Ambivalence.
It was a word strung around him, piercing him and taking hold of his self. A thread that embeds itself deeper into him with each breath.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a voice announced from above. "Welcome on board Flight 49A with service from Hoenn to Unova. We are currently third in line for take-off and..."
The pilot's voice melted into the background as Steven closed his eyes, sinking himself into a meditative state. He sighed, his back sinking into his seat as ambivalence gripped him mercilessly.
Yet he was in a state of peaceful unknown, his mind drawing a blank even with hundreds of thoughts the human brain would think regardless of the physical state of the body. Or perhaps, he was thinking so much to the point that he had subconsciously decided to ignore his thoughts.
He was definitively upset. Anxious, even.
If only someone had taught him on the woes and troubles of love.
He sighed.
Love. A phenomenon and miracle of the living. An unknown that he had unwittingly waltzed himself into.
Waltzed into, indeed.
Such unwonted emotions were tiring him out. Venturing into the emotion called Love was tiring him out.
He had tried a couple more times to contact her after that first failed call, but all his attempts did not get through. Each attempt only served to chill his heart several degrees and heighten his dread.
It felt as if the invisible link he held so desperately to was suddenly broken without a sound, without a reason. He was so abruptly cut off from her that he knew nothing about what to do. He stopped his attempts very quickly, afraid that perhaps, he was seen to be too pushy, even forceful. He would agonize over it every other day, afraid and yet hopeful.
Even till now, it wrought him so.
It was his first crush, perhaps even his first love and Steven felt as if he was walking on pins and needles like a toddler. Everything felt exciting and horrifying, like a horror amusement park. And he was just standing at the entrance to it.
All the promises he said to himself were all crashing down and now, Cynthia felt like a bleak speck in the distance, difficult to reach.
Those memories they had seemed to have faded away into obscurity, done and dusted. An exaggeration, perhaps, but Steven felt it. The cold feeling that perhaps everything between them had ended while he had been useless and helpless in salvaging it.
"Stop," he whispered to himself. Such thoughts only made it worse. The blank slate he had so hard to make for himself mentally was gone in a blink.
He tried to cut his mind off from reality as he attempted to fall into dreamland. He stayed silent and took in deep, even breaths to make himself fall asleep. Yet he could not. That tugging feeling stuck onto him.
"Dear passengers, we will soon arrive at Castelia International Airport. Please wear your seatbelts and-,"
The announcement came and Steven froze. The sense of dread was weighing onto him, and he wished for time to be slower, for him to get ready. But soon the plane had reached land and he opened his eyelids reluctantly. All the passengers around him were leaving one-by-one, most of them looking jaded from the long plane ride.
He was here, in Unova. Albeit only in the physical sense.
After all, his heart was still afraid.
He soon went along with all due procedures. Bag check, the identification check, blah, blah, blah. At the last checkpoint, he lifted his small luggage and walked out via the VIP exit, where he met his chauffeur of the day. The suited man was dressed primly and he took over Steven's luggage.
"Opelucid City, I presume," He asked.
The chauffeur answered with a wordless nod before he opened the door of the posh black car before Steven. The Hoenn Champion then went in and sat comfortably in the back seat. He was soon traveling on the highway and he watched the vivid colors of the bustling city zoom past him. Blinking lights, dazzling sparkles and a hubbub of city voices was a far cry to the peaceful Hoenn.
Somehow, it made him nervous. And isolated.
The car continued, the city continued, the night continued.
It took about two hours before Steven arrived at his destination: A grand hotel at the edge of Opelucid City. It was famous for its exclusivity to the Pokémon League, and as a Champion that is relatively experienced, Steven knew that this place would be where the Champions will reside at after each day.
To be frank, the Champion Gathering was more of a customary event put on for the sake of keeping up a reputation. The Pokémon League made this annual event mandatory as a form of assurance to the public that the League was doing well. It was by no means necessary, but years of organizing made it a tradition. Each region has to participate unless the region has other League commitments, like Kanto and Johto that are having their own Championships.
The Gathering spans five days, where the first day starts with the Champion's Walk, where each region's Champion would greet the public before heading off to the Pokémon League Building. This would then be followed by a Battle Showcase between the hosting region's Champion and another Champion chosen via lottery. The meetings will then begin, where the first is a simple update by the respective Champions on the happenings of their regions. The first day will end off with a party at the Opelucid Hotel, where Gym Leaders of the hosting region will participate.
The second day would be the toughest, as it would be where the meetings will truly begin. The League's economic and financial matters, security, Inter-region laws, etc. It would be the day that would be most taxing on each person.
The third day would be a break, where each Champion is free to roam around the region or simply rest in the hotel.
The fourth day would be a continuation of the second day, where any unresolved matters would be settled. Additional issues or proposals would be dealt with. It was also a day where the Champions would hold the second Battle Showcase.
The last day would begin in the afternoon, where the Champions would hold the third and final Battle Showcase before ending off in a private party between the participating Champions and other distinguished guests who are usually representatives of corporations and sponsors of the Pokémon League.
As Steven walked into the Opelucid Hotel, he was greeted by two rows of the hotel staff. He knew that this was simply a formality and thus he calmly walked on. Looking up, he then noticed someone familiar waving at him.
"' Ello, Steven!"
"Leon," he greeted. "It's been a while,"
The Galar Champion grinned, "Two years, give or take? How're you doin'?"
"Fine," Steven smiled dryly as they began to walk towards the lift lobby.
"Fine, eh?" Leon laughed. "That's the exact response you gave me two years ago during Galar's Champion gathering."
"I'm surprised you remember that,"
"Why, of course, I was the hosting Champion. Being detail-oriented and looking after the well being of my guests is only natural," Leon said as they entered the lift. "Which floor?"
"Seventh," Steven answered. "Thanks,"
"Looks like we're not neighbors this time," Leon sighed. "I'm on the eighth,"
"I'm sure there's plenty of chances," Steven said.
"As long as we hold onto our positions," Leon chuckled. "I wonder which Champion will be staying on the same floor as me this time."
"That's something to look forward to, I suppose,"
"Not really," Leon shrugged, "It's a fifty-fifty chance, either Diantha or Cynthia,"
Steven froze until a loud ring brought him back to his senses.
"Now there's your cue," Leon said as the lift doors opened. "See you soon!"
"See you," Steven answered and then walked out. The lift doors went shut and Steven stood at the posh lobby for a long while as he slowly face-palmed himself.
He had almost forgotten about the lodging arrangements of the Opelucid Hotel.
Opelucid Hotel, being extravagant and exclusive as it should be, had only two rooms for each floor. Since Unova is the hosting region, Alder would be staying on a floor by himself, and that leaves Kalos, Galar, Sinnoh, and Hoenn to be split into two, where two Champions will stay on the same floor. It should come as no surprise to Steven, because three years ago when Unova hosted the Champion's Gathering, he stayed on the same floor as Leon.
So, this time, if Leon was not staying on the same floor as himself, that could only mean one thing:
Diantha or Cynthia.
Steven positively felt even more drained than before and slowly, he shuffled out of the lobby and glanced to his right. His room would be on the left end, while his mystery floor neighbor would be on the right end.
Sighing, he walked to his assigned room and tapped in with the hotel key card that he received in advance by the chauffeur.
Swinging the door open, he was greeted by a lavish, elegant room that spanned the size of a large apartment. The bed was humongous, and the bathroom was equally, if not more, luxurious. The closets were filled with suits and formal wear (that were all specifically tailored for him) and everything in this room was automatic, from the curtains to the television. Even for a man like Steven, this was a little too much.
His luggage was already at where it's supposed to be and Steven began to unpack it. It did not take long since he did not have to bring much anyways. Afterward, he went off to take a long shower, partly because he was tired, but mostly because he needed to cleanse his head of thoughts.
Upon coming out of the shower, he started checking his emails for updates on the Hoenn Championships. Even though the Elite Four had assured him that they will do fine for the next five days, Steven's strong sense of responsibility did not allow him to simply sit back and relax in Unova. Instead, he asked his secretary to update him periodically.
Fortunately for today, there wasn't much for Steven to concern himself with. He glanced out towards the night sky beyond his window and his heart stirred at the sight of it. He needed a breather, a short moment of respite outside. The rooftop would be good, he thought.
Exiting his room, the door closed with a distinct clack. A similar sound echoed in the distance and he turned his head in response to the sound.
He felt something inside him soar and sink simultaneously.
She turned while her long blonde hair that glimmered dimly beneath the warm ambient lights of the corridor swinging in the same motion. Her stormy grey met his cerulean blues and time stopped.
"Ste… ven?" Her voice echoed in the wide corridor and he could tell she was similarly shocked at this turn of events.
"… Hey there," He greeted slowly. A long silence followed, and Steven felt choked by this heaviness that was weighing down onto him. He had to say something, anything.
"Um-!" They both began at the same time.
He stopped.
She stopped.
They were still standing in front of their respective doors and behind their respective hearts, while distance remained a wall not yet surmounted.
"Please," He said as he gestured towards her.
She hesitated and then began slowly, "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes," he answered. "The rooftop."
Her uncovered grey eye widened in surprise.
"That's where I wanted to go as well."
The cityscape of Unova at night was truly something else. Neon, iridescent colors flooded her vision, each color fighting for attention through the ocean of lights. The rainbow of noises weaved into a symphonic cacophony that pulled her in, while the night winds gently ran past her as she leaned forward. Looking to her right, she watched the side profile of Steven, who was similarly engrossed in the sight before them. The lights lit up his face considerably, his features profound and contrasted against the night. His windswept hair was rowdy, yet his face was in a state of unknown calm and mystery. He had a soft scent and his hair was slightly wet, indicating that he had showered not long ago.
She did not expect that Steven Stone would be staying on the same floor as her.
She had arrived at Opelucid City a mere hour ago and was just done unpacking her stuff. Exhausted by her flight and the past few days of settling the Iron Island fiasco, she had wanted to have some alone time on the rooftop. Just herself and a horizon of lights and noise.
And here he was.
Perhaps like her, he wanted the night winds to blow away his troubles.
She studied his calm face. Wearing such a serene expression, just what troubles did he have?
Steven then glanced at her. She froze, realizing that she had been staring at him for a little too long for comfort. Embarrassed, she turned and looked at the scenery, her thoughts jumbled and distracted.
"Say," he began. "Can I ask you something?"
She faltered for a moment.
"Yes?" She answered while avoiding his gaze.
"Do you…," He said, his voice soft. "Hate me?"
Her head snapped to her left immediately, her mind blanked out, a single word reverberating within. Hate?
"Why would I?"
"Because I lied."
"But I lied to you too,"
"Then why?"
"Why?"
"Why can't I reach you?"
The wind howled in response and the city lights blinked. The cacophony died away into the distance, with Cynthia staring at Steven, at how his calm mask melted away to reveal nothing but an anxious face. It was a foreign and painfully raw expression that mirrored the thoughts that had laid buried in her mind. Those questions she asked herself so many times subconsciously but never chose to answer.
"I tried to call you so many times," Steven continued, his voice mixed with the breeze but Cynthia could still hear the strain in his voice. "Yet you never picked up, not even once."
Realization dawned upon her instantly.
"About that," she said slowly. "My phone got crushed."
A dumbfounded expression emerged on Steven's countenance.
"Crushed?"
"I was confronting Team Galactic and I got caught up in a cave collapse," She explained, and she watched his face contort into horror and worry. He was suddenly closer to her, his hand reaching out towards her. He then stopped, his hand retracting into a fist, the man holding himself back.
"Are you alright?" he finally said.
"I'm fine," She assured. "Someone saved me, so I managed to survive with only a few abrasions."
"That's a relief," He said.
"I didn't mean to ignore your calls."
"I know," Steven sighed. "I misunderstood it all on my own."
She gazed right into his eyes, surprised to see all the anxiety in them fading away.
"So, are you still angry?"
"I'm not,"
A smile slowly spread across his lips.
Ah.
It was a soft exclamation within her that cleared her mind.
She was the reason for his troubles.
Just like he was hers.
"Then, can we still be friends?"
His arm was outstretched, his hand within her reach.
Friends.
For some reason, that single word made her heart ached.
And afraid.
She then grabbed his hand, his warmth feeling cold to the touch.
"Of course,"
