Hey guys! Happy New Year! It's me! I'm still here and I am still posting. I am sorry I was away for a month-ish. Anyways, let's find out what becomes of our dear Yamaguchi.

OMG this is chapter 123! I just find that funny. 123!

Hey all. My current beta reader,sweetlixes, has changed their username and contact information so you can now find them here ( /users/sweetlixes). Please give their work a look if you have time. They work very hard to help me get these chapters out.

Any artwork you may see associated with this fic (on AO3, or Tumblr) has all been created by my good friend SlothyClaws. That is their instagram also have a website ( .com). They do commissions and their commissions are open to anyone that is interested. Go and give their page a look if you are interested.

I choose you, chapter 123.

Anistar Showcase

Yamaguchi found himself confused by what Sakusa had told him. He hadn't a clue of what he wanted to do next. Part of him felt like he should just go back to Alola and leave this all behind but he knew Team Serpent must know where his home region is. Every Showcase announces it to the world after all. He didn't want to bring trouble back home to his mother and grandma. He also thought about running away from everyone and hiding until this all blew over but he knew better. Tsukki would go wild trying to find him and once he did, who knows what that would do to their relationship. The idea of ending it with Tsukki was not an option.

He also knew he could just ignore it all and carry on with his journey. Lillie had told him everything was going to be okay. That they were going to protect him. He didn't need to worry. Despite that, what if the dreams keep coming? He can't keep Musharna forever. It wasn't his pokemon. He also knew eventually Kuroo and Kenma would have to get back to their normal lives. He'd be insane to think they would follow him around forever. Maybe Kenma would trade him his Musharna. But Yamaguchi didn't have a pokemon he was willing to trade.

Yamaguchi agonized over this every day, unable to make a decision. There were times where he'd work up the courage to talk with Tsukki about all of it but something would always come up to stop him. With Hinata always making a ruckus, Kuroo going out of his way to tease Tsukki and Yamaguchi preparing for his upcoming showcase there was rarely a quiet moment and when there was Yamaguchi would spend the majority of it working up his nerve to speak. He could tell Tsukki was on to him about it but hadn't made any action to pull information out of him.

With so much on his mind the few days left in Anistar City passed by quickly and before he knew it he found himself in the dressing room of the Anistar City Showcase. He had parted ways with the others and made plans to meet with Yachi in the contestant waiting room once he was finished getting ready. His mind was fuzzy and while he did have an idea of what he was going to do today he was finding it hard to focus. Even Sylveon could sense something was off. It was only when she took his hand in one of her ribbons did he seem to momentarily find it in himself to relax a little.

"Well, if it isn't scaredy skitty Yamaguchi," Tendou sneered as he leaned up against the locker beside Yamaguchi.

Sylveon gave a sharp yip but Yamaguchi was too deep in thought to really notice what Tendo had said.

"Oh, you're here," Yamaguchi flatly sighed.

Tendo was taken aback. He had expected Yamaguchi to cower in fear or at least be upset with him from their last meeting. "How's your agro boyfriend doing?" Tendo asked, trying to get a rise out of Yamaguchi.

"What? I didn't hear what you said," Yamaguchi genuinely replied, having been too deep in thought to pay attention to Tendo and his harassment.

Tendo's cheeks went pink with frustration. In one quick motion he pinned Yamaguchi to the lockers. He mustered up his most creepy of smiles as he leaned in close, his nose almost touching Yamaguchi's. "Are you making fun of me?" he hissed.

Yamaguchi didn't find Tendo nearly as scary as he used to. Ushijuma had said this guy's bark was worse than his bite. Besides, if Yamaguchi could hold his own against Admin Mika, Tendo was nothing.

"It's good to see you too, Tendo," Yamaguchi sighed. "Now can you please get out of my face. Your breath smells."

Tendo pulled back quickly, hovering his hand over his mouth to check his breath. It didn't smell any worse than normal. By the time he drew his attention back to Yamaguchi the freckled trainer and his Sylveon had already left the changing room.

It wasn't long before Yamaguchi spotted Yachi. She was wearing an adorable light blue dress that's skirt poofed out at the waist. Her hair was tied back into a half ponytail and weaved into it were a few crystal flower barrettes. She looked like a princess out of a fairytale book. Beside her was her Dedenne wearing a cut ribbon that matched Yachi's dress atop it's head.

"Your dress looks super cute on you," Yamaguchi greeted as he sat beside her.

"Oh, thank you," Yachi replied. Her cheeks went pink from the compliment. "My mother sent it to me after I won my last key."

"I haven't talked too much with my family about my showcases," Yamaguchi admitted. "I know they watch it when they can but the time difference between Kalos and Alola is kind of big."

"Oh, I didn't know that," Yachi said. "Kanto and Kalos also have weird time differences but my mom tends to be up all hours anyways," she shrugged. "She has also come to see me in a few showcases as well," She looked a little embarrassed upon admitting this.

"Wow, she's come all the way to Kalos to watch you perform?" Yamaguchi gasped. He knew his mother and grandmother would do the same if they didn't have a business to run.

"Well, she travels a lot for her job so when she is in the region she always comes to see me," Yachi sighed. "I love seeing her but sometimes it's a lot of pressure."

"Oh right," Yamaguchi sighed alongside Yachi. He had recalled her telling him about her mother's high expectations.

"Hey! Who do you think you are running off when someone is trying to pick a fight with you!" Tendo pouted as he took the seat on the other side of Yamaguchi.

Both Yachi and Yamaguchi almost jumped out of their seats. "W-What do you want?" Yamaguchi pouted once regaining his composure.

"I want you to not just walk away from me like I'm some comedic villain now," Tendo pouted. "You used to cower in fear at me!" he said, sounding truly hurt and insulted.

"I have no clue what you're talking about," Yamaguchi sighed.

"Is he a friend of yours?" Yachi asked, glancing around Yamaguchi to study Tendo.

"See!" Tendo shouted, catching the attention of everyone in the room. "Even your girlfriend doesn't find me threatening."

"G-Girlfriend!?" Yamaguchi sputtered. Yachi released a small eep of her own as her cheeks went red.

"You know I'm already dating Tsukki!" Yamaguchi snapped.

"Oh, you're still with that guy even after what he did to Goshiki's gym?" Tendo taunted. He smiled upon seeing the rise he got out of Yamaguchi.

"That was all your fault you creep!" Yamaguchi snapped. Sylveon gave a sharp yip of agreement.

"I'm not the one who tore it apart," Tendo laughed.

Yamaguchi's cheek went red with anger. Sylveon growled at his feet, her eyes fixed on Tendo.

"Y-Yamaguchi, are you okay?" Yachi reluctantly asked.

Yamaguchi wasn't going to fall for Tendo's tricks this time. "I'm perfectly fine," he said, tring his back on Tendo.

"DID SOMEONE SAY PERFECT!" Atsumu announced as he sauntered in through the door. Several contestants in the waiting room greeted him enthusiastically.

"Oh no, not this guy!" Yamaguchi and Tengo grumbled in unison. Both trainers jumped in shock as they looked at each other. It looked like there was one thing in this world they both agreed on.

It wasn't long before Atsumu caught sight of his favorite target. Yamagucih did his best to avoid looking at Atsumu. This man was the last thing he needed today.

"Well, well well, if it isn't Freckles and his girlfriend," Atsumu teased as he shook off his fans and approached Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi cursed under his breath but refused to even glance at Atsumu.

"Looks like you're still just as much of a coward as the last time we met," Atsumu smugly said as he loomed over Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi chose to ignore him. "Do you want to grab a drink with me, Yachi?" he asked, pointing to a vending machine on the far end of the room.

Atsumu didn't stop Yamaguchi as he stood up. "I see you decided to evolve your Eevee into Sylveon," Atsumu carried on. "Honestly a blue Sylveon is simply ugly. Umbreon wears blue much better."

Yamaguchi's spine went stiff. Atsumu could make fun of him all he wanted but going after his pokemon was where he drew the line. He turned around to face Atsumu but found Tendo standing between them.

"Is this the reason why you aren't scared of me anymore?" Tendo asked, pointing an accusing finger at Atsumu. "Did you replace me with this beautiful asshole?"

Whatever Yamagucih was going to say was lost in his throat upon hearing this and all he got out was a very genuine "W-What?"

"Listen, Atsumu," Tendo said, turning on the handsome trainer. "Yamaguchi is my turf so back off!"

"Your turf?" Atsumu scoffed.

"Yeah, I'm the one that is meant to ignite fear in him, not you," Tendo growled, doing his best to look threatening.

"Oh, yeah. Says who?" Atsumu snapped back as he and Tendo entered a glaring match.

Yamaguchi made to sneak away but found himself being grabbed by the wrist and pulled back. Tendo held him tight as he pushed him in front of Atsumu.

"I found him first, half a year ago," Tendo sneered. "You only arrived in Kalos a few months ago. So you need to find yourself someone else to scare because this one is mine."

Yamaguchi gave a small jump as Atsumu grabbed him by his other wrist and pulled him over to his side. "I've known this twerp since we were kids," Atsumu growled, glaring at Tendo. "So I was actually here first."

Tendo and Atsumu both pulled Yamaguchi to their side in a very stiff sort of tug of war. Everybody else around them was staring and staring.

"H-Hey you two, y-you're going to get us in trouble," Yachi stammered, doing her best to stop this from escalating.

"You gave him up when you left Alola," Tendo growled.

"I never gave up my vendetta against him and I'm not going to now," Atsumu grumbled.

Both trainers yanked Yamaguchi in their directions causing Sylveon to aggressively yap at them and Yachi to panic. The two pulled and pulled, Yachi eeped and worried and Syveon yapped and growled. It was all becoming too much for Yamaguchi.

"Would you two cut it out!" Yamaguchi snapped, pulling himself from the two. "I don't know what your problems are but leave me out of it!"

Atsumu and Tendo both looked shocked. Yachi stopped her eeping. Sylveon gave a proud huff of her nose.

"What did you say to me?" Atsumu growled as anger rose in his eyes.

"Grow up Atsumu," Yamaguchi glared. "I have bigger things in my life to worry about than some stupid petty misunderstanding from the past." It was clear that Yamaguchi was angry.

"Y-Yamaguchi!" Yachi's voice wavered

Tendo gave a long whistle as he glanced between Yamaguchi and Atsumu.

Atsumu looked like he was about ready to tear Yamaguchi's head off.

The atmosphere became tense as no one made a move.

"Hey! What's everyone looking so serious about?" Nishinoya said as he took Yachi and Yamaguchi around the neck and pulled them in for a hug.

Yamaguchi and Yachi both released very unflattering sounds as they tried to keep themselves from falling. The tension Yamaguchi felt towards Atsumu eased up a bit as Noya held them in his awkward hug.

"It's been a while hasn't it!" Noya greeted.

"I-It's good to see you too, Noya," Yachi's muffled voice could be heard. "P-Please don't mess up my hair."

"Oh right!" Noya laughed as he released the two.

Yamaguchi straightened up before looking at Atsumu again. Atsumu seemed to have calmed down as well.

"Just leave me alone," Yamaguchi calmly said, his eyes fixed on Atsumu.

"Not until I get payback for what you did," Atsumu coolly replied, his eyes scathing. Before Yamaguchi could reply he turned and walked off to the far end of the room.

"Did I miss something?" Noya asked as they all watched Atsumu make friendly conversation with other contestants.

"Damn, he really hates you. What did you do to piss him off?" Tendo half laughed, though there was a hint of shock in his voice.

"I have no clue," Yamaguchi flatly replied.

It wasn't long before each trainer was given their number and put into groups. Yamaguchi had decided to work alongside Sylveon for the first half of the competition and perform alongside Brionne for the second half. The two had spent the past few days sprucing up one of their old routines.

It was hard for Yamaguchi to concentrate as Takeda informed the contestants of round one. It was going to be a simple quiz game focusing on Pokemon and their evolutions. Yamaguchi had done a little research on the topic here and there thanks to Eevee and all its evolution options. Perhaps luck was on his side.

Despite all this, Sakusa's words still haunted Yamaguchi. Team Serpent was still actively trying to track him. Did Lillie know they were doing so through his dreams? He'd tell her if he knew how to get in contact with her. This worry swirled around in his head and before he knew it the first group of contestants were being led on stage.

Yamaguchi waved as Noya, alongside Atsumu, headed to the stage with group one. He and Yachi had been put together in the 2nd had hoped to compete with Yachi in the second round but only one contestant could pass each round.

"Oh, Pokemon evolution can be so confusing," Yachi fussed, her hands fiddling with her fluffy skirt. "I feel like I'm going to just look like a fool up there. With all those people watching, too. Noya said all of Anistar's Contests are live broadcasted all over the region."

If the showcase was being broadcasted all over Kalos would The Boss be watching? He'd know exactly where Yamaguchi was. Was he really safe to go on stage like this? This haunting thought overtook Yamaguchi.

Yachi glanced over when Yamaguchi didn't reply. He was staring blankly at the wall. A hint of worry settled on his brow and he looked almost scared.

"Hey, you okay?" Yachi reluctantly asked, laying her hand on his shoulder.

Yamaguchi gave a loud shout as he jerked away from her.

"Y-Yamaguchi?" Yachi gasped upon his reaction.

"S-sorry, I was thinking," Yamaguchi gasped, his hands shaking.

"Are you sure?" Yachi gently asked, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Sylveon gently rested her head in his lap.

"Y-Yeah," Yamaguchi weakly insisted as he gave Sylveons head an absentminded pat.

"I-I'll get us some water," Yachi offered. Yamaguchi looked like he was about to be sick. She had thought Yamaguchi was already over his stage fright. Perhaps next time she will think twice before spewing her worries right before getting on stage. She hadn't expected Yamaguchi to freak out like he did.

After a cool glass of water and some soothing energy from Sylveon Yamaguchi felt a bit better. As he sat beside Yachi he tried to occupy his mind on anything but the fact that The Boss could be watching this showcase at this very moment. Yamaguchi was so busy trying to occupy himself he, nore Yachi, took notice that Atsumu had won over Noya in the first round. Before long he and Yachi were being led up onto the stage for their turn.

The stage felt much warmer than normal. Hundreds of people were sitting in the stands but the lights were so bright Yamaguchi couldn't see anything but a few shadows here and there. Normally he'd try to see if he could locate Tsukki in the crowd but today he did his best to ignore the fact that he was being watched.

Takeda explained that each Pokemon would have to race to the end of the track to win their trainer a chance to answer a question. Yachi's Dedenne was small but fast. Sylveon had the advantages of her long ribbons. The other two opponents had a Chikorita and a Raboot.

It wasn't long before Takeda gave the go and the Pokemon raced to the end of the track. The Raboot was the fastest, reaching the target first.

"What evolution stone does one need to evolve a male Kirlia into a Gallade?" Takeda asked.

"A Dawn Stone!" Raboot's trainer, a girl in a pink dress, answered.

"Correct!" Takeda cheered.

The room erupted with applause as the girl and her Raboot hugged.

Yamaguchi did what he could to ignore the cheering. "We will get the next question," he reassured Sylveon. He whipped sweat from his brow. For some reason the stage felt much warmer than normal.

The Pokemon were placed on the starting line once more. This time Yachi's Dedenne had reached the target first. Using Agility it weaved its way through the others.

Yachi gave a small cheer for her dear Pokemon's efforts. "I knew you could do it," she called to Dedenne.

"Yachi, your question is. How many mega evolutions does Charizaed have?" Takeda asked.

"Mega Evolutions?" Yachi gasped. This wasn't something she had studied hard but Hinata had a Charizaed and often rambled on about this. "Two, I think."

"That is correct!" Takeda announced.

Yachi gave a jump of joy as she hugged Dedenne.

"Good job," Yamauchi whispered over to her. He shifted uncomfortably as he felt mildly dizzy.

"Thanks ," Yachi smiled brightly. "Are you okay?" she whispered.

Before Yamaguchi could answer, Takeda had asked the Pokemon line up at the start once more. Yamaguchi instructed Sylveon to use her ribbons to her advantage before sending her off. Takeda counted them down and in a flash the four Pokemon raced down the track. Yamaguchi's plan had worked and Sylveon had been able to reach in front of the other's with her ribbon's and touch the target.

"Good job!" Yamaguchi cheered as she ran back to his side.

"Yamaguchi, your question is. How many known evolutions does Eevee have?" Takeda asked.

Yamaguchi felt his heart do a small flip of joy. He knew this better than anyone here. He had spent quite a bit of time looking into this topic. With a big smile he looked from Sylveon to Takeda. Just as he was about to open his mouth he saw it. The lens of video camera was directed right at him.

A wave of fear washed over Yamaguchi. Everything in the room faded as his eyes were fixed on that round lens. He swore he could see the eye's of Team Serpent's Boss watching him from the other end. This showcase was being broadcasted all over the region. They were watching him right now. They knew where he was.

The room went dead silent as Yamaguchi sat stiff like a tree. Whispers began to spread as nothing happened. Yachi whispered his name but Yamaucih didn't react whatsoever. Even when Sylveon nudged him with her nose Yamaguchi didn't move.

"Y-Yamaguchi?" Takeda asked. "Do you know the answer?"

Yamaguchi didn't answer. Yamaguchi didn't hear anything around him. The room grew too hot. He felt like he couldn't breathe. His body shook uncontrollably. His vision became blurry, with only the camera lens being the thing he saw. 'He is watching me' echoed through Yamaguchi's mind. It felt like an eternity to Yamaguchi when in reality it was only a few moments before his vision became black and he passed out on the stage.

Author notes:

Oh no! Looks like Yamaguchi had a bit of a panic on stage. Will he be able to recover from this? Could The Boss really have been watching the live broadcast? Will Yamaguchi finally come clean to Tsukki!? Stay tuned to find out that and more.

So how have you all been? I have been taking a bit of a break from most things in my life. This fic is one of the few things I still do enjoy. Sorry my chapters are coming out slower and slower. I have no excuse other than I am just lazy because I have many chapters already pre-witten and ready for post. But you know how it can be sometimes getting on line and posting can be hard if it's a cold day and you don't want to get out of bed. Anyways, all I can say for the time being is chapters will come out when they come out so you'll have to bear with me in the meantime. I do hope you are all doing well.

I want to thank all of you who are still hanging around and reading this fic. I appreciate it. I haven't been the best at keeping up with the uploads so thanks for waiting. I hope you are all taking care and I am super jealous of anyone who live in the southern hemisphere and is enjoying summer :P I miss warm weather.

Anyways, See you all next chapter.