Chapter 1: All That Glitters Is (Not) Gold

Note 2 - 7 - 2024: After much thought and planning, I have rewritten this chapter from start to finish to better reflect the quality of the story. Rearranging certain things while expanding on others, I feel this version of the first chapter of my story gives a much better impression of what's to come. Please enjoy this revision if you have already read the original, and if you are here for the first time, thank you for stopping by! - AJ

Time froze solid and still as the air over the stadium echoed on the final hit. ''Critical' Hit!' showed in bright lettering across the marquees lining the stadium.

It had been almost a half hour, but even with such an extended time for battle, the crowd goes wild as the stats for the Gigantimax'ed Charizard finally, and unequivocally, fell to 0 Health Points. There's an explosion from the last hit occurring as Leon withdraws Charizard back into his Poke Ball. The impossible had finally happened: Galar's Champion had been bested in battle, and a new Champion was crowned in that moment. "My time as Champion is over...But what a champion time it's been! Thank you for the greatest battle ever!" Leon says to the crowd; always knowing how to rile them up at any one point in time.

The trainer that stood opposite of him had done the impossible: defeating Leon. As his name laid bare, flashing on the large jumbotron screens surrounding the stadium, he couldn't help but do a double take. /I did it...?/ He thinks.

This young man was a trainer named Haru. Having not only recently stopped the corrupt Chairman Rose from bringing the apocalypse to Galar through Eternatus's resurrection, he had fought tooth and nail to breathe new life into every Gym of every major city, strengthened the bonds of his closest friends, and now accomplishing the previously thought impossible task of a league win over Leon. Haru had been granted the new status as the Galar Pokemon League Champion. He and his 6 Pokemon would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. A team consisting of a Lucario, Hatterene, Cinderace, Gardevoir, Glaceon, and a Tsareena. It was the best moment in his life at that very moment.

As the purple haired ex-Champion ran over to lift him up on his shoulders, the medium length red head trainer began cackling with laughter at the new rushing high. Tears budded on the edge of his eyes and he threw a fist upwards in victory. /I did it bro, I finally became Champion: just like I promised you.../ Haru thought to himself.

That evening was spent celebrating over a luxurious dinner with every Gym Leader, his friends Hop and Marnie, and his rival, Bede. Eating until he was full in both stomach and soul, his life had hit a new peak.

Thus starting a new age of Haru, the Champion of Galar!

- - - 2 Months Later, in North East Motostoke - - -

Celebrity life was a big shift in routine for Haru. Becoming a Pokemon trainer who accomplished the things he did naturally brought with it some infamy, rumor mongering, fans and dissenters all alike, but becoming Champion heightened all of those problems in great measure. Suddenly his everyday life of seeking out new trainers to fight was now more met with those turning him away than eager beavers. The previous establishment of now Ex-Chairman Rose's company's headquarters was being repurposed as something called the 'Battle Tower', but it wouldn't scratch the same itch that Haru had before.

No constant battling meant Haru would have to find more reasons to fill his time and keep incoming going. Turns out becoming Champion for a region who only knew of Leon for so long brought with it a lot of sponsorship deals, and a nearly never-ending mountain of businesses, publications, podcasters, fan clubs, or executives leaving him emails, text messages, or voice mails. All of them asking for just 'a bit of your time'.

Haru grew restless...

Transpiring over the next few months was this big change of daily priorities and new responsibilities. Haru the 'Victor of Galar' was thrust upon the new lifestyle; going from simply 'another Pokemon trainer' to 'Champion Haru' over the course of a year.

He was seen popping his head above his kitchen counter, looking to his Pokemon, who were out and about helping him get used to his new living quarters. "Do you think the last interview I had that I was being too abrasive? You guys can tell me if I was being a prick: we know each other like family." He said, pointing to the Gardevoir, who shrugged at him before giving him a handwave of dismissal.

"Sorry if that came off presumptuous, Masako. With all the new sets of eyes on me, I think I'm trying my best to keep track of my words." he said, looking at the green fairy/psychic Pokemon.

If he wasn't being asked to give interviews and pretend to relish in being some super important celebrity, he now bore the role as 'Cop, but stronger than normal law enforcement'. Being Champion came with the new range of responsibilities. For one, he was the first in line of defense against big threats. Stepping into the role wasn't entirely all that new: he watched Leon do that same thing when he was mere badges into the Pokemon League himself, and he acted as a new appointed 'hero' in calming Eternatus. For now, he was thankful his fans showed restraint; nobody would form a flash mob and swarm him. No incidents yet involved crazed fans or stalkers. After all, he had security and his own Pokemon to make sure of it.

Coming to another box, Haru pulled out a framed newspaper that had a headline on it saying 'Champion Haru saves Galar again from Royal Twins'. His face grimaced at the memory. Not long after the events of Eternatus a pair of unruly men sporting garish hairdos and outfits caused a whole new array of problems for Galar. The men came to be known as Sordward and Shielbert, and would cause multiple hoards of Pokemon to Dynamax all over the region at their Gym Stadiums, denounce Professor Sonia's research as 'one star rubbish' and worst off tried to steal both the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield for their own benefits. The aforementioned items were necessary to summon Zamazenta and Zacian and the royal twins sincerely believed they were the proper heroes of legend to save Galar, not the Pokemon, and not Haru nor Hop.

"We are the true heir to the throne!" and "All the lies and fake stories you all believe... We did it in order to expose the true nature of Zacian and Zamazenta!". Haru wasn't having any of it, and was relying on the cooperative strength of himself and his best friend Hop to take down these two. Throughout the process of ridding Galar of these idiotic buffoons that he proved them wrong and shut down their prideful facade. Once more Zamazenta and Zacian came to be; the true heroes of olde myth of 'The Darkest Day' where 3,000 years prior they stopped Eternatus from bringing a terrible calamity to the region.

Haru would become the holder of Zamazenta, and Hop, the holder of Zacian. But as he did, Hop felt an epiphany come to him thanks to seeing Haru become the Champion.

- - Before...in The Slumbering Weald - -

Hop looked to his friend with determination in his eyes. "You know what, Haru? I think I've found a dream of my own! I want to be someone who can help out Pokémon that're in trouble, wherever they are... I think I want to become a Pokémon Professor!"

Smiling, Haru just quietly nodded. His friend Sonia just became a professor, so seeing his other follow in her footsteps felt as right as rain. "Yeah? What makes you feel that way, then?" he asked.

Humming in thought, Hop closed his eyes. "I started thinking I might when we were going around to all the stadiums to help out the Pokémon that were running out of control."

His eyes opened and looked to the bespectacled Champ. "I know I don't know enough about Pokémon yet, and I've got no experience for this sort of thing, but I'm gonna study and learn a whole lot! And someday I'll become the sort of professor that you, Haru, and you, Sonia... well, the sort you would be proud to know!"

One of his arms extended and his hand clenched into a fist. "I'm gonna take a different path than you and Lee are taking, Haru...but... I'll still always think of you as my true rival!"

Giving a toothy grin, Haru slammed a hand into Hop's and clenched it into a handshake while eyeing his brethren. "There's nothing I'd like better!"

"Same here. We'll always be rivals, you and me!"

"Heh. I remember that day so vividly." Haru smiled thinking back to those moments. "I'm so happy he found his stride."

Still, Haru found it a little hard to spend time with some of the new friends he made along the way of his Pokemon journey. Hop was busy now investing his free time into working towards his new goal of becoming a professor, Piers and Marnie were working on reinvigorating Spikemuth to be a more open ended city with a Gym that's more easy to attend to, and that wasn't going to be an overnight fix. Its infrastructure needed to be improved and made into more than just a 'hole in the wall' city compared to its neighbors. Sonia, now known as 'Professor Sonia', was busy with her own new studies as well. Gordie was coming later that day to assist Haru in bringing more of his things from his house, and had teased about his growing fanbase. The Rock Genius cackled, saying 'Dude, you'll get used to the fame. It may seem like a beast that will swallow you whole, but there is a 'process' to it!' before posing all cool-like with his glasses. Leon, now fresh out of his role as a 'Ex-Champion' now, was busy trying to find trainers to improve himself further, having taken a brief trip to see someone he referred to as his 'sensei'.

It was proving difficult to simply find 'free time' to socialize or rest. But for now, he tried not to undercut the blessing of having a new home for himself and his Pokemon.

Living now in the North-Northwest of Motostoke, Haru both cursed and loved the change of scenery. For now, however, his mind went back to a Meet-and-Greet that the League held for him mere days ago. Looking to a tall rabbit-like Pokemon that came to him with a box of yet-to-be-unpacked manga, Haru scratched the back of his head. "Oy, if I wasn't annoyed at the seeming neverending loop of questions on my early life, it's knowing I can't properly autograph a Poke Ball that bothers me." Haru bemoaned. Cinderace looked at him a little quizzically.

"Don't give me that look, Goji. It's not that I don't like it. It's just...y'know. It's all a bit much right now. I gotta figure out how to handle all of this. All those cameras..." he pursed his lips. "I like my privacy. You know this." he said to his fully grown fire starter, who hadn't understood his apprehension but gave him a shoulder 'bump' of support. Haru smiles at him.

A Glaceon hopped up on the kitchen counter table, noting Haru's commentary, and nipped at his sleeves. Haru just looked at her and raised an eyebrow when she growled, then yipped. "What, are you mad I'm not wearing the Champion outfit I have now? I told you, that's in the wash, and even so I don't wanna wear it every day like Leon did! I'll continue doing what I did before: blend in while raising awareness of the other Gyms!" Haru said, as the Eeveelution just squinted, confused at him.

This Eeveelution's name was Nora, and had been with Haru through the thickest of life's troubles for Haru. His best friend was this icy, stubborn, grumbly Eeveelution who now yipped back at him and then sat on her rump as she gave him an unapproving look.

The 'awareness' that Haru spoke of wasn't really a 'look' as it was more or less just a manner of dress that made him appear no more than a fanboy, not the Number 1 trainer in Galar. Sporting medium length wavy, seemingly messy ruby colored hair, glasses, amber color eyes, a custom 'League' type backpack, and a cycling wardrobe of uniforms that the Gyms gave him upon completion. He became infatuated with wearing graphics hoodies or uniforms of all 18 types of Pokemon, that he was often seen looking no more professional than someone seen at a comic book store. Nora appeared to take issue with his current look; a sweat jacket that sported the colors of Nessa's Water Gym from Hulbury.

"Vee" Nora mew'd at him, frowning.

"This IS clean! I just ironed it. Not my fault I sweat a lot from doing this: there's still so much from the old place to put away!" He says, gesturing to the other boxes. "I'll shower after I eat dinner and feed you guys."

A text came from his Rotom Phone, prompting him to check up on it. He smiled when he picked it up and wrote back. It was his mom, checking in on him. Ever since he moved, he would often seek help/advice occasionally from her. Difficult as it may have been to get a timely answer back, given she was an expert Pokemon veterinarian, it fought back against the homesickness he started feeling.

[Yes mum..it was actually pretty okay today. I made sure to eat breakfast, but I missed dinner, so I'm making a late one as we speak.]

-Mom

[You're not skipping meals, are you?! Do you need me to come over and cook?]

Haru laughs a little.

[Trust me, Masako wouldn't allow me to skip even if I tried. I'll let you know if I do need anything else. Love you, Miss you.]

He put the phone down and sighed quietly.

"It's crazy, you know..." Haru began to say, putting his phone down and tending to the meal he was prepping himself as Masako, his Gardevoir, was beside him. They were in the kitchen with Yuri the Hatterene, Mirukon the Lucario, Luna the Lunatone, Nora the Glaceon, and Leafa the Tsareena. They all looked attentively as he spoke.

"A little over a year ago I was barely capable of remembering Pokemon types and figuring out how to train you all to your best abilities...and my curry was mediocre." Almost as if on cue, all 6 Pokemon turned to him with an unamused look on their faces, with Mirukon's face turning pale. Their reaction caused Haru to blush immediately. "Okay it was AWFUL! Don't rub it in!" eliciting a laugh out of them in return; they were merely teasing with their trainer. "But I eventually was able to memorize so many things that here I am: Champion." Haru sighs a bit to himself, rubbing his neck a little. "People refer to me as some sort of 'hero' alongside Leon due to what Hop and I managed to pull off. That shit with Eternatus was not a joke. I don't know how I'll go back to training that Pokemon but maybe now I shouldn't think about it."

Nearby Haru sees Hatterene using the appendage that she uses like an arm to get a Protein drink that he had from his inventory for herself. While discussing all this, Haru had his Lucario bring his collected League cards out to help him put them in numerical order. He was peculiar on things such as this, and for repeat numbers (such as those with multiples from one trainer) he would put them in order of rarity. There were so many he had gathered on his journey and was looking at them. For the moment, his meal was cooking so it didn't require constant attention. The Gardevoir put one of her hands on his shoulder, as if trying to understand where he was going with this topic. "Sorry Masako. I must sound ungrateful. Perhaps a clearing of my mind is in order."

He glanced a bit at the timer he had set for the meal as his Lucario was holding up one of the league cards and looked at Haru. It was Nessa's Rare League Card: one of the ones he got when Hop, Piers, and him were settling down some rogue Dynamax Pokemon in the middle of a would-be crisis. "Are you suggesting I visit Nessa in Hulbury to ask her for help?"

The Lucario nodded. "Right...after what happened with those Royal Twins, Sordward and Shielbert."

Haru's mind flashed back to that moment. He, Nessa, Hop, and Piers were all doing what they could to travel through Galar and calm down crazed Gigantimaxing Pokemon. When they calmed the one at Hulbury, Nessa came out into the public lobby where some attendees could buy tickets for seating.

/"Because of everyone's help, no one was hurt and we were able to turn the tide of the situation. I'll keep that Pokémon at Hulbury Stadium until it can fully recover. Haru...If you ever need my help, just let me know. "

She handed him a second League card, of which made Haru blush for a moment, before Nessa gave a confident smirk, walking off. "I suppose I'll see you later, then? Thank you so much for your help, truly."/

"You know what? You're right, Mirukon. Maybe tomorrow I should take a 'day off' just for me and go visit some of my friends: starting with her."

The Pokemon around him appeared to laugh a little at Haru talking, making Haru himself chuckle. "Hiro would be teasing me if he saw me like this, huh?" All 6 of his Pokemon looked back with a sudden sensation that the mood had changed. It had been a long time since he mentioned that name. "Eh...right. Among other things, most likely..." He would finish prepping his dinner and the food for the Pokemon of his without saying anything else.

- - - The Next Day, Hulbury - - -

In the early hours of the morning, Haru got up with his 7 Pokemon and got a ride on a bus heading to Hulbury. Normally he would have cut time by using one of Galar's many convenient Air Taxis but today he didn't want to rush the trip over. Internally he suddenly had the slight change of heart to take his time. 'Hulbury must be nice before daybreak. I should see how it looks just once' he thought before heading out the door. Upon landing in Hulbury, he took note of the sweet serenity and silence. Off in the distance he can just barely make out a few conversations. Along one of its roads, he sees a few groups of trainers meeting up with each other ranging from students to police officers; he could just barely make out that they were discussing going to a Max Raid den off in The Wild Area.

/I can see why Nessa has a tight affiliation to this place. I'd be addicted to the peaceful air here if I lived here myself./ He thought, walking by a morning early eats stand that was selling things mostly aimed at Fishermen or boat Captains that pulled up or out of port.

"!" Goji, his Cinderace, pointed to the small clearing that Haru recognized. Several small stands were in the midst, with all but one open. "Blast. They're probably out to get more supplies. Guess I'll have to get us some Revival Herbs another time, Goji. Anyways, let's check on the Gym." His head swayed towards Hulbury Stadium, and his Pokemon followed.

The Hulbury Gym's lights were on. Inside the main lobby were some staff whose primary functions were based around janitorial duties. Others were there to make sure logs were accurate from the previous day's games, and to coordinate with other managers or supervisors about upcoming events. The Pokemon League worked differently per region, and for Galar, it was a joyous sports event each time enough contestants had registered to challenge the Gym Leader. Whether you were there for the main events, exhibition match days, were having a conference, a birthday party, or celebrating an anniversary, The Pokemon League of Galar made sure you would be accommodated. Nessa ran the Hulbury Gym as a 'stern, but fair' Gym Leader, but despite her reputation of her alter ego of aggression and timely practice, she wasn't there that morning.

"What, really? Not here huh?" Haru said, as one of the Gym Trainers saw him walking inside and stopped him when they noticed the Champion had made their way in.

"Yes, sorry Champion, she's not here at the moment."

"You can just call me Haru, it's fine. But she's not here, huh?" Haru checked his phone. 09:22 A.M.

The Gym Trainer bowed briefly and shrugged. "I sincerely apologize, Haru. She's had some business to attend to before arriving here for the day."

His arms folded and he looked off to where he saw some people walk down: some long hallways where a forked hallway lay at its end. "Hmm. Don't suppose you know when she'll be back, do you?" came the question, but unfortunately to no positive answer.

"I don't. Is it urgent? I can make a note for her to get back in contact with you if that would suffice." asked the trainer.

/Aye...I was banking on her being here to make it less awkward, but she's probably maintaining something business related: being a Gym Leader and model./ Haru supposed, scratching his chin. "No, it's fine. I suppose I'll just waltz about Hulbury for a bit: maybe I'll run into her when she comes back."

The trainer smiled and clasped her hands. "Okay! Would you like anything from the store inside here at least? Need anything?"

He almost had too smug of a look come on him, thinking about his next challenge he'd need to prepare for, but shook his head. "No, I'm fine for now. Oh uh...give that PokeBall guy who's here my regards though. Hope he's doing fine!" Haru replied, walking out with a bit of finger-guns. As he exited the Gym Haru slumped forward a bit with a sigh. He took a glance to the Pokemon that were there with him and glanced to Nora, smirking. "Do you guys want to sit for a spell and have some early breakfast eats or something?"

The Glaceon's ears perked and she yipped happily, as did the rest of his group. He looked over to one of the stands they walked by, and made his way there to get them some grub.

- - Afterwards... - -

Haru would walk back to the field where the outdoor shops would be located, and got a stick to draw in the dirt. To kill time, he gave Goji and Mirukon the choice to keep up their stats through a simple running exercise. 'Run from one end of the city back to where they were at four times in a row' was the objective, but for the rest, he just let stay idle if they so chose. Nora hopped up on the bench Haru was sitting at and was asking for attention. Giving her a scratch behind the ear, he began talking to Nora. "So...you think people are gonna start giving me crap that I'm not the 'perfect record' Champion like Leon? Not full Pokedex? Haven't lost my mind to learning stat spreads? Doesn't know or care about catching Pokemon in certain balls for the 'aesthetic'?

His Glaceon just let out a low groan like she was mumbling and leaned her head further into the head scratching.

"Yeah okay you're not paying attention and just want more scratches." He teased.

A laugh was heard nearby. "So is this what the Champion does in his off time?" came a voice from off to his side.

His head turned, and his face brightened up. It was Nessa, having a bit of a giggle seeing him spoil his Eeveelution. She was sporting a black shirt with a sakura floral pattern, new earrings he didn't recognize, white/blue striped shorts, and sandals. Standing up from the bench, Haru's face went a little red being seen like this. "Oh, good morning Nessa!"

A beautiful smile spread on her lips and nodded to him. "Good morning to you, too, Haru."

"...and to answer you, not all the time. Matter of fact, as of late, I haven't had much 'time' at all." he spoke with a bit of exhaustion. Nessa looked him up and down for a moment, noticing the Glaceon glaring at the woman responsible for interrupting her petting time.

The model sat opposite on the same bench Haru previously sat on and crossed one leg. "I'll take a guess: being Champion is a bigger leap to things you haven't been able to prepare for, and because of that, you feel you're in a growing ladder of responsibilities you need to address in order but cannot because of said new rank. Right?"

He gave a weak shrug. "Before I get into it, you look nice. Proper gobsmacked because correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't seen you wear that before. Looks nice on you!"

She twirled in place then posed, as she would often on catwalks and gave a wink. "Thanks! It's one of my more favorite outfits. Got this from a shoot I went to about a couple of months ago. If you'd like I can get you some prints."

"As long as you let me pay for them, sure. I need things to decorate in my new place, so spicing it up with things like that will be of help. It'll give me something to look at when I come home." He glanced back up to her when he sat, due to their slight height difference. "Do you...have some time on your hands to spare for me? I thought you were originally at your Gym, but they didn't know where you were. I'll try not to take up too much time if you're going to be busy." he asked. Mirukon suddenly came to a screeching halt in the field they were in: the first to actually win this 'race' Haru made up between himself and Goji. It seemed the ol' tale of the tortoise and the hare would come back but in a new Pokemon-y sense. Goji seemed to not really care but Mirukon was showboating a bit and flexing...if Pokemon could flex.

"Yeah, sure. Anything, for you. So spill, what's ailing you? My Gym won't go anywhere, so I got time for you." Nessa asked him.

Haru put his hands together in a sort of praying formation and looked at her. "To put it mildly, I could use some introspection from a professional like yourself who manages all her time between careers."

- - - - 35 minutes later - - - -

- - Hulbury Lighthouse - -

- - Outside - -

Haru was sitting next to Nessa overlooking the waters. His Pokemon had been recalled back to their balls; Goji notwithstanding.

"...and that's basically the gist of it." Haru said after a pause once he finished airing out his issues to her.

"That's quite a lot thrust onto you that it's amazing you're keeping up appearances. I can admire that in someone in your sudden rise to that position." She said, looking over to him as she leaned on the railing.

Haru gave a passive shrug. "Only because I have to, you know?"

She raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Don't sell yourself short, Haru. If it were really that difficult for you to keep up your positivity, you'd be seeing a doctor. But...today you chose me, and I appreciate that you trust in what I have to say." Nessa had to ponder on all the details and clapped her hands a few times in thought.

"Given everything you told me, I can see why this could overwhelm you; your new lifestyle is a big jump forward for you. I suppose Leon took to it like a Goldeen to water, but...that's not a bad thing. It would be unfair to compare you to him, so I won't."

Pacing a little in one solitary spot, Haru stopped in place and removed his glasses to clean the lens. "Well that's good then. Is it bad a part of me kind of wants to go back to before I was Champion? Chalk it up to the attention or the 'value' people put on it, but I don't think I'm worth all the articles and hooplah. Heh..."

Nessa glared at him and folded her arms. "Is that how it is? That's not the sort of reaction I'd expect from you. You worked your ass off to get where you're at right now! You are THE guy! Take some pride in it! Look, even if you don't see it, never let the public see you as complacent. Trust me, the second they think you're being disingenuous, they'll come hounding you from all sides."

She had made the Champion blink at her in disbelief from how emotive she got. "Don't suppose you have experience with that, do you?"

"It's exactly why I'm telling you: because I have dealt with that very thing." Holding onto herself a little tighter, Nessa gave a side glance to him. "Own the audience you create and they'll eat anything out of the palm of your hands."

The morning breeze blew a little between them as Haru gave a chuckle. Surely as he had hoped, she was already inspiring him. "'Fake it until I make it' is it? Hmm. You practice that?"

He managed to make Nessa's cheek flush red, making her take some pride in her ability to give advice. "Some of that came from my Mom, and it helped me keep what was important in my mind when I was scouted as a model for the first time. I'll admit that it's not ALL peaches and cream. With what I have to manage, it can be a little barmy you know: modelling and managing a Gym leaves me sometimes with little time to myself."

Nessa exhaled slowly. "You're a Champion, so I suppose what we go through won't be exactly the same. But..." She gave him a thumbs up. "Haru, regardless of what someone like the Second Gym Leader says, I hope that I gave you some peace of mind." she would say and look at him with concern.

Reflecting on her words, Haru pulled out her rarer League Card and looked at it. He got it after helping Nessa with the rampaging Dynamaxing Pokemon at Hulbury. It had a picture of her wearing a pretty white dress, red heels and posing in a different manner than all the other leaders in their cards. Presumably, it was from either a model shoot taken from a magazine or shot exclusively for the league card manufacturing itself. "Yeah...it's already helping me. If you can do all that and still manage what you do, then there's no reason I can't." Haru summarized, putting it back.

Beaming with pride, Nessa smiled at Haru's reply. "So create a new set of goals within yourself and follow through." She met him again by walking to where he was and sat on the nearby bench as her legs crossed and a foot swayed in thought. The Water Gym Leader raised a hand. "Have you considered Shiny hunting?"

He squinted back. "The odds of finding Shiny Pokemon are incredibly low, innit?"

"Food for thought. Sometimes trainers like pursuing a shiny Pokemon through large groups of Pokemon outbreaks or one batch of horny parental Pokemon. Still...those odds don't look good unless you have a charm for it." she said.

Haru looked into her blue eyes and then back up to the sky, then her again. "Heh. That sounds like something Hiro would have..." He shook his head.

"Hmm? Hiro...?" Nessa asked, raising her eyebrow at Haru seemingly trailing off.

He shook his head and handwaved it. His posture would straighten up suddenly like the signal in his brain had cleared up any mental fog he felt. "Eh. I'm just taking the piss, don't worry about it." He gave a fake sounding laugh and then rolled his shoulders.

"You ask any of the others to help ya out?" she suggested.

"I considered it if I wasn't going to feel relatively 'safe' in what you told me here...but I dunno." He stood up and then stretched with his arms outwards, walked until he could lean on the fence so he could look out at the waters. "You made me feel safer about the whole thing." He turned back to her and grinned. "Thank you."

Her eyes widened and almost did a double take. Something about the angle of the sunlight hitting him made him appear different. It could have been the rise of confidence he had shoot up just then that did it, but it was enough to make Nessa feel shaken up. /Whoa, what was that just now? When did he start looking cool?/ But she smirked through it. "As is my role as a Gym Leader and a Model. If I couldn't instill inspiration into people, I wouldn't be very good, right?"

"Eh. I dunno. 'Regular Model Nessa' doesn't sound nearly as cool as 'Supermodel Nessa'.

She met him at the fence and grinned with pride. "Damn right."

The two shared a moment of silence while looking over the calm ocean waves. "So what will you do until you have it all figured out?" She asked him.

Haru shrugged with a thumb to his chin. "I've considered having a get-together. We should all honestly hang out to celebrate how well this last season went, you know?" He turned to her an extended a hand for a handshake. "But I'm off for now. Thanks again, Nessa."

She eyed the hand, then him and rolled her eyes. "Posh, put that away. We're friends at this point!" giving him a hug which immediately made Haru freeze on the spot and go wide-eyed.

/O-oh. This is nice.../ He slowly responded in kind with a slightly delayed embrace.

"Do you have my number? Would make getting up together a lot easier for you than just coming to Hulbury and hoping for the best." She suggested.

Haru responded by looking to the side, then back at her. "I mean...I didn't mind coming here for a chance to meet you. It's nostalgic in a way."

"Uh-huh. Well considering the times we've shared already, it'll be easier if you can just ring me up or text. Here." She gave him a small sticky note with her number on it after bringing a small piece out to write on.

He let out a weak laugh but was appreciative. "Thanks again, Nessa. You've really proved why you're a fan favorite, and one of mine!" The compliment came out so easily that it surprised even him, but it made Nessa do another double-take before brushing it aside and firing back with that usual spirit she was known for by many Galarians.

"This raging wave never lets up for anyone, but it does have its moments of 'calm'." She flashed a toothy grin, turned to glance at her Gym, then him. "It would be nice to fight you again, even knowing how much you've changed."

He waved her off as Nessa made her way to the Hulbury Gym, and put his hands on his hips. The talk with her had revitalized him, and he straightened his posture and stuck his chest out. "Heh. That Nessa really is something!"

From the sidelines, his Cinderace, Goji, had his arms crossed and was staring at his trainer with a side glance.

"...what?"

Goji rolled his eyes, then walked back to meet up with the other Pokemon who were still outside. Reaching into his master's backpack, he pulled out a small device. It was his Rotom Phone. Turning it on then switching to the camera function, he set it to mirror back to his master, and showed that Haru's face was almost as red as his haircolor; which was near ruby red.

He stammered. "A-ah! Look...It's nothing! Nothing." taking the Rotom Phone and putting it in a pocket. Goji was laughing while holding his stomach. This was the first time he ever saw his trainer rattled, and it was certainly something that got him curious as to why. "I'm...I'm just not used to hugs from girls okay? Especially not anyone like Nessa who is a refined lady of high taste and is mega out of my league!"

The rest of his Pokemon just stared back, with Nora giving the sternest 'Ugh' expression, with her ears flattened.

"Veee.." she yipped.

"Nessa just surprised me! Shush! All of you!" Haru rolled his shoulders and tried to brush it off. "Anyways, let's see if we can run into some new Pokemon in The Wild Area. Maybe we can help some other trainers get some within the Max Raids, ay? How about it Goji?"

Goji nodded, fired up at the idea of beating down extremely powerful foes in groups, as Haru led the way.

/What the heck was that all about, Haru?/ He began to lambast himself in thought like a self-help therapy session. /You've had a lot of conversations with her, why did THIS one make you all.../ It didn't matter for the moment. He had some Wild Area Pokemon to search out.

- - - - - Wyndon, Late Night Television Studio - - - - -

- - - - - 11:30 PM - - - - -

The hallways smelled of a musk not familiar to Haru. He could make out the cigarette smoke easily, but that was masked by the scents of the small break room he walked by having popcorn being made and Garbodors working as janitorial assistance.

"Wait here for just a moment, Champ. You'll be able to walk on when the curtains rise in..." the TV studio worker checked her watch briefly. "...less than 5."

Haru, wearing a grey suit with a green tie readjusted his tie slightly and nodded. "Got it. Guess this was inevitable, yeah?"

"Hmm?"

"Being a guest on late night telly." He suggested, shrugging.

"Happens to only the best in Galar, you know. Anyways, break a leg!" she said, tapping his shoulder and then walking off to talk to someone on her headset.

Haru just stood behind the curtains and rubbed his hands together. He felt it odd to be asked to appear on a late night television broadcast show, but after asking Oleana about it, he took her advice to heart: 'Just relax and be frank with the audience Haru. This is a chance for people to get to know their Champ better. Enjoy it, y'know?'

/Anything to get me more used to the idea of going to conventions in the future as a guest, innit?/ He thought to himself, having his eyes glance to one of the TVs that was showing what the broadcast was showing. His moment was very soon.

"-that guest of tonight, as no doubt you've all seen him on the telly, in person, at your local Gym or down the road! He started at the bottom, worked his way to the top, putting a heck of a battle against former Champion Leon and folks...he came out on top. Ladies and gents, your Galar Champion, Haru!"

The curtains spread open to boisterous applause while Haru walks out onstage. He's surprised by the size of the audience; waving to those he can while he makes his way to the blonde haired lady in the hostess chair. She was a Galarian comedian who liked to entertain both on TV and in stand-up by having her Pokemon assist like props or other participants. "Lucy, thank you so much for having me" Haru was briefly heard saying while he made his way to her, giving a firm handshake with a side hug greet, waved again to the crowd and sat down while the promotional music played out.

Haru looked a little nervous but played it cool on camera. The audience chuckled while he rubbed his hands together and Lucy raised her eyebrow at him. "Yes, Haru?"

"Just feeling the air right now. I can sense there may be some here may be eyeing me to have a battle after tonight's show." He pointed absently towards the center of the audience albeit to nobody and continued, saying. "...to which I'd have to decline since the only place to do that is the ULTIMATE league on the planet, that, which is right here, in Galar!"

This garnered the audience hooting and cheering while Haru just grinned, then relaxed in the recliner chair. Lucy, the hostess, gave light applause herself.

"Well I was gonna say 'welcome to the show' but you've already been welcomed, haha! I don't even have to do anything: the audience did it for me!" She joked. Haru waved it off.

"It was all too easy, but please: I'm honored to be here. Thank you again for having me."

"So for those of us not in the know who may be tuning in a little late, Haru here is our Champion of Galar." She had a few cards in hand to make sure she had the notes down correctly. "Let me see if I got this right for those watching both live here and on broadcast. You live in Motostoke currently, your mum is in Postwicke. You and your main co-competitor, Hop, the younger brother of Leon, our previous Champion, took the Pokemon League Challenge together at the same time. During that time you and Sonia, a local journalist, helped decipher not only the truths of the legend of our hero who wield the Sword and Shield, but she herself became our new Professor, and your talent kind of led to an underlaying plot to bring about The Darkest Day again from our previous Chairman Rose!"

Haru nodded and folded his hands. "I did all that while battling the 8 Gym Leaders in the Shield division and generally befriending them not just along the way but in post. Milo, Nessa, Kabu, Allister, Opal, Melony, Piers and Raihan. Of course...along the way I introduced myself to Bea and Gordie since I wouldn't be officially facing them on record." He glanced to Lucy. "I reserve the right to say just how often I've relied on Nessa's advice for fashion even though I've..."

Lucy popped in with a light jab. "What, wardrobe malfunction?"

"Oh is that what the 'antis' of mine call me wearing a sodding sweater with patches of everybody's typing on my sleeves?" A picture appeared behind Haru on the screen; a photo of him outdoors at The Wild Area with nothing but torn jeans and a very worn black graphic sweater. The audience got a chuckle, causing Haru to look behind him and then sigh. "Should've seen that one coming."

He took it in stride, however. Laughing with it, then looking to the audience. "Look! When you're a new trainer and you can buy only so much with a few hundred Pokedollars...and you're ME of all people, you have to juggle between new fashion or 20 Ultra Balls, 20 Potions, and any sort of recovery items for status effects!"

"Ultra Balls are what you were worried about early on?" Lucy teased.

"Oh naw. Great Balls. Still! It was worthy investment to me. That, and I gotta make sure I have enough food to feed my Pokemon specialized curry." He admitted.

"Do you make yours extra hot, or is Haru the kind of person who indulges in flavor more first?"

His eyes darted back and forth a little, biting his lip pensively. His legs crossed and he cleared his throat. "I'm not saying I'd turn down spicy food if it were a gift but I am NOT someone who handles it well." He glanced to Lucy. "If I'm gonna budget like I said and let my fashion go to piss, I want to actually enjoy my meals."

The hostess tapped on her table and dropped the pretense of just being there to take jabs at him. "Okay that's fair. But to move right along, ! I know you've been incredibly busy and have been sorta picked at by pretty much...

"Everyone." Haru simply replies, some chuckles from the crowd ensue. "Lots of interviews. It's fine, though. I don't mind."

"Yes, everyone. Everyone wants to know more! Get in your head! What is it that goes through your mind nowadays? You have a massive winning streak. What is it that kept you going? What got you through it?" she began to ask, to which Haru chimed in to answer.

"Well..." he whistles, thinking about it. "If we're including all the battles in between each Gym Leader? That's over several hundred. When you battle that many people time kind of becomes a blur. It led to some tight kinships that I can thankfully rely on now, though. But I think one thing that sucks is that because I've only connected with a few, there's now so many who I did run into, thought 'maybe we can connect more deeply on a mutual ground', and then simply watched me move right to the next city without thinking twice about them."

Lucy clasped her hands together and tilted her head. "How do you mean, exactly?"

He had to think on how to approach the topic for a moment. "Well consider how many faces a day you see. Think about how many people who get to know you even just a little are hoping that you're that one person who will extend a conversation longer than just 'hello' and 'goodbye'. Apply that to Pokemon. Apply that to being a Pokemon trainer. Or...in my case, Champion. That could have been my new best friend and you'd never know it. But despite that, I've also made the discovery that I am trying to save as much time for those I care about." He squints. "...yet I still can't help but feel sorry that for as much as people love what I do, I can't repay that back other than a simple 'Thank you' and maybe some words of affirmation at convention appearances. It bums me out just a little."

"The bond of Pokemon brings us all together, yeah?" Lucy said, adding in her own commentary.

"...and that all comes from the background of my mother being a veterinarian who works in Motostoke full time. Thanks to her I learned how to find signs of fatigue, stress, and check the body language of my Pokemon in my party and otherwise."

"What do you have to say to those that have made comments such as 'Why doesn't he pick more top tier Pokemon?' " she asked.

Haru blinked a bit, looked at one of the cameras and audience. "I'd ask who were they? Were they someone I battled against?" He glanced back to Lucy. "I don't really have the best sort of way to answer that. I found out that aside from my starter Pokemon, Scorbunny, that the best kind of victory I felt was when the opponents I faced did not expect a victory from me using something that wasn't exactly 'competitive' or 'best rounded'. There's a few branches of publications, groups, clubs, and let's be frank, elitists out there that will tell you that in order to face something you need to pre-plan and think about it. Now, maybe I did think about my strategies leading up to my champion win, but it was never a big focus."

"So your approach is to instead turn the challenge on its head?"

"I'm saying that I put my trust in my Pokemon, and they put their trust in me to know what to do at a moment's notice." Haru paused, taking a drink of water then setting the glass down. How lucky that talk shows had that in case guests needed hydration.

The host would take that moment to pull out some cards. "That sort of falls in line with a few comments and questions we got from the mailbag...such as one that says 'Some other trainers think you have no 'identity'. Whereas Leon was flashy, wearing a cape and always sporting his Champion outfit, you're a bit of a wildcard. Is this intentional, or do you just not care?' " Lucy speaks, reading from a card.

Haru just sorta narrows his eyes a bit, just to elicit a reaction, pursing his lips and crosses a leg. "Well, if anyone must know, I have always liked the idea of showing off everyone else BUT me. I don't might care for changing into graphic tees or dressing up a punk like Team Yell. As I went through my journey, I loved to showcase the colors of the other Gyms. Figure if anything, people would get the idea to try and one day do the challenge too because my insisting of wearing an outfit is away of saying 'Hey. THIS person is amazing and YOU should go meet and battle them and grow as a person.' It's about them, not me."

This gets some moderate applause as Lucy picks up another card and reads from it.

"What was your biggest lesson you took away from the Gym Challenge?"

"I think the biggest lesson was, and you'll recall this fight perhaps, when I fought Nessa."

Several people in the audience respond in kind with a surprised "Ahhh", since she's early in the challenges of Gym Leaders.

"Nessa from Hulbury? She is the 2nd Gym Leader and made it into the Pokemon League competition: gave you a hell of a rematch fight." Lucy added for commentary.

Onscreen there's a picture of Haru wearing the Gym Challenge uniform and Nessa in her Hulbury stadium from the first battle. Haru doesn't count on the speed of the staff of the show retrieving such a picture but he points when he sees it. "Ah, yeah..see okay. So we're in the final phase and she gets out her Drednaw. I KNOW she's a water master. Planned for it. At this point I was still trying to figure on how to deal with her trump card: be it whatever it would have been. So I take my Gloom, because it was my best Plant Pokemon in my group, Dynamax it, her with her Drednaw. You recall the crowd went NUTS because despite my type advantage, she nearly KO'd Gloom with merely a few hit points left. Why? Cuz of how diverse Drednaw was in that fight at that time."

There was a pause from him as it showed a photo of the Dynamax'd part of the battle.

"...that and let's be frank she's an amazing trainer. Took me by surprise. It was fun!" giving a thumbs up.

"So Nessa was that special 'key' to your growth?"

Haru nodded his head and threw a hand outwards to the audience in a sweeping motion. "Actually yes. I'd say my biggest moments were her, Melony's surprisingly difficult league battle, and Raihan. Raihan is responsible for me becoming more interested in two versus two battles, and his one Pokemon..erh...the snake-like one." he starts snapping his fingers trying to recall it.

-" Sandaconda! " someone from the audience calls out.

"Yes! THAT thing! God...nearly lost the plot during that match. I was sweating BRICKS during that fight!" Haru exclaimed.

Lucy chuckled a bit. "Sweating bricks? Usually it's 'sweating bullets'."

"If you had to face Raihan in a double match where you have to deal with a sandstorm and were down to your final 2 Pokemon at the same time as his? Yeah you'd be sweating bricks too. I must've lost 2 pounds during that fight alone due to the stress."

"Ya did beat him though."

"Whole time I swear to you I thought I was going to lose." Haru responded, whistling a bit.

"Ah but let's circle back to earlier. So...you did all that, came out on top. What've you been doing since? Put us in the mindset of what our 'Champion' is like!" Lucy said to some applause at the idea.

"Ah...well...it's not THAT interesting." Haru said with a bit lack of want.

"Oh come on! Tell us, you MUST have something new for us!"

"I'm going around in The Wild Area a lot more lately helping other trainers catch Pokemon in Max Raids." as he shrugged indifferently.

"Well from what I hear you poked your head one time in it yet have not fully committed to challenging the Battle Tower."

"That's correct."

"Waiting for something specific before you attempt it?"

Haru paused a bit and shook his head. "Actually no, not really."

"Are you Shiny hunting?"

Haru shakes his head a bit indifferently.

"Completing your PokeDex?"

"I mean...doing that requires a LOT of time to myself and to be a bit off my trolley and let's be honest I'm neither of those things." he admits openly. "Well...maybe I am." as he leaned sideways into his seat and felt himself stare off into the audience.

Lucy smiles. "Well for now it seems we have some extra time, so we are actually going to go to the audience Q&A where we'll pick a few audience members to ask you something live!"

"Oh bother. Put on the spot. Okay!" Haru teased, pretending to readjust his suit and hair but mostly just miming it.

- - - - After The Show - - - -

The Q&A segment without a hitch sans the moment at the end where Haru was asked to give his one piece of advice about going into the league. He thought about Hiro and grew forlorn with nostalgic memories of yesteryear...

"Thank you, Champ!" said a boy from earlier in the show who excitedly runs off with an autographed League Card from Haru. His Cinderace, Goji, and a security guard who saw him earlier sigh.

"Sir you should be more careful about who you're giving time to on such short notice. If you're reckless you'll give the wrong impression." he said but Haru waved it off, walking by him.

"Yeah I know I know I know, no need to beat it into my head, eh? Goji and I are going to be on our way. Give Lucy my thanks, again. I'll send her a gift when I can." he said as they exited the studio floor and got into an elevator.

He would exit the building into a private escort to an Air Taxi with him and Goji sitting inside it, as Haru overlooks the night skies of Galar. It doesn't take long for Goji to be comfortable enough that he falls asleep, but Haru stares restlessly for the whole flight back to his home. For some reason the last question from the show's Q&A echoed in his memory. Becoming the champion was one of the best accomplishments of his whole life, and he made sure to make every minute leading up to that victory count. He had a strong support group, strong relationship with his parent, a strong Pokemon team that loved him like family; everything short of immortality. Things that some people either didn't have, never got, and would wish for their own.

Yet for some reason, he had an itch that was growing in the back of his mind that made him either unable to see the value of his own strengths, or something deeper. "Nobody on top of the world should be depressed. I'm being pathetic."

Goji mumbles in his sleep.

"heh...sorry bud. Stay rested." Haru pats his fiery hare Pokemon on the head. The young man then looked back out into the cloudless night and saw so many stars: visualizing things that had been replaying in his head.

/"Well, if you want my honest opinion? Take it one day at a time."/ the memory of Nessa's words the other day played back.

/"It may feel like you're riding high, but don't forget us, Haru. You shouldn't have to burden this all alone. Come talk to me when you need me, okay? I'll be back in Postwick. You have my number, yeah?"/ the memory of Leon talking to Haru after the Championship Match came back as well.

/"I want to do things that help others...!"/ Hop said, on that fateful day when Zamazenta and Zacian became their Pokemon, and they had their big rematch together.

Haru stares then down at his Rotom Phone and goes through the list of contacts. All the trainers he fought repeatedly such as Marnie, Hop, and others like Piers, Milo, etc were there. A big support network, as someone like him would need.

When he arrives home his Gardevoir, Masako, notices his fatigue and helps him up to his room. The Pokemon had a bit of a maternal aura around her with her trainer and made sure he took care of himself. As the lights dim and she leaves him to return to the other 5 downstairs, Haru looks up at the ceiling.

"For some odd reason I'm ending tonight acting more like a spoiled eejit." He said out loud and sighed. He caught wind of his door opening and saw a pair of pointy blue ears stick up. The pitter-patter of paws on the carpet are heard as he then spots Nora's face looking at him. The Glaceon quietly yipped to him before wiggling her behind then hopping on the bed, curling up onto his side and laying her head down.

He couldn't feel sorry for himself at that point. "You sensed I wasn't feeling like myself, huh, Nora?" Haru would say, slowly patting her head from front to back. The Glaceon mewed in the high pitch cry that it would do: her muzzle pressing against her master's hand as he gave her adoring pets.

His head laid back on the pillow as Nora nuzzled onto his chest. "Thank you, bud." Within minutes, the both of them pass out, and Haru would end up dreaming soundly.