A Soul Of Steel

by CeroAjax

The dream of a lifetime was finally achieved by one attempting the Galar Region Gym Challenge: a trainer named Haru. However what is life afterwards for someone unsure of how to handle being Champion? What, if anything, lies next? Does he persist in his new busy life or move to something else? This story explores one such trainer.

11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Pools Closed

"I'm here to register officially for the upcoming Pools Tournament?"

Syra had made her way to Motostoke's Gym that had Kabu managing it in order to put herself officially into the registry. In short time she would be competing against a large number of others for the right to have a chance to compete against Haru for the Championship title and to be rightfully called the new Pokemon Champion in the Galar region. Look at the gentleman at the desk, she notices there's a new check system in place. Assuming it to be security for the fact this was a brand new type of event for such rare occurrences (mostly due to the delay), she wouldn't protest nor hold conversation; merely obeying. It required for her PokeDex to be scanned to reassure that she was the person she said she was, and to check her team she would be taking into the competition.

"!"

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Syra raised an eyebrow, wondering why the man behind the desk hesitated with one hand on her hip.

"All checks out ma'am. Sorry for your wait. Here are your Pokemon again. We look forward to seeing you compete since you got the badges! When the first day starts, we'll require you to be here early. Here's your packet of information."

The gentleman handed her some basic information on the slightly different way the matches would be going on during the whole event, how security would be checking everyone, how teams would be checked, etsetera, etsetera. Kindly waving to the polite staff member, she smiles then exits. "You fellas are looking at the one person that will dethrone Haru here! You won't want to miss it!" confidently shouting before the double doors shut behind her.

As she had made her departure, the man looks back at the registered Pokemon and sweat beads form around his face. "Holy cow...are all of the trainers that will be competing in the pools be this strong? That girl is something else entirely..!" he monologues to himself as his eyes scan over the screens again.

Every single one of the Pokemon registered was at their maximum statistical level of '100'.

- - - - - Southern Wild Area - - - - -

- - - - - Train Station - - - - -

At the same time that Syra was off registering herself for the upcoming events, Nessa is seen signing some documents while talking to people whom she traded fish Pokemon and fishing supplies. Since she herself was one of the big contributors to her own town of Hulbury, and it had seen a boom in business recently, the Leader-and-Model herself made the visit to speak in person with those responsible for delivering resources.

"Now I know you're new to Unova, but you'll do fine. I already spoke with them ahead of time. They're expecting this shipment. Just follow the notes I gave you and if you need any help you already have your senior staff who can also help translate in case their accent throws you off or they suddenly go into speaking Unovan. Also, try to be off to bedforshire; it's a long trip." Nessa was explaining part of the process to a person she worked with in trade that was relatively new, pointing to the spreadsheets of data.

Behind her would be a person that was seen asking several people for information as he got off the train. Wearing a black dress shirt, black denim, messy black hair with glasses, and dress shoes, the gentleman wore a certain logo of another country on his back. A moment passes, and Nessa kindly waves to the people she was speaking to and reminded them to call her if anything goes awry in the process but trusts their ability to keep up.

/Whew. Got all that finished then. Tons of fish heading off to more places...and as such the cycle begins anew. I should think about trying to look for shiny Pokemon more though. The companies may pay more if I just had one straight of those. Then again...that's an obscene amount of time possibly wasted, and I'd lose money attempting. Hmm./ her train of thought on the possible change up to shipping fish Pokemon was interrupted when someone tried to call for her attention.

"Excuse me, miss?"

" 'Miss'...?" she'd almost mockingly repeat, turning, but finds the gentleman from before who was inquiring others in the same place.

"Sorry to disturb you, but I was hoping you could help me locate someone. I've only been here in this specific part of Galar for a bit so I'd chalk it up to bad luck, however if I may borrow some time..?"

The man before her stood then clasping hands in a prayer formation, as if being ultra formal. It fit, considering how nicely dressed he was for the occasion, with Nessa folding her arms over the other.

"Okay, I'm listening. I got some time; take it you're new or something? Who are you looking for, exactly?" she'd inquire him with an intense studious expression, scanning him from top to bottom but kept a smile on her persona.

"So first off, just wanted to say I'm a fan: love your model shoots! After now realizing you're Nessa I feel a little more relaxed. Secondly...I'm looking for the Galar region Champion, Haru. I was told that you could be of help from some of the locals. They pointed me to you." the man replied.

"Oho...thank you! Always happy to meet a fan up close." Nessa's eyes shot open wide a bit and went on the defensive. "Wait a minute Why are you looking for him?" She immediately leaned closer. "...you're not FROM the media are you?"

His hands went up on guard to Nessa's look."There's seems to be a misunderstanding here. I'm not from the media. Honest. Look at my clothes. You can inspect me for a microphone or tape recorder and you won't find any! I'm not tapped or anything!"

Nessa held her hands up this time on guard. "I'll pass, thank you." she'd say before looking at him again, sighing, and settling on just a slight pensive stare. She decided to be a little vague on the off chance the information he was feeding was only half right. "Okay then. From what I understand he's busy trying to do a case for Ms. Chairman Oleana. I don't know who you are, but he is very busy with the Gym business he's setting up. I take it you've heard?"

She'd see the man put a thumb to his chin, eyeing her with a confused look. "Haru is a gym leader now? Since when, I heard he was the champion?"

Nessa extends a hand to gesture, explaining. "He's the head project lead in setting up one. Not..." She stops herself realizing the wording of what he said just there.

/Gym Leader? How the hell did he find out about that? Haru hasn't even announced that part of his involvement!/

Both of her hands ball up into fists and start walking towards him, backing him against a wall.

"Hey uh what's going on-" he began to ask, sweating a little on his forehead.

Nessa looked ready to throw down with him at any second as if going back to the earlier time of her relationship when people were looking for every tiny detail to just simply mess with her and Haru. "HEY! HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT! Who ARE YOU? Who told you?! Are you some super-fan? An agent of some kind? Are you a stalker? Talk! You got 5 seconds to speak your peace! He's already had enough harassment from you tabloids folk!"

Some of the people nearby saw that the Raging Wave came out a little suddenly and decided to ignore, though some were partially now listening in on the conversation.

"Whoa whoa now hold on there!" The man began to explain before opening up the breast pocket and taking out his badges. They were from another region entirely, and it had a special insignia to go with them. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sam, I was the Johto champion up until a few months ago. Ms,Chairman Oleana called me in, she gave me Haru's number but didn't give me his address. So I'm looking for him. I need to ask him some questions."

Her face changed from being aggressive and ready to defend Haru from anyone to settling down as if she were a pot of tea that was letting out steam. A spread of blush goes across her cheeks and she sighs. "...oh. I'm sorry, I got defensive because...-well anyways. Since you're here for business and you're a Champion just like him, I'll contact him myself. But in the future just be careful what you say about him to certain people."

Eyeing him up and down then turning away to call Haru on the phone.

Sam would ask, before Haru answered his phone call from Nessa "Why is that?"

Nessa turned to him with a glance before heading outside where the person couldn't hear her conversation. "Some people would like to see a man as grand and amazing as him fall from grace."

- - - - - Hospital - - - - -

Haru was visiting Hop instead of conducting what Nessa had described as 'Gym Business' to the newcomer, and had been there for a good while. Hop was on his way to leaving later in the day since thankfully the injuries he sustained weren't bad enough that he needed surgery but a cold compress and keeping his bandages where they were, as well as medication to ease the pain would be enough. The majority of the visit was Haru just simply apologizing over and over again.

"Haru stop. You're basically repeating yourself at this point. We're both adults, we accept our circumstances that are given to us." the usually cheerful friend of Haru's would say putting a hand on his shoulder.

The Champ smirked back at him. "That's true, but I still want to make it up to you. You made an honest effort to continue living your new life after you took your knowledge you gained from reading books that Leon lent to you and the Pokemon Gym Challenge that both of us completed together. You've been nothing short of a good friend to me: the best. We've both been incredibly busy though. However my schedule has somewhat more free time. We should have a Guy's Day Out together man. Just doing whatever."

Hop would look him over and saw the look in his friend's eyes "You ever grow tired of giving so much?"

"Why would I? It brings me a lot of joy. 'sides. That's what my new career will basically entail won't it? Being a Gym Leader will basically be passing the torch onto candidates who 'pass the test' in a way." The champ said with a tired but positive expression, before his phone rang.

Haru gestures with a finger held up, walking out for a second. "Ah, give me a minute. It's Nessa."

He walks out to the hallway, keeping a low voice to not disturb the nurses hard at work. "Hello and good morning to you, Queen. How goes?"

"Good morning, King. I uh...have a strange request of you." Nessa is heard on the other end, responding cheerfully.

"...wouldn't be the first time but I'm open to wherever this is going."

"There's someone here who says he's been sent from Oleana to help you on your case. I can't say for sure but I assume some new discovery has occurred that may be tied to you for some reason because he was asking for you specifically. He comes from Johto, and was the recent Champion."

Haru's eyes lit up. The brief time he spent studying all the previous Champions of other regions had many names listed, but remembered Sonia telling him it wasn't every single one since it was leaving out the newer ones of recent times.

"Huh. Ya don't say. Tourist from Johto coming to meet me huh. Well then. Tell him I'll meet him in Motostoke, in front of the Boutique they have on the main streets. Today I'm wearing a Dragon-type sweatjacket and the paired pants to go with them. That should be easy enough for me to be spotted."

There's a pause as Haru hears Nessa telling Sam about the meetup location and his description.

"He says he'll see you there soon. Also! Before you go hon, I wanted to let you know that I got something special that I'll message you on text later."

A single eyebrow raised half an inch high on his face. "...oh?"

She whispers to the phone receiver. "I think you're really going to like it. Anyways, talk later sexy! Love you MWAH!" she kissed the phone on her end as Haru did the same.

"Love ya too."

*click*

Haru returned inside the hospital room to sit with Hop as Hop was the first to speak up before continuing. "Haru you should really consider getting maybe some extra sleep."

"...huh? How do you figure?" the sudden concern for his health came out of nowhere, considering Hop was the one in the hospital bed.

"Your eyes gave it away. My guess is you've been spending abnormally high hours on this Gym research bit haven't you? I mean, sure, I heard about it from you over these months, but maybe Nessa ought to just have you sleep more? If I can't get you to relax, she can and should."

Haru lets out a sigh but smiles regardless of being called out. "You know, despite getting some of the best sleep thanks to how happy I am with her, you're right. I'm burning the candle at both ends when I'm not reeled in, and with this Gym business having started I've ended up sleeping a bit later. Kind of an issue but when you're right, you're right Hop. Suppose I'll take more naps."

"Ditch the drinks, too, or at least cut them back!" Hop called out as Haru stood up stretching.

Haru waved a bit grinning. "Okay 'Dad'! Tell me when you're feeling 100% okay? We'll have our day out together."

There's a pause before Hop calls out again. "I mean it Haru! Get some rest! The Champion can't operate on a gaslight level of fuel!"

Exiting the room, Haru would be smirking to himself but did consider the fact that perhaps he ought to take more than one day 'off' for himself. Perhaps another evening in a conference room with the Gym Leaders and other friends with nothing but drinks, food, and games would be up for order.

His last thought exiting the hospital would come to him upon taking a look at some Corviknights that landed carrying Air Taxi cabbies. /...so what's this business about some Champion from Johto coming to meet me?/

- - - - - Back at the Train Station - - - - -

Nessa hung up the phone and goings back inside the station she previously exited to meet the gentleman that was patiently and quietly waiting for her conversation to be over. "He says he'll meet you in Motostoke, in front of the Boutique. Can't miss it as it's in the large street when you enter."

Sam exhales, relieved. "Thank you. Sorry to have bothered you, I'll be off now. It was a pleasure to have met you in person, Nessa!" as he goes off to find Haru after locating a nearby Corviknight monitoring its Air Taxi cab. Flagging the pilot down, the man from Johto set off to meet up with Haru doing his best to waste no time.

His memory of the conversation of a day prior to came back to him, sitting inside a small dining room having some food as a tall woman walked by him before sitting down across the table.

/"So I take it that I'm not the only reason you're here, is it? It's been what...3 months?"/ It was Oleana, who was addressing Sam at the moment, before folding her arms together and drawing invisible circles on the tablecloth.

Sam took a bite of a a croissant that he had brought with him and looked at the chairman, with one hand bringing out some photos he carried on his person. "I wish I were here simply only to see you again. However...you are correct. The reason I'm here is because there's been odd number of shipments going to and from Kanto. I'm only aware of it all due to people I've spoken to who, at first, made me think it had to do with previous issues I've endured in the past. Lake of Rage, maybe. But they're going to all the regions. Galar had a intake of them in the past few weeks. My hunch tells me that...it looks like Team Rocket has been making a move. I need hard evidence though."

Oleana's glance went away from Sam and sighed, with her face leaning on one hand. "So you're here for business as usual but can't confirm or deny any suspicions you've been having, nor your fellow men of other places. So it's led you here."

She's heard sighing, visibly frustrated before putting some fingers to her forehead to rub it due to an oncoming headache. "Just once in my life I had hoped we wouldn't be so pressed for time. It feels like...no, pay it no mind."

Taking off his hat, with a big head of messy black hair poofing outwards, he rakes one hand through it due to an itch. "I'm really sorry darling. The signs and what I've been able to piece together lead me to believe that the organization just simply doesn't know when to give up. So regrettably I need your help. Do you think your region's champion Haru can assist me with this?"

She turns to him, then her eyes glance away again. For some reason the answer disappointed her, as her heart began to feel anxious. "...the whole time you were here I thought that...*sigh*. " looking down at her drink continuing to draw circles on the tablecloth before stopping. "Right, I shouldn't get too fussy now, given my position."

He put down what he was doing and stood up from the table, walking over a bit towards her. All Oleana did was just have her eyes follow his movement but she seemed uncharacteristically vulnerable. "I know, I haven't been there for you especially when you took over for Chairman Rose. I still can't believe he was doing it all this time: but like I said before, I don't blame you for what you did because I would have probably done the same in your position."

There was a bit of silence as he exhaled, and continued with another thought. "Look, I've been thinking about...staying in Galar. You know, once I'm done with all of this. I'm no longer a Champion and with the way my life is now, I'm basically set to do whatever I wish without much obligation. The new Champion of Johto will do fine. They're an excellent trainer. They can do that without me looming over their shoulder. I can be here. Not as a trainer, or private investigator, but as your partner. I can't keep staying away from you. I've missed you Oleana."

Even with him coming near her making her feel better, Oleana just looked a little away if only because her ears were unsure they were hearing correctly: chalking it internally to delirium. There would be no reason for her to feel her insecurities flair up now, but they were anyway. There was some silence from her that seemed a little cold as one leg huddled up. "I was worried for a second. Like you were just merely going along with what we did. Satiating some sort of need, or want. What we did earlier wasn't a lie, was it?" with just her eyes glancing back at him.

Sam interjects. "No! Of course not!"

"All those months without contact, do you have any idea how sickly worried I was but had to hide it all? How much it bothers me I can't just openly say anything about us? Until the heat and politics surrounding me die down, I can't. There are those that still don't trust me so I need you to understand, Sam." her voice picked up in frustration...but only due to heartache of her feelings for him.

His head hung a bit, before standing up straight and confident with a fist going to his chest. "I know, I'm a huge jerk. There's no excuse for what I did to you. But I want to be there and support you with everything. I'll do my best to help you anyway I can and from now on, no more secrets. No more of my disappearing act."

The woman looked back at him finally, albeit with a side glance, as one tear was forming on the edge of her eyes. "Okay. I know where you live is a dangerous place like our own, but remember your other duties outside of business: don't let it control you anymore. Please..."

"I won't, I promise." He goes hugs her tightly and passionately hoping she forgives him for his behaviors, as the two embrace each other. /

Looking outside the window of the Air Taxi cab, Sam put into his breast pocket the leftover wrapper of a travel snack that still had a portion left. "Hmm. I said all that of course but it was sorta in the heat of the moment. Then again, I suppose it wouldn't be so bad to come live here. I hope this Haru is as nice as he appears on the broadcasts I saw."

- - - - - Motostoke - - - - -

- - - - - Front of the Boutique - - - - -

His visit to the more busy parts of Motostoke brought him some attention from passersby; including the one fan that was unfortunately the one who was the cause for his panic attack at the Wyndon meet-and-greet. Apologizing from both himself and the fan who sees him, Haru would go on to make it up with a copy of both his regular and rare league card, took a picture with him and took the time to chew the scenery. Thankfully the Champ found out that the guy didn't take offense to it, understanding that people can't always plan for everything; giving great relief to Haru to hear such words.

He'd be interrupted when another gentleman came up to Haru readjusting his own hat. "Haru, the Champion of Galar I take it?"

Haru looks at the man who walks up to him, then the fan. "Remember! The Wild Area later today! I'll see if we can't take down some Max Raids together and I'll help you nab some of those 'mons okay?" When they left, Haru glances to the newcomer that announced himself rather openly. "So, you're the one from Johto I take it?"

"Sam. Ex-Champion from Johto. It's a pleasure to meet you in person." extending an arm, shaking a hand.

Taking a second to give a firm handshake, Haru takes off his glasses to clean them and comments. "Haru, current Champion of Galar, as you yourself know. Care to explain why someone from another region is coming here to ask me for assistance on something? I can't promise I can spare a lot of time, as I've recently announced the creation of a new Gym. Applicants have been coming daily in great numbers, mind you, and I'm on call for a mission under Oleana herself."

Sam takes a second to look around their surroundings as he wasn't fully familiar with the region. Having only visited once before long ago, his memory to retain where everything is at was at best mediocre. "Is there somewhere you and I can speak without a lot of ears around us?"

Haru leads the newcomer with him to the upper part of the city of Motostoke where he'd have Sam follow through a more industrial sect. Giving way to what would only be describable as a fishing dock near several large transport cars, the two were then mostly isolated from everyone else. Haru sits down alongside the edge of the dock letting his feet dangle.

Pushing up the bridge of the glasses he wore so they would readjust on his face, Haru looks at Sam when the fellow sat near him. "Okay, fellow 'ex' Champ, talk to me. Why did you travel from one region to here just to get in contact with me?"

Sam takes off his hat and takes out a cloth to wipe some of the sweat from his forehead. He was yet to become acquainted with the different climate that the Galarian land contained. "There's been a concerning issue that's started back in my hometown that I believe may require some extra 'firepower'. See, there's been some strange shipments arriving on the shores of Kanto and Johto. Myself and a few others who work with me didn't initially pay much mind to them until one of my associates noticed they were carrying Pokemon."

Haru raises an eyebrow as Sam continues. "Most of the time, none of us would bother to pass a second glance at it since trade of Pokemon is common. You know that; everyone does. However a few things stood out. The first is that ID numbers being registered in our region came upon on...lets call it a 'radar'...can be tracked to here. Galar. Again, it's normally not an issue. However your land is very strict on what Pokemon comes on your shores and has been a constant government issue with the Pokemon League."

He saw Haru sigh a bit rolling his eyes because he was aware of at least that much. "So I've heard. When I talk to some of the other Gym Leaders, we unanimously agree that it shouldn't be a problem but we're also not all entirely in agreement with the oncoming red tape that may occur. Legal fees to bring them, different policies, who knows. I try to only focus on my own duties, and especially the Gym I'm helping to get created here."

Haru got out a bottle of water as Sam would continue, reaching into his bag for some of the evidence he brought with him overseas. "The second problem, and this is the one that stood out to me the most, is that these were all shipments to proxy locations that would be offloaded to unnamed, generic drop-offs. Which would then circle back to a certain organization. My group and I have only confirmed one such shipment leading to them but you'd know who they are, since they're always 'blasting off'."

The statement alone was enough to have Haru choke on his water upon swallowing, then gasping for air. "Wait are you actually serious?!"

His fellow Johto traveler nodded seriously. "I believe that if my hunch has led me here, it's because someone is here on your land trafficking Pokemon that shouldn't legally be on my shores. That the person is breaking the law. Then again, with how talks are going, it may no longer be a broken law. With what I've been able to gather up, there's a few areas that I'd like to investigate further but I'd need not only your blessing but assistance."

After nearly choking in mid-drink, Haru had to wipe his chin from the spittle and held up both hands as if to guard himself. "Whoa hold on. I'm already on my own case: I don't even know if I can handle something else entirely okay? Mine may involve someone or some people and I don't know if it's wise to deter my attention away from it. People's livelihoods could be at stake and I wouldn't even know. there's a situation here where someone is stealing Pokemon to fill their own Pokedex, and they may or may not be involved in a bombing incident against one of our own stadiums."

"Do you truly believe that these events could be isolated from each other, then? Do you think honestly that they have no relation to the other?" Sam would ask plainly.

Holding up a finger to speak, no sound came out of Haru's mouth as he went quiet. The hand withdrew, and his eyes looked to his left. "You're perceptive, I'll give you that much. It's a good point."

Taking a moment to stand up off his feet and dust his legs, Sam sees the Galar Champion look down to him. "Tell me what areas you want to investigate and I'll lead you to them. I can't guarantee manpower on myself specifically to help, but I can dedicate some time to feed you any information you need to continue your case here."

"Excellent! Haru of Galar you're truly a man of his word as they say! Nessa was right to speak highly of you!" He laughs, getting up and shaking Haru's hand again.

Upon shaking hands, the redhead started to stretch and looked at the man from Johto with a half smirk. "Think nothing of it. Now, since the Wild Area is basically outside this town, let's take a walk together and see what we can find. Care to do some jogging with me? I didn't get my exercise in earlier and I need to burn some calories."

- - - - - 1 Hour Later - - - - -

- - - - - The Wild Area - - - - -

It hit the middle of the day as the sun finally broke through the clouds and shone down upon the two Pokemon Champions. Sam wasn't able to keep up with Haru as well, so Haru had to slow down for a bit to pace themselves better. Going from East Lake Axwell counter clockwise (as it would appear from a map's point of view) they would cycle back and forth with each other on possible places Sam expected someone from Team Rocket would be hiding. Considering only one of them had dealt with the group extensively, Haru mostly relied on him to give him a detailed history on how the group worked. Led by a money and power hungry individual named Giovanni, who seemingly only had the goal of conquest by collecting rare Pokemon of every type.

"If what you're saying is true, Sam, that this 'Giovanni' is the type who hungers just for the rarer Pokemon that exist, then it would collude with my own case. Also...why the hell am I looking at the side of a cliff?" Haru would say as the two ended up near a cliffside near Giant's Seat. Sam had one of his own Pokemon out as a means to help him investigate the immediate area.

"I know it seems silly enough, but one of their hideouts involved hanging a poster on a wall to be a normal looking advertisement to people who were none the wiser. To Team Rocket members, it was the quiet way for them to know 'this is where we meet up'. I had a feeling about this wall but it seems I was wrong." The Gallade that Sam brought with him made a noise excitedly as it started to pick up something and gestured to the two humans that were near it.

"Did he find something?" Haru asks.

"Man I hope so, my feet are killing me. C'mon Gallade lead on!" following the tall Pokemon, who would stop for moments to try and sense where it got a trail. Quietly the two masters watched and followed the Gallade until they had walked halfway to to corner near a natural bridge. Spotting what would normally appear to be just dirt mounds, Sam notices his Pokemon is pointing at the land and starts sorting through several piles of twigs and seemingly broken firewood that was used to heat up pots for curry.

Looking around, Haru sighs audibly. "Sam I can't help but notice that he's pointing at spots that may likely have been camp. Lots of people camp out here, what's the big..."

The Gallade holds up a piece of what appeared to be a piece of a crate that was burned to a crisp.

Sounding a little complacent, Haru held out a hand somewhat confused and finished his sentence."...deal? Okay that just looks like a piece of a box; a crate possibly."

Sam quickly holds up a hand to shush him as his Gallade hands the piece over. "This isn't just any piece of a box. I recognize this print. Hang on, give me just a moment." he spoke with a certain studious tone as if on a mission. Hoping it wasn't just a red herring, he compared the notes that was in a notepad he brought, alongside several other photos from the beginning of his case. The Gallade leaves, then comes back trying to see if it can find anything else and comes across another, but smaller, piece.

"Haru?"

"Yes..?"

Sam turns around after pointing at his laid out work and the burnt piece. Leaning over, Haru glances at photos that match the way the markings of the piece they found to a logo of a red "R" logo.

Haru feels a certain weight fall through his chest to his stomach. "So it's true, then. Team Rocket really has invaded our shores..."

- - - - - Motostoke - - - - -

- - - - - 35 minutes later - - - - -

Sam called up his team that he employed to help him on the case, as the group would arrive not long later to scavenge the entire corner of where they were at in The Wild Area. Leaving the team to their work, Haru led him back to the city of Motostoke towards an upper area where they overlooked a part of the city. The two of them were alone, albeit only accompanied by people entering and leaving the nearby train station.

His phone was put away after telling Nessa via text 'Got some news to share with you in a second. Will get back to you but it involves my case Oleana has me working on.' as Sam came back from the building nearby with some drinks. "Thanks. You didn't have to get me anything."

Opening up a bottle of imported tea that he bought for himself, Sam takes a second to sip it before answering. "Nonsense, it's the least I can do for you helping me out with this whole shindig."

Haru cracked the silver can open and took a sip, leaning on his elbows as his arms rested on the chest high wall of the building. He hissed a bit as the taste pinched going down. "Mere hours of you being here and you helped me resolve something that may very well be linked to what I was ordered by the chairman herself to figure out. "

Readjusting his own cap, Sam glances to his left. "Right, you mentioned that before. What was it, again?"

One would notice the eyebrow raise, as Haru sighed a bit in recollecting himself. "Like I said earlier: the whole 'someone stealing Pokemon' nonsense. Now there's reason to believe whoever is here may be associated with Team Rocket because it's their M.O. as you told me yourself."

The nearby Gallade that followed Sam everywhere on the trip was seen talking to a nearby trainer's Ralts; having their own conversation at the same time. Pushing back another sip, he throws another inquiry to Haru. "Right, have you had an encounter with them at all recently?"

"Nope. Just one red herring of someone who initially I thought was one because I was in the middle of about to battle another trainer in the streets. Turns out they were just an overzealous fan of my rela-...er.." he stops himself not sure on revealing personal information like that so soon to a new acquaintance.

The bead of sweat on his forehead goes away once he clears his throat. "Aaaaaaaanyway...so are you at least enjoying your stay here so far? Barring this? Hopefully you aren't just alone here in the entire region by yourself and your team. I'm at least glad Nessa was able to help you get to me so soon."

The two of them settled on locking eyes as they saw a swarm of Corvisquires flying by several Xatus sitting idly by on some poles. "Just let me know if you do though so we can compare notes. It's a long way from Johto that's fine sure. Your gyms are very different from mine. I'm really like it here. Though to get back to your earlier comment: I'm not alone, I got a place here and yeah, seeing Nessa in person was great."

The thought occurred to Haru that it'd only make sense she'd be somewhat known outside of Galar; being the only person in the entire League who dual careers alongside Cynthia. He recalls briefly the dumb comment he made to his Glaceon, Nora, wondering if he could sport a fabulous kind of garment like how she does but for a guy. For the moment, Haru feigns some ignorance. "You a fan of her? Guess that makes sense that she'd show up nationally, then. I'm..aware of her magazine spreads and interviews."

Sam answered with a big grin. "I've only seen her in magazines, she was intimating at first, but she's really nice. She's cute too."

"Yeah? You think so, huh?" Haru having stopped drinking to just stand idly there, but gave Sam a neutral look. For some reason the way he said that got him a little tense.

Not taking the hint, Sam went on, finishing his bottled drink and tossing it into the nearby recycling bin. "I think so. Though I'll admit that since some of the interviews she's done, much fewer nowadays than before, that I'm curious if she's seeing anyone? Some hubbub of it has made way to my circle of fans so one could only guess right? There's a lot of people who like a strong woman. Me personally? I wouldn't know. Then again..."

The sound of the can in Haru's hand is heard making a crack noise as if one were to be finished with it, but the pitch the aluminum made indicated there was plenty of liquid left. "Yeah? What if she is? That's not gonna be a problem for you is it, Sam-from-Johto?" Haru's head slowly leaning to actually look at him this time instead of idly looking at the bird Pokemon that were flying by.

Sam couldn't help but notice Haru's glance and suddenly saw a large dark cloud emanating from behind him as if his personality had changed. "Wait whoa. Haru why you are getting so defen... wait a minute, Haru are you getting this way because you're...with Nessa?!"

"Huh...defensive?" He saw the can in his hand get a little crushed up and noticed the damn thing was squirting the drink on his hand. "SHIT. Ahh...wait. Hang on." gesturing by waving his hand a bit and now trying, but poorly, to dry himself.

"Hey man. Look are you okay? Was it something I said..? Are you two rivals or something? IS IT that you're going out?" The man from Johto had to haphazardly come up with something to say as the tension was getting to him; albeit it was slipping away with Haru's increasing flustered mannerisms at the moment.

Haru just looks at him then the can and hastily drinks the rest, dealing with the sting of the acidic flavor and looks at him a bit annoyed. "I...don't have to answer that." looking at him but then looking away; the telltale sign he wasn't being truthful to him.

"You're dating Nessa aren't you? It's okay you can tell me, you're not breaking any bylaws or code or anything." Sam tried to say, attempting to be helpful as he was unaware of the situation with that in of itself.

Haru just sighs, looking at him. To him, Sam has the recollection from earlier with Nessa's encounter.

/"HEY! HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT! Who ARE YOU? Who told you?! Are you some super-fan? An agent of some kind? Are you a stalker? Talk! You got 5 seconds to speak your peace! He's already had enough harassment from you tabloids folk!"/

/"...oh. I'm sorry, I got defensive because...-well anyways. Since you're here for business and you're a Champion just like him, I'll contact him myself. But in the future just be careful what you say about him to certain people." /

/"Some people would like to see a man as grand and amazing as him fall from grace." /

There's a pause of silence, with Haru readjusting his glasses, having gotten a little steamed from his overreacting. "Y-yes. I have been. We uh...just recently hit our 6 month anniversary."

For some reason the conversation had completely shifted moods. "6 months already? Dude... that's awesome! Congratulations! Tell me, do you love her?"

He looks briefly at some people walking by and just waves to them, then looks back at Sam. "Hey hey...keep it down. Yes, I do. We both do, very deeply. It just uh...sorta bloomed over time. You came here fully aware of my career, as you said right? It's been surreal: remembering who I'm with and such." with blush now replacing his face's color.

"Ah I'm sorry man, you have my word about this matter. Oleana must have forgot to mention it to me when I was at her office. I'm happy for you." Haru saw his arms fold over themselves, nodding in a super serious way. To a degree, he thought Sam may be the kind who took things too seriously at times.

Haru handwaves it, and just leans a bit. The whole ordeal had him stressed but the mere thought of Nessa had him starting to relax a little. "Well it's fine. Honestly? The entire region knows about it anyway, but it's not something we profess or make a big deal out of for the sake of attention. We don't bring attention to it which is why you don't hear much from Nessa: we keep our lives private and that's how we like it." saying it like it wasn't even a big deal.

Reflexively, Sam began to nod, though his body reacted faster than his brain had time to process the statement. "OOohhhh I see. Everyone kn-wait, what do you mean everyone in the whole region knows?"

His eyes glance over to Sam as Haru switches position to have his back lean against the wall. "It's just as I said. Watch."

There's a few people walking by as Haru calls out to them. "Excuse me!"

The two guys come to a stop, with one of them having made notes on where to go for an oncoming trip. "Yes? Ah, Champ! Nice to see you!"

"Hey, afternoon to you as well. Quick question: you wouldn't happen to know whom I've been romantically involved with, do you?"

"Uh...that's an odd question. Nessa from Hulbury. The Water Gym Leader."

Haru snaps his fingers and looks at Sam. "See? EVERYONE knows. Told you."

He then apologizes for interrupting their day and lets the two men go about their business. "It's ah...an interesting thing really, how everyone found out. Wasn't planned or anything but it DID just sorta happen. Tell me, Johto Sam. Can I call you that? Anyway. Do you watch broadcasts of any of our Gym Leader matches perchance?"

Sam smiles "Yeah it's fine. I watched your matched against Leon, why?"

After one very long breath was taken, Haru would narrate back to the iconic moment of his life. "Well, outside of that, Gym Leader matches tend to have downtime between matches like soccer games. These sorts of things also happen earlier in the day before any matches occur. Anyroad, so I visited her one such fateful day as she did a battle against a trainer. Afterwards she notices I had visited her and we talk during nearly the whole intermission. The crowd suddenly gets louder and it distracts me for a second. I look at the giant jumbotron and notice they're doing one of those 'kiss-cam' moments that staff inside the stadium do to people they think may be couples. Well one such pair of eyes spotted how physically close we were, and got the idea. The whole crowd goes berserk because some people shipped us two together; completely unaware."

Haru took to looking through his phone for one of multiple photos that was taken of the exact moment coming up. "I had jokingly called attention to it, saying something like 'Fans: am I right or am I right?'. Nessa doesn't say anything but keep looking at the screen. I thought something was wrong until I saw her turn back to me. She said 'Screw it, let them watch for all I care.', leaned forward, yanked me by the collar of my shirt towards her and full mouth kissed me in front of untold thousands of people. Live on camera. If I wasn't already closing my eyes enjoying the high of adrenaline it gave me, I would have been probably blinded by all the flashing camera lights that suddenly went off during that moment. Crowd got much louder during that part alone more than they do during the final Pokemon phase of any Gym Leader battle. "

He recalled the entire event as if replaying a video in his head, with the blush on his cheeks increasing substantially but looking far more relaxed and even showed Sam the photo once he happened upon it.

Sam's eyes were wide and he had looked moreso blown away by the admission itself like it was the craziest thing he heard. "So she did that? Holy cow she wastes no time."

"You're under the false pretense that it was rushed. It's not so much that, as we had already been going out by the time that happened. But...you become Champion and happen to be seen walking with her a few times and some people tend to think 'oh they would look good together'. Then when you confirm that for untold numbers of eyes? You get that reaction. So there you go." Haru gestures with both hands settling down to his pants pockets.

Being satisfied with the answer, Sam lifted up his chin. "I may not know you very well just yet, Haru-of-Galar, but I wish you two the very best of luck!"

Haru feels his phone vibrate with a timed alarm, grabbing his attention. Bringing it out, he catches wind of the current time. "Thanks. Moving on though...until we find out more from what your team digs up I have no leads. So I suppose I should actually go out to meet up with some folks in The Wild Area and help them with Max Raids. I need to train a new team of Pokemon that require Champion-Grade training for something that I can't quite reveal yet, and then get home to look over more applications for the upcoming Gym."

Haru was met with Sam shuffling into one of the smaller pockets in his backpack and taking out a PokeGear. "Right, I understand that. We should exchanged phone numbers so we can keep in contact with each other."

All Haru did was blink in complete awe and bewilderment. "...what the hell is that thing?"

The whole machine looked like it came from an old science fiction flick that he'd watch with Nessa when they had their own personal date nights. The shape was so odd and completely alien looking to him, but for Sam it seemed to be 'just right'. "Oh this? It's a PokeGear, it's the first cell phone. It was all the rage back in the day; especially in the Johto and Kanto regions."

The two gentlemen just looked at each other with Haru sighing trying not to offend him but couldn't help but laugh a little. "You need to upgrade, man."

- - - - - Syra's Home - - - - -

"H...hey. What's all this for?" the girl couldn't help but look uneasy as she was being embraced by the tall man that was her father. It had been a long while since she had bothered to come home; her only form of contact with him being either through sending whatever money she earned in battle or brief texts on phone. Homesickness wasn't something that was in the cards for her, but her dad had spots of having trouble letting go. 'Empty Nest Syndrome'. Even with her little brother still around, but currently out with friends of his own, he missed her dearly.

Letting go of his daughter, the man spoke with a sigh. "Listen, Syra, I know communication is something our family is really hard at being able to pull off but I really have missed you a lot. It's good to see you home, if even for a little bit."

"Thanks. But I won't be here for too long: as soon as my clothes are done being washed and dried, I'm heading out. Didn't feel like heading into the nearby town's laundromat to do it, so I took an Air Taxi here to save money. I need it for more supplements." Syra spoke with an air of neutrality that didn't give any hint of emotion. She headed to the room where the washer machine/dryer were located and started putting in loads. For a moment, the two of them did not speak. As her dad said before: communication wasn't really a strong suit they shared together. Not out of dismissal or hatred of any other family member or anything, but they all found it hard to talk sometimes which may have stemmed from the split family.

A brief glance at a photo that was in her own wallet showed a green haired woman and herself. Mom and Daughter were in it, dated about 6 years prior to that date. She had not passed on from that life, but she decided to leave upon finding out about what her husband's life entailed. A few legal battles here, many frustrated phone calls there, and tears shed, and he was the one who ended up with the kids.

Despite all these things going against her, Syra stayed the strong one of the two children and, outside of hacking into her dad's personal things to find out where he worked and breaking down Team Rocket's doors, stayed obedient.

She comes across something that was packed with the rest of her clothes she forgot was with her and decided to pull it out. A white top with a "R" on the front as the bottom of it split, black skintight top that would go underneath the white top, short white skirt, black long legged boots and long-sleeve gloves.

/Oh right, I got this quite awhile ago after busting Giovanni's chops and I guess I never did showcase this to dad. Maybe I can at least break the ice since tension is always high with me being gone, and I don't know if he's forgiven me for yanking some funds from him before just to make that initial trip./

"...this isn't even dirty. Why did I fold these all like this?" she comments to herself out loud, after sniffing it to re-check it.

Turning the machine on, the loud mechanism would begin its wash and she hops to the bathroom that was near her in that part of the house. Reappearing a few minutes later, she pops her head into the kitchen.

"Hey da~ad. I never did show you how your fellow co-worker slash daughter looks in uniform! Check it out! Really cool huh?" hopping forward and posing while in the full gear. For a second he gives a laugh while holding a cup of coffee and looking her over.

"Not bad. You look like you can pass as one of the fellas I got to know awhile back. Only difference is you've accomplished a lot more in your time in the Gym Challenge than they did in the...gee, how long have I known them?" Ritsu looked off into the distance recalling their names and cringing. The memory that they were always trying to mess with this one kid and his Pikachu and failing horribly every time came back and he just sighed.

"What, so I remind you of someone who was a failure? Gee, thanks dad that really helps sell the look I got going for me. Good pep talk." Syra said flatly, putting her arms over each other.

He held up a hand. "Tosh, don't be that way, m'dear. I'm merely saying that in terms of appearance. Your skills and looks could make you pass as a veteran! Perhaps someday you'll surpass the Boss. I don't imagine the others took too kindly however: I'm still laughing about how you did all that with only one Pokemon too."

She walks by him, to the fridge and bending down to get a drink from inside it as the heels of her boots click-clack on the tile flooring. "It's what happens when yours truly has the book smarts and street smarts to take care of herself you know."

"...and you're certain that you'll be able to finish what you started? That Champ isn't going to be a pushover, you know." her dad comments, taking another swig of the joe in his cup.

Standing upright, chest giving a light bounce and making a fist as if to proclaim herself like a usual Team Rocket Grunt would be doing, she declared henceforth "Just watch. I'm going to make things right by winning that title! Then I can just come back home, relax, and then do whatever someone who has the power a Champion can be. You'll see!"

- - - - - Hammerlocke - - - - -

- - - - - Outdoor Markets - - - - -

Sitting outdoors near the steps that led to Hammerlocke's entrance to The Wild Area, Haru was chatting up with the fan he met earlier. Willing to help him on some Pokemon hunting through the Max Raids that were currently happening, they even managed to trade with each other a few Pokemon that the other needed.

"...but see, I can't decide just yet how my startup would be either. Because I have roughly 30 that I'm cycling through in my mind on that defended title match. Then again what if my competitor foresees that, too?" Haru asked rhetorically while his Cinderace, Goji, was munching on some Protein while on their downtime.

The fan who had now done some raids with him and had gotten to know the Champ a bit more, threw out a suggestion. "So let's say you absolutely must at least have a good team to help secure a win, right? You need to have a 'bread and butter'; someone who you know you're going to rely on for a victory because they've never let you down. Minimize that to as few Pokemon as possible, and throw in maybe 3 that are completely new so you can cover different bases as before."

Haru took to making the note on a small notepad with a pen. It was incredibly basic and easy to write, but it was sound enough he wanted to remember it. "So, for example, I'd take Goji here, have him lead the whole fight, then have one or two others from my Hall of Fame lineup while the rest would be new? Hmm. That's a thought. Goji's been here since the beginning and it was only on the rarest of occasions I left him behind so he wouldn't take unnecessary knockouts. Good idea. But this is kind of shitty of me to say now but I have yet to get your name."

"Valen. I go by that or 'V'. Valen is fine though, ."

"Just 'Haru'. It's been a pleasure. I hope that Gigantimax Toxtricity was good though: did you check its values?" Haru would ask before his phone rang. "Pardon me, chap. Got a call."

"Oh it's fine! Yeah it's a good 'mon allright, but I'm actually going to head out myself. Let's keep in touch! Thanks again, Haru!" Valen would say, waving as he ran off into the wilderness, with Haru answering his phone.

"Hello again, my Royal Sapphire." Haru spoke with a smug look.

"Hello sexy Ruby. Do you have time? I have a bit of fun news for you that I need to share!" Nessa said on the receiver.

"Fun news? What would equate as that, between us at this point?" He'd ask.

"Well, you're aware of what happened to Hop because you were the first on the scene to him and Sonia. I just got off the phone with Leon and we're going to set up another night like we did for you and this time it'll be for Hop. Leon is the one hosting this one but once again we'll be getting everyone together. Since none of us can really do anything except try to track down who the culprit that stole his legendary, we're giving him the same T.L.C. that we gave you!"

"Nessa, holy crap that's such an amazing idea! In that case, this'll be a good chance for us to get some board games. Last time we had a distinct lack of them. Long as Kabu doesn't bring his curry again..."

"Awww I thought you loved it" Nessa comments with heavy sarcasm.

He huffs a little. "I did, but my tongue was a little burned throughout the whole evening and made appreciating the flavor of everything else a bit more difficult. Plus, I don't wanna be a Fire Type, I'm a man of Steel you know!"

She's heard laughing on her end. "Yes that's true, and just like Steel, you turn red when you get hot under the collar."

His face would blush a little as if on command from her pointing it out. "Who knew Water was strong against Steel huh? Weird how that works out even if nobody knows right?"

"Yep!" she sounded proud of herself.

"What are you doing tonight?" he asked.

Nessa's heard sighing. "Well, not much. For now the Gym Challenge has halted the pace of more Challengers arriving here since it seems everyone who's going to be in the upcoming Pools Tournament leading up to the Pokemon League is registering. We've been getting a few newcomers but the pace has slowed down so we may close early tonight."

"Wouldn't happen to have some time to help me look through applicants would you?" He'd ask, gesturing for Goji to stand up as they began to walk into The Wild Area towards Motostoke in order to get to Hulbury.

"I could do that! How many are you sitting at now, last you looked?" with some extra cheer in her voice.

Haru sighs with some exhaustion, his gaze watching some people who were exploring ride by quickly on their Rotom Bikes. The sun started to beat down on where him and Goji were at but was thankfully not too hot he wasn't able to handle it. A light gust blows through, kicking up dust as Haru pulls up the collar on his Fire Gym sweatjacket to cover his face a bit. "84. Is there any way I can put a stop to applications once we fill out the other 3 trainers? Right now there's only one. Just Monika. Part of me thought about giving a call to one of the others when we were in the conference room the other day but then again, nobody really stood out and I don't want to let the number of files stack up too high before holding another slew of interviews."

There's a second before Nessa replies, as if to confirm with herself. "Sure. What say we meet up at my place at 8?"

"You got it, hot stuff." He replies, smirking, causing Nessa to giggle a bit.

"One of these days you're going to run out of pet names to give me, you know." She says with a faux disappointment in her voice. Truth be told, she never wanted him to run out of pet names for her.

"I don't think that'll be possible, and even if it is, there will simply be so many I'll have to start recycling them. Besides, I have fun coming up with new ones for you!"

She bit her lip a bit with a smile holding the phone a bit closer to herself before getting ready to head out back to the Gym for her upcoming match. "I never said you had to stop. But I gotta go. See you at 8! Love you!"

"As a Pokemon once said: Ditto! Love you too, Queen."

Haru hung up the phone and sees his Cinderace giving him a disgusted expression. "What? Goji don't even: you're stuck with me like this forever. I'm going to only get worse with this lovey dovey sort of talk the further this relationship goes on so buckle in buddy!"

His fiery rabbit Pokemon just rolled his eyes, beginning to jog ahead of his master. Seconds afterwards, Haru would begin to do the same: intending to keep the pace all the way until both ran into more Max Raids to help other trainers.

- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -

- - - - - Near Nessa's Home, 7:55pm - - - - -

Haru decided to not just shuffle his entire team of Pokemon before heading over to Nessa's: keeping the reasoning behind his team secret from anyone curious that he met up earlier. Before getting to her place he had to make a stop by his home to get his portable computer and clothing since he would probably end up staying up late while over Nessa's overnight. The two were comfortable enough with each other that such a thing became commonplace for them.

"Goji, I know she said 8pm and we're running a bit behind compared to my usually early self but it's fine. We managed to get some stuff for tomorrow morning." He spoke to his buddy Pokemon, who was tossing a rock in place while walking with his trainer. Goji looked at him, smiling.

"Ah wait..." Haru stopped walking in the middle of the street, looking absentminded to the distance. "Did I feed Nora and the others? Yes, I did. Okay sorry!"

Haru shakes his head, trying to relax a bit. His mind had been overwhelmed with the activity of the past few days since the announcement of the Gym, and what occurred with Hop that he found himself second guessing every mundane activity that occurred. The streets were mostly clear at that time of the evening. Haru noticed that the booths he once saw were gone are now back with newly restocked herbs and local items being sold. Of course at this time of the evening a few were closing down so the owners could go back to their homes, so Haru made a mental note to go have a chin wag with them when he could catch them possibly the next morning. A few of the Hulbury locals wave to him, with one kid who was piggyback riding on their parent excitedly calling to Haru.

Going down the street where Nessa's home was located, him and his fire starter would stop in their tracks when someone familiar appears across from them on the sidewalk. The sound of a Corviknight-flown Air Taxi is heard landing in the distance as tension suddenly got so thick it could be cut with a knife.

Standing before them was the ever familiar appearance of a long black haired girl with a Champion League hat, pink leggings, Eevee graphic shirt, and dark blue jacket.

"It's been awhile...Haru." Syra spoke coldly, frozen in place and looking at him.

Haru decides to keep his glance on Syra just as intensely as before, before briefly putting a hand to the 5 PokeBalls on his waistline, with Goji being the possible 6th on the off chance he's needed. "So it has been. Good evening to you. Been well?"

"Yup. Guess you could say that. Waiting for the upcoming Pools has given me a lot of time to enjoy myself and build up for the inevitable future I shall carve for myself." She'd state, nodding to her waistline that held several balls of her Pokemon team at the moment.

Goji and Haru exchange glances, as Haru folds his arms. "It's a bit earlier than what you said as per the timeframe we'd meet and fight again, but I suppose fate can be funny sometimes. What has you out here in Hulbury at this time of night?"

"Hmm. Just doing some cleaning up on my team that I'm going to use that will be your official defeat in the League Tournament. Meanwhile, I wouldn't mind slapping some of your team about for a bit. Maybe you'll learn a bit more. I say you could use some humility." She spoke with an air of confidence, sticking her chest forward.

"Well I do love the song by the same name." he joked.

She didn't take the joke well enough and shouts. "Lay off of the swagger, false idol! Bring out your team and face me!"

Haru shifts a bit so he's facing her from the side. For once he was finding it a little difficult to just shrug off her attitude. /Must she always be this tense around me? Seriously, I can't even crack one light rib around her./

"You know, you sure speak a lot of victory and love to talk a big game, but you don't exactly strike me yet as someone who has their eyes on the things that matter."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?! I beat you once before, I'll be able to do it again, you know." She'd proclaim, with Haru just putting both of his arms down to their sides.

"'The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.'" He spoke with conviction, never breaking his eyes from the girl who stood before him.

The phrase itself made one of Syra's eyes twitch. "You saying I'm too weak to take you down? That I got lucky? Don't insult me: I'm not the same girl that I was before, and I already have a victory over you."

Goji had to take a step back. The last time he saw his master act this serious without a single comedic quip in his bones was in dealing with Chairman Rose, Eternatus, and fighting Leon. "That's not at all what I'm implying. Syra, I'm saying that anyone who constantly has to be boasting about trying to win, and talks so much about doing so is open to a big downfall themselves. What comes up, must eventually come down. I trust that you're a very excellent trainer and you may just actually defeat me, but Pokemon battling isn't just about numbers! Look, you seem really talented and may shut me up one day."

There's a gust of wind that blows by the two, as some passersby notice Haru having a standoff with Syra and talking to her. "...but that ego that you have may make you too blind to see the forest through the trees. I've seen you battle up close, but you appear to be letting it get to you. Don't let it. I want to face you when you're focused. Calm."

Syra slumped a bit, then leaned back with a glare so intense it could stab him. "So is this why you say stupid shit in interviews like 'don't trust the tiers'? I watched that broadcast, Haru. I watch all of them. Why you're so cocky when being provoked about the variety of Pokemon and who to actually use? Why you're so arrogantly pushing some narrative that since you got lucky with your combinations you'll win even over the best? How's this? FUCK you and your narrative. "

He winced. The way she worded that managed to finally start to irritate him, if even a little. His right hand goes to his forehead in exasperation. "What...what is your angle?! I can't figure you out!"

The girl gave a giggle as if one saw a predator locking onto their prey. "Trust me. I'm a rather simple person in the end. If you truly must know: I've been nothing short of focused this entire time I've been in the Gym Challenge with you as my endgame."

A gust of wind blows again as a sizable crowd has gathered around. Some people in their homes were wondering what the conversation going outside their windows was coming from, only to see Haru having a stare-down with some girl who was not only smacktalking him but putting him off his guard. At this point in time, people were used to the idea that if Nessa was brought up in a topic he may skirt the subject since he liked keeping their relationship private, but that she was the only female that would be able to make him visibly sweat. Now, there's another: the only challenger who repeatedly met him and went out of her way to make a statement.

"Well I hope saying all that made you feel better. You've held me up for some time but I've been needing to get somewhere for a bit now. Now if you'll excuse me, my beloved is waiting for me." Haru spoke, gesturing with his head with Goji. His glance goes to the people that had centered around him and Syra.

"Sorry folks, you all don't get to see my parlor tricks tonight." The two would walk towards her and with the intention to pass Syra.

The instant the two crossed paths, she turns to him, cupping her hands together like a megaphone as Haru walked away. "So, the Champion publicly turns down an offer for a fight against a Challenger then because of it not going up to your standards? What kind of man are you even if you're not ready to prove yourself? Who cares if this is too early? Who gives a shit about your 'perspective' on tiers or your 'heart' with your team? You know how many people actually care? I'll give you a hint: the number is a lot smaller than you think! You plowed the whole Gym Challenge easily, and now all you wanna do is just be too choosey with your time? What, am I not good enough for your time? Do you honestly think that walking away from a problem would make Nessa proud of the person you are; who knew she'd date a weakling!"

Haru had paused, not looking at Syra but giving the body language that he acknowledged what she said but simply did not care. He took a few steps forward before Syra threw in a gut punch. At this point in the confrontation, some of the locals were starting to talk amongst themselves, with a few questioning if this was the same Syra they saw in the challenge at all. To them, she seemed way more aggressive outside of the stadium than everywhere else.

"...Or is Nessa the only thing you've been able to 'plow' nowadays, Haru, instead of numbers of wins?"

Immediately everyone within ear range of them gasped or 'Oooh'd. Haru froze solid, felt his heart racing as the statement alone caused Goji himself to turn back immediately to her. Goji's face goes back and forth between Syra and Haru,; the Cinderace going into in a slight panic from whatever Haru was going to do next. The expression on Haru's face had not changed at all compared to before, but his presence was now filled with a level of conviction not ever sense before. To Syra, it was as if staring back at a titan: being completely overshadowed by something. A part of her wonders if her commentary has gone too far...but then chooses to ignore that sign by going for another punch.

"I would be shamed to be paired up with someone who had no balls, honestly." Syra spoke again, locking eyes as now she felt a new, unforeseen surge of lightning clashing with her. Even staring into what felt like a fire, her conscious instinctively told her to not let up.

His eyes had fire in them, and felt like he was pissed off, even if he physically showed that he wasn't. "Don't. You. EVER. Speak of Nessa like that, Syra. EVER!".

Slowing his mind down and taking a moment to count to 20, Haru closes his eyes then looks at Syra. "You wanna do this, then? Okay. You have 3 Pokemon on you? Fine. I'll give you your match."

One of her hands made a fist; clenching it tightly. "Good!"

She'd blink in disbelief when he had brought out his phone instead of a PokeBall in silence and started tapping away on it and getting several small speakers that would have been used for his computer from one of the bags he carried. "Uh...what the hell are you doing?"

Haru looks up to her while on the ground. "Oh. Well, see, Loudreds aren't allowed here in the Galar Region so-"

"I'm asking you why you aren't starting the match and are bringing out speakers. What, do you think this is some coffee shop?! I don't give a damn about you wanting a Loudred!" Syra fires back, clearly annoyed.

"Well, I'm a Champion, but I have no Gym or Stadium to call me own necessarily. But we can't have such a battle without music, now can we?" He would state nonchalantly while browsing his phone's library.

"ARE YOU OFF YOUR TROLLEY?! What barmy wanker has to set up something like this with battle music?! You're a fucking professional! Just take your bloody Pokemon out and lets get this started already!" She yells at him, twitching and a blood vessel in her forehead seen clear as day. Syra got so angry that her dialect kicked in without meaning to, growling while shaking with irritation at Haru. A few people who were watching this go down laugh to themselves at the humor seen with Haru taking a step back to set up the spot. Kneeling down and finding just the track on his phone, he snaps his fingers.

He's seen comically trying to dig wax out of his ears as if Syra was shouting so loud it hurt him. "Hey Hey Hey! You can't undersell the importance of ambiance, and for this I'm not going to just use the music the Gym Leaders use, nor am I going to use the music my own battle would use against you or anyone else. You know people who play video games sometimes compete in official leagues by bringing headphones? Anyways, when it comes to us battling, I have this nifty tune by someone who did a cover in tribute to the ol' Champion named Steven!"

"Steven? The Steel Champion from Hoenn?" she asks.

"Yup. The very same." Haru stood up, stretching a little before taking one of the balls on his waist and sighing. He turns over to her and Syra actually feels a shiver go from her shoulders to her neck and down her back. The way he looks back at her is the kind of feeling that seems to match her own spirit as Haru holds the ball outwards and holds the pose.

"Well then, Syra. You've done nothing but talk the talk. You caught me off guard last time and beat me fair and square. To be honest, I think I actually may feel a little sorry on how this may go down. Then again, you invited it on yourself by insulting Nessa right in front of me. You want to know what a proper Champion fight with me feels like? You got one. Come at me!"

At that second, his Goji tapped on the screen as the song began to play, with the few people watching admittedly a bit excited to see Haru battling outside at this hour with another trainer.

Syra smirks, panting a little in excitement. "I'm going to wipe that smug grin off your face, Champ!"

"Go Guts!"

"Go Alphonse!"

Haru throws a ball with a Perrserker popping out, with a Haxorus following suit from Syra's end. The anger and agitation that Haru had from the commentary of earlier faded completely and he's in the 'zone in a much more zen-like state compared to last time.

Haru throws an arm out as the music fuels the fire burning with him. "Guts, use Iron Tail!" with the Meowth-lookalike Pokemon shrieking, lunging at the larger Pokemon with a steel-like tail attack. Syra tries to get her Pokemon to avoid it but it takes the damage, as her annoyance has her clicking a tongue in response.

"Alphonse, use Rock Tomb: bury that Pokemon alive in the battle!" Syra calls out.

Her Haxorus starts throwing boulders at the Perrserker and just as hard as it was hit by Perrserker's move does it hit back. Not as much as she'd like, but noticed that the move by itself slowed Haru's Pokemon down. It was enough for her to move in for another attack. "Go with another one and give that Perrserker a Rock Slide why don't you?!"

Once again boulders are hurled at the Perrserker but in a different enough fashion that the move hit its target. Usually it would have a chance of flinching, but Syra sees that Haru's Pokemon shrugs it off like it was nothing.

"Guts, you know exactly what to do. Use Payback!" He shouts, gesturing with a definitive point. The Perrserker calls out, and rams the move in a manner so explosive of a hit that the Haxorus falls over a few times into the street.

Syra notices that its hit points go all the way to nothing, and she retrieves it. Haru retrieves his Perrserker and she looks back at him. /Son of a bitch, he got one on me. NO matter, I still have two left. I have to give him credit for this much at least!/

"C'mon Goji, get in there!"

"Go Koopa!"

Goji was called into action and hops over rather excitedly as a large Ludicolo appears in front of him. There's a moment in Haru's shock that for the first time in awhile his Cinderace is slower, as Syra calls out the move. "Koopa give that Cinderace a wash with a piping hot Scald attack!"

Normally avoiding such a move wouldn't be a problem for Goji, but unfortunately his star pupil of a Pokemon tanks the hit and Haru sees that for once, his defense not being the highest for a starter would be a problem. Syra laughs haughtily. "How do you like that? Another hit and you're not going to survive this one, 'champ'!"

Haru looks nonplussed and has faith since he knows of the trick up his sleeve. "Goji, give the nice Ludicolo over there a Pyro Ball!" to which Goji excitedly sets aflame to a rock he had handy, kicking it around like a hackey sack, and sending it flying to the Pokemon that it faced. The audience cheered as the Ludicolo is set ablaze instantly and its hit points go to nothing immediately.

Syra's seen sweating, grunting in annoyance.

Haru rubs his nose a little. "I'll be honest, Syra, that was a bit hairy for me. But Goji had a certain ability that lets him power up drastically should his health be under one third of his total hit points." he gestures Goji to withdraw and looks back at Syra with a smirk. "Too bad for you."

- - - - - Inside Nessa's Home - - - - -

"Where the hell is Haru? He's late. I thought he'd be here by now and he's not answering..." Nessa says, in a slightly worried tone, talking to her newly adopted Sobble, Ami. Getting a hunch that told her to take a look outside, she's seen exiting her home and happening upon the scene that was unfolding.

Her eyes narrow, trying to catch who it was he was talking to and battling against in the dark. /Oh, he was here but...hey wait a minute../

"This match isn't over yet!" Syra yells as the two locate a Pokemon on their belts to use then throw one out at the same time.

"Go Sly!"

"Go Nia!"

Haru's brought out a Thievul, who stares down almost in boredom at the opposing Espeon across from its location. A few people who are fans of Syra's battles take to cheering her on a bit, though it doesn't seem to be working. Despite this, she calls out a move. "Nia, Bite that garbage across from you!" her command rung out, while the petite Pokemon latches onto the Thievul sinking its teeth into the others' fur with a hard Bite, as Haru sees the attack causes Sly to stop moving.

"Hey Sly you okay? Come on, get in there!" He calls to the mischievous fox-like Pokemon.

"Nia, give it another Bite! Make him flinch again so he can't get in another attack!" Syra calls out in a booming voice. Sly tries to dodge the move but is tackled down and bitten again. Sly's hit points are nearly zero, but Haru exhales a sigh of relief when the fox is able to move finally.

"Sly I'd say this battle needs some Assurance, don't you? Go and use that move!" Haru shouts back. Immediately, Sly hops into action sending the Dark attack straight at the Espeon who takes the hit rather poorly and collapses.

At this point the battle music that was playing amongst them finishes and Haru retrieves the final Pokemon that he was using in the battle. Syra looks completely shaken up, looking back at him. Haru stood before her as if the same person she completely trumped easily the first time wasn't the same person that floored her whole team in victory over hers. To be fought back so hard that she lost without even a single point in the whole battle shook her to her core.

"Haru!" Nessa pipes up, emerging from the crowd of people who were applauding, smiling widely from watching him fight on the sidelines.

The seriousness in his expression disappeared completely when he hears her calling to him and smiles. Haru looks to Nessa, with a bit of a blush. "Sorry I'm late, hon. Just got caught up you know?"

The two embrace openly, with Nessa not caring she's standing in between him and Syra in the post-battle moment. "I thought you were in trouble or something but it seems I came across a certain kind of other scene entirely."

"Guess you could say that." His face goes back to Syra and walks to her, extending a hand. "Hey."

Syra looks up at him, while biting her lip and tears forming at the corner of her eyes. "Hmm?"

"I'm eager to see how you'll get even better next time when we fight in the League Tournament. But in the future? Leave Nessa out of it." seeing that she got upset from the fight, Haru wanted to make amends with her. Syra just slaps his hand away and looks at him and Nessa; who doesn't look pleased with the way Syra reacted.

"A loss right here isn't worthwhile! C'mon! 2 out of 3, let's go! I don't accept that loss! You cheated somehow, admit it!" Syra yells at him right in front of everyone, grabbing him by the collar, causing Haru to actually lose his balance due to Syra's raw strength.

Haru's eyes widen, his anxiety spikes a bit since this is the first time he physically feels what her strength is behind that body of hers. "Hey what the hell?! Let me go!"

In Nessa's eyes there's a brief flash when she recalls seeing Haru being roughed up by some thug looking man in the outdoor markets when she was hanging out with Bea. Back then neither her nor Bea were there at the 'Ground Zero' of the conflict, nor was she dating Haru. Now? She was right there seeing it happen. Time had barely passed in the act alone before Nessa had run over and shoved Syra away, readjusting Haru's top and looking back at the girl. It took a heavy shove to do it but Syra stumbles back, noticeably pissed and tried to go for an actual physical attack again: stopped when Nessa stood in front of her.

Her face was furious, and no longer giving the benefit of the doubt from prior encounters. "You know Syra you've got some fucking nerve putting your hands on him like that!"

Syra clicks her tongue in annoyance, with Nessa now walking to the girl, not waiting for Haru or anyone else to say anything. If standing in front of Haru in full 'battle mode' was enough to feel like facing a titan, Syra finally got a taste of the surname why Nessa was called 'The Raging Wave' as the woman spoke in a lower voice. "Go ahead. Throw that punch you were about ready to do. I almost dare you. But if I catch you doing that or anything else again to him? I'll make sure everyone hears about it, and authorities will be alerted. The League. Your family. I'll have you give up the Challenge entirely. The second you let your hand slip up, and push things too far? It's over."

Syra had actually been backed up against a lamppost, as everyone saw Nessa zero in on the flustered girl to make sure she heard everything loud and clear. "Now I want you to understand something. I don't mind what happens to me because I can take whatever you can dish even if I'm not as adept as Bea. You know her, yes? I can take it...but don't. you. ever. put your hands on my man. Ever."

The intimidation somehow worked, as Syra didn't blink the whole time the blue eyed water master was staring her down.

Haru's face falters a little and sighs: knowing full well that trying to step in when Nessa got like this was futile. A part of him was spooked, but then again seeing someone defend him like this was actually kind of nice.

Still, Syra at least persisted one last time, without getting physical and looking back at Haru. "C'mon! Heal your Pokemon and I'll do the same for my own! Let's go! Right here right now Champ!" At that point Syra seemed like a bratty little child throwing a tantrum. Admittedly, she was a little shaken up now with Nessa having an intense staredown to her to a capacity Haru couldn't compare.

She instead saw that Haru spoke plainly, folding his arms over each other. "It wouldn't make a difference."

The losing trainer just shook her fists with teeth clenched."Why do you say that? You can't determine that right now!"

Once again, Haru tries to be neutral, bordering on positive. "Look Syra, the match that will matter that ultimately decides if you are what you say you are will be in the League Tournament. Granted of course, if you make it out of the Pools and meet me after defeating whoever ends up in the Top 8. Otherwise, you should re-think your strategy. I want you to outsmart me. You did it before you can do it again."

Having stood there in front of others taking such a humiliating defeat after talking up herself so much made Syra feel sick to her stomach, and the way how Haru spoke to her only pissed her off further. Both eyes give way as they close in frustration. "I...cannot...stand the way you talk...you're so annoying that I hate it! You are NOTHING!" she manages to say, but before he could get an idea what she means by that Syra turns away and starts sprinting.

"HEY wait!" He calls out as he sees her quickly disappear into the dark of the evening until she can no longer be seen. Syra had quickly made her exit out of the town of Hulbury. Haru just lowers his hand after looking back at it: that she slapped it out of the way and flexes it.

Nessa had retreated now back to where her beloved was standing, putting an arm around him. "So I know that was a lot to deal with, but are you okay? You handled that rather well."

Haru looked confused, pained, and all around befuddled that such a state of affairs occurred. Those thoughts would be put to rest when his eyes met hers and was filled with the same overwhelming love he always had for her. Being put in a situation like before where he was probably going to get beat up, it felt nice to see Nessa react that way even if he didn't explicitly invite it. "Yeah, I'm definitely more than okay now. Thank you, Water Goddess."

She laughed a bit, smiling as the two turned to head to her home while holding hands. "How many petnames do you have stored away in that brain of yours!?"

"Honestly? I lost count." came his retort.

- - - - - Galar Mine #02 - - - - -

Syra ran full throttle and passed several of the Pokemon that were indigenous to the cavern, as well as some late working miners to find a corner for herself. The entire time she made her sprint out of Hulbury she hid her face from everyone along the way. Not wanting to be seen either, she finds a corner to herself and collapses. Nearly falling apart and shaking, her emotions were at an all-time high. Tears streaming down her face and huddling up with her arms around her knees.

/How dare they...how dare he! Both of them! Humiliating me in front of other people like that. It wasn't enough that he beat me, that alone I could deal, but what happened afterwards. No. I don't accept those results! Fuck! Get it together Syra, you're better than this: You're just frustrated./ She tries telling herself but the tears don't stop. Moments like these didn't happen often, so a part of her was trying to figure out what exactly triggered it. The battle. The confrontation. Perhaps something deeper. Her mind unwillingly cycles through several different situations of both tonight and of previous nights.

/Don't you EVER mention your mother again, do you hear me?!/

Syra holds her head with her hands, shivering.

/You really going out looking like that?/

/She's not here to defend you anymore, so either you fight this off, or you're taking the full force of my moves!/

/You're practically a woman by now. Shocks me how much you've grown up.../

/When are you going to stop asking so many questions?!/

/You wore this outfit on purpose, didn't you?/

/Might is what makes right! That's how we've survived up until now, or do you not appreciate the things I've given you! The roof over your head and the meals I provide?! Huh?!/

"Stop...please..brain. Please stop reminding me...!" Her brain briefly flashes to the memory of earlier in the day when she visited her dad, and just yells loudly to nobody. Whether it was her past, or the fact she truly resented Haru, the events of the night brought her down to nearly snapping.

No matter how anyone saw it, Syra just had one very bad day.

- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -

- - - - - Nessa's Home - - - - -

Sitting at the dining room table, Haru was having some late dinner with Nessa while having his computer off in the other room. While not exactly disturbed about the events prior to, she could see he was a little tense. Goji had gone to the guest room after being given a Full Restore to sleep early, while Haru let the other Pokemon he brought with him bunk up with him as well giving them the same potions. "I just don't get it. No matter what I go through in my mind, I don't see what it was that I did that set her off."

Nessa joins him by coming behind where he sat and put her hands onto his shoulders to give him a massage. "Whatever it is at this point, I think there's one thing you and I can agree on. She's not an ally, or a friend. Maybe she's a crazed Leon fangirl. The person who dressed up as a Team Rocket grunt was a crazed fanboy of me, right?"

Leaning into the massage, she'd see Haru look upwards at the woman before him. "Maybe. But something tells me it's a lot more nuanced to simply be something like that; I just can't figure it out. Even the most egregious of losses that people suffered in battle against me, I always made sure to tell them 'Good match' while others I even made friends with...and for one, I became a lot more to them." giving a cheeky smirk to her. Looking back down at him, her face blushes and kisses him from above.

A passing thought came to her mind, with a need to get it off her chest to him. "Hon...do you think maybe once your Gym is completed that you'll be able to take some time off before opening it officially?"

He blinks. "It hadn't occurred to me. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. Other than tonight, I guess I'm just trying to look out for you, and part of me worries what sort of shape you'll be in when it's all complete." she had stopped massaging his shoulders and would just hug him from where she stood like she's done multiple times in the past. "I've started to worry a bit about you. You don't know this but you sometimes talk in your sleep."

His eyes widened, and a little bit of shame came over him. "I'm sorry...if it wakes you up."

She shook her head. "Oh No! No you've never woken me up! I notice when I wake up to use the restroom. Which isn't often since thanks to you I sleep pretty soundly. You're also a sound sleeper but you sometimes talk. Most of it is garbled, but some of it does come out." Nessa took to kneeling down now next to him in the chair.

Haru ended up facing her now, a little nervous. "What sort of things do I say?"

"'Please don't go' is the one I hear the most. 'Why even live' is another. It's usually those two phrases." her face had faltered a little to a frown, trying to study the reaction her boyfriend would give when being told these things. He ended up looking like he took a metaphorical stab to the chest, feeling a part of his psyche come out. Be that as it may, she pressed on leaning her face a little closer to him. "Honey, are you scared of something that you're not telling me?"

His mind flashes back to the image of a girl that was not Syra or anyone else he had bothered to think about for a long time. A memory that was blocked out mentally in his head for an unknown length of time un-blurred itself to come back. He sees himself collapsing on the grass outside of what would be his home, shouting to nobody but making no noise. Another memory where he looks back at his phone to see the final text message he ever got from Hiro, and another where that same day he just poured out a drink, cursing his own existence.

Nessa pressed again, but had a softer tone of voice. "Hon? Talk to me."

Unbeknownst to himself, Haru's eyes glazed over. He held Nessa tight to him. She gasped a bit at the feeling of him shaking. "Please tell me this is real...I've spent so long getting this far, that I'm so scared of losing everything." he says in a weakened voice. The lady in his arms nuzzles her face into his chest.

A hand of hers goes to the back of his head. "You don't have anything to be sorry about at all. You didn't do anything. You won't lose me."

Haru clenched his teeth and let the tears just flow down his cheeks. "I'm scared something will happen, but I don't know what. It's like an omen or just self doubt? I don't know, but I hate it. All this pressure to be Champion, leading a life knowing Hiro never saw any of this, and to be the symbol for others who still do have this chance. There's no quotient for me to place on it, but I honestly can't wait to give it up. All that goes in my mind now, is I want to be a man that you can admire, but I'm scared I can't live up to that."

It was a rare sight to see him so honest and vulnerable. Before it was a trigger that he couldn't help, but this felt like something he wanted to get off and say for a bit yet fought to have the wording. The fears within him began to subside when Nessa took a hand of hers and placed it on his face. "You're already the man I admire. The one I'm in love with and plan to stay with: I'm not going anywhere. Hiro would be very proud of you, as am I."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Not far off, the two lovers hear the distinct sound of rain hitting the windows and roof of the home they're in, as if offering a somber change to the mood. As the two held the embrace, an idea hits Nessa. "While you remind yourself that your water lady isn't going anywhere, I'm going to slip into something else for the evening. You should continue on your meal. You'll recall earlier I said I had a surprise for you, right?" helping Haru up and then pointing at him before she got up the stairs. "You may want to prepare yourself for this, by the way."

He joked. "What, is it a one-piece pajama or something?"

"Naaah~ you'll see." she teases, before continuing to her room.

- - - - - 12 minutes later - - - - -

Instead of going to the room where he usually would be working on anything business related, Haru just settled on having his computer at the dining room table since its size made it easy to set up. He put up his plate when finishing his meal, and had brought up the League account he used to look at applications for the upcoming Steel Gym. The distinct noise of Nessa coming down the stairs was heard, and he began conversing without breaking sight of the screen. "So there's now at least 17 more applicants. Roughly 100 in total. Gosh. At this point I should try to be a bit more stingy on what I pick and choose to interview. After going though so many it's gonna be hard."

"I see." is all she says.

For some reason Haru finds the response a bit too short, and decides to eye past his screen. It takes a second glance for it to fully register but when it happens his eyes go as wide as dinner plates with his face going dark crimson red. "Nessa...?!"

Before him she stood in a tight, sleeveless ice blue showgirl top that showed her cleavage and bare shoulders, fishnet stockings, ice blue heels, white bracelets, and long ice blue rabbit ears. The earrings were the same as before, though she now had some lipstick on.

His heart was going a thousand miles per second as she just strut herself a bit over to him, leaned down for a full eye view down her top. "So~o, what do you think of me as your own personal bunny girl?"

He gulped a bit, with one of her fingers tracing his chin keeping his glance on her at all times. "You look amazing."

"I mean, what IS the point of having a model girlfriend if you don't get to personally see her in some of the many outfits she has, right? Not all my outfits show up on a magazine spread, and some will never be. Just for your eyes only." she'd turn around in a circle, showing she had the fake cotton tail and if not for the fishnet leggings her bare ass would be on display to him. It might as well be.

His eyes glance over her slowly, meeting back up to her eyes. "Y-yeah. Uhm...this is going to make it ve~ry difficult for me to get applications looked at, babe."

She smirks. "I know."

He gives a faux protest. "REALLY difficult."

She now got up on the table, crossing her legs giving him an eyeful closeup of her thighs. "Yep."

To be honest, there wasn't exactly a timetable that he had to get any of this done since the Gym only required a low number of trainers and he could go about this process at his own pace. Haru considered his options, looking at the beauty before him.

"Whelp." he shuts close his laptop, unplugs it, and lazily tosses it onto the couch as it landed safely on a cushion. "I suppose some things can come later. YOU on the other hand..." his eyes look up to her, getting up from his chair as Nessa wrapped one leg around his waist while he stood on the floor against the table where she sat on.

"Yes? What about me?" she insisted on knowing, toying him by forcing a direct confession.

Haru leaned towards her neck, starting to give some kisses on her bare shoulders up to her neck, causing Nessa to exhale contently. "I think I'll just be fine forgetting about work for one night and giving YOU some 'hyper training' of my own."

"Oh? I could use a lot of specific IV boosts so you're going to have to work hard, you know." she smirked, feeling his lips on her collar and then up to her lips as they lock and slowly make out right there on the dining table. She pulls him towards her with one of his hands resting on her chest.

A moment goes by of some heavy groping between the two before Haru pulls away slowly from the kiss. "I believe I've currently run out of Pokemon battle puns to keep this going, Nessa, so let's just settle for 'I'm going to rut you'." he said flatly, but with a grin that gave away the spirit that he was feeling.

The other leg of hers wrapped around his waistline. "Good." bringing him inwards into deep, passionate kissing as the two would forego their responsibilities and previous plans of the evening to just enjoy each other's company. After multiple go-rounds and hours later, both of them would lay in bed together talking about some of the things they'd like to do one day as a 'bucket list', before falling asleep. Haru revealing that he'd like to actually seriously study in a line of work similar to his mother's occupation so that nobody would have to feel worried about their Pokemon if they couldn't look after them, and to one day visit Alola.

"What?! You've never been there?!" Nessa asks, tossing a bit of her own messy hair to the side while cuddling.

One of Haru's hands was stroking her cheek. "Mom says I've been there when I was a kid but I don't count that: not like I can remember it. I want to see it now as an adult. Probably when I get this Gym stuff done, or at least at some point afterwards. Knowing how busy you get with the Gym, I'll just have to work it out."

Beaming at the possibility of a global trip with her love, Nessa jitters a bit in the bed with him. "If you do go, you should take me with you! I know someone there personally that would be a good tour guide, and someone else you should meet. It's beautiful there!"

The rain had been settling down to a nice, sleep-inducing white noise to the point Haru just lets out a contented sigh as Nessa laid her hand on his bare chest. "Well then, I'd say it's a date. Promise."

"Promise."

The two fell asleep soon afterwards, feeling the height of their lives merely ahead of them. It was only a shame that morning came afterwards sooner than both had anticipated. For the one named Haru, however, he would wish such a morning would never have come.

- - - - - The Wild Area - - - - -

- - - - - That Morning, 8:32 am - - - - -

Two policewomen stand near each other while wearing full raincoats while out in the fields of the Stony Wilderness. A man walks up to them, also wearing a raincoat who seemed to be working with them.

"Have you identified them all?" asks one of the policewomen.

The gentleman sighed, as if for some reason his findings impact him a bit more than they would normally. "Yes ma'am. All accounted for, and all ID'd. It all links up to the same trainer."

The older policewoman takes a puff of a cigar she had held and sighed. Before her were multiple black bags that were zipped up, some of them much larger in size, and some police tape that was being set up so that nobody would trespass on the environment. Several late venturing trainers were curious on the scene they happen upon, and were being directed away.

"Shit. Okay. Call it in then. I'll contact him. He'll want to know. Make sure the damn media doesn't get wind of this until he finds out okay! I don't want any of those snakes near this spot!" she shouts.

The man sighs, writing down something into several sheets of paper. "Right. Time of death for all accounted for...roughly 12:10 am..."

- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -

- - - - - Nessa's Home - - - - -

"Haru! Honey, wake up!"

His consciousness comes back to him, somewhat slowly and notices first thing the worried tone in her voice as she is also fully dressed. "Morning. Hey, what's up with you?"

"Honey...something bad has happened. But you need to come with me, and stay calm." she'd gesture with both of her hands reaching out in a 'calm down' motion, and one hand then going to his shoulder.

For some reason the manner of which she spoke of this vague news immediately put him to a '11' in terms of alertness. "Nessa...? What happened? That's an alarming first sentence upon wakeup."

All she did was frown, and look to the bedcovers. "The police called. There's...there's somewhere you need to be, Haru. It involves your Pokemon."

His eyes shot open wide, and he feared the worst. Haru wasted no time from that second onward getting dressed, and as Haru and Nessa exited her home, she held onto his side. Taking an Air Taxi directly to the spot in The Wild Area, Haru leaps out of the seat, with Nessa following directly behind him. "Babe, don't leave me behind okay? You're going to need me for this!"

Haru began to run. If anything was going to be the case for him to get morning exercise, then it would be this. The athletic lover of his was able to keep up with his sprinting, and could tell that the looming sense of doom was hanging over him.

In the distance, he sees a large area warded off by a bunch of what look like policewomen who were guarding a spot. Seeing that made Haru have a flashback to the same feeling he got when he hadn't heard from Hiro by text message or phone call, and worried for fear of the worst possible news. They were all wearing raincoats, as The Wild Area had a shower earlier but had lightened up; only cloudy skies would hang above the region.

His speed would pick up and ran right to the cops standing out. "Hey! What's going on?!"

"Champ? Hey, sorry to have to call you out here, but we've got something to inform you..." says one of the officers, who goes to him; Nessa catching up immediately. Before he gets a chance to be told anything, Haru looks behind him and sees several zipped up black bags laying on the ground of various sizes.

"H-hey...officer? Tell me those...those behind you.." his voice got shaky, and Nessa went and grabbed one of his hands for comfort.

The cop nodded his head and frowned, taking off his cap. "Haru, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but we received a report late last night, that someone took 48 Pokemon and had some sort of conflict out here. Instead of healing them up after what may have been a battle...I...I'm sorry. We ID'd them, and need you to confirm that these are indeed, yours." handing him a list.

Haru has no idea how to react initially, seeing small profiles of 48 Pokemon that he registered over his career. The part that stood out to him, was that these were all the ones he ever used in a Gym Challenge battle at any of the stadiums. Alongside each name had his ID number, the time of capture, and the recent time of withdrawal. The end of each one showed what the coroner had written as the estimated time of deaths.

"Haru!" Nessa calls out as he drops the notepad and runs over to one of the bags and opens them up.

The cop calls out "HEY WAIT! You can't mess with those!"

"I have to make sure! This has to be a mistake!" Haru immediately fires back on the cops, opening one up and sees a torn up body of his Raichu that he raised. His instinctual urge to vomit suddenly comes up before he has a chance to do anything else and turns away.

Haru's knees buckle underneath him and he just stares at the dirt with both hands clenching a fist full in each palm. He's joined by Nessa on his side who brings him up to face her, as she's worried. "Hon? Hon, I'm right here."

She saw his eyes glaze over, turning back to the crime scene and one hand going to his head to clench some of his own hair. "H..w...who would do such...a thing...? I...Nessa...All of them...they're dead. I wasn't there to protect them..."

"I know...Haru I'm so sorry..I'm right here..." the sadness in his voice was getting to her too.

"I failed them Nessa...all of them..." He spoke one last time, and was no longer then able to hold back and hung onto his girlfriend.

The sounds of Haru's pain rung out on the spot; only accompanied by Nessa's quiet voice doing her best to soothe the aching in his heart. He broke down into full sobbing as both eyes shed tears and fought to understand what he did to deserve such ain. To him it was an unexpected and cruel move by fate, wrought to him by someone or something, and he cursed the fact he was alive but unable to protect any of them. It weighed heavy on his soul thinking about how scared they were being captured, and then ultimately brought to their final destination without him anywhere in sight. Hiro's death was quick and painless; that much he knew. But knowing that all of his Pokemon suffered a slow step to Death's doorstep was what kept bringing on the tears down his cheeks. That he was simply too late on acting on his new change of perspective in life to make that 'safe haven' for Pokemon. He thought that maybe if he hadn't pussyfoot around for as long, that they all would have been safe.

But they're gone. Outside of the team he brought with him to fight Syra, his Hall of Fame Pokemon that live with him, and Zamazenta, he had a substantially low number of furry friends to call his own. It seemed whoever targeted him specifically withdrew all of the ones he used for all of the Gym Challenge matches and took them 'out'. He couldn't bring it within to forgive himself, with Nessa trying to do everything she could to comfort the immense sorrow that he felt. She never saw him like this, and felt powerless to do anything to change: holding onto Haru tightly while he cried. Over and over again he's heard asking 'Why', and is only able to find what little solace he has in the fact her hand was raking through his hair to comfort him. Every now and then just kissing the top of his head and using another hand to stroke his back.

In the time spent there, Haru spent the majority of it being unable to speak properly, so he relied on Nessa to speak for him when the time came. He would hold no funeral for them, but decided to have them all buried in Postwicke. For the entirety of the rest of the day, Haru is followed by Nessa to his place as he embraces all of his Pokemon who were there in a large group hug.

He decides to not go anywhere or do anything, choosing instead to just simply have Nessa help him alert the rest of their friends about what occurred and asks if they'll be able to meet up the next day.

- - - - - Next Early Morning - - - - -

- - - - - Postwicke - - - - -

- - - - - Fields Near Slumberin Weald - - - - -

Placing a ribbon atop of a mound of dirt, Haru sheds another pair of tears. 'Best Buddy' was written on it, and it was for the Raichu that he at one point owned. Him, Hop, Leon, his mother Lana, and all the other Gym Leaders were there with him paying their respects, all wearing black colored formal outfits. There would be no formal ceremony except for the speech that Haru gives talking about the companionship that he shared with every single Pokemon that he raised himself during the Gym Challenge. Going as far as to talk about certain memories and the personalities of every single one of them, Haru ends simply by saying his only regret was he did not see them as often as he wished. Knowing that while he should not curse his past actions, that they are all at peace.

It was still too early in the grieving period to hold his own without feeling like he'd start sobbing at any second, so the speech would take some time to be done before he spoke his part. Kneeling down to one of the graves that he had quickly made for them all for their final resting place, he ends up getting his suit pants dirty and just stares at where they lay.

Haru's eyes look almost empty. /Perhaps...they're all playing with Hiro now, since he knew I was going to attempt the challenge one day. I'm sorry guys. Maybe I'll be a better trainer that you all will be proud of someday./

The others around him gather around to give Haru long, affectionate hugs. A few times Haru just silently cried right there, but wasn't shamed or had attention drawn to it from any of the others. The only shame felt was inside Haru's own mind. At one point he had almost gotten over his survivor's guilt with Hiro's passing, and now with this occurring, he'd have trouble once again being able to move on.

/It seemed the life of a Champion was too high of a price to pay, or this is my punishment for something I'm unaware./ Haru thinks to himself, knees huddled up to his chest. He thanks everyone for coming on incredibly short notice, as only Hop, Lana, and Nessa stay behind to console him.

For the remainder of the day, Nessa would stay by Haru's side being as much of a support as she could and reminding him constantly that she loves him dearly. All he can do is just suffer quietly and try once again to move past a horrific event.

A few days later, it'd be reported region-wide what happened. News outlets picked up the story and ran with the most basic of detail: 48 Pokemon found dead in The Wild Area, with the owner being unnamed currently. Gyms everywhere wouldn't put much focus to this, but to just remind everyone who was a Pokemon trainer or otherwise friendly to Pokemon to take care of them and love them as much as possible.

To Syra, this meant nothing as she was focusing on the Pools Tournament that she was finally taking place in; the competition is all that mattered. Stretching her arms in place and going over her own team details, she almost coldly just looked at the marquee that reflected the scoreboard of all the contestants currently in the competition in the prep room. The best part of the day was seeing another name disappear from the list with her own having its number rank increase one by one. Moving from the prep room to the break room, she spots a few other trainers muttering amongst each other.

"Hey who do you think did it?"

"Shit really sucks. That's a lot of Pokemon to just be left out there, fainted, leaving them to die from the severe damages."

"What kind of monster does that?"

"Someone either with a grudge probably, or legitimately has only one thing in mind."

Syra calls them out. "Hey! I know you guys are having fun discussing what happened recently, but as professionals we can't afford to lose our focus. What happened, happened. Nobody can change that."

"You're right. I just hope whoever they were owned by, is okay..."

The long haired girl looks at them, putting her hair up into a ponytail as if to focus more on the battle as her own eyes lower. "Me too. Either way, for you fellas, before you know it it'll be 'Pools Closed' so don't lose out on your first match." she flashes a 'V' with her fingers indicating her own victory and walked out to where trainees would be on standby.

A part of her wonders what the hell happened, and the worst thought came that the 48 Pokemon was somehow tied to Haru. Unfortunately for the moment she didn't dwell on anything and began to decide what her own 'Champion outfit' would be.

"Hmm. I think a flashy, leather outfit would do good for me. Yeah, that'd be nice." she proudly exclaims to nobody's ears but her own, and with her first step upon being called, Syra walked out onto the large stadium to her adoring fanbase.

Day 1 of the Pools Tournament had started that day, but only one would end up being a winner in the end of it. For Syra, her day was just beginning. For Haru, the love of the Pokemon League, and his own career was in jeopardy. Only time would tell on what tip of the scale he would end up on.

Steel does tend to break when under immense pressure.

- - - - - END CHAPTER 11 - - - - -