Chapter 6: Crazy Diamonds
- - - Playground Area - - -
Several boys had him surrounded, demanding for more lunch money even though he already gave everything he had. Kids can be needlessly cruel, and for them it was just an excuse to pick on the smallest kid in the classroom.
"Give them back! I can barely see without them!" cried one of them with a head full of red hair, as the 3 surrounding him were tossing in between each other.
"If you really wanted it you'd catch it right? What's wrong?" one teases.
"Lay off, wimp!" said another before pushing the redhead to the ground.
"HEY!" shouted a new voice who appeared. The kids looked behind them and saw a bigger kid come by who seemed about 4 years older than they all were, who had happened upon the scene and saw one of them was slightly beat up and having his glasses tossed about.
He flinches when he gets closer with one fist in the air and the 3 disperse. "Beat it, chumps!" watching the other kids run off hurriedly. The tall kid goes to the smaller one, getting his glasses for him and taking out a cloth he carried with him meant to clean glasses.
"You let those bullies beat you up for free?" he asked.
"Nuh-uh. They stole my lunch money, and now I can't eat later. I'm not good at defending myself. Guess they just like to go after me cuz I got them angry." the red hair child said as the tall kid handed his newly cleaned glasses back.
The tall kid sighs. "Well, I have some extra cash. We can eat together. Do you have lunch around 2nd period?"
"Yeah I do! But are you sure it's fine? That means I'll owe you again and I don't want that to happen." the four-eyed kid now said in response as the taller one helped him up to his feet.
"It's okay. Let's be buddies from now on and I'll also help you learn to defend yourself at the very least. Do you trade Pokemon cards? I got a lot!" the anti-bully kid would say to the smaller one he saved.
"Yeah I have about 47 different Pokemon cards, not counting the duplicates. Just started collecting too! I'm Haru. What's your name?" asking as he started following his new friend back inside the school.
"Name's Hiro. Real cool to meet you!"
- - - - - Haru's Home - - - - - -
Haru felt something tugging at his collar as consciousness fully came to him eventually. The first thing he saw was his Glaceon, Nora, pawing at him with a worried expression. He was confused, and while looking at her, sat up yawning in bed.
"Ah, bugger. I woke up late. Guess I missed that appointment with the stadium folks." he yawns again. "Hey Nora what's wrong...? You hungry?" he would ask, but then found that there was something on his face. One hand goes across his cheek to scratch the sleep from his eyes but felt something else. Tears. He had been crying in his sleep for awhile unknowingly, causing his Pokemon to worry.
Collecting himself, he figured it out from that alone. /Ah, I see. Makes sense now, since it has been ages since I dreamt of that day. Funny that; I never did end up learning how to properly defend myself. We just ended up getting wrapped up in the things we liked together and were best friends from then onwards./
"It's okay Nora, I'm fine. Just had a dream of some really good pastimes when I was a kid." he replied, giving her comforting head pats so she'd be secure in knowing what he had replied to her. She gives a smile back and understands what her trainer said; hopping off the bed and starting to head downstairs.
/For some reason I feel a little uneasy. That was nothing more than a memory, sure, but I already feel like today's going to be 'off'/ Haru pondered, briefly going to the loo to wash his face before heading downstairs.
Downstairs, Haru sees that all 7 of his Pokemon are there. Luna (Lunatone), Nora(Glaceon), Leafa(Tsareena), Goji(Cinderace), Masako(Gardevoir), Mirukon(Lucario), and Yuri (Hatterene) were in different spots looking at the television quietly.
"Uh...good morning guys what's-" he stopped himself midway into the question, as his Pokemon turned to him then back to the screen as his eyes widened. Onscreen he'd see a developing news story:
BOMB EXPLOSION AT WYNDON STADIUM, AUTHORITIES ON SCENE CURRENTLY
His eyes widen with horror. At this point in the year the Pokemon League wasn't until they had enough to hold the next League Tournament so no attendees would be in danger. However Haru knew that since he was going to visit it that day that he counted his blessings for not having woken up in the timely manner he had planned. He was going to get an official to help him plan designs for a possible Gym by visiting the interiors, and now was worried said official or anyone else in the area could be hurt. For the moment, there was little information to go on and multiple vehicles with police, forensics, firemen and EMS crews were showing up consistently onto the scene.
- - - - - Ballonlea - - - - -
- - - - - Fairy Gym - - - - -
Bede is returning inside after having beaten a Pokemon Gym Challenger when the speakers across the entirety of the stadium air out an emergency alert. It informs everyone that there has been an explosion at Wyndon Stadium and are immediately investigating if any of the others have been targeted; that everyone must remain calm and for the time being to 'please obey any orders the Security of every Gym gives to make sure they are safe'.
"What the hell..?" He audibly said out loud to himself, rejoining some of the Gym Trainers that he worked with in a staff room. Hearing a lot of foot traffic, it was obvious that the entirety of Security was immediately en route.
- - - - - Hedgewurst - - - - -
- - - - - Sonia's Lab - - - - -
Outside there was a bunch of towers of books with tables lined up, and several of Hop's Pokemon there with him. He was helping Sonia to re-organize some of her research and air out some of her older editions of encyclopedias, files, bestiaries, maps, and the like when on the radio that was playing music outside had switched to the emergency broadcast of the news. Him and his Pokemon, Dubloo glanced at each other in worry. Sonia had heard it and her face went crestfallen.
"Is it the twins again, I wonder? No, this doesn't seem like their M.O." He'd inquire out loud with no inner monologue, as Sonia held up a finger. "This could be very bad for the League if it isn't."
"What do you mean?" He'd ask.
"I mean if it's someone who is a trainer, or someone who is working with one of multiple different rogue groups of different regions, it could be a bad look for the League." she would say with a slight wag of the finger.
His eyebrow raised. "You mean like Team Yell?"
She shook her head and would go to search for one specific book in the multiple piles they had outside to locate what she was trying to find. After a minute or two of some page flipping Sonia comes across several dual-page spreads of what was logged under 'villain teams'. Hop studiously scanned the pages and saw them all; Team Rocket, Team Aqua, Team Magma, Team Galactic, Team Plasma, Team Flare, Team Rainbow Rocket. Team Yell had no such blip since those were recent events and almost everyone agreed they weren't actually villains but overzealous fans of one 'Marnie'.
The scientist-in-training and scientist assistant would meet eyes, hoping that what she said wouldn't be the case.
- - - - - Spikemuth - - - - -
- - - - - Dark Gym - - - - -
Marnie was about to have a battle herself when she heard the news from her brother, who comes barging in with the news. Piers brings up a livestream of said news on his phone, as the two look at it together, and a horn sounds off within the city since his Gym didn't have a stadium to call its own.
"Piers do you have any clue who's behind this? Bad enough we had to deal with our own issues..!" the punk-goth girl said with visible frustration.
Her big brother, who usually looked halfway asleep and halfway awake, visibly appeared to be shook by this news. "Whatever it was that Haru, Hop and I managed to fix a bit back should be put to rest. This can't have been a splinter group from those twins, and I doubt it has to do with that spy that snuck in as Sonia's assistant."
Marnie turns worriedly to see some authorities arriving down the alley to hopefully contain any possible threat. "Then who would be behind such a thing..?"
- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -
- - - - - Water Gym - - - - -
While in the middle of a battle that was ending, Nessa is in the middle of handing off a Water Badge as the news hits her stadium's speakers. Her and the trainer that beat her in battle look a little confused, but the first thing that goes to her mind when it finally settles in is immense worry.
The gravity of the situation hits Nessa when she recalls the other night. She was visiting Haru and talking about the oncoming goals he was noting for his possible upcoming Gym creation.
/"So what'll you be doing tomorrow?" she asked him while flipping through the earlier segments of his past, finding a picture of him with some Pokemon toys.
/"Tomorrow I'm going to Wyndon bright and early. I got in touch with an official to let me scan the interior and get an idea on how I want mine to be designed. From there, I'm going to look for architects who know how to add the unique flair Gyms have and see if there can't be a conversation to be had for it all. Hoping to be there roughly before the Gyms usually open up all around the Galar region so that there won't be anyone but us staffers walking around."/ He explained to her.
/"That'll be good for you. Getting someone to decipher your writing will be a job in of itself!"/ She teased at the time, making Haru blush.
/"Hey my writing isn't THAT bad! I was in a hurry to make notes; you know this!"/ he replied as his flustered expression made her laugh a little.
Nessa looked back at the photo they came upon again and smirked. /"I know. Let me know how that goes okay? I'll most likely be in the middle of a Gym battle by the time you're there."/
Great worry hits her face, and she apologizes to the trainer; bolting to run full speed back behind the stands. There's a bunch of men and women who are guards for the whole stadium running past her. It appears a lockdown happening as the officials are unaware if any of the other stadiums are a target and if anyone else is in danger.
/Haru..! Please tell me you're not there...! Please be okay!/ the panic inside her head was loud, trying to get to her phone to text Haru to see if he was okay with tears welling up in fear.
- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -
- - - - - Pokemon League Stadium - - - - -
Haru didn't hesitate after he saw the news to hurriedly do his morning routine and gather all of his Pokemon together. Even though trainers only take 6, just for extra security he'd have Goji out of his PokeBall and carry the other 6 around his waist. To him it made no sense not to go in this location without full possible protection. His agent was trying to call him the entire time but after the 4th call Haru simply told him "I have my entire team with me, so just let me handle things for a bit on my own" and let it be. Being Champion meant having to be the first in line for emergencies like this, so be that as it may Haru responded as fast as he could upon seeing the news. It was luck that he didn't wake up on time for the pre-planned visit.
The stadium was in complete disarray, with lots of emergency service and police vehicles having pulled up and several groups of Pokemon ready to help with first aid if needed. Having landed there after riding an Air Taxi, Haru leaps out of the basket after paying the flyer, as Goji follows.
"Champ! It's not safe here!" calls out one of the staffers from the nearby Battle Tower, who was amongst the teams. There was a very sizable chunk of the stadium now missing as billows of smoke were pluming into the skies above it. The fires weren't completely taken down, and he noticed that the ambulances thankfully didn't have any injured people for the moment.
"I know, but I came here to help in case we find anyone. Does anyone know what happened? Was anyone caught or questioned yet?" He asks, noticing just how many people were there; both officials and onlookers alike.
"Nothing yet. No suspects. We're trying to keep damage to a minimum and also figure out if the other stadiums are under attack." the lady responded.
/Other stadiums...? Nessa..!/ the thought came crashing to him as he pulled his phone out of his backpack. 14 texts and 6 missed phone calls. He felt bad seeing the last of several messages be the first thing on his screen.
"Hoo boy, I goofed.." the master trainer muttered under his breath.
[[NESSA: Hon please answer me are you okay? I saw the news, please tell me you're okay.]]
[[NESSA: Haru answer me]]
[[NESSA: Love please answer me I don't want you to be hurt.]]
[[NESSA: Haru I swear you'd better not have this on silent mode, you're making your lady panic over here!]]
He saw as another message was in the midst of being sent to him as she was typing and sent one back immediately.
[[HARU: Babe I'm fine. Sorry. Phone was in my backpack.]]
[[NESSA: Are you okay?! They're holding every stadium on lockdown, and for now our battles have paused. Lots of security everywhere.]]
[[HARU: I actually woke up late and saw the news on my television. I've flown to Wyndon on an Air Taxi to see the damage up front and if they need any help. So far no casualties here at ground zero.]]
There's a pause for a bit.
[[HARU: Nessa, you okay?]]
[[NESSA: You jerk, you had me nearly crying out of fear of losing you.]]
[[HARU: Sorry love. Please forgive me for not reacting sooner. For the moment I'm going to see if they can use help. If I'm shoved off I'll let you know. This lockdown may be a problem for everyone for a bit, especially the League itself.]]
[[NESSA: I'll keep you updated too. Not sure if we will close early today, but please please please be safe.]]
[[HARU: Absolutely, gorgeous. Talk later, 'Sapphire'3]]
[[NESSA: Right back to you, 'Ruby' XOX]]
Goji taps on Haru's shoulder as he was finishing, having seen some firemen pulling out some staffers who were caught in the debris. Haru nods to him. "Go help them, Goji. You're a fire type and they can use your speed and strength to their advantage."
The humanoid hare Pokemon leaps towards the scene as officials continue surveying the damage, looking for other people.
Haru crossed his arms with one hand settling under his chin.
/I wonder if our region has been invaded by one of the 'Teams', because this isn't like Team Yell at all, and with Rose in prison this doesn't scream 'revenge for usurping a political figure in the Pokemon world'. This feels like it was a personal attack, maybe. I could be overthinking it, but.../
- - - - - The Wild Area - - - - -
- - - - - Stony Wilderness, A Camp - - - - -
"Are you out of your fucking minds?!" came a loud pissed off tone that belonged to one such Gym Challenger named Syra. Inside her tent she set up, the day's list of 'To-Do' was just to build up some teams before taking on Raihan. She wasn't fully confident that her current team makeup was going to be enough to take him down and was focusing on trading with local trainers. The big 'catch' of the day would to get more Gigantimax Pokemon. However before she could even get any of that done the news that so many others had found out had reached her attention. One could say she was less than pleased.
"Wow holy cow you're angry." Came a voice on the other end of her Rotom Phone. It was the usual person she spoke to in order to communicate with her employer.
"YES I'm fucking angry! Look what you idiots did! You've put a possible target over yourselves, the authorities are going to get involved and start looking into things which may directly HARM ME. If this plan fails I may be put in for questioning or worse! Honestly...NOBODY ELSE but Haru matters. All I said I wanted was for some help to increase my time here. I was going to go about my business figuring it out whether I sat out this Pokemon League Tournament or wait for the next one just to 'grind' as they say. But NO. I wake up and see this stupid news that you guys did. This is bullshit. You guys better have a huge shipment coming for me to make up for this otherwise-" Syra shouted; half ranting, half exasperated.
"Otherwise what? I recall that you don't have a lot of options available to you, and if you back out now, what will your family think?" the male voice came back coldly.
Syra's eyes lit up and grit her teeth. "You bastard, you wouldn't..!"
As usual during the call, the man replied coldly but with more determination to continue the conversation than let himself be pulled around by her. "Do not test my patience today Syra. I think you'll find that we prepared to deal with several layers of what could happen. This was a direct order given to us by the boss himself. We did this whether or not you would have been okay with the decision."
She stared at her phone with an intense anger and anguish from the second when the thought of her family getting involved came up, then sighed. The girl pushed aside some of her hair as she leaned forward with one palm on her forehead as the feeling of a headache came up. "Just...tell me that you guys are going to make it up to me on this one. Whatever the Pokemon League officials are going to do as a result of this will work with what I had planned anyway but they may do something different now. Now that this has happened I may have to weed out other trainers leading up to this tournament. They may have to change it a bit now to have more instead of the usual 'top 8' bracket they use: I honestly don't know. We may have more contenders for the crown meaning I'll have to plan to fight more people and re-organize my team again. I've already come up with 5 different teams; 2 of which are filled with perfect IV Pokemon."
The voice would give a low chuckle. "You can expect a package coming that should be arriving soon. What we're giving back to you has not changed a bit, nor do you owe us anything different. However when it arrives it should please you greatly. Thank you once again for your patronage."
She sighed contently. "Good, thank you."
Before even waiting for her to come up with a quip the voice came back as if to make a point. "Remember Syra; ultimately it does not matter if your own 'plan' fails, but the second you compromise us on this deal our partnership is over, your goods will be forfeit, your money you earned through the battles you won specifically through your 'means' will be forfeit, your badges will be taken from you, and you know how ugly that will be for you, yes?"
There's a long pause between the two of them, and her aggressive nature falters for once. "I understand...the Team is what matters, and the goals within it. Not me. It is thanks to you that I am able to do what I wanted in the first place. I am just an instrument."
The cold voice came back reminding her of her order "Good girl. Report again when y-" Syra hung up then slammed the phone to the ground as it bounced a few times before letting out a loud yell of frustration. After getting that out of her system, she sits while holding onto her knees thinking about what was at stake and why she's doing this; memories of the painful past came back. The girl buried her head within her arms and started crying to herself after a minute.
/What I'm doing is for a good reason. I have to keep doing this to make things right. If I fail or make them look bad, it could be a very big issue for everyone and not just me. There's no other way. Otherwise they'll be in trouble and I can't let another big event happen again to them./ wiping her eyes a little while thinking about it all despite more tears falling.
/Why do I feel so bad about this now...?/ was her final thoughts before going out of her personal camp to start her day.
- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -
- - - - - In Front of the Water Gym - - - - -
Over the course of the day things were increasingly chaotic. With the attack on Wyndon's Stadium, all Gyms would be closed. Thankfully it was found out that no other bombs or such attacks were planted at the other Gyms and nobody was killed as a result of the damage to the stadium. There were a few people injured at the time the afternoon settled in and every one was being treated promptly at a hospital within Wyndon. Haru set off 30 of his top Pokemon to help with the damages, and searching for others in case anyone else got hurt. For now, only a single Pokemon would be joining him as security just in case, a ball containing Zamazenta; one of two legendary Pokemon from the Galar region itself. Leaping off the Air Taxi when it touched the ground near the Hulbury PokeCenter, Haru paid the flyer, and bolted to the Gym. He saw that a few people were still in the process of exiting with the whole building being sectioned off only for authorities and police to investigate. In front of the Gym, was Nessa, who was being informed of everything up to date prior to the moment Haru came up.
He's seen by her quickly and she doesn't hesitate to go into his arms for a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay." she said, wrapping her arms around him tightly as his arms go around her with one on her head. She sounds stressed out, panicked, and relieved all at once.
"Told you I'd come by as soon as possible. I left my Pokemon in Wyndon to help with the damages and people there just in case. For now I have Zamazenta with me." he pointed out, tapping on his waistband.
"Hey..." he says softly, tipping her face to his. "I'm here now, love." The two share a kiss and Haru could see just how worried she was throughout the whole day, as so many questions were thrust forward and very little answers to that second.
Taking a deep breath, she'd tell him what was the latest tidbit from officials at her Gym. "The Gyms are all being shut down possibly to update every single security force that looks over our attendees and to implement new practices so that this doesn't happen elsewhere. I don't know if it'll be for a few days or a week."
Haru scanned the Gym and admitted internally that it was offputting to see police tape around the building. "I guess that means outside of modeling you have a bit more free time. Just not the kind of free time you wish happened. How did it go otherwise for you today?"
She sighed, starting to relax knowing her beloved was there, safe, and right there with her. "Only got one battle in today before the incident had everything put to a halt. So it was rather boring to be honest. I did laps around the stadium to keep occupied. We may hear an update on what the Pokemon League is going to do later about the Pokemon League tournament. At worst, it just means that you'll be Champion officially longer."
"It also means I'll have longer to plan out my Gym if everything goes smoothly." Came back his reply but that comment seemed to make Nessa upset and he took notice. "What's wrong, hon?"
"I think it would be best to find out more about this situation before you go on trying to plan more of your Gym seriously. It's unknown if this was tied to anyone or anything. We don't know how far this goes, but I don't wanna see you hurt. Or worse." she said while having her big blue eyes gazing up back at his own. For that whole conversation alone, he could tell that she was very protective over him and the idea of him attempting to go about this 'make my own Gym' business just made her upset. While there was no concrete answer whether or not it was tied to Gym Leaders, the League itself, or him, she had a bad feeling she couldn't shake. Haru decided not to argue the fact as his face lightened up in understanding.
"I can't give up the idea and I know that's not what you're suggesting. You're right, so for now it has to be put on hold until we know more about this whole thing. What kind of man would I be if I intentionally went out to upset and worry you?" he turned, holding her hand and walking with her to try and calm both of their minds. The comeback from him resulted in Nessa smiling fully, and the first quip since he had shown up.
"Good. Because if I cry wearing this makeup it's going to look just -awful- and you'll be sorry." she insisted. One such Rotom Phone is heard making a tune upon receiving a text. It was Haru's phone. For now it would go unread since he was moreso focused on just being with Nessa and making sure she was okay. For hours throughout the day, panic was at an all-time high and the last thing that they needed was another reason to have one. At least not immediately. He'd peek at it later when the two began a walk together through the nearby mine towards Motostoke since Nessa was held up at the Gym all day with almost all activities being frozen before checking the message. Being stuck in one spot made her feel antsy and needed to do something to keep her mind busy, and just simply walking with him put her heart at ease.
[[MARNIE: Hey Haru! You hear the tosh that's been going on today of course right? Piers and I want to chat with you when you have a chance okay! Also we're fine, just FYI. You should come by Spikemuth soon when this whole terror alert dwindles. I don't have an answer for you that the authorities don't, but I have a hunch. Just come see me when you got time. It's well known your schedule is busy and you're probably volunteering Pokemon to help with the damages, but there's no rush.]]
Putting down the phone as Nessa and him got to a bench when they walked through the second Galar Mine, Haru comments with a slightly perplexed look. "Marnie may have something for me, she says. Unsure of what she'd be going on since she has no connections or way to figure on something the feds haven't, but has a 'hunch'."
Sipping some water she brought with her, Nessa comments "I'd say go visit her as soon as you can once this airs out. If she has a hunch, I'd believe her."
After taking a bite of some protein bars from his backpack, the young Pokemon master would point out "Still...it did happen suddenly. One can only hope that this doesn't set back trainers for too long. It took me this long to figure out my true calling. There could be others like myself out there right now who could be the NEXT big Champion too; what about their goals? If this came from someone with a grudge it makes you wonder if they even bothered to consider that at all."
Nearby on the upper layer of Motostoke, Syra is seen getting supplies for her Pokemon and sneezes loudly, before rubbing her nose. "Oof. Someone's talking about me. Better not be some shite commentary from one of those losers from the other day." the girl thinks to herself out loud. Walking by some other shops in the marketplace Syra scans around hoping nobody is following her from what occurred that day; having to now look over her shoulder from time to time. She had slight paranoia only from the onset of today's events but nothing would prepare her for the next bit of her evening as she halted within her tracks immediately and hid behind a building corner. Her eyes lock onto a couple walking by a fast food place that was popular for those in Motostoke, as her Inteleon pops out of his ball to look with her. "Shh...don't make a sound." she says to him quietly.
"What, tomorrow? Sure I guess I can do that, but how early?"
"6 in the morning!"
"Wha-...Nessa are you trying to kill me?"
"Oh please, you got time, I got MORE time thanks to this, it's fine right? You could always use some stamina. Bea won't even be around tomorrow because of her own morning schedule for tomorrow."
It turns out Syra was within mere feet of the one she was pursuing in the long run: Haru, the Galarian Champion himself, with his girlfriend The Raging Wave herself, Nessa of Hulbury, the Water Gym Leader. Her eyes widened and felt her pulse increase sharply but stayed quiet the whole time.
/WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?! Isn't he supposed to be dealing with the fallout of what happened earlier today? I don't get it. No. It's not a big deal he probably just simply took on a job for his Pokemon. No way would he just be out here by himself relaxing. Still...maybe I can study him now that he's so close./ Syra thought intensely to herself, hearing Haru and Nessa speak openly and setting up plans to do some early morning exercises. After what felt like forever, the two would start walking off with them continuing to hold hands.
Syra would stay just out of sight but not so much she couldn't track where they were coming from by voice; hearing something about future plans.
"All I'm saying is, if we ever fight again like we did before, I'm going to get back at you and you'll never see it coming!" she'd see Haru tease, to which Nessa bumps him with her hips sideways.
"Is that so? You wanna keep this score count going? I recall someone being pinned on the ground the other night when he couldn't keep his family memories away from me and tapping out!" getting a cheeky grin back to him. Syra takes a second to pretend gag herself from hearing this part.
"Trust me, but it has to be when this is all said and done. It'll be like last time: 1 Pokemon only, no recovery items, any tier." Haru exclaimed, puffing his chest out a bit just to be silly, making Nessa just nod.
"Okay, okay, I see you Champ, I see you. But have you considered that you're just naturally weak to me now no matter what?" she confidently said with one hand going to her Water Gym broach that was usually seen with her.
"What do you mean?" absolutely confused, he had to ask and looked to her. Nessa stopped him and leaned up to him closer and unfortunately Syra couldn't make of what was said next.
"Haru, m'love, you're full of weaknesses and I intend to find out every-single-one." whispering to him slowly with one finger trailing up his chest to his chin as her fingers went to his lips delicately on the last 3 words, with Haru shivering with the way she said those words.
His mannerism of reply is shaky and set off by the now reddened cheeks. "O-o-o-ooo...oh. Yeah. That's what you mean. I don't even know what you mean but I DO know what you mean." the poor unfortunate cherry boy said, as both shared a laugh but then Nessa stopped herself halfway, still looking at him. Something distracted her from their moment.
Nessa looks to her left, causing Syra to immediately back away and start sweating.
/Shitshitshitshitshitshit/ is all that goes through Syra's mind.
"Babe..?" his nervousness from Nessa flirting with him in public disappears as he follows her glance. Her perceptiveness works for her this time.
"You can come out now, or I can -make- you come out." Nessa says in a commanding tone, with one hand reaching to a Dive ball around her waist that held Drednaw.
Syra's heard gulping a bit hard; her cover is blown. Quietly recalling Inteleon back to his ball, they both see an arm stick out the corner 'waving' before she steps out. Haru's eyebrow raised and Nessa keeps her eyes fixed on this person.
"AHahah...s-sorry! Guess I'm caught huh..." Syra said, walking forward.
"You were following us for some time." Nessa spoke plainly.
"Hey I remember you, you challenged Nessa awhile back and won yeah? I believe I saw you actually in-person when that occurred!" Haru said with a fist going to a hand with a flattened palm. Syra's eyes meet his for the first time and she holds it well.
"Yes, I'm Syra. Nice to formally meet you Champion!" extending an arm and shaking his hand, to which he shakes firmly.
"Sorry about it, but it may not be awhile until we actually compete against each other. That is, if you make it to the top spot. 'tis a shame really." his arms fold over each other, before noticing, and feeling, that Nessa has moved a bit closer to his side putting one arm through one of his own.
"Why were you following us, Syra? I didn't take you as a stalker." Nessa would inquire, keeping her gaze.
"Ahh..well...truth is I was camping nearby here earlier and getting supplies for my Pokemon. I'm building a team that I'm really proud of and aiming for a team of purely Gigantimax Pokemon! That way no matter who I end up using, the crowd would go 'Look this trainer has unique Pokemon, AND she's winning so quickly!'. Simple stuff, really." she explained. Haru took the comment in stride.
"Makes sense honestly. I never paid much attention if one I caught had that sort of form but if they did it was neat for me. I attempted to get shiny Pokemon recently but I've sorta thrown that out the window for the time being." he said with a half laugh.
Nessa wasn't buying the story she gave, but for the moment had nothing else but her curiosity to go on. "So you were here before deciding to head back to The Wild Area I assume?" she asked Syra.
The velvet haired girl nodded eagerly "Basically. Every now and then I come back into one of the cities I've visited already just to get supplies and trying to also gather food since my Pokemon are getting sick of my curry all the time. I'm trying to change things up. Speaking of...I should get going."
Haru waved a bit, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up. "You had 7 badges last I heard, right? Can't wait to hear an update on you taking on Raihan so that we can meet again later! It's a promise, okay?"
Syra looked at him and matched his gesture with her own back, and waved to both of them before running off. When she was out of sight, Haru quietly looked over to the woman clutching onto one side of his arms.
"Hey honey? Are you...?" he began to ask her.
"Something's wrong, Haru." Nessa spoke plainly.
He blinked: that was NOT the reply he thought she would be saying. "...sorry?"
Nessa kept her eyes to where Syra disappeared for a bit before looking back at him. "Something is off about her. I don't know what it is, and I may just be overthinking things thanks to today's events, but she didn't feel like the same person I fought in the Gym. I felt something very intense that it was overwhelming me just to even speak to her."
"Overwhelming you?" it sounded serious, and him asking her about this now only brought more questions to the table. Exactly the kind of thing he was hoping to not have by the end of the day. The Water Gym Leader would look back at him with a renewed expression of worry that came from a different source entirely from their conversations earlier, but spoke carefully while grabbing one of his hands with both of her own.
"Haru? My Love? Please don't take this the wrong way, but I want you to be -very- careful around that person. There's something...wrong about her. I-I don't know what but something is telling me to be very cautious."
- - - - - The Wild Area - - - - -
- - - - - East Lake Axwell, the stairs that lead to/from Motostoke - - - - -
"Hey watch it!" shouts a girl who is bumped into by someone running past them, nearly tripping.
The girl who blazed past another while getting off the stairs is heard panting violently to herself, barely leaning onto aforementioned giant stairs that led those from Motostoke to The Wild Area, and vice versa. She bolted from the city where she was mere seconds ago to this spot and isolated herself near the giant walls where the stairs resided and a tree that was growing some berries for her Pokemon. One fist goes to the wall and she punches it hard, with another hand over her face. Her eyes are swirling and body is shaking. Face red as sweat pours down her face. She pants loudly, sounding like halfway to panic attack and halfway to going mad.
/Hate. So much hate. FUCK! I actually met you in person Haru, and now I feel an odd sense of clarity as if I remember again what I'm doing! If only I could tell you to your stupid freaking face how much I hate you for what you did to me! Fuck. Those eyes and that smile exuding that charm, knowing that I, Syra, stood there before your presence!/ she hits her fist against the wall again, causing some skin to bruise. /If only I could lay out every single cell of my body next to each other on the Earth itself and had the words 'hate' spelled out on every single one, it...wouldn't even equal to a fraction of the hate I felt for him in that single solitary instance!/
Syra is seen punching the ground now with both hands, heaving like someone would be if she had to vomit from being sick. Her eyes had an intense, crazed look. /Ohoohoohohhohohohooohhooh it's going to be so much fun and so satisfying to see you fall from that throne. They called me crazy when I came to them for help, and that's fine: you'll regret the day you ran into me. It's not going to matter who calls me what when it's all said and done./
She breaks away from her near panic-attack induced rapid breathing and ends up laughing out loud to herself like whatever joke she heard was the best comedy bit in ages.
- - - - - Later That Evening - - - - -
Haru took out his Rotom Phone and listened to the latest broadcast after him and Nessa ended their walk together, with her holding onto him a bit longer to say 'goodnight'. They take some extra time to just hug after having spent the afternoon and evening just being around the other, before the two kissed and he let her back into her home.
The events took a toll on everyone a bit differently. The Galarian Pokemon League came out to comment finally that some decisions had been made as new information had come to light as all would be effective immediately. The first, was that the attack that happened at Wyndon seemed to be an isolated event targeted to delay the Pokemon League Tournament that will decide either a new Champion of the region or see Haru keep his title. No explosive parts leftover have been linked to anything just yet, but to combat the possibility of this occurring again soon all Gyms will be closed for 3 days to implement new measures to keep all attendees and staff safe. The second, is that due to the damage of the stadium at Wyndon itself it will take upwards of 6 to 7 months to repair fully. Anyone willing to help repair is openly invited to do so, as some work has been set in stone to see to it as soon as possible. The third, is that due to the waiting time for the Pokemon League Tournament, there will have to be another round of entrants to slim down the numbers to the Top 8 so that the Championship can then resume as normal. The representative comments that while this may make the act of a new crowned Champion a bit more difficult to proceed that they hope everyone understands since everyone deserves an equal chance. For the time being there will now be donations set up throughout every Gym for attendees to pitch in should they feel it in their hearts to do so in order to help the process go by faster.
As the radio broadcast went on, Syra is pulled from her tent as the sound of a large crate is heard being dropped off by her tent, with the Corviknight flying off. She's seen using a crowbar to prop it open, and sees the promised package that the voice spoke of earlier: a case with over 10 Ultra Balls, 5 Dusk Balls, 1 Master Ball, and 4 Timer Balls. Each one has a small sticker label in front of them to show her what is contained inside each causing her to smirk in satisfaction. Looking all directions, she brings out a Coalossal from a PokeBall and commands him to burn the crate immediately using Incinerate. Syra then shoves the case back into her tent with its contents. As Coalossal obeys her command, the crate goes up in smoke to make sure tracing its contents would be harder...but not before seeing the crate collapse in on itself showcasing the faded stenciled 'R' on its side.
Haru couldn't help but think back to what Nessa was telling him earlier on his Air Taxi ride back home. The warning about Syra was something she never did on anything. He was the #1 trainer in all of Galar for the moment. Not invincible, surely, but he was at the top. With even the hardest of difficult fights there was never any given 'brooding' feeling with challenging them no matter how intimidating they may come off. One couldn't help but wonder what was going on that made Nessa feel on edge. Her eyes must have picked something up much faster than him, or seen past it.
/I may not have seen just yet what my dear beloved was talking about, but a part of me wants to face whatever Syra is deep down even moreso. There's no reason for me not to trust Nessa's intuition 100%. The world is full of shining, crazy diamonds like this 'Syra': this is only one region after all. Maybe she's just someone extremely gifted?/ the man thought to himself, looking back in the direction of where he came earlier, then back towards the horizon and seeing the full moon out.
Haru lets out a chuckle at his own silly wording. /Crazy Diamonds huh? That's a good one. I'll have to write that one down./
The only remaining factor that would change from that day onwards, is that Haru was no longer going to be able to simply live a simple quiet life. The hands of fate moved forward as new events had already been set into motion.
- - - - - END CHAPTER 6 - - - - -
