Chapter 12: Man of Steel

- - - - - Galar - - - - -

- - - - - The night after Haru's Pokemon were taken - - - - -

- - - - - ? - - - - -

Somewhere in a dimly lit room, a man was sitting at his computer idly typing into a command prompt to log into a deep web server. Booting up the 'VM', which stood for 'Virtual Machine', a whole different server appears on the dual monitor setup. Nearby, evidence of him dumping into the trash some perishables he had been meaning to get rid of, and a checklist of Pokemon with 'x's crossing off over each one. Whether it was for collections sake, one couldn't tell. Before getting to one specific location while on this sub-genre of the interconnected network, the man takes a second to close all the blinds and put up the black towels he put around the windows to further insulate all light from coming inwards.

He receives what sounds like an imitation of a phone call tone, and returns to the office chair before taking the hat off from his head to let his buzzcut red hair stick up freely. A tap on the keyboard initiates the call to be answered, and he was met with a familiar visage. As the large video window was displayed on a screen, Giovanni was seen calmly stroking the head of a Persian that sat next to him.

"Boss, the deed is done."

Giovanni looks pleased, and speaks straight to the point. "You took them all out?"

"All of them. There won't be any way for them to tie this to me, or you. It took me a bit since the Pokemon were all excellently trained, but I managed. Nothing I couldn't do within the span of under half an hour. The Pokemon you sent me may not exactly be the 'real deal' as you say, but they are certainly just as powerful!"

The boss of Team Rocket switched up the position of which his legs crossed. "Of course they are; I made sure of it. You have that girl to thank however for this process being sped up, if even a little. However, for now that is all I shall require of you."

Taking a drink from the beer bottle that sat near him on the desk, the man inquired with some hesitation and confusion. "May I ask, why did you ask of me to do this again? Not that I mind: he had it coming."

None too amused, Giovanni repeated himself; a task he hated doing. "As you're well aware, the one you know as the Gym Challenger named Syra has been working for me on another mission entirely unrelated to your own. She's someone who has proven very reliable for me. However...several things have occurred since her employment that have been...sloppy. Outside of one such incident, I'm not sure I can count on her anymore. With what's been going on, he may find out about my plans."

"You mean, Haru, sir? I suppose it doesn't help matters that there was a rabid stalker that tried to kill him wearing a bootleg of our outfits either. Then again, nobody at large truly believes the crazed lunatic anyway, and he's doing time."

Giovanni stands up as the camera follows his movement, with the gentleman pacing to one part of the office. At this point it was noticeable that whatever damage Syra did in the process of invading his HQ was repaired by now. "He was going to get in my way sooner or later, since there's audio that you captured where he was speaking to a man from Johto. Their ex-Champion seems to be onto me, but when you came to us and suggested a way to throw him off his game, opening the doorway to Syra succeeding in her mission to become Champion, ergo giving us more leverage and for Team Rocket to blast off once again...in Galar of all regions...my, well I had a tear in one of my eyes that moment."

The man leaned forward as one of the lights in his room that was on lit up part of his face, showing him to be a well built man with red hair in the form of a buzzcut, wearing camo pants. "Pleasure doing business with you. For now, I'll just keep that Lapras you bestowed me as payment."

"I won't pretend I know the value of you folks and the 'Gigantimax' forms, but since it was one of the multiple Pokemon Syra herself sent over to my headquarters, and a little voice told me that's what you were seeking, I only found it fitting." The boss said, smirking with his arms behind him.

"Thank you sir. Signing off for now, ."

- - - - - Team Rocket HQ - - - - -

- - - - - Giovanni's Office - - - - -

The video call would end right there, as the never absentminded conqueror looked back at all of his accomplishments since hiring Syra. He said all of that to the gentleman in the call, but a part of him also wondered if he would truly miss out on anything at all letting her go. Part of him needed to confirm something, so he decided to have his Persian follow him to an accompanying lab that was on the floor.

Walking by multiple Team Rocket Grunts, a woman with long magenta hair, a Meowth that was talking, and several groups of scientists, Giovanni makes his way into one of the labs where all findings would be analyzed. There, he sees a few of his top lab researchers eyeing samples either through complex machinery, or writing notes while viewing a large one way window. On the other side of the window there would be an even bigger room showcasing hundreds of Pokemon in stasis; each with their IV statistics constantly monitored.

Giovanni makes his way to one lady who was hunched over a desk and stands behind her before clearing his throat. The woman with dark blue hair that didn't go past her neck, and thick rimmed glasses turns to him without being told twice.

"Mr. Giovanni?"

"Holly. Nice to see that you're busy at work as usual. It has come to my attention that you've been excelling since your initial arrival here and I merely wanted to express my thanks."

She seems hesitant to a degree, but accepts the compliment. "Thank you sir. I've been trying to keep up with the pace set before me."

He gestures with a handwave, before laughing. "Think nothing of it! Your superiors have only been telling me how fast you've worked, and it's thanks to you we recently had a breakthrough."

"Is that so?" one of her eyebrows raised up.

Giovanni nods, with his right hand making a fist. "You see, when your friend Syra brought us one of the multiple Gigantimax formed Pokemon from your home region and your analysis team put heads together, we were able to finally move forward to our next phase."

"Which is to distribute these worldwide, yes?" she inquired, having been told that himself at one meeting.

"You're...half-right. Come with me." he gestures for her to follow him.

Giovanni leads Holly to a different room that housed Pokemon in stasis similar to the ones she studied, and comes across a different wing of the underground headquarters she was working at, as Giovanni began to speak. "As you know, shinies are rare, with 'perfect' Pokemon being just as, if not harder to find. Your analysis has sped up everything, but we aren't fully able to completely pull through with this goal in mind until Team Rocket is able to do this every single time we breed a new one. Using our accelerated methods, it's come to my attention that because of the differences of Galarian Pokemon to our own that..."

She was distracted while walking with him, seeing a few rooms of some Pokemon laying limp on the floor covered in bruises while others bloodied. The mere sight of seeing Pokemon being hurt for prolonged periods of time hit her hard as his next line was spoken. "...we need to continue to rely on your studying. Our methods of making sure we get just what our shareholders want are brute, yes, but think of what this could mean when it's all said and done!"

" are those...Pokemon..?" she had to stop herself from vomiting, as her face went pale, and a hand went to her mouth.

He turns back to her, noticing Holly had stopped in her tracks. "Dead? Yes. Well, some of them are, but rest assured nothing is wasted here. The circle of life continues, and we make sure to use their results towards the same research you've been doing. They become food, or lab results for your teams. Nothing here is wasted."

"You mean to tell me I've not only been studying what we've brought in but...but our own that we've killed for the sake of the goal?! This is barbaric...! I-" Holly had realized just how deep she was in, joining such a group of criminals. For once she thought her mind would be utilized like before, but without worry of her integrity failing.

Disliking her tone, Giovanni coldly walks up to the shivering scientist and eyes her straight. "Do you have a problem, Holly? I could just send you back, you know. You can go home at any point in time."

She blinked, unsure of where this was going. "w...w..what?"

"Your friend Syra, who has grown to be an amazing asset to us, sold me on your intellect firsthand. If you're telling me that she was lying, that you wouldn't be up for the task at hand and are getting cold feet, then I have no problem sending you back. But as I recall, you weren't with a job that pays you as well as you are now, yes? Mere days away from bankruptcy. It'd be a shame if you left, leaving Syra to fend for herself after we drop all support of her, her family, and yourself. You'd go back to having no job and in worse condition than when we found you: making what she did for you worthless. You're not that type of person, now are you?" his back turns to Holly, with her unable to have a good response.

Holly couldn't say anything because he was absolutely right.

Satisfied by her silence, Giovanni walks off with his Persian giving her a second glance. "You understand your place here, yes? We are making the mother of all omelettes, Holly; you can't fret over every egg. If you understand that, then please continue onward. You'll find a nice bonus in it if you do...just like if you were a shiny Pokemon yourself." He chuckled a bit to himself in saying that, and the double doors that ended the hallway swung open and closed.

The woman would look back at one of the viewing panes of glass that showed a charred body of what could only have been a Snorlax, and felt her stomach get upset, with her heart sinking. She took the moment to self reflect. /I have to leave this place...somehow. I didn't sign up to be used like this! What we're doing here is cruel, and for what; money and stocks? I have to leave Team Rocket../

- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -

- - - - - Lighthouse - - - - -

Time seems to move a lot slower when one is overcome with grief, and for Haru, he chose to stay in that immense grief. The death of so many of his Pokemon was something he fought every day internally in order to keep on a straight face. Having only brought one Pokemon with him while venturing out, Goji, his Cinderace, just silently sat by him on the ground as Haru stared out onto the waters of the Hulbury ocean. The morning routine was done entirely in silence. Haru looked blankly at all the text messages he received, and didn't respond. The only one that got any response from him was from Nessa, who would leave daily messages ever since the occurrence. All he would leave as a reply would be simple emoticon reactions, or a 'read at' time-frame. That day, she was attending to her Gym, so she was unable to spend time helping him until later. The Pools Tournament leading up to the Pokemon League Tournament was well under way, but new Gym Challengers were always something to count on. Receiving no answer, Nessa began to worry about his state of mind.

As the day went by, those that recognized Haru visiting Hulbury took note that he didn't move from the bench that looked out at the waters. He never spoke to anyone, or walked away from the spot to get himself food. The man was simply sitting there for the remainder of the near entire day just simply thinking. Thinking back to what he could have done to protect his friends, and how much of a shitty person he was for leaving them behind. Vulnerable. Open. It weighed heavy on his soul to constantly think about what their last moments were like, and found he would have almost no release whatsoever.

Evening came upon everyone, and Nessa would bolt past everyone that worked under her in the Gym. A quick apology to her fellow Gym Trainers, she waves. "Sorry ladies, but I have somewhere to be so I can't stay around!". Not even caring to change out of her Gym Leader uniform, she sprints out of the stadium and looks at her phone to see if any response from Haru came back. Nothing. She got a feeling in her gut to look around her surroundings, and off in the distance saw Haru's back hunched over with his Cinderace next to him.

/Honey...has he been here all day..?/ She'd worry, making her way towards him before stopping once her ears picked up that he was in the middle of a song.

Haru sat there, with some rocks he was tossing across the waters in one hand, thumbing an eye to wipe away dried tears via the other one.

So, so you think you can tell

Heaven from hell

Blue skies from pain

Can you tell a green field

From a cold steel rail?

A smile from a veil?

Do you think you can tell?

Haru tosses a rock across the waters, and watches it fall down. His eyes look empty, but just continues, as the song plays in his mind. Memories of raising his Pikachu and turning it into a Raichu, eating curry with his Gloom, falling asleep with a Togekiss having weighed down on part of his body while camping, and the tears come back. Despite this, he continues singing the short song to nobody but himself.

Did they get you to trade

Your heroes for ghosts?

Hot ashes for trees?

Hot air for a cool breeze?

Cold comfort for change?

And did you exchange

A walk on part in the war

For a lead role in a cage?

Goji notices that Haru has stopped throwing the rocks entirely and just tosses what he had left into the water without bothering to try. There's a lot of instrumental interlude for the song, in which he uses the moment to try his best and hold back the pain. It doesn't work, as more tears stream. Not even meaning to, his mind doesn't go to his Pokemon that were killed, but thinks of Hiro and kneels down in a crouched state before the last lyrics would be sung.

Nessa slowly makes her way to him from behind but keeps a distance to listen until he's done.

How I wish, how I wish you were here

We're just two lost souls

Swimming in a fish bowl

Year after year

Running over the same old ground

And how we found

The same old fears

Wish you were here '

He sniffles, huddling up his own face into his knees. "I wish you were all here. I'm sorry..." His self loathing would be slightly interrupted when he feels two arms wrap around him from behind and pull him backwards into a hug as it's Nessa. "Wha-?! Oh. Hey Nessa.."

Even when holding him, she kept a motherly tone of both worry and chastise. "Haru. Have you been out here the entire day? You haven't been answering your phone at all." He spoke no words and simply nodded his head.

He ended up losing his balance and falling backwards, to which Nessa utilized to her advantage and brought his face to her lap. While stroking a hand through his hair, as the other one held his head, she took notice of how drained of life and energy his face showed. Even with Goji keeping him company, it seemed to do little to help ease his pain. The appearance of seeing him in such a low state broke her heart.

"Honey you look like shit." She said flatly, but also worried.

"Sorry." Haru replies just as flatly.

"Also sweetie...it's 8:32 pm." Nessa brings out her phone and flashes the lock screen to him as the time displays to him.

He blinks a bit at the screen. "So it is. Sorry...guess that'll explain why I'm hungry too."

"You know we have that get-together to attend to right? The one we've organized for Hop?"

"Ah...I forgot...shit. Sorry about that too."

There's a bit of silence between the two, with her voice cracking.

"Haru..."

"I know. I'm sorry."

She made a fist and shook it, almost cutely, before going to pet him again. "Stop apologizing, damn it! You didn't do anything wrong!"

He sounded exasperated but didn't want to fight her trying to comfort him, so he stayed laying his head on her lap. "Yes I did. By doing nothing, I did something, and that 'something' was leaving my Pokemon to die. They're dead, Nessa. Nothing can bring them back. I'm trying so hard not to mourn for them for too long, but I'm just so confused. I'm so confused how these events just happened."

There's a gust of wind that picks up as Haru feels one of her hands lay on his chest, and he sits up slowly. The two of them would move to the bench to properly sit in comfort, with her having an arm around his back, and his gaze half looking at her, half looking vacantly through her form. "Talk to me, please. I'm getting worried about you."

"What's there to talk about?" he said, slumped forward. Nessa is heard exhaling, and her face became crestfallen. It takes a second but Haru notices and suddenly looks a little more alive than he was prior to that visage of her shocked face. "What?"

"What do you mean 'what is there to talk about'? Tell me how you feel! Haru, I'm your girlfriend, your love of your life right?" She seemed upset with his lackadaisical response up to this point and felt frustrated.

He blinked, his glance moving more towards her now. "Well of course you are, why wouldn't you be?"

Him not seeming to understand got her visibly flustered, so Nessa raised her tone. "You've been quiet lately, and distant. I understand you're hurt, so please talk to me. We're in this together okay? When you're in pain, I'm in pain."

While noticing the agitation, Haru looked away. In his mind, he was only meaning to have that be taken as a means of saying 'I don't know how to verbally apply what I'm feeling' but Nessa takes it as him willingly not wanting to bother.

She took a second to breathe before continuing. "Haru, you can't leave me out of the dark like this for an extended period of time. You...you've gone for hours per day recently not saying anything, you don't eat as much, and from what Hop tells me you're pushing yourself further into the Gym stuff than before; staying up to 4 in the morning or even later!"

Haru pulls a bit downward on his face in exhaustion and depression. "Hop told you huh? Tch. Guess that bites me back since I would message him sometimes late in the morning while having insomnia. One may say I've become more of a workaholic, I suppose."

One of her fingers tapped on his chest near his heart. "It's very understandable if you need space, but I also know how long you spent in isolation as you had your feelings build up. You told me yourself. Now? You're just...overworking yourself and needlessly pushing hours answering to every call that's business."

A hand goes through his hair, gripping it partially. "Because that's what I have to do. I'm the Champion, and I have a Gym to set up. It's what people expect of me, and I have to live up to those expectations. It is what it is, but I also feel like my head is filled with so much that I can't focus...! You'll remember that it's like how we were here long ago and I came to you for advice! Except now Pokemon have died. My furry, scaly, sometimes pocket-sized best friends. Because of me! I know I can't just wallow, yet here I am wallowing! Ugh!"

"I'll have none of that, thank you very much! Your Pokemon wouldn't want you to blame yourself! They, and I, won't allow you to do it!" Bits of the 'Raging' in 'Raging Wave' were coming through, but only due to her frustration in his pity party.

"I almost wonder if I should even bother trying to pursue the person who did this. It's so much to take in, and the Pokemon League is coming up. Just about almost forgot what I was going to make my new team and then I have to remember to be a good person to you. A good boyfriend-" he was hushed when she put a finger on his lips and had a determined look on her face.

Nessa leans back and takes a deep breath. "First off: you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. You're not doing a good job of that first bit lately, and this recent slew of events has only stretched you thinner. We can take care of, and work on that starting now. Secondly: you never stopped being a good man or a good boyfriend to me." Her voice got much softer, as she began to feel saddened. "Haru, please stop destroying your self image like this with so much self doubt...or is everything I've told you about yourself all for naught?"

The words hit him like a train, and the gravity of such weight hit him differently. "I...Nessa, I didn't mean that at all. Shit."

She shook her head, and continued."If we're talking purely hypothetical? Like if this were me in your shoes? I'd pursue action in a heartbeat. You're beating yourself up too much over this, and it feels like you're shutting me out. Please don't, okay? Nothing worries me more than seeing you not talk as much, and I don't want to think it's something I did to you..."

The words hit his ears, but he wasn't quite sure what she meant by them. "You didn't do anything wrong. What did you mean by 'If it were you' in this case?"

Nessa bites her lip a bit and tears started streaming openly. "If it were you that was hurt? Or killed? I'd hunt down the person that did it to you, and make them pay for the rest of their life without question. If I couldn't find them? I'd die of heartbreak. Actually...I probably would anyway, all things considered."

It seemed seeing her starting to cry snapped Haru, if even briefly, out of his state of blind self pity. "Nessa, I never want you to think you're in the wrong here or for what you're trying to do for me. I...shit, I'm so stubborn even on receiving help. None of this was ever meant to make you feel like an obstacle or that you're wrong."

"So don't make me feel that way! I want you to keep relying on me! You know, like the few times you've broken down before. My embrace is still here for you. You being indifferent cuz of this or whatever won't do you any good! I don't want to lose you, both in a literal and metaphorical sense! Babe...if you have to take some time off from all this Gym stuff and stay with me at my place then do it. The woman you see in me before you won't love you any less for being selfish and doing some self care! We all need those moments every now and then! But you.." she starts sniffling, causing Haru to panic in a near comedic way with his arms flailing a little. "...you can't go quiet on me for a few days at a time and not make me worried about us! Please. You know why that would make me worry."

It seemed the tables had turned on the moment. In Nessa's plea to have Haru get some help, as well as go back to being open with her in his time of mourning, she managed to open herself up about her own pain and worry to him. The realization on how badly his own grief was having him subconsciously shut others out brought him back to reality and put his arms around Nessa; holding her body to his own. The two of them shared some shed tears together, with Haru apologizing repeatedly, and his hand stroking through her long dark blue/ice blue hair to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, Haru...I didn't mean to come off aggressively again." she cried a little.

His head shook to the sides. "No no. In my own selfishness I shut you and others out so you wouldn't have to deal with listening to me. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I suppose there's still a tiny part of me that was afraid to open up. I was wrong about that, Nessa. I'm sorry I did that to you. You're right that I'm not wrong to feel sad, but I shouldn't be such a stranger to you. You're my foundation, and nobody should ever have to feel like they're being ignored."

"I'm sorry I yelled at you just now too, but remember we're a team. That's what true love is: seeking solace in each other at our lowest points and accepting each others' faults." she sniffled as both of her hands clung to his back. "We're gonna be called 'Ruby and Sapphire' one day together, remember? I'll do anything for you."

The redhead smirked, remembering that moment back in the day when she first kissed him in her Gym after a battle late at night.

/"...is it okay if I just stay like this for a minute before I head out?" he asked her, to which the gorgeous woman who was by his side smiled wider and nodded.

"Absolutely." She'd interject briefly, looking down at him. "You know, we keep jokingly calling each other by our haircolors and multiple other things, but if you think about it, it does pair up nicely. Imagine if we were in a 2 vs 2 trainer battle against two others and the announcer has to call us in a battle..."

"Yeah you're right. We'd be completely unstoppable together. Hmm. What do you suppose our 'team name' would be?" Haru inquired. Nessa smiled and confidently answered his query with an answer.

"Ruby and Sapphire."/

Nessa brings her hands to Haru's face and has him look at her. "I love you so much. Don't forget to lean on me more okay? For the time being let's just put aside that official business stuff and do more fun things okay? I'll help you with your upcoming League team if I have to, as well."

"Do you have a Shiny Riolu or something? You know, for Mirukon." He half joked, to which she shook her head but smiled a bit before wiping a tear off her cheek. Standing up with him, the two began to walk hand in hand towards an Air Taxi. Goji would follow shortly after.

"Not quite. I know a trainer who may be able to help you get a few that you showed me that you're missing. For now, let's head off to our friends, okay?"

Finally, Haru smiles and decides to try putting aside all the other stress that he was feeling for the good of simply having a fun time amongst his extended family. Nessa would once again be the one factor in his life that kept Haru grounded in reality, and was thankful that after hours of moping to himself that she broke him out of the dark mood. Just like before, simply being in her presence was enough to make him feel happier.

He catches her looking back at him with a full smile, as his heart skips a beat again. /I may or may not be able to defeat this depression I've been feeling, but since this beautiful lady is willing to stick with me then there can't possibly be anything I can't surpass./

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

- - - - - 'VIP Room', Penthouse - - - - -

Inside the familiar conference room that held a certain get-together, several people had joined up to have another late night round of fun. The idea was to put the same energy that was done to lift Haru's spirits up when he was struggling to figure out his 'post Champion' life towards helping Hop to feel better from the recent events. Outside of just simply the encounter with Syra, he was still adjusting to working under Sonia. Many hours would be spent trying to expand his own knowledge of topics from before, but doing his best to keep up with the newly crowned professor of Galar.

The festivities would be varied from when Haru had entertained his fellow friends by attending a party aimed at him. Karaoke would return as a favorite from last time thanks to Piers, but the one supplying the board games had still yet to arrive. For the time being, the Gym Leaders, Sonia, Leon, and Marnie were catching up with everyone else. As Leon would go in for a toast, two more people would file in with one of them carrying a bag.

"Sorry I'm late, I had to make sure I brought the games." Haru says, gesturing to his fellow friends with Nessa right beside him. Before the two arrived, he had left Goji at his home and decided to bring Luna with him in a ball on his waist.

Nessa sticks her chin up a little with confidence. "He's also late because I had to go fetch him after my day ended, but now the party can really get started, right?"

The others would cheer with an 'Ayyyyyy~' kind of call, with Hop and Marnie being the first ones who greet them. "Ay Haru, you came after all! I was beginning to think you wouldn't due to the whole shindig that happened to you, but I told Bede I'd bet you'd show up regardless so now he owes me. Isn't that right, Bede?" Marnie said in a smug manner, tilting her head back to where he was sitting at a table. The puffy haired man said nothing but decided to stay professional for the time being.

"So what sort of games did you end up bringing, Champ?" Hop asked, following Haru to one of the tables.

The bespectacled trainer with red hair looked at Hop with a smile, and nodded to the other Gym Leaders who were nearby and curious. "Oh you know, just some good ol' drama and stress free board games that absolutely will not have anyone cursing at each other by the time tonight is over." He had emptied the contents of the bag he carried and put them all out neatly. Chess. Reverse Charades. UNO. Cash 'N Guns. Werewolf. Then came a plop of another box that wasn't of a board game but cards that presented funny 'what if' scenarios where people at the table judged which one was the best pairing.

"My guy, you can't just bring this all here without-" Gordie would look at the stack that Haru brought and was about to insist that they would need more drinks to enjoy them. He'd be met with the answer of his inquiry as Haru had taken off the backpack he would sometimes carry and handed Gordie a giant can.

"You were saying?" Haru replied smugly.

Raihan catches wind of the brand of drink Haru brings and walked over after cutting off his conversation with Leon and Sonia. "Shit Haru you brought the goods?"

"Hey hey, I only got one for everyone who asked me to bring one you know. Me? I'll just stick to whatever is here already." his eyes glance to Nessa from across the room, who had gone on to talk to Melony for a moment. "For now I'm not going to drown myself in the sorrow I've been feeling and just focus on having a good time. If I have a drink, I have a drink."

There came a hard slap on Hop's shoulder, as Haru flashes a thumbs up. "This is all about you, Hop. Which means tonight you're going to see a new side of me too. You do karaoke?"

Piers is heard chuckling and giving a thumbs up to Haru: he's all for more singing tonight. Gordie, Bea, and Raihan seem extra interested in Hop's reaction. "Wait what? I don't sing, man."

Haru elbows his friend a little in a way to show he's not being too serious and is trying to help Hop lighten up. "Awww c'mon just once tonight? I'll pick an easy one. We'll even do one with Piers together, eh? EH?"

"I think you should at least try!" Marnie chimes in, looking at Hop and throwing in her 'two cents'.

A few drinks and a karaoke setup later, Haru and Hop are teamed up with each other and Piers, being led into a song. For the evening, everyone focused on bringing some of Hop's favorite foods alongside general 'party favorites'. Kabu would bring curry once again but this time took caution not to make it nearly as spicy as last time; settling for better flavor rather than raw heat. It was something Haru thanked him repeatedly for throughout the whole night. Nessa is seen as the main 'attendee' who spends the entire time not talking to anyone during karaoke: only wanting to listen to Haru's performance as he sings his heart out. Despite all that however, she couldn't help but notice from the nearby table where Bea, Kabu, Leon and Sonia would be sitting that the latter two were so deep into conversing with each other that everyone else might as well have been ghosts. She takes a bite of some homemade tropical flavored curry she had brought from home while in thought.

/If I didn't know any better, and I'm certain I do, those two have some sparks finally going./ She thought to herself.

If it's love is electric

It'll be flowing on the streets

Night after night

Just to get through the week

Sometime it's hard

Right now

Sing yourself out of depression, rise above

Always searching if I know your heart

Electric is the love

The room was silent. Melony, Marnie, Hop, Bea, Sonia, Allister, Haru, and Nessa sat at a table holding numerous cards in their decks giving each other poker faces of concentration.

"Hop...do you have any 6's?"

"Hmm. Go fish for Goldeens, Bea."

"Damn."

"Nessa, do you have any...2s?"

"Grr. I have 1." She hands the card to Haru, who promptly disposes of it.

"Allister I'm coming up close on you, don't think you've won just yet man."

Allister sits at the table watching, as he has only 2 cards in his hand left, eyeing everyone else. "Right!"

Allister ended up winning, but that didn't hold off everyone from going another round with a different set of players and enjoying their time leading up to it.

After cycling through everyone in the few rounds of 'Go Fish', Bede decided to start up a few games of UNO with himself, Nessa, Haru, Gordie, Marnie, Leon, Sonia and Hop. He hadn't forgotten that the last time they all had a meet up like this, that Haru never did challenge Bede for more 'glory' points despite being invited to do so repeatedly. Not seeing anything wrong with meeting his fellow rival to the challenge, Haru accepted, citing 'It's not like UNO is that intense, right? It'll go by quickly.'.

They ended up playing for over 2 hours.

To make things interesting, Bede throws in the idea of treating it in a 'winner stays' fashion. The one who had the most cards out of the losers of any one game would be the one 'out' and would continue this until there was only one person left as the victor. Haru would unfortunately get booted at the very first game, much to Bede's enjoyment. He scoots his chair closer to where Nessa's seat was at, and just laid his chin on one of her shoulders. "Suppose he'll take anything as a personal victory huh?" he whispers to her.

She gets a bit of a giggle from his comment and turns to Haru. "I'll avenge you, don't worry." Nessa kept to her word and would avenge him as promised for every game...except the last. The 'final' UNO game ended up being Nessa vs Bede, and she lost when he pulled out a 'Skip' card and then a '3' that was the same color immediately afterwards.

She sighs, shrugging her shoulders as Bede stood up from his seat and laughed. "Finally! I've proven myself. You all saw it! Luck is on my side as my wits stayed about me! Taking down everyone here, and of course with Haru as my first victim it's only a matter of time before you lose to me in everything else!"

Haru just looks at Bede; distracted from watching Milo and Kabu playing a seemingly heated game of 'HangMan'. "Hmm? Oh right."

"You bastard, even now you're choosing to ignore me?" The poofy, arrogant mouthed Gym Leader shouted at him. The attitude fell on deaf ears as Haru just yawns from the 'food coma' settling in of all the eats he was digesting from the party.

Sonia leans back in her chair before taking a swig of the fruit-base alcoholic drink she made for herself. "You'd think I was playing this whole damn thing being legless, but I'm not! I have only a slight buzz going! Damn cards. Urgh."

"Hey don't stress too much Sonia. I usually am rock solid at these myself but when it's something as chaotic as UNO? It tends to go this way. 'Least it wasn't strip UNO, amirite?" Gordie eggs on with a bit of a half laugh.

Leon nudges Sonia with his elbow. "Why don't you use that brain of yours then, if it's supposedly still working at 100% capacity, and see if you can get one over on me in chess? You didn't drink too much yet that you'll be an easy opponent right? Plus from what I see, nobody's done any chess game tonight yet. Since Bede here's enjoying himself too much let's just head over on there, aye?"

Having no hesitation to take Leon up on a challenge like that, Sonia's fighting spirit kicked back in and eyed him fiercely. "I'm going to destroy you in under 10 moves."

"AHA! Bring it!" Leon making a fist right back at Sonia: meeting her challenging spirit.

Bea's seen having secondary cringe being within 20 meters of Bede, a Gym Leader, overreacting while Raihan was recording the last game for memory sake. She had to put down the brownie that Marnie brought to the occasion. "Calm down Bede, it's just a card game. You're being a bit cheeky."

"Yeah mate, it's no good if someone is taking the whole thing too seriously. We're all here to just take the piss you know?" Marnie points out, with herself chomping away at one of the many finger foods the others had brought, and feeding one piece to her buddy Morpeko that was usually seen by her side.

"Once again I see nobody here is going to take what I did at face value and just underplay it. Like always...ugh." his eyes narrow looking to the other Gym Leaders and friends. Nessa interjects with an open shrug with both hands going outward in a 'oh well what are you going to do' sort of manner.

"You are right for one thing though, Bede. You did actually beat Haru. You beat me. You proved without a shred of doubt your mind is sharp and luck is on your side. It's honestly kind of scary, and I feel a little jealous if I'm frank." the Water Gym Leader herself said, meaning every word. That she kept eye contact with him and gave a smile was enough for him to feel some sort of relief.

Bede puffs his chest a bit and sat back down at the table, looking proud of himself. "Thank you, Nessa."

With both elbows resting on the table, and Bea beginning to collect the cards from everyone so they could put up the whole game, Nessa rests her head on the top of both hands; fingers interlocking and spoke eloquently while holding a perfect smile as if delivering a normal pre-battle speech. "Sure thing Bede. You beat me and Haru allright. In this case, you legitimately are irrefutably better than both him and I on this, and everyone else at this table. Maybe in this room." She held up a finger. "But he's still Galar's Champion, and as far as I'm concerned? Haru folds me in half every night so who's the real loser here?"

The sucker punch comment cut straight through whatever anyone else was currently focused on with a resounding "OOooooooooHHhhhhh~" coming from Piers, Milo, Raihan, Hop, Gordie, and Marnie. The others, like Sonia, Kabu, Melony, and Bea, were completely caught off guard by the cutthroat comment by Nessa and would end up laughing a second or two later. Allister doesn't get the phrase so he just ends up laughing due to the contagious nature of everyone else laughing. Leon nearly choked on his drink, and Bede had comically fallen from his seat to the floor looking like he was dealt the biggest defeat of his professional career.

"What does she mean by 'fold in half'?" Allister asks, completely oblivious to it. Milo interjects, telling him that he'll understand when he's much older.

"He just fell arse over tit!" calls Hop, honestly unable to help himself from laughing. It wasn't often that anyone could just shut Bede down so fiercely.

Haru's face turned beet red on the fact everybody now knew such a detail about himself, and that Nessa proclaimed it so vividly to the others. The fact she also held him in such a high regard to share that with Bede in order to cut off his 'victory lap' moment forced Haru to have to stifle a laugh. He almost was in disbelief, looking at Nessa with his face still red and his hand gesturing to point at Bede. "Holy shit babe, you fucking killed him."

She leans over to where Haru was at, winking then giving him a kiss on the cheek. Feeling rather confident and satisfied with her own reply, Nessa gives a very giddy smile. "Yeah, but you still love me."

One of his hands rakes through his hair. "I do."

"Yeee~ah buddy we ALL know you do now!" Says Raihan, who tilts back another drink before swatting Haru on the back a bit. Haru has no idea what to even say or add to it. He just looks at Nessa, who now shares some blush of her own, and smiles. Bede would recover from that wound...eventually.

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

More stories were exchanged between everyone, and unlike last time Leon had to leave a little early for something that he had plans for: of which nobody knew. A few eyes would follow him upon leaving the establishment when Sonia met him at the door as if to bid him farewell...only to then follow him outside. At one table, Haru sat with Nessa, Hop, Marnie, and the now vacant seat of Sonia. Everyone exchanges glances at each other, with Haru breaking the ice after tipping back a drink Nessa made for him: a mix of Goldschlager, a 'Dr P', Amaretto with a capful of Everclear.

"So. Who here wants to bet one of them is going to finally ask out the other before she comes back in?" he asks.

Not wasting a second, a hand slaps down some bills on the table, as Marnie speaks up. "I bet 10 that Sonia asks."

"Wait, really? You were prepared for such a thing tonight?" Hop's eyebrow raised, seeing that she legitimately did put cash on the table.

Hearing him ask that causes her to twitch a bit, blushing. "M-Maybe? I don't know. The jury is still out on that unless someone else decides to bet against me. I'm allowed to live a little dangerously: it is a party for you, you know. You'd better be having fun!"

Hop holds his hands up in a sheepish guard. "Aye aye, I am! This has been an amazing get-together. What about you, Haru?"

Haru slaps double of what Marnie bet on the table. "I bet it'll be Leon that does it."

Feeling a little inspired by the two of them, Hop takes a look into his wallet and puts down his own bet: same amount that Marnie puts down. "I bet that neither of them do it and we're just going to see Sonia come back to tell us nothing happened."

Nessa stays quiet, just tipping the drink in her hand and watching this play out.

Everyone at the table decides to keep the bets there until Sonia comes back with a little bit of extra pep in her step but takes a second to blink in disbelief seeing a small pile of cash sitting in the center. "What's all this then? You folks making bets on something? Doing another game?"

Her aqua-themed friend sitting with her legs crossed spoke up first. "The boys and Marnie here were making bets on something, Sonia, and we want you to be honest..." Sonia looks like a deer in headlights. A thought occurs to her that she may have an idea where this was going, and prepared herself for it. "A lot of us have wondered for a bit if you are ever going to ask Leon out because it's obvious that you have feelings for him. I think some of us noticed how close you were tonight and it's more than just how you two usually are. How long has it been...?"

"Whwhwhwhw...wha?! Oh come on Nessa, is this revenge for when I did it to you?" the young professor blurts out, her face red and instinctively messing with her side ponytail. Her friends didn't want to bust her balls too much, and only let Nessa carry out the rest of this to confirm or debunk their bets.

The response made Nessa laugh a bit, having to hold back from spilling her drink. "Well, Sonia? Did you? Come on. Out of everyone here that I know, you deserve a chance to be honest with him. He may get lost easily, but being blunt with him won't go above his head." Haru, Hop and Marnie stare at Sonia, and she would look at the table.

Underneath the tablecloth both of her feet crossed over each other by the ankles and would fidget slightly. "Yeah uhm...about that. I know I took a bit before coming back inside and it's because there was several things we wanted to get off our chest. I can't share details, but I had to start a sentence or two several times over before ultimately blurting out the same thing he did.."

A drink is put down on the table with a light 'thud'. "You what?" Haru asks in disbelief.

Their orange haired friend elicited a soft laugh, straightening her posture in the seat and smiled from ear to ear. "We both asked each other out at the same time!" While the news in of itself was good, groans were immediately resounded from Marnie, Hop, and Haru, with Nessa being the sole person who clapped her hands in congratulatory fashion.

"Wait why are you 3 groaning? Did you not want me to?" Sonia looks befuddled.

Nessa interjects before any of them could answer. "They made bets on whether or not you would ask Leon out. One made a bet that you would, one that Leon would, and one that neither of you would. Since you both ended up asking each other out at what I assume will be the same time, that means all 3 of them lost their bets."

The Champion himself gave a shrug, not wanting to sweat the details too much. "At least it wasn't much, but oh well."

Marnie crosses her arms, huffing a bit, as Hop speaks up. "Wait so if we all lose then who gets the money?"

Standing up from the table to stretch, Nessa reached across and pushed the wad of bills in Sonia's direction. "I think it's only fair that due to the content of this gamble, you use this extra bit of dough to do something special. Treat yourself, either for a date or just because. It's only fair, right?" There were no objections between any of the friends at the table, with Sonia looking at them all. She was grateful that she was surrounded by so many supportive friends, and although initially didn't want to take any of the cash from their playful gamble everyone else insisted on it.

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

Outside, Haru is chatting with Hop one-on-one. They had spent so much time earlier in the evening talking to multiple people at once, eating a lot of food, and playing multiple games together that the two best friends didn't have a lot of time to just catch up by themselves. Knowing that they had the whole evening to themselves before needing to leave, Hop would be taken aside by his friend for one more chinwag.

"So would you say that tonight was a success, Hop?" Haru asks, tilting his-now-5th drink made by Nessa. He had an intense buzz about him from how strong the drinks were, but not enough to the point he couldn't speak properly. Haru was the 'happy guy drunk' when the time was right. In the meantime, Hop only had a single one for the whole evening.

"I would say so: I may not have Zacian around me for the moment, but I feel a lot less guilty about the whole thing. Granted, there wasn't really a lot of time for me to wallow in pity. The entertainment brought to me from all my friends and you really pulled through to me. Playing the games, shooting the shit, and singing. That's a first for me. I won't be winning any competitions but you're right: it felt good to get it out." Hop would say, leaning on the railing. "You, on the other hand..."

A blush hits Haru's cheeks that wasn't just from the drinking he had been doing and gives a weak laugh. "Ah, right. You've known me all this time but never heard me sing huh? Yea~h. That's something I sorta revealed to everyone at the last time we held a big party. Now I mostly just sing for Nessa, in private if anything. Tonight was an exception."

Both boys would chuckle a little, thinking back to earlier. Haru points at Hop with a bit of an angry look. "Hey, don't go thinking I'm gonna be doing that again okay? I'm serious: I only sing for Nessa, now."

Hop gestures as if he were surrendering. "Aye, I gotcha pal. I won't push you to do it again."

A small wind blew through the outdoor patio they were standing with, as Haru hangs his head a little. The two hadn't said anything for a bit. Only deciding to break the silence when Hop notices that Haru's face had faltered for a bit, and spoke up. "Hey...are you good, ol' chap? Ya went quiet on me."

"Huh? Oh I did. Sorry. Just thinking, is'all." Haru seemed absentminded when he answered like that. Hop decides to lean along with him in the same manner his friend did.

In the distance, the two saw as an Air Taxi had just landed, as Haru considered needing to take one with Nessa to make sure he doesn't fumble over himself trying to get to bed. He was buzzed enough to be able to carry himself phonetically, but not fully trusting his ability for some motor functions. Hop spoke up. "Hey...I know your mind is probably going through a lot lately. I can't even begin to imagine what that's like. Just tonight you reminded me how good of a friend you are to me, and I want you to know I'll never forget that okay? We're brothers, you and I."

Haru's gaze had landed on a few other people who were walking the streets from their own party of sorts. A group that was talking rather vividly to each other, with them exchanging contact information: it was to be assumed they managed a few Pokemon trades during the party and found some common ground as Haru hears one exclaim they were 'looking for a Ditto for a long time'. His eyes scan over to a location across from where they stood to a barcade. The memory came to him that at one point in his life he recalled wanting to make his own and open it. Yet his ambition and love to doing such a move made way for other things in his life that took hold. "Hey Hop? Can I ask you a hypothetically charged scientific question?"

"Sure, bud. Shoot. What's the question?" Hop was more than eager to answer, but he was also curious since Haru never inquires on anything relating to his work. The two would speak up on anything but: sticking to topics that entertained them rather than simply what his findings were with Sonia. If Hop ended up talking about it however, Haru didn't shut him down. It just tended to go in one ear and out the other due to his inability to comprehend some of the things spoken.

"You're aware of the Pokemon Arceus, right?" He asks.

Hop nods, solemnly. "I do. Haven't seen it for myself outside of the logs I've run into, but I know they exist. Why do you ask?"

There's an awkward pause, and Haru stands up straight before looking at the crescent moon. "Do you know if there's an afterlife?"

The expression on Hop's face widened. "Pardon?"

Haru turns his face to Hop. "You heard me. Do you. Know. If there's an afterlife. Hop? With something as crazy as Arceus written down and its scientific backings, I'd like to believe there's something more than just what we have here. I refuse to simply believe that maybe someone can just simply be here one moment and gone the next."

The fellow purple haired friend of his went silent; unable to find a proper way to answer the query. It took Hop what seemed like forever to come up with a proper reply. "T...there are some anecdotal records that hint to its existence. There's a lot of supernatural things we don't fully get about Pokemon. There's a thing I read once about an incident involving parallel universes, and some incident in a city where a man discovered how to elongate his life by fusing his mind with a Pokemon's body. But from what we know about Arceus, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary. We know that energy cannot be destroyed. Energy can only be molded, shaped, and changed. I'd like to imagine the same goes for the souls we have as humans; they must go somewhere when they exit our bodies. Emotions, memories, the code for our beings...all of these and more have to go somewhere, right?"

The drink in Haru's hand would tip back to his lips one final time, emptying the glass as he hisses from the bittersweet aftertaste. His face held a smile that hid the pain behind it. Thanks to Nessa talking to him earlier, he was able to say the following without bursting into tears. "I'm not upset or anything Hop, so don't worry too much on the 'why' of me asking that. I'd just like to think that...you know...Hiro just got himself a lot of new friends to play with thanks to what went on recently."

Having heard that out loud, Hop smiled and gave an arm around his best friend for a side hug. "You know what man? I agree. Hiro's having a blast right now."

- - - - - Earlier That Evening - - - - -

- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -

"I know it seems a bit of a stretch, but part of me has this gut feeling that Team Rocket was behind this one. There's a few things that don't add up, and I'm going to investigate tonight since I have a few leads."

The voice of Sam, the ex-Champion from the Johto region was on a video call with someone he held in high regard who was assisting him with his own case and had handpicked his investigation team prior to arriving in Galar. On the screen was a man with short brown hair, a brown detective coat and a plain looking suit underneath with the screenname in the bottom left corner shown as 'Looker'. Sam went to contact him by heading to a nearby internet cafe, deciding to rent a private room that was sound proof from the outside. Looker, as usual, was in an undisclosed location, as he traveled constantly in a nearly never-ending pursuit of criminal organizations.

"You said that when you were there, you happened upon the evidence the police lent to you from that region's Champion's Pokemon. It's such a tragedy..." Looker replied, folding his hands together and leaning on the desk with his elbows.

Sam had brought forth a notepad with notes written of what he found out. "With Pokemon Box withdrawals there's a record of anything a trainer does within it, be it something as minor as shuffling their Pokemon around, withdrawing or depositing new Pokemon from captures. What we gathered was that, at the Pokemon Center within Wyndon, at around 9:20 pm, there was a large withdrawal: 48 Pokemon. Usually for something this large, it would be if a trainer was preparing either a massive pre-planned breeding for a Shiny, big group trading, or letting Pokemon go back out into the wild."

Looker let out a grunt of disapproval, not having seen something so careless and seemingly aimed on a personal account like this in awhile. "Go on, Sam."

"At first nobody thought anything of it, until the incident itself was reported by some trainers who saw the dead bodies. Police linked it to the withdrawal, and found out someone had brute-forced their way into the system under Haru's identification, but it was too late. The most that I have are a few witness testimonies that involve the people that were there when the person made the withdrawal." Sam would continue, shuffling into another page of notes and continuing.

"The head nurse, Joy, said she recalled the man having a tall build, red buzzcut hair. There's a lot of trainers with that same description so it would take me forever to nail it down. I wouldn't have anywhere to start...had it not been for another witness saying they could barely breathe thanks to the "Eye Vee" body spray they wear."

Looker looked a little confused, turning in his chair to the side. "You mean deodorant? How does that give you any hint whatsoever?"

Sam sets his notes down and looks at the screen to his fellow detective. "Because while the name itself isn't anything to stand by, it's only sold in one location here. You can get bootleg versions in other places like Sinnoh or Kanto, but here in Galar it goes by only one name and isn't sold at any traditional place. There's an upper class place here that sells things like that, while also allowing you to eat dinner, hang out with women who are paid to talk to you, dance the night away, you get the picture. Thankfully it does not run on reservations being a priority or a necessity, so getting in there won't be a problem. These places still exist in Johto and Kanto but they aren't as popular as they used to be when, say, my father was around. Anyway, those places could be a hotbed for unruly types like our possible culprit."

"...and you linked it your case because, what, exactly?" Looker asks, turning himself physically to meet the camera fully again.

"Because aside from the testimony on the person's appearance, the time withdrawn, the smell of their spray, we have reason to believe it was due to stolen technology. Police informed me that when the intrusion was done to the Pokemon Box, a faux identifier was created. Every Pokemon Trainer has an identification number and serial code that confirms to the computer that its them. A Trainer's Box can only be brought up if it's by one of two kinds of people: high ranking Pokemon League Staff, and the Trainer themselves. This person used a tool to mask themselves as a 'HostPLS00' which made the computer think it was simply a withdrawal from Pokemon League Staff...even though it wasn't. While the first part of that ID matches up with what you would see as a login attempt, the last two numbers are never the 0s you see. So someone is using a tool that they should have no right to own, and I have confirmed with Ms. Oleana that no such tool within the League exists, as they have cards to identify themselves on."

Looker's eyes widened, fascinated that Sam was able to find out everything in the few days from the incident, funeral, and up to now. "Impressive. So what are you going to do now, Sam?"

The dark haired ex-Champion made a fist and had a face filled with determination. "Our culprit used such means to target Galar's Champion, and I'm going to zero in on who it was, and why they did it! Whether it was for personal gain, or money, or something else, I'm going to find out. I'll report to you later, and as well!"

Looker laughed confidently, happy with the report. "As I expect you to do so. Good job...but Sam? You don't have to call her 'Ms' Oleana to me. I already am aware of-"

"Hey hey! That's not-! I can't help but be formal, you know that! Anyways, I'm going to head out now. I only rented this soundproof station for a few minutes. I am to be off. I'll contact you again, by phone." without a second to hesitate, Sam logs off without a formal farewell and exits the facility after paying for his short time. He was asked if he'd like to stay longer, as that was the normal procedure from those employed at the cafe, but he declined and thanked them.

A few directions asked by citizens walking the Wyndon streets here, and a sprint there, Sam came to a medium sized building that had been located in the eastern part of the city. It would be sandwiched between a hair salon and convenience store, and being across from a shopping mall made sure that it didn't stand out too much. He looks up to the neon colored sign.

"Club Eye Vee. Guess that's a play on the acronym to describe Pokemon statistics. This place may be trying to play cute, but we'll see if it's hiding something, won't we, Ferraligator?" the man smirked, looking at his waist that held a PokeBall of his Johto region starter. Entering into the building, his ears were immediately met with lively pop music booming and the overwhelming scents of many conflicting things at once. Cigar smoke. Alcohol. Food. For some reason he thinks that he picks up on fire but that wouldn't make sense. Peering into one room that he passes by, he sees that it leads to what he would only guess was a lower level: hearing the sounds of a Pokemon battle happening.

Trying to ignore a few passing glances from the other guests, Sam looked like a fledgling tourist with how openly he was scanning every inch of the place. /So on top of what I've found out so far, this place may be holding their own gambled battles too, hmm?/

He eventually gets to the bar and takes a stool. There's a lady with dark black hair with a few streaks of red and yellow within it, who addresses him. "Good evening there hon, what'll ya have? Can I get you started with a drink?"

Sam looks to her, nodding and takes a brief second to think of something before slipping her cash. "Can you make me a 'Thunder Stone'? I'll have that."

"Comin' right up!" she happily takes the bill, getting him change and starts making the potion before him. A few of the nearby guests look onto him curiously but don't approach. Men in their middle ages dressed in grungy, biker-like apparel, with a few others looking like they came from a 'spaghetti western'. Trying to keep a low profile, Sam reaches within his breast pocket and pulls out a small wire, linking it up to his right ear. After turning the hidden device on, he goes silent and partakes in the drink the bartender made for him. It takes awhile to parse through some of the conversations going on at once, as in such a place multiple topics are to be expected from several people.

"-then I think she even winked at me." "C'mon, Syra does that to all her fans. Don't read too much into it, man." "What, you don't think she'd go for an older guy?"

"You taking bets on who makes it out of the Pools Tournament?" "Not necessarily. I'm more worried about if my team makes it throughout the season for my fantasy league..."

"Sinnoh? Maybe. Have you bought the ticket to head to The Isle of Armor?" "I did, but there's a backup in reservations to go there. I'm on a waiting list. In the meantime as an apology I'm being sent a gift. Not sure what it'll be. Can't be too bad, right?"

Sam takes a swig of his drink, hissing at the sweet, strong taste. It tasted like drinking a liquid form of candy; able to parse the orange juice that paired with what was probably grenadine and some soda to give it more carbonation. A thought crossed his mind that this would have to be the only drink he'd take that evening, so nursing it slowly would have to be a priority. His ear picks up something in the wire, causing him to shift slightly in his seat and look for where the sounds were coming from.

"You mean the champ? Nah, not a fan of the guy." "What do you have against him?" "Cheeky bastard took me out leading up to Wyndon. I actually got nothing against him at all: I just wouldn't mind seeing someone else take the seat." "You're confusing."

"Hey hey, keep it down, jackasses. You wanna rouse up a fanboy or two? This area is known to have fanboys and fangirls of him. You'd probably get decked for talking so callously like that here."

"Oh hey, Luke. What's with the cap? You go shopping for Galar uniforms now that you aren't a trainer nowadays?"

"Oh this? Oh, right. No I just liked the design of it. Black and Red goes well together."

"Didn't see your ugly mug come in. Got in late thanks to your 'work'?"

"Hmm? Nah. Nothing done today anyway. I already finished up with that; you know, I told you when it went down."

"You did say you got a new gig. Pay well, I assume?"

"Oh yes. Far. I won't get into it but uh...shit's dangerous work."

"Ahhh~ our boy Luke here is an independent contractor now!"

"Hey, whatever works right? Ain't the best kind of clean job, but someone's gotta do it."

Sam's eyebrow perked up a little, and decided to fiddle with the device in his breastpocket to zero in on the location of which booth was having the conversation. Once it pinpoints to a table in the corner that has a lady with long red hair in a ponytail and bikini top, with a guy who had a medium build and cap that matched what the guy was commenting, he decides to listen in squarely on that conversation.

He hears the gentleman named 'Luke' speak lower in tone. "Anyroad...I probably won't be doing that again. Fuzz is already squaring up to make a move at some point. They may have already, since the incident made the news. Though I made sure not to leave anything to me."

"Well, yeah...considering who boss wanted 'razzled'. Very high profile. It's the champ, aye?"

"Shhhh! Shut it! Yeah, you're right."

"Oh right, sorry."

"Arceus' sake. It's a miracle you even are here with that mouth of yours, lad. THIS is why you only work in accounting! As it stands now, the boss likes to keep things brief, so I won't be hearing from them unless they contact me with something else."

"Pay well?"

"Outside of the money? Yeah. I got a Gigantimax Lapras out of it."

"A bloody Pokemon?"

"Hey hey, this one doesn't spawn often you know-AAH!"

A chair is heard being pulled up, and it's Sam who has practically teleported to the table in question, causing the two men to jump a bit in their seats.

"Aye mate you fucking scared us. Can we help you?"

Sam had changed his outfit from what he would be normally known as outside of the Johto region before heading over here, so he didn't imagine these two rogues would be able to catch onto him. Readjusting his cap that had the logo of a Zapdos silhouette on it and crossing a leg over, he laughs. "Sorry about that fellas. I'm not from here but I couldn't help but overhear something about good independent work and the word 'Lapras'? Wouldn't happen to know any good dens I can rely on where I can find good spawns, would you?"

"Who the hell are you, and why're you listening in on our conversation?" Barked the main guy with a cap, named Luke. The manner of which Sam held to himself was irritating already.

His schtick would come out like it was completely natural to put on a facade. "My mistake, gentleman. I'm a little nervous and tend to have overly sensitive ears/short attention span when I'm unfamiliar on a new area. Plus, I'm a few sips into m'drink here. I come from the Kanto region. Name's Jay. You see, I'm traveling here trying to find a solid way to keep my feet grounded but as of now, nothing. Guys like you two look like you're well versed for 'street smarts' here."

It came off so naturally that the two had no real legitimate reason to suspect him of any foulplay, so the built man would just laugh. "Ah, phew. I had thought for a second you were with the League or feds or something."

"So you were about to go on about, let me guess, some high ranking person you worked for?

"You a trainer, yourself?"

Sam shrugs a little, lying just to keep the conversation going. "I've been known to...challenge Gym Leaders or two. It's nothing I take too seriously. My main interest is in archiving and discovering new things on the world around me. Maybe not like Professor Oak, mind you, but more of those 'bushcraft' folks."

"Those what-craft?" the comrade sitting near Luke would question him.

The man that was actually from Johto readjusts his cap. "You know; camping. Living out in the wild amongst other Pokemon via a mutually agreeable biome."

Both men, and the one lady go "ooohhh" in understanding.

Luke speaks up after sharing a drink with the lady next to him, blushing."Well you'd probably not be hired by my client then if you're so easygoing. They'd want you to do some dirty work and you don't strike me as someone capable of being underhanded or getting a one-over on someone else. I'm talkin' 'deep dive'."

"Oh? Try me. You'd be surprised. Ask me something." Sam tilts his head and has his hand rest on his chin.

Luke would cross a leg over in thought, putting a thumb to his chin inquisitively. It took a short bit, but he'd start firing off questions to 'Jay' here to see how well learned he was of the darker sides of the regions.

"Who's the team behind the incidents on Kalos, our neighboring region?" Luke asks first.

Not even waiting a second to think on it, Sam answers. "Team Flare; though I hear they've disbanded. I know that Malva, of the Kalos Elite Four, was once a member of the group, and that a detective in Kalos apprehended some scientist named Xerosic who was trying to do something nutty after the group went under. Had to do with experiments. Guess they were upset after the Champion in that region put a monkey wrench in their plans and even caught Xerneas...or so I hear."

"Who is Silver, from Johto?"

"Son of Giovanni; the leader of Team Rocket."

"What are the odds of encountering a shiny?"

"1 in 4,096. Can be substantially lowered through repeat breeding of a complex 'chart' of ways utilizing a Ditto. If you want perfect IVs, you incorporate other Pokemon in the mix and essentially go back and forth between them. Shiny charms also exist to help bring shiny Pokemon out of hiding more easily."

"What was the incident that occurred at the Lake of Rage?"

"Trick question: it was formed due to a bunch of Gyrados making a violent storm that ultimately made an impact on the Earth. The crater from the combating Pokemon filled with rainwater, and we got the Lake of Rage. If you're referring to the irritable red Gyrados that used to reside there, Ex-Champion Gold found and captured it himself. It was causing a fuss due to radiowaves that were disturbing it."

"Do you think time travel's possible?"

"It's possible if we consider the full strength behind Celebi. Then again, would you want to see a Gardevoir create a black hole? We'd all be dead."

"Fair enough. Who was the Champion before Gold?"

"Lance, who was the Elite Four in Kanto. Related to Claire, and responsible for taking down Team Rocket at their headquarters with Gold. He trains specifically in dragon Pokemon, and his home is Blackthorn City."

"How many Pokemon are in the Galar Pokedex?"

"400 in total...which may change due to the recent discussions with your government, if I'm correct."

"Who was the first Pokemon ever recorded?"

"Depends on if you mean Arceus, Mew, or Bulbasaur." Sam smirked.

Impressed at the speed and detail 'Jay' had answered all of these questions, Luke leaned back in his booth. "Ok bud, last question. Not sure if you can get this one but it did happen recently so let's see if your world knowledge will help you. What is in the Hall of Fame for our champion, Haru?"

"While his team consists of 6 just like every other trainer, he is known to carry 7 around his person often. These consist of a Cinderace, a Gardevoir, a Hatterene, Lunatone, Glaceon, Lucario, and a Tsareena. His Pokedex at the time I last checked was only a little over 260." Sam would answer in a matter-of-fact notion, with his arms crossed.

Luke snaps his fingers, with the lady clapping and his comrade just nodding in approval. "Hot damn, you know your stuff, my fellow traveler! Perhaps you would be a fine addition to the 'team' after all!"

/There we go, I'm getting somewhere./ Sam thought to himself. "Oh, team? Like a league of elite trainers I assume?"

Luke gestured for the new conversing pal of his to lean in closer. "Not exactly. See...it's like I said friend: deep dive stuff. I work for a buncha rogues from offshore. You already mentioned them as Team Rocket. Anyways, it's probably not much coming from me but I can put in a good word for you if you don't mind some quick, immediate pay right?"

Sam was handed a small card with almost nothing on it except for a letter "R" and a phone number on the back. "Personal experience, then? Are they trustworthy?" He had hoped that the electronic recorder that was on his person was still going; getting a sense of a confession about to happen.

Luke leaned forward again so that he'd have to whisper behind Sam's ears. "All I'm saying bud, is if you don't mind being paid to do rusty work like, I don't know, taking out someone's Pokemon, they're who you can rely on."

"Hey now, I don't think I can do anything that crazy! But if they need a like mind like myself I suppose it wouldn't hurt!" Sam laughs, feigning interest, with his eyes narrowing.

"It's all good: not everybody can do it. Frankly I don't give a damn. These creatures are all dispensable in my eyes. I just see it as a means to an end for a goal, and sometimes those goals are just simply wanting to ruin someone's day. It's like hunting: all sport to me." Tossing back a drink, Luke would be seen putting it down.

Sam stood up, smiling. "In that case, I don't suppose you'd like to accompany me on a favor for being such good help for a traveler like myself would you?"

"Eh? Mate, my food isn't refilled yet, and unless you're a waiter I suggest you beat it before someone gets wind of our talks. I gave ya info to help you get on your feet, now get on!" gesturing with a handwave as if to 'shoo' Sam away.

Keeping the same smile as before, Sam only decided to detach one of the PokeBalls on his waistline and tosses it. Out pops a Ferraligator, who roars upon being let out which causes some of the people to freak out. Sam hears someone go 'Hey what the hell, that's not legal to have here! Get that guy out!' and the lady who was accompanying the gentlemen gets up to leave. Luke's 'friend' also leaves too wanting nothing to deal with what he got himself in.

Luke starts to sweat as Sam reaches inside a pocket and shows a recording device. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to come with me, sir. It may be true that I'm a traveler, but I'm no 'newbie'."

"What the hell is this?!" seeing the large water type Pokemon lean forward, sniffing him. The Ferraligator turns to him, as if confirming the scent earlier from the investigation is on this person.

The ex-Champion laughs, keeping his smile on and puts a comforting arm on the back of the bipedal water lizard. "My real name is Sam. I'm the ex-Champion of Johto. Now. I'd like you to come with me to answer some questions I have for you based off of the information you gave me...unless you really want to tempt my buddy here. He's a little irritable when he's hungry and has been known to nip."

The Ferraligator leans in close with its tongue dangling out as if to intimidate the unruly man. "I can't believe this...!"

Sam's eyes open up finally and looks him in the face with a menacing stare. "You wouldn't happen to know of a certain incident involving 48 Pokemon being killed that belonged to your Galarian Champion, Haru, would you? Perchance, under the hat, would you happen to be a red buzzcut fellow who wears the body spray of the name of this club?"

- - - - - ? - - - - -

The land before Haru's face was completely barren, with only the darkest of greys and dull browns adorning the skies. The ground on which he stood on felt rubbery and unstable, though it did not give way. There was no grass, there was no concrete or natural bridges around him. It was as if the Earth itself had transformed into a glass-like planet when he wasn't paying attention. In the distance he sees three giant bird-like creatures having a violent fight in the stratosphere. He calls out to anyone nearby, as there were no people or buildings surround him either. His voice makes no sound, but inside his head he can hear it. Looking down, he notices that the clothes on him mimic him only wearing boxers. Despite feeling like he should be freezing cold being outside like this, no temperature is registered. No winds are heard blowing by, no sunbeams from the clouds piercing his skin.

"Where is everyone? Hello? Nessa? Honey are you here?" Haru tries to calls out but with no sound, though he knows that's what he's saying. Something catches his attention before he can try to make any noise at all, and turns behind him. There before him, he sees what look to be reanimated corpses of all 48 of his Pokemon walking towards him. All of them groaning, as if they are in pain, calling out to him. The barren wasteland that he had previously passed by this point now had turned into what could only be described as some enormous, almost alien-like indoor pool or nature biosphere that had them all trapped in with them. Haru knows this scenery isn't natural at all, and tries to run away. His legs move but is unable to make any traction: going nowhere.

A loud 'crack' is heard, and Haru falls forward into what could only be described as a nearby pool. His throat and lungs seemingly fill with water and starts choking as the weight of his body goes upside down, sinking to the floor of the pool. The 'bottom' of the pool gives way and he falls through the other side as if the water itself was floating freely in a vortex of its own. His feet land slowly, as if hovering down to the ground with sudden superpowers to be able to levitate. Once again giving no sound, he sees a pile of bodies before him: they're of his Pokemon again that he used to have. Freaking out, he trips while getting out of this pit and starts to try running for a nearby exit.

A hand on his shoulder stops him, as it pulls the attention of Haru to behind him as a taller man who also looked like a reanimated corpse groaned out. "Whyy~~ didn't you~ save themm~?"

Haru buckles to the floor with his arms covering his head as multiple uncountable numbers of arms start reaching out to him as tears flood down his cheeks. Being unable to make any sound, he only just huddles up in a fetal position and wishes the creatures would leave him alone. His cries still make no noise.

"Haru?"

A voice is heard calling out to him amongst the crowd that's swarming over him from all the arms and hands. It keeps calling to him and progressively gets louder and louder.

"Haru?"

"Haru, hey!"

He manages to look up just as he is swallowed by the moving corpses, and sees a hand reaching out to him before his vision goes white.

- - - - - Hulbury - - - - -

- - - - - Nessa's Home - - - - -

- - - - - 2:31 A.M. - - - - -

Nessa is leaned over Haru, with a greatly concerned expression on her face shaking Haru lightly and calling to him multiple times. "Hey Haru please wake up. Honey...hey!"

His eyes shoot open and his body twitches a little, gasping for air and looking around him, as Nessa puts both hands on his bare chest. He looks visibly shaken, with dry streaks of tears having run down his face and a pool of sweat from his forehead. In the pale moon light that was somewhat seen from the blinds that shielded the outdoors, Haru makes out the naked figure of Nessa looking right at him. It takes him a second to realize he had woken up from a nightmare.

A hand of hers goes up to his forehead, then to his cheek. "Honey...are you okay? Whatever it was, it was just a bad dream...you sounded scared."

All Haru could do was just look at her as his chest felt like it was pounding from a raw panic attack. A few deep breaths and a minute later, he was able to speak, as the woman just caressed his figure to try and calm him down. "I...I'm sorry. Saw my dead Pokemon. Couldn't even tell you where I was, or what was happening. It was one of those dreams you can't make any noise or speak. There was a weird indoor living...colony? I don't know how to describe it. I got swarmed with zombies of my Pokemon and the last thing I saw was Hiro as a dead person guilt-tripping me and so many hands, limbs, and paws trying to grab at me. It was horrible. I'd never felt so scared in my life, and horrible. It sounded just like him!"

Nessa helped him lay back down on his back, before putting both arms around his head and bringing it to her bare chest. "Haru, honey listen to me. Put your head here."

A blush goes across Haru's face and the side of his face presses against her cleavage. He hears the distinct, muted noise of a heartbeat within Nessa's body. Both eyes closing, he's able to finally start breathing deeper. "Your heart?"

The beautiful long haired lover of his nods while having a hand stroke Haru's messy hair. "I want you to focus on the sound of my voice, and the sound of my heartbeat. Just remember that I'm here right now, and I'm not going anywhere. Keep embracing me okay? Those pesky bad thoughts from your dreams can't harm you out here." She would hum a little to add to the tone of a song she enjoyed that may help.

The panicked tempo of his own heartbeat had started to settle. Being held intimately like this helped the champion feel a lot safer, and cared for deeply more than anyone else had ever done in his whole life. Keeping both of his eyes closed, his arms had stayed wrapped around her slender body and his face in her chest. "Thank you, Nessa."

"You're welcome, dear. Just keep thinking about me and breath deeply." His lover told him with a melodic, comforting tune to her voice. Her long fingers that traced the contours of his head, petting the hair that was on his scalp felt extra comfortable to the touch. His mind goes back to when she did that the first time either of them showed affection for each other: when he passed out and ended up having woken up to her petting him with his head in her lap. Moments like those brought a lot of comfort to him, and this would be no different. For every second that went by she made sure to do this slowly so he could focus on anything else that wasn't the grief and panic from his dream. The tingle of her nails curling around hair strands from his head, the stroking of a finger on his cheek, the sound of her heartbeat with his face pressed against her breasts, the warmth of her skin against his own. Security could only be granted of such quality so rarely, and sleep aid medicine could not ever hope to be nearly as effective as what she was doing.

A few minutes pass by, and she notices Haru has fallen asleep with her petting him. The distinct noise of his breathing having slowed down and grown only more silent was the confirmation of it, bringing a wide smile to Nessa's face. She sighs happily. "Oh my dear beloved, yet over-stressed Haru, what am I going to do with you?" giggling a little to herself in satisfaction.

Kissing the top of his head, her blue eyes went half lidded. "Don't you worry...I'm not going anywhere, and never will be."

- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -

- - - - - Pokemon League HQ - - - - -

- - - - - Television Studio - - - - -

Haru spoke in front of the cameras as his voice bellowed directly into the microphones pointed at his face on the podium. Oleana, Nessa, and several other Pokemon League staff that he would recognize from when he proposed the Steel Gym were there in the studio. They had gathered behind or next to his person for the broadcast announcement that would not come as a 'alert' or an emergency conference, but more of a means to tell everyone of something exciting to look forward to in light of recent news. Sporting the Dark Gym colors on a sweatjacket for the day, everyone that decided that they were watching the telly or the announcement on their phones would see their champion wearing a smile despite the tragedy that occurred to him.

"Good morning people of Galar. It's good to have your attention. Whether you're watching this live on broadcast or livestreaming, I'm glad that more eyes and ears are on me for what I'm about to bring to your attention. Today it's not about me; not entirely, anyway. By now a lot of you have heard of a recent event that occurred not long ago that was a big tragedy where some trainers in The Wild Area came upon a rather terrible scene. 48 Pokemon were found unconscious, and pronounced dead. While ownership of these Pokemon has remained under wraps until now I have been given the 'okay' to inform you...that they all belonged to me."

He took a second to pause, just silently clenching a fist underneath where the television video would not show it. Nessa is seen looking at him from behind, as she was to his right.

"At one point someone decided to take action, withdraw Pokemon that belonged to me illegally, and take their lives. It is only thanks to efforts from the police, some other officials, and my lady Nessa, that I was able to give them all a proper service in private so quickly. May every single one of them have peace and serenity where they may be now, with Arceus looking over them. But it didn't have to be this way. I won't speak of security measures for Pokemon Centers, nor pin blame on 'he should have' or 'she should have'. It's nobody's fault except the person or persons that were responsible for this directly. But it could happen to anyone."

Elsewhere, some trainers were camping out near one of the multiple lakes in the Wild Area and had set up a tablet showcasing the livestream of Haru talking to everyone: comments showing live on a corner of the screen.

"We can only carry so many Pokemon on ourselves at one time, and we deposit the rest either in a daycare center, or in a box. Places like Kanto have their newly established 'GO Park' while our sisters in Kalos have places like the Nebel Plateau. You could argue that our Wild Area is nothing more than a massive version of Johto's Safari Zone Gate. This presents a problem however, that I ask everyone watching me now. What, other than The Wild Area, do we give back to our Pokemon? It's a violent location with intensely differing weather hotspots depending on where you're at, and considering it's where the brunt of where trainers hunt and fight each other it's not really a haven of any sort."

Haru is seen flipping through a page that is laid out on the podium that contained notes of points to bring up for his speech. "Today I have been given the approval by the Pokemon League, and , our Chairman, for a new project. Galar needs its own safe haven. Aside from the upcoming Steel Gym that is currently being built near Circhester, I will be the founder and head of a place for Pokemon to come and go as they see freely without worry of battle. No longer should anyone have to worry about their Pokemon simply living in a collection of boxes within Pokemon Centers. I'll be working with experts who know a lot more than I do on the details, but I'm going to use my knowledge of caring for Pokemon that my mother taught me, as well as my own research, to make sure nobody else has to suffer through what I've been dealt. To me, it may be a bit too late for those friends of mine to be safe, but that doesn't mean I can't offer the help to all of you who are watching. More information will be coming in the future. Thank you."

Haru is seen bowing slightly and stepping down from the podium, as Oleana takes his spot. "For now this brief conference will be coming to a close. Information packets will be sent out to all who have registered even a single Pokemon to their name, and will also come with application information. First priority of the moment is the Steel Gym, but with this we are happy to be working with our Champion."

- - - - - Wyndon - - - - -

- - - - - Outside the Studio Room - - - - -

Walking hand in hand, Nessa looks to Haru as they passed down from the adjacent hallway to one of the elevators. Oleana would be the one handling the majority of the pre-setup for this new project; requiring Haru to step in when they got to its later stages. "So what will you be doing now?"

"Well, a Gym Stadium has a lot more of a personal touch than a safe haven so they don't really require me to stay on this as much as the former. I imagine that I'm going to have an entirely different set of staff to manage this whole thing. Guess that even when I'm trying to relax I can't bring it in me to lighten my own load." Haru surmised, pressing the button and waiting with her for it to arrive to their floor.

"You know...with this it'll become a little harder for both of us to see each other if you don't have the right training and know-how." he'd see that Nessa looked worried, glancing up to him with a worried face.

"It's something I was thinking about not long ago, but back then I never acted on the idea because up until now my thought process was 'how do I help trainers in a different way than being a Champion?'." He'd walk with her onto the elevator and press the "L" button to go to the first floor.

Her hands went together and she still didn't look completely eased up. "...and now your thoughts are on how to help their Pokemon. I see. It makes sense."

"Nessa, is there something on your mind?" Haru could tell there was a deeper subject she wanted to bring up. The way she was speaking gave away that there was something they should be discussing together.

Taking a moment to collect herself Nessa worried a little about his response, if only due to her own slight insecurity on the nature. "Haru...we've been romantically and physically intimate for awhile. Considering both of us having the jobs I do, and you taking on two new things at once...what if you need to be at home more?"

Nessa looked to him with her eyes making contact to his. "What if I need you home to take care of, you know...a child?"

His heart dropped from his chest to his stomach and turned a deep shade of red. Before he got a word in however, she held up a hand. "I'm not pregnant, hon! It's okay. It's not even something on my mind for the moment. You should know that much." giving him a little cheeky smirk. "But it does make me wonder, you know, on the possibility of it happening. I know personally I would probably want to take a break from modelling for awhile, as the security from being a Gym Leader helps keep my lights on at home."

"You'd take time away from your modelling for that?" He'd ask, to which Nessa nods confidently.

"There'd be no question about it. I'd do it in a heartbeat." raising a fist to her chest.

He's seen exhaling with a smile and crosses his arms, eyeing the long haired water vixen.

"If it comes to that, I'll take off the needed time. My father wasn't there for me, and I know children isn't something you just choose to have willy nilly. It's something that's not on both of our minds currently. But if I have to have my Gym open for half the time and manage my haven from home, so be it. It's only proper they be given a good upbringing."

She meets him in the elevator as it gets close to the lobby floor, only mere inches away from him. "Are you sure? Haru, this is a big decision."

His two hands went to her own and held them up to their faces. "I know it's a big decision, but I think I can make one pretty soundly right here and now. So...yes. I'm sure."

The two embrace as they exchanged a soft kiss; their lips pressing against the other. She sees that his face has receded in blush only slightly but had the radiance of sincerity that she knew came from him. "Yes Nessa, I would. Plus...can you name one time when I made a decision then backed down from it?"

She's seen giving a wide smile as she gave another quick peck on the lips, with the doors of the elevator opening and the two walking out hand in hand. "You bring up a good point."

Exiting onto the lobby floors, they made their way past the portraits that hung on both sides of the walls. Each one depicted former and current high ranking staff members of not just the Galar region Pokemon League but of other leagues of other regions as well. Considering the marble decorum and vast size of the place, the sound of Haru's phone going off for a phone call was much more easily picked up than it would be outside. A hand goes to his pants pocket and pulls it out. 'Sam' is on the screen.

"Huh, it's that ex-Champion from Johto calling." Haru comments, looking to Nessa, before he taps 'accept'. "Hello Sam, what's up?"

"Ah, I'm glad you answered, Haru! Hello it's Sam! Are you perchance busy at the moment? I know at some point today you were to be giving a speech on something yes? You told me the other day via text messaging but I was uncertain on time!"

Haru chuckles, waving to a few passersby as him and Nessa finally exit the building and find a bench to sit for a spell. "Just finished not long ago actually. The broadcast will be recycling throughout the next few days, I imagine when it comes to news, and online it will be archived. It wasn't going to take long."

"Oh okay good! I need you to come to the police station in Motostoke."

Internally, it feels like he got hit with a defibrillator. "Wait...what's this about?"

"We found, and have apprehended the murderer of your Pokemon."

When Sam said those words Haru's eyes go wide with a mixture of several emotions that he couldn't solidify properly. The thought of meeting his Pokemon's killer filled him with determination to know the truth, as well as rage of such a scumbag being caught. Fear also crept up into him, however, wondering who it would be in the end and how that would affect him.

Nessa reaches her hand out to the one that's holding his phone. "Honey? What is it...?"

The phone receiver is heard calling to him. "Haru? Hello...?"

"Y-yeah? I'll be there. I'll get an Air Taxi and see you immediately." he hung up and looked at Nessa. "I need to head to Motostoke. They found the killer of my Pokemon."

"I'll come with you."

He shook his head. "Don't you have to head to the Gym in an hour? If you take the trip with me to it, you'll be late. I don't want you to mess with your own scheduling on my account, babe."

The Water Gym Leader wasn't having it. "No. I was there for you when we found the Pokemon together, and I'm going to be with you on every crucial step of this process. Plus...I have a feeling once you see whoever this person is, you'll need someone like me to lean on."

As per usual, Nessa was correct in her assumption. Taking the nearest Air Taxi and making a flight path to Motostoke, the two rode the whole way in silence. Haru kept thinking about some of the things he would want to say to the man or woman once they meet, but also thinking back to what Nessa told him when he had been going through grieving earlier on. How if it was him, she'd make sure to make that person pay for the rest of their lives...that she'd be out for blood. As the two saw Motostoke below them, Haru looks over to where Nessa was sitting, with her back turned to him. The thought had already come multiple times over prior to this scenario, but he was reminded once again of just how dedicated the Raging Wave herself was to see a situation through with him.

/I should be thankful for how dedicated Nessa is to making sure that she sees this through with me until the very end. Even back then when we were just simply buddies, she always took time out of her day for me. When this is all over, no matter how long it'll take, we'll have to do something to commemorate. No way am I going to let whoever this is get away with it: justice must be served./

Something within her tells her that Haru was looking at her, and her eyes meet his, giving a full smile.

- - - - - Motostoke - - - - -

- - - - - Police Station - - - - -

The two got out of the Air Taxi cab and started heading right to the police station. A few blocks away, near the industrial part of the city, and not far from Haru's own home, sat the police station. A squad of policemen with Arcanines and Growlithes were outside, getting a call of a local disturbance as the Champion and Raging Wave made their way inside the station. Upon entry, they would be greeted by a checkpoint where the doorway would lead to the back rooms and holding cells. There, they would be told to meet up with Sam, who saw both of them coming down the hall. At this time, he wore his black hat, letting the usually fluffy black hair spill sideways and still carried around with his somewhat formal attire.

"Haru, Nessa! Glad to see you both came here so quickly." shaking hands with both of them, Sam sees that Haru is glaring at him.

"Take me to them." Haru spoke to the point.

"Ah. Y-yes. Right this way." gesturing the two to follow him.

Going down a hallway, Haru looks at the back of Sam's head feeling his own heart was ready to burst out of his chest. "Tell me, Sam, who is it? Who took my babies away from me?"

"Haru...I must tell you first before I show you the culprit that violence against the cellmates isn't allowed even though I completely agree it's warranted." Sam tried to keep his composure down.

The group simply hears Haru grunting in disapproval.

They get to one door leading from one block to the next, as Sam opens it. "...they said they know you. That they met you personally."

"Thanks,Sam, that narrows it down to several hundreds of people." Haru sounded annoyed, with Nessa immediately chastising his tone with a click of her tongue. "Sorry. You can understand how pent up I am about this."

"It's understandable. From what we learned, this person met you personally very recently..." Sam explained in a volume that Haru would be able to hear him past the cursing cellmates that were high on drugs or otherwise acting crazy.

/Wait...it's...it couldn't be.../ He begins to sweat, fearing that it was Syra. Haru thinks back to their recent encounter and his mind wanders. A part of him worries that their last public fight had somehow made her snap to a point that she went off the deep end. It wouldn't make sense, and try as he might to tell himself otherwise that such a thing was absurd, he did have to deal with the fact that so many of his friends were dead thank to the culprit.

Then the 3 of them got up to the cell. Sam gestures with an arm to the cell, as Nessa gasps whilst a hand goes to her mouth in disbelief.

Haru came face to face with the person responsible for their deaths: a very familiar, tall built man with a red buzzcut hair. He looked roughed up and was sitting lazily in his cell with a leg up on the makeshift bed the holding cell contained. Immediately Haru's blood pressure rose up to adrenaline pumping levels and lashed out. Both of his hands clasp onto the bars and his eyes grew wide with righteous fury. "YOU! IT WAS YOU THAT DID IT?!"

Sam goes after Haru and tries to pull him off. "Haru, wait!"

The man is seen smirking at Haru in defiance.

"You son of a BITCH! WAS IT WORTH IT?! I'll get you for this you piece of shit!" Haru yells with the most anger he's ever had in his entire life burning in that moment. Every vein in his forehead pulsating, and his fists clenched around the bars, he pulled a little as if wanting so badly to break through the cell and beat the man within an inch of his life. Realizing that it was the guy who threatened him in the marketplace over a lost spawn, it irritated him so greatly. Even after the man was shut down by Bea and Nessa comig to Haru's rescue, he hated knowing those events were possibly responsible for the event.

Tears filled up the corners of Haru's eyes as he yells again."TALK to me you asshole!"

The man is seen turning away to lay on his back facing the outside barred window. "What's it to you if I say yes or no? What's done is done."

The indifference pissed Haru off even more as Nessa is able to calmly pull Haru away with both of her hands going to one of his own. Breathing heavily and working his way between both a panic attack and just adrenaline from his rage, Haru does his best to speak more clearly. "You're a monster. Knowing that you're the last thing my Pokemon saw before taking their last breath...I hope you rot in a cell for the rest of your life!"

The man laughs, his face turning back to Haru.

Sam has to intervene, helping Haru walk out of the holding cell area with Nessa clinging to one of his hands tightly. He's heard cursing the murderer the whole time as several of the other inmates got agitated from the sudden loud noises within their halls: disturbed sleep or otherwise irritated seeing Haru in person.

Sam would bring Haru and Nessa with him into one of the offices of one of the policemen that worked on his case as the Champion would be pacing a litte back and forth. For the moment, Nessa lets Haru get his energy out of his system. Seeing him stop and point to Sam they would both hear him clearly. "Get. Me. A lawyer."

"We're working on getting you one Haru, just sit down and drink some water. My colleague Looker will be bringing in someone for you." Sam suggested, handing him a cup of water from the cooler that was in the hallway.

It takes Haru a solid few minutes to take it all in and relax well enough to carry on the topic without feeling he would burst again like a hulk.

"Looker? You mean the same detective who's helped in multiple other cases from other regions?" Nessa inquires, as the name stuck out to her.

Sam takes a moment to work out a tense muscle in the back of his neck before sitting on the edge of the work desk, facing them. "The very same. He has been key to helping me on my own case, and naturally since this may have had ties, he is assisting me with you here, Haru."

Holding the cup in his hands and staring at the water with laser focus, Haru delivered his next sentence with the full venom of all the pain and sorrow he felt from his Pokemon's deaths. "I want the best lawyer Galar has for my case, Sam. That man needs to stay behind bars for his whole life. I want multiple sentences. I want to wring this subhuman, Muk-slime-trail garbage for every single coin possible. There's no way this is ending with him going free!"

"Oh don't you worry about him. Not only do we have charges for what he did to your Pokemon. We also went through his background." Sam replied, going to a folder that was brought with him. Flashing the front of it, but not its contents, Haru and Nessa see it's labelled for the suspect they both just met mere minutes ago. "He hasn't met his parole officer in a few months."

The office goes quiet for a bit. Taking in the day was already a toll in of itself. Promising a safe haven for other Pokemon, a new possible second career for himself, and now a trial that will be happening with the murderer himself? Haru began to wonder if his life would ever reach normalcy ever again. A hand of his own goes and tenses around his face and cheeks, taking deep breaths. Haru thinks of the immediate things around him that can calm him down merely thinking about it. Nessa sitting right next to him, his new friend Sam having helped bring to justice the murderer of his furry friends, the sensation of the cool water going down his throat hydrating him, the warmth of his girlfriend clasping one of her hands around his own.

/Breathe in. Breathe out. Hold. Just repeat this until I'm fine.../ Haru thinks, focusing on himself for a moment. "Thank you, Sam. This means a lot to me. I owe you big for this."

The man from Johto flashes a thumbs up and puts down the file on the desktop. "You're welcome Haru. All of us here, and myself have your back. Why don't you go home for the rest of day? It's going to be awhile till Looker comes. He's coming from the Shinoh region: as it stands now, he's been helping the Cynthia a bit."

Nessa blinks. "THE Cynthia? The ex-Champion? With what, exactly? Unless you can't tell us."

Shaking his head, their far traveled companion explained rather openly. "No no, I can fill you in on it. You may be hearing about it soon elsewhere anyways: it's not just Galar that's dealing with Team Rocket. It's everywhere. From Sinnoh to my home region of Johto. We don't know how or why. Every Champion has been dealing with it."

At that point Haru looked back up to Sam with a little bit of confusion. "I thought your case was related to mine because you were wondering about shipments leading to Johto, and then when you came here we found evidence that they're here. We both found out that due to this they may be connected in the person stealing Pokemon and found actual evidence of their supplies. Last I recall, neither of us have figured out who is doing it, but now you have word that the gang is spreading out?"

Sam took his hat off, letting his head get some airflow back to the poofy head of hair on his scalp. "I didn't want to cause a panic in this peaceful region by telling you this any earlier, especially when you had to deal with Chairman Rose."

Haru looks outside, thinking back to the moment him and Hop were tackling much crazier adventures together. "Right. The whole energy crisis possibly leading us to another 'Darkest Day' advent. Ugh."

Gesturing with a hand to Haru's direction, Sam concluded. "I got the word to tell a select few. Haru, you were Champion. You have the right to know, and Nessa since you're here with him you should know as well."

The group sat there thinking about how things felt like they were all connected in a strange, supernatural sense. Whether it was fate, Haru felt that his interactions with Team Rocket would come to a threshold at one point or another. His case was far from over. Standing up with Nessa by his side, he bid farewell to the Johto ex-Champion. "Right. In any case, I guess we all got things to do...and with my project having been announced earlier, I can rest a little better knowing this much. You have my information, so when that amazing lawyer is available, come get me. You've done a lot for me already."

Giving a firm handshake to Sam, Haru brings him in for a hug. "Seriously, Sam. You've given this one peace of mind. It's much appreciated."

- - - - - Elsewhere, at the same exact time: Motostoke, Kabu's Gym - - - - -

The crowd goes wild with cheers as a loud explosive hit ricochets across the stadium: wrought by a Max Strike attack. One final Pokemon attack echoes far and wide, and on the jumbotron screens hanging in the middle of the arena one final PokeBall indicator disappears for the opponent.

"THERE YOU HAVE IT! SYRA MOVES IN WITH A TURNABOUT VICTORY AT THE LAST SECOND, AND WILL BE IN THE TOP 8 OF THE POKEMON LEAGUE TOURNAMENT~!" the announcer shouts throughout all the speakers.

Syra withdraws her Pokemon, wiping a few beads of sweat from her forehead while looking at her opponent, and then to the many many fans sitting around her. It takes her a second to realize just what her journey has brought through all her months and months of planning. Even while a little overwhelmed at the idea of moving forward to having a chance to take the title of 'Champion' away from Haru, she still manages to keep a confident face. Meeting her opponent and shaking her hand with them before leaving, Syra takes a moment to wave to several very loud groups of people in the stands that are chanting for her specifically.

On the giant marquee at the west end of the stadium, her name would be shown to be highlighted amongst 7 other contestants. All she needed to do was to simply repeat what was done here and her revenge would come nice and cleanly to her: Haru would be defeated finally, and her lifegoal completed.

She took the time to fall in line with the other contestants when they came back outside to attend the closing ceremony, and thought back to one such event that led her here...

- - - Three Days After She Came Home from Team Rocket HQ...- - -

- - - Syra's Bedroom - - -

Sitting at her desk with a pen in her mouth, and one of her favorite bands playing on her stereo, Syra kept typing on her keyboard. The new goal to become a Pokemon trainer worthy enough to take down Haru from the reign of Championship weighed heavily on her mind due to the recent events that took place. In short order, she had found that her best friend Holly was nearly made homeless due to Haru's actions with her employers. Word got around that due to her contribution towards the resurgence of the national crisis surrounding Galar and another 'Darkest Day' level event, she was blacklisted, and had trouble finding employment. Her little brother used to have a little Pokemon that he considered to be his best friend, only to have it die due to health complications and was also unable to have it given a proper burial. The former, due to a lazily made 'Surprise Trade' from another trainer, whose original ID matched to Haru himself, and the latter due to Haru having battled her father in a Pokemon match and leaving him strapped for cash.

Today she would learn of one more thing.

Her father is heard walking up the stairs and is seen carrying a plate with a half cut sandwich and fruit. "Syra? You've been at it for a few hours. Take a break with your old man and talk for a little bit."

Her gaze didn't break from the computer. "Can't. I'm on the cusp of figuring out the ol' Champs' personal history. Did you know that his mother was a veterinarian? Neat. I guess that explains how he was able to take care of his teams so well leading up to the final matches."

Ritsu sighed, setting the plate near her and looked over her shoulder, seeing her findings. Her screen was filled with a tab that was opened on a spreadsheet with numbers, and a news article. "Syra, dear, we actually need to talk about him for a brief moment. If you're going to pursue this as aggressively as you already have...considering you got me in trouble with the Boss himself, then you deserve to know a little more on maybe why you should go this route. We've had some talks lately about our family and...I haven't been completely honest with you. I'm sorry, but we need to hash it out now."

His daughter turned her head towards him; the chair swiveling in place. "What...do you mean?"

The two had sat down on the carpet floor together, with Syra's Sobble in her lap nibbling on a part of the sandwich that she broke apart for him. Her full attention was given to her dad, who had promised to inform her a little more on her new 'quest'.

"It's going to be a little tough for me to go back on this but I did some mental digging. First, let me preface this by reminding you that this 'Haru' you're seeking a match against is tied to someone I know personally. You recently found out that this person is a veterinarian, yes?" Ritsu exhales after taking a sip of some wine he brought up from downstairs.

Syra had an arm folded over the other, with her Sobble now climbing onto her shoulders. "Lana? Yes. She's an expert in the field of Pokemon biology, but chose to simply become the head of a clinic for Pokemon not long before Haru was born."

"Did you know that she was also in the Pokemon Gym Challenge?" Ritsu asks.

Syra's eyes go wide. "WHAT?!"

Her old man nods, flicking some of the alcoholic liquids from his small beard. "I battled her myself in the Pokemon League Tournament. We both made it to the Top 8...but she defeated me. Both of us were rivals in our own right, but she was amazing."

The imagery of a long haired brunette girl with her hair up in a ponytail, and himself with short, spiked sideways hair came back to him. Smelling the stadium air, feeling the weight of the Earth beneath his shoes meeting her on the field while both wore League uniforms. Flashes of the fight between them came back. He lost using a Gengar in the fight, and her with a shiny Grimmsnarl. Looking back into the stands, he sees his then girlfriend, to-be-wife, doing her best to give him encouragement despite his loss.

"I lost in the middle of a match after the two of us went back and forth...only to give her an easy win at the end. Still, it was fun. The problem however, was what occurred a years later. I had decided not to go for a second run of the League Tournament and became a father. Your mother, Amiri, had only known me as 'the really intense businessman' that brought home the dough...and occasionally had to say he would be 'off on a trip'. She, like any adult, knew that governments have secrets and we can't always tell our loved ones everything we want to sometimes." Ritsu paused, thinking back to it and trying to narrow down a number. "You must have been 10 years old at that time. I believe Gabriel was almost 2. Well...somehow Lana had found out what my actual job was and decided to inform Amiri about it."

/Amiri, I know this is a lot to take in..but please. As your best friend since childhood you can't ignore this. Do what you must from this but I want you to be careful./

/Careful?! You're out here telling me my husband has been working for Team Rocket this whole time, jeopardizing our family's safety to a gang of thieves?! What am I supposed to feel about this?/

/I don't know..I'm sorry. Look, I won't go to the police about this: you should handle it between you and him. I won't tell anyone. Besides, I have a son to look over and if I-/

/No, you're good, Lana. But my baby girl Syra...what am I supposed to do now? She's in danger. She's been -in- danger all this time./

/Do what you feel is right in your heart./

/Ritsu! How could you lie to me all this years over this!?/

/I didn't lie to you, I really am a businessman with a boring office job!/

/A LYING businessman that works for the snake of a group named Rocket! All these years I've trusted so many things to you, and I never once argued with you over your job because I know governments have things that are done we can't always get answers to...but this?!/

/Amiri...hey-hey look. Please don't cry../

/Ritsu, you lied to me...you put our daughter and baby boy Gabriel at risk. All for just...I can't../

/Hey we can work through this.../

Syra sat there now with her mouth agape, staring at her dad. The expression he wore was one of fatigue, and one that expressed regret. "There's nothing that I wouldn't give to turn back the clock that day. Say something different. But your mother and I couldn't work things out from that point onward, and we split. I haven't been fully honest with you on how it all went down, but since you're going on this quest now, it only felt proper to tell you now. There's a lot of dumb things I did back when I was younger, and especially with how I am now...I guess there's still some things I must ask for forgiveness. A father isn't supposed to be acting the ways he has to you, and it's not right."

Teeth gritting and a hand making a fist, Syra sat there fully enraged. To think that the legacy of Haru meddling so deeply within her family that it courses back to the split of her household connections infuriated her on a level so deep that no noise came from her mouth. No yelling, or crying. She merely sat there, tensing up every muscle.

"So you're telling me this...because Haru's mother was responsible?"

"What? No, I just thought if you have any regrets, making any bad mistakes you'll look back on before going into becoming a Champ-"

"DAD. You told me this, so in my mind it can only make sense that the sins of the mother now fall to him!" Syra stood up, as her Sobble had to re-balance himself due to the speed she got up. "I'm going to make that bastard pay for ruining this family! It was one thing when it came to Gabe, you, and Holly, but to the entire family at once when I was only a kid?!"

Ritsu sighed heavily. This was not the message he wanted her to take away from the conversation. "Syra, please, I'm already exhausted from ear-"

"Dad? I don't care. What happened to you and Lana is one thing, but knowing that thanks to those events, Haru was able to have a good life without knowing what divorce is like, and what that all brings within it? Fuck him! I'm going to now beat him so hard at Wyndon Stadium that he won't ever want to hold another PokeBall ever again!" she yelled out, going back to her desk and putting on some noise cancelling headphones.

Her father grunts while getting up slowly and looks at the girl before him. She was arrogant and pigheaded to a fault, but he also knew that with this knowledge there wasn't going to be anything that would stop her from achieving her goals. A part of him began to wonder if it was a bad idea to fill her in a big part of her past at this moment.

- - - - - Present Day, Wyndon Stadium - - - - -

Syra recalls those events while putting on her casual clothing in the female locker room, putting on the bra with a 'snap' from the back and looking vacantly at nothing. Putting on her bright blue biker jacket, white shirt, black short shorts and hot-pink-and-black leggings, topped off with a Pokemon League 'Champion' cap, Syra takes one last look at herself in the mirror.

/As long as my voice inside me says 'go' I'm going to keep running forward with this. It doesn't matter who is wrong or who is right. Haru, you're going down. I'm going to make sure of it!/

- - - - - That Evening, Motostoke- - - - -

- - - - - Haru's Home - - - - -

Haru had walked into his home feeling like some form of a weight was lifted off of his shoulders, and embraced Masako, his Gardevoir fully. "It's good to be home. It's only been a few hours but I missed you."

Slightly confused, but getting a sense that it was related to his fallen Pokemon somehow, the Gardevoir gave her master a big hug back with a smile on her face. "Forgive me if I'm a little quiet, but I do need to get to work on something. Not Gym related per se...but the upcoming Championship match. I need to make sure I defend my title."

Speaking to her, he walked to the living room where he was greeted by his Glaceon, Nora, who happily sprang up to his arms from the floor. Catching her, Haru just laughs at the affectionate four legged friend of his. His other Pokemon also came into the same room and welcomed him back, but he had to tell them that he wouldn't be going anywhere for the remainder of the day. That would open them all to either training, house chores, a mix of both, or some other thing. That 'some other thing' for now would come in the manner of Haru opening up a group chat while on his computer for himself and several others on a social media platform. Bringing up his spreadsheet of his leftover Pokemon and his Hall of Fame team, Haru finally makes a decision.

"Goji? Masako? Nora? I need you three here." he calls out.

Within seconds all of the called Pokemon arrive to his side, as if prepared to perform any command at that moment. He gestures a 'relax' motion with a hand, and smiles. "I'm going to use you guys for my Pokemon League Championship Title Match...but I also want you to know I'll have you coordinate with a few others that I'll be seeking out. These newcomers are probably going to be arriving in the form of trades, so I want you guys to get along with them in the short time we may have left. No infighting or bickering of any form. Is that clear?"

The small group of Pokemon nodded, giving their master their word of compliance.

Haru takes off his glasses and rubs the lens with a cloth to clean. "Good. Goji, you're probably going to be the frontman but I may rely on you for a backup; a turnaround in the battle. Masako, you'll be used as someone who will give a lot of pressure to the opponent. Nora?" he looks at the Glaceon, who is wagging her flat tail back and forth. "You'll be my trump card: the reason I win the match at all. But! I need you all to align with me when that time comes, and just trust me. I'll go hunting for candies to level you guys up as well as your new teammates, but keep these in mind okay?"

They look pumped up from the discussion, as Haru dismisses them finally. Bringing up his contacts on the computer before him, he starts up a group chat window, tagging several people at once. Knowing that everyone is managing their Gyms at the moment, with the exception of Kabu, it may be a bit before he got a response back.

[[3:44PM. HaruOfSteel: Hey Guys, I know you all are at your gyms currently so respond only when you can...except you Sonia, Hop, Marnie, and Leon. Anyways. I am in need of some coordination. I'm looking for a few Pokemon to add into my League team. I think a change is necessary for me to make sure it's defended...a gut feeling tells me to do anything but would be to my own folly.]]

[[3:44PM. Hop2Hop: Aye, what do you need mate?]]

[[3:50PM. SoniaBestYS: Ah, I completely forgot I even had this app on my phone! Where's the fire, Champ? ;)]]

[[3:52PM. HaruOfSteel: I said to not call me that, Sonia. Ugh. =_=; Anyways, I'm in search for a few Pokemon. Don't mind if they're Gigantimax or not. A Toxtricity, a Coalossal, and an Aegislash. I'm aware that if an Aegislash cannot be obtained, then I have a Dusk Stone on me to evolve a Doublade. This isn't necessary to respond immediately, as I'm going to be doing chores around the house, so respond when you folks can.]]

[[3:53PM. SoniaBestYS: Sorry :P I'll see what I can pull up for you!

[[4:01PM. LeonZardo: I honestly don't recall if I have a spare Toxtricity or Aegislash. For now I'd have to pass, buddy. I've been focusing on training within the Battle Tower.

[[4:03PM. SoniaBestYS: ...and other things. ;)]]

[[4:30PM. SpikerPRC: I mean, I had a Toxtricity but recently traded it to someone that needed one for a shiny Grimmsnarl.]]

[[4:40PM. Mrn13: He traded it to me.]]

[[4:41PM. SpikerPRC: Yeah, Marnie has it. Sorry, Haru.]]

[[5:02PM. HaruOfSteel: No worries, you two. Gmax variant?]]

[[5:04PM. Mrn13: Yep.]]

[[5:24PM. MiloMilo: No such luck here, Haru. There was a trainer however, that came through my Gym recently that had a Honedge. Would that help?]]

[[5:25PM. HaruOfSteel: Not unless you want to try sifting through your attendee information to maybe recall his or her name? :\ ]]

[[5:30PM. MiloMilo: That's a good point. I'm about to go out there now and fight another challenger as we speak. Hope you find someone!]]

[[5:31PM. IceIceMelony: I'm not sure there's much I can do to help, but I'll start asking around. Let me see if my son can assist you...he's not busy at the moment. I'll have him come in.]]

[[5:33PM. HaruOfSteel: :O Thanks Melony! Just let him know, although he probably already has the notification on his phone. It's all good though either way!]]

[[6:01PM. Rag1ngQueen: Haru did you tag me in something stupid again? :T]]

[[6:02PM. HaruOfSteel: Of course not, as a man who is serious all of the time between everyone here, and in our relationship that never has happened. Ever.( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]]

[[6:04PM. Rag1ngQueen: LOL! 3 Oh sorry, took a second to read the thread. Looking for some Pokemon then?]]

[[6:04PM. HaruOfSteel: I already picked my initial starters for the match but I just need these others to help 'finalize' the team.]]

[[6:04PM. RockTheGordie: Whoa okay wow wall of text here. Haru you need help man? You know I got the connections for at least one of these! You want a Coalossal? I'm your boi. Just give me a bit to get it from my box.]]

[[6:09PM. HaruOfSteel: Gordie you sure?]]

[[6:09PM. RockTheGordie: I have like...11 of them. It's fine.]]

[[6:16PM. HaruOfSteel: When you find out the IVs, send me the numbers on DMs ok?]]

[[6:16PM. FightingBEAmers: I got nothing, Haru. Sorry. But I'm going to watch your match all the same!]]

[[6:17PM. Kabu10282020: Many apologies, but I'm unable to assist you with this assignment, Haru.]]

[[6:30PM. SoniaBestYS: Haru! I got someone who can help! They have a Toxtricity that has pretty good IVs that should be right up your alley. They can meet you possibly tomorrow.]]

[[6:32PM. HaruOfSteel: Heck yes! Sonia send me the IV numbers in my DMs. :D]]

[[7:01PM. SSDrag0nBoy: Man I missed out on this whole thread huh?]]

[[7:01PM. FinalBedeasyVII: I got nothing for you, Haru.]]

[[7:44PM. Rag1ngQueen: Babe! I got someone who can send you an Aegislash! One of my trainers is dating someone who has a spare! All they're asking though is an autographed Premiere Ball with whatever you can manage.]]

[[8:00PM. HaruOfSteel: Holy crap, I'm settled then! Finally the Premiere Ball will be useful for once. If you can Nessa see if you're able to find out the IVs. If not, it's fine. I'll get some supplements for them and hit The Wild Area first thing when I get these guys!]]

[[8:01PM. Allist3r: Oh. I missed out on everything here? At least you got your situation resolved, Haru! Good luck!]]

- - DIRECT MESSAGES - -

[[8:39PM. Rag1ngQueen: Hey, do you have time? I'm home now if you want to video call.]]

Haru takes a moment to make sure he at least looked presentable, and sent out the video call to Nessa. The window opens, with her in a silk nightgown and her hair let down. "Good evening, sweetheart."

He whistles at the screen. "Heyo~ you're looking fantastic as usual."

She was brushing her hair and gave a confident smirk with that whistle. "Thank you. So outside of what we're all doing currently is there anything else I can help you with at all? Once this upcoming match at the Pokemon League is done, you'll be dedicated towards your Gym and basically be 'off the hook' so to speak, right?"

After a moment to think on what he'd respond, Haru replied, albeit sounding a little tired. "I'm going to round up my final Gym Trainers since I haven't really held any other interviews in awhile, contact Monika and see if we can't set up a plan together for the challenge. I know the crew will want that as soon as possible since digging underground to make space for it will take awhile, and I want to rely on her know-how to help me plan for one. I got the idea in place finally."

The camera on Nessa's end would switch 'modes' as she changed it to show better lighting in her room, and sat on the edge of her bed: thighs on display. "What did you decide?"

Confidently, a finger points to the sky as if to declare his idea without restraint. "Challengers will be in a location where they must connect and disconnect small bridges. The idea is similar to your Gym where Challengers must work out the puzzle for your pipelines in order to get to you, and along the way they must face the Gym Trainers. Simple, effective, and relates to the Steel type in a way that isn't far fetched!"

As if the gears in her head turned, Nessa was able to visualize how it would most likely appear and looked excited. "I like it! Can't wait to see how you set it in stone."

The Champ would chuckle a little and sighed as both arms rested on each other. "Is this what it's like for you, by the way?"

"Hmm?" she gave a raised eyebrow of confusion.

Haru took off his glasses and kept them off since at that time of the evening, the idea of sleep became more and more attractive. "Every day I mean. Being a Gym Leader, always pre-planning, being excited for how trainers will see you, etsetera, etsetera."

She smiles back and gave a nod. "Yep."

Haru yawns, apologizing immediately before speaking. "I kind of like it. Having this sort of goal to look forward to every day from now on? Gotta say I've grown excited again at the build up to this. It's been tough, and I know we've had our talks but I think as long as you're with me I can face anything."

A line of blush spreads on her dark face as her blue eyes look to his own. "That's correct. I'll be here for you along the way! When you get a uniform, you'll have to get spares, too."

His left eyebrow raised. "Wait, what? Why is that? Don't tell me I'll have to buy uniforms in duplicates for my own staff too.."

Nessa hand-waves. "Psh. Well aside from that, no, not for them! For me!" Haru looked somewhat confused until she elaborated. "Aside from being your girlfriend who will no doubt steal your uniform at times, I want one because...I'm your biggest fan! Allow me to be your first fan of you as a Gym Leader-to-be!"

The sunny disposition radiating from the smile she gave was infectious, and had made Haru relax in return. "That's true. Thank you, dear."

A short while later, Haru shut his laptop and took a look at the analogue clock on the wall, smirking. Beside him was Nora, who had been watching the conversations occur onscreen while huddled up on his lap for almost the entire time. "Think I'll head to bed early. Tomorrow can't come soon enough, and I got some new pals to welcome to the family. You coming with?"

Nora hopped off of his lap onto the floor and looked back up at him. "Gotcha. Well then, let's go face tomorrow after some rest, shall we?"

- - - - - 1 Month Later - - - - -

"-funding in excess will be going to any of the victims caught in the blast. In the meantime, the Pokemon League of Galar has released a statement, quote: 'The Pokemon League is proud to announce we will hold our League Tournament in one week! The Top 8 contenders featuring the best 8 Gym Challengers who obtained 8 Badges whether through the Sword or Shield Goalset will be facing off against each other for a chance to obtain the title of 'Champion' from the current reigning #1, Haru! We are happy with the patience and support everyone has expressed to us during the period of repairing Wyndon Stadium, and await to see you there!'. Tickets are on sale right now. In other news-"

Looking at the screen, Haru turned the television off and opened a package he received in the mail. He wanted to get reservations for a possible vacation with Nessa and him in the Isle of Armor, but was put on a simple 'waiting list' due to how many people are there currently. As an apology for his wait time, the company responsible for handling the travel sent him a box that was rather light. Confusion came upon him when he opened it to see a pair of uniforms inside the box: one with a Pikachu graphic pattern, and the other with an Eevee graphic pattern.

Haru winces; the loud appearance of the uniforms were garish to him. "...the bloody hell am I supposed to do with these? What size are these, anyway? Guess it makes sense why they asked me on the form online to submit my sizes."

It was a size too small. Sighing, he just looked at the note that came with the package. " 'Thank you Haru for your purchase of tickets for 2 to the Isle of Armor. While we cannot provide you with a timely arrival here currently please accept these uniforms on our behalf while we make sure your stay will be as relaxing and reinvigorating as possible! We thank you once again for your understanding, and await your arrival!. -G***F****'. Hmm. Must be their parent company. But come on!"

He held up the uniform in front of his face as his newly obtained Toxtricity walks by, eyeing the outfit. "Look at this Crane. Kinda iffy innit?" Haru asks. The Toxtricity turns the outfit around, and holds up a finger. It runs off, then comes back with a framed photo of him and Nessa, pointing to her. "Ah! Maybe she'll like this then! Good idea, chap. But enough of this..."

Putting the uniforms and the box away, Haru walked outside with the poison and electric Pokemon outside to see his Hall of Fame 'family' of Pokemon now getting along with, and training with the newcomers. Goji was sparring with the new Coalossal, of which Haru nicknamed 'Optimus', and the Aegislash, who was sparring with the Gardevoir named Masako, was nicknamed 'Polnareff'. His Toxtricity would join everyone else as Haru pulls out his Pokedex and a large bag filled with all of the supplies he needed.

"Allrighty guys, once you all are done sparring for half an hour, let's all hit The Wild Area and beef you all up. You're all going to be even better Pokemon than you were before, and if I'm not a future Man of Steel,then you all aren't winners. But we all know that's not true right? Let's kick ass in that League fight!" throwing a fist upwards. All of Haru's Pokemon, including the new ones, let out a cry and threw up either a paw or fist upwards. Nora, his Glaceon, just lifts up a small forefront paw and howls.

Things would be turning around, and with one fated week left to the end of his Championship run, Haru had a new fire in his spirit. The same time elsewhere, Syra would be amongst her own Pokemon as well, running diagnostics on all of their statistics and re-working her own team for the end. Taking one final glance at Haru's winning portrait when he became Champion, she puts the phone down and exhales slowly.

"What a Champion of a time it's going to be. For me."

- - - - - END OF CHAPTER 12 - - - - -