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.

22. Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Surprise Gift

- - - - - The Other Day, Spikemuth - - - - -

- - - - - ?, early morning. . . - - - - -

Syra had gotten past the guards with a simple recital of a vague password harkening back to old wives' tales only to find herself on edge. Her Intelleon had led her to a sketchy looking operation that was only guarded by a single man and a Hitmonchan as some music was heard booming; the bass' vibrations humming through.

/Allright, let's see what we're working with.../ she pondered, going down the staircase and wincing when the pungent mix of Trubbish and Muk-like stenches hit her nostrils. She'd be welcomed by an assault of the senses the likes she hadn't personally bore witness to before. The stench of grime, dried blood, aged rust and steel. Sounds of cheers and jeers mixed in the calls of many numbers being listed. Above her head the dim amber lights illuminated the dirt colored, industrial interior full of caged fencing. The number of people underground here were many, and all of them huddled in this corner of Spikemuth. A purpose for the area was not immediately known but Syra guessed the small man-made arena they were gathered around, flashing wads of PokeDollars had to do with it. Bets were being made. On a chart there were classifications for battle of "Against Pokemon" and "Against Human" with names and betting odds constantly updated. In her quickened scanning of the place, she was unable to see if this were for sport, or was related to gang activity. /There's no way Team Yell is related to this, right? They're not the kind to hold functions like this./ She couldn't make much of it due to the massive numbers of people standing around facing the innermost circle but after shoving her way through, her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

In the centermost ring a man was duking it out with another man while their fists flew bare across each other's bodies and faces. Both of them covered in bruises, cuts, and bleeding from a few open wounds. Syra, in horror, realized in her discovery what this place was made to be. /This is an underground fighting ring...! Shit! I had heard that Galar had these but I never came across any until now. I thought these were just stupid rumors!/ A loud 'crack' is heard from one of the combatants causing the whole crowd to roar with cheers, temporarily knocking Syra out of her inner dialogue. One of the men had reeled back from a hard uppercut that caused them to temporarily fly back and was kneeling down. He held up a hand, signaling to 'give him a moment', but was facing the other direction from Syra: her only clue to his injury being the spittle of blood he spat at the concrete floor.

"Hey is he going to be okay?" She asks someone, who was cheering on for the man currently killed over and tending to his wounds. The girl with the pixie cut hair laughed and nodded. "He'll get back up: he always does...though I wonder how much more he's got in him today!"

"Why do you say that?" Syra replied while her attention shotgunned between the member of the audience and the wounded combatant. Her horror had risen exponentially however when he had risen fully to his feet and turned back to the opponent and, in turn, revealed himself to her without even knowing she was in the audience.

/SEVAN?!/

Rising back to his feet, Sevan, wrists wrapped and looking at his opponent with a snarky grin, came back as if the last hit didn't nearly knock him out. /C'mon Sevan, just lame it out and try to-/

His reaction time wasn't as fast or reactionary as Syra had previously bore witness to, and in mid-thought he was downed once again. His opponent slugged him with a one-two flurry of punches. He hit the floor hard and onto his side facing where Syra stood in the crowd as their cheers roared throughout the underground arena. A makeshift referee steps in and checks on Sevan and gestures with a hand. "Sevan is down for the count!" The man would announce the other opponent as the winner, walking to him and raising his bruised arm and bloodied hand up. In her haste to get him out of there, Syra didn't care what reason he was there for, or what led him to the location. If he was fatally wounded, she would never forgive herself for coming to such a seedy place, only to do nothing about it.

Looking down at her belt, she thought up of a solution, kneeling down and whispering to her Inteleon while holding the ball close to her lips. Lifting up her jacket to partially cover her holding a PokeBall in hand, she made a plan. "Josef, listen. When I let you out, I need you to focus and use Snipe Shot. Aim for the gentleman that you see holding the Bet money and knock it right out of his hands. With that money flying, it'll cause a bunch of these losers to disperse so that they'll try to grab some. When you do that, I can get Sevan out of here and retrieve you as well. From there, we're going to leave quickly. Got it?"

Standing up and holding the ball low to her hip, Syra backed away from the crowd until she hit the wall. There was a group of fans of the opponent that took down Sevan seemingly congratulating him on his win while Sevan was slowly getting back to his feet. He had only managed to get to one knee up, occasionally spitting blood. A little hesitation later, and Josef popped out, identified the man that Syra spoke of and smirked. Kneeling down on one leg and focusing in on the Bet Money Man's wrist, its own shot out and pointed with one index finger. A single blast of water shot out, knocking the money out of his hand and distracting everyone. "HOLY SHIT FREE MONEY", "Who did that?!", "Fuck it, we lost but grab as much as you can!" and others were the reactions from the attendees there. Syra quickly withdrew Josef, knelt down to grab Sevan amidst the chaos of the whole room and held him up. He looked to her when she yanked him up. "Syra..? What the fuck are you doing here?"

"That's exactly what I wanna say to you, jerk! We're getting out of here!" She yelled at him while making her escape. The pair were not followed, although the guards from outside the establishment looked on in confusion as the girl that they let in just now came back out with a friend.

- - - Outskirts of Spikemuth... - - -

- - - Park - - -

"Syra, it's like, weird as shit seeing you here. How'd you find me? WHY are you here?" Sevan slurred with his speech as he hung onto the girl that was dragging him near a close Air Taxi Station. She looked around to make sure the two would not be bothered for simply relaxing on the grass; no intention to challenge any trainer that crossed her vision. Huffing to herself while laying him flat and beginning to pace, he could sense the audible worry in her voice. "Look, I don't expect you to understand."

Her head turned to him and showed how angry she was as she let Josef out of his PokeBall to keep watch: acting as a guard. Kneeling down to his side and both hands resting on her legs, her head hung. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Sevan was almost too prepared for such a question and laughed weakly before turning his face to spit some blood from the earlier blows he sustained. "Where do you want me to begin?"

Frustrated, Syra pressed a thumb and forefinger to her forehead as her eyes squint shut. "Right, let me start from the top. Why did I find you in a weird, seedy club fighting for what I can only assume is for money? Why not become, I don't know, a Pokemon trainer like myself or loads of other jobs involving Pokemon that doesn't involve losing teeth and shins?"

"Well do you know a better way to fight and earn money? Without sponsors?" she'd be asked while Sevan's ability to speak started to come back with little confusion.

The girl just narrowed her eyes in slightly growing irritation "I uh...hmm. I'll answer that when I'm better prepared, but I see you're avoiding the 'what is wrong with you' question. I had some insomnia earlier and am riding the high off of it, so I'll let you slide for now." Her eyes opened up and Syra made it a point to look him in the eyes with the growing hurt and confusion she had. "Why are you doing this for money when WE BOTH know you're more than capable of being a good enough trainer to earn it that way? You could become legitimate: I'll beat your ass if I end up challenging you in the end tournament but the idea still stands!" her right hand turned into a fist.

Sighing, Sevan turned on his back away from her and answered in melancholic form. "If I can do anything that prevents my buddies from getting hurt, then it's a win in my book. I can take it."

/What the heck does that mean?/ More questions began to enter her head and she shook her head. "Pokemon are built tougher than most of us humans with our puny bodies! You know that they enter battle when they trust their Masters right? Why does it bother you if your Pokemon fight? They're our friends in battle AND outside of them. They're by our side so we don't have to end up in bad situations! Seeing you like that earlier made me wonder why you didn't have any of your own Pokemon on the sideline to keep you in check or...I don't know!" tears budded up briefly from frustration. Her tone had increased in volume. "If I hadn't stepped in, you would have most likely gotten much worse off!"

She found that he would not budge from his self-imposed law. "...With how things are, I want to see them in as little pain as possible. I want to make sure they suffer, even to my own detriment since I can't have my others here."

"...your others? What do you mean other-" She thinks back on the fact that Chorui, a Pidgeot, is here and thinks about the implications of his statement. "...from where you used to live or something?"

/Might as well../ He thinks to himself. Sevan had given up the ghost, and lamented. "Any of my Pokémon from Hoenn. Fen and Shinrin are legal because Galar has their breeds here."

It finally hit her what this meant. Josef looked to his Master with both of his eyes going wide in self realization at the same time as Syra. The passion behind the Pokemon there and his intricate knowledge of the region was all due to it being his original homeland. She had now, at the very least, befriended a man from Johto and now Hoenn. "Barring how that explains your encyclopedic brain works if it concerns the region...how did you manage to smuggle your Pidgeot here?" Did he follow you here on the trip over?"

At the moment, the laws surrounding allowing certain then-discovered breeds of Pokemon was more limiting to the Galar region than others. Hissing in pain from the blows he sustained in the fight, Sevan turned back towards Syra while she assisted him in sitting up straight. "Chorui does not get noticed usually, since he's always at a height that makes it hard to tell what he is. There's this, and a pass I got from your former Chairman.."

"! R-r-r...Ex-Chairman Rose?" Syra instinctively reeled back with one arm pulled away, but relaxed afterwards. "You got a pass, huh? I wasn't aware Chairmen could do that.." /Does Oleana have something like that?/ Her mind wondered.

Reeling from with pain at the sudden volume from Syra, Sevan looked irritable but still open to questioning. "He requested a meeting with me one day: specifically after a few weeks being here. Called it 'off the record ' or something."

"...why you? What did you manage to do to catch his attention? Haru told me something he heard offhand once about him and Leon doing things like visiting a hospital from time to time and seeing kids, and I was watching Rose do the whole..." She rolled her eyes and sighed. She lamented her past actions but had to consider where Haru was before she was even considered a part of this greater picture. "...'Darkest Day' coupe that he attempted here in Galar. I still don't like to admit it openly but it WAS thanks to Haru I'm even alive."

A memory triggered in the back of Sevan's mind. He was inside the office of then Chairman Rose at Wyndon. Oleana was there to his side while Rose only looked onto him with a smile: the kind that hid true intentions behind every word. One that was practiced as an expert businessman that kept in line with top discussions in every council meeting and 'hush hush' conversations. It made Sevan angry just thinking back to it. "Something about being 'on his side'. I'm just a flunkout. We don't have the Gym Challenge for Hoenn like you have here. It's...different."

More memories triggered. Getting the view from atop Fortree City's interconnecting bridges around every building. Running through the night life in Rustboro City. Boat rides to Mossdeep City. Seeing Mt. Pyre. Sevan's eyes wince on the last memory and exhaled. "I 'blew it' in more then one way. I don't know what he wanted from me. I turned him down but he insisted on the Pass for Cho..."

She just ends up rubbing the back of her head and looking down. "...and because of our current issues with the National Dex, not everybody is allowed here. Negotiations are still ongoing, and who knows if you will be able to see your starter anytime soon without having to travel back. How far did you get?"

Sevan chuckled and he looked to the side. "Not far. 3 gyms in." It was a necessary white lie that he'd hold close to his chest: still not ready to show Syra the whole of his story.

"I'm sorry to hear that...ugh. So instead of...pursuing OUR challenge you just..." She motions back to the Fight Club she got him from "...it led you here? Because you lost? Is this something you get a kick out of doing?"

"You're not far off." Rolling back onto his side with his back to Syra not quite able to hide the pain and sorrow in his voice. /There's no reason she has to know everything./

He was able to hear her huff while she readjusted herself on the ground. Pulling one of her legs up and hugging a knee as the other leg extended, Syra pouted. "Hey...look. I kind of get it, okay? I had a very bad upbringing where I had to learn how to fight or risk losing something more than blood, but you know there are places much less..." She struggled to think of a way to speak of it "...seedy? Shady? Grimey? Smelly? I can keep going." Each word she gestured with a roll of a wrist.

"I wouldn't stop you if you kept going...but most of the issues I came here for are my fault. " Curling up a bit in the grass some if his joints popping painfully loud.

The conversation, Syra felt, may have hit a wall so she did her best to steer away from the negativity of it and look for an out. "Hey look you may be chiseled, throw punches well and have a cute blonde streak that is confusing to me whether it's natural or not, but you don't have to throw yourself into a death pit for a 'thrill'. There's better things to do here and with your life! Is it even a natural streak, or do you dye it?" It did not land well. Her ability to find the right words would get better at another time. The two shared an awkward pause as she hung her head. "S-sorry...I guess that sorta came out without me meaning to, but I couldn't think of another way to at least get you to smile so..."

Her Intelleon was, at her mention, trying to get a closer view of the streak of blonde in his hair, and backed away when slowly but surely, he got back up. Turning to her before pulling some of his hair around the streak to look at it himself, Sevan looked to them both. "It's natural. Never figured out why. My scalp was never discolored as a child, so I guess it's just sorta been...yellow? Gold? I don't know." He slicked it back and frowned. "it's also gotten me some less than desirable nicknames."

"Heh...I just had to ask. Haru's is ruby red, Nessa has aqua blue mixed with hers and I don't even know what Piers uses for his hair, haha...ah..." Syra felt a stiff and sighed. Their eyes lock on and as a moment passed, she tilted her head to the side "Anyways. I don't believe that for a second any of your past doings were your fault. You saying that reminds me of ghosts and demons I am still fighting today."

"Ghosts, huh? I fucking guess so..." Sevan's voice stayed somber, as Syra leaned and put a hand on his shoulder.

Her free hand pointed to herself with a thumb. "I am far from the example you need to follow, and I may not be past my own demons yet, but if I can knock them down, you can too: You just have to stop doing this."

In response to her offer, he clicked his tongue and sighed. "Syra I...I don't know. We will see."

The hand that was pointing to herself then grabbed the bottom of her shirt and lifted it up, flashing her stomach to his view. "I can let you feel my abs if it'll make you feel better."

His face went stark pink and he turned away almost hurriedly and flared his nostrils. "F-fff-fFU-UCK! N-no that's fine, thanks! It's much appreciated either way!"

Syra ends up laughing before pulling her shirt down and standing up slowly. "Gods you're too easy to fuck around haha...ah..."

He did his best to get his pulse slowing back down to a steady heartbeat, and in his own mind attempted his way of changing the subject. Flashing some cash his pockets of his pants, he looked back at her. "Are you hungry? I'm buying."

"What, with your blood money?" She folded her arms "Don't tell me that the initial time we met that you covered me for was also due to that...or was it?" Staring at him hard.

"No I did not. Even I'm not that tactless Syra. That was my own money, and so is this. C'mon." He gestured a slight shake of his hand holding the cash while she made a slight whimper. It was tempting to get food after skipping breakfast, but a part of her didn't want to stay out much longer if she could help it. Soon, her mother, Amiri, would probably awaken and want her to be home sooner than later.

His hand retracted. "...if your not hungry I take it back."

She knew she would regret saying this but said so anyway "I...I don't know. For one thing you're injured to shit all and back. It'd look bad if I walked in with you to a breakfast place trying to hide all your cuts and bruises. Secondly, Sevan, I'm not a medic so I can't help you but should we get you to a hospital or something. Having seen what little of the fight with my own eyes, you took a REALLY bad hit there or...twenty."

Handwaving it, as one of his eyes winked, Sevan tried to underplay his injuries. "Oh this is not the worst I have been in post-match; I'm tougher than I look. This time I just got unlucky. I'll be fine in a week or so. I'm more worried about you getting seen with some random beat up guy in a park late at night, Miss Runner up Champion "

Her eyes widen at his statement. Looking around sheepishly at their surroundings, Syra expressed a different kind of concern. "It's uh...it's morning, actually."

Sevan's hand flew fast if only to pull his Rotom phone out to check the time. He grit his teeth. "Uhhhh...fuck I hope Fen didn't burn the house down...how is it morning already "

/How does he even operate? Holy shit./ The ex-Gym Challenger thought. "...do you not sleep or something?"

Hand falling to the grass phone in hand with a light thud "Some days. Depends on if my body lets me."

Mentally going through the checklist of nearby areas, amenities, and community parks, Syra winced in pain. "S...should I call you an Air Taxi home or something? You know there's meds for that intense of insomnia right?" Tilting her head the other way

Lifting himself up with a low grunting sigh "Yeah if only they worked on me."

A bead of sweat forms on her forehead "Wait what? What the fuck do you do then when you can't rely on meds and you can't sleep?"

"Suffer?" He fired back without a second to lose and flashing a weak smile.

She just gestured with her hands worriedly "Okay well...I guess you would be worried about Fen so let's get you a lift home. Fuck dude. Can you at least TRY not to get yourself killed please? I can't be going out here to that fight..den..or whatever every day to see if you're there."

"Oh so no food then?" Even in the moment of his own health in a 'low' state, he sought to make sure someone like her was taken care of at the behest of himself. She shook her head and took a look around.

"I have to head home before my Mom worries too much about me. I'll get back to you soon, but we're gonna talk about some alternatives for you other than that place I just dragged you from." Her arms stayed folded over each other, pressed over her chest and huffed at him.

She helped him get a ride home where he could be with his Pokemon, and Syra went back to her own home where her mother was awaiting her return.

- - - - Present Morning - - - -

Syra laid there in bed as both eyes opened, recalling the events of a few days prior. Sevan had finally laid down some walls, allowing her to know a bit of his backstory. He was a troubled dropout Gym Challenger from Hoenn with some complicated baggage. Being separated from one's own Pokemon was one thing, but being unable to bring them to your new home for whatever 'second try' of life he appeared to be here for was another. 'Lady Luck' was to thank for her being able to keep her key team post-Operation-Critical-Hit, but if she had to say goodbye to a large portion of them because her new home forbade their entry, would she be as moderated as she was now?

"I wonder if I would even have the strength to bother moving on. Would I even pursue my career as a Gym Challenger again if I didn't have my Tyranitar? My Intelleon? I had to give the Eeveelutions to better homes cuz I stole them, but they went to good homes, so it's fine. For all the self deprecative talk, he's a much stronger person than I took him for." She muttered in external monologue as her hands laid on her stomach, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. Nobody had all the answers, so perhaps she wouldn't prod him for them all right now. Reaching over to grab a PokeBall off the top shelf of her dresser drawers, Syra then laid back down on her back and idly tossed the ball upwards before catching it with the same palm that tossed it.

/Haru manages to get as far as he does by managing all those connections he's birthed. Could be a Gym Leader, a rival like Bede, or the fans he met along the way, but he seems well adjusted on that front. I can't even help but get flustered over some letters in my fan mail because nobody ever said those things to me, but he probably gets those all the time./ She looked over to her phone and recalled the messages that she received from Nessa about wanting to hang out. It threw her off to be asked to socialize, almost thinking it was a 'joke' that she of all people was asked, but Nessa would not be the kind of person to play a mean prank even to Syra.

Moments passed and Syra got up out of her bed to head out, coursing through her wardrobe quietly before going to shower: preparing herself for the day. /Tch. The guy plays it so cool when confronting others during battles and was never even flustered once when we fought. There's probably nothing that can shake him./

- - - - - 2 Hours later. . . - - - - -

- - - - - Wyndon, Pokemon League HQ - - - - -

- - - - - Oleana's Office - - - - -

There were only a few things that truly scared Haru to the level of getting shaky knees. When he stepped into the first Gym during his Gym Challenge, the rise of adrenaline coursing through his bloodstream was almost too much to handle. His reaction was to just go mute temporarily or vocally command his Pokemon team to take on Milo. The crowd of thousands watching his every move and cheering him on while chanting with the anthems of Galarian Pokemon battles charged him like a million tiny Voltorbs coursing through his veins. The second thing was the very rare times he had seen either his mother or Nessa truly angry. Both were rare occurrences. His mom was a protective but caring parent while Nessa multi-managed the personas she carried both for public use and the private life outside the league. Even when he saw Nessa at her worst either in either of their homes prior to moving in together, he was able to keep his strength knowing that he knew she needed him and vice versa. Around her, he did his best to know when to simply listen.

But what never failed to send a chill down his spine was when Oleana, the Chairman of the Pokemon League in Galar, stared him down with the intent to settle on business. Her normal expression was usually muted as to uphold a level of professionalism in the workplace, but her voice grew colder and eyes focused like a predator cornering prey when something inside her ship decided it would malfunction. Standing before her office desk were Haru and Milo as the two gentlemen tried their best to give any ounce of professionalism that they could as the headmistress of the league spoke to them. "So, to summarize the events henceforth, consequently...a scuffle between you two arose due to some commentary one made. Milo, Haru. I don't know of all the saucy details, and to be frank it's a little confusing how you could get one in on Milo...yet you insist it was only you two."

"Yes ma'am. It was all him and I. My side of the story stays that I only acted when he made slander against my person, and the one I consider my better half." His eyes staying forward and locked onto Oleana while Milo briefly side eyes him. The Grass Gym Leader had nothing to rebuttal his claim, and just nodded. "While we were both intoxicated, it was uncouth of us as we didn't consider the image of Gal-"

"WE? Milo, you were multiple cans in of a higher dosage of alcohol than I was, while the others told you to slow down your intake. Let's be fair here." Haru had interrupted, rolling his eyes but never taking them off Oleana.

"The point stands that we both had a bit o' poison in our veins, and as such clouded the judgment of us both." Milo stood straight and kept to his story. Haru was heard scoffing about it and looking to the side in annoyance.

"Hmm. Fair point. Not like I have to apologize for anything when you're trying to undercut and betray me."

"As if you're in a good place to point fingers, throwing the first punch!"

"I did what any red blooded Galarian would do in such a spot. Sorry if that's a little complicated for you to understand, but I wouldn't let that sit even if it were about a friend of mine." their little feud was interrupted as Oleana is heard slamming a palm on her desk and standing up, causing Haru's face to go pale in fear and clam up.

"ENOUGH OF THIS STUPID SQUABBLE!Haru! Milo! You will BOTH put aside your differences for the immediate future and the second you two walk out of that door I don't want to hear another lick of anything like this happen again, or you will both be punished severely for such contentions! Am I clear?!"

"Yes ma'am" they both quickly said as Oleana pointed a right hand to Haru.

"Haru, as an upcoming Gym Leader, you will be representing all of Galar's youth who yearn to become a Champion much like you were so I'll cut you a little slack. Don't do it again. Make sure if you're going to duke it out to have it in your soon finished Steel Gym or otherwise under officially supported circumstances. Milo! You're the standing example of a positive force amongst all the Gym Leaders, so I'll warn you only this once to never let your personal life interfere and make a fool of yourself in such a public space like this ever again!" Oleana sat back down and clicked her tongue as her left eye twitched. "Honestly. Getting reports from the other Gym Leaders about this was one thing, but that you two did it while on your brief reprieve at the Isle of Armor? Did you two consider for a second who could have been watching? What this will do to what other regions think of you two? Of Wyndon? Of Galar?"

She leaned forward on the desk as her hands folded over the other while propping her elbows on the hardwood top. "As you both know, ex-Chairman Rose ran this place and Galar within a properly scheduled mannerism that one would equate to 'stern but fair', and made sure to relax his directions when necessary. Me? I WON'T be as relaxed as him." Her eyes narrowed, piercing through the veil of both men that stood at attention. "This whole operation is a well oiled machine, so make sure you two stay greased up. The second this ship comes to a screeching halt due to something like this again, I won't be as nice next time, and make it so you re-learn your place. Are. We. Clear?"

Once again, both gentlemen nodded quickly and repeated. "Yes ma'am."

Oleana let out a long sigh after looking at them both sweating bullets and gestured a handwave. "You may both leave now. I've a previous arrangement with some ladies, and I don't need anymore boys causing fights to add wrinkles." The gentlemen left her to her own devices in the office as they both exited promptly and silently. Leaning back in her chair, she stared at the ceiling. /Milo did a good job trying to remove any evidence of scratches, scuff marks or bruises, but I don't ever recall in Haru's history that he knew how to fight to that degree. Both of them, and the other Gym Leaders that told me about this insist it was only the two of them, but I'm curious if anything else has been left out./ She sighed before closing her eyes. /It's probably nothing. Adrenaline does things to the human body when it's in a fight-or-flight response, so I wager that what happened was Haru felt something rise in him that had been laying dormant for a good while./

She swiveled in her office chair to briefly look over promo photos from the last Pokemon League Tournament: all of them on the field with Syra, who was doing her best at the time to hold up a smile despite her then predicament. /Haru's eyes were different this time. To think at one point I considered him a nuisance, and now I've relied on him more to help keep the peace. He's never lost his cool on anything no matter what happened, so the fact that he traded fists to Milo makes me wonder if there's some form of ticking time bomb inside him now./

Her head looked back at the door where the men left and pursed her lips. /Something is happening.../

Down the hallway, Haru and Milo came to the fork where one side led to a couple of elevators while the other to some offices for Pokemon Research. As the two had exited, they were the only ones in the hallway. The silence was deafening. The broad shouldered Grass Gym Leader eyed the back of Haru's head as not once did Haru say anything when they exited the office. Milo kept his cool and tried to recall the recent words of Oleana, though something did come through his lips. "You know, I realize that we came off the wrong foot the other day and it was wrong of me, but as said before, you threw the first punch."

The words hit Haru's eardrums and Milo saw as the back of Haru's turned; acknowledging the statement altogether. He kept walking as Milo spoke yet again. "I kept that hidden from her, so remember that next we meet, Haru. Outside of what you said during that night, you've got nothing on me. Got that? Nothing."

It appeared fate was testing Haru once again to lash out like the other night. His right hand balled up into a fist and tensed up as hard as it could while he breathed in long through the nose before exhaling through the mouth. He about-faced and walked right back to Milo. Looking up at him they locked eyes while Haru spoke in a much lower, calmer tone than he was known for in the past. "You're right, Milo. Outside of this? I got nothing. That's fine, really, because I know despite my injuries last night I came out the bigger man."

Haru sighed and narrowed his eyes. "But you wanna know something? You don't know a fucking thing about what I've been through. Know this: My love of Nessa, my brother Hiro, my love of my friends, Pokemon and the fans who come to look up to me is real. I don't have what you do: big shoulders, big muscles, another foot of height, nor do I come from a farming family that is a big slice of Galar's industry."

Milo raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going with this?"

Haru slowly removed his glasses and folded them before eyeing him again, and held them in his hand. "I'm saying that the next time you wanna judge someone like you did, take a look in the mirror. I've come a long way since that first gym, and if you wanna 'prove' yourself again, maybe I ought to do it with my best team, or are you not fit for that, hmm? Wanna vary it up a little with something that isn't just Grass-type? Too hard for you? Eight badges on my medallion, two-time title holder of Galar's Champion: you? Big man wearing a straw-hat and smile on the outside, yet on the inside you're about as rancid as some of the thugs I took out in Kanto." Putting his own glasses back on and walking away to the elevator, he pressed the down arrow indicator while Milo could only grit his teeth.

The reaction seemed to elicit a teethy grin from Haru as he dared not to look back at Milo this time around. "Don't trip over yourself going back to those fields and thinking about what I said, Milo. Wouldn't want the straight-laced farmer boy to look out of place to everyone else right?" The bell 'dinged', opened, and Haru stepped in. Pressing the "L" button while it closed, Haru suddenly took a step back and placed a hand against one of his eyes while he leaned against the wall, gritting his teeth. /Fuck what the shit was that just now? I'm not the kind to start tearing down someone like that, but seeing him unable to respond back was so satisfying that I wanted to laugh out loud and try to break him. Maybe last night wasn't enough for me./

He shook his head /No, I can't think like that. Think about the longterm implications if you start going down that path, Haru./ The ping of desire to dive into someone like that was not like him. /Am...am I okay? Maybe I didn't get enough sleep.../

- - - - - Elsewhere at that time. . . - - - - -

- - - - - Hulbury Gym interior, Staff Conference Room - - - - -

Sitting in one of the many conference rooms of her own Gym, Nessa looked down at her phone as some messages came in from Haru. The very tense meeting that he was dreading from Oleana was over before he figured it would be. She'd be approached by her fellow fashion consultant who worked with her on the commercials and photoshoots: Hestia. "I'm glad you were able to get me the numbers when you did, because otherwise today would have been a bust. Working all the hours I could to make sure today pops off like it does, what with the tentative outfits...but with that in mind, is everything going okay Nessa? Noticed you were a little nose-deep into your phone for a moment with a serious expression. "

Sighing before giving a shrug, Nessa would put a hand to her forehead as if to suppress her stress. "Eh...let's say they're getting better, but not fast enough. It's...complicated."

"You and Haru are fine right?" Hestia asked, half joking but half knowing that nothing could break the two if she was smiling about it. It was an honest question, so Nessa had no problem answering without any hint of malice or content.

Nessa merely exhaled through the nose with a smile as her cheeks turned pink. "Of course they are. I was going to chastise him earlier today since something happened the other night, and he should be resting...but...this morning he just did one of those 'small things' that, y'know, really hit home where it mattered."

"Like...?" Hestia egged her on, with her Sylveon, Oberon, sitting on a foldout chair quietly listening in on them talk.

Nessa leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Breakfast. Should've been asleep and resting, but there he was at 7am, finishing up plating my breakfast at the table for me."

"So basically your homeboy needs to relax more." Hestia joked. There was a knock and a slow turn of the handle, as one of the conference room doors slowly opened. A head full of velvet black hair peaks out, followed by two magenta eyes. Both Hestia and Nessa's eyes widened.

"I...is this the place? Oh, I suppose it is...hi Nessa.." Syra said in a meek tone, letting herself be known. It was unusually cute to see her act shy, but with Nessa spotting the ex-Gym Challenger, she got up pulled Syra in for a hug.

"Syra you came! I'm so glad to see that you ended up taking my offer and meeting me here! For a little bit I was unsure if you were going to join but this makes everything so much better." She turned with Syra hooked on one arm towards Hestia and gestured with a hand. "I'm sure you need no introductions Hestia, but this is Syra. Syra, this is Hestia: my fashion consultant and a friend of Haru's."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm glad that I can see how some of the ideas I had may look on you: though of course, you CAN choose any of them that you want to wear. Forgive me if I'm getting ahead but I'm excited you're here!" The girl walked over to Syra with a smile and shook hands with the ex-Gym Challenger, who firmly returned the gesture.

It was a little adorable to see Syra react uncharacteristic of her nature. Almost as if she were forced by hand to come here, Syra looked away with her face blushing. "Y-yeah yeah, as she said, I'm Syra. Nice to meet you. I think Haru told me about you briefly not that long ago. You not only do this but you breed Pokemon right?" She looked to Nessa more directly as she pulled away only to remove her jacket, leaving herself in the white graphic undershirt. Hestia grinned and lifted her head up proudly.

"Sure do! Not a master of either, but I take pride in my efforts all the same."

Laughing half heartedly, Syra combed her hand through her hair before looking to Nessa. "So about this whole...thing. You wanted me to come by and help with some photoshoot right? You later mentioned that it would involve outfits so I'm more than happy to oblige but, I'll admit I'm nervous. This is my first time doing such a thing."

Hestia perked up while her Sylveon and Umbreon, both aptly named Oberon and Sabra, handed her a bottle of water she had on standby. "Should I tell her, or should you?" she asked Nessa.

Raising a hand with a pointed finger, Nessa exclaimed. "So we're missing some others who will be joining us, though they should be here soon. With the addition of you coming here, today's shoot is going to go over swimmingly because its focus is on notable, strong female figures in the Pokemon League in Galar." She produced a small slip of paper that was handed to her by one of the agents she works for when it comes to photoshoots be it in magazines or for television commercials. Syra looks over it and begins to sweat.

/Did I bite off more than I can chew coming here today?/ The thought goes through her mind that she may consider turning back and running away. She had done interviews, a few autographs on the side, and passed through every Gym in Galar with her head held high like they were nothing. Posing for the camera while dressing up, however, was completely new ground for Syra, and her face went stark red. "Strong female figures of Galar? Heh. W-well it's not like I necessarily wanna back out now after hearing that but, am I really going to add much to this? You don't really need me right? The others are so much more beautiful than me, really...you sure I won't just drag this thing down?"

Hestia wanted to get to work on getting her into outfits and makeup as soon as possible, but didn't want to intrude if Syra was having second thoughts. She tilted her head, her upper lip wrinkling. "I mean, I won't force you to stay if it's going to make you truly uncomfortable, but it can be fun to put on some outfits and pose! Our photographer is amazing, and I can vouch that he doesn't make you feel stressed or self conscious at all."

Blinking, Nessa didn't expect to hear Syra speak so straight-laced on her self image. Sure, the two hadn't become best friends yet, but she didn't want Syra to feel uncomfortable or self conscious. The self image issue wasn't something she hadn't dealt with before: cheering up her own Gym Trainers at her Gym was an acquired skill she took pride in. Stepping forward, Nessa walked over to the woman and put her hands on both sides of Syra's cheeks, forcing them to lock eyes. "Uh...y-yes? What?" Syra asked nervously.

The hands lightly squeezed Syra's cheeks as Nessa pursed her lips a little and spoke softly. "Hey. The reason I asked you to join me today is because I think there's potential in you to help boost your own charisma and confidence, and I think you deserve a break. You've gone through a lot lately, and you need some girl power to cheer you up: let you see the goddess that's down deep. So today we're going to put on some dresses and outfits together, and let you and ourselves shine okay? I'll be with you every step of the way."

Blush refused to leave Syra's face. She was okay socializing in small numbers with certain people, but meeting new people, now that she no longer had to put up a front all the time, was like starting over from zero. "O-okay..."

"I want you to repeat after me: it's a simple exercise I put my ladies at Hulbury Gym through okay? Take a deep breath, exhale and repeat. You're beautiful." Hestia watched as Nessa said that to Syra, who only stared back. It took a moment for the tall girl to get she was trying to hype her up, and replied.

"I'm...!" In a split second, Syra froze, unable to say those words.

/You'll never need to get another man at this rate, but that's fine, my dear. You'll always have me, right?/

/Such a young, toned body./

Her eyes flashed back to her past trauma and narrowed her eyes back at Nessa. The Gym Leader knew this may have been hard for her to admit, and was as patient with her as could be. "It's okay, Syra. Just repeat those words with conviction when you say it: you are beautiful. You can do it."

/This is stupid embarrassing, I'm clamming up in front of someone I never met when I came here of my own will./ "I'm b..." Her teeth grit together and her eyes wince shut for a second, a tear going down her cheek, as if the mere act alone was like ripping off a band-aid. "I'm...beaut...I'm beautiful." Both her eyes open, tearing up but now not able to look away from Nessa, who looked back without judgment.

"You're great." Nessa said, one eyebrow raising and a smirk slowly rising.

"I'm great." Syra gave a pout, knowing that she was a great trainer and giving a pout as both her hands clenched into fists.

"...and you're a winner." Smiling wider, Nessa tapped on Syra's cheeks.

"I'M A WINNER!" She stamped her foot on the carpet flooring and grunted like it was the greatest thing to say, as the two shared a much more genuine hug. Nearly gasping for air like she swam several laps, Syra wiped her eyes. Nessa rubbed her hand on Syra's back as she clung on and smiled. "Thank you. I don't know if I can believe it for long, but maybe now I can start to.."

Letting go and looking up at her, Nessa put a hand on her hip and smirked. "That's a good start. Today, you can channel your inner star and work the cameras just like that entrance at Wyndon Stadium or any stadium you go to in the future."

The sounds of the doors open once again and Bea is seen walking in, causing Syra to hide her face until the few tears that were down her face were all gone. "Hey Bea! Glad you're here!"

The silver eyed fighter girl waved, and then perked up once spotting her friend in the room. "Oh, Syra's here too? Awesome! Shame we won't be sparring in whatever attire we're going to be donning, but I think I can deal with what hand Nessa plays."

/Oh thank fucking Arceus, I can relax a little./ Turning to Bea, Syra put on a strong face as the two hugged. Getting held by Bea was something she needed in that moment. "Yeah, but I think I can manage now that you're here."

"Kickass. That's what I like to hear. So we just have to wait for only a few now right?" Bea replied, all perky. The fighter Gym Leader leaned in. "Oh hey, later on I gotta tell ya something interesting that Allister told me the other day."

Syra's eyes widened with interest. "Go on."

Looking at her phone, Nessa's eyes squinted. Sonia was on her way, and Oleana was around the corner. They'd have to get ready soon. From the other side of the room, a man dressed in a black patterned dress shirt, silver slacks, hair slicked back, black eyeliner, and a camera around his neck waved.

"Good day to you darlings~." The gentleman says, to which Hestia replied with a preparedness in her voice. "Hey Mathias, nice to see you too. This is our '+1' that Nessa spoke of on the phone whomst we're helping set up. I'm sure you don't need any introductions."

Bea looked to Syra and whispered. "I'll get back to you on what I was saying later, okay? You got a new fan to talk to." As true as the statement was, Mathias knew her profile from a first glance, and let out a squee of excitement.

"Well if this isn't a lovely surprise!" He walked over and did his best to stay professional, though the metaphorical veil was thin.

Syra bowed while shaking his hand, causing him to swoon oh so dramatically. "OOooooOh~ it's a pleasure to meet you in person Syra! I've watched your matches on the telly and am a BIG. FAN. If you think I'm too much in today's shoot, feel free to tell me okay? I may be a hardass behind the lens, but I'm a bit more free on the dance floor ohohohoho."

A bead of sweat formed on Syra's forehead, unable to figure out how to reply to someone that was so 'extra'. Regardless of her getting her bearings, she nodded and puffed up her chest. "Sure thing." /I wonder if this is actually going to be as easy as everyone says it will be.../ The girl looked to Hestia, who was going over her own notes, coursing through some of the dresses they had on hand, and raised an eyebrow to the fashion expert amongst them. "So what...uhm...actually happens during these photoshoots?"

"Well, the gist is I have some set themes I'd like you all to look over slash consider. Mathias even managed to talk -me- into it. He'll guide you where to look, how to stand, etsetera. When he's done shooting us all separately, he wants us to be together for one group shoot..." She looks over to him as he's talking with Nessa currently, and squints her eyes. "I'd usually not go for it myself, but the outfits are really cute, and they should fit."

"Eh...what kind of outfits are we talking about here, exactly?" Syra asked, but was interrupted when a more mature, feminine voice came from the same door she entered from.

"Good day, ladies. Hope you weren't waiting too long for me~" Oleana appeared with her coat hung over one of her arms, the other being the one which held the door open. She'd be joined by the professor of Galar's Pokemon League, Sonia, who was just as eager to be here.

Nessa was relieved that she wouldn't have to wait long for the whole cast for that day to arrive, and leaped to her friend in a big hug. Sonia was more than happy by the hug. "Hiii~ Nessie! Made it! Sorry~ I almost woke up too late, heheh.."

Syra blinked, nearly clamming up realizing that Oleana would be in the same space as her for a modeling photoshoot considering what occurred the last time they had met. When approached, Syra bowed again. "Ma'am. It's been awhile."

Looking back at Syra, Oleana recalled the much more volatile time when the girl was facing a long, punishing jail sentence. The woman held her hand out. "It has been, and I'm glad that we met again under much better circumstances...even if this something so silly."

"Eh, it may be silly, but I'm willing to see how far this will go. I appear to be amongst good company." Syra said with a bit of a half laugh, looking over to the group of Bea, Sonia, Nessa, and Mathias.

- - - - - 32 Minutes later, Adjacent Conference Room - - - - -

Her hair was worked, straightened, and given a new glow. Syra felt like a million PokeDollars, and Hestia was doing her best to make her feel like she could attack any region head on...with exception to one minor detail. A single accessory that she caught in her peripheral vision. Syra narrowed her eyes and stared hard at the shiny Sylveon that was to her left while Hestia helped Syra get ready for her shoot: being the second one that Mathias wanted to get shot on camera. Oberon had a pink bowtie ribbon in its mouth looking all too pleased with itself, much to the opposite of her own enjoyment. Her voice had lowered to a tone that oozed with venom. There was an enormous menacing aura coming from the girl to the Pokemon.

"I swear...if you. put. a bow. on me..." she said in a cold tone, one of her legs starting to tap on the floor in a nervous tick. Hestia looked over to Oberon, and gave it a look of 'Maybe not that one' as it jumped down to the floor again.

The fashion consultant chuckled, looking through Syra's long locks getting her set up. "You're not the only one here with strong Pokemon you know. Actually Oberon, I'm going to need a different type: we're ditching that bowtie. May not even need it. I got an idea. I think I know what we're going to get you in before your shoot. I had several outfits in mind for you to choose, but had to go off of what I've seen you through your matches and League Cards." She held her hands out as if to frame Syra's face and held one eye shut. It was only a habit she sometimes did. "Let's...think of a way to add more beauty to what you're already giving off but also enhance the edge you give off. That's the vibes I get anyway."

"That leaves me wondering, how do you already have outfits for me anyway?" Syra asked, to which Hestia calls back when she was shuffling through a closet.

"Nessa was able to help me get your measurements in time before you came today so..."

Syra raised her eyebrows and looked to her side. /So THAT'S why Nessa asked me awhile ago. It was in such casual conversation too...how sneaky of her./ "Well if that's the case, hit me with what you got."

Hestia went through a few of the outfits they had that could fit her, and decided to pull out a blue fur collared jacket that was hung on a hanger. She held up a finger and grabbed some tentative, pre-measured to her size items: red skull belt, black leggings, off-the-shoulder black crop top, and ankle stilleto boots. Syra's eyes widened in immense interest and thought for a quiet moment. /OOohh...OOH..okay. Maybe I can deal with this if I can look great like that./

"Eh?" Hestia asked, seeking input.

"I'm all for it." Syra replied, grinning a little too proudly and picturing herself in the outfit in the oncoming hour. Coming back after 'confirming it', Hestia gave a fist pump of victory that her senses led her to the correct conclusion and came back to Syra's side. She allowed Syra to head to the dressing screen, taking her clothes off one by one and looking at the outfit in question piece by piece. There was no way for her to eye herself wearing it until it was all on, and then only after could they work on makeup.

She stepped out a few moments later and outstretched her arms looking at Hestia. "Ta-da~" and turned around.

"Is it too tight? I tried to account for any errors so..." Hestia began to pre-emptively apologize.

"No no. It's actually pretty nicely fitting." Syra commented, looking at herself from head to toe. The only thing she did not put on were the boots, seeking to accustom herself to those later on the off chance she had to stand a lot for her shoot. She stood by the mirror and eyed herself by profile as Hestia stood next to her and also taking in the natural display before her.

She was rocking a very 'punk', 'edge' girl look that gave more flare than her normal one. For a moment, Syra felt like she would be more 'open' wearing such an outfit, and looked down at the consultant she just met and nodded. "Mmmm. I like this a lot actually. The combination of everything works...though I did manage to have the leggings tear on me when i put them on."

"Oh, those were pre-torn." Hestia comments, walking away and gesturing Syra to follow her to a nearby chair as a makeup box with an assortment of brushes, makeup pencils filled with pallets of foundations, eyeshadows, etc was on a work station.

She looked confused, sitting down in the chair. "Pre-torn? A..." Her head looks to the side with her eyes squinting. "Are guys into that?"

Hestia shrugged, laughing a little softly. "I dunno. Let's get the rest of you blossoming, 'Miss Blue.'"

Syra had only met her but had begun to put her trust into the new person she met, which was doing wonders on the anxiety she had felt up until now. "While I got you a bit more relaxed, I gotta ask you somethin'." She said, aiming her question directly at Syra.

The trainer blinked. "Y-yes? What is it?"

"I watched your match against Haru and I gotta ask what your Pokemon's IVs are, natures, and what you have as backups. I still think you could have taken him." She said confidently, moving behind Syra and taking her outer coat off, rolling her neck around and re-focusing as if Syra's beauty was something to zero-in on and maximize.

The anxiety's departure decided it'd roll back for a u-turn into her mind...disguised as confusion. Syra herself felt a bead of sweat as her eyes narrowed, looking to the side. "W-wait what? I thought you were his friend? Why would you be so willing to help me out with tips? A-and besides, I don't even know all that off the top of my head..." her eyes darted to the side, avoiding the question.

Hestia went to her work station and got her glasses. "I came here from Kalos and got a new lease in life much like how you're trying to get a new lease on yours you know?"

"...really? Left a whole region to come here huh? Any particular reason you'd be up to share?" Syra asked, as Hestia came back and began applying some eyeliner. She gestured Syra to tilt her head a certain direction and to stay still while she answered.

"Well...you know, you don't exactly have a Pokemon-based career that involves you being a trainer, but instead dating someone who IS a trainer and you have some 'complications' that arise. It wasn't a problem at first knowing that he wanted to be one of many who wished so dearly to be 'the very best'...but the second those badges started decorating his vest, I wasn't so important as I was just there for dressing." There was a tone of sadness to Hestia's voice but her details were still held back. She got closer and made sure to keep the hand steady and masterful on Syra's eyeliner.

"The thing is, is that I tried to actually make myself 'better', whatever that even meant at the time, and it still wasn't enough. So..." Hestia sighed and went to search for another pen, as the one she had in hand wasn't cutting it as well. She came back to Syra's face and gently continued. "He wanted to be the 'star' and not even something like me trying to get my own badges worked. So. Once I did get all 8, I decided to leave Kalos. I managed to meet up with Nessa after following her through her magazine spreads, and was assigned as a consultant for Kalos-based fashion: I remember Diantha was there. You met her, huh?" Hestia looked at Syra for a moment, whose eyes looked back.

"Heh, yeah I did. She was with me and a lot of others during the big hunt of Rocket goons in Kanto. I wish I got to see her skills more up close. A lot of what I ended up doing there is kind of a blur, but eh...a lot of stuff happened that day honestly." Syra laughed weakly, sighing. She looked at Hestia before she was gestured to turn her head a slightly different angle. "So how'd you meet Haru then?"

"Battled him at a cafe in Hammerlocke: they remind me of similar locations in Kalos. We got to chitchatting on trading and I helped him with getting a few good breeds of Pokemon into his Pokedex." She beamed with pride at that, and recalled the thing Haru spoke of awhile back. A Shiny Scorbunny. It clicked with Hestia, and she hummed to herself, satisfied before pulling her hair back. "Be that as it may, with what I said earlier I do my best to keep positive. I'd be more involved here in the Gym Challenge, for example, but my work here keeps me busy, and any extra baby Pokemon I breed I give away to good homes and trainers."

Hearing the earnestness in Hestia's voice was soothing; an indicator that Haru was able to consistently keep a magnetism towards people that held a positive change factor in them. Sam, Sevan, Hop, Gordie, Leon, Marnie, Piers, and even Nessa were a few people she could think up immediately of those affected by his interaction in their lives. "You saying all that Hestia just kind of helped remind me where I'm going to go when I become Champion. I'm gonna do what I can to improve Galar's relations with other places, and I'm going to be the best there ever will be: better than Haru."

"Not attacking with brute force you won't. I can't make promises, but if you'd like, I wouldn't mind helping you create some strategies." Hestia turned around and went to start adding some extra 'flair' to Syra's eyelashes, holding the brush in one hand with a pinch. "I don't necessarily specialize on in-the-moment battling, but I have been around some professional trainers long enough through osmosis and my own career in Kalos that I was able to pick up some things."

Extending her left hand, Syra looked to Hestia seriously. "If you can help me incorporate my Intelleon in this 'winning' strategy, you got a deal. I have to win with my chosen starter: Josef has been through thick and thin with me. I..." Her mind flashed back to when he was a Sobble, dealing with Ritsu before she took her training seriously. The trauma was held back and Syra came back with a fierce glare. "I -have- to win with him at least by my side."

Their hands would meet as Hestia shook it firmly. "Deal. Now stay still, Ima make you look pretty."

"-ier." Syra said, snickering.

"Yes, yes. Absolutely. You're going to drop the drawers of many budding trainers when these photos go to print." Doing what she could to start adding volume to Syra's eyelashes. These would be the first of many mano-y-mano conversations, but the start of a new friendship. The anxiety from earlier would nigh disappear completely.

Throughout the day the ladies all posed, pouted, emoted, and altogether paid service to the camera lens that Mathias had set up. He had Oleana put on a fitted black strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline that went to just past her knees, and a green wide brim hat; black ribbon trim to boot. In her shoot she even sported a trench coat that matched the hat while sporting gold studs. Oleana kept her stance as if the camera weren't there as per Mathias direction. She was photogenic, and stayed frozen with one leg crossed over the other. "Yes, that's the Chairman! Give me the cold, neutral look!"

He'd move her elsewhere to a faux countertop where she winced back. "Wait wait, not that cold! Ahhh yes. There you go ma'am! You're selling it!"

Bea comments to Nessa behind the scenes, quietly watching as she saw him snap the camera shutter multiple times before going to crouch into another position, and then another, and then another. "So this is what he's like huh?"

"More or less." Nessa replied, twirling a string of her hair around a finger. Syra was watching the photoshoot at the same spot they were and crossed her arms.

She pondered to herself. /I'd better not go blind looking at all those reflective lights and surfaces./

Before she knew it however, Syra was the next one there behind the camera lens. Initially nervous, Mathias's eyes lit up when she was able to somehow get into the spirit of being a model. A shot of her sitting on a chair backwards as her arms crossed over, lips pursed at the viewer. A behind-the-shoulder shot where she looks back to the viewer as the fur coat was loose, showing her shoulders. Another where she was in mid-stride of a walk: holding the pose so it looked like she had no 'fucks' to give as she wore sunglasses. Internally she was grateful for that due to the bright lights, but it did add flare to it. "YES! GORGEOUS! You're edgy! SEXY! That's it! Syra, over here."

Her eyes followed him as she sees him appear on the other side of a prop she leaned over. "Mean, give me 'mean but sexy': like your patience is being pushed-YES! THAT'S IT! Hold!" He exclaimed as Syra gave a faux irritable look, intentionally giving some cleavage but only slight to the metaphorical eye.

**Click** **Click** **Click**

One final shot was a profile with her laying on her back, arms above her head giving a wide angle showing her legs through the ripped leggings and boots she had on. Her head tilted backwards to let her hair fall.

Sonia had been given a small area for her own shoot to mimic, but not outright copy her lab. Mathias' camera snapped rapid shots, walking around her trying for some panning shots: Sonia would be the one he was aiming to go for in the first full page spread of the magazine he'd send these shots to. She was adorned a golden yellow fur coat with a black turtleneck sweater and covered by what appeared to be a fitted shallow v-neck dress that was the same color palette. With a black waist cincher over it all, carrying a purse over one arm. Mathias aimed for close up shots, including one that showed a softer side of herself laughing. All he had to do was think of Leon and it worked like a charm.

Bea had an aesthetic that caught the others off guard, if only for her willingness to put on something more 'girly' than she was normally seen in. A kimono with a bright orange obi tied around her waistline that had alternating sleeves where one side was black with white and orange floral patterns and the other was white with black and orange floral patterns. Her hair was the same as always, tied back with the hairbow she sported as always with a flower that capped it in the same coloration. A few shots of her kneeling on the floor as if she were in her dojo at Stow-in-Side. One where she's partially undressed, another where she's flexing an arm, and another where she's looking back at the viewer in a tease where the top is taken halfway off: her shoulderblade muscles showing off.

Hestia took to the photo set with a confident stride and head held up high. She hadn't been given the opportunity often to grace the pages with her own Kalos-inspired beauty and aesthetic, but took to the ordeal like a Quagsire to water. Mathias himself was pleased as punch, putting Hestia on a set mimicking locale from outside Kalos's Battle Cafes. The man had to give her a once over while Syra whistled. "Man, go figure the fashion consultant knows how to dress herself up too, holy crap!" she said from the sidelines to Sonia, who snapped her fingers.

"She may not be from here originally, but her contributions got her the spot for the shoot and you can tell she's owning it already with confidence." The orange haired professor replied while a little jealous of how high class Hestia's aura seemed. Sporting a white turtleneck skirt with sheer fabric above its sweetheart neckline and an opaque collar with a beige bow on it. Her sleeves had a row of 3 small pink bows towards the ends, skirt was a gold glitter high waisted flare skirt and bearing white sheer tights. Gold vintage styled peep toed heels, double gold teardrop hoop earrings, black sunglasses and a white shoulder strap purse with a matching pink bow on it. All this while sporting crown twist braid. A few times the man behind the lens commented how she gave 'Diantha' vibes, which was a compliment to her ears.

Hestia sat cross legged on a chair near a faux entrance of a Battle Cafe for a few shots while being photographed via her profile. Another where she leaned on her back against the wall, looking at the viewer. Mathias cackles, finding a great view of the lighting he had set up before having Hestia faux laughing like olde timey pin-ups. He noticed after getting multiple shots that his throat was dry, then finished with a simple 'blow kiss to viewer' set of photos.

Nessa would cap off the whole ordeal like the rockstar she appeared in Syra's eyes in a stunning outfit that caused even her own heart to skip a beat. "I apologize it took so long darling but the floor is yours~" Mathias said, pretend bowing as if welcoming guests to a theater, or a butler to his mistress. Nessa owned the floor within a single step, coming out of her dressing room space with the same strong aura other trainers had. A sleeveless beige colored top with a plunging keyhole neckline. White fur shawl. Gold layered chain necklace and teardrop hoop earrings to match the necklace. She smiled wide looking to Mathias, giving him an 'okay' hand gesture and did everything just like it was any other day. Close up shots of her giving/blowing a kiss to the camera. One with her laughing. Another with a hand on her hips, head to the side with her stance straight while he shot from behind as a light illuminated her form. He caught the opposite side too, wanting to illustrate her curvy form and humming at how well Nessa didn't even need many directions before getting into the 'perfect shot' as Mathias described it.

/Damn, seeing Nessa like this...I kinda see why Haru fell for her so hard. Not only does she have the compatible personality, but she is peak beauty. Holy crap. Even I could get a crush on her.../ Syra thought to herself, becoming comfortable still with the jacket she had on from her own photoshoot. Bea whispered, leaning into Syra's side. "I've seen her do these several times before, but it's honestly pretty cool how quickly she can get into a pose and stay in it. It's like she's a statue."

"I guess I know where that dumb rumor of 'Is Nessa the same person as a model as she is a Gym Leader' came from, but honestly that's only touching on the surface." Syra huffed, exhaling with a sigh. Bea had tilted her head, wondering what her friend meant. Trying to reconfigure her mind, Syra rubbed her head. "Well...I mean...I don't know. You can get a sense of her strength alone just by standing here. It's weird. I can't put it into words."

Her eyes narrowed as Nessa was talking to Mathias: both of them looking at the digital photos he shot on the camera. They were both having an excitable conversation about it, and she grinned, appearing to be satisfied with a shot before going for a final.

Hanging her head and placing a hand on her chest, Syra breathed deeply and slow. /I could see myself maybe doing this more if I was ever given a chance.../

- - - - - Milcery n' Cleffedibles - - - - -

- - - - - 1 hour later. . . - - - - -

Sitting with the ladies for an after-photoshoot hangout, Nessa had the idea to check out a nearby shop that let visitors drink and eat fresh baked goods as well as other desserts all served by a local family. They'd be down for it, but the ladies took to lightly teasing Syra if only on them finding it cute that Syra asked to keep the outfit post shoot. She was angrily munching on one of the black licorice strings with dark chocolate that she scooped up with it, huffing. "L-look! I'm allowed to be okay to change my opinion on stuff like this!"

Nessa, who was casually tilting back a Razz/Pinab Berry flavored cocktail, just chuckled. "I never said 'no', in case you're curious. You're not trying to dress to impress someone are you?"

The comment came from left field causing Syra to cough once swallowing her serving. "N-no! But..."

Bea and Sonia saw a curious development with the way Syra was acting in which it gave them deja vu to Nessa speaking about Haru. They, Oleana and Hestia leaned in on their seats as Syra could barely keep eye contact with the Raging Wave. "I mean it wouldn't hurt to at least let me offer to buy it, or tell me where you got it. I felt really beautiful and confident in myself for the first time in my life. It's not like I haven't done stuff behind the camera before but, well, that was different."

Oleana huffed, smirking before tilting a crimson colored wine glass back before picking up a scone she ordered. "Just remember Syra, even a hard-ass like myself can afford to be womanly and have a feminine side."

Those words of wisdom rang deep to her, simple as they were, as Syra looked to Bea. "That reminds me. What was it you were wanting to share earlier? Something interesting happen lately with you when we weren't sparring?"

Snapping her fingers like she had an epiphany, Bea recalled and excitedly told Syra, but kept her volume so everyone could listen in. "Oh! You'd never guess the cutest thing happened the other day. So Allister and I were talking Gym Leader things when he told me something that threw me for a loop." She held up a hand to Oleana, who was most likely going to ask. "Mind you! It's hard for me to be surprised by him nowadays since he keeps to himself, but it was just gosh darned cute! He said that he made 'a new friend' with the biggest tone of sheer adorableness I could have melted if I weren't made of iron."

Oleana raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side. "Oh? Did he mention a name of this new friend? It's not often we hear of little Allister meeting new people, or socializing with them enough to befriend." A smile spread on her lips. "Still, that sounds like a wonderful thing that happened to him."

The silver haired fighter shook her head. "No. I didn't think to ask, but he said it was so nice to not feel skittish near someone. That's rare you know?" She took a bite of one of the many cookies she had and looked to the group. "I told Allister that he should invite his friend over to the Gym sometime for when the Challenges are happening again, and he said 'Ok', so sooner or later I'll get to meet this mystery friend!"

"Reminds me that I need to introduce you to this guy I've been hanging with lately too, Bea. He's a real fighter. Physically fit. Has a thing for abs so no doubt he'd become a fan of you." Syra winked, teasing her friend.

The comment swooped right over Bea's head as she looked up to her taller friend with a head tilt. "My abs? What's so special about them?" Syra felt her head nearly kiss the tablecloth before raising it back up, with Sonia chuckling. Bea looks to the group, flustered. "W-what? What's so special about abs?! It's just my stomach muscles!"

Holding her head up before stifling some laughter, Syra shook her head and looked to Bea. "Oh sweet, sweet Bea...just like how guys dig things like boobs, butts, legs, and all that, there's some that could go for abs. YOURS, for example, are rock solid. You're a much higher level fighter and trainer than I ever could be, and he's pretty fun to mess around with. Guy falls apart just seeing them."

"Do you...want to introduce him just to mess with him in tandem with yourself?" Hestia asked, pointing at Syra with a half eaten bagel.

"Maybe. Feels kind of empowering being able to get someone to stumble over their words when you know them as a big-and-strong type who is indifferent. He has some walls that I think need knockin' down: sort of like myself." Pointing to herself, Syra replied. Bea was muttering to herself quietly in confusion, the word 'abs' being heard in a confused manner. This threw her own world into question.

"Oh!" Hestia jolted upright in her chair, briefly shocking the group at her sudden movement before she pointed to Syra. "That reminds me, I owe you a Shiny Scorbunny."

Syra blinked. "...wait what?!"

/"Wait you don't have to do that, I loved the movie we watched earelier remember?! The deal was if I hated it, you'd get me one shiny, remember?!"

"I know, but screw it. I still feel like gifting you one. I'll have someone helpo me out okay? I think I know a girl who specializes in breeding."/

The ex-Gym Challenger pointed at Hestia right back and gasped. "You! Haru told me he was a friend of yours but I didn't put 2 and 2 together until now that you were THE friend who was gifting me the shiny! And it's a Scorbunny?! Seriously?!"

"Yep." Nodding, Hestia replied.

Flustered, Syra leaned forward on the table. "We-w-ew-w-we..ah..ah...uh...I mean...do you want anything in return?"

"Nah, don't worry about it. I enjoy doing this and helping people. You should know that I already want to help you in other avenues, right?" Hestia replied, winking to Syra. She was speaking of their talk earlier when getting ready for the photoshoot, and Syra sighed. There was no way of talking her out of this as she folded her arms together.

"Well...okay then. If you say so..." she looked away towards a random corner of the room as Sonia looked confused at Hestia's sudden expression.

"Hey, something wrong? You're looking at your drink rather funny." she asked, twirling her hair in her fingers.

"...they should have put more into the mix of this drink, honestly. I could make a better one at home." Hestia muttered to herself after taking another swig of her order.

"Let me guess: watered down?" Syra asked with a smirk before eyeballing the parfait near her and getting another scoop.

"Hmm. It's not bad though." Hestia sighed and put down the drink, looking to Syra. "I said all I did earlier to you, but I do miss Kalos sometimes. But there's more for me here, and no way will I find answers just merely 'wishing' to undo the past."

Muttering about the past reminded Oleana of her own. Macros Cosmos, an organization once led by the now ex-chairman Rose, had come into its own when the events that involved Haru, Hop, and the others. Sometimes she wished that things were different, and ultimately did not despise what Rose set out to do. She sighed, catching the attention of Sonia, who looked to her. "Hey Oleana, you okay?"

The bookworm expert on many things Pokemon nodded her head weakly and looked to the group. "Syra, at one point I chastised you openly for what led you to the events at the Pokemon League Tournament. Yet Hestia's comment about undoing her past reminded me that I was not so different."

Syra's eyes narrowed and her face fell a little. "I remember reading about it ma'am. You don't have to tell me. The difference, however, is that you were able to walk away from it and transform the League, Macros Cosmos, and Galar into a better standing region both political and economically speaking. In general we owe a lot to your efforts."

Bea was holding on a cookie in mid-chomp before speaking up to add her own point of view. "I remember several times how Rose was unable to run the place due to duties he had elsewhere, and Oleana was running it by herself anyways. In a strange sense of irony, ma'am, you already were leading us for a long while."

The leader amongst them sighed. It was hard to take compliments so easily, but since one of them came from Syra she did her best to accept. The woman sighed. "I suppose that's true. We've only been able to recently start organizing this new tournament of olympic-like proportions due to efforts I had been putting in, but that still would not have been a possibility if not for you, Syra."

Looking to the side, Syra bit her lip. Nessa made a step into the conversation finally by putting a hand on her shoulder, causing Syra to look back. "You're...kind of like Haru, huh?"

"What...?" Syra was confused.

"You both have problems taking compliments; seeing your strengths through earnest viewpoints. You both tend to shoot yourselves in the feet and just sorta coast by. I get that you still may feel guilty on your actions, but you're not defined by them." Nessa rubbed Syra's back, as her eyes watered up. She looked at the small group. She was right, and the other girls seemed to agree as well.

"I didn't mean to have us all get all mopey ya'll." Hestia apologized, looking sheepish. "I try to hold back on the commentary reminiscing on my original homeland but it felt appropriate to mention."

"Don't be, Hestia. Here, let me cheer us up a little." Nessa gave a thumbs up and held a glass forward of her own that was filled with a Bluk Berry Rum cocktail towards the middle of the table. The other ladies did the same, with Syra holding forward her own triple shot that just arrived at the table. "This is to our bonds and strengths we all hold as strong women of Galar. Not defined by our past flaws, but by what we can get others to see in us today. I want it to be known that...while I've been a bit of a spitfire Gym Leader especially with Haru coming into my life romantically, that I hope you all can keep cheering me on. I would not replace days like this for the world. This is to our bonds: may our goals see to their fruition!"

They all clinked their drinks, with Syra downing hers in one shot as Hestia gasped. The velvet haired girl hung her head low, with Bea nervously looking onwards. "Damn girl! That was a triple shot. You...are you okay?" The fashion consultant asked.

Lifting her head up with rosy cheeks and fire in her eyes, Syra nodded confidently. "Mmhmm! That tasted like candy. Went down too easily, so it was no problem."

The ladies would share some more drinks and order more sweets to munch before leaving late in the evening.

The ladies drank and were merry for a small time, and afterwards dispersed to their own ways: getting on Air Taxis heading to different locations to complete their own errands. Syra stayed behind to talk to Bea, leaning against the wall outside of the Milcery 'n Cleffedibles. Bea and Syra had hugged Nessa farewell before the Gym Leader headed back to Hulbury, with Bea looking to her friend.

"So what did you wanna say earlier?" she asked, going up to Syra's side and joining her against the brick wall exterior before looking at the rising Corviknight that rose from the ground as it carried a cab.

"The guy that I want to introduce you to is a fighter, and is a neat person, sure, but I held back some details that I felt weren't necessary to divulge there at a public setting." Syra lowered her head and sighed, looking at the ground.

Bea seemed confused, tilting her head and her eyes narrowing. "We're still in public, bud."

"Yeah but...if I said something with Oleana there I feel like it would have turned today's outing into a much different course of events if you catch my drift." She rubbed the back of her neck and looked to Bea with a worried expression. "I say that I should try to introduce you to him not just to mess with him, but maybe instill some level of discipline so he doesn't get...y'know. 'Involved'. When I last ran into him, I can't exactly say what I discovered but it could be shady shit."

The fighter girl next to Syra flinched, worried Syra was talking to someone from Team Rocket again. "Don't worry Bea it's not like he's part of an organization."

"Okay, good." Bea lowered her guard and held one hand over the other while buttoning up her jacket as a wind-chill came. "So...what makes this mysterious friend so sketchy then?"

"He's not, but he seems to willingly throw himself into situations that make me fear for his life. He comes from a completely different background that, even after getting to know him, I have no clue if it'll ever be fully revealed to me. But even barring that much, I just worry." Syra frowned. A reflection of herself came back when she was filled with hatred for Haru, and sighed. "I don't fully understand where he could be coming from, but as someone who was an antagonistic bitch towards the hero of Galar, Haru? I don't want other people I know of to go down a similar path, whether it's due to the people the friends or peers of mine know, or 'accidents' caused by 'unforeseen events' if that makes any sense to you."

Bea's silver eyes glazed over in thought, and hummed to herself. "I see. Well in any case...give him my personal invitation okay? Maybe we can set up something...like a personal sparring match training regiment with him. Can't say I'll go all out, but if he can keep up I'll gradually have to go harder on him. Like you."

"Ehhhh?" Syra raised her head and looked at her sideways.

"You slacked a little last time, so I can't go easy on you anymore. Hehe." The fighter girl gave a bubbly laugh as her cheeks went rose tinted, with Syra letting out an exasperated sigh.

"C'mon! It's already rough trying to keep up with your speed at the stamina I have!"

"I don't wanna hear it! Soon you'll have time to spend more training with me right?"

"Auuuughhhh Beaaaaaaa~"

The girls walked off together to continue their smalltalk. It would be one of the final moments that Syra was able to enjoy her life before her next court hearing. In the back of her mind she worried that something may happen last minute during the hearing, though if things went right...

She had to believe.

- - - - - The Next Day, Wyndon - - - - -

- - - - - Court - - - - -

Everyone in the room was holding their breath. Syra was clasping onto Amiri's hand and her lawyer was next to her looking at the judge. Opposite of them was Ritsu in prison garb, and his representative. In the audience, Haru was there. He had made some free time and had hoped to see Syra during another court hearing, though it appeared the apex had finally happened. The room was told to rise when the Judge came in, and the hearings went through. After much deliberation and details going over everything else, the lady put on her glasses, looking to the Defense and Plaintiff as they both rose. Syra felt her hearbeat pounding in her chest. Was Ritsu going to get a light sentence? Was he going to get away with it entirely like he did before when Team Rocket covered up his actions?

The judge looked at both parties and gripped her gavel. "In terms to the defense, Ritsu, you stand with charges of extortion of a minor, sex trafficking, sexual violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, statutory rape, disturbing the peace, embezzlement, criminal actions, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, deadly abuse to Pokemon, aiding and abetting, child pornography, extortion, and fraud. The court hereby rules fully in favor of the Plaintiff, Syra, and because of damages to her, she's to be rewarded with 2,700,840,000." Syra's eyes started to well up, though she choked, holding back any emotional reaction. The judge continued to speak and looked at her then-father. "Ritsu you will be given 50 years, to Life in prison, with no chance of parole never to be seen in the light of day again. You will be escorted to an island only reserved for the worst of the worst, where you'll spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement. May Arceus have mercy on your soul, and today's court is adjourned."

The gavel swung and made a mighty slam.

It was over.

- - - - - Courthouse, Wyndon - - - - -

- - - - - Outside, 5F balcony - - - - -

Syra leaned over the balcony, telling her Mom and brother she would meet them both after talking to Haru and her lawyer for a bit. Her lawyer was getting some things prepared before they would go to the next stage, as she looked across the horizon of Galar. She hears the door behind her open, with Haru stepping out. He walks and joins her at the edge of the balcony and leans on it with her.

"Whelp. That's that, Syra. You did it." He said softly.

She could only let out a weak, exhaled 'heh', stifling a laugh with her arms folded over themselves. Her gaze never wavered from the horizon. "You ever notice how blue the skies here in Galar are?"

"Huh?" Haru looked to her with a side eye as the wind started to pick up.

She continued, with a melancholy tone coming on. "I never noticed it before. Seriously. You ever just take a moment to realize how beautiful this place is...?" Her face turned to his as her hair fluttered in the wind with his own, and Haru nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, you're right. It is pretty blue, and the mix of greys and whites stand out real lovely today too. What a great set of colors, honestly." He said with a contented sigh, thinking of Nessa and the Hulbury waters. Syra just chuckled, shaking her head.

"You're hopelessly one-track-minded sometimes. That's okay: we're both kind of like that in a way." Her eyes glazed over as she tracked a group of Cottonees floating through the air currents above them. Haru could tell she had something she wanted to say and was building up to it because her tone only got sadder. "You know, I spent so. many. years. Thinking the nightmare would never end. Because of what happened, I never figured I deserved anything other than pain and suffering. I didn't ask to have the body I do. I didn't ask to have the beautiful form I own." She looked to Haru and looked morose. "Nobody asks to have the form they do, they can only mold it into whatever they have later on. But me? Curvy hips. Big breasts. These..." She clasps her hands over the railing and made them into fists.

Haru felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. "Syra..?"

Her left eye twitched and she looked at her chest. " These...'things'...caught the eye of someone who was supposed to raise and protect me when I was a teenager. They made me look like an adult, in the image of my mother. I didn't ask to have boobs this big, or look this 'good', but I lived my life thinking that I deserved it! Now? That man is finally gone, and he'll never bother me, or my brother, or mother ever again..."

Haru could only look on with an increasingly worried expression with the hair fluttering in the wind with her own. "That's right, Syra. Never again..."

Her voice got weaker and she continued to speak after inhaling deep. "So why does it hurt? What's this new feeling? Do I want to scream because my own father took advantage of me for so long, made me feel insecure, and that I can't legally kill him without being punished? That I want to say so much to him before they take him away? Do I want to cry because I haven't done so in so long without feeling ashamed of it, and that I don't deserve this good outcome?" She turned to Haru as both her eyes had free flowing tears, a gust of wind picking up, and she stood up straight, looking at her shorter friend. "Tell me Haru, please..."

He saw her for the first time in a similar way to when he defeated her at the Pokemon League Tournament, but she had an air of a wounded person that finally saw an opening to heal. "Yes...?" he asked.

"Tell me what I'm supposed to feel! Where the fuck do I go from here?" Her right hand was shaking in a fist as a small red line formed along the inside: one of her fake nails cutting into the flesh and making it bleed. She was sniffling, and walked towards Haru until she leaned down to his level and laid her head limply on his left shoulder. "Haru...I'm sorry for everything...I was a product of...my environment...I'm so sorry...I should be happy..."

"He-..hey Syra, it's fine.." He wasn't sure what to say but his hands went up in surrender before they slowly went around her back into a hug.

Her body started to shiver and for the first time ever since she got to know him, she willingly embraced him before burying her face into his chest and falling to her knees. "I fucking hate what I did to you and everyone else. I was so fucking miserable that he took my innocence from me, and I became a villain. I hated myself...because of what he did to me, and because at one point I liked it! but that Ratata bastard is going away...so why do I feel terrible?"

"...because you held the pain in so long that it's finally come out, and nobody is going to judge you for it. Least of all, not me." was all Haru could say, making a guess. Their difference in height made Haru have to get on his knees with Syra, who collapsed on the outside balcony flooring with him as both her fists went onto Haru's shoulders. All she did was shake before eventually being heard sobbing loudly. Feeling the sense of finality of the whole ordeal, Haru squeezed his arms around to embrace her. "Hey. I've already long forgiven you for what you did, Syra...so it's okay to cry. I still do, over Hiro. So it's fine."

She could only muster out weakly a line of "I'm so sorry..." to him, as the years of trauma being taken by Ritsu started to finally come out of her mouth. It felt good to cry it out, and for Haru to be the one person that she could come out to like this seemed like the only natural conclusion to this whole self discovery arc she had. Even as he forgave her, she would now have to learn to forgive herself. For now, however, Syra sobbed openly clinging to Haru's suit in sorrow, expressing the pain she felt earnestly.

It was done. It was finally over. She could rest, and start over from 'zero' to get a new lease. Oleana had already seen to it that her criminal past was washed away, and she herself was beginning to come out of her shell. The ultimate psyche locke on her past had shattered, and Syra could finally find out, nay, answer the internal question...

/Who is Syra?/

The pair embraced each other for a good 15 minutes as Haru let her get it out of her system, and then helping her to her feet when she was capable of breathing. Profusely apologizing for making his suit messy, Haru handwaved it and gave Syra a standing hug: telling her 'suits can be repaired quickly, but the heart cannot. You had to get it out'. Syra gave him a light tap on the forehead for being a 'hero' again with such wording, but they both laughed about it together, and then exited the balcony as the winds changed direction.

Upon going inside and with an arm around her shoulder, Haru looked up to her. "So what's next for you by the way? How are you going to start spending your new lease on life?" The velvet haired girl looked to him and smiled. She had just the right idea in place.

- - - - - Postwicke, Sonia's Lab - - - - -

Hop extended his hand forward while Syra did right back to him: both of them holding onto a ball that contained a Pokemon the other needed for their Pokedexes. In his ball, it was Zacian, while hers, she was trading to him a Jolteon. They look at their Pokedexes and she smiles when the machine logs the addition. Hop smiles. "Hey, thanks!" Syra gave him his Zacian back, and he returned the Jolteon, completing the 'touch trade' that they did. She took the time to also, once again, apologize for what she did to him long ago. It was wrong of her to be so rude and angry around him, and it does not change her actions of the past.

It was a little uncanny to see Syra up close in a much different light than this, as the last time the two had been near each other was when she had injured him.

"Ehh..it's okay. Really." The understudy of Sonia said, laughing a little nervously as Syra bowed again.

"Again, I still owe you for the problems I caused. If the hospital bills weren't already paid for, I'd still offer to pay! Let me treat you to some food or order out! Maybe there's something else you want?" Syra seemed eager to try and make amends, while Haru just slowly put a hand on her arm, drawing her attention back to him.

"I think he'll be fine for now, Syra." He smiled, tilting his head as she sheepishly blushed and looked to the side.

"R-right. Okay. Sorry, nerd. I didn't mean to come off so strong. J-just tell me if there's anything I can do to make it up to you okay?" She pointed to Hop as they stood in the lab, as Sonia looked up from her desk. The level of volume Syra was producing just by herself was distracting, yet she refrained from commenting, as her Yamper came by to socialize with the 3 trainers.

"What are you going to do for the rest of the day now that your case is over and your Pokedex is completed?" Hop asked, looking to her. Syra smiled and tilted her head as she looked at her phone. Scrolling through the contents with a wry smile forming, she simply let out a chuckle before her answer came.

"...I'm going to be with my family, and treat them to a fattening meal. I wanna see them happy for once that we can put this all behind ourselves." She rolled her shoulders before turning to walk out the door, but then shifted her weight to look at the two men before her. "My little brother's decided to become a Pokemon trainer you know..."

Haru's eyes widened. From what little he knew, this was the polar opposite of what he knew of Gabriel, and a big change for the better. "Wh-...so you mean he's gone from what brought you to all that Gym Challenge stuff, to now wanting to follow in your footsteps?"

She shook her head and sighed like a parent would seeing their young leave a nest. "Not exactly. He wants to go to other regions and become a globetrotter. He's going to start studying and then Mom will get him the necessary tools and know-how before sending him to Kanto. From there, he'll be doing Johto, and then Hoenn...heh." A finger scratched her cheek as she grinned. "I don't know if he wants to become a Champion like I do here in Galar, but he does want to see the world and catch a lot of Pokemon. I started out this whole thing as a bitch to you Haru, but thanks to you two dorks, I can walk out with my head held high."

Hop and Haru smiled, and the red head of the two flashed a thumbs up. She walked over to him and then held him close, putting a hand on the back of his head. "Hey uh, Syra-?" He began to protest before she shushed him.

"Shut up Haru. Let me have this just this once." She said, pressing his face into her chest and sighing deeply. A large part of her past trauma was beginning to fade away. His face blushed, and Syra looked to Hop before giving him a stink eye. "Don't fucking tell anyone, allright?"

Sonia snickered behind the desk as Hop held up his hands in surrender. He went to go feed Yamper while Syra just sighed contently. "Thanks Haru. I gotta head out now. What about you?" She asked, letting go of him finally.

"Probably going to visit my Mom since she's just down the road." Haru stuck his hands in both pockets and balanced on his ankles. "After today's court session ended, I had this inkling I needed to go pay a visit to her, so I'm going to do that."

They left the laboratory as Sonia and Hop waved goodbye, with Yamper barking at them. The door shut and Haru started jogging towards the pathway, seeing his mom's home down one of the multiple country roads surrounding the small town. It was comfortable to be back at his mom's home, hoping to be a pleasant surprise for her, arriving unannounced.

Meanwhile as the ex-Champion and Gym Challenger of yesteryear left, Sonia went to pick up her hot chocolate she drank while studying on Mythical Pokemon and she hissed; her hand withdrawing quickly. It had a newly formed crack on the side and felt some of the hot liquid leaking out, burning her thumb for a second. She felt a bead of sweat form on her forehead, looking at the crack. /What the heck...?/

- - - - - An hour earlier, Hulbury - - - - -

- - - - - Hulbury Lakes - - - - -

The weather had been rather chaotic for many parts of Galar today, though thankfully Nessa found herself only to slight overcast skies heading back to the lake. She ran through the recent events in her head and, upon walking alongside one of the fishing piers, she sat on its edge as her feet dangled off the side. She got to help Syra with a modelling shoot by giving her a 'Girls Day Out', and was happy that the girl made a new friend within someone like Hestia. They talked a lot more casually about things that, only mere months ago, would never have surfaced between them. The day before that, Haru had his own day out with some friends, but came back with a bloodied nose and slight fractures.

Nessa sighed, thinking back to certain things that ran throughout the course of her relationship of him. People constantly kept bringing up how volatile and 'short fused' he was; some poking fun how that relates to his height, and that it may not be good for her mental health to be near someone that's a firecracker. That her own rival, Milo, had begun to develop feelings where he would lash out against Haru in a manner made her change her perspective on the fight she'd eventually have against him in the upcoming tournament. Her eyes narrowed, thinking back to what Haru told her. All of the world's media could report on whatever tabloid they could choose and it mattered not what they said: 'little' minded people can only talk about other people.

That such animosity was birthed from Milo, her rival, cut deeper the more she sat on it internally. She thinks back to all the years spent trying to have a legitimate reputation for her skills, and it only got her to the number 2 spot, yet to always have failed against him as it was in her days of the Gym Challenge. Peering into the reflections of the clear Hulbury Lakes, she saw a slightly younger version of herself wearing a Gym Challenger uniform and hair that only went to her shoulders. Nessa hummed thoughtfully, thinking on her passion for water Pokemon and wanting to upend his record by her own merits of the type she adored.

/"You're hurt. But that's okay. Evolve, and show them all!"/

Her own memories of herself as a child come back briefly, if only for a moment. The words took on a different meaning now as she scanned the wildlife that swam around her. /I wonder if he's here, still swimming among the others like that one day.../

She thought to the Feebas that she befriended one morning while fishing with her father, only to see it during a modeling shoot at that very lake many years later. The Milotic had become something of a 'talk of the town' due to how photogenic she was while riding it; a commercial that resulted in millions of views and sales for the product it was advertising.

/All this time, I've been doing the same as Haru where I've been stubbornly focusing on the victory ahead of me and it's helped me get as far as I need for all my personal victories./ Her blue eyes look up to the skies as she laid on her back, hands above her head while her chest rose and fell due to deep breathing.

/All this time, solutions to improving myself may very well be in front of me. I just have to see if I can make it happen. I've failed so many times before.../ Nessa closed her eyes and thought about Hop, Marnie, and Bede as examples of those who constantly faced defeat to someone like Haru but came out as successful people as they did.

/Perhaps...my tide will come soon. Theirs did./ She sat up, hearing something swimming near her feet before nudging it. "Hmm?" The Water Gym Leader sees a familiar Pokemon poke its face from above the water before it extended its limbless upper body out of the water as if to 'meet' her. The Milotic from before had come back to see her, and Nessa stood up, facing him.

She stretched her arms out and smiled at the water serpent-like Pokemon. "The last time we met, we had a very fun evening together as I rode on your back. You proved the others wrong by evolving and turning into a beautiful Milotic! I remember it like it was yesterday!" A low grunt is heard from the Milotic as he tilts his head sideways, as if listening to her. She snickered. "There is something I want to ask you, because I don't feel right forcing you. An important event is coming up where I will face someone who's unfortunately been causing me and someone very close to me trouble."

Rolling one of her aqua blue hair strands in her fingers, she huffed before thinking of how to continue. "It's a battle where many hearts come together as one to share their passion for Pokemon like you, from many nations across the seas. Many other seas just like this one. I want you to help others understand that Galar, no, Hulbury is home to the strongest Pokemon and Pokemon trainers alike." She placed her left hand on her breast. "Milotic, I know that as one of the most beautiful Pokemon to exist, you also possess such abilities to help quell feuds between others. Well right now, I want to do the same. You can sense the heart that beats within me can't you? Will you become my Pokemon, and allow me to train you so you can show them all, just like when we first met those years ago?"

As the Milotic kept his gaze upon the human, it remembered when it was a tiny Feebas swimming in the same waters it is right now. She was so much smaller and spirited, wearing a sunhat and a swimming vest to make sure she would not sink if she went into the water. There was never any reason it had to not trust her, especially after the special moments it shared. After a quiet moment, the Milotic nodded slowly, and she held out a Dive Ball from her belt. The large Pokemon swam a little closer before nudging the center button of the Ball, and being sucked in; the red light dimming and a 'snap' being heard. She caught the Milotic that was her old friend and held the ball close to her chest.

"I will make you a very strong Milotic that the world will revere here with the one whom I love the most. I have the strongest of faiths in you..." She says with full reverence, looking at the ball itself and smiling.

Putting the Dive Ball onto her belt, Nessa turned back to the large lakes near her. Just as with the lighthouse in Hulbury, she knew she could come to the waters here if she felt clueless on what to do. As history would have it, she once again was able to figure out what her next step would be to prepare. The strength welled within, and the Raging Wave saw within her mind that the next wave was about to crash on someone else's career.

She walked off the pier and, upon reaching the land, looked back at the waters. They had a way of calming her, so she quietly thanked her past self for having the instinct to reach out to that silly looking fish Pokemon, and then left.

- - - - - (Outside) Lana's Home, Postwicke - - - - -

- - - - - Present Time . . . - - - - -

"I don't know if we have to start over from scratch, but for now, let's consider the plan for the tournament to be in its changing phases. Do you think you can help me catch a Gyrados?" says Nessa, calling Haru on the phone as he's on his way walking to visit his mom.

He waves to one of the neighbors that rides by on a bicycle, grinning from ear to ear. "I could try to find one, or maybe ask Hestia to help me breed a Magikarp...or maybe she has an extra. I'm uncertain currently on what her breeding backlog may look like. You know she has her hands tied helping you to look good for the photos you do." the casual manner in which he teased lightened the mood from the recent events they both went through; a laugh being shared amongst them.

"Well it's either that, or a Tymphole so I can make it into a Seismitoad. It could cover a lot of good ground on the off chance I'm down to my 3rd. Oh! When you come home, I have something amazing to show you!" The excitement in Nessa's voice was a little infectious, causing Haru to stop walking and look to the side, eyeing a field while hearing Nessa giggle.

"Wow, it's that good huh? Okay then. I'll hold you to that, then. I'll be back after a bit though. I think Sam is going to meet up with me later, but before then I'm paying a visit to my Mom. By the way, Syra's case is all in her favor, so she's going to take a much needed vacation before training for the upcoming Gym Challenge that will be starting later in the year." He replied with a bit of muted excitement. Each oncoming year would send jitters through his stomach; perhaps Syra and him will have a rematch. Better too, if she is assigned the Shield ruleset upon re-application for the Challenge.

"Okay then 'Mr. Steel'. I'll chat later. Be safe. Love you!" Nessa says cheerfully, as the two kiss over the phone and he hangs up.

"Right. Now to...hmm." Haru finds his attention caught by the scenery of his mother's home with a door open and the fencing near it having some strewn about planting from her garden messed up. Something in him didn't feel right, and had hoped that whatever his gut was telling him was wrong. One of his hands reaches onto his belt for one of the PokeBalls he held, and came to the front door.

It was smashed inwards. Haru's eyes widened in horror, hearing the sounds of things being toppled over and the sounds of people yelling. What awaited him inside, and why would anybody barge in here? What purpose did these people have, coming to Postwicke and messing with someone's own parent's home?

He hears the voices when he nears a corner to the living room.

"Shit! I didn't mean to knock her out! I was only going to rough her up but she's frail!" One of the men said, seeming to panic since he was new to whatever gig they were on by being here, talking to one of the other gentleman. He had a Toxtricity with him as the living room, as well as parts of the hallway were a mess. Things were either tossed down to the floor, pieces of furniture that were cut up, and a few photos taken down.

"Look, just don't break anything expensive that we can't take later from his mom okay? Haru's going to be here any second, and as soon as he's here-"

"You mean like RIGHT NOW?" One of the men shouted, pointing behind the taller man, who barely ducks as Haru had swung a fireplace poker trying to aim for the other man's head. Haru curses, missing, and is proceeded to be tackled down by the Toxtricity that belonged to them.

Before him stood 4 men dressed in grungy, gothic looking clothing sporting studded belts, long straight hair that either slicked back or were in ponytails, studded bracelets and a few Pokeballs on their belts. The tallest one sneered over, rubbing his neck and whistling. "Wew there ex-Champ. You nearly decapitated me. That wouldn't look so good on tomorrow's papers now would it? You're going to lay there for a moment while I introduce myself, then."

Haru struggled to get back up as the Toxtricity held him down, with another Pokemon appearing from the belt of the same man, an Obstagoon. As the two Pokemon chuckled, Haru looked up to them and spat in his direction. "I don't give a shit who you guys are! You broke into my mother's home! Speaking of: where is she? Where's her Pokemon that were here? The Budew, her Lilligant, and Munchlax?! You'd better not have laid a finger on them or so help me-hrk!"

He was kicked across the face by the boot of the tallest man who seemed to open up a wound that Haru had previously from Milo. The adrenaline started to kick in, numbing the pain from it, as the redhead eyed them fiercely. "Your mother is upstairs, 'tied up' in case we need some sort of leverage against you, should you not cooperate. The Pokemon? Knocked out via damage. I didn't know that she trained them any, but hey, I would have also expected more coming from the parent of THE Haru: our previous 'savior'." The goon and his other friends cackled as if he made the funniest joke.

"Let me introduce myself. You remember Luke? The man who took the lives of several of your Pokemon away from you that one -fateful- day? I'm his boss. These guys with me happen to be fellow men of mine who Syra did wrong on one such day when she was on her way to do the Gym Challenge." He stood up and walked around the living room, toting about the fire poker that Haru had tried to hit him with, before putting it down against the wall. It, he felt, wasn't needed to get his due. "Name's Koichi. Not that it'll matter because after today you're going to feel retribution."

Haru once again struggled to free himself. "I don't get it. She was ordered to return all the stolen Pokemon that belonged to other trainers. That's something that she did, so why aren't you going after her? Why me? This is bullshi-HRK!" Haru was hit with the back of a hand as some fresh cuts came across his cheeks. It appeared the gentleman was wearing brass knuckles. Looking at the assailant, however, he was wrong: hit punch just hit that hard.

"I'm doing the talking today okay? Anyways. That you stood up for Syra in what we're going to call Selective Favoritism. Instead of making sure that she first paid for her crimes against us Galarian folk, which, I know, sounds funny coming from criminals like myself, you made sure she got out scott free!" Pointing to Haru, the man then went to Haru's collar with his hand and pulled him up by the feet. He dangled Haru at arm's length, and was free of any attempt he had tried to pull in order to get himself out of the situation.

The man who would be a Steel Gym Leader started to panic, if only for a moment. He tried to think of what would have led him here. /Fuck. Oleana never officially made a statement on Syra, and all of those involved with the operation were present instead for the court hearings with Team Rocket. Syra, however, wasn't there! Shit! He probably thinks I colluded with the police: someone that scumbags like this guy hate./

"Look. I get what this feels fishy, but if it's money you want-" Haru's voice was cut short by a hard punch in the stomach, causing him to kill over and hold his gut whilst gasping for air. In trying to get up, Haru was blasted by something powerful that sent him crashing through two walls inside the house. As bricks and a few doors turned into rubble thanks to the attack from the Toxtricity aptly named 'Boom Burst', Haru's body was flung backwards. Through the living room, through the kitchen, and into the basement. Multiple cuts would appear as his uniform had several tears and cuts from the damage alone. It had been a long, long time since he felt pain this strong. He took a single step, and limped.

/O..ouch...okay that.s...that's sprained. Am...I going to die here...? I can't even find.../ One of his hands gestures around his beltline. One PokeBall was attached to it: the others seemingly had been flung off due to the attack.

"ALL you fucking celebrities act the same way when you're being held against your will, especially in a hostage situation! You try to think of some sort of way to pay back, and think that money is going to be the way how it's all fixed!" Koichi had followed Haru into the basement finally and dragged him back into the living room where the other guys still were, throwing Haru onto the carpet.

His glasses fell off of him, with one of the other goons snickering. "You need this to 'see' ex-Champ? Sure you can't do a Pokemon move with this? hahaha...".

Crunch.

His glasses were stomped on, broken. Haru looks up to Koichi who holds him up again. "Who the hell do you think you are, not looking out for all of the people like you say you do? Do you think those of us further down the ladder care about the 'goodwill' you give when it doesn't make out equal to all parts of society?"

Haru, with one wound over his right eye bleeding, spat in Koichi's face. "Fuck. You." he said breathing heavily. He was tossed like a PokeDoll against some bookshelves, but none of the books fell. However, Haru thudded along the floor hard and then heard a loud 'crash' near him. The guys sneer, with the shortest one looking to Koichi.

"Hey, look, this is fine right? You feel better? Let's just go. He's not going to do anything..." The group of men saw Haru writhing on the floor as multiple droplets of blood hit the carpet. He was dizzied, bruised, beaten, and worried for his life.

/What's going to happen to Nessa?/ That thought never occurred to him until just seconds ago. He began to worry for his life for the first time since meeting Eternatus.

The Pokemon that had helped keep Haru down were withdrawn, as the men saw no need to keep them out at this point. "He's done."

Something inside started to dwindle. Was it the irony of the moment, or had something completely unrelated come into his mind at this very inopportune time? The gentleman suddenly looked in confusion as they heard a low chuckling begin to emerge. It was Haru, who was still looking at the floor. Tears were starting to shed.

/It's all so fucking funny. Eternatus. Syra becoming my own heel due to my own actions as someone who I thought was a good person. Her pure, unadulterated hatred. Giovanni pointing a gun at my head. That whole day at the HQ. Milo betraying me. Now...these guys...everything I do always turns on me. I'm just destined to be punched down like this forever! Because I try to be a good guy...!/

He looked up slowly, shaking as the onlookers saw Haru begin to break. /It's so funny!/ Haru broke out into laughter, as tears began to shed freely.

"You fucking runt! Laugh at ME will you?!" Koichi walked to Haru, getting a swing of his foot before kicking Haru sideways: the force of it making his smaller body get propelled sideways onto something hard and broken as the ex-Champion laid on his stomach on the floor. He hears a scream from upstairs. His mom was alive, thankfully, but now he feared for her. However, before anything else could register in his mind, Haru finally took the second to realize what he collapsed on. The men began to turn to each other and head out, seeing no point in staying around.

Looking down to his own chest, his body was covered with something dark, grey, and powdery. He's completely confused. /Wha...I don't...!/ Both of his irises laser focused on something, a broken urn.

He looked to his left hand and saw the grey colored-like dust on his hand and started to shake, feeling a panic attack set in, seeing the image of a man with a ponytail, goatee and glasses in his mind.

/H...hi...ro...!/

Hiro's ashes, previously in its urn, were now spread out on the floor as Haru laid on them from the fistfight. Haru felt his heart race to an abnormally high beat. His hands shook, and his fists tightened up. A single tear shed. His body did not think; it only reacted.

"Look, we can stay here all we want, but before heading out, since Haru's taken out we should-" Koichi was tackled at full speed by Haru, ending up in one of the crashed-through walls by aiming low for his center of gravity. Before Koichi had time to act, he was punched into the face by a right uppercut, as Haru held up a jagged piece of the urn in his left.

Rotating the broken piece and saying nothing at all, Haru only looked on in pure hatred down at his assailant and wasted no time. The left hand came down, slamming into Koichi's side as the piece of urn sliced into his soft flesh, causing a stab wound. Koichi cries out in pain. "YOU FUCKING CUNT! GET OFF OF ME!" The other men lunge after Haru but he anticipated it somehow. The sprained ankle that he got earlier seemed to not bother him, or he wasn't thinking about it. Maybe he wasn't thinking at all.

Hopping a few paces away, Haru grabbed one of the rectangular shaped pieces of debris from the broken pieces of the wall and with reckless abandon, swung at his remaining assailants. One of them manages to get behind him, who is then headbutted. Repeatedly. Haru takes the second that he's stunned to grab anything that was on a nearby shelf to slam into his head. He takes anything that's hanging off a wall from a fire extinguisher, a bust of a deity from Kalos, to a coffee machine. A microwave is yanked from its socket and gets slammed over the man's face before reeling back to punch another who tried to get behind him. One thing that they saw was that during this period, Haru did not blink. He did not speak. He was only acting in a manner completely unbefitting of a hero of Galar.

Getting a face full of an elbow from Haru, he stumbles back before Haru yanks out his PokeBall and throws it. "RAIDEN! COME OUT!" he shouts finally, as a Magnezone floats in the rubble. During the period of distraction, Haru grabs a large piece of broken sediment and throws it to one of the other men. It hits them in the kneecap, and due to its large weight and force he swung it, causes him to collapse. Haru shouts "Discharge!" and the Magnezone shivers, then shocking all the 4 men around him. One of them collapses from it, grabbing for his chest.

"th...ay...my chest..." he starts to beg.

"Awww what...your chest hurts now? You want to start playing sympathy after what you've done? Raiden, hit him with Discharge again." Haru says coldly, and the men around him get zapped again. Koichi, previously knocked out from being zapped and stabbed in the first place, starts to get up as if trying to leave.

"HELP!" he shouts, but Haru yanks him by the back of the collar and throws him back onto the ground, then pins him to the floor by stomping on the broken piece of the urn that's in his side. "AGHk...fuck! Fuck you Haru! Yeah I said it!" The tall gangster said, cursing him.

Haru only stared deeply back at him. "You people are all the same. All of you. Every single one. Do you have any clue what I've done?"

The man writhing in pain now on the floor was hissing. He shook his head.

Haru continued as his glare only widened and his left fist tightened until it shook. "I put my life on the line for this region countless times. I saw my life flash before my eyes and didn't ultimately care about what would happen to the populace at large unless I knew it meant trying to win favors, or if it helped me in the end. I didn't want to be praised as anyone, but when you guys started making me feel wanted, then I only responded. I became your 'hero of Galar'. Your 'savior'."

"The second you bothered with the Gym Challenge is when Rose nearly killed us all off, and the stupid royalty twins messed-" Haru cut off the man named Koichi by kneeling on his body and starting to punch him, wailing with a few fists that hurt, sure, but the blood spread would mean the world if it meant getting back at what just occurred. Knuckles scraped against Koichi's face, who kept trying to parry the man who had crippled him if only for a brief second, but to no avail.

THWK! THWK! THWK! THWK! THWK! THWK!

"Fuck you! I FUCKING HATE ALL OF YOU! YOU THINK I DIDN'T GET THAT IT HAPPENED THEN?! I THINK ABOUT IT EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! EVERY DAY you shitting little pissant!" Haru screamed, getting back up and then getting a wide swing with his right leg, kicking across Koichi's face, and knocking out some teeth. The gangster spat up some blood and a tooth as Haru's eyes looked as red as his hair, if not brighter.

His breathing was controlled. Quiet. No longer just on the high of attacking relentlessly earlier. "Shut up. I don't want to hear another gods. damned. word about all that! Is it ever enough for you people? You think I like being put up on a fucking pedestal? To what end does it stop for you? I can't be a hero without being criticized! I can't date Nessa without being judged! I can't be friends with Gym Leaders without creating enemies! I can't train Pokemon without creating rivals! Sure, Syra, came around, but that's beyond the point! I can't do a FUCKING THING without you pieces of shit following me around! Commenting about my every single aspect of life, wanting my head because I looked at you funny! The media! The people! TO WHAT END DOES IT GO, MISTER KOICHI?! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED by how fucking stupid and silly it all is? How you just can't. stop. coming after me?!"

He stopped in the middle of his rambling and got a wide smile, looking to Koichi. "It all makes me fucking sick how small minded you all are."

Haru got off and looked to Raiden, who hovered, and coldly replied. "Lock On, Raiden."

A series of beeps and boops were heard from the floating Magnezone, who took aim at Koichi, who feared what would happen next. Koichi held his hands up in surrender, trying to crawl away and only managing to just stare back as Haru looked at him. "Lo-look! It's okay, you got me! It's fine! Just turn us in and we'll forget this ever happened okay?! We won't bother you ever again...I-I'll even tell the others about this!" shivering.

The blood stained hero looked down in disgust. "Turn you in?"

The pause between them was cathartic and thick with tension before Haru started to cackle. For the first time he felt a completely, utterly natural instinct to laugh like he was proud of what he just did. "Turning in criminals is what police do to bad guys. It's what detectives do when they've come to a lead. People like Looker, Sam, heck, there was even Lance who helped resolve those issues by turning Rocket in to the police...for what good it got him." Koichi's blood ran cold however, hearing the next line. "But you're not a bad guy. And I'm not any of those people. You're just an animal."

He saw Haru's eyes glare cold red with a growing bloodlust, raising a hand like he was going to order Raiden something that would probably kill him. "...and animals get put down."

"H-...hey..." Koichi began to plead.

"Raiden. Zap Canno-" Haru himself was interrupted when someone tackled HIM to the floor. It was a much taller person with bright orange hair wearing a white coat. Sonia. She was keeping him pinned as Haru initially struggled to get her off. "NO! NO GET OFF OF-"

"HARU! Stop! It's me, Sonia!" She cried out, holding onto him as a few policemen rushed onto the scene. Haru struggled to get himself free from underneath her grip, before looking up at her. His eyes changed to the way how they normally appeared and shook his head as if waking from a dream.

"...Sonia...?" Haru asked, looking up to her, noticing now that some of the ashes he had on himself had spread to her. The pain came back tenfold, looking around the living room and his mom's home. Haru started to shake as the trauma hit him tenfold. All he did was scream while holding onto his head before sobbing as the professor held onto him tightly. She was about to take her phone out before she heard him speak. "Hiro's ashes..."

"Hmm...?" Her eyes looked down at him.

"...the urn...they broke it..." Shaking, Haru looked up at her, tears free flowing. "The only thing of him that even exists in physical form...is gone. It's on me. It's on you...and those bastards did it! They hurt my mom, they attacked me, and...I snapped..."

The police round up the suspects who broke into the house and cuffed them. Haru would follow them to explain the events but not before rescuing his mother and the Pokemon that were injured prior to the events. She was sent to the hospital in Wyndon with a full escort, and after a brief questioning took place by the police, Haru was allowed to go see that his mother was recovered. Sonia never left his side, however, and along the way to the hospital, sent a text to a friend when they got in the Air Taxi.

[Sonia: Hey, we need you here. Something bad's happened, and I think you're the only one currently that can help Haru with this...meet us at the hospital. It's real bad.]

- - - - - Wyndon, Grand Hospital - - - - -

- - - - - 1 hour later - - - - -

Being scrubbed of some bloodstains from the fight for his own life, Haru did his best to appear presentable to the small amount of public that was around him. His episode of panic was done, but his worry came back that he went too far this time, and worried about the repercussions. Sonia came to check up with him as she came bearing a small set of coffee for herself and Haru. He shook his head.

"Sorry, Sonia. I don't know if I can drink or eat anything." he replied with a half smile before looking to the floor.

She couldn't find the right words to say, and sat down on one of the chairs near him. "In case you wondered, I had heard the loud crashing from within the home when one of the assailants attacked you. I had a bad feeling wash over me and left my home to check on you. I was on my way to texting to see if you would respond, but instead I was met with...you know."

The man before her only stared off to the side, as if ashamed of what he did. Crossing his arms and scratching one of his biceps, Haru just muttered to himself. "Right. I uh..."

"I assume that it's not something you'd want to talk to me about." The orange haired friend of his replied, looking up from her cup of joe and taking a sip.

Pensive and awash with guilt, his eyebrows furrowed. Haru winced, thinking about it and sighed. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but it's that I'm unsure if I can."

"That's okay, because I asked someone to meet us here so you could talk to them about what happened." Despite how dire things had just gotten, Sonia decided to keep up the positivity with this notion, as Haru looked back. He was confused. It couldn't be the police, and he'd rather not deal with a post trauma therapist or consultant this early.

Turning to her, Haru sighed. "Dare I ask who you had come to meet me?"

"Me."

He saw from his peripheral where the voice came from. Syra had come to see him, and for the first time, he couldn't meet her in eye contact. She looked to Sonia and gestured with a hand towards the hallway she just came from. "We'll be back. Going to have a talk with Haru."

The professor who went to a modeling shoot with her recently only nodded silently and watched as Syra put an arm around Haru while they walked down the hallway. The others would find out about this later, assuredly, but something told her deep down to get Syra's attention first.

- - - - - Wyndon, Grand Hospital - - - - -

- - - - - Break Room - - - - -

Syra tossed out a PokeBall, allowing her Intelleon, Josef, to appear. She held up a finger to the starter. "Can you guard the Break Room so nobody can bother us, bud?" she asked in a soft voice uncharacteristic of her. Josef looked to her and Haru, then stood guard by leaning against the one door frame. The pair was alone, and she sighed before walking to one of the vending machines and getting her wallet out. "What kind of hot drink do you take?"

"Not thirsty." Haru said plainly, before Syra turned to him and walked where he sat at the table.

"It wasn't a question." She replied, looking down at him with a frown she often would have if disciplining her younger brother.

The ex-Champ looked back up at her, then sighed before folding his arms over the other and looked away as his chin rested on a palm of one of his hands. "Hot chocolate, I guess."

Her frown disappeared immediately and smiled. "There you go. See? It's not that hard, huh?" Going back to the machine, she inserted some money to get a fresh cup for Haru and then herself. Only the humming of the machines in the room were heard as the two sat in silence without saying anything. It was several minutes before Syra sat down, bringing both drinks to the table and sitting with him. Haru would only eye the cup as if it were suddenly the most interesting thing that had happened to him, and put a hand on it. His hand was met with hers clasping around it and his eyes didn't waver. He still kept staring at the cup.

"Haru, talk to me. This is the longest we've gone with each other not saying anything." squeezing his hand. Not once in her entire life had Syra ever seen Haru so disheveled. For the first time he didn't have anything prepared or proper to say; even the tiny lack of finesse he had when sick with a fever was leagues above this one moment.

She saw him eventually squeeze her hand back and shake. "I get it, finally."

"What did you 'get'?" Her magenta eyes stayed on his frame as he struggled to find the wording.

"I completely understand why you became the way you did. I..." His hand further squeezed hers, but then let go. He almost thought it was too much for her before she snickered.

"No it's fine. I can physically handle whatever grip strength you have. Besides, you were here for my worst moments, so let me be here for one of yours; your 'Ground Zero'." eyeing him with a stern expression.

He went back and clasped her hand and squeezed. "Syra, I'm scared. For one brief moment...I just snapped. All logic and reason completely left me. I defended myself and my mother's home from those attackers, but the way I went about it seems to have completely changed me."

"Haru, nothing has changed you." She insisted, and his eyes finally met hers with an equally stern expression.

"How are you so sure about that, Syra? How do I know I'm not changed forever? Tonight I finally 'lost it'. I reacted so violently that...that...that..." He clasped both of his hands and looked at them, seeing the dried blood from earlier. "...that I liked every second of it. To finally react as I did to those that pushed me down. If it wasn't the media, and the constant crap around my life, or Milo punching me-"

"Wait, HE punched you?!" Syra looked at him with shock.

Internally, Haru just curses himself. /Fuck. I wasn't supposed to say anything, but it came out so easily.../ Looking to the side, he sighed and put his right hand over his mouth so that nobody else on the opposite side of the glass could see his lips. "The other day when we went to the Isle of Armor, I found out personally that Milo doesn't like me dating Nessa. So much to the point that, with alcohol infused in our bodies, we got into a fight. He gave me a bloody nose, and we got in trouble with Oleana."

Hearing this happened to Haru lit a fire under Syra's ass, as both her eyes seemed to glow with a similar bloodlust that Haru had earlier. How dare someone that was a friend to Haru do something so backhanded?! It made no sense! "Well what ended up happening? You're not a fighter. Heck, I outran you and outmaneuvered you when we were rivals."

"Sevan beat the shit out of him when I fell." Keeping his hand to clasp over his mouth, Haru says this, then puts it down.

"Holy shit...!" Some pink spreads to her cheeks thinking about it. That Sevan was there for Haru to defend him, and make sure his wounds weren't worse made all the difference was a relief. Syra leaned back in her chair and looked to him. "Anyways, tell me more about today."

Thinking back to what it was like in the moment, and how Haru reacted, the redhead inhaled slowly and closed his eyes. "My body reacted before I could think, and every single punch I threw, ever single attack I did was as if I struck a pillow. Nothing hurt until much later. Like right now: my right knuckles are throbbing, but it seems to be okay..."

"Haru, I want you to understand something. That line you crossed today where you feel like you're worried you can't come back? This worrying dialogue you're having with me about your actions?" The velvet haired girl sighed, closing her eyes and smiled. "It's a sign that you're already better off than I ever was in the past. I didn't have this support group, and now that I'm here with you now during this tough time, I'm going to help you get past it. That way you won't ever have to become what I was like."

"It felt good to do it." Haru contested, looking at her.

"I know." Syra nods in place with her lips pursed together.

"I wished I could have done MORE to those men if I could..." He once again insisted.

"Yeah, I know. I know all about it. Trust me." Once again resisting his insistence, Syra kept her eyes locked to his and her position known.

'Ruby' being deadlocked in a conversation to 'Miss Blue' was almost too perfect in of itself if it wasn't for their history together they already had. They both laughed weakly, but Haru frowned. "I'm scared of what to tell Nessa. She's going to be the first person I tell outside of this, and Sonia hasn't said anything to her."

Criss-crossing her palms together as if to wipe dust from both hands, Syra got up and walked over to where Haru sat and then pressed his head into her chest. She sighed. "Haru, she's the woman of your dreams. Pretty sure something like this isn't going to change her mind on you."

She was completely right, and Haru started to relax. He was nervous, but his apprehension was letting up slowly but surely. "Thanks..."

He hugged her back and sighed. "Thanks Syra. You're a big help. Didn't even take you for a hugger, but I appreciate this all the same."

"Eh. You'll learn a lot more about me soon enough. Don't fret, Red. You'll be fine." Syra replied, giving Haru a headpat before letting go and stepping away.

When the two exited the Break Room together, Haru was met by a doctor who was looking after his mother. She got away with only minor injuries, and would be staying overnight but is doing okay: wanting to see him when possible. Bidding farewell to Syra, Haru would go see his mom, telling Nessa he would only be home after a few hours once he got onto an Air Taxi.

Back in Hulbury, Nessa looked curiously at her phone. She had been waiting to tell him of some exciting news for him but her heart got a ping of worry when he said in text:

[Haru: I have something to tell you, but it has to be in person. So wait for me, darling.]

The aquamarine trainer of Hulbury squinted at her phone and looked outside at the twilight skies. "Now that's not like Haru...what happened?"

- - - - - Haru & Nessa's Home - - - - -

- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -

Nessa had received the text as she was busy training her new Pokemon. She ended up losing track of time until the sun was long set and the moon was climbing the sky. She had only heard from Haru recently with the message:

[Haru: I have something to tell you, but it has to be in person. So wait for me, darling.]

She quickly apologized for cutting the training short, spoiling the Pokemon for all his hard work before taking out his ball and allowing him to enter and rest.

[Nessa: Okay, is everything okay Honey? I hope today was as amazing as you are. I'll be home soon I promise. I have something amazing to tell you!]

She texted before sending some hearts, putting her phone away and running home while grinning. Looking to the distance, she saw their home not far away. One advantage to living in Hulbury was that the lakes were plenty, so she didn't need to travel far to do some self training with her newly acquired partner 'mon.

Getting inside, she notices she's the first one to arrive. The skies, previously overcast, showed some stars coming out. It had been a long while since Haru arrived home so late. "He's usually so punctual..."

He was on an Air Taxi on his way back home when he got the message back, and it caused one of his eyebrows to raise. Leaning against the window, then wincing from the pain of earlier. /...wonder what the big thing she's hinting at could be. Would like to think she can't surprise me, but I've been proven wrong before./

- - - 32 minutes later... - - -

An Air Taxi is heard dropping near their home as Haru gets out of the cab, waving to the pilot as he had changed into casual clothes; steel uniform in his bag around his shoulder, wearing some replacement casual clothing he got along the way. He had all but wiped up most of the bloody bruises from earlier. "...gods my feet hurt..."

Inside the home, Nessa heard the bass 'thump' of the Air Taxi, and made her way quickly to open the door. Grinning ear to ear as she could hear him about to enter the house, she ran quickly to the front door. The doorknob had barely turned a quarter of its rotation before it opened. She had greeted the man with a kiss when he was barely through the door. "Welcome home~"

/..and now my problems from earlier already feel so far away./ were Haru's first thoughts, blushing. "Mmf...hi there babe. Thanks for welcoming me with that..."

She leaned in, catching it once she stood there in the doorway with him. "Hon? Where's your glasses? Can you see well? Were you in another fight with Milo? Did that bastard come at you again?!" Nessa already seemed like she was ready to fight, but Haru held his hands up.

"No no..it's..." He sighed, looking to the side, then eyeing her as his head was turned. "Nessa, I need to tell you about what happened today."

Taking him by the wrist, she walked with him into their bedroom and laid him down. Going up the stairs to the bedroom, Haru hissed and limped as the added gravity of climbing stairs added to his sprain. When they were both in the room together, Nessa sat beside him and clasped both her hands. "Tell me everything."

"Promise me that you won't get mad." He asked. Normally she would have figured he was joking. The worst she could think up that someone like him would do is gamble some money on something they needed for the house and lose it, and there wouldn't be a chance that he'd sacrifice something to jeopardize the two of them. That couldn't be a thing he'd do, ever.

Nessa felt a bead of sweat form on her head, but she looked at him straight. "I promise. Now tell me everything."

Over the course of a half hour, Haru explained to Nessa what occurred from beginning, middle, and end. She sat there the whole time with the focus of someone that truly cared for him, and tried to understand his perspective. It wasn't easy to take in: knowing that someone who was normally a nice and easygoing guy would do such an act was her boyfriend. Given the situation however, Nessa concluded she had nothing to worry about when it came to the two of them. She did, however, worry about his mental health.

Knowing he was pushed to the brink only fueled her need to try and help him in any way she could. When he had finished, Haru was still staring at the carpet floor, trying to zero in on a specific strand of fabric so he could mentally ground himself. There was fear in his voice. "...Nessa...?" His eyes looked tired from the constant barrage of stress. "...you're not...afraid...of me. Are you?"

"I would never be afraid of you Haru. I fucking love and admire you more then you think." She replied before pressing her lips to his forehead, eyes, cheeks then lips. Keeping his head lifted so he could start to try and move past the actions of earlier, she used a finger to trail his chin and look at her eyes. "I could never be afraid of you."

"...for once in my life, I actually was afraid of what would happen to me. To you. To my Mom. Then...knowing what happened to Hiro's ashes..." There's a moment where he's not saying anything and his hand is shaking. He bites back the tears, as Nessa pulls him into her chest and starts petting him slowly.

"...I'm scared...I'm scared of it happening again..." He's now shaking instead of just his hand "...I...understood completely where Syra was coming from on 'the other side'." He said, looking up at Nessa in between her cleavage. His referencing to when Syra's past as a villain at one point makes him feel shame due to the connection, and ashamedly hides his face into her chest so he didn't look at Nessa's eyes. /I'm not a hero anymore./

Once known as the Raging Wave, Nessa could only do her best to think of anything to tide Haru's rough surfs in his heart. She had to think of something to say that could help while she held him so tight against her. Perhaps the warmth of her body and the sound of her heart beat would bring some form of peace. It was at least a starting step. " Haru, that level of darkness exists in all of us and only comes out once we reached a breaking point. You've been pushed and pushed far too much and to the point that steel could only release." She sighed, then brought up a point, then smiled. "So...I said this only once before, but remember that I have always watched you."

Haru's eyes closed and he recalled their first meeting out by the lighthouse in Hulbury. She was watching the waters and only turned to meet him when he got close, already knowing who he was before they looked at each other.

/"You're Haru, one of the ones endorsed by Leon, right?"

"You've become something of a hot topic among the Gym Leaders."/

He gasped: a key unlocking something in his mind. "Wait, you mean that...?"

Nessa smiled, nodding. "Who do you think helped start that 'hot topic', hot stuff?"

Her bright blue eyes looked down at him. "Since that day we met I watched as your Steel heart was pushed beyond breaking point. You didn't have any 'Steel' affiliation at that time but, work with me here." Nessa took a deep breath while pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Admitting you're afraid of it is a sign of strength and willingness to seek a hand to pull you out of the darkness and into the light."

The morose in his voice never left Haru. "...it was so easy, too, once it happened..." He felt her lips kiss his forehead, before a tear slid down his cheek.

"That's the point. Holding it in is always the hardest but letting it out is always the easy part. That's why seeking help to confront it is hard. But if you take my hand, I promise you won't face it alone this or any 'next' time." She whispered while holding her hand up for him to take. As he was leaning into her, his right hand clasped onto one of hers and squeezed it. "I'm right here Haru, I'll never grow afraid of you nor will I ever leave."

The doubt persisted, but he seemed to be coming around to her point. "...I just don't want that to happen again. I'm supposed to still stand as a figure a lot of people look up to, so if they find out..." He looked up at her.

"Haru." She sits up straight with him and appears to give a stern expression. "All of us feel that way. Even myself. People put so much on our shoulders that we are forced to smile and smile until we break. Why do you think I turn to you? You allowed me to breath by breaking the chains that held me down. Now I'm trying to do the same okay?" Her expression softens and she presses a kiss to his forehead. "Do you trust me?"

Haru recalled what Syra said earlier, and smiled at that.

/"Haru, she's the woman of your dreams. Pretty sure something like this isn't going to change her mind on you."/

He exhaled with his nose, grinning. "Yes, I trust you."

"Good because it's the truth and so Giratina or Cresselia or Arceus help you, I will go to the ends of the Earth to help you! Feel my undying, unrelenting love!" She begins to pepper his face in a kiss attack, causing him to laugh. They usually weren't this 'bubblegum and spice', but for one moment he considered that he needed such a talk. She held onto one of his hands and helped him stand up. "Now come on, I wanna show you something."

/Oh right, she did say something about this earlier, right?/

Nessa led him outdoor to the backyard and the pool they had installed. Haru walked up to her side as she held her arms out. "Now watch. Come say hello, new friend!" She grabbed a Dive Ball that she used earlier and tossed it. A Pokemon appears inside the pool: a majestic Milotic that let out a cry and swam up to greet the two.

He took a step back and gasped. "Ho-...ahhh! Hey! It's a Milotic! Since when did...? How did...Who..?!" Haru gestured wildly as if his next guess was to be if she received it in a trade.

She laughed, and walked forward before putting a hand on its forehead. The Milotic lets out a happy call with his eyes squinting. Nessa had a hell of a stupid grin as she began to pet him. "SURPRISE! It's the Milotic I rode during that commercial! He found me when I was off sulking and overthinking about how we can beat Milo. This Milotic and I had bonded before...and we are now going to show that beauty means unstoppable power."

Any trace of worry or depression about the day's events had washed away, if only briefly, due to the majesty of the most beautiful Pokemon, Milotic, being in their family. "...Nessa, this is unbelievable. That you were able to find the same one..." he walked forward and smiled, nearing it.

He hesitated, but Nessa smiled. "It's okay. Just be slow and gentle."

Milotic eyes Haru, who slowly reaches outwards to touch its head. When it was close enough, Haru's palm was on its dome and the man shivered. "Oo...it's so smooth! Smoother than the books Hop and I go over say they are. Gosh. It really is gorgeous up close...the commercial did NOT do it justice."

"Well, to be honest, he found me." She whispered while dual petting said Pokemon with Haru, as he nuzzled into her hand and gave a cry for attention. "I was out training him up. I can sense that he only needs a bit more and he will be ready. I'll make that bastard pay." She growled softly.

Haru looked to the Milotic as it nuzzled her hand "You can sense the strife we're both facing, can't you? Why Nessa wants to resolve something like, huh..." /Of course it can...from what I remember, Milotic can help quell conflicts./

The sea serpent-like Pokemon nodded, looking to him. Nessa smiled as she called it back into the ball before kissing Haru. "Leave the fight to us okay? When the time is upon us, it'll be my turn to have your back. Because we are a team. We are the Raging Steel Wave."

Haru pursed his lips and squinted his eyes, looking at her from the side. "What?" she asked.

"'Raging Steel Wave' huh?" He asked.

"I think it sounds nice. Ruby and Sapphire is nice, too, but we both know how stadiums like to talk about teams and give them multiple monikers. It's only one idea of several." She waved a finger, before grabbing one of his hands and walking back inside. "Anyways, that was the 'big thing' I wanted to share with you earlier. After what you went through, you need to relax."

They came back inside and Haru looked to her. "Don't I ever. Movie night?"

She turned to him and smiled wide. "Sure!"

"In that case, I pick." he pointed to himself with a thumb. At that, both Haru and Nessa would change into something a lot more loose fitting. Herself wearing some recently obtained Drednaw pajamas, and Haru getting into a Glaceon onesie. They decided the best thing to do was to see what bad movie was airing on TV, and both joke about it the whole time. The popcorn bowl was barely half finished before they fell asleep together: hand in hand. Nessa watched as Haru fell asleep while cuddling onto her and she smirked. "That's it Haru...just travel into Dreamland with me..."

Recovery would be done over time, and a new arc would begin anew on the next day.

- - - - - END CHAPTER 21 - - - - -