The early morning light filtered through the windows of Nihil's cabin, casting a warm glow over the room. He stood in the doorway, staring out at the stretch of land that made up his home, a generous plot of land with its own patch of water and plenty of space for his team to roam freely. The property was a sanctuary.

Ignis, his Typhlosion, was the first to catch his eye. The flames on his back flickered lazily as he prowled the edge of the property, his gaze watchful and steady. Even now, Ignis exuded an air of authority, his presence commanding the respect of the others. He was the boss, the leader, and Nihil's best friend. They'd been through hell together, from the moment Ignis was just a shy Cyndaquil, trembling with uncertainty, to now, a powerhouse that could go toe-to-toe with the strongest.

His boy curb-stomped his way through the Johto circuit. And yet he never let the power he was packing go to his head, unlike Blaze, Ignis was a humble beast. Signs of the little Cyndaquil that he was.

Nihil's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile as he watched Ignis interact with the team, giving Blaze, his overexcited Arcanine, a nudge when the big dog forgot his size and barreled too close to the others. Blaze let out a sheepish bark, his tail wagging furiously as he settled down, while Ignis stood tall, a picture of calm authority. The rest of the team seemed to take their cues from him, following his lead without question.

When the roar echoed out, he hummed in thought wondering how and why people were scared of his little girl, she was the baby of the group and yet she was the one who got the most pause. Scaldra, his Garchomp, was playfully splashing in the water, Pyrrha the towering Gyarados chilling and enjoying the company. Despite her tough exterior, Scaldra was still a puppy at heart, all toothy grins and boundless energy when she was around Nihil. The fierce, battle-hardened warrior she became in the heat of battle was nowhere to be seen; here, she was just his Scaldra, the little Gible who used to trip over her own feet when they first started training.

A soft chuckle escaped Nihil's lips as he remembered those early days. Scaldra had always been a fighter, even as a baby, she just didn't know how to channel that aspect without being a mix of adorable and clutz. She had this stubborn streak, like all of his team really, this refusal to back down, no matter how many times she got knocked around. He'd lost count of how many times they'd trained until both of them were exhausted, covered in scrapes and dirt, only to get back up and do it all over again. He figured she hadn't evolved because of the training but because of the fire in her, which she had used to constantly propel her forward, trying to close the gap between her and the team.

He remembered the last of his travels, Sinnoh, the tournaments they fought in, the wild terrains they conquered, and the countless battles where they stood shoulder-to-shoulder against opponents who underestimated them. Every victory, every defeat, had forged a bond of unshakeable loyalty. Ignis led the charge with his unyielding spirit, and Scaldra followed on stubby legs with that gleam in her eyes that promised nothing short of total destruction for anyone who stood in their way.

Nihil felt a swell of pride wash over him, his chest tightening with the weight of it. His team wasn't just a collection of powerful Pokémon; they were his family. They were the proof of everything he'd fought for, of every sacrifice and every stubborn refusal to let the world dictate his path. He loved them, more than he'd ever admit out loud.

Love. The thought made him pause, his eyes drifting to the bedside table where a photo frame lay facedown. He stared at it for a moment, his expression unreadable. After a brief hesitation, he reached out and flipped the frame upright.

The photo was from years ago, a snapshot of a moment when life seemed less complicated. There was Cynthia, dressed in a jumper and skirt, her blonde hair catching the light just right, standing next to her Gabite, and there was a newly hatched Scaldra, her brother gleaming in pride.

And then there was him, his arm draped around Ignis' neck and Cynthia's waist, all smiles and unguarded laughter.

Nihil's throat tightened, and he felt a flicker of something he wasn't ready to name. He quickly shook off the feeling, forcing a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just the good old days," he muttered, turning the frame back down before the memories could sink their claws any deeper.

He missed the simplicity of it all, that's all, not the dragon clan gal who didn't take his shit and her long legs, and hair that smelt of cedar wood and sitrus berries.

The days when battles were everything when he and Cynthia were just two trainers fighting for their place in the world, free of the titles and responsibilities that weighed them down now.

"Yeah, it was just the battles," he told himself, trying to sound more convinced than he felt. Ignis let out a low rumble, a knowing look in his eyes, he had a habit of suddenly appearing out of nowhere, he hazarded a guess that it was Eris' doing but he couldn't ever pin the two of them in the act.

"Don't give me that look," Nihil huffed, ruffling Ignis's fur with a bit more force than necessary.

Showering up and getting into a clean set of clothes, he reached for Ignis's custom ball, and headed out, though

"Let's go, Ignis," Nihil said, more to himself than to his Pokémon. "We've got a Gym to look at and some headaches to deal with."

He stepped outside into the crisp morning air, trying to shake off the lingering image of that photo. He had bigger things to focus on now—decisions to make that didn't involve staring at old memories and wondering what might have been. He was Nihil, the guy who carved his own path, who never let anyone or anything hold him down.

But as he headed down the path toward Cherrygrove City, Ignis by his side, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, some parts of the past were worth holding onto.

The old Cherrygrove City Gym stood at the edge of town, a massive open space for the Gym Pokemon to roam, surrounded by overgrown weeds and a crumbling fence. The once proud building was now a shadow of its former glory, vines climbing its faded walls, windows cracked or covered in grime, and the door hanging slightly off its hinges. Nihil stood in front of it, hands in his pockets, a sigh escaping him.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Nihil muttered, more to himself than to Ignis, who sat by his side, the flames on his back flickering softly.

He had picked Cherrygrove because it allowed him to stay away from the battling scene when he wanted to relax, this run-down shit-brick was the main cause of the lacklustre scene.

Just as he was about to step inside, forcing himself in, a voice called out from behind him. "Hey! What do you think you're doing here?"

He turned to see none other than Officer Jenny, striding up the path toward him. She wore the standard police uniform, her blue hair pulled back into a no-nonsense ponytail, but if had to guess if it hung loose it would fall to her shapely rear.

"Officer Jenny," Nihil said, putting on his best roguish smile, "I didn't know the gym came with its own security detail, but if you come with it, then I'm signing up right away.

Officer Jenny rolled her eyes, Nihil played it on thick when it came to her, and she in return flirted back but it never went further than that.

"Last time I checked, this place wasn't exactly open to the public… what the heck do you mean by that?"

He let his eyes linger on her for just a moment longer than necessary, his smirk turning into something a bit more mischievous, "Well you being the security, handcuffs, maybe a new uniform, tighter than necessary."

"A baton, to whack people when they're avoiding the topic." She said flatly.

"Champion Lance," He said easily enough, he liked Jenny, well this Officer Jenny, and plus he figured if he was to go down this route, she'd probably be the first to know in City, "he wants me to open this place up, be its leader and-"

"Holy shit." Officer Jenny exclaimed as she stepped into Nihil's personal space, the scent of cheri berries on her breath, "Nihil, if you become the Gym Leader, it would benefit the city, the economic boon alone!"

"Are things really that bad?" She ignored me and turned to the gym, pulling out an equally rusted key from a set of keys on her belt.

"Come in! Take a look. I know it's run down at best but still, the potential is here." She chattered, only turning back to me as she opened the door and motioned for me to follow her in.

If Officer Jenny was going to give me the tour then I guess it was safe enough to explore, but even still I recalled Ignis, not entirely trusting the mean and muscled form of my starter wouldn't break the most likely rotted flooring.

As I stepped in Officer Jenny locked the door behind us.

Together, they stepped into the ruined gym. The inside was even more of a wreck than the outside—dust-covered floors, broken ceiling tiles, and a few pieces of old gym equipment rusting in the corner. The display screen that hung was old, like really old, that it made sense that it wasn't worth taking down when this place was left to rot. The place smelled of decay and neglect, a far cry from the vibrant arena it must have been in its prime.

"Not much to look at now, is it?" Jenny said, trailing her fingers along a dusty window ledge. "This place used to be something special back in the day. It's a shame it's gone to waste."

"Yeah, well," Nihil said, stepping further into the main arena, "I've always liked a fixer-upper. Adds character. And a place with character is a lot more interesting than something shiny and new, don't you think?"

She gave him a sideways glance, catching the double meaning in his words. "Careful," she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips, "I might think you're talking about me."

Nihil turned to her, leaning casually against one of the cracked pillars, his eyes locked onto hers. "And if I was?" he asked, his voice dropping just a touch lower, laced with that signature hint of deviance.

Jenny's smile widened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a mock-serious expression. "I'd say you're pretty bold for a guy who doesn't even know if he's taking the job."

"Bold's just another word for confidence," Nihil replied, pushing off the pillar and walking toward her. He stopped a breath away, close enough to catch the faintest scent of her perfume mixed with the clean, crisp air of the morning. "But you're right. This place needs a hell of a lot more than confidence to fix."

Jenny's eyes softened just a bit, and for a moment, they stood there in the wrecked gym, two people who didn't quite fit the expectations laid out for them. "You really think you can turn this place around?" She asked, her voice softer now, with genuine curiosity laced in her tone.

Nihil shrugged, "I could," He was sure enough in his abilities, and plus not to bag on the current circuit Gym Leaders, but he knew he could do better than most of them, "but I still don't know if I'm going to." Nihil turned around looking up at the tall ceilings, he could imagine Scaldra flying through space above, "It's going to take some convincing really and…" Nihil trailed off as he slowly turned around to see Officer Jenny hiking her skirt up, the band of her cotton panties hooked by her thumbs.

"What are you-"

"Convincing you?" She said with leer, and peeled her underwear down, hopping out of them.

A better man would considering the ramifications and the general seediness of this whole affair, and not proceed, but then again Nihil would just as happily screw his cunt of a cousin. So with little thought he pulled out the condom he kept in his wallet, tearing apart the wrapper with his teeth, and rolled it on.

"Keep the uniform on."

Officer Jenny huffed, "I figured. Celia says you love uniforms."

With his rubber-covered length deep in her, pinning her to a pillar, he rolled his hips and hummed mockingly, "Perhaps you'd need to throw her in the mix, to fully convince me to take up this arduous task."

Officer Jenny disguised her breath moaning with a click of her teeth and a sigh, "An officer of the law prostituting herself is not enough?"

"Oh Officer Jenny, you think this is going to be a one-time thing? How cute."

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Nihil and Officer Jenny were done, and the cum filled rubber was thrown to the side. And Officer Jenny was on her knees, her mouth stuffed as she engulfed his entire length, Nihil gave her the heads up he was about to shoot his load, hazel eyes locked up, eyes smiling as she deepthroated the load.

Nihil grinned at Jenny, who was still catching her breath, her uniform dishevelled and her hair a mess, but with a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"You're full of surprises, you know that?" He said, giving her a hand up before he tucked himself back into his jeans, the officer finding her discarded underwear.

"I aim to please," She replied as she bent over suggestively, "You better get out of here before I report you for indecent behaviour in public," she teased, her smirk barely hiding the twinkle in her eyes.

Nihil laughed as he adjusted his own clothes, tossing his jacket over his shoulder. "You know where to find me if you ever want to file that complaint," He said with a wink. She shot him a mock glare before slipping out of the gym, leaving him alone in the wrecked space.

"Well, that was a good distraction," he muttered to himself, shaking off the lingering thoughts. But now, the weight of Lance's proposal settled back onto his shoulders, a reminder that there were bigger problems to face.

Back at his cabin, Nihil wasted no time stripping down and heading straight for the shower. He stood under the hot water, letting it wash away the grime, the tension, and the last remnants of the day. As he scrubbed off the scent of the old gym and the sweat from his time with Jenny, his thoughts drifted back to the Dragon Clan. He knew they wouldn't leave him alone forever, not when they had a vested interest in his future.

After a long shower, Nihil threw on a pair of comfortable jeans and a faded T-shirt. He was just reaching for a cider in the fridge when a knock echoed through the quiet cabin. He paused, closing his eyes and letting out an exasperated sigh. He already knew who it was before he even opened the door.

Standing on his doorstep was his grandfather by blood, the current leader of the Dragon Clan. The old man looked as stern and imposing as ever, his sharp eyes like chips of ice, his presence radiating authority. Nihil's jaw clenched at the sight of him, but he forced a smile that was more teeth than warmth.

"Gramps," Nihil said with an exaggerated sigh, the man would be addressed as my Lord, or honourable grandfather, anything else was an insult, so, of course, Nihil, the disowned bastard referred to him with a sense of adoration, that teased the realm of insulting and disrespect. "You're a little far from Blackthorn, don't you think?"

"May I come in?" The old man asked, his voice as cold and formal as ever.

Nihil stepped aside, waving him in with a mock bow. "By all means, make yourself at home," He said, a sarcastic edge in his tone. The elder didn't react, his expression unchanging as he stepped into the cabin, taking in his surroundings with a critical eye.

As they moved into the living room, Ignis, who was lounging nearby, straightened up, his eyes narrowing at the newcomer. The flames on his back flickered slightly, a silent warning that he was ready to step in if things went south. Nihil gave his Typhlosion a subtle nod, a silent signal to stand down but stay alert.

"You're not here for a family visit, so let's skip the pleasantries," Nihil said, plopping onto his couch and cracking open his cider. "What do you want, old man?"

The elder's eyes locked onto Nihil's, unblinking and calculating. "Lance has extended an offer for you to become the Gym Leader of Cherrygrove City," he began, his tone clipped and authoritative. "I strongly advise that you accept."

Nihil took a long sip of his cider, deliberately dragging out the silence. He set the bottle down, giving his grandfather a lazy grin. "And here I thought it was just Lance's idea. But you lot are pulling the strings, aren't you? The Dragon Clan needs me to dance to their tune."

"Do not mistake Lance's proposal as mere personal means," his grandfather said, his voice softening into something almost patronizing. "We believe that your position as a Gym Leader would not only strengthen the Clan's influence but also bring honour to our lineage, as well as a means to formally bring you into the fold."

'The go fuck yourself and the clan while you're at it,' was on the cusp of his tongue, he didn't want anything to do with the clan, hence his slight anger at Lance being the only decent one of them, he could've washed his hands with these wankers ages ago if it weren't for his cousin.

Nihil's sneer widened, hate reaching his eyes. "You're going about this all wrong, Gramps," he said, shaking his head. "If you really wanted me to take this Gym Leader role, you should've pretended to be against it. You know I love nothing more than doing the exact opposite of what the Clan wants."

The elder's lips twitched, a hint of a smile that was more of a sneer. "Perhaps this is all an elaborate ruse, then," he replied, his tone almost teasing, though his eyes remained cold and calculating. "Perhaps you are already ensnared in a game you cannot comprehend. Perhaps I do not want you to come into your own, and want you to refuse."

Nihil's grin faltered for a fraction of a second, just enough for his grandfather to catch it. He hated that the old man had managed to throw him off, even if just for a moment. "I'll give you that one," Nihil said begrudgingly, raising his bottle in a mock toast. "Props for keeping me on my toes."

The elder's eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of victory flickering across his face. "If you refuse to do this for the Clan, then at least do it for Lance," he said, leaning in slightly. "You know he will face resistance—Johto Champions are not favoured by those Kanto plebians, the dithering fool Pryce did us no favours." There was a sense of judgement in his tone, after all, Nihil had practically won his championship match against the older man and yet the ice specialist carried on for nearly seven months before Lance's victory, "Your cousin will need support, someone he can rely on."

Nihil's grin faded, and for a moment, he let his guard drop. He knew what his grandfather was saying was true. Lance had always been there for him, the only one in the Clan who saw him as more than just a bastard to be ashamed of. Lance had given him a shot when no one else would, and now, the Clan was using that bond to tug at Nihil's loyalty.

"You're playing dirty," Nihil muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Using Lance to guilt-trip me into this."

"Call it what you will," his grandfather said, straightening up, his voice once more cold and detached. "But the Clan looks after its own, and you are one of us. If you care for Lance as much as you claim, then you will understand what must be done."

Nihil stared at his grandfather, his eyes hardening. "I'm not like Lance or Clair," he said, his voice low and defiant. "I won't play by the Clan's rules just because you think I should."

The old man's smirk returned, his eyes gleaming with a hint of something that almost looked like pride. "We shall see, Nihil," he said, turning to leave. "We shall see."

As the door closed behind his grandfather, Nihil let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. Ignis gave him a nudge, his eyes full of silent support, and Nihil reached up to scratch the Pokémon's ears.

"I hate it when he does that," Nihil muttered. "Makes me feel like I'm already playing their damn game."

Ignis let out a low growl, and Nihil couldn't help but grin, the fire in his eyes reigniting. "But they're not gonna win that easy," he said, determination creeping back into his voice. "Not by a long shot."

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his decision pressing down on him like never before. If he took the role of Gym Leader, he'd be stepping into a mess of politics and expectations—but if he didn't, he'd be leaving Lance to face it all alone. And that was the one thing he wasn't sure he could live with.

"One step at a time," Nihil whispered to himself. "One damn step at a time."

And with that, he settled back, knowing that the battle between his loyalty to Lance and his defiance of the Clan had only just begun.

Nihil was sprawled on the couch, staring at the ceiling when a knock at the door echoed through the cabin. He sat up, running a hand through his hair and letting out a long sigh. "What now?" he muttered under his breath, half-expecting another surprise visit from his grandfather or someone else sent by the Dragon Clan.

But when he opened the door, he found Lyra standing there, her cheeks flushed and a bright smile lighting up her face. She held a package in her arms, barely able to contain her excitement. Nihil's expression softened, the usual edge in his demeanour fading as he looked at her.

"Hey, Lyra," he said, his voice gentler than it had been all day. He couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. "What brings you all the way out here?"

"Professor Elm sent me," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush, her eyes sparkling as she held out the package. "He said it was really important and that you needed to get it right away!"

Nihil took the package from her hands, his fingers brushing against hers for just a second. He noticed the way her face turned a deeper shade of pink. "Thanks, kid. You're always looking out for me, aren't you?"

Lyra's eyes widened, and she stammered a little, "O-of course! Anything for you, Nihil!" She bit her lip, looking down at the ground, but the smile that spread across her face was impossible to hide.

Nihil reached out, gently ruffling her hair in a way that made her blush even more. "Take it easy, Lyra," he said softly. "And tell your old man I said thanks, okay?"

She nodded vigorously, her eyes never leaving his as if trying to commit every second to memory. "I will," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Nihil internally called out to Eris, his aura to reach out to the psychic powerhouse, telling her to shadow the spunky girl as she made her way back home. The girl was brave but that didn't mean he wouldn't be cautious of her safety.

With one last smile, Lyra turned and headed back down the path, glancing over her shoulder more than once before finally disappearing around the bend. Nihil watched her go, a rare tenderness in his eyes that faded as he turned his attention back to the package in his hands.

He stepped back inside, setting the package on the coffee table. As he opened it, he found a custom Fire-type Gym Badge nestled inside—its design sleek and unique, clearly crafted with thought and care. Nihil's breath hitched slightly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the craftsmanship. There was no mistaking it; Professor Elm had known all along what was happening.

Beneath the badge was a handwritten letter. Nihil unfolded the paper, his eyes scanning over Elm's familiar handwriting

XXXXXXXXXX

Dear Nihil,

I hope this letter finds you well, though knowing you, you're probably grumbling about the trouble I've put you through by now. I've heard whispers about the Gym Leader proposal, and I wanted you to know one thing—whatever you decide, I'm proud of you.

You've always carved your own path, refusing to let anyone define who you are or what you should be. That's something not many people can say, Nihil. You've done more than just train Pokémon; you've inspired everyone around you, myself included.

This badge isn't just a symbol of a Gym—it's a symbol of the fire that's always burned within you. Whether you decide to take on this role or keep doing things your way, know that you have my unwavering support. You'll always have a home here, and you'll always have my respect.

Take care of yourself, and don't forget that the most important battles are the ones you fight for yourself.

With pride,

Professor Elm

XXXXXXXXXX

Nihil stared at the letter for a long moment, his grip tightening slightly around the paper. A strange warmth spread through his chest, one that he hadn't felt in a long time. He swallowed hard, looking down at the custom badge glinting up at him, its flame-like design capturing the essence of everything he'd fought for.

"Old man," he muttered, shaking his head with a small, reluctant smile. "You always knew how to get under my skin, don't you?"

He set the letter down carefully, his gaze lingering on the badge. The decision still hung in the air, heavy with possibility. But as he sat there, surrounded by the memories of his journey and the silent encouragement of his mentor, he felt a shift—a small crack in the armour of his resistance.

"Maybe this could be worth it after all," Nihil said quietly, a fire sparking in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

He didn't have all the answers yet, but for the first time, he felt like he might actually be ready to start looking for them.

A/N - Published - 2024/10/08

Yo thanks for the support shown to this story. Especially for those who have commented.

Thoughts and ideas are always appreciated.

Also before anyone points it out, yeah I know, but the delicious irony of his main's being fire and his link to dragon type and him not having a Charizard is clear to me. He'll probably get one later. He'll need to bolster his fire typing for the gym when he finally takes over.

Necros The Saiyan Knight; You're right, that's part of the reason why he forfeited right before he would have won, and he's the type to see something like being the Champion as a role of responsibility and that's not his cup of tea.