So it turns out this is going to be more than two parts. We regret nothing.
Alarm clocks, Niko decided as they slapped a hand against the wall, could burn in the fires of a heatran's volcano. Several mindless gropes later, it turned off and blessed, blessed silence reigned.
Haru's breathing remained shallow; sleeping—or at least pretending to. Did it really matter? No, and the Viridian Gym Leader slowly exhaled as they took the chance to centre themselves.
The last jun had been, in a word, hectic. From the contract's delivery, to the jail visit and everything Archer was, to the lawyers and the angry nineteen-hour slog just to learn that no, they literally could not have gotten out of it without some massive, hideously fatal repercussions, to the meetings and marriage, to last night...
Niko yawned and stared up at the rendered ceiling, with its faint motifs of grimer and sun-opened cherrim. The cherrim they could understand. The grimer was pure Sinnohan tastes because they revered the disgusting, putrid sludge monster that lived in toxic places and devoured whatever toxic, sludgy gunk factories spat out.
Personally, Niko couldn't stand the things and even the cutesy depictions on the ceiling couldn't change it. No. All they provided was a distraction against reality.
Reality was, they were married at seventeen- married as a minor and the band and newlywed cord proved it, even if the only tradition followed had been the contract. Everything else was rushed or skipped or pushed into three days, and part of Niko wondered if it'd been that way to get the jump on them.
Probably had been.
Regardless of why it'd been a celebi-damned whirlwind, it was useful to know Haru was that flexible even in bed and Niko couldn't deny their thoughts flicked to the next time they'd have (hopefully less awkward) sex. At least they'd cleared the air re: binding. A firm no. Niko had a small chest -one they still wanted it gone- and quite liked the fact Haru's chest was bigger. Made for good-
Well. There would be time enough for that later. A lifetime for it.
Niko yawned again and scrubbed their face. Deities, they were well and truly ready to go home. To take Haru on a hike through the deeper trails of the forest with little more than their pokemon, an escape rope and limited camping supplies.
But no. They couldn't fuck off randomly for two main reasons: No matter how hilariously entertaining it was to watch League spies scramble like panicked, headless torchic, the season wasn't over, and there was still a chance some challengers would show. Nor would they be able to control the circulated gossip the carrion-feeders would put out once they pounced. And pounce they would. They'd done so with Bruno's engagement last year and Erika's wedding the year before that.
Niko's face pinched.
A public announcement needed to be made and the sooner the better. At least the public understood the no-escape contracts, and, with how old the family was, it was believable. That Haru was from Sinnoh would help, too. Though given the political situation was as it was, people would assume Haru was from a crime-related family or somehow connected. Not ideal, but that couldn't be helped. It could be worked with though, assuming the agents did their jobs.
They would, of course. James had taken a personal stake to all of this and fate willing, they'd have the Nakamura and Sasaki on hand and visible on announcement day. That should help deflect the carrion-feeders. It was risky, but so was a monster-filled life on Arkea.
Aww, whatever. They could think later on the plane and it was likely Haru would make adjustments to any plans, anyway. Right now, they still needed to pack. To dig out something nice for the flight.
With a disgruntled stare, the redhead grabbed the closest shirt and tugged it on. It came to the hip; good enough and they were married. Who cared if Haru wasn't sleeping and got flashed? With a soft grunt, they stood and slowly gathered up clothes, folding as they went.
It was easy and more something to do as they considered Haru.
The girl -no, teenager- had curled up under the blanket at the futon's edge, long hair splayed out as if it had a mind of its own. They hoped she'd keep it. Running hands through it last night had been fun. But, they didn't know and, more than ever, refused to assume. Haru was her own person, and they had a lifetime to grow close. Failing that, establish a partnership in which to raise the child.
Their child.
Niko wouldn't put it past James to politely call in this favour (and it was, for all the man worked for them) via the 'suggestion' one of his children, either via Jessibelle or his and Jessie's future child, marry the Rocket Heir.
This was a headache for later, even if it was wise to start thinking about this now.
With a particularly aggressive fold of a shirt, Niko reaffirmed they would treat her as a partner. This wasn't just their brat, but Haru's. She would have a say in this. She was their wife, not the thing the Umiyari saw, no matter how unwanted the intrusion into their life was. Her voice and thoughts and will mattered. It was the least they could do as someone who tried to be more of a decent person.
Niko smothered a snort. Right. Decent people didn't take advantage of whatever they could lay hands on. Decent people didn't turn into the Rocket Boss. Decent people wouldn't be lying to the Viridian - Kanto's- public and hiding it. Decent people didn't lie to their best friend's face. But they'd been raised for this life. Raised and taught from day one how to shield and appear as if a Darkened.
It was a mask and a mask was only as good as its foundation and they were very good at them. Not as good as Father, but he'd learned from Grandmother, then perfected and refined it over the decades. Niko vowed they would become better than Father; they'd prove they were just as good as a boy. Just as good as some stinking girl.
Good as any person.
Niko exhaled slowly and forced thoughts elsewhere.
Tradition demanded Haru challenge for the badge; she could win or lose. All that mattered was that it was done.
They could imply it- no. No.
The public would demand an answer as to why it wasn't open to them and broadcasted. As would the League itself and that would lead to an unwanted probe. Far better they adhere to a tradition in the Yamatai Leagues, even if they neither cared for nor knew the reasoning, or logic, behind it, outside a show of skill and mastery over monsters.
Hopefully, Haru's pokemon weren't status symbols or things bought to make her seem impressive. It wasn't unheard of for stones slapped on as young as possible, but Haru wasn't in the Contest circles. She was from the underworld, and in this case, the ninetales was at least nine months, or younger if the growth had been fast-tracked via the gruelling slog called competitive training. Or, if not Comp-Slogged, sped up enough that the pokemon could be called a ninetales while still sporting the firestone.
Either way, it was young, barely sub-adult if the faint traces of vulpix that remained were any clue.
Oh, well. It wasn't like they were any stranger to status-mons. Father's shiny nidoking came to mind, and it had been what, a nidorino by four months and a nidoking at six months. It'd presumably been younger, but those were the stats Niko knew. They also knew the pendant Father'd made Mother out of the depleted moonstone sat under glass in the family vault, alongside Mother's wedding band and an ultraball containing her favoured pocket monster.
Mementos of Mother and status-mon aside, Haru was a Golden Eyed Child and Niko knew they'd have to clear there would be no slaving of pokemon. Ao was a fine battler and growth issues aside, Niko did not want to awkwardly ask Zorn to undo their wife's 'work'.
Not when Zorn likely hid his status as a Darkened even now. A habit likely born of the land the man came from, where being Darkened was on par with absol superstitions or worse. Viridian had its share of bigots -what place didn't?- but they could go jump off the Tatsushigo Falls an hour's hike from the city. Fate willing, they'd all land on one of the seadra there and be pulled down to the lair to drown or be eaten alive.
That was a thought- no. It'd steal Baku's prey, and a glutted gengar was far preferable over a hungry one.
And they'd run out of clothes not Haru's to fold.
Niko grunted, thought to shake their wife awake, then aborted the thought because it was stupid. If she was actually sleeping, she'd attack first ask later on being woken up. At least until they grew used to each other.
"Oi! You'll need to wake up soon," they said instead and headed into the kitchen to scrounge up something to eat. "We'll be checking out in an hour. If I have to wake you, I will."
Breakfast ended up cold leftovers.
-/-/-/-/-
One check-out later, Niko's single-minded detour towards the internal shrine had people stepping out of the way.
Respect or fear; didn't matter and Niko did not care to make the distinction.
Though, it was less a shrine and more of a sacred space set into the far wall above eye level. Sinnoh called it a 'kamuydaha' while Kanto called it a 'kamidana', but while the names might differ, the setup was familiar enough Niko was willing to overlook how flashy it was. The shimenawa hung from the top of the kamidana, wound and bound in a way that prevented breakage of the sacred rice straw. Several golden crests of meowth kittens decorated it, and pale purple upside down 'Y's hung in the spaces between. Sinnoh's version of the sacred shide.
Under all that sat a myriad of sacred objects big and small. From what they could see, the items were carved from bone or ivory or snow-white sapwood that went beautifully with the kamidana's golden stained white ash. Most related to prosperity, some to safety and others protection; all of them sacred and said to house part of a deity's spirit. Both offering a plea to the gods. Not all of them Niko knew or followed, but all of them they would thank.
Even the grimer deities. No need to yank the fox tail of fate.
"Why are you grinning?"
"Huh?" Red eyes flicked to Haru, who nodded to the golden stained white ash. Niko's grin grew. "Hmph. Next time I win against Kris, I'll get my desk in this!"
"Next… time?" Haru blinked at her spouse with a small frown of confusion.
"Yeah. Private or show matches."
"You don't want the Championship?"
"Hmph. No way!" Niko said and crossed their arms into the 'No' gesture. "Like I want that!" Not any more at least.
Haru nodded. "I... see."
Niko shrugged and stepped up to one of the troughs of water that demarcated sacred space to complete the purification processes. Haru hung back beside the luggage, but they didn't pay it any heed. For all they knew, she was one of the weirdos who believed in a single deity or some such nonsense. Whatever. That would be sorted out later. Once done and with still dripping hands, they proceeded into the sacred space.
The air past the troughs was charged and clingy. Fingers and the inside of their mouth tingled as goosebumps formed across their body. The superstitious side believed a god dwelt in the house. The realistic, practical side knew from experience there was a magnemite or two stashed behind it. Charged as the air was, it clung like unwanted static and the faint hint of ozone was missing (though, Niko admitted it could be because it was inside and not outside). Nor did it feel rarified, like the massive temples with their sacred grounds and holy shrines. This one was maybe half a century of continual use, not the hundreds, if not thousands of years temples often boasted. But at least the hidden magnemite made for a decent atmosphere around the kamidana.
Three, wet claps of the hands and then they bowed in silent supplication. In thanks. They'd lasted the seven-day and, gods, myths, legends and deities willing, they would last the coming year without murdering anyone.
Thirty seconds later they looked up, bowed deeply, and carefully backed out of the sacred space.
"Come on," they said with a lopsided grin once they'd returned to Haru's side. "Hometime."
-/-/-/-/-
It was the first time she'd been on a plane.
Perhaps the hurried move to the safe house in Snowpoint had involved a plane, but she had been far too young, if not far too asleep to remember, and interrupted sleep at that stage had been normal. So had guards who'd pulled her out of bed with one hand and grabbed her little black-and-gold suitcase with the other. It was so normal, that no matter how they travelled, she'd be back asleep and dreaming by the time they'd made their way to the next safe house. It wasn't until she had pokemon of her own and the ability to do much more than toddle around that she stayed awake during the moves.
Now there wouldn't be any more as, luck willing, this was the last move. The last one and it sounded so final and ominous. But, in a good way, maybe?
Fingers dug into leather and Haru stilled before she moved hands to lap and held them there, if only because it wasn't seemly for her current image to worry the seat's armrest. Not when they'd trained her on how to behave in a first-class cabin.
Though, really, was there any way to behave? Niko'd taken the first chance to recline the seat and drift off, and the other few people had either done the same or had headphones in as they either watched the in-flight movie, or listened to one of the three documentaries available. She'd seen them, and the in-flight was some fringe fantasy without pokemon that had, apparently, won a Double A. She'd tried it, but it wasn't even worth a C-grade, let alone the Double A.
Now she was without entertainment and she could hear Teacher's scolding in her head: 'It is unseemly to show any sign of anxiety where others might witness it.'
Teacher was right. Barely seen or not, she had an image to uphold; one that needed even more attentiveness now that she would be in the public eye. Even if Niko decided she would spend all her time in the house, doubtless to avoid outside forces getting to them through her, she would be expected to attend a decent number of social functions and at least appear to have an active life beside them.
She was a Gym Leader's wife, after all.
Eyes closed, Haru counted to three in her mind's eye before she relaxed. Her public image was that of a young woman from a good family, with few worries and too big of a heart for her own good. It was not the same image she had cultivated in the underworld: that of the shrewd and stern daughter of Nakamura Sho, capable of a ruthlessness that rivalled her father's when the moment called for it. Being stiff, here, wouldn't help her keep the right image up.
When she opened her eyes again, she looked out the window to her left. There was nothing but clouds. They weren't high enough to catch even a glimpse of a rayquaza's tail, sadly, and any pokemon that lived this high would have been scared off by the jet engines. So, clouds it was.
What sort of house would she live in? What was her role to be in the day to day? Was Niko the sort to have servants, or did they clean their own messes up? Would she be expected to clean their messes up any more than the submissive spouse would normally? She would have to look into their financial situation- it was her duty as the submissive partner. Niko no doubt had both legal and illegal ventures funding their activities and, if her teacher was to be believed, she had a rare gift with finances; able to make things look legal when they weren't.
Typically that gift was male-only. Or so she'd heard and it was probably true. Men kept the books and did housework. Wives worked, raised children and sometimes did housework where possible, but mostly, that was left to the men. Or, in her case, the submissive spouse, and this was on top of any potential work.
Thankfully, her cover school had that taken care of. Most thought of wives as in Wife and man, but it could also mean Wife and wife or Spouse and wife.
She was very much wife, and if Niko wouldn't trust her with the books, then she'd at least advise them on such things. Then, it was hardly her fault if they got caught due to not using their resources appropriately, her included.
Hands smoothed her skirt and she resisted the urge to clutch at it. But, it wasn't easy. The skirt was a light and breezy thing in black-and-gold that matched so many of her belongings. Another breath in and out and she tried to think of activities to fill time if not given any real purpose.
An indoors lifestyle wasn't unknown by any means, but before she had studies and, while Niko had implied she'd have other teachers, Haru dare not hope. So, she'd have to find other things to do to fill the time, and assuming Niko allowed it, she could always read more books. There were even applications these days that'd allow her to read on various electronics. Yes, reading would take up some hours in the day, and that she'd learn was a side effect, really.
Yes, that's how she'd broach it with Niko.
Obviously, she would continue her workouts. She couldn't let her figure go, nor did she want to. She was fond of it, and the slender, graceful form made it more likely people underestimated her strength, and that gave her an upper hand in several scenarios. Her daily workouts allowed her to have lean muscle and very little extra fat on her body, and they accounted for the fact she was still technically undergoing puberty. Her workout would be adapted as she aged, but that was something for Teacher to worry about, not her.
She needed to be familiar with Niko before he came back into her life, because he would. And that meant they were both on limited time until the leash was cut short and tight.
Likely painfully so.
Hopefully, by then, they'd have a child in the tanks, and she'd technically be pregnant. No-one dared upset a (confirmed) pregnant woman. Not even a whore. For all they were sex slaves, they had some rights. But she wasn't a whore; she was a wife. She'd have far more leeway with Teacher because of it, and she could push a little more than she'd normally try.
Yes, she'd endeavour to have a baby in the wing before the man came back into her life after he endeared himself to Niko, and he would, she knew it as sure as the sea shimmered blue-green as it peaked through the rapidly thinning cloud cover until she could see the world below them.
It amounted to some smaller islands; perhaps even the Sanhime islands, where legends told three princesses had once lived. True or not, deep forests covered some of them, perhaps not untouched by woman but surely not visited terribly often, and her mind wandered to the thought of one day being able to make explorations in such places. An unlikely dream to see fruition, but a nice one to linger on.
Maybe she'd even discover a new species of monster, or insect, or something not-a-pokemon.
"Excuse me, are you afraid of flying?"
Haru's mind yanked her back to reality as she blinked at the owner of the voice. It was the cabin's flight stewardess. "I- No. I'm not."
She tried to unhook her hands from the armrests, again. It didn't work, as the stewardess must have spotted- "Oh. You're -oh! Newlyweds!"
Haru cocked her head as she, once again, settled hands in her lap.
"You needn't be anxious," the woman said with a bright, delighted expression on her (rather attractive) face.
"Niko and I were just married yesterday," Haru said with a soft smile, even as her blood ran cold. She'd messed up and while it would be good to practice small talk, even if was at the expense of a nice daydream, she'd messed up.
Thankfully, Niko was napping.
"That soon? Well, I'm always happy to see newlyweds," the woman clasped her hands together in an intentional display of happiness. "Such lucky, adorable couples. Oh, to start a life together after so much time getting to know one another and fall in true love." The woman sighed. "I do wish you the best of fortunes!"
Haru ducked her head, more to mask frustration at being seen as cute as embarrassed. "I do appreciate it. We are on our way home."
"Ah. One of you has the 'porting sickness?"
Yes, she wanted to say, but this woman seemed to want gossip. "I've never flown by plane, so..."
"Well now, don't you worry. I'm sure the flight-"
What? She wasn't- No. She could use this. Why didn't she see it before-?!
"-will be fine. We're almost over land." The woman remained perky and Haru nodded. It was a little shaky, but so be it. The woman's smile turned understanding. "I'm sure your wife is taking you to such a sweet love-nest."
Haru forced another smile as she felt Niko stir a little. It wouldn't surprise her if the woman had awoken them; she was a little louder than was typically polite. All the same, Haru nodded politely. "I will be well cared for. I trust in that."
The warmth in the woman's smile multiplied. "Oh, I think you two will have such a lovely life together."
"Is... something the matter?" Haru asked when she paused.
"Forgive me, yet come to think of it, you do appear quite young to get married."
Out of the corner of an eye, she saw one red eye open and a glare worthy of an arbok affixed itself on the stewardess with a nasty scowl to match the volume used by the stewardess. "The marriage was arranged."
Haru watched as the stewardess froze, eyes wide, before her skirt was hastily smoothed as the woman looked away from them. "I-"
"Yes?" Niko said. No, questioned. This was Niko-the-Boss not Niko-the-Gym-Leader.
"Well- I'm quite positive you will have the happiest of marriages, arranged or not," she said, though Haru could tell it held a certain amount of huffiness. Plus, the way she'd quickly departed without even a 'goodbye', well, Haru supposed it was embarrassing to have been speaking of true love only to find there'd been no such thing in the relationship.
"Hmph. That should teach her."
Haru's head whipped around to look at Niko as they re-situated themselves in their seat. "I apologise for waking you."
"It's nothing. You weren't being loud. She was," they grumbled as they found a position that looked at least moderately comfortable. Haru made to answer, but their eyes were already closed.
It wasn't her fault. That was comforting, yet still, she watched their face carefully as they seemed to drift off again. The scowl eased into something softer, more neutral. For all she had found the stewardess' face pretty, it had very little on Niko's.
Especially like this. It looked human, and once again, she was grateful her spouse had attractive features. Marriage would be so much more endurable when she had such a gorgeous face to look at.
But, she couldn't watch it for the rest of the flight, and she really didn't feel up to more small talk. With a sigh, she settled back into the seat, grabbed the wireless headphones and settled on a documentary.
-/-/-/-/-
"Urgh," Niko groaned as they waved off the concerned staffer, but accepted the luggage trolley, thank you very much and they certainly did not use it to remain standing. "Faiyā's cunt, you call that a Teleport?"
"Then take an esper," the staffer muttered as the one-eyed, rather short, electabuzz gobbled up the offered berry. "I hear they're smoother."
"Aww and miss out on 'porting via that?" Niko jabbed a finger at the pokemon between piling luggage onto the trolley and expertly ignored the dark, irritated look sent their way from the trainer.
"You and everyone else."
"Hmph! Maybe I'll get one and teach it to Teleport!"
"Don't you have Mita?" the staffer asked.
"What are you saying? I can have one if I want." And, as stupid and belligerent as the average electa was, it was still one of the precious few non-psychic species able to be taught Teleport. They'd easily make back the yen spent on it.
"It wouldn't be that hard," Haru whispered as she loaded the last suitcase on. She then straightened and bowed to the irritated staffer. "Thank you."
Niko couldn't quite read the look shot their wife's way, but the staffer's smile was very much one of false cheer. "Thank you for choosing Tokiwa Airways and Teleportation Service. Please have a safe trip home, honoured Gym Leader."
"Yeah, we will," Niko grunted as they made their way off the 'porting platform via the ramp, Haru a perfect three steps behind them.
"Will you get one? Lieutenant Surge is known to breed them," Haru started, but Niko waved her off, even as they wondered how long she'd practised saying the Orren tongue twister of a name.
"As fun as the idea would be, I don't have time to break one in." And it would be a breaking in. It wasn't that hard to do, but it was time-consuming.
"And you have Mita. We could have used him-?"
"Tch. Yea, but I paid extra to have the erebū 'port back to Tokiwa," they said with a half shrug.
"It is rare they're working airports," Haru said more than asked, and at Niko's nod, she continued. "We also could have flown back from Yamabuki," Haru offered as Niko manoeuvred the trolley expertly towards the exit.
"Hmph. Don't like planes either," they grumbled, even though said flight from Saffron would have been short; an hour at most. "Just because I train dark-types…"
"We could have warped."
"On the anti-warp list," the seventeen-year-old grumbled with a dark, ugly scowl that masked just how nauseated they were. "Aww, whatever. We'll be home soon, then I can face-plant into Shiko and Kage and put off work."
Paperwork. Work. The same thing and but one reason they'd never challenge Kris for her rank. If a Gym Leader's load was large, it stood to reason a Champion's was worse. To say nothing of the responsibility and publicity. Mew knew they had enough just being who they were, and they sure as hell did not need the added scrutiny.
"You slept most of the flight from Hakutai," Haru pointed out, nonplussed. "I cannot see how putting off work will help."
"Yeah, but I couldn't face plant into Kage then, and Shiko's gonna be pissed off I didn't take him!" For all they enjoyed the power a crobat brought to the field, half the time they were more trouble than they were worth, and Niko knew they spoiled the thing. But when it was the first proof they'd had of a reworked training regiment working, well. It was easy to spoil him, even humanise the bat's behaviour.
"Your K'robatt, correct?" Haru ventured and Niko detected hesitation, but not enough to comment on it.
"Yup." Niko popped the 'p' as they passed through the doors and out into the warmth of the Viridian domestic airport entrance. Home; warmer than Sinnoh any day of the year. "On the main team."
"With the burakkī?" Haru asked (and this time Niko knew it was the Sinnohan name; Kanto said 'blakkī') as they made a sharp right towards the car-only pickup area.
"Nah, Kage's sixth-tier," Niko said as keen eyes picked out the plate that marked this car as the ride home. Home, away from the eyes on them, the curious glances, stares, and so-called discreet cameras. Maybe it was imagination, maybe it was real. Probably real and they could-should-would put out something on social media on the ride home. At the very least, it would get interest.
Maybe they should have had Mita sent up and teleported directly from hotel to home, nausea be damned.
"I see. I am aware of several of your pokemon, but not what teams they're placed on," Haru said as Niko banged on the roof of the car. The distinct sound of an unlocked boot came seconds later.
"Most of the ones I have with me are that level or higher," Niko said with a shrug as they pushed the boot door open and started to stow the luggage. "Only two aren't battlers."
"Oh. May I ask?"
"Tch. One's a māīka and the other's a rīshan. New-hatched."
Haru blinked. "Is it wise to have such young pokemon on the belt?"
"I need them to imprint on me," Niko said as they hauled the last suitcase into the boot and slammed it shut with a grunt.
"Untrained?" Haru asked as she walked to her side of the car while Niko took the other.
"Kojirō bred them and they hatched with nothing to imprint on." Niko shrugged as they both got into the car. Once the doors were closed and seatbelts on, it pulled out. Niko gave the driver a short nod, then ignored her. She wasn't being paid to talk. "When they're old enough, they'll be trained and rise through the 'tiers."
"To replace the ones cycled out due to the strict standards of the Indigo League?" Haru ventured, though it sounded more like a recital from one of the basic preschooler books on the League, than any true venture.
"Pretty much," Niko nodded. "You'll meet them at home."
"Of course," Haru nodded, then ventured, "I noticed eyes on us."
"Yeah," Niko huffed. "I'm like Sagara-san. Red hair and haafu."
"Better looking and freckled, too," Haru said with the slightest smile.
"Damn right I'm better than her!" Niko preened with a smug smirk because unlike them, Misty's body betrayed her Galarish heritage. Mostly in the chest and hips, but all that meant was she could pull off a Galarish bikini and actually look good in it.
Haru didn't quite duck her head, but Niko could tell she wanted to. "And you came back to Kantō with someone."
Niko grunted with a nod. There was little point in denying that. "The bands wouldn't have gone unnoticed much longer, either."
"You have a plan?"
"Sort of. The makings of one anyway," Niko admitted. "How much do you know of Gym Leaders?"
"I know enough to understand that within the jun, there'll be a battle between us and that it is traditional?"
"Exactly," Niko confirmed with a nod. One less thing they needed to explain. "Kojirō'll be there, as will your 'father'."
"Yes," she nodded slowly. "Naturally Father would be there. He wouldn't dare miss this for the world."
Niko nodded in agreement, even as they wondered if Sho would be in the crowd. "Same with your double, what's-her-name."
Haru shot them a sideways look. "Is that wise? They have trained her to be my double, and-"
"Yes, it is, Haru." They settled back into the car set with an unreadable look as they pulled their dull and battered white-pink phone out of a pocket. "What? Never seen one before?"
"I have, from afar," Haru retorted, eyes glued to the phone.
"Probably the newer gens. This one," Niko tapped the eye-like logo on the back and it 'blinked'. "Is one of the very first generations of 'Rotomi'."
"So, it replaces the pokegear."
"Ha! Rotom-stuff coverage outside cities is shit. Nah, you want a 'gear too. That way, if this thing drops out," the redhead shook the phone, unconcerned that the logo changed to 'swirly eyed'. "You can still reach the world."
"Of course, that is wise. But, shouldn't it be in better housing?"
Niko shook their head. "I wish. The rotom for these can't be rehoused into a newer model."
Haru cocked her head slightly. "Why not? I thought all rotom could switch-"
"Tch. Not domestic-based ones, especially this one. Something about compatibility. Hmph. It functions well enough for a brick though," Niko said with a shrug, though it wasn't released into the air. "Aww, whatever. The more the double's publicly seen, the less likely teacher-san'll try something stupid."
"You can be rather rude, you know," Haru said blandly, as if she was trying to keep a smile off her face.
"Aww, so what? Just because I know how to talk all flowery don't mean I like it. Didn't hear you complaining last night either," they finished with a leer.
Haru's face flushed. "I-"
"What, would you like me to talk in a more formal and flowery manner?" Niko said, using a hand to smother a tired yawn. "I can. We could try that out next-"
"I- No. It-It's refreshing," Haru said slowly, as if words had fled her and Niko had to hide the smirk. Aww. She looked good flustered.
"Good," was all they said. They could fluster their wife all they wanted later.
"Do you honestly think Teacher - Akimoto-san-will try something?" Haru asked once she'd re-found her voice.
"I've no idea how he'll react." And wasn't that a bitter truth to swallow. "The man's too much like Archer yet not."
"The high profile Rocket arrested because of that child?"
"Yeah. Him. I had to ask him what he knew of the contract."
"Because your father is missing." It wasn't a question.
"Duh." Niko snorted as they slumped into the leather of the car seat, knee hitting the seat in front. "Doubtless you'll meet Asai-chan at some point. She's pureblooded Kantan, despite her hair."
"Her hair?"
"It's that mountain blonde of the Unia peoples."
"That sounds pretty," Haru whispered. "Better than the ruddy red-brown of the Seviia peoples."
"I guess," Niko shrugged. For all they'd visited the Sevii Islands as a child, they hadn't truly visited outside trips with Father. "Anyway, Kris is fond of her mentees, so she'll probably show too," Niko huffed. "Aww, whatever. Your father seemed impressed, so hopefully he can reign the man in."
"I know he will," Haru said neutrally as she squared her shoulders.
"Cool. Oi, gimme your wedding hand for a second," Niko said as they held theirs out. As soon as Haru's was next to it, they tossed their phone up into the air. The faint, static-ridden outline of a rotom sprung to life, and for a second, the Rotomi hovered in the air before it pulled back to get a better picture. That done, it returned to Niko's hand with a soft 'bzzt. Pik'tuh zz taykin, Niiik'-zzamah.'
"Niko?"
"Something to get them talking at least," the redhead said as the Rotomi brought up Chittar. A few more taps and it uploaded with the caption 'Teaser. More to come. Watch this Chittar.' "I'll do the details later." They cocked their head, red eyes narrowed in consideration. "What level are your monsters?"
"They are 4th or 5th tier," Haru said without skipping a beat. "I'm unsure exactly what level they are."
Niko's eyebrows shot up. "What, no 'dex?"
"It wasn't deemed necessary," Haru said. "Is it something I should have?"
"If you want; it's useful enough." They shrugged, not exactly bothered if she didn't have a 'dex. Then they smirked. "At least I won't be running a baby team. Good to know."
"Would you like to know what I have?"
"Not until I lock in the team you'll be facing," Niko said with a sigh.
"Why?"
"I'm a Gym Leader," Niko said, managing to bite back the 'are you stupid' comment. That would not endear them to Haru. "I'm battling as one and as such, I never have the luxury of knowing what I'm up against."
"Of course. You will let me know when…?"
"Yea. We won't know which one will lead, either."
"I would like this battle to be doubles, Niko," Haru said. Niko cocked their head, and she continued. "My tools-"
"Your team," Niko interrupted with narrowed eyes in an otherwise blank face. "Tools or not, talk like that gets people's hackles up." A lesson they'd painfully learned and their pokemon, now at least, were valued possessions they would and had murdered to obtain or retain.
"Yes, my team," Haru nodded. "They work best in partnerships, and, it is something that would make a better impression than singles."
"Ok. Doubles it is," Niko said with a firm nod and a slight smirk. For all they were used to singles, they could handle doubles no sweat.
"Thank you. I look forward to the battle."
"Same."
From there, the ride lapsed into silence.
-/-/-/-/-
"You won't wanna miss this," Niko said as they headed into the kitchen once they'd dumped the luggage onto the floor of the living room. Haru followed them; she would sort her belongings later and what was kept would be found homes. The rest trashed. She doubted much would be kept; a cursory glance around showed a house with history and little room for frivolous nicknacks and items.
"Miss what?"
"You'll see," Niko said as they opened the chest fridge and hauled out two lidded buckets with practised ease. "Carry that one will you?"
"Very well," She nodded and picked up the second bucket. There was the faint smell of fish, but Haru ignored it and followed them out the sliding door, onto the back deck and towards the steps that lead down to the left side of the murky, muddy pond set so close to the house. Niko paused briefly to swap house slippers for waders, and Haru made a note to buy her own as she slipped on a borrowed pair.
As she descended the stairs after Niko, Haru came to the revelation the Shinoda had built around and or over the oddly shaped pond. As deep and murky as it was, it was still flush with plant life and she'd not be shocked to learn wild yanma made it their home. Small insects and incidental life would, and where those were, monsters soon appeared to feast on them. Assuming, of course, the Shinoda hadn't populated it themselves over the years as the deck itself was easily a viewing platform for pet goldeen and seaking, or perhaps the more ornamental breeds of magikarp with everstones attached.
Or was it for the feraligatr? The pond seemed large enough, and it likely took up a good chunk of the land, though she couldn't see any sign of the Johto monster, but that didn't mean it wasn't around. It was likely in a 'ball, if not out. After all, the Starter was for life.
Her grip tightened on the bucket's handle. "It's not fenced?"
"Of course not," Niko replied as they set their bucket down several metres away from the shore and pried the lid off to reveal ocean fish. "And it won't be."
"We're to have a child-"
"You'll see," was all they said as they pulled a fish out and strode into the water until they were knee-deep and Haru, from her pond-side vantage, felt that was as far as they could go. Then they whistled thrice and slapped the fish against the water and for several long moments, nothing happened. Niko slapped the water again with another, sharper whistle.
A second or two elapsed before the northern waters bulged as something swam towards them. The bulge lasted several long seconds before a shape appeared. Sleek and off-white, it was a feathered and scaled back with multiple blue, fist-sized plates raised along both sides of its spine.
She was professional enough not to drop the bucket in shock. Was it...?
No, it couldn't be. Outside the sheer impracticality of it, the creatures nicknamed 'the beast of the sea' by sailors and seafolk were rare and elusive; any babies virtually unseen even by those who caretook the wild braces. But this... Maybe it wasn't; it seemed too small to be a lugia and it could be something from the more remote of the Orange Islands, or even the Seviis. Gods knew humanity hadn't discovered everything on the planet just yet and with the still recent devastation from 'The Incident' plaguing the Orange Islands, it wasn't impossible they had discovered a new species.
She dismissed the idea when the creature's head broke the surface, swiftly followed by the body, and Haru only just glimpsed gills before thick scales closed over them. It was a baby lugia, and it followed Niko's retreat on to land with a plaintive sound better described as a honk-trill that would absolutely sound better underwater.
It was easily the weirdest sound she'd heard in a while and that counted angry gloom.
"A lugia?" Haru gasped after another honk-like noise left its throat. Hungry? Probably, given the way it snatched the fish out of the air. A baby? Yes. It was small enough to be that. Records attested to the fact adult lugia stood at least five meters tall, possibly even taller. If she had to guess, this one, this baby, was maybe a metre and a half.
Did the League know-? Of course they did. She doubted Niko would be this open about the creature if they didn't.
"Yea - Oi, oi - No-" Niko said as they shoved said baby lugia's head away from the food bucket and held it as high as they possibly could.
Haru watched the by-play transfixed, intrigued, and utterly conflicted. She should tell father; even though a bride-price had been forbidden, the Umiyari could have bargained for the beast or at least parts of it. Feathers, scales, teeth, claws, blood. Two years ago, those had all sold for small fortunes on the black markets, to say nothing of what a baby lugia would have fetched. But... What if she didn't tell? That sounded- fun. Fun but dangerous. Yet it would earn trust points with her spouse.
A spouse slowly losing to the hunger of a baby lugia. It cawed and whined as it poked at the bucket after each fish Niko tossed it. It could obviously smell food and was the reason there were no fences around the pond. Why there wouldn't be any. Could it 'talk' yet? Reports and legends spoke of the adults 'talking' from time to time, but this one was a baby and Niko had doubtlessly discouraged it from linking to their mind.
It was a moot point either way, Haru decided. She wouldn't tell father. She needed the trust, and for all she knew, this was a test. One she had to pass and failure was out of the question.
"Rian-" Niko grouched as they dropped the bucket to the ground and stepped away as Rian dove towards it. "If you get your head stuck, I will laugh-"
That was exactly what happened. Rian, in its quest for More Food(tm), had shoved its head right into the bucket and was now stuck.
"Told you so!" The Gym Leader laughed as they watched for a few more seconds before they yanked the bucket off. Fish spilt everywhere and, now free of the bucket, Rian gobbled them up as fast as it could. Niko scoffed as they stepped back several feet. "Honestly."
Haru frowned. "It was starving-"
"Sure she was; she's fed every three days-"
"That's wrong. A pokemon should be fed every day; working pokemon twice a day."
"Depends on the pokemon. These things? Pfft. Rian's metabolism's designed to cope," Niko shrugged, laugh still clear in their voice. "What she is, is a glutton for food."
"I… I see," Haru said with a small smile. If Niko was happy, it was all right to show emotion yes? "What about her name-"
"Hmph." For a second, it seemed as if Niko wasn't going to answer. Then they snorted again, a wry, if not disgruntled look crossing that freckled face. "Kris and Kotone named her, not me."
"I see," she said, eyes narrowed as she filed the names away for later. "You don't approve?" It wasn't that hard to train a monster into answering to a new name. It was done all the time.
Niko's face blanked, and Haru straightened just a fraction. For as uncouth and abrasive her spouse was, they were still the Rocket Boss. They'd run rings around Teacher and gotten Father's attention. This topic, for now, seemed off-limits. Haru opened her mouth to apologise, but Niko beat her to it. "Awww, whatever. You wanna try feeding her or what?"
"I... Yes, I'd very much like that," Haru said after a short pause.
It turned out that meant little more than the second bucket of fish opened and upended before they stepped back and watched as Rian gorged herself silly on the bounty of fish.
-/-/-/-/-
Days later found Niko with regrets as they stared out at the crowded front steps of the Gym, people held back by League Officials, Gym Trainers and working pokemon. It did not stop the jostling as they vied to be closest, nevermind the podium mics wirelessly transmitted to the recording devices thrust out.
Nor did it stop the camera flashes, and Niko saw at least one ledian with a camera rigged to the underside of its body. It didn't stay in the air long as one of 6THK's espeon gave it a psychic yank. A rough one that wasn't as careful as it could have been if the shout were any clue.
Niko snorted. Wasn't as if the thing had been de-winged. Awww, whatever. The lot of them were carrion feeders. Even 6THK and they'd paid for exclusive broadcasting rights.
They swallowed and took a breath, then held a hand up for several seconds. As the crowd slowly noticed, the hand dropped back down to grip the podium's side as the throng fell silent. Were it not for Haru's silent presence on their left, Niko would have been daunted by the words to come. The people behind them, including James with his show-bred shiny chimecho, and Haruka, Haru's now near look-a-like with a small green eared cleffa clutched in her arms, helped as well.
It was a pity Kris and Kotone were inside already, Niko thought bitterly. They'd also be-
The grip on the podium tightened. It was stupid and weak to draw inner strength from an employee and near-strangers. To wish for the presence of their rivals (no matter how useless Kotone was at battle or how arrogant Kris was at times). But the old saying of 'numbers equalled strength' was truth. Niko hated it, but to deny it was worse and the exhale was slow as they forced a heavily shielded mind to focus. Stupid sayings with truth to them or not, it was time for the truth with the lies.
"Thank you all for coming. It's true; I am married!" They held up their other hand to show the frayed cord and gleaming band locked around the wrist. "By my father's will and an arranged contract with no escapes, I am married as a minor."
"I thought those fell out of use?" A reporter called out.
"It's not unheard of with a family the age of mine," Niko said bluntly. "Not that I'd know why Father used it. I was a kid when the contract was made."
"Any guesses?" Another called out.
"I'd assume the ties Nakamura-san holds to the Honourable Sasaki clan of the Kazoku of Shin'ō are what motivated Father to seek his daughter's hand for me."
More than a few of the reporters were nodding in understanding now. Rocket Boss or not, Giovanni had been a businessman with legitimate businesses. Ties to the Sasaki would have been an unmissable opportunity, and in this day and age, the couple wouldn't be forced to adopt or use a donor. They could have the heiress by artificial wombs, otherwise known as tanks.
But not all reporters were convinced. "If you've known for so long," one started, "why hasn't she been around until now?"
"I haven't, and the reason is simple. Around the time I was to meet her, Father was outed as Rocket Boss which threw the whole of the Indigo government into chaos, Fiore was in its own chaos, and the Hōen Crisis were all happening at the same time. By the time the dust settled, I had finished school and was in Jōto as Neo-Rocket rose." Niko said blandly, red eyes dull as they bored into the reporter's own. "And, at the same time, Shin'ō was dealing with the gang wars Ginga continually stoked to cover their own activities."
"So you've known for at least three years?" the same reporter shot back.
"Gods, no. I found out about a jun ago," Niko retorted with a smile that didn't reach their eyes. If they'd known… If they'd known earlier, they'd have had Haru out from Arata's thumb- Could have taken her on a Journey-
"If I may?" James whispered, and when Niko stepped back, the blue-haired man stepped forth with a cheerful smile matched by the happy, crystal-clear bell chime of the pokemon beside him.
Slaved to the Rocket's will; there was no other way Niko could think of and they wondered why they hadn't seen it until now but then they felt stupid. James lived a double life.
"I found it when I was clearing out an old filing cabinet at Nakamura's request," James began, voice soft and sad. As if what he said dragged up an old wound. "It belonged to his late wife, who died in those horrid plane crashes eleven years ago."
Everyone in the crowd winced. Air crashes were near unheard of in this day and age; the world remembered those that happened even if the names of the victims weren't known. The crashes within a month of each other eleven years ago had sent shock waves around the world. There had been no survivors, and many still, to this very day, questioned what had gone wrong. Pilot error? Suicide? Unchained porygon or, gods forbid, rotom? All anyone truly knew was that the theories were endless, and some even speculated the plane may have come into contact with a Distortion or even an adult giratina as the flight-box had never been recovered.
Niko's favoured, if morbid, theory said the Sinnohan government didn't want to admit that a pilot had taken an entire plane with them in suicide. Probably because it'd be on the same level as the suicide of Jugemi, then Veilstone's Gym Leader, twelve years ago. Who, as far as Niko cared, should never have been a Gym Leader in the first place and it had nothing to do with mental illness; one only had to look at Surge, Jasmine, Candice, or even Bruno, Will, or Bertha to know that.
Niko was positive there were dark-trainers, too. But if so, it was hidden and for good reason.
Whatever the actual case with the plane was, it gave an extra excuse as to why they'd not met until now. And it would, at the very least, stop most people from asking questions. James smiled sadly as he continued. "It looked like any other contract, but I thought it nothing at the time and placed it on his desk to read. Two days later, he'd recalled Haru from her schooling to make good on it before the end of the year."
"You married in secret?!" They didn't know who'd said it, but the tone said it all: how dare you deprive us, the press, of a chance to report on a Gym Leader's wedding.
"No, of course not. We married in one of the civil shrines in a shortened ceremony," Niko half snapped, barely able to keep a straight face as they took the podium from James. The man let them, but public personas had to be maintained in the form of an annoyed look. Legends, let this end so they could run inside and hide from the press. "Do you know how long it takes to organise a traditional one worthy of a Kazoku Family? No? Ask in a year."
"What about Witnesses?"
"Sasaki-san here was a witness, as was Haru's father. Now, if there's no other questions, we have honoured guests to show to box-seats and a match to prep for." And with that, both Niko and Haru bowed before they turned, linked arms, and escorted their honoured guests into the Gym and away from prying eyes.
It was only inside, and out of earshot, that Niko relaxed a fraction. The Gym's pre-stadium interior was dark and muted, yes, but the gloom of the left corridor hid them better. It had to; it was the corridor that lead up to the office and associated rooms and it wouldn't do for a non-Gym Trainer to get access. Niko exhaled slowly before they spoke, voice low. "You all did well."
Just because they knew it wasn't bugged didn't mean squat.
"Thank you," Hoshiko said with a small smile. "It is the least we can do in the face of such a crowd. Though, if I may, my daughter and I would like to join my husband and our guests in the box seat."
"Yes, thank you," Haruka said, gaze on Haru. "You did mean what you said earlier?"
"Absolutely. I would like to hear more about the charity," Haru said with a small bow. Niko suspected she just wanted to pat the cleffa more even as gold eyes flicked to Haruka's hair. "And, you never finished the story about your hair."
"It's a little embarrassing, really…" Haruka said with a small swallow as she touched it. "But- Yes, sure. After the match?"
"Of course. Oh - it's ringside seats. Enjoy," Niko flashed a smirk at the pair's surprise before turning to James and Katsuo. "Also ringside. Kojirō? She's waiting for you."
James' eyes lit up and Niko wondered how the man would spin that when it eventually came out, then decided they didn't care as long as Jessie and James didn't allow personal life (baby aside) to interfere with work.
"May you show them what you've learnt, Haru," Katsuo said kindly. Niko wondered how much of it was real, then decided they didn't want to know.
"I will, father. I'll make them work for victory."
"Good," Katsuo nodded. "By your leave, Gym Leader."
Niko nodded with a small grunt and watched as James led the aged man away, striking up a low conversation about the odds of who'd win. As far as Niko cared, they would. This was home turf and they'd locked in a team that would give Haru's a run for their money. Once the pair were out of earshot, the redhead cocked their head in consideration and stared at Haru from the corner of their eyes. "I'll see you on the field in ten?"
Haru smiled, and golden eyes glinted. "Yes, you will."
-/-/-/-/-
"-AND GIVE IT UP FOR THE ONE, THE ONLY: GYM LEADER SHINODA NIKO, VIRIDIAN'S VERY OWN MASTER OF THE DARK!"
Niko shook their head with a smirk as they headed down the darkened Defender's Tunnel with long, practised strides that brought them to the mouth just as the introduction ended. Trust Zorn to be as dramatic as possible the second he had a chance as a commentator, but it worked well when they seemingly appeared out of the darkness itself.
"AND, COMING IN FROM THE CHALLENGER'S TUNNEL, THEIR WIFE: SHINODA HARU, THE GOLDEN EYED CHILD. Will our beloved Gym Leader be able to stand strong against such a fiery challenge?"
Niko tuned the dramatic commentary out with practised ease as they literally strutted out onto the strip of land that ringed the arena with a lazy wave and a pokebelt of gleaming, designer green-black duskballs. Perhaps the only good thing about being born as they were was the swagger pulled off with the strut.
Gods, but they looked good and they knew it.
The strip itself was little more than five metres wide from standwall to arena edge, where it then plunged down a sharp metre and a half, in part to provide trainers a vantage point and part because livecast mics were built into said slope. From there, it was maybe sixty metres long by forty wide and ringed by a psychic barrier and, up on the strip, League referees, both human and monster, ringed that, ready to intervene if there was trouble. They were all psychic.
Once, long ago, Niko'd been told the strip was more for show than truly needed and they'd dismissed it then as frivolous and wasteful. Why not give more space to the arena when pokemon often moved at such speed that to blink was to miss it, especially in high-level battle. But now, as a Gym Leader, its use was clear.
In the wild and in street battles, only skill and strength counted. To show off was dangerous; foolhardy even. Arena battles allowed a trainer to show off. For their flair, personality, skill, and strength to shine as it will.
Show matches weren't any different and in many respects, this was just a sell-out day of Gym battles. Something along the lines of more popular Gyms in the Indigo League. In many, many others, it was more than that; it was a Wedding-Match, and the excitement was palpable. From the 'Niko! Niko! Niko!' chants to those cheering for Haru, it was a heady, exhilarating, electrifying and empowering energy the crowd whipped up.
It was the match that, for good or ill, would display Haru's skill against the Gym Leader who safeguarded Viridian and her surrounds from threats.
Was she worthy, the Viridian region wanted to know, of our Gym Leader? of our Protector?
As far as Niko cared, that answer was around their wrist. But in a world of monsters, the proof was in the battle as Haru would be called to the front lines when -not if- it was required.
And, they wanted to know, too. It wouldn't change things, but it would help.
Eyes flicked up to the big screen that showed Haru. She walked with a nervous grace, a shy smile and a full belt of (expensive, designer) black-and-gold luxury balls. At some point during the ten-minute wait, she'd braided her hair and tied it off with clips shaped like the Earth Badge.
It was a nice touch, and Niko flicked their eyes away from the screen. Nice or not, now was business. The fun, battle driven kind.
The roar of the crowd peaked as Niko took to their trainer's box. Though, it was less a box and more fenced-in stand with a rotom-powered tablet and audio options for public, challenger's stand, and arena. There was also basic sound-dampening against the crowd. The arena itself was soundproofed, so the roar of the crowd wouldn't interfere with orders or distract one of the monsters.
"Ear mic in," Zorn's voice came as the Rotolet sprang to life.
"It's in," they confirmed a moment later as they keyed it and the audio to public.
"And you're up."
"PEOPLE OF VIRIDIAN," Niko said as they swept their hand out at the crowd before gesturing to the other end of the arena. "ALLOW ME TO FORMALLY OPEN THIS WEDDING-MATCH BETWEEN HARU AND ME."
Even dampened as it was, the roar was downright thunderous and if Niko hadn't known better, there was an exploud in the crowd. Niko waited for it to quiet enough to continue. "Neither of us have seen the other's pokemon!"
And that had been a long four days of avoiding certain topics, of Haru not being allowed her pokemon out around Niko while they'd been allowed their main team. Of not being able to talk about said teams or work.
They looked forward to having all their 'friendship evolutions' out soon enough.
"As per League Rules, Haru may use all her pokemon, while I battle with four. The match is knock-out rules: revives forbidden. Unconscious pokemon must be withdrawn and there will be no healing of a pokemon until after the battle."
Risky and brutal yes, but without that risk, was it really a battle? Of course not. Without the risk, it might as well have been a game.
The tops of the TVs flicked to black as two names appeared. Niko to the left and Haru to the right, both names lit up in brilliant evergreen alongside red-white circles denoting how many pokemon they'd fight with.
Niko switched the mike from public to box only. "Ready?"
"I'm ready," Haru said, voice firm and strong.
This, Niko thought, red eyes riveted on the rock-strewn field below, was going to be fun.