A/N: My fanfic has an illustrated cover for each chapter, but since FFN doesn't allow inserting images nor does it accept links within the fanfic itself, please head over to my tumblr (carefreejules) if you'd like to see the covers!

Chapter 24 - Once a Champion, Always a Champion

"Good evening, everyone, all across the Galar region! Thank you for gathering in your respective hometowns to celebrate the first ever Twilight Day! A couple of weeks ago, our region suffered a great ordeal that plunged it into darkness. But, there was hope. Hope in the form of two young heroes and two Legendary Pokemon." Juliet beckoned Hop and Gloria onto the make-shift stage, who joined her with honoured smiles on their faces. The jumbotrons that were installed throughout the region for this event displayed the statues of the aforementioned Pokemon that resided in Stow-on-Side. Her eyes skimmed over the crowd in search for Leon, who promised to watch her speech.

But, he was nowhere to be seen. Odd. She made a mental note to shoot him a quick text afterwards.

"Gloria, Galar's new Champion, along with the runner up of the Champion Cup, Hop - these two heroes harnessed the power of the guardians of Galar, Zacien and Zamazenta, to put an end to Eternatus' chaos, bringing light to Galar once more!" The children who were gathered around the stage looked up to them in awe, making Juliet feel a bit embarrassed by how dramatic her script and delivery ended up being.

"And so, this victory calls for a grand celebration as a way to honor everyone who played a role in protecting Galar, and everyone who helped restore it back to its original beauty! At the end of the day, we're all heroes in our own right, and that is worth celebrating for! Now, without further ado, let's get this party started!" Juliet thrusted a fist into the air, causing streamers to shoot out into the audience as cheers and laughter filled the air.

As she walked off stage and reached down to the walkie-talking strapped to her pants to check up on the others who were stationed in other cities of the region to oversee the celebrations taking place, Raihan suddenly ran up to her, clearly out of breath.

"Raihan? What's up?"

"Ha...Haa...Hey, have you seen Leon around?"

"You haven't seen him either? I was actually looking for him in the crowd but I couldn't find him."

"Damnit. He isn't answering calls or texts either. This isn't like him." Raihan clicked his tongue in annoyance despite the worry building up in his chest. "Oh, but, you're probably busy running this whole thing so leave finding him to me. I'll get some of the others to help me if I can't find him."

"OK, but text me when you find him! I'm starting to get worried now too."

"Will do. Later!" Raihan sprinted off, weaving himself through the crowd, frantically looking for the former Champion. He wasn't hard to pick from the crowd since no one had the wild, lilac hair that he had, nor the crown snapback that sat on his head at all times.

Then again, he wore that snapback to complete his Champion look.

But now, he wasn't Galar's Unbeatable Champion anymore.

And that's when Raihan slowly realized.

No matter how much you reassure yourself that it's OK to lose, it was impossible to not feel some sort of bitterness or disappointment. To finally have his incredible streak broken, a streak he held for 13 years...Raihan could only imagine how much the insurmountable weight of his defeat was crushing his spirits. So, when his feet led him to the locker room of Wyndon Stadium, he saw a side of Leon he had never seen before. The Dragon Gym Leader was so used to seeing a confident smile plastered on Leon's face every time he saw him, on top of how...noble he always carried himself.

Like a true King.

Leon now...Raihan could barely recognize him. Leon was hunched over, leaning on his propped elbows that rested on his knees, with his hair still damp despite the towel that hung around his neck. He couldn't tell if the water dripping onto the ground came from his wet hair, or if it came from Leon's tears. He didn't even acknowledge Raihan's presence when he entered the locker room.

Once a King who sat proudly on his throne, now slumped over as if his whole kingdom had been conquered.

He was lost in thought, and he couldn't find a way out.

"Leon. Hey, can you hear me, mate?" Raihan called.

No response.

Raihan sighed, opting to sit beside his best friend before roughly slinging an arm around his shoulder, making Leon grunt in surprise.

"Oh...Hey, Raihan…"

"Hey. You alright?" It was a dumb question to ask, but it was better than making a snide remark in an attempt to lighten the mood. Raihan wasn't one to trivialize other people's feelings. After all, he was in a conflicting state of mind as well.

Leon, his biggest rival, the person he wanted to beat the most out of everyone in the world, defeated by a kid. A strong kid, don't get him wrong, but a kid regardless. Gloria had something that he didn't. Whatever it was, he didn't know. But...it was frustrating. So frustrating that someone could...accomplish what he had been trying to do for years, on her first try.

In a way, Raihan empathized with what Leon was probably feeling.

"...If I said yes, you'd probably see right through my act." Leon grumbled.

"You got that right. Go ahead, let it out whether it's through crying or talking - I've got you."

"I just…" Leon sighed shakily. "I spent so many years developing my image as Champion that...it was practically a part of me. Now that it's gone, I…"

"...You really think everything you've built is going to disappear just like that?" Raihan replied bluntly.

"Huh…?"

"Think about the legacy you've left behind, the fans who looked up to you - just because there's a new Champion in line, you'll always be remembered as one of Galar's greatest Champions. As long as someone remembers that, is that identity really gone?"

Leon looked down at his feet, trying to let Raihan's words sink in him so he could somehow understand what he was implying through his doubt.

"This year was Piers' last year of being a Gym Leader, before passing the baton to his little sister, so he can focus on his music. Are you ever going to forget Piers as a Gym Leader?"

"Of course not! Even if you couldn't Dynamax Pokemon in his Gym, he's incredible at battling."

"Right? And let's take you, me, Sonia, and Nessa for example. The four of us used to be Gym Challengers, just like Hop, Gloria, and everyone else who challenged us throughout the years. Even though it's been over a decade since we wore those uniforms, our time as Gym Challengers are always going to be with us because they're the reason we got this far." Raihan patted his best friend's back comfortingly. "As you might already know, I'm a bit of a history nut, but that's exactly why it's so important. People have left behind traces of the greatness that had been accomplished in their time, and it's up to us to better those ideals so we never forget where we came from. What I'm trying to say is, we don't lose the titles or accomplishments we once had. If you're still feeling lost, that's OK. We'll all be walking side by side with you as we discover our own futures."

Leon didn't say anything, but when he wrapped his own arm around his shoulder, Raihan knew that he was slowly coming to terms with everything he said. Finally letting out a heavy sigh, the former Champion lifted up his head.

"...Thanks, Raihan. I really needed to hear that. I'm not completely over it but-"

"It's fine, mate. These things take time, but just don't sulk for too long. I'm still going to kick your arse one of these days."

Leon snorted and playfully shoved his shoulder into his best friend's side. "Can't have that, can we?"

"Heh, you got that right. Now, dry your hair off and try to have some fun tonight. There's still plenty to celebrate over! You also have a lady expecting an apology from you for missing out on her speech."

Leon slapped his forehead in realization. "Crap, I completely forgot!"

"It's fine, mate. She seems worried about you. You could always make it up to her in other ways." Raihan snickered.

"Like how?"

The Dragon Gym Leader's smile turned smug and he proceeded to make kissy noises, making Leon shove him off the bench.

"Ha…" Juliet heaved, clumsily flopping down on a bench, in a quieter part of Wyndon away from the main celebrations. She had spent the last hour or so flying around Wyndon to check on everyone, getting status reports, stocking up on supplies - she knew it was going to be a massive undertaking overseeing everything but she had her work cut out for her.

Now every time someone was coming in from the walkie-talkie, she wouldn't even try to hide the groan she'd let out.

Thankfully it was quiet, for now.

That was until two young boys came running up to her. A boy with short brown hair and another boy with short blond hair, both around the same age and wearing exact copies of Leon's Champion shirt. She immediately sat up properly on the bench instead of just lying down across it like a total slob. She patted her hair down and cleared her throat. "Hello! Are you two looking for your parents?"

"Hi! You're Miss Juliet, right?" The brunette asked.

"That's me! But, you don't need to call me miss."

"OK! Our parents are nearby so we're not lost or anything. We...actually wanted to ask you something, if that's OK?"

"Sure! What's up?"

"We were hoping we could see Leon. He and...Mr. Rose gave our family tickets to see his match and we want to thank him in person!"

"That's kind of you! Give me a second to give him a call, 'kay?" It almost startled her by how quickly Leon answered her call, but it made her all the more relieved knowing that he was OK enough to answer.

"Hello? J?"

"Hey, Leon! How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing better now, thanks. Raihan said some stuff to help get my butt back into gear. Anyway, what's up?"

"I'm glad to hear that! I'm with two boys who want to meet up to thank you for the tickets to your match today. Their names are…" Juliet held her hand over the receiver and looked to the two boys, who promptly answered with 'John' and 'Tommy'.

"John and Tommy, you know them?"

"Hehe, sure do. They were the kids I hung out with at the hospital a few months ago. Where are you?"

"I'm by the walkway that overlooks the river running through the city."

"That long path that connects to the bridges that lead up the hotel and stadium?"

"Ding, ding, ding! You got it. I'm by the one closer to the stadium."

"Alright, I'll be there soon."

"Cool. See you in a bit!" After hanging up the phone, she patted the empty space beside her on the bench to offer the kids a seat while they waited. "He's on his way! How are you two enjoying the festivities?"

"We're having so much fun! We just watched a battle between the Champion of Unova and a trainer named Blue! He was crazy strong!" Tommy exclaimed, swinging his legs back and forth in excitement from just the mere mention of it.

"And did you see the trainer with a Charizard like Leon's?! He doesn't say anything and yet his Pokemon knows exactly what he wants them to do!" John added in disbelief.

"Sounds like you two really enjoy watching battles! Are you going to become Pokemon Trainers when you grow up?" Juliet asked with a knowing smile.

"You bet! Even if Leon isn't Champion anymore, he'll always be my hero and someone I want to have a battle with someday!" John confessed.

Awwww, what a bunch of cute had hopeful dreams, dreams that many other young aspiring trainers shared and she couldn't wait to see them grow up to become incredible Pokemon trainers. "I'm sure Leon will be really excited and happy to hear that!"

"Y-You really think so?"

"Of course! Nothing gets Leon more fired up than a Pokemon battle."

"You got that right." Leon interrupted with a chuckle. John and Tommy jumped off of the bench and eagerly ran up to the former Champion to hug him. He acknowledged the boys warmly and did his best to hug them back despite the stuffed Rookiedee and Dreepy plushies he held under his arms.

"Long time no see, you two! How've you been?"

"We've been great! Ever since we've been discharged from the hospital, every day has been so much fun!" Tommy answered with a toothy grin.

"I'm happy to hear that! Hey, I got you both a little something." Leon handed the Rookiedee plushie to John while he handed the Dreepy plushie to Tommy. They squealed and laughed gleefully at the presents and gave their respective plushies a big squeeze before hugging the former Champion once more.

"Thank you, Leon! Thank you for giving us tickets to see your match!" The boys thanked graciously in unison. Their shared appreciation for him brought a gentle smile to his face, and he bent down to properly give them a hug.

Knowing that he was still looked up to by them, lifted his spirits up considerably.

"You're very welcome, John, Tommy. Thanks for coming out today and showing your support. It means a lot to me."

"You're welcome! You'll always be the greatest Champion of Galar to us! You'll still keep battling, right?"

"Definitely. This isn't the last you'll see of me, that's for sure-"

"Tommy! John! Didn't you two want to watch more Pokemon battles?" Their parents shouted in the distance.

"We'll be right there!" Tommy shouted back. "We better take off but, I hope we'll see you again soon, Leon!" Then, the brunette made a mad dash down the walkway towards their parents.

"Last one there has to buy the loser a Soda Pop!"

"Hey! No fair! You had a head start!" John called after him, holding the Rookiedee above his head as he ran.

For a moment, it felt like Leon was watching a glimpse from the past, where he was already running ahead of Raihan or Sonia during their Gym Challenge. His head was always up in the clouds, his heart full of ambition towards his goal of being the strongest trainer in the world. He told himself that he had to keep running so dreams wouldn't get further away, away from his reach. But, in doing that, there were probably a lot of moments during his journey that he took for granted. If there was one lesson he hoped John and Tommy could learn when they became trainers, it would be to enjoy each day to their fullest.

He was going to make sure that happened for them, and for every aspiring trainer in the generations to come.

"Sooooo…" Juliet drawed out, eyeing him suspiciously before pouting. "No plushie for me?"

He jolted out of his moment of reminisce and waved his hands defensively. "I-I can go back and win you one!"

Juliet let out a short burst of laughter. "I'm just messing with you, Lee. I'm glad you're OK. I was getting worried when you didn't show up to watch my dramatic speech and Raihan couldn't find you."

"I'm sorry about that. I...I had a bit of a breakdown. But...I'm going to be alright." Leon admitted quietly.

Juliet nodded in understanding and gently reached out for his hand. "I don't doubt that but it's OK if your heart's not into the celebratory spirit right now. It's not much but, why don't we walk around together? Check out the stalls, get something to eat - you know, ease yourself into the spirit?"

When his fingers instinctively weaved through hers, that was his answer. Just to be sure, she looked up to his golden eyes, a bit dull and lacking in fiery passion than usual, but that was to be expected. Still, she saw flickers of a flame and it was only a matter a time before that would spark into something greater. And if she could help it, she would. She squeezed his hand and shot her a reassuring grin before gently tugging him along towards the main streets that were bustling with activity and cheer.

Under normal circumstances, she would have been more mindful of holding his hand so openly, knowing how the public would react to such affairs, but everyone was so occupied in eating food and laughing together that they paid no mind to them. And even if there were paparazzi lurking in the shadows, sneakily taking pics of their time together, well, she wasn't going to let it dour their moment. This was more for Leon than it was for her, and she vowed to protect him as he slowly came to terms with his loss.

First on the list of making Leon smile again, was to get something to eat, and he deserved it for fighting so hard for all these years.

"So, any food you're craving to eat? Corn dogs? BBQ? Ah, can't say if the BBQ will be as good as your mom's."

That got a chuckle out of a Leon. "How'd you know about that?"

"I overheard Hop raving about it the other day when I told him the kinds of food that were gonna be here today. I'd love to try her cooking some day." Juliet giggled cheerfully.

"I'm sure you'd love it. Well, why don't we try to get a bit of everything?" He suggested sheepishly.

"I like the way you think! Despite how I look, I can eat a lot!" Juliet laughed, pulling him along to the various food stalls that were smoking with various street foods from across the world so there was no shortage of what to eat. Though, they underestimated their eagerness as their arms piled high with food and they struggled to find an empty table to unveil their food haul at.

"Juliet! Leon! Over here!" Milo called over with a grin. The duo looked over to see the farmer with the other Gym Leaders, seated at what looked to be two picnic-style tables pushed together to accommodate their large group. There was still plenty of room for them and their feast.

"Thanks, Milo! We got a little carried away." Juliet huffed, carefully spreading out the food across the picnic table before plopping down on an empty side next to Melony, and Leon taking Juliet's other side.

"Juliet! You've put together such a wonderful festival for all of us! This is certainly something to look forward to every year." Melony complimented.

Juliet blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Thanks! I had plenty of help though! I just really wanted to do something to bring everyone's spirits back up, but to also thank them for putting their faith in us-"

"Hey, hey, hey, stop right there! If you're going to go on a sentimental trip, at least make it a toast!" Gordie laughed, pouring her and Leon glasses of champagne and holding his glass up, prompting the others to do the same.

"Hey! Don't do a toast without us!" Vanquil protested jokingly, joining the gathering with Tessu and Mary following close behind him.

"Here, Mary! Toast for the spirit but I'll drink your share after." Tessu giggled, handing the brunette her glass, to which she accepted and thanked the other gently before lifting up the glass to the air.

Juliet got up from her seat and cleared her throat. Her throat was already a bit hoarse and sore from giving out orders and her speech from earlier, so she was going to keep it short and sweet. She regarded everyone around the table with a warm smile. "It's been an absolute pleasure working with you all over this past year and I'm so grateful that we can all come together to celebrate everything we accomplished, not just in terms of the Gym Challenge and Champion Cup, but uniting together to protect what's important and dear to us. We've all come a long way, as both trainers, but as people, and I can only hope we'll continue to grow stronger together from here on out! Cheers!"

"Cheers!" Everyone announced, clinking their glasses together before taking a sip of their champagne and dissolving back into their previous conversations. Juliet tried to hide her scrunched up face from just a mere sip of the champagne, but it didn't go unnoticed by Leon.

"You don't have to force yourself." Leon chuckled.

"I just wanted to be a good sport, but even so, bleh."

Leon took her champagne glass and swapped it with a glass of sparkling apple juice instead. "Here, this might appeal to your taste buds more."

"Thanks." Juliet took careful sips of the juice before reaching for the small tray of takoyaki from their horde of food. "I did so much talking today that I'm starving! Have you tried these before? They're probably my favourite food and they're popular street food in Johto!"

"I haven't, but they look really good-" But before Juliet could warn Leon how hot they were fresh, he plopped one in his mouth and nearly doubled over by how searing hot it was in his mouth. "H-Hot!"

"I was going to warn you!" Juliet bellowed in laughter, watching him struggle to cool the food in his mouth before deeming it safe enough to chew and swallow. Besides his burned tongue, it had an unique flavour that had him reaching for more, albeit being more mindful this time and cooling it with his breath. "The verdict?"

"Delicious, but deadly if you aren't careful."

"Haha! Because they're my favourite, I even forget to let them cool a little because I get too eager." She joked, before popping one in her mouth and savouring her favourite food. It really had been too long since she had them and it could hardly compare to the ones she made at home.

After eating their fill, they decided to walk off their full stomachs by walking through the stalls that were lined up with various carnival games like the usual test of strength, balloon popping, ring toss, and other fun activities where prizes were sought after. Suddenly, the sound of a kid crying caught their attention and Juliet turned in the direction of the cry to see a little girl and her mother, who looked besides herself, standing in front of an archery range. Of course, she couldn't help herself in that moment due to her love for archery, but she was also motivated to help out the little girl who was likely trying to get her mom to win a prize for her.

"Hey there! Is there a prize that you'd like?" Juliet asked, crouching down to the girl's level.

She couldn't utter a word through her sobs and merely pointed at the Cubchoo plushie hanging by a rack with other plushies of Pokemon. Her mother opened her mouth to protest but Juliet had already given the guy in charge of the attraction the money required to play and picked up the small bow, getting a feel for it. "Hmm, this is a lot smaller than what I'm used to so I better not overshoot my shot."

"Can't believe I get a front row seat to see a hunter in action." Leon said playfully.

Juliet scoffed. "I don't know about that but I like to pretend that I'm Link." She gave the bow string a few test tugs to get a sense of its elasticity and turned to the guy in charge of the booth. "So, how many bullseyes do I need to get a prize?"

"You have five tries, but you only need two bullseyes to get one of those plushies."

"Then, how about I get three plushies if I hit all five bullseyes?" She smirked. Despite it being awhile since she last practiced, this felt infinitely easier than when she practiced archery at the recreation center. Not to mention the targets weren't nearly as far away either.

"Deal. Haven't seen anyone land even three in a row yet-"

Not even five seconds have passed did she already land her first bullseye with her first arrow. "That's one." And another. "That's two." And another! "That's three. Guess you have now."

"Wow! That lady is so cool, mum!" The little girl exclaimed, jumping up and down excitedly.

The guy at the booth watched with his jaw dropped as she landed two more bullseyes, landing her three pushies for the price of one game. He really shouldn't haven't underestimated her and sighed in defeat. "Shucks, guess I can't go back on my word now. Which three prizes would you like?"

Juliet grinned cheekily and dusted off her hands as she pondered over the selection of stuffed Pokemon. "I'll take the Cubchoo, Eevee, and Charmander!"

Handing her the stuffed Pokemon, she gave the Cubchoo to the little girl who practically broke the sound barrier with her squeal as she hugged the ice bear stuffed animal tight. "Thank you very much, miss!"

"You're welcome! Take good care of it, OK?" Juliet replied gently.

"I will!" She promised, running back to her mom's side, positively beaming as they walked away and Juliet could hear the little girl's request to her mom on whether she could try archery when she was older. She smiled to herself, before handing the Charmander plushie to Leon.

Leon blinked. "For me?"

"Who else?" She retorted with a giggle. "You could always give it to Charzard if you don't want it-"

"No, no, I'll keep it. Thank you, J." He accepted the stuffed Charmander and he felt a sense of nostalgia when holding the soft plushie in his arms and he couldn't help but blush a little. "To be honest, I used to own a few stuffed Pokemon when I was little, but to keep up with my image when I became a Champion, I ended up giving them to Hop."

"So, does that mean you're going to go out and buy more for yourself?" She teased lightly.

He scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Maybe not on my own volition but, I certainly wouldn't say no to them, especially if they came from you."

Especially if they came from you. She had a hard time not blushing at that comment considering how it tickled her heart. "You're sweet, Leon. There's actually one more thing that's a must on my list that I think is just what you need."

"And what's that?"

Her eyes sparkled just as brightly as the fireworks above their heads. "Let's have a Pokemon battle!"

Juliet instructed Leon to wait in the park, while she went off to give Mary the Eevee plushie that she had won for her, as well as to 'prepare'. What that entailed, he didn't know, but he had a moment to reflect on the offer while watching two trainers battle on the make-shift battlefield that was outlined in the grass. Was it too soon to battle right after losing the biggest match of his life? What if he second guessed himself and made a fool out of him and his Pokemon? He felt silly for thinking that way, considering this was likely going to be a friendly match with the person he held so dear to him, so maybe he was taking it a bit too seriously. He felt conflicted, that much he knew.

"Hey, Leon! Sorry for the wait-"

"It's OK, J-" His breath caught in his throat when he lifted his head to properly greet Juliet. She had a shy smile on her face as she playfully twirled around in her dream Champion outfit before ending with a polite curtsy. He didn't get a chance to say it in her dreams but looking at her now, she was the most lovely woman he laid eyes on; adorned in an attire that truly showed who she really was and who she had become.

Like a Silcoon evolving into a Beautifly.

"This is probably a bit extra for a friendly match, but I really wanted to try battling in this again. I'm still shocked that I found this in my closet when I was sure I never had it made, but maybe it was a sign - a sign to embrace who I used to be, and who I want to be now." She held out her hand to him. "Better late than never, right? Will you battle me, Leon?"

Seeing her try so hard for herself, but for him as well, how could he say no? He took her hand without a second thought and pulled himself up from the park bench. "I'd be honoured."

Luckily they didn't have to wait long for their turn, as the trainers who were battling had just finished up and they took their places on opposite ends of the field - both of them holding their Pokemon of choice. Raihan, eager to see the battle after catching wind of it, volunteered himself as the referee and stood along the sidelines. "I'm guessing 1 vs. 1?"

"Yup!" Juliet answered.

"Aight." Raihan pressed the record button on his Rotom phone and it flew around the field, capturing the impending battle from different angles. "This will be a 1 vs. 1 battle between Leon, former Champion of Galar; and Juliet, a former Champion of Hoenn!"

"Huh? Former Champion of Hoenn?"

"Wait! Isn't that the woman from the news? The one who got all those trainers to help us?"

"Yeah, it is! Wow, I can't believe she was a Champion before, but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised! What she said was so inspiring!"

Juliet smiled to herself as she listened to the murmurings and whispers among the public who were there to witness their battle. She had come a long way from despairing over gossip, to feeling proud and fulfilled from her efforts being recognized.

"Any taunts either of you want to throw down for we get started?" Raihan joked.

"This battle was long overdue, but I hope I can put up a worthy fight, from a former Champion to another. Even if those titles have been rightfully taken from us, what can't be taken away - is the heart of a Champion. So, show me what your Champion heart is made off, Leon!" She challenged proudly. Her declaration shook not only the public's heart to the core but Leon's as well. It felt like something flickered inside of him before burning more brightly, and stronger, and it reflected in his gaze.

"I've been waiting for this day for a long time, you know. I've always wondered how stronger you've gotten and I promise that you'll see more than what my Champion heart is capable of! It'd be my pleasure!"

"I can't tell if you two are taunting each other or flirting…" Raihan chuckled to himself before raising both of his arms and motioning both of them to send out their Pokemon of choice.

To Leon's surprise, Juliet sent out Darkrai instead Hajime, her Swampert.

"Good evening, Leon. Despite this being my first formal Pokemon battle, please do not hold back for my sake." Darkrai insisted, bowing his head out of courtesy.

"What Pokemon is that?!"

"Not just that, but did it talk?!"

Juliet laughed at the crowd's gobsmacked reactions before turning back to Darkrai and her opponent. "Darkrai and I did some training together so I thought this would be a good test to see how much he learned! Give it your all, Darkrai!"

"I will do my best."

Leon chuckled and tossed out Charizard, who he made sure was rested enough and healed up beforehand. "You never fail to surprise me, Juliet. In that case, give me all you've got!"

"Let the battle begin!" Raihan declared, cutting his hands through the air.

"Ahh! Looks like there's a lot of training I need to catch up if I want to have even half the shine I used to be." Juliet lamented, but still smiling gently as she was led along by Leon's hand in the direction of ferris wheel. Leon turned to her and shot her an encouraging smile of his own.

"I think you shine more than you think, and you've definitely grown stronger since the last time we battled."

"Hee hee, you think so? I'm glad! It was a nice change and was even a little nostalgic. I really enjoyed myself."

He squeezed her hand. "Do you think you'll officially go back to battling competitively?"

It felt like a blast from the past being asked that, and Leon had asked her the exact same thing all those years ago after their first battle. Funny how things have come full circle for them.

But…

"To be perfectly honest, probably not. When I battled towards being a Champion, I did it for my parents, but deep down, I was really doing it for the joy and exhilaration. But, it was hard accepting that because I was living in a world where winning was the only thing that mattered. It became too much to bear and I crumbled under the pressure as a result. I don't want to ever feel that way again so, if I'm going to battle, it's going to be on my terms."

Leon nodded in understanding and his smile widened. "And that's exactly what you should do, and you know I'll always be here to support you and whatever dream or goal you want to reach."

Juliet's smile matched his own and she couldn't help but walk closer by his side, hoping that he could feel her gratitude and affection for him radiating off of her. "I feel the same way for you, Leon."

Surprisingly, there weren't many people lined up for the ferris wheel, which made it easier for them to slip into one of the carts without being seen by anyone, besides the person who was in charge of maintaining the ride and the few people who were waiting in line with their kids.

But, before entering the cart, Leon just had to replay a moment from their past.

"Ladies first."

Just like how her past self-reacted, she snorted and thanked him with a curtsy before climbing in with Leon following close behind her. When the ferris wheel began to rotate and their cart moved higher and higher towards the sky, she was struck with a sense of deja vu. But, rather than perfectly re-enact the scene with gratitude, she felt compelled to say something else.

Something that she should have said when they first reunited but, better late than never, right?

"I missed you, Leon."

His eyes widened at the tender remark before softening from longing.

"I missed you too, Juliet. A lot, actually."

She smiled sheepishly. "I know. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Hey, good things come to those who wait, right?" Leon chuckled. She joined in his laughter, filling the air of their little cart with warmth that only they could feel. That must have been what she felt back then, connecting with someone so deeply and profoundly that every fiber in her soul felt embraced by the delicate emotions of yearning.

"...Remember when you told me that we aren't the same people we were 8 years ago?" Juliet pressed her hand against the glass and smiled thoughtfully at the fireworks that continued to light up the sky. "You told me that despite that, my compassionate heart never changed. The best parts, and even the lesser versions of ourselves - they continue to live on through our present selves as proof so we can be better. So…"

She earnestly placed a hand over her heart. "I was a Champion once too, and despite how I used to turn away from it, I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. But, I-we can be so much more than that!"

Leon couldn't tell if the rumbling of the fireworks were shaking through his core or if his heart was exploding as well, the adrenaline from their recent battle was still buzzing in his veins.

"Remember that phone call we had a while back where I asked you what drives and motivates you? This is what you told me,"

"I...I want to give the people of Galar strength. Hope. Inspiration that they can do whatever it is they want to do if they put in the hard work. If I didn't work hard, if I wasn't strong, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"You're more than just a Champion - you're Leon! A Pokemon trainer who never backs down from a fight and is only getting started. You still have the power to make all that happen!" Juliet beamed at him admiringly with a tilt of her head, "In a way, I understand the kind of pain you're going through right now and it's OK if you don't know where to go from here. But, nothing in the world can take away all that you've accomplished and who you are. And I can't wait to see what you'll do next."

The next few moments whizzed by in a blur, the exploding fireworks sounding muffled in her ears. And then, she noticed how the air grew a lot...warmer all of a sudden, but it was far from uncomfortable.

Odd.

…

Wait.

As if her mind recovered from buffering, her mind then began reeling uncontrollably from the eventual realization that Leon was... kissing her. She...She had no idea what to do. Hell, this wasn't the first time they kissed technically, but at least she was prepared for the first! Catching her by complete surprise was-!

That's when he squeezed her a bit tighter, snapping her out of her initial panic.

He had one arm around her waist, pulled close against his body while his other hand weaved through her ponytail, keeping their lips locked like he didn't want to let her go.

Just like the shooting stars they saw that night.

Her eyes softened at the thought, and from his earnest love. She slowly snaked her arms around his neck, allowing him to pull her closer and deepen the kiss.

At that moment, Leon didn't care if anyone saw them. He wasn't going to let anything interrupt them again. He held himself back for so long and he couldn't wait anymore.

He deserved this. They deserved this.

"L-Lee…" Juliet muttered against his lips as she pulled back, but his lips followed her, drawing her back into another eager kiss. Goodness, he was smothering her with affection, which she had no complaints over, except for the fact that the ferris wheel was gradually slowing down as they descended back to the ground.

She ended up having to slap a hand over his mouth, which snapped him out of his love-drunk demeanor.

"Easy there, big guy. Time's up on the ferris wheel."

"O-Oh! Sorry, I...completely forgot where we were." He admitted honestly with flushed cheeks.

"You sure did, which I'm not complaining about but," She kissed him teasingly on the nose. "Perhaps we should save it for a more private setting?"

Leon's eyes lit up and his arm only tightened around her waist. Juliet imagined if he were a Yamper, his tail would be wagging like crazy from sheer joy, which to be honest, was a very cute mental image.

"Does that mean we're-" He started before he was sternly interrupted by a cough from the ferris wheel operator.

"Excuse me-"

"We're so sorry for taking up your time." Juliet cut in, pulling away from Leon, much to his dismay, until she tugged him out of the cart and dragged him away from the ferris wheel. She had brought him all the way back to the walkway, but closer around the river that flowed through Wyndon. The surface shimmered and sparkled, reflecting the fireworks that were still painting the starlit sky with explosions of colour. But the sounds of the fireworks felt distant to them, allowing them a moment of well-deserved peace from being the centre of the celebrations.

But, they were at a loss of how to break through the...slightly awkward silence. Not to mention, her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. It wasn't like she didn't know that Leon loved her, and she hoped he knew the exact thing about her - but would a proper confession be good enough for him to know just how much he meant to her? They were three simple words, and yet, they didn't feel enough. Lord, she was so awkward and unprepared.

"Soooooo...um…" Juliet stammered. Real smooth, she thought sarcastically to herself. Leon's smile turned smug and he came around behind her to loop his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. Her face erupted in embarrassment, making her turn away bashfully.

"Yeah? Go on." Cheeky bastard-

"Is...Is this a good idea? Holding me like this? I mean, I don't mind and it honestly feels really nice-"

"I'm not going to hold back anymore about how I feel about you, Juliet. I've wanted to say this for so long…" He spun her around and cupped her cheek tenderly, gazing at her with golden eyes overflowing with love.

8 years...8 years of pent-up longing...

"I love you."

She heard and felt the depths of his love from those three words, proving her that they were enough. Juliet's heart soared, and she reached up to cup his cheek as well, his beard tickling the palm of her hand and making her giggle lightly. His smile stretched wide, and she responded in kind.

Both of their smiles were real.

"I love you too, Leon."

This time when he leaned in, she was ready and stood up on her toes to meet his kiss. It wasn't rushed or hurried like the one he surprised her earlier - it was soft, warm and just...loving.

Juliet wasn't one to believe in things like soulmates or even fate, but in that moment, everything clicked and felt...right. Like she had found her other half who complimented her strengths and weaknesses, and she did the same for him. They've always lifted each other up when one of them was in low spirits, and when they didn't see eye-to-eye, they confessed their faults and forgave each other. Their mutual desire to grow into better versions of themselves by each other's side - that's what love meant to her.

His love...their love...made her feel so happy.

When he finally pulled away, he lifted her off of her feet and swung her around, laughing joyfully at their deepened bond. Her own laughter mingled with his as she nuzzled his cheek affectionately, which made his heart swell fondly.

They were so caught up in their own little world that Juliet didn't even register the voice coming in from her walkie-talkie until the person's shout broke through their imaginary bubble.

"JULIET! HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?"

Rosa.

And she thought she was loud at times.

Juliet fumbled for the walkie-talkie strapped on her waist and answered it with a shaky,

"I-I'm here! Sorry! I was...taking a power nap."

Leon raised his eyebrow. "Really…?"

Juliet rolled her eyes and put a hand over his mouth before he could give another snarky comeback.

"Well, I guess that's fine since you've been travelling back and forth to check up on everyone. Anyway, should we get started on the floating lanterns event?"

"Shoot, it's already time? Thanks for reminding me! Let's bring out the lanterns and start distributing them to everyone!"

"You got it! I'll let everyone know! Relax and have some fun!"

"I might do just that. Thanks Rosa! Let me know if anything happens."

"Floating lanterns?" Leon repeated curiously, though it was muffled against her hand.

"Yup! To end the event on a hopeful note, everyone will get a floating lantern that they'll make a wish or pray with, before letting it go into the sky." Juliet winked before taking off. "You stay there! I'll get lanterns for the two of us!"

"Sorry for the wait! The lines for the lanterns were all long!" Juliet huffed, holding two gently glowing lanterns in her hands. Leon noticed that they both had different symbols on them, one had a crown and one had a star. He grinned knowingly, as she offered the crown lantern to him. The lantern was so light, but it felt warm against his hands.

"Alright, everyone! Once you have a lantern, take a moment to make a wish, and on the count of three, we're all going to release them at the same time! Close your eyes, hold the lantern close to you, and make a wish…" Tessu announced over the intercom that relayed the message throughout the region.

Juliet gingerly held her lantern close, and she closed her eyes. It was always difficult figuring out what to wish for in the moment, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't think of anything. The things she was scared of, the things that made her insecure, she had already acknowledged most of them, and she became a stronger person for it. Then again, self-improvement wasn't really something she wanted to wish for - that was something she had to turn into reality for herself.

Rather than a wish, perhaps a hope would be more fitting.

She hoped that the important people in her life would always remain healthy, safe, and happy; she hoped that their hopes and dreams would become a reality one day. She hoped that, whoever was struggling out there in the world, knew that they weren't alone and that it was OK to feel weak. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help, but someone will be there to reach out for your hand. It may be hard to believe now, but everyone's heart is strong.

Even yours.

It'll take time, but one day, you'll get there. Slowly, but surely.

Juliet slowly opened her eyes and lifted her head to meet Leon's earnest gaze. She wondered what he had wished or hoped for.

"Time's up! Is everyone ready?!"

They both nodded to each other, their smiles never ceasing.

"1!"

"2!"

"3!"

They both pulled their hands away from their lanterns, watching them ascend into the night sky along with the other lanterns that rose with them. It was a breathtaking view. Everyone's wishes and hopes mingled in the sky, sometimes knocking into each other, but always floating at their own course and leisure.

No one knew where the lanterns would end up. Whether they kept flying into the heavens or floated to a distant region - seeing the lanterns would give them hope.

Juliet even wondered...if Maya and her parents were watching from somewhere.

She smiled at the thought and imagined Maya's cheerful smile.

"Juliet?"

Leon was looking at her instead of the floating lanterns. Tearing her gaze away from the lanterns for a moment, she turned to him with curious eyes.

"Hm?"

"You...You know the Champion's Banquet that will be held in Hammerlocke Castle next week?"

Champion's Banquet? It was the first she had ever heard of it.

"I don't think anyone ever mentioned it to me until now, but from the name, it sounds like a fancy occasion."

"It is. It's essentially a private after party for everyone in the League including all the employees who helped run the Gym Challenge and Champion Cup."

"An after party, huh? Guess that means my team would be invited-" Ahh...that meant she would have to do some dress shopping - something completely out of her expertise. Maybe Nessa and Sonia could help her? They were probably prolific in make-up as well-

"Since we're together now, would you like to go with me as my date?" Leon asked smoothly, taking her hand and pressing his lips to the back of it, eyes fixated on her to gauge her response with playful eyes.

Juliet's heart jumped.

Leon was always one for grand gestures, even ones relating to the heart.

And she had to give it to him - his charms always had a way of making her heart melt.

"I'd love to, Leon." She giggled when he twirled her around and tugged her back to his chest, looking at her with a dopey smile from her answer.

"I'm so happy to hear that. Leave the arrangements to me."

"Arrangements? Are you going to stroll up to my flat in a Rapidash drawn carriage or something?"

His smile widened. "If that's what you want-"

"Leon, that sounds expensive. Besides, I don't need anything extravagant like that, unless you want to?"

"Well," Leon mused. "Maya did call me Prince Charming and if you dressed as Cinderella, I think it'd be a hit." He was joking of course. Mostly.

He had never gone to the banquet with anyone, mainly because he was the star of the event so most of his time was allocated to private interviewers and photoshoots rather than simply enjoying the event with his friends and co-workers. Leon still had an important role to play for it, but the spotlight would be on Gloria. With him leading the event, he only allowed one interview and photoshoot each for the new Champion so she could enjoy it to its fullest.

It was their party, after all and no paparazzi were allowed to damper the mood.

"Quite the romantic, aren't you?" Juliet snorted. It was a cute idea, she had to admit it. But it felt more in-character to go as themselves. They weren't a Prince or a Princess, but that didn't make them any less special to each other.

"As lovely as that sounds, I'd rather we go as ourselves. I very much prefer going on a date with you than any Prince." She replied sweetly.

Leon felt his heart grow from that. She didn't pull any punches when it came to being romantic either, and she clearly knew exactly what to say to get him where it mattered.

"I feel the same about you. I can't wait until then! Especially since I have something special planned for it." He winked teasingly.

"And something tells me you won't say, huh?" She replied back playfully.

"Nope. You'll just have to see for yourself."

"Hee hee, alright. I'll be patient until then." Looking up at the sky, most of the lanterns could hardly be seen anymore, but their hopeful glow lingered in their hearts. They still had an hour or two left before the celebration would finally be over, which meant it was a good time to browse through the main district while families returned home with their children.

Juliet gently pulled his hand, guiding him out of the walkway and back to the main streets so partake in more activities. "Come on! This date isn't finished yet."

Leon laughed heartily, letting himself be led along through the warmth of her hand.