- A Soul of Steel-
Chapter 1: All That Glitters Is (Not) Gold
Time froze solid and still as the air over the stadium echoed on the final hit.
''Critical' Hit!' showed in bright lettering across the marquees lining the stadium.
It had been almost a half hour, but even so the crowd goes wild as the stats for the Gigantimax'ed Charizard finally, and unequivocally, go to 0 Health Points. There's an explosion from the last hit occurring, and Leon withdraws Charizard back into his Poke Ball. The impossible had finally happened: Galar's Champion had been bested in battle, and a new Champion was crowned in that moment. "My time as Champion is over...But what a champion time it's been! Thank you for the greatest battle ever!" Leon says to the crowd; always knowing how to rile them up at any one point in time.
The trainer that stood opposite of him had done it, and the words on the large jumbotron screens surrounding confirming he, a trainer named Haru, had been granted the new status as the Galar Pokemon League Champion.
He and his 6 Pokemon would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Lucario, Hatterene, Cinderace, Gardevoir, Glaceon, Tsareena. It was the best moment in his life at that very moment.
/I did it bro, I finally became Champion: just like I promised.../ Haru thought to himself.
~~2 Months Later, in North East Motostoke~~
What transpired over the next few months was a big change of daily priorities and new responsibilities. The young man named Haru was thrust upon the new lifestyle; going from simply 'another Pokemon trainer' to 'Champion Haru' over the course of a year.
Parts of it were not too far removed from being a comic book hero of sorts: being asked to help resolve issues that required his expertise in battle or dealing with trouble-making ne'er-do-wells. The other side of the coin felt a little bit like a celebrity. He was a little warmed up to the idea since it was told to him throughout his time of being a trainer that a lot of folks were always excited to see HIM battle. The difference came with an acceleration of publicity and a need for a manager to help deal with it all. It appeared he would get pulled in for interviews for magazines, television, as well as getting swarmed online when he did an "AMA ('Ask Me Anything'). Thankfully the fans seemed restrained enough; nobody would form a flash mob and swarm him. No incidents yet involved crazed fans causing trouble. After all, he had security and his own Pokemon to make sure of it.
Still, Haru found it a little hard to spend time with some of the new friends he made along the way. Hop was busy investing time into working towards his new goal of becoming a professor, Piers and Marnie were working on reinvigorating Spikemuth to be a more open ended city with a Gym that's more easy to attend to, and Sonia was busy with her own new studies as well. Outside of those, it was a little more rough trying to simply find 'free time' to socialize. The silver lining in all of this was at least Haru was able to get a new home for himself and his Pokemon.
One evening after doing a meet-and-greet, after getting off the train to get to Motostoke, he's heard talking quietly to the tall fire-type rabbit Pokemon walking alongside him; fetching his house keys. He was initially from Central Motostoke but found a nice home to call his own not far from some flats on the North-Northwest of the city.
"Oy, if I never have to answer an array of questions about my early life it'll be too soon. But today's fans were at least very polite and understanding...even if I can't autograph a Poke Ball properly yet." Haru noted out loud upon opening the front door to his abode, and walking in. Cinderace was walking alongside him, having accompanied him for the day (being known as his 'iconic' Pokemon partner) as the other 5 popped out of their balls to stretch their legs and relax upon being home. Cinderace looked at him a little quizzically.
"Don't give me that look, Goji. It's not that I don't like it. Call me an introvert, but I guess I prefer the company of a few rather than having to be the nation's 'Champion' now. All the cameras..." he shivered a bit. "I like my privacy. You know this." he said to his fully grown fire starter, who hadn't understood his apprehension but gave him a shoulder 'bump' of support. Haru smiles at him.
One would probably expect someone who is a champion to rock a more regal look, but Haru still kept his appearance simple and a bit outlandish like Leon did: medium length wavy, seemingly messy ruby colored hair, and never wore his champion outfit when out in public. Instead he liked to cycle through the uniforms of Gyms he battled throughout his career and was currently rocking a sweat jacket that sported the colors of Nessa's Water Gym from Hulbury. His style was always to show support for all the other Gym Leaders he did battle with: hoping maybe someone got the idea to one day attempt the Gym Leader Challenge just by seeing a logo. As per with the winnings he got over his whole career as well as new sponsors, Haru got a large house big enough for himself and his 6 Pokemon, plus 1, that he considered his closest friends. Seeking help/advice occasionally from his mother (a veterinarian who was an expert at taking care of Pokemon) he was able to make sure the home would be able to accompany each one with enough proper space. However as with anyone who moved out on their own at a young age, homesickness kicked in a bit at times and would remind him how far he had matured.
"Yes mum..it was actually pretty okay today."
"...no, I made sure to eat earlier, but I missed dinner, so I'm making a late one as we speak."
Haru laughs a little. He was on the phone with his mother. "Trust me, Masako wouldn't allow me to skip even if I tried. Anyways, I wanted to just let you know in case you worried. I know you saw the program on the telly and-"
"Yes. Okay, g'night. Love you, miss you."
Click.
"It's crazy, you know..." Haru began to say, putting his phone down and tending to the meal he was prepping himself as Masako, his Gardevoir, was beside him. They were in the kitchen with Yuri (His Hatterene) nearby organizing things, and Mirukon (his Lucario) opposite of the counter making sure all his items were accounted for as well. Luna, his Lunatone, Nora, his Glaceon, and Leafa, his Tsareena, were all working together on a giant 2000 piece puzzle he bought that would end up being a map of Galar. "A little over a year ago I was barely capable of remembering Pokemon types and figuring out how to train you all to your best abilities...and my curry was mediocre." Almost as if on cue, all 6 Pokemon turned to him with an unamused look on their faces, causing Haru to blush immediately. "Okay it was AWFUL! Don't rub it in!" eliciting a laugh out of them in return; they were merely teasing with their trainer. "But I eventually was able to memorize so many things that here I am: Champion." Haru sighs a bit to himself, rubbing his neck a little. "Kind of nuts honestly. Now people refer to me as some sort of 'hero' alongside Leon due to what Hop and I managed to pull off with Sonia, Milo, Allister, Nessa and the other Gym Leaders. It's nice."
Nearby Haru sees Hatterene using the appendage that she uses like an arm to get a Protein drink that he had from his inventory for herself. While discussing all this, Haru had his Lucario bring his collected League cards out to help him put them in numerical order. He was peculiar on things such as this, and for repeat numbers (such as those with multiples from one trainer) he would put them in order of rarity. There were so many he had gathered on his journey and was looking at them. For the moment, his meal was cooking so it didn't require constant attention. The Gardevoir put one of her hands on his shoulder, as if trying to understand where he was going with this topic. "Ah, sorry Masako. I must sound ungrateful if I'm already at the stage of reminiscing like this. I think I just sorta need to clear my head a little: Hop kind of pokes fun of my inability to handle stuff like this."
He glanced a bit at the timer he had set for the meal as his Lucario was holding up one of the league cards and looked at Haru. It was Nessa's Rare League Card: one of the ones he got when Hop, Piers, and him were settling down some rogue Dynamax Pokemon in the middle of a would-be crisis. "You're right, Mirukon. Maybe tomorrow I should take a 'day off' just for me and go visit some of my friends."
There's a noise across the other side of the room and it's Nora. She sounds a little upset cuz she thinks she lost a puzzle piece, with the others, Luna and Leafa, thinking she might have eaten it while trying to put it all together. "Hey hey hey what's all this then?" going over to where they're at and trying to see what was up. He got it, then helped them find it. The piece was simply shoved under a couch...almost conveniently where he had inexplicably dropped the previously held Nessa League Card. Taking a closer look at it, an idea hit him.
Haru sat on the floor with the ones working on the puzzle. "Hey Masako?" he calls out with his head tilting back a little, with the Gardevoir turning to him as she was doing her part for dinner too; setting down the kitchen knife. "You recall how Nessa said if we needed anything from her to just go see her again right? It was when we were helping calm the Dynamaxed Pokemon dealing with those weird brothers. You don't think it'd be...uncouth if I simply showed up and asked to just hang with her right? You think it'd be a good idea to go to her for...I don't know, advice?" The Gardevoir put a paw to her mouth as if pondering on it, then shook her head and let out a soft noise of confirmation. "Yeah you're right, I'm overthinking it. I guess I don't want to seem off-putting being 'Champion' already looking for help, yeah?"
The Gardevoir walked over a bit to him with a quizzical expression.
"Hiro would be chuckling a bit at the way I'm acting about this huh?" Haru said with a sudden shift in mood. All 6 of his Pokemon looked up at him. It had been a long time since he mentioned that name. "Well, either way I think my head will be a little clearer after we all get that food done. Don't worry about me guys. Tomorrow we'll head out early morning, and see if maybe we can knock two Pidgeys with one stone with going to Hulbury tomorrow."
~The Next Day~
In the early hours of the morning, Haru got up with his 7 Pokemon and got a ride on a bus heading to Hulbury. Normally he would call for an Air Taxi but today he didn't want to rush things and would take the time to pay attention to the smaller details he often missed when his only priority was making his PokeDex number bigger. How there's a few fields of trainers meeting up with each other ranging from students to police officers, and how if he tried he could see a Max Raid battle off in the distance from The Wild Area occurring. Though the day would be a might cloudy, he was still able to see that large Snorlax that some trainers no doubt were trying to catch.
Getting off the bus, Haru and Goji, his Cinderace, stepped onto Hulbury ground. It appeared that the shop he had bought herbs from had closed up for the time being; possibly to get more supplies from its sources. "Blast. Guess I'll have to get us some Revival Herbs another time, Goji. Let's not waste time though and head to the Gym."
Haru checked his phone. 09:22. The Hulbury Gym's lights were on, so staff was there at least.
"What, really? Not here huh?" Haru said, as one of the Gym Trainers saw him walking inside and stopped him when they noticed the Champion had made their way in.
"Yes, sorry Champion, she-"
"You can just call me Haru, it's fine."
"Right. Anyways, Nessa isn't here for the moment. She's had some business to attend to before arriving here for the day."
"Hmm. Don't suppose you know when she'll be back, do you?" came the question, but unfortunately to no positive answer.
"I don't. Sorry. Is it urgent?" asked the trainer.
/Aye...I was banking on her being here to make it less awkward, but she's probably maintaining something business related: being a Gym Leader and all./ He thought to himself with a brief chin scratch. But he made sure to address the trainer without too long a pause. "No, it's fine. I suppose I'll just waltz about Hulbury for a bit: maybe I'll run into her when she comes back."
The trainer smiled and clasped her hands. "Sorry about that again. Would you like anything from the store inside here at least? Need anything?"
"No, I'm fine for now. Oh uh...give that PokeBall guy who's here my regards though. Hope he's doing fine!" Haru replied, walking out with a bit of finger-guns. As he exited the Gym with Goji by his side, both slumped forward a bit with a sigh.
"Okay. Well we travelled all the way here, so I might as well take some time to walk around I suppose. Orrrr..." looking down at his belt, Haru had an idea of a way to kill time.
Haru would walk back to the field where the outdoor shops would be located, and got a stick to draw in the dirt. He took out the balls that contained Nora, Leafa, Mirukon, and Masako, threw them to let them out, and smirked. "Plans changed a little guys. We got some time to kill so why not use it to keep ourselves busy, eh?" He would point to the miniature map he drew in the dirt. It was a crude representation of where they were currently at. "Let's have you guys do 20 laps around the whole city, stairs included, from where we're at, to the east corner where the cave entrance is at, to the gym, to the lighthouse, then across the gym going to the train station, to the Pokemon Center, and then back here. Goji?" His Cinderace perked up a bit in his direction. "Try to not show off too much, okay?" Haru teased. A few of them would audibly groan a bit, but Mirukon was up to the task.
They would book it and start off that exercise with some of the locals seeing what was going on, and Haru sitting at a table. In the meantime he brought out his PokeDex and took a look. Only 237 registered. Wonder if people would scoff at that number despite his position? Did it even matter? For now, the thought left him, as he took the time his Pokemon were training to have a snack that he brought with him.
"So is this what the Champion does in his off time?" came a voice from off to his side. He didn't notice who it came from as he was watching Goji not only get to the lighthouse but run up its side and backflip off of it. Showoff. "Not all the time, but I was waiting for someone and didn't want to just sit here and do nothing." he replied back. The voice came closer and stood to his side.
"I don't know. You kind of earned it, right?"
He looked to the voice's source and then back. "Yeah I su-OH!"
It was Nessa, sporting a black shirt with a sakura floral pattern, new earrings he didn't recognize, white/blue striped shorts, and sandals. "Oh, hey!" for some reason Haru didn't put 2 and 2 together and figured that was who he was speaking with, and grinned when it turns out he didn't have to wait long. She laughed a little at his reaction. "Sorry, were you busy? Did I spook you?"
"No, I guess my head was in the clouds, a little gobsmacked though: haven't seen you wear that before so it took me by surprise. Do you...have some time on your hands?" he asked. Mirukon suddenly came to a screeching halt in the field they were in: the first to actually win this 'race' he internally made up between himself and Goji. It seemed the ol' tale of the tortoise and the hare would come back but in a new Pokemon-y sense. Goji seemed to not really care but Mirukon was showboating a bit and flexing...if Pokemon could flex.
"Yeah, why? I got nothing but time for the rest of the day actually." she replied, head tilting a bit. "Okay that's a lie but, I got time for you. Not like the Gym can run away and do what it wants if I'm not there. So what's up?" Haru put his hands together in a sort of praying formation and looked at her. "I could use an ear, or a shoulder to lean on. From a professional."
- - - - 35 minutes later - - - -
- - Hulbury Lighthouse - -
- - Outside - -
Haru was sitting next to Nessa overlooking the waters. His Pokemon had been recalled back to their balls; Goji notwithstanding.
"...and that's basically the gist of it." Haru said after a pause. He explained everything to her.
"Hmm. Okay, yeah I can see where you're getting at; this new lifestyle can be a big jump for anyone. I suppose Leon took to it like a Goldeen to water, and in general he's never struck me as someone who's been in a seat like yours. But...that's not a bad thing."
"Yeah. But I also don't want it to be known that I'm having moments where I just kind of want to go back sometimes. You ever feel that way?" he asked her.
Nessa put a thumb to her lip, looking to the side, then shook her head.
"Can't say I 'ave. Not in a long time anyway. I have to do more than just look after my Gym though. Probably moreso than some people." the water Pokemon Gym Leader said back to him.
"Ah..so it's like that then.." Haru said, sounding a little morose.
"Well it's not ALL peaches and cream. It's sometimes a little barmy you know: modelling and managing a Gym leaves me sometimes with little time to myself too. But being a Champion? Guess I never considered how different that may be." she would reply back, looking on with concern.
"You're a mod-...oh. Guess that would explain the league card you gave me." Haru began to say before pulling it out. He got it after helping Nessa: a picture of her wearing a pretty white dress, red heels and posing in a different manner than all the other leaders in their cards.
She smirked and chuckled a bit in response. "Yes it would. Perhaps you need a new goal to aim for now? You still seem to have an 'itch', but it's not like you're doing a Gym Challenge anymore..." Nessa began to say; legs crossed and a foot swaying a bit in thought.
"mmhmm. Currently outside of making sure my Pokemon are in top shape, I've..." he sighed a little, rubbing the back of his head. "...currently settled to completing a puzzle."
"Jigsaw puzzle? Of what?"
"A map of Galar. It's coming along slowly, but surely."
"Nice. Well...have you considered completing your PokeDex?" Nessa asked, extending a pointed finger outwards. Haru looked at her, then to his side with a side smirk. "I sorta stopped after becoming Champion. I got 237. Not bad, but not worthy of my title..if that makes sense. I mean...if I find something good, I'll find something good."
"'ow about Shiny hunting?"
"The odds of finding Shiny Pokemon are incredibly low, ainnit?"
"Well...it's something?" she said. When he slumped a bit more forward she slapped his back a bit and then both arms extended forward like she was a presenter. "C'mon, Champ. Surely there's something you can do now. You represent all of Galar now, and of all the champions we've had..you're the FIRST ONE other than Leon! That's crazy! Look at all the other regions."
"What about them?"
"Well, like Kanto, for example. Red and Blue. They weren't the first ones, and they certainly weren't the last. You're a rare exception! Take pride in it! Maybe consider travelling one day and...and.." she got a little animated and jumped up from the bench they were sitting at. "..and there could be a big worldwide Pokemon League where ALL of you champions fight against each other! Or hold some sort of grander challenge of sorts! From Kanto to Sinnoh to Alola to Galar! It would be nuts ay?" turning to him.
He blinked a bit but then ended up snickering.
Her face got some blush in her cheeks. "What's so funny?! I'm serious!"
"I'm sorry, Nessa. I'm just taking the piss, no worries. It's just...I really like how competitive you are as a person. I think that's something that's unique about you." Haru replied,smiling. He got a hit in the shoulder as a result, and she sat back down.
"Well, maybe we can get some of the others to help ya out ay?" she suggested.
"The others?"
"Milo, Bea, Allister, Piers, Raihan...etsetara, etsetara...just us Gym Leaders and Champion. Make it a get-together. Heck, we can have Leon too. If I wasn't able to help you completely figure this out, then who knows what you can gain from all of us together, right?" As she looked at him with a bit of fire in her gaze, causing him to ponder the idea.
"That would be nice, actually. Yeah. But..."
"But what?"
"As for actually DEALING with the whole..y'know..stress?"
"Ah, right! I got a little ahead of myself. Well, if you want my honest opinion? Take it one day at a time." she replied, big smile, hands on her lap.
/One day at a time/ he thought, as a memory kicked back in hearing that. Haru's focus went away from her for a second, but not out of confusion, or disgust, but reverence.
"...hey. Did I say something wrong?" she asked, noticing a sudden shift on his person.
"No. I think you told me what I needed to hear. Simple, but effective." as Haru stood up, stretched for a single moment and looked back down at her. "Thank you, Nessa."
"Think nothing of it! It's the least I can do for ya!" hopping to her feet.
Haru extended a hand for a handshake. "I think I'll be able to handle being 'Champion' a bit easier now. One day at a time like you said." She saw the hand and just had a smug look, but walked closer.
"Posh, put that away. We're friends at this point!" giving him a hug which immediately made Haru freeze on the spot and go wide-eyed. He slowly responded in kind with a slightly delayed arm to give a casual friend hug back and smirked.
"Right. No need to hold you back from doing any battles later. Give the rookies hell for me, just like when I was fighting you!" he said encouragingly. Nessa gives a reassuring nod and narrowed her expression. "This raging wave never lets up for anyone!" as she turned and ran off, jogging to her Gym, and turning in mid-jog to wave to him. "Let's do a fight again some day, Haru! An exhibition match!"
Of course, every now and then that DOES happen to help the tourism in Galar. Suppose one time that could actually go down. The idea struck him as attractive: any rematch would be awesome. "Yeah!" he responded.
His Cinderace, Goji, had his arms crossed and was staring at his trainer with a side glance.
"...what?"
Goji produced a mirror (one it used for self care) and showed that Haru's face was almost as red as his haircolor; which was near ruby red. "O-ohh...It's nothing! Nothing." taking the mirror and putting it back. Goji was laughing while holding his stomach. This was the first time he ever saw his trainer rattled, and it was certainly something that got him curious as to why. "I'm..I'm just not used to hugs, okay? Anyways, let's see if we can run into some new Pokemon in The Wild Area. Maybe help some other trainers get some within the Max Raids, ay? How about it Goji?"
Goji nodded, fired up at the idea of beating down extremely powerful foes in groups, as Haru led the way.
/One day at a time, huh. She's right. But what the heck was that all about? I've had a lot of conversations with her, why did THAT one make me all.../
"-that guest of tonight, as no doubt you've all seen him. He started at the bottom, worked his way to the top, putting a heck of a battle against former Champion Leon and coming out on top. Ladies and gents, your Galar Champion, Haru!"
It was the broadcast of a recent program that Haru was invited and interviewed on: some late night television show that was quite popular in Galar with a well known comedian as the host. Haru walks out onstage to boisterous applause wearing a white suit and crimson undershirt with his hair slicked back, shaking the female host's hand with a side hug greet, waved again to the crowd and sat down while the promotional music played out.
Haru looked a little nervous but played it cool on camera.
"Welcome to the show, Haru it's a massive pleasure to have you!"
"Pleasure's all mine, Lucy. I tell ya...I still haven't got used to this despite all my battles I've done..." Haru joked a bit.
"What, with the cameras? No kidding? Not even with the televised battles while doing those Gym Battles?"
"Yes, still. But nah I'll be fine. Thank you for having me on: it's a pleasure. Love your movies." he said trying to keep professional but also friendly.
"Thank you, and the pleasure is all ours. So! I know you've been incredibly busy and have been picked apart by pretty much...
"Everyone." Haru simply replies, some chuckles from the crowd ensue.
"Yes, everyone. Everyone wants to know more! Get in your head! What is it that goes through your mind nowadays, having gone through a massive winning streak through, what is it...?" she began to ask, to which Haru chimed in to answer.
"Well..." he whistles, thinking about it. "If we're including all the battles in between each Gym Leader? Ah...several hundred? I forgot, honestly. It was over the course of a whole year. Even if we consider other battles like with, well, 'certain people', I couldn't put a digit on it."
"Yeah? From what I understand of your backround, your mother is currently a veterinarian in Motostoke, working full time, and has for a few decades yes?"
"Yes"
"Did you ever take away anything from that growing up?"
"As in, studying her to help myself for my journey before I started?" he asked.
"Yes!"
"Ahhh..." Haru put a finger to his chin a bit. "Well, I learned how to look for certain signs of fatigue, stress, and body language on certain Pokemon. A few of them are quite difficult considering the facial structures of each is very different. Some can be easy to read with human-like emotion, others...show about as much as a Magikarp." this little bit causes some people to laugh.
"You ever try to take care of a sick Magikarp and figure out how exactly it's feeling? Not easy. But uhm...a large portion of what I ended up learning was throughout the Pokemon Galar Gym Challenge. Except...how to cook obviously.."
That gets a small laugh from the crowd.
"Bad cook?"
"Used to be. Horrible. I took some of that from Mum and books, but it was VERY hit-or-miss at the start. I felt bad cuz one time I actually made an Eevee of mine sick. Felt so bad about it that I just ended up going to a food stand for myself and her. Now? She's a top trained Glaceon and...my Pokemon tell me my curry is at least TOLERABLE now." he joked a bit, getting laughter, but then some 'aww's' as a picture of him and his Eevee was shown onscreen while outside in The Wild Area camping. Haru notices and smiles.
"So now you're a five star Poke'Chef?" the host teases. Haru winces his eyes a bit with his chin sticking upwards a little. "Ehhhhhhhh you wouldn't exactly have me kicked out of a competition on a food show's first round but...it's gotten the job done. Least I think."
" What do you think to those that have made comments such as 'well why doesn't he pick more top tier Pokemon?' " she asked.
Haru blinked a bit, looked at one of the cameras and audience. "I'd ask who were they?" causing some laughter. He waves it down a bit though afterwards. "In all seriousness I don't really have the best sort of way to answer that. I found out that aside from my starter Pokemon, Scorbunny, that the best kind of victory I felt was when the opponents I faced did not expect a victory from me using something that wasn't exactly 'competitive' or 'best rounded'. There's a few branches of publications, groups, clubs, and let's be frank, elitists out there that will tell you that in order to face 'this, this and this' leader you need a group that HAS to be 'this'. And I'll look over each one when I was travelling and just think 'Well if it's just this easy then the whole challenge would be boring now wouldn't it?' "
"So you did it to spite the challenge?"
"To spite the challenge I suppose but to change the ways how trainers think." Haru paused, taking a drink of water then setting the glass down. How lucky that talk shows had that in case guests needed hydration.
The host would take that moment to pull out some cards. "That sort of falls in line with a few comments and questions we got from the mailbag...such as one that says 'Some other trainers think you have no 'identity'. Whereas Leon was flashy, wearing a cape and always sporting his Champion outfit, you're a bit of a wildcard. Is this intentional, or do you just not care?' " Lucy speaks, reading from a card.
Haru just sorta narrows his eyes a bit, just to elicit a reaction, pursing his lips and crosses a leg. "Well, if anyone must know, I have always liked the idea of showing off everyone else BUT me. I don't might care for changing into graphic tees or dressing up a punk like Team Yell. As I went through my journey, I loved to showcase the colors of the other Gyms. Figure if anything, people would get the idea to try and one day do the challenge too because my insisting of wearing an outfit is away of saying 'Hey. THIS person is amazing and YOU should go meet and battle them and grow as a person.' It's about them, not me."
This gets some moderate applause as Lucy picks up another card and reads from it.
"What was your biggest lesson you took away from the Gym Challenge?"
"So okay, there IS merit to those lists we mentioned earlier and I'm not going to outright say that you shouldn't be studying them. Using a Rhyperior in a battle where a Rock/Ground type would benefit you the best would work and that's fine...but if you always go by what opponents think you'll do, it makes you kind of predictable doesn't it? I think the biggest lesson was, and you'll recall this fight perhaps, when I fought Nessa."
Several people in the audience respond in kind with a surprised "Ahhh", since she's early in the challenges of Gym Leaders.
"Nessa from Hulbury? She is the 2nd Gym Leader and made it into the Pokemon League competition: gave you a hell of a rematch fight." Lucy added for commentary.
Onscreen there's a picture of Haru wearing the Gym Challenge uniform and Nessa in her Hulbury stadium from the first battle. Haru doesn't count on the speed of the staff of the show retrieving such a picture but he points when he sees it. "Ah, yeah..see okay. So we're in the final phase and she gets out her Drednaw. I KNOW she's a water master. Planned for it. At this point I was still trying to figure on how to deal with her trump card: be it whatever it would have been. So I take my Gloom, because it was my best Plant Pokemon in my group, Dynamax it, her with her Drednaw. You recall the crowd went NUTS because despite my type advantage, she nearly KO'd Gloom with merely a few hit points left. Why? Cuz of how diverse Drednaw was in that fight at that time."
There was a pause from him as it showed a photo of the Dynamax'd part of the battle.
"...that and let's be frank she's an amazing trainer. Took me by surprise. It was fun!" giving a thumbs up.
"So Nessa was key to you having that epiphany you said earlier; about 'required top tiers everyone needs against trainers'?"
Haru nodded his head and threw a hand outwards to the audience in a sweeping motion. "Actually yes. The biggest challenge was her, Melony, and Raihan. Raihan definitely cuz...I had trained that entire time NOT knowing how to deal with two versus two battles, and that one Pokemon..erh...the snake-like one." he starts snapping his fingers trying to recall it.
-" Sandaconda! " someone from the audience calls out.
"Yes! THAT thing! God...nearly lost the plot during that match. I was sweating BRICKS during that fight!" Haru exclaimed.
Lucy chuckled a bit. "Sweating bricks? Usually it's 'sweating bullets'."
"If you had to face Raihan in a double match where you have to deal with a sandstorm and were down to your final 2 Pokemon at the same time as his? Yeah you'd be sweating bricks too. I must've lost 2 pounds during that fight alone due to the stress."
"Ya did beat him though."
"Whole time I swear to you I thought I was going to lose." Haru responded, whistling a bit.
"Ah but let's circle back to earlier. So...you did all that, came out on top. What've you been doing since? Put us in the mindset of what our 'Champion' is like!" Lucy said to some applause at the idea.
"Ah..well...it's not THAT interesting." Haru said with a bit lack of want.
"Oh come on! Tell us, you MUST have something new for us!"
"Actually...? I AM going around in The Wild Area a lot more lately helping other trainers catch Pokemon in Max Raids so there's one thing." as he shrugged indifferently.
"Well from what I hear you poked your head one time but yet to actually challenge the Battle Tower."
"That's correct."
"Waiting for something specific before you attempt it?"
Haru paused a bit and shook his head. "Actually no, not really."
"Are you Shiny hunting?"
Haru shakes his head a bit indifferently.
"Completing your PokeDex?"
"I mean...doing that requires a LOT of time to myself and to be a bit off my trolley and let's be honest I'm neither of those things." he admits openly. "If I'm honest, I'm happy being what I am now because now I am a new example of just because someone say something is impossible doesn't mean it is. For years people thought Leon was unbeatable because...HE WAS. Now? Who knows: someone else could come along and beat me. Could be tomorrow. Could be next month. Or next year. If I want to give out anything away...it's the idea that you should know your limits, intentionally break them, break the mold, and anyone who says otherwise can sod off. You can do it. Doesn't matter if you're 10, or 20. " as he slightly ranted he thought back to Hiro, and the memories he grew to have with Hop, Sonia, and the others. Felt empowered. He tried not to sound too cheesy, but shrugged it off in the end as he got applause from the audience after saying all that.
Lucy smiles. "Well for now it seems we have some extra time, so we are actually going to go to the audience Q&A where we'll pick a few audience members to ask you something live!"
"Oh bother. Put on the spot. Okay!" Haru teased, pretending to readjust his suit and hair but mostly just miming it. A few staff members go about and one is picked from the crowd. A gentleman who appears to be in his 40s.
"Yes, Mister Haru."
"Hello! Haru is fine actually, no worries friend." Haru replies, smiling.
"Favorite Pokemon type?"
"Ahhhh...favorite...honestly? My dream team consisted of Psychic, Fairy, Fighting, Steel, Rock, Plant and Ice. But I'd say Steel."
"Ah, thank you." the gentleman says then sits down.
A teen boy is chosen for a question and stands up with the mic given to him. "Hello Champ. Ah...I was wondering..er...two questions, if that's okay..?"
"Sure, no problem man. What is it?"
"Okay, first question is why did you pick your number?"
"Ah, 1? It's in remembrance of someone I fought Pokemon battles for: they were always #1 to me, and I strived to be that as well." Haru responds in kind.
"Thank you, uhh...*pause* and the other question is...would you like to trade League Cards later?" That gets some chuckles but Haru smiles. "Sure thing, just see me after the show, I'll give ya one."
It was a bit of an honest fanboy moment but he didn't mind. Off camera he sees his agent kind of shaking his head, but Haru just waves it off, as if to gesture back 'Seriously it's okay.'.
A little girl is given the mic, probably around 10 years old. "Hello h.h..Haru. I was wondering if you have anyone you like?"
"Anyone I like? Well I like everyone I met on my journey." he responded, a bit coyly.
"Ah. Oh but I mean 'like' like." the girl insisted with innocence in the way she was asking.
Haru blinked, and laughed a bit. Crossing a leg and his eyes going off camera. Lucy picks up. "Ohhh? What's this then? DOES the champion have someone he has his eyes on?"
"Ahh, it's nothing really. Maybe I do, maybe I don't. For now, I'm trying to stay focused on my job and responsibility of being a Champion so I can be someone YOU, little girl, can look up to."
Lucy looks past Haru, then to the camera. "We have time for one more question from the audience! Anyone?"
Someone is picked and it's a woman. "If there was one thing you could change about the journey you went through, be it the beginning or end, would you, and what would it be?"
Haru blinked a bit and seemed a little distracted in thought. His gaze went past the audience: for once he didn't have a quip to say back in a joking manner. Not for laughs or for a viral clip. Haru took a deep breath, looked back and replied. "Only one thing. That those that we lost along the way were still around. A lot of people went through many trials and tribulations, but not everyone made it. I only wish those were still around." he pauses a bit with some soft clapping afterwards. "I'd like to keep it at that, if that's fine." Haru said afterwards, looking to Lucy, who nodded.
- - - - After The Show - - - -
"Thank you, Champ!" said the boy from earlier in the show who excitedly runs off with an autographed League Card from Haru. His Cinderace, Goji, and his security guard who saw him earlier sigh.
"Sir you should be more careful about who you're giving time to on such short notice. If you're reckless you'll gi-" he began to say but Haru waved it off, walking by him.
"Yeah I know I know I know, no need to beat it into my head, eh? Let's be on our way home though, I'm tired. Tomorrow I have some errands to run in Hammerlocke." he said as they exited the studio floor and got into an elevator; Haru completely secure with both his Pokemon and Guard right by him shielding him from people. "Oh? I wasn't aware of this." the guard said.
"Just got to do some shopping for myself, and will be meeting up with my Mum."
"I can arrange for-"
"That won't be necessary. With my Mum there, that's all the security I need, trust me." he and Goji laughed together.
He would exit the building into a private escort to an Air Taxi with him and Goji sitting inside it, as Haru overlooks the night skies of Galar. It doesn't take long for Goji to be comfortable enough that he falls asleep, but Haru stares restlessly for the whole flight back to his home. For some reason the last question from the show's Q&A echoed in his memory. Victory to become the champion was one of the best accomplishments of his whole life, and he made sure to make every minute count. He had a strong support group, strong relationship with his parent, a strong Pokemon team that loved him like family; everything short of immortality. Things that some people either didn't have, never got, and would wish for their own. Yet for some reason, he had an itch that was growing in the back of his mind that made him either unable to see the value of his own strengths, or something deeper. "Nobody on top of the world should be depressed. I'm being pathetic."
Goji mumbles in his sleep.
"heh...sorry bud. Stay rested." Haru pats his fiery hare Pokemon on the head. The young man then looked back out into the cloudless night and saw so many stars: visualizing things that had been replaying in his head.
/"Well, if you want my honest opinion? Take it one day at a time."/ the memory of Nessa's words the other day played back.
/"It may feel like you're riding high, but don't forget us, Haru. You shouldn't have to burden this all alone. Come talk to me when you need me, okay? I'll be back in Postwick. You have my number, yeah?"/ the memory of Leon talking to Haru after the Championship Match came back as well.
/"I want to do things that help others...!"/ Hop said, on that fateful day when Zamazenta and Zacian became their Pokemon, and they had their big rematch together.
Haru stares then down at his Rotom Phone and goes through the list of contacts. All the trainers he fought repeatedly such as Marnie, Hop, and others like Piers, Milo, etc were there. A big support network, as someone like him would need.
When he arrives home his Gardevoir, Masako, notices his fatigue and helps him up to his room. The Pokemon had a bit of a maternal aura around her with her trainer and made sure he took care of himself. As the lights dim and she leaves him to return to the other 5 downstairs, Haru looks up at the ceiling.
/Everything that glitters is gold...right?/ he thinks to himself before drifing to sleep.
-END CHAPTER 1-