot swiftly followed. The arcanine snarled it the approuching raboot's direction eyes closed and again went to use Bite, but with a quick side leap to the left, it easily delivered another double kick to the side of it's head. Making it recoil. And thus it had begun. Side! Back! Gut! Front Leg! Back Leg! Under Chin! Front Leg again! The raboot as quickly as a real rabbit in your world, was light on it's feet. Using quick attack and double kick over and over again to kick the blinded and confused arcanine in random places jumping over, under, around and sometimes latching onto it's fur to propel itself in a different direction from the jaws or swiping paws as it growled and blindly went after him. One time literally trying to slam it's whole right side onto the smaller pokemon before the rabbot quickly thrust itself forward under and away from the falling body before giving it a tackle to it's exposed middle in retaliation for the body slam. Using it's speed and smaller body to it's full advantage. The blinded pokemon's only saving grace was to suddenly use the order of flame wheel to break away from the small menace. Rolling fast away in a hoop of flames. You nearly choked on your own breath as you all watched in disbelief as the tinier much smaller raboot CHASED. Yes. CHASED after the spinning wheel of death faster than you had seen it run. The flames gathering on it's feet again. Another flame charge?? The arcanine stopped just a few yards away from him, flames still gathered within it's mouth as it turned, presumably to launch a strong flame attack at the smaller beast. And raboot with all it's speed and flaming feet. KICKED!! As fast as a jet streaking through the sky, a flaming rock was launched right at the pokemon's face. And connected. With a yelped and smoke going off from getting straightly hit by it, the arcanine went down.

"ARCANINE HAS BEEN RENDERED UNCONCIOUS!! GYM CHALLENGER WINS THE SECOND ROUND!!!"

THE. CROWD. CHEERED!! Ember....That raboot used ember to knock out that arcanine!! You didn't know whether to be impressed or surprised at what just happened but both the boys next to you exchanged a few cheers of their own and high fived. And you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. Holy cannoli that was tense!! ....But then you froze. Wait...If both first and second rounds were over..that meant only the third was left. And the third round was the dynamax specialty. And Gloria was planning on using... all the worry came rushing back in an instant.

"Oh no-"

"FINAL MATCH DETERMINES WHO WINS AND LOSES!! YOU FOLKS KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!" Oh please don't say- "DYNAMAX ROUND SET!! GET YOUR POKEMON AT THE READY!!" You could all suddenly hear the crowd begin chanting the word 'Dynamax'. Your eyes widened as, as tiny as Gloria's figure was on the camera, you could CLEARLY make out her reaching into her pocket and pull out a pokeball, her other hand coming up to her goggles. In than instant your face paled and your blood ran cold. A heavy feeling of cold settling in as you saw that unmistakable red energy gathering around her wrist band as she held your ball. Your poor baby's ball. "FINAL BATTLE BEGIN!!"

The first to make a move was Kabu as the pokeball in his hands swelled up to the size of a watermelon and with a fiery look in his eyes, swiftly turned on his heel and with one arm chucked the giant thing into the air. It sored through the sky until popped open and THE BIGGEST centipede you had ever seen came forward. The ground where you three were sitting shook from the force of the giant pokemon in the stadium in front of you landed on the ground. Sending a wave of wind and rubble from the field flying in it's wake as dark reddish-orange storm clouds darkened itself overhead, making it look even MORE horrifying than it was....OH. SWEET. MOTHER. OF MILTANK!! If that thing was scary to you than it'd be an utterly drop dead terror for your poor sobble! The pokeball in Gloria's hold swelled up to the same size as a watermelon. Using both arms to lift the thing over her head, and tossed it into the air. It soared through the air and all three of you watched like you were watching a trainwreck happening. Too scared for the results but unable to look away feeling as it popped open. And your sobble made it's entrance. The blue pokemon now several times bigger than it's usual cat like height. It landed in the same fashion as Kabu's centipede thing did. And instantly a look if confusion graced it's face as with a monstrous chirp it started quickly looking around at itself. Although that confusion quickly dashed away as soon as it's eyes laid upon the terror in front of it. It froze. Staring unblinking with that blank stare of his as it laid eyes on the centipede pokemon.

"Oh no-

Now you weren't entirely sure what move it was called that it used, but all of a sudden this giant bug thing decided to play....But this thing moved so fast in air as Kabu leaned back and pointed up at it you nearly had a heart attack then and there. It took the form of a sideways zig zag pose and gathered a great deal of fire within it's coils. The GIANT ball of flames launched in a moment's notice as it sailed out. And hit your sobble directly with an explosion. You cried out, hands coming to clasped at your mouth at the noise the water pokemon made as it connected and tumbled over. The three of you had to grab a hold on the bench as it wobbled, Hop nearly dropping his phone in process as he did. Thank goodness he didn't because you still had your panicked eyes stuck to the screen even as it shook. .......Your now giant sobble with storm clouds gathered over it's head was just laying there for a moment....before it pushed itself onto it's bottom silently, dirt from the field falling off itself as it did. He stared blankly back at the centipede-...thing for a moment....before it's giant mouth quivered. And in a flash the giant sobble threw it's back and began to cry. The loudest cries you ever heard rung out through the sobble's mouth, it sounded like someone took the world's largest bagpipes and cranked it's volume to eleven. But that's not what concerned you. Thousands of shining droplets starting floating down everywhere. And in an instant the centipede thing violently shook it's head. A loud cry of protest coming out of it.

"Holy Arceus..."

Was all any of you could manage to say at the situation as you continued to watch your sobble cry as the centipede thing continued to shake it's head and yell out. Kabu's small form on the screen even shown him using whatever towel he kept around his shoulder to suddenly smush his face against. The centipede thing suddenly dove. A giant crater forming in the field as it attempted to bury it head away from whatever was irritating it. After a moment your sobble stopped. Giving it a look as it twitched and kept it's face in the giant crater it made for itself like an ostrich, eyes watering a bit as it did. It gave a look around again but seemed to be scanning more of the stadium than the field. Most likely looking for a way out. That didn't surprise you in the slightest. What DID surprise you next was what it did next. Your. Sobble. Scowled. In the direction of the centipede thing who still rubbed it's head in the dirt, most likely trying to settle down the burning sensation of the tears it experienced before. You blinked as it gave off a monstrous sound of it's own towards the other pokemon. Did....Did your sobble..The one wh dove under your arm or hide behind your head just...growl at the other pokemon?? By the end of the war cry it gave as a shock, it pushed itself forward. Landing it's hands right onto the ground as a wave of energy expelled from it. The force making crackes in the earth around the thing's buried head before blue light seeped through the depths of the earth and a geyser of blue light shook the stadium and the three of you.

"T-T-THAT WAS A SOBBLE'S MAX STRIKE MOVE!!," Hop managed to force out between holding onto the bench as everything shook.

"IT WAS A WHAT!?," You shouted back at him trying to make out the shaking screen in his hands between holding onto the bench yourself.

The centipede things wretched it's head up from the dirt and with a loud cry began shaking it frantically like a panicked snake. That was before it was attacked again of course by your sobble. A torrent of water rushed out from it's mouth the moment it was opened and hit the thrashing fire type straight in the face as it cried out. The fire becoming so bright it turned white...except it wasn't coming from the giant pokemon. The bright light was coming from the other side of the field as your sobble cried out again- The screen shut off with a beep. A flash of 'No Signal' coming over the sudden white screen. The three of you stared at Hop's phone. No one moving. No one saying anything. As the three of you just....stared at the lost signal-

"NO!!" Hop yelped and wretched his arm back in surprise as you snatched the phone from his hands. Frantically bringing it up to your panicked face as your body drawled in quicker breaths. You shook the phone within your hands and furiously tapped the screen in rapid moment before the rotom within it wretched itself from your grip with a scowl to escape your grip. "NO NO NO!!" You snapped back to Hop. "WHAT HAPPEND?!"

"We must've lost the live feed signal," Hop replied back reaching over and grabbing the rotom from mid air and bringing it back to him.

"Can you get it back?!"

"I can try, but I don't know if-"

"GYM MATCH IS OVER!!" All three of you froze to stare in the direction of the voice coming loud and clear from the stadium. ....You slowly stood up. "CENTISKORCH IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!! GYM CHALLENGER GLORIA WINS THE MATCH!!" The crowd cheered...And you leaned forward-

"OOF!!" You were yanked back by your backpack by Hop before you could fall to the ground below and you landed with a thud back onto the bench. "....Thanks.''

Hop nodded before he put the phone quickly away and stood along with Victor. "C'mon. I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna see what happened."

You stood up quickly with a scowl. "You bet your pokeballs I'm going to see what happened! Gloria and my sobble is in there!"

There was no questions or doubts about it as the three of you unanimously started towards the inside of the stadium doors in worry for the young trainer and your pokemon. ...Except as soon as the doors opened the trio of you were stopped by some man wearing a gym suit and sunglasses. Surprise, surprise. You and Victor weren't allowed in as unregistered gym challengers. ....ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? You wanted to yell at this guy and push past him if you bloody had to to see them! And Hop looked as if he was about ready to argue in your favor as well squaring up. The only one who seemed to be thinking clearly in the situation was Victor who had to pull the two of you back to wait outside for her. You wanted to get it!! Who cares if they threw you out kicking and screaming!? You were seeing your pokemon!! Oh the irony when Victor yelled at you two it would only put Gloria's and Hop's places in the challenge in danger if either one of you did anything dumb to threaten their places. Oh....Well when he put it like that, then it did make the two of you seem foolish. But that didn't you liked it standing right outside those giant double doors leading to the inside of the gym pacing, and tapping your foot, staring at the doors in worry, mumbling to yourselves. Poor Victor standing deadpanned in the wake of your two's worried mess with a sigh. You all nearly jumped as the door opened and the slightly dirt covered girl of the hour finally came out-

"GLORIA!!" The brunette yelped as she was all of a sudden encased in a tight hug by her worried friend. "OH GOSH!! WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!! I figured if anyone could do it you and raboot would be the ones....But STILL!! That match had me right at the edge of my seat! I thought for sure you would've been crushed-"

"Hop! Geez! I'm perfectly ok! See?" She pried herself away from the clinging boy to make some space between them both. "I'm as fine as a deep fried curry! And I walked away with more than just my safety!" She beamed brightly as she spoke. "I got my bloody fire badge!"

His eyes widened. "WHAT!? No way! That's incredible!"

As the four of you were a little busy focusing on Gloria and worrying, none of you noticed the blue thing walking past her legs and up to you.

"WAIT WAIT!!" Hop nearly stumbled as you dove and Gloria blinked in surprise as you grabbed her shoulders in worry. There wasn't any signs of a sobble around her so it must've meant she put him back in his pokeball!!...Or at least you hoped she did. "Where is he!?" You asked in a worried tone. "Where's my sobble, Gloria?!"

......She blinked. "Oh...Ummm. Yeah about that." She gave an almost cringe as she said the next few words. "He's uh....Not exactly a sobble anymore." The three of you stared at her....A pit dropping in your stomach strong enough to make you feel like hurling.

"WHAT!?"

"No no no! He's fine I swear!," she insisted holding her hands up to your scared face. "It's just that-"

"ACK!?" Gloria blinked as you were suddenly whipped back by something heavy latching onto your backpack. It felt like someone had dropped the weight of a toddler on your shoulders all of a sudden. The three looked on in confusion as you stumbled back in panic waving your arms wildly for balance before throwing yourself forward to right yourself and grabbed your knees in a leaned over position. "What in the actual-" You paused. Something shifted on your back and grabbed your shoudler. In an instant you whipped over your shoulder to look at the thing pulling itself up onto you. And what you were met with was a face to face encounter with a frowning blue head who gave a small thrum sound at you. ............You blinked. "What the heck!?"

"Uh...That's what I was trying to tell you about," Gloria said pointing to it.

Without breaking eye contact with the thing that was half sitting on your pack half slumped over against your shoulder, you slowly stood up and pointed at it. "What the world is this thing?" To which it gave a undignified chirp and grabbed your nose. "Hey!"

"Oh hey! It's a drizzilie!"

...You looked at Hop for answers brow raised. "It's a what?"

"A drizzilie," he repeated pointing at the thing slumped over your shoulder. "They're considered highly intelligent pokemon but also really lazy ones." Another pouty chirp was thrown in Hop's direction. " I think I read somewhere that they're good at making traps."

"This still doesn't tell me where my sobble is!"

"Y/n, drizzilie is the evolved form of a sobble!," Gloria pointed again, "Sobble evolved near the end of the match! He's literally right there on your shoulder!"

You paused...whipping back to the drizzile who only moved his eyes from where it's head laid upon your shoulder. ....THIS was your adorable tiny little sweet innocent baby sobble!? It reminded you of a moody preteen. You two continued to stare at each other a bit regarding each other silently...before you asked a question. "You want food?" It immediately lifted it's head up and gave a deeper chirp noise in approval and you laughed. " Ok...It's definitely him alright. But how come he evolved?"

"Because...it's what pokemon do?? They're always evolving and growing as they go, there's no stopping it."

"....Fair enough."

"Hey." Gloria blinked as her brother gently grabbed her shoulder with a concerned look. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Of course I am. It'll take more than a dynamax battle to stop me."

Hop laughed. "With all the badges we've earned ourselves, I reckon we should be alright even against the fierce pokemon you find deep in the Wild Area. Let's go find out for ourselves-"

"NO!!," both you and Victor screamed at once making Hop blink...And Gloria snorted.

Surprisingly you did not want to stay there any longer in fear of what else might happen to you all, so after a bit of convincing on Victor's side to Hop who was eager to go straight to the Wild Area for the rest of the day to battle and catch wild pokemon, you five just went back to your hotel. You felt entire exhausted, and not because of the extra added weight to your load now thanks to your sobble's new and maybe not so improved form. But mentally from the exhausting experience you had been put through. It...was a day you'd have to get used to but in the end Gloria won her third badge and your sobble...uh..Drizzlie was perfectly fine even if he changed a bit. So at the end of the day it was in fact a win win situation for everyone. You had felt relief when you got back to your hotel room and slid off your bag, plopping yourself on the bed with a sigh. Your new drizzile standing there for a moment before flopping itself onto you with a small 'Oof' escaping you....Yeah. You guessed you'd have to train him out of just jumping on you anymore now that he was the size of a six year old child.

"Hey, Y/n? Are you going to sleep right now?", Gloria asked curiously.

"....I dunno. Maybe,'' you answered muffled by the pillow. "Why?"

"We're getting lunch before watchin' Victor's battle. Want me to grab you a curry?"

"......Yeah. As long as it doesn't have any eggs or tails on it. Grab me one-" Your drizzilie patted your shoulder and you sighed. "Make that two. Something tells me he's going to be more hungry from now on." Gloria laughed again and you sighed.

The rest of the day went by rather quickly in your eyes. You all ate lunch and watched Victor have his own match against the fiery man. Thank goodness he won, although he did have a type advantage considering all those water types he captured, before you ended up falling asleep way earlier than usual. Must've been the room service breakfast, but she was also kind enough to order a small stack of waffles for your hungry self. Perfect! It wasn't long for the both of you to get packed and meet up with the boys outside the inn waiting for you two by that weird mechanical elevator.

"Hurry it up, Gloria!," Hop called over waving an arm.

"We're coming! Boy how early do you all wake up?"

You were a bit cranky. Still a bit groggy so early in the morning and having to lug around extra weight on your back as your drizzilie had insisted on jumping onto your back and took residence inside your back pack. Most of his body was inside the backpack amongst your other belongings but his head and arms were thrown over your shoulders as he refused to start walking chirping in protest when you tried to reason with him and wouldn't let you put him in the pokeball so you had to get creative with a compramise. Moving all the food you carried into the secondary pocket leaving just your clothes in the main space of your pack and leaving enough room for it to find acceptable. You wondered if the reason Drizzilie didn't want to go back into it's pokeball was in fear something like what happened yesterday would happen again, being used to getting carried by now, or if this was just because of the lazy behavior Hop mentioned before?..Or maybe a combination of the three? The boys gave a couple chuckles at the sight of your new situation but stopped when you tossed them a look and changed the subject by making the elevator go.

"So. Have you three decided where you want to go next?," you asked walking up to the exit of Motostoke that lead out to the Wild Area.

Gloria and Hop nodded. Victor just shuffled uncomfortably. Huh..Know that you thought about it, he seemed to be letting the other two just pick where you went-

"Yeah. I wanna stay here for a few more days and catch some pokemon," Hop answered.

Gloria blinked at him. "Wha- But I wanted to stop by Hammerlocke."

Hop stopped walking immediately just outside of the giant exit. Making Gloria stop and blink at the bewildered expression on her friend's face. "Hammerlocke? Why would you go there? You know Raihan doesn't battle anyone unless they have seven badges."

"Yeah. I know, but it's on the way to Stow-on-side." She explained with a smile. "Bea sounds like a good challenge for me to tackle next being the fighting type gym leader. Hammerlocke just happens to be on the way there."

"Eeehhhh. I dunno Glor. I really had my mind set on taking on some wild pokemon. With a stronger team comes a stronger trainer right?"

"I...guess so..."

"'kay. How 'bout this? If you're all that dead set on going to Hammerlocke, you can go and we'll we'll meet up with you there!"

Gloria seemed not too keen on that idea for a moment but sighed and nodded. "Alright. But how are you planning on getting there?"

Hop went to answer, but paused. Gold eyes blinking widely before leaning over to the right to look behind you all. "Huh? Hey. Is that who I think it is coming this way?"

Brown and f/c color eyes followed the path of Hop's gold ones to look behind you and the three of you paused at seeing who exactly was jogging towards you all. Coming towards you in all his firey glory was the 'Man Of Fire' Kabu himself. What was he doing here? ...Oh no! Were you all in trouble with what happened yesterday!?Was he angry from your sobble-..Er..Drizzilie's tears?! Were you all going to be billed or something!? You all couldn't pay any medical bills! None of you had enough money! The gym leader jogged right up to the four of you as you all exchanged confused or worried looks before stopping in front of you all.

"Thank goodness I managed to catch the lot of you before leaving Motostoke," he stated. It..didn't sound like he was angry.

"You're the gym leader, but you still came all the way to see us off?," Hop questioned, "...Oh! I bet you can already tell that I'm the one who'll become the next champion, yeah?"

To your surprise the older man chuckled and gave a smile. "There are many trainers who never manage to gather three or more gym battles, and they just give up on the gym challenge all together. So I make a point to see off any trainers who are able to defeat me. So allow me to send you off with a proper, sporty chant." He cleared his voice as you raised a hand to say he didn't have to- "Hustle, hustle, hustle Hop! You can do it, you can do it, Gloria!" ...Gloria gave off a few giggles and you lightly kicked her foot to get her to stop. "The Gym Leaders you will face ahead are all tough opponents. But I believe you will prevail! Believe in your pokemon and keep pushing on!"

"Thanks y'all! We're gonna keep winning!," Hop confirmed with a smile and thumbs up towards the older man, "We've got too if we want a face-off in the Champion Cup after all! C'mon, Everyone!" He spun on his heels and pointed towards the exit. "Let's head for Hammerlocke!" And ran off.

Victor groaned turning to walk after him. "Not again."

You chuckled and rolled your eyes. You wish you had that much energy. "Gloria correct?" You blinked and turned your head over to Kabu who was looking at Gloria. "That was a most unexpected battle the other day. As I already said, I'll have to learn from it. But I don't suppose you'd mind telling me how you thought of such strategies?"

She beamed. "Of course! Your league card listed your pokemon and their main abilities like everyone else! So I used that info. Your ninetales was pretty fast on it's feet, so it made sense to use a move that wouldn't let it use that speed. But arcanine are built bulkier and have more muscle than a ninetales. They may be fast on their feet too, but no where near the speed of raboot or ninetales. So speed and agility would've been the way to go. And as for your centiskorch, I didn't have a lot of pokemon that could withstand it's fire power, so I had to find a way around that. A sobble's tears seemed like the greatest force to fight it."

He hummed before nodded once again. "I see. Well then I must train my pokemon to overcome your sobble's tear attack before another trainer gets the same bright idea as you did."

"Oh it wasn't my sobble." She pointed at you and he looked at you. .....Then to the Drizzile's face lazily staring back from your shoulder. "It was hers."

"I see...Well then, Miss. I'll have to congratulate you on raising such a strong water type. I have no doubt that it'll make a mighty Inteleon one day."

You smiled as your drizzile patted your shoulder. "Thanks! I think he's a good boy too. Ain't that right?" Embarrassed your pokemon tutted and looked away making the old man chuckle.

"We'll then. I shall leave you. I must be off to start training up before the next gym challenger comes knocking at my door."

"We outta get going too. I have a feeling we're in for a long trip ahead of us." .....Hey. Now that you thought about it...Your eyes widened. Wasn't there some kind of character development or a tragic event that happened to one of the characters after the player received their third gym badge??..."Yeah. We better catch up to the other two."

You managed to pull Gloria away bidding good bye to the jogging gym leader and pulled her out of Motostoke at last. Onto the dirt path leading out of Motostoke and splitting in three directions to chose from. You spotted the two boys somewhere up ahead as the two of you approached. Hop throwing his hands up into the air pumped.

"Hello again, Wild Area, my old friend!," he shouted to the sky, "I've come back to you even stronger than before!"

"Hop you don't need to shout." Victor adjusted his pack on his back with a roll and stretch of his shoulders. "If anything you might scare away any good potential pokemon with that racket."

....He hummed. "Well I guess you have a point about that, Vic." ..He turned his head more towards the two of you girls approaching before he smiled and twisted around fast to face the both of you. "Gloria! Hammerlocke is up that way." He pointed towards where the road split off towards the left. "Got it? Over Motostoke bridge and straight on down the road a ways. And yeah, you could certainly rush there without a single detour....But now that you and I have a few gym badges, we should be able to catch stronger pokemon! So I know what I'm doing!"

" And what's that mate?" Gloria asked in a tease.

"I'll be catching myself some amazing pokemon to fill in the next page in the tale of my legend!" You chuckled at his enthusiasm.

All of a sudden your Drizzilie turned to look behind you as footsteps approached. "Don't waste your efforts." The rest of you followed suit to stare at the figure just now leaving Motostoke as well. And your eyes widened slightly. "It's not like any of you would ever make it through the gym challenge anyway." The one who approached the two of you was none other than Bede. The poor gave that smug smirk he always did and placed a hand on his hip staring at the lot of you. "The Champion really must have been off his rocker to endorse likes of you."

"WHAT DID YA SAY YOU LAVENDER SOAKED EYED COTTONEE FOR BRAINS!?" "DON'T YOU INSULT MY BRO LEE LIKE THAT!!" Gloria and Hop shouted and made a move to step forward but you grabbed onto her back pack to pull her back effectively also blocking Hop with your other arm as the two shouted with glares at him.

"Whoa there you two." You gave him a glare and he slowly looked up towards you the smug grin turning into somewhat of a frown. "I thought you left after collecting those Wishing Stars from the mines. Did you stay behind just to insult them? That's a pretty lame thing for you to be doing with your free time."

He didn't answer right away which made you raise a brow until he tutted and turned his head away. "I was going to leave after a day's rest here, but after hearing these three were going to battle Kabu I decided to stick around and watch the pitiful efforts of my enemies. I mean, Hop here can't even throw a poke ball properly."

You saw Hop flinch. Oh no..You remembered somewhat of him saying he practiced throwing the ball sometime during your first meeting with Leon. "Rubbish! More like you don't know enough to recognize greatness when you see it! My throws are the greatest and my bro is the finest champion the world has ever seen! I'm not gonna listen to you insult him!"

"How tiresome," Bede mutter again running a hand over his hair. "Fine. I'll battle you over there." He pointed a hand towards some trees. "Maybe that will help you finally understand just how weak you are."

Hop growled and your brows rose in shock at his sudden anger. You didn't think the ever chipper Hop could've gotten so mad. "You're on then. I know you challenged Gloria in Galar Mine Number Two and lost to her there." Your eyes widened more glancing between the two of them as Bede frowned more....So THAT'S what Bede meant by them causing him trouble. "And I'm her greatest rival. In other words there's no way you're beating me."

"All this prattle about Gloria and the Champion and whatnot. Do you not have anything of your own to show?"

"YOU BET YOUR SORRY PINK TUTU BUTT HE DOES COTTON FOR BRAINS!!," Gloria shouted giving another tug against your grip on her as she leaned forward, angry glare that could put a dynamaxed pokemon to shame, hands balled into fists at her sides. Her sudden spout of anger caught Bede off guard enough to take a few steps back from the red faced girl spitting her scottish accent at him. "I'll have you know Hop's one of the smartest, most kindest people I know! He's a bloody genius who knows all kinds of pokemon skills! 'E's like a walking dictionary of smarts that's how skilled he is! He knows more than you and me put together so badger off with your sorry excuses!! I don't see you doing anything but complain about everyone else and praise the chairman like he's Arceus 'imself!" Victor grabbed onto his sister's other arm pulling her back with you at this point. "Yet ya complain 'bout us talkin' 'bout how amazin' Lee is!? When are ye gonna step up from being a walkin' billbourd for the Chairman n' his bloody secretary and show me somethin' huh!? HUH!? How 'bout you take ya own advice!?"

"GLORIA THAT'S ENOUGH!!," Victor shouted in his own scottish accent at her pushing her back by a wide eyed Hop as she continued to glare angrily at Bede who remained silent and wide eyed at her. "CALM DOWN!! Ok!?...I'm pretty sure he's gotten the point by now."

"Oh he better!"

"Hey! That's enough now!," you agreed giving her your own frown, keeping your grip on her back pack in case she tried anything. "I think you're scaring him." Gloria paused enough to give you her own stare, as you turned to look at Bede who continued to stand and stare....before he blinked, quickly whirled on his heel and sped walked away with his hands forced into his pink coat's pockets.

"I-I'll wait for you over there! Don't keep me waiting!"

Gloria huffed, jerking her body from her brother's grip as she glared at his leaving form. "Yeah? Well he started it by causin' all of us trouble n' insulting us for no reason. The bloody cottonee born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Ey Hop?".....She rose a brow when her friend didn't answer and turned to the silent boy staring wide eyed at her. "....Hop? Are you ok?"

".....I-..." He coughed reaching a hand up to rub at his neck as he looked off. "I mean uh....That was some roasting you gave h-him back there. Heh."

"Well it's true!," she insisted pointing at him, "You were the smartest kid in school! And y'know so much about science, and history, and you can calculate math in your head faster than a calculator could. You know so much about pokemon that I know you'd be a great Champion. That's why I got so angry at him."

Hop stared at her again mouth opening a little..before sputtering on his words. "I- You- R-Really?"

She crossed her arms and nodded with a huff. "'Sides, I wasn't about to let the Mareep Head get away with smack talkin' my best friend and his brother. If he's going to bring a fire then he better expect someone to roast him back!"

He stared at her a moment longer before an unmistakable red washed over his face as he quickly looked away. "R-Right! T-T-That's what friends do after all! D-Don't worry. I'll show this guy my skills in battle! S-So..." With that he quickly turned and began jogging off from the three of you. "See you later, Glory! L-Let's meet up in Hammerlocke when I'm through with him!"

Well whaddya know!? You smiled watching as Hop scampered off in a knowing way as Victor sighed before turning to his twin. "DONT DO THAT!!"

"Do what?"

"Try to fist fight another gym challenger like yer in a wrestlin' ring! Ya cook! What would've happened if that guy told ye off to the Chairman especially after you had dinner with him in Hulbury?! You'd get yourself kicked out by him or worse both yaself and us since you were defendin' 'is honor like in the bloody stone ages!?" You had started to notice a pattern that the accent would become more prominent in their voices when they were angry.

"Like I would've actually tried to punch him! I know better then ta throw hands and risk somethin' like that now."

Victor groaned reaching his hands up to rub at his face. "I love ya but you drive me crazy!"

"I could say the same for you too."

.....Still rubbing his temples Victor turned. "I have to catch up with Hop before they start fightin' again. Make sure she stays out o' trouble."

"I can-"

"I was talkin' to Y/n!" He shouted back making Gloria pause as he walked off....And it was finally your turn to chuckle.

With a huff she placed her hands on her hips with a glare. "Well that's just a bunch of flamin' Rapidash crap if I ever heard it!"

You nodded reaching up to rub your face, finally letting go of her backpack as you did. "He has a point tho. If you and your opponents want to have a battle then that's fine, but you guys shouldn't get into fights like that." She hummed but didn't say anything else to that. "Come on. Let's get going to Hammerlocke. I'm curious about this place. If we're lucky we might meet the selfie guy himself hangin' 'round his gym!"

"Oh boy. Can't wait to see what the big bad strongest gym leader has to show."

"I think you'll like 'em. Lee said he's one of the kindest people he's met in the industry...But there is one thing I should warn ya 'bout."

"What?"

"He's a playful teaser so he'll probably try to flirt with ya when he sees ya."

"........He's going to what?"

#pokemon swsh #pokemon sword #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon shield #pokemon leon x reader #reader x leon #leon x reader #pokemon leon

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rising-volteccers · 8 months

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i'm not sure if you got it bc i sent it during class, but i would like to hear about the horizons swap au with leon!! full permission to gush btw :)

HI thank you for indulging me ahhsjdd. I didn't see a previous message so it probably got eaten.

SO the working idea is that Horizons and SwSh characters are swapped. Not all of them because SwSh cast is bigger and I have favorites.

I'll be honest in that I haven't fully fleshed out the SwSh cast side, so have only Leon for now.

Leon is the leader of the Blazing Brave Birds. Hailing from Postwick, at a young age he became more interested in traveling around to see what laid beyond his hometown than participating in the Gym Challenge. It wasn't hard to accidentally discover new places given his tendency to get hopelessly lost, and he often made the most out of his time there. To say that he pretty much (accidentally) explored almost the entirety of Galar wasn't a stretch. Eventually he set his sights on seeing the entire world, and through connections he's made over the years, he'd become the proud owner of a souped up blimp that would carry him through skies beyond his home region.

He's accompanied at least by Hop, Gloria, Marnie, Sonia, Raihan, Kabu, Milo and Nessa. The Explorers is led by Rose, where Bede comes after Gloria for the pendant she has.

Alright so for the Horizons cast:

Friede is the undefeatable Champion of Galar. He's been Champ since he was 15 years old and has been holding onto the position for nearly half his life now. His fans have split opinions on who his ace is: either Gigantamax Charizard or Pikachu. He's cheerful, friendly, super helpful but has the tendency to forget things. Like he'd arrive at a spot and forget why he was supposed to be there in the first place. He's got a Rotom Phone that sets constant reminders for important business or else he'd forget to attend.

Professor Lucca is the regional professor. She and Roy's grandfather helped Friede a lot during his teenage years before he became Champion so he agreed to help give starters to Liko and Roy when they reached the age to become Pokemon Trainers. Liko picked Sobble as her starter while Roy chose Scorbunny. Initially Friede didn't consider endorsing them for the Gym challenge but changed his mind once he saw their potential. These kids were rough around the edges but he can tell that with time and polish, they could shine.

Liko and Roy are neighbors in Postwick! Initially Liko didn't really thought about participating in the Gym Challenge but Roy went on and on about wanting to become Champion himself some day. After Liko received her starter, that sent her down on the path of discovering what kind of Trainer she actually wanted to be. Roy and Liko would end up becoming rivals that helped each other become stronger.

The Chairman of the Galar League is Gibeon, president of Macro Cosmos. He saw potential in Friede, choosing to endorse him. He's a rather mysterious guy. Gibeon himself doesn't make much public appearances. The times he did were in holographic form and even then, his true look remained a mystery to the general public. Still, thanks to his generous contribution to various aspects of Galar--such as making the Galar League famous by introducing Dynamax phenomenon into the Gym battles--he's got positive ratings with the people.

Most of Friede's interactions with Gibeon is through Spinel, his secretary. Deep down, Friede never got along with Spinel. The guy was polite and affable but at times, he felt like that wasn't his true self. Something about him rubbed Friede the wrong way but he kept those thoughts to himself. He worked with Spinel when needed, accepting whatever task given.

Currently, Gibeon is sponsoring Amethio for the Gym Challenge. Amethio highly respects Gibeon, that much was easily seen with the near reverent way he addresses the man during the few times Friede came across him. Friede could tell that Amethio doesn't particularly like him for one reason or another. Whenever they crossed paths, Amethio would say that he'd be the one to beat Friede and take the Champion position. Friede simply encourages him to do so, much to Amethio's annoyance. The Pokemon that Gibeon gifted Amethio is a Honedge that's now an Aegislash.

Orla is Friede's childhood friend. They started their respective Gym challenge around the same time (Orla getting endorsed by the current Motostoke Gym Leader). While Friede was the one who ultimately won and became Champion, Orla was always close behind him. Friede appreciated the challenge that she gave him, pushing him to always do his best for his greatest rival. Currently she's the Motostoke's Steel-type Gym Leader with her ace being her Metagross.

Ludlow is Friede's actual grandfather and the Dragon-type Gym Leader in Hammerlocke. He's part of the reason that inspired Friede to actually take on the Gym Challenge in the first place. He and Opal were some of the longest running Gym Leaders in the Major League. Despite their differing specialization, Ludlow and Opal are really good friends. They often share a cup of tea together and reminisce about the good old days, also discussing about the potential of future Galar Trainers. His ace is a Drampa.

Mollie is the Normal-type Gym Leader in Turffield. Being the first Gym Leader that budding Gym challengers take on, she's quick to show them that Normal-types are not to be underestimated. She looks a little cool and serious when battling but outside of it, she's kind and gentle, even offering to help heal the Pokemon of her challengers. Her ace is Blissey.

Murdock is the Rock-type Gym Leader in Spikemuth. Seeing as its the only leg in the Gym Challenge without a stadium or power spot, he works hard to improve the town's image even if he gains a reputation for being a rough, scary looking guy. He's a pillar in the community, someone who Spikemuth would rally behind. Whenever challengers actually get to beat him, he'd hold celebrations with them and the town where he'd cook something up for everyone to enjoy. Win or lose, it's always an occasion. His ace is Midday Form Lycanroc.

Dot is Murdock's niece that lives with her mom (Murdock's little sister). She's a single mother after Dot's dad left the family so Murdock stepped up to take care of Dot throughout the years. She became reclusive, not having many friends until she chanced upon making friends with Liko via their shared love for a streamer that they watch. Dot was encouraged to take the step of taking on the Gym Challenge too despite not being a battler. Dot wears a mask when out in public since she finds it easier to pretend that she's someone else when she wears it. Her starter is an Impidimp that Murdock gifted her (he also endorsed her for the Gym challenge).

#Pokemon #Pokemon Horizons #Pokemon Sword and Shield #Professor Friede #Champion Leon #Roleswap au #My posts #Only gonna tag the two most relevant characters because they're my loves

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complete-idiot-inc · 1 year

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So... I remembered my scrapped Galar fic story.

Just to let you know, please do not expect anything to come of this, this is just an incomplete framework for a scrapped story. And nothing more.

a variation of these events occurred in the pasio fic, which release has been delayed, but will be here shortly, I promise.

things of note: the twist initially was going to be that Rose was Ash's dad, which I changed because Peony is more fun. Also, the story was going to reveal that 2 years had passed since Ash left pallet town, hence all the hints towards it, and Ash just forgets his birthdays.

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What if Ash got a genuine Galar journey, without ‘hey remember this?’

Galar, and like in every pokemon anime timeframe is non-specific (for now heh heh heh)

Main characters

Ash - 10(?) years old, similar to how ash is in the X & Y anime, not immature but still young, has lots of experience (Spoilers: About 2 years worth), and is willing to pass it on to others.

Gloria - 12 years old, forced by her overbearing mother to wait a couple of years before she can start her journey, so naturally, she's very passionate about the sport, starts out iris/misty-like before character evolution hits and becomes the in-between of Serena/dawn and iris/misty character types

Hop Dande - 10 years old, young, and very similar to Ash when he started, but even more headstrong if you would believe it, he let being the champion’s little bro go to his head and thus thought he was champion material himself. Leaves at some point to truly learn how to battle and makes his return during the Galar conference.

Allister Nion - replaces Hop after he leaves, his arc is just to build confidence in himself.

Secondary characters

Marnie Nezu - ash’s rival (14) is pretty much the same in-game, the only difference is she and Gloria were once friends.

Bede - Gary but worse, belittles Ash any chance he gets

Leon Dande - is less stupid than his in-game counterpart, and is quite similar to Ash.

Sonia Magnolia - introduces him to Gloria and hop

Prof. Magnolia - a wise old lady that gives our heroes their starters.

Rose Patak - is near 1 to 1 but seems like he’s hiding something.

Oleanna Olive - fakes being motherly but is very very rude and angry underneath

Team Yell - is just a bunch of street punks that interfere with anyone they perceive as a threat to Marnie.

Gym leaders

Milo Yarrow - the stereotypical kind farmer’s boy

Nessa Ruina - ash’s cool big sis in a metaphorical sense

Kabu Hibana - gives ash a mentorship program (tony stark peter parker-esque)

Bea Saito - antisocial but very kind also being mentored by Kabu (might become ash’s companion during the isle of armor)

Opal Poplar - kind old lady who mentors bede (being his reminder to be kind)

Melony Makuwa - kind and motherly off-field, an ice-cold battler on the field.

Gordie Makuwa - overconfident almost to a fault and really rude sometimes.

Piers Nezu - snarky but somewhat kind, and very protective over Marnie, but still her brother.

Raihan Kibana - I can't put his personality into words but he live-streams his fights.

Ash lands in Galar and is introduced to Sonia and Leon

Sonia then takes ash to Professor Magnolia to get his starter and he meets Gloria and Hop

Leon then takes him to Motostoke to announce the start of Galar’s gym challenge

Our heroes go to budew inn and meet Marnie.

Battle against some team yell grunts.

Our heroes than just hang out and bond

Milo gym fight: ash wins, Gloria wins, and hop needs a rematch.

After hop’s rematch milo teaches ash how to cook curry.

Gloria and Ash get into an argument over methods of travel.

Team Rocket gets the focus in this chapter James catches a galarian Weezing and Jessie catches a sandaconda

Hulbury but Nessa’s gym is closed.

As it turns out Nessa's prized Drednaw is very, very sick. Which ash cures with some herbs.

Nessa Gym Battle: Ash wins, Hop wins, Gloria rematch.

Gloria catches a Yamper.

Gloria's rematch.

Our heroes then go to motostoke

Before any of them fight Kabu the first team rocket clash happens

It's a near standstill, but team rocket blasts off due to Gloria’s Yamper and Ash’s Pikachu.

Kabu introduces himself to Ash and the two have a “Queens. Brooklyn.” moment

Grooky evolves into Thwackey during Kabu’s fight.

And ash loses but he’s not upset given both Thwackey has evolved and that Kabu is really respectful to him.

Ash goes and trains with Kabu and the two bond a lot.

Ash accidentally calls him dad and kabu is kinda flattered.

Rematch!

And a great surprise occurs Pikachu can Gigantamax!

Everyone looks on in aww.

Ash wins and Kabu gives him the most dad-esque interaction ever.

“That was some real fighting, ash, great job!”

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I'd like everyone to note that this was my very first time ever framing a story.

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misskikuwrites · 1 year

Text

Side by Side Ch 3

Gloria/Bede (dressedinpinkshipping)

Tags: Angst with a Happy Ending, Heavy Angst, Fluff, Not Actually Unrequited Love

CW: Stalking, choking, physical assault (in subsequent chapters

Words: 3,841

The sun had set by the time Gloria stepped through the doors of the Battle Tower. The cold seeping into her bones refused to abate as she approached reception, a heavy weight in her stomach accompanying her every move.

The receptionist perked up when she noticed Gloria, flashing a warm smile. “Champion Gloria! I don’t believe we were expecting you to visit today.”

Gloria gave what she hoped was a passable smile. She felt stiff. “I’m here to see Leon. Is he around?”

“He’s at the top floor with Miss Sonia. I can give him a call if you’d like-”

“No, that’s okay.” Gloria headed for the elevator, clenching her jaw. “I was going to meet him up there anyway.”

At least this time, there was no resistance from the receptionist or anyone else. The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside and pressed the button for the top floor. She stood in silence as the elevator rose, telling herself the nausea she felt was due to the sudden motion and not because of what she was about to attempt.

For the briefest second, she wished Hop were here. Her best friend always had a calming effect on her even in the most stressful situations. It was only in his absence did she realise how small, how alone, she felt in the spacious elevator. Last time she’d been here, there hadn’t been a moment to think, let alone breathe, as League Staff after League Staff challenged them to Pokemon battles on what felt like every second floor. With Hop by her side, each battle felt surmountable.

Even with her Pokemon ready to be called at any moment, Gloria felt alone.

She swallowed and pushed those thoughts aside. If Hop were here, he’d try to talk her out of it. He’d make a joke, make her laugh, get her to focus on anything but the creeping doubt in her mind.

And it would work. That’s why she didn’t let him know, couldn’t let him know, what she was going to do. Even if she wished otherwise.

The elevator doors opened and Gloria stepped out beneath the towering glass dome ceiling, spying Leon and Sonia to her left. They stopped admiring the view at the sound of the elevator.

“Hey, Gloria!” Sonia greeted her with a smile. “We weren’t expecting you. Were we?” She looked to Leon, the wineglass in her hand filled with a burgundy liquid. Leon held an identical glass and a bottle of wine in his hands.

“No, we weren’t.” Leon gave a slight chuckle. “But I’d never turn down a visit from the Champion and Hero of Galar.”

Gloria had to stop herself from biting down on her tongue when Leon referred to her like that. Guilt and doubt rose up her throat, burning like bile. She didn’t bother to soften the encounter with a smile.

“I’m here to challenge you to a battle, Leon.” Gloria said. She held her head high.

His smile widened. “I’d never turn down a battle with the Champion, either-”

“-For the title of Champion,” Gloria continued.

Leon, to his credit, didn’t let his expression falter. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I want a rematch.” She stared him down. “So I can be sure, once and for all, that I deserve to be Champion, that I didn’t just win because of the circumstances.”

“What circumstances?” Sonia asked, shaking her head. “Of course you deserve to be Champion!”

Leon’s smile softened with realisation. “I had a feeling this might happen one day,” he said. “You and Hop weren’t the only ones to question my decision to go on with the battle that day. That’s what this is about, isn’t it?”

Gloria nodded. She brought her Cinderace’s Pokeball out, palming it in her hand.

“And you’re not just going to take my word for it, are you? That I was fine, that the battle went as it should?”

She shook her head.

Leon sighed, like someone who had been holding their breath, waiting for the pin to drop, for too long. He almost seemed to relax. “Then I accept your challenge.”

“You can’t-!” Sonia exclaimed, and then scoffed incredulously, as Leon passed his glass and bottle to her. She rolled her eyes and drank both without so much as a pause, before leaving them by the window. “I am not okay with this, alright? This is ridiculous!”

“That’s what makes it exciting,” Leon said. He nodded to Gloria, and they took their places across from each other.

Sonia shook her head. “That’s it, I’m calling Hop. I’m not going to deal with this by myself!”

Then Gloria had to make sure the match was over by the time he arrived. She made to throw her Pokeball when Leon held up his hand.

“I have one condition,” he said.

“What is it?”

“No matter the outcome of this battle, the title of Champion remains yours.”

Of course he’d say that. Gloria bit back a sharp sigh and nodded. “Fine.”

“Six on six?”

She nodded again.

Leon grinned. “I haven’t had a full-team battle in a long time. This should be fun.”

For him, maybe. Gloria sent out her Cinderace without replying. Her Pokemon sounded a battle cry, bouncing from foot to foot, before glancing back at her. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Cinderace’s eager eyes. He called to her, confused, when Leon sent out his Aegislash.

“Ready?” Leon asked.

“Focus, Fyrian,” Gloria said to her Cinderace. “We’re winning this no matter what.”

Cinderace made a soft noise in his throat before turning to face his opponent.

“Lets kick this off with a Pyro Ball, Fyrian!” Gloria called, her vision tunnelling on the battle. Cinderace kicked up a ball of fire, launching it at Aegislash.

“King’s Shield!”

Gloria grit her teeth as Aegislash absorbed the attack without a scratch. At Leon’s command, Aegislash closed the distance between it and Cinderace, switching to its offensive stance in the blink of an eye. Aegislash cleaved Cinderace with its Sacred Sword, throwing Cinderace back across the room.

“Again, Pyro Ball!”

“You still haven’t learnt, have you?” Leon’s grin made her realise her mistake. “King’s Shield!”

Again, Pyro Ball fizzled into nothing against Aegislash’s defensive form, draining energy from Cinderace in the process. Gloria clicked her tongue and returned Cinderace before Aegislash could counterattack.

“Lazuli, you’re up next!” she called, sending out her Gyarados. “Use Hydro Pump!”

Gyarados blasted a torrent of water at Aegislash, battering against its shield as it held firm. The second Gyarados’ Hydro Pump petered out into nothing, Aegislash again swapped to its offensive form, and launched a Shadow Ball at Gyarados. Gyarados tried to dodge but the swirling mass of shadows caught it in the side.

Gloria had to deal with Aegislash and fast. She noted with a sinking feeling that most of her team were Physical Damage based. Even her Gallade, which she’d almost sent out against Aegislash because of their type match up, only knew Physical moves.

She called for another Hydro Pump, but Aegislash was nimble. It twirled to the side as the blast struck the wall, and flung another Shadow Ball at Gyarados. With a heavy roar, Gyarados skidded across the floor and lay still.

Gloria sucked in a sharp breath. Her heart thundered in her ears as she returned Gyarados, dampening her thoughts. Her mind span. Gallade was Physical Damage based. Cinderace and Zacian too. Her Rapidash was a poor type match up, and while Haxorus could evade the power-draining effect of King’s Shield, all of its attacks save for Dragon Pulse would just be absorbed.

How on earth did she ever win the first time?

Because it was rigged, her mind replied. Gloria hissed through her teeth, sending out her Haxorus, and refused to listen to her fears.

It took a well timed Earthquake to finally take down Leon’s Aegislash after her Haxorus endured enough hits that it barely managed to stand. After that, Haxorus fell immediately to Leon’s Mr. Rime.

“Fyrian, you know what to do!” Gloria sent out her Cinderace again, and with a perfectly executed Pyro Ball, Mr. Rime fainted.

It went downhill from there. Leon’s Inteleon took down her Cinderace with ease. Gloria’s Gallade managed to defeat Inteleon but fell to Dragapult, which fell to her Rapidash in turn. Her Rapidash fainted just as it took down Leon’s Rhyperior, which left her Zacian to face Leon’s Charizard.

Gloria’s heart lodged in her throat. She knew she should’ve brought her Urshifu. She should’ve thought this through more. Planned her team more. She should’ve-

“Giga Impact!” she called. There was no turning back.

Bede stepped out into the frozen landscape of the Crown Tundra, hiking his scarf over his chin. In the time it took for him to find and don his cold weather gear and take the train as far south as it would go, hours had passed, and the setting sun blanketed the snow in a layer of gold. It would’ve been much simpler to have his Hatterene teleport him here, but to do so would’ve drained his Pokemon of most of her strength.

As soon as he stepped off the train, his Hatterene had burst from her Great Ball. She chastised him with a disgruntled chime, jabbing the hand that extended from the top of her head in his face.

“I know,” he sighed. “I’m sorry.” Despite his efforts in tempering his emotions, his sour mood rippled off him in waves, affecting his Hatterene even in her Ball.

She hummed in concern.

“You’ll have to bear with me a while longer, I’m afraid,” Bede said. “Otherwise I can find a console and send you to the Pokemon Centre-”

Hatterene gave a sharp reply in protest.

He almost smiled. “Alright.” At least he’d have Hatterene by his side.

She floated next to him as he trudged through the almost knee-deep snow towards the town of Freezington. He’d studied the photograph from the letter in detail during the train journey. While he’d focused on the two subjects in the picture when he’d first pulled it out, the snow and mountains visible in the background making it obvious enough that it was taken in the Crown Tundra, it was the house in the corner of the shot that he’d noted afterwards. That meant he could narrow his search to Freezington.

His mind continued to churn out thought after thought with every step. What was Rose doing here? How was he here? How did he get out of prison?

And why had Gloria been with him?

How could she still smile at Rose like that after everything he’d done?

Hatterene crooned sadly and Bede sighed again. His breath plumed in the air as they walked, evading Cryogonal between the trees. He focused his efforts on keeping out of the paths of wild Pokemon, not wanting anything to slow his progress, but even that distraction didn’t stop the bone-chilling stare Hatterene gave him. He knew the pain his emotions were causing her. She was fighting her instinct to slap him with every wave of anger that surged inside him. He flinched as she struck a tree as they passed, grateful that wasn’t his face.

Somehow, Bede made it to Freezington unscathed. He made a beeline for the first person he saw, an old man pottering around the town.

“Excuse me,” he began, holding out the photograph for the man to see. “Do you recognise this man by any chance?”

The old man adjusted his glasses and squinted at the picture. “Oh, yes, yes, I remember him. He’s always dashing this way and that, never sitting still, that one. Bit hard to miss with that bright red outfit of his.”

Bede’s heart thumped heavily in his chest. “Do you know where I might find him?”

“Like I said, he never sits still,” the old man repeated. “He’s staying in that there house with his daughter, though I hardly see neither hide nor hair of the two recently.”

His daughter? Bede swallowed thickly as he followed the old man’s gesture to a house at the edge of town. The idea of Gloria pretending to be Rose’s daughter made him feel ill.

“Thank you,” Bede managed. “I appreciate your help.”

The old man shrugged and went on his way, leaving Bede to shudder beneath Hatterene’s gaze.

“I’m not going to fight him,” he huffed beneath his breath. He was Hatterene’s trainer, sure, but his clear hostility was enough to keep his Pokemon ready to strike. Hatterene made an unconvinced sound in reply.

Bede wasn’t sure what he was going to do when he found Rose. He wasn’t even sure why he had come here in the first place. He shuffled through the snow towards the house pointed out by the old man, doubting there was any point to any of this. If Rose truly was here, then that meant he’d either bought his way out of prison or had been released for some reason, and Bede wasn’t sure which possibility he preferred.

The house didn’t appear to have any lights on, but Bede knocked on the door anyway. The curtains were drawn, the letterbox empty, the building silent. He knocked again.

He hadn’t wished to ever see Rose again. Not in prison, not here, not after finally breaking free of the last hold that man had over him. At least, he’d thought he’d broken free. Now, pounding on the door to a house Rose might be staying in, Bede wasn’t so sure.

Hatterene called to Bede as he cursed silently and shoved away from the door. He looked to where she was pointing. A trail ran through the snow from the door and out into the wilderness.

“Thank you,” he said to Hatterene.

She floated quietly at his side, watching him. Bede collected himself, took a few deep breaths, and followed the trail. They had maybe an hour or so of light left, and he wasn’t going to waste it. The snowfall must have stopped before Rose left the house, as the path he took was still clear and evident in the snow, at least until it crossed the scores of trails from wild Pokemon. It was difficult enough telling apart Pokemon trails from human ones, without having to dodge wild Pokemon so as to not potentially disturb the trail any further. Bede contemplated using a Repel, but with a glance at his Hatterene, he thought better of it. He’d rather have her at his side. Her presence, however irritated she was, gave him the strength to keep trudging forward. One foot in front of the other. She had been with him since the start. It only made sense to keep her with him now, too.

At least, unlike his watch, she had truly become his at some point, not just another gift from Rose.

As they trudged down the mountain, the snow gave way to a muddy field, and Bede came to a halt as the trail he’d been following disappeared into the grass. He sighed heavily, shoving his hands in his pockets. This was it. His search had come to nothing. There was no trail to follow now. His only options were to track back to the house and wait for Rose or give up entirely.

Or, and he discarded this option immediately, confront Gloria about the picture. He didn’t want to explain where he’d gotten the picture, or the letter that it had come in. And he couldn’t bear to have Gloria deny what he knew to be true to his face. Catching her red handed, having her admit to it, he wouldn’t let that cross his mind.

“Alright, Hatterene,” Bede said, turning back towards the town. “Let’s head back.”

He didn’t bother following the trail this time, or evading wild Pokemon. He let his Hatterene deal with any Pokemon they passed, most of which fled upon seeing the rage emanating from her. It was a short hike back to the town, whereupon Bede deposited himself in front of the house Rose was staying in with his back against the door. Darkness had truly fallen by that point, the cold air taking on a sharper quality. He pushed aside any bitter thoughts that came his way and waited.

Bede felt as though his lungs had turned to ice by the time Hatterene called as someone rounded the corner and stopped in front of the house. In the darkness, all Bede saw was that crimson outfit, and he shot to his feet.

“Rose-!” the name escaped his throat before he could think, anger bursting through his veins, and he rushed forward a step before a shot of pain knocked him sideways. He clutched the side of his head where Hatterene had struck him, hissing in shock through his teeth.

“I don’t know what you’re doing in front of my house, but I know for sure that you’ve got the wrong person,” Rose said.

Bede blinked to clear his vision, staring up at the man in front of him who bore a striking resemblance to Rose.

“Who-?” Everything he’d been holding up until that point, anger, doubt, confusion, betrayal, fell out beneath him. He looked, dumbstruck, at the stranger. “You’re not Rose.”

He said it more out of disbelief. As if hearing himself say those words would cement it in reality, in his mind.

“That I’m not,” the man agreed. “And I’m beginning to wonder if there’s some ‘find Rose’ convention going on or something, given that you’re the third person this month to get me mixed up with my brother.”

Bede’s shoulders slumped. “You’re…?”

The man nodded. “Rose’s younger brother, Peony. Though I don’t particularly like to introduce myself as such, as you might understand.”

“Right.” Bede didn’t know what to say.

“Now, if you don’t mind,” Peony inclined his head, “I’d like to access my house.”

Bede wordlessly cut to the side. He’d gotten the answers he’d wanted, yet it left him feeling hollow. Confused. He barely heard Peony unlock the door.

“Why don’t you come on in?” Peony asked. Bede looked at him. “You came here for a reason, right? I might not have all the answers you seek, but I can sure make a mean cup of cocoa.”

Right on cue, a shiver ran through Bede. “I’d appreciate that, thank you.” Returning Hatterene to her Great Ball, he followed Peony into his house.

Bede shucked off his shoes in the cramped entrance, careful to kick off any snow outside, and shut the door behind him. The house was cosy in a much-too-small way. It had a narrow kitchen and pokey dining area that was barely big enough for the table and chairs that occupied the space. Bede stood stiffly by the door, not sure where to look. Where to stand.

Peony turned the heater on before gesturing to the dining area. “Make yourself at home,” he said. “No point in having you stand around when there’re chairs about.”

“Thank you.” Bede ducked past Peony and took a seat. The rest of the house was beyond a closed door, but he couldn’t even pretend to be curious about the house when there were other, bigger issues on his mind.

“Go on then,” Peony said, turning his back to Bede as he muddled about in the kitchen. “Ask away. I can tell you’ve got questions on your mind - don’t be shy!”

Bede didn’t know where to start. “You said two other people this month mistook you for Rose.”

“That I did.”

“Was one of them Gloria?” Bede asked. “The Champion?”

“And who are you to ask about the Champion?” Peony turned to study Bede, his dark eyes calm but serious. Defensive, protective, even. “I’m not about to blab about the Champion’s private life.”

“She’s a friend,” Bede said quickly. “I’m the Fairy Gym Leader, Bede.”

Peony’s expression brightened. “Ah, Opal’s protege!” He grinned.

“You know Miss Opal?”

“I do. But I believe you’re here to ask about your friend, not about me.”

“Right.” Bede shifted in his chair. “I wanted to know why Gloria was pretending to be your daughter.”

Peony was silent for a second. Bede braced himself for an excuse, a well crafted lie, when Peony burst into laughter.

“I-I don’t see what’s so funny,” Bede huffed. Heat rose up his neck as Peony’s laugh thundered around the room.

Peony shook his head, not even trying to stifle his laugh, and dug through the pockets of his jacket before pulling out a photograph and handing it to Bede. Somehow, he managed to speak while laughing. “That- That’s my daughter.”

The photo was a selfie of Peony and a young woman with curly hair. She had bright eyes but refused to look at the camera, her arms folded and face turned to the side.

“Oh,” Bede said quietly. He placed the photo on the table, his mistake dawning on him.

“Not sure where you got the idea that the Champion was here pretending to be my daughter,” Peony said, his deep voice still lilting with traces of laughter, “but you’re right in the fact that she was here, and was helping me with my daughter, stubborn as she is.”

“I’m sorry,” Bede sighed. “It seems I’ve wasted not only your time, but my own.”

Peony gave him a sympathetic smile as he placed two cups of steaming hot cocoa on the table. “Why don’t I tell you about the Champion’s visit here and then you can decide if it’s been a waste of time or not, hey?”

Bede appreciated that, and accepted Peony’s offer. They chatted in the relative warmth while they drank, Peony reliving his encounter with Gloria, which explained what she was doing here when the photo was taken. Everything settled into place as Peony spoke. It all made perfect sense. There was no conspiracy. No Rose. The photograph, the letter, it had been a carefully concocted lie. For what purpose, even as Bede left Peony’s house and trudged back to the train station, he couldn’t unravel. Peony, as eccentric as he was at times, wasn’t Rose. If anything, beneath his smiles and flashes of cunning, it was clear Peony held great shame and sorrow towards his brother’s actions.

Bede pulled his phone from the depths of his pocket to check the time when he noticed the wall of notifications on his screen. Missed calls. Unread messages. His heart thumped and he was about to unlock his phone when another call came. From Hop.

Bede answered it on the first ring.

“Don’t you ever check your phone?!” Hop chastised him, his voice at a feverous pitch.

“I didn’t hear it ring.” His own voice sounded like an echo. Distant. Muffled.

Hop grumbled wordlessly before sighing. “Oh, forget it. That’s not important.” He paused for a second. “It’s Gloria. Something happened. Wherever you are, you need to get back here. It’s bad.”

Bede had already sent out his Hatterene the second Hop said Gloria’s name. Forget the train - he needed to be at her side this instant.

#bederia #bede #gloria #btyu #dressedinpinkshipping #my writing

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armoryarchives · 7 months

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Another day, another whump! This time we've got prompt #2 for Day 3: Solitary Confinement. I'm having a lot of fun writing these so far, and I hope you all are having fun reading them!

——————————————————————————————————

The elevator ride to the top of Rose Tower had been going smoothly up until this exact point in time. Him and Gloria had taken out the first two pairs of Macro Cosmos employees no problem. They only had a Pokémon each among the four of them, but even if they hadn’t, he’s sure they would’ve been fine. They’re Gym Challengers, after all, and Gloria had been strong enough to make it to the Champion Cup. With them fighting side by side, there’s no battle they could lose.

No Pokémon battle, that is.

He raises his hand to his chin, interrupting himself to rub just underneath his ear. Ascending so high at such a fast pace has caused his ears to clog, and it’s beginning to feel uncomfortable. He hears Gloria snicker next to him.

“Motion sickness?”

“Sick of this tower, more like it,” He gripes back.

The hum of the elevator slows as it comes to a stop. Both of them go quiet, eyes fixed on the door ahead. Hop drops his hand to his belt in order to grab a Pokéball, only to freeze when he hears multiple swishing noises.

All six doors have opened simultaneously. Macro Cosmos employees pour in from all sides, easily outnumbering the two of them. He feels Gloria’s arm bump into his as she takes a step back.

“Challenger Gloria and Challenger Hop,” One of the uniformed staff members addresses them, “Please come with us peacefully. You are not permitted to meet with Chairman Rose at this time.”

“Like we want to see him!” Gloria retorts. Hop nods at her words.

“Yeah, we’re here to rescue Lee!”

They don’t seem to take kindly to this, now closing in slowly like a pack of Mightyena. Then, just as he’s about to grab Dubwool’s Pokéball, one of them makes a move first.

“Bronzong, Psychic!”

The bell Pokémon hits the field, floating before glowing with psychic energy. Hop throws his Pokéball, Gloria doing the same, but neither of the balls open. They hang uselessly in the air, held in place and kept shut by the Psychic. His jaw drops at the sight.

“What?!”

That’s the only thing he manages to say before suddenly, the employees rush them. All hell breaks loose. One of them grabs his arm, and although he tries to pull himself free, another soon has his shoulder and is pushing him to the ground. He shouts as his knees buckle and his head hits the glassy, well-polished floor of the elevator. He’s left disoriented for a moment, which is long enough for someone to pull his bag off of him and take his Pokéballs from their holsters.

The sound of skin hitting skin snaps him out of his stupor. He looks up and sees Gloria pulling against a pair of employees trying to hold her back, her fists balled and a man clutching his nose.

“Get off of me, you arseholes!” She yells, thrashing her arms.

He’s half a second from doing the same when, all of a sudden, he’s tugged off of the floor and back upright. The employees at either side of him force him to walk to one of the doors, although it’d be more accurate to say he’s being dragged, what with him trying to dig his feet into the ground. He hears Gloria behind him, her tone frantic.

“Stop! Let go of him!!” She shouts across the echoing chamber, “Hop!”

“Gloria!” He calls back, but it’s hopeless. Without his Pokémon, he has no chance of freeing himself from their grasp, especially not with two grown men holding his shoulders. They don’t escort him very far, either, stopping in front of a door that one of them opens.

The Macro Cosmos staff quite literally toss him in, his shoulder meeting the floor as he falls on his side. He scrambles to get up, but by the time he’s on his knees, the door has been shut. A click follows right after. He feels his heart drop into his stomach as he runs to the door and turns the knob.

Locked. He grips it tight, pulls and turns and shakes it as he tries to force the door open. Nothing works. Low voices on the other side converse with one another, but he can’t make anything out with his ears clogged and his heart rate going a mile a minute. He bangs his fist on the door.

“Let me out!”

The murmuring stops now. He strains his ears to pick up on whatever might be said next, but no response to his cry for help comes. Instead, all he hears is the sound of shoes. They’re leaving.

“Hey! Y-You can’t do this! Come back!”

He bangs against the door harder now, even kicking it a few times to do… Something. Displace it, knock it down, break it, whatever gets him out sooner. None of that happens, though. The door remains sturdy no matter what he does.

Hop steps back now, panting. The sides of his hands are slightly numb from pounding them against the door, but that’s nothing compared to the ice settling into his veins. He takes a deep breath, then holds it so he isn’t making noise. Sure enough, he can’t hear anything. He’s completely alone.

He breathes out shakily. The reality is he’s locked in here with no way out. Where is here, anyways? He does a full turn, taking in his surroundings. It’s a storage room, and a small one at that. There are metal shelves with many stacks of papers on them, boxes full of what are presumably office supplies, and what seems to be a broken printer in the back. It’s barely half the size of his room at home, made even more claustrophobic by all the space the shelves take up.

All at once, exhaustion hits him like a rampaging Tauros. He stumbles backwards, meeting the door and sliding down it into a sitting position. Instinctively, he pulls his knees up and hugs them, trying to make himself smaller.

There are no windows, he has no Pokémon, his Rotom Phone was in his bag that the employees took, and worst of all? He’s starving. That’s the whole reason he and Gloria had come here in the first place, what with Leon promising them dinner, only to apparently be held up by Chairman Rose. He hadn’t eaten much for lunch, either, having been too excited to eat a proper meal before his battle in the semifinals against Gloria. Why couldn’t he have grabbed a snack at the hotel while he still had time? Stupid, stupid.

He drops his head into his arms, which he now moves to fold above his knees. Surely they can’t keep him here for long. What they’re doing– Well, he isn’t entirely sure what crime exactly they’ve committed, but he’s certain they've committed one. People can’t just lock each other in storage rooms and steal each other’s things. That is absolutely against the law. That he’s sure of.

Time passes. His stomach growls and he grumbles back at it. There’s no clock on the walls for him to glance at, so he has no way of knowing how long he’s been trapped here for. The longer he sits and waits, though, the more his confidence wavers.

Someone has to come for him, right? Leon and Rose can’t possibly hold a conversation all the way into the night. Though, they’ve already been talking for a ridiculous amount of time already, so maybe. But then where’s Gloria? Is she still here? Did they take her and lock her in a room as well? No, there’s no way they did that. She’s meant to battle tomorrow in the Champion Cup. If they held her hostage here, she would not participate in the tournament, even if they let her go by the next morning. Her disappearance would be impossible to ignore.

But… He’s not Gloria. He’s not the one going into the stadium tomorrow and facing the last round of trainers, as much as he’d like to be. He could not show up in public whatsoever, and the only person who would be any wiser is Gloria. Leon would also get suspicious, this he is aware of, but how could he possibly know Hop is being held against his will in Rose Tower? Not to mention, it’d be easy to assume Hop simply went home after being defeated, overwhelmed by his loss.

Time passes, and his stomach growls once more, louder this time. It’s starting to get painful, just how hungry he is. He’s also finding it difficult to keep himself calm. Sitting here, he has nothing to do but think, and the more he thinks, the more he spirals. He has no idea what’s happening out there right now, what time it is, or when someone will come for him. If anyone will come for him. He’s not sure which scares him more; The idea that he might actually spend the night here, or the idea that the door will open to more abrasive Macro Cosmos employees looking to take him away. Where they could possibly take him from here, though, he cannot imagine.

His fingers curl around his elbows as another pang of hunger rolls through him. All he can do is wait. He has to trust his rival and his brother, trust that they will figure out what has happened and where he is.

All he can do is wait.

#pokemon #pokemon swsh #pokemon hop #pokemon gloria #pokémon #whumptober #whumptober 2023 #no.3 #fic

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cheemken · 8 months

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you always talk about the champions but what about the next champions? would any of the main trainers beat their regions champions and take their title?

Ghmh yeah I have been thinking abt that for a while now, mainly bc it'd be funny if in a lil timeskip, Iris becomes the lil pseudo leader of the next gen champs and she's there vibing bc she's kinda like Lance hahaha even better she also wears a cape lmao

Anyways that'd be fun tho, but idk which one of the current champs to actually lose and give up the champion title. Then again, Geeta would still be top champ, but then there's Nemona and Florian y'know

With Indigo's league, it would be cool if Silver is actually the next Champion rather than Gold. Idk cause like, in my hcs Gold didn't really care much abt the league, he's just cool venturing around and helping his grandparents at the daycare; Silver on the other hand was determined to become Champion, I wanna say he would be able to beat Lance and be Indigo's new champ

Hoenn's league, May honestly just wanted that title to spite her father lol. Like, homegirl was already a battling prodigy, beat the Frontier Brains, and has Rayquaza with her, what more another title right. Idk if I do want Hoenn to still have two Champions, cause in my hcs Unova and Paldea already has two (technically three for Paldea but again, Geeta's in a diff rank)

Sinnoh's league, it's Dawn ofc. As much as Cynthia doesn't want her to be the next champ, Dawn was a strong trainer. She also wanted that Champion title since the start, and hey she really worked hard to get it y'know. Cynthia is there to guide her tho, homegirl doesn't want Dawn to go through the same shit as her

Unova's league, well, still Iris and Hilbert are the champs hahah but like, outside Unova, Iris is more well known as she's been Champion the longest and the fact between the two of them she's the one who attends meetings and gatherings, Hilbert only ever attends when Iris calls in sick or she really couldn't atm

Kalos' league, Calem becomes the next champ. I do have a lil concept abt this, like,, Calem is a lonely kid man, ik I compared him to May in my hcs, and the main difference abt them is that May forged genuine connections with her friends, whereas Calem tried but he just couldn't connect with the Kalos kids on a deeper level. Which, yeah, made him lonely, thinking that if he becomes Champion, it'd make him forget abt that loneliness. It didn't. Diantha is trying to help him through t ofc, she knows the feeling of loneliness all too well

Alola's league, it's still Hau hahah c'mon I think the kid deserves it, he's like, strong af too. Idk, I want him to have some sort of reputation hahah like, new challengers would always encounter him at random points, and he's like, very chill y'know, he's just vibing, encouraging new trainers to do their best, but during Champion battles, it feels like he becomes a different person that it actually scared the trainers hahaha

Galar's league, it's Gloria. Felt absolutely bad she beat Hop, low-key felt proud of herself beating Leon, either way, she doesn't know what to feel sometimes now that she's Champion. And hey not like it was during Leon's time, Rose isn't around anymore, and Leon made a few changes at how the League runs with young Champions before she beat him, so hey y'know. Honestly a bit intimidated w her new title, but tries not to show it

Paldea's league, Nemona and Florian ofc hahah. I mean, Geeta's still around ofc, but hey. Anyways yeah, these two are Paldea's champs and Nemona is the overly competitive one that she challenged Silver once like really pissed him off bc she wouldn't stop bugging him hahah (it ended up tied) and then there's Florian who's just trying to keep Nemona in check too, but also enables her in pissing off Silver bc he thinks it's entertaining

It would be fun tho to make concepts abt them, but hey yeah, feel free to send asks abt them if you guys want hahah

#lowkey tho silver would be this gens lance not iris lmfao #im sure may would piss him off the most theyre like the new cyn and lance hahaha #calem would be the quiet kid tho fr #like really living up to dia's legacy as one of the quietest champs during meetings #hilbert and silver rivalry tho real bcndnd #both are so full of themselves they think they could beat the other one #iris has to stop them from battling every time their eyes meet lmao #pokemon hcs #pokemon champions #pokemon trainers #an ask and an answer #anon #nex gen champs

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cryptid-called-ash · 1 year

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Guess who’s a dumb idiot that stayed up all night and now has a fever!

Anyways let’s talk a new Pokémon swsh au, working title is ‘the eccentric Dr. Morning’

Starts off with the real reason Vic’s dad, one Dr. Issac Morning, isn’t in the picture is because he was murder for finding out some things he wasn’t supposed to while doing research on Galar and it’s history. Chairman Rose insisted it were a simple unfortunate accident. Victor never bought that.

So when he joins the championship, he starts poking around on the side. And he starts finding things.

Half way through the tourney, Vic nearly gets murdered though is wounded. He claims it was just a freak accident and quietly drops out as a challenger, though he still completes all the gyms.

Hop is understandably upset by this and they end up having a fight. Hop goes on to totally sweep the championship, though wish his best friend were by his side, they haven’t spoken since the earlier fight.

He’s even more upset, however, to discover that after congratulating hop on his win, Vic seems to drop off the face of the earth. Not even his cousin Gloria can reach him. Deep down, he feels extremely guilty for this, blaming it on the fight they had.

Victor also feels extremely guilty, knowing that if he told hop anything of what really made him drop out and leave town, hop could face the same fate as Issac.

There’s a two year time skip

Hop is now 18, the fully embraced champion of Galar. He’s still reeling from the loss of his best friend, but he’s managed to hold together pretty well.

That is, until a young man in a red hoodie and black face mask privately challenges him to a battle, asking that, should hop lose, he’d grant the man anything he asked. Intrigued by the terms, hop agrees. The rules are simple, you can only use your starter. For hop this is his Cinderace. Hop’s all relaxed until the masked stranger sends out Inteleon.

The match is over nearly as soon as it starts.

The man asks that hop join him at his caravan for only an hour. He promises that will be enough for hop to understand.

Again terribly intrigued, hop joins the man, whose name he does not know and face he has not seen, at his camp. Were I a horror writer that would be the end of it, but alas I am but a humble bard in search of a good story.

Nay, the stranger tells hop that he needs his help. Insisting that a darkness is coming to Galar, like the old legends. Hop’s just not buying it and he goes to leave. Out of options, the stranger tries one last time.

“Please, Hop, for me?”

The champion freezes, wurling around to face the man. He’d taken off the hat and mask. Staring at hop with pleading red eyes.

Victor Adrian Morning had been gone without so much as a damn trace, yet here he stood, fiddling with his dynamax band. Hop’s very best friend in the whole wide world was back and begging for his help.

Hop hardly spares a moment of thought before he throws his arms around Victor. For his own part, vic starts apologizing for leaving, damn near tears. It’s all very emotional.

A howl pulls them back to reality. Zacian gives hop an appraising once over, giving Vic what looks an awful lot like an approving nod.

Vic reaches out a strokes the wolf Pokémon’s soft blue fur. He looks up at hop.

“Well, what do you say? Wanna help us save the world?”

Of course, there is no sword without his shield.

#the eccentric dr morning #pokemon #pokémon sword and shield #pkmn swsh #Pokémon Victor #pkmn Victor #pkmn hop #pokémon hop #trainshipping #champion hop au #zacian #zamazenta #the eccentric doctor morning

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thelediz · 1 year

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Psssst...given that pokeani has gone completely off the rails, how abt dropping that big rant abt the "Ash assistant coach in Galar battle league" au you shall never write? It's been living rent-free in my head ever since you mentioned it bc I love mentor Ash and I bet you'd do more justice to Galar in bullet points than pokeani did in its whole journeys run :3c

Oh, be careful what you ask for... I have pages of bullet points and half a page of prologue.

For those of you who don't know (or remember a side-comment I wrote in an author's note three years ago - seriously, my dude, wow), at the start of Journeys/end of Alola, I came up with an AU to carry on Ash's story. But it was an idea for a series, not a story, so it sits in my documents untouched.

So the basic deal is this: Galar has a different kind of league to the rest of the Pokemon world. In Galar, trainers compete as teams, rather than individual trainers. Each team does have a captain – the one who is supposed to be the best, and ultimately becomes champion – but it becomes clear over the series that the greatest trainers in Galar are the ones with the best support teams.

The advantage to having a team, instead of just working alone, is that you can have a lot more pokemon on a 'regular' team. And they belong to the group, not just the captain. This allows more flexibility, but as Ash points out to the team, it also means you can’t form as close a bond as more traditional trainers would. (This is potentially the reason why Pikachu can gigantamax safely without a dynamax band - because they have such a close bond)

The team we follow in this series is Team Eight - the eighth team for this year's league.

It's quite a large team, made up of seven team members in total:

The Captain, Victor. Our player character, and essentially the Gary of the series. He’s a natural when it comes to pokemon battle, charming and likeable, but confident to the point of being arrogant. His character arc is learning that natural talent won’t get him by forever, and he needs his team to make it to the top. (Friendship hooray!)

Active Trainer Hop. The current champion’s little brother, Hop was supposed to have so much promise. He was great with pokemon as a kid—they all love him—and Leon had so much faith in his baby brother. But on the battlefield, Hop is average at best. He’s nowhere near Victor’s talent, let alone as amazing as everyone expected. His character arc is learning not to stand in others’ shadows, and to believe in his own quieter power.

Active Trainer Gloria. Our female player character, and a very loud, slightly violent young woman. She’s actually the strongest battler of the team, but is also incredibly lazy when it comes to training. She’s not that interested in the league, mostly using the challenge as a chance to see and explore the world. Throughout the journey, she becomes a protector, often standing with Ash while Victor and Hop run off to gather artefacts or whatever, and discovers her true passion is as a bodyguard and organiser.

Groomer Goh. A blatant attempt to reengage children with Pokemon Go, Goh’s passion is collecting pokemon for the team to use. His goal is to catch one of every kind of pokemon, so that no matter the situation, he will always have the right ‘tool’ to hand. When his pokemon aren’t being used by active trainers, he farms them out to gyms and jobs, earning cash for the team. His arc is learning that pokemon are friends, not tools. (Pet safety, hooray!)

Medic Chloe. Originally just tagging along with Goh because someone needs to keep her childhood friend in line, Chloe discovers a love of cooking and medicine, discovering that she enjoys watching pokemon grow and become stronger.

Coach Kiran. A Dark-Type Trainer with a bad attitude, but a heart of gold. He’s normally a field agent of Chairman Rose’s security division, and it’s a requirement that all agents do at least one season of coaching duty as a kind of community service. He hates it. He brought Ash on to essentially do his job for him, but since Ash doesn’t really know how Galar works, he still has to lead the way and provide exposition. His arc is learning the limits of how far he’s willing to go to protect ‘the good of all’, and that kids aren’t that bad, really.

Assistant Coach Ash. He signed on because he wanted to see Galar, and learn about the different league, but he’s actually really enjoying helping Team Eight discover who they want to be. He battles with the active trainers, accompanies the support team on their trips, and generally enables their journeys. He forms bonds with some of Goh’s pokemon, who eventually become known as 'his' pokemon despite the fact they belong to the team.

Team Eight were supposed to be the real up and comers, but Hop’s lack of skill in a very public moment made them seem very unimpressive, and now no one really expects anything of them. Of course, they work their way up through the ranks, meeting rivals and defeating gym battles, until Victor can eventually challenge Leon.

The idea was that it was going to retain Sun and Moon's group dynamic, fade Ash out of the spotlight while maintaining his status and strength, and make a bit more out of Galar's story. Also play with Leon's relationship with Hop because you know I'm a sucker for family relationships.

But yeah. I'll leave it there for now. Hope it didn't disappoint!

#pokeani #LeDiz writes an AU #anon ask

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pokeexehasstoppedworking · 1 year

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A Champion Time For The Heart Ch25 The Semifinals

The song lyrics Piers and Marnie sings is from Feel Invincible by Skillet. Link to the song is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9NSd_2avA)

What felt like a dream was really two days that went by fast. The first day was mostly missed because you fell asleep a little bit after you all got on the train, having been exhausted still from the previous day from all the hard lifting, deep cleaning, and staying up late to pack everything up for your trip in the early morning, AND having been woken up very early in the morning to catch the train. You had fallen asleep just a few minutes after sitting down holding your bag with Silver inside in your lap before waking up around near the end of the day. Thankful the others had just let you sleep for a while. The second day went by as usual and you all were back to traveling as you usually did on these trains. At least it wasn't high in the sky with the windows open like in those Corviknight taxies. Well two days turned into three and three turned into day four as the lot of you were sitting there. Hop was sitting next to you on his phone as you chewed on some kind of trail mix energy bar made of oats and berries to satisfy your hunger. Silver poked his head out from the bag and feeling generous you let him have the rest of the bar before he disappeared back into your bag. You yourself had just been sitting there until Hop finally spoke up.

"We're finally headed to Wyndon!,'' Hop cheered spooking you for a moment blinking as he continued looking at Gloria, "There's a lot I want to check out there! There's that big tower and the monorail and Wyndon Stadium! Where the whole of Galar....No. The whole world is gonna be watching us!! You get it, right? You and me are gonna make our match the greatest match that ever was!!"

"HECK YEAH!," Gloria agreed totally fist pumping with him!

"What's Wyndon City like anyways?" You couldn't remember it too well from the games.

"Oh! Here!'' Answering your question Hop quickly took his phone and you watched patiently as he tapped the screen a few times before turning it to you and the picture on the screen was what looked like a town square with a corviknight statue. "This is the entrance to Wyndon City! It's the largest City in Galar at five hundred miles and where most of the operations of the League ensue." Five hundred miles!? That was just a little bigger than New York City! He swiped to the next picture which was the base of some building. "And that's Mr. Rose's tower! Where most of the companies he manages operates." Another swipe and this time it was of a GIANT pink stadium! Jeepers! If you thought the Motostoke Stadium was large then Wyndon Stadium was GIGANTIC!! Definitely the kind of stadium a giant city would have. "And that's Wyndon Stadium where the top Challenger will battle against all the gym leaders and then hopefully the Champion!"

"What happens when the top Challenger loses to one of the gym leaders?," you asked as Hop pulled his phone away.

"Then they're out of the challenge for good. And then whoever gym leader wins gets to Battle Lee for the title. And THAT has always been Raihan...And Kabu once I think. And they've always lost to Leon anyways."

Ah! So they would have to remake her way through all the gym leaders again! That part you did remember about the game...Still. You couldn't shake the feeling that you were forgetting something very VERY important..Oh well. No matter anyways. Your journey was almost over anyways.....And somehow that still didn't make you any happier. Well soon after four days turned into seven days and it reached December Twenty Second. And early in the cold morning you were sound asleep leaning against the window clutching silver in your bag when you were again all of a sudden shaken awake roughly by the others for you to get up and reluctantly you did..Again. The sun wasn't even out at this time which meant it must've been very early morning again. You were barely able to heave the heavy bag over your shoulders as the three of them ushered you out the door and into the cold. The feeling of the frost and still falling snow hitting your face immediately made you jolt wide awake now going through the standard train station and then out the doors into a winter wonderland outside. You ended up shivering and pulling your hood over your head, tucking your hair into the hood with it. The others were all bundled up as well looking around as the fairly still early dark morning still blocked their view. Click! You blinked and held up your hand to your eyes as a sudden light hit you all in the form of Victor's flashlight. He shined it around you all before it landed on a road sign with the number ten.

"So this is Route Ten?," Hop asked seeing the sign through the snowflakes dropping, before looking up the path and the faint hill you'd all have to walk on, "It's like a wall made out of snow! Bet there'll be Ice Type pokemon crawling out of the woodwork in a place like this!" He turned back to Gloria. "Come on, Glory! Reckon we'll be able to train ourselves up to new heights here before the Champion Cup starts? "

Gloria nodded gazing through her scarf covered face at the hill. "Sure will. If we don't turn into icicles first."

"I believe in myself and the pokemon on my team, and I know we'll get loads stronger. So....." He smugly smiled before giving Gloria a playful push before running off. "I'm off! See you in Wyndon, Mate!"

..And Gloria ran off after him again into the dark snow. "HEY!! GET BACK 'ERE!!"

.....!?

You felt a sinking feeling in your guts watching them disappear into the darkness. "HEY!! YOU TWO COME BACK HERE!!"

You and Victor caught up to them half way up the hill as they heaved for breathed winded up running uphill through the snow. Victor scolding them before leading the way with his flashlight. By now it must've been at least six something in the morning. Your feet felt like they were weighed down with heavy blocks of ice as you trudged uphill through the snow, the lights of the train station disappeared downhill and through all the snow coming down. You shivered and rubbed at your arms trying to warm yourself up. Hopefully Silver is warm in that large backpack of yours. You all walked and walked up hill breathing heavily, as the sky slowly changed from dark to just cloudy with snow clouds and snow continuing to fall down around you. Up and Up and up you all climbed....before getting to the very top and the sight astonished you. From at the top of the hill you all looked out at the sight of a GIANT brick wall going as far as the eye could see. The horizon blocked off my what must've been hundreds of skyscrapers and some kind of spiraling tower. IT. WAS. HUGE!! A real city alright! From your place upon the giant hill you could see all the shiny buildings lit up in the early winter morning light making it look almost heavenly. It was beautiful.

"All right! Wyndon City!," Hop suddenly cheered pointing to it, ''This is the place where I become a legend at last!! You get it don't you, Mate?" He asked turning his head to Gloria again. "After all I'm about to become the new Champion of the Galar Region! That's it! I'm headed straight for Wyndon Stadium!!" He exclaims started to trudge through the snow again. "C'mon! Don't waste too much time, Glory! You should head there yourself!"

"OH RIGHT!!" Gloria suddenly started trudging carefully down hill behind him. "We have to register before tomorrow!''

"Tomorrow?," you asked following after them.

Gloria nodded in front of you. "Tomorrow's the Challenger Matches ta see who gets ta be the one to compete in the Champion Cup on the Thirty First o' this year! They wanna decide the winnin' challenger before Christmas! That's the day after tomorrow!"

" If we don't register before today's over we'll be considered forfeit!," Hop added.

Oh. Well that WAS a problem. You four ran down hill through the snow trying not to fall over which was hard for you and Victor having heavier bags than the rest of your group. The closer you came the BIGGER the brick walls were. These walls were at least four times taller than the walls of Hammerlocke! The first one to reach the entrance was Obviously Hop, followed by Gloria as the two disappeared through the entrance, followed by you and Victor breathing heavily from the cold and crisp air. Through the archway you four went and stopped on the other side and stared at what astonished you.

"Holy SMOKES!!"

IT WAS MASSIVE!! The city square was just like in the picture Hop showed you days earlier, but all covered in Snow that continued to fall around you. ...And REALLY NOISY!! The square in front of you had the corviknight statue surrounded by smaller bird pokemon statues, Loads of tall houses with Sky scraped seen towering further behind them, at least five streets leading off into even more streets, a faint train sounding off somewhere, and LOTS of black dots flying through the sky. You had to squint through the snow to see but it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they were Corviknight Taxies. At least ten to fifthteen of them at the moment flying about above you- MMMUUURRRFFF!! You yelped when Gloria suddenly pulled you back and you realized why when a MASSIVE horse-..Er. Horse looking pokemon walked right in front of you carrying at least four people all bundled up in winter wear as you stared. The orange and black horse pokemon shook it's tail as it trotted past, some kind of collar and logo around it's neck, as it passed.

"Hey. Isn't that a mudsdale?," you asked gesturing to it as it walked away down a specifically marked lane. Like a bicycle lane.

"OH THAT'S RIGHT!!" You turned to Victor. "Wyndon City's the biggest one in all of Galar. That means they have more than one transport systems here."

You blinked. "Really? What kinds?"

Victor gestured to the retreating mudsdale. "There's the subways and train cars, and of course regular cars. But those are used more further into the city where there's MUCH more people. But there's trained musdales and taxies that can take you around some parts of the city too. In fact they're some of the most popular transportations. Other than the monorail of course. It's all in part of the effort of combating the energy crisis."

Well that was certainly a way to do it! Hop pointed forward. "Come on! The first thing we should do is head to the stadium! The sooner we sign in the more time we'll have to explore the city! We might even see Lee here! All participants in the Champion Cup are supposed to be here before tomorrow!"

You nodded at the idea. "Great!" Your f/c eyes scanned around the place through the snowflakes. "So uh...Which way to the stadium?"

Everyone paused.."Uh...I'm not sure." Hop lowered his hand also looking around. "Never been here before so I'm not sure where to start."

"I think I've got an idea!" Smiled beamed gesturing her hand over on the other side of the square and you four looked over to where she was-....OH NO!! Sitting there near an alley was a parked taxi and a corviknight who cawed out before unfurling his massive wings to flap and shake all the loose snow off of him that had fallen over his ink black body. "How 'bout we jus' catch a cab there instead of wonderin' about like a couple headless pelippers?"

"Glory you're a genius!" Hop quickly agreed before making a 'follow me' motion. "C'mon! If Lee's here then we might be able to catch up to him!"

You didn't want too but reluctantly followed with a groan. You hated heights! Hopefully this'll take just a small trip. Whelp! Thirty minutes later with you death gripping your bag to yourself all buckled up and cold wind hitting your face, with the others looking out the windows in amazement at the city (you couldn't bring yourself to look outside until you landed), you all finally landed with a thud outside a VERY VERY BIG pink building. As you all filed out,(you will wobbling noodle legs like after every other time you get into these darn taxies-) you noticed that there was a whole lot of stands being set up around you all leading up to the entrance to the building which caused a shadow to fall around almost everyone.

"...Hey, what's all of those for?"

Hop hummed looking around. "They must be setting up some merchandise stalls to sell things before the semifinals tomorrow." He pointed out one particular stall towards the right with a blue and white them. "Looks like Nessa's selling some of her brand items this year too. Pretty good last minute Christmas present. C'mon Guys." He nodded to his friends. "Let's go in and sign in real quick."

"Hurry up n' t-t-then come back as fast as you can! I wanna get ta the hotel as soon as possible!"

The three nodded and off they ran towards the stadium up the many stairs. You opted for getting back into the taxi to wait for the them. you all bundled up as best as you could waiting in the cold before they FINALLY returned. Both bounded over towards the taxi and got it, Gloria asking the driver to take them to The Rose of Rondelands. You didn't know what that was but it sounded fancy. Regripping the seats as you took off you opted to talk to Hop sitting next to you, to distract you from the high distance.

"S-So how'd it go?"

"I'm all sorted and ready to battle on the biggest stage of them all! We saw Marnie in there too. It looked like she was waiting for someone."

"Really?"

He nodded. "But it looks like Bede couldn't make it. Hard luck. Somehow I didn't think he'd just take being disqualified lying down. You know what I mean? I guess it is what it is." He smiled. As if the thought of Bede not coming around (Gloria-) you all pleased him, and you had a feeling why. But little did he know Bede would be making at least one other performance soon.

"Oh, I wouldn't put it past him not showing up just yet," you said in a casual way, "You know. We went through a whole lot of surprises this year. And the event isn't until tomorrow right? There's still time for him to make an appearance."

Hop hummed but you could tell he didn't like the idea from the frown formed on his face. As the corviknight flew you all eventually landed in front of a LARGE and FANCY looking building. Piling out you looked up at it and followed the three on into the building. The inside lobby was MASSIVE and fancier than the inside. Golden accents decorated most of the things around you all with the floor so polished you could see your reflections in it but the warm air from the place was more than welcome to your cold skin. Passing all the fancy furniture you all approached the front desk as the man behind it smiled.

"Welcome to the Rose of Rondelands, Ladies and Gentlemen," he greeted the four of you with a big smile, "Here we pride ourselves on offering five star service that is beloved throughout the world. How may I help you this fine day?"

"We would like two rooms for the night please?," Hop asked.

The man smiled more. "But of course! Say. Would any of you fine folks be registered for the semifinals tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Three of us actually. Why?"

"Oh! Marvelous! Then we might've been expecting you three!" You all exchanged confused glances as the man hummed a cheery tune and opened a book in front of him on the desk. He skimmed through it a bit flipping some pages before stopping at one. "Ah. Here we are. Challenger Reservations bought and paid for by the Marco Cosmos company for Challengers Three, Four, and Five. Names marked as a Ms. Gloria and Mr. Hop And Victor with extended company. We've been awaiting your arrival here. Provided you are the people who are listed here?"

"Really!? That's great!"

"Indeed. But I'll have to ask for identification please. Can't have anyone swindling free rooms now." Understandable. You waited patiently as the guys went digging through their packs and pulled out their league cards to show the front desk man. After confirming that it was them the man handed them back their league cards with a smile. "It's all cleared!" With a snap of his fingers a young woman with blonde hair stood up with a smile. "I'll have Daisy escort you all to your rooms."

You all followed the woman into one of the golden doored elevators and up, up, up you all went to nearly the top floor. But instead stopped at the twelfth floor. When the doors opened back up you four followed the woman down the long, long fancy looking hallway and stopped at a door presenting it to you and Gloria and the one across the hall from you as Hop and Victor's. You went inside and it was BIG!! You looked around the fancy looking single room with soft rugs, a giant window view, queen sized bed, fancy furniture including a golden chandelier, AND A LITERAL FIREPLACE!! A small fire was safely inside it behind safety bars giving the room a cozy holiday feel contrasted to the snow still falling down outside. Gloria had the same 'WOW!' look you had as you all looked around the room before her eyes landed on a small gift basket filled with goodies she bounded over too.

"Look at this!," she called over to you and held up the pretty looking basket to you, "Complimentary stuff too! This is shapin' up ta be a real sweet deal!"

You nodded. "Sure will!" You smiled at your reflection in the mirror as the snow continued to fall. It would be fun. You'd get to spend the last nine days left of the year until the thirty first when Gloria won the championship match and you got to go back to your mother. ....And her rules. ..And a college degree you didn't want now that you thought about it. You loved baking but not the angle. Leaving your friends and Silver behind- CHIRP!? You blinked and looked down only to find two eyes peeping out of the bag staring at you. Silver squirmed around in your bag obviously wanting out. "Oh sorry!" You quickly placed the bag down and out crawled Silver in that little hoodie of his. Shaking himself out he looked around the place before stopping at you. "Glad to see you were ok."

"I can't wait for tomorrow!," turning your head you saw Gloria flopping herself down on the giant bed smiling. "Hop's gonna be bloody brilliant out there!"

You nodded again. "I'm sure both you guys and Marnie's going to be fantastic! I know it's still pretty early in the day today, but maybe we should have a small break before tomorrow."

Gloria nodded agreeing and held up something black. Took you a moment to realize that it was a TV remote. "Let's order some chow n' get some grub! I bet a lot of good flicks are on 'night!''

You agreed and let your worries melt away joining her in watching some movies and ordering some of the food from the hotel as the hours passed. Eventually hours passed as you enjoyed yourselves but soon the sky darkened and yawns were exchanged signally it was time to retire for the night. After all you both had a big day tomorrow. Retiring to sleep Gloria taking the bed and you once again resorting to your sleeping bag with Silver curled up next to you to await the following morning. Surprisingly you had no dreams that night as you slept before waking up to the sounds of Gloria walking around. Which was also surprising since you usually were such a heavy sleeper. With a yawn you pushed yourself up from the sleeping bag and blinking the blurry sleep away as Gloria paused in her movements of tying her boot noticing you had sat up.

"Mornin'!," she greeted with a smile.

You nodded back with a yawn stretching out your arms and back. "Good morning. What time is it?"

"Nearly seven thirty in the mornin'. The matches don't start till nine o'clock but you woke up before I could wake ye up myself. So it'll help save time."

"Oh yeah. The semifinals!" You blinked now moving to get up from the sleeping bag, stirring Silver to poke his head up with a curious noise at your movements. "Where's the others?"

"Waitin' for us in the lobby. There's already a taxi waitin' for us so ya better hurry!"

That got you to scramble up, almost tripping and falling on your face as you scrambled about. Throwing on your clothes and coat and quickly making yourself look presentable as fast as possible before rushing after Gloria who by now had finished tying on her boots, and was zipping up her own coat against the cold as she called out to you to hurry. With Silver scrambling at your heels you quickly ran out into the fancy hallway closing the door behind you. The three of you made your way to the fancy elevator and got in, Gloria pressing the bottom floor button and with a ding sound the doors slowly closed around you. It was a smooth trip down to the lobby and as soon as you stepped into said Lobby, it was easy to make out the two bundled up forms of the two boys. It was hard to miss with Victor bundled up more tighter than a lock, and Hop impatiently tapping his foot before seeing you two approach and perking up towards you both.

"There you are! We've been waiting all morning!," he said obviously nervous throwing his arms out towards the both of you. "The taxi's not gonna wait forever y'know!"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," Gloria apologized. "But we're here now."

"Then we should leave now." Victor interrupted gesturing for all of you to go out to the awaiting taxi. "The sooner we get to the stadium the sooner we get back into somewhere warm."

You couldn't agree more. Bracing yourselves the four of you walked out towards the entrance. Silver gave off a noise when you all of a sudden picked him up and whilst carrying him shoved the small hoodie over his head to help keep him warm. If he was insisting on following you around then he was going to keep this on. Sure enough to their word there was a taxi waiting for you all in the parking lot the corviknight perched on top of the taxi and the driver turned towards your party as you all approached.

"Gym challengers?," He asked from his spot on top of the giant bird pokemon. With nods you all answered and he gestured to his pokemon. "I was sent by Mr. Rose to take you all to Wyndon Stadium. Hop on!"

Not wanting to stand out in the cold much longer, you all climbed in. First being Victor and then all of you. he wanted to quickly get out of the cold you guessed. As soon as you were all settled he took off. You gripped slightly harder onto Silver as he sat in your lap when you all took off and flown through the air with a giant caw from the corviknight. You hated this part of any journey and definitely wouldn't be missing THIS when you went back. You swore as long as you lived you'd NEVER live in any high places or took any airplanes anywhere!! It felt like an eternity when in reality it might've only been twenty to thirty minutes for you all to arrive at the stadium. And the first thing that hit you other than the sounds of the corviknight's wings and the whooshing air was the fact that there seemed to be the faint sound of something you've grown familiar too now. The sound of a GIANT crowd. Despite your better judgement, you dared to have yourself peek over the edge of the window....and your jaw dropped for two reasons. 1. YOU WERE SUPER FREAKING HIGH AND COULD BE DROPPED ANY MOMENT WHY DID YOU FORCE YOURSELF TO DO THIS OH GOD- 2. THERE WAS MUST'VE BEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND ON THE STREETS LOOKING LIKE SWARMS OF TINY ANTS MAKING THEIR WAY TO WHERE YOU ASSUMED THE STADIUM WAS!! Slowly you retracted your head back in and leaned back firmly against the seat, getting a light feeling in your feet from what you just saw. Pleaselandsoonpleaselandsoonpleaselandsoon- You got your wish when the driver's voice back up.

"We'll be landing within the moment shortly!! Everyone please hang on!!"

You didn't have to be told twice as Silver gave off a loud noise as you suddenly pulled him to you upon decent, squeezing your eyes shut as you did. Feeling the sudden stoop the metal taxi gave as you felt it suddenly descend. YOU HATED THIS SO MUCH!! The sudden decent was all of a sudden stopped when the sound of a crowd suddenly got louder and with a loud metal thud and jolt you felt yourself be put back down on firm solid ground. THANK ARCEUS!! You wanted out as soon as you can so you made to stand quickly but surprisingly it wasn't you who excited the taxi first. With a gasp, Hop's eyes suddenly went wide as plates and a smile appeared. You've seen that smile before. He only smiled like that when he saw-

"LEON!!" Faster than you had EVER seen them move before Hop practically THREW himself out of the taxi, sending the door open with a loud metal slam followed shortly by Gloria and Victor. ....You blinked before shaking your head and looking out the window. And your eyes were met with a surprising sight. Right outside the taxi...was LEON!! The purple haired man was laughing all jolly and was hugging and ruffling the hair of the three younger kids who had run out to cling to him like he was Arceus himself in the flesh. Hop in particular was staring at his brother with glee in his eyes. "I knew we'd see you here sooner or later!! Did you come all the way here just to see us fight!?"

Leon gave off another loud but happy round of laughter and nodded firmly as you managed to slowly step out of the taxi at last. "Of course I did! I wouldn't miss watching you all battle for the world!"

You blinked and looked around you. You all were directly in front of the doors in front of the VERY big Wyndon Stadium. Around you all blocking the LARGE crowd of hundreds of people was more security making a space big enough for the taxi to land and made sure to keep the crowd of people pointing, shouting, or taking pictures of the Champion standing there as you blinked and looked around. Eventually slowly walking over to the small group with Silver still in your arms. You weren't really used to the loud sounds of a city yet, but it wasn't as loud as you expected. Yet at least. Faintly the merch stands in front of the stadium could be seen past the loads of people.

"Alright! I'm totally pumped n' ready for the show!," Hop confirmed holding up a fist to Leon who placed his hands on his hips raising a brow.

"Well then I suppose we should all head on in and get you set up! There's only an hour left until the semi finals start so it'll be a good idea for you two to on ahead and get ready."

"Right!" Hop turned to Gloria. "Come on, Glory, Vic! We should head to the locker rooms."

"I'd better go find a s-s-spot in the stadium," You added a little shaken because of the cold as Gloria grabbed her pale brother hand and started carting him off behind Hop,"So I c-can get a good view o-of their battles."

You blinked when Leon patted Your shoulder. "Don't worry about that." Leon smiled widely. "You're being treated to the V.I.P lounge and watching the semifinals with me this year!"

F/c eyes widened as you smiled. Ah. That's the Leon you know. "No way! You're serious!?"

Leon chuckled and nodded. "Yep! I've already promised myself to make sure you would experience a Champion Time and nothing can be more so than joining me to watch the matches. Besides, I couldn't let you sit out in the stadium knowing your stuttering worse than Victor with a cold."

"A-Alright! That sounds amazing!"

"Is this that Sobble I gave you?" With a giant smile he gestured his hand out to Silver in your arms. "Wow! I see you've been taking care of that pokemon real well! He looks like a real healthy drizzle!"

....You smiled and nodded back. "Thanks. But he has a name now. Silver Veil."

Leon blinked at Silver who chirped out an answer when you spoke his name. "Silver huh?...Hmm. I think that name suits him real well." he complimented you.

"Thanks. How have you been by the way?" Your eyes scanned back over the crowd. "Seems you really stirred up quite the crowd."

He chuckled and waved a hand. "Well I do try to make everyone as happy as I can as Champion. OH! But while I have the chance, I also wanted to thank you for all the help you gave Mum. It can be a chore for her trying to do everything herself since Gran and Gramps aren't always in the best shape to help."

Your face gave a look of surprise for a moment. "Wha- How'd you know about that?"

"Hop and I talk to each other on the phone all the time. Same with Mum and I. They've all said some really good things about you and how helpful you were!"

You stood there for a moment before chuckling bashfully. "Well it wasn't a big deal. It was the least I could do for how much she helped me out." You then pointed one hand towards the stadium. "Besides are you sure its ok if I join you? I couldn't ask that of you, you know that. It wouldn't be fair to everyone else around here." As if to get your point across you gestured to the crowd and Leon looked to where you were pointing. You didn't want to just take him up on his offer no matter how nice it was. It wasn't fair to everyone else who couldn't have this chance. "It's much appreciated though. It's fine really."

"But I insist." you paused as he turned back to you with a giant smile. You opened your mouth to protest but he held up a hand. "You've helped my mother a lot. You've helped to keep my little brother and his friends safe. And from what I've been told from the incidents in Stow-on-Side and Spikemuth, you've also risked your safety a few times as well to do so." You still stared at him as he returned his hand to his side. "Part of being a Champion is being able to know people. You've done a lot and haven't asked for anything in return or taken advantage of the fact you've been around my friends and family. That's the signs of a good person. And the least I can do to repay that kindness is making sure you have a Champion Time like the rest of us." He smiled friendly to you but there was something..Different about his face. It could've just been the snow and cold air adding a rosey pink to his cheeks but he almost seemed more affectionate as he smiled at you. "And... I-I can promise that none of the others would mind either."

You rose a brow confused. "Others?"

He nodded. "All the gym leaders come to watch the semifinals and stay until the end of the year for the Champion Cup! And now I'm extending that invitation to you and Silver here. So how's about it?"

You hesitated for a moment. Wow..This was...REALLY nice for Leon to offer you, and you really did appreciate it. But...You didn't know. Was this allowed for him to do? After all it wasn't fair to everyone else. ...But then again, the warm air would probably be better for Silver instead of standing out in the cold, and it was offered to you when you didn't ask. So it would probably be ok to accept. Plus you might get to see some of the other guys you've met! Like Alister! And Nessa!

So after a moment you smiled. "You know what? I'd love to join you guys!"

Leon smiled widely. "Great!" With a turn he held out his arm for you to taje and motioned to the stadium with his head. "Follow me! You guys are gonna really like the view! I'll take you there so we don't get lost. Don't worry. There's plenty of staff here so even I won't get lost."

You hesitated for a moment, but soon slowly shifted Silver into one arm and slung yours around his and the three of you were off. Leon walked right up to the doors with security and after telling them you both were with him, they let you pass and on into the warm stadium. THANK GOODNESS!! Silver gave a loud sigh at the feeling of warmth washing over him as you all continued to follow them along. The inside of the stadium looked exactly as you expected it would have, with lots of security running around with other workers carrying papers, or cleaning supplies, or something along those lines as you both followed Leon past the register desk and to an elevator. Once there he hit a button on the panel outside it and with a ding it opened. You both followed him in and after he hit another button from the inside, the door closed with a ding sound and up you three went. You looked around the small elevator as it went up, up, and up and it made you nervous for a little bit. Still a bit whiplashed from the wild ride here in the taxi. ...Wait...Did that mean Raihan was gonna be here too- Ding! You have a small jump at the ding the door gave and the door opened to a floor. As Leon stepped out you followed him again and when looking around, you noticed this floor had a hallway leading both ways with lots of doors on either side of them. More workers were there too walking up and down the halls as you followed the Champion, walking past you or going in or out of the many rooms. But you all were going to one room in particular. Leon lead you to one door that was being guarded by two security guys who instantly snapped their attention to both you.

Leon waved them off with one hand and the other grabbed the doorknob as he turned back to you with a smile. "Are you two ready to get the best view in the whole stadium?" After receiving your enthusiastic replies he chuckled. "Well then welcome to the Gym Leader's Suite!" With one mighty push, Leon pushed the door open and walked right in. "Hey, Everyone." He called back into the room. "Sorry I'm late!"

"Y-Y/n."

A lot of everyone around you (you included-) looked surprised as ALLISTER of all people spoke out and you watched in surprise as he slowly scooted himself off the couch until his feet hit the floor. With a turn of his head towards you he slowly walked towards you...and you smiled. 'y/n. Piers instantly paused. His electric blue eyes going wide all of sudden...before he blinked and looked over his shoulder. And his brows instantly shot up upon seeing YOU of all people standing there next to Leon.....YOU!? HERE!? WHAT WERE YOU DOING BACK HERE?! WITH LEON!? HUH-

He instantly nodded his hands into fists in front of his chest. "Uh huh. L-Leon s-s-said I grew three inches this year!"

You gave a small gasp. "No! That's so cool! You're growing up fast. Soon you're going to be even taller than him."

"Y-You think so?"

You nodded again smiling wide. "Oh yeah. A big strong person like you? I bet you'll be the tallest person I know!"

"Ooh. He's absolutely beautiful." You turned to the pokemon, and as if he was another human, you greeted him. "How do you do? It's very nice to meet you, Sir."

Allister nodded again before pointing over to the couch. "B-Bea's going to take me to the h-h-haunted houses in the c-c-city for Christmas."

You glanced from him to her and smiled. "Well doesn't that sound great!" You waved to her. "Hi. I don't think we've met. Or seen each other really."

You gave a couple laughs before reaching over to pat Silver's head. "Nope. My lil guy's practically all grown up now. Takes a lot of love and care and food, but Silver's worth it." You waved a hand to her. "But it's good to see you too Nessa. Hope things been well. My friend showed me your new line in the ads." You added remembering Gloria showing you a magazine with an article of her. "I really like the 'Sea Emerald Delight' dress."

"Hey there, Sassy.~ Wasn't expecting you to come rolling up here with Lee! You have a knack for hanging out with famous people?"

You blinked a moment before raising a brow. "Not really. Leon just offered to be nice and I didn't want my water type out in the freezing weather."

"Aw. And here I thought you came all the way to see me.~" He faked sadness making you roll your eyes. Leon was interested in your interactions now, glancing between you both. "Y'know if you're free sometime that dinner date's still up for the taking!"

"No thanks."

"You never really gave it a thought? Really?" Raihan asked blinking surprised for a moment as you shook your head no before he smiled and leaned down closer to you making you lean back. "Well that's a first I've heard. Usually I'm something people can't get off their minds.~ You've certainly been on my mind for a while.~"

.......You reached for a nearby magazine. "Uh huh. I'm ....flattered I guess but dude. You might as well be flirting with a rock."

Behind you all Nessa gave a small snort which Bea slapped her shoulder. "Aw. I guess you're right. But I can see why Lee likes you a lot.~" He gave that smirk that could've made anyone swoon. You raised your magazine. "You're like a short cute firecracker making my heart explo-HMPH!?"

Leon yelped when you all of a sudden you grabbed his arm and pulled him in front of you. With you now half hiding behind him now, you brandished your rolled up magazine like a sword....A harmless sword but something to ward him off non the less. Raiham blinked having been bonked harmlessly by you. You scowled using your Champion-Shield and Magazine-Sword to swing at him a couple times. Leon blinked wide eyed at you not sure what was going on.

"Bad Gym Leader! Down!,'' you firmly said scowling swinging at him, "Go to h0rny jail!"

"Wha- Jail??" He asked but held up his arms from your harmless magazine attack. "H-Hey! I was joking, Sassy! Seize fire there!"

"Silver help!!"

Raihan's eyes suddenly went wide before snapping his head when he heard a loud chirp and stumbled back when Silver eye narrowed starting walking towards you. "Hold it hold it hold it!!" Raihan held up his hands to Silver and ended up having to literally jump over the couch he was previously sitting on and stood in front of the lady gym leaders to avoid Silver who now stood between you and Piers and the couch. He narrowed his eyes at Raihan and gave a loud chirp. "Geez. You weren't kidding when you said he was protective."

Instead he gave a knowing look between you and Piers who continued laughing in his state. Everyone around you looked surprised. Even Kabu and Ms. Opal who usually never showed any emotions as Piers continued smiling and laughing which ....was so out of character for someone like him. One moment he was his typical quiet self watching through the window waiting to see Marnie, and the next he was laughing like his funny bone was hit by a ton of bricks....More exchanges were made between everyone.

Leon looked back to you still giving Raihan a frown as you hid behind him...Before he cleared his throat and He gestured over to you his other hand reaching to rub his neck. "This is a newer pal of mine. But I guess a couple of you already met Y/n already. She's been a real big help lately." You perked back up hearing your name....but waved the magazine politely at everyone. "Now that we're here, has anything excited happen yet?"

Bea shook her head. "Nah. The matches don't start for another forty five minutes or something, Lee. For once you made it early without getting lost on top of the stadium again."

"Ah c'mon. You too, Bea?" Leon shook his head and sighed. "Well anyways, while we're waiting what's everyone's plans for Christmas while you're here? I'm thinking about taking Hoppy and his friends to the Christmas fair later this week."

The mood was quickly shifted from you thankfully as Nessa started on about her new Christmas line coming up for the holiday and the attention was shifted away from you. With a sigh you slowly lowered and even dropped your make shift sword and shuffled out from behind Leon, but remained close in case you had to duck back behind the taller Champion if Raihan decided to try anything again. No one seemed to really heed you any mind which ..for some reason stung somewhere deep in your chest but you ignored it. They could talk to whomever they wanted. After all you probably wouldn't be here for much longer considering you'd be gone after Gloria or Victor manages to take Leon's title for themselves and ending the game. You slowly shuffled yourself over towards the window and a certain pair of eyes followed your crestfallen shuffle and blinked when your mood suddenly changed. Yeah...it'd be better not to get too attached since you'd be going back to that old life soon enough and wouldn't ever see these guys again.

"Y/n?" You yelped with a jump and whirled your head around to stare at the man who walked up behind you, only to find Leon smiling and holding up a hand. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." He then gestured to the window. "Going to watch the matches."

"Um..Oh! Y-Yeah. Thought I'd better get a good view y'know," you answered back voice a bit more shaky.

He nodded humming Gold eyes looking you over for a second. "...The snow's beautiful isn't it? It may be cold but it makes the perfect atmosphere for Christmas. I can't remember the last time I got to properly celebrate the holidays with Hoppy...What about you? What's your favorite thing about the holidays?"

".....I don't remember. My mom never celebrated Christmas since I was just twelve." The rock star blinked at you, fully turning his face to you now. "I never had any gifts or christmas tree or stockings...Yeah. I GET that's not what Christmas is about. It's about spending time together and stuff. " You scowled down at the glass your fists digging into your sleeves' fabric. "But would it have hurt her to at least get me a candy cane? A sweater? A small card?! I GOT!!...." Your body deflated along with your face. ...That's...That's right......As long as you could remember it was always your dad or friends when you had them that got you a couple gifts. "....I never got anything from her." And you never did get anything again after that. Your mother became so obsessed with working and making you work and study that you....You never got to experience much of anything. Holidays lost meaning. Easter, Christmas, Halloween, YOUR BIRTHDAY!! ...They all just became regular days filled with you either working or studying enforced by your mother. Even small celebrations like proms and school dances were a 'Waste of time!' because.... because...

"You should be studying for college! I won't be able to house you forever! Who's going to take care of me when I'm old!? I put so much work around here to keep a roof over your head! Be happy you're learning to take care of yourself like a responsible young lady!! And don't you even THINK about dating until you graduate college or do anything stupid like party!! I didn't raise you to do such horrible things! Once you get yourself settled then we can find you a husband with a respectable job and stable life! You had terrible tastes from those games rotting your brain! When I have grandchildren I expect them to be raised better than that! ...Well don't stare at me like that! Don't you have the night shift tonight! I swear you're such a heavy sleeper!"

Piers stared as your arms flopped to your sides. ".....She n-never did want to celebrate holidays. T-There was a-always some k-kind of money problem..."

"She never wanted too...Or did she not just ever let you?," Leon asked softly and you froze, your reflection's face mirroring the giant bomb that was just suddenly dropped onto you by Lee as he watched you. But his head immediately lifted up high as he saw the telltale signs of your eyes becoming shiny, and not in the sparkly kind. More like the 'Im about to cry' signs showing. AW RAPIDASH CRAP!! Great going Leon! You just goofed up again as always. Some Champion you were for making a girl cry. He wanted to smack himself and groaned. What was he thinking!? Instead he...reached up a hand, hesitated for a moment when you didn't respond from the movements, and then gently grabbed your shoulder. Of course you jumped at the touch and snapped to him wide eyed to him. "Hey. You shouldn't cry. Look at this. Your mum's not here is she?" No..Of course she wasn't. She was back in the other world. That shouldn't be relieving to think about but it was. "You can celebrate Christmas now however you please right?"

.....Sniffling you shook your head no and reached a hand up to wipe at your eyes. Embarrassed that you'd have to start crying now. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER Y/N!! THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HAPPY TIME FOR EVERYONE!! "I-I'd l-love to...But I can't?''

"Why not?," Leon asked genuinely confused blinking.

"B-Because you're spending Christmas with the guys," your gaze turned back down sadly. "As much as I'd like to spend the holidays with them, I can't just invite myself with them all the time. Besides they deserve a chance to just hang out without me being tagged along with them, especially with their own family. I can't invite myself onto something that I wasn't even invited too."

"What about your dad? Dontcha have any other friends to hang out with?"

"No!," you shot back at him but somehow no one noticed again. "I don't! Because of my mom all my friendships sort of just...faded when when I didn't hang out with them and then they went off after highschool to who knows where! My dad's gone and my mom is...a-also...gone. ...I don't know where they are. Heck! I didn't even have Silver until Leon gave him to me this year! I-....I haven't had anyone for a l-long t-time ok?" You let out in a shaky voice and looked back away staring back out the glass. YOU WERE NOT GONNA CRY!! "I'll be fine! I was fine then and I'll be fine now, Leon. Thank you b-but I'll be fine by myself for a bit."

You might've not meant to sound so harsh towards Leon but to his credit the man didn't even flinch when you had snapped at him. Why? You had no idea, but another silence resumed where you two slacked and he went back to looking out the window himself.

".....Hey. Y/n?" You hummed but didn't look away from the glass as Piers spoke your name. "You said you weren't invited right? Well how about I invite you anyways?"

You stared at him mouth agape suddenly and eyes blown wide at the sudden offer. Unknown to the both of you Raihan seemed to be giving a knowing smile towards Leon not that either of you noticed. "Wait...You want to invite me on your Christmas trip? But you already planned it."

Without looking at you still he nodded again. "Yeah. It'd be a nice change of pace to have someone like you around, and don't worry about it." He smiled wider at you making your face light up just a wee bit. "It's my job to make sure everyone has a Champion Time around the holidays. Especially my friends."

You turned to him and was about to answer but someone interrupted you over the intercoms. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF ALL AGES!!" That caught everyone in the room's attention as they turned to the window with you and you watched the crowd instantly starts roaring with delight as the voice continued. Leon coming to walk up and stand next to you. "WELCOME TO THIS YEAR'S SEMIFINALS OF THE WONDERFUL AND GRAND POKEMON LEAGUE GYM CHALLENGE!!! TODAY THE THREE LUCKY CONTESTAINTS THAT MANAGED TO MAKE IT THIS FAIR SHALL COMPETE TO SEE WHICH ONE OF THE LUCKY TRIO WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO COMPETE WITH GALAR'S GREAT GYM LEADERS TO COMPETE FOR THE TITLE OF GALAR'S NEW CHAMPION!!" The crowd roared even MORE as the speaker continued on and Leon next to you smiled and crossed his arms. "PLEASE WELCOME GYM CHALLENGER GLORIA FROM POSTWICK AND MARNIE FROM SPIKEMUTH!! CHALLENGERS PLEASE REPORT TO THE FEILD FOR BATTLE!!"

You noticed immediately Piers perked up next to you and his blue eyes laser focused on the field as one young girl with black hair walked out onto the field. That must've been Marnie! But then...Where's Gloria? Leon seemed to notice that too and rose a brow, turning his head back towards the area where Gloria was supposed to appear as Marnie reached the middle of the field. That's really strange. She should've come out onto the field around the same time Marnie did. Your face nearly pressed into the cold frosty glass as you leaned over to stare at where Gloria was supposed to appear...and slowly she did appear. Which made you sigh in relief..unlike Leon who's brows rocketed up on his face seeing Gloria. Head staring down at the ground as she slowly made her way over to the center field where Marnie was already waiting as the crowd cheered them both on for battle. The two looked like they exchanged a few words on the field before the intercom speaker spoke up again as the referee walked onto the field with them.

"CHALLENGERS PLEASE GET IN PLACE!!" Both turned and slowly walked to their placed on the field. Here we go. "POKEMON AT THE READY!! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!"

And you all watched as the battles took place. First Round was Marnie's Liepard vs GLoria's Raboot. Gloria won. Second round was Marnie's scrafty vs Gloria's raboot again. Marnie won. Third round was Morpeko vs Roselia. Gloria won. Fourth round Toxicroak vs Corviknight. Gloria won again. Final round match. Which meant it was time to dynamax as the man over the intercom had said with excited the crowd to no end. You had ended up wobbling when both sent out their dynamaxed Corviknight and grimmsnarl and almost fell back on your behind, luckily Leon had caught you by the arm and pulled you back up to stand with them.

"Thanks!," you told him once you were back on your feet and he nodded before turning back to the battle.

"C'mon Marn-Marn," Piers spoke just enough for both of you to hear but you did end up glancing at him when he placed his hand onto the glass face becoming more focused onto Marnie's battle. "You can do it."

You hadn't noticed the attentive look Piers had been giving the entire battle too focused on watching Gloria work her way through. But now that did, Piers wasn't the only one cheering her on. You blinked as...horns?? Began sounding out, and you too a moment to peer downwards through the glass below. They were kinda hard to spot at first but there was at least a giant spot of twenty or thirty people near where you watched blowing horns of dark magenta and cheering loudly.

"HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! ROCK 'EM, SOCK 'EM!! THAT'S THE WAY!! HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! LET THE DARKNESS SEE THE DAY!!", Team Yell cheered very rather loudly along with those loud as heck horns.

You weren't expecting them showing up here, but then again it made perfect sense. These guys went as far as to attempt to stop trainers (and most likely succeeding since there was only three challengers competing-) for her and acting as bodyguards of sorts, they would totally be here to cheer her on. You somehow managed to stay up standing during the dynamax battle which ended in Marnie's Grimmsnarl winning against Gloria's corviknight as both in flashes of bright red light returned to their normal height. The crowd cheering in victory in Marnie's fifth round win. But considering Gloria had won three out of the five rounds it was clear who had really won.

"THE MATCH BETWEEN THE FIRST TWO GYM CHALLENGERS IS OVER!! THE WINNER IS GLORIA FROM POSTWICK!!" The crowd roared as the winner was announced. Next to you Piers let out a sigh and leaned his forehead against the glass. Poor Piers. He must've wanted Marnie to win and it did guilt you a bit knowing that she wouldn't have won anyways, but in the end Marnie did do a really good job getting this far. "THERE WILL BE A TWENTY MINUTE BREAK BEFORE THE FINAL MATCH BETWEEN THE NEXT CHALLENGERS!! PLEASE EXIT THE FIELD FOR REPAIRS!!"

As the two girls began walking off the field You resumed your position of standing at the window arms crossed next to Leon but this time Silver joined you having to stand on tiptoes to peek out the frosty glass. Everyone else had either sat back down for the twenty minute wait or started to talk to one another. You stood there mind blank for a long moment watching the employees of the stadium rushing around in the cold for the repairs. As you continued to stare and watch Leon had left for a moment, only to return and making you blink when all of a sudden a cup from held in front of you, the smell of hot coco hitting your nose. You blinked looking at it before towards Leon who smiled holding his own drink, which you accepted after a moment with a smile.

"Hey. Thanks," you said smiling again and accepting his gift to you.

"Of course! Everyone could use a cup of hot coco this time of year," he said before taking a sip from his cup.

You also took a sip of yours, the hot but sweet sting of coco and peppermint hitting your tongue,...before you looked back to him. "Hey. Shouldn't you go check on Gloria after that battle?"

he paused for a moment before shaking his head and jabbing a thumb behind him. "Victor probaby already is before his own match. Don't worry. I'm sure both of them are fine." Neither was Bede now that you were looking. Wouldn't he be with Ms. Opal? "I have to remain here. With the Chairman and Oleana unable to make it here it falls upon the Champion to make sure the semifinals go smoothly for everyone." He turned back to the glass watching the display below. "Which means keeping tabs on what's going around the field, but I'll hopefully be able to meet up with the both of them after their match."..He smiled. "Besides. Wouldn't want to be late to cheer them both on!"

You couldn't disagree with that...Although it was a bit strange the Chairman wasn't here. Not too long after the repair crew had finished, and the voice from the Intercom returned. "THE NEXT MATCH BETWEEN CHALLENGER VICTOR AND CHALLENGER HOP SHALL NOW BEGIN!! CHALLENGERS PLEASE CHALLENGERS SHALL NOW COMMENCE!!" The crowd cheered as both Victor and Hop walked out onto the fields althoug Victor still looked as stiff and robotic as the last few times he was on the field. huh. Was he secretly as nervous as Gloria was? "THE SECOND ROUND OF THE SEMIFINALS SHALL NOW BEGIN!! BATTLERS GET YOUR POKEMON READY!! GET SET! GO!!"

And the two were off. First round was Hop's wooloo verses Victor's vaporeon. Hop won. Second round snorlax vs popplio. Hop won again. Third round was pinchurchin verses corsla. Victor won. Fourth round corviknight verses feebas. Hop won again. Fifth and final match with Victor's Dewott vs Hop's rillaboom. Dynamaxed and battling to the finish..With Hop ending victorious once again making his place as the winner.

"DEWOTT'S UNABLE TO BATTLE!! CHALLENGER HOP ADVANCES TO THE FINAL ROUND!!" You frowned staring at the poor devastating look on Victor's face. Poor Victor. He barely won any battles here today. "PLEASE EXIT THE FIELD FOR REPAIRS!! THE LAST ROUND WILL BE UNDER WAY TO DETERMINE WHICH LAST LUCKY CHALLENGER WILL BE CHOSEN TO TAKE ON THE CHAMPION CUP!!" You weren't the only one who noticed Victor's look as Leon hummed and gave a concerned look watching the two walk off the field. Victor lost..that must means Gloria must be the one who'll be able to take on the Champion since she was the other player avator from the game. "WHO'S READY FOR THE DECIDING MATCH!?" The announcer shouted catching your attention after a while. "THE FINAL MATCH BETWEEN THE LAST TWO CHALENGERS SHALL NOW PROCEED!!" Once again the crowd roared and everyone in the room turned their attention to the TV or got up to come over to the window with you and Leon. Your f/c eyes focusing on the two that were walking onto the field, Hop and Gloria met at the center of the field and just like with Marnie before they seemed to exchange a few words. "CHALLENGERS PLEASE GET TO YOUR PLACES!!" Both turned and walked to their places. Here you go. "POKEMON AT THE READY!!" Leon recrossed his arms taking another sip from his drink focused. "BATTLE BEGIN!!"

And thus it began. First round between the two was Hop's wooloo vs Gloria's Raboot. Hop won. Raboot must've been too tuckered out from Marnie's battles. Round two was between Gloria's roselia and Hop's snorlax. Hop won again. Ouch. That roselia would definitely need a look from Nurse Joy thanks to the massive body slam it received knocking it out cold. Third round was pincurchin vs Gloria's frosmoth. Huh. You didn't know she had one. Must've gotten it from those abandoned rotomi boxes at the center. Either way she won. What surprised you on the fourth round that both tossed out full grown corviknights. Hop must've gotten his from a rotomi box to-....A loud shrill screech filled the air as Hop's corviknight being the one with more energy was easily able to take down Gloria's-....Wait. WHAT!? With a final screech it was downed by Hop and he won again....Hop..WON..again!? No..NO! Your body froze as the realization of that hit you. Gloria had ..lost most of the rounds- Both were completely tied now. But now was the fifth and final match. You decided to reach one hand out to hold onto something in shock both dynamaxed their Onix (after Gloria had to replace her downed corviknight-) and rillaboom. Your drink emitted ripples as the two duked it out making the entire stadium shake and shiver until at final last. .....Hop won. And both pokemon soon returned to their natural original sizes in more flashes of bright red.

"AND THE VICTOR OF THE SEMIFINALS, THE CHALLENGER WHO HAS WON THEIR WAY THROUGH ALL OF THE MANY HOPEFUL TRAINERS IN THE GYM CHALLENGE, IS CHALLENGER HOP!!" You decided to chug down the rest of your drink as Leon still stared ..before turning around, and you noticed. Blinking you quickly swallowed down your beverage before following after, Silver immediately trailing after. No doubt Leon was on his way to meet up with the three, and you were going to them too.

As you three went back down the hall you eventually piled into the elevator again and you watched in anticipation as Leon once again pressed the button to take you all downwards. Once again the doors closed and you descended back downwards towards the bottom. The battle didn't take too long to get there, as you exited you all had another surprise in the form of a crowd. Not too big not too small. Around fifthteen or so news reporters or people with camera immediately shoving themselves into Leon's face and yours by default. Leon said nothing pushing himself through the crowds you following ignoring the other people pushing themselves into your faces as your bodies pushed past and flashes of the camera made you blink. Eventually someone grabbed your arms and Leon pulled the both of you to safety within a group of security who made a barrier between the three of you and the reporters still calling out to Leon right in front of a different elevator. Sighing in relief you thanked Leon to which he nodded and turned back to the other elevator expectantly. You weren't sure what he was waiting for at first until the elevator let off a ding sound, and the door opened. Your face went from smiling to concerned in an instant when Gloria and Hop came out. Only that...Gloria and Victor didn't look too good. They looked...really nervous. Gloria had one hand clutching her shirt and the other grabbing Hop's who looked to be doing his best to be comforting her. Behind him Victor seemed to be hiding behind him beanie pulled over his forehead and back towards all of you as if he was trying to avoid any eye contact with anyone else around him, using Hop as an addition block. Behind you the sudden loud voices of the reporters and camera flashes became more frequent. Oh no- Gloria froze. A deer in headlights look completely taking over her face as she stared at them crowd. Hop gave them all a light frown and increased his hold on Glory pulling her closer slightly. You blinked as a cape swished in front of your face as Leon did his famous Champion pose.

"Hop!," Leon greeted and Hop turned his eyes darting to him, distracted for the moment as he walked up to him arms out welcoming. ''That was incredible. Brilliant! Honestly there were tears rolling down my face before I knew it. And you were amazing you two! Absolutely stunning work out there by you!" He smiled wide. "To think that the three of you set out together from the same town, built up the greatest teams, and arrived here at this point to throw everything you had at one another. That burning desire to win! Those moves filled with undefeatable passion! It was battling at it's very purest in every possible way! Even though there were some trainers who weren't sure whether you were fit to be endorsed for the gym challenge at first."

"That was you, Lee," Hop pointed out.

His brother chuckled. "Well then all the more reason! My team members and I will give everything that we've got in us to defeat our challenger! And the challenger before us might well end up being you, Hoppy! In fact that's precisely what I'm hoping for!"

"That's right! The real challenge is what's coming next-" Hop paused. The force upon his hand where Gloria gripped increased making him look at her and the fact she looked about ready to faint at any moment made him quiet. "Uh.......A-And I'm completely exhausted!" He looked back up to Leon. "I just want to head back to the hotel and rest." He made a not to subtle nod at Leon which Leon followed. "You know, Lee. Just away from prying eyes for a while."

Leon to his credit seemed to catch on really quick to what Hop was saying and quickly agreed. "That's not a bad idea, Hop.best to refill your energy stores first. Say! Why don't we get dinner together?" He offered seeming to perk Gloria's attention a bit as he smiled.

"I wouldn't say no, but...you never care at all what food tastes like, Lee. And..." He turned to Gloria with a questioning look and it took her a moment to nod yes to him. "...A night like this deserves more than rubbish takeaway so at least pick something good. How about that curry place you told me about?" he looked back to leon. "Curry's Glory's favorite dish. I'm sure it'll help."

Leon nodded in agreement. "That sounds like it'd be the best place for her-..I mean. To celebrate with her. *ahem*.." He slowly leaned down to try and look her in the eye. "Psst. Hey, Glor." She blinked at him. "You taking things alright there?"

.....She nodded. "I-I think I j-j-j-just wanna go back to t-the hotel, Lee."

He gave a concerned look at her before he nodded and straightened up. "I have things to take care of here and a meeting with the Chairman after, but it's still early in the day. You all head on back to the hotel and I'll meet you there around four. Ok?" Hop nodded for the both of them. "Right...Hoppy, I think maybe you should take them back to the hotel now. I'll try to keep the press back for a bit." Leon paused for a moment before looking at you and Victor and gesturing towards Gloria as Hop turned her away. "I know I shouldn't ask any more of you..but could you make sure they get back to the hotel alright? There should be a taxi waiting for all of you out in the front." You noddednumbly before grabbing Silver still at your heels as Leon turned back to the cameras with a smile. "SO! I understand you folks have some questions?"

It was an immediate reaction from most of the press to turn their attention to Leon as you all left. It didn't take long at all to catch up with them as you literally dragged Victor along with you so he could keep up with your pace to catch up with Hop. Gloria still kept her head down with Hop speed walking his way through the stadium and out the door with a few press still on his heels. In a moment of quick thinking, you forced yourself between the them and the people with cameras following after giving them a dirty look as you shooed the three along and out the stadium doors. .....Where a TON more people were waiting. Whether they were press or not you didn't care, you ended up letting go of Victor and stepping next to Gloria's side to block her side view off from any of the other thousand people cheering out. Thank GOSH you walked out to the waiting taxi within a circle of security ready to go. ...You never thought you'd be happy to get into a flying taxi but you'll make an exception for this.

"It's ok. It's ok," you assured Gloria speed walking her over to the giant metal Taxi. The cold nipping at your face. "You'll be fine. Just get to the taxi." Once getting to the taxi you immediately grabbed the door swinging it open and ushering everyone it. Gloria, Hop, and Victor before you scooped up Silver in your arms and hopped in yourself. The door slamming shut behind you. "HEY DRIVER!!" You shouted quickly shuffling over and plopping yourself into your seat. "THE ROSE OF RHODENLANDS!! AND STEP ON IT!!" ...You never thought you'd say this again, but THANK GOODNESS you guys were able to take off into the air again. You weren't even bothered too much by the sudden take off this time. Just immediately looking at Gloria who by now had stopped crushing Hop's hand, but was leaned back in the seat breathing heavily as if she had just ran a marathon. Hop patting her shoulder with a concerned look.

Meanwhile you just numbly stared out the window. Silver still in your arms looking at you confused as you stared wide eyed like a goldfish at Gloria. ...WAIT. W H A T!?!? No. No. NONONONONONONO!! N O!!! That...CAN'T BE RIGHT!! IT JUST CAN'T BE!! During the game the player (or the twins in this case) would battle their way through threw the The Champion Cup and after winning the final match would face off against Leon and become the new Champion of Galar! NOT.....lose? But...Gloria AND Victor had..lost. HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN!? EVERYTHING WAS GOING EXACTLY AS PLANNED!!!....Something must've happened to disrupt the progress! Throwing it off balance somehow!! Something you all had missed doing or skipped over! Or-...Or something! The kids all looked at one another as you looked down spacing off in thought, trying to figure out what exactly might've gone wrong along the way. Every single thing up to this point had been exactly as in game!! If not more so. Gloria managed to get all the gym badges. All the side quests were finished. She had gotten all the possible traded and gifted pokemon other than one which was after the game and was a charmander given to the player by Leon. And as far as you could tell there wasn't anything else missing. Gloria had gotten all the possible league cards of the standard game. As well as finished off her 'Dexes' thanks to Leon and Victor gifting her all those pictures. Every encounter. Every gym. Every win...It SHOULD have gone so smoothly but-..IT DIDN'T!! Both had somehow lost and instead..wouldn't even get a chance to battle Leon for the Champion title now..Instead. Either Hop or whoever won the against him in the Champion Cup would. You thought long and hard..Maybe it was because in the games you only battled 8 gyms instead of 10?? It depended if you either played Pokemon Sword or Pokemon Shield which two gyms would've been different. So was it because Gloria battled all of them instead of chosing either the Sword or Shield path?? Or maybe it was because you were the one that solved the 'Lucky Egg' side quest in Hulbury instead of her?? But that was the only time you could think of interfering in the game's story. Could one little thing really stop Gloria from winning?!

"Are you alright, Guys?," Hop asked dawning the same concerned look as Leon did looking at the three of you. He rose a brow at all of your weird expressions. Gloria was on the verge of a heart attack, while Victor remained silent fiddling with his camera as a distraction, and you continued to stare off in space in disbelief. "You all seem to be in shock or something."

Gloria eventually nodded. "Y-Yeah...I-I hate b-b-big spotlights." She glanced at Hop for a moment before looking back down. "I-I just r-really wanna get back to the hotel."

"That's probably a good idea...Hey. How about when we get back the four of us grab some lunch and watch some movies together?"Hop smiled. "The hotel has your favorite movie! We can totally have a great time before meeting up with Lee later!''

"Y-yeah. Sounds good."

Eventually you did snap out of it for the moment pushing it to the back of your head and blinked-..You smiled at how she seemed to be calming down from her chronic stage fright, but your bad luck was far from over. Long story short, you four had arrived back at the hotel which thankfully didn't look very crowded but you took notice of Gloria pulling her hoodie over her head and pulling her scarf over her lower face. Most likely to disguise herself. You all landed and quickly scurried into the hotel. Thankfully not a lot of people were there....Except for a blonde haired woman reporter holding a mic and a camera man bolted right up to your group making you drop Silver when they pushed you out of the way and Gloria froze as a Mic was pushed right up into her face.

"CHALLENGER HOP!!," the woman beamed at Hop's face. "Hey, Challenger Hop! Got time for some questions?" He didn't even get chance to answer before a mic was nearly touching his face. "First question! You and Challenger Gloria were both endorsed by the Champion, making the two of you rivals in a sense wouldn't you say? How does it feel to have defeated your rival?"

The twins helped you back onto your feet from the fall as Hop sputtered. "I m-mean...Well I-It d-doesn't quite feel real yet...I mean..."

"...Right." The woman ignored his look. ''Question number two! If you wanted to tell Challenger Victor something right now, what would it be?"

Victor's eyes widened and Hop's attention looked back over to him as you leaned back down to pick Silver back up. "W-Well....I'd s-say t-that h-he was jus' the r-r-rival I k-knew he w-was..A-An' real good on details-"

"Question three!" The woman cut him off. Silver gave an angry chirp her way. Not that you blamed him. "Level with me, kiddo. Your honest thoughts here. Think you can win the Finals too?"

"I-....I-I'm n-not sure..."

"What do you mean?" She suddenly leaned forwards making Hop flinch. "Do you not think you're strong enough? Or perhaps you're worried that you'll meet defeat at the hands of one of the gym leaders?"

"Alright! That's enough!" Hop gave a yelp when all of a sudden You pulled him back and placed him at your side with a firm hand around his shoulders. Giving a glare towards the two. "Hop's already tired from battle! And you've been asking rather rude questions. We've got dinner plans with my friend so sorry, but clear off already would you?"

The woman's smile increased as the mic was then shoved at You. "Ah! The Champion's mystery friend from the front of the stadium right? Tell me what your relationship is with-"

She didn't get to finish. The blonde reporter woman gave a gasp when all of a sudden her hand with the mic was yanked away from the your face and her face looked up to meet your frown. "Back. OFF!" The woman blinked at your hard tone and you released her hand. "You're being rude. And it's clear we don't wanna be bothered. Take a hint and go interview one of the Gym Leaders instead."

The woman looked at you for a moment before backing off. "Yes, yes. I understand." She smiled again. "Looking forward to seeing the birth of a brand new star." You gave her a hard look watching them leave finally with Silver giving them a hard look as well.

"Phew...Famous people sure have it rough, eh?," Hop asked jokingly to try and cheer everyone up, giving a frown when no one responded. "....Anyways. I hope Lee gets here soon. I could eat my own arm about now." he tried instead to change the topic.

"It'll be a while before he gets here," Victor chimed in finally breaking his long silence, although his tone was monotone, "He still has to oversee the field repairs and stadium crowd. So it's going to be a while before he gets here. And it's still relatively early. I say we go back to one of our rooms and take a break for a little while and grab lunch before dinner time rolls around."

Everyone agreed and back to your hotel room you four went. Gloria seemed to calm down finally back to her regular self once you got back and sat down. Time went by as you four ordered room service and played some kind of action movie that made Gloria laughed. You were glad she had relaxed from her stage fright. A few movies later and empty plates, three thirty rolled around and Hop suggested grabbing their coats and heading down to the lobby to wait for Lee. You decided to go too, but not to join them. After all Leon had just invited them not you, but you wanted to see them off just in case more paparazzi showed up. With Silver following you all turned off the TV, grabbed your coats, left the dishes where room service could get it, and left to the lobby through the elevator. And in the lobby you all waited...and waited...and waited. Three thirty turned into four o' clock. Four o' clock turned into four thirty. And Four thirty turned into five o'clock. You all stood around waiting for an hour and a half by now. Where was Leon?

"This is absurd," Hop said. he had resorted to pacing back and forth as you waited, "Even Lee's never this late. Something's not right."

"Maybe he got caught up by the paparazzi or Champion duties."

He shook his head. "No. He always does what he says he'll do. As a kid he promised me he'd become Champion one day and he went and did just that. He ought to be able to keep his own dinner plans."

"We should be patient," victor chimed in, "Lee could've gotten lost and ended up on someone's roof again."

"ALL THE MORE REASON TO GO FIND HIM!!"

You were going to say something to calm Hop's worried self down, but a voice interrupted all of you. "Kid's sure got a mouth on him, huh?" All four of you turned over, and your eyes widened in surprise as PIERS of all people came walking over towards you all. Stopping at the top of the small flight of stairs. What was he doing here? "If you were that noisy durin' battle, you'd unleash a whole new level of power y'know."

"Oh pack it in, Piers!," Hop insisted one hand on his hip, "I'm seriously worried here! So I don't need your smug mug looking like you're having a go at me, even though you act like you're giving advice."

"Judgin' by appearances?"

"what are you doing here?"

Piers resumed his regular resting face. "If you're lookin' for the Champion, I saw him headin' to Rose Tower."

"Rose Tower?"

"That's where the Chairman's headquarters are in Wyndon City," Hop said, "But he should've been done by now. Why would he go there?"

"Dunno what he's up to, but I ran into him at the monorail platform. He said to tell you that he had somethin' to do at Rose tower, so he'd be late to your dinner."

"But why Rose Tower?," Hop asked crossing his arms, "What could he have to do there at this hour?" He then looked at Piers. "Piers, do us a favor. Take us to Rose Tower would you?"

"WHAT!?," Victor asked snapping to his best friend.

"Neither of us know the way," Hop reasoned back.

You sighed. "Well if you three are going so am I." You placed your hands on your hips. "Someone has to make sure nothing goes wrong." Earning you a disbelief look from Victor.

"You too Y/n!?"

"Sheesh. What rude siblings. Always so demandin' of others. Though I s'ppose...it's a real problem for me too if the Finals are held up for any reason. And I don't really hate the lot of you little runts. You were good enough to beat me after all."...All of a sudden he chuckled and a smirk appeared on his face as he looked back to you all. "So I think I'll invite Team Yell along, and we'll all have ourselves a bit of fun. Shall we?"

"Brilliant!," Hop agreed fist pumped, "You're the best, Piers! Let's cause a real ruckus!"

"HECK YEAH!! LET'S SHAKE WYNDON FOR LEE!!," glory agreed.

"Are you three bloody INSANE!?,"Victor asked grabbing his head.

You turned to Piers and nodded at him. "Alright, Hot Pink!" You smiled. "Let's see what you can do, Rebel Man!"

"NOT YOU TOO, Y/N!!"

Victor could only watch...and then follow with a groan as you three followed Piers when he turned and walked out of the hotel. You followed Piers out of the hotel and blinked when another person in a black and hot pink winter wear was there. In the form of Marnie and at least two members of Team Yell. She turned to you all piled out there before sighing under her breath.

"Man. Why am I here for this? I'm totally exhausted from that battle you, Gloria..." She looked at Gloria who blinked.

"We decided that team yell will cheer you on, Hop," Piers explained, "Let's help out together."

Gloria blinked at Piers then to Marnie before smiling. You smiled too. That was extremely nice of Piers to do! Sadly a voice you dreaded all too well spoke up.

"What a beautiful display of sibling love," you all looked over at the voice. And froze at the woman in high heels walking up to your group followed by a League worker. ..and you instantly frowned as Oleana stared down at Piers. "However it is entirely unnecessary."

"Ms. Oleana?," Hop asked vocally your group's thoughts.

"Chairman Rose is with the Champion in a very, very important meeting," She explained in that uninterested monotone voice completely ignoring Hop, "There is no way I'll let anyone interfere. After all only authorized personnel with the proper key can ride the monorail to Rose Tower. That means as long s Chairman Rose is in the tower no one can disturb him." She turned away from all of you to face the monorail entrance near the hotel. "I have hand selected a member of the league and given them the key. Chairman Rose does enjoy these kind of menial games after all. Tell me. Do you think you can tell the difference between normal league staff and the one I chose?" You GLARED as a smile perked on her lips as she smiled and walked towards the monorail entrance. "Good luck to you and your menial friends."

"Do you think you can find me?" Before anyone could do anything, the man turned and BOLTED away.

"HEY!! Get back 'ere ya bloody kook!!," Gloria shouted after him.

You glared down at Oleana as she walked into the monorail entrance and soon after pressing a button disappeared up the elevator like shoot. Marnie had been watching too and had turned to Piers. "What should we do?"

To his credit, Piers stayed level headed and replied instantly. "Tch. This isn't good...But I got this one!" He turned back to your group with a wide smile. "Team yell's yellin' will handle this!"

"No! This is brilliant!" Hop agreed...before taking off blindly. "I'll search around the front of the stadium!!''

"HEY!! HOP WAIT UP!!," Victor called out before running after him.

"Guys wait!,' you called for them holding out an arm....before growling under your breath and making a fist. OLEANA!! That....That....HORRIBLE WOMAN!! But-...You blinked. Wait a minute...of course!! Your eyes widened as the memories flowed back to you. THIS WAS A GAME MECHANIC!! Piers stared at your oddly silent face before raising a brow and looking at Gloria gesturing towards you. Gloria shrugged back. That's right. In the game Oleana tried to stop the player and Hop from reaching Leon by hiding the key with a worker and then they would team up with Piers, Marnie, and Team Yell in order to corner the guy and get the key..Which means that he was- You snapped to Piers. "I know where that guy's heading!"

His blue eyes widened at you. "Really? Where?''

You pointed. "He's heading towards the plaza! Call your team mates to get there as fast as they can!" You gave a determined glare off towards the plaza's direction. "We're going to show that ladder disguised as a human that we're not gonna be playing into her mind games!"

Piers blinked surprised at you for a moment before giving his own smug look in return whipping out his phone. "For now we should try to head to the plaza together right?" you nodded. "Alright. Let's all work together and head for Rose Tower."

With Piers dialing some number, you dawning a determined looked started to march off with Silver at your heels towards the plaza, Piers following you starting to talk now with someone at the other end. Gloria turned to Marnie who blinked and gestured for her to follow. "Let's go too. Trust me. Ye don't wanna miss the action when Y/n gets angry."

There was still lots of people walking around having been just after the semifinals but you pushed past everyone face determined through the cold stomping your way towards the plaza. Oleana may have thought she was smart, and yeah she was probably smarter than you. But there was one thing the woman didn't have that you did. Gamer's insight on the story and game play. So you knew EXACTLY where he was heading. Past hoards of other people, stop lights, mudsdale rides, stop signs, and a few slippery patches of snow you FINALLY came to the plaza. Pausing in front of the corviknight statue and looking around with your hands on your hips glaring. Piers pulled up beside you a moment later dwarfing you with his height and with girls trailing up after.

"BOSS!!," Piers turned over as a woman in Team yell gear strode up to him. With a sigh she saluted to the rock star. "We got here as fast as we could! We're already got our guys tailing the league workers 'round the plaze place!"

To her smile Piers nodded at her. "Good job!" Before he looked around with you. "There was a few visible league workers walking around and some team yell grunts you could see past the other walking people. "Let's find Oleana's league staff member. That bad one was wearin' those lame shades right?"

the woman paused...before humming and rubbing her arm. "Gee. I dunno Boss. All of them have tacky shades and dreads."

"Well what now then?," Gloria asked looking around. "That bloke could be anyone 'ere!"

"Working on it!" You frantically looked around eyes peering this way and that looking between all the visible league workers...until your eyes landed on one staring at your group. He seemed to flinch as you glared at him hard enough to crack a diamond...and you CHARGED towards him with the speed and power of a mudsdale ready to tackle him if needed. Your action made the man dawn a look of panic and as a result turned and fled. You thought you heard someone yelling your name behind you but in your anger you didn't bother to look back. You bumped and smacked into people getting looks thrown your way following the white dashing away until your broke through the crowd of people breathing heavily and stopping on the edge of a street as a bike whisked past you. Almost hitting you. You flinched pulling back and blinking as the biker yelled to watch where you were going. You paused...looking left and right as people walked around you. the sky was starting to get dark now making it harder for you to see everyone as lights of the city was the only source. Feeling dizzy and turning this way and that looking for the man. ...Until realizing he was gone. ...."RRRRRRR!! UGH!!" You glared at nothing and picked up a pile of snow next to Silver up into the air. GREAT!! He got away- !? You flinched when someone grabbed your shoulder. Whipping around, you saw that it was Piers in his black scarf and pink earmuffs looking at you calmly.....You stared at him before looking around one more time as the girls pushed through the crowds catching up to you two as well...Before frowning and looking back to him. "Piers. That guy is heading for the monorail."

"Are you sure?," he asked calmly.

You nodded. "I'm positive! You need to call your boys and tell them to get to the monorail station FAST!!"

Without questioning it he nodded and once again whipped out his phone as you turned to Gloria who panted from running. "Gloria! Call Victor and tell him to get himself and Hop over to the monorail station as fast as they can!" To her credit Gloria didn't question it either and pulled her own phone from her pocket. your head returned to looking around the place as the sky darkened more. "Now which way is the monorail."

"I know the way," you looked to gloria who calmly stared back before pointing left. "I was here with Piers yesterday. The monorail is in that direction."

"Are you sure?" She nodded. "Do you think you can show us the way?"

She nodded and began walking off. As you all began following her you heard Piers speak into the phone. "Team Yell go find Hop! We'll corner that league staff member at the station together!"

Following Marnie through the crowd and dark, you steeled your anger for now and tried to focus on just getting that key! Eventually you all reached the station and Marnie began jogging towards it. You still followed spotting to your right a head of purple hair and a familiar beanie. HOP AND VICTOR!! Hop was farther in front of Victor making Marnie and Hop the first one to go inside the station running past people followed by Victor, and the rest of you trailing after. Thank goodness the inside of the monorail station wasn't too crowded.

"Hop!," you called out making the boy yelped and whirl around to you breathing and walking up to him. You looked head and saw four men that looked exactly alike. And you knew exactly which one you wanted.

"Y/n!," Hop responded seeing you. "I'm sorry. We didn't get to see where he went." He apologized giving a sorry look. "We were too late."

.....You pointed right at him with that frown. And instantly the man on the far right flinched. "It's HIM!"

Everyone looked between you and the man. "...Are you sure?''

You nodded. "...Now...How are we supposed to get the key is the real question- !?" You paused again as Piers grabbed your shoulder and you turned to see his smile.

"You did a crackin' job cornerin' that bad league staff member, mates." He patted your shoulder a bit before letting go of you and walking forward a few steps in front of your group eyeing the men a bit in silence before speaking again. "Let me sing you a song fittin' of your rockin' deeds."

...You blinked confused. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. you're gonna do what?"

he didn't turn to you. "The only thing a humble singer can do is sing a humble song." he replied before inhaling and letting out a small breath. "Maybe I can't cheer someone on just with the tunes I play. Maybe my songs don't make anyone happy. Maybe I can't help." Marnie gave her brother look. "But still the only thing I can do is sing. ..Sing my humble song."....In an instant blue eyes snapped open with the bite of a snake and it was a blur as Piers suddenly moved his arm- WHAM!! You all blinked when he slammed down a full mic stand (where did he get that thing?) and smirked at the four men like he was in a full battle with narrowed eyes and a smirk. "When you all get an openin'. Take it!'' Before you could ask what he meant, he held up a hand and snapped his fingers. "SOUND IT OFF!!"

W H A M!! You all jumped and whirled to the sight of one of the beefier Team Yell men heaved a giant stereo in (SERIOUSLY! Where the heck did they get those out of nowhere?!) slamming it too the ground before kicking it with his spiked boot. The stereo made a record scratch noise before all of a sudden rock noise came from it. Was Piers gonna sing-.....OH!! That's right! You glanced back to Piers who was already tapping his foot to the beat. RIGHT! Piers's song distraction while in game!

"Target on my back!~ Lone survivor lasts!~ They got me in their sights!~", Piers sang out amplified on the mic and it instantly grabbed your attention. The league men in front of you looking absolutely bewildered and not sure what was going on. "No surrender!~ No trigger fingers!~ Go livin' the dangerous life!~" What was singing going to do tho? You turned to Gloria when she tugged on your sleeve, before pointing behind you and you looked towards the entrance. Eyes nearly buldging out of your head as people were starting to walk towards the entrance hearing the music...then up towards the second floor balcony as a good twenty people were looking over and a couple had their phone out. It dawned on you....PIERS WAS BLOODY ABSOLUTELY FAMOUS!! Of course people would flock to him hearing his voice!! Marnie stepped closer to her bro and the mic. "Hey, hey, hey!~ Every day when I wake I'm tryin' to get up!~ They're knockin' me down!~"

"Chewing me up!~ Spitting me out!~," Marnie unashamed joined Piers leaning towards the mic and he didn't mind smiling and leaning back to give her room to join before taking back the mic.

"Hey, hey, hey!~ When I need ta be saved you're makin' me strong!~ You're makin' me stand!~"

"Never will fall!~ Never will end!~" WOW!! Marnie's voice was absolutely splendid as well! You guessed personality and blue eyes weren't the only thing the siblings shared. It was singing talent too!

"Shot like a rocket up into the sky!~ Nothing can stop me tonight!~" Piers took back the mic wholey all of a sudden as the beat picked up loud from the stereo. "YOU MAKE ME FEEL INVINCIBLE!!~ EARTHQUAKE POWERFUL!!~ JUST LIKE A TIDAL WAVE!!~ YOU MAKE ME BRAVE!!~ YOU'RE MY TITANIUM!!~ FIGHT SONG!! RAISING UP!!~" Piers's voice rang loud and proud echoing around the small station and people started moving from the top balcony towards him. here they come!! "LIKE A ROAR OF VICTORY IN A STADIUM!!~ WHO CAN TOUCH ME CUASE I'M!!~"

"I'M MADE OF FIRE!!~"

"WHO CAN STOP ME TONIGHT!?~"

"'M HARD WIRED!~"

"YOU MAKE ME FEEL INVICIBLE!!~ I FEEL, I FEEL IT!!~ INVICIBLE!!~ I FEEL, I FEEL IT!!~ INVINVIBLE!!~"

Marnie stepped back fast back towards you as the crowd came thundering down the stairs. The league guys looked horrified as they yelled, swept away from the crowd. NEVER underestimate the power of siblings ....But to be fair you guys were too. You barely had time to snatch Silver into your arms to keep him from being trampled by everyone as all of a sudden the singer resumed his blank face again as people pushed you all away in order to snap pictures of him or call out to him. You held up Silver above your head to better step around and through the crowd towards the stairs again with the others. All of a sudden marnie pushed her way onto the stairs stumbling a bit, something that looked like a credit card in her hand. Straightening up, she turned back to you guys and held it up. SHE MANAGED TO GET THE KEY!!

"We got the key, Piers!," she called out to her brother, "We can take the monorail to Rose Tower now!"

"OI! You lot!," Piers shouted through his mic, "All of ya! Now's your chance!! GO!! Get outta here!!"

All four of you quickly waded your way through the crowd and ran up the stairs behind Marnie. She ran up and slid the card through a small slit. With a ding the door opened and you and the four kiddos (and Silver-) crammed yourselves into it. With a whirl sound the doors closed shut behind you and up you went leaving Piers and his crowd of fans behind.

With a sigh of relief you took a moment to relax...before looking at Marnie. "Hey." She hummed and looked at you from her spot next to Victor. "Nice job getting the key. And absolute smashing job at singing!" You smiled widely. "I guess Piers isn't the only one with a beautiful singing voice." marnie looked down shyly but mumbled a thank you. "Oh hey. Do you still have that card key?"

"Yes."

"Here. Hand it over to me. I don't want ya caught with it."

She handed you over the key and you pocketed it. Ok. Only one more obstacle to face now. Oleana. But first you had to get to her as well...And you already formed a plan. You five rode the monorail around the dark city and finally arrived. it was completely dark now and when the monorail stopped in was in front of a HUGE tower. The glass and metal looked dark blue in the dark other than the snow covering it in the middle of winter giving it a menacing sorta look. The door slid back open and you five piled out with hop in the lead. Running on the street in front of the building before stopping in front of the pathway to said building and looked up at it.All of you stopping behind him.

"So this is Rose Tower," Hop awed looking up wide eyed at it. You were all able to see your breath in the cold air. "Just how tall do you think it is? I can't even see the top up there in the clouds!"

"So what should we do?," Marnie asked. "Team yell is gonna have their hands full holdin' up those bad league staff members. They won't be catchin' up anytime soon."

"Yeah, Y/n!" Hop looked at you. None of you noticed someone else coming in through the monorail. "What should we do?"

"Let's go ahead!," you immediately said pointing forward. Get this over with.

Hop nodded. "Good thinking. Let's go collect Lee and get out of here! Without him there's no Champion for Glory to challenge in the Champion Cup!"

Marnie agreed. "You all cleared the way to Rose tower. Now all you gotta do is charge on ahead. " Her gaze looked up towards the tower. "An employee's an employee I guess...Seems that exec lady hid the monorail key to try and impress the Chairman. Chairman Rose's been keepin' the Champion holed up inside. Wonder what he's plottin'?" That was a very good point-

"Times like this." You all looked over as the sound of footsteps approached you in the form of Piers. When did he get here? "When tension and passion run high. Reminds me of Spikemuth in the old days. Some right wild concerts we had back then. But no encores!" his gaze turned from the tower to all of you. "Wait. You're still here? You better get goin'. I'll send some support your way with a yell."

Marnie nodded. "Gotta stick around to make sure my bro doesn't do anything crazy right? Come back if you need anything."

Hop nodded with a determined look to the twins. "Let's go guys."

Piers bowed to you four as you ran through the cold air and into the building. the first thing you could say about the place was that it was DARK!! Just like outside at nighttime. The four of you looked around the giant metal place wide eyed.

"Whoa! It's huge in here!," Hop awed looking around as the four of you approached the elevator...you picked up Silver again remembering something and getting him ready. "What in the world is this place meant to be?"

"I h-have no clue," victor replied looking incredibly nervous around the place. "W-We shouldn't even be in 'ere! We're gonna be 'n so much trouble."

"Calm down, Vic!" Hop looked to Gloria. "Listen Glory. Don't know if you knew this already, but I've heard Rose Tower was built on a power spot. Yeah. You know what I'm saying. When we get up to the roof and have a bit of space we can dynamax our pokemon. Which is all well and good." He spoke as your four approached the elevator. "But less certain is whether this lift can get us to the top. Rose Towers has like a hundred floors, right-"

the doors flew open making Gloria and Hop gasp and jump back from the employee walking out of it. "You'll be leaving right now, so there's no reason to worry about the lift!"

"INTRUDER ALERT!! INTRUDER ALERT!!" You looked up as an alarm started blaring making Victor even more pale as Oleana's voice cut through the speakers like you were burglars!! "ALL STAFF ARE ORDERED TO HELP REMOVE THE INTRUDERS FROM THE PREMISIS AT ONCE!!"

the man chuckled. "See? If Ms. oleana says so, then it looks like this the end of the line-"

"Silver use water gun!"

A stream of water immediately shot out from the water pokemon's mouth past the kids who jumped out of the way and hit the man square on. He gave a yelp at the cold water hitting him all of a sudden and waved his arms about but you didn't let up until he ended up slipping to the ground soaked to the bone and sputtering on the floor.

"GET IN THE LIFT NOW!!" You ordered and immediately moved pushing the three kids forwards into the lift stepping over the man as the lift doors opened and then closed behind you. Once the doors closed you turned around and upon spotting the button panel pressed the top button. "The Chairman and Lee's at the top!" You said turning around. "We should head there." .....They stared at you. "...What?"

"WHAT!? WHAT!?" Victor threw his arms out towards the door as the lift began moving. "YOU JUST HOSED A BLOODY WORKER!! WE'LL BE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!!"

"No we won't."

"HOW DO YOU KNOW!?" Victor yelled gripping his beanie. "WE'RE SO DEAD!!"

''Because it was self defense. that man was going to send out a pokemon after you all" They all blinked back to you as you looked behind you. "I'm not going to let anyone get hurt. Gloria. Got your Corviknight on you."

She blinked. "Uh...Y-Yeah. Of course. Why?"

You pointed towards the three other entrance ways in the lift which was big enough to house corviknight. "There's gonna be some employees under Oleana orders coming through one of these three doors trying to battle you in order to force you all back out. Get out your corviknight and make him stand in front of the door I point at. Order him to scare the daylights out of the people when the door opens and I'll press the up button to get us moving again. If we do that then we can get there and to Leon faster."

"That's a plan!," Hop agreed. "Alright! We're nearly to Chairman Rose! Hold on, Lee! We're coming!"

Gloria brough out her corviknight and ordered him to do as you asked, and you motioned for her to make the scary big bird stand in front of the middle one as you stood by the button panel waiting to press it. Soon after the elevator stopped like you knew it would. You placed a hand on the up button as the elevator doors opened. CAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW!!! Screams rang out from the elevator doors and you pressed the up button. Making you get moving again without any battles. PERFECT!! Then again to the left. A caw and more screams as the doors opened and you pressed the up button. And rinse and repeat to the door on the fair right! This was perfect! You four were almost there!!

"Looks as though we're nearly there, Guys!," Hop said looking up, "Look sharp! let's do this!''

You nodded. "Oleana's going to be waiting for us at the top. She's gonna have a couple pokemon to battle you guys with. Froslass, Milotic, Salazzle, Tsareena, and Garbodor. So get ready to fight those pokemon guys!" All three nodded to you and you increased your hold on Silver before walking up to join them as they stood closer to one another. Gloria returning her corviknight for the moment. "You stay on guard too, Silver." he chirped an answer back.

With new tenseness in the air you four stood guard close to one another. You all better get to leon fast! the lift kept going up and up and up. Until you all finally came to a stop. And the middle doors opened. Revealing a GIGANTIC room. And standing there in the middle of it with her back towards you was Oleana. All three kids paused for a moment before looking at each other uncertainly before looking at you and with your nod you all started forward. Slowly. Your footsteps echoed out in the silent and dark room as you all slowly made your way towards Oleana. Your hold on Silver increasing in case you'd have to defend these guys from the crazy woman. Eventually you all stopped a few yards from her.

"....Glory. Stay on guard," Hop whispered and Gloria gulped.

"WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT SCARECROW LEGS!!"

Oleana let out what could only sound like a rage filled scream and Gloria backed away. She let out another scream similar to the first and sent out the pokeball. Oh boy here you go. Both boys did too and it was Victor with a Bewear, Hop with his Rillaboom, and Oleana with her Froslass. Hop was first to make a move against Oleana as you stayed back and held Gloria's petrified form behind you as you watched them battle it out...Hop one. Oleana sent out her Milotic. Victor won. Oleana set out her salazzle. Hop won again. Oleana continued three more times...You watched with satisfaction as both boys attacked her for the last time before her gardoder could even dynamax. Both boys fuled by the determination to protect the girl cowering right behind you as they both tag teamed Oleana down. Oleana let out one last scream of frustration....before deflating in defeat.

"*sigh*....I wasn't able to win. Oleana you really are a hopeless woman. ARGHHH!!" She hands balled into fists as she looked at all of you. "This is inexcusable. What was I thinking? Any gym challenger who made it this far would be no pushover. Under normal circumstances I would have tried to delay you further.".....She inhaled and calmed a bit. "However all the necessary Wishing Stars have been collected. Do as you wish. There is nothing to be done now. Everything I did, I did to further the Chairman's own goals...

".....Heh." Hop gave a smug smile turning to Victor. "Typical Vic. You and bewear were unstoppable!"

Victor lifted his hand to return the bewear before huffing glaring daggers at the older woman. "NO ONE threatens my family."

"Whoa!," they turned to you as you strode up with Gloria, "Leon wasn't wrong about you being a top notch trainer too, Vic. Were you always able to battle like that?"

"Yeah! How else did you think he was able to help me practice battling when Glory couldn't?" Hop answered before pointing ahead on the fair side of the room and another door. "But enough chit chat. We gotta get to lee!"

Not wanting to waste time, you four raced past Oleana, you only pausing a moment in front of her to glare and shove the key card into her hand. "Here. You're lucky I didn't decide to hide your hey in one of the rooms for you to find. After all." You smiled so politely and spoke in a polite tone. "The Chairman loves menial games like this." Just like Oleana told you earlier.

Oleana's jaw dropped at the audacity of what you said before you ran off after the others. You four ran to the door on the fair side of the large room with Victor hanging onto Gloria's hand. BANG!! What sounded like a gun shot went off when Hop THREW the door open and your group charged in. On the other side was Leon who had whirled around in shock from the noise, and next to him was the Chairman who also looked surprised to see the four of you standing there panting and tired from the wild ride.

"Hop!?," Leon asked in shock looking over your faces, "And Gloria and Victor and Y/n!?...How-...What are you doing here?!"

"L-Lee, "Hop gasped between breaths relieved to see his big brother, "You never showed when you were supposed too, so I got worried that s-something had happened. Piers and Marnie and all those Team yell Oddballs...They helped us out to get here."

Leon stared not sure what to do for a moment but the Chairman interrupted with a cough. "I must apologize to you, Hop, if we've made you worry at all." You looked to the older man. "There are times when adults just can't seem to have an honest discussion with one another. Sometimes our pride gets in the way."

Hop gave the Chairman a raised brow look but Leon stepped between them interrupting anything he might've said. "Never mind any of this, Hop. Glory. Everyone." He quickly said holding up his hands. "I'm sorry I made all of you worry so much. Let's head back to the hotel and we'll all grab dinner together. Ok? It's on me so you can order anything you fancy." Leon paused looking at Gloria for some unknown reason for a moment...before looking at the Chairman and in a stern tone said. "if you'll excuse us, Chairman Rose. And i do hope you'll watch this year's match. it's sure to be one for the history books." Turning back to the four of you Leon held out his hands and began shooing the kids back. "Come on you three. You can tell me what trouble Piers got into this time over dinner."

You began to follow as Leon seemed to suspiciously herd them away a bit too fast to change the subject ..but eventually stopped..and turned back to the Chirman. Who had his back to you and looking out the window....You approuched him.

"One for the history books," he mumbled, "You still don't understand, Young Champion. We...No. I am going to change the course of history-"

"*AHEM!!*"

The Chairman paused...before turning his head to you as you gave him a frown and crossed your arms. the older man blinked for a moment before smiled. "Ah. Ms. Y/n. You weren't eavesdropping were you?"

"No." You lied but you didn't have time for what he said. You had something more important to do. But he seemed to sigh in relief. "I have something to tell you."

He smiled. "By all means my dear lady!" He turned to you smiling. "How can the Chairman help you?"

"By keeping your assistant on a leash!"

He blinked surprised at your words. "Oleana?" You nodded and he sighed. "My oh my. What did she do this time?"

"She. Threatened. My. FRIEND!!," you pointed at him and he seemed surprised, "Now look here, Mr. Rose. I understand you're very busy but that assistant of yours is getting too troublesome for my liking! She just threatened to beat my friend from the challenge and personally I DON'T LIKE her treatment of my friend or Bede...In fact. I don't like YOUR treatment of Bede!"......He blinked. "You treated him absolutely horribly! Don't you have any idea how you made him feel!!" You...proceeded to go off on the Chairman. "You took him in and put so many expectations on him and then you let THAT WOMAN put so much pressure on him that he thinks he has to do whatever possible to please you or he's useless! And then have the audacity to through him out with NO WHERE to go and NO ONE to turn to!! By Arceus what is WRONG with you two!> I don't have ANY idea what you two got into your heads but that treatment of those children better stop right here and now! If Oleana gets into her head to try anything off I'll personally make sure Officer Jenny takes her away in hand cuffs even if I have to sit on her to stop her!"....You leaned back away from his speechless form before sighing in relief and then glaring at him. "Mr. Chairman..If you want to truly help people then, start with making sure Oleana doesn't get in over her head and end up hurting someone."

The Chairman still stared at you for a long moment...before sighing through his nose and nodding. "...I see. ....Ms. Y/n, you have my word that I will talk to Oleana."

You rose a brow. "What about my friends? Are they in trouble for coming here?"

He held up his hands. "No trouble at all."

"And Piers and his crew?"

"Wouldn't expect anything less from him. *sigh* He'll be fine as well."

.....You nodded. "Thank you for your time mr. Rose. Have a VERY merry Christmas." With one last frown, you turned and stomped off after Leon with Silver at your heels.

Mr. Rose watched you go silently...before raising a brow and humming. "What a very strange woman. Very strange indeed...But also surprisingly fascinating."

#leon #leon x reader #reader #reader x leon #Pokemon reader #Pokemon reader x leon #pokemon leon x reader #pokemon leon #pokemon shield #pokemon sword #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon swsh

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yeehawbvby · 5 months

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It Was Always You | Ch. 1*

(Piers x OC Maxine)

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Summary: “Here Max was, telling a long withheld secret to the very subject of it.

... She didn’t expect a kiss then. But she could tell in that moment that this was Piers' own confession of sorts. His way of trading his own secret for hers."

Author’s Note: This was supposed to only be a one-chapter follow-up to this fic, but I’ve gotten a little silly with it.

Hope y'all enjoy :3 x

Check it out on ao3!

Max’s twenties were flying by almost too quickly.

Once she had saved enough for her own apartment, she moved out of the one she was living in with Piers and Marnie to start fresh in Circhester. Far enough from Spikemuth for a nice change of pace, but close enough to see her best friends any time she wanted to. That was when she was 23.

Things were going well. Max obviously missed the easy access to the people who mattered most to her, but she was proud of how far she’d come, considering she spent her pre-teen and teen years living in a tent and barely scraping by.

She moved on from training at the Dark gym to become an Ice-type trainer under Melony’s rule, and it was Melony who pushed Max to join the gym challenge a year later — with an endorsement to boot. Marnie also happened to be entering the competition, and both of them were elated that they’d be up against each other.

Marnie and Max trained hard, duking it out in the wild areas and going into plenty of Dynamax dens together in their downtime. They busted their butts, worked their way up the rankings, and made it to the Semi-Finals. Max even earned a sick nickname for herself from fans along the way: DynaMax. Cheesy, of course, but she couldn’t blame them! The pun was practically begging to be made.

Unfortunately, neither Max nor Marnie won — Max went on to the Finals, only to get her ass kicked by Allister — but at least they grew as trainers and made worthy rivals out of each other.

As much as Max enjoyed the gym challenge, she was relieved to finally be out of the spotlight. And as much as she felt terrible about her defeat, she felt worse for the others.

Marnie wanted to be the Champion so badly, only to lose to Max, who wound up not even winning. Sure, Marnie was taking Piers’ spot as Spikemuth’s gym leader, but it wasn’t the same. It wasn’t her goal. She wanted to be the Champion, not a cog in the machine that was the Galarian league.

Max mentally reminded herself on repeat, much to her obvious detriment, that Marnie deserved a chance to enter the Finals more than she did.

Those other kids, Hop and Gloria, deserved better too.

Max ruined it for all of them.

And that made her feel like shit.

She told Melony she needed some time off, and the older woman was more than willing to accommodate. So, Max spent a solid while in complete isolation after her battle with Allister. She brought all her blankets over to the couch and let them absorb her, passing time by playing games, watching her comfort shows on repeat, napping, and crying.

Oh boy, there was a lot of crying.

It was utterly pathetic. She knew it was pathetic. She couldn’t stop it if she tried, though.

Her misdreavus was more than willing to act as a weight for her chest or a snuggle buddy when she needed it. She was happy to have its support, but it wanted to do more than it could ever possibly manage. Max often found herself sending it away to another room, pretending she was fine, just so it could have the much needed breaks it didn’t want to take.

Worried about barely having heard from Max since the day of her loss, Piers finally texted her to check in about 2 weeks in. She sent him a picture of her set-up, and he instantly recognized that she needed help.

He informed her that he was coming over. She objected, dumbly insisting she didn’t want to burden him. Piers ignored her, and the next thing Max knew, he was letting himself in with the spare key she gave him.

Having a view of the front door from her sofa, Max peeked over the back of it to silently greet her visitor. Piers’ heart sank when he saw her big, sad eyes poking out from atop the furniture like a shy sobble. He’d seen her in worse states for sure, having aided her through depressive episodes and autistic burnouts that lasted for months at a time, but it had been so long since she’d been like this. Who knew if it would evolve into something more akin to those past experiences?

After removing his boots, Piers wordlessly padded over to his friend. Max watched him the whole way, and when he sat close enough for their legs to touch, she leaned into him. He instinctively wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to his side. Pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

For good measure, of course.

After sharing their first kisses with one another, they became more casually intimate. They’d always hugged and held hands, but that kiss changed things.

They weren’t dating, but rather, filling in the blanks. They started to cuddle more often. They’d wind up kissing some more, no strings attached — or at least that’s what they told themselves — just because they felt lonely, or felt like doing it.

It worked out. As long as they were both single, they acted as a physical support for each other. This instance was no different.

The two trainers sat in silence for a bit. Max repositioned slightly to share her blankets with Piers before settling back down. Listened to his heartbeat. Worried the hem of his black tee. Absorbed his scent as if it were incense. It basically was, with how calming this felt for her.

Piers played with Max’s hair, twirling the short waves around his fingers. It reminded him about how he had cut her hair himself. Max wanted to chop her obnoxiously long tresses to her mid-back or so, but absolutely brutalized it; by the time Piers finished correcting her mistakes, it was as short as her shoulders.

He gave her a fringe, too.

Another act of good measure.

She often kept it half-up, with a pigtail on either side of her scalp. An ode to her Misdreavus in a way. But at this moment, it was a loose, frizzy mess. Piers ran his fingers through it, working some tangles out.

Max had a tendency to neglect herself when she felt this awful, but she’d been doing her best to eat and shower as needed this time.

Piers smiled to himself as he noticed that, although Max’s hair hadn’t been brushed, it was at least clean. He wanted to praise her, but held back, not wanting to come off as demeaning. Max didn’t expect him to notice, and was completely oblivious to Piers’ swelling pride as she began absentmindedly playing with the ends of his own tresses.

A few more minutes went by, and the silence was broken.

“I really fucked it up, didn’t I?” Max questioned, barely above a whisper.

“What?”

“The gym challenge.” Those few words came out more hoarse, and were accompanied by a sniffle. “What right did I have to rip the opportunity away from those kids? It wasn’t fair.”

“Max…”

“Marnie pretended to be happy for me when I beat her, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. She probably could’ve won it all had it not been for my dumb luck that day, and now she’ll just be constantly reminded of that every year during the challenge!”

“Max.”

“She’s gonna make an amazing gym leader but god, Piers, she could’ve been an even better Champion—“

Piers cut her off sternly. “Maxine!”

He felt her flinch and tightened his grip around her shoulder. He wrapped his right arm around her too, pulling her into a fuller embrace. Silently reassuring her that he wasn’t mad, he just needed her to stop spiraling.

“You were amazing. You are amazing. You deserved the chance to win jus’ as much as anyone else there, alright?”

“It doesn’t feel like it, though…” she squeezed out. Her voice cracked mid-sentence and her body began to shake. Piers pulled her closer and rested his cheek on top of her head while she cried. “I shouldn’t have even joined.”

A deep sigh ebbed Piers’ chest. “You’re allowed to feel however you want to feel, but Max, so many people rooted for you right through to the end. Thousands, maybe tens or hundreds of thousands in Galar alone! And out of those people, just think of how many saw you as an inspiration. As their muse.”

That last part was more about himself than the others, but the point still stood.

Piers kept his head on Max’s, but raised a hand to her cheek, blindly wiping her tears as they fell. The strokes from his thumb and the gentle reverberation of his voice against her soothed her sobs away, her tears falling silently. Calmly, even.

“None of that was a waste for anyone,” Piers continued quietly. “Not for you, not for the other competitors, an’ definitely not for Marnie, I can promise you that. She really isn’t that miffed.”

Max shifted beneath him so she could meet Piers’ eyes. As he raised himself from his makeshift pillow, he grinned. Rather than responding, Max reverted back to her original spot against his chest with a solemn nod.

More silence, and then, “With the obvious aside, did ya enjoy the rest of the challenge? We haven’t had a chance to catch up.”

Max sighed and proceeded to nod against him. “Almost being killed in a Dynamax den and going out with Leon aside, it was a lot of fun, yeah.”

Piers can hear a slight grin in Max’s voice, but was caught off guard by the statement. “Was Leon not good to you?”

Thinking of Max with Leon was already hard enough without fear of how he might have treated her. Piers was doing his best to stay calm.

“Nonono, he was really good!”

Piers felt a pang in his chest. He was glad he wasn’t a dick, but…

“He just…” Max hesitated, moving away from Piers’ grasp to pop her knuckles before hugging her knees to her chest. In the process, she let her portion of the blankets drape off of her, revealing a cropped white camisole and her old Dark gym shorts. All that warm coverage made sense now.

Piers waited patiently while his friend gathered her bearings. A sigh escaped her. She pursed her lips in thought, zoned out on the coffee table in front of them.

“I dunno,” she finally trekked on, “It just wasn’t the same as—“

Max cut herself off. Her mouth stayed slightly ajar and her eyes widened, as though she was about to reveal something she didn’t want to share. She closed her lips and sighed again, shutting her weary eyes.

Piers cocked his head to the side, watching Max intently. What was she going to say? Should he pry?

He hoped for the best, his heart skipping a beat. Was she… was she going to compare Leon to him?

No, it was wishful thinking. It had to be. Max probably saw their occasional escapades as an escape, a tool. A filler. Just like he had tried to convince himself she was for him, too.

Unable to tame his curiosity, though, Piers pressed on, his voice quiet. “The same as what?”

Max tilted her head to get a better view of him, resting her cheek against her knee. Closed her eyes again. Opened them and kept her vision off of his face. Blinked a few times, then finally, “I-it wasn’t the same as with you, I guess. I dunno.”

Piers could fucking cry. Why did this feel like a confession? Was it one?

Being the type of person to haphazardly ramble on when she’s nervous, Max kept going. “Like, Leon was nice, and I still consider him a really good friend, and he wasn’t a bad boyfriend, I don’t think, but, like, I couldn’t help but keep comparing him to you, w-which is stupid because we aren’t dating,” Max gestured between Piers and herself, still refusing to look him in the eye, “but sometimes I-I guess it feels like we are, in a way? Which is dumb. And like, he was a great kisser, but those weren’t the same either, like, there wasn’t that- that same spark, and—“

“Max…”

The girl blinked before widening her eyes. She said too much. Her chest tightened and she hid, resting her forehead to the knee her cheek had been pressing into.

She couldn’t believe it. Why did she say all that? The whole reason they decided not to date, even though the physical attraction was there; not to kiss more than, like, once or twice a month at most; not to fuck when things got a bit steamy while they kissed… it was all to not risk making things weird. To not ruin the special bond they had with each other.

Yet here she was, telling a long withheld secret to the very subject of it.

What had she done?

“I’m sorry,” she squeaked into her knees.

Piers didn’t know what to say. His heart was racing, his face was on fire, his eyes were wide, his head was spinning.

He hadn’t noticed how much she truly meant to him until she was with Leon. Up until that point, he had an ignorant confidence that maybe they’d stay the way they were forever. Both single, both messing around with each other and others… until they eventually broke and lived happily ever after. Or something.

And he’d tried to move on, having a few dates with Milo in tandem, but that didn’t go far. Even spent a night between Raihan’s sheets here and there (yet another act of good measure). And while none of that was bad, they…

It was like Max just said. They weren’t the same as her. They weren’t her.

For a moment, he felt frozen.

In the next, he was swiveling himself to face her, ejecting Max’s discarded blankets off of himself too. He put a hand on her shoulder, whispered a soft “Hey.”

When Max looked up, her eyes shy and her cheeks tamato-hot, he moved in.

Max didn’t expect a kiss then. In the past, it as an unspoken mutual agreement before the event. Something along the lines of,

“Hey, kiss me.”

“Oh! Why?”

“Why not? T’s fun.”

“Fair point.”

Or,

“I wanna smooch.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“‘Kay, c’mere.”

Piers was gentle enough that she could have easily stopped him from tilting her chin up, from laying his lips against hers, from running his thumb up and down her cheek in the same way that always gave her gooserene bumps in the past, and from weaving his fingers through the messy hair near her nape.

But she didn’t. She didn’t want to.

She could tell in that moment that this was his own confession of sorts. His way of trading his own secret for hers. Of keeping things even. They’d continue this trend as the moments passed by:

When Piers pulled back, Max chased him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

When Max parted her lips for a breath, Piers explored her tongue with his own.

Just like the first time, and plenty more after that, when Piers nudged Max back, she obliged, happily laying herself beneath him.

When Max pulled Piers closer, he strengthened his hold on the arm around her.

When Piers’ hand retreated across her back before wandering down her hip, down her thigh, gripping her thigh, Max welcomed it, letting her corresponding leg lightly wrap around his bony waist.

And when Max let a hushed moan slip in response to Piers’ hardening sex pressing against her clothed slit and lower belly, Piers softly rutted himself against her, again, and again, and again.

All shame had flown out the window. They both hated to admit that they were getting off on dry humping after the barest hint of a love confession like a bunch of depraved teenagers. They simply ignored it in favor of breathing each other’s air and absorbing each other’s embarrassing sounds with more kisses…

Until a high-pitched chirp across the room interrupted them. Both trainers’ eyes shot open and over, locking onto those of a worried misdreavus. The creature peered back and forth between them before it ultimately locked its eyes onto its human’s, its blueish brows furrowed.

Max’s surprised open mouth morphed into a smile while Piers’ upper teeth dug into his bottom lip, containing his own grin.

Max reassured her partner, “Mis— Erm. It’s okay, he’s okay! You know he’s fine!”

It squinted, chirping again.

“Yes, I— pfft, I promise.”

Chirp.

“Just, uh. Go wait in there, or in your ball, or,” a defeated grunt escaped her before she pleaded, “anywhere other than here, please, oh my god.”

The Misdreavus’ eyelids narrowed again, and it chirped one last time — a stubborn, almost rebellious one — before retreating to Max’s bedroom, where it had been napping prior. It had the decency to nudge the door shut behind itself, at least.

Max’s shoulders shook with laughter as her eyes screwed shut, and the man mounting her leaned his forehead down to her shoulder, giggling against the fabric covering her upper chest.

“That little shit!”

“It was just looking out for me!” Max defended it, “You know it gets protective!”

“Yeah, well…” Piers punctuated his point with a lighthearted eye roll and shake of his head.

Their laughter died down, but their lips stayed curled up as their views aligned.

Piers speaks his friend’s name matter-of-factly, a mere few inches from her face. “Max.”

“Piers,” she parroted.

“I… fuck,” he murmured, before propositioning with dark eyes, “Can I fuck you?”

“Whoa!” Max’s eyebrows shot up and her heart stuttered. She was awestruck.

Piers misinterpreted Max’s shock for discomfort. “Oh,” the zigzagoon-haired man began to lift himself into a kneel, “Is that— did— is that okay or did I just—“

Leaning up onto her left palm and encouraging him to meet her with her right, Max shut Piers up with another kiss. He instantly relaxed into her touch.

When Max nodded, Piers parted from her to question it. He was stopped short.

“Please.”

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cosmic-cd · 6 months

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i need to get some pokemon thoughts out before i forget 'em, so don't mind me! hazel's galar run thoughts and headcanons ahead

so there's a lot of miscellaneous thoughts here but i'll try to keep it. a little more or less coherent?

before we get to galar, first thought iiis

i've had it be a thing for a while that hazel knows ingo & emmet, but other than her riding the trains in unova a lot ever since she was younger and ingo and emmet were working their way up the ranks to becoming the subway masters, i couldn't particularly think of a reason otherwise why she'd be close with them (to the point of going "oh they're like practically uncles to me")

but hazel is friends with the striaton bros. (seeing as the restaurant is just one route away, and hazel lives in accumula town, visiting striaton city frequently, especially to hang out in the dreamyard)

and, well.. one of my favorite areas in unova is Anville Town, and so-

hazel and cilan (via the anime-specific version of cilan's interest in trains. canon to me.) probably bonded over a mutual interest in trains, and similarly hazel would've probably gotten talking to ingo & emmet about the subway trains- i think it'd be cute if they all went trainspotting together in anville town on the weekends- as well as hazel riding the battle trains as she got more and more into pokemon battling

(and then seeing ingo later... earlier?? in hisui. would be a little more ouch)

anyways, galar thoughts and headcanons

1. this is more of a general headcanon, but i was thinking about it while listening to encounter themes- it'd be neat if trainers challenging each other to battles on routes was standardized- encounter themes are diagetic- like ringtones, whatever phone or device (i.e. x-transceiver, vs seeker, what have you) plays it when you cross paths with another trainer who's actively seeking battles, and said device displays current registered pokemon league information about that trainer

2. when hazel arrives in galar, leon ends up meeting her at the train station at the same time he's meeting with hop & gloria, and hazel has literally no clue who he is other than immediately developing a crush on the guy..... i think it'd be funny as an inverse of this if hop recognized hazel- not as just like, the girl who's staying in their family home's guest room while she's in the region, but also knowing her from watching her battles online (to which hazel has a horrified reaction due to Not Wanting To Be Perceived)

Hop: oh, your battles only have about 1,000 views each! pretty underrated if you ask me Hazel: a-- a thousand??? (urge to disappear into the woods until no one remembers she exists rising)

this is feasible to happen just because i think she might naturally develop a very small following due to. literally having a pikachu as her ace. and collecting gym badges and specifically never challenging the champion afterwards. which! i'm sure is a passtime other people have, but specifically sweeping gyms with a pikachu is a little funny

3. i feel like it'd be more authentic to the experience if hazel didn't know anybody in galar otherwise and nobody knew her- but also i realized sonia and bianca would make ADORABLE friends. the thought of sonia flipping from indifference to OHHHHH YOU'RE THE HAZEL BIANCA WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

4. i don't know if i'll do much more than privately write out hazel's adventures for myself to enjoy, but if i ever did make a comic, i'd love to expand on the galar region and have leon accompany hazel a goodly amount (and similarly hazel accompany leon and help calm down aggressive dynamaxed pokemon) in between her chaperoning for hop & gloria on their adventure and challenging gyms herself

but i've been wanting to play with giving the story more flourish and fixing some of the issues that a lot of people have with the ending feeling rushed by giving rose more context to his motivations, more intrigue in the narrative with the legendary wolves, and one thing i'd really like to play with is the original heroes of galar and a one-off line from Ash in Journeys, which has him say the statue of the hero in one of the hotels looks like Leon)

i really like the narrative of rose being very romantic about how he sees the world and wanting to bring about a second darkest day so it can play out like a fairy tale and leon will be the hero in the starring role. that, wishing as hard as he can, he can shift fate itself and the hero king will tame the dragon and bring about a bright future. leon is written as a protagonist. sort of dorky outfit, using a starter as his ace, went on his journey and became champion on his first try, had a rival who ended up becoming a pokemon professor, his theme LITERALLY has the hall of fame theme as a motif- he's written as someone who is literally the ideal protagonist and hero.

and it just.. doesn't work. he fails! i want to work with that so badly. i loved that so dearly about BW with that similar narrative with basically creating a new pair of heroes at ideological odds by forcing it to happen. in the case of the unovan dragons, it turned out for the better, but in the case of galar it's such an interesting twist on the same kind of story and i love both games so much!!!!

anyways. dusts hands off. there you go. i go back under my rock now and pretend i'm not completely obsessed with leon and SWSH. goodbye

#cosmo rambles

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echantedtoon · 6 months

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Love Doesn't Do Encores Ch26 The Semifinals

(See if you can spot the Juno song reference. The song lyrics Piers and Marnie sings is from Feel Invincible by Skillet. Link to the song is below. Also apologies for this taking so long to get out, it's a lot longer than other chapters so it took while. ALSO IMPORTANT! What do you guys want to see Piers and the reader do for Christmas??)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9NSd_2avA

"HECK YEAH!," Gloria agreed totally fist pumping with him!

"What's Wyndon City like anyways?" You couldn't remember it too well from the games.

"What happens when the top Challenger loses to one of the gym leaders?," you asked as Hop pulled his phone away.

Ah! So Gloria would have to remake her way through all the gym leaders again! That part you did remember about the game...Still. You couldn't shake the feeling that you were forgetting something very VERY important..Oh well. No matter anyways. Your journey was almost over anyways.....And somehow that still didn't make you any happier. Well soon after four days turned into seven days and it reached December Twenty Second. And early in the cold morning you were sound asleep leaning against the window clutching silver in your bag when you were again all of a sudden shaken awake roughly by the others for you to get up and reluctantly you did..Again. The sun wasn't even out at this time which meant it must've been very early morning again. You were barely able to heave the heavy bag over your shoulders as the three of them ushered you out the door and into the cold. The feeling of the frost and still falling snow hitting your face immediately made you jolt wide awake now going through the standard train station and then out the doors into a winter wonderland outside. You ended up shivering and pulling your hood over your head, tucking your hair into the hood with it. The others were all bundled up as well looking around as the fairly still early dark morning still blocked their view. Click! You blinked and held up your hand to your eyes as a sudden light hit you all in the form of Victor's flashlight. He shined it around you all before it landed on a road sign with the number ten.

Gloria nodded gazing through her scarf covered face at the hill. "Sure will. If we don't turn into icicles first."

..And Gloria ran off after him again into the dark snow. "HEY!! GET BACK 'ERE!!"

.....!?

You felt a sinking feeling in your guts watching them disappear into the darkness. "HEY!! YOU TWO COME BACK HERE!!"

"OH RIGHT!!" Gloria suddenly started trudging carefully down hill behind him. "We have to register before tomorrow!''

"Tomorrow?," you asked following after them.

" If we don't register before today's over we'll be considered forfeit!," Hop added.

"Holy SMOKES!!"

"Hey. Isn't that a mudsdale?," you asked gesturing to it as it walked away down a specifically marked lane. Like a bicycle lane.

"OH THAT'S RIGHT!!" You turned to Victor. "Wyndon City's the biggest one in all of Galar. That means they have more than one transport systems here."

You blinked. "Really? What kinds?"

You nodded at the idea. "Great!" Your f/c eyes scanned around the place through the snowflakes. "So uh...Which way to the stadium?"

Everyone paused.."Uh...I'm not sure." Hop lowered his hand also looking around. "Never been here before so I'm not sure where to start."

"Glory you're a genius!" Hop quickly agreed before making a 'follow me' motion. "C'mon! If Lee's here then we might be able to catch up to him!"

"...Hey, what's all of those for?"

Hop hummed looking around. "They must be setting up some merchandise stalls to sell things before the semifinals tomorrow." He pointed out one particular stall towards the right with a blue and white them. "Looks like Nessa's selling some of her brand items this year too. Pretty good last minute Christmas present. C'mon Glory." He nodded to Gloria. "Let's go in and sign in real quick."

"I'll stay here." Victor retreated further into his coat with a sour look. Oh right. Your forgot he hated the colder weather. "I wanna take some pictures o' the stadium and stands. 'sides we're not allowed in unless we're registered challengers." He had a good point. You guys weren't probably allowed in unless you worked for the league or were a challenger. "Hurry up n' t-t-then come back as fast as ye can! I wanna get ta the hotel as soon as possible!"

The two nodded and off they ran towards the stadium up the many stairs. You opted for getting back into the taxi to wait for the two. And after Victor took a nice round of shots, he also joined you in the taxi to await Hop and Gloria's return. Both of you all bundled up as best as you could waiting in the cold before they FINALLY returned. Both bounded over towards the taxi and got it, Gloria asking the driver to take them to The Rose of Rondelands. You didn't know what that was but it sounded fancy. Regripping the seats as you took off you opted to talk to Hop sitting next to you, to distract you from the high distance.

"S-So how'd it go?"

"I'm all sorted and ready to battle Gloria on the biggest stage of them all! We saw Marnie in there too. It looked like she was waiting for someone."

"Really?"

"We would like two rooms for the night please?," Hop asked.

The man smiled more. "But of course! Say. Would any of you fine folks be registered for the semifinals tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Two of us actually. Why?"

"Oh! Marvelous! Then we might've been expecting you two!" You all exchanged confused glances as the man hummed a cheery tune and opened a book in front of him on the desk. He skimmed through it a bit flipping some pages before stopping at one. "Ah. Here we are. Challenger Reservations bought and paid for by the Marco Cosmos company for Challengers Three and Four. Names marked as a Ms. Gloria and Mr. Hop with extended company. We've been awaiting your arrival here. Provided you are the people who are listed here?"

"Really!? That's great!"

"Indeed. But I'll have to ask for identification please. Can't have anyone swindling free rooms now." Understandable. You waited patiently as Gloria and Hop went digging through their packs and pulled out their league cards to show the front desk man. After confirming that it was them the man handed the two back their league cards with a smile. "It's all cleared!" With a snap of his fingers a young woman with blonde hair stood up with a smile. "I'll have Daisy escort you all to your rooms."

You all followed the woman into one of the golden doored elevators and up, up, up you all went to nearly the top floor. But instead stopped at the twelveth floor. When the doors opened back up you four followed the woman down the long, long fancy looking hallway and stopped at a door presenting it to you and Gloria and the one across the hall from you as Hop and Victor's. You went inside and it was BIG!! You looked around the fancy looking single room with soft rugs, a giant window view, queen sized bed, fancy furniture including a golden chandelier, AND A LITERAL FIREPLACE!! A small fire was safely inside it behind safety bars giving the room a cozy holiday feel contrasted to the snow still falling down outside. Gloria had the same 'WOW!' look you had as you all looked around the room before her eyes landed on a small gift basket filled with goodies she bounded over too.

"Look at this!," she called over to you and held up the pretty looking basket to you, "Complimentary stuff too! This is shapin' up ta be a real sweet deal!"

You nodded. "Sure will!" You smiled at your reflection in the mirror as the snow continued to fall. It would be fun. You'd get to spend the last nine days left of the year until the thirty first when Gloria won the championship match and you got to go back to your mother. ....And her rules. ..And a college degree you didn't want now that you thought about it. You loved music but not the angle. Leaving your friends and Silver behind- CHIRP!? You blinked and looked down only to find two eyes peeping out of the bag staring at you. Silver squirmed around in your bag obviously wanting out. "Oh sorry!" You quickly placed the bag down and out crawled Silver in that little hoodie of his. Shaking himself out he looked around the place before stopping at you. "Glad to see you were ok."