Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon and Harry Potter

BloodyKitsune1997: Ya know, I did a lot in this chapter that I'd planned on holding off on. Huh...I hope you all like it. Also, please check out my .

Reviews:

mr. bumpity: We'll have to see, my friend. We will have to see for both of those questions.

Jostanos: Who knows, Jos. With those two boys, we may never know considering they keep dragging their feet.


Chapter 14


Feeling groggy as he slowly woke up, Ash jolted at the sight of a white slightly off-colored ceiling over head and scent of too sterile air hitting his nose. He shot up only to hiss and fall back against the slightly uncomfortable pillows of his apparent hospital bed as everything began to spin. Pressing a hand to his head, he breathed out sharply and tried to figure out what had happened. It too a long moment before the memories came rushing back and he tried to sit up again. Just as he managed it, a knock echoed through the air and Vali walked inside. There was an unmistakable tiredness about her and with the scratches on her cheeks, he knew something big had happened while he'd been knocked out, "Va-"

Throat practically closing up from how dry everything was, Ash started to cough and was relieved when Vali quickly helped him drink something. She spoke softly as her hand rubbed his back, "Easy, Ash. You were knocked out for almost an entire day-"

"Where's Gary?" Ash's chest tightened as he thought of his best friend.

"Sleeping in the bed next to you. He woke up an hour ago and conked out not too soon after," Vali moved back after moving around his pillows and Ash slowly leaned back against them, "How are you feeling?"

"Dizzy and...tired?" Ash pressed a hand to his head which felt too cloudy for his liking, "My head feels...cloudy. Too...slow..."

"That's the medication they've got you on," Vali rolled her eyes, "Now you know why I dislike it,"

"Yeah," Ash slowly dropped his hand, "What happened? I only remember feeling the stairs shake after that loud boom and there being a lot of warmth,"

Seeing her face fall, Ash almost wanted to take back his question. Vali spoke before he could, "To put it bluntly, Ash, Team Rocket attacked the Museum for reasons we don't quite know yet."

Team Rocket? Ash's stomach twisted at the thought of dealing with them for the second time on his journey. The Team had been beaten back during his parents time, but apparently that had been false if they were resurfacing now. He jolted as Vali hugged him tightly. Slowly hugging her back, he asked, "W-what does it all mean, Vali? We've face them twice now..."

A sigh left Vali as her grip on him tightened, "Part of me wants to pull you two back from your journeys, I won't though as you've both have been waiting for so long. But," She pulled away to look at him seriously, "We're stepping things up with training your pokemon. Both Gary and you, I won't risk either of you getting caught flat-footed by those assholes. This isn't about completing the gym circuit, it's about ensuring you can protect each other and your partners. Is that understood?"

"Yes," Ash nodded quickly.

"I'm so sorry that this happened to you, Ash," Vali cupped his cheek, "I'll make it up to-"

"It's not your fault that they did it," Ash shook his head, "All we can do is prepare for what comes next just like you're always saying, right?"

Letting out a bark of laughter, Vali kissed him on the forehead and stood from where she'd been sitting on the edge of his bed, "Right. You should get some more rest, Brat. I have it on good authority that a certain set of guardians will be paying a visit soon. Said set of guardians might include a certain ranger..."

Grinning at that, Ash asked, "Sirius is finally done his current mission?"

"Mhmm," Vali ruffled his hair, "Now get some rest,"

About to protest that he wasn't tired, Ash was surprised when a yawn left him and he shook his head. Rubbing at his eyes, he slowly shifted to get comfortable and noticed Vali was humming softly. Muttering under his breath, he told her, "That's cheating, Sis."

"If it gets you healthy, it isn't cheating," Vali ran her fingers through his hair.

As Ash fell asleep, he swore there was an extra sound added onto her humming though wasn't sure what it could be.


Leaning against the hospital with Irmo at her side, Vali looked up as she heard her name called alongside an excited bark. Grinning as she caught sight of Sirius walking towards her with Regulus and Delia, she pushed off of the hospital and moved towards them. Regulus broke from Sirius side and darted for her earning a shout of protest from Sirius that was ignored as his partner slammed into her less than gently. Laughing as she took the affectionate kisses and slobber, she hugged the hellish hound, "Reggie, you're looking good and that horn came back in nicely."

Regulus finally pulled away with a soft woof allowing Sirius to pull her into a tight hug. He murmured in her ear, "You okay, Pup? I heard about what happened."

"Tired, but otherwise alright," Vali hugged him back before looking at Delia, "Delia, I-"

Delia hugged her tightly after handing Harper to Sirius, "I'm just glad that everyone is safe. I hate that you had to deal with that. The boys-"

"They're just a bit bruised up from the fall. Both were a bit disorientated when they woke up," Vali explained earning a fearful look, "It's normal, Mom. Between the unexpected teleportation and meds, it'll clear up within the next couple of days,"

Delia let out a low sigh before shooting her a smile, "Trying to get on my good side by pulling the mom card, Vali?"

"Maybe..." Vali offered Delia a crooked grin, "It working?"

"To a point," Delia shook her head lightly, "How are you? Really?"

"Tired though now that I know everyone is fine, It'll be a lot better," Vali waved a hand to the hospital, "Want to go see them?"

"Of course," Delia nodded her head and Vali started to lead them inside, "Professor Oak should be here in a couple hours. He wanted to adjust things at the lab. With this..."

Heaving a sigh at that, Vali rubbed her neck, "It's understandable. Still though, Gary will be happy to know he's coming for a visit."

As Vali reached the boys' room and opened the door, Delia went inside only for Sirius to stay back earning a look of confusion. He gestured to the hallway and she nodded slowly while starting to walk. They headed to a nearby stairwell and Sirius asked her, "I got the official report, Pup. Pays to be a high up Ranger, I want to know how things really are."

Grimacing at that, Vali leaned against one of the railings as Irmo settled down beside her, "To be honest, I'm pissed about having to pay reparations. I get that their families are kind of screw because of their actions. I don't mind helping their families, but the sheer fact that I had to pay out money because of those assholes pisses me off."

"Because the boys got hurt or due to what happened all together?" Sirius asked and Vali looked away from him, "Pup..."

"Both," Vali crossed her arms, "I can admit that we should've held back just a bit, but at least no one died from us. The way some people reacted based on what Lance told us made it seem as if some of those assholes were close to death. For all that we might've been tempted, we made sure not to cause any injuries that would've killed someone,"

"True," Sirius sighed deeply, "For all that part of me hates it, I do understand it," She glanced at him and saw the grimace on his face, "Pup...you've been thinking it...haven't you?"

"Thinking about what?" Vali gave him a look of confusion, "Siri-"

"Pup," Sirius gave her a look, "We might not be around each other constantly, but I can see that things aren't right. You've got the same look in your eyes that I did back then. Right before I ran away from my family,"

Breath catching at that, Vali opened her mouth before closing it as she looked away from him. She clenched her fingers into a fist, "I-is...is it that obvious?"

"No, Pup. You're a good actor, but I'm your godfather...You're father," Sirius murmured and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Pup, tell me,"

As Irmo pressed into her side, Vali's lips pulled back as she let out a bitter laugh and tears burned at the back of her eyes, "I hate it sometimes, Siri. The politics and politicking. Being expected to be some perfect little Socialite at those damn parties when I'd rather be running through the woods with my pokemon, I can't even have Eli or Thorin with me during those events either which drives me insane!" She dropped a hand on Irmo's head to calm herself down as heat pulsed through her energies, "No one said that this would be what came with being an Elite. Having to keep up some stupid image for the damn public, I..." She swiped at the tears that had begun to fall, "Siri," She looked at him, "It's starting to weigh down on me. I want to keep working with Lance and the others. I love being beside the Ace and Rangers. Ensuring they make it home..."

"But everything else is becoming too much," Sirius offered as he squeezed her shoulder.

"The secrets that I've got to keep. The lies..." Vali whispered earning a sad look, "Having to work day in and day out even on this Vacation..." She hated that her voice was breaking, "I've had to hold people as they've died, Siri. Had to do the damn deed myself," She shook her head as Sirius gave her a startled look, "All I've been given was a pat on the back and a couple counseling session. I...Siri...Daddy," He pulled her into a hug, "I'm starting to think this isn't worth it anymore,"

"Pup..." Sirius hugged her tightly, "Whatever you decide, I'll stick with you. Delia and the kids will as well,"

"I...I've got to stick this through though," Vali murmured softly, "Ensure that the Rocket's are dealt with. I...For all that I don't actually owe them anything, I feel that I've got to do this for the League and to ensure the boys won't be in danger,"

"Alright," Sirius pulled back from the hug and wiped at her tears, "And then?"

"I...I'll think about resigning," Vali swallowed heavily at the thought of it as she'd be the first Elite to do so before a Champion had been displaced, "Siri..."

"I'll be right there with you when you're explaining things," Sirius promised earning a small smile, "Feel a bit better?"

"Yeah," Vali nodded slowly, "A bit," She smiled weakly, "C'mon, we've got to get back up there. Delia is probably smothering the boys. I should probably grab Absol too. He's really starting to develop a mischievous streak,"

Laughing as he followed after her, Sirius shook his head, "I still can't believe you got an Elite bred Absol just because the little thing decided he liked you."

Grinning lightly as she led the way, Vali pushed open Ash and Gary's door when they reached it allowing Sirius inside. Picking up Absol when the little brat tried to slip past her, she went to take a seat on the window seat and watched the controlled chaos that slowly erupted. Laying her head against the windowsill as she cuddled Absol, she knew it would be awhile before she'd make an actual decision about leaving the Elite Four. But as she looked at her family sans most of their pokemon, the thought of what could be if she wasn't an Elite lingered in the back of her mind.


Even with the Rocket incident occurring, Ash and Gary prepared to have their Gym battles with Vali taking a more hands on approach to their training. She still stepped back to let them make their own decisions though was more quick to offer advice or take their pokemon out for solo training. During one of their break days, Ash looked over at Gary as they were relaxing in their room. He spoke as Blitzle laid her head on his chest, "Gar?"

"Yeah, Ash?" Gary glanced at him from where he was groom Spearow's feathers.

"Vali got scared, didn't she?" Ash asked earning a low snort, "That's why she's doing all this lately,"

"Duh," Gary finished earning a low croon of approval as Spearow took off to fly around the room for a bit before settling down on Gary's bedpost, "To be honest, I'm kind of glad she's taking a more hands on approach. It sucks that it's happening this way, but we're getting more knowledge,"

Sighing softly, Ash nodded, "True, but...it doesn't feel right, ya know?"

"I guess?" Gary looked at him, "Look, Ash, we've got to give Vali time to calm down. Once she calms down, we'll bring it up. And if it doesn't happen in a couple weeks, we'll definitely bring it up, alright?"

Nodding his head slowly, Ash looked at Blitzle as the little zebra yawned and nosed into him. She had been run ragged this morning by Arwen and Vali. While she was definitely growing stronger, it sucked that he wasn't getting the chance to help as much. He muttered, "I'm still going to see if I can't at least get her to let me help with certain stuff."

"Your call, Ash," Gary called over Squirtle and began grooming him.


"So you found them both?" Vali asked as she followed after one of the Ace's that had been on the Slate case.

Nodding as he led her through the police station, the Ace told her, "Yes, Elite Four Valkyrie. While somewhat tricky to find them both, we surprisingly found Gym Leader Slate just outside of Pewter."

Eyebrow twitching at that, Vali felt Ortho snicker against her shoulder as she asked, "And how did no one catch onto him being there?"

"From what we can tell, he's been paying people off," The Ace answered making Vali's eyes narrow, "We've got people tracking down where his money has been going and who has been paying him," The man pulled open a door leading to a small hallway and they began walking through it, "We managed to figure out that he's been disguising himself as a trinket seller. Pawning off rocks and other things as souvenirs, the Jennies have already found eighteen seperate cases of fraudulent or down right shady activities just being shoved under the rug. All the reporting officers on the cases are the exact same pair who are conveniently on Vacation right now,"

"I'll sign off on an order to have them found and dragged back though if my signature isn't enough Lance should be more than willing to sign off on it," Vali pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yours will be more than enough," The Ace assured her, "Lola is currently being brought to Pewter from where they're currently holding her in Vermillion. As of right now, we've confiscated any pokemon from the two and handed them over Lt. Surge to be evaluated by the team of specialists currently under his command,"

"Good," Vali dropped her hand as they reached another door and walked inside where she found herself looking at Flint behind a two-way mirror, "He looks like shit,"

"Bastard tried to run away and has refused medical treatment," The Ace answered earning a soft snort, "So how would you like to do this?"

"While part of me would love to leave this to Surge, I need to start this off," Vali moved towards the door, "Have the psychic ready,"

"Yes, Ma'am," The Ace gave her a salute.

Opening the door, Vali walked inside and dropped into the seat across from a very bedraggled Flint who had aged since the last time they'd seen once another. She saw his eyes scan over her, but ignored it as she grabbed the can of soda he'd left unopened. Opening it, she took a swig before looking at Flint, "Quite a few counts of criminal negligence and child abandonment, you've racked up about six felonies as far as we're aware both from abandoning your position without telling anyone and continuing to accept funds for said position into your bank account. Adding on, you've also got quite a few petty crimes lined up alongside some fraud and other ones from what I've heard. Quite the rap sheet you've accumulate, Slate."

Lips peeling back, Slate's black eyes narrowed into a glare, "What do you want, Potter-Black? I'm already in trouble as it is. I've accepte-"

"Bullshit," Vali set down the can of soda as Ortho sat up on her shoulders, "See if you had accepted this, you'd have turned yourself in a long time ago. Hell, you might've never done it. No, I don't think you've accepted it," She reached up to cup Ortho's chin earning a low croon, "As for what I want, you can already guess. Abandoning your family, really? Why? What could have possessed you to do it, Flint?"

"I did-" Flint started to protest.

"You did if what the reports and even your eldest has told is true," Vali crossed her arms, "Flint, you can't play this game with me. You know how well that works out," Flint's glare was so strong, "You know why Lance trusts me in these investigations,"

"Everyone knows you two are fucking behind the scenes and that's why you're able to do this," Flint spat at her.

Snorting at that age old accusation, Vali lifted her hand and let a hint of her inner fire out earning a wide eyed look. Speaking as if he hadn't just insulted her integrity, she tilted her head, "Flint, Why did you abandon your family? I'm giving you one more chance."

"You wouldn't-The Ace-" Flint's eyes went to the two-way mirror.

"Are very unhappy with the fact you abandoned your children and they'll be happy enough to ensure anything that happens in this room between now and you giving us the answers we wish are nonexistent," Vali's eyes narrowed at Flint, "Don't test my patience,"

Eyes darting between her hand and face, Flint paled considerably before finally answering, "I-Being a Gym Leader simply used for the first badge always rubbed me the wrong way, I wanted to get stronger. I hated how basic people saw me as. Since Brock was finally old enough and had come into his own as a Gym Leader, I decided it was time to leave and took off after ensuring everyone who would report back wouldn't do it. I thought Lola would stay with the kids. I was...I was wrong."

"You were," Vali lowered her hand, "What happened?"

"During the time that I'd been a Gym Leader, I'd become stagnant and by the time we'd left, we got beaten by every opponent that came our way," Flint's eyes dropped to the table as his fists clenched in their cuffs, "Our Journey was cut off before it could begin and I...Shame ate away at me, I decided that going back wouldn't be a good idea especially after seeing how well Brock was doing without my guidance. So I stayed away..."

"Which brings us here," Vali stood up as she dismissed her fire, "If you had actually asked to take a sabbatical like a sane person, you would have been granted it once we found someone to watch over Brock's training as a Gym Leader. The proper way. But with this," She shook her head, "Lola and you both made bad choices. You specifically made worse ones due to being the Gym Leader between the two of you," She reached up to run her fingers along Ortho's cheek as Flint's head bowed, "I truly respected you once upon a time. I truly did. But now...now you're nothing more than a piece of scum worth little more than dried Magikarp meat,"

As Vali turned and started to leave, Flint spoke making her pause mid-step, "Valkyrie...do you know what could possibly happen...to us? To me? I trusted Lola to stay back with the children, it's obvious that she chose not to..."

Shaking her head, Vali spoke as she dropped her hand, "Caring about the consequences now, Flint? Big surprise now that you've been caugh-"

"It's not just because of that, Valkyrie," Flint cut her off and she turned to look at him, "I...I fucked up. My wife and I both did," He clenched his fists, "But my children, we might've fucked up, but it can't fall on them. We can't let-"

Snorting loudly, Vali cut him off making his head jerk up to look at her, "Flint, the League might be cruel in many ways, but they're not about to damn children especially ones who have done absolutely nothing wrong," She turned away from him, "You really are out of touch.

Without another word to him, Vali left the interrogation room. The Ace inside spoke as she closed the door behind herself, "You are a scary bitch, ya know that, right?"

"So how much of that did you actually record?" Vali asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Enough to ensure we have a viable confession," The Ace replied with a shake of his head, "But seriously, I'll never get used to you being able to use actual fire-type energy, Alpha. It's awesome,"

"Sometimes," Vali dropped into the chair next to him, "Anything you want to report, Garris?"

"Surge is as clean as we knew he'd be," Garris told her earning a relieved sigh, "I've already sent in my written stuff the usual way, so you'll have all the details. Only thing he's got is a cig probably and it's an occasional one,"

Snorting at that, Vali leaned back into her chair, "Who do you think introduced me to them and got me hooked on my favorite brand?"

Letting out a snort, Garris looked back at Flint, "Fuck your dog father, Delia would skin him alive if she knew either of those facts."

"Which is why I keep that habit down to a minimum and away from her house," Vali shifted a bit to let Ortho drop into her lap, "Not even the boys know,"

Coughing up the water he'd started to drink, Garris looked at her with shock in his orange eyes, "The fuck, Alpha? First off, you smoke? Second, how the hell do they not catch you?"

"Started when I turned fifteen and had a really shit mission, Surge was there to help me pick up the pieces," Vali ran a hand through her hair, "I was in a dark place back then. Not only was I the newest and youngest Elite, my mission track record from before had them placing me on more and more bullshit missions until..." She closed her eyes and almost dropped into a memory that wasn't exactly pleasant, "Let's just say if Surge hadn't intervened, I would've been up shits creek. As for my brothers, I don't smoke around them. I don't really feel the need. Only time it really came up was around the Rocket incidents and well," She waved a hand towards Flint earning a nod of understanding, "Arceus, I'm going to be so glad when this is all over,"

"All of us are," Garris shook his head, "Do you want to meet up for drinks later and catch up? It's been awhile since we've actually seen each other,"

Smiling at his slight grin, Vali shook her head, "Can't, I still need to stick close to the boys. If you happen to be in Cerulean when we make it there though..."

"I'll keep that in mind," Garris' grin widened.


Sitting against Irmo's side on the Pokemon Center's roof, Vali looked down at the cigarette in between her fingers as the first night she'd actually started smoking began to play through her mind...

Hand slamming into the punching bag, Vali heard a cracking sound seconds before the chain snapped and it went flying across the room as her knuckles flared in pain. Growling underneath her breath, she went to grab another one only for a hand to come around her wrist. Eyes flicking upward, she glared at Surge who only gave her a look, "Brat."

"Let go," Vali tried to pull her hand back only for the grip on her wrist to tighten, "Sur-"

Gasping as the air was knocked out of her lungs, Vali's world spun for a few seconds before it came crashing down as she landed flat on her back on the mat. Grunting as her abdomen ached from where Surge had either punched or kicked her, she slowly started to get up only for him to plant a foot on her chest. Glaring up at him, she opened her mouth to ask what his problem was when he spoke, "Brat, you're going to listen and listen well. What happened out there wasn't your fault, you damn well know that-"

"How isn't it my fault?!" Vali about screamed about him as best she could with his foot pressing down on her chest, "I made the calls. Everyone acts on them. They almost died. We lost-"

"A man lost his life," Surge's eyes were dark as he stared down at her, "People are injured. You made a call that nearly got them killed and someone is dead because of it. But you know what? Three hundred and twenty six people are alive because of you all, you managed to ensure they lived. The man who died is going to be honored. It feels like shit, Brat. Trust me, I know that feeling better than anyone, but are you really going to say that every single one of those people should have died in exchange of the one man you lost?"

"I-no," Vali's eyes burned as she shook her head, "It hurts, Surge. I...Anthony was one of the first Ace's I actually spent time with. He was my mentor...Stella's former Captain. What am I-"

Foot coming off her chest, Surge dropped to the ground beside Vali and picked her up in a hug. She froze for a second as the man did not do hugs unless it was for the baby pokemon. He spoke in a soft tone, "Tony was a good man for all that he could be a hard ass, Brat. He was so very proud to have been under your command. Dying like that...It wasn't in the plan, but when is dying ever in the plan. Every single one of ya that he's mentored or Captained were his kids, Brat," Tears fell as she slowly sank into the hug, "An Ace's duty almost always ends like this and they all know it. It hurts, but that's how it is. I'll be right there with ya when it's time to give them the news."

"I...how am I supposed to deal with this? Nothing is helping," Vali sobbed hard, "I just keep getting angry either at myself or the situation only for it to turn into a huge spiral. I don't want that. I just...I don't want it..."

There was a long moment before Surge sighed and stood with Vali still held against him. He carried her outside before finally dropping her onto the ground. Finally speaking, Surge told her, "Coping is hard and everyone finds their own methods, I don't want you doing anything to actually hurt yourself kid, but..."

"But?" Vali stood up slowly as Surge reached into the jacket he wore and pulled out a metal case.

Opening the top, Surge pulled out a thin white stick followed by a lighter. Putting the stick to his lips, he lit one end with his lighter before putting the lighter back into the metal case. Blowing out some smoke from his mouth, Surge removed the stick that she realized was a cigarette and held it out to her. Speaking as he looked towards the nearby ocean, Surge told her, "Smoking is my way of coping. If done sparingly, it isn't as bad as it can be. And with your abilities, I doubt it'll do that much damage."

Staring at the cigarette, Vali slowly took it before glancing at Surge, "I...you want me to...?"

"Try it," Surge told her, "Just for a little bit and if it doesn't help, I'll help you find a different way to cope even if it means beating your ass into the ground with my pokemon's help,"

As Vali slowly nodded and Surge coached her into taking that first drag only for her to have a coughing fit that made him laugh his ass off, she slowly realized that the tears and anger had been absent for the first time since that damn mission...

Grimacing as her fingers started to singe, Vali flicked away her cigarette before lighting another one. Hearing her pokenav go off, she answered it, "Hello?"

"Brat," Surge's voice came through and she smiled lightly.

"Funny enough, I was just thinking about ya, Surge," Vali murmured to her adoptive uncle earning a soft grunt, "How's everything?"

"The baby's are boring. I am definitely biting at the bit to challenge those two boys when they actually get here," Surge chuckled lightly, "You good brat? You sound a bit...down tonight,"

"Just remembering shit," Vali shook her head and took a drag of the cig in her hand, "To be honest, the whole Museum thing brought back memories that I wish would've stayed hidden,"

"You need anything?" Surge sounded a bit concerned.

"Nah, I'm good," Vali shook her head, "Not having my usuals around is just making me a bit antsy, you know how it is,"

Snorting lightly, Surge told her, "Yeah. But you know it would be too hard for me to take a small vacation myself. Put Zig in charge for a bit, he could use the time especially if he's going to be looking after that damn bird."

Laughing at that, Vali grinned lightly, "You're just jealous that he's bonded with a fucking Dos and you didn't."

"The fuck I am," Surge growled at her, "That damn bird is far too fucking stupid for me to want anything to do with, I've seen it nearly choke after eating too many berries at once!" She only laughed harder, "That tears it, you'll be seeing me in Pewter soon enough. That fucking Dragon-brat can't throw a fit about us battling if I'm on vacation too and I'll be tearing your ass a new one when I get there,"

With that said, Surge ended the call and Vali merely grinned brightly as she shook her head. Dropping her head back after placing the cigarette in her mouth, she told Irmo, "He missed me, huh?"

"Either that or he's worried after hearing about what happened," Irmo yawned softly, "Are you eager to see him?"

Humming as she looked up at the stars, Vali breathed in more smoke before exhaling it as she said, "Yes. It's been months since we've actually spent more than a few moments together. Even then, we were so busy during that time..."


"You want to what?" Steven stared at his Pokenav's screen incredulously as Metagross levitated another set of papers into their proper place, "Lance, are you- do you even hear your-"

Lance cut him off as the Dragon tamer crossed his arms, "Steven, we have both admitted that our feelings for Vali have only grown and it's becoming harder to keep things back. For the love of Mew, we both have admitted to nearly spilling the fucking oran berries to her-"

Dropping his head into his hands, Steven breathed out, "Weren't you the one who wanted this arrangement in the first place?"

There was a moment of silence and Steven froze as he realized that had been said out loud, he flickered his eyes to Lance. Lance's amber eyes flashed golden as he hissed, "What was that, Steven?"

Sitting up as his jaw clenched, Steven spoke in a tight tone, "Lance, you're the one who wanted this arrangement in the first fucking place. I just wanted to outright tell her and be done with it. But after that disaster of a sixteenth birthday party, I had to agreed to it. That's the only reason I agreed."

"T-the only-Steven," Lance planted his hands on the desk before him as he glared at Steven, "What else have you been keeping secret from me? Little dates with the Princess? More Elicit photo-"

Snorting at the fact Lance's mind went straight to that, Steven rolled his eyes, "No, Lance. Unlike you, I've been trying to be patient with Vali. Do you really think I haven't heard about any of the incidents where you ended up 'accidentally' wandering into her room after drinking too much? Cynthia and I have been kept informed on that."

"I-" Lance's face flushed before the red head paused, "Steven, does Cynthia speak with Vali more than either of us?"

"Considering they're best friends and females at that, I would assume so," Steven crossed his arms, "Why do you-"

"Think about it for one second and it might actually sink in," Lance gave Steven a serious look, "Cynthia is the one who told us to wait right? She is also the one who got involved right after Vali's trip to Sinnoh. They got pretty chummy real quick,"

Shaking his head, Steven pointed out, "Vali's a friendly person. She's made more than a few good friends within the same span of time she was in-"

"None like Cynthia," Lance shook his head, "None of them become 'Best Friends' that quickly, they aren't that close to her. They don't speak about practically everything like those two do or-"

"Or how I speak tend to speak with Vali," Steven realized with a feeling akin to a punch to his gut that something had definitely been going on behind the scenes, "Cynthia at the very least has been keeping things back. Hiding things,"

"I doubt Vali knows anything is going on. She would've said something," Lance let out a small laugh, "For all that she's smart as fuck, she's very easy to read especially when it comes to how she's feeling,"

Refraining from snorting, Steven knew that there was a lot of things that Vali had managed to keep back from Lance that she revealed during their venting sessions. He spoke as Mawile walked up and held out her arms to be picked up, "Lance," He picked up Mawile earning a croon of happiness, "What exactly do you think is going on? Be blunt, I am too tired for any games."

Lance crossed his arms, "Steven, I'm pretty sure Cynthia has a thing for Vali. Not even a past thing either."

Eyes widening a bit, Steven was about to protest when his recent calls with Cynthia ran through his mind. He closed his eyes while mentally promising himself to actually speak with the blonde before jumping to conclusions like the red head before him. He spoke in a measured tone, "Lance, you're jumping to conclusions. Now before you shoot yourself in the foot, I'm ending this call and actually speaking with her."

"Wh-Steve-" Lance's wide eyes were the last thing Steven saw before the call ended.

Pressing a hand to his forehead, Steven muttered under a prayer for patience under his breath before calling Cynthia. It took a second call before the blonde answered in with a slight groan, "Steven? What's going on?"

Grimacing as he realized that he'd likely woken her, Steven apologized, "Sorry if I woke you, Lance-"

"That fucker, did he piss off Sparky again?" Cynthia yawned into the phone confirming his thoughts, "I'll have to call her though isn't it-"

"Close to midnight in Kanto, you're better off waiting until later," Steven hugged Mawile a bit tighter, "And he didn't piss off Vali, we were actually speaking about...you,"

Cynthia was quiet for a long moment leading him to wonder if she'd fallen back asleep. Before he could call out to her, she asked, "Oh, about what?"

Deciding to rip off the Band-Aid, Steven told her, "Lance believe you have a thing for Vali which is led to the suggestion of us waiting to speak with her about our feelings. Granted, I would have waited anyway due to what happened before Vali went to Sinnoh," Cynthia was quiet and a small pit open in his stomach, "Cynthia?"

Taking a deep breath on her side of the call, Cynthia finally replied, "Steven, I'll be honest with you. If it weren't for our schedules not working out and the Regional differences, Vali and I would be in a relationship right now."

Breath catching at that, Steven opened his mouth before closing it. He spoke softly, "Cynthia, you said you'd be honest. Why did you make that suggestion back then?"

"You want me to be honest?" Cynthia let out a small laugh, "Steven, if it would've made Vali happy, I wouldn't have protested her getting together with either of you. Hell both of you if she really wanted it, I just want her happy even if I'd rather just keep her in my arms. But when she was going back to Kanto...Had to go back, you weren't there and didn't see the look in her eyes...the dread," Steven's heart sank, "After hearing about both of your feelings, I thought it might be due to her knowing about them, but since then, I've realized it isn't that,"

"What do you mean?" Steven asked as it felt like some pressure gripping his heart had eased up.

"Do you know what kind of pressure she's under over there? Not only that, the fact she's had to put on a mask at every damn event that they've had her prance around like a prized Rapidash without even a single pokemon to help cope with all those eyes on her," Cynthia clicked her tongue as Steven sank into his chair, "I know you're not an idiot, Steven. You must have noticed it,"

And all the signs that he'd passed off as Vali being either tired or stress suddenly snapped into focus within his mind, Steven whispered, "I...we're idiots...fools for not-"

"Sparky doesn't want anyone to notice, so she acts like everything is fine," Cynthia sounded sad, "Only reason I noticed was due to how damn expressive her eyes are and how her voice sounded,"

"And Lance says she can't act," Steven had to chuckle at how stupid they'd been, "Cynthia-"

"Don't tell her I've said anything, Steven. Vali's hesitant to even vent about it to me and she can't share the confidential stuff," Cynthia cut him off earning a sigh, "Any other questions?"

Part of him hesitated to even ask, Steven needed to especially if what Cynthia had said was true, "I...Does she wish to leave? Being an Elite? One of Kanto and Johto's?"

"The thought only crossed her mind recently after she spoke with Sirius, but...I want her to," Cynthia admitted and Steven could see where she was coming from, "Not for her to become an Elite in Sinnoh though, she's been running herself ragged since before even becoming an Elite. If anything, she needs time to actually decompress and relax. Same with her pokemon,"

"Agreed," Steven stroked Mawile's back, "I...Cynthia, thank you for being honest,"

"Considering our own relationship, Steven? I kind of have to be," Cynthia let out a soft laugh before murmuring softly, "Though if I'm truly being honest," She hesitated before admitting, "If it came down to it and she wanted it, I wouldn't mind us being in a relationship. Vali, you, and I,"

Flushing at that, Steven immediately pushed away the brief image that jumped into his mind from that suggestion. Clearing his throat softly, he spoke as Metagross chuckled, "Cynthia, I-"

"Steven, I...You are one of my best friends and Vali is one of the most important people in my life," Cynthia spoke in a soft tone, "If she wants it, I have no problem with such an arrangement especially since you're attractive. Admittedly, I don't want you in such a way, but who knows? It might happen. But the point remains that Vali-"

"Is the one to push or pull any of this in a direction," Steven pressed a hand to his face feeling his ears burn at the fact Cynthia had admitted that he was attractive, "How do you know she'd go for that?"

Snorting softly, Cynthia told him, "How do you think she got a photo of Volkner in the nude?" Steven flushed at the reminder of yet another photo Vali had 'accidentally' sent him, "Though that wasn't how she bribed him, I'm still trying to fish that out of her. All I know is that he ended up in my apartment with Vali and we had quite a bit of fun for a couple of days that involved that little photoshoot that I know she didn't quite accidentally send you photos of."

Eyes widening, Steven jolted as he stuttered, "How did you-"

"Vali is very, very loose lipped at certain times as you might end up finding out," Cynthia giggled softly, "And prone to agreeing to doing things if certain people suggest it. The fact that you've kept this silent for so long and only told Vali has made the idea of you actually being a worthwhile partner to her in my mind. If Vali chooses it of course,"

With cheeks that must resemble a Tamato berry, Steven asked, "So you had her-"

"Send you those? Why yes," Cynthia sighed into her Poketch, "By the way, I have to say your own pictures that I managed to sneak a peak at are just-"

"Thank you for answering my questions," Steven ended the call to the sound of Cynthia giggling.

Shaking his head, Steven dropped his pokenav on the desk as Metagross chuckle. Looking at his partner, he scowled as Metagross commented, "Another mate, Master?"

"N-" Steven's scowl deepened as the image of himself with both Vali and Cynthia flashed through his mind with the tell-tale tang of Metagross' power, "Meta!"

"My apologies, Master. I just find it interesting that another female can...what was the statement that the Empress has used? Ah, throw you off your game," Metagross replied making Mawile snicker, "It would be interesting what hive members could be gotten from such a union,"

"It does-Meta, you know-" Steven threw his hands up with an exasperated groan as Metagross just hummed at him and looked towards Mawile, "At least you're not being mean to me, Wile,"

Mawile just hugged him with a soft hum.


Ash's Team:

1. Pidgeotto

Female

2. Pikachu

Male

3. Blitzle

Female


Gary's Team:

1. Weepinbell

Male

2. Squirtle

Male

3. Spearow

Female


Vali's present team:

1. Balto/ Arcanine

Male

2. Smaug/ Charizard

Male

3. Elrond/ Alolan-Raichu

Male

4. Eowyn/ Houndoom

Female

5. Aragorn/ Vulpix-King-Gene

Male

6. Pele/ Camerupt

Female

7. Celina/ Pidgeot

Female

8. Thorin/ Flareon

Male

9. Arwen/ Rapidash

Female

10. Galadrial/ Chandelure

Female

11. Nazgul/ Gengar-Shiny

Male

12. Irmo/ Pyroar

Male

13. Ortho/ Furret

Male

14. Noldor/ Smeargle

Male

15. Terra/ Tyranitar

Female

16. Empress/ Salamence

Female

17. Idril/ Sandslash-Shiny

Female

18. Pippin/ Luxray

Male

19. Bombur/ Dewgong

Male

20. Balrog/ Magmar

Male

21. Khione/ Aurorus

Female

22. Rosie/ Meganium

Female

23. Balin/ Typhlosion

Male

24. Disa/ Jolteon

Female

25. Absol

Male

26. Noibat

Male