It's a sunny mid-afternoon for the residents of Angel City. Melanie's relaxing on a bench within a plaza in downtown Angel City. The footsteps of people and Pokémon surround her on all sides. The sounds of chatter and laughter surround her as well, while a flock of Taillow and Swellow chirp as they soar within the clear skies. Melanie looks around the plaza, noting the line for the ice cream cart and the several merchandise stands. Within a magazine stand, she sees several with Hilda's winking face on it. Her eyes brighten, recalling all the fun times she had with Valen, Hilda, and Rosa.
Thinking about Valen causes Melanie to bow her head. "...I can't let him define me," Melanie tells herself, sporting a stern expression. "He's too much of a sweetheart to accept that to begin with."
Melanie decides to focus on another topic, and writing's the first thing that comes to her mind. She wants to remain a pro trainer, but she also wants to write.
"...I wonder if I should use Angel City again in my third novel," Melanie muses. She keenly stares at the towering skyscrapers in the distance. "I dunno...I think I should change it up to another major city." Should she set this trainer rivalry novel in Puget City? Cascade City? Didacus City? Golden City? Should she go global and set it in the Phnomdia region? Schwiizer region? The abandoned city of Mewlandia within the Amazonia region? How about the West Nordica region, birthplace of her ancestors? East Nordica works too.
After several seconds of silence, Melanie amusingly smiles. "The first two aren't even published and I'm thinking about a third."
Then, Melanie spots a group of ten trainers walking up to her. She doesn't mind this, as they seem a lot more polite than the ones at the arena several days ago.
"You must be fans." Melanie proudly smiles, the trainers nodding their heads.
"That's right!" A male and female trainer exclaim.
"I can't believe I ran into you!" A female trainer gushes. "You looks soooo goooooood in that jean jacket!"
"Obviously," Melanie runs her right hand through her elbow length black hair.
"Hey, you mind if I battle you?" A male trainer with a Electivire asks.
"Sure, and thanks for being polite about it." Melanie warmly smiles.
"Of course," the male trainer says.
Melanie stands up, straightening out her jacket. She takes out a Poké Ball from inside her jacket. She presses the button on the ball to let out a Dragonite. Dragonite and Electivire narrow their eyes at each other, letting out ferocious cries.
It's now a cloudy evening. Valen, along with his Salamence, are taking a stroll through a quieter area of the large city in order to reach their current residence. The area's got a tranquil aura to it, with barely any people on the sidewalk and very few vehicles on the road.
"It felt nice to go out and have a few battles, didn't it?" Valen asks his Salamence. He pats the top of Salamence's head. "Sorry for the lack of battling...it's been hard." In response, a smiling Salamence lets out a soft roar
As the loud hooting of several Hoothoot and Noctowl echo throughout the area, Valen and Salamence stroll past the Brutalist style buildings that make up this district. The dragon eyes the peculiar shapes of the drab buildings on both sides of the street, wondering why the humans chose to build such structures.
Valen notices that his Salamence's keenly studying the monochrome, concrete buildings. He faintly smiles. "You seem a little too mesmerized by these buildings." Salamence smiles in amusement at his trainer, both of them halting to further study the buildings.
"Barren concrete buildings are peculiar to me," Valen comments.
He recalls that this style can be traced back to famed architect Charles Leonard Corbusier. He notes the stark forms and raw surfaces, a hallmark of Brutalist architecture. It's a controversial style that's difficult to love at first glance, and it's been that way since it spawned decades ago. People either love it or hate it in most cases. He remembers the time when two of his cousins got into a debate over Brutalist architecture. It was at a family gathering, and this is fairly normal for mom's side of the family.
Valen and his Salamence resume their walk. As they passes a dimly lit alley, Valen notes the presence of two Gastly, two Haunter, a Shuppet, a Duskull, and a Misdreavus. The ghosts mischievously laugh as they topple over garbage can after garbage can, whether empty or not. Valen's used to mischievous ghosts, because the Gengar on his team loves to jump scare people. Salamence smirks at the Ghost-types, feeling that his Gengar teammate would try to do the same thing.
As they stroll walks past a wooden bench, Valen's eyes widen when he spots a poster on one of the silvery street lights. He sighs, coming to a sudden halt. Salamence halts too, giving his trainer a concerned look. He's wondering what's gotten into his trainer, until he looks at the poster himself. Salamence's mouth falls open—he remembers that name and that human girl very well.
The poster's got "BW Agency" written in big, bold letters on the top. The left half of the name's black, while the right half's white. The poster reads that Unova's famous and popular BW Agency will be moving to Angel City, merging the main division with the Calvanian division.
Salamence glances at his trainer, wondering how he'll respond. His trainer's been lost and confused, but all six of them have seen him shed many tears. They know he longs for his old life.
Valen remembers the BW Agency. Even if he didn't, he'd know what it is. Who doesn't know that name. The BW Agency's become renowned for its ability to plan even the largest and most complex events, as well being a prominent sponsor of trainers. Within the entertainment industry, it's a top recommendation for those seeking a talent agent, manager, or business partner. They mainly work with Pokémon Trainers, be it people who want to become famous trainers, people who double in something like acting or music, or both.
Then, Valen feels his heartbeat and pulse using Agility. His attention's been drawn on the large photo plastered in the center. It's a photo of Hilda White, the agency's founder and president. His dark blue eyes scan the picture of Hilda. She's got her back turned, but is giving the camera a playful wink. He recalls Rosa doing poses like this too. She's got dark brown hair. That black waistcoat's a favorite piece of clothing. Those denim shorts, that white and pink hat fare are also favorites of hers. Those black, ankle length boots with red soles are no exception.
Famous. Popular. Those words once applied to him. Valen faintly smiles as he recalls his glory days as a trainer. The tux, the bowler hat, all the cheering fans, the fan clubs, he misses it all. He recalls how his tux had both the BW Agency logo and the Team Skull logo on the back.
Valen's smile vanishes, and he bows his head. Hilda's the person who made his glory days a reality. Hilda's the person who introduced him to Rosa. He owes her a lot, but he feels ashamed that he can't bring himself to call her or text her. Even if she's really busy, that's not an excuse for him. However, he doesn't know if he can do it. Things have changed.
Eventually, Valen speaks.. "Hilda was...Hilda's still a friend of mine... a close friend." Valen frowns, his tone sounding dull. "Salamence, I really miss her...I can't...I'm too scared to reconnect. What if I get rejected...what if I...what if she doesn't-"
Valen's phone dings. He takes his phone out of his left pocket, and sees that it's from the receptionist at Liniya Corp. Valen reads that Dimitri would like to meet him at his private arena tomorrow evening. The message also states that Dimitri wants to test him, but there's no further information within the message.
"...Interesting turn of events," Valen muses.
Dimitri's never called him to this arena before. What does he want from him? Why would Dimitri call him to the private arena when both of them rarely battle nowadays?
Then, Valen notices that several texts from Melanie, causing him to faintly smile. He texts her that he'll read them all when he gets home. Melanie replies with a thumbs up emoji.
Valen notices that Salamence's looking at him, a saddened expression plastered onto his face. He pats the dragon on his head, and Salamence smiles in response. Salamence lets out an affectionate roar.
"Let's go home," Valen says, tilting his head. "I'll be alright, don't worry."
Salamence nods, and both trainer and Pokémon resume strolling. Salamence hopes that Valen will reach out to all of his friends, but he knows about his trust issues.
"...Salamence, why's it so hard to change?" Valen laments. "I can never bring myself to do it, no matter what I say or feel."
Salamence lets out a sigh. All six of them want to know what their trainer do to deserve such pain? The dragon doesn't know to help with this. All he can do is prove that they're still a strong team.
Salamence flashes back to when he first met Valen. He was a Bagon who wanted to be the strongest dragon possible, so he picked a lot of fights. Valen ran into him while at the park Valen and Melanie met up in not too long ago. Valen stated that he was going to prove his skills by taming a Salamence, but that's not all. Valen offered him a berry, which he gladly accepted.
Salamence wants the Valen who raised him to return. He wants the Valen who never backed down. His teammates and him will always be loyal to him, but this isn't the real Valen in their minds.
Valen's lying down on his bed within his Victorian era house. As his antique bronze clock ticks by the second, he remains quiet. He stares blankly at his black marble ceiling. He isn't feeling tired, so he ponders about recent events and what the future may hold for him.
"I...t's been six days since I met up with Melanie...five days since I met Arthur...it feels like a lot longer," Valen muses. "Friendship...joy...love...can I really feel all of that again?"
Things have take a turn for the worst. Physically, he's fine. Mentally, he's anything but fine. How does he figure out how to trust again? Can he repair the damage he caused by growing distant? So many questions, but zero answers.
"Is my future bleak...or is there hope?" Valen frets. "Man...I wish I could force myself to change."
At least he's got family, his Pokémon, Melanie and Rosa. He isn't sure about Arthur yet. Arthur's not bad, but he's become skeptical of potential new friends.
Valen's eyes become watery. "...Not even Melanie knows the truth." He frets. "My exterior's a big-"
As he wipes away his tears, Valen hears his room's door creak open. He faintly smiles. "Come on in, Gardevoir."
Gardevoir slowly enters the room, and Valen's glad to see at the elegant Pokémon. He eyes her long and flowing gown, grateful that she's been taking care of him on behalf of the whole team. His other five Pokémon believe that she's the best suited for this task. These six have kept him going, just like they've always have.
Gardevoir walks up to Valen, sporting a tender smile. She begins to caress his forehead, letting out a soothing and melodious cry. Valen pats her head in response.
Then, Valen's mouth falls open, realizing that he needs to read Melanie's texts. He reaches into his pants' right pocket and takes out his cell phone. He goes into his text messages, smirking when he reads that Melanie had a fourteen battle win streak today. Valen replies that she's still a badass, a pretty badass. Melanie responds with heart emojis, stating that he's still a sweetheart. Melanie texts that she feels that he wants to change, but is struggling to push him into doing so. Valen's smile nearly vanishes, but it becomes wider when Melanie texts that she'll never reject or abandon him. Valen responds that her words mean a lot to him. Melanie sends a grin emoji, then texts that she's got to go take care of a few things. Both Valen and Melanie text bye, and Valen places his phone on the round table northeast of his bed.
Right after he puts his phone on his round carved walnut table. Valen hears his cell phone ringing. When he sees who's calling, his mouth curves into an amused smirk.
"Heh, this crazy girl can't keep me off of her mind for long, can she?" Valen remarks towards Gardevoir, both faintly laughing as he answers his cell phone.
"Well well well, look who came running back to me back for the fourth day in a row," Valen jokes. "I'm happy that you've been calling me."
"Tee-hee, I told you I would find you, silly!" Rosa cheerfully exclaims. "You're mineeee, big boooooy!"
"Hey now, you didn't find me in person," Valen points out. "Bet you can't."
"Oooooh, you still wanna play that game with the queen?"
Gardevoir and Valen exchange a fist bump, giving each other soft smiles. Gardevoir smirks as her trainer faintly blushes.
Since his first phone call with Rosa, happier memories of their time together have come back to him, such as going to PokéStar Studios numerous times, having a lavish dinner in Lumiose City, and more. They'd become friends quickly, and he developed a personal crush on her soon afterwards. Valen recalls how addictive he found Rosa's hugs, kisses, and cuddling to be. He truly loved this girl with all his heart, and he can still sense his feelings for her within him.
"Ground control to Valeeeeey!"
"The number you have dialed is no longer in service."
"You want to be a baaaad booooy and hide from me again?" Rosa giggles. "Give it time and I'll find you in person as well!"
Hmph, do you actually think that you can find me in person?" Valen asks, feeling a bit mischievous.
"You can't run from your destiny!" Rosa cheers. "Rosa's gonna find you and squeeze yoooou!"
"Let's see if your actions can live up to your word—I challenge you to see who finds who in person first."
"Tee-hee, I accept!" Rosa giggles. "I'm gonna win, so I expect a victory kiss!"
"Why does she expect me to kiss her?" Valen's mouth falls open. "I thought that-"
Valen's eyes widen, remembering a crucial detail: Rosa and him never wanted to break up. He remembers the words they exchanged with each other before he left for Orre: "I'll always love you." However, relationships need communication. Isn't growing distance kinda like breaking up?
"Ooooooh, big booooy went quiet a second time!" Rosa giggles, snapping Valen back into focus. "Is he scared to give me a kiss?"
"Hmph, as if you can actually find me in person," Valen teases, emitting a hint of defiance.
"Such a baaaad booooy you are, Valen," Rosa giggles. "Yoooou can't evade the queen."
"They say that opposites attract, don't they?" Valen playfully questions. "Might as well keep dishing it out myself, even though I have my doubts."
"I missed this!" Rosa exclaims. "I missed you sooooo much!"
"I missed you too, Rosa." Valen's smirk turns into an affectionate smile. "The fact that you still want to be my friend means a lot to me."
Rosa giggles at the implication that she considers the two of them to be only friends. She knows that he's trying to hide the truth.
However, Rosa decides to play along for the time being. "Tee-hee, who said we stopped being besties in the first place, because I sure didn't!" She happily exclaims. "I had a feeling you would eventually resurface, because we had loads of fun together!"
"Heh, you aren't wrong about that," Valen admits. "I'm glad we're friends."
"Right back at you, mister!" Rosa cheerfully exclaims. "We're besties forever, kaaaay?" She can't wait to remind Valen of what they actually were, assuming he's not faking being oblivious just to troll her.
"I'm alright with that," Valen replies, faintly laughing. "You sure you aren't mad at me?"
"I was never ever mad at you in the first place, you silly boy!" Rosa exclaims, letting out a laugh. "Tee-hee, I can't be mad at you!"
"Heh, thanks. That means a lot to me." Valen replies, his voice emitting a warm tone. "So far, it seems that-"
"Ooooh, whatcha thinking?" Rosa teases. "You thinking about your speech after I defeat you?"
"Oh please, you'll never defeat me," Valen retorts.
"Don't push your luck with Battle Queen Rosa, you silly boooooy!" Rosa boisterously laughs.
"I just did."
"Tee-hee, you're sooooo bad!"
"Hey, make sure you come to this region soon."
"Kaaaaay, I will!"
"Heh, you really are still the same."
"I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was!"
"One of the very best sounds more appropriate."
"I knoooow, buuuut it doesn't sound as cool!"
"Fair point."
"To battle is my real test, to win them is my cause!"
"Did I sign up for a play or something?"
"My whole life's led to this! I'm gonna show my skills!" Rosa cheers. "Valen, you know that I won't miss the chance to show the woooorld!"
"...That you're a crazy-"
"Born to be a winner! Born to be the Battle Queen!" Rosa interrupts. "Born to be a winner, born to be the very best! Born to be your girlfriend, that's meeeee!"
"...This is one reason why you're so much fun to be around." Valen faintly laughs.
"W-Woah, look at how late it is! You should get some sleep!" Rosa yelps, her voice emitting a concerned tone. "It's not good to stay up too late! You need rest, sweetie! Please, go get some rest!"
"...Rosa, it's not even eleven thirty," Valen counters.
"You need to sleep before midnight, because I need all my besties to be in mega super ultra duper tip-top shape, or I'll leave them in the dust!" Rosa cheerfully proclaims. "Especially you, because you never know when I'll pay you a visit! It could be tomorrow, or next week or next month, so be prepared and well rested for your favorite girl!"
"Are you trying to be my pretend nagging wife instead of Melanie?" Valen teases, faintly laughing.
"H-Hey, I-I'm just looking out for you!" Rosa retorts. "Y-You know that I can be mega super duper ultra nurturing!"
"Rosa help, I forgot to pack clean underwear."
"T-That's not funny!" Rosa yelps, her voice emitting a panicked tone. "Rosa takes care of Valey! Valey takes care of Rosa!"
"Wait, shouldn't you be hanging up and going to sleep as well?"
"I...w-well...uh...I forgot to check the time, okay?!"
"Crazy girl."
As Valen and Rosa continue to talk and laugh, the former feels his mind and body being enveloped by a sense of relaxation. It's impossible for him to not feel calmer and happier when Rosa's around, even if it's just a phone call. Maybe if this keeps up, he'll finally gain the courage to reach to everybody else. He'd already be reaching out to everyone if he could get past his distrust and doubt. He's surprised that Rosa's not brought up Hilda, but he feels that Rosa's being cautious. Of course, he doesn't know what Hilda, or anybody else, is thinking.
Gardevoir flashes back to the day she met the human child who'd become her trainer. She was a timid Ralts who'd somehow ended up in something she heard the humans call a backyard. She was terrified of this strange, unknown location. She heard a human child calling out to her, offering her a berry. She slowly approached and took a nibble. The berry was delicious, which made her sport a smile.
Gardevoir gives her trainer an adoring smile. That's the trainer who raised her. That's the trainer she wants back. That's the trainer all of six of them want back. Nevertheless, they'll always be by his side.
Thoughts on Valen's reaction to the poster? How about Valen and Rosa?
Brutalism was about mid-20th century.
Charles Leonard Corbusier is a reference to 20th century Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. His real name was Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris. He's one of the most famous architects of the era, and one of the most famous and influential architects of all time. He remains controversial to this day, but that's another can of worms.
Removed the scene with Dimitri and another OC character.
Added a scene with Melanie at the beginning. As for the cities/regions mentioned:
Puget City=Seattle
Cascade City=Portland
Didacus City=San Diego
Golden City=San Francisco
Phnomdia=Cambodia
Schwiizer=Switzerland
Mewlandia=Fordlandia
Amazonia=Brazil
West Nordica region=Iceland, Svalbard, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, and Norway.
East Nordica would be Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.