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.

26. Chapter 26

Chapter 25: Starting Over From Hoenn

The sounds of thousands of Galarian people were heard cheering. At the innermost part of the battlefield, a lone woman wearing a familiar coat bearing only a microphone clipped on her collar walked and waved to everyone, and as she made her entrance, a line of fireworks spark to life. A grand entrance for a grand new league challenge. Days like these were worth waking up early. Tilting her head back and sweeping an arm in a greeting to the stands, Oleana spoke gracefully. "Welcome, one and all! Welcome to the world of Pokemon! Our beloved Galar region is a wonderful place with thriving nature... beautiful cities, and many Pokemon with which we share our lives! As you know, our society is able to thrive thanks to the help of these mysterious creatures we call Pokemon." With a flick of her wrist, she threw a ball and out came a Milotic; its beauty eliciting an array of cheers from those in the crowd who watched her introductory speech. As the water Pokemon turned profile for the crowd, Oleana looked back to the onlookers. "Yes, Pokemon are all around us - in the sea, in the sky, and even with us in our towns! Those of us who choose to raise and train Pokemon to do battle and compete are called Pokemon Trainers!"

A part of her felt ill warranted to be saying lines that her former business partner, the previous Chairman, Rose, would say often at each Pokemon League introduction for the year. This would only be her second time doing such introductions but the pressure to try and make a name for herself was always there in the recesses of her mind. Did she deserve this, and better yet, was there any way she could keep doing this as long as he did? /Oleana, don't go overthinking yourself right here. None of that matters../ She pondered, before raising her head up high. "I am your Chairman, Oleana, and it's a pleasure to be here. Now, if everyone would be so kind, turn your gaze to the Galar region's greatest Pokemon Trainer. He is filling in for the role of Champion after the prior stepped down to pursue his dreams, but starry eyed fans will recognize him: the man who took on the name 'undefeated Champion' in spades! He's returned, and he's more fiery and waiting for a fight than before! Leon!"

The theatrics to such an acclaimed trainer's return was met with a piercing chorus of cheers that could be heard for miles in Galar. Fireworks and other pyrotechnics crack and burst as the purple haired man came onto the field wearing his original cape, cap, and outfit. The time in which he hadn't worn it was almost nostalgic to him; try as he might to tell himself otherwise. As Oleana watched Leon walk onto the field only to do his silly pose - left arm stretched outward into the skies above, she turned away from him to continue. "This is our Pokemon League Exhibition Match, everyone! On account of a special request, our original opponent for Leon has been...replaced by someone else who is showing up in the hopes to give a good show. I'm certain you recognize him." Olive green eyes turned now to look to the opposing end of the field while Leon stood straight; the fires of competitiveness burning in his irises.

Another set of pyrotechnics go off as the lights dim. A familiar tune plays as a short male trainer with red hair, glasses, and a uniform bearing the pattern of Steel across his form walked. Head held up high, his gaze focused on Leon with the same fire his friend had therein. Everyone recognized who he was, and as such, Oleana would give him a proper reintroduction as well. It would only be fair. "For this Exhibition Match we are accompanied by one hero who once saved this whole region from the Darkest Day, helped stomp out Team Rocket's efforts, and was the very trainer who shattered Leon's previous undefeated record. You know him everyone, so grant him the best welcome you can give: Haru, former Champion of Galar and the newest Steel Gym Leader!"

Both men came to meet in the middle. Haru would glance briefly to the crowd in the seats, and smiled. For some reason, he had a good 'feeling' that would be unshaken. A sign of a better future. The thought of the new league about to begin gave him hope. Haru and Leon look to Oleana, who smirked before waving them off. "Give us a good show, you two."

"It's okay Chairman, I'm sure Leon won't mind me going a little rough on him today." Haru said with a wide grin, flicking a thumb across his nose before shaking the previous-and-now Champion's hand firmly.

"Haru...thank you for giving me this opportunity again. I'll...allow you to say it." the man said with a wink. There was no prank, no grandstanding 'act' or collusion the pair had discussed prior to this match. Yet as Leon spoke those words, Haru knew what he meant deep down.

As the trainers walked to give each other the space needed on both sides of the field, Haru threw out the pose he would have come up with to mark as his own and shouted. "C'mon Leon, let's have 'a Champion of a time'!"

The cape was thrown off of Leon's back, PokeBalls were thrown from both trainers, and the match would go down to spark the new league's annual Gym Challenge. Now was the time for hopeful Champions to look onwards, get officially endorsed, registered to compete at Motostoke's Fire Gym, and become the very best like nobody ever was.

- - - - - Wyndon Stadium, Interior - - - - -

- - - - - Chairman Office - - - - -

Walking down one of many busy hallways, Oleana navigated through the hustle and bustle. Some new security had been assigned, and noticed a meeting between other staff behind a closed door. The blossoming, new Gym Challenge meant a resurgence of anxiety for things to come but an earnest expectancy of the unexpected. You could end up swarming through every single Gym in months with nary a scratch on your record of wins and losses, or you could become an underdog. Fighting one's own way from the bottom of a pit to the top of a podium as one would look down in victory from all their achievements. Every bright eyed and inspired trainer that saw the previous years would take the trainers they came to know and run with said encouragement. Haru, even as a Challenger, had spent time as a Champion doing his best to encourage new blood to come after him, and that fire was rekindled in many. Endorsement papers were going to be sent in the triple digits this year, Oleana predicted quietly in her mind as she made her way to the office within Wyndon's Stadium. Her eyes glance around while maintaining the focus of the 'now'. Excited fans holding onto newly purchased jerseys or mugs filled with flavored shaved ice hopped past and were already talking about what to expect. Predictions being thrown back and forth. A small group of enthusiastic Pokemon fans were off to the side broadcasting live as they walked with an amateur cameraman nearby. She smirked.

/Travel vloggers. I wonder if doing something as simple as recording while traveling can really be fun? I should ask Sam about it some time.../

Bzzrt!

Life had a sense of humor, it seemed, as the phone in the pocket near her hips vibrated, and she pulled it out to see a message from Sam. She rolls her eyes at the irony of him messaging her right as she thought of him.

[Sam: Darling, the new Gym Leader is awaiting to speak to you in the office. I'm out now making sure to get another round of endorsement printings set out for the appointed higher ups to send out, but it is taking some time. Shouldn't be delayed by long.]

Exhaling slightly through her nose, Oleana pulled a strand of hair back as to not have it stand in front of her eyes and smirked.

[Oleana: Thank you. If you get lost, ask a staffer here.]

The muffled sounds of excitement as the battle between Haru and Leon brought her anxiety down. /Perhaps this year things can go smoothly with few surprises./ As she passes by a wall that had hung memorabilia of previous league matches dating to well before her time, her olive eyes glance to an analog hanging analog clock. It was still so busy at this early hour...and yet a cakewalk in the park for her. Picking up her pace, she power walked to her office.

Entering slowly, Oleana saw the lights were on and the person who was awaiting her turned their head to meet. Closing the door, Oleana walked and stretched out a hand to the person sitting. "Have you been waiting long? I tried to be here as soon as I could."

She shook hands to the girl who was a little jittery, but nonetheless over the moon from being there. "Haha...no, thank you for having me! B-but is it really fine for me to be put into such power so soon?"

Letting the handshake settle, the chairman walked around the seat that the woman sat in, and found her own throne behind the desk. Turning to face the new Gym Leader, Oleana leaned forward and folded her hands onto each other. "How do you mean? I know that it has been a tumultuous career, and that you've awaited to be granted such a privilege, but I'm happy you're here. Are you perhaps wondering if there's a 'catch' to this?"

The woman sighed and pursed her lips. She didn't want to admit but leading up to this, it was hard to shake the feeling of the past rumors she heard about Rose. He was always presenting himself with a smile, but had heard plenty of offbeat things. "News broke pretty quickly on the original first Gym Leader retirement...so, I suppose so."

"Milo. It's okay, his name isn't taboo or anything. You can say it." Oleana had replied, if only to let her know it was fine. "You can tell me what's on your mind, I don't bite."

Nodding, the girl continued. "...right, well that Milo retired is surely strange. I am fully aware it isn't due to some payment disagreement or in-house fighting, but an honest choice he made on his own. He was beginner friendly, had a good work ethic, and put the enjoyment of the opponent, the Gym Challengers, before him. People liked him, so is it really okay for me to take his place? I've been made aware that construction to remake the first Gym to suit my type has to be put on the backburner: so for the meantime a makeshift 'challenge' will be greeting trainers. Once the season is over, I assume the interior will be inaccessible due to the changes made, hmm?"

The business woman that was Oleana tilted her head in confusion as her eyes looked off-center before focusing back on the visitor in front of her. "Are you apprehensive on being the new first Gym Leader?"

"It's not that at all! I guess I am hoping it's not been too much of trouble for you to deal with: you're already organizing so much for the league this year. The inclusion of a new Gym in Circhester is one thing: Steel. Then there's me..." She lowered her eyes and looked at the floor. Anxiety had crept up in small waves to the point her right knee was shaking.

Oleana would try to show she understood the struggle. "I've read the files. You've tried applying to be a Gym Leader, and it didn't work out so well. There were a lot of unfortunate setbacks I saw."

"Yeah. Having to claw your way out from multiple setbacks, only to still be at where those setbacks put you? Heh. Almost laughable. Some people I suppose are born with the luck. Well.." The lady smacked her cheeks lightly with both hands. "Right! Enough on that, I suppose there's no point in overthinking on that! You brought me here to appoint me and tell me what I need to know! But you're also THE Oleana, and I just want to make sure there won't be any trouble."

Raising a finger and turning the chair as to look to the wall in thought. "Your skittishness does not go unnoticed, but please do yourself a favor to look as to why you were chosen. Think. Even if someone like Haru can come from a small village and make an impression, you can too. Gym Leaders are given the role because they are not just above other conventional trainers. It's not just because of their skill and knowhow, but because they mean something more. If everyone was a Champion, nobody would be special or stand out."

Her eyes then looked back to the loudly dressed trainer who bore colors of white, purple, and neon green, and gave a patient smile. "I look forward to seeing how you welcome the new trainers and create a new legacy. Now, you were made aware of when to meet with the other Gym Leaders for the opening ceremony, correct? Tonight is the practice run of what to do, and it'll be in Motostoke."

Almost in hype activeness, as if trying to overcorrect for her previous downed outbursts, the woman nods. "Yes ma'am! The small folder was looked over from front to back several times!"

Oleana held up a hand hoping to calm her a little. "Yes, well please don't overthink it. If anything comes up you can ask the other Gym Leaders, though I'm certain they'll just reword things that I told you right here. But don't get me wrong: this Pokemon League is a tight ship. If anything goes astray, I will hear about it and steer back to course in an instant. I do not tolerate failure. So..." The busy women sighed and crossed her arms, stood up and gave a patient half smile. "...please consider all of this when you're taking down eager trainers at your Gym. You represent Galar now. Welcome aboard."

The Gym Leader stood up and bowed, baring her emotional and mental strength to go forth. Both women shook hands as the girl bowed. "Thank you so much thank you thank you thank you...!"

"Honestly, you don't need to thank me so much..." Oleana tried to say with a bead of sweat on her forehead. Perhaps the enthusiasm of such a girl was beyond her capability of handling.

"Right, right, right, right! I'll remember! Thanks again!"

She turned to walk out before she was stopped.

"Before you go..."

"Hmm?" The girl turned as her hairbow waved a little from her near sprint to the door.

"I look forward to what you do...

...Klara."

Klara grinned wide and flashed a 'V' sign with her hand. "Nyah! Yes ma'am!"

The door shut and Oleana let out a slow, long exhale. Her gaze glances outside and peers through the blinds at the battle where Leon and Haru were fighting. /She has a questionable amount of energy that I'm unsure I can handle in long doses./

- - - - Elsewhere. . . - - - -

- - - - Hospital of Eterna City, Sinnoh - - - -

Results had to be recorded for the day. The Pokemon Ranger was still in the Intensive Care Unit, and one spectacled, turquoise hair, busty doctor walked down the hallway where ICU patients were kept. Stationary in hand, and a glide-like stride across the tile floor, she lightly knocked on the door. Slowly, the door swings open. In the room, the doctor sees the patient awake and tending to a Vaporeon that was, for once, not in its kiddie pool. "Vee!" the Eeveelution calls out, waving a paw, as the long haired girl turned to the one walking in her room. She smiled.

" ...I'm glad you're here." She said, sounding exhausted and with little energy.

The shiny, busty Gardevoir scoffed. "Please, I've known you for awhile enough for you to not have to call me that...but I'm glad I'm here, too. Don't mind me, dear, I'm going to check up on your vitals, okay? Are you feeling fine currently?"

The brunette just gave a half hearted laugh, looking to the floor. "My usual pains. Vespa's been a butthead, though, so I don't think about the pain as often today..." Her Vaporeon just laid his head on her knees looking up at his best friend with the fish-like tail wagging.

"Well at least you're able to watch some TV...blood test came back fine, too. Your body appears to be repairing itself slowly." Biting the pen cap to pull it off to write down some notes.

"Hey Grace?" Her Ranger friend asked. Sitting upwards as a Vaporeon was headbutting her side gently, and lifting its head up as the girl began to stroke its head slowly.

"Yes?" Grace looked to her inquisitively while still seeing to the current notes she was writing on a stationary.

The girl pointed to the television. On it, a match between a redhaired, bespectacled man and one vibrantly dressed purple haired man was going on: a broadcast from Galar that was airing. It had caught her attention. "What exactly is a Pokemon League? That woman that visited last time, Oleana, mentioned it, but I was having trouble paying attention to the words she spoke due to a dizzy spell."

Grace turned to the screen, spotted the trainers combatting onscreen and decided she had time to play small talk. "You're wondering if I, a Pokemon in such a position as I, knows about this and can explain?"

The girl nodded. "Mmmhmm. Sorry if it's awkward for me to ask..."

Putting the stationary down, the doctor took note of something else she had to take care of: one that wasn't the duty of a caretaker, but a friend. "No no! I'll explain, but as long as I can help fix that." She held up a finger, rotated it, indicating for the girl to shuffle to the side. Soon, the two were sitting on the bed as the doctor started to fix her hair: sitting behind with her legs crossed as the lab coat spread out. A small, delicate smile spreads. "The Pokemon League essentially is a challenge across the globe, where humans become Pokemon Trainers, use their knowledge of battle tactics to usurp other trainers by collecting upwards Gym Badges, and attempt to become a 'Champion'."

An expression of confusion appears on the girl's face. "So it's using Pokemon in a more aggressive way than I did...? Don't they get hurt battling like that?"

"It's not as black and white. The Pokemon choose to do these things of their own volition. Some are quite competitive. Cinderace, for example, a Galar native, is a bit of a showboat when praised during or post-battle. If I were to detail it, I'm not sure 'aggressive' is the wording I'd use." She sighed, shaking her head before brushing the long hair slowly. "Forgive me, I forgot for a moment why you care as much as you do. You, as a Ranger, chose to help Pokemon without a single conventional battle. Risking your life to get to the heart of a Pokemon directly. You asked them for help after calming them all down using your Styler, did you not? Sometimes they even chose to stick around after your feelings of friendship reached their hearts." The soothing voice of the doctor continued, taking note of the strayed or split ends on her friend's head.

As the Ranger heard answer, she frowned. "I think I get it...but those poor Pokemon must be hurt doing it."

Grace held up a finger. "If they are harmed, they're recovered quite quickly. Medicinal Science for Pokemon has improved drastically since the old Hisuian Ages, you know!" In the middle of speaking, the Pokemon Doctor spotted some pink at the ends of her hair.

"I thought you went entirely brunette? Even put it up in a cute double bun." Grace leaned closer inquisitively.

"...it was to blend in easier. Not be found, or linked to my family."

The two sat there watching the match go on the television until a victor was declared. The Ranger's eyes stared at the screen. It felt like she was thrust into another part of the world with no way of knowing if she would understand all of it. "I'm uncertain why, but this reminds me of some of my lesser traumatic events, such as when I had to deal with a forest fire."

"Oh~?" Her doctorate friend asked.

"Yeah...dealing with a group of idiots that kept trying to hypnotize Pokemon with these machines; the 'Gigaremo' machine." Her eyes wince, then close. She felt the heatwave of the fires just as intensely as the day it happened. As the winds picked up from the disaster that would only worsen by the second, she ran through a field as several Pokemon run behind her. Her Vaporeon, Vespa, and a Blastoise she befriended were working in tandem to put out the burning trees. The flash of another memory: a captured assailant who ended up being nicknamed 'Ollie'.

A disgruntled look appears. "If it wasn't for folks like that dipshit Ollie, or Crawford cracking bad jokes when nobody asked, I probably would have more of my sanity left."

Shifting from sitting on the bed to standing back on her two pointy feet, Grace turned to the girl with a smirk. "Nothing compared to what you told me about that other ranger named Ben, correct?". The question was met with Vespa briefly shooting a small torrent of Bubbles in Grace's direction, as the Ranger groaned loudly: pulling her face downwards with her fingers.

"You don't know the half of it..."

The pair shared a laugh before going quiet again. The air was awkward, as the Ranger looked downward. "You're only doing this for now because the results for me aren't looking good now, are they?"

"I'm sorry...it's going to take some time to get you back up to speed. But it'll be a bit before we can be sure if you either want to return being a Pokemon Ranger, or something else so you can live a quiet life."

Looking downwards and then closing her eyes, those words hurt. The Ranger knew it was the right call, and there was no way she'd be able to just go out into the world as if nothing happened. She recalled flashbacks of her past where she rode on the back of Latias soaring through the skies. A floating fortress shooting giant beams of energy at her, and individual soldiers of an enemy faction getting into combat with her in mid-air. "I'm just happy that at one point I was at use to the world. Maybe at some point I can come back and make a difference. There's still room for Rangers, right?"

"Maybe not, but there's always room for someone like you, Cherise." said as she tried her best to cheer up the girl sitting there moping.

Cherise let out a small laugh and then laid her head back on the pillow, turning back to the television. Onscreen, the redhead trainer was having an interview, talking about his career. Her eyes narrow. "Look at him, he seems dependable." Both eyes glaze over fearfully and keep staring at the TV. It would showcase not only what he did for his Gym Challenge, but had another reminder on what he helped resolve with the 'Operation Critical Hit'. "Not a Ranger in sight. Not here, and nobody has even once talked about them the entire time I've been stuck to this damn bed browsing television shows from across the globe." Her chest tightened.

"I can still be of use, right Vespa? Tell me I can..."

- - - - - That Same Moment - - - - -

- - - - - Circhester, Amiri's Home - - - - -

Staring at the television, Syra was leaning forward with a hand on the table. Her Intelleon looked at her sadly as she got up, then went to hug it. "No no no no no. Don't you start, okay? It's part of my punishment for being such a shit to everyone here in Galar. Putting them all in danger could have cost me far more, you know." Syra held the tall, lanky water based Pokemon and gave him a squeeze. As part of her past actions, Syra would start all over again from the first gym and work her way back to the same position as before. This time with no cheating, no stealing, and a new starter. The shiny Scorbunny popped out of his PokeBall to look at her while being on the carpet flooring. Sighing, the Intelleon just gave a pout after she hugged him. She laughed. "You spoiled little brat, once I get all 8 badges again, you're going to be a part of my team! Until then, I want you to help out Mom around the house and anything she may need you for, okay?"

Seeing the small rabbit near her feet, she knelt down and looked at him. "So look, Cyrus. You're going to be my new starter, but Josef is my original. He helped me through a lot, but since you're going to be here with me for this run, I can understand a lot of pressure is on your tiny shoulders."

Her Intelleon let out the Pokemon equivalent of a huff, and Syra looked up at him. "Hey now this little bunny is going to do his best okay? But he's not replacing you! Were you replaced when that Tyranitar joined up with us and became a good attacker? Were you replaced when I got other water Pokemon, in terms of my 'main' squad?" She squints up at him as he looks away. Cyrus' nub of a nose wiggles and then looks back at his new master curiously before she slowly combed her hand through his forehead, making his rabbit ears flatten sideways and smile. "I don't replace any of you, okay? When I come back, we're going to do a sit down and think of a way to take on the tournament..." she stood up as the shiny Scorbunny hopped onto her shoulders and looked at Josef as her left hand made a fist. "...and yank that Championship title for myself."

Amiri had walked over from the kitchen as a towel was hung around her neck, seeing her daughter talking to the Pokemon in the room and turned serious. "You're going to be late if you take too long in speaking to them. Do you want to compete or not? Do you have your endorsement?" she asked.

Flashing the endorsement from within her vest, Syra grinned at her mom. "Yep. Wanna see me off to the train station at least? I have to meet up with Sevan."

- - - - - Hammerlocke Train Station - - - - -

Circhester had no train station, so the pair had to take an airborne taxi ride to Hammerlocke and head to the passenger station there to meet up with Sevan. From there, they would ride to Motostoke together. Walking into the terminal, Syra whistled in shock. Putting herself in the midst assaulted her eyes and ears with the sounds of announcements of delays, departures, brief reminders of concessions, and a new ad on how to buy your ticket online. An assortment of seemingly bright eyed, fellow youthful trainers were seen waiting for departure times as a group exchange glances with information on the marquees. A few who were awaiting those coming from other regions had bouquets of flowers and a gift basket for their friends and family.

Once Sevan was spotted, Syra kissed her mom farewell, and would head over to where he stood. Spotting him and his Pokemon. A Pidgeot. A Leafeon. The Ninetails was seen running back to him and seemingly 'laughing' with some flames spitting. "Yo, Sev! Hey, good to see that you're here...and that this station isn't on fire."

"Yet. It's either something Fen makes on fire, or me if we end up being here too long." He complained, slumping a little while holding the backpack over his shoulder that contained his belongings.

She snorted. "How do you mean? You're not sparking, dickhead."

He turned to her as the giant bird next to him flapped his wins: Chorui had started to get a little used to Syra's company but still felt a sense to be an 'alpha' next to his master. "It's too hot here."

Syra flattened her eyes and squinted at him. "...Sev. It's only 25' C outside."

Sevan wasn't amused and Shinrin just let out a small yip. She didn't mind the heat: it only meant she could enjoy the sunlight. "Like I said, I haven't started burning yet."

"Wow. Big tough guy who likes to tell me he's 'doing okay' as much as he does, but can't even handle moderate seasonal climate? Really?" She would tease, as he rolled his eyes, looking back at her.

The two went quiet as a chime sounded off on the speakers inside the terminal and a lady's voice came on. "Your attention please. We are pleased to announce the 0936 service heading to Motostoke will be arriving ahead of schedule. The 0912 heading to Wedgehurst has been unfortunately delayed by a herd of Wooloo near the tracks. We apologize for any inconvenience." The message would repeat once more as she looked to him, then saw their train that they would be boarding arrived, and the passengers from it would start to exit.

Balancing back on the balls of her feet, Syra grins and looks to him. "Well...it's almost time."

He looked back to her and had thought on the jab she made at him earlier. "I'm blasting the fucking air conditioning the second we get our seats on the train, and you can't stop me."

"Wha-..!? HEY! You bitch, do you want to get a face of abs again?"

The man didn't even blink twice or look in her direction as his focus appeared off centered. As if he were staring at an object past the train itself, the eyes of his mind narrowed on one thing that had gradually grown in importance since they last met. "Don't threaten me with a good time, Syra. Besides, you're not the reason I decided to finally go along with this Gym Challenge."

Fen began to laugh, as her yipping made some tiny puffs of flames spit outwards, and Shinrin tilted her head. Making herself known when hearing his comment, the Eeveelution had appeared to judge him on his wording. "Don't play coy, Shin. We talked about this."

/...there's another reason, huh?/ Syra thought quietly to herself.

5 minutes pass. The group got to their seating and, true to his commitment, Sevan had already turned the air conditioning up. They would watch as the view from Hammerlocke gave away to the horizons of Galar leading to Motostoke. Wildlife and Pokemon out in the distance in The Wild Area frolicked in the open plains and the whole train saw as a new beam of light pierced the heavens from a 'den' where one could gather 3 other trainers and take it down for the purpose of capture.

"So. Another reason to go along with the Gym Challenge, huh?" Syra asked as she looked away from an overcast sky, as Galar was known to have violent weather patterns. Her magenta eyes gazed at Sevan who was leaning into his seat, eyes closed, and hummed positively in response. "Is it to outdo me, and beat me to becoming Championship? You want to become my rival during this league?"

"...Syra. If I may."

"Yes, what is it?" She leaned in, thinking he was going to answer her question.

"I need to try and get some Z's in on the trip over."

/O-oh./ "Right, okay. Bad night of sleep?" She asked, before going to look back at the view with her Scorbunny watching the view: its nose wiggling.

Sevan let out a low chuckle that sounded indifferent. "That implies sleep occurred."

Both Cyrus and Syra looked back worriedly at Sevan and frowned. Shinrin was perched up near the window view to soak up any rays of sun that would peek out, but the Eeveelution turned to face him. Both chestnut colored eyes blinking, and looking on in anxiety. Her master was always pushing himself way too hard, and had been like this since she knew him. Was he ever going to rest? Was it a good idea to head into an annual challenge with a beat up physique like this?

- - - The Next Day - - -

- - - - - Motostoke Stadium - - - - -

Arms spread wide, Oleana stood in the middle of the battlefield. Ready to conduct the orchestra before her that was the Pokemon League of Galar, the woman waved to the onlooking fans and kept her iconic muted expression. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" her voice booms. "I am Oleana, Chairman of the Pokemon League! I know that everyone gathered here today, and everyone watching from home have all been waiting for this big moment! It is my pleasure to announce that finally- the Galar region Gym Challenge will now begin!"

Resounding the walls with quakes from applause and people stomping their feet onto the bleachers, the attendees at the Motostoke Stadium pierced the skies with their shouts of glee and anticipation. Oleana takes a moment to applaud with them all. "The Gym Challenge follows as such: participants, be they under the Sword or Shield division, must defeat their 8 respective Gym Leaders and gather badges from those Gyms to prove their skills as a Trainer! Only the most worthy, the most strategic, valiant, and yes, lucky of all will have the honor of challenging the Champion that resides at the top!"

Behind the walls of the stadium's ground level, Haru readjusts his collar and makes sure he looks fine. Nessa takes his hand and squeezes it lightly. Marnie has noticed that her hair is starting to grow a little longer, on one last reflection upon a mirror she carried, and Raihan had stopped taking selfies with his phone to snap photobombed shots of him with the other Gym Leaders. They're all a little distracted, until the group heard their cue.

"Now, I would like to invite the Gym Leaders to show themselves!" Oleana said, with a sweeping arm motion to the opposite end of the grass where the stadium lights shone down on them. Normally, both divisions of Sword and Shield competitors would see the Gym Leaders separately. That was before, under Rose's way of doing things, but considering the new league she was creating, Oleana wanted to give equal time for everyone at once. Give a one-two punch of all of Galar's best in the limelight at once.

11 Gym Leaders walk out to thunderous applause. There was a new energy that crawled up from the soles of their feet to the back of their necks as each Gym Leader marched onward; their introductions starting. Before Oleana started, the jumbotron screen showed both sides of the competition as marked 'Sword' and 'Shield', divying up the Gym Leaders as they were announced into either version of the competition. For those watching at home, or elsewhere via broadcast or streaming, these statistics would show along the marquee on the bottom of the screens.

"The virulent vixen of taxing toxins! Our new Poison Type Perfectionist, Klara!" Klara excitedly waved to the entire audience, and flashed a 'V' sign to any indication she could find of camera bulbs flashing in her direction.

"The Ocean Goddess of Galar and Hulbery's Shining Sapphire, our Water Types Master, Nessa!" Nessa squeezed onto Haru's hand, and used the free hand to do her usual handwave to the whole audience: proudly showing off the engagement ring on it.

"The ever-burning man of Fire who hails from Hoenn! Here comes the Fire-type veteran, Kabu!" The salt-and-peppered haired Trainer tied a small knot at the end of the towel that hung on his neck, and smirked.

"The silent boy of mystery and confidant to specters! Allister, friend to Ghost types!" The boy known as Allister had slowly been growing since his first arrival as a Gym Leader, yet always came onto the field the same: sauntering like he were a zombie. It was part of what would 'sell' him to the crowd.

"The Galar karate prodigy from Stow On Side! Nobody is better with Fighting types than Bea!" Hardened with focus, Bea would not respond outside of a brief glance to both sides of the spectators in the seats.

"The clever calculator of cute and pink! Our Fairy-type expert, Bede!" As he walked, Bede would make a grandiose, exaggerated bow as his promo was spoken.

"The ice-cold professional of glacial gambits! Please welcome our Ice-type master, Melony!" As the woman marched onto the field, she was a lot more visibly excited to be there at that moment than prior years.

"The heavy hitting boulder buster! He's the Rock-type master, Gordie!" Raising his stylistic glasses slightly, Gordie tried to spot where some fans were holding up home-made posters of him and did finger guns towards it.

"The Belle of Darkness from Spikemuth! Galar's Dark-type expert, Marnie!" It was still hard for Marnie to smile in earnest, but her promo eliciting cheers from the crowd got her to smile. More than Team Yell ever had in awhile, anyways.

"The talented tamer of Turtonators, Raihan, the Dragon-type master!" Raihan already had his phone out once again before the promo had been read, as the Rotomized phone was taking multiple shots. Guy couldn't get enough of himself, it seemed.

Haru was the last one to be promo'd, and he took a deep inhale through the nose in anticipation. He feels his arm get nudged, it's Nessa, who looks down at him and then presses her forehead to his briefly. "You're doing great."

"Heh...thanks.."

Both of them had their brief talk interrupted as Oleana finished up.

"...and lastly, for the first time in Galar's history, a new final Gym Leader who will face opponents that meet him at the end of their Shield runs. The Soul of Steel himself, Haru!"

He blinked. The crowd completely lost the limits of their volume when his promo was finished and used his free hand to wave to everybody. /S...Soul of Steel? What the heck, I didn't write that!/

The Chairman knew all too well that he would be surprised on her additional flair to the Gym Leaders, especially him, and waited until all of them had met up in the center. While her arms folded, Oleana looked to where one of the cameras broadcasting was at with confidence. "These are the Gym Leaders that we in the Galar region are proud to call our own! I call upon everyone who is watching right now to please welcome not only our Gym Leaders, but, as I will now call to the battlefield, all the contestants who are registered to face them!"

From both the east and west sides of the stadium, two large hordes of people would walk onto the field: all bearing professional Galar league uniforms. Every single one having a number. Marching onto the field, Syra had a growing sense of deja vu hitting her whilst tying her hair back into a ponytail. The sounds and smells of being in the league was almost too much for her heart, but she stood on the field with both fists clenched. Looking at Haru and smirking when their eyes met, she nodded. /I won't be able to fight him since I'm still a Sword challenger, but maybe one day we will have our rematch. It's the most I can afford this time around./ Her gaze is broken as a growing number of those in the crowd had begun to call out her name. They had spotted Syra, and one of the cameras had focused on her. For a second, her anxiety spikes. Would the crowd welcome her back despite what she did last time?

Said crowd began to cheer for her specifically.

All the anxiety flushed out of her mind. Nothing she was concerning herself with had mattered in the end. Conceivably the last match she had with Haru was all that was on most people's minds. They were excited to see her try again from the very start, and were enthralled at the chance of seeing more to come from the flames she had yet to spread herself. Holding back the tears of sudden happiness, she grit her teeth and gave a closed mouth, patient wave to those cheering for her. Sevan, in the meantime, wasn't as used to the giant crowds of Galar. Hoenn, and many other leagues for that matter, always had their official Gym battles in more intimate and small locations. Limited audiences. This may take some time to get used to, and if he got to where he wanted, the audience would just turn into a blur in his vision. Not long after, the ceremony had finished.

Galar's newest Pokemon League had finally begun yet again, and with it, a new shot at destiny for all of those who attended. Though nobody who attended knew at the time, either Gym Leader, Challenger, or onlooker, this challenge would see its strongest, most vibrant year ever recorded.

Nobody would be truly prepared for what was going to come.

- - - Later... - - -

" 'Soul of Steel', Oleana? Really?" Haru had whined a little, chitchatting with the Chairman as the group of Gym Leaders were having a stop at one of the bars within the stadium. The sounds of glasses clinking together in the form of toasts, and multiple conversations ongoing, Nessa snickered hearing her fiancé react.

"What, you don't like it?" Oleana pretended to not understand his point of concern.

"It's not what I wrote for my promo, at the very least." Haru insisted.

"Darling, it's fine. I think it suits you." Nessa gave a small pat on top of his hand while Klara leaned in to the convo.

"Yeah, 'Soul of Steel' completely suits you! Like, considering everything you've done and your typing? C'mon! Live it up a little and just own it!" She had suggested. Much to the chagrin of Haru, he just groaned and huffed again.

The former Champion gestured with his hands in confusion while setting down his mixed cocktail of Ice Stone. "Isn't it a little...I don't know..."

"Cheesy?" Gordie asked, peering over his shoulder to where Haru stood with Nessa, Klara, and Oleana.

"Goofy?" Nessa asked.

"Over the top and bound to sell well to your fanbase? I thought so too." Oleana suggested, before stopping Haru altogether prior to him being able to answer. "Please, it's not that what you wrote wasn't good, but I wanted to add a little pizazz to everybody's promo today. Do you know how hard it is for me to be as creative as I was today? Alliterations, titles, and all?"

The now titled 'Soul of Steel' himself readjusted his seating on the stool and looked to Nessa. She raised her eyebrows, and he looked back to Oleana. "I suppose you're right. Besides, I've done goofier things for the league."

"Yes, you have, Haru. Customized songs accompanying your entrance, nearly bordering on non-family friendliness with pyrotechnic theatrics?"

The redhead sipped his drink. "...what's wrong with a little heavy metal?"

The woman across from him at the table grit her teeth a little. Nessa snorted before handwaving to Oleana apologetically. "You're not going to challenge me on the music for your Gym, are you, Haru?"

He took another sip.

There was a moment of silence before he aimed the glass back to himself and waited with baited breath. "...maybe."

"Haru."

"Trust me, it works within the confines of our regular Gym Leader music. Besides, that bomb ass tune plays during the official Tournament if any leaders make it in, so this should work just fine. I have the file, I can send it to you for approval."

Nessa tried to wave down Oleana's anxiety as she began pressing her thumbs to her forehead. "Haru, I cannot be dealing with another year where stuff like last year, or even your year of challenges occurred."

Interjecting into the conversation, Nessa was curious. "Chairman, why is it so important that this year goes off without a hitch, if you don't mind us asking? Is there something specific you want us Gym Leaders to keep in mind?"

The platinum blonde woman who led the league sighed and took a long swig of her drink then let the glass settle in her hand. "Considering the previous events that were occurring under my leadership, it's imperative to others across the globe that look to us for business-related reasons that we make up for the past."

Dropping all sense of comedy, Haru leaned inwards to listen, but inquired her before she continued. "If any incident like with Syra or Rose happens, it would lead to uncertainty for Galar's future, right?"

She nodded and tapped on the wooden grain of the table they sat at, looking to the other Gym Leaders. Oleana, if she were capable of letting her outer strength show being creased, would be outed right there. But the endurance of years under Rose, on top of Haru and Hop as a pair of heroes helped to bolden her resolve. "If other regions start to think that we aren't safe enough to protect challengers from nearly global-ending occurrences and defend our borders without moles coming in under our noses, then it's only a matter of dominoes at that point. The league goes from a major, to a minor. Funding gets cut. Jobs start to pay less for all staff involved. Sponsorships tighten their budgets. Then, broadcasting gets taken out. Our clout gets thinner and thinner, until one day, Galar itself may fold under the weight of the 'attack', if it were."

Her olive colored eyes glance to Haru. "...this is where Galar doesn't have a fantastic ability like 'Sturdy' to protect itself in an emergency. We are not in danger of losing everything, but people have talked plenty about us. From the time you took our Challenge until now, it appears Galar has sustained a litany of commentary. 'Why is the challenge coming from Galar so restrictive of Pokemon?' 'An area that's as linear as your own could never be as exciting or endearing as the stories told from other regions.' 'Your legends don't even stand out amongst the competition'. As our conversation continues, Galar continues to face daily criticism. Who knows where it will go?"

It was a new mission, and Haru finished his drink before ordering another. "Understood, Oleana. You're telling me that our job is to keep things going and make sure challengers have a safe, fun, adventurous year. If we can, even if by just a little, curb the reputation that others see Galar towards a more positive light, it'll already be an improvement. Is that correct?"

Her nostrils flared up while she exhaled; Haru had begun to talk like he did in the past, and was already calming her worries. "That is one way of putting it, yes."

"Then it's a new mission for me. I'm no longer a Champion, but I'll talk to the others and see what we can all do to make sure this year goes through without a hitch, okay?" He hopped off the stool and began to walk to the other tables where the other Gym Leaders were sitting. Nessa watched as he was corralling them all to try and move with him to one spot, and talk to them all. Oleana, after taking another sip of her drink, smiled at the water-based trainer.

"Nessa."

"Hmm?"

A small smile crept up on Oleana's face. "You bagged yourself a good one. I'm happy for you."

Her cheeks flushed pink and she looked down at her left hand's ring finger to get another look at the ring. Quietly, she replied. "Thank you...I know he is."

- - - Hotel Ionia - - -

- - - Motostoke - - -

The lobby was a lot more lively going back inside than leaving. A horde of people who were current Pokemon Gym Challengers were huddled up discussing strategies for upcoming Gym Leaders. What Pokemon they had in the past was public knowledge, but Oleana had hinted at on a broadcast, and during the ceremony before it concluded, that the Gym Leaders who were returning 'may have new lineups'. As such, it seemed to have drawn the groups of challengers into constructing small 'sessions' where they studied and traded low leveled Pokemon together to further prepare. As Syra walked out with her clothes, camping equipment, and a small shiny Scorbunny by her side, she eyes them all.

"BUN!" the Pokemon exclaims, with Syra looking down to him. "I know, buddy, I know. You'll get your time to shine if we come across these guys, yeah?" a hand of hers reaching down to him and patting him on the front of his forehead; making him retroactively lean into it. "I expected Sevan to be out here to meet me at least before we parted ways to head to the first Gym. I must have lost him when we were at the ceremony, and he hasn't answered my texts."

She squints, pulling out her Rotom-ized phone and bringing up the screen. Her message only said 'Delivered' on her end, not 'Read'. She sighs with a sign of exasperation before putting it away. "Well, I guess he's already on his way there, then."

- Outside -

Taking one final look at Motostoke before stretching her legs, Syra raised her arms behind her back and let out a whine from several bones popping. "All I'm gonna say, little buddy, is that Sev better not overdo this Gym Challenge. The guy already seems to run himself ragged."

Her Scorbunny looked up as they started to walk together, and she continued talking to him. "Either way, we're not going to let anyone else get in our way, okay? I did this challenge before, and we even got some practice fighting some wild Pokemon before the ceremony! You learned Ember! We're gonna do great!"

"Bun-Bun!" The bunny Pokemon said excitedly hopping in place as tiny sparks ignited from its feet.

"Hey!"

"!"

Syra's eyes lock on to a random passersby that was outside with them. It appears without her noticing she had walked onto Route 03 and a blonde girl with a red school uniform had a PokeBall out at the ready. "You saw the opening ceremony, right? Then you know why I'm excited and want to battle!"

The raven haired Syra felt a smile grow on her cheeks, before standing upright. "You're on! Let's do it!"

- - - - Elsewhere, ahead... - - - -

- - - - Galar Mine - - - -

"If only I'd used an item effectively when I was in a pinch!" said one exasperated Mine Worker as Sevan had then taken the payment of prize money.

"Don't feel too bad, Fen gets a little carried and likes to cause havoc: typing be damned." He says, before the Ninetails turns and looks at him in an almost judging way. "Don't look at me like that."

The Ninetails huffs, then looks away as if it had its sanctity ripped away with her own Master making excuses on her behalf. After excusing himself from the battle, Sevan turned to step away as some light from the other side of the mine had peeked out from around the corner: the exit. Before he had stepped away, the Mine Worker stopped him. "Actually, excuse me!"

"What is it?" Sevan asked, turning back to look.

"I may be stepping a little out of line by asking but, you wouldn't happen to be a certain trainer from Hoenn...would you? I ask because you look a lot like him, eh...but he had longer hair. Your teams are the same, though..so are you his long lost brother or something?" The worker asked. Chorui, Shinrin, and Fen turned to look at Sevan who just exhaled through the nose slowly, and began walking like he heard nothing.

Shinrin did a double take, as if she were unsure of her surroundings before catching up to him. Meeting up with a few other wild Pokemon in the area who popped out of the ground, Sevan would take them out: clearing a path to the first Gym Leader like a farmer with a scythe in the fields cutting wheat. Unlike the other challengers starting from the base strength, IVs, EVs, and base forms of Pokemon, he was dividing and conquering with a fully leveled team that had been staying by his side since they met. /I suppose Haru will be a litle disappointed knowing my intentions aren't exactly to try and become the next Champion here in Galar. That time has already since passed, and I failed at that.../

- - - - - Some time ago, Mauville City, Hoenn - - - - -

It was as if he were reflecting on everything that led up to that very minute, that second: Victory Road was all that he needed to go through, and past that? The Elite Four and Champion. "Mark my fucking words, Quen. By this time tomorrow: new Champ. Numachi here will be a Hall o'Fame Swampert right alongside the others here." Sevan said while sitting on a bench looking to his friend that joined him. She was sporting an army green, off shoulder tee, short shorts with ripped camoflage print leggings, cherry red boots and a pink undercut hairdo.

"...and if all goes well, in due time you'll be looking at a licensed Pokemon Archaeologist!" She replied, looking to Sevan as he was seeing to his team that he brought through his Gym Challenge. Alongside the usual friend of Shinrin, his Leafeon, the Hoenn-born trainer viewed his team through the device he received at the start of his journey.

Numachi, a Swampert that was Sevan's beloved Mudkip at one point, and the one that keeps Fen behaving.

Fen, a Ninetails that was usually starting trouble if Numachi isn't around.

Shinrin, a Leafeon that followed him ever since he had a trip to Sinnoh before starting the Gym Challenge in Hoenn.

Chorui, a Pidgeot that is never far from his master.

Yudoku Hebi, a Seviper that he trained to be a beastly Poison type.

...and Shirogane, an intensely strong Aggron. The whole team sat by, behaving while he tended to their wounds, fed them, and was going over his notes to see if there was anything left to consider. Once he reached the locale of Ever Grande City, it would be a long, yet simple straight shot. Stories about Brendan, the Champion, and his feats, were public knowledge. How he and May, and some other girl saved the world from destruction by curbing the war-like attrition between Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. While doubt had crept into the back of his mind early on into the challenge, there would not be enough room to even consider that, much less failure. His focus had to be on the victory at hand while not forgetting those he cared much about: his Swampert wouldn't let him forget via a needy butting of his large head towards Sevan's hand.

"So..."

"So..?" Sevan asked, looking to her, wondering about the tone in her voice and where things would go in the conversation. "You appeared as if you were in a hurry to come here, and are in a hurry to leave, too. You took the challenge at a decent pace, so what's the rush suddenly?"

A wave of contemplation hits the long haired, blonde streaked man as his eyes go vacant into the distance. He tries not to languish on the sounds of the marketplace within Mauville City before answering. "The 'rents asked me before I came here to help with the business. We didn't exactly have a fight but, you know..." The tone in his voice was wrought with confusion. A chip on his shoulder sat there undisturbed from its source.

"Ahhh. You all fought about whether they would come to see you take on Brendan, if you get-"

"WHEN"

Quen held her hands up defensively. "Okay, shit, WHEN you get there."

"It's not enough that I put myself out on the line, and I get that they make sacrifices too due to their business and the time we all haven't been able to spend together, but I've wanted this! Why not, I don't know, try to put it aside for a day and come see your kid trash some Elite 'schmups in battle?" He huffed, making a fist and looking at his knuckles before hiding the bruises near them and his wrist.

Kicking her feet idly and leaning back into the bench, Quen looked ahead to see a married couple with children buying some locally made merchandise that brandished 'Hoenn spirit'. It displayed olde timey pictographs of the legendaries and mythicals of Hoenn. "Well, I can't say I would blame you for feeling like you need to let off steam. My parents are scientists and history buffs, so there's a bit of pressure on my side too that I can relate."

Chorui let out a caw to distract the two friends from their tiny squabble.

"Tch. Maybe when you're officiated you'll come dig up someone for you to get that face out of a book, huh?" Sevan teased, grinning at her getting, at times, so obsessive on the history and lives of Pokemon via fossil findings that it led to her missing advances from people.

The friend huffed, puffing her cheeks. "You slut! I'm not like that!"

"Don't be jealous cuz I'm with Hilda." Sevan said coyly, leaning forward to get off the bench. "But for real: I'll phone you when I make it big. If my parents aren't gonna be there then, well, so be it. But I won't go without telling you that I made it."

Holding out a fist then bumping one of his, Quen got up with him. "Go out there and destroy that league!"

- - - Later - - -

- - - Victory Road, Hoenn - - -

Things would not go quite as planned. The first hint that an omen had befallen the eager-to-be-king Sevan was when a pair of Max Potions he tried using post battle had no healing liquid inside. Noticing on the bottom were small cracked lines along the bottom ridge where it had silently been leaking. This explained the wet spot in his backpack when he got there. /Weird.../ Sevan began to think. /...that's never happened before. Thankfully I'm stocked up with plenty of these for the Elite Four./

Going up the waterfall on the outer border of Ever Grand City, through the cave, and out the other end, they all fell before his team's might: Albert, Hope, Bryn, Regan, Jude, Theodore, Egon, Aden & Finn were all defeated swiftly.

Victory Road was like a chest at the end of a rainbow, a golden idol statue sitting atop a pedestal. As the doors swung open and he used the in-house services of the Pokemon Center one final time, Sevan took a step forward and faced the first of the Elite Four of Hoenn. Sidney would fail to stop him, and Phoebe, if only for a brief second, made him sweat. But only for a moment. Glacia teased Sevan on coming here and giving an air of a trainer 'she once fought here before', but was easily shut down in her attempt of ice-cold warfare against Sevan. Drake would be the one to test his mettle the most, but even he had succumbed to defeat. The way to the Champion was simply a few paces ahead.

"Absolutely outstanding...! You truly are one worthy to take on the Pokemon Champion." The old man removed his hat and bowed briefly, and Sevan nodded back to him quietly. "You deserve every credit for coming this far as a Pokémon Trainer. You do seem to know what is needed." The man's eyes closed meditatively. "Yes, what a Trainer needs is a true and virtuous heart. It is through their contact with Trainers that Pokémon learn right from wrong. The influence of their Trainers' good hearts helps them grow strong!"

His eyes open and he points to the room behind him where the Champion lay. "Go! Go onward! The Champion is waiting!"

In there, as Sevan stepped inside, was a man with a dark grey vest that had one blood orange stripe along the collar and down the sleeves, dark grey pants with a light grey stripe, and bright white shoes with green laces. He turns slowly, and grins. "Sevan. I've been keeping track of your record all the while you've been coming here, and I have to say I'm really, truly impressed!"

Sevan let in one deep inhale and exhaled slowly. /I know I sounded angry earlier at my parents, but it's okay. I'll make them proud./ "Thanks, but don't think the sweet talk is going to get to me. I didn't come here to make niceties."

Nodding in agreement, Brendan walked to the center of the battlefield and brought out a PokeBall. "I was looking forward to seeing you here one day, so it's a relief you made it. Tell me, Sevan, what did you see on your journey with Pokémon? What did you feel, meeting so many other Trainers like you? What has awoken in you?"

The Champion-to-be white-knuckled around one of his PokeBalls in anticipation as Brendan points decidedly. "I want you to hit me with it all! Now, bring it!"

...but the battle was shortlived. Interrupted. Just as fate had smiled upon Sevan so many times up to that moment, so to did it not always back him up when he needed it most. Not every battle could be won with a Pokemon, and he was given the coldest chill from death's door when officials from the Pokemon League ran in accompanied by police. They called for Sevan, but it wasn't to arrest him, but inform him.

There was a crash.

- - - - - Near Slateport City, Hoenn - - - - -

A few miles northwest to Slateport City, there was a highway where delivery trucks were commonly seen in transit bringing supplies for multiple industries. It was a common road, going on a common day, but with unfortunately uncommon circumstances. There was reportedly a diversion; a moment's notice or glance where a hillside gave way as a railing had been bent backwards. What lay behind it was a vehicle that lay upside down with its body nearly flattened by the weight of its cargo, and several ambulances crowded near where the vehicle landed. People who were friends of the victims were there standing near the scene but trying their best to put on a strong face. Police tape was set around the curb to help traffic pass by, but one panicked Sevan would ignore all of the officials near the scene as Chorui had let go after using 'Fly' to get them there, and landing onto the descending hill where the vehicle had fell.

Sevan, right as he came to the scene, spotted two gurneys and felt his chest squeeze. As the sheets had lifted to cover the faces, he saw them: his parents. It was as if no volume had left his throat but had let out the loudest scream possible. For him the harsh truth of learning that the two bodies from the crash were of his parents was enough to write off the idea of even bothering with his self pleasing goal of becoming a Champion. It didn't matter, and now guilt filled his mind. Why wasn't he kinder to them in their last moments when they spoke together? Was it really worth yelling at each other over such frivolous and futile things that now held no weight?

Sinking to his knees and continuing to yell out in pain and sorrow, his PokeBalls around his waistline popped open, and the entire team of his would appear to try to get their master away from being too close. They held onto him as Sevan sobbed openly. All anyone near him could hear him say was 'I'm so sorry' over and over again. The Pokemon had been there for him throughout his entire journey thus far, and because of their intense connection with them, they too wept.

As of that moment, Sevan dismissed the idea of returning to Victory Road again, and after a long evening of talking to officials, would end up returnning home and laying harder into his punching bag than he ever did before.

Soon after, Hilda had taken a quick flight to Hoenn to see Sevan. Upon walking in, he held on tightly as, for the first time ever since being with him, he didn't say anything. "Hey, I heard everything, hon, and I'm sorry..." the brunette Not a greeting, not a 'how are you doing' or any small talk. She could only recall him apologizing to a crime he didn't do, a sin he didn't commit. The days would pass before she too would find out he had written off the idea of going into the Pokemon League again.

Ultimately what had started as a genuine interest had begun to wane. It started small, from not discussing about his Pokemon career with friends, to locking up his collection of Hoenn badges, to being fidgety around the house. Taking to other things outside of the Pokemon League, Sevan sought out other avenues to satiate himself other than the Pokemon League. Instead of his mind and the skills of his Pokemon to win battles, he relied on his fists and the beckoning of the underground. Internally it was enough to satiate the thirst of a competition inside Sevan's mind, but as time marched on, certain decisions would be made to, in a way, 'forget' the past.

Getting rid of the longer hair he once sported.

Buying a one way ticket to Galar after purchasing a small home somewhere near 'Circhester': for an unknown reason, the name just stuck out to him.

A new region meant a new lease in life...all before running into one red haired, glasses wearing trainer out in The Wild Area looking for some simple teamwork.

"Hey!" said the trainer to Sevan, with a grin. "Haven't gone raiding in awhile, and we only have two other people. Wanna join? I don't need to capture this Roserade myself, but we can split the loot that is dropped after!"

"Whichever way, no worries." Sevan replied, handwaving the idea of getting loot from a wild encounter. It was this small interaction that spiraled into where he found himself at this very moment...

- - - - - Current Day - - - - -

- - - - - Turffield, Galar - - - - -

Just like that, the memory of his past ended. A small nibble near his pant leg came from Shinrin who just looked up in a huff. She had a sense that he was dissociating due to standing outside the mine that overlooked the green hills of Turffield. The outside of the Gym was being reconstructed from the logo that faced outwards, with some construction vehicles and workers nearby busily putting a new one back up. Ignoring the possibility of a new type, Sevan just shook his head while his Leafeon helped him snap back out of his daydream. "Right, Shin. I'm okay." He looks down to her. Shin yipped, almost shouting at him.

"I promise I'm okay. We're making short work of the beginners in this Gym Challenger, which means I won't get to rely on you." His Pidgeot looks proudly, knowing that he'll be depended on for the match. Sevan gave a thumbs up, but then considers using Fen so she can unleash her chaotic energy that's been pent up for awhile. /...wait/

He thinks. There was no nearby noise to signal where she was, and has to make a brief, panic stricken check up on where Fen was located. /It just occurred to me I don't hear her chatty yipping nearby./ He spots the Ninetails with her mouth holding onto a pickaxe from one of the workers that was in the mines he defeated, and froze with a forepaw held halfway off the ground whilst staring back at Sevan. Putting his hands into his pockets, his head nods towards the Gym behind him where the exit of the mine led towards.

"Well, at least I found you before something serious happened again, Fen. Want to burn some Grass Pokemon?"

The Ninetails excitedly dropped what it was carrying and let out several bursts of flames from its mouth before running past him, then turned her head as if beckoning him to follow. "Yeah, I know you're itching to get started. C'mon, let's start badge collecting."

Inside the Turffield Gym was a set of hallways that pointed Gym Challengers to their own privatized entrances. The sounds of battles yet to come to him were heard behind the stadium walls, as Sevan could almost smell the sound of his own victory to come over Milo. It wasn't enough to take him down a few notches after what was done to Haru, he had taken pleasure for awhile in the idea of coming there personally and destroying the smiling farmer in his own abode. After some Gym Staff led him through some double doors, Sevan overlooked the underground interior where the Gym Challenge would lead him to the Gym Leader: a large grass maze. Long, curling roots with thorns adorning every angle and turn within made the already large maze give off an air of intimidation. He was instructed on the goal of this challenge: at the end of the maze is a set of 3 Pokemon that are exuding a gas of Poison that are blocking the aforementioned exit. One a Bellossom, one a Gloom, and another a Roselia. Each of them belongs to a staff member, and is inside an immovable cage in front of the exit that links to the ceiling. Letting them out lets them go free and back to their trainers, lowering the level of poison gas near the exit. In order to raise the cages from the ground, free the Pokemon, and create enough space to get to the exit safely, one must find 3 control panels with a button on it and press it to let them free in no specific order. While passing through the maze, trainers will be fighting Gym Staff all the way.

Tightening the gloves on his wrists, Sevan takes a glance at his options of where to start at the maze. /So the challenge will be to simply just get to the end. No strict puzzle solving for this one, it's just a beginner's level race to the end while keeping my Pokemon in tiptop shape/

He ran through with his Pokemon in tow, KOing the enemy teams of other trainers. It was a group of 4 Pokemon trainers, all with a variation of teams containing Gloom, Galarian Weezing, Roserade, Budew, Vileplume, and one with a Toxicroak. He shrugged off some doubt that despite the obvious grass-based nature of the Gym, that there was also a heavy emphasis on Poison. Nevertheless, the challenge would be defeated and he stepped up to the exit as the stairs ascended Sevan to the finalist area where only the Gym Leader was left.

- - - - - Turffield Gym - - - - -

- - - - - Center Battlefield - - - - -

"Whoa whoa hey hey hey ladies and gentlemen don't you go anywhere lest you chug that Ice Stone Slush you grabbed from concessions, beecause it's time we had another battle with the Gym Leaderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" came the voice over the speakers ahead of the battle commentator. Mere minutes ago, a trainer before Sevan had defeated the Gym Leader, so the crowd was amped up to see another victory be it for the new challenger or the Gym Leader. Staff inside the corridor that leads to the battlefield motioned for Sevan to step forward, and he was granted the same type of cheers that should have been for him if he ever became Hoenn Champion.

Utter elation befell him, if only for a moment, as he stood in the center and took a deep breath. In seconds, he would finally have his rematch against Milo.

"...and with your Gym Leader now making way to the center, everyone give your energy for a positively poisounous plunder of plants and power! Iiiiitttttt's-"

After glancing around to size up what it was like to be a Galar Challenger for once in his life, Sevan puffed his chest up and pointed towards Milo with a finger stretching outwards. "Well Milo, I held back before but this time others will get to see-"

He met eyes with a girl who brandished very bright pink hair wearing a Poison theme Gym uniform, a Dustox-style hairbow, and a puffy white jacket, and white shoes with light pink toes. The two froze with Sevan's face expression going completely sterile as the commentator shouted to the crowd in mid-conversation. "Kkklaraaaaaaa!"

She gave a weak laugh and just waved at him. "Uhm...yikes...sorry, I'm not Milo. I am the Gym Leader here."

Sevan began to grind his teeth a little. /You're telling me that after all this time I've been waiting to pummel Milo into oblivion here live at his home turf, he's not here? Did I get matched up wrong in my Galar Gym Challenge assignment?/

"Hey! What gives!? I'm the Gym Leader here, as I said! Nobody would blame you for enjoying my modular figure, but stop staring already!" Klara said with a huff and grimace.

Sevan had blinked with one eye in annoyance at her talking. His hand stayed outstretched and stayed pointed at her while calling for a Staffer to show up, almost looking to the crowd. "What's with this sassy...lost child?"

Parts of the audience were dumbstruck, as both Challenger and Klara were awkwardly pointing back at each other not understanding where the other one was coming from. But a moment later when a Staffer had come up to explain things to Sevan, he just combed through his hair and exhaled slowly and turned back to her. "Right. So, the whole reason I came here initially was to pummel Milo, but now it makes sense: the Gym Challenge involving Poison so heavily despite the Grass types. Ugh."

Klara stamped her foot and groaned at him. "What's going on? Am I being mocked...by a kid who's calling ME a child?! How dare you! But I'm the colorful, caring, and charismatic Klara!"

"Colorful definitely suits a description..." replied a now bored and unmotivated sounding Sevan.

She pulled out a PokeBall and appeared to have a pulsating vein in her forehead as a finger pressed and held down on the release button. "Let's set the record straight right here. If you want the first badge, you're going to have to take it from me! I'll show you once and for all that I'm the better Trainer with my proficiency in Poison!"

Striking a pose and tossing out a PokeBall, the Gym Leader music began, and the fight started with Sevan. /Well shit, I may as well continue on then. No use in bitching about it now./ People were engaged with the trainer that some would dub as 'clueless, yet otherworldly skilled' as in minutes the Gym Leader battle had come to its rightful conclusion. Going all out with nary a need to Dynamax his team members, the pair fought hard, if only briefly, before Fen was able to out-Fire Blast Klara's team away. The crowd cheered loudly as the verdict comes in, and Klara herself reacted to the loss with a gasp.

"What was that about your proficiency?" Sevan teased, as the two met in the center.

Undeterred by his sarcasm, Klara just grunted. "Fine, you can have this silly badge. You earned it fair and square! With your skillset, I can see you going far and deep into the challenge!" Handing a new, shiny Poison Gym Badge that would assemble as one part of what would appear to be a medallion upon completion. Folding her arms, Klara dropped the cocky attitude for a moment. "I hope to see you again. What was your name again?"

"Sevan."

"Sevan, huh. Well then, you'd better hope you're stronger the next time we meet! I need to go prepare my pure heart for my next cute Gym Challenger right away!" She clenched a fist and smirked at him. "So there, Nyah!" Turning, she flashed a 'v' to the cameras watching her as Sevan would exit, grasping onto the new Poison Badge and putting it in the medallion shell he was handed upon successful registration to the Challenge.

Exiting the Turffield Gym, he now saw that the construction around the logo of the stadium gave way to a Poison-type symbol, and walked away grimacing. The way how Klara acted and spoke made him physically reel. /Fucking Galarian women, what the fuck.../

Chorui, now walking with his head held high from the match, caw'd in response to Sevan. The trainer turned to look at him, as Chorui tried to shift his posture: mimicking someone they met. Due to the way his own Pokemon communicated with him and how long they've been around to grow together, he got the hint and just chuckled. "Okay, I'll net you that Syra is a standout and much different than the others." But Chorui persisted, now tugging on the hoodie cap of Sevan's outfit, then attempted to mock up physically the act of punching. The man's eyes widened and he remembered: Bea.

"Right. Bea, that amazing specimen that Arceus somehow blessed my eyes to see." His mind wanders back to the moment Syra introduced the two to each other and how he got flustered due to being shown abs, and then being able to witness Bea's strength. A confirmation that she was powerful enough to destroy a sandbag by punching it off its hinges was another thing. How could so much power be jam packed into such a small body? "It kind of goes without saying but I could have done that introduction to her far better. Bea probably thinks I'm just another friend to Haru: guy is famous enough to get popular and well liked."

Shin wouldn't have her own master talking down on himself and bumped into him intentionally as they walked. Shin pouted. "Look, I'd like to get to know her better but I just clammed up a lot. There's something about her that just strikes a chord with me."

Passing from the top hills near the east end of Turffield, Sevan and his Pokemon would end up on one of the bridges that overlooked Galar's Wild Area. "When I watched Bea spar with Syra, I was initially going to try and study Syra a bit so she wouldn't be able to surprise me in a future spar. But as you 3 saw, I kept getting distracted by her Gym Leader friend."

/Nice to have you here, Sevan. Syra tells me you needed a training partner, though I'm curious if you're fit for the job! I don't hold back on my partners, you know!/

/Hey, so today may have been a bust for you, Sevan, but I'm not going anywhere. Just promise you'll bring the A game./

He had stopped walking and looked off into the sky as he began to daydream. /Every single kick was perfectly angled. Not a punch wasted. No energy needlessly spent. How the fuck does someone like that exist?/ Sevan then caught himself feeling a bit flustered and shook his head. /Am...am I falling for someone again?/

- - - - - 3 days later - - - - -

At the Stow On Side Gym, Bea overlooked the scheduling between her and Allister's management of the Gym. The morning was littered with fan mail, spam, and other important documents while the television in her office sat idle on current news. As she flipped through envelopes of various contents, the buzz was rife with information of 'in the now'. Trainers were diving through the Gym Challenge with a renewed fervor and enthusiasm compared to last year, so Oleana's wish to see things go in an upwards trend was succeeding. The Champion's title was once again on the line, but like before Haru was Champion, it was Leon, so the buzz came from the heat of nostalgia. Looking up from her desk, Bea saw Syra onscreen, smiling while Syra spoke to an interviewer.

"I can't say for certain that things will go like they did before obviously, but me and my Pokemon are pretty strong. Since I'm starting over from the beginning, it's a bit of a bummer to rely less on building up my Pokedex and more on my teams, but I wouldn't have it any other way with my Raboot Cyrus next to me! I think chances are better this time around that you're looking at the next Champion!" she would say in a post Gym Leader victory interview.

The screen then flashed other tentative trainers currenly taking the challenge. A familiar face comes onscreen causing Bea to lean back in her chair and tap a pen cap to her lips studiously. Sevan was onscreen. /That was the guy that Syra brought here that one time who had a meltdown about abs. I knew I saw him at the opening ceremony!/ Her eyes glance over to the clock: soon she would be expecting some trainers to show up, so she would need to be ready. Leaning forward and getting onto her feet, she headed out and onto the hallways where her dojo was for meditation. /Weird how he's walking around with some Pokemon that isn't allowed here: what's up with that?/

Back in Wyndon's Pokemon League HQ, Oleana was in her office after a morning meeting had successfully concluded. Holding a cup of Alolan Roast Coffee in hand, the woman studiously scanned the few screens that gave her the information she needed at all times during league season. One set with current news in Galar, another with Pokemon Scientific and Technological Discussions on the daily, one showcasing current league statistics that was tied to an in-house server that was updated live, and broadcast signals from within the Gyms. Taking one small sip of her Alolan Roast Coffee and a smack of her lips, Oleana sighed contently. /Galar League is going smoothly so far./

It appeared the league had gotten off the right foot. The Chairman smiled proudly as she walked to her desk and turned her computer screen on to view some logistical reports sent to her. Galar was seeing a healthy amount of trainer battles, good foot traffic for all Pokemon Centers and PokeMarts, a decent rate of Gym Badges being handed out, and trades being done. Amongst the Gym Leaders, chatter was sparse. At home, Nessa heard from Haru how antsy he was getting. It was his role to be the final challenge for Challengers, so the long wait for someone to show up to the Steel Gym's double doors was an agonizing lesson in patience. Raihan had to assure him was 'normal' as one final Gym Leader to the other.

Just as the Chairman had leaned back in her office chair, she spotted a name that scrawled onscreen from the one tv that was discussing upcoming trainers. "Sevan...why does that name sound familiar...?" She said out loud with nary an inner monologue, as if questioning herself on the source of memory of such a fellow. Her olive tinted eyes followed the marquee and brief overview to his current Pokemon League statistics in the Galar region, wincing before sitting upright. /Hmm. Sure it's just my imagination but.../

Her mind flashes back to ex-Chairman Rose for a second and sees him speaking with someone. She shrugs it off at the moment: thinking it just a shape from the past when she had met Sam since travel was a constant with Rose around. /Must be recalling someone that Rose visited, either a hospital or otherwise.../ she thought, setting her cup down and turning away to look outside.

- - - - - Stow-In-Side - - - - -

- - - - - Gym Challenger Side - - - - -

Looking down from the top of the stage, Sevan eyed the peculiar challenge that this Gym had cooked up for him and others taking the Fighting Gym. Sitting in a pod that one could only describe as 'from a carnival' where one must rotate the entire contraption with their arms, spinning it so they make it to the bottom. /What the fuck does this have to do with Fighting types?/ He winced, looking off to the side in confusion and thought back. /Sure, Nessa's Gym had me messing with pipelines to redistribute water, and Kabu's Gym was just a contest of points against other trainers, but this is the most unlike its type!/

Fen tiredly looked back to him and yipped. She knew what he was thinking up and had to concede as his arms folded over the other. /Then again, one of our Gyms in Hoenn had just a bunch of treadmills and workout equipment placed everywhere: the most on-the-nose description of a Gym./

As he went through the Gym Challenge, Bea sat in her dojo with legs crossed and alone. Deep breathing and years of discipline helped shape her mind to be prepared for whatever challenge she would face. Her SirFetch'd sat by the door and kept watch. Knowing that it was important for his master to clear her mind of anything that would set her back, he would only beckon to her once she was needed.

A victory siren is heard sounding off throughout the stadium. On the jumbotron, the screens showed Sevan tiredly standing victoriously at the entrance that would lead him to the center battlefield while pumping a fist. Bea's Sirfetch'd called to her just as a Gym Staffman walked up to the dojo entrance where Bea sat and meditated. "Bea, you're up! New Challenger just completed the trial, and is waiting!"

Lifting her head as her eyes opened, she got up, tightened the knot near the top of her Gym Leader uniform and walked out. "Got it, I'll go."

- - - - - Stow On Side Gym - - - - -

- - - - - Center Battlefield - - - - -

Striking orange colors that were uniform with the rest of the design surrounding the Fighting Type and posters being held by audience members cheering Bea on would greet Sevan as he walked onto the terrain. There was a harsher, more intense vibe coming from this one as he made his way out, taking mental note that nothing should be stopping him anytime soon barring sleep. /I probably should have taken a nap before coming here, but since when was I a guy that made good decisions?/ He struck that negativity immediately from his mind. /No, you did this before, fucking relax./

"You seem perturbed and our battle has yet to even begin, Sevan." came the familiar voice of the short silver haired mistress of martial arts, Bea. As her piercing grey eyes looked up at him with determination, he nodded.

"It will be fine. You're the one person that I've come to challenge, so being here means I succeeded." Insisting that any such idea where he's not ready is just pre-battle psyching out between opponents.

Bea looks unphased, but her voice shows surprise. "Why is that so?"

"Last time I met you, I wanted to spar with you personally. For one reason or another, I was unable to find my focus back then. But here I am, at Stow On Side, and I want to show you I've prepared for anything you got." /It may be the insomnia, fatigue, or some other thing, but she appears cuter this time than last.../ Sevan said.

The Fighting Gym Leader looks down with her usual muted expression and then exhales through the nose. The spirit within him to march onwards to battle is admirable, if not misguided. "Hmm. What a flatterer you are: Syra did say you're an interesting guy." Her face goes back up to look at him. "Do you have an unshakable spirit that won't be moved, no matter how you are attacked?" Staring him down, Bea and Sevan didn't move from their spots as if expecting the other to make the first move.

His nonverbal answer was to simply clench one of his fists. That appeared well enough, as Bea responded. "I think I'll just test that out, shall I?" Both fighters would walk away until the pair of trainers was at their opposite sides, ready to toss Pokemon into the ring, and the battle music started once Bea got into a fighting stance: Ultra Ball in hand. Piercing choirs of jubilation and excitement filled the stadium air as Sevan sent out his first Pokemon, Chorui, to go against her. Not wanting to question the ability to bring out a Pidgeot, Bea tossed out her Hitmontop, who would jitter from side to side.

Something was amiss, and was picked up the second Sevan had sent out the fellow feathered friend onto the field. Chorui appeared inattentive, despite hearing the call for him to use 'Fly' against the Hitmontop. It would be an easy victory: he had them ever since the Hoenn days, after all. /What's going on? We've been doing fine up until now.../

Bea would not wait for him to figure out what was happening with his team as the Hitmontop would then counter. "Hitmontop, use Triple Kick!"

"Chorui, c'mon what's happening? Use Fly!"

The bird Pokemon would take the hit from the Triple Kick, despite being perfectly able to dodge such a move in any normal setting. Counteracting that, Sevan only tried again. "Fly again, Chorui! C'mon I know you got it in you!" Looking back at him, it occurred to him finally why the usually spunky speedy bird Pokemon was slacking. Fatigue had been setting in, and it appeared unrested from the mad dash to the Stow On Side Gym.

/...fuck./

As the battle raged, Bea would have her first Pokemon succumb to defeat, as Chorui was knocked out and Fen came in to make up for lost time. But she, too, was dealing with the same circumstances that Sevan begat to them. Bea only had to command Pangoro to use 'Work Up' twice to make him impenetrable to Fen trying to use 'Struggle': a dangerous move that deals damage to the enemy but also to its user due to fatigue. It wasn't enough to make her Pangoro faint, as Bea used a Potion to recoup all loss of HP. Staring across the field at her opponent, she pondered while ordering her Pangoro to attack again. /So that's what's amiss here: uncertainty clouding his judgment while having pushed himself and his Pokemon here./

Fen would be KO'd.

Some of the audience members would start to talk amongst themselves. What kind of trainer overworks themselves and their Pokemon to the point of exhaustion? Who was this guy to not know how to take care of his team like this?

"Hey! Shin, you got this right?" Sevan comments, as he brought out his last Pokemon and felt a bead of sweat hit his forehead. The trusty Grass-based Eeveelution looked at him with a look he hadn't seen before. Her face contorted in what looked like a confused state that would ask him several questions all at once. Guilt built up within him, and Sevan tried to order her to use Leaf Blade. Perhaps going all out right here, he'd be granted a second wind.

The odds would only continue to be against him, and a duo of 'Night Slash' and 'Bullet Punch' KO'd the leafy friend that Sevan took with him. What was more shocking to the audience, was that those 3 were the only Pokemon he had on his person; not even a full team.

'Wait, really? Not even 5 Pokemon?'

'6 is the full team and every single trainer up until now has had that many, so what's his excuse?'

'4 would be pushing it, but it's possible. But only 3? A Pidgeot that shouldn't even be here, a Ninetails, and a Leafeon?'

The tide of the audience opinion shifted into some light confusion, but nonetheless celebrated that Bea managed to defeat a Pokemon trainer. In what felt like an infinite amount of time ago, Sevan had withdrawn all of his Pokemon into their PokeBalls so they could rest up. Gritting his teeth, he just looked down. He had been excited to come here, only to lose so profoundly to the 4th Gym Leader. As the silver eyed Gym Leader walked up to him, she was surprised to see him still standing.

Blinking a few times after studying his stance, she noticed he was more on guard than when he arrived. "For the moment it appears you require stricter training, but I'll be waiting here for you to come back and face me for a rema-!."

Sevan stepped back and assumed a fighting stance while letting his center of gravity lower. Both hands clenched, ready to attack, his eyes stared back at her. "No. This isn't over. I fucked up, and my Pokemon cannot fight for me due to my shitty recklessness. So to make sure they aren't harmed anymore, I will take you on personally." /I was hoping things weren't going to head in this direction during a match, but if she accepts.../

Standing there in front of the possible thousand or so fans that were watching her battle live, Bea put a hand on both sides of her hips. "So you want to insist upon continuing the Pokemon League Challenge...and not forfeit this match by challenging me in the one avenue I'm known in...are you certain?" She asks him with some light concern. All Sevan did was nod. /This could pose a problem. I had the feeling he was stretching his Pokemon's limits through one way or another, but he didn't even blink. No thought to consider leaving and trying again another day. Why's he so quick to throw himself towards danger?/

Contemplating her next move, Bea thought on whether such a concept of fisticuffs for a League Badge can be entertained. The Pokemon League was one where people settle their fights or compete through Pokemon battles only: not through mortal combat between humans. /I can see in his eyes alone that Sevan is serious. The way he's standing with those eyes of his let me know that he feels genuinely bad about having his Pokemon faint and won't let down even if I try to dismiss him./

/I don't want her to just see me as a friend of Haru or Syra. I may be tired with who knows how little sleep in me, but it won't have any effect on my ability to fight for my team!/ Sevan began to think, as Bea took a defensive stance and the crowd went wild. Two trainers had foregone PokeBalls being thrown and would now decide the round with combat.

In the back of Bea's mind, she had a pre-combat thought that rushed in before they collided in fist and foot. /I'm aware that this is the same man that stood by and defended Haru when Milo went AWOL, and has been a strong force to be reckoned with when Syra's mental health is concerned. Knowing all that, him being here has more meaning than a regular match./

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

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

Knock Knock Knock

The sound of Oleana's office door swung open. "Miss Chairman! We got a situation in Stow On Side!" said a stressed out worker who was holding a cell phone in hand, no doubt having just gotten off a phone call.

Looking over with the usually muted expression, Oleana spoke. "What's happening in Stow On Side? Has Bea left to go on another training sabbatical?"

"No! She's fighting one on one with a trainer even after they lost!" The woman said, to which the Chairman replied simply.

"...so let her be. If it's her call to give them a second chance right as the match ends, then I'll allow it. Honestly, I've dealt with worse situations." She said, leaning back in her chair.

"No ma'am, you misunderstand: she's fighting with the trainer WITH HER FISTS."

As those words left the employee's lips, Oleana stared back while both eyes slowly widened in shock, then lowered her voice. "...I beg your pardon, but I'm not in a joking mood today."

Not wanting there to be any misconception, the staffer reached to change the signal to one of Oleana's monitors to Stow On Side Gym's broadcast. What was onscreen was Bea standing over a trainer who was face flat on the ground. A few seconds pass, and the trainer slowly came to and got up slowly, albeit with shaky legs.

"I went easy on you just now, but if you don't stop right now, I'll make the rest of them hurt." Bea said, not wanting to make this part of the fight any worse for Sevan as intended. In horror, Oleana watched as the trainer got back into a fighting stance and try feinting a jab into a right hook. In a flash, Bea dodges and elbows into his abdomen with the force that sends him staggering a few paces back.

Then onscreen the Chairman saw as again and again Sevan would try for anything be it a kick, a knee, or a punch and would only be effortlessly parried, or dodged wholesale and then retaliated by another hit back. Slamming both hands on the desk and several veins throbbing in her forehead, Oleana shouts. "WHAT IN THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TO MY POKEMON LEAGUE?! WHO IS THIS, AND WHY IS THERE A TRAINER THROWING HANDS WITH BEA?!"

The staffer in front of the chairman felt her life flash before her eyes. "M-miss we are trying to figure out the r-real identity of the person there, but right now we only have a name..!"

"I NEED A NAME NOW!"

She shrieked a bit in fear "S-Sevan, ma'am!"

Suddenly all the rage in Oleana had seemingly been sucked away as if to eke on an answer. She began to mutter to herself. "Sevan, Sevan, Sevan Sevan Sevan...Sevan...hmm." Sitting down as the name was fresh to her, she began to type into her PC. If this person was a troublemaker disguised as a Pokemon League Challenger, she was going to get to the bottom of it. As more sounds of fists colliding, Oleana's eyes narrow.

"...ma'am?"

Oleana stared silently at the screen before her eyes scanned to the person standing opposite of her desk. "Fleur, can you do me a favor and reach into my cabinet? I'm going to need a bottle of Vanillish of Pasio."

"...uh oh. Okay, right away!" Fleur bowed then went to Oleana's personal cabinet and brought out a clear bottle of vodka, and a small glass before pouring for the chairman.

Silently, Oleana tilted her head back and let the flavor of the drink help her relax. "Okay." She said before bringing up a file of one named 'Sevan' first registered in Hoenn. "So...constant police run-ins, the illegal street gang fights we have had a rise in activity in Spikemuth, diagnosed with insomnia, severe depression, survivor's guilt, physical damage to the left knee and right shoulder. Insomniac attacks are considered severe and can cause hallucinations. Guilt complex as a result from the accident that took his family." Another sip of the Vanillish in Pasio went down her throat as Oleana's eyes squint at the screen. "Rose signed off on him to come into Galar freely with an illegal contraband Pidgeot? He's just allowed and given immunity to bring whomever he wishes? Looks like I can't make a truthful statement to the public, then."

Oleana looking at her glass, then the bottle and back to the glass moving the bottle infront of her.

"Fuck. This is going to be a fun weekend."

- - - - - Stow On Side Gym - - - - -

- - - - - Center Battlefield - - - - -

Each time Bea's knuckles scraped against him, it was as if an Aggron had swiped at him with a claw, or as if Thunder was cast upon him by a Magneton. The physicality of how hard she hit was beyond his understanding, and each clash made him see stars. A kick to his sides had gone from hurting a lot to causing Sevan to stand off to the side and re-figuring out how one inhales and exhales properly. Audience perception was noticeable as they had gone from being mildly entertained during the fight to cheering Bea on with chants to her name and clapping in rhythmic unison.

As Gym Leader staff looked on in shock, Sevan would be put down 3 times definitively by heavy hits from the short but lean muscled fighter. Each time made her a little more uneasy, despite having been in combat many times before. Bleeding from the impact of her hits, it was clear she was trying to put him down. Bea put down her fists as she stammered. "S-stay down! Seriously! Every single attack you've thrown hasn't hit me once, and you're getting slower!"

He shook his head and exhaled as some blood shot out a nostril. "Nuh-uh. I can keep going."

"What are you trying to prove?! This is dangerous, I don't want to hurt you!" Bea pleaded, before Sevan made a dash with several jabs. Finding her center of gravity, the fighter swept him for a trip, as the impact on his back registered in his brain, the girl was already on him with an axe hand attack. Rolling to the side to avoid, Sevan attempted to get back up but stumbled to hobble on one foot.

/Come on, damn it. You got this!/ Sevan tried telling himself mentally, but it was a farce. The second any of his limbs went on the approach, Bea would turn into a shadow and retaliate. He saw one opening as the Gym Leader switched her center of gravity, and went for it with an overhead, thinking to graze her.

His chest suddenly turned to fire. Was he not fast enough to see even past her switching her stance on her feet, or is his brain's fatigue catching up that he's not even as fast as he thought? The perception of his eyes may have not been able to keep up, but as if 1000 fists collided into his chest, he couldn't breathe and was knocked several feet away. Was the Gym always meant to be seen upside down? Bea had went for non fatal blows with the intention to stop the fight by knocking him unconscious. Displaying onscreen on the broadcast and jumbotron in the stadium, the silver haired master of Galarian Karate went for the KO attacking all points at once.

/...don't...got it./ Sevan's mind rattled side of his head hit the tarmac and Bea stood up with nary a scratch from any attack. Looking down at him, she walked over. Parrying a short range, frail attempt of a punch, Sevan looked up at her while her fist merely went to his chest to pin him down.

"Stay down. Final warning." She said.

"Don't...threaten me with...a good time.."

He passed out.

Looking down as the match came to a much needed end, Bea rubbed her knuckles. Gym Staff made up of medically trained nurses would come out and see if Sevan was in need of being carried out, and promptly got a gurney. The audience was in an uproar with how Bea had physically shown herself off in combat for what was supposed to be a Pokemon League match, but as her own staff carried the trainer away she looked back. Did she really have to do that, and why was she starting to feel guilty? This was not going to make Oleana happy, and knew this would draw some ire onto Galar. Just as things were about to settle into a nice, peaceful period for the region, they may have gotten themselves into another rut.

/There's been many who I've tussled with who fall in battle. Trainees, veteran teachers, friends, and my father have been just but a few. I've grown up to know to be disciplined in how I use my fists to defend myself, and to not let emotions get to me./ Bea ponders while she rolled her shoulders slowly and went to use the restroom. Upon washing her hands post-use, she looked into the mirror and squinted. /Of the people I've met through Haru, I don't think there's been anyone as stringent to want to try and 'prove' something as him. Why? What was eating at you, Sevan, and why did you try so hard to prove it all to me?/

Memory was a funny thing, and upon reflection of the match and her self imposed question, then recalled how Sevan acted every time they spoke to each other prior to today. She stood up straight, looked to the side and clicked her tongue. "...no, that's just stupid. No way would anyone be into that at all."

Bea left the restroom not knowing that as Sevan was unconsciously transported to a nearby hospital to be taken care of due to his injuries, that a storm in one lightly buzzed chairman was heading his way. He wouldn't be able to recover from this setback. Not even Sevan's stubbornness in getting back up would help this time.

- - - - - END OF CHAPTER 25 - - - - -