A/N: Team Roster: Jackson (Cinderace), Hudson (Mudsdale), Rosa (Bellossom), Theodore (Corviknight), Rouge (Weavile), Ophelia (Haxorus)
Chapter 32 - Coronation
Today was the day.
Actually this time.
Dolly gazed out her hotel window that overlooked the city of Wyndon. The crowds had amped up significantly after their debacle with Eternatus, as the news had been broadcasted to all of Galar, and now it seemed all of Galar was here to watch the legendary Championship match.
After their battle with Eternatus, the four of them did pay a visit to Wyndon's hospital, per Leon's request. Thankfully everyone was perfectly healthy, but they all made sure they rested for a few days there, just in case. Dolly was, unfortunately, quite disgruntled because her heart rate monitor was incredibly telling and would beep like mad whenever Hop kissed her. Much to her chagrin, he made sure to comment on how loudly and quickly it was beeping whenever he hovered over her lips, and the more it happened, the more he tried to make it happen. The nurses there quickly grew frustrated with them, as they would rush into the room whenever her heartbeat would spike. And, despite Dolly's flustered retorts, that was... rather often.
Additionally, apparently having Champion Leon on the floor wasn't helping matters, as he continuously wandered into prohibited areas when trying to find the cafeteria. Sonia's Yamper busted some equipment in her room, Sonia tried to fix it while making it more efficient but not 'to regulation in accordance with the rest of the hospital equipment,' and none of the hospital staff were upset when the four of them were finally discharged.
The match wasn't for a few more hours, and Dolly couldn't stop pacing. Her and Hop's mums had come up from Postwick, and they, Leon, and Sonia were all waiting downstairs for a final meal before the match. Dolly probably wouldn't be able to eat anything thanks to her nerves, but it would be a better use of her time than pacing around her room like she had been all morning. She stepped out into the hallway, over to the lift, and it sounded once she reached the lobby. A smile broke over her face when she saw her gaggle of friends and family all talking together.
"Good morning, my little Pecha berry," her mum said as she wrapped her into a hug.
"Hi mum," she smiled into her overalls. "I'm glad you're here."
Her Pokémon were glad she was there, too. Her mum doted so much on her Pokémon team in their hotel room the night before, even Rouge mentioned how 'ace Dolly's mum was.' Her mum and Jackson were attached at the hip, and he kept following her around. Dolly tried to hide her pout when Jackson went to wait in the lobby with her mum instead of her room with her.
"Ready for lunch? We're a bit early, but we can probably start walking over soon," Leon said.
"Oh!" Dolly's mum said as she stepped back. "And did you know Sonia is Professor Magnolia's granddaughter? Who knew we had such a genius as a neighbor!"
"I did know that," Dolly laughed, looking at her friend. Sonia's cheeks were tinged pink as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
"Apparently, she's been studying Dynamaxing, the Darkest Day, and the Nuzlocke Curse! What a full plate, but she's been telling us so much about it, and it is just so fascinating!"
"Sonia's making me go find a notepad so they can geek out even more," Hop said, jokingly rolling his eyes. "I'm telling ya, guess that apprenticeship is starting sooner than I thought. Already making me haul around her stuff like a Mudbray."
"Oh quit whining and go find it, it should be up in my room," Sonia laughed, waving him off.
"Dolly, will you go with him? That boy is hopeless when it comes to finding things," Hop's mum sighed.
"Him and his brother both…" Sonia added with a grumble.
"We'll wait for you outside!" Jackson grinned, still shadowing her mum. Dolly nodded, turned back around, and followed Hop into the lift.
It was quiet in the hotel hallway, as everyone was outside enjoying the sunshine in the plaza. They made it into Sonia's room and started poking about for her notepad. Dolly picked around her nail as her eyes scanned the room. Hop's fingers wove around hers as she moved towards the dresser, and she raised an eyebrow at him. He didn't meet her eyes when he shrugged.
"You won't pick at your fingers if I hold your hand. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't help you break those bad habits?"
Dolly rolled her eyes and turned back to the dresser. Sonia said turquoise checkered notepad, right? Here was an orange one, a turquoise one without the checkered print, a pack of sticky notes, and a notebook. What was the difference between a notepad and a notebook? Anything? Sonia sure did have a lot of one of the two… No checkered turquoise, though. None on that dresser either. Hop interrupted her train of thought by snaking his arms around her waist and tugging her body against his. He set his head on her shoulder, and she patted his hair as she looked about the hotel room.
"Could be in me an' Lee's room, she's been spending a lot of time with Lee," he muttered against her hair. She nodded. There certainly weren't any turquoise checkered notepads that she could see.
They made their way down the hall and Hop gently swung their hands back and forth. They stepped into the room and Dolly started leafing through the cabinet as Hop resumed his position hugging her from behind. It didn't take long before he was pulling her hair from off her neck and kissing her cheek. She pulled out a couple books and magazines, but he was certainly getting harder to ignore, as his lips trailed from her cheek to her temple to behind her ear. The next desk over was only hip height, but she couldn't reach it, what with the way he was holding her. She swatted at him as he chuckled from behind her.
"What, a girl says I love you and suddenly you can't keep your hands off her?" she pouted playfully as she turned to face him. "Are you getting back at me for grabbing at you in my sleep? Because I was unconscious then, you know."
"I like it when you blush."
At that, Dolly's face grew warmer.
"I've made it somewhat of a personal goal to see how red I can get you," Hop continued matter-of-factly.
Dolly pursed her lips and rolled her eyes as she turned back to the desk.
"That's a stupid goal," she huffed. She couldn't be that easily flustered.
Right?
"What, you don't believe me? It's literally so easy."
She turned back to him again, and immediately wanted to smack that stupid, smug smirk off his face.
"Oh no it's not," she huffed as she stood tall and squared her shoulders. "I've grown, I'm much more robust than I once was."
"Mmhmm," Hop hummed as he slowly inched towards her. "See, I think you're the same as you've always been with tall, dark, handsome men. I know your patterns. I know how fast your heart is beating right now."
Dolly let out an incredulous huff as she crossed her arms.
"Oh, you think so, huh?"
"Yeah, I do," Hop grinned as he leaned his head towards her.
"Prove it."
He paused in his steps toward her, and a devious grin inched onto his face. Now was not the time to waiver. She'd prove it to this guy that she was a wafery napkin girl no longer. She was a strong and powerful woman - one who could resist the charm of this tall, dark, and handsome man.
That thought immediately faltered as he took another step toward her, his tall frame more apparent the less room there was between them. She stumbled against the desk behind her, and Hop set his hands on either side of her hips.
"How about now?" he whispered.
Dolly cleared her throat.
"N-nope. I'm, um, I-I'm unaffected."
Stuttering. Nice.
Hop leaned closer, and her eyes started to flutter closed.
"Are you sure?" he purred. "I can tell how honest you're being by how many extra syllables were in that sentence."
Dolly didn't trust her mouth, so she lifted an eyebrow in retort.
"Fine," he grinned.
In one swift motion, he lifted her up and set her on the desk surface as she let out a feminine 'oof.' He pulled her knees apart and set himself between them, curled his arms around her hips, and trailed a finger up the line of her spine. He grinned when she shivered, and Hop leaned his head next to her ear.
"And how about now?" he whispered.
Dolly swallowed hard.
"N-nope. Still nothing."
"I'll have to try harder, then."
Hop's breath was hot on her neck when he leaned down. She felt him smile against her skin when she wove her fingers into his hair. He gently kissed her neck, kissed under her jaw, and Dolly was vehemently trying to not melt under his fingertips. His lips dragged across her throat slowly, painstakingly slowly, and she was starting to breathe harder. The second his tongue lightly touched her skin, Dolly unintentionally let out a squeak. Hop grinned.
Hm. Whoops.
"See?" he whispered as he lifted his head. "Easy."
Her face was flaring red.
"Half of Galar is literally right out that window, you know," she growled. "And so is my mum."
"They can't see us."
Dolly gasped and swatted at him. He caught her hand and held it to his chest. His heart was beating as quickly as hers.
"Do you want to stop…?" Hop asked. When she bit her smile back and shook her head, he smiled too.
"I'm sure they can wait a bit longer for that notepad," Dolly muttered.
Hop chuckled as he tilted his head to kiss her cheek, and he pulled her arms up over his shoulders. He lifted her glasses up to kiss her forehead, her eyelashes, her nose. She let out a giggle as his lips peppered her freckles, and when he ran his thumb under her jaw, she was sure he could feel her pulse racing in her neck. At least there wasn't a stupid heartrate monitor beeping at them this time.
Well, he just about got every spot on her face except one. She waited for him to press his lips against hers, maybe like he did so tenderly at the top of Hammerlocke Stadium. Or maybe it would be hungry, and he would let out a groan like he did then too, maybe a moan would escape his throat, all because of her. Maybe he would pick her up and toss her on the bed, maybe he would pin her wrists down, maybe she would see those golden eyes leaning over her like she had imagined for so long. Her face warmed at the thought, and Dolly curled her leg around his. He held her thigh up with one hand, and the other was tilting her jaw as he leaned closer to her. She could feel him hovering above her lips, pausing, waiting.
After a moment she peeked, only to see him still inches from her face.
"Yep," he whispered. "Pinker than a Pecha berry. Looks like I just got a new high score."
Dolly gasped as Hop let out another laugh.
"Sorry, can't resist. You're just so cute when you blush like that," he shrugged. "Okay, let's find that notepad."
He uncurled her leg from his and peeled her hands off of his shoulders. He turned and started leafing through the papers beside them, and Dolly's mouth was hanging open. She threw out her palms in retort.
"Hey, wait a second!"
He turned to her and raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Ugh, come on," she huffed as she crossed her arms. "You can't just do that and then leave me here! You have to, you know..."
Hop grinned again, stood straight, and loosely held his hands behind his back.
"What ever do you mean?"
"Don't be an idiot."
"Why Dolls, do you… want me to kiss you?"
Dolly pursed her lips and glared up at him. When he didn't move, she let out a huff, grabbed at his sleeves, and attempted to move his hands back to where they were only moments ago. His hands flopped down lazily.
"Hop, come on," she whined.
He slammed his hands on either side of her.
"Ask me."
Dolly's breath caught in her throat. She swallowed and glanced to the side, unable to match the intensity in his gaze.
"Y-you're being annoying," she grumbled as her cheeks flared again.
"Ask me to kiss you."
Perhaps she was still a wafery napkin girl. She could live with that.
"Hop, kiss me."
"That wasn't asking."
She really wanted to smack him again, but her fingers only trembled as she clutched at his shirt. She swallowed again, her face burning up as his eyes bore into hers. She was glad she was sitting on this stupid desk, otherwise her legs probably would've given out from the pressure of his gaze. She looked up at him through her eyelashes.
"Will you kiss me, Hop?" she whispered.
He won that round.
His cheeks tinged darker, and he cleared his throat. Suddenly Hop's calm and cool bravado was gone, and his eyes flitted to the ground. She curved her hands around him, slid her fingers under his shirt, and felt along the dimples on his back. His eyes widened and he cleared his throat again.
Or maybe… she won that round?
"Please, love?" she whispered again. "Won't you kiss me?"
Hop nodded a tad too vigorously, and quickly leaned in to kiss her.
"What kind of rubbish was that," she breathed softly between kisses.
"Just trying to make up for all the time you made me wait," Hop mumbled against her lips. "Wanted to see if it would make you blush."
If that was the case, then he won that round too.
"You were just as bad," Hop grumbled. "You can't… look at me like that, a-and then touch me like that. My whole plan went to pot."
Dolly giggled, and Hop smiled against her lips as he kissed her again. The longer they kissed the hungrier she got, as she too wanted to make up for the entire time, they never touched each other, even though the entire time they wanted to. All that time glancing from his lips to his eyes, and now that she had it, she wanted more. Her toes curled when he started breathing harder, started pulling her closer to him. Her body curved against his as he clutched at her waist, and he let out a small groan as she leaned into him. She kept sliding back on the desk until Hop grunted in frustration when he kept having to pull her back. He picked her up, tossed her onto the hotel bed, and crawled over her.
Finally.
Golden eyes bore into brown as he leaned in again, kissing her as if he had never been touched in his life. His hand tangled into her hair as he moved from her lips to her cheek, from her jaw downward. Her eyebrows pulled together as she felt that passion when he bit her neck. His breath was staggered as his lips trailed down to her collarbone, kissing, then finally biting at the skin.
"And now they're from me," he growled.
"What...?"
"Didn't like seeing those marks from Raihan. Now they're from me."
Her eyes widened at his words, and those Butterfree were flapping against her gut. He kissed at the marks gently, and his lips trailed delicately over the tender skin.
"Hop, we need to go soon," she whispered.
"They can wait a bit more," he grumbled against her neck, then moved up to her lips again.
Yeah, that was fine with her. He seemed to grow more frustrated the longer he kissed her, and his gentility was capped with a burning desire. Her eyebrows pulled together as each kiss grew a little more desperate.
"Every time I would touch you, you would just lean into it," he mumbled through his kisses. "Arceus, and you would just fall asleep on me like it was nothing, and after that Beartic on Route 10… Did you know what you were doing to me? Looking like that, touching me like that, leaning over me like that...?"
He dropped from his hand to his elbow, curling his other hand into her hair. She could almost feel his frustration as he hovered over her lips. That familiar heat from that night was back, as was intensity in his eyes. He kissed her again, then whispered into her ear.
"You don't even know how much I had to restrain myself."
So that heat wasn't from that lantern. Huh.
Her eyes fluttered close as he stroked a finger down her face. His thumb traced along her cheekbone, brushed over her lips, then tilted her chin up. He kissed her again, and she felt the heat from that night bloom throughout her face, her body, her skin. Her temperature was rising, just as it always did when he was so close to her. She had to grip at the sheets when he kissed her so passionately like that. His kisses were intense, and it was getting hard to breathe. Their lips parted and she couldn't help but moan when he kissed her even deeper.
Then, he held onto her and rolled over, so Dolly was lying on his chest. She grabbed his collar and pressed her lips against his, and she kissed him with everything she had, parting his lips like she had wanted to ever since seeing them like that on Route 10. It seemed Hop was startled by her fervent touch, his fingers now gripping harder against the bed. His eyebrows pulled together as she pulled his hands up onto her hips, sliding his fingers under her shirt.
She kissed him, smiling at the way his hands trembled against her skin. He kissed her back hungrily, only to grunt as her hands trailed up under his shirt. He was breathing harder when she slid her hands up, feeling the soft, lean muscle while tugging his shirt up.
"D-Dolls," he breathed.
Hm, that was new too.
He only let go of her hips to tug it off completely. His face reddened when she sat back to take in the view. Hop was breathing hard, especially when she gazed down at him like that. When he sat up, she was surprised to see him pause. His hands hovered over her as his eyes softened. He swallowed, then he gazed up at her again.
"Hop, it's okay, I'm not going to run away."
He swallowed again and nodded, gazing into her eyes. She shivered as his fingers trailed up her spine, and she leaned into him again. Hop slowly leaned back, and Dolly set his hands on her waist as she kissed him. It was as if his whole body was slightly shaking beneath her as her kisses trailed down his throat. She could feel the tension beneath her lips.
"Love," he whispered.
"Hm?" she hummed against the side of his neck.
"W-we should probably-" he stopped mid-sentence when she bit under his jaw, right where his heart beat. Air slid in through his teeth and his fingers clutched harder around her waist.
...Interesting.
"I can see why you did that before, this is fun," she whispered.
"N-not so high," he whispered half-heartedly as she bit again, then kissed. His eyes fluttered closed. His fingers wove into her hair, lightly holding her head in place as she worked at the spot on his neck.
Was...he sensitive there? She'd tuck that bit of information away for later. She could feel his pulse racing beneath her lips. Hearing him groan like that and feeling it in his throat was certainly an interesting combination.
"That better not bruise," he breathed. "Not like I've got a collar to hide that thing,"
She finished, kissed the mark, then smiled and lifted her head. His cheeks were pink, his lips were raw, and he was gazing up at her through half-lidded eyes. He sat up, kissing her slowly now as she settled herself in his lap. They broke apart again, and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
When he smiled softly, Dolly couldn't help but think that yes, this is what she wanted. As he pressed his lips against hers, she could feel the desire, but she could also feel the love. She could feel the fulfilling love as she was held by someone so safe and kind who knew everything about her and loved her still. She could feel the love as she kissed the man who she, who her friends, and who her family all loved. Even just the gentility and caution of his touch was filled with more respect and love than she could have ever imagined. She couldn't help but smile, and Hop broke off when she laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" Hop grumbled. "You're really breaking the mood, you know."
"I just… I love you a lot," she smiled, cupping his face with her hand.
Hop shook his head and breathed out a laugh. He kissed her one final time, and she could feel him smile against her mouth when they finally broke apart.
"Wow, even more pink. Looks like I've got another new high score," he hummed, gazing at her through half-lidded eyes. "Do you, like, need a minute to cool down?"
"Do you?" she laughed. She shoved him over as he chuckled, and they flopped down on the bed. "Thankfully the Challenger's uniform has a collar to cover these marks, you twit. We need to go, or everyone's going to wonder where we are."
She tossed his shirt to him and stood. She adjusted her clothes, combed through her hair with her fingers, only to have Hop pull her down onto the bed again.
"Don't get greedy," she laughed. "We really need to go, I'm not going to miss the Championship match just because you want to make out."
"Just one more minute, just a hug," Hop hummed, rolling his arm over her and pulling her into him. He latched his legs around her and snuggled his head against her neck. "Later today the whole world will be watching you and Lee, and I want you all to myself, just for one minute."
"You're so weird," she laughed, patting his head. "Snogging one second, snuggling the next."
"Yeah well I want to show you how much I love you. So. Deal with it," he sighed, then nestled closer to her.
"You seem much more confident lately. Not sure you would have ever pulled a stunt like that before," Dolly said. "'Ask me,' like pff, what kind of rubbish was that?"
"You liked it," he grinned, kissing her jaw. "Just wish there was a heart rate monitor again to prove it."
"I don't, geez, that was so embarrassing," she laughed.
They lay there for a while, their breathing slowing as they held one another. After another minute Hop spoke up again.
"I just feel like I'm where I should be," he said, squeezing her against him. "And it's making me confident. I can finally kiss the woman I've loved forever, me and Lee's relationship has never been better, and the idea of researching and being with Pokémon is fitting perfectly… I think I'm finally feeling that passion you and Lee have talked about so much. I know I haven't technically started, but I feel more confident about being a Pokémon professor than I ever did about being Champion. And this way,"
Hop grabbed her hand and gave it a meaningful squeeze.
"I don't have to fight you for it."
Dolly smiled and pulled him against her more tightly.
"You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that," Dolly said. "I wish I had better words to express how proud I am of you, and how excited I am that you're finding where you fit."
He squeezed her against him, sighing into her hair.
"As much as I'd like to stay here forever," Dolly said into Hop's shirt. "It's probably been more than one minute."
"Oh fine."
Hop released Dolly from his hug and they both finally stood. Dolly gazed up at him and at the mark on his neck that was already beginning to bruise.
"You know I think I learned quite a bit about you today," she said, running her fingers over the spot under his jaw. "Bit sensitive here, hmm? Made you a little noisier than I expected."
Hop's race reddened as he tried to grumble out a retort. They brushed down their clothes, fixed up their hair, and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible as they made their way down the hotel hallway. As they stepped into the lift, Hop grimaced.
"Geez, Dolls, you bruise so easily… those marks are… kinda obvious."
"Yeah, yours are too," Dolly said. She heaved out a laugh as she peered at her reflection in the mirrored walls of the lift, then shrugged. "Whatever, we can just say we had a fist fight."
"Yeah, that's believable," Hop said, rolling his eyes.
"What, you think you'd win?" Dolly scoffed. "If we had to fight, you'd definitely lose. All this traveling has got me ripped."
She lifted her arm and tried to flex.
"Uh huh," Hop snorted. "Lucky for you toothpick arms are just my type."
"Excuse me! Look at these rippling biceps!" Dolly scoffed, trying to flex harder. "I could have probably taken Eternatus down with just these muscles."
"Ah yes, very impressive," he agreed, squeezing her arm.
Hop's hand trailed down to her waist. He slowly pushed her into the corner of the lift and set his hands on the railing on either side of her.
"H-hey, none of that," Dolly stuttered, tripping until she was flush against the corner of the lift. "Can't be looking like a Tomato berry right in front of my mum."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take," he growled, leaning in again. "You've found a sensitive spot on me, and I want to find one on you."
She smacked him off of her just as the lift door opened and Hop chuckled as she led him by the hand to the hotel plaza. Their mums, Sonia, Leon, and Jackson were waiting in the sunshine, and turned as they approached.
"You're finally back, we found the notepad. Turns out it was in my bag the whole time," Sonia said. "What took you two so long?"
Dolly's eyes widened, and she smirked at Hop. This was the perfect opportunity for him to be embarrassed after that stupid stunt he pulled upstairs. Dolly crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, Hop, why did it take so long?" she asked.
See him get out of this one. That'll show him to tease her like that again. Hop looked to the people milling about the plaza, to his mum, to her mum, then to Dolly as he shrugged.
"Dolls can't resist me and really wanted to snog."
Dolly's jaw dropped as her mum chuckled beside them.
"What!? That's-that's because you-!" she stuttered. Dolly groaned and slapped her forehead. "You literally have no shame, do you."
"Why would I be ashamed?" Hop grinned as he shrugged again and flung an arm around her shoulders.
Her mum laughed and shook her head.
"Not that I want to know the details, but it certainly is lovely seeing you two finally together after all these years," she smiled. "I had a feeling this would happen after you said you were setting off with your best mate to travel half of Galar."
"Yeah, as much as I want to hear about it, I really don't want to hear about it," Jackson gagged. "I think I'm gonna hurl."
Dolly pushed at Jackson with her free hand.
"Well now that I know way more about my little brother's pastimes than I wish I did, let's go eat," Leon laughed, rubbing at his face.
They made their way to the restaurant where the group ate, chatted, joked, and enthused about the Champion match that was fast approaching. Dolly had a hard time eating anything, with her nerves electrified the way they were. Every time she and Leon made eye contact, it was like a bolt of lightning struck her skin. It was almost time. Everything she had been waiting for, everything she had been fighting for, was soon coming to a culmination.
They made their way to the Wyndon Stadium as crowds of people waved and cheered. Much to Dolly's chagrin, Hop gave her a very public kiss in the middle of the plaza, as he was apparently not dismayed by all the crowds and cameras like she was. Dolly laughed when Leon leaned in for a kiss from Hop too, only to be slapped away by his grumbling brother. Leon said he just wanted a forehead kiss for good luck.
Leon and Dolly dropped everyone off at the doors, and Dolly nudged Hop when she noticed Sonia discreetly squeeze Leon's hand. Dolly and Leon waved goodbye, signed a few autographs, and made their way to the lift.
"I had a feeling it would come to this," Leon said, looking ahead as the lift rose.
Dolly turned her head. Although she was accustomed to her pseudo-older brother who couldn't chew with his mouth closed, it was certainly the Champion of Galar that stood before her this time. The air of authority was laced around him, and his power was palpable as the lift rose higher.
"There was something in your eyes, that day," Leon continued. "When I brought you your Scorbunny. It was like I could see that fire deep within you. I had a feeling you were destined for greatness. And now,"
He turned to her, flashing that megawatt grin she had seen a thousand times now. It was odd, seeing it in person like this, when it seemed only yesterday that she was watching it from her couch in Postwick.
"And now I finally get to battle against that greatness," Leon nodded. "Finally get to battle against you, and finally see what Challenger Dolly is made of."
"I don't know if I know everything I'm made of, Leon, even after all of this," Dolly said. Then, she grinned. "But what I do know is that Galar will soon have a new Champion."
"We'll see about that," he said with a laugh.
Leon ruffled her hair, dropped her off in the Challenger locker room, and immediately Dolly tossed out her Poké Balls.
She breathed in, gazing at each Pokémon before her. Her Cinderace, Mudsdale, Bellossom, Corviknight, Weavile, and Haxorus were all standing there, grinning and gazing at their beloved Trainer. Dolly stood tall and squared her shoulders. An air of determination laced through her voice as she spoke.
"We're almost there," she said, clenching her fists. "Thank you, all of you, truly. I couldn't have done any of this without all of you, nor would I have wanted to. We'll beat Leon, together, and break this Curse. We'll do exactly the thing that we set out to do, so long ago."
"Dolly," Jackson said, taking a step forward. "We're all here because of you, and we are choosing every moment to stay with you. We will stay and will fight alongside you without hesitation, and we will follow you until the end."
"I adore you, senorita. We all do," Rosa said, twirling her skirt. "I have achieved my dream of dancing as a Bellossom because of you. And not only that, because of watching you, because of your encouragement, I believe that I could have been any Pokémon in the world - even a Vileplume - and still believed I was worthy of love."
"Woulda still been meandering around Route 3, looking for something to do, something to fight for, if it weren't for you comin' along," Hudson said, nodding his head slowly. "Your courage and passion made me want to be passionate about something too."
"And I'd be wistfully searching the skies for a Trainer like you," Theodore added with a soft smile. "You've taught me how to care for my friends, gently, and now I know even an old bloke like me can still learn new tricks."
Ophelia nodded in agreement.
"And I'm the same, Dolly. I'm confident to be myself - I don't need to be anyone or prove anything to anyone," Ophelia said. "You've shown me that it's okay to be myself."
They all looked to Rouge.
"What? Quit staring at me," Rouge grumbled. "What's with you, making everyone here so snivelly and sappy? Makes me wanna gag."
Rosa shot her a glare.
"Oh, that is not what you were saying about our Dolly only yesterday? Tell her what you told me, tell her or I will spray you with acid."
Rouge's eyes widened as they flicked between Rosa and Dolly. She heaved out a sigh.
"F-fine. I was just sayin' how you're courageous and strong… and how I love fighting with you and this rubbish team."
Dolly laughed and pat her Weavile on the head.
"I'll stay with you until the very end," Jackson said finally. "Partners, remember?"
He smiled and softly bumped her cheek with his paw. Dolly let out a shaky laugh and nodded.
"Partners," she said, softly bumping his cheek in return.
A League staff member poked her head into the locker room.
"Challenger Dolly? They're ready for you."
Dolly nodded, gave each of her Pokémon a hug, then turned. As she gazed at the Gym Challenge insignia above the archway, she thought of everything she had been through, everything she had lost. Every sleepless night, every painful morning, all of the blood, all of the sweat, and all of the tears: It was all for this.
Then, that familiar fire blazed in her skin. As Dolly stepped forward through the hallway and onto the Champion pitch, she knew in her bones, knew in her skin, that this is what she was made for.
Defeat the Champion. Break the Curse.
The match was sold out, the stadium and plaza were full, every screen in Galar was tuned in, and the crowd was wild. Everyone knew what she had done, what she had been through, and as she stood across from Leon, they all agreed, they all cheered, they all chanted, that she was the Shield of Galar. It was like the world existed only within Wyndon Stadium, and each and every soul on the planet was watching. The greatest Champion and the greatest Challenger stood across from each other as the crowd roared with all its might. After a tilt of the head from each, Leon turned to his side of the pitch, and Dolly turned to hers.
Dolly watched her shoes as she took each step. Step. Step. Step. Her mind flashed back to her very first time in the Wild Area. She remembered watching her shoes as she finally began to run, when she first started to move, when she first felt the mediocrity dripping off of her like sludge. Then, she looked up as she walked to her side of the pitch. Every time she walked this walk, she felt the same. From Milo to Raihan, from the semifinals until now. She felt the same step of fierce determination, of unwavering confidence in her abilities and in her Pokémon. Every step she took was another engraving of truth into her bones that this is what she was meant to do. It solidified itself into the ground with each step, as if the rubber of her Challenger's shoes pushed it further into reality as they pushed into the turf.
As Dolly turned to face the crowd, turned to face Leon, turned to face her future, she couldn't help but grin. This is what she was meant to do.
And there was no way she could lose.
That all-familiar fire roared to life as she threw out her first Poké Ball. She knew his idiosyncrasies. She knew he would hurl his cape off in just the fashion he did. She knew he would throw out Aegislash first. She knew it like she knew the feeling pumping in her veins.
So, first was Hudson. First was her Mudsdale, her steadfast and loyal partner, her slow and steady friend. His iron defense protected her in every aspect - her body, her mind, and her spirit. Aegislash glinted in the sun as it cut at Hudson with a Sacred Sword, with a Flash Cannon, then defended with a King's Shield. Just as its steel glinted with each attack, it glinted as Hudson lunged forth in his own time. His iron defense rose with each attack, just as it always had. He had always protected her, ever since the beginning. He guided her gently, humbly, and in a steadfast manner through the routes of Galar. He was just as steadfast in this battle, as his great muscles flexed when he attacked Aegislash again and again. His stoic and steady power was soon overwhelming the other Pokémon, as his Earthquake tore into the ground of the pitch, as his Superpower dented the steel of his opponent.
The ground rumbled as Hudson galloped forth, landing blow after blow. His power swelled in Dolly's own muscles as the earth quaked beneath her feet. It was as if they were connected: they had both been bored, meandering, looking for something to fight for, and here they were, fulfilled at having finally found it. Rocks and rubble flung around them, and with a powerful hit, the Aegislash was dented, scuffed, and lodged into the earth after a final Earthquake.
Perhaps, Dolly thought, if it hadn't been Hudson, it would have been Mateo. Although the Aegislash nimbly changed forms, her Riolu, perhaps Lucario, would have predicted it. He would have read it in the air, read it in the auras of his opponent, read it in the eyes of Champion Leon. He would have skidded across the turf, quick and calculated, and he would have focused all of his power into one spot. He would have run, dodged, and his incredible speed would have kicked the dust up around them. The glint of the Aegislash's steel would have been dull in comparison to the bursts of energy that Mateo brought forth. His strikes would be true, perhaps even playful, as he battled with the Aegislash. His raw authenticity would have blazed forth, just as it did with every word he spoke. His wisdom and wit and care would have come to life in this battle, just as it had every moment they spent together. He would have lodged the Aegislash into the ground, just as Hudson did, then he would have turned back to Dolly with a sweet smile.
Dolly caught Leon's eye from across the pitch as he returned his fainted Pokémon to its Poké Ball. His hair breezed in the wind, just as hers did, and if Dolly was correct in her calculations, up next would be Haxorus.
It was two Haxorus that formed craters in the earth as they appeared on the pitch. Dolly had already weighed the risk versus the reward of Dragon against Dragon, but Ophelia's strength was true, and her attacks and defenses were sharp.
The two Haxorus danced around each other, dangerously, beautiful, as their Outrages and Dragon Dances burst into the air. Ophelia burned forth in her well-planned attacks, her strategized power, her gentility and elegance turned into strategic confidence. Ophelia was her quiet companion - the gentle word and soft song of their team. She was her empathetic encouragement, her restorative resolution, the counselor and the friend of the little flowers and the fellow Pokémon in their team. It was as if the flames of her Dragon Breath were tinged with a gentle birdsong, as if each blow were executed with all the care in the world. She was elegant and beautiful, dodging and hitting the Haxorus right in the heart.
The ground continued to shake as the two Dragon Pokémon pounded against the earth. Glimmering reds and blues laced in the air and glinted in the light of the sun. The Haxorus struck Ophelia, and Ophelia struck back. The very air around them began to shake as the meteorites from her Draco Meteor hurtled into the arena.
But perhaps if it wasn't Ophelia, it may have been Fay. Her Noibat, perhaps her Noivern, could have flapped about, quickly and calmly, just as Ophelia did. Perhaps she would have vibrated the stones on the ground as her Boomburst reverberated throughout the pitch. Perhaps the Haxorus would have been blasted into the wall by the power of the explosive sound. Perhaps by then Dolly would have known Fay's capacity, known her idiosyncrasies, just as she did Ophelia's, or just as she knew Leon's when he threw out Inteleon next.
This Pokémon was no longer the little Sobble who slipped on his own tears into the pond. The second she hurled out Rosa's Poké Ball, the crowd went wild at sight of their favorite Bellossom.
She danced and teased as she dodged each of the Inteleon's attacks and swayed about the pitch just like she dreamed she would. She danced with power, grace, and charm around the Inteleon, casting flower petals laced with thorns. She blazed with confidence, with power, with passion, just as she had the second Dolly met her in the Wild Area. Rosa was her fervent support, her dreamy and starry-eyed romantic, who would speak with honesty and authenticity whenever she desired. She held no fear, no hesitation, as she spoke or as she battled against this Inteleon.
Petals and leaves were whirling around the arena like a tornado of color, and the pink smoke glittered as Rosa leaped through it. Just as she gave that Dusknoir a roundhouse kick to the face when they first met, she did the same with Inteleon, and her blazing passion saved Dolly once again. She turned to the crowd and blew a kiss as they cheered for the beautiful and powerful force before them.
If it wasn't Rosa, then it could have been Sap. Her Vikavolt would have flown high into the air, buzzing about, flying and falling, weaving about to a tune that she wrote herself. The rain would have speckled as the thunder started to rumble. She would have shot forth bolts of lightning, roars of thunder, to correspond to the notes in her song. She would have buzzed a beat in the air for her Pokémon team to dance to. Her gentle and understanding nature would have shown through as she toppled Dolly over as she tried to clamber into her lap. She would have never used her words, but would have still been understanding and forceful, and would have pushed her friends and her Trainer towards the greatness she knew existed within them.
Next was Dragapult, and next was Rouge. Her Weavile snickered and waited. She waited, and waited, and waited, and waited a second longer for the Dragapult to come an inch too close. Then, she slid under its knees, under its legs, to attack from behind. She called forth a blustering snowstorm to whirl around them, and she called icicles and shards from the air to nimbly take down her opponent. She was Dolly's cold-hearted companion, with the secretly soft side. Although she tried to defend herself with rolling eyes and scoffs, her care was apparent whenever she reached out to protect and nourish Dolly in the times she needed most. Her icicle fur was always warmed by the blush that spread across her face when her teammates called her out for it - because they knew that she had one of the most loving and caring hearts of all. In this battle she was clever, she was quick, and as soon as the Dragapult fell, she shrugged and picked at her teeth as if it were nothing.
Had it not been Rouge, it would have been Pip, her fun-loving and tricky Solosis. She would have known an array of attacks by then, and she would have blasted her Psychic prowess at the Dragapult, launching it back into the wall. She would have had a grin etched on her face. Her obtrusive assurance would have built up those around her - her confidence in the ability within herself and within her friends would have lifted Dolly up even then.
Or perhaps it could have been Posey. Although she had an array of evolutions to choose from, something within Dolly knew she would have been a Sylveon. She would have glimmered and glistened in the light, just like her big eyes did when they first met. She would have been brave and courageous in this fight, and she would have overcome her fears with a smile on her face. She would have encouraged Dolly, and Dolly would have encouraged her, as the light glistened around the arena from her powerful Fairy-type attacks. She would have battled with power and light, just like the dawn when it would rise.
Then, Leon hurled out Mr. Rime, and Theodore replaced Rouge on the pitch. He was their wise old soul, always willing to share his knowledge and wisdom, even if they didn't want to listen. He was their noble knight, their trusted ally. Even through his stern words, his warm heart cared for Dolly like a father, yet another guide and humble support. Theodore blasted gale after howling gale, struck with a glinting Steel Wing again and again. Theodore's knowledge and wisdom were just as powerful as he flew high into the sky, then cut downwards with another Steel attack.
Perhaps if it wasn't Theodore, it could have been Lacey. She was so close to evolving into a Dubwool, and by now, she would have held her own with the newfound power of evolution. She was sweet and supportive, innocent and kind, and showed Dolly gentility and softness from the very beginning. She would have been straightforward, charging forward and straight into the Mr. Rime.
With another Steel Wing attack, Mr. Rime fell. Dolly held her breath as Leon hurled out his last Pokémon. Charizard appeared before them, roared to the sky, and the crowd cheered for the icon of the Galar region.
And finally, Jackson.
Dolly had no type advantages against Leon's Charizard, but there was no other Pokémon she wanted standing beside her than her first. Her steadfast partner, her loyal friend. The one who had saved her life when he reminded her she was worthy of love so long ago. The friend who called her family, the friend who swore to stay by her side and battle with her forever. She couldn't help but smile as the tears rolled down her cheeks as Jackson flawlessly executed her commands as if they shared the same thoughts, the same feelings, the same blood.
Flames burst from beneath Jackson's feet as he ran forward, as he attacked, as he dodged, just as they did when he battled on that makeshift pitch in Postwick as a Scorbunny, so, so long ago.
The tears were streaming down Dolly's face as she ordered her Cinderace forth in one breath. Her heart longed for her old friend, her old friends, and for the friends she had now. The tears were coursing from her eyes and onto the pitch, landing on the turf as each tear carried the weight of the world. She gripped the charms lying on her collarbone as she called another attack on Charizard. Each charm was warm, tear-stained, and yet it was like each had its own heartbeat, as if each was beating in tandem with Dolly's.
Or perhaps, throughout any of Leon's Pokémon, she could have sent out Faline. She could have sent out her Deerling, her first friend, her first Pokémon to ignite that fire within her bones. Her first friend to show her love and friendship, her first Pokémon to enthuse about her goodness and encourage her to chase her dreams. Her petals would have been pink, just as pink as the Pecha berries they would pick together behind her old home. They would have shared a body, shared a soul, as they defended and attacked together in one breath.
Jackson bolted across the pitch, under the wings of Charizard, and attacked from behind. The memories of each and every one of Dolly's Pokémon cheered her on, she could feel it just as she could feel the intensity of the power blazing within her Cinderace as he landed another hit on Charizard. They wove together, apart, as the two Fire-type Pokémon called forth blazes of heat. The temperature in the stadium was rising, and the scorch marks burned the earth, shot through the great screens that followed each Pokémon's movements, and blazed against the steel beams that held the stadium together. The stadium itself was groaning as Cinderace and Charizard melted the siding and the walls encompassing the pitch.
As Jackson stormed forward in a wall of blazing heat, Charizard blasted his own breath of fire into the air.
Jackson landed another hit.
Even though her Cinderace stood before him, Charizard breathed a beacon of flames into the sky, as if to signal to the world what was soon to come.
Smoke trailed from his mouth, from his nose, and with a roar, Charizard fell to the pitch.
The dust settled, and the entire stadium was silent.
A pin could drop, and the sound would echo through the quiet. Hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of people watched with bated breath. From the stands, from their televisions, from their phones, perhaps even from around the world, they all waited, watched, to see if this truly was about to be history in the making.
Charizard struggled to stand, then hit the ground again.
The stadium erupted into cheers as Dolly watched brilliant light return Charizard to his Poké Ball. The sound was deafening as it coursed through the arena in waves.
"SHE'S DONE IT!" the announcer boomed over the roaring of the crowd. Dolly could barely make out his voice through the decibel of every voice in the stadium. "CHALLENGER DOLLY HAS JUST MADE HISTORY AND HAS BEAT THE UNBEATABLE CHAMPION LEON!"
Dolly stood, sweat dripping and chest heaving, as her eyes widened. Canons exploded into the air and it was as if the entire world shook from the noise of Wyndon Stadium.
Posey.
Fay.
Lacey.
Mateo.
Sap.
Pip.
Ophelia.
Rouge.
Theodore.
Rosa.
Hudson.
Jackson.
And Faline.
It was as if every team member, past and present, stood beside her as the crowd erupted by screaming her name.
"WITHOUT LOSING A SINGLE POKÉMON, WE HAVE JUST SEEN HISTORY IN THE MAKING!"
Dolly's entire body started to shake as she stood there, a smile slowly inching onto her face. She couldn't control it, couldn't hide it, as she jumped into the air. Jackson's head whipped back to her, frozen on the spot, jaw hanging open. He sprinted to her, catapulting himself into a hug. She laughed and hugged her Cinderace as the crowd roared around them.
Defeat the Champion.
She did it.
Dolly looked at Leon from across the pitch. Through all of the confetti fluttering, his shoulders trembled. The tears were falling from his eyes just as quickly as hers as they stared at one another across the field. The tears and confetti were falling like rain as the sound of Wyndon stadium shook the earth. And yet, through all the noise, through the sound of every voice in the world, Dolly heard with crystal clear precision the whisper on Leon's lips.
"Thank you."
Dolly nodded, Leon gripped the bill of his hat, and threw it into the air. The golden edging of his hat glinted in the sun as it fell to the ground, and Leon turned to face the crowd. It was then that Dolly realized she had never before seen the crown of his head.
"My time as Champion is over," Leon called to the crowd. "But what a champion time it's been!"
He turned toward Dolly, a huge grin spreading over his face as well. They ran to each other in the center of the pitch, Dolly flung her arms around him, and Leon laughed as he ruffled her hair.
"Thank you Dolly, for the greatest battle I've ever had. You destroyed my team. You knocked out every single one of them, and I didn't get a single one of yours," Leon said. "If I've been undefeated for so long, and you managed to blow past me like that, the people of Galar have another undefeated Champion on their hands."
He stepped back from her, a quiet determination blazing in his eyes.
"Congratulations, Dolly," he said. "You've beat even the unbeatable Champion - making you the new Champion of the region!"
He threw his arms up during his explanation, and the crowd roared again. Confetti fluttered around the stadium.
"You've become a first-rate Trainer, alright. I offer you my heartfelt congratulations."
Dolly couldn't contain her smile as it spread across her face. She watched herself turn around on the massive screens in the stadium (at least the ones that their Pokémon didn't destroy), and she faced every bit of the crowd. She offered a humble wave.
"And now that you've grown so strong, perhaps it's time I start looking ahead myself," Leon said. "Your determination, your courage, your stubbornness, even; it's inspired me to look for something new to fight for. To find something new that fuels that passion blazing in me that I've seen in you so many times. It's magnetic, pervasive, and it makes me want to find a new passion one day, too."
Leon set his hand on her shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
"And you, Dolly, what you ought to do now is believe in yourself and your partner Pokémon and keep on blasting ahead in order to create that bright future we all hope to see!"
Leon stood beside her as they faced the crowd together.
"People of Galar, here you have it! A new legend is born right before your eyes…"
Leon held her hand in his and raised them to the sky as the crowd roared.
"Champion Dolly!"
