RE:Lodestar 2 - or 'In a world familiar to my childhood, The REforged Lodestar shall wage war upon the Emperor' (Pokemon Zirca 2036, Kent!SI)

Vos Xavion was a bored man.

As a man that had 'stuff' to do (which in truth were also boring'), the idea of being forced to do some 'Make A Wish' sort of ordeal because his little pet went wild with her 'worry' was quite the upsetting thing.

He was the Champion. He was the Emperor of Zirca.

But as much as he wanted to just say 'nah' to this business, he knew that he had a 'fair' reason to go there. The kid that he was visiting, the one that pretty much had his dream crushed due to that sort of 'accident', was someone that he had really wanted to fight.

If only his pet could keep her worry under check and not feel jealous over a little child with barely enough strength to matter.

Vos had been itching for a chance to crush a new pretender, and this little boy, Kent, had been impressive with his rise through the Gym Circuit. He had been so close- hell, he had been 'hit' when he started the first of the Elite Four Challenge.

The boner-killer had been unnervingly intense for the Champion. And he made sure that Eva knew that he would not accept this sort of shitty behavior again. Ah, keeping her without Dorado's drug for a day or two should remind her of her place~.

Still, Vos was not looking forward for this meeting. After all, kids were kids. He was already detached with most people and Pokémon, the last thing he needed was to act 'sad' around a child that got screwed hard but a little mess of his. Sure, it was his fault but... Why the hell should he be feel bad about it?

Stuff happens, people die, opportunities rise. That was how he treated circumstances from the day he started to be a Pokémon Trainer. And as he marched through the hospital, offering a small polite smile around, he was caught off-guard when one of the nurses, one of the many swooning at his dashing face, told him something that actually surprised Vos.

"A-Also, the patient is using some- some whiteboards."

An intrigued look landed on his face. "Hm? Why so?"

Instead of being given a straight answers as the woman had not checked- like the rest of the staff swarming him- Vos was 'shown' the answer as he walked into young Kent's room.

Pristine and unpleasant as any others, the sterile room's only occupant was currently standing with just his hospital gown, frowning over some data he wrote down. One whiteboard had information about various Pokémon to... counter the main composition of the Zircan Elite Four, another had what seemed to be a plan for a journey through three or four regions in different orders, a third one was about potential 'approachable legendaries', and the last one was about... a language he didn't understand.

Odd. And exciting.

But of course, partypoopers come out of the woods when real fun was unfolding. And one of the nurse stepped forward and gasped at the sight.

"Y-Young Mister, you should not be out of bed-"

"Nurse, I can see a stain on your skirt. I prescribe you with a dose of 'new pair of panties' and a pill of 'shut up' for the duration of a few hours. I am busy," The 'kid' replied dryly, the sass and ruthless nature of such response actually amusing the Champion as the woman squeaked again, flustered and embarrassed as she excused herself without checking if the boy had been right.

Soon, it was just Vos and... Kent.

"Do you still plan to challenge me?"

"Obviously," Kent hummed calmly, then glanced at him with a curious look. "Surprised."

"You lost your team."

"Most of my team," Kent corrected Vos as he gestured to his bed as his Pikachu was still alive and well from the looks of it. "But Lux and I will make it back on top fast. Give me an year, and I will be trouble."

"Many have told me this. I suppose you are aware of Mr. Kingston."

"To an extent, yes."

"He went to several regions before deciding to fight me. He lost."

Horribly. Then again, Kingston was also a rebel years ago and he deserved to know he could suffer a lot against him.

Vos was standing beside Kent, the boy merely nodding at the comment as he added a few lines that made him crack a real grin.

'The Champion is bored. Thread carefully.'

"Did anyone tell you that you can be quite interesting when you are angry, Kent?"

"Only my sister," He argued calmly, then glanced at Vos. "By the way, I know this sounds a bit 'abrupt', but did you receive any 'odd' reports from the Eight Gym? Anything 'to worry about'?"

Vos lifted his gaze to think about it and then shook his head. "Not that I recall. Why so? You think your 'sister' will cause trouble."

"Maybe. She had her phone off for a few days, and I plan to visit before she does anything too silly. Then, I will plan my trip."

"And you will be back in a year."

Kent nodded, then turned to smile at him. "Why? Afraid I am running away from the challenge?"

...Cheeky little brat~.

"A bit. I wouldn't want to leave businesses unfinished as they are. I called you a Lodestar, I hope you're ready to make that nickname true to your real self."

He merely nodded again and Vos decided that the visit was quite fun. Definitely not one of condolences as he had been worried about. The kid had not cried for a moment and he looked ready to 'go for more'. The best part was that he was 'improving' on his current 'footwork'. With five of his six-Pokémon team down, he could play around with synergy and the opportunity to add other Regions' particular flavors to his own style.

Oh yes, he could see how this kid had not taken the near-death experience as a mood-killer. That anger, that pure and vicious fuel for revenge pushing him to set himself to win Zirca rather than be a brat about his major losses. Maybe Vos should give a lessened punishment to Eva. If, of course, he remembered to bring that up to Dorado.

The Emperor can be quite forgetful with naughty pets, after all.


AN

First encounter with the 'Final Boss'. Next time, Kent goes to find out why his big sister is ignoring him on the phone and... the reunion will be epic. And bootalicious.