"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company."
~Unknown

The house of the former Champion was not much to look at. Just a simple wooden building in the north-west of Floccesy. Despite the fact that otherwise the house didn't look any different from other houses in the town, what was notable was the space in front of Alder's house. It was a battlefield meant for pokemon battles and it seemed to be known well amongst the townspeople seeing that the seats on the sides of the battlefield looked as if they had been sat on much.
"Welcome to my humble abode!"

Hearing the flame-haired man say that the two brunettes following him peeked inside the house. Alder had opened the front door and stepped inside with a wide grin on his face, gesturing his hand that his guests should do that too. The two younger males stepped in slightly hesitantly and their brown eyes roamed around the place with utmost curiosity. The first thing that caught both of their interests was a shelf at the back that was holding three pokeballs all of which were placed there almost as if they were trophies. The shelf was surrounded by its both sides with long feathers that Touya could recognize being tail feathers of a braviary. Right next to where the men were standing were two tables, on on the right side and the other on the left. They were quite shallow, seemingly Japanese tea tables. There were also soft-looking cushions surrounding the tables.

Alder soon sighed.
"Sorry for the slight mess. I haven't had much time to clean up since I've been helping out a couple kids who wanted some hints on how to train their pokemon", he stated.
Kyohei just laughed out.
"Oh, this is nothing compared to my room in its worst!"
"Hm. Don't your parents complain about it?" the oldest of the trio asked, raising an eyebrow. "Ah, and do sit down."
Both the brunettes sat down around one of the tables. Touya kept silent, still glancing around with great interest while Kyohei smirked at the flame-haired guy.
"Nah, my mom doesn't really nag about it. She says that as long as I'm happy it's all good", he explained and gained a nod from Alder. The former Champion was silent for a moment, waiting for a mention about Kyohei's father but as it never came, he just shrugged it off and figured the boy didn't want to talk about it.
"You're lucky to have an understanding mother", Alder hummed and stretched his arms. "Either way, I'm off to boil the water. You two make yourselves comfortable in the meantime, okay?"
The younger one of the two trainers replied with a nod and Alder hurried off deeper into the house, soon out of sight.

As soon as the flame-hair was gone Kyohei gently pushed Touya with his elbow. The older brunette was startled and he snapped out of his thoughts, looking at his companion.
"What?"
"Stop looking so down. You said it yourself: that you're fed up with hiding. So why the long face?"
"I'm just nervous", the older guy laughed out quietly and played around with his fingers. "I did say I'm fine with meeting him but I'm not sure if I want to... explain things just yet."
"Leave that to me", Kyohei hummed and winked his eye. "I'll keep him busy with my questions so he won't have time to interrogate you too much."
Touya sighed in relief and relaxed a little on his cushion.
"You're a treasure, Kyo."
"I know I a- ...wait, what did you call me?"

Before the older brunette could answer their host appeared with an old-fashioned tea-set and a small selection of teas of different taste. Alder smiled widely as he told the two trainers to choose the tea of their liking before proceeding to mix the drink up. Soon enough all of them had a steamy hot cup of tea in front of them. The mere scent of the liquid was enough to relax Touya completely. Kyohei smiled at that reaction, figuring that he should still keep his promise. So he spoke:
"You told me you know something about the legend of this town, Alder. Could you tell us more?"

The oldest of the trio sighed and rubbed his temples for a while before answering.
"As I said, I don't know much", Alder stated. "But I do know the basics. Are you both familiar with the legend of the three legendary pokemon and the big forest fire?"
Both the brunettes nodded, Kyohei a tad hesitantly.
"I know some of it. Virizion, terrakion and cobalion?" he confirmed.
"Correct", replied the flame-haired man. "Those three legendaries are said to be the protectors of all mistreated and abandoned pokemon. There was once a great forest fire caused by some disagreements amongst us humans. Virizion, terrakion and cobalion were the three pokemon who saved the innocent pokemon from that said fire as well as the forest from further harm."
"What does that have to do with Floccesy?" the rookie questioned.
"Well", the former Champion continued. "The legend says that from within that fire engulfed forest those three pokemon found something. A baby pokemon. Feeling sympathy for the mysterious young orphan they decided to take care of him together, raise him to become powerful. In all their bitterness towards human-kind they thought that maybe they could use the kid to get rid of all the selfish humans that once almost destroyed their home."

There was a short pause as Alder sipped his tea. Kyohei was frowning ever so slightly while Touya stared into his tea lost in thought.
"But humans aren't evil!" the messy-haired brunette soon muttered in confusion. "We take care of our pokemon partners and help them become stronger. Why can't they see that?"
"The disappointment for mankind caused by the happenings back then was far too great", Alder explained. "They saw what bad things us humans can do and now they refuse to think any better of us in fear of history repeating itself."
"Someone should tell them the truth", Kyohei huffed, glancing at the flame-haired man. "You haven't finished the story. What part does the clock tower have in this?"
"Ah, that. I almost forgot", Alder laughed out. "It's said that the clock in that tower will ring once the prophecy is fulfilled. Once the fourth legendary pokemon has finished his training and appears to humans, wielding the Sword of Justice."

Alder then gave the boys time to think about what they had just learned by concentrating in his tea for a while and closing his eyes. It took a while before he shot a curious glance at Touya from under his eyelashes and smirked a little.
"So... what happened with Iris? She's talented but from what I've experienced you seem more powerful. Your strategies are flawless while Iris is just a tad too reckless. It should have been easy for you to beat her in a battle."
The older brunette bit his lip and looked away from the amethyst eyes that were now observing him rather curiously.
"Stop flattering me. I'm not any better. Besides she learned much from Drayden."
"I'm just stating the facts. Something's fishy about this whole thing. You shouldn't have lost so easily."
"I lost anyways. What does it matter to you?"
"Guys!"

Kyohei's frustrated yell stopped the small fight before it could become any bigger. Touya murmured something inaudible and rose up to leave but Alder still seemed determined to find out just what had happened. He narrowed his eyes a little at the older brunette's withdrawal.
"Battle me, Touya Black", he then said with a low voice. "Show me if you're truly worthy of your lost title or not."
The boy to which the words were directed laughed out joylessly.
"I'm not really fond of battles nowadays..."
"That's not an excuse. And it's good exercise for your team as well."
The rookie trainer's chocolate eyes lit up with the idea.
"Two former Champions battling? This I gotta see! Touya, please!"
Just a glance to those pleading young eyes was enough to make Touya give up. He groaned a little in frustration but shrugged anyways.
"Fine. Just this once."

A/N: Again it's been an eternity since I last updated... _' Sorry. And thanks for your patience and loving reviews, too! They always make my day~

In fact I actually have something to ask from you people. ._.

Would you like it if I wrote flashbacks about what happened between Touya and N?

You can respond via reviews or via PMs. I'd really appreciate your opinions on this matter. :3 Thank you beforehands and I hope you enjoyed this new chapter 3