The early rays of dawn shone like a blessing through the window in Momo's dorm. She greeted the day, the mirror, and her sleeping Pokémon with the same blissful smile she woke up with. It was time to set forth for the northern grasp of Paldea, and she knew exactly what she wanted to do as she set off with a quick flight and dash.

"New day, new Momo! Hope Paldea is ready, because now I've got some badges to get up north! Onwards, to Glaseado and Montenevera!"

The frigid air bit back where Momo hiked, and she knew she had a long road ahead with the caves and steep paths awaiting her. Arven did tell her the final titan by Casseroya Lake would be the hardest hike of all. With that, Momo made sure to set off for the frigid northern reach of Glaseado to take on more Gym Leaders. Since there were two Gyms up there, she figured she might as well round out her badge count to ready herself for the toughest of fights ahead. She packed her winter scarves, readied herself for the snowiest of slopes, and was ready to take Donny for a crash course in combat.

Thanks to a surprise call from that Professor Turo guy, Momo got a quick albeit vague explanation on what kind of Pokémon Donny is. Apparently Iron Treads is a Pokémon that originated from a great crater place, just like Mirage, but before Momo could ask more about that, the professor hurriedly told her to take good care of the Pokémon before the call cut itself off. Might've been a bad signal thing from the professor's end, wherever he was.

"I don't… remember telling him about Donny…" Momo just shrugged and pressed onwards and upwards. "Iron Treads, huh?"

For such a fierce looking former titan, Donny was on the surprisingly gentle side, and Momo often found the robot Pokémon looking wistfully whenever they passed a herd of Phanpy and Donphan. She empathized with him whenever she saw his screen eyes flicker like that, and she was hoping she was doing a good job making him feel like he belonged.

"It's okay, Donny… Whoever you are, wherever you're from, we're still your friends." She was all too used to reassuring and caressing creatures of steel.

It helped that Mirage was usually around to cheer Donny up whenever he was too shaken up to battle. Those robot types seem to be cut from the same cloth, and liked licking each other, however that worked. Come to think of it, both Mirage and Donny gave off initial impressions that they were scared of certain things. Momo wondered if that was some sort of coincidence.

Whatever kind of Pokémon Iron Treads was, it sure was strong. Mirage's presence seemed comforting enough to the point that Donny was able to confidently will himself to steamroll into battle, and steamroll he did. His tusks were electrifyingly tough, his stomps shook the ground with furious force, and his Iron Head blows were almost beyond compare. Much to Orthon's bellowing chagrin.

Having two strong Steel types on her team, Momo knew there was only one thing to do about it. Have the two team up, of course. Definitely wasn't a convenient excuse, it was just a coincidence that the Montenevera Gym Leader called for a Double Battle. With Orthon smacking foes and Donny stomping them away, Momo wrecked house while raising the roof as she took a victory at Ryme's rave yard.

While the streak she tread was as hot as iron, she was quick to take Donny to Glaseado's Gym next, where she was able to brave Grusha's slippery slope. And just because she could, she caught wind of the Team Star base further north and took to those flower fields as well. There, standing undaunted against Ortega's Fairy types, Donny proved to be the superior wheeled Pokémon as he demolished the Starmobile in a head-on collision.

"Whew…" Penny let out an impressed breath as she met Momo by the flowers outside. "Didn't you just take down Atticus a couple of days ago? You must be in a hurry or something…"

Momo had a proud smirk as she giggled to herself. "Nemone said the same thing. I'm just hot stuff on a hotter streak!" She was crouching down, giving Donny a scrubbing clean on the grass when Penny arrived. "Come on Penny, celebrate with me! Helps that I met someone who I'm actually taller than for once! More reason to celebrate!"

"G-Gimme a minute, Mondie…" Penny looked like she was about to double over, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. "I didn't expect you to storm through Ortie—er, Ortega's base so soon… Just one more left and that's it for Team Star, I think…"

"Right, yeah…" Momo set her sponge aside to lean her cheek against her palm. "I hope this Cassiopeia person knows what they're doing. Been thinking about what Ortega's ordeal is, with how Team Star's been bullied and all that. I'm starting to feel kinda bad utterly pulverizing these guys in battle, y'know?"

"Hm…" There was a moment of silence from Penny's end before she huddled down by Momo's side. "I dunno what Cassiopeia's deal is either, but… put it this way, Mondie. I'm helping Cassiopeia out, so when you help Cassiopeia, you're helping me as well. And Clive too, I guess."

"You're not wrong there, Penny." Momo felt a proud smirk coming on. "Nemone's also been happier than ever to see me collecting badges and pitting her team against mine. Guess indirectly helping people's been my thing for this Treasure Hunt."

"Indirectly, huh?" Penny's knowing eyes looked towards docile Donny, then towards Momo. Her subtle sneer was skeptical. "Haven't you been going out of your way to help a certain guy out in particular? Archen, right?"

"H-Hey, it's Arven, okay?" Momo spoke up sternly before she suddenly felt the tinge of embarrassment. "He's… uh… a special case… I get to catch these cool Titan Pokémon with him, and…" Her eyes suddenly widened with realization. "Wait! How do you know what I've been calling him? Penny, you weren't… spying on me, were you?"

Penny scoffed. "Relax, it's not that. I just pieced it together myself when you were talking about things that other time we met. I'd never take a peek into your personal stuff, we're friends and all that." She gave Momo a hesitant nod, pushing her glasses up. "Okay, maybe it wasn't your stuff I took a peek at… but hey, I'm not gonna judge your personal tastes."

"W-What's that supposed to mean?" Momo's gape-mouthed blush hadn't eased at that.

"Don't sweat it." Penny snickered with a brief cheeky look. "And if my hunch is right… just know that your secret's safe with me."

"... alright." Momo found herself fidgeting at the idea of admitting it out loud, even if she was still toiling in her own disbelief.

A moment passed, one of silence, but one that had Momo breathing out at the thought of her very special secret. Her eyes looked to her fiddling hands, to her Pokémon nearby, then towards Penny's growing sneer.

"Okay, Mondie, just to be sure, you fancy him? Of all people?"

"Pennyyyyyyy…" Momo was quick to cover her face as she groaned.

"Cacaw." Penny teased, which left Momo feeling very tempted to throw a sponge at her.

As much as Momo's heart had to say, she didn't want to spill too much around Penny, soap or otherwise. She got her TM making supplies and all that, and as Penny left with a smirking wave, Momo considered getting extra protective measures on her phone. No, she would never. How else would Cassiopeia get in touch with her? Maybe she could ask Mirage to slobber her up some more.

At the very least, there were more pressing matters to focus on than sloppy vengeance, like her need to press onwards to her final Gym. Couldn't get her team in tip top shape without getting all the badges, and it was time to head all the way south to Alfornada for badge number eight.

There was quite a lot to admire in Alfornada the day she arrived there, even if it was kind of on the tropical sweltering side. Still, she kept her proud head high for the trek she took, and after enduring a night in a cave, she needed some sunlight sights. There was that Delibird warehouse, the Squawkabilly making a racket nearby, those ancient looking Pokémon mural things, a guy with a backpack-

"H-Huh?" Momo rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. The guy with the shaggy-looking hair on the nearby bench had noticed her too. "Arven?"

Sure enough, there he was. In the flesh and out of nowhere, which was surprising. She really wasn't used to seeing him outside of titan and sandwich time, yet, here he was, as if having him on her mind somehow manifested him. And now he was approaching her with a wave. "Hey there, Momo. I was wondering when I'd find you here."

He was waiting to see her here? "Oh, hey Arven." Momo put on her best casual smile with her hands on her hips. "I'm just here to get myself that sweet sweet final Gym Badge. Didn't expect to see you all the way in Alfornada, ya big guy." She jabbed his arm with a cheeky grin.

"Well… Momo." Arven stopped to clear his throat. "There've just been some things on my mind, ever since our last run in with a titan. I thought I'd see you for it."

"Me?" Momo suddenly felt her pulse quicken as he looked over her. "Did I… do something?"

There was a hint of a smile on his face. "You're looking pretty winded there, little buddy. I don't blame you, walking here really left me battered. Let's take a seat for this."

"Okay."

Momo had no complaints, though she found herself sheepishly swaying her arms as Arven led her to a bench. It was a nice quiet spot, almost out of the way, but still gave them a good view of the city. They hadn't gone sightseeing in a while, Momo realized.

"So what's up?" Momo tried her best to keep her confident, casual mood. "There's gotta be something important in Alfornada if you went all the way here for lil' ol' Momo. Ehehehe…"

Arven breathed out a chuckle. "For someone as bite-sized as yourself, you're a real trooper at what you do, you know."

"Weeeell…" Momo accepted the compliment with a smug shrug. "I guess it's in my blood, y'know."

"Explains the talent," Arven continued. "And I admire that about you. I wasn't expecting someone so skilled to help me and Mabosstiff out and all."

Momo giggled. It was only natural for such admiration to get a blush out of her. "What's all this flattery for? Do I have to start buttering you up too?"

"You kinda already did that after the last titan…" Arven chuckled sheepishly. "Point is, I'm no good at Pokémon battles, but spending time with you got me thinking about it. If I want to protect those I care about, I need to start battling seriously like you do, Momo." He looked to her before his gaze fell elsewhere, his hands wringing themselves together. "I didn't think I'd be capable enough of fighting those titans even with Mabosstiff on the line, but hearing your words, I've… started to believe I might have a chance."

His touching words tugged at Momo's heart before her excitement took over. "Wait, is that why you're here?" Momo's eager eyes glanced at the Gym and then back at Arven. "Are you going to start trying for Gym Badges like I am?"

Her energy left Arven blinking in surprise. "Whoa, whoa, let's not move too quickly here. I'm not that gutsy. The most I'd ever do is consider attending those battle studies classes." He paused to rub at his sleeve. "I was just… thinking about how much fun doing that Gym Test in Artazon was. And you've been telling me about all the kinda Gym Tests you've been doing everywhere else. Figured maybe I'd stop by here to see if I could tag along for this one too. Whatever it is."

"Oh!" Momo's excitement grew with a hint of relief. "Well, why didn't you just say so earlier?" She snickered. "I usually call you in advance when it's time to meet up, that kind of stuff coulda been arranged way ahead of time!"

Arven paused with lingering hesitation. "I'm… also no good at crawling to people to ask them sincerely for help."

Momo would've prodded at him some more, but she found her gaze softening. "You'll always have my ear, don'tcha forget it." Her devilishly determined smirk returned as she grabbed his hand and hopped off the bench. "Now, it's a good thing you stopped by! Come on, to the Gym we go!"

"Y-You sure livened up quick!" Arven almost stumbled as Momo pulled him along. "Don't you want to save your energy for this Gym Test or something?!"

"I'll be fiiine, Arvie. Other than titans, I've braved giant rolling olive things, audacious auctions, and even extra crispy grilled rice balls garnished with lemon! In medium sized portions!" Momo oh so proudly recited, sights set on the Gym sign that shone in the sun. "Besides, I'm pretty sure this is the Psychic Gym. The last thing I'd expect from such a flashy brainy type is yet another physically grueling test."

Momo would've rather eaten another pile of grilled rice balls instead of her words.

"Butterfree, Beedrill, Vivillon, Vespiquen—blegh…"

She bit her tongue as she tried to turn on her heel. Here came the blood, sweat, and tears.

In a bizarre twist of karma, it was Miss Dendra who was in charge of Alfornada's Gym Test, and if Momo wanted to battle Gym Leader Tulip, she had to go through a exercise dance routine thing. The sounds of repeated whistles rang out in her ears as she sweat herself silly dancercising alongside other Alfornada locals. And a plus one.

"Left, right, stomp, step, sway…"

At least Arven seemed to be struggling with the movements just as much as she was. Keeping up with everyone else's rhythm was haaard. She wasn't used to doing this fun dancing stuff without her parents.

Miss Dendra's whistle rang out once more, and the music changed with it. "Mood switch, everyone! That's what the emotional spectrum practice is for! Remember what made you angry, and use that emotion to get that blood rushing!"

If Momo was allowed to use Alti to peck at Miss Dendra's Medicham, the anger thing wouldn't be a problem. Though, as much as she wanted to shake her fists at her battle studies teacher, she was still determined to pass this Gym Test, which meant she had to shake other things. She put on her hardened game face and concentrated her fury into her forceful movements. Her anger would be righteous, like all the times she fearlessly charged into battle with her Pokémon, fighting her hardest for a super duper worthy cause. Fights that came with tough odds, friendships and rewards to die for, all done for the sake of… of…

Momo found herself glancing as Arven unsteadily tried keeping up with everyone else, though she didn't find herself faltering in her pace. Blood was rushing, alright. Miss Dendra's whistle rang out again.

"Mood switch! Move it like you're excited!"

Momo smiled, already finding herself in the zone and letting herself get lost in the thrills. Mood switches were frequent in this cheekily named emotional spectrum practice, and she started to see it as her own interesting and flashy personal challenge she had to overcome. And Momo was nothing if she wasn't interesting or flashy.

"Stomp and step and turn, hey this is pretty fun!"

Excitement got her shimmying and skipping, thinking about things that got her giddy. Things like the fresh smell of a new manga volume, or maybe the smell of peppered ingredients. Surprise kept her on her toes, had her remembering the twists and turns of stadium matches back home, or the pleasant surprise that came with a certain kind soul. Joy had her reveling in the best of what she experienced. The distant memories of when her parents had time for her. The eccentrically quizzical nature of her grandma. Having her eyes opened by wonders that would stick with her. Finally being able to make friends in Paldea, even if it was just a handful of them. And most of all, meeting that someone who made her heart skip, who made her feel warm, who let her experience bliss in moments both exciting and calm.

Arven was still wheezing and sweating buckets next to her. "I don't… I don't know how you're able to get in the groove for something like this, little buddy…"

Momo proudly stared back with a smirk. "Don't worry, I'll gladly show you how it's done! Here, just watch me go!"

Without a moment of hesitation, Momo turned around and stepped in front of him, taking a second to help him fix his posture so he could follow her moves. He was a bit clumsy with how he moved, but Momo didn't mind that. She looked down to make sure his footwork caught up with hers, looked to his sides to make sure he was moving his arms right, then fixated on his face.

"That's the ticket, Arvie."

She wasn't sure if he heard her over the music, but the look of ease that bloomed on his face was reassuring enough for her. Momo smiled, kept her eyes on his, and found herself spurred onward to keep moving and giggling. A whistle blew, moods shifted, and Momo's confident eyes met Arven's. Her heart felt like it was pounding against her chest, and she absolutely lived for it.

"Heck yeah, now you're getting it!"

Her vigor-filled movements kept her going as she kept a close eye, finding herself lost in every shift of Arven's emotion as whistles blew. This was the most she got to see of his one teal eye, but her efforts at staring would be rewarded as his fringe occasionally moved aside for the faintest of peeks. She laughed along with him, shared his smiles and tense stares, lived for those glimpses of passion in what he did. Because now, throughout all of Momo's joy, surprise, excitement, and righteous anger, all her thoughts spoke of one name, all her sights were set on one person, and she relished every stomp, step, and sway that they shared.

As much as she tried, she wasn't exactly perfect at keeping up with the others there, sometimes overdoing it. She could tell that Arven was still having trouble holding himself together with the drastically shifting tones, but he was trying, and he was trying very hard at what he did. Still, Momo was having the time of her life, moving her arms like he was the only one watching. Even if they were both dealing and struggling with things in their own ways, it all just felt like perfect imperfections that Momo wouldn't have any other way.

Before she knew it, the emotional spectrum practice was over, and Momo was elated to hear she passed it with flying colors. It was only to be expected with anything involving having an Uva instructor present, of course. Her mood was through the roof, and she carried that energy all the way to where the elevated battle stadium awaited her.

"Whew, wish me luck!" Momo still held her haughty, triumphant smirk as she caught her breath. "Not that I'd need it!"

"Looking forward to seeing you at it, little buddy." Arven grinned and reached to tousle her hair.

"Stoooop, you know we're both still sweaty!"

Knowing Arven would be in the crowd cheering her on, Momo was absolutely going to try her hardest in this Gym battle. She had already left herself winded, but now it was time for her Pokémon to do the hard work. Tulip may have been one of the most renowned beauties in Paldea, but Momo was sure she was still beautiful in her own way. Yep. She also had a cool Donny, which was definitely cooler than anything Tulip had.

"Our time is now, Donny! Iron Head!"

Crystals shone, cameras flashed, but Donny assessed the most efficient way forward with frightful accuracy. Tulip's Florges was utterly steamrolled. Momo earned her victory, reined in the rewards of her triumph, and as she made her way back to the streets of Alfornada, she found her favorite sandwich guy waiting for her.

"Yo, Momo!" Arven grinned, matching her energy.

"Arveeeeen!" Momo rushed to throw her arms around him, earning her an 'oof'. "Did you see how great I was up there? And my Pokémon too! Diego, Alti, Donny, everyone!"

"I did. You did a great job, little buddy." Arven chuckled as he returned the embrace. "... I thought you were iffy on clammy contact, you sweaty little maniac."

"Mmmm… okay." She giggled as she slowly backed away.

He led her to a bench, and Momo let herself unwind in her seat as he passed her a water bottle.

"Figured I'd help you freshen up and recuperate after all that." Arven's grin only grew when he saw Momo struggling to twist open the cap. "Gotta stay cool, you cooler head."

"Well, you're a…" Momo refused to let up her defiant eye, even as she gave up on the water bottle thing. "... a pepper… person… guy." She passed it to him.

Arven raised an eyebrow as he quickly flicked his wrist. "I thought you were better at comebacks."

"Yeah, well…" Momo let out a pouting huff as she crossed her arms. "I just used all my best stuff against Tulip earlier, so you have to gimme a while to recharge, y'know." She still gratefully accepted the open water bottle from him.

Arven chuckled. "Sure, sure."

Momo enjoyed those quiet seconds, though even after a tough fight, her senses still felt restless. She inched closer to Arven's side.

"So… while you're here, any place you wanna sightsee?" Momo spoke up. "I hear the Leaking Tower of Paldea is just a short walk from here."

"Hmm…" Arven seemed to mull it over with a faint smile. "Maybe another time. Coming to Alfornada's already given me enough to take in."

"Looks like that makes the two of us." Momo giggled. She let out a dreamy sigh as she glanced at him.

Even for as comfy as their bench spot was, they eventually decided to spend their idle time walking around Alfornada. Not with any particular destination in mind, not that Momo minded. There were some crowds around, so Momo had to stick close, and Arven didn't seem to mind that their hands somehow ended up reaching for each other.

"Still can't believe I finally have eight Gym Badges…" Momo's awe resurfaced as she thought about those shiny little trinkets in her bag. "And I don't even have a full team of six yet! Am I cool and epic or what? And I bet my final team member is gonna be larger than life, just to wrap things up nicely!"

"Heh. I guess I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed." Arven paused. "Come to think of it, don't I have six Pokémon on me…?"

As envious as Momo would've been, her pride or admiration or whatever it was welled up in her and she urged Arven to tell her all about his cool and epic Pokémon. Took a bit of nudging, but he caved in, admitting that he just raised Pokémon like Scovillain and Garganacl because they're handy around the kitchen. He just thought the increase in strength was natural with how much he had to travel around Paldea. Momo shared his sentiment about wishing her Pokémon got along better, which earned her some very concerned looks when she mentioned how much Alti tried to rip off Brawn's claws. And succeeded. Still, Momo grew to love her Pokémon team all the same, all in her own special way.

"So let me get this straight… you make sure to give your Pokémon 'goodnight kisses' before going to bed?" Arven's eyes were wide.

"Yep, yep!" Momo excitedly continued. "Diego's a good boy, so he likes 'em a lot. Brawn also gets extra, since she kinda needs all the love she can get whenever her claws need to grow back. Oh! Can't forget my Rotom Phone too, it deserves extra special thanks for all the times I fell off stuff, even if it's kinda weird that I'm mostly used to hearing Cassiopeia's voice from it now. Don't think Cassiopeia would appreciate a Momo kiss."

"Wow, that's…" Arven seemed to quiet down for a second. "... really cute, actually…"

Momo wasn't sure whether or not to pretend if she heard that. "Well!" She ignored how flustered she felt as she squeaked. "I told you I was! The cute part, I mean!" She rubbed at her nose with her proclamation of pride, hoping her blush wasn't evident.

"Heh, yep…" Arven's eyes were elsewhere.

"Ehehe…" So were Momo's.

Their steps seemed to slow down, allowing silence to catch up. Momo didn't like finding herself in awkward situations. It didn't help that her hand was still tenderly held in his, but even if she did like it, it wasn't as if she could let go. She didn't want to lose him and get lost in the casually passing crowds, of course. Her wandering eyes had better places to look at than the ground, and with no pebbles to kick, she decided to look beyond the passing people. At least the sunset was pretty.

The setting scene outwards brought the rising warmth from within, and Momo decided to let her fluttering emotions linger. "To heck with it, maybe I'll let myself get lost in the moment just this once…"

"Did you say something, Momo?" Arven slowly spoke up.

She giggled. "I was just thinking about how much fun I had today, Arven." Her eyes glanced at their hands, then fixated all over him with a warm smile. "It's really never a boring moment with you around."

Arven paused before he replied, but the glimpse Momo caught of his warm smile was telling. "Oh, you really think so? I'm real glad. Same goes with you, little buddy."

Momo always did like buttering him up, and the flattery that came in return was the best of perks. There were a lot of fond words she wanted to say, and she willingly put forth her best show of sincerity. "I'm glad you were here, Arven. I wasn't planning on doing this Gym Test with a friend, but getting to see what we've accomplished together, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Her sentiments poured out naturally, harnessing that same sincerity of emotion she busted a move to earlier. Momo remembered dancing with her parents, and she still longed to experience those happy times with them again. Still, while her efforts were fueled by a yearning for more of those unforgettable moments, she felt all the more fulfilled being able to give those to someone who needed them. Someone who she was glad to give them to, and glad to experience these moments with as well.

Hearing her own words, thoughts manifested, had Momo's gaze retreat downwards, but she knew what was said was said. Even if silence seemed to follow. A part of her was hesitant to look back at him, maybe shuffle away, but the way his hand stayed firm over hers maintained the urge to stay close. There was nothing to be afraid of. Because now, it was just them. Them in the comforting company of the sunset, and each other.

"Momo…"

She felt her other hand being taken in his gentle grasp. That was enough to beckon her to turn wholly towards his gaze, her eyes of purple meeting his sole soul of tranquil teal. As fixated as their eyes were, she found herself sharing his sheepish smile, sharing their solitary scenery with intertwined fingers held close.

"Yes?" A word was all she could muster in his entrancing, almost looming presence, and she awaited whatever he was going to do next with bated breath.

It still seemed like his stare held sheepish hesitation, but it was quick to ease ever so slightly as Momo stared back.

"I also had a lot of fun today. With you, I mean." His tone was as tender and careful as his touch. "Maybe after this, you'd like to…"

Like to… what?

"Momo, oye! Over here!"

Trances were trampled as a solitude shattering voice called out. In the far off distance, Nemona's voice broke through the passing locals, her overly enthusiastic waves calling out to them in daylight that suddenly felt very broad.

"Oh." Arven sounded almost disappointed as his gaze and presence alike withdrew. "Guess that's my cue."

"... huh?" And just like that, his touch had left her. Crestfallen eyes fell onto her empty hands. "W-Well, at least Nemona is here. Hi Nemone. She lets me call her that." She mustered a smile and waved back at her, even if Nemona was too far for Momo's quiet voice to be heard. "Y'know, I kinda expected her to arrive sooner, since she's so invested in my badge journey and getting to battle me and all that. She must've gotten caught up in her training."

"And here she comes. I guess it was only a matter of time before she'd come around." Arven blew out a sigh as he crossed his arms. "Truth be told, I actually asked her myself about where you've been so I could… drop by here."

There was that bothered look of his again, but it still got a quiet giggle out of Momo. "If you wanted to know where I was, you could've just called me, you silly billy." She hoped a gentle nudge would ease the mood.

"Heh… I'll keep that in mind. My name's not Billy, though." Arven chuckled, and he hiked his backpack up as he started to shuffle away. "I'd love to stick around, but… I oughta get back north as soon as I can. To get searching for that titan. Hiking all the way here, whew, that got me needing to catch my breath. Yep."

There was a fading energy in his tone as he turned away, and catching that glimpse, Momo quickly put a hand on his shoulder. She recognized what the fading smile meant, and felt he needed a little bit of rekindling.

"Meet ya there soon, Arvie." Momo hoped to reassure him with her smile. "We'll get Mabosstiff fixed up soon, I just know it. You and me, we'll get it done."

She never, ever did forget about why she still stuck to this in the first place. Mabosstiff obviously meant a lot to him, and Momo was still set in making sure Arven wouldn't lose that special company. She knew what it was like to not have anyone there for her, and she wanted to make sure he wouldn't lose anybody at all costs. This final titan was their best shot.

Her heart welled with hope as he glanced back at her, and his tense expression softened alongside hers.

"You know it. You and me, together. See you, Momo."

Momo always did like seeing that hope of his, and she was glad to see him off with a smile. She had all the more reason to laugh to herself when he almost tripped over a Dunsparce on his hasty jog out. Silly billy Arven.

Nemona finally reached her with her ever so ready energy. "Momo! I know that smile, you're in a good mood!" She followed Momo's gaze, clasping her hands with excitement. "You must've been having some amazing battles! Did you send that Arven guy packing again? Oooooh, and I just missed my chance to have a go at him too!"

"Sure, sure." Momo breathed out a modest laugh.

"Anyways! You smell like you have eight badges on you, so now you've gotta let me battle your eight badge team!" Nemona had already pulled out a Pokéball, cocking her head towards the Alfornada's battle court. "Vamos, Momos!"

"S-Smell?" Did the sweat give it away? Momo didn't have much time to question it before she was left to eat Nemona's dust. "Hey, wait up for me at least!"

Still, she found herself giggling at Nemona's energy. Getting strung along was pretty much par for the course, but Momo was all for the neck and neck rivalry of it all.

From her elevated spot on the facility, Momo looked to the north, wondering if she could scope out a specific lake. There was a yearning that still lingered in her heart, a prouder one, perhaps even a curiosity pondering over sentences unfinished. Still, Momo comfortably fought on, knowing it'd only be a matter of time before she'd get to see him again.

Of course, right now it was battle time with Nemona. She didn't mind spending the rest of her day training up. It wasn't as if she had any other plans.