It's been a while since Steven has been back home. Before, Steven loved looking at his beautiful rock collection right after each expedition. He'd put new rocks with the ones he already had and kept track of how much he spent. Other times, he'd talk to Wallace about his adventures and what he discovered about Mega Evolution. But this time was different. He has been restless ever since coming back from Johto. Even though Wallace is there with him, his presence doesn't comfort him as it always does. it just makes him think more. Yes, Wallace holds a special place in his heart, but Steven also values his best friend Lance deeply.
Best friend. It's a wonder he can choose the term, who would have thought he could even talk with the most reserved person in the entire Pokemon league? But over the years he understood that the Johto champion beneath that cold facade was the most warm and kind-hearted person. It was evident when Ash became a part of Lance's life. For Steven, Lance was an unwavering force that defined the very essence of being a champion, who else in the league devoted their whole time and commitment to the Pokemon world and the trainers within it. Whether it is Steven, Wallace, or any other regional champions, they all had taken time for personal interest outside of their champion duties. But Lance had never done it, he dedicated half of his time as the Champion of two regions and the other half as a G-Men Officer.
If Steven has to say, he is a role model for him. Why, one might ask, since he is a dual champion. If it was just for the position, Steven himself would be a role model. No, he sees Lance as one because he knows, to some extent, the sacrifices that Lance made and his friend's struggles. No matter what setbacks he had to endure, he always came around.
But now, as Steven reflects on it, he can't say he was being the best friend he should have been. It was just his wishful thinking, as their relationship never went beyond a professional ethic, nor did he try to be there when he was needed. Are they even close? Steven doesn't know. He has been keeping his thoughts to himself even when spending time with the aloof champion. Whenever Wallace was down or faced any trouble, Steven was the first one to respond; he loves him a lot. But Lance, he only went if he was being called. He wonders if Lance sees him as his best friend.
Steven regrets it a lot, especially now as he never expected Lance to fall like this. The normally indomitable Champion, revered by many as a symbol of strength, now seemed fragile.
He still remembers the first time they met, Steven had just become champion and had come to the Indigo Plateau as a part of duty. He had heard a lot about the joint champion of Kanto and Johto. Some of them usually included a reserved and mysterious guy or the champion who is formidable and has an icy demeanor, someone who is calm, collected, and stoic. In short, from what he understands Lance is a complex character and a lot intimidating. But still, Steven admires him. He is almost the same age as him but became the champion at the age of sixteen, while Steven was still trying to get free from his father's clutches at the time. It took him a lot of effort to finally be free and do what he loves. So, he has been like a free bird on his journey and made a lot of friends. Steven believed both of them were of opposite characters and this meeting holds no particular importance.
After the official meeting, everyone was talking with each other while Steven tried his best to mingle with them. But it was getting hard for him, yes, he may be called the social guy and may have made a lot of friends, but that was all in Hoenn, where he grew up. This was a completely foreign region for him and his initial efforts to start a conversation didn't go well and it was beyond him to go from there since he didn't know the place well. So, he had been standing in a corner enjoying the wine that he had when the champion approached him.
It began as a casual inquiry into why he felt lonely, but without Steven even realizing it, the champion guided him out of the banquet hall to a more open space — Victory Road. When Steven questioned Lance about the reason for bringing him there, the champion explained that the area was known for its diverse range of minerals, ancient formations, and fossils. Lance suggested that if Steven was interested, he could take a peek. There was nothing more Steven wanted to hear, and he explored the cave to his heart's content.
Later, Steven did inquire why the champion brought him outside, but he received no response. Despite the lack of an answer, Steven couldn't shake the feeling that Lance wasn't as cold-hearted as he had initially believed. This feeling proved true when he encountered Lance during his second visit to Kanto. Intrigued by the impressive collection of rocks he had found earlier, Steven returned to explore further and coincidentally crossed paths with Lance again while searching for the moonstone. Despite Lance's reserved nature, he offered assistance and guidance during Steven's journey in Kanto. As their champion duties deepened, their encounters became more frequent, and they faced numerous challenges together while battling criminal organizations.
During these times, Steven was getting to know Lance more and more, realizing that Lance had become a close friend. Despite acknowledging this connection, Steven hesitated to express his feelings. Meanwhile, Lance, initially reserved, gradually narrowed the distance between them. Steven found that Lance had a half-brother whom he never mentioned and also found that he had deeper issues that he hid in the cold façade.
Lance never expresses himself; he never allows anyone to pity him and Steven never lets him feel that way, even though he knows his friend has issues. Lance does open his mind to him occasionally but it never breaches his personal struggles. And Steven let it be as it was because he knew Lance had the strength to overcome any adversaries. That's also why, he wasn't faced when he knew of the trauma Lance had in Orre.
Steven regrets, seeing him as invincible, for thinking he can overcome it as he always does. How wrong he was. He should have been there, just like how he is now. Then maybe this could have been avoided.
He still remembers the day when Lance told him, he had a nephew now. Steven was a bit surprised, that was also the night Lance had accompanied Delia to her hotel room, after Ash's accident. Knowing that Ash was his nephew only intensified Lance's struggles, especially since Steven was aware of how much Lance blamed himself for Red's current state. That night, Lance called Steven seeking solace, yet Steven failed to recognize the extent to which Lance valued their friendship.
Steven does know the boy; he had met him once. However, who would have thought that the energetic and charismatic trainer would turn out to be his best friend's nephew? And for him to face such a tragic accident, even Steven doesn't know how to cope with it. It must have been extremely difficult for Lance, to have faced it alone….
Why didn't he think about all this at the time? Would he have let it unfold in the same way if it were Wallace? Steven would never allow that but with Lance...
It didn't end there. Delia, displaying her abusive nature, further adds to the distress by harming the already weakened boy, eventually leading to Ash being fully under his uncle's care.
As always, every drawback does come with its advantage. Ash's being in Lance's life turned out to be the biggest blessing for him, the boy's presence has worked wonders, notably softening Lance's once fiery temper. They cared for each other, even though Ash has yet to fully trust Lance. The kid's extraordinary abilities raised some concerns, yet Steven, driven by curiosity, was eager to lend a helping hand when Lance reached out to him after the boy was back on his feet. It was only at this moment that he recognized his willingness was largely driven by his concern for Lance, and he also wanted to check on him.
He was genuinely worried about both the kid and his friend, finding it challenging to leave them in that state. So, he made a promise to Lance that he would look after the boy during his journey through the Kalos region. Unfortunately, he didn't keep his promise very well. On the very first day in Kalos, the kid fell from the Lumiose Tower. If it weren't for his extraordinary abilities and Skarmory reaching him at the right moment, Steven doesn't know how he would face Lance. Lance rushed to the scene with evident concern and worry, emotions he skillfully concealed, and Steven would have appreciated it if Lance had blamed him regarding Ash's safety. But he didn't.
Accompanying Ash and seeing him happy made Steven relieved, but Kalos wasn't a good host for the kid. Challenges seemed to arise one after the other, and despite being in constant turmoil, Ash never shared his struggles—a trait shared by both his uncle and nephew.
Every time he saw Ash sick or experience any seizures it broke Steven's heart. Finally, he wanted to do something truly meaningful for the kid, prompting him to bring Wallace to Kalos and organize a birthday party for Ash. Witnessing the boy smile at the small gift he received, Steven felt a deep sense of contentment. Certainly, he never anticipated receiving a return gift, let alone a fossil. But he was pleased. However, that moment of joy was short-lived after he received a phone call informing him that Lance was unwell. The kid was torn, caught between conflicting emotions. They rushed back to Johto, never expecting to see Lance in such a vulnerable state. This event also made Steven understand it is never easy for Ash and Lance even at their own home, Clair makes things difficult for the kid, blaming him partially for his uncle's condition. Steven would have made a scene if Ash and Wallace hadn't stopped him.
Those days in Johto made him realize how unsettling some people can be. Even after Lance returned home and started recovering, Steven's mind remained unsettled. He would have stayed there longer if it weren't for the pressing needs that required his presence back home.
Now that he's back home and things have settled, Steven calls Lance to check on him, only to discover that Ash has returned to Kalos. Now whom should he be with, Steven is torn between the two individuals who have become inseparable parts of his life, both of whom he deeply wants to protect. He is restless since Steven now yearns to be with both of them, ensuring their well-being and preventing any recurrence of such incidents. However, the realization that he is only one person weighs heavily on him. His mind is in turmoil, and he can't find solace even with Wallace near him, as he usually does.
After what seems like an eternity, as Steven reminisces about the past and contemplates his next steps, he resolves to primarily protect the one who is most valuable to Lance. Steven commits to safeguarding the kid with all he has, ensuring nothing harmful befalls him—whether it's the troublemakers in Kalos or anyone else. He pledges to be there for the kid, a promise made to Lance.
Will he be able to keep this promise? Let's see if we gets the answer in Chapter 42...
For those who haven't read "Helpless" yet, I highly recommend it. It's truly awesome. If there are any mistakes, please forgive me as a beginner. I hope you all enjoyed it